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Springs are one of important freshwater habitats in the Dynaric Mountains. Nevertheless, there were no intensive studies on dipteran communities in the region. Here we present an ecological analysis of Chironomidae communities recorded from a set of 27 springs along the Cvrcka River mainstream (the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina). Environmental classification of Cvrcka springs divide them into three groups reflecting the level of human impact. Chironomidae communities divide investigated springs into three groups more dependent on bottom substrate quality. CCA indicates that the hard bottom and altitude are primary (significant) factors determining midge assemblages. Secondary factors influencing communities are oxygen concentration and conductivity. There are clear differences in diversity and abundance in these three types of spring communities. Type II aggregates natural sites for Cvrcka valley. Samples characterized by high abundance of Chironomus seems to be an outliers in Cvrcka canyon. Eucrenon and hypocrenon communities are distinct, but no differences in the diversity level or the environmental assemblage relation were recorded for both mesohabitats. This study proves that solely environmental classification of spring habitats reflects well human impact, but invertebrate communities may not clearly follow general classification, reacting to a set of natural and altered conditions.

Abstract Understanding the true burden of tobacco smoking on adverse pregnancy outcomes is critical in generating appropriate interventions to improve outcomes. Self-reporting of human behaviour that is associated with stigma is associated with underreporting in general and may bias the impact of smoking in studies; however, self-reporting is frequently the most practical method of gleaning this information. The objective of this study was to evaluate concordance between self-reported smoking and concentrations of plasma cotinine, a biomarker of smoking, among participants enrolled in two related HIV cohorts. A total of 100 pregnant women (76 living with HIV [LWH] and 24 negative controls) in their third trimester, and 100 men and non-pregnant women (43 LWH and 57 negative controls) were included. Among all participants, 43 pregnant women (49% LWH and 25% negative controls) and 50 men and non-pregnant women (58% LWH and 44% negative controls) were self-reported smokers. The odds of discordance between self-reported smoking and cotinine levels were not significantly different between self-reported smokers and non-smokers, nor between pregnant women and others, but were significantly increased, regardless of self-reported status, among people LWH compared to negative controls. The overall concordance between plasma cotinine and self-reported data among all participants was 94% with a sensitivity and specificity of 90% and 96%, respectively. Taken together, these data demonstrate that participant surveying in a non-judgemental context can lead to accurate and robust self-report smoking data among both persons LWH and not, including in the context of pregnancy.

There is limited evidence regarding the potential risk of untargeted iron supplementation, especially among individuals who are iron-replete or have genetic hemoglobinopathies. Excess iron exposure can increase the production of reactive oxygen species, which can lead to cellular damage. We evaluated the effect of daily oral supplementation on relative leukocyte telomere length (rLTL) and blood mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in non-pregnant Cambodian women (18–45 years) who received 60 mg of elemental iron as ferrous sulfate (n = 190) or a placebo (n = 186) for 12 weeks. Buffy coat rLTL and mtDNA content were quantified by monochrome multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to predict the absolute and percent change in rLTL and mtDNA content after 12 weeks. Iron supplementation was not associated with an absolute or percent change in rLTL after 12 weeks compared with placebo (ß-coefficient: −0.04 [95% CI: −0.16, 0.08]; p = 0.50 and ß-coefficient: −0.96 [95% CI: −2.69, 0.77]; p = 0.28, respectively). However, iron supplementation was associated with a smaller absolute and percent increase in mtDNA content after 12 weeks compared with placebo (ß-coefficient: −11 [95% CI: −20, −2]; p = 0.02 and ß-coefficient: −11 [95% CI: −20, −1]; p= 0.02, respectively). Thus, daily oral iron supplementation for 12 weeks was associated with altered mitochondrial homeostasis in our study sample. More research is needed to understand the risk of iron exposure and the biological consequences of altered mitochondrial homeostasis in order to inform the safety of the current global supplementation policy.

The only European Stratiomyidae species known for feeding on human corpses was the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758). Analysis of fauna found on a human corpse, discovered in central Poland, revealed the presence of feeding larvae of another species from this family: the twin-spot centurion fly Sargus bipunctatus (Scopoli, 1763). The investigated corpse was in a stage of advanced decomposition. The larvae were mainly observed in the adipocere formed on the back and lower limbs of the corpse, and in the mixture of litter and lumps of adipocere located under the corpse. Adult specimens and larvae were identified based on morphological characters, and final identification was confirmed using DNA barcoding. Implementing a combination of morphological and molecular methods provided a reliable way for distinguishing the larvae of S. bipunctatus and H. illucens. The potential of S. bipunctatus for practical applications in forensic entomology is currently difficult to assess. Wide and reliable use of S. bipunctatus in the practice of forensic entomology requires further studies of the bionomy of this fly.

[Display omitted] In the present study, based on faunistic information collected during 2014 and 2015, in association with physical–chemical conditions of the collection sites, the environmental factors influencing the composition and distribution of chironomid assemblages were investigated. In total, 164 Chironomidae taxa reported in this study extended the existing checklist with 152 taxa newly found in the Skadar Lake basin. The comparison based on the list of species from the six large, well-studied European lakes showed that Lake Constance (Switzerland/Germany/Austria) is the most species-rich waterbody with 174 taxa, followed by Lake Skadar with 164 taxa. For pupal exuviae, the most species-rich site was situated in the centre of the small lake (north-western part of the Skadar Lake). A Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed that shallow coastal parts of the lake are much richer in species than the open, deeper parts of the lake. This first investigation since 1979 of non-biting midge species (including imagines) diversity will help to monitor biodiversity of the basin and to understand how protection programs influence biodiversity within the lake basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on new records of non-biting midges from the coastal regions of Croatia and Montenegro from 2010 to 2012. Topics covered include the materials and results of the study which involved the collection of chironomid imagines and pupal exuviae, Eukiefferiella fuldensis occurring in cold and fast-flowing mountain streams but not in riverine potamal zones, and the strong association of the Balkanic aquatic fauna with the European biogeographic province.

The article focuses on the first records of the collection of two species of non-biting midges Glyptotendipes ospeli and Glyptotendipes signatus from Poland. It mentions the collection of both species in the Łódź Hills which deemed typical for the northern European lowlands. It emphasizes the likelihood of both species to occur in other Polish regions. It also notes that the discovery of both species fills a gap in the data about their distribution in central Europe.

Examines waterfowl species composition, density and distribution across the Clay Belt in Ontario. Analysis of the habitat patterns of the species in the area; Estimations of the possible contribution of the Clay Belt to overall waterfowl populations in northern Ontario; Background on data gathered from helicopter surveys during nest initiation periods from 1988 to 1990; Factors that may have affected waterfowl distribution.

Gastrotricha is a cosmopolitan phylum of aquatic and semi-aquatic invertebrates that comprises about 820 described species. Current knowledge regarding freshwater gastrotrichs inhabiting caves is extremely poor and there are no extant data regarding Gastrotricha from Montenegro. We describe a new species from Obodska Cave, which is also the first record of a gastrotrich from this region. Due to its unusual habitat and morphological characteristics, this species may be important when considering the evolution and dispersion routes of Chaetonotidae Gosse, 1864 (sensu Leasi & Todaro 2008). We provide morphometric, molecular and phylogenetic data for the new species, together with photomicrographs and drawings.

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) can effectively prevent vertical transmission of HIV but there is potential risk of adverse maternal, foetal or infant effects. Specifically, the effect of cART use during pregnancy on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in HIV-positive (HIV+) women is unclear. We sought to characterize subclinical alterations in peripheral blood mtDNA levels in cART-treated HIV+ women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.This prospective longitudinal observational cohort study enrolled both HIV+ and HIV-negative (HIV-) pregnant women. Clinical data and blood samples were collected at three time points in pregnancy (13-

Measurement of telomere length is crucial for the study of telomere maintenance and its role in molecular pathophysiology of diseases and in aging. Several methods are used to measure telomere length, the choice of which usually depends on the type and size of sample to be assayed, as well as cost and throughput considerations. The goal of this study was to investigate the factors that may influence the reliability of qPCR-based relative telomere length measurements in whole blood. Day to day intra-individual variability, types of blood anticoagulant, sample storage conditions, processing and site of blood draw were investigated. Two qPCR-based methods to measure telomere length (monoplex vs. multiplex) were also investigated and showed a strong correlation between them. Freezing and thawing of the blood and storage of the blood at 4°C for up to 4 days did not affect telomere length values. Telomere lengths in dried blood spots were significantly higher than both whole blood and peripheral mononuclear blood cells, and were highly correlated with both. We found that telomere length measurements were significantly higher in dried blood spots collected directly from fingertip prick compared to dried blood spots prepared with anticoagulated whole blood collected from the finger, and non-blotted whole blood taken from both finger and arm venipuncture. This suggests that DNA from cells blotted on paper is not equivalent to that collected from venipuncture whole blood, and caution should be taken when comparing between blood sample types.

