Efficiency of Bti-based floodwater mosquito control in Sweden -four examples

Abstract: Mass-occurrence of floodwater mosquitoes, mainly Aedes sticticus, in the River Dalälven floodplains in central Sweden has caused public health issues and economic losses for many decades. In the summer of 2000, the problem escalated and the Biological Mosquito Control project was initiated with the aim of reducing mosquito nuisance. Larviciding, based on Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), was chosen as the optimal method. However, high abundance of blood-seeking floodwater mosquitoes after Bti-treatments on some occasions raised questions about the effectiveness of the treatments. This study evaluated the effect of Bti-larviciding on abundance of larval and adult floodwater mosquitoes in four selected study areas, each represented by a CDC-trap site and a 5 km radius. The four areas differed with respect to their mosquito control history and the coverage of larval habitats with Bti-larviciding. The Bti-treatments provided a significant reduction of mosquito larval abundance, and normally 100% reduction was achieved. Thus, high abundance of blood-seeking mosquitoes could not be explained by insufficient larval control by Bti. However, a significant negative correlation was found between high numbers of blood-seeking floodwater mosquitoes and the coverage of larval habitats with Bti-larviciding within 5 km around the trap site. Consistently low numbers of mosquitoes (less than 1000 per trap/night) were only found in the two areas with high treatment coverage of larval habitats (97-100%). Evaluating the mosquito control efficiency showed that larval habitat coverage of at least about 95% is required in order to accomplish consistent low floodwater mosquito numbers. The conclusion from this analysis is that the coverage of larval habitats with Bti-larviciding in parts of the River Dalälven floodplains has to increase in order to guarantee an improvement of the public health problems caused by Aedes sticticus and other floodwater mosquitoes to both humans and animals in the region

Sindbis virus polyarthritis outbreak signalled by virus prevalence in the mosquito vectors

Polyarthritis and rash caused by Sindbis virus (SINV), was first recognised in northern Europe about 50 years ago and is known as Ockelbo disease in Sweden and Pogosta disease in Finland. This mosquito-borne virus occurs mainly in tropical and sub-tropical countries, and in northern Europe it is suggested to cause regularly reoccurring outbreaks. Here a seven-year cycle of SINV outbreaks has been referred to in scientific papers, although the hypothesis is based solely on reported human cases. In the search for a more objective outbreak signal, we evaluated mosquito abundance and SINV prevalence in vector mosquitoes from an endemic area in central Sweden. Vector mosquitoes collected in the River Dalälven floodplains during the years before, during, and after the hypothesised 2002 outbreak year were assayed for virus on cell culture. Obtained isolates were partially sequenced, and the nucleotide sequences analysed using Bayesian maximum clade credibility and median joining network analysis. Only one SINV strain was recovered in 2001, and 4 strains in 2003, while 15 strains were recovered in 2002 with significantly increased infection rates in both the enzootic and the bridge-vectors. In 2002, the Maximum Likelihood Estimated infection rates were 10.0/1000 in the enzootic vectors Culex torrentium/pipiens, and 0.62/1000 in the bridge-vector Aedes cinereus, compared to 4.9/1000 and 0.0/1000 in 2001 and 0.0/1000 and 0.32/1000 in 2003 Sequence analysis showed that all isolates belonged to the SINV genotype I (SINV-I). The genetic analysis revealed local maintenance of four SINV-I clades in the River Dalälven floodplains over the years. Our findings suggest that increased SINV-I prevalence in vector mosquitoes constitutes the most valuable outbreak marker for further scrutinising the hypothesized seven-year cycle of SINV-I outbreaks and the mechanisms behind

Outbreaks of Tularemia in a Boreal Forest Region Depends on Mosquito Prevalence

Background. We aimed to evaluate the potential association of mosquito prevalence in a boreal forest area with transmission of the bacterial disease tularemia to humans, and model the annual variation of disease using local weather data

Vertical Distribution of Epibenthic Freshwater Cyanobacterial Synechococcus spp. Strains Depends on Their Ability for Photoprotection

Epibenthic cyanobacteria often grow in environments where the fluctuation of light intensity and quality is extreme and frequent. Different strategies have been developed to cope with this problem depending on the distribution of cyanobacteria in the water column. and either constant or enhanced levels of carotenoids were assayed in phycocyanin-rich strains collected from 1.0 and 0.5 m water depths. Protein analysis revealed that while the amount of biliproteins remained constant in all strains during light stress and recovery, the amount of D1 protein from photosystem II reaction centre was strongly reduced under light stress conditions in strains from 7.0 m and 1.0 m water depth, but not in strains collected from 0.5 m depth. spp. strains, depending on their genetically fixed mechanisms for photoprotection

