Diel flight activity in response to attractants in the predatory beetle, Cathartus quadricollis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) in macadamia nut in Hawaii.

The diel flight activity in Cathartus quadricollis (Guerin-Meneville) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae), a predator of two important pests in Hawaii, coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) and tropical nut borer, Hypothenemus obscurus (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) was studied in a macadamia nut orchard using yellow sticky traps baited with pheromone and fungal volatile attractants. The study was conducted at different months throughout the year and at different times during the lunar cycle (new moon and full moon). Flight activity peaked in the late hours of the photophase into the early hours of the scotophase, between 1830 and 2000 h; flight activity also occurred but to a lesser extent in the early morning hours between 0700 and 1030 h. Numbers of captured C. quadricollis during periods of flight activity were negatively correlated with wind speed. The implications of these findings for the development of optimal pest management strategies including biological control are discussed.

Efficacy of X-Ray Phytosanitary Irradiation on the Infectivity and Reproduction of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Experimentally Infected Rats.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a globally distributed nematode and the leading cause of eosinophilic meningitis in humans. As a global hotspot for this disease, Hawaii's agricultural exports may be contributing to the spread of A. cantonensis. Phytosanitary irradiation doses of 150 or 400 Gy provide quarantine security against multiple insect pests. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo effects of phytosanitary irradiation on infectious, third-stage, A. cantonensis larvae. In vitro experiments directly exposed larvae to irradiation doses ranging from 200 to 1,000 Gy. Results showed low mortality and no dose response across all treatments 27 days post-irradiation. In vivo studies isolated larvae from wild-caught Parmarion martensi after exposure to x-ray irradiation at doses of 0, 150, and 400 Gy and infected them into laboratory rats. Fourteen rats were assigned to each treatment and infected with 50 larvae from their assigned irradiation dose. Results at 3 and 6 weeks post-infection demonstrated a significant negative dose response in regard to the number of larvae that migrated to the brain and adults found in the pulmonary artery. No irradiated larvae that grew into adults were able to produce eggs. These findings indicate that x-ray irradiation does not result in the direct mortality of A. cantonensis larvae; however, it does affect the infectivity and reproduction of A. cantonensis within its definitive host, the rat. Phytosanitary irradiation at doses ≥150 Gy appears to be an effective means of preventing the establishment of viable populations of A. cantonensis, thus reducing the potential for global spread due to agricultural exports from Hawaii.

A conceptual framework for queer, black womxn sexual assault survivors: an adaptation of the minoritised stress model.

Queer, Black womxn experience sexual assault at an alarming rate in the USA leading to adverse mental and physical health outcomes in survivors. A synthesis of the literature was conducted to understand their unique lived experiences and needs. This article proposes an adapted Meyer's Minoritised Stress framework to understand salient clinical factors impacting Queer, Black womxn sexual assault survivors, including those associated with multiple minoritised identities: Queer-based trauma, race-based trauma, cultural betrayal trauma, and misogynoir. Given the high rates of victimisation, marginalisation and discrimination, psychologists and others working with members of this population should engage with and address these factors to provide culturally responsive, sexually affirming and effective mental health treatment and care.

Susceptibility of 'Malama' Avocados to Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawai'i and a Proposed Systems Approach for Market Access.

Avocados are generally poor hosts or nonhosts for tephritid fruit flies, which can influence the type of mitigation measures required by export protocols for trade. We conducted experiments to determine the susceptibility of the avocado, Persea americana, cv. 'Malama' to infestation by Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in Hawai'i using laboratory and field no-choice cage tests, together with field sampling. In no-choice cage tests, infestation rates increased with decreasing fruit firmness over time after harvest. Although risk of infestation was negatively correlated with fruit firmness, about 50% of mature hard fruit exposed immediately after harvest became infested. In field cage tests, mature hard fruit on the tree at the 25% purple color stage were not infested, whereas fruit at the 50, 75, and 100% purple color stages were infested at relatively low rates. Field sampling of fallen 'Malama' fruit over two seasons showed no natural infestation by B. dorsalis and trap captures in avocado orchards using McPhail traps containing protein bait lures averaged 0.13 ± 0.03 (mean ± SE) flies per trap per week, underscoring the low prevalence of fruit flies in avocado orchards and the poor host quality of this cultivar. A systems approach based on poor host status, low prevalence, and a limited harvest period (October to March) and distribution area (northern tier states) is proposed to export 'Malama' avocados from Hawai'i to the continental United States.

Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteome Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Adult Rhesus Monkeys Exposed to Cocaine throughout Gestation.

Cocaine use disorder has been reported to cause transgenerational effects. However, due to the lack of standardized biomarkers, the effects of cocaine use during pregnancy on postnatal development and long-term neurobiological and behavioral outcomes have not been investigated thoroughly. Therefore, in this study, we examined extracellular vesicles (EVs) in adult (~12 years old) female and male rhesus monkeys prenatally exposed to cocaine (n = 11) and controls (n = 9). EVs were isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and characterized for the surface expression of specific tetraspanins, concentration (particles/mL), size distribution, and cargo proteins by mass spectrometry (MS). Transmission electron microscopy following immunogold labeling for tetraspanins (CD63, CD9, and CD81) confirmed the successful isolation of EVs. Nanoparticle tracking analyses showed that the majority of the particles were <200 nm in size, suggesting an enrichment for small EVs (sEV). Interestingly, the prenatally cocaine-exposed group showed ~54% less EV concentration in CSF compared to the control group. For each group, MS analyses identified a number of proteins loaded in CSF-EVs, many of which are commonly listed in the ExoCarta database. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) demonstrated the association of cargo EV proteins with canonical pathways, diseases and disorders, upstream regulators, and top enriched network. Lastly, significantly altered proteins between groups were similarly characterized by IPA, suggesting that prenatal cocaine exposure could be potentially associated with long-term neuroinflammation and risk for neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, these results indicate that CSF-EVs could potentially serve as biomarkers to assess the transgenerational adverse effects due to prenatal cocaine exposure.

In vivo efficacy of pyrantel pamoate as a post-exposure prophylactic for rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis).

Rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) is a neurotropic nematode, and the leading cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide. The parasite is usually contracted through ingestion of infected gastropods, often hidden in raw or partially cooked produce. Pharmaceutical grade pyrantel pamoate was evaluated as a post-exposure prophylactic against A. cantonensis. Pyrantel pamoate is readily available over-the-counter in most pharmacies in the USA and possesses anthelmintic activity exclusive to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Administering pyrantel pamoate immediately after exposure should theoretically paralyze the larvae in the GIT, causing the larvae to be expelled via peristalsis without entering the systemic circulation. In this study, pyrantel pamoate (11 mg/kg) was orally administered to experimentally infected rats at 0, 2-, 4-, 6-, or 8-h post-infection. The rats were euthanized six weeks post-infection, and worm burden was evaluated from the heart-lung complex. This is the first in vivo study to evaluate its efficacy against A. cantonensis. This study demonstrates that pyrantel pamoate can significantly reduce worm burden by 53-72% (P = 0.004), and thus likely reduce the severity of infection that is known to be associated with worm burden. This paralyzing effect of pyrantel pamoate on the parasite may also be beneficial for delaying the establishment of infection until a more suitable anthelmintic such as albendazole is made available to the patient.

Poor Host Status of Australian Finger Lime, Citrus australasica, to Ceratitis capitata, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, and Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Hawai'i.

We examined the host status of the Australian finger lime, Citrus australiasica F. Muell. (Rutaceae), to Hawai'i's tephritid fruit fly pests using laboratory and field studies. In high-density (500 flies, 1:1 males and females) no-choice cage exposures (25 × 25 × 25-cm cage size), both undamaged and punctured finger limes were infested by Ceratitis capitata and Zeugodacuscucurbitae at a low rate compared to papaya controls, whereas Bactrocera dorsalis did not infest undamaged fruit, suggesting finger lime is a nonhost. In low-density (50 females) no-choice cage exposures, C. capitata and Z. cucurbitae readily oviposited in undamaged fruit but individuals rarely developed to the pupal or adult stage. For C. capitata, 274 finger limes exposed to 2000 gravid females, which laid an estimated 14,384 eggs, produced two pupae and no adults. For Z. cucurbitae, 299 fruit exposed to 2000 gravid females, which laid an estimated 4484 eggs, produced four pupae and one adult. Field sampling of undamaged fruit from the tree and off the ground from commercial farms produced five C. capitata pupa and one adult from 1119 fruit, for an infestation rate of 0.05 flies per kilogram of fruit; field collections found no natural Z. cucurbitae or B. dorsalis infestation, but the number of fruit available was too low to demonstrate nonhost status with a high degree of confidence.

