Effects of selected herbicides and fungicides on growth, sporulation and conidial germination of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana.

BACKGROUND: The in vitro fungicidal effects of six commonly used fungicides, namely fluazinam, propineb, copper(II) hydroxide, metiram, chlorothalonil and mancozeb, and herbicides, namely isoxaflutole, fluazifop-P-butyl, flurochloridone, foramsulfuron, pendimethalin and prosulfocarb, on mycelial growth, sporulation and conidial germination of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 74040) were investigated. Mycelial growth rates and sporulation at 15 and 25 °C were evaluated on PDA plates containing 100, 75, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 0% of the recommended application rate of each pesticide. The tested pesticides were classified in four scoring categories based on reduction in mycelial growth and sporulation. RESULTS: All pesticides, herbicides and fungicides tested had fungistatic effects of varying intensity, depending on their rate in the medium, on B. bassiana. The most inhibitory herbicides were flurochloridone and prosulfocarb, and fluazinam and copper(II) hydroxide were most inhibitory among the fungicides, while the least inhibitory were isoxaflutole and chlorothalonil. Sporulation and conidial germination of B. bassiana were significantly inhibited by all tested pesticides compared with the control treatment. Flurochloridone, foramsulfuron, prosulfocarb and copper(II) hydroxide inhibited sporulation entirely at 100% rate (99-100% inhibition), and the lowest inhibition was shown by fluazifop-P-butyl (22%) and metiram (33%). At 100% dosage, all herbicides in the test showed a high inhibitory effect on conidial germination. Conidial germination inhibition ranged from 82% with isoxaflutole to 100% with fluorochloridone, pendimethalin and prosulfocarb. At 200% dosage, inhibition rates even increased (96-100%). CONCLUSIONS: All 12 pesticides tested had a fungistatic effect on B. bassiana of varying intensity, depending on the pesticide and its concentration. B. bassiana is highly affected by some herbicides and fungicides even at very low rates. Flurochloridone, foramsulfuron, prosulfocarb and copper(II) hydroxide stopped sporulation. Of all tested pesticides, isoxaflutole, fluazifop-P-butyl and chlorothalonil showed the least adverse effects and therefore probably could be compatible with B. bassiana in the field. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sensitivity of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. to selected herbicides.

BACKGROUND: The in vitro effect of six commonly used herbicides viz., amidosulfuron, dicamba, metribuzin, pyridate, S-metolachlor and tembotrione on mycelial growth of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveriabassiana (ATCC 74040) was investigated. Mycelial growthrates at 15 and 25°C were evaluated on PDA plates containing 100, 75, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 0% of the recommended application rate of each selected herbicide. The tested herbicides were classified in 4 scoring categories based on reduction of mycelial growth in toxicity tests. RESULTS: All six herbicides had a fungistatic effect of varying intensities, dependent on their rate in medium, on B. bassiana. The present study showed that B. bassiana is sensitive to all tested herbicides, particularly at recommended as well as lower field rates. Metribuzin, S-metolachlor and tembotrione had a strong fungistatic effect on mycelial growth even at rates 25 and 12.5%.Pyridate was slightly harmful, depending on the rate and temperature. Dicamba and amidosulfuron had slight effect on mycelial growth. Sporulation and conidial germination of B. bassiana were significantly inhibited by all tested herbicides. Amidosulfuron and dicamba, both at 100% rate, had the lowest inhibitory effect on sporulation, i.e. 24% and 44%, respectively. Other herbicides in test showed much higher inhibitory effect on sporulation (69-95%). With exception of dicamba with 33% of conidial germination inhibition all other herbicides in test inhibited conidial germination for 70-100%. At 200% dosage, inhibition rates even increased. CONCLUSION: Of all tested herbicides, amidosulfuron and dicamba showed the least adverse effects and are therefore probably compatible with B. bassiana in the field.

