Induced eggplant resistance against Trialeurodes vaporariorum triggered by jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and Nesidiocoris tenuis feeding.

Greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, is one of the major insect pests of agricultural crops such as eggplant. Due to various difficulties associated with synthetic pesticides, more environmentally friendly alternative methods are greatly appreciated for controlling pests. In the present study, the induction of resistance was investigated in eggplant using root and foliar application of jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, as well as Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) either individually or in combination against T. vaporariorum. The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions inside a growth chamber, which was set at 27 ± 2°C, 50 ± 5% relative humidity with a 16 h day length. Our results showed an increase in plant resistance due to the higher immature mortality rates, longer immature periods, lower longevity of adults, and fecundity. In free-choice situation, oviposition on root jasmonic acid (RJA) + N. tenuis and root abscisic acid (RABA) + N. tenuis was similar, but numbers of eggs deposited on these plants were lower than other treatments and control plants. The plant enzyme activity and phenolic content were significantly greater in RJA + N. tenuis and RABA + N. tenuis, intermediate in individual treatments, and the lowest in control plants. Correspondingly, T. vaporariorum longevity, number of eggs produced per female, oviposition preference, all were lowest when the insects fed on these treatments. These findings suggest that the induction of resistance in eggplants with the physiological changes in the host plant leads to a reduction in whitefly damage.

Safety and Efficacy of Autologous Intra-articular Platelet Lysates in Early and Intermediate Knee Osteoarthrosis in Humans: A Prospective Open-Label Study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety and benefit from intra-articular autologous platelet lysate (PL) injection in early and intermediate knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: Open-label prospective study. SETTING: Laboratory. PATIENTS: Adult patients, aged 35 to 70 years, with a history of chronic pain or swelling on one or both knees and imaging findings (radiograph or magnetic resonance imaging) of degenerative changes in the joint of grade I or II on the Kellgren scale were included. INTERVENTIONS: Autologous PL was given in the knee joint by percutaneous intra-articular route every 3 weeks for a total of 3 injections. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Response was evaluated by nonnormalized Knee Osteoarthritis and Disability Outcome Score (KOOS). RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the 5 aspects evaluated at weeks 32 and 52 compared with baseline. Symptoms score significantly improved at weeks 32 and 52 from a mean of 11.1 at baseline to 9.0 (P < 0.0001) and 8.7 (P < 0.0001). Stiffness score significantly improved at weeks 32 and 52 from 2.2 at baseline to 1.7 (P < 0.022) and 1.6 (P < 0.016). Pain score improved at 32 weeks and at 52 weeks from a baseline of 14.2 to 9.8 (P < 0.0001) and 9.2 (P < 0.0001). Daily Living score improved from 25.0 to 18.7 at 32 weeks (P < 0.0001) and to 15.6 at 52 weeks (P < 0.0001). Sport score improved from 10.7 to 8.4 at 32 weeks (P < 0.0001) and to 8.1 at 52 weeks (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular PL significantly improved score of all aspects evaluated by KOOS. Platelet lysate seems to be a safe product. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first clinical study addressing the use of autologous PL as a treatment measure for knee osteoarthrosis (KOA). There are no studies published regarding the treatment of KOA by intra-articular injections of PL. The previous studies were on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for KOA. Platelet-rich plasma use has been in place for several years, however, a standardized protocol has not yet been established. Platelet lysate represents a safe, economical, easy to prepare, and easy to apply source of growth factors in the treatment of KOA. A head-to-head study is needed to compare PRP with PL in KOA.

Early use of hemodialysis for active rewarming in severe hypothermia: a case report and review of literature.

Deep accidental hypothermia (body temperature below 28°C) is rare. Even with modern supportive care of active external and internal rewarming techniques it is associated with a high mortality rate. We report the early and successful use of hemodialysis (HD) for active rewarming of a middle-aged alcoholic man with severe deep accidental hypothermia after failure of initial efforts of rewarming using conventional strategies. This case report and review of the literature highlights the advantages and the challenges of using HD in this setting and suggests a potential role for HD in the routine management of severe hypothermia in the absence of circulatory arrest.

Vermicomposts of Different Origins Protect Tomato Plants Against the Sweetpotato Whitefly.

