Laboratory evaluation of the efficacy of boric acid containing toxic sugar baits against Anopheles culicifacies, An. stephensi and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

Background & objectives: Attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB) is a novel tool which employs mosquito sugar feeding behaviour to kill them. The potential of ATSB against mosquito vectors has been demonstrated in limited scope around the world including Israel, some of the African countries and USA. But their efficacy against mosquito vectors of India is yet to be ascertained. Therefore, current study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of TSB (without attractant) against two important malaria vectors Anopheles culicifacies and An. stephensi along with major dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Methods: TSB solution was prepared by dissolving different concentrations of boric acid in glucose and tested against each of the mosquito species. Another experiment was done by spraying this boric acid sugar solution on to Calendula officinalis plant. It served as a sole source of mosquito feed and mortality of mosquitoes was counted after 24 hours. Results: The TSB resulted in 100% mortality of Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi at 4% concentration of boric acid while in An. culicifacies 100% mortality was achieved at 3% concentration TSB solution. TSB solution with 2% boric acid, resulted in 99.1% mortality in An. culicifacies while ~95 % mortality of An. stephensi and Ae. aegypti. When TSB solution with 2% boric acid was sprayed on plant, ~89-94% mortality was observed in both An. stephensi and An. culicifacies. Interpretation & conclusion: Based on the results, boric acid based toxic sugar bait solution could be a promising tool for vector control. Further studies are needed to find out its toxicity of TSB against non-target organisms and residual efficacy in field trials in different ecotypes.

Evaluation of the golden proportion and golden standard of maxillary anterior teeth in relation to smile attractiveness / Avaliação da proporção áurea e padrão-ouro dos dentes anteriores superiores em relação à atratividade do sorriso

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the existence of golden proportion (GP) between the widths of maxillary anterior teeth and golden standard (GS) for width to height ratio of maxillary central incisor in individuals with attractive and non-attractive smiles. Material and Methods: A total 82 females were recruited and divided into 2 groups: attractive smile (n=41) and non-attractive smile (n=41). Frontal photographs were taken, scanned, and saved in a personal computer. The apparent mesiodistal width of each anterior tooth was measured. The data were analyzed using the appropriate statistical tests at a P-value of 0.05). Conclusion: Frequency of the golden proportion was very low among the study population. Smile attractiveness was not greatly related to the proportions between the teeth. (AU)

Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo explorar a existência de proporção áurea (GP) entre as larguras dos dentes anteriores superiores e padrão-ouro (GS) para a relação largura-altura do incisivo central superior em indivíduos com sorrisos atraentes e não atraentes. Material e Métodos: Foram recrutadas 82 mulheres, divididas em 2 grupos: sorriso atraente (n = 41) e sorriso não atraente (n = 41). Fotografias frontais foram tiradas, digitalizadas e salvas em um computador pessoal. A largura aparente mesiodistal de cada dente anterior foi medida. Os dados foram analisados por meio dos testes estatísticos apropriados, com valor de p 0,05). Conclusão: A frequência da proporção áurea foi muito baixa na população estudada. Atratividade de sorriso não foi fortemente relacionada com as proporções entre os dentes. (AU)

Influence of Microscale Attractive Interaction on Elastic Property of DNA Biofilm / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the influence of the microscale attractive interaction on the elastic properties of DNA film in multivalent ion solutions. Methods Kornyshev's electrostatic zipper model was employed to describe the interaction energy between the DNA strands. The thought experiment method and macroscopic continuum bar model were combined to predict the stress-strain relationship, prestress, and elastic modulus of the DNA biofilm.Results Given the packing conditions, the DNA film exhibited a tensile prestress and negative elastic modulus. The prestress of the DNA biofilm ranged from -1.52 MPa to 1.17 MPa, and its elastic modulus ranged from -4.2 MPa to 64 MPa. Conclusions In contrast with monovalent solutions, the microscopic attractive interactions in multivalent solutions caused the elastic properties of the DNA film to exhibit a non-monotonous relationship with the variation in the packing density and salt concentration. The tensile elastic properties were significantly different from the compressive ones, and the tensile/compressive prestress as well as the positive/negative elastic modulus transformed each other. These results can contribute to understanding the mechanism of viral replication and provide references for gene detection and gene therapy.

A study on the changes in attractive force of magnetic attachments for overdenture

PURPOSE: Although magnetic attachment is used frequently for overdenture, it is reported that attractive force can be decreased by abrasion and corrosion. The purpose of this study was to establish the clinical basis about considerations and long term prognosis of overdenture using magnetic attachments by investigating the change in attractive force of magnetic attachment applied to the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the patients treated with overdenture using magnetic attachments in Dankook University Dental Hospital, attractive force records of 61 magnetic attachments of 20 subjects who re-visited from July 2013 to June 2014 were analyzed. Dental magnet tester (Aichi Micro Intelligent Co., Aichi, Japan) was used for measurement. The magnetic attachments used in this study were Magfit IP-B Flat, Magfit DX400, Magfit DX600 and Magfit DX800 (Aichi Steel Co., Aichi, Japan) filled with Neodymium (NdFeB), a rare-earth magnet. RESULTS: Reduction ratio of attractive force had no significant correlation with conditional variables to which attachments were applied, and was higher when the maintenance period was longer (P<.05, r=.361). Reduction ratio of attractive force was significantly higher in the subject group in which attachments were used over 9 years than within 9 years (P<.05). Furthermore, 16.39% of total magnetic attachments showed detachment of keeper or assembly. CONCLUSION: Attractive force of magnetic attachment is maintained regardless of conditional variables and reduction ratio increased as the maintenance period became longer. Further study on adhesive material, attachment method and design improvement to prevent detachment of magnetic attachment is needed.

Tabanidae (Diptera) no dossel da floresta amazônica atraídos por luz e descrição de machos de três espécies / Tabanidae (Diptera) in the canopy of the Amazon rainforest attracted by light and description of males of three species

Foram realizadas coletas de tabanídeos a 40 metros de altura, em uma torre metálica, na Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical, Amazonas, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas de janeiro a dezembro de 2004, durante três noites de transição lunar minguante/nova de cada mês, das 18 às 6 horas. As mutucas foram capturadas em um lençol iluminado com lâmpada de luz mista de vapor de mercúrio de 250 watts e lâmpada de 20 watts BLB. Foram coletados 216 espécimes, dos quais 135 machos e 81 fêmeas, alocados em 29 espécies. Três machos desconhecidos são descritos pela primeira vez: Catachlorops halteratus Kröber, 1931, Leucotabanus janinae Fairchild, 1970 e Leucotabanus pauculus Fairchild, 1951.

Tabanids were collected at a height of 40 meters on a metallic tower, at Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Samples were collected monthly from January to December of 2004, during three nights of lunar transition third quarter moon/ new moon from 06 p.m. to 06 a.m. Horse flies were captured on a vertical sheet illuminated by a 250-watts mixed mercury vapor light and 20-watts black-light (BLB) lamps. 216 specimens were collected, of which 135 were males and 81 were females belonging to 29 species. Males of three species with unknown males are described for the first time, namely: Catachlorops halteratus Kröber, 1931, Leucotabanus janinae Fairchild, 1970 and Leucotabanus pauculus Fairchild, 1951.

Oviposition activity of Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) in responseto different organic infusions

The present study investigates new sources of infusion as an oviposition attractant for Aedes aegypti L. Infusions with fetid and non-fetid odors were compared as an oviposition stimulant. Traps baited with infusions of dehydrated cashew leaves (Anacardium occidentale), potato peels (Solanum tuberosum) and graminea (Panicum maximum) were compared as attractants, and the effect of odor (fetid and unfetid) on attractiveness was tested. Oviposition activity changed significantly according to the concentration and type of infusion (F = 4.1279; gl = 2; P = 0.0231). A larger number of eggs were observed in cups containing 50 percent A. occidentale (non-fetid odor) and 30 percent P. maximum (fetid odor). When compared in the same cage, comparable oviposition was found between A. occidentale and P. maximum. Moreover, approximately 20 percent more eggs were recorded in the infusion without odor when compared to the grass infusion and water. These findings suggest A. occidentale as a new stimulant for use in ovitraps for Aedes surveillance and control, with the benefit of having an agreeable odor.

