The life cycle of Neotropical ground beetle, Abaris basistriata (Coleoptera: Carabidae) reared on different substrates / Ciclo de vida do besouro de solo Neotropical, Abaris basistriata (Coleoptera: Carabidae) criado em diferentes substratos

Abstract Carabids are recognized worldwide as biological control agents of agricultural pests. The objective was to compare the life cycle of Abaris basistriata Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae) on three substrates: soil, fine vermiculite, or paper napkins. The biological cycle of A. basistriata presented different durations in soil and paper. The viability of eggs and larvae survival of the first and second instars were similar on all three substrates, while the third instar and pupa in the soil presented higher survival when compared with vermiculite and paper. The soil substrate was more favorable for the longevity of the carabid beetle. Abaris basistriata showed a shorter pre-oviposition period and a higher oviposition and post-oviposition period in the soil. Fecundity and fertility were higher when A. basistriata was reared on soil. The soil was most favorable substrate for rearing of A. basistriata in the laboratory. This information may make this species useful for the biological control.

Resumo Os carabídeos são reconhecidos mundialmente como agentes de controle biológico de pragas agrícolas. O objetivo foi comparar o ciclo de vida de Abaris basistriata Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae) em três substratos: solo, vermiculita fina, ou guardanapos de papel. O ciclo biológico de A. basistriata apresentou diferentes durações no solo e no papel. A viabilidade dos ovos e a sobrevivência das larvas do primeiro e segundo instares foram semelhantes nos três substratos, enquanto que o terceiro instar e a pupa apresentaram maior sobrevivência no solo quando comparados com vermiculita e papel. O substrato solo foi mais favorável à longevidade do carabídeo. Abaris basistriata mostrou menor período de pré-oviposição e maior período de oviposição e pós-oviposição no solo. A fecundidade e a fertilidade foram maiores quando A. basistriata foi criado no solo. O solo foi o substrato mais favorável para a criação de A. basistriata no laboratório. Estas informações são importantes e podem tornar essa espécie útil para o controlo biológico.

The life cycle of Neotropical ground beetle, Abaris basistriata (Coleoptera: Carabidae) reared on different substrates.

Carabids are recognized worldwide as biological control agents of agricultural pests. The objective was to compare the life cycle of Abaris basistriata Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae) on three substrates: soil, fine vermiculite, or paper napkins. The biological cycle of A. basistriata presented different durations in soil and paper. The viability of eggs and larvae survival of the first and second instars were similar on all three substrates, while the third instar and pupa in the soil presented higher survival when compared with vermiculite and paper. The soil substrate was more favorable for the longevity of the carabid beetle. Abaris basistriata showed a shorter pre-oviposition period and a higher oviposition and post-oviposition period in the soil. Fecundity and fertility were higher when A. basistriata was reared on soil. The soil was most favorable substrate for rearing of A. basistriata in the laboratory. This information may make this species useful for the biological control.

Atividade antioxidante do extrato aquoso de noni em diluente para congelação de sêmen ovino / Antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of noni in dilutent for ram semen cryopreservation

O noni (Morinda citrifolia L) é um fruto consumido no mundo por apresentar propriedades nutricionais e terapêuticas devido a grande quantidade de compostos fenólicos, o que desperta o interesse da comunidade científica. Com o intuito de buscar novas fontes naturais de antioxidantes objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho do noni em diluente para congelação de sêmen ovino. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos e três repetições por tratamento. Os tratamentos diferiram quanto à concentração do extrato aquoso do noni adicionado ao meio diluidor: controle, sem adição do extrato; e com três concentrações 24 µg/mL; 72 µg/mL; 120 µg/mL. Foram avaliadas as variáveis físicas e químicas do fruto maduro para acidez total (8,78), pH (4,12) e sólidos solúveis (8,18%). Para vitamina C, foi obtido 309,42 mg em 100 g de matéria fresca. O extrato aquoso do noni também foi avaliado quanto à quantificação de compostos fenólicos totais, atividade antioxidante e capacidade de inibição da peroxidação lipídica. O extrato aquoso do noni apresentou moderada quantidade de compostos fitoquímicos do tipo fenólicos de 47,96 ± 1,95 mg Eq. ácido gálico/100 g do extrato. A concentração de 72 e 120 µg/mL do extrato aquoso do noni inibiu a lipoperoxidação no meio diluidor para congelação de sêmen na ordem de 21,75% e 51,32%, respectivamente, e a menor concentração (24 µg/mL) não apresentou efeito positivo. O índice de atividade antioxidante do noni foi de 33,33, o que representa atividade antioxidante muito forte. O extrato aquoso do noni apresenta capacidade antioxidante muito forte e quando incluso ao meio diluidor para criopreservação de sêmen é capaz de inibir a lipoperoxidação a partir da concentração de 72 µg/mL...

Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) is a fruit consumed worldwide because of its nutritional and therapeutic properties resulting from the large amount of phenolic compounds, which has aroused interest of the scientific community. In order to identify new natural sources of antioxidants, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of noni in diluent for ram semen cryopreservation. A completely randomized design consisting of four treatments and three repetitions per treatment was used. The treatments differed in terms of the concentration of the aqueous extract of noni added to the diluent: control, no addition of the extract, and three concentrations (24, 72, and 120 µg/mL). The physical and chemical variables of the mature fruit were evaluated: total acidity (8.78), pH (4.12), and soluble solids (8.18%). The vitamin C content was 309.42 mg per 100 g fresh matter. The aqueous extract of noni was also evaluated regarding the quantity of total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity. The aqueous extract contained a moderate amount of phenolic compounds (47.96 ± 1.95 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g extract). The concentrations of the aqueous extract of 72 and 120 µg/mL in diluent used for semen cryopreservation inhibited lipid peroxidation by 21.75% and 51.32%, respectively. There was no positive effect of the lowest concentration (24 µg/mL). The antioxidant activity index of noni was 33.33, corresponding to very strong antioxidant activity. The aqueous extract of noni exhibits very strong antioxidant activity and its addition to the diluent for semen cryopreservation at a concentration of 72 µg/mL is able to inhibit lipid peroxidation...

Atividade antioxidante do extrato aquoso de noni em diluente para congelação de sêmen ovino / Antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of noni in dilutent for ram semen cryopreservation

O noni (Morinda citrifolia L) é um fruto consumido no mundo por apresentar propriedades nutricionais e terapêuticas devido a grande quantidade de compostos fenólicos, o que desperta o interesse da comunidade científica. Com o intuito de buscar novas fontes naturais de antioxidantes objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho do noni em diluente para congelação de sêmen ovino. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos e três repetições por tratamento. Os tratamentos diferiram quanto à concentração do extrato aquoso do noni adicionado ao meio diluidor: controle, sem adição do extrato; e com três concentrações 24 µg/mL; 72 µg/mL; 120 µg/mL. Foram avaliadas as variáveis físicas e químicas do fruto maduro para acidez total (8,78), pH (4,12) e sólidos solúveis (8,18%). Para vitamina C, foi obtido 309,42 mg em 100 g de matéria fresca. O extrato aquoso do noni também foi avaliado quanto à quantificação de compostos fenólicos totais, atividade antioxidante e capacidade de inibição da peroxidação lipídica. O extrato aquoso do noni apresentou moderada quantidade de compostos fitoquímicos do tipo fenólicos de 47,96 ± 1,95 mg Eq. ácido gálico/100 g do extrato. A concentração de 72 e 120 µg/mL do extrato aquoso do noni inibiu a lipoperoxidação no meio diluidor para congelação de sêmen na ordem de 21,75% e 51,32%, respectivamente, e a menor concentração (24 µg/mL) não apresentou efeito positivo. O índice de atividade antioxidante do noni foi de 33,33, o que representa atividade antioxidante muito forte. O extrato aquoso do noni apresenta capacidade antioxidante muito forte e quando incluso ao meio diluidor para criopreservação de sêmen é capaz de inibir a lipoperoxidação a partir da concentração de 72 µg/mL...(AU)

Noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) is a fruit consumed worldwide because of its nutritional and therapeutic properties resulting from the large amount of phenolic compounds, which has aroused interest of the scientific community. In order to identify new natural sources of antioxidants, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of noni in diluent for ram semen cryopreservation. A completely randomized design consisting of four treatments and three repetitions per treatment was used. The treatments differed in terms of the concentration of the aqueous extract of noni added to the diluent: control, no addition of the extract, and three concentrations (24, 72, and 120 µg/mL). The physical and chemical variables of the mature fruit were evaluated: total acidity (8.78), pH (4.12), and soluble solids (8.18%). The vitamin C content was 309.42 mg per 100 g fresh matter. The aqueous extract of noni was also evaluated regarding the quantity of total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and lipid peroxidation inhibition capacity. The aqueous extract contained a moderate amount of phenolic compounds (47.96 ± 1.95 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g extract). The concentrations of the aqueous extract of 72 and 120 µg/mL in diluent used for semen cryopreservation inhibited lipid peroxidation by 21.75% and 51.32%, respectively. There was no positive effect of the lowest concentration (24 µg/mL). The antioxidant activity index of noni was 33.33, corresponding to very strong antioxidant activity. The aqueous extract of noni exhibits very strong antioxidant activity and its addition to the diluent for semen cryopreservation at a concentration of 72 µg/mL is able to inhibit lipid peroxidation...(AU)

Studying the genetic basis of drought tolerance in sorghum by managed stress trials and adjustments for phenological and plant height differences.

