Results of studies on prey suitability for generalist predators are important for efficient mass rearing and implementing Integrated Pest Management Programmes (IPM). The green lacewing, Chrysoperla sinica (Tjeder), is a polyphagous natural enemy attacking several pests on various crops in China. We investigated the effect of feeding it different species of prey on its pre-imaginal development, survival, adult longevity and fecundity under laboratory conditions. The prey species tested were nymphs of Aphis glycines Matsumura, cotton aphid Aphis gossypii Glover, peach aphid Myzus persicae Sulzer, corn aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis Fitch and cowpea aphid Aphis craccivora Koch, and eggs of the rice grain moth, Corcyra cephalonica Stainin. None of these species of prey affected the pre-imaginal survival or percentage survival of the eggs of the predator. However, eggs of C. cephalonica and nymphs of M. persicae and A. glycines were the best of the prey species tested, in that when fed on these species the pre-imaginal developmental period of C. sinica was shorter and its adult longevity, fecundity and percentage survival greater than when fed the other species of prey. In contrast, when fed nymphs of A. craccivora the pre-imaginal development period was longer, adult longevity shorter and fecundity lower. These findings could be helpful in defining more optimum conditions for the mass rearing of C. sinica for use in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes for various crops., Niaz Hussain Khuhro ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a major pest of potato, Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanales: Solanaceae), both in the field and storehouses. The rate of development and survival of P. operculella, reared on potato tubers cv. Spunta at eight constant temperatures (17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5 and 35°C), were studied in the laboratory. The duration of development of the immature stages was recorded. Adult longevity was also recorded under the same conditions. Developmental time decreased significantly with increase in temperature within the range 17.5-32.5°C. No development occurred at 35°C. Survival (%) from egg to adult was higher at temperatures within the range 17.5-27.5°C than at either 30 or 32.5°C. Linear and a non-linear (Logan I) models were fitted to our data in order to describe the developmental rate of the immature stages of P. operculella as a function of temperature and estimate the thermal constant (K) and critical temperatures (i.e., lower developmental threshold, optimum temperature for development, upper developmental threshold). Lower developmental threshold and optimum temperature for development ranged between 12.5-16.2 and 31.7-33.8°C, respectively. The estimated upper developmental threshold for total immature development was 35.0°C. Thermal constant for total development was 294.0 degree-days. Adult longevity was significantly shorter at high (30 and 32.5°C) than at low temperatures (17.5-27.5°C). Our results not only provide a broader insight into the thermal biology of P. operculella, but also can be used as an important tool in planning an effective pest control program both in the field and storehouses., Stefanos S. Andreadis, Christos G. Spanoudis, Georgia Zakka, Barbara Aslanidou, Sofia NoukariI, Matilda Savopoulou-Soultani., and Obsahuje bibliografii
We studied the water balance, body fluid osmolality and survival of the oribatid mite, Pergalumna nervosa, when exposed to drought in field and laboratory experiments. In a replicated field experiment we artificially lowered the soil water content by putting roofs over selected plots, which reduced soil water potential to levels well below the permanent wilting percentage for plants (i.e. below -1.5 MPa). Even though a slight decrease in the abundance of P. nervosa (only found in the 0-5 cm soil layer) was recorded during the most severe drought stress (ca. -3.5 MPa), the majority of adult mites clearly survived these conditions for 3 weeks in the field without migrating to deeper soil layers. Exposing field collected adults in laboratory experiments simulating even more severe drought conditions revealed that P. nervosa can survive several weeks of gradually increasing drought stress (down to -7 MPa) with moderate water loss. The osmolality of body fluids increased as dehydration progressed, but apparently as a result of simple up-concentration of solutes and not the de novo synthesis of protective osmolytes. We compare and discuss these results in the light of what is known about other arthropods., Stine Slotsbo, Jesper G. Sørensen, Josef Stary, Martin Holmstrup., and Obsahuje bibliografii
In our previous studies, IB-MECA, an adenosine A3 receptor agonist, was found to stimulate proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor and precursor cells in mice. This property of IB-MECA was considered to be responsible for its ability to support regeneration of suppressed hematopoiesis after irradiation with sublethal doses of γ-rays when the drug was given in a postirradiation treatment regimen. This study was aimed at assessing the ability of IB-MECA to influence a 30-day survival of lethally irradiated mice. In a series of experiments, IB-MECA was administered following various lethal radiation doses in various numbers of drug doses and various administration routes. Though in some of these experiments a moderate increase in 30-day survival was observed in IB-MECA-treated mice, the differences in comparison with the controls were not significantly different. It can be inferred from these results and those of previous studies assessing the effects of IB-MECA after sublethal radiation doses that IB-MECA can probably influence only a substantially preserved hematopoiesis like that remaining after sublethal irradiation. Future studies should be aimed at evaluation of the abilities of IB-MECA to influence post-irradiation survival when administered as a part of combined treatment regimens., M. Hofer, ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Sepsis is a life threatening condition that arises when the body's response to an infection injures its own tissues and organs. Sepsis can lead to shock, multiple organ failure and death especially if not recognized early and treated promptly. Molecular mechanisms underlying the systemic inflammatory response syndrome associated with sepsis are still not completely defined and most therapies developed to target the acute inflammatory component of the disease are insufficient. In this s tudy we investigated a possibility of combating sepsis in a mouse model by intravenous treatment with recombinant human tissue non - specific alkaline phosphatase (rhTNAP) derived from transgenic rabbit milk. We induced sepsis in mice by intraperitoneal inje ction of LPS and three hours later treated experimental group of mice by intravenous injection with rhTNAP derived from transgenic rabbits. Such treatment was proved to be physiologically effective in this model, as administration of recombinant rhTNAP suc cessfully combated the decrease in body temperature and resulted in increased survival of mice (80 % vs. 30 % in a control group). In a control experiment, also the administration of bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase by intravenous injection proved to be effective in increasing survival of mice treated with LPS. Altogether, present work demonstrates the redeeming effect of the recombinant tissue non -specific AP derived from milk of genetically modified rabbits in combating sepsis induced by LPS., B. Bender, M. Baranyi, A. Kerekes, L. Bodrogi, R. Brands, P. Uhrin, Z. Bösze., and Obsahuje bibliografii
n this study we addressed a question of whether experimental manipulations that increase life span also reduce physical activity and molecular oxidative damage. We used three phenotypes of male and female Pyrrhocoris apterus that survive for different lengths of time, diapausing insects, reproductive insects and insects from which the corpus allatum, the source of juvenile hormone, was surgically removed. Protein carbonyl content of the thoracic muscles was used as an index of molecular oxidative modification. Diapause or ablation of the corpus allatum (allatectomy) was associated with an extended life span of both sexes, but only those individuals that were in diapause were less active. The carbonyl content, both relative (per protein unit) and absolute (per thorax) increased with age in reproductive insects of both sexes. However, the associations between the carbonyl content and diapause and allatectomy differed in males and females. In males, the carbonyl content was not associated with either diapause or allatectomy. There was no age-related increase in the relative and absolute carbonyl levels in diapausing females, while only the increase in the relative carbonyl level was absent in allectomized females. Overall, the results indicate that both allatectomy and diapause prolonged life span, but had different and sex-specific effects on locomotor activity and carbonyl content. Only the extension of the life span of diapausing females was correlated with both reduced locomotor activity and reduced carbonyl content., Marcela Buricova, Magdalena Hodkova., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Conventional radiotherapy with X- and γ-rays is one of the common and effective treatments of cancer. High energy hadrons, i.e., charged particles like protons and 12C ions, due to their specific physics and radiobiological advantages are increasingly used. In this study, effectiveness of different radiation types is evaluated on the radio-resistant human HTB140 melanoma cells. The cells were irradiated with γ-rays, the 62 MeV protons at the Bragg peak and in the middle of the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP), as well as with the 62 MeV/u 12 C ions. The doses ranged from 2 to 24 Gy. Cell survival and proliferation were assessed 7 days after irradiation, whereas apoptosis was evaluated after 48 h. The acquired results confirmed the high radio-resistance of cells, showing better effectiveness of protons than γ-rays. The best efficiency was obtained with 12C ions due to higher linear energy transfer. All analyzed radiation qualities reduced cell proliferation. The highest proliferation was detected for 12C ions because of their large killing capacity followed by small induction of reparable lesions. This enabled unharmed cells to preserve proliferative activity. Irradiations with protons and 12C ions revealed similar moderate pro-apoptotic ability that is in agreement with the level of cellular radio-resistance., A. Ristić-Fira ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Numerous abnormalities of thyroid hormones in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have been described. Our aim was to analyze the impact of these abnormalities on survival. In 167 hemodialyzed ESRD patients, TSH and thyroid hormone levels (T4, fT4, T3, fT3, rT3) were determined. The patients were then prospectively followed up for up to 5 years and the possible impact of any observed abnormalities on their mortality was studied. Only 16.8 % patients had all six tests within the reference range. The pattern of nonthyroidal illness syndrome was found in 56.3 %. Low T3 was particularly common (44.3 %), and clearly associated with increased 6- and 12-month mortality and decreased overall survival (log rank test, P=0.007). Independent of T3 levels (Spearman correlation, NS), increased rT3 was more frequently observed (9.9 %) than expected from the literature, and was also related to increased mortality and decreased survival (log rank test, P=0.021). Increased rT3 may be more common in ESRD patients than previously described, and together with decreased T3 it may serve as an indicator of poor prognosis in subsequent months., J. Horáček ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury