Wild lime psyllid Leuronota fagarae Burckhardt (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) picorna-like virus full genome annotation and classification.

Picorna-like viruses of the order Picornavirales are a poorly defined group of positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses that include numerous pathogens known to infect plants, animals, and insects. A new picorna-like viral species was isolated from the wild lime psyllid (WLP), Leuronota fagarae, in the state of Florida, USA, and labelled: Leuronota fagarae picorna-like virus isolate FL (LfPLV-FL). The virus was found to have homology to a picorna-like virus identified in the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri, collected in the state of Florida. Computational analysis of RNA extracts from WLP adult heads identified a 10,006-nucleotide sequence encoding a 2,942 amino acid polyprotein with similar functional domain structure to polyproteins of both Dicistroviridae and Iflaviridae. Sequence comparisons of nucleic acid and amino acid translations of the conserved RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, along with the entire N-terminal nonstructural coding region, provided insight into an evolutionary relationship of LfPLV-FL to insect-infecting iflaviruses. Viruses belonging to the family Iflaviridae encode a polyprotein of around 3000 amino acids in length that is processed post-translationally to produce components necessary for replication. The classification of a novel picorna-like virus in L. fagarae, with evolutionary characteristics similar to picorna-like viruses infecting Bactericera cockerelli and D. citri, provides an opportunity to examine virus host specificity, as well as identify critical components of the virus' genome required for successful transmission, infection, and replication. This bioinformatic classification allows for further insight into a novel virus species, and aids in the research of a closely related virus of the invasive psyllid, D. citri, a major pest of Floridian citriculture. The potential use of viral pathogens as expression vectors to manage the spread D. citri is an area that requires additional research; however, it may bring forth an effective control strategy to reduce the transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causative agent of Huanglongbing (HLB).

Assessment of Role of PPE in Preventing the Spread of Infection among the Dental Surgeons: A Prospective Study.

Although there is easy accessibility of infection control measures and recommendation regarding the PPE, most of the dentists failed to practice appropriate infection control measures. The aim of the current survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, perception, and attitude regarding the role of PPE among the dental care professionals in COVID-19. This is cross-sectional web-based questionnaire survey conducted among dental care professionals in Tamil Nadu. The self-administered questions related to the PPE infection control measures were collected from 500 subjects. The statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS (V 22.0). The frequency distribution was computed. This survey revealed that all the 500 (100%) respondents had awareness about the role of PPE in COVID-19 pandemic. Among the 500 study subjects, 93.2% had well-known knowledge about PPE, 60.4% of dentist strictly adheres to the use of PPE in routine dental practice, 80.2% of dentist mentioned PPE is safe and effective against spread of infection, and 93.4% of dentist had awareness about donning and doffing. Conclusion: From the beginning of this COVID-19, information provided by the health organization like CDC and WHO regarding the role of PPE had positive impact among the dental care professionals.

Protocolized screening and detection of occult alcohol use before and after liver transplant: Lessons learned from a quality improvement initiative.

INTRODUCTION: Detection of alcohol (ETOH) use with biomarkers provides an opportunity to intervene and treat patients with alcohol use disorder before and after liver transplant (LT). We describe our center's experience using urine ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and serum phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in alcohol screening protocols. METHODS: Single-center, retrospective review of patients presenting for LT evaluation, patients waitlisted for LT for alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), and patients who received a LT for ALD over a 12-month period, from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. Patients were followed from waitlisting to LT, or for up to 12 months post-LT. We monitored protocol adherence to screening for ETOH use- defined as completion of all possible tests over the follow-up period- at the initial LT visit, while on the LT waitlist and after LT. RESULTS: During the study period, 227 patients were evaluated for LT (median age 57 years, 58% male, 78% white, 54.2% ALD). Thirty-one patients with ALD were placed on the waitlist, and 38 patients underwent LT for ALD during this time period. Protocolized adherence to screening for alcohol use was higher for PEth for all LT evaluation patients (191 [84.1%] vs. 146 [67%] eligible patients, p < .001), in patients with ALD waitlisted for LT (22 [71%] vs. 14 (48%] eligible patients, p = .04) and after LT for ALD, 20 (33 [86.8%] vs. 20 [52.6%] eligible patients, p < .01). Few patients with a positive test in any group completed chemical dependency treatment. CONCLUSIONS: When screening for ETOH use in pre- and post-LT patients, protocol adherence is higher using PEth compared to EtG. While protocolized biomarker screening can detect recurrent ETOH use in this population, engagement of patients into chemical dependency treatment remains challenging.

