Small hive beetle diagnosis and control in naturally infested honeybee colonies using bottom board traps and CheckMite+strips

The efficacy of bottom board traps and CheckMite+strips using Coumaphos, for small hive beetle (SHB) diagnosis and control was studied in Australia. Colonies in three apiaries (N=10 each) were surveyed for SHB. In two apiaries, colonies received bottom board traps (cardboard or plastic) with CheckMite+strips and in the control apiary, traps without strips. After 5days, all colonies were surveyed again, killed and dissected to quantify non-detected SHB. Significant differences in the number of live SHB were found between apiaries after treatment, supporting the fact that Coumaphos traps are efficient (trap mortality: 94.73±0.06% cardboard and 99.53±0.01% plastic). However, mortality assessment at the colony level (53.29±31.30%), showed that only a limited SHB proportion was affected. Post mortem colony inspections revealed that 14.06±10.53% SHB were undetected, which should be considered for quantitative diagnosis. Bottom board traps provided a first estimate of infestation levels (43.03±27.02%

The Modified Pharaoh Approach: Stingless bees mummify beetle parasites alive

Social insect colonies usually live in nests, which are often invaded by parasitic species^1^. Workers from these colonies use different defence strategies to combat invaders^1^. Nevertheless, some parasitic species are able to bypass primary colony defences due to their morphology and behaviour^1-3^. In particular, some beetle nest invaders cannot be killed or removed by workers of social bees^2-5^, thus creating the need for alternative social defence strategies to ensure colony survival. Here we show, using Diagnostic Radioentomology^6^, that stingless bee workers _Trigona carbonaria_, immediately mummify invading destructive nest parasites _Aethina tumida_ alive, with a mixture of resin, wax and mud, thereby preventing severe damage to the colony. In sharp contrast to the responses of honeybee^7^ and bumblebee colonies^8^, the rapid live mummification strategy of _T. carbonaria_ effectively prevents beetle parasite advancements and removes their ability to reproduce. The convergent evolution of live mummification by stingless bees and social encapsulation by honeybees^3^ suggests that colonies of social bees generally rely on, secondary defence mechanisms when harmful nest intruders cannot be killed or ejected easily. This process is analogous to immune responses in animals

The alternative Pharaoh approach: stingless bees mummify beetle parasites alive

Workers from social insect colonies use different defence strategies to combat invaders. Nevertheless, some parasitic species are able to bypass colony defences. In particular, some beetle nest invaders cannot be killed or removed by workers of social bees, thus creating the need for alternative social defence strategies to ensure colony survival. Here we show, using diagnostic radioentomology, that stingless bee workers (Trigona carbonaria) immediately mummify invading adult small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) alive by coating them with a mixture of resin, wax and mud, thereby preventing severe damage to the colony. In sharp contrast to the responses of honeybee and bumblebee colonies, the rapid live mummification strategy of T. carbonaria effectively prevents beetle advancements and removes their ability to reproduce. The convergent evolution of mummification in stingless bees and encapsulation in honeybees is another striking example of co-evolution between insect societies and their parasite

The alternative Pharaoh approach: stingless bees mummify beetle parasites alive

Workers from social insect colonies use different defence strategies to combat invaders. Nevertheless, some parasitic species are able to bypass colony defences. In particular, some beetle nest invaders cannot be killed or removed by workers of social bees, thus creating the need for alternative social defence strategies to ensure colony survival. Here we show, using diagnostic radioentomology, that stingless bee workers (Trigona carbonaria) immediately mummify invading adult small hive beetles (Aethina tumida) alive by coating them with a mixture of resin, wax and mud, thereby preventing severe damage to the colony. In sharp contrast to the responses of honeybee and bumblebee colonies, the rapid live mummification strategy of T. carbonaria effectively prevents beetle advancements and removes their ability to reproduce. The convergent evolution of mummification in stingless bees and encapsulation in honeybees is another striking example of co-evolution between insect societies and their parasites

Dietary behavior : An interdisciplinary conceptual analysis and taxonomy

The preparation of this paper was supported by the DEterminants of DIet and Physical ACtivity (DEDIPAC) knowledge hub. This work was supported by the Joint Programming Initiative “Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life.” The funding agencies supporting this work are (in alphabetical order of participating Member State): France: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA); Germany: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF); Italy: Ministry of Education, University and Research/Ministry of Agriculture Food and Forestry Policies; Norway: The Research Council of Norway, Division for Society and Health; and The United Kingdom: The Medical Research Council (MRC).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Controlled antibody release from gelatin for on-chip sample preparation

A practical way to realize on-chip sample preparation for point-of-care diagnostics is to store the required reagents on a microfluidic device and release them in a controlled manner upon contact with the sample. For the development of such diagnostic devices, a fundamental understanding of the release kinetics of reagents from suitable materials in microfluidic chips is therefore essential. Here, we study the release kinetics of fluorophore-conjugated antibodies from (sub-) µm thick gelatin layers and several ways to control the release time. The observed antibody release is well-described by a diffusion model. Release times ranging from ~20 s to ~650 s were determined for layers with thicknesses (in the dry state) between 0.25 µm and 1.5 µm, corresponding to a diffusivity of 0.65 µm2/s (in the swollen state) for our standard layer preparation conditions. By modifying the preparation conditions, we can influence the properties of gelatin to realize faster or slower release. Faster drying at increased temperatures leads to shorter release times, whereas slower drying at increased humidity yields slower release. As expected in a diffusive process, the release time increases with the size of the antibody. Moreover, the ionic strength of the release medium has a significant impact on the release kinetics. Applying these findings to cell counting chambers with on-chip sample preparation, we can tune the release to control the antibody distribution after inflow of blood in order to achieve homogeneous cell staining

第913回千葉医学会例会・第28回麻酔科例会・第56回千葉麻酔懇話会

Introduction Pulmonary Surfactant reduces surface tension in the terminal airways thus facilitating breathing and contributes to host’s innate immunity. Surfactant Proteins (SP) A, B, C and D were recently identified as inherent proteins of the CNS. Aim of the study was to investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) SP levels in hydrocephalus patients compared to normal subjects. Patients and Methods CSF SP A-D levels were quantified using commercially available ELISA kits in 126 patients (0–84 years, mean 39 years). 60 patients without CNS pathologies served as a control group. Hydrocephalus patients were separated in aqueductal stenosis (AQS, n = 24), acute hydrocephalus without aqueductal stenosis (acute HC w/o AQS, n = 16) and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH, n = 20). Furthermore, six patients with pseudotumor cerebri were investigated. Results SP A—D are present under physiological conditions in human CSF. SP-A is elevated in diseases accompanied by ventricular enlargement (AQS, acute HC w/o AQS) in a significant manner (0.67, 1.21 vs 0.38 ng/ml in control, p<0.001). SP-C is also elevated in hydrocephalic conditions (AQS, acute HC w/o AQS; 0.87, 1.71 vs. 0.48 ng/ml in controls, p<0.001) and in Pseudotumor cerebri (1.26 vs. 0.48 ng/ml in controls, p<0.01). SP-B and SP-D did not show significant alterations. Conclusion The present study confirms the presence of SPs in human CSF. There are significant changes of SP-A and SP-C levels in diseases affecting brain water circulation and elevation of intracranial pressure. Cause of the alterations, underlying regulatory mechanisms, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic consequences of cerebral SP’s requires further thorough investigations

The DONE framework: Creation, evaluation, and updating of an interdisciplinary, dynamic framework 2.0 of determinants of nutrition and eating.

The question of which factors drive human eating and nutrition is a key issue in many branches of science. We describe the creation, evaluation, and updating of an interdisciplinary, interactive, and evolving "framework 2.0" of Determinants Of Nutrition and Eating (DONE). The DONE framework was created by an interdisciplinary workgroup in a multiphase, multimethod process. Modifiability, relationship strength, and population-level effect of the determinants were rated to identify areas of priority for research and interventions. External experts positively evaluated the usefulness, comprehensiveness, and quality of the DONE framework. An approach to continue updating the framework with the help of experts was piloted. The DONE framework can be freely accessed (http://uni-konstanz.de/DONE) and used in a highly flexible manner: determinants can be sorted, filtered and visualized for both very specific research questions as well as more general queries. The dynamic nature of the framework allows it to evolve as experts can continually add new determinants and ratings. We anticipate this framework will be useful for research prioritization and intervention development

Das vaskuläre Trauma: Analyse der Versorgungsrealität in einer deutschlandweiten Umfrage

Hintergrund und Ziel der Arbeit Die vaskuläre Beteiligung im Rahmen von Traumen ist selten. Für die Versorgung der Verletzungen gibt es nur wenige konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen, sodass von einer großen Varianz auszugehen ist. Ziel der vorliegenden Umfrage war die Statuserhebung der aktuellen Versorgungsrealität des Gefäßtraumas in Deutschland sowie die Eruierung des Bedarfs und der Form von entsprechenden Fortbildungsangeboten. Material und Methoden Es wurde eine Online-Umfrage über SurveyMonkey® mit den Mitgliedern der Gesellschaft für Gefäßchirurgie und Gefäßmedizin (DGG) durchgeführt. Ergebnisse An der Umfrage haben sich 10,6 % der angeschriebenen Mitglieder der DGG beteiligt. Hieraus ergab sich, dass die meisten Kliniken 5–10 traumatische Gefäßverletzungen pro Jahr versorgen, wobei die höchsten Behandlungszahlen erwartungsgemäß in den überregionalen Traumazentren erreicht werden. Die Versorgung des Gefäßtraumas ist nicht einheitlich, sondern findet abhängig von der anatomischen Lokalisation durch unterschiedliche Fachabteilungen statt. Kliniken für Gefäßchirurgie sind selten an der Versorgung beteiligt. Bei den meisten Befragten bestand der Wunsch nach Fortbildungen zum Erlernen von gefäßtraumatologischen Techniken. Diskussion Gefäßchirurgische Kliniken sind nach den vorliegenden Umfrageergebnissen selten an der Versorgung des vaskulären Traumas beteiligt. Mögliche Erklärungen hierfür liegen in lokalen und infrastrukturellen Gegebenheiten. Eine aktive Einbindung von gefäßchirurgisch ausgebildeten Ärztinnen und Ärzten in die Diagnostik und Therapie der vaskulären Traumata ist wünschenswert und sollte aktiv angeboten werden. Das Erlernen der hierfür notwendigen Techniken kann beispielsweise im Rahmen praktischer Kurse stattfinden