Abstract Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are the most commonly encountered fall-related fracture in clinical practice. Recognised as a typical fragility fractures, the ageing of the population may increase the occurrence of DRFs in the near future. The aims of this thesis were (I) to describe the epidemiology of DRFs in a cohort of adult patients in the city of Oulu during the year 2008 and to study changes in the incidence of DRFs during the last decades in Finland and other northern countries and the relationship between slippery conditions during the winter and the incidence of DRFs, (II) to compare the results of primary nonoperative treatment and early palmar plating of primarily dislocated DRFs in 80 patients ≥ 50 years old in an randomised controlled study and (III) to investigate the rate and risk factors for plate-related complications after palmar plate fixation of 881 DRFs. The crude incidence rate of DRFs was 258/100 000 person-years in Oulu in 2008, and the age-specific incidence rate in the female population aged ≥ 70 years was increased compared to previous studies in Finland and in Norway. A clear seasonal variation was observed in fall-related DRFs. The number of DRFs was 2.5 times higher on slippery winter days compared to non-winter days. Early palmar plating of DRFs showed favourable DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand) scores at two years compared to primary nonoperative treatment. Delayed surgery in the primary nonoperative treatment group did not provide comparable DASH scores to early plating. The overall complication rate in the cohort of 881 plate-fixated DRFs was 15%. These could be regarded as plate-related in 7% of cases. Operations performed by low-volume surgeons and patient ages < 40 years were independent predictors of plate-related complications. In conclusion, the incidence of DRFs has increased during the last decades in Finland in elderly females, and slippery winter conditions increase the risk of DRFs. Early palmar plating of DRFs produces more consistent results compared to primary nonoperative treatment in patients ≥ 50 years old. The complication rate after palmar plating of DRFs is significantly influenced by surgeon experience and patient age. / Tiivistelmä Värttinäluun alaosan murtuma (rannemurtuma) on yleisin kaatumistapaturman aiheuttama luunmurtuma, jonka taustalla on monesti ikääntymisestä johtuva luun hauraus. Väestön edelleen ikääntyessä rannemurtumien ilmaantuvuus todennäköisesti lisääntyy. Tämän väitöskirjan tavoitteina oli (1) kuvata rannemurtumien epidemiologiaa ja ilmaantuvuuden muutosta Suomessa ja muissa Pohjoismaissa viimeisten vuosikymmenien aikana, sekä tutkia liukkaiden talvikelien yhteyttä rannemurtumien ilmaantuvuuteen. Lisäksi tavoitteena oli (2) verrata kahden eri hoitokäytännön — varhaisen levykiinnityksen ja ensisijaisen konservatiivisen hoidon — kliinisiä tuloksia ≥ 50-vuotiailla rannemurtumapotilailla. Lopuksi tavoitteena oli (3) selvittää rannemurtuman levytykseen liittyvien komplikaatioiden yleisyys sekä riskitekijät. Rannemurtumien ilmaantuvuus oli oululaisessa aikuisväestössä 258/100 000 henkilövuotta vuonna 2008. Ikä-spesifinen ilmaantuvuus lisääntyi aiempaan suomalaistutkimukseen verrattuna etenkin > 70 vuotiailla naispotilailla ja sama suuntaus todettiin myös aiemmassa norjalaistutkimuksessa. Rannemurtumien ilmaantuvuudessa todettiin selkeä vuodenaikavaihtelu, ja liukkaalla talvikelillä rannemurtuman riski oli 2.5-kertainen verrattuna ei-talvikelin murtumariskiin. Varhaisella rannemurtuman levykiinnityksellä saavutettiin paremmat DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) – pisteet kahden vuoden seurannassa verrattuna ensisijaiseen konservatiiviseen hoitoon. Murtuman asennon heikentyessä seurannassa ei myöhäisleikkauksella saavutettu kliinistä hyötyä ensisijaisessa konservatiivisen hoidon ryhmässä. Komplikaatioprosentti 881 levykiinnityksellä hoidetun rannemurtumapotilaan aineistossa oli 15 %. Levytyskomplikaatioita todettiin 7 %:lla potilaista. Itsenäisiä levytyskomplikaatioille altistavia riskitekijöitä olivat kirurgin vähäinen leikkauskokemus ja potilaan matala ikä (< 40 vuotta). Yhteenvetona voidaan todeta, että rannemurtumien ilmaantuvuus on lisääntynyt Suomessa iäkkäillä naispotilailla viimeisten vuosikymmenten aikana ja liukkaudella on selkeä yhteys rannemurtumien ilmaantuvuuteen. Varhaisella leikkaushoidolla saavutetaan yhtenäisemmät hoitotulokset verrattuna ensisijaiseen konservatiiviseen hoitoon ≥ 50-vuotialla rannemurtumapotilailla. Kirurgin leikkauskokemus ja potilaan ikä ovat yhteydessä rannemurtuman levytyskomplikaatioiden riskiin.

The seasonal variation and landscape regulation of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in streams have been studied in two watersheds in the boreal zone. The seasonal variation was found to be highly correlated to variations in runoff. An increase in runoff was always accompanied with an increase in DOC concentration. However, there were indications that the TOC concentration was restricted by the soil TOC pool during snowmelt. The main factors affecting DOC exports varied between seasons. During winter baseflow the spatial variation in DOC exports was strongly influenced by wetland coverage, during snowmelt the exports were correlated to factors describing the size and location of the catchment, and during the snow-free season they were heavily affected by the proportions of wetlands and forests in the catchments. Small headwaters had the highest terrestrial DOC export, per unit area. The properties of the DOC changed during spring flood, towards lower molecular weight and more aliphatic compounds. These changes affected the bioavailability of the DOC, which increased during spring flood. There were also differences in the DOC properties between wetlands and forest soils; the forested soils yielded DOC with lower molecular weight (measured as 254 nm/365 nm light absorbance ratios), largely from superficial layers that were activated during high flow events, while wetland soils generally provided a more constant carbon source with higher molecular weight. The majority of the DOC was exported by wetlands, but most of the short-term bioavailable DOC (BP7) was derived from the forests, during the spring flood period, indicating that bacterial production in streams and lakes is likely to be almost entirely based on DOC exported from forested areas during, and some time after, the spring flood event.

Asthma affects nearly two and a half million people in Canada. In Saskatchewan, the prevalence of asthma has increased across all age groups since 1981. Current literature indicates that the purchase of all asthma medications increased in the last 20 years both province and nationwide. Since the early 1990s, the Canadian Consensus Guidelines (CCG) for the treatment of asthma recommended increasing the use of inhaled corticosteroids as a mainstay for controlling asthma symptoms. The CCG have also encouraged decreasing the use of short-acting, inhaled beta2-agonist medication. <p>The objective of this descriptive epidemiological study was to investigate asthma medication prescribing at the individual level among physician-diagnosed asthma patients, aged 0 to 64 years, in Saskatchewan from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2000. Saskatchewan residents covered under the provincial health insurance plan who received a physicians diagnosis of asthma, identified each calendar year, were included in the study (296,430 asthma patients in total). <p> Nearly 80.0% of this asthma population purchased at least one asthma medication in each calendar year. From 1991 to 2000, users and the mean number of prescriptions of short-acting beta2-agonists decreased slightly. The proportion of users and mean number prescriptions per year of inhaled corticosteroids increased. The highest mean numbers of prescriptions and users of inhaled corticosteroids were among the 0-4 year olds. <p>Short-acting beta2-agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, and oral corticosteroids were the most popular medications. Users of theophyllines and cromoglycates decreased. The 15-34 year old males showed the greatest "inappropriate" use as high users of short-acting beta2-agonists and low users of inhaled corticosteroids. <p>There was increasing compliance with the CCG over the ten years. The combination of beta2-agonists with inhaled corticosteroids usurped beta2-agonist monotherapy as the most popular form of asthma therapy by the year 2000. Users of combination therapy increased from 19% to 38.7%, while users of beta2-agonists alone decreased from 34.5% to 23.1%. <p>From 1996 to 2000, the monthly number of both short-acting beta2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids prescriptions decreased for all users in July and August. Peak increases in the number of short-acting beta2-agonist prescriptions, for children under 15, occurred in September. For adults, peak increases occurred in December for both medications. <p>These study results will enhance the understanding of asthma medication use among children and adults and will help healthcare professionals develop new treatment programs for the management of asthma.

Asthma affects nearly two and a half million people in Canada. In Saskatchewan, the prevalence of asthma has increased across all age groups since 1981. Current literature indicates that the purchase of all asthma medications increased in the last 20 years both province and nationwide. Since the early 1990s, the Canadian Consensus Guidelines (CCG) for the treatment of asthma recommended increasing the use of inhaled corticosteroids as a mainstay for controlling asthma symptoms. The CCG have also encouraged decreasing the use of short-acting, inhaled beta2-agonist medication. <p>The objective of this descriptive epidemiological study was to investigate asthma medication prescribing at the individual level among physician-diagnosed asthma patients, aged 0 to 64 years, in Saskatchewan from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2000. Saskatchewan residents covered under the provincial health insurance plan who received a physicians diagnosis of asthma, identified each calendar year, were included in the study (296,430 asthma patients in total). <p> Nearly 80.0% of this asthma population purchased at least one asthma medication in each calendar year. From 1991 to 2000, users and the mean number of prescriptions of short-acting beta2-agonists decreased slightly. The proportion of users and mean number prescriptions per year of inhaled corticosteroids increased. The highest mean numbers of prescriptions and users of inhaled corticosteroids were among the 0-4 year olds. <p>Short-acting beta2-agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, and oral corticosteroids were the most popular medications. Users of theophyllines and cromoglycates decreased. The 15-34 year old males showed the greatest "inappropriate" use as high users of short-acting beta2-agonists and low users of inhaled corticosteroids. <p>There was increasing compliance with the CCG over the ten years. The combination of beta2-agonists with inhaled corticosteroids usurped beta2-agonist monotherapy as the most popular form of asthma therapy by the year 2000. Users of combination therapy increased from 19% to 38.7%, while users of beta2-agonists alone decreased from 34.5% to 23.1%. <p>From 1996 to 2000, the monthly number of both short-acting beta2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids prescriptions decreased for all users in July and August. Peak increases in the number of short-acting beta2-agonist prescriptions, for children under 15, occurred in September. For adults, peak increases occurred in December for both medications. <p>These study results will enhance the understanding of asthma medication use among children and adults and will help healthcare professionals develop new treatment programs for the management of asthma.

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Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:59:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 4771941 bytes, checksum: 8d53bb72987d5fdb08cacfec3e12fffc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-12-09 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The leaf ethanolic extract of Cissampelos sympodialis showed promising activity in different animal models of asthma. Several alkaloids have been isolated and identified in the extract, including warifteine and methylwarifteine (bisbenzylisoquinoline), as well as milonine (morphinandienone). In this work we describe the development and validation of a method for simultaneous quantification of chemical markers in ethanolic extracts applied to the study of seasonality and isolation of two bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Already for milonine, warifteine and methylwarifteine were isolated, purified and quantified in crude ethanolic extracts of leaves using a methodology developed and validated. The warifteine and methylwarifteine were isolated from total alkaloid fraction of roots (TAF-r) of C. sympodialis, whereas that the milonine was isolated from the TAF-l. The structural identification was performed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy of 1H and 13C, mass spectrometry and infrared spectrometry. The method made use of high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (278 nm) using a reverse phase column C18 (250 x 4.6 mm, 5mm) and a mobile phase mixture of water-triethylamine (0,05%) (A) : methanol (B) in order gradient: 0-5 min. (60%), 5-15 min. (72%), 15-25 min.(80%), 25-30 min. (60%). at a rate of 1 mL / min. and running time of 30 min. The chromatographic method was validated in accordance with the recommended resolution of 899 of Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, and was linear in the concentration range used (2-100 mg / mL), selective (with good separation between the three chromatographic peaks and interfering) and robust. The calibration model used was of standard addition. In the study of seasonality of the markers was observed that there was significant decrease in the concentration of milonine, warifteine and methylwarifteine between February and April. These prominent decreases between the months of February and April for the three molecules coincide with the fruiting period of the plant being observed the appearance of warifteine and methylwarifteine alkaloids in the fruits. This observation suggests the need of the biosynthesis of these alkaloids for the fruits. Through chromatographic and spectrometric techniques was isolated and identified FAT roots of C. sympodialis a mixture of the epimers 7 - desmetilroraimine and 1' - epi - 7'- desmetilroraimine bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids that are inedited in the literature. / O extrato etanólico das folhas de Cissampelos sympodialis Eichl mostrou promissora atividade em diferentes modelos animais de asma. Vários alcaloides têm sido isolados e identificados no extrato, incluindo warifteína e metilwarifteína (bisbenzilisoquinolínicos), assim como milonina (morfinandienônico). Nesse trabalho descrevemos o desenvolvimento e validação de método para quantificação simultânea dos marcadores químicos em extratos etanólico aplicado ao estudo da sazonalidade e o isolamento de dois alcalóides bisbenzilisoquinolínicos. Os alcalóides milonina, warifteína e metilwarifteína foram isolados, purificados e quantificados em extratos etanólico bruto das folhas através de metodologia desenvolvida e validada. A warifteína e metilwarifteína foram isolados da fração de alcaloides totais das raízes (FAT-r) de C. sympodialis, enquanto a milonina foi isolada da FAT-f. A identificação estrutural dos alcaloides foi realizada por espectroscopia de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear de 1H e 13C, espectrometria de massas e espectrometria de infravermelho. O método fez uso de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detecção por ultravioleta (278 nm), utilizando uma coluna de fase reversa C18 (250 x 4,6 mm, 5&#956;m) e como fase móvel uma mistura de água-trietilamina (0,05%) (A) : metanol (B) em modo gradiente: 0-5 min. (60%), 5-15 min. (72%), 15-25 min. (80%), 25-30 min. (60%) a um fluxo de 1 mL/min. e tempo de corrida de 30 min. O método cromatográfico desenvolvido foi validado segundo o preconizado na Resolução 899 da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, e se mostrou linear na faixa de concentração utilizada (2-100 &#956;g/mL), seletivo (com boa separação entre os três picos cromatográficos e interferentes), preciso (DPR%&#8804;15%), exato (bias 85-115%) e robusto. O modelo de calibração utilizada foi o de adição de padrão. No estudo da sazonalidade dos marcadores foi possível observar que houve diminuição significativa da concentração de milonina, warifteína e metilwarifteína entre os meses de fevereiro e abril. Essas diminuições proeminentes para as três moléculas coincidem com o período de frutificação da planta sendo verificado o aparecimento de warifteína e metilwarifteína nos frutos. Essa observação sugere a necessidade da biossíntese dos alcaloides pelos frutos. Através de técnicas espectrométricas e cromatográfica foi isolado e identificado da FAT-r de C. sympodialis uma mistura de epímeros a 7 - desmetilroraimina e a 1 - epi - 7 - desmetilroraimina que são alcalóides bisbenzilisoquinolínicos inéditos na literatura.

