Breeding technique of Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard, 1901) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on roses leaflets

The development of adequate methods for maintaining populations of arthropod organisms in the laboratory has been a challenge due to the characteristics of each species. This work has aimed to define a method for breeding Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard, 1901) in rose leaflets in order to study this species in the laboratory. A condition which could maintain the leaflets turgor for a longer time was sought, in order to guarantee both the survival and multiplication of the insects, and less influence of abiotic factors. Four types of substrates were tested: a) a filter paper disk moistened with distilled water covering the bottom of a Petri dish and; b) a vegetable sponge moistened with distilled water surrounding the base of the leaflet; c) a potato, dextrose and agar (BDA) in a microcentrifuge tube surrounding the base of the leaflet; and d) hydrogel in a microcentrifuge tube surrounding the base of the leaflet. The filter paper moistened with distilled water allowed 65% of the leaflets to remain turgid over a 10-day period and was the most suitable substrate for thrips breeding. With the results at hand, we described S. rubrocinctus breeding in the laboratory. The adopted methodology provided the population density stability of the bred insects, as well as the obtainment of specimens of S. rubrocinctus in quantity and quality throughout the entire period of development of studies on the biology of the species.

Uji Antibakteri Fraksi Aktif Ekstrak Aseton Kulit Batang Shorea acuminatissima terhadap Staphylococcus aureus dan Pseudomonas aeruginosa Multiresisten antibiotik

Penyakit infeksi merupakan masalah serius di Indonesia, termasuk di dalamnya resistensi mikroba terhadap obat-obatan yang ada. Salah satu tumbuhan hutan tropis Indonesia adalah Shorea accuminatissima yang termasuk dalam famili Dipterocarpaceae dan dilaporkan mempunyai kandungan senyawa fenolik dengan aktivitas biologi seperti antibakteri, antioksidan dan antifungi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui aktivitas antibakteri dari ekstrak aseton dan fraksi aktif ekstrak aseton terhadap S. aureus dan P. aeruginosa multiresisten antibiotik. Ekstrak aseton diperoleh dengan metode maserasi, selanjutnya diuji aktivitas antibakterinya. Ekstrak aseton difraksinasi menggunakan kromatografi cair vakum (KCV). Setiap fraksi diuji bioautografi untuk melihat aktivitas antibakterinya menggunakan metode filter paper disk dengan bakteri uji S. aureus dan P. aeruginosa. Fraksi dengan zona hambat terbesar merupakan fraksi aktif Kemudian dilakukan uji aktivitas antibakteri fraksi aktif ekstrak aseton. Kadar terkecil yang dapat menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri disebut sebagai kadar bunuh minimum (KBM). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan ekstrak aseton kulit batang Shorea accuminatissima mempunyai nilai KBM 0,25% b/v terhadap S. aureus multiresisten antibiotik dan nilai KBM 1% b/v terhadap P. aeruginosa multiresisten antibiotik. Fraksi aktif adalah fraksi C. Fraksi aktif mempunyai nilai KBM 0,125% b/v terhadap S. aureus multiresisten antibiotik dan nilai KBM 0,25% b/v terhadap P. aeruginosa multiresisten antibiotik.

X-ray fluorescence determination of Ni, Ti and Nb in memory alloys using solution and thin film samples with an internal standard

Specimen for XRF analysis of high content of Ni, Ti and Nb in memory alloys, prepared by solution (a) and a filter paper disk (b).

ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF LANTHANUM ALUMINATE NANOPARTICLES

The sol-gel route synthesized LA-NPs were tested for antimicrobial properties against different human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The test organisms used were clinical isolates viz., Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella nemoniae and the human fungal pathogens like Candida albicans and Trichoderma viride. The LA- NPs achieved maximum activity against S. aureus compared with other three tested organisms such as S. pyogenes, E. coli and K. pneumonia. It also showed very good antimicrobial properties against studied fungi. At the concentration 1 mg/ml LA-NPs impregnated filter paper disk achieved maximum activity against human pathogen.

Paper-based electrochemical immunoassay for rapid, inexpensive cancer biomarker protein detection

Inexpensive, reusable electrochemical chips were configured as immunosensors by using a filter paper disk equipped with antibodies. Rapid detection of cancer biomarker protein prostate specific antigen (PSA) in serum was achieved with 6 pg mL−1 detection in ∼15 min.

S128 – Diagnosis and Treatment of 703 Patients with Taste Disorder

Objectives As life spans increase, the number of patients with taste disorder consulting in our taste clinic has increased. This study prospectively examined patients’ history, causes of taste disorder, and treatment outcomes. Methods Subjects consisted of 703 patients with taste disorder who consulted our taste clinic at the department of Otolaryngology, Hospital of Hyogo College of Medicine, between 1999 and 2007. There were 284 men and 419 women, and patient ages ranged from 12 years to 88 years with a mean age of 59.7 years. Electrogustometry (EGM) and filter paper disk method (FPD) were used to assess taste function. We also asked each patient to indicate the severity of symptoms using a visual analog scale (VAS). Patients were treated mainly with zinc sulfate (ZnSO4 300 mg/day, or polaprezinc 150 mg/day), and in some cases with iron supplement, herbal medicine, and minor tranquilizers. Results Idiopathic taste disorder was the most common cause (271 cases, 38.5%), followed by drug-induced (131 cases, 18.6%), post-common cold (83 cases, 11.8%), psychogenic (73 cases, 10.4%), iron-deficiency (37 cases, 5.3%) and others. Deficiency of serum zinc (less than 70 ?g/dl) was found in 50–70% of cases. The recovery rate was 130/183 (71.0%) in idiopathic, 41/61 (67.2%) in post-common cold, and 24/29 (82.8%) in iron deficiency. The recovery period in drug-induced (39.7 weeks) was longer than that in other cases (20.4 weeks). Results of EGM and FPD were not always associated with the severity of symptoms. Conclusions Treatment with zinc supplement may be useful for taste disorder.

Acaricidal Activity of Some Essential Oils and Their Constituents against Tyrophagus longior, a Mite of Stored Food

Essential oils of four plants (two species of lavender, peppermint, and a eucalyptus) and some of their principal constituents, i.e., linalool, linalyl acetate, fenchone, menthone, menthol, and eucalyptol, were tested in vitro for their acaricidal activity against Tyrophagus longior, a mite species that is a pest in stored food. Two different procedures were carried out to test the activity of these compounds by direct contact and by inhalation. In the direct contact assays five different quantities of each undiluted substance (6, 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.25 μl) were spread on the internal surface of 6-cm petri dishes, each containing 10 mites. The activity by inhalation was tested using two petri dishes of different sizes: the smaller one (6 cm), containing 10 mites, was covered with a filter-paper disk and enclosed in a bigger dish (9 cm) containing 6 oz 2 μl of each undiluted substance. At the highest doses, the essential oils of the two lavender species and of peppermint killed 100% of the mites, both by direct contact and by inhalation. Eucalyptus oil was the least active. Among the essential oil constituents, menthol showed the highest activity, killing 100% of the mites at the lowest dose (0.25 μl) by direct contact and at 6 μl by inhalation. However, linalool, fenchone, and menthone also showed good acaricidal activity. Eucalyptol, like the essential oil of which it is the principal constituent, had the lowest activity.

Phytotoxicity of Products from Rhizospheres of a Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrid (Sorghum bicolorXSorghum sudanense)

Products were collected from rhizospheres of a hydroponically grown sorghum-sudangrass hybrid [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench. ×Sorghum sudanense(P.) Stapf. ‘DeKalb SX17+’] (SSH) and tested for effects on seedling root growth of selected species. Phytotoxic activity was recovered in CH2Cl2extracts of aqueous solutions of the rhizosphere products. Significant inhibition of annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorumL.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativaL. was produced by ca. 200 ppmw (H2O weight basis) of the most phytotoxic fraction in filter-paper-disk bioassays. In soils, 70 ppmw (soil weight basis) inhibited alfalfa but not ryegrass. Among several bioassay species, alfalfa was the most sensitive and curly dock (Rumex crispusL. ♯ RUMCR) the least. Treatment of SSH plants with herbicides increased the phytotoxicity but not the amounts of materials collected. Sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)-butyl]-5-[2-ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} was detected in rhizosphere products from plants treated with the herbicide. Amounts of products collected from rhizospheres of common rye (Secale cerealeL. ‘Wheeler’), johnsongrass [Sorghum halepense(L.) Pers. ♯ SORHA], and cucumber (Cucumis sativusL. ‘PI 169391’) were similar to those from SSH, but their phytotoxicities differed. Johnsongrass products were most phytotoxic, those from common rye and SSH were similar in phytotoxicity, and those from cucumber were least phytotoxic.