Molecular characterization, expression pattern and RNAi-mediated silencing of vitellogenin receptor gene in almond moth, Cadra cautella.

The almond moth is an important pest of date fruits worldwide. The females produce several eggs; however, role of vitellogenin receptor (VgR) in oocyte development by mediating endocytosis of major yolk protein precursor Vg remains yet unexplored. To investigate the role of vitellogenin receptor (VgR) in reproduction, Cadra cautella vitellogenin receptor (CcVgR) transcript was obtained using rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction. Expression analysis of CcVgR was performed using reverse transcriptase and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in different developmental stages. RNA interference was performed by injecting CcVgR-based double-stranded (ds)RNA at different exposure times. The results revealed that CcVgR is 5421 bp long, encoded 1807 amino acid, belongs to low-density lipoprotein receptor superfamily and contains all conserved domains. Expression analysis confirmed that CcVgR is sex-specific and starts to express in female larvae on day 19. Additionally, RNA interference (RNAi) of CcVgR-based dsRNA inhibited CcVgR expression up to 83% after 72 h, reduced fecundity and hatchability, and confirmed involvement of CcVgR in C. cautella reproduction. This report provides a basis for gene silencing in this species, and proposes RNAi technology potential for pest management.

Association of protein intake with the outcomes of critically ill patients: a post hoc analysis of the PermiT trial.

Background: The optimal amount of protein intake in critically ill patients is uncertain. Objective: In this post hoc analysis of the PermiT (Permissive Underfeeding vs. Target Enteral Feeding in Adult Critically Ill Patients) trial, we tested the hypothesis that higher total protein intake was associated with lower 90-d mortality and improved protein biomarkers in critically ill patients. Design: In this post hoc analysis of the PermiT trial, we included patients who received enteral feeding for ≥3 consecutive days. Using the median protein intake of the cohort as a cutoff, patients were categorized into 2 groups: a higher-protein group (>0.80 g · kg-1 · d-1) and a lower-protein group (≤0.80 g · kg-1 · d-1). We developed a propensity score for receiving higher protein. Primary outcome was 90-d mortality. We also compared serial values of prealbumin, transferrin, 24-h urinary nitrogen, and 24-h nitrogen balance on days 1, 7, and 14. Results: Among the 729 patients included in this analysis, the average protein intake was 0.8 ± 0.3 g · kg-1 · d-1 [1.0 ± 0.2 g · kg-1 · d-1 in the higher-protein group (n = 365) and 0.6 ± 0.2 g · kg-1 · d-1 in the lower-protein group (n = 364); P < 0.0001]. There was no difference in 90-d mortality between the 2 groups [88/364 (24.2%) compared with 94/363 (25.9%), propensity score-adjusted OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.56, 1.16; P = 0.24]. Higher protein intake was associated with an increase in 24-h urea nitrogen excretion compared with lower protein intake, but without a significant change in prealbumin, transferrin, or 24-h nitrogen balance. Conclusions: In the PermiT trial, a moderate difference in protein intake was not associated with lower mortality. Higher protein intake was associated with increased nitrogen excretion in the urine without a corresponding change in prealbumin, transferrin, or nitrogen balance. Protein intake needs to be tested in adequately powered randomized controlled trials targeting larger differences in protein intake in high-risk populations.

Peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activity in moderate resistant and susceptible Vicia faba induced by Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae) infestation.

Two faba bean, Vicia faba L., cultivars, Gazira2 and Misr1, representing cultivars moderately resistant and susceptible to aphids, were analyzed for peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities induced by cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. infestation. Two tissue types (whole plant [WP] and detached leaf [DL]), two infestation status (infested and uninfested), and three aphid infestation durations (1, 3, and 5 d) were considered in POD and PPO data analysis. Factorial analysis showed that only cultivar factor has a significant effect on both POD and PPO activity, especially on the first day after aphid infestation (P: 0.0003 and 0.001, respectively). Tissue type has no significant effect, indicating either DL or WP can be used for measuring POD and PPO activities. While the unsignificant different of infestation status reflecting a constitutive resistant character in Gazira2. Mann-Whitney U-test showed that POD and PPO activities in Gazira2 were higher significantly when compared with Misr1 with P value 0.0006 and 0.0015 for POD and PPO, respectively. Repeated measures analysis indicates that the POD and PPO activities on Gazira2 were significantly higher when compared with Misr1. Additionally, POD activity changed significantly over the time in 1, 3, and 5 d after aphid infestation. We concluded that higher activity of POD and PPO in cultivar Gazira2 is strongly associated with their resistant characters.

