Within-field distribution of the damson-hop aphid Phorodon humuli (Schrank) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and natural enemies on hops in Spain

A field trial was performed in a hop yard throughout 2002, 2003 and 2004 in order to determine the within-field distribution of Phorodon humuli (Schrank) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its natural enemies. The distribution of P. humuli was directly affected by the position of the hop plants in the garden, with significantly higher concentrations of aphids (p=0.0122 in 2002 and p=0.0006 in 2003) observed along the edge. However, in 2004 the plants located on the marginal plots had similar populations to those on the more inner plots. This can be explained by a higher wind speed which made it more difficult to land on edge plants first. The hop aphid’s main natural enemy was Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), whose population was greatest where the aphids were most abundant with a significantly greater number of eggs (p=0.0230) and adults (p=0.0245) in 2003. Lacewing eggs were also frequently observed, with a significantly higher population (p=0.0221 in 2003 and p=0.0046 in 2004) where the aphid numbers were high. The number of winged aphids was greatest towards the margins of the garden in 2003. It is argued that the spatial distribution of the hop aphid and its natural enemies could be used to plan a sampling program and to estimate the population densities of these insects for use in integrated pest management programs

Presencia de Aphis arbuti Ferrari y Wahlgreniella nervata (Gillete) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) en los madroños de la Comunidad de Madrid y estudio de la fumagina asociada.

Determinación de los pulgones asociados al madroño y su relación con los hongos desarrollados sobre la melaza

Lipid nanoparticles for alkyl lysophospholipid edelfosine encapsulation: development and in vitro characterization

The ether lipid 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine, edelfosine (ET-18-OCH3) is the prototype molecule of a promising class of antitumour drugs named alkyl–lysophospholipid analogues (ALPs) or antitumor ether lipids. This drug presents a very important drawback as can be the dose depending haemolysis when administered intravenously. Lipid nanoparticles have been lately proposed for different drug encapsulation as an alternative to other controlled release delivery systems, such as liposomes or polymeric nanoparticles. The aim of this study was to develop a lipid nanoparticulate system that would decrease systemic toxicity as well as improve the therapeutic potential of the drug. Lipids employed were Compritol® 888 ATO and stearic acid. The nanoparticles were characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy for size and size distribution, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used for the determination of morphological properties. By both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffractometry, crystalline behaviour of lipids and drug was assessed. The drug encapsulation efficiency and the drug release kinetics under in vitro conditions were measured by HPLC–MS. It was concluded that Compritol® presents advantages as a matrix material for the manufacture of the nanoparticles and for the controlled release of edelfosine

Comparative Aphid Transmission of a Common Citrus Tristeza Virus Isolate and a Seedling Yellows Isolate Recently Introduced into Spain

Comparative tests of transmission efficiency have been performed using various aphid species and T-300, an isolate of citrus tristeza virus (CTV) widely distributed in Spain, and T-387 a seedling yellows tristeza isolate (CTV-SY) recently introduced into this country. The aphid species tested were those most abundant on citrus in Spain; Aphis citricola, Toxoptera aurantii, Myzus persicae, and Aphis gossypii. A minimum of 200 aphids were used for each test plant. Sweet orange was used as a donor and Mexican lime as a receptor. Aphis gossypi transmitted T-387 with lower efficiency (60%) than T-300 CTV (90%). A. citricola transmitted the two isolates with a very low efficiency. No transmission was observed with T. aurantii or M. persicae

Estudio de los cicadélidos (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) que afectan a diferentes especies de árboles del género Prunus

Durante los últimos años se ha observado un aumento en los daños producidos por cicadélidos en cultivos del genero Prunus tanto en España como en otros países del Mediterráneo. Estos daños son especialmente importantes en plantas en crecimiento, siendo mucho menores en plantas en producción. Se ha seguido la dinámica de los cicadélidos en diferentes cultivos, tanto de adultos como de formas juveniles. Entre las diferentes especies encontradas, Asymmetrasca decedens destaca por su abundancia, siendo sus poblaciones especialmente elevadas en los meses estivales. Contrariamente a lo que pasa con los adultos, tan solo se observó un máximo claro de formas juveniles. No se obtuvieron diferencias entre las diferentes orientaciones estudiadas pero sí una preferencia sobre árboles injertados. En cuanto a parasitoides, destacan los mimáridos, cuyo número parece aumentar año tras año

Efficacy of edelfosine lipid nanoparticles in breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous group of neoplasms predominantly originating in the terminal duct lobular units. It represents the leading cause of cancer death in women and the survival frequencies for patients at advanced stages of the disease remain low. New treatment options need to be researched to improve these rates. The anti-tumor ether lipid edelfosine (ET) is the prototype of a novel generation of promising anticancer drugs. However, it presents several drawbacks for its use in cancer therapy, including gastrointestinal and hemolytic toxicity and low oral bioavailability. To overcome these obstacles, ET was encapsulated in Precirol ATO 5 lipid nanoparticles (ET-LN), and its anti-tumor potential was in vitro tested in breast cancer. The formulated ET-LN were more effective in inhibiting cell proliferation and notably decreased cell viability, showing that the cytotoxic effect of ET was considerably enhanced when ET was encapsulated. In addition, ET and ET-LN were able to promote cell cycle arrest at G1 phase. Moreover, although both treatments provoked an apoptotic effect in a time-dependent manner, such anti-tumor effects were noticeably improved with ET-LN treatment. Therefore, our results indicate that encapsulating ET in LN played an essential role in improving the efficacy of the drug

Persistent Transmission of Citrus Vein Enation Virus by Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae

Citrus vein enation virus (CVEV) is widely distributed in Spain and circumstantial evidence suggests a high rate of natural spread. No experimental transmission was achievedin extensive trials with several aphid species using a 2-day acquisition period and a 2-day inoculation period. In further experiments, using a 5-7 day acquisition period and a 9-16 day inoculation period, a 95% transmission efficiency was obtained with Aphis gossypii and 10% with Myzus persicae. Furthermore, a 10% transmission efficiency was achieved with viruliferous A. gossypii maintained on healthy plants for a period of up to 14 days after acquisition then given an 11-day inoculation access feed. These results show that CVEV is persistently transmitted by A. gossypii in Spain, thus explaining the high rate of natural spread in the field

Diagnostic and therapeutic uses of nanomaterials in the brain

Nanomedicine has recently emerged as an exciting tool able to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of a variety of intractable or age-related brain disorders. The most relevant properties of nanomaterials are that they can be engineered in such a way that they can cross the blood brain barrier, with the final aim of targeting specific cells and molecules and to act as vehicles for drugs. Potentially beneficial properties of nanotherapeutics derived from its unique characteristics include improved efficacy, safety, sensitivity and personalization compared to conventional medicines. In this review, recent advances in available nanostructures and nanomaterials for brain applications will be described. Then, the latest nanotechnological applications for the treatment and diagnosis of neurological disorders, mainly brain tumors and neurodegenerative diseases, will be reviewed. Recent investigations of the neurotoxicity of the nanomaterial both in vitro and in vivo will be summarized. Finally, the ongoing challenges that have to be meet if new nanomedical products are to be put on the market will be discussed and some future directions will be outlined