Within-Canopy Distribution of Stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) Infestation in Avocado Orchards.

Native to the neotropics, the avocado seed moth Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) is a specialist pest of the family Lauraceae and considered one of the most important pests of avocados worldwide. However, little is known regarding its spatial distribution within a single tree. Therefore, we designed a study to evaluate the effects of canopy height and aspect (i.e., side of the tree) on fruit infestation by S. catenifer larvae in avocados. The study was conducted in three commercial organic avocado orchards located in São Paulo, Brazil. At each orchard, 40 fruit from 30 random trees were sampled weekly from October 2017 through February 2018, evaluating the number of fruits infested by S. catenifer larvae at three tree heights (bottom, middle, and top). In addition, fruits on the ground were also sampled. We also evaluated the effect of the side of the tree where the fruits were collected, i.e., whether they were on the side facing the east (sunrise) or the west (sunset). Within the avocado canopy, the level of fruit infestation by S. catenifer larvae was significantly higher at the top of the trees than in the middle and bottom. Fruit on the ground had lower levels of infestation than those on the tree canopy. The level of fruit infestation was also higher on the side of avocado trees facing the east (sunrise). Understanding the within-tree distribution of S. catenifer will help to better target monitoring and control activities against this pest in avocados.

Few and feasible preoperative variables can identify high-risk surgical patients: derivation and validation of the Ex-Care risk model.

BACKGROUND: The development of feasible preoperative risk tools is desirable, especially for low-middle income countries with limited resources and complex surgical settings. This study aimed to derive and validate a preoperative risk model (Ex-Care model) for postoperative mortality and compare its performance with current risk tools. METHODS: A multivariable logistic regression model predicting in-hospital mortality was developed using a large Brazilian surgical cohort. Patient and perioperative predictors were considered. Its performance was compared with the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI), and the Surgical Outcome Risk Tool (SORT). RESULTS: The derivation cohort included 16 618 patients. In-hospital death occurred in 465 patients (2.8%). Age, with adjusted splines, degree of procedure (major vs non-major), ASA physical status, and urgency were entered in a final model. It showed high discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.926 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91-0.93). It had superior accuracy to the RCRI (AUROC, 0.90 vs 0.76; P<0.01) and similar to the CCI (0.90 vs 0.82; P=0.06) and SORT models (0.90 vs 0.92; P=0.2) in the temporal validation cohort of 1173 patients. Calibration was adequate in both development (Hosmer-Lemeshow, 9.26; P=0.41) and temporal validation cohorts (Hosmer-Lemeshow 5.29; P=0.71). CONCLUSIONS: The Ex-Care risk model proved very efficient at identifying high-risk surgical patients. Although multicentre studies are needed, it should have particular value in low resource settings to better inform perioperative health policy and clinical decision-making.

Molecular Modeling of Aquaporins from Leishmania major.

Aquaporins are membrane proteins responsible for permeating water, ions, dissolved gases, and other small molecular weight compounds through the protective cell membranes of living organisms. These proteins have been gaining increased importance as targets for treating a variety of parasitic diseases, since they control key physiological processes in the life cycle of parasitic protozoans, such as the uptake of nutrients, release of metabolites, and alleviation of osmotic stress. In this work, we use homology modeling to build three-dimensional structures for the four main aquaporins encoded and expressed by Leishmania major, a protozoan that causes leishmaniasis and affects millions of people worldwide. Physico-chemical properties of the proposed models for LmAQP1, LmAQPα, LmAQPß, and LmAQPγ are then investigated using molecular dynamics simulations and the reference interaction site model (RISM) molecular theory of solvation. Pore characteristics, water permeation, and potential of mean force across the AQP channels for water, methanol, urea, ammonia, and carbon dioxide are examined and compared with results obtained for a protozoan (Plasmodium falciparum) aquaporin for which a crystal structure is available.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography method for anthocyanins in strawberry (Fragaria spp.) and complementary studies on stability, kinetics and antioxidant power.

