Potenzial entomopathogener Pilze zur Kontrolle des Rapsglanzkäfers

Fungal isolates of Beauveria bassiana (21 isolates), B. brongniartii (2), Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (1) and Metarhizium anisopliae (1) were screened for virulence against pollen beetle Meligethes aeneus. Most of the tested B. bassiana isolates originated from naturally infected pollen beetles collected in Switzerland. In a lab bioassay adult beetles were dipped into a defined conidial suspension and fungal infection was recorded after 15 days. Seven isolates of B. bassiana as well as the P. fumosoroseus F4K caused infection rates between 67.9% and 80% respectively and proved to be promising strains for potential use against pollen beetles. However, more experiments are needed to confirm their biological control potential under field conditions

Biological control of the western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) by entomoparasitic nematodes

Biologische Bekämpfung des Westlichen Maiswurzelbohrers (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) mit entomoparasitischen Nematode

Efficacy assessment of soil insecticides and seed treatments for the control of western corn rootworm larvae

Wirksamkeit von Bodeninsektiziden und Saatgutbehandlungen zur Bekämpfung des Westlichen Maiswurzelbohrer

Left Ventricular Hypertrabeculation Is Not Associated With Cardiovascular Morbity or Mortality: Insights From the Eurocmr Registry

Aim: Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is perceived as a rare high-risk cardiomyopathy characterized by excess left ventricular (LV) trabeculation. However, there is increasing evidence contesting the clinical significance of LV hyper-trabeculation and the existence of LVNC as a distinct cardiomyopathy. The aim of this study is to assess the association of LV trabeculation extent with cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality in patients undergoing clinical cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scans across 57 European centers from the EuroCMR registry. Methods and Results: We studied 822 randomly selected cases from the EuroCMR registry. Image acquisition was according to international guidelines. We manually segmented images for LV chamber quantification and measurement of LV trabeculation (as per Petersen criteria). We report the association between LV trabeculation extent and important cardiovascular morbidities (stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure) and all-cause mortality prospectively recorded over 404 ± 82 days of follow-up. Maximal non-compaction to compaction ratio (NC/C) was mean (standard deviation) 1.81 ± 0.67, from these, 17% were above the threshold for hyper-trabeculation (NC/C > 2.3). LV trabeculation extent was not associated with increased risk of the defined outcomes (morbidities, mortality, LV CMR indices) in the whole cohort, or in sub-analyses of individuals without ischaemic heart disease, or those with NC/C > 2.3. Conclusion: Among 882 patients undergoing clinical CMR, excess LV trabeculation was not associated with a range of important cardiovascular morbidities or all-cause mortality over ~12 months of prospective follow-up. These findings suggest that LV hyper-trabeculation alone is not an indicator for worse cardiovascular prognosis

Spatial transcriptomics reveals altered lipid metabolism and inflammation-related gene expression of sebaceous glands in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis

Sebaceous glands drive acne, however, their role in other inflammatory skin diseases remains unclear. To shed light on their potential contribution to disease development, we investigated the spatial transcriptome of sebaceous glands in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients across lesional and non-lesional human skin samples. Both atopic dermatitis and psoriasis sebaceous glands expressed genes encoding key proteins for lipid metabolism and transport such as ALOX15B, APOC1, FABP7, FADS1/2, FASN, PPARG, and RARRES1. Also, inflammation-related SAA1 was identified as a common spatially variable gene. In atopic dermatitis, genes mainly related to lipid metabolism (e.g. ACAD8, FADS6, or EBP) as well as disease-specific genes, i.e., Th2 inflammation-related lipid-regulating HSD3B1 were differentially expressed. On the contrary, in psoriasis, more inflammation-related spatially variable genes (e.g. SERPINF1, FKBP5, IFIT1/3, DDX58) were identified. Other psoriasis-specific enriched pathways included lipid metabolism (e.g. ACOT4, S1PR3), keratinization (e.g. LCE5A, KRT5/7/16), neutrophil degranulation, and antimicrobial peptides (e.g. LTF, DEFB4A, S100A7-9). In conclusion, our results show that sebaceous glands contribute to skin homeostasis with a cell type-specific lipid metabolism, which is influenced by the inflammatory microenvironment. These findings further support that sebaceous glands are not bystanders in inflammatory skin diseases, but can actively and differentially modulate inflammation in a disease-specific manner