Biology and demographic growth parameters of cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) on faba bean (Vicia faba) cultivars.

The performance of cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on five faba bean, Vicia faba L. (Fabales: Fabaceae) cultivars was evaluated. Colony development, biology, and demographic parameters were studied to measure the cowpea aphid performance. Two methods, whole plant and detached leaf, were used in these experiments. After 14 d , the number of apterous adult, nymphs, and total cowpea aphids were significantly lower in cultivar Gazira2 and highest on cultivar Misr1. Assuming that low aphid numbers per plant represented high resistance, the order of resistant cultivars was as follows: Gazira2 > Misr > Giza3 Improved > Goff1 > Misr1. Aphid infestation significantly inhibited plant growth compared with uninfested plants, as indicated by factorial analysis using plant height (F = 41.38, P < 0.0001). The detached-leaf biological assay showed that the cultivar Gazira2 was less suitable than Misr1 because it had longer prereproductive, reproductive, and post reproductive periods, longer total longevity, and lower number of progeny. Similarly, demographic parameters also justified the suggested lower suitability of Gazira2 compared with Misr1, indicated by significantly lower net reproduction rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, but longer generation time and doubling time on Gazira2. It was shown that cowpea aphid performed differently on the whole plant as compared with detached leaves. The detached-leaf biological assay is recommended for future experiments because it is more accurate and efficient and it produces reliable data.

Relationship between intracranial pressure monitoring and outcomes in severe traumatic brain injury patients.

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is recommended in patients with a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and an abnormal computed tomography (CT) scan. However, there is contradicting evidence about whether ICP monitoring improves outcome. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between ICP monitoring and outcomes in patients with severe TBI. From February 2001 to December 2008, a total of 477 consecutive adult (> or =18 years) patients with severe TBI were included retrospectively in the study. Patients who underwent ICP monitoring (n=52) were compared with those who did not (n=425). The primary outcome was hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were ICU mortality, mechanical ventilation duration, the need for tracheostomy, and ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS). After adjustment for multiple potential confounding factors, ICP monitoring was not associated with significant difference in hospital or ICU mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79 to 3.70, P = 0.17; OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.41 to 2.45, P = 0.99, respectively). ICP monitoring was associated with a significant increase in mechanical ventilation duration (coefficient = 5.66, 95% CI = 3.45 to 7.88, P < 0.0001), need for tracheostomy (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.02 to 4.03, P = 0.04), and ICU LOS (coefficient = 5.62, 95% CI = 3.27 to 7.98, P < 0.0001), with no significant difference in hospital LOS (coefficient = 8.32, 95% CI = -82.6 to 99.25, P = 0.86). Stratified by the Glasgow Coma Scale score, ICP monitoring was associated with a significant increase in hospital mortality in the group of patients with Glasgow Coma Scale 7 to 8 (adjusted OR = 12.89, 95% CI = 3.14 to 52.95, P = 0.0004). In patients with severe TBI, ICP monitoring was not associated with reduced hospital mortality, however with a significant increase in mechanical ventilation duration, need for tracheostomy, and ICU LOS.

Prognosis and resuscitation status of critically ill patients with lung cancer admitted to the intensive care unit.

The aims of the study were to assess the intensive care unit (ICU) outcome for critically ill patients with lung cancer to determine the risk factors for mortality and to examine the resuscitation status on admission and during their ICU course. Data was collected from May 1999 to March 2009 for patients with lung cancer admitted to the ICU. During the study period, 51 patients with lung cancer were admitted to our ICU The ICU and hospital mortality rates were 49 and 60%, respectively. The majority of patients were full resuscitation on admission to ICU The resuscitation status was changed in 56% of patients during the ICU course. It is suggested that end-of-life decisions should be addressed earlier in these patients' illnesses.

Do cardinal directions in different Acacia tree species affect biological activities of bruchid beetle, Bruchidius buettikeri Decelle (Bruchidae: Coleoptera), in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia.

