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Background: Toumeyella parvicornis is an alien pest of recent introduction in Italy that infests stone pines (Pinus pinea L.), its main host plant in Europe. Infestations are currently controlled through endotherapic treatments, but the high costs and the long-term inefficacy highlight the need for alternative control strategies applicable in natural systems as well. An analysis of the effectiveness of autochthonous and naturalized predators is the first step to achieve this goal. This work focused on two candidate predators, Exochomus quadripustulatus and Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), that may potentially control T. parvicornis. The analysis was carried out under laboratory-controlled and semi-field conditions., Results: Laboratory tests were carried out to assess: (i) the predation rate of the ladybugs over different densities of pest preimaginal stages, and (ii) the effect of the presence of heterospecific and conspecific predators on the attractiveness of prey colonies. Semi-field experimentations were carried out by wrapping infested stone pine twigs with net sleeves and applying one of three treatments: (i) Exochomus quadripustulatus, (ii) Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, and (iii) control containing only the pest population. Both the ladybugs were attracted by T. parvicornis, offered as prey. Exochomus quadripustulatus was more attracted to conspecific and heterospecific ladybugs than Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and responded to prey more quickly., Conclusions: The results obtained could be useful for planning further experimentations to explore the potential use of these predators in biological control programs that may be applied in infested areas. Besides the use in an urban context, where pesticide use is strongly limited, the release of natural enemies may help safeguard stone pine forests. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Background: The pine tortoise scale, Toumeyella parvicornis (Cockerell, 1897), is a damaging insect pest native to North America. Its accidental introduction into Europe, where it was first reported in central-southern Italy, is leading to severe infestations among stone pine trees, Pinus pinea L. causing severe infestations and generating a major risk to the health and safety of the citizens as well. This preliminary study aimed at finding an effective low-impact control strategy against Toumeyella parvicornis. We evaluated the effect of endotherapic abamectin injected into infested stone pines in the Parco Archeologico di Ostia Antica (Rome)., Results: Results showed that endotherapic abamectin significantly reduced the pine tortoise adult female populations and had a persistence into plants of approximately 60 days. The first trace of abamectin on the plant's crown was detected 1 month after the treatment. Moreover, the survey highlighted a higher presence of the pest on the twigs of the plants than on needles., Conclusions: These findings offer an important tool in fighting the damaging activity of this phytophagous, especially in an urban context where interventions with treatments are strictly regulated by national laws. Endotherapy, in fact, would reduce the dispersion of active ingredients by drift, an aspect that could represent a valid alternative to manage plants in public areas. Given the actual lack of scientific information about other control solutions, abamectin endotherapic treatments would be the more effective strategy currently applicable. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.)

Aims: The aim of this prospective multicentre study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of the new bidirectional rotational mechanical lead extraction (LE) sheath (Evolution RL, Cook Medical, USA) in chronically implanted leads (>1-year-old leads)., Methods and Results: Between September 2013 and June 2016, a total of 238 leads in 124 consecutive patients were removed by using the new Evolution RL rotational mechanical sheath. Indications for LE were cardiac device infection in 63 (50.8%) cases, lead malfunction in 41 (33.1%), upgrade in 1 (0.8%) case and for other reasons in the remaining 19 cases (15.3%). Ninety-one leads (38.2%) were implantable cardioverter defibrillator leads (81 dual coil vs. 10 single coil), 38 (16%) right ventricular leads, 86 (36.1%) right atrial leads, and 23 (9.7%) coronary sinus leads. The mean implant duration was 92.2 ± 52.9 months (range 12-336). 91.6% of the leads (218/238) were extracted completely with the Evolution RL alone, with the complete success rate rising to 98.7% (235/238 leads) with combined use of a snare. Overall clinical success rate was 100%. No Evolution sheath-related complications were noted. There were no deaths or major complications. Five minor complications (4%) were encountered. In cases of companion leads no wrapping or lead damage were observed., Conclusion: On the basis of our prospective multicentre study, the new hand-powered bidirectional rotational mechanical LE sheath is an effective and safe tool for the extraction of chronically implanted leads without major complications and lead wrapping or lead damage.

Objectives: To compare indications and clinical outcomes of two contemporary left atrial appendage (LAA) percutaneous closure systems in a "real-world" population., Background: Percutaneous LAA occlusion is an emerging therapeutic option for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Some questions however remain unanswered, such as the applicability of results of randomized trials to current clinical practice. Moreover, currently available devices have never been directly compared., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent LAA closure at San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy between 2009 and 2015. Clinical indications and device selection were left to operators' decision; routine clinical and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) follow-up was performed., Results: One-hundred and sixty-five patients were included in the study, of which 99 were treated with the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP) and 66 with the Watchman system. During the follow-up period (median 15 months, interquartile range 6-26 months) five patients died. The incidence of ischemic events was low, with one patient suffering a transient ischemic attack and no episodes recorded of definitive strokes. Twenty-six leaks ≥1 mm were detected (23%); leaks were less common with the ACP and with periprocedural three-dimensional TEE evaluation, but were not found to correlate with clinical events. Clinical outcomes were comparable between the two devices., Conclusions: Our data show excellent safety and efficacy of LAA closure, irrespectively of the device utilized, in a population at high ischemic and hemorrhagic risk. The use of ACP and 3D-TEE minimized the incidence of residual leaks; however, the clinical relevance of small peri-device flow warrants further investigation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., (© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: The mechanism of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)-induced proarrhythmia remains unknown. We postulated that pacing from a left ventricular (LV) lead positioned on epicardial scar can facilitate re-entrant ventricular tachycardia. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CRT-induced proarrhythmia and LV lead location within scar., Methods and Results: Twenty-eight epicardial and 63 endocardial maps, obtained from 64 CRT patients undergoing ventricular tachycardia ablation, were analyzed. A positive LV lead/scar relationship, defined as a lead tip positioned on scar/border zone, was determined by overlaying fluoroscopic projections with LV electroanatomical maps. CRT-induced proarrhythmia occurred in 8 patients (12.5%). They all presented early with electrical storm (100% versus 39% of patients with no proarrhythmia; P<0.01), requiring temporary biventricular pacing discontinuation in half of cases. They more frequently presented with heart failure/cardiogenic shock (50% versus 7%; P<0.01), requiring intensive care management. Ventricular tachycardia was re-entrant in all. The LV lead location within epicardial scar was significantly more frequent in the proarrhythmia group (60% versus 9% P=0.03 on epicardial bipolar scar, 80% versus 17% P=0.02 on epicardial unipolar scar, and 80% versus 17% P=0.02 on any-epicardial scar). Ablation was performed within epicardial scar, close to the LV lead, and allowed CRT reactivation in all patients., Conclusions: CRT-induced proarrhythmia presented early with electrical storm and was associated with an LV lead positioning within epicardial scar. Catheter ablation allowed for resumption of biventricular stimulation in all patients., (© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.)