2% with type III. In comparison, older patients had a more even distribution of achalasia sub-types (type I: 36.1%; type II:

33.3% and type III: 30.6%; Figure). Furthermore, older subjects had a decrease in the incidence of type II (p < 0.05), and a trend towards a higher prevalence of type III (p = 0.1) when compared to younger patients. Conclusion: The lower incidence of type II, and the trend towards an increased incidence in type III achalasia in older patients was unexpected given the concept of a progression towards aperistalsis over time. The reasons for this are unclear, but if confirmed, may have implications for treatment approaches in older patients. 1. Pandolfino JE, et al. Gastroenterology 2008; 135(5): 1526–1533 2. Bredenoord AJ, et al. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2012; 24: 57–65. 3. Nicodeme F, et al. buy Sirolimus Clinical Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013; 11(2):131–137 CM BURGSTAD,1 LK BESANKO,1 R HEDDLE,1 E CLIFTON,1 S LAU,1 D JQ1 clinical trial HOFFMAN,1 J MARTIN,1 RJL FRASER,2 C COCK1 1Investigation & Procedures Unit, 2Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park and Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Flinders University, Bedford Park; South Australia Background: The differentiation of achalasia according

to subtype (type I, II and III) has clinical relevance for type of treatment and subsequent outcome. The Chicago classification involves detailed analysis of oesophageal body and lower oesophageal sphincter using high resolution manometry. Data on the reproducibility of this analysis and diagnostic findings between expert and non-experienced reporters are limited1. Aim: To assess the “reliability” selleck compound of achalasia sub-typing using the Chicago classification, and evaluate the diagnostic consistency between reporters with varying experience.

Methods: Motility studies from 117 patients with a manometric diagnosis of “achalasia” were reviewed by eight raters, divided into 2 groups: ‘experienced’ (n = 4) and ‘inexperienced’ (n = 4). Studies were re-classified according to sub-type (I, II or III) based on Chicago criteria2. Post hoc analysis of all data for experienced raters was used to determine “gold standard” ratings. Cases where agreement could not be reached were excluded from analysis. Absolute agreement between raters was determined using intraclass correlation co-efficient (SPSS v16.0) and a P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was high for both experienced [0.905 (0.870–0.932)] and inexperienced [0.875 (0.831–0.910)] raters with an overall ICC for all raters of 0.879 (0.781–0.928; p < 0.001). When comparing the intra-rater reliability, the experienced raters had good to very good agreement for type I (91%) and type II (88%) sub-types, but were more variable with type III achalasia (75%). In contrast, the inexperienced raters were in highest agreement for sub-types II (72%) and III (92%), but consistency was lower with type 1 (58%); Figure.

2% with type III. In comparison, older patients had a more even distribution of achalasia sub-types (type I: 36.1%; type II:

33.3% and type III: 30.6%; Figure). Furthermore, older subjects had a decrease in the incidence of type II (p < 0.05), and a trend towards a higher prevalence of type III (p = 0.1) when compared to younger patients. Conclusion: The lower incidence of type II, and the trend towards an increased incidence in type III achalasia in older patients was unexpected given the concept of a progression towards aperistalsis over time. The reasons for this are unclear, but if confirmed, may have implications for treatment approaches in older patients. 1. Pandolfino JE, et al. Gastroenterology 2008; 135(5): 1526–1533 2. Bredenoord AJ, et al. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2012; 24: 57–65. 3. Nicodeme F, et al. Ibrutinib price Clinical Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013; 11(2):131–137 CM BURGSTAD,1 LK BESANKO,1 R HEDDLE,1 E CLIFTON,1 S LAU,1 D see more HOFFMAN,1 J MARTIN,1 RJL FRASER,2 C COCK1 1Investigation & Procedures Unit, 2Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park and Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Flinders University, Bedford Park; South Australia Background: The differentiation of achalasia according

to subtype (type I, II and III) has clinical relevance for type of treatment and subsequent outcome. The Chicago classification involves detailed analysis of oesophageal body and lower oesophageal sphincter using high resolution manometry. Data on the reproducibility of this analysis and diagnostic findings between expert and non-experienced reporters are limited1. Aim: To assess the “reliability” find more of achalasia sub-typing using the Chicago classification, and evaluate the diagnostic consistency between reporters with varying experience.

