Seasonal variation of soluble carbohydrates and starch in Echinolaena inflexa, a native grass species from the Brazilian savanna, and in the invasive grass Melinis minutiflora

Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase is an abundant C3 grass species with high biomass production in the Brazilian savanna (cerrado); Melinis minutiflora Beauv. is an African C4 forage grass widespread in cerrado and probably displacing some native herbaceous species. In the present work, we analysed seasonally the content and composition of soluble carbohydrates, the starch amounts and the above-ground biomass (phytomass) of E. inflexa and M. minutiflora plants harvested in two transects at 5 and 130 m from the border in a restrict area of cerrado at the Biological Reserve and Experimental Station of Mogi-Guaçu (SP, Brazil). Results showed that water soluble carbohydrates and starch amounts from the shoots of both species varied according to the time of the year, whilst in the underground organs, variations were observed mainly in relation to the transects. Marked differences in the pattern of the above-ground biomass production between these two grasses relative to their location in the Reserve were also observed, with two peaks of the invasive species (July and January) at the Reserve border. The differences in carbohydrate accumulation, partitioning and composition of individual sugars concerning time of the year and location in the Reserve were more related to the annual growth cycle of both grasses and possibly to specific physiological responses of M. minutiflora to disturbed environments in the Reserve border.

Surface and subterranean ichthyofauna in the Serra do Ramalho karst area, northeastern Brazil, with updated lists of Brazilian troglobitic and troglophilic fishes

After an ichthyofaunistic survey in several epigean (surface) water bodies of the Serra do Ramalho, southern Bahia, conducted in May 2007, 44 species were recorded; in addition, three non-troglomorphic (normally eyed and pigmented) and two troglomorphic species were recorded only in caves, totaling 49 species of fishes for the area, which represents a little more than one fourth of the total registered in the literature for the entire Rio São Francisco basin. In these caves, which have been studied since 2005, eight non-troglomorphic species were sampled and their presence in both epigean and subterranean habitats, associated to the lack of morphological differences, indicate that they may be either troglophiles (species encompassing individuals able to live and complete their life cycle either in the surface or in the subterranean environment), trogloxenes (individuals regularly found in subterranean habitats, but which must return periodically to the surface in order to complete their life cycle) or even accidental in caves. In addition, two troglomorphic species (with reduced eyes and melanic pigmentation when compared to close epigean relatives), belonging respectively to the genera Rhamdia and Trichomycterus, were recorded exclusively in caves, thus classified as troglobites. Interestingly, no epigean representative of the genus Trichomycterus was collected. The new data are integrated into updated lists of Brazilian troglobitic and troglophilic fishes, based on published data and new records recently confirmed.

Risk factors for recurrent falls among Brazilian women and men: the Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS)

The objective of the study was to estimate the frequency of recurrent falls and identify the main associated risk factors. The BRAZOS is the first epidemiological study performed on a representative sample of the Brazilian population. Anthropometric data, living habits, previous fractures, falls, dietary intake, physical activity and quality of life were evaluated in 2,420 individuals aged 40 and older. Recurrent falls were reported by 15.5% of men and 25.6% of women. Among women, the risk factors significantly associated to recurrent falls were age, previous fracture, sedentary lifestyle, poor quality of life, diabetes mellitus and current use of benzodiazepine. In men, the risk factors were age, poor quality of life, intake of alcoholic beverages, diabetes mellitus, previous fracture and use of benzodiazepine. A greater intake of vitamin D had a protector effect on the risk of recurrent falls. These findings demonstrated the high prevalence of recurrent falls and emphasize that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to minimize recurrent falls and their consequences, including osteoporotic fractures.

DNA extraction from hair shafts of wild Brazilian felids and canids

Wild felids and canids are usually the main predators in the food chains where they dwell and are almost invisible to behavior and ecology researchers. Due to their grooming behavior, they tend to swallow shed hair, which shows up in the feces. DNA found in hair shafts can be used in molecular studies that can unravel, for instance, genetic variability, reproductive mode and family structure, and in some species, it is even possible to estimate migration and dispersion rates in given populations. First, however, DNA must be extracted from hair. We extracted successfully and dependably hair shaft DNA from eight wild Brazilian felids, ocelot, margay, oncilla, Geoffroy's cat, pampas cat, jaguarundi, puma, and jaguar, as well as the domestic cat and from three wild Brazilian canids, maned wolf, crab-eating fox, and hoary fox, as well as the domestic dog. Hair samples came mostly from feces collected at the Sao Paulo Zoo and were also gathered from non-sedated pet or from recently dead wild animals and were also collected from museum specimens. Fractions of hair samples were stained before DNA extraction, while most samples were not. Our extraction protocol is based on a feather DNA extraction technique, based in the phenol: chloroform: isoamyl alcohol general method, with proteinase K as digestive enzyme.

