Is the initial nest depth adapted to favorable conditions for the incipient colony in leaf-cutting ants?

The nest dug by the leaf-cutter ant queen of the genus Atta is a vertical tunnel interconnected to a small chamber to hold its offspring and the symbiotic fungus. The depth of the initial chamber of the Atta sexdens rubropilosa ranges from 10 to 30 cm below the soil surface. This available information, could it be that the ideal initial nest depth is adapted to favorable conditions for the initial colony? We hypothesized this depth can provide a minimum temperature range with almost constant temperature, leading to the development of symbiotic fungus and brood yet to emerge. To test this hypothesis, laboratory experiments were carried out and the soil temperature was measured at different depths. The colony development at different temperatures was studied in the laboratory and the brood production (number of eggs, larvae, pupae and adults) was measured until the first workers emergency. Additionally, lipid content and the survival of queens at different temperatures were determined. Our results show an suitable temperature range (ranging from 24.82±3.14°C to 24.11±1.30°C) at a depth of 5 to 25 cm from the ground, an ideal brood development at temperatures of 24 and 28 °C, and consequently a reduction in lipid content of the queens at high temperatures, without affecting their survival in the trial period. These results indicate that the depth of the initial chamber excavated by the queen is suitable for the success of the incipient colony

Conjunctival keratoacanthoma

Keratoacanthoma generally occurs on the skin; it is rarely found in the conjunctiva. A case of a 34-year-old woman with a rapidly growing conjunctival mass is reported. The tumor was excised with a safety margin to exclude squamous cell carcinoma. Histopathologically it was crateriform and consistent with atypical keratoacanthoma. There has been no recurrence in 2 years of follow-up. Conjunctival keratoacanthoma is rare; differential diagnosis of conventional squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma can be difficult. We recommend complete surgical excision and careful follow-up of crateriform squamous proliferations.Ceratoacantoma geralmente ocorre na pele e raramente é encontrado na conjuntiva. Relatamos um caso de uma mulher de 34 anos que apresentou uma massa conjuntival de rápido crescimento. O tumor foi retirado com margem de segurança para excluir carcinoma de células escamosas. Ao exame histopatológico, o tumor apresentou configuração crateriforme, sendo consistente com ceratoacantoma atípico. Não houve recorrência após dois anos de seguimento. Ceratoacantoma conjuntival é uma doença rara. Um diagnóstico diferencial entre carcinoma de células escamosas e ceratoacantoma pode ser difícil. Recomendamos total remoção e seguimento cuidadoso de pacientes com lesões escamosas crateriformes

Occurrence of Leaf-Cutting and Grass-Cutting Ants of the Genus Atta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Geographic Regions of Brazil

Leaf-cutting ants are widely distributed in Brazil, particularly species of the genus Atta. We therefore described the occurrence of leaf-cutting and grass-cutting ant species of the genus Atta. Five routes comprising some of the main highways in the South, Southeast, Center-West, and North of Brazil were sampled, in addition to ants received from other 82 municipalities, composing 300 municipalities sampled. This is the first comprehensive study of Atta in Brazil. The following species were found: A. laevigata, A. capiguara, A. sexdens rubropilosa, A. sexdens piriventris, A. sexdens sexdens and A. cephalotes. Atta laevigata and A. capiguara were the species present in the largest number of the Brazilian municipalities sampled. Atta laevigata assumed the position of species of greatest occurrence in the Brazilian territory. Atta sexdens piriventris was only recorded in the southern region of Brazil. Atta bisphaerica presented lower expansion than A. capiguara. Atta cephalotes and Atta opaciceps are species of very restricted occurrence. Southeastern region was characterized by the occurrence of A. capiguara and A. laevigata. Atta laevigata exhibited a generalized pattern of occurrence in the Center-West and North. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the so far unknown occurrence of leaf-cutting and grass-cutting ants within Brazil

First record of Cyphoderus innominatus Mills, 1938 (Collembola: Paronellidae) in Early Colonies of the Leaf-cutting Ant Atta sexdens

Cyphoderus innominatus Mills, 1938 (Collembola: Paronellidae) was first observed in early colonies of Atta sexdens leaf-cutting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The colonies were collected on February 6, 2019, from a transition area between the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado, located in the municipality of Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. A total of four colonies collected had an average population density of 227 ± 212 C. innominatus individuals, and most of the latter were found in peripheral areas inside the fungus-garden-growing chamber of the colony. In addition, we observed a possible defensive behavior on the part of workers when C. innominatus individuals were present in the fungus garden chamber. Thus, this is the first record of C. innominatus living in association with early colonies of A. sexdens.

A Volatile Semiochemical Released by the Fungus Garden of Leaf-Cutting Ants

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T19:55:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-03-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) The symbiosis between fungi and leaf-cutting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) has aroused the interest of researchers about the mechanism used by ants to select plants. The nutritional needs of the fungus garden, and the absence of potentially deleterious substances from plants, are criteria for selection by foraging workers. This is supported by behavioral experiments using fungicide with baits (citrus pulp) or forage plants highly accepted by leaf-cutting ants. The fungus garden is hypothesized to emit a volatile semiochemical in response to a fungicide, which informs ants that a plant is unsuitable for its growth. The objectives of our study were to identify the volatile compounds released by the fungus garden of leaf-cutting ants in response to a fungicide, as well as to determine the behavioral response of workers to healthy and unhealthy fungus gardens. The results showed no difference in the proportion of volatile compounds released by either healthy or unhealthy fungus gardens. Analysis of the responses of ants to healthy or unhealthy fungus gardens in a dual-choice experiment revealed a strong attraction to the fungus garden, regardless of its health status. We therefore conclude that no volatile semiochemicals are emitted by the fungus garden due to the action of deleterious substances. Univ Estadual Sao Paulo, Dept Protecao Vegetal, Lab Insetos Sociais Praga, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Agron, Lab Cent, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Oeste Paulista UNOESTE, Coll Agr Sci, Agron Dept, Lab Agr Entomol, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Sao Paulo, Dept Protecao Vegetal, Lab Insetos Sociais Praga, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Agron, Lab Cent, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil CNPq: 301718/2013-

Análise da frequência fundamental vocal de pacientes com acromegalia e correlação com a anatomia laríngea

A acromegalia ocorre com a mesma frequência em homens e mulheres podendo ser diagnosticada em qualquer faixa etária, porém o diagnóstico é mais comum entre os 30 e 50 anos de idade. A alteração nos parâmetros de qualidade vocal, frequência, intensidade ou esforço vocal pode resultar em rouquidão, uma das repercussões da acromegalia, condição que limita a comunicação ou causa impacto negativo na qualidade de vida relacionada à voz. Estudo observacional do tipo transversal comparativo, com abordagem quantitativa descritiva e analítica, onde a frequência fundamental vocal de 17 pacientes com acromegalia e 34 controles foram analisadas por software de voz e realizada videolaringoscopia em 17 pacientes com diagnóstico de acromegalia. Foram incluídos no presente estudo 17 (33.3%) pacientes com acromegalia (GA) e 34 (66.7%) sem a doença (GC), com idade e proporção de homens e mulheres semelhantes entre os grupos.  A frequência fundamental vocal (Fo) mínima, máxima e média apresentou-se distribuída homogeneamente entre os pacientes com acromegalia, porém entre os pacientes do grupo controle foram observadas variações significativas nessas distribuições. A comparação dos parâmetros vocais entre os grupos GA e GC revelou, na média, Fo máxima superior nos pacientes GC, enquanto a comparação segundo o gênero, foi observada Fo mínima com mediana superior entre os homens do grupo GA e valor mediano de Fo máxima superior entre as mulheres do grupo GC. Observou-se associação entre maiores valores medianos da Fo mínima nos pacientes com redução do diâmetro anteroposterior do arcabouço laríngeo e entre os que possuíam sinais de refluxo. A Fo de pacientes com acromegalia é menor do que do grupo controle. A laringe dos pacientes com diagnóstico da doença apresenta diminuiçã

Avaliação da reinserção dos retratores da palpebra inferior na correção do entropio involucional

Orientadores: Marilisa Nano Costa, Edmea Rita Temporini NastariDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências MédicasResumo: O entrópio involucional acomete principalmente pessoas acima dos 60 anos de idade e é uma afecção cujo tratamento é cirúrgico. A recorrência é freqüente com todas as técnicas até então descritas. Apesar do enfraquecimento dos retratores, com alongamento ou mesmo desinserção do tarso, já terem sidos citados na literatura como um fator importante na fisiopatologia do entrópio involucional, nenhum estudo até então foi dirigido isoladamente aos retratores para avaliar o seu efeito no tratamento do entrópio. Foram realizadas 30 cirurgias em 30 pacientes com entrópio involucional atendidos no Ambulatório de Oftalmologia do Hospital das Clínicas da UNICAMP, com idades variando entre 61 e 75 anos, de ambos os sexos. A cirurgia foi realizada sob anestesia local. Uma incisão subciliar e dissecção da pálpebra foi feita até identificar a aponeurose do retrator, que foi suturada na borda inferior do tarso com pontos em U de seda 6.0. Em seguida a pele foi suturada com pontos separados utilizando o mesmo fio. Não houve recorrência no período de seguimento que variou de 19 a 36 meses. O estudo sugere que todo planejamento cirúrgico deve levar em consideração a reinserção dos retratores da pálpebra inferior para que a cirurgia seja bem sucedida. Ressalta-se a importância de realizar a identificação correta dos retratares da pálpebra inferiorAbstract: The involutional entropion is a problem that occurs in over 60 years old patients. A surgery is necessary to solve it. Recorrence is common with most of the techniques. Involutional lower lid entropion results from a faulty lower lid retractors complex, lid laxity and overriding of preseptal orbicularis fibres on the pretarsal fibres. There is no studies about isolated correction of the retractors. Thirdy patients with involutional entropion on Ophthalmology Service at the School of Medical Science of the Campinas State University, underwent reinsertion of the retractors at the lower tarsal border. The age ranged from 61 to 75 years old. After local anesthesia and a subciliar incision retractors was identified and sutured at the lower tarsal border with three 6.0 silk "U" sutures. There was no recorrences in a follow-up period ranged from 19 to 36 months. Ali the procedures to correct involutional entropion must include retractors defect correction to a succesfull surgery and the surgeons must be able to identify and treat this important and essencial anátomic defectMestradoMestre em Neurociencia

Paracoccidioidomicose primária de pálpebra e conjuntiva Primary paracoccidioidomycosis of eyelid and conjunctiva

A paracoccidioidomicose (Pbmicose) é a micose profunda mais freqüente no Brasil, mas o acometimento ocular é raro e, quando presente, geralmente secundário. Os autores relatam caso de Pbmicose pálpebro-conjuntival em que não foi encontrado foco extra-ocular. É feita uma revisão da literatura e discutida a importância da suspeita diagnóstica em população de risco e do tratamento precoce desta condição para o bom prognóstico visual.<br>Paracoccidioidomycosis is the most frequent systemic mycosis in Brazil, but ocular involvement is rare and, if present, often secondary to another site. The authors report a case of paracoccidioidomycosis of eyelid and conjunctiva where no extraocular focus was found. A brief review of the literature is made discussing the importance of diagnostic suspecion in a population at risk and early treatment for a good visual prognosis