Effectiveness of Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus sphaericus isolates against Culex pipiens, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles sergenti mosquito larvae

Mosquito borne diseases are continuing to be major health problems for exposed populations. Biological control alone or as a part of integrated vector management is believed to be a better alternative to the chemical control aimed against pest mosquitoes. The present study is designed to screen the larvicidal effect of Bacillus thuringiensis [Bf] and Bacillus sphaericus [Bs] against larvae of three species of mosquitoes larvae namely, Culex pipiens, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles sergenti. Mosquito Larvae were collected from different water resources and identified by standard procedures. Fourth-instar larvae were used in the bioassays. From the 50 samples of mud [15], soil [15] and water [20], 125 microbial isolates were purified and screened for larvicidal activity. The pure solubilized protein from Bs/Bt was quantified for protein estimation. For every 100 ml of the test solution 10 larvae were added in a 250 ml flask. Concentrations that killed 50% [LC[50]] and 90% [LC[90]] of the exposed mosquito larvae were determined. From a total of 125 bacterial isolates, only 25 isolates of Bt [13] and Bs [12] were found to have mosquito larvicidal effect. The highest larval mortality occurred with four isolates of Bt [Bt1, Bt2, Bt3, Bt4] and one Bs [Bs1] isolate. Their mortality rate [LC[50]] values were 0.0151, 0.0160, 0.0217, 0.0252 and 0.0330 mgI1, respectively. The [LC[90]] values of the five Bacillus isolates [Bt/Bs] were 0.0218,0.0219,0.0225,0.0341 and 0.0367, respectively. Time taken for larvicidal activity of the four Bt isolates showed LT[50] at 6,12,12 and 18 h and LT[100] at 24, 30, 36 and 48 h respectively. Bs showed LT[50] at 24 h and LT[100] at 48 h. This study confirms the utilization of larvicidal bacteria as Bt/Bs as commercial mosquito larvicidal and biological controlling agents

Hyperglycaemia, hypertension and their risk factors among Palestine refugees served by UNRWA

UNRWA's noncommunicable disease screening activities were evaluated among 7762 refugees screened for hypertension and type 2 diabetes in Jordan, Syrian Arab Republic, Lebanon, Gaza Strip and West Bank in June 2007. People were referred for screening most commonly because of age [both sexes], followed by smoking [males] and family history [females]. A total of 9% of screened people were diagnosed with hypertension/diabetes. Being older than 40 years, obese or with a positive family history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease increased the risk of presenting with hypertension and/or hyperglycaemia 3.5, 1.6 and 1.2 times respectively. Differences in risk factor detection and screening outcome in relation to differences in lifestyle are discussed

Pyruvate ophthalmic drops: anticataract effect in naphthalene- treated albino rats and aqueous humor concentration in albino rabbits

This study was performed to determine the cataract-preventive effect of pyruvate ophthalmic drops in naphthalene-treated albino rats and the in vivo corneal pyruvate penetration in albino rabbits. The anticataract effect of topical pyruvate was evaluated in comparison with placebo eye drops in albino rats treated with naphthalene for three weeks. The levels of reduced glutathione [GSH], malondialdehyde [MDA] and insoluble protein fraction were measured in rat lenses of both groups. Also, pyruvate level was measured in aqueous humor after single ocular instillation in albino rabbits. Reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde and insoluble lens protein fraction were maintained in pyruvate-treated group, while they were significantly changed from normal values in the placebo-treated group. In ocular kinetic studies in rabbits, basal aqueous pyruvate level was 500 +/- 40 microM and increased to 1400 +/- 100 microM after ophthalmic application of a single drop of pyruvate 10% solution. Maintenance of GSH, MDA and insoluble protein fraction indicate the anticataract effect of topical pyruvate drops in naphthalene-treated rats. Also, significant concentration of pyruvate achieved in aqueous humor indicate good corneal penetrability of pyruvate and high ocular bioavailability

Effect of added trace elements on the dielectric properties of bone

The dielectric properties [dielectric constant and dielectric loss] of hydrated solid and powdered bone are determined at 10 kHz and at the temperature range 25C-230C. The effect of mixing dehydrated powdered bone with certain added trace elements [Li2CO3, Na2CO3, MgO, Al2O3, PbO and ZnO] in 10% proportions by weight on the dielectric properties was also studied. Measurements were carried out, on disc shaped samples using standard bridge techniques. Results on dielectric constant and its variation with temperature show that addition of Li2CO3, ZnO and PbO had desired effects. The results also showed how the dielectric properties are related to the structure of bone material

Biphenyl absorption of treated orange

Absorption rate of biphenyl was determined in used pads, whole orange fruit, peel and juice stored under different conditions of ventilation, temperature and storage period. It was found that the rate of biphenyl a bsorption complied with the maximum permitted level of biphenyl in the United States and in most of the European Countries if packed in vented cartons as it is usually done commercially. However, with non-vented cartons, the absorption rate increased above the upper level of the a bsorbed biphenyl permitted by both Germany and France, when stored at 60F. Generally the non-vented cartons efficiently decreased the rate of orange decay compared with vented ones

Utilization of beet molasses in the production of lactic acid

The influence of various factors on the production of lactic acid using enriched beet molasses by Lactobacillus delbrueckii was investigated. The best yield was 62.6% while the conversion coefficient was 80.7 at 45C. Also, the highest yield and conversion coefficient obtained 81.4% and 58.7% respectively when using 12.62% sugars. Consequently, the best concentration could be around 18% total soluble solids. Optimum pH seemed to be around 6 since both yield and conversion percent was the highest. The optimum fermentation period, however; could be considered on the 8[th] day of fermentation, when maximum yield and conversion coefficient were obtained