Laboratory and field evaluation of acetic acid-based lures for male Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri.

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a vector of a pathogen associated with greening and thus a major problem in citriculture worldwide. Lures are much needed for improving ACP trapping systems for monitoring populations and surveillance. Previously, we have identified acetic acid as a putative sex pheromone and measured formic acid- and propionic acid-elicited robust electroantennographic responses. We have now thoroughly examined in indoor behavioral assays (4-way olfactometer) and field tests the feasibility of these three semiochemicals as potential lures for trapping ACP. Formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid at appropriate doses are male-specific attractants and suitable lures for ACP traps, but they do not act synergistically. An acetic acid-based homemade lure, prepared by impregnating the attractant in a polymer, was active for a day. A newly developed slow-release formulation had equal performance but lasted longer, thus leading to an important improvement in ACP trap capture at low population densities

An educational training program for physicians for diagnosis and treatment of depression

OBJECTIVE: The American Regional Office of the WHO has launched a major initiative to reduce the prevalence of affective disorders region-wide that includes focusing on the primary health care system. This study evaluated the results of an educational training program for Brazilian primary care physicians that measured changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practice. METHODS: A total of 17 primary care physicians and 1,224 patients participated in the study. Physician's knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice were assessed one-month prior and one-month following the training program. In addition, the patients that visited the clinic during a typical week completed depression symptom self-ratings, including the Zung and a DSM-IV/ICD-10 major depression checklist at both times. RESULTS: The training program showed limited benefits in this small sample of physicians. The program was unable to demonstrate benefit in improving knowledge about depression and in changing disorder-related attitudes. There were no changes in the diagnostic rates of major depression. There was some evidence to support improvement in psychopharmacological management. The physicians seemed more confident in treating patients, as there was a reduction of referrals to the specialists. Lack of statistical power prevented the latter two findings from reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of primary care physicians is a central component of any initiative to reduce the treatment gap and lag of depression. However, more effective methods of training Brazilian primary care physicians in the management of major depression need to be tested.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados da aplicação de programa de treinamento da Organização Mundial de Saúde, voltado para diagnóstico e tratamento da depressão, dirigido a médicos clínicos gerais. MÉTODOS: Dezessete clínicos e 1.224 pacientes da cidade de Campinas, SP, participaram do estudo. Um mês antes e um após o treinamento, foram avaliados o conhecimento dos médicos, suas atitudes e o atendimento prestado aos pacientes; esses, por sua vez, completaram escalas de auto-avaliação de sintomas depressivos: Zung e um checklist para depressão maior do manual para diagnóstico e estatística em saúde mental (DSM-IV/CID-10). A mudança de conhecimento e atitude dos clínicos entre as fases 1 e 2 foi avaliada pelos testes t de Student. Mudanças com relação ao conhecimento de cada indivíduo foram mensuradas pelo teste de qui-quadrado de McNemar. As diferenças entre o modo de atender os pacientes entre as duas fases foram determinadas pelo teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson. A concordância diagnóstica foi analisada utilizando o Kappa, com o intuito de corrigir a concordância ao acaso. RESULTADOS: O programa mostrou benefícios limitados nessa amostra de clínicos gerais. Não foi capaz de mostrar aumento do conhecimento sobre a depressão e nem quanto à atitude dos médicos com relação a esse transtorno. Não houve modificação no número de casos diagnosticados antes ou após o programa. Existiram algumas evidências com relação à melhora no manejo psicofarmacológico. Aparentemente, o programa tornou os clínicos mais confiantes para o tratamento da depressão, diminuindo o número de encaminhamentos feitos aos profissionais da área de saúde mental. Porém, um baixo poder estatístico não permitiu que os dois últimos achados atingissem significância. CONCLUSÕES: A inclusão de clínicos gerais é um componente central de qualquer iniciativa para melhorar a detecção e o tratamento da depressão, porém faz-se necessário testar melhores métodos de treinamento dos clínicos brasileiros no manejo desta.Serviço de Saúde 'Dr. Cândido Ferreira'Ministério da SaúdeBrown University Providence Department of Psychiatry and Human BehaviorOrganização Mundial da Saúde Organização Panamericana de SaúdeUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESP, Departamento de PsiquiatriaSciEL

Spider venom neurotoxin based bioinsecticides: A novel bioactive for the control of the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera)

