TB84: Controlling the Saratoga Spittlebug in Young Red Pine Plantations by Removal of Alternate Hosts

The Saratoga spittlebug, Aphrophora saratogensis (Fitch), is a major pest of young red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait. ) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb. ) plantations in the Lake States, Ontario, and more recently in the Northeast. Although insecticides are successful in controlling the Saratoga spittlebug, the biology of the insect raises the possibility of an alternative method of control. The spittlebug requires an alternate host to complete its nymphal development. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using herbicides to control nymphal host plants of the spittlebug in red pine plantations.https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/aes_techbulletin/1113/thumbnail.jp

The adenoma-carcinoma sequence in the colorectum--early appearance of a hierarchy of small intestinal mucin antigen (SIMA) epitopes and correlation with malignant potential.

The colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence was examined in relation to the ectopic expression of the oncofoetal Small Intestinal Mucin Antigen (SIMA), to the development of morphologic changes in the adenoma and perineoplastic mucosa and to indices of malignant potential. Four anti-SIMA MAbs, which define a novel hierarchy of SIMA epitopes in the normal small intestine and adjacent to colorectal cancers, were used in a retrospective immunohistochemical study of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP, n = 183) and non-familial (n = 44) adenomas. Inappropriate expression of SIMA epitopes was first detected in mucosa adjacent to minute microadenomas larger than three glands, and with increase in size, in increasing amounts within adenomas themselves, but not with microadenomas smaller than three glands or regions of flat mucosa free of adenomas. SIMA epitope expressed in mucosa adjacent to adenomas preceded changes in perineoplastic morphology, which progressed with adenoma growth to resemble transitional mucosa (TM) adjacent to cancers. Thus, the onset of both SIMA expression and morphological changes in TM were consistent with reactive rather than pre-existing field change phenomena. The previously reported hierarchy of four SIMA epitopes (5C5, 3D4, 4D3, 6C5) was also consistently observed in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence, and applied to (i) the order of epitope detection, (ii) the number of positive adenomas and (iii) extent of staining; (iv) the height in the crypt and (v) distance from the adenoma to which epitopes were expressed in perineoplastic mucosa. These observations are consistent with a progression of changes in mucin composition with adenoma development. The percentage of positive adenomas and reactivity scores for each anti-SIMA MAb correlated with increasing adenoma size, degree of dysplasia and growth pattern. SIMA expression appears to predate the earliest reported oncogene and tumour suppressor gene changes, was persistent and increased throughout adenoma development. SIMA epitopes are thus markers of very early neoplastic change, whose expression correlates with malignant potential and may contribute to the accumulation of changes necessary for tumourigenesis

Aberrant expression of intestinal mucin antigens associated with colorectal carcinoma defined by a panel of monoclonal antibodies.

Small intestine mucin antigen (SIMA) is an oncofoetal antigen for the colon and is distinct from the normal large intestinal mucin antigen (LIMA). In the present study, a panel of anti-SIMA and anti-LIMA monoclonal antibodies (MAb) was used to charaterise altered mucin expression in colorectal adenocarcinomas, by immunohistochemistry and quantitative immunoassays of tissue extracts. These results are compared with CEA expression and correlated with various clinicopathological indices. All mucin MAb reacted with a high proportion of the 100 colon cancers of every stage, histological type (including non-mucinous cancers), differentiation, site, or size. Inappropriate SIMA production was detected by either anti-SIMA MAb 4D3 or 4A1, even in 85% of early stage cancers. MAb 4D3 reacted with a higher proportion of cancers of smaller size and better differentiation. At the subcellular level, both anti-SIMA MAb showed reactivity typical of normal mucin, i.e., goblet cell and extracellular mucin. The normal colonic antigen, LIMA, was also detectable in the majority of cases, but quantitatively overproduced in some cases and reduced in others. However, in contrast to SIMA, LIMA was detected in predominantly undifferentiated cancer cells but not in goblet cells. Heterogeneity of MAb reactivity between cases and complementarity within each cancer was frequently observed. Mucin reactive with at least one of the MAb was detected in all of the CEA-negative cancers. A high rate of inappropriate SIMA expression was also detected in the perineoplastic transitional mucosa (88%, c.f. CEA, 35%) and adjacent, morphologically normal mucosa (80% c.f. CEA, 24%), indicating biochemical changes similar to the cancer. This panel of anti-mucin MAb demonstrated altered mucin glycoprotein metabolism associated with the development and progression of most colorectal cancers, which emphasises their utility as indicators of neoplastic change in the colon, and their superiority to CEA

A comparison of the effects of manual hyperinflation and ventilator hyperinflation on restoring end-expiratory lung volume after endotracheal suctioning: a pilot physiologic study

Purpose: Endotracheal suctioning (ES) of mechanically ventilated patients decreases end-expiratory lung volume (EELV). Manual hyperinflation (MHI) and ventilator hyperinflation (VHI) may restore EELV post-ES but it remains unknown which method is most effective. The primary aim was to compare the efficacy of MHI and VHI in restoring EELV post-ES. Materials and methods: ES was performed on mechanically ventilated intensive care patients, followed by MHI or VHI, in a randomised crossover design. The washout period between interventions was 1 h. End-expiratory lung impedance (EELI), measured by electrical impedance tomography, was recorded at baseline, during ES, during hyperinflation and 1, 5, 15 and 30 min post-hyperinflation. Results: Nine participants were studied. ES decreased EELI by 1672z (95% CI, 1204 to 2140) from baseline. From baseline, MHI increased EELI by 1154z (95% CI, 977 to 1330) while VHI increased EELI by 769z (95% CI, 457 to 1080). Five minutes post-VHI, EELI remained 528z (95% CI, 4 to 1053) above baseline. Fifteen minutes post-MHI, EELI remained 351z (95% CI, 111 to 592) above baseline. At subsequent time-points, EELI returned to baseline. Conclusions: MHI and VHI effectively restore EELV above baseline post-ES and should be considered post suctioning

The clinical impact of Lumacaftor-Ivacaftor on structural lung disease and lung function in children aged 6-11 with cystic fibrosis in a real-world setting

BACKGROUND: Data from clinical trials of lumacaftor-ivacaftor (LUM-IVA) demonstrate improvements in lung clearance index (LCI) but not in FEV1 in children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) aged 6-11 years and homozygous for the Phe508del mutation. It is not known whether LUM/IVA use in children can impact the progression of structural lung disease. We sought to determine the real-world impact of LUM/IVA on lung structure and function in children aged 6-11 years. METHODS: This real-world observational cohort study was conducted across four paediatric sites in Ireland over 24-months using spirometry-controlled CT scores and LCI as primary outcome measures. Children commencing LUM-/IVA as part of routine care were included. CT scans were manually scored with the PRAGMA CF scoring system and analysed using the automated bronchus-artery (BA) method. Secondary outcome measures included rate of change of ppFEV1, nutritional indices and exacerbations requiring hospitalisation. RESULTS: Seventy-one participants were recruited to the study, 31 of whom had spirometry-controlled CT performed at baseline, and after one year and two years of LUM/IVA treatment. At two years there was a reduction from baseline in trapped air scores (0.13 to 0.07, p = 0.016), but an increase from baseline in the % bronchiectasis score (0.84 to 1.23, p = 0.007). There was no change in overall % disease score (2.78 to 2.25, p = 0.138). Airway lumen to pulmonary artery ratios (AlumenA ratio) were abnormal at baseline and worsened over the course of the study. In 28 participants, the mean annual change from baseline LCI2.5 (-0.055 (-0.61 to 0.50), p = 0.85) measurements over two years were not significant. Improvements from baseline in weight (0.10 (0.06 to 0.15, p < 0.0001), height (0.05 (0.02 to 0.09), p = 0.002) and BMI (0.09 (0.03 to 0.15) p = 0.005) z-scores were seen with LUM/IVA treatment. The mean annual change from baseline ppFEV1 (-2.45 (-4.44 to 2.54), p = 0.66) measurements over two years were not significant. CONCLUSION: In a real-world setting, the use of LUM/IVA over two years in children with CF aged 6-11 resulted in improvements in air trapping on CT but worsening in bronchiectasis scores. Our results suggest that LUM/IVA use in this age group improves air trapping but does not prevent progression of bronchiectasis over two years of treatment

Tomosynthesis in pulmonary cystic fibrosis with comparison to radiography and computed tomography: a pictorial review

The purpose of this pictorial review is to illustrate chest imaging findings of cystic fibrosis (CF) using tomosynthesis (digital tomography), in comparison to radiography and computed tomography (CT). CF is a chronic systemic disease where imaging has long been used for monitoring chest status. CT exposes the patient to a substantially higher radiation dose than radiography, rendering it unsuitable for the often needed repeated examinations of these patients. Tomosynthesis has recently appeared as an interesting low dose alternative to CT, with an effective dose of approximately 0.08 mSv for children and 0.12 mSv for adults. Tomosynthesis is performed on the same X-ray system as radiography, adding only about 1 min to the normal examination time. Typical pulmonary changes in CF such as mucus plugging, bronchial wall thickening, and bronchiectases are shown in significantly better detail with tomosynthesis than with traditional radiography. In addition, the cost for a tomosynthesis examination is low compared to CT. To reduce the radiation burden of patients with CF it is important to consider low dose alternatives to CT, especially in the paediatric population. Tomosynthesis has a lower radiation dose than CT and gives a superior visualisation of pulmonary CF changes compared to radiography. It is important to further determine the role of tomosynthesis for monitoring disease progression in CF

Irish SARS-CoV-2 convalescent serological status of children following acute pneumonia during Ireland’s first wave

A global epidemic caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in China in December 2019 has spread worldwide¹. We hypothesised that due to low levels of viral shedding in children's upper airways, many children with COVID-19 related respiratory illness admitted to the hospital might be negative on nasopharyngeal PCR testing. Evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies can be detected typically 9-14 days after onset of symptoms but may take up to 3 months2. Therefore, convalescent serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2, as an alternative means to determine the rate of COVID-19 infection, was assessed

Air Trapping on Chest CT Is Associated with Worse Ventilation Distribution in Infants with Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosed following Newborn Screening

BACKGROUND: In school-aged children with cystic fibrosis (CF) structural lung damage assessed using chest CT is associated with abnormal ventilation distribution. The primary objective of this analysis was to determine the relationships between ventilation distribution outcomes and the presence and extent of structural damage as assessed by chest CT in infants and young children with CF. METHODS: Data of infants and young children with CF diagnosed following newborn screening consecutively reviewed between August 2005 and December 2009 were analysed. Ventilation distribution (lung clearance index and the first and second moment ratios [LCI, M(1)/M(0) and M(2)/M(0), respectively]), chest CT and airway pathology from bronchoalveolar lavage were determined at diagnosis and then annually. The chest CT scans were evaluated for the presence or absence of bronchiectasis and air trapping. RESULTS: Matched lung function, chest CT and pathology outcomes were available in 49 infants (31 male) with bronchiectasis and air trapping present in 13 (27%) and 24 (49%) infants, respectively. The presence of bronchiectasis or air trapping was associated with increased M(2)/M(0) but not LCI or M(1)/M(0). There was a weak, but statistically significant association between the extent of air trapping and all ventilation distribution outcomes. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that in early CF lung disease there are weak associations between ventilation distribution and lung damage from chest CT. These finding are in contrast to those reported in older children. These findings suggest that assessments of LCI could not be used to replace a chest CT scan for the assessment of structural lung disease in the first two years of life. Further research in which both MBW and chest CT outcomes are obtained is required to assess the role of ventilation distribution in tracking the progression of lung damage in infants with CF