A novel radioresistant mechanism of galectin-1 mediated by H-Ras-dependent pathways in cervical cancer cells

Galectin-1 is a lectin recognized by galactoside-containing glycoproteins, and is involved in cancer progression and metastasis. The role of galectin-1 in radiosensitivity has not previously been investigated. Therefore, this study tests whether galectin-1 is involved in the radiosensitivity mediated by the H-Ras signaling pathway using cervical carcinoma cell lines. A knockdown of galectin-1 expression in HeLa cells decreased clonogenic survival following irradiation. The clonogenic survival increased in both HeLa and C33A cells with galectin-1 overexpression. The overexpression or knockdown of galectin-1 did not alter radiosensitivity, whereas H-Ras was silenced in both cell lines. Whereas K-Ras was knocked down, galectin-1 restored the radiosensitivity in HeLa cells and C33A cells. The knockdown of galectin-1 increased the high-dose radiation-induced cell death of HeLa cells transfected by constitutively active H-Ras. The knockdown of galectin-1 inhibited the radiation-induced phosphorylation of Raf-1 and ERK in HeLa cells. Overexpression of galectin-1 enhanced the phosphorylation of Raf-1 and ERK in C33A cells following irradiation. Galectin-1 decreased the DNA damage detected using comet assay and γ-H2AX in both cells following irradiation. These findings suggest that galectin-1 mediates radioresistance through the H-Ras-dependent pathway involved in DNA damage repair

High Hemocyte Load Is Associated with Increased Resistance against Parasitoids in Drosophila suzukii, a Relative of D. melanogaster

Among the most common parasites of Drosophila in nature are parasitoid wasps, which lay their eggs in fly larvae and pupae. D. melanogaster larvae can mount a cellular immune response against wasp eggs, but female wasps inject venom along with their eggs to block this immune response. Genetic variation in flies for immune resistance against wasps and genetic variation in wasps for virulence against flies largely determines the outcome of any fly-wasp interaction. Interestingly, up to 90% of the variation in fly resistance against wasp parasitism has been linked to a very simple mechanism: flies with increased constitutive blood cell (hemocyte) production are more resistant. However, this relationship has not been tested for Drosophila hosts outside of the melanogaster subgroup, nor has it been tested across a diversity of parasitoid wasp species and strains. We compared hemocyte levels in two fly species from different subgroups, D. melanogaster and D. suzukii, and found that D. suzukii constitutively produces up to five times more hemocytes than D. melanogaster. Using a panel of 24 parasitoid wasp strains representing fifteen species, four families, and multiple virulence strategies, we found that D. suzukii was significantly more resistant to wasp parasitism than D. melanogaster. Thus, our data suggest that the relationship between hemocyte production and wasp resistance is general. However, at least one sympatric wasp species was a highly successful infector of D. suzukii, suggesting specialists can overcome the general resistance afforded to hosts by excessive hemocyte production. Given that D. suzukii is an emerging agricultural pest, identification of the few parasitoid wasps that successfully infect D. suzukii may have value for biocontrol

Acceptance of routine or case-based inquiry for intimate partner violence: a mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and detrimental health effects of intimate partner violence have resulted in international discussions and recommendations that health care professionals should screen women for intimate partner violence during general and antenatal health care visits. Due to the lack of discussion on routine or case-based inquiry for intimate partner violence during antenatal care in Germany, this study seeks to explore its acceptability among pregnant German women. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was used, utilizing a self-administered survey on the acceptability of routine or case-based inquiry for intimate partner violence in a university hospital's maternity ward in Munich and in-depth interviews with seven women who experienced violence during pregnancy. RESULTS: Of the 401 women who participated in the survey, 92 percent were in favor of routine or case-based inquiry for intimate partner violence during antenatal care. Acceptance of routine or case-based inquiry for intimate partner violence during antenatal care was significantly associated with women's experiences of child sexual abuse, being young, less educated, single or divorced and smoking during pregnancy. Open-ended survey questions and in-depth interviews stressed adequate training for screening, sufficient time and provision of referral information as important conditions for routine or case-based inquiry for intimate partner violence. CONCLUSIONS: Women in this study showed an overwhelming support for routine or case-based screening for intimate partner violence in antenatal care in Germany. Until adequate training is in place to allow providers to inquire for intimate partner violence in a professional manner, this study recommends that health care providers are made aware of the prevalence and health consequences of violence during pregnancy

Efficacy of spinetoram as a contact insecticide on different surfaces against stored-product beetle species

Contact toxicity of spinetoram was evaluated in laboratory bioassays on concrete, ceramic tile, galvanized steel, and plywood. The efficacy of spinetoram was assessed at dose rates of 0.025 mg (AI)/cm(2), 0.05 mg (AI)/cm(2), and 0.1 mg (AI)/cm(2) in two series of bioassays. The first series was conducted on concrete surfaces, with adults of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.), S. granarius (L.), Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens). The second series was conducted at the same dose rates on all surfaces against adults of R. dominica, S. oryzae, and T. confusum. An equal number of dishes with and without food were used in both bioassay series. Mortality was assessed daily for 7 days for T. confusum and after this interval all live adults were removed and transferred to untreated surfaces with food and held under the same conditions. After the first week of daily evaluation, delayed mortality was evaluated 7 days later. For all the other species, mortality was measured after 5 days of exposure. The results of the first series of bioassays showed that T. confusum was the least susceptible to spinetoram-treated concrete surfaces. In contrast, all the other species were found susceptible, regardless of the dose and the presence of food. Regarding the comparison of different surfaces, our results illustrate that, with the exception of T. confusum, there were no significant differences among surfaces. The results of the present study indicate that spinetoram was effective against various species on several types of surfaces, and the presence of food did not influence its efficacy in most cases

Evaluation of spinetoram and spinosad for control of Prostephanus truncatus, Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae, and Tribolium confusum on stored grains under laboratory tests

Spinetoram and spinosad have been evaluated against certain stored-product insect pests with success but there are no data available on the comparison of the efficacy of these two novel compounds in stored grains. Thus, laboratory bioassays were conducted to compare spinetoram and spinosad as grain protectants against Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) adults, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) adults, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults, and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) adults and larvae. Factors such as treatment (1 ppm spinetoram, 1 ppm spinosad, 0.1 ppm spinetoram + 0.9 ppm spinosad, 0.5 ppm spinetoram + 0.5 ppm spinosad, and 0.9 ppm spinetoram + 0.1 ppm spinosad), exposure interval (1, 2, 7, and 14 days), temperature (20, 25, and 30 A degrees C), and commodity (barley, maize, rye, and wheat) were evaluated. Progeny production was assessed after 60 days of exposure. Concerning temperatures, for P. truncatus adults, after 14 days of exposure, all adults were dead in treatments except of the case of spinosad alone at 20 A degrees C. Offspring emergence was completely suppressed in all treatments at 20 and 25 A degrees C. For R. dominica adults, after 7 days of exposure, the overall mortality ranged from 92.8 to 100 %. After 14 days of exposure, all adults were dead in all treatments of the combined use of spinetoram and spinosad at 25 and 30 A degrees C. Progeny production was completely suppressed in all treatments at 30 A degrees C. For S. oryzae adults, after 7 days of exposure, all S. oryzae were died at 25 and 30 A degrees C in all treatments except in the case of spinosad alone. Offspring emergence was very low in all treatments and temperatures except in the case of spinosad alone at 30 A degrees C. For T. confusum adults, after 1, 2, and 7 days of exposure, the overall mortality was low in all treatments and temperatures. Concerning commodities, for R. dominica adults, after 7 and 14 days of exposure, the overall mortality was > 97 %. Offspring emergence was very low in all commodities. For S. oryzae adults, after 7 and 14 days of exposure, the overall mortality was increased exceeding 91 % except in the case of spinosad alone 7 days after exposure in barley. Progeny production was high in barley and rye in all treatments. For T. confusum adults, after 7 and 14 days, the overall mortality was low in barley, rye, and wheat. No offspring emergence was recorded in all treatments and commodities. For T. confusum larvae, after 14 days of exposure mortality was further increased, but did not reach 100 % for any of the combinations tested. The results of the present study suggest that the simultaneous application of spinetoram and spinosad was generally equally effective with the use of either spinosad or spinetoram alone. Furthermore, the increase of dose of either compound resulted in the same mortality levels. Thus, no benefits were achieved when spinetoram and spinosad were used simultaneously on grains, regardless of the proportion of each ingredient. These issues should be seriously considered when control measures against stored-product insects are designed

Efficacy of two formulations of pirimiphos-methyl as surface treatment against Sitophilus granarius, Rhyzopertha dominica, and Tribolium confusum

In the present work, the insecticidal effect of two pirimiphos-methyl formulations [emulsifiable concentrate (EC) and capsule suspension (CS)] as surface treatment on concrete, plywood, galvanized metal, plastic, and ceramic tile was evaluated in laboratory bioassays against Sitophilus granarius (L.), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val. Pirimiphos-methyl was applied at two-dose-rates, 0.01 and 0.1 mg/cm(2), and insect mortality was assessed after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days of exposure. After the final mortality count, alive individuals were transferred to untreated dishes, and delayed mortality was evaluated after an additional period of 7 days. In another series of laboratory bioassays, the residual efficacy of these two pirimiphos-methyl formulations on concrete was evaluated against S. granarius, R. dominica, and T. confusum. Pirimiphos-methyl was applied at two-dose-rates, 0.01 and 0.1 mg/cm(2), on concrete dishes which were either kept in continuous darkness or exposed to light. A bioassay was initiated at the day of storage and every 4 weeks for 4 consecutive months (5 bioassays in total). Mortality of the exposed adult beetles was measured after 3 and 7 days of exposure. Both formulations were highly effective, with S. granarius being the most susceptible species. In general, mortality of the exposed beetles was not significantly affected by the surface type, with the exception of the significantly lower mortality counts of S. granarius adults on ceramic tile. CS appeared to be much more persistent on concrete than EC for all three species tested. Moreover, CS was not affected by light. In contrast, in some of the combinations tested, EC performance was poor in dishes that were exposed to light, in comparison with dishes that were in continuous darkness. We conclude that the surface type does not significantly and consistently affect S. granarius, R. dominica, and T. confusum mortality after surface application of the two pirimiphos-methyl formulations tested. Furthermore, CS can provide long-term protection when applied on concrete surfaces