Modeling hormesis using multivariate nonlinear regression in plant biology: A comprehensive approach to understanding dose-response relationships.

For over a century, ecotoxicological studies have reported the occurrence of hormesis as a significant phenomenon in many areas of science. In plant biology, hormesis research focuses on measuring morphological, physiological, biochemical, and productivity changes in plants exposed to low doses of herbicides. These studies involve multiple features that are often correlated. However, the multivariate aspect and interdependencies among components of a plant system are not considered in the adopted modeling framework. Therefore, a multivariate nonlinear modeling approach for hormesis is proposed, where information regarding correlations among response variables is taken into account through a variance-covariance matrix obtained from univariate residuals. The proposed methodology is evaluated through a Monte Carlo simulation study and an application to experimental data from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cultivation. In the simulation study, the multivariate model outperformed the univariate models, exhibiting higher precision, lower bias, and greater accuracy in parameter estimation. These results were also confirmed in the analysis of the experimental data. Using the delta method, mean doses of interest can be derived along with their associated standard errors. This is the first study to address hormesis in a multivariate context, allowing for a better understanding of the biphasic dose-response relationships by considering the interrelationships among various measured characteristics in the plant system, leading to more precise parameter estimates.

Biphasic Dose/Response of Photobiomodulation Therapy on Culture of Human Fibroblasts.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of application of different fluences and energies of laser in the 24-, 48-, and 72-h periods in fibroblasts originating from human skin (HFF-1). Methods: The cell used as a template for cell proliferation was HFF-1. For the photobiomodulation (PBM) application, a 660 nm laser with a power of 40 mW and energies of 0.84, 1.40, 5.88, and 6.72 J was used. Five experimental groups were studied: one control group (CG) with simulated PBM and four groups that received PBM in different doses. The changes observed after laser irradiation were evaluated by cell viability (trypan blue) and proliferation [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)] tests. Intergroup comparisons were performed using two-way analysis of variance and the Tukey post hoc test (software GraphPad Prism 7.0). Results: In the trypan blue test, the total number of cells was significantly different between the irradiated groups and the CG at all times studied. The total number of cells increased in laser group (LG)1 (0.84 J) and LG2 (1.40 J) and decreased in LG4 (6.72 J). The mitochondrial activity increased significantly in LG1 and LG2 at 48 and 72 h and decreased in LG3 (5.88 J) and LG4 (6.72 J) compared with CG. Conclusions: The results indicate that the lower doses (0.45 and 0.75 J/cm2) of PBM induce the highest mitochondrial activity and cellular viability.

Performance of reproductive system of Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) subjected to buprofezin and pyriproxyfen: morphological analysis of ovarioles and testes / Desempenho do sistema reprodutivo de Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) submetidos à buprofezina e piriproxifem: análise morfológica de ovaríolos e testículos

The use of insecticides known as insect growth regulators, which are considered more selective to natural enemies, may be an alternative to integrated pest management of stink bugs of the main crops in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate histological changes in the reproductive system of Dichelops melacanthus as well as female fecundity and egg fertility after use of growth-regulating insecticides. The insecticides used were buprofezin (a chitin biosynthesis inhibitor) at a sublethal concentration (LC30 of 2.99 g L-1) and pyriproxyfen (a juvenile hormone analog) at a sublethal concentration (LC30 of 8.35 mL L-1). A completely randomized experimental design was used, with 10 repetitions and 10 insects per experimental unit. Two bioassays were performed: in the first bioassay, fecundity (eggs/female) and fertility (nymph eclosion) of the insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated; in the second bioassay, morphological alterations of the ovarioles of adult females and of the testes of adult male insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated. Buprofezin and pyriproxyfen did not affect the adult sex ratio or female fecundity. Pyriproxyfen reduced the percentage of ecloded nymphs (71.6%) compared with that of the control and buprofezin (96.4 and 90.6%, respectively) treatments and had an ovicidal effect, with direct and indirect action on embryogenesis. Morphological changes wereobserved in both treatments with buprofezin and pyriproxyfen. The alterations observed in female andmale reproductive systems may occur by the action of buprofezin and pyriproxyfen on the morphologyof both ovarioles and testes.

