Survivorship Care in Middle-Income Countries: A Guideline Development for Colombia Using Breast Cancer as a Model.

Cancer survival has significantly increased during the past few decades, making survivorship care a key element of cancer control and posing several challenges for long-term care in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Most survivorship care guidelines emphasize the potential role of primary care physicians and the need for comprehensive care, with a preference for patient-centered over disease-centered approaches. However, guidelines developed in high-income countries are not always suitable for LMIC, where a shortage of oncology workforce, deficient training in primary care, and low access to comprehensive centers frequently induce undertreatment and a lack of follow-up. Despite universal health insurance coverage, Colombia has fragmented cancer care with deficient survivorship care, given its focus on relapse surveillance without integration of supportive care and comorbidity management, in addition to unequal access for low-income populations and distant regions. Using the breast cancer framework, we describe the development of a guideline for survivorship care on the basis of a risk approach and the proper integration of oncology specialists and family physicians. We used a three-phase process to develop recommendations for disease control (disease-centered review), interventions aimed at improving patients' quality of life (patient-centered review), and care delivery (delivery model review). We deem our proposal suitable for middle-income countries, which represents an input for more standardized survivorship care in these settings.

COVID-19 vaccines reduce mortality in hospitalized patients with oxygen requirements: Differences between vaccine subtypes. A multicontinental cohort study.

The aim of this study was to analyze whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine reduces mortality in patients with moderate or severe COVID-19 disease requiring oxygen therapy. A retrospective cohort study, with data from 148 hospitals in both Spain (111 hospitals) and Argentina (37 hospitals), was conducted. We evaluated hospitalized patients for COVID-19 older than 18 years with oxygen requirements. Vaccine protection against death was assessed through a multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching. We also performed a subgroup analysis according to vaccine type. The adjusted model was used to determine the population attributable risk. Between January 2020 and May 2022, we evaluated 21,479 COVID-19 hospitalized patients with oxygen requirements. Of these, 338 (1.5%) patients received a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 379 (1.8%) were fully vaccinated. In vaccinated patients, mortality was 20.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.9-24), compared to 19.5% (95% CI: 19-20) in unvaccinated patients, resulting in a crude odds ratio (OR) of 1.07 (95% CI: 0.89-1.29; p = 0.41). However, after considering the multiple comorbidities in the vaccinated group, the adjusted OR was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.56-0.95; p = 0.02) with a population attributable risk reduction of 4.3% (95% CI: 1-5). The higher risk reduction for mortality was with messenger RNA (mRNA) BNT162b2 (Pfizer) (OR 0.37; 95% CI: 0.23-0.59; p < 0.01), ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca) (OR 0.42; 95% CI: 0.20-0.86; p = 0.02), and mRNA-1273 (Moderna) (OR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.41-1.12; p = 0.13), and lower with Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik) (OR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.6-1.45; p = 0.76). COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce the probability of death in patients suffering from a moderate or severe disease (oxygen therapy).

Chronic restraint stress produces sex-specific behavioral and molecular outcomes in the dorsal and ventral rat hippocampus.

Stress-related disorders display differences at multiple levels according to sex. While most studies have been conducted in male rodents, less is known about comparable outcomes in females. In this study, we found that the chronic restraint stress model (2.5 h/day for 14 days) triggers different somatic responses in male and female adult rats. Chronic restraint produced a loss in sucrose preference and novel location preference in male rats. However, chronic restraint failed to produce loss of sucrose preference in females, while it improved spatial performance. We then characterized the molecular responses associated with these behaviors in the hippocampus, comparing the dorsal and ventral poles. Notably, sex- and hippocampal pole-specific transcriptional signatures were observed, along with a significant concordance between the female ventral and male dorsal profiles. Functional enrichment analysis revealed both shared and specific terms associated with each pole and sex. By looking into signaling pathways that were associated with these terms, we found an ample array of sex differences in the dorsal and, to a lesser extent, in the ventral hippocampus. These differences were mainly present in synaptic TrkB signaling, Akt pathway, and glutamatergic receptors. Unexpectedly, the effects of stress on these pathways were rather minimal and mostly dissociated from the sex-specific behavioral outcomes. Our study suggests that female rats are resilient and males susceptible to the restraint stress exposure in the sucrose preference and object location tests, while the activity of canonical signaling pathways is primarily determined by sex rather than stress in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus.

