The use of carbon dioxide in big bags and containers for the control of pest in food products

Modified atmospheres (MA) based on high carbon dioxide (CO2) contents offer an alternative to synthetic chemical fumigation for insect pest control in food commodities during storage and shipment processes. The present study aimed to establish the efficacy of using CO2 in big bags and containers to prevent pests’ development. Four trials were conducted with gastight big bags (900 x 900 x 1000 or 1600 cm). Two of these trials were conducted with polished rice and samples of Sitophilus oryzae, one trial with chamomile infested with Lasioderma serricorne and one trial with cocoa and samples of Tribolium confusum and Ephestia kuehniella. Initial contents of CO2 were higher than 75%, which decreased depending on exposure time (13 to 90 d) and food product. In all four trials the insects present in the infested samples were controlled with the MA. An additional trial was conducted in a 9 m container containing dried herbs in boxes, big bags and other pacaging formats. Twelve infested samples of L. serricorne and Plodia interpunctella were distributed uniformly at the bottom and top of the container. A concentration between 70% and 15% CO2 was maintained for an exposure time of 18 d. In spite of the decrease in CO2 content, the treatment was also effective to control all insects present in the samples. Our results confirmed that CO2 could be applied to food products during the storage in big bags and containers to control the occurrence of pests. Keywords: Modified atmosphere, Carbon dioxide, Pest control, Stored-product pests

Biological control of Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus in stored dried beans

This study assesses the feasibility of using natural enemies for the control of Acanthoscelides obtectus Say and Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), key pests of stored dried beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabales: Fabaceae). The predatory mites Blattisocius tarsalis Berlese (Acari: Ascidae) and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were able to prey on A. obtectus eggs, reducing the bruchid population by more than 60% under both controlled and warehouse conditions. Therefore, they show good potential as biological agents for controlling this pest. The larval parasitoids Anisopteromalus calandrae Howard and Lariophagus distinguendus Förster (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) were both moderately effective (34–38% reduction) at suppressing A. obtectus populations, but when A. calandrae was combined with B. tarsalis, a significant improvement in control efficacy (81% reduction in emergence) was observed. Therefore, the release of A. calandrae combined with B. tarsalis seems to be a promising strategy for controlling A. obtectus. Neither B. tarsalis nor A. swirskii were able to prey on Z. subfasciatus eggs. Only the parasitoid A. calandrae was moderately effective (39% reduction) at supressing Z. subfasciatus populations. Further testing is needed to identify other natural enemies that can complement the action of A. calandrae in reducing Z. subfasciatus populations.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Susceptibility of Rhyzopertha dominica to high CO2 modified atmospheres in packaged chickpeas

Three MAs with 50%, 70% and 90% CO2 in air was tested at different exposure times on all the developmental stages of R. dominica using chickpeas packed with 4% and 96% filling ratio in which there was excess of CO2. At 4% filling ratio the loss of the gas was negligible. The exposure time to reach 50% mortality (LT50) was estimated for each developmental stage and CO2 concentration, ranging from 7 h for larvae with 90% to 2 days for pupae with 50% CO2. At 96% filling ratio and for the intervals of the estimated exposure times (LT50) from the 4% filling ratio, mortality decreased significantly for eggs and adults at the three MAs tested, while for the internal developmental stages, larvae at 50% and 70% CO2 and pupae in all concentrations of CO2, the susceptibility remained the same as with a 4% filling ratio. This decline in mortality of the external developmental stages was possible due to the sorption of CO2 by the chickpeas, which caused a loss of intergranular levels of CO2 between 17% and 29%. This sorption ranged from 0.1955 to 0.3285 g of CO2 per kg of chickpeas and produced a negative pressure of 77.12 to 60.65 kPa. In conclusion, when chickpeas are packed with high CO2 MAs, a decrease in the mortality of eggs and adults of R. dominica could be expected due to pulse sorption.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Optimization of a Banker Box System to Rear and Release the Parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) for the Control of Stored-Product Moths

Pyralid moths, such as Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) or Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), are among the pests of most concern in mills and food industries worldwide. One option for their control, which presents an alternative to the application of insecticides, is the release of natural enemies. Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a larval parasitoid of pyralid moths that is commercially available for augmentative release in storehouses. They are delivered as adults that limit their performance. To improve their quality when released at the target location, a banker box has been developed consisting of a rearing box that optimizes the release of the parasitoid. In the present study, the nonpest larvae Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) have been used as a host, substituting for E. kuehniella larvae which were used in the previous design. The best results were obtained when a mixture of two larval sizes of the host were offered to the female parasitoid, producing five times more adults than with E. kuehniella larvae. Quality of the released parasitoids was optimal because they were delivered in the pupal stage inside the rearing box and adults began to emerge in situ. The banker box released adult parasitoids over a prolonged period of approximately 25 d at the target location. The use of this banker box may significantly help in the biological control of stored-product moths.Los pirálidos Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) y Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) se encuentran entre las plagas más preocupantes de los molinos y las industrias alimentarias de todo el mundo. Una alternativa a la aplicación de insecticidas para su control es la liberación de enemigos naturales. Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) es un parasitoide de larvas de pirálidos que está disponible comercialmente para su introducción en almacenes de la industria agroalimentária. Estos parasitoides se envían normalmente como adultos lo que limita su efectividad. Para mejorar su calidad cuando se liberan en el destino, se ha desarrollado una ‘banker box’ consistente en una caja de cría, que permite mejorar la calidad del parasitoide liberado. En este estudio, hemos mejorado esta ‘banker box’ utilizando como huésped la larva Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), especie que no es plaga en almacenes, en sustitución de las larvas de E. kuehniella que se utilizaron en el diseño anterior. Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron cuando se ofreció a la hembra del parasitoide una mezcla de dos tamaños de larvas del huésped, produciéndose cinco veces más adultos que con las larvas de E. kuehniella. La calidad de los parasitoides liberados fue óptima porque se distribuyeron en la fase de pupa, y los adultos comenzaron a emerger ya in situ. La ‘banker box’ liberó parasitoides durante un período prolongado de aproximadamente 25 días. El uso de esta ‘banker box’ puede ayudar a mejorar significativamente el control de las polillas que atacan los productos alimenticios almacenados.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Impact of intercurrent introduction of steroids on clinical outcomes in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (Nsclc) patients under immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ici)

Background: Baseline steroids before ICI have been associated with poor outcomes, particularly when introduced due to cancer symptoms. Methods: Retrospective analysis of advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICI. We collected the use of intercurrent steroids (≥10 mg of prednisone-equivalent) within the first eight weeks of ICI. We correlated steroid use with patient outcomes according to the indications. Results: 413 patients received ICI, 299 were steroids-naïve at baseline. A total of 49 patients received intercurrent steroids (16%), of whom 38 for cancer-related symptoms and 11 for other indications, such as immune-related events. Overall, median (m) progression-free survival (PFS) was 1.9 months (mo.) [95% CI, 1.8-2.4] and overall survival (OS) 10 mo. [95% CI, 8.1–12.9]. Intercurrent steroids under ICI correlated with a shorter PFS/OS (1.3 and 2.3 mo. respectively, both p < 0.0001). Intercurrent steroids for cancer-related symptoms correlated with poorest mPFS [1.1 mo.; 95% CI, 0.9–1.5] and mOS [1.9 mo.; 95%CI, 1.5–2.4; p < 0.0001)]. No mOS and mPFS differences were found between cancer-unrelated-steroid group and no-steroid group. Steroid use for cancer-related symptoms was an independent prognostic factor for poor PFS [HR 2.64; 95% CI, 1.2–5.6] and OS [HR 4.53; 95% CI, 1.8–11.1], both p < 0.0001. Conclusion: Intercurrent steroids during ICI had no detrimental prognostic impact if the indication was unrelated to cancer symptoms

Growth hormone as concomitant treatment in severe fibromyalgia associated with low IGF-1 serum levels. A pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is evidence of functional growth hormone (GH) deficiency, expressed by means of low insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) serum levels, in a subset of fibromyalgia patients. The efficacy of GH versus placebo has been previously suggested in this population. We investigated the efficacy and safety of low dose GH as an adjunct to standard therapy in the treatment of severe, prolonged and well-treated fibromyalgia patients with low IGF-1 levels.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-four patients were enrolled in a randomized, open-label, best available care-controlled study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 0.0125 mg/kg/d of GH subcutaneously (titrated depending on IGF-1) added to standard therapy or standard therapy alone during one year. The number of tender points, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D), including a Quality of Life visual analogic scale (EQ-VAS) were assessed at different time-points.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At the end of the study, the GH group showed a 60% reduction in the mean number of tender points (pairs) compared to the control group (p < 0.05; 3.25 ± 0.8 <it>vs</it>. 8.25 ± 0.9). Similar improvements were observed in FIQ score (p < 0.05) and EQ-VAS scale (p < 0.001). There was a prompt response to GH administration, with most patients showing improvement within the first months in most of the outcomes. The concomitant administration of GH and standard therapy was well tolerated, and no patients discontinued the study due to adverse events.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present findings indicate the advantage of adding a daily GH dose to the standard therapy in a subset of severe fibromyalgia patients with low IGF-1 serum levels.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>NCT00497562 (ClinicalTrials.gov).</p