Simultaneous Silencing of Gut Nucleases and a Vital Target Gene by Adult dsRNA Feeding Enhances RNAi Efficiency and Mortality in .

, known as the Mediterranean fruit fly (), is a major dipteran pest significantly impacting fruit and vegetable farming. Currently, its control heavily relies mainly on chemical insecticides, which pose health risks and have effects on pollinators. A more sustainable and species-specific alternative strategy may be based on double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) delivery through feeding to disrupt essential functions in pest insects, which is poorly reported in dipteran species.

Secondary Metabolites, including a New 5,6-Dihydropyran-2-One, Produced by the Fungus . Aphicidal Activity of the Main Metabolite, Sphaeropsidin A.

An undescribed 5,6-dihydropyran-2-one, namely diplopyrone C, was isolated and characterized from the cultures of an isolate of the fungus recovered from in Algeria. The structure and relative stereostructure of (5,6S,7,9,10)-5-hydroxy-6-(2-(3-methyloxiran-2-yl)vinyl)-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one were assigned essentially based on NMR and MS data. Furthermore, ten known compounds were isolated and identified in the same cultures.

Targeting the autosomal Ceratitis capitata transformer gene using Cas9 or dCas9 to masculinize XX individuals without inducing mutations.

Background: Females of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Medfly) are major agricultural pests, as they lay eggs into the fruit crops of hundreds of plant species. In Medfly, female sex determination is based on the activation of Cctransformer (Cctra). A maternal contribution of Cctra is required to activate Cctra itself in the XX embryos and to start and epigenetically maintain a Cctra positive feedback loop, by female-specific alternative splicing, leading to female development.

Four phases of checks for exclusion of umbilical cord blood donors.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse umbilical cord blood (UCB) collection over 1 year between October 2008 and September 2009, seeking ways to improve the number of suitable banked UCB units. Four phases of the process were investigated, from the consent form to the banking procedure, paying attention to the discarded UCB units.

Material And Methods: We recruited couples at 35 weeks of gestation and took an accurate history, focusing on genetic, immunological and infectious diseases.

22q11 deletions in fetuses with malformations of the outflow tracts or interruption of the aortic arch: impact of additional ultrasound signs.

Objectives: One hundred and forty-one consecutive cases of malformations of the outflow tracts or interrupted aortic arch (IAA), detected by fetal echocardiography, underwent detailed anatomy scan, karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (FISH) to detect the prevalence of 22q11 microdeletion and to evaluate neonatal clinical findings and outcome according to the presence of the genetic defect. Then, we sought to investigate whether some prenatal ultrasound findings could help identify fetuses at higher risk of carrying the 22q11 microdeletion.

Methods: Echocardiography and FISH for the DiGeorge critical region (22q11) were performed in all cases.

Prenatal diagnosis of ductus venosus agenesis and its association with cytogenetic/congenital anomalies.

Objectives: We present an observational study of 12 cases of anomalies of the umbilical and portal vein systems associated with absence of the ductus venosus (DV) diagnosed over the past 5 years. The hemodynamic implications of each pattern of umbilico-portal system anomalies associated with absence of the DV have been investigated, as well as the frequency and types of associated anomalies and their embryological origin.

Methods: In all cases ultrasound, color Doppler, and cytogenetic investigations were performed.