Utilization and evaluation of an indoxacarb-based granular bait (Advion) developed for the control of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This research evaluated the new red imported fire ant (RIFA) bait Advionâ¢. Advion⢠contains the active ingredient indoxacarb which, following ingestion, must be metabolized into an N-decarbomethoxyllated metabolite known as JT333 in order to become acutely toxic. Laboratory experimentation was conducted to determine the most effective chemical form and concentration of indoxacarb, as well as the most appropriate grit size, for use in Advionâ¢. The results indicated that Advion⢠containing indoxacarb was more effective than Advion⢠containing JT333, that 0.10%, 0.06%, and 0.045% were the most effective concentrations of indoxacarb, and that standard sized grit (~2 mm) was more effective than small sized grit (<1 mm). Field experimentation was conducted to determine the most effective concentration and quantity of Advionâ¢, as well as the most effective placement of the bait, for obtaining maximum control of RIFA colonies via individual mound treatments. The results indicated that 10 g (2 Tbsp) of 0.045% Advion⢠placed around the mound in a circle with a radius of 0.5-3.0 m was the most effective manner in which to treat individual RIFA mounds. Field experimentation was also conducted to compare the effectiveness of label-rate broadcast treatment with Advion⢠to the effectiveness of both label-rate broadcast treatment with Amdroî and pre-baiting broadcast treatment with Advionâ¢. Both pre-baiting broadcast treatment and label-rate broadcast treatment with Advion⢠ultimately resulted in 98-99% RIFA colony mortality, which was significantly greater than the 87% colony mortality resulting from broadcast treatment with Amdroî. The 6.2 d LT90 for label-rate broadcast treatment with Advion⢠was nearly one half that of the LT90 for pre-baiting broadcast treatment. Laboratory experimentation was conducted to determine whether RIFA workers were capable of metabolizing indoxacarb into the toxic metabolite, and the results clearly indicated that they were. Finally, field experimentation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of label-rate broadcast treatment with Advion⢠at controlling multiple ant species. The results indicated that label-rate broadcast treatment with Advion⢠resulted in control of the RIFA and Pogonomyrmex barbatus for at least 7 wk, and Monomorium pharaonis and Dorymyrmex pyramicus for some period of time between 3 and 7 wk

Utilization and evaluation of an indoxacarb-based granular bait (Advion) developed for the control of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This research evaluated the new red imported fire ant (RIFA) bait Advionâ¢. Advion⢠contains the active ingredient indoxacarb which, following ingestion, must be metabolized into an N-decarbomethoxyllated metabolite known as JT333 in order to become acutely toxic. Laboratory experimentation was conducted to determine the most effective chemical form and concentration of indoxacarb, as well as the most appropriate grit size, for use in Advionâ¢. The results indicated that Advion⢠containing indoxacarb was more effective than Advion⢠containing JT333, that 0.10%, 0.06%, and 0.045% were the most effective concentrations of indoxacarb, and that standard sized grit (~2 mm) was more effective than small sized grit (<1 mm). Field experimentation was conducted to determine the most effective concentration and quantity of Advionâ¢, as well as the most effective placement of the bait, for obtaining maximum control of RIFA colonies via individual mound treatments. The results indicated that 10 g (2 Tbsp) of 0.045% Advion⢠placed around the mound in a circle with a radius of 0.5-3.0 m was the most effective manner in which to treat individual RIFA mounds. Field experimentation was also conducted to compare the effectiveness of label-rate broadcast treatment with Advion⢠to the effectiveness of both label-rate broadcast treatment with Amdroî and pre-baiting broadcast treatment with Advionâ¢. Both pre-baiting broadcast treatment and label-rate broadcast treatment with Advion⢠ultimately resulted in 98-99% RIFA colony mortality, which was significantly greater than the 87% colony mortality resulting from broadcast treatment with Amdroî. The 6.2 d LT90 for label-rate broadcast treatment with Advion⢠was nearly one half that of the LT90 for pre-baiting broadcast treatment. Laboratory experimentation was conducted to determine whether RIFA workers were capable of metabolizing indoxacarb into the toxic metabolite, and the results clearly indicated that they were. Finally, field experimentation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of label-rate broadcast treatment with Advion⢠at controlling multiple ant species. The results indicated that label-rate broadcast treatment with Advion⢠resulted in control of the RIFA and Pogonomyrmex barbatus for at least 7 wk, and Monomorium pharaonis and Dorymyrmex pyramicus for some period of time between 3 and 7 wk

First Report of Leishmania tropica from a Classical Focus of L. major in North-Sinai, Egypt

