Impact of diseases and pests on premature fruit drop in sweet orange orchards in São Paulo state citrus belt, Brazil.

Background: Despite technical improvements in the citrus chain and leadership in orange production achieved in the past decades, premature fruit drop remains a major component of crop loss in São Paulo state citrus belt, the largest sweet orange production area in the world. The present study aimed to determine, during five consecutive seasons, the impact of the diseases and pests on premature fruit drop in the orange belt.

Results: Fruit drop due to the main diseases and pests averaged approximately 11.

Seasonal distribution of aliphatic hydrocarbons in the Vaza Barris Estuarine System, Sergipe, Brazil.

The seasonal assessment of anthropogenic activities in the Vaza Barris estuarine river system, located in the Sergipe state, northeastern Brazil, was performed using the aliphatic hydrocarbon distribution. The aliphatic hydrocarbon and isoprenoid (Pristane and Phytane) concentrations ranged between 0.19 μg g(-1) and 8.

Efficacy of essential oil of Piper aduncum against nymphs and adults of Diaphorina citri.

Background: Insecticide application is the main way to control Diaphorina citri. However, it causes environmental contamination, has a negative impact on beneficial organisms and leads to psyllid resistance. The essential oil of Piper aduncum has low toxicity towards the environment and contains dillapiol, which has proven to be effective against several crop pests.

Nitrogen and potassium concentrations in the nutrients solution for melon plants growing in coconut fiber without drainage.

With the objective of evaluating the effects of N and K concentrations for melon plants, an experiment was carried out from July 1, 2011 to January 3, 2012 in Muzambinho city, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The "Bonus no. 2" was cultivated at the spacing of 1.

Estimation of spontaneous blinking main sequence in normal subjects and patients with Graves' upper eyelid retraction.

Purpose: We quantified the main sequence of spontaneous blinks in normal subjects and Graves' disease patients with upper eyelid retraction using a nonlinear and two linear models, and examined the variability of the main sequence estimated with standard linear regression for 10-minute periods of time.

Methods: A total of 20 normal subjects and 12 patients had their spontaneous blinking measured with the magnetic search coil technique when watching a video during one hour. The main sequence was estimated with a power-law function, and with standard and trough the origin linear regressions.

Doxorubicin induced dilated cardiomyopathy in a rabbit model: an update.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by chamber dilation and cardiac dysfunction. Because of the poor prognosis, models are needed for the investigation of and development of new therapeutic approaches, as well as stem cell therapy. Doxorubicin (DOX), used as chemotherapeutic agent, is reported to be cumulative cardiotoxic causing DCM.

Agronomic efficiency of intercropping tomato and lettuce.

Four experiments were carried out at the São Paulo State University, Brazil, with the aim of determining the agronomic viability of intercropping tomato and lettuce, under greenhouse conditions. The studied intercropping systems were established by transplanting lettuce at 0, 10, 20 and 30 days after transplanting (DAT) tomato and by transplanting tomato at 0, 10, 20 and 30 DAT lettuce. Intercropped tomato and lettuce were evaluated during two seasons and compared to their sole cropping.

Effect of Metarhizium anisopliae fungus on off-host Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus from tick-infested pasture under cattle grazing in Brazil.

This work aimed to assess the effect of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on off-host Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus from tick-infested Brachiaria decumbens pasture undergoing cattle grazing. For this purpose a naturally tick-infested Brachiaria decumbens pasture of 60 m × 100 m with twelve grazing Holstein Friesian-Nelore (Bos indicus) cross breed bovines was sprayed 12 times, 21 days apart with an aqueous conidial suspension of the E9 isolate of M. anisopliae fungus.

Spontaneous interblink time distributions in patients with Graves' orbitopathy and normal subjects.

Purpose: To determine the shape of spontaneous interblink time interval distributions obtained in a long observation period in normal subjects and patients with Graves' orbitopathy.

Methods: The magnetic search coil technique was used to register the spontaneous blinking activity during 1 hour of video observation of two groups of 10 subjects each (normal controls aged 27-61 years, mean ± SD = 46.0 ± 13.

[Spatial distribution of Tenuipalpus heveae Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) on rubber tree plantations].

The objective of this work was to study the spatial distribution of Tenuipalpus heveae Baker in rubber tree plantations. The experimental area was located in Marinópolis, State of São Paulo, and corresponded to a total of 1,000 plants (clone RRIM 600) divided in 100 plots of ten plants each. A total of 16 samplings were conducted, approximately once every 10 days, between December 2007 and June 2008.

Modeling upper eyelid kinematics during spontaneous and reflex blinks.

To test a mathematical model for measuring blinking kinematics. Spontaneous and reflex blinks of 23 healthy subjects were recorded with two different temporal resolutions. A magnetic search coil was used to record 77 blinks sampled at 200 Hz and 2 kHz in 13 subjects.

Spontaneous blinking in patients with Graves' upper eyelid retraction.

Purpose: To describe spontaneous blink kinematics in Graves' upper eyelid retraction (UER).

Methods: The magnetic search coil technique was used to record spontaneous blinks of 15 healthy subjects (aged 23-56 years, 15 eyelids) and 15 patients with Graves' UER (aged 22-62 years, 15 eyelids) during a 5-min period of video observation, and the signals were digitized at 200 Hz (12 bits). Overall, a total of 2,798 blinks were recorded for the controls and 1,860 for the patients.

[Frequency of retinopathy of prematurity in newborns at the Clinical Hospital, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo].

Purpose: To determine the frequency of retinopathy of prematurity at the Clinical Hospital of Ribeirão Preto Medical School (HCFMRP-USP) and verify the association of retinopathy of prematurity with known risk factors.

Methods: Prospective analysis of 70 patients born in the HCFMRP-USP, weighing less than 1,500 grams, in a period of 1 year. The patients were divided into 2 groups (Retinopathy of prematurity and Normal) to verify the association of retinopathy of prematurity and known risk factors.

Spatial analysis of the distribution of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and losses in maize crop productivity using geostatistics.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is one of the chief pests of maize in the Americas.

Setting time and thermal expansion of two endodontic cements.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the setting time and the thermal expansion coefficient of 2 endodontic cements, MTA-Angelus and a novel cement called CER. The setting time was determined in accordance to ANSI/ADA specifications no. 57.

[Probability distribution of Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Ortheziidae) in citrus].

The probability distribution of the orthezia scale, Orthezia praelonga Douglas, was studied in plots of commercial orange orchards (Citrus sinensis L., var. "Pêra Rio"), with 5, 9 and 15 years of age, during one year.

Pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae for Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in soil with different pesticides.

This research intended to investigate if the presence of pesticides in the soil could affect the pathogenicity of Metarhizium anisopliae Metsch. (Sorokin) for Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) and assess the effect of conidia application as suspension or dry conidia.

[Sequential sampling plans to Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha, Ortheziidae) in citrus].

The sequential sampling is characterized by using samples of variable sizes, and has the advantage of reducing sampling time and costs if compared to fixed-size sampling. To introduce an adequate management for orthezia, sequential sampling plans were developed for orchards under low and high infestation. Data were collected in Matão, SP, in commercial stands of the orange variety 'Pêra Rio', at five, nine and 15 years of age.

Panretinal photocoagulation versus PRP plus intravitreal bevacizumab for high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (IBeHi study).

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) compared with PRP plus intravitreal bevacizumab on best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and total area of fluorescein leakage from active new vessels (NVs) in patients with high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods: We carried out a prospective study of patients with high-risk PDR and no prior laser treatment who were randomly assigned to receive PRP (PRP group) or PRP plus intravitreal injection of 1.5 mg of bevacizumab (PRP-plus group).

Anti-inflammatory efficacy of a single posterior subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide versus prednisolone acetate 1% eyedrops after pars plana vitrectomy.

Purpose: To compare the safety and anti-inflammatory efficacy of a single posterior subtenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) with prednisolone acetate 1% eyedrops after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Methods: The study included 40 consecutive phakic eyes of 40 patients undergoing PPV for non-clearing vitreous haemorrhage with attached retina (verified by echography), epiretinal membrane or macular hole. At the end of the surgical procedure, eyes were randomized to receive either a single posterior subtenon injection of TA (40 mg in 1 ml) plus sham eyedrops (prednisolone acetate 1% vehicle) postoperatively (group TA), or a posterior subtenon sham injection (1 ml balanced salt solution) plus prednisolone acetate 1% eyedrops postoperatively (group ED).

[Spatial distribution of Oncometopiafacialis (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in citrus orchard].

The spatial distribution of Oncometopia facialis (Signoret) was studied in sweet orange to elaborate sampling plans and decision-making procedure for the control of this sharpshooter in the field. The samplings were carried out fortnightly in a grid design disposition of 100 points (plants) in citrus orchard, with yellow sticky traps. The average number of O.

Intravitreal injection versus sub-Tenon's infusion of triamcinolone acetonide for refractory diabetic macular edema: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of posterior sub-Tenon's infusion (STi) and intravitreal injection (IVI) of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for treatment of refractory diffuse diabetic macular edema.

Methods: Thirty-six phakic diabetic patients with refractory diffuse diabetic macular edema were prospectively enrolled. Patients randomly received either 40 mg STi or 4 mg IVI of TA.