Exogenous enzyme complex prevents intestinal soybean meal-induced enteritis in Mugil liza (Valenciennes, 1836) juvenile.

Four soybean meal-based diets containing increasing levels of an enzyme complex (E50, E100, E150 and E200 at 50, 100, 150 and 200 g ton-1, respectively) and one soybean meal-based diet without the enzyme complex (E0) were fed in triplicate to M. liza juveniles in a semi-static flow system with 20 fish per tank for 75 days. There were no differences between the treatments for animal performance parameters, but fish fed the enzyme complex treatment exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher values of calcium bone retention compared with control fish. Although there was no relationship between bacterial counts in different sections of the gastrointestinal tract or enzyme levels, filamentous bacteria were increased in E50 compared with E150. All of the treatments resulted in higher bacterial counts in the stomach than in intestinal segments. Histological screening showed serious to moderate infiltration of inflammatory cells, modification in villus morphology and necrosis in some cases in fish fed the E0 diet. In addition, fish from the E0 treatment exhibited significantly (P<0.05) lower lipid deposition in the peritoneal cavity. Therefore, the use of low levels of exogenous enzyme is recommended in diets for M. liza when soybean meal is used as the main source of protein.

Frequency of Fabry disease in male and female haemodialysis patients in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Fabry disease (FD), an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder, is caused by a reduced activity of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. The disorder ultimately leads to organ damage (including renal failure) in males and females. However, heterozygous females usually present a milder phenotype with a later onset and a slower progression. METHODS: A combined enzymatic and genetic strategy was used, measuring the activity of alpha-galactosidase A and genotyping the alpha-galactosidase A gene (GLA) in dried blood samples (DBS) of 911 patients undergoing haemodialysis in centers across Spain. RESULTS: GLA alterations were found in seven unrelated patients (4 males and 3 females). Two novel mutations (p.Gly346AlafsX347 and p.Val199GlyfsX203) were identified as well as a previously described mutation, R118C. The R118C mutation was present in 60% of unrelated patients with GLA causal mutations. The D313Y alteration, considered by some authors as a pseudo-deficiency allele, was also found in two out of seven patients. CONCLUSIONS: Excluding the controversial D313Y alteration, FD presents a frequency of one in 182 individuals (0.55%) within this population of males and females undergoing haemodialysis. Moreover, our findings suggest that a number of patients with unexplained and atypical symptoms of renal disease may have FD. Screening programmes for FD in populations of individuals presenting severe kidney dysfunction, cardiac alterations or cerebrovascular disease may lead to the diagnosis of FD in those patients, the study of their families and eventually the implementation of a specific therapy.

Comparative studies on Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus adult females trespassing commercial nets.

ABSTRACT. The abilities of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus females in trespassing 5 different commercial nets, 2 nets impregnated with deltamethrin or permethrin and 3 non-impregnated nets (Guarany, Perame, and Ricca), were compared. The evaluating parameters were their percent trespassing success, the median trespassing time (TT50), and the relation between mosquito wing sizes and their trespassing success. Some mosquito behavioral traits were also observed. The trespassing success, directly related to opening areas, was found to be lower with impregnated nets for both species. The differences between the mosquito species were significant among all the nets except Ricca. Aedes albopictus showed a very high success rate in trespassing the non-impregnated Perame net and a lower success rate in trespassing Guarany. Aedes albopictus also showed a very high success rate in trespassing pyrethroid-impregnated nets. The TT50 values for the Ricca and Guarany nets were not significantly different between the species, but a significantly lower TT50 value was found for the net with the largest opening (Ricca). The smaller wingspan of Ae. albopictus seems to explain the higher trespassing success of this species.

Determination of trace elements in Sergio mirim: an evaluation of sample preparation methods and detection techniques.

In this work, some trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb) were determined for the first time in the crustacean Sergio mirim (Decapoda: Thalassinidea: Callianassidae) from Southern Coast (Rio Grande, RS) of Brazil. The trace element determination was carried out by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Different microwave radiation-based sample digestion methods were evaluated. The analyte concentration ranged from 1.45 to 3.70 µg g-1 for As, 0.615 to 0.942 µg g-1 for Cd, 0.884 to 7.20 µg g-1 for Cr, 122 to 275 µg g-1 for Cu, and 0.390 to 0.916 µg g-1 for Pb. The limits of quantification for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb were 0.12, 0.01, 0.16, 0.92, and 0.06 µg g-1, respectively. The accuracy was evaluated by results comparison between GF AAS and ICP-MS techniques, as well as by analysis of certified reference materials of fish muscle and oyster tissue, with agreement from 92 to 108%. The feasibility of using Sergio mirim as a promising environmental bioindicator candidate was evaluated, since that it is an abundant organism in the studied area (South cost of Brazil) as well as in other places around the world.

[Larval susceptibility of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus populations to chemical insecticides]. / Susceptibilidade larval de populações de Aedes aegypti e Culex quinquefasciatus a inseticidas químicos.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the susceptibility to chemical insecticides of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypt larvae from areas subjected to control treatments or not. METHODS: Bioassays for diagnostic concentration and multiple concentration were performed for organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides according to World Health Organization parameters. The susceptibility was assessed for mosquito larvae collected from an area not subjected to chemical control (Campinas, State of S o Paulo, SP) and from other areas (Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, MS, and Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, MT), in Brazil, subjected to such treatments. RESULTS: Tests for Culex quinquefasciatus larvae from Campinas, SP, allowed suspicion of resistance to cypermethrin and gave evidence of resistance to cyfluthrin. Larvae of this species collected in Campo Grande, MS, and Campinas, SP, presented resistance to temephos. For the colony from the latter locality, the following resistance rates were established: RR50=6.36 and RR95=4.94, in relation to a standard susceptible strain. Moreover, tests for Aedes aegypti showed similar susceptibility to temephos for a field population from Cuiabá, MT, and a laboratory population. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate resistance of Culex quinquefasciatus to organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides and make evident the need for evaluation and monitoring of the efficiency of insecticides to be used in mosquito control programs.

Exogenous enzyme complex prevents intestinal soybean meal-induced enteritis in Mugil liza (Valenciennes, 1836) juvenile

ABSTRACT Four soybean meal-based diets containing increasing levels of an enzyme complex (E50, E100, E150 and E200 at 50, 100, 150 and 200 g ton-1, respectively) and one soybean meal-based diet without the enzyme complex (E0) were fed in triplicate to M. liza juveniles in a semi-static flow system with 20 fish per tank for 75 days. There were no differences between the treatments for animal performance parameters, but fish fed the enzyme complex treatment exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher values of calcium bone retention compared with control fish. Although there was no relationship between bacterial counts in different sections of the gastrointestinal tract or enzyme levels, filamentous bacteria were increased in E50 compared with E150. All of the treatments resulted in higher bacterial counts in the stomach than in intestinal segments. Histological screening showed serious to moderate infiltration of inflammatory cells, modification in villus morphology and necrosis in some cases in fish fed the E0 diet. In addition, fish from the E0 treatment exhibited significantly (P<0.05) lower lipid deposition in the peritoneal cavity. Therefore, the use of low levels of exogenous enzyme is recommended in diets for M. liza when soybean meal is used as the main source of protein.

Electronic mosquito repellers induce increased biting rates in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae).

Studies have demonstrated that electronic mosquito repellers are useless and that some of them could even increase the attraction of mosquitoes. While testing some electronic repellers, we noted that they also promoted an increase in biting rates. The present work has evaluated three commercial devices and a computer program working on five different sound frequencies. In a test chamber, the number of Aedes aegypti L. bite attempts was computed during four cycles of 3 min each by alternately turning the devices off and on. The mosquito biting rates for five sound frequencies (ranging from 9.6 kHz to 18.2 kHz) initially demonstrated a significant increase (ranging from around 20% to 50%), which decreased from 8.3% to 25.1% when the repellers were turned off. The biting rate significantly increased at 11.8 kHz (33.7%) when the device was turned on again. The danger of using electronic repellers and the role of sound frequencies stimulating mosquito biting are discussed.

Susceptibilidade larval de populaçöes de Aedes aegypti e Culex quinquefasciatus a inseticidas químicos / Larval susceptibility of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus populations to chemical insecticides

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a susceptibilidade a inseticidas químicos de larvas de Culex quinquefasciatus e Aedes aegypti, provenientes de áreas sujeitas ou näo a tratamentos de controle. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas larvas de mosquitos em uma área näo sujeita a tratamentos com inseticidas (Campinas, SP) e em áreas sujeitas a esses tratamentos (Campo Grande, MS e Cuiabá, MT). Foram usados bioensaios com concentraçöes diagnóstico e concentraçöes múltipla de inseticidas organofosforados e piretróides, segundo padräo da Organizaçäo Mundial de Saúde, para avaliar a susceptibilidade dessas larvas. RESULTADOS: Ensaios com larvas de Culex quinquefasciatus de Campinas, SP, permitiram a suspeita de resistência à cipermetrina e evidenciaram resistência à ciflutrina. Larvas dessa espécie coletadas em Campo Grande, MS, e Campinas, SP, apresentaram resistência ao temephos. Para a colônia campineira desta espécie, foram estabelecidas as razöes de resistência: RR50=6,36 e RR95=4,94, com base em linhagem susceptível padräo. Adicionalmente, os testes com Aedes aegypti mostraram susceptibilidade similar ao temephos em uma populaçäo de campo (Cuiabá, MT) e uma de laboratório. CONCLUSOES: Os resultados indicam resistência a organofosforado e piretróides em Culex quinquefasciatus, evidenciando a necessidade de avaliaçöes e monitoramento da efetividade dos inseticidas a serem usados nos programas de controle de mosquitos

Evaluation of Electronic Mosquito-Repelling Devices Using Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) / Avaliação de Aparelhos Eletrônicos Repelentes de Mosquitos Usando-se Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae)

Os aparelhos repelentes de mosquitos Anti-Pic®, Mosquito Repeller® DX-600 e Bye-Bye Mosquito® foram avaliados em caixas de experimentação expondo-se a mão humana a adultos de Aedes albopictus (Skuse). Foram realizados dois conjuntos de experimentos baseados em exposições por 15 min. No primeiro, ambas mãos foram introduzidas na caixa, estando uma delas com o aparelho ligado. No segundo foi introduzida uma mão de cada vez, segurando o aparelho, ligado ou não. Os aparelhos falharam em mostrar eficiência em ambas as avaliações. Uma aparente proteção de 30,3 por cento pelo Anti-Pic® no primeiro conjunto de experimentos não foi confirmada no conjunto seguinte. Discute-se o valor desse recurso na prevenção da dengue.

The mosquito-repelling devices Anti-Pic®, Mosquito Repeller® DX-600 and Bye-Bye Mosquito® were evaluated in boxes for experimentation by exposing human hands to Aedes albopictus (Skuse) adults. Two sets of tests were performed based on 15 min. expositions. In the first set both hands were introduced in the box, one of them holding the device on. In the second set only one hand was introduced each time, holdind the device on or off. The devices failed to show efficiency in both evaluations. A seemingly 30.3 percent repellency due to Anti-Pic® in the first set of experiments was not confirmed in the second set. It was discussed the value of such devices for dengue prevention.

Estudios morfométricos y biológicos de xifidiocercarias provenientes de la infección natural de lymnaea columella y biomphalarias tenagophila recolectados en Miracatu estado Sao Paulo Brasil / Morphometric and biological studies on xiphidiocecariae recovered from lymnaea columella and biomphalaria tenagophila from Miracatu Sao Paulo state Brazil

Two species of xiphidiocercariae probably to the family Haematoloechidae (Trematoda) emerging from Lymnaea columella (Blasommatophora Lymnaeidae) and Biomphalaria tenagophila (Basommatophora, Planorbidae) collected in Miracatu City, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Septembrer 1996 and February 1999 were described. The xiphidiocercariae eliminated by L. columella presented a terminal membrane in the tail that morphologicaly differenciated them from those obtained from B. tenagophila. These late xiphidiocercariae were 1.3 times bigger than the former and with the of that ventral sucker bigger than the oral one, while the former presented a sucker size relation inverse. The stylet observed in the xiphidiocercariae eliminated by B. tenagophila oral sucker was shorter than that observed in xiphidiocercariae obtained from L. columella