Musicoterapia na promoção da saúde: contribuindo para o controle do estresse acadêmico / Music therapy in promoting health: contributing to the control of academic stress

Esta pesquisa, com metodologia quali e quantitativa, teve como objetivo investigar o efeito da Musicoterapia no controle do estresse de um grupo de graduandos e pós-graduandos e verificar o efeito da Musicoterapia na qualidade de vida desses sujeitos. No processo musicoterapêutico trabalhou-se estratégias de enfrentamento ao estresse, tais como: fortalecimento da autoestima, diminuição da ansiedade, organização do tempo, definição de metas de vida e melhora nas relações intra e interpessoais. Os resultados evidenciam que a Musicoterapia pode contribuir para a promoção da saúde, controle do estresse e para a melhoria da qualidade de vida dos acadêmicos. Concluiu-se que a inserção do musicoterapeuta em programas multiprofissionais voltados para o atendimento de acadêmicos pode colaborar para a construção de uma universidade mais saudável.(AU)

Using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the objective of this research was to investigate the effect of music therapy on stress management for a group of undergraduate and graduate students and to also verify its effect on the quality of life of these subjects. The therapeutic process focused on strategies for coping with stress such as: increasing self-esteem, reducing anxiety, time management, setting life goals and improving intra- and interpersonal relationships. The results show that music therapy can contribute to good health, stress management and to improvements in student quality of life. It was concluded that providing a music therapist to assist students in multidisciplinary programs can help build a healthier university.(AU)

Novel Gemini analogs of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) with enhanced transcriptional activity.

The active form of vitamin D, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)), exerts its effects through regulation of target gene transcription. Configuration at C-20 of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) is important in determining potency, as shown by the high potency of analogs with inverted configuration at C-20 (20-epi compounds). Gemini analogs of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) contain two side chains, combining a C-20-normal with a C20-epi side chain. We studied the potency of analogs combining double (Gemini) side chains with a 23-triple bond and a C-26,27-hexafluoro substitution in either the 20-epi (analog 20R) or 20-normal (analog 20S) side chain. These novel Gemini analogs were 8-50-fold more potent than 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in inducing U937, HL-60G, and THP-1 differentiation and 5-50-fold more potent in inducing transcription from the osteocalcin vitamin D response element or the 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3)-24-hydroxylase (24OHase) promoter. In vivo, following i.p. injection in vitamin D-deficient mice, the 20S analog induced significantly higher levels of calbindin-D(9K) mRNA in intestine, and 24OHase and calbindin-D(28K) in kidney than 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) or analog 20R. Increased potency did not correlate with ligand-receptor binding affinity. In GST-pull down assays using in vitro translated VDR, Gemini analogs showed equivalent (or even attenuated) potency to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in recruiting cofactors DRIP205 and GRIP-1 to VDR. However, Gemini analogs were up to 15-fold more potent than 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in recruiting the same cofactors to VDR in GST-pull down assays using equal amounts of VDR from nuclear extracts of VDR transfected and hormone treated (24 hr) COS-7 cells. Deletion of C-19 in either 20S or 20R Gemini analogs resulted overall in slightly less potent analogs compared to Gemini itself. We conclude that enhanced potency of the novel Gemini analogs is at least partly due to increased metabolic stability of the analogs, resulting in more cofactor binding and elevated levels of transcription.

Living cells in 1 of 2 frozen femoral heads.

Allogeneic, frozen bone is now the most commonly grafted tissue (Norman-Taylor and Villar 1997). Tissue banks collect bone material according to protocols developed with the aim of maintaining osseoinductive properties of grafts as well as preventing transmission of viral or bacterial diseases (Standards from the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) or from the European Association for Musculo-skeletal Transplanting (EAMST)). Standard procedures include cryopreservation of tissue at -80 degrees C, which is generally considered to devitalize the bone by killing all cells present, resulting in reduced immunogenicity of the graft. The osseoinductive properties of frozen, allogeneic bone grafts have therefore mainly been attributed to the dead bone matrix, that may provide osteoblast-stimulating growth factors and other essential proteins, and/or an osteoclast substrate to direct bone remodeling (Aspenberg et al. 1996, Kingsmill et al. 1999). Recently however, it was suggested that some cells in bone biopsies may survive standard bone bank freezing procotols. It is unclear whether vital cells are present in other bone banks and whether these cells can contribute to the clinical outcome of frozen allogeneic bone grafting. In this report, we show that frozen bone biopsies, obtained from the Erasmus Medical Center bone bank may contain living cells that can be cultured in vitro. These cultured cells were found to originate from the donor by genotyping.

