Acaricidal activity of tea tree and lemon oil nanoemulsions against Rhipicephalus annulatus

Tick infestation is a serious problem in many countries since it has an impact on the health of animals used for food production and pets, and frequently affects humans. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the acaricidal effects of nanoemulsions of essential oils o

Evaluation of the effects of dexmedetomidine infusion on oxygenation and lung mechanics in morbidly obese patients with restrictive lung disease

Abstract Background Dexmedetomidine infusion improves oxygenation and lung mechanics in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease; however, its effect in patients with restrictive lung disease has not been thoroughly investigated yet. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine infusion on oxygenation and lung mechanics in morbidly obese patients with restrictive lung disease. Methods Forty-two morbidly obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery were included in the study. Patients were randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine infusion at a bolus dose of 1mcg/Kg followed by infusion at 1 mcg/Kg/hour for 90 min (Dexmedetomidine group), or normal saline infusion (Control group). Both groups were compared with regard to: oxygenation {P/F ratio: PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2)}, lung compliance, dead space, plateau pressure, blood pressure, and heart rate. Results Dexmedetomidine group showed significant improvement of the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and higher lung compliance compared to control group by the end of drug infusion. Dexmedetomidine group demonstrated decreased dead space, plateau pressure, blood pressure, and heart rate compared to control group by the end of drug infusion. Conclusion A 90-min dexmedetomidine infusion resulted in moderate improvement in oxygenation and lung mechanics in morbidly obese patients with restrictive lung disease. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02843698 on 20 July 2016

Acaricidal Activity of Tea Tree and Lemon Oil Nanoemulsions against Rhipicephalus annulatus

Tick infestation is a serious problem in many countries since it has an impact on the health of animals used for food production and pets, and frequently affects humans. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the acaricidal effects of nanoemulsions of essential oils of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree, TT) and Citrus limon (lemon oil, CL) against the different stages (adult, eggs, and larvae) of deltamethrin-resistant Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks. Three forms of these oils were tested: pure oils, nanoemulsions, and a binary combination. Tea tree and lemon oil nanoemulsions were prepared, and their properties were assessed using a zeta droplet size measurement and a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results showed that TT and CL exhibited higher adulticidal effects in their pure forms than in their nanoemulsion forms, as demonstrated by the lower concentrations required to achieve LC50 (2.05 and 1.26%, vs. 12.8 and 11.4%, respectively) and LC90 (4.01% and 2.62%, vs. 20.8 and 19.9%, respectively). Significant larvicidal activity was induced by the TTCL combination, and LC50 was reached at a lower concentration (0.79%) than that required for the pure and nanoemulsion forms. The use of pure CL oil was found to have the most effective ovicidal effects. In conclusion, pure TT and CL have potent acaricidal effects against phenotypically resistant R. annulatus isolates. It is interesting that the activity levels of TT and CL EOs’ binary and nanoemulsion forms were lower than those of their individual pure forms