Lista de Cyanobacteria do Estado de São Paulo

Com base no levantamento bibliográfico realizado sobre as cianobactérias citadas para o Brasil e para o Estado de São Paulo em particular, além de consulta à lista de espécies da flora brasileira e aos bancos de dados de coleções paulistas, encontramos um total de 460 espécies citadas para o Brasil e 378 para o estado de São Paulo. Considerando que o grupo tem ao redor de 2800 espécies, estes números representam bem menos de 20% das espécies conhecidas. Assim, frente a diversidade de ambientes e habitats existentes nos biomas tropicais/subtropicais, o reduzido número de espécies já conhecidas indica que certamente essa biodiversidade está subestimada e deve ser muito maior do que identificamos até agora.

Chronic administration of Abarema cochliacarpos attenuates colonic inflammation in rats

Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by a chronic clinical course of relapse and remission associated with self-destructive inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Active extracts from plants have emerged as natural potential candidates for its treatment. Abarema cochliacarpos (Gomes) Barneby & Grimes, Fabaceae (Barbatimão), is a native medicinal plant in to Brazil. Previously we have demonstrated in an acute colitis model a marked protective effect of a butanolic extract, so we decided to assess its anti-inflammatory effect in a chronic ulcerative colitis model induced by trinitrobenzensulfonic acid (TNBS). Abarema cochliacarpos (150 mg/day, v.o.) was administered for fourteen consecutive days. This treatment decreased significantly macroscopic damage as compared with TNBS. Histological analysis showed that the extract improved the microscopic structure. Myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) was significantly decreased. Study of cytokines showed that TNF-α was diminished and IL-10 level was increased after Abarema cochliacarpos treatment. In order to elucidate inflammatory mechanisms, expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were studied showing a significant downregulation. In addition, there was reduction in the JNK and p-38 activation. Finally, IκB degradation was blocked by Abarema cochliacarpos treatment being consistent with an up-regulation of the NF-kappaB-binding activity. These results reinforce the anti-inflammatory effects described previously suggesting that Abarema cochliacarpos could provide a source for the search for new anti-inflammatory compounds useful in ulcerative colitis treatment.

An adaptive view of caste differentiation in the neotropical wasp Polybia (Trichothorax) sericea Olivier (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Zoneamento agroclimático de nogueira-macadâmia para o Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Converging frontiers: Elizabeth Bishop's North and South'

This paper examines Elizabeth Bishop's evolving social views, as revealed through her poetry. A selection of poems, written before and after she moved to Brazil in 1951, are compared so as to disclose changes in her personal expression and in her approaches to issues of human interaction and social organization.

Anticlastogenic effect of aqueous extracts of Agaricus blazei on CHO-k1 cells, studying different developmental phases of the mushroom

The Agaricus blazei Murill (ABM) mushroom, known as the sun mushroom, is native to Brazil and has become known for its medicinal properties. This study examined the anticlastogenic effect of Agaricus blazei in Chinese hamster ovary cells, CHO-k1, by means of a chromosome aberration test using methyl methanesulphonate (MMS, 10(-4)M) as the DNA damage inducing agent. Two mushroom lines were used, ABM 99/26 and ABM 97/11, and the latter was used in the young (Y) and sporulating (S) developmental phases. The cells were treated for 12 h with MMS alone or combined with aqueous extracts of A. blazei at a final concentration of 0.15%, which were prepared at three different temperatures: (a) hot (60 degreesC), (b) room temperature (25 degreesC) and (c) chilled (4 degreesC). Mushroom extracts showed a marked anticlastogenic effect against DNA damage, as evidenced by a decrease in the number of cells with breaks, regardless of the line used, or the developmental stage or the temperature at which the extract was prepared. Generally, the extracts were more effective in reducing the isochromatid type breaks. The data obtained suggest that extracts of A. blazei mushroom are anticlastogenic under the conditions tested, mainly during the G1 and S stages of the cell cycle, where chromosome breaks of the isochromatid type are produced by the MMS agent. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and antimutagenicity of hexane extracts of Agaricus blazei determined in vitro by the comet assay and CHO/HGPRT gene mutation assay

