Pathogenicity of fungal and bacterial bioinsecticides against adult peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) admixed with adult diet under controlled conditions

Background The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a serious polyphagous pest of fruits and vegetables. Chemical management of B. zonata in fruits results in toxic residues that have adverse health effects on consumers resulting in increased demand for eco-friendly approaches. Laboratory bioassay was conducted to determine the pathogenicity of fungal and bacterial biopesticides against B. zonata. Results The pathogenicity of all tested bioinsecticides revealed that the maximum concentration (1 × 108 CFU ml−1) of Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Lecanicillium lecanii and Bacillus thuringiensis caused 95.8–100%, 95.9–97.9%, 32.7–39.6%, and 20.0–22.4% mortality in B. zonata, respectively at 7 d post-application interval (PAI) as compared to mortality demonstrated by the same concentration at 5 d PAI. All tested microbial insecticides induced statistically similar mortality in both male and female B. zonata at each concentration for the same PAI. Correlation coefficient (r) values reveal that concentrations of each microbial insecticide had a high positive correlation with mortalities of male and female B. zonata. Regression parameters reveal that concentrations of tested microbial insecticides had significant linear relationship with and explained significant variability in B. zonata mortality (P < 0.05). Results also revealed that M. anisopliae was proved more pathogenic to males and females of B. zonata demonstrating the least LC50 values (5.48 × 103, and 6.17 × 103 CFU ml−1, respectively) 7 d post-application intervals, followed by B. bassiana which explained LC50 value of 1.14 × 104 CFU and 1.15 × 105 CFU ml−1 for B. zonata males and females, respectively, at the same period of application, but less than that of L. lecanii (2.77 × 109 and 1.43 × 109 CFU ml−1) and then B. thuringiensis (3.40 × 1010 and 1.39 × 1010 CFU ml−1) for the males and females, respectively, at 7 d PAIs. Conclusion Metarhizium anisopliae incorporated adult diet was proved more effective against B. zonata, followed by B. bassiana, L. lecanii, and B. thuringiensis. Hence, M. anisopliae can be recommended for incorporating in bait-traps to develop attract-and-kill technology for B. zonata.

Floral Resources Enhance Fecundity, but Not Flight Activity, in a Specialized Aphid Predator, Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Adult aphid predators disperse across the landscape seasonally in search of prey aggregations that are patchily distributed and temporally variable. However, flight is energetically costly and consumes resources that could be invested in reproduction. Hippodamia convergens is an important aphid predator in North American cereal crops and other agricultural systems. Consumption of floral resources can enhance adult survival during periods of low prey availability and may improve reproductive success. We tested how an omnivorous adult diet containing floral resources (diluted honey and pulverized bee pollen) interacts with body size to influence reproduction and flight behavior compared to a prey-only diet. Two sizes of beetles were produced by controlling larval access to food—3 h daily access produced small beetles; ad libitum access produced large beetles with faster development. Reproductive performance was tracked for 18 days, and female flight activity was assayed via 3 h bouts of tethered flight. Diet composition and body size interacted to influence preoviposition period, with large females in prey-only treatments delaying oviposition the longest. The omnivorous adult diet improved 18-day fecundity relative to a prey-only diet, but egg fertility was unaffected. Adult size affected oviposition pattern, with small beetles laying smaller, but more numerous, clutches. Females flew up to 7 km in 6 h, but neither body size nor adult diet influenced flight distance, suggesting that all diet treatments generated energy reserves sufficient to power flights of short duration. However, pre-reproductive females flew &gt; 60% further than they did post-reproduction, likely due to the energetic costs of oviposition. Thus, access to pollen and nectar increased reproductive success and altered oviposition patterns in H. convergens, indicating the importance of floral resources in the agricultural landscape to conservation of this predator and its biological control services.

Influence of adult diet and exposure to methyl eugenol in the mating performance of Bactrocera correcta

The Guava fruit fly Bactrocera correcta is serious pest attacking Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus and Hylocereus polyrhizus ). The study on the impact of (i) Protein in adult diet on sexual maturity of Guava fruit fly; (ii) Methyl eugenol (ME) feeding on sterilized male of Guava fruit fly; and (iii) Longevity of sterilized males and females feeding on different diets. All those trials were conducted for both sterile males and laboratory flies reared at Plant Protection Research Institute, Hanoi, Viet Nam. The initial results showed that the first age of sexual maturation of laboratory reared females are 7 days old and 8 days old when fed on a mix diet of hydrolyzed yeast: sugar (1:4) and only sugar diet, respectively. Four days after emergence, females on hydrolyzed yeast fed diet died. The highest percentage of mating for the period of 20 first days after emergence was recorded 7.19% at 11 days old of flies fed on sugar; 40.08% at 10 days old of flies fed on hydrolyzed yeast and sugar. The longevity of sterilized males was 30.7 days, 28.1 days and 3.2 days as feeding on mix of hydrolyzed yeast: sugar, sugar only and hydrolyzed yeast alone, respectively. Likewise, the longevity of females was 32.5 days on hydrolyzed yeast: sugar diet, 30.5 days on sugar only diet and 3.7 days on hydrolyzed yeast only diet. The percentage of sterile males feeding on ME at 3 days old was only 5% and reached 40% at 8 days old with feeding times of 44 seconds and 4 minutes 27 seconds respectively.

Associations between childhood to adulthood socio-economic mobility and adult diet quality

The impact of change in socio-economic status (SES) from childhood to adulthood (SES mobility) on adult diet is not well understood. This study examined associations between three SES mobility variables (area disadvantage, education, occupation) and adult diet quality. 1482 Australian participants reported childhood area-level SES in 1985 (aged 10–15 years) and retrospectively reported highest parental education and main occupation (until participant age 12) and own area-level SES, education, occupation and dietary intake in 2004–2006 (aged 26–36 years). A Dietary Guidelines Index (DGI) was calculated from food frequency and habit questionnaires. A higher score (range 0–100) indicated better diet quality. Sex-stratified linear regression models adjusted for confounders. Area-level SES mobility was not associated with diet quality. Compared with stable high (university) education, stable low (school only) was associated with lower DGI scores (males: β = –5·5, 95 % CI: −8·9, –2·1; females: β = –6·3, 95 % CI: −9·3, –3·4), as was downward educational mobility (participant’s education lower than their parents) (males: β = –5·3, 95 % CI: −8·5, –2·0; females: β = –4·5, 95 % CI: −7·2, –1·7) and stable intermediate (vocational) education among males (β = –3·9, 95 % CI: −7·0, −0·7). Compared with stable high (professional/managerial) occupation, stable low (manual/out of workforce) males (β = –4·9, 95 % CI: −7·6, –2·2), and participants with downward occupation mobility (males: β = –3·2, 95 % CI: −5·3, –1·1; females: β = –2·8, 95 % CI: −4·8, –0·8) had lower DGI scores. In this cohort, intergenerational low education and occupation, and downward educational and occupational mobility, were associated with poor adult diet quality.

Association between diet quality in adolescence and adulthood and knee symptoms in adulthood: a 25-year cohort study

We aimed to describe associations between diet quality in adolescence and adulthood and knee symptoms in adulthood. 275 participants had adolescent diet measurements, 399 had adult diet measurements, and 240 had diet measurements in both timepoints. Diet quality was assessed by Dietary Guidelines Index (DGI), reflecting adherence to Australian Dietary Guidelines. Knee symptoms were collected using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Data were analysed using zero-inflated negative binomial regressions. The overall adolescent DGI was not associated with adult knee symptoms, although lower intake of discretionary foods (e.g. cream, alcohol, bacon, and cake) in adolescence was associated with lower pain (Mean ratio (MR): 0.96) and dysfunction (MR: 0.94). The overall adult DGI was not associated with knee symptoms; however, limiting saturated fat was associated with lower WOMAC (Pain: MR 0.93; stiffness: MR 0.93; dysfunction: MR 0.91), drinking water was associated with lower stiffness (MR 0.90) and fruit intake was associated with lower dysfunction (MR 0.90). Higher DGI for dairy in adulthood was associated with higher WOMAC (Pain: MR 1.07; stiffness: MR 1.13; dysfunction: MR 1.11). Additionally, the score increases from adolescence to adulthood were not associated with adult knee symptoms, except for associations between score increase in limiting saturated fat and lower stiffness (MR 0.89) and between score increase in fruit intake and lower dysfunction (MR 0.92). In conclusion, the overall diet quality in adolescence and adulthood were not associated with knee symptoms in adulthood. However, some diet components may affect later knee symptoms.

Adult diet in England: Where is more support needed to achieve dietary recommendations?

Background Small-area estimation models are regularly commissioned by public health bodies to identify areas of greater inequality and target areas for intervention in a range of behaviours and outcomes. Such local modelling has not been completed for diet consumption in England despite diet being an important predictor of health status. The study sets out whether aspects of adult diet can be modelled from previously collected data to define and evaluate area-level interventions to address obesity and ill-health. Methods Adults aged 16 years and over living in England. Consumption of fruit, vegetables, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) are modelled using small-area estimation methods in English neighbourhoods (Middle Super Output Areas [MSOA]) to identify areas where reported portions are significantly different from recommended levels of consumption. The selected aspects of diet are modelled from respondents in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey using pooled data from 2008–2016. Results Estimates indicate that the average prevalence of adults consuming less than one portion of fruit, vegetables or 100% juice each day by MSOA is 6.9% (range of 4.3 to 14.7%, SE 0.06) and the average prevalence of drinking more than 330ml/day of SSB is 11.5% (range of 5.7 to 30.5%, SE 0.03). Credible intervals around the estimates are wider for SSB consumption. The results identify areas including regions in London, urban areas in the North of England and the South coast which may be prioritised for targeted interventions to support reduced consumption of SSB and/or an increase in portions of fruit and vegetables. Conclusion These estimates provide valuable information at a finer spatial scale than is presently feasible, allowing for within-country and locality prioritisation of resources to improve diet. Local, targeted interventions to improve fruit and vegetable consumption such as subsidies or voucher schemes should be considered where consumption of these foods is predicted to be low.

