A disease-associated gene desert directs macrophage inflammation through ETS2

Increasing rates of autoimmune and inflammatory disease present a burgeoning threat to human health1. This is compounded by the limited efficacy of available treatments1 and high failure rates during drug development2, highlighting an urgent need to better understand disease mechanisms. Here we show how functional genomics could address this challenge. By investigating an intergenic haplotype on chr21q22-which has been independently linked to inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and Takayasu's arteritis3-6-we identify that the causal gene, ETS2, is a central regulator of human inflammatory macrophages and delineate the shared disease mechanism that amplifies ETS2 expression. Genes regulated by ETS2 were prominently expressed in diseased tissues and more enriched for inflammatory bowel disease GWAS hits than most previously described pathways. Overexpressing ETS2 in resting macrophages reproduced the inflammatory state observed in chr21q22-associated diseases, with upregulation of multiple drug targets, including TNF and IL-23. Using a database of cellular signatures7, we identified drugs that might modulate this pathway and validated the potent anti-inflammatory activity of one class of small molecules in vitro and ex vivo. Together, this illustrates the power of functional genomics, applied directly in primary human cells, to identify immune-mediated disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic opportunities.

Surgical challenges of giant parathyroid adenomas weighing 10 g or more

PURPOSE

An average parathyroid adenoma (PA) weighs < 1 g. This study aimed to characterise giant PAs ≥ 10 g (GPAs) to facilitate surgical management of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).

METHODS

All patients with a GPA confirmed on histology were recruited from the Monash University Endocrine Surgery Unit database. Clinical and demographic data were collected and compared to a group of non-GPA patients.

RESULTS

A total of 14 GPAs were identified between 2007 and 2018 out of 863 patients (1.6%) with a single PA excised for PHPT. The GPA patients were compared to a control group of 849 non-GPA patients in the same period with similar mean age (62 ± 16 vs 63 ± 14, P = 0.66) and gender distribution (64% vs 75% female, P = 0.35). Pre-operative calcium (Ca) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were significantly higher in GPA patients (P < 0.001). A higher percentage of GPA patients (79%) had concordant localisation studies (ultrasound and sestamibi) than control patients (59%), (P = 0.13), but they were significantly less likely to undergo MIP (55% vs 82%, P = 0.02). The median GPA weighed 12.5 g (IQR 10.5-24.3). Median serum Ca normalised by day 1 post-operatively, while PTH remained elevated. Both serum Ca and PTH levels were in the normal range at 3 months. All GPA lesions were benign on histopathology.

CONCLUSION

GPAs are rare and display severe clinical and biochemical abnormalities. Despite their large size, concordant pre-operative imaging was not always achieved, and a few patients were suitable for MIP.

Management of colorectal anastomotic stricture with multidiameter balloon dilation: long-term results

Background

Postoperative colorectal anastomotic strictures are quite common. As such, many techniques have been available to address such a problem, one of which is endoscopic dilation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes following endoscopic dilation using a multidiameter balloon.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on patients with postoperative anastomotic stenosis treated with endoscopic dilation using a multidiameter balloon at our institution, in January 2005–December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed, excluding those with tumor recurrence. Perioperative factors, complications, and recurrence rates were analyzed.

Results

There were 40 patients, (22 males and 18 females, mean age 64.6 ± 10.7 years, range 33–84 years). The median follow-up period was 56 months (interquartile range 22.5–99 months). Only 1 complication occurred, micro-perforation due to guided wire injury, which was managed conservatively. Five (12.5%) patients developed restenosis and underwent repeat balloon dilation. None of the five recurrences required more aggressive management, such as redo anastomosis.

Conclusions

Endoscopic multidiameter balloon dilation is a safe and effective method for treating benign colorectal anastomotic strictures.

Azelastine nasal spray inhibiting sympathetic function on human nasal mucosa in patients with allergy rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Azelastine hydrochloride (azelastine) nasal spray is a histamine receptor-1 (H1) antagonist often used in treating allergic rhinitis to relieve its symptoms. However, the effects of azelastine to influence decongestion on human nasal mucosa in patients with allergic rhinitis are not yet fully explored and merit further exploration. The effects of azelastine on the vasocontractile responses generated by smooth muscles in the vascular structures of human nasal mucosa were investigated directly in vitro.

METHODS

We examined the effectiveness of azelastine on isolated human nasal mucosa by testing: 1) the effect on mucosa resting tension; 2) the effect on mucosal contraction caused by 10-6 M methoxamine as a sympathetic mimetic; 3) the effect of the drugs on electrically induced mucosal contractions.