Agaricus blazei Murrill ss. Heinem, known as the sun mushroom or himematsutake, is a basidiomycete native to Brazil, which is popular for its medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to test hexane extracts (one fraction and its four sub-fractions) of A. blazei for bioactivity in cultured mammalian cells (CHO-K1). The comet assay, the colony forming assay (CFA) and CHO/HGPRT gene mutation assay were used respectively to determine genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and antimutagenicity of these extracts at different concentrations. The cells were incubated in culture medium and treated for 3 h according to the standard protocol for each assay. The DNA damage-inducing agent ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) was utilized as the positive control and also in combination with extracts to test for a protective effect. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. A relationship between cytotoxicity and genotoxicity could be established and two extracts EH6B and EH6D showed a protective tendency, while the others did not, with the primary extract EH6 causing the most substantial damage to genetic material. These findings warrant more in-depth studies of the active principles of this mushroom. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Growth Regulators and KNO3 on Seed Germination of Angelonia salicariifolia

Angelonia salicariifolia is an herbaceous perennial native to Brazil with ornamental potential as garden plant, cut-flower and potted plant. It has blue flowers 1.0 to 1.4 cm long, in 10-30 cm long terminal racemes. In previous studies seeds of A. salicariifolia showed a positive photoblastic behavior under constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 degrees C. The present study evaluated the effects of growth regulators (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mg L-1 of gibberellic acid and 2.25, 11.3, 22.5 mg L-1 of 6-benzylamino-purine) and potassium nitrate (0.2 and 1.0 %) on promoting its seed germination. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with six replications of 25 seeds, for each treatment. Seeds from dehiscent capsules were sown on one layer of filter paper and moistened with growth regulators or KNO3 solutions. Germination was carried out at 25 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C, under continuous light or darkness. Germination (protusion of the radicle) was observed daily for 20 days. In the dark, only gibberellic acid promoted seed germination. The percentage of germination and the speed of germination index at 400 mg L-1 (47.3%; 0.86) and 500 mg L-1 (52.0%; 0.95) were significantly higher compared to 100 mg L-1 (27.8%; 0.38) and 200 mg L-1 (32.3%; 0.49). The mean germination time at 500 mg L-1 (10.0 days) was significantly smaller compared to 100 mg L-1 (11.9 days) and 200 mg L-1 (11.5 days). Under light, treatments did not differ among each other or from the control, except for 22.5 mg L-1 of 6-benzylamino-purine and potassium nitrate (1.0%), which decreased the percentage of germination and the speed of germination index compared to control. The application of growth regulators or potassium nitrate under light condition is not necessary, since these treatments did not improve germination percentage or the speed of germination index.

Panorama of immigration for Sao Paulo following the Second World War

This article proposes to analyze the results of a research conducted in the São Paulo Immigrants Memorial, whose purpose was to work with an agreement between the state of São Paulo and the Union, according to which the state committed itself to receive, from May 1947 to 1952, immigrants of different European nationalities. Such immigrants had a specific characteristic that conferred them a peculiar status in the eyes of the United Nations, given the fact that they originated from Germany and Austria and where either displaced persons or refugees who could not or did not want to return to their homelands, for several reasons. Italians represented only 0,12% of this group. Italian immigration to Brazil became significant only after 1950, due to the Brazil-Italy immigration agreements.

The caste system of Coptotermes gestroi (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Coptotermes gestroi is an oriental species introduced to Brazil and considered, in the São Paulo State area, one of the most economically important pests. Although there are a few works concerning the basic biology of this species, its post-embryonic development has been poorly studied. The aim of the present research was to study the post-embryonic development of C. gestroi for a better knowledge of the caste system in this termite. The post-embryonic development of C. gestroi starts with two larval instars of whitish appearance and different sizes. A separation of the neutral and imaginal developmental pathways occurs following the second larval instar. The second-instar larva originates alates after six molts. The worker caste presents five instars and also develops from the second larval instar. Soldiers develop from younger workers in laboratory colonies and from older workers in field colonies.

Africanized honeybees: Biological characteristics, urban nesting behavior and accidents caused in Brazilian cities (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

