Estudo de 7 cultivares de gladíolos (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) em duas profundidades de plantio

Bulbos de 2º ciclo dos , cultivares: Havaii, Snowprincess, Han Van Megeren, Alfred Nobel, Aristocrat, Happy end e Rosa de Lima, foram cultivados a 5 e 15 cm de profundidade em latossol vermelho escuro de boa fértilidade na ESALQ - Piracicaba, SP. Os resultados foram analisados para: quantidade e peso médio dos bulbos e cormilhos; quantidade e qualidade das hastes e espigas florais. Verificou-se que: a profundidade de 15 cm foi a melhor; a profundidade de 5 cm causa excessivo tombamento; apresentou alguma vantagem somente na produção de cormilhos; é significativa a diferença de performance entre os cultivares .

Ritmo de alimentação de juvenis de Loricariichthys anus (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) da Lagoa dos Quadros, RS, Brasil

The rhythm of movements and feeding activity of juveniles of Loricariichthys anus (Valenciennes, 1840) in the Quadros lake, South Brazil, are investigated. Between October 1997 and August 1998, 236 specimens were captured during six bimonthly 24 hour gillnet surveys. Significantly elevated levels of movement and feeding activity during the day are registered. The patterns of movement and feeding activity displayed no significant difference, suggesting that high movement activity levels can be attributed to feeding activity. The mean of the intestinal quotient was 1,89, indicating omnivorous feeding habits.

Evaluación de palaemonetes argentinus (Decapoda, Natantia) en el control biológico de larvas de Culex pipiens (Diptera, Culicidae) en condiciones de laboratorio

The predator-prey relationship of Palaemonetes argentinus Nobili, 1901 and Culex pipiens s.l. larvae was studied under laboratory conditions. The prawns were separated in two groups, isolated and grouped ones. Mosquitoe larvae were offered to prawns in two forms, limited and unlimited offer to both groups. In the first analysis, values of predation did not differ significantly between males and females of P. argentinus. Predation in 24 h was 14,9 ± 4,2 larvae/prawn. A reduction of predation was observed with unlimited offer for the same hour, during all the experiment. Predation with unlimited offer was higher on the first day than on the second, but returned to high values on the third day, for both groups. In the grouped experiment, predation with limited offer was total on the first days, decreasing to the last day. As a result, P. argentinus was considered an efficient predator of C. pipiens s.l. larvae under laboratory conditions.

Exigências térmicas para o desenvolvimento de Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) em pupas de cinco espécies de lepidópteros

The thermal requirements of Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle, 1993 were determined by rearing this pupal parasitoid in the following lepidopteran hosts: Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Crambidae), Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner, 1818), Heliothis virescens (Fabricius, 1777), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Noctuidae) and Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1782) (Geometridae). The experiment was set in laboratory conditions (temperatures between 18ºC and 30ºC, RH=70 ± 10% and 14-hour photoperiod). The life cycle (egg-adult) ranged from 40.4 ± 0.63 days (18ºC, H. virescens) to 18.1 ± 0.13 days (28ºC, D. saccharalis). The thermal constant of the egg-adult period ranged from 353.1 (D. saccharalis) to 407.7 degree-days (S. frugiperda). The lowest thermal threshold ranged from 5.0ºC (A. gemmatalis) to 7.5ºC (D. saccharalis). At 30ºC, all prepupae died. These results suggest that P. elaeisis can be reared in laboratory on all the hosts tested.

Species richness and community structure of arboreal spider assemblages in fragments of three vegetational types at Banhado Grande wet plain, Gravataí River, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The taxonomic composition, observed and estimated species richness, and patterns of community structure of arboreal spider assemblages in eleven sites surrounding the "Banhado Grande" wet plain in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, are presented. These sites represent three different vegetational types: hillside (four sites), riparian (five sites) and flooded forests (two sites). The spiders were captured by beating on foliage and "aerial litter". A sample was defined as the result of beating on twenty bushes, tree branches or "aerial litter" clusters, which roughly corresponds to one-hour search effort per sample. Fifty five samples (five per site) were obtained, resulting in an observed richness of 212 species present as adult or identifiable juveniles. The total richness for all samples was estimated to be between 250 (Bootstrap) to 354 species (Jackknife 2). Confidence intervals of both sample and individual-based rarefaction curves for each vegetation type clearly indicated that flooded forest is the poorest vegetation type with respect to spider species richness, with hillside and riparian forests having a similar number of species. The percentage complementarity between the eleven sites indicated that all sites contain a distinct set of species, irrespective of their vegetation types. Nevertheless, the spider assemblages in riparian and hillside forests are more similar with respect to each other than when compared to flooded forest. Both cluster and nonmetric multidimensional scaling analyses showed no strong correspondence between the spider arboreal fauna and the three vegetation types. Moreover, a Mantel test revealed no significant association between species composition and geographic distance among sites.

