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Objective Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anti-neoplasm drug, but the early and late cardiac toxicity limits its clinical use. The Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been found to involve in the process of heart failure. It's unclear whether EndMT plays a role in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DoIC). Calcitriol is an active form Vitamin D3, which blocks the growth of cancer cells via inhibiting Smad pathway. This study investigated the cardiac protective effect of calcitriol via inhibiting of EndMT in DoIC. Methods/Findings C57BL/6 mice and endothelial-specific labeled mice were administered Dox twice weekly for 4 weeks [intraperitoneally (i.p.), 32 mg/kg cumulative dose]and were subsequently treated with/without calcitriol for 12 weeks. The cardiac echography revealed diastolic dysfunction at 13 weeks following the first DOX treatment and was accompanied by increased of myocardial fibrosis and up-regulated pro-fibrotic proteins.(Figure A-C) Calcitriol attenuated DOX-induced myocardial fibrosis, down-regulated pro-fibrotic proteinsand diastolic function. Endothelial fate tracing revealed that endothelium-derived cells contributed DOX-induced cardiac remodelling through EndMT and Calcitriol attenuated this process without attenuating Dox-induced cardiac myocyte and endothelial cell damage.(Figure D) In vitro, we examined if calcitriol would inhibit EndMT and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT) through the Smad pathway. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mouse cardiac fibroblasts were treated with TGF-beta with or without calcitriol. Morphological, immunofluorescence staining, and western blot analyses were carried out to evaluate EndMT and FMT. Calcitriol attenuated EndMT and FMT by inhibiting the Smad2 pathway. Taken together, calcitriol didn't reduced Doxorubicin induced damage of cardiomocyte and endothelial cells. But calcitriol inhibit doxorubicin induced heart failure by attenuating cardiac fibrosis through inhibiting Smad pathway. Conclusion Calcitriol attenuated DOX-induced cardiomyopathy partial through inhibiting EndMT process. Acknowledgement/Funding CMRPG8E0661-3

Background and Aims: The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in Eastern Europe possibly due to changes in environmental factors towards a more "westernised" standard of living. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in exposure to environmental factors prior to diagnosis in Eastern and Western European IBD patients. Methods: The EpiCom cohort is a population-based, prospective inception cohort of 1560 unselected IBD patients from 31 European countries covering a background population of 10.1. million. At the time of diagnosis patients were asked to complete an 87-item questionnaire concerning environmental factors. Results: A total of 1182 patients (76%) answered the questionnaire, 444 (38%) had Crohn's disease (CD), 627 (53%) ulcerative colitis (UC), and 111 (9%) IBD unclassified. No geographic differences regarding smoking status, caffeine intake, use of oral contraceptives, or number of first-degree relatives with IBD were found. Sugar intake was higher in CD and UC patients from Eastern Europe than in Western Europe while fibre intake was lower (p.

In this study, a novel procedure has been developed for predicting the notched strengths of composite plates each with a center hole. In this approach, the stress distribution of a composite plate with a center hole is first obtained by a finite element analysis, in which the experimental notched strength is applied at the boundary of the finite element model. Secondly, the point stress criterion (PSC) is used to find the characteristic length for each plate with different size of hole by an interpolation of the finite element analysis results. The characteristic length is then expressed as an empirical function of the hole size as well as the width of the plate. Finally, the notched strengths of composite plates are predicted based on the empirical function and the finite element analysis results incorporated with the principle of superposition in elasticity. For validation, three different cases from the literatures are adopted for comparison. It is shown that the predicted notched strengths by this new methodology agree well with both the experimental results and the results from analytical solutions based PSC.

The method of fundamental solutions (MFS) and domain decomposition method (DDM) are employed to solve the water-wave diffraction by a thin porous vertical breakwater of semi-infinite extent. Based on the linearized theory of water waves, the problem can be reduced to a boundary value problem with degenerate boundary. In contrast to other mesh dependent numerical method, the MFS is easier and more efficient to handle degenerate boundary value problems. Various incident wave angles and porous parameters are included to validate the power of the proposed numerical scheme. The present results demonstrate the MFS is sufficiently accurate and feasible to be used to predict water-wave diffraction by a thin permeable breakwater by comparing with literature.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Excessive daytime sleepiness is an important public health concern associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, in the absence of sleep diagnostic testing, it is difficult to separate the independent effects of sleepiness from those of intrinsic sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The objective of this study was to determine if excessive daytime sleepiness was independently associated with increased health care utilization among patients referred for assessment of OSA. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS 2149 adults referred for sleep diagnostic testing between July 2005 and August 2007. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS Subjective daytime sleepiness was defined as an Epworth Sleepiness Scale score ≥10. Health care use (outpatient physician visits, all-cause hospitalizations, and emergency department visits) was determined from Alberta Health and Wellness administrative databases for the 18-month period preceding their sleep study. Rates of health resource use were analyzed using negative binomial regression, with predictors of increased health care use determined using logistic regression. RESULTS excessive daytime sleepiness was associated with an increased rate of outpatient physician visits after adjustment for demographic variables, sleep medication use, hypertension, diabetes, depression, and OSA severity (rate ratio [RR]: 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 1.18, P = 0.02) compared to non-sleepy subjects. There was an interaction between severe OSA and sleepiness (RR: 1.22 [95% CI: 1.06, 1.41]), although OSA was not an independent predictor of health care use. Also, sleepy patients with treated depression had a lower likelihood of outpatient visits (RR: 0.95 [95% CI: 0.86, 1.05]). Finally, sleepiness was an independent predictor of increased health care use for outpatient physician visits (odds ratio [OR]: 1.25 [95% CI: 1.00, 1.57; P = 0.048]) and all-cause hospitalizations (OR: 3.94 [95% CI: 1.03, 15.04; P = 0.046]). CONCLUSIONS Excessive daytime sleepiness is associated with increased health care utilization among patients referred for assessment of OSA. Further investigation is required to determine whether the findings are related to direct effects of sleepiness, or in part, to interactions with other comorbidity such as OSA.

