Extension Assistance for Integrated Pest Management Programs in K-12 Schools

We developed a training and education program in integrated pest management (IPM) for K-12 school building and grounds managers. The purpose of the program was to reduce exposure of children to pesticides at schools. Web-based and hard copy resource materials were developed in a cooperative effort between University of Wisconsin-Extension and the state\u27s Department of Agriculture. Since 1999, personnel at 46% of Wisconsin\u27s public schools have received training, education, and assistance in developing IPM programs. This high degree of voluntary participation is expected to affect pending legislation aimed at mandating IPM in schools

Quantification of three macrolide antibiotics in pharmaceutical lots by HPLC: Development, validation and application to a simultaneous separation

A new validated high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with rapid analysis time and high efficiency, for the analysis of erythromycin, azithromycin and spiramycin, under isocratic conditions with ODB RP18 as a stationary phase is described. Using an eluent composed of acetonitrile –2-methyl-2-propanol –hydrogenphosphate buffer, pH 6.5, with 1.5% triethylamine (33:7: up to 100, v/v/v), delivered at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL min-1. Ultra Violet (UV) detection is performed at 210 nm. The selectivity is satisfactory enough and no problematic interfering peaks are observed. The procedure is quantitatively characterized and repeatability, linearity, detection and quantification limits are very satisfactory. The method is applied successfully for the assay of the studied drugs in pharmaceutical dosage forms as tablets and powder for oral suspension. Recovery experiments revealed recovery of 97.13–100.28%

Differentiation of sympatric zebra and quagga mussels in ecotoxicological studies: A comparison of morphometric data, gene expression, and body metal concentrations

International audienc

Enquête nationale sur l'enseignement de l'éducation thérapeutique dans les instituts de formation en soins infirmier

Objectifs : L'objectif de cette recherche est de caractériser les enseignements en éducation thérapeutique dispensés dans les instituts de formation en soins infirmiers (IFSI) de France, dans la continuité du référentiel de formation paru au 31 juillet 2009. L'étude a pour but de constituer une photographie réaliste de cette formation, en mettant en évidence ses points forts et ses points faibles, en établissant des parallèles entre formation initiale et continue à l'ETP, en dégageant des perspectives pédagogiques. Méthode : Il s'agit d'une enquête par questionnaire réalisée en 2016 auprès de 331 IFSI de France métropolitaine et des départements d'outre-mer. Le questionnaire comportait 16 questions fermées à choix de réponses et 15 questions ouvertes. Les réponses aux questions fermées ont été traitées par le logiciel Google Drive®. Les réponses aux questions ouvertes ont fait l'objet d'une analyse de contenu. Résultats : 140 IFSI (42,2 %) précisent qu'ils organisent un enseignement de l'ETP dans le cadre de l'UE 4.6 : « Soins éducatifs et préventifs », dont la partie théorique est assurée en semestre 3 et la partie pratique en semestre 4, le formateur référent étant le même dans 89,5 % des cas. Dans une majorité d'IFSI ( 62 %), l'enseignement de l'ETP est associé à celui de pathologies chroniques. Discussion : Par rapport à des enquêtes précédentes réalisées sur le même sujet en 1999, 2005 et 2012, on constate d'incontestables progrès : un plus grand nombre de formateurs est formé à la démarche de l'ETP ; ils prennent appui sur des intervenants qualifiés en ETP ; les thèmes traités au cours des enseignements convoquent des concepts et des réflexions actuelles et pertinentes ; cet enseignement est apprécié des étudiants. Les défauts constatés : pas de référence à un modèle théorique de l'ETP, confusion entre ETP et éducation pour la santé (EPS), manque de terrains de stages comportant des programmes d'ETP autorisés. Les formateurs en concluent que leurs étudiants sont moins compétents en ETP que des professionnels ayant suivi une formation continue correspondante de 40 heures. Conclusion : En raison de différents facteurs mis en évidence par notre enquête, il apparaît que la formation initiale à l'ETP délivrée dans les IFSI est plutôt de nature théorique. Il serait donc plus réaliste de la considérer comme préparatoire à une formation continue réellement professionnelle. Néanmoins, des progrès pédagogiques importants ont été accomplis dans cette formation initiale qu'il conviendrait de renforcer, compte tenu de l'importance que revêt aujourd'hui l'ETP dans la prise en charge des patients chroniques

Probing for corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in human blood for doping control purposes using immunoaffinity purification and LC-HRMS/MS

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a peptide hormone whose secretion leads to adrenal cortisol release, is classified as prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In order to comprehensively enforce anti-doping regulations, a detection method for CRH in blood (serum and plasma) is required. In this study, two different immunoaffinity purification strategies were optimized and employed for sample preparation, followed by nano-ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to high resolution/high accuracy tandem mass spectrometry (HRMS/MS). For that purpose, a CRH primary polyclonal antibody was immobilized to either IgG-covered paramagnetic particles or a monolithic protein A/G surface. The first approach using magnetic beads was fully validated in both human plasma and serum, while the Mass Spectrometric Immunoassay (MSIA (TM)) procedure was cross-validated for selected parameters. The resulting assays' LLODs were estimated at 200 pg mL(-1) (magnetic beads) and 500 pg mL(-1) (MSIA (TM)). In addition to human CRH, also animal analogs such as ovine and bovine CRH were found to be traceable using the established approach. For all target analytes comprising of 41 amino acids (approximately 4.7 kDa), high-resolution/high-accuracy product ion mass spectra were generated, and diagnostic y-and b-ions were identified. Proof-of-concept data were obtained by the analysis of plasma samples collected in the course of CRH stimulation blood tests. Specimens were collected from three patients 15 and 30 min after intravenous application of a 100 mu g single dose of human CRH, yielding plasma concentrations between 7.6 and 18.9 ng mL(-1)

Residues in beeswax: a health risk for the consumer of honey and beeswax ?

A scenario analysis in regard to the risk of chronic exposure of consumers to residues through the consumption of contaminated honey and beeswax was conducted. Twenty-two plant protection products and veterinary substances of which residues have already been detected in beeswax in Europe were selected. The potential chronic exposure was assessed by applying a worst-case scenario based on the addition of a “maximum” daily intake through the consumption of honey and beeswax to the theoretical maximum daily intake through other foodstuffs. For each residue, the total exposure was finally compared to the acceptable daily intake. It is concluded that the food consumption of honey and beeswax contaminated with these residues considered separately does not compromise the consumer’s health, provided proposed action limits are met. In regard to residues of flumethrin in honey and in beeswax, “zero tolerance” should be applied