Development of a methodology and evaluation of pesticides against Aceria litchii and its predator Phytoseius intermedius (Acari: Eriophyidae, Phytoseiidae).

The litchi erineum mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer), is the major pest of litchi, Litchi chinensis Sonnerat (Sapindaceae). This study evaluated the effect of 11 pesticides on the survival of A. litchii as well as on the survival and reproduction of Phytoseius intermedius Evans & McFarlane, the predator most found in association with it in Brazil. The containment of A. litchii in small petri dishes whose bottoms were covered with a solidified paste made of a mixture of gypsum and activated charcoal (9:1 in volume), kept humid, was shown to be adequate for this type of study. For the evaluation of the effect of pesticides on A. litchii, mites leaving the erinia from the pieces of litchi leaves (removed from the plants approximately 24 h earlier) were sprayed under a Potter tower and immediately transferred to the 2.5-cm-diameter petri dishes. After 2, 12, 24, and 48 h of the application, the dishes were examined to evaluate the mite survival. The four pesticides causing the highest levels A. litchii mortality, as well as azadirachtin, were tested for the effect on P. intermedius. For this test, experimental units consisted of discs of uninfested litchi leaves also sprayed under a Potter tower before introducing the predators. Survival and oviposition of the predator were evaluated every 24 h for 5 consecutive days; viability of the eggs laid was also evaluated. Highest mortality of A. litchii occurred with the application of fenpyroximate, sulfur, abamectin, and hexythiazox. Azadirachtin was considered moderately harmful to the predator P. intermedius, whereas other pesticides were classified as harmful. Despite the low efficiency of azadirachtin in the control of the pest, its relative selectivity to P. intermedius would encourage the evaluation on field condition, especially for use in organic production systems.

Referenciamento e adequação da grade hospitalar para partos na região sul de São Paulo / Referencing and adequacy of the grid for hospital deliveries in southern Sao Paulo

Dentro das normas padronizadas ao bom atendimento à gestante e recém–nascido (RN), é fundamental a disponibilização pela Rede Pública de pronto acesso ao atendimento hospitalar, garantindo condições adequadas para o parto e assistência ao RN. Desta forma, é imprescindível que as referências sejam definidas baseadas em critérios de disponibilidade dos serviços e distância entre a origem de residência e os hospitais. Para a efetividade da grade de referência é importante que os serviços conheçam e divulguem adequadamente a grade entre as pacientes e que as façam cientes dos benefícios e importância de respeitá-la(AU)

Referenciamento e adequação da grade hospitalar para partos na região sul de São Paulo

Dentro das normas padronizadas ao bom atendimento à gestante e recém–nascido (RN), é fundamental a disponibilização pela Rede Pública de pronto acesso ao atendimento hospitalar, garantindo condições adequadas para o parto e assistência ao RN. Desta forma, é imprescindível que as referências sejam definidas baseadas em critérios de disponibilidade dos serviços e distância entre a origem de residência e os hospitais. Para a efetividade da grade de referência é importante que os serviços conheçam e divulguem adequadamente a grade entre as pacientes e que as façam cientes dos benefícios e importância de respeitá-la

Referenciamento e adequação da grade hospitalar para partos na região sul de São Paulo / Referencing and adequacy of the grid for hospital deliveries in southern Sao Paulo

Dentro das normas padronizadas ao bom atendimento à gestante e recém–nascido (RN), é fundamental a disponibilização pela Rede Pública de pronto acesso ao atendimento hospitalar, garantindo condições adequadas para o parto e assistência ao RN. Desta forma, é imprescindível que as referências sejam definidas baseadas em critérios de disponibilidade dos serviços e distância entre a origem de residência e os hospitais. Para a efetividade da grade de referência é importante que os serviços conheçam e divulguem adequadamente a grade entre as pacientes e que as façam cientes dos benefícios e importância de respeitá-la.

Effect of eugenol exposure time and post-removal delay on the bond strength of a self-etching adhesive to dentin.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects of the exposure time of eugenol-based provisional restorative material and the time elapsed between the provisional material removal and the adhesive procedure on the bond strength of the composite to dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human third molars were sectioned into two halves that were enclosed in resin cylinders. The cavities were prepared over the buccal/lingual faces with diamond burs. Zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) provisional material was inserted into cavities and left for 24 hours, 7 days or 14 days. The cavities not restored with ZOE were used as controls. After ZOE removal or over fresh dentin (control), self-etching Adper SE Plus was applied immediately, after a 7- or 14-day delay. The cavity was restored with non-eugenol provisional material during this delay period. Cylinders of resin cement were built-up over the hybridized dentin. A shear load was applied to the cylinders at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/minute until failure. The data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests (α=0.05). RESULTS: Using IRM as a provisional restoration for 24 hours followed by its removal and immediate adhesive application resulted in the lowest values of shear bond strength. There was no significant difference between the other experimental conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The use of IRM for 24 hours adversely affected the shear bond strength of a self-etching adhesive to dentin. The recovery of the proper bond strength occurred one week after IRM removal.

