Control Program Research Articles

Malnutrition is a risk factor for tuberculosis disease among household contacts: a case-control study in Uganda

Household contacts (HHCs) of persons with tuberculosis including rifampicin-resistant or multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR-TB) are at risk for TB infection. We investigated whether index patient-level clinical and socio-demographic factors of persons with MDR-TB are associated with TB disease among their HHCs in Uganda. We designed an unmatched case-control study. Cases were HHCs of persons with MDR-TB that had TB disease while controls were a random sample of HHCs of persons with MDR-TB that had no TB disease. The case-to-control ratio was 1:3. We identified the factors that significantly differed between the cases and controls in a multivariable binary logistic regression analysis and reported the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI). We found similar demographic and clinical characteristics among the 11 cases and 33 controls. In a multivariable analysis, malnutrition was significantly associated with being a case than a control (adjusted OR 5.01; 95% CI 1.18-24.83). Therefore, TB Control Programs should focus on identifying malnutrition among persons with MDR-TB and providing nutritional counseling and support to improve recovery, and potentially reduce household TB transmission and optimize treatment success. Additionally, rapid screening for TB and preventive therapy should be prioritized to reduce transmission.

Factors Influencing Adolescent Resilience and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Prevention Behavior: A Cross-sectional Study of Adolescents in DKI Jakarta Province, Indonesia

Background The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains high in Indonesia. Therefore, HIV-AIDS prevention and control programs have been established for adolescents aged 15–24 years based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Internal risk factors related to risky sexual behavior and external risk factors associated with exposure to pornography through the media are major hurdles that need to be overcome in efforts to prevent HIV-AIDS among adolescents. Meanwhile, individual protective factors through self-control and adolescent resilience strongly impact the enhancement of HIV-AIDS prevention behavior. This study aimed to determine whether internal and external risk factors and individual and sociocultural protective factors exert influences on adolescent resilience and HIV-AIDS prevention behavior among adolescents. Methods This research employed a descriptive quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach. The population consisted of high school students aged 15–19 years in Jakarta, and a sample of 619 students was taken through proportional stratified random sampling. Inferential analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Results The data analysis revealed that adolescent resilience (β-value = 0.423; t = 12.129), internal risk factors (β-value = 0.292; t = 10.903), and external risk factors (β-value = -0.088; t = 6.127) most significantly influenced HIV-AIDS prevention behavior, with significant negative impacts. The sub-variable that most strongly determined the presence of HIV-AIDS prevention behavior (Y2) was self-control (λ = 0.983), and the one that did so most weakly was negative cognition (λ = 0.875). Conclusion Adolescent resilience is a crucial factor in enhancing HIV-AIDS prevention behavior among adolescents as it influences adolescents’ beliefs, boosts their self-confidence, fosters emotional insight, and develops social skills and empathy toward others. Thus, enhancing it through HIV-AIDS prevention programs is essential.

Impact of ivermectin and vector control on onchocerciasis transmission in Togo: Assessing the empirical evidence on trends in infection and entomological indicators.

The World Health Organization's 2021-2030 Road Map for Neglected Tropical Diseases boosted global commitment towards the elimination of onchocerciasis, but the timeline to elimination will vary strongly between countries in Africa. To assess progress towards elimination in the Republic of Togo, we reviewed the history of control and time trends in infection. We collated all available programmatic, entomological, and epidemiological data since the initiation of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) in Togo through different data sources. We then visualised data trends over time, to assess the impact of interventions on infection and transmission levels. Vector control was initiated by OCP from 1977 (northern and central parts of Togo) or 1988 (southern regions) up to 2002 (most areas) or 2007 ("special intervention zones" [SIZ], parts of Northern and Central Togo). Between 1988 and 1991, Togo initiated ivermectin mass drug administration (MDA) in eligible communities. The impact of vector control was high in most river basins, resulting in low annual biting rates and annual transmission potential declining to very low levels; the impact was lower in river basins designated as SIZ. Repeated, longitudinal ivermectin mass treatments have overall strongly reduced onchocerciasis transmission in Togo. Epidemiological surveys performed between 2014 and 2017 showed that the prevalence of skin microfilariae (mf) and anti-OV16 IgG4 antibodies had declined to low levels in several districts of the Centrale, Plateaux, and Maritime region. Yet, relatively high mf prevalences (between 5.0% and 32.7%) were still found in other districts during the same period, particularly along the Kéran, Mô and Ôti river basins (SIZ areas). Trends in infection prevalence and intensity show that onchocerciasis levels have dropped greatly over time in most areas. This demonstrates the large impact of long-term and wide-scale interventions, and suggest that several districts of Togo are approaching elimination.

