scholarly journals An Ozonolysis Based Method and Applications for the Non-lethal Modification of Insect Cuticular Hydrocarbons

Author(s):  
Benjamin Alexander Savage ◽  
Henry Chung ◽  
Susan Masten ◽  
Zinan Wang ◽  
Matthew Grieshop

Abstract Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are important, multi-function components of the insect epicuticle. In Drosophila spp., CHCs provide protection from desiccation and serve as semiochemicals for both intra- and interspecific communication. We developed a non-lethal method for the modification of Drosophila CHCs profiles through the exposure of live insects to a high dose of ozone gas (~45,000 ppm). Drosophila suzukii that were treated with ozone showed a 1.63-3.10 fold reduction in unsaturated hydrocarbons with these CHCs shown to regenerate over 108 h. Changes in CHCs were correlated with significantly reduced desiccation resistance in both male and female D. suzukii at one h after ozone treatment. Interestingly, individuals treated with ozone showed increased desiccation resistance in comparison to controls at 108 h after ozone treatment. The methodology reported in this paper provides a novel approach to investigate the biosynthesis and functions of CHCs during the lifespan of an insect.

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. s-0032-1319931-s-0032-1319931
Author(s):  
S. Al Rowas ◽  
R. Gawri ◽  
R. Haddad ◽  
A. Almaawi ◽  
L. E. Chalifour ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Unni Pulliainen ◽  
Nick Bos ◽  
Patrizia d’Ettorre ◽  
Liselotte Sundström

AbstractChemical communication is common across all organisms. Insects in particular use predominantly chemical stimuli in assessing their environment and recognizing their social counterparts. One of the chemical stimuli used for recognition in social insects, such as ants, is the suite of long-chain, cuticular hydrocarbons. In addition to providing waterproofing, these surface hydrocarbons serve as a signature mixture, which ants can perceive, and use to distinguish between strangers and colony mates, and to determine caste, sex, and reproductive status of another individual. They can be both environmentally and endogenously acquired. The surface chemistry of adult workers has been studied extensively in ants, yet the pupal stage has rarely been considered. Here we characterized the surface chemistry of pupae of Formica exsecta, and examine differences among sexes, castes (reproductive vs. worker), and types of sample (developing individual vs. cocoon envelope). We found quantitative and qualitative differences among both castes and types of sample, but male and female reproductives did not differ in their surface chemistry. We also found that the pupal surface chemistry was more complex than that of adult workers in this species. These results improve our understanding of the information on which ants base recognition, and highlights the diversity of surface chemistry in social insects across developmental stages.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulsamad Alsalahi ◽  
Mahmood Ameen Abdulla ◽  
Mohammed Al-Mamary ◽  
Mohamed Ibrahim Noordin ◽  
Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab ◽  
...  

Hepato- and nephrotoxicity of Khat consumption (Catha edulisForskal) have been evoked. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate such possible hepatorenal toxicity in female and male Sprague-Dawley rats (SD rats) focusing primarily on liver and kidney. In addition, female and male rats were investigated separately. Accordingly, forty-eight SD-rats (100–120 g) were distributed randomly into four groups of males and female (n=12). Normal controls (NCs) received distilled water, whereas test groups received 500 mg/kg (low dose (LD)), 1000 mg/kg (medium dose (MD)), or 2000 mg/kg (high dose (HD)) of crude extract ofCatha edulisorally for 4 weeks. Then, physical, biochemical, hematological, and histological parameters were analyzed. Results in Khat-fed rats showed hepatic enlargement, abnormal findings in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of male and female SD-rats and serum albumin (A) and serum creatinine (Cr) of female as compared to controls. In addition, histopathological abnormalities confirmed hepatic and renal toxicities of Khat that were related to heavy Khat consumption. In summary, Khat could be associated with hepatic hypertrophy and hepatotoxicity in male and female SD-rats and nephrotoxicity only in female SD-rats.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 5-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit C Nathwani ◽  
Edward GD Tuddenham ◽  
Savita Rangarajan ◽  
Cecilia Rosales ◽  
Jenny H McIntosh ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 5 Background: Hemophilia B (HB), an X-linked bleeding disorder, is ideally suited for gene therapy. We investigated a novel approach using peripheral vein infusion of a single dose of a serotype-8 pseudotyped self-complementary adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector expressing a codon-optimized coagulation factor IX (FIX) transgene (scAAV2/8-LP1-hFIXco). Methods: Six severe HB subjects (FIX ≤1%) were enrolled sequentially into one of three dose cohorts with two subjects in each group. Vector was administered without immunosuppression. The subjects were followed for 6–16 months post treatment. Results: AAV-mediated expression of FIX at 2–11% of normal was observed in all subjects. Four of the six have discontinued prophylaxis and remain free of spontaneous hemorrhage. The other two have increased the interval between FIX prophylaxes. A high-dose subject developed asymptomatic, transient elevation of serum transaminases associated with detection of AAV8 capsid specific T cells in peripheral blood. The second high-dose subject experienced a slight increase of liver enzymes, of less clear etiology. Treatment of each with a short course of steroids led to rapid normalization of the transaminases and maintenance of FIX levels in the 3–11% range. Conclusion: Peripheral vein administration of scAAV2/8-LP1-hFIXco was well tolerated and resulted in FIX transgene expression at levels sufficient to improve the bleeding phenotype. Immune-mediated clearance of AAV-transduced hepatocytes remains a concern but our data suggest that this process may be controlled with a short course of steroids without loss of transgene expression. Hence, our novel approach shows promise for gene therapy of HB and other protein deficiencies. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00979238) Disclosures: Nathwani: Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics: Patents & Royalties. Gray:Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics: Patents & Royalties. Davidoff:Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics: Patents & Royalties.


1997 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 1111-1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pennanec'h ◽  
L. Bricard ◽  
G. Kunesch ◽  
J.-M. Jallon

2000 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunda Reddy ◽  
Sundeep A. M. Chandra ◽  
James W. Lish ◽  
Charles W. Quails

The contamination of soil and water with munitions chemicals and their degradation products has been reported at certain munitions production waste disposal sites and at certain Army installations. The effects of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) on wild cotton rats ( Sigmodon hispidus) were evaluated to identify target organ toxicity that could be used to develop biomarkers for exposure assessment for ecological and health risks. The oral LD50 values for TNT in corn oil were 607 and 767 mg/kg body weights for male and female cotton rats respectively. Hematological, pathological, and biochemical effects of TNT were determined after daily oral gavage of TNT in corn oil at doses of 0, 75.9, 151.8, and 303.5 (males) or 0, 96, 192, and 384 mg/kg (females) for 7 days. Cotton rats treated with TNT showed an increase in spleen weights in males (303.5 mg/kg) and in females (192 and 384 mg/kg). Cotton rats of both sexes treated for 7 days with TNT had marked hemolytic anemia with reduced erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and hematocrit in high-dose groups; methemoglobin levels were elevated significantly in males at mid and high dose. Hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme analysis revealed that microsomal O-dealkylation of methoxy, ethoxy, and pentoxy resorufin were elevated in male (high dose) cotton rats. The activity of hepatic glutathione S-transferases (GST) was significantly elevated in male (mid and high dose) and female (all doses) cotton rats exposed to TNT. Histopathological analysis of spleen revealed mild to marked splenic congestion with mild extramedullary hematopoiesis, hemosiderosis, and lymphoid hyperplasia in male and female cotton rats treated with TNT (all doses). Liver weights were increased in males (mid and high dose) and in females (high-dose group). In the high-dose groups, histological changes in liver (mild to moderate hepatocellular hypertrophy, increased hemosiderin pigment in Kupffer cells) in both sexes, and in testis (premature exfoliation of spermatozoa from dilated seminiferous tubules) were observed (mid and high dose). These results suggest that hepatic GST and hemolytic anemia may be biomarkers in cotton rats of terrestrial contamination with TNT or other nitroaromatic explosive compounds.


Author(s):  
Nishan B. Poojary ◽  
Prathamesh G. Pokhare ◽  
Pratik P. Poojary ◽  
Charmi D. Raghavani ◽  
Dr. Jayashree Khanapuri

In this paper, we propose a detailed approach to create a Bone age assessment model. Bone age assessment is a common medical practice in the assessment of child development, who are less than 18 years of age. In this proposed model, the Xception architecture is being used for transfer learning. Using feature extraction and transfer learning, the pre-trained convolutional neural network were custom trained. The dataset used for training the model is obtained from the Kaggle RNSA Bone Age dataset containing 12811 male and female bone images of different age groups. Finally, we were able to attain a mean absolute error (MAE) of 8.175 months in male and female patients, which aligns with our initial goal of achieving MAE in under a year.


2022 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Priyanka Bist ◽  
◽  
Sangeeta Choudhary ◽  

Background: Heavy metal containing wastes reaches to the food chain either directly or indirectly. These ingested toxic elements manifest direct impact on the gut ecosystem and its overall functioning. The present study explores the alteration in mice gut bacteria on exposure to mixture of toxic heavy metals through drinking water. Methods: Twelve experimental groups of Swiss albino male and female mice were exposed to the metal mixture of varying concentrations. Profiling of gut bacterial flora was done by periodical collection of fecal samples via culture-based technique. Redox status of all experimental animals was analyzed in blood samples collected on the day 30. Results: In comparison to the controls, nearly a 10-fold decline in colony forming units/ml was observed at higher modal concentrations (50× & 100×) at the end of 15 days, but 100-fold reduced bacterial count was recorded following 30 days of dosing. Sex specific significant alteration in the bacteria count and diversity was also observed. Overall experimental results showed a heavy metal dose-dependent decline in bacterial count and loss in diversity. Disturbance in the oxidative stress markers was recorded in response to high dose of metal mixture. In group receiving 100× dose, malondialdehyde levels were increased in the erythrocytes (P<0.05), and all of the other antioxidant parameters were decreased (P<0.05), except for reduced glutathione in both male and female mice. Conclusion: The present work is the first report on the multiple heavy metals induced gut microbiota alterations and its correlation to oxidative stress.


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