RESULTS

The results indicated that addition of methoxamine to the incubation medium caused the nasal mucosa to contract in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of azelastine at doses of 10â€"6 M or above elicited a significant dilation response to 10â€"6 M methoxamine-induced mucosal contraction. Azelastine could inhibit electrical field stimulation-induced spike mucosal contraction. Moreover, increase in concentration of azelastine had minimal effect on basal tension of nasal mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

The technique in our study is simple and reproducible. Azelastine could inhibit both EFS and methoxamine-induced nasal mucosal contractions in vitro. This study highlights that although azelastine nasal spray is often used in treating allergic rhinitis to improve symptoms, nasal obstruction may be not relieved immediately due to the anti-sympathetic effect of azelastine.

P6155Early computed tomographic evaluation for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors: the CT-FIRST trial

Background

Patients surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) commonly present without an obvious etiology, but computed tomography (CT) can provide rapid, comprehensive anatomic evaluation of potential OHCA causes.

Purpose

To assess the diagnostic capabilities of whole body CT imaging in OHCA survivors.

Methods

From 11/2015 to 2/2018, the CT-FIRST (CT Feasibility In Resuscitated patient for Sudden death Triage) protocol enrolled 104 OHCA survivors without obvious OHCA cause to an early (<6 hours from hospital arrival) dual source Sudden Death CT (SDCT) scan protocol that included a non-contrast head, ECG-gated cardiac/thoracic angiography, and non-gated venous phase abdominal CT's. Cardiac CT analysis was blinded, but other SDCT findings were clinically available. Patients needing urgent cardiac catheterization or hemodynamically unable to tolerate CT were excluded. Primary endpoints were SDCT diagnosis compared to OHCA causes from adjudicated record review, and any significantly altered therapy based on SDCT. Acute coronary syndrome by SDCT was conservatively assumed if >50% stenosis was identified in major coronary artery(ies).

Results

SDCT scans identified 39% (41/104) of all OHCA causes and 95% (41/43) of causes potentially identifiable with SDCT (Table). No inappropriate treatments resulted from SDCT findings. SDCT changed or expedited treatments in 21/23 (95%) patients, including antibiotics, anticoagulants, and invasive evaluations or treatments. SDCT found or confirmed resuscitation complications including liver/spleen laceration (n=5), pneumothorax (n=7), and hemopericardium (n=1).

N=104 OHCA Cause SDCT Diagnosis of OHCA Cause N (%) N (%) Acute coronary syndrome 13 (13%) 13 (100%) Cardiomyopathy 8 (8%) 7 (88%) Pneumonia 11 (11%) 11 (100%) Hemorrhagic stroke 3 (3%) 3 (100%) Pulmonary embolism 4 (3%) 4 (100%) Perforated viscus 2 (2%) 2 (100%) Gut necrosis 1 (1%) 1 (100%) Pulmonary hemorrhage 1 (1%) 1 (100%) Substance use 22 (21%) 0 (0%) Unknown 7 (7%) 0 (0%) Other 32 (31%) 0 (0%)

Conclusion

This pilot study suggests the SDCT protocol has considerable promise to diagnose OHCA causes and complications of resuscitation, as well as change clinical treatment.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Medic One Foundation

Beyond disease susceptibility-Leveraging genome-wide association studies for new insights into complex disease biology

Genetic studies in complex diseases have been highly successful, but have also been largely one-dimensional: predominantly focusing on the genetic contribution to disease susceptibility. While this is undoubtedly important-indeed it is a pre-requisite for understanding the mechanisms underlying disease development-there are many other important aspects of disease biology that have received comparatively little attention. In this review, I will discuss how existing genetic data can be leveraged to provide new insights into other aspects of disease biology, why such insights could change the way we think about complex disease, and how this could provide opportunities for better therapies and/or facilitate personalised medicine. To do this, I will use the example of Crohn's disease-a chronic form of inflammatory bowel disease that has been one of the main success stories in complex disease genetics. Indeed, thanks to genetic studies, we now have a much more detailed understanding of the processes involved in Crohn's disease development, but still know relatively little about what determines the subsequent disease course (prognosis) and why this differs so considerably between individuals. I will discuss how we came to realise that genetic variation plays an important role in determining disease prognosis and how this has changed the way we think about Crohn's disease genetics. This will illustrate how phenotypic data can be used to leverage new insights from genetic data and will provide a broadly applicable framework that could yield new insights into the biology of multiple diseases.

