Development of Cerceis fumipennis for Biosurveillance of the Emerald Ash Borer in the Northeast

One method being utilized for detection of the invasive emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis (EAB) involves monitoring aggregations of the wasp Cerceris fumipennis for the presence of EAB in their collected prey. Currently there is little information published on its nest structure, phenology, and prey fidelity. The objectives of this research were to: i) monitor C. fumipennis male and female emergence, female prey collection, and number of colonies relative to the accumulation of degree-days (DD) throughout the summer; ii) better understand nest structure, phenology, and prey requirements of C. fumipennis; and iii) investigate C. fumipennis prey selection and fidelity. Field studies were conducted on C. fumipennis aggregations located at six central Maine sites in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Soil temperatures were monitored continuously and daily degree-day accumulations (base 10°C) were calculated. Sites were monitored for wasp emergence, number of nests, number of wasps, and initiation of mating and prey capture. We excavated nests and measured depth of cells and the number of new cells per nest. The contents of cells were examined for C. fumipennis immature stages and prey. We estimated the mass of beetle prey provisioned and measured the weight of pre-pupae in cells. We identified prey beetles excavated from nests and made comparisons among prey species provisioned within cells. Mean accumulated DD at first wasp emergence across all sites and years was 594 ± 21 (SE). Male wasps emerged before female wasps 40% of the time. Prey capture was initiated 7-17 days (115 - 287 DD) post emergence, and the peak number of nests occurred in mid-July/early August. There was variation in the number of peak nests at sites between years. Our emergence data demonstrates that the period of flight activity for C. fumipennis and EAB in Maine would overlap. We excavated 171 nests. The number of new cells per nest and depth of cells varied between sites. The proportion of cells containing eggs generally decreased over a field season, while the proportion of cells containing pre-pupae increased over the field season. There were no significant differences between the numbers of beetles provisioned per egg between sites, but there were differences between the estimated weights of beetles provisioned per egg between sites. Finally, we found that as the estimated provisioned weight increased, the weight of the resulting pre-pupae also increased. Twenty different prey species were identified and we found that 50% to 84% of excavated cells were provisioned with a single genera of beetle prey. The data presented highlights C. fumipennis\u27s ability to find and to utilize several different hosts as prey items which makes it a good candidate for monitoring EAB and other invasive beetles in the family Buprestidae. We also present data that will aid in the development of rearing techniques for the wasp laying the groundwork for future development of mobile colonies

Development of Cerceis fumipennis for Biosurveillance of the Emerald Ash Borer in the Northeast

One method being utilized for detection of the invasive emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis (EAB) involves monitoring aggregations of the wasp Cerceris fumipennis for the presence of EAB in their collected prey. Currently there is little information published on its nest structure, phenology, and prey fidelity. The objectives of this research were to: i) monitor C. fumipennis male and female emergence, female prey collection, and number of colonies relative to the accumulation of degree-days (DD) throughout the summer; ii) better understand nest structure, phenology, and prey requirements of C. fumipennis; and iii) investigate C. fumipennis prey selection and fidelity. Field studies were conducted on C. fumipennis aggregations located at six central Maine sites in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Soil temperatures were monitored continuously and daily degree-day accumulations (base 10°C) were calculated. Sites were monitored for wasp emergence, number of nests, number of wasps, and initiation of mating and prey capture. We excavated nests and measured depth of cells and the number of new cells per nest. The contents of cells were examined for C. fumipennis immature stages and prey. We estimated the mass of beetle prey provisioned and measured the weight of pre-pupae in cells. We identified prey beetles excavated from nests and made comparisons among prey species provisioned within cells. Mean accumulated DD at first wasp emergence across all sites and years was 594 ± 21 (SE). Male wasps emerged before female wasps 40% of the time. Prey capture was initiated 7-17 days (115 - 287 DD) post emergence, and the peak number of nests occurred in mid-July/early August. There was variation in the number of peak nests at sites between years. Our emergence data demonstrates that the period of flight activity for C. fumipennis and EAB in Maine would overlap. We excavated 171 nests. The number of new cells per nest and depth of cells varied between sites. The proportion of cells containing eggs generally decreased over a field season, while the proportion of cells containing pre-pupae increased over the field season. There were no significant differences between the numbers of beetles provisioned per egg between sites, but there were differences between the estimated weights of beetles provisioned per egg between sites. Finally, we found that as the estimated provisioned weight increased, the weight of the resulting pre-pupae also increased. Twenty different prey species were identified and we found that 50% to 84% of excavated cells were provisioned with a single genera of beetle prey. The data presented highlights C. fumipennis\u27s ability to find and to utilize several different hosts as prey items which makes it a good candidate for monitoring EAB and other invasive beetles in the family Buprestidae. We also present data that will aid in the development of rearing techniques for the wasp laying the groundwork for future development of mobile colonies

