Explore the vast range of titles available.

We have studied the responses of honey bees at different life stages ( Apis mellifera ) to controlled infection with acute bee paralysis virus and have identified the haemolymph of infected larvae and adult worker bees as the compartment where massive propagation of ABPV occurs. Insects respond with a broad spectrum of induced innate immune reactions to bacterial infections, whereas defence mechanisms based on RNA interference play a major role in antiviral immunity. In this study, we have determined that honey bee larvae and adult workers do not produce a humoral immune reaction upon artificial infection with ABPV, in contrast to control individuals challenged with Escherichia coli . ABPV-infected bees produced neither elevated levels of specific antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), such as hymenoptaecin and defensin, nor any general antimicrobial activity, as revealed by inhibition-zone assays. Additionally, adult bees did not generate melanised nodules upon ABPV infection, an important cellular immune function activated by bacteria and viruses in some insects. Challenge of bees with both ABPV and E. coli showed that innate humoral and cellular immune reactions are induced in mixed infections, albeit at a reduced level.

Background The German healthcare system is confronted with a shortage of general practitioners (GPs) due to demographic changes and an aging workforce. Concepts such as team-based care, which ensure high-quality primary care, are necessary to address these future challenges. This study aimed to identify values as well as best practices of such team-based concepts. Methods We conducted n  = 15 individual interviews with health professionals primarily working in primary care settings, including GP trainees, employed or self-employed GPs, medical assistants, primary care management or physician assistant students, and other health professionals (mean age = 36.13 years, 66.67% female). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded using a deductive category system based on prior research. For data analysis, we used qualitative content analysis following the framework method. Results Participants emphasized patient-centred and continuous care as core values of primary care, highlighting the importance of establishing trusting relationships through sufficient time with patients. In this context, they rated interprofessional team-based care as particularly beneficial for patients who are chronically ill and disadvantaged. The participants supported primary care models characterized by GP-centredness and gatekeeping, a high degree of digitalization, cooperation with non-physician health professionals, and well-defined roles within interprofessional teams. They also stressed the importance of remuneration and work-life balance. To evaluate future concepts of primary care, the interviewees recommended using both staff- and patient-reported measures, as well as operational metrics. Conclusions Our results indicate that the core values of primary care, such as patient-centredness and continuity of care, may be enhanced through interprofessional teamwork. While these values contribute to the intrinsic motivation of high-quality care, structural factors such as fair remuneration and digitalization are crucial for effective practice. To evaluate care models, the patient perspective, along with staff satisfaction and team performance, is regarded as an essential outcome measure.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of preliminary hypogastric artery (HA) embolization prior to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all 101 consecutive patients (91 men; mean age 73.4±8.7 years) who underwent preliminary embolization of 133 HAs ~4 to 6 weeks prior to EVAR from January 2005 to August 2009. Fourteen patients with 19 HAs were treated using coils, while 87 patients were treated with Amplatzer Vascular Plugs (AVP) in 114 HAs. All the patients were evaluated before discharge; at 1, 3, and 6 months; and annually thereafter to evaluate the clinical symptoms, potential endoleaks, and the aneurysm size. Results: In the coil group, complete occlusion was achieved in 16 (84.2%) of 19 procedures. There were no acute pelvic ischemic symptoms after HA embolization or EVAR. Five (35.7%) patients had buttock claudication and 2 (16.7%) of 12 men experienced new erectile dysfunction after embolization. At a mean 42.2-month follow-up (range 14–58), 3 (21.4%) patients had a type II leak via retrograde flow in the HA without aneurysm growth and were under observation. In the AVP group, all 114 HAs in 87 patients were successfully occluded; there was no device dislodgment or acute pelvic or limb ischemia observed. Buttock claudication and new sexual dysfunction developed in 12 (13.8%) patients and 4 (5.1%) of 79 men after the procedure, respectively. During a mean 26.4-month follow-up (range 4–54), 2 (2.3%) patients developed distal type I endoleaks after EVAR, but angiography confirmed that neither of the endoleaks was related to the vessel embolized with the AVP. Comparing the outcomes of the treatment groups, the AVP was placed with fewer intraoperative complications (p = 0.013) and more complete occlusion (p=0.01) than coil embolization. The rate of buttock claudication was lower in the AVP group (p=0.042). Conclusion: Hypogastric artery embolization prior to EVAR is safe and effective. In our experience, the AVP affords easier and more precise placement and provides more

Purpose To present our initial experience treating post-dissection thoracoabdominal aneurysms with fenestrated and branched grafts. Methods Six patients (all men; mean age 62 years, range 44–71) with post-dissection thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms were selected for treatment with fenestrated and branched grafts. All patients were initially treated with open surgery or endovascular treatment for their acute dissection. In total, 21 visceral arteries were targeted (3 celiac arteries, 6 superior mesenteric arteries, 12 renal arteries). Results Technical success was achieved in all cases, with no mortality or paraplegia. At completion angiography, all target vessels were patent, and no type I endoleak was seen. A type II endoleak was present in 4 patients, with the false lumen still partially perfused. During follow-up (mean 9 months, range 3–15), no patients died. One targeted renal artery occluded at 1 month. One type lb endoleak in a left renal artery was successfully treated with additional stenting. Five of the 6 patients had a 6-month follow-up. On abdominal ultrasound, 3 type II endoleaks were still seen. In 2 of these patients, the endoleak was resolved, the false lumen was completely thrombosed, and the maximum aortic diameter had regressed on the 1-year CTA. Conclusion Although longer follow-up results are needed, treatment with fenestrated and branched stent-grafts seems feasible and may be a promising option for the treatment of chronic post-dissection aortic aneurysms.

