Descriptions of the Adult Genitalia and Immatures of the Asian Planthopper Ricania speculum Recently Introduced to Italy (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Ricaniidae).

The ricaniid planthopper Ricania speculum (Walker) (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea) was recently introduced to Italy, apparently from southeast Asia. This species has the potential to become a significant agricultural pest, as it feeds on > 60 species of plants, some of which are of economic importance. Here we describe and illustrate the adult male and female genitalia and the first- through fifth-instar nymphs

First report on egg-parasitoids of the Asian planthopper Ricania speculum

The first findings of egg-parasitoids of the invasive planthopper Ricania speculum (Walker) (Hemiptera Ricaniidae) are presented. Aprostocetus (Ootetrastichus) crino (Walker) (Hymenoptera Eulophidae), a native species until now only associated with Oecanthus spp. (Orthoptera Oecanthidae) eggs, was the most common. Chaetostricha similis (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera Trichogrammatidae) and Polynema sp. (Hymenoptera Mymaridae), which also emerged from R. speculum egg clusters, should be confirmed as parasitoids of this planthopper

First report on egg-parasitoids of the Asian planthopper Ricania speculum

The first findings of egg-parasitoids of the invasive planthopper Ricania speculum (Walker) (Hemiptera Ricaniidae) are presented. Aprostocetus (Ootetrastichus) crino (Walker) (Hymenoptera Eulophidae), a native species until now only associated with Oecanthus spp. (Orthoptera Oecanthidae) eggs, was the most common. Chaetostricha similis (Silvestri) (Hymenoptera Trichogrammatidae) and Polynema sp. (Hymenoptera Mymaridae), which also emerged from R. speculum egg clusters, should be confirmed as parasitoids of this planthopper

Ricania speculum specie polifaga da non sottovalutare

This paper focuses on the discovery of Ricania speculum in Italy. The morphology and biology of this invasive insect pest are also presented

Impact of a probiotic-based cleaning product on the microbiological profile of broiler litters and chicken caeca microbiota

ABSTRACT This study investigated for the first time the decontamination efficacy of a probiotic-based cleaning product containing Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, and Bacillus megaterium spores on fresh and reused broiler litters during 3 rearing cycles of 6 wk each. Moreover, the impact of reused litters treated with the cleaning product on the chicken caeca microbiota was assessed at the end of the rearing cycles in comparison to untreated litter. The Bacillus spores provided with the cleaning treatment were able to successfully colonize the reused poultry litters, decreasing the mean counts of total aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and coagulase positive Staphylococci. The decrease of Enterobacteriaceae, mainly represented by the genus Escherichia, was also observed in the caeca of broilers reared on reused litters treated with the cleaning product. Moreover, the treatment retained the caeca content of Ruminococcaceae and Faecalibacterium as well as the level of biodiversity among the bacteria genera colonizing the caeca of animals reared on reused litter. Overall, the results of this study highlight a positive effect of the probiotic-based cleaning strategy on the microbial decontamination of reused litters and on broiler caeca stability, thereby enhancing animal health and prevention of poultry diseases

Numerical and experimental investigation of a 3D-printed PCU patient-specific cranial implant

Arburg plastic freeforming (APF) technology allows for fabricating patient-specific implants (PSIs) in a hospital environment using medical-grade thermoplastic polymers. Among these materials, poly(carbonate-urethane) (PCU) is of great relevance since it is characterised by excellent biocompatibility. This study explores the opportunity to realise a patient-specific cranial plate via APF. First, a Finite Element model (FEM) of the implant under compressive loads is developed and validated using a quasi-isotropic material. Then, this model is used for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) considering Technical Datasheet (TDS) material properties and those measured on 3D-printed specimens, by Three-Point Bending (TPB) tests. Finally, a PCU PSI is fabricated through APF and tested under static loads to validate the consistency of the numerical results. Considering TDS properties, the FEA results indicate that PCU can be used for the manufacturing of this device. Nonetheless, the TPB tests show that the material suffers from a loss of mechanical properties. Using these properties, the displacements calculated via FEA exceed the admissible values for the application. A further decrease in stiffness is observed in the manufactured plate. Overall, findings suggest that PCU can be a viable material to be printed by APF technology for fabricating craniofacial PSIs, with the advantage of minor stress concentration in critical points of the implant if compared with polyetheretheretherketone (PEEK). However, further studies are necessary to effectively represent the effects of 3D printing in the FEMs used for structural validation and design optimisatio

Physical activity intervention for elderly patients with reduced physical performance after acute coronary syndrome (HULK study): Rationale and design of a randomized clinical trial

