Comparison of the efficacy of parent-mediated NDBIs on developmental skills in children with ASD and fidelity in parents: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recently, studies on behavioral interventions for autism have gained popularity. Naturalistic Developmental Behavior Interventions (NDBIs) are among the most effective, evidence-based, and widely used behavior interventions for autism. However, no research has been conducted on which of the several NDBI methods is most effective for parents and children with autism spectrum disorders. Therefore, we conducted a network meta-analysis to compare the specific effects of each type of parental-mediated NDBI on children's developmental skills and parent fidelity. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), CINAHL, and Wanfang databases were searched from inception to August 30, 2023. A total of 32 randomized controlled trial studies that examined the efficacy of different NDBIs were included. RESULTS: Parents of children with ASD who received Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) reported significant improvements in their children's social skills (SUCRA, 74.1%), language skills (SUCRA, 88.3%), and parenting fidelity (SUCRA, 99.5%). Moreover, parents who received Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) reported significant improvements in their children's language (SMD = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.79) and motor skills (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.79). In terms of the efficacy of improving parent fidelity, the results showed that the Improving Parents as Communication Teachers (ImPACT) intervention significantly improved parent fidelity when compared with the treatment-as-usual group (TAU) (SMD = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.39, 1.42) and the parental education intervention (PEI) (SMD = 1.10, 95% CI:0.28, 1.91).There was a difference in parent fidelity among parents who received PRT(SMD = 3.53, 95% CI: 2.26, 4.79) or ESDM(SMD = 1.42, 95% CI: 0.76, 2.09) training compared with PEI. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study revealed that parents can achieve high fidelity with the ImPACT intervention, and it can serve as an early first step for children newly diagnosed with ASD. It also showed that parent-mediated ESDM is effective in improving language and motor skills for children with ASD and can be used as part of the second stage of parent training. Parent-mediated PRT can also be used as a third stage of parent training with sufficient training intensity to further improve language, social, and motor skills.

[Differences of B cells, plasma cells, and related cytokines expression in gingival tissues between periodontitis and periodontal healthy subjects].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the differences of B cells, plasma cells, and related cytokines expression in gingival tissues between periodontitis and periodontal healthy subjects. METHODS: Gingival tissues were collected from periodontal healthy subjects (periodontal healthy group, n=12) and periodontitis patients (periodontitis group, n=15). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used for histopathological examination. Immunohistochemical staining (CD19, CD38, and CD138) was applied to detect the expression of B cells and plasma cells. B cell-activating factor (BAFF) and soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Extensive inflam-matory cell infiltration was found in the gingival tissues of the periodontitis group. The number of CD19(+), CD38(+), and CD138(+) cells of the periodontitis group was significantly higher than that of the periodontal healthy group (P<0.000 1). BAFF and sRANKL levels of the periodontitis group were higher than those of the periodontal healthy group (P<0.01, P<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of B cells, plasma cells, and their related BAFF and sRANKL cytokines were significantly higher in periodon-titis patients than those in the periodontal healthy subjects, sug-gesting that B cells and plasma cells may be involved in the development of periodontitis.

Effects of spirotetramat on Aonidiella aurantii (Homoptera: Diaspididae) and its parasitoid, Aphytis melinus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae).

Laboratory and field studies were conducted to measure the effects of spirotetramat on life stages of California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), and a primary parasitoid, Aphytis melinus DeBach. Organophosphate-resistant and -susceptible populations responded similarly to spirotetramat, suggesting there is no cross-resistance between these insecticide classes. First and second instar male and female A. aurantii were 10- and 32-fold more susceptible to spirotetramat (LC50 = 0.1-0.2 ppm) compared with early third (LC50 = 1.5 ppm) and late third instar females (LC50 = 5.3 ppm). The LC99 value indicated that late stage third instar females would not be fully controlled by a field rate of spirotetramat; however, spirotetramat would reduce their fecundity by 89%. Field applications of spirotetramat in two water volumes and using two adjuvants (oil and a nonionic spray adjuvant) showed similar reduction in A. aurantii numbers, even though the higher water volume demonstrated more complete coverage. These data suggest that this foliarly applied systemic insecticide can be applied in as little as 2,340 liters/ha of water volume, minimizing application costs, and that the two adjuvants acted similarly. The endoparasitoid, A. melinus, was unaffected by the field rate of spirotetramat when it was applied to the host when the parasitoid was in the egg or larval stage. Adult A. melinus showed 2 wk of moderate reductions in survival when exposed to leaves with field-weathered residues. Spirotetramat is an integrated pest management compatible insecticide, effective in reducing A. aurantii stages and allowing survival of its primary parasitoid A. melinus.

