Comparison of different traps and attractants in 3 food processing facilities in Greece on the capture of stored product insects

Certain lures are marketed toward particular pests or classes of pests, while others might be multi-species lures. Investigative aims for this study included both which trap was most sensitive and whether different combinations of traps and attractants were delivering novel information about the stored product insect community. Comparisons were made for all combinations of 3 commercial traps and 4 different attractants plus an untreated control on the capture of stored-product insects for 2 consecutive years in 3 food processing facilities in Central Greece. The traps used in the experiments were Dome Trap (Trécé Inc., USA), Wall Trap (Trécé) and Box Trap (Insects Limited, Ltd., USA). The attractants that were evaluated were 0.13 g of (i) PantryPatrol gel (Insects Limited), (ii) Storgard kairomone food attractant oil (Trécé), (iii) wheat germ (Honeyville, USA), and (iv) Dermestid tablet attractant (Insects Limited). The traps were inspected approximately every 15 days and rotated. A total of 34,000+ individuals were captured belonging to 26 families and at least 48 species. The results indicated that Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) were the most abundant. Although there were noticeable differences among the different traps and attractants for specific species, all combinations provided similar information on population dynamics. Generally, Dome traps baited with either the oil or the gel, were found to be the most sensitive. The results of the present study demonstrate the importance of long-term trapping protocols, as a keystone in IPM-based control strategies in food processing facilities.

Efficacy of deltamethrin and pirimiphos-methyl in proportionally layer-treated maize against the larger grain borer and the maize weevil

Two insecticides (deltamethrin and pirimiphos-methyl) were evaluated in laboratory assays as grain protectants when applied as a total percentage of a maize mass to control adult Prostephanus truncatus and Sitophilus zeamais. All experiments were conducted at the University of Thessaly in Greece at 30°C and 65% RH under continuous darkness. Either insecticide was applied to 20 g of maize placed in a vial or to the upper one half, one fourth, or one-eighth layer of the maize, then insects were either added to the vials before or after the maize in a completely randomized block design CRBD with n = 9 replicates. Mortality, progeny production, and insect damaged kernels (IDK) were then evaluated for each vial. Insect introduction method (before or after) did not have any impact on any of the variables. Mortality was nearly 100% for all treatments for both insecticides for P. truncatus. Subsequently, progeny production and the number of insect damaged kernels were very low or zero for P. truncatus. Mortality of S. zeamais remained low across layer treatments for deltamethrin. However, S. zeamais was easily controlled by pirimiphos-methyl. The results of this laboratory study show that while deltamethrin and pirimiphos-methyl have some effectiveness as a layer treatment on a column of maize, efficacy will be dependent on the target species, and the depth of the treated layer, as well as the location on which the insects are present.

Delivering Beauveria bassiana with electrostatic powder for the control of stored-product beetles

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of a Beauveria bassiana-based formulation (Bb38) with Entostat, an electrostatically charged powder, was investigated as a surface treatment against Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Oryzaephilus surinamensis and Sitophilus granarius adults. In lab bioassays, the efficacy of Bb38 against the aforementioned species was examined on concrete, plywood, steel and ceramic, whereas its residual efficacy against the same species was assessed on concrete and steel in the presence or absence of illumination. Finally, the efficacy of Bb38 against O. surinamensis and S. granarius adults was assessed in a commercial grain storage facility under realistic field conditions.

RESULTS

In the lab trials, O. surinamensis and C. ferrugineus were much more susceptible to Bb38 than S. granarius on all types of surfaces. Moreover, Bb38 was, at least for O. surinamensis and C. ferrugineus, as effective as the chemical standard (deltamethrin) for at least 2 months after the application, regardless of the presence or absence of illumination. Finally, in the field trial Bb38 provided a satisfactory level of control against O. surinamensis.

CONCLUSION

Bb38 is an effective surface treatment, but its efficacy varies according to the target species, the type of surface and the time post-application. This is the first published report that examines the efficacy of Bb38 as a surface treatment for wider uses in empty warehouses and related storage facilities. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Obesity and the severity of asthma crisis]

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is associated with inflammatory processes, which could influence the airway inflammation that is found in patients with asthma. Obesity may thus have a role in the development of asthma. However, the role of obesity in the severity of acute asthma has not been well described.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective study, which included 77 patients hospitalized for acute asthma. Two groups of patients were formed according to their body mass index (BMI): group 1 consisting of 59 patients with a BMI inferior to 30 kg/m(2) and group 2 consisting of 18 patients with a BMI superior or equal to 30 kg/m(2). These two groups were compared according to demographic factors, clinical features and the spirometric severity of asthma.

RESULTS

The mean age was 43 ± 17.4 years with a sex-ratio 0.57 (28 men/49 women). Thirty-one percent of these patients had a severe asthma attack requiring hospitalization in intensive care in four patients with the use of mechanical ventilation in two patients. The comparison between obese and non-obese patients did not show a significant difference in the severity of asthma.

CONCLUSION

Although a contribution of obesity to the manifestation and severity of asthma is commonly recognized, the present data to not confirm the impact of obesity on the severity of acute attacks.

[Right upper lobe pulmonary agenesis]

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly. Other cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and urogenital system anomalies can be observed in association with it.

CASE REPORT

A 24-year-old female patient presented to our clinic with a history of cough and chest pain with an abnormal chest X-ray. Physical examination was normal. Chest X-ray, CT-Scan and endoscopy led to the diagnosis of right upper lobe pulmonary agenesis.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of pulmonary malformations like agenesis or hypoplasia can be delayed and may not occur until adulthood. Once the diagnosis has been established medical follow up is mandatory.

Incisive suture (fissure) in the human fetus: radiographic and histologic study

OBJECTIVE

An anatomic study, in man, of the structure commonly known as the incisive suture (sutura incisiva) or incisive fissure has been performed to determine whether this structure belongs to the morphofunctional concept of a facial suture.

MATERIAL

Eighteen palates of human fetuses of 9 weeks to 29 weeks after conception.

METHOD

Anatomic, radiographic examination of the palate. Histologic study of sagittal and parasagittal sections of the palates (3 mm each).

RESULTS

The histologic aspect is that of a facial suture, with very poor vascularization. This suture is partial, limited laterally by osseous trabeculae.

CONCLUSIONS

This particular suture, whose function in growth of the palatal process of the maxilla is discussed, could represent the phylogenetic vestige of the incisive-maxillary suture present in all nonhuman mammals.

Contrasted frequencies of p53 accumulation in the two age groups of North African nasopharyngeal carcinomas

EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) from Southeast Asia and North Africa have many common clinical and biological characteristics. However, they differ with regard to their age distribution. In Asia, NPC mainly affects patients in the 4th or 5th decade of their life, whereas in North Africa an additional peak of incidence is found between the ages of 10 and 20. The p53 gene is rarely mutated in NPC. However, several groups have reported a consistent accumulation of p53 in Asian NPCs. To determine whether p53 was also accumulated in North African NPCs, we investigated its expression, by immunohistochemistry, in a series of 90 Tunisian biopsies. Bc12 and CD95, two proteins involved in the regulation of cell survival and apoptosis, were investigated in the same study. We found accumulation of p53 in 81% of the cases for patients over 30 years of age, but in only 38% of specimens for younger patients (P = 0.00013). There was a trend toward a higher frequency of Bc12 detection in patients over 30, but it was not statistically significant. CD95 expression was detected in all biopsies, generally at a high level, even at advanced stages of the disease. The changing frequency of p53 accumulation, below and over 30, suggests that NPC cells often achieve malignant transformation through different pathways in both age groups.

Maxillary ossification in a series of six human embryos and fetuses aged from 9 to 12 weeks of amenorrhea: clinical implications

An anatomic controversy exists concerning the number of nuclei of ossification of the maxilla in human embryos and fetuses. Many authors have described two maxillary ossification nuclei, an incisor nucleus and a maxillary nucleus properly so-called. Some of these have explained congenital labiomaxillary clefts by a defect of bony fusion between these two ossification nuclei. Others consider that there is only a single nucleus for maxillary ossification. In order to settle this question we performed a histologic study in six heads of embryos and fetuses aged from 9 to 12 weeks of amenorrhea (WA) to demonstrate the presence of one or more sites of maxillary ossification at the earliest stages. Our study revealed, on each side, a single zone of maxillary ossification, present from 9 WA, in the form of a sheet of osteoid tissue situated in close contact with the dental lamina. Maxillary ossification then progressed in the lateromedial direction, preserving a median transverse and ventral mesenchymal septum. This septum may constitute the phylogenetic remnant of an ancestral premaxilla.

[Evolutive morphology of the olfactory bulb in man and certain non-human mammals]

Human and comparative anatomy of the olfactory lobe and the anterior floor was studied in 241 patients and 27 specimens (2 human fetuses, 4 specimens from adult humans, 11 non human primates and 10 carnivorous mammals). Macroscopic morphology and imaging data (CT-scan, 3D) reconstruction and magnetic resonance imaging) were obtained at the same time. The results obtained provide radiographic knowledge of the olfactory bulb ontogenesis and a basis for recognizing inborn or acquired pathology of the olfactory bulb. Evidence was also obtained for distinguishing between macrosmatic and microsmatic criteria in mammals.

Reconstruction of the aortic arches of a 28-day human embryo (stage 13) using the Born technique

We present a reconstruction of the aortic arches of a human embryo at stage 13. Only a few original observations have been reported during the last 110 years and only two with three-dimensional reconstructions. The reconstruction technique originated in 1885. Modern computerized reconstruction techniques have no evident advantages and are more expensive. Aortic arch malformations are responsible for disorders which cannot be understood without a knowledge of their embryology. The embryonic aortic system is a typical example of Haeckel's law of recapitulation. A human embryo at stage 13 was prepared in 5 mm sagittal sections so as to reconstruct the entire dorsal aorta, the second (transient) arch, the third and fourth arches, and the sixth arches responsible for the pulmonary artery, pharynx, larynx and tracheoesophageal axis. They are only 5 pairs of arches in man. At this stage, the most important vessel is represented by the dorsal aorta with a cerebral route, due to predominance of the development of the central nervous system and its vascularisation over other organs. Vascularisation of the lower limbs appears before their macroscopic development and is probably one of the factors responsible for their growth. Many such reconstructions are necessary if conclusions are not to be based on too few specimens to be sound. A better knowledge of embryology lead to a new understanding of aortic arch malformations.

[Human ontogeny of the left colon. Fetal stage]

Foetal evolution of bowel is the result of unequal growth of its segments and abdominal constraint of pressure. Caecum and appendix on the cranial and right side of intestine torsion differentiate colic anlage. Left colon observations in 20 foetus reveal a dorsal peritoneal fusion between 12 and 17 weeks: Progressive growth of left colon and meso, without dorsal fixation, beyond left kidney and subrenal gland. First mesocolon fixation at the left kidney. A tunnel persist between this fusion and the primitive mesocolon root. Radial advance of peritoneal fusion up to sigmoid mesocolon, with disappearance of the tunnel. Peritoneal fusion confirmed by histology.

Antenatal differentiation of the human intervertebral disc

To study the antenatal differentiation of the human intervertebral disc, the columns of forty eight embryos and fetuses were examined histologically. The primitive disc is composed of two structures: the notochord which shows a progressive expansion into the disc, and the fibro-cartilaginous perinotochordal disc. No histological sign of interaction between notochordal and perinotochordal cells, which may explain the notochordal expansion into the discs, was seen. On the other hand, the notochordal intervention in the cartilaginous differentiation of the inner zone is probable.

[Volvulus of the superior mesenteric area and congenital variation of the colonic fixation. Human Ontogenesis and Physiopathology. Apropos of a case in an adolescent]

Volvulus of the superior mesenteric territory involving the left and transverse colon is rare. Congenital variations of intestinal fixation have been implicated. We report a case observed in an adolescent which illustrates this hypothesis. There was a fixation of pancreatosplenic region and the left colic angle. The duodenopancreas and the right, transverse and left colon were mobile. Human ontogenesis of the colon could provide a pathophysiologic explanation. During foetal development, the intestine results from unequal growth of the different segments which undergo pressure from the different intra-abdominal contents. The fixation of the different parts of the intestine are independent from each other. Specific circumstances are required for variations in congenital fixation of the colon to led to late events responsible for mechanical volvulus.

[Ontogenic basis of human predisposition to thoracic outlet syndrome. Cervicothoracic reconstruction of a 2.5 cm embryo]

The cervico-thoracic region of a 2.5 cm embryo, that means approximately 7 weeks old or Streeter stage 20, has been reconstructed in 3 dimensions, with the Born procedure. Scaleni muscles are separated in 2 groups by the brachial plexus, which emerges directly with an antero-external course to the pectoral limb. The loco-regional anatomical arrangement, particular of that age, combining: a scapulum situated in a para-sagittal plane, a clavicle situated in a high transverse plane, a cervical kyphotic curve, and a keeled chest aspect, remind the quadriped morphology, and point out the real metamorphosis later sustained by the foetus. The Cervico-Cephalic Emergence defined in human by Sakka (1973), will later overturn the regional architecture, modifying directions and forms of skeletal structures, on which scalene muscles insert. The initially direct brachial plexus course will secondary turn to an angle, to fit on morphological changes of the surrounding preestablished elements; a certain ontogenic foundation for the anatomical propensity to thoracic outlet syndrome could then be explained.

[Parameters of the facial bones in the fetus. Anthropology and medico-legal application for the determination of the fetal age]

From 93 skulls and 23 foeto-skeletals we give a glimpse of the rhythme of the human foetuse's facial bones growth and the main variations for facial measurements rating during foetal period. The best correlation between foetal age and facial measurements was obtained with facial height (correlation coefficient: 0.96). Evolution of cranio-facial rating, during foetal stages shows essentially: the increase of the height/width facial rating, the same rhythme of growth for frontal and facial width, the rapidly growth of biparietal diameter up to 30 amenorrhea weeks comparatively to the facial and frontal growth in width.

[The most ancient case of synostosis of the carpal bones: pyramido-lunate synostosis in La Ferrassie man]

Re-examining the Neandertal skeleton La Ferrassie II, the authors found a synostosis of the right carpus with fusion of the lunate and the triquetrum. This congenital abnormality had never been noticed before. Reconstruction of the right carpus of the Man of La Ferrassie II is now complete.

[Effects of intracranial pressure on frontal sinus development]

Through a study of some syndromes of intra-cranial high and low pressure, the authors try to find out the relations between the intra-cranial stresses and the development of frontal sinuses. They account for the choice of frontal sinuses and the various factors determining this pneumatization. They study the morphology of the frontal sinuses in 20 cases of old and chronic hydrocephaly, in 13 cases of oxycephaly with a late diagnosis, and in 20 cases of adults suffering with infantile cerebral hemiatrophy. They show that in these syndromes, the development of frontal sinuses is an inverse ratio to the intracranial pressure. However, they point out that in standard people, the extreme differences in the morphology of their frontal pneumatization can be explained not only by various causes--a number of which is as yet not known--but also by an aleatory distribution.

[Comparative anatomy of the velopharyngeal complex in human and non-human primates (2)]

The authors describe the soft palatal-pharyngeal unity, composed of the levator palati and palatopharyngeus muscles in the adult man, the new-born and the Saimiri. They recall the importance of the soft palatal-pharyngeal sphincter in the man's phonation. After having described the general evolution of the aerodigestive tract in the no human mammals and the man, notions of evolutive morphology of the soft palatal-pharyngeal unity are established. They are characterized by the gradual divergence of the axis of the 2 muscles forming the soft palatal-pharyngeal unity ending in the appearance met in the adult man, indispensable in view of a soft palatal-pharyngeal ability allowing a articulated language.

[Comparative anatomy of the velopharyngeal complex in mammals--excluding primates (1)]

From the anatomic element known with the man by the name of soft palatal-pharyngeal sphincter and which takes a major part in the phonation, the swallowing, the breathing, we have studied the evolutive morphology of the soft palatal-pharyngeal unity in several mammals. This unity which includes the levator palati and palatopharyngeus muscles is confirmed by the phylogenic and embryologic investigations. The comparative anatomy of the rat, rabbit, sheep and lion, allows to make obvious a evolutive line characterized by the gradual divergence of the axis of the two muscles common to the soft palatal and pharyngeal musculature, which could correspond with a phylogenic evolution.

An epidemic of hepatitis A in an institution for young children

A common-source epidemic of hepatitis A occurred in an Athenian institution boarding 38 children (mean age 4.8 years). All children were examined, and blood was drawn from each at the onset of the study and repeatedly during the next three months. Only one child (2.6%) was initially immune to hepatitis A virus as a result of prior infection. The attack rate (62.2%) and the ratio of icteric to anicteric cases (1:1.3) were high despite the administration of immunoglobulin (IG). Assays for anti-HAV IgM and a rising titer of anti-HAV IgG identified 19 (82.6%) and 22 (95.7%) of the 23 hepatitis A infections, respectively. One case (4.3%) was detected only by the presence of hepatitis A virus antigen and hepatitis A virus RNA in a fecal specimen, but these assays were otherwise marginally useful in this study. Nevertheless, the use of all available tests for the detection of hepatitis A virus is mandatory for the most accurate estimation of an epidemic of hepatitis A. Prompt administration of immunoglobulin had no effect on the number of clinical cases that were in the late incubation period, but it may have diminished the clinical expression of the infection and thus made diagnosis of infection more difficult.

[Variations as a function of time of the ossification of various bony elements of the cranial vault (experimental study in mice)]

Experimentally studied in the Mouse, ectocranial modeling bone processes are linked with stages of neuro-physiological development. More particularly, the weaning period is correlated with a complete change of periosteal growth processes in the cranial vault. This study details the different growth processes that model each bony unit of the cranial vault during the two distinct phases of post-natal development (before and after the weaning). Before the weaning, fast cerebral expansion involves generalised growth processes on the whole cranial vault area. A common pattern of growth is shared by several bones (or parts of bones), each bone showing particularities of growth rythm. The interparietal bone, the supraoccipital bone, and the anterior part of non-orbital frontal bone are excluded of that anatomical set of the cranial vault". After the weaning, bone modeling is dependent to muscular strengths. Local processes become more pronounced than generalised growth processes. Sutural and synchondral differential growth are playing a leading part in the craniofacial morphogenesis.

[Contribution of radiological technics to the study of the mandibular canal. Application to human fossils and comparison with modern man and Pongidae]

Fossil mandibles from the "La Chapelle-aux-Saints" Man and Cro-Magnon "old man" are considered to be representative of Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon era. Radiographic studies of such mandibles - including C. T. Scan and panoramic views in common use in maxillofacial surgery - allowed the authors to make useful comments: the mandibular canals are nearly similar to those in Modern Man and quite different from those in Pongidae; the imaging was of adequate quality for a good evaluation of fossil internal structures.

[Process of mandibular ossification in mice and evolutionary morphology (experimental study by means of vital staining)]

The injection in vivo of red alizarin S. in young mice during the post-natal period, enabled to show the mechanisms that were modeling the mandible during its development (by apposition-resorption). So it was possible to study : the processes of ossification involved in the eruption of the teeth, the modifications of the bony relief and the alterations of the mandibular angle. It has been attempted to find the links between these phenomena and muscular excitation, function and behaviour. The study of the osseous - muscular - mandibular anatomical set provided a good example of the principle described in Evolutionary morphology: "The comparatively free evolution of the elements in the anatomical set that they constitute (Sakka, 1973)."

Mass survey of gastric cancer and leukemia in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

A little more than 20,000 examinees of x-ray mass survey of gastric cancer and the controls were followed up from 1960 to 1977. Cumulative doses of x-rays were calculated for each examinee, and a collective dose in person-year-rads was constructed. Incidence of leukemia was ascertained from Miyagi Prefectural Cancer Registry. Seven cases of leukemia were found out of 242,689 person-year-rads in the irradiated population, and 9 cases out of 273,344 person-years in the controls. Incidence rate in the two groups was identical. Therefore, the risk of this mass survey was disproved.

Implications of thymidine labeling index in the growth kinetics of human solid tumors

The biological implication of the thymidine labeling index (LI) in the growth kinetics of human solid tumors were investigated by regression analysis of paired individual data in single tumors from the literature. The results indicate that LI correlated best with the corresponding growth fraction (GF) or ratio of duration of the S phase to the median cell cycle time (Tc). The LI also significantly correlated, but to a lesser degree, with Tc, the volume doubling time (TD) and/or the duration of the G1 phase (Tg1), and the correlation coefficients decreased in that order. LI did ot correlate with Ts, duration of the G2 phase or cell loss factor (CL). Although the regression coefficients and constants in the equations are significantly different in tumors of different histological types, the difference seem to be small. Further, the LI highly correlated with the calculated cell loss rate in terms of the number of cells lost per 109 cells per day, although it did not correlate with CL. This trend was seen not only with individual tumors, but also among tumors of various histological types. It is thus likely that individual tumors with higher LI tend to have higher GF, shorter Tg1 and Tc, and therefore shorter TD, which results in higher rates of cell production and cell loss.

Cell population kinetics of human solid tumors: a statistical analysis in various histological types

Pooled individual data from the literature on human tumor cell kinetics were statistically analyzed. The thymidine labeling index was obtained for 693 solid tumors and the geometric mean values (LI) were calculated for all tumors combined and for tumors grouped into 10 histological types. Lymphoma, undifferentiated lung carcinoma, childhood carcinoma and squamous epithelioma showed significantly higher LI than all tumors combined. On the other hand, melanoma, adenocarcinoma, brain tumors and mesenchymal sarcoma showed lower LI than all tumors combined, and the values decreased in that order. The geometric mean of the growth fraction (GF) was significantly different among different histological types and was highly correlated with LI when log (GF/LI) was plotted against log LI. With limited data, the mean cell cycle times (Tc) of squamous epithelioma and adenocarcinoma did not appear to be different. The data on the cell loss factor (CL) were insufficient to permit comparison of the differences among histological types. However, the CL values were distributed within a narrow range from 78 to 99%. Thus, GF seems to vary among histological types, and this is reflected by the variation of LI.