Evaluation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers on parent behavioral outcomes

BackgroundThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's web-based behavioral parent training (BPT) program, Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers (EfP), uses a psychoeducational approach to promote positive parenting and address common parenting challenges. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of EfP on parenting behavior and whether implementation format impacted behavioral outcomes. MethodsA sample of 200 parents of 2- to 4-year-old children were recruited via Internet advertising. Using a repeated single subject, multiple baseline design, parents were randomly assigned to guided navigation (GN; n = 100) or unguided navigation (UN; n = 100) study conditions. Parents were provided secure access to the EfP website and completed 18 weekly surveys. Latent growth curve modeling was used to determine intervention effectiveness on behavioral outcomes. ResultsLatent growth curve modeling indicated both GN and UN study conditions significantly increased use of praise (β = 0.19, p = 0.038) and commands and consequences (β = 0.17, p < 0.001), and decreased corporal punishment use (β = −0.01, p = 0.017) and attitudes promoting corporal punishment (β = −0.01, p < 0.001) over the study period. The UN condition exhibited a significant initial decrease in time-out use that increased over time to match the GN condition. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence for the effectiveness of EfP in promoting non-violent parenting behavior and increasing positive parenting techniques. The format of EfP implementation made no difference in parenting behaviors over time. Digital BPT programs like EfP provide access to evidence-informed parenting resources and can enhance positive parenting.

Evolving the Role of Black Race in Hypertension Therapeutics.

Black race has been used to guide antihypertensive drug selection for Black patients based on predominant between race (same drug) and intra-race (different drugs) BP response patterns. Accordingly, thiazide diuretics and calcium antagonists have been recommended over renin angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors (angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) and beta blockers for Black patients. Current antihypertensive drug prescribing reflects historical guidance as calcium antagonist and thiazide diuretics are prescribed more and RAS blockers less in Black than White patients. Hypertension control rates in Blacks, lag those for Whites despite their greater use of combination drug therapy and lesser use of monotherapy. This is also true across drug regimens containing any of the four recommended classes for initial therapy as well as for evidence-based combination drug therapy (calcium antagonist or thiazide diuretic + RAS blocker) regimens for which there is no known racial disparity in BP response. Current recommendations acknowledge the need for combination drug therapy in most, especially in Black patients. One exemplar comprehensive hypertension control program achieved > 80% control rates in Black and White patients with minimal racial disparity while utilizing a race-agnostic therapeutic algorithm. Black patients manifest robust, if not outsized, BP responses to diet/lifestyle modifications. Importantly, race neither appears to be a necessary nor sufficient consideration for selection of effective drug therapy. Accordingly, we urge the initiation of adequately intense race-agnostic drug therapy coupled with greater emphasis on diet/lifestyle modifications for Black patients as the cornerstone of a race-informed approach to hypertension therapeutics.

‘We may need some help; we are just parents who have chosen to engage in football’: a qualitative study on amateur coaches’ experiences of use of and support for injury prevention training in Sweden

IntroductionAchieving sufficient adherence with injury prevention exercise programmes is a challenge. The aim was to explore how amateur football coaches experience the use of and support for injury prevention training...

