Minimal Changes Research Articles

Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Levels and Risk of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Treated with Sotagliflozin.

Introduction: Sodium glucose cotransporter inhibitors may increase beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in insulin-requiring patients. We determined factors associated with BHB changes from baseline (ΔBHB) and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) receiving sotagliflozin as an insulin adjunct. Research Design and Methods: This post hoc analysis compared ΔBHB levels in adults with T1D receiving sotagliflozin 400 mg or placebo for 6 months. We evaluated clinical and metabolic factors associated with ΔBHB and used logistic regression models to determine predictors associated with BHB values >0.6 and >1.5 mmol/L (inTandem3 population; N = 1402) or with DKA events in a pooled analysis (inTandem1-3; N = 2453). Results: From baseline (median, 0.13 mmol/L), median fasting BHB increased by 0.04 mmol/L (95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.05; P < 0.001) at 24 weeks with sotagliflozin versus placebo; 67% of patients had no or minimal changes in BHB over time. Factors associated with on-treatment BHB >0.6 or >1.5 mmol/L included baseline BHB and sotagliflozin use. Age, insulin pump use, sotagliflozin use, baseline BHB, and ΔBHB were significantly associated with DKA episodes. Independent of treatment, DKA risk increased by 18% with each 0.1-mmol/L increase in baseline BHB and by 8% with each 0.1-mmol/L increase from baseline. Conclusion: Incremental increases in baseline BHB and ΔBHB were associated with a higher DKA risk independent of treatment. Adding sotagliflozin to insulin increased median BHB over 24 weeks in patients with T1D and was associated with increased DKA events. These results highlight the importance of BHB testing and monitoring and individualizing patient education on DKA risk, mitigation, identification, and treatment.

A Modified Suturing Technique to Produce Temporary Scleral Buckling Effect for Noncomplex Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment.

To introduce a surgical technique for temporary scleral buckling of noncomplex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using a combination of nonabsorbable and absorbable sutures that would induce minimal permanent refractive changes. Twenty consecutive patients (20 eyes) with noncomplex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were prospectively included. Scleral buckling was performed in all eligible subjects, and encircling buckling was added when necessary. The silicone elements were fixed on the sclera with 5-0 nonabsorbable sutures and tightened to form a ridge with 6-0 absorbable sutures. Best-corrected visual acuity, scleral ridge status, axial length, spherical diopter, and cylinder diopter were collected. All patients achieved primary retinal reattachment with significant improvement of best-corrected visual acuity after surgery. Scleral ridge was obvious and in situ at the 1-month follow-up but diminished at the 3-month follow-up. At the 1-month follow-up, axial length increased from 24.78 mm ± 2.14 mm preoperatively to 25.22 mm ± 2.11 mm, and cylinder diopter increased from -1.99 ± 1.03 to -2.95 ± 1.55 (both P < 0.001). At the 3-month follow-up, axial length, spherical diopter, and cylinder diopter decreased significantly compared with the values at the 1-month follow-up (all P < 0.05). No obvious complications were observed during the whole follow-up. Patients who underwent additional encircling buckling exhibited greater changes in axial length and cylinder diopter at the 1-month follow-up (both P < 0.001). The modified technique of scleral buckling with/without encircling buckling using both nonabsorbable and absorbable sutures offers a safe and effective option to repair noncomplex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, which would offer an adequate temporary scleral buckling effect and induce minimal permanent refractive changes.

Changes in Dynamic Balance Ability Among Firefighter Recruits: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Cornell, DJ, Gnacinski, SL, and Ebersole, KT. Changes in dynamic balance ability among firefighter recruits: A longitudinal cohort study. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 734-741, 2024-It has been suggested that enhanced balance ability may mitigate the high musculoskeletal injury (MSKI) rate among firefighters, but the longitudinal changes in dynamic balance ability within this tactical athlete population have yet to be characterized. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in dynamic balance ability of a cohort population of firefighter recruits completing a training academy and their probationary period as active-duty firefighters. Twenty-seven male firefighter recruits completed the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) at the beginning (W1) and at the end of their training academy (W14) and after completing their probationary period as active-duty firefighters (W38). After controlling for age and changes in body fat (BF) over time, significant changes in mSEBTANT ( p < 0.001), mSEBTPL ( p = 0.015), mSEBTPM ( p < 0.001), and mSEBTCOMP ( p = 0.003) were observed across time. Although mSEBTPL performance significantly increased ( p = 0.033) in from W1 to W14, significant decreases in all mSEBT reach directions were observed from W14 to W38 ( p < 0.05), with mSEBTANT ( p < 0.001) and mSEBTCOMP ( p = 0.002) also significantly decreasing from W1 to W38. However, the frequency of right vs. left asymmetries (>4 cm) did not significantly change over time in any mSEBT reach direction ( p > 0.05). Irrespective of age or changes in BF, minimal changes in the dynamic balance ability of firefighter recruits were observed during their training academy, but significant decreases in balance ability were noted by the end of their probationary period.

Concurrent Validity and Reliability of Video-Based Approach to Assess Physical Function in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to determine the concurrent validity and reliability of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International recommended performance-based tests delivered by video-based in adults with knee osteoarthritis. Thirty-two participants (aged 40 to 70 years; 15 men) undertook assessments of 4 performance-based tests via both video-based (real-time and recorded) and face-to-face approaches, on the same day. Outcome measures were performance-based test and the number of technical issues encountered. The performance-based tests included the 40-Meter Fast-Paced Walk Test (velocity, m/s), the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (number of repetitions), the Stair Climb Test (time, seconds), and the Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG; time, seconds). The Bland-Altman limit of agreement measures, standard error of measurement (SEM), coefficient of variation (CV), minimal detectable changes (MDCs), and bias (mean difference) were employed to analyse the concurrent validity between video-based and face-to-face approaches of the performance-based tests. Reliability was measured using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), CV, and SEM. A high degree of concurrent validity for the TUG (bias = -0.22), the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (bias = -0.22), the Stair Climb Test (bias = -0.31), and the 40-Meter Fast-Paced Walk Test (bias = -0.06) was found. SEM and CV values were within the acceptable level for concurrent validity. There was a high degree of reliability demonstrated for all tests analysed. ICC measures ranged from 0.95 to 1.00 for intrarater reliability, and from 0.95 to 0.99 for interrater reliability. Video-based assessment of physical performance tests is a valid and reliable tool for measuring physical function among adults with knee osteoarthritis via Microsoft Teams (Microsoft Corp, Redmond, WA, USA). Video-based assessment is a promising public health tool to measure physical function in adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Effectiveness of Yoga in Reducing Fatigue Among Cancer Patients at HCG Cancer Centre, Gulbarga

Cancer, a global health challenge, demands holistic care, especially for enduring issues like fatigue. Yoga emerges as a key intervention, notably in breast cancer cases. This study, conducted at HCG Cancer Centre, Gulbarga, with 50 participants, evaluates yoga's effectiveness in reducing fatigue using a randomized control design. Demographics and fatigue levels, measured by the BFI scale, are gathered. Results spotlight a significant reduction in fatigue post-yoga intervention for the experimental group, in contrast to the control. This research pioneers’ evidence-based nursing practices, showcasing yoga's potential in alleviating cancer-related fatigue for enhanced patient well-being. In simpler terms, the data strongly indicates a substantial decrease in fatigue levels for the experimental group post-yoga intervention. The mean pre-test fatigue score of 3.6 significantly dropped to 2.04 in the post-test, with a highly significant p-value of 2.8250. This underscores yoga's effectiveness in reducing fatigue among experimental subjects. In the control group, minimal changes in fatigue levels were noted without yoga intervention, as evident from the post-test data. Statistical analysis, with a p-value of 0.432, confirms nonsignificant changes in fatigue scores for the control group. This emphasizes the potential positive impact of yoga in mitigating fatigue levels, distinct from the minimal changes observed in the control group. The findings stress the need for critical interpretation of fatigue score changes and highlight yoga's positive role in addressing cancer-related fatigue, evident through significant outcomes in the experimental group. Keywords: Cancer, Yoga, Fatigue

Enhancing cold tolerance and quality characteristics of Carica papaya Linn through the application of 1‐methylcyclopropene, geranium and lavender oil