Methods: Motility studies from 117 patients with a manometric diagnosis of “achalasia” were reviewed by eight raters, divided into 2 groups: ‘experienced’ (n = 4) and ‘inexperienced’ (n = 4). Studies were re-classified according to sub-type (I, II or III) based on Chicago criteria2. Post hoc analysis of all data for experienced raters was used to determine “gold standard” ratings. Cases where agreement could not be reached were excluded from analysis. Absolute agreement between raters was determined using intraclass correlation co-efficient (SPSS v16.0) and a P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was high for both experienced [0.905 (0.870–0.932)] and inexperienced [0.875 (0.831–0.910)] raters with an overall ICC for all raters of 0.879 (0.781–0.928; p < 0.001). When comparing the intra-rater reliability, the experienced raters had good to very good agreement for type I (91%) and type II (88%) sub-types, but were more variable with type III achalasia (75%). In contrast, the inexperienced raters were in highest agreement for sub-types II (72%) and III (92%), but consistency was lower with type 1 (58%); Figure.

Twice-weekly prophylaxis [mean duration 6.2 (±0.7) months; 1.8 (±0.1) infusions per week, 49.5 (±4.8) IU kg−1 per infusion] was effective in preventing bleeding episodes, with a significantly lower (79%, P < 0.001) annualized bleed rate (4.2) compared to an on-demand treatment in a historical control group (20.0); 24 of 56 subjects on prophylaxis (43%) did not bleed throughout the study observation period. Of 249 total acute bleeds, 211 (84.7%) were controlled with one to two infusions of BAX326. Haemostatic efficacy at

resolution of bleed was rated excellent or good in 96.0% of all treated bleeding episodes. The results of this study indicate that BAX326 is safe and efficacious in treating bleeds and routine prophylaxis in

patients aged 12 years and older with haemophilia B. “
“Factor VIII Inhibitor Bypassing Activity (FEIBA) can effectively achieve Selleck Dabrafenib haemostasis in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. Further evaluation of FEIBA in surgical settings is of significant interest considering the relatively limited prospective data published to date. The aim of the study is to evaluate the perioperative selleck chemicals efficacy and safety of FEIBA in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. Haemophilia patients with inhibitors who underwent surgical procedures and received FEIBA for perioperative haemostatic control were prospectively enrolled in an open-label, noninterventional, postauthorization study [SURgical check details interventions with FEIBA (SURF)]. Outcome measures included haemostatic efficacy, safety, FEIBA exposure and blood loss associated with the perioperative use of FEIBA. Thirty-five surgical procedures were performed at 19 centres worldwide in patients with

congenital haemophilia A, congenital haemophilia B, or acquired haemophilia A. Haemorrhagic risk was severe in 37.1% (13 of 35) of the procedures, moderate in 25.7% (9 of 35) and mild in 37.1% (13 of 35). One moderate risk surgery was excluded from the efficacy analyses because it did not meet all protocol requirements. Haemostasis was judged to be ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in 91.2% (31 of 34) of surgical procedures and ‘fair’ in 8.8% (3 of 34). Among the 12 adverse events, three were serious adverse events (SAEs), two of which were unrelated to FEIBA therapy; one SAE, a clot in an arteriovenous fistula, was deemed to be possibly related to therapy. This prospective investigation confirms that FEIBA can be safely and effectively used when performing surgical procedures in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. “
“Haematomas and recurrent haemarthroses are a common problem in haemophilia patients from early age. Early diagnosis is critical in preventing haemophilic arthritis, and recent years have seen excellent advances in musculoskeletal ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in soft tissue lesions.

