Review Study on Larvicidal and Mosquito Repellent Activity of Volatile Oils Isolated from Medicinal Plants

Mosquito is a vector for serious human diseases like dengue fever, hemaorrhagic dengue fever and chikungunya, .yellow fever, malaria, filaria and encephalitis among these dengue, hemaorrhagic dengue and chikungunya are highly endemic diseases in Southeast Asian and African countries, causing millions of deaths each and every year. Mosquito repellents thus play a major role in preventing man-mosquito contact and there by minimize the chance of infections and its adverse effects. The development of resistance to chemical insecticides, results rebounding vectorial capacity. Synthetic repellents are chemicals which used worldwide for protection against mosquito-borne diseases and it adversely affects the environment by contaminating water, soil and air. There is an urgent need to find alternatives to the synthetic insecticides. Plants are rich source of alternative agents for control of mosquitoes and its vectors. Extracts and isolated compounds from different plant families have been evaluated for their promising larvicidal and mosquito repellent activities. Literature has documented that essential oils and extracts have been traditionally used as effective repellents. The essential oils whose repellent activities have been demonstrated, as well as the importance of the synergistic effects among their components are the main focus of this review study. Essential oils are volatile mixtures of hydrocarbons with a diversity of functional groups, and their repellent activity has been linked to the presence of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The present review study focused the larvicidal potential and mosquito repellent activity of different volatile oils of medicinal plants. From an economical point of view synthetic chemical is still more frequently used as repellents than essential oils; these essential oils have the potential to provide efficient and can be used as a cheap, eco-friendly, safer for humans and the environment and also efficient alternative to the chemical larvicides

Cauchyness and convergence in fuzzy metric spaces

[EN] In this paper we survey some concepts of convergence and Cauchyness appeared separately in the context of fuzzy metric spaces in the sense of George and Veeramani. For each convergence (Cauchyness) concept we find a compatible Cauchyness (convergence) concept. We also study the relationship among them and the relationship with compactness and completeness (defined in a natural sense for each one of the Cauchy concepts). In particular, we prove that compactness implies p-completeness.Almanzor Sapena acknowledges the support of Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain under grant TEC2013-45492-R. Valentín Gregori acknowledges the support of Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain under grant MTM 2012-37894-C02-01.Gregori Gregori, V.; Miñana, J.; Morillas, S.; Sapena Piera, A. (2017). Cauchyness and convergence in fuzzy metric spaces. Revista de la Real Academia de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales Serie A Matemáticas. 