Differences in virulence markers between Helicobacter pylori strains from the Brazilian Amazon region

Introduction This study compares virulence markers of Helicobacter pylori isolated from patients in 2 cities in the Brazilian Amazon. Methods The study analyzed 168 patients with chronic gastritis from Belém and 151 from Bragança, State of Pará, Brazil. Levels of bacterial DNA associated with cagA and vacA alleles were checked by PCR, and hematoxylin-eosin staining was used for histologic diagnosis. Results In Bragança 87% of patients were genotype s1m1 cagA-positive (s1m1 cagA+), compared with 76% in Belém. In samples from patients in both cities, there was an association between s1m1 cagA+ strains and gastric mucosal damage. Conclusions Both cities have a high frequency of s1m1 cagA+ strains of H. pylori.

Diversity and dynamics of airborne fungi in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil

Introduction: This study aimed to identify airborne fungi in São Luis, Maranhão, Brazil, to determine the prevalent genera and to correlate these genera with the area and season. Methods: In total, 1,510 colony-forming units (CFUs) of airborne fungi were isolated from the north, south, east and west sides and from the center of the city from January to December 2007. The samples were collected on Petri dishes that were exposed to the fungi by the gravitational method. Results: Twenty genera of fungi were isolated; the most common were Aspergillus (33.5%), Penicillium (18.8%), Cladosporium (14.2%), Curvularia (10.6%) and Fusarium (7.6%). The CFUs of the fungi were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Fungal biological diversity was present all year, without any large seasonal variations but with slight increases in May, August and September. Conclusions: The fungal genera identified in this study were correlated with natural systems and could be useful when evaluating the impact of environmental changes on the region.

The larval development of palaemonid shrimps from the amazon region reared in the laboratory. V. The abbreviated development of Pseudopalaemon chryseus Kensley & Walker, 1982 (CRUSTACEA : DECAPODA: PALAEMONIDAE)

Larval development of the freshwater palaemonid shrip Pseudopalaemon chryseus Kensley & Walker, 1982 was studied in the laboratory from the offspring oof females collected in a lake of the lower Negro River system. Females carry few (14 to 43), large (1.86 + 0.13 x 1.29 + 0.06 mm), yolk-rich eggs. The species goes throught three larval stages without feeding and the main feature of its larval development is the presence of functional walking legs on hatching. Descriptions and illustrations of the three larval and first juvenile stages are presented.

The Larval Development of Palaemonid Shrimps from the Amazon region reared In the laboratory. VII. Abbreviated development of Pseudopalaemon amazonensis Ramos-Porto, 1979 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea)

Larval development of the freshwater shrimp Pseudopalaemon amazonensis Ramos-Porto was studied in the laboratory based on the offspring of ovigerous females collected in a small “terra-firme” forest stream near Manaus, Brazil. Ovigerous females with a mean total length of 36.5 ± 1.9 mm carried 13-19 eliptical, yolk-rich eggs measuring 2.55 ± 0.16 x 1.64 ± 0.11 mm. The larval period consisted of 3 benthie stages and the larvae accomplished metamorphosis after 7-8 days without feeding. The newly-hatched larva had sessile eyes and all appendages, except for the uropods; chelipeds were present as uniramous buds, but walking legs were fully developed and functional. Descriptions and illustrations of the 3 larval and first juvenile stages are presented.

The ceramic artifacts in archaeological black earth (terra preta) from lower Amazon region, Brazil: mineralogy

