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Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to assess the precision and safety of targeted microwave ablation (TMA) using organ‐based tracking (OBT) fusion, in patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer. Patients and method We conducted a prospective, multicentric trial. Eligible patients had a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA)

ABSTRACT Background Prostate cancer is an example of the undervaluation of clinical examinations in care of patients. After external radiotherapy, cancer recurrence is primarily determined biologically by measuring prostate‐specific antigen concentration. Consequently, there is no systematic requirement for the digital rectal examination (DRE). Nevertheless, research has shown that patients attach both practical and symbolic significance to being examined by their physicians. This study aimed to assess how patients perceive DRE omission after prostate cancer radiation therapy. Materials and Methods We conducted a survey of 107 men in remission after radiotherapy for prostate cancer in the Radiotherapy Oncology Department of Bordeaux University Hospital, France. The aim of the survey was to assess the significance that patients place on undergoing a DRE as part of their follow‐up care, both from a practical perspective (medical relevance) and a symbolic perspective (influence on the perception of the treating radiation oncologist). Results Despite receiving information on the lack of relevance of DRE during follow‐up, 40 of the 100 respondents still perceived a practical benefit of undergoing DRE (pragmatic dimension). On a symbolic level, many patients associated the performance of DRE by their radiotherapy oncologist with impressions of competence, concern for their health and concern for them personally (61%, 63% and 64%, respectively). Although the correlations between the pragmatic and symbolic dimensions were significant, more than one‐third of patients who understood the lack of clinical relevance of DRE still attributed symbolic value to it. Conclusions A positive perception of DRE persists among patients, mainly at the symbolic level, including a proportion of patients who understand the low clinical utility of DRE. Importantly, the persistence of these perceptions regarding DRE should not be misconstrued as justification for performing pelvic examinations without clear clinical reasons.

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell‐derived small membrane structures that transport various molecules. They have emerged as potential circulating biomarkers for monitoring responses to cancer therapies. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize plasma‐carried EVs in hormone receptor‐positive (HR+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients treated with first‐line CDK4/6 inhibitors (iCDK4/6) combined with endocrine therapy. MBC patients were classified into three groups based on their response to therapy: resistant, intermediate or sensitive. In a prospective cohort, we monitored the concentration of circulating EVs, analyzed their lipid signature and correlated these factors with treatment response. To facilitate the translation of EV research to clinical practice, we established a three‐step procedure: (1) EVs were isolated from plasma using semi‐automatized size exclusion chromatography (SEC); (2) EV concentration, termed vesiclemia, was determined by drop counting via interferometric light microscopy (ILM); and (3) EV lipid composition was analyzed by mass spectrometry. ILM‐based vesiclemia values were highly fluctuating upon iCDK4/6 treatment, while early increase associated with accelerated progression. Of note, vesiclemia remained a steady parameter over a 1‐year period in age‐matched healthy women. Additionally, analysis of the EV cargo unveiled a distinct sphingolipid profile, characterized by increased levels of ceramides and sphingomyelins in resistant patients within the first 2 months of treatment. Based on 16 sphingolipid species, sensitive and resistant patients were correctly classified with an overall accuracy of 82%. This specific sphingolipid pattern was exclusively discernible within EVs, and not in plasma, highlighting the significance of EVs in the early prediction of individual responses to iCDK4/6 and disease progression. Overall, this study provides insights of the longitudinal characterization of plasma‐borne EVs in both a healthy group and HR+ MBC patients under iCDK4/6 therapies. Combined vesiclemia and EV sphingolipid profile emphasize the promising potential of EVs as non‐invasive biomarkers for monitoring early treatment response.

Abstract By providing adaptive advantages to plants, desert microorganisms are emerging as promising solutions to mitigate the negative and abrupt effects of climate change in agriculture. Among these, pseudomonads, commonly found in soil and in association with plants' root system, have been shown to enhance plant tolerance to salinity and drought, primarily affecting root system architecture in various hosts. However, a comprehensive understanding of how these bacteria affect plant responses at the cellular, physiological and molecular levels is still lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of two Pseudomonas spp. strains, E102 and E141, which were previously isolated from date palm roots and have demonstrated efficacy in promoting drought tolerance in their hosts. These strains colonize plant roots, influencing root architecture by inhibiting primary root growth while promoting root hair elongation and lateral root formation. Strains E102 and E141 increased auxin levels in Arabidopsis, whereas this effect was diminished in IAA‐defective mutant strains, which exhibited reduced IAA production. In all cases, the effectiveness of the bacteria relies on the functioning of the plant auxin response and transport machinery. Notably, such physiological and morphological changes provide an adaptive advantage to the plant, specifically under stress conditions such as salinity. Collectively, this study demonstrates that by leveraging the host's auxin signalling machinery, strains E102 and E141 significantly improve plant resilience to abiotic stresses, positioning them as potential biopromoters/bioprotectors for crop production and ecosystem restoration in alignment with Nature‐based Solution approaches.

Abstract Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe disease caused by progressive distal pulmonary artery obstruction. One cause of PAH are loss‐of‐function mutations in the potassium channel subfamily K member 3 (KCNK3). KCNK3 encodes a two‐pore domain potassium channel, which is crucial for pulmonary circulation homeostasis. However, our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying KCNK3 dysfunction in PAH is still incomplete. Taking advantage of unique Kcnk3‐deficient rats, we analyzed the transcriptomic changes in the lungs from homozygous Kcnk3‐deficient rats and wild‐type (WT) littermates and compared them to PAH patient transcriptomic data. Transcriptome analysis of lung tissue obtained from WT and Kcnk3‐deficient rats identified 1915 down‐ or upregulated genes. In addition, despite limited similarities at the gene level, we found a strong common signature at the pathway level in PAH patients and Kcnk3‐deficient rat lungs, especially for immune response. Using the dysregulated genes involved in the immune response, we identified Spleen Associated Tyrosine Kinase (SYK), a significantly downregulated gene in human PAH patients and Kcnk3‐deficient rats, as a hub gene. Our data suggests that the altered immune system response observed in PAH patients may be partly explained by KCNK3 dysfunction through the alteration of SYK expression.

Exon skipping mutations of the MET receptor tyrosine kinase (METex14), increasingly reported in cancers, occur in 3–4% of non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Only 50% of patients have a beneficial response to treatment with MET‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), underlying the need to understand the mechanism of METex14 oncogenicity and sensitivity to TKIs. Whether METex14 is a driver mutation and whether it requires hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for its oncogenicity in a range of in vitro functions and in vivo has not been fully elucidated from previous preclinical models. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we developed a METex14/WT isogenic model in nontransformed human lung cells and report that the METex14 single alteration was sufficient to drive MET‐dependent in vitro anchorage‐independent survival and motility and in vivo tumorigenesis, sensitising tumours to MET‐TKIs. However, we also show that human HGF (hHGF) is required, as demonstrated in vivo using a humanised HGF knock‐in strain of mice and further detected in tumour cells of METex14 NSCLC patient samples. Our results also suggest that METex14 oncogenicity is not a consequence of an escape from degradation in our cell model. Thus, we developed a valuable model for preclinical studies and present results that have potential clinical implication.

