Association of detoxification enzymes with butene-fipronil in larvae and adults of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Insecticide resistance is a major challenge in successful insect pest control as the insects have the ability to develop resistance to various widely used insecticides. Butene-fipronil is a novel compound with high toxicity to insects and less toxicity to the non-target organisms. In the present study, the effect of butene-fipronil alone and in combination with three enzyme inhibitors, piperonyl butoxide (PBO), diethyl maleate (DEM), and triphenyl phosphate (TPP), was carried out on larvae and adults of Drosophilia melanogaster. Our results indicated that the co-toxicity indices of butene-fipronil + PBO, butene-fipronil + TPP, and butene-fipronil + DEM mixtures were 437.3, 335.0, and 210.3, respectively, in the second-instar larvae, while 186.6, 256.2, and 238.5, respectively, in the adults, indicating synergistic effects. Interestingly, butene-fipronil increased the expression of CYP28A5 in the larvae; CYP9F2, CYP304A1, CYP28A5, and CYP318A1 in the female adults; and CYP303A1 and CYP28A5 in the male adults. Furthermore, high-level expression of Est-7 was observed in the female adults compared to larvae and male adults. Our results suggest that there is no difference in butene-fipronil metabolism in larvae and male and female adults of D. melanogaster.

Optical clearing agent reduces scattering of light by the stratum corneum and modulates the physical properties of coenocytes via hydration

Abstract

Background

The interaction between light and the skin determine how the skin looks to the human eye. Light can be absorbed, scattered, and reflected by different components of the skin in a variety of different ways. Here, we focus on the scattering properties of the outmost layer, the stratum corneum (SC). However, we currently have limited methods with which to distinguish the scattering of light by SC from the changes due to other components of the skin.

Materials and methods

Dark-field images of tape-striped corneocytes were used in vitro to study the differences in light scattered by the SC and other skin components. Several optical clearing agents (OCAs) were tested for their ability to reduce light scattering. Physical properties of the SC (water content, keratin configuration, and volume) after OCA treatment were investigated using FT-IR, confocal Raman microscopy, and 3D laser microscopy.

Results

Urea derivatives, several reducing sugars, and sugar alcohols, which were used as OCA in optics and also used as humectants in cosmetic area, could reduce scattering. However, unlike dehydration in optics, penetration of water into the keratin was increased at low OCA concentrations. In such conditions, the volume of corneocytes was increased but their stiffness was reduced.

Conclusion

By analyzing the tape-striped SC, we were able to measure the changes in the optical and physical properties of corneocytes in response to OCAs. Hydration of the SC layer by OCAs reduces light scattering from the corneocytes and would be helpful in moisturizing the skin and helping the skin look healthy.

Handheld 3-dimensional wound measuring system

Abstract

Background

Measuring wound dimensions is important for monitoring and predicting the healing process. In our paper we propose and validate a handheld measuring system with dedicated software for measuring wound dimensions.

Methods

The measuring system comprises a commercial DSLR camera and a light pattern projection system. It is based on triangulation and structured illumination principles which enable handheld measuring. An edge of the wound is detected from the colour information of the measurement. Across the area of the wound, virtual healthy skin is approximated which enables the calculation of the wound volume and area, in addition to the wound circumference, which is calculated from the detected edge.

Results

In vitro verification using virtual standards showed that the accuracy of the analysis software is over 95% and 93% for measuring the area and volume respectively. A significant part of the error can be attributed to the inability of approximation to replicate entirely missing features. The accuracy of measuring the volume reduced to about 89% when a 3D measuring step was included in the analysis. When measuring in vivo wounds, the unrepeatability of the system was under 8% for measuring the area, which is a bit lower than comparable systems, and 5% for measuring the volume, which is about 4 times lower.

Conclusion

Based on these results and the ease of use, we conclude that the system is suitable to be used in daily clinical practice for measuring wound dimensions.

