Impact of future scenarios of climate change on lignin dynamics in soil: A case study in a Mediterranean savannah.

Lignin is an abundant and recalcitrant biopolymer of major relevance as soil organic matter (SOM) component playing a significant role in its stabilization. In this work, a factorial field experiment was established, where three climatic treatments (W, warming; D, drought; W + D, warming + drought), mimicking future climate change scenarios were installed over five years in a Mediterranean savannah "dehesa", accounting for its landscape diversity (under the tree canopy and in open grassland). A combination of analytical pyrolysis (Py-GC/MS) and the study of biogeochemical proxies based on lignin monomers is used for the direct detection of lignin-derived phenols and to infer possible shifts in lignin dynamics in soil. A total of 27 main lignin-derived methoxyphenols were identified, exhibiting different patterns and proportions, mainly driven by the effect of habitat, hence biomass inputs to SOM. An accelerated decomposition of lignin moieties -(exhibited by higher LG/LS and Al/K + Ac ratios)- is particularly exacerbated by the effect of all climatic treatments. There is also an overall effect on increasing lignin oxidation of side chain in syringyl units, especially under the tree canopy due to the alteration in biomass degradation and potential stimulation of enzyme activities. Conversely, in open grassland these effects are slower since the microbial community is expected to be already adapted to harsher conditions. Our findings suggests that climate change-related temperature and soil moisture deviations impact soil lignin decomposition in dehesas threatening this productive Mediterranean agroecosystem and affecting the mechanism of soil carbon storage.

The genomic profiling of high-risk smoldering myeloma patients treated with an intensive strategy unveils potential markers of resistance and progression.

Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) precedes multiple myeloma (MM). The risk of progression of SMM patients is not uniform, thus different progression-risk models have been developed, although they are mainly based on clinical parameters. Recently, genomic predictors of progression have been defined for untreated SMM. However, the usefulness of such markers in the context of clinical trials evaluating upfront treatment in high-risk SMM (HR SMM) has not been explored yet, precluding the identification of baseline genomic alterations leading to drug resistance. For this reason, we carried out next-generation sequencing and fluorescent in-situ hybridization studies on 57 HR and ultra-high risk (UHR) SMM patients treated in the phase II GEM-CESAR clinical trial (NCT02415413). DIS3, FAM46C, and FGFR3 mutations, as well as t(4;14) and 1q alterations, were enriched in HR SMM. TRAF3 mutations were specifically associated with UHR SMM but identified cases with improved outcomes. Importantly, novel potential predictors of treatment resistance were identified: NRAS mutations and the co-occurrence of t(4;14) plus FGFR3 mutations were associated with an increased risk of biological progression. In conclusion, we have carried out for the first time a molecular characterization of HR SMM patients treated with an intensive regimen, identifying genomic predictors of poor outcomes in this setting.

Spatial distribution of pyrogenic carbon in Iberian topsoils estimated by chemometric analysis of infrared spectra.

Understanding the global carbon (C) cycle is critical to accurately model feedbacks between climate and soil. Thus, many climate change studies focused on soil organic carbon (SOC) stock changes. Pyrogenic carbon (PyC) is one of the most stable fractions of soil organic matter (SOM). Accurate maps based on measured PyC contents are required to facilitate future soil management decisions and soil-climate feedback modelling. However, consistent measurements that cover large areas are rare. Therefore, this study aimed to map the PyC content and stock of the Iberian Peninsula, which covers contrasting climatic zones and has long-term data on wildfire occurrence. A partial least square (PLS) regression using the mid-infrared spectra (1800-400 cm-1) was applied to a dataset composed of 2961 soil samples from the Iberian component of the LUCAS 2009 database. The values of PyC for LUCAS points were modelled to obtain a map of topsoil PyC by a random forest (RF) approach using 36 auxiliary variables. The results were validated through comparison with documented historical wildfire activity and anthropogenic energy production. A strong relationship was found between these sources and the distribution of PyC. Our study estimates that the accumulated PyC in Iberian Peninsula soils comprises between 3.09 and 20.39% of total organic carbon (TOC) in the topsoil. Forests have higher PyC contents than grasslands, followed by agricultural soils. The incidence of recurrent wildfires also has a notable influence on PyC contents. This study shows the potential of estimating PyC with a single, rapid, low cost, chemometric method using new or archived soil spectra, and has the ability to improve soil-climate feedback modelling. It also offers a possible tool for measuring, reporting and verifying soil C stocks, which is likely to be important moving forward if soils are used as sinks for C sequestration.