[The role computerized telethermography in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome]. / Ruolo della teletermografia computerizzata nella diagnosi della sindrome fibromialgica.

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a form of extraarticular rheumatism of unknown origin; its diagnosis is fundamentally based on clinical and anamnestic findings, on characteristics of pain and on number and sites of tender points, very painful areas to palpation. At present there is no laboratory or instrumental test available for a more objective diagnosis. The Authors verified the utility of telethermography for fibromyalgia syndrome diagnosis to point out a possible specific pattern; in particular the tender points were studied, even to find some analogy to myofascial syndromes trigger points, which appear as hot spot to telethermography. The telethermographic patterns of 156 patients with fibromyalgia syndrome have been compared with tender point maps obtained from same subjects and with telethermographic data of patients affected by spine osteoarthritis and normal controls. The patients with fibromyalgia syndrome showed a non specific hyperthermic pattern, corresponding to painful muscular areas, comparable with pattern of osteoarthritic patients. This phenomenon can be interpreted as a greater thermic emission by hypertonic muscles. Therefore, telethermography in fibromyalgia syndrome cannot represent a basic diagnostic tool but can support the clinical diagnosis and play an important role in the follow-up of patients.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of intra-articular administration of somatostatin in rheumatoid arthritis]. / Valutazione dell'efficacia della somatostatina per via intrarticolare in pazienti con artrite reumatoide.

The above study was undertaken in order to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular somatostatin in rheumatoid arthritis. Twelve patients were enrolled and all of them concluded the experiment of three consecutive intra-articular somatostatin injections of 750 mcg at two-weekly intervals. All patients reported a statistically significant reduction in painful symptomatology, particularly of pain during active movement, pain at climbing stairs, and morning stiffness. In one patient, telethermography revealed complete subsidence of articular inflammation. There were neither local nor systemic side effects.

[Ketoprofen efficacy and tolerance in simple painful shoulder]. / Efficacia e tollerabilità del ketoprofene nella spalla dolorosa semplice.

Thirty patients presenting with painful shoulder syndrome were treated with i.m. ketoprofen 100 mg b.d. for 8 days to assess the efficacy and tolerance of the above treatment regime. The patients' condition was monitored by clinical, instrumental and laboratory examinations. Ketoprofen was found to be significantly effective in all cases of non calcific rotator cuff tendinitis while no improvement was noted in calcific tendinitis. The above data confirm the efficacy and tolerance of ketoprofen in the treatment of painful shoulder syndrome as an alternative to local steroid therapy.

[Telethermography in the early diagnosis and clinico-therapeutic monitoring of Sudeck's disease]. / La teletermografia nella diagnosi precoce e nel monitoraggio clinico-terapeutico della malattia di Sudeck.

In order to evaluate the potential value of telethermography in the early diagnosis of Sudeck's disease, the authors examined 10 patients presenting with this condition. Mean disease duration was 3.2 months and algodystrophic lesions in all patients were localized in one of the lower extremities. Ten healthy subjects, with mean age and sex distribution similar to those of the patients with Sudeck, were chosen as controls. Clinical examination, laboratory tests and telethermography were performed every two weeks for three months; X-rays of the affected limbs were also performed at the beginning and at the end of the study. All patients with algodystrophy were treated with salmon calcitonin (100 U.I./die/i.m. during the first 2 months and 100 U.I. on alternate days during the last month). Clinical-therapeutic thermographic monitoring showed that the localized hyperthermic pattern, initially shown in all patients (temperature levels at least three centigrades above normal values), later underwent a progressive time-related reduction leading to normalization. These results enable the authors to confirm the potential value of telethermography in the early diagnosis of Sudeck's disease and in its clinical monitoring, particularly in relation to therapy.

