scholarly journals Use of Molecular Gut Content Analysis to Decipher the Range of Food Plants of the Invasive Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Avanesyan ◽  
William O. Lamp

Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), is an introduced highly invasive insect pest in the US that poses a significant risk to forestry and agriculture. Assessing and predicting plant usage of the lanternfly has been challenging, and little is known regarding the lanternfly nymph association with its host plants. In this study, we focused on: (a) providing a protocol for using molecular markers for food plant identification of L. delicatula; (b) determining whether the ingested plant DNA corresponds with DNA of the plants from which the lanternfly was collected; and, (c) investigating the spectrum of ingested plants. We utilized gut contents of third and fourth instar nymphs that were collected from multiple plants; we isolated ingested plant DNA and identified consumed plants. We demonstrated that (a) up to 534 bp of the rbcL gene from ingested plants can be detected in L. delicatula guts, (b) ingested plants in ~93% of the nymphs did not correspond with the plants from which the nymphs were collected, and (c) both introduced and native plants, as well as woody and non-woody plants, were ingested. This information will aid effective the monitoring and management of the lanternfly, as well as predict the lanternfly host plants with range expansion.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 458.2-458
Author(s):  
G. Singh ◽  
M. Sehgal ◽  
A. Mithal

Background:Heart failure (HF) is the eighth leading cause of death in the US, with a 38% increase in the number of deaths due to HF from 2011 to 2017 (1). Gout and hyperuricemia have previously been recognized as significant risk factors for heart failure (2), but there is little nationwide data on the clinical and economic consequences of these comorbidities.Objectives:To study heart failure hospitalizations in patients with gout in the United States (US) and estimate their clinical and economic impact.Methods:The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) is a stratified random sample of all US community hospitals. It is the only US national hospital database with information on all patients, regardless of payer, including persons covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and the uninsured. We examined all inpatient hospitalizations in the NIS in 2017, the most recent year of available data, with a primary or secondary diagnosis of gout and heart failure. Over 69,800 ICD 10 diagnoses were collapsed into a smaller number of clinically meaningful categories, consistent with the CDC Clinical Classification Software.Results:There were 35.8 million all-cause hospitalizations in patients in the US in 2017. Of these, 351,735 hospitalizations occurred for acute and/or chronic heart failure in patients with gout. These patients had a mean age of 73.3 years (95% confidence intervals 73.1 – 73.5 years) and were more likely to be male (63.4%). The average length of hospitalization was 6.1 days (95% confidence intervals 6.0 to 6.2 days) with a case fatality rate of 3.5% (95% confidence intervals 3.4% – 3.7%). The average cost of each hospitalization was $63,992 (95% confidence intervals $61,908 - $66,075), with a total annual national cost estimate of $22.8 billion (95% confidence intervals $21.7 billion - $24.0 billion).Conclusion:While gout and hyperuricemia have long been recognized as potential risk factors for heart failure, the aging of the US population is projected to significantly increase the burden of illness and costs of care of these comorbidities (1). This calls for an increased awareness and management of serious co-morbid conditions in patients with gout.References:[1]Sidney, S., Go, A. S., Jaffe, M. G., Solomon, M. D., Ambrosy, A. P., & Rana, J. S. (2019). Association Between Aging of the US Population and Heart Disease Mortality From 2011 to 2017. JAMA Cardiology. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2019.4187[2]Krishnan E. Gout and the risk for incident heart failure and systolic dysfunction. BMJ Open 2012;2:e000282.doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000282Disclosure of Interests: :Gurkirpal Singh Grant/research support from: Horizon Therapeutics, Maanek Sehgal: None declared, Alka Mithal: None declared


2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 2993-2996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Underwood ◽  
Brian Breeman ◽  
Joseph Benton ◽  
Jason Bielski ◽  
Julie Palkendo ◽  
...  

Abstract The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an introduced plant hopper that causes significant damage to host plants in the United States. Because of its affinity for tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, control efforts have focused on the use of the systemic insecticide, dinotefuran, in designated trap trees. There is concern about exposure to this pesticide by non-target species, especially honey bees, Apis mellifera, via lanternfly honeydew. Therefore, honey bee colonies were established in areas of high densities of trap trees and samples of honey, bees, and beeswax were collected in May, July, and October of 2017 for analysis. Samples were extracted by the QuEChERS method and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry to determine the presence and quantity of dinotefuran. Additionally, honeydew from lanternflies was analyzed for dinotefuran and informal observations of trap tree visitors were made. None of the worker bee, wax, or honey samples indicated detectable levels of dinotefuran; however, honeydew samples collected did contain dinotefuran above the detection limit with amounts ranging from 3 to 100 ng per sample. The lack of dinotefuran in honey bee products matches the general absence of honey bees at trap trees in informal observations.


2013 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-47
Author(s):  
Rifat H. Raina ◽  
Malkiat S. Saini ◽  
Zakir H. Khan

Abstract Bombus simillimus SMITH is a west Himalayan species, known only from Pakistan and India. In the Indian Himalaya this species is restricted to Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. So far, it has never been recorded from other regions. Its females (workers) can be recognized by the chocolate brown pubescence of the metasomal terga 1 and 2. The colour pattern of the queen is very distinct, with the whole body coloured black except for the last two metasomal terga, which are brick-red. In Kashmir Himalaya it is widespread around the lower mountain coniferous forest and was found foraging heavily on Trifolium pratense, Lavatera cashmeriana, Carduus spp. and Cirsium spp. Being very common and having a very wide distributional range, it is associated with a sizeable number of host plants. Due emphasis has been laid on its detailed taxonomic descriptions, synonymy, host plants, distribution pattern and illustration. Thirty-five food plants of this species have been recorded from the study areas.


2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teri L. Sanddal ◽  
Nels D. Sanddal ◽  
Nicolas Ward ◽  
Laura Stanley

Ambulance crashes are a significant risk to prehospital care providers, the patients they are carrying, persons in other vehicles, and pedestrians. No uniform national transportation or medical database captures all ambulance crashes in the United States. A website captures many significant ambulance crashes by collecting reports in the popular media (the website is mentioned in the introduction). This report summaries findings from ambulance crashes for the time period of May 1, 2007 to April 30, 2009. Of the 466 crashes examined, 358 resulted in injuries to prehospital personnel, other vehicle occupants, patients being transported in the ambulance, or pedestrians. A total of 982 persons were injured as a result of ambulance crashes during the time period. Prehospital personnel were the most likely to be injured. Provider safety can and should be improved by ambulance vehicle redesign and the development of improved occupant safety restraints. Seventy-nine (79) crashes resulted in fatalities to some member of the same groups listed above. A total of 99 persons were killed in ambulance crashes during the time period. Persons in other vehicles involved in collisions with ambulances were the most likely to die as a result of crashes. In the urban environment, intersections are a particularly dangerous place for ambulances.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore C Friedman ◽  
Magda Shaheen ◽  
Dulcie Kermah ◽  
Deyu Pan ◽  
Katrina Schrode ◽  
...  

Abstract Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver condition. It is manifested by hepatic steatosis (HS) that can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and even liver failure. Interestingly, it is marked by racial/ethnic disparities, with a high prevalence in Hispanics. We aimed to identify the risk factors for these chronic conditions in the US. To this end, we analyzed data from NHANES III (1988-1994) using multiple or multinomial logistic regression considering the design and sample weight. HS was identified by ultrasound. NAFLD was defined as HS in the absence of viral hepatitis or excessive use of alcohol or hepatotoxic drugs. The NAFLD population was further divided into those with NASH (defined by the HAIR score), or with simple NAFLD. The prevalence of HS was 19.8%, 16.6%, and 27.9%; of NAFLD was 17.8%, 14.7%, and 25.5%; and of NASH was 3.2%, 2.5%, and 5.1% in non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics, respectively. Race/ethnicity was a significant predictor of HS, NAFLD and NASH, with Hispanics having the highest odds for all conditions, and non-Hispanic Blacks having the lowest odds relative to Whites (p<0.05). Other significant risk factors for all three conditions were older age, higher BMI, abnormal levels of C-peptide, and elevated serum glucose and triglycerides (p<0.05). HOMA insulin resistance was associated with HS and NAFLD (p<0.05). While smoking status was not associated with HS (p>0.05), current smokers had lower odds of NAFLD & NASH than non-smokers (p<0.05). Elevation of the liver enzyme aspartate aminotransferase was a significant risk factor of HS, while elevation of the liver enzyme alanine transaminase was a significant risk factor of NAFLD. Elevation in the levels of both liver enzymes was predictive of NASH (p<0.05). Although we included physical activity relative to national recommendation variable and the Healthy Eating Index (a measure of diet quality) in our analyses, neither of these factors was a predictor of any of the liver conditions (p>0.05). Our results showed an independent association between race/ethnicity and HS, NAFLD, and NASH, whereby Hispanics had the highest odds for every condition relative to non-Hispanic Whites. Providers should consider the race/ethnicity of their patients when evaluating the risk for NAFLD and NASH, and also be aware of the other risk factors, such as BMI and levels of C-peptide, glucose, and triglycerides.


1999 ◽  
Vol 131 (6) ◽  
pp. 801-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.E. Blatt ◽  
A.M. Schindel ◽  
R. Harmsen

AbstractThe suitability of three potential host plants, Solidago canadensis L. var. canadensis (Asteraceae), Solidago graminifolia (L.) Salisb., and Aster lateriflorus L. (Asteraceae), for the goldenrod beetle, Trirhabda virgata LeConte was determined by measuring several fitness components during the T. virgata life cycle. Neonate larvae were collected from S. canadensis plants and transplanted onto S. canadensis, S. graminifolia, and A. lateriflorus and maintained in field enclosures until the last instar was reached. Once brought into the laboratory, larvae were fed their assigned host plant until pupation. Following emergence, adults were weighed and separated into mating pairs to record oviposition and longevity. Eggs were kept in the laboratory until the following spring, when first instar larvae were taken into the field and re-established on their assigned host, and the experiment was repeated for 2 years. Larval survival and rate of development was not affected by the host plant. Mean weight of adults at emergence was greater on S. canadensis than on either S. graminifolia or A. lateriflorus. Two components of adult fitness, postmating longevity and realized fecundity, were measured. Longevity of adult female T. virgata was not affected by the host plant. Fecundity of T. virgata reared on A. lateriflorus and S. graminifolia was lower than the fecundity of females reared on S. canadensis. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that both intrinsic plant quality and the mobility of the foraging stage are important in the evolution of host range in T. virgata. These experiments were repeated over a 3-year period, using offspring from the survivors of the previous year for the 2nd and 3rd years. Over this time, individuals experienced "laboratory adaptation," and both accepted and increased their performance on previously unacceptable food plants.


2010 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 955-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick Girard ◽  
Meyer Samama ◽  
Alpesh Amin

SummaryIn the US, ambulatory status is often a criterion for stopping prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE). In an analysis of the prophylaxis in MEDical patients with ENOXaparin (MEDENOX) trial, ambulatory status was assessed as outcome and patients grouped accordingly for further analysis. Rates of VTE and bleeding were evaluated. Using multivariate logistic regression, the relationships between thromboprophylaxis, VTE risk, and ambulatory status were assessed. Ambulatory status was reached in 607/1,084 patients, in a mean time of 4.4 days. Thromboprophylaxis was provided for 7.3 and 7.7 days in the ambulatory and non-ambulatory groups. Although VTE rates were lower in ambulatory patients, enoxaparin 40 mg once daily significantly reduced the risk of VTE vs. placebo in ambulatory (3.3% vs. 10.6%; relative risk [RR] = 0.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13ﺹ0.78; p=0.008) and non-ambulatory patients (9.0% vs. 19.7%; RR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.23ﺹ0.91; p=0.02). Major bleeding was not significantly different between enoxaparin and placebo in either group. By multivariate regression analysis, VTE risk in ambulatory patients was lower with enoxaparin vs. placebo (odds ratio [OR] = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.11ﺹ0.74; p=0.01), but higher in patients with a history of VTE (OR = 3.74; 95% CI, 1.59ﺹ8.84; p=0.003) or cancer (OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.00ﺹ4.48; p=0.049). Despite timely mobilisation, patients who become ambulatory are at VTE risk and experience a significant risk reduction with enoxaparin 40 mg. Therefore, it is essential that ambulatory patients receive recommended thromboprophylaxis.


EDIS ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Walker ◽  
Marjorie Hoy ◽  
Dale Meyerdirk

The papaya mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink, is a small hemipteran that attacks several genera of host plants, including economically important tropical fruits and ornamentals. The papaya mealybug was discovered in Manatee and Palm Beach counties in Florida in 1998 and subsequently spread rapidly to several other Florida counties. It potentially poses a multi-million dollar threat to numerous agricultural products in Florida, as well as other states, if not controlled. Biological control was identified as a key component in a management strategy for the papaya mealybug, and a classical biological control program was initiated as a joint effort between the US Department of Agriculture, Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, and Ministry of Agriculture in the Dominican Republic in 1999. This document is EENY-302, one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: August 2003.  EENY302/IN579: Papaya Mealybug, Paracoccus marginatus Williams and Granara de Willink (Insecta: Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) (ufl.edu)


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