Potential for management of Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in organic avocado in eastern Sicily, Italy

Organic avocado (Persea americana Mill. (Lauraceae) farming is a growing industry in eastern Sicily, and in this environment Protopulvinaria pyriformis (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) is a key pest. Biological control strategies against this invasive scale are thus crucial for the sustainability of this cropping system. A field trial was performed to record the natural enemy complex in early autumn, and for comparing the efficacy of a paraffinic oil application (Biolid E® at 2L/ha), of the release of adults (1/m2) of the predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and of their combined application, i. e. oil spray and after one week predator release. In the pretreatment sampling a high proportion of ovipositing female, 38. 64% of the entire population, was recorded. The natural parasitoid community of P. pyriformis consisted of two primary parasitoids and one facultative hyperparasitoid species. Metaphycus helvolus (Compere) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) accounted for 81% of the parasitoids recovered; Microterys nietneri (Motschulski) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) for 8%, and the secondary parasitoid Pachyneuron muscarum (L. ) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) for 11%. The mean percentage of parasitism recorded was 2. 45%, however, an encapsulation rate of 1. 78% was also observed. Adults and larvae of generalist predators belonging to the genera Scymnus spp, Exochomus spp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and larvae of Chrysopa spp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) were also noticed actively feeding on immature stages of the soft scale. The number of live scales (N2-oviposting females) was reduced by 54. 16, 55. 73 and 19. 58 % following the oil application, the oil plus predator release and predator alone, respectively. While, in the control plots the number of live scales increased by 23. 4%, and no changes in the presence of natural enemies was recorded in the sprayed plots. The recorded data suggest that any pesticide application should take into account and thus respect the activity of the rich natural enemy assemblage. In addition, artificial releases of C. montrouzieri were not able to effectively control the scale population

High adherence to Mediterranean diet, but not individual foods or nutrients, is associated with lower likelihood of being obese in a Mediterranean cohort

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between the Mediterranean diet and obesity in a Mediterranean cohort. Methods: The study population of MEAL (Mediterranean Healthy Eating, Ageing, and Lifestyle) study comprised 1814 men and women (18 + years) recruited in the city of Catania, southern Italy. Food intake was evaluated through a validated food frequency questionnaire and the Mediterranean diet adherence was assessed through the MEDI-LITE score. Results: Individuals highly adherent to the Mediterranean diet (highest quartile of the score) were less likely to be obese (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.32, 0.89) despite there was no significant associations when considering men and women separately. The dietary profile of obese and non-obese individuals did not significantly differ, except for vitamin E, processed meat, and alcohol more consumed among non-obese ones. Among the food groups characterizing this dietary pattern, only satisfaction of the criterion for dairy products (< 1 serving/day) was significantly associated with lower odds of being obese. Among other covariates, current smoking was associated with obesity, while high physical activity and regular alcohol drinking were inversely associated. Some differences between men and women in the highest category of occupational status occurred, as the former were less likely, while the latter were more likely to be obese. Conclusions: Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet as a whole dietary pattern, rather than its individual components, is associated with less likelihood of being obese. Level of evidence: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study

Stage-Related Defense Response Induction in Tomato Plants by Nesidiocoris tenuis

The beneficial effects of direct predation by zoophytophagous biological control agents (BCAs), such as the mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis, are well-known. However, the benefits of zoophytophagous BCAs’ relation with host plants, via induction of plant defensive responses, have not been investigated until recently. To date, only the females of certain zoophytophagous BCAs have been demonstrated to induce defensive plant responses in tomato plants. The aim of this work was to determine whether nymphs, adult females, and adult males of N. tenuis are able to induce defense responses in tomato plants. Compared to undamaged tomato plants (i.e., not exposed to the mirid), plants on which young or mature nymphs, or adult males or females of N. tenuis fed and developed were less attractive to the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, but were more attractive to the parasitoid Encarsia formosa. Female-exposed plants were more repellent to B. tabaci and more attractive to E. formosa than were male-exposed plants. When comparing young- and mature-nymph-exposed plants, the same level of repellence was obtained for B. tabaci, but mature-nymph-exposed plants were more attractive to E. formosa. The repellent effect is attributed to the signaling pathway of abscisic acid, which is upregulated in N. tenuis-exposed plants, whereas the parasitoid attraction was attributed to the activation of the jasmonic acid signaling pathway. Our results demonstrate that all motile stages of N. tenuis can trigger defensive responses in tomato plants, although these responses may be slightly different depending on the stage considered

Measles and Pregnancy: Immunity and Immunization—What Can Be Learned from Observing Complications during an Epidemic Year

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease. Unvaccinated pregnant women are not only at risk of infection but also at risk of severe pregnancy complications. As measles causes a dysregulation of the entire immune system, we describe immunological variations and how immune response mechanisms can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. We evaluated data during the measles outbreak reported in the province of Catania, Italy, from May 2017 to June 2018. We controlled hospital discharge records for patients admitted to hospital obstetric wards searching the measles diagnostic code. We have indicated the case as “confirmed” when the IgM was found to be positive with the ELISA method. We registered 843 cases of measles and 51% were females (430 cases). 24 patients between the ages of 17 and 40 had measles while they were pregnant. Adverse pregnancy outcomes included 2 spontaneous abortions, 1 therapeutic abortion, 1 foetal death, and 6 preterm deliveries. Respiratory complications were more prevalent in pregnant women (21%) than in nonpregnant women with measles (9%). 14 health care workers (1.7%) were infected with measles, and none of these had been previously vaccinated. Immune response mechanisms were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with measles. To reduce the rate of measles complications, gynaecologists should investigate vaccination history and antibody test results in all women of childbearing age. During a measles outbreak, gynaecologists and midwives should be active proponents of vaccination administration and counteract any vaccine hesitancy not only in patients but also among health care workers

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with metabolic syndrome occurrence: a meta-analysis of observational studies

<p>Diet plays a role in the onset and progression of metabolic disorders, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to systematically review and conduct a quantitative meta-analysis of results from observational cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies on adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern and risk of MetS. Literature databases including PubMed, SCOPUS and EMBASE were searched from the beginning to May 2016. Eight cross-sectional and four prospective studies were included in this meta-analysis, accounting for a total of 33,847 individuals and 6342 cases of MetS. High adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a risk of MetS (RR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.71, 0.92). Regarding individual components of the MetS, the inverse associations were significant for waist circumference, blood pressure and low HDL-C levels. In conclusion, adoption of a Mediterranean dietary pattern was associated with lower risk of the MetS and it can be proposed for the primary prevention of the MetS.</p

Sublethal effects on reproduction.

<p>Means (± SEM) of number of eggs laid in three days by each tested <i>Bracon nigricans</i> female previously exposed for three days to residues at three constant temperatures. Columns bearing the same letter (upper case letters: within the same temperature regime; lower case letters: within the same tested insecticide) are not significantly different (<i>P</i>>0.05; ANOVA with LSD post hoc test for multiple comparisons).</p

Sublethal effects on biocontrol activity.

<p>Means (± SEM) of number of host larvae killed in three days by each tested <i>Bracon nigricans</i> female previously exposed for three days to residues at three constant temperatures. Columns bearing the same letter (upper case letters: within the same temperature regime; lower case letters: within the same tested insecticide) are not significantly different (<i>P</i>>0.05; ANOVA with LSD post hoc test for multiple comparisons).</p