Effects of reducing, stabilizing, and antibiotic agents on "Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis".

Anaerobic ammon ium oxidizing (anammox) bacteria oxidize ammonium and reduce nitrite, producing N2, and could play a major role in energy-optimized wastewater treatment. However, sensitivity to various environmental conditions and slow growth currently hinder their wide application. Here, we attempted to determine online the effect of environmental stresses on anammox bacteria by using an overnight batch activity test with whole cells, in which anammox activity was calculated by quantifying N2 production via headspace-pressure monitoring. A planktonic mixed culture dominated by "Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis" strain CSTR1 was cultivated in a 30-L semi-continuous stirring tank reactor. In overnight resting-cell anammox activity tests, oxygen caused strong inhibition of anammox activity, which was reversed by sodium sulfite (30 µM). The tested antibiotics sulfamethoxazole, kanamycin, and ciprofloxacin elicited their effect on a dose-dependent manner; however, strain CSTR1 was highly resistant to sulfamethoxazole. Anammox activity was improved by activated carbon and Fe2O3. Protein expression analysis from resting cells after anammox activity stimulation revealed that NapC/NirT family cytochrome c (KsCSTR_12840), hydrazine synthase, hydrazine dehydrogenase, hydroxylamine oxidase, and nitrate:nitrite oxidoreductase were upregulated, while a putative hydroxylamine oxidoreductase HAO (KsCSTR_49490) was downregulated. These findings contribute to the growing knowledge on anammox bacteria physiology, eventually leading to the control of anammox bacteria growth and activity in real-world application. KEY POINTS: • Sulfite additions can reverse oxygen inhibition of the anammox process • Anammox activity was improved by activated carbon and ferric oxide • Sulfamethoxazole marginally affected anammox activity.

Toxicity assessment of marjoram and pomegranate aqueous extracts for Cobb chicken, non-target organisms of pest control.

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of 5% aqueous extracts of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) on Cobb chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus L.), as a model to birds as non-target organisms for pest control. The extracts were prepared using dried ground leaves. The powder obtained was then added to distilled water to obtain 5% extract (w/v). After 48 h, the plant extracts were filtered and added to the feed of 36 female birds. For that, the chicken (12 days old) were acclimated for 3 days before starting the experiment. The plant extracts were administered for 6 days, always preceded by at least 14-h starvation. The birds were evaluated for 11 days, assessing behaviour, feed consumption and animal performance. After sacrificing the birds, histopathological examination was performed, and intestinal villi were measured. No death nor any alteration occurred during the experiment. There was no statistical difference among the treatments regarding feed consumption and performance even though there was intestinal villi reduction.

Compostos Fenólicos e Atividade Antioxidante de Goiaba (Psidium guajava L.) Fresca e Congelada

A fruta de Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) possui alta aceitação no mercado tanto no consumo in natura como na forma processada, devido as suas propriedades nutritivas, sensoriais e biofuncionais. Por outro lado, apresenta uma vida útil muito curta, o que leva a produção de polpas congeladas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade antioxidante e teor de compostos fenólicos presentes na fruta da goiaba (Psidium guajava L.) verde, madura e congelada por 30 e 60 dias. As frutas foram adquiridas em supermercado no 1º estágio de maturação, depois de armazenadas à temperatura ambiente por 5 dias (madura) e levadas para congelamento por 30 e 60 dias. O conteúdo de fenóis totais foi determinado pelo método de Folin-Ciocalteau. A atividade antioxidante dos extratos foi analisada pelo método do sequestro do radical DPPH. O teor de compostos fenólicos variaram de 40,10 a 112,49 mg EAG.100g-1, respectivamente para goiaba madura e congelada por 30 dias. A capacidade oxidante de inibir os radicais livres variou de 46,53% para congelado por 30 dias a 98,84% para goiaba madura. Todos os extratos apresentaram compostos fenólicos e boa atividade antioxidante. O consumo da goiaba deve ser estimulado pela sua propriedade funcional.

