Knowledge and use of medicinal plants by local specialists in an region of Atlantic Forest in the state of Pernambuco (Northeastern Brazil)

This paper investigates the wealth of medicinal plants used by the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Apatani have traditionally settled in seven villages in the Ziro valley of Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalayan region of India. The present study has resulted in the documentation of 158 medicinal plant species used by the Apatani group of villages. These medicinal plant species were distributed across 73 families and 124 genera. Asteraceae was the most dominant family (19 species, 11 genera) of medicinal plants, followed by Zingiberaceae, Solanaceae, Lamiaceae and Araceae. For curing ailments, the use of aboveground plant parts was higher (80%) than the belowground plant parts in the Apatani group of villages. Of the aboveground plant parts, leaf was used in the majority of cases (56 species), followed by fruit. Different belowground plant forms such as root, tuber, rhizome, bulb and pseudo-bulb were used by Apatani as a medicine. About 52 types of ailments were cured by using these 158 medicinal plant species. The results of this study are further discussed in the changing socio-economic contexts.     

Phylogenetic relationships of corytophanid lizards (Iguania, Squamata, Reptilia) based on partitioned and total evidence analyses of sperm morphology, gross morphology, and DNA data

We conducted partitioned and combined Bayesian and parsimony phylogenetic analyses of corytophanid lizards (Iguania) using mtDNA, gross morphology, and sperm ultrastructure data sets. Bayesian and parsimony hypotheses showed little disagreement. The combined analysis, but not any of the partitioned ones, showed strong support for the monophyly of Corytophanidae and its three genera, Basiliscus , Corytophanes , and Laemanctus . Basiliscus is the sister taxon of a well-supported clade formed by Corytophanes and Laemanctus . The relationships of species within Basiliscus and Corytophanes received weak support, regardless of the method used. We defend those relationships as feasible and open to further testing. Data derived from the ultrastructure of spermatozoa are potentially a good source of characters for systematic inferences of Iguania and its major lineages. A Brooks Parsimony Analysis based on the geographic distributions of corytophanids and the phylogenetic tree obtained from the combined analysis suggested a Central American origin of the group, a recent colonization of northern South America, and the role of epeirogenic uplifts and the formation of lowlands during the late Tertiary in the differentiation of corytophanids.     

Differential expression of osteoblast and osteoclast chemmoatractants in compression and tension sides during orthodontic movement

Orthodontic tooth movement is achieved by the remodeling of alveolar bone in response to mechanical loading, and is supposed to be mediated by several host mediators, such as chemokines. In this study we investigated the pattern of mRNAs expression encoding for osteoblast and osteoclast related chemokines, and further correlated them with the profile of bone remodeling markers in palatal and buccal sides of tooth under orthodontic force, where tensile (T) and compressive (C) forces, respectively, predominate. Real-time PCR was performed with periodontal ligament mRNA from samples of T and C sides of human teeth submitted to rapid maxillary expansion, while periodontal ligament of normal teeth were used as controls. Results showed that both T and C sides exhibited significant higher expression of all targets when compared to controls. Comparing C and T sides, C side exhibited higher expression of MCP-1/CCL2, MIP-1α/CCL3 and RANKL, while T side presented higher expression of OCN. The expression of RANTES/CCL5 and SDF-1/CXCL12 was similar in C and T sides. Our data demonstrate a differential expression of chemokines in compressed and stretched PDL during orthodontic tooth movement, suggesting that chemokines pattern may contribute to the differential bone remodeling in response to orthodontic force through the establishment of distinct microenvironments in compression and tension sides.     

Historical biogeography and speciation in the reef fish genus Haemulon (Teleostei: Haemulidae)

The high biodiversity of tropical marine hotspots has long intrigued evolutionary biologists and biogeographers. The genus Haemulon (grunts) is one of the most important (numerically, ecologically, and economically) reef fish groups in the New World and an excellent candidate to test hypotheses of speciation and diversity generation in the Greater Caribbean, the richest Atlantic biodiversity hotspot, as well as the eastern Pacific. To elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among the species of Haemulon, we obtained a combined total of 2639 base pairs from two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase I), and two nuclear genes (TMO-4C4 and RAG2) from all nominal species. Parsimony, Maximum likelihood, and Bayesian analyses resulted in a well-resolved phylogeny with almost identical topologies. Previous phylogenetic hypotheses based on adult morphology, such as the close relationship among H. aurolineatum, H. boschmae, and H. striatum were not supported, whereas others using developmental characters, such as the relationship between H. plumieri and H. sciurus, were confirmed. Our data also indicate that the populations of the nominal H. steindachneri from the two sides of the Isthmus of Panama are genetically divergent at the species level in each ocean, and that the boga, Inermia vittata (family Inermiidae), belongs in the genus Haemulon. This evidence implies that there are 21 valid species of Haemulon, two more than previously recognized. The Amazon barrier and the Isthmus of Panama seem to have played roles in allopatric speciation of Haemulon. However, the majority of sister species pairs have completely overlapping distributions, indicating that vicariance is not the only process driving speciation in this genus. We conclude that both vicariance between biogeographic provinces, and ecological mechanisms of speciation within provinces contribute to species richness in the genus Haemulon.     

Analysis of muscle activation during different leg press exercises at submaximum effort levels

Many studies have analyzed muscle activity during different strength exercises. Although the leg press (LP) is one of the most common exercises performed, there is little evidence of lower limb muscle activity patterns during this exercise and its variations. Thus, this study aimed to verify how mechanical changes and loads affect lower limb muscle activity during the performance of different LP exercises. Fourteen women performed 3 LP exercises: 45 degrees LP (LP45), LP high (LPH), and LP low (LPL) at 40% and 80% of the 1 repetition maximum. The electromyographic activity of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, and gluteus maximus was recorded. Results suggested that mechanical changes affect lower limb muscle activity and that it is related to the load used. At moderate effort levels, the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius were more active during the LP45 and LPL than during the LPH. At a high effort level, the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis (quadriceps) were more active during the LPL than the LPH. Again, the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius were more active during the LP45 and LPL than the LPH. On the other hand, gluteus maximus activity was greater during the LPH than the LPL. This study found that coordination patterns of muscle activity are different when performing LP variations at high or moderate effort levels because of mechanical changes and different loads lifted during the different LP exercises. These results suggest that if the goal is to induce greater rectus femoris and vastus lateralis (quadriceps) activation, the LPL should be performed. On the other hand, if the goal is to induce gluteus maximus activity, the LPH should be performed.     

Maximal lactate steady-state prediction through quadratic modeling of selected stages of the lactate minimum test

In this study, we compared the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) with lactate minimal (LM) intensities determined visually and through a quadratic polynomial function of selected stages of LM test. Eleven male recreational cyclists (27.7 +/- 4.5 years, 175.7 +/- 5.6 cm, 69.5 +/- 10.8 kg, and 12.0 +/- 5.5% body fat) performed one LM test under previous induction of hyperlactaemia with an initial intensity of 75 W with 30-W increments every 3 minutes with blood lactate concentration (HLa) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) measurements. The LM intensity was determined visually (VLM) and by modeling the lactate response through polynomial function by using: 1) all stages (LMP); 2) the first stage, the stage corresponding to RPE-13 and the last stage/exhaustion (LMP3max); 3) the three lowest lactate concentration stages (LMP3adj); and 4) the initial, RPE-13, and RPE-16 stages (LMP3sub). The MLSS was determined as the highest intensity at a variation not greater than 0.05 mmol.l.min of HLa during the last 20 minutes of a 30-minute exercise session. The MLSS (204.0 +/- 16.0 W), VLM (198.6 +/- 15.2 W), LMP3adj (190.4 +/- 12.9 W), and LMP3sub (192.1 +/- 27.2 W) were not different, well correlated, and in agreement to each other. In conclusion, the polynomial modeling of HLa response to three submaximal stages produced exercise intensities that did not differ from MLSS.     

Are There Health Risks from the Migration of Chemical Substances from Plastic Pipes into Drinking Water? A Review

Plastic pipes used to convey hot and cold drinking water are synthetic polymers containing numerous additives that enhance durability, impact strength, and toughness, and resist material degradation. Although some research studies have been conducted to evaluate the type and levels of chemical substances migrating from polymeric materials into drinking water, the potential adverse health effects associated with these compounds in potable water have not been described. This review evaluates the literature on the occurrence of regulated and unregulated substances in drinking water related to the use of plastic pipes, characterizes potential health hazards, and describes uncertainties associated with human health and exposure in need of further research. Of particular public health concern is the potential for sensitive populations to be exposed to short-term elevations in leachates during critical periods, and for co-occurring leachates targeting the same organ(s) and/or sharing a common mode of toxic action to have additive or synergistic effects. Contaminants are measured in the distribution system, not at the tap where human exposure actually occurs. For increased health protection, it is important to identify compounds that migrate from plastic pipes into drinking water and to better quantify human exposures and health hazards to these substances and their degradates.     

Failure of Helicobacter pylori Treatment After Regimes Containing Clarithromycin: New Practical Therapeutic Options

Failure of Helicobacter pylori treatment is a growing problem in daily practice. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of two new regimes as second‐line options in a randomized and prospective study. Methods: Patients in whom a first eradication regime containing clarithromycin had failed were included. After performing gastroscopy and a 13C‐urea breath test (UBT), the patients were randomized to receive a combination of 20 mg of rabeprazole, 500 mg of levofloxacin, and 200 mg (two tablets) of furazolidone administered once daily for 10 days (RLF) or the combination of 20 mg of rabeprazole, 120 mg (two tablets) of bismuth subcitrate, 100 mg of doxycycline, and 200 mg of furazolidone, administered twice daily for 10 days (RBDF). Clinical examinations and new UBT were performed 60 days after therapy. Results: Sixty patients were included (mean age, 46 years, 57% females). Two patients were excluded: one because of adverse effects and another as a result of protocol violation. Compliance was similar in both groups (90% took all medications correctly). Side‐effects (96% mild) were observed in 87% of the patients and were comparable between groups, except diarrhea, which was more frequent in group RLF (p= .025). Intention‐to‐treat cure rates were 77% (95% confidence interval (CI): 62–93%) in the RLF group and 83% (95% CI: 68–97%) in the RBDF group (p= .750). Per‐protocol cure rates were 80% (95% CI: 65–95%) in the RLF group and 82% (95% CI: 67–96%) in the RBDF group (p= 1.0). Conclusions: Both once‐daily triple (rabeprazole, levofloxacin, and furazolidone) and twice‐daily quadruple therapy (rabeprazole, bismuth subcitrate, doxycycline, and furazolidone) for 10 days achieved encouraging results. Subsequent studies should be performed to evaluate antibiotic resistance, doses, dosing intervals, duration of treatment, and safety of these two regimes.     

Gastrointestinal responses to feeding in a frequently feeding colubrid snake (Natrix maura)

Ectotherm vertebrates show physiological mechanisms that reduce metabolic costs during prolonged fasting. Once feeding, these animals adopt a wide variety of metabolic responses such as changes in gastrointestinal organ masses. Up-regulatory responses after feeding have been widely explored in infrequently feeding snakes like pythons, whereas few studies have been devoted to frequently feeding snakes. In this study, we have considered the gastrointestinal responses after feeding in a frequent feeder, the viperine snake Natrix maura, in the Ebro Delta rice fields. In this habitat, viperine snakes are exposed to long periods of food deprivation due to the lack of available prey as a consequence of the man-induced rice cycle. We weighed prey items and full gut masses, and measured length of combined esophagus and stomach, and intestine of viperine snakes belonging to a wide range of sizes. Snakes concentrate foraging activity when rice fields were flooded. In this period, gut masses increased. Likewise, intestines increased in length during the feeding period, which suggests that viperine snakes probably experience a postfeeding hypertrophy of their small intestines that contributes to their larger length. Once the intestine length was corrected for the snake size, it was shown that adults present longer intestines than immature snakes, reflecting an increase in the posterior part of the body linked to the gonads development. This study contributes to explore the physiological responses to feeding in frequently feeding snakes modelled by abrupt shifts of food availability.