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Androdioecy (the coexistence of males and hermaphrodites) is a raremating system for which the evolutionary dynamics are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the cottony cushion scale, Icerya purchasi, one of only three reported cases of androdioecy in insects. In this species, female-like hermaphrodites have been shown to produce sperm and self-fertilize. However, males are ocassionally observed as well. In a large genetic analysis, we show for the first time that, although self-fertilization appears to be the primary mode of reproduction, rare outbreeding events do occur in natural populations, supporting the hypothesis that hermaphrodites mate with males and hence androdioecy is the mating system of I. purchasi. Thus, this globally invasive pest insect appears to enjoy the colonization advantages of a selfing organism while also benefitting from periodic reintroduction of genetic variation through outbreeding with males.

The onion maggot, Delia antiqua (Meigen), is one of the most important insect pests to agricultural crops within Allium genus, such as onions and garlic, worldwide. This study was conducted to understand the seasonal abundance of this pest, with special reference to the hot summer effect (HSE), which was incorporated into the model of summer diapause termination (SDT). We assumed that hot summer temperatures arrested the development of pupae during summer diapause. The estimated SDT curve showed that it occurred below a high-temperature limit of 22.1 °C and peaked at 16 °C. Accordingly, HSE resulted in delaying the late season fly abundance after summer, namely impacting the third generation. In Jinju, South Korea, the activity of D. antiqua was observed to cease for more than two months in the hot summer and this pattern was well described by model outputs. In the warmer Jeju Island region, Korea, the late season emergence was predicted to be greatly delayed, and D. antiqua did not exhibit a specific peak in the late season in the field. The abundance patterns observed in Korea were very different from those in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Germany. These regions are located at a much higher latitude (42° N to 53° N) than Korea (33° N to 35° N), and their HSE was less intense, showing overlapped or slightly separated second and third generation peaks. Consequently, our modeling approach for the summer diapause termination effectively explained the abundance patterns of D. antiqua in the late season. Also, the model will be useful for determining spray timing for emerging adults in late summer as onion and garlic are sown in the autumn in Korea.

To investigate whether the better prognosis of interstitial pneumonias associated with collagen vascular disease (CVD) compared with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is due to higher frequency of the nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) pattern in CVD, we compared the outcomes of patients from these two groups with the same histopathologic pattern. The clinical features and survival of 362 patients (269 with IIP and 93 with CVD) diagnosed using surgical lung biopsy were analyzed. The mean survival of the CVD group (131.0 mo) was longer than that of the IIP group (80.5 mo) (p<0.0001). The patients with usual interstitial pneumonia pattern among the CVD group (n=36) was younger, female, and predominantly nonsmoking compared with the IIP group (n=203). Although baseline lung functions were not significantly different, the CVD group survived longer (mean, 177.0 mo) than the IIP group (mean, 66.9 +/- 6.5 mo; p=0.001). By multivariate analysis, younger age, better pulmonary function, and the presence of a CVD were independent prognostic factors. In NSIP pattern, no significant differences in survival, clinical features, or lung function were found between the two groups. Our data suggest that the better prognosis of patients in the CVD group is not solely due to the predominance of the NSIP pattern. The prognosis of patients with the usual interstitial pneumonia pattern in CVD is better than in those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, despite the same pathologic pattern. In contrast, in those with an NSIP pattern, the prognosis is similar in both groups.

Models can be useful to help understand population dynamics of insects under diverse environmental conditions and in developing strategies to better manage pest species. Adult longevity and fecundity of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) were evaluated against a wide range of constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 37.5°C). The modified Sharpe and DeMichele model described adult aging rate and was used to estimate adult physiological age. Maximum fecundity of H. armigera was 973 eggs per female at 25°C decreasing to 72 eggs per female at 37.5°C.The relationship between adult fecundity and temperature was well described by an extreme value function. Age-specific cumulative oviposition rate and age-specific survival rate were well described by a two-parameter Weibull function and sigmoid function, respectively. An oviposition model was developed using three temperature-dependent components: total fecundity, age-specific oviposition rate, and age-specific survival rate.The oviposition model was validated against independent field data and described the pattern of field occurrence of H. armigera egg numbers very well. Our model will be a useful component for population modeling of H. armigera and can be independently used for the timing of sprays in management programs targeting this key pest species.

The molecular mechanisms underlying acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are poorly understood. We studied the global gene expression signature of acute exacerbations of IPF. To understand the gene expression patterns of acute exacerbations of IPF. RNA was extracted from 23 stable IPF lungs, 8 IPF lungs with acute exacerbation (IPF-AEx), and 15 control lungs and used for hybridization on Agilent gene expression microarrays. Functional analysis of genes was performed with Spotfire and Genomica. Gene validations for MMP1, MMP7, AGER, DEFA1-3, COL1A2, and CCNA2 were performed by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry and in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick end-labeling assays were performed on the same tissues used for the microarray. ELISA for alpha-defensins was performed on plasma from control subjects, patients with stable IPF, and patients with IPF-AEx. Gene expression patterns in IPF-AEx and IPF samples were similar for the genes that distinguish IPF from control lungs. Five hundred and seventy-nine genes were differentially expressed (false discovery rate < 5%) between stable IPF and IPF-AEx. Functional analysis of these genes did not indicate any evidence of an infectious or overwhelming inflammatory etiology. CCNA2 and alpha-defensins were among the most up-regulated genes. CCNA2 and alpha-defensin protein levels were also higher and localized to the epithelium of IPF-AEx, where widespread apoptosis was also detected. alpha-Defensin protein levels were increased in the peripheral blood of patients with IPF-AEx. Our results indicate that IPF-AEx is characterized by enhanced epithelial injury and proliferation, as reflected by increases in CCNA2 and alpha-defensins and apoptosis of epithelium. The concomitant increase in alpha-defensins in the peripheral blood and lungs may suggest their use as biomarkers for this disorder.

Rationale: The 2002 American Thoracic Society/ European Respiratory Society classification of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias identified nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) as a provisional diagnosis. Concern was expressed that NSIP was a \"wastebasket\" category, difficult to distinguish from other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Objectives: The following questions were addressed: (1) Is idiopathic NSIP a distinct entity? 2) If so, what are its clinical, radiologic and pathologic characteristics? (3) What is the role of radiology and pathology in establishing the diagnosis? (4) To make a diagnosis of idiopathic NSIP, what other disorders need to be excluded and how should this be done? Methods: Investigators who had previously reported cases of idiopathic NSIP were invited to submit cases for review (n = 305). After initial review, cases with complete clinical, radiologic, and pathologic information (n = 193) were reviewed in a series of workshops. Measurements and Main Results: Sixty-seven cases were identified as NSIP. Mean age was 52 years, 67% were women, 69% were never-smokers, and 46% were from Asian countries. The most common symptoms were dyspnea (96%) and cough (87%); 69% had restriction. By high-resolution computed tomography, the lower lung zones were predominantly involved in 92% of cases; 46% had a peripheral distribution; 47% were diffuse. Most showed a reticular pattern (87%) with traction bronchiectasis (82%) and volume loss (77%). Lung biopsies showed uniform thickening of alveolar walls with a spectrum of cellular to fibrosing patterns. Five-year survival was 82.3%. Conclusions: Idiopathic NSIP is a distinct clinical entity that occurs mostly in middle-aged women who are never-smokers. The prognosis of NSIP is very good.

