Simulium (Gomphostilbia) okinawense Takaoka and S. (G.) tokarense Takaoka, both from the Nansei Islands, Japan, were morphologically reexamined and genetically analysed by using the COI gene sequences. The female, male, pupa and mature larva of the two species are redescribed. Morphological reexamination shows that both species are more similar to species in the S. asakoae species-group than to those in the S. ceylonicum species-group, by having a medium-long female sensory vesicle, yellow tuft hairs (S. (G.) okinawense) or yellow tuft hairs mixed with a few to several dark hairs (S. (G.) tokarense) at the base of the radial vein in the female and male, and medium-long larval postgenal cleft. However, the body of the male ventral plate (viewed ventrally) is parallel-sided (S. (G.) okinawense) or parallelsided or slightly narrowed (S. (G.) tokarense) and not emarginated basally, differing from those of most species in the S. asakoae species-group. Our genetic analysis shows that S. (G.) tokarense is in the S. asakoae species-group, and S. (G.) okinawense formed a separate sister clade with other members of the S. asakoae species-group with high bootstrap support. From the results of morphological and genetic analysis combined, S. (G.) okinawense and S. (G.) tokarense are transferred from the S. ceylonicum species-group to the S. asakoae species-group.

Simulium takahasii (Rubtsov), which was originally described from Japan, and recorded from Korea and China, is the first among the 19 species of the subgenus Wilhelmia Enderlein recorded from East Asia. It is striking in mating, blood-feeding and ovipositing in captivity and in experimentally transmitting Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy) and Brugia pahangi (Buckley & Edeson), and it is a severe biter of cattle and horses, rarely of humans. Nevertheless, updated information about its morphological characteristics was lacking, making comparisons with related species described from China difficult, since species of the subgenus Wilhelmia are almost indistinguishable from one another, in particular, in their female terminalia, male genitalia and most of larval features. In this study, as many morphological characteristics as possible of S. takahasii based on specimens from Japan are redescribed. New information about many features of this species including the length of the female sensory vesicle against the third palpal segment, number of male upper-eye (large) facets, arrangement of the eight pupal gill filaments, presence or absence of tiny dark setae on the dorsum of the larval abdomen and the number of rows and hooklets of the larval posterior circlet will be useful in evaluating the species status of several Wilhelmia species in China including the species regarded as S. takahasii.

Objective: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is characterized by urinary dysfunction, yet the influence of sex and gender on urinary symptoms and treatment is unclear. We sought to characterize sex and gender differences in the symptomatology, evaluation, and management of urinary dysfunction in patients with MSA. Methods: Patients with MSA evaluated at our institution were reviewed and stratified by sex. Results: While the prevalence of urinary symptoms was similar in male and female patients, incontinence was more common in females. Despite this, males and females underwent postvoid residual (PVR) measurement at similar rates. While catheterization rates were similar when PVR was measured, males were more than twice as likely to be catheterized than females in the absence of PVR measurement. Conclusion Urinary symptoms are common in MSA, but their presentation differs between males and females. The difference in catheterization rates may be driven by a gender disparity in referrals for PVR, which can guide treatment.

Simulium (Gomphostilbia) ogatai (Rubtsov) from Japan, the only Palaearctic species in the S. ceylonicum species-group, is morphologically revised. Its female is described for the first time and its male and pupa are redescribed based on specimens from Gifu, Honshu. It is characterized in the female and male by the base of the radius with a tuft of yellow hairs, in the female by the head slightly wider than the thorax, 5.89 times as wide as the greatest width of the frons, and short sensory vesicle 0.21–0.24 times as long as the third palpal segment; in the male by the number of upper-eye (large) facets in 15 vertical columns and 16 horizontal rows, and hind basitarsus spindle-shaped, enlarged, 3.79 times as long as wide, and 0.83 and 1.00 times as wide as the greatest width of the hind tibia and femur, respectively; and in the pupa by the terminal hooks simple and cone-like, and the cocoon with an anterodorsal projection. Taxonomic notes for this species are given relevant to several related species in the Oriental Region, and its assignment to the S. ceylonicum species-group is confirmed.

Simulium (Simulium) rufibasis Brunetti originally described from India was once considered a geographic generalist widely distributed in the Oriental Region. In this study, the species previously regarded as S. (S.) rufibasis in Taiwan was morphologically re-evaluated and found to be distinguished in the male and pupa from true S. (S.) rufibasis from India. This new species is described as S. (S.) hehuanense sp. nov. based on a female, a male and their pupal exuviae in Taiwan. This new species is placed in the S. rufibasis subgroup of the S. tuberosum species-group, and is similar to S. (S.) yamatoense Takaoka, Adler & Fukuda from Japan and Korea, but it is barely distinguished by the slenderer forebasitarsi of the female and male. Another new, related species, S. (S.) xiulinense sp. nov., is described based on a male and its pupal exuviae. This new species is distinguished from S. (S.) hehuanense sp. nov. by the number of male upper-eye (large) facets in 20 or 21 vertical columns and 22 horizontal rows (19 vertical columns and 19 horizontal rows in the latter species), and presence of a pair of dorsolateral shiny spots on male abdominal segment 5 (absence in the latter species). Both new species inhabit streams at high elevations (ca, 2,600 m). They differ from S. (S.) sp. (probably S. (S.) arisanum Shiraki) from Taiwan, of the same subgroup, which breeds in streams at low elevations (433–685 m), by the pupal head and thorax covered with tubercles (bare in the latter species).

INTRODUCTION: Child sexual abuse (CSA) adversely affects a child's growth and well-being. This study aimed to describe the profile of children presenting to a tertiary paediatric emergency department(ED) with CSA. METHODS: Children 0-16 years old presenting to KK Women's and Children's Hospital ED from June 2016 to August 2020 with sexual abuse were retrospectively reviewed. We performed a secondary analysis on girls and stratified them by age <13 and ≥13 years old. RESULTS: There were 790 patients who made 833 visits for CSA. Victims were predominantly girls (747, 94.8%) and perpetrators were predominantly men (763, 96.6%). The abuse first occurred before the age of 13 years in 315 victims (39.9%). For 468 (59.2%), more than one incident occurred before presentation. Compared to girls ≥13 years old, girls <13 years old were more frequently abused by a family member (47.7% versus 8.0%, CONCLUSION The findings highlight common characteristics of CSA cases, and can aid the future identification and protection of vulnerable children. The fact that most children presented after more than one incident suggests the need to more closely monitor and protect potentially at-risk children.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child Abuse ; Child Abuse, Sexual ; Child, Preschool ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Parents ; Retrospective Studies

Simulium (Simulium) contractum Takaoka from Sulawesi, Indonesia was known only as the pupa. Its female, male and mature larva are described for the first time. The tentative assignment of this species in the Simulium dumogaense species-group is confirmed by the adult characters including the female and male genitalia. The female and male of this species are similar to those of Simulium (Simulium) tumpaense Takaoka & Roberts but are distinguished by the yellowish femora.

This study was carried out to determine from bacterial profiling to the bacterial profiles of head lice among the Orang Asli communities. The head lice were collected from Orang Asli community volunteers. The surface sterilized head lice pools were subjected to genomic DNA extraction while next generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Six female and three male head lice identified as Pediculus humanus capitis were collected. A total of 111 368 number of NGS sequencing reads were recorded while another 223 bacterial taxa sequences were obtained. Symbiotic bacteria showed the highest number of reads, with Arsenophonus and Rhodococcus sequences being the most abundant genera in the female and male samples, respectively. The female head lice contained a more distinct microbial diversity. Amongst the pathogenic bacterial species sequences noted were the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptobacillus moniliformis, Haemophilus influenzae, Bordetella pertussis and Acinetobacter baumannii. The 16S rRNA genome sequencing revealed a number of rare and pathogenic bacterial species within the head lice of the Orang Asli. The socio-economic practices of the community which involved forest foraging and hunting, and their poor living conditions potentially facilitated the transmission of zoonotic bacterial pathogens, including those found within the head lice. Hence, there is the possibility that the head lice could serve as vectors for the transmission of pathogenic bacteria. This study highlighted the diverse microbial community found within the head lice’s gut of the Orang Asli, with the detection of multiple rare and pathogenic bacteria capable of causing severe infections.

Background/Aims: Adverse early life experiences are associated with the development of stroke, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory and ischemic heart diseases. These negative experiences may also play a role in the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)––a functional gastrointestinal disease. This review discusses the research to date on the parental, perinatal, and childhood risk and protective factors associated with the development of IBS. Methods: A literature search was completed for studies published between 1966 and 2018 that investigated premorbid factors occurring during the perinatal and childhood periods as well as parental factors that were associated with the development of IBS. Results: Twenty-seven studies fulfilled the review criteria. Risk factors that appeared in more than one study included: (1) parental IBS, substance abuse, parental punishment, and rejection as parental risk factors; (2) low birth weight as a perinatal risk factor; and (3) crowded living conditions in low-income families, childhood anxiety, depression, or child abuse as childhood risk factors. Protective factors for IBS were emotional warmth from the parents and being born to an older mother. Conclusions More effort is needed to identify what fetal and maternal factors are associated with low birth weight and IBS. A well-executed prospective birth cohort with a collection of bio-samples and functional data will provide a better understanding of how adversity and the interplay between genetics, epigenetics, and numerous risk factors affect the development of IBS.

A new black fly species, Simulium yukawai, is described on the basis of one female and its pupal exuviae from Vietnam. This new species is placed in the S. crocinum species-group of Simulium (Simulium) (Diptera: Simuliidae). It is characterized in the female by the paraproct covered with 48–50 distinct hairs on its ventral and lateral surfaces, and in the pupa by the frons and most of the thorax bare, gill with six dark filaments in three pairs closely arising from the base, of which the two outer filaments of the dorsal and middle pairs are much longer than other filaments, abdomen with distinct spine-combs on the dorsal surface of segments 7–9, and cocoon wall-pocket shaped, with a large anterolateral window on each side. Taxonomic notes are given to separate this new species from related species. This species is the fourth member of the S. crocinum species-group known from Vietnam.