OBJECTIVE: To establish a snail control approach for spraying chemicals with drones against Oncomelania hupensis in complex snail habitats in hilly regions, and to evaluate its molluscicidal effect. METHODS: The protocol for evaluating the activity of spraying chemical molluscicides with drones against O. hupensis snails was formulated based on expert consultation and literature review. In August 2022, a pretest was conducted in a hillside field environment (12 000 m²) north of Dafengji Village, Dacang Township, Weishan County, Yunnan Province, which was assigned into four groups, of no less than 3 000 m² in each group. In Group A, environmental cleaning was not conducted and 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules were sprayed with drones at a dose of 40 g/m², and in Group B, environmental cleaning was performed, followed by 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules sprayed with drones at a dose of 40 g/m², while in Group C, environmental cleaning was not conducted and 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules were sprayed with knapsack sprayers at a dose of 40 g/m², and in Group D, environmental cleaning was performed, followed by 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules sprayed with knapsack sprayers at a dose of 40 g/m². Then, each group was equally divided into six sections according to land area, with Section 1 for baseline surveys and sections 2 to 6 for snail surveys after chemical treatment. Snail surveys were conducted prior to chemical treatment and 1, 3, 5, 7 days post-treatment, and the mortality and corrected mortality of snails, density of living snails and costs of molluscicidal treatment were calculated in each group. RESULTS: The mortality and corrected mortality of snails were 69.49%, 69.09%, 53.57% and 83.48%, and 68.58%, 68.17%, 52.19% and 82.99% in groups A, B, C and D 14 days post-treatment, and the density of living snails reduced by 58.40%, 63.94%, 68.91% and 83.25% 14 days post-treatment relative to pre-treatment in four groups, respectively. The median concentrations of chemical molluscicides were 37.08, 35.42, 42.50 g/m² and 56.25 g/m² in groups A, B, C and D, and the gross costs of chemical treatment were 0.93, 1.50, 0.46 Yuan per m² and 1.03 Yuan per m² in groups A, B, C and D, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The molluscicidal effect of spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones against O. hupensis snails is superior to manual chemical treatment without environmental cleaning, and chemical treatment with drones and manual chemical treatment show comparable molluscicidal effects following environmental cleaning in hilly regions. The cost of chemical treatment with drones is slightly higher than manual chemical treatment regardless of environmental cleaning. Spraying 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules with drones is recommended in complex settings with difficulty in environmental cleaning to improve the molluscicidal activity and efficiency against O. hupensis snails.
Niclosamide/pharmacology* ; Ethanolamine/pharmacology* ; Unmanned Aerial Devices ; China ; Molluscacides/pharmacology* ; Ethanolamines

labetalol and dexmedetomidine infusion were also recorded. Data from the two groups were compared with Fisher's exact test and unpaired t tests with Welch's correction. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for categorical variables. Intra-operatively, MAP was lower in Sevo-Op [85 (± 6.54) vs. 97.69 (± 7.8) mmHg, p = 0.0009]. Time to extubation was longer in Sevo-Dex [37.69 (10–70) vs. 19.63 (10–25), p = 0.0033]. No differences were found for the other intra-operative and post-operative variables investigated. Post-operative hypertension and agitation were the most common complications (11 and 12 out of 21 animals, respectively). These results suggest that the infusion of dexmedetomidine provides similar intra-operative conditions and post-operative course to a short acting opioid infusion during sevoflurane anesthesia in dogs undergoing elective rostrotentorial or transfrontal intracranial surgery.]]>
Airway Extubation ; Anesthesia ; Animals ; Arterial Pressure ; Atrioventricular Block ; Bradycardia ; Brain Neoplasms ; Carbon Dioxide ; Dexmedetomidine ; Dihydroergotamine ; Dogs ; Fever ; Heart Rate ; Hypertension ; Hypotension ; Hypothermia ; Labetalol ; Neurosurgery ; Observational Study ; Odds Ratio ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures ; Tachycardia

β Blockers such as propranolol and labetalol are known to induce toxic myopathy because of their partial β₂ adrenoceptor agonistic effect. Nebivolol has the highest β1 receptor affinity among β blockers, and it has never been reported to induce rhabdomyolysis until now. We report a patient who developed rhabdomyolysis after changing medication to nebivolol. A 75-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of generalized weakness originating 2 weeks before visiting. Approximately 1 month before her admission, her medication was changed from carvedilol 12.5 mg to nebivolol 5 mg. Over this time span, she had no other lifestyle changes causing rhabdomyolysis. Her blood chemistry and whole body bone scan indicated rhabdomyolysis. We considered newly prescribed nebivolol as a causal agent. She was prescribed carvedilol 12.5 mg, which she was previously taking, instead of nebivolol. She was treated by hydration and urine alkalization. She had fully recovered and was discharged.
Aged ; Chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Labetalol ; Life Style ; Muscular Diseases ; Nebivolol* ; Propranolol ; Rhabdomyolysis*

Thyroid storm is a critical complication of molar pregnancy. However, early diagnosis of it is difficult because it is a rare complication and usually presents nonspecific findings. In this case report, we present a woman with molar pregnancy who had persistent tachycardia and hypertension. She was diagnosed initially with preeclampsia and sepsis as complications of molar pregnancy. During dilation and curettage under general anesthesia with sevoflurane and remifentanil, tachycardia and hypertension remained even with continuous infusion of labetalol. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with thyroid storm associated with molar pregnancy. She was restored to a clinically euthyroid state 1 day after the operation, and her thyroid function test and beta-hCG values were normal 3 months later. The anesthesiologists should bear in mind the possibility of thyroid storm in patients with molar pregnancies who show persistent tachycardia and hypertension.
Anesthesia, General ; Curettage ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole* ; Hypertension* ; Labetalol ; Pre-Eclampsia ; Pregnancy ; Sepsis ; Tachycardia* ; Thyroid Crisis* ; Thyroid Function Tests

PURPOSE: Aquaporin (AQP), a protein located in the cellular membrane, allows rapid passage of water across the cell membrane. Various AQP subtypes have been associated with ureteral obstruction. In particular, AQP3 has two functions: water and glycerol transport. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of AQP3 in the ipsilateral rat kidney in unilateral partial ureteral obstruction (UPUO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats (n=30, 200-250 g) were divided into two groups. A sham operation was performed in the control group (n=10) and UPUO of the left upper ureter with a silicone tube was induced in the UPUO group (n=20). The left kidney was obtained from both groups 7 days after the operations. The kidney specimens underwent immunofluorescent staining with AQP3 monoclonal antibody, and the density of AQP3 in the tissue was measured with an image analyzer. RESULTS: In the UPUO group, thinning of the epithelial layer and infiltration of inflammatory cells was seen along with the localized expression of AQP3 in the basolateral aspect of the principal collecting duct cells. The mean optical density of AQP3 was significantly lower in the UPUO group than in the control group (100.9+/-17.5 compared with 131.7+/-16.9; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a decrease in the expression of AQP3 may be the result of a urinary stasis reaction caused by UPUO in response to local and intrarenal factors. These changes suggest that AQP3 may have a pathophysiological role in UPUO.
Animals ; Aquaporin 3 ; Cell Membrane ; Glycerol ; Kidney ; Membranes ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salicylamides ; Silicones ; Ureter ; Ureteral Obstruction

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have suggested that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the right prefrontal cortex may be useful in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this study was to compare the effect of rTMS on the right prefrontal cortex with that of sham stimulation among patients with PTSD. METHODS: In total, 18 patients with PTSD were randomly assigned to the 1-Hz low-frequency rTMS group or the sham group for 3 weeks. Primary efficacy measures were the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and its subscales, assessed at baseline and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. RESULTS: All CAPS scores improved significantly over the study period. We found significant differences in the re-experiencing scores (F=7.47, p=0.004) and total scores (F=6.45, p=0.008) on the CAPS. The CAPS avoidance scores showed a trend toward significance (F=2.74, p=0.055), but no significant differences in the CAPS hyperarousal scores were observed. CONCLUSION: The present study showed low-frequency rTMS to be an effective and tolerable option for the treatment of PTSD. Trials using variable indices of rTMS to the right prefrontal cortex and explorations of the differences in the effects on specific symptom clusters may be promising avenues of research regarding the use of rTMS for PTSD.
Humans ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Salicylamides ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare a neuroprotective effect of thoracic cord neuromodulation to that of sacral nerve neuromodulation in rat thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI) model. METHODS: Twenty female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal control group (n=5), SCI with sham stimulation group (SCI, n=5), SCI with electrical stimulation at thoracic spinal cord (SCI + TES, n=5), and SCI with electrical stimulation at sacral nerve (SCI + SES, n=5). Spinal cord was injured by an impactor which dropped from 25mm height. Electrical stimulation was performed by the following protocol: pulse duration, 0.1ms; frequency, 20 Hz; stimulation time, 30 minutes; and stimulation duration at thoracic epidural space and S2 or 3 neural foramina for 4 weeks. Locomotor function, urodynamic study, muscle weights, and fiber cross sectional area (CSA) were investigated. RESULTS: All rats of the SCI + TES group expired within 3 days after the injury. The locomotor function of all survived rats improved over time but there was no significant difference between the SCI and the SCI + SES group. All rats experienced urinary retention after the injury and recovered self-voiding after 3-9 days. Voiding contraction interval was 25.5+/-7.5 minutes in the SCI group, 16.5+/-5.3 minutes in the SCI+SES group, and 12.5+/-4.2 minutes in the control group. The recovery of voiding contraction interval was significant in the SCI + SES group comparing to the SCI group (p<0.05). Muscle weight and CSA were slightly greater in the SCI + SES than in the SCI group, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: We failed to establish a rat spinal cord stimulation model. However, sacral neuromodulation have a therapeutic potential to improve neurogenic bladder and muscle atrophy.
Animals ; Contracts ; Electric Stimulation ; Epidural Space ; Female ; Humans ; Muscles ; Muscular Atrophy ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salicylamides ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord Stimulation ; Tromethamine ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; Urinary Retention ; Urodynamics ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on lower limb spasticity in subacute stroke patients. METHODS: We studied thirty hemiplegic subacute stroke patients with ankle plantar flexor spasticity. ESWT was applied for 1 session/week, with a total of 3 sessions at the musculotendinous junction of medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles. Patients were evaluated both clinically and biomechanically at baseline, after sham stimulation, and at immediately 1 week and 4 weeks after ESWT. For clinical assessment, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), clonus score, passive range of motion of ankle, and Fugl-Myer Assessment for the lower extremity were used. A biomechanical assessment of spasticity was conducted by an isokinetic dynamometer. Two parameters, peak eccentric torque (PET) and torque threshold angle (TTA), were analyzed at the velocities of 60degrees/sec, 180degrees/sec, and 240degrees/sec. RESULTS: After sham stimulation, there were no significant changes between each assessment. MAS and PET (180degrees/sec and 240degrees/sec) were significantly improved immediately and 1 week after ESWT. However, these changes were not significant at 4 weeks after ESWT. PET (60degrees/sec) and TTA (60degrees/sec, 180degrees/sec, and 240degrees/sec) were significantly improved immediately after ESWT. Yet, these changes were not significant at 1 week and 4 weeks after ESWT as well. CONCLUSION: Lower limb spasticity in subacute stroke patients was significantly improved immediately after ESWT. Although the therapeutic effect of ESWT reduced with time and therefore was not significant at 4 weeks after ESWT, the degree of spasticity was lower than that of the baseline. Future studies with a larger sample of patients are warranted in order to verify the protocols which can optimize the effect of ESWT on spasticity.
Animals ; Ankle ; High-Energy Shock Waves ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Muscle Spasticity ; Muscles ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Salicylamides ; Shock ; Stroke ; Torque

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has potential as a noninvasive neuromodulation treatment method for various neuropsychiatric disorders, and repeated sessions of rTMS are more likely to enhance the therapeutic efficacy. This study investigated neurophysiologic and spatiodynamic changes induced by repeated 1-Hz rTMS of the temporal cortex using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) indices and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). METHODS: Twenty-seven healthy subjects underwent daily 1-Hz active or sham rTMS of the right temporal cortex for 5 consecutive days. TMS indices of motor cortical excitability were measured in both hemispheres daily before and after each rTMS session, and 2 weeks after the last stimulation. FDG-PET was performed at baseline and after the 5 days of rTMS sessions. RESULTS: All subjects tolerated all of the sessions well, with only three of them (11.1%) reporting mild transient side effects (i.e., headache, tinnitus, or local irritation). One-Hz rTMS decreased motor evoked potential amplitudes and delayed cortical silent periods in the stimulated hemisphere. Statistical parametric mapping of FDG-PET data revealed a focal reduction of glucose metabolism in the stimulated temporal area and an increase in the bilateral precentral, ipsilateral superior and middle frontal, prefrontal and cingulate gyri. CONCLUSIONS: Repeated rTMS sessions for 5 consecutive days were tolerated in all subjects, with only occasional minor side effects. Focal 1-Hz rTMS of the temporal cortex induces cortico-cortical modulation with widespread functional changes in brain neural networks via long-range neural connections.
Brain ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Glucose ; Headache ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Salicylamides ; Tinnitus ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Osteoporosis is a known major health problem and a serious disease of the bone, there has been a great need to develop more and newer animal models for this disease. Among animal models used for testing drug efficacy, the minipig model has become useful and effective due to its close similarity with humans (validity), particularly with the pharmacokinetics of compounds via subcutaneous administration, the structure and function of the organs, the morphology of bone and the overall metabolic nature. Based on these advantages, we sought to develop a new animal model of osteoporosis using micropig, which differs from other miniature pigs in the genetic background. Female micropigs were used for the induction of a moderate osteoporosis model by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and compared with shamoperated animals. For osteoporosis evaluation, clinical biomarkers such as blood osteocalcin (OSC) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured, as well as bone mineral density (BMD) using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Compared to sham, OVX animals have decreased blood OSC level, while the blood PTH level increased in blood sera. In addition, we observed the significantly decreased BMDs of tibia region in OVX animals. Based on these results, we report that the micropig model developed in this study can be used to develop a new and effective medical method for diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Models, Animal ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoporosis ; Ovariectomy ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Salicylamides ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tibia