Development of a New Pulsatile Extracorporeal Life Support Device Incorporating a Dual Pulsatile Blood Pump

A new pulsatile extracorporeal life support device (ECLS) has been developed, designed to sustain pulsatile blood flow during emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitations and cardiopulmonary operations. This device features two identical pulsatile pumps that operate alternately and can therefore provide blood inflow in a more uniform manner than similar systems featuring a single-pump configuration. In order to confirm the presumed benefits of this newly-developed dual pulsatile pump configuration, we have conducted a series of in vitro experiments designed to compare the properties of the new system with a single pump system, specifically with regard to pump delivery rate and active filling efficiency. Our results reveal that the dual pump configuration can, indeed, deliver a higher flow than can the single-pump system, and exhibits an active filling efficiency superior to that of the single-pump configuration. We performed a series of animal experiments to measure the pulsatility of the dual-pump configuration in terms of equivalent energy pressure (EEP). In order to measure EEP, we measured femoral arterial pressure and pump outflow. The results of our animal experiments revealed that the newly-developed pulstile ECLS exhibits sufficient pulsatility in terms of the EEP considerations.

Severe hyperkalaemia complicating parathyroidectomy in patients with end-stage renal disease

We evaluated the incidence of perioperative hyperkalaemia in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing parathyroidectomy and investigated possible contributors to this phenomenon. This was a retrospective cohort study looking at patients who had undergone parathyroidectomy for chronic kidney disease-associated mineral bone disease (CKD-MBD) at The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, since 2001. Baseline demographics including age, gender, aetiology of renal failure and mode of renal replacement therapy as well as anaesthetic technique and duration of surgery were studied as possible contributors. Perioperative potassium values were compared to preoperative baseline. Following stratification into normokalaemic and hyperkalaemic groups, demographic and operative data were compared. Twenty-two patients met the inclusion criteria with a median (interquartile range, IQR) age of 48.5 (42-59) years. There was a male predominance of 68%. The median (IQR) surgical time was 131 (115-164) minutes. Potassium levels rose perioperatively, with a 27.3% incidence of perioperative hyperkalaemia. Median duration of surgery was longer in the hyperkalaemic patients (167 minutes versus 125 minutes). Following the withdrawal of cinacalcet, parathyroidectomy is increasingly required in ESRD patients with CKD-MBD. Potentially life-threatening hyperkalaemia poses a significant risk in the perioperative period. Serial electrolyte monitoring is crucial to safety in this patient group. A multidisciplinary approach to perioperative management is required to ensure optimal timing of renal replacement therapy and appropriate means of serial blood sampling.

False-positive cytopathology results for papillary thyroid carcinoma: A trap for thyroid surgeons

OBJECTIVES

Current preoperative diagnosis of thyroid nodules remains imperfect despite recent advances in cytopathology and molecular diagnostics. False positivity in preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) may lead to overtreatment of patients, including total thyroidectomy, and sometimes to lawsuits for misdiagnosis and malpractice. In this study, we analysed clinical characteristics and pathologic findings in patients with false positivity for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in FNAC.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed permanent pathology results from 3788 patients who underwent thyroid surgery. Among them, 48 patients had lesions that were deemed suspicious or positive (Bethesda class V or VI) for PTC in preoperative FNAC. We reviewed clinic-pathologic data, radiologic findings and surgical planning in these patients.

RESULTS

The prevalence of pathologic thyroiditis was significantly higher among patients with false-positive FNAC results than in those with confirmed PTC (54.2% vs 9.2%, P<.001). The analysis of the permanent pathology reports showed that 26 patients had chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and 22 patients had no evidence of thyroiditis. Among the patients without pathologic thyroiditis, 19 patients (86.4%) had nodular hyperplasia and three (13.6%) had follicular adenoma, while among the patients with pathologic thyroiditis, seven (26.9%) had no nodule, 14 (53.8%) had nodular hyperplasia, two (7.7%) had hyalinized nodules, two (7.7%) had follicular adenoma and one (3.8%) had a hyalinizing trabecular tumour. In 42 patients, the extent of surgery (total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy) was to be determined according to the intra-operative frozen section biopsy results. Among them, four (10.5%) had inconclusive frozen section results, and 38 (90.5%) had benign results on frozen section.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient counselling about the possibility of false positivity is still important. And the presence of thyroiditis might create confusion in the interpretation of cytopathologic results.

A probiotic combination attenuates experimental colitis through inhibition of innate cytokine production

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a severe immune cell-mediated syndrome characterised by extensive inflammatory and effector mucosal responses leading to tissue destruction in the colon and small intestine. The leading hypothesis is that dysbiosis of the gut flora causes an excessive immune response and inflammation in the gastrointestinal track. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can correct dysbiosis of the normal microbiota. In the current study, the therapeutic potential of seven LAB strains in combination to treat IBD was evaluated using experimental colitis model. This LAB cocktail, designated GI7, includes four strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactococcus lactis, two strains of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, and one strain of Streptococcus thermophilus. We confirmed that GI7 suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines in Raw264.7 macrophages. When dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitic mice were treated with GI7, their symptoms of colitis, as assessed by body weight, colon length, myeloperoxidase activity, intestinal bleeding, and histological damage, were reduced compared to untreated mice. In addition, GI7 treatment significantly inhibited the production of innate pro-inflammatory cytokines during colitic progression. Therefore, we suggest that GI7, a combination of seven LAB, has a potential role in the treatment of IBD.

Evaluating Instantaneous Perfusion Responses of Parotid Glands to Gustatory Stimulation Using High-Temporal-Resolution Echo-Planar Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Parotid glands secrete and empty saliva into the oral cavity rapidly after gustatory stimulation. However, the role of the temporal resolution of DWI in investigating parotid gland function remains uncertain. Our aim was to design a high-temporal-resolution echo-planar DWI pulse sequence and to evaluate the instantaneous MR perfusion responses of the parotid glands to gustatory stimulation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study enrolled 21 healthy volunteers (M/F = 2:1; mean age, 45.2 ± 12.9 years). All participants underwent echo-planar DWI (total scan time, 304 seconds; temporal resolution, 4 s/scan) on a 1.5T MR imaging scanner. T2WI (b = 0 s/mm²) and DWI (b = 200 s/mm²) were qualitatively assessed. Signal intensity of the parotid glands on T2WI, DWI, and ADC was quantitatively analyzed. One-way ANOVA with post hoc group comparisons with Bonferroni correction was used for statistical analysis. P < .05 was statistically significant.

RESULTS

Almost perfect interobserver agreement was achieved (κ ≥ 0.656). The parotid glands had magnetic susceptibility artifacts in 14.3% (3 of 21) of volunteers during swallowing on DWI but were free from perceptible artifacts at the baseline and at the end of scans on all images. Increased ADC and reduced signal intensity of the parotid glands on T2WI and DWI occurred immediately after oral administration of lemon juice. Maximal signal change of ADC (24.8% ± 10.8%) was significantly higher than that of T2WI (-10.1% ± 5.2%, P < .001). The recovery ratio of ADC (100.71% ± 42.34%) was also significantly higher than that of T2WI (22.36% ± 15.54%, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Instantaneous parotid perfusion responses to gustatory stimulation can be quantified by ADC by using high-temporal-resolution echo-planar DWI.

Photoprotective Effect of Carpomitra costata Extract against Ultraviolet B-Induced Oxidative Damage in Human Keratinocytes

Natural marine products show various biological properties such as antiphotoaging, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammation. This study evaluated the protective effects of the brown alga Carpomitra costata (Stackhouse) Batters (Sporochnaceae) against ultraviolet B (UVB)-provoked damage in human HaCaT keratinocytes. C. costata extract (CCE) effectively reduced superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and UVB-stimulated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. CCE also restored the expression and activity of UVB-suppressed antioxidant enzymes. Furthermore, CCE decreased UVB-triggered oxidative damage to cellular components including DNA, protein, and lipid and defended the cells against mitochondrial membrane depolarization-medicated apoptosis. The results of this study indicate that CCE can safeguard human keratinocytes against UVB-induced cellular damage via a potent antioxidant mechanism. CCE may find utility as part of a therapeutic arsenal against the damaging effects of UVB radiation on the skin.

Effect of intramuscular interferon beta-1a on gray matter atrophy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Changes in gray matter (GM) volume may be a useful measure of tissue loss in multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the rate, patterns, and disability correlates of GM volume change in an MS treatment clinical trial.

