Guidelines for the diagnosis and outpatient management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

AIMS: This series analyses the results of conservative surgery for large lower pole breast cancers by lumpectomy associated with a bilateral remodelling mammoplasty, in order to avoid residual deformities. METHODS: This retrospective study concerns 50 patients with a lower pole breast cancer treated between 1986 and 1996 by lumpectomy, mammoplasty and irradiation. The contralateral breast was immediately made symmetrical in all cases. The mean tumour size was 32.5 mm. RESULTS: The mean weight of the lumpectomy specimen was 270 g. Resection margins were tumour-free in 90% of cases. The main complication observed was delayed healing, thus postponing post-operative treatment in 6.5% of cases. The median follow-up was 48 months. The 5-year actuarial ipsilateral local recurrence rate was 7% and 5-year actuarial metastasis-free and overall survival rates were 81 and 97%, respectively. Cosmesis was satisfactory in 85% of patients. We observed better results when radiotherapy was performed after rather than prior to surgery (92 vs. 67%: NS). CONCLUSIONS: Performing a bilateral mammoplasty at the time of initial surgery for large breast cancers situated in the lower quadrants of the breast facilitates larger lumpectomies with good cosmetic results.     

The 1987-8 Taulbee Survey report

This report describes the results of a survey completed in December 1988 on the production and employment of PhDs and faculty in PhD-granting computer science/engineering departments during the 1987-8 academic year. All 127 computer science (CS) departments (115 US and 12 Canadian) participated. In addition, 34 departments offering the PhD in computer engineering (CE) were included. Throughout the report. CE statistics are reported separately so that comparisons with previous years can be made for CS. The intent is to merge all statistics for CS and CE after several years     

Chirality of 5,11-dimethylheptadecane,the major sex pheromone component of the hemlock looper,Lambdina fiscellaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Of the four possible stereoisomers of 5,11-dimethylheptadecane, the major sex pheromone component of the eastern hemlock looper (EHL),Lambdina fiscellaria fiscellaria Guen., and the western hemlock looper (WHL),Lambdina fiscellaria lugubrosa Hulst, (5R,11S)-5,11-dimethylheptadecane was the only stereoisomer eliciting electrophysiological responses by male EHL and WHL antennae. In field bioassays with EHL and WHL populations, traps baited with (5R,11S)-5, 11-dimethylheptadecane caught as many males as did traps baited with all four stereoisomers combined or a synthetic mixture of 5,11-dimethylheptadecanes. Catches in traps baited with the other three stereoisomers did not significantly differ from those in the unbaited control traps. We conclude that male antennae lack chemoreceptors for the other three stereoisomers of 5,11-dimethylheptadecane and hypothesize that only (5R,115)-5,11-dimethylheptadecane is produced by female EHLs and WHLs.     

Photoisomerization of antiaggregation pheromone verbenone: Biological and practical implications with respect to the mountain pine beetle,Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Release of the antiaggregation pheromone, verbenone, at 3.8 mg/ day from a concentrated source within a multiple-funnel trap completely inhibited response by the mountain pine beetle (MPB),Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, to attractive semiochemical lures. When aerial applications were simulated and verbenone was released at the same rate from beads lying in a 2×2-m area on the forest floor 15–35 cm below a trap, the response of the MPB was inhibited by only 50%. This reduced inhibition may be explained in part by the photoisomerism of verbenone. When exposed to full sunlight on two occasions, the times required for 50% of verbenone vapors to be converted to chrysanthenone were 75 and 100 min, respectively. Trap and tree-baiting experiments indicated no biological activity of chrysanthenone. Rapid photoisomerization could reduce the concentration of verbenone below biologically active levels and would allow the MPB to colonize trees close to already occupied hosts, contributing to the characteristic clumped distribution of MPB attack. The rate of verbenone photoisomerization may vary according to geographic location, stand elevation and density, and should be considered before verbenone is applied to control the MPB and other bark beetles.     

Synergistic Sex Pheromone Components of White-Spotted Tussock Moth, Orgyia thyellina

In 1996, the exotic white-spotted tussock moth (WSTM), Orgyia thyellina (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), was discovered in Auckland, New Zealand. Because establishment of WSTM would threaten New Zealand's orchard industry and international trade, eradication of WSTM with microbial insecticide was initiated. To monitor and complement eradication of WSTM by capture of male moths in pheromone-baited traps, pheromone components of female WSTM needed to be identified. Coupled gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection analysis of pheromone gland extract revealed several compounds that elicited responses from male moth antennae. Mass spectra of the two most EAD-active compounds suggested, and comparative GC-MS of authentic standards confirmed, that they were (Z)-6-heneicosen-11-one (Z6–11-one) and (Z)-6-heneicosen-9-one, the latter termed here thyellinone. In field experiments in Japan, Z6–11-one plus thyellinone at a 100:5 ratio attracted WSTM males, whereas either ketone alone failed to attract a single male moth. Addition of further candidate pheromone components did not enhance attractiveness of the binary blend. Through the 1997–1998 summer, 45,000 commercial trap lures baited with 2000 g of Z6–11-one and 100 g of thyellinone were deployed in Auckland towards eradication of the residual WSTM population.Dedicated to my dear mother in honor of her 75th birthday     

Decadienoates: Sex Pheromone Components of Nettle Caterpillars Darna trima and D. bradleyi

This study was undertaken to identify sex pheromone components of nettle caterpillars Darna trima and Darna bradleyi (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) whose larvae defoliate oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, in southeast Asia. Coupled gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GCEAD) analyses of pheromone gland extracts revealed two antennally active compounds produced by female D. trima and two by female D. bradleyi. Molecular structures of these candidate pheromone components were identified by electron-impact and chemical-ionization mass spectrometry; retention-index calculations on DB-5, DB-23, and DB-210 columns; microanalytical treatments, as well as syntheses of "auxilliary" compounds that facilitated identification of the compounds. The compounds from D. trima were 2-methylbutyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (A) and (E)-2-hexenyl (E)-7,9decadienoate (B); from D. bradleyi we identified methyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (C), and isobutyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (D). In field experiments in Malaysia, (S)-2-methylbutyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (SA) in combination with B proved to be essential and synergistic pheromone components for attraction of male D. trima. (R)-2-Methylbutyl (E)-7,9-decadienoate (RA) had no behavioral activity. Compound D singly attracted male D. bradleyi, but addition of C to D at a 1 : 10 ratio significantly enhanced attractiveness of the bait. Synthetic pheromone blends were more effective trap baits than unmated female moths and could be developed for monitoring populations of D. trima and D. bradleyi in Asian oil palm plantations.     

(<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z,Z</Emphasis>)-6,9-Heneicosadien-11-One: Major Sex Pheromone Component Of Painted Apple Moth, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Teia anartoides</Emphasis>

(Z, Z)-6,9-Heneicosadien-11-one (Z6Z9-11-one-21Hy) was identified as the major sex pheromone component of the painted apple moth (PAM), Teia anartoides (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), on the basis of (1) comparative gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analyses, GC-mass spectrometry (MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-MS, and HPLC-UV/visible spectroscopy of pheromone gland extracts and authentic standards; (2) GC-EAD analyses of effluvia of calling females; and (3) wind tunnel and field trapping experiments with a synthetic standard. In field experiments in Australia, synthetic Z6Z9-11-one-21Hy as a single component attracted male moths. Wind tunnel experiments suggested that a 4-component blend consisting of Z6Z9-11-one-21Hy, (6Z,9R,10S)-cis-9,10-epoxy-heneicosene (Z6-9R10S-epo-21Hy), (E, E)-7,9-heneicosadien-6,11-dione (E7E9-6,11-dione-21Hy), and 6-hydroxy-(E, E)-7,9-heneicosadien-11-one (E7E9-6-ol-11-one-21Hy) (all present in pheromone gland extracts) might induce more males to orient toward, approach, and contact the source than did Z6Z9-11-one-21Hy as a single component. Additional experiments are needed to determine conclusively whether or not Z6-9R10S-epo-21Hy, E7E9-6,11-dione-21Hy, and E7E9-6-ol-11-one-21Hy might be minor sex pheromone components of PAM. Moreover, attractiveness of synthetic pheromone and virgin PAM females needs to be compared to determine whether synthetic pheromone could replace PAM females as trap baits in the program to monitor eradication of exotic PAM in New Zealand.     

