Search

The cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a key cotton crop pest in Brazil. Adverse climatic factors, such as high temperatures and low soil moisture, dehydrate oviposited cotton squares (bud flowers) on the ground and cause high mortality of its offspring within these plant structures. The objective of this research was to evaluate the mortality of the cotton boll weevil in drip and sprinkler irrigated cotton crops. The experimental was in included randomized blocks with two treatments: drip (T1) and sprinkler (T2, control) irrigated cotton crops with sixteen replications. Each parcel had one emergence cage, installed between two cotton rows per irrigation system, with 37 cotton squares with opened oviposition punctures and yellowish bracts, to capture adult cotton boll weevils. The average number of boll weevils that emerged from the cotton squares and the causes of mortality at different development stages were determined per treatment. Third-generation life tables of the boll weevil were prepared using the natural mortality data in drip and sprinkler irrigation treatments and plus actual, apparent and indispensable mortality rates and the lethality of each mortality cause. We conclude that the application of water directly to the root zone of the plants in a targeted manner, using the drip irrigation system, can cause high mortality of the cotton boll weevil immature stages inside cotton squares fallen on the ground. This is because the cotton squares fallen on the drier and hotter soil between the rows of drip-irrigated cotton dehydrates causing the boll weevils to die. This is important because it can reduce its population density of the pest and, consequently, the number of applications of chemical insecticides for its control. Thus, contributing to increase the viability of cotton production, mainly in areas of the Brazilian semiarid region where the cotton is cultivated in organic system. O bicudo-do-algodoeiro, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), é uma praga-chave da cultura do algodão no Brasil. Fatores climáticos adversos, como altas temperaturas e baixa umidade do solo, desidratam os botões florais de algodão ovipositados caídos ao solo e causam alta mortalidade de seus descendentes dentro dessas estruturas vegetais.O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a mortalidade do bicudo-do-algodoeiro em lavouras de algodão irrigadas por gotejamento e aspersão. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com dois tratamentos: cultivo de algodão irrigado por gotejamento (T1) e aspersão (T2, testemunha) com dezesseis repetições. Cada parcela possuía uma gaiola de emergência, instalada entre duas fileiras de algodão por sistema de irrigação, com 37 botões florais de algodão com orifícios de oviposição, brácteas abertas e amarelecidas, para captura do bicudo adulto. O número médio de bicudos que emergiu dos botões florais de algodão e as causas de mortalidade, em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento, foram determinados por tratamento. As tabelas de vida de terceira geração do bicudo-do-algodoeiro foram preparadas usando os dados de mortalidade natural em tratamentos de irrigação por gotejamento e aspersão e as taxas de mortalidade reais, aparentes e indispensáveis e a letalidade de cada causa de mortalidade. Concluímos que a aplicação de água diretamente na zona radicular das plantas de forma direcionada, utilizando o sistema de irrigação por gotejamento, pode causar altas mortalidade dos estágios imaturos do bicudo-do-algodoeiro nos botões florais de algodão caídos no solo. Isso ocorre porque os botões florais de algodão caídos no solo mais seco e mais quente entre as fileiras do algodão irrigado por gotejamento desidratam, causando a morte dos bicudos. Isso é importante por poder reduzir a densidade populacional desse inseto e, consequentemente, o número de aplicações de inseticidas químicos para seu controle. Assim, contribuindo para aumentar a viabilidade da produção de algodão, principalmente em áreas do semiárido brasileiro em sistema orgânico. Made available in DSpace on 2022-09-26T17:05:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MORTALITY-OF-THE-COTTON-BOLL-12.pdf: 1316434 bytes, checksum: e7166eecca0b8b8bcc3e5edb02cbc14d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2023

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar a qualidade do sono e a qualidade de vida em estudantes de medicina do primeiro ao quarto ano de uma universidade estadual.MÉTODOS: Pesquisa de natureza quantitativa, transversal, descritiva e analítica. O local de aplicação foi a Universidade do Estado do Pará, Campus Santarém, com uma amostra total de 112 alunos, sendo 72 do ciclo básico e 40 do ciclo clínico. Aplicou-se a anamnese inicial, seguida de dois instrumentos: o Índice de Qualidade de Sono de Pittsburgh (IQSP) e o Questionário de Qualidade de Vida Sf-36 (Medical Outcomes Study 36 – Item Short – Form Health Survey). Os dados foram analisados no software Microsoft Excel 2010® e usou-se o teste qui-quadrado e o teste de razão de chances (Odds Ratio).RESULTADOS: Aderiram à pesquisa 68,2% dos alunos, sendo 56,8% do gênero masculino, 50,9% com idade menor que 22 anos e 64,5% dos dois primeiros anos do curso. Da amostra, 65,0% apresentou IQSP comprometido. Foram verificadas associações estatísticas entre a qualidade do sono e o ciclo semestral básico e entre o domínio aspectos físicos do questionário SF-36 dos estudantes do ciclo básico e a qualidade do sono.CONCLUSÕES: Ser aluno do ciclo básico aumenta em até 3 vezes a chance de se ter má qualidade do sono, além de que, quando alterado negativamente o domínio aspectos físicos do questionário SF-36, os estudantes possuem até 3,5 vezes de chance de ser ter má qualidade do sono. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the quality of sleep and quality of life in medical students from the first to fourth year of a state university.METHODS: Quantitative, transversal, descriptive and analytical research. The place of application was the University of the State of Pará, campus Santarém, with a total sample of 112 students, 72 from the basic cycle and 40 from the clinical cycle. An initial anamnesis was applied, followed by two instruments: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (IQSP) and the Sf-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire (Medical Outcomes Study 36 – Item Short – Form Health Survey). Data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel 2010® software and the Chi-square test and the odds ratio test (Odds Ratio) were used.RESULTS: 68.2% of students joined the survey, 56.8% male, 50.9% students under the age of 22 and 64.5% students in the first two years of the course. 65% of the sample had compromised IQSP. Statistical associations were verified between sleep quality and the basic semester cycle and between the physical aspects domain of the SF-36 questionnaire of basic cycle students and sleep quality.CONCLUSIONS: Being a basic cycle student increases the chance of having a poor quality of sleep by up to 3 times, in addition to the fact that, when the physical aspects domain of the SF-36 questionnaire is negatively altered, students have up to 3.5 times the chance of being have a poor quality of sleep.