First nesting record of the Bay-Capped Wren-Spinetail Spartonoica maluroides (Aves, Furnariidae) in Brazil, with nest and nestling descriptions and notes on breeding behavior

The only breeding record of Spartonoica maluroides (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837) for Brazil is based on the observation of a fledgling in southern Rio Grande do Sul in January 1976. On 7 December 2005 we discovered a nest containing three nestlings at the southeastern end of Lagoa Pequena, municipality of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. The nest was concealed at the base of a cavity in a Spartina densiflora (Poaceae) tussock located at the edge of a saltmarsh. The nest was built of fine pieces of dead Scirpus olneyi (Cyperaceae) and S. densiflora leaves firmly interlaced to the internal leaves of the tussock. Live leaves of S. densiflora lining the cavity comprised a substantial part of the nest's architecture, forming most of its upper lateral walls and roof. The lower section was more elaborate, resembling a deep cup and forming a distinct incubation chamber. Adults reached the nest's interior through an irregular apical opening amidst the leaves. The nest was 244 mm high and 140 mm wide. The incubation chamber had an external diameter of 138.5 mm, an internal diameter of 79.4 mm and was 86 mm deep. It was lined with fine leaves and white plant fibers. Nestlings were five to six days old. A total of 107 neossoptiles restricted to the capital, spinal and alar tracts were recorded in one nestling. The distribution of neossoptiles in the ocular region of S. maluroides forms a distinct pattern which can be typical of Furnariidae and related families. Two adults attended the nest, bringing small insects to the nestlings and removing fecal sacs. We recorded at least 74 visits to the nest during a ca. 6 h period during an afternoon. The average number of visits per hour was 12.8 ± 1.3. An adult bird spent on average 0.7 ± 0.56 minutes inside the nest attending nestlings. The nest remained unattended on average for 3.61 ± 3.13 minutes. The hour of the day had no influence on the amount of time spent by an adult in the nest or away from it. We returned to the area on 15 December 2005 and found the nest abandoned. Observations confirm that S. maluroides is a resident breeder in southern Brazil and that the saltmarshes of the Lagoa do Patos estuary are an important year-round habitat for the species. A nestling and the nest were collected to document the record.

Sobre o preparo dos parasitas da malária em distensões espessas, especialmente em amostras supersecas

I) the A. presents a method developed for the preparation of thick blood films, specially old desiccated smears. The observations are based on the experience of more than 53000 blood samples collected in the laboratory of the “Serviço de Malaria do Nordeste” as well as in the research department of the “Serviço de Malaria da Baixada Fluminenese”. II) As in introductory matter, he emphasizes the value of the obstacles presented by overdrying of the thick blood films occurring systematically in great malaria control organizations in which the laboratory receives materials from more or less remote localities, particularly in the Brazilian northeast, in regions invaded by Anopheles gambiae. III) An analysis of the causes of failure of the methods of Chorine and Knowles recorded in the literature for such purposes is given, as well as its adaptability for the simultaneous preparation of large numbers of samples. IV) The method is based the protective action of a previous fixation by a dilute solution of formalin, which, without preventing further dehemoglobinization, prevents morphological alterations in the parasites by the action of Knowles solution which is retained in this metod without modification. V) For washing out the acids of the dehemoglobinizating solution as well as for diluting the Giemsa stain, the A. proposes a very simple technique, extremely convenient for such purpose, which consists in adding acetic acid to the distilled water in the proportion of 1 drop for each 10cc of water, and then increasing the hydrogeni-on concentration to pH 7.2 with a 2% sol. of sodium carbonate. As indicator a 0.02% solution purple-bromcresol prepared in accordante to Medalia, is used. In this reaction there is the formation of the acetic acid ↔ sodium acetate, buffer system very suitable for giving a convenient pH and for preventing the precipitation of the dye, which can be used for two or three batches of 700 or 800 slides each, without changing the staining solution. VI) – The method can be summarized as follow: For a small number of samples, Coplin’s or any other staining jar can be used. Large number of slides must be placed in groups of 10 or 15 units each, the slides being separated by a piece of cardboard, according to Barber & Komp. A) Fix in dilute formalin (2%), during 5 minutes. b) Without washing, put in Knowles solution (see the formula in the text), no more than 20 minutes. c)Two successive washings in distilled water, buffered as explained above (which can be used several times). d) Dry and stain with Giemsa solution, prepared by using 1 drop of the stain for each c. c. of buffered distilled water. Time: 1 hour. E) Was in distilled water and dry.

Aspectos parasitários observados no local inoculado com esporozoitos de Plasmodium Gallinaceum

The following is a summary of the studies made on the development of Plasmodium gallinaceum sporozoites inoculated into normal chicks. Initially large numbers of laboratory reared Aëdes aegypti were fed on pullets heavily infected with gametocytes. Following the infectious meal the mosquitoes were kept on a diet of sugar and water syrup until the appearance of the sporozoites in the salivary glands. Normal chicks kept in hematophagous arthropod proof cages were then inoculated either by bite of the infected mosquitoes or by subcutaneous inoculations of salivary gland suspensions. By the first method ten mosquitoes fed to engorgement on each normal chick and were then sacrificed immediately afterwards to determine the sporozoite count. By the second method five pairs of salivary glands were dissected out at room temperature, triturated in physiological saline and inoculated subcutaneously. The epidermis and dermis at the site of inoculation were excised from six hours after inoculation to forty eight hours after appearance of the parasites in the blood stream and stretched out on filter paper with the epithelial surface downward. The dermis was then curretted. Slides were made of the scrapings consisting of connective tissue and epithelial cells of the basal layers which were fixed by metyl alcohol and stained with Giemsa for examination under the oil immersion lens. Skin fragments removed from normal chicks and from regions other than the site of inoculation in the infected chicks were used as controls. In these, only the normal histological aspect was ever encountered. In the biopsy made at the earliest period following inoculation clearly defined elongated forms with eight or more chromatin granules arranged in rosary formation were found. The author believes these to be products of the sporozoite evolution. Search for transition stages between these forms and sporozoites is planned in biopsies to be taken immediately following inoculation and at given intervals up to the six hour period. 1.) 6 and 12 hour periods. The bodies referred to above found in the first period in great abundance, apparently in proportion to the large numbers of sporozoites inoculated, were perceptibly reduced in numbers in the second period. 2.) 18 hour period. Only one biopsy was examined. This presented a binuclear body shown in Fig. 1, having a more or less hyaline protoplasm staining an intense blue and a narrow vacuole delimiting the cell boundaries. The two chromatin grains were quite large presenting a clearly defined nuclear texture. 3.) 24 hour period. A similar body to that above (Fig. 2) was seen in the only preparation examined. 4.) 60 hour period. The exoerythrocytic schizonts were found more frequently from this period onward. Several such were found no longer to contain the previously described vacuoles (Fig. 3). 5.) 84 hour period. Cells bearing eight or more schizonts were frequently encountered here. That these are apparently not bodies in process of division may be seen in Fig. 4. From this time onward small violet granules similar to volutine grains appeared constantly in the schizont nucleus and protoplasm. These are definitely not hemozoin. The above observations fell within the incubation period as repeated examinations of the peripheral and visceral blood were negative. Exoery-throcytic parasites also were never encountered in the viscera at this time. Exoerythrocytic schizonts searched for at site of inoculation 1, 24 and 48 hours after the incubation period were present in large number at all three times with apparent tendency to diminish as the number within the blood stream increased. Many of them presented the violet granules mentioned above. The appearance of the chromatin and the intensity of staining of the protoplasm varied from body to body which doubtless corresponds to the evolutionary stage of each. This diversity of aspect may frequently be seen in the parasites of the same host cell (Fig. 5.). These findings lend substance to the theory that the exoerythrocytic forms are the link between the sporozoites and the pigmented parasites of the red blood corpuscles. The explanation of their continued presence in the organism after infection of the blood stream takes place and their presence in cases infected by the inoculation blood does not come within the scope of this work. Large scale observations shortly to be undertaken will be reported in more detail particularly observations on the first evolutionary phases of the sporozoite within the organism of the vertebrate host.

