NEW DATA ABOUT THE CONTROL OF THE PLANTHOPPER METCALFA PRUINOSA (SAY 1830) (HEMIPTERA: FLATIDAE) IN THE TOWN OF PITEŞTI (ARGEŞ COUNTY)

Metcalfa pruinosa (Say 1830), an invasive species mentioned in Romania in 2009, was observed first time in Pitești in 2014, a city located in the central-southern part of Romania. In the favourable climatic conditions of the summer of 2015, high density of thedevelopment stages of the pest were seen on many host plants, both woody and herbaceous, in the green areas of the city. The insecticide treatments show the highest effectiveness for the mixture of imidacloprid 75 g/l, deltamethrin 10 g/l, lambda cyhalothrin 50 g/l, associated with pirimiphos methyl 500 g/l, within an interval of 3-5 days. It is important that treatments be applied in combination with 0.1% Silwet to facilitate the action of the active substance. Monitoring and chemical control are required in order to limit the spread of pests in places bordering the city, where there are important vineyards and orchards

Ecotoxicological Studies on the Action of Actara 25 WG Insecticide on Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio) and Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)

The toxic action of the Actara 25 WG insecticide (it contains 25% thiamethoxam as an active substance) in non-lethal doses was studied in two species of aquatic organisms—the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) and the marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus)—at two thermal levels, 6–8 °C (low temperature) and 18–20 °C (room temperature), respectively. In the Prussian carp, we recorded decreases in oxygen consumption and stimulation of the respiratory rhythm, changes that were more pronounced in the case of intoxicated fish and when the species were kept at room temperature. The histopathology of the lung in the frog illustrated the thickening of the conjunctival septum, an increase in the number of mucous cells, and an increase in the ratio between the diameter of the nucleus and the diameter of the pneumocyte. All of these changes were more pronounced in the animals kept at higher temperature. Our study looks at the extent to which temperature changes can influence the ability of poikilothermic organisms to withstand the presence of toxic substances in the environment as a result of the impact of the use of insecticides in agriculture. The two tested organisms are a common presence for the study area, which was affected in the last decade by climate change

Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment of Actellic 50 EC Insecticide on Non-Target Organisms in Parallel with the Application of Standardized Tests

This paper contributes to the ecotoxicological risk assessment of the Actellic 50 EC insecticide (with 50% pirimiphos-methyl as the active substance) tested on non-target organisms. The insecticide concentrations tested were the same for all organisms (0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 mg L−1 of Actellic 50 EC), with an exposure of 3–5–21 days for plants and 4–5–14 days for animals. The non-target organisms tested were both plants (wheat and two ferns) and animals (the Prussian carp and marsh frog tadpoles). The tested insecticide significantly inhibited the growth of roots in wheat, a result that was also confirmed by a microbiotest application (62% root growth inhibition in sorghum and 100% germination inhibition in white mustard and garden cress). In ferns, even for the lowest concentration, the percentage of germinated spores was inhibited by 40% for Asplenium scolopendrium. The recorded toxicological effects of Actellic 50 EC upon the Prussian carp included a decrease in the respiratory rate and oxygen consumption, an increase in the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes, and an increase in blood glucose levels. The highest concentration (0.1 mg L−1 of Actellic 50 EC) caused a 50% decrease in the survival rate of marsh frog tadpoles after 5 days of exposure, negatively affecting body volume and length. Given the high degree of toxicity of the insecticide Actellic 50 EC, we recommend continuing investigations on non-target species, including both plants and animals, as the sub-chronic effects are quite little known in the scientific literature

The impact of acute kidney injury on in-hospital mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing intravenous thrombolysis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) increases the risk of death in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Intravenous thrombolytic therapy (iv. rt-PA) seems to be the most effective treatment for AIS patients. The effects of AKI on iv. rt-PA treated AIS cases is less studied. Our paper addresses this issue.45 consecutive stroke patients treated with iv. rt-PA (median age = 64 years; 29 male) and 59 age and sex matched controls not eligible for iv. rt-PA have been enrolled in our study. Subjects were followed-up until hospital release or death (median follow up time = 12 days).The prevalence of AKI did not differ between iv. rt-PA treated patients and controls (35.5% vs. 33.89%). In both groups, AKI was associated with increased in-hospital mortality: 50.0% vs. 3.4% p<0.0001 (in the rt-PA treated), and 45% vs. 30.7% (in controls). AKI iv. rt-PA treated patients had a significantly higher risk of in hospital mortality as compared to the no-AKI iv. rt-PA treated (HR = 15.2 (95%CI [1.87 to 124.24]; P = 0.011). In a Cox-multivariate model, the presence of AKI after iv. rt-PA remained a significant factor (HR = 8.354; p = 0.041) influencing the in-hospital mortality even after correction for other confounding factors. The independent predictors for AKI were: decreased eGFR baseline and elevated serum levels of uric acid at admission, (the model explained 60.2% of the AKI development).The risk of AKI was increased in AIS patients. Thrombolysis itself did not increase the risk of AKI. In the iv. rt-PA patients, as compared to non-AKI, those which developed AKI had a higher rate of in-hospital mortality. The baseline eGFR and the serum uric acid at admission were independent predictors for AKI development in the iv. rt-PA treated AIS patients

In-hospital survival in iv. rt-PA treated patients with AKI and those without AKI.

<p>In-hospital survival in iv. rt-PA treated patients with AKI and those without AKI.</p

Studied groups baseline characteristics.

<p>Studied groups baseline characteristics.</p

Comparison of parameters at admission between patients who developed vs. those who had not developed AKI, after iv. rt-PA.

<p>Comparison of parameters at admission between patients who developed vs. those who had not developed AKI, after iv. rt-PA.</p

Predictors for the development of AKI, accepted in the logistic regression model.

<p>Predictors for the development of AKI, accepted in the logistic regression model.</p