Synanthropy of Sarcophagidae (Diptera) in southeastern Brazil.

Sarcophagidae (Diptera) are potential vectors of several pathogens. They are also very important in forensic entomology, providing basic information on the circumstances of death. The objective of this study was to determine the synanthropic index of adult Sarcophagidae collected in Rio Claro, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Sampling occurred between September 2009 and August 2010. Traps baited with sardines, beef liver, or minced meat were set for five consecutive days per month in three distinct ecological areas representing urban, rural, and forest environments. A total of 440 specimens of sarcophagids were collected. The most abundant species was Peckia (Sarcodexia) lambens (Wiedemann), followed by Oxysarcodexia thornax (Walker), Peckia (Euboettcheria) collusor (Curran & Walley), Peckia (Euboettcheria) sp., and Peckia (Pattonella) intermutans (Walker). The only species with positive synanthropic index values were O. thornax and P. (S.) lambens, which demonstrated a greater preference for inhabited areas. Peckia (Euboettcheria) florencioi (Prado & Fonseca), P. (P.) intermutans, and Peckia (Euboettcheria) australis (Townsend) were only found in the forested area, which demonstrates their importance in forensic entomology because of their preference for a particular type of environment. The greatest number of sarcophagids was found in the forest environment; however, only the forest and rural areas were significantly different in Sarcophagidae abundance.

Endophytic bacteria from Piper tuberculatum Jacq.: isolation, molecular characterization, and in vitro screening for the control of Fusarium solani f. sp piperis, the causal agent of root rot disease in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.).

Endophytic bacteria have been found to colonize internal tissues in many different plants, where they can have several beneficial effects, including defense against pathogens. In this study, we aimed to identify endophytic bacteria associated with roots of the tropical piperaceae Piper tuberculatum, which is known for its resistance to infection by Fusarium solani f. sp piperis, the causal agent of black pepper (Piper nigrum) root rot disease in the Amazon region. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, we isolated endophytes belonging to 13 genera: Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Agrobacterium, Ralstonia, Serratia, Cupriavidus, Mitsuaria, Pantoea, and Staphylococcus. The results showed that 56.52% of isolates were associated with the phylum Proteobacteria, which comprised α, ß, and γ classes. Other bacteria were related to the phylum Firmicutes, including Bacillus, which was the most abundant genus among all isolates. Antagonistic assays revealed that Pt12 and Pt13 isolates, identified as Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas sp, respectively, were able to inhibit F. solani f. sp piperis growth in vitro. We describe, for the first time, the molecular identification of 23 endophytic bacteria from P. tuberculatum, among which two Pseudomonas species have the potential to control the pathogen responsible for root rot disease in black pepper in the Amazon region.

Influence of viscosity and amine content on C==C conversion and color stability of experimental composites.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of camphorquinone (CQ):amine ratio on the degree of CC conversion (DC) and color stability of experimental dental composites formulated with different co-monomer viscosities, indirectly determined by variations in the co-monomer ratios. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental composites were formulated in two different BisGMA:TEGDMA molar ratios (50:50 and 70:30). Viscosities were assessed with a viscometer. For each composite formulation, four different CQ:amine ratios were added: 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 or 1:4 mol%. Materials were loaded with 40 wt% of silanized glass particles. DC was determined by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy with attenuated reflectance mode (ATR-FTIR). A spectrophotometer was used to measure the CIE L*a*b* color coordinates 24h after polymerization and after 2 months stored in water. Color changes (ΔE) were calculated. Data were statistically analyzed using analyses of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's and Student-t tests (α=0.05). RESULTS: The 50:50 BisGMA:TEGDMA co-monomer showed lower viscosity than 70:30. DC was affected by CQ:amine ratio, and not by the co-monomer viscosity, but the interaction between these two factors was significant. a* and b* coordinates were dependent on CQ:amine or BisGMA:TEGDMA ratios, while L* was not. b* values were directly related to the amount of amine in the formulation, regardless of co-monomer viscosity. ΔE was dependent on the amount of amine, but not on the viscosity of the material. SIGNIFICANCE: DC was influenced by the CQ:amine ratio. The influence of viscosity on DC was dependent on the CQ:amine ratio and exhibited distinguished behavior. a* and b* coordinates were affected by CQ:amine and BisGMA:TEGDMA ratios. The color change (ΔE) was affected by CQ:amine ratio, but not by viscosity.

Diversity and synanthropy of Calliphoridae (Diptera) in the region of Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.

