Reproductive efficiency of the bethylid wasp Cephalonomia tarsalis: the influences of spatial structure and host density.

The parasitoid wasp Cephalonomia tarsalis (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) is commonly present in stored product facilities. While beneficial, it does not provide a high degree of biological pest control against its host, the saw-toothed beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae). A candidate explanation for poor host population suppression is that adult females interfere with each other's foraging and reproductive behavior. We used simple laboratory microcosms to evaluate such mutual interference in terms of its overall effects on offspring production. We varied the density of the hosts and also the spatial structure of the environment, via the extent of population sub-division and the provision of different substrates. Production of C. tarsalis offspring was positively influenced by host density and by the isolation of females. With incomplete sub-division within microcosms offspring production was, in contrast, low and even zero. The provision of corrugated paper as a substrate enhanced offspring production and partially mitigated the effects of mutual interference. We recommend simple improvements to mass rearing practice and identify promising areas for further behavioral and chemical studies towards a better understanding of the mechanisms of mutual interference.

Fumigant Toxicity of Essential Oils from Basil and Spearmint Against Two Major Pyralid Pests of Stored Products.

The fumigant activity of essential oil vapors distilled from sweet basil Ocimum basilicum L. and spearmint Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae) were tested against two major stored products pests Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Various oil doses (0.5, 2.5, 5, 50, 250, 500, 1,000, and 1,500 µl/liter air), for an exposure period of 24 h, were tested. The essential oils were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis and revealed that the major compounds were for spearmint oil carvone (67.1%) and limonene (+1,8 cineole; 14.3%) and for basil oil linalool (45.9%), 1,8 cineole (16.7%) and eugenol (10.3%). Apart from a few exceptions, no significant differences in insecticidal action were observed between basil and spearmint oil. Both oils were highly effective against adult moths, given that notable mortality (>80%) was recorded after exposure to low doses such as 2.5 µl/liter. Noteworthy, egg mortality was also recorded, reaching 73-79% for basil and 56-60% for spearmint. Toxicity data indicated that larvae and pupae were the most tolerant stages in all cases. Larval mortality never exceeded 21 and 18%, for basil and spearmint, respectively, irrespective of moth species. Basil and spearmint oils displayed mortalities as high as 38 and 28% in pupae. Lethal doses (LD50 and LD99) values were estimated via probit analysis. Developmental stage proved to be a significant factor, whereas the effect of oil species on insect mortality was insignificant. With the exception of adult individuals, basil and spearmint oils did not show satisfactory overall insecticidal activity against E. kuehniella and P. interpunctella.

Detection of Adult Beetles Inside the Stored Wheat Mass Based on Their Acoustic Emissions.

The efficacy of bioacoustics in detecting the presence of adult beetles inside the grain mass was evaluated in the laboratory. A piezoelectric sensor and a portable acoustic emission amplifier connected with a computer were used. Adults of the most common beetle pests of stored wheat have been detected in varying population densities (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 adults per kilogram of wheat). The verification of the presence of the insect individuals was achieved through automated signal parameterization and classification. We tried out two different ways to detect impulses: 1) by applying a Hilbert transform on the audio recording and 2) by subtracting a noise estimation of the recording from the spectral content of the recording, thus allowing the frequency content of possible impulses to emerge. Prediction for infestation was rated falsely negative in 60-74%, 48-60%, 0-28%, and 0-4% of the cases when actual population density was 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 adults per kilogram, respectively, irrespective of pest species. No significant differences were recorded in positive predictions among different species in almost all cases. The system was very accurate (72-100%) in detecting 1 or 2 insects per kilogram of hard wheat grain, which is the standard threshold for classifying a grain mass "clean" or "infested." Our findings are discussed on the basis of enhancing the use of bioacoustics in stored-product IPM framework.

Temperature-dependent development of Chilocorus bipustulatus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

The effect of temperature on development and survival of Chilocorus bipustulatus L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a predator of many scale insects, was studied under laboratory conditions. The duration of development of egg, first, second, third, and fourth larval instars, pupa, and preovioposition period at seven constant temperatures (15, 17.5, 20, 25, 30, 32.5, and 35°C) was measured. Development time decreased significantly with increasing temperature within the range 15-30°C. Survival was higher at medium temperatures (17.5-30(ο)C) in comparison with that at more extreme temperature regimens (15 and >30(ο)C). Egg and first larval instars were the stages where C. bipustulatus suffered the highest mortality levels at all temperatures. The highest survival was recorded when experimental individuals were older than the third larval instar. Thermal requirements of development (developmental thresholds, thermal constant, optimum temperature) of C. bipustulatus were estimated with application of linear and one nonlinear models (Logan I). Upper and lower developmental thresholds ranged between 35.2-37.9 and 11.1-13.0°C, respectively. The optimum temperature for development (where maximum rate of development occurs) was estimated at between 33.6 and 34.7°C. The thermal constant for total development was estimated 474.7 degree-days.

Life tables of Habrobracon hebetor (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitizing Anagasta kuehniella and Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): effect of host density.

The reproductive performance of the parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) against the moths Anagasta kuehniella Zeller and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was studied in the laboratory. The analysis was based on the comparison of parasitoid's life table parameters related to those of its hosts at various conditions of host density (daily supply of 1, 5, 15, and 30 full-grown host larvae). The estimated parameters were the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm), the net reproductive rate (R0), the mean generation time (G), the finite capacity of increase (lambda), the gross reproductive rate (GRR), the doubling time (DT), the reproductive value (Vx), and the life expectancy (ex). The rm of H. hebetor proved to be significantly higher than those of its hosts at all host densities. When only one host per day was supplied, the wasp had the lowest reproductive potential, whereas it was maximized when 15 hosts per day were exposed. Maximum values of R0 and GRR were obtained at densities > or =15 host larvae per day. Any increase in host supply above this threshold did not cause significant changes in life table parameters. Variation of rm as a function of host density can be described by the linear regression. Sex ratio of wasp progeny (females/total) ranged from 0.36 to 0.42, irrespective of host density or species. Newly emerged adults recorded maximum ex and Vx. The results of this study can be used to improve mass rearing programs and inoculative release applications of H. hebetor against moth pests of stored products.

Life tables of Venturia canescens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) parasitizing the Mediterranean flour moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Effects of temperature, adult feeding, and host instar on life table parameters of Venturia canescens Gravenhorst (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) parasitizing larvae of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were studied in the laboratory. Experimental adults lived under various regimes of temperature (15, 20, 25, and 30 degrees C), food supply (with or without access to honey), and host instar (second, third, fourth, and fifth). Temperature increase resulted in higher values of the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)), the net reproductive rate (R(o)), the finite capacity of increase (lambda), and the gross reproductive rate (GRR), whereas it was followed by decrease of the mean generation time (G) and the doubling time (DT) values. Feeding on honey caused remarkable increase of r(m), R(o), and GRR, whereas r(m) and lambda reached their maximum when full-grown hosts (fifth instar) were parasitized. This is the first time life table parameters of V. canescens have been studied. The findings of the current study are discussed on the basis of improving V. canescens performance as a biological agent against moth pests of stored products.

Twice-daily dosing of loracarbef 15 mg/kg versus 30 mg/kg in the treatment of children with acute sinusitis.

Loracarbef is an oral synthetic beta-lactam antibiotic of the carbacephem class. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of loracarbef 15 mg/kg versus 30 mg/kg in children with acute sinusitis. A randomized, parallel-group, clinical study was conducted. Fifty-eight children aged 5-12 years with acute sinusitis were divided into two groups, which received either loracarbef 15 mg/kg/day or 30 mg/kg/day orally, divided in two doses for 10 days. Clinical examination, anterior rhinoscopy and sinus radiographs were performed at the beginning of treatment. Clinical evaluation was repeated in a second session, 0-2 days after the final dose, and in a third session, 30 days after the beginning of the treatment. Sinus X-rays were repeated selectively in the second session and in all patients in the third session. Nineteen of 29 (65.5%) patients in the 15 mg/kg/day group and 26 of 29 (89.6%) in the 30 mg/kg/day group were characterized as completely or clinically cured at the end of the study. In conclusion, a statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups was shown with better results in the 30 mg/kg group. Despite the slight difference in adverse events between the two groups (with fewer adverse events in the 15 mg/kg group), we recommend that if loracarbef is chosen as initial therapy in acute sinusitis, a regimen of 30 mg/kg/day in two doses is followed.

Improvement of otitis media with effusion after treatment of asthma with leukotriene antagonists in children with co-existing disease.

Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a common pediatric disease and there is great controversy concerning its management. Mechanical, medical and surgical treatments have not proven adequate in resolving the disease and serve mainly to manage complications. Leukotriene inhibitors are new drugs that have been approved recently for the treatment of asthma in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of leukotriene inhibitor therapy for asthma on the clinical course of OME in children with co-existing disease. Fifty children with bilateral OME and asthma, divided equally into two groups, were studied. The children in the first group were treated with budesonide and terbutaline inhalers together with the leukotriene inhibitor montelukast, whereas the children in the second group were treated with the inhalers alone. Duration of treatment was 30 days. Pneumatic otoscopy, tympanometry and pure-tone audiometry were performed at the beginning and at the end of treatment. Fifteen (60%) of the children receiving inhalers and montelukast and nine (36%) of those receiving only inhalers were found free of OME after 30 days of therapy. Thus, it may be concluded that a statistically significant beneficial effect on the clinical course of OME resulted from the addition of montelukast to the treatment of children with co-existing asthma and OME. Given that no medication has been shown to be effective in OME therapy, further investigation of the possible effects of leukotriene inhibitors is warranted.

Overexpression of HER-2 in thick melanoma.

In this study we evaluated the overexpression status of HER-2 and its prognostic significance on survival in patients with thick cutaneous malignant melanoma. The immuno-alkaline phosphatase antigen detection technique was applied to archival diagnostic material from 51 patients with primary lesions measuring >or= 10 mm in Breslow thickness. Eleven additional patients with primary lesions measuring

Lack of genotoxicity of silver iodide in the SCE assay in vitro, in vivo, and in the Ames/microsome test.

Silver iodide was evaluated for mutagenicity in the Ames/microsome test (strains TA 1535, TA 102, TA 97, and TA 98) and for the ability to induce Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCE) in human cultured lymphocytes and in P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells cultured in the mouse peritoneal cavity. From the cytogenetic in vitro studies, it was observed that silver iodide, either in acetone solutions or as a suspension with polyacrilamide, scarcely causes a doubling effect on SCEs at nearly toxic concentrations (1 microg/ml). Such a doubling effect by silver iodide on SCEs in P388 leukemia cells in vivo was not achieved even after using 100 microg/g mouse body weight. In the Ames/microsome test actually a doubling effect on revertants was only isolately achieved with 30 microg/ml in TA 102 (S9-) and at 150 microg/ml in TA 97 (S9+) doses, which appear to be nearly toxic for bacteria.

Comparative study on Salmonella mutagenicity and on cytogenetic and antineoplastic effects induced by cyclophosphamide and 3-aminobenzamide in cells of three transplantable tumours in vivo.

Synergistically enhanced sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency by cyclophosphamide (CP) was observed when L1210 lymphoid tumor cells were exposed in vivo to a non-toxic concentration of 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB). Additive effects in SCE induction in vivo were observed when either Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cells or P388 lymphocytic leukemia cells treated with CP were exposed to 3-AB in vivo. 3-AB enhanced the survival time of L1210 tumor bearing BDF1 mice treated with CP. However, the combined CP plus 3-AB treatment did not increase the survival of either EAT BALB/c- or P388 BDF1-tumor bearing mice compared with the effect on survival by CP alone. Therefore the in vivo differential antitumor effect, by CP in conjunction with 3-AB, appears to correlate well with the in vivo differential effect on cytogenetic damage caused by the combined CP plus 3-AB treatment. In the Salmonella typhimurium/mammalian microsome test CP appears to have a dose dependent ability to induce base-pair substitutions in strains TA 100 and TA 1535 and frameshift mutations in strains TA 98 and TA 1537. Both types of mutation were synergistically increased in the presence of 3-AB.

Cervicofacial actinomycosis presenting as acute upper respiratory tract obstruction.

An unusual case of cervicofacial actinomycosis presenting as acute upper airway obstruction and demanding urgent tracheostomy is reported. Diagnosis was established by microscopic examination of the pus and culture of Actinomyces israelii. Repeated surgical drainage of the purulent foci and prolonged treatment with penicillin obtained resolution of the disease. Clinicians dealing with acute head and neck swellings should always consider actinomycosis as a possible diagnosis.

Adult-type rhabdomyoma of the submandibular region.

Adult-type rhabdomyoma is a rare benign tumor which occurs mainly in the head and neck region of middle-aged patients. We present a case of rhabdomyoma of the submandibular region. Clinical and histologic features are discussed as well as differential diagnosis and proper treatment. Finally, all previous reports of adult rhabdomyoma cases are reviewed.

Multiple glomus tumours.

A patient with multiple, synchronous, non-familial head and neck paragangliomas is reported. There were three primary neoplasms, a glomus tympanicum and glomus vagale on the right side and a glomus tumour of the carotid body on the left. Such a combination has never been reported previously. The reports of all the series with paragangliomas in the literature, as well as the reports of single cases with multiple tumours during the last three decades, are reviewed. Specific problems in diagnosis and management of multiple glomus tumours are discussed.

Trichinosis and cancer of the larynx.

A case of trichinosis of the laryngeal muscles which was discovered accidentally during total laryngectomy for cancer of the larynx is presented. Trichinosis is a rare parasitic disease, particularly for the ENT specialist. It is difficult to identify during life. No specific treatment is available. In our case it is suggested that the chronic irritation of the larynx may have resulted in the growth of the cancer.

Enhanced genotoxicity by melphalan and hyperthermia in chronic heroin addicts.

Spontaneous melphalan- (MEL-) and MEL-hyperthermia- (MEL-HYP-) induced sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies have been studied in 12 chronic heroin addicts (HER AD) and in 12 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The incidence of spontaneous SCEs in lymphocytes from the HER AD was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) than those from the control subjects. When exposed to MEL in vitro, cells from both groups showed an increase in SCE frequency with yields from HER AD higher than those from controls. When exposed to MEL and hyperthermia (41.5 degrees C for 3 h) in vitro, cells from both groups showed further increases in SCE frequency with yields from HER AD higher than those from controls. We observed that hyperthermia (HYP) in combination with MEL synergistically enhances SCEs and cell division delays in both groups, with the synergistic effects in cells from HER AD higher than those from controls.

Prevention of post-operative intra-nasal adhesions (a new material).

A new material, the wax paper enveloping the Fucidin gauze which is routinely used to pack the nose post-operatively, was utilized in 120 cases considered as 'high-risk' for the formation of post-operative nasal adhesions. This proved to be an inexpensive, simple and effective method when the prevention of the formation of nasal adhesions was the primary goal.