Range extensions and conservation of some threatened or little known Brazilian grassland birds

Populations of grassland birds are declining in Brazil due to profound alterations to grassland habitats. In this paper, we present recent records and range extensions for 12 threatened or little known Brazilian grassland species: Ocellated Crake Micropygia schomburgkii, Sickle-winged Nightjar Eleothreptus anomalus, Campo Miner Geositta poeciloptera, Rufous-sided Pygmytyrant Euscarthmus rufomarginatus, Sharp-tailed Grass-tyrant Culicivora caudacuta, Cocktailed Tyrant Alectrurus tricolor, Cinereous Warbling-finch Poospiza cinerea, Black-masked Finch Coryphaspiza melanotis, Tawny-bellied Seedeater Sporophila hypoxantha, Marsh Seedeater S. palustris, Chestnut Seedeater S. cinnamomea and Black-bellied Seedeater S. melanogaster. We also comment on the biogeography and conservation of these species.

Detection of isometric, dsRNA-containing viral particles in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from cashew tree

Fungi are disease-causing agents in plants and affect crops of economic importance. One control method is to induce resistance in the host by using biological control with hypovirulent phytopathogenic fungi. Here, we report the detection of a mycovirus in a strain of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing anthracnose of cashew tree. The strain C. gloeosporioides URM 4903 was isolated from a cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) in Igarassu, PE, Brazil. After nucleic acid extraction and electrophoresis, the band corresponding to a possible double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) was purified by cellulose column chromatography. Nine extrachromosomal bands were obtained. Enzymatic digestion with DNAse I and Nuclease S1 had no effect on these bands, indicating their dsRNA nature. Transmission electron microscopic examination of extracts from this strain showed the presence of isometric particles (30-35 nm in diameter). These data strongly suggest the infection of this C. gloeosporioides strain by a dsRNA mycovirus. Once the hypovirulence of this strain is confirmed, the strain may be used for the biological control of cashew anthracnose.

Efeito das essências florais em indivíduos ansiosos

OBJETIVO: Investigar os efeitos dos florais Impatiens, Cherry Plum, White Chestnut e Beech em pessoas ansiosas. MÉTODOS: Estudo de natureza quantitativa, ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo cego. Os dados foram coletados entre maio e agosto de 2010 com 34 trabalhadores do Centro de Aperfeiçoamento em Ciências da Saúde da Fundação Zerbini. A ansiedade foi avaliada por meio do Inventário de Diagnóstico da Ansiedade Traço - Estado em dois momentos diferentes, no início e final da intervenção. RESULTADOS: Como resultado observou-se que o grupo que fez uso das essências florais teve uma diminuição maior e estatisticamente significativa no nível de ansiedade em comparação ao grupo placebo. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que as essências florais tiveram efeito positivo na diminuição da ansiedade.