Control Agents Research Articles

Comparative analysis of medical treatments for long-term control of normal tension glaucoma: A systematic review and model-based network meta-analysis.

To evaluate and compare the long-term efficacy of medical treatments for normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in controlling intraocular pressure (IOP), and establish a hierarchical ranking based on their effectiveness. 'Long-term' is defined as a treatment duration of over 12 weeks in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). This systematic review and model-based network meta-analysis (MBNMA) collected data of 795 patients with 997 eyes from RCTs. Patients with NTG were selected based on strict inclusion/exclusion criteria, with randomsation procedures and masking as reported in the individual trials. Eight different medications were compared, including prostaglandin analogues, beta-blockers, brimonidine, unoprostone isopropyl, brovincamine, and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). Notably, PEA is an oral medication, while other drugs are topical agents. Primary outcome is the long-term efficacy of IOP control across medications with different follow-up durations. Among the eight medications, PEA demonstrates the highest efficacy (Surface under the cumulative ranking, SUCRA = 7.46%), followed by two prostaglandin analogues: travoprost (SUCRA = 6.86%) and latanoprost (SUCRA = 6.76%), then two beta-blockers: nipradilol (SUCRA = 4.90%) and timolol (SUCRA = 4.89%). Both brimonidine and unoprostone isopropyl have SUCRA scores below 4.0%, indicating modest but limited efficacy. Brovincamine has the lowest SUCRA score (1.32%), reflecting minimal effectiveness. This study revealed PEA as a promising agent for long-term IOP control in NTG patients, suggesting potential use as primary or adjunctive therapy. The outcomes call for PEA's consideration in clinical practice and highlight the need for further research into its long-term efficacy and safety for NTG.

In-vitro & In-vivo Studies on Antimicrobial and Plant Growth Promoting Efficacy of Fluorescent Pseudomonads

Aims: Excessive use of chemical fungicides cause environmental pollution and its residual effects are deleterious for human and animal consumption. So, application of biological control agents in IDM is an ecofriendly complement to manage the diseases as well as to protect the environment. PGPRs are free living microorganisms which have antimicrobial properties as well as exert beneficial effects to plant growth. Study Design: This present study has been designed to identify potential indigenous fluorescent Pseudomonads strains from different crop ecosystems under Eastern Gangetic plains of West Bengal. Study of Plant growth promoting properties and antimicrobial properties were done under both in-vitro and in vivo condition. Place and Duration of Study: Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, Duration 03years Methodology: Under this experiment 22 bacterial isolates were isolated and purified from different rhizosphere. Isolates were identified based on different biochemical test like catalase, oxidase activity, citrate utilization. The major plant growth promoting properties like P, K and Zn solubilisation efficiency were tested. In-vitro antimicrobial properties were also tested like HCN production, Volatile and non volatile compounds production etc. Based on in-vitro performance, best performing isolate was selected for in-vivo in Lentil against Stemphylium botryosum, a major disease causing fungi of lentil. IDM practice was done in three stages like Seed treatment, Prophylactic spray and Therapeutic spray and three lentil variety WBL 77(Maitree), Pusa Ageti and MN12 were used. Results: Most of the isolates showed positive result in biochemical tests and performed well i.r.o. PGP properties and antimicrobial properties. In field trial UBPF5 gave a promising result. PF5 isolate was identified through 16S rRNA based molecular method and sample showed 99.25% similarity with Pseudomonas gessardii based on nucleotide homology and phylogenetic analysis. In comparison to different combination of treatments cuprous chloride as seed treatment, Pseudomonas sp. as prophylactic spray and for therapeutic purpose Boscalid + Pyroclostrobin were found mostly efficient in respect of disease incidence as well as plant growth and yield. Prophylactic spray with Pseudomonas sp. in combination with biological seed treatment and therapeutic application of fungicide has resulted in 26-38% reduction in disease incidence and 28-32% increment in yield. Conclusion: So, use of PGPR in combination with chemical fungicides is an eco-friendly tool to manage plant diseases in a sustainable manner.