Effects of malathion and nitrate exposure on the zooplankton community in experimental mesocosms

Abstract

Surface waters are likely to be contaminated by both pesticides and fertilizers. Such contamination can result in changes in community composition if there is differential toxicity to individual taxa. We conducted a fully factorial mesocosm experiment that examined the single and interactive effects of environmentally realistic concentrations of nitrate and malathion on zooplankton communities and phytoplankton productivity. Malathion significantly decreased the abundance of total zooplankton, cyclopoid copepods, copepod nauplii, and Ceriodaphnia, and increased the abundance of rotifers. Nitrate addition generally had no effect on zooplankton; however, Ceriodaphnia abundance was higher in control mesocosms than in nitrate-treated mesocosms. There was only one significant interaction between malathion and nitrate treatments: For Ceriodaphnia, the no malathion, no nitrate mesocosms had much higher abundances than all other combinations of treatments. Without nitrate addition, chl a levels were uniformly low across all malathion treatments, whereas in the presence of nitrate, there were differences among the malathion treatments. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that malathion contamination of aquatic ecosystems can result in changes in the abundance and composition of zooplankton communities. In contrast, nitrate contamination appeared to have much less potential impact on zooplankton communities, either on its own or in interaction with malathion. Our results reinforce the notion that the effects of contaminants on aquatic ecosystems can be complex and further research examining the single and interactive effects of chemical stressors is needed to more fully understand their effects.

Ecologically friendly ways to clean up oil spills in harbor water areas: crude oil and diesel sorption behavior of natural sorbents

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the sorption capacity of natural sorbents (wool, moss, straw, peat) and their composites during the sorption of crude oil and of diesel overspread on the water surface. The work presents the research results of the maximum sorption capacity of the sorbents/their composites using crude oil/diesel; the sorption capacity of the sorbents/their composites when crude oil/diesel is spilled on the water surface; and the research results of the unrealized part of the crude oil/diesel in the sorbents. The results of the analysis showed that all the sorbents and their composites have their selectivity to crude oil less than 50%. Also the results showed that the distribution of diesel and water in the sorbents and their composites is very different compared with the distribution of crude oil during the sorption analyses. In total, the diesel in the liquid mass absorbed by the straw and the peat amounted to 17 and 20%, respectively. This shows that these sorbents are much more selective for water but not for diesel. A larger part of the diesel was in the liquid amount absorbed by the composites—up to 33%. Accordingly, the use of these composites in watery environments is much more effective than the use of individual sorbents. The composition of sorbents in the composite enhanced both the hydrophobic and the oleophilic properties; as a result, a more effective removal of the diesel and oil from the water surface was achieved.

Pollution characteristics of surface runoff under different restoration types in manganese tailing wasteland

Abstract

A great deal of manganese and associated heavy metals (such as Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, etc.) was produced in manganese mining, smelting, and other processes and weathering and leaching of waste slag, which entered rainwater runoff by different means under the action of rainfall runoff. It caused heavy metal pollution in water environment to surrounding areas, and then environmental and human health risks were becoming increasingly serious. In the Xiangtan manganese mine, we studied the characteristics of nutritional pollutants and heavy metals by using the method of bounded runoff plots on the manganese tailing wasteland after carrying out some site treatments using three different approaches, such as (1) exposed tailings, the control treatment (ET), (2) external-soil amelioration and colonization of Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. turf (EC), and (3) external-soil amelioration and seedling seeding propagation of Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. (ES). The research showed that the maximum runoff occurred in 20,140,712 rainfall events, and the basic law of runoff was EC area > ET area > ES area in the same rainfall event. The concentration of total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of three ecological restoration areas adopted the following rule: ET area > EC area > ES area. Nitrogen (N) existed mainly in the form of water soluble while phosphorus (P) was particulate. The highest concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were 11.57 ± 2.99 mg/L in the EC area and 1.42 ± 0.56 mg/L in the ET area, respectively. Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, and Cu in surface runoff from three restoration types all exceeded the class V level of the environmental quality standard for surface water except Cu in EC and ES areas. Pollution levels of heavy metals in surface runoff from three restoration areas are shown as follows: ET area > EC area > ES area. There was a significant positive correlation between TSS and runoff, COD, and TP. And this correlation was significant between total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), TN, total dissolved phosphorus (TDP), and TP. The six heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn, and Cr) in surface runoff of different ecological restoration areas were strongly related to each other, and were significantly related to the TSS.

Analysis of multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) financial protection policy: MDR-TB health insurance schemes, in Chhattisgarh state, India

There are significant financial barriers to access treatment for multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in India. To address these challenges, Chhattisgarh state in India has established a MDR-TB financial...

Toward a Militant Pedagogy in the Name of Love: On Psychiatrization of Indifference, Neurobehaviorism and the Diagnosis of ADHD—A Philosophical Intervention

Abstract

(Neuro)psychiatric diagnoses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a rapidly growing and globally increasing phenomenon, not least in different educational contexts such as in family and in school. Children and youths labelled as ADHD are challenging normative claims in terms of nurturing and education, whereas those labelled as ADHD are considered a (future) risk for society to handle. The dominant paradigm regarding ADHD is biomedical, where different levels of attention and activity-impulsivity are perceived as neurobiological dys/functions within the brain best managed by means of an individual diagnosis and instrumental pedagogy. The majority of those labelled as having ADHD encounter a dominant educational model in the form of what is referred to in this article as neurobehaviorism, which is based on onto-epistemological violence. As opposed to this act of violence against being—and against the psychiatrized subject—a less violent educational model is proposed, based on French philosopher Alain Badiou's ontological examination of being and his concept of love as a truth procedure. In terms of the latter, the focus is on the potential of the encounter as a 'Two scene of love'. Here, the encounter is a place where it is possible to create new truths and subjects, instead of taking the individual diagnosis as an axiom which only leads to individuals having fixed identities codified in a hierarchical order. This argument is drawn from the 'mathematical' formula 1 + 1 = ♥, which originates from an online forum for people who have come into contact with ADHD in one way or another.

Photodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol by supported Pd(X 2 ) catalyst (X = Cl, Br, N 3 ): a HOMO manipulating point of view

Abstract

Three different palladium(II) complexes with ligands containing nitrogenized aromatic rings were investigated theoretically as model to obtain the computational band gap energies. The results demonstrated promising possibility for designing palladium(II) complexes with photocatalytic properties at visible light irradiation. Deliberated products were synthesized via grafting on the silica-coated Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂). Formation of complexes on the surface of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, as insoluble and reusable photocatalysts, was proved by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric (TGA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The trend of the band gap energies of prepared structures was calculated via experimental and theoretical methods. The photocatalytic capability of these nanoparticles was investigated in degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol by means of HPLC analysis. A tentative reaction mechanism for the formation of intermediates was proposed.

Graphical abstract

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Air quality and acute myocardial infarction in adults during the 2016 Hangzhou G20 summit

Abstract

To fulfill its commitment to a successful Hangzhou G20 summit (4 to 5 September 2016), the Chinese government implemented a series of measures to improve the air quality in Hangzhou. We report findings on air quality and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) hospital admissions in adults during the Hangzhou G20 summit. Three study periods were defined. The first period was pre-G20 (28 July to 27 August: limited restrictions on industrial emissions). The second period was G20 (28 August to 6 September) when there were further restrictions on industrial emissions and increased transportation restrictions. The third period was post-G20 (7 September to 6 October) when restrictions were relaxed again. The mean number of AMI admissions per day was, respectively, 8.2 during G20, 13.3 during pre-G20, and 15.1 during post-G20. We used time-series Poisson regression models to estimate the relative risk (RR) for AMI associated with pollution levels. Our results suggest that the air quality improvement can reduce the number of hospital admissions for AMI.

Organic fertilizer application increases the soil respiration and net ecosystem carbon dioxide absorption of paddy fields under water-saving irrigation

Abstract

Quantifying carbon sequestration in paddy soil is necessary to understand the effect of agricultural practices on carbon cycles. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of organic fertilizer addition (MF) on the soil respiration and net ecosystem carbon dioxide (CO₂) absorption of paddy fields under water-saving irrigation (CI) in the Taihu Lake Region of China during the 2014 and 2015 rice-growing seasons. Compared with the traditional fertilizer and water management (FC), the joint regulation of CI and MF (CM) significantly increased the rice yields and irrigation water use efficiencies of paddy fields by 4.02~5.08 and 83.54~109.97% (p < 0.05). The effects of organic fertilizer addition on soil respiration and net ecosystem CO₂ absorption rates showed inter-annual differences. CM paddy fields showed a higher soil respiration and net CO₂ absorption rates during some periods of the rice growth stage in the first year and during most periods of the rice growth stage in the second year. These fields also had significantly higher total CO₂ emission through soil respiration (total R_soil) and total net CO₂ absorption compared with FC paddy fields (p < 0.05). The total R_soil and net ecosystem CO₂ absorption of CM paddy fields were 67.39~91.55 and 129.41~113.75 mol m⁻², which were 27.66~135.52 and 12.96~31.66% higher than those of FC paddy fields. The interaction between water and fertilizer management had significant effects on total net ecosystem CO₂ absorption. The frequent alternate wet–dry cycles of CI paddy fields increased the soil respiration and reduced the net CO₂ absorption. Organic fertilizer promoted the soil respiration of paddy soil but also increased its net CO₂ absorption and organic carbon content. Therefore, the joint regulation of water-saving irrigation and organic fertilizer is an effective measure for maintaining yield, increasing irrigation water use efficiency, mitigating CO₂ emission, and promoting paddy soil fertility.

