Intrinsic variation in the vertically transmitted core virome of the mosquito Aedes aegypti

Virome studies among metazoans have revealed the ubiquity of RNA viruses in animals, contributing to a fundamental re-thinking of the relationships between organisms and their microbiota. Mosquito viromes, often scrutinized due to their public health relevance, may also provide insight into broadly applicable concepts, such as a "core virome," a set of viruses consistently associated with a host species or population that may fundamentally impact its basic biology. A subset of mosquito-associated viruses (MAVs) could comprise such a core, and MAVs can be categorized as (i) arboviruses, which alternate between mosquito and vertebrate hosts, (ii) insect-specific viruses, which cannot replicate in vertebrate cells, and (iii) viruses with unknown specificity. MAVs have been widely characterized in the disease vector Aedes aegypti, and the occurrence of a core virome in this species has been proposed but remains unclear. Using a wild population previously surveyed for MAVs and a common laboratory strain, we investigated viromes in reproductive tissue via metagenomic RNA sequencing. Virome composition varied across samples, but four groups comprised >97% of virus sequences: a novel partiti-like virus (Partitiviridae), a toti-like virus (Totiviridae), unclassified Riboviria, and four orthomyxo-like viruses (Orthormyxoviridae). Whole or partial genomes for the partiti-like virus, toti-like virus, and one orthomyxo-like virus were assembled and analyzed phylogenetically. Multigenerational maintenance of these MAVs was confirmed by RT-PCR, indicating vertical transmission as a mechanism for persistence. This study provides fundamental information regarding MAV ecology and variability in A. aegypti and the potential for vertically maintained core viromes at the population level.

The effect of P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment vs. no pretreatment on ischemic outcomes among patients with NSTE-ACS: an updated meta-analysis and meta-regression pooling 106,405 patients from 12 studies

Background

Recent European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) do not recommend routine pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors in patients in whom coronary anatomy is not known and an early invasive management is planned.

Purpose

To determine if updated pooled data is in line with the latest recommendations, we investigated the impact of P2Y12 pretreatment on short-term ischemic outcomes among patients with NSTE-ACS.

Methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched to find interventional or observational studies that investigated the use of P2Y12 inhibitors as a pretreatment vs. no pretreatment in patients presenting with NSTE-ACS. Studies that reported short-term outcomes during hospitalization or up to 30 days were included. The primary outcome was a composite of ischemic events consisting of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and unplanned revascularization. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed with prespecified subgroup analyses concerning more potent P2Y12 inhibitor use and drug-eluting stent (DES) uptake >50%. For the primary analysis, the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported. Heterogeneity across studies was inspected by I2 statistic. Meta-regression assessed the potential interaction of variables including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) receipt, NSTE-ACS subtype, DES uptake >50%, and potent P2Y12 inhibitor use with the primary outcome.

Results

Twelve studies were included (6 RCTs, 5 registry-based studies, and 1 prespecified analysis of an RCT) providing a total of 106,405 patients with pooled 4,076 ischemic events (2,775 in the pretreatment and 1,301 in a no-pretreatment group). Most of the studies were older than 10 years and used clopidogrel as a pretreatment while the average rate of PCI receipt was 79%. Low-to-moderate heterogeneity was detected among studies. Although pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors reduced the likelihood of short-term ischemic events across all studies included, in contemporary NSTE-ACS cohorts with high penetration of DES platforms and agents more potent than clopidogrel, this effect was not sustained (OR 0.905, 95% CI 0.741–1.107 – Figure 1 and OR 0.846, 95% CI 0.645–1.109 – Figure 2). Of all variables, the use of potent P2Y12 inhibitors was independently associated with a reduction of the primary outcome in meta-regression analysis (coefficient −0.879, 95% CI −1.316 to −0.442, P<0.0001).

Conclusions

Our pooled 2021 data reinforces the current evidence as early P2Y12 pretreatment was not associated with significant short-term ischemic benefits in contemporary NSTE-ACS cohorts while the use of potent P2Y12 agents independently interacted with the primary outcome. Finally, factors such as receipt of early PCI, use of modern DES platforms, and more potent antiplatelet inhibition administered periprocedurally will likely obviate the need for pretreatment in this population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Ischemic events and DES useFigure 2. Ischemic events and P2Y12 type

The effect of P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment vs. no pretreatment on major bleeding among patients with NSTE-ACS: an updated meta-analysis and meta-regression pooling 41,548 patients from 11 studies

Background

Recent European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) do not recommend routine pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors in patients in whom coronary anatomy is not known and an early invasive management is planned.

Purpose

To investigate the impact of P2Y12 pretreatment vs. no pretreatment on short-term major bleeding events among patients with NSTE-ACS.

Methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched to find interventional or observational studies that investigated the use of P2Y12 inhibitors as a pretreatment vs. no pretreatment in NSTE-ACS population. Studies that reported major bleeding events, as adjudicated by study' investigators, during hospitalization or within 30 days since randomization were included. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed with prespecified subgroup analysis concerning more potent P2Y12 inhibitor use and drug-eluting stent (DES) uptake >50%. For the primary analysis, the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported. Heterogeneity across studies was inspected by I2 statistic. Meta-regression was performed to assess potential interaction of variables including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) receipt, NSTE-ACS subtype, DES uptake >50%, and potent P2Y12 inhibitor use with the primary outcome.

Results

Eleven studies that provided data on major bleeding were included (6 randomized clinical trials, 4 registry-based studies, and 1 prespecified analysis of an RCT) accumulating a total of 41,548 patients with pooled 1366 major bleeding events (871 in the pretreatment and 495 in the no-pretreatment group). Most of the studies were older than 10 years and used clopidogrel as a pretreatment while the average rate of PCI receipt was 78.2%. Low-to-moderate heterogeneity was detected across studies. Pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors increased the likelihood of major bleeding (OR 1.245, 95% CI 1.092–1.419) across all studies analyzed while in contemporary NSTE-ACS cohorts with high penetration of DES platforms and agents more potent than clopidogrel, this effect was borderline (OR 1.241, 95% CI 0.901–1.709 – Figure 1 and OR 1.443, 95% CI 0.742–2.807 – Figure 2, respectively). Of all variables, the use of potent P2Y12 inhibitors was independently associated with the increase of major bleeding events (coefficient 0.743, 95% CI 0.133–1.354, P=0.017).

Conclusions

Our updated results show that P2Y12 pretreatment was associated with the increased likelihood of major bleeding with this effect diminished in contemporary NSTE-ACS cohorts, although the latter could be attributed to presence of heterogeneity. The use of potent P2Y12 agents was a significant modifier of major bleeding. Taken together, routine pretreatment with P2Y12 inhibitors in NSTE-ACS increases the likelihood of major bleeding with this effect generally being enhanced by potent antiaggregation used, regardless of pretreatment utilization.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Major bleeding and DES useFigure 2. Major bleeding and P2Y12 type

Efficacy of propafenone vs. amiodarone in pharmacological cardioversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm: a pooled meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac dysrhythmia and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. It can be managed either through ventricular rate control or conversion to sinus rhythm while for the patients with recent onset of AF, the latter is the recommended choice of treatment.

Purpose

To determine crude rates and the likelihood of conversion to sinus rhythm from recent-onset AF and mean difference in time to do so with respect if pharmacological cardioversion with propafenone or amiodarone is utilized.

Methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic databases were searched and after exclusion criteria were applied, a total of 94 potential studies were identified, while 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analysis. These RCTs were conducted from 1994 until 2019 and investigated the use of oral/intravenous propafenone vs. amiodarone to convert recent-onset AF to sinus rhythm. The main outcome measures were a) likelihood of sinus rhythm restoration and for this analysis, an odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was reported, and b) mean time to sinus rhythm conversion between two treatment groups and the outcome measure for this endpoint was a mean difference (MD, in minutes). In both instances, OpenMeta[Analyst] software was used to perform meta-analysis while random-effects model was used with a restricted maximum likelihood-REML correction factor. Heterogeneity between RCTs was examined by the I2 test.

Results

A total of 9 RCTs pooled 822 patients, 410 randomized to propafenone and 412 to amiodarone treatment. All trials reported conversion rates while 7 trials reported on the time needed to reach sinus rhythm. Of these, only trials measuring conversion time during 12 to 24 hours were considered. Seven trials monitored patients for conversion during the 24 hours, one trial up until 12 hours, and 1 trial up to 8 hours. In most trials, recent-onset AF was defined as lasting ≤48 hours, and most were designed to perform intravenous drug comparisons. On average, conversion to sinus rhythm was achieved in 76.1% cases treated with propafenone and 71.8% cases treated with amiodarone. Propafenone use was non-significantly associated with a higher likelihood of conversion to sinus rhythm compared to amiodarone (OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.825–1.912) and there was a low degree of heterogeneity observed between trials (I2=34.9%, P=0.139; Figure 1). On the other hand, treatment with propafenone was associated with a significantly shorter mean time to sinus rhythm conversion compared to amiodarone (MD −304 minutes, 95% CI −342 to −266) and there was no heterogeneity observed between included trials (I2=2.78%, P=0.440; Figure 2).

Conclusion

Propafenone and amiodarone are similarly efficacious in converting patients from recent-onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm, however, propafenone acts significantly faster and cuts mean time to sinus rhythm for about 5 hours.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Odds ratio for conversion to SRFigure 2. Mean difference in minutes to reach SR

Children still experience pain during hospital stay: a cross-sectional study from four countries in Europe

BACKGROUND

Little is known whether children experience pain during hospital stay from the child's own perspective or not. The existing studies tend to be based on a small number of children and therefore have limitations concerning the generalisability of the results.

AIM

The aim of this study was to describe children's self-reported pain and experience concerning pain management during hospital stay.

METHODS

This study has a quantitative cross-sectional design with descriptive statistics as data analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 786 questionnaires, Pain in Children in Hospital, were distributed in four countries with the response rate of 75% which was almost equal between countries. Our result showed that 87% (503/579) children at hospital self-reported pain during the past 24 h. Nearly 63% of the children reported a pain score of > 5 the last 24 h. Most of children reported that they had received a question about pain from the hospital staff, and that the staff observed and assessed their pain. Totally 95% reported that they were satisfied with their pain relief during the last 24 h.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that when children were given the possibility to self-report pain, nearly 2/3 expressed that they had experienced pain during hospital stay. However, most of them reported satisfaction with pain management and their pain relief.

P5451Catestatin and chronic heart failure patients with an acute decompensation event: clinical characteristics and 30-day all-cause mortality

Background

Catestatin (CST) is a cardiovascular regulator with pleiotropic systemic functions that might affect the course of acutely decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Purpose

To determine the association of serum CST with the 30-day all-cause mortality and to compare clinical and laboratory parameters between ADHF patients within the lowest vs. highest quartile of CST concentration.

Methods

Eighty-two consecutive ADHF patients, as adjudicated per ESC 2016 HF criteria, were enrolled in the study during 2018–2019.

Results

Mean age of the enrolled cohort was 70.8±9.3 years and 54.9% were women. Seventy percent of patients were in NYHA III functional class and nearly half had a reduced LVEF. Median CST value was 5.6 ng/mL (IQR 3, 12). During the 30-day follow-up, ten patients died (12.2%) due to all causes. CST levels were significantly higher among patients that died compared to survivors (21.9±6.3 vs. 10.2±1.5 ng/mL, p=0.0139, respectively). Patients in the highest CST quartile had higher mortality and disease burden accompanied by more prominent laboratory abnormalities, compared to patients in the lowest CST quartile. Compared groups did not significantly differ in terms of dosages and type of baseline HF pharmacotherapy.

Table 1. Clinical characteristics Variable Lowest CST quartile (<3 ng/mL) Highest CST quartile (>12 ng/mL) p-value Age, years 72.8±8.3 70.0±7.9 0.281 Women, % 45.0 60.0 0.342 LVEF, biplane Simpson, % 39.0 41.0 0.645 30-day all-cause mortality, % 0.0 20.0 0.035 Mean NYHA functional class 2.83±0.38 3.21±0.42 0.007 Mean CKD stage, CKD-EPI 2.37±0.83 3.06±0.99 0.029 Mean arterial pressure, mmHg 99.7±17.8 100.1±19.2 0.953 NT-proBNP, pmol/L 535.3±522.4 1550.0±992.2 0.040 C-reactive protein, mg/L 9.37±7.47 32.90±18.35 0.015 High-sensitivity cardiac Troponin I, ng/L 20.60±18.05 30.02±27.38 0.256 Creatinine, μmol/L 102.9±38.9 150.6±91.2 0.038 Urea, mmol/L 9.6±3.5 14.3±7.1 0.012 Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio 3.6±1.9 5.4±3.1 0.045 Hemoglobin, g/L 137.3±17.4 124.6±18.8 0.038

Figure 1. CST and 30-day mortality

Conclusions

Higher levels of catestatin measured during the hospitalization event among ADHF patients are associated with 30-day all-cause mortality and worse in-hospital profile thus might facilitate short-term prognosis.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

Estimating bacteria diversity in different organs of nine species of mosquito by next generation sequencing

BACKGROUND

Symbiosis in insects is accumulating significant amount of studies: the description of a wide array of mutualistic associations across the evolutionary history of insects suggests that resident microbiota acts as a driving force by affecting several aspects of hosts biology. Among arthropods, mosquito midgut microbiota has been largely investigated, providing crucial insights on the role and implications of host-symbiont relationships. However, limited amount of studies addressed their efforts on the investigation of microbiota colonizing salivary glands and reproductive tracts, crucial organs for pathogen invasion and vertical transmission of symbiotic microorganisms. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing-based approach, we analysed the microbiota of gut, salivary glands and reproductive tracts of several mosquito species, representing some of the main vectors of diseases, aiming at describing the dynamics of bacterial communities within the individual.

RESULTS

We identified a shared core microbiota between different mosquito species, although interesting inter- and intra-species differences were detected. Additionally, our results showed deep divergences between genera, underlining microbiota specificity and adaptation to their host.

CONCLUSIONS

The comprehensive landscape of the bacterial microbiota components may ultimately provide crucial insights and novel targets for possible application of symbionts in innovative strategies for the control of vector borne diseases, globally named Symbiotic Control (SC), and suggesting that the holobiont of different mosquito species may significantly vary. Moreover, mosquito species are characterized by distinctive microbiota in different organs, likely reflecting different functions and/or adaptation processes.

Oviposition by Female Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Description and Time Budget Analysis of Behaviors in Laboratory Studies

The oviposition behavior of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a major insect pest of durable stored foods, was studied in small experimental arenas under laboratory conditions using videography, and a time budget analysis of its behaviors was documented. Resting gravid females typically became active shortly after the start of the scotophase. The characteristic behaviors exhibited by mated females prior to oviposition included antennal movement, grooming of antennae and mouth parts using the forelegs, walking or flying, and abdomen bending and dragging. Pre-oviposition behaviors such as antennal grooming and walking or flying were observed to alternate several times before females commenced the abdominal dragging behavior that preceded egg laying. Eggs were laid singly or sometimes in groups, either freely or stuck to food material. Gravid females showed little or no movement during the photophase; however, they actively flew and oviposited during the scotophase. Females allocated only a small portion of their time to oviposition while the rest of the time was spent away from food. Females oviposited on food material by making repeated visits, predominantly during the first four hours of the scotophase. Visits and time spent on food declined as the scotophase advanced.

The behavior and social communication of honey bees (Apis mellifera carnica Poll.) under the influence of alcohol

In this study, the effects of ethanol on honey bee social communication and behavior within the hive were studied to further investigate the usefulness of honey bees as an ethanol-abuse model. Control (1.5 M sucrose) and experimental (1.5 M sucrose, 2.5% w/v ethanol) solutions were directly administered to individual forager bees via proboscis contact with glass capillary tubes. The duration, frequency, and proportion of time spent performing social and nonsocial behaviors were the dependent variables of interest. No differences in the relative frequency or proportion of time spent performing the target behaviors were observed. However, ethanol consumption significantly decreased bouts of walking, resting, and the duration of trophallactic (i.e., food-exchange) encounters. The results of this study suggest that a low dose of ethanol is sufficient to disrupt both social and nonsocial behaviors in honey bees. In view of these results, future behavioral-genetic investigations of honey bee social behavior are encouraged.

Ethanol levels in honeybee hemolymph resulting from alcohol ingestion

Our previous work on a social insect model of ethanol-induced behavior focused on behavioral studies of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). We now investigate the dependence of honeybee blood ethanol concentration on both the amount of ethanol consumed and time elapsed since ingestion. Blood ethanol level was determined using gas chromatograph using hemolymph taken from harnessed bees. Significantly increased levels of ethanol in honeybee hemolymph were detected within 15 min of feeding bees alcohol. Within 30 min, ethanol concentration increased 2.7 times. The concentration of ethanol ingested also had a significant effect on blood ethanol level. However, postfeeding times greater than 30 min did not significantly increase ethanol concentration in bee hemolymph. This study integrates with our behavioral data on the effect of ethanol on honeybees. Our laboratory and field experiments show a correlation between the time frame for behavioral changes and significant increases of blood ethanol levels shown in this study.

Reduced ability of ethanol drinkers for social communication in honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica Poll.)

Foraging behavior was evaluated in honeybees trained to fly to a feeder containing sucrose only, 1% ethanol, 5% ethanol, or 10% ethanol. The results indicated that exposure to ethanol disrupted several types of honeybee social behavior within the hive. Consumption of ethanol at the feeding site reduced waggle dance activity in foraging bees and increased occurrence of tremble dance, food exchange, and self-cleaning behavior. These ethanol-induced changes in behavior may reflect effects on the central nervous system similar to the previously observed effects of food poisoning with sublethal doses of insecticides.

Behavioral response in the terrestrial isopod Porcellio scaber (Crustacea) offered a choice of uncontaminated and cadmium-contaminated food

The objective of this study was to find out whether Porcellio scaber discriminates against Cd-contaminated food. The foraging behavior in animals offered uncontaminated and Cd-contaminated food simultaneously was quantified for 48-h employing computer-aided video tracking. To see whether the isopods' selection of less contaminated food could diminish the influence Cd on food consumption, growth, metal assimilation, moulting and mortality, Cd-dosed food (20, 45, 200 and 450 mg kg(-1) dry weight) was offered together with untreated food for 3 weeks. Data from the video tracking experiments revealed that animals visited Cd-dosed food as often as untreated food, but spent much less time near Cd-dosed food. Discrimination against Cd-contaminated food increased with previous experience with contaminated food and/or with increased Cd body burden. In 3 weeks exposure uncontaminated food preference rose with time of exposure and cadmium concentration in food and reached a maximal preference ratio of 65% (untreated food): 35% (Cd-dosed food). The decreased consumption of Cd-dosed food was compensated by the increased consumption of control food. Cadmium body burden increased with time of exposure and cadmium concentration in food consumed, while the influence of Cd on food consumption, growth and moulting was diminished.

Development of an ethanol model using social insects: III. Preferences for ethanol solutions

Experiments are designed to assess whether free-flying honey bees have an aversion to an ethanol solution when given a choice between targets containing an ethanol solution in sucrose or sucrose only. Animals given a choice between a 1% ethanol solution and sucrose only show no aversion to the ethanol solution either in acquisition or extinction. Honey bees given a choice between a 5% ethanol solution and sucrose only show no differences in the initial choice of targets but some ees do switch over to the sucrose-only target. Performance during extinction indicates that bees landed on the previously reinforced sucrose-only target more than the target previously containing the 5% ethanol solution. An experiment in which bees were given a single 5%, ethanol target showed that of 20 bees, 11 returned for the entire 12 trials of the experiment. All bees returned at least 6 times to the 5% ethanol target. Additional experiments were run on harnessed foragers in a palatability study of alcoholic beverages consumed by humans. The results of the palatability experiment indicate that in general, bees prefer more sweet drinks with less alcohol.

Behavioural response in paired food choice experiments with Oniscus asellus (Crustacea, Isopoda) as an indicator of different food quality

This paper describes a study of behavioural response in terrestrial isopod Oniscus asellus when offered two food pellets of different quality. One group had a choice of sterilised food and food pellets covered with mould. The other group had a choice of uncontaminated and cadmium-dosed food. During the behavioural test, the animals were monitored by a video camera and each visit to food pellets and time spent around it was counted. The results show that animals spent significantly less time near sterilised and cadmium-dosed food than with uncontaminated or mould-covered food. Discrimination between offered food pellets showed that avoidance behaviour can be used as an indicator of different food quality.

Variation in JH synthesis rate in mature honeybees and its possible role in reprogramming of hypopharyngeal gland function

Juvenile hormone (JH) synthesis was higher in followers than in dancers, which suggests that higher JH levels in followers might be an internal motivational stimulus to induce them to leave the hive to search for food. The positive correlation of in vitro JH synthesis rate and alpha-glucosidase activity in the hypopharyngeal gland suggests that JH is involved in the reprogramming of the hypopharyngeal gland from producing larval food (immature adults) to production of alpha-glucosidase in mature adults.

Spectrophotometric determination of gold in biological materials

A spectrophotometry method for the determination of low levels of gold(III) with di-2-pyridylketoxime was developed. A stable 2:1 (reagent/gold) water-soluble complex is formed having an absorption maximum at 433 nm and a molar absorptivity of 1.89 × 104. The Beer–Lambert law is obeyed up to 12 p.p.m. The proposed method was applied to the determination of gold in plasma and urine. The method is simple, reproducible, and relatively rapid.