Stabilized Double-Stranded RNA Strategy Improves Cotton Resistance to CBW (Anthonomus grandis).

Cotton is the most important crop for fiber production worldwide. However, the cotton boll weevil (CBW) is an insect pest that causes significant economic losses in infested areas. Current control methods are costly, inefficient, and environmentally hazardous. Herein, we generated transgenic cotton lines expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules to trigger RNA interference-mediated gene silencing in CBW. Thus, we targeted three essential genes coding for chitin synthase 2, vitellogenin, and ecdysis-triggering hormone receptor. The stability of expressed dsRNAs was improved by designing a structured RNA based on a viroid genome architecture. We transformed cotton embryos by inserting a promoter-driven expression cassette that overexpressed the dsRNA into flower buds. The transgenic cotton plants were characterized, and positive PCR transformed events were detected with an average heritability of 80%. Expression of dsRNAs was confirmed in floral buds by RT-qPCR, and the T1 cotton plant generation was challenged with fertilized CBW females. After 30 days, data showed high mortality (around 70%) in oviposited yolks. In adult insects fed on transgenic lines, chitin synthase II and vitellogenin showed reduced expression in larvae and adults, respectively. Developmental delays and abnormalities were also observed in these individuals. Our data remark on the potential of transgenic cotton based on a viroid-structured dsRNA to control CBW.

Spatio-temporal distribution of Anthonomus grandis grandis Boh. in tropical cotton fields.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the spatio-temporal distribution of pests is important for the development of accurate management approaches. The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boh., is a deleterious cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., pest in the western hemisphere. The spread of boll weevils across cotton fields remains poorly understood. We assessed the dispersal pattern of adult weevils through cotton fields cultivated in a tropical area during dry and wet seasons using geostatistics for the number of adults and infested reproductive structures (buds, bolls and total). RESULTS: Adult weevils and infested reproductive structures increased across both seasons despite the prevailing climatic variables. In both seasons, boll weevil adults and infested reproductive structures followed an aggregated distribution. The distances over which samples maintained spatial dependence varied from 0.7 to 43.4 m in the dry season and from 6.0 to 614.4 m in the wet season. Boll weevil infestations started at field borders and the infested reproductive structures (oviposition and/or feeding punctured) were greater than the adults regardless of cotton growth stage. CONCLUSION: Sampling for boll weevils in cotton fields should start at the field borders and focus on total infested reproductive structures (buds + bolls) and as cotton plants develop, sampling should focus on the field as a whole. Distances among samples will vary from 6 to 470 m. Thus, despite the cotton phenological stage or growing season, monitoring of boll weevil should be done by sampling total infested reproductive structures with a minimum distance of 6 m among samples. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Under the tip of the iceberg: psychological factors in incontinence.

AIMS: To highlight two main psychological factors (cognitive barriers and safety-behaviors) involved in the development and maintenance of emotional distress in patients with urinary incontinence (UI) and thus facilitate a better understanding of this condition and contribute to a more comprehensive treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Articles and books were reviewed up to December 2010 using a non-systematic research in MEDLINE and PsycINFO, focusing on the situations more frequently seen in our clinical experience. RESULTS: Several emotional symptoms that hinder a person's ability to benefit from urological treatment were found. An "accident" places a person at risk of developing a constant state of heightened worry and increased vigilance that predisposes the individual to develop significant anxiety and depression. Cognitive barriers such as dysfunctional beliefs, automatic negative thoughts, and cognitive biases are frequent. They affect patients' behavior and influence the development of coping strategies (safety-seeking behaviors) to manage symptoms and prevent feared consequences. Cognitions may act as barriers that lead to a misperception of one's health and maintain emotional distress. Safety behaviors are negatively reinforced and prevent disconfirmation of dysfunctional cognitions, thus maintaining the trouble and distress. Clinical examples are outlined. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive barriers and safety behaviors explain some of the atypical psychological patterns seen in patients with UI. Future research should be oriented to design multimodal interventions and assess their impact on health outcomes. Whenever possible, the assessment of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses in individuals with UI could improve the management of this condition. Cognitive-behavioral therapy should be recommended to certain patients.

Isobutyl amides--potent compounds for controlling Diatraea saccharalis.

BACKGROUND: A dichloromethane-methanol extract of the seeds of Piper tuberculatum Jacq. (Piperaceae) and two isobutyl amides, 4,5-dihydropiperlonguminine (1) and pellitorine (2), which were isolated by chromatographic methods, were assayed for their lethality against the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). RESULTS: Bioassays were carried out with fourth-instar caterpillars through topical application of test solutions to the dorsal surface of the prothorax, and dose-response correlations were determined. Significant insect mortalities were observed 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment at concentrations of >or= 100 microg insect(-1). The LD(50) and LD(90) values for compound 1 were 92.83 and 176.50 microg insect(-1), and for compound 2 they were 91.19 and 184.56 microg insect(-1). CONCLUSION: According to the LD(50) and LD(90) for compounds 1 and 2, it can be inferred that the values reflect an acute lethal response to both compounds, based on interaction(s) of the toxicants with a primary target or series of targets. Thus, the amides were demonstrated to have potential value in the control of the sugarcane borer.

Toxicity of extracts and isobutyl amides from Piper tuberculatum: potent compounds with potential for the control of the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis.

The isobutyl amides pellitorine (compound 1) and 4,5-dihydropiperlonguminine (compound 2) were extracted from the seeds of Piper tuberculatum Jacq. (Piperaceae) in yields of 6.10 and 4.45% respectively. The acute toxicities to the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), of extracts of seeds, leaves and stems of P. tuberculatum, and of compounds 1 and 2, were evaluated by means of contact bioassays. The extracts caused 80% mortality when doses higher than 800.00 microg insect(-1) of extract of seeds, leaves and stems were administered to the velvetbean caterpillars. Compounds 1 and 2 showed 100% mortality at doses of 200 and 700 microg insect(-1) respectively. The LD(50) and LD(90) values were respectively 31.3 and 104.5 microg insect(-1) for compound 1, and 122.3 and 381.0 microg insect(-1) for compound 2. The potential value of extracts and amides derived from P. tuberculatum as efficient insecticides against velvetbean caterpillars is discussed.

Impact of lower urinary tract symptoms on quality of life using Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy scale.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on general quality-of-life (QOL) measures in an outpatient setting. METHODS: A total of 1546 male patients aged 51 years or older and scoring more than 11 in the International Prostate Symptom Score completed the general version of the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy, the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index, and additional questions. Previous prostatic surgery and neurourologic conditions were exclusion criteria, but the use of urologic medication was not. RESULTS: LUTS and QOL were significantly related to age, with older patients presenting with more symptoms and worse QOL. In addition, the results showed negative correlations between LUTS and QOL. The division of the severity groups according to the International Prostate Symptom Score showed that patients from the severe group reported significantly worse QOL compared with the moderate group. The 32% variance in the FACT-G was explained by the International Prostate Symptom Score items, controlling for age. Nocturia combined with incomplete bladder emptying were the strongest predictors of QOL. CONCLUSIONS: LUTS have considerable impact on the general well-being of the patient. Combined with age, they can explain up to 30% of the variance in QOL. Nocturia and incomplete emptying are the most troublesome symptoms.

Efeitos de três análogos do hormônio juvenil aplicados em bicho-da-seda, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) / Effects of three juvenile hormone analogues applied on the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)

Juvenile hormone analogues (JHA) have been tested as growth regulators of Bombyx mori L., aiming to increase the cocoon production. These chemicals, when applied in appropriate doses, promote prolongation of the larval period. The effects of JHA application may vary with the product, strain, and time of application. The objective of this study was to evaluate the topical application in different times of three JHA and their effects on larval growth and silk production of the Brazilian silkworm strain C115xN108. Pyriproxyfen, methoprene and fenoxycarb were applied on silkworm larvae at 24h, 48h, 72h or 96h after the beginning of the fifth instar (HFI) and the effects of the products on larval and adult biological characters and silk production were evaluated. Independently of the time of application, the three products affected all the evaluated parameters. The nutrients stored during the extended period by the treated insects were used for growing the silk glands and were converted in corporal weight, with consequent increments in the silk production. Applications of piryproxyfen, methoprene and fenoxycarb between 48 and 72 HFI promoted, in a general way, the largest increments in the biomass and cocoon production of B. mori. Variations in the time of application between 24 and 96 HFI did not influence adult emergence, oviposition or the egg viability of B. mori.

Análogos do hormônio juvenil (AHJ) têm sido testados como reguladores de crescimento de Bombyx mori L., com vistas ao incremento da produção de casulos. Esses produtos, quando aplicados em doses adequadas, prolongam o período larval. Os efeitos da aplicação de AHJ podem variar com o produto, a linhagem e o momento de aplicação. Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da aplicação tópica, em diferentes momentos, de três análogos do hormônio juvenil sobre o crescimento dos insetos e a produção de seda da linhagem brasileira C115xN108 do bicho-da-seda. Os produtos piriproxifem, metoprene e fenoxicarbe foram aplicados em larvas do bicho-da-seda a 24h, 48h, 72h e 96h após o início do quinto ínstar (HQI) e seus efeitos sobre características biológicas larvais e adultas e a produção de seda foram avaliados. Independentemente do momento de aplicação, os três produtos afetaram todos os parâmetros avaliados. A reserva de nutrientes acumulada durante o período larval prolongado dos insetos tratados foi destinada ao crescimento das glândulas sericígenas e, também, convertida em peso corporal, com conseqüentes incrementos na produção de seda. Aplicações entre 48 e 72 HQI provocaram os maiores incrementos na biomassa e na produção de casulos de B. mori. Variações no momento de aplicação de 24h e 96h não influenciaram a emergência ou a oviposição de adultos de B. mori, nem a viabilidade dos ovos.