The Transcriptome in Transition: Global Gene Expression Profiles of Young Adult Fruit Flies Depend More Strongly on Developmental Than Adult Diet

Developmental diet is known to exert long-term effects on adult phenotypes in many animal species as well as disease risk in humans, purportedly mediated through long-term changes in gene expression. However, there are few studies linking developmental diet to adult gene expression. Here, we use a full-factorial design to address how three different larval and adult diets interact to affect gene expression in 1-day-old adult fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) of both sexes. We found that the largest contributor to transcriptional variation in young adult flies is larval, and not adult diet, particularly in females. We further characterized gene expression variation by applying weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) to identify modules of co-expressed genes. In adult female flies, the caloric content of the larval diet associated with two strongly negatively correlated modules, one of which was highly enriched for reproduction-related processes. This suggests that gene expression in young adult female flies is in large part related to investment into reproduction-related processes, and that the level of expression is affected by dietary conditions during development. In males, most modules had expression patterns independent of developmental or adult diet. However, the modules that did correlate with larval and/or adult dietary regimes related primarily to nutrient sensing and metabolic functions, and contained genes highly expressed in the gut and fat body. The gut and fat body are among the most important nutrient sensing tissues, and are also the only tissues known to avoid histolysis during pupation. This suggests that correlations between larval diet and gene expression in male flies may be mediated by the carry-over of these tissues into young adulthood. Our results show that developmental diet can have profound effects on gene expression in early life and warrant future research into how they correlate with actual fitness related traits in early adulthood.

Plant Glycan Metabolism by Bifidobacteria

Members of the genus Bifidobacterium, of which the majority have been isolated as gut commensals, are Gram-positive, non-motile, saccharolytic, non-sporulating, anaerobic bacteria. Many bifidobacterial strains are considered probiotic and therefore are thought to bestow health benefits upon their host. Bifidobacteria are highly abundant among the gut microbiota of healthy, full term, breast-fed infants, yet the relative average abundance of bifidobacteria tends to decrease as the human host ages. Because of the inverse correlation between bifidobacterial abundance/prevalence and health, there has been an increasing interest in maintaining, increasing or restoring bifidobacterial populations in the infant, adult and elderly gut. In order to colonize and persist in the gastrointestinal environment, bifidobacteria must be able to metabolise complex dietary and/or host-derived carbohydrates, and be resistant to various environmental challenges of the gut. This is not only important for the autochthonous bifidobacterial species colonising the gut, but also for allochthonous bifidobacteria provided as probiotic supplements in functional foods. For example, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum is a taxon associated with the metabolism of plant-derived poly/oligosaccharides in the adult diet, being capable of metabolising hemicellulose and various pectin-associated glycans. Many of these plant glycans are believed to stimulate the metabolism and growth of specific bifidobacterial species and are for this reason classified as prebiotics. In this review, bifidobacterial carbohydrate metabolism, with a focus on plant poly-/oligosaccharide degradation and uptake, as well as its associated regulation, will be discussed.

Adverse childhood experiences and adult diet quality

Childhood trauma is strongly associated with poor health outcomes. Although many studies have found associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), a well-established indicator of childhood trauma and diet-related health outcomes, few have explored the relationship between ACEs and diet quality, despite growing literature in epidemiology and neurobiology suggesting that childhood trauma has an important but poorly understood relationship with diet. Thus, we performed a cross-sectional study of the association of ACEs and adult diet quality in the Southern Community Cohort Study, a largely low-income and racially diverse population in the southeastern United States. We used ordinal logistic regression to estimate the association of ACEs with the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-10) score among 30 854 adults aged 40–79 enrolled from 2002 to 2009. Having experienced any ACE was associated with higher odds of worse HEI-10 among all (odds ratio (OR) 1⋅22; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1⋅17, 1⋅27), and for all race–sex groups, and remained significant after adjustment for adult income. The increasing number of ACEs was also associated with increasing odds of a worse HEI-10 (OR for 4+ ACEs: 1⋅34; 95 % CI 1⋅27, 1⋅42). The association with worse HEI-10 score was especially strong for ACEs in the household dysfunction category, including having a family member in prison (OR 1⋅34; 95 % CI 1⋅25, 1⋅42) and parents divorced (OR 1⋅25; 95 % CI 1⋅20, 1⋅31). In summary, ACEs are associated with poor adult diet quality, independent of race, sex and adult income. Research is needed to explore whether trauma intervention strategies can impact adult diet quality.