An ESPGHAN Position Paper on the Use of Low-FODMAP Diet in Pediatric Gastroenterology.

Excluding oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) from the diet is increasingly being used to treat children with gastrointestinal complaints. The aim of this position paper is to review the available evidence on the safety and efficacy of its use in children and provide expert guidance regarding practical aspects in case its use is considered . Members of the Gastroenterology Committee, the Nutrition Committee and the Allied Health Professionals Committee of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition contributed to this position paper. Clinical questions regarding initiation, introduction, duration, weaning, monitoring, professional guidance, safety and risks of the diet are addressed. A systematic literature search was performed from 2005 to May 2021 using PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. In the absence of evidence, recommendations reflect the expert opinion of the authors. The systematic literature search revealed that the low-FODMAP diet has not been comprehensively studied in children. Indications and contraindications of the use of the diet in different pediatric gastroenterological conditions are discussed and practical recommendations are formulated. There is scarce evidence to support the use of a low-FODMAP diet in children with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and no evidence to recommend its use in other gastrointestinal diseases and complaints in children. Awareness of how and when to use the diet is crucial, as a restrictive diet may impact nutritional adequacy and/or promote distorted eating in vulnerable subjects. The present article provides practical safety tips to be applied when the low-FODMAP diet is considered in children.

Comparative Evaluation of Effectiveness of 2% Lignocaine Hydrochloride with Clonidine Hydrochloride versus 2% Lignocaine Hydrochloride with Adrenaline Bitartrate as Local Anesthetic for Adult Patients Undergoing Surgical Extraction of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clonidine is a common additive to local anesthetics for various regional and local nerve blocks. However, its effectiveness in dentistry has not yet been fully explored. Thus, this study was performed to evaluate the quality of anesthesia, vasoconstrictive effects, hemodynamic response, and pain control using a solution of 2% lignocaine hydrochloride with clonidine hydrochloride in comparison with the standard solution of 2% lignocaine hydrochloride and adrenaline bitartrate for pterygomandibular nerve blocks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A parallel arm, triple-blind randomized controlled study was conducted on 152 patients belonging to ASA-I (American Society of Anesthesiologists) category in the age group of 18-45 years, requiring surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. The patients were divided equally into two groups randomly by computer-generated sequence; Group 1: 2% lignocaine hydrochloride with 1 ml of clonidine hydrochloride (150 µg/ml) and Group 2: 2% lignocaine hydrochloride with adrenaline bitartrate 1: 80,000 (12.5 µg/ml). The variables evaluated were systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures, heart rate (HR), blood loss, onset, depth (pain), and duration of anesthesia. RESULTS: There was a statistically nonsignificant difference seen between the two groups (P > 0.05) for the onset of anesthesia, pain assessed, and blood loss, whereas a statistically highly significant difference was seen for cardiovascular variables (systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures, and HR) at various intervals with higher values for Group 2 (P < 0.001) and for the duration of action of local anesthesia (LA), with higher values for Group 1 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Clonidine as an additive to lignocaine has proved to have the onset of action, vasoconstrictive properties, and pain control, equivalent to adrenaline. However, with better stability of hemodynamic variables and prolonged duration of action of LA with clonidine, it can be considered as a better, safer, and more effective additive to lignocaine than adrenaline.

Private practice dentists' views of oral health injustice.

OBJECTIVES: There is a lack of research examining how dentists in private practice conceptualise the challenge presented by oral health injustice and how attitudes towards low-income patients might be influenced by the commercial nature of private dental care. This study provides insights into how dentists navigated the interactions between the commercial nature of dental practice and the provision of care to patients who either struggled to (or could not) afford the cost of self-funded care in private practice. METHODS: Participants took part in semi-structured interviews and were invited to keep an online diary of reflections. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data to extract and synthesise understanding of how practitioners conceptualised issues surrounding providing care for the disadvantaged and how this related to the economic realities of private practice. RESULTS: Twenty participants were recruited and interviewed from a variety of private practice environments and roles. This report focuses on one specific theme within the data that explored how participants viewed patients who received public dental care, as well as those privately funded patients who could ill-afford their treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings raise how neoliberal attitudes towards oral healthcare and dental disease may act as a social determinant of health and contribute to the sustaining of structural barriers and inaction towards oral health injustice. For low-income patients, practitioners distinguish between (a) those who are deemed to be deserving of professional care and the charitable endeavours of the profession, and (b) those who are not. There appears to be no overt professional obligation to actively work towards the amelioration of oral health injustice.

AeDES: a next-generation monitoring and forecasting system for environmental suitability of Aedes-borne disease transmission.

Aedes-borne diseases, such as dengue and chikungunya, are responsible for more than 50 million infections worldwide every year, with an overall increase of 30-fold in the last 50 years, mainly due to city population growth, more frequent travels and ecological changes. In the United States of America, the vast majority of Aedes-borne infections are imported from endemic regions by travelers, who can become new sources of mosquito infection upon their return home if the exposed population is susceptible to the disease, and if suitable environmental conditions for the mosquitoes and the virus are present. Since the susceptibility of the human population can be determined via periodic monitoring campaigns, the environmental suitability for the presence of mosquitoes and viruses becomes one of the most important pieces of information for decision makers in the health sector. We present a next-generation monitoring and forecasting system for [Formula: see text]-borne diseases' environmental suitability (AeDES) of transmission in the conterminous United States and transboundary regions, using calibrated ento-epidemiological models, climate models and temperature observations. After analyzing the seasonal predictive skill of AeDES, we briefly consider the recent Zika epidemic, and the compound effects of the current Central American dengue outbreak happening during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, to illustrate how a combination of tailored deterministic and probabilistic forecasts can inform key prevention and control strategies .

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Paediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Incidence and Prevalence Across Europe.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is often one of the most devastating and debilitating chronic gastrointestinal disorders in children and adolescents. The main objectives here were to systematically review the incidence and prevalence of paediatric IBD across all 51 European states. METHODS: We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis based on PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, searches of reference lists, grey literature and websites, covering the period from 1970 to 2018. RESULTS: Incidence rates for both paediatric Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] were higher in northern Europe than in other European regions. There have been large increases in the incidence of both paediatric CD and UC over the last 50 years, which appear widespread across Europe. The largest increases for CD have been reported from Sweden, Wales, England, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Hungary, and for UC from the Czech Republic, Ireland, Sweden and Hungary. Incidence rates for paediatric CD have increased up to 9 or 10 per 100 000 population in parts of Europe, including Scandinavia, while rates for paediatric UC are often slightly lower than for CD. Prevalence reported for CD ranged from 8.2 per 100 000 to approximately 60 and, for UC, from 8.3 to approximately 30. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of paediatric IBD continues to increase throughout Europe. There is stronger evidence of a north-south than an east-west gradient in incidence across Europe. Further prospective studies are needed, preferably multinational and based on IBD registries, using standardized definitions, methodology and timescales.

UV reflective properties of magnesium oxide increase attraction and probing behavior of Asian citrus psyllids (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) vectors the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal pathogen of citrus greening disease that is devastating citrus industries worldwide. Suppressing psyllid populations is crucial to prevent disease spread. An attract-and-kill trap based on psyllid behavior would fill a niche for monitoring and control. To optimize visual attraction of psyllids, the ultraviolet (UV) reflective properties of magnesium oxide (MgO) and/or barium sulfate (BaSO4) were assessed for potential application to a trap surface. Under low UV, high UV and natural sunlight conditions, the reflectance, attraction, and probing behaviors of psyllids were evaluated on surfaces containing magnesium oxide or barium sulfate. Magnesium oxide added to yellow sticky traps enhanced visual response of D. citri. Probing assays demonstrated that magnesium oxide alone or as a mixture with a phagostimulant blend, increased the UV reflectance of substrates, as well as, attraction and probing by psyllids. Results demonstrated that psyllids respond to both short (UV) and long (yellow) wavelengths during orientation, and that these inert compounds can increase UV reflectance and improve attractiveness of an attract-and-kill device.

Radiotherapy-induced xerostomia: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial of Visco-ease™ oral spray compared with placebo in patients with cancer of the head and neck.

Radiotherapy-induced xerostomia (RIX) is a common and untreatable side effect of radiotherapy to the head and neck. Visco-ease™ mouth spray (Lamellar Biomedical Ltd), a new product that is made from lamellar body mimetics, reduces the viscosity of saliva ex vivo. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its safety and effectiveness in the treatment of RIX in 43 patients with cancer of the head and neck. They were randomised into the Visco-ease™ or placebo groups, and asked to complete the Groningen radiotherapy-induced xerostomia (GRIX) questionnaire each week. The primary endpoint was a change in GRIX score from baseline to end of treatment. There was no difference in scores between the two groups, and none of the patients had device-related serious adverse events. Visco-ease™ oral spray was safe and tolerable but no better than placebo in reducing RIX in this group of patients.

