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The humoral response plays a crucial role in insect defense against parasites and pathogens, typically producing antimicrobial peptides through the Toll, IMD, and Jak-STAT signaling pathways, as well as melanization via phenoloxidases. However, many studies use nonpathogenic or opportunistic organisms and often infect insects in nonnatural ways, such as piercing or injecting the pathogen into the hemocoel. The objective of this study was to examine the modulation of the main humoral pathway genes involved in the interaction between the nonmodel organism Diatraea saccharalis (the sugarcane borer) and different biological control agents. We identified and evaluated the expression of DsDorsal (Toll pathway), DsRelish (IMD pathway), DsSTAT (JAK/STAT pathway), DsPPO1, and DsPPO2 (PO pathway) in larvae and pupae of D. saccharalis exposed or not to different biological control agents. The biocontrol agents used were: (i) the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai GC-91, which is pathogenic to D. saccharalis; (ii) the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae ESALQE9 strain, which is employed to control the froghoppers of the genus Mahanarva in sugarcane fields, though it exhibits low virulence to D. saccharalis; and (iii) the generalist parasitoid Tetrastichus howardi. Our results demonstrate that B. thuringiensis at LC 30 induced the expression of DsRelish at 24 h and DsSTAT at 48 h after treatment initiation. In contrast, treatment with the M. anisopliae ESALQE9 strain reduced the levels of DsDorsal and DsSTAT 24 h post-infection compared to the control group. In larvae, DsDorsal, DsSTAT, DsPPO1, and DsPPO2 were induced in response to T. howardi, whereas no induction was observed in pupae. Notably, no immune-related genes were modulated during the pupae-parasitoid interaction. Additionally, we provide an explanation for why T. howardi shows superior parasitism success in D. saccharalis pupae compared with larvae. The data presented here introduce novel perspectives for enhancing pest management through the utilization of biocontrol agents., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Neonicotinoid insecticides are used against agricultural, forest, and urban insect pests. Evaluation of dry neonicotinoid residues on treated filter paper is a commonly used method to determine the toxicity of active ingredients towards target and non-target organisms. Dry residues of four neonicotinoids, acetamiprid, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam, on filter paper did not cause significant levels of mortality in Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Méneville) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) when compared to paired untreated groups. Conversely, nearly 100% mortality was observed when test insects were exposed to dry neonicotinoid residues on leaf discs and glass plate surfaces. On the other hand, dry residues of the pyrethroid bifenthrin on filter paper, leaf disks, and glass plates killed significantly more test insects when compared to untreated groups. Additional bioassays tested the toxicity of acetamiprid and thiamethoxam by evaluating the toxicity of dry residues on (1) the upper and (2) lower surfaces of treated filter paper, (3) on a glass plate underneath treated filter paper, (4) on the upper surface of treated filter paper treated with insecticide and adjuvant, and (5) dried residues on a glass plate after dipping treated filter paper in water and letting the solvent dry on the inert test surface. The results indicated that neonicotinoid insecticides applied to filter paper were adsorbed. Toxic compounds possibly move in between and binding to paper fibers so that no toxic residues were left on treated surfaces. However, adsorbed insecticides were still biologically active when washed out of filter paper and dried on an inert glass surface. The results reported here clearly demonstrate that the toxicity of neonicotinoid insecticides should not be evaluated using filter paper as a test surface., (© 2024. Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil.)

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, is the main pest of Brassicas crops worldwide, and its recorded resistance to 101 active ingredients indicates it is difficult to control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that P. xylostella has fitness costs associated with its resistance to lufenuron, a chitin-synthesis inhibitor insecticide. Thus, concentration-mortality bioassays were performed for susceptible (REC-S), resistant (BZR-R) populations, their progenies F1 and F1', and one established population without selection pressure (BZR-Rns) after four generations. A fertility life table was used to assess the biological performance of the REC-S and BZR-R. BZR-Rns of P. xylostella . The larval stage, longevity, and survival differed between populations. The reproductive rate (R 0 ) was significantly lower in the F1 (♀R × ♂S) (28.19) and F1' (♀S × ♂R) (34.06) progenies compared with their parents, but not with the relaxed BZR-Rns (39.39). The mean generation time (T), intrinsic rate of population growth (r m ), and doubling time (DT) differed between REC-S and progenies, with fitness of 0.52 and 0.64 for F1 and F1', respectively. Overall, the results suggest that the resistance of P. xylostella to lufenuron is stable and that low fitness costs appear to be associated with resistance to lufenuron, although heterozygotes showed lower fitness than their parents. Strategies such as preserving refuge areas, rotation of modes of action, etc., are essential for resistance management and prolonging the efficacy of control agents; this highlights the importance of integrated insecticide resistance management.

Global warming has driven changes in the biology and fitness of organisms that need to adapt to temperatures outside of their optimal range to survive. This study investigated aspects of reproduction and survival of the lady beetle Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) subjected to temperatures that varied from its optimal (28°C) to a gradual decrease (12, 14, 16, and 18°C) and increase (32, 34, 35, and 36°C) over time at a rate of 1°C/day. Fertility, fecundity, oviposition period, and survival were determined. There was a significant reduction in fertility and fecundity at temperatures below 18°C and above 34°C, whereas survival was reduced only above 34°C. Additionally, we evaluated that fecundity was the lowest when females were kept at low temperature, and when males were kept under high temperature. Therefore, if the T. notata remained for a long period under exposure to temperatures outside the ideal range, then the species could present different reproductive responses for each sex to high and low temperatures. This factor must be considered when releasing natural enemies into an area to understand the effect of temperature on the decline of a local population a few generations after release.

Seagrass meadows have recently been highlighted as potential hotspots for microplastic and anthropogenic microparticles (APs). This study assessed AP accumulation in shallow sediments vegetated by small-bodied seagrass species (Halodule wrightii, Halophila decipiens, and H. baillonii) and in the adjacent unvegetated area in a tropical estuary on the East Coast of South America, Brazil, over the seasonal cycle. Anthropogenic microparticles were detected in 80 % of the samples, with a mean abundance of 142 ± 140 particles kg -1 dw (N = 80). Particles were predominantly blue (51 %), fiber (73 %), and smaller than 1 mm (80 %). We observed that seagrass sediments retained APs, although no significant variation was observed between seagrass and the unvegetated area, nor between the dry and rainy seasons. A positive correlation was found between sediment grain size and AP abundance. This study represents the first record of AP contamination in seagrasses from the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic bioregion., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they are not aware of any competing financial interests or personal relationships that could influence the results of the work reported in this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cardiovascular diseases, resulting from the deposition of clots in blood vessels, are the leading cause of death worldwide. Fibrinolytic enzymatic activity can catalyze blood clot degradation. Findings show that 36 fungal isolates recovered from Caatinga soils have the potential to produce fibrinolytic protease under submerged conditions. About 58 % of the isolates displayed fibrinolytic activity above 100 U/mL, with Mucor subtilissimus UCP 1262 being the most active. The protease was biochemically and biophysically characterized, showing that the enzyme had a high affinity for SAApNA substrate and was significantly inhibited by fluoride methyl phenyl sulfonyl-C7H7FO2S, suggesting that it is a chymotrypsin-like serine protease. The highest enzyme activity was detected at pH 5.0 and 28 °C. This fibrinolytic protease's far-UV circular dichroism (CD) showed that its secondary structure was primarily α-helical. The purified fibrinolytic enzyme may represent a novel therapeutic agent for treating thrombosis. At temperatures above 65 °C, the enzyme lost all its secondary structure. Its melting temperature was 58.1 °C, the denaturation enthalpy 85.1 kcal/mol, and the denaturation entropy 0.26 kcal/K∙mol.

Background: The interplay between different uses of woody plants remains underexplored, obscuring our understanding of how a plant's value for one purpose might shield it from other, more harmful uses. This study examines the protection hypothesis by determining if food uses can protect woody plants (trees and shrubs) from wood uses. We approached the hypothesis from two distinct possibilities: (1) the protective effect is proportional to the intensity of a species' use for food purposes, and (2) the protective effect only targets key species for food purposes., Methods: The research was conducted in a rural community within "Restinga" vegetation in Northeast Brazil. To identify important food species for both consumption and income (key species) and the collection areas where they naturally occur, we conducted participatory workshops. We then carried out a floristic survey in these areas to identify woody species that coexist with the key species. Voucher specimens were used to create a field herbarium, which, along with photographs served as visual stimuli during the checklist interviews. The interviewees used a five-point Likert scale to evaluate the species in terms of perceived wood quality, perceived availability, and use for food and wood purposes. To test our hypothesis, we used Cumulative Link Mixed Models (CLMMs), with the wood use as the response variable, food use, perceived availability and perceived quality as the explanatory variables and the interviewee as a random effect. We performed the same model replacing food use for key species food use (a binary variable that had value 1 when the information concerned a key species with actual food use, and value 0 when the information did not concern a key species or concerned a key species that was not used for food purposes)., Results: Consistent with our hypothesis, we identified a protective effect of food use on wood use. However, this effect is not directly proportional to the species' food use, but is confined to plants with considerable domestic food importance. Perceived availability and quality emerged as notable predictors for wood uses., Conclusion: We advocate for biocultural conservation strategies that enhance the food value of plants for their safeguarding, coupled with measures for non-edible woody species under higher use-pressure., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Eustachys presents lower diversity in the Old World than in the Neotropics and it occurs disjunctly between main tropical regions. This qualifies Eustachys as a good model to test whether lineages expand their niches during the process of range expansion. We performed ancestral range reconstruction, compared environmental spaces of the different geographic areas and assessed bioclimatic trait evolution. Ancestral range reconstruction indicated that most speciation in Eustachys occurred in the South America. Ancestral climatic niches of the New World are different from those of African and Australasia lineages. Our results show that Eustachys experienced niche expansion when it reached the New World. Evolutionary history of Eustachys illustrates how the range expansion promoted climatic niche shifts, which could drive unbalanced species richness of the genus among different tropical regions.

Insecticides efficient against the target species while conserving natural enemies in the agroecosystem are required for IPM. With the imminent discontinuation of fipronil, a broad-spectrum insecticide, ethiprole, which belongs to the same group as phenylpyrazole (2B), and isocycloseram, a novel isoxazoline insecticide with distinct mode of action (30), provide options for controlling boll weevil. The susceptibility of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis (Boh.), and two natural enemies [Eriopis connexa (Germar) and Bracon vulgaris Ashmead] to these insecticides were studied. Furthermore, the survival and biological traits of the lady beetle, E. connexa, exposed to fipronil, isocycloseram, and ethiprole were assessed. The LC50s values for fipronil, ethiprole, and isocycloseram for A. grandis grandis were 2.71, 0.32, and 0.025 mg a.i./L, respectively; 0.86, > 200, and 3.21 mg a.i./L for E. connexa; and 2.31, 592.94, and 0.18 mg a.i./L for B. vulgaris, respectively. The recommended rates of ethiprole did not cause mortality in adult lady beetles, although fipronil and isocycloseram were highly toxic. Lady beetle larvae and adults survived more than 80% when exposed to dried residues of ethiprole, but less than 10% when exposed to fipronil and isocycloseram. Lady beetle larvae development, reproduction, and predation rates of adults were similar between ethiprole and the control group. Although fipronil and ethiprole belong to the same insecticide group, the difference in toxicity to boll weevils and natural enemies is presented and discussed. Ethiprole was more toxic to boll weevils than to its parasitoid and lady beetle, and isocycloseram was highly toxic to all three species., (© 2024. Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil.)

The continuous utilisation of an alternative host may influence parasitoid performance across successive generations due to conditioning in natal hosts. Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) has successfully been reared using Tenebrio molitor L. pupae as a feasible alternative host. However, the extended rearing of T. howardi on this alternative host may impact the biological features of the parasitoids. Parasitoids were reared using T. molitor pupae for 30 consecutive generations. Quality criteria were assessed during the generations F5, F15, and F30, offering pupae of the target pest, Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.), and compared with the F0 generation (parasitoids reared in D. saccharalis pupae). Criteria included assessments of parasitism performance, host selection, and wing form variation in the parasitoid wasps. Additionally, we examined the fecundity of T. howardi females that emerged from both hosts, considering their age, egg loading before and after one oviposition, as well as parasitism of sugarcane stalk borer pupae. Rearing T. howardi using pupae of T. molitor did not affect its biological traits or preference for the target pest for 30 generations. After parasitism, the parasitoid left the host pupa inside the stalk, and one oviposition was enough to kill D. saccharalis pupae and obtain viable parasitoid progeny. Female sexual maturation and egg loading occurred 72 and 96 h after parasitoid emergence. Egg-loading recovery after parasitism did not happen within 24 h. T. howardi can be reared for up to 30 generations using alternative hosts without compromising its parasitism performance or egg loading.

