Detection of Borrelia-specific 16S rRNA sequence in total RNA extracted from Ixodes ricinus ticks

A reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction based assay for Borrelia species detection in ticks was developed. The method was based on amplification of 552 nucleotide bases long sequence of 16S rRNA, targeted by Borrelia specific primers. In the present study, total RNA extracted from Ixodes ricinus ticks was used as template. The results showed higher sensitivity for Borrelia detection as compared to standard dark-field microscopy. Method specificity was confirmed by cloning and sequencing of obtained 552 base pairs long amplicons. Phylogenetic analysis of obtained sequences showed that they belong to B. lusitaniae and B. afzelii genospecies. RT-PCR based method presented in this paper could be very useful as a screening test for detecting pathogen presence, especially when in investigations is required extraction of total RNA from ticks

The Effects of Aphid Traits on Parasitoid Host Use and Specialist Advantage

Specialization is a central concept in ecology and one of the fundamental properties of parasitoids. Highly specialized parasitoids tend to be more efficient in host-use compared to generalized parasitoids, presumably owing to the trade-off between host range and hostuse efficiency. However, it remains unknown how parasitoid host specificity and host-use depends on host traits related to susceptibility to parasitoid attack. To address this question, we used data from a 13-year survey of interactions among 142 aphid and 75 parasitoid species in nine European countries. We found that only aphid traits related to local resource characteristics seem to influence the trade-off between host-range and efficiency: more specialized parasitoids had an apparent advantage (higher abundance on shared hosts) on aphids with sparse colonies, ant-attendance and without concealment, and this was more evident when host relatedness was included in calculation of parasitoid specificity. More traits influenced average assemblage specialization, which was highest in aphids that are monophagous, monoecious, large, highly mobile (easily drop from a plant), without myrmecophily, habitat specialists, inhabit non-agricultural habitats and have sparse colonies. Differences in aphid wax production did not influence parasitoid host specificity and host-use. Our study is the first step in identifying host traits important for aphid parasitoid host specificity and host-use and improves our understanding of bottom-up effects of aphid traits on aphid-parasitoid food web structure

Occurrence and identification of risk areas of Ixodes ricinus-borne pathogens: a cost-effectiveness analysis in north-eastern Italy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Ixodes ricinus</it>, a competent vector of several pathogens, is the tick species most frequently reported to bite humans in Europe. The majority of human cases of Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) occur in the north-eastern region of Italy. The aims of this study were to detect the occurrence of endemic and emergent pathogens in north-eastern Italy using adult tick screening, and to identify areas at risk of pathogen transmission. Based on our results, different strategies for tick collection and pathogen screening and their relative costs were evaluated and discussed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From 2006 to 2008 adult ticks were collected in 31 sites and molecularly screened for the detection of pathogens previously reported in the same area (i.e., LB agents, TBE virus, <it>Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Rickettsia </it>spp., <it>Babesia </it>spp., "<it>Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis</it>"). Based on the results of this survey, three sampling strategies were evaluated <it>a</it>-<it>posteriori</it>, and the impact of each strategy on the final results and the overall cost reductions were analyzed. The strategies were as follows: tick collection throughout the year and testing of female ticks only (strategy A); collection from April to June and testing of all adult ticks (strategy B); collection from April to June and testing of female ticks only (strategy C).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eleven pathogens were detected in 77 out of 193 ticks collected in 14 sites. The most common microorganisms detected were <it>Borrelia burgdorferi </it>sensu lato (17.6%), <it>Rickettsia helvetica </it>(13.1%), and "<it>Ca. N. mikurensis</it>" (10.5%). Within the <it>B. burgdorferi </it>complex, four genotypes (i.e., <it>B. valaisiana, B. garinii, B. afzelii</it>, and <it>B. burgdorferi </it>sensu stricto) were found. Less prevalent pathogens included <it>R. monacensis </it>(3.7%), TBE virus (2.1%), <it>A. phagocytophilum </it>(1.5%), <it>Bartonella </it>spp. (1%), and <it>Babesia </it>EU1 (0.5%). Co-infections by more than one pathogen were diagnosed in 22% of infected ticks. The prevalences of infection assessed using the three alternative strategies were in accordance with the initial results, with 13, 11, and 10 out of 14 sites showing occurrence of at least one pathogen, respectively. The strategies A, B, and C proposed herein would allow to reduce the original costs of sampling and laboratory analyses by one third, half, and two thirds, respectively. Strategy B was demonstrated to represent the most cost-effective choice, offering a substantial reduction of costs, as well as reliable results.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Monitoring of tick-borne diseases is expensive, particularly in areas where several zoonotic pathogens co-occur. Cost-effectiveness studies can support the choice of the best monitoring strategy, which should take into account the ecology of the area under investigation, as well as the available budget.</p

Dermacentor reticulatus: a vector on the rise

Dermacentor reticulatus is a hard tick species with extraordinary biological features. It has a high reproduction rate, a rapid developmental cycle, and is also able to overcome years of unfavourable conditions. Dermacentor reticulatus can survive under water for several months and is cold-hardy even compared to other tick species. It has a wide host range: over 60 different wild and domesticated hosts are known for the three active developmental stages. Its high adaptiveness gives an edge to this tick species as shown by new data on the emergence and establishment of D. reticulatus populations throughout Europe. The tick has been the research focus of a growing number of scientists, physicians and veterinarians. Within the Web of Science database, more than a fifth of the over 700 items published on this species between 1897 and 2015 appeared in the last three years (2013–2015). Here we attempt to synthesize current knowledge on the systematics, ecology, geographical distribution and recent spread of the species and to highlight the great spectrum of possible veterinary and public health threats it poses. Canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis is a severe leading canine vector-borne disease in many endemic areas. Although less frequently than Ixodes ricinus, D. reticulatus adults bite humans and transmit several Rickettsia spp., Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus or Tick-borne encephalitis virus. We have not solely collected and reviewed the latest and fundamental scientific papers available in primary databases but also widened our scope to books, theses, conference papers and specialists colleagues’ experience where needed. Besides the dominant literature available in English, we also tried to access scientific literature in German, Russian and eastern European languages as well. We hope to inspire future research projects that are necessary to understand the basic life-cycle and ecology of this vector in order to understand and prevent disease threats. We conclude that although great strides have been made in our knowledge of the eco-epidemiology of this species, several gaps still need to be filled with basic research, targeting possible reservoir and vector roles and the key factors resulting in the observed geographical spread of D. reticulatus. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1599-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

DATA ON PHENOLOGY, PARASITISM AND CONTROL OF CITRUS LEAF MINER, PHYLLOCNISTIS CITRELLA STAINTON (LEPIDOPTERA, GRACILLARIIDAE), IN GREECE

Abstract – Research was conducted to determine whether Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) has any preference in attacking either the upper or the lower surface of the leaves of citrus trees. This investigation took place during the year 1999 at Marathon (Attica, Central Greece) while studying the dispersal of P. citrella on the leaves of three different types of citrus trees. Data on the overwintering and parasitism of P. citrella from different areas in Greece are also presented during the years 1999-2002. In addition, the effect of P. citrella infestationon imidacloprid-treated and untreated tangerine trees was comparatively studied. The parasitoids collected were Pnigalio sp. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae)

The role of gut hormones in appetite regulation (review)

Eating process is an aggregate of complex and different forms of behavior. Its regulation is based on energy homeostasis and appetite control which includes two components: the homeostatic and the hedonistic control. Important signals in appetite regulation are gut-derived hormones. They are produced by enteroendocrine cells in response to nutrient and energy intake, and achieve their effects by influencing brain structures involved in food intake regulation. The key brain structure involved in this process is the hypothalamus. Gut hormones reach the hypothalamus from the circulation or by the vagal nerve via the nucleus of the solitary tract. Among gut peptides, ghrelin is the only orexigenic hormone, leading to an increase in food intake and body weight. All others, such as cholecystokinin, glucagon like peptide-1, oxyntomodulin, peptide tyrosine tyrosine or pancreatic polypeptide, are anorexigenic, leading to decrease in food intake. Also, gut-derived endocannabinoids exert orexigenic effect on appetite. Keeping in mind the growing problem of obesity, the crucial issue when considering gut derived peptides is to understand their mechanisms of acting because of potential role in clinical therapy, and discovering long-lasting gut peptides or their analogues, with no or minimal side effects

