Space and Shelter Requirement of Nymphs in the Mass-Rearing of the Edible Ruspolia differens (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae).

The ability to mass-rear insects in high densities is a precondition for the edible insect industry but the space requirement has to be determined specifically for each species. Mass-rearing methods for Ruspolia differens Serville (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), one of the most consumed edible insect species in East Africa, are currently lacking. Though, these methods are urgently needed to enhance the food security in the region and to reduce the pressure on the wild populations. Here, we experimentally evaluated the effect of rearing density and rearing environment on the survival of R. differens nymphs. We conducted two experiments; in Experiment 1 we used small 0.15-liter rearing containers and in Experiment 2, larger 0.75-liter containers. The rearing densities ranged from 4 to 300 individuals per liter and we used three different rearing environments ('net', 'spikes', and 'oat sprouts'). We found that the survival of R. differens nymphs is strongly density-dependent. The suitable rearing density for young R. differens nymphs should be ≤36 nymphs per liter, as in higher densities the mortality of nymphs increases rapidly over the course of time. With rearing densities ≤36 nymphs per liter, a survival rate of 60% can be expected up to 28 d after rearing. The studied environments only had a minor effect on the survival. These results create the basis for the efforts to upscale the rearing of R. differens in the future.

Optimal Temperature for Rearing the Edible Ruspolia differens (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae).

Ruspolia differens Serville (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) is an insect with significant economic potential in Africa. However, to mass-rear this species on a large scale, the optimal rearing temperature needs to be determined. We assessed multiple performance traits for R. differens reared at seven constant temperatures, ranging from 18 to 32°C, from newly hatched nymphs to 3 wk after adult molting. The highest observed survival was at 30°C (mean survival of 86.7%), where also the development rate reached its maximum. At this temperature, the development from newly hatched nymphs to adults took approximately 49 d. The weight of individuals at the time of adult molt reached its maximum at 28°C (mean weight of 0.62 g). To maximize the yield from mass-rearing, suggested time to harvest R. differens is 10 d after the adult molt. According to our results, during this time period R. differens individuals can achieve up to 50% higher weight than if harvested immediately after adult molting. For maximal survival and weight gain, we recommend rearing temperature of 28-30°C, whereas a slightly higher temperature of 31°C leads to the shortest development time. Taking into account all the performance traits, the overall optimal temperature is estimated at 29°C. Our results can be used when developing large-scale, mass-rearing protocols for R. differens in controlled temperatures.

Effects of short term water immersion on peripheral reflex excitability in hemiplegic and healthy individuals: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Reflex excitability is increased in hemiplegic patients compared to healthy controls. One challenge of stroke rehabilitation is to decrease the effects of hyperreflexia, which may be possible with water immersion. Methods/Aims: The present study examined the effects of acute water immersion on electrically-evoked Hmax:Mmax ratios (a measure of reflex excitability) in 7 hyperreflexive hemiplegic patients and 7 age-matched healthy people. Hmax:Mmax ratios were measured from soleus on dry land (L1), immediately after (W1) and 5 minutes after immersion (W5), and again after five minutes on land (L5). RESULTS: Water immersion led to an acute increase in Hmax:Mmax ratio in both groups. However, after returning to dry land, there was a non-significant decrease in the Hmax:Mmax ratio of 8% in the hemiplegic group and 10% in healthy controls compared to pre-immersion values. INTERPRETATION: A short period of water immersion can decrease peripheral reflex excitability after returning to dry land in both healthy controls and post-stroke patients, although longer immersion periods may be required for sustainable effects. Water immersion may offer promise as a low-risk, non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical method of decreasing hyperreflexivity, and could thus support aquatic rehabilitation following stroke.

Maximal voluntary isokinetic knee flexion torque is associated with femoral shaft bone strength indices in knee replacement patients.

It is currently unknown whether knee replacement-associated bone loss is modified by rehabilitation programs. Thus, a sample of 45 (18 men and 25 women) persons with unilateral knee replacement were recruited; age 66 years (sd 6), height 169 cm (sd 8), body mass 83 kg (sd 15), time since operation 10 months (sd 4) to explore the associations between maximal torque/power in knee extension/flexion and femoral mid-shaft bone traits (Cortical cross-sectional area (CoA, mm(2)), cortical volumetric bone mineral density (CoD, mg/mm(3)) and bone bending strength index (SSI, mm(3))). Bone traits were calculated from a single computed tomography slice from the femoral mid-shaft. Pain in the operated knee was assessed with the WOMAC questionnaire. Stepwise regression models were built for the operated leg bone traits, with knee extension and flexion torque and power, age, height, body mass, pain score and time since operation as independent variables. CoA was 2.3% (P=0.015), CoD 1.2% (P<0.001) and SSI 1.6% (P=0.235) lower in the operated compared to non-operated leg. The overall proportions of the variation explained by the regression models were 50%, 29% and 55% for CoA, CoD and SSI, respectively. Body mass explained 12% of Coa, 11% of CoD and 11% of SSI (P≤0.003). Maximal knee flexion torque explained 38% of Coa, 7% of CoD and 44% of SSI (p≤0.047). For CoD time since operation also became a significant predictor (11%, P=0.045). Knee flexion torque of the operated leg was positively associated with bone strength in the operated leg. Thus, successful rehabilitation may diminish bone loss in the operated leg.

A comparison of propofol infusion and propofol/isoflurane anaesthesia in dexmedetomidine premedicated dogs.

The effects of propofol infusion were compared with propofol/isoflurane anaesthesia in six beagles premedicated with 10 microg/kg intramuscular (i.m.) dexmedetomidine. The suitability of a cold pressor test (CPT) as a stress stimulus in dogs was also studied. Each dog received isoflurane (end tidal 1.0%, induction with propofol) with and without CPT; propofol (200 microg/kg/min, induction with propofol) with and without CPT; premedication alone with and without CPT in a randomized block study in six separate sessions. Heart rate and arterial blood pressures and gases were monitored. Plasma catecholamine, beta-endorphin and cortisol concentrations were measured. Recovery profile was observed. Blood pressures stayed within normal reference range but the dogs were bradycardic (mean heart rate < 70 bpm). PaCO2 concentration during anaesthesia was higher in the propofol group (mean > 57 mmHg) when compared with isoflurane (mean < 52 mmHg). Recovery times were longer with propofol than when compared with the other treatments. The mean extubation times were 8 +/- 3.4 and 23 +/- 6.3 min after propofol/isoflurane and propofol anaesthesia, respectively. The endocrine stress response was similar in all treatments except for lower adrenaline level after propofol infusion at the end of the recovery period. Cold pressor test produced variable responses and was not a reliable stress stimulus in the present study. Propofol/isoflurane anaesthesia was considered more useful than propofol infusion because of milder degree of respiratory depression and faster recovery.

Ultrastructure of a Bacillus sp. strain KL8 isolated from indoor dust.

A motile Gram-positive bacterial strain (KL8) was isolated from indoor dust. It was identified by API-test50 CHB as a species of Bacillus. This Bacillus sp. strain KL8 was described using different electron microscopic techniques: negative staining, thin sectioning, metal shadowing and freeze-etching. An additional surface layer (S-layer) was the outermost layer of the cell wall of this flagellated bacterium. The hexagonally arranged protein lattice covering the cells had a lattice constant about 9-10 nm, which falls in the same range as that of Bacillus anthracis.

Diet and urinary estrogen profile in premenopausal omnivorous and vegetarian women and in premenopausal women with breast cancer.

The urinary estrogen profile was studied in the midfollicular phase twice, and diet four times during 1 yr in 10 premenopausal breast cancer (BC) patients consuming an omnivorous normal Finnish diet and in two control groups, one consuming an omnivorous (n = 12) and the other a lactovegetarian (n = 11) diet. Total fat intake in relation to caloric intake was almost identical in all three groups. Only with regard to grain fiber intake did the BC patients differ significantly from both other groups. No differences were found between the groups with regard to urinary excretion of 13 individual estrogens and total estrogens, with the exception of 4-hydroxyestrone (4-OH-E1), which was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) in the BC group than in the vegetarians. A high carbohydrate to protein ratio in the diet had a negative correlation with the excretion of 2-hydroxyestrogens and 2-hydroxyesterone (2-OH-E1) to 4-OH-E1 ratio. The BC group had significantly higher urinary 2-OH-E1 to E1 ratio (P less than 0.05) compared to the vegetarians. The 2-OH-E1 to 4-OH-E1 ratio was highest in the BC group (= 7.1) and differed significantly from that of the omnivores (= 4.3; P less than 0.02) and vegetarians (= 3.6; P less than 0.005). This ratio showed a negative correlation with intake of carbohydrates, starch, total and grain fiber. Urinary excretion of 4-OH-E1 correlated positively with total and grain fiber intake and plasma SHBG. Protein intake correlated positively with urinary 2-methoxy-E1 excretion, and retinol intake positively with catechol estrogen, E1 and E2 excretion. It is concluded that estrogen production and urinary estrogen profile in premenopausal breast cancer patients is normal with the exception of a low 4-OH-E1 excretion and high urinary 2-OH-E1 to 4-OH-E1 ratio. This ratio, which seems to depend on diet, is the only urinary estrogen parameter separating premenopausal BC patients from the control omnivorous and lactovegetarian women.