Phytosanitary irradiation using X-rays prevents reproduction in the semi-slug Parmarion martensi (Stylommatophora: Ariophantidae), a host of the human pathogenic nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Rhabditida: Angiostrongylidae).

BACKGROUND: Phytosanitary irradiation is used to control insect pests of quarantine concern on exported fresh horticultural products. Generic irradiation doses of 150 and 400 Gy are approved for tephritid fruit flies and all other insects, respectively. Other invertebrates such as gastropods (snails and slugs) may be classified as quarantine pests and require a disinfestation treatment. Parmarion martensi Simroth (Stylommatophora: Ariophantidae) is a semi-slug quarantine pest sometimes found on fresh sweet potatoes and other fruits and vegetables exported from Hawai'i to the continental USA. Also, P. martensi is a host of the parasitic nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Rhabditida: Angiostrongylidae), the causative agent of neuroangiostrongyliasis or rat lungworm disease in humans. We conducted a study to determine if phytosanitary irradiation could control P. martensi and thereby reduce the risk of transmitting A. cantonensis in the USA. RESULTS: Two-, 12-, and 21-week-old P. martensi were treated with X-ray radiation at a dose of 150 or 400 Gy or left untreated as controls then held in the laboratory for up to 250 days. Survivorship and reproduction were recorded every 2-3 days and individual weights were measured biweekly. Irradiation at 150 and 400 Gy reduced growth and increased the mortality rate compared to untreated controls and prevented reproduction. CONCLUSION: Phytosanitary irradiation treatment at doses ≥150 Gy will prevent the establishment of viable populations of P. martensi. The literature on radiation tolerance in gastropods suggests that the internationally approved generic dose for tephritid fruit flies of 150 Gy may be effective against many slug and snail pest species.

Cannabinoid Modulation of Dopamine Release During Motivation, Periodic Reinforcement, Exploratory Behavior, Habit Formation, and Attention.

Motivational and attentional processes energize action sequences to facilitate evolutionary competition and promote behavioral fitness. Decades of neuropharmacology, electrophysiology and electrochemistry research indicate that the mesocorticolimbic DA pathway modulates both motivation and attention. More recently, it was realized that mesocorticolimbic DA function is tightly regulated by the brain's endocannabinoid system and greatly influenced by exogenous cannabinoids-which have been harnessed by humanity for medicinal, ritualistic, and recreational uses for 12,000 years. Exogenous cannabinoids, like the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, produce their effects by acting at binding sites for naturally occurring endocannabinoids. The brain's endocannabinoid system consists of two G-protein coupled receptors, endogenous lipid ligands for these receptor targets, and several synthetic and metabolic enzymes involved in their production and degradation. Emerging evidence indicates that the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol is necessary to observe concurrent increases in DA release and motivated behavior. And the historical pharmacology literature indicates a role for cannabinoid signaling in both motivational and attentional processes. While both types of behaviors have been scrutinized under manipulation by either DA or cannabinoid agents, there is considerably less insight into prospective interactions between these two important signaling systems. This review attempts to summate the relevance of cannabinoid modulation of DA release during operant tasks designed to investigate either motivational or attentional control of behavior. We first describe how cannabinoids influence DA release and goal-directed action under a variety of reinforcement contingencies. Then we consider the role that endocannabinoids might play in switching an animal's motivation from a goal-directed action to the search for an alternative outcome, in addition to the formation of long-term habits. Finally, dissociable features of attentional behavior using both the 5-choice serial reaction time task and the attentional set-shifting task are discussed along with their distinct influences by DA and cannabinoids. We end with discussing potential targets for further research regarding DA-cannabinoid interactions within key substrates involved in motivation and attention.

Endocannabinoid modulation of dopamine release during reward seeking, interval timing, and avoidance.

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are neuromodulators that influence a wide range of neural systems and behaviors. In the current review, we describe our recent research showing how eCBs, particularly 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), concurrently shape mesolimbic dopamine (DA) release and associated behavior. We will restrict our discussion by emphasizing three distinct behaviors: reward seeking, interval timing, and active avoidance. During reward seeking we find that 2-AG is necessary to observe cue-evoked DA release events that are thought to represent the value of a rewarding outcome. We then describe data showing that 2-AG modulates unique patterns of DA release and behavior observed under conditions of periodic reinforcement. These data are discussed within the context of interval timing and adjunctive behavior. eCB modulation of DA release is also implicated in defensive behavior, including the avoidance of harm. As in reward seeking, our data suggest that the concentration of DA that is evoked by a warning signal can represent the value of an avoidance outcome. And, disrupting eCB signaling concomitantly reduces the concentration of the avoidance value signal and active avoidance. Disruptions in reward seeking, interval timing, and defensive behavior are commonly observed in a variety of movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson's and Huntington's disease) and disorders of motivation (e.g., addiction). We believe our data on eCB-DA interactions have implications for the development of novel pharmacotherapies to treat these disorders. Thus, we conclude by discussing how eCB pharmacology might be harnessed to treat disorders of movement and motivation.

Chronic cannabinoid exposure produces tolerance to the dopamine releasing effects of WIN 55,212-2 and heroin in adult male rats.

Synthetic cannabinoids were introduced into recreational drug culture in 2008 and quickly became one of the most commonly abused drugs in the United States. The neurobiological consequences resulting from synthetic cannabinoid repeated exposure remain poorly understood. It is possible that a blunted dopamine (DA) response may lead drug users to consume larger quantities to compensate for this form of neurochemical tolerance. Because the endogenous cannabinoid and opioid systems exhibit considerable cross-talk and cross-tolerance frequently develops following repeated exposure to either opioids or cannabinoids, there is interest in investigating whether a history of synthetic cannabinoid exposure influences the ability of heroin to increase DA release. To test the effects of chronic cannabinoid exposure on cannabinoid- and heroin-evoked DA release, male adult rats were treated with either vehicle or a synthetic cannabinoid (WIN55-212-2; WIN) using an intravenous (IV) dose escalation regimen (0.2-0.8 mg/kg IV over 9 treatments). As predicted, WIN-treated rats showed a rightward shift in the dose-response relationship across all behavioral/physiological measures when compared to vehicle-treated controls. Then, using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry to measure changes in the frequency of transient DA events in the nucleus accumbens shell of awake and freely-moving rats, it was observed that the DA releasing effects of both WIN and heroin were significantly reduced in male rats with a pharmacological history of cannabinoid exposure. These results demonstrate that repeated exposure to the synthetic cannabinoid WIN can produce tolerance to its DA releasing effects and cross-tolerance to the DA releasing effects of heroin.

Demographics of the semi-slug Parmarion martensi, an intermediate host for Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Hawai'i, during laboratory rearing.

The semi-slug, Parmarion martensi, is an intermediate host of the zoonotic nematode, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the aetiological agent of neuroangiostrongyliasis or rat lungworm disease in humans. Rearing methods were developed for P. martensi to facilitate studies on nematode transmission and control. Parmarion martensi exhibited high survivorship when reared on a diet of dog food and fresh fruits and vegetables in temperature-controlled cabinets at 21.4°C, 98% relative humidity and 12:12 L:D cycle. Rearing containers were lined with moist paper towels for substrate and plastic pots were provided for hiding/resting and egg-laying. Under these conditions, time to first reproduction was 165.3 ± 12.3 days, fecundity was approximately 34.5 ± 7.8 eggs per adult, and hatch rate was 52.7 ± 3.2%. Survivorship post egg hatch was 86.2 ± 2.9% at 30 days (neonates had a mortality rate of about 14%) and 99% thereafter for up to a year. The demographics of laboratory-reared and wild-caught P. martensi were similar except for the weight of reproductive adults, which was significantly higher in laboratory-reared adults (4.0 ± 0.2 g) than in field-collected adults (1.5 ± 0.1 g).