To meet increasing demand, more livers donated after cardiac death (DCD livers) are being used for transplantation. Unfortunately the use of DCD livers is associated with the development of ischemic type biliary strictures in up to 40% of recipients, a complication with high morbidity and mortality for which few effective treatments are available. Bacterial endotoxins in the form of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are released in the portal circulation

upon gut ischemia, an unavoidable event during the donation after cardiac death process. It is however unknown if LPS play a role in the development of biliary injury and subsequent stricture formation. We examined the possible contribution of LPS to the development of biliary injury http://www.selleckchem.com/products/Everolimus(RAD001).html in a rat partial liver ischemia model. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats underwent either sham operation with vehicle administration (N = 8)

or 70% partial liver ischemia for thirty minutes in combination with 1 mg/kg LPS (isch + LPS, N = 8). After one hour or six hours of reperfusion blood, bile, liver and bile duct tissue was collected. Blood biliary barrier permeability was assessed by intravenous injection of 1000 U horseradish peroxidase (a medium sized protein used to estimate tight junction dysfunction), and subsequent bile collection. Serum liver function Selleckchem FK866 tests were performed and bile was analyzed for composition and markers of biliary injury. qRT-PCR was used to assess mRNA expression of bile acid transporters. Results: Partial liver ischemia in combination with LPS induced hepatocellular injury evidenced by increased serum aspartate transaminase levels after one

hour (sham: 92.39 ± 6.06; isch + LPS: selleck chemicals llc 143.97 ± 20.68 U/L p = 0.02) and six hours of reperfusion (sham: 92.39 ± 6.06; isch + LPS: 143.97 ± 20.68 U/L p = 0.058). Lactate dehydrogenase in bile was used as a marker for biliary injury and this was only detectable in bile collected from animals undergoing liver ischemia and LPS administration after six hours (4.69 ± 1.39 U/L/gram wet liver weight). Horseradish peroxidase concentration in bile was increased at both time points after liver ischemia and LPS reflecting an increase in blood biliary barrier permeability (1 hour time point, sham: 203.47 ± 64.6; isch + LPS: 600.58 ± 366.32 and 6 hour time point, sham: 222.07 ± 34.46; isch + LPS: 842.48 ± 580.55 mU/L/gram wet liver weight). Cyp7b1 mRNA expression was 5.5 and 7.7 fold higher in the isch + LPS group compared to sham at one and six hours respectively. Abcc2 and Slc10a1 were significantly down-regulated at six hours of reperfusion when comparing isch + LPS after one hour and six hours of reperfusion (p = 0.023 and 0.032 respectively). Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that 70% partial liver ischemia in combination with LPS causes biliary injury after six hours of reperfusion.

[3] Recently, homocystein has been reported to be another factor affecting such a hepatic metabolism and is to be a clinical parameter for lithogenic risk, which is still to be established.[4] Cholesterol supersaturated bile formation is based primarily upon a relatively reduced

bile salt synthesis, and somehow, this relates to fatty acid composition in bile phospholipids in the aspect of the degree of fatty acyl chain unsaturation.[5] Cholesterol is present in bile salt micelles and phospholipid particulate species, learn more namely vesicles and lamellae; the former is relatively stable and the latter is to be sources for cholesterol crystal nucleation (Fig. 2). In bile with relatively high PC contents, aggregation and fusion of cholesterol-rich vesicles result in the formation of multilamellar vesicles, which give rise to cholesterol monohydrate crystals. At lower phosphatidylcholine (PC) contents, vesicles may become unstable

to release cholesterol crystals. In this regard, the hydrophobic-hydrophilic balance of lecithin species is revealed to modulate such a process of cholesterol releasing.[6] This is evident in human bile from gallstone patients[7] and indirectly indicates the etiological significance of bile enzymes, that is, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), which play another important role in biliary system damages.[8] Bile salt metabolism is another important subject NVP-BEZ235 cost in lithogenic bile formation in the liver but sophisticated in interpreting its pathogenic role despite the numerous studies previously performed. Primary bile salts are synthesized in the liver and secreted into bile, followed by transformed to secondary bile salts through entrohepatic circulation (Fig. 3). Bile salt forms micelles having a stable

cholesterol-holding capacity. Thus, a relative reduction of bile salt in quantity to biliary lipid selleck screening library secretion induces lithogenic risks, and this is considered to be an underlying defect in gallstone patients. In addition, the molecular quality is another significant factor to affect cholesterol metastability in bile. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a representative bile acid for hydrophilic species, stabilizes bile cholesterol to retard crystal nucleation phenomenon regardless the cholesterol saturation state.[9] Such a stabilization is mediated by biliary proteins such as apolipoproteins, other crucial effector substances for cholesterol crystal nucleation.[10] In this regard, bile salt species modulate phospholipid species in bile at a site of hepatic secretion. Thus, the subselection of phospholipid species modulated by bile salt species alters bile cholesterol metastability, and these are evident in in vitro and in vivo studies.[11, 12] Even a tiny change in bile salt pool drastically affects bile lithogenesity,[13, 14] which supports the clinical availability of bile salts.

With increasing age patients with mild haemophilia will suffer from co-morbidity more frequently, requiring surgical interventions and exposing them to an increased risk of inhibitor development. Especially MAPK inhibitor patients with a change of arginine in cysteine at 593 are at risk for inhibitor development. “
“Summary.  Central nervous system (CNS) bleeding is one of the most severe and debilitating manifestations occurring in patients with rare bleeding disorders (RBDs). The aim

of this study was to retrospectively collect data on patients affected with RBDs who had CNS bleeding, to establish incidence of recurrence, death rate, neurological sequences, most frequent location, type of bleeding and efficacy of treatments. Results pertained to 36 CNS bleeding episodes in 24 patients with severe deficiency except one with moderate factor VII (FVII) deficiency. Six patients (25%) experienced a recurrence and two had more than one recurrence. Seven patients (29%) had an early onset of CNS bleeding before the first 2 years of life, others (71%) later in life. In 76% of cases, CNS bleeding was spontaneous. CNS bleeding Alvelestat was intracerebral in 19 cases (53%), extracerebral in 10 (28%) and both intracerebral and extracerebral in two cases (6%). Neurosurgery was performed in 11 cases, in association with replacement therapy in seven cases. Seizures were noted in four patients. Residual psychomotor abnormalities

were seen in two patients. No death was recorded. To prevent recurrence, 17/24 patients (71%) were put on secondary prophylaxis. In conclusion, recurrence of CNS bleeding was confirmed to be relatively frequent in patients with severe FV, FX, FVII and FXIII deficiencies. Most patients were managed with replacement therapy alone, surgery being reserved for those with worsening neurological conditions. Our results indicate that some see more RBDs require early prophylactic treatment to prevent CNS bleeding. Optimal dosage and frequency

of treatment need further evaluation. “
“Impaired contraction steadiness of lower limb muscles affects functional performance and may increase injury risk. We hypothesize that haemophilic arthropathy of the knee and the strength status of quadriceps are relevant factors which compromise a steady contraction. This study addresses the questions if impaired steadiness of the quadriceps is verifiable in people with haemophilia (PWH) and whether a connection between the status of the knee joint and quadriceps strength exists. A total of 157 PWH and 85 controls (C) performed a strength test with a knee extensor device to evaluate their bilateral and unilateral maximal quadriceps strength and steadiness. Isometric steadiness was measured by the coefficient of variation of maximum peak torque (CV-MVIC in %). For classification of the knee joint status the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) score was used.

With increasing age patients with mild haemophilia will suffer from co-morbidity more frequently, requiring surgical interventions and exposing them to an increased risk of inhibitor development. Especially FK506 manufacturer patients with a change of arginine in cysteine at 593 are at risk for inhibitor development. “
“Summary.  Central nervous system (CNS) bleeding is one of the most severe and debilitating manifestations occurring in patients with rare bleeding disorders (RBDs). The aim

of this study was to retrospectively collect data on patients affected with RBDs who had CNS bleeding, to establish incidence of recurrence, death rate, neurological sequences, most frequent location, type of bleeding and efficacy of treatments. Results pertained to 36 CNS bleeding episodes in 24 patients with severe deficiency except one with moderate factor VII (FVII) deficiency. Six patients (25%) experienced a recurrence and two had more than one recurrence. Seven patients (29%) had an early onset of CNS bleeding before the first 2 years of life, others (71%) later in life. In 76% of cases, CNS bleeding was spontaneous. CNS bleeding GW 572016 was intracerebral in 19 cases (53%), extracerebral in 10 (28%) and both intracerebral and extracerebral in two cases (6%). Neurosurgery was performed in 11 cases, in association with replacement therapy in seven cases. Seizures were noted in four patients. Residual psychomotor abnormalities

