Chemical Ecology of the host searching behavior in an Egg Parasitoid: are Common Chemical Cues exploited to locate hosts in Taxonomically Distant Plant Species?

Parasitoids are known to exploit volatile cues emitted by plants after herbivore attack to locate their hosts. Feeding and oviposition of a polyphagous herbivore can induce the emission of odor blends that differ among distant plant species, and parasitoids have evolved an incredible ability to discriminate them and locate their hosts relying on olfactive cues. We evaluated the host searching behavior of the egg parasitoid Cosmocomoidea annulicornis (Ogloblin) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) in response to odors emitted by two taxonomically distant host plants, citrus and Johnson grass, after infestation by the sharpshooter Tapajosa rubromarginata (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), vector of Citrus Variegated Chlorosis. Olfactory response of female parasitoids toward plants with no herbivore damage and plants with feeding damage, oviposition damage, and parasitized eggs was tested in a Y-tube olfactometer. In addition, volatiles released by the two host plant species constitutively and under herbivore attack were characterized. Females of C. annulicornis were able to detect and significantly preferred plants with host eggs, irrespectively of plant species. However, wasps were unable to discriminate between plants with healthy eggs and those with eggs previously parasitized by conspecifics. Analysis of plant volatiles induced after sharpshooter attack showed only two common volatiles between the two plant species, indole and β-caryophyllene. Our results suggest that this parasitoid wasp uses common chemical cues released by many different plants after herbivory at long range and, once on the plant, other more specific chemical cues could trigger the final decision to oviposit.

     

Subcellular localization and some biochemical properties of the flavivirus Kunjin nonstructural proteins NS2A and NS4A

1. The mean incidence of deaths from ascites in the UK in 1993 was 1.4% (0.7% in 1991 and 0.9% in 1992) and 0.8% from sudden death syndrome (SDS). In total, the economic loss to the UK Broiler Industry in 1993 as a result of these 2 conditions was 24 Pounds M. 2. Clear geographical differences emerged in the occurrence of ascites, with, not only the lowest incidences being observed in Northern Ireland, but also the peak of the mortality from ascites occurring much later in the rearing cycle than in other regions on the mainland. 3. In all regions the incidence of SDS was lower than that of ascites but the reason for this disparity remains to be established. 4. Some of the variables associated with the road transportation of day-old chicks from the hatchery to the farm appeared to influence the incidence of ascites. These included distance or time travelled, stocking density, internal lorry temperature and the length of time the lorry was heated before transport as well as the time the shed was heated before chick arrival. Temperature was also an important factor during growth (brooding and finishing). 5. Negative pressure-powered ventilation was preferred in most organisations but more ascites was seen with positive pressure ventilation. However, the lowest incidence of ascites occurred with natural ventilation. There was more ascites relative to shed orientation when the wind direction was from the west compared to the east. 6. This survey identifies the extent of the problem of broiler ascites in the UK and also highlights the importance of good management control of day-old chicks, not only following placement, but even before their arrival on the farm.     

Ulstrasonic monitoring for early diagnosis of air embolism during neurosurgical procedures (author's transl)

The sitting position of the patient offers many advantages to the neurosurgeon for operations at the posterior fossa, the upper cervical region, the Gasserian ganglion and the retroganglionic trigeminal root. Air embolism is however one of the greatest dangers during operations in this position. Air emboli occur more frequently than it is generally recognized. Most monitoring systems indicate the entrance of air at a late stage only. But early diagnosis and immediate therapy are of utmost importance. The use of an ultrasonic monitoring device for early diagnosis and the preoperative insertion of a right artrial catheter for immediate aspiration of the air are recommended.     

Characterization of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes and application as an effective filter for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions☆

Filtration efficiency of Ni(II) from aqueous solution using pristine and modified MWCNTs filters was investigated as a function of Ni(II) ion concentration, pH, and filter mass. MWCNTs were synthesized by CVD method and modified using two complementary treatments, purification (using a mixture of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide) and functionalization (using nitric acid). The effect and mechanism of each treatment on the structural integrity of pristine MWCNTs has been studied. Morphology of the pristine and modified filters was investigated by Raman Spectrometry (RS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometry and Thermogravimetric analysis. It was found from Raman spec-tra that the ratio of the intensity of D-band to that of G-band decreased by purification process, and increased by functionalization process. The adsorption mechanism of Ni(II) onto the surface functional groups of modified MWCNTs was confirmed by FTIR spectrum. The filtration results showed that the removal efficiency of Ni(II) is strongly dependent on pH and could reach 85%at pH=8. Also, modified MWCNT filters can be reused through many cycles of regeneration with high performance. Functionalized MWCNTs filters may be a promising adsor-bent candidate for heavy metal removal from wastewater.     

Multifactorial analysis of lung cancer dose-response relationships for workers at the Mayak nuclear enterprise

Dose-response relationships for alpha-radiation-induced lung cancers (adenocarcinoma, squamous carcinoma and small cell carcinoma) were developed by multifactorial analysis using data for Mayak nuclear enterprise workers chronically exposed by inhalation to 239Pu. The three most important lung cancer risk factors (smoking, plutonium incorporation, and external gamma irradiation), out of six factors previously identified, were used. Relative risks (odds ratios) were determined for 500 nuclear enterprise workers (162 cancer cases, 338 control) for different dose levels using a case-control study design and logistic regression. A threshold at about 3.7 kBq or 0.80 Gy was discovered for incorporated plutonium, which is satisfactorily described by linear-quadratic and quadratic models. Excess relative risk was 0.020 kBq(-2) and 0.97 Gy(-2). This quadratic function was mainly due to adenocarcinoma. A trend for decreasing risk was noted for the lowest levels of plutonium incorporation, near permissible level. No clear-cut dose-response relationship for lung cancer induction by chronic external gamma irradiation was obtained. Lung cancer induction by cigarette smoking had a linear dependence: smoking of one pack of papiroses (a type of Russian cigarette) per day for 5 y increases the lung cancer risk twofold. The effect was most clearly manifested for squamous-cell carcinoma.