Managed environments in the form of well watered and water stressed trials were performed to study the genetic basis of grain yield and stay green in sorghum with the objective of validating previously detected QTL. As variations in phenology and plant height may influence QTL detection for the target traits, QTL for flowering time and plant height were introduced as cofactors in QTL analyses for yield and stay green. All but one of the flowering time QTL were detected near yield and stay green QTL. Similar co-localization was observed for two plant height QTL. QTL analysis for yield, using flowering time/plant height cofactors, led to yield QTL on chromosomes 2, 3, 6, 8 and 10. For stay green, QTL on chromosomes 3, 4, 8 and 10 were not related to differences in flowering time/plant height. The physical positions for markers in QTL regions projected on the sorghum genome suggest that the previously detected plant height QTL, Sb-HT9-1, and Dw2, in addition to the maturity gene, Ma5, had a major confounding impact on the expression of yield and stay green QTL. Co-localization between an apparently novel stay green QTL and a yield QTL on chromosome 3 suggests there is potential for indirect selection based on stay green to improve drought tolerance in sorghum. Our QTL study was carried out with a moderately sized population and spanned a limited geographic range, but still the results strongly emphasize the necessity of corrections for phenology in QTL mapping for drought tolerance traits in sorghum.

Effects of transport time and rest period on the quality of electrically stimulated male cattle carcasses.

Forty-five castrated Nelore-breed male cattle, with average age of 37 months, were randomly chosen. The cattle were submitted to the combination of two transport times (up to 2h and approximately 5h) and five rest periods (0h, 6h, 12h, 18h and 24h). The carcasses were electrically stimulated. After 24h postmortem, the average of the ultimate pH in the M. Longissimus dorsi (LD) was considered normal (5.57-5.72) for eight out of nine cattle groups. The shear force (SF) was higher for cattle that were not allowed a rest period (0h) on both transport times, however it was not significant (p>0.05). This result was compatible with the sarcomere length (SL), which were shorter for those carcasses. The rest period and transport time had no influence on the L(∗) (lightness) values, but a(∗) (redness) values increased until the 12th hour of rest. The b(∗) (yellowness) value was negative for the cattle without a rest period (0h) and transported for 5h. The cattle transported for up to 2h could be allowed a 6-h rest period only, and the cattle transported for 5h could be allowed a 12-h rest period without the meat quality being affected significantly.

[Spatial analysis of early neonatal mortality in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, 1995-1996]. / Análise espacial da mortalidade neonatal precoce no Município do Rio de Janeiro, 1995-1996.

The objective of this study was to establish the spatial distribution of the early neonatal mortality rate (0-3 days) in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro for 1995-1996, identifying the best explanatory factors for spatial variations. By considering Rio de Janeiro's 153 neighborhoods as ecological units of analysis, socioeconomic and maternal indicators were analyzed according to place of residence. Spatial statistical analysis was performed using the Cliff & Ord methodology, appropriate for lattice data. From the 0-3 day mortality thematic map, we clearly identified two clusters of high early neonatal mortality rates. Spatial dependence was also confirmed by the statistical results of the spatial analysis. The variables that explain the clusters are the proportions of "adolescent mothers", "slum-dwellers", and "heads of households below the poverty level". Spatial statistics provided a better understanding of the geographic distribution of early neonatal mortality and suggested potential hypotheses for further investigation, which could support preventive programs and contribute to a decrease in infant mortality.

[The spread of the AIDS epidemic in Brazil from 1987 to 1996: a spatial analysis]. / A disseminação da epidemia da AIDS no Brasil, no período de 1987-1996: uma análise espacial.

Mean AIDS incidence rates were calculated for three time periods, 1987-89, 1990-92, and 1993-96, using reported adult AIDS cases by county. The analysis included the following variables: "population of counties for resident AIDS cases"; "proportion of population residing in urban areas", and "concentration of poverty", stratifying by gender and exposure categories. The Southeast region has experienced the lowest increase, contrasting with the steep rise observed in the North and South between the second and third study periods. Comparing variations in incidence rates from 1990-92 and 1993-96 by region or population, the greatest increase was among women. In the larger cities, AIDS cases among "homo/bisexual men" predominate, although the proportion of cases among men who have sex with men has decreased as heterosexual cases have undergone a continuous increase. IDUs have been the core stratum in medium-sized counties. For the smallest counties, heterosexual transmission has been the basic element in local dynamics. Even though AIDS is still an urban phenomenon in Brazil, the epidemic is spreading to rural counties. Until recently it has mainly affecting relatively more affluent areas, but there is now an evident spread of the epidemic to poorer areas.

