Combined Application of Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Insecticides in the Control of Leaf-Miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on Tomato.

The present research aimed to investigate the compatibility of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and registered insecticides for the control of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in the tomato crop, as well as the susceptibility of pupae of T. absoluta to EPNs combined with different percentages below the recommended dose of compatible chemical insecticides in laboratory conditions and in the greenhouse. The species of EPN used was Heterorhabditis amazonensis JPM4. The insecticides used were Actara®, Premio®, and Warrant®. In the compatibility test between the EPNs and insecticides, the viability and infectivity of the nematodes after contact with the insecticides were evaluated. An assessment of the efficacy of the combined application of different doses of the insecticides and the EPNs on T. absoluta was carried out in the laboratory and greenhouse. The efficacy of the combined application of the insecticides and the EPNs on T. absoluta via soil was carried out at application intervals of 1 and 2 weeks. The EPNs were compatible with the three insecticides tested. In the laboratory, there was an additive effect of the combined application of insecticides and H. amazonensis as the dose of the products increased. In the greenhouse assay, the combined application of EPNs and insecticides induced mortality above 48%, and the combined application of EPNs and Warrant® 75% presented 60% of mortality. The weekly and fortnightly applications were effective in controlling T. absoluta, and there was no difference between the insecticides tested when applied together with the nematodes.

Diet and primary prevention of stroke: Systematic review and dietary recommendations by the ad hoc Working Group of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To systematically review the latest evidence on established and emerging nutrition-related risk factors for incidence of and mortality from total, ischemic and haemorrhagic strokes. The present review was conducted in the framework of the work carried out through 2015 and 2016 for the preparation of the Italian Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke, 8th Edition, by ISO-SPREAD (Italian Stroke Organization and the Stroke Prevention and Educational Awareness Diffusion). METHODS AND RESULTS: Systematic review of articles focused on primary prevention of stroke published between January 2013 to May 2016 through an extensive search of the literature using MEDLINE/PUBMED, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Articles were ranked according to the SIGN methodology while the GRADE system was used to establish the strength of recommendations. As a result of our literature search, we examined 87 meta-analyses overall (mainly of prospective studies), a few isolated more recent prospective studies not included in the meta-analyses, and a smaller number of available randomized controlled trials and case-control studies. Based on the analysis of the above articles, 36 Syntheses of the available evidence and 36 Recommendations were eventually prepared. The present document was developed by organizing the available evidence into three individual areas (nutrients, food groups and dietary patterns) to provide a systematic and user-friendly overview of the available evidence on the relationship between nutrition and primary prevention of stroke. Yet analysis of foods and food patterns allowed translating the information about nutrients in a tool more amenable to use in daily life also in the light of the argument that people eat foods rather than nutrients. CONCLUSIONS: The present literature review and dietary recommendations provide healthcare professionals and all interested readers with a useful overview for the reduction of the risk of total, ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke through dietary modifications.

The Olivetti Heart Study: Predictive value of a new adiposity index on risk of hypertension, blood pressure, and subclinical organ damage.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recently, some studies have indicated that a new anthropometric index, body adiposity index (BAI), could be more strongly correlated with the percentage of body fat than BMI. However, the results on its role in predicting cardiovascular risk were not univocal. Therefore, the aim of our study was to compare the predictive role of BMI and BAI on risk of hypertension (HP), blood pressure (BP) changes, and subclinical organ damage after an 8-year follow-up, in a sample of adult men participating in the Olivetti Heart Study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants were 350 untreated normotensive men without diabetes, examined twice at baseline (1994-95) and after 8 years of follow-up [2002-04]. BMI was expressed as kg/m(2). BAI was calculated according to the following formula: [(hip circumference (cm)/height(1.5) (m)) - 18]. Subclinical organ damage was detected by urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and left ventricular mass, evaluated by the Cornell product (CP). At baseline, BAI and BMI were both associated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). After 8 years, both baseline BAI and BMI were associated with changes (Δ) in systolic BP, MAP and pulse pressure, while only BMI was also positively related to ΔDBP. Analysis of HP incidence showed that both indices were significant predictors of HP. In addition, both BAI and BMI were significantly associated with ΔUAE, but not with ΔCP. Analysis of the changes in BAI and BMI confirmed these results, as the two indices were significantly associated with risk of HP and changes in BP and UAE, but not with changes in CP. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of healthy adult men, BAI and BMI were significant predictors of risk of HP and changes in BP, after an 8-years follow-up. In addition both indices predicted UAE changes, but neither was associated with the CP changes.

Potassium-rich diet and risk of stroke: updated meta-analysis.

Recently a few prospective population studies provided additional and heterogeneous information concerning the reported statistical associations between potassium (K) intake and stroke risk. Therefore, we updated our previous meta-analysis of K intake and risk of cerebrovascular events. Three studies were added to the previous analysis, and the results of the comparison between the event rate in the two extreme categories of K intake were used. Pooled analysis of 14 cohorts (overall 333,250 participants and 10,659 events) showed an inverse and significant association between K intake and risk of stroke (Relative Risk: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.72-0.90). Our results indicated a favorable effect of higher K intake on risk of stroke. These results confirm the appropriateness of worldwide recommendations for a population increased consumption of potassium-rich foods to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Does selenium matter in cardiometabolic disorders? A short review of the evidence.

Selenium is an essential micronutrient in the human diet. It is a constituent of selenoproteins, linked to cysteine, and is involved in the defense against oxidative stress. Few studies suggested a role of selenoproteins in the prevention of chronic degenerative disorders, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, and infertility. On the other hand, concerns were raised about a possible association of selenium supplementation with increased risk of developing insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. The objective of this article is to briefly review the results of the observational (cohort and case-control) studies as well as of the randomized controlled trials of selenium supplementation and risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.

Characterization and partial isolation of ouabain-insensitive Na(+) -ATPase in MDCK I cells.

We show that MDCK I cells express, besides the classical (Na(+)+K(+))ATPase, a Na(+)-stimulated ATPase activity with the following characteristics: (1) K(0.5) for Na(+) 7.5+/-1.5 mM and V(max) 23.12+/-1.1 nmol Pi/mg per min; (2) insensitive to 1 mM ouabain and 30 mM KCl; and (3) inhibited by furosemide and vanadate (IC(50) 42.1+/-8.0 and 4.3+/-0.3 microM, respectively). This enzyme forms a Na(+)-stimulated, furosemide- and hydroxylamine-sensitive ATP-driven acylphosphate phosphorylated intermediate with molecular weight of 100 kDa. Immunoprecipitation of the (Na(+)+K(+))ATPase with monoclonal anti-alpha(1) antibody reduced its activity in the supernatant by 90%; the Na(+)-ATPase activity was completely maintained. In addition, the formation of the Na(+)-stimulated, furosemide- and hydroxylamine-sensitive ATP-driven acylphosphate intermediate occurred at the same magnitude as that observed before immunoprecipitation. These data suggest that Na(+)-ATPase and (Na(+)+K(+))ATPase activities are independent, with Na(+)-ATPase belonging to a different enzyme entity.