A phylogenetic study of the subtribe Dicrepidiina (Elateridae, Elaterinae, Ampedini)

It is presented a cladistic analysis of the Dicrepidiina aiming to test the monophyletism of the subtribe and to establish the relationships among the genera. The subtribe is composed by 36 genera and all of them, except Asebis, Lamononia, Neopsephus, Semiotopsis and Spilomorphus were included in the analysis. Fifty two species, especially the type-species of each genus were studied: Achrestus flavocinctus (Candèze, 1859), A. venustus Champion, 1895, Adiaphorus gracilis Schwarz, 1901, A. ponticerianus Candèze, 1859, Anoplischiopsis bivittatus Champion, 1895, Anoplischius bicarinatus Candèze, 1859, A. conicus Candèze, 1900, A. haematopus Candèze, 1859, A. pyronotus Candèze, 1859, Atractosomus flavescens (Germar, 1839), Blauta cribraria (Germar, 1844), Calopsephus apicalis (Schwarz, 1903), Catalamprus angustus (Fleutiaux, 1902), Crepidius flabellifer (Erichson, 1847), C. resectus Candèze, 1859, Cyathodera auripilosus Costa, 1968, C. lanugicollis (Candèze, 1859), C. longicornis Blanchard, 1843, Dayakus angularis Candèze, 1893, Dicrepidius ramicornis (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805), Dipropus brasilianus (Germar, 1824), D. factuellus Candèze, 1859, D. laticollis (Eschscholtz, 1829), D. pinguis (Candèze, 1859), D. schwarzi (Becker, 1961), Elius birmanicus Candèze, 1893, E. dilatatus Candèze, 1878, Heterocrepidius gilvellus Candèze, 1859, H. ventralis Guérin-Méneville, 1838, Lampropsephus cyaneus (Candèze, 1878), Loboederus appendiculatus (Perty, 1830), Olophoeus gibbus Candèze, 1859, Ovipalpus pubescens Solier, 1851, Pantolamprus ligneus Candèze, 1896, P. mirabilis Candèze, 1896, P. perpulcher Westwood, 1842, Paraloboderus glaber Golbach, 1990, Proloboderus crassipes Fleutiaux, 1912, Propsephus beniensis (Candèze, 1859), P. cavifrons (Erichson, 1843), Pseudolophoeus guineensis (Candèze, 1881), Rhinopsephus apicalis (Schwarz, 1903), Sephilus formosanus Schwarz, 1912, S. frontalis Candèze, 1878, Singhalenus gibbus Candèze, 1892, S. taprobanicus Candèze, 1859, Sphenomerus antennalis Candèze, 1859, S. brunneus Candèze, 1865, Spilus atractomorphus Candèze, 1859, S. nitidus Candèze, 1859, Stenocrepidius simonii Fleutiaux, 1891 and Trielasmus varians Blanchard, 1846. Chalcolepidius zonatus (Hemirhipini, Agrypninae), Ctenicera silvatica (Prosternini, Prosterninae), and species of the other subtribes of Ampedini (Elaterinae): Ampedus sanguineus (Ampedina), Melanotus spernendus (Melanotina) and Anchastus digittatus and Physorhinus xanthocephalus (Physorhinina) were used as outgroups. The results of the phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Dicrepidiina, as formerly defined, does not form a monophyletic group. One genus, represented by Ovipalpus pubescens, was removed from the subtribe. The subtribe is characterized by presence of lamella under 2nd and 3rd tarsomeres of all legs. Also, it was revealed that the genera Achrestus, Anoplischius, Dipropus and Propsephus are not monophyletic. Due to the scarcity of information, all the studied species are redescribed and illustrated.

Redescription of Culex (Culex) dolosus (Lynch Arribálzaga)(Diptera: Culicidae), based on specimens from Pico do Itapeva, Serra da Mantiqueira, São Paulo, Brazil

Culex (Culex) dolosus (Lych Arribálzaga, 1891) is re-described and compared with Cx. eduardoi Casal & Garcia (1968) based on morphological characteristics. Both species are morphologically similar, and they have been largely misidentified throughout Brazil. Adult male and female, fourth instar larvae, and pupae of Cx. dolosus were examined, based on specimens from Pico do Itapeva, Pindamonhangaba Municipality, Serra da Mantiqueira, São Paulo State, southern Brazil. Male genitalia, larvae and pupae are illustrated. Geographical distribution is summarized from published records, and information on bionomics is based on literature and field data

SPITZER OBSERVATIONS OF A1763. II. CONSTRAINING THE NATURE OF ACTIVITY IN THE CLUSTER-FEEDING FILAMENT WITH VLA AND XMM-NEWTON DATA

The A1763 superstructure at z = 0.23 contains the first galaxy filament to be directly detected using mid-infrared observations. Our previous work has shown that the frequency of starbursting galaxies, as characterized by 24 mu m emission is much higher within the filament than at either the center of the rich galaxy cluster, or the field surrounding the system. New Very Large Array and XMM-Newton data are presented here. We use the radio and X-ray data to examine the fraction and location of active galaxies, both active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and starbursts (SBs). The radio far-infrared correlation, X-ray point source location, IRAC colors, and quasar positions are all used to gain an understanding of the presence of dominant AGNs. We find very few MIPS-selected galaxies that are clearly dominated by AGN activity. Most radio-selected members within the filament are SBs. Within the supercluster, three of eight spectroscopic members detected both in the radio and in the mid-infrared are radio-bright AGNs. They are found at or near the core of A1763. The five SBs are located further along the filament. We calculate the physical properties of the known wide angle tail (WAT) source which is the brightest cluster galaxy of A1763. A second double lobe source is found along the filament well outside of the virial radius of either cluster. The velocity offset of the WAT from the X-ray centroid and the bend of the WAT in the intracluster medium are both consistent with ram pressure stripping, indicative of streaming motions along the direction of the filament. We consider this as further evidence of the cluster-feeding nature of the galaxy filament.

Prostacyclin, not only nitric oxide, is a mediator of the vasorelaxation induced by acetylcholine in aortas from rats submitted to cecal ligation and perforation (CLP)

Nitric oxide has been pointed out as the main agent involved in the vasodilatation, which is the major symptom of septic shock. However, there must be another mediator contributing to the circulatory failure observed in sepsis. This study aimed to investigate the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine and the factors involved in this relaxation, using aortic rings isolated from rats submitted to cecal ligation and perforation (CLP), 2 h after induction of sepsis, which characterizes the hyperdynamic phase of sepsis. Under inhibition of constitutive NO-synthases (cNOS), the relaxation induced by acetylcholine was greater in the aortic rings of rats submitted to CLP compared with sham-operated rat aortic rings. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin normalized this response, and the concentration of the stable metabolite of prostacyclin in the aorta of CLP rats increased in basal conditions and after stimulation with acetylcholine. Acetylcholine-induced NO production was lower in the endothelial cells from the aorta of CLP rats compared with sham rat aorta, but the protein expression of the cNOS was not altered. Moreover, iNOS protein expression could not be detected. Therefore, prostacyclin, and not only nitric oxide, is a mediator of the vasorelaxation induced by acetylcholine in aortas from rats submitted to CLP. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Relaxation evoked by extracellular Ca(2+) in rat aorta is nerve-independent and involves sarcoplasmic reticulum and L-type Ca(2+) channell

The perivascular nerve network expresses a Ca(2+) receptor that is activated by high extracellular Ca(2+) concentrations and causes vasorelaxation in resistance arteries. We have verified the influence of perivascular nerve fibers on the Ca(2+)-induced relaxation in aortic rings. To test our hypothesis, either pre-contracted aortas isolated from rats after sensory denervation with capsaicin or aortic rings acutely denervated with phenol were stimulated to relax with increasing extracellular Ca(2+) concentration. We also studied the role of the endothelium on the Ca(2+)-induced relaxation, and we verified the participation of endothelial/nonendothelial nitric oxide and cyclooxygenise-arachidonic acid metabolites. Additionally, the role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, K(+) channels and L-type Ca(2+) channels on the Ca(2+)-induced relaxation were evaluated. We have observed that the Ca(2+)-induced relaxation is completely nerve independent, and it is potentiated by endothelial nitric oxide (NO). In endothelium-denuded aortic rings, indomethacin and AH6809 (PGF(2 alpha) receptor antagonist) enhance the relaxing response to Ca(2+). This relaxation is inhibited by thapsigargin and verapamil, while was not altered by tetraethylammonium. In conclusion, we have shown that perivascular nervous fibers do not participate in the Ca(2+)-induced relaxation, which is potentiated by endothelial NO. In endothelium-denuded preparations, indomethacin and AH6809 enhance the relaxation induced by Ca(2+). The relaxing response to Call was impaired by verapamil and thapsigargin, revealing the importance of L-type Ca(2+) channels and sarcoplasmic reticulum in this response. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Adult rats are more sensitive to the vascular effects induced by hyperhomocysteinemia than young rats

We aimed to investigate the vascular effects of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) on carotid arteries from young and adult rats. With this purpose young and adult rats received a solution of DL-homocysteine-thiolactone (1 g/kg body weight/day) in the drinking water for 7, 14 and 28 days. Increase on plasma homocysteine occurred in young and adult rats treated with DL-homocysteine-thiolactone in all periods. Vascular reactivity experiments using standard muscle bath procedures showed that HHcy enhanced the contractile response of endothelium-intact, carotid rings to phenylephrine in both young and adult rats. However, in young rats, the increased phenylephrine-induced contraction was observed after hyperhomocysteinemia for 14 and 28 days, whereas in adult rats this response was already apparent after 7 day treatment. HHcy impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxation in arteries from adult but not young rats. The contraction induced by phenylephrine in carotid arteries in the presence of Y-27632 was reversed to control values in arteries from young but not adult rats with hyperhomocysteinemia. HHcy did not alter the contraction induced by CaCl(2) in carotid arteries from young rats, but enhanced CaCl(2)-induced contraction in the arteries from adult rats. HHcy increased the basal levels of superoxide anion in arteries from both groups. Finally, HHcy decreased the basal levels of nitrite in arteries from adult but not young rats. The major new finding of the present work is that arteries from young rats are more resistant to vascular changes evoked by HHcy than arteries from adult rats. Also, we verified that the enhanced vascular response to phenylephrine observed in carotid arteries of DL-homocysteine thiolactone-treated rats is mediated by different mechanisms in young and adult rats. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Cardiac mast cell proteases do not contribute to the regulation of the rat coronary vascular responsiveness to arterial delivered angiotensin I and II

Cardiac mast cells (MC) are apposed to capillaries within the heart and release renin and proteases capable of metabolizing angiotensins (Ang). Therefore, we hypothesized that mast cell degranulation could alter the rat coronary vascular responsiveness to the arterial delivered Ang I and Ang II, taking into account carboxypeptidase and chymase-1 activities. Hearts from animals that were either pretreated or not with systemic injection of the secretagogue compound 48/80 were isolated and mounted on a Langendorff apparatus to investigate coronary reactivity. The proteolytic activity of the cardiac perfusate from isolated hearts, pretreated or not with the secretagogue, toward Ang I and tetradecapeptide renin substrate was analyzed by HPLC. Coronary vascular reactivity to peptides was not affected by compound 48/80 pretreatment, despite the extensive amount of cardiac MC degranulation. Cardiac MC activation did not modify the generation of both Ang II and Ang 5-10 from Ang I by cardiac perfusate, activities that could be ascribed to MC carboxypeptidase and chymase-1, respectively. An aliskiren-resistant Ang I-forming activity was increased in perfusates from secretagogue-treated hearts. Thus, cardiac MC proteases capable of metabolizing angiotensins do not affect rat coronary reactivity to arterial delivered Ang I and II. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Strange bedfellows: Green Hill Fort, archaeology and tourism

Green Hill Fort, Thursday Islalld was constructed between 1891-1893 to defend the Australian colonies against a feared Russian invasion. It retained an operational role until the 1920.'1 and played a minor role in World /t'ar 2. From 1954 to 1993 the site, but not the facilities, was used as a weather station. More recently it has been home ofthe Ton-es Strait Historical Society and Museum Association museum. It is a major attraction during the tourist season and an important local icon. For archaeologists it has sign~ficance as a relatively intact nineteenth-century military installation. Two 'Centenary of Federation' grants have proVided the impetus to undertake conservation and presentation works involving various task -spec~fic, archaeological activities. At the management level archaeologists play the lead role in the project. The project has demonstrated the value oJarchaeology and tourism joining forces. The danger ofa 'theme park 'presentation has been avoided. Technical accuracy and careful site planning has ensured a high degree ofaccuracy is retained. Provided these qualities can be assured then, it is argued, there is an opportunity for archaeology to be a majOl; long-term beneficiary. But to achieve that, the discipline must move from being entrenched in its academic mould and become Jar more receptive to the broader needs ofthe twentyfirst century.

