Insecticidal effect of oregano (Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum Ietswaart) on bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus Say)

The effectiveness of drug plant and of essential oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum Ietswaart) against the adults and egg hatching of bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus Say) was studied in laboratory trials in order to screen for a new potential insecticide in the control of this granary pest of beans. The adult mortality as well as oviposition and hatching capabilities were evaluated after 6 days of treatment of beans cv. `Berggold' (55 g) in Petri dishes by powdered drug (0.33 g, 0.66 g, 1.0 g and 2.0 g) and by equivalent amounts of essential oil (5 ill, 10 15 ill and 30 ill). Oregano essential oil showed both fumigant and contact toxicities to bean weevil, the later being more potent. When considering fumigant toxicity, insecticidal effect (mortality rate 82.5%) was observed 6 days after application of high concentrations of oregano essential oil (150 Al per 55 g of beans). When considering contact toxicity, both oregano drug plant and essential oil at all tested concentrations significantly increased the bean weevils' mortality rates with comparison to the controls. Also, egg laying and hatching were inhibited after treatment of bean weevil with powdered drug plant or with essential oil at all tested concentrations. Insecticidal effect of drug plants issuing from two different stocks depended on their essential oil contents. Essential oils (5 pi, 15 pi and 30 IA per 55 g of beans) induced 100% mortality of bean weevil population when applied directly to the surface of beans (55 g) in Petri dishes. The content of essential oil in oregano and oregano-based preparations for insecticidal use is proposed as a parameter for quality control purposes. &nbsp

Susceptibility to gladiolus thrips ( Thrips simplex [Morison]) in four different coloured gladiolus cultivars

The gladiolus thrips (Thrips simplex) is a common pest of gladioli. The insect causes damage to leaves, flower stalks and buds by sucking. The present study was intended to investigate the susceptibility of four Gladiolus cultivars as well as the colour preference of the thrips tested on different coloured flowers of the cultivars. The experiment was carried out in 2006 at two locations in central Slovenia. After planting the corms on April, 27 and May, 2 on three occasions with successive plant stages the percentage of infested foliage surface and flowers was assessed. Of the cultivars tested, the ‘Nova Lux’ was the only cultivar suited for cultivation without insecticide application. The flowers of gladioli with a light colour (white ‘White Prosperity’, yellow ‘Nova Lux’) were less infested in comparison with cultivars with dark coloured flowers (orange ‘Hunting Song’, red ‘Oscar’)

The First Record of Echinothrips americanus Morgan in Slovenia

In 2001 Echinothrips americanus Morgan was first recorded in Slovenia. The thrips was first recorded in Europe in 1989, but did not begin to spread to a greater extend until 1993. This polyphagous pest is believed to cause direct damage, especially on the leaves of its host plants. The present contribution describes genetic structure of Echinothrips americanus Morgan rooting in polymorphism of the ITS1-5,8S-ITS2 region of the ribosomal DNA. Echinothrips americanus Morgan is less resistant to insecticides and its ability to inhabit new areas is smaller, compared to the Western flower thrips [Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)]. It can be concluded that its economic importance in the future will not reach that of the latter. We gave a detailed description of the species, its geographic distribution, and deal with its host plants as well as bionomics and its potential natural enemies

Epidural anesthesia and analgesia in liver resection and living donor hepatectomy

Parenteral analgesics are still diffusely administered for postoperative pain after major liver resection, while epidural analgesia is widely criticized because of possible changes in the postoperative coagulation profile. The safety of regional anesthesia in liver resections is based on appropriate timing of needle placement and catheter removal and on the individual’s skill in performing both the puncture and the catheterization. In the absence of liver failure or in cases of only moderate hepatic dysfunction, the risk of neurologic complications and spinal hematomas does not appear greater than when an epidural is performed for routine abdominal or thoracic surgery. Various anesthetic strategies have been adopted to prevent bleeding during liver resection, such as fluid restriction, diuretic administration, and vasodilator drugs. Lower- ing central venous pressure (CVP) seems to play a prominent role in prevention of bleeding since an elevated CVP may be associated with increased blood loss at various phases of liver resection. However, a low CVP may not be tolerated by all patients: intraoperative hemodynamic instability may, in fact, easily ensue because of the cardio- vascular depressant effects of anesthetics, surgical blood losses, and manipulation of the inferior vena cava. We suggest combining intraoperative epidural anesthesia with general (light) anesthesia as a useful strategy to keep the CVP low during liver resection without vasodilators or diuretics. Epidural anesthesia does not lead to changes in intravascular volume, but only promotes redistribution of blood, decreasing both venous return and portal vein pressure, thus contributing to reduced hepatic congestion and surgical blood loss

Hemodynamic profile of portopulmonary hypertension

Portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) refers to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension in the setting of portal hypertension with or without chronic hepatic failure. This syndrome is characterized by marked alternations of pulmonary vascular tone and obstruction of pulmonary arterial blood \ufb02ow. An increased pulmonary blood \ufb02ow, which is a hallmark of the hyperdynamic circulation of cirrhotic patients, seems to be present in almost all patients who develop PPHTN. The elevations of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) along with the transpulmonary gradient (TPG) have been considered in diagnosing PPHTN. Only a high TPG re\ufb02ects the severity of obstruction to pulmonary blood \ufb02ow and differentiates an elevated PAP with concom- itant elevated PVR from the situation where the increase in PAP is due only to the hyperdynamic \ufb02ow and elevated volume. A considerable risk for cardiovascular death arises when PAP increases signi\ufb01cantly; this may occur in rapidly evolving syndromes, in very advanced disease, or during a complicated liver transplantation. The distinction between PPHTN and elevated PAP in the context of a hyperdynamic state is of great importance; a PAP increase of hyperkinetic origin, as opposed to PPHTN, is apparently not associated with a high risk for adverse effects during and following liver transplantation