Seasonal Flight Patterns of Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in the Florida Panhandle and Inventory of Plusiine Species Cross-Attracted to Synthetic Pheromone.

Chysodeixis includens (Walker) is a polyphagous economic pest in agricultural landscapes. To detect the occurrence of this pest in the field, trapping using sex pheromone lures is often implemented. However, other plusiine species are cross-attracted to these lures and may be misidentified as C. includens due to their morphological similarities. The objectives of this study were to provide region-specific information on the abundance of C. includens throughout the year as well as document the occurrence of related plusiines cross-attracted to C. includens sex pheromone traps in the Florida Panhandle. Twelve commercial fields of peanut and twelve commercial fields of cotton located across Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Jackson counties were monitored with Trécé delta traps baited with C. includens sex pheromone lures (Alpha Scents, Inc.; West Linn, OR) from June 2017 to June 2019. There was no difference in C. includens flight across dryland or irrigated fields. Identifications revealed that in addition to C. includens, the following species of the subfamily Plusiinae were crossed-attracted: Argyrogramma verruca (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Ctenoplusia oxygramma (Geyer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Rachiplusia ou (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The occurrence of each species in the region and their flight phenology are documented. Chysodeixis includens abundance was greatest in September and decreased through December. Due to the high abundance of C. oxygramma and similar flight phenology to C. includens, this is the likeliest species to skew estimations and influence management decisions of C. includens, especially early in the crop season, when C. includens abundance is low.

Icebergs as unique Lagrangian ecosystems in polar seas.

Global warming and its disproportionate impact on polar regions have led to increased iceberg populations. Southern Ocean studies in the northwest Weddell Sea have verified substantial delivery of terrestrial material accompanied by increased primary production and faunal abundance associated with free-drifting icebergs. It is hypothesized that input and utilization of macro- and micronutrients are promoted by conditions unique to free-drifting icebergs, leading to increased production, grazing, and export of organic carbon. In Arctic regions, increased freshwater input from meltwater acts to stratify and stabilize the upper water column. As has been observed in the Southern Ocean, Arctic-region icebergs should drive turbulent upwelling and reduce stratification, potentially leading to increased nitrate delivery to the local ecosystem. Increasing populations of icebergs in polar regions can potentially be important in mediating the drawdown and sequestration of CO(2) and can thus impact the oceanic carbon cycle.

Small threat and contraband detection with TNA-based systems.

The detection of small threats, such as explosives, drugs, and chemical weapons, concealed or encased in surrounding material, is a major concern in areas from security checkpoints to UneXploded Ordnance (UXO) clearance. Techniques such as X-ray and trace detection are often ineffectual in these applications. Thermal neutron analysis (TNA) provides an effective method for detecting concealed threats. This paper shows the effectiveness of Ancore's SPEDS, based on TNA, in detecting concealed liquid threats and differentiating live from inert mortar shells.

Endobronchial ultrasound to assess airway wall thickening: validation in vitro and in vivo.

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) allows identification of airway wall structures and could potentially be utilised for in vivo studies of airway thickening in asthma. The present study investigated whether inflation of the fluid-filled balloon sheath over the transducer (necessary to provide sonic coupling with the airway wall) influenced in vitro measurements. In vivo comparability of EBUS with high resolution computed tomography scanning (HRCT), an established method for measuring wall thickness, was determined in control subjects. The airway diameter and wall thickness were studied using EBUS in 24 cartilaginous airways obtained from four sheep, before and after balloon sheath inflation during immersion in saline. To assess EBUS versus HRCT comparability of airway measures in vivo, 12 control subjects underwent imaging of the posterior basal bronchus of the right lower lobe by both techniques. Intra- and interobserver agreement were also assessed. Results with and without the balloon sheath gave comparable measures of airway internal diameter and wall thickness in vitro. Statistical analysis showed agreement between EBUS and HRCT, and intra- and interobserver variability in vivo. The current study concludes that endobronchial ultrasound, which does not present a radiation risk, could be utilised in the in vivo study of cartilaginous airway wall remodelling in respiratory diseases, such as asthma.

Acute toxicity of five sediment-associated metals, individually and in a mixture, to the estuarine meiobenthic harpacticoid copepod Amphiascus tenuiremis.

