Multilocation field trials for risk assessment of a combination fungicide Fluopicolide + Propamocarb in tomato.

Dissipation kinetics of two systemic fungicides, namely fluopicolide and propamocarb used as a combination formulation (Infinito 68.75 SC), were studied on tomato at four different locations by the All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues to recommend their pre-harvest interval (PHI) and to propose the maximum residue limits (MRL) for the two fungicides based on chronic hazard exposure assessment. The combination fungicide was sprayed thrice at the recommended dosage of 93.75 g a.i./ha fluopicolide and 937.50 g a.i./ha propamocarb as well as at double the recommended dosage of 187.50 g a.i./ha fluopicolide and 1875.0 g a.i./ha propamocarb on tomato crops and the residues were monitored periodically by GC-MS. The fungicides dissipated to below the limit of quantification (LOQ) within 10 to 15 days, with a half-life of 2-4 days for fluopicolide and 1-2 days for propamocarb. Taking into consideration the MRLs of codex and calculations made using the method of MRL fixation of the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) as well as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) calculator, MRL of 5 mg/kg is proposed for fluopicolide and 15 mg/kg for propamocarb, following critical exposure of the commodity considering PHI of 1 day.

Factors associated with intention to engage in self-protective behavior: The case of over-the-counter acetaminophen products.

BACKGROUND: Inappropriate use of acetaminophen products is a concern due to the severe liver damage associated with intentional or accidental overdose of these products. In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued more severe organ-specific warnings for the acetaminophen Drug Facts label to improve protective behavior among patients. However, it is not clear how patients react to such interventions by the FDA. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing patients' intention to engage in protective behavior while using acetaminophen products after reading the Drug Facts label. The study specifically looked at the relationship between four Protection Motivation Theory-based risk cognition factors and the intention to engage in protective behavior. METHODS: An experimental, cross-sectional, field study was conducted using self-administered questionnaires at four community pharmacies in Houston, TX. Two hundred surveys were collected from adults visiting the selected pharmacy stores. Participants were exposed to a simulated label (i.e. Drug Facts label) containing organ-specific warnings for over-the-counter (OTC) acetaminophen products. Risk cognition measures (i.e. measures of perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, response efficacy, and self-efficacy) and measures of intention to engage in protective behavior (always reading warnings, using products with more caution, and consulting a pharmacist/physician) were recorded. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses, controlling for demographic and behavioral characteristics of the participants, were performed. RESULTS: Bivariate analyses indicated that an increase in perceived severity, perceived vulnerability and response efficacy were associated with a higher intention to engage in protective behavior. Findings from the multiple regression indicated that increase in perceived severity of liver damage, belonging to a non-healthcare occupation, no history of acetaminophen use and no history of alcohol consumption were associated with a higher intention to engage in protective behavior. CONCLUSION: Higher risk cognition of liver damage associated with inappropriate use of OTC acetaminophen products leads to greater intention to engage in protective behavior while using such products. Developing interventions targeted towards improving reading and adhering to the Drug Facts label could improve risk cognition, and thus improve patients' intention to engage in protective behavior. Regular acetaminophen users, heavy alcohol consumers and healthcare professionals might need other interventions apart from the Drug Facts label to improve their likelihood to engage in protective behavior.

Isolation and characterization of methane utilizing bacteria from wetland paddy ecosystem.

