Biocontrol potential of Steinernema cholashanense (Nguyen) on larval and pupal stages of potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller).

The potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a serious pest of potato and other commercial crops belonging to the Solanaceae family. In recent years, it has become an emerging problem in potato-growing regions of the Nilgiri hills of southern India. It is responsible for the reduced quality and quantity of marketable potatoes. In this regard, the development of an eco-friendly control method for the management of the potato tuber moth is urgently required. Therefore, in the present study, the virulence of Steinernema cholashanense CPRSUS01 originally isolated from the potato rhizosphere was tested on fourth-instar larvae and pupae of P. operculella. Steinernema cholashanense caused the greatest mortality in the fourth-instar larval stage (100%) than the pupae (30%). In addition to this, penetration and reproduction of this nematode was also studied in fourth-instar larvae of P. operculella and this is the first report of penetration and reproduction of any entomopathogenic nematode species on potato tuber moth larvae. The reproduction capacity of S. cholashanense on P. operculella is higher (702 infective juveniles mg-1 body weight). Our results indicated that S. cholashanense has good potential as an alternative tool for the management of P. operculella. But before including S. cholashanense in the integrated pest management program of P. operculella, its efficacy should be tested under field conditions.

Preliminary HIV test result disclosure: lessons we can learn.

Result disclosure following routine HIV testing can be challenging. We present an interesting real life scenario regarding a young heterosexual Caucasian male patient, who was diagnosed as having a positive HIV antibody result following a routine HIV screening test, his confirmatory test result was HIV negative. This article covers important lessons learnt from the case.

Fentanyl decreases end-expiratory lung volume in patients anaesthetized with sevoflurane.

BACKGROUND: In patients breathing spontaneously during anaesthesia, expiratory muscle activity can be a prominent feature. This activity is triggered or exaggerated by opioid administration, which causes a prompt increase in intra-abdominal pressure. The effect of this increased expiratory activity on end-expiratory lung volume is not described. METHODS: Nine patients having minor gynaecological procedures were studied during stable anaesthetic conditions, breathing sevoflurane (end tidal 2.6%) through a laryngeal mask airway, in a circle system. The spill valve was closed and the fresh gas flow was temporarily reduced to approximate the oxygen uptake. The volume of the reservoir bag was then measured by placing it in a hinged, wedge-shaped container. Fentanyl (0.5 microg kg(-1) ideal body weight) was given after 1 min of stable recording, and the change in end-expiratory volume measured after 3 min. RESULTS: End-expiratory lung volume decreased in all patients by 160 (111) ml (mean, SD) (P<0.01). The decrease did not relate to obesity. CONCLUSIONS: During sevoflurane anaesthesia, fentanyl causes a rapid reduction in functional residual capacity. This is caused by increased activity of expiratory muscles and an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.

Characterization of solid-state forms of mebendazole.

This study deals with the generation and characterization of various solid-state forms of mebendazole (MBZ), a benzimidazole antihelmentic. The drug was subjected to polymorphic screen using different solvents to explore the possibility of existence of different solid forms. Different reported polymorphic forms of MBZ, i.e. form A, B and C were found to be recrystallized from acetic acid:methanol mixture (1:1), ethyl acetate and methanol, respectively. N,N-Dimethyl acetamide (DMA) and N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) yielded two new solvates of MBZ. These solid-state forms were characterized by thermoanalytical (DSC, TGA, HSM), crystallographic (XRD), microscopic (optical, polarized), and spectroscopic (FTIR) techniques. Solubility studies were carried out for the solvates to identify the solubility advantage. Molecular modeling studies revealed moderately strong hydrogen bonding between the solvent molecules and MBZ.

Retinal detachment secondary to ocular perforation during retrobulbar anaesthesia.

The clinical characteristics and the retinal breaks associated with rhegmatogenous retinal detachments secondary to accidental globe perforation during local infiltration anaesthesia in five highly myopic eyes are presented. Retinal detachment was total with variable proliferative vitreoretinopathy. The pattern of retinal breaks was rather typical and predictable. Management involved vitreous surgery with internal tamponade by silicone oil in four eyes and perfluoropropane gas in one eye. At the last follow-up, all eyes had attached retina. One eye did not recover useful vision due to possible concurrent optic nerve damage.

New spectroscopic data, spin-orbit functions, and global analysis of data on the A 1Sigmau+ and b 3Piu states of Na2.

The lowest electronically excited states of Na2 are of interest as intermediaries in the excitation of higher states and in the development of methods for producing cold molecules. We have compiled previously obtained spectroscopic data on the A 1Sigmau+ and b 3Piu states of Na2 from about 20 sources, both published and unpublished, together with new sub-Doppler linewidth measurements of about 15,000 A<--X transitions using polarization spectroscopy. We also present new ab initio results for the diagonal and off-diagonal spin-orbit functions. The discrete variable representation is used in conjunction with Hund's case a potentials plus spin-orbit effects to model data extending from v=0 to very close to the 3 2S+3 2P12 limit. Empirical estimates of the spin-orbit functions agree well with the ab initio functions for the accessible values of R. The potential function for the A state includes an exchange potential for S+P atoms, with a fitted coefficient somewhat larger than the predicted value. Observed and calculated term values are presented in an auxiliary (EPAPS) file as a database for future studies on Na2.

Phycotoxicity of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate.

Dose- and time-dependent effects of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, a major component of synthetic detergent, to the blue-green alga Nostoc muscorum, were studied under laboratory conditions. Toxicity was evident, at doses above 0.001%, from the decrease in biomass, heterocyst number, and protein content and pathomorphological alterations.

Pathomorphological changes in gills of fish fingerlings (Cirrhina mrigala) by linear alkyl benzene sulfonate.

Fish fingerlings (Cirrhina mrigala) exposed to 0.005 ppm (25% of LC50) concentration to detergents (linear alkyl benzene sulfonate) showed marked behavioral changes and distorted appearance of primary and secondary lamellae along with damage to gill epithelium under scanning electron microscopy at various magnifications. Mucosal cells of gills were found to secrete mucus showing primary reactions for membrane damage leading to dysfunction in respiration and osmoregulation.

The carboxy terminal WD domain of the pre-mRNA splicing factor Prp17p is critical for function.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Prp17p is required for the efficient completion of the second step of pre-mRNA splicing. The function and interacting factors for this protein have not been elucidated. We have performed a mutational analysis of yPrp17p to identify protein domains critical for function. A series of deletions were made throughout the region spanning the N-terminal 158 amino acids of the protein, which do not contain any identified structural motifs. The C-terminal portion (amino acids 160-455) contains a WD domain containing seven WD repeats. We determined that a minimal functional Prp17p consists of the WD domain and 40 amino acids N-terminal to it. We generated a three-dimensional model of the WD repeats in Prp17p based on the crystal structure of the beta-transducin WD domain. This model was used to identify potentially important amino acids for in vivo functional characterization. Through analysis of mutations in four different loops of Prp17p that lie between beta strands in the WD repeats, we have identified four amino acids, 235TETG238, that are critical for function. These amino acids are predicted to be surface exposed and may be involved in interactions that are important for splicing. Temperature-sensitive prp17 alleles with mutations of these four amino acids are defective for the second step of splicing and are synthetically lethal with a U5 snRNA loop I mutation, which is also required for the second step of splicing. These data reinforce the functional significance of this region within the WD domain of Prp17p in the second step of splicing.

Ultrastructural and biochemical effects of cadmium on the aquatic fern Marsilea minuta Linn.

The uptake of cadmium by cultured vegetative clones of the aquatic fern Marsilea minuta was studied in a static experimental bioassay system as functions of dose and period of exposure. The pathomorphological manifestations of Cd toxicity, as studied by transmission electron microscope, indicated damage to chloroplasts and tonoplasts as well as electron opaque granular deposits. Preliminary evidence based on molecular sieving chromatography showed the formation of two cadmium-binding proteins of 78 and 33 kDa in the leaf tissue under cadmium stress.

Effect of linear alkyl benzene sulfonate in skin of fish fingerlings (Cirrhina mrigala): observations with scanning electron microscope.

Pathomorphological changes in the skin was noticed under the scanning electron microscope in fish fingerlings (Cirrhina mrigala) exposed to 0.005 ppm (25% of the LC50) concentration to linear alkyl benzene sulfonate. The epithelial cells present in the epidermis of the skin were found to secrete more mucus with linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) than did controls. The presence or deposition of mucus on the surface of skin indicated likely molecular interaction between constituents of mucus and LAS.

Combined effects of cadmium and linear alkyl benzene sulfonate on Lemna minor L.

: The effects of 0.1 ppm cadmium and 0.005% linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) on the uptake and metabolic incorporation of (14)C glycine by Lemna minor L., after 2, 24 and 48 h were studied for antagonistic/synergistic effects. Combined exposure was found to decrease the (14)C incorporation into proteins, DNA, RNA and phospholipids, to a greater extent than individual exposure. The presence of LAS increased the uptake of (109)Cd in the plants.