Purpose To examine whether initial postoperative computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is needed in all patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods A total of 105 consecutive patients underwent EVAR with standard infrarenal devices in our department between November 2009 and May 2011. Five patients were excluded due to severe renal insufficiency, leaving 100 (85 men; median age 73 years, range 46–91) eligible for prospective enrollment in a triple-modality early postoperative follow-up protocol [intraoperative completion angiography, postoperative duplex ultrasonography (DUS), and plain abdominal radiography). Findings were compared for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) against the first postoperative CTA results for the detection of endoleaks or other signs of EVAR failure. Results There were 10 inconclusive DUS examinations. In the remaining 90 patients, DUS had 75.0% sensitivity, 95.4% specificity, 85.7% PPV, and 91.5% NPV for the detection of endoleaks. The intraoperative angiogram, DUS, and abdominal radiograph combined resulted in 87.5% sensitivity and 95.4% specificity, with a 65.6% PPV and 94.8% NPV for the detection of endoleaks. In 2 patients who required a reintervention for endoleak in the early postoperative period, both endoleaks were correctly detected by the triple-modality early postoperative follow-up protocol. Conclusion An early follow-up protocol consisting of an intraoperative completion angiogram, DUS, and abdominal radiograph shows a high sensitivity and NPV for the detection of endoleaks and should detect early migration or kinking of the stent-graft. An initial postoperative CTA is not necessary for most patients undergoing EVAR and should be reserved for those individuals in whom the aforementioned modalities are inconclusive or show signs of endoleak or other EVAR failure.

The transport of exogenous DNA into the nucleus of eukaryotic cells is a prerequisite for successful gene delivery. To favor nuclear transport we synthesized a tetramer of the nuclear localization signal (NLS) of the SV40 large T-antigen as a novel nonviral gene delivery vector. This 4.4-kDa lysine-rich peptide (NLSV404) binds and compacts DNA by electrostatic interaction and forms stable polyplexes. Apart from its sequence-specific potency to mediate nuclear accumulation of conjugated albumin, NLSV404 also displays properties of nuclear transport for plasmid DNA as confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Further, NLSV404 polyplexes are shown to efficiently transfect various cell lines such as 16HBE14o-, HeLa S6, and Cos7 cells. NLSV404 polyplexes displayed at least 20-fold higher transfection rates than analogous polyplexes formed by the nuclear transport-deficient mutant sequence cNLS. Using growth-arrested cells, NLSV404 complexes were at least 100-fold more efficient than cNLS complexes. Combination of NLSV404 peptide but not of cNLS peptide with preformed polyethylenimine and dendrimer DNA complexes resulted in a strong increase in transfection efficiency. Incubation of cells prior to transfection with NLSV404 polyplexes with excess free peptide NLSV404 but not with cNLS resulted in a dose-dependent dramatic decrease in the transfection rate, suggesting a sequence-specific competitive inhibition. These results indicate that NLSV404 mediates nuclear accumulation of transfected plasmid DNA and that it can be a highly useful component of nonviral gene vectors.

Changes in wax Color changes Various metals including aluminum, copper, iron and zinc can turn wax brown. [...]these metals should never be used in wax processing equipment or in water used during wax processing. Examination of wax adulteration Various publications show that adulteration of wax is a worldwide problem, even though analyses started only recently. Since 2017 adulteration of wax has been discussed at various levels within the European Union to find solutions in new regulations. First published in Bees for Development.

Purpose: To report an aortocaval fistula after stent-graft repair and the feasibility of interventional treatment. Case Report: A 78-year-old man with a 61-mm infrarenal aortic aneurysm (AA) was treated successfully with a Zenith bifurcated stent-graft. Three years later, the patient presented with deteriorating renal function and acute bronchial obstruction. Computed tomography showed an aortic diameter increased to 90 mm, dilatation of the inferior vena cava, and a distal type I endoleak. The patient's condition quickly deteriorated, and emergent imaging found a fistula with brisk flow between the aneurysm sac and the left iliac vein within a distal type I endoleak. During emergency endovascular repair, iliac extensions were implanted in the right common iliac artery and left external iliac artery. The left hypogastric artery was coil embolized to exclude flow into the aneurysm sac. After positioning the extensions, cardiac function improved, and the fistula was no longer palpable. The cardiac indices and renal function normalized, and he was discharged 20 days after admission. Conclusion: Aortocaval fistulas are a rare complication of AA stent-graft repair and may be successfully treated by interventional means.

Both Nosema species multiply best at the normal brood temperature of 34°C. Above 37°C, Nosema apis can no longer develop, whereas [Nosema] ceranae still completes its full cycle. Many spores can survive above 60°, when Nosema apis has been killed. Below 34°C, Nosema cerana develops less favourably. After 24 hours of frost, the majority of spores are dead, while Nosema apis maintains its pathogenic power for longer.

In honeybee, Apis mellifera , colonies infested with larval and adult small hive beetles (SHB), hive material, and in particular honey, tends to ferment, probably due to SHB-associated yeasts such as the predominant Kodamaea ohmeri . Here, we test the effects of organic acids on K. ohmeri and on SHB-infested honey/pollen combs. Organic acids were applied at standard concentrations used by beekeepers to control other pests. In laboratory tests, the growth of K. ohmeri was significantly inhibited by lactic, formic and acetic acids. Treatments of SHB-infested honey/pollen combs ( N  = 18 colonies) with acetic acid significantly increased mortality of adult SHB and treatments with formic acid significantly reduced larval infestation. Our data suggest that treatment of honeybee colonies and storage rooms with organic acids could also help in reducing SHB damage.