Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This report describes the photoacoustic and electron paramagnetic resonance investigations of Brazilian and Cuban zeolites. Photoacoustic optical absorption measurements indicate the presence of iron (Fe3+) ions with their respective transition bands for both zeolites. Two species of manganese (Mn2+ and Mn3+) were identified in the Cuban sample and the electronic transitions assigned. Iron and manganese ions were confirmed through nonradiative relaxation (τ) and characteristic diffusion (τβ) times evaluation, whose values were found to be τBRA = 5.40 ms, τCUB = 4.60 ms, τβBRA = 387 μs and τβCUB = 305 μs. Crystal field (Dq-BRA/Dq-CUB = 1048 cm−1/945 cm−1) plus Racah (B-BRA/B-CUB = 457 cm−1/813 cm−1 and C-BRA/C-CUB = 3655 cm−1/2496 cm−1) parameters were assessed as well. Paramagnetic resonance corroborated Fe3+ ions present in the Brazilian zeolite occupying sites showing axial and/or rhombic symmetry distortions. For the Cuban sample, results reveal the characteristic hyperfine sextet lines of Mn2+ overlapping the Fe3+ line. Values of Landé factor and isotropic hyperfine splitting constant were found to be 2.0 and 9.7 mT, respectively. This tells us that the Mn2+ lies in octahedral symmetry probably replacing calcium ions and point towards an ionic bonding character of the Mn2+ and its surroundings.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The use of β-galactosidase in food products has been a major focus of the industry. Therefore, the development of efficient and inexpensive methodologies to purify it is essential. Thus, this study aimed to recover the enzyme β-galactosidase (β-gal) by ion-exchange chromatography in a fixed-bed column. Batch adsorption tests were performed using four types of adsorbents. The β-gal adsorption capacity in batch mode using Streamline DEAE resin presented the best performance, with a retention capacity of 18.77 ± 0.14 U/g at pH 6.0. A 22 experimental design was applied to optimize the β-gal recovery using an AKTA Start system, evaluating the ionic strength and the pH as process parameters. The results showed that ionic strength exerted a greater influence on fold purification (FP). The β-gal fraction in elution using 0.1-0.4 M of NaCl showed a yield of 51.65 ± 0.17% and FP of 2.00 ± 0.43. Electrophoresis confirmed the β-gal recovery, where an evident band with a molecular weight between 60 and 120 kDa was observed. These results point to the recovery of a stable β-gal of K. lactis with potential industrial applications.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The genus Banisteriopsis (Malpighiaceae) comprises 77 genera and 1,300 species. Despite efforts to provide detailed information about the chemical wealth of B. laevifolia, this article provides the identification and characterization of compounds from the ethanolic extracts of the leaves and flowers using advanced methodologies which include high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, which contribute to the knowledge about compounds present in the genus Banisteriopsis. The dereplication aided by Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking afforded the identification of seven compounds reported for this species for the first time. A mixture of two known flavonoids and a diterpenoid, 18-hydroxy-ent-halima-1(10),13-(E)-dien-15-oic acid, were isolated by conventional separation methods. The elevated 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity observed in some samples was attributed to either the type of extract, the presence of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, or the influence of the substitution pattern and the synergistic effect of the compounds present. Principal Component Analysis was applied to correlate mass spectrometry data with the antioxidant activity of the samples. The high diversity of metabolites found in this study and those which have been reported for Banisteriopsis strongly recommends further investigation into the chemical and biological properties of these species.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Several fields of research such as medicine, robotics, sports, informatics, etc., require the analysis of human movement. Traditional systems for acquisition and analysis of human movement data are based on video cameras or active sensors. However, those systems are limited to high-resource settings. Wearable devices allow monitoring subjects outside typical clinical or research environments. Here, we present an open source low-cost wireless sensor system for acquisition of human movement data. Our system consists of two main parts: a server that stores data and, one or more wearable sensor modules that collect movement data through Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and transmit them wirelessly to the server. As a proof of concept, we measured human gait activity. Our results show that our system with IMUs can acquire quantifiable movement data. Characteristics such as open source code and its low-cost, make our system a viable alternative for clinical or research.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Excessive exercise leads to myocardial injury or even sudden exercise death. For the vast sports population, appropriate physiological state is a necessary condition for exercise. The present study aims to investigate the cardioprotective effects and potent mechanism of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) treatment against the exercise-induced myocardial injury via in vitro cell-based assay and in vivo model rat. Efficacies of APS incubation on the inflammatory response and oxidative stress induced by LPS were both explored in H9c2 cells by using CCK-8 and western blotting method, respectively. Normal SD rats were randomly divided into saline-treated overexercise rat group, and APS-treated overexercise rat groups with three doses. Then long-term swimming training load cycle (8 week) were performed on these rats. Finally, the changes on body weight, myocardial morphological and injury indicators, as well as the inflammation-related proteins in overexercise-induced model rats were all assessed. Three concentrations of APS all significantly increased cell viability, and decreased the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in LPS-treated H9c2 cells. Moreover, chronic treatment of APS at all three doses also could obviously decreased myocardial injury-related indicators. Furthermore, the histopathologic examination exhibited that the APS successfully attenuated the changes of myocardial tissues, reduced the lipid accumulation and the protein levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and NF-κB. Furthermore, the APS could activate the AMPK signaling pathway, enhance the autophagy and suppress the production of ROS. On conclusions, APS exerted the protective efficacies on overexercise-induced myocardial injury by activating the AMPK signaling pathway to increase autophagy and suppress the inflammation response, oxidative stress, apoptosis of myocardial cells.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Aging is characterized by several neurochemical modifications involving structural proteins and neurotransmitters. Exercise has been recognized as an enhancer of overall health; whereas, diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2 has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects in rodents. A combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions has been proposed to prevent the aging effects. This study aimed to determine the swimming exercise and (PhSe)2 dietary supplementation synergic effects on the [3H] γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake in aged rats. Male Wistar rats (24 months) received 1 ppm of (PhSe)2 supplemented in the standard chow for 4 weeks. Rats were subjected to swimming training (20 min per day for 4 weeks). After 4 weeks, the [3H]GABA uptake was determined in samples of cerebral cortex and striatum of rats. The results of the present study demonstrate that the association of (PhSe)2-supplemented diet and swimming exercise was effective against the decrease of cerebral cortical and striatal [3H]GABA uptake in aged rats. The association of (PhSe)2 dietary supplementation with swimming exercise modulated the GABA uptake in cerebral structures of aged rats.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effects of Extracellular Vesicles (EV) secreted from mouse embryonic fibroblasts EV on wound healing of full-thickness skin defect in a diabetic mouse model. The study included both in vitro and in vivo experimental studies 82 mice. In the in vitro stage of the experimental study, hysterectomy was performed on two mice between the 13-14th days of pregnancy and then EV was isolated by cell culturing. VEGF, IL-6, and TNF-α biomarkers were examined in tissue homogenate. Moreover, tissue taken from wound area was also subjected to histopathologic scoring. EV augmented the effect of VEGF. Therefore promoted angiogenesis increases the transport of cells, essential oxygen and nutrients in the wound area. Extracellular vesicles isolated from mouse embryonic fibroblasts have been found to accelerate wound healing in diabetes. The findings obtained from this experimental study indicate that EV isolated from mouse embryonic fibroblasts accelerate the wound healing process in experimentally induced-diabetes in mice.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Currently, research on understanding adipose tissue (AT) metabolism has increased significantly. AT is an endocrine organ, that releases proteins, specific metabolites, hormones, micro-RNAs and signaling lipids, all involved in a network of inter-organ communication. Among other effects, AT dysfunction contributes to a proinflammatory and diabetogenic state, from an early stage in the disease development. Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions worldwide, which has been linked to the development and progression of high-comorbidity and diseases, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Therefore, therapeutic strategies have been devised to modulate the composition of fat stores, including changes in lifestyle and/or pharmacological treatment for weight management or attenuation of cardiometabolic risk factors. As a result, life expectancy has been increasing. However, the population is being overmedicated and secondary adverse effects due to drug usage can be serious. Commonly prescribed drugs for immunosuppression and psychiatric disorders, such as severe depression and anxiety, are known to alter metabolism, particularly, in AT depots. In this review, we discuss important molecular mechanisms in AT, especially in epicardial AT (EAT), that are highly modulated by these drugs, and put forth EAT as a potential therapeutic target for CVD.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Vurali turcica is naturally grown in a limited area in Central Anatolia in Turkey and was categorized as a critically endangered plant in the Red Data Book of Turkish Plants. This study aimed to analyze whether the symbiotic and mutualistic relation between V. turcica rhizomes and present microflora in the habitat can be active on its distribution. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) colonize the rhizosphere and promote plant growth and physiology. In this paper, the diversity of PGPRs of rhizomes of V. turcica was analyzed. Rhizome samples were obtained from the natural habitats of V. turcica by the workers of Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden, and bacterial isolation was conducted on the collected samples. MIS analysis, 16S rRNA, and 16S-23S rRNA ITS region sequencing were implemented, and as a result, Bacillus megaterium was found to be one of the most abundant bacterial species of the rhizomes of V. turcica based on nucleotide homology. This study is the first report on the identification of rhizobacterial species in V. turcica.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Millions of tons of feathers produced annually by the poultry industry cause environmental pollution and waste a significant source of protein. In the present study, three keratinolytic Bacillus strains, Bacillus sp. MK1, MK2, and MK3 were isolated. Some of the enzymatic properties of these keratinases were determined. The effects of some chemicals on enzyme activities were investigated. The specific activities of MK1, MK2, and MK3 were 2.76, 0.77, and 5.48 U/mg protein at 40°C, respectively, and mutant varieties were overexpressed after EtBr treatment. A comparison of keratinase activity between native and improved isolates showed that mutant variants exhibited higher activity ranging from 116 to 214%. According to BLAST analysis, the Bacillus sp. MK1 rDNA sequence was 96.83% similar to that of B. subtilis subsp. stercoris strain 153, B. subtilis strain FR10, B. tequilensis strain P12, and B. subtilis strain SRR21, and Bacillus sp. MK2 and MK3 16S rDNA sequences were 99.54% similar to those of B. subtilis strain 21M and B. subtilis strain NX17 sequences. The results of the enzymatic analysis of the enzymes and overexpressed mutant varieties are promising for application in the industrial production and application of the enzymes decomposition of feathers in poultry sector.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The aim of present study, to evaluate the genotoxic potential of 1-(4-(3,3-dimethyl-1,6-dioxo-2,3,4,6,11,13-hexahydro-1H-indazolo[1,2b] phthalazine-13yl)phenyl)-2-phenylazetidine-3-yl-acetate which was synthesised assuming that it may be a pharmaceutical raw material and found to inhibit human carbonic anhydrase I, II isozymes. To determine the genotoxic potential of this phthalazine substituted β-lactam compound, chromosomal aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) tests were implemented in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. In these tests, lymphocyte cultures were treated with four concentrations (30, 15, 7.5, 3.75 μg/mL) of test compound and simultaneously with negative control (sterile distilled water), solvent control (DMSO) positive control (MMC). According to our results, CA frequencies were significantly increased in two high applied concentrations (30, 15 μg/mL) compared with negative and solvent control. MN frequencies were significantly increased in three applied concentrations (30, 15, 7.5 μg/mL) except lowest concentration (3.75 μg/mL) compared with solvent control. Mitotic indices were also affected by treatment with test compound. The obtained results provide evidence to demonstrate that new phthalazine substituted β-lactam derivative can exert genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in peripheral human lymphocytes especially at high concentrations.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Phenotypic-genotypic covariance and correlation have been useful in crop and animal breeding programs. In the study of diversity of natural populations and different cultivars of plants that are examined based on statistical design, estimation of genotypic-phenotypic covariance through expected value of statistical designs mean square is hard and time-consuming when the number of studied traits is high. Moreover, the lack of a program in this field and manual calculations make the estimation more complicated. Therefore, in this study, one program was developed in SAS that can be used to calculate the genotypic-phenotypic covariance matrix through the first part of the program based on the expected value of applied statistical designs mean square. Then, based on the covariance matrix computed from the previous design model, their correlation matrix was calculated using the second part of the program based on the interactive matrix language (IML) of SAS. The phenotypic-genotypic covariance matrices of the 12 studied traits of rice are calculated based on this code. This program could compute phenotypic-genotypic covariance and correlation matrices based on the expected value of any statistical designs.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Two kinds of bacteria, named TDJ-7 and TDJ-9, were isolated from the soil, which could degrade terbutylazine effectively. TDJ-7 and TDJ-9 were identified as Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis. The degradation efficiency of 10mg/L of terbutylazine by TDJ-7 could reach 95% within 6 days, and the strain TDJ-9 could reach 98% under the same conditions. Both strain TDJ-7 and strain TDJ-7 could also effectively degrade simazine, metribuzin, atrazine and ametryn. In addition, strain TDJ-7 and TDJ-9 had been successfully developed into a live bacterial agent that could be used to degrade terbutylazine residue. These results suggest that strain TDJ-7 and TDJ-9 can be used for the bioremediation of terbutylazine or other s-triazine herbicides contamination.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Centrosema coriaceum Benth belongs to Fabaceae family and have few studies of biological activity and chemical composition. Thus, the aims of this work were to determine chemical profile of the ethanolic extract of C. coriaceum leaves (CCE) by UFLC-QTOF-MS and to evaluate its in vitro biological potential. CCE showed MIC value of 1000 µg/mL against Candida glabrata (fungistatic effect) and high affinity in cell envelope by increasing cell permeability in nucleotide leakage, sorbitol and ergosterol assays. CCE showed antioxidant activity in all assays performed. For the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxicity activities, CCE, at all tested concentrations, significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide and did not decrease J774A.1 cell viability below 70%. Finally, rutin, kaempferol-3O-rutinoside, caffeic acid, and sucrose were identified in CCE by UFLC-QTOF-MS. These results suggest, for the first time, that C. coriaceum has interesting antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Lychnophorinae comprises 19 genera and 117 species. Its representatives are found mostly in the rocky grasslands (“campos rupestres”) of Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Goiás States, Brazil. This study presents a palynological investigation of 10 species belonging to the genus Piptolepis, endemic to the rocky grasslands of the Espinhaço Mountains, in Minas Gerais State. The plant material used in this investigation was obtained from specimens deposited in Brazilian herbaria. Pollen grains were processed by the acetolysis method, measured, described, and photomicrographed in light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological observations revealed Piptolepis pollen to be large, prolate spheroidal in most species, 3-colporate, ectoapertures long, sexine subechinolophate or sublophate. Endoapertures vary from almost circular, lalongate or lalongate, with a median constriction observed only in three species. Three types of spines were identified: prostrate and disorganized, elongated and narrow, and conical, erect, apex acute in the other species. This first palynological study of Piptolepis species allowed the separation of representatives of the genus using pollen keys. The most significant characters were pollen shape, ornamentation, endoaperture, and presence of median constriction in the endoaperture. The findings presented here do not support the infrageneric classification of Piptolepis, as pollen characters were not unique to any section.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Lipases are biocatalysts that may have distinct biochemical characteristics depending on the source. The combination of lipases from different sources with complementary characteristics is a viable strategy for increasing the enzymatic activity. In this study, fungal (Aspergillus niger 01 - CBMAI 2084) and plant (orange frit – orange peel fragment) lipases were analyzed separately and together in different concentrations. In addition, we evaluated the influence of organic solvents and ultrasonic effect on lipase activity, as well as substrate specificity [p-nitrophenyl butyrate (pNPB), p-nitrophenyl-laurate (pNPL) and p-nitrophenyl-palmitate (p-NPP)] and enzymatic immobilization in different supports (celite, silica, aluminum oxide, Lewatti, calcium alginate and gelatin). Increased enzyme activity was observed in formulations with higher concentration of fungal extract. The combination of 50% fungal extract and 25% plant extract increased about 55% lipase activity, showed the highest absolute lipase activity among all combinations and was selected for the following study. Plant extract showed the highest lipase activity in the hydrolysis of p-NPB and p-NPL, however, fungal extract showed the highest hydrolytic activity on p-NPP. When applied to synthetic substrates, the combination of plant and fungal extracts showed less stability and activity in synthetic substrates than isolated extracts, however lipase activity increased after 20s on ultrasound bath. Regarding to immobilization techniques, the adsorption on silica was the most efficient for all lipase extracts.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Oral thrush or candidiasis is a fairly common infectious fungal disease that is mainly caused by species of the genus Candida spp. In this work, we evaluated the antifungal activity of the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf (lemongrass) and its combination with nystatin against oral cavity yeasts. The oil was extracted by the steam distillation method, and its constituents were quantified. The yeasts were identified using MALDI-TOF MS. The sensitivity to the essential oil and its association with nystatin was verified by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and checkerboard methods. In the essential oil samples, there were 84.53% of citral. A total of 64.77% of strains were identified as Candida albicans. On susceptibility tests, 83.55% of the yeast isolates were inhibited in concentrations of ≥16 µg/mL of nystatin. C. citratus’s oil was capable of inhibiting and killing all the isolates tested with concentrations that varied from 0.137 to 2.2 mg/mL. The association of oil and nystatin had an additive effect on more than 78% of the strains. The association of this herbal drug with nystatin potentialized the antifungal effect on yeast samples isolated from the oral cavity of oncologic patients.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The current study was designed to evaluate the antifungal properties of Datura metel L. against Rizoctonia solani Kuhn. To achieve this objective, six concentrations of leaves & stem methanol extract of D. metel viz. 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3% & 3.5% were tested against R. solani in vitro. Leaf extract of D. metel was found more effective as its 3.5% concentration caused 75% retardation in test fungal growth as compared to the stem extract. D. metel methanolic leaf extract was fractioned between n-butanol, n-hexane, chloroform & ethyl acetate & bioactivities of isolated fractions were tested against R. solani. The chloroform fraction was found highly effective, as its concentrations 0.1% & 0.01% caused 27% & 21% growth inhibition respectively. So, this particular chloroform fraction was further analyzed to identify various chemical constituents through GC-MS (Gas chromatography mass spectroscopic) analysis. Twelve phyto-constituents viz. eugenol, 2-pentadecanone 6,10,14 trimethyl, pentadecanoic acid, pentadecanoic acid, 1 4-methyl- methyl ester, phytol, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, heptacosane, n-hexadecanoic, 6-octadecanoic acid, 9, 12 octadecanoic acid, dodecanoic & tetradecanoic acids were identified. So, the present study concluded that the presence of these bioactive constituents make D. metel as an effective antifungal agent against R. solani.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance has been attributed to the overuse of antibiotics. To control the use of antibiotics, Brazil adopted the RDC 20/2011. A comparison the antibiotic-resistance profile of bacterial has provided important insights into resistance evolution. Enterococci are ubiquitous bacteria recommended to be used as a sentinel organism, in national surveillance systems, for tracking antimicrobial resistance through the food chain. The present study aimed to evaluate the diversity and antimicrobial resistance of enterococci collected from food in South Brazil in 2017 (pos-RDC 20/11) for comparison with isolated in 2007 (pre-RDC 20/11). A total of 310 enterococci were isolated from vegetables and products of animal origin, identified by PCR and MALDI-TOF, tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and screened for resistance genes. Enterococcus casseliflavus was dominant in vegetables and E. faecalis in products of animal origin. Enterococcal isolates in 2017 were mostly sensitive to ampicillin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, and vancomycin when compared to isolated collected in 2007. While resistance levels to most compounds remained relatively stable, multidrug resistance decreased by 24% during this period. Our results suggest that RDC 20/11 had a positive outcome in controlling the spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study provides baseline data to measure future changes in the prevalence of resistant enterococci.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Increasing the rates of drug resistant bacteria, having adverse effects and also high costs of antibiotics lead to essential oils (EOs) with antibacterial properties have gained importance. The present study was predicted to evaluate antibacterial activity of cinnamon, lavender, tea tree, lemon, coconut, oregano, mint, laurel and eucalyptus EOs alone and in combination. Chemical components of effective EOs were examined through gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) assays were used to identify antibacterial effects of EOs against bacterial strains. The Fractional Inhibitory Concentration index (FICI) of the binary combinations of EOs was determined by checkerboard method. Carvacrol, linalool, linalyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, cinnamaldehyde, terpinen-4-ol and p-cymene were found main components of EOs. Oregano, cinnamon and tea tree EOs exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity with the MIC range between 0.03125-1.00% (v/v). Tea tree/lavender and cinnamon/lavender mixtures showed a synergistic effect against Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae. Oregano with tea tree and laurel exhibited a synergistic effect against Staphylococcus aureus. Oregano showed a synergistic effect when combined with cinnamon, lavender and tea tree against S.agalactiae. Our findings indicated that EOs either alone or in combination against pathogens should be preferred as potential antibacterial agents.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Chaco province is included in Argentinean ecoregions with human tegumentary leishmaniasis case records. During 2012-2014 in Pampa del Indio town an ecoepidemiological study was carried out including phlebotomine dynamics and its natural infection with Leishmania demonstrated by sand flies dissection, polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. The species recorded were: Migonemyia migonei (72.79%), Nyssomyia neivai (23.6%), Evandromyia cortelezzii (0.94%), Evandromyia sallesi (0.39%), Cortelezzii complex (1.61%), Evandromyia aldafalcaoae (0.05%), Psathyromyia bigeniculata (0.02%), Brumptomyia brumpti (0.6%) and Corumbaensis complex (0.01%). A total of 380 females sand flies (Cortelezzii complex, Mg. migonei and Ny. neivai) from peridomicile and extradomicile were individually dissected and no flagellates were observed in the intestinal tract. Later, these females were arranged in 38 pools for molecular analyses and Leishmania braziliensis DNA was amplified in 3 pools with a minimum infection rate of the total females of 0.8%, while specific rates were 0.5% for the Cortelezzii complex and 1.5% for Mg. migonei. In conclusion, our results would strengthen the hypothesis that, in the study area, these species are candidates to be incriminated as vectors, while further studies will be required to fulfill the criteria to characterize both species as proven vectors of Le. braziliensis.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the emergence of antibiotic producer Shigella strains, focusing the efforts in the search of new antimicrobial compounds. The ability of 388 Shigella isolates, which were originated from 15,131 fecal samples from patients with acute diarrhea analyzed between 2015-2017, to produce antimicrobial peptides was determined by deferred-antagonism assay. Here, we observed that 9.02% of the Shigella isolates produced an antimicrobial agent able to inhibit the E. coli AB133 strain growth. The CI172 strain was selected as producer for its antimicrobial characterization. This antagonist compound (ShpCI172) was produced during exponential growth phase and displayed a restricted action spectrum. It is also thermo-resistant and has about 3 kDa molecular mass. The ShpCI172 can be classified as a microcin, since CI172 did not display cross immunity with other well-known microcins. This is the first report where the production of a microcin by a Shigella flexneri 2 strains is described. The use of ShpCI172 microcin may contribute to preventing or controlling diarrheal diseases. This finding represents an important contribution in the biotechnology field for its potential in the development of new antibiotics and/or food preservatives agents.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The present study was based on the analysis of 10,467 trawls of the industrial piramutaba (Brachyplatystoma vaillantii) fishing fleet of the Brazilian state of Pará, which were mapped by onboard GPS loggers (between February 2008 and September 2011) and the PREPS data from 40 vessels which were tracked by this system between 2008 and 2011. The variation in the mean monthly CPUE, based on Lomb’s periodogram, revealed a well-defined and constant cycle with a duration of approximately one year. Three environmental factors influenced this cycle. The El Niño 3.4 index had a negative correlation with the CPUE of the piramutaba fishery, with a time lag of 15 months, while monthly rainfall and the mean discharge of the Amazon River correlated strongly (r=0.89 and 0.87, respectively; p<0.001) with the CPUE, with time lags of 12 and 11 months, respectively. The spatiotemporal analysis of the distribution of the activity of the piramutaba fishing fleet indicated that the most intense area of operation of the fleet lies between latitudes 00º N and 02° N, and longitudes 047º40’ W and 049º40’ W. This area was divided into four geographic quadrants, although fishery operations were concentrated in only three of these quadrants. The study proposed a quadrimester fishing cycle with zoning in three of the quadrants, where fishing would be permitted for four months (occupation period), followed by an 8-month rest period for the recuperation of stocks, aiming at the sustainability of this fishing exploration.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Ghost nets constitute a serious threat to aquatic biodiversity, because they entangle animals as long as they persist in the environment. However, scientific literature in Brazil is virtually silent about this issue in inland ecosystems. Concerned with this gap, we conducted searches on YouTube BR to gather information about ghost nets in Brazilian freshwaters. Through our search, we compiled 33 independent videos showing ghost nets in different aquatic environments. In several cases, we identified entangled animals (i.e., fishes, reptiles, and birds). In this work we also provide recommendations to better understand and mitigate this problem in Brazilian freshwater ecosystems.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Hershkovitzia Guimarães & D’Andretta, 1956 belongs to Nycteribiidae, composed of hematophagous species exclusively ectoparasites of bats. The new species was collected from the bat Thyroptera devivoi Gregorin, Gonçalves, Lim & Engstrom, 2006 (Chiroptera: Thyropteridae) from Barreirinhas in Maranhão State, Brazil. Herein, we proposed schematic drawings of the abdomen, legs and head. We also proposed an identification key to species of Hershkovitzia.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract One of the most important resources for reproduction in frogs is the acoustic space since the advertisement call, which is mostly used to attract females, may suffer interference when the acoustic space is widely filled. Other important resources are calling sites and adequate climatic conditions. We analyzed herein three dimensions of the acoustic niche of anurans (advertisement calls, calling period, and calling sites). We recorded 11 calling species of frogs in a tropical community. Species richness was negatively related to temperature, and daily activity was positively related to humidity. We also observed a greater niche overlap than expected by chance in calling periods. These results indicate that the climatic conditions should act as an environmental filter, synchronizing the calling period. The calling site was not shared among species, and no clear pattern of substrate use was observed. Regarding the acoustic dimension, we observe a phylogenetic signal in the dominant frequency of advertisement calls. Hierarchical cluster analysis also indicated a congruence between acoustic distances and phylogenetic relationships. Therefore, the dominant frequency of advertisement calls was constrained by phylogenetic relationships, indicating that it affects the partitioning and use of acoustic resources, an important dimension in reproductive activity in anurans.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Oncophoraceae are acrocarpous mosses that predominantly grow as tufts or cushions and especially occur on rocks and soil. The recognition of Oncophoraceae as a distinct family, as well as its generic circumscription, is not consensus among authors, and the pursuit for new information to improve its characterization is incessant. The present work aims to characterize the spore morphology and ultrastructure of 19 species (eight genera) occurring in the Americas and to evaluate the relevance of palynological data to circumscribe species, contributing to support other palynological studies. Observations were performed under Light and Electron (Scanning and Transmission) Microscopes. A Cluster Analysis was performed in order to evaluate the meaning of the palynological data, especially concerning the establishment of the species circumscription. Spores are monads, small to medium sized (10.40 to 44.20 μm), radially symmetric, subcircular in amb, heteropolar or apolar; the surface is ornamented by granules, gemmae and bacula. Anisomorphic spores were observed in eight studied species and are reported herein for the first time. The Cluster Analysis shows two groups with low similarity, which primarily differ by the polarity of the spores. The circumscription of Kiaeria and Cynodontium is corroborated by palynological characterization and endorsed by Cluster Analysis.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Fifteen species of sea anemones (Cnidaria, Actiniaria) have been recorded so far in the Colombian Caribbean, comprising approximately 28% of the total number of known species in the Caribbean Sea. Most species recorded are associated with coral reef communities. However, in the region, no records of sea anemones are known from areas with high sedimentation conditions as is characteristic along the coastline of the Atlántico Department, in Colombia. In this area, organisms are exposed to a high degree of turbidity and sedimentation (~143.9x106 t year-1) as a result of their proximity to the Magdalena River mouth and the 26 micro-basins that flow along its coastline. Several observations and collections were made on soft bottoms, rocky, and artificial substrates in the sectors of Puerto Velero and Caño Dulce to determine the fauna that exist under these conditions. Four species of sea anemones were found belonging to the families Actiniidae and Aiptasiidae, and images from living specimens and cnidae are provided. Bunodosoma cavernatum and Exaiptasia diaphana are here recorded for the first time from the Colombian Caribbean. An updated list of sea anemones in the Colombian Caribbean, now comprising 34 taxa (i.e., 21 species and 13 identified at supra-specific levels), is provided.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Factors that affect abundances of organisms in water bodies are influenced by extrinsic and intrinsic drivers that operate from outside and within a system. A high temporal coherence in the dynamics of abiotic parameters and biological communities among neighboring lakes evidences a strong extrinsic control operating similarly across lakes, and allows for prediction of ecosystems evolution in the context of global change and intensive land use. The Pampa region (Argentina) encompasses many shallow lakes submitted to different degrees of anthropic influence and showing contrasting alternative states. We studied an eutrophic clear and a hypertrophic turbid shallow lake during an annual cycle in order to evaluate whether they responded similarly to extrinsic factors or these were overridden by the effects of the steady state of each lake. Physical and chemical variables were highly coherent between both lakes, but accounted little for the large disparities among abundances and dynamics of microorganisms. While communities from the clear lake responded to a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors, the turbid lake showed a state less prone to be affected by climatic effects. We hypothesize that clear lakes would perform better as sentinels of climate change in the Pampa wetland.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Filaria lorenzo n. sp. is described in the Lesser Grison, Galictis cuja from northern Patagonia, Argentina. The new species can be differentiated from the eight species of Filaria from the Old World by the shape of the sclerotized preesophageal ring. The four remaining species of the genus parasitize American Mephitidae and/or Mustelidae. Filaria carvalhoi from Brazil and F. texensis from USA lack a preesophageal ring, whereas F. taxideae from USA and F. conepati from Argentina share with our specimens a preesophageal ring mostly mushroom shaped. Our specimens differ from F. taxideae by lacking lateral alae, by a different ornamentation of the female tail and by the male lacking adcloacal papillae. The new species also differs from F. conepati by the shape of the preesophageal ring and by the shape of the eggs. The indirect examination of the types of F. conepati and F. carvalhoi, corroborated the existence of differences between these two species, allowing us to refute their synonymy, as proposed by some authors. Our results extend the taxonomy of Filaria to 13 species and comprise the first report of a filarioid nematode for an Argentinean mustelid, and the first report for Patagonia.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study analyzes the influences of environmental variables on the weight-length relationship of the penaeid shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri during nine consecutive years (2005 to 2013) in northern Rio de Janeiro State. The main questions raised are: i) Does species relative growth vary along time? and ii) How are the environmental variables sea surface temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a and/or organic matter related to the relative growth? For males, the long-term mean of the allometric coefficient stayed <3 (immature: 2.49; mature: 2.91), whereas for females they were >3 (immature: 3.08; mature: 3.10). The sine-consine models highlighted the wave T period in which the allometric coefficient values complete one cycle of increase-decrease: 4.72 years and 14.72 years for immatures female and male, respectively; and 9.08 years and 9.98 years for matures male and females, respectively. The relative growth behavior varies in a predictable time scale; however, none of the environmental variables strongly supported the variation. Changes in the relative growth behavior are probably drive by intrinsic mechanisms to maintain the population locally.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Atractus badius has a long and controversial nomenclatural history due to both its antiquity and the brevity of its original description. This species was described based on two syntypes from Java. Later, a lectotype was designated and the distribution range restricted to the Guiana Shield. Although this species has been repeatedly recorded throughout Amazonia and the Andes, these records have been erroneously assigned to A. badius because of a considerable level of confusion in the literature. We found 13 additional specimens of this poorly known snake, expanding our knowledge on its morphological variability, phylogenetic relationships and distribution. In this paper, we report new localities and data on meristic, morphometric, coloration, scales micro-ornamentation, osteology and hemipenial morphology to A. badius. We also determine the phylogenetic position of A. badius as nested in a composite Guiana Shield clade. In addition, we discuss recent advances on the systematics of Atractus and comment on some ‘new arrangements’ with respect to previously recognized species groups and available morphological evidence. Finally, we highlight the importance of accurate voucher identification before promoting taxonomic changes or implementing nomenclatural acts derived from new phylogenetic hypotheses, and notably propose the synonymy of the recently described A. pyroni with A. roulei.