Diversity of ectoparasites in sheep flocks in São Paulo, Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of São Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the 'Associação Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; São Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.

Differential morphofunctional characteristics and gene expression in fast and slow muscle of rats with monocrotaline-induced heart failure

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

Dimorphism, thermal tolerance, virulence and Heat shock protein 70 transcription in different isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

The mycelia-to-yeast (M-Y) transition, thermal tolerance and virulence profiles were evaluated for nine isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, including samples from two of the three recently discovered cryptic species, as well as their relation to the partial sequence and transcription of the hsp70 gene. The isolates Bt84 and T10 (from PS2 species) took more time to convert to yeast form and presented elongated yeast cells at 36 degrees C. Arthroconidia production was also observed during the M-Y transition for some isolates. Our data confirm that the hsp70 transcription may be associated with thermal tolerance, but this does not seem to be directly related to high virulence profiles. The partial sequencing of this gene allowed the separation of our isolates into two clusters that correspond to the two sympatric cryptic species occurring in an area hyperendemic for PCM (Botucatu, SP, Brazil).

Do extrafloral nectaries present a defensive role against herbivores in two species of the family Bignoniaceae in a Neotropical savannas?

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

Quantitative estimation of Br, Cl, K and Na in sample blood by NAA

Neutron activation analysis, using Au as flux monitor, was applied to determine the concentrations of Br, Cl, K and Na in blood of healthy male and female blood donors, selected from blood banks and hematological laboratories from different regions of Brazil. The aims of this study were to collect more reference values of the Brazilian population as well as to perform hematological investigations. The advantages as well as the limitations of using this nuclear procedure are discussed.

Genetic characterization of Brazilian annual Arachis species from sections Arachis and Heteranthae using RAPD markers

The genus Arachis is divided into nine taxonomic sections. Section Arachis is composed of annual and perennial species, while section Heteranthae has only annual species. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic relationships among 15 Brazilian annual accessions from Arachis and Heteranthae using RAPD markers. Twenty-seven primers were tested, of which nine produced unique fingerprintings for all the accessions studied. A total of 88 polymorphic fragments were scored and the number of fragments per primer varied from 6 to 17 with a mean of 9.8. Two specific markers were identified for species with 2n = 18 chromosomes. The phenogram derived from the RAPD data corroborated the morphological classification. The bootstrap analysis divided the genotypes into two significant clusters. The first cluster contained all the section Arachis species, and the accessions within it were grouped based upon the presence or absence of the 'A' pair and the number of chromosomes. The second cluster grouped all accessions belonging to section Heteranthae.

Screening and characterization of sex-specific DNA fragments in the freshwater fish matrinch, Brycon amazonicus (Teleostei: Characiformes: Characidae)

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

Genetic relationships among Arachis hypogaea L. (AABB) and diploid Arachis species with AA and BB genomes

The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an allotetraploid, with two types of genomes, classified as AA and BB, according to cytogenetic characters. Similar genomes to those of A. hypogaea are found in the wild diploid species of section Arachis, which is one of the nine Arachis sections. The wild species have resistances to pests and diseases that affect the cultivated peanut and are a potential source of genes to increase the resistance levels in peanut. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic variability within AA and BB genome species and to evaluate how they are related to each other and to A. hypogaea, using RAPD markers. Eighty-seven polymorphic bands amplified by ten 10-mer primers were analyzed. The species were divided into two major groups, and the AA and the BB genome species were, in general, separated from each other. The results showed that high variation is available within species that have genomes similar to the AA and the BB genomes of A. hypogaea.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite DNA markers for spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Identification of sexually dimorphic gene expression in brain tissue of the fish Leporinus macrocephalus through mRNA differential display and real time PCR analyses

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

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis isolated from armadillos is virulent to Syrian hamsters

Isolates of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis may vary in virulence according to time of in vitro subcultivation. The present study compared the morphology and pathogenicity to hamsters of two P. brasiliensis isolates: one obtained from human lesions and maintained in the laboratory for several years (Pb-18) and the other isolate recovered from hamsters inoculated with organ homogenates from armadillos (Pb-T). The microscopic morphology of Pb-18 and Pb-T showed yeast cells with similar diameter. However, Pb-T produced a significantly higher number of buds per mother cell than Pb-18. Besides, the mycelial form of Pb-T developed abundant sporulation during 8 weeks of culture which was absent in the Pb-18 isolate. Virulence studies demonstrated that mortality rates, antibody levels, fungal load and extent of lesions in the organs were significantly higher in animals infected with Pb-T. The results demonstrated that Pb-T recently isolated from an animal was more virulent than Pb-18. These differences between the two P. brasillensis isolates may be indicators of virulence attenuation in this fungal species.

Heart failure increases atrogin-1 and MuRF1 gene expression in skeletal muscle with fiber type-specific atrophy

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

Chemotherapeutic agents in low noncytotoxic concentrations increase immunogenicity of human colon cancer cells

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)