Cold treatment enhances low‐temperature flight performance in false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta

1 In sterile insect technique programmes, temperatures experienced by insects during rearing and handling, along with cool temperatures after release, can negatively affect performance and activity levels. Phenotypic plasticity (trait modifications caused by prior stress exposure) can offset these effects but is poorly understood in many species and traits. 2 We investigated the effects of a cold treatment (2 ∘C for 16 h) on flight performance in adult false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta. Using diverse methods, flight performance was tested using flight assays in the laboratory and in the field under varying environmental conditions. 3 The flight performance of T. leucotreta in the laboratory was affected by cold treatment (relative to a 25 ∘C control group), test temperature and their interaction. Field recapture of released moths was significantly affected by the interaction between cold treatment and environmental conditions. 4 Field recapture counts depended on the ambient temperature upon release. For example, under warmer conditions (>17 ∘C), the recapture count of cold-treated moths was lower than that of the untreated control group, whereas the recapture count of cold-treated moths at cooler temperatures was significantly higher. 5 Our results suggest a temperature-dependent interaction between acute cold exposure and flight performance in adult T. leucotreta, which may be used to enhance the efficacy of the sterile insect technique under cooler environmental conditions

Vitamin D for the Immune System in Cystic Fibrosis (DISC): A double-blind, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have increased risk of vitamin D deficiency owing to fat malabsorption and other factors. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of pulmonary exacerbations of CF. Objectives The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of a single high-dose bolus of vitamin D 3 followed by maintenance treatment given to adults with CF during an acute pulmonary exacerbation on future recurrence of pulmonary exacerbations. Methods This was a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, intent-to-treat clinical trial. Subjects with CF were randomly assigned to oral vitamin D 3 given as a single dose of 250,000 International Units (IU) or to placebo within 72 h of hospital admission for an acute pulmonary exacerbation, followed by 50,000 IU of vitamin D 3 or an identically matched placebo pill taken orally every other week starting at 3 mo after random assignment. The primary outcome was the composite endpoint of the time to next pulmonary exacerbation or death within 1 y. The secondary outcomes included circulating concentrations of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin and recovery of lung function as assessed by the percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1%). Results A total of 91 subjects were enrolled in the study. There were no differences between the vitamin D 3 and placebo groups in time to next pulmonary exacerbation or death at 1 y. In addition, there were no differences in serial recovery of lung function after pulmonary exacerbation by FEV1% or in serial concentrations of plasma cathelicidin. Conclusions Vitamin D 3 initially given at the time of pulmonary exacerbation of CF did not alter the time to the next pulmonary exacerbation, 12-mo mortality, serial lung function, or serial plasma cathelicidin concentrations. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01426256.Supported by Cystic Fibrosis Foundation grants TANGPR11A0 (to VT) and JOSEPH15YO (to PMJ) and NIH grants UL1 TR000454 (Emory CTSA), UL1 TR000165 (UAB CTSA), T32 DK007298 (to JAA), T32 DK007734 (to ESM), K24 DK096574 (to TRZ), and K01 DK102851 (to JAA).Scopu

Adverse consequences of glucocorticoid medication: psychological, cognitive, and behavioral effects

Item does not contain fulltextGlucocorticoids are the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressant medications worldwide. This article highlights the risk of clinically significant and sometimes severe psychological, cognitive, and behavioral disturbances that may be associated with glucocorticoid use, as well as ways to prevent and treat these disturbances. An illustrative case vignette is presented describing a patient's experience of cycles of manic-like behavior and depression while on high-dosage prednisone, with long-term cognitive disorganization, vulnerability to stress, and personality changes. Severe neuropsychiatric consequences (including suicide, suicide attempt, psychosis, mania, depression, panic disorder, and delirium, confusion, or disorientation) have been reported to occur in 15.7 per 100 person-years at risk for all glucocorticoid courses, and 22.2 per 100 person-years at risk for first courses. The majority of patients experience less severe but distressing and possibly persistent changes in mood, cognition, memory, or behavior during glucocorticoid treatment or withdrawal. Although prediction of such effects is difficult, risks vary with age, gender, dosage, prior psychiatric history, and several biological markers. Key mechanisms thought to underlie these risk factors are briefly described. Recommendations are given for identifying individual risk factors and for monitoring and managing adverse neuropsychiatric effects of glucocorticoids