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The present study assessed the growth and fish performance of juvenile red sea bream fed four isonitrogenous (46–48%) and isolipidic (15%) diets containing 45% fishmeal (control) and 15%, 30%, and 45% defatted black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens meal for 67 days. Subsequent analyses showed that there were no significant differences in the growth parameters, nutrient digestibility, and body composition of fish among all treatments. Although no significant difference was observed in fish growth, low growth was observed when the fish meal was totally replaced with the BSF meal. Higher alpha diversity of intestinal microbiota was observed in fish fed the BSF meal-based diet compared to that of the control. In the treatment groups fed the BSF meal, elevations in the presence of microbial genera that produce digestive enzymes, such as chitinase (Nocardia, Vibrio, Paenibacillus, Photobacterium), lipase (Paenibacillus, Photobacterium), and trypsin-like serine protease (Bacillus, Paenibacillus) and vitamin B group [biotin (Vibrio, Paenibacillus, Bacillus), cobalamin (Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Propionibacterium), and pyridoxin (Photobacterium)], were observed. We also found an increasing trend of bacteria producing antioxidative enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase (Nocardia, Pseudomonas, Photobacterium) in the BSF groups. These results suggested that the BSF meal could replace 67% of fishmeal without causing a negative impact on growth and lead to beneficial effects on the intestinal microbiota of the red sea bream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of advanced pest control methods that do not rely on insecticides is an important issue for sustainable agriculture. Particularly with regards to micro pests that are not only highly resistant to various insecticides but also because we are running out of options for which insecticide to use against them, resulting in enormous economic damage worldwide. Here we report that the effectiveness of the conventional insect net can be greatly advanced by changing their color to red that helps significantly reduce pesticide use. We demonstrate the red effect using Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci a main vector of Iris Yellow Spot Virus (IYSV) and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) that cause serious damage to various vegetables. New red nets succeeded in suppressing the invasion rates and damages (white spots on the leaves) in a Welsh onion greenhouse with minimum use of pesticides. We discuss how red nets are compatible with labor-saving, sustainable agriculture and the future potential of "optical pest control" based on insect color vision and its behavioral response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens) is used in sustainable processing of many types of organic waste. However, organic waste being decomposed by BSF produces strong odors, hindering more widespread application. The odor components and how they are produced have yet to be characterized. We found that digestion of food waste by BSF significantly alters the microbial flora, based on metagenomic analyses, and the odor components generated, as shown by thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. Inoculation with BSF significantly decreased production of volatile organic sulfur compounds (dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide), which are known to be released during methionine and cysteine metabolism by Lactobacillus and Enterococcus bacteria. BSF inoculation significantly changed the abundance of Lactobacillus and Enterococcus and decreased microbial diversity overall. These findings may help in optimizing use of BSF for deodorization of composting food waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the utility of a newly developed squash cytology (SC)‐based scoring system for accurate intraoperative diagnosis of schwannoma. Methods: We first compared SC‐based and frozen section (FS) diagnoses with final pathological diagnoses of schwannoma (16 cases), meningioma (39 cases) and low‐grade astrocytoma (16 cases). Then, by logistic regression modeling, we identified features of SC preparations that were independently predictive of schwannoma. To develop a diagnostic scoring system, we assigned one point to each feature, and performed receiver operating characteristic analysis to determine the score cut‐off value that was most discriminatory for differentiating schwannoma from the other tumour types. We then compared accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of diagnosis before and after the application of the scoring system. Results: Overall diagnostic concordance rates for SC and FS were almost the same, at 73.2% (52/71) and 77.5% (55/71 