Comparative life table parameters of beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Lep.: Noctuidae), on four commercial sugar beet cultivars

Life table parameters of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner), on four sugar beet cultivars (Renger, FD0005, Dorothea and Shirin) were studied in laboratory at 27 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16L: 8D hours. The larvae successfully developed on all cultivars. The shortest and longest total developmental time were recorded on FD0005 and Renger, respectively. The development index (D.I.) of larval period varied from 4.90 to 5.97 on Renger and Shirin, respectively. The life expectancy (ex) was 26.94, 31.39, 30.51 and 30.16 days on the cultivars respectively at the beginning of life. Life table entropy (H) indicated the survival schedule of S. exigua was convex (type I) on all sugar beet cultivars. The gross fecundity ranged from 1499.93 to 2034.67 eggs on Dorothea and FD0005, respectively. The lowest value of net reproductive rate (R0) was recorded on Renger (253.59 females per female per generation). The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) ranged from 0.2235 on Renger to 0.2309 dayâ1 on FD0005. The mean generation time (T) was found to be significantly different on sugar beet cultivars. Fitting adult survival data to Weibull frequency distribution indicated that the adult survival curve was type I on all cultivars suggesting that the mortality was higher in old individuals. The cultivar Renger was less suitable in comparison with other cultivars in the laboratory. These results provided important information on the effect of four commercial sugar beet cultivars on population growth potential of S. exigua

Echinacea purpurea Significantly Induces Cytochrome P450 3A Activity but Does Not Alter Lopinavir‐Ritonavir Exposure in Healthy Subjects

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90291/1/phco.30.8.797.pd

Cellular energy allocation in the predatory bug, Andrallus spinidens Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), following sublethal exposure to diazinon, fenitrothion, and chlorpyrifos

It is necessary to study the biochemical changes in insects exposed to toxicants if we want to predict the potential of various chemicals on the natural enemy. Physiological energy, as a biochemical biomarker, may be affected by many pesticides including organophosphate compounds. Therefore, in this study, the sublethal effects of diazinon, fenitrothion, and chlorpyrifos on the cellular energy allocation (CEA) of the predatory bug, Andrallus spinidens Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), a potential biological control agent, was studied on 5th-instar nymphs. Among the energy reserves of the A. spinidens nymphs, only total protein was significantly affected by pesticide treatments, and the highest value was observed in chlorpyrifos treatment. The energy available (Ea) and energy consumption (Ec) in A. spinidens were significantly affected by these pesticides. In exposed bugs, these parameters were affected by fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos more than diazinon. The activity of the electron transport system (ETS) in the Ec assay showed that A. spinidens exposed to chlorpyrifos had the highest rate of oxygen consumption. Although, there was no significant change in CEA, the insecticides caused a marked change in the physiological balance of A. spinidens. The results suggested that the adverse effect of these insecticides on A. spinidens should be considered in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs

Cardioprotective effect of magnesium chloride in experimental acute myocardial infarction

131-137Cardioprotective role of intravenous administration of magnesium chloride was evaluated in rabbits by biochemical and histopathological parameters. Myocardial damage was induced by injecting (iv) isoprenaline 1, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg body weight of animal. There was a dose dependent increase in the activity of cardiac enzyme creatinine kinase CK (C Max). Maximal elevation of CK (C Max) was observed with 2.5 mg isoprenaline. The mean T-max (mean of the time duration in hr at which maximum creatinine kinase activity of individual rabbit was observed in a group) shifted early, significantly with 2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg isoprenaline compared to control group. Histopathologically, myocardial damage was quite significant in 2.5 mg isoprenaline subgroup of animals. A mortality of 29% was observed in animals injected with 5 and 7.5 mg isoprenaline, whereas all animals subjected with 1 and 2.5 mg isoprenaline were alive for 72 hr. Considering the data on serial determination of cardiac enzyme CIS and histopathological changes, 2.5 mg isoprenaline was chosen as standard dose to study efficacy of cardioprotection by gold standard verapamil and magnesium chloride. Verapamil (5μM) injected prior to 2.5 mg isoprenaline administration revealed significant reduction of CK (C Max) activity (P < 0.05) compared to animals infused with isoprenaline alone. T-max value did not show any alteration in both the groups. Histopathological findings showed no areas of necrosis and cellular infiltrates in animals primed with 2.5 mg isoprenaline following verapamil. Highly significant reduction in CK (C-max) activity was observed in animals administered with 40 mg magnesium chloride prior to isoprenaline compared to animals treated with isoprenaline alone (P < 0.001). In addition to this, significant delay in T-max of CK activity was observed in group treated with 40 mg magnesium chloride and isoprenaline compared to group treated with only isoprenaline (P < 0.01). The study clearly highlighted and confirmed the valuable role of magnesium chloride as cardioprotective agent