A systematic review and meta-analysis of the long-term effects of physical activity interventions on objectively measured outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Although physical activity interventions are frequently reported to be effective, long-term changes are needed to generate meaningful health benefits. There are criticisms that evaluations of physical activity interventions mostly report short-term outcomes and that these are often self-reported rather than measured objectively. This study therefore aimed to assess the long-term (at least 24 month) effectiveness of behavioural interventions on objectively measured physical activity. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review with a meta-analysis of effects on objectively measured physical activity. We searched: Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, PsychInfo, CINAHL and Pubmed up to 10th January 2022. Studies were included if they were in English and included a physical intervention that assessed physical activity in the long-term (defined as at least 24 months). RESULTS: Eight studies with 8480 participants were identified with data suitable for meta-analysis. There was a significant effect of interventions on daily steps 24 months post baseline (four studies, SMD: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.28) with similar results at 36 to 48 months of follow up (four studies, SMD: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.27). There was a significant effect of interventions on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 24 months post baseline (four studies, SMD: 0.18 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.29) and at 36 to 48 months (three studies, SMD: 0.16 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.23). The mean effect size was small. However, the changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and steps per day were clinically meaningful in the best-performing studies. CONCLUSION: This review suggests that behavioural interventions can be effective in promoting small, but clinically meaningful increases in objectively measured physical activity for up to 48 months. There is therefore a need to develop interventions that can achieve greater increases in long-term physical activity with greater efficiency.

Courtship and mating behaviour in the parasitoid wasp Cotesia urabae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): mate location and the influence of competition and body size on male mating success.

Cotesia urabae is a solitary larval endoparasitoid that was introduced into New Zealand in 2011 as a classical biological control agent against Uraba lugens. A detailed knowledge of its reproductive biology is required to optimize mass rearing efficiency. In this study, the courtship and mating behaviour of C. urabae is described and investigated from a series of experiments, conducted to understand the factors that influence male mating success. Cotesia urabae males exhibited a high attraction to virgin females but not mated females, whereas females showed no attraction to either virgin or mated males. Male mating success was highest in the presence of a male competitor. Also, the time to mate was shorter and copulation duration was longer when a male competitor was present. Larger male C. urabae had greater mating success than smaller males when paired together with a single female. This knowledge can now be utilized to improve mass rearing methods of C. urabae for the future.

Digital interventions for promoting exercise adherence in chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic musculoskeletal disorders are the second largest contributor to disability globally. Exercise is typically recommended by physiotherapists to manage symptoms. However, adherence to the prescribed exercise programme is often poor. Adjunctive digital interventions offer potential to enhance exercise adherence. OBJECTIVES: To review evidence on the effectiveness of digital interventions for improving exercise adherence in people with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. The study is reported in line with PRISMA guidance and was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019124502). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase and PsycInfo were searched using a comprehensive search strategy. The reference lists of all included papers and relevant systematic reviews identified during the search were scanned for relevant articles. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Two researchers independently checked articles for inclusion and extracted data. RESULTS: The search returned a total of 4257 results of which five trials were included in the review and two studies were included in a random effects meta-analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in exercise adherence (SMD: 0.23; 95% CI: -0.10, 0.57). Studies that were not suitable for inclusion in the meta-analysis reported similar results. Heterogeneity of effects was high and study quality ranged from low to moderate. All of the meta-analysed data related to osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence that digital interventions enhance adherence to therapeutic exercise in patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders. However, further, high quality research is required to draw definitive conclusions on their effectiveness and to identify key components that are associated with effectiveness. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019124502.

Potential of selective insecticides for managing Uraba lugens (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) on Eucalypts.

The leaf skeletonizer Uraba lugens Walker (Lepidoptera: Nolidae), an Australian species, locally known as "gumleaf skeletonizer", is well established in New Zealand. This insect has the potential to become a serious pest of forestry and amenity eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp.) and is the focus of a long-term management program. The use of synthetic chemical or biological insecticides is one possible control method within an integrated control program. A series of dose-response trials were conducted using laboratory bioassays to test the efficacy of several insecticides against U. lugens: pyrethroids, spinosad, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki Berliner (Btk) and an insect growth regulator, Mimic. Pyrethroids and spinosad proved highly effective against U. lugens larvae, achieving 100% mortality after 3-6-d exposure. The performance of Btk was lower against gregarious skeletonizing larvae compared with solitary chewing larvae. When good coverage of the target foliage is achieved, >90% mortality is possible with Btk. Mimic performed poorly against U. lugens compared with other insecticides tested (<60% mortality). The Eucalyptus species on which larvae were feeding significantly altered insecticide efficacy. Treatments applied to Eucalyptus nitens (Deane & Maiden) Maiden had reduced efficacy compared with E. cinerea F. Muell. ex Benth. or E. fastigata Deane & Maiden. Cooler temperatures also reduced insecticide efficacy, presumably by decreasing movement and food consumption by U. lugens. Recommendations on spray applications to control U. lugens in New Zealand are given.

Oviposition by introduced Ophelimus eucalypti (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and morphogenesis of female-induced galls on Eucalyptus saligna(Myrtaceae) in New Zealand.

An Australian gall-inducing eulophid, Ophelimus eucalypti (Gahan) was first recorded on the foliage of Eucalyptus botryoides after it invaded New Zealand in 1987. It has spread throughout the eucalypt plantations in the North Island and in the northern parts of the South Island affecting several species of Eucalyptus in the section Transversaria (subgenus Symphyomyrtus). Because gall-inducing insects usually have extremely narrow host ranges, O. eucalypti that induces galls on E. saligna and E. botryoides is currently recognized as a biotype, O. eucalypti(Transversaria). Heavily galled leaves abscise from the plant. Repeated defoliation led to widespread die-back of susceptible eucalypt species in the 1990s. Female larvae of O. eucalypti induce circular, protruding galls on the leaves of E. botryoides and E. saligna, whereas the males induce pit galls on the same species. The biology of O. eucalypti females and the development of their galls are described. Adult female O. eucalypti antennate the leaf surface before inserting the ovipositor (otherwise concealed within the metasomal apex) into the young host leaf. The egg is inserted at approximately 45 degrees and discharged between differentiating palisade cells. Callus-type cells surround the egg chamber, but cytologically specialized nutritive cells appear once the egg hatches and the larva begins to feed. The gall also differentiates a multi-layered sclerenchymatous tissue around the nutritive tissue. After feeding for many months, the larva pupates and the active nutritive tissue degenerates. The adult wasp emerges after cutting an exit hole through to the outside of the gall. Abscission of heavily galled leaves results in widespread defoliation and loss of growth and vigour in susceptible trees in New Zealand.