Using Citronella to Protect Bees (honeybee Apis mellifera L. ) from certain Insecticides and Their Nano Formulations / Uso da citronela para proteger as abelhas (Apis mellifera L. ) de certos inseticidas e suas nanoformulações

Abstract Experiments were performed investigating citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) as a repellent to honeybee Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Egypt, it was conducted in laboratory in the Department of Entomology and Pesticides Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, to check long-term survival of honeybee when exposed to different nano insecticides alone or combined with citronella at the same examination box for each. In this study, we used a modeling approach regarding survival data of caged worker bees under chronic exposure to four insecticides (Chloropyrophos, Nano-chloropyrophos Imidacloprid, Nano-Imidacloprid) each of them was supplemented in a box alone and in combination with citronella. Having three replicates and five concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm). Laboratory bioassay of these insecticides showed that chloropyrophos and nano chloropyrophos were the most toxic at their high dose (500 ppm) with LT50 of 120.98 and 122.02 followed by 132.14 and 136.5 minutes for Imidacloprid and Nano-Imidacloprid, respectively. No consumption occurred by bees to mixed sugar syrup with insecticides in all treatments when citronella was added. These data highly recommended that adding citronella is very effective when nicotinoid pesticides are used to longevity honeybee life and keep bee safe.

Resumo Foram realizados experimentos para investigar a citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) como repelente de abelhas Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) no Egito, conduzidos no laboratório do Departamento de Entomologia e Ciência de Pesticidas, da Faculdade de Agricultura, da Universidade do Cairo, e verificar a sobrevivência a longo prazo das abelhas quando expostas a diferentes nanoinseticidas isoladamente ou combinados com citronela na mesma caixa de exame para cada um. Neste estudo, usamos uma abordagem de modelagem em relação aos dados de sobrevivência de abelhas operárias enjauladas sob exposição crônica a quatro inseticidas (clorpirifós, nanoclorpirifós, imidacloprida e nanoimidacloprida), e cada um deles foi suplementado em uma caixa e em combinação com citronela, tendo três repetições e cinco concentrações (100, 200, 300, 400 e 500 ppm). O bioensaio em laboratório desses inseticidas mostrou que clorpirifós e nanoclorpirifós foram os mais tóxicos em altas doses (500 ppm) com LT50 de 120,98 e 122,02, seguidos por 132,14 e 136,5 minutos para imidacloprida e nanoimidacloprida, respectivamente. Não houve consumo pelas abelhas do xarope de açúcar misto com inseticidas em todos os tratamentos quando a citronela foi adicionada. Esses dados recomendam a adição de citronela, sendo muito eficaz quando pesticidas nicotinoides são utilizados para longevidade das abelhas e para mantê-las seguras.

Necrolytic acral erythema in a Chinese patient with hepatitis C and hepatitis B virus coinfection

Abstract: Necrolytic acral erythema is a distinct erythema that has been described as an extrahepatic manifestation of hepatitis C virus infection. Most reported cases have been in Africa, especially Egypt. We report the first case (to the best of our knowledge) of necrolytic acral erythema in a Chinese patient with HCV and HBV coinfection. We aim to increase awareness for recognizing this condition in the Chinese population.

Using Citronella to Protect Bees (honeybee Apis mellifera L.) from certain Insecticides and Their Nano Formulations

Abstract Experiments were performed investigating citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) as a repellent to honeybee Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Egypt, it was conducted in laboratory in the Department of Entomology and Pesticides Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, to check long-term survival of honeybee when exposed to different nano insecticides alone or combined with citronella at the same examination box for each. In this study, we used a modeling approach regarding survival data of caged worker bees under chronic exposure to four insecticides (Chloropyrophos, Nano-chloropyrophos Imidacloprid, Nano-Imidacloprid) each of them was supplemented in a box alone and in combination with citronella. Having three replicates and five concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm). Laboratory bioassay of these insecticides showed that chloropyrophos and nano chloropyrophos were the most toxic at their high dose (500 ppm) with LT50 of 120.98 and 122.02 followed by 132.14 and 136.5 minutes for Imidacloprid and Nano-Imidacloprid, respectively. No consumption occurred by bees to mixed sugar syrup with insecticides in all treatments when citronella was added. These data highly recommended that adding citronella is very effective when nicotinoid pesticides are used to longevity honeybee life and keep bee safe.

Resumo Foram realizados experimentos para investigar a citronela (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) como repelente de abelhas Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) no Egito, conduzidos no laboratório do Departamento de Entomologia e Ciência de Pesticidas, da Faculdade de Agricultura, da Universidade do Cairo, e verificar a sobrevivência a longo prazo das abelhas quando expostas a diferentes nanoinseticidas isoladamente ou combinados com citronela na mesma caixa de exame para cada um. Neste estudo, usamos uma abordagem de modelagem em relação aos dados de sobrevivência de abelhas operárias enjauladas sob exposição crônica a quatro inseticidas (clorpirifós, nanoclorpirifós, imidacloprida e nanoimidacloprida), e cada um deles foi suplementado em uma caixa e em combinação com citronela, tendo três repetições e cinco concentrações (100, 200, 300, 400 e 500 ppm). O bioensaio em laboratório desses inseticidas mostrou que clorpirifós e nanoclorpirifós foram os mais tóxicos em altas doses (500 ppm) com LT50 de 120,98 e 122,02, seguidos por 132,14 e 136,5 minutos para imidacloprida e nanoimidacloprida, respectivamente. Não houve consumo pelas abelhas do xarope de açúcar misto com inseticidas em todos os tratamentos quando a citronela foi adicionada. Esses dados recomendam a adição de citronela, sendo muito eficaz quando pesticidas nicotinoides são utilizados para longevidade das abelhas e para mantê-las seguras.

Downstream processing of mosquitocidal toxins from solid state fermentation of Lysinibacillus sphaericus and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis

Aims: The aim of this study was downstream processing of moquitocidal toxins produced by Lysinibacillus sphaericus (L. sphaericus) and Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) under solid state fermentation. Methodology and results: Two mosquitocidal strains (L. sphaericus and Bti) were grown separately in trays under solid state fermentation for toxin production. The best conditions for extraction of crude toxins from fermented solids of both cultures were tap water at 5-50 °C, for 10 min under static conditions. Also, concentrated mosquitocidal toxins were efficiently extracted from fermented solids by 4 constitutive additions of 500 mL tap water to 1 kg of fermented culture at room temperature (25 °C) for 5 min each under static conditions. Both extracted toxins were formulated with talcum powder and they were stable for 8 months at room temperature. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: It is very important to study the operating conditions for mosquitocidal toxins extraction from solid state fermentation (SSF) and its formulation in cost effective manner.

Assessment of the relationship between serum soluble Klotho and carotid intima-media thickness and left ventricular dysfunction in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between soluble Klotho (s-Klotho) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 88 patients with end-stage renal disease on regular HD. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and C-reactive protein were measured. The serum levels of s-Klotho and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) were measured using an Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Echocardiography and measurement of CIMT were also conducted. The studied patients were divided according to the median s-Klotho level into 2 groups: patients with low s-Klotho (Group I) and patients with high s-Klotho (Group II). RESULTS: Mean value of s-Klotho was significantly low in HD patients compared to controls (P = 0.001), and mean value of FGF-23 was significantly high in HD patients compared to controls (P = 0.001). The mean values of parathyroid hormone, FGF-23, and phosphorus were significantly high in Group I compared to Group II, whereas the mean value of serum calcium was significantly low in Group I compared to Group II. The mean values of CIMT, LV mass (LVM), LVM index, and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were high in Group I compared to Group II. Patients with low s-Klotho had significantly more coronary artery disease (CAD). In a regression analysis of s-Klotho with different markers of cardiovascular diseases, s-Klotho showed significant association with CIMT, LVEF, and CAD, but not with LVM and LVM index. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that patients with a low s-Klotho were more often associated with increased CIMT, LV dysfunction, and CAD, and it seems that there was independent association between s-Klotho and CIMT, LVEF, and CAD.

