Odour-mediated orientation of beetles is influenced by age, sex and morph

The behaviour of insects is dictated by a combination of factors and may vary considerably between individuals, but small insects are often considered en masse and thus these differences can be overlooked. For example, the cowpea bruchid Callosobruchus maculatus F. exists naturally in two adult forms: the active (flight) form for dispersal, and the inactive (flightless), more fecund but shorter-lived form. Given that these morphs show dissimilar biology, it is possible that they differ in odour-mediated orientation and yet studies of this species frequently neglect to distinguish morph type, or are carried out only on the inactive morph. Along with sex and age of individual, adult morph could be an important variable determining the biology of this and similar species, informing studies on evolution, ecology and pest management. We used an olfactometer with motion-tracking to investigate whether the olfactory behaviour and orientation of C. maculatus towards infested and uninfested cowpeas and a plant-derived repellent compound, methyl salicylate, differed between morphs or sexes. We found significant differences between the behaviour of male and female beetles and beetles of different ages, as well as interactive effects of sex, morph and age, in response to both host and repellent odours. This study demonstrates that behavioural experiments on insects should control for sex and age, while also considering differences between adult morphs where present in insect species. This finding has broad implications for fundamental entomological research, particularly when exploring the relationships between physiology, behaviour and evolutionary biology, and the application of crop protection strategies

Advanced Technologies for Oral Controlled Release: Cyclodextrins for oral controlled release

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are used in oral pharmaceutical formulations, by means of inclusion complexes formation, with the following advantages for the drugs: (1) solubility, dissolution rate, stability and bioavailability enhancement; (2) to modify the drug release site and/or time profile; and (3) to reduce or prevent gastrointestinal side effects and unpleasant smell or taste, to prevent drug-drug or drug-additive interactions, or even to convert oil and liquid drugs into microcrystalline or amorphous powders. A more recent trend focuses on the use of CDs as nanocarriers, a strategy that aims to design versatile delivery systems that can encapsulate drugs with better physicochemical properties for oral delivery. Thus, the aim of this work was to review the applications of the CDs and their hydrophilic derivatives on the solubility enhancement of poorly water soluble drugs in order to increase their dissolution rate and get immediate release, as well as their ability to control (to prolong or to delay) the release of drugs from solid dosage forms, either as complexes with the hydrophilic (e.g. as osmotic pumps) and/ or hydrophobic CDs. New controlled delivery systems based on nanotechonology carriers (nanoparticles and conjugates) have also been reviewed

Influence of Microenvironment pH, Humidity, and Temperature on the Stability of Polymorphic and Amorphous Forms of Clopidogrel Bisulfate

The effect of microenvironment pH, humidity, and temperature was evaluated on the stability of polymorphic and amorphous forms of clopidogrel bisulfate, when present alone or in combinations. Oxalic acid and sodium carbonate were used as solid stressors to create acidic and alkaline pH, respectively. The samples without and with stressors were subjected for 3 months to (1) 0% RH, 25% RH, 75% RH, and 85% RH at 40°C and also to (2) 60°C, 80°C, and 100°C at 0% RH. In case of solid samples without stressors, the mixture of polymorphic and amorphous forms showed more degradation than the individual forms above critical relative humidity (85% RH). Similar higher degradation was observed between 75% RH and 85% RH in case of acid-stressed samples. In alkaline microenvironment, all the samples showed identical decomposition attributed to conversion of bisulfate salt to free base. Thermal studies indicated that polymorphic forms of clopidogrel bisulfate and also its glassy amorphous form were highly resistant to temperature, whereas the rubbery state of the drug degraded significantly at temperatures of ≥80°C

DNA fingerprinting of water yam (Dioscorea alata) cultivars in Brazil based on microsatellite markers Diversidade genética de cultivares de inhame (Dioscorea alata) no Brasil utilizando microssatélites

This study aimed to fingerprint 36 water yam (Dioscorea alata) accessions using microsatellite markers. Ten accessions were collected in local markets from several municipalities in Brazil, eight were obtained from the 'Instituto Agronômico de Campinas' (IAC) germplasm collection and eighteen were collected directly from growers from São Paulo state. A total of nine microsatellite loci were used in the analysis. Loci revealed high polymorphism verified by elevated PIC values (0.57-0.77), and by high gene diversity and Shannon-Wiener indices (0.69 and 1.29 on average, respectively). The accessions were classified into two groups based on clustering analysis. One group contained mostly accessions from the IAC collection, including a commercial cultivar acquired in a market in the city of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso state. The second group was composed of most accessions, including those collected directly from growers and markets in São Paulo, a few accessions from the IAC collection, and an accession from Puerto Rico, named 'Florida', which is the most cultivated in Brazil. Several duplicates were identified in this study, including accessions obtained from two farmers in Mogi Guaçu and Mogi Mirim, São Paulo state. However, some of these accessions were allocated in different sub-groups, within this second group. Results suggested the hypothesis of different origins for accessions currently cultivated in Brazil. Similar accessions obtained from different municipalities revealed the commercialization of the same accessions at different locations.<br>Este estudo teve como objetivo a análise genética de 36 acessos de inhame (Dioscorea alata) utilizando marcadores microssatélites. Dez acessos foram coletados em mercados locais de vários municípios no Brasil, oito foram obtidos no banco de germoplasma do Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC), e dezoito foram coletados diretamente com os agricultores no estado de São Paulo. Um total de nove locos de microssatélites foram utilizados para amplificação. Alto polimorfismo foi encontrado entre os locos, verificado pelos valores de PIC elevados (0,57-0,77) e altos índices de heterogosidade esperada e Shannon-Wiener (0,69 e 1,29 em média, respectivamente). Os acessos foram classificados em dois grupos pela análise de agrupamento. O primeiro grupo consiste principalmente de acessos obtidos da coleção do IAC, incluindo um acesso comercial obtido num mercado na cidade de Cuiabá, estado de Mato Grosso. O segundo grupo classificou os acessos coletados diretamente dos agricultores, incluindo um importante acesso proveniente de Porto Rico, denominado 'Florida', a cultivar mais plantada no Brasil. Este grupo incluiu também os acessos obtidos em mercados de vários municípios do estado de São Paulo, além de outros acessos da coleção do IAC. Várias duplicatas foram identificadas neste estudo, incluindo acessos obtidos junto aos dois agricultores de Mogi Guaçu e Mogi Mirim, em São Paulo. Entretanto, parte desses acessos foi alocada em diferentes sub-grupos, dentro do segundo grupo. Os resultados sugerem a hipótese de diferentes origens para os acessos atualmente comercializados e cultivados no Brasil. Acessos similares obtidos de diferentes municípios mostrou a comercialização dos mesmos em locais diferentes

Yam: a neglected and underutilized crop in Brazil Inhame: uma cultura negligenciada e subutilizada no Brasil

In Brazil current studies and investments on yams are incipient. Similarly, the literature in recent decades lacks adequate information on this group of plants. The existing literature, on its turn, requires more than ever to be revised and organized. Yams have joined the so-called "neglected" group of crops for several reasons, but particularly because they are associated with poor and traditional communities. Many vegetables introduced in Brazil during the colonization period have adapted to different cropping systems, yams being an excellent example. This diversity resulted very widespread, yet poorly recognized in the country. In turn, the gardens using traditional farming systems continue to maintain and enhance yam local varieties. Studies from other countries, with an emphasis on characterization and genetic breeding, brought to light an urgent need for Brazil to invest in yams as a food rich in carbohydrates, even to the point of alterations in food public policy. Reversal of the yam's current stigma is both a challenge to the scientific community and to the population as a whole. This paper aims to raise pertinent questions about Dioscorea species, an important key group for many communities in tropical countries, yet still unrecognized as so in Brazil.<br>No Brasil, estudos e investimentos ao inhame são incipientes. Similarmente, a literatura nas últimas décadas apresenta informações insuficientes para este grupo de plantas. A literatura existente, por sua vez, exige mais que nunca ser revisada e organizada. O inhame tem-se unido ao grupo de culturas ditas "negligenciadas" por diversas razões, mas particularmente devido ao fato de estar associado às comunidades pobres e tradicionais. Muitos vegetais introduzidos no Brasil durante o período da colonização têm-se adaptado a diferentes sistemas de cultivo, sendo o inhame um excelente exemplo. Esta diversidade é resultado de uma ampla dispersão, ainda pouco conhecida no país. Por sua vez, as roças usam o sistema de agricultura tradicional de forma a manter e aumentar as variedades locais de inhame. Estudos de outros países, com ênfase na caracterização e melhoramento genético, trouxeram à luz uma necessidade urgente de o Brasil investir em inhame como uma rica fonte de carboidratos, mesmo apesar das mudanças na política alimentar pública. Reverter o atual estigma do inhame é um duplo desafio para a comunidade científica e população como um todo. Este artigo objetiva-se a trazer questões pertinentes sobre as espécies do gênero Dioscorea, um importante grupo para muitas comunidades em países tropicais, contudo ainda pouco conhecido no Brasil