Control of Tetranychus urticae Koch by extracts of three essential oils of chamomile,marjoram and Eucalyptus

Objective

To evaluate the acaricidal activity of extracts of three essential oils of chamomile, marjoram and Eucalyptus against Tetranychus urticae (T. urticae) Koch.

Methods

Extracts of three essential oils of chamomile, marjoram and Eucalyptus with different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 3.0% and 4.0%) were used to control T. urticae Koch.

Results

The results showed that chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) represented the most potent efficient acaricidal agent against Tetranychus followed by marjoram (Marjorana hortensis) and Eucalyptus. The LC₅₀ values of chamomile, marjoram and Eucalyptus for adults were 0.65, 1.84 and 2.18, respectively and for eggs 1.17, 6.26 and 7.33, respectively. Activities of enzymes including glutathione-S-transferase, esterase (α-esterase and β-esterase) and alkaline phosphatase in susceptible mites were determined and activities of enzymes involved in the resistance of acaricides were proved. Protease enzyme was significantly decreased at LC₅₀ of both chamomile and marjoram compared with positive control. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) proved that the major compositions of Chamomilla recutita are α-bisabolol oxide A (35.251%), and trans-β-farersene (7.758%), while the main components of Marjorana hortensis are terpinene-4-ol (23.860%), p-cymene (23.404%) and sabinene (10.904%).

Conclusions

It can be concluded that extracts of three essential oils of chamomile, marjoram and Eucalyptus possess acaricidal activity against T. urticae.     

胸腺肽α1对转移性黑色素瘤患者有效

胸腺肽α1（Tα1）为一种免疫调节多肽,可增强效应T细胞反应。此项大型随机试验主要评价了Tα1与达卡巴嗪（DTIC）和干扰素α（IFN—α）对于转移性黑色素瘤患者的疗效和安全性。     

Preparation of hydroxylated polyethylene surfaces

The surfaces of high-density or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes were hydroxylated using a two-step process. The wetting and wear properties of the untreated (virgin) and surface hydroxylated polyethylenes were compared. The introduction of hydroxyl groups provided an increase in surface hydrophilicity resulting in reduced wear. Hydrophilicity was analyzed by optical analysis of water contact angle. Wear was determined by weight loss under conditions of a reciprocating pin-on-plate apparatus with the panels immersed in water or calf serum. These results suggest that hydroxylation of polyethylene friction-bearing orthopedic surfaces may lead to a longer joint life.     

Clinical “case series”: a concept analysis

Objectives

To analyze the concept of “case series” in the medical literature compared with case reports.

Methods

A PubMed search for articles published during 2009 which had “case series” in their title was performed. A total number of 621 articles were retrieved. 586 papers were included in the analysis and 35 were excluded (18 were commentary letters, 5 were not in English, and twelve could not be retrieved by our Library). The number of patients and category of these articles were analyzed.

Results

The median (range) of the number of cases of articles having “case series” in their title was 7 (1–6432) cases. 186/ 586 articles had less than 5 cases (31.7%, 95% CI (28.3–35.1%)). The median (range) of the number of cases of articles having “case report” as their publication type was 4 (1–178) cases. Out of the 219 articles categorized as case reports 114 (52.1%, 95% CI (45.6–58.6%)) had less than five cases.

Conclusions

The concept of “case series” is not well defined in the literature and does not reflect a specific research design. We suggest that a case series should have more than four patients while four paitents or less should be reported individually as case reports.     