A RPLC-DAD method for the analysis of eight anthocyanins was developed, validated and applied to strawberry extracts. The chromatographic method was conducted under gradient elution in acidulated water-methanol mobile phase and octadecyl-silica columns. An ultrasound extraction procedure was optimized by a 3(2) factorial design (%HCl in methanol, temperature, and time) and response surface methodology. Method validation was performed according to the following parameters: linearity (R(2)>0.99, p-value<10(-4), F>725), LOD (3-7 µmol L(-1)) and LOQ (9-22 µmol L(-1)), selectivity/specificity (baseline separation of all analytes and peak purity), instrumental precision (<6.4%CV), repeatability (<6.3%CV) and intermediate precision (<9.9%CV), recovery (83-99%), robustness (mobile phase pH, column temperature and flow rate) and stability (high temperatures and storage; 1st order kinetics). The antioxidant power of anthocyanins was measured on-line (ABTS(+) reaction; Trolox as reference). Ten strawberry extracts were quantified (average values: 24.2 µg/g for cyanidin-3-glucoside and 49.1 µg/g for pelargonidin-3-glucoside).

Redescription and new distribution records of Acanthoscurria paulensis (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae)

Acanthoscurria natalensis Chamberlin, 1917 is redescribed. The following species are considered junior synonymsof A. natalensis: A. cursor Chamberlin, 1917, A. fracta Chamberlin, 1917, A. rondoniae Mello-Leitão, 1923, A.chiracantha Mello-Leitão, 1923, and A. parahybana Mello-Leitão, 1926. All examined specimens, including the types,share the same general aspect, morphology of the sexual organs, color, and measurements. Acanthoscurria natalensisresembles A. paulensis Mello-Leitão, 1923 and A. chacoana Brèthes, 1909 in the general aspect, size, and by the morphologyof the sexual organs: male palpal bulb with embolus ending like a shell, due to the prolateral and superior keels.It can be distinguished from these two species by the less developed keels and the longer embolus. The female resemblesA. paulensis and A. chacoana by the fused base of the spermathecae and differs by the more evident lobes,projected from base. The distribution of A. natalensis is expanded to Brazilian states covering the Caatinga and theCerrado biomes.

Redescription and new distribution records of acanthoscurria natalensis (Araneae Mygalomorphae Theraphosidae)

Acanthoscurria natalensis Chamberlin, 1917 is redescribed. The following species are considered junior synonyms of A. natalensis: A. cursor Chamberlin, 1917, A. fracta Chamberlin, 1917, A. rondoniae Mello-Leitão, 1923, A. chiracantha Mello-Leitão, 1923, and A. parahybana Mello-Leitão, 1926. All examined specimens, including the types, share the same general aspect, morphology of the sexual organs, color, and measurements. Acanthoscurria natalensis resembles A. paulensis Mello-Leitão, 1923 and A. chacoana Brèthes, 1909 in the general aspect, size, and by the morphology of the sexual organs: male palpal bulb with embolus ending like a shell, due to the prolateral and superior keels. It can be distinguished from these two species by the less developed keels and the longer embolus. The female resembles A. paulensis and A. chacoana by the fused base of the spermathecae and differs by the more evident lobes, projected from base. The distribution of A. natalensis is expanded to Brazilian states covering the Caatinga and the Cerrado biomes.

Litter dwelling mygalomorph spiders (Araneae: Microstigmatidae, Nemesiidae) from Araucaria forests in southern Brazil, with the description of five new species

Six mygalomorph spiders species belonging to two families, were collected in the Centro de Pesquisa e Conservação da Natureza Pró-Mata, São Francisco de Paula, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Five of those species, five are new. Microstigmatidae: Xenonemesia araucaria sp. nov., males differ from those of X. platensis Goloboff, 1988 and X. otti Indicatti, Lucas & Brescovit, 2007 by the curved and very long embolus in the male palp. Females differ from the remaining species of the genus in the seminal receptacle very long and sinuous or twisted. Nemesiidae: Acanthogonatus ericae sp. nov. - males resemble those of A. tacuariensis (Pérez-Miles & Capocasale, 1982) and A. quilocura Goloboff, 1995 by the serrated, curved and long embolus but are distinguished by the presence of a flange on the apex of the embolus. Females differ from the remaining Acanthogonatus by the short copulatory ducts, arising from the apex of the basal dome. Stenoterommata arnolisei sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining species of the genus by the large sub-apical area of bulb, with a great number of keels, extending to the median region in the male palp and by the long copulatory ducts and spermathecae arising from internal border of basal dome in the female genitalia. S. grimpa sp. nov.: males resemble those of S. arnolisei sp. nov. by the shape of the palpal bulb and by the short embolus, but differ in the keels, restricted to the apical region. Females differ from remaining.

Redescription and notes on the natural history of the arboreal tarantula Iridopelma seladonium (Araneae Theraphosidae Aviculariinae)

The original description of this species was based on a single female and no illustrations of reproductive organs were presented. After we collected several specimens identified as I. seladonium, we decided to redescribe this species and discovered that the male, previously described as belonging to this species, was misidentified by MELLO LEITÃO (1923). Thus, in this paper the male of I. seladonium is newly described and the reproductive organs of male and female are described and illustrated in detail. Notes on the behavior and natural history of I. seladonium are presented based on the observation of live specimens in the field and in captivity. An immature of I. seladonium was observed constructing a hinged retreat with silk and little pieces of bark, a behavior not previously seen for other Aviculariinae. Two courtship events were observed and photographed, leg tapping and palpal drumming of the male on female's body and dorsum-ventral movements of the female's abdomen while the male was inserting the embolus were documented to Aviculariinae for the first time. The courtships and mating lasted almost two minutes.

A descrição original desta espécie foi baseada numa única fêmea e nenhuma ilustração de seus órgãos reprodutivos foi apresentada. Após coletarmos alguns espécimes identificados como I. seladonium, decidimos redescrever esta espécie e descobrimos que o macho descrito por Mello-Leitão (1923) havia sido erroneamente identificado como pertencente a esta espécie. Assim, neste artigo, é descrito pela primeira vez, o macho de I. seladonium e pela primeira vez as genitálias do macho e da fêmea são detalhadamente ilustradas. Notas sobre o comportamento e a história natural de I. seladonium são apresentadas baseadas em dados de animais vivos observados no campo e em cativeiro. Foi observado um imaturo de I. seladonium construindo um abrigo convexo com pequenos pedaços de casca de árvore, comportamento desconhecido em Aviculariinae. Duas cortes foram observadas e fotografadas. Os comportamentos de tamborilar com as pernas; tamborilar com os pedipalpos do macho sobre o corpo da fêmea; e movimentos dorso-ventrais, do abdômen da fêmea, durante a inserção do êmbolo, são registrados pela primeira vez em Aviculariinae. O tempo médio de duração da corte e da cópula foi de aproximadamente dois minutos.

Isolation, characterization and biological properties of two kinin-like peptides (peptide-S and peptide-r) from Scaptocosa raptoria venom.

Two peptides with kinin-like biological properties were isolated by chromatography on a Sephadex G-10 column followed by high-performance liquid chromatography, from the venom of the spider Scaptocosa raptoria. The isolated peptides (peptide-S and peptide-R) were shown to cause contraction on the isolated guinea-pig ileum at amounts equivalent to those shown by bradykinin. Both peptides relaxed the isolated rat duodenum, increased the capillary permeability, caused decreasing and biphasic effect of the arterial blood pressure in conscious rats and induced oedema in the rat paw. The peptides had activity and structural similarities to other peptides (kinin-like) isolated from venoms. The complete amino acid analysis gave peptide-S a structure with 36 amino acid residues and peptide-R 22 amino acid residues. The mol. wts were estimated to be in the range of 4000 and 2870, respectively.

Mygalomorph spider bites: a report on 91 cases in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

From 1966 to 1991 91 cases of bites due to mygalomorph spiders were recorded at the Hospital Vital Brazil, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil, representing less than 1% of all spider bites. The diagnosis was confirmed by positive identification of the spider involved. Envenoming is generally mild, the main symptom is local pain, and there is minor oedema and erythema. The data confirm the assumption that these nonaggressive spiders pose no health problem.

Acidentes do trabalho por animais peçonhentos / Occupational accidents by poisonous animals

Os autores analisaram 2757 prontuários do Hospital Vital Brazil relativos aos atendimentos feitos durante o ano de 1983. Foram encontrados 561 casos de ofidismo (20,3% dos atendimentos), 1136 casos de araneísmo (41,2%) e 390 casos de escorpionismo (14,1%). Os restantes (24,4%) foram atendimentos de picadas de abelhas, outros insetos, dermatites por taturanas etc. Dos 561 casos de ofidismo, 247 foram por Bothrops (44%), 19 por Crotalus (3,4%), 1 por Micrurus (0,2%), 294 por serpentes näo peçonhentas e/ou näo picadas (52,3%). Dos casos de ofidismo, 64,1% eram maiores de 18 anos e destes , 77% do sexo masculino. Os autores chamam a atençäo para os casos de acidentes do trabalho: 135 casos, o que representa 24% e registram acidentes ocorridos em menores de idade: 10,4%. É feita uma descriçäo das ocupaçöes mais atingidas, estando os lavradores em primeiro lugar. Foram encontrados 1136 casos de araneísmo (41,2%), 680 casos foram picados por Phoneutria (59,8%), 62 casos por Loxosceles (5,4%), 134 por Lycosa (11,9%), 35 casos por outras aranhas (3,1%) e 225 (19,8%) por araneísmo provável. Dos casos de araneísmo, 780 foram em adultos (68,7%) e destes, 459 do sexo masculino (58,8%). Foram caracterizados 131 casos de acidentes do trabalho (11,5%), sendo que 6 ocorreram em menores de idade. As atividades de maior risco foram a lavoura, o manuseio e comércio de bananas e a construçäo civil. Dos 390 casos de escorpionismo, 69,3% ocorreram em adultos e destes, 62,7% do sexo masculino. Foram caracterizados 48 casos de acidentes do trabalho, que representam 12,3%, sendo que 5 atingiram menores de idade (8,6%). A atividade de maior risco foi a construçäo civil

Specific tension measurements in single soleus and medial gastrocnemius muscle fibers of the cat.

Direct measurements of the sizes of and forces produced by single fibers of the cat soleus and medial gastrocnemius muscles were made to determine whether or not different fiber types have characteristically distinct specific tensions. Single fibers (5-mm lengths), whose sarcolemmas had been chemically removed using a 5-mM EGTA "skinning" solution, were attached to a photodiode force transducer. Each single fiber was first placed in "relaxing" solution (22 +/- 1 degrees C, pH 7.0, pCa 8), its sarcomere length set at 2.7 micron using its laser diffraction pattern, and its diameter measured using the calibrated graticule of a microscope eyepiece (+/- 2 micron). Subsequently, each fiber was transferred to an activating bathing solution (pCa 3.6) in which the fiber produced its maximum tension. The specific tension values for single soleus muscle fibers displayed a threefold range (1.19 to 3.53 kg/cm2) with a mean value of 2.30 +/- 0.61 (SD) kg/cm2 (N = 42). The medial gastrocnemius fibers studied had a fourfold range in specific tensions (1.05 to 4.47 kg/cm2) and a mean value of 2.42 +/- 0.61 (SD) kg/cm2 (N = 104). Many medial gastrocnemius fibers (N = 64) were type-identified using a standard actomyosin ATPase histochemical assay. Type I medial gastrocnemius fibers had mean specific tension values of 2.45 +/- 0.47 kg/cm2 (N = 18), whereas, type II single fibers had mean specific tension values of 2.43 +/- 0.67 kg/cm2 (N = 46). Our results suggest that there is no significant difference between the specific tensions of the different muscle fiber types within the cat medial gastrocnemius muscle.

Acidentes do trabalho por animais peçonhentos

Os autores analisaram 2757 prontuários do Hospital Vital Brazil relativos aos atendimentos feitos durante o ano de 1983. Foram encontrados 561 casos de ofidismo (23.3% dos atendimentos), 1136 casos de araneismo (41.2%) e 390 casos de escorpionismo (14.1%). Os restantes (24,4%) foram atendimentos de picados de abelhas, outros insetos, dermatites de taturanas, etc. Dos 561 casos de ofidismo, 247 foram por Bothrops (44%), 19 por Crotalus (3.4%), 1 por Micrurus (0.2%), 294 por serpentes näo peçonhentas e/ou näo picados (52.3%). Dos casos de ofidismo, 64.1% eram maiores de 18 anos e destes, 77% do sexo masculino. Os autores chamam a atençäo para os casos de acidentes do trabalho: 135 casos, o que representa 24% e registram acidentes ocorridos em menores de idade: 10.4%. É feita uma descriçäo das ocupaçöes mais atingidas, estando os lavradores em primeiro lugar. Foram encontrados 1136 casos de araneismo (41.2%), 680 casos foram picados por Phoneutria (59.8%), 62 casos por Loxosceles (5.4%), 134 por Lycosa (11.9%), 35 casos por outras aranhas (3.08%) e 225 (19.8%) por araneismos provavel. Dos casos de araneismo, 780 foram em adultos (68.7%) e destes, 459 do sexo masculino (58.8%). Foram caracterizados 131 casos de acidentes do trabalho (11.5%), sendo que 6 ocorreram em menores de idade. As atividades de maior risco foram a lavoura, o manuseio e comercio de bananas e a construçäo civil. Dos 390 casos de escorpionismo, 69.3% ocorreram em adultos e destes, 62.7% do sexo masculino. Foram caracterizados 48 casos de acidentes do trabalho, que representam 12.3%, sendo que 5 atingiram menores de idade (8.6%). A atividade de maior risco foi a construçäo civil

Topographic factors in distribution of homonymous group Ia-afferent input to cat medial gastrocnemius motoneurons.

Experiments were performed to determine whether the topographic relationships between muscle spindles and their surrounding extrafusal fibers are preserved in the pattern of homonymous, monosynaptic connections from Ia-afferents to motoneurons. The medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle of adult cats was chosen as a model system because previous studies have shown that its muscle nerve divides into several branches, each of which innervates a distinct muscle compartment (20, 27, 28, 38), and that the Ia-afferent fibers innervating muscle spindles within a compartment are found in the same nerve branch (27, 28). Thus, we could make intracellular recordings from MG motoneurons, determine which intramuscular compartment they innervated, and then compare the synaptic input they received from Ia-afferents innervating the same compartment with that which they received from Ia-afferents innervating different compartments. Our results indicate that homonymous Ia-afferent input is "topographically weighted" within the MG motor nucleus such that afferents innervating a given intramuscular compartment exert relatively greater synaptic effects in motoneurons that project to the same compartment than in other homonymous motoneurons. The degree of topographic weighting was quite variable in the different experiments but appeared more prominently in experiments in which a high proportion of the motoneurons studied were characterized by high-rheobase values and low input resistances. This suggests that topographic factors may exert more influence on the distribution of Ia-afferent input to large motoneurons than to small motoneurons. In the DISCUSSION, the extent of topographic weighting within the homonymous motoneuron pool is compared with weighting across synergist motoneuron pools, and alternative models of topographic weighting are proposed and evaluated.

Analysis of individual Ia-afferent EPSPs in a homonymous motoneuron pool with respect to muscle topography.

The spike-triggered averaging technique (26) was used to determine whether the synaptic input from medial gastrocnemius (MG) Ia-afferent fibers to homonymous motoneurons is "topographically weighted" (22) by means of differences in projection frequency, excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) amplitude, or a combination of both factors. Motoneurons were classified as either "same branch" or "other branch," depending on whether a Ia-afferent fiber and motor axon were contained in the same or different intramuscular nerve branches. No difference was found in the projection frequency of Ia-afferents to the same branch and other branch motoneurons (95 versus 94%, respectively). The mean EPSP amplitude was larger in the same branch group of motoneurons (92 +/- 8 (SE) microV; n = V; n = 97) than in the other branch group (77 +/- 7 microV; n = 79). This difference was most striking in high-rheobase (greater than or equal to 10 nA) motoneurons, for which the mean EPSP amplitude in the same branch group was 82 +/- 12 microV (n = 48), whereas that in the other branch group was 52 +/- 5 microV (n = 37). In 60 cases it was possible to compare the EPSPs produced by a same branch afferent and an other branch afferent in the same motoneuron. The same branch afferent produced the larger EPSP in 73% (44/60) of the cases. Moreover, the mean ratio of the same branch to the other branch EPSP amplitudes was 1.7, which was both statistically significant and consistent with analogous results from our preceding study of aggregate EPSPs (22). Mean rise times and half-widths of EPSPs in the same branch group were not significantly different from those in the other branch group. Furthermore, no significant differences in rise times or half-widths between the two groups were evident when motoneurons were segregated according to their rheobase values. This suggests that the segregation of Ia-afferent and motor axons across the intramuscular nerve branches is not reflected in the locations of Ia terminals on the motoneuron somadendritic surface and that other factors must account for observed EPSP amplitude differences. Our data suggest that the topographic weighting of homonymous Ia-afferent input to cat MG motoneurons is mediated by a gradient of EPSP amplitude rather than by a gradient of Ia connectivity and also suggest that the effect is most prominent in high-rheobase motoneurons.