Since 2003, growers of Florida watermelon [ Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. and Nakai] have periodically suffered large losses from a disease caused by Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV), which is transmitted by the whitefly Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), formerly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B. Common cucurbit weeds like balsam apple ( Momordica charantia L.) and smellmelon [ Cucumis melo var. dudaim (L.) Naud.] are natural hosts of SqVYV, and creeping cucumber ( Melothria pendula L.) is an experimental host. Study objectives were to compare these weeds and ‘Mickylee’ watermelon as sources of inoculum for SqVYV via MEAM1 transmission, to determine weed susceptibility to SqVYV, and to evaluate whitefly settling and oviposition behaviors on infected vs. mock-inoculated (inoculated with buffer only) creeping cucumber leaves. We found that the lowest percentage of watermelon recipient plants was infected when balsam apple was used as a source of inoculum. Watermelon was more susceptible to infection than balsam apple or smellmelon. However, all weed species were equally susceptible to SqVYV when inoculated by whitefly. For the first 5 h after release, whiteflies had no preference to settle on infected vs. mock-inoculated creeping cucumber leaves. After 24 h, whiteflies preferred to settle on mock-inoculated leaves, and more eggs were laid on mock-inoculated creeping cucumber leaves than on SqVYV-infected leaves. The transmission experiments (source of inoculum and susceptibility) show these weed species as potential inoculum sources of the virus. The changing settling preference of whiteflies from infected to mock-inoculated plants could lead to rapid spread of virus in the agroecosystem.

Plant viruses may indirectly affect insect vector behavior and fitness via a shared host plant. Here, we evaluated the host-mediated effects of Squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV) on the behavior and fitness of its whitefly vector, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Middle East-Asia Minor 1, formerly biotype B. Alighting, settling, and oviposition behavioral assays were conducted on infected and mock-inoculated squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) and watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsum and Nakai] plants. Developmental time of immature stages, adult longevity, and fecundity were measured on infected and mock-inoculated squash plants. For adult longevity and fecundity, whiteflies were reared on infected and mock-inoculated squash plants to determine the effects of nymphal rearing host on the adult stage. More whiteflies alighted and remained settled on infected squash than on mock-inoculated squash 0.25, 1, 8, and 24 h after release. No such initial preference was observed on watermelon plants, but by 8 h after release, more whiteflies were found on mock-inoculated watermelon plants than on infected plants. Whiteflies laid approximately six times more eggs on mock-inoculated watermelon than on infected watermelon; however, no differences were observed on squash. Development from egg to adult emergence was 3 d shorter on infected than mock-inoculated squash plants. Females lived 25% longer and had higher fecundity on infected squash plants than on mock-inoculated plants, regardless of infection status of the rearing host. The host-mediated effects of SqVYV infection on whitefly behavior differ on two cucurbit host plants, suggesting the potential for more rapid spread of the virus within watermelon fields.

Safe Motherhood Program (SMP) has been one of the successful ongoing maternal health programs in Nepal. It is the major reason for Nepal being able to reduce its Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) significantly falling from 539 to 281 deaths per 100000 live births over the decades. SMP has nine components out of which three components mainly deal with pregnancy and puerperium; birth preparedness plan, rural ultrasound program and the “Aama and New born Program”. The latter one is one of the key components of SMP which includes incentives, free delivery services and free sick newborn care. Financial incentives are provided for transport and completion of four antenatal visits, and for health care workers attending deliveries. However, with the corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, this program might not be enough to ascertain a safe motherhood for Nepalese women. This program aims to reduce the three delays leading to maternal morbidity and mortality namely, delay in reaching care, seeking care and receiving care. But with a nationwide lockdown, the chances of these delays have increased even more.

Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) can reduce tuber yield and quality in potato. Green peach aphid (Myzus persicae [Sulzer]) and potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae [Thomas]) are the two most important potato-colonizing PLRV vectors in the Pacific Northwest. We compared My. persicae and Ma. euphorbiae densities and PLRV incidences among potato varieties in the field to clarify the relationships between aphid abundance and PLRV incidence in plants. Aphids were sampled weekly over three years in the potato varieties Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, and Russet Norkotah in a replicated field trial. In all years, My. persicae was more abundant than Ma. euphorbiae, representing at least 97% of samples. My. persicae densities did not differ among potato varieties across years; very low numbers of Ma. euphorbiae precluded such statistical comparisons for this species. PLRV infection did not differ significantly among potato varieties, although the percent of PLRV-infected plants differed among years when all varieties were combined (46% in 2013, 29% in 2011, 13% in 2012). For Ranger Russet and Russet Norkotah, PLRV incidence was positively correlated with aphid abundance as well as proportion of PLRV-positive aphids. In Russet Burbank, only aphid abundance was positively correlated with PLRV infection. Our results suggest that the three most commonly grown potato varieties in our region do not differ in their susceptibility to PLRV infection, and that aphid density was a consistent indicator of the risk of infection by this virus across varieties. Both of these findings can be used to hone PLRV monitoring and modeling efforts.

Background: Young Nepalese men have been forced to migrate to other countries in search of better opportunities. Wives of these migrant workers are in a vulnerable state and face various problems. The aim of this study wasto assess the prevalence of reproductive health problems and depression in this sub-population and to compare it with women living together with their husbands.Methods: This is a hospital based case control study where depression and reproductive health problems including gender based violence were compared between wives of migrant workers and women living with their husbands. Structured questionnaire was used to assess reproductive symptomatology and Becks depression Inventory-II was used to measure level of depression. Results: During the study period, 38.65% (2193) of all women were wives of migrant workers. India was the country where most 34.6% (73) men migrated. Mean duration of migration was 51.96 months (SD= 63.27). Moderate to severe depression was present in 42.6% (90) of wives of migrant workers and 80.09% of these women experienced some form of gender based violence. Reproductive tract symptoms and gender based violence and depression were significantly more present in these women (p<0.000). Conclusions: Depression and reproductive health problems weremore prevalent in wives of labor migrant workers than in women living with their husbands. The physical and mental health needs of this sub-population warrants screening strategies and preventive measures.Keywords: Depression; reproductive symptoms; migrant workers; wives.

Insect vector behavior and biology can be affected by pathogen-induced changes in the physiology and morphology of the host plant. Herein, we examined the temporal effects of Squash vein yellowing virus (family Potyviridae, genus Ipomovirus) infection on the settling, oviposition preference, and feeding behavior of its whitefly vector, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), formerly known as B. tabaci biotype B. Settling and oviposition behavioral choice assays were conducted on pairs of infected and mock-inoculated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb) Matsum and Nakai) (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) at 5–6 days post inoculation (DPI) and 10–12 DPI. Electropenetrography, or electrical penetration graph (both abbreviated EPG), was used to assess differences in feeding behaviors of whitefly on mock-inoculated, 5–6 and 10–12 DPI infected watermelon plants. Whiteflies showed no preference in settling or oviposition on the infected and mock-inoculated plants at 5–6 DPI. However, at 10–12 DPI, whiteflies initially settled on infected plants but then preference of settling shifted to mock-inoculated plants after 8 h. Only at 10–12 DPI, females laid significantly more eggs on mock-inoculated plants than infected plants. EPG revealed no differences in whitefly feeding behaviors among mock-inoculated, 5–6 DPI infected and 10–12 DPI infected plants. The results highlighted the need to examine plant disease progression and its effect on vector behavior and performance, which could play a crucial role in Squash vein yellowing virus spread.