Length-weight relationship of fish species captured around an artificial offshore reef (northern Rio de Janeiro,Brazil)

The present work provides length-weight relationships (LWRs) for fish species captured around artificial offshore reef deployed 5 km from Guaxindiba Port, northern Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fish were captured during two sampling periods each year between 1996 and 2017 using bottom gill nets (25 m_length × 3 m_depth; 30 mm mesh). The fish were kept on ice and the biometric data, including total length (cm) and total wet weight (g) were determined in the laboratory. A total of 16 species belonging to 10 families were analyzed with Sciaenidae being the species richest family (5 spp) in the samples. The new value of LWRs for Sphyraena guachancho and new maximum sizes recorded for seven species highlight the scarcity of information on biological aspects of South America coastal fishes. These LWRs should assist fisheries scientist and managers to complement their further studies of population parameters to improve management decisions.     

Comparative post-hatching ontogeny of Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (Eigenmann & Eigenmann 1889) and Leiarius marmoratus (Gill, 1870) and their hybrid

Ontogenetic studies of the eggs and larvae of fish can provide information on the initial life history and biology of a species, are important for taxonomic and evolutionary studies, and for cultivation in captivity. The aim of this study was to analyze and describe the main morphological differences in the larval ontogeny of Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum, Leiarius marmoratus, and its hybrid (♀ P. reticulatum × ♂ L. marmoratus), as well as to identify characteristics that can identify the species and their hybrid at the larvae and juvenile stages. 205 L. marmoratus, 210 P. reticulatum, and 205 hybrid specimens were analyzed, all of which were obtained through induced reproduction. Analyses were performed from hatching to 30 days post-hatching. 19 morphometric and 5 meristic characteristics were evaluated, in addition to chromatophore shape and distribution. The specimens were classified into two life periods: Larval (stages: yolk sac, pre-flexion, flexion, and post-flexion) and Juvenile. Newly hatched larvae were transparent, poorly developed, and had a scarcity of chromatophores. During the early stages of larval development, the three groups showed similarities in appearance and proportional dimensions. However, at both the end of the post-flexion stage and at the juvenile period when individuals were approximately 2 cm long, it was possible to differentiate between hybrids and their parental species by their morphometric, meristic, and pigment characteristics. The hybrid, despite occupying an intermediate position in relationship to its parents, exhibited a shape and size more similar to P. reticulatum, its maternal parent.     

The role of miRNA-221 and miRNA-126 in patients with benign metastasizing leiomyoma of the lung: an overview with new interesting scenarios

Molecular Biology Reports - Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare disease characterized by extrauterine benign leiomyomatosis in patients with a previous or concomitant history of uterine...     

First characterization of congenital myasthenic syndrome type 5 in North Africa

Molecular Biology Reports - Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are associated with defects in the structure and the function of neuromuscular junctions. These rare disorders can result from...     

Detection of Mycobacterium leprae DNA in clinical and environmental samples using serological analysis and PCR

Molecular Biology Reports - Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and persists as a serious public health problem in Brazil. This microorganism is inculturable,...     

Transferability and characterization of microsatellite markers from Byrsonima cydoniifolia A. Juss. (MALPIGHIACEAE) in seven related taxa from Cerrado biome reveal genetic relationships

Byrsonima Rich. is one of the largest genera of the Malpighiaceae family with 97 species occurrence in Brazil and multiple potentialities, including pharmaceutical and food industries. In this study, 17 microsatellite markers characterized in Byrsonima cydoniifolia were tested for seven related taxa, all species are native to Brazil and four are endemic. Genomic DNA was extracted from leaves tissues and 17 microsatellite markers were used to cross-amplification of microsatellite regions. Polymorphism and genetic diversity were evaluated for B. intermedia, B. verbascifolia, B. laxiflora, B. subterranea, B. umbellata, B. linearifolia. from 16 individuals and for B. viminifolia from 14 individuals. Transferred microsatellite markers panels ranged from 11 (64.8%) in B. viminifolia to 6 (35.2%) in B. umbellata. The total number of alleles per locus ranged from 5 (B. linearifolia) to 8 (B. subterranea) alleles. B. umbellata showed lower values of observed and expected heterozygosity (H_O?=?0.312; H_E?=?0.436) and B. subterranea presented the highest values (H_O?=?0.687; H_E?=?0.778). A greater number of microsatellite markers should be developed for B. umbellata. The microsatellite marker panels transferred to the species B. intermedia, B. verbascifolia, B. laxiflora, B. subterranea, B. viminifolia and B. linearifolia are very informative, with a high combined probability of exclusion of paternity (Q?≥?0.976) and the low combined probability of identity (I?≤?9.91?×?10^–6), potentially suitable for future genetic-population studies, supporting strategies for maintaining the genetic diversity and for exploration of Byrsonima species as genetic resources.

     

Gamma-Decanolactone Alters the Expression of GluN2B,A1 Receptors,and COX-2 and Reduces DNA Damage in the PTZ-Induced Seizure Model After Subchronic Treatment in Mice

Neurochemical Research - Gamma-decanolactone (GD) has been shown to reduce epileptic behavior in different models, inflammatory decreasing, oxidative stress, and genotoxic parameters. This study...     

Physiological Aspects of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) as a Function of Salinity

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - This study evaluated the effect of saline water irrigation (4.5 dS m−1) on growth, gas exchange and mineral nutrient content in eight melon accessions and...     

Elicitation Improves the Leaf Area,Enzymatic Activities,Antioxidant Activity and Content of Secondary Metabolites in Achillea millefolium L. Grown in the Field

Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant hormone that stimulates the growth and metabolism of plants, also acting as an abiotic elicitor. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SA on leaf production, leaf area and synthesis of secondary compounds in yarrow plants. The experiments were conducted under field conditions in two consecutive years and f-received SA foliar applications (T1-control; T2-1.0 mmol L⁻¹ applications at 20, 60 and 100 days after planting (DAP) and T3-1.0 mmol L⁻¹ applications at 100 DAP during 3 days). The exogenous application of SA resulted in increases in leaf area (total and specific), number of leaves and leaf mass ratio of yarrow plants, polyphenolic compounds, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase enzymes and the antioxidant activity of the plant extract. The HPLC–DAD–MS/MS analysis of phenolic compounds revealed increases in the amounts of quinic acid and rutin. The results of this research lead us to affirm that SA exerted both the hormonal effect on number of leaves and leaf area, and also acted as eliciting substance.

     

Incomplete mitophagy in the mevalonate kinase-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its relation to the MKD-related autoinflammatory disease in humans

Mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD) is an autosomal recessive disorder in humans that causes systemic autoinflammatory problems to children. Previously, we used a yeast model to show that MKD results in mitochondrial malfunctioning that may finally induce mitophagy. Here, we proved that MKD indeed induced general autophagy as well as mitophagy in yeast, but these mechanisms did not go to completion. Therefore, the limitation of mevalonate kinase activity produces dysfunctional mitochondria that might not be recycled, causing metabolic dysfunctions in the cells. Understanding this mechanism may provide a piece in solving the nonspecific autoinflammatory response puzzle observed in MKD patients.