Usefulness of Φ-order kinetics for the investigation, characterisation and quantification of photodegradation processes

Φ-order kinetics has been shown to be the best tool to study photokinetics [1 – 6]. Various species have been studied using this approach including photochromes [1, 2] and drugs [3 – 6]. The unimolecular photodegradation processes of the form AB (1Φ) and photoreversible systems AB (2Φ), where A, the initial species phototransforms into a product B (A→B) which itself can return to A (A→B) via two distinct photoprocesses, each characterized each by an individual efficiency (Φ), have been mathematically described by integrated rate-law equations which express the so called 'Φ-order' kinetics [1 – 6]. The application of this novel approach was found to be useful to determine a number of photoreaction attributes. The reaction's photochemical quantum yield(s), the effects of initial species concentration, or the impact of competitive absorbers on the rate-constant of the photoactive species were all made readily accessible by simple methods. More importantly, the Φ-order kinetics has proven to facilitate the development of a wide range of actinometers from AB (1Φ) and AB (2Φ) systems [2 – 6]. This novel Φ-order kinetic method clearly has the potential for application in various fields including the photodegradation of natural products. The details of Φ-order elucidation kinetic methods will be discussed here and examples of application presented

Novel methods for the characterisation of nanosponges/drug complexes with fluorimetry. Detection and Quantification in human serum

Cyclodextrins are oligosaccharides formed from a cyclic structure of 1,4-linked α-D-glucopyranose units, hydrophilic on the outside, and hydrophobic within they are able to form hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces and hydrophobic interactions with non-polar guest molecules, including pharmaceuticals, altering their solubility and spectral properties, they are able to overcome biological barriers and be absorbed [1]. Cross-linking β-cyclodextrin with epichlorohydrin can create polymers, with modifiable properties, and greater solubility, which can form stronger inclusion complexes through both encapsulation, and adsorbing guest molecules to their exterior. Although this complexation has been investigated with some pharmaceuticals, enhancing their solubility [2], and yielding higher percentage recoveries than when monomeric β-cyclodextrin was used [3], it has also been found that an increase in the intensity of fluorimetric analytical signal also occurs as a result of this interaction, along with a shift in the maximum wavelength peak [4]. The inclusion complex doesn't appear to have been utilised for analytical chemistry purposes, therefore the drug-β-cyclodextrin polymer-complex was explored through fluorimetry, as it is anticipated that this will allow for lower pharmaceutical detection limits; this technique was then applied for the determination of drugs in human serum and canal water. This poster will illustrate how β-cyclodextrin polymer can be utilised to enhance the fluorimetric signal of drugs, and be applied for the detection of pharmaceuticals in human serum and canal water

Some biological characteristics of the Batrachedra amydraula Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Batrachedridae) on main varieties of dry and semi-dry date palm of Iran

Although Iran is the leading producer of dates in the world, only 10% of its product is exported. One of the factors which limits exportation is postharvest pests. Lesser date moth (Batrachedra amydraula) is one of these postharvest pests. This pest is found in all date palm plantations of Iran. The biology of this pest has not been studied under laboratory conditions on main varieties of stored date in Iran. In this research some biological characteristics including survivorship, developmental time, fecundity, oviposition and postoviposition period, and longevity of adults on date palm varieties Zahedi, Ghasb, Rabbi, Deyri and a semi-artificial diet were studied. All experiments carried out at constant temperature room (30 ± 0.5 °C and 55 ± 5% r.h.). Highest survivorship of egg and combined larval and pupal stages were 86 and 85% respectively on semi-artificial diet. Shortest total development time from egg to adult was 43 days for males and 43 days for females on semi-artificial diet. Longest total development time was 69 days for male and 65 days for female on Ghasb variety. The highest (45 eggs per female) and lowest (25 eggs per female) fecundity occurred on the Deyri variety and semi-artificial diet, respectively. Results of this study would be useful for making pest management decisions in date palm storage.Keywords: Lesser date moth, Batrachedra amydraula, Biology, Date pal

Sequential sampling plan of Metopolophium dirhodum (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in wheat fields

Sequential sampling plans of rose-grain aphid, Metopolophium dirhodum (Walker) were developed in wheat fields of Jalilabad region of Varamin, Iran. The aphid population was weekly sampled during 2000-2001. Each sample included 50 wheat stems, which were chosen randomly and the number of aphids was counted. This data was used to describe spatial distribution pattern of M. dirhodum by Taylorâs power law (TPL) and Iwaoâs patchiness regression methods. The results indicated aggregated dispersion pattern of rose-grain aphid population in wheat fields, based on both methods. The TPL provided a better description of the aphidâs spatial distribution. Estimates of two mentioned models led to development of sequential sampling plans, using Green and Kuno methods at precision levels of D = 0.20 and D = 0.30 in terms of confidence interval, respectively. In both sequential sampling plans, the higher sample size obtained as population density decreased and it decreased when precision level increased from 0.30 to 0.20. The required sample size for the estimation of mean aphid density was approximately identical at 0.8 and 8 aphids per tiller in both Greenâs and Kunoâs plans. Greenâs plan was more efficient than Kunoâs model for both lower (⤠0.8 per tiller) and higher (⥠8 per tiller) aphid densities due to its small sample size required and less time needed for sampling. Kunoâs model required fewer samples at the intermediate density range (0.8-8 aphids per tiller) and is considered more effective than Greenâs plan at this aphids' density range. However, Kunoâs model is not recommended when low aphid population density exists because it requires enormous samples of aphids

Demography of Habrobracon hebetor (Hym.: Braconidae) on Galleria mellonella (Lep.: Pyralidae) at different temperatures

Demographic parameters of Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hym.: Braconidae) reared on the last larval instars of Galleria mellonella (L.) were studied at 20, 25, 28, 30 and 35 ± 0.5°C, 60 ± 5% R.H. and 16L: 8D h conditions. The gross fecundity rate of the parasitoid was 43.17 eggs at 20°C that was approximately half of it at other temperatures. Net fecundity and net fertility rates increased as the temperature increased. Their lowest values were 8.49 and 8.405 at 20 ± 0.5°C and the highest values were 30.47, 30.47 eggs at 30°C, respectively. Their values decreased more than 30% and amounted to 21.49 and 20.63 eggs at 35, respectively. Reproductive value (Vx) was at maximum value at the early period of female reproduction and decreased as females aged. In other words, it was at peak, when females were 30, 18, 14, 14 and 11 day-old at above temperatures. The highest value of net reproductive rate (R0) was 17.06 at 30°C and the lowest (6.27) at 35°C. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) had the highest value (0.17) at 30°C and the lowest (0.039) at 20°C. The highest value of finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.186 at 30°C and the lowest (1.04) at 20°C. In other words, the parasitoid population would increase 11.86% daily at 30°C. Mean generation time (T) was the longest (41.81 days) at 20°C and the shortest (14.93 days) at 35°C. The longest doubling time (DT) (17.82 days) was obtained at 20°C and the shortest (4.072) was at 30°C. These results showed that the temperature at 30°C would provide a more favorable condition for mass rearing of H. hebetor

Temperature-dependent development of Habrobracon hebetor (Hym.: Braconidae) reared on larvae of Galleria mellonella (Lep.: Pyralidae)

The development times and the survival rates of different stages of Habrobracon hebetor Say reared on the last instar larvae of Galleria mellonella (L.) were compared at ten different constant temperatures (16 - 38 ºC). The development time of immature stages of the parasitoid, H. hebetor, decreased as the temperature increased in the range of 16 to 38 ºC. However, no larvae could survive and develop at 16 ºC. Development time from egg to adult females was the shortest (8.368 ± 0.069 days) at 35 ºC and the longest (32.667 ± 0.33 days) at 18 ºC. Egg incubation period, larval and pupal development times were significantly different at various constant temperatures. No significant difference was found between two sexes in their developmental periods from eggs to adult stage. The survival rate of the egg stage ranged between 94.90 and 100% at all temperature levels, but larval survival rates was significantly different at various temperatures. Although significant difference was found in the survival rate of pupal stage (P < 0.05), the trend of survival rate for pupae was similar to those of larvae. The relationship between temperature and the developmental rate of the parasitoid well described by linear regression model (R2 = 0.89, P = 0.0001, at the egg stage and R2 = 0.95, P = 0.0001, at the egg-adult stage). The lowest threshold temperature was obtained for all developmental stages of the parasitoid. Degree-days requirements (DD) for egg, larva, pupa and egg-female stages were 22.73, 56.82, 109.89 and 188.68, respectively. The results in this study showed that the temperature range between 25 and 32 ºC provide a favourable condition for mass rearing of this parasitoid

Biological parameters of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus grandis (Hym.: Scelionidae) on Eurygaster integriceps (Hem.: Scutelleridae)

