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Market reports of white striping in broiler breast fillets have been increasing, which has generated concerns in the broiler meat industry regarding negative effects on consumer acceptance. This study was conducted to macro- and microscopically characterize the condition of white striping at varying degrees of severity on Cobb 500 broiler breast fillets slaughtered at 42 d of age. Carcasses of 2,512 broilers presenting white striping were slaughtered and macroscopically classified according to the degree of severity of the striations as moderate or severe; further histological microscopic evaluation demonstrated degenerative myopathy in both moderate and severe cases, but 75% of those breast fillets were classified as moderate. Typically, the samples classified macroscopically as moderate showed microscopic necrosis only (65.17%) or moderate multifocal necrosis (9.83%), whereas those classified as severe showed diffuse and strong necrosis (25.00%). The proliferation of connective tissue was not observed for either of the degrees of white striping investigated, characterizing this profile as an acute occurrence.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a prevalência de asma e possíveis fatores de risco associados. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, integrante do International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. Participaram 561 escolares de seis a sete anos de idade, provenientes de 35 escolas públicas da cidade de São Paulo, escolhidas por sorteio, em 2002. A amostra incluiu 168 asmáticos e 393 não asmáticos, que responderam questionário constituído por 33 questões referentes a dados pessoais, familiares e ambientais. A associação entre asma e fatores de risco foi avaliada pela análise de regressão logística, considerando-se nível de significância estatística de 5%. RESULTADOS: Entre os escolares, 31,2% referiam sibilos nos 12 meses anteriores à entrevista. Os fatores de risco significativamente associados à asma foram: sexo masculino (OR=2,4;IC 95%: 1,4;4,2), mãe fumante no primeiro ano de vida (OR=2,0; IC 95%: 1,1;3,8), presença de eczema em locais característicos (OR=3,0; IC 95%:1,2; 7,6) e rinoconjuntivite (OR=2,4;IC 95%: 1,2; 4,8). CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de asma na região estudada foi elevada e os fatores de risco relacionados foram: sexo masculino, sintomas de rinoconjuntivite no último ano, mãe fumante no primeiro ano de vida e presença de eczema em locais característicos.

Objectives To evaluate the sensitization to aeroallergens determined by skin prick test (SPT) in Brazilian adolescents, and to correlate its positivity with the diagnosis of asthma and/or rhinitis based on the written questionnaire (WQ) of ISAAC phase III study. Patients and Methods A total of 996 adolescents (387 boys) were selected by systematic samples. A standard allergen extracts panel (positive/negative control, D pteronyssinus [Dpt], P americana [Pa], B germanica [Bg], dog, cat, fungal and grass mix) was used and its positivity compared with positive responses to asthma, rhinitis or both. Results Positive SPT to at least one allergen was observed in 466 adolescents (46.8 %), with sensitization to Dpt in 79.1 %. Positivity to more than one allergen occurred in 232 students (49.8 %). The frequency of positive SPTs was significantly higher among adolescents with asthma (OR = 2.16), rhinitis (OR = 1.69), and asthma and rhinitis (OR = 2.03). Positive SPT to four or more allergens were higher among asthmatics (OR = 2.6) and among adolescents with asthma and rhinitis (OR = 3). Conclusions A high sensitisation rate to aeroallergens was observed, significantly higher among those with asthma, rhinitis or a combination of both, especially in multiple sensitisations.

Summary Viral infections have been implicated as the cause of cardiomyopathy in several mammalian species. This study describes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and myocarditis associated with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in five cats aged between 1 and 4 years. Clinical manifestations included dyspnoea in four animals, one of which also exhibited restlessness. One animal showed only lethargy, anorexia and vomiting. Necropsy examination revealed marked cardiomegaly, marked left ventricular hypertrophy and pallor of the myocardium and epicardium in all animals. Microscopical and immunohistochemical examination showed multifocal infiltration of the myocardium with T lymphocytes and fewer macrophages, neutrophils and plasma cells. An intense immunoreaction for FIV antigen in the cytoplasm and nucleus of lymphocytes and the cytoplasm of some macrophages was observed via immunohistochemistry (IHC). IHC did not reveal the presence of antigen from feline calicivirus, coronavirus, feline leukaemia virus, feline parvovirus, Chlamydia spp. or Toxoplasma gondii. The results demonstrate the occurrence of FIV infection in inflammatory cells in the myocardium of five cats with myocarditis and HCM.

Soybean var. IAC-8 was harvested in five different times, two previous (R7 and R8) and two subsequent (C1 and C2) to the usual commercial harvest time (H). The seeds were air dried at normal ambient temperature before storage. Those with 15% moisture could be kept for only three months. Those with 12% moisture were kept for six months. Initial characterization of the seeds revealed the least oil content in seeds from the harvest of R8. In addition, the sample R8 had the least acidity and the oil had better storage properties regarding peroxide value. During storage a general increase in acidity has been observed in the oil from seeds from all the samples and at the two moisture levels. Peroxide value of the oil decreased after three months of storage, except for R8 oils, and were even lower in the 15% moisture seeds. Spectrophotometric absorption in the ultraviolet range indicated the formation of conjugated double bonds as the period of storage increased, independently of the harvest time and seed moisture. There was little change in the iodine values of any of the samples during the storage period. The oils from R8 were the ones that showed the least oxidative deterioration during the period studied, whereas R7 and C2 seed oils were considered to have deteriorated the most.Se recolectó soja de la variedad IAC-8 en cinco momentos diferentes, dos previos (R7 y R8) y dos siguientes (C1 y C2) al tiempo normal de recolección comercial (H). Las semillas se secaron al aire a temperatura ambiente después del almacenamiento. Aquellas con un 15% de humedad pudieron ser conservadas durante solo tres meses. Aquellas con un 12% de humedad fueron guardadas durante seis meses. La caracterización inicial de las semillas mostró el más bajo contenido en aceite en semillas procedentes de la cosecha R8. Además la muestra RB tuvo la menor acidez y el aceite presentó las mejores propiedades al almacenamiento considerando el índice de peróxido. Durante el almacenamiento, se observó un incremento general en la acidez en los aceites de semillas de todas las muestras y a dos niveles de humedad. El Índice de peróxido de los aceites disminuyó después de tres meses de almacenamiento, excepto para aceites R8, y fue incluso menor en las semillas con un 15% de humedad. La absorción espectrofotométrica en el rango ultravioleta indicó la formación de dobles enlaces conjugados cuando el periodo de almacenamiento aumentó, independientemente del momento de cosecha y humedad de la semilla. Hubo pequeños cambios en los índices de iodo de algunas muestras durante el periodo de almacenamiento. Los aceites de R8 fueron aquellos que mostraron la menor deterioración oxidativa durante el periodo estudiado, mientras que los aceites de semillas R7 y C2 fueron los que sufrieron mayor deterioración.

The ability to predict larval phenology for the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L), is of interest for a variety of reasons, ranging from basic ecological research applications to the applied objective of improving timing of spray applications. Problems with the development of an appropriate model to predict larval phenology for this pest are exacerbated by the large, and often complex, landscapes that must be considered in control programs, and by the gypsy moth's extensive geographic distribution. The goal of research discussed in this paper is to provide a flexible modeling system that can be used to construct a phenology model that is well suited for a particular application. To accomplish this goal, parameters for a variety of developmental models from an existing data base were estimated. Basic modeling assumptions, such as the instar independence of developmental rates, were tested. Parameter estimation for the set of reasonable models resulted in a large number of potential phenology models. To assist in the development of an effective predictive tool, a modeling system was designed for assembling and implementing selected models. Finally, several applications were discussed that illustrate the rationale for choosing the most appropriate model for a particular application. Our primary objective is to provide a convenient modeling framework for field testing and applying gypsy moth larval phenology models.

To assess asthma prevalence and potential risk factors associated.Cross-sectional study part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. A total of 561 schoolchildren aged 6-7 years from 35 public schools in the city of São Paulo (Southeastern Brazil) were drawn to participate in the study, in 2002. The sample consisted of 168 asthmatic and 393 non-asthmatic children who answered a questionnaire comprising 33 questions on personal, family and environmental information. The association between asthma and the risk factors studied was assessed by logistic regression analysis at a 5% statistical significance.Among the schoolchildren studied, 31.2% reported wheezing in the 12 months preceding the interview. The following risk factors were significantly associated with asthma: male gender (OR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.4;4.2), maternal smoking in the child's first year of life (OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.1;3.8), eczema on characteristic body areas (OR=3.0; 95% CI: 1.2;7.6) and rhinoconjunctivitis (OR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.2;4.8).Asthma prevalence in the study area was high and the risk factors identified were male gender, rhinoconjunctivitis in last year, maternal smoking in the child's first year of life and eczema on characteristic body areas.

As black swallow-wort, Vincetoxicum nigrum L. Moench, and pale swallow-wort, V. rossicum (Kleopow) Barbar., spread throughout the northeastern United States and southern Canada, there is concern about the impact of these invasive plants on populations of the native North American monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus L. Recent laboratory studies in New York and Ontario, Canada, have found little or no oviposition by monarch butterflies on the two Vincetoxicum species. In Rhode Island, we found 10.5-21.7% oviposition on Vincetoxicum species relative to common milkweed Asclepias syriaca L. in choice tests and 11.9-20.3% in no-choice tests in 2 yr of laboratory testing. These results were supported by field cage trials where monarchs given a choice between V. nigrum and A. syriaca laid 24.5% of their eggs on V. nigrum. In surveys of three pasture fields in Rhode Island where relative coverage of A. syriaca exceeded that of V. nigrum by a 0.77:0.23 ratio, 15.4% of monarch eggs were found on V. nigrum plants. In V. nigrum stands with very little A. syriaca (6.25 stems/ha), monarch egg density on V. nigrum was found to be over five times greater than in the three mixed pasture fields. In none of our laboratory or field evaluations was there any survival of monarch larvae on Vincetoxicum species. It seems that in Rhode Island, Vincetoxicum species serve as an oviposition sink for monarch butterflies. These findings suggest that East Coast butterflies may differ in host selection from those in central New York and southern Ontario, Canada.

The aims of the present work were the evaluation of allergic disease prevalence among 6 and 7 year-old students from the western districts of São Paulo city and the comparison of these data with those obtained in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase I, performed in the central-southern districts of São Paulo, using the ISAAC standardized written questionnaire. METHODS: 5,040 questionnaires were distributed and 3,312 were returned. Proportional differences were estimated by Chi square or Fisher exact tests. Odds Ratio and 95% confidence intervals between genders and allergic diseases were calculated. Values of pOBJETIVOS: Avaliar a prevalência das doenças alérgicas na região oeste de São Paulo entre escolares de 6 a 7 anos e comparar os dados obtidos com aqueles da fase I da região centro-sul, através do questionário padronizado do International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood. MÉTODOS: Foram enviados 5040 questionários escritos com resposta de 3.312 alunos. As diferenças entre proporções foram avaliadas pelo Teste do Qui-quadrado ou Teste Exato de Fisher, se calculado a Razão das Chances, intervalo de confiança 95% entre os sexos e doenças alérgicas. Os valores de p < 0,05 foram considerados como significantes. RESULTADOS: As prevalências corrigidas encontradas foram: asma 24,4%, diagnóstico médico de asma 5,7%, rinite 25,7%, rinoconjuntivite 11,3%, diagnóstico médico de rinite 20%, eczema atópico 9,2%. Houve associação significativa entre asma e rinite (OR=3,3), asma e eczema (OR=2,2) e rinite e eczema atópico (OR=2,8). O sexo masculino foi predominante para asma e rinite. Comparando-se os dados da fase I, observou-se prevalência mais elevada dos sintomas e gravidade de asma e valores menores para rinite e eczema. CONCLUSÕES: As prevalências de asma e rinite neste estudo mostraram valores elevados em comparação ao diagnóstico médico. Houve predomínio do sexo masculino para asma e rinite. As associações mais freqüentes foram entre asma e rinite e asma e eczema. Em relação à região centro-sul de São Paulo, observou-se que na região oeste houve maior prevalência dos sintomas e gravidade da asma e menor prevalência de rinite e eczema.

The effect of pesticides on development of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) was examined both in liquid culture and in the field. The commonly recommended lateblight fungicides and insecticides inhibited growth of B. bassiana . The experimental fungicide CGA48988 and the insecticide permethrin showed the least inhibition of the fungus. Field experiments with the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), supported laboratory findings.

The adult cereal leaf beetle population was studied in an 1842-acre area in Kalamazoo County, Michigan from 1970-74. Adults were found to survive winter in highest densities at the edge of the woodlots. Other habitats include sparse woods, fence rows, dense woods, and croplands (in order of “preference”). Emergence from overwintering is temperature-dependent and, although cumulative emergence is quite regular on a degree- day scale, differences occur between years. Following emergence, the adult beetle population moves among wild grasses and grain fields as it decreases rapidly clue to mortality. The density within a field depends on the size of the regional population and the stage of development of the crop during this period of mobility. Generally early-planted winter grains and late-planted spring grains maintain lower populations than normal plantings of each. The cereal leaf beetle population in the study area declined between 1970 and 1974 and several factors were investigated as possible causes. This decline was apparently not caused by spring mortality rates, planting dates, or relative acreages of crops, however a shift of the majority of the population from oats to wheat was associated with the declining densities and may be a factor in population regulation.

Since the colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), was first recognized as a pest of potatoes (Edgerton 1861) it has had a profound effect. on the potato crop and on all persons engaged in agricultural production and research. This insect resulted in the first large-scale use of insecticides on an agricultural crop, and this successful use quickly stimulated widespread applications to other crops. For over 80 yr the CPB was successfully controlled by insecticides, influencing generations of agriculturalists to depend upon this unilateral approach for managing this pest and others.

Generations of entomologists have learned and taught that the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), originally lived on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and fed on buffalo bur (or sand bur), Solanum rostratum Dunal. As the story goes, when the settlers moved west and planted the potato, Solanum tuberosum, in the foothills of these mountains, the beetle adapted to this new host, subsequently moving east from one potato patch to another. This account, which has been presented in most textbooks on economic entomology (Sanderson 1921, Metcalf and Flint 1928, Davidson and Lyon 1979), had its origins with Walsh (1865). Riley (1869) accepted the account of Walsh (1865), and it has been accepted since.

Com o declínio da taxa de infecções causadas pelo Haemophilus influenzae tipo b após a ampla introdução da vacina, sorotipos não-b devem ser considerados agentes patogênicos potenciais em crianças menores de 5 anos com doença invasiva. Relatamos um caso de meningite por Haemophilus influenzae tipo f em um lactente imunocompetente de 1 ano. O agente foi identificado em líquido cefalorraquidiano e hemocultura. A sorotipagem foi realizada por testes com soros policlonais e confirmada por reação em cadeia de polimerase. Todas as cepas de Haemophilus influenzae associadas à doença invasiva deveriam ser sorotipadas e notificadas, a fim de possibilitar uma análise adequada das mudanças e tendências na distribuição de sorotipos desta doença. With the decline in the rate of infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae serotype b since the widespread vaccination, non-b serotypes should be considered as potential pathogenic agents in children with invasive disease younger than 5 years old. We report the case of an immunocompetent 1-year-old boy with Haemophilus influenzae type f meningitis. The agent was identified in cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures. Serotyping was performed by tests using polyclonal sera and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. All Haemophilus influenzae isolates associated with invasive disease should be serotyped and notified as a way to evaluate the changes and trends in serotype distribution of this disease.