O potassio plasmático em infecções bacterianas experimentais

Arrangement of potassium in the tissues having been mentioned, as well as the rôle it plays in some pathological processes such as suprarenal insufficiency, anaphylactic shock and shock caused by hemorrhage or traumatism, experiences were undertaken to establish the rates of plasma potassium during bacteria infections artificially developed in rabbits by K. pneumoniae. P. aeruginosa and S. enteridits. It was concluded that during the period of the infections, the rate of potassium of the plasma increases almost immediately after the inoculation and stays high when the infections are of a serious or mortal character; the rate continue to increase until the death of the animal occurs. When these infections are not very serious, as in the cases of infections resulting from inoculations of bacteria as not recent — and consequently with attenuated virulence — K pneumoniae, or P aeruginosa and S enteriditis, to which rabbits are naturally very resistant, the rate of potassium of the plasma increases after an intravenous inoculation of germs according to the septicemic period of the infection; however, when, because of its natural resistance, the animal overcomes the infection, the amount of potassium gradually decreases and finally gets back to the normal rate. The action of cortin on potassium of the plasma was also tested on animals suffering from acute infections caused by K. pneumoniae, which, under normal conditions cause death of the rabbits, nor did it increase the rate of potassium of the plasma when a larger amount of bacteria (300,000,000) was inoculated. However, cortin inoculated several times prevented a higher rate of potassium in the plasma during the development of the infection when a smaller number of bacteria (150,000,000) was inoculated, which quantity, under normal conditions, always causes mortal infections. When cortin is discontinued 20 hours after the inoculation of germs, the infection increases fastly and the animal dies in a very short time. Now, if the injections of cortin continue to be given every hour until the 26th hour instead of only until the 20th hour, the amount of potassium in the plasma — very high if the hormones substance is no longer inoculated — gradually becomes smaller and finally comes back to the normal rate if the inoculations continue to be made; it will increase again only if the substance is no longer injected; after a few hours the injection is gone, potassium is found to come back to its former rate, and in consequence the animal is perfectly cured of an infection otherwise mortal. ln view of the results thus obtained, it was concluded that, during the development of those infections, the checking of the rate of potassium of the plasma provided a means of controlling the resistance of a body suffering from an infection, that rate increasing when the infection is developing and becoming more severe, or getting back to normal when the infection decreases. The checking of the rate of potassium of the plasma also made known the action of cortin on the tissues, which is found to control the permeability of the cells to potassium. Suggestions were made that potassium of the plasma be thereofre checked during infections in the human body, to make possible proving that the phenomena studied in those animals also take place in the human body. In case this is found to be true, we sould possess an important element to check organic vitality during infections.

Isolamento e estudo experimental de duas novas culturas de bacilos ácido-alcool resistentes de muco nasal de leprosos

The A. described on December 14, 1951, his first culture of acid-fast bacillus isolated from nasal mucus of a leprous girl. in this paper the A. describes two new strains of acid-fast bacilli gotten also from nasal mucus of other two leprous girls, L3 cases. The first patient (layse S) had her mucus treated by petroff's method on December 16, 1952 and sown onto three tubes of loewenstein medium and in glycerin broth. After two weeks incubation at 37°C all three tubes of Loewenstein showed many punctiforme and pin-head yellowish colonies, whose microscopic examination proved to be of a pure acid-fast bacillus culture. This sample inoculated in rats and mice produced, after 55 days incubation, small tumors from which the culture was easily recovered. On April, 9, 1953 a new sample of nasal mucus of the same patient was sown in three tubes of Loewenstein. After two weeks incubation at 37°C all 3 tubes showed germination of small yellowish colonies of acid-fast bacilli. Within four months being gotten two samples of identical cultures in all smeared tubes of Loewenstein medium sown, proved that such cultures were not an ordinary ambient contamination. Second patient: - Maria N. After various sowing of different kinds of material from her, february 26, 1953 her nasal mucus treated by soda and sown onto Loewenstein medium, after 25 days incubation showed in only one tube, one small round colony, at first white, becoming creamy after three months. Transplants in various media grew at first slowly and after 2 or 3 generations grew faster. The "Layse" strain produced pellicle in glycerin broth and Dubos medium; the "Maria N." strain did not produce as yet. Both strains (Layse I and II, and Maria N.) gave weak positive Dubos test in half-an-hour and negative after 24 hours reading. Both were strongly positive when stained by Gram, Ziehl-Neelsen and Fontes methods. Both strains gave also positive fluoroscopy. These cultures are being studied. The A. concludes that, according to his experience, the slower growing cultures of acid-fast bacilli isolated from leprosy material, are the more suitable for experimental work. Aknowledgement. The A. thanks to Miss MARIA DE LOURDES SANTANA for her valuable collaboration in the studies of the described cultures.