Occurrence of AFM(1) in urine samples of a Brazilian population and association with food consumption

This survey evaluated the presence of AFM(1) in human urine samples from a specific Brazilian population, as well as corn, peanut, and milk consumption measured by two types of food inquiry. Urine samples from donors who live in the city of Piracicaba, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil were analyzed to detect the presence of aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)). an aflatoxin B(1) metabolite, which may be used as aflatoxin B(1) exposure biomarker. The AFM(1) analysis was performed using immunoaffinity clean-up and detection by high-performance-liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector. A total of 69 samples were analyzed and 45 of them (65%) presented contaminations >= 1.8 pg ml(-1), which was the limit of quantification (LOQ). Seventy eight percent (n = 54) of the samples presented detectable concentrations of AFM(1) (>0.6 pg ml(-1)). The AFM(1) concentration among samples above LOQ ranged from 1.8 to 39.9 pg ml(-1). There were differences in food consumption profile among donors, although no association was found between food consumption and AFM(1) concentration in urine. The high frequency of positive samples suggests exposure of the populations studied to aflatoxins. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of sewage sludge amendment on the properties of two Brazilian oxisols and their humic acids

The effect of sewage sludge (SS) amendment on the general properties of the top layers of a sandy and a clayey oxisols and on the nature of their humic acid (HA) fractions was evaluated by chemical and physico-chemical techniques. The amended soils, especially the sandy soil, benefited of SS amendment by increasing their pH to above neutrality and enhancing the contents of C, N, P, and Ca and cation exchange capacity. The SS-HA-like sample showed larger H and N contents and a greater aliphatic character and humification degree than the HAs isolated from non-amerided soils. The composition and structure of amended soil HAs were affected by SS application as a function of soil type and layer. In particular, N-containing groups and aliphatic structures of SS-HA-like sample appears to be partially incorporated in the amended soil HAs, and these effects were more evident in the HAs from the sandy oxisol. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry of Soil Organic Matter Extracted from a Brazilian Mangrove and Spanish Salt Marshes

The soil organic matter (SOM) extracted under different vegetation types from a Brazilian mangrove (Pai Matos Island, Sao Paulo State) and from three Spanish salt marshes (Betanzos Ria and Corrubedo Natural Parks, Galicia, and the Albufera Natural Park, Valencia) was investigated by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The chemical variation was larger in SOM from the Spanish marshes than in the SOM of the Brazilian mangroves, possibly because the marshes included sites with both tidal and nontidal variation, whereas the mangrove forest underwent just tidal variation. Thus, plant-derived organic matter was better preserved under permanently anoxic environments. Moreover, given the low number of studied profiles and sedimentary-vegetation sequences in both areas, depth trends remain unclear. The chemical data also allow distinction between the contributions of woody and nonwoody vegetation inputs. Soil organic matter decomposition was found to cause: (i) a decrease in lignin contents and a relative increase in aliphatics; (ii) an increase in short-chain aliphatics at the expense of longer ones; (iii) a loss of odd-over-even dominance in alkanes and alkenes; and (iv) an increase in microbial products, including proteins, sterols, short-chain fatty acids, and alkanes. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is a useful tool to study the behavior and composition of SOM in wetland environments such as mangroves and salt marshes. Additional profiles need to be studied for each vegetation type, however, to improve the interpretability of the chemical data.

Brazilian Agriculture and Environmental Legislation: Status and Future Challenges

Brazilian agriculture covers about one-third of the land area and is expected to expand further We assessed the compliance of present Brazilian agriculture with environmental legislation and identified challenges for agricultural development connected to this legislation We found (i) minor illegal land use in protected areas under public administration, (ii) a large deficit in legal reserves and protected riparian zones on private farmland, and large areas of unprotected natural vegetation in regions experiencing agriculture expansion Achieving full compliance with the environmental laws as they presently stand would require drastic changes in agricultural land use, where large agricultural areas are taken out of production and converted back to natural vegetation The outcome of a full compliance with environmental legislation might not be satisfactory due to leakage, where pristine unprotected areas become converted to compensate for lost production as current agricultural areas are reconverted to protected natural vegetation. Realizing the desired protection of biodiversity and natural vegetation, while expanding agriculture to meet food and biofuel demand, may require a new approach to environmental protection New legal and regulatory instruments and the establishment of alternative development models should be considered

Characterization of Brazilian lager and brown ale beers based on color, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity using chemometrics

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have shown that beer has positive effects on inhibiting atherosclerosis, decreasing the content of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, by acting as in vivo free radical scavenger. In this research, the antioxidant activity of commercial Brazilian beers (n = 29) was determined by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and 1,1 -diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(center dot)) assays and results were analyzed by chemometrics. RESULTS: The brown ale samples (n = 11) presented higher (P < 0.05) flavonoids (124.01 mg L(-1)), total phenolics (362.22 mg L(-1)), non-flavonoid phenolics (238.21 mg L(-1)), lightness (69.48), redness (35.75), yellowness (55.71), color intensity (66.86), hue angle (59.14), color saturation (0.9620), DPPH(center dot) values (30.96% inhibition), and ORAC values (3,659.36 mu mol Trolox equivalents L(-1)), compared to lager samples (n = 18). Brown ale beers presented higher antioxidant properties (P < 0.05) measured by ORAC (1.93 times higher) and DPPH (1.65 times higher) compared to lager beer. ORAC values correlated well with the content of flavonoids (r = 0.47; P = 0.01), total phenolic compounds (r = 0.44; P < 0.01) and DPPH (r = 0.67; P < 0.01). DPPH values also correlated well to the content of flavonoids (r = 0.69; P < 0.01), total phenolic compounds (r = 0.60; P < 0.01), and non-flavonoid compounds (r = 0.46; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that brown ale beers, and less significantly lager beers, could be sources of bioactive compounds with suitable free radical scavenging properties. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

A costs structure analysis of the Brazilian sugar and ethanol companies

The Brazil consolidated itself as the largest world producer of sugarcane, sugar and ethanol. The creation of the Programa Nacional do Alcool - PROALCOOL and the growing use of cars with flexible motors were some of the factors that helped to motivate still more the production. Evolutions in the agricultural and industrial research did the Brazilian competitiveness in sugar and ethanol globally elevated, what is evidenced when comparing the amount produced at the country and the production costs, which turned a big one differential. Therefore, the administration of costs is of great relevance to the sugar and ethanol companies, for representing a significant rationalization in the production processes, with economy of resources and the reach of better earnings, besides reducing the operational risk pertinent at the fixed costs of production. Thus, the present work has for objective to analyze the costs structure of sugar and ethanol companies of the Center-south area of the country through an empiric-analytical study based in methodologies and concepts extracted of the costs accounting. It is verified that great part of the costs and operational expenses have variable behavior, a positive factor for the sector reducing the operational risk of the activity. The main restraint of this study is the sample of five years and 10% of the number of plants in Brazil that although they represent 30% of the national production, don`t allow the generalization of the model.

Distribution of HDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol in Brazilian children and adolescents - The Floripa study

Background and aims: HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and non-HDL-cholesterol (nHDL-C) are involved in atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of HDL-C and nHDL-C and its association with cardiovascular and socio-cultural variables in a pediatric Brazilian sample. Methods and results: Children and adolescents from Florianopolis were randomly selected and a structured questionnaire was administered, a physical examination was performed and a blood sample was collected. Enzymatic and Direct methods in vitro were used to determine the total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels. The associations among HDL-C and nHDL-C and the described variables were tested by odds ratio and logistic regression. A total of 1009 individuals were examined. Based on the Brazilian criteria, 23% were classified with low levels of HDL-C and 25% with high levels of non-HDL-C. After multivariate analysis there were significant associations among low HDL-C and high C-reactive protein (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.1-5.2), paternal tobacco use (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1), and high triceps-to-subscapular index (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2). There were also significant associations among high nHDL-C and high waist circumference (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.16-3.29), black skin color (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.06-3.06), and high income (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.09-2.02). Conclusions: In this sample, low levels of HDL-C were associated with other clinical variables such as a centripetal fat pattern and C-reactive protein, and n-HDL-C was associated with abdominal obesity, skin color and economic class. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Acquisition of Serum Antibodies Reactive With Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Virulence-Associated Factors by Healthy Brazilian Children and Adults

Background: Patients with hemorrhagic colitis or hemolytic uremic syndrome due to enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) develop serum IgM and IgG response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to virulence factors such as intimin. The small numbers of cases of diarrhea associated with EHEC strains in Brazil suggests a pre-existing immunity probably due to previous contact with diarrheagenic E. coli. Our aim was to evaluate the development of the serum antibody repertoire to EHEC virulence factors in Brazilian children and adults. Methods: Serum IgM and IgG antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with LPS O111, LPS O26, and LPS O157 in 101 children between 2 months and 10 years of age and in 100 adult sera, by immunoblotting with protein membrane extracts and purified beta intimin; the ability of adult sera to neutralize Shiga toxin2 was also investigated. Results: Children older than 24 months had IgM concentrations reactive with the 3 LPS equivalent to those seen in the adult group, and significantly higher than the group of younger children (P < 0.05). Anti-O26 and anti-O157 LPS IgG concentrations were equivalent between the 2 groups of children and were significantly different from the adult group (P < 0.05). The anti-O111 LPS IgG levels in older children were intermediate between the younger group, and adults (P < 0.05). Immunoblotting revealed strong protein reactivity, including the conserved and variable regions of beta intimin and more than 50% of the adult samples neutralized Shiga toxin 2. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate an increasing anti-LPS and antiprotein antibody response with age, which could provide protection against EHEC infections.

Maternal alcohol consumption may influence cord blood ascorbic acid concentration: findings from a study of Brazilian mothers and their newborns

Studies that have investigated ascorbic acid (AA) concentrations in cord blood have pointed to significant associations with maternal blood AA concentrations. smoking, age, diet, type of delivery, duration of gestation, fetal distress and birth weight. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between cord blood AA concentrations in newborns and maternal characteristics. A total of 117 Brazilian healthy parturients were included in this cross-sectional study. The concentrations of AA in blood were determined by the HPLC method. Data concerning socio-economic, demographic, obstetric, nutritional and health characteristics of the parturients, including alcohol consumption and smoking habit, were assessed by a standardised questionnaire. A FFQ was used to investigate the intake of foods rich in vitamin C. Cord blood AA concentration was significantly correlated with per capita income (r 0.26; P=0.005), maternal blood AA concentration (r 0.48; P<0.001) and maternal vitamin C-rich food intake score (r 0.36; P<0.001). The linear regression model including maternal AA concentration, alcohol consumption, smoking, parity, vitamin C-rich food intake score and per capita income explained 31.13% of the variation in cord blood AA concentrations in newborns. We recommend further experimental studies to assess the effects of ethanol on placental AA uptake, and epidemiological cohort studies to evaluate in detail the influence of maternal alcohol consumption on cord blood AA concentrations.

Performance of Brazilian long and short IQCODE on the screening of dementia in elderly people with low education

Background: Dementia screening in elderly people with low education can be difficult to implement. For these subjects, informant reports using the long (L) (26 items) and short (C) (16 items) versions of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) can be useful. The objective of the present study was to investigate the performance of Brazilian versions of the IQCODE L, S and a new short version (SBr) (15 items) in comparison with the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) for dementia screening in elderly people with low education. Methods: Thirty-four patients with mild to moderate dementia, diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria, and 57 controls were evaluated and divided into three groups based on their socioeconomic status and level of education. Patients were evaluated using the MMSE and the informants were interviewed using the IQCODE by interviewers blind to the clinical diagnosis. Results: Education was correlated with MMSE results (r = 0.280, p = 0.031), but not with the versions of the IQCODE. The performance of the instruments, evaluated by the ROC curves, was very similar, with good internal consistency (Cronbach`s alpha = 0.97). MMSE correctly classified 85.7% of the subjects while the three IQCODE versions (L, S and SBr) correctly classified 91.2% of the subjects. Conclusions: The long, short and the new short Brazilian IQCODE versions can be useful as a screening tool for mild and moderate patients with dementia in Brazil. The IQCODE is not biased by schooling, and it seems to be an adequate instrument for samples with low levels of education.

DC-SIGN (CD209) gene promoter polymorphisms in a Brazilian population and their association with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection

This study evaluated four polymorphisms located in the DC-SIGN (CD209) gene promoter region (positions -336, -332 -201 and -139) in DNA samples from four Brazilian ethnic groups (Caucasians, Afro-Brazilian, Asians and Amerindians) to establish the population distribution of these single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and correlated DC-SIGN polymorphisms and infection in samples from human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-infected individuals. To identify CD209 SNPs, 452 bp of the CD209 promoter region were sequenced and the genotype and allelic frequencies were evaluated. This is the first study to show genetic polymorphism in the CD209 gene in distinct Brazilian ethnic groups with the distribution of allelic and genotypic frequency. The results showed that -336A and -139A SNPs were quite common in Asians and that the -201T allele was not observed in Caucasians, Asians or Amerindians. No significant differences were observed between individuals with HTLV-1 disease and asymptomatic patients. However, the -336A variant was more frequent in HTLV-1 -infected patients [HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), 80%; healthy asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers, 90 %] than in the control group (70 %) [P=0.0197, odds ratio (OR)=2.511, 95 % confidence interval (CI)=1.218-5.179). In addition, the -139A allele was found to be associated with protection against HTLV-1 infection (P=0.0037, OR=0.3758, 95% CI=0.1954-0.7229) when the HTLV-1 -infected patients as a whole were compared with the healthy-control group. These observations suggest that the -139A allele may be associated with HTLV-1 infection, although no significant association was observed among asymptomatic and HAM/TSP patients. In conclusion, the variation observed in SNPs -336 and -139 indicates that this lectin may be of crucial importance in the susceptibility/transmission of HTLV-1 infections.