Occurrence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atopozelus opsimus</Emphasis> preying on nymphs and adults of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Glycaspis brimblecombei</Emphasis>

The stink bugs genus Atopozelus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is native in the Americas, with five described species of which only three have been recorded in Brazil. In August 2007, Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves infested by lerp psyllid were collected and taken to the Forest Pest Biological Control Laboratory situated at São Paulo State University. A small green stink bug, identified as Atopozelus opsimus Elkins (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) that fed on nymphs and adult psyllids, was found on the leaves. These stink bugs presented phytophagy, omnivory and ability in opening the lerp (shell) that protect the psyllid. A. opsimus has demonstrated unusual particularities, different from many biological control agents found in nature; this predator thus deserves more attention for its potential to be evaluated.     

Toxicity and repellence of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from Schinus molle on elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola

Extracts of leaves of Schinus molle Rev L. (Anacardiaceae) obtained with water or ethanol as solvents were evaluated in the laboratory for their insecticidal effect on adults of the elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola Müller (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), at 2.5, 3.0, 4.3, and 5.6% w/v for the aqueous extracts and, 2.0, 2.5, 3.5, 4.3, and 4.7% w/v for the ethanol extracts. The extracts were applied onto leaves of elm trees (Ulmus sp., Ulmaceae) to observe the feeding of adults, and later their effectiveness and to obtain the LC₅₀. Both extracts were effective and caused mortalities greater than 97% with the ethanol extract at the two highest concentrations (4.3 and 4.7% w/v), and near 27% with water at 4.3 and 5.6% w/v. The LC₅₀ of the ethanol extract, calculated through Probit analysis, was 1.88% w/v on the 2nd day, lower than the LC₅₀ of 8.52% w/v on the 4^th day achieved by the aqueous extract. Additionally, the antifeeding effect of both extracts on adults was determined. The aqueous extract inhibited feeding completely (100%), whereas the ethanol extract did not cause any antifeeding effect.     

Antioxidant activity of Hawaiian marine algae

Marine algae are known to contain a wide variety of bioactive compounds, many of which have commercial applications in pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, food and agricultural industries. Natural antioxidants, found in many algae, are important bioactive compounds that play an important role against various diseases and ageing processes through protection of cells from oxidative damage. In this respect, relatively little is known about the bioactivity of Hawaiian algae that could be a potential natural source of such antioxidants. The total antioxidant activity of organic extracts of 37 algal samples, comprising of 30 species of Hawaiian algae from 27 different genera was determined. The activity was determined by employing the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assays. Of the algae tested, the extract of Turbinaria ornata was found to be the most active. Bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of a variety of different carotenoids as the active principles. The major bioactive antioxidant compound was identified as the carotenoid fucoxanthin. These results show, for the first time, that numerous Hawaiian algae exhibit significant antioxidant activity, a property that could lead to their application in one of many useful healthcare or related products as well as in chemoprevention of a variety of diseases including cancer.     

Biogenic Amines and the Antioxidant Capacity of Juice and Wine from Brazilian Hybrid Grapevines

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Some biogenic amines (BAs) are used as quality markers in grape-derived products. The prolife of 9 BAs was determined in juices and wines elaborated from hybrid...     

Spatial variation of fiber quality and associated loan rate in a dryland cotton field

A field study was conducted in 2006 in a dryland cotton field in Texas, USA, to explore the spatial variation of cotton fiber quality and the loan rate associated with it. A total of 66 cotton samples were hand-harvested, and the fiber quality properties investigated included the High Volume Instrument measurements of micronaire, length, uniformity, strength, elongation, reflectance (Rd) and yellowness (+b). Conventional statistics showed a generally low level of variation in fiber quality with coefficients of variation <10%. Variogram analysis showed that all fiber quality properties were spatially correlated. Contour maps of individual fiber quality properties were produced from block kriged estimates. Fiber length, uniformity, strength and Rd were positively correlated, and all of these were negatively correlated with +b. The spatial distribution of most fiber quality properties was similar to that of soil apparent electrical conductivity, suggesting that water holding capacity could be a limiting factor for cotton fiber quality. Maps of individual fiber quality properties were combined with the United State Department of Agriculture—Commodity Credit Corporation Loan Schedule for Upland Cotton to create a loan rate map that is associated with fiber quality. A loan rate difference of 20 cents kg^–1 was observed within the field. This level of difference indicated that fiber quality at the field level can have a large impact on producers’ revenue. A site-specific management system encompassing both lint yields and fiber quality is strongly recommended for cotton production.     

Phylogenetic Relationships of Xylella fastidiosa Strains Isolated from Landscape Ornamentals in Southern California

ABSTRACT Xylella fastidiosa is an insect-borne, xylem-limited pathogenic bacterium that has been associated with a rise in incidence of diseased landscape ornamentals in southern California. The objective of this study was to genetically characterize strains isolated from ornamental hosts to understand their distribution and identity. Strains of X. fastidiosa isolated from ornamentals were characterized using a multiprimer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR, and sequence analysis of the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR). Based on RAPD-PCR and 16S-23S rDNA ISR, strains isolated from daylily, jacaranda, and magnolia clustered with members of X. fastidiosa subsp. sandyi and caused oleander leaf scorch but not Pierce's disease symptoms in glasshouse assays on oleander and grape, respectively. This demonstrated both that our groupings based on genetic characterization were valid and that strains of X. fastidiosa subsp. sandyi are present in hosts other than oleander. Strains isolated from Spanish broom, cherry, and one strain isolated from western redbud clustered with X. fastidiosa subsp. fastidiosa members. Strains isolated from purple-leafed plum, olive, peach, plum, sweetgum, maidenhair tree, crape myrtle, and another western redbud strain clustered with members of X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex. All strains isolated from mulberry and one from heavenly bamboo formed a separate cluster that has not yet been defined as a subspecies.     

Personal and household factors involved in recent Rickettsia exposure in a rural population from Yucatán,Mexico

The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiological factors associated with the risks of recent Rickettsia exposure in inhabitants of a rural population from Yucatán, Mexico. The study included 130 inhabitants from Maxcanú, Yucatán. Blood samples were collected to detect IgM and IgG antibodies against Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia rickettsii by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test. Additionally, nested polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify fragments of the 17kDa and sca5 genes. Previously, an epidemiological questionnaire was applied focused on collecting information on personal and housing exposure variables related to the recent infection with Rickettsia to determine epidemiological associations. Results that exhibited a p‐value < .25 were included in a generalized multinomial logistic linear model to determine the variables involved with the risk of contact or Rickettsia infection. In all, 76% (99/130) of the participants presented with immunoglobulin titres against the Rickettsia species evaluated, while rickettsial DNA was detected in 35.4% (46/130) of the participants. The association analysis with the personal exposure variables showed that the productive age group (OR = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.10–1.03) and the elders group (OR = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.01–0.83) were protective factors for recent infection with R. typhi, taking as reference the school group. The presence of a family orchard in the home (OR = 7.56; 95% CI = 1.62–35.29) was a risk factor for recent infection with R. rickettsii. Presumably, the presence of ectoparasites (OR = 2.71; 95% CI = 0.90–8.09) at home was a risk factor for recent infection with both Rickettsia species. Recent infection was demonstrated in inhabitants from Maxcanú, Yucatán. A high seropositive frequency was obtained. The results highlight the importance of the family garden and the presence of ectoparasites in the home as risk factors associated with recent infection with Rickettsia in inhabitants from Maxcanú.