Buprenorphine is a weak dopamine releaser relative to heroin, but its pretreatment attenuates heroin-evoked dopamine release in rats.

AIMS: The United States of America is currently in an opioid epidemic. Heroin remains the most lethal opioid option with its death rate increasing by over 500% in the last decade. The rewarding and reinforcing effects of heroin are thought to be mediated by its ability to increase dopamine concentration in the nucleus accumbens shell. By activating Gi/o-coupled µ-opioid receptors, opioids are thought to indirectly excite midbrain dopamine neurons by removing an inhibitory GABAergic tone. The partial µ-opioid receptor agonist buprenorphine is a substitution-based therapy for heroin dependence that is thought to produce a steady-state level of µ-opioid receptor activation. But it remains unclear how buprenorphine alters dopamine release relative to heroin and how buprenorphine alters the dopamine-releasing effects of heroin. Because buprenorphine is a partial agonist at the µ-opioid receptor and heroin is a full agonist, we predicted that buprenorphine would function as a weak dopamine releaser relative to heroin, while functioning as a competitive antagonist if administered in advance of heroin. METHODS: We performed fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in awake and behaving rats to measure how heroin, buprenorphine HCl, and their combination affect transient dopamine release events in the nucleus accumbens shell. We also performed a complimentary pharmacokinetic analysis comparing opioid plasma levels at time points correlated to our neurochemical findings. RESULTS: Both buprenorphine and heroin produced changes in the frequency of transient dopamine release events, although the effect of buprenorphine was weak and only observed at a low dose. In comparison with vehicle, the frequency of dopamine release events maximally increased by ~25% following buprenorphine treatment and by ~60% following heroin treatment. Distinct neuropharmacological effects were observed in the high-dose range. The frequency of dopamine release events increased linearly with heroin dose but biphasically with buprenorphine dose. We also found that buprenorphine pretreatment occluded the dopamine-releasing effects of heroin, but plasma levels of buprenorphine had returned to baseline at this time point. CONCLUSION: These findings support the notion that low-dose buprenorphine is a weak dopamine releaser relative to heroin and that buprenorphine pretreatment can block the dopamine-releasing effects of heroin. The finding that high-dose buprenorphine fails to increase dopamine release might explain its relatively low abuse potential among opioid-dependent populations. Because high-dose buprenorphine decreased dopamine release before occluding heroin-evoked dopamine release, and buprenorphine was no longer detected in plasma, we conclude that the mechanisms through which buprenorphine blocks heroin-evoked dopamine release involve multifaceted pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions.

Impact of a Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program on Health Outcomes and Behaviors in Young Navajo Children.

BACKGROUND: Rates of childhood obesity are higher in American Indian and Alaska Native populations, and food insecurity plays a major role in diet-related disparities. To address this need, local healthcare providers and a local nonprofit launched the Navajo Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Program in 2015. Children up to 6 y of age and their caregivers are enrolled in the 6-mo program by healthcare providers. Families attend monthly health coaching sessions where they receive vouchers redeemable for fruits, vegetables, and healthy traditional foods at retailers participating in the FVRx program. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the impact of a fruit and vegetable prescription program on the health outcomes and behaviors of participating children. METHODS: Caregivers completed voluntary surveys to assess food security, fruit and vegetable consumption, hours of sleep, and minutes of physical activity; healthcare providers also measured children's body mass index [BMI (kg/m2)] z score at initiation and completion of the program. We calculated changes in health behaviors, BMI, and food security at the end of the program, compared with baseline values. RESULTS: A total of 243 Navajo children enrolled in Navajo FVRx between May 2015 and September 2018. Fruit and vegetable consumption significantly increased from 5.2 to 6.8 servings per day between initiation and program completion (P < 0.001). The proportion of participant households reporting food insecurity significantly decreased from 82% to 65% (P < 0.001). Among children classified as overweight or obese at baseline, 38% achieved a healthy BMI z score at program completion (P < 0.001). Sixty-five percent of children were retained in the program. CONCLUSIONS: The Navajo FVRx program improves fruit and vegetable consumption among young children. Children who are obese or overweight may benefit most from the program.