METHODS

Patients (n=140) with relapsing-remitting MS were randomized to intramuscular (IM) interferon (IFN) beta-1a or placebo. Treatment effects on GM fraction (GMF) and white matter (WM) fraction (WMF) changes, differences in rates of GMF and WMF change in year one and two on treatment, and differences in atrophy rates by disease progression status were assessed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Significantly less GM atrophy (during year two), but not WM atrophy (at any point), was observed with IM IFN beta-1a compared with placebo. Pseudoatrophy effects were more apparent in WM than in GM; in year one, greater WM volume loss was observed with IM IFN beta-1a than with placebo, whereas GM volume loss was similar between groups. Risk of sustained disability progression was significantly associated with GM, but not WM, atrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that GMF change is more meaningful than WMF as a marker of tissue loss and may be useful to augment whole brain atrophy measurements in MS clinical trials.

Astrocytes regulate α-secretase-cleaved soluble amyloid precursor protein secretion in neuronal cells: Involvement of group IIA secretory phospholipase A2

Astrocytes are major supportive cells in brains with important functions including providing nutrients and regulating neuronal activities. In this study, we demonstrated that astrocytes regulate amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing in neuronal cells through secretion of group IIA secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2-IIA). When astrocytic cells (DITNC) were mildly stimulated with the pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF α and IL-1β, sPLA2-IIA was secreted into the medium. When conditioned medium containing sPLA2-IIA was applied to human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells, there was an increase in both cell membrane fluidity and secretion of α-secretase-cleaved soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPPα). These changes were abrogated by KH064, a selective inhibitor of sPLA2-IIA. In addition, exposing SH-SY5Y cells to recombinant human sPLA2-IIA also increased membrane fluidity, accumulation of APP at the cell surface, and secretion of sAPPα, but without altering total expressions of APP, α-secretases and β-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE1). Taken together, our results provide novel information regarding a functional role of sPLA2-IIA in astrocytes for regulating APP processing in neuronal cells.

Long noncoding RNA profiles of adrenocortical cancer can be used to predict recurrence

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive malignancy with high rates of recurrence following surgical resection. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in cancer development. Pathogenesis of adrenal tumours have been characterised by mRNA, microRNA and methylation expression signatures, but it is unknown if this extends to lncRNAs. This study describes lncRNA expression signatures in ACC, adrenal cortical adenoma (ACA) and normal adrenal cortex (NAC) and presents lncRNAs associated with ACC recurrence to identify novel prognostic and therapeutic targets. RNA was extracted from freshly frozen tissue with confirmation of diagnosis by histopathology. Focused lncRNA and mRNA transcriptome analysis was performed using the ArrayStar Human LncRNA V3.0 microarray. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were validated using quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR and correlated with clinical outcomes. Microarray of 21 samples (ten ACCs, five ACAs and six NACs) showed distinct patterns of lncRNA expression between each group. A total of 956 lncRNAs were differentially expressed between ACC and NAC, including known carcinogenesis-related lncRNAs such as H19, GAS5, MALAT1 and PRINS (P≤0.05); 85 lncRNAs were differentially expressed between ACC and ACA (P≤0.05). Hierarchical clustering and heat mapping showed ACC samples correctly grouped compared with NAC and ACA. Sixty-six differentially expressed lncRNAs were found to be associated with ACC recurrence (P≤0.05), one of which, PRINS, was validated in a group of 20 ACCs and also found to be associated with metastatic disease on presentation. The pathogenesis of adrenal tumours extends to lncRNA dysregulation and low expression of the lncRNA PRINS is associated with ACC recurrence.

Wntless regulates dentin apposition and root elongation in the mandibular molar

Wnt signaling plays an essential role in the dental epithelium and mesenchyme during tooth morphogenesis. However, it remains unclear if Wnt ligands, produced from dental mesenchyme, are necessary for odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. Here, we show that odontoblast-specific disruption of Wntless (Wls), a chaperon protein that regulates Wnt sorting and secretion, leads to severe defects in dentin formation and root elongation. Dentin thickness decreased remarkably and pulp chambers enlarged in the mandibular molars of OC-Cre;Wls(CO/CO) mice. Although the initial odontoblast differentiation was normal in the mutant crown, odontoblasts became cuboidal and dentin thickness was reduced. In immunohistochemistry, Wnt10a, β-catenin, type I collagen, and dentin sialoprotein were significantly down-regulated in the odontoblasts of mutant crown. In addition, roots were short and root canals were widened. Cell proliferation was reduced in the developing root apex of mutant molars. Furthermore, Wnt10a and Axin2 expression was remarkably decreased in the odontoblasts of mutant roots. Deletion of the Wls gene in odontoblasts appears to reduce canonical Wnt activity, leading to inhibition of odontoblast maturation and root elongation.

