Rabies in southeast Brazil: a change in the epidemiological pattern

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

Viabilidade de crescimento micelial de Coprinus comatus em meio de cultura à base de resíduos orgânicos

The objective of this work was to evaluate the mycelial growth of the Coprinus comatus strain CCO 01/01 in culture based on organic residues of Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane bagasse), Citrus sinensis (orange bagasse), Ananas comosus (pineapple residues) and Musa sp. (banana leaf), supplemented with wheat bran in the proportions of 0, 10 and 20%, kept at 27 degrees C. The mycelial growth of C. comatus was evaluated daily by measurement of the diameter of the colony during seven days of incubation. The banana leaf was considered the best residue for the cultivation of the C. comatus even without supplementation, meaning lower production costs. The supplementation of pineapple residues with 10% of wheat bran favored fungi growth. Sugar-cane bagasse was suitable for the growth of the C. comatus provided it is enriched with wheat bran. The orange bagasse, without pH correction, was not appropriate for the mycelial growth of C. comatus.

Fetal and maternal lesions of cyanide dosing to pregnant goats

The present work evaluated the pathological effects in both dams and their fetuses of cyanide ingestion during pregnancy using goat as animal model. From the Day 24 of pregnancy, three pregnant goats were dosed by gavage with 3.0 mg KCN/kg bw/day, and two others received only tap water. All dams were euthanized and necropsied at Day 120 of pregnancy. The fetuses were examined carefully for gross abnormalities. Determinations of cyanide and thiocyanate were performed in maternal and fetal blood and in amniotic fluid. Samples of several organs were collected for histopathologic evaluation. No clinical changes were seen in any animal throughout the pregnancy. No malformations or dead fetuses were observed: however, placenta from one treated goat presented increased cotyledon surface area occupied by vascular lumina. Histological lesions in KCN-treated dams consisted of vacuolation of hepatocytes and thyroid follicular cells, increased number of vacuoles on thyroid follicular colloid. and spongiosis of cerebral, internal capsule, and cerebellar peduncles tracts. Fetuses from these mothers showed vacuolation of hepatocytes and thyroid follicular cells, and spheroids in the cerebellar white matter. Levels of cyanide and thiocyanate were higher in maternal than fetal blood, which suggests that these substances were largely but not freely transferred from mothers to fetuses. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Caracterização da fusão caruncular em gestações naturais e de conceptos bovinos clonados

Barreto R.S.N., Miglino M.A., Meirelles F.V., Visintin J.A., Silva S.M., Burioli K.C., Fonseca R., Bertan C., Assis Neto A.C. & Pereira F.T.V. 2009. [Characterization of the caruncular fusion in gestations of natural and cloned bovine conceptuses.] Caracterizacao da fusao caruncular ern gestacoes naturais e de conceptos bovinos clonados. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 29(10):779-787. Laboratorio de Morfofisiologia da Placenta e Embriao, Faculdade de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista, SP294 Km 651, Dracena, SP 17900-000, Brazil. E-mail: fverechia@dracena.unesp.brThe objective of the study was to compare the characteristics of the caruncular fusion in gestations of non-cloned and cloned conceptuses. The non-cloned conceptuses were divided according to the gestation period: Group 1 (2 to 3 months; n=9),II (4 to 6; n=9); III (7 to 8; n=10) and IV (9 n=7). The cloned conceptuses formed the Group V: 9 months; n=4. The caruncles were observed macroscopically (number and dimensions: length, width and height), microscopically and submitted to statistical analysis (5% of significance). We observed three types of macroscopic caruncular fusions: oval (morphologically normal); two united adjacent caruncles and the lobulated type, characterized by regions with several united caruncles presenting a false fusion or deformation of the caruncular parenchyma. The length of the caruncles was 1.55 +/- 0.57; 2.45 +/- 0.55; 4.66 +/- 2.0 and 5.72 +/- 1.90cm for the groups 1, 11, 111, IV respectively. As for the height, the caruncles presented a lineal growth during the gestation: 0.40 +/- 0.15; 0.57 +/- 0.21; 1.0 +/- 0.48 and 1.80 +/- 0.91cm, for the respective groups 1, 11, 111 and IV. The width of the caruncles was similar between the groups I and 11 (0.97 +/- 0.30 e 1.42 +/- 0.71 cm) and the groups III and IV (2.68 +/- 1.22 and 3.52 +/- 1.16cm). When the group V was compared to the IV, the caruncles of the group V presented a larger length (5.72 +/- 1.90 vs. 7.88 +/-.13cm) and width (3.52 +/- 1.16 vs. 4.93 +/- 1.46cm), however they were similar in height (1.80 +/- 0.91 and 2.25 +/- 0.67cm). We verified that in gestations of cloned conceptuses the caruncles presented a larger development than in gestations of non-cloned conceptuses. The fusioned caruncles presented measurements statistically similar to the isolated ones in all the parameters and groups. Under light microscopy, we observed the formation of a stromal axis from the basis of the caruncle to the apex of the fusional fissure, with the histological constitution similar to the endometrial stroma. Three microscopic shapes were also unpublished defined: true fusion with a single axis evident below the fusional fissure; pseudofusion with a double axis in H shape and false fusion with absence of the axis. The first two formats were associated to the oval and lobulated caruncles and the last one to the false fusion with deformation of the caruncle parenchyma. The fusional axis increased in size along the gestation among the groups I, II, III and IV. The group V presented a larger length and width of the axis when compared to the group IV. Thus, in gestations of cloned conceptuses a destruction of the lateral epithelium of the caruncles is associated to an incompetence in the maternal-fetal interdigitation, that compromises the cotyledonary fusion. We suggest that, in gestations derived of cloned conceptuses, the increase of the size of the caruncular fusions is possibly associated to a compensatory mechanism for the metabolic exchanges between mother and fetus, in reason of the smallest number of isolated caruncles.

Distribution and habitat preference of Carabidae and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) in an orange orchard and a forest fragment

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

Cytogenetic and molecular characterization of Speothos venaticus specimens.

The bush dog (Speothos venaticus) is a South American canid, included in the IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) official list of animals threatened with extinction, in the vulnerable category. As a preservation and conservation strategy, specimens kept in captivity by Brazilian Institutions are monitored by a management plan. In order to characterize and analyze the genetic variability of bush dog specimens, a cytogenetic analysts was carried out, and microsatellite data were also obtained through the use of 15 primers, originally developed for the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). All tested primers showed transferability and amplified fragment sizes similar to those described for the canine genome. From the total number of primers, eight were tested, and presented two polymorphic regions. Regarding cytogenetic analysis, one of the animals had chromosomal mosaicism,-disqualifying it as a reproducer to form stocks. Thus, we concluded that the genetic evaluation of wild animals kept in captivity provides data that can help with the practice of exchange between different institutions, avoiding problems in the reproductive capacity of the breeding stock.

Diterpenic adducts from Xylopia species

Xylopia emarginata and X. amazonica contain diterpene adducts probably originating from Diels-Aider reaction between labdane and kaurane derivatives. This type of substance seems to be characteristic of the genus Xylopia. © 1991.

Distribution of Xylella fastidiosa in citrus rootstocks and transmission of citrus variegated chlorosis between sweet orange plants through natural root grafts

To study translocation of Xylella fastidiosa to citrus rootstocks, budsticks from citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC)-affected cv. Pera sweet orange (Citrus sinenesis (L.) Osb.) were top grafted on 15 citrus rootstocks. Disease symptoms were conspicuous 3 months later on all 15 rootstocks tested. The presence of X. fastidiosa was confirmed by light microscopy, double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and polymerase chain reaction in rootlets and main roots of CVC-symptomatic Pera sweet orange in 11 of the 15 rootstocks tested. These results suggest that bacterial translocation from the aerial plant parts to the root system occurs but is not essential for X. fastidiosa to induce symptoms in the aerial parts. Bacterial translocation to the roots was not correlated with CVC leaf-symptom severity in the Pera scion. To determine if CVC disease could be transmitted by natural root grafts, two matched seedlings of each of four sweet orange cultivars (Pera, Natal, Valencia, and Caipira) were transplanted into single pots. One seedling rootstock of each pair was inoculated by top grafting with a CVC-contaminated budstick while the other seedling rootstock was cut but not graft inoculated. Transmission of X. fastidiosa from an inoculated plant to a noninoculated plant sharing the same pot was observed in all four sweet orange cultivars tested. Transmission was confirmed by observation of natural roots grafts between the two plants, presence of X. fastidiosa in the root grafts, and disease development in the uninoculated plants. This is the first report of transmission of CVC disease through natural root grafts.

Susceptibility of tangerines to citrus variegated chlorosis

Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), a citrus disease first discovered in Brazil in 1987, is caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa and transmitted by sharpshooters and budwood. Since the disease affects almost all sweet orange cultivars, it has become one of the most serious problems for Brazilian citriculture. To evaluate their resistance to CVC disease, fifteen tangerines or mandarins (C. reticulata Blanco) and their hybrids were grafted on Rangpur lime (C. limonia Osb.) and inoculated with CVC-contaminated Pera sweet orange (C. sinensis (L.) Osb.) by twig grafting in a greenhouse. Tangerines and their hybrids Wilking, Fortune, Sunki, Ellendale, Orlando tangelo, Nunes clementine, Nova, Sun Shu Sha Kat, Suenkat, and Batangas showed CVC leaf symptoms and gave positive results on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (with specific primers for X. fastidiosa), indicating that they are susceptible to CVC. Although X. fastidiosa bacteria were detected by ELISA and PCR in inoculated plants of tangerines Cravo and Oneco, no CVC leaf symptoms were observed on these two cultivars, suggesting that they are tolerant to the disease. CVC leaf symptoms were not observed and X. fastidiosa was not detected in tangerine Dancy and mandarins Okitsu satsuma and Ponkan after inoculation, showing that they are resistant to the disease.

A review of antifertility folkloric plants tested in laboratory animals

The use of natural active principals is widespread among a great proportion of the rural population, or by people who do not have easy access to medical assistance. These active principles are used as food or medicines, and even for purposes of contraception. It becomes necessary to establish a relationship between the folklore habits and current information on the nature of anti-fertility substances, and knowledge of their mechanisms. Anti-fertility agents may exert their actions in a number of areas, (hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, oviduct, uterus, and vagina), inhibiting synthesis and/or liberation of hormones (follicle-stimulating, luteinizing, and steroid hormones), ovulation, ovum transportation, and implantation process. Therefore, a review of literature was carried out, including of several plants used by women as abortifacient and anti-fertility agents to compare their effects with those obtained among laboratory animals.

Presence of Xylella fastidiosa in sweet orange fruit and seeds and its transmission to seedlings

Xylella fastidiosa, a xylem-limited bacterium, causes several economically important diseases in North, Central, and South America. These diseases are transmitted by sharpshooter insects, contaminated budwood, and natural root-grafts. X. fastidiosa extensively colonizes the xylem vessels of susceptible plants. Citrus fruit have a well-developed vascular system, which is continuous with the vascular system of the plant. Citrus seeds develop very prominent vascular bundles, which are attached through ovular and seed bundles to the xylem system of the fruit. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) fruit of cvs. Pera, Natal, and Valencia with characteristic symptoms of citrus variegated chlorosis disease were collected for analysis. X. fastidiosa was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in all main fruit vascular bundles, as well as in the seed and in dissected seed parts. No visual abnormalities were observed in seeds infected with the bacterium. However, the embryos of the infected seeds weighed 25% less than those of healthy seeds, and their germination rate was lower than uninfected seeds. There were about 2,500 cells of X. fastidiosa per infected seed of sweet orange, as quantified using real-time PCR techniques. The identification of X. fastidiosa in the infected seeds was confirmed by cloning and sequencing the specific amplification product, obtained by standard PCR with specific primers. X. fastidiosa was also detected in and recovered from seedlings by isolation in vitro. Our results show that X. fastidiosa can infect and colonize fruit tissues including the seed. We also have shown that X. fastidiosa can be transmitted from seeds to seedlings of sweet orange. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of X. fastidiosa in seeds and its transmission to seedlings.

Eficiência de extratos de plantas medicinais e aromáticas em atrair a abelha africanizada (Apis mellifera L.) em cultura de abacateiro (Persea americana Mili.)

The objective of the experiment was to test attractive substances for Africanized honey bees, Apis mellifera L., in avocado, Persea americana Mill. Were pulverized extracts of lemon grass (Cympobogon citratus), ocimum (Ocimum sellowii), Lippia alba, orange leaves (Citrus sinensis), eucaliptus leaves (Eucalyptus sp), eugenol and linalol and the frequency of bees on flowers were evaluated. The frequency of honey bees did increase with the application of the extracts falsa melissa, eucaliptus leaves and orange leaves, used as attractants in Quintal variety. The products tested in Eppendorf tubes did not increased the frequency the bees in Quintal and Fortuna varieties.

Tabela de vida ecológica do minador-dos-citros, Phyllocnistis citrella stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

The construction of ecological life tables is a useful tool to understand the population dynamics of insects in the field. In this work, ecological life tables were developed for Phyllocnistis citrella (Stainton) in an orchard of Citrus sinensis situated in Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, Sao Paulo State, during 2002. The occurrence of generation overlay in the field was avoided by obtaining the eggs from infestation on young citrus plants (Citrus limonia) kept under controlled conditions. The samples were taken every other day and the number of live, dead, predated and parasitized individuals were recorded. The occurrence of arthropod predators was determined through visual search on the plants of the orchard. The key factors of mortality acting on P.citrella populations were: pupae parasitism caused by Ageniaspis citricola (Logvinovskaya), action of uncertain factors on prepupae and predation of 3rd-instar larvae. The most abundant arthropod predators belonged to the families Formicidae, Chrysopidae, Coccinellidae, Reduviidae e Araneae. In two of five generations of P. citrella, approximately 4% of A. citricola pupae were hyperparasitized by Galeopsomyia fausta (LaSalle) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).