This systematic review of non-biting midges of the tribe Tanytarsini is based on materials collected during Polish scientific expeditions to North Korea. Stempellina radoszkowskii sp. nov. is described. Brief illustrated redescriptions of adult males of further eight species, for the first time recorded from North Korea, are presented: Cladotanytarsus (Cladotanytarsus) sinjongensis Ree et Kim, 1988, Micropsectra joganplumosa Sasa et Okazawa, 1991, M. jokatertia Sasa et Ogata, 1999, Tanytarsus iriolemeus Sasa et Suzuki, 2000, T. oyamai Sasa, 1979, T. takahashii Kawai et Sasa, 1985, T. tamadecimus Sasa, 1980 and T. tamaundecimus Sasa, 1980. New synonyms are proposed: Micropsectra tonewdeea Sasa et Tanaka, 2002, syn. nov. [=Micropsectra atrofasciata (Kieffer, 1911)]; Micropsectra tusimalemea Sasa et Suzuki, 1999, syn. nov., M. tusimamenea Sasa et Suzuki, 1999, syn. nov., M. tusimaquerea Sasa et Suzuki, 1999, syn. nov. [=Micropsectra joganplumosa Sasa et Okazawa, 1991], and several further synonyms of the species reviewed are suggested. An annotated checklist of Tanytarsini so far reported from North Korea is given. A historical note on Polish scientific expeditions to Korea is also included.

The only European Stratiomyidae species known for feeding on human corpses was the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758). Analysis of fauna found on a human corpse, discovered in central Poland, revealed the presence of feeding larvae of another species from this family: the twin-spot centurion fly Sargus bipunctatus (Scopoli, 1763). The investigated corpse was in a stage of advanced decomposition. The larvae were mainly observed in the adipocere formed on the back and lower limbs of the corpse, and in the mixture of litter and lumps of adipocere located under the corpse. Adult specimens and larvae were identified based on morphological characters, and final identification was confirmed using DNA barcoding. Implementing a combination of morphological and molecular methods provided a reliable way for distinguishing the larvae of S. bipunctatus and H. illucens . The potential of S. bipunctatus for practical applications in forensic entomology is currently difficult to assess. Wide and reliable use of S. bipunctatus in the practice of forensic entomology requires further studies of the bionomy of this fly.

Effective identification of species using short DNA fragments (DNA barcoding and DNA metabarcoding) requires reliable sequence reference libraries of known taxa. Both taxonomically comprehensive coverage and content quality are important for sufficient accuracy. For aquatic ecosystems in Europe, reliable barcode reference libraries are particularly important if molecular identification tools are to be implemented in biomonitoring and reports in the context of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). We analysed gaps in the two most important reference databases, Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) and NCBI GenBank, with a focus on the taxa most frequently used in WFD and MSFD. Our analyses show that coverage varies strongly among taxonomic groups, and among geographic regions. In general, groups that were actively targeted in barcode projects (e.g. fish, true bugs, caddisflies and vascular plants) are well represented in the barcode libraries, while others have fewer records (e.g. marine molluscs, ascidians, and freshwater diatoms). We also found that species monitored in several countries often are represented by barcodes in reference libraries, while species monitored in a single country frequently lack sequence records. A large proportion of species (up to 50%) in several taxonomic groups are only represented by private data in BOLD. Our results have implications for the future strategy to fill existing gaps in barcode libraries, especially if DNA metabarcoding is to be used in the monitoring of European aquatic biota under the WFD and MSFD. For example, missing species relevant to monitoring in multiple countries should be prioritized for future collaborative programs. We also discuss why a strategy for quality control and quality assurance of barcode reference libraries is needed and recommend future steps to ensure full utilisation of metabarcoding in aquatic biomonitoring., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Tanytarsus latens sp. nov. is described from Finland (Ostrobothnia borealis, Satakunta). Both morphological and             molecular analyses indicate that T. latens belongs to the mendax species group. The adult male hypopygium of the new species resembles that of Tanytarsus occultus Brundin and of T. desertor Giłka et Paasivirta, while the molecular analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) gene fragment evidences that T. latens is a sister species to most of European Tanytarsus of the mendax group's core, for which the COI barcodes are known. Notes on biology of T. latens are also provided.