Lagochilascaris minor Leiper, 1909 (Nematoda: Ascarididae) in Mexico: three clinical cases from the Peninsula of Yucatan

Human lagochilascariasis (HL) is a parasite produced by Lagochilascaris minor Leiper 1909 that also can be found in cats and dogs. HL is considered an emerging zoonosis in the Americas, spreading from Mexico to Argentina, and the Caribbean Islands. The present paper describes three HL cases from the Peninsula of Yucatan, Mexico, recorded in the last decade. It describes the characteristics of the lesions and discusses the route of transmission in humans and particularly in the observed patients.

Hemorrhagic pulmonary leptospirosis: three cases from the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico

Three leptospirosis cases with lung involvement are reported from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. All three patients were admitted to the intensive care unit due to acute respiratory failure. Treatment with antibiotics resulted in favorable evolution despite the negative prognosis. Leptospirosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with fever and lung involvement.

Efeitos de giberelinas e auxina na frutificação da videira 'Niagara Rosada'

Estudou-se a influência da aplicação, por imersão, de giberelinas e auxina (ácido 2-hidroximetil 4-clorofenoxiacético), 11 dias após o florescimento, nas características morfológicas da panícula da videira Vitis (labrusca x vinifera) 'Niagara Rosada'. Neste experimento verificou-se que, aplicação de giberelinas na concentração de 100 ppm em pós-florescimento, promoveu aumento no peso da panícula, número e peso das bagas, além de alongamento da ráquila, o que contribue para a formação de panículas com distribuição das bagas mais adequada. Tratamento com giberelinas 60 ppm + ácido 2-hidroximetil 4-clorofenoxiacético 50 ppm provocou aumento no peso da panícula, número e peso das bagas, sem contudo promover uma melhor distribuição das mesmas. Giberelinas na concentração de 500 ppm causou aumento na elongação das bagas com relação ao diâmetro, porém não apresentou nenhuma outra característica superior ao controle. Aplicação do ácido 2-hidroximetil 4-clorofenoxiacético em pós-fiorescimento, nas concentrações utilizadas, não apresentou resultados favoráveis na frutificação da 'Niagara Rosada', nas condições de estudo.

Efeitos de retardadores de crescimento na frutificação da videira 'Niagara Rosada'

Estudou-se a influência da aplicação por imersão, de retardadores de crescimento (CCC e SADH), 5 dias antes do florescimento, nas características morfológicas da panícuia da videira Vitis (labrusca x vinifera) 'Niagara Rosada'. Neste ensaio verificou-se que as concentrações de CCC aplicadas em pré-florescimento, não afetaram favoravelmente a morfologia das panículas da cultivar estudada, nas condições do ensaio. SADH na dosagem de 1000 ppm provocou, na primeira colheita, aumento no peso e comprimento da panícula, no peso das bagas, e no comprimento da ráquis, proporcionando a formação desejada de uma panícula mais alongada, nas condições estudadas. Aplicação de SADH na concentração de 250 ppm em pré-florescimento, promoveu aumento no peso e comprimento da panícula, número e peso das bagas, além do inconveniente de elevar o número de sementes.

Ação do cepa e do ácido giberélico na frutificação da videira 'niagara rosada'

Estudou-se o efeito da aplicação, por imersão, do CEPA (ácido 2-cloroetil fosfônico) e do ácido giberélico, 14 dias antes do florescimento, nas características morfológicas da panícula da videira Vitis (labrus-ca x vinifera) "Niagara Rosada". Alguns tratamentos com ácido giberélico foram concluídos com nova aplicação 10 dias após o florescimento. Neste experimento verificou-se que, aplicação do CEPA na concentração de 250 ppm resultou na formação de panículas com a maioria de características indesejáveis. o tratamento misto CEPA 100 ppm + ácido giberélico 100 ppm também promoveu o aparecimento de panículas subdesenvolvidas. Aplicação de ácido giberélico na concentração de 100 ppm em pré e pós-ílorescimento, resultou médias mais elevadas, com relação ao peso da panícula, comprimento da panícula, peso das bagas e comprimento da ráquis. Ácido giberélico na concentração de 100 ppm aplicado em pós-ílorescimento, promoveu uma tendência de aumento nas médias do tratamento quanto ao comprimento médio das bagas, largura média das bagas, largura do engaço e comprimento da ráquila. Devemos considerar porém, que os resultados obtidos não apresentaram diferenças significativas com relação ao controle, quanto às características das frutificações, nas condições de estudo.

Acúmulo de boro, cobre, ferro, manganês e zinco pela videira (Vitis labrusca L. X Vitis vinifera L.) CV.'niagara rosada' durante um ciclo vegetativo

Ensaio foi conduzido com viderias da cultivar 'Niagara Rosada' (Vitis labrusca L. X Vitis vinifera L.) com 7 anos de idade, no município de Jundiaí, SP, (23°12' de latitude sul e 46°33' de longitude oeste e 715 m de altitude), situadas sobre um Regossolo unidade Currupira, com os objetivos de: (1) determinar as quantidades de nutrientes absorvidos pela videira nos diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento; (2) avaliar a exportação de nutrientes pela cultura durante um ciclo vegetativo. Após a brotação da videira, foram realizadas 17 coletas quinzenais de material. Foram coletadas e separadas as folhas das partes terminal e basal, sarmentos das partes terminal e basal e cachos. No material coletado foram determinados os teores de micronutrientes, com exceção do molibdênio e cloro. Curvas representativas das concentraçoes dos nutrientes nas partes da planta, em função da idade, foram obtidas a partir dos dados calculados através de equações de regressão. Pelos pontos de máximo estimaram-se as quantidades máximas de nutrientes extraídos. Concluiu-se que: - A concentração dos nutrientes é sempre maior nas folhas do que nos sarmentos e existem diferenças nas concentrações de nutrientes das folhas, sarmentos e cachos, em função da idade. - Os acúmulos máximos de nutrientes nas folhas, sarmentos e cachos ocorrem nas seguintes idades: - A exportação de nutrientes em mg por planta pelos cachos e sarmentos removidos pelas colheitas e poda é a seguinte.

Ação de calciocianamida e alzodef na época de brotação e produtividade da videira 'Niagara Rosada'

Este ensaio foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar o efeito de calciocianamida e Alzodef na quebra de dormência das gemas da videira 'Niagara Rosada'. O controle da brotação da videira pode possibilitar a produção de uvas nas diferentes épocas do ano. Em 28 de outubro, na regiãode Jundiaí, duas horas depois da poda, aplicou-se calciocianamida 20% através de pincelamento da região apical do ramo, calciocianamida 20% pincelada sobre o corte da poda, pulverização com Alzodef 2% e com Alzodef 5% sobre a região apical do ramo , além do controle. Verificou-se que Alzodef 2% promoveu maior precocidade na emergência das gemas da videira 'Niagara Rosada'. Pincelamento do ramo ou do corte da poda com calciocianamida 20% e pulverização com Alzodef 2% e 5%promoveram quebra da dormência das gemas. Os produtos químicos aplicados não afetaram significati vãmente o número de panículas nem o peso das panículas na colheita.

Opportunities and constraints in schistosomiasis vaccine development: infection characteristics and industry realities

The notes provided in this article relate to two components of the development of vaccines against schistosomiasis: (1) The characteristics of schistosome infections (eg. features of the schistosome life cycle), and the parasite itself, that have implications for vaccination strategies; (2) The characteristics of the biopharmaceutical industry that have implications for product development. As will be seen, these two topic areas are not vastly disparate.

Clinical picture of cutaneous leishmaniases due to Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana in the Yucatan peninsula, Mexico

Localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL), known as "chiclero's ulcer" in southeast Mexico, was described by Seidelin in 1912. Since then, the sylvatic region of the Yucatan peninsula has been identified as an endemic focus of LCL. The purpose of the present work was to describe the clinical picture of LCL caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana in the Yucatan peninsula. A total of 136 cases of LCL, based on isolation and characterization of L. (L.) mexicana by isoenzymes and/or monoclonal antibodies, were selected. Some variability of clinical features regarding number, type, size, form, location and time of evolution of the lesions was observed. The most frequently observed presentation was a single, ulcerated, rounded small lesion, located on the ear, with an evolution time of less than three months, with neither cutaneous metastases nor lymphatic nor mucosal involvement. This picture corresponds to previous studies carried out in the same endemic area where an organism of the L. mexicana complex has been incriminated as a major aetiological agent of classical "chiclero's ulcer", confirming that in the Yucatan peninsula LCL due to L. (L.) mexicana when located on the pinna of the ear is a remarkable characteristic.

Seasonal transmission of Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana in the state of Campeche, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

In the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana is a typical wild zoonosis restricted to the forest, and humans are only accidentally involved. The transmission of L. (L.) mexicana has been related to the patient's occupation: "chicleros"(gum collectors) and agricultural workers. The objective of this study was to document L. (L.) mexicana seasonally of transmission in endemic areas of LCL in the state of Campeche, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The timing of incidence of LCL in humans during 1993-1994, as well as the rate and time of infection in rodents and sand flies between February 1993 and March 1995 were analyzed. Rodents and sand flies were found infected between November and March, when men carried out their field activities and are exposed. Based on results analyzed, it is concluded that L. (L.) mexicana in the endemic area of LCL in the state of Campeche, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, presents a seasonal transmission restricted to the months of November to March. The knowledge of the timing of the transmission cycle in an endemic area of leishmaniasis is very important because intervention measures on the high-risk focus and population might be restricted.

Re-infestation of houses by Triatoma dimidiata after intra-domicile insecticide application in the Yucatán peninsula, Mexico

In most countries, Chagas disease transmission control remains based on domestic insecticide application. We thus evaluated the efficacy of intra-domicile cyfluthrin spraying for the control of Triatoma dimidiata, the only Chagas disease vector in the Yucatán peninsula, Mexico, and monitored potential re-infestation every 15 days for up to 9 months. We found that there was a re-infestation of houses by adult bugs starting 4 months after insecticide application, possibly from sylvatic/peridomicile areas. This points out the need to take into account the potential dispersal of sylvatic/peridomestic adult bugs into the domiciles as well as continuity action for an effective vector control.

From print to screen: changes and challenges facing the Brazilian publishing industry

The publishing industry is at a turning point. Facing the first major disruptive innovation in five centuries, its long-established structure and business model are at stake. Building on literature based on the pitfalls for incumbents, we interviewed key executives from the major publishers in Brazil to understand their perspective. We find that not only are they facing those pitfalls, but we also propose a new one, The Industry View Trap, concerning challenges created by convergence, the difficulty to deal with changes in the ecosystem and the fact that the very definition of the industry you're part of might have changed.

A survey of mealybugs infesting South-Brazilian wine vineyards

ABSTRACTMealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are important pests of the grapevine Vitis spp. and are responsible for direct and indirect damage to production. The main mealybug species present in wine grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in Southern Brazil were identified and their incidence evaluated. Bunch-samples (n = 50) from 131 vineyards located in the Serra Gaúcha Region (RS) of Brazil were analyzed at harvest, and the occurrence of mealybugs in the roots was evaluated at the time of eradication of plants for replanting. Mealybugs were reared in laboratory until adulthood for species determination. The species Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell, 1983), Dysmicoccus sp., Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813), Pl. minor(Maskell, 1897), Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret, 1875) and Pseudococcus sp. were identified in bunches. Dysmicoccus sp., D. umbambae Granara de Willink, 2009, Pl. citri and Pseudococcus sp. were found in the roots. Pl. citri (31.4%) and Dysmicoccus sp. (22.7%) were the most common species found in wine grape bunches in the Serra Gaúcha Region.

Potential use of a chemical leaching reject from a kaolin industry as agricultural fertilizer

The industrial refining of kaolin involves the removal of iron oxides and hydroxides along with other impurities that cause discoloration of the final product and depreciate its commercial value, particularly undesirable if destined to the paper industry. The chemical leaching in the industrial processing requires treatments with sodium hyposulfite, metallic zinc, or sulfuric and phosphoric acids, in order to reduce, dissolve and remove ferruginous compounds. To mitigate the environmental impact, the acidic effluent from the leaching process must be neutralized, usually with calcium oxide. The resulting solid residue contains phosphorous, zinc, and calcium, among other essential nutrients for plant growth, suggesting its use as a macro and micronutrient source. Samples of such a solid industrial residue were used here to evaluate their potential as soil fertilizer in an incubation greenhouse experiment with two soil samples (clayey and medium-textured). The small pH shift generated by applying the residue to the soil was not a limiting factor for its use in agriculture. The evolution of the concentrations of exchangeable calcium, and phosphorous and zinc extractability by Mehlich-1 extractant during the incubation period confirms the potential use of this industrial residue as agricultural fertilizer.

Chemical properties of soils treated with biological sludge from gelatin industry

The impact of agro-industrial organic wastes in the environment can be reduced when used in agriculture. From the standpoint of soil fertility, residue applications can increase the organic matter content and provide nutrients for plants. This study evaluated the effect of biological sludge from gelatin industry on the chemical properties of two Ultisols (loamy sand and sandy clay) and an Oxisol (clay). The experiment lasted 120 days and was carried out in laboratory in a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement, combining the three soils and six biological sludge rates (0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 m³ ha-1), with three replications. Biological sludge rates of up to 500 m³ ha-1 decreased soil acidity and increased the effective cation exchange capacity (CEC) and N, Ca, Mg, and P availability, without exceeding the tolerance limit for Na. The increase in exchangeable base content, greater than the effective CEC, indicates that the major part of cations added by the sludge remains in solution and can be lost by leaching.