Sampling pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus) pressure in oilseed rape: which method is best?

BACKGROUND: The pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus) is the most abundant pests of oilseed rape in spring and potentially one of the most damaging. Adults feed on the pollen within closed flower buds and the damage leads to bud abscission, resulting in podless stalks and yield reduction. Several methods are currently used to monitor the pressure of this insect such as counting the numbers of adults on the plants, quantifying the number of buds damaged by the insect before flowering or counting the number of podless stalks before harvest. We conducted experiments to evaluate the robustness of these sampling methods and compared their results. We also describe how pollen beetles damage the plants to understand the limitations of the methods based on an estimation of the damage. RESULTS: We found that methods based on adult abundance lack robustness. We observed that most of the damage to buds is caused by pollen beetles feeding on small buds, and that this damage can be quantified later in the season, indicating the robustness of methods based on the count of podless stalks. Different methods gave consistent results and quantification of the pressure on the primary raceme can be a good proxy for data collected by assessing the whole plant. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized methods for assessment of pollen beetle pressure will enable comparison of pest management strategies between different studies and facilitate the development of alternative control strategies for this pest

Relative efficiency of methods to estimate cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala) larval infestation in oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

Background The cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB; Psylliodes chrysocephala) is an important pest of winter oilseed rape (OSR) crops in Europe. Damage is caused by adults feeding on young leaves and by larvae mining in the leaves and stems. The most common method to estimate the severity of CSFB larval infestation is by plant dissection, which is time consuming and labour intensive. Two alternative methods have been proposed: extraction of larvae from desiccating plants and counting the percentage of leaves with scars left by larvae on plant petioles. These methods are easy to implement and less time consuming than plant dissection but have not been properly validated. Results OSR plants were sampled in five different experiments and the two alternative methods tested; assessment of the total number of scars per plant as a predictor of the number of larvae was also tested. The number of larvae remaining in plants following various periods of desiccation was checked via plant dissection. We found that the desiccation method is efficient, giving reliable results after 7 days (76% of the total larvae extracted) with good accuracy in estimating the number of larvae per plant (±0.38 larvae per plant). The total number of scars also gives a reliable estimation of the number of larvae (r = 0.76, accuracy of ±1.01 larvae per plant). Conclusion OSR plant desiccation and the total number of scars per plant are reliable methods to estimate CSFB larval infestation and will facilitate monitoring of this cryptic pest stage. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry

Companion plants and straw mulch reduce cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala) damage on oilseed rape

Plant diversification, especially sowing crops with the addition of companion plants has been demonstrated as a suitable practice to increase insect pest control in multiple cropping systems. Since the ban on use of neonicotinoid seed treatments in oilseed rape (OSR), the harvested area has reduced significantly in Europe, mainly because of the damage caused by cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala). Several companion plants such as legumes and other species of Brassicaceae have been reported as potential companions for OSR but robust evaluation of their efficiency to reduce cabbage stem flea beetle damage in replicated trials is lacking. Four field trials were conducted in the UK and Germany to test the effect of different companion plants, or the addition of straw mulch, on cabbage stem flea beetle adult feeding and larval infestation in OSR. We found significant differences in the level of feeding damage between treatments in all experiments. Combinations of OSR with cereal companion plants or with straw mulch showed the strongest reduction in adult feeding damage. A protective effect of legumes was also observed in one trial. Differences in larval infestation were also observed between treatments but were not consistent and might be more related to the OSR plant biomass than to treatments. This study shows that companion planting can protect OSR crops from cabbage stem flea beetle adult feeding damage. We show for the first time that not only legumes, but also cereals and the application of straw mulch can have a strong protective effect on the crop

Integrated pest management strategies for cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala) in oilseed rape

