Diversidade e sazonalidade de ácaros (Acari) em seringal (Hevea brasiliensis, Muell. Arg.) no Noroeste do Estado de São Paulo

A Região Sudeste do Brasil apresenta aspectos edafo-climáticos favoráveis para o plantio e desenvolvimento da seringueira, sendo o estado de São Paulo o maior produtor nacional de látex. Este trabalho teve como objetivos determinar, através de coletas mensais durante três anos de estudo, a diversidade, a riqueza de espécies e a sua sazonalidade, bem como realizar estimativas de densidade populacional das principais espécies de ácaros presentes nas folhas. Todos os ácaros foram montados em lâminas de microscopia, totalizando 74.407 indivíduos, de 26 espécies pertencentes a 10 famílias. Os fitófagos representaram 95,4% do total de indivíduos coletados e os predadores 3,9%. Doze espécies foram consideradas acidentais, seis foram acessórias e oito constantes. Apresentaram maior número de espécies as famílias Phytoseiidae (cinco) e Tydeidae (quatro). A espécie mais abundante foi Calacarus heveae Feres (50.573), com maior abundância nos meses correspondentes ao término da estação chuvosa e início da estação seca na região. Dentre os predadores, a mais abundante foi Zetzellia quasagistemas Hernandes & Feres (1.345), seguida por Pronematus sp. (455), Zetzellia agistzellia Hernandes & Feres (409) e Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma (243). C. heveae apresentou maior densidade populacional em março e abril de 2003, e Lorryia formosa Cooreman e Tenuipalpus heveae Baker em março e maio de 2001, respectivamente. Muitos estigmeídeos foram observados associados a agrupamentos de L. formosa predando seus ovos e estágios imaturos.

The homeostasis of iron, copper, and zinc in paracoccidioides brasiliensis, cryptococcus neoformans var. Grubii, and cryptococcus gattii: a comparative analysis

Iron, copper, and zinc are essential for all living organisms. Moreover, the homeostasis of these metals is vital to microorganisms during pathogenic interactions with a host. Most pathogens have developed specific mechanisms for the uptake of micronutrients from their hosts in order to counteract the low availability of essential ions in infected tissues. We report here an analysis of genes potentially involved in iron, copper, and zinc uptake and homeostasis in the fungal pathogens Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii, and Cryptococcus gattii. Although prior studies have identified certain aspects of metal regulation in Cryptococcus species, little is known regarding the regulation of these elements in P. brasiliensis. We also present amino acid sequences analyses of deduced proteins in order to examine possible conserved domains. The genomic data reveals, for the first time, genes associated to iron, copper, and zinc assimilation and homeostasis in P. brasiliensis. Furthermore, analyses of the three fungal species identified homologs to genes associated with high-affinity uptake systems, vacuolar and mitochondrial iron storage, copper uptake and reduction, and zinc assimilation. However, homologs to genes involved in siderophore production were only found in P. brasiliensis. Interestingly, in silico analysis of the genomes of P. brasiliensis Pb01, Pb03, and Pb18 revealed significant differences in the presence and/or number of genes involved in metal homeostasis, such as in genes related to iron reduction and oxidation. The broad analyses of the genomes of P. brasiliensis, C. neoformans var. grubii, and C. gattii for genes involved in metal homeostasis provide important groundwork for numerous interesting future areas of investigation that are required in order to validate and explore the function of the identified genes and gene pathways.

Prevulcanização do látex natural extraído da hancornia speciosa gomes (Mangabeira) e da hevea brasiliensis (seringueira)

Pós-graduação em Ciência dos Materiais - FEIS

Análise molecular do subcomplexo Brasiliensis (Hemiptera, Triatominae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Growth and mortality parameters of Paranchurus brasiliensis (Scianidae) captured as bycatch in southeastern of Brazil

The present work provides preliminary informations on the growth and mortality of Paralonchurus brasiliensis captured as a bycatch in the inner shelf of São Paulo Southeastern Brazil. The samplings were carried out using a shrimp fishery trawl. After trawling, the specimens were separated from the other organisms and the fish size and numbers of individuals captured were recorded. A total of 5,943 specimens ranging from 3.6 to 19.9 cm in standard length were sampled.

Eficácia de produtos químicos no controle do fungo manchador botryodiplodia theobromae em madeira de hevea brasiliensis

In Brazil, the exploration and use of the Hevea brasiliensis Mull Arg. wood at the end of the latex production cycle from 30 to 35 years, is practically unknown. However, one of the most significant problems with its use relates to the high susceptibility of this species wood to the fungus Botryodiplodia theobromae attack, especially during the primary wood processing phase. The present study evaluated the efficacy of four chemicals to control juvenile and adult Hevea brasiliensis wood from the attack of the fungus stainer Botryodiplodia theobromae following the ASTM 4445 (2003) standard. The results showed that the active ingredients separately tested and evaluated in the laboratory; (Quinolinolato Copper - 8 and Carbendazim (T1); Tribromofenol 2-4-6 (T2); Extract-Based Vegetable Tannin (T3); Carbendazim and Prochloraz (T4)) do not totally prevent the contamination of Botryodiplodia theobromae in 5% level of significance

Fungos endofíticos em Eugenia brasiliensis: prospecção química, biológica, enzimática e avaliação do co-cultivo e epigenética em Xylaria cubensis, Diaporthe sp. e Colletotrichum sp.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Prospecção de protótipos antifúngicos contra biofilmes de Histoplasma capsulatum e Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

A paracoccidioidomicose é uma doença de grande impacto social, sendo a sétima causa de morte entre as doenças crônicas infecciosas no Brasil, que responde por mais de 80% dos casos relatados mundialmente. A histoplasmose é uma micose endêmica em determinadas regiões das Américas, onde causa surtos frequentes. Sabe-se que os dois fungos dimórficos causadores destas doenças, Paracoccioides brasiliensis (Pb) e Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc), respectivamente, são capazes de formar biofilme, uma forma de organização que os torna muito mais perigosos, difíceis de serem combatidos e que é essencial para o desenvolvimento de infecção. Além disso não existem muitas opções terapêuticas antifúngicas que não sejam tóxicas com o uso prolongado disponíveis no mercado atualmente. Estes fatos, deixam claro a necessidade de pesquisar novas formas de combater esses microrganismos, com o intuito de desenvolver fármacos menos tóxicos e mais eficientes. Uma nova possibilidade de opções terapêuticas com novas substância antifúngica são as chalconas, que foi o objeto de estudo desta pesquisa. Foi estudada a ação antifúngica de diversas moléculas de chalconas contra as formas planctônica e de biofilme dos dois fungos em questão. As chalconas que apresentaram menor valor de CIM90 durante os ensaios com a forma planctônica foram selecionadas para o teste contra biofilme fúngico, estas chalconas foram T3, T24, T19, J4 e A20. Foi observado que estas substâncias possuem atividade antifúngica capaz de inibir 90% do crescimento fúngico do biofilme de Pb. Em relação ao biofilme de Hc, não obtivemos uma inibição de 90% com nenhuma molécula, a chalcona T3 foi a que apresentou a maior inibição atingindo 70%. Também foi estudado a citotoxicidade destas chalconas e algumas delas apresentaram bons valores de seletividade para o Pb, como a T3, T24, T19 e A20 porém, em relação ao Hc, apenas a T3 apresentou um valor de seletividade...

EXTRALIMITAL RECORDS OF THE MEXICAN FREE-TAILED BAT (TADARIDA BRASILIENSIS MEXICANA) IN THE CENTRAL UNITED STATES AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Two new records of Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana are reported from Nebraska. The literature records of this taxon from the central United States are summarized. In this region of North America, these bats occupy a “natal range” where the species carries on regular reproductive activities and the populations are relatively stable, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. To the north of the natal range of T. b. mexicana is a “pioneering zone” where, under favorable conditions, the species is capable of reproducing and conducting its normal activities. The pioneering zone of the Mexican free-tailed bat includes Barber and Comanche counties in Kansas and as far north as Mesa and Saguache counties in southwestern Colorado. Finally, to the north of the pioneering zone, there is a much larger area that is proposed as the “exploring zone” in which only a few individuals of the species are found. Reproductive activities do not occur on any regular basis in the exploring zone, which encompasses the remainder of Colorado and Kansas as well as the states of Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and southeastern South Dakota.

