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Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a single bout of maximal walking on blood and muscle nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, oxidative stress, and inflammation in symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients. Methods: A total of 35 men with symptomatic PAD performed a graded maximal exercise test on a treadmill (3.2 km/h, 2% increase in grade every 2 minutes). Plasma samples and gastrocnemius muscle biopsies were collected preexercise and postexercise for assessment of NO bioavailability (plasma NO and muscle, endothelial NO synthase), oxidative stress and antioxidant function (lipid peroxidation [LPO], catalase [CAT], and superoxide dismutase), and inflammation (interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, intercellular adhesion molecules, and vascular adhesion molecules). The effects of the walking exercise were assessed using paired t tests or Wilcoxon tests. Results: After maximal walking, plasma NO and LPO were unchanged (P > .05), plasma CAT decreased, and all blood inflammatory markers increased (all P ≤ .05). In the disease-affected skeletal muscle, endothelial NO synthase, CAT, LPO, and all inflammatory markers increased, whereas superoxide dismutase decreased (all P ≤ .05). Conclusion: In patients with symptomatic PAD, maximal exercise induces local and systemic impairments, which may play a key role in atherogenesis. Exercise strategies that avoid maximal effort may be important to reduce local and systemic damage and enhance clinical benefits.

Most Asteraceae species are pollinated by insects, mainly bees and butterflies, although pollination by birds has been documented and pollination by bats has been suggested for some species. Here, we investigated the pollination of Gongylolepis martiana, a species supposedly pollinated by bats. We assessed floral traits and visitors in a population of G. martiana in the Brazilian Amazon, measuring pollen removal from anthers and deposition on stigmas by diurnal and nocturnal visitors. Florets opened at dusk and lasted for 4 days, with the male phase starting on the first night and the female phase on the third night. Accumulated nectar per capitulum was 69.6 μl per night and sugar concentration was 15%. Nectar-feeding bats and hummingbirds contacted the sexual parts, but pollen removal and deposition were greater throughout the night than during the day, when Meliponini bees considerably reduced pollen availability. Other nocturnal visitors of G. martiana were rare, including nocturnal bees and moths that foraged for pollen and nectar, respectively. Our results support that nectarivorous bats are the main pollinators of G. martiana, confirming Vogel's hypothesis of bat pollination in Asteraceae, particularly in the genus Gongylolepis. Since anthesis and each sexual floral phase started in the evening, nectarivorous bats and diurnal bees caused additive priority effects, preventing hummingbirds from being efficient pollinators. The high density of flowering individuals of G. martiana in patches from white-sand forests likely increases bat attraction, while the small amount of nectar per plant favours cross-pollination.

This work presents a robust analysis of the inositols (INSs) and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) pathways, using genomic and transcriptomic tools in cowpea under root dehydration. Nineteen (~70%) of the 26 scrutinized enzymes presented transcriptional up-regulation in at least one treatment time. The transcriptional orchestration allowed categorization of the analyzed enzymes as time-independent (those showing the same regulation throughout the assay) and time-dependent (those showing different transcriptional regulation over time). It is suggested that up-regulated time-independent enzymes (INSs: myo-inositol oxygenase, inositol-tetrakisphosphate 1-kinase 3, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase 4-like, 1-phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5-kinase, phosphoinositide phospholipase C, and non-specific phospholipase C; RFOs: α-galactosidase, invertase, and raffinose synthase) actively participate in the reorganization of cowpea molecular physiology under the applied stress. In turn, time-dependent enzymes, especially those up-regulated in some of the treatment times (INSs: inositol-pentakisphosphate 2-kinase, phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase, phosphatidylinositol synthase, multiple inositol polyphosphate phosphatase 1, methylmalonate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase, myo-inositol-3-phosphate synthase, phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase and protein-tyrosine-phosphatase, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; RFOs: galactinol synthase) seem to participate in fine-tuning of the molecular physiology, helping the cowpea plants to acclimatize under dehydration stress. Not all loci encoding the studied enzymes were expressed during the assay; most of the expressed ones exhibited a variable transcriptional profile in the different treatment times. Genes of the INSs and RFOs pathways showed high orthology with analyzed Phaseoleae members, suggesting a relevant role within this legume group. Regarding the promoter regions of INSs and RFOs genes, some bona fide cis-regulatory elements were identified in association with seven transcription factor families (AP2-EFR, Dof-type, MADS-box, bZIP, CPP, ZF-HD, and GATA-type). Members of INSs and RFOs pathways potentially participate in other processes regulated by these proteins in cowpea.

O Ecolume integra as práticas dos conceitos de geração de energia fotovoltaica com a captação de águas pluviais, a reutilização de águas residuais e a produção de alimentos orgânicos ao longo do ano. A combinação de água da chuva coletada nas superfícies dos painéis solares e a reutilização de água cinza e preta, para irrigação de pomares e viveiros de mudas nativas, orienta um novo paradigma de desenvolvimento socioeconômico no semiárido, tornando este projeto um processo de adaptação eficaz às mudanças climáticas. O semiárido do Nordeste brasileiro mostrou uma redução na precipitação total anual, na forma de secas severas recorrentes. A abundância de energia solar pode ser uma fonte de desenvolvimento socioeconômico na região, ferramenta poderosa para adaptar-se às mudanças climáticas. O tratamento e a reutilização de águas cinza e negra têm como objetivo produzir água de boa qualidade para irrigar mudas em viveiro (umbu - Spondias tuberosa) e garantir a redução da poluição. A produção de mudas nativas de umbu é para reflorestar a vegetação da Caatinga (bioma local). O projeto Ecolume qualificou mais de 700 pessoas em tecnologia de energia solar, reuso e tratamento de água cinza e preta, mudas e produção de alimentos usando o sistema aquapônico.

The peacock bass species Cichla spp. are economically important in the Amazon region, being used in food, sport fishing and the ornamental fish market. The aims of present study was investigate the ecophysiological interactions and the relationship to the physical parameters of the water. In order to compare and ecologically correlate the species of peacock bass (Cichla monoculus, Cichla temensis and Cichla vazzoleri) in Lake Balbina, Presidente Figueiredo. The total of 45 animals, 15 individuals of each species, was captured with rod and reel, hand line with natural and artificial bait. The animals blood was removed by means of caudal puncture and the hematological data were determined according to methodology previously described in the literature. The analysis of water physical properties was determined during the collections. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used for observations of interactions (60.00%). The PCA of the erythrogram showed an interaction of 86.26%, the thrombogram and leukogram of the peacock bass species showed no interaction. The PCA of the plasma metabolites showed no interaction with a rate of 51.55%, however, there is a tendency in the x axis, where the species C. monoculos presents distinct ecophysiological patterns of C. temensis and C. vazzoleri. In the analysis of the physical properties of the water, was observed interaction 96.59%, where in the X axis the species C. monoculos and C. vazzoleri inhabit exclusive localities. It is possible to infer that C. monoculos presents a different pattern compared to other species.

Libidibia ferrea (Fabaceae) is a valuable medicinal species in the Amazon, but as it is a protected plant, collection from natural populations is forbidden. Therefore, establishing an efficient system for in vitro regeneration and to improve callogenesis of this species is desirable. To determine the optimal nutritional factors needed for shoot multiplication and callus induction, different culture media, plant growth regulators and LED light sources were tested. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means compared by Tukey’s test at p < 0.05. We observe that explants inoculated in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) media with 0.05 mg L-1 of 6-benzilaminopurine (BAP) and cultivated under red-blue LED induced the highest number of shoots (3.67), number of buds (3.13), multiplication rate (15.67) and shoots length (22.03 mm) when compared with other treatments. MS and B5 media supplemented with 2.21 and 4.42 mg L-1 of 2,4-D induced 100% formation of friable callus cultivated under red-blue LED, demonstrating that the light quality significantly influenced callogenesis. Obtained results confirmed that in vitro regeneration and callogenesis is a useful strategy in the protection of endangered species. In this way, a new renewable source of biomass with high quality plant material is presented aiming at the bioprospecting of seedling extracts and friable callus to obtain secondary metabolites of this medicinal plant.

Ecological niche models (ENMs) are widely used tools for predicting species geographic distribution as a function of environmental variables. The inclusion of biotic factors in the predictor suite can significantly increase the predictive power of such models, leading to a model closer to the realized niche for the species under investigation. In this study, we provide evidence of niche overlap between gray woolly monkeys (Lagothrix cana) and black-faced black spider monkeys (Ateles chamek) based on locality and ecological data covering their complete geographic range in the Amazon forests of Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. We also estimate the potential distribution of L. cana using environmental predictors, and the distribution of A. chamek as a biotic factor. Finally, we quantified current and future habitat loss and areas under legal protection. We found that only 39% of the L. cana area of occupancy is under legal protection and that the species could potentially lose up to 58% of habitat in the next 30 years. We also show that the use of a closely-related species that has a more robust dataset can improve ENMs of poorly studied, rare and/or cryptic species. The framework developed here can be applied to a wide range of sympatric species if they share similar ecological requirements. Since our focal species are the most frugivorous primates in our study region and especially vulnerable to habitat loss, the identification of highly suitable areas for both taxa can help to protect other forest-dwelling species, reducing the rate of overall biodiversity loss.

The vegetative propagation by cuttings can be an advantageous alternative to the production of Himatanthus sucuuba seedlings because it allows the obtention of a large number of plants genetically identical to the matrix plant in a shorter time and space. However, such a technique is simultaneously influenced by different factors that can compromise its success. In this sense, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different types of cuttings and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentration, on the survival and rooting of cuttings of H. sucuuba. The experimental design used was in randomized complete blocks, with a factorial arrangement: 2 types of cuttings (with and without leaves) and 3 concentrations of IBA (0, 1000 and 3000 mg L–1). After 100 days, were evaluated the following variables: survival (%), rooting (%), number of roots per cutting, length of the largest root (cm), number of leaves and dry biomass. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means compared by Tukey’s test at p < 0.05. The survival and rooting percentages were higher than 70% in all treatments. There was no significance for the interaction of the factors analyzed, neither for the effect of AIB, analyzed in isolation. The type of stake exerted the greatest influence, with emphasis on the cuttings with leaves, which stood out in most of the factors analyzed. The propagation of H. sucuuba to cuttings was considered viable, and the maintenance of the leaves, associated with juvenility of the propagules, was determining factors in the conditions in which this study was developed.

Providing adequate nutrition to coffee plants is required to maintain plant health. The effect of five doses (0.05, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg L−1) of boron (B), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) on the severity of rust on coffee plants grown in nutrient solution was evaluated. Micronutrients were supplied to seedlings having two pairs of fully developed leaves. The seedling plants were inoculated with spores (106 ml−1) of the coffee rust pathogen (Hemileia vastatrix). Five assessments of the severity of the rust symptoms were made starting on the 43rd day after inoculation. The area under the disease progress curve for severity (AUDPCS) was calculated. There was a statistical difference in AUDPCS (p

Cowpea is a widely cultivated legume, especially in northeastern Brazil. In its cultivation, it is generally employed high solubility mineral fertilizers that can cause numerous environmental impacts, and considerably raise production costs. Thus, cultivation practices that may decrease the use of mineral fertilizers should be studied and validated. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate vegetative and productive components of cowpea submitted to different organic, inoculant and mineral fertilizers. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks, with nine treatments and three repetitions: Witness (T), without fertilization; biofertilizer (B); inoculant (I); milk residue (R); biofertilizer + inoculant (BI); dairy residue + biofertilizer (RB); milk residue + inoculant (RI); milk residue + inoculant + biofertilizer (RIB) and the formulated NPK (M). Organic fertilizers and inoculant alone or associated do not contribute to cowpea productivity. The use of mineral fertilization increased cowpea productivity. RESUMO: O feijão-caupi é uma leguminosa amplamente cultivada, principalmente no Nordeste do Brasil. Em seu cultivo, geralmente se emprega fertilizantes minerais de alta solubilidade que podem causar inúmeros impactos ambientais, e elevar consideravelmente os custos de produção. Desta forma, práticas de cultivo que possam diminuir o uso de fertilizantes minerais devem ser estudadas e validadas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar componentes vegetativos e produtivos do feijão-caupi submetido à diferentes fertilizantes orgânicos, inoculante e mineral. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos casualizados, com nove tratamentos e três repetições: Testemunha (T), sem adubação; biofertilizante (B); inoculante (I); resíduo lácteo (R); biofertilizante + inoculante (BI); resíduo lácteo + biofertilizante (RB); resíduo lácteo + inoculante (RI); resíduo lácteo + inoculante + biofertilizante (RIB) e o formulado NPK (M). Os fertilizantes orgânicos e o inoculante isolados ou associados não contribuem com a produtividade do feijão-caupi. O uso da adubação mineral aumentou a produtividade do feijão-caupi.

A new species, Neea itanhaensis, is described from São Paulo State, Brazil. N. itanhaensis differs from the other Neea species by its inflorescences with verticillate branching and sessile or subsessile leaves with an acute or oblique base and prominent secondary veins on the abaxial surface that diverge at less than a 90º angle from each other. Illustrations and comments about the taxonomy, phenology, distribution, habitat, conservation status and etymology are provided for the new species.

Diseases of the coffee plant can be effectively managed via well-balanced nutrition. This study assessed the effect of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers on the intensity of coffee (Coffea arabica) rust (Hemileia vastatrix) under greenhouse conditions. The susceptible cultivar New World 376/4 was used as the test species. Treatments included five N rates (3, 7, 11, 15 and 19 mmol L−1) with five K rates (3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 mmol L−1) in a 5 × 5 factorial design, for a total of 25 treatments and three replications with each treatment involving two plants growing in a nutrient solution. The completely randomized experimental design permitted evaluation of N and K on rust incidence and disease severity. The portion below the severity progress curve (AUDPCS) was calculated. Disease severity increased 16.48% with a dose of 7 mmol N L−1 and 11 mmol K L−1. There was an interaction of N with K in the AUDPCS and dried plant mass occurred. The AUDPCS (42.00) was lower when the next dose used was a combination of 19:07 mmol L−1 of N and K. A significant negative correlation was seen with the dry mass of the coffee seedlings.

Aims: The present work aimed to determine the influence of antibiotic use on seed germination and development of jabuticabeira (Myrciaria jaboticaba) seedlings grown in vitro. Study Design: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, where the treatments were composed of two types of culture medium and three forms of antibiotic use. Place and Study duration: The experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of Cell Biology and Culture of Vegetable Tissues (LABCULTIVE), at the Department of Biological Sciences (DCB), at the Agricultural Sciences Center (CCA), Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), from November 2016 until May 2017. Methodology: The fruits of jabuticabeira were harvested from a matrix plant and the seeds were removed manually, with subsequent elimination of the pulp and removal of the tegument. They underwent a disinfestation procedure in 70% alcohol and sodium hypochlorite and grown in culture medium. Results: The highest germination average was obtained when the seeds were soaked for 24 hours in autoclaved water + antibiotic and when placed in liquid medium. In all analyzed variables the liquid medium provided better means. There was no statistical difference in any of the variables analyzed in relation to the use of the antibiotic in the imbibition and the non-use of the antibiotic. Conclusion: The seeds of Myrciaria jaboticaba have greater germination and better development in the liquid culture medium; the presence of the antibiotic in the culture medium probably caused phytotoxicity, thus compromising the germination.

Background The capture of ornamental fish is one of the main economic activities of riverine families in the Amazon. However, studies regarding the local ecological knowledge of workers in this activity are still incipient. In view of this, we have studied and explored the local ecological knowledge of artisanal fishers who specialize in the capture of fish for the aquarium trade in the middle part of the Negro River basin and investigated issues related to the ecological aspects of the fish species that are targeted by this trade in the region. Methods Therefore, we conducted semi-structured interviews and applied questionnaires to artisanal fishers of ornamental fish (N = 89), from the municipality of Barcelos, from January to April 2016. Results In total, 41 popular names were cited, which correspond to four ethnocategories and 10 families. The main species were Paracheirodon axelrodi (12.5%), Hemigrammus bleheri (8.3%), Ancistrus dolichopterus (6.4%), Symphysodon discus (5.3%), and Potamotrygon motoro (3.8%). According to the fishers, the species of fish known in the region as “piabas” have a preference for living in clusters (28.9%) and carry out migratory movements (26.1%). The diet of local fish species reported by fisheries is diverse, though mainly based on periphyton (42.2%), and the reproductive cycle directly influenced by the period of flooding of rivers in the region (37.6%) Conclusion Our study revealed that the fishers possess information on the ecological aspects of local ornamental fish species, many of which are consistent with scientific literature. The information presented may assist in the decision-making process for the management of local fishery resources and contribute to the resumption of growth and sustainability in the capture of ornamental fish.

The present work represents a pioneering effort, being the first to analyze genomic and transcriptomic data from Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) kinases. We evaluated the cowpea kinome considering its genome-wide distribution and structural characteristics (at the gene and protein levels), sequence evolution, conservation among Viridiplantae species, and gene expression in three cowpea genotypes under different stress situations, including biotic (injury followed by virus inoculation—CABMV or CPSMV) and abiotic (root dehydration). The structural features of cowpea kinases (VuPKs) indicated that 1,293 bona fide VuPKs covered 20 groups and 118 different families. The RLK-Pelle was the largest group, with 908 members. Insights on the mechanisms of VuPK genomic expansion and conservation among Viridiplantae species indicated dispersed and tandem duplications as major forces for VuPKs’ distribution pattern and high orthology indexes and synteny with other legume species, respectively. Ka/Ks ratios showed that almost all (91%) of the tandem duplication events were under purifying selection. Candidate cis-regulatory elements were associated with different transcription factors (TFs) in the promoter regions of the RLK-Pelle group. C2H2 TFs were closely associated with the promoter regions of almost all scrutinized families for the mentioned group. At the transcriptional level, it was suggested that VuPK up-regulation was stress, genotype, or tissue dependent (or a combination of them). The most prominent families in responding (up-regulation) to all the analyzed stresses were RLK-Pelle_DLSV and CAMK_CAMKL-CHK1. Concerning root dehydration, it was suggested that the up-regulated VuPKs are associated with ABA hormone signaling, auxin hormone transport, and potassium ion metabolism. Additionally, up-regulated VuPKs under root dehydration potentially assist in a critical physiological strategy of the studied cowpea genotype in this assay, with activation of defense mechanisms against biotic stress while responding to root dehydration. This study provides the foundation for further studies on the evolution and molecular function of VuPKs.

In this work, two synthetic aurones revealed moderate schistosomicidal potential in in vitro and in vivo assays. Aurones (1) and (2) promoted changes in tegument integrity and motor activity, leading to death of adult Schistosoma mansoni worms in in vitro assays. When administered orally (two doses of 50 mg/kg) in experimentally infected animals, synthetic aurones (1) and (2) promoted reductions of 56.20 % and 57.61 % of the parasite load and stimulated the displacement towards the liver of the remaining adult worms. The oogram analysis revealed that the treatment with both aurones interferes with the egg development kinetics in the intestinal tissue. Seeking an action target for compounds (1) and (2), the connection with NTPDases enzymes, recognized as important therapeutic targets for S. mansoni, was evaluated. Molecular docking studies have shown promising results. The dataset reveals the anthelmintic character of these compounds, which can be used in the development of new therapies for schistosomiasis.

Background:Genetics influence the vulnerability to alcohol use disorders, and among the implicated genes, three previous studies have provided evidences for the involvement ofLRRK2in alcohol dependence (AD).LRRK2expression is broadly dysregulated in postmortem brain from AD humans, as well as in the brain of mice with alcohol dependent-like behaviors and in a zebrafish model of alcohol preference. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of variants in theLRRK2gene with AD in multiethnic populations from South and North America.Methods:Alcohol-screening questionnaires [such as CAGE and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)] were used to determine individual risk of AD. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were done in three independent populations (898 individuals from Bambuí, Brazil; 3,015 individuals from Pelotas, Brazil; and 1,316 from the United States). Linkage disequilibrium and conditional analyses, as well asin silicofunctional analyses, were also conducted.Results:FourLRRK2variants were significantly associated with AD in our discovery cohort (Bambuí): rs4768231, rs4767971, rs7307310, and rs1465527. Two of these variants (rs4768231 and rs4767971) were replicated in both Pelotas and US cohorts. The consistent association signal (at theLRRK2locus) found in populations with different genetic backgrounds reinforces the relevance of our findings.Conclusion:Taken together, these results support the notion that genetic variants in theLRRK2locus are risk factors for AD in humans.

Salinity stress has a significant impact on the gain of plant biomass. Our study provides the first root transcriptome of Cenostigma pyramidale, a tolerant woody legume from a tropical dry forest, under three different salt stress times (30 min, 2 h, and 11 days). The transcriptome was assembled using the RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) de novo pipeline from GenPipes. We observed 932, 804, and 3157 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 164, 273, and 1332 downregulated DEGs for salt over 30 min, 2 h, and 11 days, respectively. For DEGs annotated with the Viridiplantae clade in the early stress periods, the response to salt stress was mainly achieved by stabilizing homeostasis of such ions like Na+ and K+ , signalling by Ca2+ , transcription factor modulation, water transport, and oxidative stress. For salt stress at 11 days, we observed a higher modulation of transcription factors including the WRKY, MYB, bHLH, NAC, HSF, and AP2-EREBP families, as well as DEGs involved in hormonal responses, water transport, sugar metabolism, proline, and reactive oxygen scavenging mechanisms. Five selected DEGs (K+ transporter, aquaporin, glutathione S-transferase, cyclic nucleotide-gated channel, and superoxide dismutase) were validated by qPCR. Our results indicated that C. pyramidale had an early perception of salt stress modulating ionic channels and transporters, and as the stress progressed, the focus turned to the antioxidant system, aquaporins, and complex hormone responses. The results of this first root transcriptome provide clues on how this native species modulate gene expression to achieve salt stress tolerance.

This study evaluated the use of gill parasitic monogenoideans from Sciades herzbergii (Siluriformes: Ariidae) as bioindicators of environmental quality in Amazonian estuarine ecosystems. Fish were caught in the tidal channels in an impacted area - IA, near the port of São Luís and a reference area - RA, in the Caeté estuary, Bragança. The influence of the capture site and seasonality on parasite abundance, environmental variables and biometric data of hosts were verified. A total of 416 S. herzbergii specimens were analyzed. The weight and total length of fish from the RA were greater than those of the IA. The relative condition factor was influenced by seasonality. A total of 4,265 monogenoidean specimens from the following species were identified: Chauhanellus boegeri, C. susamlimae, C. velum, Calceostomella herzbergii and Dactylogyridae gen. sp. The seasonal mean parasitic abundance of C. susamlimae was significantly different, with the highest values recorded during the dry season. The mean abundance of C. herzbergii was influenced by seasonality and by the capture site. During the rainy period, the parasite indices in the RA were higher than those of IA. C. herzbergii is a bioindicator sensitive to low water quality, especially in relation to water turbidity in Amazon estuaries. Resumo Este estudo avaliou o uso de monogenóideos parasitos das brânquias de Sciades herzbergii (Siluriformes/Ariidae) como bioindicadores de qualidade ambiental em ecossistemas estuarinos amazônicos. Os peixes foram capturados nos canais das marés em uma área impactada - IA, próxima ao porto de São Luís, e uma área de referência - RA, no estuário do Caeté, Bragança. A influência do local de captura e sazonalidade na abundância do parasita, variáveis ambientais e dados biométricos dos hospedeiros foram verificados. Um total de 416 espécimes de S. herzbergii foram analisados. O peso e o comprimento total dos peixes da RA foram maiores do que os dos IA. O fator de condição relativo foi influenciado pela sazonalidade. Um total de 4.265 espécimes de monogenóideos das seguintes espécies foram identificados: Chauhanellus boegeri, C. susamlimae, C. velum, Calceostomella herzbergii e Dactylogyridae gen. sp. A abundância parasitária média sazonal de C. susamlimae foi significativamente diferente, com os maiores valores registrados durante a estação seca. A abundância média de C. herzbergii foi influenciada pela sazonalidade e pelo local de captura. Durante o período chuvoso, os índices parasitários na RA foram superiores aos da IA. C. herzbergii é um bioindicador sensível à baixa qualidade da água, principalmente em relação à turbidez da água em estuários amazônicos.

Objective This study examined the impact of submaximal walking training (WT) on local and systemic nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, inflammation, and oxidative stress in patients with intermittent claudication (IC). Methods The study employed a randomised, controlled, parallel group design and was performed in a single centre. Thirty-two men with IC were randomly allocated to two groups: WT (n = 16, two sessions/week, 15 cycles of two minutes walking at an intensity corresponding to the heart rate obtained at the pain threshold interspersed by two minutes of upright rest) and control (CO, n = 16, two sessions/week, 30 minutes of stretching). NO bioavailability (blood NO and muscle nitric oxide synthase [eNOS]), redox homeostasis (catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], lipid peroxidation [LPO] measured in blood and muscle), and inflammation (interleukin-6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein [CRP], tumour necrosis factor α [TNF-α], intercellular adhesion molecules [ICAM], vascular adhesion molecules [VCAM] measured in blood and muscle) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results WT statistically significantly increased blood NO, muscle eNOS, blood SOD and CAT, and muscle SOD and abolished the increase in circulating and muscle LPO observed in the CO group. WT decreased blood CRP, ICAM, and VCAM and muscle IL-6 and CRP and eliminated the increase in blood TNF-α and muscle TNF-α, ICAM and VCAM observed in the CO group. Conclusion WT at an intensity of pain threshold improved NO bioavailability and decreased systemic and local oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with IC. The proposed WT protocol provides physiological adaptations that may contribute to cardiovascular health in these patients.

Gene prioritization approaches are useful tools to explore and select candidate genes in transcriptome studies. Knowing the importance of processes such as neuronal activity, intracellular signal transduction, and synapse plasticity to the development and maintenance of compulsive ethanol drinking, the aim of the present study was to explore and identify functional candidate genes associated with these processes in an animal model of inflexible pattern of ethanol intake. To do this, we applied a guilt‐by‐association approach, using the GUILDify and ToppGene software, in our previously published microarray data from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum of inflexible drinker mice. We then tested some of the prioritized genes that showed a tissue‐specific pattern in postmortem brain tissue (PFC and nucleus accumbens (NAc)) from humans with alcohol use disorder (AUD). In the mouse brain, we prioritized 44 genes in PFC and 26 in striatum, which showed opposite regulation patterns in PFC and striatum. The most prioritized of them (i.e., Plcb1 and Prkcb in PFC, and Dnm2 and Lrrk2 in striatum) were associated with synaptic neuroplasticity, a neuroadaptation associated with excessive ethanol drinking. The identification of transcription factors among the prioritized genes suggests a crucial role for Irf4 in the pattern of regulation observed between PFC and striatum. Lastly, the differential transcription of IRF4 and LRRK2 in PFC and nucleus accumbens in postmortem brains from AUD compared to control highlights their involvement in compulsive ethanol drinking in humans and mice., Gene prioritization approaches are useful tools to explore and select candidate genes in transcriptome studies. To identify functional candidate genes associated with these processes in an animal model of inflexible pattern of ethanol intake we applied a guilt‐by‐association approach using the GUILDify and ToppGene software. Identification of transcription factors among the prioritized genes suggests a crucial role for Irf4 in the pattern of regulation observed between PFC and striatum.

Gold nanorods (AuNR) have been explored for many applications, including innovative nanomedicines, which also might contribute to its increase in the environment, namely due to inadequate disposable of wastes into aquatic environments. Early-life stages of amphibians are usually aquatic and sensitive to chemical contamination. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the sublethal effects of CTAB functionalized AuNR on Xenopus laevis tadpoles. As such, tadpoles were exposed to serial concentrations of AuNR for 72 h. A reduction in the rate of feeding (EC50 = 4 μg.L−1), snout to vent growth (EC50 = 5 μg.L−1) and weight gain (EC50 = 6 μg.L−1), was observed for AuNR-exposed tadpoles. Also, tadpoles actively avoided concentrations ≥ 4 μg.L-1 of AuNR, after 12 h of exposure. At the biochemical level, AuNR caused impairments in antioxidant and nervous system related enzymes. Exposure to CTAB alone caused a high mortality. Results indicated that CTAB functionalized AuNR may induce several sublethal effects that may compromise the organism’s fitness. Avoidance behavior (which corresponds to the disappearance of organisms, thus, similar to their death), observed at concentrations matching those inducing sublethal effects, suggest that it should be considered in the risk assessment for amphibians.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) has been used in the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders, however, the current technologies to purify and recover IgG from biological media are of high-cost and time-consuming, resulting in high-cost products. In this sense, the search for cost-effective technologies to obtain highly pure and active IgG is highly required. The present work proposes a simple and efficient method for the purification and recovery of IgG from rabbit serum using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (magnetite, Fe3O4) coated with hybrid shells of a siliceous material modified with the anionic polysaccharide κ-carrageenan. Experimental parameters such as pH, contact time between the hybrid magnetic nanoparticles (HMNPs) and rabbit serum, and total protein concentration or dilution factor of serum were evaluated. The best results were achieved at pH 5.0, with a contact time of 60 min and using a rabbit serum with a total protein concentration of 4.8 mg·mL−1. Under these conditions, it was obtained an IgG purification factor and adsorption yield onto the HMNPs of 3.0 and 90%, respectively. The desorption of IgG from the HMNPs was evaluated using two strategies: a KCl aqueous solution and buffered aqueous solutions. Comparing to the initial rabbit serum, an IgG purification factor of 2.7 with a recovery yield of 74% were obtained using a buffered aqueous solution at pH 7.0. After desorption, the secondary structure of IgG and other proteins was evaluated by circular dichroism and no changes in the secondary structure were observed, meaning that the IgG integrity is kept after the adsorption and desorption steps. In summary, the application of HMNPs in the purification of IgG from serum samples has a high potential as a new downstream platform. in publication

Silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) are one of the most used in commercial products and biomedical tools, however, their environmental effects have not been fully described. Although negative effects of SiO2NPs on the behavior of freshwater invertebrates have been reported, the knowledge is limited, especially the effect of nanopowders in terrestrial organisms. Accordingly, the aim of the present study is to understand the effects of SiO2NPs on the avoidance behavior of five soil species, whose niche may differ thus contributing to differential harmful SiO2NPs effects. Hence, avoidance assays testing SiO2NPs concentrations of 0, 10, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg were performed with Enchytraeus crypticus, Folsomia candida, Tenebrio molitor, Porcellionides pruinosus and Eisenia fetida. SiO2NPs induced different behavioral effects, depending on the invertebrate ecology/habitat, exposure route and physiology. T. molitor, P. pruinosus and F. candida did not avoid contaminated soil, however, E. crypticus and E. fetida significantly avoided SiO2NPs spiked soil. Since these terrestrial worms (oligochaetes) live mostly burrowed in the soil, this can provide greater opportunity for SiO2NPs&rsquo, uptake. On the other hand, the other tested organisms mainly living on the upper part of the soil did not avoid the SiO2NPs spiked soil. The avoidance data obtained here also highlight the need for further studies to understand whether (or not) the detected behavioral responses are linked to either neurotransmission processes or sensorial aspects of the biological models.

The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the hematological variables (erythrogram, thrombogram, leukogram and plasma metabolites) of three cichlid species: Cichla monoculus, Cichla temensis and Cichla vazzoleri. A total of 45 specimens were captured in Balbina lake, Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, Brazil, with the aid of a rod and reel or hand line, with natural or artificial bait: 15 C. monoculus, 15 C. temensis and 15 C. vazzoleri. Their blood was removed by means of caudal puncture of the dorsal aorta, and hematological data were determined in accordance with methodology previously described in the literature. The erythrogram showed similarities between the species, while the thrombogram showed differences between C. vazzoleri and the other species studied (C. monoculus and C. temensis). The total leukocyte counts for C. temensis and C. vazzoleri were higher than those of C. monoculus. The predominant leukocyte in C. temensis and C. vazzoleri was lymphocytes, whereas it was monocytes in C. monoculus. The plasma metabolites showed differences between the three cichlid species, regarding their glucose, cholesterol, urea and potassium levels. It is concluded that these three species present hematological differentiation, thus indicating that they have differentiated blood-cell immune responses and plasma metabolite physiology. Resumo O presente trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar e comparar as variáveis hematológicas (eritrograma, trombograma, leucograma e metabólitos plasmáticos) de três espécies de tucunarés Cichla monoculus, Cichla temensis e Cichla vazzoleri. Um total de 45 animais foi capturado no lago de Balbina, Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, com auxílio de vara e carretilha, linha de mão com isca natural e artificial, sendo 15 C. monoculos, 15 C. temensis e 15 C. vazzoleri. O sangue foi retirado por punção caudal da aorta dorsal e os dados hematológicos foram determinados de acordo com metodologia previamente descrita na literatura. No eritrograma foram observadas similaridades entre as espécies, o trombograma demonstrou diferenças entre o C. vazzoleri e as demais espécies estudadas (C. monoculus e C. temensis), a contagem total de leucócitos demonstrou que em C. temensis e C. vazzoleri os valores são superiores ao C. monoculus. Foi demonstrado que os linfócitos foram às células predominantes em C. temensis e C. vazzoleri, diferentemente do C. monoculos que apresentou como leucócito predominante os monócitos. Nos metabólitos plasmáticos, foi possível observar diferenças entre as três espécies de tucunarés nos níveis de glicose, colesterol, uréia e potássio. Conclui-se que as três espécies de tucunarés apresentam diferenciação hematológica, indicando que as mesmas possuem respostas diferenciadas, na resposta imunológica de suas células do sangue e na fisiologia dos metabólitos plasmáticos.

Incluye contenido parcial de los autores Abstract.Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecologicalhealth and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carni-vores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide managementand conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropicalregion: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; andUrsidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropicalcarnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTRO-PICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data wereobtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organi-zations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including cameratrapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature(peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated inthis compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n=79,343; 79.7%) butalso includes non-detection data (n=20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data(n=43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute tomacroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspec-tives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distri-bution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans andsafeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combinedwith other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and relatedecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restric-tion for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of theinformation used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data.