were seen in two patients. No death was recorded. To prevent recurrence, 17/24 patients (71%) were put on secondary prophylaxis. In conclusion, recurrence of CNS bleeding was confirmed to be relatively frequent in patients with severe FV, FX, FVII and FXIII deficiencies. Most patients were managed with replacement therapy alone, surgery being reserved for those with worsening neurological conditions. Our results indicate that some check details RBDs require early prophylactic treatment to prevent CNS bleeding. Optimal dosage and frequency

of treatment need further evaluation. “
“Impaired contraction steadiness of lower limb muscles affects functional performance and may increase injury risk. We hypothesize that haemophilic arthropathy of the knee and the strength status of quadriceps are relevant factors which compromise a steady contraction. This study addresses the questions if impaired steadiness of the quadriceps is verifiable in people with haemophilia (PWH) and whether a connection between the status of the knee joint and quadriceps strength exists. A total of 157 PWH and 85 controls (C) performed a strength test with a knee extensor device to evaluate their bilateral and unilateral maximal quadriceps strength and steadiness. Isometric steadiness was measured by the coefficient of variation of maximum peak torque (CV-MVIC in %). For classification of the knee joint status the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) score was used.

An increase in miR-141 correlated with the inhibition of DLC-1 protein in HCV-infected cells. Depletion of miR-141 with oligonucleotides complementary to the miRNAs inhibited virus replication, whereas

artificially increased levels of intracellular miR-141 enhanced HCV replication. HCV-infected hepatocytes showed enhanced cell proliferation that can be countered by overexpression of DLC-1. Conclusion: The collective results of this study suggest a novel mechanism of HCV infection–associated miRNA-mediated regulation of a tumor suppressor protein that has the ability to influence cell proliferation and HCV infection–mediated liver cancer. (HEPATOLOGY 2011) MicroRNAs (miRNAs) originate from highly structured Buparlisib mouse primary transcripts of RNA Pol II genes XAV-939 solubility dmso by way of two-step processing events involving RNase III type nucleases. Primary miRNA transcripts are processed in the nucleus by the RNase III type endonuclease Drosha into precursor and exported to the cytoplasm by exportin 5, to be secondarily cleaved into miRNA duplexes by the cytoplasmic RNase type III Dicer. The resulting miRNA duplexes are incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex, where one of the miRNA strands, the passenger, is degraded, while

the guide strand complementary to the target messenger RNA (mRNA) serves in target selection and silencing, either by degradation (in case of perfect base complementarity) or learn more inhibition of translation (in case of imperfect sequence complementarity).1 Thus, the expression of miRNAs in cell type–specific fashion shapes mRNA profiles. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is among the most successful of human pathogens. HCV persists in the vast majority of infected individuals as a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. The HCV genome is a positive-sense ≈9.6-kb RNA consisting of a single open reading frame that encodes a large polyprotein complex that is proteolytically cleaved

to produce 10 viral proteins. The highly basic N-terminal one-third includes core, envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2, and the integral transmembrane protein p7. The remaining two-thirds of HCV polyprotein include nonstructural proteins NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B. The NS5B protein functions as RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.2 HCV infection triggers expression of host genes of innate antiviral defense whose levels vary widely among patients and possibly with different degrees of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis,3 suggesting that HCV can both trigger and control host defenses during viral infection. Because HCV infection is critically linked to the development of HCC, a major challenge in understanding hepatocarcinogenesis is to identify functionally relevant cellular mRNAs that are targeted by miRNAs.