Amazonian podzols store huge amounts of carbon and play a key role in transferring organic matter to the Amazon River. In order to better understand their C dynamics, we modelled the formation of representative Amazonian podzol profiles by constraining both total carbon and radiocarbon. We determined the relationships between total carbon and radiocarbon in organic C pools numerically by setting constant C and 14C inputs over time. The model was an effective tool for determining the order of magnitude of the carbon fluxes and the time of genesis of the main carbon-containing horizons, i.e. the topsoil and deep Bh. We performed retrocalculations to take into account the bomb carbon in the young topsoil horizons (calculated apparent 14C age from 62 to 109 years). We modelled four profiles representative of Amazonian podzols, two profiles with an old Bh (calculated apparent 14C age 6.8 × 103 and 8.4 × 103 years) and two profiles with a very old Bh (calculated apparent 14C age 23.2 × 103 and 25.1 × 103 years). The calculated fluxes from the topsoil to the perched water table indicate that the most waterlogged zones of the podzolized areas are the main source of dissolved organic matter found in the river network. It was necessary to consider two Bh carbon pools to accurately represent the carbon fluxes leaving the Bh as observed in previous studies. We found that the genesis time of the studied soils was necessarily longer than 15 × 103 and 130 × 103 years for the two younger and two older Bhs, respectively, and that the genesis time calculated considering the more likely settings runs to around 15 × 103–25 × 103 and 150 × 103–250 × 103 years, respectively.

Recently, dentistry presents a preventive philosophy, seeking early diagnoses and minimally traumatic treatments for patients. Cancer is known for its aggressive nature, where its signals and symptoms may only appear in advanced stages of the disease, therefore, reducing the possibility of using atraumatic treatment options and patient survival. Saliva has in its composition substances which can be used as biomarkers for disease diagnoses, one of those being microRNA. microRNAs are a group of small RNA molecules with 18-24 nucleotides which have functions such as the degradation of oncogenes transcripted mRNA. The aim of this paper is to explore all theoretical possibilities that microRNA offers as an early diagnostic tool for oral cancer. Studies show that microRNA can be directly linked with cancer gene regulation. Because microRNA is more specific to tissues and diseases than mRNA, it holds the premise of being a feasible, non-invasive, and stable biomarker for early diagnosis of oral cancer. The fact that miRNA can be found in saliva makes it an extremely affordable and feasible option as a biomarker to be used. Since it is linked to regulating functions of cancer genes, it also brings hope that in the near future, it could be used as a reliable biomarker.

Objetivo: identificar perfil epidemiológico-comportamental das mães em relação aos quadros de diarreia infantil, avaliando a quais determinantes as crianças estão expostas e verificando se as mães conhecem as formas de prevenção e tratamento da doença. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo/descritivo, baseado em questionários epidemiológico e de avaliação da autoeficácia materna, aplicados às mães que compareceram à duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde para consultas de puericultura. Resultados: As 60 mães entrevistadas tiveram faixa etária prevalente de 20 a 35 anos. Um total de 70 filhos apresentaram diarreia pelo menos uma vez na vida, desses 78,6% apresentaram fezes líquidas e 38,6%, febre e vômito como sintomas associados. As condutas maternas mais prevalentes foram busca por serviço de saúde, medicação e soro de reidratação oral. A respeito da prevenção, 56,8% das mães foram classificadas com alta autoeficácia materna para evitar diarreia infantil. Conclusão: As variáveis mostraram-se favoráveis para que episódios de diarreia não sejam tão frequentes nas duas Unidades Básicas de Saúde e observou-se uma prevalência de mães com bom conhecimento e boa habilidade para não expor crianças aos determinantes que são possíveis de serem evitados, concluindo que elas possuem uma autoeficácia materna satisfatória.Descritores: Atenção básica. Autoeficácia. Mães. Crianças.

BACKGROUND: The cryopreservation protocol that has been developed exclusively for the preservation of the sperm of the species different.this study was to evaluate the effect of the association of 10% DMSO with trehalose, raffinose, sucrose and lactose concentrations on the sperm cells of Piaractus mesopotamicus.Sperms were collected from the animals through abdominal massage. The samples were diluted in the Beltsville Thawing Solution without different concentrations of other sugars (test conditions). Sixty days after the cryopreservation, cell movement analysis was performed using CASA.The results revealed that the parameters for total motility and motility period were superior when 100mM raffinose (P0.05). The lateral displacement of the head was observed to be improved was 100mM lactose, 150mM sucrose and 150mM raffinose (P0.05) as compared to treatment wherein lactose (0mM) was omitted.the results of our study indicated that the ideal parameters for cryopreservation, were obtained when the cryopreservation fluid contained 100mM raffinose in association with DMSO.

Resumen. Se condujo un estudio en condiciones de secano en el nordeste brasileno a fin de determinar la distribucion en el perfil del suelo del numero de semillas viables de malezas (banco de semillas) en un area sembrada con algodon antes y despues de aplicar varios tratamientos de herbicidas. Se utilizo un diseno factorial (parcelas principales: 13 tratamientos y 2 profundidades de muestreo en el suelo) en bloques al azar con parcelas divididas (subparcelas: tiempos de muestreo), y 6 repeticiones por tratamiento. El banco de semillas se determino mediante la germinacion, en bandejas de plastico, de las semillas de malezas que se encontraron en las muestras de suelo. El mayor numero de semillas viables se encontro a 0-10 cm de profundidad en el suelo antes de la aplicacion de los tratamientos de herbicidas. Los tratamientos metalachlor + diuron, diuron + pendimetalina y el control (sin herbicidas, con malezas eliminadas semanalmente durante todo el ciclo del cultivo de algodon) fueron los mas eficaces en la reduccion del banco de semillas de malezas en la zona.

Examples of the concept of explaining the use of an old tool like the Smith chart using modern tools like MATLAB™ [1] in combination with e-learning facilities are illustrated by MATLAB scripts. These display the step-by-step graphical procedure that must be used to solve single-stub impedance-matching problems, and they illustrate the variation of the corresponding bandwidth. These scripts are important for students, since they teach them how to solve several kinds of transmission-line problems by themselves, with a paper chart using a pencil, a ruler, and a compass.

Tests were performed on artificially infested bovines, kept in field conditions, to assess the efficiency of avermectins (abamectin, doramectin and ivermectin) on Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887). This assessment was carried out on 40 bovines, in the Paraíba Valley, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. These bovines were distributed into four groups (abamectin, doramectin, ivermectin and a control group), after artificial infestation with some 4000 larvae per animal on days -21, -14, -7, -1, 7 and 14. The animals from the treated groups were subcutaneously injected with the commercial avermectins, at a dose of 200microg/kg of live weight (1mL/50kg). The best results were shown by the group treated with doramectin, both in relation to the reduction of female count (an average of 85.92% between 3rd and 28th day after treatment) and also in the reduction of oviposition among the females collected from the bovines after treatment and then kept in the laboratory (an average of 83.51%). None of the avermectins proved to be efficient in inhibiting the hatching of the larvae.

Post-mortem studies were conducted on twenty equids (16 horses and four mules) of the Paraíba Valley, during a period of twelve years (1988 to 2000) in order to establish the ecological descriptors of the different species of small strongylids (Subfamily Cyathostominae, Tribe Cyathostominea). Samples of 10% of total gastrointestinal content was examined and a total of 13,832 of Cyathostominea were obtained with a prevalence of 100%. The most prevalent and abundant species were Cylicocyclus nassatus (100%), Cylicostephanus longibursatus and Cylicostephanus goldi (95%). The population of Cyathotominea showed an average Dispersion Index (DI) of 49.03 and an average Green index (GI) of 0.226. The parasitic community had average diversity of 1.79, calculated by Shannon-Wiener' Index, and 0.77 by Simpson's Index of Diversity. The evenness (Pielou's Index) presented an average of 0.28.The intensity of infection had a positive correlation with the parasite richness (P

Background: Selumetinib (AZD6244, ARRY-142886)+docetaxel increases median overall survival (OS) and significantly improves progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) compared with docetaxel alone in patients with KRAS mutant, stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC; NCT00890825). Methods: Retrospective analysis of OS, PFS, ORR and change in tumour size at week 6 for different sub-populations of KRAS codon mutations. Results: In patients receiving selumetinib+docetaxel and harbouring KRAS G12C or G12V mutations there were trends towards greater improvement in OS, PFS and ORR compared with other KRAS mutations. Conclusion: Different KRAS mutations in NSCLC may influence selumetinib/docetaxel sensitivity.

Over a period of 12 years, from 1988 to 2000, a total of 20 individual equines (16 horses and 4 mules) were selected at random, from 10 municipalities in the Paraíba Valley, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, and then subjected to necropsy for collection of gastrointestinal worms. Individual samples of 10% of the intestinal contents were also taken for counting and identifying the species present, and to establish the prevalence of worms in equine species in the Paraíba Valley. In the sample considered, the presence of parasites ranged from 155 to 1249 worms. Tapeworms (Cestoidea) were present in about 85% of the animals studied, and roundworms (Nematoda) in 100% of the individuals. All the tapeworms collected were of one single species, Anoplocephala perfoliata. In the case of the roundworms, the prevalence of individual species was: 100% for Cyathostomineae, 90% for Oxyuris equi, 70% for Strongylus vulgaris, 45% for S. edentatus, 15% for Strongylus equinus, 60% for Triodontophorus sp., 50% for Gyalocephalus capitatus, 15% for Oesophagodontus robustus and Craterostomum acuticaudatum, and 5% each for Parascaris equorum, Probstimayria vivipara, Habronema muscae, and Trichostrongylus axei. No specimens of flukes (Trematoda) were found in any of the animals studied.

Aim We assessed pubovisceral muscle (PVM) defects, levator hiatal dimensions and anal sphincter defects using three-dimensional (3D) endovaginal and anorectal ultrasonography in women with previous vaginal delivery and faecal incontinence to determine the relationship between anatomic/functional findings and severity of faecal incontinence symptoms. Method This was a prospective, observational study including 52 women with faecal incontinence symptoms who had undergone vaginal delivery. Asymptomatic nulliparous women (n = 17) served as controls to provide reference values for pelvic floor measurements. All participants underwent 3D endovaginal and anorectal ultrasonography. We used an ultrasound score to identify and quantify the extent of PVM defects and sphincter damage and to measure levator hiatal dimensions. Incontinence was assessed using the Cleveland Clinic Florida Incontinence Scoring System. Results Defects of the PVM were identified with 3D endovaginal ultrasonography in 27% of women with faecal incontinence who had undergone vaginal delivery. The incontinence score and the ultrasound score were significantly higher in women with a PVM defect. A significant, positive correlation was found between the incontinence score and the ultrasound score. The levator hiatal dimensions were significantly greater, and the positions of the anorectal junction and bladder neck were lower, in women who had undergone vaginal delivery than in nulliparous women. Conclusion As determined by the 3D ultrasound score, severity of incontinence is related to the extent of damage of the PVM, as well as of the anal sphincters. Additionally, vaginal delivery results in enlargement of the levator hiatus and a lower position of the anorectal junction and bladder neck compared with nulliparous women.

It was studied the yield and water use efficiency of cotton cultivars under irrigation, in an experiment carried out at the Embrapa Cotton Farm, Barbalha county, CE, Brazil. The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design with four replications, totaling 60 plots arranged in a split block scheme, in a 3 x 5 factorial combination of three cotton cultivars (BRS 286 (C1), BRS Aroeira (C2) and BRS Araripe (C3)) and five irrigation levels (260.93 (L1), 418.93 (L2), 514.21 (L3), 711.81 (L4) and 894.68 (L5)) mm, corresponding to 36, 58, 72, 100 and 126% of ETc. The cotton was planted in single rows spaced of 1.0 x 0.20 m, with areas per plot of 12 x 15 (180 m 2 ), per subplot of 12 x 3 m (36 m 2 ), with an area of 6 m 2 , and total experimental of 2160 m 2 . The volume of water replacement in each irrigation event was based in the second split block (3 - 6 m of central line sprinkler), called control level, and determined by crop evapotranspiration (ET0), estimated by Penman-Monteith, multiplied by cotton Kc in its phases of development (ETC = ET0 x Kc). It was observed that the yield of the cultivars were affected by applied irrigation levels and the BRS Araripe e BRS 286, presented rising incomes according increase in

SUMMARY: Evaluating the BRS 196 CNPA G4 sesame growth in four irrigation levels (L1-40, L2-70, L3100 and L4-130% of crop evapotranspiration), it was outlined, at Embrapa Cotton, Barbalha, CE, Brazil, in 2012, an experiment in randomized blocks with three replications. It was measured and estimated, at 27, 48, 69 and 90 days after emergence (DAE), the Height, the Stem Diameter, the Leaf Area and the Absolute and Relative Height, Stem Diameter, Fresh Biomass Epigeous and Leaf Area Growth Rates and the Leaf Area Index. It was concluded that: a) the crop evapotranspiration levels did not affect the absolute height and leaf area growth rates and the relative leaf area growth rate; b) the height, the leaf area and the leaf area index, growing throughout crop cycle, were influenced by all crop evapotranspiration levels, presenting, only in the two lasts, proportional to the evapotranspiration levels; c) the stem diameter that was only affected by 40% of the evapotranspiration also increased throughout crop cycle; d) the relative height and stem diameter growth rates and the absolute stem diameter growth rate, decreased, but not in proportion to the crop evapotranspiration levels which influenced them, and; e) the absolute and relative fresh biomass epigeous growth rates were proportional to the increasing crop evapotranspiration levels which influenced them.

This work is part of a long term study aimed at determining the odorous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) deposited on clothing. In this preliminary phase of the study sidestream smoke (SSS) rather than true ETS was used, for the following reasons. Firstly, the sampling system had to be modified in order to increase the concentration of odorous VOCs collected so that the later analytical stages could proceed. This meant that the sampling system was developed to collect concentrated SSS on cloth. Secondly, the cigarette butts were removed from the system so that they did not contribute to the odour; and thirdly the cloth was left to age for 48 hours. Therefore, technically, the study was the determination of the odorous VOCs in aged concentrated SSS deposited on cloth; this will be referred to as ‘aged SSS’ from this point onwards throughout this paper. This paper describes the method development of sampling and analysis techniques for odorous VOCs in aged SSS deposited on cloth. In addition, this paper demonstrates the processes of heartcutting and the mass spectral identification of odorous components using a concentrated tobacco steam distillate extract. A sampling chamber was constructed to allow the aged SSS to be deposited on the surface of the fabric, and to ensure that the amount of smoke deposited on the cloth was sufficiently high to conduct further analyses. The fabric was then desorbed via a purpose built purge- and-trap system to release the volatiles onto selected adsorbents. Each adsorbent in turn was solvent desorbed and a concentrated extract obtained. The aged SSS extracts were then directly injected into a multidimensional Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), and GC profiles obtained. These chromatographic profiles facilitate both the direct comparison of the range of VOCs trapped and desorbed from each adsorbent, and the identification of odorous regions when used in conjunction with the odour port. The aged SSS chromatograms presented in this paper only show the range of VOCs collected by the different adsorbents. Further experiments were also conducted with a concentrated tobacco steam distillate extract. These results were obtained by directly injecting the extract into the multidimensional GC/MS system, connected to an odour port. Volunteers were then asked to sensorially evaluate the odour of the extract and to identify any odorous notes during the analysis. Two concentrated tobacco steam distillate extract chromatograms are presented.

Since the dawn of medicine, man has used natural products for the treatment of disease. There has been a recent increase in studies of the therapeutic characteristics plants in popular use in many places of the world. In this context, the species Centrolobium tomentosum, Fabaceae, known popularly as Arariba or Araruva, is used in Brazilian folk medicine as an astringent for wound treatment and bruises due to the large amount of tannins contained in the bark. This work used toxicity tests to assess the biological activity of ethanolic extracts from C. tomentosum with the specific objectives of obtaining concentrated extracts from the bark and wood of this species and determining the total phenols and tannins present in these extracts. We collected arariba samples in order to obtain ethanolic extracts through the percolation process. We then made a qualitative chemical identification of hydrolysable tannins and condensed tannins. We used the Folin-Ciocalteu method for the phenols quantification and the casein precipitation method for the tannins determination. The toxicity of extracts was evaluated using the brine shrimp bioassay (Artemia salina), in which the C. tomentosum bark extract showed moderate toxicity, with estimated LC50 = 416 μg.ml-1, whereas the leaves and wood extracts of this species showed low toxicity with LC50 = 537 μg.ml-1 and 826 μg.ml-1, respectively.

