Chemical composition of Eucalyptus spp. essential oils and their insecticidal effects on Lutzomyia longipalpis.

The chemical composition of essential oils from three species of plants belonging to the Eucalyptus genus was determined and, their insecticidal effects on egg, larva and adult phases of Lutzomyia longipalpis were assessed. The insects were collected in the municipality of Sobral in the State of Ceará, Brazil. Five treatments with different concentrations were performed along with two negative controls, distilled water and Tween 80 (3%), and a positive control, cypermethrin (0.196mg/ml). The tests were carried out in plastic pots internally coated with sterile plaster and filled with a substrate made of rabbit feces and crushed cassava leaves. The eggs, larvae and adults were sprayed with the oils. The hatched larvae were counted for 10 consecutive days and observed until pupation. Insect mortality was observed after 24, 48 and 72h. E. staigeriana oil was the most effective on all three phases of the insect, followed by E. citriodora and E. globulus oils, respectively. The major constituents of the oils were Z-citral and alpha-citral (E. staigeriana), citronellal (E. citriodora) and 1,8-cineole (E. globulus). The Eucalyptus essential oils constitute alternative natural products for the control of L. longipalpis since the median effective concentration (EC(50)) values revealed relevant action as compared with other natural products, some of their chemical constituents are already known for their insecticidal activity and these oils are produced in commercial scale in Brazil.

Meat quality of Moxotó and Canindé goats as affected by two levels of feeding.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of reduced feed intake on Moxotó and Canindé goat, which are native breeds of semi arid area of Brazil, by analyzing the resultant meat quality. Intact male goats of both genotypes (10 animals each), weighing about 15kg, were allocated to two feeding levels (AL: feed ad libitum and FR: feed restricted to 63% of the total feed consumed by AL). Water-holding capacity and a(∗) color parameter were significantly influenced (p<0.05) by genotype. Proximate composition, cholesterol, shear force, pH, cooking loss, and sensory scores did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between genotypes. The redness of the meat of the Canindé breed was much improved in FR goats. Although, feed restriction by 37% did affect the final live weight and mean daily gain weight, it had no effect on chemical, physical, and sensory quality of Moxotó and Canindé meat.

Effect of vehicle on antimicrobial properties of calcium hydroxide pastes.

The current discussion about the importance of intracanal dressings and the effect of vehicles on calcium hydroxide pastes is justified by controversy concerning the achievement of complete disinfection after preparation of infected root canals and the real antimicrobial effect of these vehicles. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of vehicles in the antimicrobial effect of calcium hydroxide pastes. Well-conducted research about the characteristics of calcium hydroxide, such as antimicrobial potential, physico-chemical aspects and histocompatibility, gives credibility to the choice of this medication in several clinical situations. Different vehicles have been added to calcium hydroxide in an attempt to enhance its properties. Scientific reasoning indicates the use of hydrosoluble vehicles (distilled water, saline) associated with calcium hydroxide because of their chemical characteristics of dissociation, diffusibility and filling capability which are decisive for the biological behavior, i.e., antimicrobial qualities and induction of tissue repair.

Outcome of 337 intracranial aneurysms patients operated in a public hospital.

Many recent series of surgery for intracranial aneurysms have been based on experience of developed countries with great resources and a state of art health care. The purpose of the current study is to correlate the outcome of patients operated for intracranial aneurysms, reported from intensive high technology neurosurgical centers with the results of low technology, environment, where we practice. Between January 1986 and December 1996, 337 patients with intracranial aneurysms were operated on at the Servidores do Estado Hospital. We retrospectively reviewed the medical and radiologic records and compared the outcome of this group with other series derived from developed countries. The overall mortality of this series was 6.9%. Of the 313 good grades surgical patients, the mortality was 4.7% and the successful results were obtained in 88.8% individuals. We conclude that patients harboring intracranial aneurysms can be satisfactory handled in less developed nations, if a meticulous intraoperative technique is employed, even though sophisticated technology and equipment are not available.

["In vitro" evaluation of the action of various cavity varnishes]. / Avaliação "in vitro" da ação de diversos vernizes cavitários.

The authors studied in vitro the capacity of FORP-USP cavity varnishes, COPALAINE (Prodonto), COPALITE (H. J. Bosworth Co.), CAVITINE (SS WHITE) and UNIVERSAL (SS WHITE) to promote impermeabilization. The tests were done by the use of filter paper and the impermeabilization was measured by the Rhodamine B stain infiltration. The FORP-USP cavity varnishes Copalaine and Copalite were more effective in promoting impermeabilization.