In 1956 African honeybee queens (Apis mellifera scutellata) were imported from South Africa and Tanzania to Brazil, as part of a government project to increase Brazilian honey production. The European honeybees existing in that country had not adapted well to the tropical conditions and consequently, had a low productivity. The newly introduced bee was known to produce substantially more honey than the other subspecies, but was also famous for its great aggressiveness and quicker attack of intruders with less disturbance. Hoping to create a new hybrid bee that would be both docile and productive, the scientist Warwick Estevam Kerr tried to cross the African and the European subspecies under controlled conditions. However, an accident resulted in the escape of 26 swarms into the Brazilian countryside, where their queens mated with drones of the European resident honeybees. The poly-hybrid bees resulting from these crossings expressed scutellata-like reproductive, foraging, and defensive behaviors and, for this reason, were called Africanized honeybees. They spread rapidly from the introduction area of the African honeybees (near Rio Claro, São Paulo state) to as far south as mid-Argentina and to the north of Texas, also settling in Arizona, New Mexico, California and Nevada, due to their high adaptability to variable ecological conditions. In spite of a few undesirable behaviors, these bees have been invoking larger economic interest because they produce much more honey, have good resistance to diseases and are excellent pollinators. In Brazil, because people frequently disturb the environment, the occupation of urban refuges by Africanized honeybees has been increasing in the last years. The concern with accidents is generally associated with the high swarming frequency recorded during the year and the variety of shelters available in urban areas. This paper deals with the biological characteristics of the Africanized honeybees, their nesting behavior in urban environments, and accidents caused by these bees in Brazilian cities.

In vitro metabolism effect on genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of Agaricus blazei organics and aqueous extracts by the comet assay

There is high interest in the natural products properties due to their use in popular medicine. Agaricus blazei Murrill ss. Heinem. (Ab) is native to Brazil and has been widely disseminated because its medicinal properties. In the present study, the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of Ab extracts were investigated using the comet assay. The cells utilized were the non drug-metabolizing line CHO-k1 (Chinese hamster ovary) and the drug-metabolizing line HTC (rat hepatoma). Cells were treated for 3 h in the absence of fetal bovain serum (FBS) with methanolic, hexanic and n-butanolic extracts at 50 μg/ml and 0.75% aqueous extract to test for genotoxicity. Antigenotoxic effects of extracts were determined in cells exposed to the DNA damage inducing agent ethyl methanesulfonate under simultaneous or simultaneous with 1 h pre-incubation conditions. The extracts did not show genotoxicity in HTC, while they were genotoxic in CHO-k1. No antigenotoxic effect was observed with any extract under any condition. These results demonstrate that the metabolism in presence or in absence has a direct influence on the genotoxicity of these extracts. © 2006 The Japan Mendel Society.

Brésil: les territoires de la question agraire

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

MODY 2: Mutation identification and molecular ancestry in a Brazilian family

Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases characterized by a primary defect in insulin secretion and hyperglycemia, non-ketotic disease, monogenic autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, age at onset less than 25. years, and lack of auto-antibodies. It accounts for 2-5% of all cases of non-type 1 diabetes. MODY subtype 2 is caused by mutations in the glucokinase (GCK) gene. In this study, we sequenced the GCK gene of two volunteers with clinical diagnosis for MODY2 and we were able to identify four mutations including one for a premature stop codon (c.76C>T). Based on these results, we have developed a specific PCR-RFLP assay to detect this mutation and tested 122 related volunteers from the same family. This mutation in the GCK gene was detected in 21 additional subjects who also had the clinical features of this genetic disease. In conclusion, we identified new GCK gene mutations in a Brazilian family of Italian descendance, with one due to a premature stop codon located in the second exon of the gene. We also developed a specific assay that is fast, cheap and reliable to detect this mutation. Finally, we built a molecular ancestry model based on our results for the migration of individuals carrying this genetic mutation from Northern Italy to Brazil. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Temperature and scarification on seeds germination of copernicia prunifera (Mill) H.E. Moore (Arecaceae)

Copernicia prunifera, known as carnauba, is native to Brazil and presents great potential to be used in gardens and cultivation in pot. Palms species, with relatively few exceptions, can only be propagated by seeds; even so, there are no reports in the literature about the germination of this palm seeds. Several species of the Arecaceae family present seed physical dormancy in varying degrees, demanding treatments to improve germination. The objective of this work was to study the effects of temperature and mechanical scarification on seed germination of C. prunifera. The experimental design was entirely randomized in a factorial arrangement 6 x 2 (six conditions of temperature with or without mechanical scarification) with 4 replications and 25 seeds each. In accordance with the treatment, lateral scarifications were made on the seeds until appearance of the endosperm. Seeds were sown in moist fine vermiculite. Germination (%) and germination rate (GR) were evaluated. Germination data were arcsine (x/100)1/2 transformed before analysis of variance and germination rate data were not transformed. The means of the resulting values were then compared by the Scott-Knott test at 1% confidence level. It was concluded that the biggest germination percentage were obtained at alternated temperature of 25-35°C (92%) and at constant temperature of 25°C (87%). Seeds germinated faster at alternated temperature of 25- 35°C. Germination percentage was similar for the scarified and non-scarified seeds; however, scarified seeds germinated faster.