The Physiological Effect of Trichoderma viride on Melon Yield and Its Ability to Suppress Rhizoctonia solani

Melon damping off, which has a negative impact on melon quality and yield, can be safely and effectively managed with Trichoderma. Melon cultivar ‘Longtian No. 1’ was evaluated at both the adult and seedling stages in a pot experiment. The Rs and PD liquids were utilized as CK1 and CK2, respectively. Trichoderma viride Tv286 treatments T1B, T2B, T3B, and T4B were used based on Rs at concentrations of 104, 105, 106, and 107 CFU·g−1, respectively. The impact of several treatments on the antioxidant system and seedling quality of melon were assessed at 15, 25, and 35 days after sowing. We examined the effects of several treatments on melon quality, yield attributes, and physiological and biochemical markers during the adult stage at 10, 20, and 30 days after pollination. The effects of several treatments on melon damping off were also studied. Applying T. viride Tv286 at different rates effectively increased the activities of enzymes, including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), in the leaves of melon seedlings, significantly reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and improved the root–shoot ratio and seedling strength index. In terms of its influence on promoting the effect of antioxidant system indicators, T3B performed well. Melon seedlings treated with T3B showed higher CAT, POD, SOD, APX, and PPO activities in their leaves 35 days after sowing compared to CK1 (189.74, 169.61, 175.36, 224.20, and 477.39%, respectively). The strong seedling index and root–shoot ratio showed improvements of 130.43 and 79.71%, respectively, and the MDA content dropped by 35.66% at 35 days after sowing compared to CK1. Varying the rates at which T. viride Tv286 was applied increased the nitrate reductase (NR) activity and nitrate nitrogen, proline (Pro), chlorophyll, soluble sugar, and soluble protein contents in mature melon leaves, increasing melon quality and yield. T3B is the most effective marketing campaign. Compared to CK1, mature T3B leaves had higher NR activity, nitrate nitrogen content, chlorophyll content, soluble sugar content, soluble protein content, and Pro content 30 days after melon pollination (100.40, 135.17, 68.59, 93.65, 158.13, and 238.67%, respectively). The soluble solids, soluble protein, soluble sugar, vitamin C contents, and yield of melon fruit increased by 50.07, 126.82, 60.62, 70.79, and 61.45%, respectively, at 30 days after melon pollination compared to CK1. Optimal management of melon damping off can be accomplished with the application of T. viride Tv286 at different concentrations, with T3B exhibiting the best effect. The control effects reached 90.48 and 72.99% at the seedling and adult stages, respectively. Overall, T. viride Tv286 improved seedling quality, damping off control efficacy, melon yield and quality, and the antioxidant system during the seedling stage and enhanced physiological and biochemical characteristics during the adult stage. This study indicates the potential of T. viride Tv286 conidia as a biological control agent because it can prevent plant disease, increase yield, and improve quality.

Identification and expression profiling of neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptor genes in a natural enemy, Coccinella septempunctata.