Methylotrophic bacteria which are known to utilize C1 compounds including methane. Research during past few decades increased the interest in finding out novel genera of methane degrading bacteria to efficiently utilize methane to decrease global warming effect. Moreover, evaluation of certain known plant growth promoting strains for their methane degrading potential may open up a new direction for multiple utility of such cultures. In this study, efficient methylotrophic cultures were isolated from wetland paddy fields of Gujarat. From the overall morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization studies, the isolates were identified and designated as Bacillus aerius AAU M 8; Rhizobium sp. AAU M 10; B. subtilis AAU M 14; Paenibacillus illinoisensis AAU M 17 and B. megaterium AAU M 29. Gene specific PCR analysis of the isolates, P. illinoisensis, B. aerius, Rhizobium sp. and B. subtilis showed presence of pmoA gene encoding α subunit particulate methane monooxygenase cluster. B. megaterium, P. illinoisensis, Rhizobium sp. and Methylobacterium extrorquens showed presence of mmoX gene encoding α subunit of the hydroxylase component of the soluble methane monooxygenase cluster. P. illinoisensis and Rhizobium sp. showed presence mxaF gene encoding α subunit region of methanol dehydrogenase gene cluster showing that both isolates are efficient utilizers of methane. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time report showing presence of methane degradation enzymes and genes within the known PGPB group of organisms from wet land paddy agro-ecosystem, which is considered as one of the leading methane producer.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent and -independent pathways regulate hypoxic inhibition of transepithelial Na+ transport across human airway epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pulmonary transepithelial Na(+) transport is reduced by hypoxia, but in the airway the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the role of AMPK and ROS in the hypoxic regulation of apical amiloride-sensitive Na(+) channels and basolateral Na(+) K(+) ATPase activity. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: H441 human airway epithelial cells were used to examine the effects of hypoxia on Na(+) transport, AMP : ATP ratio and AMPK activity. Lentiviral constructs were used to modify cellular AMPK abundance and activity; pharmacological agents were used to modify cellular ROS. KEY RESULTS: AMPK was activated by exposure to 3% or 0.2% O(2) for 60 min in cells grown in submerged culture or when fluid (0.1 mL·cm(-2) ) was added to the apical surface of cells grown at the air-liquid interface. Only 0.2% O(2) activated AMPK in cells grown at the air-liquid interface. AMPK activation was associated with elevation of cellular AMP:ATP ratio and activity of the upstream kinase LKB1. Hypoxia inhibited basolateral ouabain-sensitive I(sc) (I(ouabain) ) and apical amiloride-sensitive Na(+) conductance (G(Na+) ). Modification of AMPK activity prevented the effect of hypoxia on I(ouabain) (Na(+) K(+) ATPase) but not apical G(Na+) . Scavenging of superoxide and inhibition of NADPH oxidase prevented the effect of hypoxia on apical G(Na+) (epithelial Na(+) channels). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Hypoxia activates AMPK-dependent and -independent pathways in airway epithelial cells. Importantly, these pathways differentially regulate apical Na(+) channels and basolateral Na(+) K(+) ATPase activity to decrease transepithelial Na(+) transport. Luminal fluid potentiated the effect of hypoxia and activated AMPK, which could have important consequences in lung disease conditions.

Survival after liver transplantation in patients who develop renal insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Renal insufficiency (RI) after liver transplantation (OLT) is associated with worse outcomes but the actual survival after RI ensues is not well described. We examined the survival of OLT recipients who developed moderate or severe RI or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), seeking to identify variables associated with these outcomes. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2007, 731 patients underwent OLT. After excluding patients undergoing retransplantation, combined kidney-liver grafts, and those who died within 1 year, we had a cohort of 527 subjects whose basic demographic data were obtained. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated (by MDRD4-Modification of Diet in Renal Disease 4-formula) at 3-month intervals in the first year and then at 6-month intervals. Moderate RI was defined as a GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2); severe RI, GFR < 30; and ESRD by need for dialysis or renal transplantation. We determined survival from the point of developing RI. An analysis determined factors associated with survival. RESULTS: Among 527 patients, 251 developed moderate (47.6%) and 40 (7.6%) severe RI as well as 40 (7.6%) with ESRD. Once RI ensued, the 5-year survivals for patients with moderate RI, severe RI or ESRD were 84.0%, 67.7%, and 48.5%, respectively. Five-year survival, for patients receiving a renal transplant was 100%. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, the only variables associated with time to death for patients with any RI were higher age at transplant (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.04, P = .02), higher creatinine at transplant (HR = 1.25, P = .01), pretransplant diabetes (HR = 2.34, P = .008), and transplantation in the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) era (HR = 0.15, P = .002). CONCLUSION: Development of severe RI or ESRD correlated with diminished survival. For patients with RI, age and creatinine at transplant, pretransplant diabetes, and transplantation in the pre-MELD era were associated with lower survival rates. Five-year survival for dialysis patients was somewhat higher than that previously reported but worse than that of subjects treated by renal transplantation.

