Distribution of stream macroalgae in three tropical drainage basins of southeastern Brazil

Three drainage basins belonging to different drainage systems, but in close proximity, were evaluated to compare the distribution of macroalgal communities in the northwest region of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. Monthly samplings were carried out from September 1992 through September 1993 in three sites along the main river of each basin. 10 m length cross segments were evaluated for species per cent cover and richness, on both the population and community levels. Selected stream variables were measured: specific conductance, temperature, turbidity, mean cross-sectional area of the reach, current velocity, pH, and oxygen saturation (%). Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCO), chi-square good-of-fitness, and Pearson Product-Moment correlation coefficient were applied to evaluate the distribution of the macroalgal species. The survey resulted in 36 taxa of macroalgae, of which Cyanophyta was the dominant group (17 taxa or 41.7% of the total), followed by Chlorophyta (15 taxa or 41.7%), Rhodophyta (3 taxa or 8.3%) and Chrysophyta (1 taxon or 2.8%). Stigeoclonium helveticum, 'Chantransia' stage of Batrachospermum spp., and B. delicatulum were the most widespread and frequent macroalgae throughout the basins. The analyses showed that conductance and current velocity were the factors most closely related to the distribution of the macroalgal species. Positive correlation between richness and percent cover was determined, which reinforces the patchiness of stream macroalgal distribution.

Photosynthetic characteristics of a tropical population of Nitella cernua (Characeae, Chlorophyta)

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

Population ecology of the planktonic shrimp Lucifer faxoni Borradaile, 1915 (Crustacea, Sergestoidea, Luciferidae) of the southeastern coast of Brazil

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

Population dynamic of Sesarma rectum (Crustacea, Brachyura, Sesarmidae) from a muddy flat under human impact, Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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

Polymorphisms of the DNA repair genes XRCC1 and XRCC3 in a Brazilian population

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Spatial distribution of dengue in the city of Cruzeiro, São Paulo State, Brazil: use of geoprocessing tools

Este artigo tem por objetivo identificar padrões na distribuição espacial dos casos de dengue ocorridos no município de Cruzeiro/SP, no ano de 2006. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico e exploratório que utiliza as ferramentas de análise espacial na elaboração de mapas temáticos, com dados obtidos do SinanNet. Foi feita uma análise por área, tomando-se como unidade o setor censitário do IBGE; a análise considerou quatro meses do ano de 2006 que mostra a ocorrência da doença no município. Os mapas temáticos foram construídos pelo programa computacional TerraView 3.3.1; assim como os valores dos índices de Moran Global (I M) mês a mês e o estimador de Kernel. Foram georreferenciados 691 casos de dengue (taxa de 864,2 casos/100.000 habitantes); os Índices de Moran e p-valores obtidos foram I M = 0,080 (março) p = 0,11; I M = 0,285 (abril) p = 0,01; I M = 0,201 (maio) p = 0,01 e I M = 0,002 (junho) p = 0,57. Os primeiros casos foram identificados na região nordeste e central e os últimos casos, na região norte, nordeste e central. Foi possível identificar os setores censitários onde a epidemia teve início e como ocorreu têmporo-espacialmente no município.

Respiratory muscle strength in obese individuals and influence of upper-body fat distribution

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A disfunção pulmonar no obeso pode estar associada a comprometimento muscular respiratório e também pode ser influenciada pelo predomínio de distribuição de gordura corporal na região toraco-abdominal. O objetivo foi avaliar a força dos músculos respiratórios em obesos e analisar a influência da distribuição do tecido adiposo. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal no período pré-operatório de Cirurgia Bariátrica. Estudo desenvolvido no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bases Gerais da Cirurgia da Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) - Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu. MÉTODO: Mensuração da força dos músculos respiratórios através das medidas das pressões inspiratórias e expiratórias máximas (PImax e PEmax) em obesos candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica. Avaliar a distribuição do tecido adiposo através da relação entre as circunferências da cintura e quadril (RC/Q). Comparar esses atributos com os valores de referência de normalidade e também entre grupos com diferentes índices de massa corpórea (IMC). RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 23 homens e 76 mulheres. Todos foram submetidos à avaliação de PImax e 86 realizaram a PEmax. O IMC médio foi de 44,42 kg/m². Os valores de PImax e de PEmax estavam dentro dos padrões de normalidade, a relação cintura-quadril mostrou distribuição do tecido adiposo na porção superior corporal e não houve correlação entre as variáveis estudadas. CONCLUSÃO: Na população de obesos estudada, o excesso de peso não provocou alterações na força dos músculos respiratórios, e as modificações não foram influenciadas pela distribuição de gordura predominante em porção superior corporal.

Comparative population biology of Uca rapax (Smith, 1870) (Brachyura, Ocypodidae) from two subtropical mangrove habitats on the Brazilian coast

The structure of two populations of the fiddler crab Uca rapax in two subtropical mangrove habitats near Ubatuba, State of São Paulo, Brazil were compared. The size - frequency distribution, sex ratio, and recruitment were evaluated. Sampling was performed monthly from April 2001 to March 2002 in the Itamambuca and Ubatumirim habitats. Crabs were caught manually for 15 min by two collectors during low tide. The carapace width of each crab was measured with a digital caliper, and the sex and ovigerous state were recorded. The median size of the carapace width of males was greater than that of females at both sites (P<0.05). The median size of the crabs from Itamambuca was larger than at Ubatumirim (P<0.05). Only 28 ovigerous females were obtained from both mangroves, which suggested that females might remain in their burrows during the incubation period. The highest recruitment pulse occurred in winter for both populations, probably as a consequence of high reproductive activity during summer. The sex ratio in the size classes showed an anomalous pattern, with a higher frequency of females in the intermediate size classes. This may be related to a greater energy requirement for reproduction in females, thus delaying growth. The variable environmental conditions to which Uca rapax populations are subject appear to act directly or indirectly on the population, causing variations in growth and reproductive processes in the different populations investigated here.

