Abstract Introduction: Diagnosis and treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) are necessary to improve the quality of life and even the survival of patients. Case report: A 52-year-old woman with angioedema for 30 years, which affects the face, tongue, and hands. It is asymmetric, with neither pruritus nor urticaria, without response to antihistamines or corticosteroids, with spontaneous resolution in 48 hours to 72 hours; with a family history of angioedema. Normal physical examination between exacerbations. Autoimmune and lymphoproliferative diseases were ruled out. Values of C1q, C4, C1-INH were normal. The diagnosis of HAE type C1-INH normal subtype Unknown was established. The total resolution of the crises was achieved after two months with androgen therapy. Outpatient follow-up has been given for four years and no angioedema crisis has been reported, which is associated with a radical change in the quality of life. Conclusions: The patient was diagnosed with HAE after 30 years of clinical manifestations, after acquired angioedema was ruled out.

Resumen Introducción: El diagnóstico y tratamiento del angioedema hereditario (AEH) son necesarios para mejorar la calidad de vida e incluso la supervivencia de pacientes. Reporte de caso: Mujer de 52 años con angioedema desde hace 30 años, que afecta cara, lengua y manos, asimétrico, sin prurito ni urticaria, sin respuesta a antihistamínicos ni corticoides, resolución espontánea entre las 48 a 72 horas, historia familiar de angioedema. Examen físico normal entre las exacerbaciones. Se descartaron enfermedades autoinmunes, linfoproliferativas. Los valores de C1q, C4, C1-INH fueron normales. Diagnóstico de AEH tipo C1-INH normal subtipo unknown. Tratamiento iniciado con andrógenos: resolución total de las crisis a los dos meses. Seguimiento ambulatorio durante cuatro años, sin crisis de angioedema, asociado con un cambio total en la calidad de vida. Conclusiones: La paciente fue diagnosticada de AEH solo después de 30 años de manifestaciones clínicas, después de descartar angioedema adquirido.

2-(2-Furyl)-3-hydroxychromone (HL) reacts with MII ions in the formation of quadratic [Cu(L)2] (3), octahedral [M(L)2(OH2)2] (M = Co (1), Ni (2), Zn (4), Mn (5)) and seesaw [M(L)2] (M = Sn (6), Pb (7)) complexes. Recrystallization of complexes 1-3 in presence of pyridine lead to [M(L)2(py)2] (1a-3a) aducts. All compounds were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Complexes 1-7 were analyzed by UV-Vis and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies. The estimated band gap energies range from 2.90-3.15 eV. The crystal structure of complexes 6 and 7 revealed the influence of the stereochemically active lone pair due to their electronic configuration ns2. An intense fluorescence emission band centered at approximately 600 nm (λexc centered at 340 nm) has been observed for complex 6 in the solid state. In N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution, complex 6 showed two emission bands (468 and 538 nm) when excited from 300 to 380 nm, and only one emission band (468 nm) when excited from 385 to 420 nm.

Herein we present four new ruthenium(II) complexes: [Ru(mtz)2(dppb)] (1), [Ru(mmi)2(dppb)] (2), [Ru(dmp)2(dppb)] (3), and [Ru(mpca)2(dppb)] (4), where mtz = 2-mercaptothiazoline; mmi = 2-mercapto-1-methyl-imidazole; dmp = 4,6-diamino-2-mercaptopyrimidine; mpca = 6-mercaptopyridine-3-carboxylic acid; dppb = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane. In vitro cell culture experiments revealed cytotoxic activity for complexes 2, 3 and 4 against MCF-7 (breast, non-invasive), MDA-MB-231 (breast, invasive), A549 (lung), DU-145 (prostate) and HepG2 (liver) tumor cells, in some cases lower than the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for the reference drug (cisplatin). The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) interactions studied by viscosity measurements, gel electrophoresis and square-wave voltammetry indicated that the DNA binding affinity primarily occurs through non-covalent interactions. Only complex 2 was able to fully inhibit the DNA supercoiled relaxation mediated by human topoisomerase IB (Top IB). The analysis indicates that complex 2 inhibits the cleavage and the reconnection steps of the catalytic cycle, being both a poison and a catalytic inhibitor.

Resumo No presente trabalho, os efeitos de dois diferentes produtos foram avaliados - Metarril® SP Organic (conídios secos) e Metarril® SC Organic (conídios concentrados em óleo vegetal) - para ovos, larvas e fêmeas ingurgitadas de Rhipicephalus microplus. Três concentrações (108, 107 e 106 conídios mL-1) para cada produto foram preparadas em água + Tween® 80 0,1% (v/v); os bioensaios foram realizados para todos os estágios de R. microplus por imersão nas suspensões (Metarril® SP) ou formulações (Metarril® SC). Metarril® SP não afetou os parâmetros biológicos das fêmeas, demonstrando assim baixa eficácia; para ovos e larvas, foram observadas discretas diminuições na eclodibilidade e na população de larvas. Apesar de um atraso na germinação, Metarril® SC apresentou melhores resultados; para as fêmeas, foram detectadas reduções no Peso da Massa de Ovos (PMO) e no Índice de Produção de Ovos (IPO). Para os ovos, a concentração de 108 conídios mL-1 aumentou o Período de Incubação (PI), reduziu o Período de Eclosão (PE) e também o da eclodibilidade em até 61%; para larvas, 107 e 108 conídios mL-1 atingiram 99,6 e 100% de mortalidade larval, respectivamente, 10 dias após a exposição fúngica. Com isso, estudos adicionais que envolvem o uso de formulações à base de óleo para carrapatos, como Metarril® SC, precisam ser realizados, especialmente para controlar os estágios mais suscetíveis (ovos e larvas).

Abstract The effects of two different products - Metarril® SP Organic (dry conidia) and Metarril® SC Organic (emulsifiable concentrated conidia in vegetable oil) - on eggs, larvae and Rhipicephalus microplus engorged females were here explored. Three concentrations (108, 107, and 106 conidia mL-1) for both products were prepared in water + 0.1% Tween® 80 (v/v); afterward, bioassays were carried out for all R. microplus stages by immersion in suspensions (Metarril® SP) or formulations (Metarril® SC). Metarril® SP suspensions showed low efficacy and did not affect biological parameters of treated engorged females; for eggs and larvae, only slight decreases in hatchability and larvae population were observed. Despite a delay in germination, Metarril® SC presented better results; for females, reductions in Egg Mass Weight (EMW) and Egg Production Index (EPI) were reported. On eggs, 108 conidia mL-1 increased Incubation Period (IP), shortened Hatching Period (HP) and decreased hatchability by up to 61%; for larvae, 107 and 108 conidia mL-1 reached 99.6 and 100% larval mortality respectively, 10 days after fungal exposure. Thus, further studies involving the use of oil-based formulations for ticks such as Metarril® SC need to be performed, especially to control the most susceptible stages (eggs and larvae).

ABSTRACT Purpose To determine enzymatic antioxidant and lipid peroxidation levels in seminal plasma of patients orchiectomized for testicular tumors. Materials and Methods The study included 52 patients: 26 control men and 26 orchiectomized patients for testicular tumor, of which 12 men had seminoma tumor and 14 men non-seminoma tumor. After semen analysis performed according to the WHO guidelines, an aliquot of semen was centrifuged and the seminal plasma was collected. Lipid peroxidation was performed by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay and antioxidant profile was assessed by analyzing catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide anion (SOD) activities using colorimetric assays with a standard spectrophotometer. Data were tested for normality and compared using one-way ANOVA (p<0.05). Results Seminoma and non-seminoma groups presented lower sperm concentration and morphology when compared to control group (p=0.0001). Both study groups (seminoma and non-seminoma) presented higher TBARS levels when compared to control group (p=0.0000013). No differences were observed for SOD (p=0.646) andGPx (p=0.328). It was not possible to access the enzymatic activity of catalase in any group. Conclusion Patients with testicular tumor present increased semen oxidative stress, but no differences were observed in antioxidant levels, even after orchiectomy. This indicates that most likely an increased generation of oxidative products takes place in these patients.

Abstract Aim: To identify postural variations in the positioning of the head, cervical spine and shoulders of children in two phases - preschool and school. Methods: This was a longitudinal study, a convenience sample with 99 children of both genders, in preschool (5-6 years old) and school (8-11 years old) phases. The postural alignment of the head, cervical spine and shoulders was evaluated through computerized photogrammetry and analyzed by SAPo software. Results: Differences were found between preschool and school phases, but only the variables of shoulder angle (SA) and forward head distance (FHD) were significantly different (SA = 32.79 [30.49 - 35.09] and 35.84 [33.53 - 38.15] p = 0.026, respectively; FHD = 8.40 [8.07 - 8.73] and 11.23 [10.94-11.52] p <0.001, respectively). A positive correlation was obtained between forward head distance and body mass (rho= 0.597, p <0.001). Conclusion: There are changes in head and shoulder alignment between preschool and school phases, with protrusion of shoulders and forward head distance findings in children who have evolved their posture. Therefore, parents should be aware of children’s posture, and health and education professionals should be involved in screening and prevention programs.

A alta incidência de desvios posturais na população infantil, estimada em 20%, além de preocupante, é um problema de saúde pública. O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar sinais de escoliose em crianças na idade pré-escolar da rede de ensino municipal de Londrina (PR). Participaram do estudo 377 crianças, entre 5 e 6 anos de idade, de ambos os sexos. O exame postural foi dividido em: (1) obtenção dos dados antropométricos, equilíbrio pélvico frontal e teste de Adams; (2) em caso de resposta positiva ao teste de Adams, seguiu-se a realização da fotogrametria. A prevalência de sinais precoces de escoliose foi de 26,3%, na população avaliada. Tais sinais caracterizam-se como atitude escoliótica, uma vez que o maior ângulo identificado foi de 7,33° e as medianas variaram entre 3,2° e 5,6°. A atitude escoliótica pode estar relacionada ao crescimento, visto que foi identificada a associação entre a resposta positiva ao teste de Adams com a assimetria pélvica no plano frontal, e que a maioria das curvaturas foi do tipo em "C". A partir dos resultados encontrados, observa-se alta prevalência de atitude escoliótica, indicando a necessidade de programas de acompanhamento postural em crianças na fase pré-escolar para monitorar o crescimento e a resolução ou agravamento dos sinais precoces.

The high incidence of postural deviations in child population, estimated at 20%, is not only a concern, but also a public health problem. This study aimed to identify signs of scoliosis in children in preschool age from Londrina, Brazil. The study included 377 children aged between 5 and 6 years, of both sexes. The postural exam was divided in: (1) obtaining anthropometric data, the frontal pelvic balance and Adams test; (2) in case of a positive response to Adams test, a computerized photogrammetry was performer subsequently. The prevalence of early signs of scoliosis was of 26.3% in the population evaluated. However, they were characterized as scoliotic attitude, since the highest angle identified was 7.33° and the median ranged from 3.2° to 5.6°. Also, the scoliotic attitude may be related to growth, since an association was identified between the positive response to the Adams test and pelvic asymmetry in the frontal plane, and the majority of the curvatures were of the "C" type. Based on the results, there was a high prevalence of scoliotic attitude, indicating the need for postural monitoring programs for children in pre-school, to control the growth and resolution or worsening of the early signs of scoliosis.

La alta incidencia de desvíos de postura en la población infantil, que se estima en el 20%, además de motivo de preocupación, es un problema de salud pública. Este estudio tuvo por objetivo identificar señales de escoliosis en niños en edad preescolar de la red municipal de enseñanza en Londrina, PR, Brasil. Han participado del estudio 377 niños, entre 5 a 6 años de edad, de ambos los géneros. Se ha dividido el examen postural en: (1) obtención de los datos antropométricos, equilibrio pélvico frontal y prueba de Adams; (2) realización de la fotogrametría para el caso de respuesta positiva a la prueba de Adams. La prevalencia de señales precoces de escoliosis ha sido del 26,3% en la población evaluada. Estas señales se han caracterizado como una actitud de escoliosis, pues lo mayor ángulo identificado ha sido de 7,33° y las medianas sufrieron variación entre 3,2° y 5,6°. La actitud de escoliosis puede relacionarse al crecimiento, puesto que se ha identificado la asociación entre la respuesta positiva a la prueba de Adams con una asimetría pélvica en el plano frontal, y que la mayoría de las curvaturas ha sido del tipo "C". A partir de los resultados, se observa una alta prevalencia de escoliosis, lo que indica la necesidad de programas de supervisión postural en niños en edad preescolar con el fin de monitorear el crecimiento y la resolución o empeoramiento de las señales precoces.

A fin de responder a la pregunta ¿Qué está bien en las personas?, la psicología positiva estudia las cualidades humanas y la promoción de su funcionamiento positivo, en particular, los afectos positivos y negativos que aluden al resultado de la intensidad y frecuencia de las emociones vivenciadas. Con el objetivo de medir los afectos en dominios específicos, a saber: yo, familia, amigos y trabajo/finanzas, el presente estudio utilizó la Escala de Afectos Zanon en una versión modificada a la que se le hizo una adaptación en su instrucción, para verificar posibles diferencias en las medidas de los afectos. Participaron de la investigación 142 personas, con edades entre 15 y 87 años, con 7.74 de nota promedio para la vida en general. Entre los principales resultados, fueron identificadas diferencias significativas entre los sexos para afectos negativos y afectos positivos y, en relación con la edad, para los afectos negativos respecto del trabajo.

In order to answer the question "What's right with people?" Positive Psychology aims to study the human qualities as well as promoting their positive functioning. The positive and negative affect are studied by the proposed approach and refer to the result of the intensity and frequency of experienced emotions. With the aim of measuring the affects in specific areas, namely 'I', 'Family', 'Friends' and 'Work / Finance', this study used the modified Zanon Scale Affects to detect differences in measures of affect. Participants were in the number of 142 people between 15 and 87 years old, with 7.74 average grade assigned for life in general. Among the main results, significant differences were found between genders for negative affect and positive affect, and with respect to age, there was a statistically significant negative affect toward work.

INTRODUÇÃO: Poucos estudos correlacionaram as medidas de equilíbrio entre os principais testes funcionais e a plataforma de força em atletas.OBJETIVO: Determinar a relação entre três testes funcionais de equilíbrio com as principais medidas da plataforma de força em atletas.MÉTODO: Quinze atletas do sexo feminino praticantes de futebol de salão (futsal) e handebol, com idades entre 13 a 17 anos participaram do estudo. As atletas realizaram três testes funcionais: 1) Star excursion balance test, 2) Salto lateral e 3) Figura em oito; além de um teste em apoio unipodal sobre uma plataforma de força com os olhos abertos durante 30 segundos. Os parâmetros do centro de pressão dos pés (COP) foram calculados por análise estabilográfica. Para todos os testes (funcionais e plataforma), três tentativas foram realizadas e a média foi retida para as análises.RESULTADOS: As correlações entre os testes funcionais e a plataforma de força foram de r = 0,01 a -0,69 (fraca a moderada), dependendo da variável do COP. As melhores correlações (r = -0,69) foram encontradas entre o Star Excursion Balance Test de alcance e a área do COP, indicando que quanto maior a distância alcançada, melhor o equilíbrio. Segundo, uma correlação de fraca a moderada foi encontrada entre o teste da figura em oito e a área do COP (p. ex: r= 0.43). O teste de salto lateral não apresentou boa correlação com os obtidos na plataforma de força.CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo demonstrou que para a avaliação do equilíbrio em atletas de futsal e handebol feminino o teste Star Excursion Balance Test pode ser usados na ausência da plataforma de força para identificação de possíveis déficits de equilíbrio.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have correlated the balance measurements based in functional tests and force platform in athletes.OBJECTIVE: to determine the relationship between three functional balance tests with the main measurements of the force platform in athletes.METHODOLOGY: Fifteen female athletes, indoor soccer and handball players, aged between 13 and 17 years, participated of this study. The athletes performed tree functional tests: 1) the star excursion balance test, 2) the lateral jump, and 3) the figure eight test; as well as the one leg-stance test on a force platform with the eyes open for 30 seconds. The parameters of center of pressure (COP) of the foot were calculated by stabilographic analysis. For all the tests (functional and platform), tree trials attempts were made, and the mean value retained for the analyses.RESULTS: The correlations between the functional tests and the force platform were from r = 0.01 to -0.69 (weak to moderate), depending on the COP variable. The best correlations (r = -0.69) were found between the star excursion balance test and the COP area, indicating that when a greater distance was reached, the better the postural balance. Secondly, a weak to moderate correlation was found between the figure eight test and COP area (e.g. r = 0.43). The side hop test did not present good correlation with the values obtained on the force platform.CONCLUSION: This study shows that to evaluate balance in athletes practicing indoor soccer and handball, the Star excursion balance test may be used in the absence of a force platform, to identify possible balance deficits.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Pocos estudios han correlacionado las medidas de equilibrio entre las principales pruebas funcionales y la plataforma de fuerza en los atletas.OBJETIVO: Determinar la relación entre tres pruebas de equilibrio funcionales con las principales medidas de la fuerza en la plataforma de los atletas.MÉTODO: Quince atletas del sexo femenino que practican el fútbol de salón y balonmano, entre 13 y 17 años participaron en el estudio. Los atletas realizaron tres pruebas funcionales: 1) Star excursion balance test, 2) salto lateral y 3) salto figura ocho, además de una prueba unipodal sobre una plataforma de fuerza con los ojos abiertos durante 30 segundos. Los parámetros del centro de la presión de los pies (COP) se calcularon por análisis estabilográfica. Para todas las pruebas (funcionales y plataforma), se llevaron a cabo tres ensayos y el promedio fue utilizado para su análisis.RESULTADOS: Las correlaciones entre las pruebas funcionales y la plataforma de fuerza fueron r = 0,01 a -0,69 (leve a moderada), en función de la variable COP. La mejor correlación (r = -0,69) se encontró entre el rango de la prueba Star Excursion Balance y el área del COP, lo que indica que cuanto mayor es la distancia que se logra, mejor es el equilibrio. En segundo lugar, se encontró correlación débil a moderada entre la prueba en figura de ocho y el área del COP (por ejemplo, r = 0,43). La prueba de salto lateral mostró una buena correlación con las pruebas en la plataforma de fuerza.CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio demostró que para la evaluación del equilibrio de los atletas del sexo femenino de fútbol de salón y balonmano, el Star excursion balance test se puede utilizar en la ausencia de una plataforma de fuerza para identificar posibles deficiencias en el equilibrio.

INTRODUÇÃO: A ginástica rítmica (GR) requer alto nível de qualidade física; assim, o bom desempenho é dependente da força e resistência muscular, coordenação motora e equilíbrio postural. OBJETIVO: Desenvolver uma análise comparativa do equilíbrio unipodal de atletas de GR. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas dez atletas de GR, do sexo feminino, por meio de uma plataforma de força em apoio unipodal e testes funcionais de equilíbrio (Side Hop Test e Figure of Eight Hop Teste). Para a plataforma, os parâmetros do Centro de Pressão (COP) nas direções anteroposterior e mediolateral foram utilizados para análise, enquanto para os testes funcionais, o tempo-segundos de performance. RESULTADOS: Diferença significativa (p = 0,01) foi encontrada entre os membros inferiores no parâmetro de frequência média na direção mediolateral, no qual o membro inferior não dominante apresentou maior estabilidade postural do que o dominante. Para os testes funcionais não houve diferença significativa entre os membros. CONCLUSÃO: A diferença encontrada no controle do equilíbrio na direção mediolateral pode estar relacionada às diferenças nas ações musculares da região do quadril, na qual durante a prática do esporte para estabilização, manutenção do tronco e execução de manobras com os membros inferiores estão presentes. Estes resultados indicam a necessidade de um programa de reequilíbrio e estabilização pélvica para as atletas analisadas no intuito de preservar a simetria muscular dos membros para o bom desempenho esportivo.

INTRODUCTION: Rhythmic gymnastics requires a high level of physical quality; therefore, good performance depends on muscular strength and endurance, motor coordination and postural balance. OBJECTIVE: To develop a comparative analysis of postural balance in rhythmic gymnasts. METHODS: 10 female rhythmic gymnasts were evaluated by a force platform on one foot and balance functional tests (Side Hop Test and Figure of Eight Hop Test). The following data of the force platform were analyzed: anteroposterior and mediolateral of the center of pressure parameters, while for the functional tests, the time in seconds was analyzed. RESULTS: Significant difference (p = 0.01) was found between lower limbs in the median frequency parameter in the mediolateral direction, in which non dominant lower limb showed higher postural stability than the dominant one. For functional tests, there was no significant difference between limbs. CONCLUSION: The difference found in the balance control of mediolateral direction may be related to different muscular actions of the hip region, which is present during the sport practice for stabilization, trunk maintenance, and movement performance with lower limbs. These results indicate the need of a balance program and pelvic stabilization for the analyzed athletes in order to maintain muscular symmetry of the limbs for high sports performance.

Este estudo avaliou os efeitos da destruxina A em fêmeas de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, uma vez que essa toxina é uma das prováveis causas da alta mortalidade induzida pelo fungo entomopatogênico Metarhizium anisopliae em artrópodes. Os carrapatos foram imersos ou inoculados com diferentes concentrações de destruxina A. Apesar das doses aplicadas, não houve mortes ou alterações significativas de postura entre os grupos tratados com destruxinas A e os grupos controle. Nenhum outro efeito externo provocado pela destruxina A, tal como paralisia tetânica, foi observado nas fêmeas ingurgitadas de carrapato após o tratamento.

This study evaluated the effects of destruxin A on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus females, since this toxin is one of the likely causes of high mortality induced by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae in arthropods. Ticks were immersed or inoculated with different concentrations of destruxin A. Despite the doses applied, there were no deaths or significant alterations in oviposition between the groups treated with destruxin A and the control groups. No other external effect caused by destruxin, such as tetanic paralysis, was observed in these engorged female ticks after the treatment.

Currently, a wide range of research involving natural products is focused on the discovery of new drugs in many different therapeutic areas. A great number of the synthetic compounds on the market were derived from natural products, especially plants. Nemorosone is the major constituent of the floral resin of Clusia rosea Jacq., Clusiaceae, and in Cuban propolis. In vitro studies have shown cytotoxic activity in this substance against various tumor cell lines, including those resistant to various cytotoxic drugs, whereas it has low cytotoxicity to non-tumoral cells. Therefore, in order to characterize the biological activity of nemorosone, a substance with potential antitumor activity, and in view of preclinical testing of the toxicity of drug candidate compounds, the main aim of this study was to determine the mutagenic and antimutagenic activity of nemorosone by the Ames test, using the strains TA97a, TA98, TA100 and TA102 of Salmonella typhimurium. Secondly, to characterize the estrogenic activity in an experimental recombinant yeast model (Recombinant Yeast Assay) mutagenic activity was observed at in any of the concentrations in any of the test strains. To evaluate the antimutagenic potential, direct and indirect mutagenic agents were used: 4 nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD), mitomycin C (MMC) and aflatoxin B1 (AFL). Nemorosone showed moderate antimutagenic activity (inhibition level 31%), in strain TA100 in the presence of AFL, and strong antimutagenic activity in TA102 against MMC (inhibition level 53%). Estrogenic activity was observed, with an EEq of 0.41±0.16 nM at various tested concentrations.

O produtor de milho verde busca a profissionalização de sua produção, a fim de fornecer produtos de alta qualidade e em quantidade suficiente para suprir os mercados mais exigentes. Para se alcançar esse objetivo, devem ser adotadas técnicas de manejo que proporcionem altas produtividades sem que sejam afetadas negativamente as características comerciais. Com o objetivo de avaliar a aptidão de cultivares e o efeito da população de plantas na produção de milho verde, foi conduzido um experimento em Ponta Grossa, Estado do Paraná. Adotou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo os tratamentos principais as cultivares (Penta, 30P34, DKB 214 e SWB 551) e os secundários as populações de plantas (3,5; 5,0; 6,5; 8,0 e 9,5 plantas m-2). Foram caracterizados a forma da espiga, o comprimento da espiga empalhada, o comprimento de granação, o diâmetro da espiga despalhada, a massa fresca da espiga despalhada, a profundidade de grãos, a porcentagem de espigas comerciais e o número de espigas comerciais. Os resultados demonstraram que as cultivares 30P34, DKB 214 e SWB 551 são aptas à produção de espigas verdes, suas maiores produtividades são esperadas nas populações de 38.983, 59.866 e 43.591 plantas ha-1, e o aumento da população de 3,5 para 9,5 plantas m-2 influencia negativamente todas as características da espiga que foram avaliadas, excetuando-se a forma. Entre as cultivares, a DKB 214 apresentou a maior porcentagem e o maior número de espigas comerciais ha-1.

The producers of green corn aim at the professionalization of their production, providing high-quality products and in sufficient quantity to supply the most demanding markets. To achieve this goal, management techniques must be adopted to provide high yields without negatively affecting commercial traits. Aiming at evaluate the aptitude of cultivars and plant population effect on green corn yield, an assay was carried out in Ponta Grossa, Paraná State. Randomized blocks in a split-plot scheme were adopted as the experimental design. Cultivars (Penta, 30P34, DKB 214 and SWB 551) were primary and plant populations (3.5, 5.0, 6.5, 8.0 and 9,5 plants m-2) were secondary treatments. Ear shape, length of unhusked ear, length of kernel set, diameter of husked ear, fresh weight of husked ear, kernel size, percentage of marketable husked ears, and number of marketable husked ears were characterized. The results demonstrated that 30P34, DKB 214, and SWB 551 are able to yield green ears and their higher yields are expected when grown in plant populations of 38,983, 59,866 and 43,591 plants ha-1, respectively. Increasing plant population negatively influences all evaluated ear traits, except shape. DKB 214 cultivar had higher percentage and number of marketable husked ears.

Aedes fluviatilis é susceptível à infecção por Plasmodium gallinaceum, sendo considerado um modelo experimental útil para esta infecção em regiões nas quais Aedes aegypti não deve ser criado em laboratório, por razões de segurança. Na América do Sul, por exemplo, o A. aegypti é o principal vetor da febre amarela urbana não sendo aconselhável sua criação no laboratório pelo perigo que a espécie pode representar caso escapem exemplares do laboratório. Similarmente ao que ocorre com A. aegypti, as taxas de infecção do A. fluviatilis foram variáveis, quando utilizada uma cepa de P. gallinaceum mantida no laboratório por longo tempo através de passagens sangüíneas (linhagem B). Nesses mosquitos, desenvolveram-se oocistos em 47-63%, havendo infecção das glândulas salivares em cerca de 15%. O custo da esporogonia foi independente da dose do inóculo ou da via de administração às aves. Também a infecção das glândulas salivares com a linhagem B não dependeu do número de oocistos presentes no estômago. A esporogonia mostrou-se mais uniforme quando os mosquitos A. fluviatilis sugaram pintos infectados com uma linhagem reisolada a partir de esporozoítas (S). Cerca de 50 % destes mosquitos desenvolveram oocistos, havendo indivíduos com até 600 a 800 oocistos por estômago. A infecção média das glândulas salivares com a linhagem S foi de 27%, chegando a 57% em alguns grupos. Os padrões do parasitismo das glândulas salivares foram semelhantes àqueles da produção de oocistos. O decurso da esporogonia de P. gallinaceum em a. fluviatilis foi analisada em relação aos índices de parasitemia e de gametocitemia no hospedeiro vertebrado.

Aedes fluviatilis is susceptible to infection by Plasmodium gallinaceum and is a convenient insect host for the malaria parasite in countries where Aedees aegypti cannot be maintained in laboratories. In South America, for instance, the rearing of A. aegypti the main vector of urban yellow fever, is not advaisable because of the potential health hazard it represents. Our results of the comparative studies carried out between the sporogonic cycle produced with two lines of P. gallinaceum parasites into A. fuviatilis were as follows. As proved for A. aegypti, mosquito infection rates were variable when A. fluviatilis blood-fed on chicks infected with and old syringe-passaged strain of P. gallinaceum. Oocysts developed in 41% of those mosquitos and the mean peak of oocyst production was 56 per stomach. Salivary gland infections developed in about 6% of the mosquitos. The course of sporogony was unrelated to the size of the inoculum administered to chicks or to the route by which the birds were infected. The development of infected salivary glands was unrelated to oocyst production. Sporogony of P. gallinaceum was more uniform when mosquitos blood-fed on chicks infected with a sporozoite-passaged strain. Oocysts developed in about 50% of those mosquitoes and the mean peak of oocyst production was 138 per stomach, with some individuals having as many as 600-800 oocysts. Infected salivary glands developed in a mean of 27% of the mosquitos but, in some batches, was a high as 50%. Patterns of salivary gland parasitism were similar to those of oocyst production. The course of sporogony of P. gallinaceum in A. fluviatilis is analized in relation to degree of parasitemia and gametocytemia in the vertebrate host.