Study of the postembryonic development of Idaea inquinata under different abiotic factors

Abstract We investigated the biology of Idaea inquinata (Scopoli) (Lepidoptera Geometridae), the rusty wave moth, to determine the number and duration of larval instars and the duration of the pupal stage. The study was conducted at 21, 26, 29, and 34 ± 1 °C; for each temperature tests were conducted at 35 and 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH), with a photoperiod of 16:8 (light:dark). At 35% RH, five larval instars were observed at 26, 29, and 34 °C, whereas eight instars were found at 21 °C. At 21 °C and 70% RH, only one larva pupated after the fifth instar, two completed the sixth instar and one reached the seventh instar. At 21 °C and 35% RH an increase of mortality and in the number of larval instars was observed; the few larvae that reached the tenth instar did not survive. The shortest larval developmental periods were observed at 26 and 29 °C at 70% RH and were 31.9 ± 2.26 and 30.6 ± 3.12 days respectively. The longest developmental period was recorded at 21 °C and 35% RH, and was 172.5 ± 16.26 days. The pupal stage was longer at 21 °C at 35 and 70% RH, and lasted 22.5 ± 2.12 and 22 ± 3.65 days respectively. In all other conditions, the pupal periods lasted from 9 to 10 days. The highest adult emergence was observed at 26 and 29 °C at 70% RH and corresponded to 90% and 83% respectively. I. inquinata did not complete development at 34 °C and 35% RH. At 34 °C and 70% RH, only 13% of the specimens reached the adult stage. At 26 °C and 35% RH there was 66% adult emergence but this declined to 30% at 29°C and 35% RH. Percentage of adult emergence at 21 °C and 35% and 70% RH were 6 and 13% respectively. Considering the reduction in adult emergence at 21 °C, we recommend that a temperature of 18° C is maintained in air conditioned warehouses for the storage of dried medicinal plants to prevent I. inquinata infestations

Customer complaints about insect contaminated ready meals: Presentation

More than one-hundred food complaints about ready meals, coming from mass catering, were analyzed from 2003 to 2017. Even if insects in meals have an enormous negative impact on customers, the percentage relevance, considering the long period and the number of meals served, is negligible. Coleoptera (34%) was the most represented order, followed by Lepidoptera (27%), and Diptera (23%). Coleoptera insects were mainly field pests, found in salads and spinach, moths were represented by species infesting vegetables (58%) and by stored product pests (42%). Species of hygienic concern were found in Diptera. Few cases of cockroach contamination were reported on different food, but it is important to underline their presence in the meal, as it indicates a heavy environmental infestation and a high hygienic risk.More than one-hundred food complaints about ready meals, coming from mass catering, were analyzed from 2003 to 2017. Even if insects in meals have an enormous negative impact on customers, the percentage relevance, considering the long period and the number of meals served, is negligible. Coleoptera (34%) was the most represented order, followed by Lepidoptera (27%), and Diptera (23%). Coleoptera insects were mainly field pests, found in salads and spinach, moths were represented by species infesting vegetables (58%) and by stored product pests (42%). Species of hygienic concern were found in Diptera. Few cases of cockroach contamination were reported on different food, but it is important to underline their presence in the meal, as it indicates a heavy environmental infestation and a high hygienic risk

Preemptive therapy of EBV-related lymphoproliferative disease after pediatric haploidentical stem cell transplantation

The treatment of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is still unsatisfactory. We conducted a prospective trial to evaluate the impact of routine EBV surveillance and preemptive treatment with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab on the development of PTLD in pediatric recipients of extensively T-cell depleted HSCT from an HLA-haploidentical relative. Twenty-seven patients were included in the surveillance program, 12 developed EBV DNA positivity, with 8 of 12 presenting with sustained viral DNA levels requiring treatment with rituximab. Treatment was well tolerated, and induced clearance of EBV DNA in all patients. However, 4/8 patients showed a new increase in EBV load, coincident with the emergence of CD20(-)/CD19(+) B cells in peripheral blood, accompanied by overt PTLD in 3 patients. The latter cleared PTLD after receiving donor EBV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs), and persist in remission at a median 30-month follow-up. EBV-specific T-cell frequency, undetectable at time of EBV DNA positivity, was restored by T-cell therapy to levels comparable with controls. We conclude that preemptive therapy with rituximab is safe, but only partly effective in haplo-HSCT recipients. Patients who progress to PTLD under rituximab treatment can be rescued permanently by infusion of EBV-specific CTLs

Removal of alpha/beta+ T cells and of CD19+ B cells from the graft translates into rapid engraftment, absence of visceral graft-versus-host disease and low transplant-related mortality in children with acute leukemia given HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

T-cell depleted HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a suitable option for patients in need of an allograft who lack a HLA-matched donor. Although it offers the advantage of being immediately applicable to virtually all patients, so far, graft manipulation with removal of all T lymphocyte subsets and of natural killer (NK) cells has been associated with an increased risk of life-threatening infections, as well as, in some studies, of leukemia recurrence

Cell-autonomous and cell non-autonomous downregulation of tumor suppressor DAB2IP by microRNA-149-3p promotes aggressiveness of cancer cells

The tumor suppressor DAB2IP contributes to modulate the network of information established between cancer cells and tumor microenvironment. Epigenetic and post-transcriptional inactivation of this protein is commonly observed in multiple human malignancies, and can potentially favor progression of tumors driven by a variety of genetic mutations. Performing a high-throughput screening of a large collection of human microRNA mimics, we identified miR-149-3p as a negative post-transcriptional modulator of DAB2IP. By efficiently downregulating DAB2IP, this miRNA enhances cancer cell motility and invasiveness, facilitating activation of NF-kB signaling and promoting expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic factors. In addition, we found that miR-149-3p secreted by prostate cancer cells induces DAB2IP downregulation in recipient vascular endothelial cells, stimulating their proliferation and motility, thus potentially remodeling the tumor microenvironment. Finally, we found that inhibition of endogenous miR-149-3p restores DAB2IP activity and efficiently reduces tumor growth and dissemination of malignant cells. These observations suggest that miR-149-3p can promote cancer progression via coordinated inhibition of DAB2IP in tumor cells and in stromal cells