Longevity Period Research Articles

Evaluation of the Sterile Insect Technique for the Control of the Melon Fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) Under Laboratory and Semi-Field Conditions in Sri Lanka.

The melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae, poses a severe threat to the country's agricultural productivity, particularly in the cultivation of cucurbitaceous crops. This study was conducted to determine the ideal irradiation dose to be used to set up a Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)-based strategy to control B. cucurbitae outbreaks in Sri Lanka. A B. cucurbitae colony was established and maintained under standard laboratory conditions. Male pupae (100 pupae per treatment) were exposed to different radiation doses, namely 0 (control), 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, and 110 Gy. The effect of irradiation on selected performance parameters such as survival, flight ability, fecundity, fertility, and adult longevity was evaluated under laboratory conditions. In addition, mating competitiveness was evaluated for irradiated male B. cucurbitae. Significant differences were observed in percentage pupal survival, flight ability, and fertility rates (p < 0.05) at a 95% level of confidence. Further, the 50% and 75% adult longevity periods of irradiated B. cucurbitae males significantly decreased with the increasing irradiation dosage (p < 0.05). B. cucurbitae exposed to 70 Gy radiation reported a mean pupal survival rate of 94.0 ± 1.25, flight ability of 93.3 ± 1.88, and fertility 0.2 ± 0.05%, along with a mean longevity of 38 ± 1.5 days until 50% reduction in the population. The competitiveness of B. cucurbitae exposed to 70 Gy with respect to wild males was 0.56 under laboratory conditions, which reduced up to 0.5 in semi-field settings. The 70 Gy dose could be recommended as the optimal radiation dose for the production of sterile B. cucurbitae males with an acceptable level of fitness and sterility to be used in SIT-based melon fly control programmes in Sri Lanka.

Senolytic Vaccines from the Central and Peripheral Tolerance Perspective.

Preventive medicine has proven its long-term effectiveness and economic feasibility. Over the last century, vaccination has saved more lives than any other medical technology. At present, preventative measures against most infectious diseases are successfully used worldwide; in addition, vaccination platforms against oncological and even autoimmune diseases are being actively developed. At the same time, the development of medicine led to an increase in both life expectancy and the proportion of age-associated diseases, which pose a heavy socio-economic burden. In this context, the development of vaccine-based approaches for the prevention or treatment of age-related diseases opens up broad prospects for extending the period of active longevity and has high economic potential. It is well known that the development of age-related diseases is associated with the accumulation of senescent cells in various organs and tissues. It has been demonstrated that the elimination of such cells leads to the restoration of functions, rejuvenation, and extension of the lives of experimental animals. However, the development of vaccines against senescent cells is complicated by their antigenic heterogeneity and the lack of a unique marker. In addition, senescent cells are the body's own cells, which may be the reason for their low immunogenicity. This mini-review discusses the mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance that may influence the formation of an anti-senescent immune response and be responsible for the accumulation of senescent cells with age.

Effect of natural ageing on germination and seedling growth of Palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer) seeds

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the seed longevity period of Palmyrah. The matured fruit branches were selected based on yellow tinge in the stylar region. After manually removing the fruit exocarp and mesocarp, the uniform size seeds were shade dried for fourteen days and stored in ambient condition. The seeds were sown in raised nursery beds containing nursery mixture of red earth, sand and farmyard manure in a ratio of 2:1:1. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replications of 50 seeds each, sown at monthly intervals up to 18 months. The germination percentage was recorded at 15 days interval till the completion of germination. One year after sowing, the results revealed that fresh seed recorded highest germination of 78.67% followed by one month of stored seed (63.33%), two months of stored seed (53.33%) and nil germination was observed beyond five months of stored seed.

Biochemical and Physical Screening Using Optical Oxygen-Sensing and Multispectral Imaging in Sea Oats Seeds

Physical, physiological, and biochemical traits control critical seed functions such as germination, longevity, persistence, and seedling establishment. These traits are diverse between and among species, and they are also controlled by the environment in which the seed originated. Therefore, screening seed traits and understanding their roles in seed functions is crucial to facilitate the economical use of resources in collecting, sorting, and conserving seed materials of agronomical and ecological importance. We hypothesized the existence of physical and biochemical traits in sea oats seeds that can be used as proxies to predict viability and vigor to develop underpinnings for survival after non-optimal storage conditions. Using multispectral imaging and optical oxygen-sensing analyses, we evaluated the physical and biochemical traits of Uniola paniculata L. (sea oats) seeds collected from the US Atlantic and Gulf coastlines. Our results showed that several traits correlate to aging stress survival in sea oats seeds. These results confirm the potential of using physical and biochemical screening to predict seed quality while offering insights into extended seed longevity periods. Therefore, exploring and analyzing the physical and biochemical properties of seeds could reveal salient markers that contribute to viability and longevity.

Use of irradiation against stored product insect species that infest edible insect rearing

Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus, 1758) and Tenebrio molitor (Linnaeus, 1758) larvae are considered the most important edible insects almost of the world. Infestation of these insect meals with stored-product pests may pose a significant threat to their production process or storage. This study investigated the efficacy of phytosanitary irradiation in protecting H. illucens and T. molitor meals from the three major stored-product pests, Necrobia rufipes (De Geer, 1775), Tribolium castaneum (Hrebst, 1797) and Oryzaephlius surinamensis (Linnaeus, 1758). The obtained data revealed that the longevity periods of N. rufipes, T. castaneum and O. surinamensis were higher (16.8, 30.7 and 19.7 day), respectively when fed on T. molitor compared to BSF diet (7.4, 18.6, and 18.35 days, respectively). Results indicated that O. surinamensis was highly susceptible to irradiation followed by N. rufipes and T. castaneum in response to different doses when reared on both H. illucens and T. molitor meals. The data demonstrated that exposure of the three tested insect pests reared on the both diets to gamma radiation has reduced their population growth and next offspring. The present findings provide a new set of valuable insights towards a comprehensive pest management approach that can be utilized to optimize the farming facility and maximize the utilization of H. illucens and T. molitor products.

Amino Acid Composition of Cow's Milk of the North Caucasus Black-and-White Breed

The study of the amino acid composition of dairy raw materials, as shown in numerous studies of domestic and foreign authors, is relevant for conducting breeding work on genetic improvement of dairy, optimizing the system of raising animals of various sex and age groups, including lactating cows to prolong the productive longevity period. The purpose of the research was to study the amino acid composition of the milk of cows of the black-and-white Holsteinized breed, considering genotypic, age-related aspects, as well as with an increase in cow milk protein content. Studies on the composition of amino acids in milk were carried out on cows of a black-and-white breed of a pedigree breeding unit of the Stavropol Territory, the Russian Federation. The obtained results showed that the amino acid content in the black-and-white cow milk in the conditions of the North Caucasus corresponds to the parameters characteristic of the black-and-white Holsteinized breed, while the ratio of essential and interchangeable amino acids, considering age and genetic factors, varies in the range of 0.945-0.951, which is typical for high-quality milk. It was also found that in the process of increasing the protein content of cows by 0.2 abs. percentage from a protein level of 3.10% to 3.30%, a more intensive increase in essential amino acids in relation to interchangeable amino acids is observed, while the ratio of essential to interchangeable amino acids statistically significantly (p&lt;0.05) increased by 1.66%, which is of particular importance for planning measures for the genetic improvement of protein content herds of black-and-white cattle.

Characterization of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) resistance to indoxacarb: inheritance mode, realized heritability, and fitness costs.

Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a major economic pest attacking a variety of crops in Egypt and other Mediterranean countries. S. littoralis has developed resistance to both traditional and novel insecticides. The current study investigated S. littoralis resistance to indoxacarb regarding inheritance mode, realized heritability (h2), and fitness costs. An indoxacarb-resistant strain (Indoxa-SEL) was obtained by selecting a field strain with indoxacarb. Indoxa-SEL strain outperformed the susceptible one (Indoxa-S) by 29.77-fold after 16 consecutive generations of selection. Based on the LC50 values of the progenies of reciprocal crosses F1 (R♂ × S♀) and F1' (R♀ × S♂), S. littoralis resistance to indoxacarb was found to be autosomal and partially recessive. Chi-square tests for goodness-of-fit between observed and expected mortalities of self-bred F1 and resistant strain reciprocal crosses revealed that the resistance was controlled by multiple genes. The resistant strain had a relative fitness of 0.80, with significantly increased total preovipositional period of females, egg, larvae, pupae, preadult, adult, and total longevity period. The estimated realized heritability value in the Indoxa-SEL strain was 0.21. The current study will contribute to sustaining indoxacarb efficacy and designing effective resistance management programs against S. littoralis.