The aim of this ex vivo study was to evaluate, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the presence of gaps at the interface between filling material and three root-end filling materials. Thirty human upper molars disto-buccal roots were instrumented and filled with gutta-percha and eugenol-based sealer. The apicoectomy was performed 2 mm from the apex and retrograde cavities were prepared with ultrasonic points (3 mm in deep). The samples were divided into three experimental groups (n = 10): Group I-white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA); Group II-Super EBA; and Group III-Portland cement. The root-end filling materials were inserted into the retocavities using a MTA carrier. After 48 h, the roots were transversally sectioned in order to obtain the apical 5 mm. Next, each specimen was prepared longitudinally with crescent granulation of abrasives water-wet sandpapers in order to expose the filling and root-end filling materials. Then, the specimens were subjected to slow dehydration with silica gel, mounted onto specific stubs and coated with paladium coverage for SEM analysis of the interface between filling and root-end filling materials. The percentage of gaps at the interfacial area was calculated by using Image Tool 3.0 software. Super EBA presented the higher percentage of gaps (1.5 ± 0.67%), whereas MTA presented the lowest values (0.33 ± 0.20%; p = 0.0004). Despite the statistical differences observed between Super EBA and MTA, all the root-end filling materials presented great adaptation to the filling material, presenting small amount of gaps.

Haemonchus contortus is the most prevalent and pathogenic nematode of sheep in tropical areas. The objectives of this study were to assess the frequency of the F200Y polymorphism on the β-tubulin gene in third-stage larvae of H. contortus from 33 sheep flocks in Sao Paulo state, Brazil, and to associate this frequency to risk factors based on farm management practices. The resistance allele frequency varied from 9 to 74%, and the resistance genotype frequency varied from 0 to 66.7%. Resistance genotype frequencies higher than 40% were associated with multiple risk factors – new sheep farming enterprises, the absence of farm records, the use of Dorper and Suffolk breeds, rotational grazing, the lack of wetlands on farms, pasture sharing with cattle or horses, frequent incorporation of animals into the flock, semi-intensive farming systems, whole-flock treatment, failure to use the FAMACHA method, lack of the dose-and-move practice, anthelmintic rotation after each application, visual estimation of animal weight for treatment, and lack of drug combination use. It can be concluded that genotyping the F200Y polymorphism can be used to monitor the resistance in sheep flocks and the knowledge of management strategies at the farm level is important to identify drug resistance related factors.

The economic importance of sheep production is increasing worldwide simultaneously with the emergence of parasitic resistance. This study aimed to survey the current situation of management practices and parasite resistance in sheep flocks in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. A questionnaire was given to 35 sheep farmers to obtain information related to flock management practices. Of these flocks, 30 were submitted to the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) with at least one of the five following anthelmintics: albendazole, closantel, ivermectin, levamisole, and moxidectin, for comparison against an untreated control group. In the survey, the median number animals per flock was 301, mainly of the Santa Ines breed (in 75.8% of the flocks) and crossbred animals (in 54.5% of the flocks). The predominant farming system was semi-intensive (82.9%), using rotational grazing (80%). Selective treatment was based on FAMACHA grade (47.1%) and in clinical signs (41.2%). The most often applied anthelmintics were macrocyclic lactones (42.9–54.2% in the last three applications). Considering the anthelmintics employed in this study, 10.7% of the farms’ flocks were resistant to three, 35.7% to four, and 53.6% to all five anthelmintics. The main helminth genera observed before and after treatments were Haemonchus sp. (75.8%) and Trichostrongylus sp. (19.1%), but all observed genera (Cooperia sp., Oesophagostomum sp., and Strongyloides sp.) were detected by the FECRT. Considering efficacy values less than or equal to 90% in the FECRT as resistant, 100% of flocks were resistant to albendazole and ivermectin, 96.6% to moxidectin, 92.9% to closantel, and 53.6% to levamisole. It is thus possible to conclude that multidrug resistance is widespread in sheep flocks in Sao Paulo state, Brazil, and this involves all prevalent helminth genera.

In this paper, we propose a design for the analog part of an Hybrid Filter Bank (HFB) system targeted to radio-frequency (RF) signals, inspired on the mammals cochlea, with the basilar membrane mimicked by microstrip lines. A prototype is presented, operating from 840 MHz to 1470 MHz using ADCs working at 210 Msps. Simulation results revealed that it is possible to design a HFB with low values of distortion and aliasing. With this cochlear analog front-end it is possible to increase the bandwidth of the signal while keeping a high dynamic range. Further developments of this technology could fulfill the promise of Software-defined Radio to build a radio able to deal with wideband signals.

In this paper, the design of low profile antennas byusing Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) materials is introduced.Several novel EBG surface geometries are proposed based onresults obtained by numerical simulations. The simulation resultsin HFSS 10 show that these EBG structures can exhibit dual bandin-phase reflection, or in another words, Artificial MagneticConductor characteristics on the WLAN frequency band (2.4/5.2GHz). One of these EBGs, slot Jerusalem Cross (JCSS) geometry,has been successfully implemented in the design of low profileWLAN coplanar and PIFA antennas. Both antennas have beenfabricated and the measurement results are presented.Furthermore, the further research trend in EBG design is alsodiscussed.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:55:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0102-09352007000200011.pdf: 314872 bytes, checksum: 2277f34712d55bd6eb272cf700931bca (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:55:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0102-09352007000200011.pdf: 314872 bytes, checksum: 2277f34712d55bd6eb272cf700931bca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-04-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:49:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0102-09352007000200011.pdf: 314872 bytes, checksum: 2277f34712d55bd6eb272cf700931bca (MD5) S0102-09352007000200011.pdf.txt: 15879 bytes, checksum: c310ed52de28d45be2bd9bacff6fce13 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-04-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:13:02Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0102-09352007000200011.pdf: 314872 bytes, checksum: 2277f34712d55bd6eb272cf700931bca (MD5) S0102-09352007000200011.pdf.txt: 15879 bytes, checksum: c310ed52de28d45be2bd9bacff6fce13 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:13:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0102-09352007000200011.pdf: 314872 bytes, checksum: 2277f34712d55bd6eb272cf700931bca (MD5) S0102-09352007000200011.pdf.txt: 15879 bytes, checksum: c310ed52de28d45be2bd9bacff6fce13 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-04-01 Analisaram-se, à microscopia óptica, 28 glândulas da terceira pálpebra de cães, que morreram com cinomose. O diagnóstico de ceratoconjuntivite seca baseou-se nas alterações da superfície ocular e no teste da lágrima de Schirmer. À histologia, visibilizaram-se atrofia tubuloacina, espessamento do tecido conjuntivo e exudação inflamatória de leve a intensa com presença de plasmócitos, de histiócitos e por hipertrofia compensatória de algumas glândulas. O lume das glândulas encontrava-se hipertrofiado contendo células epiteliais descamadas, polimorfonucleares e hemácias, além de muco. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is characterized by qualitative or quantitative abnormalities in the aqueous component of the tear film and is frequent in dogs with distemper. Twenty-eight third eyelid glands of end-stage dogs that died from distemper were analyzed by light microscopy. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca was diagnosed based on ophthalmic findings regarding alterations in the ocular surface and by the Schirmer tear test. The excised glands were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and processed for embedding in paraffin. The blocks were cut into 4µm sections and the sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome. Analysis revealed tubuloacinar gland atrophy, thickening of connective tissue, and mild to intense inflammatory exudation mainly characterized by the presence of plasma cells and histiocytes and by compensatory hypertrophy of some glands. The glandular lumen was hypertrophied and contained shedded epithelial cells, polymorphonuclear cells and red blood cells, in addition to mucus. UFRPE Unidade Acadêmica de Garanhuns UFRPE Departamento de Medicina Veterinária UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias UNESP Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias

PurposeThe phase III Iressa Survival Evaluation in Lung Cancer (ISEL) trial compared gefitinib with placebo in 1,692 patients with refractory advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. We analyzed ISEL tumor biopsy samples to examine relationships between biomarkers and clinical outcome after gefitinib treatment in a placebo-controlled setting.MethodsBiomarkers included epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number by fluorescence in situ hybridization (n = 370); EGFR (n = 379) and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) protein expression (n = 382) by immunohistochemistry; and mutations in EGFR (n = 215), KRAS (n = 152), and BRAF (n = 118).ResultsHigh EGFR gene copy number was a predictor of a gefitinib-related effect on survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.61 for high copy number and HR, 1.16 for low copy number; comparison of high v low copy number HR, P = .045). EGFR protein expression was also related to clinical outcome (HR for positive, 0.77; HR for negative, 1.57; comparison of high v low protein expression HR, P = .049). Patients with EGFR mutations had higher response rates than patients without EGFR mutations (37.5% v 2.6%); there were insufficient data for survival analysis. No relationship was observed between p-Akt protein expression and survival outcome, and the limited amount of data collected for KRAS and BRAF mutations prevented any meaningful evaluation of clinical outcomes in relation to these mutations.ConclusionEGFR gene copy number was a predictor of clinical benefit from gefitinib in ISEL. Additional studies are warranted to assess these biomarkers fully for the identification of patients most likely to benefit from gefitinib treatment.

Tests were conducted to assess the efficiency of the roots of Dahlstedtia pentaphylla (Taub.) Burk. (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Millettiae) plant against infestations of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887). These tests were performed on 30 bovine animals in the Paraiba Valley, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, divided into three groups (control, extract diluted at 1:10 mL and extract diluted at 1:20 mL), after artificial infestation with some 4000 larvae/animal on days -21, -14, -7, -1, 0, 7 and 14. The extract of D. pentaphylla was obtained by dehydration, spraying and extraction in absolute ethanol, at a proportion of one part of root powder to three parts of ethanol, this being taken as standard (100%). This standard extract was then diluted in water at one part of extract to 10 and 20, for spraying on the bovines. The best result obtained (an efficiency rate of 76.10%) was seen 3 days after the application of the extract at a concentration of 1:10 mL. The extract showed no effect in inhibition of the laying or hatching of larvae on engorged females, these being collected from the bovines after treatment, and kept in the laboratory.

O artigo não apresenta resumo.

A case of dementia can result from encephalopathy caused by venous hypertension, produced by a dural vascular malformation (DVM). The authors describe one tentorial DVM with sinusal venous drainage and retrograde reflux to the cerebral veins (type II), that originated a leukoencephalopathy, and a progressive demential symptomatology. This demential status partially regressed after surgical treatment.

The authors report a case of Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis and emphasize the role of MRI in the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease describing a severe progressive cerebral atrophy. Clinical findings and laboratory data were reviewed and the importance of palmitoyl-protein thiosterase activity is described.

One case of intradiploic meningioma, causing partial occlusion of the superior longitudinal sinus, with subsequent visual trouble and another of lipomatous meningioma with great fat content and very calcified, that was found in a LCR fistula study of the cranial anterior stage, are described by the authors as atypical meningiomas.

We review five cases of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), confirmed by biopsy in three cases and by LCR JC virus research by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) in two cases. We analysed the lesions and different forms of imagiological presentation, concerning location, mass effect, contrast enhancement and progress, and emphasize the importance of some atypical patterns. Reference is also made to the role of imaging in its diagnosis and new techniques, such as Spectroscopy and Transfer Magnetization, to avoid brain biopsy.

Lung cancer associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is unusual. Literature review between 1984 and 1993 showed less than 100 published cases of this association. From those cases it appears that the neoplasia is more aggressive and survival after diagnosis is less than 12 months. A case is reported of an HIV positive man with adenocarcinoma of the lung that survived 28 months after diagnosis, the longest published survival in such case described in the medical literature.A 57-year old Caucasian homosexual male and heavy smoker was diagnosed as having a bronchogenic carcinoma and underwent right upper lobectomy, chemotherapy, thoracic surgery for carcinoma recurrence and radiotherapy. He remained in good condition with reasonable life quality and died for reasons unrelated either to his tumor or the antineoplastic treatment.Diagnostic delay and the immuno-deficiency are the reasons for the dismal prognosis of lung cancer in AIDS patients. Aggressive treatment of the neoplastic disease should be done in such cases, as reasonable prolonged survival is possible, as shown by our report.

Frequently metastases are developed in the lung. Endobronchial involvement, in these cases, ranges from 2% to 5%. Particularly in breast cancer, endobronchial metastases (EM) carriers could be identified in approximately 36% of the cases.Relate of a case showing the importance of the EM detection. The differential diagnosis is very important because EM can simulate asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and lung cancer.38 year-old caucasian woman, carrier of a breast cancer, who was referred to "Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho" Cancer Institute with non-productive cough and rest dyspnea. On X-Ray she had bilateral lung infiltrates, which was due to disseminated breast neoplasm. Bronchoscopy showed little elevated and isolated lesions, dispersed along all bronchial tree. The histological examination showed a carcinoma of the bronchial mucosa suggesting breast cancer origin.The authors emphasize the importance of the bronchoscopic examination in the diagnosis of EM. These lesions can be detected by this way in 50% of the cases. Bronchoscopy has high specificity and it is a safe diagnostic method that in this way presents rare complications.

Spontaneous pneumothorax with concomitant neoplastic diseases is unusual. Lung cancer and osteogenic sarcoma with pulmonary metastasis are the neoplasms that most frequently accompany the spontaneous pneumothorax. This article's purposes are to relate the occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax associated with breast neoplasms and to discuss the main etiopathogenic factors involved in the process.The authors report a case of a 43-year-old black woman carrier of a left breast ductal carcinoma with bilateral pulmonary metastasis. Spontaneous pneumothorax appeared during multidrug chemotherapy, so it cannot be related to other causes.Even though breast neoplasms cause lung metastases in about 60% of the cases, the coexistence of spontaneous pneumothorax and breast carcinoma is very rare. There was no report of this topic in the medical literature review during the last five years. The authors believe and discuss the multiple pneumothorax etiopathogenic factors related to this case.

This is a prospective study involving 300 persons with lung cancer admitted to the "Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho" Cancer Institute (ICAVC). The intention of the survey was to detect delay in diagnosis after the initial symptoms. THe authors tried to identify causes of this delay and its implications. Patients were asked about the day that the symptoms started, medical care and specialists sought, number of physicians seen and their diagnosis, also examinations carried out and referrals. Results showed that 78% of cases were seen firstly by general practitioners and 69.6% looked for medical assistance at least 30 days after the clinical beginning of the disease. Chest X-rays could identify only 9 cases (3%) without symptoms. The most common clinical diagnoses were: pneumonia (20%), neoplasia (19%), bronchitis/emphysema (9.3%) and tuberculosis (8%). The number of first appointments seen by the Public Health Services and Contracted Private Hospital Network was 64.1% and the second appointment was 70%. Only 24 (8%) of the patients were referred to ICAVC just after their first appointment and 64.4% after the third. The time lost between the first appointment and the diagnosis was longer than 90 days in 55.7% of cases. These people needed to see 3 to 4 doctors (as an average) to obtain a positive diagnosis. The diagnostic techniques used more frequently were bronchoscopy (59.7%) and fine needle lung biopsy (18.4%) and the delay was 20 and 10 days on average, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The authors report a case of synchronous male breast cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Comments about etiopathogenic factors of this rare multiple primary neoplasm are made. The authors suggest that the relationship is casual, since the patient had been a heavy smoker, and the main age range for the two neoplasms in approximately the same.

The authors try to identify causes of delay in the diagnosis of lung cancer, such causes being liable for low survival rates in five years. With this in mind, they developed a prospective study involving 100 patients admitted to the "Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho" Cancer Institute, who were asked as to the date symptoms started, medical care searched, first diagnostic impressions, and number of physicians seen till the moment of diagnosis. They observed that 73 patients looked for medical assistance up to the 30th day from the beginning of disease, and only in 10 occasions this interval was longer than 120 days. 46 patients had a confirmed diagnosis in less than 90 days after their first medical appointment, and in 41 cases the delay in diagnosis was longer than 4 months. Upon the first exam with the physician, neoplasia was suspected 25 times, but only 11 patients were immediately referred to the Cancer Institute. Of the remaining 89 patients, 57 were referred only after their third medical appointment. 80 patients were first seen by general practitioners and, on average, patients went to 3 or 4 physicians to obtain a definite diagnosis. The most commonly used method to identify neoplasia was bronchofibroscopy (67 cases), with an average of 20 days of delay for its performance. Lung biopsy using transparietal fine needle was the second most used (14 cases), with an average delay of 10 days. The authors conclude that delay in the diagnosis is mostly due to the inadequacy of medical services, delay in referrals and in the performance of subsidiary tests.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3 Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) dysregulation is common in NSCLC and is associated with poorer prognosis. This phase III study assessed the efficacy and safety of the EGFR-targeted monoclonal antibody cetuximab in combination with cisplatin/vinorelbine (CV) compared with CV alone in advanced NSCLC. Methods: Patients with EGFR- detectable advanced NSCLC were randomized 1:1 to cetuximab (400 mg/m2 initial dose, then 250 mg/m2/wk) plus C (80 mg/m2 d1) and V (25 mg/m2 d1, d8) q3w (arm A) or CV alone (arm B). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, tumor response, disease control, and safety. Randomization was stratified by ECOG performance status (0/1 vs 2) and tumor stage (wet IIIb vs IV). Results: 1,125 patients were randomized: 557 to arm A, 568 to arm B, 70% male, median age 59 (18–83) years, 94% stage IV, 47% adenocarcinoma (AC), 34% squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 83% ECOG 0/1. Survival analysis was performed after 868 even...

