Cambio climatico y plagas forestales: el caso de la procesionaria del pino en el noreste de Portugal

The pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) is known as the most defoliating insect in Pinus and Cedrus in many countries. In the last three decades, climate change has led to a substantial expansion of its range and high attack rates in previously unaffected areas were observed. A 3-year analysis of the effect of several climatic elements on the T. pityocampa adult emergence was made and one climatic change scenario was tested in order to predict the insect’s behaviour in the future. Results showed that mean air temperature was the climatic element with the best single regression fit to adult emergence, whereas minimum air temperature and relative humidity provided the best multiple regression fits. Results also demonstrated that higher emergence of adults is often related to a maximum temperature above 30°C, a mean temperature above 23°C, a minimum temperature above 17°C, relative humidity lower than 60% and precipitation values lower than 10 mm. Using the same thresholds for future climatic conditions simulated by the COSMO-CLM model, the period for pine processionary moth emergence will be expanded, starting much sooner. Contrasting with the actual emergence period, the insect is projected to have favorable climatic conditions to start emerging in May. This might have serious implications in forest ecosystems, concerning not only ecological issues, but also forest management.La procesionaria del pino, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae), es conocido en muchos países como el insecto más defoliador de Pinus y Cedrus. En las últimas tres décadas el cambio climático ha originado una considerable expansión de su rango de distribución y aumentado la proporción de ataques en áreas previamente no atacadas. Durante tres años fue realizada una monitorización de los efectos de diversos elementos climáticos sobre la emergencia de los adultos de T. pityocampa y un escenario de cambio climático fue testado con el fin de predecir el comportamiento de los insectos en el futuro. Los resultados revelan que la temperatura media del aire es el elemento climático que más contribuye en la regresión simple para explicar la emergencia de adultos, seguidos de la temperatura mínima del aire y la humedad relativa. Nuestros resultados también demostraron que el aumento de emergencia de adultos estaba a menudo relacionado con temperaturas máximas superiores a 30°C, temperatura media por encima de los 23°C, temperatura mínima por encima de 17°C, humedad relativa inferior al 60% y valores de precipitación inferiores a los 10 mm. Atendiendo a los resultados para eses umbrales climáticos y el modelo de CLM, el periodo de emergencia de la procesionaria de pino se extenderá, comenzando mucho antes. En contraste con el actual periodo de emergencia, el insecto tendrá condiciones climáticas favorables para comenzar a emerger en Mayo. Esto tendrá consecuencias graves para los ecosistemas forestales no sólo al nivel de las cuestiones ecológicas, sino también para la gestión forestal

Candidemia Surveillance in Brazil: Evidence for a Geographical Boundary Defining an Area Exhibiting an Abatement of Infections by Candida albicans Group 2 Strains

Prospective population surveillance has been conducted for candidemia in Brazil (A. L. Colombo, M. Nucci, B. J. Park, et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 44:2816-2823, 2006). in the present study, a total of 63 isolates from 61 patients, representing 11 medical centers from nine geographic regions, were characterized by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). A total of 48 unique profiles or diploid sequence types (DSTs) were observed, with nine new sequence types (STs) and 32 new DSTs. There were no apparent correlations between center/region and DST patterns. Subtypes were compared to those in a known characterized reference set, including a large database of strains obtained worldwide. Significantly, only one C. albicans group 2 isolate was found in our collection, although isolates from this particular group are commonly found worldwide. These data, combined with information from other previously reported studies, establish a statistically significant diminishment of group 2 strains in Central and South America, including Mexico and portions of the Southwestern United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Ctr Dis Control & Prevent, Mycot Dis Branch, Atlanta, GA 30333 USAUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

LIVER BIOCHEMISTRY PROFILE IN WHITE-TAILED DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) REARED IN CAPTIVITY

El presente estudio se llevó a cabo con 23 venados cola blanca (Odocoileus virginianus), de ambos sexos, y criados en cautiverio en la provincia de Lima, con el objetivo de determinar el perfil bioquímico sanguíneo hepático a través de los valores séricos de Bilirrubina Total y Directa, Proteínas Totales, Albúmina, Alanino Amino Transferasa (ALT), Aspartato Amino Transferasa (AST), Fosfatasa Alcalina (FA), y Gamma Glutamil Transferasa (GGT). Los animales (7 machos y 16 hembras), pertenecientes a tres zoológicos o zoocriaderos, fueron anestesiados con clorhidrato de ketamina o con la combinación de clorhidrato de ketamina y clorhidrato de xilacina. Se extrajo 7 ml de sangre por punción de la vena safena en tubos estériles sin anticoagulante, y los sueros fueron analizados con kits comerciales. Los valores encontrados (media ± DE) fueron para Bilirrubina Total: 0.6 ± 0.3 mg/dl; Bilirrubina Directa: 0.08 ± 0.06 mg/dl; Proteínas Totales: 6.6 ± 0.7 g/dl; Albúmina: 3.6 ± 0.5 g/dl; ALT: 26.0 ± 9.7 UI/l; AST: 87.6 ± 22.9 UI/l; FA: 73.9 ± 33.8 UI/l; y GGT: 42.5 ± 12.6 UI/l. No hubo diferencia estadística entre sexos con excepción de BT y albúmina (p<0.05).This study was carried out with 23 adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)of both sexes, kept in captivity in the province of Lima to establish reference liverbiochemistry profilevalues (Total and direct bilirubin, total protein, albumin, alanineamino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AF),and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT). The animals (7 males and 16 females) were from three local zoos and were anesthesyzed with ketamine hydrochloride or with acombination of ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride. Blood samples (7ml) were collected from the saphenous vein in sterile tubes and serum was analyzedusing commercial kits. The values (mean ± SD) were Total Bilirubin: 0.6 ± 0.3 mg/dl;Direct Bilirubin: 0.08 ± 0.06 mg/dl; Total Protein: 6.6 ± 0.7 g/dl; Albumin: 3.6 ± 0.5 g/dl;ALT: 26.0 ± 9.7 UI/l; AST: 87.6 ± 22.9 UI/l; AF: 73.9 ± 33.8 UI/l, and GGT: 42.5 ± 12.6 UI/l.There were no statistical differences due to sex except for total bilirubin and albumin(p<0.05

BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL LIVER PROFILE OF VICUNAS (VICUGNA VICUGNA) RAISED IN CAPTIVITY IN LIMA

Se estableció el perfil bioquímico sanguíneo hepático de vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) criadas en cautiverio en dos parques zoológicos de la ciudad de Lima, Perú. Se tomaron muestras de sangre a 31 animales por punción de la vena yugular, y se determinó bilirrubina total (BT), directa (BD) e indirecta (BD), alanino amino transferasa (ALT), aspartato amino transferasa (AST), fosfatasa alcalina (FA), gamma lutamil transferasa (GGT), proteínas totales (PT), albúmina, globulinas y glucosa. Los valores encontrados (media ± DE) fueron: BT 0.27 ± 0.10 mg/dl; BD 0.10 ± 0.06 mg/dl; BI 0.17 ± 0.09 mg/dl; ALT 6.39 ± 4.62 UI/L; AST 242.77 ± 61.36 UI/L; FA 175.16 ± 67.23 UI/L; GGT 11.32 ± 9.84 UI/L; PT 8.27 ± 2.25 g/dl; albúmina 4.06 ± 0.82 g/dl; globulinas 4.21 ± 1.93 g/dl; glucosa 143.16 ± 33.14 mg/dl. No hubo diferencia estadística por sexo pero el lugar de procedencia fue estadísticamente significativo (p<0.05) para PT, albúmina y globulinas.The blood biochemical liver profile in vicunas (Vicugna vicugna) was determined using 31 animals reared in captivity in two zoological parks in the city of Lima, Peru. Blood was collected by puncture of the jugular vein to measure total (BT), direct (BD) and indirect bilirubin (BI), alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (FA), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), total protein (PT), albumin, globulin and glucose. The values (mean ± sd) were: BT 0.27 ± 0.10 mg/dl; BD 0.10 ± 0.06 mg/dl; BI 0.17 ± 0.09 mg/dl; ALT 6.39 ± 4.62 UI/L; AST 242.77 ± 61.36 UI/L; FA 175.16 ± 67.23 UI/L; GGT 11.32 ± 9.84 UI/L; PT 8.27 ± 2.25 g/dl; albumin 4.06 ± 0.82 g/dl; globulins 4.21 ± 1.93 g/dl; glucose 143.16 ± 33.14 mg/dl. No statistically difference due to sex was found but rearing location was significantly different (p<0.05) for PT, albumin and globulins

Increased blood flow prevents intramucosal acidosis in sheep endotoxemia: a controlled study

INTRODUCTION: Increased intramucosal–arterial carbon dioxide tension (PCO(2)) difference (ΔPCO(2)) is common in experimental endotoxemia. However, its meaning remains controversial because it has been ascribed to hypoperfusion of intestinal villi or to cytopathic hypoxia. Our hypothesis was that increased blood flow could prevent the increase in ΔPCO(2). METHODS: In 19 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated sheep, we measured cardiac output, superior mesenteric blood flow, lactate, gases, hemoglobin and oxygen saturations in arterial, mixed venous and mesenteric venous blood, and ileal intramucosal PCO(2 )by saline tonometry. Intestinal oxygen transport and consumption were calculated. After basal measurements, sheep were assigned to the following groups, for 120 min: (1) sham (n = 6), (2) normal blood flow (n = 7) and (3) increased blood flow (n = 6). Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (5 μg/kg) was injected in the last two groups. Saline solution was used to maintain blood flood at basal levels in the sham and normal blood flow groups, or to increase it to about 50% of basal in the increased blood flow group. RESULTS: In the normal blood flow group, systemic and intestinal oxygen transport and consumption were preserved, but ΔPCO(2 )increased (basal versus 120 min endotoxemia, 7 ± 4 versus 19 ± 4 mmHg; P < 0.001) and metabolic acidosis with a high anion gap ensued (arterial pH 7.39 versus 7.35; anion gap 15 ± 3 versus 18 ± 2 mmol/l; P < 0.001 for both). Increased blood flow prevented the elevation in ΔPCO(2 )(5 ± 7 versus 9 ± 6 mmHg; P = not significant). However, anion-gap metabolic acidosis was deeper (7.42 versus 7.25; 16 ± 3 versus 22 ± 3 mmol/l; P < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: In this model of endotoxemia, intramucosal acidosis was corrected by increased blood flow and so might follow tissue hypoperfusion. In contrast, anion-gap metabolic acidosis was left uncorrected and even worsened with aggressive volume expansion. These results point to different mechanisms generating both alterations

REFERENCE SERUM VALUES OF UREA AND CREATININE IN CAPTIVE WHITE-LIPPED PECCARY (TAYASSU PECARI) IN A LIMA ZOO

El objetivo de esta investigación fue establecer valores de referencia en suero de urea y creatinina en el cautivo pecarí de labios blancos (Tayassu pecari). Las muestras de suero de 44 animales adultos (23 hombres y 21 mujeres) de una colonia en cautiverio en el Parque de las Leyendas Zoo (Lima, Perú) fueron recolectados después de inmovilización química. Urea y creatinina se analizaron mediante ensayos colorimétricos, y los valores fueron 27,4 ± 2,7 mg / dl y 2,8 ± 0,2 mg / dl, respectivamente. No se observaron diferencias significativas entre ambos sexos se encontraron. Valor urea fue superiores a los obtenidos en otros estudios, probablemente debido al contenido de proteína de alto la dieta zoo.The objective of this research was to establish reference serum values for urea and creatinine in the captive white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari). Serum samples from 44 adult animals (23 males and 21 females) from a captive colony in the Parque de las Leyendas Zoo (Lima, Peru) were collected after chemical inmobilization. Urea and creatinine were analyzed using colorimetric assays, and values were 27.4 ± 2.7 mg/dl and 2.8 ± 0.2 mg/dl respectively. No significant differences between sexes were found. Urea value was greater than those obtained in other studies probably due to the high protein content of the zoo diet

Stabilizing an Attractive Bose-Einstein Condensate by Driving a Surface Collective Mode

Bose-Einstein condensates of $^7$Li have been limited in number due to attractive interatomic interactions. Beyond this number, the condensate undergoes collective collapse. We study theoretically the effect of driving low-lying collective modes of the condensate by a weak asymmetric sinusoidally time-dependent field. We find that driving the radial breathing mode further destabilizes the condensate, while excitation of the quadrupolar surface mode causes the condensate to become more stable by imparting quasi-angular momentum to it. We show that a significantly larger number of atoms may occupy the condensate, which can then be sustained almost indefinitely. All effects are predicted to be clearly visible in experiments and efforts are under way for their experimental realization.Comment: 4 ReVTeX pages + 2 postscript figure

Clinical and microbiological assessment of patients with a long-term diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection and Candida oral colonization

The objective of this study was to evaluate Candida oral colonization in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients undergoing long-term highly active antiretroviral therapy (ARV). the cross-sectional study included 331 HIV patients, diagnosed from 1983 to 2003. Oral swabs were performed, and Candida species were determined using ID 32C. Isolates were tested for antifungal susceptibility. Clinical and laboratory data were collected to identify the association with Candida colonization. in total, 161 Candida isolates were detected among 147 of the 331 patients (44%), independently of the time when HIV infection was diagnosed. Candida albicans strains represented 137 (85%) of the isolates, and were susceptible to all of the tested antifungal drugs. Among the non-C. albicans strains, six isolates were dose-dependently susceptible to fluconazole, nine to itraconazole, and seven to ketoconazole. the isolation of Candida was significantly higher in patients with virological failure (83/147; p 0.0002) and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte counts < 200 cells/mm(3) (30/83; p 0.0003). Recovery of Candida in the oral cavity was independent of protease inhibitor (PI) usage (p 0.60). Colonized patients typically underwent salvage therapy (p 0.003), and had more episodes of opportunistic fungal infections (p 0.046) and malignancies (p 0.004). Oral Candida colonization in patients under ARV therapy was associated with the immunosupressed status of HIV-infected patients, i.e. low number of CD4(+) T-cells per cubic millimetre, failure of ARV therapy (salvage therapy), and higher number of opportunistic infections and malignancies. Despite the fact that PIs have in vitro antifungal activity, the use of this class of antiretroviral agent did not influence the presence of Candida in the oral cavity of AIDS patients.Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Internal Med, Fac Med Sci, Div Infect Dis, BR-13081070 Campinas, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilChiba Univ, Med Mycol Res Ctr, Chiba, JapanUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Clinical and microbiological assessment of patients with a long-term diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus infection and Candida oral colonization

The objective of this study was to evaluate Candida oral colonization in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients undergoing long-term highly active antiretroviral therapy (ARV). the cross-sectional study included 331 HIV patients, diagnosed from 1983 to 2003. Oral swabs were performed, and Candida species were determined using ID 32C. Isolates were tested for antifungal susceptibility. Clinical and laboratory data were collected to identify the association with Candida colonization. in total, 161 Candida isolates were detected among 147 of the 331 patients (44%), independently of the time when HIV infection was diagnosed. Candida albicans strains represented 137 (85%) of the isolates, and were susceptible to all of the tested antifungal drugs. Among the non-C. albicans strains, six isolates were dose-dependently susceptible to fluconazole, nine to itraconazole, and seven to ketoconazole. the isolation of Candida was significantly higher in patients with virological failure (83/147; p 0.0002) and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte counts < 200 cells/mm(3) (30/83; p 0.0003). Recovery of Candida in the oral cavity was independent of protease inhibitor (PI) usage (p 0.60). Colonized patients typically underwent salvage therapy (p 0.003), and had more episodes of opportunistic fungal infections (p 0.046) and malignancies (p 0.004). Oral Candida colonization in patients under ARV therapy was associated with the immunosupressed status of HIV-infected patients, i.e. low number of CD4(+) T-cells per cubic millimetre, failure of ARV therapy (salvage therapy), and higher number of opportunistic infections and malignancies. Despite the fact that PIs have in vitro antifungal activity, the use of this class of antiretroviral agent did not influence the presence of Candida in the oral cavity of AIDS patients.Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Internal Med, Fac Med Sci, Div Infect Dis, BR-13081070 Campinas, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilChiba Univ, Med Mycol Res Ctr, Chiba, JapanUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Infect Dis, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Stability of the trapped nonconservative Gross-Pitaevskii equation with attractive two-body interaction

The dynamics of a nonconservative Gross-Pitaevskii equation for trapped atomic systems with attractive two-body interaction is numerically investigated, considering wide variations of the nonconservative parameters, related to atomic feeding and dissipation. We study the possible limitations of the mean field description for an atomic condensate with attractive two-body interaction, by defining the parameter regions where stable or unstable formation can be found. The present study is useful and timely considering the possibility of large variations of attractive two-body scattering lengths, which may be feasible in recent experiments.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Physical Review