Biological activities of bruchid beetle: Bruchidius buettikeri Decelle (Bruchidae: Coleoptera) were studied in four cardinal directions of Acacia tree species in Huraimila and Salbouk. In Huraimila, two species of Acacia; A. grrrardii, subspecies A. g. negevensis (Iraqi) and A. g. nagednsis (Najdi); and A. ehrenbergiana (Salam) were sampled. In Salbouk, A. tortilis radiana (Samar) was sampled. No significant differences were observed for entrance and exit holes per pod and beetles emergence until 45 days on four cardinal directions of different Acacia tree species, except for entrance holes at Dam and Farm locations on Najdi in Huraimila. However, greater activities were observed in south and east direction in farm locations whereas, in the valley (Abu Gatada, Alyata and Dam locations) more bruchid activities were observed in north and south on Najdi and samar while east and west on Iraqi. Moreover, activities were greater on Acacia trees with greater number of seed per pod. Greater bruchid infestation per pod was found on East direction in the farm locations but in the valley locations no distinct trend was observed. Results showed a significant, positive correlation between bruchid activities and temperature but similar strength negative correlation was observed for rest of various abiotic factors. Moreover, a strong positive correlation was recorded between neonate entrance and number of beetle emergence.

Safety of percutaneous tracheostomy in obese critically ill patients: a prospective cohort study.

Obesity has been described as a relative contraindication for percutaneous tracheostomy. The objective of our study was to examine the safety and complications of percutaneous tracheostomy in obese patients. We conducted a prospective cohort study of all consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous tracheostomy at a tertiary medical-surgical intensive care unit between May 2004 and October 2005. We compared percutaneous tracheostomy in obese patients (body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2) to non-obese patients. We documented the occurrence of the following complications: aborting the procedure, accidental extubation, conversion to surgical tracheostomy, paratracheal placement, the development of pneumothorax, major bleeding (requiring blood product transfusion or surgical intervention) or death. We also documented hypoxia, minor bleeding (requiring pressure dressing or suturing), subcutaneous emphysema and transient hypotension. During the study period, 227 percutaneous tracheostomies were performed. There were 50 percutaneous tracheostomies in the obese group and 177 in the non-obese group. In 45 obese patients, percutaneous tracheostomy was performed without bronchoscopic guidance. Major complications were significantly higher in obese patients (12% vs. 2%, P = 0.04), while the rate of minor complications was not significantly different between the two groups. There were no instances of death or pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema or need for surgical intervention during or in the postoperative period in either group. Our study suggests that percutaneous tracheostomy can be performed safely in the majority of obese patients.

The diagnostic yield and clinical impact of a chest X-ray after percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy: a prospective cohort study.

A chest X-ray (CXR) is routinely performed after percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of routine CXR following PDT and its impact on patient management and to identify predictors of post-PDT CXR changes. Two-hundred-and-thirty-nine patients who underwent PDT in a 21-bed intensive care unit were included prospectively in the study. The following data were collected: patient demographics, APACHE III scores, pre-PDT FiO2 and PEEP, PDT technique, perioperative complications and the use of bronchoscopic guidance. We compared post-PDT CXR with the last pre-PDT CXR. We documented any post-PDT new radiographic findings including atelectasis, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, surgical emphysema, pulmonary infiltrates or tracheostomy tube malposition. We also recorded management modifications based on post-PDT radiographic changes, including increased PEEP, chest physiotherapy, therapeutic bronchoscopy or chest tube insertion. Atelectasis was the only new finding detected on post-PDT CXRs of 24 (10%) patients. The new radiographic findings resulted in a total of 14 modifications of management in 10 (4%) patients including increased PEEP in six, chest physiotherapy in six and bronchoscopy in two patients. Trauma and pre-PDT PEEP >5 cmH2O were independent predictors of post-PDT CXR changes. Routine CXR following PDT has a low diagnostic yield, detecting mainly atelectasis and leading to a change in the management in only a minority ofpatients. Routine CXR after apparently uncomplicated PDT performed by an experienced operator may not be necessary and selective use may improve its diagnostic yield. Further studies are required to validate the safety of selective versus routine post-PDT CXR.