Osterix regulates tooth root formation in a site-specific manner

Bone and dentin share similar biochemical compositions and physiological properties. Dentin, a major tooth component, is formed by odontoblasts; in contrast, bone is produced by osteoblasts. Osterix (Osx), a zinc finger-containing transcription factor, has been identified as an essential regulator of osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. However, it has been difficult to establish whether Osx functions in odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. To understand the role of Osx in dentin formation, we analyzed mice in which Osx was subjected to tissue-specific ablation under the control of either the Col1a1 or the OC promoter. Two independent Osx conditional knockout mice exhibited similar molar abnormalities. Although no phenotype was found in the crowns of these teeth, both mutant lines exhibited short molar roots due to impaired root elongation. Furthermore, the interradicular dentin in these mice showed severe hypoplastic features, which were likely caused by disruptions in odontoblast differentiation and dentin formation. These phenotypes were closely related to the temporospatial expression pattern of Osx during tooth development. These findings indicate that Osx is required for root formation by regulating odontoblast differentiation, maturation, and root elongation. Cumulatively, our data strongly indicate that Osx is a site-specific regulator in tooth root formation.

Seasonal phenology of Amphorophora agathonica (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and spread of viruses in red raspberry in Washington

Amphorophora agathonica (Hottes) is the primary vector of aphid-transmitted viruses in red raspberry in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. To better understand the biology of the aphid, we estimated the lower developmental threshold and studied the seasonal activity of A. agathonica in commercial fields in northern Washington state. In addition, we monitored the spread of raspberry viruses (raspberry latent virus and raspberry leaf mottle virus, RLMV) to determine how rapidly fields became infected and whether there was a relationship between aphid presence and infection. The lower developmental threshold of A. agathonica was estimated to be 2.7°C. In the field, apterous and alate aphid populations began rapidly increasing at ≍800 growing degree-days and peaked at 1,050 growing degree-days. RLMV spread rapidly, with 30-60% of plants in four different commercial fields testing positive after three growing seasons. There was no discernible relationship between the presence or abundance of aphids based on 10 leaves sampled per plant location, and the odds of that plant becoming infected with RLMV.

Development of biological control of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Phorodon humuli (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Oregon hop yards

The temporal development of biological control of arthropod pests in perennial cropping systems is largely unreported. In this study, the development of biological control of twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and hop aphid, Phorodon humuli (Schrank), in a new planting of hop in Oregon is described over a period of 9 yr (2005-2013). Both the abundance and diversity of natural enemies increased over time. Known predators of hop aphid (Coccinellidae and Anthocoridae) were present in all years; however, stable biological control of hop aphid was not achieved in most years and aphicides were required to suppress populations at commercially acceptable levels in 5 of 9 yr. Populations of aphidophagous coccinellids developed synchronously with hop aphid populations, and temporal correlations indicated these are the primary predatory insect associated with hop aphid regulation. However, sampling methods did not assess levels of aphid parasitoids and hyperparasitoids and their contribution to biological control was unquantified. Spider mite biological control was associated primarily with predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) and Stethorus spp. (Coccinellidae). The magnitude of temporal correlations of abundance of these predators with spider mites was found to be greatest on the same sampling dates and at lags of 7-14 d. Stable biological control of spider mites occurred after four field seasons, suppressing spider mites to levels similar to those commonly achieved with chemical control. A survey of 11 commercial hop yards in Oregon documented pest and natural enemy densities under commercial management practices over a period of 4 yr (2008-2011). Natural enemy abundance in commercial hop yards was similar to that of a 2- to 3-yr-old hop yard with limited disturbance. Whereas total reliance on biological control for hop aphid is unlikely to be successful, there appears to be unrealized potential for biological control of spider mites in commercial production. Dynamic action thresholds that consider the value of natural enemies are needed for both pests.

Acapsular clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates lack agr function

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen causing community- and hospital-acquired infections. Capsule production of S. aureus confers protection against host defence. There is a lack of information concerning the association of capsular polysaccharide (CP) expression and activity of the accessory gene regulator (agr) in clinical S. aureus isolates. Production of CP and agr expression were assessed in 195 S. aureus isolates from infected patients at a German University Hospital. Northern blot analysis revealed that S. aureus strains with a non-functional agr locus were more likely to be CP-negative than strains with a functional agr locus.