New Culicoides Latreille of the subgenus Mataemyia Vargas from Pará, Brazil (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Two new species of Culicoides Latreille of the Neotropical subgenus Mataemyia Vargas are described and illustrated based on female specimens from Juruti, Pará, Brazil and compared with their similar congeners. This paper also presents a diagnosis of the subgenus Mataemyia and a systematic key for the identification of the 19 species of the subgenus.     

Phenology of mating flight in Ecitoninae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest location

The mating flight of Ecitoninae ants was studied using four light traps inspected daily during the whole year of 2004. A total of 1285 males belonging to 15 species was collected, the species number varying monthly from two to 11. For most species, the beginning of the reproductive period occurred in November or in February. Synchronism of the flight activity among species was observed in the genera Neivamyrmex and Eciton, while segregation occurred in two Labidus species. In the model tested to explain male abundance over the year, including rainfall, temperature and interaction between both factors, only temperature was significant.     

Effect of increasing GnRH and PGF2α dose during Double-Ovsynch on ovulatory response,luteal regression,and fertility of lactating dairy cows

Ovsynch-type synchronization of ovulation protocols have suboptimal synchronization rates due to reduced ovulation to the first GnRH treatment and inadequate luteolysis to the prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) treatment before timed artificial insemination (TAI). Our objective was to determine whether increasing the dose of the first GnRH or the PGF_2α treatment during the Breeding-Ovsynch portion of Double-Ovsynch could improve the rates of ovulation and luteolysis and therefore increase pregnancies per artificial insemination (P/AI). In experiment 1, cows were randomly assigned to a two-by-two factorial design to receive either a low (L) or high (H) doses of GnRH (Gonadorelin; 100 vs. 200 μg) and a PGF_2α analogue (cloprostenol; 500 vs. 750 μg) resulting in the following treatments: LL (n = 263), HL (n = 277), LH (n = 270), and HH (n = 274). Transrectal ultrasonography and serum progesterone (P4) were used to assess ovulation to GnRH1, GnRH2, and luteal regression after PGF_2α during Breeding-Ovsynch in a subgroup of cows (n = 651 at each evaluation). Pregnancy status was assessed 29, 39, and 74 days after TAI. In experiment 2, cows were randomly assigned to LL (n = 220) or HH (n = 226) treatment as described for experiment 1. For experiment 1, ovulation to GnRH1 was greater (P = 0.01) for cows receiving H versus L GnRH (66.6% [217/326] vs. 57.5% [187/325]) treatment, but only for cows with elevated P4 at GnRH1. Cows that ovulated to GnRH1 had increased (P < 0.001) fertility compared with cows that did not ovulate (52.2% vs. 38.5%); however, no effect of higher dose of GnRH on fertility was detected. The greater PGF_2α dose increased luteal regression primarily in multiparous cows (P = 0.03) and tended to increase fertility (P = 0.05) only at the pregnancy diagnosis 39 days after TAI. Overall, P/AI was 47.0% at 29 days and 39.7% at 74 days after TAI; P/AI did not differ (P = 0.10) among treatments at 74 days (LL, 34.6%; HL, 40.8%; LH, 42.2%; HH, 40.9%) and was greater (P < 0.001) for primiparous cows than for multiparous cows (46.1% vs. 33.8%). For experiment 2, P/AI did not differ (P = 0.21) between H versus L treatments (44.2% [100/226] vs. 40.5% [89/220]). Thus, despite an increase in ovulatory response to GnRH1 and luteal regression to PGF_2α, there were only marginal effects of increasing dose of GnRH or PGF_2α on fertility to TAI after Double-Ovsynch.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of novel amphiphilic aromatic amino alcohols

We report in this work the preparation and in vitro antimicrobial evaluation of novel amphiphilic aromatic amino alcohols synthesized by reductive amination of 4-alkyloxybenzaldehyde with 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-propane-1,3-diol. The antibacterial activity was determined against four standard strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and 21 clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The antifungal activity was evaluated against four yeast (Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata and Candida parapsilosis). The results obtained showed a strong positive correlation between the lipophilicity and the antibiotic activity of the tested compounds. The best activities were obtained against the Gram-positive bacteria (MIC = 2–16 μg ml^?1) for the five compounds bearing longer alkyl chains (4c–g; 8–14 carbons), which were also the most active against Candida (MIC = 2–64 μg ml^?1). Compound 4e exhibited the highest levels of inhibitory activity (MIC = 2–16 μg ml^?1) against clinical isolates of MRSA. A concentration of twice the MIC resulted in bactericidal activity of 4d against 19 of the 21 clinical isolates.     

The role of l-arginine-nitric oxide pathway in bacterial translocation

This study investigated the nitric oxide (NO) role as a mediator of arginine on bacterial translocation (BT) and gut damage in mice after intestinal obstruction (IO). The effects of pretreatment with arginine with or without NO inhibition on the systemic and local immunological response were also assessed. Mice were categorized into four groups. Group ARG received chow containing 2 % arginine, while group ARG + l-NAME received the same diet plus l-NAME (N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester) by gavage. The IO and Sham groups were fed standard chow. After 7 days, animals were gavaged with radiolabeled Escherichia coli, anesthetized and subjected to IO, except the Sham group. Animals were euthanized after 18 h, and BT was evaluated in the mesenteric lymph nodes, blood, liver, spleen and lungs. In another experiment, the intestinal injury was assessed regarding intestinal permeability and ileum histological analyses. Intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels, serum IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokines were assessed. Arginine reduced BT, but NO inhibition enhanced BT compared with the ARG group (p < 0.05). Intestinal permeability in the ARG and ARG + l-NAME groups was similar but decreased when compared with the IO group (p < 0.05). Histological preservation was observed. Arginine treatment increased IL-10 and sIgA levels when compared with the Sham and IO groups (p < 0.05). The cytokines and sIgA concentrations were similar in the ARG + l-NAME and Sham groups. Arginine appeared to reduce BT and its effects on the modulation of cytokines and secretory IgA in mice after IO are mediated by NO production.     

