Changes in TSH levels in athyreotic patients with differentiated thyroid cancer during levothyroxine therapy: influence on dose adjustments.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to describe the spontaneous TSH level variations and levothyroxine dose adjustments in athyreotic patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in real-life practice. METHODS: Patients with DTC were retrospectively evaluated at a tertiary referral center between October 2006 and November 2013. Hormone measurements (TSH and FT4 serum levels), L-T4 prescription information (dose per kg per day) and other medications were recorded at 1 month and 3, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after primary treatment (surgery ± radioiodine therapy). RESULTS: The cohort was composed of 452 patients; about 20% of patients with stable levothyroxine dose have clinically meaningful spontaneous TSH variations (defined as ΔTSH > 2 mcUI/mL) at yearly follow-up visit. Furthermore, about 25% of athyreotic DTC patients with stable dose have a ΔTSH > 1.5 mcUI/mL and about 40% a ΔTSH > 1 mcUI/mL during each follow-up visit. We further investigated whether this TSH variation would lead to subsequent dose changes. About 19.9-37.7% of DTC patients on stable LT4 dose on the previous visit had their levothyroxine dose reduced, while 7.8-14.9% increased due to TSH variations. We further evaluated the decision to change the dose in relation with the age-specific TSH range. Up to 77.2% of patients had their dose adjusted due to TSH falling below the age-specific range. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous serum TSH variations determine levothyroxine replacement therapy in athyreotic patients with DTC, requiring multiple dose changes.

Biotic and abiotic factors affecting Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and the associated hyperparasitoid Alloxysta fuscicornis Hartig (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) morphologies.

This study investigates the influence of biotic and abiotic factors associated with the morphological development of Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) and the associated hyperparasitoid Alloxysta fuscicornis (Hartig). The experiment involved the examination of whether aphid size was influenced by their vertical distribution and density on the host plant, as well as whether variations in hyperparasitoid size and symmetry were correlated with those of their aphid hosts. An aphid multivariate size index was obtained using principal component analysis, while symmetry was evaluated in terms of fluctuating asymmetry (FA). Samples were collected in 2007 on cabbage plants cultivated at an experimental farm located in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil (18°56'54"S; 48°12'46"W). The results demonstrated that the size of B. brassicae was negatively associated with temperature, but not with its vertical distribution on the host plant. Temperature was also negatively correlated with hyperparasitoid size. During warmer periods, females produced large quantities of small-sized offspring, whereas an opposite pattern, i.e. the production of fewer offspring of larger size took place during colder periods. This type of adjustment involving trade-offs between physiological and morphological mechanisms, as well as individual interaction with abiotic environmental factors, such as temperature, can be considered an adaptive plastic response in order to increase the chances of survival at a given locality. The encountered relationship between aphid and hyperparasitoid sizes may be an after effect of their indirectly biotic interaction. Hyperparasitoid FA was dependent on the width of the mummified aphids. However, the hypothesis that temperature and vertical distribution on the host plant might influence FA was not confirmed.

Body size, symmetry and abundance of Euxesta stigmatias (Loew) and Euxesta sororcula (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Ulidiidae) in a natural reserve and in a guava orchard in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

The aim of this study was to comparatively characterize the monthly variation and the sex ratio of Euxesta stigmatias (Loew) and Euxesta sororcula (Wiedermann) populations from a natural reserve and from a guava orchard. It was also investigated whether density and the climate factors affected the individuals' size and fluctuating asymmetry (FA). In both environments, E. sororcula predominated over E. stigmatias. The number of individuals of E. sororcula collected in the ecological station was significantly lower than the number of individuals caught in the orchard. However, the number of captured individuals of E. stigmatias did not differ between environments. Significant sex ratio differences were detected between the collection sites. Female's frequency of E. stigmatias was significantly higher than male's frequency in the ecological station, but not in the orchard. An opposite pattern was encountered for E. sororcula population, showing a significant larger number of females only in the orchard. The species populations also differed in the degree of asymmetry presented. Euxesta stigmatias individuals showed no change on size or on FA along the captures and between environments. Moreover, E. sororcula tended to be more susceptible to climatic variations, considering the significant observed correlation between temperature and body size and the expressive body size and FA variations. This study illustrates the influence of the environment in some structural and dynamic parameters of the studied populations.

Body size, symmetry and courtship behavior of Dysdercus maurus Distant (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae).

This study analyses the role of body size and symmetry in the sexual selection and courtship behavior of Dysdercus maurus Distant. Sexual conflicts signaled by coercive mating, female resistance, and pre-copulation fights illustrate the mating system. Male-female struggles were observed in all mating attempts. Females tried to reject males by pushing or running and even by vigorously shaking their bodies, in attempts to dislodge the male from their dorsum. In spite of sexual conflicts during courtship, females actively chose their mates based on morphological and behavioral traits. Larger males with more symmetrical tibiae and longer tarsi that are better copula imposers were more successful in sexual competition. Evidence is presented that sexual conflict and female mate choice should not be mutually excluded.

Body size, symmetry and courtship behavior of Dysdercus maurus distant (Hemiptera: Pyrrhocoridae)

This study analyses the role of body size and symmetry in the sexual selection and courtship behavior of Dysdercus maurus Distant. Sexual conflicts signaled by coercive mating, female resistance, and pre-copulation fights illustrate the mating system. Male-female struggles were observed in all mating attempts. Females tried to reject males by pushing or running and even by vigorously shaking their bodies, in attempts to dislodge the male from their dorsum. In spite of sexual conflicts during courtship, females actively chose their mates based on morphological and behavioral traits. Larger males with more symmetrical tibiae and longer tarsi that are better copula imposers were more successful in sexual competition. Evidence is presented that sexual conflict and female mate choice should not be mutually excluded.

Body size, symmetry and abundance of Euxesta stigmatias (Loew) and Euxesta sororcula (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Ulidiidae) in a natural reserve and in a guava orchard in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to comparatively characterize the monthly variation and the sex ratio of Euxesta stigmatias (Loew) and Euxesta sororcula (Wiedermann) populations from a natural reserve and from a guava orchard. It was also investigated whether density and the climate factors affected the individuals' size and fluctuating asymmetry (FA). In both environments, E. sororcula predominated over E. stigmatias. The number of individuals of E. sororcula collected in the ecological station was significantly lower than the number of individuals caught in the orchard. However, the number of captured individuals of E. stigmatias did not differ between environments. Significant sex ratio differences were detected between the collection sites. Female's frequency of E. stigmatias was significantly higher than male's frequency in the ecological station, but not in the orchard. An opposite pattern was encountered for E. sororcula population, showing a significant larger number of females only in the orchard. The species populations also differed in the degree of asymmetry presented. Euxesta stigmatias individuals showed no change on size or on FA along the captures and between environments. Moreover, E. sororcula tended to be more susceptible to climatic variations, considering the significant observed correlation between temperature and body size and the expressive body size and FA variations. This study illustrates the influence of the environment in some structural and dynamic parameters of the studied populations.

Climatic and anthropic influence on size and fluctuating asymmetry of Euglossine bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in a semideciduous seasonal forest reserve.

We examined the influence of climate and man on size and fluctuating asymmetry in two species of Euglossine bees collected from a semideciduous forest reserve. Sixty males of each species were collected; four measurements were made of their wings to obtain a multivariable size index and a fluctuating asymmetry index. No significant differences in the size of Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier were found between the areas and seasons. Larger males of Euglossa pleosticta Dressler were collected during the hot and wet season; however, male size did not vary with location. Higher rainfall and a consequent increase in food availability could have influenced the increase in size of E. pleosticta. Bees collected during the hot and wet season at the forest border were more asymmetric than bees collected during the cold and dry season; the latter were found inside the forest. This indicates that climate and anthropic interferences influence the stability of development of E. pleosticta. Consequently, this species could be used as a bioindicator of stress. Apparently, E. nigrita is more resistant to environmental interference.

[Influence of environmental factors on the size of Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)]. / Influência de fatores ambientais na determinação do tamanho de Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae).

The nature and the magnitude of variability in 13 wing morphological characters of Musca domestica and the influence of environmental factors that could contribute to the occurrence of these variations were studied. Size and sexual dimorphism accounted for most of the total variation (83.7%). Variability caused by shape, which has a large genetic background, represents only 6.5% of the total variability. Males are usually smaller than females and both vary in a similar way throughout the year. Larval rearing density explains 93% of size changes.

Histological study of furcation perforations treated with tricalcium phosphate, hydroxylapatite, amalgam, and Life.

One-hundred twenty experimental furcation perforations were created in the mandibular and maxillary premolars and molars of six rhesus monkeys. Tricalcium phosphate, hydroxylapatite, amalgam, and Life were used to repair the furcation perforations. The animals were sacrificed at the intervals of 2, 4, and 6 months after the experiment. Histological evaluation revealed lack of complete healing of furcation perforations repaired with any materials. Epithelium was present in the furcation perforations in both experimental and positive control groups. No hard tissue formation was observed in this study. Inflammation in the furcation area may be due to inadequate sealing ability of the repair materials.