Taxocenose de Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) em Benjamin Constant, AM

As espécies de Scarabaeinae coletadas em seis diferentes sistemas de uso da terra em Benjamin Constant, AM, Brasil, são listadas com comentários gerais sobre os gêneros e espécies registradas. Os besouros foram capturados com armadilhas do tipo pitfall iscadas com fezes humanas. Foram coletados 6792 indivíduos pertencentes a 63 espécies, 18 gêneros e seis tribos (Ateuchini, Canthonini, Coprini, Oniticellini, Onthophagini e Phanaeini). As espécies mais frequentes foram Pseudocanthon aff. xanthurus (Blanchard 1845), Eurysternus caribaeus (Herbst 1789), Eurysternus hypocrita Balthasar 1939, Onthophagus aff. acuminatus Harold 1880, Onthophagus aff. haematopus Harold 1875 e Onthophagus aff. bidentatus (Drapiez 1819). Foi encontrado um novo gênero de Scarabaeinae ainda não descrito e provavelmente outras espécies novas.

Effects of light and temperature on isoprene emission at different leaf developmental stages of eschweilera coriacea in central Amazon

Isoprene emission from plants accounts for about one third of annual global volatile organic compound emissions. The largest source of isoprene for the global atmosphere is the Amazon Basin. This study aimed to identify and quantify the isoprene emission and photosynthesis at different levels of light intensity and leaf temperature, in three phenological phases (young mature leaf, old mature leaf and senescent leaf) of Eschweilera coriacea (Matamatá verdadeira), the species with the widest distribution in the central Amazon. In situ photosynthesis and isoprene emission measurements showed that young mature leaf had the highest rates at all light intensities and leaf temperatures. Additionally, it was observed that isoprene emission capacity (Es) changed considerably over different leaf ages. This suggests that aging leads to a reduction of both leaf photosynthetic activity and isoprene production and emission. The algorithm of Guenther et al. (1999) provided good fits to the data when incident light was varied, however differences among E S of all leaf ages influenced on quantic yield predicted by model. When leaf temperature was varied, algorithm prediction was not satisfactory for temperature higher than ~40 °C; this could be because our data did not show isoprene temperature optimum up to 45 °C. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis of the isoprene functional role in protecting plants from high temperatures and highlight the need to include leaf phenology effects in isoprene emission models.

Desenvolvimento e avaliação das propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do Addiction Severity Index 6 (ASI-6) Light

Objetivo Desenvolver e avaliar as propriedades psicométricas de uma versão brasileira reduzida do Addiction Severity Index 6 Light (ASI-6 Light) previamente proposta com base em um estudo de validação dos construtos do instrumento e desenvolver os novos escores de cada área do instrumento baseados na Teoria de Resposta ao Item (TRI). Métodos Foram entrevistados 200 sujeitos, 100 com uso problemático de álcool e outras drogas e 100 sem uso problemático. Foram calculados os escores dos indivíduos com base na TRI. As propriedades psicométricas foram avaliadas pela correlação entre os escores do ASI-6 Light e do Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), padrão-ouro do estudo. Foram avaliados os índices de sensibilidade e especificidade. Resultados Foi encontrada alta correlação entre os escores da área “álcool” do ASI-6 Light e os escores do ASSIST em relação ao álcool (r = 0,79), correlações moderadas em relação ao tabaco (r = 0,47) e cocaína/crack (r = 0,44) e baixa (r = 0,39) em relação à maconha. Ao correlacionarem-se os escores do ASSIST e os escores da área “drogas” do ASI-6 Light, obteve-se alta correlação em relação à cocaína/crack (r = 0,85), correlações moderadas em relação ao tabaco (r = 0,57) e maconha (r = 0,68) e baixa (r = 0,29) em relação ao álcool. A área sob a curva ROC da área “álcool” foi de 0,93 e a da área “drogas” foi de 0,88. Conclusão Boas evidências de validade das áreas “álcool” e “drogas” foram apresentadas. Essa nova versão tornou-se um instrumento de fácil manejo e de rápida aplicação, contendo os itens que melhor avaliam a gravidade de problemas.

