The application of demographic characteristics of Ectropis grisescens (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in pest risk assessment of IPM.

Ectropis grisescens Warren is one of the most important pests of tea plants. In this study, data on the development, survival, and fecundity of E. grisescens were collected at 15, 22, and 32 °C and analyzed by using the age-stage, two-sex life table. At 15 °C, the duration of the preadult period of E. grisescens was significantly prolonged (81.06 days), with high mortality (69.0%), and the proportion of emerged female adults was extremely low (7.0%). At 32 °C, the preadult period was significantly shortened (29.12 days), with high preadult mortality (74.0%), and a low proportion of emerged female adults (15.0%). At 22 °C, with low preadult mortality (24.0%), and a high proportion of emerged female adults (26.0%). The overall effects of the shorter preadult duration, higher preadult survival rate, higher proportion of emerged female adults, higher fecundity (F = 350.88 eggs/♀), and higher net reproductive rate (R0 = 91.23 offspring/individual) at 22 °C resulted in the highest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r = 0.1054 days-1) and finite rate of increase (λ = 1.1112 days-1). Computer simulation showed that E. grisescens populations can increase much faster at 22 °C than at 15 and 32 °C. The weighted population size and cumulative weighted insect-days provided the dynamics necessary for estimating the damage potential of E. grisescens in devising economical pest management programs. Our results demonstrate that populations of E. grisescens were able to develop at a broad range of temperatures and adapt to the high temperatures. These finding can be utilized to improve the management of E. grisescens.

Changes in immune responses, gene expression, and life table parameters of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner fed on a diet containing the saponin of tea plant, Camellia sinensis.

Saponins cause mortality in insects by reducing food absorption and movement in the gut, which may be used to exploit the control of insect pests. In the current study, tea seed saponin (TSS) was extracted and then added to the artificial diets of Helicoverpa armigera. Pre-ovipositional period of the TSS-treated individuals increased while longevity and fecundity decreased compared to control. There was a significant reduction of the treated individuals in the life table parameters of TSS-treated Individuals including net reproduction rate (R0 ), intrinsic rate of population increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and gross reproduction rate (GRR). Also, we found that saponin suppressed the immune system by reducing the total hemocyte count, immune-related gene expression, and phenoloxidase activity. Our results demonstrated a lower expression of cecropin gene in the treated larvae with TSS while no significant differences were observed in attacin gene. Our results clearly showed that feeding of H. armigera larvae in the diet containing TSS significantly reduced demographic parameters, forced insects to obtain more time to complete one generation, and caused vulnerabilities against pathogens. These discrepancies alleviated nutrient uptake of the larvae and disrupted their feeding and growth. Hence, a proper formulation with a desirable concentration would be prepared and applied in the fields suffering H. armigera damage to monitor insecticidal efficiency of TSS.

Life Expectancy Trends Among Integrated Health Care System Enrollees, 2014-2017.

INTRODUCTION: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported downward trends in life expectancy and racial/ethnic differences between 2014 and 2017. OBJECTIVE: To determine the life expectancy of the Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States (KPMAS) insured population as compared to the CDC National Vital Statistics data from 2014 to 2017. We also aimed to highlight the utilization of membership data to inform population statistical estimates such as life expectancy. We examine whether national trends in life expectancy are reflected in an insured population with relatively uniform access to care. METHODS: This retrospective, data only study examined life expectancy between 2014 and 2017. Data from electronic medical records and the National Death Index were combined to construct complete life tables by race and sex for the KPMAS population, which was compared to the CDC National Vital Statistics data. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2017, the overall KPMAS population life expectancy at birth varied between 84.6 and 85.2 years compared to the CDC reported national average of 78.6-78.9 years (p < 0.001). While the CDC dataset reported a 3.5- to 3.7-year life expectancy gap between non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black populations, in the KPMAS population, this gap was significantly smaller (0.0-0.9 years). The gap in life expectancy between males and females was consistent across KPMAS and the CDC data; however, overall KPMAS male and female patient life expectancy was extended in comparison. CONCLUSION: Among members who disclosed their race/ethnicity, KPMAS Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White members had significantly higher life expectancies than the CDC dataset in all years reported.