História da saúde pública no Estado de São Paulo

Estuda-se a história, através da evolução dos serviços estaduais de saúde pública em São Paulo, desde 1891 até o presente. Dois vultos se destacam: Emílio Ribas e Geraldo de Paula Souza. Emílio Ribas conseguiu debelar no fim do século passado surtos epidêmicos de febre amarela, febre tifóide, varíola e cólera e, na Capital, malária. Prova, em um grupo de voluntários, no qual foi o primeiro, a transmissão, por vector, de febre amarela, repetindo, um ano depois, a experiência norte-americana em Cuba. Funda o Instituto Butantã, entregando-o a outro cientista, Vital Brasil. Paula Souza reorganiza, em 1925, o Serviço Sanitário do Estado, introduzindo o centro de saúde, a educação sanitária, a visitação domiciliaria. Lidera, posteriormente, no SESI, a assistência médica, odontológica, alimentar e social do operário. Em junho de 1947 foi criada a Secretaria da Saúde Pública e da Assistência Social cujo primeiro titular foi o Dr. José Q. Guimarães. Deu-se ênfase à implantação de campanhas de erradicação ou controle de doenças transmissíveis (malária, chagas, poliomielite, variola, etc.) e à reforma total da Secretaria da Saúde iniciada em 1970.

Catálogo das coleções entomológicas da Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo - (2ª Série II): Culicidae

Subfamília ANOPHELINAE: Gênero Anopheles Meigen, 1818; Subfamília CULICINAE: Tribo AEDEOMYIINI: Gênero Aedeomyia Theobald, 1901; Tribo AEDINI: Gênero Aedes Meigen, 1818; Gênero Haemagogus Williston, 1896; Gênero Psorophora Robineau-Desvoidy, 1827; Tribo CULICINI: Gênero Culex Linnaeus, 1758; Gênero Deinocerites Theobald, 1901; Tribo MANSONIINI: Gênero Coquillettidia Dyar, 1905; Gênero Mansonia Blanchard, 1901; Tribo ORTHO-PODOMYIINI: Gênero Orthopodomyia Theobald, 1904; Tribo SABETHINI: Gênero Limatus Theobald, 1901; Gênero Phoniomyia Theobald, 1903; Gênero Runchomyia Theobald, 1903; Gênero Sabethes Robineau-Desvoidy, 1827; Gênero Shannoniana Lane e Cerqueira, 1942; Gênero Trichoprosopon Theobald, 1901; Gênero Wyeomyia Theobald, 1901; Tribo URANOTAENIINI: Gênero Uranotaenia Lynch Arribalzaga, 1891.

Difusão molecular em ressonância magnética para estudo de lesões mamárias malignas

Objetivos – Com este estudo pretendeu-se i) avaliar o contributo da aplicação da sequência de difusão na caracterização das lesões mamárias malignas; ii) considerar se a sequência de difusão deve incorporar o protocolo standard em RM mamária e iii) correlacionar os resultados dos valores de coeficiente aparente de difusão (ADC) e os resultados histológicos. Metodologia – A amostra incluiu 18 pacientes do sexo feminino, com idades compreendidas entre 38 e 71 anos, que apresentavam lesões mamárias malignas confirmadas histologicamente. Foi adicionado ao protocolo de RM mamária a sequência de difusão, de modo a calcular os valores de ADC das lesões observadas. Resultados – Verificou-se que a range de valores de ADC para lesões malignas em ROI’s calculados no centro da lesão apresentavam uma média e desvio-padrão de (0,89 ± 0,14x10-3mm2/s). O método da utilização dos valores de ADC na caracterização de lesões mamárias malignas demonstrou uma sensibilidade de 100%. Conclusões – Neste estudo, com uma sensibilidade de 100%, a ponderação em difusão demonstrou ser uma técnica vantajosa na caracterização de lesões mamárias malignas pelo que se sugere a sua introdução no protocolo standard da RM mamária. ABSTRACT - Aims – The aim of this study was i) to evaluate the potential of the DWI sequence in the characterization of malignant breast lesions; ii) to verify if this sequence should incorporate the breast MRI protocol and iii) to correlate the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) values and histological results. Methodology – The sample includes 18 female patients between the ages of 38 and 71 years, who presented with malignant breast lesion confirmed by histology. The DWI sequence was added to the MRI standard protocol to calculate the ADC values. Results – In the results obtained we observed that the range of the ADC values calculated in the center of the malignant lesions, showed a mean and standard deviation of 0.89 ± 0.14 x10-3 mm2 / s. This method of using the ADC values for the detection of malignant lesions showed a sensitivity of 100%. Conclusion – The DWI technique proved to be a useful method in the characterization of malignant breast lesions, as it showed a sensitivity of 100%, so we suggest its inclusion in the Breast MR standard protocol.

História da saúde pública no Estado de São Paulo

Estuda-se a história, através da evolução dos serviços estaduais de saúde pública em São Paulo, desde 1891 até o presente. Dois vultos se destacam: Emílio Ribas e Geraldo de Paula Souza. Emílio Ribas conseguiu debelar no fim do século passado surtos epidêmicos de febre amarela, febre tifóide, varíola e cólera e, na Capital, malária. Prova, em um grupo de voluntários, no qual foi o primeiro, a transmissão, por vector, de febre amarela, repetindo, um ano depois, a experiência norte-americana em Cuba. Funda o Instituto Butantã, entregando-o a outro cientista, Vital Brasil. Paula Souza reorganiza, em 1925, o Serviço Sanitário do Estado, introduzindo o centro de saúde, a educação sanitária, a visitação domiciliaria. Lidera, posteriormente, no SESI, a assistência médica, odontológica, alimentar e social do operário. Em junho de 1947 foi criada a Secretaria da Saúde Pública e da Assistência Social cujo primeiro titular foi o Dr. José Q. Guimarães. Deu-se ênfase à implantação de campanhas de erradicação ou controle de doenças transmissíveis (malária, chagas, poliomielite, variola, etc.) e à reforma total da Secretaria da Saúde iniciada em 1970.

A natureza em Antero de Quental: o projeto de uma «metafísica positiva»

Ao longo da história do pensamento, a ideia de natureza tornou-se permeável a uma intrincada e até ambígua complexidade semântica. Esta é uma tendência que se revela na obra de Antero de Quental (1842-1891) e é nesse sentido que aí encontramos a interpretação da natureza em múltiplas perspectivas, num crescente de densidade especulativa. Poeta por vocação íntima e filósofo por opção convicta, Antero de Quental adoptou em todos os seus escritos a missão de abrir as fronteiras do pensamento. Ainda que não seja alvo de uma análise sistemática por parte de Antero, a ideia de natureza constitui-se como um dos núcleos temáticos essenciais da sua obra. O presente trabalho assume o propósito de reconstituir as diversas acepções e contextos explicativos em que se desenvolve o conceito de natureza no perímetro dos textos do poeta-filósofo açoriano, procurando justificar a existência de uma mundividência filosófica própria subjacente ao corpus anteriano.

Antero de Quental: a última palavra da natureza é 'ética'

Antero de Quental (1842-1891) is best known for his poetic work. Nevertheless, alongside this literary work, and in close correlation with it, he produced a corpus of philosophical texts of great depth and relevance. Nature composes a unifying thematic core for his work, and is implicit throughout the author’s entire work. In this paper, we seek to establish the main tendencies of his Evolutionism, both from the positive and metaphysical points of view. On his last work (Tendências gerais da filosofia na segunda metade do século XIX), the author talks about "good" as the fundamental principle of all human actions and of nature itself: the last word of nature is written by the human consciousness whenever a good action is performed. This opens the door to a spiritual Evolutionism and explains the moral world view that we can find in Antero de Quental's thought.