Consumption of low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene materials by larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae), impacts on their ontogeny.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), and expanded polystyrene (EXPS) are the most common plastics found in every home of the world, but only ~ 10% enter the recycling chains. Consequently, the study of plastic biodegradation by microorganisms and insects, such as the wax moths, has gained special interest. Galleria mellonella (L.) has been shown to consume single-layered polyethylene and polystyrene, though biological impacts of this consumption have been rarely reported. We evaluated the consumption of different plastics by G. mellonella larvae (L7, mean size: 25-30 mm) and its effect on larval duration, survival, and development. For this, we offered the larvae five diets: single-layered LDPE, EXPS, BOPP, triple-layered polyethylene (SB, for silo-bags), and a control with beeswax. We recorded the state and weight of the materials and the state of larvae until they reached the adult stage. Larvae consumed more PE (both LDPE and SB) and EXPS than BOPP; still, they were able to emerge as adults in all treatments. Larvae that consumed plastics turned into pupal stage faster than those that consumed beeswax, regardless of the type and amount of plastic consumed. This is the first report of wild G. mellonella larvae in Argentina consuming biaxially polypropylene and silo-bags.

Prediction of complex gastroschisis: The evolution of therapeutic techniques and their relation with fetal sonographic features.

BACKGROUND: To analyze prenatal ultrasound (US) markers to predict treatment and adverse neonatal outcome in fetal gastroschisis. METHODS: It was conducted a retrospective single-center study considering all pregnancies with isolated gastroschisis that were treated in our department between 2008 and 2020. 17 US markers were analyzed. Moreover, the association between prenatal ultrasound signs and neonatal outcomes was analyzed: need of bowel resection, techniques of reduction, type of closure, adverse neonatal outcomes, time to full enteral feeding, length of total parenteral nutrition and length of hospitalization. RESULTS: The analysis included 21 cases. We found significant associations between intestinal dilation (≥10 mm) appeared before 30 weeks of gestation and the need of bowel resection (p = 0.001), the length of total parenteral nutrition (p = 0,0013) and the length of hospitalization (p = 0,0017). Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a risk factor for serial reduction (p = 0,035). There were no signs significantly associated with the type of closure. Hyperbilirubinemia is related with gestational age (GA) at the diagnosis of intra-abdominal bowel dilation (IABD) (p = 0.0376) and maximum IABD (p = 0.05). All newborns with sepsis had echogenic loops in uterus (p = 0.026). The relation between the GA at delivery and the GA at the extra-abdominal bowel dilation (EABD)≥10 mm was r = 0.70. CONCLUSION: We showed the significant role of the early presence of bowel dilation in predicting intestinal resection and adverse outcomes. All IUGR fetuses needed staged reduction through the silo-bag technique. The echogenic bowel was related to neonatal sepsis, while IABD was associated with hyperbilirubinemia.

Simplified preformed silo bag crafted from standard equipment in African Hospitals.

Silo bags are synthetic, flexible silicone bags used to cover and protect the bowel of neonates born with gastroschisis. They are transparent, which enables clinicians to visualise bowel colour and allows for gentle reduction until closure. Silo bags are expensive, and different sizes are needed depending on the gastroschisis size. Currently, tertiary hospitals in low-income countries experience great difficulty in purchasing these bags. Therefore, in this article, we present a method for creating a preformed silo bag by utilising readily available disposable equipment in secondary or tertiary hospitals. The disposable equipment required includes a 200- or 500-ml saline or blood bag, 16- or 18-Fr silicone/latex Foley catheter, Opsite® and 2-0 silk suture. The saline bag is cut and opened transversely. The Foley catheter is cut corresponding to the diameter of the saline bag opening, and both ends of the catheter piece are connected to each other to create a 'circle', which is used as the base for the opening. The edge of the saline bag is turned inside out around the catheter and then securely closed with a continuous suture, which fixes the folded part of the bag to the catheter. These silo bags are cheap and easily and quickly prepared at any centre in Africa and very similar to manufactured silo bags, which are comparatively costly and difficult to procure in limited-resource environments.