Effect of Short Term Cold Storage on the Quality of \u3ci\u3eTrichogramma Brassicae, T. Cacoeciae\u3c/i\u3e, and \u3ci\u3eT. Evanescens\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchall, T. brassicae Bezdenko and T. evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) could be useful in biological control programs of agricultural insect pests. The possibility of storing Trichogramma species at low temperatures and the effect of such storage on the quality of the parasitoids and their fecundity were studied. Trichogramma cacoeciae, T. brassicae and T. evanescens pupae were stored 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks at 4 ± 1 °C in a refrigerator, 60-70% R.H. and full darkness. Parasitoid emergence was 98.80%, 99.33% and 99.60% for T. cacoeciae, T. brassicae and T. evanescens, respectively, after 1 week of storage. Storage at 4 ± 1 °C resulted in a significant decline in parasitoid emergence after 3 weeks. Subsequent trials focused on fitness of stored pupae in terms of percentage of parasitized eggs and longevity of females. Storage at 4 ± 1°C reduced fecundity and longevity of female parasitoids

Effect of Short Term Cold Storage on the Quality of \u3ci\u3eTrichogramma Brassicae, T. Cacoeciae\u3c/i\u3e, and \u3ci\u3eT. Evanescens\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchall, T. brassicae Bezdenko and T. evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) could be useful in biological control programs of agricultural insect pests. The possibility of storing Trichogramma species at low temperatures and the effect of such storage on the quality of the parasitoids and their fecundity were studied. Trichogramma cacoeciae, T. brassicae and T. evanescens pupae were stored 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks at 4 ± 1 °C in a refrigerator, 60-70% R.H. and full darkness. Parasitoid emergence was 98.80%, 99.33% and 99.60% for T. cacoeciae, T. brassicae and T. evanescens, respectively, after 1 week of storage. Storage at 4 ± 1 °C resulted in a significant decline in parasitoid emergence after 3 weeks. Subsequent trials focused on fitness of stored pupae in terms of percentage of parasitized eggs and longevity of females. Storage at 4 ± 1°C reduced fecundity and longevity of female parasitoids

SUSTAINED-RELEASE VERAPAMIL AS A 1ST-STEP DRUG IN THE TREATMENT OF MILD TO MODERATE HYPERTENSION

The efficacy of sustained-release verapamil as a first-stage treatment for mild to moderate, uncomplicated essential hypertension was studied. Nineteen patients aged 36 – 70 years (mean±SD 55±10 years) entered the study. Treatment with 240 mg sustained-release verapamil, once daily for 8 weeks, caused systolic and diastolic blood pressures to decline significantly during the first 2 weeks and this lower level was maintained until week 8. Heart rate decreased gradually during the treatment period reaching significance at week 8. After 2 weeks maximum systolic and diastolic blood pressures during isometric exercise were significantly reduced compared with pre-treatment values; there was no difference in the percentage increase occurring pre- and post-treatment. These measures for heart rate did not change significantly. Except for a significant reduction in cardiac index after 8 weeks left ventricular function and left ventricular mass were unchanged. The 24-h urinary Na+ excretion increased significantly after 2 and 8 weeks' treatment. Plasma renin activity, serum lipid concentrations and routine blood chemistries were not affected. Side-effects were transient and did not require discontinuation of therapy. In conclusion, sustained-release verapamil is an efficacious and well tolerated first-stage drug in the treatment of essential hypertension. </jats:p

PERICARDIAL AND PULMONARY INVOLVEMENT IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS IN TURKEY

Pericardial and lung involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suspected to be less severe in a developing nation (Turkey), have been evaluated. We have studied clinical, echocardiographic and pulmonary findings (radiological and functional) in 93 consecutive Turkish patients with definite/classical RA. Findings were compared with those or a group of patients with osteoarthritis or local rheumatological conditions (n = 60) in a blind protocol. Fifty patients with systemic lupus (SLE) were studied as a high risk control group for pericardial involvement. While pericardial disease was detected in 5.5% (5/90) of RA patients, it was detected in 6.6% (4/60) of the control patients. SLE patients had a 26% (13/50) prevalence. Interstitial lung disease was found in 27.7% of RA patients but it was present in 6.6% (4/60) of the control patients. We observed that a group of patients with RA in Turkey had a low prevalence of pericardial disease. This is further evidence that RA has a mild course in developing countries