Microsatellite Marker Discovery in the Stingless Bee Uruçu-Amarela (Melipona rufiventris Group, Hymenoptera, Meliponini) for Population Genetic Analysis.

The species Melipona rufiventris Lepeletier, 1836 is a Brazilian native stingless bee that is part of a species complex known as the 'rufiventris group', making it difficult to distinguish between the different species. Populations in this group are facing a severe decline, leading to the risk of local extinction, and therefore, their conservation should be treated as a major concern. This study describes the first set of tri- and tetranucleotide microsatellite markers, using next-generation sequencing technology for use in the identification of genetic diversity and population structure in the 'rufiventris group'. A total of 16 microsatellite loci displayed polymorphism. Analysis of the whole data set (n = 50) detected 63 alleles in all loci, ranging from 2 to 7 with a mean of 3.9 alleles/locus. A genetic diversity analysis revealed high values for population differentiation estimates (FST = 0.252, RST = 0.317, and DEST = 0.284) between the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga biomes. An additional evidence for genetic divergence among populations was also found in the 'rufiventris group'; these should be treated as separate conservation units or even as separate species. These microsatellite markers have demonstrated a strong potential for assessing population discrimination in this threatened stingless bee group.

Areas of natural occurrence of Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the state of Bahia, Brazil.

The bee Melipona scutellaris is considered the reared meliponine species with the largest distribution in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, with records from the state of Rio Grande do Norte down to the state of Bahia. Considering the importance of this species in the generation of income for family agriculture and in the preservation of areas with natural vegetation, this study aimed at providing knowledge on the distribution of natural colonies of M. scutellaris in the state of Bahia. Literature information, interviews with stinglessbee beekeepers, and expeditions were conducted to confirm the natural occurrence of the species. A total of 102 municipalities showed records for M. scutellaris, whose occurrence was observed in areas ranging from sea level up to 1,200-meter height. The occurrence of this species in the state of Bahia is considered to be restricted to municipalities on the coastal area and the Chapada Diamantina with its rainforests. Geographic coordinates, elevation, climate and vegetation data were obtained, which allowed a map to be prepared for the area of occurrence in order to support conservation and management policies for the species.

Sífilis e gestação: estudo comparativo de dois períodos (2006 e 2011) em população de puérperas / Syphilis and pregnancy: a two-period (2006 and 2011)comparative study of a puerperal women population

Em 2005 a sífilis SF em gestantes foi incluída na lista de agravos de notificação compulsória, na tentativa de controlar a transmissão vertical.Objetivo: comparar dois períodos em população de puérperas para verificação da sífilis congênita (SC) como fator de assistência pré-natal. Métodos: estudo observacional transversal comparativo retrospectivo e prospectivo dos casos de SC ocorridos em dois períodos distintos com 512 puérperas em cada período(2006 e 2011) com total de 1.024 puérperas, de quatro maternidades da cidade de Campo Grande-MS. O diagnóstico baseou-se nos critérios propostospelo Ministério da Saúde. Foi realizada entrevista ao leito e verificação dos exames obtidos durante o pré-natal ou no ato da internação. Resultados: aprevalência de SC observada no primeiro período (2006) foi de 2,3% e no segundo (2011), de 0,58%. Observou-se associação significativa entre os períodos estudados e elevação da frequência das doenças infecciosas e sexualmente transmissíveis, de 3,5% (2006) para 10,1% (2011). Não se observou associação significativa entre os períodos estudados e as variáveis relacionadas a infecção sifilítica materno-fetal, tratamento do parceiro e tratamento dos outros filhos.Conclusão: verificou-se o desconhecimento sobre a importância da prevenção da sífilis, além da atenção e o cuidado que devem existir no momento dopreenchimento do cartão da gestante, e elevação significativa da identificação de outras doenças infecciosas durante o pré-natal no ano de 2011 em relação ao ano de 2006. Em nenhum período ocorreu o tratamento adequado das pacientes, dos parceiros e o rastreamento dos filhos.

In 2005, syphilis in pregnant women was included in the list of diseases of compulsory notification, in an attempt to control the vertical transmission Objective: to compare two periods in a population of mothers for verification of congenital syphilis as a factor of prenatal care. Methods: thisis a retrospective and prospective comparative cross-sectional observational study of CS cases occurred in two distinct periods, with a total of 1,024 mothers,512 each period (2006 and 2011), in four hospitals in the city of Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul. The diagnosis was based on the criteriaproposed by the Ministry of Health. An interview with bed was carried out and test verified during prenatal period or time of hospitalization. Results: theprevalence of congenital syphilis in the first period (2006) was of 2.3%, and in the second (2011), 0.58%. A significant association was observed between thetwo periods, and also an increased frequency of infectious and sexually transmitted diseases from 3.5% (2006) to 10.1% (2011). No significant association was observed between the periods studied with the variables related to maternal-fetal syphilis infection, partner treatment, and treatment of other children.Conclusion: the unawareness about the importance of syphilis prevention, in addition to the necessary attention when a pregnant?s card is completed, andthe increased identification of other infectious diseases during prenatal care in 2011 compared to 2006 was observed. There was no appropriate treatmentof patients and partners, nor tracing of children in neither period.

Obstetric, clinical, and perinatal implications of H1N1 viral infection during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine perinatal outcome and epidemiologic, clinical, and obstetric characteristics among pregnant women infected with the H1N1 virus admitted to a Brazilian university hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted of pregnant women infected with H1N1 who were admitted to the University Hospital at the School of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil, during the 2009 pandemic. Data were obtained via a questionnaire, which was administered during the hospital evaluation of patients' medical records. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included in the study. Antiviral therapy was initiated within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms in 64.5% of cases. Infection with the H1N1 virus was associated with severe clinical complications in 22.6% of patients and adverse perinatal outcomes in 41.9% of cases. The rate of maternal and perinatal mortality was 9.7%. There was a statistically significant association between late treatment with oseltamivir and increase in systemic complications in pregnancy (odds ratio 22.80 [95% confidence interval, 2.20-235.65]; P=0.007). CONCLUSION: Early treatment with oseltamivir may prevent serious complications associated with H1N1 infection in pregnant women but it does not affect perinatal outcome.

Physicochemical characteristics and sensory profile of honey samples from stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponinae) submitted to a dehumidification process.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a dehumidification process on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of stingless-bee honey. Melipona scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata honey samples were submitted to a dehumidification process and to physicochemical (reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, moisture, diastatic activity, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash, pH, acidity, and electric conductivity) and sensory evaluations (fluidity, color, aroma, crystallization,flavor,and acceptability). The results indicated that the dehumidification process does not interfere with honey quality and acceptability.

Physicochemical characteristics and sensory profile of honey samples from stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponinae) submitted to a dehumidification process

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a dehumidification process on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of stingless-bee honey. Melipona scutellaris and M. quadrifasciata honey samples were submitted to a dehumidification process and to physicochemical (reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, moisture, diastatic activity, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash, pH, acidity, and electric conductivity) and sensory evaluations (fluidity, color, aroma, crystallization,flavor,and acceptability). The results indicated that the dehumidification process does not interfere with honey quality and acceptability.

Este estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do processo de desumidificação sobre as características físico-químicas e sensoriais do mel das abelhas sem ferrão. Amostras de méis de Melipona scutellaris e M. quadrifasciata foram submetidas ao processo de desumidificação, passando em seguida por avaliações físico-químicas (açúcares redutores, sacarose aparente, umidade, atividade diastásica, hidroximetilfurfural, cinzas, pH, acidez e condutividade elétrica) e sensoriais (fluidez, cor, aroma, cristalização, sabor e aceitabilidade). Os resultados indicaram que o processo de desumidificação não interfere na qualidade e aceitabilidade do mel.