Olfactory responses of Trissolcus mitsukurii to plants attacked by target and non-target stink bugs suggest low risk for biological control

Field release of classical biocontrol agents requires prior risk assessment to ensure that non-target effects are averted. No-choice and choice bioassays can provide basic information on the physiological host range of the candidate agent. However, other experimental methods, like olfactometer bioassays of host-plant complexes, can depict more realistically the likelihood that the released biocontrol agent localizes non-targets in the field. Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is native to Asia and invasive in North America and Europe, where it represents a major threat for crops. The Asiatic egg parasitoid Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) is adventive in Italy and exhibits high parasitization ability on H. halys. In the light of evaluating T. mitsukurii for H. halys biocontrol, its physiological host range has been already partially explored. Here, we investigated the ability of the parasitoid to exploit odours associated with H. halys or with the following non-targets: Arma custos F., Dolycoris baccarum L., Eurydema ventralis Kolenati, and Nezara viridula L. (all Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Specifically, using a Y-tube olfactometer, we tested the response of parasitoid females to plants bearing naturally laid eggs, to physogastric females or eggs of the different species. We observed that T. mitsukurii is only attracted by plants challenged by eggs of H. halys or N. viridula, while it is not attracted by physogastric females or eggs alone. Remarkably, T. mitsukurii was almost repelled by plants bearing eggs of the beneficial A. custos. Our results usefully contribute to a more valuable assessment of the potential non-target risks in case of parasitoid release.

PLACENTA ACCRETA IN PRIMIGRAVIDA AT PERIPHERAL SETUP – A RARE CASE REPORT

One of the risk factors for maternal mortality is morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) and accounts for 7–10% of maternal mortality cases worldwide. Placenta accreta is the most common type of MAP, while the other two types are placenta increta and placenta percreta. Placenta accrete accounts for 75–80% of MAP. Here, we present a case of 22 years old, primigravida with no known antenatal risk factors, diagnosed to have placenta accreta intraoperatively after delivering health baby. It is extremely rare for MAP to occur in a patient with no prior risk factors in a primigravida. Peripartum hysterectomy is the only option in a limited care facility with a hemodynamically unstable patient without a proper full-fledged blood bank facility. It is once again reiterated that bleeding from the vagina that does not slow or stop, drop in blood pressure and signs of shock are early signs of blood loss and should be investigated with great concern.

Ex-ante risk management and financial stability during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study of Vietnamese firms

PurposeThe authors investigate whether firms can ensure their financial stability during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic by having ex-ante risk management.Design/methodology/approachThe authors study 279 Vietnamese listed firms by investigating their disclosure of risk awareness and risk management tool(s) in the 2019 annual reports. The authors then examine whether prior risk awareness and adoption of risk management tool(s) can enhance the firms' financial ratios during the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsThe authors find that firms that disclose their risk management tool(s) in the 2019 annual reports have better asset utilization and higher liquidity during the COVID-19 pandemic than the others. However, firms that simply express their risk awareness exert no stronger financial stability. In addition, the authors document that debt management is the most popular and most effective tool to ensure firms' financial stability during the crisis.Originality/valueThe study highlights the need for ex-ante risk management for future pandemics. The authors also suggest that stakeholders can rely on the degree of risk management tool utilization to evaluate the financial stability of firms.

Assessment of Conflicts of Interest in Studies of Breast Implants and Breast Implant Mesh

Background With increased collaboration between surgeons and industry, there has been a push towards improving transparency of conflicts of interest (COI). This study aims to determine the accuracy of reporting of COIs among studies related to breast implants and implantable mesh. Methods A literature search identified all articles published between 2016 – 2018 involving breast implants/implantable mesh from three major United States plastic surgery journals. Industry payment data from 8 breast implant/implantable mesh companies was collected using the CMS Open Payments database. COI discrepancies were identified by comparing author declaration statements with payments >$100.00 found for the year of publication and year prior. Risk factors for discrepancy were determined at study and author levels. Results A total of 162 studies (548 authors) were identified. 126 (78%) studies had at least one author receive undisclosed payments. 295 (54%) authors received undisclosed payments. Comparative studies were significantly more likely to have COI discrepancy than non- comparative studies (83% vs 69%, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed no association between COI discrepancy and final product recommendation. Authors who accurately disclosed payments received higher payments compared to authors who did not accurately disclose payments (median $40,349 IQR 7278-190,413 vs median $1300 IQR 429-11,1544, p <0.001). Conclusions The majority of breast implant-based studies had undisclosed COIs. Comparative studies were more likely to have COI discrepancy. Authors who accurately disclosed COIs received higher payments than authors with discrepancies. This study highlights the need for increased efforts to improve the transparency of industry sponsorship for breast implant-based studies.