Background: Reduced physical performance and impaired mobility are common in elderly patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and they represent independent risk factors for disability, morbidity, hospital readmission and mortality. Regular physical exercise represents a means for improving functional capacity. Nevertheless, its clinical benefit has been less investigated in elderly patients in the early phase after ACS. The HULK trial aims to investigate the clinical benefit of an early, tailored low-cost physical activity intervention in comparison to standard of care in elderly ACS patients with reduced physical performance. Design: HULK is an investigator-initiated, prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial (NCT03021044). After successful management of the ACS acute phase and uneventful first 1 month, elderly (≥70 years) patients showing reduced physical performance are randomized (1:1 ratio) to either standard of care or physical activity intervention. Reduced physical performance is defined as a short physical performance battery (SPPB) score of 4-9. The early, tailored, low-cost physical intervention includes 4 sessions of physical activity with a supervisor and an home-based program of physical exercise. The chosen primary endpoint is the 6-month SPPB value. Secondary endpoints briefly include quality of life, on-treatment platelet reactivity, some laboratory data and clinical adverse events. To demonstrate an increase of at least one SPPB point in the experimental arm, a sample size of 226 patients is needed. Conclusions: The HULK study will test the hypothesis that an early, tailored low-cost physical activity intervention improves physical performance, quality of life, frailty status and outcome in elderly ACS patients with reduced physical performance

FIRST RECORD OF RICANIA SPECULUM(WALKER, 1851) (HEMIPTERA RICANIIDAE)FROM VENETO, PIEDMONT AND LATIUM REGIONS AND NEW HOST PLANTS

The distribution of Ricania speculum(Walker, 1851) (Hemiptera Fulgoromorpha Ricaniidae) in Italy was updatedand the species was recorded for the first time in Veneto (2017), Piedmont (2018) and Latium (2018) regions. Theoccurrence of this species in Sardinia, previously recorded, is here excluded. Moreover, 33 new host plants belonging to 29families resulted to be attacked by this alien invasive species confirming its outstanding polyphagy

Off-label long acting injectable antipsychotics in real-world clinical practice: a cross-sectional analysis of prescriptive patterns from the STAR Network DEPOT study

Introduction Information on the off-label use of Long-Acting Injectable (LAI) antipsychotics in the real world is lacking. In this study, we aimed to identify the sociodemographic and clinical features of patients treated with on- vs off-label LAIs and predictors of off-label First- or Second-Generation Antipsychotic (FGA vs. SGA) LAI choice in everyday clinical practice. Method In a naturalistic national cohort of 449 patients who initiated LAI treatment in the STAR Network Depot Study, two groups were identified based on off- or on-label prescriptions. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to test several clinically relevant variables and identify those associated with the choice of FGA vs SGA prescription in the off-label group. Results SGA LAIs were more commonly prescribed in everyday practice, without significant differences in their on- and off-label use. Approximately 1 in 4 patients received an off-label prescription. In the off-label group, the most frequent diagnoses were bipolar disorder (67.5%) or any personality disorder (23.7%). FGA vs SGA LAI choice was significantly associated with BPRS thought disorder (OR = 1.22, CI95% 1.04 to 1.43, p = 0.015) and hostility/suspiciousness (OR = 0.83, CI95% 0.71 to 0.97, p = 0.017) dimensions. The likelihood of receiving an SGA LAI grew steadily with the increase of the BPRS thought disturbance score. Conversely, a preference towards prescribing an FGA was observed with higher scores at the BPRS hostility/suspiciousness subscale. Conclusion Our study is the first to identify predictors of FGA vs SGA choice in patients treated with off-label LAI antipsychotics. Demographic characteristics, i.e. age, sex, and substance/alcohol use co-morbidities did not appear to influence the choice towards FGAs or SGAs. Despite a lack of evidence, clinicians tend to favour FGA over SGA LAIs in bipolar or personality disorder patients with relevant hostility. Further research is needed to evaluate treatment adherence and clinical effectiveness of these prescriptive patterns

The Role of Attitudes Toward Medication and Treatment Adherence in the Clinical Response to LAIs: Findings From the STAR Network Depot Study

Background: Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics are efficacious in managing psychotic symptoms in people affected by severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The present study aimed to investigate whether attitude toward treatment and treatment adherence represent predictors of symptoms changes over time. Methods: The STAR Network \u201cDepot Study\u201d was a naturalistic, multicenter, observational, prospective study that enrolled people initiating a LAI without restrictions on diagnosis, clinical severity or setting. Participants from 32 Italian centers were assessed at three time points: baseline, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up. Psychopathological symptoms, attitude toward medication and treatment adherence were measured using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI-10) and the Kemp's 7-point scale, respectively. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate whether attitude toward medication and treatment adherence independently predicted symptoms changes over time. Analyses were conducted on the overall sample and then stratified according to the baseline severity (BPRS < 41 or BPRS 65 41). Results: We included 461 participants of which 276 were males. The majority of participants had received a primary diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (71.80%) and initiated a treatment with a second-generation LAI (69.63%). BPRS, DAI-10, and Kemp's scale scores improved over time. Six linear regressions\u2014conducted considering the outcome and predictors at baseline, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up independently\u2014showed that both DAI-10 and Kemp's scale negatively associated with BPRS scores at the three considered time points. Linear mixed-effects models conducted on the overall sample did not show any significant association between attitude toward medication or treatment adherence and changes in psychiatric symptoms over time. However, after stratification according to baseline severity, we found that both DAI-10 and Kemp's scale negatively predicted changes in BPRS scores at 12-month follow-up regardless of baseline severity. The association at 6-month follow-up was confirmed only in the group with moderate or severe symptoms at baseline. Conclusion: Our findings corroborate the importance of improving the quality of relationship between clinicians and patients. Shared decision making and thorough discussions about benefits and side effects may improve the outcome in patients with severe mental disorders