Bioassays with diatomaceous earth formulations: Effect of species co-occurrence, size of vials and application technique

Two series of laboratory bioassays were carried out in order to evaluate the effect of the simultaneous presence of two insect species inside the experimental vials and the effect of different sizes (50, 65, 90, 145 mm in diameter) of experimental vials on the efficacy of diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations as wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) protectants. Three DE formulations were tested; Insecto, SilicoSec and one DE enhanced with pyrethrum, PyriSec. In a third series of bioassays the influence of application technique of DE formulations in wheat and maize (Zea mays L.) on their insecticidal efficacy was also evaluated in the laboratory. Two DE formulations were tested; SilicoSec and Protect-It. The application technique was based on the duration of admixing (0.5 or 3 min) and surface treatment (without admixing) of DE formulations in grain. In all series of bioassays three species were tested; Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Significant differences were noted in mortality levels of the tested species among the three DE formulations and among doses for the simultaneous presence of two insect species in all combinations and the different size of vials. In contrast, no significant differences were found in the mortality levels among the adult densities of any of the insects tested. The progeny production was low for all tested species. The increase of diameter of vials used in the bioassays decreased the mortality of S. oryzae and T. confusum adults significantly whereas no significant differences were noted for R. dominica adults. The increase of dose and exposure interval reduced differences of R. dominica adult mortality in admixture durations in the case of wheat. For S. oryzae, no significant differences in adult mortality in maize were found among admixture durations while significant differences were detected in wheat. © 2012

Review of invasive grapevine aphid, Aphis Illinoisensis shimer, and native parasitoids in the mediterranean (Hemiptera, Aphididae; Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae)

A summary of the study of Aphis illinoisensis Shimer on grapes, Vitis vinifera in the Mediterranean area brings references and new findings on its distribution in Crete/Greece, Turkey, Northern Cyprus, Malta, Israel, Montenegro, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya. Parasitoids of A. illinoisensis were only occasionally found (Aphidius matricariae Hal. – Cyprus, Turkey, Greece; Aphidius colemani Viereck – Libya; Lysiphlebus testaceipes Cress. – Algeria). Of the native species, i.e. A. colemani, and others similar to the native species, L. testaceipes seem to be a promising biocontrol agent within the framework of an ecologically friendly management in the area. Given the evidence of its expansion, A. illinoisensis is expected to expand further in several directions from the recently documented invaded area to all the grape-growing areas of the Mediterranean and even those of South-Eastern and Central Europe

Child-Father creative text-making at home with crayons, iPad, collage & PC

This study examines how the properties of digital (an iPad app and PC software) and non-digital (collage and drawing) resources for children’s text-making influence the creative expression of a three-year-old during collaborative text-making with her father at home. Particular attention was paid to the child’s ‘possibility thinking’ (Craft, 2008) and engagement in ‘what if scenarios’, her father’s support for this kind of creative expression and their joint creative collaboration as it unfolded during eight episodes of text-making. Video transcripts were analysed using thematic deductive analysis, supplemented with multimodal description of the processes and frequency measures for the individual and collaborative indicators of possibility thinking. This study makes three novel contributions. Firstly, it enriches our understanding of creativity as it is manifest in the home environment. Secondly, it focuses on father–child collaborative creativity, and demonstrates how adults in the home can influence the creative trajectories that children take in their text-making with different resources. Finally, this study shows how the features of specific text-making resources, both digital and non-digital, shape creative text-making as it unfolds. The differences in how creativity was manifest with the four resources indicate that each of the resources carry a distinct creative potential. This has implications for how we support early childhood creativity, both through the physical resources we provide for the activity and through the adult interactions that surround it, particularly in the home