Indwelling pleural catheters: an overview and real-life experience.

BACKGROUND: Indwelling pleural catheters (IPCs) are most frequently used in those with malignant pleural effusions, although their use is expanding to patients with non-malignant diseases. AIM: To provide an overview of IPCs and highlight how, when and why they can be used including our own real-life experience. DESIGN: Data were collected retrospectively from a large tertiary centre for all individuals who received an IPC between June 2010 and February 2018 inclusive. The data collected included gender, age, origin of malignancy, number of drains prior to IPC, whether they had received pleurodesis prior to IPC, presence of a trapped lung, date of insertion, documented complications, overall outcome and date of death. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients received an IPC, the majority were female (n = 38, 57%) with an overall median age of 68 years (range 40-90 years). The most common site of cancer origin was lung (n = 33, 49%) followed by pleura (n = 10, 15%) and breast (n = 9, 13%). The median survival of all patients was 141 days (IQR 26-181). Sixteen percent (n = 11) of patients underwent a spontaneous pleurodesis resulting in their IPC being removed. Only three individuals had a complication (4.4%). CONCLUSIONS: IPC insertion is a safe procedure and represents an exciting and expanding field in the management of pleural disease. Further longitudinal studies are required to fully delineate their place in the management of both malignant and benign effusions.

Size and shape analysis of Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae), vector of citrus huanglongbing disease.

BACKGROUND: The African citrus triozid (ACT) Trioza erytreae Del Guercio (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is one of the most devastating pests of citrus with a well-known role as a vector of the phloem-limited bacteria (Candidatus Liberibacter africanus) associated with huanglongbing (citrus greening disease), currently considered the world's most serious disease of citrus. Although the pest can successfully develop and reproduce on non-citrus host plants, there is no documented information on the geometric morphometry of ACT. We determine the effect of host plants on ACT morphometry under controlled laboratory conditions using traditional and geometric analysis. RESULTS: ACT reared on C. limon and Citroncirus spp. was significantly larger than when reared on the other host plant species. ACT reared on C. anisata and C. tangelo was consistently smaller than that reared on M. koenigii and C. sinensis. Based on warped outline drawings, ACT reared on Citroncirus spp. and Murraya koenigii had narrower wings than when reared on C. anisata, C. limon, and C. sinensis with slightly broader wing patterns. CONCLUSION: This study clearly demonstrates that host plant species affect morphometric variation in ACT, which might have a direct impact on fitness parameters of the pest as well as its potential for dispersion. Wing shape and size appear to be useful in separating populations of ACT into different groups. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Canine T cell lymphoma treated with lomustine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisolone chemotherapy in 35 dogs.

Canine T cell lymphoma has previously been found to be a poor prognostic indicator compared with its B cell counterpart. The cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone protocol is widely accepted as a first line treatment for canine lymphoma. There have been several studies investigating alternative protocols for T cell lymphoma. This study investigated the use of a modified lomustine, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisolone protocol as a first line treatment in 35 dogs with T Cell lymphoma. Median progression free survival (PFS) time for all 35 dogs was 431 days with a 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year PFS of 69%, 54%, 29%, and 12%. Median survival time (MST) was 507 days. Twenty-nine dogs attained a complete response and had a median PFS time of 509 days. Thirty dogs experienced adverse events during the protocol, with 73% of these being grade 1 or 2. This protocol has shown increased median PFS time and MST compared with previous studies and suggests its use as a first line chemotherapy protocol against canine T cell lymphoma.

A 10-year longitudinal follow-up study of a U.K. paediatric transplant population to assess for skin cancer.

BACKGROUND: Our earlier study, published in 2004,found no skin cancer in a cohort of paediatric organ transplant recipients (POTRs) 5-16 years post-transplantation. We re-evaluated the same cohort 10 years later. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of premalignant and malignant skin lesions and identify known risk factors associated with melanocytic naevi in a U.K. paediatric transplant population. METHODS: Ninety-eight POTRs from the original 2004 study were invited to participate in this longitudinal follow-up study. History of sun exposure, demographics and transplantation details were collected using face-to-face interviews, questionnaires and case note reviews. Skin examination was performed for regional count of malignant lesions, benign and atypical naevi. RESULTS: Of the 98 patients involved in the initial study, 45 POTRs (eight kidney, 37 liver), with a median follow-up of 19 years (range 15-26 years), agreed to participate. Neither skin cancer nor premalignant lesions were detected in these patients. When compared with the 2004 cohort, 41 patients in our current cohort had increased numbers of benign naevi (P < 0·001) with 11 patients having ≥ 50 benign naevi. Seventy-one per cent of benign naevi in our 2014 cohort occurred on sun-exposed sites (13% head/neck, 35% arms and 23% legs). Patients who regularly used sunscreen had more benign naevi on their arms (P = 0·008). CONCLUSIONS: Although skin cancer was not observed in our cohort, we identified a significant increase in the number of benign naevi, particularly in those reporting frequent sunburn and sunscreen use.

