Validation of a scoring algorithm for the clinician-reported outcome tool 'prurigo activity and severity (PAS)' based on clinical studies of dupilumab in adults with prurigo Nodularis.

Background: Prurigo nodularis (PN) also known as chronic prurigo, is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by intensely itchy nodules/lesions which occur due to intensive scratching. PN management is, in part, based on clinician evaluations of PN lesions, which can be supported by clinician-reported outcomes (ClinRO) such as the Prurigo Activity and Severity (PAS) instrument. A 5-item version of PAS was included in recent phase-3 dupilumab PN trials (PRIME [NCT04183335]/PRIME2 [NCT04202679]).

Estimating meaningful change thresholds for Skin Pain-Numeric Rating Scale, Sleep-Numeric Rating Scale and Dermatology Life Quality Index in patients with prurigo nodularis.

Background: Prurigo nodularis (PN) is characterized by intensely itchy nodules/lesions and skin pain, which can have a substantial impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Treatment benefits on such symptoms and impacts are best assessed in trials using patient-reported outcome (PROs) instruments such as Skin Pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Sleep-NRS and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). However, no guidance exists for interpreting meaningful changes in scores using these PROs in patients with PN.

Development and testing of an alternative responder definition for EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI).

Objectives: Dryness, fatigue and joint/muscle pain are typically assessed in Sjögren's trials using European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI). A Patient Acceptable Symptom State of <5 and a Minimal Clinically Important Improvement (MCII)/responder definition (RD) of ≥1 point or 15% on ESSPRI have previously been defined. This study explored alternative RDs to better discriminate between active treatment and placebo in trials.

The conserved and high ratio in sunflower pollen: Possible implications for bee health and plant-bee interactions.

Sodium (Na) concentrations are low in plant tissues, and its metabolic function in plants is minor; however, Na is a key nutrient for plant consumers. Previous studies have thus far focused on Na concentration. Nevertheless, a balanced potassium (K) to Na ratio () is more important than Na concentration alone since food with high has detrimental effects on consumers irrespective of Na concentration.

Content Validity of Sjögren's Syndrome Symptom Diary and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue in Patients with Sjögren's.

Introduction: Sjögren's Syndrome Symptom Diary (SSSD) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) are patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments assessing Sjögren's symptoms. Original SSSD items have demonstrated content validity, however qualitative evidence supporting the updated 'tiredness' item and two new supplementary items is lacking. Although well established and validated in other rheumatic diseases, there is no qualitative evidence supporting content validity of FACIT-F in Sjögren's.

Qualitative Research with Patients and Physicians to Assess Content Validity and Meaningful Change on ESSDAI and ESSPRI in Sjögren's.

Introduction: European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) is a clinician-reported outcome (ClinRO) instrument, assessing Sjögren's disease activity from the physician perspective. EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) is a patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument, assessing patient-defined Sjögren's symptom severity. Both instruments are commonly used as clinical trial endpoints and have been psychometrically validated.

A qualitative study to explore the symptoms and impacts of Crohn's disease and to develop the Crohn's Disease Diary.

Purpose: To explore symptoms and disease impacts of Crohn's disease and to develop a new patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measure according to industry best practices.

Methods: A conceptual model of relevant symptoms experienced by patients with Crohn's disease was developed following a literature review. Three rounds of combined qualitative semi-structured concept elicitation and cognitive debriefing interviews with 36 patients (≥ 16 years) with Crohn's disease and 4 clinicians were conducted to further explore the most commonly reported and most bothersome symptoms to patients.

Plant-Mediated Behavioural Avoidance of a Weevil Towards Its Biological Control Agent.

New Zealand pastures largely comprising ryegrass species (Poales: Poaceae) are worth $19.6B and are subject to major pest impacts. A very severe pest is the Argentine stem weevil (Kuschel) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

The ecological fitness of the tomato potato psyllid after transferring from non-crop host plants to tomato and potato.

An insect's fitness varies on different host plant species, and can be affected by previous host feeding experience. In New Zealand, Bactericera cockerelli (the tomato potato psyllid (TPP)) overwinter on various host species, and later migrate to annually grown crop host plants. How changing host plant species affects the insect's fitness is unknown.

The endometriosis daily diary: qualitative research to explore the patient experience of endometriosis and inform the development of a patient-reported outcome (PRO) for endometriosis-related pain.

Purpose: Endometriosis is a chronic disorder of the female reproductive system characterized by debilitating symptoms, particularly endometriosis-related pain (ERP). Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures of symptoms and impacts are required to assess disease severity in ERP clinical studies and clinical practice. A content-valid instrument was developed by modifying the Dysmenorrhea Daily Diary (DysDD) to form the Endometriosis Daily Diary (EDD), an electronic PRO administered via handheld device.

The ability of the green peach aphid () to penetrate mesh crop covers used to protect potato crops against tomato potato psyllid ().

In Central and North America, Australia and New Zealand, potato () crops are attacked by , the tomato potato psyllid (TPP). 'Mesh crop covers' which are used in Europe and Israel to protect crops from insect pests, have been used experimentally in New Zealand for TPP control. While the covers have been effective for TPP management, the green peach aphid (GPA, ) has been found in large numbers under the mesh crop covers.

