Synergistic Effects and Toxic Mechanism of Phosphine with Ethyl Formate against Citrus Mealybug (Planococcus citri)

Methyl bromide (MB) has been used in a wide range of applications, but since it was determined to be an ozone-depleting compound, it has only been used for pre-shipment and quarantine purposes in trade. Phosphine (PH3) is currently the ideal fumigant as an MB alternative worldwide. However, the development of PH3 resistance in the target insect pest and longer PH3 fumigation treatment times raise questions about the continued use of PH3. This study attempted to shorten treatment time via combination treatment with ethyl formate (EF). Planococcus citri was used as the main quarantine pest in Korea, and the acute toxicity of EF, PH3, and EF + PH3 was determined at every developmental stage. EF treatment at 4 h showed LCT99 values of 45.85~65.43 mg∙h/L, and PH3 treatment at 20 h showed that of 0.13~0.83 mg∙h/L depending on the developmental stage. The efficacy of PH3 decreased after reducing the treatment time, but synergistic effects were observed at all stages of development of P. citri when both fumigants were used simultaneously for 4 h. After combined treatment, dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase expression and the production of two phospholipids, PI(O-16:0) and PC(18:2), were significantly reduced in treated P. citri adults compared with the control. Therefore, combined treatments might be key to reducing the treatment time and resistance of PH3 in the field.

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Toxicity of green silver nanoparticles of plant extracts against citrus mealybug Planococcus citri

Plant Protection ◽

10.33804/pp.004.01.3214 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad Safian Bajwa ◽

Muhammad Tariq ◽

Asim Gulzar ◽

Hassan Saeed ◽

Zia-ur-Rehman Mashwani

Keyword(s):

Silver Nanoparticles ◽

Plant Extracts ◽

Direct Relationship ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Exposure Period ◽

Planococcus Citri ◽

Citrus Mealybug ◽

Horticultural Crops ◽

Polyphagous Insect ◽

Eucalyptus Plant

Planococcus citri is an economically important polyphagous insect pest and is a serious threat to horticultural crops especially mango and citrus. It is mainly controlled by synthetic insecticides which have deleterious effects on humans, livestock and environment. To dispense with the detrimental consequences of insecticides, plant extracts and their silver nanoparticles can be potential alternatives. The present study reports the effectiveness of four plant extracts and their silver based nanoparticles against P. citri. All the plant extracts and their silver nanoparticles caused mortalities of 2nd and 3rd instars of P. citri at all concentrations and exposure durations. The ginger extracts and their silver nanoparticles caused maximum mortality of 2nd and 3rd instars of P. citri (94 and 90% respectively) at the highest concentration after 72 hours followed by neem extracts and their silver nanoparticles. Similarly, the mortalities caused by garlic silver nanoparticles followed the similar pattern. Eucalyptus plant extracts and their silver nanoparticles were found to be the lease effective. It was also observed that with an increase in concentration and exposure period, the mortality also increased showing a direct relationship. Ginger plant extract and their silver nanoparticles gave the best results and lowest LC50 values by a large margin. Neem extracts ranked second followed by garlic and eucalyptus and gave significantly poor results as compared to the first two plants. The required concentration for killing 50% of the nymphal population was observed to decrease with the passage of time.

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Nanometals-Containing Polymeric Membranes for Purification Processes

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14030513 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 513

Author(s):

Anna Rabajczyk ◽

Maria Zielecka ◽

Krzysztof Cygańczuk ◽

Łukasz Pastuszka ◽

Leszek Jurecki

Keyword(s):

Synergistic Effects ◽

Membrane Surface ◽

Antibacterial Properties ◽

Polymeric Membranes ◽

Treatment Processes ◽

Wide Range ◽

Different Types ◽

Type Size ◽

Titanium Zinc ◽

Membrane Surface Charge

A recent trend in the field of membrane research is the incorporation of nanoparticles into polymeric membranes, which could produce synergistic effects when using different types of materials. This paper discusses the effect of the introduction of different nanometals such as silver, iron, silica, aluminum, titanium, zinc, and copper and their oxides on the permeability, selectivity, hydrophilicity, conductivity, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and antiviral and antibacterial properties of polymeric membranes. The effects of nanoparticle physicochemical properties, type, size, and concentration on a membrane’s intrinsic properties such as pore morphology, porosity, pore size, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, membrane surface charge, and roughness are discussed, and the performance of nanocomposite membranes in terms of flux permeation, contaminant rejection, and antifouling capability are reviewed. The wide range of nanocomposite membrane applications including desalination and removal of various contaminants in water-treatment processes are discussed.