A intenção deste estudo foi conhecer a composição e a diversidade da araneofauna relacionada a matas ciliares no Rio Grande do Sul, em diferentes localidades: rio Piratini no município de Arroio Grande; rio Camaquã em Cristal; rio dos Sinos em Parobé e rio Maquiné em Maquiné. Foi comparada a riqueza de espécies, abundância e similaridade da fauna de aranhas e a sazonalidade, avaliando se fatores ambientais bióticos e abióticos influenciam na assembleia de aranhas das matas ciliares. Também foram avaliadas as guildas de aranhas, tanto aspectos espaciais, quanto temporais, e a influência de fatores abióticos e de complexidade ambiental sobre as mesmas. As aranhas foram separadas e classificadas em quatro guildas: construtoras de teias orbiculares, construtores de teias irregulares, caçadoras cursoriais e caçadoras emboscadoras/espreitadoras. Para a amostragem da araneofauna foram efetuadas duas coletas por estação durante dois anos em cada mata ciliar. As coletas foram realizadas em transecções, por um período de 45 minutos, utilizando como método o guarda-chuva entomológico (GCE) para amostrar a araneofauna do estrato arbóreo-arbustivo. Em cada mata ciliar foram delineadas seis transecções, duas em cada microambiente: borda com o campo, interior da mata e borda com o rio. O esforço amostral foi de 288 horas de coletas. No total foram coletadas 42057 aranhas: 8851 adultas (21%) e 33206 jovens (79%). A família predominante foi Theridiidae, com mais de 50% das aranhas amostradas em cada mata, a única exceção foi a mata ciliar do rio Maquiné que dominou Linyphiidae. A abundância de aranhas adultas foi diferente entre as matas ciliares, com maior abundância no rio Maquiné (34,58% das aranhas) e menor no rio dos Sinos (18,43%). Dos microambientes, as maiores abundâncias foram no interior da mata, seguido pelas bordas, muito próximas entre si. Foram determinadas 440 espécies/morfoespécies de aranhas, entre 168 gêneros. No total 232 espécies foram nominais (53%) com 14 novos registros para o Rio Grande do Sul e três para o Brasil. No rio Maquiné foi registrada a maior riqueza de espécies (S=218) e menor no rio dos Sinos (S=179). Entre os microambientes, as maiores riquezas de espécies de aranhas foram observadas nas bordas (campo: S=298 e rio: S=279) e após o interior da mata (S=246). A riqueza de espécies foi diferente entre os rios, já as riquezas entre os microambientes não diferiram. As espécies raras foram representadas por 130 singletons (32,5% das espécies do inventário). Para a sazonalidade, as aranhas adultas foram mais abundantes no verão e menos no outono; as aranhas jovens predominaram no outono e menos na primavera. A riqueza não diferiu entre os dois anos de amostragem. Já entre as estações a diferença foi significativa, maior na primavera e menor no outono. Não foi encontrada uma relação entre os fatores abióticos (temperatura e precipitação) com a araneofauna, tanto para abundância, quanto para a riqueza. As variáveis bióticas da vegetação não foram suficientes para explicar as variações na comunidade de aranhas, não influenciando nas mesmas. A análise multivariada de similaridade (ANOSIM), pelo índice quantitativo de Morisita e qualitativo de Simpson, mostra que as composições de espécies das araneofaunas diferem entre as matas ciliares. Para os diferentes microambientes não foram encontradas diferenças na composição. Prevaleceu a guilda das construtoras de teias irregulares e uma menor quantidade das caçadoras cursoriais. A MANOVA indicou diferença significativa na proporção das guildas entre todas as matas ciliares e entre os microambientes. A partir da análise de correspondência canônica (CCA), as guildas não estão correlacionadas com as variáveis de complexidade ambiental avaliadas. As curvas de rarefação e os estimadores analíticos de riqueza de espécies indicam que a fauna de aranhas ainda não foi suficientemente amostrada para as matas ciliares, revelando a urgência de estudos futuros, principalmente, abrangendo outros métodos, para diferentes estratos das florestas. / The aim of this study was to characterise the spider fauna associated to riparian forests in Rio Grande do Sul. Four different sites were sampled: Piratini River in Arroio Grande; Camaquã River in Cristal; Sinos River in Parobé and Maquiné River in Maquiné. Diversity components such as species richness, abundance and faunal similarity were compared among rivers, among microhabitats (forest edges and forest interior) and yearly seasons, and also against biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Spider foraging guilds were also evaluated, again for spatial and temporal scales, and again against biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Spiders were separated in four guilds: orbicular web builders, sheet web builders, running hunters and ambush hunters. Two samples per season were taken during two years for all forest sites. Sampling consisted of using beating tray on the tree-shrub strata across linear transections (50 X 2 m) for 45 min. On each site six transects were used, two per microhabitat: grassland edge, forest interior and river edge. Sampling effort totalled 288 h of sampling. Overall we obtained 42,057 spiders: 8,851 adults (21%) and 33,206 juveniles (79%). The predominant family was Theridiidae, with more than 50% of all spiders for all sites except Maquiné River, in which Linyphiidae dominated. Adult spider abundance differed among sites, with more spiders in Maquiné River (34.58% of the spiders) and less in Sinos River (18.43%). Among microhabitats, largest abundances occurred in the forest interior, with the edges having less spiders. A total of 440 spider species/morphospecies were recognised within 168 genera. Only 232 of those species were nominal (53%) with 14 new records for Rio Grande do Sul state and three for Brazil. In Maquiné River we found the largest richness (S=218) and in dos Sinos River the lowest (S=179). Comparing microhabitats, the largest species richness were observed for the edges (grassland edge: S=298; river edge: S=279) with the forest interior below (S=246), but not significantly. Rare species were represented by 130 singletons (32.5% of inventoried species). Adult spiders were more abundant during Summer and less during Autumn; while young spiders occurred more during Autumn and less during Spring. Species richness also differed among seasons with more species during Spring and less during Autumn. A multivariate analysis of similarity (ANOSIM), either using Morisita quantitative index or Simpson qualitative index, shows spider species composition to differ among sites, but not among microhabitats within a site. There were no significant relationships between spider diversity components and abiotic (temperature and precipitation) factors, either for abundance or species richness. Biotic factors related to vegetation complexity (vegetation density, vegetation height, vegetation structure, canopy cover) were insufficient to explain variation in spider assemblages. Sheet web builders was the prevailing guild and running hunters were relatively rare. A MANOVA indicated significant differences in guild proportions among sites and among microhabitats. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed the guilds not to be correlated with the vegetation complexity variables evaluated. Analytical species richness estimators indicate that the spider fauna is still not sufficiently sampled, revealing the urgency of continuing studies, especially involving other sampling methods so as to evaluate other forest strata.

A intenção deste estudo foi conhecer a composição e a diversidade da araneofauna relacionada a matas ciliares no Rio Grande do Sul, em diferentes localidades: rio Piratini no município de Arroio Grande; rio Camaquã em Cristal; rio dos Sinos em Parobé e rio Maquiné em Maquiné. Foi comparada a riqueza de espécies, abundância e similaridade da fauna de aranhas e a sazonalidade, avaliando se fatores ambientais bióticos e abióticos influenciam na assembleia de aranhas das matas ciliares. Também foram avaliadas as guildas de aranhas, tanto aspectos espaciais, quanto temporais, e a influência de fatores abióticos e de complexidade ambiental sobre as mesmas. As aranhas foram separadas e classificadas em quatro guildas: construtoras de teias orbiculares, construtores de teias irregulares, caçadoras cursoriais e caçadoras emboscadoras/espreitadoras. Para a amostragem da araneofauna foram efetuadas duas coletas por estação durante dois anos em cada mata ciliar. As coletas foram realizadas em transecções, por um período de 45 minutos, utilizando como método o guarda-chuva entomológico (GCE) para amostrar a araneofauna do estrato arbóreo-arbustivo. Em cada mata ciliar foram delineadas seis transecções, duas em cada microambiente: borda com o campo, interior da mata e borda com o rio. O esforço amostral foi de 288 horas de coletas. No total foram coletadas 42057 aranhas: 8851 adultas (21%) e 33206 jovens (79%). A família predominante foi Theridiidae, com mais de 50% das aranhas amostradas em cada mata, a única exceção foi a mata ciliar do rio Maquiné que dominou Linyphiidae. A abundância de aranhas adultas foi diferente entre as matas ciliares, com maior abundância no rio Maquiné (34,58% das aranhas) e menor no rio dos Sinos (18,43%). Dos microambientes, as maiores abundâncias foram no interior da mata, seguido pelas bordas, muito próximas entre si. Foram determinadas 440 espécies/morfoespécies de aranhas, entre 168 gêneros. No total 232 espécies foram nominais (53%) com 14 novos registros para o Rio Grande do Sul e três para o Brasil. No rio Maquiné foi registrada a maior riqueza de espécies (S=218) e menor no rio dos Sinos (S=179). Entre os microambientes, as maiores riquezas de espécies de aranhas foram observadas nas bordas (campo: S=298 e rio: S=279) e após o interior da mata (S=246). A riqueza de espécies foi diferente entre os rios, já as riquezas entre os microambientes não diferiram. As espécies raras foram representadas por 130 singletons (32,5% das espécies do inventário). Para a sazonalidade, as