An increase in miR-141 correlated with the inhibition of DLC-1 protein in HCV-infected cells. Depletion of miR-141 with oligonucleotides complementary to the miRNAs inhibited virus replication, whereas

artificially increased levels of intracellular miR-141 enhanced HCV replication. HCV-infected hepatocytes showed enhanced cell proliferation that can be countered by overexpression of DLC-1. Conclusion: The collective results of this study suggest a novel mechanism of HCV infection–associated miRNA-mediated regulation of a tumor suppressor protein that has the ability to influence cell proliferation and HCV infection–mediated liver cancer. (HEPATOLOGY 2011) MicroRNAs (miRNAs) originate from highly structured IWR-1 in vitro primary transcripts of RNA Pol II genes Midostaurin purchase by way of two-step processing events involving RNase III type nucleases. Primary miRNA transcripts are processed in the nucleus by the RNase III type endonuclease Drosha into precursor and exported to the cytoplasm by exportin 5, to be secondarily cleaved into miRNA duplexes by the cytoplasmic RNase type III Dicer. The resulting miRNA duplexes are incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex, where one of the miRNA strands, the passenger, is degraded, while

the guide strand complementary to the target messenger RNA (mRNA) serves in target selection and silencing, either by degradation (in case of perfect base complementarity) or selleck products inhibition of translation (in case of imperfect sequence complementarity).1 Thus, the expression of miRNAs in cell type–specific fashion shapes mRNA profiles. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is among the most successful of human pathogens. HCV persists in the vast majority of infected individuals as a major cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. The HCV genome is a positive-sense ≈9.6-kb RNA consisting of a single open reading frame that encodes a large polyprotein complex that is proteolytically cleaved

to produce 10 viral proteins. The highly basic N-terminal one-third includes core, envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2, and the integral transmembrane protein p7. The remaining two-thirds of HCV polyprotein include nonstructural proteins NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B. The NS5B protein functions as RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.2 HCV infection triggers expression of host genes of innate antiviral defense whose levels vary widely among patients and possibly with different degrees of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis,3 suggesting that HCV can both trigger and control host defenses during viral infection. Because HCV infection is critically linked to the development of HCC, a major challenge in understanding hepatocarcinogenesis is to identify functionally relevant cellular mRNAs that are targeted by miRNAs.

Our results suggest the lack of evolutionary adaptation of different cuckoo gentes to their

corresponding hosts in terms of egg Galunisertib datasheet shape. However, our analyses revealed that cuckoo eggs showed a geographical difference in egg shape. “
“Fever is part of an acute phase response that organisms launch to defend themselves against an invasion by microbial pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The elevation of an individual’s body temperature necessary to achieve a fever is considered energetically costly, and variation in the expression of the febrile response has been reported with respect to season, sex and the reproductive status of an animal. The effects of these parameters on fever responses are well characterized for laboratory rodents, but comparable data from wild rodents are currently lacking. We evaluated the febrile response of wild highveld mole-rats Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during winter and summer. This social rodent retains its breeding potential throughout the year and exhibits a reproductive division of labour. Highveld mole-rats increased their body temperature to a greater degree in response to a dose of 1 mg kg−1 LPS than to saline or handling alone. The fever response did not differ between seasons, while the stress-induced

Proteasome inhibitor hyperthermia learn more in response to handling was greater in summer compared with winter. In contrast, males and breeders exhibited larger changes in body temperature following LPS administration than females and non-breeders, respectively. These findings are in accordance with those reported for laboratory species and suggest that general principles govern the modulation of innate immune responses such as fever among small

mammals. “
“The systematics of Peripatopsis moseleyi (Wood-Mason, 1879), a widely distributed South Africa velvet worm species, was examined to test the occurrence of cryptic lineages within this taxon. A total of 81 specimens of P. moseleyi were collected from 12 localities throughout its known distribution in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. All specimens were sequenced for a 631 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase one subunit (COI) locus, while a 717 bp pair fragment of the 18S rDNA locus was sequenced for a single sample for each of the clades evident from the COI topology. DNA sequence data were analysed using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inferences, while a haplotype network was constructed and an analysis of molecular variation was conducted. Gross morphological characteristics, such as the number of pre-genital leg pairs, the genital areas and colour variation in each sample locality were examined.