Effect of cold acclimation and rapid cold hardiness on cold tolerance and cryoprotectants of the greenbug Schizaphis graminum (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Insects can increase their survival at subzero temperatures, prior to long or short term exposure, to non-lethal cold temperatures by cold acclimation (ACC) or rapid cold hardiness (RCH). In this research, the effect of rapid or gradual decrease in temperatureon cold tolerance of adults of the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) was investigated. LT50 (lower lethal temperature for 50% mortality) of aphids acclimated at 10 °C for one week showed no significant differences with control (aphids reared at 20 °C). In addition to the cold acclimation, adults of S. graminum showed RCH response too.When the rearing aphids at 20 °C were transferred directlyto a range of sub-zero temperatures for 2 h, LT80 (lower lethal temperature for 80% mortality) was -11.6 °C, but acclimation at 0 °C for 5 h before transfer to -11.6 °C, induced maximum RCH, led to increase of survival to 73%. RCH was induced by cooling of the insects at 0 °C for different rates.Maximum survival (66%) was achieved by cooling at 0.05 °C/min. Accumulationof sugars and polyols is one of the major mechanismsunderlying ACC and RCH. In this study, trehalose and glucose increased considerably through ACC and RCH treatments, suggesting the role of these compounds in increasing cold tolerance of S. graminum

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma: report of two cases

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal cystadenocarcinomas are rare lesions, the majority of cases presented as one-patient reports. METHODS: We present two cases of retroperitoneal cystadenocarcinoma, both in women of reproductive age: one with aggressive behavior, and the remaining case, with a more indolent clinical evolution. RESULTS: One case presented as pelvic tumor, was treated with surgical resection of the disease, but manifested with recurrent disease a few months later despite use of chemotherapy. The second case involved a patient with diagnosis of abdominal tumor; during laparotomy, a retroperitoneal tumor was found and was totally removed. At follow-up, the patient is disease-free with no other treatment. CONCLUSION: The behavior and treatment of retroperitoneal cystadenocarcinoma are controversial. We suggest aggressive surgery including radical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingoopherectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy in these cases

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy in a male patient. Case report and review of the literature

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy represents a rare tumor, with unclear histogenesis, concerning almost exclusively women. Only two cases concerning male patients have been reported.</p> <p>Case report</p> <p>We herein report a case of a 37 year old man undergone laparotomy for a sizable retroperitoneal tumor resulting after the histological examination to a primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the third case of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma of borderline malignancy in a male patient reported in the literature. The preoperative diagnosis is impossible. Laparotomy constitutes the only diagnostic and curative approach.</p