Unusual presentation of advanced Coats' disease.

The authors report the case of a 19-month-old boy with advanced Coats' disease whose presenting manifestation was turbid, lipoproteinaceous fluid filling the anterior chamber. The possible sites of origin and routes of migration of the turbid fluid into the anterior chamber are discussed.

Renal subcapsular abscess.

Renal subcapsular abscess is reported with description of findings by conventional radiography, computerized axial tomography, arteriography, and ultrasonography. The latter was especially helpful in permitting delineation of the lesion, and in facilitating its aspiration and resolution.

An investigation of the structural changes occurring in a cetostearyl alcohol/cetrimide/water gel after prolonged low temperature (4 degrees C) storage.

Structural changes in a ternary gel prepared using the mixed emulsifier system of cetrimide and cetostearyl alcohol after prolonged low temperature (4 degrees C) storage have been studied using freeze-etch transmission electron microscopy and other techniques. The system changed from an opaque smooth gel of high viscosity, low conductivity and low free water, to a pearlescent milky lotion of low viscosity, high conductivity and high free water. Subsequent equilibration of the thinned system to room temperature (25 degrees C) over 48 h produced an opaque granular gel of similar consistency, but slightly higher conductivity and higher free water than the initial sample. Microscopical examination by both differential interference contrast and freeze-etch electron microscopy showed the system changed from one consisting of a liquid crystalline network localized around cetostearyl alcohol particles, to a system consisting of large waxy plates coexisting with some residual liquid crystalline network. A supportive mechanism for the thinning of the ternary gel at prolonged low temperature storage has been inferred by comparing data with that produced by other workers studying the fusion of phospholipid membranes considered to be morphologically similar to the liquid crystalline network observed in this ternary gel.

The effect of temperature on the conductivity of gels and emulsions prepared from cetrimide and cetostearyl alcohol.

The conductivity of gels and emulsions containing cetrimide, cetostearyl alcohol, liquid paraffin and water has been studied over the temperature range +35 to -10 degrees C. All samples froze at temperatures below -5 degrees C and exhibited hysteresis on rewarming to room temperature with an initial increase in conductivity up to 15 degrees C followed by a decrease to 25 degrees C. The amount of hysteresis was dependent on the cetostearyl alcohol content and appeared to be related to changes in the microstructure of the liquid crystalline network.

Reflectance measurements on gels and emulsions containing cetrimide and cetostearyl alcohol--a preliminary investigation.

Various light scattering properties-the reflectivity, contrast ratio and scattering index of a series of gels and emulsions containing cetrimide, cetostearyl alcohol, water and liquid paraffin have been examined using reflectance measurements made at 560 nm using a four-filter, tristimulus colorimeter. The scattering properties of both systems were dependent on the total interfacial surface area of either the dispersed unreacted cetostearyl alcohol and/or the dispersed droplets of liquid paraffin, and hence increased with increasing concentration of both ingredients. For the emulsion containing liquid paraffin, the scattering properties increased linearly with the concentration of liquid paraffin but with the ternary gel system the scattering properties were not directly related to cetostearyl alcohol concentration. This was confirmed by microscopy as due to the changes in the size of the dispersed unreacted cetostearyl alcohol. The results illustrate the potential of this simple, reproducible non-destructive technique in the study of the structure of such systems.

The "blue toe" syndrome with renal atheroembolism and failure.

The occurrence of atheromatous embolization following cardiac catheterization and coronary artery bypass surgery is described. It was manifested initially by bluish discolored toes inciting suspicion of vasospasm and then by progressive renal failure. The diagnosis was confirmed by renal biopsy. The syndrome of multiple atheromatous or cholesterol emboli is probably more common than previously reported because of its masquerade of other illnesses and failure of consideration of diagnosis.