Illustrated catalogue of type specimens of Megalopodidae (Coleoptera) deposited at the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo

The Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZUSP) houses an important Megalopodidae collection representing 144 species, especially from Brazil and the Neotropical fauna. The type specimens of some species have never been accessed since their original descriptions, and are thus unknown to a major part of the Megalopodidae researchers. Presented here is an illustrated catalogue of the megalopodid type specimens of 32 species deposited at MZUSP, featuring photos of habitus and labels, and complete label data of all the specimens, which originally belonged to Jacintho Guérin’s personal collection. Conflicting and inconsistent data provided in the literature and in the specimens’ labels are addressed. Taxa originally proposed as species varieties are here reaffirmed as valid, with subspecific rank. Agathomerus varians Monrós, 1945 and Plesioagathomerus vittatus Monrós, 1945, originally described as junior synonyms, are considered unavailable names. The subspecific epithet ngriapex is emended into Agathomerus bifasciatus nigrapex Guérin, 1949. An overview of the MZUSP Megalopodidae collection is presented with a history of the arrival of Guérin’s specimens

A rapid biosensor-based method for quantification of free and glucose-conjugated salicylic acid

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Salicylic acid (SA) is an important signalling molecule in plant defenses against biotrophic pathogens. It is also involved in several other processes such as heat production, flowering, and germination. SA exists in the plant as free SA and as an inert glucose conjugate (salicylic acid 2-<it>O</it>-β-D-glucoside or SAG). Recently, Huang <it>et al</it>. developed a bacterial biosensor that responds to free SA but not SAG, designated as <it>Acinetobacter </it>sp. ADPWH_<it>lux</it>. In this paper we describe an improved methodology for <it>Acinetobacter </it>sp. ADPWH_<it>lux</it>-based free SA quantification, enabling high-throughput analysis, and present an approach for the quantification of SAG from crude plant extracts.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>On the basis of the original biosensor-based method, we optimized extraction and quantification. SAG content was determined by treating crude extracts with β-glucosidase, then measuring the released free SA with the biosensor. β-glucosidase treatment released more SA in acetate buffer extract than in Luria-Bertani (LB) extract, while enzymatic hydrolysis in either solution released more free SA than acid hydrolysis. The biosensor-based method detected higher amounts of SA in pathogen-infected plants than did a GC/MS-based method. SA quantification of control and pathogen-treated wild-type and <it>sid2 </it>(SA induction-deficient) plants demonstrated the efficacy of the method described. Using the methods detailed here, we were able to detect as little as 0.28 μg SA/g FW. Samples typically had a standard deviation of up to 25% of the mean.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The ability of <it>Acinetobacter </it>sp. ADPWH_<it>lux </it>to detect SA in a complex mixture, combined with the enzymatic hydrolysis of SAG in crude extract, allowed the development of a simple, rapid, and inexpensive method to simultaneously measure free and glucose-conjugated SA. This approach is amenable to a high-throughput format, which would further reduce the cost and time required for biosensor-based SA quantification. Possible applications of this approach include characterization of enzymes involved in SA metabolism, analysis of temporal changes in SA levels, and isolation of mutants with aberrant SA accumulation.</p

Forces Produced by Different Nonconventional Bracket or Ligature Systems during Alignment of Apically Displaced Teeth

Objective: To analyze the forces released by four types of passive stainless steel self-ligating brackets (SLBs), and by two nonconventional elastomeric ligature-bracket systems when compared with conventional elastomeric ligatures on conventional stainless steel brackets during the alignment of apically displaced teeth at the maxillary arch. Materials and Methods: An experimental model consisting of five brackets was used to assess the forces released by the seven different ligature-bracket systems with 0.012" or 0.014" super- elastic nickel titanium wire in the presence of different amounts of apical displacement of the canine (ranging from 1.5 mm to 6 mm). Comparisons between the different types of bracket/wire/ ligature systems were carried out by means of ANOVA on ranks with Dunnett's post hoc test (P < .05). Results: When correction of a misalignment greater than 3 mm is attempted, a noticeable amount of force for alignment is generated by passive SLBs and nonconventional elastomeric ligature- bracket systems, and a null amount of force is released in the presence of conventional elasto- meric ligatures on conventional brackets. Conclusions: When minimal apical displacement is needed (1.5 mm), the differences in performance between low-friction and conventional systems are minimal. These differences become significant when correction of a misalignment of greater than 3.0 mm is attempted. © 2009 by The EH Angle Education and Research Foundation, Inc

Short‐term effects of a modified A lt‐ RAMEC protocol for early treatment of C lass III malocclusion: a controlled study

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109361/1/ocr12051.pd