Evaluation of the Boll Weevil Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) suppression program in the state of Goiás, Brazil.

The boll weevil Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is the most important cotton pest in Brazil. A large-scale field-testing of a Boll Weevil Suppression Program (BWSP) was implemented to assess its technical and operational feasibility for boll weevil suppression in the state of Goiás, Brazil. The pilot plan focused on 3,608 ha of cotton during the 2006/2007 and 6,011 ha in the 2007/2008 growing seasons; the areas were divided into four inner zones with an outer buffer zone. We analyzed data on boll weevil captures using pheromone traps installed in the BWSP fields, on the detection of the first insect and the first damaged floral bud, greatest damage, and number of insecticide applications. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate the differences between presuppression and suppression years. Fourteen pheromone-baited trapping evaluations were used to compare the weevil populations from 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 growing seasons. The BWSP regime reduced in-season boll weevil captures from 15- to 500-fold compared to presuppression levels in the preceding year. The low capture rates were related to delays in infestation and damage by weevils. The smaller population size measured by trapping and field monitoring reduced the number of required insecticide treatments. The BWSP strategy was efficient in suppressing populations of this pest and is a viable program for cotton production in subtropical and tropical regions, with long-term economic and environmental benefits.

Reproductive dormancy in boll-weevil from populations of the midwest of Brazil.

The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an introduced pest in Brazil, which in 30 yr has successfully expanded to various eco-regions and became the most important pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, Malvaceae). Given the limited knowledge about the adaptive mechanisms that allowed successful establishment of the pest population in a tropical region, in this work we studied the potential of the Midwest population of boll weevils to enter a reproductive dormancy and identified the importance of the feeding source for induction of dormancy. We investigated morphological and physiological characters as indicators of the dormancy. We also investigated the occurrence of reproductive dormancy in boll weevils populations from cotton farms of the Midwestern region of Brazil during the cotton and noncotton seasons of 2009 and 2010. The studies revealed that boll weevils entered facultative reproductive dormancy; however, unlike what has been observed for boll weevils from temperate and subtropical regions, the hypertrophy of fat body and hexamerin levels did not straightly correlated to reproductive dormancy. The food source and field conditions during early adult development were decisive factor for the induction of reproductive dormancy. The incidence of reproductive dormancy increased progressively as the phenology of cotton plant advanced, reaching approximately 90% at the end of the crop season. During the noncotton season, the boll weevil was predominantly found in reproductive dormancy, especially females; however, there is evidence of use of multiple adaptive strategies to colonize the next harvest.

Desenvolvimento e produção de seda do Bombyx mori L. exposto a análogos do hormônio juvenil / Development and silk production of the silkworm Bombyx mori L. exposed to juvenile hormone analogues

O crescimento dos insetos é regulado por um complexo hormonal que inclui o hormônio juvenil, que assegura ao inseto a retenção de suas características larvais, prevenindo a maturação. A aplicação de análogos do hormônio juvenil em Bombyx mori tem promovido o incremento da produção de seda; entretanto, altas doses podem provocar efeitos deletérios sobre a biologia do inseto. Este estudo avaliou a pulverização de diferentes análogos do hormônio juvenil sobre o bicho-da-seda e seus efeitos sobre o desenvolvimento larval e a produção de seda. Lagartas foram expostas a piriproxifeno, metopreno e fenoxicarbe a doses de 20, 2 e 0,02 ppb de ingrediente ativo, respectivamente, através da pulverização dos insetos e do alimento a 48 horas após a quarta ecdise. A administração de análogos do hormônio juvenil promoveu aumentos no período larval, massa de glândulas sericígenas, peso de casulos e de pupas. Os produtos testados afetaram negativamente a taxa de encasulamento. Metopreno promoveu o maior incremento na produção de seda e menor taxa de mortalidade, podendo seu uso ser recomendado na sericicultura.(AU)

DEVELOPMENT AND SILK PRODUCTION OF THE SILKWORM BOMBYX MORI L. EXPOSED TO JUVENILE HORMONE ANALOGUES. Insect growth is regulated by a hormonal complex that includes the juvenile hormone, which assures to the insect the retention of its larval characteristics, preventing maturation. Applications of juvenile hormone analogues on Bombyx mori have induced increases in silk production; however, high doses may promote deleterious effects on the biology of the insect. The present study evaluated the spraying of different juvenile hormone analogues on the silkworms and their effects on the larval development and silk production. Larvae were exposed to piryproxyfen, methoprene and fenoxycarb at titers of 20, 2 and 0.02 ppb a.i., respectively, sprayed on the insects and food at 48 hours after the fourth ecdysis. The administration of juvenile hormone analogues promoted increases in the larval period, silk glands, cocoon and pupae weight. The tested products had a negative effect on the cocooning rate. Methoprene promoted a larger increment in the silk production and smaller fall in the cocooning rate, and its use can be recommended in sericulture. (AU)

Desenvolvimento e produção de seda do Bombyx mori L. exposto a análogos do hormônio juvenil

Insect growth is regulated by a hormonal complex that includes the juvenile hormone, which assures to the insect the retention of its larval characteristics, preventing maturation. Applications of juvenile hormone analogues on Bombyx mori have induced increases in silk production; however, high doses may promote deleterious effects on the biology of the insect. The present study evaluated the spraying of different juvenile hormone analogues on the silkworms and their effects on the larval development and silk production. Larvae were exposed to piryproxyfen, methoprene and fenoxycarb at titers of 20, 2 and 0.02 ppb a.i., respectively, sprayed on the insects and food at 48 hours after the fourth ecdysis. The administration of juvenile hormone analogues promoted increases in the larval period, silk glands, cocoon and pupae weight. The tested products had a negative effect on the cocooning rate. Methoprene promoted a larger increment in the silk production and smaller fall in the cocooning rate, and its use can be recommended in sericulture.

O crescimento dos insetos é regulado por um complexo hormonal que inclui o hormônio juvenil, que assegura ao inseto a retenção de suas características larvais, prevenindo a maturação. A aplicação de análogos do hormônio juvenil em Bombyx mori tem promovido o incremento da produção de seda; entretanto, altas doses podem provocar efeitos deletérios sobre a biologia do inseto. Este estudo avaliou a pulverização de diferentes análogos do hormônio juvenil sobre o bicho-da-seda e seus efeitos sobre o desenvolvimento larval e a produção de seda. Lagartas foram expostas a piriproxifeno, metopreno e fenoxicarbe a doses de 20, 2 e 0,02 ppb de ingrediente ativo, respectivamente, através da pulverização dos insetos e do alimento a 48 horas após a quarta ecdise. A administração de análogos do hormônio juvenil promoveu aumentos no período larval, massa de glândulas sericígenas, peso de casulos e de pupas. Os produtos testados afetaram negativamente a taxa de encasulamento. Metopreno promoveu o maior incremento na produção de seda e menor taxa de mortalidade, podendo seu uso ser recomendado na sericicultura.

Desenvolvimento e produção de seda do Bombyx mori L. exposto a análogos do hormônio juvenil / Development and silk production of the silkworm Bombyx mori L. exposed to juvenile hormone analogues

O crescimento dos insetos é regulado por um complexo hormonal que inclui o hormônio juvenil, que assegura ao inseto a retenção de suas características larvais, prevenindo a maturação. A aplicação de análogos do hormônio juvenil em Bombyx mori tem promovido o incremento da produção de seda; entretanto, altas doses podem provocar efeitos deletérios sobre a biologia do inseto. Este estudo avaliou a pulverização de diferentes análogos do hormônio juvenil sobre o bicho-da-seda e seus efeitos sobre o desenvolvimento larval e a produção de seda. Lagartas foram expostas a piriproxifeno, metopreno e fenoxicarbe a doses de 20, 2 e 0,02 ppb de ingrediente ativo, respectivamente, através da pulverização dos insetos e do alimento a 48 horas após a quarta ecdise. A administração de análogos do hormônio juvenil promoveu aumentos no período larval, massa de glândulas sericígenas, peso de casulos e de pupas. Os produtos testados afetaram negativamente a taxa de encasulamento. Metopreno promoveu o maior incremento na produção de seda e menor taxa de mortalidade, podendo seu uso ser recomendado na sericicultura.

DEVELOPMENT AND SILK PRODUCTION OF THE SILKWORM BOMBYX MORI L. EXPOSED TO JUVENILE HORMONE ANALOGUES. Insect growth is regulated by a hormonal complex that includes the juvenile hormone, which assures to the insect the retention of its larval characteristics, preventing maturation. Applications of juvenile hormone analogues on Bombyx mori have induced increases in silk production; however, high doses may promote deleterious effects on the biology of the insect. The present study evaluated the spraying of different juvenile hormone analogues on the silkworms and their effects on the larval development and silk production. Larvae were exposed to piryproxyfen, methoprene and fenoxycarb at titers of 20, 2 and 0.02 ppb a.i., respectively, sprayed on the insects and food at 48 hours after the fourth ecdysis. The administration of juvenile hormone analogues promoted increases in the larval period, silk glands, cocoon and pupae weight. The tested products had a negative effect on the cocooning rate. Methoprene promoted a larger increment in the silk production and smaller fall in the cocooning rate, and its use can be recommended in sericulture.

Evidence of bacterial biofilms in nasal polyposis.

INTRODUCTION: The pathogeny of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRS/NP) has not been elucidated. Bacterial exotoxins have been implicated in many inflammatory chronic diseases, such as chronic otitis, chronic tonsillitis, cholesteatomas, and more recently CRS/NP. We propose that the bacteria in CRS/NP are not only present in a planktonic state, but also occur in microbial communities as biofilms. OBJECTIVE: To determine and characterize the presence of biofilms in CRS/NP. METHODS: We performed a prospective study in 12 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polyposis. Ten patients without CRS/NP who underwent septoplasty were included as a control group. Tissue samples were obtained from the inferior turbinate mucosae. The bacteria were isolated and typified and the material was examined in vitro using a spectrophotometer, and in vivo using optical microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy. RESULTS: Moderate to high in vitro biofilm-forming capacity was detected in 9 out of 12 patients with CRS/NP (mean [SD] optical density values of between 0.284 [0.017] and 3.337 [0.029]). The microorganisms isolated were Staphylococcus (5 patients), Streptococcus viridans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus viridans/Corynebacterium. Biofilms were demonstrated in vivo in 2 patients and no biofilm structures were evident in any of the controls. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the presence of bacterial biofilms in patients with CRS/NP. This chronic inflammatory factor might contribute to nasal mucosa damage, increased inflammatory cells in tissue, and the subsequent hyperplasic process.

Avaliação da capacidade de voo, parasitismo e emergência de linhagens de trichogramma pretiosum riley (hymenoptera: trichogrammatidae)

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the flight capacity, parasitism and emergence of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley strains, collected from 4 localities of Mato Grosso State, Brazil, reared in the laboratory for 54 generations, and fed on Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) eggs. A completely randomized statistical design was adopted, with 4 treatments (strains) and 7 replicates (30 unviable eggs of S. cerealella). The percentage of flying, running and nonflying insects, parasitism and emergence rate were evaluated. Percentage of flying parasitoids from the Rondonópolis strain (97.7) was higher than for the Primavera do Leste (91.7), Jaciara (85.9) and Pedra Preta (94.0) strains, according to the Scott-Knott test (P 0.05). The percentage of running insects did not differ between the Rondonópolis (0.6) and Black Stone strains (2.6). For the nonflying parasitoids, differences were not detected in the Primavera do Leste (3.6%), Jaciara (3.1%), Rondonópolis (1.7%) or Pedra Preta strains (3.7%). The parasitism rate was similar among the strains and varied from 69.2% (Pedra Preta strain) to 81.9% (Rondonópolis strain). The emergence rate did not differ among the strains and was superior to 80% in all the strains. After 54 generations the 4 strains are in adequate flight activity, parasitism and emergence conditions to be used in biological control programs.

RESUMO O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade de voo, o parasitismo e a emergência de linhagens de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, criadas em laboratório por 54 gerações sobre Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) e oriundas de quatro municípios do Mato Grosso. O delineamento estatístico foi o inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos (linhagens) e sete repetições (cada uma com 30 ovos inviáveis de S. cerealella). Avaliou-se a porcentagem de insetos voadores, caminhadores, não-voadores, parasitismo e emergência. A porcentagem de parasitoides voadores de Rondonópolis (97,7) foi superior às de Primavera do Leste (91,7), Jaciara (85,9) e Pedra Preta (94) pelo teste de ScottKnott (P 0,05). A porcentagem de caminhadores não diferiu nas linhagens de Rondonópolis (0,6) e Pedra Preta (2,6). Para os parasitoides não voadores não se detectaram diferenças nas linhagens de Primavera do Leste (3,6%), Jaciara (3,1%), Rondonópolis (1,7%) e Pedra Preta (3,7%). A taxa de parasitismo foi semelhante entre as linhagens e variou de 69,2% (Pedra Preta) a 81,9% (Rondonópolis). A emergência foi superior a 80% em todas as linhagens e também não diferiu entre elas. Após 54 gerações as quatro linhagens estão em ótimas condições de atividade de voo, parasitismo e emergência, para serem utilizadas em programas de controle biológico.

Relationship between systemic joint laxity, TMJ hypertranslation, and intra-articular disorders.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between general joint hypermobility, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) hypertranslation and signs and symptoms of TMJ intra-articular disorders. One hundred twenty individuals constituted the sample, divided into two groups: Group I (symptomatic) included 60 patients with complaints of joint noises, pain, or jaw locking, and Group II (nonsymptomatic) included 60 people with no TMD complaints. The Beighton's hypermobility score addressed the systemic laxity while lateral x-rays taken in both closed and full open mouth positions measured TMJ mobility (condyle hypertranslation). No association was found between intra-articular disorders and systemic hypermobility (p > 0.05). A significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) was found between age and systemic hypermobility, while no correlation was detected between systemic and TMJ hypermobility (condyle hypertranslation).

Determinacao quantitativa das imunoglobulinas IgA e IgM, no sangue do cordao umbilical, pela tecnica de dupla difusao em gel de agar. / Quantitative determination of IgA and IgM immunoglobulins, in umbilical cord blood, by double agar gel diffusion technique

Visando encontrar tecnica simples e barata que pudesse ser aplicada na pesquisa e titulacao das imunoglobulinas IgA e IgM no sangue do cordao umbilical de todos os recem-nacidos foi estudada a imunodifusao dupla quantitativa, comparando-a com a imunodifusao radial.Inicialmente, 249 soros de recem-nascidos foram estudados, para IgA e IgM, pela tecnica de imunodifusao dupla quantitativa.Em seguida, a comparacao entre esta tecnica e a imunodifusao radial foi realizada em 20 soros para IgM e 33 para IgA. Foram estudados,ainda 10 soros de casos reconhecidamente patologicos, comparativamente, pelas duas tecnicas. A tecnica de dupla difusao em gel de agar revelou a presenca de IgM no sangue do cordao umbilical em mais de 80% de recem-nascidos normais . A IgA foi relevada em cerca de 15% dos casos. Houve correlacao entre os valores quantitativos determinados pelas tecnicas de dupla difusao e de difusao radial, tanto para IgA, quanto para IgM. A tecnica de dupla difusao qualitativa em gel de agar, utilizando soro de cordao umbilical, sem diluir para IgA e diluido a 1/8 para IgM, podera ser empregada com a finalidade de revelar infeccao fetal, em todos os recem-nascidos, dado seu baixo custo e facilidade de execucao