DNA damage may be induced by oxidative assault. Apoptosis may not contribute significantly to the DNA damage.

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The addition of mini-dose epidural dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg as a single injection to bupivacaine fentanyl in women undergoing elective cesarean section with combined spinal-epidural anesthesia improved intraoperative conditions and the quality of postoperative analgesia.

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Chlorantraniliprole and indoxacarb insecticides exhibit good efficiency for control lepidopteran pests. The current study is a comprehensive analysis of the effect of lethal and sublethal concentrations of these insecticides on Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by using the leaf dipping technique. The LC 50 values ranged from 0.06 to 1.07 mg/L, and 0.005 to 0.81 mg/L for chlorantraniliprole and indoxacarb, respectively. Our results showed that the treatment of the 2nd instar larvae with LC 50 concentrations of these insecticides significantly increased the length of larval and pupal duration as well as pupal weight in most cases. While, no significant differences have been found in the percentage of hatchability except for LC 50 equivalent of indoxacarb. Female behavior regarding calling activity decreased by 50-60% following exposure to the LC 50 concentration of both insecticides. Gas chromatography analysis results showed that both insecticides lowered pheromone titer except at chlorantraniliprole LC 50 equivalent for (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-l-ol acetate, and indoxacarb LC 10 equivalent for (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate. Additionally, the activity of mixed-function oxidases and glutathione S-transferase were elevated relative to control. The carboxylesterase activity significantly increased when assayed with both chlorantraniliprole concentrations and indoxacarb LC 10 equivalent. These results indicate that chlorantraniliprole and indoxacarb could be effective for S. littoralis control.

The relationship between iron status and the intensity of infection with hookworm was investigated in a rural population on Karkar Island, Mandang Province, Papua New Guinea. There was a significant negative correlation between plasma ferritin level and hookworm burden, which was strongest in males. In contrast, there was no correlation between plasma ferritin and hookworm egg count, and no consistent correlation between haemoglobin level or haematocrit and either measure of hookworm intensity. The results suggest that the role of hookworm in the aetiology of anaemia may be difficult to assess without the accurate measurement of hookworm burden.

Background: The destructive insect pest Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous species targeting many economically important plants. The extensive and arbitrary use of insecticides has resulted in the build-up of insecticide resistance and pesticide residues accumulating in food. Therefore, it is becoming evident that alternative pest management tools are needed to reduce risks to humans, the environment, and non-target organisms, and at the same time, they should be used in field application at the lowest cost. Methods: In view of this objective, the present study demonstrates the toxicity of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) essential oil (EO), against the black cutworm A. ipsilon under controlled laboratory conditions in terms of measuring the activity of peroxidase and detoxification enzymes. The chemical components of the EO were analyzed using GC–MS. Results: The results show that after 96 h post treatment, the LC15 and LC50 values were 427.67 and 2623.06 mg/L, respectively, of C. citratus EO on second-instar larvae of A. ipsilon. A slight significance in elongation of the larval duration with LC15 and LC50 value was found with control. By GC–MS analysis, the main compounds identified in the EO were α-citral and β-citral with percentages of 35.91%, and 35%, respectively. The oxidative stress indicates a significant increase in CAT and lipid peroxidase enzyme activity after 96 h post treatment at the LC15 and LC50. Conversely, the detoxification enzyme activity shows an inhibition of CarE and GST enzymes of larvae exposed to LC15 and LC50 values in response to C. citratus EO. Conclusions: The present data show that lemongrass EO has insecticidal activity against the black cutworm, A. ipsilon.

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