ABSTRACT
A biological alternative to pesticides in agriculture is an important subject as it promotes environmental health. Unlike synthetic persticides, they do not harm other beneficial insects and natural enemies of pests. Here, we studied the influence of five biopesticides/botanicals [Dipel WP (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki), Myco-Jaal 10% SC (Beauvaria bassiana), entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), Steinernema feltiae), Neem azal 1% (10000 ppm azadirachtin) and Karanj oil 2% (20000 ppm karanjin)] on adult emergence and the parasitisation efficiency of Trichogramma spp. in basmati rice. Our results revealed that all the biopesticides/botanicals tested at varied doses against adult emergence of the Trichogramma spp were harmless to slightly harmful, though negative relationship between dose and the emergence was observed. Neem azal 1% @ 5.0 mL/L and karanj oil 2% @ 20.0 mL/L affected the adult emergence of Trichogramma chilonis and T. japonicum negatively. The parasitization efficiency of the surviving individuals was not affected in all the treatments. However, exposure of 2-fold doses of biopesticides i.e., neem azal 1% @ 10.0 mL/L and karanj oil 2% @ 40.0 mL/L, significantly disrupted the adult emergence of T. chilonis and T. japonicum though, the surviving individuals showed the same oviposition ability resulting in successful parasitism. The order of toxicity of different biopesticides/botanicals against Trichogrammatids was Neem azal 1% > Karanj oil 2% > Dipel WP > EPN > Myco-Jaal 10% SC.
ABSTRACT
Background We evaluated the clinical presentation and risk factors of pulmonary embolism (PE) in soldiers posted at high altitude areas (HAA). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all cases of PE presented to us between March 2011 and Aug 2014. The patients were serving at an altitude between 10,000 and 22,000 ft above sea level and PE was diagnosed using the pulmonary CT angiography. Screening for the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and procoagulant conditions was done at presentation and after six months of treatment. The patients were managed as per the American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines and descriptive statistics were used to present the data. Results The patients (53 males) had a mean age of 33 ± 4.2 year and were serving at a mean altitude of 12,176 ± 448 feet (ranged between 10,000 and 20,500) at the onset of symptoms. Dyspnea (79%) and tachycardia (68%) were the commonest symptom and sign, respectively. D dimer was positive in 96.2% of the cases while nonspecific T inversion in the ECG was seen in 54.7% of the patients. Procoagulant work up revealed a hereditary thrombophilic condition in 9 out of 53 patients. A total of 44 cases were idiopathic and DVT of lower limb veins was seen in 2 patients. There was no mortality in our case series. Conclusion PE is a common complication of HAA and hereditary thrombophilia contributes in a minority of the patients. Further studies are needed to ascertain the risk factors of PE at HAA.
ABSTRACT
We present a unique case of idiopathic pulmonary vein stenosis in an adult who presented with progressive dyspnea and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated by balloon angioplasty and is well at 6 months post-treatment follow-up. The etiology of pulmonary vein stenosis in this case is difficult to ascertain, but is likely to be congenital.