Flea beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Halticinae) on rapeseed and sugarbeet in Finland

Surveys of the incidence of flea beetles on sugarbeet and rapeseed were carried out in eight localities in southern and central Finland in 1972 and 1980—83. The first flea beetles emerged from overwintering in late April to early May, depending on the temperature. The majority, however, appeared during the second half of May, when daily temperatures occasionally reached +20°C. Flea beetles found their host plants by olfactory orientation. Two population peaks occurred during the growing season. The overwintered flea beetles formed the first peak in late May to early June and the adults of the new generation the second peak starting in late July. The incidence of flea beetles fluctuated greatly on the cultivation, as the flea beetles moved only short distances and showed thus very local occurrence. The availability of host plants greatly affected their reproduction rate, and thus the annual and regional differences in the incidence of the flea beetles were great and depended solely on the availability of host plants. Therefore it was difficult to establish any countrywide differences in the incidence of the beetles. Only Phyllotreta undulata (Kutsch.) and P. striolata (F.) were of any importance aspests of rapeseed. P. undulata made up some 80—90 % and P. striolata some 10 % of the total number of flea beetles on rapeseed. P. striolata was more abundant on radish than on rapeseed. Sugarbeet was damaged only by Chaetocnema concinna (Marsh). Other species of flea beetles were also observed in small numbers on rapeseed, radish and sugarbeet. They did not, however, cause any damage, but spread from adjacent cultivated plant species or weeds. The suction trap collected only a few flea beetles, but clearly revealed their activity periods. Damage caused by flea beetles is most harmful during the short seedling stage. At that time one flea beetle per plant was considered the threshold level for control measures. Later, even several flea beetles did not significantly hamper the growth. Seed coating efficiently prevented damage by flea beetles. The general incidence of flea beetles observed during this study was so low that coating of the seed was not justified. Chemical control of blossom beetle efficiently reduced flea beetles as well. The abandoning of the cultivation of winter rape also reduced the total number of flea beetles

Systemic Blockade of ACVR2B Ligands Protects Myocardium from Acute Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Activin A and myostatin, members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-b superfamily of secreted factors, are potent negative regulators of muscle growth, but their contribution to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate if activin 2B (ACVR2B) receptor ligands contribute to myocardial IR injury. Mice were treated with soluble ACVR2B decoy receptor (ACVR2B-Fc) and subjected to myocardial ischemia followed by reperfusion for 6 or 24 h. Systemic blockade of ACVR2B ligands by ACVR2B-Fc was protective against cardiac IR injury, as evidenced by reduced infarcted area, apoptosis, and autophagy and better preserved LV systolic function following IR. ACVR2B-Fc modified cardiac metabolism, LV mitochondrial respiration, as well as cardiac phenotype toward physiological hypertrophy. Similar to its protective role in IR injury in vivo, ACVR2B-Fc antagonized SMAD2 signaling and cell death in cardiomyocytes that were subjected to hypoxic stress. ACVR2B ligand myostatin was found to exacerbate hypoxic stress. In addition to acute cardioprotection in ischemia, ACVR2B-Fc provided beneficial effects on cardiac function in prolonged cardiac stress in cardiotoxicity model. By blocking myostatin, ACVR2B-Fc potentially reduces cardiomyocyte death and modifies cardiomyocyte metabolism for hypoxic conditions to protect the heart from IR injury.Peer reviewe

A family based tailored counselling to increase non-exercise physical activity in adults with a sedentary job and physical activity in their young children: design and methods of a year-long randomized controlled trial

Background. Epidemiological evidence suggests that decrease in sedentary behaviour is beneficial for health. This family based randomized controlled trial examines whether face-to-face delivered counselling is effective in reducing sedentary time and improving health in adults and increasing moderate-to-vigorous activities in children. Methods. The families are randomized after balancing socioeconomic and environmental factors in the Jyväskylä region, Finland. Inclusion criteria are: healthy men and women with children 3-8 years old, and having an occupation where they self-reportedly sit more than 50% of their work time and children in all-day day-care in kindergarten or in the first grade in primary school. Exclusion criteria are: body mass index > 35 kg/m2, self-reported chronic, long-term diseases, families with pregnant mother at baseline and children with disorders delaying motor development. From both adults and children accelerometer data is collected five times a year in one week periods. In addition, fasting blood samples for whole blood count and serum metabonomics, and diurnal heart rate variability for 3 days are assessed at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up from adults. Quadriceps and hamstring muscle activities providing detailed information on muscle inactivity will be used to realize the maximum potential effect of the intervention. Fundamental motor skills from children and body composition from adults will be measured at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Questionnaires of family-influence-model, health and physical activity, and dietary records are assessed. After the baseline measurements the intervention group will receive tailored counselling targeted to decrease sitting time by focusing on commute and work time. The counselling regarding leisure time is especially targeted to encourage toward family physical activities such as visiting playgrounds and non-built environments, where children can get diversified stimulation for play and practice fundamental of motor skills. The counselling will be reinforced during the first 6 months followed by a 6-month maintenance period. Discussion. If shown to be effective, this unique family based intervention to improve lifestyle behaviours in both adults and children can provide translational model for community use. This study can also provide knowledge whether the lifestyle changes are transformed into relevant biomarkers and self-reported health. Trial registration number. ISRCTN: ISRCTN28668090peerReviewe

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Flea beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Halticinae) on rapseed and sugarbeet in Finland

Julkaisussa on vanha ISSN 0024-8835.vokKirjasto Aj-KKirpat (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Halticinae) rypsi- ja sokerijuurikasviljelyksill

Kirpat (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Halticinae) rypsi- ja sokerijuurikasviljelyksillä

Surveys of the incidence of flea beetles on sugarbeet and rapeseed were carried out in eight localities in southern and central Finland in 1972 and 1980—83. The first flea beetles emerged from overwintering in late April to early May, depending on the temperature. The majority, however, appeared during the second half of May, when daily temperatures occasionally reached +20°C. Flea beetles found their host plants by olfactory orientation. Two population peaks occurred during the growing season. The overwintered flea beetles formed the first peak in late May to early June and the adults of the new generation the second peak starting in late July. The incidence of flea beetles fluctuated greatly on the cultivation, as the flea beetles moved only short distances and showed thus very local occurrence. The availability of host plants greatly affected their reproduction rate, and thus the annual and regional differences in the incidence of the flea beetles were great and depended solely on the availability of host plants. Therefore it was difficult to establish any countrywide differences in the incidence of the beetles. Only Phyllotreta undulata (Kutsch.) and P. striolata (F.) were of any importance aspests of rapeseed. P. undulata made up some 80—90 % and P. striolata some 10 % of the total number of flea beetles on rapeseed. P. striolata was more abundant on radish than on rapeseed. Sugarbeet was damaged only by Chaetocnema concinna (Marsh). Other species of flea beetles were also observed in small numbers on rapeseed, radish and sugarbeet. They did not, however, cause any damage, but spread from adjacent cultivated plant species or weeds. The suction trap collected only a few flea beetles, but clearly revealed their activity periods. Damage caused by flea beetles is most harmful during the short seedling stage. At that time one flea beetle per plant was considered the threshold level for control measures. Later, even several flea beetles did not significantly hamper the growth. Seed coating efficiently prevented damage by flea beetles. The general incidence of flea beetles observed during this study was so low that coating of the seed was not justified. Chemical control of blossom beetle efficiently reduced flea beetles as well. The abandoning of the cultivation of winter rape also reduced the total number of flea beetles.Maatalouden tutkimuskeskuksessa Vantaalla sekä seitsemällä muulla paikkakunnalla Etelä- ja Keski-Suomessa selvitettiin vuosina 1972 ja 1980—83 kirppojen esiintymistä rypsi- ja sokerijuurikasviljelyksillä. Etelä-Suomessa ensimmäiset kirpat lähtivät liikkeelle talvehtimispaikoistaan lämpötilan mukaan huhti- ja toukokuun vaihteessa. Suurin osa kirpoista ilmestyi kuitenkin toukokuun loppupuoliskolla, kun päivälämpötilat ajoittain kohosivat 20°C:seen. Kirpat suunnistivat ja löysivät isäntäkasvinsa hajun perusteella. Kasvukauden aikana oli kaksi runsaushuippua. Ensimmäisen muodostivat talvehtineet yksilöt touko- ja kesäkuun vaihteessa ja toisen uuden sukupolven aikuiset heinäkuun lopussa. Kirppojen esiintymisrunsaus viljelyksillä vaihteli paljon, sillä kirpat liikkuivat vain lyhyitä matkoja; täten niiden esiintyminen oli hyvin paikallista. Isot vuotuiset runsausvaihtelut johtuivat lähinnä isäntäkasvitilanteen muutoksista. Tämän vuoksi oli vaikeata nähdä, vaihteliko kirppojen esiintymisrunsaus alueittain. Ainoastaan Phyllotreta undulata (Kutsch.) ja P. striolata (F.) olivat merkittäviä tuholaisia rypsiviljelyksillä. P. undulata:n osuus oli 80—90 % ja P. striolata:n n. 10 % kirppojen kokonaismäärästä. P. striolata oli yleisempi retiisi- kuin rypsiviljelyksillä. Sokerijuurikasta vioitti ainoastaan Chaetocnema concinna (Marsh). Myös muita kirppalajeja esiintyi vähäisinä määrinä rypsi-, retiisi ja sokerijuurikasmailla. Nämä eivät kuitenkaan aiheuttaneet tuhoja. Imupyydys keräsi vähän kirppoja, mutta se osoitti silti selvästi kirppojen esiintymisajankohdat. Kirpat aiheuttivat eniten vahinkoa lyhyen sirkkataimivaiheen aikana. Torjunnan kynnysarvo oli tuolloin yksi kirppa/kasvi. Myöhemmin useatkaan kirpat eivät enää estäneet kasvua. Kirppojen esiintymisrunsaus oli tutkimuksen aikana niin pieni, että siementen torjunta-ainekuorrutus oli tarpeeton. Syysrypsin viljelyn loppuminen näytti olevan osasyynä kirppojen vähäiseen määrään. Toisaalta tuholaistorjunta rapsikuoriaista vastaan tehoaa myös kirppoihin

Inhibition of activin receptor 2 signalling ameliorates metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease in western diet/L-NAME induced cardiometabolic disease

Objective: Blockade of activin 2 receptor (ACVR2) signaling has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and aid in weight loss. Inhibition of ACVR2 signaling restores cardiac function in multiple heart failure models. However, its potential in the treatment of obesity-related cardiometabolic disease remains unknown. Here, we investigated targeting ACVR2 signaling in cardiometabolic disease manifested with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Methods: Mice were fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with the administration of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME in drinking water, which causes hypertensive stress. For the last eight weeks, the mice were treated with the soluble ACVR2B decoy receptor (sACVR2B-Fc). Results: sACVR2B-Fc protected against the development of comorbidities associated with cardiometabolic disease. This was most pronounced in the liver where ACVR2 blockade attenuated the development of MASLD including cessation of pro-fibrotic activation. It also significantly reduced total plasma cholesterol levels, impeded brown adipose tissue whitening, and improved cardiac diastolic function. In vitro, ACVR2 ligands activin A, activin B and GDF11 induced profibrotic signaling and the proliferation of human cardiac fibroblasts. Conclusions: Blockade of ACVR2B exerts broad beneficial effects for therapy of cardiometabolic disease. By reducing obesity, ameliorating cardiovascular deterioration and restraining MASLD, blockade of ACVR2B signaling proves a potential target in MASLD and its comorbidities.Peer reviewe

Systemic blockade of ACVR2B ligands attenuates muscle wasting in ischemic heart failure without compromising cardiac function

Abstract Signaling through activin receptors regulates skeletal muscle mass and activin receptor 2B (ACVR2B) ligands are also suggested to participate in myocardial infarction (MI) pathology in the heart. In this study, we determined the effect of systemic blockade of ACVR2B ligands on cardiac function in experimental MI, and defined its efficacy to revert muscle wasting in ischemic heart failure (HF). Mice were treated with soluble ACVR2B decoy receptor (ACVR2B‐Fc) to study its effect on post‐MI cardiac remodeling and on later HF. Cardiac function was determined with echocardiography, and myocardium analyzed with histological and biochemical methods for hypertrophy and fibrosis. Pharmacological blockade of ACVR2B ligands did not rescue the heart from ischemic injury or alleviate post‐MI remodeling and ischemic HF. Collectively, ACVR2B‐Fc did not affect cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, angiogenesis, nor factors associated with cardiac regeneration except modification of certain genes involved in metabolism or cell growth/survival. ACVR2B‐Fc, however, was able to reduce skeletal muscle wasting in chronic ischemic HF, accompanied by reduced LC3II as a marker of autophagy and increased mTOR signaling and Cited4 expression as markers of physiological hypertrophy in quadriceps muscle. Our results ascertain pharmacological blockade of ACVR2B ligands as a possible therapy for skeletal muscle wasting in ischemic HF. Pharmacological blockade of ACVR2B ligands preserved myofiber size in ischemic HF, but did not compromise cardiac function nor exacerbate cardiac remodeling after ischemic injury