Biological Parameters of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) Fed on Rabbits, Sheep, and Cattle.

In order to determine the effect of various hosts on feeding performance of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, we used 3 mammalian species as hosts, cattle (Qinchuan), sheep (T an), and rabbits (Japanese white rabbit) for infest-ing ticks. Five hundreds of R. microplus larvae were exposed to each animal (3 animals/host species). Tick recoveries were 11.0%, 0.47%, and 5.5% from cattle, sheep, and rabbits, respectively. The averages of tick feeding periods were not significantly different on cattle, sheep, and rabbits, 28.8, 25.3, and 26.7 days, respectively. The average weights of individual engorged female from cattle, sheep, and rabbits were 312.5, 219.1, and 130.2 mg, respectively and those of egg mass weights each to 85.0, 96.6, and 17.8 mg. The highest egg hatching rate was in the ticks from cattle (96.0%), fol-lowed by those from rabbits (83.0%) and sheep (19.2%). These data suggest that rabbits could be as an alternative host to cultivate R. microplus for evaluating vaccines and chemical and biological medicines against the tick in the laboratory, although the biological parameters of ticks were less than those from cattle.

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Cantharidin on Development and Reproduction of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a major pest of cruciferous vegetables throughout the world. Cantharidin, a natural toxin isolated from beetles in the families Meloidae and Oedemeridae, has been reported to be toxic to some pests, including the diamondback moth. However, the effects of cantharidin, especially its sublethal effects on development and reproduction of diamondback moth, are less known. In this study, we investigated the sublethal effects of cantharidin at LC2 (0.41 mg liter(-1)), LC10 (1.33 mg liter(-1)), LC25 (3.38 mg liter(-1)), and LC50 (9.53 mg liter(-1)) on development and reproduction parameters of two consecutive diamondback moth generations. The results indicated that cantharidin reduced population growth by decreasing its pupation rate, pupal weight, and adult emergence, and by delaying its development. Furthermore, the duration of the female preoviposition period increased, while the oviposition and postoviposition periods, fecundity, and survival rates of the offspring decreased. The peaks of age-specific fecundity in LC10, LC25, and LC50 treatment groups lagged behind the control group. The mean values of the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) were significantly lower than those of the control, and the mean generation time (T) was prolonged. The present study demonstrates that cantharidin exhibits significant adverse effects on the population dynamics of diamondback moth, leading to fitness disadvantages.

Effects of accommodation on geometrical parameters of human lens: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of accommodation on the geometrical parameters of human lens. Methods: Eight databases from inception to November 2023 were used for the literature search: CNKI, CBM, VIP, Wan-Fang, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. The Methodological Index for Non-randomized Studies was used to assess the risk of bias. The PRISMA were followed and the following outcomes were taken into consideration: lens diameter (LD), lens thickness (LT), anterior curvature radius (ACR), posterior curvature radius (PCR), lens center position (LCP), and total cross-sectional area (TCSA). This systematic review was registered on an international platform for registered systematic reviews and meta-analysis (INPLASY202260085). Results: A total of 19 studies were included. LT increased by 0.04 mm/D (18 studies; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.06; I2 = 96.6%; P < 0.001). At the same time, LD, ACR, and PCR decreased by 0.06 mm/D (6 studies; 95%CI, -0.07-0.05; I2 = 50.1%; P < 0.001), 0.53 mm/D (8 studies; 95%CI, -0.64-0.41; I2 = 96.5%; P < 0.001), and 0.14 mm/D (9 studies; 95%CI, -0.19-0.09; I2 = 94.7%; P < 0.001) during accommodation, respectively. Moreover, LCP shifted forward by 0.01 mm/D (3 studies; 95%CI, -0.02-0.00; I2 = 0.0%; P < 0.001), and TCSA by 0.58 mm2/D (2 studies; 95%CI, 0.41-1.57; I2 = 97.0%; P = 0.457) during accommodation. Conclusions: Changes in LT, LD, ACR, PCR and LCP supported Helmholtz's theory. Different apparatuses or measurement methods influenced the measurement of lens geometrical parameters.

Crystalline lens decentration and tilt in eyes with different axial lengths and their associated factors.

Purpose: To analyze crystalline lens decentration and tilt in eyes with different axial lengths (ALs) using a swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS-AS-OCT). Methods: Patients with normal right eyes who visited our hospital between December 2020 and January 2021 were included in this cross-sectional study. Data on crystalline lens decentration and tilt, AL, aqueous depth (AD), central corneal thickness (CCT), lens thickness (LT), lens vault (LV), anterior chamber width (ACW), and angle κ were collected. Results: A total of 252 patients were included and divided into normal (n = 82), medium-long (n = 89), and long (n = 81) AL groups. The average age of these patients was 43.63 ± 17.02 years. The crystalline lens decentration (0.16 ± 0.08, 0.16 ± 0.09, and 0.20 ± 0.09 mm, P = 0.009) and tilt (4.58° ± 1.42°, 4.06° ± 1.32°, and 2.84° ± 1.19°, P < 0.001) were significantly different among the normal, medium, and long AL groups. Crystalline lens decentration was correlated with AL (r = 0.466, P = 0.004), AD (r = 0.358, P = 0.006), ACW (r = -0.004, P = 0.020), LT (r = -0.141, P = 0.013), and LV (r = -0.371, P = 0.003). Crystalline lens tilt was correlated with age (r = 0.312, P < 0.001), AL (r = -0.592, P < 0.001), AD (r = -0.436, P < 0.001), ACW (r = -0.018, P = 0.004), LT (r = 0.216, P = 0.001), and LV (r = 0.311, P = 0.003). Conclusion: Crystalline lens decentration was positively correlated with AL, and tilt was negatively correlated with AL.

Prediction model for elevated intraocular pressure risk after silicone oil filling based on clinical features.

Background: To evaluate risk factors and further develop prediction models for intraocular pressure elevation (IOP) after vitreoretinal surgery with silicone oil tamponade to support clinical management. Methods: A retrospective study analyzed 1,061 eyes of 1,061 consecutive patients that presented to the Jiangsu Province Hospital between December 2015 and December 2020, the IOP was measured from the preoperative visit and at the 1-week, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month visits, and the final postoperative visit before silicone oil removal. Four machine learning methods were used to carried out the prediction of IOP elevation: Decision Tree, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, and Gradient-Boosted Decision Trees (GBDT) based on features including demographic and clinical characteristics, preoperative factors and surgical factors. Predictors were selected based on the p-value of the univariate analysis. Results: Elevated intraocular pressure developed in 26.01% of the eyes postoperatively. Elevated intraocular pressure primarily occurred within 1-2 weeks after surgery. Additionally, the majority of IOP values were distributed around 25-40 mmHg. GBDT utilizing features with p-values less than 0.5 from the hypothesis testing demonstrated the best predictive performance for 0.7944 in accuracy. The analysis revealed that age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, myopia, retinal detachment, lens status and biological parameters have predictive value. Conclusion: Age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, myopia, retinal detachment, lens status and biological parameters have influence on postoperative intraocular pressure elevation for patients with silicone oil tamponade after pars plana vitrectomy. The prediction model showed promising accuracy for the occurrence of IOP elevation. This may have some reference significance for reducing the incidence of high intraocular pressure after pars plana vitrectomy combined with silicone oil filling.

Occurrence of Sexual Reproduction of Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Hemiptera: Phylloxeridae) in Southern Brazil and Biology and Fertility Life Table in Grapevine Cultivars.

The grapevine phylloxera Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch) is the pest insect of greatest importance in grapevine. The objective of study was to evaluate the occurrence of overwintering eggs in seedlings of 'Paulsen 1103' (Vitis berlandieri × Vitis rupestris) and evaluate the biology and fertility life table of D. vitifoliae on five grape cultivars: 'Bordô' (Vitis labrusca), 'Cabernet Sauvignon' (Vitis vinifera), 'BRS Lorena' (Vitis vinifera × Seyval [Seibell 5656-Rayon d'Or]), 'Magnolia' (Vitis rotundifolia), and 'Paulsen 1103'. In the field, overwintering eggs were found to be present in 78% of 'Paulsen 1103' seedlings, on the trunk of the seedlings. In the laboratory, phylloxera was found to complete the biological cycle (egg to adult) in roots of 'BRS Lorena', 'Bordô', and 'Cabernet Sauvignon'. Nymphs did not complete development on roots of 'Paulsen 1103' and 'Magnolia', with 100% first instar mortality. Adult females feeding on 'Bordô' roots showed the lowest total fecundity (20.9 eggs per female), differing from insects feeding on 'Cabernet Sauvignon' roots (207.8 eggs per female). Based on the fertility life table, roots of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' provided the best reproduction rate (Ro = 219), intrinsic rate of increase (rm = 0.197 d) and time between generations (T = 21.5 d). The presence of overwintering eggs on the trunk of the rootstock 'Paulsen 1103' may promote the survival and dispersal of the insect. Lignified roots of the rootstock 'Paulsen 1103' and the cultivar 'Magnolia' do not allow the development of D. vitifoliae, with 'Cabernet Sauvignon' being the most suitable for the development of the insect.

Variability of Prognostic Results Based on Biological Parameters in Sickle Cell Disease Cohort Studies in Children: What Should Clinicians Know?

BACKGROUND: Many pediatric studies describe the association between biological parameters (BP) and severity of sickle cell disease (SCD) using different methods to collect or to analyze BP. This article assesses the methods used for collection and subsequent statistical analysis of BP, and how these impact prognostic results in SCD children cohort studies. METHODS: Firstly, we identified the collection and statistical methods used in published SCD cohort studies. Secondly, these methods were applied to our cohort of 375 SCD children, to evaluate the association of BP with cerebral vasculopathy (CV). RESULTS: In 16 cohort studies, BP were collected either once or several times during follow-up. The identified methods in the statistical analysis were: (1) one baseline value per patient (2) last known value; (3) mean of all values; (4) modelling of all values in a two-stage approach. Applying these four different statistical methods to our cohort, the results and interpretation of the association between BP and CV were different depending on the method used. CONCLUSION: The BP prognostic value depends on the chosen statistical analysis method. Appropriate statistical analyses of prognostic factors in cohort studies should be considered and should enable valuable and reproducible conclusions.

Low value of platelet count to mean platelet volume ratio to diagnose chronic PJI: A case control study.

INTRODUCTION: Numerous tests are being evaluated in order to aid the diagnosis of periprosthetic infections since it is a complicated and sometimes inconclusive process. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of platelet count to mean platelet volume ratio as a tool to aid the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections. The investigated questions were: "Is platelet count/mean platelet volume ratio more sensitive or specific than C-reactive protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections?" and "Does platelet count/mean platelet volume ratio increase the accuracy of periprosthetic joint infection diagnosis?". HYPOTHESIS: Platelet count/mean platelet volume ratio increases the accuracy of periprosthetic joint infection diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed retrospectively on patients who underwent revision hip or knee arthroplasty between 2016 and 2019. 62 patients with 33 aseptic (AR) and 29 septic revision (SR) who met our inclusion criteria were included. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic performance of CRP, ESR and platelet count/mean platelet volume values were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics were similar between groups. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the most commonly encountered microorganisms, while seven patients had negative cultures in SR group. ESR, CRP and platelet count/mean platelet volume values were significantly higher in SR group compared to AR group (p<0.01). ROC analysis for platelet count/mean platelet volume ratio revealed a cut-off value at 35.3 which provided 75.9% sensitivity and 78.8% specificity for periprosthetic joint infections. Platelet count/mean platelet volume ratio yielded lower sensitivity and similar specificity compared to ESR and CRP values. Platelet count/mean platelet volume had a lower area under curve value, indicating a poorer diagnostic performance compared to ESR and CRP. DISCUSSION: The diagnostic performance of platelet count/mean platelet volume ratio is low and current findings do not support its usage to increase the accuracy of periprosthetic joint infections diagnosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; diagnostic case-control study.

Parasitism, host feeding, and transgenerational effects of three insecticides on the eulophid parasitoid Tamarixia triozae when exposed in the immature stages.

The ectoparasitoid Tamarixia triozae is a promising biological control agent of the tomato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, based on its high parasitism rates on different crops. The parasitism, host feeding, and transgenerational effects (in terms of sex ratio) of T. triozae females exposed to three insecticides (soybean oil, imidacloprid, and abamectin) as eggs, larvae, and pupae were evaluated when a mixture of second, third, fourth, and fifth instars of the host B. cockerelli was offered. The concentrations bioassayed of each insecticide corresponded to the minimum field-registered concentration [MiFRC] and one-half the MiFRC. No parasitism of B. cockerelli second instars was recorded when parasitoid's females were exposed in any of the three immature stages to any of the insecticides. In contrast, in some cases, parasitism of T. triozae females treated as eggs, larvae, or pupae with soybean oil and imidacloprid was reduced in third, fourth, or fifth instar. In most cases, the host feeding was reduced in second and third instar of the host B. cockerelli when T. triozae females were treated as eggs, larvae, or pupae. Any insecticide modified the sex ratio in the F2 generation. In conclusion, both parasitism and host feeding were affected by the insecticides depending on the concentration and on the nymphal instar of the host B. cockerelli offered.

Biological Features of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Feeding on Schizotetranychus oryzae (Acari: Tetranychidae) Kept on Rice Leaves.

Schizotetranychus oryzae Rossi de Simons attains pest level in rice crops. This study aimed to evaluate the biological features of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) feeding on S. oryzae on leaves of flooded rice. We also evaluated N. californicus behavior in response to S. oryzae and conspecific cues. Thirty-two eggs were individually placed in arenas on rice leaves and fed on S. oryzae for the biological test. Three cultivars were used to test the behavior of N. californicus in response to S. oryzae and conspecific cues. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of the predator feeding on S. oryzae was 0.21 female/female/day. Schizotetranychus oryzae was considered a suitable prey for N. californicus under laboratory conditions. The results obtained in behavioral tests showed that N. californicus preferred laying eggs on leaves uninfested by S. oryzae and it did not show oviposition preference in arenas with conspecific predator cues. This predator was found in all rice cultivation areas in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Neoseiulus californicus proved to be a control agent for S. oryzae.