Evaluation of skeletal muscle regeneration in experimental model after malnutrition / Avaliação da regeneração do músculo esquelético em modelo experimental após desnutrição

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze muscle regeneration after cryoinjury in the tibialis anterior muscle of young rats that were malnourished and then recovered. Forty Wistar rats were divided into a nourished group that received a normal protein diet (14% casein) for 90 days and a malnourished and recovered rats group (MR) that was submitted to 45 days of malnutrition with a hypoproteic diet (6% casein) followed by 45 days of a normal protein diet (14% casein). After the recovery period, all of the animals underwent cryoinjury in the right tibialis anterior muscle and euthanasia after 7, 14 and 21 days. The amount of connective tissue and the inflammation area was higher in the malnutrition recovered injury MR group (MRI) at 14 days post-injury (p < 0.05). Additionally, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the regenerated fibers was decreased in the MRI (p < 0.05). The MyoD and myogenin protein levels were higher in the nourished injury group. Similar levels of TGF-β1 were found between groups. The proposed malnutrition protocol was effective in showing delayed changes in the regeneration process of the tibialis anterior muscle of young rats. Furthermore, we observed a delay in muscle repair even after nutritional recovery.

Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a regeneração muscular após criolesão no músculo tibial anterior de ratos jovens desnutridos e recuperados. Foram utilizados 40 ratos da linhagem Wistar, divididos em 2 grupos: ratos nutridos receberam dieta normoproteica (14% de caseína) por 90 dias; e ratos desnutridos e recuperado submetidos a duas fases nutricionais pós-desmame, correspondendo a 45 dias de desnutrição com dieta hipoproteica (6% caseína), seguida por 45 dias de dieta normoproteica (14% caseína). Ao completar a fase de recuperação, todos os animais foram submetidos à criolesão no músculo tibial anterior direito e a eutanasia ocorreu 7, 14 e 21 dias após a lesão. A quantidade de tecido conjuntivo e a área de inflamação 14 dias pós-lesão foi maior no grupo desnutrido, recuperado e lesado (MRI – malnourished, recovered and injured group) (p < 0,05). A área de secção transversa (AST) das fibras regeneradas do grupo MRI foi menor (p < 0,05). O conteúdo das proteínas MyoD e Miogenina foi maior no grupo nutridos e lesados. A citocina TGF-β1 não apresentou diferença entre os grupos. O protocolo proposto foi eficaz para demonstrar alterações no processo de regeneração do músculo tibial anterior de ratos jovens, atrasando o reparo muscular mesmo após a recuperação nutricional.

Evaluation of skeletal muscle regeneration in experimental model after malnutrition.

The aim of this study was to analyze muscle regeneration after cryoinjury in the tibialis anterior muscle of young rats that were malnourished and then recovered. Forty Wistar rats were divided into a nourished group that received a normal protein diet (14% casein) for 90 days and a malnourished and recovered rats group (MR) that was submitted to 45 days of malnutrition with a hypoproteic diet (6% casein) followed by 45 days of a normal protein diet (14% casein). After the recovery period, all of the animals underwent cryoinjury in the right tibialis anterior muscle and euthanasia after 7, 14 and 21 days. The amount of connective tissue and the inflammation area was higher in the malnutrition recovered injury MR group (MRI) at 14 days post-injury (p < 0.05). Additionally, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the regenerated fibers was decreased in the MRI (p < 0.05). The MyoD and myogenin protein levels were higher in the nourished injury group. Similar levels of TGF-ß1 were found between groups. The proposed malnutrition protocol was effective in showing delayed changes in the regeneration process of the tibialis anterior muscle of young rats. Furthermore, we observed a delay in muscle repair even after nutritional recovery.

Assessment of Factors Related to Adherence to Treatment in Liver Transplantation Candidates.