This paper models and analyzes flows in linear and curved microchannels on a rotating Laboratory Compact Disk (LabCD). The effects of centrifugal force are introduced into the governing equations of the microchannel flow to promote the fluidic velocity in the microchannel. The microchannel types on the LabCD must be designed following a process of mathematical identification. A flow model which takes into account the combined effects of viscosity, capillary forces, pressure difference and rotation is developed. A reduction-order technique is applied to obtain linear and nonlinear governing equations for flows in straight and curviform microchannels, respectively. The analytical solutions for the flow in the tubular microchannel are obtained using the Laplace transform method, while the numerical solutions for the curviform microchannel or microchannel with a varying cross-section are obtained using a piecewise linear method. The results show that the analyzed models are easily presented by a mathematical expression for the case of a tubular microchannel and simulated using a numerical program for the case of special microchannels. The modeling presented in this paper enables the performance of LabCD devices to be significantly enhanced by providing insights into the fluid flow behavior in microchannels of varying configurations under different rotational velocities.

Development, survivorship, longevity, and reproduction of Lysiphlebia mirzai Shuja-Uddin, a parasitoid of Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), was studied at constant temperatures in the laboratory. Larval development ranged from 8.3 d at 32°C to 20.3 d at 10°C, and pupal development ranged from 3.7 d at 30°C to 15.4 d at 10°C. No adults emerged from mummies at 32°C. Duration of larval development was longer than pupal development. The respective low developmental temperatures and degree-days (DD) were estimated at 3.7°C and 142.7 DD for larval stage, 4.8°C and 94.2 DD for pupal stage, and 6.2°C and 181.2 DD for combined immature stage. The respective optimal temperatures of 30.3, 33.3, and 31.1°C for larval, pupal, and combined immature development were determined from a nonlinear biophysical model. The pupal survivorship was relatively constant within 10–20°C (90–84.5%). The average number of eggs laid per female in the initial 24-h period varied from 106.3 at 25°C to 41.8 at 32°C. The average longevity of L. mirzai adults decreased linearly with increasing temperature. At high (37 and 40°C) and low (5°C) temperature, the average pupal survivorship decreased as treatment time increased. Adult parasitoids failed to emerge from the mummies at 40°C after a 4-h treatment. In addition, the mean longevity of adult parasitoids was enhanced when they were fed with honey and water. The optimal constant temperature range for L. mirzai population growth was 15–25°C. This parasitoid may be more effective in control of brown citrus aphid in cooler months than in summer months.

Background and aims. Outcomes of cessation of anti-TNF therapy for Crohn’s disease (CD) in clinical and/or endoscopic remission in routine clinical practice is uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes and factors associated with relapse in CD patients following formal disease assessment and elective anti-TNF withdrawal. Methods. Prospective observational study of CD patients in whom anti-TNF therapy was stopped electively after ≥12months and follow-up of ≥6months. Investigations at assessment prior to cessation included ≥1 of clinical assessment, endoscopic and/or imaging. Relapse was defined as recurrent symptoms of CD requiring medical or surgical therapy. Results. Eighty-six patients received anti-TNF for a median duration of 23 (12–80) months for severe active luminal (70%), fistulating perianal (25.5%) and other fistulating disease (4.5%). Relapse rates at 90,180 and 365days were 4.7%, 18.6% and 36%, respectively. If anti-TNF dose escalation occurred 6months prior to withdrawal, 88% (7/8) relapsed. Based on multivariate analysis, risk factors for relapse include ileocolonic disease at diagnosis and previous anti-TNF therapy. An elevated faecal calprotectin (FC) is likely to predict relapse ( p =0.02), with a PPV of 66.7% at >50μg/g. Of 36 patients who relapsed, 31 were retreated with anti-TNF, with an overall recapture rate of 93%. Conclusion. Relapse rates at 1year following elective withdrawal of anti-TNF are 36%, with high retreatment response rate. Predictors of relapse include ileocolonic involvement, previous anti-TNF therapy and raised FC. Endoscopic/radiologic assessment prior to cessation of therapy does not appear to predict those at lower risk of relapse.

Six plant essential oils alone as repellent and fumigant, and in combination with the controlled atmosphere against Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel were assessed in the laboratory. These essential oils were extracted from the leaves of six source plants: Citrus tangerina Tanaka, Citrus aurantium L., Citrus bergamia Risso et Poiteau, Pinus sylvestris L., Cupressus funebris Endl., and Eucalyptus citriodora Hook. The repellency test indicated that L. bostrychophila adults were repelled by filter paper strips treated with six essential oils. Of these essential oils, the C. funebris oil was most effective followed by that of P. sylvestris, C. tangerina, C. bergamia, and E. citriodora. The average repellency of the C. aurantium oil against L. bostrychophila adults was significantly lower than other five test oils by day 14. These essential oils had a high level of toxicity in the fumigation assay against L. bostrychophila adults at both 10 and 20 ppm. When combined with two controlled atmosphere tre...

The development, survivorship, longevity, reproduction, and life table parameters of the spirea aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch, were evaluated at 25°C on seven commonly grown plants (Polyscias crispata (Bull) Merrill cultivar chicken-gizzard aralia, P. scutellaria (Burman) Fosberg, Vibernum suspensum Lindley, grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macfadyen), rough lemon (C. jambhiri Lushington), pineapple orange [C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck variety pineapple orange], orange jessamine [Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack]) in the laboratory. Spirea aphid failed to survive on orange jessamine. The developmental times for the immature stages ranged from 7.9 d on P. scutellaria to 9.9 d on grapefruit or pineapple orange. The immature survival varied from 92.7% on P. scutellaria to 78.8% on pineapple orange. The average number of nymphs reproduced per female were 42.7, 35.7, 28.7, 22.3, 18.0, and 11.7 on P. crispata, P. scutellaria, V. suspensum, grapefruit, rough lemon, and pineapple orange, respectively. Female adults li...

The biology of the citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama was studied at 25 degrees C on four commonly grown citrus and related plants [rough lemon, Citrus jambhiri Lush; sour orange, C aurantium L.; grapefruit, C. paradisi Macfadyen; and orange jessamine, Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack] in the laboratory. The biological characteristics of each life stage are described. The average egg incubation periods on orange jessamine, grapefruit, rough lemon, and sour orange varied very little (4.1-4.2 d). The average nymphal developmental periods on these four host plants were essentially the same except the fifth stadium. Survival of immatures on orange jessamine, grapefruit, rough lemon, and sour orange was 75.4, 84.6, 78.3, and 68.6%, respectively. Female adults lived an average of 39.7, 39.7, 47.6, and 43.7 d on these respective host plants. The average number of eggs laid per female on grapefruit (858 eggs) was significantly more than those on other hosts (P < 0.05). The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) for D. citri on grapefruit was highest. Jackknife estimates of r(m) varied from 0.188 on grapefruit to 0.162 on orange jessamine and rough lemon. The mean population generation time on these hosts ranged from 31.6 to 34.1 d. The continuous flushes produced by orange jessamine could play an important role in maintaining high populations of this vector when the new flushes are not available in the commercial citrus groves.

The temperature-dependent development, survivorship, and reproduction of the spirea aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch, on Polyscias crispata (Bull) Merr were evaluated at eight constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, 32, and 35°C). The population failed to survive at 35°C. Between 10–32°C, developmental periods of immature stages varied from 23.0 d at 10°C to 7.3 d at 28°C. The developmental thresholds were estimated at 2.3°C for overall immature stages and 5.0, 1.4, 1.0, and 1.3°C for first to fourth stadia, respectively. The percentage of survivorship of immature stages ranged from 78.2 to 95.0% within the range of 10–30°C. However, survivorship was reduced to 29.6% at 32°C. The average longevity of adult females ranged from 36.5 d at 10°C to 6.0 d at 32°C. The average progeny per female was 44.0 at 20°C to 5.1 at 32°C. The largest rm (0.308) occurred at 25°C. Populations reared at 32 and 10°C had the smallest rm value of 0.040 and 0.078, respectively. The mean generation time of the population ranged from 35.1 d at 10°C to 10.7 d at 32°C. The optimal range of temperature for A. spiraecola population growth was 20–30°C. Several mathematical functions were used to quantify spirea aphid development, survivorship, reproduction, and life table parameters in relation to temperatures.

Liposcelis tricolor Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae) is worldwide and commonly found in various processed and unprocessed dry foods in households, granaries, and warehouses. The development, survival, and reproduction of L. tricolor were evaluated at eight constant temperatures (20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, and 37.5°C). The population reared at 37.5°C failed to develop or reproduce. Between 20 and 35°C, developmental period from egg to adult varied from 56.37 d at 20°C to 30.74 d at 32.5°C. Based on a nonlinear model, the lower temperature developmental thresholds from egg, first through fourth stadia, and combined immature stages were estimated at 9.57, 9.02, 10.04, 13.69, 14.38, and 11.30°C; the upper temperature thresholds were 39.28, 37.55, 37.85, 38.26, 37.37, and 38.98°C, respectively. The survival rate from egg to adult was 67.26% at 27.5°C, 43.62 and 24.22% at 20 and 35°C, respectively. After emergence, the adult had a preoviposition period that ranged from 65.74 d at 20°C to 3.52 d at 30°C. L. tricolor produced the most eggs (53.91) at 27.5°C and the fewest (17.58) at 35°C. The population reared at 30°C had the highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.0367), net reproductive rate (13.55), the shortest populations doubling time (18.89 d), and shorter mean generation time (71.05 d) compared with the populations reared at six other constant temperatures. The populations reared at 30°C had type I survivorship pattern, whereas populations reared at other temperatures had type III survivorship curve as determined by a Weibull frequency distribution. The optimal range of temperature for L. tricolor population growth was 25–30°C.

The development, survivorship, and reproduction of brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), were evaluated at 8 constant temperatures (8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, and 32°C). The developmental periods of immature stages ranged from 63.1 d at 8°C to 5.5 d at 30°C. The lower developmental threshold for the brown citrus aphid immature was estimated at 6.27°C. The upper temperature threshold of 31.17°C for development of nymph was determined from a nonlinear biophysical model. The percentage of survivorship of immature stages varied from 81 to 97% within the temperature range of 8–30°C. However, survivorship was reduced to 29% at 32°C. The average longevity of adult females ranged from 60.0 d at 10°C to 6.5 d at 32°C. The average progeny per female was 52.5 at 20°C and 7.5 at 32°C. The largest rm (0.3765) occurred at 28°C. Populations reared at 10 and 32°C had the smallest rm values of 0.0588 and 0.0960, respectively. The mean generation time of the population ranged from 51 d at 10°C to 8 d at 32°C. The optimal range of temperature for T. citricida population growth was 20–30°C. Several mathematical functions were used to quantify brown citrus aphid development, survivorship, reproduction and lifetable parameters in relation to temperatures.

Single- and multiple-dose bioassays and field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of various isolates of entomopathogenic fungi against the brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy). Single-dose bioassays demonstrated that brown citrus aphid is susceptible to several isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) Brown & Smith, and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin. Overt mycosis ranged from 23.1% ( M. anisopliae ARSEF 759) to 78.0% ( B. bassiana SARC 6000). In multiple-dose bioassays, good dose–-response was obtained with 3 B. bassiana isolates. The 6-d LD50 values for these isolates ranged from 119 to 995 conidia per square millimeter. There was a strong correlation (slopes >1.30) between rapid rise in mortality and dosage increase for all 3 isolates. Replicated field trials of the B. bassiana (strain GHA)-based mycoinsecticide Mycotrol ES provided relatively rapid kill at the application rates. The 5-d Abbott percentage efficacies of Mycotrol ES were, respectively, 79.8 and 94.4% at the half and full rates (2.5 × 1013 and 5 × 1013 conidia per hectare). Proportions of overt mycosis ranged from 0.67 at the half rate to 0.80 at the full rate. Mycotrol ES could be an important component of integrated brown citrus aphid management in the future.

The development, survivorship, longevity, and reproduction of the brown citrus aphid, Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy), were studied on 8 commonly grown plants in the laboratory. Immature survival at 25 ± 1°C on rough lemon, Citrus jambhiri Lush.; sour orange, C. aurantium L.; grapefruit, C. paradisi Macfadyen; key lime, C. aurantifolia Swing.; box orange, Severinia buxifolia (Poir). Tenore; calamondin, X Citrofortunella microcarpa (Bunge) Wijnands; lime berry, Triphasia trifolia (Burm. f.) P. Wilson, and orange jassamine, Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack were 82.0, 93.5, 93.3, 88.3, 53.1, 86.5, 41.6, and 62.8%, respectively. Developmental times for the immature stages among populations on rough lemon, sour orange, grapefruit, and key lime were similar (5.9–6.2 d). Longer development periods (6.5–7.2 d) occurred on box orange, calamondin, lime berry, and orange jassamine. The average number of nymphs reproduced per female were 58.8, 43.0, 34.1, 42.5, 32.7, 17.7, 20.8, and 23.0 on sour orange, grapefruit, key lime, rough lemon, calamondin, box orange, lime berry, and orange jassamine, respectively. Female adults lived an average of 22.1, 19.5, 17.5, 18.0, 22.8, 16.3, 22.6, and 14.6 d on these same hosts. The intrinsic rate of natural increase ( r m) for brown citrus aphid on grapefruit was highest. Jackknife estimates of r m varied from 0.381 on grapefruit to 0.183 on lime berry. The mean population generation time on these hosts ranged from 9.7 to 12.2 d. These hosts could support brown citrus aphid populations when the new flushes are not available in commercial citrus groves.

Development, survivorship, and reproduction of rice root aphid, Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis (Sasaki), were measured at 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C. The developmental time from 1st instar to adult varied from 20.7 d at l0°C to 4.4 d at 30°C. The lower-temperature developmental thresholds for 1st through 4th instars and total immature stages were estimated at 7.0, 6.2, 6.3, 5.1, and 6.1°C, respectively. A modified Logan model was used to describe the relationship between developmental rate and temperature. The survival of total immature stages varied from 52.7 to 90.23% within the temperature range of 10–30°C. At 35°C, nymphs did not develop beyond the 4th instar. The average longevity of adults ranged from 29.73 d at 10°C to 9.42 d at 30°C. The mean number of nymphs produced by R. rufiabdominalis varied from 63.32 at 20°C to 31.88 at 30°C. Life table parameters also were determined at 5 constant temperatures (10–30°C). The population reared at 25°C had the highest intrinsic rate of increase ( r m) (0.432), the shortest population doubling time (1.61 d) and shorter mean generation time (8.7 d) compared with populations reared at other temperatures. The highest net reproduction rate ( Ro ) was recorded at 20°C (57.23). The optimum range of temperatures for R. rufiabdominalis population growth was 20–25°C.

The development, survivorship, and reproduction of buckthorn aphid, Aphis nasturtii Kaltenbach, were evaluated at 7 constant temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 27, 30, and 35°C). The developmental periods of immature stages ranged from 33.9 d at 10°C to 5.7 d at 30°C. The lower developmental threshold for the buckthorn aphid was estimated at 6.5°C. The upper temperature threshold of 35.6°C for development of nymph was determined from a nonlinear biophysical model. The percentages of survivorship of immature stages varied from 60.0 to 87.5% within the temperature range of 15-30°C. However, survivorships were reduced to 15.2 and 37.5% at 10 and 35°C, respectively. The average longevity of adult females ranged from 30.2 d at 15°C to 7.0 d at 35°C. The average progeny per female was 55.0 at 15°C and 5.5 at 35°C. At 10°C the majority of adults failed to reproduce. The largest r m (0.332) occurred at 27°C. Populations reared at 10 and 35°C had negative r m values of -0.022 and -0.014, respectively. The mean generation time of the population ranged from 40.3 d at 10°C to 8.3 d at 35°C. It was evident that extreme temperatures prolonged development, increased mortality of immatures, shortened adult longevity, and reduced fecundity. The optimal range of temperature for A. nasturtii population growth was 20-30°C.

Effects of 5 commercially grown vegetables on the development, survivorship, and reproduction of the whitefly Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring were studied in the laboratory. The percentages of whitefly immatures that survived on eggplant, Solanum melongena L.; tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Miller; sweet potato, Ipomoea batatus (L.) Lam; cucumber, Cucumis sativus L.; and garden bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. at 25 ± 1°C were 88.7, 60.2, 67.5, 46.4, and 45.8%, respectively. The body lengths from 2nd to 4th instars among populations on these 5 host plants were not significantly different. Female nymphs were significantly larger than males. Developmental time from egg to adult ranged from 17.3 d on eggplant to 20.9 d on garden bean. The average number of eggs laid per female were 223.7, 167.5, 77.5, 66.0, and 83.5 on the above respective hosts, and female adults lived an average of 24.0, 20.5, 16.6, 9.8, and 13.4 d on these same hosts. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) for B. argentifolii on eggplant was highest. Jackknife estimates of rm varied from 0.192 on eggplant to 0.120 on garden bean. The mean generation time of the population on these hosts ranged from 23.2 to 27.2 d at 25°C. Based on life-table analyses of whitefly populations, we concluded that eggplant was the most suitable host for B. argentifolii and garden bean the least suitable.

Abundance of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), and tobacco thrips, F. fusca (Hinds), was determined during winter and early spring in northern and central Florida using weekly samples collected from hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth; crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum L.; and wheat Triticum aestivum L. Abundance of F. occidentalis was greater in northern than in central Florida, and population densities greater in the terminal buds compared with the leaves. A total of 3.9 and 5.1 generations developed in northern Florida vetch during 2 winter/early spring seasons, which agreed well with predictions of 3.5 and 4.8, respectively, based on degree-day accumulations. Crimson clover was a poor host for F. occidentalis and F. fusca at both locations. Abundance of F. fusca in wheat was similar in northern and central Florida, and population densities of immature thrips were greater on branches compared with the leaves. Three complete and 2 partial generations of F. fusca developed on wheat, which was one more than predicted using degree-day accumulations.

The development, survivorship, and reproduction of silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring, on eggplant at 6 constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 27, 30, and 35°C) were studied. The development time from egg to adult varied from 105 d at 15°C to 14 d at 30°C. A common developmental threshold for all immature stages was estimated at 12.5°C. A nonlinear biophysical model describing the relationship between development rate and temperature was constructed. Low- and high-temperature inhibitions of 15-18°C and 30-35°C, respectively, for development of immature stage were derived from the model. The survivorship from egg to adult was 89% at 25°C; at 15 and 35°C, the survival percentages were 40 and 37%, respectively. The average longevity of adult females ranged from 44 d at 20°C to 10 d at 35°C. The oviposition (eggs per female) of B. argentifolii varied from 324 at 20°C to 22 at 35°C. Life table parameters were determined at 5 constant temperatures (20, 25, 27, 30, and 35°C). The intrinsic rates of natural increase (r m ) for B. argentifolii at 25 and 27°C were the highest. Jackknife estimates of r m varied from 0.192 at 25 and 27°C to 0.073 at 35°C. The mean generation times of populations ranged from 46 d at 20°C to 18 d at 30°C. The adverse effects of high temperature (35°C) were evidenced by prolonged development, shortened adult longevity and reduced fecundity. The optimal range of temperature for B. argentifolii population growth was 20-30°C. The results of this study were compared with those reported for B. tabaci biotype B in Mississippi and B. tabaci biotype A in Arizona.

Development time and life table parameters of Thrips palmi Karny, a pest new to the continental United States, were measured at 3 temperatures on 4 host plants. Net reproductive rate was the highest because of greatest survival and highest egg production when thrips were reared at 26°C on winter melon, Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., eggplant, Solanum melongena L., and cucumber, Cucumis sativus L. , compared with bell pepper. However, because of shorter development time, the intrinsic rates of natural increase for T. palmi were highest when individuals were reared at 32°C on these 3 host plants. Although development times were similar on all 4 hosts at 26°C, survival and reproduction were much lower for thrips reared on bell pepper, Capsicum annuum L. , leaves. At 15 and 32°C, these differences were even greater, with only 40 and 48% of thrips reared on bell pepper surviving at the respective temperatures. T. palmi was able to tolerate the low temperature (56% mortality when held at O°C for 15 h) much better than the high temperature (100% mortality at 40°C for 15 h), which may partially explain why T. palmi populations are high in winter and spring and low in the summer in Florida. This study provides information needed to understand population dynamics of thrips in important vegetable crops, information which will be valuable in developing and evaluating cultural and biological controls for this extremely damaging pest.

Hemangiopericytomas are rare vascular tumours that are derived from pericytes. Retroperitoneal hemangiopericytomas are usually bulky but clinically silent when diagnosed because of their slow rate of growth. A 49-year-old man, who presented with only vague symptoms of abdominal fullness for several months, was found on computed tomography to have a huge well-defined mass with areas of low attenuation and well-enhanced septa. The tumour was successfully resected and was confirmed to be a malignant retroperitoneal hemangiopericytoma. It measured 30 cm in the greatest dimension. We are prompted to present this case as it is believed to be the largest tumour reported to date.

Nitinol alloy is a well-known materials due to the unique shape memory property and thus extensive used as medical device. However, nitinol alloy is also hard to cast, forge, and machine, and thus the device design is limited. Additive manufacturing process is a potential method to direct fabricate the nitinol medical device. Composition and microstructure are the key points to affect the shape memory property of additive manufactured nitinol alloys. In this research, the composition and microstructure evolution of nitinol alloy from powder to additive manufactured specimen has been investigated. The material nature and microstructure are examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, chemical composition of these specimens are examined by electro-probe microanalyzer (EPMA). All of the results will be discussed in details. B23-P-13 doi:10.1093/jmicro/dfv287

Planthoppers Sogatella kolophon (Kirkaldy) and Delphacodes idonea Beamer were reared on torpedo grass, Panicum repens L., in the laboratory. Egg incubation periods averaged 11.0 and 10.0 d for S. kolophon and D. idonea , respectively. Total nymph periods were 20.3 d for S. kolophon and 16.8 d for D. idonea . Adult longevity for S. kolophon and D. idonea was 18.4 and 9.4 d, respectively. Immature stages of both species are described and illustrated and a key is provided to separate instars.

The corn delphacid, Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead), a vector of two economically important diseases of maize, was reared, from eggs to adults, at five constant temperatures, 10, 15.6, 21.1, 26.7, or 32.2°C, with a 12:12 (L:D) photoperiod. Developmental times for each instar ranged from 10 to 24.3 days for instars one through four at 10°C, 7.7–13.5 days for instars one through six at 15.6°C, 4.6–6.0 days for instars one through five at 21.1°C, 3.1–4.4 days for instars one through five at 26.7°C, and 1.9–16.8 days for instars one through four at 32.2°C. Both male and female longevities were highest at 15.6°C and lowest at 10°C. Number of eggs laid per day per female was (mean ± SD) 19.6 ± 2.5, number of eggs per female per life was (mean ± SD) 605 ± 190.1, preoviposition period was 3–6 days, and the oviposition period was 11–48 days. The five instars of P. maidis are described and illustrated.