Depictions of Genetic Research in Film Across Film Genres

When people do not have personal experience to draw on, the experiences of characters in film can serve in the mind as a substitute. This research sought to determine what kind of impression films depicting genetics research leave on the audience. These genres were romance (Code 46, 2004), horror (Splice, 2009), thriller (Children of Men, 2006), and drama (Gattaca, 1997). Scenes from the films were analyzed to determine their likely effect on the audience perception of genetics. The researcher hypothesized that the drama and romance films would portray genetics research as neutral, but the science would be less accurate, and that the horror and thriller films would portray genetics research negatively but contain more accurate science. The overall effect of the two factors on audience perception of genetics research was discussed, and a conclusion about overall depiction across the four films was then drawn

Termination of Afferent Axons in Macaque Striate Cortex

We used horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to orthogradely label afferent axons in macaque striate cortex. Of the 38 axons that we recovered, nine were recorded intracellularly before being filled with HRP. Light microscope and computer reconstructions of filled processes reveal highly stereotyped patterns of arborization and suggest that there are at least five discrete populations of lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) afferent axon: (1) those to layer 4Cβ, which have extremely circumscribed, dense terminal fields (small branches of which occasionally intrude into 4Cα) but which have not been shown to project to other laminae; (2) afferents to layer 4A, which in some cases send fine ascending collaterals into layer 2-3 and which do not, apparently, send collaterals to other laminae; (3) afferents to layer 1, which are fine, extend over large distances horizontally, and send collaterals to layer 6A; (4) afferents to the lower two-thirds of layer 4Cα, which have few or no collaterals in layer 6; and (5) afferents to the upper half of layer 4Cα, which have arborizing collaterals in layer 6B. Of the nine axons that were recorded intracellularly, those with projections to layer 4Cβ (two axons) and to layer 1 (one axon) had color-selective properties, whereas those (six axons) which arborized in 4Cα all had transient, broad band and highly contrast-sensitive receptive fields. These properties are consistent with derivations from somata in the parvocellular and magnocellular divisions of the LGN, respectively. Afferents to 4Cα were found to cover approximately 6 times as much surface area as afferents to 4Cβ. The preterminal trunks of all axons were found to follow tortuous paths through the neuropil-paths that may derive from axon segregation during development. The wide ranging, patchy distributions of single afferents in 4Cα suggest that individual 4Cα axons supply more than one ocular dominance stripe. In one case where the terminal arborization of a 4Cα axon was mapped against the transneuronally determined pattern of ocular dominance, three separate patches of terminal boutons were indeed found to coincide with the bands of one eye

The Effects of Supplemental Joint Storybook Reading on Preschool Students\u27 Use of Strident Sounds: A Preliminary Investigation

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of adding supplemental, joint storybook reading to existing cycles-based phonological remediation on the speech intelligibility of a group of preschool children with phonological disorders. Method: Sixteen preschool children, ages 3;8 (years; months) to 5;0, with moderate to severe phonological dis-orders served as the participant group for this study. The treatment group received treatment in the form of supple-mental joint storybook reading using books with a high frequency of strident sounds within the text of the story. Independent–samples t tests were used to study quantitative differences in the control and treatment groups following treatment. Results: Results indicated a significant difference in the presence of stridency observed in participants, with the treatment group showing greater positive change in the presence of stridency in their speech at completion of the study. Conclusion: Results from the study suggest that exposure to focused auditory input in the form of supplementary joint storybook reading, combined with traditional cycles-based phonological remediation, is an effective manner for improving speech intelligibility in children with moderate to severe expressive phonological disorders

Comparative effectiveness of postoperative chemotherapy among older patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy

Postoperative chemotherapy is standard following preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) and curative resection for clinically staged II/III rectal cancer. Recent trials have questioned whether postoperative chemotherapy improves overall survival. We evaluated the comparative effectiveness of postoperative chemotherapy following CRT or radiation therapy (RT) with specific attention on the impact of age on postoperative chemotherapy effectiveness

The validity of administrative data and patterns of chemotherapy use among elderly colorectal cancer patients

Chemotherapy represents an integral part of the treatment plan for many cancer patients, proven to decrease recurrence and overall mortality. Recent trials demonstrated that adding oxaliplatin to 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin significantly improved survival for stage III colon cancer patients. However, few studies have examined the translation of these findings into routine practice, particularly among the elderly, who are underrepresented in trials. Two population-based data sources were linked to assess the utility of Medicare claims in identifying chemotherapy and specific agents administered to elderly stage II/III colorectal cancer (CRC), in-situ/early stage breast, non-small cell lung, and ovarian cancer patients. The National Cancer Institute's Patterns of Care (POC) studies collected data on chemotherapy by reviewing hospital and medical records and contacting physicians. POC data were linked and compared to Medicare claims and measures of agreement and validity were estimated. Using validated definitions, we constructed a cohort of stage II/III CRC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (SEER)-Medicare linked database to 1) estimate trends in the utilization of agents over time and 2) identify patient, physician, and hospital characteristics associated with the receipt of oxaliplatin using Poisson regression models and a generalized estimating equation (GEE) strategy for non-nested clustering. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of Medicare claims to identify any chemotherapy were high; however, we found variation across agents, sites and administration modalities. Shifts in utilization of specific agents were seen from 2000-2007, with increasing oxaliplatin and capecitabine use. Younger age, being married, fewer comorbidities, low-poverty areas, colon cancer diagnosis, and stage III disease were associated with oxaliplatin use. Validated Medicare definitions identified a substantial increase in oxaliplatin utilization from 2004-2007 for both on- and off-label indications. Patient characteristics were most influential in explaining the variation in oxaliplatin receipt. Off-label use of chemotherapeutic agents was relatively common. Physicians should carefully weigh the minimal (if any) or unknown benefits of treatment against potentially serious side effects when deciding whether to treat a patient off-label

Effects Of Triclosan On The Oyster Parasite, Perkinsus Marinus And Its Host, The Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea Virginica

Because temperature plays an important role on progression and transmission of disease caused by Perkinsus marinus in the field. the effects of triclosan on the viability of P. marinus meronts (trophozoites) and oyster hemocytes were tested at a range of environmental relevant temperatures. Additionally, we examined the triclosan effect on reactive oxidative intermediate production (ROI) by oyster hemocytes and tested the efficacy of treating infected oysters with triclosan in eliminating/ reducing P. marinus infection in a pilot experiment. When P. marinus cultivated at 13 degrees C, 20 degrees C, and 28 degrees C was exposed to triclosan at corresponding temperatures, 2-10 mu m triclosan killed 10-30% at 20 degrees C and \u3e= 40% at 28 degrees C, but \u3c= 10% at 13 degrees C. When exposure of P. marimus cultivated at 28 degrees C to triclosan at 26 degrees C similar mortality was noted as those recorded at 28 degrees C. Treating hemocytes from oysters maintained at 13 degrees C, 20 degrees C, or 26 degrees C with 2, 5, 10 mu M triclosan at corresponding temperatures. killed 2% to 13% at 13 degrees C and 6 to 16% at 20 degrees C. No mortality occurred in hemocytes exposed to 2-10 mu M triclosan at 26 degrees C. However, at the highest temperature and triclosan concentration tested (28 degrees C, 10 mu M triclosan), hemocyte mortality exceed 30%. Exposure of hemocytes to triclosan concentrations of 2-10 mu M for 4h at 4 degrees C significantly reduced the ROI production in hemocytes in a dose-dependent response. Treating P. marimus infected oysters with 300 and 600 mu g triclosan/oyster daily for 8 wk, significantly slowed the disease progression

Methodological Challenges for Epidemiologic Studies of Deprescribing at the End of Life

Purpose of Review: To describe approaches to measuring deprescribing and associated outcomes in studies of patients approaching end of life (EOL). Recent Findings: We reviewed studies published through 2020 that evaluated deprescribing in patients with limited life expectancy and approaching EOL. Deprescribing includes reducing the number of medications, decreasing medication dose(s), and eliminating potentially inappropriate medications. Tools such as STOPPFrail, OncPal, and the Unnecessary Drug Use Measure can facilitate deprescribing. Outcome measures vary and selection of measures should align with the operationalized deprescribing definition used by study investigators. Summary: EOL deprescribing considerations include medication appropriateness in the context of patient goals for care, expected benefit from medication given life expectancy, and heightened potential for medication-related harm as death nears. Additional data are needed on how EOL deprescribing impacts patient quality of life, caregiver burden, and out-of-pocket medication-related costs to patients and caregivers. Investigators should design deprescribing studies with this information in mind

Toll-like Receptor 9–mediated Recognition of Herpes Simplex Virus-2 by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been identified as a potent secretor of the type I interferons (IFNs) in response to CpG as well as several viruses. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanism of virus recognition by pDCs. First, we demonstrated that the CD11c+Gr-1intB220+ pDCs from mouse bone marrow secreted high levels of IFN-α in response to either live or UV-inactivated Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2). Next, we identified that IFN-α secretion by pDCs required the expression of the adaptor molecule MyD88, suggesting the involvement of a Toll-like receptor (TLR) in HSV-2 recognition. To test whether a TLR mediates HSV-2–induced IFN-α secretion from pDCs, various knockout mice were examined. These experiments revealed a clear requirement for TLR9 in this process. Further, we demonstrated that purified HSV-2 DNA can trigger IFN-α secretion from pDCs and that inhibitory CpG oligonucleotide treatment diminished HSV-induced IFN-α secretion by pDCs in a dose-dependent manner. The recognition of HSV-2 by TLR9 was mediated through an endocytic pathway that was inhibited by chloroquine or bafilomycin A1. The strict requirement for TLR9 in IFN-α secretion was further confirmed by the inoculation of HSV-2 in vivo. Therefore, these results demonstrate a novel mechanism whereby the genomic DNA of a virus can engage TLR9 and result in the secretion of IFN-α by pDCs