The prognostic value of glucocorticoid receptors for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic protocols used in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are widely variable, and glucocorticoids (GCs) are essential components in ALL treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the distribution of prominent glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene polymorphic variants among adult ALL patients. We also investigated the association between GR messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) isoform expressions and the response to chemotherapy. METHODS: Fifty-two newly diagnosed Philadelphia-negative adult ALL patients and 30 healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. Genotyping was carried out using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. GR mRNA isoform expressions were assayed by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: ALL patients in this study had a median age of 34 years (range, 18-75). GRalpha expression was associated with complete remission (P=0.03), while GRgamma mRNA expression was significantly higher in GC resistant patients (P=0.032) and in non-responders (P=0.019). However, there were no significant associations with GC resistance. The BclI polymorphic variant of the GR gene was the most frequent in adult ALL patients and was not associated with the GC response. Both higher GRalpha expression and lower GRgamma expression were associated with achievement of complete remission, while higher GRgamma expression was associated with GC-resistance. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the level of GR isoform expression may be useful in predicting GC response, achievement of complete remission, and better event-free survival in ALL patients. However, further evaluation with a larger cohort of patients is warranted.

Effect of Petroleum Crude Oil on Mineral Nutrient Elements, Soil Properties and Bacterial Biomass of the Rhizosphere of Jojoba.

Aims: This study is to evaluate the effect of petroleum crude oil contaminated soil on the mineral nutrient elements, soil properties and bacterial biomass of the rhizosphere of jojoba plants (Simmodsia chinensis). Methodology: A pot experiment was carried out. The soil was treated with different levels of crude oil: 1, 2 and 3% v/w either alone or in combination with inorganic fertilizers. Results: Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration increased in jojoba leaves when grown in petroleum oil polluted soil especially at 2% and 3% crude oil. It was noted that, Na, Mg and Ca decreased while K increased in shoots of jojoba. In roots Na and Ca increased however K and Mg decreased with increasing crude oil concentration in the soil. Heavy metals, Cu, Mn, Cd and Pb increased in both shoot and root with increasing crude oil concentration while, Zn decreased comparing with the control. In soil, N and K decreased meanwhile Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn as well as organic matter increased with increasing crude oil concentration. Soil was free from P while, the addition of inorganic fertilizers improved P content. Bacterial account was significantly increased at the end of the experiment at 1% and 2% crude oil especially after addition of inorganic fertilizers. The electric conductivity and MDA of the leaves increased with increasing crude oil concentration. The addition of inorganic fertilizers to crude oil contaminated soil decreased the electric conductivity and MDA comparing with crude oil only. Conclusion: The observed changes in composition of mineral elements in jojoba plants in the present study could be attributed to the cell injury and disruption in the cell membrane, heavy metal accumulation and toxic nature of the petroleum oil. Also this study has demonstrated that soil contamination with crude oil has a highly significant effect of reducing some mineral element composition of Jojoba plants.

Discriminating ability of spectral domain optical coherence tomography in different stages of glaucoma

Purpose: To determine the discriminating ability of retinal nerve fiber layer [RNFL] thickness measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography [SD-OCT] in different stages of glaucoma

Patients and methods: Thirty normal, 150 glaucomatous eyes were included. Glaucomatous eyes were graded into early, moderate and severe stages according to one of the global indices called visual field index [VFI]. Complete ophthalmic examination, white on white perimetry and SD-OCT were done for all patients. RNFL thickness of quadrants and average thickness were recorded. Area under receiver operating characteristic curves [AUCs] were used to assess the performance of OCT parameters

Results: Average, inferior and superior RNFL thickness were the best parameters to discriminate normal from early glaucoma [AUC: 0.91-86], early from moderate [AUC: 0.77-0.70] and moderate from severe [AUC: 0.85-83]. Average RNFL loss was 18% in early glaucoma, 28% in moderate glaucoma and 41% in severe glaucoma. Early damage tends to be focal and in the lower quadrant. A significant correlation was detected between mean VFI and mean RNFL loss. Glaucoma was restaged according to average RNFL loss into early: >/=97.5 micro, moderate: <97.5-72.5 micro and severe: <72.5 micro

Conclusion: RNFL thickness measured with SD-OCT could discriminate the three stages of glaucoma. RNFL loss can be correlated to visual field loss. Future OCT-based staging of glaucoma, adjunctive to perimetry is possible

Exercise as a non pharmacological intervention and alternative to oral estrogen therapy in post menopausal women with endothelial dysfunction

Both exercise and postmenopausal estrogen therapy augment endothelial function through increasing bioavailability of nitricoxide [NO]. The aim of this study was to: 1- determine the effects of acute bouts of exercise on brachial artery endothelium dependent flow mediated vasodilatation FMD in postmenopausal women. 2- Whether these responses were augmented by the concurrent use of oral estrogen. 3- Whether these two interventions independently or together achieve FMD values observed in pre menopausal women. This study was conducted on 30 apparently healthy post menopausal women their mean of age was [54 +/- 4 years old]. FMD was quantified during supine rest and again 60 minutes after treadmill exercise for 45 minute at 60% v[02] max - subjects were studied twice, before and after 4 weeks of oral estradiol. The normal reference values was obtained from concurrent determinant of FMD in 30 pre menopausal women their mean of age was [28 +/- 2] years old under identical basal conditions. flow mediated vasodilatation in post menopausal women markedly impaired when compared with pre menopausal women. The mean of absolute diameter change in brachial artery for flow mediated dilatation in post menopausal women was significantly less than premenopausal women [2.01 +/- 0.2mm [6.1%] Vs 4.1 +/- 0.4mm [12%] P<0.05]. After exercise the absolute change in the brachial artery diameter for FMD in postmenopausal women significantly approximate normal values [3.8 +/- 0.3mm [11.4%] P<0.05]. In contrast after estrogen therapy the mean of absolute brachial artery diameter change for FMD was augmented at rest [P < 0.01] but was not further enhanced after exercise. [3.7 +/- 1.32 mm [11.5%] VS 3.5 +/- 1.4mm [10.5%] P > 0.05]. Both interventions increased FMD to values in pre menopausal women. in post menopausal women both acute exercise and oral estrogen normalize FMD. However there effects weren't additive so these results reinforce that exercise is an alternative non pharmacological intervention to estrogen in post menopausal women with endothelial dysfunction

Variations and genotypes of interleukin-10 in diabetes mellitus complicating chronic hepatitis C virus infection

To study whether genetic polymorphism influence lnterleukin-10 [IL-10] production and immune derangement that may contribute to the development of Diabetes Mellitus [DM] in chronic Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] infection, Two groups of HCV positive patients with liver cirrhosis [23 diabetic and 29 non-diabetic] were studied in addition to 10 healthy subjects. IL-10 serum levels were assayed for all the studied groups using ELISA technique. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] in the promoter region of IL-10 gene namely -1082 [A/G] and-592 [A/C] were genotyped in the HCV groups using Polymerase Chain Reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] Technique. Serum IL-10 levels were found to be significantly higher in each of HCV groups compared to healthy control group [P<0.01] with positive correlation to liver enzymes, Fasting Blood Sugar [FBS] and negative correlation to serum albumin. Significant differences of IL-10 levels were detected in diabetic compared to non-diabetic HCV patients [9.94 +/- 3.5 versus 7.68 +/- 2.0 pg/ml, P<0.05].The frequency of carriage of allele G of-1082 A/G and allele C of-592 A/C markers were found to be higher in diabetic HCV compared with non diabetic patients [p=0.024, OR=3.12[95% Cl, 1.16- 8.39] and [p=0.045, OR=2.64 [95% Cl, 1.02, 6.84]] respectively. Haplotype analyses of both markers revealed that the carriage of haplotype GC was significantly higher in diabetic HCV compared to that of non diabetic patients [p<0.0001 and OR=7.49] [95% Cl, 3.45, 15.87]] It was concluded that IL-10 gene polymorphism and subsequently high IL-10 levels is associated with chronic HCV infection and may be involved the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus

Effect of depo-provera on serum cortisol and the reserve capacity of suprarenal cortex

Depot-medroxy progesterone acetate [DMPA][Depo-provera] is a long acting [three months] contraceptive for intramuscular injection. The present study evaluates the effects of Depo-provera on the blood cortisol [morning samples] among twenty [20] multiparous users of Depo-provera injection prior to and after 7 days, one and 3 months of injection. The effect of this drug on blood corticosterone was, also, investigated in female albino rats prior to and after one, seven [7], and fifteen [15] days of its injection. The intra-peritoneal [IP] injection of the Depo-provera to female rats caused a significant gradual decrease of blood corti-costerone level after one, seven, and fifteen days of injection. Same results were obtained in women who were injected intramuscularly with the drug. The 5-h Synacthen [ACTH stimulation test] showed a significant gradual decrease in adrenal response in rats. These data show impairment of the response of pro gestin users to powerful or prolonged stress, such as long operative time, or any other life stressors

Does tubularized incised plate urethroplasty fit primary and repeat shat hypospadias repair ?

Objective To evaluate prospectively our experience using tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty in primary and repeat penile shaft hypospadias. Patients and Methods Thirty-two boys with penile shaft hypospadias were selected to undergo TIP procedure. Their age ranged from 22 months to 9 years. Twenty-two cases were primary and 10 cases were repeat hypospadias repairs. To correct penile chordee; complete degloving of the penis and lateral dissection of tethering tissues was done in every case. This was followed by tunica albuginea plication in 7 cases; while ellipse excision was needed in 3 cases. Using the preserved urethral plate; single-layer urethroplasty was done in all cases. A vascularized subcutaneous flap (36 cases) or tunica vaginalis (4 cases) was always used to cover the neourethra. A postoperative stent was used for 8 - 12 days in all cases. Results The patients were followed up for a mean of 14.2 months. Postoperative clinical evaluation revealed success rates of 95.5and 90for primary and repeat cases; respectively. Among the primary cases; only one patient had urethro-cutaneous fistula concomitant with meatal stenosis; while among the repeat cases urethro-cutaneous fistula occurred in one patient. No case of urethral stricture or wound dehiscence was encountered. Our criteria for success were a single unimpeded forward-directed urine stream; a straight penis; good cosmesis and no need for further surgery. Conclusion We feel that TIP urethroplasty in primary and repeat cases of penile hypospadias is a reasonable option in cases with chordee not severe enough to necessitate excision of the urethral plate and when midline incision of the plate yields an adequate width amenable to tubularization

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy versus ureteroscopy in the treatment of distal ureteral stones

Both extracorporeal shock were lithotripsy [ESWL] and ureteroscopy [URS] are well established methods in stone treatment, however the therapeutic procedure in ureteral calculi especially the distal third of the ureter is still a matter of controversy. The aim of the study was to compare the results of ESWL and URS in the treatment of distal ureteral calculi less than 1 cm in size. The study included 50 patients with distal ureteral calculi less than 1 cm, they were divided into two groups, 25 patients each. The first group was treated by ESWL using Dornier-S lithotripter while the second group was treated by URS with extraction of the stone or intracrporeal lithotripsy using the pneumatic lithotripter "The Swiss Lithoclast". Our results showed the mean operative time of URS to be less than that of ESWL. The fluoroscopy time was too much less in the URS group than the ESWL group and the stone free rate of URS to be greater than that of ESWL [the overall success rate was 92% for URS compared to 84% for the ESWL]. We concluded that URS is significantly better than ESWL in terms of operative time, fluoroscopy time and the time needed to achieve a stone free state. Disadvantages of URS are the need for stenting and the dependence on the surgical skill. So for distal ureteral calculi we recommend URS as a first line treatment