Abstract In this study we investigate the niche interaction between the frogs Physalameus cuvieri and Physalaemus kroyeri that occur in syntopy in water bodies of the Atlantic Forest located in the eastern Bahia State, Brazil. We investigated the niche width and overlap in the calling activity time, microhabitat use, diet composition, advertisement call, and body size. Both species preferred the same substrate and calling substrate categories, and showed low niche width values and high spatial niche overlap values. The pseudocommunity analysis revealed the absence of competition in space use. Ants and termites were the most important items in the diet of both species with the pseudocommunity analysis indicating an absence of competition in the diet. The two species demonstrate a greater similarity in body proportions and a high overlap in the calling activity time. However, they showed divergence in acoustic parameters, especially in the dominant frequency and call duration. Our results reinforce the role of advertisement call as a relevant attribute for anuran coexistence and highlight the importance of analyzing the various axes of the multidimensional niche for the most reliable description of the existence and magnitude of niche partitioning. State Brazil time use composition size categories However parameters duration partitioning

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da administração de flunixina meglumina sobre as taxas de prenhez e características da fase lútea da receptora no momento da transferência de embriões em bovinos. No experimento 1, embriões produzidos in vitro foram transferidos para 184 fêmeas, divididas em grupos controle e tratado (tratados com 1,1mg/kg de flunixina meglumina). No experimento 2, 22 fêmeas foram divididas em grupo controle (n=7); grupo 2 (n=8; animais submetidos à manipulação do trato reprodutivo semelhante à transferência de embriões no sétimo dia pós-cio); e grupo 3 (n=7; fêmeas submetidas à manipulação e ao tratamento com 1,1mg/kg de flunixina meglumina). No experimento 1, não foi observada diferença nos grupos controle e tratado (40,2% e 44,6%, respectivamente) para as taxas de prenhez. No experimento 2, não houve diferença na extensão da fase lútea entre os grupos, entretanto os animais do grupo 2 apresentaram concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona mais baixas que o grupo controle e o grupo 3. Portanto, conclui-se que a administração de flunixina meglumina no momento da transferência de embriões inibiu a redução das concentrações plasmáticas de progesterona, no entanto não foi eficaz para aumentar as taxas de prenhez de receptoras em bovinos.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of flunixin meglumine administration on pregnancy rates and luteal phase characteristics in bovine embryo recipients at the moment of embryo transfer. In experiment 1, in vitro produced embryos were transferred to 184 females divided as control and treated group (recipients treated with 1.1mg/kg flunixin meglumine). In experiment 2, 22 females were divided as control group; group 2 (animals submitted to a reproductive tract manipulation similar to an embryo transfer on the 7th day after estrous); and group 3 (females submitted to a manipulation and treatment with 1.1mg/kg flunixin meglumine). In experiment 1 no difference was observed between control and treated groups (40.2% and 44.6%, respectively) for pregnancy rates. In experiment 2 no difference was observed on the length of luteal phase between groups, however, animals in group 2 presented lower plasma progesterone concentrations than the control group and group 3. Therefore, we concluded that although the administration of flunixin meglumine at the moment of embryo transfer inhibited the reduction plasma progesterone concentrations, it was not effective in increasing pregnancy rates of bovine recipients.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to describe population and morphological characteristics of preantral follicles of not pregnant cows, pregnant cows and fetus. Ten ovaries of non-pregnant Nelore cows, eighteen ovaries of pregnant cows and eighteen ovaries of fetus were used. For pregnant cows, six ovaries from each third (initial, middle and final) were evaluated, acquired from a slaughterhouse. For fetus, the same methodology and proportion of ovaries were used. Ovaries were washed, fixed and embedded in paraffin. They were then sectioned in longitudinal sections and stained by the Hematoxylin-Eosin method. Preantral follicles were classified according to morphology (primordial, primary and secondary) and degree of viability (intact and in initial, moderate and marked atresia). Descriptive and statistical analyzes were performed through KS300 image analysis program and Tukey’s test. A greater proportion of primordial follicles were found in all categories. Secondary follicles were not observed in ovaries of fetus and cows in the initial third of pregnancy. All the ovary dimensions were higher in non-pregnant cows and in the final third of cows' pregnancy, and lower in final third of pregnancy fetus. It was concluded that follicle isolation was effective in describing population and morphological characteristics of preantral follicles of cows and fetus.

