Mating Disruption of the California Red Scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Central California Citrus.

A warmer climate and the development of pesticide resistance have led to an increase in the number of generations and higher population densities of California red scale, Aonidella aurantii (Maskell) in central California. Commercial citrus orchard studies were conducted to determine how effective mating disruption using CheckMate CRS was at reducing A. aurantii. In 2016-2017, two replicated trials were conducted in 15.0-15.5 ha orchards and in 2018 and 2019, one half of each of 10 orchards 8-16.2 ha in size were treated with CheckMate CRS. Mating disruption significantly suppressed male captures for up to 8 mo. Average reductions of 90% in cumulative male flight trap catches were recorded, twig and leaf infestations were reduced by 95%, and highly scale-infested fruit were reduced by 75% in the CheckMate CRS plots for the 2018 and 2019 trials. In seven of 12 sites the percentage of highly infested fruit was reduced below 0.5%. Leaf and twig infestations in August and reductions in male captures during the 4th flight were strongly related to the percentage of highly infested fruit at the end of the season and could be used as predictors of the success of mating disruption. The results of the study indicated mating disruption using CheckMate CRS can be an effective method to reduce California red scale populations throughout the 4+ generations that occur in central California. Mating disruption has the potential to reduce or eliminate pesticide applications, especially in low scale density situations.

The effects of pre-sleep consumption of casein protein on next-morning measures of RMR and appetite compared between sedentary pre- and postmenopausal women.

The purpose of the present study was to compare next-morning responses of RMR and appetite to pre-sleep consumption of casein protein (CP) in pre- and postmenopausal women. The study was a randomised, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Seven sedentary premenopausal (age: 19·9 (sd 1·2) years; BMI: 23·1 (sd 2·6) kg/m2) and seven sedentary postmenopausal (age: 56·4 (sd 4·9) years; BMI: 26·3 (sd 3·5) kg/m2) women participated. During visit one, anthropometrics and body composition were measured. Following visit one, subjects consumed either CP (25 g) or placebo (PL) ≥2 h after their last meal and ≤30 min prior to sleep on the night before visits two and three. Visits two and three occurred ≥1 week after visit one and were 48 h apart. During visits two and three, RMR (VO2), RER and appetite were measured via indirect calorimetry and visual analogue scale, respectively. Anthropometrics and body composition were analysed by one-way ANOVA. RMR and measures of appetite were analysed using a 2 × 2 (menopause status × CP/PL) repeated-measures ANOVA. Significance was accepted at P ≤ 0·05. RMR was significantly lower in postmenopausal compared with premenopausal women under both conditions (P = 0·003). When consumed pre-sleep CP did not alter RMR, RER or appetite compared with PL when assessed next morning in pre- and postmenopausal women. These data contribute to growing evidence that pre-sleep consumption of protein is not harmful to next-morning metabolism or appetite. In addition, these data demonstrate that menopause may not alter next-morning RMR, RER or appetite after pre-sleep consumption of CP.

Chronic GvHD-associated serositis and pericarditis.

Serositis is a rare manifestation of chronic GvHD (cGvHD). No risk factors or laboratory changes associated with this syndrome have been recognized to date, and outcomes have not been described in a large series. We searched our institutional database for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant identified as having serositis or pericarditis. Laboratory studies from prior to diagnosis, at diagnosis and post diagnosis of serositis, as well as outcomes from invasive procedures were included. Twenty patients met criteria for cGvHD-associated serositis, and all but three patients had a prior diagnosis of cGvHD. Fifteen were male, and the complication occurred in the setting of immunosuppressant taper in 12 cases. Ten patients required invasive interventions, including pericardial window or stripping. A significant increase in blood monocytes and decrease in serum albumin were identified at diagnosis compared with pre-diagnosis. Out of 20 patients, 17 were treated with steroids, with 12 demonstrating a complete response. These data suggest that cGvHD-associated serositis occurs mainly in the setting of treated as opposed to de novo cGvHD and biomarkers associated with the syndrome include a decrease in albumin and an increase in absolute monocyte count. Outcome data from larger series are required to better understand the optimal management of this rare complication.

Preparation of PCR products for DNA sequencing.

We demonstrate that routine PCR product analytical agarose gels can also serve as preparative gels for quick DNA template purification before sequencing. The band of interest is excised, placed into a Gel Nebulizer inside a Micropure separator and rapidly purified in a single centrifugation step. Gel-purified PCR product, suitable for manual and automated sequencing, is delivered within 10 min.

DNA sequence analysis of Prinker-modified restriction fragments after collection from capillary electrophoresis with replaceable matrices.

This paper demonstrates the procedure of sequencing DNA restriction fragments isolated by a recently developed fraction collector after CE separation. In particular, using pBr 322 plasmid as a model system, a double digest was performed with Eco RI and Pst 1 restriction enzymes to produce two fragments of 749 base pairs (bp) and 3612 bp, both with cohesive ends. Prinkers, specific linkers complementary to the cohesive ends, were then ligated to both fragments (increasing the size by 59 bp each). These Prinker-modified fragments were separated by CE and collected. The success of the collection was demonstrated by reinjection of each isolated fraction with laser-induced fluorescence detection, using ethidium bromide as intercalater. The 808 bp isolated fragment was then polymerase chain reaction-amplified with appropriate primers for the Prinker ends, followed by cycle sequencing. Both strands of the fragment were run on an ABI 373, sequencing 427 bases and 450 bases, respectively, with a read accuracy of 99.3%. This approach with Prinker-modified restriction fragment and automated CE fraction collection can be used as a general procedure for sequencing unknown genomic DNA as well as mutated DNA mixtures.

Ultrafiltration in molecular biology.

In conclusion, the availability of ultrafiltration devices offers the molecular biologist a choice of tools for a wide variety of applications. They provide means for easy and fast processing of nucleic acid and protein samples, with high yield and conservation of valuable biological material.