A utilização de inseticidas conhecidos como reguladores de crescimento dos insetos, considerados mais seletivos a inimigos naturais, pode ser uma alternativa no manejo integrado no que se refere ao controle de percevejos-pragas das principais culturas no Brasil. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar alterações histológicas causadas no aparelho reprodutor de Dichelops melacanthus e a fecundidade das fêmeas e fertilidade de ovos, após o uso de inseticidas reguladores de crescimento. Os inseticidas utilizados foram buprofezina (inibidor da biossíntese de quitina), na concentração subletal CL30 2,99 g L-1, e o piriproxifem (análogo do hormônio juvenil) na concentração subletal CL30 8,35 mL L-1. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com 10 repetições e 10 insetos por repetição. Foram realizados dois bioensaios: no primeiro foi avaliada a fecundidade (número de ovos/fêmea) e a fertilidade (número de ninfas eclodidas) dos insetos que sobreviveram aos produtos. No segundo bioensaio, foram avaliadas as alterações morfológicas de ovaríolos de fêmeas e testículo de machos de percevejos adultos, que sobreviveram à ação dos inseticidas. Buprofezina e piriproxifem não afetaram a razão sexual de adultos ou mesmo a fecundidade das fêmeas. Piriproxifem reduziu a porcentagem de ninfas eclodidas (71,6%) em relação à testemunha e buprofezina (96,4 e 90,6%, respectivamente), tendo ação ovicida, direta ou indireta na embriogênese. Alterações morfológicas no testículo e ovaríolosforam evidenciadas em ambos os tratamentos com buprofezina e piriproxifem. As alterações observadasno sistema reprodutor feminino e masculino indicam ação de buprofezina e piriproxifem na morfologiade ovaríolo e testículos.

Performance of reproductive system of Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) subjected to buprofezin and pyriproxyfen: morphological analysis of ovarioles and testes / Desempenho do sistema reprodutivo de Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) submetidos à buprofezina e piriproxifem: análise morfológica de ovaríolos e testículos

The use of insecticides known as insect growth regulators, which are considered more selective to natural enemies, may be an alternative to integrated pest management of stink bugs of the main crops in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate histological changes in the reproductive system of Dichelops melacanthus as well as female fecundity and egg fertility after use of growth-regulating insecticides. The insecticides used were buprofezin (a chitin biosynthesis inhibitor) at a sublethal concentration (LC30 of 2.99 g L-1) and pyriproxyfen (a juvenile hormone analog) at a sublethal concentration (LC30 of 8.35 mL L-1). A completely randomized experimental design was used, with 10 repetitions and 10 insects per experimental unit. Two bioassays were performed: in the first bioassay, fecundity (eggs/female) and fertility (nymph eclosion) of the insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated; in the second bioassay, morphological alterations of the ovarioles of adult females and of the testes of adult male insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated. Buprofezin and pyriproxyfen did not affect the adult sex ratio or female fecundity. Pyriproxyfen reduced the percentage of ecloded nymphs (71.6%) compared with that of the control and buprofezin (96.4 and 90.6%, respectively) treatments and had an ovicidal effect, with direct and indirect action on embryogenesis. Morphological changes wereobserved in both treatments with buprofezin and pyriproxyfen. The alterations observed in female andmale reproductive systems may occur by the action of buprofezin and pyriproxyfen on the morphologyof both ovarioles and testes.(AU)