European white paper : oropharyngeal dysphagia in head and neck cancer

Purpose To develop a European White Paper document on oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) in head and neck cancer (HNC). There are wide variations in the management of OD associated with HNC across Europe. Methods Experts in the management of specific aspects of OD in HNC across Europe were delegated by their professional medical and multidisciplinary societies to contribute to this document. Evidence is based on systematic reviews, consensus-based position statements, and expert opinion. Results Twenty-four sections on HNC-specific OD topics. Conclusion This European White Paper summarizes current best practice on management of OD in HNC, providing recommendations to support patients and health professionals. The body of literature and its level of evidence on diagnostics and treatment for OD in HNC remain poor. This is in the context of an expected increase in the prevalence of OD due to HNC in the near future. Contributing factors to increased prevalence include aging of our European population (including HNC patients) and an increase in human papillomavirus (HPV) related cancer, despite the introduction of HPV vaccination in various countries. We recommend timely implementation of OD screening in HNC patients while emphasizing the need for robust scientific research on the treatment of OD in HNC. Meanwhile, its management remains a challenge for European professional associations and policymakers.Peer reviewe

RANTES/CCL5 and Risk for Coronary Events: Results from the MONICA/KORA Augsburg Case-Cohort, Athero-Express and CARDIoGRAM Studies

BACKGROUND: The chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted)/CCL5 is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in mice, whereas less is known in humans. We hypothesised that its relevance for atherosclerosis should be reflected by associations between CCL5 gene variants, RANTES serum concentrations and protein levels in atherosclerotic plaques and risk for coronary events. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a case-cohort study within the population-based MONICA/KORA Augsburg studies. Baseline RANTES serum levels were measured in 363 individuals with incident coronary events and 1,908 non-cases (mean follow-up: 10.2±4.8 years). Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, metabolic factors and lifestyle factors revealed no significant association between RANTES and incident coronary events (HR [95% CI] for increasing RANTES tertiles 1.0, 1.03 [0.75-1.42] and 1.11 [0.81-1.54]). None of six CCL5 single nucleotide polymorphisms and no common haplotype showed significant associations with coronary events. Also in the CARDIoGRAM study (>22,000 cases, >60,000 controls), none of these CCL5 SNPs was significantly associated with coronary artery disease. In the prospective Athero-Express biobank study, RANTES plaque levels were measured in 606 atherosclerotic lesions from patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy. RANTES content in atherosclerotic plaques was positively associated with macrophage infiltration and inversely associated with plaque calcification. However, there was no significant association between RANTES content in plaques and risk for coronary events (mean follow-up 2.8±0.8 years). CONCLUSIONS: High RANTES plaque levels were associated with an unstable plaque phenotype. However, the absence of associations between (i) RANTES serum levels, (ii) CCL5 genotypes and (iii) RANTES content in carotid plaques and either coronary artery disease or incident coronary events in our cohorts suggests that RANTES may not be a novel coronary risk biomarker. However, the potential relevance of RANTES levels in platelet-poor plasma needs to be investigated in further studies

RANTES/CCL5 and risk for coronary events: Results from the MONICA/KORA Augsburg case-cohort, Athero-express and CARDIoGRAM studies

Background: The chemokine RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted)/CCL5 is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in mice, whereas less is known in humans. We hypothesised that its relevance for atherosclerosis should be reflected by associations between CCL5 gene variants, RANTES serum concentrations and protein levels in atherosclerotic plaques and risk for coronary events. Methods and Findings: We conducted a case-cohort study within the population-based MONICA/KORA Augsburg studies. Baseline RANTES serum levels were measured in 363 individuals with incident coronary events and 1,908 non-cases (mean follow-up: 10.2±

Genetic associations at 53 loci highlight cell types and biological pathways relevant for kidney function.

