Amazonian tree mortality during the 1997 El Nino drought

In 1997, the Amazon Basin experienced an exceptionally severe El Nino drought. We assessed effects of this rare event on mortality rates of trees in intact rainforest based on data from permanent plots. Long-term (5- to 13-year) mortality rates averaged only 1.12% per year prior to the drought. During the drought year, annual mortality jumped to 1.91% but abruptly fell back to 1.23% in the year following El Nino. Trees dying during the drought dirt not differ significantly in site or species composition from those that died previously, and there was no detectable effect of soil texture on mortality rates. These results suggest that intact Amazonian rainforests are relatively resistant to severe El Nino events.

β-carotene attenuates the paradoxical effect of tobacco smoke on the mortality of rats after experimental myocardial infarction

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to tobacco smoke (ETS) in rats that were or were not supplemented with dietary β-carotene (BC), on ventricular remodeling and survival after myocardial infarction (Ml). Rats (n = 189) were allocated to 4 groups: the control group, n = 45; group BC administered 500 mg/kg diet, n = 49, BC supplemented rats; group ETS, n - 55, rats exposed to tobacco smoke; and group BC+ETS, n = 40. Wistar rats weighing 10O g were administered one of the treatments until they weighed 200 to 250 g (∼5 wk). The ETS rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 30 min 4 times/d, in a chamber connected to a smoking device. After reaching a weight of 200-250 g, rats were subjected to experimental MI (coronary artery occlusion) and mortality rates were determined over the next 105 d. In addition, echocardiographic, isolated heart, morphometrical, and biochemical studies were performed. Mortality data were tested using Kaplan-Meyer curves and other data by 2-way ANOVA. Survival rates were greater in the ETS group (58.2%) than in the control (33.3%) (P = 0.001) and BC+ETS rats (30.0%) (P = 0.007). The groups did not differ in the other comparisons. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter normalized to body weight was greater and maximal systolic pressures were lower in the ETS groups than in non-ETS groups. Previous exposure to tobacco smoke induced a process of cardiac remodeling after MI. There is a paradoxical protector effect with tobacco smoke exposure, characterized by lower mortality, which is offset by BC supplementation. © 2005 American Society for Nutritional Sciences.

Oral cancer mortality trends in Brazilian geographical regions from 1996-2001

The purpose of this study was to analyse the oral cancer mortality trends in Brazil by geographic region, age and sex, from 1996 to 2001. The Brazilian Ministry of Health database DATASUS and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics were used as the source of data. Oral cancer mortality rates per 100,000 population were estimated. Statistical analyses comprised estimates of oral cancer mortality rates, grouped according to the study variables, in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001; also, the three-year periods 1996-1998 and 1999-2001 were analysed, allowing the oral cancer mortality trends between these two periods to be calculated. For comparison, in each geographical region, the ratio between two death rates (related to period or sex) was calculated. In the period 1996-2001, a total of 25,972 deaths due to oral cancer were reported, giving a mortality rate of 2.67. The rates for the periods 1996-1998 and 1999-2001 were 2.53 and 2.73, respectively, showing a slight increase in the rate. There was a predominance of oral cancer in males with a male/female ratio of approximately 4. All regions exhibited an increase in mortality rates, with the exception of the Southeast region. From 1996 to 2001, the average mortality rates were 3.55 and 3.58 for the Southeast and South regions, and 1.94, 1.41, and 0.86 for the Mid-West, Northeast, and North regions, respectively. Over the age of 40, oral cancer mortality rates were seen to increase rapidly with age. Oral cancer mortality increased in all regions, except in the Southeast, and was considerably higher among males and older individuals.

