Seletividade de herbicidas registrados para a cultura do milho aos estádios imaturos de Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Selectivity of herbicides registered for corn at the immature stages of Trichogramma pretio sum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

O controle químico tem sido um dos métodos mais utilizados para o manejo de plantas daninhas na cultura do milho, no entanto o uso de herbicidas pode ocasionar efeitos adversos aos insetos benéficos, como os parasitoides de ovos. Nesse sentido, foi avaliada a seletividade de 12 herbicidas registrados para a cultura do milho para as fases imaturas de Trichogramma pretiosum em condições de laboratório (temperatura de 25±1 ºC, umidade relativa de 70±10% e fotofase de 14 horas). Os herbicidas foram diluídos em um volume proporcional a 200 L de água por hectare e pulverizados sobre ovos de lepidóptero contendo formas imaturas do parasitoide em seu interior, nas fases de ovo-larva, pré-pupa e pupa. Avaliou-se, então, a porcentagem de emergência dos parasitoides e, em função da comparação com a testemunha, classificaram-se os herbicidas em inócuo (classe 1, 99%). Os herbicidas Agrisato 480 SL, Finale, Glifos, Glifosato Nortox, Gliz 480 SL, Polaris, Roundup Original, Roundup Transorb, Roundup WG, Trop e Zapp Qi foram inócuos (classe 1) às diferentes fases imaturas de T. pretiosum e são considerados seletivos ao parasitoide. Gramoxone 200, embora tenha sido inócuo para as fases de ovo-larva e pré-pupa, foi considerado levemente nocivo (classe 2) para a fase de pupa. Nesse sentido, para melhor compatibilização do manejo químico das plantas daninhas e controle biológico de insetos, sugere-se que sejam utilizados, sempre que possível, aqueles herbicidas que permitem maior sobrevivência de T. pretiosum.- Chemical control has been one of the most widely used methods for weed mana gement in corn. However, the use of herbicides can cause adverse effects on beneficial insects, such as egg parasitoids. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the selectivity of 12 herbicides regis tered for corn at the immature stages of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) under laboratory conditions (temperature 25±1 o C, relative humidity 70±10%; photoperiod 14 hours). The herbicides were diluted in a proportion of 200 L of water per hectare and sprayed on lepidopteran eggs containing immature forms of the parasitoids, at the egg-larva, prepupae and pupae stages. The emergence percentage of parasitoids was evaluated, and, when compared with the control, the herbicides were classified as harmless (class 1, 99%). The herbicides Agrisato 480 SL, Finale, Glifos, Glifosato Nortox, Gliz 480 SL, Polaris, Roundup Original, Roundup Transorb, Roundup WG, Trop and Zapp Qi were classified as harmless (class 1) at different immature stages of T. pretiosum, and considered selective to the parasitoid. Although harmless at the egg larva and prepupae stages, Gramoxone 200 was classified as slightly harmful (class 2) at the pupae stage. Accordingly, to better reconcile the che mical management of weeds with the biological control of insects, the use of herbicides allowing greater survival of T. pretiosum is suggested, whenever possible

Physicochemical Compatibility of Agrochemical Mixtures in Spray Tanks for Paddy Field Rice Crops

<div><p>ABSTRACT: The use of pesticide mixtures constitutes a relatively common practice in rice crops. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the physicochemical interaction among different pesticide tank mixes for use in paddy field rice. The study has followed technical standards specified in ABNT [Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (Brazilian National Standards Organization)] NBR [Norma Brasileira Regulamentadora (Brazilian Regulatory Standard)] NBR 13875:2014 for the assessment of physicochemical compatibility by means of a dynamic technique. Treatments consisted of mixtures of 12 pesticides, which constituted 16 treatments, six of which are composed by mixing herbicides, six by mixing herbicide and insecticide, one by mixing fungicides, and three by mixing fungicide and insecticide. Tank mixtures among herbicides Clincher® + Ricer®, Clincher® + Kifix®, Clincher® + Imazethapyr Plus Nortox®, Clincher® + Ricer® + Kifix®, Clincher® + Ricer® + Sirius® 250 CS, Imazethapyr Plus Nortox® + Basagran® 600, between herbicides and insecticides Clincher® + Ricer® + Arrivo® 200 EC, Clincher® + Kifix® + Arrivo® 200 EC, Clincher® + Imazethapyr Plus Nortox® + Arrivo® 200 EC, Clincher® + Ricer® + Kifix® + Arrivo® 200 EC, Clincher® + Ricer® + Sirius® 250 CS + Arrivo® 200 EC, Imazethapyr Plus Nortox® + Basagran® 600 + Arrivo® 200 EC, among fungicides Alterne® + Bim® 750 BR + Priori® 250 CS, and between fungicides and insecticides Bim® 750 BR + Actara® 250 WG, Alterne® + Bim® 750 BR + Priori® 250 CS + Actara® 250 WG, and Alterne® + Bim® 750 BR + Priori® 250 CS + Talisman® did not present any physicochemical change in the spray mix and are therefore compatible to be used in mixtures in the spray tank in plant treatments in rice crops.</p></div

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits STAT-1 activation and protects cardiac myocytes from ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis

We have previously demonstrated that STAT-1 plays a critical role in promoting apoptotic cell death in cardiac myocytes following ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major constituent of green tea, has recently been reported to inhibit STAT-1 activity in noncardiac cells. In the present study, we have assessed the protective effects of EGCG and green tea extract (GTE) infusion on both cultures of cardiac myocytes and the isolated rat heart. EGCG reduced STAT-1 phosphorylation and protected cardiac myocytes against I/R-induced apoptotic cell death. Moreover, EGCG reduced the expression of a known STAT-1 pro-apoptotic target gene, Fas receptor. More interestingly, oral administration of GTE as well as EGCG infusion limited the extent of infarct size and attenuated the magnitude of myocyte apoptosis in the isolated rat heart exposed to I/R injury. This reduction cell death was associated with improved hemodynamic recovery and ventricular function in the ischemic/reperfused rat heart. This is the first report to show that consumption of green tea is able to mediate cardioprotection and enhance cardiac function during I/R injury. Because GTE-mediated cardioprotection is achieved, at least in part, through inhibition of STAT-1 activity, we may postulate that a similar action can be implemented in the clinical setting to minimize STAT-1 activation levels in patients with acute coronary artery disease (CAD)

Attitudes Toward Randomized, Controlled Trials in Surgery: Opinions of Gynecologists of the Gruppo Italiano di Studio sull'Endometriosi

In order to assess barriers and the attitudes of gynecologists toward randomized controlled trials (RCT) in surgery for endometriosis, we identified 62 gynecologists affilliated with the Gruppo Italiano di Studio sull'Endometriosi and sent them a questionnaire. A total of 52 (83.9%) gynecologists completed and sent it back to the coordinating center. Most gynecologists strongly agreed or agreed that RCTs should be the study design of choice for evaluating surgical procedures, but 66% also strongly agree/agree that RCTs are best suited to nonsurgical setting. With regard to the feasibility of RCT in surgery, there was a high level (<50%) of agreement with the statement: RCTs are insufficiently funded; the surgical community gives to RCTs too low priority; patients are unlikely to accept random allocation. A total of 43% agree or strongly agree that there is often consensus on new procedures without the need for RCTs, but 49% disagree or strongly disagree. Considering the statements on methodological problems in conducting RCTs in surgery, the main one was that comparisons of new and standard surgical procedures are often basically flawed because they cannot be performed with equal skill. This analysis indicates that RCTs are perceived as an important choice in the development of surgical treatments. However lack of funding, the impression that patients are unlikely to accept randomization, and the idea that comparison of new and old surgical procedures is flawed by the lack of skill in new procedures are important barriers to RCT in this field

Generic products for retailers in a mature market

Since their introduction, generic grocery products have been a major centre of controversy. Statistics indicate that the rapid growth phase for generics has ended and that this concept has now entered the maturity phase of its life cycle. Since generics have now become a permanent feature of the grocery industry, retailers and manufacturers must formulate their marketing strategies carefully, whether these strategies are for offensive or defensive reasons. These critical strategic questions are focused on and recommendations for future strategies now that generics have reached maturity are made