Effect of different larval rearing temperatures on the productivity (Ro) and morphology of the malaria vector Anopheles superpictus Grassi (Diptera: Culicidae) using geometric morphometrics

Temperature affects both the biology and morphology of mosquito vectors. Geometric morphometrics is a useful new tool for capturing and analyzing differences in shape and size in many morphological parameters, including wings. We have used this technique for capturing the differences in the wings of the malaria vector Anopheles superpictus, using cohorts reared at six different constant temperatures (15°, 20°, 25°, 27°, 30°, and 35° C) and also searched for potential correlations with the life tables of the species. We studied wing shape in both male and female adults, using 22 landmarks on the wing in relation to ecological parameters, including the development rate. The ecological zero was calculated as 9.93° C and the thermal constant as 296.34 day‐degrees. The rearing temperature affects egg, larval, and pupal development and also the total time from egg to adult. As rearing temperatures increased, longevity decreased in both sexes. In An. superpictus, R_o value and productivity correlated with the statistically significant gradual deformations in the wing shape related to size in both sexes. These deformations directly linked to differences in immature rearing temperatures. Analysis using PCA and UPGMA phenograms showed that although wings of females became narrower dorsoventrally as the temperature increased, they became broader in males. Comparisons of the wing landmarks indicated the medial part of the wing was most affected by larval rearing temperatures, showing relatively more deformations. Algorithmic values of the life tables were determined in correlation with the results of geometric morphometrics. Comparisons of centroid sizes in the cohorts showed that overall wing size became smaller in both sexes in response to higher rearing temperatures.     

Distribution and altitudinal structuring of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in southern Anatolia, Turkey: their relation to human cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The two Old World genera, Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia, were both recorded in southern Anatolia in Turkey. Phlebotomus species predominated and comprised about 93% of the entire collection (3,172 specimens). Out of the sixteen species identified, two belonged to the genus Sergentomyia: S. dentata and S. theodori. The remaining fourteen species in the genus Phlebotomus were grouped under four subgenera including some species that are elsewhere known to act as vectors of human cutaneous leishmaniasis. Most of the Phlebotomus were P. tobbi (32.5%), but P. papatasi, P. transcaucasicus, P. halepensis, P. galilaeus, P. sergenti, P. syriacus, P. neglectus, P. simici, P. alexandri, P. similis, P jacusieli, P. perfiliewi, and P. brevis were also identified. There were two associations of sand fly fauna with altitudinal gradient; the first one at relatively higher altitudes and the second one at lower altitudes. The transition between these two assemblages was within the range of 800-1,000 m. It is likely that Adana and Hatay provinces are transitional areas between western and eastern Anatolia. Mountains do not appear to be important geographical barriers for sand fly distribution. We also found that the proven vector P. sergenti is a widely distributed species throughout southern Anatolia and this species, together with its closely related species P. similis, shows sympatry in Konya Province.     

The reuse of hemodialyzers: an assessment of safety and potential savings.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and potential cost savings of hemodialyzer reuse. DATA SOURCES: All English and French articles published from 1960 to 1991 related to hemodialyzer reuse (retrieved through an Index Medicus and MEDLINE search [corrected]), the indexes of eight North American journals from 1960 onward, conference proceedings, association guidelines, and US and Canadian laws and regulations. RESULTS: For health care personnel the reuse of hemodialyzers did not entail any increased risk of infection or exposure to toxic substances if proper control measures were taken. For patients there was no evidence to suggest any excess risk of complications or death as long as precise and appropriate procedures are observed. The "first-use syndrome" can be prevented and should no longer be considered as a reason to favour reuse. A cost-minimization analysis indicated that five uses might save up to $3629 per patient yearly. Thus, the adoption of a policy of reuse in Canada for all eligible patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis could result in direct savings of about $5.8 to $8.9 million per year. CONCLUSION: The health risks associated with hemodialyzer reuse can be reduced to acceptable levels through the rigorous observance of proper quality-assurance and quality-control measures and the use of automated reconditioning equipment. Such a policy could achieve modest savings for the health care system. A decision to reuse should be formally adopted by the institution and accompanied by a precise definition of the standards of quality assurance and control.     

Facile Synthesis of Hybrid Nanoflowers Using Glycine and Phenylalanine and Investigation of Their Catalytic Activity

In the context of the proposed work, two different amino acids (Glycine, Phenylalanine) have interacted with copper ions in a phosphate buffer (PBS) in place of enzymes. This interaction resulted in the nucleation of copper phosphate crystals and the formation of flower-shaped amino acid-copper hybrid nanostructures (AA-hNFs), which grew through self-assembly. While Cu (II) ions in the structure of AA-hNFs were used as Fenton's agent for the catalytic activity. SEM, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements were used to define the AA-hNFs′ characterisation. The peroxidase-like activities of AA-hNFs were investigated by UV/VIS spectrophotometer. Metal nanoparticles have peroxidase-like activity. A class of enzymes known as peroxidases is able to catalyze the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals. These radicals also take part in electron transfers with substrates, which results in color during oxidation. When cupric oxide nanoparticles are added to the peroxidase substrate while H₂O₂ is present, a blue color product with a maximum absorbance at=652 nm can result, demonstrating the catalytic activity of a peroxidase. The morphology and composition of AA-hNFs were carefully characterized and the synthesized parameters were optimized systematically. Results showed that the nanoparticles were dispersed with an average diameter of 7–9 μm and indicated a uniform flower shape. The results of the investigation are anticipated to significantly advance a number of technical and scientific sectors.     

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Netherlands Heart Journal -     

In-depth review: is hepcidin a marker for the heart and the kidney?

Iron is an essential trace element involved in oxidation–reduction reactions, oxygen transport and storage, and energy metabolism. Iron in excess can be toxic for cells, since iron produces reactive oxygen species and is important for survival of pathogenic microbes. There is a fine-tuning in the regulation of serum iron levels, determined by intestinal absorption, macrophage iron recycling, and mobilization of hepatocyte stores versus iron utilization, primarily by erythroid cells in the bone marrow. Hepcidin is the major regulatory hormone of systemic iron homeostasis and is upregulated during inflammation. Hepcidin metabolism is altered in chronic kidney disease. Ferroportin is an iron export protein and mediates iron release into the circulation from duodenal enterocytes, splenic reticuloendothelial macrophages, and hepatocytes. Systemic iron homeostasis is controlled by the hepcidin–ferroportin axis at the sites of iron entry into the circulation. Hepcidin binds to ferroportin, induces its internalization and intracellular degradation, and thus inhibits iron absorption from enterocytes, and iron release from macrophages and hepatocytes. Recent data suggest that hepcidin, by slowing or preventing the mobilization of iron from macrophages, may promote atherosclerosis and may be associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. This article reviews the current data regarding the molecular and cellular pathways of systemic and autocrine hepcidin production and seeks the answer to the question whether changes in hepcidin translate into clinical outcomes of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and cardiovascular and renal end-points.

     

Gamma-ray attenuation properties of some NLO materials: potential use in dosimetry

Mass attenuation coefficients ($$\mu _{\text {m}}$$) for some nonlinear optical materials such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, zinc tris-thiourea sulphate, and zinc thiourea chloride were measured using a $$2\times 2$$ NaI(Tl) scintillation detector at gamma energies of 122 keV, 356 keV, 511 keV, 662 keV, 840 keV, 1170 keV, 1270 keV, and 1330 keV. In addition, GEANT4 simulations were carried out to mimic the experiment at these energies. As a result, good agreement between the experimental and GEANT4 results was observed. The measured $$\mu _{\text {m}}$$ values were used to compute effective atomic numbers ($$Z_{\text {eff}}$$) for the selected materials. It was found that the $$Z_{\text {eff}}$$ values were in the range typical for dosimetric materials.     

Adequate magnesium nutrition mitigates adverse effects of heat stress on maize and wheat

Aims

Heat stress is a growing concern in crop production because of global warming. In many cropping systems heat stress often occurs simultaneously with other environmental stress factors such as mineral nutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to investigate the role of adequate magnesium (Mg) nutrition in mitigating the detrimental effects of heat stress on wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays).

Methods

Wheat and maize plants were grown in solution culture with low or adequate Mg supply at 25/22 °C (light/dark). Half of the plants were, then, exposed to heat stress at 35/28 °C (light/dark). Development of leaf chlorosis and changes in root and shoot growth, chlorophyll and Mg concentrations as well as the activities of major antioxidative enzymes were quantified in the experimental plants. Additionally, maize plants were analyzed for the specific weights (e.g., dry or fresh weight per a given leaf surface area) and soluble carbohydrate concentrations of sink and source leaves.

Results

Visual leaf symptoms of Mg deficiency were aggravated in wheat and maize when exposed to heat stress. In both species, root growth was more sensitive to Mg deficiency than shoot growth, and the shoot-to-root ratios peaked when heat stress was combined with Mg deficiency. Magnesium deficiency markedly reduced soluble carbohydrate concentrations in young leaf; but resulted in substantial increase in source leaves. Magnesium deficiency also increased activities of antioxidative enzymes, especially when combined with heat stress. The highest activities of superoxide dismutase (up to 80 % above the control), glutathione reductase (up to 250 % above the control) and ascorbate peroxidase (up to 300 % above the control) were measured when Mg-deficient plants were subjected to heat, indicating stimulated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Mg deficient leaves under heat stress.

Conclusions

Magnesium deficiency increases susceptibility of wheat and maize plants to heat stress, probably by increasing oxidative cellular damage caused by ROS. Ensuring a sufficiently high Mg supply for crop plants through Mg fertilization is a critical factor for minimizing heat-related losses in crop production.     

Multiple myeloma and occupation: A pooled analysis by the International Multiple Myeloma Consortium

Objective: We investigated occupational risk of multiple myeloma (MM) in a pooled analysis of five international case–control studies. Methods: We calculated the odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval for selected occupations with unconditional regression analysis in 1959 MM cases and 6192 controls, by pooling study-specific risks using random-effects meta-analysis. Exposure to organic solvents was assessed with a job-exposure matrix (JEM). Results: Gardeners and nursery workers combined, most likely exposed to pesticides, showed a 50% increase in risk (OR = 1.50, 95% CI 0.9–2.3), while other farming jobs did not. Metal processors (OR = 1.55, 95% CI 0.9–2.3), female cleaners (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.0–1.8), and high level exposure to organic solvents (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 0.96–1.8) also showed moderately increased risks. Conclusions: Additional case–control studies of MM aetiology are warranted to further investigate the nature of the repeatedly reported increase in MM risk in several occupational groups.