Prospecção de protótipos antifúngicos contra biofilmes de Histoplasma capsulatum e Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

A paracoccidioidomicose é uma doença de grande impacto social, sendo a sétima causa de morte entre as doenças crônicas infecciosas no Brasil, que responde por mais de 80% dos casos relatados mundialmente. A histoplasmose é uma micose endêmica em determinadas regiões das Américas, onde causa surtos frequentes. Sabe-se que os dois fungos dimórficos causadores destas doenças, Paracoccioides brasiliensis (Pb) e Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc), respectivamente, são capazes de formar biofilme, uma forma de organização que os torna muito mais perigosos, difíceis de serem combatidos e que é essencial para o desenvolvimento de infecção. Além disso não existem muitas opções terapêuticas antifúngicas que não sejam tóxicas com o uso prolongado disponíveis no mercado atualmente. Estes fatos, deixam claro a necessidade de pesquisar novas formas de combater esses microrganismos, com o intuito de desenvolver fármacos menos tóxicos e mais eficientes. Uma nova possibilidade de opções terapêuticas com novas substância antifúngica são as chalconas, que foi o objeto de estudo desta pesquisa. Foi estudada a ação antifúngica de diversas moléculas de chalconas contra as formas planctônica e de biofilme dos dois fungos em questão. As chalconas que apresentaram menor valor de CIM90 durante os ensaios com a forma planctônica foram selecionadas para o teste contra biofilme fúngico, estas chalconas foram T3, T24, T19, J4 e A20. Foi observado que estas substâncias possuem atividade antifúngica capaz de inibir 90% do crescimento fúngico do biofilme de Pb. Em relação ao biofilme de Hc, não obtivemos uma inibição de 90% com nenhuma molécula, a chalcona T3 foi a que apresentou a maior inibição atingindo 70%. Também foi estudado a citotoxicidade destas chalconas e algumas delas apresentaram bons valores de seletividade para o Pb, como a T3, T24, T19 e A20 porém, em relação ao Hc, apenas a T3 apresentou um valor de seletividade...

Spatial analysis of egg distribution and geographic changes in the spawning habitat of the Brazilian sardine Sardinella brasiliensis

This paper establishes the spawning habitat of the Brazilian sardine Sardinella brasiliensis and investigates the spatial variability of egg density and its relation with oceanographic conditions in the shelf of the south-east Brazil Bight (SBB). The spawning habitats of S. brasiliensis have been defined in terms of spatial models of egg density, temperature-salinity plots, quotient (Q) analysis and remote sensing data. Quotient curves (Q(C)) were constructed using the geographic distribution of egg density, temperature and salinity from samples collected during nine survey cruises between 1976 and 1993. The interannual sea surface temperature (SST) variability was determined using principal component analysis on the SST anomalies (SSTA) estimated from remote sensing data over the period between 1985 and 2007. The spatial pattern of egg occurrences in the SBB indicated that the largest concentration occurred between Paranagua and Sao Sebastiao. Spawning habitat expanded and contracted during the years, fluctuating around Paranagua. In January 1978 and January 1993, eggs were found nearly everywhere along the inner shelf of the SBB, while in January 1988 and 1991 spawning had contracted to their southernmost position. The SSTA maps for the spawning periods showed that in the case of habitat expansion (1993 only) anomalies over the SBB were zero or slightly negative, whereas for the contraction period anomalies were all positive. Sardinella brasiliensis is capable of exploring suitable spawning sites provided by the entrainment of the colder and less-saline South Atlantic Central Water onto the shelf by means of both coastal wind-driven (to the north-east of the SBB) and meander-induced (to the south-west of the SBB) upwelling.

LIVER DAMAGES AND NUCLEAR ABNORMALITIES IN ERYTHROCYTES OF Atherinella brasiliensis (ACTYNOPTERIGII, ATHERINOPSIDADE) FROM TWO BEACHES IN SOUTHEAST OF BRAZIL

There are few environmental studies using biomarkers for the species Atherinella brasiliensis in Brazil. In the present work, the presence of hepatic histopathological lesions and nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes were investigated in A. brasiliensis from Lamberto, a beach under influence of domestic wastes and marine activities. For comparison, fish were also sampled in Puruba, a non-polluted beach, located in the northeastern of Sao Paulo State. The frequency of lesions found in liver was in higher numbers in individuals from Lamberto than Puruba beach. The most critical injuries observed in A. brasiliensis were the presence of necrotic areas, leucocytes infiltration and piknotic nucleus. A high occurrence of cells with vacuolization was also observed. The hepatic lesion index of the fish from Lamberto beach showed significant high values (I(org)=13) when compared with fish from Puruba beach (I(org)=7) suggesting the influence of the several human activities in the studied site. Notched and blebed nucleous were observed in this study, and significant differences were found between the studied sites. However, these differences did not reflect the total nuclear alterations.

Feeding ecology of the Brazilian silverside Atherinella brasiliensis (Atherinopsidae) in a sub-tropical estuarine ecosystem

The feeding ecology of the Brazilian silverside, Atherinella brasiliensis, in a sub-tropical estuary of Brazil was investigated through the gut analysis of 1431 individuals. We described dietary composition and analysed seasonal, estuarine habitat, and body size variations in the diet; trophic level; feeding diversity; and gut fullness indices. Results reveal that A. brasiliensis is a typical, generalistic and opportunistic predator that makes use of a wide array of prey types (at least 89 different types), with zooplankton (mainly calanoids), diatoms, terrestrial insects, and plant detritus making up the bulk of the overall diet. The exotic calanoid Temora turbinata ranked as the primary prey. A wide feeding diversity (mean H` = 2.26), low trophic level (mean TROPH = 2.57), and high gut replenishment were persistent across seasons and habitats. Diet composition varied largely and significantly with respect to habitat, season, and body size. A closer assessment showed that habitat and season had a stronger effect on diet than fish size.

Anti-CD25 Treatment Depletes Treg Cells and Decreases Disease Severity in Susceptible and Resistant Mice Infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are fundamental in the control of immunity and excessive tissue pathology. In paracoccidioidomycosis, an endemic mycosis of Latin America, the immunoregulatory mechanisms that control the progressive and regressive forms of this infection are poorly known. Due to its modulatory activity on Treg cells, we investigated the effects of anti-CD25 treatment over the course of pulmonary infection in resistant (A/J) and susceptible (B10.A) mice infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. We verified that the resistant A/J mice developed higher numbers and more potent Treg cells than susceptible B10.A mice. Compared to B10.A cells, the CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cells of A/J mice expressed higher levels of CD25, CTLA4, GITR, Foxp3, LAP and intracellular IL-10 and TGF-beta. In both resistant and susceptible mice, anti-CD25 treatment decreased the CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg cell number, impaired indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase expression and resulted in decreased fungal loads in the lungs, liver and spleen. In A/J mice, anti-CD25 treatment led to an early increase in T cell immunity, demonstrated by the augmented influx of activated CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, macrophages and dendritic cells to the lungs. At a later phase, the mild infection was associated with decreased inflammatory reactions and increased Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine production. In B10.A mice, anti-CD25 treatment did not alter the inflammatory reactions but increased the fungicidal mechanisms and late secretion of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines. Importantly, in both mouse strains, the early depletion of CD25(+) cells resulted in less severe tissue pathology and abolished the enhanced mortality observed in susceptible mice. In conclusion, this study is the first to demonstrate that anti-CD25 treatment is beneficial to the progressive and regressive forms of paracoccidioidomycosis, potentially due to the anti-CD25-mediated reduction of Treg cells, as these cells have suppressive effects on the early T cell response in resistant mice and the clearance mechanisms of fungal cells in susceptible mice.

Dendritic cells from X-linked hyper-IgM patients present impaired responses to Candida albicans and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Background: Patients with X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome (X-HIGM) due to CD40 ligand (CD40L) mutations are susceptible to fungal pathogens; however, the underlying susceptibility mechanisms remain poorly understood. Objective: To determine whether monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) from patients with X-HIGM exhibit normal responses to fungal pathogens. Methods: DCs from patients and controls were evaluated for the expression of costimulatory (CD80 and CD86) and MHC class II molecules and for their ability to produce IL-12 and IL-10 in response to Candida albicans and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. We also evaluated the ability of C albicans- and P brasiliensis-pulsed mature DCs to induce autologous T-cell proliferation, generation of T helper (T-H) 17 cells, and production of IFN-gamma, TGF-beta, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-17. Results: Immature DCs from patients with X-HIGM showed reduced expression of CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR, which could be reversed by exogenous trimeric soluble CD40L. Most important, mature DCs from patients with X-HIGM differentiated by coculturing DCs with fungi secreted minimal amounts of IL-12 but substantial amounts of IL-10 compared with mature DCs from normal individuals. Coculture of mature DCs from X-HIGM patients with autologous T cells led to low IFN-g production, whereas IL-4 and IL-5 production was increased. T-cell proliferation and IL-17 secretion were normal. Finally, in vitro incubation with soluble CD40L reversed the decreased IL-12 production and the skewed T-H(2) pattern response. Conclusion: Absence of CD40L during monocyte/DC differentiation leads to functional DC abnormalities, which may contribute to the susceptibility to fungal infections in patients with X-HIGM. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 129: 778-86.)