Clinicopathologic pulmonary manifestations associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome have yet to be reviewed in a large series since the recognition of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) as a distinct histologic pattern. To determine clinical presentations, high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) and histologic findings of the lung disease associated with primary Sjogren's syndrome in the light of NSIP, and to analyze prognosis of the disease. On the basis of 33 cases (31 surgical lung biopsies and 2 autopsies) collected consecutively from multiple centers, we have retrospectively evaluated clinical, radiologic, and pathologic manifestations of the disease. Prognostic factors were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. We found that NSIP was the most frequently seen histologic pattern (20 of 33 cases [61%], 19 fibrosing and 1 cellular). Bronchiolar diseases and amyloid and malignant lymphoma were seen less frequently. HRCT-pathologic correlation resulted in a 94% positive predictive value of CT-NSIP pattern for pathologic diagnosis of NSIP, whereas the diagnostic value of HRCT was low (15%) with an HRCT pattern other than NSIP, data that may influence the decision to biopsy. The 5-year survival rate was 84% overall and 83% in patients with NSIP. Multivariate analysis on all patients showed that low Pa(O(2)) (p = 0.02) and presence of microscopic honeycombing (p = 0.04) were independently associated with survival. Patients with NSIP showed lower vital capacity (mean +/- SD: 68.5 +/- 16.6%pred) than patients without NSIP (92.5 +/- 18.6%pred; p < 0.001). Among a diversity of pulmonary lesions in primary Sjogren's syndrome, NSIP was the commonest histologic pattern and had a favorable prognosis.

The histopathologic pattern provides the most important prognostic marker for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia; however, studies have suggested that short-term changes in lung function may be more important. We investigated the prognostic factors for fibrotic interstitial pneumonia. The clinical features and follow-up course of 179 patients (131 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 48 with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia; 41 fibrotic types and 7 cellular) were analyzed retrospectively. The lung function indices improved or stabilized in most patients with fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia in contrast to the deterioration or stable condition of most patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The 5-year survival of patients with fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (76.2%) was better than for those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (43.8%) (p = 0.007). Multivariate analysis at the time of presentation revealed that pathologic pattern, age, and diffusion capacity had important prognostic implications. However, after 6 months of follow-up, changes in FVC, initial diffusion capacity, and sex were the only independent prognostic factors, with no additional prognostic information conferred by the histologic diagnosis. Our data confirmed the importance of physiological parameters including short-term change in FVC. However, at the time of diagnosis, histopathology was important for the prediction of prognosis and future change in lung function.

This study attempts to conduct a comparative analysis between dynamic and static asset allocation to achieve the long-term target return on asset liability management (ALM). This study conducts asset allocation using the ex ante expected rate of return through the outlook of future economic indicators because past economic indicators or realized rate of returns which are used as input data for expected rate of returns in the \"building block\" method, most adopted by domestic pension funds, does not fully reflect the future economic situation. Vector autoregression is used to estimate and forecast long-term interest rates. Furthermore, it is applied to gross domestic product and consumer price index estimation because it is widely used in financial time series data. Based on asset allocation simulations, this study derived the following insights: first, economic indicator filtering and upper-lower bound computation is needed to reduce the expected return volatility. Second, to reach the ALM goal, more stocks should be allocated than low-yielding assets. Finally, dynamic asset allocation which has been mirroring economic changes actively has a higher annual yield and risk-adjusted return than static asset allocation.

The objective of this study was to determine the number of instars of Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) larvae by comparing their head capsule widths (HCW) published in previous studies, as well as additional laboratory experiments. Larvae of M. alternatus showed repeated molting in the laboratory. Most larvae ceased their development at the 10th instar stage. Frequency distributions of HCW for the first, second, and third instar larvae were clearly separated while those of the fourth through 11th instar larvae largely overlapped between successive instars in our results. The HCW values for the first, second, and third instar larvae directly measured for each instar in our study indicated that they were more precise than those of previous reports based on field-collected HCW which might have missed HCW of the first instar larvae or wrongly determined HCW for some instars. Unlike the reports of four instars of previous studies, M. alternatus larvae passed five instars in the field, which was confirmed by the discovery of five pairs of mandibles in the feeding gallery and pupal chamber. Also, the comparative study for the frequency distributions of HCW revealed that most M. alternatus larvae passed five instars. Consequently, the average sizes of HCW for their first, second, and third instar larvae are newly suggested to be 0.896 ± 0.069, 1.291 ± 0.131, and 1.707 ± 0.165 mm (mean ± SD) .