Search

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a major pest that can cause significant yield losses in various crops worldwide. Traditional chemical control measures have proven to be ineffective and unsustainable, leading to an urgent need for alternative management strategies. Agronomic practices, such as crop rotation, intercropping, and tillage, can reduce the pest's impact on crops. Biological control measures, such as the use of natural enemies, microbial agents, and pheromone traps, have also shown promise in managing fall armyworm infestations. Biotechnological approaches, including the use of RNA interference and transgenic plants expressing insecticidal proteins, have demonstrated potential in controlling fall armyworm populations. Despite their promising results, these management strategies require further research and development to optimize their efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and environmental safety. Integration of multiple management strategies is likely to provide the most sustainable and effective approach to manage fall armyworm infestations in agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The COVID-19 Community Research Partnership is a population-based longitudinal syndromic and sero-surveillance study. The study includes over 17,000 participants from six healthcare systems in North Carolina who submitted over 49,000 serology results. The purpose of this study is to use these serology data to estimate the cumulative proportion of the North Carolina population that has either been infected with SARS-CoV-2 or developed a measurable humoral response to vaccination. Methods: Adult community residents were invited to participate in the study between April 2020 and February 2021. Demographic information was collected and daily symptom screen was completed using a secure, HIPAA-compliant, online portal. A portion of participants were mailed kits containing a lateral flow assay to be used in-home to test for presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM or IgG antibodies. The cumulative proportion of participants who tested positive at least once during the study was estimated. A standard Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to illustrate the probability of seroconversion over time up to December 20, 2020 (before vaccines available). A separate analysis was performed to describe the influence of vaccines through February 15, 2021. Results: 17,688 participants contributed at least one serology result. 68.7% of the population were female, and 72.2% were between 18 and 59 years of age. The average number of serology results submitted per participant was 3.0 (±1.9). By December 20, 2020, the overall probability of seropositivity in the CCRP population was 32.6%. By February 15, 2021 the probability among healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers was 83% and 49%, respectively. An inflection upward in the probability of seropositivity was demonstrated around the end of December, suggesting an influence of vaccinations, especially for healthcare workers. Among healthcare workers, those in the oldest age category (60+ years) were 38% less likely to have seroconverted by February 15, 2021. Conclusions: Results of this study suggest more North Carolina residents may have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 than the number of documented cases as determined by positive RNA or antigen tests. The influence of vaccinations on seropositivity among North Carolina residents is also demonstrated. Additional research is needed to fully characterize the impact of seropositivity on immunity and the ultimate course of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumption of Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L) seed can provide vegetable protein for use in consumer products. Protein was extracted from defatted bitter gourd seed meal with isoelectric precipitation. Isolates were examined for protein content, recovery, yield, bulk density, water absorption capacities, oil absorption capacities, foaming and emulsifying properties. Wheat flour was replaced with protein isolate (up to 20%) to prepare blends and functional properties of blends determined, to develop protein-enriched cookies. Bitter gourd seed meal contained: crude protein (40.62 ± 0.68%), Mg (54.52 ± 1.06 mg/100 g), Ca (43.13 ± 1.13 mg/100 g), total phenolic content (5.06 ± 0.66 mg GAE∙g−1) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity of 30.98 ± 0.46%. Bitter gourd seed protein isolate supplemented cookies were evaluated for physical analysis, proximate composition and sensory characteristics. Maximum moisture (2.66 ± 0.04%), protein (18.67 ± 0.41%), fiber (0.89 ± 0.06%) and ash (0.93 ± 0.03%) contents were found in 20% substituted cookies. Cookies prepared with 15% substitution were most liked by panelists. The bitter gourd seed protein isolate can be used in various food products as a protein source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Estimating population prevalence and incidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential to formulate public health recommendations concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. However, interpreting estimates based on sero-surveillance requires an understanding of the duration of elevated antibodies following SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in the large number of people with pauci-symptomatic or asymptomatic disease.Methods: We examined > 30,000 serology assays for SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM assays acquired longitudinally in 11,468 adults between April and November 2020 in the COVID-19 Community Research Partnership.Results: Among participants with serologic evidence for infection but few or no symptoms or clinical disease, roughly 50% sero-reverted in 30 days of their initial positive test. Sero-reversion occurred more quickly for IgM than IgG and for antibodies targeting nucleocapsid protein compared with spike proteins, but was not associated with age, sex, race/ethnicity, or healthcare worker status.Conclusions: The short duration of antibody response suggests that the true population prevalence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection may be significantly higher than presumed based on earlier sero-surveillance studies. The impact of the large number of minimally symptomatic COVID-19 cases with only a brief antibody response on population immunity remains to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize the overall incidence and risk factors for breakthrough infection among fully vaccinated participants in the North Carolina COVID-19 Community Research Partnership cohort. Among 15,808 eligible participants, 638 reported a positive SARS-CoV-2 test after vaccination. Factors associated with a lower risk of breakthrough in the time-to-event analysis included older age, prior SARS-CovV-2 infection, higher rates of face mask use, and receipt of a booster vaccination. Higher rates of breakthrough were reported by participants vaccinated with BNT162b2 or Ad26.COV2.S compared to mRNA-1273, in suburban or rural counties compared to urban counties, and during circulation of the Delta and Omicron variants.