Estimating fox abundance using the simultaneous count method

AbstractFeral foxes Vulpes vulpes are a major threat to Australian wildlife and assessing the success of control programs requires comparison of abundance before and after control. While camera traps are often used to assess fox activity, estimating abundance is difficult due to the inability to distinguish individuals requiring an “unmarked” methodology. We tested the “simultaneous count method” which requires samples to be independent during the sampling period, that is, 24 h, while allowing lack of independence between sampling periods. This enables repeat detections of animals to estimate abundance. We tested the method on camera data collected over 5 years at Oolambeyan National Park, New South Wales, during a fox control program and conclude that the method has merit. We were able to statistically measure an effect of change in abundance from a median of 57 to 2, however, estimation of detectability was erratic.

Emerging cancer disease burden in a rural sub-Saharan African population: northeast Nigeria in focus

IntroductionSub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is plagued by myriads of diseases, mostly infectious; but cancer disease burden is rising among non-communicable diseases. Nigeria has a high burden of cancer, however its remote underserved culturally-conserved populations have been understudied, a gap this study sought to fill.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional multi-institutional descriptive study of histologically diagnosed cancers over a four-year period (January 2019-December 2022) archived in the Departments of Pathology and Cancer Registries of six tertiary hospitals in the northeast of Nigeria. Data obtained included age at diagnosis, gender, tumor site and available cancer care infrastructure. Population data of the study region and its demographics was obtained from the National Population Commission and used to calculate incident rates for the population studied.ResultsA total of 4,681 incident cancer cases from 2,770 females and 1,911 males were identified. The median age at diagnosis for females was 45 years (range 1–95yrs), and 56 years (range 1–99yrs) for males. Observed age-specific incidence rates (ASR) increased steadily for both genders reaching peaks in the age group 80 years and above with the highest ASR seen among males (321/100,000 persons) compared to females (215.5/100,000 persons). Breast, cervical, prostatic, colorectal and skin cancers were the five most common incident cancers. In females, breast, cervical, skin, ovarian and colorectal cancers were the top five malignancies; while prostate, haematolymphoid, skin, colorectal and urinary bladder cancers predominated in men.ConclusionRemote SSA communities are witnessing rising cancer disease burden. Proactive control programs inclusive of advocacy, vaccination, screening, and improved diagnostics are needed.

Performance and acceptability of the STREAM Disinfectant Generator for infection prevention and control practices in primary health care facilities in Uganda

BackgroundEffective infection prevention and control programs can positively influence quality of care, increase patient safety, and protect health care providers. Chlorine, a widely used and effective chemical disinfectant, is recommended for infection prevention and control in health care settings. However, lack of consistent chlorine availability limits its use. Electrolytic chlorine generators can address limited chlorine supply and stockouts by enabling onsite production of readily usable, high-quality chlorine cost-effectively. We report the feasibility (i.e., performance, acceptability, chlorine availability, and cost) of the electrolytic STREAM Disinfectant Generator (Aqua Research, New Mexico, USA) device for infection prevention and control in primary health care facilities in Uganda.MethodsWe installed STREAM devices in 10 primary health care facilities in central and western Uganda. Commercial chlorine inventory records (stock cards) were reviewed in each facility to calculate average liters of chlorine received and used per month. These values were compared with actual STREAM chlorine production volumes over the study period to determine its impact on chlorine availability. We collected acceptability data from a purposive sample of device users (n = 16), hospital administrators (n = 10), and district health officers (n = 6) who had been directly involved in the operation or supervision of the STREAM device. We descriptively analyzed the acceptability data by user group and evaluated qualitative responses manually using a thematic approach. Cost data were normalized and modeled to determine a break-even and cost-savings analysis across a five-year period (the minimum expected lifespan of the STREAM device).ResultsChlorine was consistently available without any reported stockouts during the evaluation period. STREAM chlorine production resulted in a 36.9 percent cost-savings over a five-year period compared to commercial chlorine. User acceptability of the STREAM device was high among STREAM operators, hospital administrators, and district health officers, with all respondents reporting that STREAM moderately or significantly improved infection prevention and control practices in the health facility. Overall, 88 percent of device users and 100 percent of hospital administrators wished to continue using the STREAM device instead of commercial chlorine products.ConclusionThe STREAM device has demonstrated significant potential to strengthen infection prevention and control practices in health care facilities in Uganda. Based on the preliminary results, the STREAM device should be considered a promising tool for district hospitals and large health centers facing infection prevention and control challenges in Uganda and elsewhere, provided water and electricity are available. Going forward, implementation of the STREAM device could also be considered in smaller health care facilities in Uganda and elsewhere.

Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in the Kyrgyz Republic and the World. Factors Influencing Its Course

In recent years, large-scale studies based on data from administrative databases have reported changes in diabetes incidence over time. Different countries show various trends: stable incidence, decreases, and increases. High-income countries have seen a decline in diabetes incidence, possibly linked to changes in diagnosis and screening practices. The number of children and adolescents with diabetes, particularly type 2, is increasing, significantly impacting society. Diabetes is a cause of premature mortality and disability, negatively affecting the economy. In the USA, premature mortality is estimated to cost 19.9 billion dollars annually. In Kyrgyzstan, the burden of non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, is growing. Measures to combat diabetes in the country include free provision of insulin and medications, the approval of clinical guidelines and protocols, and the implementation of national prevention and control programs. The State Guarantee Program ensures free medication assistance for diabetes patients. Despite these efforts, issues with funding and resource efficiency remain. Improving the quality of medical care, intersectoral cooperation, and increasing accountability for public health are necessary. Enhancing the quality of pharmaceutical care and the efficient use of public funds are also priorities for improving the diabetes situation in Kyrgyzstan. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes complications, as well as the implementation of new prevention strategies, are crucial for reducing incidence and improving the quality of life for patients.

Preclinical SPECT and PET: Joint EANM and ESMI procedure guideline for implementing an efficient quality control programme.

The aim of this guideline is to provide recommendations for the implementation of an effective and efficient quality control (QC) programme for SPECT and PET systems in a preclinical imaging lab. These recommendations aim to strengthen the translational power of preclinical imaging results obtained using preclinical SPECT and PET. As for clinical imaging, reliability, reproducibility, and repeatability are essential when groups of animals are used in a longitudinal imaging experiment. The larger the variability of the imaging endpoint, the more animals are needed to be able to observe statistically significant differences between groups. Therefore, preclinical imaging requires quality control procedures to maintain reliability, reproducibility, and repeatability of imaging procedures, and to ensure the accuracy and precision of SPECT and PET quantification. While the Physics Committee of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) has already published excellent procedure guidelines for Routine Quality Control Recommendations for Nuclear Medicine Instrumentationthat also includes procedures for small animal PET systems, and important steps have already been made concerning preclinical quality control aspects, this new guideline provides a review and update of these previous guidelines such that guidelines are also adapted to new technological developments.

Development and Control of Virtual Industrial Process using Factory IO and MATLAB

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the strategic adoption of virtual manufacturing methods has emerged as a key driver for companies seeking to streamline operations and expedite product launches in a cost-effective manner. This progressive approach involves the creation of a synthetic and interconnected environment, empowered by advanced software tools and systems, including Virtual Reality and Simulation technologies, tailored to optimize industrial processes. Our methodology employs a unique combination of two simulation software tools: Factory I/O for process development and MATLAB for control program implementation. Furthermore, we explore the use of the Modbus TCP/IP communication protocol as the framework for seamless interaction between these software tools during simulation. This research presents practical insights into the transformative potential of virtual manufacturing, showcasing its real-world application in enhancing operational efficiency and agility within industrial settings.

Two-Pass Weed Management Programs for White Bean

It is essential to implement effective weed management programs to minimize white bean yield loss from weed interference. Four field experiments were conducted during 2022 and 2023 to determine the efficacy of one-pass compared to two-pass weed control programs. This study evaluated trifluralin + S-metolachlor + imazethapyr or trifluralin + S-metolachlor + halosulfuron applied preplant incorporated (PPI), bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl applied postemergence (POST), and trifluralin + S-metolachlor + imazethapyr or trifluralin + S-metolachlor + halosulfuron applied PPI followed by (fb) bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl applied POST in white bean. There was minimal white bean injury (&amp;le; 5%) with the herbicide programs evaluated. Weed interference decreased white bean yield 44%. Weed interference with bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl applied POST resulted in a 24% decrease in white bean seed yield compared to the weed-free control; however, all other PPI and PPI fb POST herbicide programs resulted in white bean seed yield that was similar to the weed-free control. Weed interference with the one-pass herbicide programs (PPI or POST) resulted in 17% lower white bean seed yield compared to the two-pass herbicide programs (PPI fb POST). Trifluralin + S-metolachlor + imazethapyr, applied PPI, controlled velvetleaf 85%, common ragweed 35%, common lambsquarters 96%, and green foxtail 80% at 8 weeks after the POST application (WAT). Trifluralin + S-metolachlor + halosulfuron, applied PPI, controlled velvetleaf 68%, common ragweed 87%, common lambsquarters 94% and green foxtail 56% at 8 WAT. Bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl, applied POST, controlled velvetleaf 86%, common ragweed 97%, common lambsquarters 34%, and green foxtail 29% at 8 WAT. Trifluralin + S-metolachlor + imazethapyr, applied PPI, followed by bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl, applied POST, controlled velvetleaf, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, and green foxtail 98, 97, 96, and 94%, respectively at 8 WAT. Trifluralin + S-metolachlor + halosulfuron, applied PPI, followed by bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl, applied POST, controlled velvetleaf, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, and green foxtail 97, 99, 97 and 93%, respectively at 8 WAT. Based on orthogonal contrast, the two-pass herbicide programs provided 17, 21, 20, and 38% greater control of velvetleaf, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, and green foxtail in comparison to the one-pass herbicide programs, respectively at 8 WAT. This study concludes that the two-pass herbicide programs of trifluralin + S-metolachlor + imazethapyr or trifluralin + S-metolachlor + halosulfuron applied PPI followed by bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl applied POST provides the most consistent weed control in white bean in Ontario.

Continued Increase in Incidence of Kidney Cancer in Iran and its 31 Provinces

Background: Kidney cancer in adults includes malignant tumors originating from the parenchyma and pelvis and is the most lethal urogenital cancer. Available data in Iran indicate that the incidence and pattern of this cancer are changing. Objectives: Our study aimed to present an updated incidence rate of kidney cancer in Iran and its 31 provinces and their trends, and climate zones distribution of the disease. Methods: In this study, the age standard incidence rate (ASIR) of kidney cancer based on provinces, age groups, and gender has been calculated using the available data in the national cancer registration system of the Ministry of Health from 2003 to 2016. Results: Overall ASIR of kidney cancer was 1.28 per 100,000 from 2003 to 2016. ASIR of this cancer in men has increased from 0.96 in 2003 to 3.66 in 2016 and similarly, reached from 0.61 in 2003 to 2.24 in 2016 in Iran. Fars, Yazd, Tehran and Isfahan provinces had the highest ASIR in Iran. Hot climate zones are associated with a higher incidence of kidney cancer while moderate climate is linked to lower incidence rates in Iran. Conclusions: Although the incidence rate of kidney cancer in Iran and its provinces is low, the increasing trend is concerning particularly among men. Therefore, it is crucial to develop cost-effective screening tests and implement control and prevention programs in the high-incidence provinces.

Treatment Related Factors Associated with Non-adherence to Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment

Background: Non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment may result in persistent infectiousness on the part of the patient and a higher rate of treatment failure, relapse and drug resistance and therefore, is a significant barrier to the success in tuberculosis control. Objective: To determine the treatment related factors associated with non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment among tuberculosis patients. Materials and method: This case control study was carried out among purposively selected 47tuberculosis patients non-adherent to treatment (cases) and 94 tuberculosis patients adherent to treatment (controls) and were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire and checklist in selected DOTS centres of Dhaka city. Results: Statistical analysis shows that, factors like delay in seeking tuberculosis treatment for &gt;6 weeks (OR=4.57; 95% CI, 1.48-14.1) and getting medicine weekly once (OR=2.8; 95% CI, 1.13-6.77) were more likely to be associated with non-adherence to treatment. Lessfrequent visit by health providers (p=0.02), no support for side effect (p=0.042) and non-observation of medication (p=0.009) were also found significant. The reasons behind missing anti-TB doses among non-adherent cases were due to feeling better (53.2%), personal reason (25.5%), feeling worse (19.1%) and forgot to take medicine (2.2%). Conclusion: Mass awareness among the tuberculosis patients is required to improve attitude towards anti-tuberculosis treatment and activities of tuberculosis control programme require further strengthening especially in targeting the patients of low economic status. Delta Med Col J. Jan 2021;9(2): 96-100

Comparative evaluation of biological control programs and chemical pesticides for managing insect and mite pests in cucumber greenhouses: a sustainable approach for enhanced pest control and yield

BackgroundCucumber plants are susceptible to several economically damaging pests, including whiteflies, aphids, thrips and spider mites. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two biological control programs, utilizing different releases of bio-agents, in comparison with chemical control method. The bio-agents used were the aphid parasitoid Aphelinus albipodus Hayat and Fatima (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), the green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in two release rates; low and high. Additionally, a chemical pesticides treatment was included for comparison in managing the pests in cucumber greenhouses during the winter seasons of 2022 and 2023, in Egypt. Abundances of whitefly, aphids, thrips and spider mites were recorded weekly throughout the study.ResultsThe aphid population in the greenhouse with high release rate (BIO 2) showed the highest reduction, with percentages of 84.55 and 89.88% in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Both greenhouse with low release rate (BIO 1) and BIO 2 exhibited significant reductions in the whitefly population, with proportions of 71.31 and 72.01% in 2022, and 82.05 and 85.94% in 2023, respectively. The thrips population also experienced notable reductions in both BIO 1 and BIO 2 greenhouses, with percentages of 72.08 and 75.71% in 2022, and 59.93 and 61.38% in 2023, respectively. However, the pesticide treatment demonstrated the lowest reduction in populations of aphids, whitefly and thrips in both seasons. Nevertheless, in all treatments in the two evaluated seasons, the high release rate of the predatory mite, P. persimilis (15 individuals/m2), proved to be highly effective in maintaining the mite populations below the economic threshold level. However, the population density of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. (Acari: Tetranychidae), increased in the pesticide-treated greenhouse, indicating the development of resistance to pesticides. Although the tested programs resulted in similar yields, the biological control approach offered the advantage of pesticide-free produce and reduced production costs.ConclusionFor pest management in cucumber growing in greenhouses during winter, it is recommended to use biological control agents at a low release rate at the early occurrence of pests. This approach can help minimize pest populations effectively.

Symbolic violence, social control, and student loan programmes: the subterranean complexes

ABSTRACT Government-backed student loans are not a panacea for educational inequality or social ills. By examining student loans as a means of social control, Bourdieu’s concept of symbolic violence can provide novel ways to encapsulate debt-response patterns across cultures and geographies. This gentle, invisible violence creeps in via misrecognition, a process that encompasses rationalising indebtedness and attaching latent meaning or emotional weight to student debt. Student debt is, first, internalised as a regular and reliable part of life, whether through income-contingent repayment or traditional mortgage-style programmes. Also present is the gradual internalisation of gratitude, trust, and obligation. Deferment or delinquency is subsequently interpreted as a sign of personal inadequacy. In essence, symbolic violence establishes a missing link between an individual’s subjective experience and institutional structural barriers. It disrupts commonly held assumptions on marketisation, private return, and individual responsibility in top-down neo-liberal discourse, informing student loan policy through a multidimensional lens.

The potential application of Czenspinskia transversostriata in biological control.