Effects of Different Temperatures on the Biology of Acyrthosiphon pisum on Different Pea Cultivars

The research studies were carried out at Key Laboratory of Entomology, Northwest A &amp; F University, Yangling, Shaanxi under 60±5% Relative Humidity, light: dark photoperiod at 14h: 10h to assess different range temperature effects on the population of Acyrthosiphon pisum on different pea cultivars during, 2018. The results indicated that the shortest pea aphid nymph development period up to (5.75±0.31 days) were lasted on cv. Feizai-3 at 36oC and longest (9.38±0.34 days) were noted on cv. Nenzao at 30oC. The shortest A. pisum adult development period (4.16±0.20 days) were recorded on cv. Hanyi-401 at 39oC and the longest (5.72±0.33 days) on cv. Hanyi-401 at 30oC. The shortest A. pisum longevity period (5.43±0.72 days) were recorded on cv. Feizai-3 at 39oC and longest (11.83±0.72 days) on cv. Hanyi-401 at 30oC. The shortest A. pisum oviposition period (3.61±0.32 days) were recorded on cv. Hanyi-401 at 33oC and longest (4.41±0.35 days) on Guangzhong-604 at 36oC. The minimum nymph survival period was counted (0.23±0.07) on Guangzhong-604 at 36oC and maximum on cv. Hanyi-401 (0.73±0.08) at 30oC. According to the DMRT, Test, non-significant difference was reported in all the above parameters between the cultivars in all temperature regimes. The present study suggests that temperature fluctuations also affect on the life expectancy of A. pisum. In future endeavors more work should be carried out to restrict the pest population of sap-sucking insects to secure the legumes varieties

Features of the Peribiliary Glands of the Extrahepatic Biliary Tract in the Elderly and Long-Living Individuals

The aim of the study was to analyse histologically and morphometrically the peribiliary glands of the extrahepatic biliary tract in the elderly and long-living people.Material and methods. The study included wholemounts of the gallbladder, the cystic, hepatic and common bile ducts obtained from the corpses of both sexes aged 22 to 35 years (n=16) and older than 76 years (n=39). Macro-microscopy was used to evaluate the number, localization, sizes and shape of the glands, the area of the lumen of the excretory duct orifices, the area of the initial section of the glands, the number of initial (terminal) parts and the proportion of epithelial parenchyma in their composition.Results. With age, there is a decreased proportion of "complexly branched" glands with a significant number of initial sections and excretory ducts of the 1st order. The proportion of "simple" glands, with one initial section increases to 70.2–78.3% in the senile age, while it is 41.0–52.1% in people of mature age. In long-living people, there is an increased number (up to 70–85%) of glands with ampullar extensions of the common excretory duct. The total number, density of gland localization, the length and width of the initial section of the peribiliary glands tend to decrease from the period of mature age to longevity. In senile age, the size and quantitative parameters of the glands stabilize, and do not modify in long-living people.Conclusion. The results of the morphological analysis demonstrate that there is no progression of involutive changes in the peribiliary glands of the extrahepatic biliary tract from senile age to the period of longevity. In some cases, long-living individuals manifest compensatory-adaptive reactions, such as an increased severity of the epithelial parenchymal component in the composition of the glands and an increased proportion of glands with an ampullar expansion of the common excretory duct.

National policy of Ukraine on Rare (Orphan) Diseases

According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, 80% of patients with rare diseases in Ukraine die within 5 years due to the lack of systematic diagnosis and qualified treatment. This is more than, for example, 50% in France. As Russia’s military incursion continues to disrupt basic health services, major efforts are needed to restore and strengthen health services, including access to medicines and medical equipment. Under these circumstances, the heroic work of doctors, both on the territory of our country and abroad, who, despite the challenges faced by the community of rare diseases in Ukraine, did not stop for a moment their work to support and help the community of patients with rare diseases and the mobilization of political advocacy and legislation at the national level. Currently, humanitarian organizations and the international community are making maximum efforts to generally protect the most vulnerable segment of the population, which is affected by the conflict, cannot leave and does not have access to humanitarian aid. The current situation should not undermine the reality that the needs of people living with a rare disease are real, enormous and unmet. The creation of legal, economic and administrative mechanisms for the realization of the constitutional rights of the population of Ukraine suffering from rare (orphan) diseases, preservation and strengthening of their health, extension of the period of active longevity and length of their lives is one of the main tasks of the state. So, the article proposes a structured complex political program document aimed at solving the issues of patients suffering from rare (orphan) diseases. During the development and formation of this state policy, the best practices of developed European countries were used. An overview of the state and problems of national regulatory and organizational support in the field of access to treatment for patients with rare (orphan) diseases was also conducted. Scientific achievements of domestic and foreign researchers, statistical data of state authorities, international organizations and own author’s research were taken into account.

Chemical Characterization of Clove, Basil and Peppermint Essential Oils; Evaluating Their Toxicity on the Development Stages of Two-Spotted Spider Mites Grown on Cucumber Leaves.

The two spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a cosmopolitan mite. It rapidly reproduces and can develop resistance to chemical pesticides. This study aims to evaluate the toxicity and acaricidal activity of three essential oils from basil, clove, and peppermint against T. urticae reproduction, which is grown on three cucumber cultivars, Chief (SC 4145), Raian (CB898), and Toshka (SC 349), under laboratory conditions at 27 + 3 °C and 70 + 5% RH. GC-MS characterized the volatile oils of basil, clove, and peppermint. Methyl cinnamate, eugenol, and menthol were the main essential oils in basil, clove, and peppermint, respectively. The results indicated significant differences in the duration of development between T. urticae feeding on the three cucumber cultivars (p ≤ 0.05), including eggs, protonymph, and deutonymph time. The Toshka (SC 349) cultivar recorded the lowest developmental time. The longevity period exhibited the same trend with non-significant differences between Raian (CB898) and Toshka (SC 349). Moreover, the lethal concentration (LC50) and LC90 values in tested essential oils (EOs) showed that clove EOs were the most toxic. In contrast, basil and peppermint EOs were the least effective, and immature stages were more sensitive to EOs than adult stages. The infected Toshka (SC 349) discs treated with essential oils and abamectin under in vitro conditions indicated that clove oil is comparable to abamectin regarding its effect on the egg numbers (18.7 and 17.6 egg), immature development time, longevity, life span, and life cycle (20.6 and 20.8 days) of T. urticae. We conclude that the resistant cultivation of cucumber plants can be recommended in integrated pest management programs. The most effective of the tested oils, clove EOs, should be used as alternatives to pesticides to control T. urticae in the protected cultivation of cucumbers.

Review of modern gonadotropins to increase the period of functional longevity in pre- and postmenopausal women

The trend towards an increase in human life expectancy that emerged in the 21st century poses new challenges for scientists. The main one of these tasks is to improve the quality of life of people who have crossed a certain age limit, and especially women who have entered the menopause period. The purpose of this review is to present the most promising developments of Russian medical science and pharmaceutical industry in ensuring the functional longevity of citizens.

Macro-microscopic features of the structure of lymphoid nodules in the wall of the female urethra

The aim of the investigation was to study the macro-microscopic features of the structure and quantitative indicators of the lymphoid nodules of the female urethra in postnatal ontogenesis.Material and methods. The topography, number and size of lymphoid nodules in the urethral wall from corpses of 63 women of different age groups were studied by macro-microscopy using binocular stereomicroscope MBS-9 after elective staining with Harris hematoxylin. The material was fixed in a 10% formalin solution. The preparations were photographed and the area of lymphoid nodules was measured in the ImageJ program. For statistical data processing, parametric statistics methods based on the Statistica 6.0 program were used. Statistical data processing included the calculation of arithmetic averages, their errors, and the analysis of the amplitude of the variation series of each indicator.Results. The maximum number of lymphoid nodules in the urethra in early childhood corresponds to the idea of the largest total number of lymphoid cells, the severity of lymphoid tissue in the first years of life. The density of lymphoid nodules is maximum in the 1st period of childhood (9,5–10,5 nodules), and then decreases sequentially. In senile age, compared with the 1st period of childhood, the density of localization of lymphoid nodules decreases in the walls of the upper third of the urethra by 1.7 times (p&lt; 0.05), the middle and lower thirds of the organ - by 1.2 times (p&lt;0.05) and the urethra as a whole – by 1.3 times (p&lt;0.05). The amplitude of the variation series (differences between individual maximum and minimum) of the density of the location of lymphoid nodules, according to our data, does not change significantly during postnatal ontogenesis. The size of the lymphoid nodule during postnatal ontogenesis is maximal in the 1st period of childhood. Further, the value of this indicator decreases and reaches a minimum in old age and in centenarians.Conclusion. The study showed that lymphoid tissue in the urethral wall is at different stages of morphogenetic maturity, lymphoid nodules are found, which, as is known, are considered to be a more functionally mature stage of lymphoid tissue development. The values of the density of the location of lymphoid nodules throughout the female urethra in postnatal ontogenesis change slightly, the minimum number of them is observed in old age and the period of longevity, the maximum does not actually change.

Effect of elevated CO2 and temperature on the life cycle of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) mediated by Bt cotton

Pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) is the notorious pest and being a monophagy on cotton, the damage that it causes is alarming. Any changes in the nutritional quality of cotton will have direct influences on pink bollworm. In this regard, the host-mediated effect of eCO2 and temperature on the life cycle of pink bollworm, P. gossypiella on Bt cotton was studied in the open top chambers at the Center for Agro-climatic Studies, UAS, Raichur. The results revealed that variations in phyto-chemistry of Bt cotton particularly the cry toxin expression and nitrogen have reduced in elevated CO2 and temperature conditions which also reduced larval, pupal period, adult longevity, fecundity and incubation period. However, the total life span of pink bollworm did not show statistically significant differences among the climate change treatments. Similar results were noticed when pink bollworm was reared on Bt cotton collected from different open top chambers and reared separately in growth chambers and the same larvae were analyzed for their enzyme activity. A significant increase in the activity of midgut proteases (trypsin and chymotrypsin), carbohydrases (α-amylase) was noticed but lipase activity was reduced.

Population Parameters and Growth of Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) under Fluctuating Temperature.

Simple SummaryThe bean bug, Riptortus pedestris, is a polyphagous species that is an important pest of soybean fields in Asian countries. In this study, we examined the effects of constant and fluctuating temperatures on the development and reproduction of R. pedestris. The effects of thermal conditions were assessed by constructing age-stage, two-sex life tables from a constant temperature of 24 °C and simulated fluctuating temperatures of 24 ± 4 °C, 24 ± 6 °C, and 24 ± 8 °C. At a constant temperature, a number of R. pedestris life table parameters differed from those under fluctuating temperatures. Although similar pre-adult development periods were recorded under constant and fluctuating temperatures, the periods of female longevity and oviposition periods under fluctuating temperatures were significantly longer than those at a constant temperature. Given that temperature is an important abiotic factor for forecasting the population dynamics of arthropods in nature, determining the effects of fluctuating temperatures will make a valuable contribution to predicting R. pedestris population growth.In this study, we determined the influence of fluctuating temperatures on the development and fecundity of the bean bug Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) by collecting life table data for individuals exposed at a constant temperature (24 °C) and three fluctuating temperatures (24 ± 4 °C, 24 ± 6 °C, and 24 ± 8 °C). The raw life history data were analyzed using an age-stage, two-sex life table to take into account the viable development rate among individuals. Based on these analyses, the population projections enabled us to determine the stage structure and variability of population growth under different temperature treatments. Our results revealed shorter periods of immature development and a higher pre-adult survival rate at 24 ± 6 °C than under the other assessed temperature conditions. Furthermore, significant reductions in female longevity were recorded at 24 °C, whereas the fecundity, net reproductive rate, and intrinsic and finite rates of increase were highest at 24 ± 6 °C. These findings reveal that fluctuating temperatures have a positive influence on the life history traits of R. pedestris and indicate that observations made under constant temperatures may not explain sufficiently enough the temperature dependent biological performances of pests in the field.