Several archaeological black earth (ABE) sites occur in the Amazon region. They contain fragments of ceramic artifacts, which are very important for the archaeological purpose. In order to improve the archaeological study in the region we carried out a detailed mineralogical and chemical study of the fragments of ceramic artifacts found in the two ABE sites of Cachoeira-Porteira, in the Lower Amazon Region. Their ceramics comprise the following tempers: cauixi, cariapé, sand, sand +feldspars, crushed ceramic and so on and are composed of quartz, clay equivalent material (mainly burned kaolinite), feldspars, hematite, goethite, maghemite, phosphates, anatase, and minerals of Mn and Ba. Cauixi and cariapé, siliceous organic compounds, were found too. The mineralogical composition and the morphology of their grains indicate a saprolite (clayey material rich on quartz) derived from fine-grained felsic igneous rocks or sedimentary rocks as source material for ceramic artifacts, where silica-rich components such cauixi, cariapé and/or sand (feldspar and rock fragments) were intentionally added to them. The high content of (Al,Fe)-phosphates, amorphous to low crystalline, must be product of the contact between the clayey matrix of pottery wall and the hot aqueous solution formed during the daily cooking of animal foods (main source of phosphor). The phosphate crystallization took place during the discharge of the potteries put together with waste of organic material from animal and vegetal origin, and leaving to the formation of the ABE-soil profile.

The ceramic artifacts in archaeological black earth (terra preta) from Lower Amazon Region, Brazil: chemistry and geochemical evolution

This paper carried out a chemical investigation of archaeological ceramic artifacts found in archaeological sites with Black Earth (ABE) in the Lower Amazon Region at Cachoeira-Porteira, State of Pará, Brazil. The ceramic artifacts, mostly of daily use, belong to Konduri culture (from 900 to 400 years BP). They are constituted of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, Na2O and P2O5; SiO2 and Al2O3 together add up to 80 % and indicate influence of acid rocks, transformed into clay minerals basically kaolinite. The relative high contents of P2O5 (2.37 % in average) come out as (Al,Fe)-phosphate, an uncommon fact in primitive red ceramics, but found in some roman and egyptian archaeological sites. The contents of the trace elements are similar or below the Earth's crust average. This chemical composition (except P2O5) detaches saprolite material derived acid igneous rocks or sedimentary ones as the main raw material of the ceramics. The contents of K, Na and Ca represent the feldspars and rock fragments possibly introduced into saprolitic groundmass, indicated by mineralogical studies. The presence of cauixi and cariapé as well as quartz sand was confirmed by optical microscope, SEM analyses and by the high silica contents of ceramic fragments. Phosphorus was possibly incorporated into groundmass during cooking of foods, and ABE soil profile formation developed on yellow Latosols. The raw materials and its tempers (cauixi, or cariapé, feldspar, crushed rocks, old ceramic artifacts and quartz fragments) are found close to the sites and therefore and certainly came from them.

Larval development of Lepidophthalmus siriboia Felder & Rodrigues, 1993 (Decapoda: Thalassinidea) from the Amazon region, reared in the laboratory

The complete larval development of the ghost shrimp Lepidophthalmus siriboia Felder & Rodrigues, 1993 was described and illustrated in detail from specimens reared in the laboratory. Ovigerous females were collected at Canela Island in the northeastern region of the State of Pará. The larvae hatch as a prezoea, in which they persist for less than 3 hours. The larval development consists of three zoeal stages and a megalopa. The zoeal development averaged from 69 to 111 hours. The period in the megalopa stage was about 185 hours (about 8 days). The percentage of individuals succeeding in molt into juvenile stage was 91,8%. The first juvenile stage was reached 254 hours (about 10 days) after hatching. Morphological comparisons and their relationship with larvae of congeneric species are briefly discussed.

Ocorrência de Centris (Hemisiella) vittata Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini) no Cerrado s.l. do nordeste do Maranhão, Brasil

Fêmeas de Centris vittata Lepeletier foram observadas visitando flores de Byrsonima sp. e nidificando em troncos de Astronium sp. (Anacardiaceae) em uma área de Mata Mesofítica, em Urbano Santos (3º 12' 28''S; 43º24'12''), Maranhão, Brasil.

Mangrove vegetation in Amazonia: a review of studies from the coast of Pará and Maranhão States, north Brazil

The present study is a compilation of the literature about vegetation of mangrove forest of the north coast of Brazil. It synthesizes the knowledge about this important ecosystem and lists the currently available literature. The study focuses on the coast of Pará and Maranhão states, which are covered by a continuous belt of mangroves. The mangrove flora comprises six mangrove tree species and several associated species. Mangrove tree height and stem diameter vary as a function of abiotic local stand parameters. Seasonal variation in rainfall and salinity affect the species' phenology and litter fall. Local population use products derived from mangrove plants for different purposes (e.g. fuel; medicinal; rural construction). The increase in the coastal population has given rise to conflicts, which impact on mangrove forest.

Tocopherol profile of Brazil nut oil from different geographic areas of the Amazon region

The tocopherol content of Brazil nut oil from different Amazon regions (Manicoré-AM, Rio Preto da Eva-AM, São João da Baliza-RR, Caroebe-RR, Belém-PA, and Xapurí-AC) was investigated by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. For all authentic oils, two isomers: α- and γ-tocopherols were observed (37.92-74.48 µg g-1, 106.88-171.80 µg g-1, respectively), and their levels were relatively constant among the oils having these geographic origins, which would enable to distinguish Brazil nut oil from other plant oils for authentication purposes. Commercial Brazil nut oils were also evaluated, and some of these oils demonstrated a tocopherol content that was very different from that of the authentic oils. Therefore, we suggest that the tocopherol profile of Brazil nut oil can be useful chemical marker for quality control and authentication.

New species of Thaumastus from Lagoa Santa region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Bulimuloidea)

A new species of Thaumastus (Thaumastus) Martens, 1860, from Minas Gerais State, Brazil, is described and illustrated, based on the morphology of the shell, jaw, radula and soft parts.

Dinâmica espaço-temporal de flebotomíneos (Diptera, Psychodidae) do município de Santa Quitéria, área de cerrado do Estado do Maranhão, Brasil

A flutuação sazonal, a freqüência horária e a ocorrência dos flebotomíneos nos ambientes intradomiciliar, peridomiciliar e extradomiciliar (cerrado), no município de Santa Quitéria, Estado do Maranhão foram estudados. Os espécimes foram capturados entre 18 e 6 horas, de maio de 1999 a abril de 2000, com armadilhas luminosas tipo CDC. Foram coletados 4.880 espécimes de 11 espécies. A riqueza e abundância foram maiores no peridomicílio (11 espécies; 50,1% dos espécimes), seguido pelo intradomicílio (9 espécies, 34%) e cerrado (7 espécies, 15,8%). Duas espécies foram encontradas na estação chuvosa, uma na estiagem e oito em ambas estações. Na estiagem foram registradas elevadas freqüências de Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva, 1912 (88,4%), L. evandroi Costa Lima & Antunes, 1936 (83,6%), L. lenti Mangabeira, 1938 (86%) e L. shannoni Dyar, 1929 (100%), enquanto as freqüências de L. quinquefer Dyar, 1929 (100%) e L. whitmani Antunes & Coutinho, 1939 (75%) foram maiores no período chuvoso. Os flebotomíneos foram encontrados a noite inteira, mas os horários de maior freqüência variaram de acordo com a espécie, observando-se picos no crepúsculo vespertino e primeiras horas da noite: L. quinquefer (18 h - 19 h); L. goiana Martins, Falcão & Silva, 1962 (18 h - 21 h); L. whitmani (19 h - 21 h) e L. longipalpis (20 h - 21 h) e ao longo da noite e no crepúsculo matutino: L. evandroi (21 h - 23 h e 3 h - 5 h), L. longipalpis (1 h - 3 h), L. lenti (22 h - 23 h e 4 h - 5 h). A ocorrência dos flebotomíneos nos diferentes ambientes, horários e estações vem sendo acompanhada por notificações de vários casos de leishmanioses cutânea e visceral.