BACKGROUND: The relevance that adherence to treatment plays in liver transplantation, and the impact this factor may have on the success of treatment, are fundamental in assessing the variables which affect patient adherence during the pretransplantation period. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine factors that affect liver transplant candidates' adherence to treatment, and analyze the association between adherence, socioeconomic and demographic factors, clinical characteristics, and patient understanding about the disease and liver transplantation. METHODS: This epidemiological, observational, and prospective study included 62 patients registered in the technical database of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo during the period November 2012-May 2014. The dependent variable was adherence to treatment among liver transplantation candidates, and the independent variables included understanding the disease and the transplantation process, and depression and anxiety symptoms among liver transplantation candidates. RESULTS: Work situation (P = .038), understanding about the disease (P = .002), and use of laxatives (P = .045) were the factors related to statistically significant adherence, and it can be concluded that implementation of an educational program may increase adherence up to 3.48 times in the pretransplantation phase, as adherence was 3.48 times lower in patients who reported little or no knowledge of the disease or the procedure.

Oxidative leaching process with cupric ion in hydrochloric acid media for recovery of Pd and Rh from spent catalytic converters.

The recycling of platinum-group metals from wastes such as autocatalytic converters is getting growing attention due to the scarcity of these precious metals and the market pressure originated by increase of demand in current and emerging applications. Hydrometallurgical treatment of such wastes is an alternative way to the most usual pyrometallurgical processes based on smelter operations. This paper focuses on the development of a leaching process using cupric chloride as oxidising agent, in HCl media, for recovery of palladium and rhodium from a spent catalyst. The chloride media allows the adequate conditions for oxidising and solubilising the metals, as demonstrated by equilibrium calculations based on thermodynamic data. The experimental study of the leaching process revealed that Pd solubilisation is clearly easier than that of Rh. The factors temperature, time, and HCl and Cu(2+) concentrations were significant regarding Pd and Rh leaching, the latter requiring higher factor values to achieve the same results. Leaching yields of 95% Pd and 86% Rh were achieved under optimised conditions (T = 80 °C, t = 4h, [HCl] = 6M, [Cu(2+)] = 0.3M).

Evaluation of chemical treatment on zirconia surface with two primer agents and an alkaline solution on bond strength.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of an alkaline solution and two 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP)-based primer agents on bond strength to zirconia (yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconium polycrystal [Y-TZP]) through the shear bond strength (SBS) test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty square-shaped Y-TZP samples were embedded in an acrylic resin mold, polished, and randomly assigned to one of six groups (n=10) according to treatment surface: group CR, no treatment (control); group NaOH, 0.5 M NaOH; group AP, Alloy Primer; group ZP, Z-Primer Plus; group NaOH-AP, 0.5 M NaOH + Alloy Primer; and group NaOH-ZP, 0.5 M NaOH + Z-Primer Plus. The resin cement (Rely X U100) was applied inside a matrix directly onto the Y-TZP surface, and it was light-cured for 40 seconds. The samples were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours prior to the test, which was performed in a universal machine at a crosshead-speed of 0.5 mm/min. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey tests (p<0.05). Light stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the surface topography and failure mode. RESULTS: The SBS was significantly affected by the chemical treatment (p<0.0001). The AP group displayed the best results, and the use of NaOH did not improve SBS results relative to either AP or ZP. The samples treated with Alloy Primer displayed mainly mixed failures, whereas those conditioned with Z-Primer Plus or with 0.5 M NaOH presented a balanced distribution of adhesive and mixed failure modes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a NaOH solution may have modified the reactivity of the Y-TZP surface, whereas the employment of a MDP/6-4-vinylbenzyl-n-propyl amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithione-based primer enhanced the Y-TZP bond strength.

Differential expression of genes involved in the degeneration and regeneration pathways in mouse models for muscular dystrophies.