Oilseed rape (OSR) is the second largest source of vegetable oil globally and the most important biofuel feedstock in the European Union (EU) but production of this important crop is threatened by a small insect; Psylliodes chrysocepaha – the cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB). The EU ban on use of neonicotinoid seed treatments and resistance of CSFB to pyrethroid insecticides have left farmers with limited control options resulting in drastic reductions in production. Integrated pest management (IPM) may offer a solution. We review the lifecycle of CSFB and the current options available, or in the research pipeline, for the eight IPM principles of the EU Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (Directive-2009/128/EC). A full IPM strategy for CSFB barely exists. Although there are a range of preventative measures these require scientific validation; critically, resistant/tolerant OSR cultivars are not yet available. Existing monitoring methods are time consuming and there are no commercial models to enable decision support based on predictions migration timing or population size. Available thresholds are not based on physiological tolerances of the plant making it hard to adapt them to changing market prices for the crop and costs of control. Non-synthetic alternatives tested and registered for use against CSFB are lacking, making resistance management impossible. CSFB control is therefore dependent upon conservation biocontrol. Natural enemies of CSFB are present, but quantification of their effects is needed and habitat management strategies to exploit their potential. Although some EU countries have local initiatives to reduce insecticide use and encourage use of ‘greener’ alternatives, there is no formal process for ranking these and little information available to help farmers make choices. We summarise the main knowledge gaps and future research needed to improve measures for CSFB control and to facilitate development of a full IPM strategy for this pest -and sustainable oilseeds production

Integrated pest management strategies for cabbage stem flea beetle (Psylliodes chrysocephala) in oilseed rape

Oilseed rape (OSR) is the second largest source of vegetable oil globally and the most important biofuel feedstock in the European Union (EU) but production of this important crop is threatened by a small insect; Psylliodes chrysocepaha – the cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB). The EU ban on use of neonicotinoid seed treatments and resistance of CSFB to pyrethroid insecticides have left farmers with limited control options resulting in drastic reductions in production. Integrated pest management (IPM) may offer a solution. We review the lifecycle of CSFB and the current options available, or in the research pipeline, for the eight IPM principles of the EU Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive (Directive-2009/128/EC). A full IPM strategy for CSFB barely exists. Although there are a range of preventative measures these require scientific validation; critically, resistant/tolerant OSR cultivars are not yet available. Existing monitoring methods are time consuming and there are no commercial models to enable decision support based on predictions migration timing or population size. Available thresholds are not based on physiological tolerances of the plant making it hard to adapt them to changing market prices for the crop and costs of control. Non-synthetic alternatives tested and registered for use against CSFB are lacking, making resistance management impossible. CSFB control is therefore dependent upon conservation biocontrol. Natural enemies of CSFB are present, but quantification of their effects is needed and habitat management strategies to exploit their potential. Although some EU countries have local initiatives to reduce insecticide use and encourage use of ‘greener’ alternatives, there is no formal process for ranking these and little information available to help farmers make choices. We summarise the main knowledge gaps and future research needed to improve measures for CSFB control and to facilitate development of a full IPM strategy for this pest -and sustainable oilseeds production

Calcineurin interacts with the serotonin transporter C-terminus to modulate its plasma membrane expression and serotonin uptake

Homeostasis of serotonergic transmission critically depends on the rate of serotonin reuptake via its plasma membrane transporter (SERT). SERT activity is tightly regulated by multiple mechanisms, including physical association with intracellular proteins and post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, but these mechanisms remain partially understood. Here, we show that SERT C-terminal domain recruits both the catalytic and regulatory subunits of the Ca(2+)-activated protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) and that the physical association of SERT with CaN is promoted by CaN activity. Coexpression of constitutively active CaN with SERT increases SERT cell surface expression and 5-HT uptake in HEK-293 cells. It also prevents the reduction of 5-HT uptake induced by an acute treatment of cells with the protein kinase C activator β-PMA and concomitantly decreases PMA-elicited SERT phosphorylation. In addition, constitutive activation of CaN in vivo favors 5-HT uptake in the adult mouse brain, whereas CaN inhibition reduces cerebral 5-HT uptake. Constitutive activation of CaN also decreases immobility in the forced swim test, indicative of an antidepressant-like effect of CaN. These results identify CaN as an important regulator of SERT activity in the adult brain and provide a novel molecular substrate of clinical interest for the understanding of increased risk of mood disorders in transplanted patients treated with immunosuppressive CaN inhibitors

Transcriptional Evidence for the Role of Chronic Venlafaxine Treatment in Neurotrophic Signaling and Neuroplasticity Including also Glutatmatergic- and Insulin-Mediated Neuronal Processes.

OBJECTIVES: Venlafaxine (VLX), a serotonine-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, is one of the most commonly used antidepressant drugs in clinical practice for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Despite being more potent than its predecessors, similarly to them, the therapeutical effect of VLX is visible only 3-4 weeks after the beginning of treatment. Furthermore, recent papers show that antidepressants, including also VLX, enhance the motor recovery after stroke even in non depressed persons. In the present, transcriptomic-based study we looked for changes in gene expressions after a long-term VLX administration. METHODS: Osmotic minipumps were implanted subcutaneously into Dark Agouti rats providing a continuous (40 mg/kg/day) VLX delivery for three weeks. Frontal regions of the cerebral cortex were isolated and analyzed using Illumina bead arrays to detect genes showing significant chances in expression. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed to identify specific regulatory networks significantly affected by long term VLX treatment. RESULTS: Chronic VLX administration may have an effect on neurotransmitter release via the regulation of genes involved in vesicular exocytosis and receptor endocytosis (such as Kif proteins, Myo5a, Sv2b, Syn2 or Synj2). Simultaneously, VLX activated the expression of genes involved in neurotrophic signaling (Ntrk2, Ntrk3), glutamatergic transmission (Gria3, Grin2b and Grin2a), neuroplasticity (Camk2g/b, Cd47), synaptogenesis (Epha5a, Gad2) and cognitive processes (Clstn2). Interestingly, VLX increased the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial antioxidant activity (Bcl2 and Prdx1). Additionally, VLX administration also modulated genes related to insulin signaling pathway (Negr1, Ppp3r1, Slc2a4 and Enpp1), a mechanism that has recently been linked to neuroprotection, learning and memory. CONCLUSIONS: Our results strongly suggest that chronic VLX treatment improves functional reorganization and brain plasticity by influencing gene expression in regulatory networks of motor cortical areas. These results are consonant with the synaptic (network) hypothesis of depression and antidepressant-induced motor recovery after stroke

Las inundaciones en La Plata, Berisso y Ensenada. Análisis de riesgos y estrategias de intervención

El trabajo presenta parte de dos proyectos de investigación en desarrollo que indagan y caracterizan los riesgos por inundación en el caso de estudio y las estrategias para su mitigación o adaptación. Se parte de entender que los conflictos hídricos en torno a las inundaciones urbanas son de naturaleza multicausal, pero preponderantemente responden a los efectos del cambio climático. Este hecho alerta sobre la necesidad de modificar la racionalidad del manejo de esta situación. En La Plata, Berisso y Ensenada (Gran La Plata, en adelante GLP-1.162 km2), han sido múltiples los eventos en los últimos cien años. Pero en la última década se han agudizado, hasta llegar a la situación del 2 y 3 de abril del 2013 con una precipitación extraordinaria de 400 milímetros, (lloviendo 313 mm en 6 horas), cuando lo ordinario para el mes de abril es 111 mm, lo que dejó un resultado catastrófico con 89 muertes.Trabajo publicado en Acta Bioquímica Clínica Latinoamericana; no. 52, supl. 2, parte II, diciembre de 2018.Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Protective role of olesoxime against wild-type alpha-synuclein-induced toxicity in human neuronally differentiated SHSY-5Y cells

Background and PurposeParkinson’s disease (PD) is usually diagnosed clinically from classical motor symptoms, while definitive diagnosis is made postmortem, based on the presence of Lewy bodies and nigral neuron cell loss. -Synuclein (ASYN), the main protein component of Lewy bodies, clearly plays a role in the neurodegeneration that characterizes PD. Additionally, mutation in the SNCA gene or copy number variations are associated with some forms of familial PD. Here, the objective of the study was to evaluate whether olesoxime, a promising neuroprotective drug can prevent ASYN-mediated neurotoxicity. Experimental ApproachWe used here a novel, mechanistically approachable and attractive cellular model based on the inducible overexpression of human wild-type ASYN in neuronally differentiated human neuroblastoma (SHSY-5Y) cells. This model demonstrates gradual cellular degeneration, coinciding temporally with the appearance of soluble and membrane-bound ASYN oligomers and cell death combining both apoptotic and non-apoptotic pathways. Key ResultsOlesoxime fully protected differentiated SHSY-5Y cells from cell death, neurite retraction and cytoplasmic shrinkage induced by moderate ASYN overexpression. This protection was associated with a reduction in cytochrome c release from mitochondria and caspase-9 activation suggesting that olesoxime prevented ASYN toxicity by preserving mitochondrial integrity and function. In addition, olesoxime displayed neurotrophic effects on neuronally differentiated SHSY-5Y cells, independent of ASYN expression, by promoting their differentiation. Conclusions and ImplicationsBecause ASYN is a common underlying factor in many cases of PD, olesoxime could be a promising therapy to slow neurodegeneration in PD