Seasonal Patterns of Flight and Attack of Maple Saplings by the Ambrosia Beetle \u3ci\u3eCorthylus Punctatissimus\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in Central Michigan

Window traps with ethanol were used to observe seasonal flight patterns of Corthylus punctatissimus in central Michigan. Flights peaked in early July with a second peak seven weeks later in late August. Similarly, wilting of attacked maple (Acer) saplings began to appear a week after initial Corthylus flights, and showed twopeaks, one in mid-July and again with another peak, seven weeks later, in early September. The second peak of activity is presumably from reemerged adults, and not a second generation

Transition from community dwelling to retirement village in older adults:cognitive functioning and psychological health outcomes

Supported living and retirement villages are becoming a significant option for older adults with impairments, with independence concerns or for forward planning in older age, but evidence as to psychological benefits for residents is sparse. This study examined the hypothesis that the multi-component advantages of moving into a supported and physically and socially accessible ‘extra-care’ independent living environment will impact on psychological and functioning measures. Using an observational longitudinal design, 161 new residents were assessed initially and three months later, in comparison to 33 older adults staying in their original homes. Initial group differences were apparent but some reduced after three months. Residents showed improvement in depression, perceived health, aspects of cognitive function and reduced functional limitations, while controls showed increased functional limitations (worsening). Ability to recall specific autobiographical memories, known to be related to social problem solving, depression and functioning in social relationships, predicted change in communication limitations, and cognitive change predicted changes in recreational limitations. Change in anxiety and memory predicted change in depression. Findings suggest that older adults with independent living concerns who move to an independent but supported environment can show significant benefits in psychological outcomes and reduction in perceived impact of health on functional limitations in a short period. Targets for focused rehabilitation are indicated, but findings also validate development of untargeted general supportive environments

TGF-β Isoform Specific Regulation of Airway Inflammation and Remodelling in a Murine Model of Asthma

The TGF-β family of mediators are thought to play important roles in the regulation of inflammation and airway remodelling in asthma. All three mammalian isoforms of TGF-β, TGF-β1–3, are expressed in the airways and TGF-β1 and -β2 are increased in asthma. However, there is little information on the specific roles of individual TGF-β isoforms. In this study we assess the roles of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in the regulation of allergen-induced airway inflammation and remodelling associated with asthma, using a validated murine model of ovalbumin sensitization and challenge, and isoform specific TGF-β neutralising antibodies. Antibodies to both isoforms inhibited TGF-β mediated Smad signalling. Anti-TGF-β1 and anti-TGF-β2 inhibited ovalbumin-induced sub-epithelial collagen deposition but anti-TGF-β1 also specifically regulated airway and fibroblast decorin deposition by TGF-β1. Neither antibody affected the allergen-induced increase in sub-epithelial fibroblast-like cells. Anti- TGF-β1 also specifically inhibited ovalbumin-induced increases in monocyte/macrophage recruitment. Whereas, both TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 were involved in regulating allergen-induced increases in eosinophil and lymphocyte numbers. These data show that TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 exhibit a combination of specific and shared roles in the regulation of allergen-induced airway inflammation and remodelling. They also provide evidence in support of the potential for therapeutic regulation of specific subsets of cells and extracellular matrix proteins associated with inflammation and remodelling in airway diseases such as asthma and COPD, as well as other fibroproliferative diseases

Investigation of rice husk derived activated carbon for removal of nitrate contamination from water

Development of porous carbons with high specific surface area (>1200mg−1) targeted at nitrate removal from aqueous solutions is investigated by chemical activation of carbonized rice husk. Potassium carbonate is used as activating and desilicating agent. The effect of post-synthetic treatment by gas phase ammoxidation with ozone/ammonia or oxidation with concentrated nitric acid followed by nitrification with urea on main physicochemical properties and on the effectiveness of the activated carbons in nitrate removal is compared with those determined for a pristine activated carbonized rice husk sample. The two-fold enhancement of nitrate removal by the urea-modified activated carbon in comparison with pristine and ammoxidated sample is in direct correlation with the development of surface basic groups