aranhas adultas foram mais abundantes no verão e menos no outono; as aranhas jovens predominaram no outono e menos na primavera. A riqueza não diferiu entre os dois anos de amostragem. Já entre as estações a diferença foi significativa, maior na primavera e menor no outono. Não foi encontrada uma relação entre os fatores abióticos (temperatura e precipitação) com a araneofauna, tanto para abundância, quanto para a riqueza. As variáveis bióticas da vegetação não foram suficientes para explicar as variações na comunidade de aranhas, não influenciando nas mesmas. A análise multivariada de similaridade (ANOSIM), pelo índice quantitativo de Morisita e qualitativo de Simpson, mostra que as composições de espécies das araneofaunas diferem entre as matas ciliares. Para os diferentes microambientes não foram encontradas diferenças na composição. Prevaleceu a guilda das construtoras de teias irregulares e uma menor quantidade das caçadoras cursoriais. A MANOVA indicou diferença significativa na proporção das guildas entre todas as matas ciliares e entre os microambientes. A partir da análise de correspondência canônica (CCA), as guildas não estão correlacionadas com as variáveis de complexidade ambiental avaliadas. As curvas de rarefação e os estimadores analíticos de riqueza de espécies indicam que a fauna de aranhas ainda não foi suficientemente amostrada para as matas ciliares, revelando a urgência de estudos futuros, principalmente, abrangendo outros métodos, para diferentes estratos das florestas. / The aim of this study was to characterise the spider fauna associated to riparian forests in Rio Grande do Sul. Four different sites were sampled: Piratini River in Arroio Grande; Camaquã River in Cristal; Sinos River in Parobé and Maquiné River in Maquiné. Diversity components such as species richness, abundance and faunal similarity were compared among rivers, among microhabitats (forest edges and forest interior) and yearly seasons, and also against biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Spider foraging guilds were also evaluated, again for spatial and temporal scales, and again against biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Spiders were separated in four guilds: orbicular web builders, sheet web builders, running hunters and ambush hunters. Two samples per season were taken during two years for all forest sites. Sampling consisted of using beating tray on the tree-shrub strata across linear transections (50 X 2 m) for 45 min. On each site six transects were used, two per microhabitat: grassland edge, forest interior and river edge. Sampling effort totalled 288 h of sampling. Overall we obtained 42,057 spiders: 8,851 adults (21%) and 33,206 juveniles (79%). The predominant family was Theridiidae, with more than 50% of all spiders for all sites except Maquiné River, in which Linyphiidae dominated. Adult spider abundance differed among sites, with more spiders in Maquiné River (34.58% of the spiders) and less in Sinos River (18.43%). Among microhabitats, largest abundances occurred in the forest interior, with the edges having less spiders. A total of 440 spider species/morphospecies were recognised within 168 genera. Only 232 of those species were nominal (53%) with 14 new records for Rio Grande do Sul state and three for Brazil. In Maquiné River we found the largest richness (S=218) and in dos Sinos River the lowest (S=179). Comparing microhabitats, the largest species richness were observed for the edges (grassland edge: S=298; river edge: S=279) with the forest interior below (S=246), but not significantly. Rare species were represented by 130 singletons (32.5% of inventoried species). Adult spiders were more abundant during Summer and less during Autumn; while young spiders occurred more during Autumn and less during Spring. Species richness also differed among seasons with more species during Spring and less during Autumn. A multivariate analysis of similarity (ANOSIM), either using Morisita quantitative index or Simpson qualitative index, shows spider species composition to differ among sites, but not among microhabitats within a site. There were no significant relationships between spider diversity components and abiotic (temperature and precipitation) factors, either for abundance or species richness. Biotic factors related to vegetation complexity (vegetation density, vegetation height, vegetation structure, canopy cover) were insufficient to explain variation in spider assemblages. Sheet web builders was the prevailing guild and running hunters were relatively rare. A MANOVA indicated significant differences in guild proportions among sites and among microhabitats. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed the guilds not to be correlated with the vegetation complexity variables evaluated. Analytical species richness estimators indicate that the spider fauna is still not sufficiently sampled, revealing the urgency of continuing studies, especially involving other sampling methods so as to evaluate other forest strata.