[AIDS and level of education in Brazil: temporal evolution from 1986 to 1996]. / AIDS e grau de escolaridade no Brasil: evolução temporal de 1986 a 1996.

This article analyzes the temporal distribution of reported AIDS cases by level of education used as a proxy variable for individual socioeconomic status. All AIDS cases aged 20-69 years and reported through May 29, 1999, with date of diagnosis between 1986-1996, were included in the study. Incidence rates were calculated for men and women according to level of education ("level 1" up to 8 years of schooling and "level 2" with over 8 years of schooling), by five geographic regions, and by year of diagnosis. Incidence rates for men with less schooling were close to or higher than those for men with more schooling (particularly in the Southeast region). For women, a time series showed that incidence rates increased at a higher rate among women with less schooling in all regions of the country; in the Southeast, the incidence rate for women with less schooling was already greater than for women with more schooling by 1989. According to the present analysis, the AIDS epidemic in Brazil began among people from the more highly educated social strata and progressed steadily through to the less educated social strata, especially among women.

[Estimated number of orphans due to maternal AIDS in Brazil, 1987-99]. / Estimativa do número de órfãos decorrentes da AIDS materna, Brasil, 1987-1999.

This study proposes a procedure to estimate the number of orphans due to maternal AIDS. The procedure estimates the number of orphans by calendar year, multiplying the cumulative fertility rate by the number of AIDS deaths among women aged 15-49 years. Because the procedure refers to the number of children that are alive, the estimate is adjusted by contemplating the proportion of pediatric AIDS cases due to vertical transmission and the probability of survival in the 5-9-year age group. To estimate the number of AIDS orphans in Brazil from 1987 to 1999, the procedure was applied by stratifying according to geographical region, taking into account the differences in regional fertility rates, completeness of death reporting, and misclassification of AIDS-related deaths as due to other causes. The total number of cumulative AIDS orphans for 1987-99 was estimated at approximately 30,000.

Income inequality and homicide rates in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the effect of income inequality on homicide rates in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: We conducted an ecological study at 2 geographical levels, municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro and administrative regions in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The association between homicide and income inequality was tested by multiple regression procedures, with adjustment for other socioeconomic indicators. RESULTS: For the municipalities of Rio de Janeiro State, no association between homicide and income concentration was found an outcome that can be explained by the municipalities' different degrees of urbanization. However, for the administrative regions in the city of Rio de Janeiro, the 2 income inequality indicators were strongly correlated with the outcome variable (P < .01). Higher homicide rates were found precisely in the sector of the city that has the greatest concentration of slum residents and the highest degree of income inequality. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that social policies specifically aimed at low-income urban youth, particularly programs to reduce the harmful effects of relative deprivation, may have an important impact on the homicide rate.

[Income inequality and health: the case of Rio de Janeiro]. / Desigualdade de renda e situação de saúde: o caso do Rio de Janeiro.

This ecological analysis addresses the association between income inequality and health status in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Data were analyzed using geo-processing and multiple regression techniques. The following health indicators were used: infant mortality rate; standardized mortality rate; life expectancy at birth; and homicide rate among 15-29-year-old males. Patterns of income inequality were assessed through income distribution indicators: Gini index, Robin Hood index, and top 10 %/bottom 40% average income ratio. The results indicate significant correlations between income distribution indicators and health indicators, providing additional empirical evidence of the association between health status and income inequality. For the homicide rate, the effect of the indicator "density of slum residents" was also relevant, suggesting that further deterioration in health standards may be due to social disruption of deprived communities and the resultant increase in criminal activity. The geo-epidemiological analysis presented here highlights the association between adverse health outcomes and residential concentration of poverty. Social policies focused on slum residents are needed to reduce the harmful effects of relative deprivation.

[Fever and infection after heart surgery. A prospective study of 75 cases]. / Fiebre e infección después de cirugía cardiaca. Estudio prolectivo en 75 casos.

We prospectively studied 75 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery, they were otherwise health and were not using inflammation modifying drugs. Their febrile response and inflammatory conditions after surgery were monitored. Most of them had fever, 52/75 (64%). Postoperative infection was rare (13%) and when present, it was due to pathogens easily treated. Contamination-/infection of genitourinary tract occurred in 10/24 cases (16%), only one case was symptomatic. There was no difference in febrile response between infected and not-infected patients, neither the "routine" laboratory evaluation allowed differentiation, therefore the diagnosis of postoperative infection remains clinical. There is difference in febrile response between patients who had or had not extracorporeal circulation during the surgical procedure. In the later, fever developed 2 days later and it had longer duration.