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Larvae of Sciaridae flies (Diptera) cause considerable damage to the mushroom Agaricus blazei (Murrill) ss. Heinemann in Brazil. Brazilian growers have had considerable difficulties in controlling this pest. The objective of this work was to test the effect of the predatory Laelapidae mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley) as a control agent of Bradysia matogrossensis (Lane) in cultures of A. blazei. The work corresponded to an evaluation of the efficiency of that predator when released in boxes containing each about 15 L of commercial mushroom compost naturally infested with the pest. The results showed a significant effect of that predator on the population of B. matogrossensis. The release of either 665 or 1330 S. scimitus per box significantly reduced the pest population to levels that, according to grower's experience, apparently could not cause considerable damage. The positive results obtained warrant the conduction of complementary studies to determine the lowest rates of the predator that could still produce acceptable levels of control.

Phytophagous mites belonging to the Eriophyoidea are extremely diverse and highly host-specific. Their accurate morphological identification is hampered by their reduced size and simplified bodies and by the existence of cryptic species complexes. Previous studies have demonstrated the urgency of applying multisource methods to accurate taxonomic identification of eriophyoid mites, especially species belonging to the genus Abacarus. This genus comprises 65 species, of which 37 are associated with grasses and four with sugarcane Saccharum (Poaceae). Recently, Abacarus specimens very similar to Abacarus sacchari were collected from the sugarcane crop in Brazil; however, their taxonomic placement was uncertain. In this study, we used an integrative approach to determine whether A. aff. sacchari specimens belong to A. sacchari or constitute a cryptic species. Morphological data were combined with molecular phylogeny based on the nucleotide sequences of three markers, one mitochondrial (COI) and two nuclear (D2 region of 28S and ITS). Morphological differences were observed between A. aff. sacchari, A. sacchari and A. doctus. The phylogenetic relationships among these three taxa and the genetic distances separating them revealed an interspecific divergence. The results of the morphological and molecular methods were congruent and supported the existence of a new species: Abacarus neosacchari n. sp. Duarte and Navia, herein described. This species belongs to the Abacarus cryptic species complex associated with sugarcane in the Americas. The results of this study, presenting the occurrence of multiple Abacarus species associated with sugarcane, contribute to the knowledge on plants and mites diversity by adding up one more clue highlighting that plant hybridization can be an important mechanism contributing to the speciation of plant-feeding arthropods.

The transit of infested plants may favor the introduction of herbivores into pest-free regions. In this study, we reported the occurrence of pest mites in Dendrobium phalaenopsis Fitzg. Mites were collected from orchid leaves with lesions. We identified Brevipalpus californicus (Banks, 1904) (sensu latu), Brevipalpus yothersi Baker, 1949 and Tenuipalpus orchidofilo Moraes & Freire, 2001 (Tenuipalpidae). These species had not been registered in D. phalaenopsis. This study reinforces the importance of adequate phytosanitary care for orchid cultivation, since these mites can infest other cultivated plants and damage orchids. RESUMO: O trânsito de plantas infestadas pode favorecer a introdução de herbívoros em regiões livres de pragas. Neste estudo, relata-se a presença de ácaros-praga em Dendrobium phalaenopsis Fitzg. Os ácaros foram coletados de folhas de orquídeas com danos. Identificou-se Brevipalpus californicus (BANKS, 1904) (sensu latu), Brevipalpus yothersi Baker, 1949 e Tenuipalpus orchidofilo Moraes & Freire, 2001 (Tenuipalpidae). Até o momento, essas espécies não haviam sido registradas em D. phalaenopsis. O estudo alerta sobre a importância de cuidados fitossanitários adequados para o cultivo e comercialização de orquídeas, uma vez que esses ácaros também podem infestar outras plantas cultivadas, além de danificar orquídeas.

The mites of the Phytoseiidae family stand out for the biological control of pest mites. The species Amblyseius aerialis (Muma, 1955) is a generalist mite, which can contribute to the natural regulation of pest mites. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential for predation and fecundity of A. aerialis on the different phases of Tetranychus urticae (Koch, 1836) (Acari: Tetranychidae). A female of A. aerialis was confined on dish (3.0 cm in diameter) of jack bean leaves, Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. The discs were left in petri dish with water. Each T. urticae phase was offered individually to A. aerialis at densities: 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 mites / arena. The number of prey consumed and eggs laid by A. aerialis were evaluated every 24 hours for seven days, with removal of laid eggs by phytoseiid and dead prey and replacement of prey in the initial amount. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means were compared by Tukey test, applying the factorial (4x6). It was observed that with the increase of the density of T. urticae offered there was an increase in the predation of A. aerialis. When offered the nymph and adult the average number of eggs per day was higher, differing from egg and larva. Thus, A. aerialis can be a biological control agent of the T. urticae, reducing the population of the pest and maintaining its fecundity in all phases and densities offered.

In some Brazilian regions the Atlantic forest biome is currently restrict to fragments occurring amid monocultures, as sugarcane crops in the Northeast region. Important influence of forest remnants over mite fauna of permanent crops have been showed, however it has been poorly explored on annual crops. The first step for understanding ecological relationship in an agricultural systems is known its composition. The objective of this study was to investigate the plant-inhabiting mite fauna associated with sugarcane crop (Saccharum officinarum L.) (Poaceae) and caboatã (Cupania oblongifolia Mart.) (Sapindaceae) trees in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. Sugarcane stalks and sugarcane and caboatã apical, middle and basal leaves were sampled. A total of 2565 mites were collected from sugarcane and classified into seven families of Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata orders, with most individuals belonging to the Eriophyidae, Tetranychidae and Tarsonemidae families. Among predatory mites, the Phytoseiidae were the most common. A total of 1878 mites were found on C. oblongifolia and classified into 13 families of Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata orders. The most abundant phytophagous mite family on caboatã was also Eriophyidae. In contrast to sugarcane, Ascidae was the most common predatory mite family observed in caboatã. No phytophagous species were common to both sugarcane and C. oblongifolia. However two predatory mites were shared between host plants. Although mites associated with only one native species in the forest fragment were evaluated in this study, our preliminary results suggest Atlantic forest native vegetation can present an important role in the sugarcane agricultural system as a source of natural enemies.

The Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP) in Brazil has reduced its vehicular emissions in the last decades. However, it is still affected by air pollution events, mainly in the winter, characterized as a dry season. The chemical composition of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was studied in the MASP during a 100 d dry period in 2019. PM2.5 samples underwent an extensive chemical characterization (including inorganic and organic species), ecotoxicity was assessed using a bioluminescence-based assay, and submicrometer particle number size distributions were simultaneously monitored. PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the new World Health Organization's daily guidelines on 75 %​​​​​​​ of sampling days, emphasizing the need for strengthening local regulations. Source apportionment (positive matrix factorization, PMF5.0) was performed, and the sources related to vehicular emissions remain relevant (over 40 % of PM2.5). A high contribution of biomass burning was observed, reaching 25 % of PM2.5 mass and correlated with sample ecotoxicity. This input was associated with north and northwest winds, suggesting other emerging sources besides sugarcane burning (forest fires and sugarcane bagasse power plants). A mixed factor of vehicular emissions and road dust resuspension increased throughout the campaign was related to stronger winds, suggesting a significant resuspension. The sulfate secondary formation was related to humid conditions. Additionally, monitoring size particle distribution allowed the observation of particle growth on days impacted by secondary formation. The results pointed out that control measures of high-PM2.5 events should include the control of emerging biomass-burning sources in addition to stricter rules concerning vehicular emissions.

In malignant transformation, cellular stress‐response pathways are dynamically mobilized to counterbalance oncogenic activity, keeping cancer cells viable. Therapeutic disruption of this vulnerable homeostasis might change the outcome of many human cancers, particularly those for which no effective therapy is available. Here, we report the use of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) to demonstrate that further mitogenic activation disrupts cellular homeostasis and strongly sensitizes cancer cells to stress‐targeted therapeutic inhibitors. We show that FGF2 enhanced replication and proteotoxic stresses in a K‐Ras‐driven murine cancer cell model, and combinations of FGF2 and proteasome or DNA damage response‐checkpoint inhibitors triggered cell death. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated K‐Ras depletion suppressed the malignant phenotype and prevented these synergic toxicities in these murine cells. Moreover, in a panel of human Ewing's sarcoma family tumor cells, sublethal concentrations of bortezomib (proteasome inhibitor) or VE‐821 (ATR inhibitor) induced cell death when combined with FGF2. Sustained MAPK‐ERK1/2 overactivation induced by FGF2 appears to underlie these synthetic lethalities, as late pharmacological inhibition of this pathway restored cell homeostasis and prevented these described synergies. Our results highlight how mitotic signaling pathways which are frequently overridden in malignant transformation might be exploited to disrupt the robustness of cancer cells, ultimately sensitizing them to stress‐targeted therapies. This approach provides a new therapeutic rationale for human cancers, with important implications for tumors still lacking effective treatment, and for those that frequently relapse after treatment with available therapies. We designed an unexplored approach to cancer therapy: mitogenic overstimulation to increase dependence on stress‐response pathways, plus stress‐targeted inhibitors to selectively kill cancer cells. As a proof of principle, we show that exogenous FGF2 enhanced replication and proteotoxic stresses in different cancer cell lines, rendering these cells prone to massive cell death when combined with ATR or proteasome inhibitors.

The 2021 re-emergence of yellow fever in non-human primates in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), southernmost Brazil, resulted in the death of many howler monkeys (genus Alouatta) and led the state to declare a Public Health Emergency of State Importance, despite no human cases reported. In this study, near-complete genomes of yellow fever virus (YFV) recovered from the outbreak were sequenced and examined aiming at a better understanding of the phylogenetic relationships and the spatio-temporal dynamics of the virus distribution. Our results suggest that the most likely sequence of events involved the reintroduction of YFV from the state of São Paulo to RS through the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina, by the end of 2020. These findings reinforce the role of genomic surveillance in determining the pathways of distribution of the virus and in providing references for the implementation of preventive measures for populations in high risk areas.

Coronary artery fistula draining into the coronary sinus is a rare vascular malformation, and its diagnosis and clinical manifestations usually occur late. We describe the case of a 72-year-old female patient with dyspnea on exertion (New York Heart Association Class III) associated with palpitations. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed significant tricuspid insufficiency. Cardiac catheterization showed aneurysm of the circumflex coronary artery and fistula of this artery draining into the coronary sinus. The patient underwent fistula ligation and tricuspid valve repair, with excellent surgical results.

This paper proposes a new hybrid SVR-ANN model for water demand forecasting. Where an adaptation of the methodology proposed by Zhang (Neurocomputing 50:159–175, 2003) is used to decompose the time series of 10 reservoirs that supply the Metropolitan Region of Salvador (RMS). The data used are from the historical consumption from January 2017 to February 2022, obtained from the local supply company, Empresa Baiana de Águas e Saneamento, and meteorological data obtained from the National Institute of Meteorology of Brazil. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using the proposed model, compared to other traditional models such as the multilayer perceptron (MLP), support vector regression (SVR), short long-term memory (LSTM) and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA).