Ecotoxicological effects of commercial herbicides on the reproductive system of aquatic arthropod Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae)

Worldwide, conventional agriculture makes extensive use of pesticides. Although the effects of herbicides are relatively well known in terms of environmental impacts on non-target organisms, there is very little scientific evidence regarding the impacts of herbicide residues on aquatic arthropods from tropical conservation areas. This study evaluates for the first time the toxicity of the herbicides ametryn, atrazine, and clomazone on the aquatic insect Limnocoris submontandoni (Hemiptera: Naucoridae). The lethal concentration (LC50) of herbicides was evaluated for these insects, as well as the effect of the herbicides on the insects’ tissues and testicles. The estimated LC50 was 1012.41, 192.42, and 46.09 mg/L for clomazone, atrazine, and ametryn, respectively. Spermatocyte and spermatid changes were observed under the effect of atrazine, and effects on spermatogenesis were observed for some concentrations of clomazone, with apparent recovery after a short time. Our results provide useful information on the effects of herbicide residues in aquatic systems. This information can help minimize the risk of long-term reproductive effects in non-target species that have been previously overlooked in ecotoxicology studies.

Evaluate the effectiveness and safety of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the treatment of upper GIT disorders

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are most prescribed medication classes and have similar efficacy between generic and brand names. PPIs are used for treatment upper GIT disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Methods: A cross sectional study conducted randomly on pharmacies, patients and Doctors to collect a data regarding the effectiveness and safely use of PPI through predesigned questionnaire containing information about dosage, types, side effect, effectiveness and safety of PPIs. The collected data was analysis by using Chi-square for determine the significant differences at α < 0.05. Result: The result of present study revealed numbers of points in which the questionnaire were intended for pharmacies, patients and doctors knowledge, effectiveness and safety of PPIs. The data gathered from pharmacy shown PPI dispensed without prescription (P< 0.05) in dose of 20 mg of omeprazole and for treatment of gastritis, stomachache and on medication use (P< 0.05). No side effect or any problem, safe, and effective of PPIs was from patients seeking PPIs to the drug dispensers. Furthermore, questionnaire for patients whom seeking treatment shown some similarity to pharmacies answers, however lack the knowledge about side effect of PPIs, and PPIs withdraw among patients. PPIs was found to be used by patients due to the advices of friends (P< 0.05). The last part in this study was doctors involved in which some common similarity were also identified between doctors, patients and pharmacies responses. Although, Doctors responses were revealed that PPIs should be used by prescription in single dose of common types of PPIs (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Due to the short time use of PPIs have been reported. This study suggested that, even no side effect and highly effective of PPIs reported, the PPIs should be monitoring and use under prescription.

Ecophysiological Crop Modelling Combined with Genetic Analysis Is a Powerful Tool for Ideotype Design

Improving the grain yield of crops in both favourable and stressful environments is the main breeding objective required to ensure food security. In this review, I outline a genotype-to-phenotype approach that exploits the potential values of quantitative genetics and process-based crop modelling in developing new plant types with high yields. The effects of quantitative trait locus (QTL), for traits typically at the single-organ level over a short time scale, were projected for their impact on crop growth during the whole growing season in the field. This approach can provide more markers for selection programmes for specific environments whilst also allowing for prioritization. Crop modelling is thus a powerful tool for ideotyping under contrasting conditions, i.e., use of single-environment information for predicting phenotypes under different environments.