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The expansion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), including biological control, has had several positive consequences for the agricultural environment and participants in the production chain. To enable successful operation and applications of biological control, production of insects used for rearing natural enemies (parasitoids and predators) must be optimized to reduce time and costs and improve production both qualitatively and quantitatively. The present study evaluated the effect of wheat varieties, the main component of artificial diets for Ephestia kuehniella , on the reproductive performance and biological parameters of this flour moth, which is used for mass production of Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and other parasitoids and predators. Four varieties of wheat were compared: BRS 327, BRS Marcante, BRS Parrudo, and KBR, with and without the addition of corn E. kuehniella reared on 97% BRS 327 wheat flour + 3% nutritional yeast had the best biological parameters and substitution of corn for about half of the wheat increased the number of eggs per female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese Justice, the Fiction: Law and Literature in Modern China, by Jeffrey C. Kinkley. Stanford, California, Stanford University Press, 2000. xi, 497 pp. $69.50 U.S. (cloth), $24.95 U.S. (paper). The [...]

Introduction: The aim of our study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the percutaneous closure of PFO (abnormal communication between the right and left atrium). Methods: Between July 2009 and October 2012 percutaneous closure was performed in 37 patients. The presence of PFO was diagnosed through the use of ultrasound techniques: transcranial doppler with contrast (cTCD), transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Follow-up was composed consisted of a Holter ECG 7 days after the closure with a 24 hour heart rhythm monitoring, to evaluate eventual arrhythmia cases and programmed controls which included a TTE at 1-3 months, TTE+ cTCD at 6-12 months, to evaluate the right positioning of the device and the complete closure of the defect. Results: We obtained 100% of procedural success (correct and stable implantation of the device in a perfect position on the interatrial septum).No complications were recorded during the procedure and no new onset atrial fibrillation was detected in any patients after the PFO closure. The follow up with cTCD and TEE reported a closing rate of 86.7%. No new clinical cerebrovascular events occurred in treated patients until now. Conclusion: Our experience describes the percutaneous PFO procedure as feasible, safe and effective with a high rate of procedural success, with an absence of significant adverse events and a high rate of complete closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intramammary infection is the result of invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in the mammary gland and commonly leads to mastitis in dairy animals. Although much has been done to improve cows' udder health, mastitis remains a significant and costly health issue for dairy farmers, especially if subclinical. In this study, quarter milk samples from clinically healthy cows were harvested to detect pathogens via quantitative PCR (qPCR) and evaluate changes in individual milk traits according to the number of quarters infected and the type of microorganism(s). A commercial qPCR kit was used for detection of Mycoplasma bovis, Mycoplasma spp., Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Prototheca spp., Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterococcus spp. and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis. Quarter and pooled milk information of 383 Holstein, 132 Simmental, 129 Rendena, and 112 Jersey cows in 9 Italian single-breed herds was available., Results: Among the cows with pathogen(s) present in at least 1 quarter, CNS was the most commonly detected DNA, followed by Streptococcus uberis, Mycoplasma bovis, and Streptococcus agalactiae. Cows negative to qPCR were 206 and had the lowest milk somatic cell count. Viceversa, cows with DNA isolated in ≥ 3 quarters were those with the highest somatic cell count. Moreover, when major pathogens were isolated in ≥ 3 quarters, milk had the lowest casein index and lactose content. In animals with pathogen(s) DNA isolated, the extent with whom milk yield and major solids were impaired did not significantly differ between major and minor pathogens., Conclusions: The effect of the number of affected quarters on the pool milk quality traits was investigated in clinically healthy cows using a commercial kit. Results remark the important negative effect of subclinical udder inflammations on milk yield and quality, but more efforts should be made to investigate the presence of untargeted microorganisms, as they may be potentially dangerous for cows. For a smarter use of antimicrobials, analysis of milk via qPCR is advisable - especially in cows at dry off - to identify quarters at high risk of inflammation and thus apply a targeted/tailored treatment., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In this study we evaluated the prevalence of pathogens detected via quantitative PCR (qPCR) in milk from apparently healthy cows to identify the most common etiological agents present in Italian dairy farms. Milk samples were collected using a sterile protocol at quarter-level (3239 samples, 822 cows) and a conventional protocol at udder level as composite milk from the functional quarters of each cow (5464 samples, 5464 cows). The qPCR commercial kit detected Mycoplasma bovis , Mycoplasma spp., Staphylococcus aureus , coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), Streptococcus agalactiae , Streptococcus dysgalactiae , Streptococcus uberis , Prototheca spp., Escherichia coli , Klebsiella spp., Enterococcus spp. and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis as well as DNA from the penicillin resistance β-lactamase gene from staphylococci. The prevalence of specific DNA was calculated based on its presence or absence in the samples, factoring in both the sampling protocols and herds. Regardless of the sampling protocol used, the most frequently detected pathogens were CNS (26.6% in sterile and 13.9% in conventional protocol) and Streptococcus uberis (9.6% and 16.5%, respectively). These results underscore the necessity for pathogen-specific interventions at the farm level to enhance the udder health of dairy cows via management recommendations.