Crystalline morphology of thermoplastic starch/talc nanocomposites induced by thermal processing.

A structural study about the changes induced by plasticization of native corn starch was carried out in this work. The influence of talc nanoparticles presence during starch thermal processing was also evaluated. Macroscopic observation of the granules appearance evolution during melt-mixing and thermo-compression was supported by a theoretical description related to these processing methods. Melt-mixing induced a polymorphic transformation from A- to Vh-type and a reduction in the degree of crystallinity. Homogenous appearance of the plasticized starch was in accordance to the disruption of granules integrity, evidenced by SEM. This observation agreed to the distinctive XRD pattern of plasticized starch from unprocessed granules. Talc incorporation did not require the adjustment of processing parameters in order to obtain a homogenous thermoplastic material, with an adequate particles distribution within the matrix. Regardless talc presence, plasticized starch presented a Vh-type crystalline structure. Thermo-compression led to particles alignment promoted by talc laminar morphology.

Microstructural and techno-functional properties of cassava starch modified by ultrasound.

This work was focused on the correlation between the structural and techno-functional properties of ultrasound treated cassava starch for the preparation of tailor-made starch-based ingredients and derivatives. Furthermore, the effect of treatment time, sample conditioning and ultrasound amplitude was studied. Ultrasonic treatment of cassava starch induced structural disorganization and microstructural changes evidenced mainly in the morphological characteristics of the granules and in their degrees of crystallinity. These structural modifications were supported by ATR-FTIR and SEM and CSLM studies as well as DRX and thermal analysis. The selection of the processing conditions is critical due to the complete gelatinization of the starch was produced with the maximum amplitude tested and without temperature control. Rheological dynamical analysis indicated changes at the molecular level in starch granules due to the ultrasound treated, revealing the paste stability under refrigeration condition. PCA allow to establish the interrelationships between microstructural and techno-functional properties. In summary, different starch derivatives could be obtained by adjusting the ultrasound treatment conditions depending on their potential applications.

Evaluation of PBS Treatment and PEI Coating Effects on Surface Morphology and Cellular Response of 3D-Printed Alginate Scaffolds.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging technology for the fabrication of scaffolds to repair/replace damaged tissue/organs in tissue engineering. This paper presents our study on 3D printed alginate scaffolds treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) coating and their impacts on the surface morphology and cellular response of the printed scaffolds. In our study, sterile alginate was prepared by means of the freeze-drying method and then, used to prepare the hydrogel for 3D printing into calcium chloride, forming 3D scaffolds. Scaffolds were treated with PBS for a time period of two days and seven days, respectively, and PEI coating; then they were seeded with Schwann cells (RSC96) for the examination of cellular response (proliferation and differentiation). In addition, swelling and stiffness (Young's modulus) of the treated scaffolds was evaluated, while their surface morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images revealed significant changes in scaffold surface morphology due to degradation caused by the PBS treatment over time. Our cell proliferation assessment over seven days showed that a two-day PBS treatment could be more effective than seven-day PBS treatment for improving cell attachment and elongation. While PEI coating of alginate scaffolds seemed to contribute to cell growth, Schwann cells stayed round on the surface of alginate over the period of cell culture. In conclusion, PBS-treatment may offer the potential to induce surface physical cues due to degradation of alginate, which could improve cell attachment post cell-seeding of 3D-printed alginate scaffolds.

Unravelling Darwin's entangled bank: architecture and robustness of mutualistic networks with multiple interaction types.

