The Susceptibility of Mediterranean (MED) Species to Attack by a Parasitoid Wasp Changes between Two Whitefly Strains with Different Facultative Endosymbiotic Bacteria.

In this study, two strains of the mitochondrial lineage Q1 of MED species, characterized by a different complement of facultative bacterial endosymbionts, were tested for their susceptibility to be attacked by the parasitoid wasp , a widespread natural enemy of . Notably, the BtHC strain infected with and was more resistant to parasitization than the BtHR strain infected with and . The resistant phenotype consisted of fewer nymphs successfully parasitized (containing the parasitoid mature larva or pupa) and in a lower percentage of adult wasps emerging from parasitized nymphs.

Variation among populations of Trichogramma euproctidis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) revealed by life table parameters: perspectives for biological control.

The successful mass-rearing of potential biological control agents is a prerequisite for sustainable pest control. In this study, the performance of 3 Trichogramma euproctidis (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) populations collected from different locations in Khuzestan (Southwest Iran) were evaluated to optimize the egg parasitoid mass-rearing for augmentative biological control of lepidopteran pests. We aimed to investigate the effects of both population origin and host quality on biological traits of ovipositing females (number of parasitized eggs) and of their progeny (development time, survival rate, sex ratio, longevity, and fecundity).

Amitraz and Its Metabolites: Oxidative Stress-Mediated Cytotoxicity in HepG2 Cells and Study of Their Stability and Characterization in Honey.

The population decrease of bees that has been observed in recent years due to the parasite may endanger the production of bee-products whose demand is on the rise. To minimize the negative effects caused by this parasite, the pesticide amitraz is commonly used by beekeepers. Based on these, the objectives of this work are to determine the toxic effects caused by amitraz and its metabolites in HepG2 cells, as well as its determination in honey samples and the study of its stability with different heat treatments commonly used in the honey industry and its relationship with the amount of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) produced.

In Vitro and Predictive Computational Toxicology Methods for the Neurotoxic Pesticide Amitraz and Its Metabolites.

The parasite is responsible for varroasis in honeybees worldwide, the most destructive disease among parasitic diseases. Thus, different insecticides/acaricides have been widely used within beehives to control these parasitic diseases. Namely, amitraz is the most used acaricide due to its high efficacy shown against .

Wolbachia infection and genetic diversity of Italian populations of Philaenus spumarius, the main vector of Xylella fastidiosa in Europe.

Philaenus spumarius is a cosmopolitan species that has become a major threat to European agriculture being recognized as the main vector of the introduced plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa, the agent of the "olive quick decline syndrome", a disease which is devastating olive orchards in southern Italy. Wolbachia are bacterial symbionts of many insects, frequently as reproductive parasites, sometime by establishing mutualistic relationships, able to spread within host populations. Philaenus spumarius harbors Wolbachia, but the role played by this symbiont is unknown and data on the infection prevalence within host populations are limited.

Identification of unprecedented ATP-competitive choline kinase inhibitors.

In this article we describe the identification of unprecedented ATP-competitive ChoKα inhibitors starting from initial hit NMS-P830 that binds to ChoKα in an ATP concentration-dependent manner. This result is confirmed by the co-crystal structure of NMS-P830 in complex with Δ75-ChoKα. NMS-P830 is able to inhibit ChoKα in cells resulting in the reduction of intracellular phosphocholine formation.

Effectiveness on major cardiovascular risk factors of an educational program to promote a Mediterranean type of diet among the employees of the company FCA Italia S.p.A.

Aims: The educational program implemented at the Pratola Serra (Avellino, Italy) facility of the company FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), had as its goal to raise awareness among people to adopt behaviors inspired by the principles of a Mediterranean diet, physical activity and prevention of the main cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: The educational program was implemented in two different ways in order to compare, according to an intervention-control scheme, the performance of the subgroups and the effect of the types of intervention. On both groups measurements of the vital parameters were carried out and compared by means of statistical probabilistic tests.

Persistent organic pollutants and chlorpyrifos in the cockfish Callorhinchus callorynchus (Holocephali: Callorhynchidae) from Argentine coastal waters: Influence of sex and maturity.

Organic contaminants are of great environmental concern due to their negative impacts on coastal ecosystems, especially on highly vulnerable species as chondrichthyans. Accumulation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and chlorpyrifos was assessed in muscle, gonads, and liver of the cockfish Callorhinchus callorynchus for both sexes and maturity stages. This species has a wide distribution in South Atlantic Ocean and it is an important resource for coastal Argentine fisheries.

DROP: Molecular voucher database for identification of Drosophila parasitoids.

Molecular identification is increasingly used to speed up biodiversity surveys and laboratory experiments. However, many groups of organisms cannot be reliably identified using standard databases such as GenBank or BOLD due to lack of sequenced voucher specimens identified by experts. Sometimes a large number of sequences are available, but with too many errors to allow identification.

Zucchini Plants Alter Gene Expression and Emission of ()-β-Caryophyllene Following Infestation.

Zucchini ( L.) is widely cultivated in temperate regions. One of the major production challenges is the damage caused by (Homoptera: Aphididae), a polyphagous aphid, which can negatively affect its host plant, both directly by feeding and indirectly by vectoring viruses.

Biology and Prevalence in Northern Italy of (Diptera, Pipunculidae), a Parasitoid of (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae), the Main Vector of in Europe.

The meadow spittlebug, (L.) (Hemiptera Aphrophoridae), the main vector of Wells et al. in Europe, has few known natural enemies.

Electrophysiological and behavioural response of Philaenus spumarius to essential oils and aromatic plants.

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius, is a highly polyphagous widespread species, playing a major role in the transmission of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa subspecies pauca, the agent of the "Olive Quick Decline Syndrome". Essential oils (EOs) are an important source of bio-active volatile compounds that could interfere with basic metabolic, biochemical, physiological, and behavioural functions of insects. Here, we report the electrophysiological and behavioural responses of adult P.

Chlamyphilone, a Novel Metabolite with Insecticidal Activity.

Metabolites from a collection of selected fungal isolates have been screened for insecticidal activity against the aphid . Crude organic extracts of culture filtrates from six fungal isolates (, , , , and ) caused mortality of aphids within 72 h after treatment. In this work, bioassay-guided fractionation has been used to characterize the main bioactive metabolites accumulated in fungal extracts.

Fibre-enriched buckwheat pasta modifies blood glucose response compared to corn pasta in individuals with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease: Acute randomized controlled trial.

Aim: People with type 1 diabetes and celiac disease (T1D&CD) have high blood glucose variability. Processed gluten-free foods have shown to induce a worse metabolic profile whereas naturally gluten-free foods may represent healthier options. On the other hand, dietary fibre has shown to reduce postprandial glycemic excursions in individuals with diabetes.

Gastrointestinal effects of extra-virgin olive oil associated with lower postprandial glycemia in type 1 diabetes.

Objective: To explore the possible mechanisms behind the lower glycemic response observed when extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is added to a high-glycemic index meal in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Research Design And Methods: According to a randomized cross-over design, eleven T1D patients (6 women, 5 men) on insulin pump consumed in the metabolic ward, one week apart, three high-glycemic index meals differing only for amount and quality of fat: high-monounsaturated fat (EVOO), high-saturated fat (Butter), and low-fat (LF). Before and after the meals, blood glucose (continuous glucose monitoring), gastric emptying rate (ultrasound technique), and plasma concentrations of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide GIP (ELISA), glucagon (RIA), and lipids (colorimetric assays) were evaluated.

Current Strategies and Future Outlook for Managing the Neotropical Tomato Pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in the Mediterranean Basin.

The invasion of new regions by exotic pests has been more than ever a critical issue that warrants coordinated international actions to manage established populations and prevent further spreading. Invasive insects can undermine the ecological equilibrium of both natural and agricultural ecosystems. Moreover, increasing temperatures due to climatic change exacerbate this problem by allowing pests to further reach regions previously considered unsuitable.

Treatment of the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome with autologous in vitro cultured vaginal tissue: descriptive study of long-term results and patient outcomes.

Objective: Evaluating sexual function and quality of life (QoL) in patients treated with a modified Abbé-McIndoe technique using in vitro cultured autologous vaginal mucosa.

Design: Descriptive study.

Setting: Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome.

Modalities for assessing the nutritional status in patients with diabetes and cancer.

Epidemiological data have shown that an increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with a higher risk of various cancers, especially in obese diabetic patients. However, oncologic patients often present nutritional alterations that can worsen their prognosis. The aim of this review is to propose the use of cheaper and easy to use tools to assess the nutritional status of patients with cancer with altered glucose metabolism.

Diabetologists and Oncologists attitudes towards treating diabetes in the oncologic patient: Insights from an exploratory survey.

Aims: Diabetes and cancer frequently coexist in the same subject, often having relevant effects on the management and prognosis of the oncologic patient. However, existing guidelines do not deal with many clinical issues in this setting appropriately. In evaluating the opinions of Diabetologists and Oncologists dealing with diabetes care in people with cancer, the Italian Association of Diabetologists (AMD) promoted a dedicated exploratory survey.

Long-term Lactobacillus rhamnosus BMX 54 application to restore a balanced vaginal ecosystem: a promising solution against HPV-infection.

Background: Over recent years, a growing interest has developed in microbiota and in the concept of maintaining a special balance between Lactobacillus and other bacteria species in order to promote women's well-being. The aim of our study was to confirm that vaginal Lactobacilli long-lasting implementation in women with HPV-infections and concomitant bacterial vaginosis or vaginitis might be able to help in solving the viral infection, by re-establishing the original eubiosis.

Methods: A total of 117 women affected by bacterial vaginosis or vaginitis with concomitant HPV-infections were enrolled at Department of Gynecological Obstetrics and Urological Sciences, La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy between February 2015 and March 2016.

Micronutrient Intake in a Cohort of Italian Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: Adherence to Dietary Recommendations.

Micronutrients are of fundamental importance in maintaining health status. However, data on their dietary intake are few particularly in persons with diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) attending a tertiary-level diabetes center in Southern Italy the intake of micronutrients (both vitamins and minerals) and the adherence to recommendations.

Reproductive interference and fecundity affect competitive interactions of sibling species with low mating barriers: experimental and theoretical evidence.

When allopatric species with incomplete prezygotic isolation come into secondary contact, the outcome of their interaction is not easily predicted. The parasitoid wasp Encarsia suzannae (iES), infected by Cardinium inducing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), and its sibling species E. gennaroi (EG), not infected by bacterial endosymbionts, may have diverged because of the complementary action of CI and asymmetric hybrid incompatibilities.

Cytological analysis of cytoplasmic incompatibility induced by suggests convergent evolution with its distant cousin .

Cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) is a conditional sterility in numerous arthropods that is caused by inherited, intracellular bacteria such as Matings between males carrying CI-inducing and uninfected females, or between males and females infected with different strains, result in progeny that die during very early embryogenesis. Multiple studies in diploid () and haplodiploid () insects have shown that CI- cause a failure of the paternally derived chromatin from resolving into distinct chromosomes. This leads to the formation of chromatin bridges and other mitotic defects as early as the first mitotic division, and to early mitotic arrest.

Chemical Characterization of Lodoicea maldivica Fruit.

In the present study, we report the attempt to characterize the chemical composition of fruit kernel of Lodoicea maldivica coco nucifera palm (commonly named as 'Coco de mer') by gas chromatographic method. The analysis was performed by HS-SPME and GC/MS techniques to determine volatile aroma, sterol, and fatty acid composition profiles in the internal and external pulp of two distinct coconuts. Although no qualitative differences in flavour composition were observed between the two analysed coconuts and the relative two pulp parts, variations in the abundance levels of the prominent compounds have been recorded.

Densitometric evaluation of bone-prosthetic counterface in hip and knee arthroplasty with modern implants.

Introduction: Recent acquisitions of the complex mechanisms of osseointegration between implants and host bone have gained attention, accordingly to the methods of evaluation of these interactions. DEXA analysis is considered an useful tool to assess such phenomena, in order to analyse in a quantitative manner the local metabolic activity of the bone, and to evaluate over the time the integration between host bone and prosthetic components. The purpose of the present study is to report about a preliminary experience in the analysis of osseointegration processes of patients undergoing a primary Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) or a revision Total Knee Arthroplasty (rTKA).