Abstract Tropical forests are a major component of the global carbon cycle and home to two‐thirds of terrestrial species. Upper‐canopy trees store the majority of forest carbon and can be vulnerable to drought events and storms. Monitoring their growth and mortality is essential to understanding forest resilience to climate change, but in the context of forest carbon storage, large trees are underrepresented in traditional field surveys, so estimates are poorly constrained. Aerial photographs provide spectral and textural information to discriminate between tree crowns in diverse, complex tropical canopies, potentially opening the door to landscape monitoring of large trees. Here we describe a new deep convolutional neural network method, Detectree2, which builds on the Mask R‐CNN computer vision framework to recognize the irregular edges of individual tree crowns from airborne RGB imagery. We trained and evaluated this model with 3797 manually delineated tree crowns at three sites in Malaysian Borneo and one site in French Guiana. As an example application, we combined the delineations with repeat lidar surveys (taken between 3 and 6 years apart) of the four sites to estimate the growth and mortality of upper‐canopy trees. Detectree2 delineated 65 000 upper‐canopy trees across 14 km2 of aerial images. The skill of the automatic method in delineating unseen test trees was good (F1 score = 0.64) and for the tallest category of trees was excellent (F1 score = 0.74). As predicted from previous field studies, we found that growth rate declined with tree height and tall trees had higher mortality rates than intermediate‐size trees. Our approach demonstrates that deep learning methods can automatically segment trees in widely accessible RGB imagery. This tool (provided as an open‐source Python package) has many potential applications in forest ecology and conservation, from estimating carbon stocks to monitoring forest phenology and restoration. Python package available to install at https://github.com/PatBall1/Detectree2.

Abstract The white‐clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) is an emblematic taxon of European rivers, found mainly in oxygenated streams, known to be an excellent indicator of river quality. Since several decades, the population of A. pallipes declined in relation to anthropogenic pressure, habitat loss, and competition with pests (invasive crayfish, crayfish plague). This endangered species is now submitted to conservation strategies by freshwater managers in order to survey and protect the remaining populations. In France, traditional surveys in freshwater environments were performed by electric fishing, kick‐net fishing, or trapping, particularly disruptive for the environment and very time‐consuming. However, with the rise of molecular genetic technology, new methods based on the detection of environmental DNA (eDNA) have emerged. We present here the results of an optimized study for the detection of the endangered crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes in France, considering certain environmental co‐factors and comparing two PCR methods (qPCR and ddPCR). After improving laboratory procedures, we were able to detect the presence of the crayfish up to 2 km downstream from a known point of presence and unfortunately highlight the disappearance of a historical population, after sampling two consecutive years. Such a level of precision is interesting because it makes it possible to precise the presence of specimens in a relatively restricted area and to orient traditional prospecting, necessary for certain additional studies. During our study, we observed better probabilities of detection during the summer period, but in a growing context of climate change, we advise to adapt the sampling year by year. That said, this methodology is a very useful tool for the detection of rare and/or endemic species and we did not observe any difference between the two PCR methods used.

Abstract Females present a higher risk of adverse drug reactions. Sex‐related differences in drug concentrations may contribute to these observations but they remain understudied given the underrepresentation of females in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to investigate whether anthropometric and socioeconomic factors and comorbidities could explain sex‐related differences in concentrations and dosing for metoprolol and oxypurinol, the active metabolite of allopurinol. We conducted an analysis of two cross‐sectional studies. Participants were self‐described “White” adults taking metoprolol or allopurinol selected from the Montreal Heart Institute Hospital Cohort. A total of 1007 participants were included in the metoprolol subpopulation and 459 participants in the allopurinol subpopulation; 73% and 86% of the participants from the metoprolol and allopurinol subpopulations were males, respectively. Females presented higher age‐ and dose‐adjusted concentrations of both metoprolol and oxypurinol (both p

Abstract The rapid loss of biodiversity in tropical rainforests calls for new remote sensing approaches capable of providing rapid estimates of biodiversity over large areas. Imaging spectroscopy has shown potential for the estimation of taxonomic diversity, but the link with spectral diversity has not been investigated extensively with experimental data so far. We explored the relationship between taxonomic diversity and visible to near infrared spectral variance derived from various spectral processing techniques by means of a labeled dataset comprising 2000 individual tree crowns from 200 species from an experimental tropical forest station in French Guiana. We generated a set of artificially assembled communities covering a broad range of taxonomic diversity from this experimental dataset. We analyzed the impact of various processing steps: spectral normalization, spectral transformation through principal component analysis, and feature selection. Correlation between taxonomic diversity and inter‐specific spectral variance was strong. Correlation was lower with total spectral variance, with or without normalization and transformation. Dimensionality reduction through feature selection resulted in dramatic improvement of the correlation between Shannon index and spectral variance. While airborne diversity mapping of tropical forest may not be at hand yet, our results confirm that spectral diversity metrics, when computed on properly preprocessed and selected spectral information can predict taxonomic diversity in tropical ecosystems.

Abstract Aims We aim to evaluate the costs associated with healthcare resource consumption for chronic heart failure (HF) management in patients allocated to telemonitoring versus standard of care (SC). Methods and results OSICAT‐ECO involved 745 patients from the OSICAT trial (NCT02068118) who were successfully linked to the French national healthcare database through an indirect deterministic data linkage approach. OSICAT compared a telemonitoring programme with SC follow‐up in adults hospitalized for acute HF ≤ 12 months. Healthcare resource costs included those related to hospital and ambulatory expenditure for HF and were restricted to direct costs determined from the French health data system over 18 months of follow‐up. Most of the total costs (69.4%) were due to hospitalization for HF decompensation, followed by ambulatory nursing fees (11.8%). During 18‐month follow‐up, total costs were 2% lower in the telemonitoring versus the SC group, due primarily to a 21% reduction in nurse fees. Among patients with NYHA class III/IV, a 15% reduction in total costs (€3131 decrease) was observed over 18‐month follow‐up in the telemonitoring versus the SC group, with the highest difference in hospital expenditure during the first 6 months, followed by a shift in costs from hospital to ambulatory at 12 months. Conclusions HF hospitalization and ambulatory nursing fees represented most of the costs related to HF. No benefit was observed for telemonitoring versus SC with regard to cost reductions over 18 months. Patients with severe HF showed a non‐significant 15% reduction in costs, largely related to hospitalization for HF decompensation, nurse fees, and medical transport.