Background: Glutamine in milk is believed to play an important role in neonatal intestinal maturation and immune function. For lactating mothers, glutamine utilization is increased to meet the demands of the enlarged intestine and milk production. However, the source of such glutamine during lactation has not been studied., Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of lactation on the expression of glutamine synthetase (GS) in the mammary gland and other tissues of lactating mice., Methods: Mouse tissues were sampled at 4 time points: 8-wk-old (virgin, control), post-delivery day 5 (PD5, early lactation), PD15 (peak lactation), and involution (4 days after weaning at PD21). We examined the gene expression and protein concentrations of GS and the first 2 enzymes of branched-chain amino acid catabolism: branched-chain aminotransferase 2 (BCAT2) and branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase subunit E1α (BCKDHA)., Results: The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and protein concentrations of GS in mammary glands were significantly lower at PD5 and PD15 compared with the control but were restored at involution. Within the mammary gland, GS protein was only detected in adipocytes with no evidence of presence in mammary epithelial cells. Compared with the control, mRNA and protein concentrations of BCAT2 and BCKDHA in mammary glands significantly decreased during lactation and involution. No changes in GS protein concentrations during lactation were found in the liver, skeletal muscle, and lung. In non-mammary adipose tissue, GS protein abundance was higher during lactation compared with the virgin., Conclusions: This work shows that, within the mouse mammary gland, GS is only expressed in adipocytes and that the relative GS abundance in mammary gland sections is lower during lactation. This suggests that mammary adipocytes may be a site of glutamine synthesis in the lactating mouse. Identifying the sources of glutamine production during lactation is important for optimizing milk glutamine concentration to enhance neonatal and maternal health., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Conventional soil management in agricultural areas may expose non-target organisms living nearby to several types of contaminants. In this study, the effects of soil management in extensive pasture (EP), intensive pasture (IP), and sugarcane crops (C) were evaluated in a realistic-field-scale study. Thirteen aquatic mesocosms embedded in EP, IP, and C treatments were monitored over 392 days. The recommended management for each of the areas was simulated, such as tillage, fertilizer, pesticides (i.e. 2,4-D, fipronil) and vinasse application, and cattle pasture. To access the potential toxic effects that the different steps of soil management in these areas may cause, the cladoceran Ceriophania silvestrii was used as aquatic bioindicator, the dicot Eruca sativa as phytotoxicity bioindicator in water, and the dipteran Chironomus sancticaroli as sediment bioindicator. Generalized linear mixed models were used to identify differences between the treatments. Low concentrations of 2,4-D (<97 μg L -1 ) and fipronil (<0.21 μg L -1 ) in water were able to alter fecundity, female survival, and the intrinsic rate of population increase of C. silvestrii in IP and C treatments. Similarly, the dicot E. sativa had germination, shoot and root growth affected mainly by 2,4-D concentrations in the water. For C. sancticarolli, larval development was affected by the presence of fipronil (<402.6 ng g -1 ). The acidic pH (below 5) reduced the fecundity and female survival of C. silvestrii and affected the germination and growth of E. sativa. Fecundity and female survival of C. silvestrii decrease in the presence of phosphorus-containing elements. The outcomes of this study may improve our understanding of the consequences of exposure of freshwater biota to complex stressors in an environment that is rapidly and constantly changing., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We investigated the effects of replacing ground corn with full-fat corn germ (FFCG) on milk production, milk composition, and nutrient use in cows fed sugarcane bagasse and cactus cladodes. Ten multiparous Girolando cows (average body weight 500 ± 66 kg, 90 ± 15 days in milk) were distributed in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin Square and assigned to five dietary treatments containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of full-fat corn germ in substitution to ground corn. Full-fat corn germ increased fat-corrected milk yield by 2.2 kg/day and the synthesis of fat, lactose, and total solids in milk by 94.4, 60.0, and 201.10 g/day, respectively (p < 0.05). Cows fed corn germ quadratically increased (p < 0.05) dry matter intake by 1.01 kg/day, with the intake of crude protein and total digestible nutrients following the same pattern. Conversely, the substitution of corn for full-fat corn germ linearly reduced (p < 0.05) the total non-fiber carbohydrate intake from 5.79 to 4.40 kg/d. Except for ether extract and non-fiber carbohydrates, full-fat corn germ did not alter (p > 0.05) nutrient digestibility. Cows fed corn germ excreted less (p < 0.05) urea-N in milk and urine N. These results demonstrate that full-fat corn germ can partially replace ground corn to enhance the milk production efficiency of crossbred cows fed cactus cladodes and sugarcane bagasse. Furthermore, including sugarcane bagasse in FFCG-supplemented diets prevents milk fat depression in cows fed cactus cladodes., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

A new species of Oswaldocruzia Travassos, 1917 (Nematoda, Molineidae), parasite of Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae), from Caatinga morphoclimatic domain, Brazil, is described based on morphological and molecular data. Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. is characterised by an anterior extremity with a cephalic vesicle divided into two portions, a body covered by cuticular longitudinal ridges, and cervical alae. Males of the new species have caudal bursa of type I with a 2-1-2 pattern, spicules divided into a shoe, bifurcated fork, and blade with two unequal branches, in which the longer branch bifurcates at its distal portion end and the smaller branch with three distal processes, each with distal bifurcations. Females have didelphic and amphidelphic uteri, an ovijector divided into vestibule, anterior and posterior sphincters, and anterior and posterior infundibula. The new species differs from its Neotropical congeners that have caudal bursa of type I, based on the presence of cervical alae and by having a spicular blade distally divided into two unequal branches, with the longer branch bifurcating at its distal portion and smaller branch with three distal processes, each distally bifurcated. The partial 18S rDNA sequence generated for Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. is the first of a representative belonging to this genus in the Neotropical region.