Novel Meta-Analysis-Derived Type 2 Diabetes Risk Loci Do Not Determine Prediabetic Phenotypes

BACKGROUND: Genome-wide association (GWA) studies identified a series of novel type 2 diabetes risk loci. Most of them were subsequently demonstrated to affect insulin secretion of pancreatic beta-cells. Very recently, a meta-analysis of GWA data revealed nine additional risk loci with still undefined roles in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Using our thoroughly phenotyped cohort of subjects at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, we assessed the association of the nine latest genetic variants with the predominant prediabetes traits, i.e., obesity, impaired insulin secretion, and insulin resistance. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: One thousand five hundred and seventy-eight metabolically characterized non-diabetic German subjects were genotyped for the reported candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) JAZF1 rs864745, CDC123/CAMK1D rs12779790, TSPAN8/LGR5 rs7961581, THADA rs7578597, ADAMTS9 rs4607103, NOTCH2 rs10923931, DCD rs1153188, VEGFA rs9472138, and BCL11A rs10490072. Insulin sensitivity was derived from fasting glucose and insulin concentrations, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Insulin secretion was estimated from OGTT data. After appropriate adjustment for confounding variables and Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (corrected alpha-level: p = 0.0014), none of the SNPs was reliably associated with adiposity, insulin sensitivity, or insulin secretion (all p > or = 0.0117, dominant inheritance model). The risk alleles of ADAMTS9 SNP rs4607103 and VEGFA SNP rs9472138 tended to associate with more than one measure of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion, respectively, but did not reach formal statistical significance. The study was sufficiently powered (1-beta = 0.8) to detect effect sizes of 0.19 < or = d < or = 0.25 (alpha = 0.0014) and 0.13 < or = d < or = 0.16 (alpha = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In contrast to the first series of GWA-derived type 2 diabetes candidate SNPs, we could not detect reliable associations of the novel risk loci with prediabetic phenotypes. Possible weak effects of ADAMTS9 SNP rs4607103 and VEGFA SNP rs9472138 on insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion, respectively, await further confirmation by larger studies

TO ERADICATION OF VOLTAGE SAG AND HARMONICS IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM USING DVR WITH CAPACITOR COMPENSATION SCHEME

Power Quality (PQ) is that the most vital perspectives on transmission and distribution ranges. The availability of high-grade electric powered offerings wished for the customers illustrates this idea. The voltage sag and swell square degree the most not unusual PQ problems that in particular rise up in the distribution systems because of the truth that it's going to cause tool tripping, failure of stress systems, closure for home and business instrumentality. The Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) associated nonparallel has amazing dynamic talents and is a flexible solution for PQ troubles. Ultra-capacitors (UCAP) have quality developments like excessive strength and espresso electricity density important for the mitigation of voltage sag and swell. This paper offers AN extended DVR topology capable of handing over deep, prolonged mitigation for power terrific troubles. Within the planned DVR, UCAP is employed as strength storage because it offers immoderate electricity in a totally short c software language length of it gradual. The DVR is protected into Ultra capacitor via a bifacial DC-DC converter which facilitates in supplying a rigid dc-link voltage and conjointly enables in compensating transient voltage sag and voltage swell. PI Controller is hired in DVR for electricity exceptional improvement. The simulation model for the proposed device has been superior in MATLAB and therefore the performance over famous DVR is legitimate with the effects obtained

Polymorphisms within the Novel Type 2 Diabetes Risk Locus MTNR1B Determine β-Cell Function

BACKGROUND:Very recently, a novel type 2 diabetes risk gene, i.e., MTNR1B, was identified and reported to affect fasting glycemia. Using our thoroughly phenotyped cohort of subjects at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, we assessed the association of common genetic variation within the MTNR1B locus with obesity and prediabetes traits, namely impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:We genotyped 1,578 non-diabetic subjects, metabolically characterized by oral glucose tolerance test, for five tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering 100% of common genetic variation (minor allele frequency > 0.05) within the MTNR1B locus (rs10830962, rs4753426, rs12804291, rs10830963, rs3781638). In a subgroup (N = 513), insulin sensitivity was assessed by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp, and in a further subgroup (N = 301), glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was determined by intravenous glucose tolerance test. After appropriate adjustment for confounding variables and Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, none of the tagging SNPs was reliably associated with measures of adiposity. SNPs rs10830962, rs4753426, and rs10830963 were significantly associated with higher fasting plasma glucose concentrations (p < 0.0001) and reduced OGTT- and IVGTT-induced insulin release (p < or = 0.0007 and p < or = 0.01, respectively). By contrast, SNP rs3781638 displayed significant association with lower fasting plasma glucose levels and increased OGTT-induced insulin release (p<0.0001 and p < or = 0.0002, respectively). Moreover, SNP rs3781638 revealed significant association with elevated fasting- and OGTT-derived insulin sensitivity (p < or = 0.0021). None of the MTNR1B tagging SNPs altered proinsulin-to-insulin conversion. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:In conclusion, common genetic variation within MTNR1B determines glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and plasma glucose concentrations. Their impact on beta-cell function might represent the prevailing pathomechanism how MTNR1B variants increase the type 2 diabetes risk