Abstract Small studies suggest that amiodarone is a weak inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6. Inhibition of CYP2D6 leads to increases in concentrations of drugs metabolized by the enzyme, such as metoprolol. Considering that both metoprolol and amiodarone have β‐adrenergic blocking properties and that the modest interaction between the two drugs would result in increased metoprolol concentrations, this could lead to a higher risk of bradycardia and atrioventricular block. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate whether metoprolol plasma concentrations collected at random timepoints from patients enrolled in the Montreal Heart Institute Hospital Cohort could be useful in identifying the modest pharmacokinetic interaction between amiodarone and metoprolol. We performed an analysis of a cross‐sectional study, conducted as part of the Montreal Heart Institute Hospital Cohort. All participants were self‐described “White” adults with metoprolol being a part of their daily pharmacotherapy regimen. Of the 999 patients being treated with metoprolol, 36 were also taking amiodarone. Amiodarone use was associated with higher metoprolol concentrations following adjustment for different covariates (p = .0132). Consistently, the association between amiodarone use and lower heart rate was apparent and significant after adjustment for all covariates under study (p = .0001). Our results highlight that single randomly collected blood samples can be leveraged to detect modest pharmacokinetic interactions.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Didesmococcus unifasciatus (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccidae) for the EU following commodity risk assessments of Malus domestica (apple), Prunus dulcis (almond) and P. persica (peach) plants for planting from Türkiye in which D. unifasciatus was identified as a pest that could potentially enter the EU. It was first described in Uzbekistan and is widely distributed in Central and Western Asia, including Türkiye (where it was recently reported as limited to the Hakkari and Diyarbakir regions in the Asian part of the country). It has not been reported within the EU. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It completes one generation per year; a female lays between 1,500 and 2,400 eggs. It feeds on several important fruit trees of the family Rosaceae (e.g. P. dulcis, M. domestica), as well as Ficus carica and Ulmus sp. Most of its hosts are widely cultivated in the EU. Woody plants for planting and cut branches are the main potential pathways for entry of D. unifasciatus into the EU. Climatic conditions and availability of host plants would likely allow this species to establish and spread in southern parts of the EU. Just as in other invaded areas, the presence of many of its natural enemies in the EU is likely to prevent the scale from becoming an economic or environmental pest. Nevertheless, phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. Considering the weight of evidence, D. unifasciatus does not meet all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Pochazia shantungensis (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Ricaniidae) for the EU following commodity risk assessments of Malus domestica, Prunus persica, P. dulcis and Robinia pseudoacacia plants for planting from Türkiye in which P. shantungensis was identified as a pest that could potentially enter the EU. The native range of P. shantungensis is China (Shaanxi, Shandong and Zhejiang provinces), but around 2010, the species entered the Republic of Korea and rapidly spread. Small and localised populations were also recently found in Türkiye (Marmara) and southern Russia (Krasnodyarskiy kray). Within the EU, a few individuals have been recorded in Italy (Pistoia province, Tuscany), in one locality in southern France (Alpes‐Maritimes), in the Netherlands (Western Netherlands) and in one garden in Germany (Baden‐Württemberg) where it was eradicated. P. shantungensis is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is polyphagous, feeding on plants belonging to more than 200 species including many crop and ornamental plants. Economically important hosts in the EU include apple (M. domestica), citrus (Citrus spp.), walnut (Castanea sp.) and ornamentals such as hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.) and camellia (Camellia japonica), as well as forest trees, mostly deciduous. In the Republic of Korea, the species has one generation per year. It overwinters as eggs and goes through five nymphal instars. Its impact is due to oviposition obstructing the vascular system of its hosts, depletion of the host resources and egestion of honeydew promoting the development of sooty moulds. Plants for planting constitute the main pathway for entry into the EU and for spread. Climatic conditions in southern EU countries and host plant availability in those areas would allow establishment and spread. The introduction of P. shantungensis is expected to have an economic impact in the EU through the reduction in yield, quality and commercial value of fruits and ornamental plants. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and further spread. P. shantungensis meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is currently an important pest of maize crops worldwide not only because of its dispersal ability but also because of its polyphagous feeding behaviour. Lack of sufficient information on the management of the fall armyworm attacks remains a crucial problem for maize smallholder farmers in Africa. In this study, 420 farmers were surveyed in central and west Africa using individual interviews to assess farmers' knowledges and perceptions of the fall armyworm damages and the management practices used. Most farmers (99.4%) were shown to recognize the fall armyworm and 92.5% claimed to already have damages in their fields. The fall armyworm seems not to be a new pest as most farmers identified it in different countries from 2015 to 2019. Apart from maize as the preferred crop of S. frugiperda, several alternative host plants including Napier grass, sorghum, onion, and cabbage were identified by the farmers. Although cultural and mechanical control methods are used by several farmers, the synthetic pesticide market is still preferred by almost half of the farmers (44.28%) who still use them. To control fall armyworm, 96.4% in Burkina Faso, 85.3% in Gabon, 65.2% in Benin and 25% in DR Congo reported using insecticides, against 5.9% in Senegal. Semiochemical‐based method and biological control by promoting natural enemies of the fall armyworm are new concepts for farmers in DR Congo, Gabon and Benin. To avoid additional problems regarding health and resilience of agricultural systems, alternative methods such as push–pull approach, the development of biopesticides and resistant cultivars should form the basis of training given to farmers and should be popularized for sustainable control of the fall armyworm in central and west Africa.

Abstract The EFSA Plant Health Panel performed a pest categorisation of Setoptus parviflorae (Acari: Eriophyoidea: Phytoptidae) for the European Union (EU). This mite is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is known to occur in the Nanjing Botanical Garden (China) on Pinus parviflora. This is its only known host plant and location. The mite occurs on the needles and in the needle sheaths. Details about its life cycle are mostly unknown. Plants for planting, including dwarfed plants, of P. parviflora are the main potential pathway for entry into the EU. However, plants of the genus Pinus other than fruit and seeds are mostly prohibited from entering the EU (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072). The host, P. parviflora, can be found in temperate‐zone gardens and arboreta, and is a popular tree for bonsai in the EU. Although the Köppen–Geiger climate type Cfa (humid subtropical), which occurs in Nanjing, can be found in the EU, the growing conditions of P. parviflora at the Nanjing Botanical Garden were not reported. This adds uncertainty about where in the EU this mite could establish, most probably on ornamental P. parviflora. There is no evidence of impact of S. parviflorae. Measures to prevent entry and spread are available. S. parviflorae does not satisfy all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest, as there is no evidence of impact.

Abstract Objectives To assess the vertical discrepancy between implant‐supported crowns and adjacent teeth in the maxillary anterior region at least 8 years after implant placement and to evaluate the influence of this discrepancy on the level of aesthetic awareness of patients. Material and Methods The sample consisted of 23 adult individuals evaluated at least 8 years after placement of an implant‐supported central or lateral single tooth‐fixed partial denture. Patients had their crowns delivered at a mean age of 47.8 years (range: 18.9–65.8). The vertical discrepancy was measured by comparing initial and follow‐up periapical radiographs using the implant as a stable structure. The patients' satisfaction with their anterior teeth condition and awareness of the possible vertical problem were evaluated using a questionnaire. The aesthetic outcome and patient awareness were related to the objective measurement of the vertical discrepancy. Results The implant showed a mean infraocclusion of 0.62 mm (range: 0.15–1.63 mm). The vertical discrepancy was not associated with the patient's gender, age at implant placement, and duration between initial and recall radiograph. Patients were generally satisfied with the long‐term aesthetic outcome of their smile (mean: 3.9 on a 1–5 scale, 1 unsatisfied, and 5 completely satisfied). Out of 23 patients, 8 noticed the implant infraocclusion and 4 of them found the problem severe enough to be willing to improve the situation. The amount of vertical discrepancy was not associated with the patient's perception of the discrepancy and the pink aesthetic score. Conclusion Implant‐supported crowns in the anterior region may suffer infraocclusion over the long term. The amount of vertical discrepancy was not dependent on the gender and age of the patient. Patients were generally satisfied with the aesthetic result of the restoration. The amount of vertical discrepancy, at least in the range we have measured, was not perceived by the patients as a complication.

