Abstract We address and discuss some of the many flaws exhibited by Costa et al. (2019) which tried to explain the twig-like camouflage of Cladomorphus phyllinus. Given the lack of both empirical and theoretical underpinnings in Costa et al. (2019), we call into question the validity of their conclusions, in particular, that horizontal gene transfer is a causal mechanism for the camouflage in C. phyllinus.

ABSTRACT Lineostethus Ruckes, 1966 has four species, L. clypeatus (Stål, 1862), L. graziae Hildebrand & Becker, 1982, L. marginellus (Stål, 1872), and L. tenebricornis (Ruckes, 1957); mostly restricted to Central America, but with distribution records in the southern North America. Lineostethus is one of the discocephaline genera with discoid head. The last review of the genus, from the 1980’s, focused on the genital morphology and failed to provide updated descriptions or a key to species. We had access to material from different collections, including several specimens representing new species of Lineostethus, and males of L. marginellus which shows important variations in genital morphology. Here we update the generic description of Lineostethus and its known species and describe the new species Lineostethus acuminatus sp. nov. (holotype male in DZUP: Costa Rica, Guanacaste), Lineostethus auritus sp. nov. (holotype male in AMNH: Mexico, Oaxaca), Lineostethus otarus sp. nov. (holotype male in AMNH: Mexico, Michoacán) and Lineostethus sinuosus sp. nov. (holotype male in DZUP: Mexico, Yucatán). Additionally, we provide identification keys and distribution maps.

Immatures are important sources of information about characters, thus potentially improving classification and phylogenies. Euschistus (Mitripus) grandis Rolston, 1978 occurs in southern and southeastern Brazil. There are no references in the literature about this species other than the original description and distribution records. Our aim is to describe the egg and five nymphal instars of E. (M.) grandis, addressing the ontogeny of the external scent efferent system. Specimens of E. (M.) grandis were collected on Solanum pseudocapsicum Linnaeus (Solanaceae) in São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and reared in the laboratory. The egg of E. (M.) grandis is white and barrel-shaped, chorion translucent bearing spines connected by thin sheets forming polygons. Aero-mycropilar processes translucent and slightly clubbed. The nymphs bear anterior dorsal abdominal scent glands (DAG) with slit-like ostiole continued by a short groove; from the second instar onward median and posterior DAGs with rounded ostiole bearing closing cuticular valve. Spout peritreme flat and curved anteriorly, evaporatorium network-shaped surrounding ostiole plus peritrema; alveoli surface with trabeculae. Nymphs of E. (M.) grandis can be distinguished from other species of Euschistus by the color pattern and morphological features. The most striking morphological characteristic of 4th and 5th instar nymphs of E. (M.) grandis is the broad, deflected projection of humeral angles.

Existe controvérsia na literatura quanto à associação entre Carcinoma Papilífero de Tireoide (CPT) e Tireoidite de Hashimoto (TH) e também quanto a qual seria a relação etiológica entre ambos. OBJETIVO: Determinar a proporção de casos de TH entre pacientes com CPT, correlacionando com aspectos histomorfológicos. MÉTODO: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo de pacientes consecutivos submetidos à tireoidectomia parcial ou total por CPT, entre 2007 e 2009, totalizando de 41 casos. RESULTADOS: Em relação à associação de TH e CPT, foram encontrados 11 casos (26,8%), sendo todos do sexo feminino, porém, sem significância estatística. Nos casos em que havia CPT coexistente com TH a idade média foi de 44,9 anos e sem a associação, 49,1 anos. O tamanho médio dos tumores entre os sem TH foi 20,53mm e os com TH foi de 12,72 mm - p = 0,4. Em relação ao estadiamento anatomopatológico, as proporções entre os que apresentam TH e os que não apresentam foram mantidas em T1a, T1b e T3. Em T2, não houve casos de coexistência entre TH e CPT. CONCLUSÃO: Há uma proporção de 26,8% de pacientes que possuem associação entre TH e CPT, porém, sem diferenças em relação ao tamanho do tumor.

There is controversy in the literature regarding the association between papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and as to what would be the etiological relationship between them. OBJECTIVE: To establish the proportion of cases among patients with TH and CPT, correlating it with histomorphological aspects. METHOD: A retrospective study of patients undergoing partial or total thyroidectomy for PTC between 2007 and 2009, a total of 41 cases. RESULTS: Regarding the association of HT and CPT, we found 11 cases (26.8%), all females, but without statistical significance. The mean age was 44.9 years among the patients with coexistent TH and CPT, whereas it was 49.1 years without that association. The average size of tumors in those without TH was 20.53 mm and for those with TH it was 12.72 mm (p = 0.4). Regarding pathology staging, the ratiosbetween those with and those without TH were kept in T1a, T1b and T3. In T2, there were no cases of coexistence of HT and PTC. CONCLUSION: There is a rate of 26.8% of patients with association between TH and CPT, but without differences in relation to tumor size.

Contribuições ao conhecimento de Banasa Stål (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae): Banasa chaca Thomas. O macho de Banasa chaca Thomas é descrito com ênfase na genitália externa e interna, também é descrita a genitália interna da fêmea. Banasa chaca é registrada pela primeira vez na província de Buenos Aires (Argentina).

Contributions to the knowledge of Banasa Stål (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae): Banasa chaca Thomas. The male of Banasa chaca Thomas is described with emphasis on external and internal genitalia and the female internal genitalia is described. Banasa chaca is newly recorded from Buenos Aires Province (Argentina).

Uma nova sinonímia em Alitocoris Sailer (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Pentatomidae). Alitocoris manni Sailer é considerada sinônimo junior de Alitocoris brunneus Sailer após comparação dos holótipos com espécimes do México, El Salvador e Honduras.

A new synonymy in Alitocoris Sailer (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae, Discocephalinae). Alitocoris manni Sailer is considered a junior synonym of Alitocoris brunneus Sailer after the comparison of the holotypes with specimens from Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras.

Sickle cell anemia is the best known hereditary blood disorder; there are serious complications associated with the condition. Diagnosis and early intervention reduce morbidity and mortality. These benefits have resulted in the widespread use of newborn screening education programs. In Brazil, the National Neonatal Screening Program established by decree 822/01 included sickle cell disease in the list of diseases tested in the so called "heel prick test". Since then, national studies of the results of this program have been periodically published. To review the literature in order to assess the prevalence of sickle cell trait and sickle cell anemia from data of national neonatal screening studies on hemoglobin S (Hb S). A bibliographic review was carried out using the key words: sickle cell anemia & hemoglobinopathies & neonatal screening & Brazil in the Bireme and SciELO databases. Original Brazilian studies presenting data on prevalence of the sickle cell trait (Hb AS) and sickle cell anemia (Hb SS) based on neonatal screening for Hb S were analysed. Twelve original national studies were identified with prevalences varying from 1.1% to 9.8% for the sickle cell trait and from 0.8 to 60 per 100,000 live births for sickle cell disease in different Brazilian regions. Conclusion: Neonatal screening for Hb S is a very useful method to assess the prevalence of sickle cell trait (Hb AS) and sickle cell anemia (Hb SS) in Brazil. There is a heterogeneous distribution of this disease with the highest prevalence in the northeastern region and the lowest prevalence in the south.

OBJETIVO:Avaliar o cumprimento da técnica de lavagem das mãos empregadas em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal (UTIN) pelos profissionais de saúde e visitantes. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo e observacional em uma UTIN universitária em Santos (SP). Observações foram feitas nos períodos da manhã e da tarde por um período de sete meses. Os dados foram coletados por dois estudantes de medicina em planilha específica. As pessoas observadas não sabiam da natureza do trabalho. Para comparar os resultados obsevados entre categorias profissionais e entre períodos de observação, utilizou-se o teste do qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher, com duas abordagens: a) análise por intenção de tratar (considerando o número total de indivíduos e assumindo que aqueles que não lavaram as mãos adotaram o procedimento incorreto) e b) análise por protocolo (apenas aqueles que lavaram as mãos foram considerados). Rejeitou-se a hipótese de nulidade se p<0,05. RESULTADOS:Foram realizadas 43 observações com duração de cerca de 30 minutos cada uma, sendo 20 minutos durante a manhã e 23 à tarde. Entre as pessoas analisadas, seis (14%) eram médicos, 26 (60%) da equipe de enfermagem, três (7%) técnicos de laboratório e raio X e oito (19%) acompanhantes de pacientes. Dentre os observados, 24 (56%) lavaram as mãos antes de entrar na unidade, sendo a lavagem observada com maior frequência no período da manhã (75%) do que à tarde (39%). A técnica correta não foi observada em nenhuma das vezes. CONCLUSÕES:A técnica de lavagem das mãos raramente é adequada e, por isso, programas educacionais para aumentar a adesão dos profissionais de saúde são importantes.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the hand washing technique employed by health professionals and visitors of patients treated in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed in the NICU of a teaching hospital in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. The evaluation was made during seven months, with mornings and afternoons observations. Data were collected by two medical students. Observed people were not informed of the objective of the research. Two approaches were used to compare the hand washing technique: a) analysis by intention to treat, considering individuals who did not wash their hands as using an inadequate technique and b) by protocol analysis, considering only those who washed their hands. The chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare the groups and p<0.05 was adopted in all tests to reject the null hypothesis. RESULTS: 43 observations were performed, which lasted about 30 minutes each, being 20 in the morning and 23 in the afternoon. We observed six physicians (14%), 26 nurses (60%), three (7%) laboratory and X-ray technicians and eight (19%) relatives of patients. Among these, 24 (55.8%) washed their hands before entering the unit. The procedure was adopted more frequently during the morning (75%) than in the afternoon (39%). The correct technique was never adopted by any observed category. CONCLUSIONS: Hand washing techniques are rarely followed in hospitals and, therefore, educational programs to increase the compliance with health professionals are urgent.

The genus Similiforstona, gen.n. and its type species Similiforstona bella, sp.n. are described from Rondônia, Brazil. S. bella is based on a single female specimen. Similiforstona is very similar to Forstona Rolston, 1992 differing basically on the antennal structure.

The neotropical genus Parentheca Berg, 1891 is revised and redescribed with emphasis on male and female genitalia, and placed into "section 1" of Pentatomini which includes those genera lacking a basal spine or tubercle at the abdominal venter. Parentheca subfurcata Berg, 1891 (type species) and Parentheca aeliomorpha Berg, 1891, both from Argentina are redescribed, also with emphasis on male and female genitalia, which are fully illustrated. The lectotype and paralectotype of P. aeliomorpha are designated.