Sex pheromone of tomato fruit borer, Neoleucinodes elegantalis

Five candidate pheromone components were identified by analyzing pheromone gland extracts by gas chromatography (GC), coupled GC-electroantennographic detection (EAD), and coupled GC-mass spectrometry (MS): (E)-11-hexadecenol(E11–16 : OH), (Z)-11-hexadecenol (Z11–16 : OH),(E)-11-hexadecenal, (E)-11-hexadecenyl acetate, and (Z)-3,(Z)-6,(Z)-9-tricosatriene (Z3,Z6,Z9–23 : Hy). In electroantennogram (EAG) recordings, synthetic E11–16 : OH elicited stronger antennal responses at low doses than other candidate pheromone components. Field tests demonstrated that synthetic E11–16 : OH as a trap bait was effective in attracting males, whereas addition of Z11–16 : OH inhibited the males' response. Z3,Z6,Z9–23 : Hy strongly enhanced attractiveness of E11–16 : OH, but was not attractive by itself. A pheromone blend with synergistic behavioral activity of an alcohol (E11–16 : OH) and hydrocarbon (Z3,Z6,Z9–23 : Hy) component is most unusual in the Lepidoptera. The synthetic two-component pheromone is approximately 60 times more attractive than the female-produced blend and might facilitate the control of this pest.     

Sex phermone components of mulberry looper,Hemerophila atrilineata butler (lepidoptera: Geometridae)

(6Z-9S, 10R)-Epoxy-octadecene (SR-1) and (3Z, 6Z-9S, 10R)-epoxy-octadecadiene (SR-2) are sex pheromone components of the mulberry looper (MBL),Hemerophila atrilineata Butler. Compounds extracted from female MBL pheromone glands were identified by coupled gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometry. In field experiments in China,SR-2,RS-2, or both combined were hardly attractive, butSR-2 in combination withSR-1 attracted significant numbers of MBL males. Synergistic behavioral activity ofSR-1 plusSR-2, but not of corresponding antipode mixtures, indicates enantiospecificity of MBL pheromone communication. Because blends of racemic and enantiospecific (SR)1 plus2 were similarly attractive, racemic1 plus2 may have potential for mass trapping or confusion of MBL males in commercial mulberry plantations.     

Chirality of synergistic sex pheromone components of the western hemlock looperLambdina fiscellaria lugubrosa (HULST) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Bakers' yeast reduction of (2E)-3-(2-furanyl)-2-methyl-2-propenal yielded the synthetic intermediate, (2S)-3-(2-furanyl)-2-methylpropanol, of high chiral purity (>97% ee) for the synthesis of the enantiomers of 2,5-dimethylheptadecane and 7-methylheptadecane, two synergistic sex pheromone components of the western hemlock looper (WHL),Lambdina fiscellaria lugubrosa Hulst. In electrophysiological bioassays, (7S)- but not (7R)-7-methylheptadecane elicited strong antennal responses by male WHL antennae. In field trapping experiments, addition of (7S)- but not (7R)-7-methylheptadecane to (5R,11S)-5,11-dimethylheptadecane, the major sex pheromone component of WHL, increased attraction. Attraction to (5R,11S)-5,11-dimethylheptadecane in combination with (7S)-7-methyiheptadecane was further enhanced by the addition of (5S)- but not (5R)-2,5-dimethylheptadecane. Similarly, attraction to (5R,11S)-5,11-dimethylheptadecane combined with (5S)-2,5-dimethylheptadecane increased when 7S- but not (7R)-7-methylheptadecane was added as a third component. We conclude that (7S)-7-methylheptadecane and (5S)-2,5-dimethylheptadecane are the synergistic sex pheromone components of WHL. The synthetic methodology described is applicable to the synthesis of chiral methyl-branched pheromones in other orders of the Insecta, particularly Coleoptera, Diptera and Orthoptera.