Reduced glomerular filtration rate defines chronic kidney disease and is associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), combining data across 133,413 individuals with replication in up to 42,166 individuals. We identify 24 new and confirm 29 previously identified loci. Of these 53 loci, 19 associate with eGFR among individuals with diabetes. Using bioinformatics, we show that identified genes at eGFR loci are enriched for expression in kidney tissues and in pathways relevant for kidney development and transmembrane transporter activity, kidney structure, and regulation of glucose metabolism. Chromatin state mapping and DNase I hypersensitivity analyses across adult tissues demonstrate preferential mapping of associated variants to regulatory regions in kidney but not extra-renal tissues. These findings suggest that genetic determinants of eGFR are mediated largely through direct effects within the kidney and highlight important cell types and biological pathways

Biological control of the invasive maize pest Diabrotica virgifera virgifera by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae

In dieser Arbeit wurde schrittweise die Eignung des insektentötenden Pilzes Metarhizium anisopliae gegen den Maisschädling Diabrotica virgifera virgifera geprüft. Im ersten Schritt wurden natürlich verpilzte Insekten in Schädlingspopulationen gesucht; es wurden die Pilzarten M. anisopliae und Beauveria sp. isoliert. Die Pathogenität und Virulenz dieser Isolate und jene von „Standardisolaten“ aus der Kollektion der ART Agroscope Reckenholz wurden in Biotests an Larven und Adulten getestet. Metarhizium anisopliae Stämme zeigten eine bessere Wirkung (Mortalität und Infektion) als Beauveria spp. Stämme. Weiters zeigten Stämme, abisoliert von D. v. virgifera höhere Mortalitäten als Stämme von anderen Wirten. Aufgrund dieser Virulenzdaten und Daten über die Eignung zur Massenvermehrung auf Medien wurden zwei M. anisopliae Isolate zur Anwendung in Feldversuchen ausgewählt (M. anisopliae Isolat „2277“ und „Bipesco 5“). In Feldversuchen in Ungarn wurde die Wirksamkeit auf das Schadinsekt erhoben, einerseits auf die sich im Boden entwickelnden Stadien durch Formulierung und Einbringung des Pilzes als „Pilzgerste“ und andererseits auf das adulte Stadium durch Ausbringung von Sporensuspension. Die Ausbringung der Pilzgerste bewirkte eine signifikante Reduktion der bodenbewohnenden Entwicklungsstadien. Auch die Ausbringung von Sporensuspension zeigte eine signifikante Reduktion der Adulten von etwa 35%. Für den Erfolg einer Ausbringung eines „biological control agents“ ist neben der Wirkung auf das Schadinsekt auch die Etablierung und Persistenz des Pilzes im Habitat des Schädlings wichtig. Der Pilz M. anisopliae konnte für mindestens 15 Monate im Boden nachgewiesen werden, die höchsten Pilzdichten wurden 2 Monate nach der Applikation. Da zu diesem Zeitpunkt die Larvenentwicklung von D. v. virgifera erfolgt, sind die Infektionschancen optimal.This thesis followed a step by step approach in the development of a biological control agent. As a first step naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungi from several pest populations were collected from larvae, pupae and adults of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in maize fields. In the next step all isolated strains of M. anisopliae and Beauveria spp. together with standard strains were evaluated for pathogenicity and virulence against larvae and adults of D. v. virgifera in bioassays. Screening for virulent fungal strains revealed that isolates of M. anisopliae caused significantly higher mortalities when compared to B. brongniartii and B. bassiana isolates and especially isolates obtained from D. v. virgifera samples were more virulent than those from other hosts. Based on these bioassays and on mass production capability we selected the two most promising M. anisopliae strains for future investigations. These strains were formulated as so called fungal colonized barley kernels (FCBK) for inoculations into the soil to target soil-inhibiting stages and as spore suspension to target adults on maize plants. Field trials during the summer seasons 2006 and 2007 were carried out in maize fields in South-East Hungary. After application of M. anisopliae against larvae of D. v. virgifera, the persistence of the fungal strains was determined too. Highest densities of the fungal biological control agent were found at the time when D. v. virgifera were in the larval stage but even a long term persistence of at least fifteen months could be recorded. In the treated areas adult emergence was significantly reduced as compared to the control; efficacies between 31% and 43% were obtained with these two selected strains. Strategies for adult control were developed by the application of spore suspensions on beetles feeding on maize plants. Depending on the fungal strain we recorded mortalities of about 35% after fungus applications.von Christina PilzAbweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersZsfassung in dt. SpracheWien, Univ. für Bodenkultur, Diss., 2008OeBB(VLID)193013