ABSTRACT Bactrocera carambolae is a quarantine pest found in Brazil, restricted to the states of Amapá, Pará and Roraima. This fruit fly can potentially cause extensive socioeconomic and environmental damage in the country, if it disperse into areas where fruit is grown for exporting. The objective of this work was to study the biology of B. carambolae on fruits of Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae), Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) and Eugenia stipitata McVaugh (Myrtaceae). The following parameters were investigated: duration of egg-larva, pupal, egg-adult, pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods, pupal weight and viability, sex ratio, fecundity, fertility and longevity. All parameters except pupal weight, oviposition and post-oviposition period, egg fertility and sex ratio were influenced by the host plant on which the larvae were reared. The carambola fruit fly completes its development on all those hosts studied here, with the highest fecundities on A. carambola and P. guajava.

Resumo O padrão de ocupação de conchas pelo ermitão D. insignis (Saussure, 1858) na região subtropical da costa sudeste do Brasil, foi investigada no presente estudo. Foram analisadas a percentual de tipos de conchas que foram ocupados e as relações morfométricas entre os ermitões e conchas ocupadas, a partir de coletas mensais realizadas durante dois anos (de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 1999). Os indivíduos foram classificados de acordo com o sexo e maturação, pesados e medidos em relação ao comprimento escudo cefalotoracico (CEC) e peso úmido (CPU). As conchas foram medidas em relação à sua largura de abertura (LAC), peso seco (PSC) e volume interno (VIC). Um total de 1.086 ermitões foram coletados, ocupando conchas de 11 espécies de gastrópodos. Olivancillaria urceus (Roding, 1798) foi a mais utilizada pelo ermitão D. insignis, seguido por Buccinanops cochlidium (Dillwyn, 1817), e Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767). Os maiores coeficientes de determinação (r2 > 0,50, p < 0,01) foram registrados principalmente nas relações morfométricas entre CEC e CPU contra LAC e VIC, que é uma importante indicação de que nesta população de D. insignis a grande maioria dos animais ocupavam conchas adequadas durante os dois anos analisados. O elevado número de espécies de conchas utilizadas e a relativa plasticidade no padrão de ocupação de conchas pelos menores indivíduos de D. insignis indicaram que a ocupação é influenciada pela disponibilidade de conchas, enquanto os indivíduos maiores demonstraram uma ocupação mais especializadas na concha de Tonna galea (Linnaeus, 1758).

Abstract The pattern of shell occupation by the hermit crab Dardanus insignis (Saussure, 1858) from the subtropical region of southeastern coast of Brazil was investigated in the present study. The percentage of shell types that were occupied and the morphometric relationships between hermit crabs and occupied shells were analyzed from monthly collections conducted during two years (from January 1998 to December 1999). Individuals were categorized according to sex and gonadal maturation, weighed and measured with respect to their cephalothoracic shield length (CSL) and wet weight (CWW). Shells were measured regarding their aperture width (SAW), dry weight (SDW) and internal volume (SIV). A total of 1086 hermit crabs was collected, occupying shells of 11 gastropod species. Olivancillaria urceus (Roding, 1798) was most commonly used by the hermit crab D. insignis, followed by Buccinanops cochlidium (Dillwyn, 1817), and Stramonita haemastoma (Linnaeus, 1767). The highest determination coefficients (r2 > 0.50, p < 0.01) were recorded particularly in the morphometric relationships between CSL vs. CWW and SAW vs. SIV, which are important indication that in this D. insignis population the great majority the animals occupied adequate shells during the two years analysed. The high number of used shell species and relative plasticity in pattern of shell utilization by smaller individuals of D. insignis indicated that occupation is influenced by the shell availability, while larger individuals demonstrated more specialized occupation in Tonna galea (Linnaeus, 1758) shell.

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of different commercial pesticides, the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of several plants, and basidiocarps of Pycnoporus sanguineus L. on Beauveria bassiana Bals. Vuill. The commercial pesticides studied were Agro-mós, Agro-fos, Bion, Biogermex, Citronella oíl, Forth, Pironim, Bordeaux mixture, Planta Clean, and Sulphur-lime mixture, at the concentration recommended in the product labels (RC), the half of this concentration (1/2 CR), and the two-fold concentration (2 CR). The plant extracts were from Rosmarinus officinalis L., Cymbopogon citratus Stapf, C. winterianus Jowitt, Laurus nobilis L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Ricinus communis L., Melia azedarach L., Corymbia citriodora Hook, Ruta graveolens L., Curcuma longa L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) All the extracts and the basidiocarps of P. sanguineus were used at a 10% concentration. All the products were sprayed over B. bassiana previously inoculated to the culture medium (BDA). The parameters evaluated were germination, CFU, vegetative growth, and conidia production. Despite the deleterious effect of the commercial phytosanitary products on some of the parameters, they were compatible with B. bassiana, the same as the plant extracts were. However, the combined use or subsequent applications of the products here tested must be avoided before the 48 hours of B. bassiana application.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la interacción y los efectos de los productos fitosanitarios comerciales en la concentración recomendada (CR), a la mitad (0,5CR) y el doble de la misma (2CR), y extractos acuosos y alcohólicos vegetales (Rosmarinus officinalis L. - romero, Cymbopogon citratus Stapf - zacate de limón, caña santa, C. winterianus Jowitt - citronella, Laurus nobilis L. - laurel, Azadirachta indica A. Juss - nim, Ricinus communis L. - ricino, higuereta, Melia azedarach L. - melia, paraiso, Corymbia citriodora Hook. - eucaliptus, Ruta graveolens L. - ruda, Curcuma longa L. - cúrcuma, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume - canela) y basiodiocarpos del hongo Pycnoporus sanguineus (oreja de palo) (L.) Murrill, todos en la concentración 10%, sobre el hongo entomopatógeno Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. En todos los tratamientos se realizaron pulverizaciones sobre el hongo inoculado previamente en medio de cultivo (BDA). Se evaluaron los parámetros germinación, UFC, crecimiento vegetativo y producción de los conidios. Los productos fitosanitarios comerciales, a pesar de que algunos parámetros fueron afectados se mostraron compatibles con el hongo, así como los extractos acuosos y alcohólicos. Sin embargo, se debe evitar el uso conjunto o aplicaciones subsecuentes de los productos aquí evaluados en menos de 48 horas después de la aplicación del hongo.

Rabies is a zoonotic disease that affects all mammals and leads to more than 55,000 human deaths every year, caused by rabies virus (RABV) (Mononegavirales: Rhabdoviridae: Lyssavirus). Currently, human rabies treatment is based on the Milwaukee Protocol which consists on the induction of coma and massive antiviral therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the decrease in the titer of rabies virus both in vitro and in vivo using short-interfering RNAs. To this end, three siRNAs were used with antisense strands complementary to rabies virus nucleoprotein (N) mRNA. BHK-21 cells monolayers were infected with 1000 to 0.1 TCID50 of PV and after 2 hours the cells were transfected with each of tree RNAs in separate using Lipofectamine-2000. All three siRNAs reduced the titer of PV strain in a least 0.72 logTCID50/mL and no cytotoxic effect was observed in the monolayers treated with Lipofectamine-2000. Swiss albino mice infected with 10.000 to 1 LD of PV strain by the intracerebral route were also transfected after two hours of infection with a pool 3 siRNAs with Lipofectamine-2000 by the intracerebral route, resulting in a survival rate of 30% in mice inoculated with 100 LD50, while the same dose led to 100% mortality in untreated animals. Lipofectamine-2000 showed no toxic effect in control mice. These results suggest that intracerebral administration of siRNAs might be an effective antiviral strategy for rabies.

We describe the experimental apparatus and the methods to achieve Bose-Einstein condensation in 87Rb atoms. Atoms are first laser cooled in a standard double magneto-optical trap setup and then transferred into a QUIC trap. The system is brought to quantum degeneracy selectively removing the hottest atoms from the trap by radio-frequency radiation. We also present the main theoretical aspects of the Bose-Einstein condensation phenomena in atomic gases.

A doença de Chagas, causada pelo Trypanosoma cruzi, é endêmica em 15 países na América Latina. Neste trabalho uma coleção de 38 cumarinas foi preparada em solução e testada frente à enzima gliceraldeído-3-fostafo-desidrogenase (gGAPDH) do T. cruzi. A rota sintética foi baseada na condensação de Knoevenagel de diferentes 2-hidroxibenzaldeídos com ácido de Meldrum ou malonato de etila, seguido de O-alquilação e/ou reação de transesterificação. Dentre as cumarinas preparadas, os melhores resultados obtidos para inibir 50% da atividade catalítica da enzima foram entre 80 e 130 µM.

Chagas' disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in 15 countries in Latin America. In this work a library of 38 coumarins was prepared in solution phase and evaluated against T. cruzi glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (gGAPDH). The synthetic route was based on the Knoevenagel condensation of different 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes with Meldrum's acid or diethyl malonate, followed by O-alkylation and/or transesterification reactions. Among the prepared coumarins, the best values obtained to inhibit 50% of the enzymatic activity range from 80 to 130 µM.

Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth., conhecido como "barbatimão", é uma espécie pertencente à família Leguminosae, sub-família Mimosoideae, e é amplamente distribuído em campos e cerrados. Na medicina popular, cascas de S. obovatum são usadas no tratamento de processos inflamatórios, como cicatrizante, para diarréia, frieira. Neste trabalho investigou-se a presença de proteínas e as atividades citotóxica, antibacteriana, antifúngica do extrato salino das sementes de S. obovatum. O extrato salino S. obovatum não apresentou toxidade frente ao ensaio com Artemia salina, nem mostrou atividade antibacteriana contra Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Escherichia coli. Na avaliação da atividade antioxidante, o extrato salino apresentou uma CE50 de 12, 193 µg/mL, enquanto a do padrão positivo BHT foi 2,98 µg/mL. O extrato salino de S. obovatum não apresentou atividade antifúngica, tanto na técnica de bioautografia com o fungo Cladosporium sphaerospermum, quanto no método de difusão em disco, realizado com Candida albicans. Foi realizado teste de atividade enzimática na qual observou-se a hidrólise do substrato H-D-Benzoil-arginina-p-nitroanilida (Bz-Arg-pNan).

Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth., popularly known as "barbatimão", belongs to the Leguminosae fami/y, of the Mimosoideae subfamily, and is present in fields and in "cerrados". S. obovatum bark is used in popular medicine for treating inflammatory processes, for healing wounds, and as cure for diarrhea and chílblain. This research investigates the presence of proteins and the cytotoxic, antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the S. obovatum seed saline extract. The saline extract did not show cytotoxicity against Artemia salina nor any antibacterial activíty against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia colí. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity showed a CEso=12.193 µg/mL, and the BHT positive pattern presented 2.98 µg/mL. The S. obovatum saline extract was tested against Cladosporium sphaerospermum and Candida albicans, using the bioautography technique and the disk diffusion method. Benzoylarginine-p-nitroanilide (Bz-Arg-pNan) was hydrolyzed by the saline extract.