Neuropeptides and their receptors constitute diverse and abundant signal molecules in insects, primarily synthesized and released primarily from neurosecretory cells within the central nervous system Neuropeptides act as neurohormones and euromodulators, regulating insect behavior, lifecycle, and physiology by binding to receptors on cell surface. As a typical natural predator of agricultural pests, the lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, has been commercially mass-cultured and widely employed in pest management. Insect diapause is a physiological and ecological adaptative strategy acquired in adverse environments. In biological control programs, knowledge about diapause regulation in natural enemy insects provides important insight for improving long-term storage, transportation, and field adoption of these biological control agents. However, little is known about the function of neuropeptides and their receptors in controlling reproductive diapause of C. septempunctata. It is unclear which neuropeptides affect diapause of C. septempunctata. In this study, RNA-seq technology and bioinformatics were utilized to investigate genes encoding neuropeptides and their receptors in female adults of C. septempunctata. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis was employed to examine gene expression across different development/diapause stages. A total of 17 neuropeptide precursor genes and 9 neuropeptide receptor genes were identified, implicated in regulating various behaviors such as feeding, reproduction, and diapause. Prediction of partial mature neuropeptides from precursor sequences was also performed using available information about these peptides from other species, conserved domains and motifs. During diapause induction, the mRNA abundance of AKH was notably higher on the 10th day compared to non-diapause females, but decreased by the 20th day. In contrast, GPHA showed lower expression levels on the 5th day of diapause induction compared to non-diapause females, but increased significantly by the 15th and 20th days. NPF was higher expressed in head and midgut while DH showed higher expression in the fat body and midgut. Additionally, NPF expression remained consistently lower throughout all stages of diapause induction compared to non-diapause conditions in females. This study represents the first sequencing, identification, and expression analysis of neuropeptides and neuropeptide receptor genes in C. septempunctata. Our results could provide a foundational framework for further investigations into the presence, functions, and potential targets of neuropeptides and their receptors, particularly in devising novel strategies for diapause regulation in C. septempunctata.

First Report of <i>Tetrastichus howardi</i> (Olliff) and <i>Chelonus formosanus</i> Sonan as parasitoids of fall armyworm, <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (J.E. Smith), in Pakistan

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), an invasive agricultural pest, causes substantial economic losses in Pakistan. This study reports the first record of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) and Chelonus formosanus Sonan as natural enemies parasitising S. frugiperda within the country. Parasitoids were collected from infested maize fields and identified through morphological analysis. This discovery enhances our understanding of the natural enemy complex associated with S. frugiperda in Pakistan and provides a foundation for investigating their potential as biological control agents. These findings underscore the potential of these parasitoids as components of integrated pest management systems to diminish reliance on chemical insecticides and foster sustainable agricultural practices.

A Review of the Arrival, Effects, and Management of Bagrada hilaris in South America: The Case of Chile

Biological invasions are partly defined by their ability to spread rapidly within invaded regions, posing threats to biodiversity and local species assemblages. The painted bug, Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) (Burmeister, 1835), originally described as being from India, is an important pest worldwide, mainly due to the serious economic losses incurred and the large number of zones invaded. Since its initial detection in Chile in 2016, the invasive and destructive paint bug has started its invasion to the east and invaded new areas in South America. Without adequate control methods, the insect may threaten brassica crop production, resulting in yield losses greater than 70% in recently infested areas. The extraordinarily wide range of the B. hilaris invasion has necessitated studies describing its biology and ecology, as well as highlighting the urgent need for effective and long-term management techniques. Hence, thoroughly revising the data on this pest in new areas that have been invaded, as well as in the area of origin, is expected to enable the development of management programs. This review incorporates information on B. hilaris in South America, including the invasion, ecology, and potential management approaches, which may allow for efficient integrated pest management, mainly in Chile. Lastly, researchers are expected to break the bottlenecks of some key issues, offering valuable perspectives for identifying strategies that warrant additional research as potential biological control agents for B. hilaris in South America, utilizing either augmentative or conservation biological control approaches, as well as semiochemicals and cultural practices.

Functional diversity of ground beetles improved aphid control but did not increase crop yields on European farms.

Land-use intensification is often associated with a decline in functional diversity, potentially undermining the provision of ecosystem services. However, how changes in traits affect ecosystem processes remains poorly understood. Variation in trait values among species in a community may drive ecosystem processes. Alternatively, the mass ratio hypothesis proposes that trait values of the dominant species in a local community are related to ecosystem processes. Using data from 159 farms in six European countries, we quantified the impact of local and landscape-level land-use intensity on ground beetles as pest control agents. We then assessed the extent to which functional diversity and community-weighted mean trait values relate to pest control and cereal yield. In addition, we assessed how the responses to land use and the effects of different species on pest control and yield varied with their traits to compare the relative impact of the traits studied. Functional diversity of ground beetles improved aphid removal, but did not translate into higher crop yields. Pest control of aphids was enhanced by a higher proportion of smaller, mobile ground beetles with a preference for the vegetation layer. Smaller, predatory ground beetles in communities improved crop yield. The magnitude of responses to land-use intensification and the effects on pest control and yield were more strongly influenced by body size than other traits. Our study provides evidence that reduced management intensity can improve pest control by supporting small-sized, macropterous ground beetles. In contrast to the claims of ecological intensification, our joint analysis of the direct effects of land use on yield and indirect effects via functional diversity of ground beetles and pest control suggests that ecosystem services by ground beetles cannot compensate for the yield gap due to a reduction in land-use intensity.

Genotypic variation in winter wheat for fusarium foot rot and its biocontrol using Clonostachys rosea.

Biological control to manage plant diseases is an environmentally friendly alternative to using chemical pesticides. However, little is known about the role of genetic variation in plants affecting the efficacy of biological control agents (BCAs). The aim of this study was to explore the genetic variation in winter wheat for disease susceptibility to fusarium foot rot caused by Fusarium graminearum and variation in biocontrol efficacy of the fungal BCA Clonostachys rosea to control the disease. In total, 190 winter wheat genotypes were evaluated under controlled conditions in two treatments, i.e. (i) F. graminearum (Fg) and (ii) F. graminearum infection on C. rosea treated seeds (FgCr). Alongside disease severity, plant growth-related traits such as shoot length and root length were also measured. Comparison of genotypes between the two treatments enabled the dissection of genotypic variation for disease resistance and C. rosea efficacy. The study revealed significant variation among plant genotypes for fusarium foot rot susceptibility and other growth traits in treatment Fg. Moreover, significant variation in C. rosea efficacy was also observed in genotype contrasts between the two treatments for all traits. Using a 20K marker array, a genome-wide association study was also performed. We identified a total of 18 significant marker-trait associations for disease resistance and C. rosea efficacy for all the traits. Moreover, the markers associated with disease resistance and C. rosea efficacy were not co-localized, highlighting the independent inheritance of these traits, which can facilitate simultaneous selection for cultivar improvement.

Promoters as social controls to facilitate knowledge sharing, conflict management and innovation project portfolio performance

Organizational control theory emphasizes aligning members' actions with organizational goals through formal and social controls. In innovation management, formal controls like project management or stage‐gate processes are limited to measurable and standardized areas. For situations that are complex, unpredictable and highly idiosyncratic, social controls need to be applied for alignment. Knowledge sharing and competitive conflicts are two such innovation‐related phenomena that elude formal control and instead need social controls for alignment. In this research, we propose that promoters—individuals who actively support innovation—serve as social control agents. While previous research has shown the positive effect of single promoters on individual innovation project success, we propose a comprehensive implementation of all four promoter roles, and we test their joint effect on the intermediate outcomes of knowledge sharing and competitive conflict management facilitating innovation project portfolio performance. Drawing on cross‐industry data of 125 firms collected from 986 employees, this article provides empirical evidence that comprehensive implementation of all four promoter roles enhances knowledge sharing and reduces competitive conflicts, thereby improving innovation project portfolio performance. The research reframes promoters as social control agents, emphasizing their collective necessity for managing complex organizational issues and contributing to overall project success.

Evaluating the benefits of emicizumab prophylaxis for haemophilia A with inhibitors: A cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis in Thailand's upper-middle income setting.

In Thailand, an upper-middle-income country, managing haemophilia A (HA) with inhibitors poses significant challenges, often necessitating bypassing agents (BPAs) for bleeding control. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of emicizumab, a novel prophylactic agent, as an alternative to both episodic and prophylactic BPA treatments from a societal perspective. A Markov model was employed to estimate the lifetime societal costs and outcomes of emicizumab prophylaxis for HA patients with inhibitors. Treatment efficacy, cost, and epidemiological data were obtained through a comprehensive literature review and incorporated into the model. A 5-year budget impact analysis complemented the cost-utility analysis, with a 3% annual discount rate applied to future costs and outcomes. In the base-case scenario, emicizumab prophylaxis in HA patients aged 2 years and above demonstrated superior cost-effectiveness, yielding 18.1 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) per patient over a lifetime and resulting in cost savings of 138 million Thai Baht (THB) compared to BPA prophylaxis. Compared to episodic BPA treatment, emicizumab yielded 30.5 QALYs and saved 25 million THB per patient. The 5-year budget impact was projected at 1775 million THB. Emicizumab offers a cost-saving approach for HA treatment with inhibitors in Thailand, promising significant health benefits and budgetary savings. This supports its potential inclusion in Thailand's National List of Essential Medicines to enhance haemophilia care access. Managing haemophilia A (HA) with inhibitors in Thailand, an upper-middle-income country, faces challenges due to limited access to effective treatments or newer drugs for bleeding management. Emicizumab prophylaxis found to as a cost-effective and viable alternative to traditional treatments, effectively preventing bleeding in Thai HA patients over 2 years old with inhibitors. Demonstrating improved clinical outcomes and reduced costs, emicizumab prophylaxis outperforms episodic BPA treatments, positioning it as a superior treatment option for HA patients with inhibitors in Thailand.

Pre-emptive augmentative biological control of Spodoptera frugiperda in Europe using Trichogramma spp.

BackgroundFall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a highly invasive pest of maize and other crops worldwide. It has recently been detected in Europe, and it is urgent to test and develop new sustainable control methods adapted to the European context and market. Trichogramma spp. are egg parasitoids that are sometimes used as biological control agent against S. frugiperda in other continents. However, a major issue using Trichogramma spp. against this pest is that females cannot reach all eggs in an egg mass, which is usually composed of one to three layers of eggs, often covered with scales and hair. Three European Trichogramma species were tested for their ability to parasitize egg masses with one to three layers and with or without hair and scale cover.MethodsTrichogramma brassicae, T. dendrolimi and T. cacoeciae were offered five types of S. frugiperda egg masses: one-layer without hair; one-layer with hair; two-layers without hair; two-layers with hair; three-layers with hair. For each treatment, an egg mass laid on paper was placed in a small vial saturated with females, to be sure that all reachable eggs would be parasitized. For each egg mass, the number of eggs in each layer was counted. Fifteen replicates were made per treatment, as well as 10 control vials without Trichogramma sp. Parasitism rates were calculated for each egg mass.ResultsThere were significant differences in the ability of parasitoid species to oviposit through hair and scales and to reach the lower egg layers. Trichogramma dendrolimi was the most efficient species and T. cacoeciae the least. Depending on the number of egg layers and hair and scales, parasitism rates by T. brassicae, T. dendrolimi and T. cacoeciae varied between 99 and 41%, 100 and 43% and 100 and 28%, respectively.ConclusionsThe assays confirmed that Trichogramma females cannot easily oviposit through thick layers of hair and scales but overall parasitism rates were higher than found previously. Important variations between species were found, and more Trichogramma sp. and other local natural enemies should be tested pre-emptively before S. frugiperda has invaded Europe.

Insecticidal effect of two Turkish entomopathogenic nematode isolates against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) larvae and adults at different conditions

Red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.), is the most common pest of stored grains and products. Aerial and contact pesticides are used to control this pest. However, the red flour beetle has also developed significant resistance to phosphine, the main fumigant currently in use worldwide. The adverse effects of pesticides on non-target organisms, groundwater contamination, residues on food crops, and the emergence of insect resistance to chemicals have compelled the industry to prioritize the development of alternative control measures. Entomopathogenic nematodes find application in various agricultural systems. The insecticidal effect of two isolates of Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae) against the different stages of T. castaneum. The entomopathogenic nematode isolates were examined at four concentrations (0, 250, 500, and 1000 IJs/ml) with a distilled water at 15 and 25 ± 1 °C temperatures. Results revealed that both S. feltiae (A-16) caused with 92.33% mortality rate while H. bacteriophora (O-7) caused with 76.77% mortality in the last instar larvae of the red flour beetle while these two species caused 75.38% and 66.85% mortality in adults, at 25 °C. The effect of nematodes decreased as the temperature decreased. According to results, the mortality rate of T. castaneum larvae treated with S. feltiae (A-16) with (54.62%) was significantly higher than that of H. bacteriophora (O-7) with (32.13%) 96 h after inoculation at 15 °C. The data indicated that 1000 IJs/ml was the most effective concentration of tested EPN isolates for all larval and adult stages.In this study, our findings indicate that S. feltiae (A-16) and H. bacteriophora (O-7) can be used as effective biological control agents against both the larval and adult stages of the red flour beetle. The results demonstrate that EPNs are promising candidates for biocontrol of T. castaneum. This information is useful in designing future biological control programs.

In Vitro Antagonistic Activity of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Against Aggressive Biotypes of the Green Mold.

During the cultivation of button mushrooms, the green mold epidemic, which causes a decrease in productivity, is a very important problem. The environmental harm of chemicals used in the control of such epidemics and the demand of consumers for organic products without chemicals have brought environmentally friendly biological control to the fore. Biological control can be achieved by the use of antagonistic microorganisms and their metabolites. In this study, the effectiveness of Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. for the biological control of the aggressive biotypes of the green mold disease agent Trichoderma aggressivum strains was examined in vitro. For this purpose, the antifungal effects of Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. against T. aggressivum strains were examined by in vitro dual culture test. Afterward, the antifungal activity of Bacillus spp. metabolites was assessed further using the agar well diffusion method. Then, it was determined whether the bacterial strains showing antifungal activity showed antagonistic activity against A. bisporus. Although none of the Pseudomonas spp. showed antifungal activity against T. aggressivum strains, most of the Bacillus spp. were found to have high activity. It has been concluded that Bacillus sp. Ö-4-82 may be potential biological control agent for button mushroom cultivation.

Influence of Prey Consumption on the Predatory Potential and Biological Parameters of Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson) Against Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley and Icerya seychellarum (Westwood)

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley and Icerya seychellarum (Westwood) are recent invasive sap-sucking insects in Egypt. Exochomus nigripennis (Erichson) being a viable option for conventional biological control. In the laboratory of the Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Egypt, the biological parameters and predatory potential of E. nigripennis were assessed using P. solenopsis and I. seychellarum as preys. Fourth instar E. nigripennis larvae was recorded the highest average total consumption of 455 individuals, with a feeding capacity of 43.10 when reared on P. solenopsis. While the third larval instar of E. nigripennis consumed the maximum number of I. Seychellarum 43.11 with a feeding capacity of 45.18 compared to other instars. E. nigripennis females had a lifespan of 30.9 ± 1.21 days, and consuming 3255 preys on P. solenopsis, while males had a feeding capacity of 2198.64. The immature stages of E. nigripennis varied significantly based on the prey species. Larvae developed faster on I. Seychellarum, while pupal periods were shortest on I. Seychellarum and longest on P. solenopsis. The shortest development time was on I. Seychellarum (22.8 days), while the longest was on P. solenopsis (30.37 days). The longevity and reproduction of E. nigripennis were significantly influenced by the preys they were reared on. Males and females fed on P. solenopsis exhibited longer survival and females had an extended oviposition period. The fecundity was highest when females were fed P. solenopsis supplemented with sugar solution. The study suggests that an integrated pest management program can effectively manage P. solenopsis and I. seychellarum, by utilizing E. nigripennis as a biological control agent, making it suitable for mass rearing in agricultural ecosystems.

Natural enemies of Lemna minuta in its native range and their potential as biological control agents for Europe

ABSTRACT Lemna minuta is native to North America but an invasive alien plant in Europe, where it poses significant threats to freshwater ecosystems. Explorations for biological control agents were conducted in two regions of the United States (Louisiana and California), revealing three candidate species. Subsequent laboratory investigations focused on the weevil Tanysphyrus lemnae and the fly Lemnaphila scotlandae as the most promising agents and confirmed that both the herbivorous insects attack L. minuta plants. To evaluate the host specificity of these two potential agents, insects were exposed to five species of duckweed commonly occurring in North America and Europe. Preliminary host-range testing indicated that T. lemnae develops on all evaluated duckweed species, including those from different genera (Lemna, Spirodela, Landoltia). Conversely, data revealed that feeding and development of the dipteran L. scotlandae are limited to species in the genus Lemna, but this includes L. minor, a native European species threatened in Europe due to the spread of L. minuta. No-choice and choice tests confirmed that neither larvae nor adults of L. scotlandae discriminate between the two Lemna species, except for pupation, which occurs more frequently in L. minor under choice conditions. We conclude that the broad host-range of T. lemnae and L. scotlandae render them unsuitable as biological control agents of L. minuta in Europe.

Fabrication and Properties of in Situ Cross‐Linked Supramolecular Gel Based on Host‐Guest Interaction

AbstractWater‐cut control is critical to efficient reservoir development. In this investigation, a host‐guest inclusion polymer gels system with self‐assembly features was constructed stemming from the host‐guest recognition mechanism. Subsequently, the elements affecting polymer viscosity were discussed. Eventually, the injectivity and plugging performance of the host‐guest inclusion system were measured by core displacement tests. The results indicated that the optimum synthesis temperature of the host polymer and guest polymer were 30 °C and 40 °C, separately, and the optimum total monomer content should be 20 wt%. The polymer system had excellent thickening properties and shearing resistance resulting from host‐guest inclusion interaction and physical hydrophobic association. Meanwhile, it had better plugging performance than host polymer or guest polymer alone. This profile control agent system provides a novel method for settling deep profile control in oilfields.

Exposure dose, light distribution and wavelength affect the fate of introduced bacterial biological control agents in the phyllosphere of greenhouse grown tomato

Societal Impact StatementThe use of chemical plant protection products must be reduced to promote sustainability in food production. One possible alternative is biological control agents (BCAs), but their efficacy under commercial conditions does not always reach the standard of chemical control agents. Previously, light has been found to induce mechanisms in bacterial BCAs that can affect their distribution and establishment. This could promote BCA efficacy. We looked into how monochromatic and polychromatic (which is what growers use) light treatments affected the occurrence of three BCAs post‐application. By combining two non‐chemical methods: a biological (BCA) and a cultural (light) control method, this offers a new integrated pest control strategy.Summary The dynamics and functionality of beneficial and non‐beneficial, non‐phototrophic bacteria can be influenced by light quality. We investigated if light could aid the survival of three bacterial biological control agents (BCAs; Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM7, Pseudomonas chlororaphis 50083 and Streptomyces griseoviridis CBS904.68) in the canopy of greenhouse‐grown tomatoes at four light treatments. Tomato plants were exposed to 50 μmol m−2 s−1 of either polychromatic light (white) or monochromatic light (blue: 420 nm, green: 530 nm and red: 660 nm) using DYNA LED lamps for a total of 48 h post foliar application of the BCAs. Leaves were harvested from two levels in the canopy at the top and middle of each plant at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h post inoculation. The occurrences of the BCAs were quantified by plate count and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). S. griseoviridis persisted under most treatments, whereas P. chlororaphis and B. amyloliquefaciens preferred the polychromatic and green light treatments as depicted by the viable count analyses. Significant differences between the DNA and cDNA concentrations were only noted for P. chlororaphis, with prominent wavelength effects. Light exposure dose, placement in the canopy and wavelength were found to be decisive factors for BCA re‐isolation, indicating that they have different optimal light environments.

Assessing the feasibility of pre-emptive biological control against the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis, an imminent biosecurity threat to Europe

As the globalisation of trade increases, so does the spread of arthropod pests, leading to a growing focus on biosecurity preparedness. One approach to this is pre-emptive biological control, involving the importation of classical biological control (CBC) agents for risk assessments and acquiring approval for their release prior to the expected arrival of their target pests. This aims to mitigate the economic and/or environmental consequences of a delayed biological control response to pest invasions. Guidelines to assess the feasibility of pre-emptive biological control for high priority pests were recently developed. Emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is an invasive woodboring pest of ash (Fraxinus spp.) in North America, European Russia and Ukraine, and is spreading westward into Europe, threatening the future of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior). We applied the aforementioned guidelines to assess the feasibility of pre-emptive biological control in Europe using four EAB parasitoids, already released in North America for CBC. Three of the parasitoids; Oobius agrili, Spathius galinae, and Tetrastichus planipennisi, were found suitable for pre-emptive biological control. The fourth parasitoid, Spathius agrili, was found to have limited establishment in new environmental conditions, and was therefore deemed less suitable for pre-emptive biological control of EAB in Europe. This assessment can inform scientists and regulators in Europe on the most promising EAB parasitoids that should be considered for pre-emptive applications for importation and risk assessment to acquire pre-approval for immediate release should the target pest subsequently be discovered. In turn, this study contributes to the development of biosecurity preparedness against EAB’s imminent spread throughout Europe.

HDAC inhibitor SAHA enhances antitumor immunity via the HDAC1/JAK1/FGL1 axis in lung adenocarcinoma

BackgroundHistone deacetylase (HDAC), a kind of protease that regulates gene expression by modifying protein acetylation levels, is usually aberrantly activated in tumors. The approved pan-HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) have exhibited clinical...

Natural volatiles preventing mosquito biting: an integrated screening platform for accelerated discovery of ORco antagonists

Insect olfactory receptors are heteromeric ligand-gated cation channels composed of an obligatory receptor subunit, ORco, and one of many variable subunits, ORx, in as yet undefined molar ratios. When expressed alone ex vivo, ORco forms homotetrameric channels gated by ORco-specific ligands acting as channel agonists. Using an insect cell-based system as a functional platform for expressing mosquito odorant receptors ex vivo, we identified small molecules of natural origin acting as specific ORco channel antagonists, orthosteric or allosteric relative to a postulated ORco agonist binding site, which cause severe inhibition of olfactory function in mosquitoes. In the present communication, we have compiled common structural features of such orthosteric antagonists and developed a ligand-based pharmacophore whose properties are deemed necessary for binding to the agonist binding site and causing inhibition of ORco's biological function. In silico screening of an available collection of natural volatile compounds with the pharmacophore resulted in identification of several ORco antagonist hits. Cell-based functional screening of the same compound collection resulted in the identification of several compounds acting as orthosteric and allosteric antagonists of ORco channel function ex vivo and inducing anosmic behaviors to Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in vivo. Comparison of the in silico screening results with those of the functional assays revealed that the pharmacophore predicted correctly 7 out of the 8 confirmed orthosteric antagonists and none of the allosteric ones. Because the pharmacophore screen produced additional hits that did not cause inhibition of the ORco channel function, we also generated a Support Vector Machine (SVM) model based on two descriptors of all pharmacophore hits. Training of the SVM on the ex vivo validated compound collection resulted in the selection of the confirmed orthosteric antagonists with a very low cross-validation out-of-sample misclassification rate. Employment of the combined pharmacophore-SVM platform for in silico screening of a larger collection of olfaction-relevant volatiles produced several new hits. Functional validation of randomly selected hits and rejected compounds from this screen confirmed the power of this virtual screening platform as a convenient tool for accelerating the pace of discovery of novel vector control agents. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first one that combines a pharmacophore with a SVM model for identification of AgamORco antagonists and specifically orthosteric ones.