Rabies virus distribution in tissues and molecular characterization of strains from naturally infected non-hematophagous bats

Bats are main reservoirs for Lyssavirus worldwide, which is an important public health issue because it constitutes one of the big challenges in rabies control. Yet, little is known about how the virus is maintained among bats, and the epidemiological relationships remain poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the distribution of the rabies virus (RABV) in bat tissues and organs and to genetically characterize virus isolates from naturally infected non-hematophagous bats. The heminested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (hnRT-PCR) and sequencing using primers to the nucleoprotein coding gene were performed. The results showed a dissemination of the RABV in different tissues and organs, particularly in the salivary glands, tongue, lungs, kidneys, bladder, intestine and feces, suggesting other possible forms of RABV elimination and the possibility of transmission among these animals. The phylogenetic analysis confirmed that different variants of RABV are maintained by non-hematophagous bats in nature and have similar tissue distribution irrespective of bat species and phylogenetic characterization. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Importância do Staphylococcus aureus nas mastites subclínicas: pesquisa de enterotoxinas e toxina do choque tóxico, e a relação com a contagem de células somáticas

O Staphylococcus aureus é um dos principais agentes das mastites consideradas contagiosas, apresentando elevada incidência na maioria dos rebanhos leiteiros em vários países. Além de perdas econômicas é importante salientar o aspecto de saúde pública para cepas produtoras de enterotoxinas e da toxina do choque tóxico. A enterotoxina A, relacionada com maior ênfase nos casos de toxinfecções alimentares, pode ser veiculada pelo leite cru, pasteurizado e subprodutos lácteos. A síndrome do choque tóxico é determinada mais freqüentemente pela toxina do choque tóxico, porém as enterotoxinas do tipo B e C também podem ser implicadas. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a ocorrência de S.aureus produtores de enteroxinas e da toxina do choque tóxico em amostras de leite de animais com mastite subclínica, e correlacionar estes resultados com a contagem de células somáticas; utilizando a técnica de celofane over agar para detecção da TNAase, kit comercial para identificação das enterotxinas e contagem eletrônica de células somáticas. Avaliod]MORENO, B.[u-se 209 amostras de leite oriundas de vacas com mastite subclínica por S.aureus, e dentre estas, 209 (98,86%) produziram TNAse, nove amostras (4,39%) foram produtoras de enterotoxinas, sendo que uma (0,49%) dentre elas foi produtora de EED, três (1,46%) de EEC, e três (1,46%) de EEB. em uma amostra (0,49%), detectou-se concomitantemente EEA e EEB e em outra EEB e EEC. A toxina do choque tóxico não foi encontrada nas cepas avaliadas neste estudo, assim como não houve aumento estatisticamente significativo, na contagem de células somáticas, das amostras de cepas produtoras de enteroxinas.

A laboratory study on feeding plasticity of the shredder Sericostoma vittatum Rambur (Sericostomatidae)

Since litter input and availability of leaves in many streams is highly seasonal in Portugal, we investigated whether Sericostoma vittatum, a typical shredder, was able to grow using alternative food sources. To test this hypothesis we fed S. vittatum with Alnus glutinosa (alder, CPOM, coarse particulate organic matter), leaf powder from A. glutinosa and Acacia dealbata and FPOM (fine particulate organic matter) from a 5th and a > 6th order river, the macrophyte Myriophyllum aquaticum and biofilm. Growth in S. vittatum was significantly influenced by the food item given (ANOVA, P = 0.0082). The food item promoting the highest growth was A. glutinosa, in the form of FPOM (6.48% day(-1)) and CPOM (4.24% day(-1)); all other forms of FPOM and biofilm provided relatively low growth rates (0.77-1.77% day(-1)). The macrophyte M. aquaticum was also used as food source by S. vittatum and promoted intermediate growth (1.96% day(-1)). Neither nitrogen, phosphorus nor caloric content was correlated with growth. However, since higher growth was achieved with alder, in the form of CPOM and FPOM, we concluded that the chemical content of food was more important for S. vittatum than the physical form of such food. This may partially explain why shredders are able to survive when leaves are scarce in streams.

