[Behavioral response and adaptive cost in resistant and susceptible Plutella xylostella to Chlorantraniliprole].

Diamides have been used worldwide to manage the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), however some strains showed resistance to these molecules. Also, pheromone traps could be used to manage this pest, hence reducing the use of insecticides in the field. Resistant DBM strains may have biological disadvantages in comparison to susceptible strains in areas without sprays, including reduction in fitness or behavioral changes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether DBM strains resistant to chlorantraniliprole showed adaptive costs that could alter male attraction to the sex pheromone, in comparison to susceptible strains in the laboratory and semi-field conditions. First, the LC1, LC10, LC25, and LC50 of DBM to chlorantraniliprole were established, which were 0.003, 0.005, 0.007, and 0.011 mg a.i. liter-1, and 5.88, 24.80, 57.22, and 144.87 mg a.i. liter-1 for the susceptible and resistant strains, respectively. Development and reproduction of DBM strains subjected to those concentrations were compared. Later, male response to the sex pheromone was investigated in a Y-tube in the laboratory and in a greenhouse to pheromone traps. Resistant DBM strain showed an adaptive cost in comparison to the susceptible strain that can result in a delay in population growth in the field when selection pressure is absent. Conversely, resistant males have no olfactory response alteration in comparison to susceptible males, consistently at 3 (P = 0.6848) and 7 days (P = 0.9140) after release, suggesting that pheromone traps continue to be a viable alternative to manage DBM in an IPM system.

Anatomical relationship between mitral valve annulus and circumflex artery and its surgical implications.

BACKGROUND: Performing surgical procedures around the mitral valve (MV) annulus can cause iatrogenic lesions on the circumflex artery (Cx). The risk of this iatrogenesis comes from the proximity between this vessel and the MV annulus. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between the MV annulus and the Cx at different spots of its path and highlight the risks of its damage. METHODS: Fifty cadaveric adult human hearts were studied. Each heart was categorized depending on coronary dominance, and Cx was classified in type 1 (Cx giving off only the left posterior ventricular artery) and type 2 (Cx reaching the crux cordis and giving off the posterior interventricular branch). Three reference spots were chosen: A- when Cx begins to run across the coronary sulcus; B- immediately before the left posterior ventricular artery emerges and C- in the midpoint of the two previous points; to measure the diameter of the Cx and the MV annulus. Values of P<0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 43 (86%) hearts were classified in type 1. These hearts showed that the diameter of the Cx in spot A is bigger than in the B and C spots (P=0.001). The 7 hearts (14%) classified in type 2 did not exhibit a difference in the diameter of the Cx in the A, B and C spots (NS). Also, the thickness of the fibrous annulus, in type 1 and type 2 hearts were not different between the three spots (NS). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the diameter of the Cx varies depending on the heart type. This knowledge might improve the success rate of cardiac surgeries and decrease the rates of iatrogenic Cx lesions.

Mating system, age, and reproductive performance in Tenuisvalvae notata, a long-lived ladybird beetle.

The long-lived polygynandrous ladybird beetle Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) found in Brazil was evaluated in the laboratory for the effects of multiple mating and aging on its reproductive performance. This species is native to South America and is an important predator of mealybugs. Specifically studied were partner choice, female reproductive success, adult longevity, male virility, and offspring development. Young (5-10 days old) and older virgin females (95-100 days old) were subjected to either a single mate or multiple mating with the same or different males of various mating status (virgin or previously mated once, twice, and thrice). Results revealed a preference in both genders to mate with previously known partners. Additionally, younger females had higher fecundity and greater longevity when mated only once in comparison to those mated multiple times. Fecundity, fertility, and offspring development were similar across the treatments regardless of the number of mating or male mating history. Fecundity and fertility decreased throughout the oviposition period regardless of mating treatment.

Survival and behavioural responses of the predatory ladybird beetle, Eriopis connexa populations susceptible and resistant to a pyrethroid insecticide.

The ladybird beetle, Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is one of the commonest predators of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the cotton agroecosystem and in many other row and fruit crops in Brazil, and has been introduced into other countries such as the USA for purposes of aphid control. In addition, the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is the most serious cotton pest where it occurs, including Brazil. Controlling boll weevils and other pests such as cotton defoliators still tends to involve the intense application of insecticides to secure cotton production. The pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) is commonly used, but this compound is not effective against aphids; hence, a desirable strategy would be to maintain E. connexa populations in cotton fields where LCT is applied. Using populations of E. connexa resistant (Res) and susceptible (Sus) to LCT, we compared behavioural responses on treated cotton plants and under confinement on partially and fully treated surfaces, and assessed the insects' survival on treated plants compared with that of the boll weevil. The E. connexa resistant population caged on treated plants with 15 and 75 g a.i. ha-1 exhibited ≫82% survival for both insecticide concentrations compared with ≪3% and ≪17% survival for susceptible E. connexa populations and boll weevils, respectively. The response of E. connexa Res and Sus populations when released, either on the soil or on the plant canopy, indicated avoidance towards treated plants, as measured by elapsed time to assess the plant. When compared with susceptible individuals, resistant ones took longer time to suffer insecticide knockdown, had a higher recovery rate after suffering knockdown, and spent more time in the plant canopy. Based on behavioural parameters evaluated in treated arenas, no ladybird beetles exhibited repellency. However, irritability was evident, with the susceptible population exhibiting greater irritability compared with the resistant population and a subgroup comprising resistant individuals that had recovered from knockdown. The outcomes for the E. connexa Res population indicate a promising strategy for its maintenance when using the insecticide LCT in integrated pest management schemes to control boll weevil or other non-target pest of ladybird beetles in cotton fields.

Cardiac beta-adrenergic mediated chrono- and inotropic effects of imipramine in vitro.

Clinical and experimental studies show that tricyclic antidepressants in "therapeutic plasma concentrations" can increase heart rate, myocardial contractility and blood pressure. Our study was undertaken to analyze the role of beta-adrenergic stimulation in the chronotropic and inotropic effects of imipramine. Strips of rat right atrium including the sinus node, which were beating spontaneously, were used to study chronotropism. Strips of the left atrium, electrically stimulated to beat at 1 Hz, were used to study inotropism. The preparations were superfused in vitro with Tyrode's solution at 37 degrees C and exposed to imipramine while recording membrane potentials or force of contraction. Imipramine exerted dose-dependent biphasic actions. Imipramine 0.8 microM produced positive chronotropic and inotropic actions which were blocked by propranolol. Imipramine 1.6 microM depressed the sinus node automaticity, but it did not modify the force of contraction. Imipramine 3.2 microM depressed both the sinus node automaticity and the myocardial contractility. In conclusion, imipramine in "therapeutic plasma concentrations" produces beta-adrenergic mediated cardiac positive chronotropic and inotropic actions. The possible mechanisms of the depressant effects of imipramine itself on automaticity and contractility are still not clear. The results presented can explain stimulatory and depressant cardiac effects of therapeutic doses and overdoses of tricyclic antidepressants.

Actions and interactions of ethanol and imipramine on the rat sinus node.

We studied the actions and interactions of ethanol and imipramine on the sinus node. Strips of the right rat atrium including the sinus node were superfused with Tyrode's solution at 37 degrees C while beating spontaneously. The preparations were exposed to imipramine or ethanol alone as well as to the two drugs in combination while recording membrane potentials with standard intracellular microelectrodes. The results obtained show that ethanol 0.8 and 2.4 g/l exerted a positive chronotropic action. On the other hand, imipramine 0.25 mg/l did not modify the sinus node rate. However, it reduced significantly the positive chronotropic action of ethanol. The sinus node rate decreased under the action of a higher concentration of imipramine (1 mg/l). When ethanol was tested in combination with this concentration of imipramine, the effect of the latter prevailed. In conclusion, a concentration of imipramine that did not affect the sinus node rate antagonized the positive chronotropic action of ethanol. In addition, the negative chronotropic action of a higher concentration of imipramine prevailed over the positive action of ethanol. The results obtained provide additional support to the notion that the use of ethanol and cardioactive drugs in combination may result in significant changes in the actions of either of the two, or both. This is of clinical relevance, since at least some of the individuals under treatment with cardioactive drugs will be alcoholics and/or social drinkers.

Performance of the Striped Mealybug Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) under Variable Conditions of Temperature and Mating.

Mealybugs have strong associations with their host plants due to their limitations for dispersal. Thus, environmental conditions and host quality may impact the biological traits of mealybugs. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report on the biology of a Brazilian population of the striped mealybug Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), which has recently been reported to infest cotton in Brazil. We evaluated the development and reproductive performance of F. virgata reared under different temperatures (25, 27, and 28°C) and mating status. The type of reproduction was also studied with insects reared on a factitious host and on cotton plants. Shorter development was obtained at 28°C as follows: nymphs generating males and females exhibited three and four instars with a mean duration of 19.1 and 20.5 days, respectively. The nymphal viability ranged from 77 to 96%, and was highest at 25°C. Females reared at 28°C initiated reproduction earlier (16.4 days), but the reproductive period was similar in all temperatures (∼16.2 days). Females produced more nymphs at 27 and 28°C (440 and 292 neonates) than at 25°C (277 neonates), although they lived longer at 25°C (63 days). Ferrisia virgata females exhibited only sexual reproduction. Thus, only mated females produced offspring, whereas unmated females died without reproducing. Therefore, the studied population of F. virgata exhibited only sexual reproduction with high survival and offspring production when fed cotton. Furthermore, pumpkin is a feasible host for mass rearing this mealybug species in the laboratory, an opening avenue for future studies.

Resuscitation fluid composition and myocardial performance during burn shock.

The present study examines the effects of resuscitation fluid composition on myocardial function, myocardial high-energy phosphate content, and survival following third-degree anesthetic burn to 35-40% body surface area in the guinea pig. Treatment regimens used were 1) no resuscitation, 2) isotonic saline, 3) Ringer's lactate and 4) Ringer's acetate. Fluids were administered at the rate of 0.334 ml/kg/hr/% burn for 4 hr following injury, at which time myocardial function was assessed. Nonburned animals served as controls. In isolated working hearts, significant depression of myocardial function was observed in nonresuscitated and saline-resuscitated animals as evidenced by decreased cardiac output, dP/dt, -dP/dt, and stroke work. Lactate resuscitation produced some improvement in these parameters but did not restore them to those of nonburned control animals. In contrast, Ringer's acetate resuscitation resulted in normal cardiac output and contractility. Myocardial ATP content of hearts obtained from the various resuscitation groups did not differ from that of nonburned control hearts, except for hearts from Ringer's lactate group, which were significantly lower in myocardial ATP than those of the other groups. No differences were found in creatine phosphate content. Resuscitation with the different fluid regimens for 48 hr produced significant differences in survival. Fluids were given at the rate of 4 ml/kg/% burn for 24 hr. Half of the fluid was given in the first 8 hr and the rest during the remaining 16 hr. Nonresuscitated and saline-resuscitated animals showed significant mortality by 24 hr, whereas lactate- and acetate-treated animals had survival rates of 100% and 87.5%, respectively. However, by 48 hr, only acetate-treated animals survived. These data indicate that important differences exist in the effectiveness of different resuscitation fluids and that Ringer's lactate, the fluid most often utilized clinically, may not provide optimum benefit. In light of these results, serious consideration should be given to the substitution of acetate for lactate during the resuscitation of burn shock patients.