Strategies to reduce stigma related to visible chronic skin diseases: a systematic review

Many patients with a visible chronic skin disease experience discrimination and stigmatization. This results in psychosocial impairments in addition to the burden of disease and emphasizes the urgency to implement effective stigma‐reduction strategies. To synthesize what is known globally about effective interventions to reduce stigma associated with visible chronic skin diseases, a systematic review was conducted. Four electronic databases were searched until May 2018. Studies evaluating interventions to reduce stigmatization in patients with visible chronic skin diseases and applying at least one stigma‐related outcome measure were included. Data were extracted on study design, country, study population, outcome measures and main findings. Results were subsequently synthesized in a narrative review. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tools were used to assess study quality. Nineteen studies were included in the review. Study design was very heterogeneous and study quality rather poor. Thirteen studies addresses patients with leprosy in low‐ and middle‐income countries, and one study each targeted patients with onychomycosis, leg ulcer, facial disfigurement, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo and alopecia. Evaluated interventions were mainly multi‐faceted incorporating more than one type of intervention. While 10 studies focused on the reduction in self‐stigma and 4 on the reduction in public stigma, another 5 studies aimed at reducing both. The present review revealed a lack of high‐quality studies on effective approaches to reduce stigmatization of patients with visible chronic skin diseases. Development and evaluation of intervention formats to adequately address stigma is essential to promote patients’ health and well‐being.     

The burden of blood pressure in the first half of pregnancy

In the study, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was estimated in 23 pregnant women in the first half of normal pregnancy and in 34 nonpregnant women. On the basis of ABPM, blood pressure load (BPL) were evaluated, as the exponent of blood pressure variability. In pregnant women BPL were lower in diastolic blood pressure component than those in nonpregnant women. It may testify stable character of diastolic blood pressure in healthy pregnant women. In the present decade the increasing importance of blood pressure variability is observed, because of its correlation with organ damage in hypertension. Authors emphasised the BPL examination necessity in healthy pregnant women and in pregnancy complicated by pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).     

Infrared thermographic imaging of normal vulva and uterine cervix: a preliminary report

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate in the standardized conditions the thermal emission by normal uterine cervix and vulva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infrared telethermography (ITT) was used to examine vulva and uterine cervix in 32 women aged 24-54 years without colposcopic and cytologic abnormalities. RESULTS: The measured temperatures differed between different topographic points of vulva and uterine vaginal portio. The inter-individual variability of temperatures determined at the same vulvar structures was relatively low. CONCLUSION: The obtained results constitute a basis for further studies on thermovisual definition of therapeutic targets in cases of vulvar and cervical lesions.     

Fibronectin pattern in the first and second trimester of normal pregnancy

Studied were 25 healthy gravidae in the first or second trimester of pregnancy. Plasma fibronectin (pFN) was assayed in maternal blood serum and the fetal fibronectin (fFN) was quantified in cervico-vaginal secretion. The highest level of fFN was found in the cervico-vaginal secretion of the 1st trimester gravidae while the pFN levels gradually raised to reach its peak between 21 and 24 gestational weeks.     

Arterial vascularization of the human bulbo-uretral glands]

The study based on the dissection of 79 specimens of bulbo-urethral glands describes their arterial vascularisation. 1. The glands receive their main arterial vascularization from the artery of the bulb of the penis. The vessel reaches the surface of the gland from above and from both sides. 2. Supplementary sources of vascularization may take their origin from the int. pudendal artery, urethral art., perineal art., or an anastomosis between the cystic inferior art. and the pudendal int. artery. 3. The artery of the bulb of penis is variable. It may divide into two (often) or three (seldom) branches penetrating the bulb of the penis. One case with two arteries of the bulb (both from the pudendal int. artery), has been described. 4. The glandular arterioles ("short or intraglandular" ones) take their origine inside the gland (type I) or exist as supplementary arteries ("long or extracapsular" ones) branches from near arterial truncs (type II). If the gland is placed in the musculature of the uro-genital diaphragm and it is well separated from it by a connective-tissue capsule, the capsule receives its own ("capsular") branches, which are a supplementary source of vascularization for the gland (type III). 5. The existence of "long or extracapsular" branches is in connection with lobation of the gland. Every lobule receives its own branch from an "extracapsular" artery. 6. Only one slight right-left assymetry was observed.