cases), respectively. Of the 16 SC features entered into the analysis, the following nine were found to independently predict schwannoma, and were thus incorporated into the scoring system: smooth cluster margins, few or no isolated tumour cells, fibrillary stroma, spindle‐shaped nuclei, parallel arrangement of stroma, parallel arrangement of nuclei, presence of anisonucleosis, absence of nucleoli, and hemosiderin deposition. A cut‐off score of four items yielded the best sensitivity, specificity and predictive values for prediction of schwannoma. Use of the scoring system improved accuracy of intraoperative diagnosis from 80.3% to 94.4%, sensitivity from 56.2% to 93.8%, and specificity from 87.3% to 94.5%. Conclusion: Our proposed SC‐based scoring system will increase accuracy of intraoperative diagnosis of schwannoma vs non‐schwannoma tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We assessed whether intraoperative squash cytology could provide surgeons with a qualitative diagnosis of brain lesions when frozen section diagnosis is equivocal. Methods: The study included 51 lesions that were diagnosed intraoperatively as equivocal brain tumour on the basis of frozen section. We retrospectively classified the lesions into five groups according to the final histopathological diagnoses (I: malignant lymphomas; II: diffuse astrocytic and oligodendroglia tumours; III: pituitary adenomas, IV: metastatic carcinomas; V: others). We assessed the squash cytology features of Groups I–IV and of the specific lesion types, and compared features among the groups. Results: The four groups differed in a range of salient cytomorphological features: lymphoglandular bodies in Group I (eight of nine cases), cytoplasmic fibrillary processes in Group II (six of eight cases), low‐grade nuclear atypia in Group III (seven of seven cases), and large nuclei (approximately 80 μm2) and nuclear crush artefacts in Group IV (seven of nine cases). Conclusion: Findings of lymphoglandular bodies on intraoperative squash cytology can be considered characteristic of malignant lymphomas, while cytoplasmic fibrillary processes indicate diffuse astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumours. We conclude that squash cytology could yield a qualitative intraoperative diagnosis in over 25% of cases for which frozen section yields a diagnosis of equivocal brain tumour. This study retrospectively assessed the value of intraoperative cytology of squash preparations in cases for which frozen section yielded an intraoperative diagnosis of "equivocal brain tumor". Based on the squash preparations, the authors were able to provide a qualitative intraoperative diagnosis in 27% of equivocal cases and in the majority of these finally diagnosed as malignant lymphoma or glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The minute pirate bug Orius sauteri (Poppius) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is a major natural enemy of micro-pests and is expected to be an effective pest-control agent in Asia. Recently, the violet wavelength has been found to attract several natural enemies, and we proved that violet illumination can increase the O. sauteri population and decrease the pest populations on crops. To optimize this attraction strategy for natural enemies, knowledge of their daily activity rhythm is indispensable. In this study, we examined the daily distribution of O. sauteri activity and determined the lighting time appropriate for selective attraction. Under artificial light–dark cycles, O. sauteri displayed a typical diurnal rhythm that peaked from 9 to 12 h after light-on and declined after light-off, regardless of the photoperiod. A similar activity rhythm was confirmed under natural light. Importantly, the activity remained for around 2 h after sunset, even in complete darkness. Considering the diurnality of micro-pests, we conclude that the most efficient lighting time for the selective attraction of this natural enemy to crops is during the 2 h after sunset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flower bug Orius sauteri is a generalist predator that occurs throughout Japan, and is a promising indigenous natural enemy for micro-pests such as thrips, aphids, and spider mites. We aimed to manipulate the attraction, dispersal, and settlement behavior of Orius bugs using natural chemical substances emitted by the bugs themselves. To identify potential candidates, we screened components in the whole-body extract of O. sauteri based on antennal response and then determined their chemical structure. A gas chromatograph electroantennographic detector (GC/EAD) indicated that the antennae of males responded to two components in the extract of females. GC/mass spectrometry (MS) showed that these two components were octenal and octadienal. Derivatization or GC-FT-IR analysis identified these components as (E)-2-octenal and (E)-2,7-octadienal. To assess the effect of these components on O. sauteri behavior, we conducted two assays. A field bioassay demonstrated that a blend of the two components functioned as a sex pheromone, and a dispersal assay showed that (E)-2-octenal generated a dose-dependent dispersal response. Our study will provide baseline information for enhancing the retention of O. sauteri on important commercial crops to prey on pest species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minute pirate bugs of genus Orius (Wolff) are known important generalist predators of microinvertebrate pests and are therefore useful in many agricultural contexts. Effective sampling methods are thus of great importance to monitor Orius spp. populations. Sticky traps are one such sampling method; however, trap color must be carefully selected for the target insect species. In this study, we examined the most suitable sticky trap color (i.e. white, blue, or yellow) to capture Orius spp. individuals in eggplant Solanum melongena (Linnaeus) (Solanales: Solanaceae), Italian ryegrass Lolium multiflorum (Lamarck) (Poales: Poaceae), soybean Glycine max (Linnaeus) (Fabales: Fabaceae), and white clover Trifolium repens (Linnaeus) (Fabales: Fabaceae) fields. More Orius spp. adults were caught on blue and white traps than on yellow traps. The white traps also caught other insects, which hampered the counting of Orius spp. individuals and, therefore, reduced trapping efficiency. In addition, seasonal prevalence investigations showed that blue sticky traps had similar patterns to those of field observations. Thus, as the blue sticky trap can avoid capturing nontarget insects, we concluded that blue was the most suitable trap color for monitoring Orius spp. In addition, because blue sticky traps are more efficient and less-labor intensive, they can be useful as an alternative to field observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nesidiocoris tenuis (Heteroptera: Miridae) is a zoophytophagous mirid bug that is used as a biological control agent for agricultural pests including whiteflies. N. tenuis is mass-reared commercially and can be easily bred on banker plants. However, there are still difficulties in establishing populations on crops. Light illumination is a promising candidate for recruiting N. tenuis to crop plants. In this study, we investigated whether N. tenuis has a particular spectral preference using a six-arm arena equipped with six monochromatic LED lights: UV (365 nm), violet (405 nm), blue (450 nm), green (525 nm), orange (590 nm), and red (660 nm). Adult bugs were introduced into the arena, and phototactic behavior was observed. A greater number of male bugs chose violet light, whereas female bugs chose violet and UV light equally. We next examined the effects of violet illumination in a tomato greenhouse. In conventional plots, bugs remained near banker plants, whereas in illuminated plots, bugs immediately dispersed from the plants and became uniformly distributed in the greenhouse. Based on these results, we conclude that violet is a promising wavelength for the recruitment and establishment of N. tenuis on crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phototaxis has been described in many insects, which are often attracted to specific wavelengths of light. However, little is known about phototaxis in parasitoid insect species that are potentially useful for integrated pest management. In this study, we investigated the wavelength dependency of the phototactic behavior of the parasitoid fly Exorista japonica and its possible mechanism. Multiple-choice tests with six monochromatic stimuli revealed that the flies were specifically attracted to violet light peaking at 405 nm, which was unexpected because insects are generally attracted to ultraviolet or green light. We measured the spectral sensitivity of the compound eye, and found that the sensitivity peaked at 340 nm, as in other brachyceran flies. We used statistical modeling and optimization of the process parameters to predict the type of photoreceptor contributing to the violet preference. The analysis revealed that the wavelength preference could be explained by linear models of the quanta received by photoreceptors, including the R1-6 broadband receptors. The broadband receptors appear to contribute positively, whereas the R7-8 narrowband receptors contribute negatively to achieve the violet preference; i.e., spectral opponency might be involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large-scale rearing of the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (L.), to obtain fertilized eggs is not conducive to the collection of information on oviposition by and survival of adult flies. To obtain this information, we raised 100 adults each within small cages (27 × 27 × 27 cm) in the laboratory with either supplementary light-emitting diode (LED) lighting or 2 h of sunlight per day. We obtained fertilized eggs in both light treatments. Although sunlight enhanced the proportion of fertilized eggs, the patterns of oviposition were similar in both treatments, and there were no significant differences in the total numbers of egg clutches and oviposition periods. To examine effects on adult longevity, we fed newly emerged adults sugar and water, water only, or nothing. Sugar increased longevity to 3 times in males and 2 times in females compared to water alone. This small-scale rearing method would help to maintain cultures of the black soldier fly throughout the year in the laboratory at low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Identification of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is essential for successful endoscopic endonasal cavernous sinus tumor surgery. This study aimed to develop a method for identifying the ICA in cavernous sinus tumors at the superior part of the cavernous sinus. Methods: Ten fresh cadavers were studied with a 4-mm 0° and 30° endoscope to identify surgical landmarks of the ICA in the cavernous sinus. Clinical cases of cavernous sinus tumors were surgically treated using an endoscopic transpterygoid approach. Results: Anatomical study indicated the ICA at the superior part of the cavernous sinus can be identified using three steps: 1) exposure of the optic nerve sheath by drilling the optic canal; 2) identification of the proximal orifice of the optic nerve sheath at the transition of the optic nerve sheath and dura mater of the tuberculum sellae; and 3) identification of the clinoid segment of the ICA at the distal dural ring just below the proximal orifice of the optic nerve sheath. Although the ICA was encased and transposed by tumors in preliminary surgical cases, the clinoid segment of the ICA was safely exposed at the superior part of the cavernous sinus using this method. Conclusions: Dural structures around the cavernous sinus are key to identifying the ICA at the superior part of the cavernous sinus. This method is expected to reduce the risk of ICA injury during endoscopic endonasal surgery for cavernous sinus tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects are able to see ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Nocturnal insects are often attracted to light sources that emit large amounts of UV radiation, and devices that exploit this behavior, such as light traps for forecasting pest outbreaks, and electric insect killers, have been developed. Some diurnal species are attracted to yellow; yellow pan traps are used for conducting surveys for pest outbreaks and yellow sticky plates are used for pest control. Lamps that give off yellow illumination have been used effectively to control the activity of nocturnal moths and thus reduce damage to fruit, vegetables, and flowers. Covering cultivation facilities with film that filters out near-UV radiation reduces the invasion of pests such as whiteflies and thrips into the facilities, thus reducing damage. Reflective material placed on cultivated land can control the approach of flying insects such as aphids. Future development and use of new light sources such as light-emitting diodes is anticipated for promoting integrated pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaucher disease (GD) is the most common of the lysosomal storage disorders and is caused by defects in the GBA gene encoding glucocerebrosidase (GlcCerase). The accumulation of its substrate, glucocylceramide (GlcCer) is considered the main cause of GD. We found here that the expression of human mutated GlcCerase gene (hGBA) that is associated with neuronopathy in GD patients causes neurodevelopmental defects in Drosophila eyes. The data indicate that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was elevated in Drosophila eye carrying mutated hGBAs by using of the ER stress markers dXBP1 and dBiP. We also found that Ambroxol, a potential pharmacological chaperone for mutated hGBAs, can alleviate the neuronopathic phenotype through reducing ER stress. We demonstrate a novel mechanism of neurodevelopmental defects mediated by ER stress through expression of mutants of human GBA gene in the eye of Drosophila. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C/EBPα plays important roles in metabolism as well as in the maintenance of energy homeostasis. Here we describe loss of the circadian oscillation of C/ebpα expression in liver of Clock mutant mice. Reporter assays indicate Clock and Bmal significantly induced C/ebpα gene expression whereas Cry suppressed. Real time reporter assays showed that two mutated E-boxes disrupted C/ebpα promoter dependent-oscillation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation suggests Clock can bind to two E-boxes in the C/ebpα promoter with a circadian manner in vivo. Thus, C/ebpα gene transcription is under circadian control of a core clock component, Clock. The data suggests that circadian disturbances may affect metabolic abnormalities through the C/ebpα pathway in liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early infarction that occurs at the time of initial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to rupture of an aneurysm is a poorly understood phenomenon. We investigate the frequency of early infarction using diffusion-weighted images (DWI) at the time of admission. We then discuss the pathogenesis of infarction. This study included 85 SAH patients who underwent serial DWI on admission. Early infarction detected by DWI and clinical features were investigated retrospectively. The overall incidence of DWI-detected early infarction at the time of SAH onset was 8% (7 of 85 cases). In all seven patients, early infarctions were asymptomatic on admission. Types of early infarction seen on DWI included infarcts occurring in the territory of the vessel harboring a ruptured aneurysm (solitary, three cases) and infarcts occurring outside the territory of the vessel (multiple, two cases; solitary, two cases). Six of seven patients eventually developed delayed ischemic neurological deficit (DIND) and computed tomography (CT)-detected and DWI-detected delayed extensive infarction. Four of seven patients with early infarction had an unfavorable outcome. The occurrence of DWI-detected early infarction on admission was significantly correlated with delayed angiographic vasospasm, DIND, CT-detected delayed infarction, DWI-detected delayed infarction, and unfavorable outcome. In the present study, DWI-detected early infarction at the time of SAH onset was correlated with the occurrence of delayed extensive ischemic lesions. We believe that performing DWI at the time of admission is useful for evaluating the primary ischemic insult, which might play an important role in the pathogenesis of early brain injury and delayed vasospasm-related complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress-activated protein kinases such as p38 regulate the activity of transcription factor ATF-2. However, the physiological role of ATF-2, especially in the brain, is unknown. Here, we found that Drosophila melanogaster ATF-2 (dATF-2) is expressed in large ventral lateral neurons (l-LNvs) and also, to a much lesser extent, in small ventral lateral neurons, the pacemaker neurons. Only l-LNvs were stained with the antibody that specifically recognizes phosphorylated dATF-2, suggesting that dATF-2 is activated specifically in l-LNvs. The knockdown of dATF-2 in pacemaker neurons using RNA interference decreased sleep time, whereas the ectopic expression of dATF-2 increased sleep time. dATF-2 knockdown decreased the length of sleep bouts but not the number of bouts. The ATF-2 level also affected the sleep rebound after sleep deprivation and the arousal threshold. dATF-2 negatively regulated locomotor activity, although it did not affect the circadian locomotor rhythm. The degree of dATF-2 phosphorylation was greater in the morning than at night and was enhanced by forced locomotion via the dp38 pathway. Thus, dATF-2 is activated by the locomotor while it increases sleep, suggesting a role for dATF-2 as a regulator to connect sleep with locomotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract double-time (dbt) is a casein kinase gene involved in cell survival, proliferation, and circadian rhythms in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Genetic and biochemical studies have shown that dbt and its mammalian ortholog casein kinase Iε (hckIε) regulate the circadian phosphorylation of period (per), thus controlling per subcellular localization and stability. Mutations in these kinases can shorten the circadian period in both mammals and Drosophila. Since similar activities in circadian clock have been described for these kinases, we investigated whether the expression of mammalian casein kinase I can replace the activity of dbt in flies. Global expression of the full-length dbt rescued lethality of the null mutant dbtrevVIII and rescued flies showed normal locomotor activity rhythms. Global expression of dbt also restored the locomotor activity rhythm of the arrhythmic genotype, dbtar/dbtrevVIII. In contrast, global expression of hckIε or hckIα did not rescue lethality or locomotor activity of dbt mutants. Furthermore dbt overexpression in wild-type clock cells had only a small effect on period length, whereas hckIε expression in clock cells greatly lengthened period to ~30.5 hours and increased the number of arrhythmic flies. These results indicate that hckIε cannot replace the activity of dbt in flies despite the high degree