Safety of snake antivenom immunoglobulins: Efficacy of viral inactivation in a complete downstream process

Viral safety remains a challenge when processing a plasma‐derived product. A variety of pathogens might be present in the starting material, which requires a downstream process capable of broad viral reduction. In this article, we used a wide panel of viruses to assess viral removal/inactivation of our downstream process for Snake Antivenom Immunoglobulin (SAI). First, we screened and excluded equine plasma that cross‐reacted with any model virus, a procedure not published before for antivenoms. In addition, we evaluated for the first time the virucidal capacity of phenol applied to SAI products. Among the steps analyzed in the process, phenol addition was the most effective one, followed by heat, caprylic acid, and pepsin. All viruses were fully inactivated only by phenol treatment; heat, the second most effective step, did not inactivate the rotavirus and the adenovirus used. We therefore present a SAI downstream method that is cost‐effective and eliminates viruses to the extent required by WHO for a safe product. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:972–979, 2013     

Implicit Motivational Impact of Pictorial Health Warning on Cigarette Packs

Objective

The use of pictorial warning labels on cigarette packages is one of the provisions included in the first ever global health treaty by the World Health Organization against the tobacco epidemic. There is substantial evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of graphic health warning labels on intention to quit, thoughts about health risks and engaging in cessation behaviors. However, studies that address the implicit emotional drives evoked by such warnings are still underexplored. Here, we provide experimental data for the use of pictorial health warnings as a reliable strategy for tobacco control.

Methods

Experiment 1 pre-tested nineteen prototypes of pictorial warnings to screen for their emotional impact. Participants (n = 338) were young adults balanced in gender, smoking status and education. Experiment 2 (n = 63) tested pictorial warnings (ten) that were stamped on packs. We employed an innovative set-up to investigate the impact of the warnings on the ordinary attitude of packs’ manipulation, and quantified judgments of warnings’ emotional strength and efficacy against smoking.

Findings

Experiment 1 revealed that women judged the warning prototypes as more aversive than men, and smokers judged them more aversive than non-smokers. Participants with lower education judged the prototypes more aversive than participants with higher education. Experiment 2 showed that stamped warnings antagonized the appeal of the brands by imposing a cost to manipulate the cigarette packs, especially for smokers. Additionally, participants’ judgments revealed that the more aversive a warning, the more it is perceived as effective against smoking.

Conclusions

Health warning labels are one of the key components of the integrated approach to control the global tobacco epidemic. The evidence presented in this study adds to the understanding of how implicit responses to pictorial warnings may contribute to behavioral change.     

Anti‐HSV‐1 and HSV‐2 Flavonoids and a New Kaempferol Triglycoside from the Medicinal Plant Kalanchoe daigremontiana

Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Crassulaceae) is a medicinal plant native to Madagascar. The aim of this study was to investigate the flavonoid content of an aqueous leaf extract from K. daigremontiana (Kd), and assess its antiherpetic potential. The major flavonoid, kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 1 ), was isolated from the AcOEt fraction (Kd‐AC). The BuOH‐soluble fraction afforded quercetin 3‐O‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 2 ) and the new kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐d ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐l ‐rhamnopyranoside‐7‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), named daigremontrioside. The crude extract, Kd‐AC fraction, flavonoids 1 and 2 were evaluated using acyclovir‐sensitive strains of HSV‐1 and HSV‐2. Kd‐AC was highly active against HSV‐1 (EC₅₀ = 0.97 μg/ml, SI > 206.1) and HSV‐2 (EC₅₀ = 0.72 μg/ml, SI > 277.7). Flavonoids 1 and 2 showed anti‐HSV‐1 (EC₅₀ = 7.4 μg/ml; SI > 27 and EC₅₀ = 5.8 μg/ml; SI > 8.6, respectively) and anti‐HSV‐2 (EC₅₀ = 9.0 μg/ml; SI > 22.2 and EC₅₀ = 36.2 μg/ml; SI > 5.5, respectively) activities, suggesting the contribution of additional substances to the antiviral activity.     

Dynamics of Cattle Production in Brazil

Movement of livestock production within a country or region has implications for genetics, adaptation, well-being, nutrition, and production logistics, particularly in continental-sized countries, such as Brazil. Cattle production in Brazil from 1977 to 2011 was spatialized, and the annual midpoint of production was calculated. Changes in the relative production and acceleration of production were calculated and spatialized using ARCGIS®. Cluster and canonical discriminant analyses were performed to further highlight differences between regions in terms of cattle production. The mean production point has moved from the Center of Minas Gerais State (in the southeast region) to the North of Goiás State (in the Midwest region). This reflects changes in environmental factors, such as pasture type, temperature and humidity. Acceleration in production in the northern region of Brazil has remained strong over the years. More recently, “traditional” cattle-rearing regions, such as the south and southeast, showed a reduction in growth rates as well as a reduction in herd size or internal migration over the period studied. These maps showed that this movement tends to be gradual, with few regions showing high acceleration or deceleration rates.