Undergraduate Biology Education Research Gordon Research Conference: A Meeting Report.

The 2019 Undergraduate Biology Education Research Gordon Research Conference (UBER GRC), titled "Achieving Widespread Improvement in Undergraduate Education," brought together a diverse group of researchers and practitioners working to identify, promote, and understand widespread adoption of evidence-based teaching, learning, and success strategies in undergraduate biology. Graduate students and postdocs had the additional opportunity to present and discuss research during a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) that preceded the GRC. This report provides a broad overview of the UBER GRC and GRS and highlights major themes that cut across invited talks, poster presentations, and informal discussions. Such themes include the importance of working in teams at multiple levels to achieve instructional improvement, the potential to use big data and analytics to inform instructional change, the need to customize change initiatives, and the importance of psychosocial supports in improving undergraduate student well-being and academic success. The report also discusses the future of the UBER GRC as an established meeting and describes aspects of the conference that make it unique, both in terms of facilitating dissemination of research and providing a welcoming environment for conferees.

Implementation of the Navajo fruit and vegetable prescription programme to improve access to healthy foods in a rural food desert.

OBJECTIVE: To utilise a community-based participatory approach in the design and implementation of an intervention targeting diet-related health problems on Navajo Nation. DESIGN: A dual strategy approach of community needs/assets assessment and engagement of cross-sectorial partners in programme design with systematic cyclical feedback for programme modifications. SETTING: Navajo Nation, USA. PARTICIPANTS: Navajo families with individuals meeting criteria for programme enrolment. Participant enrolment increased with iterative cycles. RESULTS: The Navajo Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Programme. CONCLUSIONS: A broad, community-driven and culturally relevant programme design has resulted in a programme able to maintain core programmatic principles, while also allowing for flexible adaptation to changing needs.

Coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) development across an elevational gradient on Hawai'i Island: Applying laboratory degree-day predictions to natural field populations.

Coffee berry borer (CBB, Hypothenemus hampei) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is the most destructive pest of coffee worldwide. Information on CBB development times can be used to predict the initiation of new infestation cycles early in the coffee-growing season and thus inform the timing of insecticide applications. While laboratory estimates of CBB development under constant conditions exist, they have not been applied under the heterogeneous environmental conditions that characterize many coffee-growing regions. We measured CBB development times and abundance in commercial coffee farms across an elevational gradient on Hawai'i Island and applied thermal accumulation models from previous laboratory studies to test their fit to field data. Artificial lures were used to infest coffee berries at five farms ranging in elevation from 279-792 m, and weather variables were monitored at macro (farm-level) and micro (branch-level) scales. CBB development was followed in the field from the time of initial berry infestation by the founding female through the development of F1 mature adults. Mean development time from egg to adult across all sites was 38.5 ± 3.46 days, while the mean time required for the completion of a full life cycle (from time of infestation to presence of mature F1 females) was 50.9 ± 3.35 days. Development time increased with increasing elevation and decreasing temperature. Using macro-scale temperature data and two different estimates for the lower temperature threshold (14.9°C and 13.9°C), we estimated a mean requirement of 332 ± 14 degree-days and 386 ± 16 degree-days, respectively, from the time of berry infestation to the initiation of a new reproductive cycle in mature coffee berries. Similar estimates were obtained using micro-scale temperature data, indicating that macro-scale temperature monitoring is sufficient for life-cycle prediction. We also present a model relating elevation to number of CBB generations per month. Our findings suggest that CBB development times from laboratory studies are generally applicable to field conditions on Hawai'i Island and can be used as a decision support tool to improve IPM strategies for this worldwide pest of coffee.

Time Course, Behavioral Safety, and Protective Efficacy of Centrally Active Reversible Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors in Cynomolgus Macaques.

