Fall Armyworm, spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), female moths respond to herbivore-induced corn volatiles.

In response to herbivore attack, plants release herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) that represent important chemical cues for herbivore natural enemies. Additionally, HIPVs have been shown to mediate other ecological interactions with herbivores. Differently from natural enemies that are generally attracted to HIPVs, herbivores can be either attracted or repelled depending on several biological and ecological parameters. Our study aimed to assess the olfactory response of fall armyworm-mated female moths toward odors released by mechanically and herbivore-induced corn at different time intervals. Results showed that female moths strongly respond to corn volatiles, although fresh damaged corn odors (0-1 h) are not recognized by moths. Moreover, females preferred volatiles released by undamaged plant over herbivore-induced plants at 5-6 h. This preference for undamaged plants may reflect an adaptive strategy of moths to avoid competitors and natural enemies for their offspring. We discussed our results based on knowledge about corn volatile release pattern and raise possible explanations for fall armyworm moth behavior.

Beta 2-microglobulin levels in celiac disease.

The serum levels of beta 2-microglobulins (beta 2-m) were studied in 65 celiac children. Significant statistical differences (p less than 0.05) were found between the values of patients on a gluten-containing diet (mean +/- SD, 1.92 +/- 0.64 mg/L) and those on a gluten-free diet for less than (mean +/- SD, 2.38 +/- 0.76 mg/L) or greater than (mean +/- SD, 1.46 +/- 0.77 mg/L) 8 months. A significant difference was also found between the first group and the 15-subject control group, who underwent intestinal biopsy for low stature or chronic diarrhea but had normal intestinal mucosa (mean +/- SD, 1.56 +/- 0.42 mg/L). Serum beta 2-m levels were above normal values (less than 2 mg/L) in 10 of 26 (38.5%) celiac patients on a gluten-containing diet and in two of 15 (13.3%) subjects of the control group. The beta 2-m values of patients on a gluten-free diet for less than or equal to 8 months were significantly different (p less than 0.001) from those of patients on a gluten-free diet for greater than 8 months, as well from those of the control group. No significant differences were found between patients on a gluten-free diet for greater than 8 months and the control group. A significant correlation between the antigliadin antibody (AGA) IgA and beta 2-m in the patients on a gluten-free diet for greater than 8 months and control-group patients was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Cutis laxa syndrome. Clinical, histologic and ultrastructural study of a new variant]. / Sindrome della cutis laxa. Studio clinico, istologico ed ultrastrutturale di una nuova variante.

Cutis laxa (generalized elastolysis) is a rare systemic disorder of connective tissue, whose elastic fibers appear fragmented and disorganized. The present study reports an undescribed form of cutis laxa in an infant male with loose and inelastic skin, osteoporosis, pulmonary emphysema and dislocation of the hip. The clinical features and the inheritance patterns of the various forms of cutis laxa are also discussed.

Iron deficiency in children with celiac disease.

To evaluate the incidence of either evident anemia or a subclinical status of iron deficiency in celiac disease (CD), we studied 80 celiac children aged 6 months to 18 years. They were subdivided into various groups according to morphology of gut mucosa and diet. Only eight of 47 celiac children had an evident anemia at the time of the first peroral bowel biopsy. In addition, 51% of the patients with atrophic mucosa and 56% of the children on a gluten-containing diet had serum iron levels less than 50 micrograms/dl; 35% of patients of both groups had serum ferritin levels less than 12 micrograms/L. On the contrary, only a small number of children with normal mucosa on a gluten-free diet showed a laboratory, subclinical picture of iron deficiency. The results of our study can therefore be summarized in three major items: (a) Low levels of both serum iron and ferritin can frequently be found during active CD. (b) Regular determination of serum iron levels appears to be useful in controlling the state of iron stores in such patients, as well as in deciding whether and when to recommend temporary iron supplementation. (c) Serum ferritin tests did not offer more information than the easier and cheaper serum iron determinations.

[Use of plasmapheresis in the treatment of hemolytic-uremic syndrome in children]. / Sull'impiego della plasmaferesi nel trattamento della sindrome uremico-emolitica nel bambino.

The plasma-exchange has been recently adopted in the therapy of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome. We experimented this therapy, without any complication with traditional treatment (anti platelet-aggregation, frozen fresh plasma), on a child of 6 years and 8 months old. A rapid normalization of the clinical syntomatology was obtained without sequences also after a long period. The PE therapy has to be carefully valued on the solution of the SUE in order to establish the cases to be treated, missing proved results from controlled experiments.