Amazonian mangroves – A multidisciplinary case study in Pará State,North Brazil: Introduction

It is always a pleasant but not alwaysso easy task to write an introduction -ashort one- on the subject of Amazônia.The region is so rich in nature andculture, history and myths, that thedifficulty is to keep these aspectscompletely separated from each other, as inany interdisciplinary research.Fortunately, the layout of this edition hasleft a bit of extra space in thisintroduction for, besides the numbers andfacts, some etymology, discovery voyagesand old maps ¨.     

Diversity and Abundance of the Planktonic Rotifers in Different Environments of the Upper Paraná River Floodplain (Paraná State – Mato Grosso do Sul State,Brazil)

This study proposes that diversity and abundance of rotifers show spatial and temporal variations in the Upper Paraná River floodplain due to heterogeneity of the environment and hydrological level fluctuations of the main river. The structure and dynamics of rotifer assemblages were investigated by samplings carried out during the rainy (February) and dry period (August) of the year 2000, in 36 environments (rivers, channels, backwaters, open and isolated floodplain lakes). The influence of phytoplankton biomass on rotifer diversity and abundance was also investigated. 104 taxa of rotifers were identified. The highest species richness was found in rivers and open floodplain lakes, the highest abundances in the isolated floodplain lakes, and the highest values of species diversity in the channels, especially during the rainy period. β₂-diversity values were higher in the channels, especially during the dry period. Flow differences and food availability were predominant factors influencing the structure and dynamics of the rotifer communities.     

Description of Simulium damascenoi (Diptera: Simuliidae) male and the black-fly species from the State of Amapá, Brazil

Five species are included in the Simulium siolii group, which is placed in the subgenus Psaroniocompsa (Diptera: Simuliidae). Of these five species, only two (Simulium siolii Py-Daniel and Simulium tergospinosum Hamada) have been described in all their life stages, except eggs. Knowledge of the taxonomic characters of all life stages of a species is important in order to clarify interspecific and higher-level taxonomic relationships. The objectives of the present study are to describe the male of Simulium damascenoi Py-Daniel, to provide a list of black-fly species their bionomics and distributions in the state of Amap , Brazil, and to provide an identification key for larvae and pupae for these species.     

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis: epidemiology of canine cutaneous leishmaniasis in the State of Paraná (Brazil)

The present study examines the role that dogs play in the maintenance of the Leishmania cycle in the State of Paraná, Southern Brazil. Dogs were examined in three regions where cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic or epidemic (R1-Vale da Ribeira; R2-Central region of Paraná State and R3-Northern region). To determine serum prevalence rates ELISA was used. In regions endemic for Trypanosoma cruzi (R1 and R3), serum from dogs seroreactive towards Leishmania antigen was subjected to T. cruzi adsorption in order to eliminate cross-reaction with common antigen epitopes. Concomitantly, dogs with cutaneous lesions were biopsied to isolate and identify parasites using RAPD. Leishmania were classified by the phenetic method using the Jaccard coefficient of similarity, and grouped by Unweighted Pair-Group Method using an Arithmetic Average (UPGMA). A total of 410 dogs were studied. In R1 (Vale da Ribeira) 159 dogs were evaluated of which 10 had anti-Leishmania antibody. In R2 (Central Paraná), 39 animals were examined of which 8 were seropositive. In R3 (the North) 212 dogs were evaluated of which 39 animals were seropositive. Thirteen dogs had cutaneous lesions and the parasites were isolated from a dog with mucocutaneous lesion in R1, two animals with simple skin lesions in R2 and 10 dogs with multiple lesions in R3. The identification of the parasite by molecular methods showed it to be L. (Viannia) braziliensis. Based on this information, the role of domestic dogs in Leishmania infection of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Paraná is discussed.     