Dinâmica populacional de Characidium lauroi e C. alipioi (Teleostei, Crenuchidae) na microbacia do Ribeirão Grande, serra da Mantiqueira Oriental, Estado de São Paulo

In low-order streams, the high and variable water flow rates offer both advantages and disadvantages to the life cycle of fishes. Even closely related species living in similar habitats can show differences in life history patterns. Based on oocyte-size distributions, C. lauroi was classified into the fractional spawning type, and C. alipioi into the total spawning type. The absolute fecundity of C. lauroi ranged from 1,313 to 2,925 oocytes; in C. alipioi the absolute fecundity ranged from 2,213 to 25,550 oocytes. The nonparametric Spearman correlation test showed statistical significance between the gonadosomatic index and fecundity for both species. The growth parameters, natural mortality rate and survival rate for females of C. lauroi were: K = 0.68 yr -1, L ∞ = 8.7 cm, t max = 4.4 years, M= 1.62 yr -1, S = 19.79%, and for males: K = 0.78 yr -1, L ∞ = 6.9 cm, t max = 3.8 years, M = 1.89 yr -1, S = 15.11%. The growth parameters, natural mortality rate and survival rate for females of C. alipioi were: K = 0.90 yr -1, L ∞ = 12.2 cm, t max = 3.3 years, M = 1.81 yr -1, S = 16.37%, and for males: K = 0.76 yr -1, L ∞ = 10.1 cm, t max = 3.9 years, M = 1.71 yr -1, S = 18.10%.

Índice de infestação e fatores de mortalidade do bicudo-do-algodoeiro (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) no semi-árido do sudoeste da Bahia, Brasil

The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman, 1843) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a pest that limits the production of cotton, especially in the North East of Brazil. The present study aimed to estimate the infestation index and natural mortality of boll weevil at Caraibas County, located in the semi-arid of the Southwest ofBahia. The experiment was performed using the cultivar BSR Aroeira, at Fazenda Lagoa Seca, in 2006. Weekly evaluations were performed, in five sampling areas 25m2, collecting blossoms fallen on the ground. The infestation was estimated by counting the oviposition punctures and /or the feeding on blossoms, and also by the presence of one of the phases of the boll weevil in the inside. Mortality factors were studied through the dissection of blossoms, estimating predation, parasitism, dissection and disease. The results obtained allowed to conclude that the boll weevil determines high infestation levels in the region. Parasitism, dissection and predation, following this order, determine high rates of real mortality of the pest. Catolaccus grandis Burks, 1954 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Bracon sp.(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are parasitoids of boll weevil reported in sothwestern Bahia, being the first one the predominant species. © 2009, Sociedad Venezolana de Entomología.

Performance of laying hens and economic viability of different climatization systems

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Reduction of infant mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean: uneven progress requiring a variety of responses

Infant mortality has unquestionably declined throughout Latin America over the last decade, even under conditions of low and unstable economic growth and a meagre overall reduction of poverty in the region. The declines in infant mortality vary from one country to another. The persistence of high infant mortality rates is related to low income, teenage pregnancy and lack of access to basic services, as well as to the lack of appropriate health care infrastructure. At the same time, both the rural population as a whole, and the indigenous and Afro-descendent population in particular, has fallen markedly behind, with overall infant mortality rates much higher than among the rest of the population. Moreover, the cause and incidence of death in this age group have been changing according with the changes in neonatal and post-neonatal deaths. Our editorial line-up has created space for opinions from adolescents and youth, as well as from policy experts on the problem, its causes, and approaches to dealing with infant mortality. We also offer succinct information on a broad range of programmes—utilizing various interventions—in different countries of the region regarding maternal and infant care, in an attempt to bring about a reduction in mortality.

Efeito da infestação do ácaro Varroa destructor (Anderson e Treuman, 2000) (Arachnida : Acari : Varroidae) no desenvolvimento de abelhas africanizadas Apis mellifera (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Prospecção de biocida em plantas amazônicas e exóticas, visando seu uso racional

O principal método de controle do carrapato bovino Boophilus microplus é o uso de carrapaticidas sintéticos. Entretanto, o rápido desenvolvimento de resistência ao princípio ativo, os riscos de resíduo nos produtos de origem animal e a contaminação ambiental tem incentivado a busca por fontes alternativas de controle desse parasita. Dentro desse contexto, o uso de fitoterápicos aponta como uma alternativa no controle do carrapato, podendo reduzir os impactos econômicos e ambientais ao uso de produtos químicos sintéticos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar “in vitro” o efeito dos óleos essenciais de capim-salsar (Cymbopogon interanius Jowitt) e priprioca (Cyperus articulatus L.), substâncias químicas isoladas do timbó (Derris nicou; Derris urucu): rotenona, rotenolona e deguelina e óleos de andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aublet.) e nim (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), no controle do carrapato. As pesquisas foram desenvolvidas nas instalações da Unidade de Pesquisa Animal “Sen. Álvaro Adolpho”, da Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária – Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, no município de Belém, estado do Pará, no período de março a julho de 2008. As fêmeas ingurgitadas de Boophilus microplus foram colhidas manualmente, de bovinos naturalmente infestados, em propriedade particular localizada à uma hora de Belém. Após a coleta, foram transportadas para o laboratório em vasilhames plásticos, identificados, limpos e aerados. No laboratório, foram lavadas em água corrente, secas em papel absorvente e pesadas em balança analítica (precisão de 0,0001g). A metodologia utilizada foi a imersão de teleóginas por tempo de cinco minutos. Após a imersão, os carrapatos foram secos em papel absorvente, fixados em placas de Petri e mantidos em temperatura ambiente para realização da postura. Durante todo período experimental a temperatura e umidade relativa do ar em laboratório foi aferida com auxílio de um termohigrometro. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado. Os percentuais de mortalidade de fêmeas ingurgitadas de B. microplus ,no dia 5 e 15, variaram de: 45% a 90%; 37% a 90% e 60 a 90%; 60% a 90%, para capim-salsar e priprioca, respectivamente. Os resultados referentes a postura não evidenciaram diferença estatística entre as concentrações 2% e 10%, em relação ao controle (água + etanol). Entretanto, houve diferença na concentração 50%, tanto para capim-salsar quanto priprioca. Para capim-salsar, nesta concentração, foi observada postura de ovos inférteis. Com relação aos percentuais de eficiência do produto, os valores obtidos foram de: 100%; 95,63%; 98,77%; 100% e 99,30%; 96,97%; 99,85% e 100%, para os efeitos do óleo essencial de capim-salsar e priprioca nas concentrações 2%, 5%, 10%, 50%, respectivamente. As taxas de mortalidade, no dia 5, variaram de 37% a 41%, 49% a 64% e 52% a 41% para rotenona, rotenolona e deguelina, da menor para maior concentração, respectivamente. Todas as substâncias testadas apresentaram taxa de mortalidade significativamente maior do que as obtidas pelo grupo controle (água + etanol). Os melhores resultados de percentual da postura foram de 49% e 26% para rotenona e deguelina a 200ppm, respectivamente e 34% para rotenolona a 100ppm. Os percentuais de eficiência nos testes com rotenona foram de 95,24% e 98,68%, para rotenolona da ordem de 97,29%; 98,08%; 100% e deguelina 95,45%; 98,23% e 100%, em 100ppm, 200ppm e 300ppm, respectivamente. Para andiroba e nim, o percentual de mortalidade foi observado no dia 15 e demonstrou um comportamento natural do ciclo biológico dos carrapatos, pois não houve diferença estatística significativa entre o controle (água + etanol) e os tratamentos nas diferentes concentrações. Para andiroba e nim a maior eficiência obtida foi de 98,01% e 100%, na concentração de 50%, respectivamente.

Morfogênese de ninhos iniciais de atta spp. (Hymenoptera: formicidae), mortalidade em condições naturais e avaliação da ação de fungos entomopatogênicos

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA

Epidemiologia das infecções por nematódeos gatrintestinais em ovinos criados em Botucatu

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Aldosterone Blockade Reduces Mortality without Changing Cardiac Remodeling in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Pediatric Perioperative Cardiac Arrest and Mortality: A Study From a Tertiary Teaching Hospital

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Intraoperative and Anesthesia-Related Cardiac Arrest and Its Mortality in Older Patients: A 15-Year Survey in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Aspectos da fisiopatologia da sepse em Piaractus mesopotamicus induzida por Aeromonas hydrophila

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV