Trypanosomes of non-human primates from the National Centre of Primates, Ananindeua, State of Pará, Brazil

Trypanosome infections were sought in 46 non-human primates captured principally in Amazonian Brazil. Twenty-two (47.8%) were infected with four Trypanosoma species: T. cruzi, T. minasense, T. devei and T. rangeli. These preliminary results confirmed the high prevalence and diversity of natural infections with trypanosomes in primates from Brazilian Amazon and were the first formal record of simian infections with trypanosomes in the State of Acre. The presence of T. cruzi-like and T. rangeli-like parasites are recorded in four new hosts.

Oswaldotrema nacinovici gen. nov. sp. nov. (Digenea: Philophthalmidae) from Numenius phaeopus (Aves: Scolopacidae) in Brazil

A new genus, Oswaldotrema gen. nov. is proposed. Oswaldotrema nacinovici sp. nov. is descibed from Numenius phaeopus Latham, 1790. Differentiation from the other related genera, namely Philophthalmus, Pygorchis, Proctobium, Parorchis, Echinostephila, Cloacitrema, Pittacium, Ophthalmotrema, Skrjabinovermis and Paratrema, was based on morphological characters, mainly on those referring to the body surface, body shape, head, esophagus, pharynx, acetabulum, vitellaria, vitelline reservoir and seminal vesicle.

Diversity of Chromobacterium violaceum isolates from aquatic environments of state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon

The present study intended to characterize the phenotypic and genetic diversity of Brazilian isolates of Chromobacterium violaceum from aquatic environments within the Amazon region. Nineteen isolates showed morphological properties of C. violaceum and the majority grew at 44°C. Low temperatures, in contrast, showed to be inhibitory to their growth, as eleven isolates did not grow at 10ºC and nine did not produce pigmentation, clearly indicating an inhibition of their metabolism. The largest variation among isolates was observed in the citrate test (Simmons), in which 12 isolates were positive, and in the oxidation/fermentation of sucrose, with six positives isolates. Chloramphenicol, gentamicin and sulfonamides efficiently inhibited bacterial growth. Amplified products of the recA gene were digested with HindII or PstI, which produced three or four restriction fragments patterns, respectively. The combined analysis arranged the isolates into six genospecies. The higher diversity observed in Belém (genotypes C, D, E and F) may be a consequence of intense human occupation, pollution of the aquatic environment or due to the higher diversity of the environments sampled in that region. In conclusion, a high level of genetic and phenotypic diversity was observed, and four new genospecies were described.

Anopheles darlingi polytene chromosomes: revised maps including newly described inversions and evidence for population structure in Manaus

Salivary gland polytene chromosomes of 4th instar Anopheles darlingi Root were examined from multiple locations in the Brazilian Amazon. Minor modifications were made to existing polytene photomaps. These included changes to the breakpoint positions of several previously described paracentric inversions and descriptions of four new paracentric inversions, two on the right arm of chromosome 3 and two on the left arm of chromosome 3 that were found in multiple locations. A total of 18 inversions on the X (n = 1) chromosome, chromosome 2 (n = 7) and 3 (n = 11) were scored for 83 individuals from Manaus, Macapá and Porto Velho municipalities. The frequency of 2Ra inversion karyotypes in Manaus shows significant deficiency of heterozygotes (p < 0.0009). No significant linkage disequilibrium was found between inversions on chromosome 2 and 3. We hypothesize that at least two sympatric subpopulations exist within the An. darlingi population at Manaus based on inversion frequencies.

Eryphus Perty, 1832 e Tacyba, um novo gênero de Heteropsini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Cerambycinae)

Eryphus Perty, 1832 and Tacyba, a new genus of Heteropsini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). Some species, up to now, included in Callideriphus Blanchard, 1851 are rearranged in: a) those congeneric with Callideriphus grossipes Blanchard, 1851 and b) not congeneric. The first set of species will be treated in a future paper; the second one, on the other hand, is subdivided into Eryphus Perty, 1832 and Tacyba gen. nov. Eryphus Perty, 1832 (type species: Eryphus bipunctatus Perty, 1832), a valid genus, is redescribed and a key for the species is also provided. The following species are transferred to Eryphus: E. bivittatus (Melzer, 1934) comb. nov., E. carinatus (Zajciw, 1970) comb. nov., E. flavicollis (Fisher, 1938) comb. nov., E. laetus (Blanchard, 1851) comb. nov., E. marginatus (Zajciw, 1970) comb. nov., E. picticollis (Gounelle, 1911) comb. nov., E. transversalis (Fairmaire & Germain, 1864) comb. nov. New synonym proposed: Eryphus bipunctatus Perty, 1832 = Callideriphus atricollis Melzer, 1931. New taxa described: Eryphus tacuarembo sp. nov. (Uruguay, Tacuarembó), E. carioca sp. nov. (Brazil, Rio de Janeiro); Tacyba gen. nov. (type species: Callideriphus maculatus Cerda, 1988). Species transferred to Tacyba and synonyms: T. maculata (Cerda, 1988) comb. nov., T. tenuis (Blanchard, 1851) comb. nov. = Callideriphus testaceicornis Fairmaire & Germain, 1859 syn. nov. = Callideriphus clathratus Fairmaire & Germain, 1860 syn. nov. = Callideriphus niger Philippi & Philippi, 1864 syn. nov. Callideriphus flavicollis m. quadripunctatus Fuchs, 1961 and Callideriphus flavicollis m. reductus Fuchs, 1961, both names of infrasubspecific category (not available under the rules of ICZN), are herein treated as intraspecific variation of Eryphus picticollis (Gounelle, 1911) which occur in southern Brazil and Argentina.

Sinopse do gênero Strongylaspis Thomson, 1860 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Prioninae, Macrotomini)

Synopsis of the genus Strongylaspis Thomson, 1860 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Prioninae, Macrotomini). The genus Strongylaspis Thomson, 1860 with its twelve known species are briefly treated herein: S. batesi Lameere, 1903, S. bullatus Bates, 1872, S. championi Bates, 1884, S. corticarius (Erichson, 1848), S. dohrni Lameere, 1903, S. fryi Lameere, 1912, S. graniger Bates, 1884, S. hirticollis Tippmann, 1953, S. kraepelini Lameere, 1903, S. macrotomoides Tippmann, 1953, S. sericans Tippmann, 1953, S. sericeus Zajciw, 1970. The genus as well as the species, Strongylaspis championi, S. bullatus and S. corticarius are redescribed; the last one including characterization of wings and male and female terminalia. Four new species are added: S. aureus sp. nov. (BRASIL, Amazonas), S. migueli sp. nov. (BRASIL, Mato Grosso), S. christianae sp. nov. (BRASIL, Mato Grosso) and S. bolivianus sp. nov. (BOLIVIA). All the species, but S. dohrni, are illustrated and keyed. Maps of distribution are also given.

Novos táxons em Apomecynini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)

New taxa of Apomecynini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae). The following new taxa are described from Brazil: Ischioncha rondonia sp. nov., from Rondônia; Prosenella unicolor sp. nov., from Rio Grande do Sul; Catuaba gen. nov., type species, C. sanguinolenta sp. nov., from Mato Grosso do Sul.

Novos táxons em Piezocerini e Ibidionini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)

New taxa described: Piezocerini - Piezosecus gen. nov., type species, P. tymaiuba sp. nov. (Brazil, São Paulo); Ibidionini - Gnomibidion variabile sp. nov. (Brazil, Mato Grosso), and Palpibidion gen. nov., type species, P. minimum sp. nov. (Brazil, Rondônia).

Novos gêneros, novas espécies e redescrição em Hemilophini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) das Américas

New genera, new species and redescription in Hemilophini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae) from the Americas. New taxa described from El Salvador: Eranina sororcula sp. nov. (La Libertad). From Honduras: E. pallida sp. nov. (department not indicated). From Costa Rica: Mexicoscylus nigritarse sp. nov. (Guanacaste) and Cotyabanycha gen. nov., type species, C. ocularis sp. nov. (Limón). From Colombia and Ecuador: Sybaguasu mirim sp. nov. (Meta and Napo). From Ecuador: Piampatara antennata sp. nov. (Napo), Adesmus simile sp. nov. (Manabi), A. alboniger sp. nov. (Napo), A. swifti sp. nov. (Loja). From Bolivia: Potiapunga gen. nov., type species P. lata sp. nov. (Santa Cruz). Phoebe spegazzinii Bruch, 1908 is recorded for Ecuador (Manabi) and its chromatic variation is commented.

Genetic characterization and nitrogen fixation capacity of Rhizobium strains on common bean

This study aimed to genetically characterize four new Rhizobium strains, and to evaluate their nodulation and fixation capacity compared to commercial strains and to native rhizobia population of a Brazilian Rhodic Hapludox. Two experiments were carried out in randomized blocks design, under greenhouse conditions, in 2007. In the first experiment, the nodulation and nitrogen fixation capacity of new strains were evaluated, in comparison to the commercial strains CIAT-899 and PRF-81 and to native soil population. It was carried out in plastic tubes filled with vermiculite. DNA extractions and PCR sequencing of the intergenic space were made from the isolated pure colonies, in order to genetically characterize the strains and the native rhizobia population. In the second experiment, the nodulation and productivity of common beans Perola cultivar were determined, with the use of evaluated strains, alone or in mixture with PRF-81 strain. It was carried out in pots filled with soil. The native soil population was identified as Rhizobium sp. and was inefficient in nitrogen fixation. Three different Rhizobium species were found among the four new strains. The LBMP-4BR and LBMP-12BR new strains are among the ones with greatest nodulation and fixation capacity and exhibit differential responses when mixed to PRF-81.

Síntese e caracterização de novos compostos de coordenação de cobre (II) com ligantes não-simétricos N,O-doadores: contribuições para o sítio ativo da galactose oxidase

The reactions of four new unsymmetrical N,O-donor ligands, {H2BBPETEN= [N-(2-hydroxybenzyl) - N,N' - bis(2 methylpyridyl) -N'-(hydroxyethyl) ethylenodiamine], H3BPETEN=[N,N'- bis(2-hydroxybenzyl) -N- (2-methylpyridyl) -N'- (hydroxyethyl) ethylenodiamine], HTPETEN=[N,N,N'- tris(2-methylpyridyl) -N'- (hydroxyethyl) ethylenodiamine] and H3BIMETEN=[N,N'-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N-(1-methylimidazol-2-il-methyl)-N'- (hydroxyethyl)ethylenodiamine]}, with Cu(II) salts afforded the following mononuclear compounds: [CuII(HBBPETEN)]ClO4, [CuII(H2BPETEN)]ClO4 , [CuII(HTPETEN)](PF6)2 and [CuII(H2BIMETEN)]ClO4 . All were characterized by EPR, electronic spectroscopy and electrochemistry. The four copper (II) compounds showed interesting electrochemistry properties. All presented an anodic wave that can be attributed to the Cu (I) oxide formation at the electrode surface, or to a Cu0 sediment at the same surface or yet, to Cu(I) -> Cu(II) oxidation process with coupled chemistry reaction, due to their irreversibility. Two of the complexes are described as interesting synthetic models for the active site of the metalloenzyme galactose oxidase.

Organismos marinhos como fonte de novos fármacos: histórico & perspectivas

Though sharing only a short part on the natural products timeline, the studies on marine products has already handed in four new drugs to the clinical arsenal and brought up a long and promising list of unique molecules to pre-clinical and clinical trials. Thus, as the available analytical resources improve and the interest of large pharmaceutical companies arises, medical use of marine products has definitely become a reality.

Síntese de 2-iodobenzamidas e 3-(iodoacetamido)benzamidas ligadas à D-galactose e suas reações de carbociclização radicalar mediadas por hidreto de tri-n-butilestanho

Starting from methyl 6-O-allyl-4-azido-2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranoside, four new derivatives containing 2-iodobenzamido and 3-(iodoacetamido)benzamido groups were synthesized. These four compounds were submitted to tri-n-butyltin hydride mediated radical cyclization reactions, resulting in two macrolactams from 11- and 15-endo aryl radical cyclization. The corresponding four hydrogenolysis products were also obtained. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by ¹H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, DEPT, COSY, HMQC and HMBC experiments.

Spectrophotometric determination of famotidine using sulphonphthalein dyes

Four new extraction-free spectrophotometric methods have been established for the quantitation of famotidine (FMT). The methods are based on the formation of yellow ion-pair complexes between FMT and four sulphonphthalein dyes viz., bromothymol blue (method A), bromophenol blue (method B), bromocresol purple (method C) and bromocresol green (method D) in dioxane or acetone medium. The experimental variables such as reagent concentration, solvent medium and reaction time have been carefully optimized to achieve the highest sensitivity. The proposed methods were applied successfully to the determination of famotidine in tablets with good accuracy and precision and without interferences from common excipients. The results obtained by the proposed methods were compared favorably with those of the reference method.

Trachylobane and kaurane diterpenes from Croton floribundus spreng

A new trachylobane diterpene ent-trachyloban-18,19-diol (1) was isolated from root bark of Croton floribundus, along with known diterpenes ent-trachyloban-19-oic acid (2), 15b-hydroxy-ent-trachyloban-19-oic acid (3), ent-trachyloban-19-ol (4), ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (5), ent-kaur-16-ene-6a,19-diol (6) and ent-16a-hydroxykaur-11-en-19-oic acid (7). ent-trachyloban-18,19-diol (1) was submitted to derivatization reactions affording four new compounds (8-11). Cytotoxic activity of diterpenes 1, 3, 4, 7-11 against three human cancer cell lines was evaluated. No compounds showed cytotoxic potential with IC50 values greater than 25 mg/mL. Compound 6 was evaluated against five human cancer cell lines, showing moderate effect against three cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-435, HCT-8 and HCT-116, with IC50 values of 14.32, 13.47 and 12.1 mg/mL, respectively.