A utilização de inseticidas conhecidos como reguladores de crescimento dos insetos, considerados mais seletivos a inimigos naturais, pode ser uma alternativa no manejo integrado no que se refere ao controle de percevejos-pragas das principais culturas no Brasil. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar alterações histológicas causadas no aparelho reprodutor de Dichelops melacanthus e a fecundidade das fêmeas e fertilidade de ovos, após o uso de inseticidas reguladores de crescimento. Os inseticidas utilizados foram buprofezina (inibidor da biossíntese de quitina), na concentração subletal CL30 2,99 g L-1, e o piriproxifem (análogo do hormônio juvenil) na concentração subletal CL30 8,35 mL L-1. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com 10 repetições e 10 insetos por repetição. Foram realizados dois bioensaios: no primeiro foi avaliada a fecundidade (número de ovos/fêmea) e a fertilidade (número de ninfas eclodidas) dos insetos que sobreviveram aos produtos. No segundo bioensaio, foram avaliadas as alterações morfológicas de ovaríolos de fêmeas e testículo de machos de percevejos adultos, que sobreviveram à ação dos inseticidas. Buprofezina e piriproxifem não afetaram a razão sexual de adultos ou mesmo a fecundidade das fêmeas. Piriproxifem reduziu a porcentagem de ninfas eclodidas (71,6%) em relação à testemunha e buprofezina (96,4 e 90,6%, respectivamente), tendo ação ovicida, direta ou indireta na embriogênese. Alterações morfológicas no testículo e ovaríolosforam evidenciadas em ambos os tratamentos com buprofezina e piriproxifem. As alterações observadasno sistema reprodutor feminino e masculino indicam ação de buprofezina e piriproxifem na morfologiade ovaríolo e testículos.(AU)

Performance of reproductive system of Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) subjected to buprofezin and pyriproxyfen: morphological analysis of ovarioles and testes / Desempenho do sistema reprodutivo de Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) submetidos à buprofezina e piriproxifem: análise morfológica de ovaríolos e testículos

The use of insecticides known as insect growth regulators, which are considered more selective to natural enemies, may be an alternative to integrated pest management of stink bugs of the main crops in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate histological changes in the reproductive system of Dichelops melacanthus as well as female fecundity and egg fertility after use of growth-regulating insecticides. The insecticides used were buprofezin (a chitin biosynthesis inhibitor) at a sublethal concentration (LC30 of 2.99 g L-1) and pyriproxyfen (a juvenile hormone analog) at a sublethal concentration (LC30 of 8.35 mL L-1). A completely randomized experimental design was used, with 10 repetitions and 10 insects per experimental unit. Two bioassays were performed: in the first bioassay, fecundity (eggs/female) and fertility (nymph eclosion) of the insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated; in the second bioassay, morphological alterations of the ovarioles of adult females and of the testes of adult male insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated. Buprofezin and pyriproxyfen did not affect the adult sex ratio or female fecundity. Pyriproxyfen reduced the percentage of ecloded nymphs (71.6%) compared with that of the control and buprofezin (96.4 and 90.6%, respectively) treatments and had an ovicidal effect, with direct and indirect action on embryogene

A utilização de inseticidas conhecidos como reguladores de crescimento dos insetos, considerados mais seletivos a inimigos naturais, pode ser uma alternativa no manejo integrado no que se refere ao controle de percevejos-pragas das principais culturas no Brasil. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar alterações histológicas causadas no aparelho reprodutor de Dichelops melacanthus e a fecundidade das fêmeas e fertilidade de ovos, após o uso de inseticidas reguladores de crescimento. Os inseticidas utilizados foram buprofezina (inibidor da biossíntese de quitina), na concentração subletal CL30 2,99 g L-1, e o piriproxifem (análogo do hormônio juvenil) na concentração subletal CL30 8,35 mL L-1. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com 10 repetições e 10 insetos por repetição. Foram realizados dois bioensaios: no primeiro foi avaliada a fecundidade (número de ovos/fêmea) e a fertilidade (número de ninfas eclodidas) dos insetos que sobreviveram aos produtos. No segundo bioensaio, foram avaliadas as alterações morfológicas de ovaríolos de fêmeas e testículo de machos de percevejos adultos, que sobreviveram à ação dos inseticidas. Buprofezina e piriproxifem não afetaram a razão sexual de adultos ou mesmo a fecundidade das fêmeas. Piriproxifem reduziu a porcentagem de ninfas eclodidas (71,6%) em relação à testemunha e buprofezina (96,4 e 90,6%, respectivamente),

Performance of reproductive system of Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) subjected to buprofezin and pyriproxyfen: morphological analysis of ovarioles and testes / Desempenho do sistema reprodutivo de Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) submetidos à buprofezina e piriproxifem: análise morfológica de ovaríolos e testículos