Trissolcus grandis Thomson is a solitary egg parasitoid of Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton. Although widely distributed, it has often been overlooked in field surveys. Our objectives were to develop an efficient rearing technique for T. grandis, and to determine the basic bionomics and demographic parameters, necessary for future augmentative biological control programs. Exposure of 0-4 h-old Sunn pest egg masses to parasitoids at 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 host-parasitoid ratios resulted in a parasitism rate of > 80%. The results demonstrated that the age of the host and the exposure time affected parasitism rate. However, parasitism rate did not differ significantly among 24, 48 and 72 h-old Sunn pest eggs. The percent of emerged parasitoids during the 24-h host exposure period was relatively high when host eggs were 24 h old. Moreover, the mean sex ratio showed a definite trend, suggesting that host age had an effect on the sex ratio of the T. grandis offspring. The mean developmental time obtained as 11.091 ± 0.1 and 9.68 ± 0.15 d. for female and male progenies, respectively. The longevity of females was ~ 30% lower compared to that of males. The average net fecundity reached 181.83 eggs per female. On the other hand, a female laid averagely ~ 7 eggs per day. Similarly, the daily population increase and mean generation time were 34.2%, and 14.61 d, respectively. The developing population consisted of 99% immature (egg, larvae, pupa), and only 1% adults. The importance of these findings to the population biology of this parasitoid is discussed

Biological characteristics of Cadra cautella (Lep.: Pyralidae) on different varieties of stored date palm fruit of Iran

The postharvest pests, including the dried fruit moth Cadra cautella Walker, are important limiting factors in the exportation of dates. The biology of C. cautella, its survivorship, developmental time, fecundity, oviposition, post oviposition period, as well as longevity of the adults were studied on four date palm varieties of Zahedi, Piarom, Rabbi, and Deyri under laboratory conditions in Iran. The experiments were carried out at constant temperature room (29 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH and photoperiod 16L: 8D hrs.). The highest survivorship of egg and larval stages was recorded 92.66%, 85.89% on Zahedi and 100% for pupal stage on Rabbi. The shortest larval period was 32.93 ± 1.41 days and 33.37 ± 1.87 days on Deyri and Zahedi respectively. The shortest total development time for males from egg to adult was 40.91 ± 1.15 days and 40.97 ± 1.59 days on Zahedi and Deyri respectively and for females was 43.76 ± 2.47 days on Deyri. The longest total development time for males was 47.61 ± 1.50 days on Piarom and for female was 55.88 ± 2.31 and 55.37 ± 3.87 days on Piarom and Rabbi respectively. The highest (247.00 ± 8.53 eggs per female) and lowest (147.40 ± 12.06 eggs per female) fecundity occurred on Zahedi and Piarom, respectively. The date palm varieties Zahedi, Deyri, Rabbi and Piarom are found to be on preferrence order for C. cautella. The results of this study would be useful for planning pest management strategies in date palm fruit storages

Correlation of invalidation with symptom severity and health status in fibromyalgia

Objective. Invalidation is a new construct in health psychology, especially in diseases with inherently invisible symptoms such as FM. It can potentially affect both the quality of life and disease severity in patients with FM. This study aimed to investigate the correlation of illness invalidation with health status and symptom severity in FM. Methods. A total of 112 consecutive patients with FM referred to the rheumatology clinic were enrolled. Invalidation was measured by the Illness Invalidation Inventory (3*I). To measure patient status and progress of FM, the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) was used and patients' quality of life was assessed by the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed and Spearman's correlations were calculated. Results. All the patients were female and aged between 18 and 61 years. No significant differences in discounting and lack of understanding between various sources of invalidation were found. The strongest correlation was observed between FIQR symptom score and discounting by work (r = 0.519, P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that only discounting from the spouse significantly predicted FIQR total scores of FM patients P = 0.03 (CI 0.28, 10.64). Conclusion. Discounting correlated more strongly with SF-12 subscales and FIQR domains than did lack of understanding. The current study revealed that active negative social responses and the source of invalidation are important in predicting symptom severity and quality of life in FM. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved

Biological and predatory characteristics of Andrallus spinidens (Hem.: Pentatomidae) on fourth instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Lep.: Noctuidae), under laboratory conditions

Biological and predatory characteristics of Andrallus spinidens (F.) on fourth instar larvae of Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Bois.), were investigated, under laboratory condition, at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16: 8 L: D h. The analysis was based on an age-stage, two-sex life table. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), gross reproductive rate (GRR) and mean generation time (T) of A. spinidens on S. littoralis were 0.0821 day-1, 1.0821 day-1, 102.77 offspring, 192.61 eggs and 58.68 day, respectively. The mean reproductive value of A. spinidens was estimated as 342.58 ± 48.18 eggs per female. The intrinsic birth rate (b) and intrinsic death rate (d) for A. spinidens on S. littoralis were 0.0894 and 0.0073, respectively. The first stage nymphs of A. spinidens live only on water but the second, third and fourth stage nymphs fed on 12.22, 26.22 and 41.28 of S. littoralis larvae, respectively. The fifth stage nymphs were more voracious and preyed on more than 70% of the larvae (94.36). At the adult stage, both male and female of A. spinidens were able to kill up to 85% of the larvae. In conclusion, the results prove that this predator pentatomid bug can be used as an efficient biological control agent against the noctuid pest, S. littoralis