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://www.ajtmh.org/content/81/2/213.long.Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is prevalent in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula and previous research has consistently documented the etiologic agent to be Leishmania major. We report the first isolation of Leishmania tropica from human cases of CL in a Northern Sinai community bordering Palestine. Parasite culturing, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gene sequencing, and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses indicate CL cases in this community were caused by either L. major or L. tropica (three cases each). Two wild-caught rodents (Gerbillus pyramidum floweri) were infected with L. tropica. Phlebotomus papatasi sand flies were found harboring L. major, however only non-infected individuals of Phlebotomus sergenti, a vector for L. tropica, were caught. Patients with L. tropica had not traveled from the region in over a year, suggesting these cases are autochthonous. This scenario is consistent with an incursion of L. tropica from bordering countries and raises concerns about expansion of this parasite further into Egypt

Blood Cholinesterases from Washington State Orchard Workers

Court-ordered monitoring of blood cholinesterases (ChEs) from orchard workers in Washington State is underway. In 2008, the mean red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) activity was 9.65 ± 1.11 μmoles/min/ml (n = 1,793) and the mean serum (BChE, 3.1.1.6) activity was 5.19 ± 0.90 μmoles/min/ml (n = 1,811). Determinations were made using the Ellman assay and automated equipment of Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories (PAML), Spokane, Washington

A critical review of the research literature on Six Sigma, Lean and StuderGroup's Hardwiring Excellence in the United States: the need to demonstrate and communicate the effectiveness of transformation strategies in healthcare

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>U.S. healthcare organizations are confronted with numerous and varied transformational strategies promising improvements along all dimensions of quality and performance. This article examines the peer-reviewed literature from the U.S. for evidence of effectiveness among three current popular transformational strategies: Six Sigma, Lean/Toyota Production System, and Studer's Hardwiring Excellence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The English language health, healthcare management, and organizational science literature (up to December 2007) indexed in Medline, Web of Science, ABI/Inform, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and ERIC was reviewed for studies on the aforementioned transformation strategies in healthcare settings. Articles were included if they: appeared in a peer-reviewed journal; described a specific intervention; were not classified as a pilot study; provided quantitative data; and were not review articles. Nine references on Six Sigma, nine on Lean/Toyota Production System, and one on StuderGroup meet the study's eligibility criteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The reviewed studies universally concluded the implementations of these transformation strategies were successful in improving a variety of healthcare related processes and outcomes. Additionally, the existing literature reflects a wide application of these transformation strategies in terms of both settings and problems. However, despite these positive features, the vast majority had methodological limitations that might undermine the validity of the results. Common features included: weak study designs, inappropriate analyses, and failures to rule out alternative hypotheses. Furthermore, frequently absent was any attention to changes in organizational culture or substantial evidence of lasting effects from these efforts.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Despite the current popularity of these strategies, few studies meet the inclusion criteria for this review. Furthermore, each could have been improved substantially in order to ensure the validity of the conclusions, demonstrate sustainability, investigate changes in organizational culture, or even how one strategy interfaced with other concurrent and subsequent transformation efforts. While informative results can be gleaned from less rigorous studies, improved design and analysis can more effectively guide healthcare leaders who are motivated to transform their organizations and convince others of the need to employ such strategies. Demanding more exacting evaluation of projects consultants, or partnerships with health management researchers in academic settings, can support such efforts.</p

Discovery Of Diurnal Resting Sites Of Phlebotomine Sand Flies In A Village In Southern Egypt

In an attempt to find diurnal resting sites of adult phlebotomine sand flies, potential phlebotomine adult habitats were aspirated in the village of Bahrif in Aswan, Egypt. During this survey, sand flies were aspirated from low (30–45 cm high) irregular piles of mud bricks found under high date palm canopies between the village and the Nile River. There were 5 ♂♂and 7 ♀♀ of Phlebotomus papatasi and 3♂♂ of Sergentomyia schwetzi. Six of the 7 aspirated females were engorged with blood. A total of 78 sand flies was captured on 3 glue boards placed overnight on the ground next to the mud bricks. Attempts to aspirate sand flies from adjacent walls and plants were unsuccessful. The identification of diurnal resting sites in less structured habitats may ultimately lead to more effective adult sand fly control

Blood Cholinesterases from Washington State Orchard Workers

Court-ordered monitoring of blood cholinesterases (ChEs) from orchard workers in Washington State is underway. In 2008, the mean red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) activity was 9.65 ± 1.11 μmoles/min/ml (n = 1,793) and the mean serum (BChE, 3.1.1.6) activity was 5.19 ± 0.90 μmoles/min/ml (n = 1,811). Determinations were made using the Ellman assay and automated equipment of Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories (PAML), Spokane, Washington