Occurrence of Meloidogyne Arenaria in Black Pepper (Piper Nigrum L.) in the Extreme South of the State of Bahia, Brazil.

Samples of black pepper root with the presence of galls from the most southern region of the State of Bahia, Brazil, were characterized biochemically and morphologically using three criteria: i) observation of the anterior region of the males; ii) analysis of female perineal configuration and iii) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique. Meloidogyne arenaria was found. This is the first report of this pathosystem in the State.

Can straw-biochar mulching mitigate erosion of wildfire-degraded soils under extreme rainfall?

High severity wildfires cause a drastic alteration of soil carbon cycling - both oxidising and thermally altering soil organic matter (SOM) - and usually are followed by strong runoff and erosion events. To restore wildfire-degraded soils, SOM needs to be rebuilt while soil erosion is prevented. Post-fire straw mulching has been shown to mitigate soil erosion by providing a protective cover against rainsplash. However, SOM takes many decades or centuries to rebuilt naturally. Biochar, co-applied with straw to the soil surface can replace the SOM of the O-horizon, while the stabilised soil - by straw mulching - may gain in SOM naturally and by downward movement of biochar. We conducted a field study to test if straw-only and straw-biochar co-application could restore soils degraded by wildfire in one high burn severity (HBS) and one moderate burn severity (MBS) study area in southern Portugal and Spain, respectively, by monitoring erosion and SOM for the most intense rainfall period of the first post-fire year. Burned sites were characterized for soil and sediment physical properties, TOC content, SOM quality by thermogravimetry (DTG) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR 13C) spectroscopy. Straw-biochar mulching significantly reduced soil erosion by 76% and 65% in the HBS and MBS sites, respectively, in both cases similar to the erosion reduction by straw-only mulching. DTG and NMR 13C indicated that a relatively small proportion of the biochar eroded, i.e. 0.7%, indicating that co-application of straw with biochar may help restore the SOC lost in the wildfire in the medium term. The amount of SOM eroded was lower with straw-biochar mulching than in the untreated plots for both study areas. Straw-biochar mulching mitigates erosion of wildfire-degraded soils under extreme rainfall, while a relatively small proportion of the biochar is lost by erosion. Future studies need to monitor medium term effects.

Impact of wildfire on granite outcrops in archaeological sites surrounded by different types of vegetation.

The lack of scientific information about the effects of wildfire on prehistoric structures and rock art, such as dolmens and petroglyphs, impedes the development of conservation guidelines. In this study, the impact of a recent wildfire (late 2017) on granite outcrops in the San Salvador de Coruxo archaeological site (Vigo, SW Galicia) was evaluated. Samples of the same type of granite were obtained from three sites characterised by different types of vegetation (natural scrub, native deciduous oak and non-native pine-eucalypt forest) in order to determine how the vegetation influences the fire-caused damage to the rock. Three subsamples were taken from each of the granite samples at depths of 1 cm-3 cm to study how fire affects the rock at depth. In all sites, the temperature reached at the granite surface was below 380 °C. No mineralogical changes due to fire exposure were detected, and no physical changes that could be attributed to the effect of the fire on the fissure system of the granite were identified. However, aesthetic colour changes due to the deposition of organic and charred matter, which even penetrated the fissures, were detected. The existence of lignin-derived compounds, lipids and carbohydrates in the samples from the oakwood site indicates greater resistance to fire effects in this type of vegetation than in the other two types. Although preliminary, these findings suggest that oakwoods could act as protective belts around archaeological sites by reducing the wildfire severity, because of their greater resistance to being burnt, and that they could buffer the damaging effects of fire in natural areas where parietal art is found.

Diversity of Floral Visitors in Apple Orchards: Influence on Fruit Characteristics Depends on Apple Cultivar.

Most cultivars of apple trees are highly dependent on insects for successful pollination and fruit production. In this study, we evaluated the insect diversity in apple orchards of southern Brazil and verified whether or not there is a relationship between the diversity of insect visitors and the characteristics (weight, seed number, and symmetry) of the fruits of 'Fuji' and 'Gala' apples produced by the orchards. We also evaluated the diversity of insects on flowering weeds within apple orchards and compared it with the apple flowers. Diversity of anthophilous insects was low, in general, and differed between the regions. Furthermore, regarding insect diversity, orchards were grouped by management system: organic orchards were more similar to each other than to conventional orchards. The insect diversity of weed flowers was higher than apple flowers, but insect abundance was greater on apple flowers, suggesting that weeds may increase insect diversity within apple orchards and may sustain pollinators. We found a positive effect of insect diversity on the number of seeds of 'Fuji' apples and of honeybee abundance on their weight, suggesting that honeybee management is important in the studied areas. In contrast, we found no significant effect of insect diversity and abundance on 'Gala' apple characteristics. Despite this, the analyses of the seeds of 'Gala' apples indicate that the orchards may suffer a pollination deficit, which could be overcome by improving insect pollination. These results reinforce previous findings that insect diversity is important for apple yield, but its influence varies with cultivar.

On the First Occurrence of Xiphinema Santos in Brazil.

Based on morphology, measurements of juveniles and female specimens and sequences of the D2/ D3 expansion 28S rDNA gene and ITS1 analysis by DNA barcode technique, a Xiphinema americanum group species associated with olive trees from state of Sao Paulo, Brazil was identifi ed as X. santos. This is the first report of X. santos in Southern Hemisphere and outside the European and African continents, thus extending its geographic range.

Mutational Screening of BRCA1/2 Genes as a Predictive Factor for Therapeutic Response in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Consensus Guide from the Spanish Society of Pathology (SEAP-IAP) and the Spanish Society of Human Genetics (AEGH).

Germline/somatic BRCA-mutated ovarian carcinomas (OC) are associated to have better response with platinum-based chemotherapy and long-term prognosis than non-BRCA-associated OCs. In addition, these mutations are predictive factors to response to Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Different positioning papers have addressed the clinical recommendations for BRCA testing in OC. This consensus guide represents a collection of technical recommendations to address the detection of BRCA1/2 mutations in the molecular diagnostic testing strategy for OC. Under the coordination of Spanish Society of Pathology (SEAP-IAP) and the Spanish Society of Human Genetics (AEGH), these recommendations have been developed by pathologists and geneticists taking into account previously published recommendations and their experience in the molecular characterization of these genes. Since the implementation of BRCA testing as a predictive factor can initiate the workflow by testing germline mutations in the blood or by testing both germline and somatic mutations in tumor tissue, distinctive features of both strategies are discussed. Additionally, the recommendations included in this paper provide some references, quality parameters, and genomic tools aimed to standardize and facilitate the clinical genomic diagnosis of OC.

Sexagem em tamanduá-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) por meio do teste da reação em cadeia da polimerase / Polymerase chain reaction for sexing in giant anteater's (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

Em tamanduá-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) não há dimorfismo sexual, tornando-se necessária a diferenciação entre machos e fêmeas, em especial naqueles indivíduos com finalidade reprodutiva. Entre as diversas técnicas empregadas para a caracterização sexual, a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) é utilizada em mamíferos para identificar uma sequência genética especifica do cromossomo Y (SRY), sendo considerado um meio moderno e eficaz de determinação sexual. O objetivo deste trabalho é padronizar um protocolo para determinação sexual de tamanduá-bandeira por meio da técnica de PCR, utilizando material genético extraído do bulbo capilar desses animais. Mediante esse protocolo, foi possível determinar o sexo de sete animais testados, sendo compatível com o sexo de cada indivíduo. Conclui-se que o protocolo padronizado apresentou total eficácia, sendo possível determinar o sexo de tamanduás-bandeira utilizando material genético extraído do bulbo capilar.(AU)

There is no sexual dimorphism in the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), so the distinction between males and females become necessary, especially in animals with reproductive purpose. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), among the various techniques used for characterization, is considered a modern and effective means of sex determination and used in mammals to identify the Y chromosome (SRY) specifies genetic sequence. The objective of this work is to standardize a protocol for sex determination of giant anteater by PCR technique, using genetic material extracted from the capillary bulb of these animals. With this protocol was possible the sex determination of seven tested animals, being compatible with the sex of each individual. In conclusion, this protocol showed total effectiveness, being possible to determine the giant anteater sex using genetic material extracted from the capillary bulb.(AU)

Modified SureSelectQXT Target Enrichment Protocol for Illumina Multiplexed Sequencing of FFPE Samples.

BACKGROUND: Personalised medicine is nowadays a major objective in oncology. Molecular characterization of tumours through NGS offers the possibility to find possible therapeutic targets in a time- and cost-effective way. However, the low quality and complexity of FFPE DNA samples bring a series of disadvantages for massive parallel sequencing techniques compared to high-quality DNA samples (from blood cells, cell cultures, etc.). RESULTS: We performed several experiments to understand the behaviour of FFPE DNA samples during the construction of SureSelectQXT libraries. First, we designed a quality checkpoint for FFPE DNA samples based on the quantification of their amplification capability (qcPCR). We observed that FFPE DNA samples can be classified according to DIN value and qcPCR concentration into unusable, or low-quality (LQ) and good-quality (GQ) DNA. For GQ samples, we increased the amount of input DNA to 150 ng and the digestion time to 30 min, whereas for LQ samples, we used 50 ng of DNA as input but we decreased the digestion time to 1 min. In all cases, we increased the cycles of the pre-hyb PCR to 10 but decreased the cycles of the post-hyb PCR to 8. In addition, we confirmed that using half of the volume of reagents can be beneficial. Finally, in order to obtain better results, we designed a decision flow-chart to achieve a seeding concentration of 12-14 pM for MiSeq Reagent Kit v2. CONCLUSIONS: Our experiments allowed us to unveil the behaviour of low-quality FFPE DNA samples during the construction of SureSelectQXT libraries. Sequencing results showed that, using our modified SureSelectQXT protocol, the final percentage of usable reads for low-quality samples was increased more than three times allowing to reach median depth/million reads values of 76.35. This value is equivalent to ~ 0.9 and ~ 0.7 of the values obtained for good-quality FFPE and high-quality DNA respectively.

Traps and Baits for Luring Grapholita molesta (Busck) Adults in Mating Disruption-Treated Apple Orchards.

Grapholita molesta (Busck) is one of the main pests in apple crops in Brazil, where it is controlled by mating disruption (MD) with the use of the synthetic sex pheromone. However, sex-pheromone-based monitoring is not effective in MD-treated areas and may result in losses in production. This work has defined a trap model and a bait for luring G. molesta adults in MD apple orchards. The experiments were conducted in commercial apple orchards located in São Joaquim, SC, Brazil. Three trap models-McPhail, Pot, and Ajar-and three baits-grape juice (25%) (GJ), sugarcane molasses (25%) (SM), and a solution containing brown sugar (8.69%) and terpinyl acetate (0.05%) (TAS)-were assessed for luring G. molesta adults in areas subjected to the mating disruption. The assessments were performed weekly by collecting the insects caught in the traps. In addition, time needed to replace traps was also assessed, as well as the selectivity of the trap/bait set. In the laboratory, G. molesta adults were sexed, and the females were dissected to confirm reproductive status. We discuss our results and sugarcane molasses (25%) captured the least number of G. molesta adults regardless of the tested traps. The Ajar/TAS, Pot/TAS, and McPhail/GJ captured the largest number of G. molesta adults. The Ajar/TAS was the most selective and easier to handle. TAS was efficient in catching G. molesta until 14 days after preparation of the solution. Ajar/TAS has potential to be used in the monitoring of G. molesta in apple orchards.

Colorectal tumor 3Din vitromodels: advantages of biofabrication for the recapitulation of early stages of tumour development.

The majority of cancer-relatedin vitrostudies are conducted on cell monolayers or spheroids. Although this approach has led to key discoveries, it still has a poor outcome in recapitulating the different stages of tumor development. The advent of novel three-dimensional (3D) systems and technological methods for their fabrication is set to improve the field, offering a more physiologically relevant and high throughputin vitrosystem for the study of tumor development and treatment. Here we describe the fabrication of alginate-based 3D models that recapitulate the early stages of colorectal cancer, tracking two of the main biomarkers for tumor development: CD44 and HIF-1α. We optimized the fabrication process to obtain alginate micro-beads with controlled size and stiffness, mimicking the early stages of colorectal cancer. Human colorectal HCT-116 cancer cells were encapsulated with controlled initial number, and cell viability and protein expression of said 3Din vitromodels was compared to that of current gold standards (cell monolayers and spheroids). Our results evidenced that encapsulated HCT-116 demonstrated a high viability, increase in stem-like cell populations (increased expression of CD44) and reduced hypoxic regions (lower HIF-1a expression) compared to spheroid cultures. In conclusion we show that our biofabricated system is a highly reproducible and easily accessible alternative to study cell behavior, allowing to better mimic the early stages of colorectal cancer in comparison to otherin vitromodels. The use of biofabricatedin vitromodels will improve the translatability of results, in particular when testing strategies for therapeutic intervention.

Dermatite fúngica associada à Rhodotorula glutinis em cão - Canis familiaris ): relato de caso / Fungal dermatitis associated to Rhodotorula glutinis in dog (Canis familiaris): case report

O fungo Rhodotorula sp. era considerado como não patogênico, mas, com o aumento de casos de humanos imunossuprimidos nas últimas duas décadas, as espécies R. mucilaginosa, R. glutinis e R. minuta se tornaram agentes potencialmente patogênicos. Poucos relatos clínicos veterinários associados à Rhodotorula spp. foram descritos, e o objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever um caso de dermatite fúngica causada por R. glutinis em cão imunossuprimido devido à leishmaniose visceral e osteossarcoma, na cidade de Cuiabá-Mato Grosso. Um cão, macho, 11 anos, sem raça definida, foi trazido ao Hospital Veterinário apresentando lesões de pele com diagnóstico de dermatofitose e foi prescrito tratamento tópico à base de óleo de melaleuca, sem melhora após um mês de tratamento. O animal retornou ao Hospital Veterinário com hemorragia na região lesionada da cauda, e foi realizada biópsia para exames microbiológico e histopatológico. Nas análises microbiológica e histopatológica, foi isolada uma levedura e detectada a presença de estrutura semelhante a leveduras na coloração de prata, respectivamente. A levedura isolada foi identificada como R. glutinis por meio do sequenciamento do DNA. Um novo tratamento foi instituído, sem melhora do quadro clínico. O animal foi diagnosticado também com leishmaniose e osteossarcoma, provavelmente ocasionando a immunossupressão, e seu quadro evoluiu a óbito.(AU)

The fungi Rhodotorula sp was considered nonpathogenic, but with the increase of immunosuppressed humans in the last two decades, the species R. mucilaginosa, R. glutinis and R. minuta became potentially pathogenic agents. There have been few veterinary clinical reports associated with Rhodotorula spp. and this work aims to describe the first case of fungal dermatitis caused by R. glutinis in immunosuppressed dog due to visceral leishmaniasis and osteosarcoma in the city of Cuiabá-Mato Grosso. An 11-year-old male mongrel dog was examined to the Veterinary Hospital with skin lesions and the diagnosis was dermatophytosis and the treatment was implemented with topical tea tree oil for one month, but the treatment failed. The animal returned to the Veterinary Hospital with bleeding in the injured area of the tail and biopsy was performed for microbiological and histopathology evaluation. In the microbiological and histopathological analysis, yeast was isolated and yeast-like structures in silver staining were observed, respectively. The isolated yeast was identified as R. glutinis by DNA sequencing. A new treatment was implemented without clinical improvement. The animal was diagnosed with leishmaniasis and osteosarcoma, which probably caused immunosuppression, and its clinical conditions evolved to death.(AU)

Detecção molecular de Neospora caninum em macaco-da-noite (Aotus azarae) de vida livre no estado do Mato Grosso: relato de caso / Molecular detection of Neospora caninum in azara's night monkey (Aotus azarae) of wildlife in the state of Mato Grosso: Case report

Estudos indicam, por meio de infecção experimental, que primatas não humanos são susceptíveis à infecção por Neospora caninum. Relata-se um caso de um macaco-da-noite (Aotus azarae infulatus), que apresentou sinais inespecíficos e não respondeu à terapêutica clínica de suporte, evoluindo a óbito, encaminhado em seguida para exame anatomopatológico. Amostras de tecidos foram coletadas e processadas rotineiramente para confecção de lâminas histológicas. Microscopicamente, a principal lesão foi observada no coração e consistia em miocardite necrótica multifocal por protozoário, com a presença de estruturas compatíveis com o estágio de taquizoítos de protozoários dos gêneros Neospora sp. ou Toxoplasma sp. No sistema nervoso central, predominantemente no tronco encefálico, havia estruturas semelhantes às descritas no coração. Os resultados da reação em cadeia pela polimerase (PCR) foram positivos para N. caninum e negativos para Toxoplasma gondii, usando DNA extraído do sangue e dos tecidos. Este relato de caso fornece evidências histológicas e moleculares de que o primata em questão foi susceptível a uma infecção natural, porém estudos devem ser realizados para investigar o real papel dos primatas no ciclo de vida de N. caninum.(AU)