Clinical value of 18FDG PET/CT in screening for distant metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objectives

The detection of distant metastases is of major importance in management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Design

All patients underwent 18FDG PET/CT for the detection of distant metastases.

Setting

Retrospective single center study.

Participants

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with high risk factors for distant metastases.

Main outcome measures

Accuracy of 18FDG PET/CT for the detection of distant metastases using clinical development of distant metastases and a minimal follow-up of twelve months as reference standard. Comparison of overall survival between patients diagnosed with distant metastases during initial screening and patients diagnosed with distant metastases during follow-up.

Results

In 23 (12%) of the 190 patients 18FDG PET/CT detected distant metastases at screening. Sensitivity and negative predictive value were 46.2% (95% CI 32.6 – 59.7) and 82.6% (95% CI 76.8 – 88.5). No difference in median overall survival from the time of distant metastases detection was found between patients diagnosed with DM during work-up or during follow up.

Conclusions

In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with high risk factors 18FDG PET/CT has a high negative predictive value for the detection of distant metastases and should be used in daily clinical practice, although the sensitivity is limited when long term follow-up is used as reference standard.

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Correlation between septal body size and inferior turbinate hypertrophy on computed tomography scans in fifty patients: A radiological analysis

Abstract

The septal body contains expansile tissue that may behave in a similar manner to the inferior turbinate. It is situated in the nasal valve region and, like the inferior turbinate, can cause changes in the nasal cross-sectional area and resistance to airflow.

Septal body hypertrophy combined with inferior turbinate hypertrophy may result in changes to nasal cross-sectional area and resistance to airflow.

Septal body hypertrophy is likely to accompany inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

Septal body thickness demonstrated significant positive correlation with the widths of the anterior turbinate medial mucosa and middle turbinate lateral mucosa. Septal body length demonstrated significant correlation with the widths of the anterior turbinate lateral mucosa and posterior turbinate lateral mucosa.

Septal body hypertrophy is significantly associated with inferior turbinate hypertrophy and narrowed internal nasal valve area. These results indicate that clinicians should check for concomitant septal body hypertrophy in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

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Applying the Ts of referred otalgia to a cohort of 226 patients

Abstract

Referred or secondary otalgia is the complaint of ear pain arising from pathology of non-otologic locations with which the ear shares common neural pathways. The pain can present in various degrees of intensity and characteristics while severity is not proportional to the seriousness of the underlying cause^1,2.

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Superiorly Curved Scalp Incision for Implantation of Magnetic Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Devices: Multicentre Experience of 60 patients

Abstract

The authors describe the use of superiorly curved scalp Incision for Implantation of Magnetic Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Devices

They describe a new technical aspect to minimise numbness issues in a series of 60 patients from two tertiary referral centres.

An inferiorly-based flap design will help to preserve branches of the great auricular and lesser occipital nerves, which normally sacrificed with the original technique.

Superiorly curved scalp Incision will be suitable for subsequent retroauricular incision that is used in auricular reconstruction in microtia patients.

These easily reproducible technical modification comfortable be used safely for Implantation of Magnetic Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Devices, especially patients with auricular dysplasia where auricular reconstruction is planned

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Intracranial suppurative complications of ear, nose and throat infections: a single-centre cohort study of 65 patients

Abstract

In the Picardie region of northern France, the prevalence of intracranial suppurative complications (particularly empyema) of ear, nose and throat infections seems to have increased over the last 10 to 15 years.

Three possible reasons for the increased incidence in this region are the inappropriate use of antibiotics, low socioeconomic status, and poor access to high-quality healthcare.

Intracranial complications affect both sexes and all ages.