Effect of abrupt discontinuation versus gradual dose reduction of postmenopausal hormone therapy on hot flushes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of the abrupt discontinuation of postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) and reduction of the daily dosage of the hormone on climacteric symptoms. METHODS: The study included Brazilian postmenopausal women who were using estrogen-progestogen hormone therapy in full doses previously prescribed for vasomotor symptoms. The patients were randomized to receive one of three treatments: placebo for 6 months; estradiol (E2) 1 mg/day + norethisterone acetate (NETA) 0.5 mg/day for 2 months, followed by placebo for 4 months; or E2 1 mg/day + NETA 0.5 mg/day for 4 months, followed by placebo for 2 months. The climacteric symptoms were assessed by the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index at baseline and at 2, 4 and 6 months. Statistical evaluation was performed using the chi(2) or Fisher's test for categorical data, the Kruskal-Wallis test for numerical data, and ANOVA for time and group relationship with the Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index. RESULTS: We randomized 60 women (20 in each group), and 54 completed the study. It was observed that both the full Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index and the hot flush score did not change significantly in the HT group during low-dose therapy compared with baseline; however, the evaluation performed at 2 months after low-dose-HT cessation showed that the full Blatt-Kupperman Menopausal Index and the hot flush score were similar to those of the group who stopped HT abruptly and significantly higher than at baseline (hot flush scores: p < 0.001 for all three groups at months 2, 4 and 6, respectively, vs. baseline). CONCLUSION: Discontinuation of HT by reducing the daily dose of estrogen for a period of 2 or 4 months did not differ in its effect from that of abrupt cessation with regard to vasomotor symptoms.

Breast arterial calcification is a predictive factor of cardiovascular disease in Brazilian postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and breast arterial calcification (BAC), as well as the prevalence rates of these conditions in Brazilian postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 307 women over 40 years of age who were receiving care at the gynecology clinic of the Center for Women's Integrated Healthcare (CAISM), ABC School of Medicine. All these women had been amenorrheic for at least 12 months and had undergone mammography in the preceding 12 months. Cardiovascular disease and its subtypes were evaluated, as well as its association with BAC. Means and standard deviations, absolute frequencies and percentages were calculated, and univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 55.2 +/- 6.8 years; age at menopause was 48.5 +/- 4 years. Time since menopause was 80.2 +/- 75.4 months; 96.1% of the patients were non-smokers and 46.3% were using hormone therapy. Of the patients, 33.6% had systemic arterial hypertension, 4.9% had diabetes mellitus and 5.2% had hypercholesterolemia. The mean body mass index was 27.3 +/- 4.3 kg/m(2). CVD was found in 6.8% and BAC in 8.5% of the women. Significantly more women with BAC had CVD compared to the women who did not have this condition (23.1% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.0006). BAC was associated with an odds ratio of 8.13 (95% confidence interval 2.68-24.64) for predicting CVD. CONCLUSIONS: In postmenopausal women, breast arterial calcification may represent a higher likelihood of cardiovascular disease.

Evaluation of tibolone effect on arterial resistance in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tibolone on peripheral vascular resistance in postmenopausal women, by determination of the pulsatility index (PI) of the common carotid, radial and popliteal arteries using Doppler ultrasonography. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients were studied in a longitudinal, prospective, before and after study, for 7 months. The patients did not suffer from cardiovascular disease or any other conditions that would interfere with vascular resistance, and had no contraindications for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Tibolone was used in a dose of 2.5 mg, orally, continuously for 6 months. Color duplex Doppler ultrasonography of the right and left common carotid, radial and popliteal arteries was carried out to determine PI, using the average value found in both sides at baseline (before administration of the drug), 3 and 6 months after initiating medication and 1 month after discontinuation of the drug. PI was determined by means of spectral analysis of the best arterial blood flow waveform, and pretreatment values (baseline) were used as control. RESULTS: In the common carotid artery, no significant differences in PI were observed at 3 and 6 months, in comparison with baseline. A significant decrease in PI was noted in the radial artery at 6 months as compared with baseline (decrease of 51.5%). PI in the popliteal artery also presented a significant decrease at 6 months in relation to baseline (decrease of 28.6%). The results were statistically assessed by ANOVA (analysis of variance). CONCLUSION: There was no significant variance in PI in the common carotid artery; however, in the radial and popliteal arteries there was significant variance, and their resistance decreased after use of tibolone for 6 months but returned to the pretreatment values 1 month after discontinuation of the drug.

Transvaginal ultrasonography assessment of ovarian volumes in postmenopausal women.

The authors evaluated ovarian volumes by transvaginal ultrasonography at different periods after menopause. Ninety-eight postmenopausal women with an average age of 51.9 years and a one- to eight-year postmenopausal period were studied. The control group consisted of 40 women during menacme with an average age of 31.8 years, who were also submitted to transvaginal ultrasonography to evaluate ovarian volume. There was no significant difference between right and left ovarian volumes in the study groups. There was a significant decrease in measure and standard deviations of the volumes after the first year of menopause (mean volume--2.2 +/- 0.9 cm3) when compared to the control group (mean volume--6.3 +/- 2.0 cm3), followed by a slow and gradual shrinking after this phase. Decrease in ovarian volume became significant after the fourth postmenopausal year. Transvaginal ultrasonography demonstrated great importance as an investigative method of ovarian diseases in postmenopausal women.