Asháninka medicinal plants: a case study from the native community of Bajo Quimiriki, Junín, Peru

Background

The Asháninka Native Community Bajo Quimiriki, District Pichanaki, Junín, Peru, is located only 4 km from a larger urban area and is dissected by a major road. Therefore the loss of traditional knowledge is a main concern of the local headman and inhabitants. The present study assesses the state of traditional medicinal plant knowledge in the community and compares the local pharmacopoeia with the one from a related ethnic group.

Methods

Fieldwork was conducted between July and September 2007. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, collection of medicinal plants in the homegardens, forest walks, a walk along the river banks, participant observation, informal conversation, cross check through voucher specimens and a focus group interview with children.

Results

Four-hundred and two medicinal plants, mainly herbs, were indicated by the informants. The most important families in terms of taxa were Asteraceae, Araceae, Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Solanaceae and Piperaceae. Eighty-four percent of the medicinal plants were wild and 63% were collected from the forest. Exotics accounted to only 2% of the medicinal plants. Problems related to the dermal system, digestive system, and cultural belief system represented 57% of all the medicinal applications. Some traditional healers received non-indigenous customers, using their knowledge as a source of income. Age and gender were significantly correlated to medicinal plant knowledge. Children knew the medicinal plants almost exclusively by their Spanish names. Sixteen percent of the medicinal plants found in this community were also reported among the Yanesha of the Pasco Region.

Conclusions

Despite the vicinity to a city, knowledge on medicinal plants and cultural beliefs are still abundant in this Asháninka Native Community and the medicinal plants are still available in the surroundings. Nevertheless, the use of Spanish names for the medicinal plants and the shift of healing practices towards a source of income with mainly non-indigenous customers, are signs of acculturation. Future studies on quantification of the use of medicinal plants, dynamics of transmission of ethno-medicinal knowledge to the young generations and comparison with available pharmacological data on the most promising medicinal plants are suggested.     

Cancer survival in the northwestern of São Paulo State,Brazil: A population-based study

BackgroundPopulation-based cancer registry (PBCR) data provide crucial information for evaluating the effectiveness of cancer services and reflect prospects for cure by estimating population-based cancer survival. This study provides long-term trends in survival among patients diagnosed with cancer in the Barretos region (São Paulo State, Brazil).MethodsIn this population-based study, we estimated the one- and five-year age-standardized net survival rates of 13,246 patients diagnosed with 24 different cancer types in Barretos region between 2000 and 2018. The results were presented by sex, time since diagnosis, disease stage, and period of diagnosis.ResultsMarked differences in the one- and five-year age-standardized net survival rates were observed across the cancer sites. Pancreatic cancer had the lowest 5-year net survival (5.5 %, 95 %CI: 2.9–9.4) followed by oesophageal cancer (5.6 %, 95 %CI: 3.0–9.4), while prostate cancer ranked the best (92.1 %, 95 %CI: 87.8–94.9), followed by thyroid cancer (87.4 %, 95 %CI: 69.9–95.1) and female breast cancer (78.3 %, 95 %CI: 74.5–81.6). The survival rates differed substantially according to sex and clinical stage. Comparing the first (2000–2005) and last (2012–2018) periods, cancer survival improved, especially for thyroid, leukemia, and pharyngeal cancers, with differences of 34.4 %, 29.0 %, and 28.7 %, respectively.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate long-term cancer survival in the Barretos region, showing an overall improvement over the last two decades. Survival varied by site, indicating the need for multiple cancer control actions in the future with a lower burden of cancer.     