SummaryPostharvest application of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP), lavender oil (LO) and geranium oil (GO) was investigated in alleviating chilling injury (CI) by regulating the cold tolerance of papaya cold stored at 4 °C for 16 days. The papaya was assessed on the attributes of CI, weight loss, firmness, colour, respiration rate, total soluble solids (TSS), soluble sugar (SS), proline and malondialdehyde content. The antagonistic effect of 1‐MCP against ethylene proved highly effective in delaying fruit ripening and metabolic processes. Notably, a 1‐h misting treatment with 600 mg L−1 1‐MCP (active ingredient, a.i.) solution significantly enhanced papaya's resistance to chilling conditions and reported a remarkable 2.08‐fold reduction in CI damage compared to the control. Furthermore, 1‐MCP‐treated papayas exhibited the highest proline concentration (61.59 μg/g FW) and the lowest malondialdehyde content (39.65 μmol/g FW). Additionally, 1‐MCP‐treated papayas displayed a 1.1‐fold reduction in oxygen consumption compared to the control. They also exhibited minimal changes in weight loss (3.6%), the least increase in TSS and SS compared to the control and better retention of fruit colour and firmness. Comparatively, GO known for its robust antioxidant and antimicrobial properties played a pivotal role in enhancing papaya's cold tolerance and providing superior protection against chilling‐induced damage when compared to the control.

Size Isn't Everything: Geometric Tuning in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Its Implications for Carbon Nanodots.

Recent developments in light-emitting carbon nanodots and molecular organic semiconductors have seen renewed interest in the properties of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a family. The networks of delocalized π electrons in sp2-hybridized carbon grant PAHs light-emissive properties right across the visible spectrum. However, the mechanistic understanding of their emission energy has been limited due to the ground state-focused methods of determination. This computational chemistry work, therefore, seeks to validate existing rules and elucidate new features and characteristics of PAHs that influence their emissions. Predictions based on (time-dependent) density functional theory account for the full 3-dimensional electronic structure of ground and excited states and reveal that twisting and near-degeneracies strongly influence emission spectra and may therefore be used to tune the color of PAHs and, hence, carbon nanodots. We particularly note that the influence of twisting goes beyond torsional destabilization of the ground-state and geometric relaxation of the excited state, with a third contribution associated with the electric transition dipole. Symmetries and peri-condensation may also have an effect, but this could not be statistically confirmed. In pursuing this goal, we demonstrate that with minimal changes to molecular size, the entire visible spectrum may be spanned by geometric modification alone; we have also provided a first estimate of emission energy for 35 molecules currently lacking published emission spectra as well as clear guidelines for when more sophisticated computational techniques are required to predict the properties of PAHs accurately.

Observed soil arching-induced ground deformation and stress redistribution behind braced excavation

This paper presents observed arching-induced ground deformation and stress redistribution behind braced excavation using the top-down construction method. The soil properties around the excavation were determined by laboratory and field tests. The ground deformation, soil displacement vector, strain path, principal strain, maximum shear strain, lateral earth pressure, pore water pressure, and effective stress path are presented based on the measured data. The majority of soil behind the wall is under volumetric expansion, indicating consolidation, creep behavior, or a combination of both. Besides, two periods of increases in pore pressure are observed, due to stress transfer from the lower to the upper parts (i.e., soil arching effect). The deep inward movement of the wall and the nearby soil accounts for the distribution of lateral earth pressure acting on the wall. The soil located behind the area of maximum wall deformation and adjacent to the wall, as well as the soil below the excavation base intersected by the shear plane, is in an active stress state. The lateral earth pressure at 5 m from the left excavation wall showed minimal changes, due to the combined effects of soil arching from lateral excavation and shield tunneling.

Enhancing mouthguard longevity: Impact of surface treatment against aging from brushing and disinfectant exposure.

The study aimed to assess the surface characteristics of sports mouthguards under mechanical stresses during cleaning, either by brushing or immersion in disinfectant solutions. Ethylene-vinyl acetate samples, 4 mm thick, were randomly assigned to cleaning methods: control (C-no cleaning), brushing with water (B.W), brushing with neutral liquid soap (B.S), brushing with toothpaste (B.T), immersion in distilled water for 10 min (I.W), immersion in 2.25% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 min (I.SH), and immersion in sodium bicarbonate solution for 5 min (I.SB). All cleaning methods were applied for 28 days. Surface roughness average (Ra) and wettability were measured at baseline for the control group (n = 9), and after cleaning for all the other groups. One-way ANOVA with Tukey tests (5% significance) indicated significant differences among groups (p < .05). The I.SB group had higher surface roughness than B.S and B.T (p < .05). B.W showed the lowest wettability, significantly lower than B.T, I.W, and I.SB (p < .05). I.SB exhibited the highest wettability, significantly different from sodium hypochlorite, neutral liquid soap, brushing with water, and control groups (p < .05). The sodium bicarbonate immersion group (I.SB) demonstrated greater statistical variation, displaying higher susceptibility to aging compared to brushing with neutral liquid soap. Cleaning mouthguards with a toothbrush, water, and neutral liquid soap emerged as the most promising method, causing minimal surface changes in the material.

Functional and multi-omics signatures of mitapivat efficacy upon activation of pyruvate kinase in red blood cells from patients with sickle cell disease.

Mitapivat, a pyruvate kinase activator, shows great potential as a sickle cell disease (SCD)-modifying therapy. The safety and efficacy of mitapivat as a long-term maintenance therapy are currently being evaluated in two open-label studies. Here we applied a comprehensive multi-omics approach to investigate the impact of activating pyruvate kinase on red blood cells (RBC) from 15 SCD patients. HbSS patients were enrolled in one of the open-label, extended studies (NCT04610866). Leukodepleted RBC obtained from fresh whole blood at baseline, prior to drug initiation, and at longitudinal timepoints over the course of the study were processed for multi-omics through a stepwise extraction of metabolites, lipids and proteins. Mitapivat therapy had significant effects on the metabolome, lipidome and proteome of SCD RBC. Mitapivat decreased 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels, increased adenosine triphosphate levels, and improved hematologic and sickling parameters in patients with SCD. Agreement between omics measurements and clinical measurements confirmed the specificity of mitapivat on targeting late glycolysis, with glycolytic metabolites ranking as the top correlates to parameters of hemoglobin S oxygen affinity (p50) and sickling kinetics (t50) during treatment. Mitapivat markedly reduced levels of proteins of mitochondrial origin within 2 weeks of initiation of treatment, with minimal changes in reticulocyte counts. In the first 6 months of treatment there were also transient elevations of lysophosphatidylcholines and oxylipins with depletion of free fatty acids, suggestive of an effect on membrane lipid remodeling. Multi-omics analysis of RBC identified benefits for glycolysis, as well as activation of the Lands cycle.

(237) Patient Reported Outcomes in Men Received Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Abstract Introduction Although focal therapy as a definite treatment modality for prostate cancer patients has been increasing in the United States, there has been paucity of patient reported outcome measures (PROM) specific to urinary, erectile, and sexual function Objective We aim to evaluate the long-term PROM in men undergone focal therapy for prostate cancer since 2019. Methods Web search was performed on the PubMed database. The search was limited to articles published in the English language and reporting focal therapy outcomes between 2019 and 2023, including randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective studies. The following data were extracted from each study: year, type of focal therapy, design, participants, demographic, IIEF, ED proportion, IPSS, EPIC, pad incontinence use, fistula rate, urinary retention rate, hematuria, Gleason scores, time to oncologic follow-up, recurrence, and presence of cancer after treatment. Results Twenty-three studies, consisting of cryotherapy, HIFU, TULSA, focal and microwave ablation where met the inclusion criteria and reviewed. Oncologic outcomes were reported in 17 of 23 studies. Median follow-up ranged from 3 to 42 months. Main oncologic outcomes analyzed were in-field/out-of-field recurrence and presence of prostate cancer after treatment. The two largest HIFU studies (n=90, n=101) had 9% and 24% respectively for clinically significant recurrence. The two focal microwave ablation studies (n=55, n=5) had 9% and 20% recurrence rates respectively. Functional outcomes were assessed by IPSS and IIEF. IPSS scores were consistent, with most studies reporting only minimal changes in IPSS after treatment. IIEF scores were generally consistent before and 6 months after procedure for all studies, with some reporting only marginal declines in erectile function. Complication rates among studies were low. Nine studies reported UTI rates ranging from 0% (n=6, n=41) to 30% (n=10) in a TULSA prospective study. Urinary retention rates were reported in 14 studies, with a range from 0% (n=41) to 30% (n=10). Conclusions This review suggests that focal therapies remain safe and effective treatment modality for patients with low-intermediate risk prostate cancer. PROM pertaining to urinary and erectile functions in men undergone focal therapy modality seems to be adequate without worse oncological or complication outcomes. Larger data with oncological and functional outcomes is warranted to further validate its safety and efficacy over longer follow up period. Disclosure No.

Effect of exposure of metakaolin‐based geopolymer cements to gamma radiation

AbstractThe stability of cementitious materials under the harsh environment they will experience when used for radioactive waste disposal is incredibly important. Therefore, understanding the irradiation resistance of geopolymer cement, a potential alternative binder for the treatment of nuclear waste, is of the utmost importance when trying to develop a safety case for these materials. The study presented here addresses the structural and chemical changes of metakaolin‐based geopolymers, designed with different water contents, and exposed to a total cumulative dose of 1 MGy of gamma radiation. The range of formulations that were tested showed a significant loss of free water related to the irradiation process, which has led to an increase in the porosity. Analysis of the chemical structure has shown minimal changes in the main binding type‐gel phase, demonstrating high microstructural stability. Results showed that in samples cured for longer than 20 h, the bound/gel structure water remained in the sample when the water content was kept low enough. As the porosity and water content increase, more gel water is removed due to radiation exposure. However, the degree to which the water is removed from the gel structure is very small, and minimal changes can be seen across the geopolymers tested. Overall, metakaolin‐based geopolymers appear resistant to irradiation up to 1 MGy, which offers a potentially viable alternative for the immobilization of problematic intermediate‐level waste.

Impact of a relocation to a new critical care building on pediatric safety events.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) relocated the pediatric, cardiac, and neonatal intensive care units (PICU, CICU and NICU) to a newly constructed critical care building (CCB) in November 2021. Simulation and onboarding sessions were implemented before the relocation, aimed at mitigating latent safety threats. To evaluate the impact of ICU relocation to the CCHMC CCB on patient safety as measured by the quantity, rate, severity score, and category of safety reports. This retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study compared safety reports filed in a 90-day period before and following the CCB relocation. The primary outcome was pre- and postrelocation safety report rates per 100 patient-days. Secondary outcomes included safety report severity, category, and rate of hospital acquired conditions (HACs). Total safety report incidence increased by 16% across all ICUs postrelocation with no difference in post- versus prerelocation odds ratio between ICUs. Three isolated instances of special cause variation were found, one in NICU and two in CICU. No special cause variation was found in the PICU. There were no statistical differences in assigned safety report severity pre- to postrelocation for all ICUs, and only lab specimen/test related safety reports showed a statistically significant increase postrelocation. Overall rates of HACs were low, with six occurring prerelocation and eight postrelocation. All three ICUs were relocated to the new CCB with minimal changes in the incidence, severity, or category of safety reports filed, suggesting staff training and preparations ahead of the relocation mitigated latent safety threats.

Role of aging temperature on thermal stability of Co-free Cr0.8FeMn1.3Ni1.3 high-entropy alloy: Decomposition and embrittlement at intermediate temperatures

This study prepared a reduced activation single-phase Co-free Cr0.8FeMn1.3Ni1.3 high-entropy alloy (HEA) through arc melting, which exhibits great potential as a radiation-resistant material. The microstructural evolution and mechanical property changes of the alloy after prolonged aging at temperatures of 300, 500, and 700 °C were systematically studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM/STEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) techniques. The results reveal that the alloy forms a single-phase FCC solid solution following cold deformation and subsequent recrystallization annealing. After prolonged aging at 300 °C for 1500 h, the microstructure of the alloy remains stable, maintaining a single-phase structure with minimal changes in mechanical properties. After aging at 500 °C for 1500 h, the alloy undergoes complex phase decomposition, giving rise to tetragonal σ-FeCr and L10-NiMn phases, along with minor amounts of Cr-rich BCC and Fe-rich FCC phases. During this stage, the interfaces between σ-FeCr and L10-NiMn phases undergo amorphization, leading to room-temperature embrittlement of the alloy. Following aging at 700 °C for 1500 h, the alloy precipitates the Cr-rich BCC phase, forming a dual-phase microstructure, resulting in increased tensile strength and reduced ductility. This study discloses the thermal stability of Cr0.8FeMn1.3Ni1.3 HEA through extended aging at 300 °C and 500–700 °C for up to 300 h, simultaneously providing reference values for evaluating the stability of other HEA systems. The occurrence of complex phase decomposition significantly impacts the mechanical properties of HEAs, necessitating cautious evaluation of their application potential.

A comparative analysis of acoustic emission sensor embedding in glass fibre composite

The manufacturing process of composite structures permits fully embedding acoustic emission (AE) sensors. While the embedding process may pose challenges, its advantages, if proven, can outweigh the challenges. The increased sensitivity resulting from embedding acoustic emission sensors in composites is still not definitively established. A test was set up with pre-determined AE initiation locations (surface and sub-surface) and pre-determined receiving sensor's location (surface and sub-surface) to ensure any sensitivity increase was evident. The receiving sensor's attenuation along (at 90°) and across the fibres (at 45°) was assessed using two test methods: pencil lead breaking (PLB) and actuator methods. The actuator method involved using two pulse generators, the TGP110 pulse generator and the Mistras FieldCal. A range of specific frequencies were utilised, 30, 60, 150 and 300 kHz, using the FieldCal. The results obtained from the test methods were not in agreement with each other. For example, comparing the sensitivity using surface cracks, the PLB method showed decreased sensitivity when embedding the receiving sensor compared to the actuator method, which demonstrated minimal changes in sensitivity. The research aims to clarify the sensitivity increase obtained when embedding an AE sensor while taking into account the crack's position and frequency.

Exploring the Effect of Milk Fat on Fermented Milk Flavor Based on Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry (GC-IMS) and Multivariate Statistical Analysis.

Milk fat is a premium nutritional health product, yet there is a lack of high-fat dairy products for daily consumption in the current market. This study investigated the influence of different milk fat contents on the physicochemical and textural properties of fermented milk. The research revealed that an increase in milkfat content significantly improved the water-holding capacity, syneresis, color, hardness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness of fermented milk, while showing minimal changes in pH and total titratable acidity. Response surface analysis indicated that fermented milk with 25% milk fat, 2.5% inoculum, a fermentation time of 16 h, and a fermentation temperature of 30 °C exhibited the highest overall acceptability. Using GC-IMS technology, 36 volatile compounds were identified, with an increase in milk fat content leading to elevated levels of ketone compounds, and 14 compounds were defined as key aroma compounds (ROAV > 1). Electronic nose distinguished samples with different milk fat contents. The results demonstrate that an increase in milk fat content enhances the physicochemical and flavor attributes of fermented milk. This work provides theoretical references for the production and development of high-fat fermented milk.

Improvement of the production and quality of Cordyceps javanica conidia for the control of Diaphorina citri adults.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of palm kernel meal (PKM) in the traditional solid-state fermentation system to improve the production and quality of Cordyceps javanica conidia. The impact of PKM was determined by measuring conidia yield, viability, hydrophobicity, shelf life, and conidia pathogenicity against Diaphorina citri adults. By supplementing rice grains with 5% palm kernel meal increased the conidial yield by up to 40%, without compromising conidia viability and hydrophobicity. In addition, conidia caused higher levels of mortality by mycosis against D. citri adults (90%), relative to conidia harvested from rice (52%). The conidia recovered from rice/palm kernel meal mixtures also retained viability greater than 90% after storage for 10months at 4°C, while the conidia produced on rice reached 80%. Thus, conidia produced in the presence of palm kernel meal can be consumed immediately or in the medium term. Some process advantages of the palm kernel meal as co-substrate in the traditional production system of C. javanica are also mentioned. These results are attractive for improving the mycoinsecticide production process, with excellent cost-benefit and minimal changes in infrastructure and process.

Appendix: “an appendage to a twelve-meter gut or a storehouse for microbiota”?

Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical pathology in paediatric practice. Surgical interventions in children with acute and complicated appendicitis are performed when urgently indicated at various stages of the disease. Laparoscopic appendectomy has become the current “gold standard” for providing emergency surgery care to children. Improvements in surgical techniques and post-operative protocols have reduced complications in children to 5–7%. The current discussion topics include the issues of argumentation of “incidental appendectomies” to be performed in minimal macroscopic changes in the vermiform appendix in children with nonspecific mesenteric lymphadenitis, intestinal indigitation, appendiceal lithiasis, justifications for indications and timing for surgical interventions in chronic appendicitis. The appendix has long been considered an “unnecessary” organ, just vestigial structures left over in the process of human evolution. Over the past two centuries, much work has been done to study the appendix. The structure of the vermiform appendix is unique. It has a narrow lumen, abundant mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and valuable microbial composition. It has recently been hypothesized that the appendix has immunomodulatory functions and serves as a “safe house” for the microbiota, providing commensal bacteria that may restore the gut after infections or antibiotic therapy. Some studies suggest that removal of the appendix increases the risk of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis. However, mechanisms underlying such causal relationship remain unclear. This article considers current knowledge when addressing the appendix microbiome and the relationship between the appendix and ulcerative colitis.

A Real Time Deep Learning Based Approach for Detecting Network Attacks

Anomaly-based Intrusion Detection is a key research topic in network security due to its ability to face unknown attacks and new security threats. For this reason, many works on the topic have been proposed in the last decade. Nonetheless, an ultimate solution, able to provide a high detection rate with an acceptable false alarm rate, has still to be identified. In the last years big research efforts have focused on the application of Deep Learning techniques to the field, but no work has been able, so far, to propose a system achieving good detection performance, while processing raw network traffic in real time. For this reason in the paper we propose an Intrusion Detection System that, leveraging on probabilistic data structures and Deep Learning techniques, is able to process in real time the traffic collected in a backbone network, offering excellent detection performance and low false alarm rate. Indeed, the extensive experimental tests, run to validate our system and compare different Deep Learning techniques, confirm that, with a proper parameter setting, we can achieve about 92% of detection rate, with an accuracy of 0.899. Finally, with minimal changes, the proposed system can provide some information about the kind of anomaly, although in the multi-class scenario the detection rate is slightly lower (around 86%).

Compatibility of Entomopathogenic Nematodes with Chemical Insecticides for the Control of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae).

The spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a pest that reduces the productivity of small fruits. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and chemical insecticides can suppress this pest, but the compatibility of the two approaches together requires further examination. This laboratory study evaluated the compatibility of Steinernema brazilense IBCBn 06, S. carpocapsae IBCBn 02, Heterorhabditis amazonensis IBCBn 24, and H. bacteriophora HB with ten chemical insecticides registered for managing D. suzukii pupae. In the first study, most insecticides at the recommended rate did not reduce the viability (% of living infective juveniles (IJs)) of S. braziliense and both Heterorhabditis species. The viability of S. carpocapsae was lowered by exposure to spinetoram, malathion, abamectin, azadirachtin, deltamethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, malathion, and spinetoram after 48 h. During infectivity bioassays, phosmet was compatible with all the EPNs, causing minimal changes in infectivity (% pupal mortality) and efficiency relative to EPN-only controls, whereas lambda-cyhalothrin generally reduced infectivity of EPNs on D. suzukii pupae the most, with a 53, 75, 57, and 13% reduction in infectivity efficiency among H. bacteriophora, H. amazonensis, S. carpocapsae, and S. brazilense, respectively. The second study compared pupal mortality caused by the two most compatible nematode species and five insecticides in various combinations. Both Heterorhabditis species caused 78-79% mortality among D. suzukii pupae when used alone, and were tested in combination with spinetoram, malathion, azadirachtin, phosmet, or novaluron at a one-quarter rate. Notably, H. bacteriophora caused 79% mortality on D. suzukii pupae when used alone, and 89% mortality when combined with spinetoram, showing an additive effect. Novaluron drastically reduced the number of progeny IJs when combined with H. amazonensis by 270 IJs and H. bacteriophora by 218. Any adult flies that emerged from EPN-insecticide-treated pupae had a shorter lifespan than from untreated pupae. The combined use of Heterorhabditis and compatible chemical insecticides was promising, except for novaluron.