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Adjuvants are supplemental substances added to pesticide tank mixtures to enhance their efficacy by altering the dispersing, emulsifying, spreading, sticking, and wetting properties of the spray mixture. The goals of this study were an assessment of the effectiveness of pyraclostrobin and boscalid against garlic rust; the fungicide’s dissipation and translocation within plant tissue in the presence of commercial adjuvants Dash® HC EC; and the validation of an analytical method for concurrently determining boscalid and pyraclostrobin in green garlic and garlic bulbs. Pyraclostrobin and boscalid retention in green garlic and the dietary exposure risks were also evaluated. The adjuvant Dash® HC EC is an emulsifiable concentrate containing fatty acids, methyl esters, and alkoxylated alcohol–phosphate esters. The test plots were sprayed with the maximum recommended dosage of 400.5 g a.i. ha−1 boscalid and 100.5 g a.i. ha−1 pyraclostrobin. The residues of pyraclostrobin and boscalid in garlic bulb and green garlic samples were determined using a mini-Luke multi-residue solvent extraction method paired with a high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (HPLC–DAD). This method is based on the extraction of a homogeneous sample with acetone, petroleum ether, and dichloromethane. Boscalid and pyraclostrobin recoveries in green garlic and garlic bulbs ranged from 71% to 107% on average, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 6.8% to 18.1%, and limits of quantification were 0.02 mg/kg. In green garlic and garlic bulbs, boscalid residues ranged from 0.14 to 3.51 mg/kg and pyraclostrobin from lower than LOQ to 1.43 mg/kg, during the experiment. The adjuvant increased the fungicidal efficacy of the fungicides and their retention on green garlic. Although boscalid is considered a nonsystemic fungicide, it showed higher translocation from garlic leaves to garlic bulbs than pyraclostrobin. Regarding the dietary risk assessment, the use of the adjuvant in a tank mixture with boscalid and pyraclostrobin is considered safe 14 days after application, which agrees with the recommended PHI.

Abstract Intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation represents a modern, minimally invasive, surgical option for visual improvement in patients with keratoconus. ICRS modify the corneal geometry in a manner that enhances its refractive properties and thereby, they improve visual acuity. It is well-documented that implantation of ICRS decreases the keratometric readings, spherical equivalent and cylinder, reduces high-order aberrations and improves uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) in patients with keratoconus. Success rate after ICRS implantation is high, depending on appropriate patient selection and adherence to suitable implantation nomograms, and most important, the overall complication rate is very low. This review is summarizing current indications/contra-indications for ICRS implantation, implantation techniques, clinical outcomes and potential complications, shedding light on myths and realities related to this innovative surgical option.

The use of selective herbicides is one of the best methods for weed management. However, the extensive use of herbicides can have adverse impacts on non-target organisms. The goals of this study were to assess the dissipation kinetics, leaching, and ecological risk assessment of S-metolachlor and benfluralin residues in silty loam soil planted with chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The experimental setup included four different layers with four replications corresponding to an experimental randomized complete block design consisting of 16 plots. The application doses of S-metolachlor and benfluralin were 1350 and 1920 g a.i./ha, respectively, according to manufacturer recommendations. Soil samples were split into four depths, 0 to 20 cm (Layer A), 20 to 40 cm (Layer B), 40 to 60 cm (Layer C), and 60 to 80 cm (Layer D), to determine the dissipation kinetics and the leaching behavior of the herbicides. Gas chromatography coupled with the electron capture detector (GC-ECD) method was developed and validated for the determination of S-metolachlor and benfluralin residues in soil. The analytes were extracted from the soil with distilled water and ethyl acetate followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE). The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method was 0.1 μg/g, and the recoveries of S-metolachlor and benfluralin were in the ranges 81% to 97% and 88% to 101%, respectively, with relative standard deviations (RSD) of less than 9.7%. The dissipation kinetics of S-metolachlor and benfluralin in soil (0–20 cm) followed first-order kinetics with half-lives of 21.66 and 30.13 days, respectively. The results for samples obtained from the 20–80 cm soil profile showed that both benfluralin and S-metolachlor presented high leaching, following preferential flow. Also, a soil ecological risk assessment was conducted in the top 0–20 cm soil profile, estimating the toxicity–exposure ratio (TER) for four soil organisms and the risk quotient (RQ). The mean herbicide levels found at the studied soil profile at 0 days (2 h) and 60 days of the experiment were used for risk assessment. In the first case, the mean pesticide concentration (MPC) gives a worst-case scenario (ws); in the second case, a dissipation scenario (ds) is given using the respective MPC. In all cases, both TER and RQ values showed that benfluralin corresponds to a higher risk than S-metolachlor for soil organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive use of fungicides causes their continuous release into the environment through spraying, soil seepage, leaching, and runoff. It has been observed that their residues can be found in foods and a variety of environmental compartments, such as wastewater, lakes, rivers, sediments, drinking water sources (groundwater and surface water), treated water, and drinking water. A sensitive GC-MS/MS, using dynamic multiple reaction monitoring, an analytical method was developed to determine 10 fungicides (azoxystrobin, boscalid, captan, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, hexaconazole, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, paclobutrazol, and prochloraz) in drinking water. A solid-phase extraction method for sample preparations and validations was performed according to SANTE 2019 guidelines. All fungicides demonstrated mild or medium matrix effects (ME) ranging from 40.1% to 11.2%. Their recoveries ranged between 60% and 110%. The limits of detection were equal to or higher than 0.01 μg/L. The method was employed on 18 drinking water samples collected from public taps in Northern Evros, Greece, distributed in six sampling sites. Azoxystrobin, boscalid, cyproconazole, cypronidil, metalaxyl, and paclobutrazol mean concentrations did not surpass the allowable limit of 0.1 μg/L set by EU in any sampling site. Hexaconazole mean concentrations were higher than 0.1 μg/L in one sampling site, while prochloraz mean concentration showed limit exceedances in all sampling sites. Captan was not detected in any sampling site, and myclobutanil mean concentrations demonstrated exceedances of the permissible limit in four sampling sites. The presence of fungicide residues in the studied area is mainly due to the occasional point-sources pollution and preferential flow. Additionally, through the use of water, the risk of pesticides to human health was assessed for two different age groups. The sum of the hazard quotient values in each of the studied drinking water was less than unity. Consequently, the acute risk assessment procedure regards the examined drinking water as safe. Nevertheless, as prochloraz carcinogenic risk values were higher than the safe limit suggested by USEPA for both age groups, the existence of prochloraz residues raises concerns about chronic toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adjuvants are supplemental substances added to pesticide tank mixtures to enhance their efficacy by altering the dispersing, emulsifying, spreading, sticking, and wetting properties of the spray mixture. The goals of this study were an assessment of the effectiveness of pyraclostrobin and boscalid against garlic rust; the fungicide's dissipation and translocation within plant tissue in the presence of commercial adjuvants Dash® HC EC; and the validation of an analytical method for concurrently determining boscalid and pyraclostrobin in green garlic and garlic bulbs. Pyraclostrobin and boscalid retention in green garlic and the dietary exposure risks were also evaluated. The adjuvant Dash® HC EC is an emulsifiable concentrate containing fatty acids, methyl esters, and alkoxylated alcohol–phosphate esters. The test plots were sprayed with the maximum recommended dosage of 400.5 g a.i. ha−1 boscalid and 100.5 g a.i. ha−1 pyraclostrobin. The residues of pyraclostrobin and boscalid in garlic bulb and green garlic samples were determined using a mini-Luke multi-residue solvent extraction method paired with a high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector (HPLC–DAD). This method is based on the extraction of a homogeneous sample with acetone, petroleum ether, and dichloromethane. Boscalid and pyraclostrobin recoveries in green garlic and garlic bulbs ranged from 71% to 107% on average, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 6.8% to 18.1%, and limits of quantification were 0.02 mg/kg. In green garlic and garlic bulbs, boscalid residues ranged from 0.14 to 3.51 mg/kg and pyraclostrobin from lower than LOQ to 1.43 mg/kg, during the experiment. The adjuvant increased the fungicidal efficacy of the fungicides and their retention on green garlic. Although boscalid is considered a nonsystemic fungicide, it showed higher translocation from garlic leaves to garlic bulbs than pyraclostrobin. Regarding the dietary risk assessment, the use of the adjuvant in a tank mixture with boscalid and pyraclostrobin is considered safe 14 days after application, which agrees with the recommended PHI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of two voiding trial methods may be used when an indwelling urinary catheter is discontinued: standard voiding trial or retrograde voiding trial. In the inpatient setting, results of this study indicated standard voiding trials required less nursing time and resulted in fewer additional interventions than retrograde voiding trials. Higher pass rates and fewer post-trial interventions among the standard voiding trial cohort also suggest most patients may prefer this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field and pot trials were conducted in two sites of northern Greece (Thermi and Lepti) to study selectivity and weed control in maize (Zea maysL.) with herbicide mixtures based on tembotrione. Treatments included tembotrione (plus isoxadifen-ethyl safener) applied alone at 100 g ai/ha and three mixtures of tembotrione with: (i) rimsulfuron at 10 g ai/ha, (ii) nicosulfuron at 40 g ai/ha and (iii) foramsulfuron at 60 g ai/ha (label rates for weed control in maize). Herbicides were applied at the 7- to 8-leaf growth stage of maize in Thermi and at the 6- to 7-leaf growth stage in Lepti. Six weeks after treatment, control of rhizomatousSorghum halepensewith tembotrione alone was 63% in Thermi and 60% in Lepti, with plants showing the typical