Postharvest control of western flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and California red scale (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) with ethyl formate and its impact on citrus fruit quality.

The postharvest control of arthropod pests is a challenge that the California citrus industry must overcome when exporting fruit overseas. Currently, methyl bromide fumigation is used to control postharvest pests on exported citrus, but it may soon be unavailable because of use restrictions and cost of this health-hazard ozone-depleting chemical. Ethyl formate is a natural plant volatile and possible alternative to methyl bromide in postharvest insect control. The objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate the mortality of third instar California red scale [Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell)] (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and adult western flower thrips [Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)] (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) under a wide range of ethyl formate concentrations, 2) to determine the ethyl formate concentration required to reach a Probit 9 level of control for both pests, and 3) to test the effects of ethyl formate fumigation on the quality of navel oranges [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] and lemons [Citrus limon (L.) Burman f.] at 24 h after fumigation, and at different time periods to simulate shipping plus storage (5 wk at 5 degrees C), and shipping, storage, handling, and shelf-life (5 wk at 5 degrees C, plus 5 d at 15 degrees C, and 2 d at 20 degrees C). The results indicate that ethyl formate is a promising alternative to methyl bromide for the California citrus industry, because of successful control of adult western flower thips and third instar California red scale and no deleterious effect on fruit quality at any of the evaluated periods and quality parameters.

Spirodiclofen and spirotetramat bioassays for monitoring resistance in citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (Acari: Tetranychidae).

BACKGROUND: Citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor), is a key pest of San Joaquin Valley California citrus. Spirodiclofen was registered for mite control in 2007, and spirotetramat for scale control in 2008. Because of the potential for resistance to spirodiclofen to develop in spider mites, and cross-resistance to spirotetramat used for other citrus pests, bioassay methods for resistance monitoring were developed. RESULTS: The responses of four populations of adult female, egg and larval stages of P. citri to spirodiclofen were compared to determine the most robust bioassay method for this pesticide. Adult females responded with a higher LC(99) and larval stages exhibited higher control mortality and a lower slope of response compared with the egg stage. Thus, the egg stage was found to be the most suitable stage for testing. Egg production and egg shape were significantly affected by spirodiclofen treatment of adult female mites. Bioassays with the related compound spirotetramat revealed that P. citri egg hatch was less affected by this compound, requiring the assessment of mortality to be extended to 11 days after treatment when the hatched larvae succumbed to the pesticide. Discriminating concentrations of 10 ppm for spirodiclofen and 31.6 ppm for spirotetramat in an 11 day bioassay were tested against eight field populations of P. citri, and 99-100% mortality resulted. CONCLUSION: These results provide a baseline for the response of P. citri to spirodiclofen and spirotetramat that will aid resistance management in California citrus.

Chlorpyrifos bioassay and resistance monitoring of San Joaquin Valley California citricola scale populations.

The responses to chlorpyrifos of six populations of citricola scale, Coccus pseudomagnoliarum (Kuwana) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), were tested using a leaf dip bioassay, and two- to nine-fold resistances were found. LC50 responses of nymphs ranged from 7.5 to 68.9 ppm and LC90 responses ranged from 20 to 222 ppm chlorpyrifos. A population tested monthly during August-October showed up to 3.5-fold differences in LC50 responses but no differences in LC90 responses as scale size increased. A diagnostic concentration of 178 ppm chlorpyrifos was used to test 93 populations from throughout the San Joaquin Valley California during 2006-2009 by using a leaf dip bioassay. Of the populations tested, 41% showed > 20% survival after exposure to the diagnostic concentration of chlorpyrifos, indicating resistance problems. Research is needed to relate the level of survival of the scales in the bioassay to the field efficacy of the insecticide. Tulare County citrus growers applied a higher number of organophosphate and carbamate insecticides during the 15-yr period from 1994 to 2008, and these orchards showed a higher average scale survival of chlorpyrifos and a higher number of locations with resistant scale compared with the other San Joaquin Valley counties. Chlorpyrifos resistance is a significant issue for citricola scale management because biological control is ineffective in the San Joaquin Valley and the alternative neonicotinoid and insect growth regulator (IGR) insecticides require more frequent application.

[Matrix metalloproteinase 8 and 9 regulations of polymorphonuclear leukocytes stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis with different fimA genotypes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathogenicity of matrix metalloproteinase 8, 9 (MMP-8, MMP-9) regulations of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by challenge of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) with different fimA genotypes. METHODS: The studies mainly adopt the isopycnic sedimentation separation to separate the PMNs from human peripheral blood. P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 (type I), WCSP 115 (type II), WCSP 1.5 (type III), W83 (type IV), WCSP 559 (type IV) were assessed for their inductions of MMP-8, MMP-9 expression in PMNs. MMP-8, MMP-9 protein levels in culture supernatant were determined by ELISA at different time intervals (5 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h) following continuous co-culture of bacteria with PMNs. RESULTS: MMP-8 and MMP-9 protein levels produced by PMNs co-culture with the I fimA-IV fimA P. gingivalis were significantly stronger than unsimulated group. The velocity and quantity of MMP-8 produced by PMNs co-culture with the II fimA P. gingivalis and IV fimA P. gingivalis were more than III fimA, IVfimA P. gingivalis. The MMP-9 protein levels produced by PMNs co-culture with the I fimA, II fimA, IV fimA P. gingivalis was significantly stronger than III fimA and IV fimA P. gingivalis. CONCLUSION: II fimA and IV fimA P. gingivalis have stronger pathogenicity relatively, which indicate that fimA genotype is associated with pathogenesis of P. gingivalis.

Prevalence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in Chinese chronic periodontitis patients and periodontally healthy adults.

OBJECTIVE: Actinobacillusactinomycetemcomitans is a major periodontal pathogen. This research was aimed at investigating the prevalence of A actinomycetemcomitans in Chinese chronic periodontitis patients and periodontally healthy adults. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A total of 116 chronic periodontitis patients and 111 periodontally healthy adults were included. In each periodontitispatient,subgingival plaque samples were collected from 2 molar sites with the deepest pockets and 1 periodontally healthy site. The samples of periodontally healthy adults were obtained from the mesiobuccal site of 1 maxillary first molar. A actinomycetemcomitans was detected by 16S rRNA polymerase chain action. Pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing of the sampled sites were recorded. RESULTS: A actinomycetemcomitans was detected in only 1 site (0.90%) of periodontally healthy subjects. For chronic periodontitispatients, the prevalence of periodontitis sites (33.62%) was significantly higher than that of healthy sites (0.90%)(P<.05); the occurrence showed a decreasing trend as patient age increased: highest in the 20- to 35-year-old group (44.12%), followed by the 36- to 55-year-old group (36.36%) and 56- to 75-year-old group (22.73%)(P<.05). A actinomycetemcomitans was most frequently detected in sites with pocket depth 7 mm or more and clinical attachment loss 6 mm or more (P<.05) and more often detected in sites that exhibited bleeding on probing (37.07%) than those that did not (7.41%)(P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: A actinmycetemcomitans was more frequently detected in periodontitis sites than in periodontally healthy sites. For chronic periodontitispatients, a higher prevalence was associated with the severe sites than moderate and mild sites. A actinomycetemcomitans is considered to be a major pathogen in the etiology of chronic periodontitis

[Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 regulations of human gingival fibroblasts by Porphyromonas gingivalis with different fimA genotypes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) regulations of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) by challenge of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) with different fimA genotypes. METHODS: Pg ATCC 33277 (type I), WCSP115 (type II), WCSP1.5 (type III), W83 (type IV) were assessed for their inductions of MCP-1 expression in HGF. MCP-1 mRNA levels of HGF were determined by real-time RT-PCR and MCP-1 protein levels in culture supernatant by ELISA at different time intervals (1 h, 3h, 6h and 12h) following continuous co-culture of bacteria with HGF. RESULTS: MCP-1 mRNA and protein levels were both up-regulated when HGF co-cultured with different Pg fimA genotypes. Type II was stronger than other fimA genotypes, HGF expressed significantly great amount of MCP-1 mRNA [(25.75 +/- 3.12)-(326.69 +/- 35.35)] and protein [(178.20 +/- 46.20)-(443.46 82.19) ng/L] for different time periods; While Type III was weaker than other fimA genotypes, and the level of MCP-1 mRNA was [ (4.16 +/- 0.82)-(94.17 +/- 18.56)] and protein [(86.95 +/- 23.90)-(264.01 +/- 28.59) ng/L](P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: fimA genotypes of Pg are related with the inductions of MCP-1, which might indicate fimA genotype is associated with pathogenesis of Pg.

Response of citrus peelminer Marmara gulosa Guillén and Davis (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) stages to various insecticides.

BACKGROUND: Egg and larval stages of citrus peelminer Marmara gulosa Guillén and Davis infesting zucchini squash Cucurbita pepo L. var 'Revenue' were exposed in the laboratory to a wide range of insecticide classes used in California citrus (organophosphate, carbamate, pyrethroid, neonicotinoid, insect growth regulator, fermentation products and sulfur) to determine peelminer response with and without a non-ionic adjuvant or oil. RESULTS: All of the insecticides tested except sulfur reduced egg hatch and mine initiation. When the larval stage was treated, only buprofezin failed to reduce larval and pupal development. Cyfluthrin and spinosad, with the addition of adjuvant or oil, and abamectin combined with oil allowed no survivors at 7 days after treatment (DAT). The slower-acting insect growth regulators pyriproxyfen and diflubenzuron applied in combination with adjuvant or oil allowed no survival of peelminer 21 DAT. A field trial showed 62.6-68.5% reduction in mined citrus fruit after two applications of diflubenzuron and no significant improvement of control with the addition of cyfluthrin. CONCLUSION: Bioassays indicate that M. gulosa is relatively susceptible to a wide range of insecticide classes in the laboratory. Lack of efficacy experienced in field trials would then be due to characteristics of the fruit or canopy that limit coverage, rather than to the effectiveness of the insecticides.

[Matrix metalloproteinases regulations of human gingival fibroblasts by Porphyromonas gingivalis with different fimA genotypes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) regulations of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) by challenge of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) with different fimA genotypes. METHODS: Pg ATCC 33277 (type I), WCSP115 (type II), WCSP1.5 (type III), W83 (type IV) were assessed for their inductions of MMP-1 and MMP-2 expression in HGF. MMP mRNA levels of HGF were determined by real-time RT-PCR and MMP protein levels in culture supernatant were determined by ELISA at different time intervals (1, 3, 6 and 12 h) following continuous co-culture of bacteria with HGF. RESULTS: When co-cultured with Pg, the MMP-1 and MMP-2 mRNA and protein expression of HGF significantly increased compared with the negative control group (P < 0.01). The group of type II showed greater up-regulated than other fimA genotypes in the mRNA and protein expressions of MMP-1 and MMP-2, MMP-1 mRNA [(28.88 +/- 3.12) - (231.01 +/- 24.99)] and protein [(1.35 +/- 0.17) - (3.08 +/- 1.20)] microg/L; MMP-2 mRNA [(20.42 +/- 2.21) - (188.34 +/- 37.37)] and protein [(2.57 +/- 0.76) - (18.08 +/- 1.15)] microg/L for different time periods; While the group of type III was weaker than other fimA genotypes, the level of MMP-1 mRNA was [(5.11 +/- 0.55) - (72.84 +/- 8.84)] and protein [(0.68 +/- 0.13) - (1.46 +/- 0.94)] microg/L, MMP-2 mRNA [(4.55 +/- 0.55) - (25.75 +/- 3.12)] and protein [(2.28 +/- 0.93) - (11.22 +/- 2.46)] microg/L (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pg could induce HGF to over-express MMP, and fimA genotypes of Pg may be related to this pathogenicity, which might indicate fimA genotype is associated with pathogenesis of Pg.

Role of esterase enzymes in monitoring for resistance of California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Homoptera: Diaspididae), to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides.

Eighty-seven populations of California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), from the San Joaquin Valley of California were tested for insecticide resistance by using chlorpyrifos, methidathion, and/or carbaryl in a standard fruit-dip bioassay as well as for general esterase activity by using alpha-naphthyl acetate as a substrate in a colorimetric test. The percentage of individuals that survived a discriminating concentration of methidathion, chlorpyrifos, or carbaryl was significantly correlated with the percentage of individuals showing > 0.4 nmol of esterase activity per minute per microgram of protein in the colorimetric test. Scale survival of the organophosphates showed a higher correlation with esterase activity than survival of carbaryl. These results suggest that the colorimetric test of esterase activity is useful as an indicator of the frequency of organophosphate-resistant and, to a lesser extent, carbamate-resistant individuals in California red scale populations. The results of tests for activity and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity suggest that California red scale is using increased amounts of esterase enzymes, including acetylcholinesterase, to sequester organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, rather than modified acetylcholinesterase. Third instars collected from twigs, leaves, and fruit showed similar levels of esterase activity. The colorimetric test of esterase activity is a useful tool to detect organophosphate and carbamate resistance in San Joaquin Valley California red scale because of its speed of testing over a wide range of months, allowing for within-season decision making by citrus growers.