Age stage, two-sex life table of Habrobracon hebetor (Braconidae) on Spodoptera exigua (Noctuidae) reared on different sugar beet genotypes.

The present study was carried out to unveil interactive relevance among consecutive and alternate members of a tritrophic system comprised of sugar beet genotypes, beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), and its parasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor (Say) using demographic parameters. To do so, H. hebetor was reared on S. exigua fed on 10 sugar beet genotypes, including SB26; SB27; SB29; SB33; SB34; (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5; FC220; FC301; SBSI006; and HM 1339RZ in a growth chamber at 25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH, and 16:8 (L: D) h photoperiod. The data was analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. Our results revealed high variation in duration of different life stages of H. hebetor on S. exigua reared on different sugar beet genotypes examined. The shortest (10.605 days) and longest (13.721 days) pre-adult period of H. hebetor was on S. exigua reared on SB26 and SB34, respectively. The longest (17.2 days) and shortest adult longevity (7.5 days) was on S. exigua reared on SB26 and SB27, respectively. The highest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) (0.209 day-1) and finite rate of increase (λ) (1.233 day-1) were observed on S. exigua reared on SB34 and their lowest values (0.159 and 1.172 day-1, respectively) were recorded on SB27. Resistant and susceptible genotypes to S. exigua, FC301 and (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5, respectively, were only genotypes on which H. hebetor had greater and approximately equal r compared with S. exigua. This finding indicates high capability of H. hebetor to be successfully employed against S. exigua on sugar beet genotypes which are extremely different in resistance to this pest.

PRIMEtime CE: a multistate life table model for estimating the cost-effectiveness of interventions affecting diet and physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death in England, and poor diet and physical inactivity are two of the principle behavioural risk factors. In the context of increasingly constrained financial resources, decision makers in England need to be able to compare the potential costs and health outcomes of different public health policies aimed at improving these risk factors in order to know where to invest so that they can maximise population health. This paper describes PRIMEtime CE, a multistate life table cost-effectiveness model that can directly compare interventions affecting multiple disease outcomes. METHODS: The multistate life table model, PRIMEtime Cost Effectiveness (PRIMEtime CE), is developed from the Preventable Risk Integrated ModEl (PRIME) and the PRIMEtime model. PRIMEtime CE uses routinely available data to estimate how changing diet and physical activity in England affects morbidity and mortality from heart disease, stroke, diabetes, liver disease, and cancers either directly or via raised blood pressure, cholesterol, and body weight. RESULTS: Model outcomes are change in quality adjusted life years, and change in English National Health Service and social care costs. CONCLUSION: This paper describes PRIMEtime CE and highlights its main strengths and limitations. The model can be used to compare any number of public policies affecting diet and physical activity, allowing decision makers to understand how they can maximise population health with limited financial resources.

Years of Life Lost for Older Patients After Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: An aging population combined with an increased colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence in the older population will increase its prevalence in the elderly, questioning how many years of life are lost (YLLs) in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 32,568 Dutch CRC patients ≥ 80 years were used to estimate the number of YLLs after diagnosis, using a reference age-, sex- and year-of-onset-matched cohort derived from national life tables. YLLs were additionally adjusted by comorbidities. Number needed to treat (NNT) was used as measure of surgical effect size. RESULTS: Surgery was applied in 74.9% of patients leading to 1.3 YLLs, being superior in 86.1% of cases with respect to alternative therapies (YLLs 4.8 years) and resulting in a number of two patients needed to operate to achieve one positive outcome. YLLs and NNTs depended on CRC stage, patient' age and comorbidities. For Stage I-II patients in the best clinical conditions (80-85 years without comorbidities), YLLs increased up to 4.1 years after surgery and up to 8.8 years without surgery (NNT 3). For Stage III patients, the NNT of surgery varied between 2 when they were in the best clinical conditions and 4 when they were older with high comorbidities. In Stage IV patients, the NNT ranged between 6 and 31. CONCLUSIONS: YLLs represents a novel approach to evaluate CRC prognosis. Stage I-III surgical patients can have a life expectancy similar to that of general population, being the NNT of surgery reasonably small compared with alternatives. Personalized comorbidity data are needed to confirm present findings.

Linking Demography and Consumption of Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Fed on Solanum photeinocarpum (Solanales: Solanaceae): With a New Method to Project the Uncertainty of Population Growth and Consumption.

Because life tables are capable of providing the most comprehensive description on the survival, stage differentiation, and the reproduction of animal populations, they can be considered as the bases of population ecology and pest management. Researchers concerned with studies involving life tables inevitably face the problem of describing the variabilities that occur in the survival, stage differentiation, and fecundity data. Finding a means to include these variabilities in population projections concerning pest management may be problematic. Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (F.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a pest of many plant species in Asia, including cultivated crops, ornamentals, and wild plants. The raw life history data (survival, stage differentiation, and fecundity) and consumption rate of both sexes of H. vigintioctopunctata reared on Solanum photeinocarpum Nakamura et Odashima (Solanales: Solanaceae) were collected in the laboratory and analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), mean generation time (T), and net consumption rate (C0) of H. vigintioctopunctata were 0.1312 d-1, 1.1402 d-1, 603.5 offspring, 48.8 d, and 77.8 cm2, respectively. By using the bootstrap technique with 100,000 samples, we demonstrated that the life tables constructed based on the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of R0 and λ can be used to describe the variabilities found in the survival and fecundity curves and to project the uncertainty of population growth.

A Retrospective Study of Clinical Response Predictors in Subcutaneous Allergen Immunotherapy With House Dust Mites for Allergic Rhinitis

PURPOSE: House dust mites (HDM) are major allergens that cause allergic rhinitis (AR). Allergen-specific subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) has been shown to be clinically beneficial in many clinical trials. Such trials, however, are not reflective of all patient populations. The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy and safety of SCIT in routine clinical practice in Korean adults with AR sensitized to HDM. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of 304 patients with AR treated at an allergy clinic of a tertiary hospital using SCIT with aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed allergen extract targeting HDM alone or with pollens for at least 1 year from 2000 to 2012. Patients with asthma were excluded. Rates of remission, defined as no further requirement of maintenance medication, over time were determined by means of life tables and extension of survival analysis. Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to HDM were categorized into 6 classes. RESULTS: The mean time until achieving remission was 4.9±0.1 years, and the cumulative incidence of remission from AR was 76.6%. Severe AR (odds ratio [OR], 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.69; P=0.001), specific IgE levels to HDM ≥17.5 kU/L (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.01-3.37; P=0.045), and duration of immunotherapy ≥3 years (OR, 7.37; 95% CI, 3.50-15.51; P<0.001) were identified as significant predictors of clinical remission during SCIT for patients with AR sensitized to HDM. Overall, 73 patients (24.0%) experienced adverse reactions to SCIT, and only 1 case of anaphylaxis (0.3%) developed. CONCLUSIONS: SCIT with HDM was found to be effective and safe for patients with AR. Specific IgE levels to HDM and a duration of SCIT ≥3 years may be predictors of clinical responses to SCIT in AR patients.

Development of insect life tables: comparison of two demographic methods of Delia antiqua (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) on different hosts.

In this study, we first construct an age-stage, two-sex life table for onion maggot, Delia antiqua, grown on three host plants: onion, scallion, and garlic. We found that onion is the optimal host for this species and populations grown on onion have maximum fecundity, longest adult longevity and reproduction period, and the shortest immature developmental time. In contrast, the fecundity on other hosts was lower, particularly on garlic, but these crops can also serve as important secondary hosts for this pest. These data will be useful to the growers to develop specific integrated management programs for each of hosts. We also compared the demographic analyses of using individually-reared and group-reared methods. These two methods provided similar accurate outcomes for estimating insect population dynamics for this species. However, for gregarious species, using the individually-reared method to construct insect life tables produces inaccurate results, and researchers must use group-reared method for life table calculations. When studying large groups of insect, group-reared demographic analysis for age-stage, two-sex life table can also simplify statistical analysis, save considerable labor, and reduce experimental errors.

Uptake, prevalence and predictors of first-time use for the 75+ Health Assessment Scheme.

In 1999, the Australian Federal Government introduced Medicare items for Health Assessments for people aged 75 years and older (75+ health assessments). This research examined uptake of these assessments and identified predictors of use by women from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH). Assessments were identified for each year from 1999 to 2013 using linked Medicare data. Time to first assessment was examined, as well as social and health factors associated with having an assessment. From 1999 to 2013, 61.8% of women had at least one assessment. Almost one-third had an assessment within 2 years of their introduction, 25% of women died before having an assessment and 13% survived but did not have an assessment. Factors associated with assessment included being widowed, private health insurance, marital status, education, having arthritis and urinary incontinence, and less difficulty managing on income. Many women never received an assessment, and many only received one. Promotion of the 75+ health assessments is necessary among older women to increase uptake.

Quantitative Analysis of Long-Term Mass Rearing of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Almond Pollen.

Long-term feeding effects of the almond pollen on the life table parameters of Neoseiulus californicus McGregor were assessed after 5, 10, and 20 generations after introduction in the rearing arena. Furthermore, to evaluate behavioral characteristics of the mass-reared predator (strain A) in face with the real prey, functional and numerical responses of the predator to different densities of the twospotted spider mite nymphs were determined, and the obtained data were compared with those reared on twospotted spider mite (strain T). Long-term rearing did not significantly affect total fecundity of N. californicus (ranged from 37.79 to 41.91 eggs). Nevertheless, preadult duration in the 5th generation was significantly longer than the 10th and 20th generations. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) in the 10th (0.2056 d-1) and 20th (0.2201 d-1) generations had not significant difference together. However, the r value slightly dropped in the 5th generation (0.1706 d-1) because of the irregular offering of fresh pollen to the rearing colonies before that. Both strains of N. californicus exhibited a type II functional response; however, the N. californicus reared on the almond pollen (strain A) had a higher attack rate (a) and shorter handling time (Th). The individuals reared on the almond pollen had a greater size than those reared on twospotted spider mite; its higher predation potential is probably due to this characteristic. Consequently, the rearing of N. californicus on the almond pollen positively affected its attributes including high survivorship, body size, and fecundity, and subsequently higher potential to control twospotted spider mite.

Screening of Potential Sources of Resistance to Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in 24 Sugar Beet Genotypes.

Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) is one of the polyphagous pests destroying crops such as sugar beet worldwide. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the resistance of 24 sugar beet genotypes to S. exigua. In this study, nine sugar beet cultivars (Dorotea, Tous, Persia, Silenta, Jaam, HM1339RZ, Jolgeh, Ekbatan, and SBSI006), three hybrids ((7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5, (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-15, and (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-16), four lines (FC201, FC301, FC220, and FC221), and eight populations (SB26, SB27, SB28, SB29, SB30, SB33, SB34, and SB35) were assessed. The experiments were performed under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h using age-stage, two-sex life table procedure. The larval period ranged from 17.09 d on FC301 to 14.47 d on SB30. The total fecundity (F) was highest on (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5 (905.13 eggs) and lowest on FC301 (312.46 eggs). (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5 and FC220 with 318.02 and 26.76 eggs per individual had the highest and lowest net reproductive rates (R0), respectively. The highest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were on (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5 (r: 0.187 d - 1, λ: 1.205 d - 1) and the lowest were on FC301 (r: 0.104 d - 1, λ: 1.11 d - 1). SB26 (r: 0.185 d - 1, λ: 1.203 d - 1) and FC220 (r: 0.114 d - 1, λ: 1.12 d - 1) had no significant difference with (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5 and FC301, respectively. The comparison of demographic parameters of S. exigua on 24 sugar beet genotypes suggested that FC220 and FC301 were the most resistant and (7112*SB36)*Sh-1-HSF-5 and SB26 were the most susceptible genotypes to this pest.

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy for Allergic Asthma in a Single Center of Korea: Efficacy, Safety, and Clinical Response Predictors

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only causal treatment for allergic diseases. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy may vary around the world due to differences in climate, the nature of aero-allergens and their distribution. The aim of this study was to describe the effects of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in Korean adults with allergic asthma (AA). As a retrospective cohort study, we reviewed medical records for 627 patients with AA in Korea who were sensitized to house dust mite (HDM) and/or pollens and who underwent SCIT with aluminum hydroxide adsorbed allergen extract from 2000 to 2012. Rates of remission, defined as no further requirement of maintenance medication, over time were determined by means of life tables and extension of survival analysis. Herein, 627 asthmatic patients achieved remission within a mean of 4.7 ± 0.2 years. The cumulative incidence rates of remission from AA were 86.9% upon treatment with SCIT. Baseline forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) ≥ 80% (hazard ratio [HR], 3.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.79–5.39; P < 0.001), and maintenance of immunotherapy for more than 3 years (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.21–2.72; P = 0.004) were significant predictors of asthma remission during SCIT. In 284 patients on SCIT with HDM alone, initial specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae did not show significant difference between remission and non-remission group after adjusting demographic variables. In conclusion, SCIT was effective and safe treatment modality for patients with AA. Initial FEV1 ≥ 80% and immunotherapy more than 3 years were found to be associated with favorable clinical responses to SCIT.

[Life table and biological characteristics of an exotic lace bug, Corythucha marmorata (Uhler).] / å¤–æ¥å ¥ä¾µèŠæ–¹ç¿ ç½‘è½ç”Ÿç‰©å­¦ç‰¹æ€§åŠå®žéªŒç§ç¾¤ç”Ÿå‘½è¡¨.

The lace bug, Corythucha marmorata (Uhler) is a newly introduced species in China. The biological characteristics, such as the life table, fecundity, population dynamics were studied under laboratory conditions, i.e., temperature (25±2) ℃, humidity (80±5) %, photoperiod L:D=14:10. The lace bugs were reared on the host plant Solidago canadensis. The morphological characteristics at different life stages, the longevity and adult fecundity were recorded and used to construct the life table. Results showed that the average length of immature stages was (14.88±1.45) d and the adult average life-span was (59.88±5.85) d, and the progeny per female was (87.2±17.8). The intrinsic rate of increase of C. marmorata (rm) was 0.05 per female per day, the finite rate of increase (d) was 1.06, and the net reproductive rate (R0) was 11.88. The mean generation time (T) was 46.11 d, and the double population time was (t) 12.91 d. The population on reaching a stable age distribution comprised approximately 59.3% of immature stages, and 40.7% of the adult stage. It was suggested that C. marmorata might disperse quickly and pose a potential threat to agricultural production.

Comparative life tables of the potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella, on leaves and tubers of different potato cultivars.

The potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a serious pest of the potato, Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae), in both fields and stores in tropical and subtropical regions. In the present study, the susceptibility of different potato cultivars to P. operculella was evaluated by measuring life table parameters. Tests were undertaken with leaves and tubers of 10 potato cultivars in the laboratory: Agria, Agata, Almera, Arinda, Baneba, Fiana, Marfona, Ramus, Satina, and Volvox. All parameters showed significant differences among tested cultivars. The longest mean generation times were observed on Marfona and Satina cultivars in the experiments on potato leaves and tubers, respectively. The lowest reproductive rate was observed on leaves and tubers of Marfona cultivar. Correspondingly, the lowest values of intrinsic rate of increase and the lowest finite rate of increase were also obtained on Marfona cultivar in tests on potato leaves and tubers. The highest intrinsic rate of incrase values were observed on Arinda and Baneba in the tests on leaves and tubers, respectively. The intrinsic rates of increase were significantly higher on potato leaves than on potato tubers. The lower performance of P. operculella on Marfona cultivar indicated that this cultivar is relatively less susceptible this pest and could be used in integrated pest management programs of P. operculella.

Performance of arrhenotokous and thelytokous Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on onion and cabbage and its implications on evolution and pest management.

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is an important pest on onion and cabbage. Two reproductive modes--arrhenotoky and thelytoky--are found in this species and co-occur in the field. We compared life table traits between arrhenotokous and thelytokous T. tabaci on cabbage and onion. Experiments were conducted in cages to determine which reproductive mode is more competitive. Additionally, host adaption of the arrhenotokous and thelytokous T. tabaci between onion and cabbage was investigated. On onion, arrhenotokous T. tabaci performed better than thelytokous T. tabaci, while on cabbage the opposite occurred. When comparing life table and demographic growth parameters (net reproductive rates R(o), mean generation time T, the intrinsic rate of natural increase r(m), finite rate of increase A, and population doubling time T(d)) on different host plants, we found that arrhenotokous T. tabaci performed better on onion than on cabbage, whereas thelytokous T. tabaci performed better on cabbage than on onion. Host-related performance differences in this species suggest that the divergence between two reproductive modes might be associated with host adaption. Pest management strategies for this global pest should recognize that the two reproductive modes can impact population dynamics on different crops.

Life table parameters and survivorship of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) at constant temperatures.

Age-specific life table parameters, survivorship, and extra molting of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), were determined at eight constant temperatures of 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 33, 34, and 36°C with a variation of 0.5°C on sugar beet leaves. No development was observed at 12 and 36°C. The survivorship of overall immature stages was higher at 25°C than the other temperatures. The highest (0.276 d(-1)) and lowest (0.149 d(-1)) value of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was observed at 30 and 20°C, respectively. Although the highest value of the net reproductive rate was at 25°C (377.7 female offspring at 25°C and 127.4 female offspring at 30°C), the highest value of r was at 30°C, which indicated the importance of shorter development time (16.9 d at 30°C and 27.2 d at 25°C) in enhancing r. The relationship between temperature and r was modeled using the Lactin-2 model. The lower temperature threshold, the upper temperature threshold, and optimal temperature for the r were estimated at 13.1, 32.2, and 34.1°C, respectively. The mean generation time decreased significantly with increasing temperature, with the longest (35.9 d) and shortest (15.1 d) mean generation time was calculated at 20 and 33°C, respectively.

Chlorantraniliprole resistance in the diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).

The wide application of chlorantraniliprole, which selectively targets insect ryanodine receptors (RyR), for control of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), has led to increasingly prominent development of resistance to this insecticide. Although much work has been carried out on the structure and function of RyR, the molecular mechanisms of resistance to chlorantraniliprole in diamondback moth still needs further investigation. P. xylostella strains with medium and high resistance to chlorantraniliprole were obtained by laboratory selection and field collection. The biological activity of chlorantraniliprole against the third-instar larvae of susceptible and resistant strains was tested, and resistance development and biological fitness were investigated. The realized heritability (h2) of resistance showed the diamondback moth has a high risk of resistance to chlorantraniliprole. RyR transcript levels were lower in resistant strains than in susceptible strains, indicating that decreased expression of PxRyR may be associated with chlorantraniliprole resistance in P. xylostella. A 4,400 bp fragment of the RyR cDNA, which encodes most of the functional domains of RyR, was cloned and characterized from four strains (S, F18, BY, and ZC). A 14 amino acid (Q4546-S4559) deletion was found in three resistant strains (F18, BY, and ZC). A point mutation resulting in a glycine to glutamate substitution, as reported in a previously published article, was also found in the carboxyl-terminal region of two resistant strains (BY and ZC). These results indicated that decreased transcriptional level of RyR mRNA and combined with the site mutation might be related to chlorantraniliprole resistance in P. xylostella.

Ten-year results of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair from a large multicenter registry.

OBJECTIVE: To assess outcomes after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) in an integrated health care system. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2010, 1736 patients underwent EVAR at 17 centers. Demographic data, comorbidities, and outcomes of interest were collected. EVAR in patients presenting with ruptured or symptomatic aneurysms was categorized as urgent; otherwise, it was considered elective. Primary outcomes were mortality and aneurysm-related mortality (ARM). Secondary outcomes were change in aneurysm sac size, endoleak status, major adverse events, and reintervention. RESULTS: Overall, the median age was 76 years (interquartile range, 70-81 years), 86% were male, and 82% were Caucasian. Most cases (93.8%) were elective, but urgent use of EVAR increased from 4% in the first 5 years to 7.3% in the last 5 years of the study period. Mean aneurysm size was 5.8 cm. Patients were followed for an average of 3 years (range, 1-11 years); 8% were lost to follow-up. Intraoperatively, 4.5% of patients required adjunctive maneuvers for endoleak, fixation, or flow-limiting issues. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.2%, and the perioperative morbidity rate was 6.6%. Intraoperative type I and II endoleaks were uncommon (2.3% and 9.3%, respectively). Life-table analysis at 5 years demonstrated excellent overall survival (66%) and freedom from ARM (97%). Postoperative endoleak was seen in 30% of patients and was associated with an increase in sac size over time. Finally, the total reintervention rate was 15%, including 91 instances (5%) of revisional EVAR. The overall major adverse event rate was 7.9% and decreased significantly from 12.3% in the first 5 years to 5.6% in the second 5 years of the study period (P < .001). Overall ARM was worse in patients with postoperative endoleak (4.1% vs 1.8%; P < .01) or in those who underwent reintervention (7.6% vs 1.6%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Results from a contemporary EVAR registry in an integrated health care system demonstrate favorable perioperative outcomes and excellent clinical efficacy. However, postoperative endoleak and the need for reintervention continue to be challenging problems for patients after EVAR.

Suitability of different pollen as alternative food for the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari, Phytoseiidae).

The predacious mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot is used as a biological control agent against various pests in greenhouses. Pollen offered as supplementary food is reported to improve their fast establishment and performance. However, the nutritional suitability of different pollens for A. swirskii is not sufficiently known yet. Pollens of 21 plant species were offered to the mites as exclusive food during preimaginal development. Preimaginal mortality and developmental time have been assessed, followed by a life-table analysis of the emerged adults and a calculation of demographic parameters. Amblyseius swirskii can feed exclusively on pollen, but the nutritional value of the pollens differed significantly. Pollens of Lilium martagon and Hippeastrum sp. were toxic, causing 100 % preimaginal mortality, probably due to secondary plant compounds. Hibiscus syriacus pollen was absolutely incompatible for the juvenile and adult mites, possibly due to their external morphology, differing from all the other pollens tested and leading to 100 % preimaginal mortality also. Considering all parameters, feeding on Aesculus hippocastanum, Crocus vernus, Echinocereus sp. and Paulownia tomentosa pollens lead to the best performance of the mites. Feeding on most pollens resulted in no or low preimaginal mortality of A. swirskii, but affected significantly developmental time, adult longevity, and reproduction parameters. Commercial bee pollen was not able to improve life-table parameters compared to pure pollen of the plant species. Pollens of Helianthus annuus, Corylus avellana and a Poaceae mix were less suitable as food source and resulted in a poor performance of all tested parameters. Compared with literature data, 18 pollens tested proved to be a similar or better food source than cattail pollen, qualifying A. swirskii as a positively omnivorous type IV species. Pollens of Ricinus communis and Zea mays can be recommended as supplementary food offered as banker plants, and A. hippocastanum and Betula pendula pollen is recommended to be used as dispersible pollen in greenhouses.