A novel use of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) as inoculative agent of baculoviruses.

BACKGROUND: Alphabaculoviruses are Lepidoptera-specific virulent pathogens that infect numerous pests, including the Spodoptera complex. Due to their low environmental persistence, the traditional use of Alphabaculoviruses as bioinsecticides consist in high-rate spray applications with repeated treatments. Several abiotic and biotic factors can foster its dispersion, promoting their persistence in the agroecosystem. Amongst biotic factors, predatory arthropods can disperse the viruses by excretion after preying on infected individuals. Therefore, this study focused on promoting predator's ingestion of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV)-treated diets, and the later exposition of the insect host to leaf surfaces contaminated with predator excreta. The virus-host-predator system studied was Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpliNPV), Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter). The infective potential of N. tenuis feces and the retention time of SpliNPV were assessed under laboratory conditions after feeding on treated diets (sucrose solution and Ephestia kuehniella eggs). RESULTS: Mortality of S. littoralis larvae was lower via N. tenuis excretion than in positive control (spray application) in the first infection cycle, together with a delay in host death. In the second infection cycle, both SpliNPV-treated diets triggered 100% mortality. Both diets allowed the transmission of SpliNPV, with a faster excretion via sucrose solution compared to E. kuehniella eggs. SpliNPV remained in N. tenuis digestive tract and was viable after excretion at least for 9 days for both diets. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the potential of the predator N. tenuis as inoculative agent of baculoviruses, representing a new alternative that, along with inundative applications, might contribute to improve pest management strategies. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Risk factors for surgical failure in patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: Primary hyperparathyroidism is the third most common endocrine disease. The aim of our study was to determine long-term outcomes and risk factors for persistence in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: Retrospective study including patients undergoing parathyroidectomy between 2009-2019. Cure was defined as reestablishment of normal calcium homeostasis lasting a minimum of 6 months. Persistence was defined by ongoing hypercalcemia more than 6 months after surgery. Recurrent PHTP was defined by recurrence of hypercalcemia after a normocalcemic interval at more than 6 months after surgery. A more detailed analysis was performed on patients with normocalcemia and persistently elevated PTH levels after surgery. Variables independently related to persistence were analyzed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: We included 212 patients. Mean age was 59 years and 83% were women. Cure was observed in 204 patients (96.2%), persistence in 8 (3.8%) and recurrence in 3 (1.4%). Four patients (1.9%) presented normocalcemia and persistently elevated PTH after surgery. All presented parathyroid pathology (2 adenomas and 2 hyperplasia). In follow-up we observed that adenoma subgroup presented one patient with CKD and one with vitamin D deficiency while in the hyperplasia subgroup two patients presented CKD. Persistence was independently associated with hyperplasia (Odds ratio = 12.6, IC95% = 1.28-124, p = 0.030) and normal parathyroid tissue (Odds ratio = 188, IC95% = 9.33-379, p = 0.001) on histopathological report. CONCLUSION: Primary hyperparathyroidism is a safe procedure in terms of morbidity and long-term outcomes. Hyperplasia and normal parathyroid tissue on histopathological report are risk factors for persistence. An interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach is required to prevent persistence.

Risk factors for surgical failure in patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism. / Factores de riesgo de persistencia en pacientes con tratamiento quirúrgico de hiperparatiroidismo primario.

INTRODUCTION: Primary hyperparathyroidism is the third most common endocrine disease. The aim of our study was to determine long-term outcomes and risk factors for persistence in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: Retrospective study including patients undergoing parathyroidectomy between 2009- 2019. Cure was defined as reestablishment of normal calcium homeostasis lasting a minimum of 6 months. Persistence was defined by ongoing hypercalcemia more than 6 months after surgery. Recurrent PHTP was defined by recurrence of hypercalcemia after a normocalcemic interval at more than 6 months after surgery. A more detailed analysis was performed on patients with normocalcemia and persistently elevated PTH levels after surgery. Variables independently related to persistence were analyzed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: We included 212 patients. Mean age was 59 years and 83% were women. Cure was observed in 204 patients (96.2%), persistence in 8 (3.8%) and recurrence in 3 (1.4%). Four patients (1.9%) presented normocalcemia and persistently elevated PTH after surgery. All presented parathyroid pathology (2 adenomas and 2 hyperplasia). In follow-up we observed that adenoma subgroup presented one patient with CKD and one with vitamin D deficiency while in the hyperplasia subgroup two patients presented CKD. Persistence was independently associated with hyperplasia (Odds ratio=12.6, IC95%=1.28-124, p=0.030) and normal parathyroid tissue (Odds ratio=188, IC95%=9.33-379, p=0.001) on histopathological report. CONCLUSIóN: Primary hyperparathyroidism is a safe procedure in terms of morbidity and long-term outcomes. Hyperplasia and normal parathyroid tissue on histopathological report are risk factors for persistence. An interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach is required to prevent persistence.

The Role of Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) as a Potential Dispersive Agent of Noctuid Baculoviruses.

Baculoviruses (BV) are highly effective against lepidopteran pests of economic importance such as Spodoptera exigua. The combined use of entomopathogens and macrobiological control agents requires the study of their relationships. Laboratory bioassays were developed to evaluate the interactions between the multiple nucleopolyhedroviruses of S. exigua (SeMNPV) and Autographa californica (AcMNPV), and the predator Chrysoperla carnea. The microscopic examination of predator's excreta (larval drops and meconia) after the ingestion of BV-infected S. exigua revealed the presence of viral occlusion bodies (OBs). The reinfection of S. exigua larvae with BVs-contaminated excreta by using OBs water suspensions or by direct application both yielded high mortality values but different speed-of-kill results. Meconia killed before in suspensions due to their higher viral load and larval excretion drops did so in direct application due to their liquid nature and their easiness of consumption. The prey-mediated ingestion of SeMNPV and AcMNPV triggered slight effects in C. carnea, which were probably derived from the food nutritional quality. Chrysoperla carnea larvae did not discriminate between healthy and BV-infected S. exigua, while a preference was shown for S. exigua (healthy or infected) vs. Macrosiphum euphorbiae. Our findings present C. carnea, and particularly its larvae, as a promissory candidate for BV dispersion in the field.

Lethal and sublethal effects of pesticides on Chrysoperla carnea larvae (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and the influence of rainfastness in their degradation pattern over time.

The predator Chrysoperla carnea is a model species for the study of non-target effects of pesticides under different scenarios: registration of plant protection products under the European Union and effects of the Bt toxin. Laboratory and persistence studies were carried out with six pesticides currently used in corn crops in Spain that were applied at their maximum field recommended concentrations. The assessed end-points were larval mortality, survivorship until adult stage, duration of the larval and pupal periods, fecundity, fertility and sex ratio of the emerged adults. Based on the total effect (lethal and sublethal) caused to L3 larvae in contact with fresh residues in the laboratory, pendimethalin was harmless (IOBC 1), lambda-cyhalothrin, abamectin, and hexythiazox were slightly harmful (IOBC 2), deltamethrin was moderately harmful (IOBC 3) and chlorpyrifos was harmful (IOBC 4). Afterwards, the residues of the two most toxic pesticides in the lab (deltamethrin and chlorpyrifos) were aged under greenhouse conditions (22 ± 2 °C, 40 ± 10 % R.H., 16.9 µmol m(-2) s(-1) UV radiation) in the presence and absence of artificial rainfall (10 l m(-2) h(-1), applied 24 h after pesticide application). Deltamethrin was classified as short lived (IOBC A) in both cases. However, degradation of chlorpyrifos residues was accelerated in the presence of rainfall, leading to the classification as slightly persistent (IOBC B), while in absence of rainfall it behaved as persistent (IOBC D). Every pesticide can be recommended for inclusion in corn IPM programs where the predator is present except chlorpyrifos that exhibited high direct toxicity in the lab and prolonged residual action even in the presence of rainfall.