Pedobarographic outcome after subtalar screw arthroereisis in flexible juvenile flatfoot.

BACKGROUND: Flatfoot is a frequent skeletal deformity in childhood that can be minimally invasively treated by arthroereisis. QUESTION: Does the motion of juvenile flexible flatfoot normalize after arthroereisis? METHOD: Pedographic measurements were obtained from 39 patients preoperatively, six months postoperatively and compared to a healthy group. The footprints were divided into 8 areas. The selected parameters were: contact area and force-time-integral. RESULTS: After surgery, a load shift from the medial to the lateral areas was detected under the midfoot and forefoot. The force-time-integral under the hallux normalized. However, under the lateral midfoot, the postoperative force-time-integral was significantly higher than in the control group. SIGNIFICANCE: The study shows that arthroereisis is able to correct the medially displaced load distribution of juvenile flexible flatfoot. However, further investigations are required to find out if the higher punctual loading under the lateral midfoot may cause problems in the long term.

Toxic effects of essential plant oils in adult Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Toxic effects of essential plant oils in adult Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Stored grains are subject to losses in quality nutritional value and in sanitation from the time they are stored to the time they are consumed. Botanical insecticides may offer an alternative solution for pest control. The objective was to test the insecticidal properties of the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus (leaf), Zingiber officinale (root) and Mentha sp. (leaf). The efficacy of these oils was tested to control the rice weevil, S. oryzae, using hydrodistillation. Chemical analysis of the essential oils was carried out by gas chromatography. Major components of C. citratus were geranial (48 percent) and neral (31 percent), of Z. officinale were α-zingibereno (13 percent), geranial (16 percent), neral (10 percent) and α-farneseno (5 percent) and of Mentha sp. was menthol (92 percent). Bioassays were carried out by fumigation and topical application. In topical application assays, the essential oil of C. citratus had greater toxicity (LC50 0.027 µL mL-1) and shorter exposure time than the oils of the other two plants. After 24 h and 48 h, 70 percent and 100 percent mortality of S. oryzae occurred, respectively. In fumigation assays, essential oil of Z. officinale had a lower LC50 (1.18 µL cm-2) and 70 percent mortality after 24 h exposure. Therefore, we recommend the use of essential oils of C. citratus and Z. officinale to control the rice weevil S. oryzae.

Efeito tóxico de óleos essenciais de plantas medicinais em adultos de Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Grãos armazenados estão sujeitos a perdas na qualidade física, sanitária e nutricional, desde sua maturação fisiológica até o momento do consumo. Uma alternativa para o manejo de pragas são os inseticidas botânicos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito inseticida de óleos essenciais de Cymbopogon citratus (folha), Zingiber officinale (raiz) e Mentha sp. (folha), obtidos através do método de hidrodestilação,no controle de adultos do gorgulho-do-arroz, S. oryzae. A caracterização química dos compostos encontrados nos óleos essenciais foi realizada por cromatografia gasosa, sendo observados como principais componentes para C. citratus: geranial (48 por cento) e neral (31 por cento), para Z. officinale: 16 por cento de geranial, 13 por cento de α-zingibereno, 10 por cento de neral e 5 por cento de α-farneseno e para Mentha sp.: 92 por cento de mentol. Os bioensaios foram realizados por aplicação tópica e fumigação. Os resultados da aplicação tópica mostraram que o óleo essencial de C. citratus apresenta maior toxicidade quando comparado à Mentha sp.e ao Z. officinale, pois apresentou uma CL50 de 0.027 µL mL-2 e um menor período de exposição, causando 70 por cento e 100 por cento de mortalidade de adultos de S. oryzae, respectivamente, 24 e 48 horas após dos tratamentos. Nos ensaios com fumigação, em adultos de S. oryzae, o óleo essencial de Z. officinale, apresentou a menor CL50 (1,18 µL cm-2) e o menor período de exposição, causando 70 por cento de mortalidade em 24 horas após a aplicação dos tratamentos. Desse modo conclui-se que os óleos de C. citratus e Z. officinale podem ser recomendados no controle de adultos do gorgulho-do-arroz S. oryzae.