A new species of Miogryllus Saussure, 1877 from Andean Venezuela with bizarre cephalic morphology (Orthoptera, Gryllidae, Gryllinae, Modicogryllini)

Miogryllus muranyi n. sp. is described from the Andean Acacia-Cactaceae semi-desert bush in the Chama Valley of Venezuela. The species is characterized by the unusual shape of the male head, which makes it readily distinguishable from any other congener known to date.

Diet of buffy tufted-eared marmosets (Callithrix aurita) in a forest fragment in southeastern Brazil

The feeding ecology of the Atlantic forest marmosets (Callithrix spp.) in southeastern Brazil is poorly known, and few studies have focused on buffy tufted-eared marmosets, Callithrix aurita. We determined the food items and investigated the seasonal variation in the diet of a group of four Callithrix aurita in a 17-ha semideciduous forest fragment in southern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. We recorded daily feeding activities between October 1994 and September 1995 using scan sampling at 5-min intervals. The marmosets devoted feeding rime to gums (50.5%), fruits (11%), and animal prey (38.5%) in a fetal of 499 records. Plant resources comprised 27 species from 16 families. They used Acacia paniculata (Mimosoideae, Leguminosae), the main gum source (82%), year-round Maclura tinctoria (Moraceae) was the fruit species that they consumed most (22%). The marmosets preyed on caterpillars (33%), katydids (5%), and homopterans (4%). Feeding on fruits varied seasonally and was inversely related to gum feeding. Consumption of animal prey remained constant over the year. The wide and year-round dependence on gum suggests that Acacia may play a critical role in marmoset persistence in forest fragments.

Alterações em algumas propriedades de um latossolo degradado com uso de lodo de esgoto e resíduos orgânicos

A recuperação de áreas muito impactadas, como as oriundas da construção de hidrelétricas, é um processo lento e, usualmente, requer a adição de resíduos orgânicos, como fonte de matéria orgânica, e de nutrientes, como condicionador das propriedades do solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar o efeito da adição de lodo de esgoto e resíduos orgânicos (maravalha e torta de filtro de cana-de-açúcar) sobre o crescimento de duas espécies arbóreas de Cerrado na recuperação de um subsolo de uma área degradada pela construção da Usina Hidrelétrica de Ilha Solteira, localizada em Selvíria - MS. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com oito tratamentos, seis repetições e uma planta por repetição, para cada planta-teste. Cada repetição (saco plástico) teve 3,3 L e as proporções em volume da mistura de cada resíduo foram de: 30 % de lodo de esgoto, 20 % de torta de filtro e 10 % de maravalha de madeira. Foram mensuradas a fertilidade, a micorrização, a atividade microbiana (C-CO2 liberado) do subsolo, a massa do sistema radicular e parte aérea e a altura de plantas de duas espécies nativas do Cerrado [monjoleiro (Acacia polyphylla DC.) e jatobá-do-Cerrado (Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart)]. Os tratamentos com lodo de esgoto proporcionaram maior atividade microbiana no substrato e maior crescimento para as duas espécies arbóreas. A presença do lodo de esgoto promoveu melhora na fertilidade do subsolo, com aumento dos teores de matéria orgânica, P, K, Ca e Mg. A matéria orgânica e o P tiveram seus teores elevados nos tratamentos com mistura de lodo de esgoto e demais resíduos. Os resultados permitem concluir que as misturas contendo lodo associado a resíduos promoveram melhores incrementos na qualidade do subsolo, com perspectivas de sua recuperação.

Regeneração natural em remanescentes florestais e áreas reflorestadas da várzea do rio Mogi-Guaçu, Luiz Antônio - SP

O trabalho objetivou descrever e avaliar a estrutura da regeneração de espécies arbóreas em dois remanescentes naturais e em três áreas reflorestadas com espécies nativas e em um povoamento de Eucalyptus robusta, situados em área de várzea do rio Mogi-Guaçu, Luiz Antônio, SP (21º31'S e 47º55'W). Foram amostradas 40 subparcelas de 2 m² em cada remanescente natural e sub-bosque de eucalipto e 60 subparcelas de 3,5 m² em cada área reflorestada. Foram amostrados todos os indivíduos arbóreos de regeneração com altura > a 10 cm e diâmetro do caule até a altura do peito (DAP) < 5,0 cm e analisados separadamente, em quatro classes de altura, a diversidade florística, a regeneração natural (Rn%), o valor de importância (VI) e a similaridade da regeneração com indivíduos de DAP > 5 cm. Foram identificados 1.990 indivíduos, pertencentes a 24 famílias, 46 gêneros e 51 espécies. Cabralea canjerana, Psidium cattleyanum, Nectandra megapotamica, Acacia polyphylla e Syzygium cumini estavam entre as espécies mais representadas nas quatro categorias de tamanho. O reflorestamento com espécies nativas em áreas degradadas da várzea do rio Mogi-Guaçu promoveu a regeneração natural com biodiversidade superior aos remanescentes naturais de florestas ciliares sob efeito de borda e contribuiu para com o processo de restauração de ecossistemas florestais. O povoamento de Eucalyptus robusta com cerca de 20 anos de idade favoreceu a regeneração de espécies climácicas e secundárias.

Produção de mudas de essências florestais em diferentes substratos e acompanhamento do desenvolvimento em campo

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anthelmintic effects of condensed tannins on Trichostrongylus colubriformis in experimentally infected sheep

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

Associação micorízica em espécies arbóreas, atividade microbiana e fertilidade do solo em áreas degradadas de cerrado

The recuperation of areas used during the construction of the hydroelectric plant, especially in 'borrowed areas', is a difficult and long process since all vegetation and the fertile layer of soil were removed. Interventions in these degraded areas could accelerate the revegetation process. The objective of this research was to evaluate the association of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in tree species, microbial activity (basal respiration) and fertility of 'cerrado' degraded areas. Soil from two areas, pasture soil and exposed subsoil, were utilized. Organic and mineral fertilization, and liming, were added to the pit for better seedlings' initial growth, where 50 mL of preserved cerrado soil was applied as inoculum of microorganisms. Seedlings of 11 tree species were planted: Anadenanthera falcata (Benth.) Speg ('angico-preto'), Acacia polyphylla D. C. ('monjoleiro'), Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville ('barbatimao'), Dimorphandra mollis Benth ('faveiro'), Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne ('jatoba-de-cerrado'), Dipteryx alata Vog. ('baru'), Machaerium acutifolium Vogel ('jacaranda-do-campo'), Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi ('aroeirapimenteira'), Magonia pubescens St. Hil. ('tingui'), Lafoensia pacari St. Hil. ('dedaleira') and Tabebuia aurea (Manso) Benth. & Hook ('ipe-amarelo'). Twelve months later, root samples were colleted at the depth of 0-0.10 m and used for evaluations. The subsoil, as compared to pasture soil, was poor in organic matter and presented less microbial activity. The highest mycorrhizal colonization was seen in the species Acacia polyphylla D. C. (monjoleiro), Magonia pubescens St. Hil. (tingui), Hymenaea stigonocarpa Mart. ex Hayne (jatoba-de-cerrado) and Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (aroeira-pimenteira). These species could be indicated in revegetation projects in 'cerrado' degraded areas. Plants from both areas showed seedlings form high mycorrhizal colonization and low numbers of spores.

Growth parameters and nutrient content in four multipurpose tree species with potential characteristics for agroforestry systems in a Cerrado region in Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil

In order to evaluate growth characteristics, adaptability, biomass production, nutrient recycling, nutrient distribution and the ability to regenerate degraded land, a trial using four multipurpose tree species (Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena diversifolia, Acacia melanoxylon and Mimosa scabrella) was undertaken over two years in a distrophic red yellow latosol (oxisol) following a randomized block experimental design with four replications. At the age of two years, A. melanoxylon and L. diversifolia were the tallest species (5.25 and 4.97 m, respectively) and A. melanoxylon and M. scabrella had the largest diameters at 20 cm from tree base. Mimosa scabrella and A. melanoxylon had the highest dry matter production and quantity of nutrients in the above ground biomass. In all species, the highest nutrient contents were found in the leaves, followed by branches and stems. From all species, the highest Nutrient Utilization Efficiency Indexes were obtained for sulphur, phosphorous, and magnesium; L. diversifolia was the most efficient for nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulphur, and manganese, while A. melanoxylon was the most efficient for phosphorus, magnesium, boron, iron, and zinc. Litter production levels over a three month period were as follows: M. scabrella > A. melanoxylon > L. diversifolia > L. leucocephala. Litter nutrient content was higher in M. scabrella than in the other species.

A review of antifertility folkloric plants tested in laboratory animals

The use of natural active principals is widespread among a great proportion of the rural population, or by people who do not have easy access to medical assistance. These active principles are used as food or medicines, and even for purposes of contraception. It becomes necessary to establish a relationship between the folklore habits and current information on the nature of anti-fertility substances, and knowledge of their mechanisms. Anti-fertility agents may exert their actions in a number of areas, (hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, oviduct, uterus, and vagina), inhibiting synthesis and/or liberation of hormones (follicle-stimulating, luteinizing, and steroid hormones), ovulation, ovum transportation, and implantation process. Therefore, a review of literature was carried out, including of several plants used by women as abortifacient and anti-fertility agents to compare their effects with those obtained among laboratory animals.

Retorno de nutrientes ao solo via deposição de serapilheira de quatro espécies leguminosas arbóreas na região de Botucatu - São Paulo, Brasil

The annual litter fall production and the concentrations of macronutrients of four leguminous tree species were evaluated. The experiment was installed in a distrophic red yellow latosol (Oxisol), derivative of the Bauru sandstone group. The studied species were: Leucaena leucocephala. Acacia melanoxylon, L. diversifolia and Mimosa scabrella. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with four treatments (species) and four replications. The litter fall was collected in boxes measuring 50×50×10 cm, two boxes by treatment in each block. The material was collected monthly and dried, weighed and chemically analyzed. The litter fall deposition occurred in the following order: M. scabrella (7,051 kg ha -1 ano -1), A. melanoxylon (2,789 kg ha -1 ano -1), L. diversifolia (1,576 kg ha -1 ano -1) and L. leucocephala (1,389 kg ha -1 ano -1). The content of nutrients obeyed the following order: N>Ca>K>Mg>P>S, with the exception of L. leucocephala that presented a bigger content of S in relation to the P.

Enraizamento de plantas cultivadas in vitro

The adventitious rooting process of in vitro cultured plantlets is a technique that has been employed for the vegetative propagation of a significant number of native and exotic species. Many factors are associated with the rooting stage influencing positive and/or negatively the establishment of micropropagation protocols. The objective of this work was a literature review of the main inherent factors concerning in vitro rooting process including the correlation among others the endogenous and exogenous auxins levels, juvenility, genotype, mineral nutrition, culture medium conditions, addition of growth regulators and other substances as phenolic compounds and active coal besides growth environmental conditions of in vitro cultures. Although the complete elucidation of all processes involved with rooting of in vitro cultured plants has not been achieved so far, a comprehensive study of the main factors that interfere on rooting is fundamental for the establishment of new researches that might contribute for the rooting of economically important plants.