Influência dos fatores abióticos sobre a variação espaço-temporal de paralonchurus brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1875) (pisces, sciaenidae) componente da fauna acompanhante da pesca de camarões no litoral Norte de São Paulo

Knowledge of the environmental factors influence on the spatial-temporal variation of fishes is important to fisheries management and conservation. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the influence of the abiotical factors on the spatial-temporal distribution of Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Pisces, Sciaenidae) caught by-catch with the shrimp fishing of Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba regions, north coast of São Paulo State. The fishes were captured every month from January to December 2002. Samples were collected by otter trawl at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35m depths. The temperatures (surface and bottom), salinities (surface and bottom), sediment features and organic matters were verified for each depth. During all period of the study 12.642 specimens of P. brasiliensis were captured at Ubatuba and 17.166 at Caraguatatuba, which totalized the biomass of 267 for the first and 339kg for the other region. The females outnumbered males in fish population. The greatest values of biomass and number of individuals were registered at the summer and autumn seasons, while the lowest values were observed at the winter and spring seasons. The greatest abundances were found from 15 to 25m depth. In this study, it was verified that P. brasiliensis is a coastal waters associate species. The spatialtemporal distribution of P. brasiliensis is affected by intrusion of SACW and depth for the coastal region and by depth and sediment in sheltered areas such as Caraguatatuba

Processo biotecnológico voltado a produção de estoques poliploides do camarão-branco litopenaeus vannamei (decapoda, penaeidae)

without practical results so far. Protocols used in biotechnological cultured aquatic organisms aimed at increasing growth rates and disease resistance, have been studied and perfected. Among the available techniques, the application of chromosomal manipulation, although still nascent, is presented as a tool aimed at mitigating ecological and economical issues in shrimp farming. The polyploidization artificial method already employed in fish and shellfish, has been widely researched for use in farmed shrimp. Some limitations of this method of expansion in shrimp refer to a better knowledge of cytogenetic aspects, the level of sexual dimorphism and performance in growing conditions. To contribute on some of these issues, the present study aimed to characterize cytogenetic species Litopenaeus vannamei (Decapoda) and Artemia franciscana (Anostraca), analyze the effectiveness of methods for detection of ploidy, through the use of flow cytometry in processes of induction polyploidy cold thermal shock at different stages of development of newly fertilized eggs. Additionally, aimed also the qualitative and quantitative comparison of larval development between diploid and polyploid organisms, besides the identification of sexual dimorphism in L. vannamei, through geometric morphometrics. The results provide information relevant to the improvement and widespread use of biotechnological methods applied toward national productivity in shrimp farming

Avaliação da genotoxicidade e da qualidade das águas do açude de Lucrécia/RN

The occurrence of human cancer in the municipality of Lucrécia (RN, Brazil) has shown high frequencies (INCA, 2007). Tests of micronucleus (MN) and nuclear abnormalities (NA) were performed to assess the genotoxic potential of water from the Lucrécia dam, which is located in a semi-arid region under the influence of crop irrigation and irregular rainfall. Water samples were collected in this source for analyzing the concentration of cyanobacteria, metals and radioactivity. Erythrocytes of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were collected in dam and cells of human oral mucosa in the urban area of this municipality for the bioassays of MN and NA. In fish were also analyzed concentrations of metals in samples of liver and gills. The genotoxicity tests with biological samples of fish and humans have shown significant increases in the frequencies of MN and NA (p ≤ 0.05) and are indicative of increased DNA damage in relation to the control groups. In conclusion, the results obtained from water samples and biological municipality of Lucrécia indicates that the presence of chemical and microbiological pollutants, and increase of genotoxic in human of this municipality. We suggest the implementation of advanced water treatment, to prevent further degradation of the aquatic environment and decrease in the life quality. This research of environmental quality assessment was performed in order to contemplate a multi and interdisciplinary character of this water resource and that can induce genotoxic damage in the organisms in this study region

Aleitamento e infecções por parasitas intestinais em gestantes adolescentes e seus filhos

The exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life practice is essential for the health and development of children. Studies show there is in human milk protective antibodies against intestinal parasites and a relationship between the absence of breastfeeding or weaning and parasitic infections. This work was a prospective cohort study involving 34 pregnant adolescents attended school in Maternity Januario Cicco / RN and their children, to assess the influence of breastfeeding on intestinal parasites in them. Thus, the parasitic infection was investigated by examination of feces parasitological and environmental factors by use of questionnaires. The average age of the mothers studied was 16.2 years. Of these 76.4% were infected and the most prevalent species of parasites were Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (76.9%), Giardia lamblia (19.2%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (11.5%). The infected children had an average age of 5.1 months and the frequency of parasites was 61.7%. The infection was earlier detecctada with 45 days of life. The most common parasites were Giardia lamblia (40%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (35%), Ascaris lumbricoides (5%) and Ancylostoma (5%). The average length of exclusive breastfeeding was 2.2 months. There was an association between increased duration of exclusive breastfeeding and increased time to detection of parasites in the feces of children. There was no statistically significant correlation between the socio-economic conditions and cultural and breastfeeding. The data reinforce the importance of breastfeeding to protect the children in its first year of life

Avaliação do estado nutricional relativo ao selênio e da expressão gênica de selenoproteínas em pacientes com aterosclerose tratados com estatinas

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the use of rosuvastatin in patients with atherosclerosis, in relation to blood parameters of selenium and selenoproteins, and also observe possible changes in gene expression of selenoproteins in these patients. The sample consisted of 27 adult and elderly patients with a clinical diagnosis of coronary artery disease undergoing angioplasty, treated at Natal Hospital Center hospital, Natal, RN. Patients were treated with rosuvastatin 10 mg/day during four months. Anthropometric variables such as body mass index (BMI) and Waist circumference (WC) were measured before and after treatment, as well as lipid profile, blood glucose and liver enzymes (AST and ALT). The diet of the patients was also analyzed using 24-hour diet recall. We analyzed the concentrations of selenium in plasma and erythrocytes, and also the activity of Glutathione Peroxidase and gene expression by Real Time PCR of selenoproteins GPx1, SelP1 and SelN1. Patients had mean age of 61.0 ± 9.4 years, 59.3% were men and 40.7% were women. After four months of treatment there was significant reduction of CA and, according to BMI, most were overweight. The intake of macronutrients, cholesterol, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated and saturated was adequate, but the energy and fiber intake was below the recommendations. Regarding the selenium intake was observed a high prevalence of inadequacy. As expected, after treatment with rosuvastatin, a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL and glucose, which was not observed for HDL. Selenium concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes showed no changes, keeping within the established cutoffs. We observed a significant increase in GPx enzyme activity and mRNA expression of GPX1 and SEPN1, but not for gene SEPP1. Thus, it was found that treatment with rosuvastatin did not reduce the expression of selenoproteins. More studies are needed to clarify the effects of rosuvastatin on gene expression of selenoproteins in patients with atherosclerosis

Padrões cromossômicos e mapeamento de genes ribossomais 18S e 5S em peixes pelágicos Atlânticos

Cytogenetic studies in fish have been contributed significantly to a better understanding of the marine biodiversity, presenting information related to characterization, evolution and conservation of species e fisheries stocks. Among the marine species which cytogenetic data are less well known pelagic forms are detached, that despite the economic importance and conservation efforts have been suffering great pressure from the artisanal and industrial fisheries. The present work characterized cytogenetically six species of large pelagic fish in the Atlantic, belonging to the Order Perciformes, among them, four species of Scombridae, Thunnus albacares, T. obesus, Scomberomorus brasiliensis and Acanthocybium solandri and two Coryphaenidae, Coryphaena equiselis and C. hippurus using Classical cytogenetic methods as conventional staining, C-banding and Ag-NORs and molecular through staining fluorochromes AT and GC-specific and mapping of ribosomal multigene families, 18S and 5S. The identification of phylogenetic patterns and cytotaxonomic markers between the species and the presence of sex chromosomes in at least one species of Coryphaenidae, are particularly useful in the formulating of phylogenetic hypotheses, as well as comparisons between groups and populations

Levantamento cariotípico em espécies de peixes marinhos costeiros de fundo arenoso (Osteichthypes, Perciformes)

Cytogenetics analyses in fish are important because they compose a private group among the vertebrates, occupying a central position in the animal evolution. The Perciforms Order, dominant in the marine and freshwater environment, it constitutes a model potentially useful in the genetic evaluation of populations, as well as in the understanding of its evolutionary processes. In spite of this, cytogenetics studies in this great group is scarce, above all for the inhabitants of sandy bottom and pelagics habits. The present work proposed to contribute for the cytogenetic characterization of nine species of fish marine of sandy bottom of the coast of Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil), identifying the evolutionary patterns related to the karyotype in these species and the existence of filogenetics affinities between them and other Perciformes. The animals were collected in the beaches of the Redinha, Ponta Negra and Búzios (Coast of Rio Grande do Norte) and in Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago. Later on they were submitted to the cytogenetics technical that consist of mitotic estimulation, obtaining of mitotics chromosomes, proceeded by techniques of conventional coloration (Giemsa) and chromosomic bands (Ag-RONs and C band). Diploid number and fundamental number equal to 48 were observed in most of the species: Menticirrhus americanus, Ophioscion punctatissimus, Pareques acuminatus (Sciaenidae); Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Carangidae); Echeneis sp. 2 (Echeneidae); Archosargus probatocephalus (Sparidae) and Orthopristis ruber (Haemulidae). Trachinotus goodei (NF=52) (Carangidae) and Echeneis sp. 1 (Echeneidae) (NF=54) presented variation in NF, staying constant a diploid number equal to 48. RONs was situated in pericentromeric position in whole the scianids, and in the species Echeneis sp. 2 (22° pair), O. ruber and A. probatocephalus (1° pair), coinciding with great heterocromatics blocks in M. americanus (1° pair), P. acuminatus (2° pairl) and O. ruber (1° pair). RONs was also located in the telomeric area of the short arm of the 5° and 11° acrocentrics pairs in T. goodei, 4° and 19° pairs of C. chrysurus, 1° pair (sm) of Echeneis sp. 1. The C band detected centromeric blocks in most of the chromosomes of the species of Sciaenidae, Carangidae and Echeneidae, with great blocks in A. probatocephalus (4° pair). Heterocromatic blocks in telomeric areas in submetacentrics of Echeneis sp. 1, and pericentromerics in M. americanus (1° and 8° pairs), O. punctatissimus (1° pair) and P. acuminatus (2° pair) were also observed. It is noticed a marked conservatism cromossomic in the species of the family Scianidae and Haemulidae in what says respect to the number of acrocentrics chromosomes and the location of RONs. Even so it is outstanding the presence of heterocromatinization events during the karyotypic evolution of this family. Already in the families Sparidae and Carangidae, the obtained results reaffirm examples of small variations structural resultants of inversion and translocation Robertsonian, as important mechanisms of diversification karyotipical, as well as a pattern numerical evolutionary conserved, also observed in representatives of Echeneidae of Atlantic in relation to Pacific. The presence of RONs multiple, observed in the species T. goodei and C. chrysurus seems to represent a character derived in the family Carangidae. The results for the species O. ruber and A. probatocephalus suggest the presence of possible geographical or climatic barriers among populations of NE of Brazil in relationship the one of the SE