Floristic relationships among inland swamp forests of Southeastern and Central-Western Brazil

We evaluated the floristic relationships among 20 swamp forests of Southeastern and Central-Western Brazil using multivariate analyses. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and TWINSPAN (Two way indicator species analysis) indicated two distinct floristic groups among forests, according to the Phytogeographic Province (Paranaense or Cerrado) and their climate conditions, phytophysiognomies, and species composition. Within the same province, edaphic conditions and geographical distance, among other factors, may be responsible for similarities or dissimilarities among the forests floras. Our results indicated that, despite the low a diversity, γ diversity is high among the forests, as a result of the low floristic similarities among the remnants and the high number of unique species (55% of all species). Although floristically distinct, we concluded that the inland swamp forests of Southeastern Brazil and the gallery swamp forests of Central Brazil are part of the same forest formation. These forests have in common, in addition to the swampy environment, low plant species diversity and species that have high local densities, such as Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess., Cecropia pachystachya Trécul, Dendropanax cuneatus Decne. & Planch., Guarea macrophylla Vahl, Magnolia ovata (A. St.-Hil.) Spreng., Protium spruceanum (Benth.) Engl. and Tapirira guianensis Aubl.

Ouratea lancifolia R. G. Chacon & K. Yamam. (Ochnaceae), uma nova espécie do Cerrado, Brasil

A nova espécie Ouratea lancifolia R. G. Chacon & K. Yamam. é descrita. Ela compreende arbustos pequenos de savana gramíneo-lenhosa e se caracteriza pelas lâminas foliares lanceoladas de base cordada e margens serreadas. São apresentados descrição, ilustração e comentários ecológicos. São analisadas as diferenças em relação às duas espécies mais próximas, O. lanceolata (Pohl) Engl. e O. floribunda (A. St.-Hil.) Engl., também ocorrentes no bioma Cerrado.

Antiprotozoal and molluscicidal activities of five Brazilian plants

Leishmaniasis, Chagas' disease and schistosomiasis (bilharzia) are parasitic diseases with wide distribution on the American continent, affecting millions of people. In the present study, biological assays for antiprotozoal and molluscicidal activities were carried out with ethanolic extracts of plant species from the Brazilian part of the Upper Paraná River. Crude extracts were obtained by percolation with absolute ethanol from the leaves of Cayaponia podantha Cogn., Nectandra falcifolia (Nees) Castiglioni and Paullinia elegans Cambess., as well as from the aerial parts of Helicteres gardneriana St. Hil. & Naud. and Melochia arenosa Benth., all belonging to genera used in folk medicine. Trypanocidal activity of plants was assayed on epimastigote cultures in liver infusion tryptose. Anti-leishmanial activity was determined over cultures of promastigote forms of the parasite in Schneider's Drosophila medium. Microscopic countings of parasites, after their incubation in the presence of different concentrations of the crude extracts, were made in order to determine the percentage of growth inhibition. C. podantha and M. arenosa, at a concentration of 10 µg/mL, showed 90.4 ± 11.52 and 88.9 ± 2.20% growth inhibition, respectively, of epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, whereas N. falcifolia demonstrated an LD50 of 138.5 µg/mL against promastigote forms of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. Regarding molluscicidal activity, the acute toxicity of the extracts on Biomphalaria glabrata was evaluated by a rapid screening procedure. M. arenosa was 100% lethal to snails at 200 µg/mL and showed an LD50 of 143 µg/mL. Screening of plant extracts represents a continuous effort to find new antiparasitic drugs.