Reproductive biology and seasonal distribution of Mustelus schmitti (Elasmobranchii : Triakidae) in the Rio de la Plata oceanic front, south-western Atlantic

The population structure and reproductive biology of Mustelus schmitti was analysed during autumn (1994, 1995) and spring (1994) in the Rio dc la Plata occanic front. The samples consisted mainly of a adult males and immature females, indicating that nursery areas are Situated elsewhere. In autumn, the highest female densities occurred between 36 degrees S and 35 degrees S, with densities decreasing further south, and high male densities occurred over all latitudes of the study area. In Spring, both Sexes occurred north of latitude 36 degrees 30 degrees S. Males attained Maturity at. 59 cm total length (TL), and females at 72 cmTL Litter size varied From one to ten in spring and two to nine in autumn, With embryos ranging from 9 to 26 cm and 7 to 26 cm TL respcctivcly the mean TL of embryos was significantly higher in spring (22 cm), suggesting that parturition Occurs ill late spring and summer. Litter size was found to Increase with female TL..

Geographical distribution of vampire bat-related cattle rabies in Brazil

Seventy-seven rabies virus (RV) isolates originating from Brazilian cattle were genetically characterized. Partial nucleoprotein gene sequences of these isolates were phylogenetically and geographically analyzed. Cattle isolates, which clustered with the vampire bat-related RV group, were further subdivided into nine genetic subgroups. These subgroups were distributed widely in lowland regions, with some subgroups separated from each other by mountain ranges. In addition, separation of the groups in mountainous regions was correlated with altitude. These results indicate that cattle rabies is derived from several regionally-defined variants, which suggests that its geographical distribution is related to that of the vampire bat population.

Population dynamics of Petrochirus diogenes (Crustacea, Anomura, Diogenidae) in the Ubatuba region, São Paulo, Brazil

This work examines the population dynamics of Petrochirus diogenes in the Ubatuba region (São Paulo, Brazil), focusing on size frequency distribution, sex ratio, and reproductive and recruitment period. Collections were made with two double-rig nets in the years 1993-1996. The 799 individuals obtained were separated into 14 size classes based on the length of the cephalothoracic shield. The shield size varied from 5.4 to 40.0 mm in males and from 5.7 to 32.1 mm in females. The size frequency distribution was unimodal for both sexes. Only small oscillations occurred in the sex ratio until the seventh size class, followed by preponderance of males. This suggests a standard pattern for the sex ratio in P. diogenes. As males were found in the largest size classes, they present a clear sexual dimorphism. This characteristic can be considered as a selective advantage, mainly during the mating processes and in the agonistic behavior. Ovigerous females were recorded in the spring and summer, indicating seasonal reproduction.

Characterization of PLGA microparticles as a drug carrier for 3-ethoxycarbonyl-2H-benzofuro[3,2-f]-1-benzopyran-2-one. Ultrastructural study of cellular uptake and intracellular distribution

Here we describe the application of microparticles (MPs) for the delivery and release of the drug a benzopsoralen. We also evaluated the intracellular distribution and cellular uptake of the drug by using an encapsulation technique for therapeutic optimization. MPs containing the compound 3-ethoxycarbonyl-2H-benzofuro[3,2-f]-1-benzopyran-2-one (psoralen A) were prepared by the solvent evaporation technique, and parameters such as particle size, drug encapsulation efficiency, effect of the encapsulation process on the drug's photochemistry, zeta potential, external morphology, and < i > in vitro release behavior were evaluated. The intracellular distribution of MPs as well as their uptake by tissues were monitored. Size distribution studies using dynamic ligh scattering and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the MPs are spherical in shape with a diameter of 1.4 mu m. They present low tendency toward aggregation, as confirmed by their zeta potential (+10.6 mV). The loading efficiency obtained was 75%. As a consequence of the extremely low diffusivity of the drug in aqueous medium, the drug release profile of the MPs in saline phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was much slower than that obtained in the biological environment. Among the population of peritoneal phagocytic cells, only macrophages were able to phagocytose poly-d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) MP. The use of psoralen A in association with ultraviolet light (360 nm) revealed morphological characteristics of cell damage such as cytoplasmic vesiculation, mitochondria condensation, and swelling of both the granular endoplasmatic reticulum and the nuclear membrane. These results indicate that PLGA MP could be a promising delivery system for psoralen in connection with ultraviolet irradiation therapy (PUVA).

Population biology and habitat utilization of the stone crab Menippe nodifrons in the Ubatuba region, São Paulo, Brazil

The aim of the current study was to evaluate a population of Menippe nodiffons in a reef of sabellariid worms, Phragmatopoma lapidosa, with regard to recruitment, population structure and sex ratio. Sampling was carried out each other month from September 1994 up to and including July 1995, on the rocky shores of the Tenorio beach, São Paulo, Brazil. It resulted in 183 individuals, whose average carapace width in this biotope was 9.1 +/- 5.6 m. The animals were grouped in nine size classes and the frequency distribution showed that 80% occupied the three first classes. This means that the polychaete worm colonies are of great importance for the establishment of individuals in the first juvenile stages.

Oviposition pattern and within-season spatial and temporal variation of pre-dispersal seed predation in a population of Mimosa bimucronata trees

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

Horizontal distribution of megalopae of Brachyura (Crustacea, Decapoda) in a South American tropical estuary

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)