Studies indicate through experimental infection that non-human primates are susceptible to infection by Neospora caninum. This report is of a case of a night monkey (Aotus azarae infulatus) that presented nonspecific signs and did not respond to supportive clinical therapy evolving to death, followed by a pathology examination. Tissue specimens were routinely collected and processed for the preparation of histological slides. Microscopically, the main lesion was observed in the heart and consisted of multifocal necrotic myocarditis by protozoa, with the presence of structures compatible with the stage of protozoan tachyzoites of the genus Neospora sp. or Toxoplasma sp. In the central nervous system, predominantly in the brainstem there were structures similar to those described in the heart. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results were positive for N. caninum and was negative for Toxoplasma gondii using DNA extracted from blood and tissues. This case report provides histological and molecular evidence that the primate in question was susceptible to a natural infection, but studies should be conducted to investigate the real role of primates in the life cycle of N. caninum.(AU)

Cladosporium cladosporioides isolado de gato com carcinoma de células escamosas / Cladosporium cladosporioides isolated from a cat with squamous cell carcinoma

Este relato descreve o caso do Cladosporium cladosporioides isolado de uma lesão periocular de um felino atendido no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, em Cuiabá. A principal queixa do proprietário era uma lesão periocular, com piora no decorrer do tempo, havia aproximadamente quatro meses. Foi descrita a tentativa de tratamento da lesão com anti-inflamatórios e antibióticos, sem sucesso. Na anamnese foi relatado que o animal tinha acesso à rua e a hábitos de caça e que não havia outros animais da casa com lesão semelhante. O animal foi submetido à biópsia e citologia para um diagnóstico mais preciso do caso. Um fragmento foi encaminhado para o Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária e outro para o de Microbiologia Veterinária. Nas análises histopatológicas, houve compatibilidade com carcinoma de células escamosas e, nas lâminas de citologia, foi evidenciado um processo inflamatório agudo. Nas características macroscópicas e microscópicas da colônia, houve compatibilidade com Cladosporium sp. Posteriormente, o DNA foi extraído e sequenciado, confirmando a espécie Cladosporium cladosporioides. O objetivo deste relato foi descrever o isolamento dessa espécie em um felino com carcinoma de células escamosas.(AU)

This report describes a case of Cladosporium cladosporioides isolated from a cat with a periocular lesion at the Veterinary Hospital, Cuiaba- Brazil. Owner described his animal as having a periocular lesion treated unsuccessfully with anti-inflamatories and antibiotics. During anamnesis, it was reported that the animal has access to the street, hunting habits and none of the other animals of the house had a similar injury. The animal underwent biopsy and cytology for more accurate diagnosis of the case. A fragment was referred to the Veterinary Pathology Laboratory and another for Veterinary Microbiology. In the histopathological analysis of biopsy, it was compatible with squamous cell carcinoma and the cytology slides showed an acute inflammatory process. Microbiogical analysis isolated fungus with Cladosporium sp. Subsequently, DNA was extracted and sequenced confirming Cladosporium cladosporioides species. This paper reports the isolation of this species in a feline with squamous cell carcinoma.(AU)

Evaluation of Food Lures for Capture and Monitoring of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Temperate Fruit Trees.

The Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the main pest of fruit trees grown in temperate climates in the southern region of Brazil. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of the major commercial food lures used in Brazil for trapping and monitoring of A. fraterculus in plum, pear, and feijoa orchards. The assessed lures were hydrolyzed proteins of animal origin (CeraTrap) and plant origin (BioAnastrepha), torula yeast + borax (Torula), and grape juice. Response variables included the rate of adult capture (flies per trap per day, FTD) and the percentage of females captured. We also evaluated the number of times the weekly capture rate exceeded the traditional threshold of 0.5 FTD for each lure. Traps baited with grape juice, currently used for monitoring A. fraterculus in Southern Brazil, captured fewer adults and a lower percentage of females compared with the other lures. CeraTrap trapped a greater number of A. fraterculus adults and, in some cases, a lower percentage of females compared with the other lures in pears. Traps baited with CeraTrap had greater capture rates (FTD), particularly during the stages of fruit maturation and harvest, and even in years with low population density of A. fraterculus, thus demonstrating greater sensitivity in the detection of this pest. These results show that, in order to detect and monitor the presence of A. fraterculus in plum, feijoa, and pear crops, protein-based lures are superior to grape juice, especially the animal protein CeraTrap.

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry of polyethylene.

Polyethylene is probably the most used plastic material in daily life and its accurate analysis is of importance. In this communication the chemical structure of polyethylenes is studied in detail using conventional analytical pyrolysis (Py-GC/MS), bulk stable isotopic analysis (IRMS) and pyrolysis compound specific stable isotopic analysis (Py-CSIA) to measure stable isotope proportions (δ(13)C, δ(15)N and δD) of polyethylene pyrolysis compounds. Polyethylene pyrolysis yields triplet peaks of n-alkanes, α-alkenes and α,ω-alkanedienes. No differences were found for bulk δ(13)C among different polyethylene types. However, conspicuous differences in δD were evident. It was possible to assign structure δ(13)C and δD values to specific polyethylene pyrolysis products in the range 12-18 carbon chain length. Conspicuous differences were found for the pyrolysis products with unsaturated moieties showing significant higher δD values than saturated chains (alkanes) that were deuterium depleted. In addition, a full isotopic fingerprinting (δ(13)C, δ(15)N and δD) for a dye (o-chloroaniline) contained in a polyethylene is reported. To the best of our knowledge this is the first application Py-CSIA to the study of a synthetic polymer. This hyphenated analytical technique is a promising tool to study synthetic materials, providing not only a fingerprinting, but also allowing the traceability of the polymerization process and the origin of the materials.

Detection of cylindrospermopsin toxin markers in cyanobacterial algal blooms using analytical pyrolysis (Py-GC/MS) and thermally-assisted hydrolysis and methylation (TCh-GC/MS).

The hepatotoxin cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is produced by freshwater cyanobacteria becoming an emerging threat for human health. Methods for the rapid determination of CYN in environmental samples are needed. Conventional analytical pyrolysis (Py-GC/MS) and thermally-assisted hydrolysis and methylation (TCh-GC/MS) were used to study a CYN standard, two Aphanizomenon ovalisporum cultures (CYN+) and one culture of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (CYN-). A micro-furnace pyrolyzer was used directly attached to a GC/MS system fitted with a 30 m × 250 µm × 0.25 µm film thickness column (14% cyanopropyl phenyl, 86% dimethyl polysiloxane pahase composition). Oven temperature was held at 50 °C for 1 min and increased to 100 °C at 30 °C min(-1), from 100 °C to 300 °C at 10 °C min(-1), and stabilized at 300 °C for 10 min using helium (1 mL min(-1)) as carrier gas. Pyrolysis at 500 °C yield over 70 compounds with 20 specific for CYN+ samples. Two peaks containing a diagnostic fragment (m/z 194) were found at 25.0 and 28.9 min only in CYN+ samples. Fewer peaks with limited diagnostic value were released after TCh-GC/MS, including breakdown products and TMAH adducts. A compound was detected that may correspond to the CYN molecule (MW 415 Da) thermoevaporation product after the loss of SO3 (MW 80 Da). This TCh-GC/MS peak (m/z 336) together with the fragments obtained by conventional Py-GC/MS (m/z 194) are diagnostic ions with potential use for the direct detection of CYN toxin in environmental samples at last with an estimated 5 ppm detection threshold.

Perianal Crohn´s disease in a pre-pubertal girl versus sexual abuse: clinical and medicolegal implications / Moléstia de Crohn em menina pré-puberal versus abuso sexual: implicações clínicas e médico-legais

Objectives: To describe a case of Crohn's disease presenting as an anal ulceration in a 12 year-old girl, diagnosed initially as sexual abuse. Description: We study a case of Crohn?s disease presenting as a perianal ulcer in a 12 year-old girl, diagnosed initially as sexual abuse with serious medico-legal, psychological and socio-familiar implications. Comments: Crohn?s disease is rare during childhood, and a minority presents as perianal ulcers. Considering sexual abuse against adolescents is much commoner it turns essential to consider the differential diagnosis correctly, because of the risks involved, mainly represented by psychological and familiar disruption, medico-legal implications and treatment delay.