Multi-laboratory study of hybrid diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to assess sunscreen SPF and UVA-PFs.

BACKGROUND: Proof-of-principle studies have established the use of Hybrid Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (HDRS) methods to assess both Ultraviolet-A Protection Factor (UVA-PF) and Sun Protection Factor (SPF) indices in individual laboratories. METHODS: Multiple laboratories evaluated 23 emulsions and two spray sunscreen products to evaluate repeatability and accuracy of assessment of SPF and UVA-PF values, using HDRS test systems from various manufacturers using different designs. RESULTS: All of the laboratories reported similar SPF and UVA-PF values within a narrow range of values to establish the reliability of the HDRS methodology across laboratories, independent of equipment manufacturer or operator. CONCLUSION: HDRS test methodology provides a reliable objective instrumental estimation of sunscreen SPF and UVA-PF. These data were provided to ISO-TC217 WG7 to substantiate the ongoing development of an ISO Standard HDRS Method.

Oviposition Preference and Antibiosis to Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazilian Maize Landraces.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a major pest of maize [Zea mays L. (Poales: Poaceae)] in tropical and subtropical regions. We aimed to evaluate the oviposition preference, growth, and survival of S. frugiperda on maize landraces and assess the nutritional quality of the leaves of different Brazilian maize landraces through evaluation of consumption indices. The oviposition preference was assayed using free and no-choice tests, and antibiosis by evaluating insect growth parameters, including weight, development time, survival in different stages of the life cycle, and nutritional indices. Landrace Pérola and cultivar BRS-Caatingueiro were the least preferred for S. frugiperda oviposition. Larvae fed with landrace Pérola consumed a lower amount of leaves and showed longer development time and lower survival until the end of the pupal stage. Larvae fed with the leaves of landrace Pérola and cultivar BRS-Caatingueiro displayed the lowest nutritional indices. Overall, Pérola was the most promising source of resistance to S. frugiperda. Identification of resistance in maize landraces may support breeding programs aimed at developing cultivars and hybrids resistant to S. frugiperda and other agricultural pests and inform growers regarding resistance of their landraces for integrated pest management.

Characterization of Antibiosis to Diabrotica speciosa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Brazilian Maize Landraces.

Resistance to insect pests can be found in several native, landrace plants and can be an important alternative to conventional control methods. Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae are important maize (Zea mays L.) (Cyperales: Poaceae) root pests and finding native resistance in landraces would greatly contribute to maize-breeding programs aimed at controlling this pest. This study investigated whether the growth, survival, oviposition rhythm, fecundity, and fertility of D. speciosa are negatively influenced by specific maize landraces, and the existence of any morphological barriers in the roots that may correlate with plant resistance to the larval attack. Nineteen genotypes (17 landraces and 2 cultivars) were screened for antibiosis in assays that were conducted in the laboratory using seedling maize plants where the development time, longevity, weight, total survival, and sex ratio of adults were evaluated. Out of nineteen genotypes, eight were selected according to their resistance levels for an additional rearing study evaluating oviposition and fecundity. Landrace Pérola and cultivar SCS 154-Fortuna were classified as resistant because they increased the maturation period from larva to adult and decreased survivorship; and the landrace Palha Roxa was also classified as resistant for showing a lower fertility rate than other landraces. Resistant landraces that were infested by D. speciosa larvae showed greater amounts of some morphological barriers comparing with uninfested plants. The landraces classified as resistant may be considered in future plant-breeding programs, aiming to develop resistant maize cultivars to D. speciosa larval attack.

Attractiveness, non-preference for feeding and oviposition to Ascia monuste orseis Godart (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in collard greens / Atratividade, não-preferência para alimentação e oviposição de Ascia monuste orseis Godart (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) em couve comum

Collard greens Brassica oleracea var. acephala is one of the most important horticultural grown in Brazil for human feeding. The caterpillar Ascia monuste orseis (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) stands out among the important pest in Brassicaceae causing severe plant defoliation. The objective of this study was to identify resistant genotypes (antixenosis) in 26 collard greens genotypes to A. monuste orseis. In free-choice test, randomized blocks were used; and in the non-choice test we adopted a completely randomized design. Manteiga de Jundiaí, crespa de Capão Bonito, couve de Arthur Nogueira 1, manteiga I-1811, manteiga de Ribeirão Pires I-1811, orelha-de-elefante and Pires 1 de Campinas presented antixenosis (non-preference for oviposition). Pires 1 de Campinas, manteiga I-1811, manteiga de São José, verde-escura and manteiga de Monte Alegre presented antixenosis (non-preference for feeding). These collard greens genotypes can be directly used by farmers for cultivation or by breeders as donor sources in breeding programs for resistance to A. monuste orseis.(AU)