13552 Background: Non Small Cell Lung Cancer is a very aggressive disease, and is still the number one cause of cancer deaths. The Lung Division of the Instituto do Cancer Dr. Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho(ICAVC), headed by Dr. Jose Rodrigues has been very active in the lung cancer research and has collaborations with the University of Sao Paulo Lung Division for the academic development and publications of the results. It has been proven that Gemcitabine, Vinorelbine and Cisplatin are quite active agents but the survival is still poor with the doublets combination and until now, there are mixed results with the use of different triplets, specially due to additional toxicities without clear advantages. The ICAVC Lung Division has accumulated experience in the management of NSCLC with the triplet that will be described. Methods: 83 patients with stage IIIB (57 patients-68,7%) and IV(39 patients-31,3%) of NSCLC were treated in a single institution between 2000 and 2007. Males were 68,7%(57) and females were 31...

7109 Background: Cisplatin plus vinorelbine is a commonly used regimen for first-line therapy of advanced NSCLC, achieving response rates of 20–30% and median survival times of 6 to 11 months (mths). An earlier phase II trial investigated cetuximab in combination with cisplatin and vinorelbine in this setting and found improved response rates in the cetuximab arm, warranting this larger phase III trial. Methods: Patients (pts) with EGFR-expressing advanced NSCLC (stage IIIB with documented malignant pleural effusion and stage IV) were randomized 1:1 either to Group A (cetuximab 400 mg/m2 initial dose then 250 mg/m2 weekly, cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1, vinorelbine 30 mg/m2 on day 1 and 8) or to Group B (cisplatin and vinorelbine as before) for a maximum of 6 three-weekly cycles. Cetuximab was administered until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoint is overall survival time; secondary endpoints are progression-free-survival, tumor response, disease control, safety, and quality of life. Enrollment of 1,100 pts was planned to show an increase of median survival time of 25% with 90% power. The Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) performed an independent preplanned safety analysis from the first 370 pts. Patients were followed for a minimum of 6 weeks (2 cycles). Results: Since November 2004, 1,037 pts have been randomized, 689 are under treatment, and 348 pts have discontinued the study. Demographics of the first 370 pts reflected known advanced NSCLC characteristics: 91% stage IV, median age 60 yrs (31–79), 38% female, 80% ECOG PS 0/1, 52% adenocarcinoma, 30% squamous cell carcinoma; 29% never-smokers, 17% Asian. The ten most frequent adverse events were: nausea, neutropenia, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, constipation, anemia, febrile neutropenia, rash, and diarrhoea. Conclusions: The trial continued after review of all relevant baseline and safety information from the first 370 pts. Recruitment is ongoing. [Table: see text]

17125 Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive disease characterized by rapid growth and early metastasis. Actually, the treatment of choice for advanced SCLC is cisplatin combined with etoposide. For these patients 9 to 12 months are the expected survival, overall response is 61%–78 % and complete response rate is 10%–14%. Despite of these results 5 years overall survival is less than 5% justifying the search for more effective treatment scheme. Methods: Fourteen patients were analyzed between January and October 2005. They received Cisplatin 80 mg/m2 d1, Gemcitabine 1,500 mg/m2 d1 and Vinorelbine 30 mg/m2 d1, every 3 weeks. The response was evaluated by chest X-ray after each cycle. Thorax CT was performed at beginning and end of treatment. Results: Patients received 2–6 cycles (median = 3.78 ); KPS was 50%–90% (median 80%); median age 57 yrs (range 21–75). Thirteen patients had objective response (92.8%), 4 complete response (28.6%) and 9 partial response (64.3%). Non-hematological grade (G) 3–4 toxicity consisted of nausea and vomiting (28.6%); anorexia (42.8%); neurotoxicity (14.5%). Only one patient (7.1%) had neutropenia G3 and another subject (7.1%) had thrombocytopenia G3. There were no febrile neutropenia cases. Conclusions: Although a large study should be performed to confirm these results, PGV association shows promising activity in SCLC patients. Toxicity profile was very favorable too. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

7313 Background: Despite the development of new drugs to advanced NSCLC treatment, the overall survival is still poor. Platinum-based chemotherapy remains the main schedule for these patients. It’s...

7355 Background: Lung cancer is a common disease in elderly patients. However, age alone is a very uncertain prognostic criteria for outcome and tolerance to treatment. Despite some meta-analysis have shown that performance status is a better criteria for treatment decision, elderly patients were poorly represented. Methods: We analyzed data from 82 patients aged 80 or older with NSCLC admitted at our institution from august 1998 to july 2003. Thirty-eight patients (46,3%) received any chemotherapy regimen. Results: Average age was 82 years. Most patients (73,2%) were men, 90.2% were ECOG PS 2 or less, 67 patients (81.7%) were clinical stage IIIB or IV and the most common histologic type was squamous-cell carcinoma. Median survival for all patients was 13.4 weeks. Patients that received chemotherapy had a significantly longer median survival compared to those that did not, 28.3 versus 8 weeks, respectively. Thirty patients (79%) from the chemo treated group received Carboplatin AUC 4 day 1 plus Vinorelbin...

7035 Background: Second-line treatment for NSCLC patients (pts) with good performance status improves survival. Using the recent trial comparing survival with pemetrexed (500 mg/m2 q3wks) vs docetaxel (75 mg/m2 q3wks) we evaluated the benefit of second-line treatment in terms of palliation, and whether it occurs with less than a major response. Methods: 571 previously treated advanced NSCLC pts, randomized from 3/01 to 2/02, completed the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) which assesses quality of life and 6 symptoms with scores from 0 to 100. Analysis was performed on pts who had data from baseline and ≥1 treatment cycle. Pts were grouped by best overall response: complete or partial, or stable disease (CR/PR/SD) vs progressive disease (PD). A two-factor interaction model with treatment and tumor response as factors was used for analysis. Results: Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between treatment arms with 75% Stage IV and 88% ECOG PS 0/1. Survival time and response rate with pemetrexed were s...