Crit��rios t��cnicos e de participa����o social para a recupera����o florestal: quais as diferen��as na defini����o de ��reas priorit��rias?

The Jararaca River Basin suffers significative environmental impacts caused by inaccurate land use. In Brazil, the areas for permanent preservation are defined and protected by the 2012 Federal Law 12.651. These areas are located in the bank side and other specific places. The objective of this paper was to analyze the results of possible alternatives in function of different procedures used in the proposal elaboration. The methodology used was the elaboration of a priority map for the recovery of these areas using the Geographic Information System with multicriterial analyses and comparing it with the guidelines from the Jararaca River Basin Management Plan. As a result, there were identified differences in the priorities defined by technical issues from the priorities defined by public consultation process.

Bothropoides pauloensis venom effects on isolated perfused kidney and cultured renal tubular epithelial cells

Coordenada����o de Aperfei��oamento de Pessoal de N��vel Superior (CAPES)

Production, characterization and structural analysis of proteins from Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and snake venoms

Coordena����o de Aperfei��oamento de Pessoal de N��vel Superior (CAPES)

Caracteriza����o por espectrometria de massas e investiga����o das atividades anti-inflamat��ria e gastroprotetora do extrato etan��lico e diterpenos clerod��nicos de folhas de Casearia sylvestris Swartz

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient��fico e Tecnol��gico (CNPq)

Caracteriza����o por espectrometria de massas e investiga����o das atividades anti-inflamat��ria e gastroprotetora do extrato etan��lico e diterpenos clerod��nicos de folhas de Casearia sylvestris Swartz

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient��fico e Tecnol��gico (CNPq)

Um novo protocolo in silico para a predi����o de complexos flex��veis entre prote��nas: estudo de caso para inibidores plasm��ticos de fosfolipase A2 de serpentes

Coordena����o de Aperfei��oamento de Pessoal de N��vel Superior (CAPES)

Anti-snake venom activities of extracts and fractions from callus cultures of Sapindus saponaria

Context: Sapindus saponaria L. (Sapindaceae) bark, root, and fruits are used as sedatives and to treat gastric ulcer and also demonstrate diuretic and expectorant effects. Objective: The anti-snake venom properties of callus of S. saponaria are investigated here for the first time. Materials and methods: In vitro cultivated callus of Sapindus saponaria were lyophilized, and the extracts were prepared with different solvents, before submitting to phytochemical studies and evaluation of the anti-ophidian activity. Crude extracts were fractionated by liquid-liquid partition and the fractions were monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Subsequently, anti-ophidian activities were analyzed toward Bothrops jararacussu Lacerda (Viperidae), B. moojeni Hoge (Viperidae), B. alternates Dumeril (Viperidea) and Crotalus durissus terrificus Lineu (Viperidae) venoms and isolated myotoxins and phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)). Results: Fractions A1, A2 and the extract in MeOH:H2O (9:1) significantly inhibited the toxic and pharmacological activities induced by snake venoms and toxins, when compared to other extracts and fractions. The lethal, clotting, phospholipase, edema-inducing, hemorrhagic and myotoxic activities were partially inhibited by the different extracts and fractions. TLC profiles of the crude extracts (B and C) and fractions (A1 and A2) showed beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol as their main compounds. Stigmasterol exhibited inhibitory effects on enzymatic and myotoxic activities of PLA(2). Discussion and conclusion: Sapindus saponaria extracts and fractions presented anti-ophidian activity and could be used as an adjuvant to serum therapy or for its supplementation, and in addition, as a rich source of potential inhibitors of enzymes involved in several pathophysiological human and animal diseases.

The bactericidal effect of human secreted group IID phospholipase A(2) results from both hydrolytic and non-hydrolytic activities

The Human Secreted Group IID Phospholipase A(2) (hsPLA2GIID) may be involved in the human acute immune response. Here we have demonstrated that the hsPLA2GIID presents bactericidal and Ca2+-independent liposome membrane-damaging activities and we have compared these effects with the catalytic activity of active-site mutants of the protein. All mutants showed reduced hydrolytic activity against DOPC:DOPG liposome membranes, however bactericidal effects against Escherichia coli and Micrococcus luteus were less affected, with the D49K mutant retaining 30% killing of the Gram-negative bacteria at a concentration of 10 mu g/mL despite the absence of catalytic activity. The H48Q mutant maintained Ca2+-independent membrane-damaging activity whereas the G30S and D49K mutants were approximately 50% of the wild-type protein, demonstrating that phospholipid bilayer permeabilization by the hsPLA2GIID is independent of catalytic activity. We suggest that this Ca2+-independent damaging activity may play a role in the bactericidal function of the protein. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

OFIDIOS Y OFIDISMO EN C��RDOBA: MANUAL DE FUNDAMENTOS TEORICO-PR��CTICOS PARA LA ENSE��ANZA SECUNDARIA

En la provincia de C��rdoba existen 35 especies de serpientes de las cuales solamente cinco son consideradas venenosas y de riesgo para la salud humana; se trata de las yarar��s chica (Bothrops diporus), grande (Bothrops alternatus) y ��ata (Bothrops ammodytoides), la cascabel (Crotalus durissus) y la coral (Micrurus pyrrhocryptus). Estas cinco especies, conocidas com��nmente como ���v��boras���, se distribuyen por el oeste de nuestra provincia. Los accidentes producidos por mordeduras de serpientes venenosas representan en dicha provincia una importante problem��tica y los grupos afectados son trabajadores rurales, hacheros y carboneros del monte, mineros, personal que trabaja en obras viales, polic��as, bomberos, turistas y personas que van de campamento (Reati, 2013). Las estad��sticas indican que anualmente se producen en Argentina unos 500 casos anuales, de los cuales 70-90 corresponden a la Provincia de C��rdoba. Las continuas intervenciones humanas sobre las ��reas silvestres por urbanizaciones, realizaci��n de obras de infraestructura, el crecimiento de las actividades agr��colas y tur��sticas, entre otras acciones, aumentan las probabilidades de encuentro entre personas y serpientes, lo que provoca mayor frecuencia de picaduras, como ha ocurrido en muchos pa��ses. A su vez, las serpientes ���venenosas o no- se enfrentan con serios problemas de conservaci��n debido a las alteraciones ambientales ya mencionadas, el comercio para la utilizaci��n del cuero de algunas especies, el mascotismo y fundamentalmente la mortandad en manos del hombre, que las mata indiscriminadamente por temor sin diferenciar si son o no peligrosas. Existe un gran sector de la poblaci��n que no tiene posibilidad de acceder a la formaci��n en estas problem��ticas y la escuela constituye uno de los espacios m��s importantes para desarrollar esta tarea por su rol en la construcci��n de conocimientos. Sin embargo, los profesores de nivel medio no disponen de material did��ctico desde una perspectiva espec��ficamente regional para desarrollar temas curriculares sobre aspectos biol��gicos y ecol��gicos de la fauna de ofidios de la provincia de C��rdoba y los problemas de conservaci��n que deben afrontar, como tampoco acerca de la prevenci��n de accidentes of��dicos y los primeros auxilios que se deben realizar en caso de mordeduras de serpientes. Estas circunstancias se contraponen con la ley provincial N�� 8113 donde se incluyen, dentro del sistema educativo, aspectos inherentes a conservaci��n, brindando tambi��n una serie de lineamientos pedag��gicos que establecen la regionalizaci��n del curr��culo; adem��s, asigna especial importancia al medio natural y al contexto sociocultural del alumno. Se presenta aqu�� como propuesta la producci��n de material te��rico-pr��ctico desde un enfoque transdisciplinar, de manera tal que la tem��tica que aqu�� se plantea, por su complejidad, pueda ser abordada no solo desde las Ciencias Naturales, sino tambi��n desde otras ciencias, ya que abarca no solamente aspectos biol��gicos y ecol��gicos de los ofidios, sino tambi��n cuestiones relacionadas con la conservaci��n de la biodiversidad y con la salud humana.

Biological and structural characterization of a new PLA(2) from the Crotalus durissus collilineatus venom

In the present article we report on the biological characterization and amino acid sequence of a new basic Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) isolated from the Crotalus durissus collilineatus venom (Cdcolli F6), which showed the presence of 122 amino acid residues with a pI value of 8.3, molecular mass of 14 kDa and revealed an amino acid sequence identity of 80% with crotalic PLA(2)s such as Mojave B, Cdt F15, and CROATOX. This homology, however, dropped to 50% if compared to other sources of PLA(2)s such as from the Bothrops snake venom. Also, this PLA(2) induced myonecrosis, although this effect was lower than that of BthTx-I or whole crotoxin and it was able to induce a strong blockage effect on the chick biventer neuromuscular preparation, independently of the presence of the acid subunid (crotapotin). The neurotoxic effect was strongly reduced by pre-incubation with heparin or with anhydrous acetic acid and rho-BPB showed a similar reduction. The rho-BPB did not reduce significantly the myotoxic activity induced by the PLA(2), but the anhydrous acetic acid treatment and the pre-incu-bation of PLA(2) with heparin reduced significantly its effects. This protein showed a strong antimicrobial activity against Xanthomonas axonopodis passiflorae (Gram-negative), which was drastically reduced by incubation of this PLA(2) with rho-BPB, but this effect was marginally reduced after treatment with anhydrous acetic acid. Our findings here allow to speculate that basic amino acid residues on the C-terminal and molecular regions near catalytic site regions such as Calcium binding loop or rho-wing region may be involved in the binding of this PLA(2) to the molecular receptor to induce the neurotoxic effect. The bactericidal effect, however, was completely dependent on the enzymatic activity of this protein.

Antiophidic Solanidane Steroidal Alkaloids from Solanum campaniforme

Three new solanidane alkaloids bearing a 22,23-epoxy ring (1-3) and four known compounds were isolated from leaves of Solanum campaniforme. The structures were determined using spectroscopic techniques, including ID and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS experiments. The antiophidic activity of the alkaloids was tested against Bothrops pauloensis venom. Compounds 1-3 completely inhibited myotoxicity without inhibiting phospholipase A(2) activity of the venom, while hemorrhage and skin necrosis were significantly reduced in the presence of alkaloids 1 and 2.

Inhibition of Neurotoxic Secretory Phospholipases A(2) Enzymatic, Edematogenic, and Myotoxic Activities by Harpalycin 2, an Isoflavone Isolated from Harpalyce brasiliana Benth

Secretory phospholipases A(2) (sPLA(2)) exert proinflammatory actions through lipid mediators. These enzymes have been found to be elevated in many inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of harpalycin 2 (Har2), an isoflavone isolated from Harpalyce brasiliana Benth., in the enzymatic, edematogenic, and myotoxic activities of sPLA2 from Bothrops pirajai, Crotalus durissus terrificus, Apis mellifera, and Naja naja venoms. Har2 inhibits all sPLA(2) tested. PrTX-III (B. pirajai venom) was inhibited at about 58.7%, Cdt F15 (C. d. terrificus venom) at 78.8%, Apis (from bee venom) at 87.7%, and Naja (N. naja venom) at 88.1%. Edema induced by exogenous sPLA(2) administration performed in mice paws showed significant inhibition by Har2 at the initial step. In addition, Har2 also inhibited the myotoxic activity of these sPLA(2)s. In order to understand how Har2 interacts with these enzymes, docking calculations were made, indicating that the residues His48 and Asp49 in the active site of these enzymes interacted powerfully with Har2 through hydrogen bonds. These data pointed to a possible anti-inflammatory activity of Har2 through sPLA(2) inhibition.

Purification and preliminary crystallographic analysis of a new Lys49-PLA2 from B-jararacussu

BjVIII is a new myotoxic Lys49-PLA2 isolated from Bothrops jararacussu venom that exhibits atypical effects on human platelet aggregation. To better understand the mode of action of BjVIII, crystallographic studies were initiated. Two crystal forms were obtained, both containing two molecules in the asymmetric unit (ASU). Synchrotron radiation diffraction data were collected to 2.0 angstrom resolution and 1.9 angstrom resolution for crystals belonging to the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) (a = 48.4 angstrom, b = 65.3 angstrom, c = 84.3 angstrom) and space group P3(1)21 (a = b = 55.7 angstrom, c = 127.9 angstrom), respectively. Refinement is currently in progress and the refined structures are expected to shed light on the unusual platelet aggregation activity observed for BjVIII.