195 research outputs found
BIOCHEMICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL IMPACT OF INSECTICIDE SYNERGISTS ON THE HONEY BEE APIS MELLIFERA L.
No full textIl sinergizzante piperonil-butossido (PBO) usato in combinazione con insetticidi è in grado di contrastare i parassiti resistenti inibendo temporaneamente i sistemi di detossificazione. Nuovi sinergizzanti sono stati sintetizzati a partire dalla struttura molecolare del PBO, ma anche gli insetti utili come le api possono risentire di una maggiore efficacia degli insetticidi.
In questo studio abbiamo osservato l’attività enzimatica in vitro (esterasi, acetilcolinesterasi, glutatione S-transferasi e monossigenasi P450) di api operaie Italiane e Carniche in presenza del PBO e dei suoi nuovi derivati del benzodiossolo e 2,3-diidrobenzofurano mediante saggi spettrofotometrici, per determinare se i sistemi di detossificazione e altri sistemi enzimatici sono influenzati dai sinergizzanti.
I nuovi derivati del PBO possono inibire parzialmente le esterasi in alcune popolazioni di api più sensibili.
Altri sistemi enzimatici non sembrano essere inibiti dai sinergizzanti studiati.
Studi di tossicità acuta orale e di contatto sono stati condotti in laboratorio presso il Bee Research Institute (Dol, Repubblica Ceca) su api operaie Carniche per verificare il possibile incremento di tossicità degli insetticidi imidacloprid e alfa-cipermetrina in combinazione con PBO e i suoi derivati del benzodiossolo.
Gli studi hanno mostrato una differenza significativa tra la tossicità dei due principi attivi da soli e in combinazione con i sinergizzanti.The synergist piperonyl-butoxide (PBO) has been proved to successfully control resistant pests when combined with insecticides by temporarily inhibiting the detoxification systems which lead to resistance. New synergists, starting from the molecular structure of PBO, have been developed but pollinators may also suffer from an increased efficacy of insecticides.
In this study we observed in vitro enzyme (esterases, acetylcholinesterases, glutathione S-transferases and P450 mixed function oxidases) activity of Italian and Carniolan honey bee workers in presence of the synergist PBO and its novel benzodioxole and 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran derivatives through spectrophotometric assays, to determine if detoxification systems and other enzymatic systems are affected by synergists.
This data show that novel PBO derivatives may partially inhibit esterases in some honey bee populations which are more sensitive.
Other enzymatic systems seem not to be targeted by the studied synergists.
Acute oral and contact toxicity studies were conducted in laboratory conditions at the Bee Research Institute (Dol, Czech Republic) on adult Carniolan workers to investigate the possible increase of imidacloprid and alpha-cypermethrin toxicity when combined with PBO and its benzodioxole derivatives.
Tests showed some significant difference between the toxicity of the two active principles alone and combined with the synergists
Modified HyperCVAD and rituximab for the treatment of B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma.
No full textBackground. The category of B-cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma (BL-INT) was introduced into the 2008 WHO classification to define an infrequent subtype of aggressive mature B-cell NHL. It has been suggested that the deregulated expression of MYC and BCL-2 or BCL-6 oncoproteins, along with the genetic complexity of these tumors, contributes to the poor outcome of BL-INT when treated with standard R-CHOP. Aims and Methods. From 1995 we have been treating patients with advanced, aggressive B-NHL using a modified HyperCVAD regimen alternating sequential cyclophosphamide, vincristine and adryamicine plus intrathecal prophylaxis (cycle A) with high-dose methotrex- ate and high-dose cytarabine (cycle B). From 2002 standard-dose Rituximab has been added to each cycle. The diagnostic specimens of all patients treated into this protocol were revised according to the WHO 2008 criteria, and 20 patients were classified as BL-INT. FISH analysis for MYC translocation using a Break Apart probe and additional IHC analyses were performed in more recent cases or when adequate frozen material was available. Results. Median age of 20 BL-INT patients was 40 years (range 19-72), males were 13 (65%). The large majority of patients had high-risk characteristics: Ann Arbor IV stage (n=17, 85%), ECOG Performance Status ≥2 (n=12, 60%), Ki-67 >90% (n=15, 75%), bulky disease (n=13, 65%). A leukemic presentation was present in 7 cases (35%) and 4 patients (20%) had CNS disease. MYC translocation was found in 7/11 cases (63.6%), BCL2 and BCL6 were hyper-expressed in 11/16 (68.7%) and 13/14 (92.8%) cases, respectively. Remarkably, a “mutated” p53+/p21- phenotype was found in 9/9 tested cases. Eighteen patients were evaluable for response to treatment, 4 were treated with chemotherapy alone and 14 received Rituximab plus chemotherapy (median 3 cycles A plus 3 cycles B). Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 17 patients and partial remission in one. Three patients suffered from relapse and another one died of fungal pneumonia while in CR. After a median folllow-up of 69 months the EFS is 72.2%, not different from what seen in BL treated with the same protocol (Todeschini et al, Am J Hematol 2011). Conclusions. Although in a small series, we observed that an intensive, short-term chemotherapy regimen determines a good outcome in BL-INT characterised by a very unfavourable clinical and molecular profile
Efficacy and residues of permethrin-incorporated nets used to protect maize grains post-harvest
No full textBACKGROUND
Pest control in post-harvest food storage represents a great challenge in the sustainable prevention of food losses, and insecticide-treated netting may represent a valid alternative to traditional practices such as the direct application of insecticides. In our work, the efficacy of a permethrin-incorporated net, in combination with polypropylene or jute sacking, was tested for the control of Sitophilus oryzae. Contamination of maize grain by permethrin from the treated netting was also evaluated.
RESULTS
A 98% control of S. oryzae was achieved using permethrin-treated netting. Both jute and polypropylene acted as additional barriers, increasing efficacy to 100%. The results also showed the contamination of maize kernel by permethrin released from the treated netting. The concentration of residues in maize kernels increased with increasing temperature; however, use of jute or polypropylene significantly reduced (by 87% to 97%) the concentration of residues transferred to maize kernels.
CONCLUSIONS
Permethrin-treated netting provided a high level of efficacy in the post-harvest protection of maize. Several factors influenced permethrin residue concentrations in grains when treated nets are used. Therefore, solutions should be found to prevent contamination of food stored in the bags that are treated with insecticides. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industr
Word surfing. Dialogo su futili sistemi
No full textLe parole con cui parliamo delle cose ci possono insegnare qualcosa dei rapporti tra gli uomini e le realtà in mezzo alle quali vivono e pensano. Questo vale anche per l’informatica. Ne abbiamo parlato, senza alcun impegno scientifico, e abbiamo scoperto cose che non sapevamo. - The words by which we speak of the things can teach us something of the relationships between men and the reality, in the midst of which they live and think. The same goes for computer world. We have talked about this, without any scientific commitment, and we have discovered things that we didn't know
Use of permethrin coated nets to protect stored grain from pests infestations
No full textSurveys carried out in some villages of Democratic Republic of the Congo showed that insect pests are a major cause of food loss for rural populations. Cereal grains are often compromised by pests in the field and during storage. Among cereals cultivated for family consumption in these areas of Africa, mainly maize and rice are both seriously infested by Coleopteran pests belonging to the genus Sitophilus. Any approach currently adopted to solve this problem, as the manual removal of visible insects, is often inadequate or insufficient. Due to the limited availability of chemical insecticides and their high price in these countries, our aim is to study a simple and cheap way to protect grain after harvest. The technology derives from anti-malaria mosquito nets, also known as insecticide treated nets (ITNs) or bednets, modified for the new purpose. Nets consist in fine-mesh polyester coated with permethrin (2.0%), a synthetic second generation pyrethroid that gives repellent and insecticide effect, while ensuring a high human safety. The idea is to use these nets to wrap jute bags or other containers in which grain is commonly stored in poor countries. Preliminary bioassays with adults of Sitophilus oryzae showed that knock-down values for 50% and 95% of exposed insects (KD50 and KD95, respectively) were equal to 4.8 and 9.5 minutes. We are currently carrying out further in vivo bioassays (in Italy) and field studies (in Congo) to test the efficacy of the treated net. The coating of structures for grain preservation could be a viable sustainable strategy for limiting food losses in countries that lack resources and technologies for pest control
Facial sinus endoscopic evaluation, radiologic assessment, and classification
No full textObjectives: To describe facial sinus anatomy from an endoscopic perspective and present a radiologic classification. Methods: Facial sinus was studied by endoscopy and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan in 39 temporal bones that underwent exclusive transcanal endoscopic approach. A radiomorphologic classification based on the relationship between the facial sinus and the mastoid portion of the facial nerve is created as follows. In type A facial sinus, the pneumatization of the facial sinus did not extend medially or posteriorly to the mastoid portion of the facial nerve. In type B facial sinus, the pneumatization extended posteriorly to the mastoid portion of the facial nerve. In type C facial sinus, the pneumatization extended posteriorly and medially to the mastoid portion of the facial nerve. Results: In all the specimens that underwent HRCT (n = 31), facial sinus could be identified, and its depth classified, in relation to the facial nerve. In this group, 58% type A, 29% type B, and 13% type C facial sinuses were identified. In all the specimens (n = 39), the facial sinus could be assessed by means of an exclusive endoscopic transcanal approach, and anatomical variants of the chordiculus, previously known as chordal ridge, could be described: ridge (39%), bridge (18%), incomplete (15%), and absent (28%). Conclusion: Endoscopic exploration of the retrotympanum guarantees a very good exposure of the facial sinus, allowing detailed anatomic descriptions of its conformation and relationships with other structures. Improvement in our knowledge of its anatomy might decrease the possibility of residual disease during cholesteatoma surgery. Angled endoscopes (e.g. 45 °, 70 °) can guarantee a better view of the facial sinus. Level of Evidence: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:2397–2402, 2018
Hydrological modelling of the Cascina Scala catchment
No full textThis paper presents results about the hydrological modelling of the Cascina Scala catchment. Following a preliminary analysis that proved the Nash cascade of reservoirs superior to the Clark model in the event-based rainfall-runoff simulation for this catchment, a new analysis was carried out to compare two different parameterization approaches applicable in gauged rain events. The former is based on estimating the optimal set of model parameters in each gauged event and then obtaining the ultimate set by averaging the values obtained over the whole group of events; the latter is based on estimating the optimal set of parameters directly on the whole group of gauged events. The results of the analysis proved the better performance of the latter, which enables better representation of the hydrological response of the catchment, evaluated in terms of water discharge pattern at the outlet
A contribution to the evolution of the BAT concept in the steelmaking sector
No full textThe sector of steelmaking, in the European Union, is considered today one of the major potential contributors to the atmospheric release and consequent deposition of dioxin. The emissions of a plant depend on many factors: characteristics of the input, process, prevention and removal of dioxin from the gaseous stream. The local impact depends also on the different emission path, namely diffused emissions, secondary emissions and conveyed gases, as each stream can be related to a different way of dilution into the atmosphere. Moreover, the local impact is also related to the meteorological conditions. The high variability of parameters that can affect the local impact from a plant can be analyzed through the deployment of deposimeters, in order to understand the human exposure in the surroundings. The present paper refers to an Italian case-study where deposition was measured using deposimeters placed in sites identified by means of the results of a dispersion model. The role of particulate matter emissions was studied also with an optical particle counter. The obtained values are discussed taking into account seasonality and operation of the plant. Some considerations on the potential evolution of this industrial sector beyond the present concept of best available technology are included too
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