Highly Active Rutile TiO2 Nanocrystalline Photocatalysts.

The controllable synthesis of rutile TiO2 single crystal particles with the preferential orientation of {111} facets still remains a scientific and technological challenge. Here, we developed a facile route for fabrication of rutile TiO2 nanorod crystals (RTiO2NRs) having high ratios of oxidative {111} to reductive {110} surfaces. RTiO2NRs were synthesized using a peroxo-titanium complex (PTC) approach, which was controlled by changing the Ti/H2O2 ratio. The thus obtained RTiO2NRs revealed a high tendency to agglomerate through orientation-dependent attachment along the {110} facets. This resulted in an increased {111}/{110} surface ratio and led to a markedly improved photocatalytic activity of RTiO2NR aggregates. The reported findings illustrate the rich potential of the herein proposed facile and energy-efficient synthesis of nanostructured rutile TiO2-based photocatalysts.

Comparison of QuEChERS with Traditional Sample Preparation Methods in the Determination of Multiclass Pesticides in Soil.

Background: The increased use of pesticides leads to permanent pollution of soil, and there is a need for continuous monitoring of these agrochemicals in soil. Objective: Three methods for the simultaneous determination of 12 pesticides belonging to eight chemical groups in soil samples were tested and compared based on analytical parameters. Methods: The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS); traditional solid-liquid extraction (SLE); and Soxhlet extraction were used for soil sample preparation, while detection and quantification of pesticides were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: The tested methods featured good sensitivity, and with the exception for carbofuran (Soxhlet method, LOD = 29 µg/kg), for the rest of the pesticides, the studied LODs were less than 12 µg/kg. Except for simazine and carbofuran, LODs obtained by Soxhlet extraction were lower than values obtained by other two methods, whereas QuEChERS gave lower LODs than the traditional SLE method for all compounds except atrazine and acetochlor. The recoveries obtained applying QuEChERS, traditional SLE, and Soxhlet methods for multiple analyses of soil samples fortified at 10, 75, and 200 µg/kg of each pesticide were in the ranges 54-103, 40-91, and 12-92%, respectively. Except for chlorothalonil, the highest recoveries were obtained by the QuEChERS method. Soxhlet was better than traditional SLE method for chlorothalonil, heptachlor, and aldrin; organophosphorus pesticides (fenitrothion and diazinon) and trifluralin, gave similar recoveries for both methods. All three methods were proven to be repeatable, with RSDs lower than 19%. Conclusions: Although all tested methods showed as satisfactory regarding most analytical parameters, QuEChERS method showed much better results in terms of confidence, indicating that traditional SLE and Soxhlet extraction still need improvements for determination of multiclass pesticides in soil samples.

Examination of the influence of phenyltrimethylammonium chloride (PTMA) concentration on acetochlor adsorption by modified montmorillonite.

The results presented in this paper show an impact of the concentration of the aromatic organic cation on the adsorption of acetochlor on the surface of the organic-modified montmorillonite. Natural montmorillonite from Bogovina (Boljevac municipality, Serbia) was used for organic modification in this experiment. Cation exchange capacity of this montmorillonite (86 mmol 100 g-1 of clay) was determined using the methylene blue method. In pretreatment, montmorillonite was modified with NaCl. For the purpose of organic modification, three different concentrations of phenyltrimethylammonium chloride (PTMA) have been selected, based on calculated CEC value: 43 mmol 100 g-1 of clay (0.5 CEC), 86 mmol 100 g-1 of clay (1 CEC) and 129 mmol 100 g-1 of clay (1.5 CEC). The changes in the properties of the inorganic and organic modified montmorillonite were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and batch equilibrium method. Freundlich coefficients show higher uptake of the herbicide by montmorillonite modified with PTMA, compared to inorganic-modified montmorillonite. The results also indicate the influence of the organic cation concentration on the adsorption of the selected herbicide.

Influence of the organic complex concentration on adsorption of herbicide in organic modified montmorillonite.

This study was undertaken to determine the impact of the organic complex concentration on the adsorption of herbicide (acetochlor) at the surface of the organic modified montmorillonite. In this work, natural montmorillonite from Bogovina (Boljevac municipality, Serbia) was used for organic modification. Cation-exchange capacity of this montmorillonite was determined using a methylene blue method (86 mmol/100 g of clay). Montmorillonite has been modified first with NaCl and then with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-bromide) organic complex. Saturation of cation exchange capacity (CEC) was 50%, 100%, and 150%. Changes in the properties of the inorganic and organic montmorillonite have been examined using the X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and batch equilibrium method. Montmorillonite modified with HDTMA-bromide demonstrated higher uptake of the herbicide, compared to the inorganic montmorillonite. Comparing the values Freundlich coefficients in batch equilibrium method, it can be seen that the adsorption of acetochlor decreased in the series: 0.5 CEC HM > 1 CEC HM > 1.5 CEC HM > NaM.

Dysautonomia Differentially Influences the Effect of Affective Pain Perception on Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease Patients.

Background. Our aim was to evaluate the real effect of dysautonomic symptoms on the influence of affective pain perception on quality of life in PD patients. Methods. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out using 105 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients of the Movement Disorders Unit, Hospital de Cruces (Bilbao, Spain) [men 59 (56.2%), women 46 (43.85%)]. Statistical analysis was made in order to evaluate the possible association of pain with life quality. Results. Quality of life measured by PDQ-39 (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire for quality of life) was statistically associated with affective dimension of pain (PRIA, affective pain rating index). However, the influence of this dimension on PDQ-39 was different in the specific case of PD patients that experimented a high score (>12) in SCOPA-AUT (Scale for Outcomes in PD-Autonomic scale). Conclusions. These results confirm the effect of affective perception of pain in life quality of PD patients, indicating the critical role of autonomic symptoms in the modulation of the influence of pain on quality of life and showing the possible utility of dysautonomia as clinical prognostic indicator of quality of life in PD patients affected by pain.

Evaluation of Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the Presence of Bifenthrin.

This work describes the effect of insecticide bifenthrin on Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Growths of used microorganisms in growth media supplemented with pesticide were studied. Determination of bacterial and yeast fermentation efficiency in wheat supplemented with bifenthrin was conducted. Additionally, investigation of bifenthrin dissipation during microbiological activity was performed. Experiments applying bifenthrin in different concentrations highlighted a negligible impact of the pesticide on the growth of L. plantarum and S. cerevisiae. This insecticide overall negatively affected the yeast fermentation of wheat, while its presence in wheat had a slight negative impact on lactic acid fermentation. The results of bifenthrin dissipation during lactic acid and yeast fermentations of wheat showed that activities of L. plantarum and S. cerevisiae caused lower pesticide reductions. Average bifenthrin residue reduction within samples fermented with L. plantarum was 5.4 % (maximum ~16 %), while within samples fermented with S. cerevisiae, it was 11.6 % (maximum ~17 %).

The potency of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus plantarum to dissipate organophosphorus pesticides in wheat during fermentation.

The degradation behaviour of pirimiphos methyl with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and chlorpyrifos methyl with Lactobacillus plantarum in wheat during fermentation was studied. Yeast fermentation was especially effective for reduction of pirimiphos methyl applied at 5 mg kg-1 (maximum residue limit-MRL) causing dissipation for max 48.8%. Pesticide reduction rate decreased with an increase of fortification rate. Thus in samples fortified with 25 and 75 mg kg-1 a reduction up to 27.1%, and 23.7% respectively, was observed. Activity of L. plantarum was especially effective for reduction of chlorpyrifos methyl applied at 3 mg kg-1 (MRL) causing dissipation for max 56.7%. This reduction rate decreased with an increase of fortification rate. In samples contaminated with 15 and 45 mg kg-1 dissipation reached up to 38.6% and 34.7% respectively. For both experiments, initial inoculums sizes had no statistically significant effect on pesticides dissipation level, while concerning fermentation temperatures at all fortification levels the highest degradations occurred at 30 °C. Overall, regardless fermentation parameters, the degradation rate constants of pirimiphos methyl fermented with yeast were increased comparing with control samples by 255-573, 56-116 and 119-594% in samples contaminated at MRL, 5MRL and 15MRL of pesticide, while the degradation rate constants of chlorpyrifos methyl fermented with lactobacilli were increased by 74-769, 59-237 and 46-469% respectively. These results evidenced that yeast and lactobacilli played an important role in promoting pirimiphos methyl i.e. chlorpyrifos methyl dissipation in wheat.

Stability of the pyrethroid pesticide bifenthrin in milled wheat during thermal processing, yeast and lactic acid fermentation, and storage.

BACKGROUND: Pesticide residues have become an unavoidable part of food commodities. In the context of increased interest for food processing techniques as a tool for reducing pesticide residues, it is interesting to study the potential loss of pesticides during lactic acid and yeast fermentation. In the present paper the effect of fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and storage on 23 °C on bifenthrin in wheat was investigated. In addition, the effect of sterilisation (applied in order to avoid contamination with wild microorganism strains, i.e. to determine the individual effects of used strains) on bifenthrin degradation was tested as well. RESULTS: No significant loss of bifenthrin was observed during storage, or after the sterilisation. During the lactic acid fermentation, reduction within wheat fortified with 0.5 mg kg(-1) was 42%, while quite lower within samples fortified with 2.5 mg kg(-1) , maximum 18%. In contrast, bifenthrin concentration was not reduced during yeast fermentation, as the reduction in fortified samples was in the range of spontaneous chemical degradation during incubation period. CONCLUSION: Possible bifenthrin contamination in wheat, in amounts over the maximum residue limits, could not be reduced by sterilisation or by yeast fermentation, but lactic acid fermentation could be an effective tool for minimising residual contamination.

Liquid-solid sample preparation followed by headspace solid-phase microextraction determination of multiclass pesticides in soil.

This paper describes development and validation of a multiresidue method for the determination of five pesticides (terbufos, prochloraz, chloridazon, pendimethalin, and fluorochloridone) belonging to different pesticide groups in soil samples by GC/MS, followed by its application in the analysis of some agricultural soil samples. The method is based on a headspace solid-phase microextraction method. Microextraction conditions, namely temperature, extraction time, and NaCI content, were tested and optimized using a 100 microm polydimethylsiloxane fiber. Three extraction solvents [methanol, methanol-acetone (1 + 1, v/v), and methanol-acetone-hexane (2 + 2 + 1, v/v/v)] and the optimum number of extraction steps within the sample preparation stage were optimized for the extraction procedure. LOD values for all the studied compounds were less than 12 microg/kg. Recovery values for multiple analyses of soil samples fortified at 30 microg/kg of each pesticide were higher than 64%. The method was proven to be repeatable, with RSD lower than 15%.

Headspace solid phase microextraction method for determination of triazine and organophosphorus pesticides in soil.

A headspace solid phase microextraction method (HS-SPME) for simultaneous determination of five pesticides belonging to triazine and organophosphorus pesticide groups in soil samples was developed. Microextraction conditions, such as temperature, extraction time and sodium chloride (NaCl) content were investigated and optimized using 100 microm polydimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) fiber. Detection and quantification were done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Relative standard deviation (RSD) and recovery values for multiple analysis of soil samples fortified at 30 microg kg(- 1) of each pesticide were below 13 % and higher than 70 %, respectively. Limits of detection (LOD) for all the compounds studied were less than 3.2 microg kg(- 1). The proposed method was applied in the analysis of some agricultural soil samples.

[Charles Bonnet syndrome in an elderly patient with bilateral vision loss, hyperthyroidism and relative digitalis overdose]. / Charles-Bonnet-Syndrom bei einer älteren Patientin mit beidseitigem Visusverlust, Hyperthyreose und relativer Digitalis-Uberdosierung.

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is characterized by the presence of visual hallucinations in elderly, mentally healthy people. We report a visually impaired 90-year-old woman suddenly complaining of visual hallucinations, suffering from hyperthyroidism and a relative digitalis overdose. The diagnosis of CBS could be made after the exclusion of an intoxication and other neurological and psychiatric syndromes. In this case, visual hallucinations ceased without specific psychopharmacological therapy. A brief review of this organic hallucinosis, differential diagnosis, especially hyperthyroidism-induced psychosis, and digitoxin-induced psychosis is given and current therapeutic strategies are suggested.

Discrepant target detection and action monitoring in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been related to altered mechanisms of action monitoring and target detection, and it has been hypothesized that hyperactive striatal-cortical circuits constitute the underlying pathophysiology. This study used event-related brain potentials (ERPs) to explore this hypothesis. A choice reaction time experiment was carried out in a group of OCD patients and a normal comparison group. The P3b component of the ERP to targets was taken as an indicator of the target-evaluation process and the response-locked error-related negativity (ERN) served as an indicator of action monitoring. We hypothesized that the OCD group would show a shortened P3b latency and an amplitude-enhanced ERN. Consistent with our expectations, the P3b latency was shorter and the ERN amplitude was higher in the OCD group. Unexpectedly, we also observed a prolonged ERN latency in the OCD group and a more posterior topography of this component. The data provide partial support for the hypothesis of a hyperactive neural network in OCD. In addition the disorder must involve pathophysiological processes that are presumably related to other aspects of its complex and heterogeneous clinical hallmarks.

[Cannabis consumption and its psychosocial effects in a comparison of different cultures]. / Cannabiskonsum und seine psychosozialen Wirkungen im Kulturvergleich.

Cannabis consumption is a social and cultural phenomenon. It has a specific place in each society, therefore psychotropic effects are judged differently. In medieval Islam cannabis consumption showed connections with religious and mystic events and was basically formed through consuming sufis. The main risk of cannabis use was especially the induction of "madness" or psychotic states in case of high dosage and high frequency of consumption. Nevertheless there were no social sanctions. Today in western civilized countries cannabis consumption is connected with relaxed activity and is mainly consumed by adolescents. The main risk is seen in the ongoing consumption of illicit drugs, since cannabis consumption is widely held as the first step for such a career. On the other hand the induction of psychotic states or a schizophrenia-like psychosis is rarely named in public discussions. At all times self-reports of cannabis-users named creative aspects of cannabis-consumption, normally seen in the conscious translation into normal reality of astonishing and formerly unknown experiences made in an intoxicated state. This aspect of cannabis use is widely disregarded in scientific research. Various reasons therefore are discussed.

Altered inhibition of motor responses in Tourette Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

OBJECTIVES: The Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (TS) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have been shown to display impaired cognitive and motor inhibition. This study investigated inhibitory mechanisms of motor responses in order to expand the understanding of sensorimotor integration processes in both disorders. We hypothesized that both patient groups would display altered frontal inhibitory activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To this end event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded in a STOP-paradigm in groups of TS and OCD patients and in a control group. The paradigm required the execution of a motor response after a "go" signal was given and the occasional suppression of this response after a second "stop" signal occurred. RESULTS: Behavioral parameters and Lateralized Readiness Potential (LRP) confirmed that both patient groups were well able to initiate motor responses. "Go" and "stop" stimuli elicited an enhanced frontal negative activity in both patient groups. In addition, "stop" stimuli were associated with a frontal shift of the NoGo-Anteriorization (NGA) in the TS group but not in the OCD group. CONCLUSIONS: The data are interpreted to indicate altered frontal inhibitory functions. Similarities and dissimilarities between the findings for TS and OCD are discussed with respect to other pathophysiologic aspects of the disorders.

Ultrastructural effects of colchicine on perikarya and initial segment of rat retinal ganglion cells.

Our ultrastructural study was focused on the perikaryal region and initial segment of the axon of rat retinal ganglion cells in controls and after intraocular injections of colchicine. In control rats that region contained, among other organelles, elements of the Golgi complex and, close to them, short isolated microtubules oriented preferentially toward the axon where they funnel and aggregate in bundles. One day after sufficient doses of colchicine to inhibit axoplasmic transport (2-20 micrograms) these cytoplasmic microtubules were absent, whereas some axonal microtubules were still present but reduced in number. In addition, colchicine induced an altered distribution of organelles, leaving empty spaces in the periphery and most organelles concentrated in the perinuclear region, especially around Golgi elements where numerous vesicles and tubules accumulate at the trans face of Golgi elements. These results suggest that the vesicles that leave the Golgi and have been directed towards axoplasmic transport may need the cytoplasmic microtubules located between Golgi elements and the axonal initial segments to reach the axon.

Cheilitis glandularis--a disorder of ductal ectasia.

Cheilitis glandularis is characterized by lip eversion and protrusion with obvious, mucoid-secreting ductal orifices along the mucosal-vermilion boundary. One may see confirmatory microscopic findings of ductal ectasia and metaplasia. Vermilionectomy can be efficacious.

Neonatal lupus: a case report.

An infant boy born to an asymptomatic mother was found to have typical cutaneous and serologic findings of the neonatal lupus syndrome. Anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies were detected in both the mother and the child. Evaluation of the maternal grandmother who had been diagnosed with "lupus" was nondiagnostic.