Susceptibility of the Cowpea Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) to Widely Used Insecticides in Australia

Globally, 27 aphid species have evolved resistance to almost 100 insecticide active ingredients. A proactive approach to resistance management in pest aphids is needed; this should include risk analysis, followed by regular baseline susceptibility assays for species deemed at high risk of evolving resistance. The cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) has evolved insecticide resistance to multiple insecticides outside Australia and was recently identified as a high-risk species in Australia. In this study, we generated toxicity data against four insecticides (representing four unique chemical Mode of Action groups) for populations of A. craccivora collected across Australia. Alpha-cypermethrin was the most toxic chemical to A. craccivora in leaf-dip laboratory bioassays with an average LC50 value across nine populations of 0.008 mg a.i./L, which was significantly lower than dimethoate (1.17 mg a.i./L) and pirimicarb (0.89 mg a.i./L). Small, but significant, differences in sensitivity were detected in some populations against pirimicarb and dimethoate, whereas responses to alpha-cypermethrin and imidacloprid were not significantly different across all aphid populations examined in this study. For all insecticides, the field rate controlled 100% of individuals tested. The data generated will be important for future monitoring of insecticide responses of A. craccivora. Proactive management, including increased reliance on non-chemical pest management approaches and routine insecticide baseline sensitivity studies, is recommended for A. craccivora.

OfftargetFinder: a web tool for species-specific RNAi design

MOTIVATION

RNA interference (RNAi) technology is being developed as a weapon for pest insect control. To maximize the specificity that such an approach affords we have developed a bioinformatic web tool that searches the ever-growing arthropod transcriptome databases so that pest-specific RNAi sequences can be identified. This will help technology developers finesse the design of RNAi sequences and suggests which non-target species should be assessed in the risk assessment process.

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION

http://rnai.specifly.org

CONTACT

crobin@unimelb.edu.au.

Unilateral renal aplasia in X-linked Kallmann's syndrome

Unilateral renal agenesis is an uncommon association with Kallmann's syndrome (KS) (hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and olfactory defect). We have investigated affected individuals from six pedigrees: five with X-linked KS, and one with X-linked KS and X-linked ichthyosis (XLI). Seventeen affected individuals have had renal imaging performed, and six scans demonstrated only one kidney. In addition, two pedigrees had males who died in the neonatal period with bilateral renal agenesis. Only two of the four affected individuals in the family with X-linked KS and X-linked ichthyosis (Pedigree 6) showed unilateral renal agenesis, despite all four patients demonstrating an interstitial deletion within the short arm of the X-chromosome. These data indicate that unilateral renal agenesis is much commoner than previously suspected in patients with X-linked Kallmann's syndrome, but that it may have incomplete penetrance within a family.

Infantile hemangioendothelioma: angiographic features and factors determining efficacy of hepatic artery embolization

The angiographic features of infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma are discussed as well as the role of hepatic artery embolization in its management when more conservative measures have failed. A unique case with portal vein supply of the tumor is presented, and the impact of this angiographic feature is discussed.

Hydropic cell variant (clear cell variant) of Wilms' tumor

We report an unusual clear cell tumor of the kidney in infancy. The presence in our patient of a discrete mass with foci of primitive nephroblastic cells indicates the neoplastic nature of the clear cells. We discuss its distinction from clear cell sarcomas and carcinomas, and we suggest that this lesion may be inadequately separated from pediatric renal carcinomas in the literature. We recommend the term hydropic cell variant as a less confusing and more accurate descriptive designation.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon

Two cases of primary adenosquamous carcinomas of the sigmoid colon and rectum are presented. Clinical features and pathologic findings of both primary and metastatic lesions are reported (including immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy). We emphasize that the presence of a metastatic squamous tumor in a patient with an unknown primary does not exclude the possibility of colonic carcinoma. Comparison with other reports in the American medical literature indicates that these are very aggressive tumors that may have a worse prognosis than the more common form of colonic adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, the squamous component, in particular, may have a greater potential for metastasizing and can do so as an undifferentiated-appearing carcinoma. In view of this, the authors suggest that very poorly differentiated areas within colonic adenocarcinomas should be very carefully evaluated by means of immunoperoxidase stains and/or electron microscopy in an attempt to identify squamous features.

The treatment of obesity with a very-low-calorie liquid-formula diet: an inpatient/outpatient comparison using skimmed-milk protein as the chief protein source

Fifty obese patients were givena 1.34 MJ (320 kcal) formula diet (containing 44 g/day carbohydrate, milk protein supplying 24--29 g protein/day in a total of 31 g/day, fat 2 g/day and the RDA of minerals and vitamins) for four to 12 weeks, either as inpatients (22) or outpatients (28). This regime was followed by a 3.35 MJ (800 kcal) conventional diet as outpatients. All but six outpatients completed the trial. Substantial weight losses were achieved in all patients with a total mean loss of 8.4 kg at four weeks and 11.0 kg at eight weeks. At four weeks the mean weight loss was 9.6 kg for inpatients and 7.2 kg for outpatients (P less than 0.05). There was no statistical difference in weight between the groups at eight weeks. Patients who continued on the 1.34 MJ formula diet for 12 weeks continued to lose weight but those on the 3.35 MJ conventional diet did not. Nitrogen-balance studies were carried out on the inpatients. During the first four weeks there was a small net loss of nitrogen (56 g, equivalent to 350 g protein) but equilibrium was achieved by the fifth or sixth week. There was no evidence of protein deficiency as judged by unchanged serum total protein, albumin, haemoglobin, RBC and PCV. Equilibrium between intake and excretion of sodium and potassium was also achieved throughout, and serum electrolytes were unchanged. A large number of other routine clinical and laboratory tests showed the treatment was safe. Serum bilirubin was elevated (18--48 per cent) and increased slightly above normal in two outpatients. Serum cholesterol was decreased by 21 per cent and triglycerides by 45 per cent after three weeks. Serum lipids in hyperlipaemic patients were normalised. It is concluded that the very-low-calorie formula diet provides a safe and very effective method of weight reduction, and the advantages of hospital compared with outpatient treatment are small.