Limited effectiveness of artificial bird perches for the establishment of seedlings and the restoration of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest

Brazil’s Atlantic Forest biome is severely degraded and fragmented throughout its range. Developing effective techniques to restore pasture and agriculture back to native vegetation is therefore a priority for legal and conservation purposes. In this study, we evaluate the ability of artificial bird perches to enhance the arrival of new seeds and seedling establishment in a degraded, semi-deciduous seasonal portion of the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil. Specifically, we assess the influence of previous land use and habitat types on the abundance, species richness and ecological traits of bird-dispersed seeds, as well as on seedling establishment. Eight sampling sites were established, each containing one unit with seed traps and restoration plots under artificial perches and one similar unit without the perches. These sites were located in pasture and agriculture, distributed between riparian and sub-montane areas. Monthly sampling was conducted over two years between December 2005 and November 2007, resulting in the evaluation of 25,755 seeds and 56 endozoochoric seed species. The most abundant species were the pioneers Cecropia pachystachya Trécul and Solanum americanum Mill. Experimental units with perches received significantly more seeds than control units. Moreover, seed arrival was higher in sub-montane areas and on former pasture sites. Species richness followed a similar pattern of higher seed arrival, but there was no effect of vegetation type. Ecological characteristics of seeds were associated with land use type: former pastures received more tree seeds and pioneer species than expected by chance. Seedling establishment was very low in all treatments, with only eight seedlings established in perch plots by the end of the experiment. We conclude that despite artificial perches significantly increasing the arrival of endozoochoric seeds onto degraded lands, seedling establishment is drastically limited in these areas, compromising the efficacy of this technique for restoration purposes.     

Effect of vaccination against gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF) with Bopriva® in the prepubertal bull calf

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of immunization against gonadotropin-releasing factor (GnRF) with Bopriva(?) (Pfizer Animal Health, Parkville, Australia) in prepubertal bull calves. For the study, 6 calves were vaccinated at the age of 3 and 6 weeks with 1 mL Bopriva(?), and 6 animals served as matched controls. Concentrations of GnRF antibodies, testosterone and LH were determined in serum samples out to 30 weeks after the first immunization. Body weight and scrotal circumference were measured for 59 weeks. At slaughter, 65 weeks after the first immunization, the quality of epididymal sperm was evaluated. The results showed that vaccination against GnRF influenced (P<0.05) anti-GnRF titer, LH and testosterone concentrations as well as scrotal circumference. Antibody titers significantly (P<0.05) increased after the booster vaccination and reached peak values 2 weeks later. Compared to control animals, inhibition (P<0.05) of the prepubertal LH secretion was observed in vaccinated calves at weeks 10 and 12-14 after the first vaccination. In vaccinated calves testosterone concentrations decreased after the booster injection to values below 0.5 ng/mL serum and remained for at least 22 weeks at this low level. Animals vaccinated with Bopriva(?) showed a delay in testes growth and smaller scrotal circumference. Puberty occurred at the age between 46 and 55 weeks in vaccinated and between 38 and 52 weeks in control animals and body weight gain was similar in both groups. All vaccinated bulls attained spermatogenic capacity at slaughter when they were 68 weeks old.     

Comparison of the efficacy of long-lasting insecticidal nets PermaNet® 2.0 and Olyset® against Anopheles albimanus under laboratory conditions

Insecticide-treated nets provide a reduction in human-vector contact through physical barrier, mortality and/or repellent effects that protect both users and non-users, thereby protecting the wider community from vector-borne diseases like malaria. Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) are the best alternative. This study evaluated the bioefficacy of LLINs PermaNet? 2.0 and Olyset? under laboratory conditions with Anopheles albimanus. The laboratory strain was evaluated for insecticide susceptibility with selected insecticides used for malarial control. Regeneration time and wash resistance were evaluated with the standard bioassay cone technique following WHO guidelines. Heat assistance was used for Olyset? nets; the nets were exposed to four different temperatures to speed the regeneration process. The regeneration study of PermaNet? 2.0 showed that efficacy was fully recovered by 24 h after one and three washes and wash resistance persisted for 15 washes. Regeneration of Olyset? nets was not observed for nets washed three times, even with the different temperature exposures for up to seven days. Thus, for Olyset? the wash resistance evaluation could not proceed. Differences in response between the two LLINs may be associated with differences in manufacturing procedures and species response to the evaluated LLINs. PermaNet? 2.0 showed higher and continuous efficacy against An. albimanus.     

Can anything be done to maintain the effectiveness of pyrethroid-impregnated bednets against malaria vectors?

Pyrethroid-treated bednets are the most promising available method of controlling malaria in the tropical world. Every effort should be made to find methods of responding to, or preventing, the emergence of pyrethroid resistance in the Anopheles vectors. Some cases of such resistance are known, notably in An. gambiae in West Africa where the kdr type of resistance has been selected, probably because of the use of pyrethroids on cotton. Because pyrethroids are irritant to mosquitoes, laboratory studies on the impact of, and selection for, resistance need to be conducted with free-flying mosquitoes in conditions that are as realistic as possible. Such studies are beginning to suggest that, although there is cross-resistance to all pyrethroids, some treatments are less likely to select for resistance than others are. Organophosphate, carbamate and phenyl pyrazole insecticides have been tested as alternative treatments for nets or curtains. Attempts have been made to mix an insect growth regulator and a pyrethroid on netting to sterilize pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes that are not killed after contact with the netting. There seems to be no easy solution to the problem of pyrethroid resistance management, but further research is urgently needed.     

Spatial analysis of the distribution of leprosy in the State of Ceará, Northeast Brazil

The aim of this study was to describe spatial patterns of the distribution of leprosy and to investigate spatial clustering of incidence rates in the state of Ceará, Northeast Brazil. The average incidence rate of leprosy for the period of 1991 to 1999 was calculated for each municipality of Ceará. Maps were used to describe the spatial distribution of the disease, and spatial statistics were applied to explore large- and small-scale variations of incidence rates. Three regions were identified in which the incidence of leprosy was particularly high. A spatial gradient in the incidence rates was identified, with a tendency of high rates to be concentrated on the North-South axis in the middle region of the state. Moran's I statistic indicated that a significant spatial autocorrelation also existed. The spatial distribution of leprosy in Ceará is heterogeneous. The reasons for spatial clustering of disease rates are not known, but might be related to an heterogeneous distribution of other factors such as crowding, social inequality, and environmental characteristics which by themselves determine the transmission of Mycobacterium leprae.     

Understanding the pharmacokinetics of Coartem®

Background

During pregnancy, women are more susceptible to Plasmodium falciparum infections and frequently have a higher parasitaemia than non-pregnant women. Several mechanisms are responsible for their increased susceptibility, including down-modulation of immune responses that aid in parasite clearance and sequestration of infected erythrocytes in the placenta. Early in pregnancy, a third mechanism may contribute to higher parasitaemia, since it has been reported that addition of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to in vitro cultures of the NF54-strain of P. falciparum results in increased parasite growth rates. The goal of this study was to further examine the effect of hCG on P. falciparum growth.

Methods

The NF54-3D7, FVO and 7G8 strains of P. falciparum were cultured in vitro with various physiological concentrations of hCG purchased from three sources. Infected erythrocytes were also co-cultured with a human cell line that naturally secretes hCG.

Results

Results from 14 experiments using different combinations of parasite strains and concentrations of hCG from different sources, as well as the co-culture studies, failed to provide convincing evidence that hCG enhances parasite growth in vitro.

Conclusion

Based on these data, it seems unlikely that hCG has a direct effect on the rate of parasite growth early in pregnancy.     

Effect of temperature,relative humidity and aphid developmental stage on the efficacy of the mycoinsecticide Mycotal® against Myzus persicae

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, is a major pest worldwide. An examination of the impact of temperature, relative humidity (RH) and developmental stages of M. persicae on the efficacy of the whitefly mycoinsecticide Mycotal®, based on Lecanicillium muscarium and the effects of infection on aphid fecundity was evaluated under controlled conditions. Although this fungus can be grown at a broad range of temperatures (15–30°C), the optimum temperature for control of M. persicae ranged between 20 and 30°C. L. muscarium had high efficacy as a microbial control agent against M. persicae between 55% and 90% RH. Total mortality of aphids treated with different spore dosages of L. muscarium varied according to the developmental stage: adults, fourth and third instar nymphs proved more susceptible than first instar nymphs. Although the fungus did not affect the rate of nymph production, the reproductive period of aphids significantly decreased with increasing the spore dosage. Thus, total fecundity of treated aphids was 22.6 ± 1.1 and 31.6 ± 2.4 offspring per adult at the medium (644 ± viable spore/mm²) and low (330 ± 40 viable spore/mm²) dosages, compared with 45.7 ± 4.3 offspring per untreated aphid. The results suggest that L. muscarium has the potential as a biological control agent of M. persicae.     

The growth of follicles in the rat ovary under the influence of Busulphan and Endoxan®

Summary Busulphan and Endoxan^® inhibit the normal course of ovarian follicular growth. Older secondary as well as all antral follicles perish within a very short time.Growing follicles, which at the beginning of the experiment exhibited only one layer, remained intact and single-layered during the entire duration of the experiment. The oocytes, however, continue growing, and the cytoplasmic structures, which are characteristic of older growing follicles, develop in them as well as in the follicle cells. Even a theca formation develops.In some of the growing follicles which have remained single-layered, after 10 days of Busulphan administration, some liquor folliculi is produced and accumulates in a fissure-shaped antrum between the zona pellucida and the follicular epithelium.     

Do motile spermatozoids limit the effectiveness of sexual reproduction in bryophytes? Not in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha

To test the premise that fertilization distances in bryophytes are limited by spermatozoid motility, we measured the distances between over 80 000 male and female thalli of Marchantia polymorpha on heathland over 2 successive years after a major fire and recorded the incidence of sporophytes. The first comparative data on spermatozoid numbers per antheridium across bryophytes and pteridophytes were calculated from antheridial sizes and spermatid diameters and cross‐checked with the likely numbers produced by successive antheridial mitoses. Individual antheridia of Marchantia produce over 200 000 spermatozoids. Extrapolating from individual antheridia to the numbers of mature antheridia per antheridiophore and then to individual male plants, we calculated that a single flooding event on a male thallus with 10–12 antheridiophores will result in the release of over 50 million spermatozoids. Assuming radial dispersal in surface water films by lipids released from the dehiscing antheridia, spermatozoids can reach distances exceeding 20 m from the parent plants, in line with our finding of 100% fertilization in female plants of Marchantia up to 19 m from the nearest males, far beyond published fertilization distances in dioicous bryophytes. We attribute this to (i) much greater spermatozoid production and numbers in Marchantia than in other bryophytes and (ii) highly effective sperm transport both within the antheridiophores and archegoniophores via their overlapping scales and grooves in the stalks and between male and female thalli via surface water films. These features, coupled with the massive production of small spores, explain the success of Marchantia as the primary colonist of open habitats.     

Prion protein gene polymorphisms in sheep in the state of Paraná, Brazil

To determine the polymorphisms of the prion protein gene in sheep from the state of Paraná, Brazil, 323 animals of meat breeds (Suffolk, Hampshire Down, Texel, Ile de France, Dorper, Dorset, Santa Inês and crossbreds) were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. The most frequent allele was ARQ, with a frequency of 0.61, followed by ARR (0.30). VRQ and AHQ alleles were present at very low frequencies (0.13 and 0.05 respectively), and the ARH allele was not found. Seven genotypes were identified (ARR/ARR, ARR/ARQ, ARQ/ARQ, ARR/VRQ, ARR/AHQ, ARQ/VRQ and ARQ/AHQ), of which ARQ/ARQ was the most frequent (0.41). The Santa Inês breed and crossbred animals showed the highest genotypic variability.     

Monitoring of the dissemination of Salmonella in the chicken Frankfurt-sausage production line of a sausage factory in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Poultry meat and its derivatives are among the foodstuffs considered by environmental health authorities to present the highest risks to the public. A total of 185 samples were collected in five monthly batches, from different processing stages in a sausage plant that uses mechanically-deboned chicken meat (MDCM), and tested for the presence of Salmonella. Enrichment was carried out in both Kauffman's tetrathionate broth and Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth and isolation on Salmonella-Shigella agar and brilliant-green agar. Live Salmonella bacteria were isolated from six samples of the raw meat and from the emulsion, in batches three, four, and five, but not from any sample in batches one or two. The six isolated strains were all classified as Salmonella Albany, which has not previously been reported in MDCM. Of the two enrichment broths, Rappaport-Vassiliadis gave the better results. The pattern of contamination suggests a probable common source, given that a new supplier was used in the third, fourth, and fifth months. It was also shown that the industrial cooking was effective in preventing Salmonella surviving in the final product.     

Distribution of heavy metals in the geochemical phases of sediments from the Tietê River,Brazil

Abstract

The fractionation of heavy metals in riverbed sediments along the Tietê River basin, a highly polluted river in southeast region of Brazil, was investigated using a four-step sequential extraction procedure, in order to determine the concentration and distribution of Cu, Co, Cr, Cd, Zn, Ni and Pb, in the river bottom sediments, related to the potential mobility of geochemical phases. Around the metropolitan area of the City of São Paulo, which has 25 million people, the pollution is associated with municipal wastes and industrial effluents. Potentials of high mobility were observed for Cu and Zn along the entire river basin, associated mainly to the organic fraction, while at the Pirapora and Anhembi stations (upper and middle parts of the basin, respectively) the reactive forms of Ni and Pb were more associated to the Fe and Mn oxides. Near the mouth of the Tietê River, no significant contaminations caused by Cr and Ni in riverbed sediments was verified confirming the presence of these metals in the residual or lithogenous phase.     

The fish zonation of the Itanhaém river basin in the Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil

The distribution range of fishes along an upstream–downstream gradient within a river basin is determined by the ecological requirements of each fish species. This differential pattern of distribution may suggest the occurrence of fish zones, where different functional guilds would prevail. The earliest concept of fish zonation highlighted the preferential position of several species in European rivers. Nowadays, there is a consensus that for a broad application of this concept, it is necessary to consider the division in functional groups along the downstream profile as related to reproductive, feed and population dynamics traits. However, for a number of tropical systems, such information does not exist. In this case, it is possible to use the fish family as a surrogate metric, by assuming that it fully covers common aspects of morphology, feeding, and behavior. Using this surrogate metric, we analyzed the distribution range of fish species along an elevation gradient in a typical Atlantic Forest basin in southeast Brazil. Our objective was to delimit fish zones based on the representativeness of some dominant fish families. Between 2006 and 2008, we sampled 42 sites from the estuary to the headwater creeks in elevations that varied from 3 to 783 m. The data were explored using the species (or family) occurrence, relative numerical abundance (N′), relative biomass (B′), and the importance index (IP). We applied the non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) to ordinate the sampling sites using the Jaccard distance calculated on the species occurrence matrix. Data on family importance were superimposed to the NMDS to check how the distribution and the abundance of the families were correlated to the ordination. We caught 64 species distributed among 25 fish families. Based on the dominance of some families, we propose that the fish assemblage in the Itanhaém river basin can be organized in four fish zones (FZ) and three transitory zones (TZ), which replace each other along the longitudinal gradient. The marine/estuarine fishes dominated in FZ1 and TZ1. The freshwater fishes were dominated by Characidae (FZ2), Heptapteridae (FZ3), and Gymnotidae (FZ4). TZ2 was equally dominated by Characidae, Loricariidae, and Heptapteridae. The distinct assemblage composition along the FZ’s may relate to complex interactions involving seasonal patterns of variation in salinity levels (next to estuary), slope, presence of downstream barriers, and availability of food resources. We expect that the patterns observed in our study will also be presented in other coastal Atlantic Forest basins in Southeast Brazil.     

Diversity and genetic distance in populations of Steindachnerina in the upper Paraná river floodplain of Brazil

Whereas four species of the genus Steindachnerina occur in the Paraná river basin, S. insculpta was the only endemic species of the region under analysis, which is the third lower section of the upper Paraná river. Among other factors, this species has been characterised by the absence of spots in the basal region of the dorsal fin. However, various specimens with this characteristic appeared in the region after the construction of the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant in 1982. An analysis of the genetic variability of Steindachnerina populations with or without spots is provided. Specimens were collected in different sites of the floodplain of the upper Paraná river and samples were compared by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique and morphological analyses. Ninety-eight amplified loci with nine random primers were analysed in 19 specimens of each phenotype. Data for genetic distance showed great divergences between the two phenotypes and indicate two different species. Spotted specimens may be identified as S. brevipinna, found in the region downstream Sete Quedas Falls. The species must have overcome the geographical barrier during the building of the Itaipu hydroelectric dam that submerged the waterfalls and which became an obstacle between the upper and middle Paraná river some 150 km downstream. Since phenotypes do not share dominant alleles, absence of gene flow has been suggested.     

Validity of the Myotest® in measuring force and power production in the squat and bench press

The purpose of this study was to verify the concurrent validity of a bar-mounted Myotest? instrument in measuring the force and power production in the squat and bench press exercises when compared to the gold standard of a computerized linear transducer and force platform system. Fifty-four men (bench press: 39-171 kg; squat: 75-221 kg) and 43 women (bench press: 18-80 kg; squat: 30-115 kg) (age range 18-30 years) performed a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) strength test in bench press and squat exercises. Power testing consisted of the jump squat and the bench throw at 30% of each subject's 1RM. During each measurement, both the Myotest? instrument and the Celesco linear transducer of the directly interfaced BMS system (Ballistic Measurement System [BMS] Innervations Inc, Fitness Technology force plate, Skye, South Australia, Australia) were mounted to the weight bar. A strong, positive correlation (r) between the Myotest and BMS systems and a high correlation of determination (R2) was demonstrated for bench throw force (r = 0.95, p < 0.05) (R2 = 0.92); bench throw power (r = 0.96, p < 0.05) (R2 = 0.93); squat jump force (r = 0.98, p < 0.05) (R2 = 0.97); and squat jump power (r = 0.91, p < 0.05) (R2 = 0.82). In conclusion, when fixed on the bar in the vertical axis, the Myotest is a valid field instrument for measuring force and power in commonly used exercise movements.     

Vitek® MS v3.0 System in the Identification of Filamentous Fungi

Mycopathologia - Infections caused by filamentous fungi are rising in incidence and became a serious health concern. Their rapid and reliable identification in the clinical laboratory is essential...     

Long-term change in coral cover and the effectiveness of marine protected areas in the Philippines: a meta-analysis

Although coral declines have been reported from major reefs of the world, region-specific trends still remain unclear, particularly in areas with high diversity such as the Philippines. We assessed the temporal patterns of the magnitude and trajectory of coral cover change in the Philippines using survey data collected from 317 sites. We examined the rate of change in coral cover in relation to time, effects of bleaching and protection against fishing and assessed the efficacy of marine protected areas (MPAs) using meta-analysis. Results showed an overall increase in coral cover in the Philippines from 1981 to 2010. Protection from fishing contributed to the overall increase in the mean annual rate of change as the coral cover significantly increased within MPAs than outside. The significant differences in the rate of coral cover change through time were influenced by chronic anthropogenic stresses, coinciding with the timing of thermal stress and the establishment of MPAs. The rate of change in coral cover was independent of the level of protection and the age and size of MPA.     

The selective inhibition of nuclear PKCζ restores the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents in chemoresistant cells

The atypical protein kinase C (PKC) isoform zeta (PKCζ) has been implicated in the intracellular transduction of mitogenic and apoptotic signals by acting on different signaling pathways. The key role of these processes in tumorigenesis suggests a possible involvement of PKCζ in this event. PKCζ is activated by cytotoxic treatments, inhibits apoptotic cell death and reduces the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents. Here, using pharmacological and DNA recombinant approaches, we show that oxidative stress triggers nuclear translocation of PKCζ and induces resistance to apoptotic agents. Accordingly, chemoresistant cells show accumulation of PKCζ within the nucleus, and a nuclear-targeted PKCζ transfected in tumor cells decreases sensitivity to apoptosis. We thus developed a novel recombinant protein capable of selectively inhibiting the nuclear fraction of PKCζ that restored the susceptibility to apoptosis in cells in which PKCζ was enriched in the nuclear fraction, including chemoresistant cells. These findings establish the importance of PKCζ as a possible target to increase the effectiveness of anticancer therapies and highlight potential sites of intervention.Key words: protein kinase C, chemoresistance, oxidative stress, nuclear translocation, apoptosis