Karyotypic variability in Iheringichthys labrosus (Teleostei, Pimelodidae) from the Tibagi River basin (Paraná State, Brazil)

Cytogenetic analyses were carried out in a populational sample of Iheringichthys labrosus from the Guaraúna River (Upper Tibagi River; Paraná State, Brazil) in order to provide a karyotypic comparison with another previously studied population from the Lower Tibagi River, characterized by the presence of 32m + 8sm + 6st + 10a (2n = 56, FN = 102) and occurrence of supernumerary chromosomes (80% of individuals). The 17 specimens of I. labrosus (6 females, 10 males and 1 of unknown sex) from the Upper Tibagi River showed 2n = 56 chromosomes, a karyotype formula of 14m + 32sm + 4st + 6a (FN = 106), without evidence of sex chromosome heteromorphism or supernumerary chromosomes. The heterochromatin was detected at telomeric and centromeric positions in several chromosomal pairs. The Ag-nucleolar organizer regions were heteromorphic and located at terminal position on short arms of the 16th chromosomal pair, suggesting a positive association with heterochromatic regions. The inter-populational karyotypic differentiation reported indicates distinct evolutionary pathways within I. labrosus in the Tibagi River basin.     

Movement patterns and space use of the first giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) monitored in São Paulo State,Brazil

This study analyzes a giant anteater’s (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) movement patterns and space use in São Paulo, Brazil. It is the first study to track a giant anteater with Iridium-GPS. The anteater traveled an average distance of 1326 m day^–1 with an average speed of 1.04 m min^–1. Home range by Kernel was 2.46 km² while the core area was 0.75 km², and estimates by Brownian bridge and minimum convex polygon were also provided. The anteater used shrub savanna, open savanna, and water habitats more than expected. Monitoring ended just after 10 days when the female giant anteater’s GPS was found on an illegal trail.     

Shell Beds as paleoecological puzzles: A case study from the Upper Permian of the Paraná Basin, Brazil

Summary Microstratigraphic, sedimentological, and taphonomic features of the Ferraz Shell Bed, from the Upper Permian (Kazanian-Tatarian?) Corumbataí Formation of Rio Claro Region (the Paraná Basin, Brazil), indicate that the bed consists of four distinct microstratigraphic units. They include, from bottom to top, a lag concentration (Unit 1), a partly reworked storm deposit (Unit 2), a rapidly deposited sandstone unit with three thin horizons recording episodes of reworking (Unit 3), and a shell-rich horizon generated by reworking/winnowing that was subsequently buried by storm-induced obrution deposit (Unit 4). The bioclasts of the Ferraz Shell Bed represent exclusively bivalve mollusks.Pinzonellaillusa andTerraia aequilateralis are the dominant species. Taphonomic analysis indicates that mollusks are heavily time-averaged (except for some parts of Unit 3). Moreover, different species are time-averaged to a different degree (disharmonious time-averaging). The units differ statistically from one another in their taxonomic and ecological composition, in their taphonomic pattern, and in the size-frequency distributions of the two most common species. Other Permian shell beds of the Paraná Basin are simílar to the Ferraz Shell Bed in their faunal composition (they typically contain similar sets of 5 to 10 bivalve species) and in their taphonomic, sedimentologic, and microstratigraphic characteristics. However, rare shell beds that include 2–3 species only and are dominated by articulated shells preserved in life position also occur. Diversity levels in the Permian benthic associations of the Paraná Basin were very low, with the point diversity of 2–3 species and with the within-habitat and basin-wide (alpha and gamma) diversities of 10 species, at most. The Paraná Basin benthic communities may have thus been analogous to low-diversity bivalve-dominated associations of the present-day Baltic Sea. The ‘Ferraz-type’ shell beds of the Paraná Basin represent genetically complex and highly heterogeneous sources of paleontological data. They are cumulative records of spectra of benthic ecosystems time-averaged over long periods of time (10²–10⁴ years judging from actualistic research). Detailed biostratinomic reconstructions of shell beds can not only offer useful insights into their depositional histories, but may also allow paleoecologists to optimize their sampling designs, and consequently, refine paleoecological and paleoenvironmental interpretations.     

Isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) from São Paulo State, Brazil

The capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) is a large rodent used for human consumption in certain areas of South America. In the present study, viable Toxoplasma gondii was isolated for the first time from this host. Antibodies to T. gondii were assayed in the sera of 64 capybaras from 6 counties of S?o Paulo State, Brazil, using the modified agglutination test (MAT, > or =1:25 dilution) and the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT, > or =1:16 dilution), and antibodies were found in 48 (75%) by MAT, and 49 (76.6%) by IFAT. Samples of brain, heart, and tongue of 40 seropositive capybaras were pooled, digested in pepsin, and bioassayed in mice. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from tissue homogenates of 36 capybaras, and the isolates were designated TgCyBrl-36. Most isolates were lethal to mice; 17 of the 36 isolates killed 100% of infected mice, 11 isolates caused mortality in 25-90% of infected mice, and 8 isolates were nonpathogenic to mice. Results indicate that asymptomatic capybaras can harbor mouse-virulent T. gondii, and hence they can serve as a source of infection for humans.     

A new species of camallanidae from Ageneiosus ucayalensis (Pisces: Siluriformes) from Pará State, Brazil

Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) belenensis n. sp. is described using light and scanning electron microcopy, based on specimens taken from Ageneiosus ucayalensis, Castelnau, 1855 (Pisces: Siluriforme), a freshwater fish commonly called mandubé, in Pard State, Brazil; Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) rarus is recorded from the same host. To our knowledge there are no previous reports of nematodes from this fish species. Procamallanus (S.) belenensis is characterized by the presence of 8-13 cuticular spiral thickenings coating 2/3 of posterior region of the buccal capsule of males and females (the anterior third is smooth); small sub-equal spicules; 3 and 4-5 pairs of pre- and post-cloacal papillae, respectively; the proportion of muscular and glandular esophagus is 1:1.5-2; males present 2 spike-like projections at the tail tip, which are absent in females by light microscopy. The most closely related species are Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus and Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) pintoi. The new species differs from the most closely related species by the presence of 8-10 cuticular spiral thickenings in the buccal capsule of males and 9-13 in the females, 8 pairs of male clocal papillae (3 pre- and 5 post-cloacal, respectively), and only males bearing 2 minute, spike-like projections at the posterior end.     

Occurrence of Neospora caninum antibodies in capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) from São Paulo State, Brazil

Capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) is a large rodent distributed throughout tropical America. Antibodies to Neospora caninum in 213 feral capybaras from 11 counties of the State of S?o Paulo, Brazil, were assessed using the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (titer >or=1:25) and found in 20 (9.4%), with titers of 1:25 in 4, 1:50 in 7, and 1:100 in 9 animals. This is the first report of occurrence of N. caninum antibodies in capybaras.     

The library model for satellite DNA evolution: a case study with the rodents of the genus Ctenomys (Octodontidae) from the Iberá marsh, Argentina

On the basement of the library model of satellite DNA evolution is the differential amplification of subfamilies through lineages diversification. However, this idea has rarely been explored from an experimental point of view. In the present work, we analyzed copy number and sequence variability of RPCS (repetitive PvuII Ctenomys sequence), the major satellite DNA present in the genomes of the rodents of the genus Ctenomys, in a closely related group of species and forms inhabiting the Iberá marsh in Argentina. We studied the dependence of these two parameters at the intrapopulation level because in the case of interbreeding genomes, differences in RPCS copy number are due to recent amplification/contraction events. We found an inverse relationship among RPCS copy number and sequence variability: amplifications lead to a decrease in sequence variability, by means of biased homogenization of the overall satellite DNA, prevailing few variants. On the contrary, the contraction events that involve tandems of homogeneous monomers contribute-by default-minor variants to become evident, which otherwise were undetectable. On the other hand, all the RPCS sequence variants are totally or partially shared by all the studied populations. As a whole, these results are comprehensible if these RPCS variants preexisted in the common ancestor of this Ctenomys group.     

Areas of endemism in the Antarctic – a case study of the benthic hydrozoan genus Oswaldella (Cnidaria,Kirchenpaueriidae)

Aim The aim of this study is to investigate areas of endemism within the distribution of Oswaldella species in the Southern Ocean, thereby testing previous hypotheses and proposing alternative scenarios for Antarctic evolution. Location Southern Ocean, Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters of southern South America. Methods We prepared a database for the 31 currently known species of the Antarctic genus Oswaldella, which includes geographical locations gathered from published taxonomic studies as well as materials from museums and expeditions. A parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) was used to test hypotheses of distribution patterns. Results Four areas of endemism are hypothesized: southern South America, two high Antarctic areas (eastern and western) and a larger area, mainly in western Antarctica at lower latitudes and including insular areas (but not the Balleny Islands). Main conclusions The results support, in part, previous hypotheses for the Southern Ocean region, while providing more detailed resolution. The areas of endemism may reflect both historical and ecological processes that influenced the Antarctic biota. The Magellanic area reflects the well-known affinities of the Antarctic biota with that of South America and may be a consequence of dispersal through deeper (and colder) waters, followed by speciation. The second area, the largest one, encompasses most of the insular faunas and may also be associated with deeper waters formed since 43 Ma. The third area may be explained by the development of seaways in the circum-Antarctic region beginning 50 Ma. Finally, the fourth zone, with a very poor fauna, coincides with the opening of the Tasman Strait and the formation of the Australo-Antarctic Gulf, associated with a minor wind-driven current.     

The use of concept maps during knowledge elicitation in ontology development processes – the nutrigenomics use case

Background  

Incorporation of ontologies into annotations has enabled 'semantic integration' of complex data, making explicit the knowledge within a certain field. One of the major bottlenecks in developing bio-ontologies is the lack of a unified methodology. Different methodologies have been proposed for different scenarios, but there is no agreed-upon standard methodology for building ontologies. The involvement of geographically distributed domain experts, the need for domain experts to lead the design process, the application of the ontologies and the life cycles of bio-ontologies are amongst the features not considered by previously proposed methodologies.     

Sustainability assessment of sugarcane-ethanol production in Brazil: A case study of a sugarcane mill in São Paulo state

To improve decision-making, sustainability-based approaches to impact assessment demand that we move beyond narrowly defined considerations to address the full suite of requirements for sustainability, as well as the interconnections, feedbacks and uncertainties that typify complex socio-ecological systems at all scales. This paper applies a sustainability assessment framework to assess a sugarcane-ethanol mill in São Paulo state, Brazil, seeking to identify opportunities for improvements towards sustainability. The analysis highlights the importance of broader strategic planning for providing an appropriate context for more sustainable sugarcane-ethanol production at the watershed, municipal, and mill level. Five particularly important multi-scalar issues that were identified are (1) the maintenance of long-term water availability and quality; (2) the enhancement of biodiversity and reversal of ecological fragmentation; (3) the planned elimination of sugarcane straw burning and subsequence increase in mechanized harvesting; (4) the impacts of indirect and direct land-use change; and (5) the quality, availability and durability of livelihood opportunities. To address these issues requires long term integrated planning and monitoring, better understanding of cumulative impacts and thresholds, recognition of important tradeoffs, and a credible and collaborative decision-making process that involves and empowers stakeholders to set the agendas and seek common goals.     

The use of zootherapeutics in folk veterinary medicine in the district of Cubati, Paraíba State, Brazil

Background

Viewed through the micro focus of an interpretive lens, medical anthropology remains mystified because interpretivist explanations seriously downplay the given context in which individual health seeking-behaviours occur. This paper draws upon both the interpretivist and political economy perspectives to reflect on the ethno medical practices within the Korean-Australian community in Sydney.

Methods

We draw on research data collected between 1995 and 1997 for an earlier study of the use of biomedical and traditional medicine by Korean-Australians in Sydney. A total of 120 interviews were conducted with a range of participants, including biomedical doctors, traditional health professionals, Korean community leaders and Korean migrants representing a range of socio-economic backgrounds and migration patterns.

Results and Discussion

First, the paper highlights the extent to which the social location of migrants in a host society alters or restructures their initial cultural practices they bring with them. Second, taking hanbang medicine in the Korean-Australian community as an illustrative case, the paper explores the transformation of the dominant biomedicine in Australia as a result of the influx of ethnomedicine in the era of global capitalism and global movement.

Conclusion

In seeking to explain the popularity and supply of alternative health care, it is important to go beyond the culture of each kind of health care itself and to take into consideration the changes occurring at societal, national and global levels as well as consequential individual response to the changes. New social conditions influence the choice of health care methods, including herbal/alternative medicine, health foods and what are often called New Age therapies.     

Carnivore mammals in a fragmented landscape in northeast of São Paulo State,Brazil

São Paulo is the most developed state in Brazil and little of its native vegetation remains. In Luiz Antonio and Santa Rita do Passa Quatro municipalities, only small fragments of cerrado (Brazilian savanna) physiognomies (cerradão, cerrado sensu stricto) and of semideciduous forest have been left, surrounded by eucalyptus silviculture and sugar-cane agriculture. However, that vegetation mosaic still shelters large mammals, including several carnivore species. To detect the carnivores present in such a mosaic area (50,000 ha), and to find out how they use the landscape, we recorded them through 21 camera traps and 21 track plots, during 18 months. Species richness, diversity and relative frequency were evaluated according to the habitat. Ten species were recorded, some of them locally threatened to extinction (Puma concolor, Leopardus pardalis, Chrysocyon brachyurus). Species diversity did not significantly differ among fragments, and although most species preferred one or another habitat, the carnivore community as a whole explored all the study area regardless of the vegetation cover; eucalyptus plantations were as used by the carnivores as the native fragments. Therefore, it seems possible to maintain such animals in agricultural landscapes, where some large native fragments are left and the matrix is permeable to native fauna.     

Biochemical studies in a eunicid (polychaete) of the littoral of São Paulo,Brazil

• 1.1. The sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulphur, copper, iron, total carbon dioxide, uric acid, creatinine, urea, glucose, erythrocruoin, nitrogen, total iodine, protein-bound iodine, total lipids, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase activity, acid phosphatase activity and copper oxidase activity contents of the blood of the giant Polychaete, Eunice sp., were determined.
• 2.2. The osmolarity of the blood was 997 mOsm/1 and the pH was 6·49, a very low value. The bicarbonate concentration estimated by the Henderson-Hasselbach equation was 4·70 mM/1.
• 3.3. The values of the sea water, sediments, water contained in the tube, tube, cuticle, muscle and faeces are also given.
• 4.4. The chemical composition of the mucus was determined.

     

The longitudinal distribution of copepods in Corumbá Reservoir,State of Goiás,Brazil

The assessment of factors that determine the spatial distribution of zooplankton abundance is a central issue in zooplankton ecology. Since these factors are, in the most cases, spatially autocorrelated, especially in reservoirs, it is frequently difficult to isolate the primary causes that explain the variation in zooplankton abundance. In this paper, the spatial variation of copepods in Corumbá Reservoir (Goiás, Brazil) was studied. Sets of variables were used to model copepod abundance variation: limnology (abiotic variables), phytoplankton and spatial position of sampling sites. The copepod assemblage was composed of Thermocyclops minutus, Thermocyclops decipiens, Mesocyclops longisetus and Notodiaptomus iheringi. Along the reservoir's main axis, abundance increases, albeit not linearly, towards the lacustrine zone. High abundance, similar to that found in the lacustrine region, was also observed in the lateral arms. These patterns were very similar for different years and seasons. Copepods were significantly correlated with phytoplankton and geography. After controlling for the effect of space, the relationship between copepods and phytoplankton was not significant (partial Mantel test). This result indicates that hydrology is the primary process that controls not only the abundance of copepods, but also limnological features and food resources, which are commonly used to explain variations in zooplankton abundance.