Determination of unchanged residues of a pyrethroid insecticide,PYR-VU-TO2, in sheep internal organ tissues

During subacute toxicological testing of PYR-VU-TO2, a novel cypermethrin-like pyrethroid with a high (150:1) cis: trans ratio, its distribution in skeletal muscle and internal organ tissues of two groups of experimental sheep was investigated after oral administration of two different doses (1/10 and 1/20 of the LD₁₀). Residual levels of PYR-VU-TO2 were also observed in sheep blood after administration of a single dose of the compound. Homogenized internal organ tissues and blood samples were extracted in light petroleum distillate+acetone for 15 min. After filtration, the extract was cleaned up on a ‘Florisil’^R and sodium sulfate layer. The pyrethroid elution was processed with acetone+light petroleum distillate (2+98 by volume). Recoveries ranged from 80.7 to 93.5%. Unchanged PYR-VU-TO2 residues were determined on a 1.5-m stainless steel packed column under isothermal conditions with an electron-capture detector. The results were evaluated by the calibration curve method. The coefficients of variation were generally lower than 5% and determination limit for PYR-VU-TO2 was 20 μg kg^?1. Mean unchanged PYR-VU-TO2 residues lay within a wide range. After six weeks of treatment the following order of tissue residue levels could be stated: heart>lung>muscle>spleen>kidney>liver>brain, and spleen>muscle>lung>heart>liver>kidney>brain for experimental groups I and II, respectively. Only small differences between the residues in the tissues of males and females were found in the first group (daily PYR-VU-TO2 dose of 50 mg kg^?1 live weight). The experimental females of the second group (daily PYR-VU-TO2 dose of 200 mg kg^?1 body weight) revealed higher levels (other than spleen) than did the males. Maximum PYR-VU-TO2 residues in sheep blood were found 24 h after administration of a single dose. Confirmation of the results was carried out by determination of 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid methyl ester by capillary GC.     

迷迭香（Rosmarinus officinalis）提取残渣栽培糙皮侧耳

食品工业中用迷迭香提取抗氧化物质后的残渣(rosemary processing waste RPW)拌入粉碎的玉米粒可以用作栽培糙皮侧耳的培养料.提取抗氧化剂后的迷迭香残渣RPW-1中所含提取残留的丙酮对栽培有害,RPW-1直接栽培糙皮侧耳所获子实体产量比用RPW-2(废料充分通气,去除残存的丙酮)平均低49%.试验中获得最高生物效率(67%)的培养料配比为RPW-2中加入30%(w/w)粉碎的玉米粒(crushed corn seeds CCS)和2?CO3.增加培养料中的麸皮(wheat bran WB)比例(降低C/N比)可加快菌丝生长速度,但通常导致子实体产量降低.试验中菌丝生长最快(23 d生长9.9 cm)的培养料配比为RPW-2中添加30%(w/w) CCS 和30% (w/w) WB,/N比为24.     

Evaluation of natural diatomaceous earth deposits from south‐eastern Europe for stored‐grain protection: the effect of particle size

BACKGROUND: The use of diatomaceous earths (DEs) provides a promising alternative to the use of contact insecticides in stored‐product IPM. Geographical origin and the physical properties of a given DE may affect its insecticidal activity. In the present study, DE samples were collected from different locations of south‐eastern Europe, and their efficacy was evaluated in the laboratory against Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Cucujiidae), Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae). In addition, three fractions comprising particles of different size were obtained from each DE sample and assessed with regards to their effectiveness against the above stored‐product insect pests. RESULTS: DE from the Greek region of Elassona was the most effective against C. ferrugineus and S. oryzae, whereas the DE Kolubara 518, mined in the Serbian region of Kolubara, was the most effective against R. dominica. Smaller particles were more effective than larger particles against the three tested species, although significant differences in the efficacy of fractions containing particles of 0–150 µm and particles with sizes of < 45 µm were not always recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Deposits from south‐eastern Europe appeared to be very effective against the tested species, and therefore this region should be further evaluated as a source of development of commercial products. Particle size is a physical property that should always be taken into account during the DE manufacturing process, as it can strongly influence the insecticidal action of a given product. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Laboratory evaluation of diatomaceous earth deposits mined from several locations in central and southeastern Europe as potential protectants against coleopteran grain pests