Galantamine hydrobromide and (-)huperzine A, centrally active reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, are potentially superior to the current standard, pyridostigmine bromide, as a pretreatment for organophosphorus chemical warfare nerve agent intoxication. Galantamine, huperzine, and pyridostigmine were compared for time course of acetylcholinesterase inhibition in 12 cynomolgus macaques. Although both galantamine and huperzine shared a similar time course profile for acetylcholinesterase inhibition, huperzine was 88 times more potent than galantamine. The dose for 50% acetylcholinesterase inhibition (ID50) was 4.1 ug/kg for huperzine, 362 ug/kg for galantamine, and 30.9 ug/kg for pyridostigmine. In a safety assessment, galantamine, huperzine, and pyridostigmine were examined using an operant time-estimation task. Huperzine and pyridostigmine were devoid of behavioral toxicity, whereas galantamine was behaviorally toxic at doses producing peak acetylcholinesterase inhibition of about 50% and higher. Following pretreatment with galantamine, huperzine or pyridostigmine, monkeys were challenged with the median lethal dose of soman at the time of peak acetylcholinesterase inhibition and evaluated for overt signs of soman toxicity (cholinergic crisis, convulsions). Both huperzine and galantamine were equally effective at preventing overt signs of soman toxicity, but neither drug was capable of preventing soman-induced neurobehavioral disruption. In contrast, three of four pyridostigmine-pretreated animals exposed to soman exhibited convulsions and required therapy. Full functional recovery required 3-16 days. The degree of acetylcholinesterase inhibition was lower for pyridostigmine, but rates of recovery of acetylcholinesterase activity following soman challenge were comparable for all drug pretreatments. Huperzine may be the more promising centrally active reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor due to its greater potency and superior safety profile.

Delayed match-to-sample performance in African green monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus): effects of benzodiazepine, cholinergic, and anticholinergic drugs.

Delayed match-to-sample (DMTS) procedures are among the most commonly used attention and memory tasks in behavioral pharmacology and have been utilized in a variety of species. Although macaque species such as the rhesus and cynomolgus macaque are often used for such studies, availability and disease transmission raise concerns over their use. The present study investigated whether the African green monkey might function as a suitable alternative by evaluating operant performance on a DMTS task and comparing this species' response to some commonly used drugs (0.025-0.075 mg/kg physostigmine, 0.0033-0.03 mg/kg scopolamine, 0.014-0.44 mg/kg atropine, 0.125-1.0 mg/kg midazolam, and 0.125-2.0 mg/kg diazepam) to the responses previously reported in macaques. Results demonstrated that African green monkeys are capable of learning and performing a DMTS task, and dose-effect functions for behavioral pharmacology were quite similar to those reported for rhesus macaques and other nonhuman primate species. Thus, the African green monkey may function as a suitable alternative to macaque species in behavioral pharmacology research.

Behavioral characterization of adult male and female rhesus monkeys exposed to cocaine throughout gestation.

RATIONALE: In utero cocaine exposure has been associated with alterations in the dopamine (DA) system in monkeys. However, the behavioral outcomes of prenatal cocaine exposure in adulthood are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To assess several behavioral measures in 14-year-old rhesus monkeys exposed to cocaine in utero and controls (n = 10 per group). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For these studies, two unconditioned behavioral tasks, novel object reactivity and locomotor activity, and two conditioned behavioral tasks, response extinction and delay discounting, were examined. In addition, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were analyzed for concentrations of the monoamine metabolites homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA). RESULTS: No differences in CSF concentrations of 5-HIAA and HVA, latencies to touch a novel object or locomotor activity measures were observed between groups or sexes. However, prenatally cocaine-exposed monkeys required a significantly greater number of sessions to reach criteria for extinction of food-reinforced behavior than control monkeys. On the delay-discounting task, male prenatally cocaine-exposed monkeys switched preference from the larger reinforcer to the smaller one at shorter delay values than male control monkeys; no differences were observed in females. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that prenatal cocaine exposure results in long-term neurobehavioral deficits that are influenced by sex of the individual.