Publications by authors named "Katharina M Hermann"
Article Synopsis
- Attract-and-kill (AK) beads are a new biological insecticide made to replace synthetic options, using yeast and fungus to attract and kill wireworms.
- Research revealed significant changes in oxygen levels and acidity within these beads after just two days, indicating a complex environment that affects the organisms.
- The study shows that while the yeast and fungus can work together beneficially, they also compete for resources, which is key for creating more effective pest management techniques.
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a biodegradable, water-soluble polymer with excellent film forming properties, commonly studied or used as tablet coating, food packaging or controlled release fertilizers. Attract-and-kill (AK) beads are sustainable, microbial alternatives to synthetic soil insecticides, whose onset of lethal effect largely depend on how fast the encapsulated entomopathogenic fungus forms virulent conidia. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a water-soluble coating accelerating the kill effect of AK beads by immediately releasing virulent Metarhizium brunneum CB15-III blastospores.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe control of root-feeding wireworms has become more challenging as synthetic soil insecticides have been progressively phased out due to environmental risk concerns. Innovative microbial control alternatives such as the so-called attract-and-kill strategy depend on the rapid and successful development of dried encapsulated microorganisms, which is initiated by rehydration. Casein is a functional additive that is already used in food or pharmaceutical industry due to its water binding capacity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), like brain natriuretic peptide, might have diagnostic utility in detecting left ventricular hypertrophy and/or left ventricular dysfunction. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between morbid obesity and NT-proBNP and the effect of weight reduction on this parameter.
Research Methods And Procedures: A total of 34 morbidly obese patients underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).