Dipteran blowflies (Calliphoridae) are of great medical and hygienic importance as vectors of pathogens and as parasites of living and dead tissue, and their association with carrion allows their use in forensic entomology. The objective of this study was to determine the synanthropic index of adult Calliphoridae (Diptera) collected in Rio Claro, São Paulo. Sampling occurred between September 2009 and August 2010. Traps baited with sardines, beef liver, and minced meat were assessed for five consecutive days per month in three distinct ecological areas representing urban, rural, and forest environments. The most abundant species was Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann), followed by Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) and Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius). Lucilia eximia was the only species present in all seasons and the only species collected during the winter. The season with the lowest abundance was winter, with 69 (5.5%) specimens, and spring was the season with the greatest number of specimens collected (774-61.8%). The only species found outside inhabited areas (synanthropic) was Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), with a synanthropy index (SI) value of +5.7. The SI values for the other species were negative, showing a preference for uninhabited areas. The rural and urban areas were most similar in terms of species composition as were the beef and sardine baits. Among the baits used, liver attracted the greatest abundance of calliphorids, whereas minced meat attracted the greatest diversity.

Isolation and characterization of the promoter sequence of a cassava gene coding for Pt2L4, a glutamic acid-rich protein differentially expressed in storage roots.

Cassava is one of the most important tropical food crops for more than 600 million people worldwide. Transgenic technologies can be useful for increasing its nutritional value and its resistance to viral diseases and insect pests. However, tissue-specific promoters that guarantee correct expression of transgenes would be necessary. We used inverse polymerase chain reaction to isolate a promoter sequence of the Mec1 gene coding for Pt2L4, a glutamic acid-rich protein differentially expressed in cassava storage roots. In silico analysis revealed putative cis-acting regulatory elements within this promoter sequence, including root-specific elements that may be required for its expression in vascular tissues. Transient expression experiments showed that the Mec1 promoter is functional, since this sequence was able to drive GUS expression in bean embryonic axes. Results from our computational analysis can serve as a guide for functional experiments to identify regions with tissue-specific Mec1 promoter activity. The DNA sequence that we identified is a new promoter that could be a candidate for genetic engineering of cassava roots.

Towards the identification of cassava root protein genes.

The protein population of cassava root layers was characterized by SDS-PAGE and bidimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. SDS-Page revealed the presence of a protein population in the molecular weight range between 94 and 20 kDa. The expression pattern of these proteins was well-defined within the different layers. Partial protein sequence analyses and preliminary results on the layer-specific expression pattern obtained with Northern analyses are presented.

[The use of disposable syringes in the administration of insulin at home]. / A prática de utilização de seringas descartáveis na administração de insulina no domicílio.

This descriptive study aims at learning about the behavior of 113 people with diabetes mellitus assisted at a large hospital in relation to the utilization and re-utilization of disposable syringes for the administration of insulin at home. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. The obtained results showed that 98.2% used a disposable syringe for insulin application and only 5.3% actually disposed of it. Among these, 94.6% re-used the disposable syringe after application by means of various procedures. We believe that such practice is one of the facets in diabetes education and, in view of it, we point out the need for a scientifically-based review of DIMED's recommendation established by Decree no. 4/86.

[Insulin administration: basic approach in education about diabetes]. / Administração de insulina: uma abordagem fundamental na educação em diabetes.

The present study aims at accomplishing a review in the literature about the administration of insulin, considering relevant topics such as: insulin actions, local cutaneous complications, use of the instruments for the administration of insulin, the dismissable syringe and its re-utilization and the administration of insulin technique, being these basic terms to be broached in educational programs of diabetes.

[Experiences in special training programs in the education of undergraduate nursing students]. / A experiência do programa especial de treinamento na educação de estudantes de graduação em enfermagem.

This study presents the experience of the Special Training Program of the University os São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing-Brazil, since 1989. It is a program, directed to a group of twelve undergraduate students who show potential, abilities and interest. It provides under the orientation of a tutor-professor, the conditions to perform extra-curriculum activities, and develop scientific studies. The activities carried out by this group of students are: a course of foreign language, weekly meetings with the tutor, scientific investigation under the orientation of a teacher and discussion of scientific themes. These students act like of multiplication agent, disseminating ideas and practices borrowed from other students. The program has an excellent reputation in the brazilian academic area, and some of the ex-students are attending graduate programs, and according to its participants, it provides a personal and professional growth, through promoting activities that lead to the integration of the academic formation and the future professional activity.