bleaching symptoms of the HPPD-inhibiting herbicides. Control of rhizomatousS.halepensewith the mixtures was improved from 63% to 86% in Thermi and from 60% to 82% in Lepti compared with the single treatment of tembotrione, with plants showing only the symptoms of reddish/purplish color of the ALS-inhibiting herbicides. Control of common broadleaf weeds of maize, such asXanthium strumarium,Amaranthus retroflexus,Datura stramonium, andChenopodium albumwas excellent (92%–100%) either with tembotrione alone or with the mixtures, with plants showing the typical bleaching symptoms of the HPPD-inhibiting herbicides. None of the mixtures affected the ear length and grain yield of maize. All chemical treatments gave higher grain yield than that of the non-treated control and comparable yield to that of the weed-free control. Grass control (Echinochloa crus-galli,E. phyllopogon, andSetaria viridis) with tembotrione alone was above 90% in the pot experiments which was similar to that achieved with the mixtures. Overall, there was an adequate margin of safety in the use of tembotrione in mixture with ALS-inhibiting herbicides for improved weed control in maize, particularly where rhizomatousS.halepenseis problematic. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A simple and rapid method based on Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) coupled to HPLC-DAD was developed and validated for the analysis of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and its degradation product fenoxaprop-P in water. The method was subsequently used for the determination of the dissipation rate of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl in tap and field water. Dissipation of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl was assessed under the presence and the absence of Gambusia.affinis (mosquito fish). Three fish population densities (0, 5 and 10 fish per 15 L water) at two concentration ranges of fenoxaprop- P-ethyl (5 and 10 jwere tested. Samples were analyzed after 0, 24, 120, 240 and 360 h. Doses were designed to simulate those commonly found in surface water bodies in the north-eastern Greece. Mean recc.very values of fenoxaprop- P-ethyl were higher than 81 % in the 0.05 to 5 ppb fortification range with respective RSDs lower than 18%. Fenoxaprop-P showed lower recoveries (65% to 84%) with RSDs lower than 22% due to its acidic nature and high background interference in. the chromatographic analysis. The limits of quantification (LOQ) and limits of detection (LOD) were 0.05 and 0.01 ppb for fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and 0.1 and 0.05 for fenoxaprop-P, respectively. Both dissipation time of fenoxaprop-P-ethyl and formation of fenoxaprop-P were affected by pH values, and population densities of Gambusia affinis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An approach combining monitoring and ecotoxicological data has been undertaken to assess pesticide loading in the drainage canals of two transboundary rivers of northeastern Greece near the Greek/Bulgarian/Turkish borders as well as the subsequent risk to non-target aquatic organisms. Aquatic risk assessment was based on the Risk Quotient (RQ=MEC/PNEC) regarding three trophic levels, algae, aquatic invertebrates and fish. Alachlor, atrazine, carbaryl, carbofuran, cypermethrin, DEA, DIA, diazinon, dimethoate, endosulfan, metolachlor, monilate, prometryn and trifluralin were the compounds detected at the highest concentrations on a regular basis. Extreme concentrations were observed just after high rainfall events during the month of pesticide application. Aquatic risk assessment revealed non-acceptable risk for 10 compounds when median concentrations were used as ΜEC values. However, should extreme concentrations be taken into account, 15 compounds were considered as likely to pose a threat to aquatic organisms. Conformity to EC environmental quality standards is also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Several risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been identified. The cumulative effect of these risk factors on renal function has been assessed with the development of risk score models in a number of studies. However, concerns were raised that estimates of the risk attributable to individual factors may be unreliable. We sought to develop a simple risk score for developing CIN after PCI irrespective of use of prophylactic measures and also capturing the effect of pre-intervention medication and presence of various co-morbidities. Methods: Consecutive patients treated with elective or urgent PCI at our cardiac catheterization laboratory were enrolled (derivation cohort n=488, validation cohort n=200). CIN was defined as increase ≥25% and/or ≥0.5mg/dl in serum creatinine at 48h after PCI vs baseline. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was then performed to identify independent predictors of CIN (pre-existing renal disease, metformin use, history of previous PCI, peripheral arterial disease and ≥300ml of contrast volume). Results: The incidence of CIN in the development cohort was 10.2% with a significant trend across increasing score values (p<0.001). The model demonstrated good discriminating power (c-statistic 0.759) and excellent calibration (calibration slope 0.91). The model was validated internally by bootstrapping in 1000 samples (c-statistic 0.753) and in a cohort of 200 patients (c-statistic 0.864) demonstrating stable performance. Conclusions: The proposed risk score is easily applicable and allows for practically simple risk assessment compared to other published scores while at the same time overcomes drawbacks of previous model designs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]