If a patient suffering from sinusitis or (especially) otitis media complains of headache, the possible presence of an intracranial suppurative complication must be always be considered and should prompt immediate medical imaging (a cranial CT scan and MRI) for confirmation of the diagnosis.

Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary pharmacological and surgical management (focused on the intracranial complication) should enable complete recovery in more than three quarters of these cases

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A Retrospective Case Series of 1773 patients

Abstract

A peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a collection of pus between the pharyngeal musculature and palatine tonsil capsule. It is the most common deep space infection of the head and neck region and the most common indication for acute ORL hospital admission ¹. Causative microorganisms include Gram negative rods, Gram positive cocci and anaerobes ². Usual treatment is aspiration +/- incision and drainage of PTA, but there is practice variation based on geographical location ³.

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Vascular Reconstruction in a Neonate after Iatrogenic Injury during Cardiac Catheterization

Summary: As technology and interventional techniques continue to evolve, both the volume and complexity of cardiac catheterizations will increase, leading to a rise in the number of complications. One of the most morbid complications of cardiac catheterization is vascular injury. We report the case of a 31-day-old, 3.0-kg infant with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who experienced a left common iliac artery disruption during cardiac catheterization resulting in a retroperitoneal hemorrhage. The extent of the vascular injury combined with the vessel caliber posed a technically challenging surgical scenario. Ultimately, the vascular supply to the left lower extremity was reconstructed by the plastic surgery team with a reverse autologous vein graft. To our knowledge, this multidisciplinary approach with the involvement of plastic surgery represents a unique case.

No Vertical Scar Breast Weight Transfer

Summary: Women desire beautiful breasts that are functional, pain free, and without foreign material. Vertical scars, insufficient elevation, inadequate upper pole fullness, nipple numbness, and loss of breast feeding are undesirable. Relieving pain attributed to enlarged breasts has required significant tissue removal. Software analysis of chest images, physical measurements, and desires are combined to generate a surgical blueprint. The breast is divided horizontally into two components preserving the neurovascular supply and major lactiferous ducts. The skin flap cephalad to the areola provides external coverage. The areola remains attached to a deepithelialized mound, which is rotated into a cone. Dermal straps originating from the base of the cone are looped through the pectoralis major muscle and the cone repeatedly. Weight transfer to the pectoralis major muscles eliminates pain in 54% and decreases pain in 38%. Incisions are concealed at the areola cutaneous junction and in the shadow of the breast. Upper pole fullness increased in 86% without implants or fat transfer. Nipple sensation was increased in 37% and unchanged in 44%. Overall results were excellent in 50% and good in 36%. Complications consisted of dog-ears, periareolar infection, and fat necrosis. No patient required a return to the operation room. Combing computer-aided design with plastic surgical principles creates beautiful, functional breasts without foreign material. Vertical scars are avoided, and weight transfer relieves pain.

Comprehensive circRNA expression profile and construction of circRNA-associated ceRNA network in fur skin

Abstract

Circular RNA (circRNA), a class of non-coding RNAs, is a new group of RNAs that are related to tumorigenesis. The role of circRNAs in various diseases has been already highlighted. However, the expression levels and functions of circRNAs related to the melanocytes in the skin are poorly understood. RNA sequence was performed to analyze the expression profiles of circRNAs in black fur skin and white fur skin during different differentiation stages and investigate the relevant metabolism mechanisms. Differentially expressed circRNAs were detected using empirical Bayes sequencing (EBSeq) and then verified through the quantitative real-time PCR method. The EQSeq analysis of circRNAs identified 11 downregulated and 32 upregulated circRNAs in the embryo of black fur skin and white fur skin, as well as 21 downregulated and 17 upregulated circRNA in the postnatal stage. A circRNA–microRNA (miRNA)– messenger RNA (mRNA) network was established to predict the circRNA targets. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were applied to enrich the mRNA data further. Results showed that the specific mRNAs mainly involved in the transcription- related GOs, especially GO:0042802, GO:0005080 and GO:0032403, demonstrate their specific actions in transcriptional regulation. In the circRNA–miRNA–mRNA network, the most enriched GO terms of the mRNAs were pigmentation, protein autophosphorylation, and protein complex. Therefore, the circRNA–miRNA–mRNA pathway may reveal novel mechanisms for pigmentation, and circRNAs may serve as candidates in pigmentation.

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