Spatial distribution of heavy metals, source identification, risk assessment and particulate matter in the M4 motorway.

Metal-containing dust is a potential severe environmental and human health threat. Metals present in dust may originate from car exhausts, tear and wear of tires, and vehicular emissions, which are less manageable. Metal-containing dust from roads can contaminate the soils, and crops alongside motorway.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals differences in gene expression in whitefly following individual or combined applications of Akanthomyces attenuatus (Zare & Gams) and matrine.

Background: Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a serious pest of crops in different regions of the world. Our recent studies on the joint application of Akanthomyces attenuatus (a pathogenic insect fungus) and matrine (a botanical insecticide) against B. tabaci have shown promising results.

Lethal and Sublethal Toxicity Assessment of Cyclosporin C (a Fungal Toxin) against (L.).

Secondary metabolites/toxins produced by (Hypocreales; Phiocordycipitaceae), a well-known insect pathogen, can be used for the management of different insect pests. We report the lethal and sublethal effects of cyclosporin C (a toxin produced by ) against a major vegetable pest, , at specific organismal (feeding rate, larval growth, adult emergence, fecundity, and adult longevity) and sub-organismal levels (changes in antioxidant and neurophysiological enzyme activities). The toxicity of cyclosporin C against different larval instars of increased with increasing concentrations of the toxin and the maximum percent mortality rates for different larval instars at different times were observed for the 300 µg/mL cyclosporin C treatment, with an average mortality rate of 100% for all larval instars.

Management and outcomes of hepatorenal syndrome at an urban academic medical center: a retrospective study.

Objectives: This study is aimed to evaluate the management of acute kidney injury (AKI) in our inner city, American hospital. We intended to ascertain whether or not there is prompt recognition of AKI in cirrhosis according to International Club of Ascites and acute kidney injury network criteria as well how effective we are at distinguishing among different causes of AKI. We aimed to calculated the mortality of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) in our hospital, and to evaluate the adequacy of the established treatment of AKI at each stage of its algorithm.

Heavy metals transported through a multi-trophic food chain influence the energy metabolism and immune responses of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri.

Contamination of environment with heavy metals is increasingly becoming an issue of major concern across the globe. Heavy metals are highly toxic to humans as well as other organisms of the ecosystem. The translocation of heavy metals from soil to predatory insects via multi-tophic food chains can influence the growth, reproduction, metabolism and innate immune systems of the predators.

Checklist of the mites of Pakistan.

We present the first comprehensive inventory of the mites of Pakistan, based on data from published books and papers. The fauna as presently understood includes 126 families, 316 genera, and 1105 species. The best-documented genera are those that include pests of stored food (for example Acotyledon, 28 species), plant pests (Brevipalpus, 49 species; Tenuipalpus, 35 species), and beneficial predators (Euseius, 44 species; Neoseiulus, 37 species; Phytoseius, 36 species; Typhlodromus, 47 species).

Developmental responses of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri to heavy metals transferred across multi-trophic food chain.

The current studies were carried out to observe the variations in development, biology and life table parameters of ladybird beetle, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, feeding on pink hibiscus mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes) contaminated with heavy metals (cadmium, lead, and nickel) bio-transferred across a multi-trophic chain. The developmental time required for immature life stages (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th instar nymphs, pupae) and total developmental period (egg-adult) differed significantly among different heavy metal treatments and control. The accumulated survival rate of C.

Impact of sustained virologic response on short-term clinical outcomes in hepatitis C-related cirrhosis.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of cirrhosis, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment of the underlying etiology has been shown to improve fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Aim: We sought to evaluate the impact of a sustained virologic response on liver chemistries, model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score, Child-Pugh-Turcotte score (CPT), and fibrosis 4 score (FIB4) in patients with liver cirrhosis secondary to HCV with portal hypertension, with or without decompensation.

Diabetics on Narcotics Are Less Likely to Achieve Excellent Bowel Preparation Than Are Patients with Either Condition.

Background: Diabetes and chronic narcotic use negatively affect the quality of bowel preparation before colonoscopy.

Aim: To investigate whether narcotic use and diabetes have an additive negative impact on bowel preparation.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 2841 patients (mean age 61 ± 10.

Subfamily Coleoscirinae (Acari: Trombidiformes: Cunaxidae), with description of one new species from Pakistan.

The Coleoscirinae (Acari: Trombidiformes: Cunaxidae) from Pakistan are summarized in this paper. Two species of Scutascirus Den Heyer (S. pirgus Chaudhri and Akbar and S.

Bioimpedance monitoring of 3D cell culturing--complementary electrode configurations for enhanced spatial sensitivity.

A bioimpedance platform is presented as a promising tool for non-invasive real-time monitoring of the entire process of three-dimensional (3D) cell culturing in a hydrogel scaffold. In this study, the dynamics involved in the whole process of 3D cell culturing, starting from polymerisation of a bare 3D gelatin scaffold, to human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) encapsulation and proliferation, was monitored over time. The platform consists of a large rectangular culture chamber with four embedded vertical gold plate electrodes that were exploited in two- and three terminal (2T and 3T) measurement configurations.

Effect of allopurinol on slowing allograft functional decline in kidney transplant recipients.

Objectives: Hyperuricemia may be a risk factor for graft loss in kidney transplant recipients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of allopurinol in kidney transplant recipients.

Materials And Methods: A single center retrospective case-control study was performed with kidney transplant recipients who were treated with allopurinol (54 patients) and a control group matched for time of transplant (± 3 months) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (54 patients).

Antioxidant enzyme influences germination, stress tolerance, and virulence of Isaria fumosorosea.

Antioxidizing enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidae) are important enzymatic systems used to degrade hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, thereby lowering intracellular hydrogen peroxide levels. Entomopathogenic fungi display increased activities of antioxidizing enzymes during growth and germination, which is necessary to counteract the hyperoxidant state produced by oxidative metabolism. We studied the influence of different carbon sources on antioxidizing enzyme production by Isaria fumosorosea to determine the importance of antioxiding enzymes induction in fungal germination, stress tolerance and virulence.

Lung volume abnormalities and its correlation to spirometric and demographic variables in adult asthma.

Background: Presence of airflow obstruction in asthma has been based on a fixed FEV1(forced expiratory volume at 1 second)/FVC (forced vital capacity) ratio abnormality. The accuracy of FEV1/FVC ratio in diagnosing airflow obstruction remains controversial. Lung volume abnormalities have been observed in severe asthma.

COPD elicits remodeling of the diaphragm and vastus lateralis muscles in humans.

A profound remodeling of the diaphragm and vastus lateralis (VL) occurs in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this mini-review, we discuss the following costal diaphragm remodeling features noted in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD: 1) deletion of serial sarcomeres, 2) increased proportion of slow-twitch fibers, 3) fast-to-slow isoform shift in sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, 4) increased capacity of oxidative metabolism, 5) oxidative stress, and 6) myofiber atrophy. We then present the sole feature of diaphragm remodeling noted in mild-to-moderate COPD under the heading "MyHC and contractile remodeling noted in mild-to-moderate COPD.

Suppression of regrowth of normal skin flora under chlorhexidine gluconate dressings applied to chlorhexidine gluconate-prepped skin.

Background: Catheter colonization and bloodstream infection during the first week after insertion of a central venous catheter have been shown to result from the patient's own skin flora.

Methods: The backs of 32 healthy subjects were prepped with a 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)/70% isopropyl alcohol antiseptic. Three dressings, 2 of which contained CHG, were placed on the prepped skin in a randomized design.