The prevailing use of neonicotinoids in pest control has adverse effects on non-target organisms, like honeybees. However, relatively few studies have explored the effect of sublethal neonicotinoid ...levels on olfactory responses of pest insects, and thus their potential impact on semiochemical surveillance and control methods, such as monitoring or mating disruption. We recently reported that sublethal doses of the neonicotinoid thiacloprid (TIA) had dramatic effects on sex pheromone release in three tortricid moth species. We present now effects of TIA on pheromone detection and, for the first time, navigational responses of pest insects to pheromone sources. TIA delayed and reduced the percentage of males responding in the wind tunnel without analogous alteration of electrophysiological antennal responses. During navigation along an odor plume, treated males exhibited markedly slower flights and, in general, described narrower flight tracks, with an increased susceptibility to wind-induced drift. All these effects increased in a dose-dependent manner starting at LC
- which would kill just 10 out of 10
individuals - and revealed an especially pronounced sensitivity in one of the species, Grapholita molesta. Our results suggest that minimal neonicotinoid quantities alter chemical communication, and thus could affect the efficacy of semiochemical pest management methods.
ABSTRACT
The evolution of asymptotic giant branch stars from the spherical symmetry into the diverse shapes of planetary nebulae (PNe) is a topic of intensive research. Young PNe provide a unique ...opportunity to characterize the onset of this transitional phase. In particular, OH maser-emitting PNe (OHPNe) are considered nascent PNe. In fact, only six OHPNe have been confirmed to date. In order to identify and characterize more OHPNe, we processed the unpublished continuum data of the interferometric follow-up of the Southern Parkes Large-Area Survey in Hydroxyl (SPLASH). We then matched the interferometric positions of OH maser and radio continuum emission, considering the latter as a possible tracer of free–free emission from photoionized gas, characteristic of PNe. We report eight objects with a positive coincidence, four of which are classified as candidate OHPNe here for the first time (IRAS 16372–4808, IRAS 17494–2645, IRAS 18019–2216, and OH 341.6811+00.2634). Available evidence strongly indicates that they are evolved stars, while the comparison with confirmed OHPNe indicates that they are likely to be PNe. Their final confirmation as bona fide PNe, however, requires optical/infrared spectroscopy. The obtained spectral indices of the radio continuum emission (between ≃0.4–1.3) are consistent with partially optically thick free–free emission from photoionized gas. Also, they cluster in the same region of a WISE colour–colour diagram as that of the confirmed OHPNe ($9.5\lesssim3.4{-}22\lesssim13.5$, and $4.0\lesssim4.6{-}12 \lesssim7.0$), thus this diagram could help to identify more OHPNe candidates in the future.
It is suggested that the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and their association with distinct plants species are crucial in the early stages of revegetation procedures since the AMF ...roots colonisation plays an important role improving plant establishment and growth. We carried out a study where we analyse the AMF community composition in the roots of
Ephedra fragilis,
Rhamnus lycioides,
Pistacia lentiscus and
Retama sphaerocarpa fourteen months after revegetation in a Mediterranean semiarid degraded area of southeast Spain in order to verify whether different plant species can variably promote the diversity of AM fungi in their rhizospheres after planted. We analysed a portion of approximately 795 bases pairs of the small-subunit ribosomal DNA by means of nested PCR, cloning, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Eight fungal sequence types belonging to
Glomus group A and B and to the genus
Paraglomus were identified. The different plant species had different AM fungal community composition. Thus,
R. lycioides harboured the highest number of four fungal sequence types while from
E. fragilis only two types could be characterized that were specific for this plant species.
P. lentiscus and
R. sphaerocarpa harboured each one three sequence types and two of them were shared. All AMF sequence types were found in the natural soil. These results show that one effective way of restoring degraded lands is to increase the number of plant species used, which would increase the AMF diversity in the soil and thus the below-ground, positive interactions.
► AMF diversity is strongly dependent on the host plant. ► AMF plays an essential role in the early stages of the plant. ► One effective tool to restore degraded lands is to increase the plant species.
A characterization process for resistive RAM (RRAMs) based on TiN/Ti/HfO2/W stacks has been performed. In addition to conventional electrical measurements, the effects of the magnetic field (MF) have ...also been considered. The influence of the Lorenz force on resistive switching (RS) processes and on the device conduction was explored both in the Low Resistance State (LRS) and in the High Resistance State (HRS). The MF influences the set/reset voltages and current distributions, spreading the range of current values obtained in a long RS series of successive set and reset cycles and modifying set voltage values. For the reset voltage, the influence is less significant than the cycle-to-cycle variability.
The temperature inducible expression system, based on the pL and/or pR phage lambda promoters regulated by the thermolabile cI857 repressor has been widely use to produce recombinant proteins in ...prokaryotic cells. In this expression system, induction of heterologous protein is achieved by increasing the culture temperature, generally above 37 degrees C. Concomitant to the overexpression of heterologous protein, the increase in temperature also causes a variety of complex stress responses. Many studies have reported the use of such temperature inducible expression system, however only few discuss the simultaneous stress effects caused by recombinant protein production and the up-shift in temperature. Understanding the integral effect of such responses should be useful to develop improved strategies for high yield protein production and recovery. Here, we describe the current status of the heat inducible expression system based on the pL and/or pR lambda phage promoters, focusing on recent developments on expression vehicles, the stress responses at the molecular and physiological level that occur after heat induction, and bioprocessing factors that affect protein overexpression, including culture operation variables and induction strategies.
Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether Libman-Sacks endocarditis is a pathogenic factor for cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Background A ...cardioembolic pathogenesis of SLE CVD manifested as: 1) neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), including stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA); 2) neurocognitive dysfunction; and 3) magnetic resonance imaging of focal brain lesions has not been established. Methods A 6-year study of 30 patients with acute NPSLE (27 women, 38 ± 12 years of age), 46 age- and sex-matched SLE controls without NPSLE (42 women, 36 ± 12 years of age), and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (22 women, 34 ± 11 years of age) who underwent clinical and laboratory evaluations, transesophageal echocardiography, carotid duplex ultrasound, transcranial Doppler ultrasound, neurocognitive testing, and brain magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography. Patients with NPSLE were re-evaluated after 4.5 months of therapy. All patients were followed clinically for a median of 52 months. Results Libman-Sacks vegetations (87%), cerebromicroembolism (27% with 2.5 times more events per hour), neurocognitive dysfunction (60%), and cerebral infarcts (47%) were more common in NPSLE than in SLE (28%, 20%, 33%, and 0%) and healthy controls (8%, 0%, 4%, and 0%, respectively) (all p ≤ 0.009). Patients with vegetations had 3 times more cerebromicroemboli per hour, lower cerebral blood flow, more strokes/TIA and overall NPSLE events, neurocognitive dysfunction, cerebral infarcts, and brain lesion load than those without (all p ≤ 0.01). Libman-Sacks vegetations were independent risk factors of NPSLE (odds ratio OR: 13.4; p < 0.001), neurocognitive dysfunction (OR: 8.0; p = 0.01), brain lesions (OR: 5.6; p = 0.004), and all 3 outcomes combined (OR: 7.5; p < 0.001). Follow-up re-evaluations in 18 of 23 (78%) surviving patients with NPSLE demonstrated improvement of vegetations, microembolism, brain perfusion, neurocognitive dysfunction, and lesion load (all p ≤ 0.04). Finally, patients with vegetations had reduced event-free survival time to stroke/TIA, cognitive disability, or death (p = 0.007). Conclusions The presence of Libman-Sacks endocarditis in patients with SLE was associated with a higher risk for embolic CVD. This suggests that Libman-Sacks endocarditis may be a source of cerebral emboli.
Reptiles are reservoirs of a wide range of pathogens, including many protozoa, helminths, pentastomids, and arthropod parasitic species, some of which may be of public health concern. In this review ...we discuss the zoonotic risks associated with human–reptile interactions. Increased urbanization and introduction of exotic species of reptile may act as drivers for the transmission of zoonotic parasites through the environment. In addition, being a part of human diet, reptiles can be a source of life-threatening parasitoses, such as pentastomiasis or sparganosis. Finally, reptiles kept as pets may represent a risk to owners given the possibility of parasites transmitted by direct contact or fecal contamination. Awareness of reptile-borne zoonotic parasitoses is important to advocate control, prevention, and surveillance of these neglected diseases.
Species of protozoa, helminths, pentastomids, and arthropod vectors exploit reptiles as definitive or paratenic hosts, which may represent a public health concern.The zoonotic risk is associated with human–reptile interactions and includes environmental contamination, reptile consumption, or keeping reptiles as pets.Exotic reptile species may introduce new zoonotic parasites in a previously nonendemic region.Pentastomiasis and sparganosis are life-threatening food-borne parasitoses.In our households, if precautions are not taken, reptiles may transmit zoonotic parasites by direct contact or fecal contamination.Trained veterinarians, physicians, and public health officials are important to advocate for proper diagnostics, parasite identification and treatment, as well as for surveillance strategies and food inspection in areas where reptiles are consumed.
Although hybridization processes in the Cheloniidae family have been documented since the 19th century, detailed reports of these occurrences are scarce. Therefore, the record of a hybridization ...between Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) signifies an important event. In this study, we report the third known record of hybridization between C. mydas and E. imbricata in the Caribbean Sea. In Tortuguero, Costa Rica, we marked and monitored several nests from both species during the 2020 nesting season. Offspring from two E. imbricata clutches showed morphological characteristics corresponding to both species. We compared 20 individuals from each of these nests to large groups of pure C. mydas and E. imbricata individuals. We measured carapace length and mass of each hatchling and documented other morphological properties such as scale patterns on the head to better identify the species. Because these hatchlings presented different combinations of representative characteristics of each species, we concluded that they are hybrid individuals. Our findings provide a new record of a C. mydas · E. imbricata hybridization event.
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