The use of insecticides known as insect growth regulators, which are considered more selective to natural enemies, may be an alternative to integrated pest management of stink bugs of the main crops in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate histological changes in the reproductive system of Dichelops melacanthus as well as female fecundity and egg fertility after use of growth-regulating insecticides. The insecticides used were buprofezin (a chitin biosynthesis inhibitor) at a sublethal concentration (LC30 of 2.99 g L-1) and pyriproxyfen (a juvenile hormone analog) at a sublethal concentration (LC30 of 8.35 mL L-1). A completely randomized experimental design was used, with 10 repetitions and 10 insects per experimental unit. Two bioassays were performed: in the first bioassay, fecundity (eggs/female) and fertility (nymph eclosion) of the insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated; in the second bioassay, morphological alterations of the ovarioles of adult females and of the testes of adult male insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated. Buprofezin and pyriproxyfen did not affect the adult sex ratio or female fecundity. Pyriproxyfen reduced the percentage of ecloded nymphs (71.6%) compared with that of the control and buprofezin (96.4 and 90.6%, respectively) treatments and had an ovicidal effect, with direct and indirect action on embryogene

A utilização de inseticidas conhecidos como reguladores de crescimento dos insetos, considerados mais seletivos a inimigos naturais, pode ser uma alternativa no manejo integrado no que se refere ao controle de percevejos-pragas das principais culturas no Brasil. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar alterações histológicas causadas no aparelho reprodutor de Dichelops melacanthus e a fecundidade das fêmeas e fertilidade de ovos, após o uso de inseticidas reguladores de crescimento. Os inseticidas utilizados foram buprofezina (inibidor da biossíntese de quitina), na concentração subletal CL30 2,99 g L-1, e o piriproxifem (análogo do hormônio juvenil) na concentração subletal CL30 8,35 mL L-1. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com 10 repetições e 10 insetos por repetição. Foram realizados dois bioensaios: no primeiro foi avaliada a fecundidade (número de ovos/fêmea) e a fertilidade (número de ninfas eclodidas) dos insetos que sobreviveram aos produtos. No segundo bioensaio, foram avaliadas as alterações morfológicas de ovaríolos de fêmeas e testículo de machos de percevejos adultos, que sobreviveram à ação dos inseticidas. Buprofezina e piriproxifem não afetaram a razão sexual de adultos ou mesmo a fecundidade das fêmeas. Piriproxifem reduziu a porcentagem de ninfas eclodidas (71,6%) em relação à testemunha e buprofezina (96,4 e 90,6%, respectivamente),

Dose and time dependence of box jellyfish antivenom.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of the currently available box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) antivenom has been subject of debate for many years. To assess whether the box jellyfish antivenom has the ability to attenuate venom-induced damage at cellular level, the present study analyzed the dose and time dependence of the antivenom in a cell-based assay. METHODS: Different doses of antivenom were added to venom and subsequently administered to cells and the cell index was measured using xCelligence Technology (ACEA Biosciences). Similarly, antivenom and venom were incubated over different time periods and cell survival measured as stated above. For both experiments, the cell index was plotted as a measure of cell survival against the dose or incubation time and significance was determined with the use of a one-way ANOVA with a LSD post hoc test. RESULTS: Increasing concentrations of antivenom significantly augmented cell survival, with a concentration of approximately five times the currently recommended dose for human envenomation, causing the first significant increase in cell survival compared venom alone. Further, cell survival improved with increasing incubation time of venom and antivenom prior to addition to the cells, indicating that box jellyfish antivenom requires approximately 70 minutes to neutralize C. fleckeri venom. CONCLUSION: The presented results suggest that the currently recommended dose of antivenom requires adjustment, and more importantly, a human trial to test the effects of higher concentrations is also necessary. Further, antivenom has delayed neutralizing effects (i.e. after 70 minutes) which underlines the eminence of immediate and prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation in victims suffering from a C. fleckeri venom-induced cardiovascular collapse.