Caracterização morfológica de unidades de dispersão de cinco espécies ornamentais

A caracterização morfológica de unidades de dispersão é importante para auxiliar na identificação de uma espécie botânica e são poucos os trabalhos que descrevem as sementes das espécies ornamentais, sejam elas árvores, arbustos ou plantas herbáceas. As plantas ornamentais distinguem-se pela duração do florescimento, pela forma e pelo colorido das folhas, das flores e das inflorescências, bem como, pela aparência e arquitetura da planta. Sementes, como a maioria das estruturas reprodutivas, são relativamente estáveis, não variam muito com as condições ambientais, e sua organização básica interna somente varia levemente entre espécies e gêneros relacionados e as diferenças que existem podem ser estimadas como significativas filogeneticamente e ser usadas na identificação taxonômica. O objetivo do trabalho foi ilustrar e descrever as características externas e internas das unidades de dispersão, tais como a forma, o tipo, o tamanho e a posição do embrião em relação ao tecido de reserva, permitindo uma identificação mais segura de duas espécies de plantas arbóreas, a murta-branca (Allophyllus edulis (St.Hil.) Radlk - Sapindaceae) e a eritrina-candelabro (Erythrina speciosa Andrews - Fabaceae-Papilionoideae), usadas na arborização urbana; duas plantas herbáceas, a alstroeméria (Alstoemeria psittacina Lehm. - Amaryllidaceae) e frésia ou frísia (Freesia refracta Klatt. - Iridaceae) e um arbusto florífero, a esponjinha-vermelha ou caliandra (Calliandra tweedii Benth. - Fabaceae-Mimosoideae).

Classificação fisiológica de sementes de cinco espécies arbóreas de mata ciliar quanto a tolerância à dessecação e ao armazenamento

Sementes de cinco espécies florestais ocorrentes em matas ciliares da bacia do Rio Grande, no Estado de Minas Gerais, foram classificadas de acordo com a tolerância à dessecação e ao armazenamento, como forma de subsidiar futuros programas de propagação e conservação ex situ. Sementes de Miconia argyrophylla DC. (Melastomastaceae), Allophylus edulis (A. St.-Hil., Cambess. e A. Juss.) Radlk. (Sapindaceae), Ixora warmingii Müll. Arg. (Rubiaceae), Aulomyrcia venulosa DC. (Myrtaceae) e Metrodorea stipularis Mart. (Rutaceae) foram coletadas e levadas ao Laboratório de Sementes Florestais, sendo beneficiadas e submetidas à secagem, armazenamento e avaliação da germinação. Após a classificação fisiológica, verificou-se que M. argyrophylla e M. stipularis possuem sementes do tipo ortodoxas, as quais podem ser armazenadas à baixa temperatura (-20ºC) e com baixo conteúdo de água ( <5%), por longos períodos, sem comprometer a viabilidade das mesmas. Por outro lado, as sementes de A. edulis, I. warmingii e M. venulosa foram classificadas como recalcitrantes, não tolerando a secagem a conteúdos de água abaixo de 12%, indicando que práticas de conservação in situ devem ser levadas em consideração para a preservação dos recursos genéticos destas espécies.

Morfologia de frutos e sementes de espécies arbóreas do gênero Solanum L.

O objetivo do trabalho foi caracterizar a morfologia do fruto e da semente de três espécies florestais nativas do Brasil, Solanum granuloso-leprosum Dunal, S. lycocarpum A.St.-Hil. e S. pseudoquina A.St.-Hil., recomendadas para plantações destinadas à recuperação de áreas degradadas. Os frutos são indeiscentes, carnosos, do tipo baga, globosos, polispérmicos e constituídos por dois ou mais lóculos. As sementes são estenospérmicas, campilótropas, elipsóides, comprimidas, apresentando seção longitudinal largo-ovalada ou achatado-ovalada e seção transversal elíptica. Hilo mediano-marginal localizado em uma depressão e micrópila arredondada. Sementes albuminosas, com endosperma abundante, periférico, carnoso-firme, semitransparente e de coloração esbranquiçada. Embrião axial, linear, contínuo e curvado. Em Solanum lycocarpum e S. pseudoquina o embrião é circinado e em S. granuloso-leprosum é espiralado.

Divergência genética por análise multivariada de caracteres fenotípicos de Anacardium humile (St. Hilaire)1

RESUMO A espécie Anacardium humile (St. Hilaire) é uma fruteira nativa do Cerrado, utilizada tradicionalmente, tanto no consumo in natura como na forma de sucos, doces e geleias, mas ainda pouco explorada economicamente. Em uma área de cerrado campo sujo, com transição para cerrado campo rupestre, localizada no município de Patrocínio, Minas Gerais, Brasil, 38 genótipos de uma população dessa espécie foram estudados; com o objetivo de avaliar a diversidade fenotípica, estimada por análise multivariada, bem como características morfológicas promissoras para programas de melhoramento e conservação. Assim, o estudo mostrou variabilidade genética satisfatória dentro da população estudada, destacando-se os genótipos 6, 10, 24, 36 e 38 por elevada produção de frutos e maiores pedúnculos e por se apresentarem distantes geneticamente, sendo indicados para futuros trabalhos de melhoramento genético, para serem multiplicados e utilizados em plantios comerciais e de conservação da espécie.

An indirect immunofluorescence assay to detect antibodies against St. Louis Encephalitis virus

An in house indirect immmunofluorescence assay ( IFA ) in relation to neutralization (NT) reference test, was assessed as a fast and cheap method to carry out serological surveys for St. Louis Encephalitis virus (SLE). Sera obtained from 213 blood donors were analyzed by both tests. The prevalence of seropositivity obtained with IFA was lower than (30.98%) that observed on NT (41.78%). The relative specificity rate of IFA was 96.77% whereas its relative sensitivity rate was 69.66%. Kappa index showed a good correlation between both tests. The results indicate that neutralization assay is still the serological test with the highest sensitivity and specificity relative rates for detecting antibodies against SLE virus. Nevertheless, the IFA could be useful as an alternative test in order to learn the circulation of the Flavivirus genus in a certain area.

Age-related seroprevalence study for St. Louis encephalitis in a population from Cordoba, Argentina

A serological screening was performed in 615 individuals aged 0-87 years, living in the city of Cordoba, Argentina to study the relationship between antibody prevalence for the SLE virus and age. A 13.98% prevalence of neutralizing antibodies was obtained and its relation to age was significantly high (p = 0.045). The highest seroprevalence was noted on individuals over 60 years old (>20%), whereas no subject under 10 was seropositive for this virus. Our results confirm that the agent is endemic in this area and neurological pathology studies should be performed on those individuals aged 60 since they represent the most susceptible group to SLE virus.

St. Louis encephalitis vírus: first isolation from a human in São Paulo state, Brasil

This paper reports the isolation of St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) from a febrile human case suspected to be dengue, in São Pedro, São Paulo State. A MAC-ELISA done on the patient's acute and convalescent sera was inconclusive and hemagglutination inhibition test detected IgG antibody for flaviviruses. An indirect immunofluorescent assay done on the C6/36 cell culture inoculated with the acute serum was positive for flaviviruses but negative when tested with dengue monoclonal antibodies. RNA extracted from the infected cell culture supernatant was amplified by RT-PCR in the presence of NS5 universal flavivirus primers and directly sequenced. Results of BLAST search indicated that this sequence shares 93% nucleotide similarity with the sequence of SLEV (strain-MSI.7), confirmed by RT-PCR performed with SLEV specific primers. Since SLEV was identified as the cause of human disease, it is necessary to improve surveillance in order to achieve early detection of this agent in the state of São Paulo and in Brazil. This finding is also an alert to health professionals about the need for more complete clinical and epidemiological investigations of febrile illnesses as in the reported case. SLEV infections can be unrecognized or confused with other ones caused by an arbovirus, such as dengue.

Deltamethrin pyrethroid susceptibility characterization of Triatoma sordida St&#229;l, 1859 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) populations in the Northern Region of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Introduction Triatoma sordida is the most captured Triatomine species in the Brazilian artificial environment. In 2008, the discovery of three Triatomine populations with altered susceptibilities to deltamethrin highlighted the importance of investigating the genetic potential for resistance in triatomines. The purpose of this study was to characterize the susceptibility to deltamethrin of peridomestic T. sordida populations in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods A susceptibility reference lineage derived from Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil was used. Serial dilutions of deltamethrin were prepared and applied to the dorsal abdomen of first instar nymphs. The control group received only pure acetone. Mortality was evaluated after 72h. Qualitative tests assessed mortality in response to a diagnostic dose of 1xLD99 of the susceptibility reference lineage. Results Susceptibility profile characterization of T. sordida populations revealed resistance ratios (RR50s) ranging from 0.42 to 3.94. The percentage mortality in response to the diagnostic dose varied from 70% to 100%. A comparison of the results obtained in the quantitative and qualitative assays demonstrated a lack of correspondence for some populations. Conclusions We demonstrated that only T. sordida populations that present a RR50>1.0 have altered susceptibility, and the execution of simultaneous field and laboratory tests is required to understand the actual effect of vector control. A possible cause of the observed resistance ratios might be the continuous use of pyrethroids in Brazil since the 1980s.

Ecoepidemiology and biology of Eratyrus mucronatus St&#229;l, 1859 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae), a sylvatic vector of Chagas disease in the Brazilian Amazon

Introduction Eratyrus mucronatus St&#229;l, 1859 is a wild triatomine vector of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909. However, little is known regarding the biology and ecoepidemiology of this triatomine in the Brazilian Amazon. The present study describes the biology of E. mucronatus grown under laboratory conditions and the epidemiological aspects of its natural breeding sites. Methods Five colonies were monitored in the field for 3 years. Temperature and humidity measurements were taken in the mornings and afternoons at the natural breeding sites, and the behavior and distribution of the nymphs and adults were observed in the wild colony. We also monitored the life cycle under controlled laboratory conditions. Results Some factors that were considered decisive for the establishment of these colonies were present at all of the colonies studied in the field. These factors included an active termite nest, a vertebrate for repast, and dry and shaded substrates with temperatures of 24-28°C and with humidity of 80-90%. A generation was developed in 274 days under these microclimatic conditions in the laboratory. Conclusions The climatic variables described in the field indicate that these environmental parameters have a limiting effect on the dispersal and colonization of E. mucronatus to new environments. In addition, the long period of development to adulthood demonstrates that only one generation can develop per year even under the more favorable laboratory conditions.

Distribution of hepatitis B infection in Brazil: the epidemiological situation at the beginning of the 21 st century

Abstract Brazil was formerly considered a country with intermediate hepatitis B endemicity, with large heterogeneity between Brazilian regions and areas of high prevalence, especially in the Amazon basin. Systematic vaccination of children was initiated in 1998. Between 2004 and 2009, a large population-based study reported decreased prevalence in all regions of Brazil. This review analyzed the current hepatitis B epidemiological situation in Brazil through a systematic search of the scientific literature in MEDLINE, LILACS, and CAPES thesis database, as well as disease notifications to the Information System for Notifiable Diseases. The search strategy identified 87 articles and 13 theses, resulting in 100 total publications. The most recent results indicate reduced hepatitis B prevalence nationwide, classifying Brazil as having low endemicity. Most studies showed HBV carrier prevalence less than 1%. However, there are still isolated regions with increased prevalence, particularly the Amazon, as well as specific groups, such as homeless people in large cities and isolated Afro-descendant communities in the center of the country. This review alsao detected successful vaccination coverage reported in a few studies around the country. The prevalence of anti-HBs alone ranged from 50% to 90%. However, isolated and distant localities still have low coverage rates. This review reinforces the downward trend of hepatitis B prevalence in Brazil and the need to intensify vaccination strategies for young people and adults in specific regions with persisting higher HBV infection prevalence.

Uma nova espécie da Amazônia Brasileira para Amastris St&#258;L, 1862 (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Membracidae, Smiliinae)

Uma nova espécie de Amastris Stal, 1862, A. duckei sp.n., da Amazônia brasileira é descrita e ilustrada.