Insecticidal activity of leaf extracts on cowpea bruchid (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

The protection of foodstuffs against insect pests constitutes a serious problem across the world. Synthetic chemical insecticides are the most widely used method for grain protection. Unfortunately, the harmful effects of these insecticides on human health and environment have increased the interest of researchers for botanical insecticides which are recognized as eco-friendly products.

Electronic Nose Development and Preliminary Human Breath Testing for Rapid, Non-Invasive COVID-19 Detection.

We adapted an existing, spaceflight-proven, robust "electronic nose" (E-Nose) that uses an array of electrical resistivity-based nanosensors mimicking aspects of mammalian olfaction to conduct on-site, rapid screening for COVID-19 infection by measuring the pattern of sensor responses to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled human breath. We built and tested multiple copies of a hand-held prototype E-Nose sensor system, composed of 64 chemically sensitive nanomaterial sensing elements tailored to COVID-19 VOC detection; data acquisition electronics; a smart tablet with software (App) for sensor control, data acquisition and display; and a sampling fixture to capture exhaled breath samples and deliver them to the sensor array inside the E-Nose. The sensing elements detect the combination of VOCs typical in breath at parts-per-billion (ppb) levels, with repeatability of 0.

Disruption of Biofilm Formation and Quorum Sensing in Pathogenic Bacteria by Compounds from Zanthoxylum Gilletti (De Wild) P.G. Waterman.

Microbial resistance is facilitated by biofilm formation and quorum-sensing mediated processes. In this work, the stem bark (ZM) and fruit extracts (ZMFT) of Zanthoxylum gilletii were subjected to column chromatography and afforded lupeol (1), 2,3-epoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyconiferyl alcohol (3), nitidine chloride (4), nitidine (7), sucrose (6) and sitosterol-β-D-glucopyranoside (2). The compounds were characterized using MS and NMR spectral data.

Corrosion of Passive Aluminum Anodes in a Chloroaluminate Deep Eutectic Solvent for Secondary Batteries: The Bad, the Good, and the Ugly.

The passivity of aluminum is detrimental to its performance as an anode in batteries. Soaking of native oxide-covered aluminum in a chloroaluminate deep eutectic solvent gradually activates the electrode surface, which is reflected in a continuously decreasing open circuit potential. The underlying processes were studied by analyzing the 3 to 7 nm thick layer of native oxide after increasing periods of soaking with secondary neutral mass spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy in a transmission electron microscope.

A new flavone and a newly synthesized alkaloid from (Verbenaceae).

The chemical investigation of the leaf extract of a Cameroonian medicinal plant, A Chev (Verbenaceae) led to the isolation of a new flavonoid derivative flavolippia (), alongside eleven known compounds: 2,4-dimethylpyridin-3,5-diol (), 5-hydroxy-6,7,4'-trimethoxylflavone (), 5-hydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone (), 7-hydroxy-5,6,4'-trimethoxyflavone (), 3-hydroxy-urs-12-en-3-ol (-amyrin) (), lupeol acetate (), lup-20(29)-en-3-ol (lupeol) (), lup-20(29)-en-3β,28-diol (betulin) (), fridelan-3-one (fridelan) (), saccharose (), cosanol (). In addition, a new semi-synthetic alkaloid derivative named lippiamicin () was prepared from 2,4-dimethylpyridin-3,5-diol (). Their structures were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data, as well as 1 D and 2 D NMR.

Fractionated Extracts From Gnidia kraussiana (Malvales: Thymeleaceae) as Bioactive Phytochemicals for Effective Management of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Stored Vigna unguiculata (Fabales: Fabaceae) Seeds.

One of the most important global problems is protecting food from insect pests. The negative effects of synthetic insecticides on human health led to a resurgence of interest in botanical insecticides due to their minimal ecological side effects. Therefore, the insecticidal potential of hexane, acetone, and methanol extracts of Gnidia kraussiana Meisn roots at 1 and 5g/kg, and neem seed oil (NSO), used as standard insecticide, were evaluated.

Views of community pharmacists in Lebanon on the unified prescription: a mixed method study.

Background: The unified prescription was introduced in Lebanon in 2011; an aim was to save on medication expenditure.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the views of community pharmacists on the effect and usefulness of the unified prescription.

Methods: A cross-sectional telephone survey of community pharmacists from all governorates of Lebanon was conducted.

Bonding and thermal stability of cysteine on single-crystalline iron oxide surfaces and Pt(111).

Model studies on the adsorption of simple amino acids on single-crystalline substrates provide the basis for understanding the interactions of more complex biomolecules with inorganic materials. In this study, the adsorption and thermal stability of cysteine on Pt(111) and on monolayer FeO(111)/Pt(111) and thick FeO(111)/Pt(111) films have been investigated in ultrahigh vacuum by means of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed desorption. At low adsorption temperature (160 K), cysteine stays intact on all studied surfaces.

Supramolecular Assembly of Oriented Spherulitic Crystals of Conjugated Polymers Surrounding Carbon Nanotube Fibers.

The directed assembly of conjugated polymers into macroscopic organization with controlled orientation and placement is pivotal in improving device performance. Here, the supramolecular assembly of oriented spherulitic crystals of poly(3-butylthiophene) surrounding a single carbon nanotube fiber under controlled solvent evaporation of solution-cast films is reported. Oriented lamellar structures nucleate on the surface of the nanotube fiber in the form of a transcrystalline interphase.

Control of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Using Fractionated Extracts from Cameroonian Hemizygia welwitschii (Lamiaceae) Leaf on Stored Vigna unguiculata (Fabales: Fabaceae).

Bioassays were conducted to assess the individually insecticidal activities of hexane, acetone, and methanol extracts from Hemizygia welwitschii Rolfe-Ashby leaves powder against Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). The extracts were applied at 2, 4, 6, and 10 g/kg of cowpea and the untreated seeds served as negative control.

Anticoagulated patient's perception of their illness, their beliefs about the anticoagulant therapy prescribed and the relationship with adherence: impact of novel oral anticoagulant therapy - study protocol for The Switching Study: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Anticoagulant therapy is prescribed for millions of patients worldwide for the prevention and treatment of both arterial and venous thrombosis. Historically, only vitamin K antagonists have been available for clinicians to prescribe. The anticoagulation landscape is changing.

Isolated splenic metastasis from colon cancer: Case report.

Isolated splenic metastases from colorectal cancer are very rare clinical entities and when they are present, they usually manifest widely disseminated disease. In this paper we report a case of metachronous solitary isolated splenic metastasis from colon cancer in a 64-year-old woman who was successfully treated by laparoscopic splenectomy. We discuss the pathological and clinical aspects of this condition.

Adherence to long-term anticoagulation treatment, what is known and what the future might hold.

Adherence to medication, commonly reported as being 50% in chronic diseases, is of great concern in healthcare. Medication non-adherence is particularly apparent in chronic diseases, where treatment is often preventative and may provide little or no symptomatic relief or feedback for the patient. A lot of research has been undertaken to describe the extent of non-adherence to long-term anticoagulation therapy, particularly with vitamin K antagonists and more recently with direct oral anticoagulants.

Chemical composition, in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils of four dietary and medicinal plants from Cameroon.

Background: In the Cameroonian traditional medicine, plants of the Capparidaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Liliaceae families are used to treat several metabolic diseases. These plants are rich in various compounds belonging to the glucosinolates and thiosulfinates family. Till date, very little studies have been done aiming at assessing the antioxidant and inflammatory properties of the essential oils (EOs) of these plants.

Graphene-Induced Oriented Interfacial Microstructures in Single Fiber Polymer Composites.

Interfacial interactions between the polymer and graphene are pivotal in determining the reinforcement efficiency in the graphene-enhanced polymer nanocomposites. Here, we report on the dynamic process of graphene-induced oriented interfacial crystals of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) in the single fiber polymer composites by means of polarized optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The graphene fibers are obtained by chemical reduction of graphene oxide fibers, and the latter is produced from the liquid crystalline dispersion of graphene oxide via a wet coagulation route.

Prevalence of COPD in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Background: The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a random sample of individuals 40-80 years old in Abu Dhabi, with a particular interest to explore local risk factors other than cigarette smoking. Airflow limitation compatible with COPD was defined as a post-bronchodilator ratio FEV(1)/FVC <0.

The value of postexcision preradiation mammography in patients with early-stage breast cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefit of postexcision preradiation mammography for patients with early-stage breast cancer. The records of 101 patients (103 breasts) with either ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or early invasive breast cancer diagnosed based on microcalcifications on a mammogram between January 1999 and December 2001 at our institution were reviewed. Sixty-one patients had a postexcision preradiation mammogram, and 42 patients did not have a mammogram until the completion of radiation.

Allograft loss in renal transplant recipients with Fabry's disease and activated protein C resistance.

Introduction: Fabry's disease is associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events and rejection. Spontaneous thrombosis of a functioning cadaveric renal allograft in a recipient with Fabry's disease prompted prospective evaluation of all transplant candidates with Fabry's disease for hypercoagulability.

Materials And Methods: Transplant candidates with Fabry's disease were tested for hypercoagulability, analyzed for HLA-type and ABO group, and comorbid conditions suggestive of hypercoagulability.