The dating of documents is crucial in forensic chemistry, particularly for verifying their authenticity. This study aimed to develop a rapid and direct method for the dating of pen ink in documents, using a combination of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR), desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) and multiple ensemble data modeling. Two sets of paper document samples containing writing in blue pen ink were investigated: (I) artificially aged documents and (II) real documents dating from 1960 to 2022. The FTIR-ATR spectra of both sets of samples showed a decrease in absorbance at ∼1584 cm -1 , related to the chemical modification of the CN bond in the molecular structure of Basic Violet 3 (BV3), one of the main dyes used in blue pen ink. DESI-MS confirmed the presence of BV3 and its degradation by-products in all the samples, indicating its widespread utilization in blue pen ink production. Moreover, DESI-MS detected combinations of dyes within the ink composition. The models were built using the DESI-MS and FTIR-ATR data separately, but the error and trend were significantly reduced when both sets of data were used. The combination of DESI-MS and FTIR-ATR spectral information resulted in a final predictive model with low error for pen inks from real documents in writing from the years 1960 to 2022. These analyses proved to be effective for the dating of pen inks and are suitable for use in routine forensic analysis, providing a direct and rapid method that allows for accurate prediction.

As a result of human activities and natural dispersal, exotic species can be brought to new areas, where they become established and spread, becoming invaders. These species are responsible for the loss of biodiversity and cause ecosystemic harm throughout the world. In this paper, we report the rapid, broad geographic expansion of the invasive fly Drosophila nasuta in Brazil. An 84% increase was found in its area of occupation in the country compared to previous studies. The present data reveal its arrival to the Pantanal wetlands in a location more than one thousand kilometers from the closest previous record in the Cerrado biome. We present the first record of D. nasuta in the Atlantic Forest in the states of Paraíba and Bahia. We report its introduction in the Amazon Forest in the state of Amazonas approximately 700 kilometers from previous records. The relative abundance of D. nasuta in this biome increased fivefold in comparison to a previous study. In the first decade of invasion in Brazil, D. nasuta has already colonized more than half of the country. The present data reveal its invasive potential and underscore the importance of following up the possible negative effects of this biological invasion.

In cururu stingray (Potamotrygon wallacei Carvalho, Rosa and Araújo 2016) males, plasma progesterone (P 4 ) levels appear to be associated with spermiation events. However, the specific contribution of P 4 in sperm maturation via extratesticular ducts in this stingray species is unknown. With the aim of filling this knowledge gap, this study examined the morphology and the presence of progesterone receptors (PR) in the ducts, and analyzed the relationship of progesterone (P 4 ) with sperm maturation and formation of aggregates. Morphological analysis showed that a columnar pseudostratified epithelium with stereocilia lined all the attached ducts. In active males, the secretory cells of the epididymis and the Leydig glands presented PR; however, these receptors were not found in the distal region of the epididymis (essential for nurturing and capacitation events) of regressing males. In the seminal vesicles of active males, the spermatozoa are parallelly aligned and embedded in a matrix to form the spermatozeugmata. The matrixes are formed by proteins secreted by the ducts and Sertoli cell cytoplasts. These structures presented PR, which suggests that P 4 engages in sperm metabolism during storage. Our findings allude to the potential role of P 4 in regulating the development and function of the attached ducts in different reproductive phases. Furthermore, P 4 seems to be an essential component for regulating sperm progress, protein secretion, aggregate formation, and maintenance of sperm during storage in this freshwater stingray., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different sources and levels of supplemental amino acid-complexed minerals (AACM), with and without enzyme phytase (EZ). A total of 512 Dekalb White laying hens at 67 weeks of age were used in a 2 × 3 + 2 factorial arrangement of 8 treatments and 8 replications each. The main effects included EZ supplementation (600 FTU kg -1 ) and AACM inclusion level (100%, 70%, and 40% of inorganic mineral recommendations), plus two control treatments. The group of hens fed AACM-100 showed lower feed intake than the inorganic mineral (IM) group. The diet containing AACM-EZ-70 provided a higher ( p < 0.05) laying percentage and a lower ( p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio than both the IM and IM-EZ diets. The groups fed AACM-EZ-40, AACM-EZ-100, and AACM-70 produced heavier yolks ( p < 0.05). Hens fed IM laid eggs with the lowest yolk and albumen weights ( p < 0.05). Layers fed with AACM-100 and AACM-70 produced the most resistant eggshells to breakage ( p < 0.05). In diets containing phytase, the optimal AACM recommendations for better performance and egg quality in older laying hens are: 42, 49, 5.6, 28, 0.175, and 0.70 mg kg -1 for Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe, Se, and I, respectively.

The conversion of native forest into agricultural land, which is common in many parts of the world, poses important questions regarding soil degradation, demanding further efforts to better understand the effect of land use change on soil functions. With the advent of 3D computed tomography techniques and computing power, new methods are becoming available to address this question. In this direction, in the current work we implement a modification of the Fisher-Shannon method, borrowed from information theory, to quantify the complexity of twelve 3D CT soil samples from a sugarcane plantation and twelve samples from a nearby native Atlantic forest in northeastern Brazil. The distinction found between the samples from the sugar plantation and the Atlantic forest site is quite pronounced. The results at the level of 91.7% accuracy were obtained considering the complexity in the Fisher-Shannon plane. Atlantic forest samples are found to be generally more complex than those from the sugar plantation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and non-toxicity of ciclopirox olamine-loaded liposomes against Cryptococcus neoformans clinical isolates. Initially, 24-1 fractional experimental design was carried out to obtain an optimized formulation of liposomes containing CPO (CPO-LipoC), which were then used to prepare stealth liposomes (CPO-LipoS). Liposomal formulations were characterized by their mean size diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), and drug encapsulation efficiency (EE%). Immunosuppressed mice were exposed to CPO-LipoS at 0.5 mg/kg/day for 14 days to verify possible histopathological alterations in the liver and kidneys. Immunosuppressed mice infected with C. neoformans were treated with CPO-LipoS at 0.5 mg/kg/day for 14 days to quantify the fungal burden in spleen, liver, lungs, and brain. CPO-LipoS presented a mean size diameter, PDI, and EE% of 101.4 ± 0.7 nm, 0.307, and 96.4 ± 0.9%, respectively. CPO-LipoS was non-toxic for the liver and kidneys of immunosuppressed mice. At the survival curve, all infected animals submitted to treatment with CPO-LipoS survived until the end of the experiment. Treatment with CPO-LipoS reduced C. neoformans cells in the spleen (59.3 ± 3.4%), liver (75.0 ± 3.6%), lungs (75.7 ± 6.7%), and brain (54.2 ± 3.2%). CPO-LipoS exhibit antifungal activity against C. neoformans, and the encapsulation of CPO into stealth liposomes allows its use as a systemic drug for treating cryptococcosis., (© 2023. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.)