Trying to unravel Darwin's entangled bank further, we describe the architecture of a network involving multiple forms of mutualism (pollination by animals, seed dispersal by birds and plant protection by ants) and evaluate whether this multi-network shows evidence of a structure that promotes robustness. We found that species differed strongly in their contributions to the organization of the multi-interaction network, and that only a few species contributed to the structuring of these patterns. Moreover, we observed that the multi-interaction networks did not enhance community robustness compared with each of the three independent mutualistic networks when analysed across a range of simulated scenarios of species extinction. By simulating the removal of highly interacting species, we observed that, overall, these species enhance network nestedness and robustness, but decrease modularity. We discuss how the organization of interlinked mutualistic networks may be essential for the maintenance of ecological communities, and therefore the long-term ecological and evolutionary dynamics of interactive, species-rich communities. We suggest that conserving these keystone mutualists and their interactions is crucial to the persistence of species-rich mutualistic assemblages, mainly because they support other species and shape the network organization.

Starch extraction process coupled to protein recovery from leguminous tuberous roots (Pachyrhizus ahipa).

The objective of this work was to fit together the starch extraction from Pachyrhizus ahipa roots and the recovery of the proteins present in these storage organs, making an improved use of this novel raw material. The replacement of water by buffer PO4(-3)/NaCl as solvent in the first extraction steps improved protein extraction without lowering the starch yield. The starches obtained from the traditional and the proposed methods exhibited some differences in appearance and technological and thermal properties, which were endorsed to the adjustment in the methodology of extraction rather than to the use of buffer as solvent. Thus, P. ahipa starch obtaining procedure could be coupled to protein extraction with a minimum change in the methodology. This innovation did not significantly shift the characteristics of the starch obtained and allowed to obtain a protein yield of 135.7mg BSA equivalent protein/100g of fresh roots.

Hipotiroidismo congénito y sus manifestaciones bucales / Congenital hypothyrodism and its oral manifestations

El hipotiroidismo es el más común de los trastornos de la tiroides, puede ser congénito si la glándula tiroides no se desarrolla correctamente (hipotiroidismo congénito). La predominancia femenina es una característica. Entre las características odontológicas del hipotiroidismo se observan labios gruesos, lengua de gran tamaño, que debido a su posición suele producir mordida abierta anterior y dientes anteriores en abanico, destaca que la dentición temporal y permanente presentan un retardo eruptivo característico y, aunque los dientes son de tamaño normal, suelen estar apiñados por el tamaño pequeño de los maxilares. Se presentan dos casos clínicos de pacientes de sexo femenino que acuden a la clínica de Especialidad en Odontopediatría de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México con diagnóstico de hipotiroidismo congénito.

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism can be congenital in cases when the thyroid gland does not develop normally. Female predominance is a characteristic of congenital hypothyroidism. Dental characteristics of hypothyroidism are thick lips, a large-sized tongue which, due to its position, can elicit anterior open bite as well as fanned-out anterior teeth. In these cases, delayed eruption of primary and permanent dentitions can be observed, and teeth, even though normal-sized, are crowded due to the small-sized jaws. This study presents clinical cases of female patients diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism who sought treatment at the Dental Pediatrics Unit of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico.

Heat treatment to modify the structural and physical properties of chitosan-based films.

This work was focused on studying the changes undergone by heat-treated chitosan films with and without tannic acid addition by monitoring both microstructure and physical properties. Once the films were submitted to different heat treatments, they exhibited higher barrier properties as well as lower water uptake, solubility, and moisture content. These results were also confirmed through X-ray patterns, which changed from the hydrated to the anhydrous conformation, sharper FTIR peaks specifically associated with water, and shift of T(g) toward higher temperatures determined by DMA. Moreover, the modifications caused by the curing process at a molecular scale were observed at a structural level by using a TEM technique. FTIR evaluation granted new insights into the interactions between tannic acid and chitosan molecules, before and after the heat curing, especially due to the occurrence of new peaks and changes in the wavenumber region 1550-1750 cm(-1).

