Effect of Short Term Cold Storage on the Quality of \u3ci\u3eTrichogramma Brassicae, T. Cacoeciae\u3c/i\u3e, and \u3ci\u3eT. Evanescens\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchall, T. brassicae Bezdenko and T. evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) could be useful in biological control programs of agricultural insect pests. The possibility of storing Trichogramma species at low temperatures and the effect of such storage on the quality of the parasitoids and their fecundity were studied. Trichogramma cacoeciae, T. brassicae and T. evanescens pupae were stored 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks at 4 ± 1 °C in a refrigerator, 60-70% R.H. and full darkness. Parasitoid emergence was 98.80%, 99.33% and 99.60% for T. cacoeciae, T. brassicae and T. evanescens, respectively, after 1 week of storage. Storage at 4 ± 1 °C resulted in a significant decline in parasitoid emergence after 3 weeks. Subsequent trials focused on fitness of stored pupae in terms of percentage of parasitized eggs and longevity of females. Storage at 4 ± 1°C reduced fecundity and longevity of female parasitoids

Effect of Short Term Cold Storage on the Quality of \u3ci\u3eTrichogramma Brassicae, T. Cacoeciae\u3c/i\u3e, and \u3ci\u3eT. Evanescens\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Trichogramma cacoeciae Marchall, T. brassicae Bezdenko and T. evanescens Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) could be useful in biological control programs of agricultural insect pests. The possibility of storing Trichogramma species at low temperatures and the effect of such storage on the quality of the parasitoids and their fecundity were studied. Trichogramma cacoeciae, T. brassicae and T. evanescens pupae were stored 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks at 4 ± 1 °C in a refrigerator, 60-70% R.H. and full darkness. Parasitoid emergence was 98.80%, 99.33% and 99.60% for T. cacoeciae, T. brassicae and T. evanescens, respectively, after 1 week of storage. Storage at 4 ± 1 °C resulted in a significant decline in parasitoid emergence after 3 weeks. Subsequent trials focused on fitness of stored pupae in terms of percentage of parasitized eggs and longevity of females. Storage at 4 ± 1°C reduced fecundity and longevity of female parasitoids

SUSTAINED-RELEASE VERAPAMIL AS A 1ST-STEP DRUG IN THE TREATMENT OF MILD TO MODERATE HYPERTENSION

The efficacy of sustained-release verapamil as a first-stage treatment for mild to moderate, uncomplicated essential hypertension was studied. Nineteen patients aged 36 – 70 years (mean±SD 55±10 years) entered the study. Treatment with 240 mg sustained-release verapamil, once daily for 8 weeks, caused systolic and diastolic blood pressures to decline significantly during the first 2 weeks and this lower level was maintained until week 8. Heart rate decreased gradually during the treatment period reaching significance at week 8. After 2 weeks maximum systolic and diastolic blood pressures during isometric exercise were significantly reduced compared with pre-treatment values; there was no difference in the percentage increase occurring pre- and post-treatment. These measures for heart rate did not change significantly. Except for a significant reduction in cardiac index after 8 weeks left ventricular function and left ventricular mass were unchanged. The 24-h urinary Na+ excretion increased significantly after 2 and 8 weeks' treatment. Plasma renin activity, serum lipid concentrations and routine blood chemistries were not affected. Side-effects were transient and did not require discontinuation of therapy. In conclusion, sustained-release verapamil is an efficacious and well tolerated first-stage drug in the treatment of essential hypertension. </jats:p

PERICARDIAL AND PULMONARY INVOLVEMENT IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS IN TURKEY

Pericardial and lung involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suspected to be less severe in a developing nation (Turkey), have been evaluated. We have studied clinical, echocardiographic and pulmonary findings (radiological and functional) in 93 consecutive Turkish patients with definite/classical RA. Findings were compared with those or a group of patients with osteoarthritis or local rheumatological conditions (n = 60) in a blind protocol. Fifty patients with systemic lupus (SLE) were studied as a high risk control group for pericardial involvement. While pericardial disease was detected in 5.5% (5/90) of RA patients, it was detected in 6.6% (4/60) of the control patients. SLE patients had a 26% (13/50) prevalence. Interstitial lung disease was found in 27.7% of RA patients but it was present in 6.6% (4/60) of the control patients. We observed that a group of patients with RA in Turkey had a low prevalence of pericardial disease. This is further evidence that RA has a mild course in developing countries

The Biology and Thermal Requirements of the Fennel Aphid Hyadaphis foeniculi (Passerini) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The relationship between the insect development rate and temperature was established very early and represents an important ecological variable for modeling the population dynamics of insects. The accurate determination of thermal constant values and the lower and upper developmental thresholds of Hyadaphis foeniculi (Passerini) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller (Apiales: Apiaceae)) crops would obviously benefit the effective application of control measures. This paper is a study of the biology and thermal requirements of H. foeniculi. Winged insects were collected from fennel crops at the Embrapa Algodao in Campina Grande, Paraiba. Nymphs (age <= 24 h) produced by winged insects were subjected to constant temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 28, 30 or 33 degrees C, a photophase of 12 h and a relative humidity of 70 +/- 10%. The results of the study showed that at temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees C, H. foeniculi nymphs were able to develop normally. The four instars were found at all temperatures tested. However, temperatures of 3 and 33 degrees C were lethal to the nymphs. The nymph stage development time varied from 5 (30 degrees C) to 19 (15 degrees C) days. The influence of temperature on the development time is dependent on the instar. The base temperature (Tb) and the thermal constant (K) for the nymph stage were estimated at 11.2 degrees C and 107.5 degree-days, respectively. The shortest nymph development stage was observed at 30 degrees C, and the highest nymph viability (85.0%) was observed at 28 degrees C. This information can be used for developing phenological models based on the temperature and development rate relationships so that outbreaks of H. foeniculi in the fennel crop can be predicted, therefore improving the application of control programs targeting this fennel pest.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos - FINEPEmbrapa Algodao, Unidade Controle Biol, Campina Grande, PB, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, BrazilEscola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz USP, Piracicaba, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Vicosa, Vicosa, MG, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazi