Developing plant germplasm that contains genetic resistance to insect pests is a valuable component of integrated pest management programs. In the last several decades, numerous attempts have been ...made to identify genetic sources of resistance to Colorado potato beetle
Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). This review focuses on compiling information regarding general
L. decemlineata
biology, ecology, and management focusing on discussing biochemical and morphological potato (
Solanum tuberosum
L.) plant traits that might be responsible for providing resistance; the review ends discussing past efforts to identify genetic material and highlights promising new strategies that may improve the efficiency of evaluation and selection of resistant material. Measurement strategies, that begin with field screening of segregating populations or wild germplasm to narrow research focus can be useful. Identifying particularly resistant or susceptible germplasm, will help researchers focus on studying the mechanisms of resistance in much greater detail which will help the development of long-term sustainable management program.
The potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.) is affected by various hemipteran insect pests including Circulifer tenellus Baker, Lygus spp., Myzus persicae Sulzer, and Macrosiphum euphorbiae Thomas. These ...pests can cause direct foliage damage or vector plant pathogens, and consequently reduce potato yield. Gaining insights into which factors have the greatest impact on seasonal population growth of insect pests is key for improving integrated pest management strategies. Moreover, abiotic and biotic cues such as temperature and crop growth stage can strongly influence insect population growth. Hence, the seasonal population dynamics of C. tenellus, Lygus spp., M. persicae, and M. euphorbiae, and temperature, were monitored weekly throughout potato growing seasons in commercial fields located in the lower Columbia Basin (USA). Using a multi-year dataset, we developed phenology models of each pest based on the accumulated degree days (DD) and potato days (PD). Temperature-mediated population growth models suggest that C. tenellus and Lygus spp. are the first of the pests to colonize the potato crop fields, with 90% of cumulative catch by 2,823 and 1,776 DD, respectively. In contrast, M. persicae and M. euphorbiae populations increased more gradually over the course of the season, with 90% cumulative catch by 5,590 and 5,047 DD, respectively. PD-mediated population growth models suggest that 50% of the populations of C. tenellus, Lygus spp., and M. persicae can be collected at potato tuber growth stage, while 50% of the M. euphorbiae population at tuber initiation stage. The results presented here will help in improving hemipteran potato pests' management.
Phytoplasmas are bacterial plant pathogens that are detrimental to many plants and cause devastating effects on crops. They are not viable outside their host plants and depend on specific insect ...vectors for their transmission. So far, research has largely focused on plant-pathogen interactions, while the complex interactions between phytoplasmas and insect vectors are far less understood. Here, we used next-generation sequencing to investigate how transcriptional profiles of the vector psyllid Cacopsylla melanoneura (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) are altered during infection by the bacterium Candidatus Phytoplasma mali (P. mali), which causes the economically important apple proliferation disease. This first de novo transcriptome assembly of an apple proliferation vector revealed that mainly genes involved in small GTPase mediated signal transduction, nervous system development, adhesion, reproduction, actin-filament based and rhythmic processes are significantly altered upon P. mali infection. Furthermore, the presence of P. mali is accompanied by significant changes in carbohydrate and polyol levels, as revealed by metabolomics analysis. Taken together, our results suggest that infection with P. mali impacts on the insect vector physiology, which in turn likely affects the ability of the vector to transmit phytoplasma.
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•First de novo transcriptome assembly and annotation of an apple proliferation vector.•Psyllid gene expression and metabolome are affected by Candidatus P. mali infection.•The associated cellular and behavioural processes may enhance pathogen transmission.•These findings can assist novel and sustainable pest control strategies.
Cacopsylla picta (Förster, 1848) (Hemiptera: Pysllidae) is the main vector of apple proliferation, a phytoplasma-caused disease. It represents one of the most severe problems in apple orchards, and ...therefore, there is a mandatory requirement to chemically treat against this pest in the European Union. Sexual communication using substrate-borne vibrations was demonstrated in several psyllid species. Here, we report the characteristics of the vibrational signals emitted by C. picta during courtship behavior.The pair formation process can be divided into two main phases: identification and courtship. Females initiate the communication on the host plant by emitting trains of vibrational pulses and, during courtship, if males reply, by emitting a signal consisting of a series of pre-pulses and a ‘buzz’, a duet is established. Moreover, a scanning electron microscopy investigation showed the presence of a stridulatory structure on the thorax and wings of both sexes, whereas the video recordings elucidated associated wing movement.The results provide new information about the biology of this phytoplasma vector and could form a basis of an environmentally friendly pest management strategy.
We report on the coordinated observations of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary (NS-LMXB) GX 5−1 in X-rays (IXPE, NICER, NuSTAR , and INTEGRAL), optical (REM and LCO), near-infrared (REM), ...mid-infrared (VLT VISIR), and radio (ATCA). This Z-source was observed by IXPE twice in March–April 2023 (Obs. 1 and 2). In the radio band the source was detected, but only upper limits to the linear polarization were obtained at a 3 σ level of 6.1% at 5.5 GHz and 5.9% at 9 GHz in Obs. 1 and 12.5% at 5.5 GHz and 20% at 9 GHz in Obs. 2. The mid-IR, near-IR, and optical observations suggest the presence of a compact jet that peaks in the mid- or far-IR. The X-ray polarization degree was found to be 3.7%±0.4% (at 90% confidence level) during Obs. 1 when the source was in the horizontal branch of the Z-track and 1.8%±0.4% during Obs. 2 when the source was in the normal-flaring branch. These results confirm the variation in polarization degree as a function of the position of the source in the color-color diagram, as for previously observed Z-track sources (Cyg X-2 and XTE 1701−462). Evidence of a variation in the polarization angle of ∼20° with energy is found in both observations, likely related to the different, nonorthogonal polarization angles of the disk and Comptonization components, which peak at different energies.
To evaluate the relationship between intraabdominal visceral fat (IVF) and early conversion from laparoscopy to laparotomy in obese patients.
Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification ...II-2).
Department of obstetrics and gynecology, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro.
One hundred fifty-one obese patients with endometrial cancer and laparoscopic surgery.
Laparoscopic treatment for early-stage endometrial cancer.
In all patients, demographic, anthropometric (including body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist circumference), and IVF assessments (using ultrasonography IVF-USG, cm and computed tomography IVF-CT, cm(2)), were evaluated. In 122 patients (122/151, 80.8%), the laparoscopies were successfully completed (group A), whereas 29 patients (29/151, 19.2%) had a laparotomic conversion. Specifically, in 19 (19/29, 65.5%) and in 10 patients (10/29, 34.5%) the conversion was early (group B1) and late (group B2), respectively. A significant (p <.05) difference in surgical stage IC and in postoperative complications rate was detected between group A and groups B1 and B2, without difference between these 2 last groups. IVF-USG and IVF-CT were significantly (p <.01) higher in group B1 in comparison with groups A and B2, without difference between these 2 last groups. A strong and significant (p <.001) association between IVF-USG and IVF-CT was detected in all groups by Spearman bivariate correlation (r = 0.78, 0.918, and 0.978 for group A, B1, and B2, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed the IVF-CT as the main predictor for early laparotomic conversion (OR 2.184; 95% CI 1.227-3.886).
Intraabdominal visceral fat is a predictor for early laparotomic conversion in obese patients with endometrial cancer. Further studies are necessary to assess the efficacy of the IVF evaluation for reducing the laparotomic conversion risk in obese women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for gynecologic malignancy.
To evaluate long-term efficacy of risedronate in osteoporotic postmenopausal patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
A prospective, parallel, open-label, 2-year extension study of a ...randomized, double-blind, 1-year clinical trial. Eighty-one osteoporotic postmenopausal women with IBD were treated with risedronate (n = 40) or placebo (n = 41). Bone mineral density (BMD), biochemical bone turnover markers, and vertebral and nonvertebral fractures were assessed throughout the study. Data were analyzed using the intent-to-treat principle.
Significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed between risedronate and placebo groups at 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-up visits in bone turnover markers and in lumbar spine, trochanter, and femoral neck BMD. In participants treated with risedronate, the percentage of changes from baseline in bone turnover markers and in lumbar spine, trochanter, and femoral neck BMD were significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 2- and 3-year follow-up in comparison with baseline and 1-year follow-up, with a significant (P < 0.05) difference between the 2- and 3-year follow-up visits. At the end of the study, the cumulative risk of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the risedronate group than in the placebo group. The relative risk for new vertebral fractures was 0.456 (95% CI: 0.134-1.559, P = 0.211) and 0.296 (95% CI: 0.121-0.721, P = 0.007) and was 0.209 (95% CI: 0.023-1.867, P = 0.161) and 0.137 (95% CI: 0.030-0.620, P = 0.010), respectively, for new nonvertebral fractures after 2 and 3 years of risedronate treatment.
In postmenopausal osteoporotic women with IBD, long-term treatment with risedronate is effective in increasing BMD and reducing vertebral and nonvertebral fracture risk.
Highlights ► Isolated port-site metastasis is a rare event after laparoscopy in the surgical staging of endometrial cancer. ► More aggressive strategies in case of potentially increased risk for ...port-site metastasis are needed.
We report on the coordinated observations of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary (NS-LMXB) \gx in X-rays (IXPE, NICER, Nustar and INTEGRAL), optical (REM and LCO), near-infrared (REM), ...mid-infrared (VLT VISIR), and radio (ATCA). This Z-source was observed by \IXPE twice in March-April 2023 (Obs. 1 and 2). In the radio band, the source was detected, but only upper-limits to the linear polarization were obtained at a \(3\sigma\) level of \(6.1\%\) at 5.5 GHz and \(5.9\%\) at 9 GHz in Obs.~1 and \(12.5\%\) at 5.5~GHz and \(20\%\) at 9~GHz in Obs.~2. The mid-IR, near-IR and optical observations suggest the presence of a compact jet which peaks in the mid- or far-IR. The X-ray polarization degree was found to be \(3.7\% \pm 0.4 \%\) (at \(90\%\) confidence level) during Obs.~1 when the source was in the horizontal branch of the Z-track and \(1.8\% \pm 0.4 \%\) during Obs.~2 when the source was in the normal-flaring branch. These results confirm the variation of polarization degree as a function of the position of the source in the color-color diagram as for previously observed Z-track sources (Cyg~X-2 and XTE~1701\(-\)462). Evidence for a variation of the polarization angle \(\sim 20^\circ\) with energy is found in both observations, likely related to the different, non-orthogonal polarization angles of the disk and Comptonization components which peak at different energies.
This paper reports the first detection of polarization in the X-rays for atoll-source 4U 1820-303, obtained with the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) at 99.999% confidence level (CL). ...Simultaneous polarimetric measurements were also performed in the radio with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). The IXPE observations of 4U 1820-303 were coordinated with Swift-XRT, NICER, and NuSTAR aiming to obtain an accurate X-ray spectral model covering a broad energy interval. The source shows a significant polarization above 4 keV, with a polarization degree of 2.0(0.5)% and a polarization angle of -55(7) deg in the 4-7 keV energy range, and a polarization degree of 10(2)% and a polarization angle of -67(7) deg in the 7-8 keV energy bin. This polarization also shows a clear energy trend with polarization degree increasing with energy and a hint for a position-angle change of about 90 deg at 96% CL around 4 keV. The spectro-polarimetric fit indicates that the accretion disk is polarized orthogonally to the hard spectral component, which is presumably produced in the boundary/spreading layer. We do not detect linear polarization from the radio counterpart, with a 99.97% upper limit of 50% at 7.25 GHz.
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