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Trans-Cinnamaldehyde Exhibits Synergy with Conventional Antibiotic against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22052752 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 2752

Author(s):

Shu Wang ◽

Ok-Hwa Kang ◽

Dong-Yeul Kwon

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Regulatory Gene ◽

Western Blot Assay ◽

Methicillin Resistant ◽

Wide Range ◽

Kill Curve ◽

Conventional Antibiotics ◽

Time Kill

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen worldwide and has acquired multiple resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. Hence, there is a pressing need to explore novel strategies to overcome the increase in antimicrobial resistance. The present study aims to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of plant-derived antimicrobials, trans-cinnamaldehyde (TCA) in decreasing MRSA’s resistance to eight conventional antibiotics. A checkerboard dilution test and time–kill curve assay are used to determine the synergistic effects of TCA combined with the antibiotics. The results indicated that TCA increased the antibacterial activity of the antibiotics by 2-16-fold. To study the mechanism of the synergism, we analyzed the mecA transcription gene and the penicillin-binding protein 2a level of MRSA treated with TCA by quantitative RT-PCR or Western blot assay. The gene transcription and the protein level were significantly inhibited. Additionally, it was verified that TCA can significantly inhibit the biofilm, which is highly resistant to antibiotics. The expression of the biofilm regulatory gene hld of MRSA after TCA treatment was also significantly downregulated. These findings suggest that TCA maybe is an exceptionally potent modulator of antibiotics.

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Role of Physical Exercise and Nutraceuticals in Modulating Molecular Pathways of Osteoarthritis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22115722 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (11) ◽

pp. 5722

Author(s):

Alessandro de Sire ◽

Nicola Marotta ◽

Cinzia Marinaro ◽

Claudio Curci ◽

Marco Invernizzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathways ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Molecular Pathways ◽

Epigenetic Changes ◽

Pathological Features ◽

Oxidative Signaling ◽

Cartilage Extracellular Matrix ◽

Wide Range ◽

Comprehensive Picture

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful and disabling disease that affects millions of patients. Its etiology is largely unknown, but it is most likely multifactorial. OA pathogenesis involves the catabolism of the cartilage extracellular matrix and is supported by inflammatory and oxidative signaling pathways and marked epigenetic changes. To delay OA progression, a wide range of exercise programs and naturally derived compounds have been suggested. This literature review aims to analyze the main signaling pathways and the evidence about the synergistic effects of these two interventions to counter OA. The converging nutrigenomic and physiogenomic intervention could slow down and reduce the complex pathological features of OA. This review provides a comprehensive picture of a possible signaling approach for targeting OA molecular pathways, initiation, and progression.

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Combination of Modified Atmosphere and Irradiation for the Phytosanitary Disinfestation of Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12050442 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 442

Author(s):

Qing-Ying Zhao ◽

Tian-Xiu Li ◽

Zi-Jiao Song ◽

Tao Sun ◽

Bo Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Late Stage ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Modified Atmosphere ◽

Trogoderma Granarium ◽

Combination Treatments ◽

Phytosanitary Measure ◽

Ma Packaging ◽

Confirmatory Tests ◽

Lethal Time

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts, is defined as one of the most important quarantine pests globally, and fumigation with methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting substance, is a common phytosanitary measure currently used. The modified atmosphere (MA), irradiation, and their combination treatments of T. granarium larvae and adults were performed at room temperature (24–26 ℃) to develop an ecofriendly phytosanitary disinfestation measure and to shorten the exposure time and overcome treatment disadvantages of irradiation. Late-stage larvae are determined as the most tolerant stage resulted in large LT99.9968 values of 32.6 (29.2–37.5) and 38.0 (35.1–41.7) days treated under 1% and 2% O2 (with N2 balance) atmosphere, respectively. Ionizing radiation was used to enhance the effect of MA and the mortality was highly significantly affected by all the interaction effects, indicating that the synergistic effects present in all the combined treatments. The synergistic ratios, which is defined as the estimated lethal time for MA treatment (LD90, LD99, and LD99.9968), divided by that of combined treatment, were between 1.47 and 2.47. In the confirmatory tests, no individuals recovered from a sum of 111,366 late-stage larvae treated under 1% O2 atmosphere for 14- or 15-d after 200 Gy irradiation, which resulted in validating the probit estimations and achieving an efficacy of 99.9973% mortality at 95% confidence level. Therefore, these treatment schedules are recommended to disinfest T. granarium infecting commodities for phytosanitary purposes under the warehouse, MA packaging, or in combination with international transportation by train or sea container.

