Detection of maize yellow stripe tenui-like virus by ELISA and dot- blot tests in host plants and leafhopper vector in Egypt

Antisera to the nucleoprotein of maize yellow stripe tenui-like virus (MYSV) were produced and used for detection of this virus in several host plants and vector leafhoppers in Egypt. Dot-blot and direct antigen coating (DAC) ELISA were used to detect MYSV in naturally or experimentally infected maize, wheat, barley, oats, and the graminaceous weeds #Bromus wildenowii, #Cenchrus biflorus, #Dichanthium annulatum, #Digitaria sanguinalis, #Echinochloa colonum, #Setaria verticillata and #S. viridis. In maize leaves, differences in virus titer appeared to be correlated with leaf age and with MYSV symptom-types. Dot-blot and DAC-ELISA were used also to detect MYSV in naturally or experimentally infective leafhoppers (#Cicadulina chinai). (Résumé d'auteur

Development of an attract-and-infect system to control Rhynchophorus ferrugineus with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Dembilio, Ó. , Moya, P. , Vacas, S. , Ortega‐García, L. , Quesada‐Moraga, E. , Jaques, J. A. and Navarro‐Llopis, V. (2018), Development of an attract‐and‐infect system to control Rhynchophorus ferrugineus with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. Pest. Manag. Sci, 74: 1861-1869., which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4888. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving[EN] BACKGROUNDA new Beauveria bassiana-based attract and infect device (AID) to control Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was developed. The virulence and persistence of the fungal formulation used in the AID were evaluated in the laboratory. Semi-field and field trials were carried out to validate the results and establish the potential of this device as a control tool. RESULTSIn laboratory conditions, a 50% lethal time (LT50) of 4.33 days was obtained when adults (7-10 days old) were exposed to the inoculation tunnel (IT) containing 1 x 10(10) conidia g(-1) in an oil-based fungal formulation. This formulation maintained conidium viability at 50% for up to 2 months. Moreover, when adults were exposed to 2.5-month field-aged ITs, mortality still reached 50% 40 days after exposure. In addition, no differences were observed between ITs aged in early spring and those aged in summer, suggesting that the fungal formulation is not strongly affected by environmental factors in Mediterranean basin conditions. Semi-field assays showed that the device allowed an easy transit of weevils through the IT, which were effectively attracted and infected. Using the AIDs in 4-ha plot field trials, a reduction of >50% in the percentage of infested sentinel palms was obtained. CONCLUSIONBased on the results obtained in terms of the efficacy and persistence of this new AID in the field and its potential in reducing R. ferrugineus populations and palm infestation, this device could become a key tool for the management of R. ferrugineus. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical IndustryWe wish to thank Manuel Piquer, Juan Argente and Carlos Campos for their assistance with many parts of this work, Cuca Orero for providing the trial field at Sagunt, and Jose Sancho from Sansan Prodesing SL for providing prototype solutions for the infective trap. The research that has led to these results received funding from the 7th European Union Framework Programme with Grant Agreement no. FP7 KBBE 2011-5-289566 (PALM PROTECT).Dembilio, O.; Moya Sanz, MDP.; Vacas, S.; Ortega-García, L.; Quesada-Moraga, E.; Jaques, J.; Navarro-Llopis, V. (2018). Development of an attract-and-infect system to control Rhynchophorus ferrugineus with the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. Pest Management Science. 74(8):1861-1869. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4888S1861186974

Critical Care COVID-19 Patient with a Picture of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Background: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon haematological disease which can occur at any age and may present with COVID-19. This case describes a COVID-19 complication associated with a presentation resembling TTP.Case description: A 51-year-old man who had received a kidney transplant and was on immunosuppressant medication, was admitted to a critical care unit with severe COVID-19 pneumonia/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which required intubation, mechanical ventilation and inotropic support. The course was complicated by the classic pentad of thrombocytopenia, intravascular haemolysis, acute kidney injury, neurological symptoms and fever, which prompted the diagnosis of probable TTP. After five sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange, the patient’s general status improved, he was weaned off mechanical ventilation and his renal panel and haemolytic markers normalized. Conclusion: TTP is a life-threatening condition which requires urgent management with therapeutic plasma exchange. This case highlights some possible complications of COVID-19 generally and in immunocompromised patients specifically. The potential role of plasma exchange in COVID-19 patients without a positive diagnosis of TTP (the so-called ‘TTP resembling presentation’) is an area of further research

Lethal and Pre-Lethal Effects of a Fungal Biopesticide Contribute to Substantial and Rapid Control of Malaria Vectors

Rapidly emerging insecticide resistance is creating an urgent need for new active ingredients to control the adult mosquitoes that vector malaria. Biopesticides based on the spores of entomopathogenic fungi have shown considerable promise by causing very substantial mortality within 7–14 days of exposure. This mortality will generate excellent malaria control if there is a high likelihood that mosquitoes contact fungi early in their adult lives. However, where contact rates are lower, as might result from poor pesticide coverage, some mosquitoes will contact fungi one or more feeding cycles after they acquire malaria, and so risk transmitting malaria before the fungus kills them. Critics have argued that ‘slow acting’ fungal biopesticides are, therefore, incapable of delivering malaria control in real-world contexts. Here, utilizing standard WHO laboratory protocols, we demonstrate effective action of a biopesticide much faster than previously reported. Specifically, we show that transient exposure to clay tiles sprayed with a candidate biopesticide comprising spores of a natural isolate of Beauveria bassiana, could reduce malaria transmission potential to zero within a feeding cycle. The effect resulted from a combination of high mortality and rapid fungal-induced reduction in feeding and flight capacity. Additionally, multiple insecticide-resistant lines from three key African malaria vector species were completely susceptible to fungus. Thus, fungal biopesticides can block transmission on a par with chemical insecticides, and can achieve this where chemical insecticides have little impact. These results support broadening the current vector control paradigm beyond fast-acting chemical toxins

Clinical Validation Of Manually Registered Ultrasound Volumes Of The Shoulder

An ultrasound-based protocol is proposed to acquire a tomographic ultrasound scan of all the bony structures in the rotator cuff region of the shoulder. This is to improve the conventional ultrasound probe\'s narrow field of view and potentially aid in robotic surgeries and pre-operative planning. The results were validated by overlaying the complete ultrasound volume and a corresponding shoulder MRI to determine whether the bony structures in both modalities align. Findings show that the protocol is feasible and that the complete scan can visualize beyond bony structures

Gut Extracts of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Larvae Olivier Affecting Bacterial Dental Caries

In vitro study was conducted to explore antibacterial properties of the larval gut extracts of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Red Palm Weevil) Oliver. Larval gut extracts were tested against salivary bacteria causing dental carries using the agar well diffusion method. The gut extracts significantly affected the growth of both Klebsiella spp. and Streptococcus viridans. The two bacterial species revealed significant differences in their sensitivity to the extract. The extract efficacy depended upon the concentration and time of exposure. When using 100%concentration of the extract, the mean of inhibition zones for S. viridans and Klebsiella spp. at 24 h after treatment were 1.61 mm and 2.50 mm, respectively. At 48 h post-treatment, the mean of inhibition zones for S. viridans and Klebsiella spp. were 1.96 mm and 2.66 mm. After 72 hours, the means zones were 2.28 mm and 2.91 mm, respectively. Electron microscopic examinations showed morphological changes of the outer membrane of bacteria with a noticeable damage as a result of exposure to the gut extract. The results suggest potential use of these extracts against dental caries bacteria

Hepatitis C virus-associated thrombocytopenia is not related to serum thrombopoietin levels

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most important health problems in Egypt. Thrombocytopenia is a common finding in subjects with chronic hepatitis. The precise etiology of this thrombocytopenia is still obscure. There is increasing interest in the potential role of thrombopoietin (TPO) as a cause of this thrombocytopenia. The aim of this work was to determine serum TPO levels in HCV-positive patients and to test the assumption that HCV-associated thrombocytopenia could be due to low TPO levels. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with HCV infection were included in this study and classified into three groups according to the degree of thrombocytopenia (IA-mild, IB-moderate, II-none). Twenty five healthy volunteers served as control (Group III). All patients and controls had undergone full clinical assessment and the following laboratory investigations: complete blood count, liver function tests, prothrombin time and concentration and serum TPO level. Results: TPO levels were significantly elevated in Group IA as compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between groups IA and II. TPO in Group IB was slightly, but insignificantly reduced compared to Group IA but did not differ statistically from the control or Group II. Significant negative correlation was found between serum TPO levels and platelet counts in Groups IA, IB and II (r=-0.421, P < 0.05). No correlations were found between serum TPO levels and liver function tests or hematological parameters. Conclusion: An impaired TPO production did not explain the development of thrombocytopenia in HCV and other mechanisms must be involved