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is a key vector of the phloem-limited bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) associated with huanglongbing (HLB), the most serious and currently incurable disease of citrus worldwide. Here we report the first investigation into the potential use of a spider venom-derived recombinant neurotoxin, ω/κ-HxTx-Hv1h (hereafter HxTx-Hv1h) when delivered alone or when fused to snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; GNA) to control D. citri. Proteins, including GNA alone, were purified from fermented transformed yeast Pichia pastoris cultures. Recombinant HxTx-Hv1h, HxTx-Hv1h/GNA and GNA were all orally toxic to D. citri, with Day 5 median lethal concentrations (LC 50) derived from dose-response artificial diet assays of 27, 20 and 52 μM, respectively. Western analysis of whole insect protein extracts confirmed that psyllid mortality was attributable to protein ingestion and that the fusion protein was stable to cleavage by D. citri proteases. When applied topically (either via droplet or spray) HxTx-Hv1h/GNA was the most effective of the proteins causing >70 % mortality 5 days post treatment, some 2 to 3-fold higher levels of mortality as compared to the toxin alone. By contrast, no significant mortality or phenotypic effects were observed for bumble bees (Bombus terrestris L.) fed on the recombinant proteins in acute toxicity assays. This suggests that HxTx-Hv1h/GNA has potential as a novel bioinsecticide for the management of D. citri offering both enhanced target specificity as compared to chemical pesticides and compatibility with integrated pest management (IPM) strategies

Treinamento de clínicos para o diagnóstico e tratamento da depressão

OBJECTIVE: The American Regional Office of the WHO has launched a major initiative to reduce the prevalence of affective disorders region-wide that includes focusing on the primary health care system. This study evaluated the results of an educational training program for Brazilian primary care physicians that measured changes in knowledge, attitudes, and practice. METHODS: A total of 17 primary care physicians and 1,224 patients participated in the study. Physician's knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice were assessed one-month prior and one-month following the training program. In addition, the patients that visited the clinic during a typical week completed depression symptom self-ratings, including the Zung and a DSM-IV/ICD-10 major depression checklist at both times. RESULTS: The training program showed limited benefits in this small sample of physicians. The program was unable to demonstrate benefit in improving knowledge about depression and in changing disorder-related attitudes. There were no changes in the diagnostic rates of major depression. There was some evidence to support improvement in psychopharmacological management. The physicians seemed more confident in treating patients, as there was a reduction of referrals to the specialists. Lack of statistical power prevented the latter two findings from reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of primary care physicians is a central component of any initiative to reduce the treatment gap and lag of depression. However, more effective methods of training Brazilian primary care physicians in the management of major depression need to be tested.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados da aplicação de programa de treinamento da Organização Mundial de Saúde, voltado para diagnóstico e tratamento da depressão, dirigido a médicos clínicos gerais. MÉTODOS: Dezessete clínicos e 1.224 pacientes da cidade de Campinas, SP, participaram do estudo. Um mês antes e um após o treinamento, foram avaliados o conhecimento dos médicos, suas atitudes e o atendimento prestado aos pacientes; esses, por sua vez, completaram escalas de auto-avaliação de sintomas depressivos: Zung e um "checklist" para depressão maior do manual para diagnóstico e estatística em saúde mental (DSM-IV/CID-10). A mudança de conhecimento e atitude dos clínicos entre as fases 1 e 2 foi avaliada pelos testes t de Student. Mudanças com relação ao conhecimento de cada indivíduo foram mensuradas pelo teste de qui-quadrado de McNemar. As diferenças entre o modo de atender os pacientes entre as duas fases foram determinadas pelo teste de qui-quadrado de Pearson. A concordância diagnóstica foi analisada utilizando o Kappa, com o intuito de corrigir a concordância ao acaso. RESULTADOS: O programa mostrou benefícios limitados nessa amostra de clínicos gerais. Não foi capaz de mostrar aumento do conhecimento sobre a depressão e nem quanto à atitude dos médicos com relação a esse transtorno. Não houve modificação no número de casos diagnosticados antes ou após o programa. Existiram algumas evidências com relação à melhora no manejo psicofarmacológico. Aparentemente, o programa tornou os clínicos mais confiantes para o tratamento da depressão, diminuindo o número de encaminhamentos feitos aos profissionais da área de saúde mental. Porém, um baixo poder estatístico não permitiu que os dois últimos achados atingissem significância. CONCLUSÕES: A inclusão de clínicos gerais é um componente central de qualquer iniciativa para melhorar a detecção e o tratamento da depressão, porém faz-se necessário testar melhores métodos de treinamento dos clínicos brasileiros no manejo desta

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo asociados a las enfermedades de transmisión sexual en bovinos de la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina

La tricomonosis bovina (TB) y campylobacteriosis genital bovina (CGB) son enfermedades de transmisión sexual (ETS) que causan muerte embrionaria temprana, infertilidad transitoria y abortos, impactando en el rendimiento reproductivo de los rodeos. El objetivo del presente estudio fue estimar la prevalencia general y por zonas fitogeográficas (Z1: Este pampeana, Z2: Monte central Z3: Monte occidental), así como los factores de riesgo asociados a ambas enfermedades en la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina. Se realizó un estudio transversal entre enero y diciembre del 2006 que abarcó a 4018 propietarios de rodeos con un stock de 684116 vacas y 33969 toros (54% y 51,5% del stock provincial, respectivamente). Se detectaron 622 (15,5%) rodeos con al menos 1 toro positivo a TB y/o CGB. Las prevalencias halladas fueron de 2,15% (Z1:1,62%; Z2:1,90%; Z3:4,61%) y 2,36% (Z1:2,08%; Z2: 2,28%; Z3: 3,51%) para TB y CGB, respectivamente. Los factores de riesgo asociados a la presencia de ETS fueron: traspaso de animales vecinos al establecimiento (Odds Ratio – OR = 1,8; Intervalo de Confianza-IC: 1,5-2,2) realización de servicio continuo (OR=1,3; IC: 1,1-1,6), productores que no realizan el tacto rectal (OR=1,2; IC: 1,0-1,5) y alta relación vaca/toro (χ2 =35,1, p=<0,0001). Asimismo, las ETS se relacionaron con presencia de abortos (OR=1,3; IC: 1,0-1,7) y bajo porcentaje de preñez (OR=1,8; IC: 1,3-2,6). Este estudio provee información de interés para ser utilizada en los planes de control y erradicación en áreas en donde las ETS son de carácter endémico.Bovine Tricomonosis (BT) and Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis (BGC) are sexual transmission diseases (STD) that produce early embryonic death, transitory infertility and abortion, impacting on livestock reproductive performance. The objective of the study was to estimate the global and specific prevalence by phytogeography area (Z1: East Pampeana, Z2: Central Forest, Z3. West Forest) as well as the risk factor associated to both diseases in La Pampa province, Argentina. A cross sectional study was carried out between January and December 2006 which included 4018 farmers having a stock of 684116 cows and 33969 bulls (54% and 51.5% of the provincial stock, respectively). Six hundred and twenty two (15.5%) cattle herds were detected with at least one bull positive for TB and / or CGB. Prevalence was 2.15% (Z1: 1.62%, Z2: 1.90%, Z3: 4.61%) and 2.36% (Z1: 2.08%; Z2: 2.28%; Z3: 3.51%) for BT and BGC, respectively. Risk factors associated with the presence of STD were: Passage of bulls from in-contact herds (Odds ratio OR=1,8; Confidence Intervals-IC: 1,5-2,2), no defined breeding season (OR=1,3; IC: 1,1-1,6), farmers who do not detect pregnancy by rectal examination (OR=1,2; IC: 1,0-1,5) and high cows/bulls ratio (χ2 =35,1, p=<0,0001). Moreover, STD were related to abortion (OR=1.3; IC: 1.0-1.7) and low pregnancy rate (OR=1.8; IC: 1.3-2.6). This study provided information to use by control programs and erradication in a region where these diseases are considered to be endemic.EEA AnguilFil: Miranda, Ariel Omar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Fort, Marcelo Cristian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Fuchs, Lumila Ivana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Baldone, Valeria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, Hugo Daniel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Anguil; ArgentinaFil: Carné, L. Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria. Centro Regional La Pampa-San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Sago, Adrián Miguel. Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria. Centro Regional La Pampa-San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Otermin, H. Colegio Veterinario de la provincia de La Pampa; ArgentinaFil: Dubié, D. Colegio Veterinario de la provincia de La Pampa; ArgentinaFil: Goyeneche, P. Provincia de La Pampa. Subsecretaría Agricultura; ArgentinaFil: Campero, Carlos Manuel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina