Tight-fitting Lid Research Articles

Galleria mellonella Y Tenebrio molitor BIODEGRADADORES DE BOLSAS, POPOTES, VASOS DE UNICEL Y CUBREBOCAS

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Currently, articles based on polyethylene and polypropylene have become an important element to solve social needs. However, these products take between 100 and 1000 years to decompose. Therefore, the need arises to look for new strategies that allow the degradation of these products in a shorter period of time. <strong>Objetive.</strong> Determine the capacity of the larvae of <em>Galleria mellonella</em> L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and <em>Tenebrio molitor</em> L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) to degrade bags, straws, glasses and face masks. <strong>Methodology.</strong> In the laboratory, five experiments were carried out with third and fourth instar larvae of <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em>. In each experiment, the treatments (bags, straws, cups, and masks) and the <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em> larvae were placed in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Afterward, the larvae were weighed every 24 hours for 10 days to record the consumption of the treatments. <strong>Results.</strong> In experiments 1 and 2, no statistical difference was observed in the consumption of polyethylene and biodegradable bags and straws by the larvae of <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em>. In contrast, a significant statistical difference was observed between treatments in the pupae record. In the results of experiments 3 and 4, a significant statistical difference was observed between the treatments in the consumption of glasses (polystyrene and polyhydroxyalkanoate) and in the development of pupae of <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em>. In experiment 5, no significant statistical difference was observed between treatments in the consumption of masks and development of <em>G. mellonella</em> pupae. <strong>Implications.</strong> In this research work, basic information was generated on the consumption of bags, straws, cups, and face masks by <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em>. In the case of the consumption of face masks, it is the first record of the consumption of this article by <em>G. mellonella</em> larvae. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> <em>G. mellonella</em> and <em>T. molitor</em> consume products based on polyethylene, polystyrene and polyhydroxyalkanoate, likewise <em>G. mellonella</em> consumes face masks, essential product to avoid infections during the pandemic generated by the COVID-19 coronavirus.</p>

Detrimental Effects of Metabolic Gas Accumulation within Termite Bioassay Arenas

Effects of metabolic gas accumulation on termite behavior in tightly sealed laboratory bioassay arenas were compared with arenas with partial air exchange, or open ventilation. Laboratory studies with termites are often conducted in glass or plastic arenas. These studies can last from a few days up to 12-16 weeks or longer. Based on personal observation and published laboratory studies, how tightly study arenas are sealed is not consistent. In some instances arenas are tightly sealed with impermeable rubber stoppers or tight-fitting lids. In other studies, arenas are covered with semi-air-permeable Parafilm®, or loose-fitting aluminum foil or ventilated lids to allow air exchange. Generally, arenas are covered and not completely open to the air, thereby maintaining high moisture requirements needed to avoid termite dehydration. In this study, to determine metabolic gas accumulation and gas effects on termite groups collected from two field colonies, bioassay arenas were capped with either tightly sealed metal lids, semi-air-permeable Parafilm, or stainless steel mesh to allow non-restricted ventilation. Gas concentrations in these arenas and termite behavior and mortality were determined over time. During the study no visible ataxic termite behavior or significant mortality was observed within Parafilm or stainless-steel-mesh capped arenas. In contrast, tightly sealed arenas quickly accumulated significantly more metabolic gases compared with the other arena configurations, causing obvious abnormal termite behavior within 96 hours after these arenas were sealed. Within 8 to 10 days 100% moribund or dead termites occurred in tightly sealed arenas, whereas termites in semi-permeable membrane or non-restricted ventilated arenas were behaving normally. Excess gas accumulation in tightly sealed arenas first elicited negative effects between 96 and 144 hours. Our results show that tightly sealed bioassay arenas must be avoided, even for short-term studies lasting only a few days, as metabolic gases accumulate rapidly, causing negative effects on termites beginning within 4 to 6 days.

КОЛИЧЕСТВЕННАЯ ОЦЕНКА УРОВНЯ МИНЕРАЛИЗУЮЩЕГО ПОТЕНЦИАЛА РОТОВОЙ ЖИДКОСТИ У ДЕТЕЙ

Subject. Oral fluid plays a crucial role in maintaining the physiological balance of the processes of remineralization and demineralization in tooth enamel, especially in childhood. The mineralization and demineralization of tooth enamel depend on the mineralizing potential of the oral fluid, which is associated with the concentration of calcium ions and phosphate ions in the oral fluid at a certain pH of the medium. Today, the description of the morphology of crystals is reduced mainly to a qualitative assessment. This is inconvenient due to subjectivity in data processing.
 The goal is to increase the accuracy and objectivity of diagnosing the level of mineralizing potential of the oral fluid by quantifying the type of saliva microcrystallization and expand the ability to diagnose the risk of developing and exacerbating the degree of activity of the carious process in a pediatric dentistry clinic.
 Methodology. The research material was human saliva, which was taken in the morning, on an empty stomach, before brushing your teeth in a sterile test tube with a tight-fitting lid.
 Results. The results of the studies revealed statistically significant differences in the periodicity parameters with respect to type III saliva microcrystallization (p <0.001), in which the mineralizing potential of the oral fluid is less favorable for the optimal level of ion exchange between the oral fluid and the tooth enamel surface during the maturation period of the child’s dental hard tissues. Suggested technique determining a periodicity parameter characterizing the quantitative difference in the types of saliva microcrystallization can be used To assess the level of mineralizing potential oral fluid.
 Conclusions. The study allows to increase the accuracy and objectivity of diagnosing the level of mineralizing potential of the oral fluid by quantifying the type of microcrystallization of saliva and expands the possibility of diagnosing the risk of developing and exacerbating the degree of activity of the carious process in the clinic of pediatric dentistry.

Description of two techniques to increase efficiency in processing and curating minute arthropods, with special reference to parasitic Hymenoptera

We describe and illustrate two techniques for enhancing curatorial and processing efficiency as it pertains to parasitic Hymenoptera (Chalcidoidea, Cynipoidea). These techniques were developed in response not only to the massive number of parasitoids that have been acquired through various biodiversity studies, but also the difficulty in mobilizing the human resources to curate this material. The first technique uses small, crystal polystyrene boxes with tight-fitting lids to store dehydrated specimens prior to mounting. Locality information is affixed to the box and specimens are spread in a layer for ease of examination by researchers. Solutions for managing static electricity within the specimen boxes are discussed. The second involves a vacuum pump connected to a funnel with a filtration membrane and flask apparatus to rapidly dehydrate hard-bodied parasitoids (Figitidae) that are not subject to collapse during air-drying.

Pattern of intestinal parasites at open air defecation sites in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

The poor socio-economic status of street children leads to dangerous and unhealthy living environments. Also open defecation and regular contact with dogs, flies and contaminated soil, water, faeces, foods and fomites; increase their chance of infestation by intestinal protozoa and helminths. This study intends to found out the intestinal parasites among the stools collected from openly-defecating street children in KathmanduValley, Nepal. A total of 93 stool samples were collected in plastic vial with spoon and tight-fitting lid from 93 of street children who were defecating in the roadside and air-bridge in different locations of Kathmandu Valley from May 2008 to July 2008. Stool microscopy included examination by direct wet mount in 2.5% potassium dichromate solution and confirmation techniques used for oocysts of was Z-N (acid-fast) s taining, oculo- s tage micrometer and bisporulation assays. Analysis of the results show that majority of stool specimens were brown or pale yellow (63.4%), soft-formed (78.5%), without blood (96.8%), with mucus (62.4%) and without adult forms of helminths (96.8%). The entire stool specimen was positive for intestinal parasite, (prevalence of 100.0%). The intestinal parasites seen included: spp, spp, Hookworm, , and The intensity of the intestinal parasitic infection was recorded in percentage such as 1.0% for single, 7.1% for double, 51.2% for triple, 30.2% for quadruple and 10.5% for quintuple. It is therefore concluded that a program should be conducted to treat intestinal parasites in street children living in this environment. Government should implement strict laws and orders against indiscriminate defecation and support this by provision of public toilet.Keywords: Intestinal parasites; stool; street children; Kathmandu.

An Outbreak of Vibrio cholerae O1 infections on Ebeye Island, Republic of the Marshall Islands, associated with use of an adequately chlorinated water source.

In December 2000, physicians in the Republic of the Marshall Islands reported the first known outbreak of Vibrio cholerae O1 infection (biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa) from this country. In a matched case-control study on Ebeye Island, patients with cholera (n=53) had greater odds than persons without cholera (n=104) to have drunk adequately chlorinated water collected from a US military installation on neighboring Kwajalein Island and transported back to Ebeye (matched odds ratio [MOR], 8.0; P=.01). Transporting or storing drinking water in a water cooler with a spout and a tight-fitting lid was associated with reduced odds of illness (MOR, 0.24; P<.01), as was drinking bottled water (MOR, 0.08; P<.01), boiled water (MOR, 0.47; P=.02), or water flavored with powdered drink mixes (MOR, 0.18; P<.01). No cases of cholera were reported among Kwajalein residents. This outbreak highlights the critical importance of handling and storing drinking water safely, especially during outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness.

A Simple Method to Culture Grasshopper Eggs with Long Egg Diapause

The egg pods of grasshoppers with long egg diapause can be successfully cultured in sealed polypropylene cups. Females are allowed to oviposit directly into the sand-filled containers, which are then sealed with a tight-fitting lid. Sealed cups maintain a nearly constant soil moisture for several months and apparently hold enough oxygen for egg development and hatching. The method is simple, inexpensive, efficient, flexible and amenable to experimental manipulation. It is difficult to rear grasshoppers and other Orthoptera with long egg diapauses in the laboratory because of problems associated with maintaining proper soil conditions for the eggs over extended periods. If soils becomes too dry, the eggs desiccate; if soils becomes too wet, the eggs suffocate or are killed by pathogens (Uvarov 1966, Hewitt 1985, Whitman 1986, Hinks and Erlandson 1994). We present here a simple, effective, and inexpensive method for culturing eggs of grasshoppers with long egg diapause. The eggs of grasshoppers with long egg diapause can be successfully reared in transparent polypropylene cups with tight-fitting lids. Such cups come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are readily available from the food container and restaurant supply industries. We used the cups to rear the eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea guttata (Houttuyn) (Romaleidae), which has a 4-5 month obligatory egg dia- pause. Fifteen-centimeter tall cups (volume: 1000 ml) were 80% filled with clean (salt-free and organic-free) white silica sand moistened to 4% of saturation with de-ionized water. A gravid female was placed into each container. Following oviposition, the female was removed, the top of the sand was cleaned of any feces or food (to prevent mold), and the rim of the cup was wiped free of sand and sealed with a tight-fitting transparent lid. The sealed cups were kept at room temperature (21-250C) and were not disturbed for 4-5 months until hatching commenced. Pod survivorship was excellent (10 of 10 pods hatched) with hatching rate (46.5 + 7.0 (S.D.) hatchlings per pod) equal or higher to other more labor intensive egg culturing methods we have tested.

A detached-leaf method to evaluate late blight resistance in potato and tomato

We developed a detached leaf method for evaluating potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) germplasm for reactions toPhytophthora infestans, the causal organism of late blight. Primary leaves from the third to the sixth node of potato plants, and the fourth to sixth node of tomato plants were excised at the stem. Their petioles were inserted into 14 mm × 100 mm floral aqua tubes containing 9 ml of sterilized distilled water. The leaves in the aqua tubes were placed with abaxial sides down on galvanized metal hardware cloth (12.5 × 12.5 mm mesh). A 12.5 mm sensi-disc containing 50μl of 2 × 104 zoospores was placed in the centers of the terminal leaflet and the second leaflet pair of the potato leaf. A single disc was placed on the center of the tomato leaf. The supporting hardware cloth was placed 2.5 cm above distilled water (2.5 cm deep) in 31 cm × 17 cm × 8 cm clear plastic boxes with tight fitting lids. Leaves on intact tomato and potato plants were inoculated in a similar manner and placed in a mist chamber. Lesion growth was determined 4, 5, and 6 days following inoculation. There were no significant differences in reactions to isolates ofP. infestans on detached and intact leaves of potato cultivars Green Mountain and Kennebec and the tomato cultivar Bonnie Best.

Leaf Disk Bioassay, 1987

Abstract ‘Early Round Dutch’ variety cabbage was direct seeded in single-row beds with 40-inch centers in a Willacy fine sandy loam soil at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Weslaco. Plots measured 55 ft by 2 beds and were bordered by 1 bed of grain sorghum. Treatments were replicated 5 times in a randomized complete block design. Spray applications were applied by tractor-mounted CO2-powered boom calibrated to deliver 20 gal/acre at 60 psl operated at 3 mph, Fully expanded cabbage leaves were randomly collected from each plot 2 h after spray applications, In the laboratory 1-inch-diam disks were cut from the leaves and placed on top of filter paper in 5Va-oz creamer cups with tight fitting lids (holes were punched in the lids to allow for air flow), Ten larvae were placed In each cup, Two bioasiays were run; once with early (second and third) instars and once with late (fourth and fifth) instars. Each treatment was replicated 5 times, Mortality was recorded at 24 h intervals, Larvae were considered dead if they did not exhibit a coordinated response when probed. After 72 h, disks were removed from the cups with early Instar larvae and passed through a Ll-Cor leaf area meter to determine amount of disk remaining, Data were summarized and subjected to ANOVA and DMRT for mean separation, Data for leaf consumption are reported as means and standard deviations.

Antioxidant Use in Broiler Feeds

Abstract The efficacy of Endox®, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT), and Ethoxyquin® for preservation of vitamin A was tested in three trials by placing four replicates of pelleted feed (ca. 27 kg each) in galvanized metal cans with tight-fitting lids. The vitamin premix used contained no antioxidant. After the feed was sampled, the cans were equipped with thermocouples and placed outside for 30 days. The data suggest that Endox® and Ethoxyquin® are equal in effectiveness and that both may be superior to BHT.

The moisture content/equilibrium relative humidity relationship of macaroni

The moisture content/equilibrium relative humidity relationship obtained at three temperatures is reported. The safe storage moisture content was found to be between 12 and 12·8 per cent, depending on the treatment of the macaroni. There is no hysteresis between the adsorption and desorption isotherms. In the normal storage range of moisture content, the effect of temperature on the equilibrium relative humidity (e.r.h.) was 3–4% r.h., or 0·7 per cent moisture content for every 10°C change in temperature. Samples of macaroni exposed to high controlled r.h.'s took 7 days to reach constant weight. A heavy duty polythene container with a tight fitting lid investigated as to its efficiency in providing an adequate water vapour barrier proved satisfactory. Virtually no change in moisture content of the packed macaroni took place after exposure to 92% r.h. and 30°C for 100 days.

A new method for collecting sessile ciliates in plastic petri dishes with tight-fitting lids.

SYNOPSIS. Large numbers of sessile ciliates were successfully collected in plastic petri dishes with tight‐fitting lids, transported in the water‐filled dishes without disturbance. Each species within the transparent dishes was identified with a dissecting microscope and the position on the dish surface of each sessile individual was located and recorded on graph paper for further quantitative comparisons. This method was used for numerous experiments on the ecology and behavior of sessile ciliates and their responses to toxins.

Freeze Etching With Radiant Energy in a Simple Cold Block Device

Freeze etching of biological samples was developed by Steere, refined by Moor et al, and simplified by Bullivant. Moor's device permitted the rapid freezing of specimens, precision fracturing in vacuo and etching of the fractured surface by raising the specimen temperature. Bullivant’s simplification featured cleaving the frozen specimen outside of the vacum under liquid N and then protecting the cleaved surface in a cold block with a tight fitting lid until he was ready to shadow and replicate. He could not etch with this device and much detail in the specimen was lost.The present device uses the cold block and lid concept. The lid has tunnels through which shadowing and replication of the specimen surface occurs. This lid, however, is free to swing bringing a knife on its lower surface through the specimen which is affixed to a pedestal on the upper surface of the base (Figures 1, 2 &amp; 5). After cleaving the specimen the lid passes to its clockwise stop bringing the tunnels in the lid in line with the electrodes and the specimen surface.

Effects of Dietary Guthion on Baby Chicks1

Guthion® ( O, O -dimetht S -(4-oxo-1,2.3-benzotriazin-3-(4H)-ylmethyl) phosphorodithioate) was incorporated into chick starter feed at levels ranging from 9.5 p.p.m. to 2,177 p.p.w. and fed to day-old chicks, Within a week depression in gains in weight was observed at the 306-p.p.m. level, and depressions in gains in weight became progressively more severe as the concentration of Guthion was increased. At the 2,177-p.p.m. level 95% mortality occurred during the second week. Tests with starter feeds containing Guthion at levels of 100 and 600 p.p.m., alone and in combination with two different coccidiostats (Nicarbazin and Sulfaquinoxiline), did not reveal any adverse interactions. Chemical analyses of Guthion-feed mixtures, stored in metal containers with tight fitting lids, showed that Guthion disappeared fairly rapidly.

STERILE AIR IN INTRAOCULAR SURGERY

<h3>To the Editor:</h3> —I read with much interest the Clinical Note entitled "Sterile Air in Intraocular Surgery," by Dr. Paul C. Craig, in the May 1954 issue of theArchives, page 701. For a few years I have been using what I believe to be sterile air, but have obtained it by a different method, without cause of complaint. In a metal box with a tight-fitting lid, I introduce a glass syringe already adapted to its cannula or needle, depending on the use for which it is meant, with the plunger pulled back so as to allow in it the quantity of air desired, and I place the closed box, with the syringe inside, in a dry-heat sterilizing stove. After an hour at 160 C. I believe the syringe is sterile. The box is opened and the airfilled syringe removed only at the moment it is needed.