Combined application of entomopathogenic fungi and predatory mites for biological control of Tetranychus urticae on chrysanthemum.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on efficacy of fungal pathogens and predatory mites against Tetranychus urticae have been done on individual species in the laboratory. We evaluated fungi and predatory mites separately and together against glasshouse populations of T. urticae on chrysanthemum plants. First, effectiveness of the fungal pathogens Beauveria bassiana (Bb88) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma129) was compared; then, effectiveness of the predatory mites Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus. Based on the results, N. californicus and isolate Ma129 were selected and evaluated in combination. In all experiments, treatment effects were assessed for eggs and motile stages of T. urticae. RESULTS: The first experiment showed no significant effect of either fungal isolate on T. urticae populations, except on plants initially infested with 20 mites, where more eggs were found in the control compared to the fungal treatments. In the second experiment, both predatory mites were equally effective at reducing T. urticae populations compared with the control, regardless of initial T. urticae population density. The last experiment demonstrated that populations of T. urticae were reduced most when M. anisopliae (Ma129) and N. californicus were applied together, compared with the control and when each natural enemy was applied separately. CONCLUSIONS: Metarhizium anisopliae (Ma129) and B. bassiana (Bb88) isolates did not have a significant effect on reducing T. urticae populations. Both predatory mites reduced T. urticae populations, regardless of T. urticae density. Combined application of M. anisopliae (Ma129) and N. californicus were more effective against T. urticae than the control or when each agent was applied separately. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluación de una intervención grupal basada en mindfulness en pacientes con ansiedad y depresión atendidos en un centro comunitario de salud mental: estudio cuasi experimental / Evaluation of a group intervention based on Mindfulness in patients with anxiety and depression cared for in mental health community center: a quasy-experimental study

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de una intervención grupal basada en mindfulness en pacientes con ansiedad y depresión atendidos en un centro de salud mental comunitario. Secundariamente, valorar la calidad de vida y la adherencia a la intervención. Método: Estudio cuasi experimental con evaluaciones pre y postintervención llevado a cabo entre marzo de 2015 y diciembre de 2019 en personas mayores de 18 años atendidas en el Centro de Salud Mental de Adultos (CSMA) de Les Corts, Barcelona. Como criterios de inclusión se tomaron en cuenta: 1) sintomatología de ansiedad (Escala de Ansiedad de Hamilton [HARS] > 10 puntos) y 2) firma de consentimiento informado. Las variables recogidas fueron 1) ansiedad, 2) depresión (Inventario de Depresión de Beck [BDI]), 3) calidad de vida (EuroQoL [EQ-5D]) y 4) adherencia a la intervención. La intervención fue de nueve sesiones semanales de 75 min y fue realizada por dos enfermeras. Cada grupo estaba formado por 10-15 pacientes. Resultados: Un total de 128 usuarios fueron incluidos, de los cuales 103 eran mujeres con una edad media de 52,23 (desviación estándar [DE] 12,78). Al comparar medidas pre y post, se observaron mejoras en relación con la sintomatología ansiosa, depresiva y la calidad de vida general (p<0,001) y sus dimensiones de ansiedad-depresión (EQ-5D) (p=0,003). La media de sesiones asistidas fue de 6,17 (DE 2,31) y estaban correlacionadas de forma estadísticamente significativa y positiva con una mejora de la sintomatología ansiosa (p<0,001) y depresiva (p=0,021). No se observaron diferencias entre grupos de edad. Conclusiones: La intervención grupal basada en mindfulness mejora la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva, así como la calidad de vida. Esto se asocia con una mayor adherencia a la intervención.(AU)

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a group intervention based on Mindfulness in patients with anxiety and depression treated in a community mental health center. Secondarily, to evaluate quality of life and adherence to the intervention. Methods: Quasi-experimental study with evaluations pre-post intervention in people over 18 years of age treated at the Les Corts Adult Mental Health Center (AMHC), Barcelona, between March 2015 and December 2019. Inclusion criteria: 1) anxiety symptoms (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale > 10 points); 2) sign informed consent. Variables collected: 1) anxiety; 2) depression (Beck Depression Inventory); 3) quality of life (EuroQoL [EQ-5D]) and 4) adherence to the intervention. The intervention (9 weekly sessions; 75 minutes) was carried out by two nurses. Each group consisted of 10-15 patients. Results: 128 patients were included, of which 103 were women with a mean age of 52.23 years (SD 12.78). Comparisons pre and post measures, its showed improvements in relation to anxiety, depressive symptoms and general quality of life (p<0.001) and in its dimensions of anxiety-depression (EQ-5D) (p=0.003). The mean number of sessions attended was 6.17 (SD 2.31), and they were statistically significant and positively correlated with an improvement in anxiety (p<0.001) and depressive symptoms (p=0.021). There were no differences between age groups. Conclusion: The intervention group based on Mindfulness improves anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as the quality of life. This improvement in the symptomatology is associated with a greater adherence to the intervention.(AU)

A longitudinal prospective study of active tuberculosis in a Western Europe setting: insights and findings.

PURPOSE: This study investigates the potential of inflammatory parameters (IP), symptoms, and patient-related outcome measurements as biomarkers of severity and their ability to predict tuberculosis (TB) evolution. METHODS: People with TB were included prospectively in the Stage-TB study conducted at five clinical sites in Barcelona (Spain) between April 2018 and December 2021. Data on demographics, epidemiology, clinical features, microbiology, and Sanit George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and Kessler-10 as Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) were collected at three time points during treatment. C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophil/lymphocyte, and monocyte/lymphocyte ratios (NLR and MLR), complement factors C3, C4, and cH50, clinical and microbiological data, and HRQoL questionnaires were assessed at baseline, 2 months, and 6 months. Their ability to predict sputum culture conversion (SCC) and symptom presence after 2 months of treatment was also analysed. RESULTS: The study included 81 adults and 13 children with TB. The CRP, ESR, NLR, and MLR values, as well as the presence of symptoms, decreased significantly over time in both groups. Higher IP levels at baseline were associated with greater bacillary load and persistent symptoms. Clinical severity at baseline predicted a delayed SCC. Kessler-10 improved during follow-up, but self-reported lung impairment (SGRQ) persisted in all individuals after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: IP levels may indicate disease severity, and sustained high levels are linked to lower treatment efficacy. Baseline clinical severity is the best predictor of SCC. Implementing health strategies to evaluate lung function and mental health throughout the disease process may be crucial for individuals with TB.

Genetic gains in IRRI's rice salinity breeding and elite panel development as a future breeding resource.

KEY MESSAGE: Estimating genetic gains and formulating a future salinity elite breeding panel for rice pave the way for developing better high-yielding salinity tolerant lines with enhanced genetic gains. Genetic gain is a crucial parameter to check the breeding program's success and help optimize future breeding strategies for enhanced genetic gains. To estimate the genetic gains in IRRI's salinity breeding program and identify the best genotypes based on high breeding values for grain yield (kg/ha), we analyzed the historical data from the trials conducted in the IRRI, Philippines and Bangladesh. A two-stage mixed-model approach accounting for experimental design factors and a relationship matrix was fitted to obtain the breeding values for grain yield and estimate genetic trends. A positive genetic trend of 0.1% per annum with a yield advantage of 1.52 kg/ha was observed in IRRI, Philippines. In Bangladesh, we observed a genetic gain of 0.31% per annum with a yield advantage of 14.02 kg/ha. In the released varieties, we observed a genetic gain of 0.12% per annum with a 2.2 kg/ha/year yield advantage in the IRRI, Philippines. For the Bangladesh dataset, a genetic gain of 0.14% per annum with a yield advantage of 5.9 kg/ha/year was observed in the released varieties. Based on breeding values for grain yield, a core set of the top 145 genotypes with higher breeding values of > 2400 kg/ha in the IRRI, Philippines, and > 3500 kg/ha in Bangladesh with a reliability of > 0.4 were selected to develop the elite breeding panel. Conclusively, a recurrent selection breeding strategy integrated with novel technologies like genomic selection and speed breeding is highly required to achieve higher genetic gains in IRRI's salinity breeding programs.

Types of Temporary Immersion Systems Used in Commercial Plant Micropropagation.

Technological innovation in the design and manufacture of temporary immersion systems (TIS) has increased in the past decade. Innovations have involved the size, fitting, and replacement of components, as well as manufacturing materials. Air replacement by compressor has also been substituted by air replacement by preset tilting/rotation of culture bottles. This design modification aims to increase the biological yield (number of shoots) produced in these bottles and reduce manufacturing costs. However, the operative principle has remained unchanged through time: promote an environment where explant immersions in the culture medium are programmable. The changes in the TIS design involve advantages and disadvantages, generating the efficiency of one type over another. However, validation to identify the most effective type of TIS should be carried out for each plant species. This chapter lists the different types of temporary immersion available on the market, emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages of each when used for plant micropropagation.

Prognostic impact of Atrial Fibrillation Pattern and other Clinical Biomarkers in patients with stroke admitted in a Tertiary Hospital in Cebu City from 2015-2022

Background@#The effect of atrial fibrillation (AF) patterns and clinical biomarkers among patients with AF-related stroke is still controversial. @*Objectives@#The objective of this study is to determine the association of the pattern of AF and markers on routine blood tests with the outcome of patients after an AF-related stroke. @*Methods@#This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with stroke and AF admitted in a tertiary hospital in Cebu City from 2015-2022. Patients’ baseline characteristics, laboratory tests, ECG, and radiologic data were collected. Descriptive statistics such as mean and frequency were computed. The Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test were used to calculate the incidence time. The Cox regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with survival. A stepwise regression technique was used in model building. @*Results@#The mortality rate of patients with AF-related stroke was 0.02. A Kaplan Meier survival estimate shows that patients with paroxysmal AF have better survival. Upon model building of variables, age, red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet count, low density lipid cholesterol (LDL-C), and pattern of AF were predictive of mortality in patients with AF-related stroke. @*Conclusions@#Among AF-related stroke patients admitted at a tertiary hospital in Cebu City, pattern of AF, age, RDW, NLR, platelet count, and LDL-C were associated with mortality. The parameters associated with increased mortality could be easily assessed using an ECG, CBC, and lipid profile. These are all readily available and cost-efficient.

Predictors for hemorrhagic transformation among patients with Ischemic stroke admitted in a Tertiary Hospital in the Philippines from July 2018-July 2019

Background@#Among the multiple scoring systems for hemorrhagic transformation, only few of these address spontaneous hemorrhagic transformation after an ischemic stroke, with most done with Western population data. @*Objectives@#This study aims to identify the predictors for hemorrhagic transformation among patients with ischemic stroke admitted in a tertiary hospital in Cebu City, Philippines.@*Methods@#This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with ischemic stroke admitted in a tertiary hospital in Cebu City. Patients’ baseline characteristics, clinical, and radiologic data were collected. Chi square test and t-test were used to determine which variables were significantly different between patients with and without hemorrhagic transformation. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined to measure the association between the different variables and hemorrhagic transformation. @*Results@#A total of 500 ischemic stroke patients were included in the study. There were 28 (6%) ischemic stroke patients with Hemorrhagic Transformation. The mean age of these patients is 66.93 ± 12.42 years, 48.8% male, 10.8% had atrial fibrillation, and 2.4% had myocardial infarction. Controlling for the effect of confounders, white blood cell count (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.03-1.19), myocardial infarction (OR 5.25; 95% CI 1.13-24.34), and presence of brain edema (OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.05-7.80) were significant predictors of hemorrhagic transformation.@*Conclusion@#White blood cell count, presence of brain edema, and myocardial infarction were significantly associated with hemorrhagic transformation among ischemic stroke patients.

Encephalopathy in hospitalized patients with Coronavirus disease 2019: A single-center study

Objective@#This study aimed to determine the incidence of encephalopathy among hospitalized patients with COVID-19. @*Methods@#This was a retrospective observational study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Cebu City, Philippines. This study is a complete enumeration of all records of adult patients admitted for COVID-19 detected through polymerase chain reaction from March 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. The cases were then classified as to the presence or absence of encephalopathy. @*Results@#The study determined that 6 in every 1000 admitted COVID-19 patients developed encephalopathy. The clinico-demographic profile of patients with encephalopathy were mostly elderly with a mean age of 67, males (55.7%), and obese stage I (61.1%). Encephalopathy was more likely to develop in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (80.1%) and coronary artery disease (40.0%). Most patients who did not have encephalopathy however had a history of CVD. Most patients (66.7%) who developed encephalopathy were dyspneic on presentation. Laboratory examination results showed an increase in fasting blood sugar and elevated levels of LDH, CRP, serum ferritin, procalcitonin, and D-dimer. Majority of patients (66.7%) with encephalopathy were intubated. Taking into consideration the stage of infection and the incidence of encephalopathy, most patients (66.6%) were in the hyperinflammatory stage. The number of hospitalization days and severity of illness did not have any association with developing encephalopathy. Dichotomous categorization of outcomes into deceased and discharged showed that clinical outcomes and the development of encephalopathy were significantly associated, with 66.7% of patients with encephalopathy expiring during their course of hospitalization.@*Conclusion@#The incidence of encephalopathy among admitted COVID-19 patients was 6 in every 1000 patients. Encephalopathy was more common in elderly males who were obese with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. The most common presentation of patients who developed encephalopathy was dyspnea. Collated laboratory results showed an increase in fasting blood sugar and elevated levels of LDH, CRP, serum ferritin, procalcitonin, and D-dimer. Majority of patients with encephalopathy were intubated and were in the hyperinflammatory stage of COVID-19 infection. Dichotomous categorization of outcomes into deceased and discharged showed that clinical outcomes and the development of encephalopathy were significantly associated, with most patients with encephalopathy expiring during their course of hospitalization.

The viral picture of well-being: Biggest concerns, losses, and unintended gifts of COVID-19 in the Philippines.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed more than anticipated about global human functioning and resiliency. This Philippines-based study replicated a recent U.S. COVID analysis on psychological well-being (PWB). Factors examined herein were grouped into categories for analysis: 1) predictors of PWB, 2) areas of greatest stress or worry (biggest concerns), 3) perceived or real losses across SES, and 4) identified "unintended gifts" across PWB. Participants (n = 1345) were volunteers who responded to an online survey from August to September 2021, peak of the Delta variant. Three general groups of predictors (biological, psychological, and socio-economic) contributed to PWB. A regression model containing a total of 11 variables was significant, F(11, 1092) = 116.02, p < .00, explaining 53.9% of the variance. The model indicated PWB was significantly predicted by physical health, age, spirituality, emotional loneliness, social loneliness, sense of agency, and income. The strongest predictors of PWB were a sense of agency, social loneliness, and spirituality. Qualitative data analysis was conducted examining biggest concerns, losses due to COVID, and unintended gifts. Top ranking participant concerns were the health of family and friends, personal wellness, and governmental inefficiency/lack of concern. Losses compared to pre-COVID life were analyzed by SES group, with the most frequent responses being missing face-to-face interactions and the freedom to go/do what they please. Low SES groups were most likely to endorse missing everyday routine and experiencing changes in housing conditions due to the pandemic. Unintended gifts of COVID explored by PWB, high PWB individuals significantly appreciated intentional time with family and friends, deepening their spiritual lives, the ability to work from home, less pollution, and more time for physical exercise. Low PWB individuals reported nothing gained, except more time playing video games and watching TV. Those with higher PWB identified more unintended gifts of COVID and coped more actively.

From oppression to opportunity: a pilot study of an intervention program for vulnerable first generation college students.

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the impact of a 10-week psycho-educational group intervention entitled "Oppression to Opportunity Program" (OOP), which was designed to enhance the academic adjustment of vulnerable, first-generation college students. Participants in the pilot group also experienced multiplicative vulnerabilities as result of the intersecting identities of race, ethnicity, income, religious affiliation, disabilities, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The OOP intervention consisted of eight modules, plus an orientation and a closing session, designed to lessen key barriers (e.g., lack of knowledge of resources, lack of access to high quality mentorships, feelings of isolation) to academic success. The modules incorporated written worksheets and experiential exercises to foster group discussion, participant self-reflection, and community belongingness. Each group met once weekly for 1 h each session over 10 weeks, and was facilitated by an advanced graduate student in counseling. Participants completed the College Self-Efficacy Inventory and Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire as a pretest and post-test, and qualitative after session questionnaires. MANOVA results did not demonstrate a significant difference between OOP (n = 30) and comparison group (n = 33) undergraduates on efficacy and student adaptation. However, ANCOVA results show the impact of group (OOP vs. comparison) on post-tests of self-efficacy and adaptation, while controlling for pre-tests as covariates. Male participants rated the module pertaining to goal setting and establishing role models as most favorable, while the emotional management module was most preferred by female participants. African American participants rated the module pertaining to identity affirmation as most beneficial and the emotional management module was most preferable for Hispanic Americans. Lastly, Caucasian Americans rated the module on finding and sustaining supportive relationships as most favorable. Preliminary results were promising, however, the OOP program needs to be replicated in larger samples. Recommendations were offered including lessons learned regarding challenges associated with the implementation of a pre-post non-equivalent group design. Lastly, the significance of being flexible while building a sense of community, and the importance of providing food, supportive counseling, and peer mentoring were emphasized.

Life Table Parameters of Tetranychus merganser Boudreaux (Acari: Tetranychidae) on Five Host Plants.

The quality of the host plant affects the life history parameters of tetranychid mites. The biology and fertility life tables of Tetranychus merganser on five host plants (Carica papaya, Phaseolus vulgaris, Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum, Helietta parvifolia, and Rosa hybrida) were assessed under laboratory conditions at 28 ± 1 °C and 70-80% relative humidity (RH) with a photoperiod of 12:12 h (L:D). The development period of immature females differed among the tested host plants and ranged from 9.32 days on P. vulgaris to 11.34 days on H. parvifolia. For immature males, it ranged from 9.25 days on P. vulgaris to 11.50 days on H. parvifolia. The female survival rate varied from 53.97% on H. parvifolia to 94.74% on P. vulgaris. The highest total fecundity rate was recorded on P. vulgaris (125.40 eggs/female) and the lowest on H. parvifolia (43.92 eggs/female). The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) varied from 0.271 (H. parvifolia) to 0.391 (P. vulgaris). The net reproductive rate (RO) was higher on P. vulgaris than on the other host plants. The longest mean generation time (GT) was calculated on C. annuum var. glabriusculum and the shortest on Rosa hybrida. The demographic parameters suggest the unsuitability of H. parvifolia as the host for the development of red spider mites, and the best performance of T. merganser was on P. vulgaris.

Children's drawings as a projective tool to explore and prevent experiences of mistreatment and/or sexual abuse.

Reality shows us that situations of mistreatment and sexual abuse in childhood are still seldom visible, despite their high prevalence around the world. It is essential to detect and address them, especially among children in situations of dire risk or neglect. The purpose of this study is to determine if graphic emotional indicators are expressed in the drawings of the projective Draw-a-Person (D.A.P) test, made by children in situations of dire risk or neglect. The sample is made up of 34 children, between the ages of 5 and 11 (17 girls and 17 boys), attended by Specialised Child and Adolescent Care Services of the Barcelona Town Hall (Spain). The drawings were coded quantitatively. The results indicated that most of the drawings show a frequency of graphic emotional indicators, as well as graphic indicators common to experiences of mistreatment and/or abuse, which confirm the existence of emotional problems. However, no significant differences based on gender and age were found, except for one indicator of sexual abuse (body omitted/distorted), which is significantly more common in the boys. Results also revealed that the drawings of human figure enable the children to express their experiences of traumatic situations which are difficult to verbalize. These findings have important implications for professionals, as the use of this projective technique can help to early identification and design treatment strategies in situations of mistreatment and/or abuse in children and their families.

Glycomic, Glycoproteomic, and Proteomic Profiling of Philippine Lung Cancer and Peritumoral Tissues: Case Series Study of Patients Stages I-III.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounting for majority of lung cancers. Thus, it is important to find potential biomarkers, such as glycans and glycoproteins, which can be used as diagnostic tools against NSCLC. Here, the N-glycome, proteome, and N-glycosylation distribution maps of tumor and peritumoral tissues of Filipino lung cancer patients (n = 5) were characterized. We present several case studies with varying stages of cancer development (I-III), mutation status (EGFR, ALK), and biomarker expression based on a three-gene panel (CD133, KRT19, and MUC1). Although the profiles of each patient were unique, specific trends arose that correlated with the role of aberrant glycosylation in cancer progression. Specifically, we observed a general increase in the relative abundance of high-mannose and sialofucosylated N-glycans in tumor samples. Analysis of the glycan distribution per glycosite revealed that these sialofucosylated N-glycans were specifically attached to glycoproteins involved in key cellular processes, including metabolism, cell adhesion, and regulatory pathways. Protein expression profiles showed significant enrichment of dysregulated proteins involved in metabolism, adhesion, cell-ECM interactions, and N-linked glycosylation, supporting the protein glycosylation results. The present case series study provides the first demonstration of a multi-platform mass-spectrometric analysis specifically for Filipino lung cancer patients.

Antifungal In Vitro Activity of Phoradendron sp. Extracts on Fungal Isolates from Tomato Crop.

Synthetic chemicals are mainly used for the control of fungal diseases in tomato, causing the phytopathogens to generate resistance to the chemical active ingredient, with a consequent risk to human health and the environment. The use of plant extracts is an option for the control of these diseases, which is why the main objective of this research was to study an alternative biocontrol strategy for the management of plant diseases caused by fungi through obtaining polyphenol extracts from mistletoe plants growing on three different tree species-mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), cedar (Cedrus), and oak (Quercus), which contain flavones, anthocyanins, and luteolin. The overall chemical structure of the obtained plant extracts was investigated by RP-HPLC-ESI-MS liquid chromatography. The antifungal effect of these extracts was examined. The target phytopathogenic fungi were isolated from tomato plantations located in Altamira, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The microorganisms were characterized by classical and molecular methods and identified as Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium sp., and Rhizoctonia solani.

Berry species and crop management approaches affect species diversity and abundance of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

Berries comprise an economically important group of crops. Knowledge about their arthropod pests and biological control agents is important in the development of more efficient integrated pest management programs. Identification of potential biocontrol agents based solely on morphological attributes may be difficult and so molecular techniques should be incorporated. Here we studied the species diversity of predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae, and how this diversity is affected by the berry species and crop management approaches, specifically pesticide application regimes. We sampled 15 orchards in the State of Michoacán, Mexico. Sites were selected based on berry species and pesticide regimes. Mite identification was achieved by combining morphological attributes and molecular techniques. Phytoseiidae diversity was compared amongst blackberry, raspberry and blueberry. Subsequently we studied the effect of berry species and pesticide regime on the abundance of the most prevalent phytoseiid species. We identified 11 species of phytoseiid mites. The greatest species diversity was found in raspberry, followed by blackberry and then blueberry. The most abundant species were Typhlodromalus peregrinus and Neoseiulus californicus. The abundance of T. peregrinus was significantly affected by pesticide application but not by berry species. In contrast, abundance of N. californicus was significantly affected by berry species but not by pesticide regime.