Calyx fluid proteins of two Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) biotypes in Kenya: implications to biological control of the stem borer Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Cotesia sesamiae (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is an indigenous larval endoparasitoid of Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, reports suggest that C. sesamiae occurs as two biotypes. Biotype avirulent to B. fusca gets encapsulated by haemocytes in this host and is unable to complete development. Biotype virulent to B. fusca is able to overcome immune defences. Factors present in the calyx fluid such as the PolyDNAviruses (PDV), venom and calyx fluid proteins have been implicated in the variation of C. sesamiae virulence against B. fusca. In the present study, calyx fluid proteins of the two C. sesamiae biotypes were compared using 2-D gel electrophoresis. More protein spots were observed in the virulent parasitoid calyx fluid, but some proteins were specifically observed in the avirulent parasitoid calyx fluid while others were observed in both. To study changes in proteins due to parasitism of B. fusca larvae by the two strains, SDS-PAGE gel were performed on fat body tissues and the haemolymph at three time points. Differences between the two strains were observed in both the fat body and haemolymph tissues. Parasitism-specific protein bands were detectable in fat body tissues of B. fusca larvae parasitized by the two C. sesamiae strains. These proteins were absent in unparasitized larvae. Implications for using C. sesamiae as a biocontrol agent of B. fusca in Africa are discussed.     

Effect of supplementation with zinc and other micronutrients on malaria in Tanzanian children: a randomised trial

Background

It is uncertain to what extent oral supplementation with zinc can reduce episodes of malaria in endemic areas. Protection may depend on other nutrients. We measured the effect of supplementation with zinc and other nutrients on malaria rates.

Methods and Findings

In a 2×2 factorial trial, 612 rural Tanzanian children aged 6–60 months in an area with intense malaria transmission and with height-for-age z-score≤−1.5 SD were randomized to receive daily oral supplementation with either zinc alone (10 mg), multi-nutrients without zinc, multi-nutrients with zinc, or placebo. Intervention group was indicated by colour code, but neither participants, researchers, nor field staff knew who received what intervention. Those with Plasmodium infection at baseline were treated with artemether-lumefantrine. The primary outcome, an episode of malaria, was assessed among children reported sick at a primary care clinic, and pre-defined as current Plasmodium infection with an inflammatory response, shown by axillary temperature ≥37.5°C or whole blood C-reactive protein concentration ≥8 mg/L. Nutritional indicators were assessed at baseline and at 251 days (median; 95% reference range: 191–296 days). In the primary intention-to-treat analysis, we adjusted for pre-specified baseline factors, using Cox regression models that accounted for multiple episodes per child. 592 children completed the study. The primary analysis included 1,572 malaria episodes during 526 child-years of observation (median follow-up: 331 days). Malaria incidence in groups receiving zinc, multi-nutrients without zinc, multi-nutrients with zinc and placebo was 2.89/child-year, 2.95/child-year, 3.26/child-year, and 2.87/child-year, respectively. There was no evidence that multi-nutrients influenced the effect of zinc (or vice versa). Neither zinc nor multi-nutrients influenced malaria rates (marginal analysis; adjusted HR, 95% CI: 1.04, 0.93–1.18 and 1.10, 0.97–1.24 respectively). The prevalence of zinc deficiency (plasma zinc concentration <9.9 µmol/L) was high at baseline (67% overall; 60% in those without inflammation) and strongly reduced by zinc supplementation.

Conclusions

We found no evidence from this trial that zinc supplementation protected against malaria.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00623857","term_id":"NCT00623857"}}NCT00623857 Please see later in the article for the Editors'' Summary.     

Physiological susceptibility of the predator Macrolophus basicornis (Hemiptera: Miridae) to pesticides used to control of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

In order to aid the integration of biological and chemical controls for the tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), this study evaluated the relative toxicity of five insecticides to the leaf miner predator Macrolophus basicornis (Stal) (Hemiptera: Miridae). The insecticides evaluated were teflubenzuron, abamectin, chlorantraniliprole, chlorfenapyr, and cartap hydrochloride, all of which are recommended for control of T. absoluta in Brazil. Nymphs and adults of M. basicornis were exposed to tomato leaves treated with the insecticides, under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The overall mortality caused by the products in both situations was recorded, and the survival of congeneric groups was analysed using the Weibull model. The persistence of the insecticides was also evaluated and they were categorised into toxicity classes proposed by the International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC) based on predator mortality and persistence. Abamectin and chlorfenapyr were toxic to M. basicornis nymphs and adults in all bioassays. Cartap hydrochloride was slightly harmful to adults in laboratory assays, but harmful to nymphs, and moderately harmful under greenhouse conditions. Chlorantraniliprole and teflubenzuron were harmless in most assays, except when nymphs were exposed in the laboratory, where they were moderately and slightly harmful, respectively. Chlorantraniliprole and teflubenzuron should be preferred insecticides for use in tomato leaf miner IPM programmes that aim to conserve M. basicornis populations.     

A strategy for finding regions of similarity in complete genome sequences

MOTIVATION: Complete genomic sequences will become available in the future. New methods to deal with very large sequences (sizes beyond 100 kb) efficiently are required. One of the main aims of such work is to increase our understanding of genome organization and evolution. This requires studies of the locations of regions of similarity. RESULTS: We present here a new tool, ASSIRC ('Accelerated Search for SImilarity Regions in Chromosomes'), for finding regions of similarity in genomic sequences. The method involves three steps: (i) identification of short exact chains of fixed size, called 'seeds', common to both sequences, using hashing functions; (ii) extension of these seeds into putative regions of similarity by a 'random walk' procedure; (iii) final selection of regions of similarity by assessing alignments of the putative sequences. We used simulations to estimate the proportion of regions of similarity not detected for particular region sizes, base identity proportions and seed sizes. This approach can be tailored to the user's specifications. We looked for regions of similarity between two yeast chromosomes (V and IX). The efficiency of the approach was compared to those of conventional programs BLAST and FASTA, by assessing CPU time required and the regions of similarity found for the same data set. AVAILABILITY: Source programs are freely available at the following address: ftp://ftp.biologie.ens. fr/pub/molbio/assirc.tar.gz CONTACT: vincens@biologie.ens.fr, hazout@urbb.jussieu.fr      

A comparison of the illness beliefs of people with angina and their peers: a questionnaire study

Background

Systolic compression of a coronary artery by overlying myocardial tissue is termed myocardial bridging. Myocardial bridging usually has a benign prognosis, but some cases resulting in myocardial ischemia, infarction and sudden cardiac death have been reported. We are reporting a case of myocardial bridging which was complicated with acute myocardial infarction associated with inappropriate blood donation.

Case presentation

A 33 year-old-man was admitted to our emergency with acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction after a blood donation. The electrocardiography showed sinus rhythm and was consistent with an acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction. We decided to perform primary percutanous intervention (PCI). Myocardial bridging was observed in the mid segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery on coronary angiogram. PCI was canceled and medical follow up was decided. Blood transfusion was made because he had a deep anemia. A normal hemaglobin level and clinical reperfusion was achieved after ten hours by blood transfusion. At the one year follow up visit, our patient was healthy and had no cardiac complaints.

Conclusions

Myocardial bridging may cause acute myocardial infarction in various clinical conditions. Although the condition in this case caused profound anemia related acute myocardial infarction, its treatment and management was unusual.     

Plasma free amino acid profiles and nutrition proteins in chronic renal failure; effect of dialysis treatment

Summary A well preserved nutritional status is beneficial in chronically uremic patients for slowing the pace of deterioration of renal function, and delaying the need for dialysis therapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutritional profile of 10 patients in a steady state of advanced CRF, and of 15 patients with terminal renal failure immediately prior to their first hemodialysis session (J0), and 7, 14, 45, 60, days post start of dialysis. Patients were 18 to 65 years old with total plasma proteins 60g/1. Plasma concentrations of amino acids, nutrition proteins, apolipoproteins A1, and B were evaluated. Non inflammatory reaction was evaluated by determination of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and C reactive protein. The data (mean ± 1 SD) were compared with mean values of 15 healthy individuals.