Efeito de extratos aquosos vegetais sobre a lagarta-do-cartucho / Effect of aqueous plant extracts on the fall armyworm

Spodoptera frugiperda, conhecida como lagarta-do-cartucho, é considerada uma das principais pragas do milho. Como medida alternativa aos agroquímicos, o uso de plantas inseticidas, além de preservar o ambiente, reduz os custos de produção e torna-se uma prática adequada para a agricultura sustentável. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a ação inseticida de extratos aquosos de folhas de eucalipto (Eucaplyptus robusta), guaco (Mikania laevigata)e folhas e frutos de pimenta (Capsicum baccatum). Os extratos a 10% foram incorporados em dieta artificial de Spodoptera frugiperda, mantidas em condições de laboratório (26 ± 2°C, umidade relativa de 60 ± 5% e fotofase de 16 horas). Foram utilizados 5 tratamentos com 4 repetições cada, sendo 15 lagartas por repetição. Avaliaram-se a duração da fase larval, mortalidade diária, peso das lagartas ao 10o dia e das pupas após 24 horas e quantidade de machos e fêmeas. Observou-se que os extratos de E. robusta e folhas de C. baccatum resultaram em maior mortalidade e menor peso na fase larval, sendo promissores para testes em campo no controle dessa praga.(AU)

Spodoptera frugiperda, fall armyworm, is considered as one of the main pests of corn crops. As an alternative measure to pesticides, the use of insecticidal plants, aside from protecting the environment, reduces production costs and becomes a practice of sustainable agriculture. Thus, the objective of this work was to verify the insecticidal action of aqueous leaf extracts of Eucaplyptus robusta, Mikania laevigata and leaves and fruits of Capsicum baccatum, when incorporated into artificial diet for Spodoptera frugiperda, maintained under laboratory conditions (26 ± 2°C, relative humidity of 60 ± 5% and photoperiod of 16 hours). Larval stage duration, daily mortality, weight of larvae on the 10th day and of pupae after 24 hours were verified, as well as daily mortality of larvae. It was observed that the extracts of E. robusta and leaves of C. baccatum showed higher mortality and lower weight in the larval stage, and are promising for field tests to control this pest.(AU)

[Selectivity of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae to Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)]. / Seletividade de Beauveria bassiana e Metarhizium anisopliae a Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).

Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are efficient biological control agents and are thought to be used jointly. In here, we investigated if these entomopathogens could have any side-effects on T. pretiosum. Therefore, 1 x 8 cards containing sterilized eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) that were sprayed with 0.2 ml of B. bassiana or M. anisopliae (1.0 x 10(9) conidia/ml) were offered to a T. pretiosum female for 24h (30 cards/fungus = 30 replicates). Afterwards, females were isolated in glass tubes. The control group was sprayed with sterile distillated water + Tween 80 (0.01%). In addition, 60 cards with sterilized eggs of A. kuehniella were submitted to parasitism by females of T. pretiosum for 24h. Of these cards, 30 were sprayed with B. bassiana or M. anisopliae and 30 with distillated water + Tween 80 (0.01%), and observed daily until parasitoid emergence. Metarhizium anisopliae decreased parasitoid emergence and caused confirmed mortality. Therefore, field and semi-field experiments should be conducted for a final assessment of the side-effects of these entomopathogens on Trichogramma as a ways to develop a control strategy in which both can be used.

Acidentes com aranhas do gênero Loxosceles spp. em Laranjeiras do Sul – PR / Accidents with Loxosceles spiders in Laranjeiras do Sul – PR

As aranhas do gênero Loxosceles são responsáveis por milhares de acidentes no Brasil a cada ano, sendo o Paraná o estado com maior número de casos notificados ao SINAN, respondendo por mais de 35% dos acidentes notificados em 2011. A picada da aranha-marrom resulta em lesões necróticas que podemresultar em úlcera de difícil cicatrização. Em casos extremos, os acidentes com estas aranhas podemlevar ao óbito, devido à sua ação sistêmica. Apesar da grande importância para a saúde pública, pouco se sabe a respeito dos casos de acidentes loxoscélicos no interior do Paraná. Desta forma, o objetivo destetrabalho foi analisar a epidemiologia dos casos registrados de picada de aranha-marrom em Laranjeiras do Sul, Paraná, de 2006 a 2008, visando ao aprimoramento de medidas profiláticas e do diagnóstico do loxoscelismo. Os dados foram coletados na Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Laranjeiras do Sul, entre os anos de 2006 e 2008. Neste período, 0,13% da população sofreu por picadas de Loxosceles. Dentre os casos documentados no período, 42,5 % ocorreram nos meses de novembro e dezembro com 70% nazona urbana, sendo 85% dos acidentes dentro de casa. Em relação às vítimas, 67,5% foram mulheres, sendo 22,5%, donas-de-casa. Com relação ao local da picada, 46% atingiram o membro inferior da vítima, e os principais sintomas foram dor no local da picada (82,5%) e edema (80%). Na maior parte dos casos, os pacientes procuraram atendimento médico com até três horas após a picada (40%) ouapós 24 horas (37,5%). Conclui-se que, mais estudos deveriam ser desenvolvidos a fim de obter-se opanorama epidemiológico dos acidentes aracnídicos no estado do Paraná.

Loxosceles spiders are responsible for thousands of accidents in Brazil every year, being Parana the state with major number of cases notified to SINAN, responsible for over 35% of the cases in 2011. Its bite results in necrotic injuries in the skin which may turn in a difficult scarring ulcer. In extreme cases,those accidents may lead to death, due to its systemic action. Despite their great importance for public health, little is known about loxoscelic accidents in the countryside of Paraná. Thus, the objective of this work was to analyse the epidemiology of the registered cases of brown-spider bites in Laranjeiras do Sul, Parana, from 2006 to 2008, aiming the improvement of preventive measures and the diagnosisof loxoscelism. The data was collected in the Secretaria Municipal de Saúde of Laranjeiras do Sul, between the years 2006 and 2008. In this period, 0,13% of the population suffered from Loxosceles bites. Among the cases documented in this period, 42,5% took place in November and December with 70% in the urbane zone, being 85% of the accidents indoors. Regarding the victims, 67.5% were women, 22,5% of them, housekeepers. 46% of the spider bites were in the inferior member of thevictim. The main symptoms were pain in the place of the bite (82,5%) and edema (80%). In most cases, the patients looked for medical care up to three hours after the accident (40%) or after 24 hours (37,5%). In conclusion, more studies should be performed to build the general epidemiologic panorama of spider bites in Paraná.

Seletividade de Beauveria bassiana e Metarhizium anisopliae a Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) / Selectivity of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae to Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are efficient biological control agents and are thought to be used jointly. In here, we investigated if these entomopathogens could have any side-effects on T. pretiosum. Therefore, 1 x 8 cards containing sterilized eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) that were sprayed with 0.2 ml of B. bassiana or M. anisopliae (1.0 × 10(9) conidia/ml) were offered to a T. pretiosum female for 24h (30 cards/fungus = 30 replicates). Afterwards, females were isolated in glass tubes. The control group was sprayed with sterile distillated water + Tween 80 (0.01 percent). In addition, 60 cards with sterilized eggs of A. kuehniella were submitted to parasitism by females of T. pretiosum for 24h. Of these cards, 30 were sprayed with B. bassiana or M. anisopliae and 30 with distillated water + Tween 80 (0.01 percent), and observed daily until parasitoid emergence. Metarhizium anisopliae decreased parasitoid emergence and caused confirmed mortality. Therefore, field and semi-field experiments should be conducted for a final assessment of the side-effects of these entomopathogens on Trichogramma as a ways to develop a control strategy in which both can be used.

O parasitóide Trichogramma pretiosum Riley e os fungos entomopatogênicos Beauveria bassiana e Metarhizium anisopliae são considerados eficientes agentes de controle biológico e podem ser empregados concomitantemente em algumas situações. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar quais os efeitos desses entomopatógenos sobre T. pretiosum. Foram usadas cartelas de 1 × 8 cm contendo ovos esterilizados de Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) pulverizadas com 0,2 ml de B. bassiana ou M. anisopliae (1,0 × 10(9) conídios/ml) e mantidas individualmente com uma fêmea de T. pretiosum por 24h, totalizando 30 cartelas para cada fungo. Posteriormente, as fêmeas foram individualizadas em tubos de vidro. A testemunha consistiu na pulverização de água destilada estéril + Tween 80 (0,01 por cento). Paralelamente, 60 cartelas contendo ovos esterilizados de A. kuehniella foram submetidas ao parasitismo por fêmeas de T. pretiosum por 24h. Destas, 30 cartelas foram pulverizadas com B. bassiana ou M. anisopliae e 30 com água destilada estéril + 0,01 por cento, Tween 80, sendo os ovos observados diariamente até a emergência do parasitóide. Metarhizium anisopliae provocou diminuição na emergência de T. pretiosum e causou mortalidade confirmada. Assim, experimentos de campo e de semi-campo devem ser conduzidos para a avaliação final dos efeitos nocivos desses entomopatógenos a Trichogramma, para que estratégias de controle conjuntas possam ser desenvolvidas para esses agentes de controle.