Clinical efficacy and tolerance of galactosoaminoglucuronoglycan sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

An open design has been carried out by the authors comparing the efficacy and the tolerance of galactosoaminoglucuronoglycan sulfates (GAGs) with those of ibuprofen lysine in patients affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The experimental group included forty patients of both sexes, aged from 35 to 67 years, with diffuse OA. Ten patients were treated with GAGs administered orally (600-1200 mg/die) and ten patients with GAGs administered intramuscularly (50-100 mg/die); likewise for the ibuprofen therapy two subgroups were formed, such that ten patients were given the drug orally (1500-2500 mg/die) and ten patients had intramuscular therapy (400-800 mg/die). The treatment lasted 40 days. The parameters considered were: pain at rest, pain on pressure, pain on active movement and pain on passive movement. Tolerance was considered by carrying out some routinary laboratory tests and a careful clinical and anamnestic examination. At the end of the study, an improvement in all the clinical variables considered was found in both groups of patients, with no significant differences between the oral and the intramuscular administrations. With regard to tolerance, it must be noted that 10% of the patients in each of the two considered groups patients suffered from gastro-intestinal diseases (pain, nausea, pyrosis). The results achieved, therefore, confirm the efficacy and above all the good tolerance of GAGs in the treatment of OA, characteristics of particular importance for a drug designed for the therapy of a chronic pathology such as OA.

[Efficacy and tolerability of flunoxaprofen in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. A cross-over clinical study using naproxen]. / Efficacia e tollerabilità del flunoxaprofene nella terapia dell'artrite reumatoide. Studio clinico in cross-over con naproxene.

The efficacy and safety of the new non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug flunoxaprofen were compared with those of naproxen in a cross over clinical study in patients with classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Twenty female out-patients in the active phase of the disease were randomly assigned to one of the two groups studied; one group (A: 10 patients, mean age 51 years) received flunoxaprofen 400 mg/day p.o. for 30 days, followed by a 7-day wash-out period before starting the second treatment, with naproxen 500 mg/day p.o. for 30 days. Another group (B: 10 patients, mean age 58 years) received naproxen before flunoxaprofen and followed the same schedule of group A. The results showed that flunoxaprofen and naproxen have essentially equivalent therapeutical effects in controlling painful and functional symptoms of RA: both treatments resulted in a significant relief of spontaneous diurnal and nocturnal pain, pain on active and passive motion, morning stiffness, and in a significant improvement of grip strength and Richtie's index. None of the two drugs modified biochemical parameters of inflammation (ESR, CPR) or the laboratory variables measured to assess the tolerability of flunoxaprofen (hepatorenal function tests; haematological parameters). Flunoxaprofen was found to be very well tolerated: this feature together with the good therapeutic efficacy makes flunoxaprofen a very safe and useful tool in the management of severe chronic disease such as RA.

[Antalgic efficacy of tiaprofenic acid in models of acute rheumatic pain]. / Studio dell'efficacia antalgica dell'acido tiaprofenico in modelli di dolore acuto reumatico.

Twenty patients suffering from acute lumbosacral syndromes (Group A) and eight patients suffering from acute gout (Group B) were treated with parenteral tiaprofenic acid (TA). In Group A TA was administered for 7 days at the dosage of 400 mg/daily for the first four days (1 200 mg vial i.m. in the morning, 1 in the evening), from the 5th to the 7th day with 200 mg/daily (1 vial in the evening) and, in Group B, TA was administered for 6 days at the dosage of 600 mg on the first day, (with 1 vial/8 hours of TA 200 mg by parenteral route) the 2nd and 3rd day with 1 vial/12 hours and the 4th and 6th day with 1 vial/daily in the evening. TA was found to be active on all clinical parameters evaluated. The tolerability was also good: only 4 patients with acute lumbosacral syndrome suffered from local pain.