Glucose increases intracellular free Ca(2+) in tanycytes via ATP released through connexin 43 hemichannels.

The ventromedial hypothalamus is involved in regulating feeding and satiety behavior, and its neurons interact with specialized ependymal-glial cells, termed tanycytes. The latter express glucose-sensing proteins, including glucose transporter 2, glucokinase, and ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP) ) channels, suggesting their involvement in hypothalamic glucosensing. Here, the transduction mechanism involved in the glucose-induced rise of intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+) ](i) ) in cultured ß-tanycytes was examined. Fura-2AM time-lapse fluorescence images revealed that glucose increases the intracellular Ca(2+) signal in a concentration-dependent manner. Glucose transportation, primarily via glucose transporters, and metabolism via anaerobic glycolysis increased connexin 43 (Cx43) hemichannel activity, evaluated by ethidium uptake and whole cell patch clamp recordings, through a K(ATP) channel-dependent pathway. Consequently, ATP export to the extracellular milieu was enhanced, resulting in activation of purinergic P2Y(1) receptors followed by inositol trisphosphate receptor activation and Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores. The present study identifies the mechanism by which glucose increases [Ca(2+) ](i) in tanycytes. It also establishes that Cx43 hemichannels can be rapidly activated under physiological conditions by the sequential activation of glucosensing proteins in normal tanycytes.

Activation of c-Src/HER1/STAT5b and HER1/ERK1/2 signaling pathways and cell migration by hexachlorobenzene in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line.

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is a widespread environmental pollutant. It is a dioxin-like compound and a weak ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) protein. HCB is a tumor cocarcinogen in rat mammary gland and an inducer of cell proliferation and c-Src kinase activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. This study was carried out to investigate HCB action on c-Src and the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1) activities and their downstream signaling pathways, Akt, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 5b, as well as on cell migration in a human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. We also investigated whether the AhR is involved in HCB-induced effects. We have demonstrated that HCB (0.05µM) produces an early increase of Y416-c-Src, Y845-HER1, Y699-STAT5b, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Moreover, our results have shown that the pesticide (15 min) activates these pathways in a dose-dependent manner (0.005, 0.05, 0.5, and 5µM). In contrast, HCB does not alter T308-Akt activation. Pretreatment with a specific inhibitor for c-Src (4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl) pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine [PP2]) prevents Y845-HER1 and Y699-STAT5b phosphorylation. AG1478, a specific HER1 inhibitor, abrogates HCB-induced STAT5b and ERK1/2 activation, whereas 4,7-orthophenanthroline and α-naphthoflavone, two AhR antagonists, prevent HCB-induced STAT5b and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. HCB enhances cell migration evaluated by scratch motility and transwell assays. Pretreatment with PP2, AG1478, and 4,7-orthophenanthroline suppresses HCB-induced cell migration. These results demonstrate that HCB stimulates c-Src/HER1/STAT5b and HER1/ERK1/2 signaling pathways in MDA-MB-231. c-Src, HER1, and AhR are involved in HCB-induced increase in cell migration. The present study makes a significant contribution to the molecular mechanism of action of HCB in mammary carcinogenesis.

Pachyrhizus ahipa (Wedd.) Parodi roots and flour: Biochemical and functional characteristics.

Ahipa roots' chemical composition and physiological parameters were characterised; ahipa flour preparation procedures were selected and the chemical composition and functional properties of these products were studied. Ahipa roots and flour can be considered alternative food sources of gluten-free starch, with a considerable contribution of protein, fibre and minerals, such as potassium, calcium and iron. The grating process for ahipa flour production required a pressing step (AFGP) and the recovery of the starch leached. The slicing procedure (AFS) was simpler and the resulting product showed higher contents of potassium, magnesium, calcium and protein than did AFGP, which showed lower sodium and higher acid detergent fibre contents, together with lower gelatinisation temperature. Both flours differed in terms of α-amylase activity and swelling power, characteristics that may condition their specific applications, such as the incorporation of these flours as gluten-free functional food ingredients.

Valor del método dermatoscópico ®Lista Recapitulativa de los Tres Puntos de Soyer¼ en el diagnóstico de las lesiones cutáneas pigmentadas en pacientes del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras, La Habana-Cuba, 2008 / Value of the Soyer´s Three Point Checklist dermoscopic method in the diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions in patients from ®Hermanos Ameijeiras¼ Hospital, Havana City, Cuba during 2008

OBJETIVO: Determinar el valor diagnóstico del método dermatoscópico ®Lista Recapitulativa de los Tres Puntos de Soyer¼ (LRTPS) en el diagnóstico de las lesiones cutáneas pigmentadas en pacientes del Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras (La Habana-Cuba) durante el año 2008. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con 102 pacientes que asistieron a la Consulta de Dermatoscopía en el Hospital ®Hermanos Ameijeiras¼ de Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba, en el año 2008 para caracterizar la relación de este método de diagnóstico dermatoscópico y el comportamiento biológico de las lesiones cutáneas pigmentadas en el período estudiado. Se calcularon las tasas de sensibilidad y especificidad del método para el puntaje extremo de las lesiones y de las proporciones de malignidad / benignidad para las puntuaciones intermedias. RESULTADOS: La Lista de los Tres Puntos se comportó como un confiable método de alta sensibilidad y especificidad para el diagnóstico de benignidad de las lesiones con puntuación de cero. La sensibilidad para el diagnóstico de malignidad de lesiones con puntuación de tres fue baja, mientras que la especificidad fue alta. Existieron lesiones benignas y malignas con puntuación de 1 y 2, siendo mayor la proporción de lesiones benignas en el primer grupo y de lesiones malignas en el segundo grupo. CONCLUSIÓN: El método demuestra ser una herramienta útil y sencilla para determinar elcomportamiento biológico de las lesiones cutáneas pigmentadas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of dermatoscopic method ®Value of the Soyer´s Three Point Checklist¼ in the diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions in patients from ®Hermanos Ameijeiras¼ Hospital (La Habana-Cuba) during 2008. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive and transversal study was carried out with 102 patients from dermoscopy consultation at ®Hermanos Ameijeiras¼ Hospital, Havana City, Cuba during the year 2008 to characterize the relationship between the diagnostic method and the biological behavior of the pigmented skin lesion in the period studied. The sensibility and specificity rate for the extreme pointed pigmented skin lesions were calculated and also the proportions between malignancy and benignity for the middle pointed lesions. RESULTS: The Three Point Checklist was taken as a reliable method of high sensibility and specificity for the diagnosis of the benignity of the lesion having cero-point. The sensibility to the malignancy diagnosis of three-points lesions was low mean while the specificity was high.There were malignant and benign lesions with one and two points, being higher the proportion of benign lesions in the first group and of malignant lesions in the second one. CONCLUSION: The method shows to be a useful and easy tool to determine the biological behavior of a pigmented skin lesion.

Bioética y trasplantología: su impacto social / Bioethics and transplantation: Its social impact

Los progresos de la medicina, la cirugía, las investigaciones biomédicas y la computación han ampliado el campo de la trasplantología, donde se abren grandes horizontes y posibilidades. La bioética, desde su surgimiento, comenzó a tener enorme impacto en la práctica de la medicina y en la investigación. Los factores técnicos del trasplante de órganos y tejidos deben ser abordados antes que los aspectos bioéticos involucrados, ya que cualquier análisis ético debe hacerse una vez que estén resueltos los problemas técnicos. En este trabajo se exponen algunos de los problemas de la ética médica que surgen en el campo de la trasplantología y de qué forma pueden cumplirse en los pacientes en espera de un órgano o tejido, los principios de la autonomía beneficencia maleficencia y justicia, que constituyen la trinidad de la bioética(AU)

The progresses achieved in medicine, surgery, biomedical researches and computing sciences have increased the transplantation field where there are huge horizons and possibilities. Bioethics, from its appearance, began having a huge impact on medicine and research practices. Technical factors of organ and tissues transplantation must to be approached before than the involved bioethical features since any ethical analysis must to be made once solved the technical problems. In present paper are exposed some of the medical ethics problems appearing in transplantation field and how they may to be fulfilled in patients waiting for an organ or tissue, the principles of autonomy, charity - malificence and justice, being a significant part of the Bioethics(AU)

Bioética y trasplantología: Su impacto social / Bioethics and transplantation: Its social impact

Los progresos de la medicina, la cirugía, las investigaciones biomédicas y la computación han ampliado el campo de la trasplantología, donde se abren grandes horizontes y posibilidades. La bioética, desde su surgimiento, comenzó a tener enorme impacto en la práctica de la medicina y en la investigación. Los factores técnicos del trasplante de órganos y tejidos deben ser abordados antes que los aspectos bioéticos involucrados, ya que cualquier análisis ético debe hacerse una vez que estén resueltos los problemas técnicos. En este trabajo se exponen algunos de los problemas de la ética médica que surgen en el campo de la trasplantología y de qué forma pueden cumplirse en los pacientes en espera de un órgano o tejido, los principios de la autonomía beneficencia maleficencia y justicia, que constituyen la trinidad de la bioética.

The progresses achieved in medicine, surgery, biomedical researches and computing sciences have increased the transplantation field where there are huge horizons and possibilities. Bioethics, from its appearance, began having a huge impact on medicine and research practices. Technical factors of organ and tissues transplantation must to be approached before than the involved bioethical features since any ethical analysis must to be made once solved the technical problems. In present paper are exposed some of the medical ethics problems appearing in transplantation field and how they may to be fulfilled in patients waiting for an organ or tissue, the principles of autonomy, charity - malificence and justice, being a significant part of the Bioethics.

Seasonal and vertical distribution of Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser)(Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) in the soil profile.

Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) temporal and vertical distribution patterns were evaluated in the soil profile, in order to subsidize methodology for population sampling, aiming at its management. In insect surveys carried out during three years, in Boa Esperança County, State of Parana, Brazil, Phyllophaga cuyabana was univoltine, with little overlap of the larval stages. Population peaked during December-February, but declined during the colder months, when larvae were in diapause. Different developmental stages exploited distinct soil depths. Eggs and early first instars tended to concentrate between 5 cm and 10 cm deep, but they spread more uniformly through the soil profile, reaching depths up to 30 cm, as they developed. Adults and eggs occurred in the spring (October to December) when active larvae also started to be observed; feeding larvae occurred up to late-April between 0 to 15 cm deep. Diapausing larvae and pupae were observed from early fall to early spring, mostly from 15 cm to 30 cm deep. Throughout the year, the number of insects in the soil (up to 40 cm deep) showed a positive functional relationship with air temperature and evapotranspiration. The relationship of percent distribution of larvae in the soil profile and soil temperature, however, was positive only above 10 cm. To estimate the insect population from November to April, samples can be collected until 20 cm deep; from May to October, however, samplings should be deeper, up to 30 cm.

Seasonal and vertical distribution of Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser)(Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) in the soil profile / Distribuição estacional e vertical de Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) no perfil do solo

Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) temporal and vertical distribution patterns were evaluated in the soil profile, in order to subsidize methodology for population sampling, aiming at its management. In insect surveys carried out during three years, in Boa Esperança County, State of Parana, Brazil, Phyllophaga cuyabana was univoltine, with little overlap of the larval stages. Population peaked during December-February, but declined during the colder months, when larvae were in diapause. Different developmental stages exploited distinct soil depths. Eggs and early first instars tended to concentrate between 5 cm and 10 cm deep, but they spread more uniformly through the soil profile, reaching depths up to 30 cm, as they developed. Adults and eggs occurred in the spring (October to December) when active larvae also started to be observed; feeding larvae occurred up to late-April between 0 to15 cm deep. Diapausing larvae and pupae were observed from early fall to early spring, mostly from 15 cm to 30 cm deep. Throughout the year, the number of insects in the soil (up to 40 cm deep) showed a positive functional relationship with air temperature and evapotranspiration. The relationship of percent distribution of larvae in the soil profile and soil temperature, however, was positive only above 10 cm. To estimate the insect population from November to April, samples can be collected until 20 cm deep; from May to October, however, samplings should be deeper, up to 30 cm.

O padrão de distribuição temporal e vertical de Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) foi avaliado no perfil do solo para subsidiar amostragens da população do inseto visando ao seu manejo. Em levantamentos populacionais realizados durante três anos, em de Boa Esperança, PR, P. cuyabana foi univoltina, com baixa sobreposição de estádios de desenvolvimento. Houve um pico populacional no verão (dezembro a fevereiro) e um declínio nos meses frios, quando as larvas estavam em diapausa. O inseto, nos distintos estágios de desenvolvimento, explorou diferentes profundidades do solo. Ovos e larvas no início do primeiro instar concentraram-se entre 5 cm e 10 cm de profundidade e, ao se desenvolverem, atingiram 30 cm de profundidade. Adultos e ovos ocorreram na primavera (outubro a dezembro), quando começaram a ser observadas as larvas ativas em amostras realizadas entre zero e 15 cm de profundidade. Larvas em diapausa e pupas foram observadas em maior concentração entre 15 e 30 cm de profundidade, do inicio do outono ao início da primavera. O número de insetos no solo (até 40 cm de profundidade) mostrou relação funcional positiva com a temperatura do ar e com a evapotranspiração. Entretanto, a relação da distribuição percentual de larvas no perfil do solo com a temperatura do solo foi positiva apenas para profundidades de zero a 10 cm. Para estimar a população de corós de novembro a abril, as amostragens podem ser feitas até 20 cm de profundidade, porém de maio a outubro a profundidade das amostragens deve atingir 30 cm.

Film forming capacity of chemically modified corn starches.

Native starch can be chemically modified to improve its functionality and to expand its uses. Modified starches were characterized and the rheological behavior of filmogenic suspensions was analyzed. The film forming capacity of different chemical modified corn starches was evaluated. Acetylated starch was selected by the characteristics of the resulted films; its optimum concentration was 5% w/w since their films exhibited the lowest water vapor permeability (WVP, 1.26×10(-10)g/msPa). The effect of glycerol as plasticizer on film properties depend on its concentration, being 1.5% w/w those that allows to obtain the lowest WVP value (1.64×10(-11)g/msPa), low film solubility in water and a more compact structure than those of unplasticized films. Mechanical behavior of plasticized acetylated starch films depends on glycerol concentration, being rigid and brittle the unplasticized ones, ductile those containing 1.5% w/w of glycerol and very flexible those with a higher plasticizer content.

Feeding and oviposition preference of Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) on several crops.

Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were carried out to study food and oviposition preference by Phyllophaga cuyabana (Moser) on different plant species as Cajanus cajan L. (pigeon pea), Crotalaria juncea L. (sun hemp), Crotalaria spectabilis Roth (showy crotalaria), Crotalaria ochroleuca G. Don (slenderleaf rattlebox), Glycine max [L.] Merrill (soybean), Gossypium hirsutum L. (cotton), Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower), Stizolobium aterrimum [Mucuna aterrima] Piper Tracey (velvetbean) and Zea mays L. (mayze). In no-choice experiments, the number of eggs layed in sunflower, C. juncea and soybean was larger compared to cotton. Despite the fact that the adults did not discriminate among plants, in dual-choice test, the proportion of eggs layed and leaf consumption by P. cuyabana adults in soybean were significantly higher than in C. spectabilis. The larval distribution in the soil was at random in multiple-choice, without any trend of preference, but in dual-choice, when soybean was the control, larvae always preferred to feed on its roots. P. cuyabana adults had preference for more suitable hosts and that could stand their offspring survival. This behaviour can be usefully exploited in an integrated management program for this pest.