Effect of temperature on life table parameters of Diaphania indica (Lep.: Pyralidae) under laboratory conditions

The cucumber moth, Diaphania indica (Saunders), is a tropical and sub-tropical pest on cucurbits and a key pest of greenhouse crops in Jiroft region of Iran. The effect of temperature on life table parameters of this pest was investigated in a growth chamber at four constant temperatures i.e. 20, 25, 30 and 35 ºC on Cucumis sativus L. The net reproductive rates (R0) were found to be 68.19, 120.977, 64.05 and 21.23, respectively. The intrinsic rates of increase (rm) were 0.0619, 0.1746, 0.1934 and 0.1491, and mean generation times (T) were 69.063, 27.45, 21.49 and 20.44, respectively. According to the results, for the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ) and intrinsic birth rate (b), the optimum temperature was 30 ºC and the least suitable temperature was 20 ºC

Math teachers' beliefs, practices, and belief change in implementing problem based learning in Qatari primary governmental school

This study explored math teachers' beliefs regarding their roles, practices and perceived change in implementing Problem-Based Learning in Qatar's primary government schools. Multiple sources of qualitative data were generated including metaphors, lesson plans and interviews with seventeen math teachers. Although teachers considered PBL as an effective method benefiting student learning and they demonstrated progress in changing their beliefs moving from subject to didactic dimension through PBL implementation, their practices remained partially aligned with their perceived belief changes. This discrepancy could be attributed to several encountered challenges, including teachers' insecurity and lack of confidence, difficulty in facilitating student collaboration, structural constraints, additional workload, and the lack of school and peer support. Results suggest the need for different types of "problems" and approaches such as more direct instruction, and higher feasibility in teachers' autonomy when implementing PBL in primary education.Scopu

Crystal-Induced Podocytopathy Producing Collapsing Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance: A Case Report

Glomeruloesclerosis focal y segmentaria; Queratopatía cristalina; PodocitopatíaGlomeruloesclerosi focal i segmentària; Queratopatia cristal·lina; PodocitopatiaFocal and segmental glomerulosclerosis; Crystalline keratopathy; PodocytopathyMonoclonal gammopathy–associated crystalline podocytopathy causing collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is very rare and has been associated with pamidronate therapy. We present the case of a 53-year-old man with vision loss secondary to corneal crystals deposition, nephrotic-range proteinuria, and reduced glomerular filtration rate without associated comorbid conditions. Two kidney biopsies were initially reported as primary FSGS but the patient did not respond to high-dose corticosteroid immunosuppression therapy. Re-review of biopsies with additional electron microscopy analysis revealed crystalline inclusions in podocytes leading to collapsing FSGS. Subsequent workup revealed an immunoglobulin G κ serum monoclonal protein. Bone marrow biopsy revealed 5% κ-restricted plasma cells with cytoplasmic crystalline inclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first case of monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance manifesting as crystalline podocytopathy leading to collapsing FSGS and keratopathy leading to vision loss. Crystalline podocytopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of collapsing glomerulopathy, and careful ultrastructural examination of the kidney biopsy specimen is crucial to establish this diagnosis.The authors declare that they have no relevant financial interests

Predatory efficiency of Hippodamia variegata (Col.: Coccinellidae) on common pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae (Hem.: Aphalaridae), under laboratory conditions

Common pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt & Lauterer, is the most economically important species among the psyllid pests of pistachio in Iran. Hence, the possibility of using nonchemical control methods against A. pistaciae and the existence of its natural enemies need to be investigated. The spotted amber ladybird, Hippodamia variegata (Goeze), is one of the most effective predators in pistachio orchards. It is a highly polyphagous coccinellid that preys mainly on aphid and psyllid pests of pistachio trees. This study is intended to improve the knowledge about the predation capacity of A. pistaciae. The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions of 25oC and 30oC, 55 ± 5 RH and 16: 8 L: D. Logistic regression was used to determine the type of functional response and nonlinear regression calculated the parameters of the rate of searching efficiency (a) and handling time (Th). The functional response on different density of prey at both temperatures was type II. The attack rate and handling time were 0.088 ± 0.012 h-1 and 0.0647 ± 0.011 h at 25ºC and 0.195 ± 0.031 h-1 and 0.0698 ± 0.056 h at 30ºC, respectively. The density and temperature affected the predation rate significantly. The data suggests that the H. variegata is a viable biological agent against A. pistaciae

Laser microdissection and mass spectrometry–based proteomics aids the diagnosis and typing of renal amyloidosis

Accurate diagnosis and typing of renal amyloidosis is critical for prognosis, genetic counseling, and treatment. Laser microdissection and mass spectrometry are emerging techniques for the analysis and diagnosis of many renal diseases. Here we present the results of laser microdissection and mass spectrometry performed on 127 cases of renal amyloidosis during 2008–2010. We found the following proteins in the amyloid deposits: immunoglobulin light and heavy chains, secondary reactive serum amyloid A protein, leukocyte cell–derived chemotaxin-2, fibrinogen-α chain, transthyretin, apolipoprotein A-I and A-IV, gelsolin, and β-2 microglobulin. Thus, laser microdissection of affected areas within the kidney followed by mass spectrometry provides a direct test of the composition of the deposit and forms a useful ancillary technique for the accurate diagnosis and typing of renal amyloidosis in a single procedure

Low- and high-molecular-weight urinary proteins as predictors of response to rituximab in patients with membranous nephropathy: a prospective study

Background. Selective urinary biomarkers have been considered superior to total proteinuria in predicting response to treatment and outcome in patients with membranous nephropathy (MN). Methods. We prospectively tested whether urinary (U) excretion of retinol-binding protein (RBP), α1-microglobulin (α1M), albumin, immunoglobulinIgG and IgM and/or anti-phospholipase 2 receptor (PLA2R) levels could predict response to rituximab (RTX) therapy better than standard measures in MN. We also correlated changes in antibodies to PLA2R with these urinary biomarkers. Results. Twenty patients with MN and proteinuria (P) >5 g/24 h received RTX (375 mg/m2 × 4) and at 12 months, 1 patient was in complete remission (CR), 9 were in partial remission (PR), 5 had a limited response (LR) and 4 were non-responders (NR). At 24 months, CR occurred in 4, PR in 12, LR in 1, NR in 2 and 1 patient relapsed. By simple linear regression analysis, UIgG at baseline (mg/24 h) was a significant predictor of change in proteinuria at 12 months (Δ urinary protein) (P = 0.04). In addition, fractional excretion (FE) of IgG, urinary alpha 1 microglobulin (Uα1M) (mg/24 h) and URBP (μg/24 h) were also predictors of response (P = 0.05, 0.04, and 0.03, respectively). On the other hand, UIgM, FEIgM, albumin and FE albumin did not predict response (P = 0.10, 0.27, 0.22 and 0.20, respectively). However, when results were analyzed in relation to proteinuria at 24 months, none of the U markers that predicted response at 12 m could predict response at 24 m (P = 0.55, 0.42, 0.29 and 0.20). Decline in anti-PLA2R levels was associated with and often preceded urinary biomarker response but positivity at baseline was not a predictor of proteinuria response. Conclusions. The results suggest that in patients with MN, quantification of low-, medium- and high-molecular-weight urinary proteins may be associated with rate of response to RTX, but do not correlate with longer term outcomes

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112