This study aims to update the knowledge concerning the intoxication by Tephrosia noctiflora in Brazilian cattle herds by reporting new cases of intoxication in lactating cows, their calves and bulls and highlight the epidemiology, clinical signs, pathogenesis, gross, and microscopic lesions. The morbidity and mortality of this intoxication in the farms studied was low. Gross lesions in all affected cattle consisted of dermatitis with hyperpigmentation, crusts, ulceration, erythema, and lichenification in the skin of limbs, ventral abdomen, perianal and perineal areas of lactating calves and adult cattle. Microscopically, the main lesion observed consisted of severe dermatitis with parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, papillated proliferation, and diffuse, accentuated lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate in the epidermis and dermis. The presence of skin lesions mainly in the limbs and ventral abdomen of cattle implies the pathogenesis of intoxication is related to a primary contact dermatitis, and the occurrence of similar lesions on the skin of nursing calves reinforces this hypothesis. The putative toxins of T. noctiflora have been thought to be rotenoids. Additional work is needed to define better if these compounds are the main toxin responsible for the dermatopathy observed in these herds., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to provide information on the levels of toxic (Cd and Pb) and essential (Cu, Fe, and Zn) elements in cow's milk produced in the State of Pernambuco (Brazil). A total of 142 samples of raw milk were collected, and the concentrations of essential and toxic elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. In almost 30% of the samples analyzed, the Pb content exceeded the maximum level established in the Brazilian legislation (0.05 mg/L). By contrast, in all the samples, the Cd content was below the maximum allowable level (0.02 mg/L). The essential trace elements Cu, Fe, and Zn were generally present at lower concentrations than reported in other studies and can be considered within the deficient range for cow's milk. Statistical and chemometric procedures were used to evaluate the main factors influencing the metal concentrations (proximity to major roads, presence of effluents, and milking method). The study findings demonstrate that the proximity of the farms to major roads influences the concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Cu and that this is the main factor explaining the Pb content of milk. In addition, the presence of effluents influenced the concentrations of Cu, while no relationship between the metal content and the milking method was observed. Thus, in accordance with the study findings, the consumption of cow's milk produced in the region can be considered a risk to public health due to the high concentrations of Pb and the low concentrations of other essential minerals such as Cu, Zn, and Fe in some of the milk samples.

The objective was to establish a model for the prediction and characterization of vaginal temperature in Holstein cows, based on environmental predictors and thermal comfort indices, through cluster analysis, validation by the cophenetic correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. The micrometeorological characterization of the site was carried out by recording the air temperature (T air ), the relative humidity (RH), the black globe temperature (BGT), the black globe temperature and humidity (BGHI), and dew point temperature (TDP). The recording of vaginal temperature (Tv) was performed in eight dairy cows using temperature sensors, equipped with data loggers, coupled with intravaginal devices. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cluster analysis (CA) by using the hierarchical agglomerative method based on the value of the cophenetic correlation coefficient (CCC >0.70), in which representative physiological models were established, characterizing the Tv through multiple regression. In the afternoon the coefficient of variation (CV) was low for all variables, indicating homogeneity of the meteorological variables and efficiency of the ventilation system. The temperature and humidity index (THI) was mild only on the morning. There was a variation of 0.28 °C of Tv between shifts, sufficient to characterize the condition of comfort and stress of the animal, with values above 39 °C indicating animal stress. Tv showed strong correlation with BGT, T air , TDP and RH, assuming that physiological variables, such as Tv, tend to have greater relationship with abiotic variables. Empirical models were established for estimating Tv based on the analyses performed in this study. Model 1 is recommended for TDP ranges of 14.00-21.00 °C and RH of 30-100%, while model 2 can be used for T air situations up to 35 °C. The regression models for estimating Tv are promising for characterizing the thermal comfort of dairy cows housed in compost barn systems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are widely distributed in Northeast Brazil and often inhabit urban and peri-urban forest areas close to human settlements. Given its wide territorial distribution, its proximity to human populations, and its exposure to environmental degradations originating from urbanization, common marmosets have a high potential for environmental biomonitoring. The concentrations of iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr) were quantified in the liver, hair, and bone of 22 free-ranging common marmosets' bodies from nine cities from Pernambuco State, Brazil, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). The liver showed the highest concentrations of Fe and Cr (3773.2 ± 3715.8 mg/kg and 19.4 ± 41.6 mg/kg, respectively); the lowest concentration of Fe was detected in the bone (111.6 ± 97.6 mg/kg) and of Cr in the hair (3.3 ± 1.5 mg/kg). There was a moderate positive correlation between Fe and Cr in the liver (r = 0.64) and a high negative correlation for Cr between bone and hair (r = -0.65). This study demonstrated the bioaccumulation of Fe and Cr in hair, liver, and bone in common marmosets. The highest average concentration of Fe and Cr occurred in animals from Recife, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, and Paulista, respectively, the 1 st , the 2 nd , and the 5 th most populated cities in the state of Pernambuco. The presence of high concentrations of metals in animals from Recife and nearby cities can indicate alarming levels of environmental pollution in these locations., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The meristematic region of Cocos nucifera fruits can be colonized by various species of mites, including Steneotarsonemus concavuscutum, Steneotarsonemus furcatus, and Aceria guerreronis. The consequence of this colonization is the development of necrotic lesions on the fruit, and sometimes its abortion. Losses are commonly attributed to A. guerreronis alone, owing to the similarities in the injuries caused and its predominance in coconut plantations. However, S. concavuscutum may be the predominant pest species in some crops. Despite the possible impact of S. concavuscutum, little is known about its bioecological aspects, such as the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on its population dynamics. Our objective was to document macroclimatic abiotic factors (temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation) and biotic factors (interspecific competition and predation) interfere in the population dynamics of S. concavuscutum. We evaluated the diversity and abundance of mites in the perianth of coconut fruit naturally infested by S. concavuscutum for 1 year. The species found in the fruits of bunch 6 of the plant, which is the fruit age at which the mites commonly reach the highest abundance, were counted every 2 weeks. We found mites from nine families and S. concavuscutum was the predominant species, representing about 92% of the individuals collected. Predators represented approximately 2% of the total collection, with Neoseiulus baraki as the predominant species. Steneotarsonemus concavuscutum population density ranged from 60 to 397 mites/fruit. The highest population densities of S. concavuscutum were observed in the hottest and driest periods of the year. The population densities of S. concavuscutum were negatively associated with the presence of N. baraki, suggesting that this predator may have a role in the biological control of this pest., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Due to structural similarities and the possibility of connection between the two Aptian paleolakes in the Jatobá Basin and the Tucano Norte Sub-basin in North-eastern Brazil, the influence of the architecture of the crystalline basement under these lacustrine sedimentary rocks was analysed using gravimetric data near the faulted edges of the basins where the paleolakes are located. The Negra (Jatobá Basin) and Tonã (Tucano Norte Sub-basin) Hills are mainly sedimentary deposits of Aptian age and are linked to the post-rift I tectonic sequence. Aiming at the study of reservoirs analogous to pre-salt reservoirs, the gravimetric data were processed and interpreted to define the structural framework of the basin regions around these hills. Depth maps and density models were generated that could be analysed from various 3D perspectives, and the behaviour of the crystalline basement below these sedimentary sequences was investigated. In addition to the identification of horsts and semi-grabens that influenced the current relief pattern, the modelling showed that the Aptian paleolake sedimentary rocks of the Negra Hill are in the Ibimirim Low, which is approximately 2,900 m deep, while in the Tonã Hill, the sedimentary rocks are in the Salgado do Melão Low, which is approximately 5,100 m deep.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of spineless cactus (SC) [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck] on nutrient intake, ingestive behaviour, and performance of lambs in a feedlot. Thirty-two male (non-castrated) Santa Inês lambs with a mean initial body weight (BW) of 20.4 ± 2.60 kg were distributed across four levels of spineless cactus: zero, 24, 52, and 75% of total diet dry matter (DM). Over 56 days, the animals had their intake and performance monitored. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the dry matter intake and total digestible nutrients, but linearly decreased (p<0.05) the neutral detergent fiber intake. Drinking water intake decreased linearly (p<0.05) with the inclusion of SC in the diet. The inclusion of SC influenced (p<0.05) in a quadratic way the digestibility of organic matter in the diet. The increase in the level of SC in the diet increased linearly (p<0.05) the feeding and rumination efficiencies of the lambs. The maximum daily gain of 0.237 kg/day was achieved with 44% SC in the diet. It is recommended to include up to 40% of spineless cactus in the diet of lambs.

The bluntnose sixgill shark, Hexanchus griseus , is a widely distributed demersal species found in tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, inhabiting continental shelves and slopes, islands, and mid-ocean ridges at depths ranging from 200 to 1100 m. In the Southwestern Atlantic, this species has been recorded from northeastern to southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Despite this, the known distribution of this species in the Southwestern Atlantic is very patchy and, in some cases, still mostly ignored in the literature, such as in northeastern Brazil. This study, therefore, aimed to report 23 new records of Hexanchus griseus in the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic and highlight the presence of this species off the northeastern Brazilian coast. So far, Hexanchus griseus was officially reported from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, and the state of Ceará along the northeast coast of Brazil. Herein, the known distribution is extended to the continental shelf breaks and upper slopes of other Brazilian states, reinforcing the previously reported occurrence of the species near the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago.

The present study investigated by palynological and chemical analysis (Flame Atomic Absortion Spectrometry) about the botanical origin and the heavy metals content (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury) of monthly honey samples of Apis mellifera L. over two years. The pollen types Apiaceae, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, M. tenuiflora and Myrcia indicated the main floristic sources used by bees. M. tenuiflora was the most frequent of the pollen types, and because it predominates in different months in each year, which may indicate more than one species of the genus being foraged by the beehive. The climatic influence (rainfall and temperature) on the pollen diversity was investigated and was not statistically supported. The chemical analysis showed that the heavy metal content of the samples were below their respective limits of quantification, and, therefore, the samples can be considered safe for human consumption.

The Espinhaço Range is known for its unique plant diversity and richness of endemic species. We identified the distribution patterns, areas of endemism, floristic similarity, and the areas of richness and diversity of Convolvulaceae within the Espinhaço Range by analyzing a database of approximately 2600 occurrence records. One hundred and eighty-four taxa were categorized into one of four distribution patterns: continuous, disjunct, centered in the Bahia sector, and centered in the Minas Gerais sector. Nineteen Convolvulaceae species are endemic to Espinhaço Range. Endemic species had all of the different distribution patterns. Parsimony analysis of endemism indicated two main centers of endemism for the family: one in the Minas Gerais sector, on the Diamantina Plateau, and another in the Bahia sector, in the Chapada Diamantina. The floristic similarity, richness, and diversity analyses evidenced a principal group in each portion, mainly concentrated in the Chapada Diamantina, and secondarily in the Iron Quadrangle. Such studies are important both for understanding biodiversity and for decision-making in public conservation policies.

This study aims to evaluate the in silico genomic characteristics of Streptococcus infantarius subsp. infantarius, isolated from Coalho cheese from Paraíba, Brazil, with a view to application in lactic fermentations. rRNA sequences from the 16S ribosomal region were used as input to GenBank, in the search for patterns that could reveal a non-pathogenic behavior of S. infantarius subsp. infantarius, comparing mobile genetic elements, antibiotic resistance genes, pan-genome analysis and multi-genome alignment among related species. S. infantarius subsp. infantarius CJ18 was the only complete genome reported by BLAST/NCBI with high similarity and after comparative genetics with complete genomes of Streptococcus agalactiae (SAG153, NJ1606) and Streptococcus thermophilus (ST106, CS18, IDCC2201, APC151) revealed that CJ18 showed a low number of transposases and integrases, infection by phage bacteria of the Streptococcus genus, absence of antibiotic resistance genes and presence of bacteriocin, folate and riboflavin producing genes. The genome alignment revealed that the collinear blocks of S. thermophilus ST106 and S. agalactiae SAG153 have inverted blocks when compared to the CJ18 genome due to gene positioning, insertions and deletions. Therefore, the strains of S. infantarius subsp. infantarius isolated from Coalho cheese from Paraíba showed genomic similarity with CJ18 and the mobility of genes analyzed in silico showed absence of pathogenicity throughout the genome of CJ18, indicating the potential of these strains for the dairy industry.

This study aimed to evaluate Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant goats. The goats were divided into two groups: group one (G1) comprised of 31 pregnant goats naturally infected with T. gondii, and group two (G2) comprised of seven uninfected pregnant goats from a flock with a history of abortion due to toxoplasmosis. Serological investigation, ultrasonography, and clinical testing were performed on all goats during gestation. Serum samples from goats and their offspring (precolostral) were collected to evaluate the vertical transmission of T. gondii. Samples from placentas and aborted fetuses were also collected for molecular and histopathological analysis. Results showed that in G1, estrus recurrence occurred in 22.6% (7/31) of the goats, embryonic death in 3.3% (1/31), and abortion in 19.4% (6/31). An increase in anti-T. gondii antibodies was observed in G1 goats at day 150 of pregnancy. T. gondii DNA was detected in 42.8% (3/7) of aborted fetuses and was associated with histopathological lesions caused by this parasite. Moreover, toxoplasmosis in field conditions caused by genotype ToxoDB #1 in pregnant goats resulted in severe reproductive loss in the flock., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

A novel heuristic approach is proposed here for time series data analysis, dubbed Generalized weighted permutation entropy, which amalgamates and generalizes beyond their original scope two well established data analysis methods: Permutation entropy and Weighted permutation entropy. The method introduces a scaling parameter to discern the disorder and complexity of ordinal patterns with small and large fluctuations. Using this scaling parameter, the complexity-entropy causality plane is generalized to the complexity-entropy-scale causality box. Simulations conducted on synthetic series generated by stochastic, chaotic, and random processes, as well as real world data, are shown to produce unique signatures in this three dimensional representation.

COVID-19 is a disease that has caused a high number of deaths in the world, and despite being controlled, it requires attention and the search for new quick and economical therapeutic strategies. In this sense, vitamin D stands out, an immunomodulator that has shown beneficial effects in decreasing the risk and severity of acute respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19. Therefore, this review presents a number of experimental, observational and clinical studies on the importance of vitamin D against viral infections with an emphasis on COVID-19, highlighting the relationship between vitamin D, Renin-Angiotensin System and cytokine storms with decreased inflammatory lesions in patients with COVID-19. In addition, aspects of pathophysiology, metabolism, risk factors, sources and recommendations of vitamin D are described. We conclude that vitamin D plays a protective role against inflammatory lesions and can decrease the risk of infections and the severity of COVID-19. Therefore, it is essential to maintain adequate levels of vitamin D to avoid complications related to its deficiency.

Plutella xylostella (L.) is responsible for considerable vegetable crop losses in the metropolitan region of Manaus, Brazil. In recent decades, essential oils have been investigated as an alternative to synthetic insecticides. The genusPiperis widely distributed in Amazonia and essential oils from these plants have insecticidal properties. This study describes the chemical composition of the essential oils fromPiper capiterianumandPiper krukoffiias well as the lethal and sublethal effects onP. xylostella. The phytotoxicity of the oils on the host plant was also evaluated. Globulol was the major constituent of theP. krukoffiioil ando-cymene was the major constituent of theP. capitarianumoil. The oil fromP. capiterianumexhibited greater toxicity to larvae and eggs. This oil also presented greater repellant action, feeding deterrence and mild phytotoxicity to the host plant (Brassicae oleraceae). The findings suggest that this oil can be used in the preparation of a formulated insecticide for the management ofP. xylostellain different development phases. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of this oil on crops under field conditions as well as non-target organisms and determine the cost-benefit ratio of a product formulated withP. capitarianumoil.

The objective of this study was to determine the trace element composition and the toxic metal residues in Galician cow's milk cheese produced in different systems (artisan, industrial, and organic). Fourteen elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) were determined in 58 representative samples of Galician cheeses by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The toxic elements were present at low concentrations, similar to those reported for other unpolluted geographical areas. The essential elements were also within the normal range in cheeses. There were no statistically significant differences between smoked and unsmoked cheeses for any of the elements. Chemometric analyses (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) revealed that the industrial cheeses produced in Galicia using the milk from intensive dairy farms were different, in terms of elemental content, from artisan and organic cheeses, in which the elemental contents were similar.

A systematic study is made of Early Cretaceous (late Aptian/earlyAlbian) ostracod assemblages from the Santo Antnio section. This section is characterized by sediment belonging to the post-rift sedimentary sequence of the Romualdo Formation in the southern-central region of the Araripe Basin, Brazil and represents on of the first marine ingression in the interior of the continent, during the beginning of the formation of the Atlantic Ocean. The Santo Antonio section presents ostracods in greater diversity than previously known. Nineteen samples were analyzed, yielding a total of 8,370 specimens. Fifteen taxa were identified, including six brackish ostracods: Pattersoncypris salitrensis, Pattersoncypris angulata, Pattersoncypris micropapillosa, Damonella grandiensis, Alicenula cf. leguminella and Theriosynoecum cf. quadrinodosum; and nine typically brackish-marine species, including seven new ones: Dicrorygma cf. minuta, Dicrorygma (Orthorygma?) dimorpha, Mongolianella aptianensis sp. nov., Mantelliana speculum sp. nov., Paracypris undulareventralis sp. nov., Microceratina retangularis sp. nov., Perissocytheridea oculusutilis sp. nov., Perissocytheridea poruslinearis sp. nov. and Perissocytheridea florisdorsalis sp. nov. Therefore, the detailed taxonomic study brings a new understanding of marine ostracods around the upper Aptian/lower Albian boundary of the Araripe Basin.

Tropical marine ecosystems are highly biodiverse and provide resources for small-scale fisheries and tourism. However, precise information on fish spatial distribution is lacking, which limits our ability to reconcile exploitation and conservation. We combined acoustics to video observations to provide a comprehensive description of fish distribution in a typical tropical environment, the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA) off Northeast Brazil. We identified and classified all acoustic echoes into ten fish assemblage and two triggerfish species. This opened up the possibility to relate the different spatial patterns to a series of environmental factors and the level of protection. We provide the first biomass estimation of the black triggerfish Melichthys niger, a key tropical player. By comparing the effects of euphotic and mesophotic reefs we show that more than the depth, the most important feature is the topography with the shelf-break as the most important hotspot. We also complete the portrait of the island mass effect revealing a clear spatial dissymmetry regarding fish distribution. Indeed, while primary productivity is higher downstream, fish concentrate upstream. The comprehensive fish distribution provided by our approach is directly usable to implement scientific-grounded Marine Spatial Planning., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Coatis are hosts of a great diversity of parasites, that due to anthropic pressures in forest fragments, like changes in landscapes and ecosystems, can influence the dynamics and physiological responses to those parasite infections, affecting the animal's health and fitness. This is the first study about health parameters and parasitic infections of wild coati (Nasua nasua) populations in the Atlantic Forest (Pernambuco Center of Endemism). The following hypotheses were evaluated: (i) infections and co-infections by gastrointestinal parasites and ectoparasites can generate changes in the health parameters of coatis such as the body condition score (BCS), packed cell volume (PCV), leukogram, and serum protein profile; (ii) biological aspects (sex and age) or fragment they inhabit, can influence changes in the health parameters (BCS, PCV, leukogram and serum protein profile). Were studied 55 free-living coatis in three anthropized forest remnants in the Metropolitan Region of Recife. After chemical containment, the animals were submitted to physical examination and collection of biological samples (blood, feces, and ectoparasites). On the physical examination, 23.6% of coatis had a low BCS and 5.4% were overweighted. Amblyomma spp. ticks were found in 83.6% of the animals of all studied remnants, A. sculptumAmblyomma sculptum in 12.7% and A. ovale in 1.8%. Regarding gastrointestinal parasites, Ancylostoma sp. was the most prevalent (80.4%) and most animals (66.7%) had co-infection with Ancylostoma sp. and Capillaria sp., Strongyloides sp., Acanthocephala, Cestoda, and Coccidia. The 76.5% of the coatis presented co-infections with Ancylostoma spp. + Amblyomma spp. Principal coordinates analyses (PCoA) scores of health parameters were used as dependent variables and fragment, sex, age, Ancylostoma sp. infection, gastrointestinal parasites co-infection, Amblyomma spp. infestation and co-infection of Ancylostoma sp. + Amblyomma spp. as a predictor variable in the linear models. Parasites did not influence the PCV of the individuals, but a decrease was evident in adult animals. Variations in protein profile, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, without leaving the normal range for the species, but WBC were predicted by age group, and infections by Ancylostoma or Amblyomma spp., but not their co-infections. The free-living coati populations of the anthropized remnants in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil proved to be healthy and seem to be adapted to face the challenges of anthropization and parasitic infections., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Stock markets can become inefficient due to calendar anomalies known as the day-of-the-week effect. Calendar anomalies are well known in the financial literature, but the phenomena remain to be explored in econophysics. This paper uses multifractal analysis to evaluate if the temporal dynamics of market returns also exhibit calendar anomalies such as day-of-the-week effects. We apply multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA) to the daily returns of market indices worldwide for each day of the week. Our results indicate that distinct multifractal properties characterize individual days of the week. Monday returns tend to exhibit more persistent behavior and richer multifractal structures than other day-resolved returns. Shuffling the series reveals that multifractality arises from a broad probability density function and long-term correlations. The time-dependent multifractal analysis shows that the Monday returns' multifractal spectra are much wider than those of other days. This behavior is especially persistent during financial crises. The presence of day-of-the-week effects in multifractal dynamics of market returns motivates further research on calendar anomalies for distinct market regimes.

This work reports the immobilization of a fibrinolytic protease (FP) from Mucor subtilissimus UCP 1262 on Fe 3 O 4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) produced by precipitation of FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O and FeCl 2 ·4H 2 O, coated with polyaniline and activated with glutaraldehyde. The FP was obtained by solid state fermentation, precipitated with 40-60% ammonium sulfate, and purified by DEAE-Sephadex A50 ion exchange chromatography. The FP immobilization procedure allowed for an enzyme retention of 52.13%. The fibrinolytic protease immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs/FP) maintained more than 60% of activity at a temperature of 40 to 60 °C and at pH 7 to 10, when compared to the non-immobilized enzyme. MNPs and MNPs/FP did not show any cytotoxicity against HEK-293 and J774A.1 cells. MNPs/FP was not hemolytic and reduced the hemolysis induced by MNPs from 2.07% to 1.37%. Thrombus degradation by MNPs/FP demonstrated that the immobilization process guaranteed the thrombolytic activity of the enzyme. MNPs/FP showed a total degradation of the γ chain of human fibrinogen within 90 min. These results suggest that MNPs/FP may be used as an alternative strategy to treat cardiovascular diseases with a targeted release through an external magnetic field., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Mortality of agricultural pests caused by arthropod predators is a valuable ecosystem service for crop production. The earwig, Euborellia annulipes (Lucas), attacks different pest species in various crop ecosystems, including larvae and pupae of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis (Boh.). In this study, multiple factors were assessed to measure the selectivity of insecticides used against sap-sucking and chewing cotton pests for two E. annulipes populations. Nymphs and adults of E. annulipes were exposed to the insecticides in two ways: ingestion of contaminated prey, and contact with dried residues on either inert surfaces or treated plants bearing prey. Pymetrozine, chlorantraniliprole, and spinetoram had little effect on the predator regardless the tested earwig population, life stage with developmental time and survival, or the route of exposure (ingestion and residual). Cyantraniliprole dried-residue impeded nymph to complete development and only 27% of adults survived until 20 days after exposure. Pyriproxyfen was harmless through acute toxicity to nymphs and adult earwigs (70-100% survival 72 h after exposure), but prevented normal development of nymphs to adults causing chronic toxicity. Chlorfenapyr, indoxacarb, lambda-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and malathion were harmful to the predator regardless life stage or method of exposure. The negative impact of thiamethoxam, lambda-cyhalothrin and indoxacarb was diminished when exposure occurred on plants with predator allowed to shelter in the soil. The results indicate that insecticide selectivity outcome varies by the insecticide, predator life stage and the predator's behavior. Therefore, testing different predator life stages via several routes of exposure, without denying the insect the opportunity to engage in its normal behavior can provide better estimates of insecticide selectivity., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

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

An outbreak of a disease characterized by emaciation, dermatitis with erythema, alopecia, foul-smelling exudation, crusting, hyperpigmentation, lichenification, and edema of fore- and hindlimbs, chest and dewlap is described affecting cattle in the State of Alagoas, Northeastern Brazil. Microscopically, the main lesions were characterized by diffuse dermatitis with infiltration of lymphocytes, histiocytes, parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and acanthosis. The plant Tephrosia noctiflora, which exhibited signs of consumption, infested the grazing areas of cattle. To test its toxicity, T. noctiflora was harvested, dried in the shade, crushed and sourced at a concentration of 50% mixed with commercial food for three guinea pigs. The main clinical signs in guinea pigs included weight loss and multifocal, moderate to severe areas of alopecia, diffuse erythema of the skin, vaginal edema and hematuria. Microscopically, lymphocytic and histiocytic dermatitis, parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and acanthosis were noted in guinea pigs. This experiment confirms that T. noctiflora is the cause of outbreaks of dermatitis observed in cattle grazing in areas infested by this plant., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)