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The paper presents the effects of the storm‐time prompt penetration electric fields (PPEF) and traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs) on the total electron content (TEC), foF2 and hmF2 in the American sector (north and south) during the geomagnetic storm on 23–24 April 2023. The data show a poleward shift of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) crests to 18°N and 20°S in the evening of 23 April (attributed to eastward PPEF) and the EIA crests remaining almost in the same latitudes after the PPEF reversed westward. The thermospheric neutral wind velocity, foF2, hmF2, and TEC variations show that TADs from the northern and southern high latitudes propagating equatorward and crossing the equator after midnight on 23 April. The meridional keograms of ΔTEC show the TAD structures in the north/south propagated with phase velocity 470/485 m/s, wave length 4,095/4,016 km and period 2.42/2.30 hr, respectively. The interactions of the TADs also appear to modify the wind velocities in low latitudes. The eastward PPEF and equatorward TADs also favored the development of a clear/not so clear F3 layer in northern/southern regions of the equator. Plain Language Summary: The thermosphere‐ionosphere‐magnetosphere system is largely affected during events of geomagnetic storms. Its dynamics, mainly in the ionized environment, may impact modern lives by degradations in the satellite signals affecting, for example, all applications involving Global Navigation Satellite System. The thermosphere and ionosphere responses to the large geomagnetic storm of 23–24 April 2023 are analyzed here and the main discoveries are the unexpected spatial plasma density distribution over Boa Vista (MLat ≈ 8°N) due to resulting effects of a disturbed eastward electric field and traveling atmospheric disturbance (TAD). The interactions/interferences of TADs were able to explain the unexpected moment of the peak in thermospheric neutral wind speed measurements over the equatorial station, as well as all variations in ionospheric parameters (foF2, hmF2, and total electron content) recorded in pairs by seven Digisondes and GNSS receivers spread across Brazil. Key Points: Interactions of traveling atmospheric disturbances (TADs) cause unexpected thermospheric neutral wind speeds in the American equatorial and low‐latitude sectorsThe effects resulting from a disturbed electric field and TADs were able to produce anomalous electron density distribution at low latitudesThe variations in the ionospheric observational measurements recorded around 4 UT in Brazil on 24 April 2023 were explained by the passages of TADs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to propose a web-based tool that enables the development and provision of learning designs and its reuse and re-contextualization as generative learning objects, aimed at developing educational materials. Design/methodology/approach: The use of learning objects can facilitate the process of production and delivering of educational material and their reuse and re-contextualization in different scenarios--such process is due to the current development stage of information and communication technologies (ICTs), which allow easy access to products and services related to them. ICTs combined with instructional design theories, lead to the emergence of new generations of distance learning, which add educational content to web-based services. From this combination rises a hybrid mode of education, which combines tools for face-to-face and distance learning (blended learning). Findings: The use of the web as a platform for production and management of learning objects comes as a solution for storage and sharing. The utilization of objects is justified when its reusability is facilitated. This gives rise to possibilities in a client-server environment, where information is centralized and available anywhere in the network. Research limitations/implications: The combination of ICT and instructional design theories has potential and could result in hybrids which are yet to be fully understood and explored. This can enhance blended learning provision. Originality/value: The paper presents a tool in which the learning designs work as structures built on XML, based on concept maps, which act as an interaction layer between the learning objects, organizing the content to be available. (Contains 5 figures.)

Sheep farming has expanded in the meat and by-products market in Brazil. Conidiobolomycosis is a zygomycosis considered an emerging disease, which affects humans and animals. Because it is a disease with high lethality and the severity of injuries, it causes significant economic losses in sheep farming. This work aims to describe the epidemiological, clinical, histopathological and microbiological aspects of conidiobolomycosis in a flock of sheep in Porto Acre city (Acre state of North Brazil). An outbreak of conidiobolomycosis occurred between April and July 2014. The property had 60 Santa Inês sheep and five of these animals became ill. Clinically, the sick animals had breathing difficulties, a serous to mucous-bloody runny nose and, at times, exophthalmos. Fragments of the circumscribed lesion of the left lung were removed from the necropsied sheep and submitted to microbiological and histopathological analysis. The isolated fungus showed macro and micromorphological characterization identified as Conidiobolus lamprauges. Due to clinical signs, epidemiological findings, histopathological analysis and, mainly, the isolation of the agent, the disease of the sheep in this study was identified as conidiobolomycosis caused by Conidiobolus lamprauges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mites of the family Melicharidae comprise 13 genera and 220 species often associated with edaphic environments and found in association with insects, birds and mammals. Two genera, Proctolaelaps and Tropicoseius, have been recorded in Brazil in association with birds and bromeliads. In this study, we add new locality and host-association records for Proctolaelaps superagui and Tropicoseius braziliensis in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Brazil, the development of the dam engineering can be directly correlated to social and economic progress. Although fundamental, a dam construction and operation invariably involve some level of risk, which must be managed through different mechanisms and tools governed by appropriate laws. This paper aims to scrutinize the data contained in National Water Agency (ANA) reports, published annually following institution of the National Dam Safety Policy (PNSB), pertinent to dams accidents and incidents. This information was cataloged and analyzed in order to identify trends associated to types of accidents and incidents, dam component materials and entrepreneurs involved, as well as the disparities between data available from the different regions of Brazil. There is a lack of basic data in numerous reports, hindering more in-depth statistical analyses. The recurrence of this deficit was observed as well as the need to improve the methodologies used to apply the PNSB guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Due to the great worldwide increase in pineapple production, countries like Brazil and India have problems regarding the correct disposal of residues from the production of this fruit. One of the possibilities is the reuse of these residues in the form of fibers in cementitious materials, as is the case with mortars. As a result, the objective of this work is to evaluate the application of pineapple fibers in mortars in the proportion of 1: 4 (cement: sand) with addition of fiber treated in NaOH in the proportion of 3 and 6%. The properties of mechanical resistance, water absorption, mass density and adhesion were evaluated, aiming to apply the mortar in coatings of rural environments. The results indicate that the fibers reduced the mortar density and increased the mechanical strength. However, there was a reduction in adherence, especially with the use of 6% fiber, in addition to an increase in water absorption. Based on the results, it is concluded that it is feasible to use 3% of pineapple fiber for the production of coating mortars in rural environments because the results obtained in the investigation are compatible with this application and with the established normative limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro the sensitivity of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus to acaricides sold in the municipality of Rolim de Moura, Rondônia, Brazil. The 400 R. (B.) microplus female ticks were collected from naturally infested cattle, belonging to two rural properties. The ticks were separated into seven homogeneous groups of 10 individuals each, to analyze the sensitivity profiles to dichlorvós 45% + cypermethrin 5%, cypermethrin 15%, cypermethrin 20%, amitraz 12.5%, deltamethrin 2.5% and fipronil 1% and the control group. The Adult Immersion Test (AIT) and the Larvae Immersion Test (LIT) were adopted. For each group of 10 ticks, the egg production index, reproductive efficiency and product efficiency were determined. At property 1, the product with the fastest action on ticks was fipronil 1%, which killed 70% (7/10) of them in less than three days, and also inhibited the laying of eggs on survivors. While on property 2, the mortality of the ticks only started from the third day with the use of amitraz 12.5%, with 50% (5/10) of death on the twentieth day, however, in the surviving ticks, there was no posture inhibition. In property 1, cypermethrin 20% and amitraz 12.5% inhibited 100% of the eggs hatching and the association of dichlorvós 45% + cypermethrin 5% obtained 98% product efficiency. However, in property 2 there was no hatching inhibition in any test group and the product's efficiency, of 44.49% with amitraz 12.5%, was the highest, not even being efficient, within the current rules. As for LIT, in property 1, dichlorvós 45% + cypermethrin 5% killed 100% of the larvae and in property 2 this result was observed with fipronil 1%. These first results reinforce the need for strategic control of the tick and the constant use of bioassays - laboratory tests for the effectiveness of acaricide, before prescription, especially in the Amazonian environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An improved understanding of seed quality and germination control can contribute effectively to the use and conservation of neglected native species with ecological and economic value, such as Trichocline catharinensis, an endemic Asteraceae species from southern Brazil. We investigated the effects of applying gibberellin (GA3), abscisic acid (ABA) and their biosynthesis inhibitors, paclobutrazol (PAC) and fluridone (FLU), respectively, on T. catharinensis seed germination, and on polyamine (PA) content and antioxidant enzyme activities in germinating seeds. FLU and GA3 increased seed germination speed compared to treatment with H2O only. ABA inhibited both germination speed index and percentage, while PAC severely inhibited seed germination. The stimulatory effect of GA3 and FLU was associated with increased contents of putrescine (PUT) and spermidine (SPD) relative to spermine (SPM). As a result, high ratio (PUT + SPD/SPM) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzyme activities were observed when seed germination occurs. In contrast, in low or no seed germination treatment (ABA and PAC), low ratio (PUT + SPD/SPM) was observed, while the antioxidant enzymes, mainly SOD activity, tended to increase. Application of PAs at 200 μM stimulated germination through improving the speed and uniformity, and this effect was associated with antioxidant enzyme activity. Our results suggest a relationship between PA and the antioxidant system with the physiological mechanism of seed germination. These results improve the physiological knowledge of seed germination control in Asteraceae and contribute to the biological groundwork for future studies on the use and conservation of native species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Relying solely on in-person encounters to assess long-term outcomes of hernia repair leads to substantial loss of information and patients lost-to-follow-up, hindering research and quality improvement initiatives. We aimed to determine if inguinal hernia recurrences could be assessed using the Ventral Hernia Recurrence Inventory (VHRI), a previously existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) tool that can be administered through the telephone and has already been validated for diagnosing ventral hernia recurrence.Methods: A prospective, multicentric comparative study was conducted. Adult patients from two centers (United States and Brazil) at least 1 year after open or minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair were asked to answer the questions of the VHRI in relation to their prior repair. A physical exam was then performed by a blinded surgeon. Testing characteristics and diagnostic performance of the PRO were calculated. Patients with suspected recurrences were preferentially recruited.Results: 128 patients were enrolled after 175 repairs. All patients answered the VHRI and were further examined, where a recurrence was present in 32% of the repairs. Self-reported bulge and patient perception of a recurrence were highly sensitive (84-94%) and specific (93-94%) for the diagnosis of an inguinal hernia recurrence. Test performance was similar in the American and Brazilian populations despite several baseline differences in demographic and clinical characteristics.Conclusion: The VHRI can be used to assess long-term inguinal hernia recurrence and should be reestablished as the Hernia Recurrence Inventory (HRI). Its implementation in registries, quality improvement efforts, and research could contribute to improving long-term follow-up rates in hernia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) has been cultivated in Brazil since pre-colonization times and remains an important source of food and income for small farmers. Nevertheless, the species has not been extensively studied in this country. We assessed the genetic diversity of 183 lima bean landraces collected from different regions of Brazil, maintained by Embrapa, the Brazilian Government Agricultural Research Corporation. Twelve microsatellite markers were used, and seven morphological descriptors were applied. The genetic parameters suggested high diversity of the Brazilian collection of lima beans, with a mean gene diversity of 0.68 and number of alleles varying from 5 to 15 among sites. Based on a Bayesian model using molecular data, three subpopulations were identified in the sample: one predominantly from the Andean gene pool of the species (large seeds, mean 100-seed weight of 80g), and two predominantly from the Mesoamerican pool (both groups with a mean 100-seed weight of 34g). Another large group was composed of accessions classified as potential hybrids among the different sub-populations. All the accessions collected in the Krahô indigenous reserve were allocated in the Andean sub-population, and these indigenous accessions represented most of this Andean group. All the three sub-populations identified included accessions collected from far-apart sites in different geographic regions of Brazil. There was considerable introgression between the Andean and the Mesoamerican gene pools of cultivated P. lunatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize consists of a cereal widely used in the preparation of different food products. Brazil is one of the world's largest maize producers. Several types of pesticides have been applied in maize crop, which can lead to the contamination of the derived products. The present work aims at the validation of multiresidue method to analyze the matrix effect and level of pesticides in maize flour. Twenty residues were investigated in samples commercialized in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The method was satisfactorily validated, according to parameters recommended by European Union. About 55% of the pesticides had an intense negative matrix effect. Multiresidue analyzes showed the presence of traces of fenitrotion in 20% of maize flour samples. Detected levels were below maximum residue limits recommended for maize. The results indicate that maize products need continuous monitoring to ensure food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is the largest land mammal in South America. The species faces steady population decline due to poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation, road-kill, pesticide pollution, competition with domestic livestock and fires, among other threats. The lowland tapir is currently listed as vulnerable to extinction. Little information is available about natural disease processes for the species. This study aimed to report the pathological findings recorded in a cohort of 35 lowland tapirs killed by motor vehicle collision (MVC) on highways of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, between 2015 and 2018. The main gross pathological findings were those associated with MVC, primarily involving skeletal fractures and internal multiorgan damage with extensive bleeding and/or severe central nervous system injury. The most prevalent concurrent histopathological findings, unrelated to the cause of death, were: adrenal gland degeneration, necrosis and loss of fascicular and reticular cells with replacement fibrosis and cortical atrophy (9/15; 60%); interstitial pneumonia (20/34; 59%); glossitis (9/24; 38%); pulmonary anthracosis (12/34; 35%); colitis (9/28; 32%); and cholangitis/pericholangitis (9/35; 26%). The aetiopathogeneses and clinicopathological significance of some of these findings are unclear; however, parasitic infections appear to be common. Our results highlight the importance of wildlife health information obtained through the study of carcasses of roadkills. Mortality by Motor-Vehicle Collision represents an important threat to lowland tapirs in Brazil, particularly in the Cerrado biome. Through the systematic pathological study of road-killed tapirs, various novel pathologic findings or disease processes were documented/observed/recorded/found. Examination of road-killed wildlife may be pivotal for wildlife conservation, environmental monitoring and public health. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autosomal recessive (AR) CARD9 (caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9) deficiency underlies invasive infections by fungi of the ascomycete phylum in previously healthy individuals at almost any age. Although CARD9 is expressed mostly by myeloid cells, the cellular basis of fungal infections in patients with inherited CARD9 deficiency is unclear. Therapy for fungal infections is challenging, with at least 20% premature mortality. We report two unrelated patients from Brazil and Morocco with AR CARD9 deficiency, both successfully treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). From childhood onward, the patients had invasive dermatophytic disease, which persisted or recurred despite multiple courses of antifungal treatment. Sanger sequencing identified homozygous missense CARD9 variants at the same residue, c.302G>T (p.R101L) in the Brazilian patient and c.301C>T (p.R101C) in the Moroccan patient. At the ages of 25 and 44 years, respectively, they received a HSCT. The first patient received a HLA-matched HSCT from his CARD9-mutated heterozygous sister. There was 100% donor chimerism at D + 100. The other patient received a T cell–depleted haploidentical HSCT from his CARD9-mutated heterozygous brother. A second HSCT from the same donor was performed due to severe amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia despite achieving full donor chimerism (100%). At last follow-up, more than 3 years after HSCT, both patients have achieved complete clinical remission and stopped antifungal therapy. HSCT might be a life-saving therapeutic option in patients with AR CARD9 deficiency. This observation strongly suggests that the pathogenesis of fungal infections in these patients is largely due to the disruption of leukocyte-mediated CARD9 immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are used worldwide to control arthropod parasites in cattle herds. The indiscriminate and/or inappropriate use of pesticides without veterinary guidance is a reality in several countries of South America. Improper pesticide use increases the chances of contamination of food and the environment with chemical pesticides and their metabolites. Reduction of these contamination events is an increasing challenge for those involved in livestock production. The horn fly, Haematobia irritans (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Muscidae), is one of the most economically important parasites affecting cattle herds around the world. As such, horn fly control efforts are often required to promote the best productive performance of herds. Pesticide susceptibility bioassays revealed that pyrethroid resistance was widespread and reached high levels in horn fly populations in the Brazilian state of Rondônia. The knockdown resistance (kdr) sodium channel gene mutation was detected in all horn fly populations studied (n = 48), and the super kdr sodium channel gene mutation was found in all homozygous resistant kdr individuals (n = 204). Organophosphate resistance was not identified in any of the fly populations evaluated. The horn fly is one of the most economically important parasites affecting cattle herds around the world.Pesticide control in horn fly populations promotes excellent initial results, but the excessive use of these compounds results in insecticide resistance issues.The selection pressure imposed by pesticides means that as pesticide effectiveness increases, so do the selection for and rapidity of resistance development in horn fly populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Payment for Environmental Services (PES) projects are a voluntary transaction whereby landowners who preserve natural resources such as forests, water and others are financially compensated by public or private agents that have an interest in preserving these resources. These projects can unite environmental preservation with generation of income for farmers. This study presents an evaluation of the potential deployment of PES projects in the micro region of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, more specifically in Monte Alegre de Minas town. It focused on identifying the best kind of project for the region, potential providers diagnosis and survey of potential buyers for environmental services. To this end, a questionnaire was given to 50 local farmers to check their interest and willingness to participate in PES projects and a semistructured interview was conducted with active environment agents that could become buying for PES projects. From these results, a SWOT analysis was performed. It was observed a favorable potential of the region for implementation of a PES project, mainly due to the interest of the farmers and the Municipality for such projects. In addition, water conservation was the most suitable type of PES for studied region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chigger mites are ectoparasites of terrestrial tetrapods and can cause dermatitis in the host, known as trombiculiasis. In Brazil, there are 73 species of chiggers; however, cats never have recorded as a host in this country. Here, we report the first record of chiggers parasitizing a domestic cat in Brazil; and a new locality for Eutrombicula tinami (Oudemans 1910) in the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL±P) is a common craniofacial anomaly with multifactorial etiology. Evidence suggests that variations in WNT pathway genes contribute to an increased susceptibility to NSCL±P. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of AXIN1, APC, CTNNB1, DVL2, and GSK3β gene variants with NSCL±P in a case-control data set from Brazil. Patients: 471 individuals with NSCL±P and 504 unrelated control individuals of Caucasian ethnicity. Design: Twenty single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in/nearby AXIN1, APC, CTNNB1, DVL2, and GSK3B genes were genotyped using Taqman chemistry in a Viia7 sequence detection instrument. Genotype, allele, and haplotype frequencies were compared among NSCL±P patients and controls using Fisher exact test, implemented in PLINK software. The level of significance was established at P ≤.002 under Bonferroni correction. In silico analysis of SNP function was assessed using MirSNP database. Results: Significant association was found between GSK3B rs13314595 genotypes and NSCL±P (P = .0006). Additionally, nominal associations were found between DVL2 (rs35594616) and APC (rs448475) with NSCL±P (P = .02 and P = .03, respectively). SNP haplotypes for GSK3B and APC genes showed nominal associations with NSCL±P (P < .05). In silico analysis predicted that APC rs448475 harbors a binding site for the microRNA miR-617 and that the switch from a G allele to C allele enhances binding, whereas DVL2 rs35594616 did not appear to harbor microRNA-binding sites. Conclusion: This study shows for the first time the association between GSK3B and NSCL±P and confirms the role of additional WNT pathway genes as candidates for NSCL±P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Maternal supplementation is a viable strategy to combat vitamin E deficiency in newborns, although a protocol for maternal vitamin E supplementation has not been defined. The present study assessed the effect of maternal supplementation in a single dose on the serum of postpartum women up to 60 days after delivery. Methodology Fifty healthy breastfeeding women were recruited at two maternity hospitals both located in Natal, RN, Brazil. The participants were randomly allocated to a control group and a treatment group in a 1 : 1 ratio. Serum was collected 1, 20, 30 and 60 days after delivery. Immediately after the first collection, the treatment group received a single dose of 400 IU of RRR-α-tocopherol. α-Tocopherol was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The usual dietary vitamin E intake was determined using four 24-h recalls, and intake adequacy was assessed based on the estimated average requirements for lactating women (16 mg day−1). Results The mean dietary vitamin E intakes of the both groups were similar ( P > 0.05) and inadequate. The serum levels of α-tocopherol assessed at 1, 20, 30 and 60 days indicated adequate vitamin E status in both the control group (1194.6, 907.7, 910 and 748.6 μg dL−1, respectively) and treatment group (1183.7, 956.0, 935.9 and 766.4 μg dL−1, respectively). The comparison at each day showed no difference between treatments ( P > 0.05). Conclusions A single vitamin E supplement did not change the mean serum level of α-tocopherol in breastfeeding women; thus, it does not improve their vitamin E status in the first 60 days after delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Medicine & Science of Physical Activity & Sport / Revista Internacional de Medicina y Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte is the property of Revista Internacional de Medicina y Ciencias de la Actividad Fisica y del Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The helminth fauna of 31 juvenile specimens of Eretmochelys imbricata from the Brazilian coast was examined. Seventeen individuals were infected with helminths (54.8%). The helminths found were: Diaschistorchis pandus, Cricocephalus albus, Metacetabulum invaginatum, Pronocephalus obliquus (Pronocephalidae), Cymatocarpus solearis (Brachycoeliidae), Styphlotrema solitaria (Styphlotrematidae), Carettacola stunkardi, Amphiorchis caborojoensis (Spirorchiidae), Orchidasma amphiorchis (Telorchiidae), and Anisakis nematode larvae. This report is the first analysis of parasite communities in this host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic echinococcosis, caused by the larval stage (metacestode) of the small-sized tapeworm, Echinococcus vogeli, is an emerging parasitic zoonosis of great public health concern in the humid tropical rainforests of South and Central America. Because morphological and morphometric characteristics of the metacestode are not well known, hydatid cysts from the liver and the mesentery were examined from patients following surgical procedures. Whole mounts of protoscoleces with rostellar hooks were examined under light and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Measurements were made of both large and small hooks, including the total area, total length, total width, blade area, blade length, blade width, handle area, handle length and handle width. The results confirmed the 1:1 arrangement of hooks in the rostellar pad and indicated, for the first time, that the morphometry of large and small rostellar hooks varies depending upon the site of infection. Light and confocal microscopy images displayed clusters of calcareous corpuscles in the protoscoleces. In conclusion, morphological features of large and small rostellar hooks of E. vogeli are adapted to a varied environment within the vertebrate host and such morphological changes in calcareous corpuscles occur at different stages in the maturation of metacestodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of STR loci are not ideal for the analysis of forensic samples with degraded and/or low template DNA. One alternative to overcome these limitations is the use of bi-allelic markers, which have low mutation rates and shorter amplicons. Human identification (HID) InDel marker panels have been described in several countries, including Brazil. The commercial kit available is, however, mostly suitable for Europeans, with lower discrimination power for other population groups. Recently, a combination of 49 InDel markers used in four different ethnic groups in the USA has been shown to be more informative than another panel from Portugal, already tested in a Rio de Janeiro sample. However, these 49 InDels have yet to be applied to other admixed or isolated populations. We assessed the efficiency of this panel in two urban admixed populations (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Tripoli, Libya) and one isolated Native Brazilian community. All markers are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) after the Bonferroni correction, and no Linkage disequilibrium was detected. Assuming loci independence and no substructure effect, cumulative RMP was 2.7×10, 1.5×10, and 4.5×10 for Native Brazilian, Rio de Janeiro, and Tripoli populations, respectively. The overall Fst value was 0.05512. Rio de Janeiro and Tripoli showed similar admixture levels, however for Native Brazilians one parental cluster represented over 60 % of the total parental population. We conclude that this panel is suitable for HID on these urban populations, but is less efficient for the isolated group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

It is well established that solar Type-II radio bursts are signatures of magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) shock waves propagating outward through the solar corona. Nevertheless, there are long-standing controversies about how these shocks are formed; solar flares and the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are considered to be the most likely drivers. We present the results of the analysis of four solar Type-II bursts recorded between 20 January 2010 and 17 November 2011 by the Compound Astronomical Low-frequency Low-cost Instrument for Spectroscopy in Transportable Observatories (CALLISTO-BR) (in Brazil), which operates in the frequency range of 45 - 870 MHz. For all four solar Type-II radio bursts, which consisted of one event without band splitting and three split-band variants, the outcomes are consistent with those reported in the literature. All four Type-II radio bursts were accompanied by both solar flares and CMEs, which are associated with the impulsive phase of the flares and, very likely, with the acceleration phase of the CMEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The present study aimed to determine whether the δ13C and δ15N of fingernails (δ13CF and δ15NF, respectively) would exhibit differences between groups from different income levels in the city of Piracicaba, Brazil. Methods In 2010, the fingernails of 273 participants belonging to six income groups were analysed to determine isotopic composition. δ13CF and δ15NF were compared with the stable isotope of a putative diet (δ13 CD and δ15 ND, respectively), which was estimated via an isotopic mass balance using, as a weighting factor, macronutrient intake by the main food items, as obtained by the 2008-2009 household food purchases conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Results δ13 CF values showed a decreasing trend towards the lower income level groups, in accordance with the δ13 CD values that showed the same trend. This isotopic change was mainly a result of the higher consumption of beef, bread, soft drinks and dairy by the highest income group; and also as a result of the higher consumption of soybean oil, rice and sugar by the lowest income group. The δ15 NF values failed to capture differences in groups between income levels. This outcome was not expected because individuals in a higher income group tend to consume more animal protein and, as a result of the trophic fractionation, have higher δ15 N values. Conclusions The combination of household purchase surveys and stable isotopic composition in modern humans is found to be a valuable tool, especially with respect to determining the role of C3 and C4 plants through the complex modern food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Motricidade is the property of Silabas Didaticas LDA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aims to investigate the relationship between quality of life, health, physical activity, occupation, body composition and sociodemographic characteristics of Military Police of Santa Catarina, Brazil. 302 Police Officers participated in this study, randomly selected through a simple drawing and in accordance with the eligibility criteria. Data were collected through two questionnaires from the World Health Organization, one of them concerning quality of life (WHOQOL-Bref), and the other, concerning physical activity (IPAQ-Long), and additionally, a worksheet containing sociodemographic, anthropometric, occupational and health-related variables. It was found that most of the Military Police is married, schooled, with an average of 36.6 years old and 15.1 years of the police action, has good perception for quality of life, has levels of physical activity above the recommended, has weight in the range recommended, and has good health. It can be concluded that there are associations of quality of life with leisure physical activities, height and marital status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Latin American Archives of Animal Production / Archivos Latinoamericanos de Producción Animal / Arquivos Latino-Americanos de Produção Animal is the property of Asociacion Latinoamericana de Produccion Animal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this paper, the occurrence and new morphological data of Unilatus unilatus Mizelle et Kritsky, 1967 from the gills of Hypostomus strigaticeps (Regan, 1907), Hypostomus regani (Ihering, 1905), and Hypostomus iheringii (Regan, 1908) from the Chavantes reservoir, São Paulo State, Brazil are reported. Unilatus unilatus from this reservoir presents differences in relation to the holotype previously described such as, eggs with no bifid or trifid filament and a rounded termination, anterior bar slightly curved with a posterior projection, and posterior bar which may present three shapes. This is the first record of U. unilatus in southeastern Brazil outside the Amazon River Basin, with H. strigaticeps, H. regani and H. iheringii as new hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a protein able to bind to carbohydrate patterns on pathogen membranes; upon MBL binding, its' associated serine protease MBL-associated serine protease type 2 (MASP2) is autoactivated, promoting the activation of complement via the lectin pathway. For both MBL2 and MASP2 genes, the frequencies of polymorphisms are extremely variable between different ethnicities, and this aspect has to be carefully considered when performing genetic studies. While polymorphisms in the MBL-encoding gene ( MBL2) have been associated, depending upon ethnicity, with several diseases in different populations, little is known about the distribution of MASP2 gene polymorphisms in human populations. The aim of our study was thus to determine the frequencies of MBL2 (exon 1 and promoter) and MASP2 (p.D371Y) polymorphisms in a Brazilian population from Rio de Janeiro. A total of 294 blood donor samples were genotyped for 27 polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene by direct sequencing of a region spanning from the promoter polymorphism H/L rs11003125 to the rs1800451 polymorphism (at codon 57 in the first exon of the gene). Genotyping for MASP2 p.D371Y was carried out using fluorogenic probes. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the prevalence of the MASP2 p.D371Y polymorphism in a Brazilian population. The C allele frequency 39% is something intermediate between the reported 14% in Europeans and 90% in Sub-Saharan Africans. MBL2 polymorphisms frequencies were quite comparable to those previously reported for admixed Brazilians. Both MBL2 and MASP2 polymorphisms frequencies reported in our study for the admixed Brazilian population are somehow intermediate between those reported in Europeans and Africans, reflecting the ethnic composition of the southern Brazilian population, estimated to derive from an admixture of Caucasian (31%), African (34%) and Native American (33%) populations. In conclusion, our population genetic study describes the frequencies of MBL2 and MASP2 functional SNPs in a population from Rio de Janeiro, with the aim of adding new information concerning the distribution of these SNPs in a previously unanalysed Brazilian population, thus providing a new genetic tool for the evaluation of the association of MBL2 and MASP2 functional SNPs with diseases in Brazil, with particular emphasis on the state of Rio de Janeiro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study of the primary properties of six cocoa butter samples, representative of industrial blends and cocoa butter extracted from fruits cultivated in different geographical areas in Brazil is presented. The samples were evaluated according to fatty acid composition, triacylglycerol composition, regiospecific distribution, melting point, solid fat content and consistency. The results allowed for differentiating the samples according to their chemical compositions, thermal resistance properties, hardness characteristics, as well as technological adequacies and potential use in regions with tropical climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The currently existing sample procedures available for decision-making regarding the control of the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are time-consuming, expensive, and difficult to perform, compromising their adoption. In addition, the damage functions incorporated in such decision levels only consider the quantitative losses, while dismissing the qualitative losses. Traps containing ethanol, methanol, and benzaldehyde may allow cheap and easy decision-making. Our objective was to determine the economic injury level (ELL) for the adults of the coffee berry borer by using attractant-baited traps. We considered both qualitative and quantitative losses caused by the coffee borer in estimating the EILs. These EILs were determined for conventional and organic coffee under high and average plant yield. When the quantitative losses caused by H. hampei were considered alone, the EILs ranged from 7.9 to 23.7% of bored berries for high and average-yield conventional crops, respectively. For high and average-yield organic coffee the EILs varied from 24.4 to 47.6% of bored berries, respectively. When qualitative and quantitative losses caused by the pest were considered together, the EIL was 4.3% of bored berries for both conventional and organic coffee. The EILs for H. hampei associated to the coffee plants in the flowering, pinhead fruit, and ripening fruit stages were 426, 85, and 28 adults per attractive trap, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the detection of a protozoan epistylis species attached to parasitic copepod from prochilodus lineatus fishes at Peixe's River in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. It mentions a study that involved the examination of the fishes for parasitic crustacean infestation, which showed that the infestation can cause death to a fish by affecting respiration and allowing for secondary bacterial infection. Furthermore, the negative effect of ciliate protozoan on copepods is mentioned.

As data on X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (X-STRs) for the Brazilian population are scarse, the aim of this study was to determine the allele frequencies of five X-STRs (DXS6854, DXS7424, DXS101, DXS6808 and DXS7132) in the São Paulo State, Brazil. No deviations from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were observed, with the exception of DXS101. The forensic efficiency parameters demonstrated that DXS101 was the most informative marker. Population comparisons revealed that the X-STR profile sampled in the state of São Paulo was more similar to European and African populations than Asiatic populations reported in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) is a neotropical genus which is well represented in Brazil. A recent taxonomic revision of the Brazilian species of Mandevilla subgenus Mandevilla included eight new species, one of them from the State of Pernambuco. Nevertheless, while preparing a survey of Apocynaceae from the Brazilian semi-arid region, a new species of the subgenus was recognised. Mandevilla catimbauensis Souza-Silva, Rapini & J.F.Morales is here described and illustrated. It is a twining plant with elliptic, glabrous leaves and hypocrateriform, purple flowers, known only from the Vale do Catimbau National Park, in the State of Pernambuco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical and mineralogical analysis was performed on ceramics and clay samples from Barracão archaeological site located in Baixo São Francisco River by means of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The data set was studied by means of cluster analysis (CA) and discriminant analysis (DA). The results showed that the raw material used in ceramics is not local. By using DSC it was possible to discover that the principal minerals in the samples are quartz, feldspars, mica and kaolinite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Integrated Coastal Zone Management / Revista de Gestão Costeira Integrada is the property of Associacao Portuguesa dos Recursos Hidricos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents a study on the existence of Amphiorchis caborojoensis and Carettacola stunkardi in a young sample of Hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata in Brazil. Found in the Brazilian waters and southwestern Atlantic ocean, Erethmochelys imbricata parasite was the first report and member of the Spirorchiidae family was second. A. caborojoencis trematodes were seen in the small intestine and liver and two matured C. stunkardi specimens were taken from body wash.

The increasing preoccupation with the environment and use of natural products has strongly contributed in the use of material derived from biomass, and in particular vegetal fibers. Within this context curaua fiber, originating from the Brazilian Amazon, has become prominent for its mechanical performance in relation to other vegetal fibers. This work is part of a wide research about the development of hybrid composites with curaua fibers. Its main objective is to present a brief description and characterization of the curaua fiber, still little known in the scientific community, compared to other vegetal fibers traditionally employed in polymeric composites. The characterization consists of tensile test, morphological analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]