Effects of B-azolemiteacrylic on life-history traits and demographic parameters of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The present study was conducted to evaluate sublethal effects of B-azolemiteacrylic on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Female adults of T. urticae were exposed to LC10 and LC30 of the acaricide, and the effects on treated females and their offspring were evaluated. The results showed that the fecundity of F0 female adults treated with LC10 and LC30 of B-azolemiteacrylic was reduced by 30.9 and 39.2%, respectively. Longevity and oviposition period of the females were significantly reduced as well. The developmental duration of egg and deutonymph stage of the F1 generation were not significantly different from that of the control. The protonymph stage after LC30 treatment lasted significantly longer, whereas the larva, deutonymph and female stage were significantly shorter than the control. The oviposition period of the F1 generation was significantly shortened, the fecundity of each female decreased significantly, and the ratio of female-to-male was reduced too. Moreover, the average generation period of T. urticae after LC10 and LC30 treatments was shorter than that of the control, and the net production rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and finite rate of increase (λ) were all reduced by 33.3, 7.5 and 1.9% (LC10 treatment) and by 51.3, 14.8 and 3.6% (LC30 treatment), respectively. The population doubling time was prolonged by 7.5 and 14.8% after LC10 and LC30 treatments, respectively, compared with the control. These results indicate that B-azolemiteacrylic may effectively inhibit the development rate of the F0 and F1 populations of T. urticae, which will help design integrated strategies for the comprehensive control of T. urticae and rational use of pesticides in the field.

Endocrowns: a retrospective study among Riyadh Elm university dental clinics

Background: Endocrowns are created from mono-block porcelain containing the invaded coronal portion of the apical projection that fills the space of the pulp chamber, and probably the entrances of the root canal. This makes restoring endodontically extensive damaged teeth challenging and difficult.Methods: This is a retrospective chart review study essentially compiling and analyzing records from all patients consecutively treated with endocrowns which was performed by residents and students, carried out in Riyadh Elm university in Riyadh.Results: Out of 41 endo-crown cases 65.9% were successful according to follow up time and radiographic examination, and 34.1% is still under investigation. Furthermore, 51.2% were male patients while 70.7% were in the age group of 22 to 49 years. About 63.4% had treatment for the lower teeth and all the cases teeth were posterior. The period of longevity was 6 to 24 months in 51.2% of subjects.Conclusions: Additional scientific studies and clinical examination on a larger sample size are needed to assess the long-term efficacy of endocrown. However, it appears to be a conservative and an aesthetic treatment with long-term survival benefits.

Changes in Aphid-Plant Interactions under Increased Temperature.