The molecular basis for RHD pseudogene or RHDpsi is a 37-bp insertion in exon 4 of RHD. This insertion, found in two-thirds of D-negative Africans, appears to introduce a stop codon at position 210. The hybrid RHD-CE-Ds, where the 3' end of exon 3 and exons 4 to 8 are derived from RHCE, is associated with the VS+V- phenotype, and leads to a D-negative phenotype in people of African origin. We determined whether Brazilian blood donors of heterogeneous ethnic origin had RHDpsi and RHD-CE-Ds. DNA from 206 blood donors were tested for RHDpsi by a multiplex PCR that detects RHD, RHDpsi and the C and c alleles of RHCE. The RHD genotype was determined by comparison of size of amplified products associated with the RHD gene in both intron 4 and exon 10/3'-UTR. VS was determined by amplification of exon 5 of RHCE, and sequencing of PCR products was used to analyze C733G (Leu245Val). Twenty-two (11%) of the 206 D-negative Brazilians studied had the RHDpsi, 5 (2%) had the RHD-CE-Ds hybrid gene associated with the VS+V- phenotype, and 179 (87%) entirely lacked RHD. As expected, RHD was deleted in all the 50 individuals of Caucasian descent. Among the 156 individuals of African descent, 22 (14%) had inactive RHD and 3% had the RHD-CE-Ds hybrid gene. These data confirm that the inclusion of two different multiplex PCR for RHD is essential to test the D-negative Brazilian population in order to avoid false-positive typing of polytransfused patients and fetuses.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a aplicabilidade do retalho fáscio-cutâneo em V-Y da região posterior da coxa na reparação de lesões isoladas ou múltiplas nas regiões glútea e perineal. MÉTODO: Foram submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico 20 pacientes, portadores de 25 úlceras nas regiões glútea e perineal, sendo 23 delas úlceras por pressão, um pós-abscesso perianal e um pós-trauma perineal. Em todos os pacientes a reparação foi realizada com o retalho fáscio-cutâneo da região posterior da coxa. O retalho foi confeccionado com base súpero-lateral, preservando-se os ramos fáscio-cutâneos das artérias glútea inferior, primeira e segunda perfurantes no tratamento de úlceras isquiáticas. Nas associações de úlcera isquiática com úlcera sacral, adicionou-se ao retalho uma extensão fáscio-cutânea da região glútea para tratamento cirúrgico em tempo único. Foi realizado retalho com base súpero-medial, preservando-se o ramo fáscio-cutâneo da artéria glútea inferior no tratamento das úlceras trocantéricas. Nas associações com úlcera sacral, acrescentou-se ao retalho posterior da coxa uma extensão fáscio-cutânea da região glútea, que permitiu o fechamento de todas as úlceras em um só tempo cirúrgico. Nas associações de úlceras trocantéricas e isquiáticas, realizou-se o retalho com base superior, preservando-se o ramo fáscio-cutâneo da artéria glútea inferior. RESULTADOS: Não houve necrose do retalho. As complicações imediatas foram três infecções, uma deiscência e um hematoma. Num período de seguimento de 6 meses a 29 meses, houve recidiva de seis úlceras (6/24 = 25,0%) em cinco pacientes (5/19 = 26,32%). Um paciente foi perdido neste seguimento. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que o retalho fáscio-cutâneo posterior da coxa, em V-Y, pode ser utilizado com segurança no tratamento de lesões isoladas ou múltiplas das regiões glútea e perineal.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical applicability of one-stage treatment of single or multiple sores using the V-Y posterior thigh fasciocutaneous flap. METHODS: Twenty patients were treated, having 25 ulcers in the gluteal and perineal regions, being 23 pressure ulcers, 1 perianal abscess and 1 perineal trauma. In all of the patients the repair was carried out with a fasciocutaneous flap from the posterior region of the thigh. The flap was made with a superior and lateral base, preserving the fasciocutaneous branches of the inferior gluteal arteries, first and second perforating, in the treatment of ischial ulcers. In the associations of the same with sacral ulcer, a fasciocutaneous extension from the gluteal region was added to the flap for a one and only surgical procedure. A superior and medial based flap was made, preserving the fasciocutaneous branch of the inferior gluteal artery in the treatment of the trochanteric ulcers. In the associations with sacral ulcer a fasciocutaneous extension from the gluteal region was added to the posterior thigh flap which permitted the closure of all ulcers in only one surgical procedure. In the associations of trochanteric and ischial ulcers a flap with a superior base was made, preserving the fasciocutaneous branch of the inferior gluteal artery. RESULTS: There was no necrosis of the flap. The immediate complications were 3 infections, 1 dehiscences and 1 hematoma. In a follow-up period of 6 months to 29 months, with one patient being lost to follow up, there were 6 recurrences 6/24 (25.0%) in 5 patients 5/19 (26.32%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the posterior fasciocutaneous thigh flap, in V-Y, can be used with safety in the treatment of isolated or multiple ulcers in the gluteal and perineal regions.

Neste trabalho, contempla-se o desenvolvimento da Estatística, desde suas origens probabilísticas até os atuais modelos de "dependência" no tempo e no espaço. Avalia-se a evolução do método quantitativo na abordagem epidemiológica, como também procura-se estabelecer limites das técnicas estatísticas habituais, discutindo-se suas suposições teóricas e sua adequação ao tratamento analítico das informações. Enfatizam-se a importância do desenvolvimento e/ou generalização de procedimentos que possam ajudar a superar as dificuldades metodológicas ainda encontradas em diversos estudos de inferência causal em Epidemiologia.

