Association between early manifestations of infection or sepsis and prognosis in a high complexity hospital in the city of Medellín.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the first symptoms and signs of patients with suspected infection or sepsis and their association with the composite outcome of admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or mortality. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study between June 2019 and March 2020. SETTING: Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación, Colombia. PATIENTS: Over 18 years of age with suspicion or confirmation of sepsis, which required hospitalization. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Symptoms and signs associated with infection, with their time of evolution, specified in the study. RESULTS: From 1005 eligible patients, 261 were included. After multivariable adjustment with a logistic regression model, the main factors for ICU admission or mortality were heart rate (OR 1.04 with 95% CI 1.04-3.7), respiratory rate (OR 1.19 with 95% CI 1.0-1.4) and capillary refill time (OR 3.4 with 95% CI 1.9-6.1). CONCLUSIONS: Heart rate, respiratory rate, and capillary refill may behave as early predictors of ICU admission and mortality in cases of sepsis.

Prevalencia del Estrés Postraumático en médicos residentes, expuestos al SARS-COV-2 / Prevalence of posttraumatic stress in resident doctors, exposed to SARS-COV-2

Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia del trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) en una muestra de médicos residentes del Hospital de Clínicas, José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina, un año después del cierre total durante la cuarentena por COVID-19. Materiales y métodos: Se administraron los siguientes cuestionarios autoadministrados: una encuesta demográfica, el cuestionario de la Escala de Trauma de Davidson y la Escala de Experiencias Disociativas (EED). Se excluyeron a los residentes de primer año de especialidades básicas, a aquellos que por su especialidad no tienen contacto con pacientes y a los médicos con licencia fueron excluidos. Resultados: La prevalencia de TEPT fue de 24.3% (n=25). Las medianas de las puntuaciones de DES fueron mayores en los participantes con puntaje positivo para TEPT en comparación con los que no lo presentaban (Mann-Whitney U:13.30, p = 0.001). Se encontraron asociaciones entre el género (X2:6.074, p = 0.013), el TEPT y el tipo de especialidad (prueba exacta de Fisher, p = 0.017). No se encontraron otras asociaciones entre las demás variables analizadas y el TEPT. Conclusion: La prevalencia del TEPT fue similar a los informes previos. Se hallaron asociaciones entre este desorden, el género y el tipo de especialidad. Estos resultados deberían llamar la atención de los sistemas de salud para establecer medidas preventivas y terapéuticas para manejar esta situación.

Objective: Determine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of resident doctors of the Hospital de Clínicas, José de San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina, one year after the total closure during the quarantine by COVID-19. Materials and Methods: The following self-administered questionnaires were dispensed: a demographic survey, the Davidson Trauma Scale questionnaire, and the Scale of Dissociative Experiences (EED). First year residents of basic specialties were excluded, those who for their specialty do not have contact with patients and licensed doctors were excluded. Results: PTSD prevalence was 24.3% (n = 25). The medium-sized ones were greater in the participants with positive score for PTSD compared to those who did not present it (Mann-Whitney U: 13.30, p = 0.001). Associations between the genre were found (X2: 6,074, p = 0.013), the PTSD and the type of specialty (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.017). No other associations were found between the other variables analyzed and the PTSD. Conclusion: The prevalence of the PTSD was similar to the previous reports. Associations between this disorder, gender and type of specialty were found. These results should draw the attention of health systems to establish preventive and therapeutic measures to handle this situation

Stmol: A component for building interactive molecular visualizations within streamlit web-applications.

Streamlit is an open-source Python coding framework for building web-applications or "web-apps" and is now being used by researchers to share large data sets from published studies and other resources. Here we present Stmol, an easy-to-use component for rendering interactive 3D molecular visualizations of protein and ligand structures within Streamlit web-apps. Stmol can render protein and ligand structures with just a few lines of Python code by utilizing popular visualization libraries, currently Py3DMol and Speck. On the user-end, Stmol does not require expertise to interactively navigate. On the developer-end, Stmol can be easily integrated within structural bioinformatic and cheminformatic pipelines to provide a simple means for user-end researchers to advance biological studies and drug discovery efforts. In this paper, we highlight a few examples of how Stmol has already been utilized by scientific communities to share interactive molecular visualizations of protein and ligand structures from known open databases. We hope Stmol will be used by researchers to build additional open-sourced web-apps to benefit current and future generations of scientists.

Preparation and characterization of polysulfone-polyurethane membranes for recovery of simulated wastewater from industrial textile processes.

Techniques using membranes for the treatment of wastewaters usually promote higher quality of treated water when compared to other processes. Among them, pervaporation has advantages in terms of selectivity in addition to low working pressure, which can prevent clogging problems. Polysulfone and polyurethane have complementary characteristics and are interesting in the context of membranes for industrial applications. In this sense, the aim of this work was to prepare and characterize polysulfone/polyurethane-based membranes and tested them with a simulated wastewater containing the reactive black dye and sodium chloride by pervaporation. In their manufacture, thermal treatment (at 60°C) and photo-radiation treatment (using ultraviolet light) were also applied. The characterizations were performed using different analytical tools. In general, it was possible to verify that all membranes have a dense layer. The thermal analysis allowed to define that the indicated working temperature is below 50°C. With respect to the simulated wastewater treatment, all membranes reached 100% selectivity. Concerning the saline solution, the mean selectivity was around 98.5%. Moreover, the permeate flow values were within the range presented by commercial membranes ranging from 1.6 to 2.4 kg m-2 h-1. Although for the photoirradiated membranes the photo-graft reaction has occurred, among all membranes, the blend without any treatment stood out from the others, presenting the highest permeate flow of the simulated wastewater. Finally, the results reveal that these membranes are capable of recovering wastewater from textile processes, in addition to having the potential to remove salts from water through the pervaporation process.Highlights Polysulfone/polyurethane-based membranes were not yet evaluated for wastewater recovery.Modifications in the membrane characteristics promoted variations in the permeate flow.Changes in physical-chemical properties of membrane as a result of a photoinitiation reaction.Removal efficiency achieved was 100% for reactive black dye and 98.5% for sodium chloride.A new way of performing pervaporation on the recovery of aqueous solutions.

First list of parasitoids in flies of medical, veterinary, and forensic importance in Rio Grande do Sul Brazil / Primeira lista de parasitoides em moscas de importância médica, veterinária e forense no Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil

Necrophagous flies are of great importance for human and animal health. In places where their development occurs, parasitoids can be used as a tool to control these dipterans. In Brazil, the fauna of these parasitoids has been investigated in some regions. However, in Rio Grande do Sul, it is known the occurrence of only one species. Thus, this study aimed to create the first list of parasitoids in flies of medical and veterinary importance in Southern Brazil. Collections took place in the municipality of Pelotas (31º 42' S; 52º 18' W). Three replicates consisting of a 500 g bovine liver chunk placed in a tray were exposed to open air for 20 days. Then pupae were individualized and observed until their emergence. We identified 4,882 adult flies of Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. 4,040 parasitoids emerged, belonging to eight species, of which Nasonia vitripennis, Spalangia cameroni, Spalangia chontalensis, and Tachinephagus zealandicus are new records in Rio Grande do Sul state. Also, three undescribed species of the genus Aphaereta were collected. In spite of being the first attempt to inventory the fauna of hymenopteran parasitoids, this study may help in the development of management programs of these dipterans in the region.(AU)

Moscas necrófagas possuem grande importância para a sanidade humana e animal. Onde estas se desenvolvem ocorrem parasitoides que podem ser utilizados como ferramentas para o controle desses dípteros. No Brasil, a fauna desses parasitoides vem sendo investigada em algumas regiões e no Rio Grande do Sul é conhecida a ocorrência de apenas uma espécie. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi criar a primeira lista de espécies de parasitoides de moscas de importância médica e veterinária ocorrentes no extremo sul do Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas no município de Pelotas (31º 42' S; 52º 18' O). Foram montadas três réplicas de bandejas contendo, cada uma, 500 g de fígado bovino, expostas ao ar livre durante 20 dias. Na sequência, as pupas foram individualizadas e observadas até a emergência. Foram identificados 4.882 adultos pertencentes às famílias Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae e Sarcophagidae. Emergiram 4.040 parasitoides, pertencentes a oito espécies, das quais Nasonia vitripennis, Spalangia cameroni, Spalangia chontalensis e Tachinephagus zealandicus são novas ocorrências para o Rio Grande do Sul. Foram coletadas três espécies ainda não descritas do gênero Aphaereta. Apesar de ainda ser um primeiro esforço de inventariar a fauna de himenópteros parasitoides, este estudo pode auxiliar no desenvolvimento de programas de manejos desses dípteros na região.(AU)

