Previous herbivory alerts conspecific gravid sawflies to avoid unsuitable host plants.

The willow sawfly, Nematus oligospilus (Förster), is a pest in Salix commercial forests and has been reported worldwide. Female adults must recognize a suitable host plant to oviposit, since her offspring lack the ability to move to another host. We evaluated the effect of conspecific herbivory on the oviposition choices of N. oligospilus females by providing damaged (DP) and undamaged (UP) plants of Salix humboldtiana, a native willow from South America, as oviposition substrates. Local and systemic effects were studied. For the local treatment, a twig from the DP with damaged leaves was contrasted to a twig from a UP in dual choice experiments. For systemic treatment, a twig from the DP with intact leaves was contrasted to a twig from a UP. We estimated the use of olfactory and contact cues by comparing volatile emission of DP and UP, and by analysing the behaviour of the females during host recognition after landing on the leaf surface. In the context of the preference-performance hypothesis (PPH), we also tested if oviposition site selection maximizes offspring fitness by evaluating neonate hatching, larval performance and survival of larvae that were born and bred on either DP or UP. Our results demonstrate that previous conspecific herbivory on S. humboldtiana has a dramatic impact on female oviposition choices and offspring performance of the sawfly N. oligospilus. Females showed a marked preference for laying eggs on UP of S. humboldtiana. This preference was found for both local and systemic treatments. Volatile emission was quantitatively changed after conspecific damage suggesting that it could be related to N. oligospilus avoidance. In the dual choice preference experiments, the analysis of the behaviour of the females once landing on the leaf surface suggested the use of contact cues triggering egg laying on leaves from UP and avoidance of leaves from DP. Furthermore, 48 h of previous conspecific feeding was sufficient to dramatically impair neonate hatching, as well as larval development and survival, suggesting a rapid and effective reaction of the induced resistance mechanisms of the tree. In agreement with the PPH, these results support the idea that decisions made by colonizing females may result in optimal outcomes for their offspring in a barely studied insect model, and also opens the opportunity for studying tree-induced defences in the unexplored South American willow S. humboldtiana.

Impact of natural control agents of the citrus leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella on lemon trees varies among seasons.

Studies on insect natural enemies and their effects on host populations are of immense practical value in pest management. Predation and parasitism on a citrus pest, the leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, were evaluated by sampling over 3 years in four locations within a world leading lemon producing area in Northwest Argentina. Both mortality factors showed seasonal trends consistent across locations, with predation exerting earlier and more sustained pressure than parasitism, which showed wider seasonal variations. The dominant parasitoids, native Cirrospilus neotropicus and introduced Ageniaspis citricola, showed different seasonal trends: C. neotropicus was dominant in spring whereas A. citricola superseded it in autumn and winter. Although parasitism rates were relatively low, the native C. neotropicus revealed favourable features as potential control agent, by showing density-dependence, parasitism rates comparable with those of the specific A. citricola during part of the cycle, and earlier synchronization with the host. The study provides highly relevant information for a sustainable management of this worldwide pest, for which biological control is considered the best long-term option.

Human isolates of Listeria monocytogenes in Sweden during half a century (1958-2010).

Isolates of Listeria monocytogenes (n = 932) isolated in Sweden during 1958-2010 from human patients with invasive listeriosis were characterized by serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) (AscI). Of the 932 isolates, 183 different PFGE types were identified, of which 83 were each represented by only one isolate. In all, 483 serovar 1/2a isolates were distributed over 114 PFGE types; 90 serovar 1/2b isolates gave 32 PFGE types; 21 serovar 1/2c isolates gave nine PFGE types; three serovar 3b isolates gave one PFGE type; and, 335 serovar 4b isolates gave 31 PFGE types. During the 1980s in Sweden, several serovar 4b cases were associated with the consumption of European raw soft cheese. However, as cheese-production hygiene has improved, the number of 4b cases has decreased. Since 1996, serovar 1/2a has been the dominant L. monocytogenes serovar in human listeriosis in Sweden. Therefore, based on current serovars and PFGE types, an association between human cases of listeriosis and the consumption of vacuum-packed gravad and cold-smoked salmon is suggested.

Robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic incisional hernia repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and safety outcomes of robotic-assisted and laparoscopic techniques for incisional hernia repair. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane databases, and conference abstracts were systematically searched for studies that directly compared robot-assisted versus laparoscopy for incisional hernia repair and reported safety or efficacy outcomes in a follow-up of ≥ 1 month. The primary endpoints of interest were postoperative complications and the length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 2104 results, of which four studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies included 1293 patients with incisional hernia repairs, 440 (34%) of whom underwent robot-assisted repair. Study follow-up ranged from 1 to 24 months. There was no significant difference between groups in the incidence of postoperative complications (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.35-1.21; p = 0.17). The recurrence rate of incisional hernias (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.05-2.29; p = 0.27) was also similar between robotic and laparoscopic surgeries. Hospital length of stay (MD - 1.05 days; 95% CI - 2.06, - 0.04; p = 0.04) was significantly reduced in the robotic-assisted repair. However, the robot-assisted repair had a significantly longer operative time (MD 69.6 min; 95% CI 59.0-80.1; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The robotic approach for incisional hernia repair was associated with a significant difference between the two groups in complications and recurrence rates, a longer operative time than laparoscopic repair, but with a shorter length of stay.

Larvicide and oviposition deterrent effects of fruit and leaf extracts from Melia azedarach L. on Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae).

Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae), the main urban vector of dengue, has developed resistance to various insecticides, making its control increasingly difficult. We explored the effects of Argentine Melia azedarach L. (Meliaceae) fruit and senescent leaf extracts on Ae. aegypti larval development and survival, by rearing cohorts of first instar mosquitoes in water with different extract concentrations. We also analysed oviposition deterrent activity in choice tests with extract-treated ovitraps. The leaf extract showed a strong larvicide activity, with all larvae dying before pupation, and significantly delayed development time. It strongly inhibited oviposition by Ae. aegypti females. The fruit extract showed much weaker effects. This first report of highly effective larvicidal, growth regulating and oviposition deterrent activity of a senescent leaf extract of M. azedarach against Ae. aegypti, suggests that such extract could represent a promising tool in the management of this mosquito pest.

[Acute myocardial infarction complicating radiofrequency catheter ablation in a girl]. / Infarto agudo de miocardio tras ablación por radiofrecuencia de vía cardiaca anómala en un niño.

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is the most common tachyarrhythmia in childhood and adolescence. The current treatment of choice for managing and preventing frequent recurrences is radiofrequency catheter ablation, which provides a definitive solution in most cases. This technique is very effective but not devoid of potential complications, particularly in children and adolescents. We report the case of a 3-year-old girl who suffered acute myocardial infarction after occlusion of the right coronary artery during this procedure. We describe intraoperative and postoperative management. Progress was good and the patient was discharged 14 days after ablation.

Insecticide and antifeedant activity of different plant parts of Melia azedarach on Xanthogaleruca luteola.

In laboratory choice and no-choice bioassays, treatment of elm leaves with extracts obtained from unripe fruits and green or senescent leaves of Melia azedarach at 1-10% concentration significantly deterred feeding by adults of the elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola. Also, in no-choice tests, adults fed on leaves treated with 2, 5 or 10% extract showed a dramatic increase in mortality rates. Extracts from the different plant structures were similarly active, and starvation as a consequence of their strong antifeedant activity could play a significant role in the high mortality values observed.

Parasitism and Food Web Structure in Defoliating Lepidoptera - Parasitoid Communities on Soybean.

Food webs are usually regarded as snapshots of community feeding interactions. Here, we describe the yearly and cumulative structure of parasitoid-caterpillar food webs on soybean in central Argentina, analyzing parasitism rates and their variability in relation to parasitoid diversity and food web vulnerability in the system. Lepidoptera larvae were collected along four seasons from soybean crops and reared in laboratory to obtain and identify adults and parasitoids. Eleven species of defoliating Lepidoptera and ten parasitoid species were recorded. Food web statistics showed rather low annual variability, with most variation coefficients in the order of 0.20 and generality showing the most stable values. Parasitism showed the highest variability, which was independent of parasitoid diversity and food web vulnerability, although parasitism rates were negatively related to parasitoid richness. Our study highlights the need to consider food web structure and variability in order to understand the functioning of ecological communities in general and in extensive agricultural ecosystems in particular.

Effect of retinoic acid on glucokinase activity and gene expression and on insulin secretion in primary cultures of pancreatic islets.