Impact of Light Salt Substitution for Regular Salt on Blood Pressure of Hypertensive Patients

Background: Studies have shown sodium restriction to have a beneficial effect on blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive patients. Objective: To evaluate the impact of light salt substitution for regular salt on BP of hypertensive patients. Methods: Uncontrolled hypertensive patients of both sexes, 20 to 65 years-old, on stable doses of antihypertensive drugs were randomized into Intervention Group (IG - receiving light salt) and Control Group (CG - receiving regular salt). Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were analyzed by using casual BP measurements and Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (HBPM), and sodium and potassium excretion was assessed on 24-hour urine samples. The patients received 3 g of salt for daily consumption for 4 weeks. Results: The study evaluated 35 patients (65.7% women), 19 allocated to the IG and 16 to the CG. The mean age was 55.5 ± 7.4 years. Most participants had completed the Brazilian middle school (up to the 8th grade; n = 28; 80.0%), had a family income of up to US$ 600 (n = 17; 48.6%) and practiced regular physical activity (n = 19; 54.3%). Two patients (5.7%) were smokers and 40.0% consumed alcohol regularly (n = 14). The IG showed a significant reduction in both SBP and DBP on the casual measurements and HBPM (p < 0.05) and in sodium excretion (p = 0.016). The CG showed a significant reduction only in casual SBP (p = 0.032). Conclusions: The light salt substitution for regular salt significantly reduced BP of hypertensive patients.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: Five Decades of More Light and Less Shadows

Abstract Casual blood pressure measurements have been extensively questioned over the last five decades. A significant percentage of patients have different blood pressure readings when examined in the office or outside it. For this reason, a change in the paradigm of the best manner to assess blood pressure has been observed. The method that has been most widely used is the Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring - ABPM. The method allows recording blood pressure measures in 24 hours and evaluating various parameters such as mean BP, pressure loads, areas under the curve, variations between daytime and nighttime, pulse pressure variability etc. Blood pressure measurements obtained by ABPM are better correlated, for example, with the risks of hypertension. The main indications for ABPM are: suspected white coat hypertension and masked hypertension, evaluation of the efficacy of the antihypertensive therapy in 24 hours, and evaluation of symptoms. There is increasing evidence that the use of ABPM has contributed to the assessment of blood pressure behaviors, establishment of diagnoses, prognosis and the efficacy of antihypertensive therapy. There is no doubt that the study of 24-hour blood pressure behavior and its variations by ABPM has brought more light and less darkness to the field, which justifies the title of this review.

Análise do tamanho e da forma do ôvo em galinhas das raças Rhode Island Red e Light Sussex e do híbrido entre essas duas raças

Size and shape in eggs of Rhode Island Red and Light Sussex breeds and in the hibrid Rhode x Sussex were studied. These characters are influenced by quantitative genes. Major and minor diameter were used for estimating size of the eggs and the ratio minor/major diameter for shape indice. It was found, in the material analyzed, that: a) the eggs laid by the sa- me chick are pratically uniform; b) the correlation coeficient between major and minor diameter is weak; c) Rhode Island Red has short eggs than Light Sussex; d) short eggs is dominant on long eggs; e) egg shape is the same in Rhode Island Red and Light Sussex breeds and different in the hibrid, which has rounder eggs than the breeds.

Comportamento da raça Light Sussex em Piracicaba

Na Seção Técnica de Avicultura e Cunicultura desta Escola foram feitas durante três anos observações sobre o comportamento da raça Light Sussex, em contraste sobretudo com a Rhode I. Red. Verificou-se ser mais precoce no desenvolvimento, mais pesada, de carne mais tenra, de maior intensidade e menor persistência de postura, de menor fertilidade, do maior precocídade de postura, de maior predisposição ao choco e de maiores ovos. Apresenta boas qualidades de adaptação e criação que a tomam muito recomendável para as pequenas criações caseiras ou dos sitios, no mesmo sistema em que é geralmente criada na Inglaterra. Só excepcionalmente convirá a uma granja industrial preocupar-se com sua criação em larga escala.

Comparação das raças Rhode Island Red, Light Sussex e seu mestiço: ovos, pintos e frangos

The breeds Light Sussex, Rhode Island Red and the hibrid Light Sussex x Rhode Island Red, from the Poultry Department of "Luiz de Queiroz" School of Agriculture, at Piracicaba, S. Paulo, were studied in this paper, Tre authors, analysing eggs, pullets and chick growing arrived to the following conclusion: a) eggs of the Light Sussex breed were haevier; b) the Light Sussex breed was early maturing; c) the cross studied did not show hibrid vigor.

Growth, molt and survival of Palaemonetes argentinus (Decapoda, Caridea) under different light-dark conditions

Growth, survival and molting rate in Palaemonetes argentinus Nobili, 1901 were compared under different light-dark conditions. During 80 days, 150 immatures of both sexes (initial mean weight 0.09±0.002g), from Los Padres lagoon, Mar del Plata, Argentina, were maintained in aquaria at 19±0.4°C under three light conditions: 0:24, 10:14 and 13:11 (L-D). They were fed daily on an artificial diet (45% proteins, 17.2% lipids, 7% water, 7% ash). Good weight increment was obtained with the three treatments, finding a positive linear correlation between mean weight and time (0:24, r=0.97; 10:14, r=0.99; 13:11, r=0.98). There were no significant differences in the percentage increment in mean weight among the treatments (0:24, 19.3%; 10:14, 29.3% and 13:11, 26.5%) (p<0.05). Molting rate was significantly higher at a long-day photoperiod (MR=1.7) than at a short-day (MR=0.6) or continuous dark condition (MR=0.3) (p<0.05). The lowest survival was found in animals maintained under 13:11 L-D conditions (77%), being statistically different of the other two treatments (92% and 89% at 10:14 and 0:24, respectively) (p<0.05). These results suggest that the best growth and survival in P. argentinus result with a 10:14 L-D cycle, and that the growth is less affected by photoperiod than molting rate and survival.

Life history, biomass and production of Coronatella rectangula (Branchiopoda, Anomopoda, Chydoridae) from Minas Gerais

Species of Chydoridae provide the main diversity of the Cladocera. These organisms have been the subject of many studies; some dealing with their role in energy flow in aquatic ecosystems, since they inhabit the littoral region of water bodies which undergo the first impacts from anthropic activities. The aim of this study is to increase knowledge about the life cycle of Coronatella rectangula (Sars, 1861), a species found in several water bodies in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The life cycle was determined by the culture of parthenogenetic females under controlled conditions in the laboratory. Experimental cultures were maintained in growth chambers at a constant temperature of 23.6(±0.5)ºC, through a 12 h light/12 h dark photoperiod. The organisms were fed on a suspension of Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Chlorophyceae) (10(5) cells.mL-1), and 0.02 mL of a mixed suspension of yeast and fish ration added per organism in equal proportions (1:1). Fifty parthenogenetic females with eggs were isolated and maintained until they produced neonates. Thirty of these neonates that had less than 24 hours were put in polypropylene bottles of 50 mL and kept in a germination chamber. These organisms were observed daily to obtain the parameters of the life cycle. Biomass and secondary production were also calculated. The embryonic development time of the specimens of C. rectangula was 1.68(±0.13) days and the time to reach primipara, was 2.48(±0.45) days. The mean fecundity of C. rectangula was two eggs/female/brood and the total number of eggs produced by the female during its life cycle was 27.8 eggs. During the whole life cycle, specimens of C. rectangula had a maximum of 14 seedlings, with two instars in the juvenile stage. Total biomass for C. rectangula was 36.66 µgDW.m-3(9.83 for the juvenile stage and 26.82 µgDW.m-3 for adults), and secondary production was 12.10 µgDW.m-3.day-1(8.34 µgDW.m-3.day-1 for egg production and 3.76 µgDW.m-3.day-1 for the juvenile stage).

Orientation to light of juvenile and adult forms of melanic and albino populations of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818)

The process of light orientation by the snail Biomphalaria glabrata was studied using the selection technique in a Y-shaped aquarium under vertical or horizontal lighting schemes. Snail behavior was measured on the basis of distance (cm) covered per hour, direction of locomotion, and localization of the animal in the aquarium. A comparison was made of the action of the light stimulus on young and adult animals of albino populations from Santa Luzia (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil) and of a melanic population from Touros (State of Rio Grande do Norte) studied in groups and separately. All groups studied were attracted to light. Analysis of the data suggests the exitence of two orientation mechanisms with respect to light in these animals, i.e. high photo-orthokinesia and positive phototaxis, which influence their motion in the environment. This evidence permitted us to discuss features of the distribution dynamics of these mollusks in the environment and their relationship with the larval phases of Schistosoma mansoni, for which they act as intermediated hosts.

Orientation of the snail Biomphalaria straminea (Dunker, 1848) in response to light in a situation of selection

The behavioral response of Biomphalaria straminea to light was evaluted in terms of location of the snail in a Y-shaped aquarium in a situation of selection and of the rate (cm/hour) and direction of locomotion under homogeneous 9vertical) or differential (horizontal) lighting upon only one arm of the aquarium. The light source consisted of daylight fluorescent lamps with a spectrum close to that of natural light, with illumination varying from 28 to 350 lux. Analysis of the data showed that all animals, whether in groups or isolated, were attracted to light, although the time needed to approach the light source was 50% shorter for the former than for the latter. The rate of locomotion of B. straminea was 35% higher than observed in B. glabrata and 51% higher than that observed in B. tenagophila studied under similar conditions. The results are discussed in terms of social factors and geographical distribution of the three species.

Influence of experimental illumination and seasonal variation on crossbreending mating in the snail Biomphalaria Glabrata

The crossbreeding activities of the Schistosoma mansoni vector snail Biomphalaria glabrata were counted in a laboratory aquarium throughout the year under two regimes of 12h light: 12h dark from 7 A., M. to 10 P. M. Mating increased significantly in Authmn and Winter and just missed a significant inverse correlation with temperature and a direct one with locomotion. Other similar experiments were carried out to compare mating under various ilumination conditions in complete daily cycle measurements. Mating counts decreased under the regimes which submited snail to a total exposure of 12h light and 12 dark during a daily cycle in the following sequence: 12h light: 12h dark alternating hourly with light gradient, 12h light: 12h dark, 1h light: 1h dark and 12h dark: 12h light. Under two constant illuminations, the mating scored less than under the previous conditions, except under 12h light. Under darkeness the mating count was lower than light conditions. There was no way to differentiate the night and day rhythms of mating on different days in each regime, except for mating under 12h light: 12 dark alternating with light gradient, constant dark and 12h dark: 12h light conditions. Mating increased in certain light and temperature conditions, in wich the intensities, should have an optimum value.

Description of Trichuris travassosi n. sp. (Nematoda:Trichurinae) from a brasilian rodent, by light and scanning electron microscopy

A new species of a trichurid nematode Trichuris travassosi n. sp., recovered from a wild rodent in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is described and compared to T. myocastoris (Enigk, 1933) and their differentiation was on the basis of detailed morphometrical study. Oryzomys nigripes (Olfers, 1818) is a new host record for the genus. The denomination spicular prepuce is proposed to designate the structure previously named spicular sheath and, conversely, spicular sheath to indicate the cuticle that convers the spicule.