First list of parasitoids in flies of medical, veterinary, and forensic importance in Rio Grande do Sul – Brazil / Primeira lista de parasitoides em moscas de importância médica, veterinária e forense no Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil

Necrophagous flies are of great importance for human and animal health. In places where their development occurs, parasitoids can be used as a tool to control these dipterans. In Brazil, the fauna of these parasitoids has been investigated in some regions. However, in Rio Grande do Sul, it is known the occurrence of only one species. Thus, this study aimed to create the first list of parasitoids in flies of medical and veterinary importance in Southern Brazil. Collections took place in the municipality of Pelotas (31º 42' S; 52º 18' W). Three replicates consisting of a 500 g bovine liver chunk placed in a tray were exposed to open air for 20 days. Then pupae were individualized and observed until their emergence. We identified 4,882 adult flies of Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. 4,040 parasitoids emerged, belonging to eight species, of which Nasonia vitripennis, Spalangia cameroni, Spalangia chontalensis, and Tachinephagus zealandicus are new records in Rio Grande do Sul state. Also, three undescribed species of the genus Aphaereta were collected. In spite of being the first attempt to inventory the fauna of hymenopteran parasitoids, this study may help in the development of management programs of these dipterans in the region.

Moscas necrófagas possuem grande importância para a sanidade humana e animal. Onde estas se desenvolvem ocorrem parasitoides que podem ser utilizados como ferramentas para o controle desses dípteros. No Brasil, a fauna desses parasitoides vem sendo investigada em algumas regiões e no Rio Grande do Sul é conhecida a ocorrência de apenas uma espécie. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi criar a primeira lista de espécies de parasitoides de moscas de importância médica e veterinária ocorrentes no extremo sul do Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas no município de Pelotas (31º 42' S; 52º 18' O). Foram montadas três réplicas de bandejas contendo, cada uma, 500 g de fígado bovino, expostas ao ar livre durante 20 dias. Na sequência, as pupas foram individualizadas e observadas até a emergência. Foram identificados 4.882 adultos pertencentes às famílias Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae e Sarcophagidae. Emergiram 4.040 parasitoides, pertencentes a oito espécies, das quais Nasonia vitripennis, Spalangia cameroni, Spalangia chontalensis e Tachinephagus zealandicus são novas ocorrências para o Rio Grande do Sul. Foram coletadas três espécies ainda não descritas do gênero Aphaereta. Apesar de ainda ser um primeiro esforço de inventariar a fauna de himenópteros parasitoides, este estudo pode auxiliar no desenvolvimento de programas de manejos desses dípteros na região.

First list of parasitoids in flies of medical, veterinary, and forensic importance in Rio Grande do Sul Brazil

Abstract Necrophagous flies are of great importance for human and animal health. In places where their development occurs, parasitoids can be used as a tool to control these dipterans. In Brazil, the fauna of these parasitoids has been investigated in some regions. However, in Rio Grande do Sul, it is known the occurrence of only one species. Thus, this study aimed to create the first list of parasitoids in flies of medical and veterinary importance in Southern Brazil. Collections took place in the municipality of Pelotas (31º 42 S; 52º 18 W). Three replicates consisting of a 500 g bovine liver chunk placed in a tray were exposed to open air for 20 days. Then pupae were individualized and observed until their emergence. We identified 4,882 adult flies of Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. 4,040 parasitoids emerged, belonging to eight species, of which Nasonia vitripennis, Spalangia cameroni, Spalangia chontalensis, and Tachinephagus zealandicus are new records in Rio Grande do Sul state. Also, three undescribed species of the genus Aphaereta were collected. In spite of being the first attempt to inventory the fauna of hymenopteran parasitoids, this study may help in the development of management programs of these dipterans in the region.

Resumo Moscas necrófagas possuem grande importância para a sanidade humana e animal. Onde estas se desenvolvem ocorrem parasitoides que podem ser utilizados como ferramentas para o controle desses dípteros. No Brasil, a fauna desses parasitoides vem sendo investigada em algumas regiões e no Rio Grande do Sul é conhecida a ocorrência de apenas uma espécie. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi criar a primeira lista de espécies de parasitoides de moscas de importância médica e veterinária ocorrentes no extremo sul do Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas no município de Pelotas (31º 42 S; 52º 18 O). Foram montadas três réplicas de bandejas contendo, cada uma, 500 g de fígado bovino, expostas ao ar livre durante 20 dias. Na sequência, as pupas foram individualizadas e observadas até a emergência. Foram identificados 4.882 adultos pertencentes às famílias Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae e Sarcophagidae. Emergiram 4.040 parasitoides, pertencentes a oito espécies, das quais Nasonia vitripennis, Spalangia cameroni, Spalangia chontalensis e Tachinephagus zealandicus são novas ocorrências para o Rio Grande do Sul. Foram coletadas três espécies ainda não descritas do gênero Aphaereta. Apesar de ainda ser um primeiro esforço de inventariar a fauna de himenópteros parasitoides, este estudo pode auxiliar no desenvolvimento de programas de manejos desses dípteros na região.

First list of parasitoids in flies of medical, veterinary, and forensic importance in Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil / Primeira lista de parasitoides em moscas de importância médica, veterinária e forense no Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil

Necrophagous flies are of great importance for human and animal health. In places where their development occurs, parasitoids can be used as a tool to control these dipterans. In Brazil, the fauna of these parasitoids has been investigated in some regions. However, in Rio Grande do Sul, it is known the occurrence of only one species. Thus, this study aimed to create the first list of parasitoids in flies of medical and veterinary importance in Southern Brazil. Collections took place in the municipality of Pelotas (31º 42' S; 52º 18' W). Three replicates consisting of a 500 g bovine liver chunk placed in a tray were exposed to open air for 20 days. Then pupae were individualized and observed until their emergence. We identified 4,882 adult flies of Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. 4,040 parasitoids emerged, belonging to eight species, of which Nasonia vitripennis, Spalangia cameroni, Spalangia chontalensis, and Tachinephagus zealandicus are new records in Rio Grande do Sul state. Also, three undescribed species of the genus Aphaereta were collected. In spite of being the first attempt to inventory the fauna of hymenopteran parasitoids, this study may help in the development of management programs of these dipterans in the region.

Moscas necrófagas possuem grande importância para a sanidade humana e animal. Onde estas se desenvolvem ocorrem parasitoides que podem ser utilizados como ferramentas para o controle desses dípteros. No Brasil, a fauna desses parasitoides vem sendo investigada em algumas regiões e no Rio Grande do Sul é conhecida a ocorrência de apenas uma espécie. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi criar a primeira lista de espécies de parasitoides de moscas de importância médica e veterinária ocorrentes no extremo sul do Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas no município de Pelotas (31º 42' S; 52º 18' O). Foram montadas três réplicas de bandejas contendo, cada uma, 500 g de fígado bovino, expostas ao ar livre durante 20 dias. Na sequência, as pupas foram individualizadas e observadas até a emergência. Foram identificados 4.882 adultos pertencentes às famílias Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae e Sarcophagidae. Emergiram 4.040 parasitoides, pertencentes a oito espécies, das quais Nasonia vitripennis, Spalangia cameroni, Spalangia chontalensis e Tachinephagus zealandicus são novas ocorrências para o Rio Grande do Sul. Foram coletadas três espécies ainda não descritas do gênero Aphaereta. Apesar de ainda ser um primeiro esforço de inventariar a fauna de himenópteros parasitoides, este estudo pode auxiliar no desenvolvimento de programas de manejos desses dípteros na região.

First list of parasitoids in flies of medical, veterinary, and forensic importance in Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil.

Necrophagous flies are of great importance for human and animal health. In places where their development occurs, parasitoids can be used as a tool to control these dipterans. In Brazil, the fauna of these parasitoids has been investigated in some regions. However, in Rio Grande do Sul, it is known the occurrence of only one species. Thus, this study aimed to create the first list of parasitoids in flies of medical and veterinary importance in Southern Brazil. Collections took place in the municipality of Pelotas (31º 42' S; 52º 18' W). Three replicates consisting of a 500 g bovine liver chunk placed in a tray were exposed to open air for 20 days. Then pupae were individualized and observed until their emergence. We identified 4,882 adult flies of Calliphoridae, Fanniidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae. 4,040 parasitoids emerged, belonging to eight species, of which Nasonia vitripennis, Spalangia cameroni, Spalangia chontalensis, and Tachinephagus zealandicus are new records in Rio Grande do Sul state. Also, three undescribed species of the genus Aphaereta were collected. In spite of being the first attempt to inventory the fauna of hymenopteran parasitoids, this study may help in the development of management programs of these dipterans in the region.

Milk yield and composition and body weight of offsprings of mixed-breed goats on semi-arid rangelands with different rainfall.

The objective was to characterize milk yield and composition from mixed-breed goats kidding in winter and grazing rangelands with 221 (n = 15), 334 (n = 20), or 441 (n = 12) mm of annual rainfall in northern Mexico (22-25°N). Weekly milk yield and composition were recorded and progeny growth performance assessed. Body weight loss during lactation was the highest (6.4 kg) for goats on rangeland with 441 mm of rainfall than goats on 221 mm (1.6 kg), or 334 mm (1.8 kg; P < 0.01). The highest daily milk yield was for goats on 221 mm (498 mL; P < 0.01). There was not an evident peak of lactation and milk yield increased uninterruptedly at the end of lactation. Milk fat was negatively related to milk yield and goats on rangeland with 334 mm had the greatest milk fat content (P < 0.001). Milk protein and lactose content were higher in goats on rangeland with 221 mm (P < 0.01). Goat kids on rangelands with 221 and 441 mm grew faster and were heavier (P < 0.001) at weaning than kids reared in other rangelands. Weaning weight was positively related to milk yield (P < 0.001); but not milk components (P > 0.05). In conclusion, moderate milk yield of mixed-breed goats on rangeland is feasible with parturitions in winter, and milk yield is not affected by reduced annual precipitation in rangelands of northern Mexico. Offspring growth performance depends on maternal milk yield, but not milk composition. Nevertheless, slow growth to weaning of offspring had adverse effects on time to reach adequate market weight.

SAFIIRA: A heavy-ion multi-purpose irradiation facility in Brazil.

This work describes the new facility for applied nuclear physics at the University of Sao Paulo, mainly for irradiation of electronic devices. It is a setup composed of a quadrupole doublet for beam focusing/defocusing plus multiple scattering through gold foils to produce low intensity, large-area, and high-uniformity heavy-ion beams from 1H to 107Ag. Beam intensities can be easily adjusted from 102 particles cm2/s to hundreds of nA for an area as large as 2.0 cm2 and uniformity better than 90%. Its irradiation chamber has a high-precision motorized stage, and the system is controlled by a LabViewTM environment, allowing measurement automation. Design considerations and examples of use are presented.

Do dietary stresses affect the immune system of Periplaneta americana (Blattaria: Blattidae)? / Estresses alimentares afetam o sistema immune de Periplaneta americana (Blattaria: Blattidae)?

Stresses can be caused by multiple biotic and abiotic factors and their effects can affect both the biology and the immune system of insects. American cockroach - Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae) -besides being an excellent model species, has great medical importance because it can act as a mechanical vector of several pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of starvation, dehydration and both stresses on weight, and total and differential haemocyte count in P. americana adults. Each specimen was isolated in glass flasks containing or not food and/or water. They were weighed periodically. Another group received water for 24 h after the end of stress period. In the immunologic bioassay, we counted their haemocytes after the final weighing. All stresses reduced the insect weight, especially when the stresses were combined. Females of the control group gained weight and males had it unaltered. Different stress conditions and time did not influence on total haemocyte count. Insects without food and water had the proportion of prohaemocytes increased and plasmatocytes decreased. This study can serve as a basis of further studies of bioecology, behaviour and the ability of resisting insecticides, besides serving as a model to studies in other insect species.(AU)

Os estresses podem ser causados por múltiplos fatores bióticos e abióticos e seus efeitos podem afetar tanto a biologia como o sistema imune dos insetos. A barata-americana - Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae) - além de ser uma excelente espécie modelo, tem grande importância médica, pois pode atuar como vetor mecânico de diversos patógenos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência da inanição, desidratação e ambos os estresses sobre o peso e o número total e diferencial de hemócitos em adultos de P. americana. Cada espécime foi isolado em frascos de vidro contendo ou não alimento e/ou água. Eles foram pesados periodicamente. Outro grupo recebeu água por 24 h após o término do período de estresse. Nos ensaios imunológicos, foram contados os seus hemócitos após a última pesagem. Todos os estresses reduziram o peso dos insetos, especialmente quando os estresses foram combinados. As fêmeas do grupo controle ganharam peso e os machos tiveram seu peso inalterado. As diferentes condições de estresse e tempo não influenciaram no número total de hemócitos. Os insetos sem alimento e água tiveram a proporção de pró-hemócitos aumentada e a de plasmatócitos reduzida. Esse estudo pode servir como base para estudos posteriores de bioecologia, comportamento e da habilidade de resistir aos inseticidas químicos, além de servir como modelo para estudos em outras espécies de insetos.(AU)

Do dietary stresses affect the immune system of Periplaneta americana (Blattaria: Blattidae)? / Estresses alimentares afetam o sistema immune de Periplaneta americana (Blattaria: Blattidae)?

Abstract Stresses can be caused by multiple biotic and abiotic factors and their effects can affect both the biology and the immune system of insects. American cockroach - Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae) -besides being an excellent model species, has great medical importance because it can act as a mechanical vector of several pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of starvation, dehydration and both stresses on weight, and total and differential haemocyte count in P. americana adults. Each specimen was isolated in glass flasks containing or not food and/or water. They were weighed periodically. Another group received water for 24 h after the end of stress period. In the immunologic bioassay, we counted their haemocytes after the final weighing. All stresses reduced the insect weight, especially when the stresses were combined. Females of the control group gained weight and males had it unaltered. Different stress conditions and time did not influence on total haemocyte count. Insects without food and water had the proportion of prohaemocytes increased and plasmatocytes decreased. This study can serve as a basis of further studies of bioecology, behaviour and the ability of resisting insecticides, besides serving as a model to studies in other insect species.

Resumo Os estresses podem ser causados por múltiplos fatores bióticos e abióticos e seus efeitos podem afetar tanto a biologia como o sistema imune dos insetos. A barata-americana - Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae) - além de ser uma excelente espécie modelo, tem grande importância médica, pois pode atuar como vetor mecânico de diversos patógenos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência da inanição, desidratação e ambos os estresses sobre o peso e o número total e diferencial de hemócitos em adultos de P. americana. Cada espécime foi isolado em frascos de vidro contendo ou não alimento e/ou água. Eles foram pesados periodicamente. Outro grupo recebeu água por 24 h após o término do período de estresse. Nos ensaios imunológicos, foram contados os seus hemócitos após a última pesagem. Todos os estresses reduziram o peso dos insetos, especialmente quando os estresses foram combinados. As fêmeas do grupo controle ganharam peso e os machos tiveram seu peso inalterado. As diferentes condições de estresse e tempo não influenciaram no número total de hemócitos. Os insetos sem alimento e água tiveram a proporção de pró-hemócitos aumentada e a de plasmatócitos reduzida. Esse estudo pode servir como base para estudos posteriores de bioecologia, comportamento e da habilidade de resistir aos inseticidas químicos, além de servir como modelo para estudos em outras espécies de insetos.

Do dietary stresses affect the immune system of Periplaneta americana (Blattaria: Blattidae)?

Stresses can be caused by multiple biotic and abiotic factors and their effects can affect both the biology and the immune system of insects. American cockroach - Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae) -besides being an excellent model species, has great medical importance because it can act as a mechanical vector of several pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of starvation, dehydration and both stresses on weight, and total and differential haemocyte count in P. americana adults. Each specimen was isolated in glass flasks containing or not food and/or water. They were weighed periodically. Another group received water for 24 h after the end of stress period. In the immunologic bioassay, we counted their haemocytes after the final weighing. All stresses reduced the insect weight, especially when the stresses were combined. Females of the control group gained weight and males had it unaltered. Different stress conditions and time did not influence on total haemocyte count. Insects without food and water had the proportion of prohaemocytes increased and plasmatocytes decreased. This study can serve as a basis of further studies of bioecology, behaviour and the ability of resisting insecticides, besides serving as a model to studies in other insect species.