111(1):25-37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13398-015-0272-0S25371111Alaca, C., Turkoglu, D., Yildiz, C.: Fixed points in intuitionistic fuzzy metric spaces. Chaos Solitons Fractals 29, 1073–1078 (2006)Edalat, A., Heckmann, R.: A computational model for metric spaces. Theor. Comput. Sci. 193, 53–73 (1998)Engelking, R.: General topology. PWN-Polish Sci. Publ, Warsawa (1977)Fang, J.X.: On fixed point theorems in fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 46(1), 107–113 (1992)George, A., Veeramani, P.: On some results in fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 64, 395–399 (1994)George, A., Veeramani, P.: Some theorems in fuzzy metric spaces. J. Fuzzy Math. 3, 933–940 (1995)George, A., Veeramani, P.: On some results of analysis for fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 90, 365–368 (1997)Grabiec, M.: Fixed points in fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 27, 385–389 (1989)Gregori, V., Romaguera, S.: Some properties of fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 115, 485–489 (2000)Gregori, V., Romaguera, S.: On completion of fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 130, 399–404 (2002)Gregori, V., Romaguera, S.: Characterizing completable fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 144, 411–420 (2004)Gregori, V., López-Crevillén, A., Morillas, S., Sapena, A.: On convergence in fuzzy metric spaces. Topol. Appl. 156, 3002–3006 (2009)Gregori, V., Miñana, J.J.: Some concepts realted to continuity in fuzzy metric spaces. In: Proceedings of the conference in applied topology WiAT’13, pp. 85–91 (2013)Gregori, V., Miñana, J.-J., Sapena, A.: On Banach contraction principles in fuzzy metric spaces (2015, submitted)Gregori, V., Miñana, J.-J.: std-Convergence in fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 267, 140–143 (2015)Gregori, V., Miñana, J.-J.: Strong convergence in fuzzy metric spaces Filomat (2015, accepted)Gregori, V., Miñana, J.-J., Morillas, S.: Some questions in fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 204, 71–85 (2012)Gregori, V., Miñana, J.-J., Morillas, S.: A note on convergence in fuzzy metric spaces. Iran. J. Fuzzy Syst. 11(4), 75–85 (2014)Gregori, V., Morillas, S., Sapena, A.: On a class of completable fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 161, 2193–2205 (2010)Gregori, V., Morillas, S., Sapena, A.: Examples of fuzzy metric spaces and applications. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 170, 95–111 (2011)Kramosil, I., Michalek, J.: Fuzzy metric and statistical metric spaces. Kybernetika 11, 326–334 (1975)Mihet, D.: On fuzzy contractive mappings in fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 158, 915–921 (2007)Mihet, D.: Fuzzy $$\varphi$$ φ -contractive mappings in non-Archimedean fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 159, 739–744 (2008)Mihet, D.: A Banach contraction theorem in fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 144, 431–439 (2004)Mishra, S.N., Sharma, N., Singh, S.L.: Common fixed points of maps on fuzzy metric spaces Internat. J. Math. Math. Sci. 17(2), 253–258 (1994)Morillas, S., Sapena, A.: On Cauchy sequences in fuzzy metric spaces. In: Proceedings of the conference in applied topology (WiAT’13), pp. 101–108 (2013)Ricarte, L.A., Romaguera, S.: A domain-theoretic approach to fuzzy metric spaces. Topol. Appl. 163, 149–159 (2014)Sherwood, H.: On the completion of probabilistic metric spaces. Z.Wahrschein-lichkeitstheorie verw. Geb. 6, 62–64 (1966)Sherwood, H.: Complete Probabilistic Metric Spaces. Z. Wahrschein-lichkeitstheorie verw. Geb. 20, 117–128 (1971)Tirado, P.: On compactness and G-completeness in fuzzy metric spaces. Iran. J. Fuzzy Syst. 9(4), 151–158 (2012)Tirado, P.: Contraction mappings in fuzzy quasi-metric spaces and [0,1]-fuzzy posets. Fixed Point Theory 13(1), 273–283 (2012)Vasuki, R., Veeramani, P.: Fixed point theorems and Cauchy sequences in fuzzy metric spaces. Fuzzy Sets Syst. 135(3), 415–417 (2003)Veeramani, P.: Best approximation in fuzzy metric spaces. J. Fuzzy Math. 9, 75–80 (2001

Computed Tomography With Intravenous Contrast Alone: The Role of Intra‐abdominal Fat on the Ability to Visualize the Normal Appendix in Children

Background Computed tomography ( CT ) with enteric contrast is frequently used to evaluate children with suspected appendicitis. The use of CT with intravenous ( IV ) contrast alone ( CT IV ) may be sufficient, however, particularly in patients with adequate intra‐abdominal fat ( IAF ). Objectives The authors aimed 1) to determine the ability of radiologists to visualize the normal (nondiseased) appendix with CT IV in children and to assess whether IAF adequacy affects this ability and 2) to assess the association between IAF adequacy and patient characteristics. Methods This was a retrospective 16‐center study using a preexisting database of abdominal CT scans. Children 3 to 18 years who had CT IV scan and measured weights and for whom appendectomy history was known from medical record review were included. The sample was chosen based on age to yield a sample with and without adequate IAF . Radiologists at each center reread their site's CT IV scans to assess appendix visualization and IAF adequacy. IAF was categorized as “adequate” if there was any amount of fat completely surrounding the cecum and “inadequate” if otherwise. Results A total of 280 patients were included, with mean age of 10.6 years (range = 3.1 to 17.9 years). All 280 had no history of prior appendectomy; therefore, each patient had a presumed normal appendix. A total of 102 patients (36.4%) had adequate IAF . The proportion of normal appendices visualized with CT IV was 72.9% (95% confidence interval [ CI ] = 67.2% to 78.0%); the proportions were 89% (95% CI  = 81.5% to 94.5%) and 63% (95% CI  = 56.0% to 70.6%) in those with and without adequate IAF (95% CI for difference of proportions = 16% to 36%). Greater weight and older age were strongly associated with IAF adequacy (p < 0.001), with weight appearing to be a stronger predictor, particularly in females. Although statistically associated, there was noted overlap in the weights and ages of those with and without adequate IAF . Conclusions Protocols using CT with IV contrast alone to visualize the appendix can reasonably include weight, age, or both as considerations for determining when this approach is appropriate. However, although IAF will more frequently be adequate in older, heavier patients, highly accurate prediction of IAF adequacy appears challenging solely based on age and weight. Resumen Tomografía Computarizada Únicamente con Contraste Intravenoso: El Papel de la Grasa Intrabadominal en la Capacidad para Visualizar el Apéndice Normal en los Niños Introduction La tomografía computarizada ( TC ) con contraste entérico es usada frecuentemente para evaluar a los niños con sospecha de apendicitis. El uso de la TC únicamente con contraste intravenoso ( TC IV ) puede ser suficiente, especialmente en pacientes con adecuada grasa intrabdominal ( GIA ). Objetivos 1) Determinar la capacidad de los radiólogos para visualizar el apéndice normal (sin enfermedad) con TC IV en niños, y valorar si la cantidad de GIA afecta a esta capacidad; y 2) valorar la asociación entre la idoneidad de la GIA y las características del paciente. Metodología Estudio retrospectivo de 16 hospitales que utilizó una base de datos prexistente de TC abdominales. Se incluyó a los niños entre 3 y 18 años que tenían una TC IV , una medida del peso e historia de apendectomía conocida por la revisión de la historia clínica. La muestra se eligió en base a la edad con el fin de conseguir una muestra con y sin GIA adecuada. Los radiólogos de cada centro releyeron las TC IV de sus centros para valorar la visualización del apéndice y la adecuación de la GIA . La GIA se clasificó como “adecuada” si había cualquier cantidad de grasa completamente alrededor del ciego e “inadecuada” si era de otra manera. Resultados Se incluyeron 280 pacientes, con una media de edad de 10,6 años (rango 3,1 a 17,9 años). Ninguno tenía historia previa de apendectomía; por lo tanto todos los pacientes tuvieron un apéndice presumiblemente normal. Ciento dos pacientes (36,4%) tuvieron GIA adecuada. El porcentaje de apéndices normales visualizados con TC IV fue de 72,9% ( IC 95% = 67,2% a 78,0%); la proporción fue 89% ( IC 95% = 81,5% a 94,5%), y 63% ( IC 95% = 56,0% a 70,6%) en aquéllos con y sin GIA adecuada ( IC 95% para la diferencia de proporciones = 16% a 36%). El mayor peso y la mayor edad se asociaron fuertemente con la adecuación de la GIA (p < 0,001), y el peso resultó ser el mayor factor predictivo, especialmente en mujeres. Aunque se asoció estadísticamente, se vio un solapamiento en los pesos y edades de aquéllos con y sin GIA adecuada. Conclusiones Los protocolos que usan la TC IV para visualizar el apéndice pueden razonablemente incluir el peso, la edad, o ambas como consideraciones para determinar cuándo esta aproximación es apropiada. Sin embargo, aunque la cantidad de GIA será frecuentemente más apropiada en los pacientes más mayores y de mayor peso, la predicción certera de adecuación de GIA es altamente desafiante si se basa sólo en la edad y el peso.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/99695/1/acem12185.pd

Steroids Up-Regulate p66Shc Longevity Protein in Growth Regulation by Inhibiting Its Ubiquitination

p66Shc, an isoform of Shc adaptor proteins, mediates diverse signals, including cellular stress and mouse longevity. p66Shc protein level is elevated in several carcinomas and steroid-treated human cancer cells. Several lines of evidence indicate that p66Shc plays a critical role in steroid-related carcinogenesis, and steroids play a role in its elevated levels in those cells without known mechanism.In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which steroid hormones up-regulate p66Shc protein level. In steroid-treated human prostate and ovarian cancer cells, p66Shc protein levels were elevated, correlating with increased cell proliferation. These steroid effects on p66Shc protein and cell growth were competed out by the respective antagonist. Further, actinomycin D and cyclohexamide could only partially block the elevated p66Shc protein level by steroids. Treatment with proteasomal inhibitors, but not lysosomal protease inhibitor, resulted in elevated p66Shc protein levels, even higher than that by steroids. Using prostate cancer cells as a model, immunoprecipitation revealed that androgens and proteasomal inhibitors reduce the ubiquitinated p66Shc proteins.The data collectively indicate that functional steroid receptors are required in steroid up-regulation of p66Shc protein levels in prostate and ovarian cancer cells, correlating with cell proliferation. In these steroid-treated cells, elevated p66Shc protein level is apparently in part due to inhibiting its ubiquitination. The results may lead to an impact on advanced cancer therapy via the regulation of p66Shc protein by up-regulating its ubiquitination pathway