Variabilite genetique du nombre de copies de genes d'ARN ribosomique nucleaire chez 54 arbres derives de graines recoltees dans differents environnements naturels du sapin Douglas

Haplaxius crudus nymphs feed and live in the thatch layer and on the roots of St. Augustinegrass, bahiagrass, centipedegrass, bermudagrass, paragrass, yellow nutsedge, broomsedge, foxtail, and other sedges. Secretions from the abdominal wax glands protect the nymphs from wetness, disease, and predators. Average nymph size after each molt at 24°C was 0.80, 1.35, 1.80, and 2.47 mm for 4 respective molts. No differences in size were noted at 30°C. Wingpad development between each molt is a unique characteristic for identifying nymphal age. All nymphal instars developed more rapidly at 30° than at 24°C. Cool temperature (15°C) had an adverse effect on nymph development. Large nymphs survived an extended period without feeding. Eggs were 0.5–0.6 mm in length and 0.15–0.20 mm in width with one blunt end. Parthenogenic reproduction was not observed. The mean life span for adult males on St. Augustinegrass was 7.3 days and 7.8 days for adult females. The mean generation time at 30°C was 52.6 days and 80.8 days at 24°C. The adult H. crudus survived 37 and 50 days on coconut and veitchia palms, respectively. Coconut cultivars differed significantly in numbers of H. crudus attracted. The numbers of adults attracted to palm differed significantly among seasons. H. crudus was found in palms more in the evening hours than in the morning hours.

The relationship between maize stripe virus (MStpV) and its insect vector Peregrinus maidis (Ashmead) is described. The virus is transmitted by P. maidis in a persistent manner. 2nd to 3rd instars transmitted MStpV with ca. twice the efficiency after a 24-, 48-, 6R-, 96-, and 192-h acquisition access period (AAP) as did adults. Macropterous adults were slightly more efficient transmitters than brachypterous adults. The minimum AAP of the virus by 2nd and 3rd instars is 4 h. Longer AAP increased the rate of transmission. The minimum incubation period (IP) in both nymphs and adults is 4 to 5 days. The median IP in both age groups was independent of AAP. P. maidis nymphs retained inoculativity much longer than adults. The average retention of MStpV by 2nd to 3rd instars was 13.7, 13.2, and 15.8 days after 48.72, and 96 h AAP. whereas the average retention period in adults was 3.7, 5.5, and 6.5 days, respectively. It was demonstrated that MStpV could be transmitted by hemolymph injection and transovarial passages.

A rotary flight trap was used once a week to sample homopterans associated with coconut and cabbage palm plantings from October 1975 to September 1976. The samples were funher divided into day and night, high and low. Myndus crudus Van Duzee and Protalebrella brasiliensis (Baker) were collected more often in the cabbage palm planting than in the coconut planting in the low-net samples. In day samples, M. crudus was more frequent in the cabbage palm planting than in the coconut planting, whereas Micrutalis malleifera Fowler was more frequent in the coconut planting. In night samples, Graminella spp. and M. crudus were collected more frequently in the cabbage palm planting than in coconut planting. From 1 January to 30 March 1976, M. crudus was more frequent in the cabbage palm planting than in coconut planting. From 1 April to 30 June Delphacodes propinqua (Fieber) was collected more frequently in the coconut planting than in cabbage palm planting. During the period of 1 July to 30 September Graminella spp. were more frequent in the cabbage palm planting, but Balclutha spp. were more frequent in the coconut planting.

The genus Idioderma is reviewed; I. virescens Van Duzee from Florida and I. picta Osbom from Cuba are considered valid species. I. varia Van Duzee, a junior synonym of I, virescens, represents a dark-color morph. Adults of I. virescens and I. varia are redescribed; their genitalia are described and illustrated. Immature stages of I. virescens are described, and the distribution of this species is discussed. The native host plant of I. virescens upon which it oviposits and the immature stages develop, is saw palmetto, Seronoa repens (Bartram). Pygmy date palm, Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien, is an introduced ornamental on which I. virescens can also reproduce. Saw palmetto is distributed throughout Florida and along the coastal plains from South Carolina to Louisiana, yet no established populations of the treehopper have been found outside Florida. All stages of I. virescens can be found throughout the year, but the peak population of nymphs coincides with the peak bloom of saw palmetto. When the host plant is reproductively dormant, I. virescens adults disperse and have been collected on several other species of palms. I. virescens has four to five generations per season in central Florida, with the highest nymphal populations occurring from March to August. Nymphs aggregate and are often tended by ants which collect honeydew from the nymphs and protect them. Different color morphs are present in both males and nymphal populations of I. virescens . The darker color morphs seem to increase the cryptic coloration of individuals to saw palmetto inflorescence which can become covered with sooty mold fungi. No dark color morphs were found in females of I. virescens .

Seventeen colonies of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), were established from various areas of Michigan and compared, as vectors of the California (CALIF) and New York (NY) strains of pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV), with a pea aphid biotype (WARF) known to be a very inefficient vector of PEMV. The most efficient vector colony (hereafter: Biotype EL) transmitted CALIF and NY PEMV as adults with 31 and 47% efficiency, respectively, after a 48-hr acquisition-access period (AAP). None was as inefficient in transmission as the WARF biotype which was unable to transmit CALIF PEMV and transmitted NY PEMV to only 15% of the test plants. The remaining 16 colonies had an average transmission efficiency of 11.6% for CALIF PEMV and 22.5% for NY PEMV. In additional tests with adults of Biotypes EL and WARF, the EL biotype transmitted both virus strains to significantly ( P < 0.05) more plants than did Biotype WARF after AAP's of 12, 24, and 48 hr. Biotype WARF adults did not transmit CALIF PEMV until a 96-hr AAP was provided and then transmission was low (5-9.1%). Biotype EL nymphs were 100% efficient in transmitting both virus strains after a 48-hr AAP, whereas only 41.7 and 52.9% of the WARF biotype transmitted CALIF and NY PEMV, respectively. When both biotypes were reared on common vetch, Vicia sativa L., young adults transmitted the NY strain with significantly ( P

Tests were conducted to determine the influence of temperature differences, preinoculation starvation, inoculation probing times, and inoculation probing sites on the ability of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), to transmit pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV), a virus which possesses a circulative relationship with the vector. Aphids subjected to temperatures of 10°:10°C (10°C during a 24-hour acquisition access period and 10°C during the subsequent latent and inoculation probing periods) required a mean latent period (LP50) of 98.3 hours whereas those subjected to a 10°:20°C regime needed only a 45-hour LP50. Treatments of 20°:20°; 30° :20°; and 30°:30°C caused LP50 values of much less than 48 hours. Nearly all aphids, regardless of treatment, transmitted virus at least once during a week-long series of daily transfers to healthy plants; however, insects from the 30°:30°C group transmitted virus to significantly fewer plants during either 2-minute or 4-hour inoculation periods 7 days after virus acquisition than did aphids from any of the other treatments. Inoculative aphids that were starved for 4–8 hours prior to a 2-minute inoculation probing period (IPP) transmitted PEMV with significantly higher efficiency (83.7%) than did aphids starved for 16–20 hours (68.9%). Aphids starved 0–2 hours were intermediate in transmission efficiency (75.1%). Transmission efficiency during IPPs of 1, 5, and 10 min at various sites on garden pea, Pisum sativum L., seedlings in the 1-leaf stage and at random on plants in the preleaf stage was tested. Inoculation to the preleaf stage resulted in a mean transmission efficiency of 71.7%, data pooled from all IPPs, and transmission to this stage was significantly higher than to any of the sites tested (the ab- and adaxial surface of leaf and petiole, the stem, and the terminal bud) on the 1-leaf-stage plants, which ranged in pooled transmission efficiency from 17.5 to 42.7%. Significant differences were not detected on transmission in the average effect of IPP, pooled from all probing sites. Transmission to the youngest leaf on a pea seedling in the 2-leaf stage was significantly higher (36%) than to the other leaf (27%). Twenty-four-hour temperature treatments of 10°, 20°, and 30°C to inoculative pea aphids prior to a 1-min IPP had no significant effect on mean transmission efficiency; however, the 20°C treatment resulted in highest efficiency (60.9%). The length of salivary sheath deposited by aphids during 1-, 5-, and 10-minute probes on the ab- and adaxial surface of the petiole on 1-leaf-stage plants and on the stem of preleaf and 1-leaf plants was studied. No significance was detected among length of sheath deposited in any tissue. Thus, differences in transmission efficiency to these sites are not related to length of sheath. As expected, the average length of sheath produced during the 3 IPPs regardless of probing site were significantly different from one another (1 minute = 0.37 mm; 5 minutes = 1.16 mm; 10 minutes = 1.78 mm). Postinoculation temperature was found to influence symptom development. Only 30% of pea seedlings held in a greenhouse at 30–44°C after being probed for 2 minutes by inoculative aphids developed symptoms, whereas 67% of those held at 24–30°C became infected.

HMI-PRED 2.0 is a publicly available web service for the prediction of host-microbe protein-protein interaction by interface mimicry that is intended to be used without extensive computational experience. A microbial protein structure is screened against a database covering the entire available structural space of complexes of known human proteins., National Cancer Institute; National Institutes of Health; Turkish Health Institutions (TUSEB); Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK)