Crop production in the USA is frequently limited by a lack of pollinators.

Most of the world's crops depend on pollinators, so declines in both managed and wild bees raise concerns about food security. However, the degree to which insect pollination is actually limiting current crop production is poorly understood, as is the role of wild species (as opposed to managed honeybees) in pollinating crops, particularly in intensive production areas. We established a nationwide study to assess the extent of pollinator limitation in seven crops at 131 locations situated across major crop-producing areas of the USA. We found that five out of seven crops showed evidence of pollinator limitation. Wild bees and honeybees provided comparable amounts of pollination for most crops, even in agriculturally intensive regions. We estimated the nationwide annual production value of wild pollinators to the seven crops we studied at over $1.5 billion; the value of wild bee pollination of all pollinator-dependent crops would be much greater. Our findings show that pollinator declines could translate directly into decreased yields or production for most of the crops studied, and that wild species contribute substantially to pollination of most study crops in major crop-producing regions.

Community and stakeholders' engagement in the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study in socioeconomically disadvantaged suburbs in region Stockholm.

Background: Community-based approaches have been identified as an effective strategy to address the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. However, little is known about community as a concept among people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged settings and stakeholders' interactions and engagement in NCDs prevention and management. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand; (1) the meaning of community among people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged suburbs in Region Stockholm and (2) how communities interact and engage with stakeholders at local and regional levels for the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in three municipalities in Region Stockholm with a high proportion of migrants. Multiple data collection methods were used, including observations of community activities; interviews with community members, representatives of public authorities and NGOs; and group interviews with healthcare providers. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Community was perceived as living in close proximity with shared beliefs, values and resources. Although they recognized its social and cultural diversity, community members focused more on the commonalities of living in their neighborhood and less on their differences in country of birth and languages spoken. Several mismatches between awareness of community needs and the available skills and resources among stakeholders for T2D prevention were identified. Stakeholders expressed awareness of T2D risk and interest in addressing it in a culturally appropriate manner. Conclusion: Interaction between the communities and stakeholders was limited, as was engagement in T2D prevention and management. This highlights barriers in the collaboration between community, healthcare institutions and other stakeholders which consequently affect the implementation of preventive interventions. Innovative ways to link the community to the healthcare sector and other local government institutions are needed to build the capacity of health systems for T2D prevention in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities.

Transtracheal ventilation with oscillatory pressure for complete upper airway obstruction.

Another study documented that percutaneous transtracheal ventilation with a special 3.5-mm I.D. cannula was possible in experimental complete upper airway obstruction (CAO) using Ambu-assisted ventilation. The effects of ventilation during CAO by occlusion of the endotracheal tube was evaluated by use of a portable oscillatory pressure device (POPD) attached to a 10-g (I.D. 2.4 mm) angiocath catheter inserted through the tracheal wall. Eight pigs were anesthetized and ventilated with the POPD for 15 minutes after CAO with a mean peak airway pressure of 14 cm H2O and continuous positive airway pressure of 5-7 cm H2O, tidal volume below 100 ml, and a rate below 0.5 Hz. A Venturi delivered an FIO2 of 0.68-0.92. All eight showed markedly stable blood gases and cardiovascular parameters (heart rate and systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures). A similar trend was obtained in a separate group of four pigs ventilated with an Ambu bag for 30 minutes; however, the PO2 was lower. In the control group, asphyxia after CAO produced cardiorespiratory failure in every animal in less than 6 minutes. Low-frequency ventilation with a POPD for CAO ensures adequate gas exchange using a standard transtracheal catheter of only 2.4 mm I.D.

Effects of plant phenols of performance of southern armyworm larvae.

We evaluated the effects of two classes of phenols on performance of penultimate instar southern armyworms, Spodoptera eridania. One class consisted of phenols containing a catechol (ortho-dihydroxybenzene) moiety and included chlorogenic acid, quercetin, rutin, and rhamnetin. A second group consisted of the phenolic glycoside salicin and its derivatives salicortin and tremulacin. The compounds were painted onto lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) leaves and fed to larvae for the duration of the fifth instar. Chlorogenic acid and rhamnetin had no deleterious effects; rutin and quercetin caused some mortality and rutin reduced growth rates by decreasing consumption and digestion efficiency. Results showed that ortho-dihydroxybenzene groups may be necessary, but are not sufficient for biological activity. Salicin did not affect larvae; salicortin and tremulacin reduced growth rates primarily by decreasing consumption. These two compounds also caused degenerative lesions in midgut tissues. The presence of a benzoyl ester group in tremulacin accentuates its toxicity, relative to that of salicortin.