Diatomaceous earth (DE) deposits from regions of central and southeastern Europe were evaluated for their insecticidal efficacy against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in comparison with the commercially available DE formulation SilicoSec. The effects of temperature, RH, grain commodity (wheat, barley, maize, rice), application method (spraying vs. dusting) were evaluated. FYROM, a DE from the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, was the most effective of the DE deposits for grain treatment, whereas the least effective was from Greece (named Crete). However, for surface treatment, Slovenia was the most effective followed by Elassona 1 and Begora. Increase of temperature increased DE efficacy, while the reverse was noted with the increase of RH. Furthermore, the DEs were more effective in barley or wheat than in maize or rice. Neither the mined DEs nor SilicoSec were able to suppress progeny production of the tested species after previous exposure on the treated commodities. Generally, dust application of DEs was more efficacious than spraying against S. oryzae and T. confusum. However, spraying of wheat significantly reduced the bulk density (test weight) compared to dusting. For surface treatment, after 1 d of exposure, Slovenia was the most effective of the mined DEs followed by Elassona 1 and Begora, whereas after 6 d of exposure the mortality was almost complete (>99%) with all three DEs. More than 6 d of exposure were required for an effective control of T. confusum adults with the remainder of the mined DEs.     

The simulation of phenological development in dynamic crop model: The Bayesian comparison of different methods

The main objective of our study was to use Bayesian methods to quantify the uncertainties related to phenological development of maize (Zea mays L.) under various climate conditions. For this purpose, five different phenological methods were implemented in the dynamic crop growth model, which was subsequently optimized, using the data acquired at three different locations in Slovenia. The sensitivity analysis of the crop model was performed in order to find the set of most influential physiological parameters. Subsequent Bayesian model comparison was used in order to quantify the impact of phenological method selection on the final maize yield. The results revealed the importance of using an appropriate phenological method in order to correctly estimate the duration of the growing season and yield, when used within dynamic crop model. The limitations of the phenological methods used in this study are discussed. The selection of phenological method itself did not have a significant influence on the yield estimation, except in years with high temperatures and limiting water conditions. This raises the concern that inaccurate simulation of phenological development may increase the uncertainties of impact assessment on crop yield where crop models are fed with future climate projections.     

Millipedes (Diplopoda) in birds nests

Nests of birds represent an unusual microhabitat for diverse groups of soil and epigeic invertebrates including millipedes. The millipede faunas of 301 birds nests from 63 localities throughout Slovakia were obtained by heat extraction of the nest substrates. In total 18 species of millipedes were found in 7 different types of nests of 40 bird species. The most frequent millipede species were Polyxenus lagurus and Proteroiulus fuscus. The similarities in the millipede nidifauna depending on the type of nests, ecological characteristics and geographical distribution of millipede species are discussed.     

Diversity and zoonotic potential of rotaviruses in swine and cattle across Europe

Group A rotaviruses can infect both humans and animals. Individual rotavirus strains can occasionally cross species barriers and might hereby contribute to the emergence of new genotypes in heterologous hosts. The incidence and impact of zoonotic rotavirus are not well defined, and one reason for this is a lack of data about strains circulating in suspected reservoir animal hosts. In this study we report the incidence, genetic diversity, and molecular epidemiology of rotaviruses detected in domestic cattle and swine in 6 European countries. From 2003 to 2007, 1101 and more than 2000 faecal specimens were collected from swine and cattle, both healthy and diarrhoeic, and tested for rotaviruses. Viruses from positive stools were genotyped and a subset of strains was characterized by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 (G) and VP4 (P) genes. Rotaviruses were detected in 43% of bovine samples and in 14% of porcine samples. In cattle, 10 different combinations of G and P types were identified and the most common strains were G6P[11] and G6P[5]. In swine, the number of identified G-P combinations was higher (n=21), however, no single combination was predominant across Europe. Newly described genotype specificities, P[27] and P[32], were identified in swine. When compared at the nucleotide sequence level, the identified porcine rotavirus strains and contemporary human strains grouped together phylogenetically, whereas bovine rotavirus strains formed separate clades. These data demonstrate large genetic diversity of porcine and bovine rotavirus strains across Europe, and suggest that livestock herds may serve as potential reservoirs for human infections.