Occurrence of Gregarines (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in the Neotropical Soldierless Ruptitermes spp. (Isoptera, Termitidae, Apicotermitinae)

This is the first record of gregarine infection in the worker midgut of the Neotropical termites Ruptitermes pitan and Ruptitermes reconditus. Gregarines have already been described in the gut and hemocoel in workers of other termite species, and although these protozoa are not able to kill these insects, they may affect their fitness. In the present study, gregarines were only observed in the gut lumen or linked to the midgut wall of termite workers. Histological sections of the worker midgut of Ruptitermes spp. showed three phases of the gregarine life cycle with the same individual worker displayed up to 4 gamonts and 2 trophozoites

Record of an Ectoparasitic Fungus on Eggs of the Neotropical Termite Nasutitermes corniger (Blattaria, Isoptera, Termitidae)

Insects and fungi are abundant in many environments and often interact. However, little information exists on the fungal infestation of insect eggs. Here, we report an entomogenous fungus similar to Hormiscioideus filamentosus (Blackweel & Kimbrough, 1978) infesting eggs of the termite Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky, 1855). The fungus arises from egg chorion and has long and simple filaments. The small haustorial cells infiltrate the egg chorion and the fungal thalli number varies from two to ten. Future studies will elucidate the infestation levels of termite eggs by this entomogenous fungus in the Neotropical region and its effects on termite colonies

Neotenic formation in laboratory colonies of the termite Coptotermes gestroi after orphaning

The termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann 1896) (Rhinotermitidae: Coptotermitinae) is an exotic species in Brazil and information concerning its reproductive developmental biology is scarce. We induced the formation of neotenics in laboratory colonies through orphaning experiments. Orphaning experiments were conducted in three-year old colonies of C. gestroi kept under laboratory conditions. After three months, eight nymphoid neotenics were observed in one colony after queen removal. Histological analysis showed that these neotenics were non-functional. The results suggest that these individuals may have arisen from the first nymphal instar (N1) or from an early N1 instar after one or two larval moults. Neotenics also were recorded on two incipient colonies of C. gestroi that lost the queen naturally

Potential of industrial by-products and wastes from the Iberian Peninsula as carbon sources for sulphate-reducing bacteria

Industrial by-products and wastes from Portugal and Spain were tested for the first time as carbon sources/electron donors for sulphate-reducing bacteria. Cultures in mineral medium supplemented with the tested substrates were monitored, and sulphate reduction efficiency is discussed in light of substrates compositions, dosages and corresponding chemical oxygen demand/[SO42-] ratios. The results reveal the ability of those substrates to feed SRB and confirm that testing doses targeting ratios of 1.5 and values close to this was a good strategy to optimize sulphate reduction activity. As expected, this activity was faster for substrates that have in their composition simple compounds (such as low-chain alcohols and organic acids) and/or compounds that can be rapidly degraded (such as sugars), though it also occurred in a longer-term perspective with substrates composed mainly of slowly degradable compounds (such as cellulose and lignin). Thus, this work demonstrates the potential of new substrates and respective required doses to feed SRB bioreactors in long-term passive bioremediation processes or faster more active processes. That is, it opens the way for the use of such substrates in the treatment of sulphate-rich waters, as the acid mine drainage generated in some mines on the Iberian Pyrite Belt region, and it encourages further experiments to evaluate the use of SRB-based processes to treat the industrial wastewaters successfully tested in this work themselves, specially the olive mill wastewater which is still a problem for many small olive oil producers.European UnionEuropean Union (EU) [619101]Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [UID/Multi/04326/2019]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Validação de método cromatográfico para análises de rotina de trans-resveratrol e quercetina em vinhos tintos

The objective of this work was to validate a fast method with low-solvent use, for the analysis of trans-resveratrol and quercetin in red wines. The wines were prepared, using a classical method, from the grape (Vitis vinifera) cultivars Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Ruby Cabernet, Syrah, Tannat, and Tempranillo. Samples were filtered and analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD), at 306 and 371 nm, for trans-resveratrol and quercetin, respectively. An octylsilane column was used, and the mobile phase was composed by a gradient of methanol, water, and formic acid. The method was validated according to the following figures of merit:specificity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, and robustness. The proposed HPLC-DAD method may be established for the analysis of trans-resveratrol and quercetin in red wines.O objetivo deste trabalho foi validar um método rápido, com baixo consumo de solventes, para a análise de trans-resveratrol e quercetina em vinhos tintos. Os vinhos foram elaborados por método clássico, a partir das cultivares de uva (Vitis vinifera) Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Ruby Cabernet, Syrah, Tannat e Tempranillo. As amostras foram filtradas e analisadas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) com detector de arranjo de diodos (DAD), em 306 e 371 nm, quanto ao trans-resveratrol e à quercetina, respectivamente. Utilizou-se uma coluna octilsilano, e a fase móvel foi composta por um gradiente de metanol, água e ácido fórmico. O método foi validado de acordo com as seguintes figuras de mérito: especificidade, linearidade, limite de detecção, limite de quantificação, precisão, exatidão e robustez. O método CLAE-DAD proposto pode ser implantado para análises de trans-resveratrol e quercetina em vinhos tintos

Zur Situation von Menschen mit Down-Syndrom in der deutschsprachigen Schweiz

The subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is a pest of major economic importance in urban environments of southeastern Brazil. Compared to using pesticides for termite control, termite bait products target termites more specifically and also address environmental contamination issues. In this point of view, we performed two different bioassays ill order to evaluate the efficacy of boric acid and fipronil against different populations of C. gestroi. The results showed that concentration between 2000 and 3000 ppm of boric acid caused approximately 100 percent mortality ill termites. Concentrations between 0.01 and 0.0001 ppm of fipronil resulted in 100% termite mortality after 2 wk exposure. The data displayed a fast mortality of termites contaminated with fipronil, even with small concentrations, and therefore it is riot a Suitable product to be used ill baits against C gestroi. The present Study showed a delayed toxicity of boric acid against the subterranean termite C gestroi which suggests a need for further field tests

Influence of colony size and season on the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) worker hypopharyngeal gland development and lifetime.

The influence of season and type of colony on the development of the hypopharyngeal glands of Apis mellifera workers was investigated in the present study. Three types of colony were observed: strong (with a population of about 50.000 bees), median (about 20.000 bees) and weak (about 3.000 bees). The results showed that the average of worker lifetime is longer in the more populous colonies and in times of higher temperatures, nevertheless the weak colonies were more susceptible to the weather conditions than the strong ones. Although the colony size affects the worker lifetime and its glandular development, this not changes the pattern and sequence of tasks in the three types of colonies.The influence of season and type of colony on the development of the hypopharyngeal glands of Apis mellifera workers was investigated in the present study. Three types of colony were observed: strong (with a population of about 50.000 bees), median (about 20.000 bees) and weak (about 3.000 bees). The results showed that the average of worker lifetime is longer in the more populous colonies and in times of higher temperatures, nevertheless the weak colonies were more susceptible to the weather conditions than the strong ones. Although the colony size affects the worker lifetime and its glandular development, this not changes the pattern and sequence of tasks in the three types of colonies

Stress during the covid-19 pandemic: unusual challenges for university professors

Objetivo: Investigar os fatores relacionados aos níveis de estresse desencadeados durante a pandemia de COVID-19 e à qualidade de vida (QV) em professores universitários. Método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com 318 docentes de instituições de ensino superior públicas e privadas do Maranhão, Brasil. A coleta de dados incluiu um questionário sociodemográfico, as versões brasileiras da Escala de Estresse Percebido (PSS) e o Instrumento Abreviado de Avaliação da QV da Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHOQOL-bref). As análises estatísticas foram realizadas com testes T de Student e Análise de Variância com post-hoc de Duncan. Resultados: de acordo com os resultados da avaliação da pontuação dos professores, os níveis de estresse percebido foram classificados como normal (n = 166, 52,2%), moderado (n = 126, 39,6%) e alto (n = 26, 8, 2%), com uma média de 26,6 (± 10,5). A QV teve uma média geral de 56,4 (± 13,0). Entre os domínios da QV, o físico apresentou a maior média com 66,1 (± 17,7), enquanto a menor média foi no domínio social com 55,8 (± 14,8). Conclusão: Os fatores que influenciaram os níveis de estresse no grupo participante foram o sexo feminino com idade entre 31 e 40 anos, ter filho e não exercer prática religiosa frequente.Objective: Investigate the factors related to the stress levels triggered during the COVID-19 pandemic and the quality of life (QOL) of university professors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 318 professors from private and public higher education institutions in Maranhão, Brazil. Data collection included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brazilian versions of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Abbreviated World Health OrganizationQOL Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL-bref). Statistical analyses were performed with Student’s T-test and Analysis of Variance with Duncan’s post-hoc. Results: according to the results of the professor score assessment, perceived stress levels were classified as normal (n = 166, 52.2%), moderate (n = 126, 39.6%), and high (n = 26, 8, 2%), with an average of 26.6 (± 10.5). QOL had an overall average of 56.4 (± 13.0). Among the QOL domains, the physical had the highest mean with 66.1 (± 17.7), while the lowest mean was in the social domain with 55.8 (± 14.8). Conclusion: The factors that influenced the stress levels were being female with age between 31 and 40years old, those who had a child, and those who did not perform a frequent religious practice

Metastatic Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Mare

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common cutaneous neoplasm in horses, which mainly affects the external genitalia, oral cavity, and periocular region. The development of SCC metastases is rare in these animals, and the most common occurrence is a marked local infiltration. Exposure to ultraviolet rays and skin depigmentation are the main etiological factors of SCC. Definitive diagnosis of the neoplasm is performed through histological examination of lesions. The present report describes the clinical, anatomopathological, and immunohistochemical (IHC) aspects of a case of metastatic SCC, with the vulva as the primary site in a mare. Case: A 17-year-old mare, mixed breed, was referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF), with history of areas of depigmented skin (pinto coat), and  clinical history of anorexia, frequent episodes of colic, and recumbency. During clinical evaluation, heart rate (68 bpm), rectal temperature (38.4ºC), and respiratory rate (48 mpm) were elevated, and the oral mucosa was pale. The mare also had an ulcerated tumor mass involving the vulva, which extended to the inguinal region and involved the mammary gland. A cytological aspirate of the vulvar tumor was performed, in which no neoplastic cells were found. Next, a biopsy of 2 distinct areas of the vulva was performed. The material was sent for anatomopathological examination, which showed markedly pleomorphic malignant squamous cells, with individual keratinization and high mitotic index, organized in trabeculae with rare keratin pearl-like formations. The exam allowed the diagnosis of SCC Grade II. Due to the poor prognosis and high cost of treatment, the owner consented to euthanasia and necropsy examination. During necropsy, the vulvar tumor mass was grayish, firm to hard, infiltrative, and had friable areas. Tumor foci suggestive of metastasis were also observed in inguinal, mesenteric, mediastinal and renal lymph nodes, adrenal glands, lung, pericardium, medullary canal, intercostal muscles, right 15th rib, and tissue surrounding the azygos vein. Samples from all organs were collected for anatomopathological examination. Diagnosis of metastatic vulvar SCC was confirmed through histological and IHC studies, which evaluated the expression of cytokeratins (AE1/AE3), as well as the proliferative activity of neoplastic cells through the PCNA marker. Discussion: The diagnosis of metastatic SCC was obtained through the observed clinical, necroscopic, histological, and IHC characteristics. This neoplasm usually appears in depigmented regions exposed to ultraviolet light, and older animals are more likely to be affected. The mare in the present case had areas of depigmented skin (pinto coat). The animal was kept in a paddock outdoor and exposed to constant solar radiation. Although rare in horses, manifestation of anorexia, progressive weight loss, and frequent colic episodes and recumbency may be closely related to the multiple sites of metastasis in the present case. The main histological findings of the neoplasm were the dense proliferation of malignant squamous cells with individual keratinization, arranged in a trabecular pattern and with rare formations of keratin pearls, in line with previous studies. During IHC evaluation, the neoplastic cells showed expression of cytokeratins (AE1/AE3), as well as high proliferative activity evidenced by the PCNA marker. Given this background, the present report describes the clinical, anatomopathological, and IHC aspects of a case of metastatic SCC with a primary site in the vulva of a mare. Keywords: equine, genital neoplasm, tumor embolism, squamous cell carcinoma, metastasis, immunohistochemistry