Species richness, relative abundance, and habitat of reproduction of terrestrial frogs in the Triângulo Mineiro region, Cerrado biome, southeastern Brazil

Based on field observations and pitfall sampling, we determined the species richness, relative abundance, and reproductive habitat of terrestrial frogs in three municipalities in the Triângulo Mineiro region, south Cerrado biome, in southeastern Brazil. We found thirty-two species of terrestrial frogs, belonging to the families Brachycephalidae, Bufonidae, Cycloramphidae, Dendrobatidae, Leiuperidae, Leptodactylidae and Microhylidae. Most of the species were found in open areas and reproduced in human-generated environments, such as artificial lakes (10 species) and ponds (14 species). Dominance was high, with Physalaemus cuvieri Fitzinger, 1826 (Leiuperidae) representing 48% of sampled frogs. A larger number of individuals was captured in the wet season, when most of the species were reproducing. Compared to other areas of Cerrado biome, the Triângulo Mineiro sites presented a larger number of species, which may be attributed to the larger sampled area and greater sampling effort, lower altitude and presence of human generated habitats. The richness of terrestrial frogs was also larger than that in some forested localities in southeastern Brazil, indicating that the number of species cannot be explained only by precipitation and type of vegetation cover. The greater abundance of individuals during the wet season may be related to a greater movement of adults to breeding sites and to juvenile recruitment/dispersion. The heterogeneity of environments in the Cerrado biome, including its several isolated highlands, contributes to its high (local and regional) diversity of frogs.

Abelhas Euglossina (Hymenoptera, Apidae) coletadas em uma monocultura de eucalipto circundada por Cerrado em Urbano Santos, Maranhão, Brasil

Machos de Euglossina foram coletados por meio de iscas-odores de benzoato de benzila, eucaliptol, eugenol, salicilato de metila e vanilina em uma monocultura de eucalipto circundada por cerrado, no município de Urbanos Santos, Maranhão. As coletas foram realizadas mensalmente, de abril de 2001 a abril de 2002, entre 8h e 16h, totalizando 96 horas de amostragem. Foram coletados 58 indivíduos de 3 gêneros e 10 espécies. Euglossa Latreille, 1802 foi o gênero mais abundante, seguido por Eufriesea Cockerell, 1909 e Eulaema Lepeletier, 1841. As espécies mais freqüentes foram Euglossa cordata (Linnaeus, 1758), Euglossa gaianii Dressler, 1982 e Euglossa modestior (Dressler, 1982). Eucaliptol foi a essência mais atrativa. As maiores freqüências de visitas ocorreram no período da manhã e as maiores abundâncias em setembro, no período de estiagem, e em dezembro, no período chuvoso.

Abundância, distribuição espacial de ninhos de abelhas Meliponina (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apini) e espécies vegetais utilizadas para nidificação em áreas de cerrado do Maranhão

O trabalho objetivou identificar as espécies de abelhas sem ferrão (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apini, Meliponina) presentes em três áreas de cerrado no Maranhão, nordeste do Brasil, por meio do levantamento de seus ninhos. Também foi objetivo do trabalho identificar e caracterizar os substratos vegetais utilizados como locais de nidificação. Pretendeu-se averiguar a abundância e a distribuição espacial de ninhos, bem como padrões de uso dos substratos para nidificação. Foram encontrados 73 ninhos pertencentes a 15 espécies. As espécies mais abundantes foram Partamona chapadicola Pedro & Camargo, 2003 (34,25%) e Oxytrigona sp. 2 (20,55%). Identificaramse 11 espécies vegetais utilizadas para construção dos ninhos. O substrato de nidificação mais freqüente foi Qualea parviflora (Vochysiaceae), na qual encontrou-se 38,36% do total de ninhos (n=28), seguido por Salvertia convallariodora (Vochysiaceae) (n=17; 23,29%). O intervalo de confiança de 95% para o DAP situou-se entre 36,21 cm a 41,68 cm. Este intervalo representaria árvores mais velhas que teriam mais cavidades disponíveis para nidificação, o que poderia ser o caso de S. convallariodora e Q. parviflora. O padrão de dispersão dos substratos com ninhos mostrou-se aleatório nas áreas 1 e 2 e uniforme na área 3. Padrões de distribuição aleatórios seriam um indício da ausência de competição e padrões uniformes indicariam competição.