Milk differential somatic cell count (DSCC) represents the percentage of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and lymphocytes out of the total somatic cell count (SCC) and has been proposed in recent years as a proxy for udder health in dairy cows. We investigated phenotypic factors affecting SCC and DSCC using 3978 records of 212 Alpine Grey and 426 Burlina cows farmed in Northern Italy. The linear mixed model accounted for the fixed effects of breed, parity, lactation stage, sampling season, and first-order interactions of breed with the other effects. Cow, herd-test-date nested within breed were random. Subsequently, four udder health status groups (UHS) were created by combining SCC and DSCC to assess the UHS impact on milk yield and quality. DSCC was greater in Alpine Grey (66.2 ± 0.8%) than Burlina cows (63.2 ± 0.6%) and, similarly to SCC, it increased with days in milk and parity regardless of breed. Milk yield and composition were affected by UHS in both breeds. These results suggest that also udder health of local breeds can be monitored on a large scale through SCC and DSCC for reduction in biodiversity loss and increased farm profitability. However, in addition to milk data, the introduction of mastitis recording and monitoring plans is advisable.

Somatic gene translocations are key to making an accurate diagnosis in many cancers including many pediatric sarcomas. Currently available molecular diagnostic approaches to identifying somatic pathognomonic translocations have limitations such as minimal multiplexing, high cost, complex computational requirements, or slow turnaround times. We sought to develop a new fusion-detection assay optimized to mitigate these challenges. To accomplish this goal, we developed a highly sensitive multiplexed digital PCR-based approach that can identify the gene partners of multiple somatic fusion transcripts. This assay was validated for specificity with cell lines and synthetized DNA fragments. Assay sensitivity was optimized using a tiered amplification approach for fusion detection from low input and/or degraded RNA. The assay was then tested for the potential application of fusion detection from FFPE tissue and liquid biopsy samples. We found that this multiplexed PCR approach was able to accurately identify the presence of seven different targeted fusion transcripts with a turnaround time of 1 to 2 days. The addition of a tiered amplification step allowed the detection of targeted fusions from as little as 1 pg of RNA input. We also identified fusions from as little as two unstained slides of FFPE tumor biopsy tissue, from circulating tumor cells collected from tumor-bearing mice, and from liquid biopsy samples from patients with known fusion-positive cancers. We also demonstrated that the assay could be easily adapted for additional fusion targets. In summary, this novel assay detects multiple somatic fusion partners in biologic samples with low tumor content and low-quality RNA in less than two days. The assay is inexpensive and could be applied to surgical and liquid biopsies, particularly in places with inadequate resources for more expensive and expertise-dependent assays such as next-generation sequencing., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Under the name of lipophilic marine toxins, there are included more than 1000 toxic secondary metabolites, produced by phytoplankton, with the common chemical property of lipophilicity. Due to toxicological effects and geographical distribution, in European legislation relevant compounds are regulated, and their determination is accomplished with the reference liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. In this study a modified ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed for the identification and quantification of EU-regulated lipophilic toxins. The method optimization included a refinement of SPE-C18 clean-up, in order to reduce matrix interferences. Improved LC conditions and upgraded chromatographic ammonia-based gradient ensured the best separation of all analytes and, in particular, of the two structural isomers (OA and DTX2). Also, different MS parameters were tested, and confirmation criteria finally established. The validation studies confirmed that all parameters were satisfactory. The requirements for precision (RSD% < 11.8% for each compound), trueness (recoveries from 73 to 101%) and sensitivity (limits of quantification in the range 3−8 µg kg−1) were fulfilled. The matrix effect, ranging from −9 to 19%, allowed the use of a calibration curve in solvent (3−320 µg kg−1 in matrix) for quantification of real samples. Method relative uncertainty ranged from 12 to 20.3%. Additionally, a total of 1000 shellfish samples was analysed, providing a first preliminary surveillance study that may contribute to the knowledge of lipophilic marine toxins contamination. Increase in algae proliferation events and intoxication cases, EFSA suggestions for modification of maximum permitted levels and toxicity equivalency factors, and new studies of important toxic effects underline that implementation of reference methods still represents an important task for health and food safety laboratories.

Aims: Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular filling pressures is performed using a multi-parametric algorithm. Unselected sample of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients may demonstrate an indeterminate status of diastolic indices making interpretation challenging. We sought to test improvement in the diagnostic accuracy of standard and strain echocardiography of the left ventricle and left atrium (LA) to estimate a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) > 15 mmHg in patients with HFrEF., Methods and Results: Out of 82 consecutive patients, 78 patients were included in the final analysis and right heat catheterization, and echocardiogram was performed simultaneously. According to the univariable analysis, E wave velocity, the ratio between E-wave/A-wave (E/A, area under the curve [AUC] = 0.81, respectively), isovolumic relaxation time (AUC = 0.83), pulmonary vein D wave (AUC = 0.84), pulmonary vein S/D Ratio (AUC = 0.85), early pulmonary regurgitation velocity (AUC = 0.80), and accelerationa time at right ventricular out-flow tract (RVOT AT, AUC = 0.84) identified with the highest accuracy PCWP > 15 mmHg. They were all tested in multivariate analysis, and they were not independently correlated with PCWP. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) velocity was measurement with the highest predictive value in identifying PCWP > 15 mmHg (AUC = 0.89), compared with other established parameters such as the ratio between e-wave velocity divided by mitral annular e' velocity (E/e'), deceleration time, or LA indexed volume (LAVi), which all reached a lower accuracy level (AUC = 0.75; 0.78; 0.76). Among strain measures, global longitudinal strain in four chamber view (GLS 4ch), the ratio between e-wave velocity divided by mitral annular e' strain rate (E/e'sr), and LA longitudinal strain at the reservoir phase were helpful in estimating elevated PCWP (AUC = 0.77; 0.76; 0.75). According to multivariable analysis, the following two models had the greatest accuracy in detecting PCWP > 15 mmHg: (i) TR velocity, LAVi, and E wave velocity (receiver operating characteristic [ROC]-AUC = 0.98), (ii) AT RVOT, LAVi and GLS 4ch (ROC-AUC = 0.96). Neither E/A (ROC-AUC = 0.81) nor E/e' (ROC-AUC = 0.75) was an independent predictor when included in the model. The two MODELS were applicable to the entire population and demonstrated better agreement with the invasive reference (91% and 88%) than the guidelines algorithm (77%) regardless of the type of rhythm., Conclusions: Our suggested echocardiographic approach could be used to potentially reduce the frequency of "doubtful" classification and increase the accuracy in predicting elevated left ventricular filling pressure leading to a decrease in the number of invasive assessment made by right heart catheterization., (© 2020 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Iron deficiency in heart failure is a frequent condition and may be a prerequisite for the development of anemia but not necessarily the two conditions coexist. Iron deficiency in itself independently of the presence of anemia, determines a series of alterations of the cellular processes of our body related to the production of energy in the form of ATP, cell proliferation and DNA synthesis. The causes of iron deficiency are several and among the various, the inflammatory state present in chronic heart failure, combined with the absorption deficit seems to play a predominant role. This review aims to cover all the main aspects related to iron deficiency in patients with heart failure starting from aetiology up to the therapeutic implications. In particular, the different causes and the pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie the iron deficiency will be examined, describing what are the consequences on the alterations on the biochemical processes in terms of absorption, transport and use of iron by target cells with particular regard to muscle cells and Erythropoietic line. The meaning, the role and the importance in clinical practice of the different laboratory tests that dose the iron (Ferritin, Serum Iron, Transferrin and Transferrin saturation or TSAT) that allow to identify the presence of absolute or relative iron deficiency will also be underlined. Literature data related to the consequences of iron deficiency and to the alterations concerning its transport on the symptoms and functional capacity of patients with heart failure will be reported as well as their impact on prognosis. A second part of the paper will address the main aspects related to iron therapy. We will discuss the administration of iron per os with regard to the different drugs, to the processes of absorption and to the use of different pharmaceutical formulations with their associated side effects. The scientific evidences on parenteral formulations and in particular on the use of Fe-carboxymaltose will be reported. Finally, we will discuss the role of erythropoietin in the context of heart failure.

Protein phosphorylation plays an important role during the life cycle of many viruses. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) capsid protein has recently been shown to be phosphorylated at four residues. Here those studies are extended to determine the kinase responsible for phosphorylation and the importance of capsid phosphorylation during the viral life cycle. Phosphorylation site prediction software suggests that Protein Kinase C (PKC) is responsible for phosphorylation of VEEV capsid. VEEV capsid co-immunoprecipitated with PKCδ, but not other PKC isoforms and siRNA knockdown of PKCδ caused a decrease in viral replication. Furthermore, knockdown of PKCδ by siRNA decreased capsid phosphorylation. A virus with capsid phosphorylation sites mutated to alanine (VEEV CPD) displayed a lower genomic copy to pfu ratio than the parental virus; suggesting more efficient viral assembly and more infectious particles being released. RNA:capsid binding was significantly increased in the mutant virus, confirming these results. Finally, VEEV CPD is attenuated in a mouse model of infection, with mice showing increased survival and decreased clinical signs as compared to mice infected with the parental virus. Collectively our data support a model in which PKCδ mediated capsid phosphorylation regulates viral RNA binding and assembly, significantly impacting viral pathogenesis., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: Single-photon emission computed tomography has shown relevant limitations in the quantification of left ventricular (LV) mass. We sought to compare the estimates of LV mass on Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) as compared to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)., Methods and Results: Twenty-five patients underwent MPI on a CZT camera and CMR on a 1.5 T scanner within 12 ± 3 weeks. LV mass was quantified on CZT images using two softwares: 4D-MSPECT (4DM) and Emory Cardiac Toolbox (ECTb). LV mass by CMR was quantified using MASS software (Medis, Leiden, The Netherlands). LV mass values obtained with 4DM and ECTb were highly reproducible [intraclass correlation coefficients .98 (95% CI .97-.99), and .98 (95% CI 0.97-.99), respectively]. The mean LVM mass values were 151 ± 44 g on CMR, 151 ± 43 g with 4DM (P = NS vs CMR), and 157 ± 42 g with ECTb (P < .001 vs CMR; P = .007 vs 4DM) CZT images. There was an excellent correlation between LV mass values between CMR and both 4DM (R 2  = .95; P < .001) and ECTb (R 2  = .98; P < .001) with narrow limits of agreement (- 13.6% to + 13.4% for 4DM, and - 5.6% to + 14.1% for ECTb)., Conclusions: The evaluation of LV mass is feasible on CZT images, showing excellent agreement with CMR.