Maternal hypothyroidism during pregnancy can cause adverse effects in the fetus. Scientific evidence has shown that probable thyroid-like function of some phthalates vitro and vivo, exposure, begin utero. This study investigated association between phthalate exposure thyroid hormones pregnant women. Serum spot urine samples were collected from 76 Taiwanese women at second trimester. Thyroid hormones, including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) free T4...

Abstract The associated risk of phthalate exposure, both parent compounds in the home and their metabolites urine, to childhood allergic respiratory morbidity, after adjusting for exposures indoor pollutants, especially bioaerosols, was comprehensively assessed. Levels five phthalates settled dust from homes 101 children (3–9 years old) were measured, along with corresponding urinary metabolites. Other environmental factors, including CO2, PM2.5, formaldehyde, 1,3-β-d-glucan, endotoxin,...

The aim of this study was to determine the levels phthalate ester metabolites in girls early puberty, and associated environmental factors for exposure. A case-control conducted which we recruited including 30 with premature thelarche (PT) 26 central precocious puberty (CPP), 33 normal controls. mean urine monomethyl (MMP) were significantly higher PT group (96.5 +/- 134.0 ng/ml) than control (26.4 30.0 ng/ml; p = 0.005). monobutyl (MBuP) correlated intake seafood, drink use plastic cups....

Is there an association between exposure to phthalates and the timing of female puberty? Our study suggests that early onset puberty is related increased kisspeptin secretion. Girls are maturing earlier than in past decades quantity used consumer products has concurrently risen. The hypothesis may increase secretion thereby cause early-onset unexplored. This case–control ran from 2006 2009. We enrolled 104 girls. central precocious (CPP) (case) group were recruited a pediatric endocrinology...

We uncovered taxonomic diversity, country of origin and commodity type intercepted ants at Taiwanese borders based on an 8 year database 439 interception records. found arrived predominantly via timber, a pattern likely reflecting the high domestic demand for foreign timber in Taiwan. The most frequently species were either arboreal or wood-dwelling ants, raising concern these constituting next wave ant invasion Further analyses indicate that composition does not match established non-native...

The longlegged ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes, is a globally destructive invasive species owning to its devastating impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functions in the regions where it has been introduced. In Taiwan, invasion of A. gracilipes associated with declining land crab populations several hotspots. While liquid baiting program implemented those areas, operation costly labor-intensive since typically requires use maintenance bait stations. goal current study was evaluate potential...

Our study conducted serial environmental measurements in 12 large office buildings with two different ventilation designs to obtain airborne microbial concentrations typical buildings, and examine the effects of occupant density, type air exchange efficiency on indoor concentrations. Duplicate samples fungi bacteria, a total 2477 measurements, were collected based scheme conducting sampling three times day for at least seven consecutive days every building. Air change rates (ACHs) also...

The efficacy of chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs) against fungus-growing termites is known to vary. In this study, 0.1% chlorfluazuron (CFZ) cellulose bait was tested medium and large field colonies Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen). termite mounds were dissected determine the health colony. Individual (i.e., workers larvae) fungus combs subjected gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis detect presence CFZ. 540.0 ± 25.8 g (or equivalent mg active ingredient) 680.0 49.0 (680.0 matrix...

Reproductive division of labor is one the key features social insects. Queens are adapted for reproduction while workers foraging and colony maintenance. In many species, however, retain functional ovaries can lay unfertilized male eggs or trophic eggs. Here we report first time on occurrence physogastric apparent worker in invasive yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes (Fr. Smith). We further examined reproductive potential nutritional role through multidisciplinary approaches including...

Abstract Species hitchhiking on human transportation objects such as vehicles can facilitate long‐distance dispersal of organisms, allowing increased probabilities successful biological invasions. In Taiwan, there have been observations ants actively moving onto motor (defined ‘ant hitchhiking’ hereafter), yet no study has explored this phenomenon. Here, we provide the first qualitative and quantitative report ant behaviour using citizen science data. From 2017 to 2023, 52 cases were...

Abstract The colony size and caste composition of different-sized Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen) (Isoptera: Termitidae: Macrotermitinae) mounds on Penang Island, Malaysia, were studied. total number termite individuals differed significantly among mounds. Small contained 15,400 ± 600 (n = 3) individuals; medium 33,500 2,400 large 61,400 4,400 individuals. Larvae constituted the largest proportion (42.60%) population, followed by workers (42.19%), soldiers (14.16%), presoldiers (0.71%), alates...

BACKGROUND Mutual interactions, including reciprocal food sharing and grooming between chlorantraniliprole- fipronil-treated, untreated Asian subterranean termites, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann), were examined using rubidium as a tracer. Two questions addressed in this study: (1) After insecticide treatment, does the mutual interaction termiticide-treated termites nestmates increase? (2) Does nutritional status of both affect interaction? RESULTS The comparative data suggested that...

The recent discovery of multiple viruses in ants, along with the widespread infection their hosts across geographic ranges, provides an excellent opportunity to test whether viral prevalence field is associated complexity social interactions ant population. In this study, we examined association exists between a virus and intercolonial aggression its host, using yellow crazy (Anoplolepis gracilipes) natural pathogen (TR44839 virus) as model system. We delimitated colony boundary composition...

Abstract Only recently has it become clear that several species of eusocial hymenopterans regularly reproduce by thelytokous parthenogenesis, is, the production diploid female offspring unmated females. This phenomenon suggests parthenogenetic reproduction might be advantageous to organisms under certain environmental conditions. Here occurrence asexual is reported for first time in dacetine ant, Strumigenys rogeri , at least focal populations Taiwan. Virgin queens S. maintained with workers...

Journal Article A Laboratory Maintenance Regime for a Fungus-Growing Termite Macrotermes gilvus (Blattodea: Termitidae) Get access Ching-Chen Lee, Lee Urban Entomology Laboratory, Vector Control Research Unit, School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia. Search other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Chow-Yang 1 Corresponding author, e-mail: chowyang@usm.my . Economic Entomology, Volume 108, Issue 3, June 2015, Pages...

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, was first discovered in Japan 2017. As this ant remains at the early invasion stage, efforts establishing a rapid-response framework, such as evaluating available control methods, are urgently needed. Despite presence of numerous household insecticides against invasive/household pest ants Japan, effects these products on remain poorly understood. This study assessed efficacy two bait designed to target common pests S. through under...

Abstract Arylamine N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) displays extensive genetic polymorphisms that affect the rates of acetylation drugs and toxic compounds such as amine carcinogens. The association NAT2 with adult brain tumors has been unclear. To investigate whether genotype is a risk factor tumors, we determined frequencies three common in gene, NAT2*5 (T341C), NAT2*6 (G590A), NAT2*7(G857A), tumor patients age- gender-matched control subjects (n = 27 each group). Genotyping was carried out...

Getting lost (GL) behavior is among the early symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Only a few tests, however, have been developed to screen for this symptom. The aim of study was develop an instrument, Route Map Recall Test (RMRT), screening GL problem AD patients. We examined psychometric properties RMRT and its clinical utility predict risk 23 patients 43 cognitively healthy older adults. results showed that has sound reliability (test-retest, r = .752, p < .001; Cronbach's α 0.887,...

The little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata is an invasive species native to Central and South America.We report the establishment of this in Taiwan, which also first confirmed population East Asian region.Little ants were found at two locations central separated by approximately 30 km.Genetic behavioral analyses indicated that populations both employ clonal reproduction showed no aggression towards each other.Results genetic indicate are most likely derived from a common source or...

Abstract The yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes was first reported in Kenting National Park, Taiwan, the 2000s, raising concern of this invasive ant’s potential effects on native land crab populations. We investigated distribution and abundance A . its adverse effect populations at four hotspots within park. Our survey results indicated that widespread abundant three study sites (Hsiangchiaowan, Shadao, Natural Spring), while much more confined fourth site (Houwan). Land experienced a...

Chlorfluazuron (CFZ) is a benzoylphenylurea insecticide that commonly used in baits for management of subterranean termites. In this study, new method using GC-MS the determination and quantification CFZ termites was developed validated. Since small volume organic solvent (250 µL) sample preparation procedure, extract analyzed without any evaporation. The assay simple rapid, with short GC run time (10.0 min). calibration curve linear over range 0.1–2.5 µg/g, correlation coefficient >0.998....