Search

This paper reports a new record of a moth species, Zamagiria dixolophella Dyar (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) attacking sapodilla (Manilkara zapota van Royen) in Southern Mexico. This is the first report of this species in Mexico. The female genitalia and the last instar larva are described and illustrated.

A chemical, electrophysiological and behavioral study was carried out to analyze the volatile compounds of the Brindley's gland of Rhodnius prolixus Stål. Six compounds were found in the Brindley's gland of males and females: acetic, isobutyric, caproic acids and three compounds not identified. The mass spectra of the unidentified compounds have the appearance of a propionate ester, a butyrate ester and a valerate ester. There was no difference in the concentration of these compounds in the glands of males and females. The major component was isobutyric acid. The electroantennographic (EAG) evaluation of isobutyric, acetic, and caproic acids elicited weak responses. With both sexes, the EAG responses for the acids were no different from the control response at any of the doses evaluated (1, 10, 100, and 500 microg). The behavioral response of males and females to acetic, isobutyric, and caproic acids at 1, 5, and 10 microg and binary and tertiary mixtures of the three compounds was evaluated in a Y-olfactometer. Males showed preference for acetic acid at a dose of 1 microg, but not at 5 or 10 microg. Females showed preference for this compound at the dose of 5 microg. Males showed preference for isobutyric acid at 1 and 5 microg, but not at 10 microg. Females did not show any preference for isobutyric acid. Males were attracted to caproic acid at the dose of 1 and 10 microg. Females were attracted to the caproic acid. Males, but not females, preferred the mixture of acetic and isobutyric acids over control. Neither males nor females showed preference for the mixture of acetic and caproic acids or hexane control. Females, but not males, were attracted to the mixture of the isobutyric and caproic acids. Only males showed a positive response for the tertiary mixture of the acids.

Knowledge of chemical ecology of haematophagous triatomine bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) could be of practical value because this polyphyletic subfamily includes species of medical importance, such as vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae), the aetiological agent of Chagas disease. For particular species of Dipetalogaster, Panstrongylus, Rhodnius and Triatoma, therefore, we review information on exocrine glands and products, interpreting their apparent roles as semiochemicals in the aggregation, alarm, defence, host-finding and sexual behaviour of these Triatominae.

Bioassays in a Y-tube olfactometer showed that workers of Solenopsis geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were attracted to venom gland extracts of queens. Gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry analysis of individual glands of queens of S. geminata showed that the secretion is composed mainly of a large amount of 2-alkyl-6-methylpiperidine alkaloids and a tiny amount of a δ-lactone and a α-pyrone, which have been earlier identified as components of the queen attractant pheromone of Solenopsis invicta Buren. However, additional small amounts of a mixture of sesquiterpenes and pentadecene were found. The possible function of the sesquiterpenoid compounds is discussed.

The authors report the case of intracranial neuritis ossificans presenting as chronic accessory neuropathy. Neuritis ossificans is a rare reactive nerve disease that has been reported to affect systemic peripheral nerves. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case of neuritis ossificans observed in a cranial nerve. The lesion was revealed on imaging studies and appeared, intraoperatively, as a nonsessile intradural lesion with significant calcification of rootlets of the lower cranial nerves. Microscopically, the lesion featured zonal heterotopic calcification typical of neuritis ossificans. Although it is a rare entity, neuritis ossificans can be considered in the differential diagnosis of lower cranial nerve neuropathy.

Phlebotomine sand fly species composition and diversity were studied in Acosta, an area of Costa Rica endemic for cutaneous leishmaniasis. Two CDC miniature light traps per house were set overnight in 72 houses distributed in 6 localities, once a month, during the rainy seasons of 1994 and 1995. Of the 22 species collected, the most common were Lutzomyia serrana (Damasceno & Arouck), L. youngi Feliciangelli & Murillo, L. ylephiletor (Fairchild & Hertig), L. shannoni (Dyar), L. cruciata (Coquillett), L. gomezi (Nitzulescu), L. sanguinaria (Fairchild & Hertig), and Warileya rotundipennis (Fairchild & Hertig). The Czekanowsky index and the Sorensen index as modified by Bray and Curtis to consider abundance were used to compare species composition and β-diversity. Comparisons were made among localities within years, between years, and localities each year. The data strongly indicated that phlebotomine species composition is more stable than diversity or abundance.

The laboratory colony was started from wild adults collected from alight trap at Tackley, Oxfordshire, UK, during June 1995 and wild insectswereaddedto thecolonyeachsummer. Allinsectswerereared incontrolledconditions under a L16:D8 photoperiod and temperature of 25 1 C, at30–50% relative humidity (RH). The larvae were reared on artificial diet,modified from that developed for other noctuid moths (Poitout

Color preference of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera, Tephritidae). The color preference of A. obliqua was evaluated in two-choice tests. The results showed that both sexes were attracted to wavelengths ranging from 340 nm to 670 nm, although the broad major peak of attraction occurred between 380 and 570 nm.

The influence of age, sex and mating status, egg load, prior exposure to males, and time of day on the host-finding behavior of Mamestra brassicae (L.) was studied in a wind tunnel. Only 2 of the factors evaluated seem to have an influence on the insect response: age and in females, mating status. Females aged 5 d flew upwind, landed and oviposited more often on plants than those aged 3, 4, and 6 d. Females and males responded positively to cabbage plants. However, the percentage of mated females responding was significantly higher compared with virgin females, and virgin and mated males. There were no significant correlations between number of mature eggs per female and latency for taking off, random flight duration, latency for the 1st zigzagging upwind flight, number of landings, and time spent on host after landing on cabbage and chrysanthemum. No influence of prior exposure to males on female response to cabbage plants was found. Mated females did not show any difference in their response to cabbage plants during different periods of the scotophase.

The approach and landing responses of female Mamestra brassicae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to visual cues from artificial plant leaves of different shapes and presence/absence of cabbage plant odour were investigated in a laboratory wind tunnel. The leaves were painted with cadmium yellow colour and observed under dim red light. Females showed oriented flight towards plant odours but landed significantly more often when the odour was presented with an artificial leaf. In three-choice tests, the shape of the leaf targets (circle, square or triangle) did not influence the female response. However, the size of the target did influence the insect response: the females preferred landing on square targets with sides of 5 or 10 cm rather than on the largest target, with sides of 15 cm. The orientation of the target influenced the insects’ response: females landed significantly more often on the target positioned vertically than horizontally.

Summary The influence of pre- and post-imaginal experience on the orientation, landing, and oviposition of the female cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was studied in a wind tunnel. The results of experiments on the influence of pre-imaginal experience do not support the Hopkins host selection hypothesis because the females’ responses to host plants were not affected by the plant species used for feeding the larvae. The females were initially attracted to and landed on chrysanthemum whether or not they were fed on this plant species. In addition, the oviposition preference for cabbage plants was not changed by the larval feeding regimen. Imaginal experience influenced the females’ subsequent orientation/landing responses: exposure of the females to chrysanthemum plants for 5 min decreased their subsequent responses to this species, but subsequent responses to cabbage were not changed when the females were exposed to cabbage plants. Overnight exposure of females to a chrysanthemum or cabbage plant decreased the subsequent orientation/landing on the same species offered in non-choice tests. A similar effect was observed in responses to chrysanthemum plants after overnight contact, and possibly to cabbage plants, in the two-choice tests. Overnight exposure to cabbage or chrysanthemum had no effect on subsequent oviposition: females from both treatments oviposited more often on cabbage.

Plant volatiles from cabbage and chrysanthemum were studied as to how they affect behavior of the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae (L.). Chemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral techniques were used. The electroantennographic (EAG) evaluation of selected compounds from Brassi-caceae showed that isothiocyanates (NCS) elicited weak responses, and some did not evoke significant EAG responses at all. Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) evoked the strongest responses in both male and female antennae. The capacity of NCS to stimulate upwind flight of mated females was not different at doses of 10−7, 10−6, or 10−5 g when tested in a wind tunnel. At the higher doses, allyl NCS stimulated upwind flight in the females more than the other compounds. Allyl NCS was significantly better than the other compounds at stimulating females to land on targets. Mated females flew upwind and landed on the targets with allyl NCS more often than virgin females and males. With respect to the behavioral activity of GLVs, only (E)-2-hexenal and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate elicited upwind flight and landing in females. Ten compounds were identified from a chrysanthemum extract by using coupled gas chromatography–electroantennography. Five of these, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, 1-8-cineole, α-terpinene, chrysanthenone, and camphor, elicited upwind flight of mated females, but only three stimulated landing.

An ecological pilot project for the control of Triatoma dimidiata allowed a new evaluation four and five years after environmental modifications in the peridomestic areas of 20 households. It was verified that the two groups of houses, 10 case-houses and 10 control-houses, were free of insects after those periods of time. In the first group, the owners started a chicken coop in the backyard and a colony of bugs was found there without infesting the house. In the second group, the inhabitants of one house once again facilitated the conditions for the bugs to thrive in the same store room, reaffirming that man-made ecotopes facilitates colonization. This ecological control method was revealed to be reliable and sustainable and it is recommended to be applied to those situations where the vectors of Chagas disease can colonize houses and are frequent in wild ecotopes Un proyecto piloto ecológico para el control de Triatoma dimidiata permitió realizar una nueva evaluación cuatro y cinco años después de las modificaciones ambientales en las zonas peridomésticas de 20 viviendas. Se comprobó que los dos grupos de casas, 10 casas-caso y 10 casas-control, estaban libres de insectos después de esos períodos de tiempo. En el primer grupo, los propietarios pusieron en marcha un gallinero en el patio trasero y allí se encontró una colonia de chinches sin infestar la casa. En el segundo grupo, los habitantes de una casa volvieron a facilitar las condiciones para que los bichos prosperaran en el mismo almacén, reafirmando que los ecotopos hechos por el hombre facilitan la colonización. Este método de control ecológico se reveló fiable y sostenible y se recomienda su aplicación en aquellas situaciones en las que los vectores de la enfermedad de Chagas pueden colonizar las casas y son frecuentes en los ecotopos silvestres. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica. Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria

Trifluoromethyl ketones reversibly inhibit pheromone-degrading esterases in insect olfactory tissues, affecting pheromone detection and behavior of moth males. In this work, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl trifluoromethyl ketone (Z9-14:TFMK), a closely-related analogue of the pheromone of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), was prepared and tested in electroantennogram and field tests as possible inhibitors of the pheromone action. The electroantennogram parameters, amplitude, and the repolarization time of the antennal responses of S. frugiperda males were affected by Z9-14:TFMK vapors. Exposure of male antennae to a stream of air passing through 100 μg of the ketone produced a significant reduction of the amplitude and an increase of 2/3 repolarization time signals to the pheromone. The effect was reversible and dose-dependent. In the field, the analogue significantly decreased the number of males caught when mixed with the pheromone in 10:1 ratio. The results suggest that Z9-14:TFMK is a mating disruptant of S. frugiperda and may be a good candidate to consider in future strategies to control this pest., We also thank MICINN for a FPI fellowship to R. Gago, and CONACYT (project 84072) and CICYT (project AGL 2009-13452-C02-01) for financial support.

A 73-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and a recent stroke presented with recurrent nonsensical speech and visual problems. One month prior, she had been diagnosed with a stroke, after sudden-onset speech and visual difficulties that resolved after a few hours. Thirteen days before, she had had a second episode of similar symptoms. She was seen in our institution after a few hours of sudden-onset unintelligible speech. Her vital signs were within normal limits. She was not in distress, but appeared frustrated. Her general physical examination was unremarkable. She had no carotid, ophthalmic, or cranial bruits. Her neurologic examination was notable for fluent aphasia, with paraphasic errors and inability to name, read, or write. She also had right homonymous hemianopia, right-sided sensory loss, and generalized brisk deep tendon reflexes. The rest of her neurologic examination showed no abnormalities.

The composition and seasonal occurrence of sandflies were investigated in coffee agroecosystems in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico. Insect sampling was performed on three plantations located at different altitudes: Finca Guadalupe Zajú [1,000 m above sea level (a.s.l.)], Finca Argovia (613 m a.s.l.) and Teotihuacán del Valle (429 m a.s.l.). Sandflies were sampled monthly from August 2007-July 2008 using three sampling methods: Shannon traps, CDC miniature light traps and Disney traps. Sampling was conducted for 3 h during three consecutive nights, beginning at sunset. A total of 4,387 sandflies were collected during the course of the study: 2,718 individuals in Finca Guadalupe Zajú, 605 in Finca Argovia and 1,064 in Teotihuacán del Valle. The Shannon traps captured 94.3% of the total sandflies, while the CDC light traps and Disney traps captured 4.9% and 0.8%, respectively. More females than males were collected at all sites. While the number of sandflies captured was positively correlated with temperature and relative humidity, a negative correlation was observed between sandfly numbers and rainfall. Five species of sandflies were captured: Lutzomyia cruciata , Lutzomyia texana , Lutzomyia ovallesi , Lutzomyia cratifer / undulata and Brumptomyia sp. Lu. cruciata , constituting 98.8% of the total, was the most abundant species. None of the captured sandflies was infected with Leishmania spp.

The interactions between the fruit fly Anastrepha spatulata Stone (Diptera: Tephritidae) and two species of moths, the gelechiid Coleotechnites sp. and an unidentified tortricid species, were examined on their effects on seed production in terms of their exploitation within fruits of Schoepfia schreberi J.F. Gmel (Santalales: Olacaceae). The study was carried out in three experimental sites during 3 yr. Under conditions of abundant fruit, A. spatulata was the dominant exploiter at the population level, as shown by its ability to infest the largest number of fruits of the three herbivores and substantially displace its moth competitors. In a separate experiment, when resource-partitioning species were excluded, A. spatulata infested twice as many fruits as the two moth species (44.3%). Field observations examined the ability of A. spatulata to locate suitable fruits. We found that, the variation in fruit characters influenced fruit suitability in relation to its size (4.1261 ± 0.0272 mm [mean ± SE]) and weight (0.0618 ± 0.0005 mg [mean ± SE]). Uninfested fruits produce viable seed but the interaction of all species (exploiting for the fruits) led to limited seed formation.

In this study, we designed a new tent trap; the BioDiVector (BDV) tent trap, consisting of two rectangular tents that use human bait without endangering the technical personnel. The daily activity pattern of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in intra, peri, and extradomiciliary sites was studied in an endemic area of dengue in southern Mexico by using the BDV tent trap. Totals of 3,128 individuals of Ae. aegypti and 833 Ae. albopictus were captured. More Ae. aegypti males than females were caught, while the opposite was true with Ae. albopictus. The activity of both mosquito species was affected by the interaction between the collection site and time of day. In general, more individuals of both mosquito species were captured at the extradomicillary sites than at the peri and intradomicillary sites. Mosquitoes showed two peaks of activity, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, but in general this only occurred at the extradomicillary sites, whereas no peak of activity was observed at the intra and peridomicillary sites. Overall, Ae. aegypti had a higher indirect biting rate than Ae. albopictus. Finally, due to its efficiency, simplicity, and low cost, we suggest the use of this innovative tool for entomological surveillance, bionomics and vector incrimination studies in geographical areas where dengue and other arboviruses are present.

Cerebral hypometabolism characterizes mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Low-level light therapy (LLLT) enhances the metabolic capacity of neurons in culture through photostimulation of cytochrome oxidase, the mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes oxygen consumption in cellular respiration. Growing evidence supports that neuronal metabolic enhancement by LLLT positively impacts neuronal function in vitro and in vivo. Based on its effects on energy metabolism, it is proposed that LLLT will also affect the cerebral cortex in vivo and modulate higher-order cognitive functions such as memory. In vivo effects of LLLT on brain and behavior are poorly characterized. We tested the hypothesis that in vivo LLLT facilitates cortical oxygenation and metabolic energy capacity and thereby improves memory retention. Specifically, we tested this hypothesis in rats using fear extinction memory, a form of memory modulated by prefrontal cortex activation. Effects of LLLT on brain metabolism were determined through measurement of prefrontal cortex oxygen concentration with fluorescent quenching oximetry and by quantitative cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. Experiment 1 verified that LLLT increased the rate of oxygen consumption in the prefrontal cortex in vivo. Experiment 2 showed that LLLT-treated rats had an enhanced extinction memory as compared to controls. Experiment 3 showed that LLLT reduced fear renewal and prevented the reemergence of extinguished conditioned fear responses. Experiment 4 showed that LLLT induced hormetic dose-response effects on the metabolic capacity of the prefrontal cortex. These data suggest that LLLT can enhance cortical metabolic capacity and retention of extinction memories, and implicate LLLT as a novel intervention to improve memory.

International audience; Drone congregations are a ubiquitous phenomenon described in several species of stingless bees and extensively studied in the honeybee, Apis mellifera. In meliponaries of Scaptotrigona mexicana, it is usual to observe drones forming such congregations close to the nests, apparently waiting for a virgin queen for mating. We hypothesize that drones of this species, similarly to those of A. mellifera and the stingless bee Scaptotrigona postica, use olfactory signals to detect queens and evaluate their reproductive status. In both field and laboratory experiments, our results showed that S. mexicana drones were able to differentiate between virgin and physogastric queens. It seems that this ability to discriminate depends on the amount of 2-alcohols, since even though no differences were observed in the qualitative content between virgin and physogastric queens, these compounds were found in larger quantities in the virgin queens. Attraction is due to compounds found in the queen head, mainly 2-alcohols, where 2-nonanol is the most significant for drone attraction in field and laboratory bioassays and for eliciting a high drone antennal response.

Posterior cingulate/retrosplenial cortex (PCC) hypometabolism is a common feature in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. In rats, PCC hypometabolism induced by mitochondrial dysfunction induces oxidative damage, neurodegeneration and memory deficits. USP methylene blue (MB) is a diaminophenothiazine drug with antioxidant and metabolic-enhancing properties. In rats, MB facilitates memory and prevents neurodegeneration induced by mitochondrial dysfunction. This study tested the memory-enhancing properties of systemic MB in rats that received an infusion of sodium azide, a cytochrome oxidase inhibitor, directly into the PCC. Lesion volumes were estimated with unbiased stereology. MB's network-level mechanism of action was analyzed using graph theory and structural equation modeling based on cytochrome oxidase histochemistry-derived metabolic mapping data. Sodium azide infusions induced PCC hypometabolism and impaired visuospatial memory in a holeboard food-search task. Isolated PCC cytochrome oxidase inhibition disrupted the cingulo–thalamo–hippocampal effective connectivity, decreased the PCC functional networks and created functional redundancy within the thalamus. An intraperitoneal dose of 4 mg/kg MB prevented the memory impairment, reduced the PCC metabolic lesion volume and partially restored the cingulo–thalamo–hippocampal network effects. The effects of MB were dependent upon the local sub-network necessary for memory retrieval. The data support that MB's metabolic-enhancing effects are contingent upon the neural context, and that MB is able to boost coherent and orchestrated adaptations in response to physical alterations to the network involved in visuospatial memory. These results implicate MB as a candidate intervention to improve memory. Because of its neuroprotective properties, MB may have disease-modifying effects in amnestic conditions associated with hypometabolism.

The presence of thrombosis in preeclampsia suggests that endothelial function could play an important role in its pathogenesis.Determine the association between markers of genetic thrombophilia, endothelial activation and preeclampsia.Prospective study of cases and controls to determine the factor V Leiden existence, protrombin G20210A, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T, activated protein C resistance and levels of von Willebrand factor and the sFlt1 receptor were determined in 28 women with preeclampsia and 41 pregnant controls.Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T had a high allelic frequency (0.50). Even in the absence of factor V Leiden, there were significant differences in the prevalence of activated protein C resistance and abnormal levels of sFlt1 between patients with preeclampsia homozygous for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and controls (72 vs. 10%, p0.008 and 63.6 vs. 10%, p0.05, respectively). Patients with two or more abnormal tests, including homozygousity for the C677T allele had an increased risk of preeclampsia than those with one or no abnormal test (OR: 3.15; CI: 1.1-9.02).Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T has a high allelic prevalence and is associated with markers of thrombosis and endothelial activation in Mexican women with preeclampsia.

Low-level light therapy (LLLT) increases survival of cultured cells, improves behavioral recovery from neurodegeneration and speeds wound healing. These beneficial effects are thought to be mediated by upregulation of mitochondrial proteins, especially the respiratory enzyme cytochrome oxidase. However, the effects of in vivo LLLT on cytochrome oxidase in intact skeletal muscle have not been previously investigated. We used a sensitive method for enzyme histochemistry of cytochrome oxidase to examine the rat temporalis muscle 24 h after in vivo LLLT. The findings showed for the first time that in vivo LLLT induced a dose- and fiber type-dependent increase in cytochrome oxidase in muscle fibers. LLLT was particularly effective at enhancing the aerobic capacity of intermediate and red fibers. The findings suggest that LLLT may enhance the oxidative energy metabolic capacity of different types of muscle fibers, and that LLLT may be used to enhance the aerobic potential of skeletal muscle.

Previous studies have shown that a nine-component blend (ethyl butyrate, isopropyl butyrate, hexan-1-ol, propyl butyrate, isobutyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, isopentyl butyrate, ethyl benzoate, and ethyl octanoate) isolated from Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) fruit are attractive to both sexes of West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), in laboratory and field cage tests. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of traps baited with the nine-component blend in capturing wild A. obliqua in a mango, Mangifera indica L. variety Ataulfo) orchard. In addition, we tested other S. mombin-derived lures to determine whether any of these effectively mimic the nine-component blend in attracting A. obliqua. In all trials, we compared the attractiveness of the S. mombin-derived lures against hydrolyzed protein, the standard bait for monitoring A. obliqua. We found that, in some trials, there was no difference in the number of females caught by traps baited with the nine-component blend or with hydrolyzed protein. In other trials, traps baited with hydrolyzed protein captured more females than traps baited with the nine-component blend. For males, in general there were no differences in the number of flies caught by traps baited either with the nine-component blend or with hydrolyzed protein. Traps baited with other S. mombin-derived lures captured fewer A. obliqua than traps baited with hydrolyzed protein. Traps baited with S. mombin-derived lures caught fewer species of nontarget tephritid flies and nontarget insects than traps baited with hydrolyzed protein.

Sexual behavior was compared in two species in the Triatoma phyllosoma complex under laboratory conditions. The sexual behavior of Triatoma phyllosoma (Burmeister) and Triatoma pallidipennis (Stal) is similar, although there are qualitative and quantitative differences. The behavior pattern consists basically of eight steps. Mating duration and time of subjection for T. pallidipennis were measured in groups of adults at 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 male-biased and 2:1 and 3:1 female-biased sex ratios. The results indicate that differences in duration of mating between all sex ratio groups were not significant. The duration of subjection between sex ratio groups was variable and significantly different. The sexual behavior of T. pallidipennis was more similar to Triatoma mazzottii Usinger than it was to T. phyllosoma .

The systems that are able to detect suspicious or malicious activities are a fundamental component in the security process of every organization. These systems generate alerts that correspond to individual events and, in general, these systems do not show the relationships between them. It is important to examine the security data within their overall context in order to better understand what is happening in our systems. In this work, we present a correlation model based on the concept of vector clocks. We also present a tool that is our implementation of this correlation mechanism. This tool can be used by security analysts to generate graphs showing the relationships between the reported events and possibly discovering unknown attack patterns.

Scyphophorus acupuncatus Gyllenhal is considered to be the most significant pest of cultivated agaves in the world. Recent studies on the chemical ecology of this weevil have shown that males release a pheromone that attracts both sexes. In this study, we investigated the effect of feeding, aging, photoperiod, and time of day on pheromone release by S. acupuncatus males under laboratory conditions. The pheromone released by individual males was sampled using solid-phase microextraction and analyzed by gas chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry. Our results show that food is an important factor because weevils deprived of plant material did not release any pheromone. In addition, we found that males fed with apple, a nonhost plant, released less pheromone than weevils fed with agave. Host odor does not seem to be important in stimulating pheromone release. We found that males as young as 1 mo were able to release pheromone, although the numbers of individuals releasing pheromone increased with age. Older males released more pheromone than younger males. We found that S. acupuncatus males released pheromone during the photophase and scotophase; there was, however, no significant peak in pheromone release. Also, the pheromone released by S. acupunctatus was not affected by the length of the photoperiod.

The West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), is considered one of the most important pests of several fruit crops in Latin America. Studies on the sensorial ecology of A. obliqua may contribute to the improvement of a trapping system for monitoring this fruit fly species. In this study, we investigated the responses of both sexes of A. obliqua to different visual cues and to the combination of visual and chemical cues in field cages tests. Both sexes were more attracted to lime-green, orange, and yellow spheres than to red, black, or white spheres. Flies were more attracted to three-dimensional models than to flat models. A. obliqua was more attracted to 8-, 10-, and 12-cm-diameter spheres than to 4- and 6-cm-diameter spheres. Flies were more attracted to lime-green spheres baited with mombin fruit odor, Spondias mombin L., than to spheres offering either visual or cues alone.

Recent literature indicates that low-dose methylene blue (MB), an autoxidizable dye with powerful antioxidant and metabolic enhancing properties, might prevent neurotoxin-induced neural damage and associated functional deficits. This study evaluated whether local MB may counteract the anatomical and functional effects of the intrastriatal infusion of the neurotoxin rotenone in the rat. To this end, stereological analyses of striatal lesion volumes were performed and changes in oxidative energy metabolism in the striatum and related motor regions were mapped using cytochrome oxidase histochemistry. The influence of MB on striatal levels of oxidative stress induced by rotenone was determined, and behavioral tests were used to investigate the effect of unilateral MB co-administration on motor asymmetry. Rotenone induced large anatomical lesions resembling “metabolic strokes”, whose size was greatly reduced in MB-treated rats. Moreover, MB prevented the decrease in cytochrome oxidase activity and the perilesional increase in oxidative stress associated with rotenone infusion in the striatum. MB also prevented the indirect effects of the rotenone-induced lesion on cytochrome oxidase activity in related motor regions, such as the striatal regions rostral and caudal to the lesion, the substantia nigra compacta and reticulata, and the pedunculopontine nucleus. At a network level, MB maintained a global strengthening of functional connectivity in basal ganglia-thalamocortical motor circuits, as opposed to the functional decoupling observed in rotenone-alone subjects. Finally, MB partially prevented the behavioral sensorimotor asymmetries elicited by rotenone. These results are consistent with protective effects of MB against neurotoxic damage in the brain parenchyma. This study provides the first demonstration of the anatomical, metabolic and behavioral neuroprotective effects of MB in the striatum in vivo, and supports the notion that MB could be a valuable intervention against neural damage associated with oxidative stress and energy hypometabolism.

We investigated the behavioral and electrophysiological responses of male and female Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), to volatiles of bitter orange fruit, Citrus aurantium L. In field cage tests, the number of A. ludens caught in Multilure traps baited with mature green bitter orange fruit was significantly higher than the number captured in traps baited with ripe yellow bitter orange fruit and control (unbaited traps). Both sexes were more attracted to mature green bitter orange fruit extracts than to controls in both flight tunnel and field cage assays. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the mature green bitter orange fruit volatiles identified 10 different compounds. Limonene was the most abundant volatile compound, followed by an unknown compound, tentatively identified as trans-ocimene. Linalool, beta-pinene, and methyl salicylate were found in lower proportions. Both sexes of A. ludens evoked higher antennal response to linalool, methyl salicylate, and to a blend of these four components in comparison with limonene, and beta-pinene. In flight tunnel, both sexes were more attracted and landed more often on spheres baited with the four-component blend compared with control spheres. In field cage tests, Multilure traps baited with the four-component blend captured significantly more A. ludens flies than traps baited with hydrolyzed protein or control traps.

The reduction of domiciliary infestation by insect vectors, the key to controlling Chagas' disease, depends on identification of housing features associated with infestation. In this study, log-linear modeling was used to reanalyze data collected in 1964-1968 from 371 houses on characteristics potentially associated with infestation by the vector Triatoma dimidiata in a Costa Rican town with endemic Chagas' disease. A possible increased risk of infestation was observed for houses with a dirt floor (as compared with houses with another floor type) and for houses in poor sanitary condition (as compared with houses in good sanitary condition). A new risk factor for house infestation, the presence of roof tiles, was identified; the odds of infestation for houses with a tile roof were 2.4 times greater than the odds for houses with a galvanized metal roof. This significantly increased risk is probably due to the harboring of T. dimidiata in stacks of spare tiles next to house walls rather than to the tile roofs themselves. La reducción de la infestación domiciliaria por insectos vectores, clave para el control de la enfermedad de Chagas, depende de la identificación de las características de las viviendas asociadas a la infestación. En este estudio, se utilizó la modelización log-lineal para volver a analizar los datos recogidos en 1964-1968 de 371 viviendas sobre las características potencialmente asociadas a la infestación por el vector Triatoma dimidiata en una ciudad costarricense con la enfermedad de Chagas endémica. Se observó un posible aumento del riesgo de infestación en las casas con suelo de tierra (en comparación con las casas con otro tipo de suelo) y en las casas en malas condiciones sanitarias (en comparación con las casas en buenas condiciones sanitarias). Se identificó un nuevo factor de riesgo de infestación en las casas, la presencia de tejas; las probabilidades de infestación para las casas con techo de tejas eran 2,4 veces mayores que las probabilidades para las casas con techo de metal galvanizado. Este riesgo significativamente mayor se debe probablemente a que T. dimidiata se aloja en pilas de tejas sobrantes junto a las paredes de las casas, y no a los tejados de tejas en sí. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria

During sexual signaling, males of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) form leks and attract females by producing sounds and releasing volatile compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence time of time of day, age, irradiation, mating status, and the presence of host fruit on the release of volatile components by laboratory-reared A. obliqua males. A. obliqua males released four compounds identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as (E,E)-alpha-farnesene, (Z,E)-alpha-farnesene, (Z)-3-nonenol, and a farnesene isomer during calling behavior. Although males released volatiles during the entire day, the amount of volatiles was higher in the early morning and afternoon hours. Males began to emit volatiles when they were 6 d old, but only the amount of (Z)-3-nonenol was affected by age. Irradiation of flies with gamma rays from a 60Co source at a dose rate of 80 [corrected] Gy significantly reduced the amount of volatiles released during calling behavior. The amount of volatiles was lower in recently mated males than virgin males. However, there were no significant differences between virgin males and males 24 h after mating. The presence of host fruit did not affect the amount of volatiles compared with the control.

Methylene blue (MB) is a diaminophenothiazine with potent antioxidant and unique redox properties that prevent morphologic degenerative changes in the mouse retina induced by rotenone, a specific mitochondrial complex I inhibitor. This study evaluated pigmented rats to determine whether MB's neuroprotective effects against rotenone-mediated retinal neurotoxicity have functional relevance and whether these effects are mediated by an improvement in neuronal energy metabolism in vivo. Visual function was behaviorally assessed by determining differences in the illuminance sensitivity threshold pre- and post-bilateral intravitreal injection of rotenone (200 microg/kg) or rotenone plus MB (70 microg/kg). Retinal degeneration was morphologically studied using unbiased stereological tools. Changes in histochemically determined cytochrome oxidase activity in the visual pathway were used to evaluate the impact of treatments on neuronal energy metabolism. Rotenone induced a 1.4 log unit increase in the illumination threshold compared to baseline, as well as a 32% decrease in ganglion cell layer cell (GCL) density, and a 56% decrease in GCL layer + nerve fiber layer thickness. Co-administration of MB prevented the changes in visual function and the retinal histopathology. Furthermore, rotenone induced a functional deafferentation of the visual system, as revealed by decreases in the metabolic activity of the retina, superior colliculus, and visual cortex. These metabolic changes were also prevented by MB. The results provided the first demonstration of MB's behavioral and metabolic neuroprotection against optic neuropathy, and implicate MB as a candidate neuroprotective agent with metabolic-enhancing properties that may be used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

En este trabajo se investigó la respuesta olfativa de larvas de terceros estadios de Phyllophaga ravida (Blanchard 1850) y Phyllophaga tumulosa (Bates 1888) ante las raíces de Zea mays L. (Gramineae), Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. (Gramineae), Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Leguminosae) y Physalis philadelphica Lam. (Solanaceae). Se utilizó un olfatómetro Y, con una raíz de papel filtro como testigo; las larvas de P. ravida no mostraron preferencia olfativa por ninguna de las raíces probadas; mientras que las larvas de P. tumulosa prefirieron la del tomate verde. En terrarios de cristal se sembraron una planta de maíz (control) y otra de frijol o tomate verde, y se infestaron con dos larvas de P. ravida o de P. tumulosa, excepto los testigos, para registrar la preferencia hacia un tipo de raíz en el suelo. Las larvas de Phyllophaga ravida tuvieron mayor presencia en las raíces del maíz que en las del frijol o del tomate verde y aumentaron significativamente de peso en las combinaciones frijol-maíz y tomate verde-maíz. Las larvas de P. tumulosa prefirieron las raíces del tomate verde que las del maíz o del frijol, y aumentaron significativamente de peso en la combinación tomate verde-maíz. La preferencia olfativa de P. tumulosa por la raíz del tomate verde se corroboró en los terrarios.

This is the first report of the in vivo effectiveness of memantine as a neuroprotective agent against rotenone-induced retinal toxicity. We tested the hypothesis that uncompetitive NMDAR blockade with memantine prevents mitochondrial dysfunction-related neurodegeneration in vivo, using a mouse model of retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) degeneration induced by rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor. Rotenone induced an increase in cell death and oxidative stress in GCL compared to controls, and these changes were prevented by the co-administration of memantine. The neurotoxic effect of rotenone was also reflected as a decrease in total cell density in GCL and GCL + nerve fiber layer thickness. These changes were also prevented by co-administration of memantine in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, memantine induced an increase in long-term retinal energy metabolic capacity. The results suggest that NMDAR activation contributes to cell death induced by mitochondrial dysfunction and that uncompetitive NMDAR blockade may be used as a neuroprotective strategy against mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.

The sequence of mating behaviors of Triatoma mazzottii Usinger was established under laboratory conditions. In 180 observations with 70 pairs of insects, copulation was completed on 20 occasions, females were not receptive on 50 occasions, and males were indifferent on 110 occasions. The behavior pattern consists basically of nine steps, seven by the male, one by the female, and one by both: (1) male vigilant position, (2) female advance movement, (3) jumping onto or mounting, (4) gyration, (5) dorsolateral position, (6) juxtaposition of genitalia, (7) copulation, (8) subjection of the female, and (9) separation. Copulation usually went to completion after the male had completed the gyration step. The duration of copulation was 10:55 ± 2:06 min. The possible effect on this behavior of a sex pheromone is discussed, as are other factors that may affect copulation.

The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) is the brain region displaying the earliest sign of energy hypometabolism in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In particular, the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory enzyme cytochrome oxidase (C.O.) is selectively inhibited within the PCC in AD. The present study is the first experimental analysis designed to model in animals the localized cortical C.O. inhibition found as the earliest metabolic sign of early-stage AD in human neuroimaging studies. Rats were used to model local inhibition of C.O. by direct injection of the C.O. inhibitor sodium azide into the PCC. Learning and memory were examined in a spatial holeboard task and brains were analyzed using quantitative histochemical, morphological and biochemical techniques. Behavioral results showed that sodium azide-treated rats were impaired in their memory of the baited pattern in probe trials as compared to their training scores before treatment, without non-specific behavioral differences. Brain analyses showed that C.O. inhibition was specific to the PCC, and sodium azide increased lipid peroxidation, gliosis and neuron loss, and lead to a network functional disconnection between the PCC and interconnected hippocampal regions. It was concluded that impaired memory by local C.O. inhibition in the PCC may serve to model in animals a metabolic lesion similar to that found in patients with amnestic MCI and early-stage AD. This model may be useful as an in vivo testing platform to investigate neuroprotective strategies to prevent or reduce the amnestic effects produced by posterior cingulate energy hypometabolism.

Extraction of filamentous algae from river pools is highly effective for the control of Anophelespseudopunctipennis in southern Mexico. We determined the magnitude of changes to the aquatic insect community following single annual perturbations performed over two years. In 2001, algae were manually removed from all the pools in a 3 km long section of the River Coatan, Mexico, while an adjacent section was left as an untreated control. In 2002, the treatments of both zones were switched and algal extraction was repeated. The abundance of An. pseudopunctipennis larvae + pupae was dramatically reduced by this treatment and remained depressed for two to three months. A total of 11,922 aquatic insects from ten orders, 40 families, and 95 genera were collected in monthly samples taken over five months of each year. Algal extraction did not reduce the overall abundance of aquatic insects in river pools, but a greater abundance and a greater richness of taxa were observed in 2002 compared to the previous year. This was associated with reduced precipitation and river discharge in 2002 compared to 2001. Shannon diversity index values were significantly depressed following algal extraction for a period of three months, in both years, before returning to values similar to those of the control zone. However, differences between years were greater than differences between treatments within a particular year. When insects were classified by functional feeding group (FFG), no significant differences were detected in FFG densities between extraction and control zones over time in either year of the study. Similarly, percent model affinity index values were classified as "not impacted" by the extraction process. Discriminant function analysis identified two orders of insects (Diptera and Odonata), water temperature, dissolved oxygen and conductivity, and river volume (depth, width, and discharge) as being of significant value in defining control and treatment groups in both years. We conclude that habitat manipulation represents an effective and environmentally benign strategy for control of An. pseduopunctipennis. Variation in precipitation and river discharge between years was much more important in determining aquatic insect community composition than variation generated by the filamentous algal extraction treatment.

Behavioral and electrophysiological tests were performed to evaluate the responses of workers of the ant Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius) from different size categories to Dufour gland extracts. Morphometric measures based in head widths across eyes were used to determine worker sizes. Trail following response of different worker sizes to Dufour gland extract from workers of different sizes was assessed. For each worker size category olfactory responses to Dufour gland extracts were determined using electroantennography (EAG). Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to determine the chromatographic profile of Dufour gland secretion for each worker size. Morphometric measures permitted to classify the workers of S. geminata as large, medium and small workers. Medium S. geminata workers displayed a significantly higher behavioral response to Dufour gland extracts produced by medium size workers. Similarly, medium workers showed a significantly higher EAG response to Dufour gland extracts produced by medium sized workers. Chromatographic profile of Dufour gland secretions produced by workers showed that each size category exhibited a characteristic profile of the three main components considered as potential trail pheromone constituents. This work showed that medium workers of S. geminata exhibited a high trail-following behavior as well as a high antennal response to Dufour gland secretion. This and their relative abundance in field foraging areas, suggest that medium-sized workers are specialized in foraging activities. Se efectuaron pruebas comportamentales y electrofisiológicas para evaluar las respuestas de obreras de Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius) de diferentes tamaños a extractos de la glándula de Dufour. Se usaron medidas del ancho de la cabeza para determinar el tamaño de las obreras. Se evualuó la respuesta de seguimiento de ruta de obreras de diferentes tamaños a extractos de la glándula de Dufour proveniente de obreras de diferentes tamaños. Para cada grupo de obrera de determinado tamaño se le determinó la respuesta olfatoria por medio de electroantenografía (EAG). Se utilizó Cromatografía de Gases acoplada a Espectrometría de Masas (GC-EM) para determinar el perfil cromatográfico de la secreción de la glándula de Dufour para cada grupo de obreras. Las medidas morfométricas permitieron clasificar a las obreras de acuerdo a su tamaño en grandes, medianas y pequeñas. Las obreras medianas de S. geminata exhibieron una respuesta comportamental alta a los extractos glandulares de hormigas medianas. Las obreras medianas mostraron también una alta respuesta antenal a los extractos de obreras medianas. El perfil cromatográfico de la secreción de la glándula de Dufour producida por obreras muestra que cada tamaño exhibió un perfil característico de los tres componentes potenciales como feromona de ruta. Concluimos que las obreras de tamaño mediano exhibieron altas respuestas tanto comportamentales como olfatorias a la secreción de la glándula de Dufour. Lo anterior y el hecho de que sean las más abundantes en el área de forrajeo sugieren que este grupo de obreras está especializado en actividades de forrajeo.

An ecological control method, using environmental management operations, based on biological and behavioral characteristics of Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811), was implemented as a pilot project in an area of Costa Rica where the bug is prevalent. The sample was represented by 20 houses with peridomestic colonies (two also had indoor infestation), divided in two equivalent groups of 10 each. In one group we intervened the houses, i.e. all objects or materials that were serving as artificial ecotopes for the bugs were removed, and the second group was used as control houses. After a year of periodic follow up, it became evident that in those houses with a modified environment the number of insects had decreased notoriously even after the first visits and this was more evident after a period of 12.5 to 13.5 months in which no insects were detected in eight of the houses. It also became clear that in this group of houses, recolonization by wild bugs from the surrounding areas, became more difficult, probably due to the absence of protection from bug predators. In the control houses, with the exception of three in which the inhabitants decided to intervene on their own, and another house with a peculiar situation, the insect populations remained the same or even showed a tendency to increase, as confirmed at the end of the experiment. We believe that the method is feasible, low costing and non contaminating. It could be used successfully in other places where T. dimidiata is common and also in countries where other species colonize peridomestic areas of homes. Environmental management of this kind should seek the participation of the members of the communities, in order to make it a more permanent control measure. Se implementó como proyecto piloto un método de control ecológico, mediante operaciones de manejo ambiental, basado en las características biológicas y de comportamiento de Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811), en una zona de Costa Rica donde la chinche es prevalente. La muestra estuvo representada por 20 casas con colonias peridomiciliarias (dos también tenían infestación en el interior), divididas en dos grupos equivalentes de 10 cada uno. En un grupo se intervinieron las casas, es decir, se retiraron todos los objetos o materiales que servían de ecotopo artificial para los bichos, y el segundo grupo se utilizó como casas control. Después de un año de seguimiento periódico, se hizo evidente que en las casas con ambiente modificado el número de insectos había disminuido notoriamente incluso después de las primeras visitas y esto fue más evidente después de un período de 12,5 a 13,5 meses en el que no se detectaron insectos en ocho de las casas. También se puso de manifiesto que en este grupo de casas, la recolonización por parte de los insectos silvestres de los alrededores, se hizo más difícil, probablemente debido a la ausencia de protección de los depredadores de insectos. En las casas de control, a excepción de tres en las que los habitantes decidieron intervenir por su cuenta, y otra casa con una situación peculiar, las poblaciones de insectos se mantuvieron igual o incluso mostraron una tendencia a aumentar, como se confirmó al final del experimento. Creemos que el método es factible, de bajo coste y no contaminante. Podría utilizarse con éxito en otros lugares donde T. dimidiata es común y también en países donde otras especies colonizan las zonas peridomésticas de las viviendas. La gestión ambiental de este tipo debe buscar la participación de los miembros de las comunidades, para que sea una medida de control más permanente. Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica. Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria

Oviposition response of gravid Anopheles albimanus Wiedemman (Diptera: Culicidae) females to water containing Brachiaria mutica, Cynodon dactylon, Jouvea straminea, Fimbristylis spadicea, and Ceratophyllum demersum was investigated. Gravid An. albimanus females deposited similar egg numbers in cups containing natural plants in water from natural breeding sites and in cups containing natural plants in distilled water. Gravid mosquitoes deposited significantly more eggs in cups containing natural plants in water from natural breeding sites than in cups containing artificial plants in water from the corresponding natural breeding sites. These results were confirmed in experiments conducted in a wind tunnel, indicating that female response is mediated by chemical cues from plants. Bioassays with organic extracts of all 5 plant species indicated that these extracts at 100%, 10%, and 1% concentrations had an oviposition repellent effect, while attractiveness was observed at 0.1%, 0.01%, and 0.001%. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis of the organic extracts found in all 5 plants showed a mixture of terpenoid and alcohol compounds, among them: guaiacol, phenol, isoeugenol, longifolene, caryophyllene, phenyl ethyl alcohol, and p-cresol. These results suggest that middle-range volatiles from plants may function as chemical cues for the female's oviposition response in this mosquito species.

The mandibular gland secretion of Melipona beecheii contains a rich mixture of terpenoid and oxygenated compounds and unsaturated and saturated hydrocarbons. However, it differs markedly from the 11 other Brazilian species examined in previous studies, both by the absence of 2-heptanol and the presence of rose oxides. The most abundant compound was geranyl hexanoate, whereas the most volatile compounds were cis- and trans-rose oxide and geraniol. The complete blend and five individual components found in the gland secretion were tested by electroantennography (EAG) and behavioral assays. The complete mandibular gland extract and geraniol elicited the strongest EAG responses, whereas these and farnesyl acetate induced the strongest attack response from workers. The role of the rose oxides remains to be elucidated, as they do not appear to play a major role as an alarm pheromone of this species.

Nonirradiated males and females of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) were attracted to and landed more frequently on ripe fruits of Spondias mombin L. than on artificial fruit in wind tunnel bioassays. Porapak Q volatile extracts of S. mombin were also attractive and elicited landing on artificial fruit for both sexes. Combined gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analysis of volatile extracts showed that nine volatile compounds elicited repeatable antennal responses from females and males. The EAD-active compounds were identified by GC–mass spectrometry (MS) as follows: ethyl butyrate, isopropyl butyrate, hexan-1-ol, propyl butyrate, isobutyl butyrate, ethyl hexanoate, isopentyl butyrate, ethyl benzoate, and ethyl octanoate. In wind tunnel bioassays, males and females were attracted and landed more frequently on lures containing the nine-component blend of synthetic compounds than on unscented controls. Field cage bioassays showed that multilure traps baited with the nine-synthetic blend captured significantly more A. obliqua than traps baited with hydrolyzed protein or water.

Hyperhomocysteinemia, or the rise of plasmatic homocysteine levels above 15 mug/dL, is accepted nowadays as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in men and women. Homocysteine (Hcy) is a non-protein forming aminoacid (aa) derivated from the loss of the methyl group, found within methionine. Methionine regenerates by retrieving the methyl radical from 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) creating tetrahydrofolate (THF) which will then regenerate to 5-MTHF through the action of methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR). This process is called remethylation. Alternatively, Hcy can follow the transsulfuration route, where through cystationine-beta-syntetase (CBS), it irreversibly converted into cystationine, a precursor of cysteine, glutathione, and other substances that are finally excreted in the urine. Hyperhomocysteinemia results from inhibition of the remethylation route, or inhibition or saturation of the transsulfuration pathway. Main factors causally associated increased plasmatic Hcy are mutations of the enzymes MTHFR and CBS; varying nutritional and health states; demographic factors; and, others. The most accepted hypotheses about Hcy action in cardiovascular disease are direct endothelial and vessel wall damage; oxidative stress generation; and, stimulation of a procoagulant and proinflammatory state of blood components. Since hyperhomocysteinemia can be effectively treated with folic acid, prospective trials are underway to determine if folate therapy is required to lower Hcy levels in plasma. These studies also attempt to address the impact, if any, of folate therapy in the reduction of cardiovascular risk, and to demonstrate if hyperhomocysteinemia is actually an independent risk factor that can be effectively treated.

Purging of neoplastic cells for autologous stem cell transplantation is usually done in vivo by administering chemotherapy and/or other agents before harvesting. It is also possible to decrease malignant cells counts directly in the cell harvest. In this study, we ascertained the effect of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and rituximab administration on peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells. Five samples of stem cell harvests from different patients with B cell lymphoma were obtained. Each sample was divided in two tubes with calcium gluconate (20 mEq/50 microl). Rituximab (1 mg/600,000 mononuclear cells) was added to one of the tubes. Using flow cytometry, CD19, CD20 (B cell markers), and CD95 (apoptosis marker), expression was measured at baseline and 24 h after the addition of rituximab. A one-sided t-test with equal variances was used to analyze the results. Immediately after rituximab addition, CD20 expression became null. No significant difference in variation of CD19 expression was detected after the addition of rituximab (-3.64% control vs. 0.63% rituximab, p = 0.69). Mean variations of percentage of CD95 expression were 2.9% (controls) and 10.52% (rituximab tubes) (p = 0.06). We conclude that rituximab is capable of initiating apoptosis in vitro. We found no decrease in the CD19+ cell count, used as a surrogate marker for CD20+ cells, meaning that, at least in 24 h, apoptosis activation is not capable of decreasing CD20+ cell numbers. In vitro purging of peripheral blood stem cells harvests with rituximab could be part of a broader therapeutic strategy to be offered to lymphoproliferative disorder patients.

We examined the interaction between an invertebrate iridescent virus (IIV) isolated from Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) and the solitary ichneumonid endoparasitoid Eiphosoma vitticolle Cresson. In choice tests, parasitoids examined and stung significantly more virus infected than healthy larvae, apparently due to a lack of defense reaction in virus infected hosts. Parasitoid-mediated virus transmission was observed in 100% of the female parasitoids that stung a virus infected host in the laboratory. Each female parasitoid transmitted the virus to an average (±SE) of 3.7±0.3 larvae immediately after stinging an infected larva. Caged field experiments supported this result; virus transmission to healthy larvae only occurred in cages containing infected hosts (as inoculum) and parasitoids (as vectors). The virus was highly detrimental to parasitoid development because of premature host death and lethal infection of the developing endoparasitoid. Female parasitoids that emerged from virus infected hosts did not transmit the virus to healthy hosts. We suggest that the polyphagous habits of many noctuid parasitoids combined with the catholic host range of most IIVs may represent a mechanism for the transmission of IIVs between different host species in the field.

The West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), has been recorded from the USA (Florida and Texas) to South America, including the Caribbean Islands. This is a species of fruit flies that causes serious damage to several eco nomically important fruit crops, such as mango, sapodilla, and guava (Hern?ndez-Ortiz & Aluja 1993). Lures based on organic compounds such as pu trescine, ammonium acetate, or liquid hydrolyzed protein have been used successfully as attracta nts in programs for detection and monitoring of several species of fruit flies (Heath et al. 1997). Volatiles from fruit odors also have been investi gated as attractants for fruit flies (Reynolds & Prokopy 1998; Robacker & Heath 1996; Prokopy & Vargas 1996; Nigg et al. 1994). Recently, Cruz L?pez et al. (2006) showed that both sexes of A. obliqua are strongly attracted to a blend of 9 syn thetic compounds of volatiles of hogplum (Spon dias mombin L.). The combination of nitrogenous lures and fruit odors may improve the catches of A. obliqua, but this approach remains to be inves tigated in field tests. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the response of feral flies of A. obliqua to a synthetic 9-component blend of hogplum vola tiles (S. mombin), in combination with putrescine and ammonium acetate. Field trials were conducted in an unsprayed commercial orchard of mango Cv. Ata?lfo located in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico from May to Jun 2006. Multilure traps (Better World Manufactur ing Inc., Fresno, CA) were hung from branches of fruit trees 4 m above the ground, and 15 m apart. The traps were baited with the following treat ments: (1) ammonium acetate (AA) (Suterra LLC, OR, USA) + synthetic blend of S. mombin fruits (SM); (2) putrescine (Pu) (Suterra LLC, OR) + SM; (3) AA + Pu + SM; (4) AA + Pu; (5) SM alone; and (6) hydrolyzed protein (HP) Captor 300 (Pro motora Agropecuaria Universal S.A. de C.V., Mex ico City) used as control. Each trap contained 250 mL of water, and 2 mL of Tween 80 (ICI, Wilming ton, DE), which were added to retain flies, while others traps were baited with 10 mL of the hydro lyzed protein mixed with 5 g of borax dissolved in 235 mL of water per trap. The synthetic blend of S. mombin fruits were prepared as described else where (Cruz-L?pez et al. 2006), and 100 pL of syn thetic blend were loaded in a rubber septum (Sigma-Aldrich, Toluca, Mexico). The rubber septa were put in the lure compartment of the Multilure trap. Each row of trees contained a trap of each treatment, and there were 5 replicates per treatment. Traps were collected every 3 d and the position of traps within each row was rotated The captures of A. obliqua were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were separated by the Tukey test (a= 0.05). Data were transformed byy0 4 for total flies analysis, and y0 5 for females and males analysis by the Box-Cox family of power transformation (Box & Cox 1964) to stabilize variances before analysis. Data anal ysis was performed with Statistica ver. 6 (Stat Soft, Inc.,Tulsa, OK). In total, 950 adults of A. obliqua were captured in all traps, 615 flies were females, and 335 were males. In addition, traps captured individuals of Anastrepha ludens and Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann). We found that the catches were sig nificantly affected by treatment (total flies F = 34.38; df= 5, 20; < 0.001; females F = 45.60; df = 5, 20; < 0.001; males F = 12.66; df= 5, 20; < 0.001). Traps baited with HP, AA + Pu + SM, and AA + Pu caught more females and total flies than the traps baited with AA + SM, Pu + SM, and SM alone. While the traps baited with HP, AA + Pu, and AA + Pu caught more males than the traps baited with AA + SM, Pu + SM, and SM alone. Flies males captures by traps baited with AA + Pu + SM were not significantly different from the catches by traps baited with HP, AA + Pu, or AA + SM. Number of males A. obliqua caught by traps baited with AA + SM was not significantly different from the catches by traps baited with Pu + SM, and SM alone. The traps baited with Pu + SM, and SM alone captured the fewest males (Fig. 1). Our results showed that combination of ammo nium acetate and putrescine with synthetic blend of S. mombin fruits did not improve the captures of both sexes of feral A. obliqua. Similar results to those found in the present study have been re ported in A. ludens, when a blend of 4 synthetic compounds of volatiles of yellow chap?te: 1,8-cin eole, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate, and hex anol in combination with putrescine, ammonium bicarbonate, and methylamine HCl did not in crease the captures compared with the traps con taining metabolites of amino acids alone (Ro backer 1998). In the course of this experiment, we observed that flies fed on fallen ripe mangoes, and this may affect the response of feral flies to AA + Pu + SM, and SM alone. In semi-natural condi