The effect of four vermicomposts, obtained from different organic sources (pistachio waste [PWV], date waste [DWV], cattle manure waste [CMV], and food waste [FWV]), as well as two chemical fertilizers (complete fertilizer [CF] and NPK fertilizer [NPK]) on some life history traits of the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was investigated in a series of choice and not choice experiments. In a choice experiment, adult whiteflies exhibited significantly lower preference for settling and oviposition on plants treated with vermicomposts than those in control, CF, and NPK groups (P < 0.01), with better results were observed in PWV group. In no choice experiment, adult whiteflies laid significantly fewer eggs in PWV group in comparison with control, CF, and NPK groups (P < 0.01); other treatments had intermediary values. Fertilization had a significant effect on the preadult development time of sweetpotato whitefly, with the longest development times were recorded for plants treated with PWV (24.65 d) and FWV (22.04 d), respectively. The preadult mortality of sweetpotato whitefly increased significantly following fertilization, with the greatest mortal effects were observed in PWV (54.11%) and DWV (44.68%) groups, respectively. Plants fertilized with PWV had significantly higher phenolic content (10 mg/ml) than control (BAGA; 6.08 mg/ml), while those in CMV group exhibited intermediary value (7.28 mg/ml). Altogether, results of this study reveal both antixenosis (nonpreference) and antibiosis (decreased survival and prolonged development time) resistance of tomato plants mediated by vermicomposts. Particularly, plants treated with PWV obtained the best results in terms of both growth and resistance to sweetpotato whitefly.

Evaluation of substituted oxime ethers for growth regulatory activity against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Insect growth regulator (IGR) activity of 52 substituted oxime ethers was evaluated against an important polyphagous lepidopteran pest, Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Several compounds produced symptoms comparable to exogenously applied juvenile hormone. Maximum ICR activity was exhibited by 4'-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3'-buten-2'(E)-ketoxime-N-O-alkyl ether with an ED50 (morphological) of 40 microg g(-1) body weight, compared with 20 microg g(-1) of juvenile hormone (JH) III. Two more compounds, namely, 4'-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3'-buten-2'(Z)-ketoxime-N-O-methyl propyl ether (ED50 of 192 microg g(-1)) and 4'-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3'-buten-2'(E)-ketoxime-N-O-pentyl ether (ED50 of 380 microg g(-1)) showed considerable IGR activity, whereas 4'-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-3'-buten-2'(E)-ketoxime-N-O-pentyl ether was found to be acutely toxic to larvae (ED50 of 268 microg g(-1)). Three compounds used in this study also were synergized by piperonyl butoxide. Synergistic ratios ranged from 1.330 to 4.605. No significant ovicidal activity was obtained.

Compatibility of insecticides and fungicides with the zoophytophagous mirid predator Nesidiocoris tenuis.

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is an effective predator of multiple pests of vegetable crops, such as thrips, mites, aphids, whiteflies, leafminers. It is mass-reared and released for augmentative biocontrol programs mainly aimed at controlling whiteflies and Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in greenhouses and open field. We evaluated the lethal and sublethal toxicity upon N. tenuis adults of label doses of three insecticides (pyriproxyfen, spirotetramat, cypermethrin) and seven fungicides (benomyl, chlorothalonil, copper oxychloride, cyazofamid, fluopicolide + propamocarb hydrochloride (FPH), penconazol, trifloxystrobin) commonly used in various crops. Two exposure routes were tested: (i) contact with dry residues of insecticides or fungicides on tomato sprouts and (ii) multiple exposure to these chemicals via topical sprays on adults which foraged on treated sprouts; and fed on treated eggs of Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) simultaneously. Mortality and reproductive capacity were investigated as indicators of lethal and sublethal effects on N. tenius. The tested insecticides and fungicides were all classified as harmless when predator was exposed only to the dry residues of each. However, the multiple exposure to either cypermethrin, benomyl, chlorothalonil, copper oxychloride or trifloxystrobin caused significant mortality of N. tenuis adults. Cypermethrin also significantly reduced its reproductive capacity. Interestingly, N. tenuis produced a higher number of progeny when exposed to fungicides penconazol and FPH in both exposure scenarios. Overall, findings suggest that the two insecticides, pyriproxyfen and spirotetramat but not cypermethrin, and all tested fungicides can be considered compatible with N. tenuis.

Study on the physiology of diapause, cold hardiness and supercooling point of overwintering pupae of the pistachio fruit hull borer, Arimania comaroffi.

The pistachio fruit hull borer, Arimania comaroffi (Ragonot) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a key pest of pistachio orchards in Iran. This pest passes the winter as diapausing pupae. In this study, some physiological changes in relation to environmental temperature were investigated in field collected pupae. The relationship between supercooling point, cold hardiness and physiological changes of a wild population of this pest was also investigated. The glycogen content decreased with decrease in environmental temperature. Decrease in glycogen content was proportional to increase in total body sugar, trehalose, myo-inositol and sorbitol contents. In January with mean ambient temperature of 5.4°C, glycogen (5 mg/g fresh body weight) content was at the lowest level whereas total body sugar (10.3 mg/g fresh body weight), trehalose (8.6 mg/g fresh body weight), myo-inositol (5.3 mg/g fresh body weight) and sorbitol (2.6 mg/g fresh body weight) were at the highest levels. Total body sugar, trehalose, myo-inositol and sorbitol contents increased as mean temperature decreased from 22.7°C in October to 5.4°C in January. Total body lipid decreased during overwintering and reached to the lowest level at the end of March. Supercooling points were decreased from October to January and reached to the lowest level (-16°C) in January with minimum ambient temperature of -10°C. Survival at low temperature after 24 h was also greatest in January with 72% survival at -10°C, 39% survival at -15°C and 0% survival at -20°C. Increase in temperature from February onward, was proportional with increase in supercooling points and decrease in survival rate. Regardless of sampling date, all pupae died after 24 h at -20°C, whereas none pupae died after 24 h at -5°C. This indicates that this insect is freeze-intolerant.

Toll-like receptor 9 and vascular endothelial growth factor levels in human kidneys from lupus nephritis patients.

BACKGROUND: In the lupus mouse and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, DNA fragments isolated from plasma may mimic microbial DNA and trigger Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) signaling with formation of autoantibodies against DNA fragments and nucleosomes. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a tightly regulated angiogenic cytokine in the kidney. The present study investigated glomerular and tubular expression of both TLR9 and VEGF in biopsies from human subjects with lupus nephritis (LN) and normal controls. METHODS: Kidney biopsies in LN (n=8) and normal controls (n=10) were evaluated for expression of TLR9 and VEGF. The degree of kidney damage was analyzed according to the International Society of Nephrology / Renal Pathology Society classification. Immunohistochemistry was performed, and slides were incubated with antibodies against VEGF and TLR9 monoclonal antibody, stained with hematoxylin and eosin, mounted and microscopically scored at ×10 and ×20. RESULTS: We observed intense staining of glomeruli and tubules for TLR9 up to 3+ from patients with LN. Samples from LN subjects showed 3+ staining of glomeruli but only up to 2+ in tubules for VEGF. There was less significant staining for TLR9 and none for VEGF in controls. There was no correlation observed between LN class severity and intensity of staining for VEGF or TLR9. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that investigated combined expression of TLR9 and VEGF, which could be an important tool for understanding the role of TLR9 and VEGF in LN, with insights into the early detection and targeted treatment of this disease.

Biological traits and Life table parameters A and B biotype of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) on cotton and rapeseed

The aim of this work was to construct life table of Bemisia tabaci (Gen.) A and B (silverleaf whitefly B. argentifolii Bellows and Perring) biotype (Hem.: Aleyrodidae) on two host plants; cotton, (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and rapeseed, (Brassica napus L.). Experiments were conducted in a growth chamber under 24 ± 2ºC, 55±3% RH and 16:8 (L:D) h photoperiod on caged plants of cotton G. hirsutum L. (Varamin 76 variety) and rapeseed B. napus L. (global variety. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r m), net reproductive rate (R0) and mean generation time (T) for B. tabaci A biotype was 0.1010 females per female per day, 18.4075 females per female and 30.079 day (d) on cotton; 0.1286, 30.6760 and 26.77 d on rapeseed; and for B biotype (B. argentifolii) those above respective parameters averaged 0.1033, 27.8426 and 32.74 d on cotton and 0.1750, 40.75 and 21.27 d on rapeseed. The total survival of A and B biotype from the egg to adult on cotton was 22.08 and 22.25, respectively. The results showed significant differences between the two biotype reared on either host plant for gross reproductive rate (GRR), net reproductive rate (R0 or NRR), intrinsic rates of increase (r m), finite rate of increase (λ), doubling time (DT) and mean generation times (Tc). To obtain a better understanding of the biology of these biotypes, Stable age distribution (Cx) and some other aspects of life history related to their hosts were also studied. Based upon the results, both biotypes showed a greater reproduction capacity on rapeseed than on cotton. Thus, rapeseed was more suitable host than cotton for two biotypes and this was an important factor in host plant selection for optimizing the control strategies of these major pests.