The genetically determined muscular dystrophies are caused by mutations in genes coding for muscle proteins. Differences in the phenotypes are mainly the age of onset and velocity of progression. Muscle weakness is the consequence of myofiber degeneration due to an imbalance between successive cycles of degeneration/regeneration. While muscle fibers are lost, a replacement of the degraded muscle fibers by adipose and connective tissues occurs. Major investigation points are to elicit the involved pathophysiological mechanisms to elucidate how each mutation can lead to a specific degenerative process and how the regeneration is stimulated in each case. To answer these questions, we used four mouse models with different mutations causing muscular dystrophies, Dmd (mdx), SJL/J, Large (myd) and Lama2 (dy2J) /J, and compared the histological changes of regeneration and fibrosis to the expression of genes involved in those processes. For regeneration, the MyoD, Myf5 and myogenin genes related to the proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells were studied, while for degeneration, the TGF-ß1 and Pro-collagen 1α2 genes, involved in the fibrotic cascade, were analyzed. The result suggests that TGF-ß1 gene is activated in the dystrophic process in all the stages of degeneration, while the activation of the expression of the pro-collagen gene possibly occurs in mildest stages of this process. We also observed that each pathophysiological mechanism acted differently in the activation of regeneration, with distinctions in the induction of proliferation of satellite cells, but with no alterations in stimulation to differentiation. Dysfunction of satellite cells can, therefore, be an important additional mechanism of pathogenesis in the dystrophic muscle.

Micronuclei as biomarkers for evaluating the risk of malignant transformation in the uterine cervix.

We evaluated micronucleus and apoptosis occurrence among women with normal smears and women with different kinds of cervical abnormalities, i.e., inflammatory processes and low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (N = 12, N = 10 and N = 27, respectively). The sample included 59 women who were seen at a public medical service for cervical cancer prevention in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil. The diagnosis was established by means of cytological, colposcopic, and histopathological examination. Cytogenetic analysis was performed on 2000 cells from each woman and included assessment of micronuclei and nuclear degenerative abnormalities indicative of apoptosis (karyorrhexis, pyknosis and condensed chromatin). Micronucleus frequency was significantly higher in the women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions than in the women without cervical abnormalities or inflammatory processes (P< 0.001) or in the women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (P < 0.005). The frequency of apoptosis was similar in women without cervical abnormalities and women showing high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (P > 0.50), and significantly lower in women without cervical abnormalities and in women showing high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions than in women showing inflammatory processes or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (P < 0.0001). These results indicate that, in addition to Papanicolaou cervical cytological analysis, it would be useful to use micronucleus analysis to screen women who are at risk of developing cervical cancer. The assessment of nuclear degenerative abnormalities indicative of apoptosis increased the sensitivity of this test.

Ciclopirox olamine: an antifungal alternative against cryptococcosis.

AIMS: The in vitro activity of ciclopirox olamine was evaluated against Cryptococcus spp. obtained from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of immunocompromised patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antifungal activity of ciclopirox olamine was tested against Cryptococcus spp. obtained from the CSF of immunocompromised patients, using amphotericin B and fluconazole as controls. The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined following the microdilution method indicated by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The minimal fungicide concentration was determined by the absence of growth on Sabouraud dextrose agar. The data obtained showed that antifungal activity of ciclopirox olamine ranged from 0·25 to 1 µg ml(-1) . CONCLUSIONS: This paper underscores the importance of the antifungal potential of ciclopirox olamine against Cryptococcus spp. as an alternative treatment against systemic cryptococosis. In vivo experiments are essential for future medical use. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This was the first time that ciclopirox olamine was tested against Cryptococcus spp. using the reference method. The antifungal activity of this drug against this species suggests an applicable potential for systemic cryptococcosis therapy.

KDP:Mn piezoelectric coefficients obtained by X-ray diffraction.

Crystals of pure potassium dihydrogen phosphate KH(2)PO(4) (KDP) and Mn-doped KDP (KDP:Mn) were grown from a water solution by the slow evaporation method and their piezoelectric properties were studied by X-ray diffraction methods. The results have shown an increase in the piezoelectric coefficients with the doping.

Antifungal activity of the naphthoquinone beta-lapachone against disseminated infection with Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans in dexamethasone-immunosuppressed Swiss mice

The in vivo antifungal activity of the naphthoquinone beta-lapachone against disseminated infection by Cryptococcus neoformans was investigated. Swiss mice were immunosuppressed daily with dexamethasone (0.5 mg per mouse) intraperitoneally for 3 days, the procedure was repeated 4 days later, and the animals were then challenged intravenously with C. neoformans (10(6) CFU/mL) 1 week later. Seven days after infection, the mice were divided into groups and treated daily with beta-lapachone (10 mg/kg, iv) for 7 (N = 6) and 14 days (N = 10). Amphotericin B (0.5 mg/kg) was used as comparator drug and an additional group received PBS. Treatment with beta-lapachone cleared the yeast from the spleen and liver, and the fungal burden decreased approximately 10(4) times in the lungs and brain 14 days after infection when compared to the PBS group (P < 0.05). This result was similar to that of the amphotericin B-treated group. Protection was suggestively due to in vivo antifungal activity of this drug and apparently not influenced by activation of the immune response, due to similar leukocyte cell counts among all groups. This study highlights the prospective use of beta-lapachone for treatment of disseminated cryptococcosis.

Antifungal activity of the naphthoquinone beta-lapachone against disseminated infection with Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans in dexamethasone-immunosuppressed Swiss mice.

The in vivo antifungal activity of the naphthoquinone beta-lapachone against disseminated infection by Cryptococcus neoformans was investigated. Swiss mice were immunosuppressed daily with dexamethasone (0.5 mg per mouse) intraperitoneally for 3 days, the procedure was repeated 4 days later, and the animals were then challenged intravenously with C. neoformans (10(6) CFU/mL) 1 week later. Seven days after infection, the mice were divided into groups and treated daily with beta-lapachone (10 mg/kg, iv) for 7 (N = 6) and 14 days (N = 10). Amphotericin B (0.5 mg/kg) was used as comparator drug and an additional group received PBS. Treatment with beta-lapachone cleared the yeast from the spleen and liver, and the fungal burden decreased approximately 10(4) times in the lungs and brain 14 days after infection when compared to the PBS group (P < 0.05). This result was similar to that of the amphotericin B-treated group. Protection was suggestively due to in vivo antifungal activity of this drug and apparently not influenced by activation of the immune response, due to similar leukocyte cell counts among all groups. This study highlights the prospective use of beta-lapachone for treatment of disseminated cryptococcosis.

Consequences of cerebroventricular insulin injection on renal sodium handling in rats: effect of inhibition of central nitric oxide synthase

In the present study, we investigated the effects of acute intracerebroventricular (icv) insulin administration on central mechanisms regulating urinary sodium excretion in simultaneously centrally NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME)-injected unanesthetized rats. Male Wistar-Hannover rats were randomly assigned to one of five groups: a) icv 0.15 M NaCl-injected rats (control, N = 10), b) icv dose-response (1.26, 12.6 and 126 ng/3 µL) insulin-injected rats (N = 10), c) rats icv injected with 60 µg L-NAME in combination with NaCl (N = 10) or d) with insulin (N = 10), and e) subcutaneously insulin-injected rats (N = 5). Centrally administered insulin produced an increase in urinary output of sodium (NaCl: 855.6 ± 85.1 Ä percent/min; 126 ng insulin: 2055 ± 310.6 Ä percent/min; P = 0.005) and potassium (NaCl: 460.4 ± 100 Ä percent/min; 126 ng insulin: 669.2 ± 60.8 Ä percent/min; P = 0.025). The urinary sodium excretion response to icv 126 ng insulin microinjection was significantly attenuated by combined administration of L-NAME (126 ng insulin: 1935 ± 258.3 Ä percent/min; L-NAME + 126 ng insulin: 582.3 ± 69.6 Ä percent/min; P = 0.01). Insulin-induced natriuresis occurred by increasing post-proximal sodium excretion, despite an unchanged glomerular filtration rate. Although the rationale for decreased urinary sodium excretion induced by combined icv L-NAME and insulin administration is unknown, it is tempting to suggest that perhaps one of the efferent signals triggered by insulin in the CNS may be nitrergic in nature.

Consequences of cerebroventricular insulin injection on renal sodium handling in rats: effect of inhibition of central nitric oxide synthase.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of acute intracerebroventricular (icv) insulin administration on central mechanisms regulating urinary sodium excretion in simultaneously centrally NG-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME)-injected unanesthetized rats. Male Wistar-Hannover rats were randomly assigned to one of five groups: a) icv 0.15 M NaCl-injected rats (control, N = 10), b) icv dose-response (1.26, 12.6 and 126 ng/3 microL) insulin-injected rats (N = 10), c) rats icv injected with 60 microg L-NAME in combination with NaCl (N = 10) or d) with insulin (N = 10), and e) subcutaneously insulin-injected rats (N = 5). Centrally administered insulin produced an increase in urinary output of sodium (NaCl: 855.6 +/- 85.1 Delta%/min; 126 ng insulin: 2055 +/- 310.6 Delta%/min; P = 0.005) and potassium (NaCl: 460.4 +/- 100 Delta%/min; 126 ng insulin: 669.2 +/- 60.8 Delta%/min; P = 0.025). The urinary sodium excretion response to icv 126 ng insulin microinjection was significantly attenuated by combined administration of L-NAME (126 ng insulin: 1935 +/- 258.3 Delta%/min; L-NAME + 126 ng insulin: 582.3 +/- 69.6 Delta%/min; P = 0.01). Insulin-induced natriuresis occurred by increasing post-proximal sodium excretion, despite an unchanged glomerular filtration rate. Although the rationale for decreased urinary sodium excretion induced by combined icv L-NAME and insulin administration is unknown, it is tempting to suggest that perhaps one of the efferent signals triggered by insulin in the CNS may be nitrergic in nature.

Correlação entre a proporção de fibras rápidas do músculo bíceps braquial e o torque relativo da flexão do cotovelo em sujeitos com hipótese clínica de miopatia / Correlation between the proportion of fast fibers in the biceps brachii muscle and the relative torque during elbow flexion in subjects with clinical hypothesis of myopathy

A produção de força muscular pode estar comprometida em pacientes portadores de miopatias. Estas representam um grupo heterogêneo de doenças com distintas características clínicas e morfológicas. Supõe-se que achados de desempenho funcional estejam relacionados com o tipo predominante de fibra expresso no músculo em análise. OBJETIVO: Correlacionar a proporção das fibras tipo 2 (FT2) do músculo bíceps braquial de sujeitos com hipótese clínica de miopatia (HCM) com picos de torque isométrico e isocinético de flexão do cotovelo. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo sete sujeitos com HCM: quatro do sexo feminino com média de idade de 37 anos (dp= 9), peso de 73kg (dp= 26) e altura de 155cm (dp= 6); e três do sexo masculino com média de idade de 39 anos (dp= 1), peso de 88kg (dp= 5) e altura de 172cm (dp= 4). Pela técnica histoquímica de mATPase, foi realizada análise de proporção das fibras musculares. Após um mês da realização das biópsias, os sujeitos realizaram teste de força isométrica e isocinética concêntrica de flexão e extensão do cotovelo em dinamômetro isocinético. Avaliou-se o pico de torque (PT) isométrico a 90ºs-Õ e 180ºs-Õ e calculou-se o torque relativo 90 (TR90) e 180 (TR180). Para análise estatística, utilizou-se correlação de Spearman (r). RESULTADOS: A proporção de FT2 se correlacionou positivamente com TR180 (r= 0,89, p= 0,01). Uma moderada correlação foi encontrada entre FT2 e TR90 (r= 0,75, p= 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados sugerem que o comportamento contrátil das FT2 não foi modificado nestes sujeitos. O dinamômetro isocinético mostrou ser um instrumento que pode avaliar, de forma não invasiva, a predominância do tipo de fibra muscular.

Muscular strength production may be impaired in myopathic patients. Myopathies represent a heterogeneous group of diseases with distinct clinical and morphological characteristics. It has been hypothesized that functional performance findings may be related to the predominant fiber type expressed in the muscle analyzed. OBJECTIVE: To correlate the proportion of type 2 fibers in the biceps brachii muscles of subjects with a clinical hypothesis of myopathy with their peak isometric and isokinetic torque during elbow flexion. METHOD: Seven subjects with a clinical hypothesis of myopathy participated in this study: four females of mean age 37 years (sd = 9), weight 73kg (sd= 26) and height 155cm (sd= 6); and three males of mean age 39 years (sd= 1), weight 88kg (sd= 5) and height 172cm (sd= 4). The muscle fiber proportion was analyzed using the mATPase technique. One month after taking biopsies, the subjects performed concentric isometric and isokinetic strength tests for elbow flexion and extension using an isokinetic dynamometer. The isometric and isokinetic peak torques at 90ºs-Õ and 180ºs-Õ were evaluated and the relative 90º (RT90) and 180º (RT180) torques were calculated. Spearman's correlation (r) was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The proportion of type 2 fibers correlated positively with RT180 (r= 0.89, p= 0.01), and there was a moderate correlation with RT90 (r= 0.75, p= 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the contractile behavior of type 2 fibers was not modified in these subjects. The isokinetic dynamometer was shown to be an instrument capable of noninvasively evaluating muscle fiber type predominance.

Biochemical and hematological study of goats envenomed with natural and 60Co-irradiated bothropic venom

Venoms from snakes of the Bothrops genus are proteolytic, coagulant, hemorrhagic and nephrotoxic, causing edema, necrosis, hemorrhage and intense pain at the bite site, besides systemic alterations. Many adjuvants have been added to the venom used in the sensitization of antiserum-producer animals to increase antigenic induction and reduce the envenomation pathological effects. Gamma radiation from 60Co has been used as an attenuating agent of the venoms toxic properties. The main objective was to study, comparatively, clinical and laboratory aspects of goats inoculated with bothropic (Bothrops jararaca) venom, natural and irradiated from a 60Co source. Twelve goats were divided into two groups of six animals: GINV, inoculated with 0.5mg/kg of natural venom; and GIIV, inoculated with 0.5mg/kg of irradiated venom. Blood samples were collected immediately before and one, two, seven, and thirty days after venom injection. Local lesions were daily evaluated. The following exams were carried out: blood tests; biochemical tests of urea, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate amino-transferase (AST) and alanine amino-transferase (ALT); clotting time; platelets count; and total serum immunoglobulin measurement. In the conditions of the present experiment, irradiated venom was less aggressive and more immunogenic than natural venom.(AU)

Articaine and lignocaine efficiency in infiltration anaesthesia: a pilot study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the onset of action of pulpal and soft tissue anaesthesia, and pain experience after buccal and palatal infiltrative injections with 4% articaine with 1:100,000 adrenaline, and 2% lignocaine with 1:100,000 adrenaline. METHOD: A double blind cross-over study was conducted with 20 healthy adult subjects who, in two appointments at least two weeks apart, randomly received an infiltration anaesthesia with the solutions in the buccal and palatal regions of the upper right canine. The tooth was tested with a pulp tester before (to establish its baseline response), and after the injection, until return to the base threshold level. The pain experience caused by palatal injection was verified by the visual analogue scale (VAS). Data were analysed using Wilcoxons test (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: There were no significant statistical differences between the solutions with respect to VAS (p = 0.45), onset of action (p = 0.80) and pulpal (p = 0.08) and soft tissue (p = 0.18) anaesthesia duration, although pulpal anaesthesia may have reached statistical significance if a higher number of volunteers had been used. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study it can be concluded that both anaesthetic solutions showed similar pain experience.

Fungal flora of the digestive tract of 5 species of triatomines vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, Chagas 1909.

A study of the mycobiota in the digestive tract of 5 important species of triatomines, Triatoma brasiliensis, T infestans, T. sordida, T. pseudomaculata and T. vitticeps, was made. The digestive tracts of 164 adults and 535 nymphs of those triatomines were studied and 393 fungal strains were isolated. The genera with the greatest number of species were Penicillium (19 species), Aspergillus (17 species) and Acremonium (5 species) and the most frequent species, in decreasing order, were Penicillium corylophilum, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium felluttanum, Cladosporium herbarum, Penicillium waksmanii, Aspergillus awamori and Paecilomyces variotii. Among the isolated fungi, we found species that are recognized as entomopathogenic and pathogenic for humans and animals.

Pollen spectrum of honey of "uruçu" bee (Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811).

In spite of the importance of the "uruçu" bee as honey producer of excellent quality, as well, potential pollinator both in agricultural and natural ecosystems, mainly in North-eastern Brazil, just some information is found in literature about sources that such bees utilize to collect nectar and pollen. The identification of the plants visited by Melipona scutellaris was accomplished with base on the analysis of pollen types found in the honey samples collected every two months, from March 1997 to February 1998, in 15 colonies located in Catu, State of Bahia, Brazil (12 degrees 21'00"S, 38 degrees 22'40"W, 76 m of altitude). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the pollen types were carried out determining the percentage and occurrence classes. Twenty-eight pollen types were found, being considered dominant pollen, the Eucalyptus spp. and Psidium sp. types and secondary pollen, Bauhinia sp., Caesalpinia sp. and Mimosa verrucata types. It was verified dominant pollen of Eucalyptus spp. in honeys produced in November/December 1997 and January/February 1998. The families Caesalpiniaceae (14%), Mimosaceae (25%) and Myrtaceae (56%) were the most represented in the pollen spectrum.

The entomopathogenic potential of Aspergillus spp. in mosquitoes vectors of tropical diseases.

Eleven strains of the most frequent Aspergillus species found in a survey of Brazilian mosquitoes collected in the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were used for bioassays in second-stage larvae of Aedes fluviatilis and Culex quinquefasciatus. Aspergillus ochraceus, A. kanagawaensis and one strain of A. sulphureus were most effective, causing mortality in at least 80% of the larvae of the two mosquito species tested. Variations in entomopathogenic capacity were observed in the experiments with strains of A. sulphureus, A. flavus and A. ochraceus.

Pollen spectrum of honey of "uruçu" bee (Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811)

In spite of the importance of the "uruçu" bee as honey producer of excellent quality, as well, potential pollinator both in agricultural and natural ecosystems, mainly in North-eastern Brazil, just some information is found in literature about sources that such bees utilize to collect nectar and pollen. The identification of the plants visited by Melipona scutellaris was accomplished with base on the analysis of pollen types found in the honey samples collected every two months, from March 1997 to February 1998, in 15 colonies located in Catu, State of Bahia, Brazil (12§21'00"S, 38§22'40"W, 76 m of altitude). Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the pollen types were carried out determining the percentage and occurrence classes. Twenty-eight pollen types were found, being considered dominant pollen, the Eucalyptus spp. and Psidium sp. types and secondary pollen, Bauhinia sp., Caesalpinia sp. and Mimosa verrucata types. It was verified dominant pollen of Eucalyptus spp. in honeys produced in November/December 1997 and January/February 1998. The families Caesalpiniaceae (14 percent), Mimosaceae (25 percent) and Myrtaceae (56 percent) were the most represented in the pollen spectrum