Fate and effects of the insecticide-miticide chlorfenapyr in outdoor aquatic microcosms

The concentrations of chlorfenapyr in water and sediment in a lentic pond following early and late applications in a Florida crop treatment program were predicted using PRZM and EXAMS modeling and incorporating 30 years of actual rainfall data. An outdoor microcosm study was also conducted to determine the fate of chlorfenapyr and its effects on zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, phytoplankton, and fish in a freshwater system under exposure conditions representing simulated surface runoff and/or spray drift. The microcosm design used a regression model with five treatments (i.e., 300 microg/L spray, 30 microg/L spray, 15 microg/L spray and 30 microg/L runoff, 1.2 microg/L spray and 2.5 microg/L runoff, 30 microg/L runoff) plus a control. Chlorfenapyr was applied as an aqueous suspension concentrate (36% a.i.) to six microcosm tanks (30.9 m3). The no-observed-effect-concentration (NOEC) for zooplankton was the water concentration produced from the combination 1.2 microg/L spray and 2.5 microg/L runoff treatment. The NOEC for bluegill sunfish was the water concentration produced from the 30 microg/L runoff, which was significantly higher than the exposure concentrations from the lowest combination treatment. Chlorfenapyr was more toxic via spray to the water than via an exposure simulating surface runoff. The 96-h time weighted average concentrations (TWAs) from the lowest joint treatment and the 30 microg/L runoff treatment in the microcosm study were similar to model-predicted water 96-h TWA concentrations from early and late applications. The toxicity data from laboratory and microcosm studies along with water exposure data indicate low hazard to zooplankton species in the water column. Although chlorfenapyr remained in sediment, TWAs concentrations from the microcosm study along with model-predicted concentrations indicate low hazard to benthic invertebrate species based on acute toxicity to amphipods in the laboratory. Results from this assessment indicate that with appropriate measures to mitigate spray drift to shallow water bodies, applications of chlorfenapyr do not present a hazard to aquatic organisms during labeled uses.     

Neighborhood disadvantage moderates associations of parenting and older sibling problem attitudes and behavior with conduct disorders in African American children

Data from 296 sibling pairs (mean ages 10 and 13 years), their primary caregivers, and census records were used to test the hypothesis that African American children's likelihood of developing conduct problems associated with harsh parenting, a lack of nurturant-involved parenting, and exposure to an older sibling's deviance-prone attitudes and behavior would be amplified among families residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods. A latent construct representing harsh-inconsistent parenting and low levels of nurturant-involved parenting was positively associated with younger siblings' conduct disorder symptoms, as were older siblings' problematic attitudes and behavior. These associations were strongest among families residing in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Future research and prevention programs should focus on the specific neighborhood processes associated with increased vulnerability for behavior problems.     

Feasibility study of NeoMend,a percutaneous arterial closure device that uses a nonthrombogenic bioadhesive

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective single-center phase I feasibility study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a novel vascular sealing device, the NeoMend Arterial Closure Device, that uses a bioadhesive after percutaneous endovascular procedures. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 26 consecutive patients, the sealing device was deployed at the femoral artery access site immediately after a catheterization procedure using a 6-French (1.91-mm) sheath. Patients were followed up at 24 hr with Doppler sonography of the treated femoral artery puncture site, and at 1 week and 1 month by a telephone interview. RESULTS: Successful hemostasis was achieved with the NeoMend Arterial Closure Device in 21 (88%) of 24 patients. One major complication required surgery: formation of puncture site hematoma and pseudoaneurysm 3 days after the intervention after successful primary hemostasis. Two device failures required crossover to manual compression, which was done without further complications. The mean time to hemostasis was 7.0 +/- 4.5 min. Mean time to ambulation was 6.0 hr. At follow-up, the patients did not report any puncture-site-related complaints. Doppler sonography of the puncture sites revealed three insignificant hematomas of less than 20 mL and patent common femoral vessels without stenoses. CONCLUSION: The NeoMend Arterial Closure Device appears to achieve rapid hemostasis with the potential of early ambulation after arterial punctures with a 6-French sheath. The device is an alternative in situations in which suture- or collagen-mediated devices show high complication rates.     

Treatment of the patella at reimplantation for septic total knee arthroplasty

The results of treatment of the patella at the time of aseptic revision of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been better with resurfacing of the patella than other modes of treatment such as leaving a bony shell. Treatment of the patella at the time of reimplantation of a TKA has not been addressed in prior studies. The ability to resurface the patella will be determined by the amount of bone remaining, integrity of the patella, vascularity, the location of the joint line, and soft tissue coverage for wound closure. The current review addresses the technique of patellar resurfacing and patellar bone defect treatment at the time of reimplantation of a TKA.     

Safety, Tolerability, and Tumor Response of IL4-Pseudomonas Exotoxin (NBI-3001) in Patients with Recurrent Malignant Glioma

Purpose: This was an open-label, dose-escalation trial of intratumoral administration of IL-4 Pseudomonas exotoxin (NBI-3001) in patients with recurrent malignant glioma. Patients and methods: A total of 31 patients with histologically verified supratentorial grades 3 and 4 astrocytoma were studied. Of these, 25 patients were diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) while six were diagnosed with anaplastic astrocytoma. Patients were over 18 years of age and had Karnofsky performance scores 60. Patients were assigned to one of four dose groups in a dose-escalation fashion: 6µg/ml×40ml,9µg/ml×40ml,15µg/ml×40ml, or 9µug/ml×100ml of NBI-3001 administered via convection-enhanced delivery intratumorally using stereotactically placed catheters. Patients were followed with serial MRI scans and clinical assessments every four weeks for the first 16 weeks and then every eight weeks until week 26. Results: No drug-related systemic toxicity, as evident by lack of hematological or serum chemical changes, was apparent in any patients; treatment-related adverse effects were limited to the central nervous system. No deaths were attributable to treatment. Drug-related grade 3 or 4 toxicity was seen in 39% of patients in all dose groups and 22% of patients at the maximum tolerated dose of 6µug/ml×40ml. The overall median survival was 8.2 months with a median survival of 5.8 months for the GBM patients. Six-month survival was 52% and 48%, respectively. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed areas of decreased signal intensity within the tumor consistent with tumor necrosis following treatment in many patients. Conclusions: NBI-3001 appears to have an acceptable safety and toxicity profile when administered intratumorally in patients with recurrent malignant glioma.