Simple SummaryThe changing climate, particularly the temperature increase, can affect both herbivorous insects and plants. Aphids, being poikilothermal organisms, are directly exposed to an increase in temperature that, in turn, affects their biology. An increase in temperature can also indirectly affect aphids by changing the quality of the host plant tissues. This work focused on investigating the effects of climate change on plant–insect interaction. In particular, it was analyzed how an increase in ambient temperature can affect the condition of Macrosiphum rosae and its host Rosa rugosa, and how it correlates with the activity of oxidative stress-related enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD, β-glucosidase, GST, and PPO) both in insect and plant tissues. Thermal stress ranging from 25 to 28 °C has a significant impact on M. rosae–R. rugosa interaction, affecting aphid fitness and the activity of enzymes related to oxidative stress in both insect and plant.Thermal stress in living organisms causes an imbalance between the processes of creating and neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS). The work aims to explain changes in the aphid–host plant interaction due to an increase in temperature. Tests were carried out at three constant temperatures (20, 25, or 28 °C). Firstly, changes in development of Macrosiphum rosae were determined. Secondly, the activity of enzymatic markers (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), β-glucosidase, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and peroxidase (POD)) in aphid M. rosae tissues and host plant were analyzed at all temperatures. An increase in temperature to 28 °C had a negative effect on the biology of M. rosae by shortening the period of reproduction and longevity, thus reducing the demographic parameters and fecundity. Two stages of the aphid’s defensive response to short-term (24–96 h) and long-term (2 weeks) thermal stress were observed. Aphid defense responses varied considerably with temperature and were highest at 28 °C. In turn, for the plants, which were exposed to both abiotic stress caused by elevated temperature and biotic stress caused by aphid feeding, their enzymatic defense was more effective at 20 °C, when enzyme activities at their highest were observed.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Temperature-dependent development and reproduction of &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Oligonychus punicae&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt; (Acari: Tetranychidae) on Eucalyptus&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Temperature plays an important role in the development and reproduction of mites. The present study assesses how temperature affects the biology (development and survival of immatures) and life table parameters of Oligonychus punicae. This study also determines the mite thermal requirements (thermal requirement and development base temperature). The experiments were conducted in an air-conditioned chamber under different temperatures (21, 25, 29, 33, and 37ºC). The period of each stage (egg to adult) of O. punicae at different temperatures was used to determine the thermal constant and the lower thermal limit of development. The duration of the periods of pre-oviposition, oviposition, post-oviposition, fecundity, and longevity was recorded. The life table at different temperatures was created using data from the biological cycle. There was an inverse relationship between the development time of O. punicae and temperatures. However, there was no hatching of eggs at 37ºC. All O. punicae eggs resulted in females. The survival analysis for the immature and adult (female) stages of O. punicae showed a decreased life span with increasing temperatures. For the egg-adult period, the lower thermal threshold and the thermal constant for females of O. punicae were 10.34ºC and 163.93 degree-days, respectively. Temperature affected the periods of pre-oviposition, oviposition, and fecundity of adult females of O. punicae, tending to decrease with increasing temperatures. Specific fecundity varied over the oviposition period, decreasing with increasing temperatures. The net reproduction rate decreased significantly following temperatures 21°C to 33°C. The increase in temperature results in a significantly shorter average generation time. The intrinsic rate of increase ranged from 0.15 to 0.20. The finite rates of increase were all greater than 1.00. The effects of temperature on the development of O. punicae varies according to the stage of development. The optimum temperature for O. punicae is between 25 and 29ºC.

Prevalence of lower alveolar flat ridge among completely edentulous patients in Kashmir population

Objectives: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the prevalence of lower flat ridge among a group of completely edentulous patients in Kashmir population, and to correlate it with age, gender, the presence or absence of a previous denture and the period of complete edentulism. Materials and Methods: 100 patients with lower flat ridge were included in the study. A questionnaire was used to record the data of each patient which include; the gender, the age of the patient, the presence or the absence of a previous denture, and the date of the last tooth extraction (the period of complete edentulism). The patients were informed that the recorded information was required for a research purpose, and it will be used in a survey, and their consents and agreements were taken verbally. All the collected data were checked and assessed by a prosthodontic specialist. The patients age were divided into four groups; (40-50 years), (51-60 years), (61-70 years), (more than 71 years). The period of complete edentulism were divided into two groups; (up to 4 years), and (more than 4 years). The data were correlated and descriptive statistic of tables, numbers and percentages along with Chi-Square, were used to analyze the data. Results: The results of the study showed that; 64 (64%) of the patients were males and 36 (36%) of the patients were females. The majority of the patients were from the age group (51-60) and (40-50) years in male and female respectively. The occurrence of the lower flat ridge was significantly higher in patients with previous dentures 75(75%) than those without dentures 25(25%) in both genders. Finally, the results revealed that patients who were completely edentulous for up to four years had significantly higher numbers of lower flat ridge 55(55%) comparing to those who were completely edentulous for more than four years 45(45%). Conclusions: The presence of a previous denture, the longevity period of complete edentulism, the age, and the gender of the patient has an effect on the resorption of the lower residual ridge, and on the height of the lower residual ridge.