New chromosomal evidence for the origin of Triatoma infestans populations from Brazil.

In this study, the karyometry of different Triatoma infestans populations from different states of Brazil was analyzed and compared with those of a population from Cochabamba. No significant differences were found between the population from Cochabamba and those from Brazil. These results are consistent with the origin of the T. infestans populations of Brazil by a founder effect from Cochabamba. Moreover, these findings also confirm that a founder effect occurred during the dispersal of T. infestans populations in different Brazilian states.

Spermatogenesis and nucleolar behavior in Triatoma vandae and Triatoma williami (Hemiptera, Triatominae).

This study describes spermatogenesis in Triatoma vandae and the nucleolar behavior of T. vandae and Triatoma williami, with a cytotaxonomic focus. Analysis of mitotic and meiotic metaphases of T.vandae confirms the species karyotype. T. vandae presents some characteristics during meiosis that differentiate it from T. williami, including the presence of a chromocenter with two sex chromosomes individualized during early prophase, and the presence of a bi- or tripartite corpuscle inpolyploid nuclei. It was possible to observe the compaction of chromatin during prophase resulting in holocentric chromosomes. During metaphase,the autosomes presented a ring shape and the sex chromosomes were in the center of the ring. These chromosomes were separated in anaphase. Although it is common, we did not observe the phenomenon of late migration of the sex chromosomes. By means of silver ion impregnation it was possible to describe nucleologenesis in T. vandae and T. williami. In both species we observed persistence of the nucleolar material duringmeiosis. In addition to the cells in meiotic division, we also observed the presence of polyploid nuclei in the seminiferous tubule walls that nourish the cells during cell division. The nucleolar markings reflect their capacity for synthetic activity. T. vandae and T. williami presented only one nucleolar corpuscle, which reflects low synthetic activity. This study confirms the karyotype of T. vandae, describes characteristics that differentiate T. vandae and T. williami during meiosis, and describes the phenomenon of nucleolar persistence in both species.

Attitudes about medical malpractice: an American Society of Neuroradiology survey.

SUMMARY: The concern over medicolegal liability is pervasive among physicians. We sought, through an email survey to the members of the ASNR, to assess the experience with and attitudes about the medicolegal environment among neuroradiologists. Of 4357 physicians surveyed, 904 answered at least 1 of the questions in the survey; 449 of 904 (49.7%) had been sued: 180 (44.9%) had been sued once, 114 (28.4%) twice, 60 (15.0%) 3 times, and 47 (11.7%) more than 3 times. The payouts for suits were most commonly in the $50,000 to $150,000 range, except for interventional neuroradiologists, in whom the most common value was $600,000 to $1,200,000. Only 9 of 481 (1.9%) of suits returned a plaintiff verdict. Despite reported outcomes that favored physicians with respect to cases being dropped (270/481 = 56.1%), settled without a payment (11/481 = 2.3%), or a defense verdict (46/481 = 9.6), most respondents (81.1%, 647/798) believed that the medicolegal system was weighted toward plaintiffs. More than half of the neuroradiologists (55.2%, 435/787) reported being mildly to moderately concerned, and 19.1% (150/787) were very or extremely concerned about being sued.

Spermatogenesis in Triatoma melanocephala (Hemiptera: Triatominae).

Triatoma melanocephala is a rare species of Hemiptera. It belonged to the Brasiliensis subcomplex and presents morphological characteristics very close to those of Triatoma vitticeps. We investigated spermatogenesis of T. melanocephala and compared it with that of T. vitticeps in order to determine whether these organisms have similar cytogenetic characteristics. Lacto-acetic orcein staining was used to observe all stages of meiosis. These two species were found to have the same karyotype (2n = 20A + X1X2X3Y), heteropycnotic corpuscles in the polyploid spermatogonial cells, interfasic and profasic nucleus, and chromocenter with four sex chromosomes during prophase. Thus, we conclude that besides the morphologic similarity of T. melanocephala with T. vitticeps, they also have similar spermatogenesis and cytogenetics.

Karyotype and spermatogenesis in Triatoma lenti (Hemiptera: Triatominae), a potential Chagas vector.

All species of Triatominae are susceptible to infection by Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) and consequently, potential insect vectors of Chagas disease. Currently, there are 140 known species of triatomine bugs, which can be grouped into specific species complexes. The species Triatoma lenti (Hemiptera: Triatominae) is found only in Brazil and is considered a potential vector of Chagas disease. We karyotyped male T. lenti and examined its spermatogenesis in detail. The karyotype was found to be 2n = 20A + XY, demonstrating that this organism has the modal chromosome set found in triatomines. This new information concerning males of this species contributed to biological data that will be useful for understanding this potentially important Chagas disease vector.

Composição química do óleo fixo obtido dos frutos secos da [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert] produzida no município de Mandirituba, PR. / Chemical composition of the fixed oil from [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert] dried fruits native to the municipality of Mandirituba, Paraná (PR)

A camomila [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert], é uma planta empregada na indústria de medicamentos, cosméticos e alimentos. Os frutos secos da camomila conhecidos por "sementes" são provenientes dos capítulos florais, dos quais pode-se extrair um óleo fixo rico em ácidos graxos insaturados. Através da técnica de extração com hexano em dispositivo de soxhlet, foi obtido o óleo bruto dos frutos secos da camomila em 19 por cento de rendimento. O óleo foi caracterizado pela técnica de CG-EM, revelando um elevado teor de ácido linoleico na sua composição. Portanto, o óleo oriundo dos frutos secos da camomila vem a ser uma matéria-prima potencialmente útil na dermo-farmácia.

Chamomile [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert], is a plant employed in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. The chamomile dried fruits known as "seeds" they derive from floral chapters from which fixed oil rich in unsatured fatty acids can be extracted. Through the use of a soxhlet apparatus, using hexane as solvent, the chamomile dried fruits crude oil was obtained in 19 percent yields. This oil, was characterized by GC-MS technique and showed a high ratio of linoleic acid in its composition. Therefore, the chamomile dried fruits oil is a potential material to be used in the dermatological-pharmacy.

Synthesis and analgesic properties of new 5-thioaryl pyrazole derivatives.

A new series 5-thio aryl pyrazole derivatives were proposed aiming analgesic activity. In this work, 8 new compounds of this class were synthesized using usual synthetic methodology, having as key intermediate the 3-methyl-4-nitro-5-chloropyrazole-1-phenyl derivative and subsequent reaction with several nucleophiles sulfides. Pharmacological evaluation of this series showed analgesic activity in the some extent in especially for 5-(4-bromophenyl)-thio-3-methyl-4-nitro-1-phenylpyrazole which was the most potent in this series, presenting an analgesic action comparable to that show by dipyrone.