The acute effects of many individual, seawater-solubilized metals on meiobenthic copepods and nematodes are well known. In sediments, however, metals most often occur as mixtures, and it is not known whether such mixtures exhibit simple additive toxicity to meiobenthos. The estuarine meiobenthic copepod Amphiascus tenuiremis was tested in four acute (96-h) sediment bioassays to determine sediment and pore-water LC50s for single-metal exposures to copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn). Laboratory-cultured copepods were exposed to clean 98% silt:clay sediments spiked with metal chloride solutions to yield five exposure concentrations plus a control. Trimmed Spearman-Karber analysis gave sediment 96-h LC50 values of 4.4 mumole Cu/g, 5.7 mumole Ni/g, 11.9 mumole Pb/g, 10.3 mumole Zn/g, and pore-water 96-h LC50 values of 2 mumole/l, 11.7 mumole/l, and 5.7 mumole/l for Cu, Ni, and Zn, respectively. Male survival after exposure to Cu, Pb, and Ni was significantly less than female survival (alpha = 0.05). Toxicity of a combined USEPA priority metal mixture to A. tenuiremis was assessed using sediment spiked equitoxically with Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The sum toxic unit that produced a median lethal dose was 0.72. The mixture had a significantly greater than additive effect on A. tenuiremis survival, with the mixture being 1.4x more toxic than that expected by simple additivity.

Role of alpha-MSH in the regulation of consummatory behavior: immunohistochemical evidence.

Central injection of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) decreases food intake, suggesting a role for this peptide in the mediation of satiety. Inasmuch as alpha-MSH also supports the development of taste aversions under certain conditions, the nature of its influence on ingestive behavior, i.e., whether it is related to satiety or aversion, remains unclear. In the present studies, we used immunostaining, including that for c-Fos as a marker of neuronal activation, to further substantiate the physiological role for alpha-MSH in the regulation of consummatory behavior. We found that an increase in activation of alpha-MSH neurons in the arcuate nucleus coincided with meal termination. Administration of powerful aversive agents, LiCl and CuSO(4), did not stimulate alpha-MSH cells but did induce pronounced activation of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) neurons, the final components of circuitry mediating aversion. We observed fewer Fos-positive OT/VP neurons after alpha-MSH injection into the lateral ventricle or into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, treatments that cause mild or no aversion, respectively. The degree of activation of OT/VP neurons paralleled the magnitude of aversive response to a given treatment. Our data support the hypothesis that, in the arcuate nucleus, alpha-MSH acts as a satiety mediator independent from aversion-related mechanisms.

Nocistatin inhibits food intake in rats.

Nocistatin, a product of the same precursor as nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), has been shown to antagonize effects of N/OFQ. N/OFQ stimulates feeding, most probably by inhibiting activation of neurons containing oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP), peptides considered as satiety factors, and implicated in the development of conditioned taste aversion (CTA). The present study was designed to investigate whether intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected nocistatin (a) affects deprivation- and N/OFQ-induced feeding, (b) causes CTA, and (c) induces activation of hypothalamic paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei, as well as OT and VP neurons present in these regions. C-Fos immunohistochemistry was used as a marker of cellular activation. Nocistatin (1-3 nmol) significantly reduced food intake in deprived rats during the first and second hour post-injection. Doses of 1-3 nmol suppressed N/OFQ-induced feeding. Nocistatin at the highest (3 nmol) dose did not cause CTA. It also did not affect activation of the PVN or SON. In nocistatin-treated animals, the percentage of Fos-positive OT and VP neurons was similar to controls. We conclude that nocistatin antagonizes the influence of N/OFQ on feeding and suppresses deprivation-induced food consumption through mechanisms other than aversion. Nocistatin does not, however, activate the PVN or SON. It does not exert its effects via VP or OT neurons.

Expression of glucosamine trisaccharides on the rat uterine surface is altered by clomiphene citrate.

We have studied histochemically the effects of clomiphene citrate on the expression of oligosacchrides on the apical plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells using the lectin Phytolacca americana. Ovariectomized sexually mature rats were given a single injection of either clomiphene in two concentrations or estradiol 17 beta or progesterone and were killed 24 hr later. Uterine tissue was labeled with Phytolacca americana conjugated with avidin and subsequently labeled with biotinalyted ferritin and prepared for transmission electron microscopy. Our results indicate that clomiphene and to a lesser degree progesterone significantly increased lectin binding. However, the increase was not as large as that observed with a single dose of estrodiol 17 beta. When the proportion of lectin positivity in relation to total membrane length was analyzed, treatment with clomiphene and progesterone did not have significantly different effects. Low dose clomiphene did not have a significant effect as compared with controls. Our data show that clomiphene has a dose-dependent adverse effect on lectin binding as compared with ovarian hormones. We suggest that these effects contribute to low pregnancy rates with clomiphene use.

Junctional plaque proteins shift to the apical surface of uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy in the rat.

Antibodies against the cytoplasmic plaque molecules, plectin and plakoglobin, and cytokeratin, the molecular component of intermediate filaments (IFs), were used to examine the distribution of these molecules in rat uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy including the period of blastocyst implantation. On day 1 of pregnancy plectin was detected in concentrated bands along the apical and basal plasma membranes, and diffusely throughout the cytoplasm. Plakoglobin was found along the entire lateral plasma membrane on day 1. By day 6, the time of blastocyst implantation, plectin was localised along the apical and basal membranes and reduced in the basal cytoplasm, and plakoglobin was seen exclusively at the apical-most quarter of the lateral plasma membrane. Cytokeratin was detected throughout the cytoplasm on day 1, but by day 6, was localised to the apical region of the cytoplasm only. These results show a redistribution of plectin, plakoglobin and cytokeratin away from the basal region of the uterine epithelial cells. The change in distribution of these molecules may contribute to the adhesion of the blastocyst to the apical and lateral surfaces of uterine epithelial cells and the subsequent detachment of the uterine epithelium from the basal lamina.

Perceived sources of occupational stress in general dental practitioners.

AIM: To evaluate levels of occupational stress in general dental practitioners (GDPs) and compare them with those reported by Cooper et al. (1987). DESIGN/SETTING: Postal questionnaire in England and Wales. SUBJECTS: A sample of 1007 GDPs was chosen from the Dental Register. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 30 separate stressors were scored on a 5-point scale. Summated scores within time-, job-, income-, staff- and patient-related categories were submitted to analysis of variance by sex, type of practice, years since qualification and geographic location. RESULTS: 823 questionnaires were returned (82%) of which 667 were from practising GDPs (63% male, 26% female, 1% undetermined) working full- (87%) or part- (13%) time in NHS (61%), private (8%), mixed (26%), or community (5%) practice. In general, problems associated with time management were the most stressful. The highest ranked individual stressors were 'running behind schedule' (percentage responding with scores 4 or 5 = 61.9, 95% confidence intervals = 58.2-65.6), followed by 'coping with difficult or uncooperative patients' (58.2, 54.5-61.9) and the 'working constraints set by the NHS' (57.5, 53.8-61.2). Differences in levels of reported stress (P < 0.05) were observed for at least one group category of stressor between practitioners with different types of practice, between males and females, by geographical area (north against south) and by the length of time since qualification. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that GDPs now rank factors related to time management as major job stressors, with an apparently dramatic elevation of 'NHS working constraints' to a top-ranking stressor since 1986.

Pan-cadherin concentrates apically in uterine epithelial cells during uterine closure in the rat.

The ubiquitous cadherin probe, pan-cadherin was used to study changes in the distribution of cadherins in the plasma membrane of rat uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy when the uterine lumen closes down. A major reorganisation of cadherin expression was observed to occur in uterine epithelial cells between days 1 and 6 of pregnancy with a clear shift in molecular distribution from a basal location on day 1 to a distinctly and almost exclusively apical distribution by day 6 of pregnancy when the blastocyst is attached. We suggest these results indicate participation of this molecule in closure of the uterine lumen, a phenomenon well-known to occur in the rat uterus during early pregnancy and in which apical surfaces of opposing uterine epithelial cells cohere.

Alterations in distribution of actin binding proteins in uterine stromal cells during decidualization in the rat.

Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the involvement of the actin-associated binding proteins, tropomyosin, alpha-actinin and gelsolin with the formation of the decidual cell reaction during early pregnancy in the rat. Tropomyosin was present in the uterine myometrium, but absent from the both decidual and non-decidual stromal cells. alpha-Actinin was absent from non-decidual stromal cells, but present in decidual cells. Gelsolin was present in non-decidual cells close to the uterine stroma as well as in transformed decidual cells. Both gelsolin and alpha-actinin were concentrated around the periphery of the cell. It is proposed that these actin-binding proteins may be involved with the cellular transformations associated with decidualization.

Leucocyte binding to the uterine epithelial cell surface during lectin-induced decidualization.

Intra-uterine injection of the lectin Concanavalin A (ConA) on day 5 of pseudopregnancy induced a rapid and persistent infiltration of leucocytes into the rat uterine stroma. Although the infiltration of leucocytes was seen along the entire length of the uterine horn, areas of stromal oedema, indicative of decidualization (as indicated by a positive Pontamine Sky Blue reaction), were only associated with regions in which leucocytes had crossed the uterine epithelium and were present in the uterine lumen. Ultrastructural evaluation of the interaction of the luminal leucocytes with the apical surface of the uterine epithelium appeared strikingly similar to that of the blastocyst and the uterine epithelium during normal implantation. It is proposed that leucocytes, induced by ConA, may initiate a decidual response in a manner analogous to that of the blastocyst through surface epithelial interaction.

Actin-binding proteins undergo major alterations during the plasma membrane transformation in uterine epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: The apical surface of uterine epithelial cells undergoes a dramatic transformation during early pregnancy. Previous studies have shown that cytoskeletal actin microfilaments are associated with this transformation, but little is known of the role played by actin-binding proteins or which of the many described in other cell types are present in uterine epithelial cells. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies raised against four different actin-binding proteins (alpha-actinin, tropomyosin, gelsolin, and vinculin) was used to study the changing distribution of these proteins in uterine epithelium during early pregnancy in the rat. RESULTS: Findings indicated the presence of all four of the actin-binding proteins in the uterine epithelium. The distribution of tropomyosin remained unchanged over the period of early pregnancy. Gelsolin and alpha-actinin displayed similarity in distribution. Day 1 showed an apicobasal localisation of reaction product, which by day 6 of pregnancy had concentrated into a thick band across the luminal surface of the cells. Vinculin staining was a diffuse band at the level of the basal plasma membrane at day 1 and became a diffuse faint band across the apical part of the cells on day 6. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the presence of actin-binding proteins in uterine epithelial cells, and these findings are discussed in light of known ultrastructural alterations in the uterine epithelium during early pregnancy. Elucidation of the role of the actin-based cytoskeleton in the uterine epithelium may further our understanding of the dynamics of this unique environment that allows the implantation of a blastocyst.

Leucocyte involvement in lectin-induced deciduomata formation.

Intra-uterine injection of the lectin Concanavalin A (ConA) on day 5 of PSP induced a rapid and persistent infiltration of leucocytes into the rat uterine stroma. Although the infiltration of leucocytes was witnessed along the entire length of the uterine horn, areas of stromal oedema, indicative of decidualisation (as indicated by the positive Pontamine Sky Blue reaction), were only associated with regions in which the movement of leucocytes across the uterine epithelium was evident. Epithelial disruption and trauma was frequently noted within these regions. We believe that ConA may initiate decidualisation through indirectly causing epithelial trauma.

Increased lectin binding capacity of trophoblastic cells of late day 5 rat blastocysts.

The binding of lectins to the trophoblast of rat blastocysts has been studied using quantitative ultrastructural cytochemistry. Rat blastocysts from early, mid and late d 5 of gestation were stained using biotinylated lectins (Phytolacca americana [Phy am], fucose binding protein [FBP] and soybean agglutinin [SBA]) and a sensitive avidin-ferritin cytochemical method. Electron micrographs of ferritin particles along the membrane were processed to produce images for which grey scale levels could be established and the ferritin particles automatically counted. The ferritin:membrane ratio was then calculated. Increased binding with Phy am (which detects short chain oligosaccharides) was found after midday of d 5, i.e. after hatching. Binding of FBP and SBA did not alter during the period studied. The increased concentration of oligosaccharides on the blastocyst surface membrane after hatching may have important implications for blastocyst attachment to the endometrium.

Plasma membrane transformation: a common response of uterine epithelial cells during the peri-implantation period.

The plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells and its changes during early pregnancy are reviewed. The review first examines morphological alterations in rats and mice and laboratory rodents and finds that similar changes in membrane organization accompany the peri-implantation period: long, thin, regular microvilli are gradually converted into irregular, flattened projections. It is also found however, that in many other species related plasma membrane alterations are seen during early pregnancy. Molecular alterations in the membrane are also examined and although the evidence is so far limited, striking similarities are noted across species. The review also examines some new morphological studies on the alterations in the plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy and concludes that a process of plasma membrane transformation may be a common response across species.

Lectin-induced deciduoma formation in the pseudopregnant rat.

Decidual cell induction in the pseudopregnant rat was examined in this study using the lectin concanavalin A (ConA). The histochemical binding of the lectin to the uterine cell surface at the time of deciduomatic induction was also studied. ConA was found to induce significant deciduomata (decidual-like tissue) in the uterine horn when injected intraluminally on day 5 of pseudopregnancy (PSP). ConA-induced deciduomata appeared as a series of discrete nodules in the uterine horn, reminiscent of the anatomical appearance of normal embryo implantation sites. Deciduoma induction by ConA was greatly reduced by pre-absorption of the lectin with its competitive sugar. Lectin histochemistry revealed binding of ConA to the cell surface on day 5 of PSP. Pre-absorption of the lectin with its competitive sugar also significantly reduced surface binding of the lectin, and this finding may be correlated with the greatly reduced ability of the pre-absorbed lectin to induce deciduomata. Possible mechanisms for the induction of deciduomata by lectins are considered.

Colonoscopically assisted intracorporeal laparoscopic wedge resection of a benign right colon lesion.

We present a case of colonoscopically assisted intracorporeal laparoscopic wedge resection of a benign right colon lesion. The operative technique is described and the rationale discussed with reference to current literature.