Phytoseiid predatory mites are one of the most important groups of biocontrol agents, commonly used in biological control. The ability to produce these predatory mites economically, at high density on cheap factitious food sources, is a major contributor to their success. Astigmatid mites are the most widely used factitious food for this purpose. In this study, we investigated the potential application of the leaf-dwelling astigmatid mite Czenspinskia transversostriata (Oudemans) (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) as a prey mite in biological control. We tested whether C. transversostriata is a suitable food source for the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae), both in the laboratory and on cucumber plants. Based on a reproduction trial, C. transversostriata proved to be an equally good food source compared to both pollen of Typha angustifolia L. (Poales: Typhaceae) and a frequently used prey mite Carpoglyphus lactis L. (Acari: Carpoglyphidae). In a pre-establishment trial on cucumber plants, populations of A. swirskii reached equally high densities when supplemented with C. transversostriata, compared to C. lactis. Lastly, we show that C. transversostriata is capable of feeding and reproducing on powdery mildew growing on cucumber plants, thereby slowing down the development of the pathogenic fungus. Results derived from this study show that C. transversostriata may have multiple potential applications in biological control programs.

Assessment of non-target toxicity of insecticides on Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) in laboratory and field conditions.

G1 strain Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) has been recently released in both Europe and America as a biological control agent of the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). In initial phases of classical biological control programs, it becomes imperative to evaluate the susceptibility of parasitoids to insecticides, to identify the best alternatives to adopt in an integrated pest management and organic perspective. In this study, we evaluated lethal and sublethal effects of topical application of five different insecticides classes: neonicotinoids, diamides, pyrethroids, organophosphates and spinosyns. Additionally, we tested residual toxicity in field trials in vineyards and sweet cherry orchards. Adult wasps' susceptibility to different insecticides' classes were consistent between laboratory and field. Spinosad exhibited the highest toxicity, with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 0.00372 of the maximum field dose, and the highest knock-down effect in field trials, causing 92.5 ± 5% of mortality at T0. λ-cyhalothrin showed sublethal effects on both male and female insects' longevity when applied at LC30. In field trials, deltamethrin showed the highest persistence, causing significant parasitoid mortality up to 14 days after treatment. Conversely, cyantraniliprole was the least toxic active ingredient according to both topical and residual bioassays, even though its residues caused mortality up to 7 days after the treatment in the field. Our results indicate that spinosad and λ-cyhalothrin are highly toxic to G. brasiliensis, making them incompatible with classical biological control programs. Cyantraniliprole exhibited lower toxicity, and may be considered a selective pesticide for the integrated management of D. suzukii. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Lethal wolf control elicits change in moose habitat selection in unexpected ways

AbstractMoose (Alces alces) and woodland caribou (Ranger tarandus caribou) are the 2 large prey species for wolves (Canis lupus) in the Nearctic boreal forest in North America. Caribou have declined, with widespread anthropogenic disturbance as the ultimate cause and wolf predation as the proximal cause. To conserve caribou the government of Alberta, Canada initiated a wolf control program to reduce predation rates on caribou populations and contribute to caribou population recovery. Predators play an important role in shaping the structure and function of ecosystems through top‐down forces. We hypothesized that the strongest factors influencing moose occurrences would reflect changes in predation risk before and after the onset of wolf control. We weighed evidence for competing hypothesis by deploying cameras across a highly industrialized landscape in Alberta for 3 years after wolf control (2017–2020), capitalizing on 3 years of existing data before the onset of wolf control (2011–2014). We created generalized linear models representing competing hypotheses about moose response to natural and anthropogenic landscape features before and after wolf control, examining support for each in an information‐theoretic framework. Prior to wolf control, the model containing landscape features providing security cover was best‐supported, but this was scale‐dependent. After wolf control, the model containing landscape features that offer increased forage opportunities was best‐supported. Unexpectedly, the direction of effect was often opposite to predictions, with moose avoiding some features thought to provide security and forage. We demonstrate that lethal predator control affects the spatial distribution of its primary prey species but in ways we do not fully comprehend, highlighting the need for a better understanding of community dynamics following wolf control.