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Mugil curema is a pelagic fish species and it is considered the most common species of the Mugilidae family on the Brazilian coast. The objective of this study was to compile the existing information on the metazoan parasites of this host, as well as including new records from specimens captured in the Cabedelo city, state of Paraíba, Brazil. In the present study, we listed 81 taxa belonging to ten groups previously recorded for the host M. curema, and included 16 species recorded in the Cabedelo region. Eight out of 16 parasite taxa found in the Cabedelo region are first host records for M. curema: Ligophorus brasiliensis, Ligophorus sp.1, Ligophorus sp.2 (Monogenea), Fellodistomidae gen. sp., Bucephalidae gen. sp. (Digenea), Pharyngodonidae gen. sp. (Nematoda), Piscicolidae gen. sp. (Hirudinea) and Lernaeopodidae gen. sp. (Copepoda). Monogenea was the most abundant taxonomic group, followed by Copepoda. Despite the number of existing parasitological studies on this host species, new records of occurrence were made for the Cabedelo region and for the host, indicating that the knowledge about the parasites associated with this fish species is still under construction, especially because of its wide geographic distribution.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Auriculostoma is a genus of digenean (Trematoda) whose adults are parasites of Neotropical freshwater fishes. We describe Auriculostoma ocloya n. sp. using morphological and molecular tools, and we elucidated its life cycle, the first known of a species of this genus. The first intermediate host is the bivalve Pisidium ocloya, the second intermediate host is the amphipod Hyalella sp., and the definite hosts are siluriform fishes. The adult presents a single pair of muscular lobes on either side of the oral sucker with a broad base, stretching from ventrolateral to dorsolateral side, a structure also present in the rest of species of the genus. Nevertheless, the new species differs from all congeners by the combination of several traits, and mainly because on the dorsal side “free” ends of the lobes are absent because they are fused. This is the first study to provide sequence data on larval and adult stages of a species of Auriculostoma. Our phylogenetic analysis demonstrated its basal position among species of the genus. Therefore, integrative morphological, molecular, and life cycle data on other South American species of the genus, would contribute to reveal more patterns in the allocreadiid systematics.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Ecological knowledge plays a significant role in ensuring efficient ecological restoration. We conducted a systematic review to assess if sufficient ecological knowledge has been accumulated to aid restoration practices for the Cerrado, a Brazilian biome dominated by savanna ecosystems and threatened by anthropogenic disturbances. Most Cerrado restoration studies were performed by few research groups and focused primarily on two vegetation types: cerrado sensu stricto (typical savanna) and riparian forest. We also found that defining reference ecosystems and selecting plant species for restoration programs is neglected, mostly disregarding their original occurrence and proportion of plant growth forms. Furthermore, studies lacked standardized and systematic evaluation of restoration outcomes. Hence, we argue that current ecological knowledge is insufficient to guarantee the success of large-scale ecological restoration of the Cerrado. We strengthen the need to explicitly define the reference ecosystem for each Cerrado ecosystem and use its structure and composition as guidance for ecological restoration research, which should be based on a scientific approach. We encourage investigations into ecological dynamics and natural regeneration of the different vegetation types of the Cerrado and highlight the importance of integrating such knowledge with environmental laws, societal engagement and cost-effective techniques to advance Cerrado ecological restoration.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) is a mountain range in northern Colombia, recognized for its high biological richness. To date, the existence of 27 species of tardigrades is known for this particular region. Morphological and morphometric analysis of 51 specimens, found in 16 samples of bryophytes and lichens collected at the SNSM, and deposited in the tardigrade collection of the “Centro de Colecciones Científicas de la Universidad del Magdalena” between 2011 and 2016 was carried out. The species Mixibius gibbosus sp. nov. is described based on the following main traits: presence of gibbosities (up to date never reported for any species of the genus Mixibius), isodiametric tubercles and relevant morphometric differences with respect to the most similar congeneric species. Additionally, the species Diphascon pingue pingue sensu lato, Hypsibius cf. allisoni and Adropion onorei are, for the first time, recorded for Colombia and the latter is recorded for the first time out of Ecuador. All records are new for the SNSM.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Antioxidants present in many fruit residues can play an essential role in the prevention of diseases. The aim of this study was to determine nutritional and mineral composition, fatty acids profile, anti-nutrients, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and technological properties of flour from residues generated by umbu fruit processing. Nutritional composition showed high levels of dietary fiber, especially insoluble fiber (56.67%). The flour can be classified as a good source of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, and an excellent source of iron, zinc and copper. Palmitic and stearic saturated fatty acids and oleic and linoleic unsaturated fatty acids were identified. No potentially toxic substances were detected. Significant values of ascorbic acid (44.78 mg/100g), carotenoids (463.73 µg/100g) and flavonoids (37.85 mg QE/100g) were found, as well as very high levels of phenolic compounds (20357.26 mg GAE/100g). Strong antioxidant activity was detected in the flour by three methods (ABTS, DPPH and FRAP) demonstrating a linear positive correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity. The flour showed high absorption of water, oil, emulsifying capacity and emulsion stability presenting a great potential for use in foods, especially meat, bakery and dairy products. These results indicate promising prospects to full use of umbu as a functional ingredient.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Aquatic biota in high altitude Andean wetlands is exposed to extreme environmental conditions that influence ecological parameters at population and community levels. We analyzed changes in occurrence, taxa richness and relative abundance of diatom and invertebrate assemblages in four saline wetlands located at the same altitude (approx. 3,330 masl), in the Salar de Antofalla (Catamarca, Argentina). Biological samples were taken seasonally during a 1-year period, together with water variables, which were used in ordination techniques to characterize the sites. Water ionic content and biological variables, such as microcrustacean abundance and diatom richness, were evaluated as possible factors affecting the assemblages’ distribution. The wetlands ranged from meso- to hyperhaline habitats and showed distinctive morphological, physical and chemical characteristics. Diatoms (42 taxa) and invertebrates (15 taxa) were collected from all sites, and diatom taxa richness was negatively correlated with water conductivity. According to multivariate analysis, the distribution of both communities was significantly explained by water hardness, whereas copepod abundance also influenced the diatom flora. We conclude that, at the same altitude and, consequently, UV radiation exposure, variables related to ionic content and/or biological parameters of the aquatic habitat may act as determinants of the biota distribution in these extreme environments.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The Brazilian Amazon forests are interspersed by savanna ecosystems distributed in the states of Amapá, Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia and Roraima, presenting different distribution patterns. The objective of this work was to evaluate the richness, composition and floristic similarity of the bryophyte flora from five disjunct savanna areas in the eastern Amazon and compare the richness with those of other savannas in Brazil. The collections were carried out from 2017 to 2018 in five localities of the eastern Amazon. Twenty-two species of mosses and 22 species of liverworts were registered. The composition was expected for savanna ecosystems with 27 species of generalists and 16 sun specialists. There was a striking floristic difference between the areas, and the clusters showed that the eastern Amazon savannas are formed by different compositions related to their area. This study made it possible to discover one new record for the state of Pará, five new records for the state of Amapá and one new record for the North region.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Aiming to compare and update the sand fly fauna of São José farm, Carmo District, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, and considering the environmental changes occurred, the biology and ecology of the local sandfly species were examined twelve years later as a complementary study carried. Captures were made in the intra, peridomicile and in the woods, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. 1210 sandflies of fifteen species of the Lutzomyia were captured: L. intermedia, L. whitmani, L. lenti, L. aragaoi, L. cortelezzii, L. quinquefer, L. carrerai carrerai, L. davisi, L. lanei, L. fischeri, L. monticola, L. ayrozai, L. sordellii, L. lutziana, L. sp and two species of the Brumptomyia Kind: B. brumpti and B. cardosoi. In 1994 and 1995 were collected 4603 samples from six species of the former genus and three of the second. Lutzomyia intermedia was predominant, in the intra and in the peridomicile, in both periods. B. bumpti, collected only in the recent prevailed i n the woods. Six species implicated as vector of Leishmania: L. intermedia, L. whitmani, L. ayrozai, L. fischeri, L. davisi, L. carrerai carrerai and L. migonei have been collected in the area, however, this last only in the previous study.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Scientific collections are important sources of information on biodiversity that can be useful for faunistic, taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the fauna of Passalidae deposited in the zoological collections in the States of the Brazilian Amazon. 14,652 Passalidae specimens are deposited in scientific collections, distributed in two subfamilies, 7 genera and 82 species. The species that had the highest number of deposited individuals were: Passalus interstitialis, Passalus interruptus, Veturius transversus and Paxillus leachi. Passalinae was the richest subfamily (n = 57) species, followed by Proculinae (n = 25). Passalus was the richest genus (n = 39) followed by Veturius (n = 21). The State of Amazonas was the richest (s = 67) followed by Pará (s = 45). The Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia was the institution with the highest number of deposited specimens. The species accumulation curve did not reach asymptote and Chao2 estimated 142 species more than the observed richness (s = 82 species). The richness of the bess beetle fauna from the Brazilian Amazon may be greater than recorded. The scientific collections provided quantitative and important data that allowed to determine a large fraction of the Amazon bess beetle fauna.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Night-foraging cyclocephaline scarab beetles rely on floral structures of specific plant hosts for food and shelter, as well as mating sites. Although the role of floral fragrances as long-range attractants in these interactions has been elucidated, the mechanisms that mediate close-range mate discrimination in aggregations are still unclear. We recorded the mating-oriented behavior of male Cyclocephala distincta, focusing on the influence of contact signaling and movement over mate selection in a series of controlled bioassays. Roughly half of the males chose a conspecific female over another male, readily engaging in copulation upon initial contact. The remainder males required more experience, acquired through successive mounts on both females and males. Eventually, all focal males invested in copulation with females. When faced with the choice for a live or an inert conspecific female, male C. distincta preferred the former in 76% of cases, although we also recorded sexual investment on inert females (10% of cases). In paired experiments with an inert female or a male, nonetheless, focal males significantly opted for the opposite sex, and that included mating with the inert females. Innate characteristics of the females of C. distincta are evaluated by males synergistically, and not separately, in discriminating potential sexual partners.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The South Brazilian grasslands (Campos Sulinos) form the dominant vegetation in southern Brazil. They are species-rich ecosystems that occur under distinct geomorphological and climatic conditions but spatial variation of plant species diversity remains understudied. Here, we present a detailed description of plant communities across the region. Our data were obtained in 1080 plots, representing well-preserved grasslands in different ecological systems. Apart from describing alpha and beta diversity, we investigated the relations of plant communities with environmental features. We identified 759 plant species and found clear differences in community composition across the region. Northern and Southern highland grasslands, humid and dry coastal grasslands and the mesic Pampa grassland were clearly distinct, related to climatic and edaphic features. While species abundance distribution was markedly uneven, local species richness was high, above 20 species/m2, especially in the highlands and in mesic Pampa sites, on shallow soils. The predominant component of beta diversity was species turnover, which suggests that a network of well-conserved grasslands distributed across the region would be the best strategy to protect plant diversity. Our results establish regionalized reference values for richness and diversity that can be useful for initiatives of restoration and conservation of these grasslands.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The habitat loss is the main threat for many parrot species worldwide. However, the disturbed environments can influence the occurrence of the species positively or negatively, depending on its structure and potential use as an alternative environment. Therefore, this work aims to determine the relationship between land use types and the occurrence of the threatened Red-browed Amazon, identifying the land use types related to species’ occurrence and the direction of these relationships. Seven land use types were significantly associated with the species’ occurrence: Primary/Secondary Advanced/Medium Natural Forest, Secondary Natural Vegetation, Pasture, Outcrop/Bare Soil, Mangroves, Rivers and Urban Areas. We found that some land use types that are structurally different from the original environments (Pasture, Outcrop/Bare Soil and Urban Areas) positively affected the occurrence of the species. The relationship between intensity of occurrence and highly anthropized land use types, suggests a plasticity of the species in habitat use that may be contributing to the maintenance of Red-browed Amazon populations in highly disturbed habitats. Therefore, we proposed that the management of disturbed areas, along with usual conservation strategies (e.g., conservation of forest remnants, restoration of degraded areas), could contribute to Red-browed Amazon conservation.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The genus Copitarsia Hampson (Lepidoptera. Noctuidae) includes agricultural pests of at least 48 crop plants and they are distributed from Mexico to southern South America. In South America, from Venezuela to Chile and Argentina, Copitarsia incommoda (Walker) is one of the most economic important species of the genus. In this work, we record for the first time for Copitarsia, and specifically for C. incommoda, larvae feeding on soybean leaves and beans. Also, this species is recorded for the first time for Argentina, feeding on lucerne crops. Finally, we provide a larval identification key for most common noctuoids soybean pests of South America, including C. incommoda. This will be helpful for identify this species in soybean crops without the need of larvae rearing.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of conception weight and gestational weight gain on performance and productive efficiency in beef cows and their calves. Eighty-eight primiparous, three-year old Braford females were used, divided according to weight at conception and gestational performance (High and Low): cows with a low conception weight and low gestational weight gain (LL), cows with low conception weight and high gestational weight gain (LH), cows with high conception weight and low gestational weight gain (HL), and cows with high conception weight and high gestational weight gain (HH). At calving, HH cows were heavier than LH and HL and these were heavier than LL cows. Male calves born to HH cows were superior in body weight to those born to LL cows at 150, 210 and 365 days. Female calves born to HH, HL or LH cows were superior to those born to LL cows in pregnancy at 14 months of age. The LL and HL cows were more efficient in calf production. Actual fertility was influenced by the nutritional level of the herd, where HH cows were superior than LL cows. Better cow herd nutrition increases the development and performance of the progeny.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Animals corpses in teaching and research institutions could be sources of infection for students and teachers when applied for dissection and surgical practice. This research aimed to evaluate cats’ corpses’ conservation using a new anatomic technique and vacuum package for seven days, aiming surgical practicing. A 150 mL/kg of alcohol with 5% glycerin and 120 mL/kg of a 20% sodium chloride, 1% nitrite, and 1% sodium nitrate solution was injected on corpses sealed in vacuum packages and put on 0 to 4°C. Skin and jejunum were collected on day 0 (fresh samples/control), and traction analysis was performed for seven consecutive days. On the last day, the liquid in the plastic bags was microbiologically analyzed. There was no statistical difference between control and conservation moments (D1 and D2) in maximal rupture force of the skin, and jejunum was similar to control in D2, D4, and D6. The microbial population did not exceed 6.0x104CFU/mL in total aerobics and 4.8x104CFU/mL in total anaerobes. Biomechanics was not significantly affected, and the microbiological count was low during conservation, demonstrating the possible effectiveness of this anatomical technique for surgery training.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Many Amazonian fish’ reproduction is associated to seasonality and to the conditions of habitat integrity. In a Neotropical floodplain lake of the Amazon region, the temporal structure of ichthyoplankton was investigated and the hypothesis that the density of fish eggs and larvae and the diversity of species vary between two areas with different levels of environmental changes occurred was tested. The sampling occurred monthly between September 2017 and August 2018. Six sampling stations were used, distributed in locations close to and far from the altered area. 195 eggs and 1,785 larvae from nine orders and 27 species were captured. The eggs were from non-migratory fish species and occurred during two moments. The larvae presented different abundance peaks during the sample months and all the initial stages of development occurred. Clupeiformes was the most abundant and Characiformes the species richest. The density of the ichthyoplankton and the diversity of species presented temporal variation. However, only the larval density varied between the areas of the lake. The Lake Juá is a spawning area for resident fish and is a nursery and growth area for larvae of species with different ecological categories and socioeconomic importance during different periods of the year.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The aim was to evaluate the association between growth, carcass and visual scores traits with precocious calving in Nellore cattle. Birth weight (BW), weight at 120, 210, 365 and 450 days of age, pre and post-weaning average daily gain, rib eye area, backfat thickness (BF), rump fat thickness and visual scores obtained at 18 months were used for the analysis. Records from 700 females born between 2009 and 2015, exposed to mating starting at 11 months of age were analyzed. Discriminant analyzes were performed with the software Statistica. BW and BF showed the highest (P>0.01) discrimination value for early heifer pregnancy (EP). Extreme intrauterine growth retardation can result in slower growth, which reflects in the worst reproductive performance, confirmed by the variation in BW between precocious and conventional heifers. The results also demonstrate that the level of body fat affects begin of puberty. Bone structure, musculature, depth, tail insertion and rump scores presented the highest discrimination value for EP. These traits can be used as selection tools to improve sexual precocity in female Nellore cattle. The results obtained in this study would support farmers to guide the heifer management and decisions in order to enhance the EP.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation of L-glutamine + glutamic acid and/or L-arginine on the productive performance, incidence of diarrhea, intestinal morphological of weaned piglets. Sixty-four 28-day-old weaned piglets were distributed in four treatments: DC - control diet; DG - glutamine diet (1% L-glutamine + glutamic acid); DA - arginine diet (1% L-arginine); and DGA - glutamine + arginine diet (0.5% L-glutamine + glutamic acid and 0.5% L-arginine) with eight replicates and two animals per experimental unit. The addition of 1% L-arginine to the piglet diet improved weight gain and feed conversion over 28 to 35 days of age. In the period of 28 to 49 days of age, supplementation with 1% L-glutamine + glutamic acid increased the animals’ weight gain and reduced the incidence of diarrhea. Supplementation with amino acids in combination had a positive effect on the morphometric parameters of the intestinal mucosa compared to the control diet. Supplementation with 1% L-glutamine + glutamic acid increased the number of anti-PCNA+ cells and goblet cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that supplementation with L-glutamine + glutamic acid and L-arginine can improve the productive performance and enhance the integrity of the intestinal mucosa of weaned piglets.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract We provide a map and shapefile of the 57 biogeographic provinces of the Neotropical region. Recognition of these provinces is based on their endemic species, but their delimitation on the map is based on ecoregions combining climatic, geological, and biotic criteria. These provinces belong to the Antillean, Brazilian and Chacoan subregions, and the Mexican and South American transition zones. We provide a vector file of the biogeographical regionalization by converting the map into a polygon shapefile and a raster file with all provinces.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Hazelnut beverage is a plant-based beverage produced from hazelnut cake as a by-product obtained after cold press extraction. It has high nutritional value and a significant percentage of consumers show interest in it due to its health benefits. In this study, hazelnut beverage manufactured from by-products of hazelnut oil industry was incorporated into functional yoghurt production. Five formulations (ratio of 1/0, 3/1, 2/1, 1/1, 0/1, v/v, cow milk/hazelnut beverage) of yoghurt-like products were prepared to indicate the storage period of the samples and the analysis performed. For yoghurt production, hazelnut beverage and cows’ milk were standardized to 14.5 g 100 g-1 with skimmed milk powder. The use of hazelnut beverage in yoghurt production negatively affected L. bulgaricus counts. Water holding capacity and viscosity values were improved by using hazelnut beverage. Increasing hazelnut beverage concentration led to an increase in the total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, malic acid levels and also unsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic and linoleic acid. Using the ratio of 3/1 was found the best in view of appearance, flavor and overall acceptability. Based on the structural, rheological and sensorial properties, this study could guide the dairy industry to use hazelnut beverage obtained from hazelnut cake.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The objective of this unprecedented research was to evaluate performance traits, carcass yield, meat quality, and hematological parameters of pintado amazônico fish (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum × Leiarius marmoratus) fed diets containing ractopamine (20 mg kg-1) for different periods, during the final growth phase. The following treatments were evaluated: 45 days without ractopamine supplementation (control diet); 30 days of control diet, followed by 15 days of ractopamine supplementation; 15 days of control diet, followed by 30 days of ractopamine supplementation; and 45 days of ractopamine supplementation. Performance traits, carcass yield and hematological parameters were not significantly influenced by the ractopamine supplementation periods. The pH, L* color and a* color parameters of the filet post-slaughter and the L* color of the filet post-thawing were significantly influenced by the period of supplementation with the additive in the diet. Cooking loss was significantly lower in the fillet of fish that received ractopamine. Ractopamine supplementation at the level of 20 mg kg-1 in the diet of pintado amazônico for 15, 30, or 45 days does not alter their production performance, carcass yield, or hematological parameters, but changes the qualitative traits of their filet.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Anacardic acid is naturally found in various parts of the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.) and marketed as calcium anacardate. This product has antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity, and has been used in humans in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and tumors. In meat and egg production systems, anacardic acid is used as a substitute for growth-promoting antibiotics. The study objective was to evaluate effects of adding calcium anacardate as source of anacardic acid in laying Japanese quail diet on bird performance and eggs quality. A total of 252 Japanese quail with 22 week-old were studied, using a completely randomized design composed of six treatments with six replicates and seven quails per experimental unit. Treatments applied were: diet without growth promoter; diet with 0,1% growth promoter; and four diets without growth promoter and addition of 0.25; 0.50; 0.75 and 1.0% calcium anacardate (CA), respectively. The data were submitted to analysis of variance and treatment means compared with a SNK test (5%). The data from treatments containing CA were submitted to regression analysis. Treatments did not influence feed intake, egg production, egg weight, egg volume, feed conversion ratio and eggs quality parameters. The addition up to 1% of calcium anacardate in laying Japanese quail diet, does not influence their performance and egg quality.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Crude glycerin is a byproduct of the biodiesel industry and has been widely used in ruminant diets as a source of energy, usually in place of corn, primarily during periods of drought in tropical regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of including levels of the crude glycerin of low purity (0, 6, 12 and 18%) replacing corn in the diets of goats on the carcass characteristics, tissue composition, meat cuts yield and physicochemical parameters of meat. Forty males castrated without defined racial pattern goats an initial average weight of 19.70 ± 2.30 kg were slaughtered after 86 days. Diets content 0 and 6% crude glycerin promoted similar responses to the analyzed variables, except for pH and breast weight. No differences were observed to total digestible nutrients, slaughter body weight, commercial cut yield leg tissue composition and physicochemical parameters of meat. Crude glycerin can be included up to 12% without losses on carcass weight and meat cuts, leg composition, and meat quality. The inclusion of crude glycerin containing 63.06% glycerol and 45.57% lipids could be effective in partial replacement of corn in diets for confined goats in tropical areas.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The inadequate choice of a diagnostic method or the option for techniques that have low sensitivity and specificity may limit the diagnosis of parasitic agents that affect aquatic mammals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the FLOTAC technique and compare it with three traditional methods (Willis, sedimentation and centrifugation- flotation) used in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal parasites in aquatic mammals. For this, 129 fecal samples from 12 species were collected. Each sample was submitted to laboratory processing using the Willis, Hoffman techniques, Faust method and FLOTAC. Sensitivity, specificity, real prevalence, estimated prevalence, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, correct classification (accuracy) and incorrect classification were evaluated to compare the different diagnostic methods. The highest frequency of positive samples occurred using FLOTAC (46.51%), compared to Hoffman (23.25%), Faust (10.07%) and Willis techniques (6.97%). In the samples analyzed, the occurrence of Strongylidae eggs and Eimeriidae oocysts was frequently observed. The FLOTAC technique proved to be the most appropriate technique and due to its efficacy, is strongly recommended for coproparasitological evaluations in aquatic mammals.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Intending to increase the knowledge about cytogenetics of Physalaemus and the sparsely studied P. gracilis group, we analyzed the karyotypes of P. carrizorum, P. gracilis, P. lisei, and P. sp. aff. gracilis. We studied chromosome morphology, heterochromatin patterns, Ag-NORs location and mapped the repetitive DNA sequence PcP190. All species showed diploid karyotypes composed of 22 bi-armed chromosomes and similar C- bands and Ag-NOR patterns. C-bands were mainly centromeric and pericentromeric; non-centromeric C-bands were detected on the telomeres of pair 1 in P. lisei, although polymorphic, and interstitially on pair 10 of P. gracilis. This last character is useful to distinguish P. gracilis from its sibling species P. sp. aff. gracilis. The Ag-NOR sites were detected on the long arms of chromosome pair 8 but with a variable position among species. Clusters of PcP190 showed centromeric and pericentromeric positions coincident with conspicuous C-bands, on pairs 2 and 9 in P. gracilis and P. sp. aff. gracilis, pair 3 in P. carrizorum, and pair 7 in P. lisei. These results significantly increase the knowledge about Physalaemus cytogenetics and encourage further studies on the satellite PcP190 in other genera of Leiuperinae to better understand its taxonomic distribution and the evolutionary dynamics.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The objective of this research was to evaluate the inoculation and co-inoculation of bacteria with biotechnological potential, isolated from Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. and Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Schweickerdt, under germination and seedling growth of B. decumbens cv. Basilisk, as well as, to verify the influence of the co-inoculum in the soil indigenous bacterial community. For this, two assays in a completely randomized design were set up. The experimental period was 21 days. In a germination chamber, 25 treatments were evaluated (24 bacterial inoculants and a control – without inoculation). In greenhouse assay, were used five co-inoculations (bacterial consortium). The bacterial consortium was obtained based on the bacterial strain performance in the germination test. In addition, the control and one treatment with mineral fertilizer (NPK) were tested. In germination test, the seed inoculation promoted increases of 61, 40, 144, 82, 6, 96, 91 and 52% in germination vigor, speed germination index, number of absorbent hairs, number of plumules, primary root length, hypocotyl length, total length, and dry matter of seedlings, respectively, when compared to control. The co-inoculation also increased the growth parameters of B. decumbens plants when compared to the control treatment. In addition, promoted changes in the soil bacterial community structure. Becoming an important strategy to increase the germination rate and germination speed of B. decumbens plants.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The assessment of ecosystem functions in Cerrado is important to implement practices of conservation. Recently, a ‘rapid ecosystem function assessment’ (REFA) for measuring ecosystem functions has been proposed and tested as a suitable method. Thus, this study aimed to assess the proxies of ecosystem functions of three physiognomies of Cerrado through REFA. This method was applied in three different preserved physiognomies of Cerrado from Northeastern, Brazil, namely: Campo Graminoide (CG), Cerrado Stricto Sensu (CSS), and Cerradão (CD). All proxies for the selected ecosystem functions differed between sites and seasons. The above- and belowground primary productivity and microbial biomass C were higher in CD than in CSS and CG. The above- and belowground secondary productivity and decomposition were higher and similar in CD and CSS as compared to CG. The principal component analysis explained 89.8% of the data variation and clustered the majority of ecosystem functions with CD, in both seasons and CSS in the wet season. The proxies of ecosystem functions measured through REFA showed differences between the physiognomies of Cerrado. Since each physiognomy of Cerrado presents different plant richness and diversity, and soil conditions, these characteristics contribute to influencing multiple ecosystem functions.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Termiticide, repellent and antifeedant activities of extracts from Pongamia pinnata wood were evaluated against Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann) at three different concentrations preceded by a preliminary choice and no-choice tests for natural resistance of tested wood. Termites’ mortality was determined in each case of extract and solvent treated Whatman filter paper. Finally, wooden blocks of poplar (19×19×19 mm) were treated with extracts and respective solvents and exposed to termites in the field for 28 days. Minimum mean weight loss was observed in dried P. pinnata (6.38%), followed by fresh P. pinnata in choice tests. In no-choice tests, dried P. pinnata was comparatively resistant with a weight loss of 12.37%, followed by fresh P. pinnata and P. deltoides. In toxicity bioassay, ethyl acetate-based wood extracts caused the highest mortality (41.66%), followed by petroleum ether, hexane, and water extracts at 10 mg/ml concentration. Similarly, ethyl acetate-based extracts showed maximum repellency (100%) followed by petroleum ether extracts at 10 mg/ml and ethyl acetate at 5 mg/ml after 60 min of termite exposure. Minimum wood losses were observed in woods treated with ethyl acetate extracts compared to control and other treatments in field experiments.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract The aim of this study was to verify the potential of the colorimetric technique in the identification of some species marketed as “tauari” in the Brazilian Amazon. CIE L* a* b* parameters were applied to determine the colour of 35 wood samples from the main wood poles of the State of Para, Brazil, and the scientific collections of the Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi (Walter A. Egler Collection) and Embrapa Amazônia Oriental. From each sample, data were obtained in the three wood surfaces: transversal, longitudinal tangential and longitudinal radial. The coordinate b*, which showed the yellow pigment, exerted greater weight in the color characterization of the 35 samples marketed as tauari, being more evident in the tangential and radial sections. In PCA, MGW wood samples showed considerably distinct color patterns in relation to PA and IAN samples, and the h and L* parameters provided better informations for distinguishing species from sample sources. The colorimetric technique can be used as an auxiliary tool in the identification of wood. However, the simultaneous use of colorimetry with the anatomical description of wood is suggested, given the complexity of the species-level separation in “tauari” group.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Owing to the high mineralization and high treatment cost, Ordovician limestone water is often regarded as a mine wastewater. In order to make rational use of mine water with high mineralization and turn waste into treasure. In this work, the natural water quality of Ordovician mine water in the Weibei coalfield had been tested, and the suspended matter and trace elements of Ordovician mine water in the selected deep detained area had been further tested. As a contrast, the water quality of Ordovician mine water after heating and concentration had been tested. The mechanical and hydraulic parameters of concentrated mine water-loess and concentrated mine water-cement slurry had been tested and compared with conventional slurry. The results showed characteristics of deep detained Ordovician limestone mine water is high salinity, certain suspended matters, limited special material and high permanent hardness. However, compressive strength of loess samples increased, while the permeability reduced. The initial setting-time of the modified material was short, while it showed an increased compressive strength. In practical terms, the quantity of grouting produced in engineering applications can be reduced by 16%, whereas the discharge of high-mineralized mine water can be decreased by about 40,000 m3/a.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Conventional and not-in-kind refrigerators require heat exchangers for their operation. Yet, most magnetic cooling studies do not take full account of those components despite their importance in defining the cooling capacity and temperature span. To investigate the influence of heat exchanger design parameters on the performance of magnetic refrigerators, a model was developed to integrate the heat exchangers, regenerators and thermal reservoirs. The results were compared with data generated in an apparatus that emulates the conditions of the thermal fluid supplied by the regenerators to a cold heat exchanger positioned inside the cabinet of a retrofitted 130-liter wine cooler. Six tube-fin heat exchangers were evaluated to identify the most suitable geometry (number of tube rows and fin density) for the compact magnetic refrigerator. Numerical simulations described the influence of the heat exchanger on the regenerator performance in terms of the liquid stream effectiveness. For a temperature span of 20°C between the external environment and the refrigerated compartment, the best heat exchanger/fan assembly resulted in a cooling capacity reduction of 37\% and a temperature span increase of 32\%, in comparison with an idealized system. The expected system coefficient of performance (COP) and second-law efficiency were 1.8\% and 13\%, respectively.

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract This study realized the exhumation and transfer of human remains buried in the cemeteries at Orobajo, Barbacoas and La Fortuna (Municipality of Sabanalarga, Peque and Buriticá respectively) within the framework of “Social Management” of the Ituango Hydroelectric Project and the program Integral Restitution of Living Conditions for communities. Methods and techniques from bioanthropology, forensic sciences, archeology and Soil Sciences were used. Cemeteries were characterized by unconventional burials; moreover, documentation of tombs and burial practices were not generalized, nor did they show patterns. In the field assessment, 2,883 pit tests and soil probes using a penetrometer were carried out over a total area of 2,288 square meters. A total of 349 skeletonized human remains were exhumed, almost double of what was expected; of these, 180 were from Orabajo, 151 from Barbacoas, and 18 from La Fortuna. Though the remains showed a great deal of deterioration, age at death was determined for 59% of cases, and sex identified in 49%. Personal artifacts and clothing items were recovered along with the bones in many cases. Remains from Barbacoas and La Fortuna were given over to communities, and final dispositions were made in sites previously agreed upon (cemeteries in Peque, Buriticá and Sabanalarga respectively).

Resumo em Inglês:

Abstract Studies of risk perception and risk communication concerning the nuclear area are quite common in scientific literature. However, though numerous studies on this topic point to the importance of scientific and technological knowledge in facilitating the reduction of perceived risks, there are few papers that effectively discuss the role of education in risk communication on the subject, particularly in Brazil. The objective of the present work was to reflect on this problem by analyzing the results obtained from two case studies on the implementation of the Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor, in the city of Iperó, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. As was verified in the investigation, most participants of the study had high perception of risk with respect to the implementation of the reactor. Nevertheless, although important in the project of the reactor implementation, it was verified that the state, municipal and community schools of the city of Iperó had not participated, in the public hearings nor had they discussed the issue inside the school community, until the moment of the research.