In this paper the development of Statistics is contemplated from its probabilistic fundamentals until the current studies of time and space "dependence". Some applications of the quantitative method in the epidemiologic approach are evaluated. An attempt is made to establish some limits to the current statistical techniques through the discussion of theoretical assumptions and their adequacy to analyse empirical data. The development (or generalization) of new procedures that could possibly help to overcome methodological difficulties that are still found in various analysis of causal inference in Epidemiology is emphasized.

Neste trabalho, contempla-se o desenvolvimento da Estatística, desde suas origens probabilísticas até os atuais modelos de "dependência" no tempo e no espaço. Avalia-se a evolução do método quantitativo na abordagem epidemiológica, como também procura-se estabelecer limites das técnicas estatísticas habituais, discutindo-se suas suposições teóricas e sua adequação ao tratamento analítico das informações. Enfatizam-se a importância do desenvolvimento e/ou generalização de procedimentos que possam ajudar a superar as dificuldades metodológicas ainda encontradas em diversos estudos de inferência causal em Epidemiologia.

In this paper the development of Statistics is contemplated from its probabilistic fundamentals until the current studies of time and space "dependence". Some applications of the quantitative method in the epidemiologic approach are evaluated. An attempt is made to establish some limits to the current statistical techniques through the discussion of theoretical assumptions and their adequacy to analyse empirical data. The development (or generalization) of new procedures that could possibly help to overcome methodological difficulties that are still found in various analysis of causal inference in Epidemiology is emphasized.

Os soros de 472 brasileiros, confirmados como sendo positivos ou negativos em relação à presença de anticorpos anti-HIV e compreendendo todo o espectro clínico da infecção, foram utilizados na avaliação de seis ensaios imunoenzimáticos comerciais (ELISA), bem como de quatro testes alternativos tais como imunofluorescência indireta (IFI), hemaglutinação passiva (HP), dot blot e Karpas AIDS cell test. As sensibilidades variaram de 100% (ELISA Abbott e Roche) a 84,2% (HP) e as especificidades variaram de 99,3% (IFI) a 80,2% (HP). A sensibilidade e especificidade da HP e a sensibilidade do Karpas AIDS cell test foram significativamente menores que os outros ensaios. Embora a IFI e o dot blot tivessem apresentado uma boa sensibilidade e especificidade, os ensaios imunoenzimáticos (ELISA) foram mais adequados para serem utilizados em triagem quando outros parâmetros tais como facilidade de leitura e interpretação dos resultados e duração dos ensaios foram considerados.

Sera from 472 Brazilian subjects, confirmed to be either positive or negative for HIV antibodies and comprising the total clinical spectrum of HIV infection, were utilized in the evaluation of six commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), as well as of four alternative assays, namely indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), passive hemagglutination (PHA), dot blot and Karpas AIDS cell test. The sensitivities ranged from 100% (Abbott and Roche ELISA) to 84.2% (PHA) and the specificities ranged from 99.3% (IIF) to 80.2% (PHA). The sensitivity and specificity of the PHA and the sensitivity of the Karpas cell test were significantly lower than those of the other tests. Although the IFF and dot blot had good sensitivities and specificities, the six ELISA were more attractive than those tests when other parameters such as ease of reading and duration of assay were considered.

Foram feitas determinações dos teores de N, P e K no solo e nos frutos de cafeeiros submetidos a um ensaio fatotorial 2x2x2. Verificou-se que apenas as aplicações de P e K elevaram os teoresdos elementos no solo. O uso de N e K aumentou o teor dêsses nutrientes no fruto. A qualidade da bebida foi prejudicada pela falta de P na adubação.

This paper gives some preliminary results from determinations of the effect of N, P and K fertilization on the chemical composition of soil and coffee berries, as well in the quality of the beverage there of. The main findings are as follows: a) The use of P arid K caused an increase in the level of the respective element in the soil; no similar effect of N fertilisation was ascertained. b) N content in the bean tuas raised by that of K; P increased N content in the pulp. The application of P failed to raise its level in the fruit; the use of N, however decreased P % in the pulp. The use of KCl increased the level of K in the fruit. c) Fruits collected in treatments where P was omitted gave significantly lower quality beverage. A positive correlation was found between P content in the soil and quality of the beverage; the meaning - if any - of such correlation cannot be evaluated at present.