332 research outputs found
In search of an explanatory model representing developmental rates of Oulema duftschmidi. Fourth Study Days on Numerical, Statistical and Computer Based Methods for Crops and Forests Protection
No full textCoinciding development of winter wheat and leaf beetles along an Alpine transect
No full textThe degree of temporal coincidence in the development of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and the cereal leaf beetles Oulema melanopus (L.) and Oulema duftschmidi (Redtenbacher, 1874) was studied by means of explanatory phenology models. Temperature and photoperiod control crop development, whereas oviposition and development of eggs and larvae of the two beetles depend on temperature and crop phases. The models parametrized with literature data satisfactorily represented crop and prepupal insect development at several Swiss and Italian locations.
The successfully validated models were used for representing multiannual crop and insect development at seven locations on a European transect between the Danube river in the North and the Po River in the South. Depending on temperature and photoperiod, the crop phases occurred at different time periods but were generally of similar durations. The shifting of the crop phases exposed the cereal leaf beetles to environmental conditions which were similar during oviposition and slightly different as the growing season progressed. The simulated oviposition and prepupal survivorship was much higher for O. melanopus than for O. duftschmidi but did not differ between the locations. The crop phase-dependent mortality (Mc) was consistently higher for O. duftschmidi than for O. melanopus, whose Mc increased with increasing altitude.
The extent of coinciding development was investigated by means of the summed larval development rates divided by the summed wheat development rate. During the oviposition period the insect development was coincident with wheat development. With time progression, however, the temperature difference between the locations increased causing an incomplete coincidence in the development of wheat and cereal leaf beetles. These results support the hypothesis that the extent of coinciding development of the three species is largely controlled by temperature and photoperiodic conditions
Cefditoren versus levofloxacin in patients with exacerbations of chronic bronchitis : serum inflammatory biomarkers, clinical efficacy,and microbiological eradication
No full textBACKGROUND:
The aim of this open-label, randomized, parallel-group pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of cefditoren pivoxil and levofloxacin in terms of speed of reduction in inflammatory parameters, clinical recovery, and microbiological eradication.
METHODS:
Forty eligible patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB) were randomized to receive cefditoren 200 mg twice a day for 5 days (n = 20) or levofloxacin 500 mg once daily for 7 days (n = 20).
RESULTS:
The inflammatory parameters which were significantly reduced at test-of-cure with respect to visit 1 were Krebs von den Lundgen-6 (KL-6) and interleukin-6. KL-6 decreased both in the overall study population (from 19 ± 11 UI/mL to 6 ± 8 UI/mL, P = 0.000) and in the cefditoren (from 19 ± 13 UI/mL to 8 ± 10 UI/mL, P = 0.006) and levofloxacin (from 19 ± 10 UI/mL to 5 ± 5 UI/mL, P = 0.000) arms. Similarly, interleukin-6 decreased both in the overall study population (from 13.35 ± 16.41 pg/mL to 3 ± 4.7 pg/mL, P = 0.000) and in the cefditoren (from 15.90 ± 19.54 pg/mL to 4.13 ± 6.42 pg/mL, P = 0.015) and levofloxacin (from 10.80 ± 12.55 pg/mL to 1.87 ± 1.16 pg/mL, P = 0.003) arms. At the end of treatment (test-of-cure, 6-9 days after drug initiation), the clinical success rate in the overall study population was 78%; the clinical cure rate was 80% in the cefditoren arm and 75% in the levofloxacin arm. Globally, bacteriological eradication at test-of-cure was obtained in 85% of the overall study population. Both treatments were well tolerated.
CONCLUSION:
Cefditoren represents a valid option in the treatment of mild to moderately severe cases of AECB in the outpatient care setting. Moreover, the use of this cephalosporin is associated with a significant reduction of interleukin-6 and KL-6, two key mediators of lung inflammation and epithelial damage
Modello stocastico-biofisico per lo sviluppo di una coorte di Oulema duftschmidi a temperature costanti
No full textComments on the dynamics of insect population assemblages and sampling plans for aphids in commercial alpine yarrow fields
No full textAchillea collina Becker ex Rchb. (yarrow) is a medicinal plant grown for commercial purposes in southern Switzerland and northern Italy. The economically most relevant population assemblage is organized around the phloem feeding aphids Macrosiphoniella millefolii (De Geer), Aphis spiraecola Patch and Coloradoa achilleae Hille Ris Lambers. The study is a contribution to explaining the dynamics of this assemblage in two Alpine fields, on the basis of multitrophic population interactions. The method consisted in stratifying the field and taking random samples of yarrow stems and leaves, aphid numbers, and numbers of adult coccinellids and mummified aphids throughout the growing period. There were no significant differences in aphid densities between the strata (α = 0.05; F = 1.561; P = 0.138). Once the photoperiod reaches 14 h, a time window opens for stem elongation and reproductive development that creates suitable conditions for the aphids. There are indications for an influence of the plant and a possibly limited effect of natural enemies on aphid infestations. The coefficients b (1.920, 1.917) and a (3.911, 14.539) of Taylor's power law indicate aggregated distributions of M. millefolii and A. spiraecola. To obtain a reliable density estimate, 100 or 400 plants should be sampled for M. millefolii and A. spiraecola, respectively. An enumerative sequential sampling plan appears to be more efficient than the enumerative fixed sample size sampling plan
Growth and Body Composition after Term in Two Subgroups of VLBW Infants: Preliminary Data of a Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textBACKGROUND: Growth benefits have been reported in infants with birth weight less than 1250 g and in boys when nutrient-enriched formula (PDF) are fed after discharge.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the use of a PDF may determine a growth benefit in two sub-groups of infants.
DESIGN/METHODS: 118 preterm infants, born AGA (BW=1178.7± 226 g; GA=29±1.9 wks) and 61 preterm infants, born SGA (BW=1105± 253g; GA=31.5±1.8 wks) were randomized in G1a [AGA fed PDF (2.9 g/100 kcal)], G1b [AGA fed term formula (TF) (2.1 g/100 kcal)], G2a: SGA fed PDF, G2b: SGA fed TF.
Measures: growth and body composition, by an air displacement plethysmography system, at term, 1, 3, 5, 6 months of corrected age. Statistical analysis: ANOVA, regression analysis.
RESULTS: Protein intakes were higher in G1a than G1b (p<0.005) and in G2a than G2b(p<0.05) at each study point.
Weight, length and fat mass were similar in AGA and SGA infants either fed PDF or TF at each study point. Mean head circumference values (cm) were higher in G1a than G1b at six months (43.4± 2 vs 42.3±1.5, p=0.03). In AGA infants, at linear regression analysis (p<0.001), being fed a PDF formula, being male, being born AGA without postnatal growth retardation at term were correlated with higher head circumference values at six months [unstandardized B coefficient (SE) 1.4 (0.47); 1 (0.44); 1 (0.44), respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a growth benefit in AGA preterm infants fed PDF
Experimental investigation of the local blood flow pattern in stented coronary bifurcations
No full textNot availabl
Formula-fed infants have significantly higher fat-free mass content in their bodies than breastfed babies
No full textAim Early nutrition may affect body composition development. This study assessed body composition changes in healthy term infants in the first four months of life, comparing the results for breastfed and formula-fed babies. Methods A longitudinal, observational study was conducted with healthy term infants, who had a birth weight of more than 2500 g and were aged up to 3 weeks at enrolment. Infants were either exclusively breastfed or formula-fed. Growth and body composition were assessed by air-displacement plethysmography at enrolment and 4 months. Results A total of 158 infants were enrolled (72 exclusively breastfed and 86 exclusively formula-fed). Body composition was similar between the two feeding groups at enrolment, but fat-free mass (4831 ± 538 g vs 4641 ± 461 g; p = 0.036) at 4 months and the fat-free mass changes between enrolment and 4 months (80.3 ± 16.4% vs 67.6 ± 18.4%; p < 0.001) were higher in formula-fed infants than breastfed ones. Conclusions Our findings suggest that formula-fed infants show different body composition development during the first 4 months of life to breastfed ones, with higher fat-free mass content. ©2014 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Infections after lung transplantation
No full textThe good clinical result of lung transplantation is constantly undermined by the high incidence of infection, which negatively impacts on function and survival. Moreover, infections may also have immunological interactions that play a role in the acute rejection and in the development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction. There is a temporal sequence in the types of infection that affects lung allograft: in the first postoperative month bacteria are the most frequent cause of infection; following this phase, cytomegalovirus and Pneumocystis carinii are common. Fungal infections are particularly feared due to their association with bronchial complication and high mortality. Scrupulous postoperative surveillance is mandatory for the successful management of lung transplantation patients with respect to early detection and treatment of infections. This paper is aimed to address clinicians in the management of the major infectious complications that affect the lung transplant population
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