Establishment and spread of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Greece: based on contributions from citizen scientists

Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773), also known as the harlequin ladybird, is an invasive non-native species intentionally introduced to many countries as a biological control agent of agricultural pests. In Greece, H. axyridis was first introduced as a biological control agent in 1994, with releases taking place between 1994 and 2000. For many years there was no evidence to indicate that H. axyridis had established self-sustaining populations. In 2008, a citizen science campaign was initiated aimed at raising awareness regarding the invasive status of H. axyridis to farmers and agronomists. The campaign did not yield results, and it was discontinued in 2011. During this study, the distribution, phenology, and presence of H. axyridis in different habitat types and protected areas in Greece are investigated, using both citizen science data and literature records. Records from iΝaturalist, the Alientoma database and social media examined herein demonstrate that H. axyridis has been established in Greece since 2010. Harmonia axyridis is currently present in 13 administrative districts of Greece, most of them at a considerable distance from the initial release sites. The harlequin ladybird is present in urban and agricultural habitats as well as seventeen NATURA 2000 sites. The adverse socioeconomic and environmental impacts of H. axyridis are briefly discussed alongside suggestions for management activities. Based on our findings, we propose the establishment of a national monitoring scheme for H. axyridis and native ladybirds that will also encourage public participation in recording ladybird observations and provide information on the distribution, spread and impact of this invasive non-native species

Clinical Perspectives of ERCC1 in Bladder Cancer

ERCC1 is a key regulator of nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway that repairs bulky DNA adducts, including intrastrand DNA adducts and interstrand crosslinks (ICLs). Overexpression of ERCC1 has been linked to increased DNA repair capacity and platinum resistance in solid tumors. Multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been detected in ERCC1 gene that may affect ERCC1 protein expression. Platinum-based treatment remains the cornerstone of urothelial cancer treatment. Given the expanding application of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced bladder cancer, there is an emerging need for biomarkers that could distinguish potential responders to cisplatin treatment. Extensive research has been done regarding the prognostic and predictive role of ERCC1 gene expression and polymorphisms in bladder cancer. Moreover, novel compounds have been recently developed to target ERCC1 protein function in order to maximize sensitivity to cisplatin. We aim to review all the existing literature regarding the role of the ERCC1 gene in bladder cancer and address future perspectives for its clinical application

Novel therapies for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

Advanced squamous non-small-cell lung carcinoma (SqCC) has traditionally been considered the `neglected sibling' compared with lung adenocarcinoma due to lack of effective targeted treatment options. Currently, limited progress has been made in the systemic treatment of advanced disease and combination chemotherapy remains the gold standard. However, the recent completion of the molecular characterization of SqCC revealed an interestingly complex genomic profile, comprising various genetic alterations that can potentially function as molecular targets for the development of novel targeted agents. Recent encouraging results of the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in several neoplasms has emerged as a promising novel treatment option for advanced SqCC. Future personalized studies, enrolling SqCC patients according to specific driving mutations are underway

Phosphorus Recovery from Municipal Wastewater: Brucite from MgO Hydrothermal Treatment as Magnesium Source

Crystallization of struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O, MAPH) for both N and P recovery from municipal wastewater is an attractive alternative. The low magnesium concentration in municipal wastewater calls for low-cost magnesium sources. In the present work, the precipitation of struvite from supersaturated solutions was investigated. The supersaturated solutions were prepared by the addition of either slurry of Mg(OH)2 (brucite) obtained from the hydrothermal treatment of magnesium oxide (MgO) or using the aqueous solution equilibrated with brucite after separation from the solid. In both cases, in the supersaturated solutions prepared by the addition of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, the Mg:NH4:P ratio was 1:1:1, pH 7.0–11.0. The apparent order for the precipitation suggested that the dominant mechanism was surface diffusion according to the polynuclear model. The apparent rate constant for struvite precipitation was two orders of magnitude smaller for the slurry prepared supersaturated solution in comparison with the respective prepared from the brucite-equilibrated solution. Simulated wastewater (SWW), was supersaturated with respect to struvite, by inoculation with brucite. The apparent rate constant was two orders of magnitude higher than that corresponding to the supersaturated solutions prepared by the addition of solution equilibrated with brucite. The P recovery from SWW reached 70%

Phosphorus Recovery from Municipal Wastewater: Brucite from MgO Hydrothermal Treatment as Magnesium Source

Crystallization of struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O, MAPH) for both N and P recovery from municipal wastewater is an attractive alternative. The low magnesium concentration in municipal wastewater calls for low-cost magnesium sources. In the present work, the precipitation of struvite from supersaturated solutions was investigated. The supersaturated solutions were prepared by the addition of either slurry of Mg(OH)2 (brucite) obtained from the hydrothermal treatment of magnesium oxide (MgO) or using the aqueous solution equilibrated with brucite after separation from the solid. In both cases, in the supersaturated solutions prepared by the addition of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, the Mg:NH4:P ratio was 1:1:1, pH 7.0–11.0. The apparent order for the precipitation suggested that the dominant mechanism was surface diffusion according to the polynuclear model. The apparent rate constant for struvite precipitation was two orders of magnitude smaller for the slurry prepared supersaturated solution in comparison with the respective prepared from the brucite-equilibrated solution. Simulated wastewater (SWW), was supersaturated with respect to struvite, by inoculation with brucite. The apparent rate constant was two orders of magnitude higher than that corresponding to the supersaturated solutions prepared by the addition of solution equilibrated with brucite. The P recovery from SWW reached 70%

Metamasius hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Dryophthorinae) on a hand of bananas in Greece

A dead individual of Metamasius hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758) was collected by a citizen scientist in Athens, Greece from a hand of imported bananas. The equatorial origin of the fruit as well as the extensive growth of a fungus on the specimen, both suggest an unintentional introduction as a contaminant. Nevertheless, this record highlights the valu-able contribution of citizen scientists in the study of alien species. Although the species is not presently considered as established in the country, citizen-science initiatives in order to raise awareness and monitor its presence are ongoing