Prepenetration Stages of Guignardia psidii in Guava: Effects of Temperature, Wetness Duration and Fruit Age

This study examined the effects of temperature and wetness duration in vitro and in vivo as well as the effects of fruit age on germination and appressoria formation by conidia of Guignardia psidii, the causal agent of black spot disease in guava fruit. The temperatures tested for in vitro and in vivo experiments were 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 degrees C. The wetness periods studied were 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h in vitro and 6, 12 and 24 h in vivo. Fruit 10, 35, 60, 85 and 110-days old were inoculated and maintained at 25 degrees C, with a wetness period of 24 h. Temperature and wetness duration affected the variables evaluated in vitro and in vivo. All variables reached their maximum values at between 25 and 30 degrees C with a wetness duration of 24 h in vivo and 48 h in vitro. These conditions resulted in 31.3% conidia germination, 33.6% appressoria formation and 32.5% appressoria melanization in vitro, and 50.4% conidia germination and 9.5% appressoria formation in vivo. Fruit age also influenced these factors. As fruit age increased, conidia germination and appressoria formation gradually increased. Conidia germination and appressoria formation were 10.8% and 2.3%, respectively, in 10-day-old fruits. In 110-day-old fruits, conidia germination and appressoria formation were 42.5% and 23.2% respectively.

Incidence of black spot in citrus fruits from different processing stages in packinghouses and from Sao Paulo`s wholesale market

The purposes of this work were a) to evaluate citrus black spot (CBS) incidence in `Valencia` oranges and `Murcott` tangors aimed at the export market, and in Pera`, `Lima` and `Natal` oranges, and `Murcott` tangors, aimed at the domestic market after different processing stages in packinghouses in 2004/05 and 2005/06; b) to evaluate CBS incidence in Pera` and `Lima` oranges and `Murcott` tangors sold at Ceagesp-SP, the biggest wholesale market in the State of Sao Paulo, in 2006. Citrus fruits were collected at the packinghouse, on their arrival, after pre-washing and de-greening, from the packing table, from the pallet and at Ceagesp. They were stored for 14 to 21 days at 25 degrees C and 85-90% RH. The incidence of CBS was visually evaluated after one day and at the end of the storage period. CBS incidence in fruits aimed at the export market decreased, with values under 2.0% on arrival and no CBS symptoms observed on fruits from the pallet. The average incidence of CBS in `Pera`, `Lima` and `Natal` oranges, and `Murcott` tangors in the packinghouse aimed at the domestic market were 64.1, 39.0, 32.1 and 19.3%, respectively, after one day of storage, then remaining constant in all processing stages. The incidence of CBS in Ceagesp fruits was low in winter months and increased in the spring. The increase in disease incidence during the storage period (21 days) was not significant in collected fruits.

Peach brown rot incidence related to pathogen infection at different stages of fruit development in an organic peach production system

Brown rot, caused by Monilinia fructicola, is the most widespread disease for organic peach production systems in Brazil. The objective of this study was to determine the favorable periods for latent infection by M. fructicola in organic systems. The field experiment was carried out during 2006, 2007 and 2008 using the cultivar Aurora. After thinning fruits were bagged using white paraffin bags, and the treatments were performed by removing the bags and exposing the fruit for four days to the natural infection during each of seven fruit stages from pit hardening to harvest. Throughout the entire growing season, the conidial density and the weather variables were measured and related to the disease incidence using multiple regression analyses. At the fourth day after harvest in each season, the cumulative disease incidence was assessed, and it ranged from 40 to 98%. The incidence of brown rot on fruit that were exposed during the embryo growing stage was lower than that of unbagged fruit throughout the entire season in 2006 and 2008. The relative humidity and the conidia density were significantly correlated to disease incidence. Based on our results, M. fructicola can infect peaches during any stage of fruit development, and control of the disease must be revised to account for organic peach production systems. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Micronutrient dynamics in the forest biomass in succession stages of a seasonal deciduous forest, RS, Brazil

There is a great need of research to assess the behavior of micronutrients in natural forests of southern Brazil. Do to this need, the objective of this work was to study the levels and amounts of micronutrients in forest above ground biomass of the forest, in a comparative way, in two secondary succession stages (SSS) in a Seasonal Deciduous Forest in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The SSS had enjoyed 35 and 55 years of regeneration since the end of agricultural use, respectively for initial secondary forest (ISF) and late secondary forest (LSF). The above-ground biomass was collected and separated into vegetative strata and these in fractions, thereafter chemically analyzed for the levels of B, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu. Leaf fractions of arboreal, shrubs and herbaceous strata showed the highest levels for most nutrients. Only the levels of iron and manganese were higher in the bark fraction, for both sucession stages. In the LSF, the herbaceous stratum also showed high levels of Fe. The average levels of micronutrients showed differences between the two sucession stages only in relation to Fe and Mn, with higher levels in LSF biomass. The amount of nutrients stored was always higher in LSF, because of the largest biomass and the higher levels of Fe and Mn in the biomass of this SSS. The quantitative order of nutrient storage in biomass was Fe> Mn> Zn> B> Cu.

Stages of chaotic synchronization

In an experimental investigation of the response of a chaotic system to a chaotic driving force, we have observed synchronization of chaos of the response system in the forms of generalized synchronization, phase synchronization, and lag synchronization to the driving signal. In this paper we compare the features of these forms of synchronized chaos and study their relations and physical origins. We found that different forms of chaotic synchronization could be interpreted as different stages of nonlinear interaction between the coupled chaotic systems. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics.

Resistance to temperature extremes between and within life cycle stages in Drosophila serrata, D-birchii and their hybrids: intraspecific and interspecific comparisons

Intraspecific Drosophila studies suggest that resistance to heal and cold stresses are largely independent and that correlations across life cycle stages are low whereas comparisons of Drosophila species indicate correlations between heat and cold resistance as well as between resistance levels in different life cycle stages. These inconsistent results may reflect differences in associations among traits at the interspecific and intraspecific levels or interspecific correlations arising because of correlated selection pressures. These alternatives were tested using Drosophila serrata, D. birchii and hybrids derived from these species. Variation among hybrid lines and families was used to test associations at the interspecific level while intraspecific variation was examined using isofemale lines of D. serrata. There was a significant association between adult heat knockdown time at 38 degreesC and adult cold resistance in one set of hybrid lines. An association between female knockdown resistance to heat and larval heat resistance was also evident in one set of hybrids. Resistance to heat anti cold at the larval stage were not correlated at either the intraspecific or interspecific levels. At the intraspecific level, lan al heat resistance and two measures of adult heat resistance were uncorrelated. Moreover, adult and larval cold resistance measures were not correlated at either the intraspecific or interspecific levels. These results suggest that there are no associations between resistance to heat and cold extremes and that extreme temperature resistance is largely independent across life cycle stages at both the intraspecific and interspecific levels. Species associations may therefore arise from correlated selection pressures rather than trait correlations. (C) 2000 The Linnean Society of London.

A new species of Phylloicus Muller, 1880 (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae), from southeastern Brazil, including descriptions of larval and pupal stages

The cosmopolitan family Calamoceratidae Ulmer, 1906, has 8 living genera, among them Phylloicus Muller, 1880, with species distributed from South to Central America. This genus is characterized by its dark-colored adults (brown to black) with diurnal to crepuscular habits. In this paper, the adults, pupae, and larvae of Phylloicus camargoi n. sp. are described and illustrated. The new species is easily diagnosed by male tergum X bearing a short, digitate, setose, basodorsal process; 2 short, digitate, hairless, lateral processes; and 2 pairs of very short processes on the posterior margin: a pair of digitate, hairless, posterolateral processes, and a pair of posteromesal processes. Additional diagnostic characters are the presence of 3 color bands on the forewings, 2 golden longitudinal bands and a white transversal one.

Description of the immature stages of Notalina morsei Holzenthal, 1986 (Trichoptera : Leptoceridae) and an updated key to larvae of Neotropical Leptoceridae genera

The endemic Neotropical long-horned caddisfly subgenus Notalina (Neonotalina) Holzenthal contains nine described species, but its immature stages are unknown. In this paper the larvae and pupae of Notalina morsei Holzenthal 1986 from southeastern Brazil are described and illustrated. Larvae of the subgenus are easily recognized from other Neotropical leptocerids by the following characters: ventral apotome which is broad anteriorly and narrow posteriorly; the metanotum with three sclerites; the metasternum bearing 10-12 setae; the gill arrangement, usually including ventral and dorsal filaments from abdominal segments II to VI; and abdominal tergite IX with 6 long and 4 short setae. An updated key to known larvae of Neotropical Leptoceridae genera is provided.

Predictors of higher number of stages in Mohs micrographic surgery for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head

BACKGROUND - Squamous cell carcinomas of the skin of the bead are better treated with Mobs micrographic surgery which has the lowest recurrence rates and allows spare normal tissue. There are some characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma that can be related to a higher number of surgical stages. OBJECTIVE - To study characteristic of head squamous cell carcinoma that predicts a higher number of Mohs surgical stages. METHODS - A retrospective analysis of 51 squamous cell carcinomas of the bead treated with Mobs surgery was performed to determine risk factors for a higher number of surgical stages. The characteristics analyzed were clinical limits, morphology, recurrence, histological differentiation and size and compared to the number of surgical stages. The analysis was performed by Fisher`s exact test and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS - The recurrent squamous cell carcinomas showed a tendency for a higher number of stages (p=0,081). The Odds Ratio for a higher number of Mobs stages was three for inaccurate limits; although not statistically significant, it corroborates clinical and previous publication. CONCLUSION - Clinical characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma as recurrence and inaccurate limits would not predict, but could indicate tendency of a higher number of Mobs micrographic surgery stages.

Cognitive performance is related to cortical grey matter volumes in early stages of schizophrenia: A population-based study of first-episode psychosis

Background: Neuropsychological deficits have been reported in association with first-episode psychosis (FEP). Reductions in grey matter (GM) volumes have been documented in FEP subjects compared to healthy controls. However, the possible inter-relationship between the findings of those two lines of research has been scarcely investigated. Objective: To investigate the relationship between neuropsychological deficits and GM volume abnormalities in a population-based sample of FEP patients compared to healthy controls from the same geographical area. Methods: FEP patients (n = 88) and control subjects (n = 86) were evaluated by neuropsychological assessment (Controlled Oral Word Association Test, forward and backward digit span tests) and magnetic resonance imaging using voxel-based morphometry. Results: Single-group analyses showed that prefrontal and temporo-parietal GM volumes correlated significantly (p < 0.05, corrected) with cognitive performance in FEP patients. A similar pattern of direct correlations between neocortical GM volumes and cognitive impairment was seen in the schizophrenia subgroup (n = 48). In the control group, cognitive performance was directly correlated with GM volume in the right dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and inversely correlated with parahippocampal gyral volumes bilaterally. Interaction analyses with ""group status"" as a predictor variable showed significantly greater positive correlation within the left inferior prefrontal cortex (BA46) in the FEP group relative to controls, and significantly greater negative correlation within the left parahippocampal gyrus in the control group relative to FEP patients. Conclusion: Our results indicate that cognitive deficits are directly related to brain volume abnormalities in frontal and temporo-parietal cortices in FEP subjects, most specifically in inferior portions of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Deregulated expression of superoxide dismutase-2 correlates with different stages of cervical neoplasia

Objective: Superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2) is considered one of the most important antioxidant enzymes that regulate cellular redox state in normal and tumorigenic cells. Overexpression of this enzyme may be involved in carcinogenesis, particularly in lung, gastric, colorectal and breast cancer. Methods: In the present study, we have evaluated SOD2 protein levels by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 331 cervical histological samples including 31 low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (LSIL), 51 high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (HSIL), 197 squamous cervical carcinomas (SCC) and 52 cervical adenocarcinomas (ADENO). Results: We observed that SOD2 staining increases with cervical disease severity. Intense SOD2 staining was found in 13% of LSIL, 25.5% of HSIL and 40% of SCC. Moreover, 65.4% of ADENO exhibited intense SOD2 staining. Conclusions: Differences in the expression of SOD2 could potentially be used as a biomarker for the characterization of different stages of cervical disease.

Biomechanical evaluation on tendon reinsertion by comparing trans-osseous suture and suture anchor at different stages of healing: Experimental study on rabbits

Background: Through an experimental biomechanical study on rabbits, tendon reinsertion by means of trans-osseous suture on a spongy bone bed and suture anchor were evaluated comparatively at different phases of healing. Methods: Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits were used: 2 as pilots, 4 as the control group, and 18 as the experimental group. These 18 animals underwent sectioning and reinsertion of the Achilles tendon bilaterally, using the technique of trans-osseous suture on 1 side and suture anchor on the other. All the pelvic limbs that underwent the procedure were then immobilized for 3 weeks. The experimental group was divided into 3 groups that were sacrificed, respectively, 3, 6, and 12 weeks later. The tendon-bone complex was subjected to biomechanical tests to evaluate the parameters of maximum strength, stiffness, and yield strength. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the suture anchor group and the trans-osseous suture group, in relation to yield strength (3 weeks, P = .222; 6 weeks, P = .465; and 12 weeks, P = .200) or maximum strength (3 weeks, P = .222; 6 weeks, P = .076; and 12 weeks, P = .078). In relation to stiffness, the suture anchor group showed a statistically significant difference only at 3 weeks of healing ( P = .032) over the trans-osseous suture group. Conclusion: The technique of suturing with an anchor was shown to be similar to the technique of trans-osseous suture for the studied parameters. Level of evidence: Basic Science Study, In-Vitro Biomechanics Study. (C) 2010 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees.

MET Is Highly Expressed in Advanced Stages of Colorectal Cancer and Indicates Worse Prognosis and Mortality

The aim of the present study was to evaluate by immunohistochemistry the prognostic meaning of the tumor marker MET (hepatocyte growth factor) in patients submitted to surgical resection due to primary colorectal adenocarcinoma. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out that included 286 consecutive patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, submitted to surgical resection at Barretos Cancer Hospital, from 1993 to 2002. The histopathological expression of the MET tumor marker was evaluated using an anti-protein monoclonal antibody against MET by the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. The expression of the tumor marker was semi-quantitative, and the slide samples were independently analyzed by three pathologists unaware of patient clinical and histopathological data. Results: The tumor marker expression was positive in 236 (79%) out of a total of 286 patients. This expression was statistically significantly different between stages I and IV (p=0.004), for overall survival (p=0.009), and for cancer-related mortality rates (p=0.022). However, no association between the tumor marker and recurrence (p=0.89) or disease-free interval (p=0.91) was observed. Conclusion: MET has shown significant expression at advanced stages of the disease, as well as for overall survival and cancer-related mortality rates demonstrating to be a valuable marker for poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.