Degradation of the fungicide metalaxyl and its non-extractable residue formation in soil clay and silt fractions

The proportion of organic matter and mineral composition are important factors determining the formation and type of non-extractable residues(NERs) of pesticides in soil. In this study, we investigated the enantioselectivity in degradation and NER formation of the chiral fungicide metalaxyl in soil particle size fractions(silt and clay). Microbial and extracellular enzyme activities during these processes were monitored in incubation of silt and clay samples isolated from sterilized and non-sterilized soil samples collected from a long-term agricultural field experimental site in Ultuna, Sweden. The temporal influence on the fate of the fungicide was noted by short-term(10-d) and long-term(92-d) incubations. Besides the acquisition of quantitative data with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC/MS), stereoselective analyses were performed with chiral GC/MS. Quantitative results pointed to a higher metabolism rate of the pesticide through microbial activity than through extracellular enzyme activity. This was also confirmed by the enantioselective depletion of R-metalaxyl and the subsequent formation of R-metalaxyl acid in microbially active samples from non-sterilized soil. The silt fraction containing a high amount of organic matter exhibited a significant hydrolyzable proportion of metalaxyl NERs that was releasable under alkaline conditions. On the contrary, the clay fraction showed an enhanced affinity for covalently bound residues. Based on our results, we recommend differentiating between reversibly and irreversibly bound proportions of pesticides in persistence and environmental risk assessment because the reversible fraction contained potentially bioavailable amounts of residues that may be released under natural conditions.

Changes in Extractable and Non-extractable Polyphenols and Their Antioxidant Properties during Fruit On-tree Ripening in Five Peach Cultivars

To evaluate the changes of total phenolic content and antioxidant capacities of five peach cultivars, this work measured them separately in extractable polyphenols and non-extractable polyphenols during the last month of ripening. Total phenolic content was detected using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent, while total antioxidant activity was detected by DPPH and FRAP assay. In addition, the contribution of extractable polyphenols and non-extractable polyphenols to the total antioxidant activity of peaches was investigated. It is noted that ripening caused a decrease of total phenolic content associated to extractable polyphenols and non-extractable polyphenols by 45.1%–74.6%, 20.7%–41.7%, respectively. Additionally, total antioxidant activity decreased over the ripening period with a high correlation with total phenolic content. Extractable polyphenols contributed more than 50% to the total antioxidant activity, while the non-extractable antioxidants contributed around 31.3%–45.7%(DPPH) or 12.6%–25.4%(FRAP), which suggests that the antioxidant properties of peaches may be undervalued in previous researches.

Successful Treatment of Postpeak Stage Patients with ClassⅡ Division 1 Malocclusion Using Non-extraction and Multiloop Edgewise Archwire Therapy: A Report on 16 Cases

Aim To determine cephalometrically the mechanism of the treatment effects of non-extraction and multiloop edgewise archwire （MEAW） technique on postpeak Class Ⅱ Division 1 patients. Methodology In this retrospective study, 16 postpeak Class Ⅱ Division 1 patients successfully corrected using a non-extraction and MEAW technique were cephalometrically evaluated and compared with 16 matched control subjects treated using an extraction technique. Using CorelDRAW software, standardized digital cephalograms preand post-active treatments were traced and a reference grid was set up. The superimpositions were based on the cranial base, the mandibular and the maxilla regions,and skeletal and dental changes were measured. Changes following treatment were evaluated using the paired-sample t-test. Student＇s t-test for unpaired samples was used to assess the differences in changes between the MEAW and the extraction control groups. Results The correction of the molar relationships comprised 54% skeletal change （mainly the advancement of the mandible） and 46% dental change. Correction of the anterior teeth relationships comprised 30% skeletal change and 70% dental change. Conclusion The MEAW technique can produce the desired vertical and sagittal movement of the tooth segment and then effectively stimulate mandibular advancement by utilizing the residual growth potential of the condyle.