Seasonality of nematode larvae in Iguanodectes spilurus (Characidae) an ornamental fish from northeastern Para, Brazil

The current study presents a parasitological survey of larval nematodes from freshwater ornamental fish Iguanodectes spilurus caught in the watercourse of the Caete River, in the northeast region of the State of Para, Brazil. A total of 176 specimens, 1.36±0.75 g weight and 5.53±0.98 cm total length, were analyzed. Nematode larvae were identified as Capillaria sp., Procamallanus sp. and Anisakidae, with prevalence of 70.45% and infection intensity ranging from 1.81 to 4.70 larvae. The highest prevalence 57.38% occurred in the liver, but no seasonality was observed, indicating high infection throughout the year. Seasonality was observed in fish parasitized in the stomach, intestine and caecum, with prevalence and mean intensity of 17.61% and 2.32 parasites, 12.5% and 1.81 parasites, 10.79% and 2.21 parasites, respectively. The highest degree of infection was observed in the rainy season, probably due to increased availability of intermediate hosts or food.

Consumption, wealth, stock and housing returns: evidence from emerging markets

We test the predictive ability of the transitory deviations of consumption from its common trend with aggregate wealth and labour income, cay, for both future equity and housing risk premia in emerging market economies. Using quarterly data for 31 markets, our country-level evidence shows that forecasting power of cay vis-à-vis stock returns is high for Brazil, China, Colombia, Israel, Korea, Latvia and Malaysia. As for housing returns, the empirical evidence suggests that financial and housing assets are perceived as complements in the case of Chile, Russia, South Africa and Thailand, and as substitutes in Argentina, Brazil, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico and Taiwan. Using a panel econometric framework, we find that the cross-country heterogeneity observed in asset return predictability does not accrue to regional location, but can be attributed to differences in the degree of equity market development and in the level of income.

The seasonal diet of Aequidens tetramerus (Cichlidae) in a small forest stream in the Machado River basin, Rondônia, Brazil

Trophic relationships in fish communities are affected by the availability of resources, which in turn is affected by spatial and temporal variations throughout the year. The aims of this study were to characterize the diet of A. tetramerus in a streamlet in the north of Brazil and compare its composition in different hydrological seasons (wet and dry seasons). Collections were performed every two months from October 2011 to September 2012 with the aid of seine nets, hand net and fishing traps in the streamlet located in the Machado River drainage basin in the Rondônia state. Most of the specimens collected were quite small (< 40 mm) and had empty stomachs. Our results showed that A. tetramerus feeds on a wide variety of items of plant origin, such as algae, seeds and leaves, as well as items of animal origin, including bryozoans, crustaceans, fish scales, terrestrial insects and detritus. The data also indicated higher consumption of aquatic insects than other food items, suggesting a primarily insect-based diet. Items of plant and allochthonous origin were consumed more in the wet season than in the dry season, but there were no seasonal differences in the consumption of animal and autochthonous items.

Diet and ecomorphology of Leporinus reticulatus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the upper Rio Juruena, MT, Brazil: ontogenetic shifts related to the feeding ecology

The conservation of diverse and well-distributed fish taxa, as the genus Leporinus, relies intrinsically on the knowledge of the ecological attributes of its representatives. Aiming to increase this knowledge, studies on diet and ecomorphology are ideal to provide important information about species ecology. Thus, this study aimed to analyze aspects of feeding ecology of L. reticulatus, from the upper Rio Juruena, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The diet of specimens in different ontogenetic stages was compared, as well as their teeth morphology and ecomorphological attributes. Leporinus reticulatus presented omnivorous diet, with higher consumption of invertebrates by smaller specimens (younger ones), and gradual introduction of plant items in larger specimens (older ones). The items consumed by the individuals and the ecomorphological attributes indicated that the species is generalist and opportunistic, besides its association with the river bottom, evidencing a benthic feeding behavior. This species presents a gradual ontogenetic modification in teeth shape and mouth positioning, ranging from a terminal mouth with tricuspid teeth, in smaller specimens, to an inferior mouth with spatula shaped teeth with no cusps, in larger specimens.The ecomorphological attributes indicate an increasing swimming efficiency, and ability for performing vertical displacements, along the ontogenetic development, which in addition to the morphological ontogenetic alterations in the buccal apparatus, contributes to a better ability to explore another niches.

Discrimination of bacteriophage infected cells using locked nucleic acid fluorescent in situ hybridization (LNA-FISH)

Bacteriophage-host interaction studies in biofilm structures are still challenging due to the technical limitations of traditional methods. The aim of this study was to provide a direct fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method based on locked nucleic acid (LNA) probes, which targets the phage replication phase, allowing the study of population dynamics during infection. Bacteriophages specific for two biofilm-forming bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter, were selected. Four LNA probes were designed and optimized for phage-specific detection and for bacterial counterstaining. To validate the method, LNA-FISH counts were compared with the traditional plaque forming unit (PFU) technique. To visualize the progression of phage infection within a biofilm, colony-biofilms were formed and infected with bacteriophages. A good correlation (r=0.707) was observed between LNA-FISH and PFU techniques. In biofilm structures, LNA-FISH provided a good discrimination of the infected cells and also allowed the assessment of the spatial distribution of infected and non-infected populations.

A new page on the road book of inorganic mercury in fish body - tissue distribution and elimination following waterborne exposure and post-exposure periods

prova tipográfica / uncorrected proof

Assessment of functional capacity through oxygen consumption in patients with asymptomatic probable heart disease

PURPOSE: To compare peak exercise oxygen consumption (VO2peak) of healthy individuals with asymptomatic individuals with probable heart disease. METHODS: Ninety-eight men were evaluated. They were divided into two groups: 1) 39 healthy individuals (group N) with an age range of 50±4.6 years; and 2) 59 asymptomatic individuals with signs of atherosclerotic and/or hypertensive heart disease (group C) with an age range of 51.9±10.4 years. In regard to age, height, body surface area, percentage of fat, lean body mass, and daily physical activity, both groups were statistically similar. Environmental conditions during the ergometric test were also controlled. RESULTS: Maximal aerobic power (watts), VO2peak, maximal heart rate, and maximal pulmonary ventilation were lower in group C (p<0.01) than in group N; weight, however, was lower in group N (p=0.031) than in group C. Differences in the respiratory gas exchange index, heart rate at rest, and the maximal double product of the two groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Signs of probable heart disease, even though asymptomatic, may reduce the functional capacity, perhaps due to the lower maximal cardiac output and/or muscle metabolic changes.

Bio-detoxification of mycotoxins by lactic acid bacteria from different food matrices

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play a key role in the biopreservation of a wide range of fermented food products, such as yogurt, cheese, fermented milks, meat, fish, vegetables (sauerkraut, olives and pickles), certain beer brands, wines and silage, allowing their safe consumption, which gave to these bacteria a GRAS (Generally Recognised as Safe) status. Besides that, the use of LAB in food and feed is a promising strategy to reduce the exposure to dietary mycotoxins, improving their shelf life and reducing health risks, given the unique mycotoxin decontaminating characteristic of some LAB. Mycotoxins present carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, neurotoxic and immunosuppressive effects over animals and Humans, being the most important ochratoxin A (OTA), aflatoxins (AFB1), trichothecenes, zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisin (FUM) and patulin. In a previous work of our group it was observed OTA biodegradation by some strains of Pediococcus parvulus isolated from Douro wines. So, the aim of this study was to enlarge the screening of the biodetoxification over more mycotoxins besides OTA, including AFB1, and ZEA. This ability was checked in a collection of LAB isolated from vegetable (wine, olives, fruits and silage) and animal (milk and dairy products, sausages) sources. All LAB strains were characterized phenotypically (Gram, catalase) and genotypically. Molecular characterisation of all LAB strains was performed using genomic fingerprinting by MSP- PCR with (GTG)5 and csM13 primers. The identification of the isolates was confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing. To study the ability of LAB strains to degrade OTA, AFB1 and ZEA, a MRS broth medium was supplemented with 2.0 g/mL of each mycotoxin. For each strain, 2 mL of MRS supplemented with the mycotoxins was inoculated in triplicate with 109 CFU/mL. The culture media and bacterial cells were extracted by the addition of an equal volume of acetonitrile/methanol/acetic acid (78:20:2 v/v/v) to the culture tubes. A 2 mL sample was then collected and filtered into a clean 2 mL vial using PP filters with 0.45 m pores. The samples were preserved at 4 °C until HPLC analysis. Among LAB tested, 10 strains isolated from milk were able to eliminate AFB1, belonging to Lactobacillus casei (7), Lb. paracasei (1), Lb. plantarum (1) and 1 to Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Two strains of Enterococcus faecium and one of Ec. faecalis from sausage eliminated ZEA. Concerning to strains of vegetal origin, one Lb. plantarum isolated from elderberry fruit, one Lb. buchnerii and one Lb. parafarraginis both isolated from silage eliminated ZEA. Other 2 strains of Lb. plantarum from silage were able to degrade both ZEA and OTA, and 1 Lb. buchnerii showed activity over AFB1. These enzymatic activities were also verified genotypically through specific gene PCR and posteriorly confirmed by sequencing analysis. In conclusion, due the ability of some strains of LAB isolated from different sources to eliminate OTA, AFB1 and ZEA one can recognize their potential biotechnological application to reduce the health hazards associated with these mycotoxins. They may be suitable as silage inoculants or as feed additives or even in food industry.

Optimization of peptide nucleic acid fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA-FISH) for the detection of bacteria: the effect of pH, dextran sulfate and probe concentration

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a molecular technique widely used for the detection and characterization of microbial populations. FISH is affected by a wide variety of abiotic and biotic variables and the way they interact with each other. This is translated into a wide variability of FISH procedures found in the literature. The aim of this work is to systematically study the effects of pH, dextran sulfate and probe concentration in the FISH protocol, using a general peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe for the Eubacteria domain. For this, response surface methodology was used to optimize these 3 PNA-FISH parameters for Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens) and Gram-positive species (Listeria innocua, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus cereus). The obtained results show that a probe concentration higher than 300 nM is favorable for both groups. Interestingly, a clear distinction between the two groups regarding the optimal pH and dextran sulfate concentration was found: a high pH (approx. 10), combined with lower dextran sulfate concentration (approx. 2% [w/v]) for Gram-negative species and near-neutral pH (approx. 8), together with higher dextran sulfate concentrations (approx. 10% [w/v]) for Gram-positive species. This behavior seems to result from an interplay between pH and dextran sulfate and their ability to influence probe concentration and diffusion towards the rRNA target. This study shows that, for an optimum hybridization protocol, dextran sulfate and pH should be adjusted according to the target bacteria.

Aromatic amines sources, environmental impact and remediation

Aromatic amines are widely used industrial chemicals as their major sources in the environment include several chemical industry sectors such as oil refining, synthetic polymers, dyes, adhesives, rubbers, perfume, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and explosives. They result also from diesel exhaust, combustion of wood chips and rubber and tobacco smoke. Some types of aromatic amines are generated during cooking, special grilled meat and fish, as well. The intensive use and production of these compounds explains its occurrence in the environment such as in air, water and soil, thereby creating a potential for human exposure. Since aromatic amines are potential carcinogenic and toxic agents, they constitute an important class of environmental pollutants of enormous concern, which efficient removal is a crucial task for researchers, so several methods have been investigated and applied. In this chapter the types and general properties of aromatic amine compounds are reviewed. As aromatic amines are continuously entering the environment from various sources and have been designated as high priority pollutants, their presence in the environment must be monitored at concentration levels lower than 30 mg L1, compatible with the limits allowed by the regulations. Consequently, most relevant analytical methods to detect the aromatic amines composition in environmental matrices, and for monitoring their degradation, are essential and will be presented. Those include Spectroscopy, namely UV/visible and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR); Chromatography, in particular Thin Layer (TLC), High Performance Liquid (HPLC) and Gas chromatography (GC); Capillary electrophoresis (CE); Mass spectrometry (MS) and combination of different methods including GC-MS, HPLC-MS and CE-MS. Choosing the best methods depend on their availability, costs, detection limit and sample concentration, which sometimes need to be concentrate or pretreated. However, combined methods may give more complete results based on the complementary information. The environmental impact, toxicity and carcinogenicity of many aromatic amines have been reported and are emphasized in this chapter too. Lately, the conventional aromatic amines degradation and the alternative biodegradation processes are highlighted. Parameters affecting biodegradation, role of different electron acceptors in aerobic and anaerobic biodegradation and kinetics are discussed. Conventional processes including extraction, adsorption onto activated carbon, chemical oxidation, advanced oxidation, electrochemical techniques and irradiation suffer from drawbacks including high costs, formation of hazardous by-products and low efficiency. Biological processes, taking advantage of the naturally processes occurring in environment, have been developed and tested, proved as an economic, energy efficient and environmentally feasible alternative. Aerobic biodegradation is one of the most promising techniques for aromatic amines remediation, but has the drawback of aromatic amines autooxidation once they are exposed to oxygen, instead of their degradation. Higher costs, especially due to power consumption for aeration, can also limit its application. Anaerobic degradation technology is the novel path for treatment of a wide variety of aromatic amines, including industrial wastewater, and will be discussed. However, some are difficult to degrade under anaerobic conditions and, thus, other electron acceptors such as nitrate, iron, sulphate, manganese and carbonate have, alternatively, been tested.

Food consumption of adolescents. A simplified questionnaire for evaluating cardiovascular risk

OBJECTIVE: To develop a simplified questionnaire for self-evaluation by adolescents of foods associated with the risk of coronary diseases. METHODS: Frequency questionnaires about 80 foods were answered by representative samples of 256 adolescents aged 12 to 19 from Rio de Janeiro as part of the Nutrition and Health Research project. The dependent variable was the serum cholesterol predicting equation as influenced by diet, and the independent variables were the foods. The variables were normalized and, using Pearson's correlation coefficient, those with r>0.10 were selected for the regression model. The model was analyzed for sex, age, random sample, and total calories. Those food products that explained 85% of the cholesterol variation equation were present in the caloric model, and contained trans fatty acids were selected for the questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-five food products had a statistically significant correlation (P<0.001) with the dependent variable. The simplified questionnaire included 9 food products present in all tested models: steak or broiled meat, hamburger, full-fat cheese, French fries or potato chips, whole milk, pies or cakes, cookies, sausages, butter or margarine. The limit of the added food points for self-evaluation was 100, and over 120 points was considered excessive. CONCLUSION: The scores given to the food products and the criteria for the evaluation of the consumption limits enabled the adolescents to get to know and to balance their intake.

Perfil neuropsicológico y sesgos cognitivos de adolescentes con diferentes patrones de consumo de alcohol. Neuropsychological profile and cognitive bias in adolescents with different alcohol consumption patterns.

Identificación y caracterización del problema objeto de estudio: Diversas investigaciones señalan que el uso o consumo de alcohol comienza durante la adolescencia. En este periodo del desarrollo típicamente se han reportado deterioros asociados con el consumo de alcohol sobre diversas funciones cognitivas. Sin embargo, los hallazgos no siempre han sido concluyentes. Hipótesis: a) Existe una mayor cantidad de déficits neuropsicológicos (especialmente en los dominios asociados con la toma de decisiones) en los grupos de adolescentes que presentan patrones de consumo elevados o tipo binge y en los adolescentes bajo tratamiento; b) Existen sesgos cognitivos de tipo implícito en los adolescentes expuestos a publicidades referidas a bebidas alcohólicas; y c) Existe mayor presencia de expectativas negativas en el grupo conformado por niños, así como una mayor presencia de expectativas positivas en el grupo conformado por adolescentes. Planteo de Objetivos: se pretende lograr un perfil neuropsicológico de adolescentes de ambos sexos en función de patrones de consumo de alcohol bien diferenciados. Asimismo, se intentará determinar la presencia de sesgos cognitivos hacia estímulos asociados con el alcohol en función de las expectativas hacia el psicotrópico y el tipo de consumo del mismo que presenta la población bajo estudio. Finalmente, se buscará determinar si existen cambios evolutivos en las expectativas hacia el alcohol que pudieran indicar la presencia de mayor vulnerabilidad al consumo de alcohol. Materiales y métodos a utilizar: Se utilizarán pruebas neuropsicológicas (IGT, WCST, otras) y cognitivas (AEQ o similares). Se apelará al uso de diseños ex post facto prospectivos de tipo simple o factoriales, diseños factoriales, estudios instrumentales y estudios descriptivos de poblaciones mediante encuestas. Resultados esperados: 1) Se espera encontrar una mayor cantidad de déficits neuropsicológicos (especialmente en los dominios asociados con la toma de decisiones) en los grupos de adolescentes con patrones de consumo de alcohol elevados y binge, así como en el grupo de adolescentes bajo tratamiento. 2) Se espera encontrar la presencia de sesgos cognitivos implícitos en aquellos adolescentes expuestos a publicidades referidas a bebidas alcohólicas en contraposición a los adolescentes expuestos a publicidades de bebidas no-alcohólicas. 3) Se espera encontrar una mayor presencia de expectativas negativas en el grupo conformado por niños, y una mayor presencia de expectativas positivas en el grupo conformado por adolescentes, con lo que se verificaría el supuesto que señala que las EA se modifican a lo largo del desarrollo. Asimismo, se espera confirmar que las EA cambian en función de la experiencia de consumo de alcohol. Importancia del proyecto: En el ámbito local no se han realizado estudios sistemáticos de esta naturaleza, la información que se obtenga permitirá evaluar el impacto del uso y abuso de alcohol durante la adolescencia así como diseñar y ejecutar mejores estrategias de prevención y de rehabilitación y, al mismo tiempo, facilitará la toma de decisiones en el campo de la planificación de políticas sanitarias dirigidas a los adolescentes.

ESTUDIOS CITOGENÉTICOS EN CACTACEAE Y SOLANACEAE: MAPEO FÍSICO DE SECUENCIAS DE ADN REPETITIVO POR HIBRIDACIÓN IN SITU FLUORESCENTE (FISH)

En este proyecto propone aplicar técnicas de citogenética molecular analizando principalmente patrones de distribución de secuencias de ADN repetitivo, en especies sudamericanas de Cactaceae (Notocacteae, Trichocereeae, Hylocereae y Rhipsalideae) y Solanaceae (Cestroideae, Nicotianoideae, Petunioideae, Schizanthoideae, Schwenckioideae y Solanoideae). Las tres familias presentan importantes centros de diversificación en Sudamérica y un enorme interés desde el punto de vista económico, biológico y ecológico. Para lo cual serán utilizadas técnicas de coloración convencional y de hibridación in situ fluorescente (FISH) en especies de diferentes tribus y subfamilias. Estos estudios cariotípicos, en especial la distribución de secuencias de ADN repetitivo, permitirán explorar nuevos aspectos de la diferenciación cromosómica, aportando marcadores cromosómicos que podrían ser utilizados en estudios de evolución cariotípica y ser importantes para robustecer la comprensión de relaciones sistemáticas y filogenéticas. Los estudios citogenéticos en estas familias son esenciales para contribuir al conocimiento de su origen, diversificación y evolución, como así también para colaborar con el diseño de estrategias de mejoramiento genético de especies cultivadas y conservación de especies amenazadas.

Disposición plasmática y residuos tisulares de marbofloxacina en truchas arco iris (oncorhynchus mykiss) en condiciones estivales e invernales. Plasmatic disposition and tissue residues of marbofloxacin in rainbow trouts (oncorhynchus mykiss) in summer and winter conditions

Los sistemas intensivos de producción, predisponen en los peces a la presentación de diversas enfermedades, lo que demanda el empleo de antimicrobianos para mantener la salud de los lotes de cultivo. En tal sentido es importante contar con información local en cuanto al comportamiento cinético a los efectos de determinar una adecuada dosificación de los antimicrobianos empleados y con esta información, establecer los periodos de resguardo necesarios para evitar la presencia violativa de estos fármacos en el animal destinado a consumo humano. En el presente proyecto se propone efectuar un estudio farmacocinético de concentraciones plasmáticas y tisulares alcanzadas y establecer los periodos de resguardo para marbofloxacina, antimicrobiano del cual no se tienen antecedentes regionales en cuanto a su disposición a diferentes temperaturas como las que condicionan las estaciones de verano e invierno, de marcada variación en la provincia, modificando la actividad metabólica de los peces. La concreción de este proyecto permitirá entregar conocimientos concretos y de aplicación directa en la cría intensiva de la trucha arco iris (Oncorhynchus mykiss) en diferentes condiciones ambientales, al contarse con la información necesaria para una adecuada dosificación y periodos de resguardo necesarios para evitar el residuo de este fármaco. Además, permitirá consolidar una línea de investigación dentro de la acuicultura muy poco desarrollada actualmente en el país. Intensive production systems predispose fishes to diverse diseases, which demands antimicrobial use for health maintenance in the lots of culture. In such sense it is important to have local information of the kinetic behavior to determine a suitable dosing of the antimicrobials employed, and on this information, to establish withdrawal periods to avoid the violative presence of these drugs in animals for human consumption. The present project will carry out a pharmacokinetic study of plasmatic and tissue concentrations to establish the withdrawal period for marbofloxacin, being known that temperature, modify the metabolic activity of the fish, and there are no local antecedents of disposition at different temperatures in summer and winter for this antimicrobial. The concretion of this project will allow to give concrete knowledge of direct application in intensive production of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), in different environmental conditions, counting with the necessary information for a suitable dosification and withdrawal periods to avoid residues of this drug. In addition, it will allow to consolidate an investigation line in acuiculture, not much developed in our country.