Primary tonsillar mast cell tumour in a dog.

CASE REPORT: A 6-year-old speyed female Bull Arab-cross dog was found to have a small tonsillar nodule. Histological examination revealed a well-differentiated mast cell tumour (MCT). At initial staging, no evidence of concurrent cutaneous or visceral MCTs was found on a complete blood count, a single lateral thoracic radiograph, abdominal ultrasound or cytology of the spleen and regional lymph nodes. A diagnosis of primary tonsillar MCT was made. At 40 months postoperatively, the dog is alive with no evidence of gross tumour progression, in contrast to some previous reports of rapid disease progression and metastasis in dogs with primary oral MCTs. CONCLUSION: To the authors' knowledge, no previous reports of a primary MCT of the tonsil in dogs exist in the veterinary literature.

Comparing anadromous brown trout Salmo trutta in small, neighbouring catchments across contrasting landscapes: What is the role of environment in determining life-history characteristics?

Study of anadromous brown trout Salmo trutta in Orkney, U.K., burns (small streams) with a common-garden sea in Scapa Flow supports the key role of nutrient availability in fresh water, independent of day length, as a determinant of smolt age, with a systematic increase in mean smolt age from 1 to 3 years related inversely to productivity. Whole catchment (8 km2 ) population budgets indicated annual smolt production of around 650 individuals from approximately 100 spawners. Egg-to-smolt survival was 0·65%, while marine survival was estimated from mark-recapture to be between 3·5 and 10%. The question of B-type growth (accelerated growth immediately prior to or during smolt migration) was also addressed, with a strong negative correlation between B-type growth and size at end of winter suggesting that this represents a freshwater compensatory growth response. The data obtained indicate the potential importance of small catchments for supporting anadromous Salmo trutta populations and suggest that small runs of spawners (<100 individuals) are adequate to maintain stocks in such situations. Furthermore, they support the key role of freshwater productivity in determining life-history characteristics over small spatial scales, with Orkney providing a useful natural laboratory for future research into metapopulation genetic structuring and environmental factors at a tractable scale.

Intragastric balloon as an adjunct to lifestyle programme in severely obese adolescents: impact on biomedical outcomes and skeletal health.

Intragastric Balloons are a temporary, reversible and safer option compared to bariatric surgery to promote significant weight loss, leading to improved metabolic outcomes. However, due to subsequent weight regain, alternative procedures are now preferred in adults. In adolescents, more amenable to lifestyle change, balloons may be an alternative to less reversible procedures. Our aim was to assess the tolerability and efficacy of the intragastric balloon in severely obese adolescents and the impact of associated weight loss on biomedical outcomes (glucose metabolism, blood pressure, lipid profiles) and bone density. A 2-year cohort study of 12 adolescents (BMI >3.5 s.d., Tanner stage >4) following 6 months intragastric balloon placement was carried out. Subjects underwent anthropometry, oral glucose tolerance test, and DEXA scans at 0, 6 and 24 months. The results showed clinically relevant improvements in blood pressure, insulin: glucose metabolism, liver function and sleep apnoea at 6 months. Changes were not sustained at 2 years though some parameters (Diastolic BP, HBA1c, insulin AUC) demonstrated longer-term improvement despite weight regain. Despite weight loss, bone mass accrual showed age appropriate increases. In conclusion, the intragastric balloon was safe, well tolerated and effective in supporting short-term weight loss and clinically relevant improvement in obesity-related complications, which resolved in some individuals. Benefits were not sustained in the majority at 2 years.

Evidence of behavior-based utilization by the Asian citrus psyllid of a combination of UV and green or yellow wavelengths.

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, vectors huanglongbing (HLB), the most serious disease affecting citrus globally. D. citri and HLB have spread to the major citrus growing regions of North America causing billions of dollars of damage in Florida alone. The visual behavior of D. citri is not well characterized and more knowledge is needed to improve attractive traps for monitoring and control of the D. citri. Bioassays were conducted to evaluate attraction to light transmitted through different colored filters. The addition of ultra-violet light (< 400 nm) enhanced attraction of D. citri to transparent visual targets made of green or yellow filters. However, attraction to blue targets was unaffected by UV light. This is the first study to demonstrate a phytophagous insect responding to a hue that is a combination of long and short wavelengths. Further testing is needed to determine how D. citri uses such discriminatory powers in the field. Our results further imply that D. citri utilize color vision, as the less intense yellow and green hues were chosen over white light. In summary, this research provides an increased understanding of D. citri visual behavior and can be used for the development of a more attractive D. citri trap than those currently available.

Dermatophyte colonization in rabbits kept in pet stores of Santiago of Chile / Colonización por dermatofitos en conejos mantenidos en tiendas de mascotas de Santiago de Chile

ABSTRACT Objective. The dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi, of importance in public health because of their anthropozoophilic nature. Given the increasing acquisition of exotic animals as pets and the scarce studies on the state of colonization by dermatophytes on these animals; we raised the objective of determine the presence of dermatophytes in clinically healthy rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from pet stores in Santiago, Chile. Materials and Methods. 42 clinically healthy rabbits were studied. Clinical specimens were obtained from the hairy mantle and cultivated on Sabouraud glucose agar and dermatophyte test medium (DTM™); the identification of the fungal isolates was performed using classic mycological procedures that included direct microscopic examination and the analysis of micromorphological features on culture. Results. Of the total number of rabbits studied, three (7.1%) presented colonization by dermatophytes, being more frequent in males and in those animals that coexisted with Guinea Pigs. The species identified in all three cases was Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Conclusions. This study evidence colonization by dermatophytes in domestic rabbits, important information for veterinarians and owners of pets, at the time of being in contact with this animal species.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Los dermatofitos son hongos queratinofílicos, de importancia en salud pública por su rol antropozoofílico. Dado el aumento en la adquisición de animales exóticos como mascotas y los escasos estudios sobre el estado de colonización por dermatofitos en estos animales, nos planteamos el objetivo de determinar la presencia de dermatofitos en conejos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) clínicamente sanos procedentes de tiendas de mascotas en Santiago de Chile. Materiales y Métodos. Se estudiaron 42 conejos clínicamente sanos. Las muestras clínicas se obtuvieron desde el manto piloso y cultivadas en agar Sabouraud glucosado y dermatophyte test medium (DTM®). La identificación del agente aislado fue realizada por procedimientos micológicos clásicos que incluyeron examen microscópico directo y cultivo. Resultados. Del total de conejos estudiados, tres (7,1%) presentaron colonización por dermatofitos, siendo más frecuente en machos y en aquellos animales que convivían con cuyes. La especie identificada en los tres casos fue Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Conclusiones. Este estudio evidencia la colonización por dermatofitos en conejos domésticos, información importante para médicos veterinarios y propietarios de mascotas, al momento de estar en contacto con esta especie animal.

Wavelength and Polarization Affect Phototaxis of the Asian Citrus Psyllid.

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), is a primary pest of citrus due to its status as a vector of the citrus disease, huanglongbing. We evaluated the effects of light of specific wavelength and polarization on phototactic behavior of D. citri using a horizontal bioassay arena. Wavelength-associated positive phototaxis was associated with short wavelength UV (350-405 nm) targets whereas little or no responses were seen in longer wavelength targets in the visible spectrum from green to orange (500-620 nm). Distance walked towards the visual target was greater for UV/blue wavelengths (350-430 nm) than for longer wavelengths. Distances walked towards 365 nm light were greater than to white light, and distances travelled to green, yellow and orange light were similar to those in darkness. A reduced light intensity decreased responses to white and UV (365 nm) light. Polarized light was discriminated and D. citri travelled greater distance in response to white vertically polarized light than to horizontally polarized or unpolarized light of equal intensity. Responses to polarized 405 nm light were greater than to unpolarized light, although without an effect of polarization plane. For 500 nm light, there was no difference between responses to polarized or unpolarized light. There was no effect of age on responses to 405 nm light although 1 day old psyllids travelled faster in the presence of 500 nm green compared to 4-7 day old psyllids. Movement in response to UV and relative stasis in response to longer wavelength light is consistent with observed behaviors of settling on foliage for feeding and dispersing out of the canopy when flush needed for reproduction is scarce.