bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Inherited Retinal Diseases
Authors: Birtel Johannes , Yusuf Imran H. , Priglinger Claudia , Rudolph Günter , Charbel Issa Peter
Published: March 2021

Inherited retinal diseases are a frequent cause of severe visual impairment or blindness in children and adults of working age. Across this group of diseases, there is great variability in the degree of visual impairment, the impact on everyday life, disease progression, and the suitability to therapeutic intervention. Therefore, an early and precise diagnosis is crucial for patients and their families. Characterizing inherited retinal diseases involves a detailed medical history, clinical examination with testing of visual function, multimodal retinal imaging as well as molecular genetic testing. This may facilitate a distinction between different inherited retinal diseases, as well as a differentiation from monogenic systemic diseases with retinal involvement, and from mimicking diseases.
Risk Analysis of Perioperative Injections in Arthroscopic Reconstruction of the Rotator Cuff of the Shoulder – A Systematic Review
Authors: von Knoch Marius , Baums Mike H. , Lehmann Wolfgang , Frosch Stephan
Published: March 2021

Background The present study used a systematic review to analyse the risk of perioperative injections during arthroscopic reconstruction of the rotator cuff of the shoulder. The questions of interest were whether perioperative local injection increases the infection risk and whether the number of postoperative revisions is increased.

Material and Methods A systematic review of the U. S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health (PubMed) database and the Cochrane Library was performed using the PRISMA checklist. The keywords used were “shoulder” and “arthroscopy” and “injection” and “risk”. In the course of the study, work that was not also primarily concerned with the reconstruction of the rotator cuff was excluded. English original articles and case series were included that contained at least some arthroscopic reconstructions of the rotator cuff. The risk of bias was determined using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The content of the articles relevant to the research questions was analysed.

Results 48 hits were primarily generated. 9 articles corresponded to the inclusion criteria and were analysed. In the 6 studies with details on the injected substances, cortisone was used in 98 – 100% of the cases. The reported infection and revision rates based on insurance data were higher with injection than without. The risk of bias in the studies analysed here was rather low based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Score. The risk of infection after a cortisone injection before, during or after surgery was increased. Injection was associated with infection in up to 8% of cases with injections within two weeks of surgery. The risk of infection was increased by up to 11 times with injections within 4 weeks after the operation. Likewise, the risk of revision surgery after injection was increased, with the time intervals between injection and surgery sometimes differing between studies.

Discussion Local infections and to a lesser extent revision surgery are associated with perioperative injections (with cortisone) within 3 months preoperatively and 4 weeks postoperatively. However, there were only database studies of insurance data with several studies from a few centres. Thus, no causal relationships could be proven. Currently, however, the following can be recommended using a cautious approach: The interval between injection with cortisone before surgery should be at least 2 weeks, better 3 months. No cortisone injections should be applied intraoperatively. Postoperatively, cortisone should not be injected for at least 4 weeks. If, in exceptional cases, deviations from these time limits are required, patients should be informed about an increased risk of complications.
Isolation of Adenosine and Cordysinin B from Anredera cordifolia that Stimulates CRE-Mediated Transcription in PC12 Cells
Authors: Ohizumi Yasushi , Kawada Michi , Kamada Maki , Nakajima Akira , Kajima Koji , Uozumi Nobuyuki , Hara Yasumasa , Guo Yuanqiang , Ishibashi Masami
Published: March 2021

Alzheimer’s disease is a typical neurodegenerative disorder, and its prevention or treatment poses great concern in advanced countries. In our survey of numerous natural resources with neurotrophic activities, we found that Anredera cordifolia improved memory impairment and increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) response element-mediated transcription, an important step in signal transduction for memory formation. The extracts of this food were dissolved in methanol and then partitioned with three organic solvents and water, separating into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water layers. The n-butanol layer with the strongest activity on cyclic AMP-response element-dependent transcription was fractionated using silica gel column chromatography and then the activity was monitored using preparative high-performance liquid chromatography to give adenosine and cordysinin B, respectively. Both compounds showed a concentration-dependent increase in cyclic AMP-response element-mediated transcription activity. These results suggest that both adenosine and cordysinin B may participate in improving the action of A. cordifolia on memory impairment, and these actions, at least in part, result from the activation of adenosine A1, A2A, and A2B receptors.
Development, Validation and Application of a UHPLC-MS Method for the Quantification of Chios Mastic Gum Triterpenoids in Human Plasma
Authors: Brieudes Vincent , Mikropoulou Eleni V. , Kallergis Errikos , Kaliora Andriana C. , Papada Efstathia , Gkiouvetidis Petros , Angelis Apostolis , Halabalaki Maria
Published: March 2021

Chios mastic gum is the resinous secretion obtained from the barks of the shrub Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia, which is endemic to the Greek island of Chios. Since antiquity, Chios mastic gum has found several uses as a phytotherapeutic remedy, primarily for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders while recently, Chios mastic gum was also recognized by EMA as an herbal medicinal product with specific indications. Chios mastic gumʼs biological properties are attributed to triterpenes which comprise the major chemical group (approx. 70%) and notably isomasticadienonic acid and masticadienonic acid. However, due to their structural characteristics, the isolation thereof in high yield and purity is challenging and since they are not commercially available, pharmacological studies aiming to assess their biological properties are limited. In the present work, masticʼs phytochemical investigation by UPLC-HRMS is followed by the isolation and characterization of
isomasticadienonic acid and masticadienonic acid to be used as analytical standards for their accurate and reliable quantification in human plasma. A UHPLC-tQ-MS method that was developed and validated (in terms of specificity, linearity, limit of quantification, accuracy and precision), for the direct quantification of the targeted compounds in the low ng/mL range of concentration, was subsequently implemented on plasma samples of healthy volunteers thus demonstrating its fitness for purpose. The results presented herein might provide insight to the understanding of this traditional natural product consumed notably for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and lipid lowering properties. Moreover, this method might serve as a starting point for any study aiming to monitor bioactive triterpenes in biological fluids.
Cold versus hot endoscopic mucosal resection for large sessile colon polyps: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Mehta Dhairya , Loutfy Adam H. , Kushnir Vladimir M. , Faulx Ashley L. , Smith Zachary L.
Published: March 2021

Background For large sessile colorectal polyps (LSCPs), endoscopic mucosal resection without diathermy (“cold endoscopic mucosal resection [EMR]”) is gaining popularity because of its safety advantages over conventional EMR (“hot EMR”). Polyp recurrence rates have been reported to be higher with cold EMR. Considering these differences, we performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of these two techniques.

Methods A decision analysis model was constructed for EMR of an LSCP. The decision tree incorporated the EMR method, clip use, procedural mortality, adverse events and their management, and polyp recurrence. Outcomes included days of lost productivity and marginal cost difference. Adverse event and recurrence rates were extracted from the existing literature, giving emphasis to recent systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials.

Results Through 30 months of follow-up, the average cost of removing an LSCP by cold EMR was US$5213, as compared to $6168 by hot EMR, yielding a $955 cost difference (95 % confidence interval $903–$1006). Average days of lost productivity were 6.2 days for cold EMR and 6.3 days for hot EMR. This cost advantage remained over several analyses accounting for variations in recurrence rates and clip closure strategies. Clip cost and LSCP recurrence rate had the greatest and the least impacts on the marginal cost difference, respectively.

Conclusion Cold EMR is the dominant strategy over hot EMR, with lower cost and fewer days of lost productivity. In theory, a complete transition to cold EMR for LSCPs in the USA could result in an annual cost saving approaching US$7 million to Medicare beneficiaries.
Tumor fibroso solitario gigante de pleura. Serie de casos
Authors: Fino-Velásquez Laura Marcela , Ojeda-León Paulina , Granada-Camacho Julio César , López-Ordoñez Mario , Parrado-Delgado Mónica , Carrilo-Bayona Jorge Alberto
Published: March 2021

Introducción El tumor fibroso solitario de pleura (TFSP) es una neoplasia poco frecuente, con aproximadamente 1.000 casos reportados en la literatura mundial. La aproximación diagnóstica inicial se realiza con estudios imagenológicos.

Métodos De forma retrospectiva, se recopilaron cuatro casos de pacientes con TFSP gigante operados en nuestra institución. Se describen las características sociodemográficas, clínicas, imagenológicas, macroscópicas y microscópicas de cada caso.

Resultados Todos los pacientes de la serie cursaron con manifestaciones clínicas, con un promedio de 23,75 meses de evolución. El 50% de los tumores se localizaron en la cavidad pleural derecha y el 50% en la izquierda. En tomografía computarizada (TC) de tórax, los cuatro casos se presentaron como una masa sólida, de densidad heterogénea, con diámetros mayores entre 17 y 22 cm y contornos variables (lisos en tres casos y lobulados en un paciente). Se observaron calcificaciones intratumorales en dos casos y derrame pleural en tres pacientes. En cirugía, todas las masas presentaron pedículos. El análisis histológico e inmuno-químico confirmó la naturaleza benigna de tres casos y malignidad en una de las neoplasias.

Conclusiones Los TFSP generalmente son benignos y de buen pronóstico. Sin embargo, entre 10 y 20% de esos tumores son malignos. Las imágenes diagnósticas pueden sugerir el diagnóstico de TFSP, pero la confirmación de la naturaleza de la lesión debe realizarse con el análisis histopatológico de toda la pieza quirúrgica.
Opioid Free Cardiac Anesthesia
Authors: Ramaswamy Karunakaran
Published: March 2021

Opioids are one of the effective forms of analgesia for acute pain in the perioperative period but, with overprescription, have become detrimental to public health. There has been a steady increase in opioid consumption and the number of opioid-related deaths, and the U.S. government has declared the opioid epidemic as a public health emergency. Anesthesiologists have a responsibility as the first exposure to opioids was during the perioperative period in the majority of cases. Acute tolerance and hyperalgesia are well known after opioid use in the postoperative opioid further increasing opioid consumption. More importantly, anesthesiologists have no control after the postoperative period, where the prescriptions continue to be repeated from general practice physicians. We have a moral responsibility to reduce opioid use to avoid it if feasible.
A Survey of Neonatal Nurses on Mydriatic Regimens Used in Neonatal Retinopathy of Prematurity Eye Examinations
Authors: Kremer Lisa , Reith David , Medlicott Natalie J. , Sime Mary J. , Edmonds Liza , Broadbent Roland
Published: March 2021

Objective This study was aimed to determine mydriatic regimen(s) used in neonatal units in Aotearoa, New Zealand (NZ), and Australia and to estimate the frequency of adverse drug events following mydriatic administration in preterm neonates.

Study Design A cross-sectional survey was sent to neonatal nursing staff listed in the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network contact list. Participants were asked to state what mydriatic regimen they use, and to estimate the frequency of adverse drug events when eye drops were administered for retinopathy of prematurity eye examinations (ROPEE).

Results Thirteen different mydriatic regimens were identified; phenylephrine 2.5% and cyclopentolate 0.5% (1 standard drop of each) was the most commonly used regimen. Two of the regimens exceeded adult doses and five regimens included a mydriatic that is equivalent to an adult dose. Following mydriatic instillation, the three most common adverse effects were apnea, tachycardia, and periorbital pallor.

Conclusion Low-concentration single-microdrop regimens are currently in use and resulting in successful ROPEE, yet doses exceeding adult doses are in use throughout Aotearoa, NZ, and Australian units. We know from this dataset that neonates are experiencing unwanted and potentially preventable, adverse effects associated with mydriatics, and every effort should be made to minimize this risk.

Key Points
Density-dependent shock Hugoniot of polycrystalline diamond at pressures relevant to ICF
Authors: Wang Peng , Zhang Chen , Jiang Shaoen , Duan Xiaoxi , Zhang Huan , Li LiLing , Yang Weiming , Liu Yonggang , Li Yulong , Sun Liang , Liu Hao , Wang Zhebin
Published: March 2021

In inertial confinement fusion (ICF), polycrystalline diamond—referred to as high density carbon (HDC)—has become a promising ablator candidate. However, with smaller grain size and lower initial density, the equation of state (EOS) for HDC can deviate from that for single-crystal diamond, which could be a concern for ICF designs, but current experimental EOS studies for HDC are far from sufficient to clarify how initial density affects target compressibility. Presented here are measurements of the Hugoniot for HDC with an initial density of 3.23 g/cm3 at pressures of 17–26 Mbar. Combined with experimental data reported for nanocrystalline diamond (NCD), a stiffer compressibility of NCD due to lower initial density is confirmed. Two porous models are used for comparison and seem to offer better agreement compared with SESAME databases. Also, the effect of temperature on the Grüneisen parameter, which is usually neglected, might need to be considered for NCD under these conditions. The present data offer important support for EOS studies relevant to ICF and constrain the construction of wide-range EOS.
Detecting telecom single photons with 99.5−2.07+0.5% system detection efficiency and high time resolution
Authors: Chang J. , Los J. W. N. , Tenorio-Pearl J. O. , Noordzij N. , Gourgues R. , Guardiani A. , Zichi J. R. , Pereira S. F. , Urbach H. P. , Zwiller V. , Dorenbos S. N. , Esmaeil Zadeh I.
Published: March 2021

Single photon detectors are indispensable tools in optics, from fundamental measurements to quantum information processing. The ability of superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) to detect single photons with unprecedented efficiency, short dead time, and high time resolution over a large frequency range enabled major advances in quantum optics. However, combining near-unity system detection efficiency (SDE) with high timing performance remains an outstanding challenge. In this work, we fabricated novel SNSPDs on membranes with 99.5−2.07+0.5% SDE at 1350 nm with 32 ps timing jitter (using a room-temperature amplifier), and other detectors in the same batch showed 94%–98% SDE at 1260–1625 nm with 15–26 ps timing jitter (using cryogenic amplifiers). The SiO2/Au membrane enables broadband absorption in small SNSPDs, offering high detection efficiency in combination with high timing performance. With low-noise cryogenic amplifiers operated in the same cryostat, our efficient detectors reach a timing jitter in the range of 15–26 ps. We discuss the prime challenges in optical design, device fabrication, and accurate and reliable detection efficiency measurements to achieve high performance single photon detection. As a result, the fast developing fields of quantum information science, quantum metrology, infrared imaging, and quantum networks will greatly benefit from this far-reaching quantum detection technology.
Prediction of droplet sizes in a T-junction microchannel: Effect of dispersed phase inertial forces
Authors: Jena Santosh Kumar , Bahga Supreet Singh , Kondaraju Sasidhar
Published: March 2021

The generation of monodispersed droplets in T-junction microchannels has wide range applications in biochemical analysis and material synthesis. While the generation of these monodispersed droplets was previously considered to be a balance between forces acting from continuous phase and interfacial force, it is shown here that the inertial force from the dispersed phase also plays an important role in determining the size of the generated droplets. A theoretical analysis for the size of monodisperse droplets generated in a microfluidic T-junction device is developed, and it is validated with a large set of experimental observations. The theoretical analysis accounts for the inertial forces from the dispersed phase along with the forces from the continuous phase and the interfacial forces to define the non-dimensional numbers that govern the droplet breakup in the T-junction microchannel.
Pressure-induced disordering of site occupation in iron–nickel nitrides
Authors: Wu Binbin , Lei Li , Zhang Feng , Tang Qiqi , Liu Shan , Pu Meifang , He Duanwei , Xia Yuanhua , Fang Leiming , Ohfuji Hiroaki , Irifune Tetsuo
Published: March 2021

Controlled disordering of substitutional and interstitial site occupation at high pressure can lead to important changes in the structural and physical properties of iron–nickel nitrides. Despite important progress that has been achieved, structural characterization of ternary Fe–Ni–N compounds remains an open problem owing to the considerable technical challenges faced by current synthetic and structural approaches for fabrication of bulk ternary nitrides. Here, iron–nickel nitride samples are synthesized as spherical-like bulk materials through a novel high-pressure solid-state metathesis reaction. By employing a wide array of techniques, namely, neutron powder diffraction, Rietveld refinement methods combined with synchrotron radiation angle-dispersive x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, we demonstrate that high-temperature and high-pressure confinement conditions favor substitutional and interstitial site disordering in ternary iron–nickel nitrides. In addition, the effects of interstitial nitrogen atoms and disorderly substituted nickel atoms on the elastic properties of the materials are discussed.
Spin-wave eigenmodes in direct-write 3D nanovolcanoes
Authors: Dobrovolskiy O. V. , Vovk N. R. , Bondarenko A. V. , Bunyaev S. A. , Lamb-Camarena S. , Zenbaa N. , Sachser R. , Barth S. , Guslienko K. Y. , Chumak A. V. , Huth M. , Kakazei G. N.
Published: March 2021

Extending nanostructures into the third dimension has become a major research avenue in modern magnetism, superconductivity, and spintronics, because of geometry-, curvature-, and topology-induced phenomena. Here, we introduce Co–Fe nanovolcanoes—nanodisks overlaid by nanorings—as purpose-engineered 3D architectures for nanomagnonics, fabricated by focused electron beam-induced deposition. We use both perpendicular spin-wave resonance measurements and micromagnetic simulations to demonstrate that the rings encircling the volcano craters harbor the highest-frequency eigenmodes, while the lower-frequency eigenmodes are concentrated within the volcano crater, due to the non-uniformity of the internal magnetic field. By varying the crater diameter, we demonstrate the deliberate tuning of higher-frequency eigenmodes without affecting the lowest-frequency mode. Thereby, the extension of 2D nanodisks into the third dimension allows one to engineer their lowest eigenfrequency by using 3D nanovolcanoes with 30% smaller footprints. The presented nanovolcanoes can be viewed as multi-mode microwave resonators and 3D building blocks for nanomagnonics.
Modulation of radiative defects in MgAl2O4 nanocrystals probed using NMR, ESR, and PL spectroscopies
Authors: Savita ■ , Jain Megha , Manju ■ , Kumar Sinha Anil , Singh Fouran , Vij Ankush , Thakur Anup
Published: March 2021

We have investigated the influence of combustion fuels on radiative defects of MgAl2O4 spinel. Monoethanolamine (MEA), glycine, and urea fuels were employed to synthesize three samples of MgAl2O4 nanocrystals, choice consequence of which has been observed on cation inversion and various intrinsic defects. Synchrotron powder x-ray diffraction patterns were refined by the Rietveld method. All samples exhibited a spinel structure, with a minor secondary phase of MgO in the sample synthesized by urea fuel. 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) inferred the distribution of Al cations among tetrahedral and octahedral sites with structural distortion of interstices. Rietveld, NMR, and diffuse reflectance spectra analyses revealed the presence of antisite defects, cation, and anion vacancies, which may be anticipated to induce F(Mg) defect centers through charge compensation. An electron spin resonance (ESR) study was carried out to investigate the paramagnetic defect centers. Two prominent broad ESR signals, attributed to F+ and V− defect centers, originated from the delocalization of paramagnetic spins and their interaction with nearby cations. Photoluminescence studies further confirmed the existence of F(Mg) defect centers, VO-related defects, and MgAl′ and VMg″ defects in all samples. It was found that the nature of the defects did not change, but the concentration of defects varied significantly with the type of fuel employed and excitation wavelength. The MgAl2O4 samples synthesized using glycine, urea, and MEA fuels were found to be rich in F(Mg) defect centers, VO-related defects, and MgAl′, VMg″, VO-related defects, respectively. The tailoring of defect-assisted photoluminescence by varying fuel types in MgAl2O4 spinel can be exploited in various luminescence applications.
Telecom-wavelength InAs QDs with low fine structure splitting grown by droplet epitaxy on GaAs(111)A vicinal substrates
Authors: Tuktamyshev A. , Fedorov A. , Bietti S. , Vichi S. , Zeuner K. D. , Jöns K. D. , Chrastina D. , Tsukamoto S. , Zwiller V. , Gurioli M. , Sanguinetti S.
Published: March 2021

We present self-assembly of InAs/InAlAs quantum dots by the droplet epitaxy technique on vicinal GaAs(111)A substrates. The small miscut angle, while maintaining the symmetries imposed on the quantum dot from the surface, allows a fast growth rate thanks to the presence of preferential nucleation sites at the step edges. A 100 nm InAlAs metamorphic layer with In content ≥50% directly deposited on the GaAs substrate is already almost fully relaxed with a very flat surface. The quantum dots emit at the 1.3 μm telecom O-band with fine structure splitting as low as 16 μeV, thus making them suitable as photon sources in quantum communication networks using entangled photons.
Band structure and ultraviolet optical transitions in ErN
Authors: McKay M. A. , Al-Atabi H. A. , Li J. , Edgar J. H. , Lin J. Y. , Jiang H. X.
Published: March 2021

Erbium nitride (ErN) is a rare-earth metal mononitride continuing to receive interest due to its unique electronic, magnetic, and optical properties. ErN has shown promise in the development of new functional materials for optoelectronic and spintronic devices. Here, we report on the optical properties of ErN crystals, grown by sublimation and probed by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy at both room temperature and 180 K. Multiple transition lines were observed between 2 and 4.5 eV. Using the PL results together with reported calculations, a coherent picture for the band structure at the Γ-point for ErN crystals was derived. PL results revealed that ErN has a minimum direct energy gap of 2.41 eV and a total of two valence bands and two conduction bands at the Γ-point separated by about 0.15 eV and 0.34 eV, respectively. These transitions reveal optical properties of ErN in the UV region and its band structure at the Γ-point.
Peplomer bulb shape and coronavirus rotational diffusivity
Authors: Kanso M. A. , Chaurasia V. , Fried E. , Giacomin A. J.
Published: March 2021

Recently, the rotational diffusivity of the coronavirus particle in suspension was calculated, from first principles, using general rigid bead-rod theory [M. A. Kanso, Phys. Fluids 32, 113101 (2020)]. We did so by beading the capsid and then also by replacing each of its bulbous spikes with a single bead. However, each coronavirus spike is a glycoprotein trimer, and each spike bulb is triangular. In this work, we replace each bulbous coronavirus spike with a bead triplet, where each bead of the triplet is charged identically. This paper, thus, explores the role of bulb triangularity on the rotational diffusivity, an effect not previously considered. We thus use energy minimization for the spreading of triangular bulbs over the spherical capsid. The latter both translates and twists the coronavirus spikes relative to one another, and we then next arrive at the rotational diffusivity of the coronavirus particle in suspension, from first principles. We learn that the triangularity of the coronavirus spike bulb decreases its rotational diffusivity. For a typical peplomer population of 74, bulb triangularity decreases the rotational diffusivity by 39%.
Disentangling perceptual awareness from nonconscious processing in rhesus monkeys (
Macaca mulatta
)
Authors: Ben-Haim Moshe Shay , Dal Monte Olga , Fagan Nicholas A. , Dunham Yarrow , Hassin Ran R. , Chang Steve W. C. , Santos Laurie R.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Many animals perform complex intelligent behaviors, but the question of whether animals are aware while doing so remains a long debated but unanswered question. Here, we develop a new approach to assess whether nonhuman animals have awareness by utilizing a well-known double dissociation of visual awareness—cases in which people behave in completely opposite ways when stimuli are processed consciously versus nonconsciously. Using this method, we found that a nonhuman species—the rhesus monkey—exhibits the very same behavioral signature of both nonconscious and conscious processing. This opposite double dissociation of awareness firstly allows stripping away the long inherent ambiguity when interpreting the processes governing animal behavior. Collectively, it provides robust support for two distinct awareness modes in nonhuman animals.
A unique Malpighian tubule architecture in
Tribolium castaneum
informs the evolutionary origins of systemic osmoregulation in beetles
Authors: Koyama Takashi , Naseem Muhammad Tayyib , Kolosov Dennis , Vo Camilla Trang , Mahon Duncan , Jakobsen Amanda Sofie Seger , Jensen Rasmus Lycke , Denholm Barry , O’Donnell Michael , Halberg Kenneth Veland
Published: March 2021

Significance

Beetles are the most diverse animal group on the planet. Their evolutionary success suggests unique physiological adaptations in overcoming water stress, yet the mechanisms underlying this ability are unknown. Here we use molecular genetic, electrophysiology, and behavioral studies to show that a group of brain neurons responds to osmotic disturbances by releasing diuretic hormones that regulate salt and water balance. These hormones bind to their receptor exclusively localized to a unique secondary cell in the Malpighian tubules to modulate fluid secretion and organismal water loss. This tubule architecture, common to all higher beetle families, is novel within the insects, and provides an important clue to the evolutionary success of the beetles in colonizing an astounding range of habitats on Earth.
Gerwasia rosae.
Authors:   USA, USDA-ARS
Published: March 2021

There is little published information on this plant pathogenic fungus, which is limited to China. It infects Rosa spp. and as these hosts exist in other regions of the world with similar environmental conditions, this species may pose a threat to native or agricultural plants if introduced.
Phragmidium pauciloculare.
Authors:   USA, USDA-ARS
Published: March 2021

There is little published information on this plant pathogenic fungus, which is limited to parts of Asia. It infects Rubus spp., which exist in other regions of the world with similar environmental conditions; therefore this species may pose a threat to native or agricultural plants if introduced.
Phragmidium yamadanum.
Authors:   USA, USDA-ARS
Published: March 2021

There is little published information on this plant pathogenic fungus, which is limited to parts of China and Japan. It infects Rubus spp., which exist in other regions of the world with similar environmental conditions, therefore this species may pose a threat to native or agricultural plants if introduced.
Puccinia substriata var. substriata.
Authors:   USA, USDA-ARS
Published: March 2021

There is little published data on this plant pathogenic fungus, which has limited geographic distribution. As hosts exist in other regions of the world with similar environmental conditions, this species may pose a threat to native or agricultural plants if introduced.
Hypogeococcus pungens (cactus mealybug).
Authors: Whittaker Angela
Published: March 2021

The mealybug Hypogeococcus pungens is native to South America. It was first used as a biological control agent of invasive cacti in the subfamily Cactoideae in Queensland, Australia, in 1975 and South Africa in 1983, and has since become an invasive species in several other parts of the world, including Europe, North America and the Caribbean, probably through the ornamental plant trade. H. pungens is now a serious pest of the native columnar cacti in the subfamily Cactoideae in Puerto Rico and is a threat to native cacti in Florida and Hawaii (USA), Barbados and other Caribbean islands. H. pungens will probably spread to Mexico, where it may cause similar damage to the rich diversity of cacti. Besides feeding on species in the family Cactaceae, it also feeds on other ornamental plant families, including Portulacaceae, Apocynaceae and Amaranthaceae. H. pungens causes distorted plant growth.
Aromia bungii (red necked longicorn).
Authors: Garonna Antonio P.
Published: March 2021

A. bungii is native across the south-eastern Palaearctic and Oriental regions. It is recorded from China, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam. A. bungii is an oligophagous species; its host range is largely limited to Prunus spp. Other host plants belonging to different families are reported in the literature, for example, from Ebenaceae (Shandong Academy of Environmental Science, 2009) and Salicaceae (Lei and Zhou, 1998), but sometimes with doubtful supporting evidence. In 2008 three adults of A. bungii were intercepted among wooden pallets in a warehouse in Bristol, UK, and during the same year the pest was intercepted in a manufacturing plant at Seattle, USA. In 2011, A. bungii was recorded for the first time from a host tree in Germany (Bavaria). In 2012, it was also reported in Italy (Campania) and in 2013 a new outbreak was found in Lombardia. In 2013 it was again recorded outside its native area, in Japan. Wood packaging material and nursery plants are potential pathways of accidental introduction. A. bungii is on the EPPO A1 List of quarantine pests (EPPO, 2012c). It presents a significant risk to all stone fruit-growing countries in Europe and neighbouring countries. There is a real risk of economic loss if the pest is not eradicated from Italy and until suitable management practices are put in place.
Maize lethal necrosis disease.
Authors: Oduor Hannah Achieng Chore
Published: March 2021

Maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND) is a serious threat to maize production. In Kansas, crop losses due to MLND have been estimated to be 50-90% (Niblett and Claflin, 1978; Uyemoto et al., 1980) depending on the variety of maize and the year. In Peru, losses in floury and sweet maize varieties due to Maize chlorotic mottle virus have been reported to average between 10 and 15%.
Pseudocercospora angolensis (leaf spot of Citrus spp.).
Authors:   USA, USDA-ARS
Published: March 2021

P. angolensis is a dematiaceous hyphomycete occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen. This fungus requires moisture for infection and the production of wind-borne conidia and causes a devastating fruit and leaf spot disease of cultivated species of Citrus. Losses of 50-100% of yield can occur and growers may cease production where the disease is endemic. Although species and cultivars of Citrus vary in susceptibility, no source of resistance is known (Kuate, 1998). An A1 quarantine pest for Europe and the Mediterranean region (EPPO, 2009), this fungus is also of concern for other warm humid regions where citrus is grown, such as Florida, USA. Other than by wind, conidia can be transported on infected fruit or propagated material.
Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus (potato ring rot).
Authors: de Boer Solke
Published: March 2021

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus has the propensity to exist asymptomatically as latent infections in potato (Solanum tuberosum); it is not known to naturally infect other plant species. Inadvertent dissemination of the bacterium to new places of production occurs with the movement of latently infected seed tubers used for planting. The bacterium also spreads from infected tubers through direct contact and by contamination of equipment used for potato production such as seed cutters, planters, harvesters, transport vehicles, storages, etc. C. michiganensis subp. sepedonicus survives for extended periods of many months to years in a dry and cool environment. Hence its persistence on farm equipment, in storages, and on transport vehicles is an important means by which the bacterium is maintained and spread within farm units and disseminated to other production units. It persists in the field in unharvested potato tubers (i.e. volunteers or ground keepers) and in infected potato plant debris.
Cherry leaf roll virus (walnut ringspot).
Authors: Von Bargen Susanne , Büttner Carmen , Langer Juliane
Published: March 2021

Seed transmission of CLRV is a threat to gene bank contamination. CLRV-contaminated vegetative propagation material and seeds are prone to extremely long-distance transport. Due to this risk potential, CLRV is included in the list of plant viruses that should be closely monitored during sanitary production of propagative material, especially for walnut and olive trees (Bassi and Martelli, 2003). CLRV is treated as an A2 quarantine pathogen in Rubus in the EPPO region, a virus-free certification scheme for Rubus was developed by OEPP/EPPO (1994). In cherry (Kegler et al., 1972; Bush, 2005), walnut (Mircetich et al., 1980; Delbos et al., 1983; Nemeth et al., 1990) and olive production areas, CLRV infections are consistently occurring (Langer et al., 2010; Büttner et al., 2011); crop losses due to CLRV infections were reported for cherry (Kegler et al., 1972; Bush, 2005), walnut (Mircetich et al., 1980; Delbos et al., 1983; Nemeth et al., 1990) and raspberry (Jones and Wood, 1978).In birch species native to Fennoscandia virus-like symptoms on leaves (vein banding, leaf roll, mottling), partially adherent with progressive loss of vitality or death of twigs and branches have been spreading rapidly since 2002 with up to 85% of the tested trees being infected with CLRV (Jalkanen et al., 2007; von Bargen et al., 2009a).
Cyperus difformis (small-flowered nutsedge).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa , Acevedo-Rodríguez Pedro
Published: March 2021

C. difformis is a sedge which is listed in Holm's list of the world's worst weeds, being a problem especially in rice, sugarcane, tea and maize. It is a dominant weed in direct-seeded rice when it occurs in high plant densities; forms dense mats of vegetation in the young crop and can cause rice yield losses of 12-50%. It is native to the tropics of the Old World, but is spreading well outside its native range. It has a relatively short generation period of as little as 4 to 6 weeks from seed to seed. It can spread along waterways and grow in disturbed sites, lake margins and on river banks.
Cyperus esculentus (yellow nutsedge).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa , Acevedo-Rodríguez Pedro
Published: March 2021

The basal bulb and tubers are the organs for vegetative propagation of C. esculentus, as well as the short-lived rhizomes, which extend for 5-30 cm, or sometimes further, before turning up and forming a further shoot and basal bulb, or a dormant tuber. The rhizomes occasionally branch, but have no viable buds at their nodes, and they decay at the end of the growing season. The number of rhiozomes is unaffected by photoperiod but tuber formation is promoted in short photoperiods (Holm et al., 1977). In the southern USA, only new shoots and basal bulbs are formed at day lengths over 14 hours, whereas all rhizomes terminate in tubers as soon as days are shorter than 14 hours (Jansen, 1971).
Cyperus rotundus (purple nutsedge).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa , Acevedo-Rodríguez Pedro
Published: March 2021

C. rotundus has been considered as one of the world's worst weeds. It has been reported in more than 90 countries where it grows as a weed infesting at least 52 different crops worldwide (Holm et al. 1977). It grows in all types of soils and can also survive high temperatures. C. rotundus can be found in a wide variety of habitats including cultivated fields, waste areas, roadsides, pastures, riverbanks, sandbanks, irrigation channels, river and stream shores and natural areas. It is considered a headache for gardeners and farmers because of its insidious and rapid growth and its herbicide tolerance. C. rotundus produces an extensive system of underground tubers from which they can regenerate and consequently is very difficult to control once it is established (USDA-NRCS, 2014).
Diatraea saccharalis (sugarcane stalk borer).
Authors: Beuzelin J , Huang F , Reagan T. E , Stout M J
Published: March 2021

D. saccharalis is generally considered to be a pest of substantial economic importance. The extent of economic losses may vary depending on factors such as environmental conditions and sugarcane varieties. Losses to the sugarcane borer often vary across geographic regions (e.g. crop losses to the borer in Louisiana), USA may range from 4-30% annually, possibly twice as high as in Florida (Ingram et al., 1951).
Eldana saccharina (African sugarcane borer).
Authors: Leslie Graeme
Published: March 2021

E. saccharina is the most serious sugarcane pest in tropical and sub-tropical Africa, and in situations of high pest pressure total crop failure can result.
Jatropha curcas (jatropha).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa , Pasiecznik Nick
Published: March 2021

After introduction into Asian countries, J. curcas has spread very rapidly, and due to its ethnobotanical uses, promotion as an ornamental and hedge plant encouraged its further spread. For farmers, plantation owners and foresters, this promotion is becoming a problem. After recent research on its use as a potential biofuel crop, the governments of many Asian countries, including India, are promoting its commercial cultivation. This may cause further damage to ecosystems and natural biodiversity. A number of risk assessments for invasiveness have given J. curcas a high risk of becoming invasive (Gordon et al., 2011; Negussie et al., 2013a), although field studies have not always found actual evidence of spread or environmental impact (Negussie et al., 2015).
Mimosa diplotricha (creeping sensitive plant).
Authors: Parker Chris
Published: March 2021

M. diplotricha (syn. M. invisa) is a small, often scrambling, neotropical shrub that has invaded many countries in the old tropics and many oceanic islands. In recent decades it has spread to new regions and has the potential to invade more tropical areas. It forms impenetrable spiny thickets that invade highly disturbed sites, but agricultural systems in particular. The shrub produces large quantities of seeds at an early age and has a persistent seed bank. It is extremely difficult to control effectively using mechanical or chemical means, however, biological control programmes have had a large degree of success.
Monilinia fructigena (brown rot).
Authors:   USA, USDA-ARS
Published: March 2021

M. fructigena is one of several apothecial ascomycetes causing brown rot and blossom blight of stone fruit and pome fruit trees worldwide. It has a more restricted distribution than the other species, occurring in Europe and Asia, but not in North America. Reports of its occurrence in South America are likely to be errors in identification. Recent identification of a new species in Japan suggests that it may not be present there, as previously thought, and reports from other parts of eastern Asia may have to be re-examined. It is a quarantine pest for Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. One unusual introduction to the USA was resolved by eradication (Batra, 1979; Ogawa and English, 1991). Introduction could occur through the importation of infected fruit as well as of tree material for propagation and breeding, from which it could spread readily by means of conidia carried by the wind or insects.
Ochropsora ariae.
Authors:   USA, USDA-ARS
Published: March 2021

There is little published information on this plant pathogenic fungus, which has limited geographic distribution. As hosts exist in other regions of the world with similar environmental conditions, this species may pose a threat to native or agricultural plants if introduced.
Phyllachora maydis (black spot of maize).
Authors:   USA, USDA-ARS
Published: March 2021

P. maydis, a perithecial ascomycete, causes a tar spot disease of maize that is usually a minor problem. More significant damage to leaves and yield is caused by the fungus Monographella maydis whose infection follows that of the tar-spot fungus, at least where studied in Mexico (Hock et al., 1992; 1995). The source of initial inoculum for both fungi is not determined. The disease they cause occurs in the cooler and higher elevations of Mexico, and Central and South America, and the West Indies, so their ability to spread over land through other climatic zones may be limited. Not known to be seedborne or to infect other species, P. maydis could be transported on fresh or dry maize leaves or husks, or products made from them, from which ascospores would have to be produced and carried by wind or rain splash to maize [Zea mays].
Peronosclerospora philippinensis (Philippine downy mildew of maize).
Authors: Dela Cueva Fe M. , De Castro Alyssa M. , De Torres Rachele L.
Published: March 2021

Peronosclerospora philippinensis, a causal pathogen of maize downy mildews, is one of the major maize diseases reported in some maize-growing countries, especially in the Philippines. High disease incidence has been reported in many parts in the country specifically in northern Luzon and in many parts of Mindanao despite breakthroughs in controlling or mitigating the disease using cultural and chemical control (Pascual et al., 2005). P. philippinensis is considered the most virulent of the downy mildew pathogens affecting maize, causing substantial losses to crop production (Murray, 2009). Under normal conditions, a 40-60% yield reduction is observed; however, favourable conditions for disease development can amplify these losses to 80-100% (Exconde and Raymundo, 1974). As the pathogen is able to survive in seeds, is able to spread rapidly and occasionally forms resting spores that can survive for more than 1 year, the pathogen has the potential to become a threat to local maize production in warm temperate and tropical areas.
Puccinia triticina (wheat brown rust).
Authors: Goyeau Henriette
Published: March 2021

Leaf rust seldom kills wheat, but it is capable of causing 35-50% yield loss in endemic areas on susceptible cultivars, where severity levels of 25-40% are reached at the tillering stage and 100% at the flowering stage. The disease causes more damage worldwide than other wheat rusts. Quarantine is of no relevance as leaf rust is of worldwide occurrence and virulences spread freely between nations and zones. Crop losses are dependent on the genetic resistance of each cultivar, pathogen virulence and environmental conditions. Losses caused by leaf rust particularly originate from reductions of the wheat photosynthetic area. Infected plants normally produce a lower number of tillers, lower amounts of grains per head and smaller grains. The earlier the epidemic in the cropping season, the higher the yield losses. Mathematical models for estimating disease severity and crop losses have been developed based on multiple-point disease recording at different physiological stages of the plant (Burleigh et al., 1972; Eversmeyer and Kramer, 1998, 2000).
Rattus exulans (Pacific rat).
Authors: Shiels Aaron
Published: March 2021

The Pacific rat, R. exulans, is an major agricultural and environmental pest in parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Thought to have spread with Polynesian colonists over the past several thousand years, it is now found through much of the Pacific basin, and is extensively distributed in the tropical Pacific. It poses a significant threat to indigenous wildlife, particularly ground-nesting birds, and has been linked to the extinction of several bird species. R. exulans may also transmit diseases to humans.
Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed).
Authors: Iamonico Duilio
Published: March 2021

A. artemisiifolia is an annual herb native to Central and Northern America. It has been accidentally introduced into a large number of countries as a contaminant of seed and grains. A. artemisiifolia typically colonises disturbed land where it produces a large number of seeds which can remain viable in the soil for 40 years or more. The pollen produced by species of Ambrosia is highly allergenic and can induce allergic rhinitis, fever, or dermatitis. As a result, high medical costs have been reported in areas with large infestations in both its native and introduced range. A. artemisiifolia can also invade agricultural land where it acts as a weed in a number of crops (in particular in sunflower, maize, soybean and cereals) and can cause significant decreases in yields.
Candidatus phytoplasma Rubi (witches'-broom phytoplasma disease).
Authors: Marcone Carmine
Published: March 2021

RUS is of considerable economic importance, especially in areas where outbreaks occur. It has been described as a serious and widespread problem of raspberry in the former Soviet Union (see van der Meer (1987) for references). After the First World War, the disease became disastrous in raspberry areas in southern parts of The Netherlands, and many young plantations, started with healthy plant material, contained 60-90% infected plants in the second year after planting (see van der Meer (1987) for references). Small outbreaks and/or incidental occurrences of RUS disease have been reported from several other European countries (van der Meer, 1987).