A Study on Preferred Morphologic Feature and Proportion of Facial Aesthetic Subunit by Korean General Public

PURPOSE: As the influence of mass media increases, the general standard of attractiveness or beauty of a face also changes. The primary purpose of the study is to find out the factors of the attractive and beautiful face recognized by public. METHODS: We picked out standard model photography and operated with Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) and Monariza(R) virtual plastic surgery program. The contour of face, eye, nose, forehead, zygoma, chin and proportion of upper, middle, lower face were changed. The interview survey was conducted through structured standard photo for 310 respondents. That was utilized in the final analysis. Multiple regression analysis was executed by SPSS 12.0. It was used to deal with statistical data and all the other necessary analysis. RESULTS: According to general characteristics of the respondents, many differences were found in preferred face and facial aesthetic subunits. The younger generation preferred the lozenge and inverted triangle shape contour. The respondents over 40 of age preferred the egg shape contour. In chin and zygoma contour, the respondents at the age of 20 preferred distinctly small chin and relatively small lower face. On the other hand, the respondents over 40 of age preferred the wide zygoma relatively. In the proportion of upper, middle, lower face, 51.0% of respondents answered 1:1:1. If they want to have an aesthetic operation, they preferred protruding forehead. Also they preferred the small chin and V-shaped chin in frontal view. CONCLUSION: Many respondents preferred to have a plastic surgery for the better facial subunit. The statistical evidence from this study suggests that the harmony and balance of facial aesthetic subunits make attractive and beautiful face.

Anthropometric Analysis of the Attractive and Normal Faces in Korean Female

With rapid advancement in techniques of correcting multiple facial anomalies, surgical planning has become more sophisticated, and knowledge of the exact relationship between various areas of the head and face is now indispensible. The importance of capturing the face in proportions has been emphasized by many surgeons. The neoclassical canons are known to modern plastic surgeons, but their usage in surgical planning has been limited to the role of working guides. They are useful, however, in serving as standards. The authors measured 800 normal young Korean females, ranged from 19 to 26 in age, and 21 beauty contestants in Korea, ranged from 20 to 27 in age. Seven vertical and seven horizontal linear measurements were taken from each subject by one examiner. These measurements of normal face and attractive face are compared with each other, and followed by comparison with neoclassical canons. Attractive face of Korean female comprises shorter lower face, especially from stomion to menton, narrower bigonial distance, and longer midface than normal face. It also has wide palpebral fissure and narrow intercanthal distance. Korean female face comprises shorter and narrower lower face than neoclassical canons. We think that it is valuable to take into consideration of this modern concept of beauty when making a preoperative plan for facial plastic surgery.

A study on the facial morphometry of the attractive Uygur females in Xinjiang / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective:To obtain the normal values of the facial soft tissue measurements of the attractive Uygur females in Xinjiang by photogrammetric analysis,and to study the relationship between the facial feature of attractive Uygur females and the neoclassical canons. Methods:31 attractive Uygur women were selected, standardized and referenced frontal photographs of faces were taken,and 14 standard anthropometric marks were determined,then measurements were performed by photoshopCS software.Results:Intercanthal width was rather smaller than nose width and larger than eye fissure width;nose width occupied more than 1/4 of face width or 2/3 of mouth width.The chin occupied 2/3 of the entire mandibular height.There was positive correlation among many horizontal and vertical facial soft tissue measurements.Conclusion:The facial features of the attractive Uygur females in Xinjiang fit the classical facial canons to some extent. There is pertinence in attractive facial form and features.