Brassica oleracea var. acephala (couve comum) é uma das mais importantes olerícolas cultivadas no Brasil para alimentação humana. A lagarta Ascia monuste orseis (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) destaca-se entre as pragas mais significativas no cultivo de Brassicaceae por causar severa desfolha na planta. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar, em 26 genótipos de couve comum, fontes de resistência (antixenose) a A. monuste orseis. No teste de livre escolha, adotou-se o esquema casualizado de blocos; e no teste sem chance de escolha o esquema foi inteiramente casualizado. Manteiga de Jundiaí, crespa de Capão Bonito, couve de Arthur Nogueira 1, manteiga I-1811, manteiga de Ribeirão Pires I-1811, orelha-de-elefante e Pires 1 de Campinas apresentaram antixenose (não preferência para oviposição). Pires 1 de Campinas, manteiga I-1811, manteiga de São José, verde-escura e manteiga de Monte Alegre apresentaram antixenose (não preferência para alimentação). Esses genótipos de couve comum podem ser cultivados diretamente por agricultores ou ser usados por melhoristas em programas de melhoramento genético para resistência a A. monuste orseis.(AU)

Caracterização de cultivares de amendoim quanto ao dano de Stegasta bosquella (Chambers, 1875) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) / Characterization of peanut cultivars to damage Stegasta bosquella (Chambers, 1875) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Avaliou-se a resistência de quatro cultivares de amendoim de hábito de crescimento rasteiro e cinco cultivares de hábito de crescimento ereto ao dano de Stegasta bosquella (Chambers, 1875) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) em condições de campo na safra das águas, nos anos 2009/2010 e 2010/2011. Os cultivares utilizados nos experimentos foram: IAC 147, IAC 213, IAC Caiapó e IAC Runner 886 (porte rasteiro) e IAC Tatu ST, IAC 5, IAC 8112, IAC 22 e IAC 88-1 (porte ereto). O delineamento adotado foi em blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas ao longo do tempo, e quatro repetições. Para a infestação de S. bosquella , foram realizadas avaliações semanais dos 18 aos 67 dias após a emergência (DAE), com contagem de lagartas e avaliações de danos. Para a contagem do número de brotos por planta, coletaram-se 5 plantas por parcela a partir dos 30, 60 e 90 DAE. Independentemente do cultivar, as maiores infestações de S. bosquella ocorrem dos 53 aos 67 DAE. O cultivar IAC Runner 886 apresenta a maior emissão de brotos apicais, uma característica desejável na defesa da planta em relação à S. bosquella.(AU)

We evaluated the strength of four growth habit of peanut cultivars creeping and five cultivars of erect growth habit to damage Stegasta bosquella (Chambers, 1875) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) under field conditions during the rainy season, in the years 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. The cultivars used in the experiments were: IAC 147, IAC 213, IAC Caiapó and IAC Runner 886 (runner) and IAC Tatu ST, IAC 5, IAC 8112, IAC 22 e IAC 88-1 (erect). The design adopted was randomized blocks with split plot over time, and four replications. For infestation of S. bosquella , weekly evaluations were done 18 to 67 days after emergence (DAE), with caterpillars count and damage assessments. For counting the number of shoots per plant, they collected up five plants per plot from the 30, 60 and 90 DAE. Regardless of cultivating major infestations of S. bosquella occur from 53 to 67 DAE. The IAC Runner 886 cultivar has the highest emission apical shoots a desirable feature in plant defense in relation to S. bosquella.(AU)

In vitro studies of the activity of dithiocarbamate organoruthenium complexes against clinically relevant fungal pathogens.

The in vitro antifungal activity of nine dirutheniumpentadithiocarbamate complexes C1-C9 was investigated and assessed for its activity against four different fungal species with clinical interest and related to invasive fungal infections (IFIs), such as Candida spp. [C. albicans (two clinical isolates), C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsolisis, C. tropicalis, C.dubliniensis (six clinical isolates)], Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (seven clinical isolates), Cryptococcus neoformans and Sporothrix schenckii. All synthesized complexes C1-C9 and also the free ligands L1-L9 were submitted to in vitro tests against those fungi and the results are very promising, since some of the obtained MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) values were very low (from 10-6 mol mL-1 to 10-8 mol mL-1) against all investigated clinically relevant fungal pathogens, except for C. glabrata, that the MIC values are close to the ones obtained for fluconazole, the standard antifungal agent tested. Preliminary structure-activity relations (SAR) might be suggested and a strong influence from steric and lipophilic parameters in the antifungal activity can be noticed. Cytotoxicity assays (IC50) showed that the complexes are not as toxic (IC50 values are much higher-30 to 200 fold-than MIC values). These ruthenium complexes are very promising lead compounds for novel antifungal drug development, especially in IFIs, one of most harmful emerging infection diseases (EIDs).

Influence of oxidation state of sulfur on the dissociation of [Tz-(CH2)n-S(O)m-(CH2)n-Tz + Na+] adducts generated by electrospray ionization (Tz = tetrazole ring; n = 2, 3; m= 0, 1, 2).

Sodium adducts of six organosulfur-α,ω-ditetrazole compounds (Tz-(CH(2))(n)-S(O)(m)-(CH(2))(n)-Tz; where Tz = tetrazole ring; n = 2, 3; m = 0, 1, 2) were generated via electrospray ionization (ESI) and their fragmentation pattern assessed via collision-induced dissociation (CID). Two main dissociation channels were observed: (a) losses of N(2) and HN(3) from the tetrazole rings; (b) cleavage of the C-S bond. The sulfoxides pass predominantly through the second fragmentation pathway, but for the sulfides and sulfones the tetrazole ring fragmentation occurs. Theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31 + G(d,p) level indicate that for all the adducts (sulfide, sulfoxide, and sulfone) the dissociation pathway that leads to product ions arising from loss of N(2) was the most exothermic. Based on these results and assumptions, it was postulated that the dissociation of the sulfoxide adducts occurs under kinetic control (N(2)-loss pathway via a much more energetic transition state). For the sulfide and sulfone adducts, on the other hand, the dissociation process takes place via a thermodynamically controlled process.

In vitro susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. to dithiocarbamate organoruthenium compounds.

The in vitro antifungal activity of ruthenium dithiocarbamate compounds (1-5) was investigated and assessed for its activity against seven different species of Aspergillus (Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nomius, Aspergillus tamarii and Aspergillus terreus). Analysis of in vitro susceptibility was performed using broth microdilution assay following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines for filamentous fungi. The cytotoxicity was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Aspergillus clavatus and A. fumigatus were more susceptible species for complexes 1 and 2. Other complexes showed excellent minimum inhibitory concentration (4-64 µg ml(-1)) against most microorganisms. Complexes 1 and 2 are respectively 180- and 95-fold more active than the corresponding free ligands against A. clavatus and the complex 5 is 46-fold more active than free ligand against A. niger. Aspergillus niger was more susceptible to the action of the complexes 1 and 5 (16 µg ml(-1)). A low cytotoxic activity (IC(50) > 10(-6) mol l(-1) ) on normal mammalian cells (BHK-21) to the evaluated complexes was measured. Ruthenium complexes are promising antifungal agents against the development of novel effective drug against different species of Aspergillus; however, for A. nomius and A. terreus, they were not active in the highest concentration tested.

[Ablation of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia with left bundle-branch block morphology located in the pulmonary trunk]. / Ablação de taquicardia ventricular idiopática com morfologia de bloqueio de ramo esquerdo localizada no tronco da artéria pulmonar.

We report the case of a 26-year-old female patient with palpitations and presyncopes due to nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, who had no structural heart disease. The patient underwent electrophysiological study in an attempt to ablate the arrhythmogenic focus, whose location was determined by using mapping criteria. Because mapping of the right ventricular outflow tract was not successful, the catheter was placed inside the pulmonary artery with satisfactory mapping of the arrhythmogenic focus, and tachycardia was eliminated as soon as radiofrequency was initiated. The patient has remained asymptomatic for 14 months, with no treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs, and no arrhythmias on serial 24-hour Holter.

Ablação de taquicardia ventricular idiopática com morfologia de bloqueio de ramo esquerdo localizada no tronco da artéria pulmonar / Ablation of idiopathic ventricular tachycardia with left bundle-branch block morphology located in the pulmonary trunk

Paciente de 26 anos, sem cardiopatia estrutural, apresentando palpitações e pré-síncopes devido à taquicardia ventricular não sustentada, foi submetida a estudo eletrofisiológico para tentativa de ablação do foco arritmogênico, usando-se como local, os critérios de mapeamento. Sem obter êxito com o mapeamento da via de saída do ventrículo direito, posicionou-se o cateter dentro da artéria pulmonar com mapeamento de foco satisfatório, eliminando a taquicardia tão logo iniciada a radiofreqüência. Durante seguimento de 14 meses, a paciente permanece assintomática, sem arritmia ao Holter e não nessecitando de drogas antiarrítmicas.

Associacao entre transtorno do panico, asma e outras doencas obstrutivas pulmonares / Association between panic disorder, asthma and other pulmonary obstructive disorders

A ocorrencia do transtorno do panico com asma e outras doencas obstrutivas pulmonares e maior que o esperado, baseando-se em suas prevalencias individuais...

Bupropiona para o tratamento da cessaçäo do hábito de fumar / Bupropion for the treatment of smoking cessation

Terapia com substituição de nicotina tem sido amplamente utilizada no tratamento da cessação do hábito de fumar, porém a forte relação entre transtornos do humor, dependência e abstinência de nicotina e uma melhor compreensão da neuroquímica da nicotina sugerem o uso de antidepressivos no tratamento do tabagismo...

Sobre o preparo, estabilidade e conservacao da C4 liquida a partir de uma trituracao / About the preparation, stability and conservation of liquid C4 from an a trituration

Os autores estudam a viabilidade de preparo e a estabilidade das solucoes medicamentosas da quarta potencia centesimal hahnemanniana preparadas a partir de uma trituracao. Sao feitas consideracoes sobre diversos autores e uma observacao visual da estabilidade e conservacao das solucoes hidroalcoolicas de diferentes titulos. A conclusao e de que se deva seguir a proposicao de Hahnemann do seu preparo a 30 porcento em volume hidroalcoolico