Life table and predation data were collected for Coccinella septempunctata (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on three different host aphid species, Aphis craccivora (Koch) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), under laboratory conditions, using age-stage, two-sex life table. The preadult developmental period of C. septempunctata was the shortest on M. persicae (21.12 d) and the longest on A. craccivora (28.81 d). Net reproductive rate (R0) ranged from 77.31 offspring per individual on A. craccivora to 165.97 offspring per individual on M. persicae. Mean generation time (T) ranged from 39.10 d on M. persicae to 51.96 d on L. erysimi. Values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) decreased in the order M. persicae, A. craccivora, and L. erysimi (0.1302, 0.0864 and 0.0848 d-1, respectively). The highest finite rate of increase (λ) was observed on M. persicae (1.1391 d-1) and the lowest was observed on A. craccivora and L. erysimi (1.0903 and 1.0885 d-1, respectively). This information will be useful in relation to the mass rearing of C. septempunctata in biological control systems.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with varied natural history and multisystemic involvement. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and complex precipitating the formation of autoantibodies. One of the main factors in SLE is the interaction between environmental triggers and genetic factors. Genome-wide association study technology has led to the identification of more than 80 loci which produce key proteins that lead to small pathophysiological changes and are associated with SLE. There has been an improvement in the management of the disease with newly standardized scores that have been validated in assessing disease activity and quality of life, and have helped in clinical care as well as research. The last five decades have seen a marked improvement in the prognosis of SLE, thanks to better general care and the development of newer immunosuppressive drugs, more specifically biological agents.

Demographic parameters of the turnip aphid, Lipaphis erysimi Kaltenbach (Hemiptera: Aphididae), which is a serious pest of Brassica crops worldwide, were evaluated on five major Brassica vegetables (three varieties of Brassica oleraceae; kohlrabi, cabbage and ornamental cabbage, and two subspecies of Brassica rapa; Chinese cabbage and bak choi). The study was carried out under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) h. Preadult developmental time, survival rate, female longevity, reproduction, and life table parameters were evaluated according to the age-stage specific life table method. The highest population growth parameters, i.e., net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) were recorded on kohlrabi (R0 = 30.45 offspring, r = 0.2174 d-1, λ = 1.2429 d-1). These parameters were the lowest on Chinese cabbage (R0 = 13.00 offspring, r = 0.1503 d-1, and λ = 1.1621 d-1) and bak choi (R0 = 16.30 offspring, r = 0.1614 d-1, λ = 1.1752 d-1). The results attained from population growth parameters, together with population projection estimation based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory, indicated that both Chinese cabbage and bak choi were less suitable hosts for turnip aphids and should be considered as a possible source for developing resistance in breeding programs and integrated pest management strategies.

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IntroductionCaring for a child with diabetes often has a negative effect on the mental health of caregivers and other family members. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of caring for children with diabetes on the mental health of caregivers.Materials and methodsThis case-control study was conducted in the National Institute of Child Health from October to November 2017 to compare the mental health effects associated with caring for children with diabetes as against caring for children without diabetes. The case group consisted of the caregivers of 60 children with diabetes, and the control group consisted of the caregivers of 60 children without diabetes. A validated questionnaire with two scales was used. Frequencies, percentages, confidence intervals, and p-values were reported for the categorical variables. The variables were analyzed using Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scales to determine associations.ResultsIn the case group, most caregivers were mothers, 60% had consanguineous marriages, 21.7% were employed, and 21.7% were suffering from a long-term illness. Of those reporting a disease, 13.3% reported a change in their disease. Most caregivers (71.7%) received family support, and 78.3% of caregivers had social support. Most caregivers in the case group had mild depression, and 35% had mild anxiety. In the control group, most caregivers were mothers, 5% were employed, and 35% had disease(s). Of those reporting a disease, 15% reported a change in their health. Most of the caregivers in the control group (93.3%) had family support, and 85% had social support. Most (62%) were found to have mild depression, and more than half had no anxiety. Most children in the control group were under five years old, and most children in the case group were over 10 years old. Nearly half of the children in the case group had a positive family history of thalassemia, and 68.3% of them have insulin administered once daily. Strong variables that affect caregiver mental health were caregiver age, health changes, and consanguinity.ConclusionThe caregivers of children with diabetes have a higher incidence of anxiety compared with the caregivers of children without diabetes; depression was similar for both groups. Health care providers should be aware of the differences in parenting stress related to caring for children with long-term illnesses and should consider ways to help improve the well-being of these caregivers.

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Pear is a typically climacteric fruit and highly perishable with a low shelf life owing to extreme metabolic activity after harvesting. The present study aimed to reduce weight loss and improve the firmness of pear during storage. The lemon peel essential oil (LPEO) has gained considerable attention due to being the richest source of bioactive compounds that behaved as a natural antioxidant agent, being cost‐effective, and being generally recognized as safe. Edible coatings equipped with a natural antioxidant agent and renewable biopolymers have gained more research fame owing to their involvement in the direction of biodegradability and food safety. In this work, edible skin coating materials (ESCMs) embedded by chitosan (1%) and guar gum (2%) were fabricated, and afterward, five concentrations of LPEO (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3.0%) were incorporated individually into the ESCMs. Findings revealed that LPEO–ESCMs significantly reduced the weight loss and improved the firmness of pear up to 45 days of storage at 4 ± 2°C. Furthermore, the LPEO–ESCMs have enhanced the antioxidant capacity, antibacterial efficiency, and malondialdehyde level of pear during storage time. It was concluded that 3% of LPEO–ESCMs improved the overall acceptability of pear fruits. Taken together, the novel insights of guar gum and chitosan‐based ESCMs entrapped with LPEO will remain a subject of research interest for researchers in the future.