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Industry 4.0 and their application in medicine and dentistry, as well as the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic

Tehnika ◽

10.5937/tehnika2104509m ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 76 (4) ◽

pp. 509-520

Author(s):

Nemanja Majstorović ◽

Vidosav Majstorović ◽

Radivoje Mitrović ◽

Žarko Mišković

Keyword(s):

Detailed Analysis ◽

Industry 4.0 ◽

Review Paper ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Complete System ◽

Research Directions ◽

Wide Range ◽

Review Study ◽

The Individual

Basics: Industry 4.0 is a realized reality, which already today has a growing application in medicine and dentistry. So, at this moment, its application is especially important in the fight against covid-19. Aim of the paper: The purpose of this review paper is to understand the role of Industry 4.0 in the field of medicine and dentistry and to identify research directions, including future applications, especially for covid-19. Material and method: A detailed analysis of papers on Industry 4.0 in medicine, dentistry and related fields was performed and possible applications and directions of research were identified, especially for covid-19.Result: Through this review study, we identified different technologies, opportunities and research status of Industry 4.0 in the field of medicine, dentistry and covid-19 pandemic, through 19 areas of application. We can say that Industry 4.0 will become an essential part of tomorrow's smart factory of medical and dental devices. Conclusion: Industry 4.0 shows a wide range of possibilities for the production of newly adapted implants (medical and dental) and innovative tools and instruments for the field of medicine and dentistry. This model enables the creation of a digital clinic and digital office, with a complete system of medical and dental monitoring, which meets the individual requirements of the patient, thus creating the industry of medicine and dentistry with optimization of treatment time and costs. In the future, Industry 4.0 will create new capabilities and innovative protocols for the treatment and care of patients, both in medicine and dentistry.

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Use of Recombinant Tobacco Mosaic Virus To Achieve RNA Interference in Plants against the Citrus Mealybug, Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0073657 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. e73657 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Arif Muhammad Khan ◽

Muhammad Ashfaq ◽

Zsofia Kiss ◽

Azhar Abbas Khan ◽

Shahid Mansoor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rna Interference ◽

Tobacco Mosaic Virus ◽

Mosaic Virus ◽

Planococcus Citri ◽

Citrus Mealybug

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CTNI-52. RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF USING RADIOTHERAPY WITH CONCURRENT TEMOZOLOMIDE AND TUMOR TREATING FIELDS FOR CHINESE PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED GLIOBLASTOMA

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noab196.277 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (Supplement_6) ◽

pp. vi72-vi72

Author(s):

Yang Wang ◽

Jingsong Wu ◽

Zhiyong Qin ◽

Enmin Wang ◽

Yu Yao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Combination Therapy ◽

Adverse Reactions ◽

Treatment Time ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Chinese Patients ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Transducer Array ◽

Nccn Guidelines ◽

Tumor Treating Fields ◽

Cutaneous Adverse Reactions

Abstract OBJECTIVES Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) has been shown to improve the overall survival of newly diagnosed GBM (ndGBM) when combined with Temozolomide (TMZ) in the EF-14 trial. Preclinical studies suggested synergistic effects between TTFields and radiotherapy. This study is aimed to examine the safety and efficacy of combination therapy (chemoradiation concurrent with TTFields treatment) for ndGBM patients in China. METHODS From July 2020 to May 2021, 33 ndGBM patients were treated with combination therapy (radiation target volume following NCCN guidelines). Eight patients had transducer array removed during radiotherapy, others retained transducer array on scalp. All patients had assessment every two months by MRI scan. The adverse reactions and monthly compliance data for TTFields treatment were recorded. RESULTS Twenty-five patients have completed the combination therapy. Three patients retained transducer array during radiotherapy but did not limit the scalp dose (mean: 21.7Gy). As a result, Grade 2 cutaneous adverse reactions developed, and TTFields treatment was suspended. Four patients suspended TTFields treatment due to other adverse reactions. The remaining patients who had limited scalp doses (mean < 20Gy) had no suspension or delay in combination therapy due to cutaneous adverse reactions. The median time of TTFields treatment during radiotherapy is 21.24 hours/day (IQR:19.26,22.08). Two patients had progressive disease, 1 died of pulmonary infection, and 30 had stable disease. The incidence of cutaneous AE was 48.5% (16/33), Grade1: 27.2% (9/33), Grade 2: 21.2% (7/33), and Grade 3: 3% (1/33). CONCLUSIONS The combination therapy was well tolerated in Chinese patients with ndGBM. Removing transducer array during radiotherapy may increase the frequency of array replacement while reducing the patient's daily treatment time. However, retaining transducer array will increase cutaneous adverse reactions. Scalp dose limitation is required yet it allows a maximum duration of TTFields. Further follow-ups are ongoing.

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Salvage chemotherapy with cisplatin, ifosfamide, and paclitaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.6_suppl.123 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (6_suppl) ◽

pp. 123-123

Author(s):

Gunhild Von Amsberg ◽

Mirjam Zilles ◽

Philipp Gild ◽

Winfried Alsdorf ◽

Lukas Boeckelmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Antagonistic Effect ◽

University Hospital ◽

Additive Effects ◽

Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽

Castration Resistant ◽

Platinum Based Chemotherapy ◽

Wide Range

123 Background: Recent developments in the treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) lead to a revival of platinum-based chemotherapy demonstrating increased activity in patients with aggressive variants of disease. Here, we report on the results of a combinational salvage therapy with cisplatin, ifosfamide and paclitaxel (TIP) in mCRPC. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with mCRPC treated with TIP at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf between November 2013 and September 2020. Accompanying in vitro analyses were performed using human prostate carcinoma cell lines harboring different levels of drug resistance including the docetaxel-resistant sublines PC3-DR and DU45-DR. Results: In total, 17 mCRPC patients treated with TIP were eligible for efficacy analyses with a median age of 65 yrs. At baseline, liver metastases were present in 88%, metastases of other visceral sides (lung, adrenal gland, brain) in 47% and bone metastases in 76% of the patients. Median hemoglobin was 9.8mg/dl, LDH 903 U/l and AP 205 U/l. Median PSA value was 77 ng/ml covering a wide range including three patients with a PSA-value below 1ng/ml. NSE was evaluated in 83% of the patients (median 38,5 U/l). Patients were extensively pretreated with a median of three treatment lines before TIP (100% docetaxel, 82% abirateron and/or enzalutamide, 47% cabazitaxel, 41% others). A median of 3,5 cycles of TIP were applied with 29% of the patients receiving the maximum of 6 cycles. Four patients discontinued treatment due to side effects (PNP, infection, ifosfamide induced psychosis). At interim analyses, 59 % of the patients showed a radiological response or stable disease with only one patient progressing till the end of treatment. Median PFS was 2.5 months, median OS 6 months. A decrease of PSA > 30% and LDH > 50% was observed in 41% and 35% of the patients, respectively. In vitro experiments revealed additive effects of TIP in 22Rv1, LNCaP and DU45 cells and synergistic effects in neuroendocrine LASCPC-01 cells. In PC3 cells, TIP induced antagonistic effects at lower doses, whereas dose-independent additive effects were observed in docetaxel-resistant PC3-DR. Surprisingly, preliminary data of combined therapies with different drug pairs suggest an antagonistic effect of paclitaxel in the combination with both, cisplatin and ifosfamide. Conclusions: Combinational therapy with cisplatin, ifosfamide and paclitaxel showed promising activity in some patients with aggressive mCRPC. Preclinical data suggest that the drug combination of cisplatin and ifosfamide rule the efficacy of TIP in mCRPC.

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Potent Therapy and Transcriptional Profile of Combined Erythropoietin Derived Peptide CHBP and Caspase-3 siRNA against Kidney Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in mice

10.21203/rs.3.rs-50459/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yuanyuan Wu ◽

Weiwei Chen ◽

Yufang Zhang ◽

Aifen Liu ◽

Cheng Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Caspase 3 ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽

Early Stage ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Ischemia Reperfusion ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Specific Treatment ◽

Transcriptional Profile ◽

Apoptosis And Inflammation ◽

Active Caspase

Abstract Cause-specific treatment and timely diagnosis are still not available for acute kidney injury (AKI) apart from supportive therapy and serum creatinine measurement. A novel erythropoietin-derived cyclic helix B surface peptide (CHBP) protects kidneys against AKI with different causes, but the underlying mechanism is not fully defined. Herein, we investigated the transcriptional profile of renoprotection induced by CHBP and its potential synergistic effects with siRNA targeting caspase-3, an executing enzyme of apoptosis and inflammation, (CASP3siRNA) on ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced AKI. Utilizing a mouse model with 30-min renal bilateral ischemia and 48-h reperfusion, the renoprotection of CHBP or CASP3siRNA was demonstrated in renal function and structure, active caspase-3 and HMGB1 expression. Combined treatment of CHBP and CASP3siRNA further preserved kidney structure, and reduced active caspase-3 and HMGB1. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with fold change > 1.414 and P < 0.05. In IR kidneys, 281 DEGs induced by CHBP were mainly involved in promoting cell division and improving cellular function and metabolism (up-regulated STAT5B and SLC22A7). The additional administration of CASP3siRNA caused 504 and 418 DEGs in IR + CHBP kidneys with or without NCsiRNA, with 37 genes in common. These DEGs were associated with modulated apoptosis and inflammation (up-regulated BCL6, SLPI and SERPINA3M), and immunity, injury and microvascular homeostasis (up-regulated CFH and GREM1, and down-regulated ANGPTL2). This proof-of-effect study indicated the potent renoprotection of CASP3siRNA upon CHBP at the early stage of IR-induced AKI. Underlying genes, BCL6, SLPI, SERPINA3M, GREM1 and ANGPTL2, might be potential new biomarkers for clinical applications.

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