An assessment of population fluctuations of citrus pest woolly whitefly Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell, 1896) (Homoptera, Aleyrodidae) and its parasitoid Cales noacki Howard, 1907 (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae): A case study from Northwestern Algeria

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the parasitoid Cales noacki Howard, 1907 (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) in the biological control of the citrus pest woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell,1896) in Northwestern Algeria. In particular the pest and parasitoid population fluctuations under different environmental conditions were investigated. The study was conducted by examination and sampling of whitefly adult populations on young shoots and catches as well as its parasitoid during a 12-month period by counting the parasite and infested-live larvae. Results showed remarkable variations in abundance indices and infestation rates of larvae and adults that depended on the growth flush in foliage and meteorological conditions of the region. The woolly whitefly manifested three flight periods coinciding with three growth flushes of orange sap; in autumn towards the end of September followed by mid-November with the highest average abundance of 10 individuals per branch and a third flight period in mid-May. Phases of growth flush seemed to have an effect on the temporal distribution of adults over the sampling period from July to June. Pest emergence appeared favorable at 12-20 °C as the minimum interval temperature whereas the maximum varied between 25-33 °C with humidity levels of 50 % and 75 %. As for the incidence of natural enemies on whiteflies, despite their abundance, their impact was not optimum due to the large fluctuations in number of whiteflies. Although the pest-parasitoid complex appears to be important in the orchard, the biological regulation exerted by C. noacki while effective is insufficient for the complete neutralization of citrus woolly whitefly A. floccosus. An integrated approach is needed using additional natural enemies associated with the woolly whitefly

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Small cell carcinoma of prostate presenting with Cushing′s syndrome

Small cell carcinoma of prostate (SCPCa) was initially described by Wenk et al. in 1977. SCPCa is a very rare cancer that accounts for only 0.5-2% of all prostate carcinomas. Although, this pathology is usually accompanied with prostate adenocarcinomas, there are a few hypotheses about the origin of SCPCa. Poorly differentiated acinar adenocarcinoma must be distinguished from SCPCa in histopathological examination. These patients may present with different paraneoplastic syndromes. Early diagnosis is very important because of the aggressive tumor behavior. Here, we report a patient who presented with Cushing syndrome and thereafter diagnosed with SCPCa

Control of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) with Amblyseius swirskii on greenhouse pepper in heated and unheated plastic tunnels in the Mediterranean region of Turkey

The western flower thrip, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) poses a significant risk to many food and ornamental crops in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Chemical control has been the primary means used to control the population of F. occidentalis in protected cultivation systems in Turkey. We evaluated Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) on peppers following single releases at the rate of 50 adults per m 2 as a predator of F. occidentalis in heated and unheated plastic tunnels. The study covered the period when the peppers had started to flower. In both tunnel types, despite greater variation in day/night temperatures in unheated plastic tunnels, the F. occidentalis population was maintained at a level of fewer than 2 per flower throughout the experiments in plots where predatory mites were released. The density of the thrips infestation exceeded the action threshold of 3 thrips per flower in control plots. The results of the study show that A. swirskii is highly effective for controlling western flower thrips on sweet pepper and can provide long-term thrips control. In the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey, pepper growers who are considering releases of this predatory mite in plastic tunnels may find A. swirskii useful as a new control agent

The efficacy of balneotherapy and mud-pack therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic degenerative disorder. There are various treatment modalities. This study was planned to investigate the efficacy of balneotherapy, mud-pack therapy in patients with knee OA

Thyroid hormones and ovarian reserve: a comprehensive study of women seeking infertility care

Abstract Background Ovarian reserve is the number of oocytes remaining in the ovary and is one of the most important aspects of a woman’s reproductive potential. Research on the association between thyroid dysfunction and ovarian reserve has yielded controversial results. In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and ovarian reserve markers. Methods From 1443 women seeking infertility care, the data of 1396 women aged between 20–45 years old who had a body mass index between 18–30 kg/m2 were recruited for this retrospective study. The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and TSH relationship was analyzed with generalized linear and polynomial regression. Results Median age, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), AMH, and TSH levels were 36.79 years, 9.55 IU/L, 3.57 pmol/L, and 1.80 mIU/L, respectively. Differences between TSH groups were statistically significant in terms of AMH level, antral follicle count (AFC), and age (p = 0.007 and p = 0.038, respectively). A generalized linear regression model could not explain age-matched TSH levels concerning AMH levels (p > 0.05). TSH levels were utilized in polynomial regression models of AMH, and the 2nd degree was found to have the best fit. The inflection point of the model was 2.88 mIU/L. Conclusions Our study shows a correlation between TSH and AMH values in a population of infertile women. Our results are as follows: a TSH value of 2.88 mIU/L yields the highest AMH result. It was also found that AMH and AFC were positively correlated, while AMH and FSH were negatively correlated

Iodine Status in Turkish Populations and Exposure to Iodide Uptake Inhibitors

Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate are competitive inhibitors of the sodium iodide symporter of the thyroid membrane. These inhibitors can decrease iodine uptake by the symporter into the thyroid gland and may disrupt thyroid function. This study assesses iodine status and exposure to iodide uptake inhibitors of non-pregnant and non-lactating adult women living in three different cities in Turkey (Istanbul, Isparta and Kayseri). We measured iodine and iodide uptake inhibitors in 24-hr urines collected from study participants (N = 255). All three study populations were mildly iodine deficient, with median urinary iodine (UI) levels of 77.5 mu g/L in Istanbul, 58.8 mu g/L in Isparta, and 69.8 mu g/L in Kayseri. Perchlorate doses were higher in the study population (median 0.13 mu g/kg/day), compared with a reference population (median 0.059 mu g/kg/day), but lower than the U. S. EPA reference dose (0.7 mu g/kg/day). Urinary thiocyanate levels increased with increasing exposure to tobacco smoke, with non-smokers (268 mu g/L) significantly lower than light smokers (1110 mu g/L), who were significantly lower than heavy smokers (2410 mu g/L). This pilot study provides novel data indicating that study participants were moderately iodine deficient and had higher intakes of the iodide uptake inhibitor perchlorate compared with a reference population. Further investigation is needed to characterize the thyroid impact resulting from iodine deficiency coupled with exposure to iodide uptake inhibitors such as perchlorate, thiocyanate and nitrate

Distribution of urinary nitrate excretion (µg/L) for the total study population.

<p>Distribution of urinary nitrate excretion (µg/L) for the total study population.</p

Urinary thiocyanate levels increase with increasing exposure to cyanide from tobacco smoke.

<p>(CPD: cigarettes per day).</p