Novel Lactone-Based Insecticides and Drosophila suzukii Management: Synthesis, Potential Action Mechanisms and Selectivity for Non-Target Parasitoids.

Drosophila suzukii, an invasive insect pest, poses a significant threat to various fruit crops. The use of broad-spectrum insecticides to control this pest can reduce the effectiveness of biological control agents, such as the parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae. Here, we evaluated the toxicity of newly synthesized lactone derivatives on D. suzukii and their selectivity towards T. anastrephae. We used in silico approaches to identify potential targets from the most promising molecules in the D. suzukii nervous system and to understand potential differences in susceptibilities between D. suzukii and its parasitoid. Of the nine molecules tested, (rac)-8 and compound 4 demonstrated efficacy against the fly. Exposure to the estimated LC90 of (rac)-8 and compound 4 resulted in a mortality rate of less than 20% for T. anastrephae without impairing the parasitoid's functional parasitism. The in silico predictions suggest that (rac)-8 and compound 4 target gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels of D. suzukii. However, only the reduced interaction with TRP channels in T. anastrephae demonstrated a potential reason for the selectivity of these compounds on the parasitoid. Our findings suggest the potential for integrating (rac)-8 and compound 4 into D. suzukii management practices.

Potential Action Mechanism and Inhibition Efficacy of Morinda citrifolia Essential Oil and Octanoic Acid against Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum Infestations.

The use of plant-based products has been shown to efficiently inhibit fungi-mediated diseases in agricultural crops. Here, we extracted and evaluated the composition of noni, Morinda citrifolia L., essential oil and assessed its activities against Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum in Cucumis melo L. Using in silico molecular approaches, potential interactions between the essential oil major components and S. cucurbitacearum tyrosine-tRNA ligase were predicted. Finally, we also measured the potential interference of plant physiology (the stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis) mediated by the application of the M. citrifolia essential oil. Chromatographic analysis revealed that octanoic acid (75.8%), hexanoic acid (12.8%), and isobutyl pent-4-enyl carbonate (3.1%) were the major essential oil compounds. Octanoic acid and noni essential oil, when used as preventive measures, reduce fungal mycelial growth at a concentration of 5 mg/mL without causing significant damage to the treated leaves, which reinforces their efficacies as preventive tools against S. cucurbitacearum. Molecular docking analyses predicted very stable interactions between the major essential oil constituents and S. cucurbitacearum tyrosine-tRNA ligase, suggesting the interference of these plant-based molecules upon enzyme activation. Octanoic acid and M. citrifolia essential oil at concentrations of 20 mg/mL decreased the stomatal conductance and net photosynthesis rate of melon plants, resulting in robust phytotoxicity. Collectively, our findings indicated that despite the phytotoxicity risks at higher concentrations, M. citrifolia essential oil and octanoic acid, have potential as alternative tools for the integrative management of S. cucurbitacearum.

Distance and Bone Density between the Root Apex and the Mandibular Canal: A Cone-beam Study of 9202 Roots from a Brazilian Population.

INTRODUCTION: Accidental damage to the inferior alveolar nerve is of concern during endodontic treatment of the posterior mandible teeth, and a careful evaluation of the relationship between the apices and the mandibular canal (MC) is mandatory to prevent iatrogenic complications. This study aimed to assess the distance between the root apices of posterior teeth and the MC and the bone density in such areas. METHODS: One thousand retrospective cone-beam computed tomographic scans were randomly selected from a private oral radiologic clinic database. The images were acquired with a limited field of view and analyzed by 2 evaluators who measured the shortest distance between the root apices and the upper cortical bone of the MC using Dental Slice software (Bioparts Biomedical Prototyping, Brasília, DF, Brazil). In addition, bone density was estimated using the tool "profile line of Hounsfield" and expressed in Hounsfield units. RESULTS: The distal root of the right second molars was the closest to the MC (mean = 3.41 mm), and the right first premolar root was the farthest from the MC (mean = 5.87 mm), respectively. The root apices were closer to the MC in women than in men (P < .05). In 1.79% of the cases, the roots were in contact or invading the MC, whereas 8.35% of the root apices were close to the MC (<1.00 mm), and 89.85% were distant from the MC (>1.00 mm). In 85.55% of the cases, the bone was dense. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the risk of damage to the inferior alveolar nerve is higher for second molars, especially in female patients. The higher density of the adjacent bone may act as a protective factor against nerve damage arising from endodontic procedures.

The hygiene hypothesis at a glance: Early exposures, immune mechanism and novel therapies.

The hygiene hypothesis was proposed almost three decades ago. Nevertheless, its mechanism still remains with relevant controversies. Some studies defend that early exposures during childhood to microbes and parasites are key determinants to prevent allergies and autoimmune diseases; however, other studies demonstrated that these early exposures can even potentiate the clinical scenario of the diseases. Based on several studies covering the influences of microbiome, parasites, related theories and others, this review focuses on recent advances in the hygiene hypothesis field. In addition, the main immunological mechanisms underlying the hygiene hypothesis are also discussed. We also strongly encourage that researchers do not consider the hygiene hypothesis as a theory based strictly on hygiene habits, but a theory combining diverse influences, as illustrated in this review as the hygiene hypothesis net.

Exercise Intensity and Recovery: Biomarkers of Injury, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress.

