Action of natural phytosanitary products on Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki S-1905.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of natural phytosanitary products (NPs) on spores and crystals of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki S-1905 (Btk S-1905). For the spore assay, NPs and bacteria were applied in combination and individually. For the combined application, Btk S-1905 + NP mixtures were inoculated on nutrient agar (NA), and for the separate applications, the NPs were spread on NA plates, which were later inoculated with the pathogen. The number of colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter was quantified after 18 h of incubation. For the crystal protein degradation assay, the Btk S-1905 + NP mixtures were added to the diet of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), and mortality was evaluated at the following time points: 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Scanning electron microscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis were carried out. Biogermex and Ecolife® reduced the CFU ml-1 in both combined and separate applications. Biogermex, Ecolife®, and Planta Clean were antagonistic to the action of bacterial toxins, and no product affected the morphology or resulted in the degradation of the crystal proteins. The remaining products evaluated did not reduce the CFU ml-1 and had additive effect when combined with the crystal toxin.

Genotoxic evaluation in Oreochromis niloticus (Fish: Characidae) of recombinant spore-crystal complexes Cry1Ia, Cry10Aa and Cry1Ba6 from Bacillus thuringiensis.

Bioinsecticides from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely used around the world in biological control against larval stages of many insect species. Bt has been considered a biopesticide that is highly specific to different orders of insects, non-polluting and harmless to humans and other vertebrates, thus becoming a viable alternative for combating agricultural pests and insect vectors of diseases. The family of Bt δ-endotoxins are crystal-protein inclusions showing toxicity to insects' midgut, causing cell lysis leading to starvation, septicemia and death. The aim of this study is to evaluate the genotoxic potential of recombinant Bt spore-crystals expressing Cry1Ia, Cry10Aa and Cry1Ba6 on peripheral erythrocyte cells of Oreochromis niloticus, through comet assay, micronucleus (MN) test and nuclear abnormalities (NA) analysis. Fish (n = 10/group) were exposed for 96 h at 10(7) spores 30 l(-1), 10(8) spores 30 l(-1) or 10(9) spores 30 l(-1) of Bt spore-crystals. Cry1Ia showed a significant increase in comet cells at levels 1 and 2, but not at levels 3 and 4, so it was not mutagenic nor did it induce MN or NA. These three spore-crystals showed some fish toxicity at only the highest exposure level, which normally does not occur in the field.

Activity of a Brazilian strain of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis against the cotton Boll Weevil Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

A Brazilian Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis, toxic to Diptera, including mosquitoes, was found also to show toxicity to the coleopteran boll weevil Anthonomus grandis Boheman at an equivalent level to that of the standard coleopteran-active B. thuringiensis subspecies tenebrionis T08017. Recombinant B. thuringiensis strains expressing the individual Cyt1Aa, Cry4Aa, Cry4Ba and Cry11Aa toxins from this strain were assessed to evaluate their potential contribution to the activity against A. grandis, either alone or in combination. Whilst individual toxins produced mortality, none was sufficiently potent to allow calculation of LC50 values. Combinations of toxins were unable to attain the same potency as the parental B. thuringiensis subsp. israelensis, suggesting a major role for other factors produced by this strain.

Recombinant Cry1Ia protein is highly toxic to cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) and fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

AIMS: To evaluate the activity of cry1Ia gene against cotton pests, Spodoptera frugiperda and Anthonomus grandis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Had isolated and characterized a toxin gene from the Bacillus thuringiensis S1451 strain which have been previously shown to be toxic to S. frugiperda and A. grandis. The toxin gene (cry1Ia) was amplified by PCR, sequenced, and cloned into the genome of a baculovirus. The Cry1Ia protein was expressed in baculovirus infected insect cells, producing protein inclusions in infected cells. The Cry1Ia protein has used in bioassays against to S. frugiperda and A. grandis. CONCLUSIONS: Bioassays using the purified recombinant protein showed high toxicity to S. frugiperda and A. grandis larvae. Molecular modelling of the Cry1Ia protein translated from the DNA sequence obtained in this work, showed that this protein possibly posses a similar structure to the Cry3A protein. Ultrastructural analysis of midgut cells from A. grandis incubated with the Cry1Ia toxin, showed loss of microvilli integrity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results indicate that the cry1Ia is a good candidate for the construction of transgenic plants resistant to these important cotton pests.

Biology of Diadegma sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a parasitoid of Plutella xylostella (L. ) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), from Reunion Island / Biologia de Diadegma sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), um parasitóide de Plutella xylostella (L. ) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), da Ilha Reunião

O gênero Diadegma compreende espécies capazes de parasitar larvas de Plutella xylostella (L.) (DBM). Foram realizados estudos de laboratório com uma população de Diadegma sp. oriunda da Ilha da Reunião, para determinar sua capacidade de parasitismo e a influência da temperatura na sua fecundidade, longevidade, oviposição e o consumo foliar de larvas parasitadas de DBM. A taxa de parasitismo foi de 70 por cento de larvas de segundo e terceiro estádios e 53 por cento de quarto estádio. A 15°C, não houve parasitismo. A 20°C e 25°C, a porcentagem de parasitismo foi próxima a 70 por cento. A 29°C, a porcentagem de parasitismo foi similar (70 por cento), mas houve maior produção de machos. Larvas parasitadas de DBM consomem 35 por cento menos superfície foliar do que larvas não parasitadas. Essa espécie de Diadegma é um possível candidato para ser introduzido em áreas tropicais, onde nenhuma espécie adaptada é conhecida, e onde pode ser usada como complemento às aplicações de Bacillus thuringiensis.

The genus Diadegma have some species able to parasite Plutella xylostella (L.) (DBM). Laboratory studies were carried out on a Diadegma sp. from Reunion Island to elucidate its ability to parasite DBM larvae, and to determine the influence of the temperature on its fecundity, longevity, oviposition and the consumption of cabbage leaves by parasitized DBM larvae. Parasitism rates were close to 70 percent for the L2 and L3 instar, and 53 percent for the L4. At 15°C, there were no progeny. At 20°C and 25°C, the percentage of parasitism was near 70 percent. At 29°C, the percentage parasitism was similar but the number of males produced was higher. Parasitized DBM larvae consumed 35 percent less leaf surface than non parasitized larvae. This Diadegma sp. is a possible candidate for introduction into tropical areas, where no tropically adapted Diadegma species are known and could complement Bacillus thuringiensis treated systems.

Differential activity and activation of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins in diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella.

Whole-crystal preparations from strains HD-1 and HD-133, activated Cry1Ab and Cry1C toxins as well as Cry1Aa, Cry1Ac, Cry1D, and Cry2Aa protoxins were tested for toxicity to 2nd-instar larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Mortality data recorded after 2 and 5 days provided different results that were related to differential rates of solubilization, activation, and degradation of insecticidal crystal proteins. The two most active proteins are Cry1Ab and Cry1C, which are both present in HD-133. The Cry1Ab protoxin is activated within 2 days, whereas activation of the Cry1C protoxin occurs between 2 and 5 days. HD-133 is more active than HD-1 immediately after infection and remains toxic over 5 days owing to the sequential activation of its crystal components. Solubility properties of crystals and rates of activation of protoxins influence the overall toxicity of HD-1 and HD-133 to the diamondback moth.

Adenocarcinoma de cólon sigmóide com invasäo vesical / Adenocarcinoma of the colon involving bladder

Apresentamos uma série de 10 pacientes com adenocarcinoma de intestino grosso com invasäo vesical, operados no nosso Hospital. Em 8 casos realizamos cistectomia parcial com ressecçäo de sigmóide e nos 2 casos restantes, cistectomia radical com neobexiga ortotópica e ressecçäo de sigmóide. Com um seguimento médio de 27 meses, 7 pacientes se encontram assintomáticos e livres da enfermidade

[Radical cystectomy with orthotopic urinary diversion in patients older than 70 years of age]. / Cistectomía radical con derivación urinaria ortotópica en pacientes mayores de 70 años.

Some patients with infiltrant vesical cancer can be treated successfully with radical cysto-prostatectomy and urinary by-pass and increasingly more authors publish successful results in series of selected patients over 70- and 80-year old. Between February 1988 and July 1996, 18 radical cystectomies with orthotopic urinary by-pass were performed in the Urology Service, Policlinico Vigo, in patients over 70 (range 70-84 years), with an operative mortality rate of 11%. 8 patients (44%) developed immediate complications and 9 patients (50%) presented distant complications. Overall mortality in our series was 33.3% and survival 66.6% after a mean follow-up of 30.7 months. We believe orthotopic-continent by-pass is a valid alternative with operative mortality and complication rates similar to those of ileal ducts, with the advantage for the patient of avoiding permanent urinary stoma.

[Vaginal metastasis of renal adenocarcinoma: report of 2 clinical cases]. / Metástasis vaginal de un adenocarcinoma renal: presentación de 2 casos clínicos.

Presentation of 2 case reports of female patients with vaginal metastasis from renal adenocarcinoma presenting genitorrhage which was part of a polymetastatic picture. Discussion of the clinical, diagnostic and prognostic aspects of this disease.

[Adenocarcinoma in ileocystoplasty]. / Adenocarcinoma en ileocistoplastia.

Case report of an adenocarcinoma in ileocystoplasty in a 54-year old female that at the age of 24 had undergone right nephrectomy and partial cystectomy surgery followed by vesical extension with ileon due to urinary tuberculosis. Discussion on the rare incidence of this condition, its diagnostic features, the need for long-term follow-up and the relevance of a broad resection of the affected intestinal portion.

[Partial nephrectomy for renal cancer in patients with a normal contralateral kidney]. / Nefrectomía parcial por cáncer renal en pacientes con riñón contralateral normal.

There has been a growing interest over the last few years in partial nephrectomy as the elective surgery for renal cancer in selected groups of patients with normal contralateral kidney. Between July 1990 and April 1996, 14 partial nephrectomies were performed in our service in patients with presumed diagnosis of renal cancer and normal contralateral kidney 10 of which had histological diagnosis of renal carcinoma and 4 showed absence of malignancy. From the analysis and discussion of these cases it can be deduced: 1) partial nephrectomy in selected groups of patients is an oncologically valid technique; 2) computerized tomography is a highly sensitive method for detection of renal cancer carrier patients, although it presents low specificity, mainly in small tumours, resulting in a number of false positive cases that must be considered when deciding the surgical technique; 3) tumour topography should not exclude conservative surgery of the kidney; 4) patients should be available for follow-up.

[Malignant endometriosis]. / Endometriosis maligna.

Presentation of two case reports of severe and multiple urinary tract involvement by endometriosis due to the low frequency of this disorder. Although this is a benign condition, the term "malignant" endometriosis has been used because of the significant consequences it may have for the urinary tract, since it may compromise both excretory systems with a likely vital risk.

[Cushing syndrome caused by macronodular hyperplasia ACTH-independent]. / Síndrome de Cushing por hiperplasia macronodular ACTH independiente.

Case report of a 49-year old male patient who presented with signs and symptoms in agreement with Cushing's Syndrome, the etiology of which was shown to be an ACTH-independent macronodular hyperplasia. In such cases, the therapeutical choice is bilateral adrenalectomy which was adopted by us using a posterior approach. The relevance of the clinical diagnosis and therapeutical aspects of this condition are reviewed.

[PSA levels and its relationship with digital examination, age, and score of prostatic symptoms]. / Valor del PSA en relación con el tacto, edad y score de la sintomatología prostática.

Between November 1992 and March 1993 our Service conducted a campaign for early detection of prostate disease among the male population of Vigo. The study focused in the relationship of PSA with the age, rectal examination and prostate symptomatology score. In view of the results obtained it has been concluded that PSA levels increase gradually as a function of age, volume and prostate symptomatology score.

[Enzyme-induced masculinization]. / Masculinización de causa enzimática.

Contribution of two cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia by blockade in the 21-hydroxylase enzyme synthesis. Diagnosis was reached from the clinical signs and symptoms (virilization syndrome), and was confirmed by radiological and laboratory tests. Hormone treatment was done with hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone, but surgical correction of external genitalia was required to improve cosmetic appearance.

[Conn's syndrome]. / Síndrome de Conn.

Adrenal hypertension is an uncommon phenomenon. When seen in association with hypokalemia the existence of primary aldosteronism, the most frequent cause of which is an adenoma of the adrenal gland cortex, should be suspected. This paper contributes one case of primary aldosteronism treated by unilateral resection of the adrenal adenoma, with no surgical complications and good medium-term results.