Cotton Ribbons Research Articles

Deposition from Ultra-Low Volume Application of Public Health Insecticides in a Hot Desert Environment.

Three insecticides commonly used for mosquito and sand fly control were applied 30 min to 3 h after sunset during June and July 2010, at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, to determine the relative quantity of pesticides to height and distance traveled in a hot desert environment. A BVA dilution oil was used for the control. Oil-based adulticides were sprayed using a truck-mounted Curtis DynaFog Maxi-Pro 4 ultra-low volume (ULV) sprayer. Malathion (Fyfanon ULV, 96% active ingredient [AI]), resmethrin (Scourge 4+12, 4% AI), pyrethrins (ULD BP-300, 3% AI), and BVA Spray 13 (100% refined petroleum distillate) were mixed with Uvitex optical brightener fluorescent dye and applied at 2 speeds on evenings when wind speed was less than 16.1 km/h (10 mph). Collection targets using biodegradable cotton ribbons (1 m×2.5 cm) were later read with a fluorometer to quantify the amount of insecticide deposited on targets set at heights of 15.2, 76.2, and 152.4 cm (6, 30, and 60 in.) and distances of 1.5, 6.1, 15.2, 30.5, 61.0, and 91.4 m (5, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 300 ft). Mean insecticide deposition across all distances was 31% on 76.2-cm targets and 49% on 152.4-cm targets, while 15.2-cm targets typically collected <20% of test spray. Mean ground temperatures were typically within 5°C of air temperatures at 152.4 cm and within 1 to 5°C of air at 15.2 cm or 76.2 cm. Collectively, mean insecticide deposition was 80% at or above 76.2 cm for all insecticides. This finding may explain in part why control of low-flying phlebotomine sand flies with ULV insecticides has been met with less than optimal success by US military forces deployed in the Middle East.

Efficacy of Mitomycin-C for Prevention of Adhesion Formation after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Cases of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Prospective Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT Objective To determine whether topical application of mitomycin- C at the conclusion of FESS decreases the incidence of postoperative adhesion formation. Study design Prospective cross-sectional study. Materials and methods Between June 2011 and June 2013, 42 patients (65 sides) aged between 16 and 66 years diagnosed to have chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) underwent FESS. At the conclusion of the ESS, cotton ribbon wick soaked with 1 ml mitomycin-C (0.4 mg/ml) was placed in right/left/ both middle meati, near the widened sinus ostia for a period of 4 minutes. Following application, nasal cavity was irrigated with sterile normal saline. Patients were examined weekly for 1 month after surgery. Additional examinations were done at the end of 2nd and 3rd months postoperatively. At the end of 3 months follow-up, the outcome was assessed subjectively by symptoms and objectively by endoscopic findings. Results At the end of 3 months follow-up, a significant decrease (80%) in symptom scores was observed (6.64 ± 1.80, p &lt; 0.001). Similarly in sinonasal outcome test (SNOT) score we observed a significant reduction (71%) in scores (17.76 ± 8.17, p &lt; 0.001) and 3.1% cases showed adhesions. Conclusion CRS patients have remarkable improvement in their symptoms after FESS. Topical application of mitomycin-C at the conclusion of FESS/ESS has a role in prevention of adhesion formation. How to cite this article Harugop AS, Mudhol R, Nargund A, Hugar S, Kapoor A, Shetty R. Efficacy of Mitomycin-C for Prevention of Adhesion Formation after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Cases of Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Prospective Cross-sectional Study. Clin Rhinol An Int J 2014;7(3):100-104.

Assessment of Outcome and Improvement in Quality of Life (QOL) after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Patients with Chronic Rhino-Sinusitis - A Cross Sectional Study

Objectives : To determine the outcome of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS/ESS) and improvement in quality of life using symptom score and sinonasal outcome test (SNOT) score in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis Study design : Prospective cross sectional study. Materials&Method : Between June 2011-June 2013, 42patients (65 sides) diagnosed to have chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) underwent FESS. At the conclusion of the FESS/ESS operation, cotton ribbon gauge piece soaked with 1 ml Mitomycin-C (0.4 mg/ml) was placed in right/left/ both middle meati for a period of 4 minutes. Following application, nasal cavity was irrigated with sterile normal saline. Patients were examined weekly for 1 month after surgery. Additional examinations were done at the end of 2nd and 3rdmonth post-operatively. At the end of 3 months follow up the outcome was assessed subjectively comparing symptoms scores, sinonasal outcome test (SNOT) score dividing into four domains. Results : At the end of 3 months follow up a significant decrease (80%) in symptom scores was observed (6.64± 1.80, p<0.001). Similarly in SNOT score we observed a significant reduction (71%) in scores (17.76± 8.17, p<0.001) and 3.1% cases showed adhesions. Conclusions : CRS patients have remarkable improvement in their symptoms and quality of life after FESS.

Evaluation of ULV Applications Against Old World Sand Fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) Species in Equatorial Kenya

Reducing populations of phlebotomine sand flies in areas prevalent for human leishmaniases is of ongoing importance to United States military operations and civilian populations in endemic regions. However, not enough is known regarding the efficacy of Department of Defense-approved pesticides and equipment against sand flies; specifically, the potential for ultra-low volume (ULV) pesticide applications to control Old World sand fly vectors. In this study we examine two sprayers, the Terminator ULV and the Grizzly ULV, with UV-labeled Duet and Fyfanon in four combinations against caged Phlebotomus duboscqi (Neveu-Lemaire) and wild sand fly populations in a natural environment in western Kenya. All equipment and Fyfanon have United States military National Stock Numbers and both pesticides are registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Caged sand flies were reared from local P. duboscqi and the area has long been studied because of high incidences of human cutaneous and visceral Leishmania. Patterns of mortality across grids of caged sand flies showed greater efficacy from the Grizzly ULV regardless of chemical. The Terminator ULV performed well with Duet but with a less uniform and overall lower rate of mortality across the spray grid. Sampling of wild populations before and after treatments suggested local population suppression from ULV treatments, as well as a possible repellent effect in nearby untreated areas. Surprisingly, ULV active ingredient deposition inferred from patterns of UV-labeled droplets captured on cotton ribbons adjacent to sand fly cages in spray plots did not match patterns of mortality. We discuss the implications of this study, the first of its kind, for future military preventive medicine activities, including relative performance costs and benefits of larger or smaller sprayers, and the relative stability of ULV-induced mortality patterns in varied or sub-optimal conditions.

Samplers for Evaluation and Quantification of Ultra-Low Volume Space Sprays1

A field study was conducted to explore the suitability of 5 pesticide deposition samplers for airborne spray and ground deposits from ultra-low-volume (ULV) space sprays. Samplers included horizontally stretched stationary cotton ribbons at 2 heights, rotating ribbon, rotating Teflon slides, and filter paper. Slides were also used for droplet-size analysis. A set of 7 samplers of each type was placed at 1, 7, 15, 25, 40, 65, and 90 m from the spray line along the spray swath. Water and BVA13 oil with fluorescent dyes as tracers were sprayed with the use of a truck-mounted ULV sprayer at dusk and dawn. Results suggest that the horizontal and rotating cotton ribbons are best for quantification of airborne spray and filter paper is best for ground deposition collection. The rotating slide samplers only detected the BVA13 oil-based sprays.

Spray Deposition and Mass Balance in Citrus Orchard Applications

A sampling system was used to quantify on-canopy spray deposition and off-target losses from five air-carrier sprayers commonly used in citrus spray applications. The samplers consisted of continuous loops of cotton ribbon that were stretched out above the tree canopies, on the tree sides, and above the orchard floor. The loops extended to the third rows on each side of the spray course. The sprayers had different design configurations, and their airflow rates, nozzle selections, droplet size spectra, and operating parameters varied markedly. Spray solutions containing a fluorescent tracer were applied between two tree rows, the targets were collected in small segments, and spray deposition on various sample sections was quantified by fluorometry. The study was conducted in five replications. Overall, there was no significant difference in canopy deposition of the sprayers, and spray deposition on tree rows adjacent to the sprayer accounted for 73.0 - 79.4% of the total sprayer output. Cumulative deposition of three rows on both sides of the sprayers ranged from 74.3 to 82.1%, and the off-target losses (ground deposit plus spray drift) amounted to 17.9 - 25.7%. Comparing ground deposits or drift estimates alone, there were significant differences among the five sprayers. Ground deposits ranged from 8.7 to 19.6%, and drift estimates were mostly in the 6.1 - 14.0% range.

Comparison of String and Ribbon Samplers in Orchard Spray Applications

The main objective of this study was to establish the relationship between spray deposition on ribbon and string samplers in field applications. The experiment involved five commonly used citrus air-carrier sprayers, which included both conventional and tower configurations, equipped with axial- or cross-flow fans and hydraulic nozzles or rotary atomizers. A sampling structure, consisting of vertical and horizontal lines of polyester string and cotton ribbon, was constructed in a citrus grove. Spray mixtures, containing a fluorescent tracer, were applied at different volume rates and ground speeds (nine treatments) on a 30 m course between two tree rows. Shortly after spraying each replication, the lines were collected in pieces. In the laboratory, the amount of deposit was determined by fluorometry. Weather data recorded during the applications were used as co-variables in the analysis of variance. Each treatment was replicated 3 to 5 times. The results showed a significant difference between capture efficiencies of the two target types. In all sample locations, the amount of spray deposit on the string was higher than that captured on cotton ribbon. Overall, the mean and standard deviation of the string/ribbon deposit ratios were 2.3 and 0.7, respectively.

SPRAY PENETRATION INTO THE CITRUS TREE CANOPY FROM TWO AIR–CARRIER SPRAYERS

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of sprayer type, application volume rate, and airflowrate on spray deposition along depth of the citrus canopy. The trees were sprayed from one side using a tower sprayer withcrossflow fans and rotary atomizers (Curtec) at three spray volume rates and a tower sprayer with an axialflow fan andhydraulic nozzles (Titan) at two spray volume rates and two airflow rates. Spray deposition was determined with fluorometryusing cotton ribbons as targets within the entire canopy depth at two heights.<br><br>For both sprayers, deposition decreased with canopy depth, and spray penetration was improved as the volume rateincreased. The effect of volume rate became significant after about 1 m and 2 m depths for the Curtec and Titan sprayers,respectively. At the highvolume rate, mean depositions of the two sprayers were not significantly different. In general,operating the Titan sprayer at 1600 rpm (lower airflow) gave mean deposition comparable to that at 2225 (rated) rpm (higherairflow). The effect of airflow on spray penetration was significant beyond about 2 m depth.

A study of the environmental survival ofMycobacterium bovison a farm in New Zealand

Mycobacterium bovis organisms absorbed on cotton ribbons were placed in different natural habitats on a farm in New Zealand. Mycobacterium bovis was not re-isolated from ribbons placed on pasture after 4 days. Survival on ribbons was longest in brushtail possum dens, where the maximum period of survival in dens was less than 7 days in summer and greater than 14 days but less than 28 days in winter and spring. The maximum period of survival on a forest floor was intermediate between pasture and dens less than 4 days in summer and greater than 14 days but less than 28 days in winter. The overall probability of survival was influenced by season and was shortest in summer and longest in spring and winter. Survival time increased as minimum daily temperatures decreased. These studies showed there was a relatively short period of survival of M. bovis outside hosts and support a conclusion that environmental contamination of pasture, particularly in summer months, may be relatively unimportant in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in cattle, deer and possums.

GROUND SPEED EFFECT ON SPRAY DEPOSITION INSIDE CITRUS TREES

ABSTRACT The effects of sprayer ground speed (1.6-6.4 km/h) on spray deposition at different locations within citrus tree canopies was characterized using different airblast sprayers, tree types, and sampling methodologies, in two spray tests carried out in Florida citrus. Copper hydroxide with 50% metallic copper was applied as a tracer. Cotton ribbons and citrus leaves were used as sampling targets and deposition was determined by copper colorimetry. Ground speed did not have a significant effect on mean deposition in the tree canopy; however, variability of deposition increased as speed increased. Sample location had a significant effect on spray deposition and showed significant interactions with speed.