Biomarkers of inflammation, muscle damage, and oxidative stress after high-intensity exercise have been described previously; however, further understanding of their role in the postexercise recovery period is necessary. Because these markers have been implicated in cell signaling, they may be specifically related to the training adaptations induced by high-intensity exercise. Thus, a clear model showing their responses to exercise may be useful in characterizing the relative recovery status of an athlete. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to investigate the time course of markers of muscle damage and inflammation in the blood from 3 to 72 hours after combined training exercises and (b) to investigate indicators of oxidative stress and damage associated with increased reactive oxygen species production during high-intensity exercise in elite athletes. Nineteen male athletes performed a combination of high-intensity aerobic and anaerobic training exercises. Samples were acquired immediately before and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise. The appearance and clearance of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase in the blood occurred faster than previous studies have reported. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio summarizes the mobilization of 2 leukocyte subpopulations in a single marker and may be used to predict the end of the postexercise recovery period. Further analysis of the immune response using serum cytokines indicated that high-intensity exercise performed by highly trained athletes only generated inflammation that was localized to the skeletal muscle. Biomarkers are not a replacement for performance tests, but when used in conjunction, they may offer a better indication of metabolic recovery status. Therefore, the use of biomarkers can improve a coach's ability to assess the recovery period after an exercise session and to establish the intensity of subsequent training sessions.

Western blot seroindeterminate individuals for human T-lymphotropic virus I/II (HTLV-I/II) in Fortaleza (Brazil): a serological and molecular diagnostic and epidemiological approach.

How to handle Western blot (WB) seroindeterminate individuals for Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1/2 (HTLV-1/2) constitutes a challenge for blood banks and families. We made a cross-sectional study of 191 enzyme linked immunoassay (EIA) reactive individuals from the hematological center (HEMOCE) of Fortaleza (Brazil), examining their serological (WB) and molecular (PCR) diagnosis, and demographic profiles, as well as a possible association of their condition with other infectious pathologies and risk factors. Ethical institutional approval and personal consent were obtained. Out of 191 EIA reactive individuals, 118 were WB seroindeterminate and 73 were seropositive for HTLV-1/2. In the PCR analysis of 41 WB seroindeterminate individuals, 9 (22%) were positive and 32 (78%) were negative for HTLV-1/2. The demographic analysis indicated a trend towards a predominance of males among the seroindeterminate individuals and females in the seropositive ones. The seroindeterminate individuals were younger than the seropositive ones. We did not find any association of these conditions with syphilis, Chagas disease or HIV or hepatitis, and with risk factors such as breast-feeding, blood transfusion, STD (syphilis) and IDU.

Western blot seroindeterminate individuals for Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1/2 (HTLV-1/2) in Fortaleza (Brazil): a serological and molecular diagnostic and epidemiological approach

How to handle Western blot (WB) seroindeterminate individuals for Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1/2 (HTLV-1/2) constitutes a challenge for blood banks and fam ilies. We made a cross-sectional study of 191 enzyme linked immunoassay (EIA) reactive individuals from the hematological center (HEMOCE) of Fortaleza (Brazil), examining their serological (WB) and molecular (PCR) diagnosis, and demographic profiles, as well as a possible association of their condition with other infectious pathologies and risk factors. Ethical institutional approval and personal consent were obtained. Out of 191 EIA reactive individuals, 118 were WB seroindeterminate and 73 were seropositive for HTLV-1/2. In the PCR analysis of 41 WB seroindeterminate individuals, 9 (22 percent) were positive and 32 (78 percent) were negative for HTLV-1/2. The demographic analysis indicated a trend towards a predominance of males among the seroindeterminate individuals and females in the seropositive ones. The seroindeterminate individuals were younger than the seropositive ones. We did not find any association of these conditions with syphilis, Chagas disease or HIV or hepatitis, and with risk factors such as breast-feeding, blood transfusion, STD (syphilis) and IDU

Proposta de kit (ACE-KIT) para determinaçåo prática e simples da atividade colinesterásica em líquidos biológicos / A kit (ACE-KIT) for practical and simple assay of cholinesterase activity in biological fluids

A determinaçäo da atividade da colinesterase sérica nos indivíduos que aplicam praguicidas organofosforados e carbamatos se constitui num teste confiável de intoxicaçäo por esses inseticidas. Inibidores reversíveis das colinesterases estäo sendo usados, atualmente, no tratamento clínico da demência senil, tipo Alzheimer. Seus níveis de atividade säo usados, atualmente, no tratamento clínico da demência senil, tipo Alzheimer. Seus níveis de atividade säo usados na monitorizaçäo desse tratamento e na indicaçäo do grau de inibiçäo enzimática no cérebro e outros tecidos. Certos paciente, portadores de variantes genéticas isoenzimáticas, quando submetidos à anestesia pelo halotane e enflurane ou drogas como a succinilcolina, podem apresentar depressöes respiratórias graves. Diante do exposto e, porque näo existe disponível no mercado especializado, nenhum kit de fabricaçäo nacional que permita a avaliçäo da colinesterase nos diversos líquidos biológicos, estamos propondo o ACE-KIT, como um conjunto de reagentes capaz de avaliar, de modo prático, simples e barato, a atividade dessas enzimas