Genomic correlates of glatiramer acetate adverse cardiovascular effects lead to a novel locus mediating coronary risk

Glatiramer acetate is used therapeutically in multiple sclerosis but also known for adverse effects including elevated coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. The mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular side effects of the medication are unclear. Here, we made use of the chromosomal variation in the genes that are known to be affected by glatiramer treatment. Focusing on genes and gene products reported by drug-gene interaction database to interact with glatiramer acetate we explored a large meta-analysis on CAD genome-wide association studies aiming firstly, to investigate whether variants in these genes also affect cardiovascular risk and secondly, to identify new CAD risk genes. We traced association signals in a 200-kb region around genomic positions of genes interacting with glatiramer in up to 60 801 CAD cases and 123 504 controls. We validated the identified association in additional 21 934 CAD cases and 76 087 controls. We identified three new CAD risk alleles within the TGFB1 region on chromosome 19 that independently affect CAD risk. The lead SNP rs12459996 was genome-wide significantly associated with CAD in the extended meta-analysis (odds ratio 1.09, p = 1.58×10-12). The other two SNPs at the locus were not in linkage disequilibrium with the lead SNP and by a conditional analysis showed p-values of 4.05 × 10-10 and 2.21 × 10-6. Thus, studying genes reported to interact with glatiramer acetate we identified genetic variants that concordantly with the drug increase the risk of CAD. Of these, TGFB1 displayed signal for association. Indeed, the gene has been associated with CAD previously in both in vivo and in vitro studies. Here we establish genome-wide significant association with CAD in large human samples.This work was supported by grants from the Fondation Leducq (CADgenomics: Understanding CAD Genes, 12CVD02), the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the framework of the e:Med research and funding concept (e:AtheroSysMed, grant 01ZX1313A-2014 and SysInflame, grant 01ZX1306A), and the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant agreement no HEALTH-F2-2013-601456 (CVgenes-at-target). Further grants were received from the DFG as part of the Sonderforschungsbereich CRC 1123 (B2). T.K. was supported by a DZHK Rotation Grant. I.B. was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) cluster of excellence ‘Inflammation at Interfaces’. F.W.A. is supported by a Dekker scholarship-Junior Staff Member 2014T001 - Netherlands Heart Foundation and UCL Hospitals NIHR Biomedical Research Centre

Measurement of the Z boson differential production cross section using its invisible decay mode (Z -> nu(nu)over-bar) in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

Measurements of the total and differential fiducial cross sections for the Z boson decaying into two neutrinos are presented at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13TeV. The data were collected by the CMS detector in 2016 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1). In these measurements, events are selected containing an imbalance in transverse momentum and one or more energetic jets. The fiducial differential cross section is measured as a function of the Z boson transverse momentum. The results are combined with a previous measurement of charged-lepton decays of the Z boson. The measured total fiducial cross section for events with Z boson transverse momentum greater than 200 GeV is 3000(-170)(+180) fb.Peer reviewe

Measurement of differential cross sections for Z bosons produced in association with charm jets in pp collisions at root s=13 TeV

Measurements are presented of differential cross sections for the production of Z bosons in association with at least one jet initiated by a charm quark in pp collisions at root s = 13 TeV. The data recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb(-1). The final states contain a pair of electrons or muons that are the decay products of a Z boson, and a jet consistent with being initiated by a charm quark produced in the hard interaction. Differential cross sections as a function of the transverse momentum p(T) of the Z boson and p(T) of the charm jet are compared with predictions from Monte Carlo event generators. The inclusive production cross section 405.4 +/- 5.6 (stat) +/- 24.3 (exp) +/- 3.7 (theo) pb, is measured in a fiducial region requiring both leptons to have pseudorapidity |eta| 10 GeV, at least one lepton with p(T)> 26 GeV, and a mass of the pair in the range 71-111 GeV, while the charm jet is required to have p(T)> 30 GeV and |eta| < 2.4. These are the first measurements of these cross sections in proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV.Peer reviewe