Our objective was to determine lipid peroxidation and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation in skeletal muscle and the plasma cytokine profile following maximum progressive swimming. Adult male Swiss mice (N = 15) adapted to the aquatic environment were randomly divided into three groups: immediately after exercise (EX1), 3 h after exercise (EX2) and control. Animals from the exercising groups swam until exhaustion, with an initial workload of 2% of body mass attached to the tail. Control mice did not perform any exercise but were kept immersed in water for 20 min. Maximum swimming led to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in skeletal muscle, as indicated by increased thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) levels (4062.67 ±1487.10 vs 19,072.48 ± 8738.16 nmol malondialdehyde (MDA)/mg protein, control vs EX1). Exercise also promoted NF-κB activation in soleus muscle. Cytokine secretion following exercise was marked by increased plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels 3 h post-exercise (P < 0.05). Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were reduced following exercise and remained reduced 3 h post-exercise (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of other cytokines investigated, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-12 (IL-12), were not altered by exercise. The present findings showed that maximum swimming, as well as other exercise models, led to lipid peroxidation and NF-κB activation in skeletal muscle and increased plasma IL-6 levels. The plasma cytokine response was also marked by reduced IL-10 levels. These results were attributed to exercise type and intensity.

RESUMO O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de produtos fitossanitários sobre pupas de Trichogramma pretiosum. Foram conduzidos três bioensaios em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 11 tratamentos e cinco repetições. Em cada repetição, ovos de Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) foram utilizados como hospedeiro alternativo, sendo aderidos em cartelas de cartolina de 1 cm2 com solução de goma arábica à 40% e oferecidos para o parasitismo por 24h. Após 168-192h do parasitismo, quando os parasitoides estavam na fase de pupa, as cartelas foram mergulhadas por cinco segundos nos tratamentos testados. Avaliou-se a sobrevivência dos indivíduos tratados e a redução na emergência dos parasitoides foi classificada segundo as normas da IOBC. Os inseticidas flufenoxurom (Cascade®) 10, diflubenzurom (Dimilin®) 20 e metoxifenozide (Intrepid 240SC®) 21,6 e 36 g i.a. ha-1 foram classificados como inócuos. Permetrina (Valon 384 CE®) 49,92; betaciflutrina 12,5 + imidacloprido 100 (Connect®) e gama-cialotrina (Stallion 150SC®) 3,75 g i.a. ha-1 foram levemente nocivos. Clorpirifós (Lorban 480BR®) 384 e espinosade (Tracer®) 24 g i.a. ha-1 foram moderadamente nocivos. Os herbicidas glifosato 720 + imazetapir 90 (Alteza®); s-metolacloro (Dual Gold®) 1920; flumioxazina (Flumyzin 500®) 60; clomazona (Gamit®) 1000; glifosato 2880 (Gliz 480SL®); dicloreto de paraquate 600 + diurom 300 (Gramocil®); glifosato 1200 (Roundup Ready®); foram classificados como inócuos e os herbicidas 2,4-D (DMA 806BR®) 1209; dicloreto de paraquate (Gramoxone®) 600; glifosato (Roundup Transorb®) 2592 g i.a. ha-1 classificados como levemente nocivos. Os fungicidas tiofanato-metílico (Cercobin 500 SC®) 400; flutriafol 60 + tiofanato-metílico 300 (Celeiro®); carbendazin (Derosal 500SC®) 250; tebuconazole (Folicur EC®) 150; flutriafol (Impact®) 125; tebuconazole 120 + trifloxistrobina 60 (Nativo®); epoxiconazole 30 + piraclostrobina 79,8 (Opera®); epoxiconazole (Opus SC®) 12,5; azoxistrobina (Priori®) 50; azoxistrobina 60 + ciproconazole 24 (Priori Xtra®) g i.a. ha-1 foram classificados como inócuos aT. pretiosumna fase de desenvolvimento avaliada (pupa). Dentre os produtos avaliados, aqueles classificados como inócuos devem ser priorizados no manejo integrado de pragas (MIP) por compatibilizar o uso do controle químico sem prejudicar o controle biológico. Do mesmo modo, os produtos classificados como moderadamente nocivos devem ser evitados sempre que possível ou substituídos por outro de menor impacto.

ABSTRACT SELECTIVITY OF PESTICIDES USED IN SOYBEAN CROPS TOTRICHOGRAMMA PRETIOSUM RILEY, 1879 (HYMENOPTERA: TRICHOGRAMMATIDAE) PUPAE. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different pesticides onTrichogramma pretiosumpupae. Three tests were carried out with 11 treatments and 5 replications. Eggs ofAnagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were used as a factitious host affixed on 1cm2 pieces of cardboard using a non-noxious glue solution (40% gum arabic) and then offered to parasitism for 24 h. After 168–192 h from the parasitism, when the parasitoids were at the pupae stage, the pieces of cardboard were dipped for five seconds in the treatments. The parasitoid survival was evaluated and the emergence was classified accordingly to the IOBC guidelines. The insecticides flufenoxuron (Cascade®) 10, diflubenzuron (Dimilin®) 20 and methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 240SC®) 21.6 and 36 g a.i. ha-1 were classified as harmless. Permethrin (Valon 384CE®) 49.92, beta-cyfluthrin 12.5 + imidacloprid 100 (Connect®) and gammacyhalothrin (Stallion 150SC®) 3.75 g a.i. ha-1 were slightly harmful. Chlorpyriphos (Lorsban 480BR®) 384 and spinosad (Tracer®) 24 g a.i. ha-1 were moderately harmful. The herbicides glyphosate 720 + imazetapyr 90 (Alteza®), s-metolachlor (Dual Gold®) 1920, flumyoxazin (Flumyzin 500®) 60, clomazone (Gamite®) 1000, glyphosate (Gliz®) 2880, paraquat dichloride 600 + diuron 300 (Gramocil®), glyphosate 1200 (Roundup Ready®) were classified as harmless, and the herbicides 2.4-D (DMA®) 1209, paraquat dichloride (Gramoxone®) 600 and glyphosate (Roundup Transorb®) 2592 g a.i. ha-1 were classified as slightly harmful. The fungicides metil tiofanate (Cercobin 500SC®) 400, flutriafol 60 + metil tiofanate 300 (Celeiro®), carbendazin (Derosal 500SC®) 250, tebuconazol (Folicur EC®) 150, flutriafol (Impact®) 125, tebuconazol 120 + trifloxystrobin 60 (Nativo®), epoxiconazol 30 + piraclostrobin 79.8 (Opera®), epoxiconazol (Opus SC®) 12.5, azoxystrobin (Priori®) 50, azoxystrobin 60 + ciproconazol 24 (Priori Xtra®) g a.i. ha-1 were harmless toT. pretiosum pupae. Among the tested products, the harmless ones should be chosen in a program of integrated pest management (IPM) since it allows the use of pesticides without harm to the biological control. On the other hand, the moderately harmful pesticides should be avoided or replaced by another product with less impact whenever it is possible.

RESUMO Avaliou-se o uso de inseticidas em tratamento de sementes de girassol no controle das pragas Cerotoma arcuatus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) e Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) e a influência desses inseticidas na qualidade fisiológica das sementes, durante o armazenamento. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que tiodicarbe 600 g i.a./ 100 kg de sementes proporcionou aproximadamente 80, 100 e 85% de controle de A. gemmatalis de 1º ínstar, S. frugiperda de 2º ínstar e adultos de C. arcuatus, respectivamente. Entretanto, esse mesmo tratamento foi ineficiente no controle de lagartas de S. frugiperda de 3º ínstar e de B. tabaci. No controle de adultos de C. arcuatus, além de tiodicarbe 600 g i.a./100 kg sementes que apresentou bons resultados, tiodicarbe + imidacloprido 157,5 + 52,5 g i.a., tiametoxam 210 e 280 g i.a., imidacloprido 245 e fipronil 50 g i.a./100 kg de sementes apresentaram eficiência acima de 80% no controle dessa praga. No controle da A. gemmatalis apenas fipronil 50 g i.a./100 kg sementes e azadiractina 10 e 20 g. i.a./100 kg de sementes proporcionaram valores menores que 80% de controle, nas doses testadas, enquanto que, para o manejo da mosca-branca, nenhum dos tratamentos estudados proporcionou controle superior a 80%. Nenhum dos inseticidas avaliados nos diferentes tempos de armazenamento (até quatro meses após o tratamento) prejudicou a germinação e a emergência das sementes.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to test various insecticides in the treatment of sunflower seeds for the control of Cerotoma arcuatus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and assessing their influence on the physiological quality of seeds during storage. The results showed that tiodicarb 600 g.a.i./100 kg of seeds achieved close to 80, 100 and 85% of control against first-instar A. gemmatalis, second instar S. frugiperda and adult C. arcuatus, respectively. However, this treatment was inefficient against third instar S. frugiperda and B. tabaci. Tiodicarb + imidacloprid 157.5 + 52.5; thiamethoxan 210; thiamethoxan 280; imidacloprid 245 and fipronil 50 g.a.i./100 kg of seeds also achieved 80% control against C. arcuatus adults. Against A. gemmatalis, only fipronil 50 g.a.i. and azarachtin 10 and 20 g.a.i./100 kg of seeds did not achieve more than 80% control. Against B. tabaci no tested treatment reached 80% of efficacy. None of the tested insecticides harmed seed germination or emergence during the different storage periods (up to 4 months after seed treatment).

We sampled 119 Nelore cattle (Bos indicus), 69 harboring B. indicus mtDNA plus 50 carrying Bos taurus mtDNA, to estimate the frequencies of putative mtDNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and investigate their association with Nelore weight and scrotal circumference estimated breeding values (EBVs). The PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to detect polymorphisms in the mitochondrial asparagine, cysteine, glycine, leucine and proline transporter RNA (tRNA) genes (tRNAasn, tRNAcys, tRNAgly, tRNAleu and tRNApro). The 50 cattle carrying B. taurus mtDNA were monomorphic for all the tRNA gene SNPs analyzed, suggesting that they are specific to mtDNA from B. indicus cattle. No tRNAcys or tRNAgly polymorphisms were detected in any of the cattle but we did detect polymorphic SNPs in the tRNAasn, tRNAleu and tRNApro genes in the cattle harboring B. indicus mtDNA, with the same allele observed in the B. taurus sequence being present in the following percentage of cattle harboring B. indicus mtDNA: 72.46% for tRNAasn, 95.23% for tRNAleu and 90.62% for tRNApro. Analyses of variance using the tRNAasn SNP as the independent variable and EBVs as the dependent variable showed that the G -> T SNP was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with maternal EBVs for weight at 120 and 210 days (p < 0.05) and animal's EBVs for weight at 210, 365 and 455 days. There was no association of the tRNAasn SNP with the scrotal circumference EBVs. These results confirm that mtDNA can affect weight and that mtDNA polymorphisms can be a source of genetic variation for quantitative traits.

O estudo objetivou avaliar a segurança clínica do uso de uma formulação fitoterápica composta da associação de Mikania glomerata, Mentha piperita, Eucalyptus globulus e Copaifera multijuga, incorporadas à própolis e mel para tratar doenças respiratórias. O ensaio clínico consistiu de um estudo aberto, com 26 voluntários adultos de ambos os sexos, que receberam quatro doses orais de 15 mL de Saratosse®, durante 28 dias ininterruptos. Os voluntários foram incluídos somente se considerados saudáveis, após exames clínico e complementares que antecederam o estudo. A avaliação laboratorial incluía análises hematológicas, bioquímicas e sorológicas. A mesma avaliação foi repetida após cada semana de tratamento e no pós-estudo, sete dias após a última administração. Os resultados foram submetidos à Análise de Variância (teste de Dunnett), obtendo-se, a menor diferença significante (p < 0,05). O xarope foi bem tolerado. Alguns eventos adversos foram relatados, sendo classificados como possivelmente ou não atribuídos ao fitoterápico. Os índices de hemoglobina, TGO, TGP, creatinina e leucócitos não apresentaram diferenças significativas em relação ao pré-estudo. Todos os parâmetros laboratoriais estiveram dentro das suas respectivas faixas de normalidade. Os exames clínicos, eletrocardiográficos e laboratoriais não evidenciaram sinais de toxicidade nos órgãos e sistemas avaliados.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of the use of a phytomedicine syrup (Saratosse®) composed of several medicinal plants: Mikania glomerata, Mentha piperita, Eucalyptus globulus and Copaifera multijuga, along with honey and propolis to treat respiratory diseases. The clinical trial consisted of an open study with 26 adult volunteers of both sexes, who were given an oral dose of 15 mL of Saratosse® for 28 consecutive days, four times a day. Only volunteers who were found healthy after a clinical and physical examination were included. The laboratory tests included: hematological, biochemical and serological analysis. This evaluation was repeated after each week of treatment and seven days after the last administration. ANOVA analysis (Dunnett's test) showed a significant difference, albeit at low statistical level (p < 0.05). Significant differences to the pre-study were not shown by hemoglobin, SGOT, SGPT, creatinine and leukocytes analysis. Laboratorial tests results were within their maximum and minimum reference values. On the whole the medicine was well tolerated. Some side effects were related, which may or not be attributed to the phytomedicine. Clinical, electrocardiographic and laboratory tests did not show any evidence of toxic signs in the organs and systems studied.

Parvovirus B19 has been associated by some investigators with cases of severe hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of active parvovirus B19 infection among 129 Brazilian patients with non-A-E hepatitis. The patients were assayed for antibodies against parvovirus B19, IgM class, by ELISA. In IgM-positive cases, parvovirus B19 DNA was assayed by PCR in serum and liver tissue and parvovirus VP1 antigen in liver tissue was assayed by immunohistochemistry. Antibodies against parvovirus B19, IgM class, were detected in 3 (2.3%) of 129 patients with non-A-E hepatitis. Previous surgery and blood transfusions were reported by these 3 patients. One patient was a 56-year-old female with severe hepatitis, with antimitochondrial antibody seropositivity and submassive necrosis at liver biopsy, who responded to corticosteroid therapy. Strong evidence for active parvovirus B19 infection was found in this patient, with parvovirus B19 DNA being detected by PCR in liver tissue. Furthermore, parvovirus VP1 antigen was also detected in liver tissue by immunohistochemistry. The other two IgM-positive patients were chronic hepatitis cases, but active infection was not proven, since neither viral DNA nor antigen were detected in their liver tissues. This and other reports suggest a possible relation between parvovirus B19 infection and some cases of hepatitis.

Fractures are the feared consequences of osteoporosis and fractures of the proximal femur (FPF) are those that involve the highest morbidity and mortality. Thus far, evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD) is the best way to determine the risk of fracture. Genetic inheritance, in turn, is one of the major determinants of BMD. A correlation between different genotypes of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and BMD has been recently reported. On this basis, we decided to determine the importance of the determination of VDR genotype in the presence of an osteoporotic FPF in a Brazilian population. We studied three groups: group I consisted of 73 elderly subjects older than 65 years (78.5 ± 7.2 years) hospitalized for nonpathological FPF; group II consisted of 50 individuals older than 65 years (72.9 ± 5.2 years) without FPF and group III consisted of 98 young normal Brazilian individuals aged 32.6 ± 6.6 years (mean ± SD). Analysis of VDR gene polymorphism by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was performed by PCR amplification followed by BsmI digestion of DNA isolated from peripheral leukocytes. The genotype distribution in group I was 20.5% BB, 42.5% Bb and 37% bb and did not differ significantly from the values obtained for group II (16% BB, 36% Bb and 48% bb) or for group III (10.2% BB, 47.6% Bb and 41.8% bb). No differences in genotype distribution were observed between sexes or between the young and elderly groups. We conclude that determination of VDR polymorphism is of no practical use for the prediction of FPF. Other nongenetic factors probably start to affect bone mass, the risk to fall and consequently the occurrence of osteoporotic fractures with advancing age.