Fauna of euglossina (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from southwestern Amazonia, Acre, Brazil

Male orchid bees were collected between December 2005 and September 2006 in 11 forest areas of different sizes in the region of Rio Branco, Acre, Southwestern Amazonia, Brazil. The bees were attracted by 6 aromatic compounds and collected by insect nets and scent baited traps. A total of 3,675 males of Euglossina in 4 genera and 36 species were collected. Eulaema cingulata (Fabricius) was the most common (24.6%), followed by Eulaema meriana (Olivier) (14.6%), Euglossa amazonica Dressler (10.5%), Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier (10.5%) and Eulaema pseudocingulata (Oliveira) (7.2%). Cineole was the scent that attracted the greatest number of individuals (23.8%) and methyl salicylate the greatest number of species (28) for both methods of sampling. Thirty one bees of 9 species with pollinar orchid attached to their bodies were collected. The accumulative number of species stabilized after the 48th collection. Few species were abundant; the great majority were represented by less than 50 bees. The lack of standardized sample protocols limited very much the conclusions derived from comparisons among the majority of studies on Euglossina assemblages. However, the results presented here suggest that the State of Acre is very rich in those bees compared to other regions.Machos de abelhas Euglossina foram coletados entre dezembro de 2005 e setembro de 2006 em 11 áreas florestais de diferentes tamanhos na região de Rio Branco, Acre, Amazônia Sul-Ocidental. As abelhas foram atraídas por 6 substâncias odoríferas e coletadas com rede entomológica e armadilhas. Um total de 3.675 machos de Euglossina pertencentes a 4 gêneros e 36 espécies foi coletado. Eulaema cingulata (Fabricius) foi a espécie mais comum (24,6%), seguida por Eulaema meriana (Olivier) (14,6%), Euglossa amazonica Dressler (10,5%), Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier (10,5%) e Eulaema pseudocingulata (Oliveira) (7,2%). Cineol foi a substância que atraiu maior número de indivíduos (23,8%) e metil salicilato o maior número de espécies (28) para ambos os métodos de coleta. Foram coletados 31 indivíduos pertencentes a 9 espécies portando polinários. O número acumulado de espécies coletadas na região estabilizou a partir da 48ª coleta. Poucas espécies foram abundantes, a maioria representada por menos que 50 indivíduos. A falta de um protocolo amostral padronizado tem limitado comparações entre trabalhos realizados em diferentes regiões. Contudo, os resultados aqui apresentados indicam que o Acre apresenta elevada riqueza dessas abelhas

Physico-chemical Characterization Of Inclusion Complex Between Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone And Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin [caracterização Físico-química De Complexo De Inclusão Entre Hidroximetilnitrofurazona E Hidroxipropil-β- Ciclodextrina]

Hydroxymethylnitrofurazone (NFOH) is a prodrug that is active against Trypanosoma cruzi. It however presents low solubility and high toxicity. Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) can be used as a drug-delivery system for NFOH modifying its physico-chemical properties. The aim of this work is to characterize the inclusion complex between NFOH and HP-β-CD. The rate of NFOH release decreases after complexation and thermodynamic parameters from the solubility isotherm studies revealed that a stable complex is formed (ΔG° = - 1.7 kJ/mol). This study focuses on the physico-chemical characterization of a drug-delivery formulation that comes out as a potentially new therapeutic option for Chagas disease treatment.312290295Dias, J.C.P., (1999) Parasitologia humana e seus fundamentos gerais, , Atheneu Ed, São PauloAndrade, Z.A., (1999) Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz, 94, p. 71Brener, Z., Andrade, Z., Barral-Netto, M.E., (2000) Trypanosoma cruzi e doença de Chagas, , Brener, Z, Zilton, A. A, Barral-Neto, M, eds, 2a ed, Guanabara Koogan: Rio de JaneiroSchmuñis, G., Em ref, A., , 3Urbina, J.A., Docampo, R., (2003) Trends Parasitol, 19, p. 495Coura, J.R., Castro, S.L.A., (2002) Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz, 97, p. 3Gonçalves, M.F., Chung, M.C., Colli, W., Miranda, M.T.M., Ferreira, E.I., (1994) Rev. Soc. Bras. Med. Trop, 27, p. 164Chung, M.C., (1996) Tese de Doutorado, , Universidade de São Paulo, BrasilGuido, R.V.C., Ferreira, E.I., Nassute, J.C., Varanda, E.A., Chung, M.C., (2001) Rev. Bras. Cienc. Farm, 22, p. 319Chung, M.C., Guido, R.V.C., Martinelli, T.F., Gonçalves, M.F., Polli, M.C., Botelho, K.C.A., Varanda, E.A., Ferreira, E.I., (2003) Bioorg. Med. Chem, 11, p. 4779Amidon, G.L., Lennernäs, H., Shah, V.P., Crison, J.R., (1995) Pharm. Res, 12, p. 413Liu, R., (2000) Water Insoluble Drug Formulation, , Interpharm/CRC Press:New YorkDavis, M.E., Brewster, M.E., (2004) Nat. Rev. Drug Discovery, 3, p. 1023de Araújo, D.R., Pinto, L.M.A., Braga, A.F.A., de Paula, E., (2003) Rev. Bras. Anestesiol, 53, p. 663Frömming, K.H., Szejtli, J., (1994) Topics in Inclusion Science - Cyclodextrins in Pharmacy, Kluwer Academic Publishers: Hungriade Azevedo, M.B.M., Alderete, J.B., Rodriguez, J.A., Souza, A.O., Rettori, D., Torsoni, M.A., Faljoni-Alario, A., Duran, N., (2000) J. Inclusion Phenom. Macrocyclic Chem, 37, p. 93Connors, K.A., (1997) Chem. Rev, 97, p. 1325Ismaili, L., André, C., Nicod, L., Mozer, J.L., Millet, J., Refouvelet, B., Makki, S., Guillaume, Y.C., (2003) J. Liq. Chromatogr. Relat. Technol, 26, p. 871Ravelet, C., Ravel, A., Grosset, C., Villet, A., Geze, A., Wouessidjewe, D., Peyrin, E., (2002) J. Liq. Chromatogr. Relat. Technol, 25, p. 421Ravelet, C., Geze, A., Villet, A., Grosset, C., Ravel, A., Wouessidjewe, D., Peyrin, E., (2002) J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal, 29, p. 425Paavola, A., Yliruusi, J., Kajimoto, Y., Kalso, E., Wahlström, T., Rosenberg, P., (1997) Pharm. Res, 1995, p. 12de Araújo, D.R., Fraceto, L.F., Braga, A.F.A., de Paula, E., (2005) Rev. Bras. Anestesiol, 55, p. 316Pinto, L.M.A., Fraceto, L.F., Santana, M.H.A., Pertinhez, T.A., Oyama Junior, S., de Paula, E., (2005) J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal, 30, p. 956de Jesus, M.B., Pinto, L.M.A., Fraceto, L.F., Takahata, Y., Lino, A.C.S., Jaime, C., de Paula, E., (2006) J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal, 41, p. 1428Matioli, G., (2000) Ciclodextrinas e suas aplicações em: Alimentos, fármacos, cosméticos, agricultura, biotecnologia, química analítica e produtos gerais, EDUEM, , MaringáDodziuk, H., (2006) Cyclodextrins and their complexes, , Wiley-VCH: GermanySzejtli, J., (1996) Comprehensive Supramolecular Chemistry, , Pergamon: OxfordMásson, M., Loftsson, T., Másson, G., Stefánsson, E., (1999) J. Controlled Release, 59, p. 107Bekers, O., Uijtendaal, E.V., Beijnen, J.H., Bult, A., Underberg, W.J.M., (1991) Drug Dev. Ind. Pharm, 17, p. 1503Flood, K.G., Reynolds, E.R., Snow, N.H., (2000) J. Chromatogr., A, 903, p. 49Tong, W.Q., Lach, J.L., Chin, T.F., Guillory, J.K., (1991) J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal, 9, p. 1139Stalcup, A.M., Chang, S.S., Armstrong, D.W., Pitha, J.J., (1990) J. Chromatogr., A, 513, p. 181Morin, N., Guillaume, Y.C., Peyrin, E., Rouland, J.C., (1998) J. Chromatogr., A, 808, p. 51Del Valle, E.M.M., (2004) Process Biochem, 39, p. 1033Moraes, C.M., Abrami, P., de Paula, E., Braga, A.F.A., Fraceto, L.F., (2007) Int. J. Pharm, 331, p. 99Langerman, L., Grant, G.J., Zakowski, M., Golomb, E., Ramanathan, S., Turndorf, H., (1992) Anesth. Analg, 75, p. 900Mowat, J.J., Mok, M.J., MacLeod, B.A., Madden, T.D., (1996) Anesthesiology, 85, p. 635Moraes, C.M., Abrami, P., Gonçalves, M.M., Andreo-Filho, N., Fernandes, S.A., de Paula, E., Fraceto, L.F., (2007) Quim. Nova, 30, p. 777Moraes, C.M., Abrami, P., de Araújo, D.R., Braga, A.F.A., Issa, M.G., Ferraz, H.G., de Paula, E., Fraceto, L.F., (2007) J. Incl. Phenom. Macrocycl. Chem, 57, p. 313Moraes, C.M., Abrami, P., Braga, A.F.A., de Paula, E., Fraceto, L.F., (2007) Int. J. Pharm, 331, p. 9

Riqueza, abundância e diversidade de Euglossina (Hymenoptera, Apidae) em três áreas da Reserva Biológica Guaribas, Paraíba, Brasil Richness, abundance, and diversity of Euglossina (Hymenoptera, Apidae) at three areas of the Guaribas Biological Reserve, Paraíba, Brazil

O estudo realizou-se em três áreas da Reserva Biológica Guaribas, uma área com vegetação característica de Mata Atlântica, outra com vegetação característica de Tabuleiro Nordestino e a terceira, chamada de Transição, formada por um mosaico dos dois tipos vegetacionais. Foram coletados 2314 indivíduos pertencentes a 11 espécies de Euglossina. Utilizou-se como iscas seis fragrâncias artificiais: eugenol, eucaliptol, escatol, beta ionona, acetato de benzila e vanilina. Na área de Mata, foram coletados 850 indivíduos de 11 espécies, na área de Tabuleiro 737 indivíduos de cinco espécies e na área de Transição 727 indivíduos de seis espécies. A área de Mata apresentou a maior diversidade (H' = 0,94) e a maior riqueza. O coeficiente de similaridade binário de Sørensen indicou que as áreas mais semelhantes, com relação à composição das espécies, foram às de Tabuleiro e Transição (Ss = 0,92). O coeficiente de similaridade de Morisita apontou que as áreas de Mata e Transição são idênticas (Cmh = 1), com relação às abundâncias relativas das espécies. A área de Transição assemelha-se mais à área de Tabuleiro (quanto à composição e diversidade) e mais à área de Mata (quanto à abundância relativa), o que sugere que algumas espécies de Mata também forrageiam na área de Transição.<br>The study was carried out at three areas of the Guaribas Biological Reserve, one area with typical Atlantic rain forest vegetation, one with a Savanna-like vegetation typical of coastal ecosystems, locally known as 'Tabuleiro', and another called Transition area, containing a mosaic of the two former types of vegetation. A total of 2314 individuals belonging to 11 species of Euglossina were sampled, using traps. Six artificial fragrances were used as baits: eugenol, cineol, skatol, beta ionone, benzyl acetate, and vanillin. From the Forest area 850 males belonging to 11 species were sampled, from the Savanna-like vegetation 737 males belonging to five species were sampled, and from the Transition area 727 males belonging to six species were sampled. The highest diversity (H' = 0.94) and richness were obtained from the Forest area. The Sørensen binary similarity coefficient showed that regarding species composition Savanna-like vegetation and Transition were the most similar areas (Ss = 0.92). The Morisita similarity coefficient showed that Forest and Transition areas were identical (Cmh = 1) regarding relative abundance of species. Transition area is more similar to an open area of Savanna-like vegetation, in terms of composition and diversity, and more similar to the Forest area, regarding relative abundance, suggesting that some Forest species also forage in the Transition area

Qualitative risk assessment of a Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system for heavy-duty trucks

A Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system can be applied to heavy-duty diesel trucks for achieving environmental benefits in comparison to existing diesel vehicles. Because of lack of reports about risk assessment of this technology, we performed a qualitative assessment based on a framework of some literature techniques for risk identification, analysis and evaluation. After constructing a Reliability Block Diagram (RBD) to establish the context, we conducted bow-tie analysis, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), likelihood and consequence analysis, and used a risk matrix. We applied these methods and techniques qualitatively to identify causes (e.g. collisions), critical events (e.g. releases of natural gas), related consequences (e.g. fires and explosions), and different possible pathways from a specific cause to its consequence, and to assess some negative accident scenarios related to use and parking of the vehicle. The bow-tie analysis also allowed to make explicit barriers and controls that prevent critical events and/or mitigate consequences. Therefore, we identified a set of safety measures, including design, technical, management, and emergency actions, which shall be implemented in each step of the system's life cycle.Our risk assessment showed that the risk level of the Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system is similar to the risk level of a traditional diesel system. Future research will overcome current lack of data and, therefore, permit a quantitative rating of the risk of the Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system