The small oleaginous tree of Jatropha curcas L. (physic nut) is an excellent biodiesel source whose crop could represent a good income source for farmers in tropical and semi-arid zones. However, in some areas in particular, salinity, such as many other abiotic stresses, can compromise productivity. We analyzed the root RNA-Seq transcriptome of two Brazilian J. curcas accessions after a three-hour NaCl exposition (150 mM) aiming at identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) useful for breeding programs. The de novo transcriptome covered 145,422 assembled transcripts (126,343 unigenes), out of which 84,589 showed at least one significant alignment to the GenBank reference genome. Differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) of the salt-sensitive Jc171 accession (4,646) suppressed those of the salt-tolerant Jc183 (57) one. A MapMan analysis of the DEGs using Manihot esculenta Crantz genes as reference (Euphorbiaceae family) highlighted the metabolism of phytohormone, carbohydrate (CHO), lipid, amino acid, redox, and secondary metabolite in the salt-responses. RT-qPCR results of nine selected Jc183 DEGs [phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase (SAMe), S-adenosylmethionine synthase (SAM), carboxylesterase (CXE), homeobox-leucine zipper gene (HD-Zip), NAC transcription factor gene (NAC), methionine-gamma lyase (MGL), peroxidase (PX), and xyloglucan endotransglucosylase (XTH)] evaluated in 36 combinations accession/treatments validated 86.11 % of the in silico results. The data generated improved the J. curcas transcriptome based on Illumina-21 bp tags as reported before, which can benefit breeders in the improvement of salt-tolerance in J. curcas. Additionally, primer pairs successfully designed for 1,423 DEGs presenting microsatellite motifs can contribute to the development of co-dominant molecular markers, a very useful marker applied to genetic analysis.

Physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.), a small oleaginous tree spontaneously occurring in arid and semi-arid tropical regions, is a sustainable and renewable energy source for biodiesel. However, the J. curcas yield in such areas should consider soil salinity and its consequences. Transcription factor (TF) proteins recognize cis-regulatory elements in promoters of genes to be expressed. In the present work, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding putative TFs from physic nut plants responding to NaCl (150 mM), after 3 h of exposition, covered 23 TF families. The expressed profiles of members from AP2/ERF and NAC families basically showed induction after the salt stimulus, while members of bHLH, FHY3-FAR1, and ARF families presented repression. Concerning the induced TF DEGs, the gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis highlighted terms related to abiotic stress responses, while those terms representing the repressed TF DEGs stood out the basal metabolism. In turn, the TF enrichment analysis predicted those TFs targeting promoters of induced TF DEGs. Some of the enriched TFs may be good candidates as transgenes in transgenic events. Also, RT-qPCR analyses validated the up-regulation of six TF DEGs (RAV1, ERF9, ZAT12, PTI5, MYB340, and BZIP4) of eight candidates selected from the expressed TFome. The generated data could help breeders to better understand the molecular basis of physic nut plants responding to salinity, to select potential candidates for transgenic studies, as well as to develop functional molecular markers to assist selection steps in breeding programs.

Almost 48 years after the gene-for-gene interaction model was proposed by Flor, NBS-LRR resistance (R) genes are still the focus of intense research interest. Also called NB-LRR, NB-ARC, NLR (Nucleotide Binding Domain and Leucine-rich Repeat), this group regards the largest R gene class, accounting for more than half of the plant R genes, with an impressing number and structural diversity, especially in angiosperms. With the omics advent, especially genomics and transcriptomics, an emergence of the so-called NLRomics came out, allowing the annotation and comparative analysis of NBS-LRR members at functional and structural level on a previously unfeasible scale. The present chapter provides a retrospective of studies involving NBS-LRR genes and proteins, including information on mechanisms of action, regulation, patterns of expression, subcellular localization, origin, diversification, and evolution in plants. Aspects of plant-pathogen coevolution are discussed, as well as resistance-breaking mechanisms reported in the literature. Main databases compiling NBS-LRR genes are discussed, and a routine for their annotation and structural analysis is presented. Practical implications of NBS-LRR molecules are considered, together with aspects about existing limitations and their potential biotechnological applications.

Drought is the most damaging among the major abiotic stresses. Transcriptomic studies allow a global overview of expressed genes, providing the basis for molecular markers development. Here, the HT-SuperSAGE technique allowed the evaluation of four drought-tolerant cultivars and four-sensitive cultivars, after 24 h of irrigation suppression. We identified 9831 induced unitags from roots of the tolerant cultivars with different regulations by the -sensitive cultivars after the applied stress. These unitags allowed a proposal of 15 genes, whose expressed profiles were validated by RT-qPCR, evaluating each cultivar independently. These genes covered broad metabolic processes: ethylene stress attenuation ( ACCD ); root growth ( β-EXP8 ); protein degradation [ubiquitination pathway ( E2 , 20SPβ4 ); plant proteases ( AP , C13 )]; oxidative detoxification ( TRX ); fatty acid synthesis ( ACC ); amino acid transport ( AAT ), and carbohydrate metabolism [glycolysis ( PFK , TPI , FBA ); TCA cycle ( LDP , MDH ); pentose phosphate pathway ( TKT )]. The expressed profiles showed a genotype-dependent regulation of the target genes. Two drought-tolerant cultivars (SP83-2847; CTC6) presented each one, nine of the induced genes. Among the -sensitive cultivars, CTC13 induced only one, while SP90-1636 induced two genes. These genes should help breeders to identify accessions managing drought stress tolerance responses, showing better ethylene stress attenuation, energy allocation, amino acid transport, and protein homeostasis.

The cladoceran Moina dumonti Kotov, Elías-Gutiérrez & Granado-Ramírez, 2005 (Anomopoda: Moinidae) was found in a hypereutrophic lagoon, Lagoinha, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It represents the first record of this species in Brazil and in the Southern Hemisphere; it also represents the first record of this species in a perennial lagoon. The reasons for the success of the species in Lagoinha are discussed.

The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is a fish of primary importance in South American aquaculture, principally in the Amazon region and has a particularly unique diet in the wild. Oryza spp, or Wild rice as it is commonly known, is native to the floodplains of muddy rivers in the Amazon region. The aim of this study was to analyze the physical performance and the effects of dietary levels of Oryza spp. via the hematological parameters, total food intake, conversion efficiency, growth ratio and swimming performance of this fish. Diets containing 45% Oryza spp. induced the best performance in tambaqui. Diets containing 15% and 30% did not affect these indices, thus indicating that this amount of Oryza can be used as an alternative energy source for this important species within Brazilian aquaculture. Resumo O tambaqui Colossoma macropomum é um peixe de importância na aquicultura brasileira, especialmente na região amazônica. O arroz silvestre é comum nas planícies inundadas dos rios de aguas barrentas da Amazônia. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar os efeitos combinados do treinamento físico e dos níveis dietéticos de Oryza spp. nos parâmetros hematológicos, consumo de alimentos, eficiência de conversão, taxa de crescimento e desempenho de natação deste peixe. Dietas contendo 45% de arroz apresentaram o melhor desempenho para tambaquis. As dietas contendo 15% e 30% não afetaram esses índices, indicando que alguma quantidade de arroz pode ser usada como fonte de energia alternativa para esta importante espécie dentro da aquicultura.

Incluye contenido parcial de los autores Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a speciesto become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonna-tive habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this dataset, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposeda geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into theNeotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced recordson alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 speciesbelonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotrop-ics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Floridain the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 coun-tries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g.,Callithrixsp.,Myocastor coypus,Nasua nasua)considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The mostnumerous species in terms of records are fromBossp. (n=37,782),Sus scrofa(n=6,730), andCanis familiaris(n=10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caf-fer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of spe-cies in the data set (n=20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomicidentification of the generaCallithrix,which includes the speciesCallithrix aurita, Callithrixflaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, andtheir hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion riskassessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copy-right restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We alsorequest that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data

The Negro river basin is considered the largest area of extractive of ornamental fish in Brazil. This area has fundamental importance for the populations from the Amazon. The present study aimed to describe socioeconomic profile of ornamental fishermen known as “piabeiros” in the Municipality of Barcelos, as well as the ornamental fishery, fisheries area, target species, environments, fishing techniques, equipment, capture techniques and main difficulties faced by the current activity. This study was carried out in municipality of Barcelos, through semi - structured interviews, with artisanal ornamental fishermen (N= 89). The main families of ornamental fish caught and traded were: Characidae, Lebiasinidae, Gasteropelecidae, Cichilidae, Anostomidae, Loricaridae, Potamotrygonidae and Gymnotidae. The main catchment areas were igarapés, lakes, flooded fields, beaches, river banks and igapó forest. Rapiché was the most used equipment in the fisheries both by the fishermen of the urban areas (43.81%) and rural (41.89%). Most of the fishermen are associated with the colony of fishermen of Barcelos (Z33). The data showed that the dynamics of ornamental fishing have changed in a short time and directly affected fishermen, in addition to the low age renewal with the participation of younger fishermen, threatening the transmission of ecological knowledge to future generations. As a result, the increase of the problems related to the productive chain and absence of public power to the activity, since ornamental fishing has already been treated as one of the main economic activities more important for the local communities and for the State of Amazonas. Resumo A bacia do rio Negro é considerada a maior área de extrativismo de peixes ornamentais do Brasil. Esta área possui importância fundamental para as populações da Amazônia. O presente estudo objetivou descrever o perfil socioeconômico de pescadores conhecidos como “piabeiros” no município de Barcelos, bem como a pesca ornamental, área de pesca, espécies-alvo, ambientes, técnicas de pesca, equipamentos, técnicas de captura e dificuldades enfrentadas nesta atividade. O estudo foi realizado por meio de entrevistas semi - estruturadas, com pescadores artesanais ornamentais (N= 89). Os dados mostram que as famílias de peixes ornamentais capturados e comercializados foram: Characidae, Lebiasinidae, Gasteropelecidae, Cichilidae, Anostomidae, Loricaridae, Potamotrygonidae e Gymnotidae. As áreas de captura descritas foram igarapés, lagos, alagados, praias, margens de rios e floresta de igapó. O Rapiché foi o equipamento mais utilizado nas pescarias tanto pelos pescadores das áreas urbanas (43,81%) como rurais (41,89%). A maioria dos pescadores está associada à colônia de pescadores de Barcelos (Z33). Os dados coletados mostraram que a dinâmica da pesca ornamental mudou em pouco tempo e afetou diretamente os pescadores. Além da baixa taxa de renovação, com a participação de pescadores mais jovens, ameaçando a transmissão de conhecimento ecológico para as gerações futuras. Como resultado, notamos o aumento dos problemas relacionados à cadeia produtiva e a ausência de poder público na atividade. A pesca ornamental já foi tratada como uma das principais atividades econômicas para as comunidades locais e para o Estado do Amazonas.

Gold nanorods have shown to pose adverse effects to biota. Whether these effects may be potentiated through prolonged exposure has been rarely studied. Therefore, this work aimed at evaluating the effects of long-term exposure to sublethal levels of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) coated gold nanorods (Au-NR) on two freshwater microalgae: Chlorella vulgaris and Raphidocelis subcapitata. These algae were exposed to several concentrations of Au-NR for 72 h and, afterwards, to the corresponding EC5,72h, for growth, during 16 days. The sensitivity of the two algae to Au-NR was assessed at days 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 (D0, D4, D8, D12 and D16, respectively) after a 72-h exposure to several concentrations of Au-NR. At the end of the assays, effects on yield and population growth rate were evaluated. Raphidocelis subcapitata was slightly more sensitive to Au-NR than C. vulgaris: EC50,72h,D0 for yield were 48.1 (35.3–60.9) and 70.5 (52.4–88.6) μg/L Au-NR, respectively while for population growth rate were above the highest tested concentrations (53 and 90 μg/L, respectively). For R. subcapitata the long-term exposure to Au-NR increased its sensitivity to this type of nanostructures. For C. vulgaris, a decrease on the effects caused by Au-NR occurred over time, with no significant effects being observed for yield or population growth rate at D12 and D16. The capping agent CTAB caused reductions in yield above 30% (D0) for both algae at the concentration matching the one at the highest Au-NR tested concentration. When exposed to CTAB, the highest inhibition values were 69% (D4) and 21.3% (D8) for R. subcapitata, and 64% (D12) and 21% (D16) to C. vulgaris, for yield and population growth rate, respectively. These results suggested long-term exposures should be included in ecological risk assessments since short-term standard toxicity may either under- or overestimate the risk posed by Au-NR.

Osmoprotectants are categorized as osmolytes, also known as compatible solutes, considering that they are small organic molecules that share characteristics, like low molecular weight, neutral charge, and low toxicity, even at high concentrations in cells. They are identified in different chemical classes, including polyamines (e.g., putrescine, spermidine, spermine), sugars (e.g., sucrose, trehalose, raffinose), sugar alcohols (e.g., myo-inositols), betaines (e.g., glycine betaine), and amino acids (e.g., proline). In plants exposed to abiotic stresses (salinity/drought), osmoprotectants help cellular turgor preservation and drive the water uptake gradient. Some osmoprotectants shield plants from damage through chaperone-like activities, helping in the conservation of membrane structures and protein functions, or scavenging for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the stresses. Therefore, it is advantageous to understand how plants respond to abiotic stresses by regulating the expression of osmoprotectant-related genes. This chapter presents data on plant osmoprotectants, including their regulating genes, associated pathways, and transcriptional regulations in plants under abiotic stresses. There is also an overview of their in silico mapping (model plants/crops) and their biotechnological potential as transgenes. Furthermore, these approaches are new perspectives for the analysis and introgression of these related genes into cultivated plant species, improving advances in plant breeding and crop production.

Xenarthrans -anteaters, sloths, and armadillos- have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. Have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become. Fil: Marques Santos, Paloma. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Brasil Fil: Bocchiglieri, Adriana. Universidade Federal de Sergipe; Brasil Fil: Garcia Chiarello, Adriano. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Pereira Paglia, Adriano. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Brasil Fil: Moreira, Adryelle. Amplo Engenharia e Gestão de Projetos ; Brasil Fil: Abba, Agustin Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; Argentina Fil: Paviolo, Agustin Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical; Argentina Fil: Gatica, Ailin. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina Fil: Ochoa, Ana Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina Fil: de Angelo, Carlos Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicoquimicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente.; Argentina Fil: Tellaeche, Cintia Gisele. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Estudios Ambientales Territoriales y Sociales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas; Argentina Fil: Varela, Diego Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Vanderhoeven, Ezequiel Andres. Ministerio de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Caruso, María Flavia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina Fil: Arrabal, Juan Pablo. Secretaria de Gobierno de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical - Sede Puerto Iguazú Misiones; Argentina. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina Fil: Iezzi, María Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Cruz, Paula Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina Fil: Reppucci, Juan Ignacio. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Benito Santamaria, Silvia. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Quiroga, Verónica Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina Fil: Di Blanco, Yamil Edgardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Marás, Gustavo Arnaldo. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Camino, Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; Argentina Fil: Perovic, Pablo Gastón. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Martínez Pardo, Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Costa, Sebastián Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Pinheiro, Fabiana. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Volkmer de Castilho, Pedro. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Bercê, William. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Camara Assis, Julia. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho. Faculdade de Engenharia.; Brasil Fil: Rodrigues Tonetti, Vinicius. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Alves Eigenheer, Milene. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Chinem, Simonne. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Honda, Laura K.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Bergallo, Helena de Godoy. Universidade do Estado de Rio do Janeiro; Brasil Fil: Alberici, Vinicius. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Wallace, Robert. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados Unidos Fil: Ribeiro, Milton Cezar. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Galetti, Mauro. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil

Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease caused by helminth flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, affecting over 240 million people in more than 70 countries. The treatment relies on a single drug, praziquantel, making urgent the discovery of new compounds. Aurones are a natural type of flavonoids that display interesting pharmacological activities, particularly as chemotherapeutic agents against parasites. In pursuit of treatment alternatives, the present work conducted an in vitro and in vivo antischistosomal investigation with aurone derivatives against Schistosoma mansoni. After preparation of aurone derivatives and their in vitro evaluation on adult schistosomes, the three most active aurones were evaluated in cytotoxicity and haemolytic assays, as well as in confocal laser-scanning microscope studies, showing tegumental damage in parasites in a concentration-dependent manner with no haemolytic or cytotoxic potential toward mammalian cells. In a mouse model of schistosomiasis, at a single oral dose of 400 mg/kg, the selected aurones showed worm burden reductions of 35% to 65.0% and egg reductions of 25% to 70.0%. The most active thiophenyl aurone derivative 18, unlike PZQ, had efficacy in mice harboring juvenile S. mansoni, also showing significant inhibition of oviposition by parasites, giving support for the antiparasitic potential of aurones as lead compounds for novel antischistosomal drugs.

The quality of the sugarcane plantation affects the plantation longevity, yield and production costs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of sugarcane mechanized planting in day and night shifts. The mechanized planting was carried out in Ivinhema, MS, Brazil. For the evaluation of pre-planting seedlings, were collected 40 billets in the seedling area with 10 repetitions for each shift. For the other variables, it was held sampling, totaling 60 points, 30 points assessed for each shift. The variables evaluated were: total of natural damage and total of mechanized damage in pre-planting, shoot per meter, viable shoots per meter, total of unviable shoots, seedlings consumption and failures percentage. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and statistical quality control. The attributes showed stable mechanized planting process, that is, with quality, except only for the seedlings consumption and failures for the day shift that presented unstable process or outside the proposed standards to achieve quality. To achieve the specific limits for the number of viable shoots m−1, it is necessary to increase the seedlings consumption, and an alternative would be to start the operators training to align the expected goals and qualify labor.