Population attributable fractions for continuously distributed exposures

When estimating population attributable fractions (PAF), it is common to partition a naturally continuous exposure into a categorical risk factor. While prior risk factor categorization can help estimation and interpretation, it can result in underestimation of the disease burden attributable to the exposure as well as biased comparisons across different exposures and risk factors. Here, we propose sensible PAF estimands for continuous exposures under a potential outcomes framework. In contrast to previous approaches, we incorporate estimation of the minimum risk exposure value (MREV) into our procedures. While for exposures such as tobacco usage, a sensible value of the MREV is known, often it is unknown and needs to be estimated. Second, in the setting that the MREV value is an extreme-value of the exposure lying in the distributional tail, we argue that the natural estimator of PAF may be both statistically biased and highly volatile; instead, we consider a family of modified PAFs which include the natural estimate of PAF as a limit. A graphical comparison of this set of modified PAF for differing risk factors may be a better way to rank risk factors as intervention targets, compared to the standard PAF calculation. Finally, we analyse the bias that may ensue from prior risk factor categorization, examining whether categorization is ever a good idea, and suggest interpretations of categorized-estimands within a causal inference setting.

Risk-based Regulation in the UK: Courtroom Battles Expose Ongoing Problems

Since 1974, the UK has followed a risk-based approach to safety that, in the event of an incident, is enforced through the courts. The legislation is intentionally non-prescriptive and thus requires duty holders and the courts to decide what control measures were reasonable in the circumstances from ex ante and ex post positions. This has proved challenging for all parties involved. This paper describes a series of cases that have shed light on the thought processes of the courts. It appears that there is some variability in decision-making that can be attributed to several factors, including understanding of the word “risk”, the acceptability of residual risk and the validity of historical data as a means of measuring risk. In the aftermath of incidents, there is a real danger that psychological factors may intervene when the prior risk is being assessed for sentencing purposes. It is argued that while the risk-based model continues to enjoy widespread support in the UK and is not challenged, its implementation could be much eased by attention to details. This would serve to simplify courtroom debates, support those practising risk-based regulation and enable risks to be better prioritised.

Population attributable fraction for continuously distributed exposures

When estimating population attributable fractions (PAF), it is common to partition a naturally continuous exposure into a categorical risk factor. While prior risk factor categorization can help estimation and interpretation, it can result in underestimation of the disease burden attributable to the exposure as well as biased comparisons across different exposures and risk factors. Here, we propose sensible PAF estimands for continuous exposures under a potential outcomes framework. In contrast to previous approaches, we incorporate estimation of the minimum risk exposure value (MREV) into our procedures. While for exposures such as tobacco usage, a sensible value of the MREV is known, often it is unknown and needs to be estimated. Second, in the setting that the MREV value is an extreme-value of the exposure lying in the distributional tail, we argue that the natural estimator of PAF may be both statistically biased and highly volatile; instead, we consider a family of modified PAFs which include the natural estimate of PAF as a limit. A graphical comparison of this set of modified PAF for differing risk factors may be a better way to rank risk factors as intervention targets, compared to the standard PAF calculation. Finally, we analyse the bias that may ensue from prior risk factor categorization, examining whether categorization is ever a good idea, and suggest interpretations of categorized-estimands within a causal inference setting.

Vasospasm induced myocardial ischaemia secondary to sumatriptan use

Certain medications have been implicated in causing acute myocardial infarctions (AMI). Sumatriptan, a medication usually prescribed for acute migraine and cluster headaches has been documented as potentially causing coronary vasospasm, thereby leading to MI. This is usually seen in patients with strong risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) or in those with established CAD. Most cases thus far have been reported in patients using the subcutaneous preparation of sumatriptan. Here, we present a case of a patient without prior risk factors for CAD and angiographically unremarkable coronary arteries who presented with evidence of an AMI after oral sumatriptan use for migraines.