Mitsuda's reactions: induced by BCG in the normal Rhesus ("Macacca mulatta")

The reversals of Mitsuda's reactions induced by BCG have been objected to based on the possiblem interference of other determination causes of the phenomenon: tuberculous primo-infections, communicants of unsuspected leprosy, revearsals due to other causes, such as anti-diphteric and anti-tetanic vaccination, etc. In order to study the problem, we have used Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), which were reared in isolation, in an attempt to avoid the referred to interferences. Prior to the experiments, all animals were tested and found negative to radiograph, tuberculin and lepromin tests and were then submitted to the application of BCG vaccine (from 1 to 3 days old), in different doses and by different via. At different times, after the application of BCG, they were again submitted to the radiographic, tuberculin and lepromin tests. In the tables I to IV the experiences were summarised. From the experiments, the following conclusions were reached: 1 - From 12 Rhesus that received BCG 11 showed reversals of the Mitsuda reaction (91.7%). 2 - These reverseals took place both in tests effected shortly after BCG (from 6 days to 2 months), and tests effected much later (from 7 to 12 months after BCG). 3 - Some differences were found in the results, according to the dosis and the application via of the BCG. a) - The testicular and peritonela via (0,02g) were the only that determined strong positive Mitsuda's reactions (+++). b) - By oral via, animals that received high dosis (0.6g and 1.2 g), there resulted uniform and regular reversals, even though of low intensity (+); but from those who got small doses (0.2 g.) one showed no reversals in all tests, and the other presented reversals in the 2nd and 3rd tests only, also with low positivity (+). 4) In the 2nd and 3rd Mitsuda's reactions in the same animals, positivity was always precocious (generally within 48 hours), one getting the impression that there occurs a sensibilization of the animal body by the antigen with the repetition of the tests, even though the intensity of the reaction always remains the same. This precocious reaction (Fernandez type) occurs both shortly and long time after the application of the BCG. Its precocity depends not of the antigen only because the first Mitsuda's reaction after the BCG application occurs after some time and seems not influenced by the control lepromin test effected on the Rhesus before the BCG. 5) On the control group, the animals which received a.a.f. bacilli suspensions (Mycobacterium sp.; M. avium, and M. smegmatis), did not show reverseals of the Mitsuda's reaction. Two Rhesus, however, which received dead BCG (120ºC autoclave 1 hour), one intradermically (0.006 g) and the other orally (1.2 g), did both present reversals of the Mitsuda's reaction, with weak positivity (+). In all animals of the control-group, the allergic reactions were found negative. 6) Strong local inflammatory reactions were observed in the Rhesus that had received living BCG by intradermal via, and in the one submitted to multipunctures, there occurred the formation of a large caseous abcess. 7) The allergic tuberculinic and infratuberculinic reactions appeared dissociated from the Mitsuda's reactions: sometimes they are more precocious, occurring before of the lepromin test; on other occasions they disappear, when the Mitsuda's reactions still persist; and finally, they may be absent, when the latter occur, especially after the oral application of the BCG. 8) In Rhesus which received BCG by testicular and peritonela via, in the infratuberculinic test (0.1 ml of total BCG extract), besides the classic answer, which occurs between 48 and 96 hours, one could observe a delayed answer (15 to 20 days), represented by a non-erythematous nodule, which persists for 11-14 days.

Orientation to light of juvenile and adult forms of melanic and albino populations of Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818)

The process of light orientation by the snail Biomphalaria glabrata was studied using the selection technique in a Y-shaped aquarium under vertical or horizontal lighting schemes. Snail behavior was measured on the basis of distance (cm) covered per hour, direction of locomotion, and localization of the animal in the aquarium. A comparison was made of the action of the light stimulus on young and adult animals of albino populations from Santa Luzia (State of Minas Gerais, Brazil) and of a melanic population from Touros (State of Rio Grande do Norte) studied in groups and separately. All groups studied were attracted to light. Analysis of the data suggests the exitence of two orientation mechanisms with respect to light in these animals, i.e. high photo-orthokinesia and positive phototaxis, which influence their motion in the environment. This evidence permitted us to discuss features of the distribution dynamics of these mollusks in the environment and their relationship with the larval phases of Schistosoma mansoni, for which they act as intermediated hosts.

Orientation of the snail Biomphalaria straminea (Dunker, 1848) in response to light in a situation of selection

The behavioral response of Biomphalaria straminea to light was evaluted in terms of location of the snail in a Y-shaped aquarium in a situation of selection and of the rate (cm/hour) and direction of locomotion under homogeneous 9vertical) or differential (horizontal) lighting upon only one arm of the aquarium. The light source consisted of daylight fluorescent lamps with a spectrum close to that of natural light, with illumination varying from 28 to 350 lux. Analysis of the data showed that all animals, whether in groups or isolated, were attracted to light, although the time needed to approach the light source was 50% shorter for the former than for the latter. The rate of locomotion of B. straminea was 35% higher than observed in B. glabrata and 51% higher than that observed in B. tenagophila studied under similar conditions. The results are discussed in terms of social factors and geographical distribution of the three species.

Associations of short-term particle and noise exposures with markers of cardiovascular and respiratory health among highway maintenance workers

BACKGROUND: Highway maintenance workers are constantly and simultaneously exposed to traffic-related particle and noise emissions, and both have been linked to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in population-based epidemiology studies. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate short-term health effects related to particle and noise exposure. METHODS: We monitored 18 maintenance workers, during as many as five 24-hour periods from a total of 50 observation days. We measured their exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ultrafine particles, noise, and the cardiopulmonary health endpoints: blood pressure, pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic markers in the blood, lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measured approximately 15 hours post-work. Heart rate variability was assessed during a sleep period approximately 10 hours post-work. RESULTS: PM2.5 exposure was significantly associated with C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A, and negatively associated with tumor necrosis factor α. None of the particle metrics were significantly associated with von Willebrand factor or tissue factor expression. PM2.5 and work noise were associated with markers of increased heart rate variability, and with increased HF and LF power. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure on the following morning were significantly associated with noise exposure after work, and non-significantly associated with PM2.5. We observed no significant associations between any of the exposures and lung function or FeNO. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that exposure to particles and noise during highway maintenance work might pose a cardiovascular health risk. Actions to reduce these exposures could lead to better health for this population of workers.

Acute flare induced by the calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff: inhibition of IL-1 a potential therapeutic target?

Introduction: Calcific tendonitis of rotator cuff is observed on plainradiographs in 10% of adults, but remains asymptomatic in half thesecases. Sometimes, these calcifications induce acute flares withmassive inflammation similar to gout or CPPD crisis. Analgesics/anti-inflammatory medications are usually not sufficient to controlssymptoms in these situations. Local steroid infiltration with or withoutremoval of the calcific deposition with a needle aspiration may beuseful. A new approach could be IL-1 inhibitors. Indeed, basic calciumphosphate crystals are capable of stimulating the release of activeIL-1β in vitro. These crystals trigger IL-1β release, in an analogousmanner to MSU crystals in acute gout, suggesting that IL-1β blockademay be clinically useful.Case presentation: This report describes a 70-year old woman withacute rest pain of the right shoulder since 48 hours. On examination,we found massive limitations of active and passive movements. Thepatient evaluated, on the visual scale, her symptoms at 10/10 the nightand 5/10 the day. The radiography and showed a rounded, 8 mmcalcification in the subscapularis tendon. The ultrasound aspectrevealed a heterogeneous calcification partially non solid, surroundedby massive inflammation on Doppler. C-reactive protein anderythrocyte sedimentation rate were high (74 mg/ml, 54 mm/hour).The patient received subcutaneous injections of anakinra: 100 mgdaily for 3 days (D1-D3). We evaluated the patient in our consult at dayD1, D2, D3, D7, D16 and by phone at D70.This treatment rapidly relieved the inflammatory symptoms (within afew hours with no relapse). The mobility of the shoulder, the biologicsparameters improved and the size of the calcification as well thedegree of inflammation regressed on ultrasound after 3 days.Conclusion: This is the first report of a woman with an acute flareinduced by calcific tendonitis who received anakinra. IL-1 inhibitionmay be a therapeutic target in calcific tendonitis. To analyse thisresponse more precisely and elaborate definitive conclusions, aprospective pilot study is on-going in our ambulatory institute.