Abstract ABCG2 is a gene that codes for the human breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). It is established that rs2231142 G>T, a single nucleotide polymorphism of the ABCG2 gene, is associated with gout and poor response to allopurinol, a uric acid‐lowering agent used to treat this condition. It has also been suggested that oxypurinol, the primary active metabolite of allopurinol, is a substrate of the BCRP. We thus hypothesized that carrying the rs2231142 variant would be associated with decreased oxypurinol concentrations, which would explain the lower reduction in uric acid. We performed a cross‐sectional study to investigate the association between the ABCG2 rs2231142 variant and oxypurinol, allopurinol, and allopurinol riboside concentrations in 459 participants from the Montreal Heart Institute Hospital Cohort. Age, sex, weight, use of diuretics, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were all significantly associated with oxypurinol plasma concentration. No association was found between rs2231142 and oxypurinol, allopurinol and allopurinol riboside plasma concentrations. Rs2231142 was not significantly associated with daily allopurinol dose in the overall population, but an association was observed in men, with T carriers receiving higher doses. Our results do not support a major role of ABCG2 in the pharmacokinetics of allopurinol or its metabolites. The underlying mechanism of the association between rs2231142 and allopurinol efficacy requires further investigation.

Abstract Genetic diversity (GD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) respectively represent species' evolutionary potential and history, and support most of the biodiversity benefits to humanity. Yet, these two biodiversity facets have been overlooked in previous biodiversity policies. As the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in December 2022, we analyze how GD and PD are considered in this new framework and discuss how their incorporation in the GBF could strengthen their conservation. Although the inclusion of certain indicators could be elevated, both GD and PD are an integral part of the recently adopted GBF. This represents a significant improvement compared to the CBD strategic plan 2011–2020 and an unprecedented opportunity to bring species' evolutionary potential and history to the core of public biodiversity policies. We urge the scientific community to leverage this opportunity to actually improve the conservation of species' evolutionary potential and history.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Solenopsis invicta Butler (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) the red imported fire ant, for the EU territory. S. invicta is native to central South America and has spread to North and Central America, East Asia and Australia where it is recognised as a major invasive species causing serious environmental impacts to biodiversity and harming horticultural crops such as cabbage, eggplant and potatoes. It can girdle and kill young citrus trees. S. invicta is not listed as a Union quarantine pest in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. However, the European Scientific Forum on Invasive Alien Species lists S. invicta as a species of Union concern (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1203). Like other ant species, S. invicta is a social insect commonly creating colonies in the soil. Long‐distance spread in the Americas has been attributed to nests being carried in soil accompanying plants for planting, or simply in soil alone. S. invicta could enter the EU via conveyances carrying a wide range of goods if the conveyance is contaminated with soil or has been in close contact with soil, and with plants for planting in soil or growing media. Climatic conditions in large parts of the southern EU are suitable for establishment and spread would occur when mated females disperse to form new colonies. If S. invicta established in the EU, losses to horticultural crops would be expected in addition to losses to biodiversity. The impacts of S. invicta go beyond plant health with the ant attacking new‐born, hatching, weak or sick animals. Stings can cause allergic reactions in humans and are a public health issue. However, such factors are outside the scope of a pest categorisation. S. invicta satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), the brown planthopper, for the European Union. N. lugens is widespread in Asia where it is native; it also occurs in Oceania where it is naturalised. N. lugens is not known to be present in the EU and is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is a monophagous species and a major pest of rice (Oryza sativa). High populations of planthoppers cause leaves to initially turn orange yellow before becoming brown and dry and this is a condition called ‘hopperburn’ that kills the plant. N. lugens can also transmit plant viruses. It can complete 12 generations per year in tropical areas, where it resides year‐round. N. lugens can undertake long‐distance migration of up to 500 km from tropical areas to form transient populations in sub‐tropical and temperate areas but due to low temperatures and absence of rice plants during the winter it does not establish in such areas. Entry to the EU via migration is unlikely given the distance from tropical rice growing areas. A possible but unlikely potential pathway is the import of infested rice seedlings, although we have no evidence that such trade exists. In the EU, rice is mainly planted from seed; when transplanted, it is sourced locally. N. lugens is very unlikely to survive year‐round in the EU due to unsuitable climate and lack of hosts during the winter. Consequently, the pest is very unlikely to become established in the EU territory. Nevertheless, there are measures available to further reduce the likelihood of entry, establishment and spread of N. lugens within the EU. N. lugens does not satisfy the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Takahashia japonica (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccidae), the Asian string cottony scale, for the EU. This insect is native to Japan, and it is now established in many countries in Asia. It was first recorded in the EU (Italy) in 2017 and has also been found in Croatia. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is polyphagous, feeding on broad‐leafed trees and shrubs assigned to 25 genera belonging to 17 families. Host plant species commonly found in EU include maple (Acer spp.), alder (Alnus japonica), silkworm mulberry (Morus alba), black mulberry (Morus nigra), quince (Cydonia oblonga), walnut (Juglans regia), cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera), apple (Malus domestica) and citrus (Citrus sp.). Climatic conditions and availability of host plants in southern and central EU countries have allowed this species to establish and spread. Impact in cultivated hosts including citrus, mulberries, quinces, apples, plums, forest trees, as well as ornamental plants, is anticipated. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and further spread. T. japonica meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract Agricultural activities and vegetation growth cause rapid small‐scale vegetation changes which dynamically alter habitat suitability. Time series enable to track down such variations of vegetation structure and are promising to examine their impact on animals' life. Nevertheless, their potential to characterize vegetation dynamics in ways pertinent to animals' fine‐scale habitat use has not been adequately explored and ecologically meaningful proxies are lacking. To address this gap, we exemplary investigated foraging activities of breeding white storks in an agricultural landscape. Reflecting on the understanding that storks require short vegetation to access prey, we examined if good foraging conditions – early growth and post‐harvest/mowing periods – are detectable using the points between local minima/maxima in NDVI profiles (half‐maximum). We processed 1 year of Landsat imagery to identify half‐maximum periods (HM: good prey access) and non‐half‐maximum periods (non‐HM: poor prey access) on field‐scale in croplands and grasslands. Additionally, we mapped used/unused fields and retrieved foraging duration/daily visitation rates from GPS tracks of the storks. We then explored habitat use, compared habitat use with habitat availability and tested temporal predictors distinguishing between HM/non‐HM in habitat selection models. Examining habitat use, storks revisited croplands and grasslands significantly more often during HM than during non‐HM, while foraging duration was only prolonged in croplands during HM. However, comparing habitat use with habitat availability, we observed that storks used croplands and grasslands in significantly higher proportions during HM than during non‐HM. Additionally, we found that temporal information affected storks' habitat selection and improved model performance. Our findings emphasize that the half‐maximum proxy enables to coarsely distinguish temporal resource variations in storks' foraging habitats, highlighting the potential of time series for characterizing behaviorally‐relevant vegetation dynamics. Such information helps to create more species‐centered landscape scenarios in habitat models, allowing to unravel effects of small‐scale environmental changes on wildlife to ultimately guide conservation and management.

Abstract The elderly people are increasingly exposed to polymedication and therefore to the risks of drug–drug interactions (DDIs). However, there are few data available on the clinical consequences of these drug combinations. We investigated the impact of the various DDIs classified as severe in terms of emergency admissions in the elderly. A cross‐sectional study was conducted using information from the emergency department admissions of Bordeaux University Hospital between September 2016 and August 2017. Events of interest were frequency of concomitant uses of interacting drugs that are contraindicated or warned against and frequency of emergency admissions due to contraindicated or warned against concomitant uses of interacting drugs. Five thousand, eight hundred sixty (5860) admissions to the emergency department were analyzed. A total of 375 (6.4%) contraindicated or warned against concomitant uses were identified, including 163 contraindicated (43.5%) and 212 warned against (56.5%). Reason for admission appeared likely related to the underlying DDI in 58 cases. Within these, 36 admissions were assessed as probably due to a DDI (0.6% of hospitalizations) and 22 as certainly (0.4% of hospitalizations). Of these, there were 24 (45%) admissions related to a long QT syndrome (LQTS), nine (16%) related to a drug overdose, and eight (14%) related to a hemorrhage. An antidepressant was involved in 22 of the 24 cases of LQTS. Seven of the eight cases of hemorrhage involved the antithrombotic agents / non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs combination. Elderly patients admitted to emergency departments are particularly exposed to high‐risk potential DDIs. These drug combinations lead mainly to LQTS and involve certain antidepressants.

Abstract Large, observational genetic studies are commonly used to identify genetic factors associated with diseases and disease‐related traits. Such cohorts have not been commonly used to identify genetic predictors of drug dosing or concentrations, perhaps because of the heterogeneity in drug dosing and formulation, and the random timing of blood sampling. We hypothesized that large sample sizes relative to traditional pharmacokinetic studies would compensate for this variability and enable the identification of pharmacogenetic predictors of drug concentrations. We performed a cross‐sectional, proof‐of‐concept association study to replicate the well‐established association between metoprolol concentrations and CYP2D6 genotype‐inferred metabolizer phenotypes in participants from the Montreal Heart Institute Hospital Cohort undergoing metoprolol therapy. Plasma concentrations of metoprolol and α‐hydroxymetoprolol (α‐OH‐metoprolol) were measured in samples collected randomly regarding the previous metoprolol dose. A total of 999 individuals were included. The metoprolol daily dose ranged from 6.25 to 400 mg (mean 84.3 ± 57.1 mg). CYP2D6‐inferred phenotype was significantly associated with both metoprolol and α‐OH‐metoprolol in unadjusted and adjusted models (all p

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Eotetranychus sexmaculatus (Acari: Tetranychidae), the six‐spotted spider mite, for the EU. The mite is native to North America and has spread to Asia and Oceania. It is not known to occur in the EU. The species is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. E. sexmaculatus feeds on more than 50 hosts in 20 botanical families and can be a serious pest of important crops in the EU such as citrus (Citrus spp.), avocado (Persea americana), grapevine (Vitis spp.) and ornamentals such as Ficus spp. and Rosa spp. In California and New Zealand, the mite can breed continuously on evergreen hosts such as avocados and citrus, growing slowly during the winter and faster during the summer. Dry weather conditions hamper its development. Plants for planting, fruit, cut branches and cut flowers provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Some host plants for planting are prohibited from entering the EU while others require a phytosanitary certificate, as do cut branches and cut flowers. In the warmer parts of southern EU Member States, climatic conditions and host plant availability are conducive for establishment and spread. The introduction of E. sexmaculatus is expected to have an economic impact in the EU through the reduction in yield, quality and commercial value of citrus and avocado production. Additional damage on other host plants, including ornamentals, under EU environmental conditions and cropping practices cannot be ruled out. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. E. sexmaculatus satisfies with no key uncertainties the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Paracoccus marginatus (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae), the papaya scale, for the EU. It is native to Central America and since the 1990s, it has spread rapidly in mainly tropical areas of the Caribbean, islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, Africa and southern Asia. Large populations were detected in northern Israel in 2016. It has not been reported within the EU. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It reproduces sexually and there are up to 11 generations per year in India. The estimated minimum, optimum and maximum temperature thresholds for the adult females are 13.9, 28.4 and 32.1°C, respectively. First‐instar nymphs may move to neighbouring plants by crawling, or be passively dispersed by wind, or hitchhiking on clothing, equipment or animals. It is highly polyphagous, feeding on plants in 172 genera and 54 families. It is an important pest of custard apple (Annona spp.), papaya (Carica papaya) and Hibiscus spp. It also feeds on a wide range of plants cultivated in the EU such as eggplant (Solanum melongena), avocado (Persea americana), citrus (Citrus spp.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), grapevine (Vitis vinifera), guava (Psidium guajava), mango (Mangifera indica), passionfruit (Passiflora edulis), pomegranate (Punica granatum), pepper (Capsicum annuum) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Plants for planting, fruits, vegetables and cut flowers are the main potential pathways for entry of P. marginatus into the EU. Climatic conditions in the warmest areas of Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Spain, where host plants occur, would likely allow this species to successfully establish and spread. Reductions in yield and quality of some cultivated hosts including Annona spp., Hibiscus spp. and papaya are anticipated if establishment occurs. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. P. marginatus meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Urocerus albicornis (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), the black horntail sawfly, for the territory of the EU. U. albicornis is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. U. albicornis occurs throughout Canada and continental USA and has established in northern Spain, and probably in southern France (based on two specimens caught in two sites) and Japan (based on one individual caught in one site). It attacks mostly stumps or fallen or weakened trees of at least 20 species of Pinaceae (Abies spp., Larix spp., Picea spp., Pinus spp., Pseudotsuga menziesii, Tsuga spp.) and of Cupressaceae (Thuja plicata). In Spain, the females fly between May and September with a peak in August and September. The eggs are deposited into the sapwood, together with mucus containing a venom and a white‐rot wood‐decay basidiomycete, either Amylostereum chailletii or A. areolatum. Each fungus is symbiotic with the insect. The larvae feed on wood infected by the fungus. All immature stages live in the host sapwood. In British Columbia, the lifecycle of the pest lasts 2 years but has not been fully characterised elsewhere. The wood of the host trees is impacted by decay due to the fungus, and structurally impaired by the larval galleries. U. albicornis can be carried in conifer wood, solid wood packaging material (SWPM) or plants for planting. Wood from North America is regulated by 2019/2072 (Annex VII) while SWPM is managed according to ISPM 15. The pathway plants for planting is largely closed by prohibition, with the exception of Thuja spp. Climatic conditions in several EU member states are conducive for establishment and the main host plants are widespread in those areas. Further spread and introduction of U. albicornis is likely to decrease the quality of host wood and may influence forest diversity by selectively affecting conifers. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of additional entry and further spread, and there is a potential for biological control. Despite uncertainty regarding potential damage, U. albicornis satisfies all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Milviscutulus mangiferae (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccidae), the mango shield scale, for the EU. The native range of M. mangiferae is uncertain. This species occurs widely in tropical and warmer subtropical regions throughout the world. Within the EU, the pest has been recorded in Italy in a greenhouse at the Botanical Garden of Padua on mango trees imported from Florida (USA); however, its establishment remains uncertain. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is polyphagous, feeding on plant species belonging to more than 86 genera in more than 43 families including many crop and ornamental plants. It can be a serious pest of mango (Mangifera indica) and an occasional pest of a range of ornamental plants. Economically important crops in the EU such as citrus (Citrus spp.), avocado (Persea americana) and ornamentals such as hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.) and myrtle (Myrtus communis), are included in the host list of M. mangiferae. Reproduction of M. mangiferae is generally parthenogenetic and it completes two to three generations annually. Plants for planting, cut flowers and fruits provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Climatic conditions in southern EU countries and host plant availability in those areas are conducive for establishment and spread. Establishment could also occur in heated greenhouses in cooler areas of the EU. The introduction of the mango shield scale is expected to have an economic impact in the EU through the reduction in yield, quality and commercial value of fruits and ornamental plants. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and further spread. M. mangiferae meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract Identifying the molecular mechanisms involved in rapid adaptation to novel environments and determining their predictability are central questions in evolutionary biology and pressing issues due to rapid global changes. Complementary to genetic responses to selection, faster epigenetic variations such as modifications of DNA methylation may play a substantial role in rapid adaptation. In the context of rampant urbanization, joint examinations of genomic and epigenomic mechanisms are still lacking. Here, we investigated genomic (SNP) and epigenomic (CpG methylation) responses to urban life in a passerine bird, the Great tit (Parus major). To test whether urban evolution is predictable (i.e. parallel) or involves mostly nonparallel molecular processes among cities, we analysed both SNP and CpG methylation variations across three distinct pairs of city and forest Great tit populations in Europe. Our analyses reveal a polygenic response to urban life, with both many genes putatively under weak divergent selection and multiple differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between forest and city great tits. DMRs mainly overlapped transcription start sites and promotor regions, suggesting their importance in modulating gene expression. Both genomic and epigenomic outliers were found in genomic regions enriched for genes with biological functions related to the nervous system, immunity, or behavioural, hormonal and stress responses. Interestingly, comparisons across the three pairs of city‐forest populations suggested little parallelism in both genetic and epigenetic responses. Our results confirm, at both the genetic and epigenetic levels, hypotheses of polygenic and largely nonparallel mechanisms of rapid adaptation in novel environments such as urbanized areas.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Nipaecoccus viridis (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae), the spherical scale, for the EU. It is of Asian origin and occurs widely in southern Asia, Africa and tropical Australia. It has been introduced to a few countries in the Americas. In the Mediterranean basin it is found in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Syria and Turkey, where it is limited to the Marmara region. It has not been reported within the EU. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It reproduces sexually, has three generations each year in citrus orchards in South Africa, and all stages can overwinter. First instar nymphs may move to neighbouring plants by crawling or be passively dispersed by wind or hitchhiking on clothing, equipment or animals. It is highly polyphagous, feeding on plants in 115 genera and 46 families. It is an important pest of citrus (Citrus spp.), cotton (Gossypium spp.), mango (Mangifera indica), avocado (Persea americana) and stored potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). It also feeds on a wide range of other fruit (apple Malus domestica, olive Olea europea, pear Pyrus communis and grape Vitis vinifera) and vegetable crops (tomato Solanum lycopersicum), and ornamental plants (roses, Rosa spp.) that are widely grown in the EU. Plants for planting, fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers are the main potential pathways for entry of N. viridis into the EU. Climatic conditions and availability of host plants in southern parts of the EU where there are few days of frost each year would likely allow this species to successfully establish and spread. Reductions in yield and quality of cultivated hosts including avocado, citrus, cotton and mango is anticipated if establishment occurs. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. N. viridis meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Resseliella maxima (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), the soybean gall midge, for the EU. This midge was first described in 2018 and is widespread in north‐western United States. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Larvae feed on and develop in soybean (Glycine max, Fabaceae), and possibly in two other Fabaceae, sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) and alfalfa/lucerne (Medicago sativa). Feeding damage results in dark brown or black areas on the stems which become weak and can break near the soil; heavy infestations can cause plant death. R. maxima adults live only a few days and adult females lay eggs within 24 h after emergence. Larvae of R. maxima overwinter in the soil as third instars in silken cocoons. The main natural dispersal stage is the adult, which can fly. Freshly cut host plants for animal feed contaminated with larvae provide a potential pathway for entry into the EU. However, there is great uncertainty as to whether such plants are imported from USA states where R. maxima occurs. Climatic conditions and host availability in central‐western EU MS are favourable for outdoor establishment. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. Except for the uncertainty concerning the likelihood of entry, R. maxima satisfies the other criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Urocerus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), the Japanese horntail, for the territory of the EU. U. japonicus is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072 but was identified as an actionable pest in a commodity risk assessment of Pinus thunbergii artificially dwarfed plants from Japan. U. japonicus occurs across Japan and on the Korean Peninsula. It attacks fallen or weakened Japanese cedars, Cryptomeria japonica and Japanese cypresses, Chamaecyparis obtusa. It has also been observed attacking Pinus spp., Abies spp., Larix kaempferi and Picea jezoensis. The females oviposit into the sapwood. Eggs are deposited together with a symbiotic basidiomycete fungus, Amylostereum laevigatum. The larvae feed on wood infected by the fungus. All immature stages live in the hosts sapwood. The lifecycle of the pest lasts 1 year, sometimes 2 years. The wood of the host trees is discoloured by the fungus and therefore loses much of its economic value. U. japonicus can be carried in conifer wood, solid wood packaging material (SWPM) or plants for planting. Wood from Japan is regulated by 2019/2072 (Annexes VII and XI) whilst SWPM is managed by ISPM 15. The pathway plants for planting is largely closed by prohibition, with the exception of Cryptomeria spp. and specified bonsai plants for planting. Climatic conditions in several EU Member States are conducive for establishment, but the main host plants are not very common in those areas, being only amenity trees, although the other hosts mentioned in the literature, Pinus spp., Abies spp., Picea spp. and Larix spp., are widespread. The introduction of U. japonicus is likely to decrease the quality of host wood, as in Japan. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and further spread, and there is a potential for biological control. U. japonicus satisfies all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Icerya aegyptiaca (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Monophlebidae), the Egyptian fluted scale, for the EU. This insect is established in several countries in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Within the EU, the pest has not been reported. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is highly polyphagous, feeding on plants in 128 genera and 66 families, with some preference for avocado (Persea americana), banana (Musa sp.), citrus (Citrus spp.), coconut (Coccos nucifera), common pear (Pyrus communis), fig (Ficus spp.), guava (Psidium guajava), maize (Zea mays), mango (Mangifera indica), white mulberry (Morus alba), and grapevine (Vitis vinifera). It has also been recorded feeding on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), as well as on ornamental plants. Plants for planting and fruits, vegetables and cut flowers are the main potential pathways for entry of I. aegyptiaca into the EU. Climatic conditions and availability of host plants in parts of the EU where there are very few days of frost each year would likely allow this species to successfully establish and spread. Economic impact in cultivated hosts including citrus, grapes, maize, peppers, sunflowers, tomatoes and ornamental crops is anticipated if establishment occurs. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. I. aegyptiaca meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Dendrolimus spectabilis (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), a moth, also known as the Japanese pine caterpillar, for the European Union (EU). D. spectabilis is native to China, Japan and Korea. Its larvae primarily feed on the needles of Pinus densiflora and P. thunbergii and can also feed on P. strobus, P. rigida, P. taeda and P. tabuliformis. The pest can have one or two generations per year; winter is mostly spent as fifth instar larvae in the soil. Adults emerge in July and August and females lay egg masses of 200–300 eggs on coniferous host needles. Natural enemies are described as significant factors of population density changes in Japan and the Republic of Korea. The pest can be detected visually, and there are morphological keys as well as molecular markers allowing identification. D. spectabilis could enter the EU, either as eggs, larvae or pupae in the foliage of plants for planting or cut branches, as larvae on wood with bark or as overwintering larvae in the litter of potted plants. However, Annex VI of Regulation 2019/2072 prohibits the introduction of D. spectabilis hosts from countries and areas where the pest occurs. D. spectabilis occurs in climatic zones that are found in the EU, and the fact that it attacks the North American P. strobus, P. taeda and P. rigida in its Asian native area suggests a potential to shift to local conifer species in the EU territory. There is uncertainty regarding the magnitude of economic and environmental impact of D. spectabilis on conifer species commonly occurring in the EU. Notwithstanding this uncertainty, D. spectabilis satisfies all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Aonidiella orientalis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), the oriental scale, for the EU. A. orientalis is a species mostly occurring in tropical and subtropical areas. It is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is a polyphagous species, with hosts in more than 160 plant genera belonging to more than 70 families. Numerous important crops suffer economic losses from A. orientalis such as citrus, figs, mangoes, papayas, bananas, palms, tea and some ornamentals. A. orientalis has also been recorded on several other crops which are important for the EU such as cotton, apricots, peaches and grapes, but there are no records of economic impact on these hosts. This scale insect reproduces rapidly and may reach high population density between 15 and 30°C. In the tropics, the scale breeds continuously, generations overlap and all life stages coexist. In Queensland, Australia, A. orientalis can have up to six generations each year. The main natural dispersal stage is the first instar which crawls over the natal host plant or to adjacent host plants and can be dispersed further by wind. Plants for planting, vegetables, cut flowers and fruits provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Between 1997 and 2019, the UK intercepted A. orientalis more than 120 times, most frequently on mangoes and guava fruit. Climatic conditions and host availability in southern EU MS are favourable for outdoor establishment. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and spread. The main uncertainties include the area of establishment and magnitude of impact. A. orientalis meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Penthimiola bella (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), the citrus leafhopper, for the European Union (EU). P. bella is native to the Afrotropical region; it has spread to Israel (first reported in 1974), Lebanon, and was reported from Morocco in 2018. Within the EU, P. bella is established in Portugal (Algarve) where it was first found on sweet oranges in 2012, and then in Spain in 2020, also on sweet oranges. P. bella is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is a polyphagous species reported, among cultivated hosts, on sweet orange, grapefruit and avocado. It is also described as being found on unspecified trees and bushes in savannahs, mountain forests and rain forests in Africa. Climatic conditions in some parts of southern EU countries are favourable and host plants are available in those areas to support establishment and spread. Despite being present in Portugal for over 10 years, there is a lack of evidence of impacts; hence, the magnitude of impact following introduction is uncertain. Nevertheless, in South Africa, P. bella was reported as being an economically important pest of citrus and to cause damage to avocado fruit during the early stages of development. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and further spread. Except for having uncertain economic or environmental impacts as a result of its introduction, P. bella satisfies all the other criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Neomaskellia andropogonis (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), the sugarcane whitefly, for the EU territory. N. andropogonis is a tropical and subtropical species that originates in south central Asia and has recently established in Iran and Iraq. N. andropogonis is not listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is oligophagous on Poaceae and most frequently reported on sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), on which it has become an important emerging pest in western Iran. The larvae feed on the foliage and stalks and can cause a reduction of photosynthesis rate and growth. In heavy infestations, the sugar purity and content are greatly decreased. Honeydew egested by feeding N. andropogonis larvae can promote the growth of black sooty mould over the host. No evidence was found indicating economic damage to other grasses. The ornamental grass hosts Andropogon sp. and Imperata cylindrica are ornamental grasses in the subfamily Panicoideae and are exempt from a general prohibition on Poaceae entering the EU and together with fresh sugarcane, provide potential pathways for entry. An estimated threshold for development from egg to adult of 7.2°C with approximately 500 degree days required for a generation suggests that climatic conditions, together with the availability of grass hosts in the southern EU, would support establishment. Adults disperse naturally by flying and all stages can be moved over long distances by the trade of infested plant material. The pest has the potential to impact sugarcane production in Portugal and Spain. N. andropogonis satisfies all of the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. However, this conclusion has high uncertainties regarding the likelihood of entry and the magnitude of potential impact within the EU as the insect is only recorded as an economically important pest in Iran, and its host range is poorly known and understood.

Abstract Aims Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) is increasingly being used in circulatory failure. The main indications are cardiogenic shock, post‐cardiotomy cardiac failure, and refractory cardiac arrest. However, VA‐ECMO weaning is particularly challenging, and weaning failure is reported to be as high as 50%, with increased related mortality. Levosimendan is a novel long acting effect inodilator used in cardiogenic shock and terminal heart failure decompensation. Levosimendan use in VA‐ECMO patients seems to reduce weaning failure regardless of the initial aetiology and to reduce mortality when administrated early after VA‐ECMO initiation. However, studies are limited to retrospective analyses and reported case series. The aim of the WEANILEVO trial is to evaluate whether administration of levosimendan before VA‐ECMO weaning is associated with a reduced rates of weaning failure and recourse to other temporary circulatory support. Methods and results WEANILEVO is a randomized, prospective, multicentre, double‐blind, parallel‐group, controlled trial. One hundred eighty patients will be enrolled if they had acute circulatory heart failure treated with VA‐ECMO and for whom weaning is expected within 48 h. The study drugs are either levosimendan (0.2 μg/kg/min for 24 h) or a placebo. The primary endpoint of the trial is the absence of VA‐ECMO weaning, recourse to another VA‐ECMO, or other temporary circulatory assistance or death within 7 days of VA‐ECMO weaning. Conclusions Levosimendan use in VA‐ECMO appears to be beneficial for reducing weaning failure and mortality. The results of WEANILEVO should significantly influence decisions regarding the use of levosimendan for VA‐ECMO weaning.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Pulvinaria psidii (Hemiptera: Coccidae), the green shield scale, for the EU. P. psidii was originally described from Hawaii on Psidium sp. and it is now established in many countries in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Within the EU, the pest has been reported from mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. P. psidii is not listed in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is highly polyphagous, feeding on 230 plant species belonging to more than 70 botanical families with preference for avocado (Persea americana), citrus (Citrus spp.), coffee (Coffea sp.), guava (Psidium guajava), litchi (Litchi chinensis), mango (Mangifera indica), mulberry (Morus sp.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum). It has also been recorded feeding on some solanaceous plants: tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and pepper (Capsicum annuum), as well as on ornamental plants. Climatic conditions and availability of host plants in southern EU countries would most probably allow this species to successfully establish and spread. Economic impact in cultivated hosts including citrus, mangoes, mulberries, as well as vegetable and ornamental crops is anticipated if establishment occurs. Indeed, P. psidii has already been reported causing damage to Melia azedarach, a widely used ornamental tree that lines streets in Valencia. There is contradictory information regarding impact in mangoes in Spain. This could be due to the relatively recent establishment of the pest. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and further spread. P. psidii meets the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for this species to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract Aims Transition care programmes are designed to improve coordination of care between hospital and home. For heart failure patients, meta‐analyses show a high efficacy but with moderate evidence level. Moreover, difficulties for implementation of such programmes limit their extrapolation. Methods and results We designed a mixed‐method study to assess the implementation of the PRADO‐IC, a nationwide transition programme that aims to be offered to every patient with heart failure in France. This programme consists essentially in an administrative assistance to schedule follow‐up visits and in a nurse follow‐up during 2 to 6 months and aims to reduce the annual heart failure readmission rate by 30%. This study assessed three quantitative aims: the cost to avoid a readmission for heart failure within 1 year (primary aim, intended sample size 404 patients), clinical care pathways, and system economic outcomes; and two qualitative aims: perceived problems and benefits of the PRADO‐IC. All analyses will be gathered at the end of study for a joint interpretation. Strengths of this study design are the randomized controlled design, the population included in six centres with low motivation bias, the primary efficiency analysis, the secondary efficacy analyses on care pathway and clinical outcomes, and the joint qualitative analysis. Limits are the heterogeneity of centres and of intervention in a control group and parallel development of other new therapeutic interventions in this field. Conclusions The results of this study may help decision‐makers to support an administratively managed transition programme.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Russellaspis pustulans (Hemiptera: Asterolecaniidae), the oleander pit scale, for the EU. R. pustulans occurs widely in tropical and subtropical areas of the world and is restricted to indoor plantings in cooler temperate regions. Within the EU, it has been reported in some literature from Cyprus, Italy and Malta though not confirmed by the NPPOs. R. pustulans is not listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is very polyphagous, feeding on plants in 69 families and exhibits a preference for fig (Ficus carica) and oleander (Nerium oleander). R. pustulans was observed completing up to three generations per year in Egypt, with peaks of presence in June, October and December. The main natural dispersal stage is the first instar, which crawls over the host plant or may be dispersed further by wind and animals. Plants for planting, cut branches and fruits provide potential pathways for entry into the EU. Climatic conditions in some parts of southern EU countries are favourable and host plants are available in those areas to support establishment. However, the magnitude of impact following introduction is uncertain. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of entry and further spread. R. pustulans does meet the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Oligonychus perseae (Acari: Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), the persea mite, for the EU. O. perseae is a tropical species that originated in Mesoamerica and has now spread and established in California, Florida, Hawaii, Morocco, southern Europe and Israel. Within the EU, it is established in Italy, Portugal and Spain. O. perseae is not listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is polyphagous, feeding on plants in 20 genera in 17 families. It is most frequently reported on avocado (Persea americana), where it is considered a key pest. No evidence was found indicating damage to other crops. O. perseae live on leaves and do not attack the fruit. Populations usually grow exponentially at the beginning of summer and decline at the end of this season. High population densities can cause severe defoliation, resulting in downgrading of fruit through sunburn. However, this type of damage is common only if trees additionally suffer from water stress. The lack of additional avocado pests in the EU, which facilitates the production of organic avocados, is jeopardised by the occurrence of this mite, as it may require pesticide applications. This is why O. perseae is considered an important pest of avocados in Spain, where more than 80% of EU avocado production occurs. Natural dispersal is restricted to neighbouring trees. However, human‐assisted movement can result in long‐distance spread. Plants for planting provide potential pathways for further entry and spread, including O. perseae‐free EU MS where avocados are grown (i.e. Cyprus, France, Greece). Climatic conditions and availability of host plants in southern EU countries are conducive for establishment. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the likelihood of further entry and spread. O. perseae satisfies with no key uncertainties the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed a pest categorisation of Tetraleurodes perseae (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), the red‐banded whitefly, for the territory of the EU. T. perseae is a tropical and subtropical species that originated in the Neotropical region and has now spread and established in the USA (California and Florida), Israel and Lebanon. T. perseae is not listed in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. It is oligophagous on Lauraceae and most frequently reported on avocado (Persea americana), on which it is considered a minor or secondary pest. No evidence was found indicating damage to other plants. T. perseae larvae develop on the foliage and don’t attack the fruit. The number of generations per year varies between one and ten. High populations may promote the growth of black sooty moulds on the foliage and fruit, and adults feeding on the buds can lead to deformed immature leaves and premature leaf drop. However, T. perseae populations are usually effectively controlled by hymenopteran parasitoids, at least one of which (Cales noacki) is widespread in the EU. The producers of organic avocados in the EU could encourage the use of C. noacki, although occasional outbreaks of T. perseae could temporarily impact the fruit quality. Adults disperse naturally by flying and all stages can be moved over long distances by the trade of infested plant material. Plants for planting provide potential pathways for entry and spread in the EU. Climatic conditions and availability of host plants in southern EU countries are conducive for establishment. Phytosanitary measures are available to reduce the risk. T. perseae satisfies all of the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. However, this conclusion has a high uncertainty regarding magnitude of potential impact as the insect is a minor and sporadic pest in its current area of distribution.

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health performed the pest categorisation of the ulluco weevil, Amathynetoides nitidiventris (Hustache), for the EU territory. This species is not included in EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2019/2072. However, its only substantiated host, ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus), is included in Annex I of Regulation EU 2018/2019 as a high risk plant prohibited from entering the EU, pending risk assessment. In its native Andean region, A. nitidiventris is univoltine, with a lifecycle highly synchronised with the phenology of its host, reproduction and development take place during the development of tubers. Oviposition occurs in the soil. Larvae feed by tunnelling into the tubers, which most of them abandon to pupate in the soil. A minority pupates in the tubers. Because adult A. nitidiventris are often found in other crops due to crop rotations and crop associations, this species has been mistakenly identified as a pest of other crops. In principle soil and tubers of ulluco could provide a pathway for A. nitidiventris into the EU. However, the soil pathway is closed and ulluco tubers are regulated as high risk plants. There are no EU records of interception. Should this weevil enter the EU, the rarity of its host, which is not known to be cultivated in EU MSs, would hamper establishment, spread, and impact. As a consequence, A. nitidiventris does not satisfy all the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. The criteria that are not met are the potential for establishment, spread, and economic or environmental consequences in the EU.