Impact of agrochemicals on non-target species: Calathus fuscipes Goeze 1777 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as model

Carabid beetles are important in the biological control of arable crop pests. Agricultural practices can produce over time a delayed toxic effect at the organismal and population levels and can compromise the survival on these species. In this research, we quantified the cumulative sublethal effect on body size, Malpighian tubules and immune responses in Calathus fuscipes adults living in the potato field and exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin and cymoxanil-based commercial formulates. Reductions of morphological parameters such as body, pronotum and elytron in both males and females from the potato field indicated that the pre-imaginal stages (larvae and pupae) suffer the sublethal effects of exposure to the larvicide control action of lambda-cyhalothrin. Ultrastructural alterations recorded in Malpighian tubules at the level of plasma membrane, mitochondria and nucleus indicated the reduction of the detoxification capability. The basal phenoloxidase and lysozyme-like enzyme activities have measured as markers of immune competence. Spectrophometric analyses showed that the chronic exposure in field causes an increase of basal phenoloxidase enzyme activity, while the lytic activity of haemolymph was not affected. As a result, the use of larvicides and fungicides have a harmful effect on beneficial species such C. fuscipes living in the soil of potato fields. These morphological and physiological results recorded at the organismal level can provide useful information of effects at the population and community levels to preserve the biodiversity of agroecosystem

Surgical treatment of scoliosis in a rare disease: arthrogryposis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The reported incidence of scoliosis in arthrogryposis varies from 30% to 67% and, in most cases, the curves progress rapidly and become stiff from early age.</p> <p>The authors report six cases of scoliosis in arthrogryposis to assess the role of surgical treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Six cases (3 males, 3 females; mean age at surgery 13.2 years) with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita associated with the characteristic amyoplasia were reviewed: they were operated on for scoliosis at the authors' Spine Surgery Department between 1987 and 2008.</p> <p>Surgery was performed using the Harrington-Luque instrumentation (2 cases), the Luque system (1), a hybrid segmental technique with hooks and screws (1) and spinal anchoring with pedicle screws (2).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The patients were clinically and radiologically reviewed at a mean follow-up of 4.2 years, ± 2.7 (range, 1 to 9 years). Three minor postoperative complications were encountered; a long-term pulmonary complication was seen in one case after reintervention and was successfully resolved after 10 days. Surgery was successful in the other 5 cases, where solid arthrodesis was achieved and no significant curve progression was observed at follow-up.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The experience acquired with the present case series leads the authors to assert that prompt action should be taken when treating such aggressive forms of scoliosis. In case of mild spinal deformities in arthrogryposis, brace treatment should be attempted, the evolution of the curves being unpredictable; however, when the curve exceeds 40° and presents with marked hyperkyphosis, hyperlordosis or pelvic obliquity, surgery should not be delayed.</p

Osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures: long-term retrospective comparison between vertebroplasty and conservative treatment

Purpose: To compare long term clinical and radiographic outcomes in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures of the thoracolumbar spine treated with conservative treatment and percutaneous vertebroplasty. Methods: The retrospective study with inclusion criteria focused on osteoporotic fractures of the thoracolumbar junction (T10\u2013L2). Clinical outcomes were evaluated by using the VAS, Oswestry and SF36 questionnaires. Radiographic outcomes were evaluated by comparing the following sagittal parameters: body angle, sagittal index of fractured vertebral body and adjacent vertebral segments kyphosis. Complications in terms of adjacent vertebral fractures and cement leakage are reported. Results: Percutaneous vertebroplasty provided better vertebral body height restoration, but was associated with a higher incidence of adjacent fractures (20%) than conservative treatment (3.5%). This fact may explain why patients treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty had worse overall kyphotic alignment at final follow-up. Cement leakage was frequent, but always asymptomatic and generally no serious complications occurred. Conclusions: Percutaneous vertebroplasty represents a safe treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, although it may be associated with a higher incidence of adjacent fractures and therefore worse thoracolumbar kyphosis and long-term follow-up than conservative treatment. Graphical abstract: These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Continuous Agrochemical Treatments in Agroecosystems Can Modify the Effects of Pendimethalin-Based Herbicide Exposure on Immunocompetence of a Beneficial Ground Beetle

Herbicide application for pest control can negatively affect soil biodiversity, mainly acting on species that are involved in ecosystem service. In this study, field and laboratory trials were designed to assay herbicide exposure effects on the constitutive immunity of Harpalus (Pseudoophonus) rufipes (De Geer, 1774), a beneficial carabid species that inhabits croplands. The circulating hemocytes (THCs) and plasmatic levels of basal and total phenoloxidase (PO), as well as lysozyme-like enzyme activities, were measured as markers of exposure. In laboratory tests, the exposure to realistic field doses of pendimethalin-based herbicides for two, seven and 21 days caused a reduction in enzyme activities in beetles from organic crops. In beetles from conventional fields, the THCs and total PO activity decreased significantly at two and seven days after the initial exposure, though no effects were recorded on basal PO and lysozyme like-enzyme activities. These differences in enzyme activities and THCs indicate that the interference of pendimethalin with immune parameters clearly depends on both the different field conditions from which the population comes and the cumulative effects of repeated applications over the time

Segmental vs non-segmental thoracic pedicle screws constructs in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: is there any implant alloy effect?

The aim of this study is to understand how many anchor sites are necessary to obtain maximum posterior correction of idiopathic scoliotic curve and if the alloy of instrumentation, stainless steel or titanium, may have a role in the percent of scoliosis correction