A global synthesis reveals biodiversity-mediated benefits for crop production.

Human land use threatens global biodiversity and compromises multiple ecosystem functions critical to food production. Whether crop yield-related ecosystem services can be maintained by a few dominant species or rely on high richness remains unclear. Using a global database from 89 studies (with 1475 locations), we partition the relative importance of species richness, abundance, and dominance for pollination; biological pest control; and final yields in the context of ongoing land-use change.

Delivery of multiple ecosystem services in pasture by shelter created from the hybrid sterile bioenergy grass Miscanthus x giganteus.

The benefits of shelter in increasing crop yields and accelerating ripening has been well researched in fruit, arable and horticultural crops. Its benefits to pasture, despite its importance for livestock production, is less well researched. In this work, Miscanthus shelterbelts were established on an intensively irrigated dairy farm.

Global disparity in public awareness of the biological control potential of invertebrates.

Invertebrates make up over 95% of animal biodiversity on Earth and contribute to multiple ecosystem services (ES) in natural and human-dominated systems. One such service, biological control (BC) of herbivorous pests, is a core component of sustainable intensification of agriculture, yet its importance is routinely overlooked. Here we report a macro-scale, cross-cultural assessment of the public visibility (or 'salience') of BC invertebrates, using high-throughput analysis of large bodies of digitized text (i.

Community dynamics can modify the direction of simulated warming effects on crop yield.

Climate change affects agriculture through a range of direct and indirect pathways. These include direct changes to impacts of pests and diseases on crops and indirect effects produced by interactions between organisms. It remains unclear whether the net effects of these biotic influences will be beneficial or detrimental to crop yield because few studies consider multiple interactions within communities and the net effects of these on community structure and yield.

Two sphingomyelin synthase homologues regulate body weight and sphingomyelin synthesis in female brown planthopper, N. lugens (Stål).

Although sphingomyelins known to be are lipid constituents of the plasma membrane in vertebrates, much remains obscure about the metabolism of sphingomyelins in insects. With ultra performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, we revealed for the first time that sphingomyelins are abundant in Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), the brown planthopper (BPH), and their biosynthesis is carried out by sphingomyelin synthase-like protein 2 (SMSL2), which is homologous to sphingomyelin synthase-related protein (SMSr). Unlike other insect species, high concentrations of sphingomyelins rather than ceramide phosphoethanolamines exist in the BPH.

Continental-scale suppression of an invasive pest by a host-specific parasitoid underlines both environmental and economic benefits of arthropod biological control.

Biological control, a globally-important ecosystem service, can provide long-term and broad-scale suppression of invasive pests, weeds and pathogens in natural, urban and agricultural environments. Following (few) historic cases that led to sizeable environmental up-sets, the discipline of arthropod biological control has-over the past decades-evolved and matured. Now, by deliberately taking into account the ecological risks associated with the planned introduction of insect natural enemies, immense environmental and societal benefits can be gained.

Perceptions of gendered and ungendered pain relief norms and stereotypes using Q-methodology.

Pain is ubiquitous, but effective pain relief eludes many. Research has shown that some pain behaviours are perceived as gendered, and this may influence the way men and women express and cope with pain, but such enquiries have not extended to specific methods of pain relief. Our aim was to explore perceptions of the most socially acceptable ways for men and women to relieve pain.

Host Plant Selection by the Wheat Bug, Nysius huttoni (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) on a Range of Potential Trap Plant Species.

The wheat bug, Nysius huttoni L. is an endemic New Zealand pest. The seedlings of forage brassicas are highly susceptible to direct feeding damage by this insect, and this can reduce plant establishment.

Managing biological control services through multi-trophic trait interactions: review and guidelines for implementation at local and landscape scales.

Ecological studies are increasingly moving towards trait-based approaches, as the evidence mounts that functions, as opposed to taxonomy, drive ecosystem service delivery. Among ecosystem services, biological control has been somewhat overlooked in functional ecological studies. This is surprising given that, over recent decades, much of biological control research has been focused on identifying the multiple characteristics (traits) of species that influence trophic interactions.

Ecological and pest-management implications of sex differences in scarab landing patterns on grape vines.

Background: Melolonthinae beetles, comprising different white grub species, are a globally-distributed pest group. Their larvae feed on roots of several crop and forestry species, and adults can cause severe defoliation. In New Zealand, the endemic scarab pest (White) causes severe defoliation on different horticultural crops, including grape vines ().

Intensified agriculture favors evolved resistance to biological control.

Increased regulation of chemical pesticides and rapid evolution of pesticide resistance have increased calls for sustainable pest management. Biological control offers sustainable pest suppression, partly because evolution of resistance to predators and parasitoids is prevented by several factors (e.g.

Assessing pollinators' use of floral resource subsidies in agri-environment schemes: An illustration using and honeybees.

Background: Honeybees ( L.) are frequently used in agriculture for pollination services because of their abundance, generalist floral preferences, ease of management and hive transport. However, their populations are declining in many countries.