of similarity in primary sequence and kinase function. Moreover, expression of hckIε in flies appears to interfere with dbt activity. Thus, caution should be used in interpreting assays that measure activity of mammalian casein kinase mutants in Drosophila, or that employ vertebrate CKI in studies of dPER phosphorylations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germ cell development in the silkworm Bombyx mori is interesting in that the species has no recognizable germ plasm, and its germ cells appear first on the ventral side of the embryo, not on the posterior pole as in Drosophila melanogaster. We previously reported the isolation of a vasa homologue ( BmVLG) from B. mori and revealed the specific expression of transcript in the germ cells. In this paper, we describe the embryonic expression pattern of BmVLG protein. Consistent with the lack of recognizable germ plasm, the protein is not localized in freshly laid eggs, and its specific expression is first detectable several hours after energids penetrate the periplasm. This is in contrast to D. melanogaster, where germ cell lineage can be traced with anti-vasa antibody just after the formation of pole cells as they sequester vasa-positive germ (pole) plasm during cellularization. It is also revealed that, within the first few hours of their appearance when extensive cell movement does not seem to occur, stained cells are sometimes widely dispersed along the midline, which eventually may lead to the formation of ectopic germ cells. The implications of these results for germ cell development are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is reported that the circadian rhythms of female mating activity differ among Drosophila species and are controlled by an endogenous circadian clock. Here, we found that the mating rhythm of D. ananassae differed from that of D. melanogaster. Moreover, to evaluate the effect of clock gene products on mating activities, we examined the mating activity of D. melanogaster timeless (tim01) transgenic fly harboring heat-shock promotor driven-D. ananassae timeless (tim) gene (hs-AT tim01). Methods: Flies were maintained under light/dark (LD) cycles for several days and then they were transferred to constant dark (DD) conditions at 25°C. Transformant flies were heat-shocked for 30 min (PZT 10.5-11.0 or PZT 22.5-23.0; PZT means Projected Zeitgeber Time) at 37°C every day. Daily expressions of D. ananassae TIMELESS (TIM) protein in transgenic flies were measured by western blotting. To examine whether the timing of D. ananassae TIM protein induction by heat shock can change the patterns of the behavior activities of D. melanogaster tim01 flies, we measured locomotor and mating activity rhythms under DD at 25°C ± 0.5°C except when heat shock was applied. Results: Heat shock applied at PZT 10.5-11.0 and at PZT 22.5-23.0 induced high TIM levels during subjective night and day, respectively, in hs-AT tim01 flies. The locomotor rhythm of these flies was changed from diurnal to nocturnal by the timing of D. ananassae TIM induction. However, the mating rhythm of these flies could not be entrained by the timing of D. ananassae TIM induction. Conclusion: The pattern of mating activity rhythms of D. ananassae and of D. melanogaster differed. The mating activity rhythms of D. melanogaster tim01 flies harboring hs-AT tim appeared after heat-shock but the pattern and phase differed from those of wild-type D. ananassae and D. melanogaster. Moreover, the mating rhythm of these flies could not be entrained by the timing of D. ananassae TIM induction although the locomotor rhythm of hs-AT tim01 was changed from diurnal to nocturnal according to the timing of D. ananassae TIM induction. These data suggest that species-specific mating activities require output pathways different from those responsible for locomotor rhythms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifies volicitin-related compounds and the composition of the compounds in the oral secretion from four different species of caterpillars fed on natural diets. Lack of significant differences in the amounts of N-acylamino acid conjugates in the secretions from the three noctuid species; Proportion of the volicitin-related compounds in the regurgitant.

Aphidius gifuensis is an indigenous parasitoid that is promising as a biological control agent against pest aphids in greenhouse crops. However, little is known about its daily activity rhythm. Here, we analyzed the locomotor activity using an infrared monitoring system and revealed its daily distribution pattern under short-day (12L12D) and long-day (16L8D) conditions. Female and male adults began to move after lights-on and settled down within an hour after lights-off in both photoperiods. In contrast, their activity was maintained at quite a low level at night. The fact that A. gifuensis has a strong diurnal activity rhythm should be considered when collecting this parasitoid in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroendoscopic surgery was used to treat patients with various forms of hydrocephalus with specific pathophysiology, including long-standing overt ventriculomegaly in adulthood (LOVA), isolated unilateral hydrocephalus (IUH), isolated IV ventricle (IFV), disproportionately large IV ventricle (DLFV), isolated rhombencephalic ventricle (IRV), isolated quarto-ventriculomegaly (IQV), dorsal sac in holoprosencephaly (DS), and loculated ventricle (LV). A total of 26 operative procedures were performed, with neuroendoscopic surgery in 22 patients, 12 with unique forms of noncommunicating hydrocephalus and 10 with various types of postshunt isolated compartment. These procedures included III ventriculostomy, aqueductal plasty by both rostral and caudal approaches, foraminal plasty in the foramen of Monro/foramen of Magendie, septostomy, IV ventriculostomy, fenestration of septation in the loculated ventricle, fenestration of arachnoid cyst or cystic tumor obstructing a ventricle with or without tumor removal, and dorsal sac ventriculostomy. The characteristics of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in the individual specific pathophysiologies were delineated by cardiac-gated cine-mode magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after the endoscopic procedure. The consequent success rate (success = restoration of communication of the CSF pathway in the individual patients) was 19/22 (86.4%). The progression of ventricular dilatation was stopped in 17 of 19 patients (89.5%) in whom the endoscopic procedure was successful (radiologically arrested hydrocephalus). Improvement in the clinical symptoms and signs (clinically arrested hydrocephalus) was obtained in 15 of the patients (68.2% of all patients: 5 with LOVA, 3 with IQV, 5 with IUH and 2 with LV). Seven patients (2 LOVA, 2 IFV, 1 DS, 1 DFLV and 1 IRV) underwent a shunt procedure after the neuroendoscopic procedure(s). The postoperative changes of ventriculomegaly were complicated, reflecting the differences in the brain parenchymal compliance and postoperatively corrected CSF flow dynamics in the major CSF pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A retrospective analysis of the infantile acute subdural hematoma was made with special reference to its pathogenesis. In 11 of 15 cases, the hematomas were bilateral or a contralateral subdural fluid collection was present. In 7 of 11 patients who underwent operation the collection was bloody fluid and/or clotted blood. In 3 patients, a subdural membrane, as seen in adult chronic subdural hematoma, was found. In only 1 patient with unilateral hematoma was clotted blood present without subdural membrane. The thickest collection of clotted blood was in the parasagittal region. It is postulated that in most cases hemorrhage occurs after minor head injury, from the bridging veins near the superior sagittal sinus, into a pre-existing subdural fluid collection such as chronic subdural hematoma or subdural effusion with craniocerebral disproportion, and that infants without intracranial disproportion are unlikely to have acute subdural hematoma caused by minor head injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unfortunately, the Y axis (No. of clutches laid/cage) of was published incorrectly in the original publication of the article. The correct version of figure is given below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The predatory bug Orius sauteri is an indigenous natural enemy of thrips and whiteflies in Asian countries. To put these bugs to practical use in pest management, methods to attract and retain the bugs in agricultural fields are needed. We previously showed that violet light (405 nm) attracts O. sauteri selectively. Many thrips and whiteflies are attracted to UV or green light. In this study, we examined the effect of violet-LED illumination on O. sauteri in pesticide-free eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cultivation. In three cultivation trials, the density of O. sauteri on eggplant leaves was consistently higher in the illuminated plots; at least twice that of the non-illuminated plots. Simultaneously, the density of thrips declined markedly to less than half that of the non-illuminated plots. We identified three positive effects of violet light including an "immediate-effect" on predator attraction, a "persistent-effect" on predator reproduction, and a "secondary-effect" on the food web structure. Our results showed that illumination with violet light provides a powerful tool for integrated pest management. This is the first report on the use of illumination to manipulate the behavior of natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]