Retinoic acid has manifold effects on pancreatic beta-cells. Previously we reported that retinoic acid increases glucokinase activity and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the insulinoma cell line RIN-m5F; however, we could not rule out the possibility that the effect of retinoic acid on RIN-m5F glucokinase was inherent to the cell line or related to its differentiating capacity. In this report, we demonstrate that physiologic concentrations of retinoic acid stimulate glucokinase activity in both fetal islets and differentiated adult islets in culture. In the adult tissue, the response to the retinoid was less pronounced, achieving about half of the maximal effect produced on the fetal tissue. Using the branched DNA (bDNA) assay, a sensitive signal amplification technique, we detected relative increases in glucokinase mRNA levels of 51.8+/-13.3% and 62.8+/-16.1% at 12 and 24 h, respectively, in adult islets treated with] 10(-6) M retinoic acid. In fetal islets, increases of 55+/-14.9% and 107+/-30.5% at 12 and 24 h, respectively, were observed. In transfected fetal islets, retinoic acid increased the activity of the -1000 kb rat glucokinase promoter by 51.3%. Because glucokinase activity controls insulin secretion, we also investigated the effect of retinoic acid on insulin secretion. Treatment with 10(-6) M retinoic acid for 24 h increased insulin secretion in both fetal and adult islets; however, the increases on insulin secretion were more pronounced in the mature islets; in contrast, retinoic acid produced higher levels of insulin mRNA in the fetal islets. These data show that retinoic acid increases pancreatic glucokinase in cultured islets and that the mechanism may involve a stimulatory effect on the glucokinase promoter.

Biotin regulation of pancreatic glucokinase and insulin in primary cultured rat islets and in biotin-deficient rats.

Biotin has been reported to affect glucose homeostasis; however, its role on pancreatic islets of Langerhans has not been assessed. In this report, we demonstrate that physiologic concentrations of biotin stimulate glucokinase activity in rat islets in culture. Using the branched DNA (bDNA) assay, a sensitive signal amplification technique, we detected relative increases in glucokinase mRNA levels of 41.5 +/- 13% and 81.3 +/- 19% at 12 and 24 h respectively in islets treated with [10(-6) M] biotin. Because glucokinase activity controls insulin secretion, we also investigated the effect of biotin on insulin release. Treatment with [10(-6) M] biotin for 24 h increased insulin secretion. We extended our studies by analyzing the effect of biotin deficiency on pancreatic islet glucokinase expression and activity, as well as insulin secretion. Our results show that islet glucokinase activity and mRNA are reduced by 50% in the biotin deficient rat. Insulin secretion in response to glucose was also impaired in islets isolated from the deficient rat. These data show that biotin affects pancreatic islet glucokinase activity and expression and insulin secretion in cultured islets.

Enhanced treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in rats with interferon-gamma and reduced doses of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was used to treat rats with steroid-induced Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Treatment with 427,000 U/day prophylactically prevented infection in this model. Treatment with 200,000 U, three times/week for 2 weeks caused a significant reduction in the number of cysts in the lungs and prolonged survival of the rats. In addition, IFN-gamma and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole behaved synergistically in the treatment of PCP in rats. Reduced dosages of each drug, when given together, caused an almost complete eradication of the infection. This may be a useful approach in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome in whom anti-Pneumocystis drugs are often toxic.

Effect of retinoic acid on glucokinase activity and gene expression in neonatal and adult cultured hepatocytes.

It has been shown that all-trans retinoic acid induces prematurely hepatic glucokinase mRNA in ten days-old neonatal rat hepatocytes, however, this effect could be related to the capacity of the retinoid to promote a more differentiated state of the hepatocyte. In this report we demonstrate that physiological concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid stimulate glucokinase activity in both mature fully differentiated hepatocytes and at the onset of the induction of the enzyme in 15 to 17 days-old neonatal hepatocytes. The effects produced by the retinoid were similar both in magnitude and in time, to those elicited by insulin, a well-known stimulator of hepatic glucokinase expression. No additive effect was observed when insulin and retinoic acid were tested together. Using the branched DNA assay, a sensitive signal amplification technique, we detected relative increases in glucokinase mRNA levels of about 70% at 3 and 24 h after the treatment with 10(-6) M all-trans retinoic acid, in both neonatal and adult hepatocytes. These data show that retinoic acid exerts a stimulatory effect on hepatic glucokinase independent of the hepatocyte stage of maturity and suggest a physiological role of retinoic acid on glucose metabolism. The action of retinoic acid on hepatic glucokinase might explain previous observations on the relationship between vitamin A status and liver glycogen synthesis. These findings may serve as basis for further investigations on the biological functions of retinoic acid derivatives on hepatic glucose metabolism.

[Obliterating bronchiolitis with organized pneumonia. Experience in a general hospital]. / Bronquiolitis obliterante con neumonía organizada. Experiencia en un hospital general.

Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a histopathologic entity that has been described in association with numerous clinical conditions. In the 1980s an idiopathic form was described as a definite clinicopathologic entity differentiated from other infiltrative pulmonary processes. We present 7 patients diagnosed of BOOP over the past 6 years and discuss their clinical and radiologic signs as well as their response to steroid treatment. Our patients' evolution was subacute, cough and fever being the main symptoms. Lung function tests revealed a pattern that was predominantly restrictive. Radiology showed 1 or several alveolar infiltrates in all patients; these were migratory in 3. Bilateral pleural effusion with marked eosinophilia in pleural fluid was observed in 1 patient. In another cavitated nodules were present in chest-X-ray, with no evidence of vasculitis in tissue examination. All patients were treated with steroids (mean 10 months) and a low maintenance dose was required in only 1. The remaining patients experienced full recovery.

[Esophageal ulcers induced by doxycycline. Evaluation of 4 cases]. / Ulceras esofágicas inducidas por hiclato de doxiciclina. Evaluación de 4 casos.

In this study we present four cases, three of them with endoscopic demonstration and the other one with clinical diagnose of esophageal ulcer induced by Doxicicline. None of the patients had previous reports of esophageal pathology. The symptoms of retroesternal pain and dysphagia appeared after the taking of capsules without any liquid. In three patients we effectuated Esophagoscopy; it showed the presence of esophagitis and ulceration and the biopsy taken from case ner. 2 showed necrotic epithelium with inflammatory exudate with predominance of linphositoes and eosinophilos. In all the cases the symptoms disappeared after a short period of time when the medication was suspended and they were treated with bland diet and hour alcalines. We conclude that this kind of medication, as if it is possible, haven't to be administered to patients with esophageal pathologies. On the other hand it must be recommended to administer this medication with an important quantity of liquid and a considerable period before bedtime; besides we suggest not to ingest the medication in decubitus position.

Subtyping of Listeria monocytogenes isolates recovered from retail ready-to-eat foods, processing plants and listeriosis patients in Sweden 2010.

Identification and prioritisation of food safety interventions requires an understanding of the relationship between food, pathogens and cases. Such understanding can be gained through different approaches, e.g. microbial subtyping to attribute cases of foodborne disease to food vehicles or other sources of illness. In this study, Listeria monocytogenes isolates (n=166) from (i) three categories of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, (ii) food processing plant environments, and (iii) human listeriosis cases, all sampled during 2010 in Sweden, were subtyped. In addition, 121 isolates from human listeriosis cases, collected 2005-2009, were subtyped. Subtyping consisted of both serotyping (conventional method and PCR) and genotyping using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Serotype 1/2a dominated in all three groups of isolates (range 73-96%). Eighteen percent of the human isolates (2010) belonged to serotype 4b, but only 1.4% of the food isolates. The food isolates differentiated into 19 pulsotypes (ID=0.843), the human isolates collected 2010 into 31 pulsotypes (ID=0.950) and the processing plant isolates into 22 pulsotypes (ID=0.991). Six of the pulsotypes were shared between the food and human isolates. These pulsotypes comprised 42% of the human isolates and 59% of the food isolates. For some processing plants, there was suggested persistence of one or more specific L. monocytogenes strains, as indicated by repetitive isolation of the same pulsotype from food. This study indicated the presence of L. monocytogenes in the processing plant environment as a likely source of contamination of gravad and cold-smoked fish, and this food category as an important source of human exposure to the pathogen.

More than one variant of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from each of two human cases of invasive listeriosis.

Two variants of Listeria monocytogenes were isolated from blood cultures from each of two patients with listeriosis. Each variant displayed a two-band difference in DNA profile from the other by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Although this difference in profile is insufficient to distinguish clearly between the variants, the possibility of co-infection with different strains of L. monocytogenes needs to be considered. We suggest that more than one colony should be selected for molecular typing to aid interpretation during investigation of the sources and routes of Listeria infection.

[Hemoglobin, serum iron and transferrin saturation among users of intrauterine devices and oral contraceptive agents]. / Hemoglobina, hierro sérico y saturación de transferrina en usuarias de dispositivos intrauterinos y anticonceptivos orales.

We studied 60 females using either intrauterine device or taking oral contraceptive pills. Hemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity and saturation of transferrin were determined before and 4 and 10 months after starting a responsible paternity program. Women with a basal hemoglobin level below 12 g/dl were excluded. Age, parity and hematologic parameters were similar for both groups. A significant decrease in hemoglobin level and saturation of transferrin was observed at 10 months in intrauterine device users (13.6 to 13.1 g/dl and 36.2 to 26.9%, respectively). Use of oral contraceptive pills was not associated to hemoglobin decrease but a significant rise in saturation of transferrin was observed (36.2 to 43.9%, p less than 0.05).