Summary Background Although the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is greatest in young women, women older than 25 years remain at risk. We present data from the VIVIANE study of the HPV 16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine in adult women after 7 years of follow-up. Methods In this phase 3, double-blind, randomised controlled trial, healthy women older than 25 years were enrolled (age stratified: 26–35 years, 36–45 years, and ≥46 years). Up to 15% in each age stratum had a history of HPV infection or disease. Women were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive HPV 16/18 vaccine or aluminium hydroxide control, with an internet-based system. The primary endpoint was vaccine efficacy against 6-month persistent infection or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 or greater (CIN1+) associated with HPV 16/18. We did analyses in the according-to-protocol cohort for efficacy and total vaccinated cohort. Data for the combined primary endpoint in the according-to-protocol cohort for efficacy were considered significant when the lower limit of the 96·2% CI around the point estimate was greater than 30%. For all other endpoints and cohorts, data were considered significant when the lower limit of the 96·2% CI was greater than 0%. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00294047. Findings The first participant was enrolled on Feb 16, 2006, and the last study visit took place on Jan 29, 2014. 4407 women were in the according-to-protocol cohort for efficacy (n=2209 vaccine, n=2198 control) and 5747 women in the total vaccinated cohort (n=2877 vaccine, n=2870 control). At month 84, in women seronegative for the corresponding HPV type in the according-to-protocol cohort for efficacy, vaccine efficacy against 6-month persistent infection or CIN1+ associated with HPV 16/18 was significant in all age groups combined (90·5%, 96·2% CI 78·6–96·5). Vaccine efficacy against HPV 16/18-related cytological abnormalities (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) and CIN1+ was also significant. We also noted significant cross-protective efficacy against 6-month persistent infection with HPV 31 (65·8%, 96·2% CI 24·9–85·8) and HPV 45 (70·7%, 96·2% CI 34·2–88·4). In the total vaccinated cohort, vaccine efficacy against CIN1+ irrespective of HPV was significant (22·9%, 96·2% CI 4·8–37·7). Serious adverse events related to vaccination occurred in five (0·2%) of 2877 women in the vaccine group and eight (0·3%) of 2870 women in the control group. Interpretation In women older than 25 years, the HPV 16/18 vaccine continues to protect against infections, cytological abnormalities, and lesions associated with HPV 16/18 and CIN1+ irrespective of HPV type, and infection with non-vaccine types HPV 31 and HPV 45 over 7 years of follow-up. Funding GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA.

A família Cactaceae apresenta mais de 1.500 espécies no mundo, ocorrendo espécies endêmicas em todo o território nacional. Em populações naturais, tais elementos sofrem fortes pressões antrópicas, o que aumenta consideravelmente o seu risco de extinção. O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar um estudo sobre a distribuição espacial e estrutura populacional de Pilosocereus pachycladus F. Ritter subsp. pernambucoensis (F. Ritter) Zappi e Cereus jamacaru DC. subsp. jamacaru em duas áreas de Caatinga do Agreste do estado da Paraíba, Brasil. Os ambientes de estudo estão localizados no Instituto Nacional do Semiárido (INSA), Campina Grande-PB, e no Sítio Umburana, Bananeiras-PB. Foram alocadas 10 parcelas amostrais de 400 m² em cada ambiente de estudo, e todos os indivíduos de P. pachycladus subsp. pernambucoensis e C. jamacaru subsp. jamacaru foram contabilizados. A distribuição espacial das espécies, não apresentaram tendência ao agrupamento nas populações localizadas no INSA. Nas populações do Sítio Umburana, a tendência é ao agrupamento. De acordo com índice de agrupamento de Payandeh (Pi) a densidade populacional e absoluta nas populações do Sítio Umburana é maior, se comparado às populações do INSA. Para os padrões espaciais, nas populações de Cactaceae do Sítio Umburana, os indivíduos de ambas as espécies apresentam distribuição agrupada e nas populações do INSA apresentaram a tendência ao não agrupamento. Fatores como distúrbios naturais ou antrópicos, condições ambientais e disponibilidade de recursos, influenciaram a estrutura populacional de P. pachycladus e C. jamacaru.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a clinical biomarker for inflammatory diseases. In this work, we present a simple and fast colorimetric method for CRP detection that employs citrate–capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and a CRP-binding aptamer as sensing elements. The aptamer consisted in a guanine rich single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that adsorbs onto the surface of the AuNPs. In the presence of the CRP, the ssDNA releases from the AuNPs surface to interact preferentially with the protein to form guanine-quadruplexes. The exposure of the unprotected AuNPs to buffer salts leads to aggregation and subsequent color change from red-wine to blue-purple that was readily seen by the naked eye. The AuNPs aggregation was monitored using UV–Vis spectroscopy and the CRP concentration in the samples could be correlated with the aggregation ratio (A670nm/A520nm). A linear sensing range of 0.889–20.7 μg/mL was found. The detection limit (LOD) was 1.2 μg/mL which is comparable to the typical clinical cutoff concentration in high-sensitivity CRP assays (1 μg/mL) and lower than the detection limit of nephelometric methods used in clinical practice. This method can provide a fast (5 min analysis time), simple, and sensitive way for CRP detection, with negligible interference of bovine serum albumin (BSA) up to concentrations of 100 nM.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:55:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Primates play an important role in ecosystem functioning and offer critical insights into human evolution, biology, behavior, and emerging infectious diseases. There are 26 primate species in the Atlantic Forests of South America, 19 of them endemic. We compiled a dataset of 5,472 georeferenced locations of 26 native and 1 introduced primate species, as hybrids in the genera Callithrix and Alouatta. The dataset includes 700 primate communities, 8,121 single species occurrences and 714 estimates of primate population sizes, covering most natural forest types of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina and some other biomes. On average, primate communities of the Atlantic Forest harbor 2 ± 1 species (range = 1–6). However, about 40% of primate communities contain only one species. Alouatta guariba (N = 2,188 records) and Sapajus nigritus (N = 1,127) were the species with the most records. Callicebus barbarabrownae (N = 35), Leontopithecus caissara (N = 38), and Sapajus libidinosus (N = 41) were the species with the least records. Recorded primate densities varied from 0.004 individuals/km 2 (Alouatta guariba at Fragmento do Bugre, Paraná, Brazil) to 400 individuals/km 2 (Alouatta caraya in Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Our dataset reflects disparity between the numerous primate census conducted in the Atlantic Forest, in contrast to the scarcity of estimates of population sizes and densities. With these data, researchers can develop different macroecological and regional level studies, focusing on communities, populations, species co-occurrence and distribution patterns. Moreover, the data can also be used to assess the consequences of fragmentation, defaunation, and disease outbreaks on different ecological processes, such as trophic cascades, species invasion or extinction, and community dynamics. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this Data Paper when the data are used in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using the data. Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199 Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), sede Iguazú, Bertoni 85 Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico (CeIBA) Secretaria da Saúde do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul Centro Estadual de Vigilância em Saúde Divisão de Vigilância Ambiental em Saúde. R., Domingos Crescêncio 132 Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Ciências, Av. Ipiranga, 6681 Pd. 12A Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199 Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica Escola Nacional de Botânica Tropical Centro Brasileiro de Estudos em Ecologia de Estradas (CBEE) Universidade Federal de Lavras Mammal Ecology and Behavior Lab Department of Animal Biology Institute of Biology University of Campinas (UNICAMP) Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental de Macaé (NUPEM) Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Campus Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto 764 Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais (NCA) Laboratório de Mapeamento e Análise da Paisagem (LabMAP) Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (UMC) Núcleo de Estudos da Biodiversidade da Amazônia Meridional Instituto de Ciências Naturais Humanas e Sociais Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Av. Alexandre Ferronato, 1200 Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Curso de Ciências Biológicas Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Rua Imaculada Conceição 1155 Casa da Floresta Ambiental SS, Av. Joaninha Morganti, Monte Alegre 289 Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Km. 16 Rodovia Jorge Amado Caipora Cooperativa para a Conservação da Natureza Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900 Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (UEMG), Praça dos Estudantes, 23 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Av. André Araújo, 2936 Petrópolis Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Av. Gal. Rodrigo Otávio J. Ramos 3000, Setor Sul, ICB 02, Sala 09 Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Mamíferos Universidade Federal de Lavras Facultad de Ciencias Forestales Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética Biodiversidade e Conservação Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Av. José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Aves Silvestres (CEMAVE/ICMBIO), BR 230 - KM 10, Floresta Nacional da Restinga de Cabedelo Departamento de Zoologia Programa de Pós Graduação em Zoologia Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Instituto Itapoty: Desenvolvimento Humano e Conservação Ambiental, 18.690-000 Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde Universidade Federal de São Carlos(UFSCar) Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Animal) Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia Centro de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), EQSW 103/104, Bloco C, Complexo Administrativo Departamento de Recursos Ambientais (DPRA) Divisão de Meio Ambiente (DVMA) Instituto de Tecnologia para o Desenvolvimento - Institutos Lactec, Rodovia BR-116, km 98, 8813, Jardim das Américas Laboratório de Ecologia Universidade Federal do Amapá (Unifap), Rod. JK, Km 2, Jardim Marco Zero Departamento de Ciências Agrárias Universidade Federal de São João del Rei (UFSJ), Campus Sete Lagoas, Rod. MG-424, km 48 Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del Noroeste Argentino (IBIGEO) CONICET Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Biodiversidade Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Ecossistemas Universidade Vila Velha (UVV) R. Comissário José Dantas de Melo, 21, Boa Vista Centre for Virology Research Ribeirão Preto Medical School University of São Paulo (USP) Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo (CEUNES) Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade Tropical Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Rodovia BR 101 Norte, km 60, Litorâneo R. Esmeralda, 43, CP142 Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), CP 47 Centro de Biociências Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) Instituto de Pesquisa e Conservação de Tamanduás no Brasil Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Uso de Recursos Naturais (PPG-BURN) Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), CP. 126, Vila Mauricéia Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Av. Purdue, s/n°, Campus Universitário, Edif. Reinaldo de Jesus Araújo Unidade Acadêmica Especial (UAE) de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Regional Jataí, Br364, km 192, n. 3800, Parque Industrial Parque Nacional Iguazú Administracion de Parques Nacionales de Argentina Departamento de Zoologia Setor de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), CP 19020, Jardim das Américas Laboratório de Biodiversidade de Mamíferos do Sul do Brasil Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste do Paraná, Campus CEDETEG, R. Simeão Camargo Varela de Sá, 03, Vila Carli Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave Fundación de História Natural Félix de Azara Departamento de Ciências Faculdade de Formação de es Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) Bicho do Mato Instituto de Pesquisa Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antonio Carlos Centre for Ecology Evolution and Conservation School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) Núcleo de Pesquisas de Roraima (NPRR), 69.301-150 Instituto Florestal, Rua do Horto 931 Amazonian Mammals Research Group (AMRG) Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) Laboratório de Ecologia Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Av. José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Evolução Universidade Federal de Goiás Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia (PNPD/CAPES) Universidade Estadual de Campinas Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Ambientais Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Av. Santos Dumont, s/n, Cidade Universitária (Bloco II) Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) Fundación Para La Tierra Centro IDEAL School of Biological Sciences University of Aberdeen Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e Conservação R. José Hemetério de Andrade, 570, 30.493-180 Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) Faculdade Guairacá, R. XV de novembro, 7050, Centro, 85.010-000 Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Primatas Brasileiros (CPB), Praça Antenor Navarro, 5, Varadouro Centro Histórico Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n. Rosa Elze RUMO S.A Licenciamento Ambiental, Rua Emílio Bertolini, 100, Vila Oficinas Departamento de Zoologia Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas João Pessoa Universidade Federal da Paraíba Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais Universidade Federal de Alfenas Institut universitaire et technologique d'Avignon Université d'Avignon et des Pays du Vaucluse, 337 chemin des Meinajaries, BP 1207 Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199 Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199

Bladder Cancer (BC) presents one of the highest recurrence rates amongst solid tumours and constitutes the second deadliest disease of the genitourinary track. Non-invasive identification of patients facing disease recurrence and/or progression remains one of the most critical and challenging aspects in disease management. To contribute to this goal, we demonstrate the potential of glycan-affinity glycoproteomics nanoplatforms for urinary biomarkers discovery in bladder cancer. Briefly, magnetic nanoprobes (MNP) coated with three broad-spectrum lectins, namely Concanavalin A (ConA; MNP@ConA), Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA; MNP@WGA), and Sambucus nigra (SNA; MNP@SNA), were used to selectively capture glycoproteins from the urine of low-grade and high-grade non-muscle invasive as well as muscle-invasive BC patients. Proteins were identified by nano-LC MALDI-TOF/TOF and data was curated using bioinformatics tools (UniProt, NetOGlyc, NetNGlyc, ClueGO app for Cytoscape and Oncomine) to highlight clinically relevant species. Accordingly, 63 glycoproteins were exclusively identified in cancer samples compared with healthy controls matching in age and gender. Specific glycoprotein sets exclusively found in low-grade non-muscle invasive bladder tumours may aid early diagnosis, while those only found in high-grade non-invasive and muscle-invasive tumours hold potential for accessing progression. Amongst these proteins is bladder cancer stem-cell marker CD44, which has been associated with poor prognosis. Orthogonal validation studies by slot-blotting demonstrated an elevation in urine CD44 levels of high-grade patients, which became more pronounced upon muscle-invasion, in mimicry of the primary tumour. These observations demonstrate the potential of MNP@lectins for identification of clinically relevant glycoproteomics signatures in bladder cancer. Future clinical validation in a larger and well characterized patient subset is required envisaging clinical translation of the results. published

The need for alternatives to animal use in pyrogen testing has been driven by the Three Rs concept. This has resulted in the inclusion of the monocyte activation test (MAT) in the European Pharmacopoeia, 2010. However, some technical and regulatory obstacles must be overcome to ensure the effective implementation of the MAT by the industry, especially for the testing of biological products. The yellow fever (YF) vaccine (17DD-YFV) was chosen for evaluation in this study, in view of: a) the 2016–2018 outbreak of YF in Brazil; b) the increase in demand for 17DD-YFV doses; c) the complex production process with live attenuated virus; d) the presence of possible test interference factors, such as residual process components (e.g. ovalbumin); and e) the need for the investigation of other pyrogens that are not detectable by the methods prescribed in the YF vaccine monograph. The product-specific testing was carried out by using cryopreserved and fresh whole blood, and IL-6 and IL-1β levels were used as the marker readouts. After assessing the applicability of the MAT on a 1:10 dilution of 17DD-YFV, endotoxin and non-endotoxin pyrogens were quantified in spiked batches, by using the lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid standards, respectively. The quantitative analysis demonstrated the correlation between the MAT and the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assays, with respect to the limits of endotoxin recovery in spiked batches and the detection of no pyrogenic contamination in commercial batches of 17DD-YFV. The data demonstrated the applicability of the MAT for 17DD-YFV pyrogen testing, and as an alternative method that can contribute to biological quality control studies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro germination of zygotic embryos and seeds of Caesalpinia ferrea Martius and the morphogenetic responses of the explants to different concentrations of growth regulators. Seeds and zygotic embryos were inoculated in MS culture medium and kept in a growth room at a temperature of 25 ± 2 ºC for 16 hours of photoperiod for 30 days. The seeds had a higher in vitro germination rate than the explants from zygotic embryos. However, zygotic embryos in MS medium supplemented with 0.9 mg L-1 BAP had the highest percentage of regeneration (50%), number of shoots (3.25), buds (2.85) and leaves (3.15), multiplication rate (27.75), and length of shoots (1.96 cm). The in vitro culture of zygotic embryos and seeds made possible the multiplication of a higher number of healthy seedlings. Thus, it can be used as an alternative technique for the propagation of this species.

For sessile organisms such as plants, regulatory mechanisms of gene expression are vital, since they remain exposed to climatic and biological threats. Thus, they have to face hazards with instantaneous reorganization of their internal environment. For this purpose, besides the use of transcription factors, the participation of chromatin as an active factor in the regulation of transcription is crucial. Chemical changes in chromatin structure affect the accessibility of the transcriptional machinery and acting in signaling, engaging/inhibiting factors that participate in the transcription processes. Mechanisms in which gene expression undergoes changes without the occurrence of DNA gene mutations in the monomers that make up DNA, are understood as epigenetic phenomena. These include (1) post-translational modifications of histones, which results in stimulation or repression of gene activity and (2) cytosine methylation in the promoter region of individual genes, both preventing access of transcriptional activators as well as signaling the recruitment of repressors. There is evidence that such modifications can pass on to subsequent generations of daughter cells and even generations of individuals. However, reports indicate that they persist only in the presence of a stressor factor (or an inductor of the above-mentioned modifications). In its absence, these modifications weaken or lose heritability, being eliminated in the next few generations. In this review, it is argued how epigenetic signals influence gene regulation, the mechanisms involved and their participation in processes of resistance to biotic stresses, controlling processes of the plant immune system.

The discovery of novel plant resistance (R) genes (including their homologs and analogs) opened interesting possibilities for controlling plant diseases caused by several pathogens. However, due to environmental pressure and high selection operated by pathogens, several crop plants have lost specificity, broad-spectrum or durability of resistance. On the other hand, the advances in plant genome sequencing and biotechnological approaches, combined with the increasing knowledge on R-genes have provided new insights on their applications for plant genetic breeding, allowing the identification and implementation of novel and efficient strategies that enhance or optimize their use for efficiently controlling plant diseases. The present review focuses on main perspectives of application of R-genes and its co-players for the acquisition of resistance to pathogens in cultivated plants, with emphasis on biotechnological inferences, including transgenesis, cisgenesis, directed mutagenesis and gene editing, with examples of success and challenges to be faced.