Leishmaniose em Lobo Ibérico

Quando falamos de vida selvagem em Portugal, pensamos logo no Lobo Ibérico (Canis lupus signatus), que ao longo das últimas décadas tem vindo a sofrer um notório declínio populacional, apenas contrariado pelas medidas protecionistas entretanto implementadas. A diminuição do número de lobos em Portugal resulta principalmente da perseguição direta a que foram sujeitos e da destruição do seu habitat natural. Outra causa de redução/extinção de pequenas populações locais e fragmentadas de grandes carnívoros em outras partes no mundo tem sido as doenças infeciosas. Sendo monitorização da presença de patologias em animais silvestres fundamental no controle das zoonoses emergentes e na conservação das espécies. Neste contexto pretendeu-se elaborar um estudo de determinação da ocorrência de Leishmaniose, no Lobo Ibérico. Assim, recolheram-se aleatoriamente 42 amostras de sangue a lobos residentes no Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês que, posteriormente foram testadas recorrendo-se ao método de ELISA. Através desta técnica, detetou-se que das 42 amostras testadas apenas uma amostra (2,4%) possuía anticorpos anti-leishmania. Um dos motivos para a obtenção de resultados pouco significativos poderá dever-se ao reduzido leque amostral. Concluímos, então, que são necessários estudos adicionais para avaliar a importância do Lobo Ibérico na transmissão e propagação da Leishmaniose.

Conservação genética da orquídea Cattleya granulosa Lindley

Cattleya granulosa Lind is a large and endemic orchid in Atlantic Forest fragments in Northeast Brazil. The facility of collecting, uniqueness of their flowers, which have varying colors between green and reddish brown, and distribution in coastal areas of economic interest make their populations a constant target of predation, which also suffer from environmental degradation. Due to the impact on their populations, the species is threatened. In this study, we evaluate the levels of spatial aggregation in a preserved population, analyze the phylogenetic relationships of C. granulosa Lindl. with four other Laeliinae species (Brassavola tuberculata, C. bicolor, C. labiata and C. schofieldiana) and also to evaluate the genetic diversity of 12 remaining populations of C. granulosa Lindl. through ISSR. There was specificity of epiphytic C. granula Lindl. with a single host tree, species of Eugenia sp. C. granulosa Lindl. own spatial pattern, with the highest density of neighbors within up to 5 m. Regarding the phylogenetic relationships and genetic patterns with other species of the genus, C. bicolor exhibited the greatest genetic diversity (HE = 0.219), while C. labiata exhibited the lowest level (HE = 0.132). The percentage of genetic variation among species (AMOVA) was 23.26%. The principal component analysis (PCA) of ISSR data showed that unifoliate and bifoliolate species are genetically divergent. PCA indicated a close relationship between C. granulosa Lindl. and C. schofieldiana, a species considered to be a variety of C. granulosa Lindl. by many researchers. Population genetic analysis using ISSR showed all polymorphic loci. The high genetic differentiation between populations (ФST = 0.391, P < 0.0001) determined the structure into nine groups according to log-likelihood of Bayesian analysis, with a similar pattern in the dendrogram (UPGMA) and PCA. A positive and significant correlation between geographic and genetic distances between populations was identified (r = 0.794, P = 0.017), indicating isolation by distance. Patterns of allelic diversity suggest the occurrence of population bottlenecks in most populations of C. granulosa Lindl. (n = 8). Genetic data indicate that enable the maintenance of genetic diversity of the species is complex and is directly related to the conservation of different units or groups that are spatially distant.

Desempenho de cabras leiteiras alimentadas com diferentes espécies de cactáceas

The objective of this research was to evaluate the production of dairy goats fed different species of cactus. Pluriparous five Saanen goats were used, with nine weeks of lactation, and average live weight of 50 kg ± 4 kg. The animals were distributed in latin square design (5x5) with 5 diets and 5 periods. No differences (P>0,05) were observed in the DM of the experimental diets by getting average values of 2.251,84 g dia-1 , 4,46 %PV e 118,91g kg0,75 . The DM contents of the diets were 50,55 to 55,92% by presenting a maximum variation of 10% between them. A significant difference (P<0,05) water consumption way tendered, between diets with different cactus species. The treatments cactus “Orelha de Elefante Mexicana” and Facheiro had lower water consumption compared to cactus “Palma Miúda. For milk yield no significant difference (P> 0,05) between diets formulated with cactus species, with an average of 1,90 kg/day treatments. The analysis of variance show a significant difference (P<0,05) among treatments for milk corrected to 4% fat and fat production. There was an effect (P<0,05) of the diets with different cactus on the crude protein (CP) and lactose in milk. All treatments with different cactus species can be used for dairy goats in view consumption have afforded sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements for milk nutrients, besides presenting the higher than levels of physical and chemical composition to minimum levels established by current legislation

Espécies arbóreas nativas ornamentais do Rio Grande do Norte

The Caatinga and Atlantic Forest exhibit great species richness, which can attend requirements for various uses. Considering the current level of degradation of vegetation in Rio Grande do Norte, and the increasing use of exotic species, it is urgent to perform actions for the conservation of these biomes. From this perspective, using native plant species in the urban forestry becomes an instrument for the conservation and enhancement of local biodiversity. In this context, the general objective of this study is to gather and provide information about the ornamental native tree species in the state in order to promote and disseminate their use in urban areas. Specific aims of this work are: (1) evaluate and verify the demand and maintenance costs of native and exotic urban forestry, comparatively, with data obtained in the state (Cap. 1); (2) Provide a ornamental native tree species list in the state, including species already widespread use and suggesting new elements with ornamental potential (Cap. 2); and (3) produce a guide of native tree species as a means of disseminating the results obtained in a way accessible to the society. Analysis of maintenance of urban trees was performed at the UFRN's Central Campus, and the ornamental native tree species survey was carried out through literature survey combined with expeditions to forest fragments in the state. As a result, it was obvious that the maintenance of native vegetation resulted in lower costs and least demand for services highlighting the visible advantage in using a afforestation with regionalized floristic composition. The survey of ornamental native tree species led to the selection of 95 species belonging to 30 families, 17 species (17.35%) occurring exclusively in the Caatinga, 27 species (25.55%) in the Atlantic Forest and more than half (55.10%) occurring in both biomes, which provides a good selection available for the composition of urban forestry, both for cities located in the area of Atlantic Forest (81 spp.) or for those located in the Caatinga (71 spp.). From these results, a guide for the recognition and cultivation of native ornamental trees was prepared, consisting in the initial step in the enhancement of existing floristic potential value with the aim to assist in the development of a regionalized perspective of urban environmental management in the state

Descrição de novas espécies de Entomobryoidea, Womersley, 1934 (Collembola, Hexapoda) em remanescentes urbanos de mata atlântica no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

Springtails are commonly recognized microarthropods edaphic environments. Among the most common (and most visible) forms of these animals are the Entomobryoidea, one of the most diverse groups of springtails. Although more than 8,300 species of Collembola are registered on the globe, in Brazil a little over 310 species are recorded, mostly in the Southeast. In the Northeast, particularly in Rio Grande do Norte, these records are still reduced, even in the Atlantic Forest domain for this admittedly diverse fauna and specifically, for Entomobryoidea. This study aimed to describe new species of Entomobryoidea in urban remnants of Atlantic Forest in Rio Grande do Norte, specifically in Parque das Dunas, Natal in the Environmental Protection Area Genipabu, Extremoz. The collections were made in the months July and August 2012 and January and February 2013, using entomological vacuums and plastic trays. The specimens were identified in the laboratory and described in detail by looking at the literature. In this paper four new species were described Entomobryidae family: Entomobrya sp. nov. 1, Seira sp. nov. 1, Seira sp. nov. 2 and Trogolaphysa sp. nov. 1. Seira sp. nov. 1 has clear similarities to S. paraibensis, however the chaetotaxy of the mesothorax and abdomen IV distinguishes both species. The number of phylogenetic proximity suggests similarities between species. Seira sp. nov. 2 is characterized by its chaetotaxy, mainly in the 'M' head and his mesothorax. There is possibility of a phylogenetic relationship with S. praiana and S. Potiguara due to some similarities. Entomobrya sp. nov. 1 has little resemblance to Brazilian species, from the point of view of color, however there is for the latter detailing the dorsal chaetotaxy, which might obscure evolutionary relationships of proximity. Even so, the main diagnostic feature Entomobrya sp. nov. 1 compared to other species of the genus is the complexity of the chaetotaxy of the fifth abdominal segment. Descriptions of new species of Collembola, potentially endemic to their habitats of occurrence may help to understand the morphological and evolutionary patterns in the sampled taxa, as well as the preservation of the environments in which they were found.

Avaliação anti-inflamatória e antipeçonhenta das espécies Hancornia speciosa e Mimosa tenuiflora em modelos experimentais de inflamação e envenenamento induzidos por Bothrops jararaca e Tityus serrulatus

Accidents caused by venomous animals represents a significant and serious public health problem in certain regions of Brazil, as well as in other parts of the world by the frequency with which they occur and the mortality they cause. The use of plant extracts as an antidote for poisoning cases is an ancient practice used in many communities that have no access to antivenom. Medicinal plants represent an important source of obtaining bioactive compounds able to assist directly in the treatment of poisoning or indirectly supplementing serum therapy currently used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of extracts, fractions and isolated compounds from M. tenuiflora and H. speciosa in the inflammatory process induced by carrageenan and the venom of B. jararaca and T. serrulatus. The results showed that both M. tenuiflora and H. speciosa were capable of inhibiting cell migration and cytokines levels in peritonitis induced by carrageenin and venom of T. serrulatus. In poisoning by B. jararaca model, mice treated with the plants in studies decreased the leukocyte influx into the peritoneal cavity. Finally the M. tenuiflora and H. speciosa had antiphlogistic activity, reducing edema formation and exerted inhibitory action of leukocyte migration in local inflammation induced by the venom of B. jararaca. Through of Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis was possible identified the presence of flavonoids ,saponins and/or terpenes in aqueous extract of M. tenuiflora. By High Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis, it was possible to identify the presence of rutin and chlorogenic acid in aqueous extract of H. speciosa. We conclude that the administration of extracts, fractions and isolated compounds of H. speciosa and M. tenuiflora resulted in inhibition of the inflammatory process in different experimental models. This study demonstrates for the first time the effect of M. tenuiflora and H. speciosa in inhibition of the inflammation caused by B. jararaca and T. serrulatus venom.

Validação de espécies de Centropomus (Centropomidae, Perciformes) do litoral do Rio Grande do Norte através de caracterização citogenética e molecular

The Centropomidae family consists of three genera, Centropomus, Lates and Psammoperca. Centropomus is the most diverse group, with six Centropomus species occur in the Western Atlantic Ocean C. poeyi Chávez, 1961, C. parallelus Poey, 1860, C. mexicanus Bocourt, 1868, C. pectinatus Poey, 1860 and C. ensiferus Poey, 1860. Some of these species are considered cryptic, because of its morphological traits showed low resolution for identification purposes. Despite showing great interest as a natural resource and fish culture, aspects of their diversity and karyotypic patterns are poorly understood. In this work morphological identification and comparison of mitochondrial 16S gene sequence were used to identify the species of the genus Centropomus occurring in Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. Two sepecies were identified, C. undecimalis and C. mexicanus, which had the chromosomal aspects analyzed, through Classical cytogenetic method analyzes (conventional staining, C-banding, Ag-NORs), fluorochrome staining AT- and GC-specific, replication bands by incorporating of the base analog 5-Bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (5-BrdU), in situ chromosomal mapping of (TTAGGG)n sequences and in situ chromosome mapping 18S and 5S rRNA genes. Both species show 2n=48 acrocentric chromosomes, with ribosomal sites (Ag-NOR/18S rDNA/ Mitramycin+) in second chromosomal pair, in telomeric position on the long arm in C. mexicanus and interstitial in C. undecimalis. The nuclear organization pair (pair 2) shown a resolutive cytotaxonomic marker for these two species. The generated data reveal a lower species diversity than previously believed, suggesting that greater attention should be paid in taxonomic identification of the species, in view of optimize commercial actions exploitation, biological conservation and cultivation.

Efeitos da privação do sono em tarefas cognitivas

Learning and memory are important mechanism for species, since its allows to recognize conspecifics, routes and food place. Sleep is one of behaviors known by facilitate learning, it is a widespread phenomenon, present in most of vertebrates lives and highly investigated in many aspects. It is known that sleep deprivation modifies physiologic behavioral processes in animals, however, sleep function in organism is still debatable. Hypothesis range from energy conservation to memory consolidation, with different roles in animal’s evolution. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) emerg e in the last years as vertebrate model in genetics and developmental biology and quickly become popular in behavioral studies, as learning and memory. Despite the fact that zebrafish is a diurnal animal and have well characterized sleep behavior, zebrafish fish still has advantages due to its small size and low cost of maintenance, whichestablishes this species as interesting model for research on sleep. In this study we aimed to analyze the effects of partial and total sleep deprivation on learning acquisition, as well the concomitant administration of alcohol and melatonin. For this, the research was divided in three phases, each one with a different kind of conditioning: (1) object Recognition, (2) avoidance conditioning and (3) appetitive conditioning. The results showed the fish partially sleep deprived and totally sleep deprived + et hanol could perform the tasks just like the control group, however, fish totally sleep deprived and totally sleep deprived + melatonin showed impairments in attention and memory during the tests. Our results suggest that only one night of sleep deprivation is enough to harm the zebrafish performance in cognitive tasks. In addition, ethanol exposure on the night previously the test seems to suppress the negative effects of sleep deprivation, while the melatonin treatment seems not to be enough to promote sleep state, at least on the protocol applied here.

Efeitos da privação do sono em tarefas cognitivas

Learning and memory are important mechanism for species, since its allows to recognize conspecifics, routes and food place. Sleep is one of behaviors known by facilitate learning, it is a widespread phenomenon, present in most of vertebrates lives and highly investigated in many aspects. It is known that sleep deprivation modifies physiologic behavioral processes in animals, however, sleep function in organism is still debatable. Hypothesis range from energy conservation to memory consolidation, with different roles in animal’s evolution. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) emerg e in the last years as vertebrate model in genetics and developmental biology and quickly become popular in behavioral studies, as learning and memory. Despite the fact that zebrafish is a diurnal animal and have well characterized sleep behavior, zebrafish fish still has advantages due to its small size and low cost of maintenance, whichestablishes this species as interesting model for research on sleep. In this study we aimed to analyze the effects of partial and total sleep deprivation on learning acquisition, as well the concomitant administration of alcohol and melatonin. For this, the research was divided in three phases, each one with a different kind of conditioning: (1) object Recognition, (2) avoidance conditioning and (3) appetitive conditioning. The results showed the fish partially sleep deprived and totally sleep deprived + et hanol could perform the tasks just like the control group, however, fish totally sleep deprived and totally sleep deprived + melatonin showed impairments in attention and memory during the tests. Our results suggest that only one night of sleep deprivation is enough to harm the zebrafish performance in cognitive tasks. In addition, ethanol exposure on the night previously the test seems to suppress the negative effects of sleep deprivation, while the melatonin treatment seems not to be enough to promote sleep state, at least on the protocol applied here.

Áreas importantes para a conservação do último grande herbívoro da caatinga potiguar: o veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira)

Cervídeo Mazama gouazoubira é a espécie de veado que possui maior distribuição dentre as espécies sul americanas. Aspectos da vegetação, predação, competição, caça e perda de habitat são fatores importantes para compreender a distribuição espacial de herbívoros na paisagem. Dessa forma, considerando a falta de estudos de mamíferos de médio e grande porte na Caatinga, objetivamos compreender quais os fatores ambientais e antrópicos que influenciam a ocupação do veado-catingueiro (M. gouazoubira) na região semiárida do estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. O estudo foi realizado em 10 áreas amostrais e utilizamos armadilhas fotográficas para amostragem e modelos de ocupação foram construídos representando nossas hipóteses biológicas. Os modelos foram ranqueados através dos valores obtidos do AIC. As variáveis cobertura vegetal de caatinga e densidade da vegetação mostraram maior efeito, já a caatinga arbórea mostrou um efeito menor, sugerindo que a espécie é altamente dependente da vegetação para ocorrer, possuindo menor dependência de caatinga arbórea. Esperamos que nossos resultados possam ser utilizados como suporte para planos de manejo e criação de novas unidades de conservação no estado.

Padrões de diversidade α (alfa) e β (beta) zooplanctônica em lagos tropicais: a importância da estrutura do habitat e da identidade das espécies

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Padrões de diversidade α (alfa) e β (beta) zooplanctônica em lagos tropicais: a importância da estrutura do habitat e da identidade das espécies

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos da terapia fotodinâmica com aluminio – cloro ftalocianina sobre a peroxidação lipídica e produtos antioxidantes em tecidos inflamados animais

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) consists of a non-toxic photosensitizing agent (FS) administration followed by a laser source resulting in a sequence of photochemical and photobiological processes that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damaging cells. The present work evaluated the effects of PDT nanoemulsion-aluminum chloride phthalocyanine (AlClFc) mediated on malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels, which represent indicators involved in oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses. For this purpose, this study used 120 female rats of the Rattus norvegicus species, Wistar race, divided into 5 groups: Healthy (H), with periodontal disease (PD), with periodontal disease and treatment with FS (F), with periodontal disease and treatment with the laser (L); and periodontal disease and treatment with PDT (FL). An experimental model for represent periodontal disease (PD) was induced by ligature (split-mouth). Seven days later the induction of PD, the treatments were instituted according to the groups. In the group treated with PDT was applied 40μl FS (5μM) followed by laser irradiation diode InGaAlP (660nm, 100J / cm2). The rats were sacrificed on the 7th and 28th day after treatment and tissue specimens were removed and subjected to histological, immunohistochemical methods and enzymatic colorimetric measurements with detection by UV / VIS spectroscopy. Inflammatory changes, connective tissue disorganization and alveolar bone loss were displaying in groups with PD induced. The enzyme dosages showed that MDA levels were higher in PD induced groups, with no statistically significant differences (p> 0.05). High levels of GSH were found in groups L (p = 0.028) and FL (p = 0.028) compared with PD group, with statistically significant differences. Immunohistochemistry for SOD showed higher immunostaining in L and FL groups, compared to the PD group without statistically significant differences (p> 0.05). GPx showed lower immunoreactivity in the DP group when compared to the other groups and statistically significant differences were observed between the DPxL groups (p <0.05). TFD administered in this experiment did not induce elevation of MDA levels significantly increased the GSH levels and showed intense immunostaining pada SOD and GPx, showing that this therapy does not accentuated lipid peroxidation, however, it was able to induce effects on the antioxidant defenses processes. The LBI therapy appeared to show photomodulatory promoting effects reduction of the MDA levels, increasing GSH levels and with intense immunostaining for SOD and GPx, demonstrating that laser therapy induced antioxidant effects.

Percepção ambiental como ferramenta diagnóstica para o processo de integração entre uma unidade de conservação e a comunidade do entorno

It is remarkable the current planet’s situation of degradation and modification of natural assets and the considerable loss of the recovery power inherent to the ecosystems. Concomitant with this, all communities and species are suffering the consequences of these changes without planning. The creation of conservation units (UCs) through the National System of Conservation Units (SNUC) was a concrete action on the deliberateness of halting these processes, which, on the other hand, generated socio-environmental, geo-economical and cultural-political conflict of interests between traditional communities in the vicinity of these units, institutions, governmental entities and society in general. The country’s National Program of Environmental Education (ProNEA) provides the integration of the communities and UCs’ managers in a co-participative administration to solve these conflicts. The principles of Environmental Education (EA) leads the methodology found to change the socio-educational paradigms of traditional teaching, still existing in our society and intrinsically related to environmental problems, which are contrary to the dialogic pedagogy from Paulo Freire, that valorize popular knowledge, pro-active citizenship, as well as contrary to Ecopedagogy, that re-integrate human being on its natural environment, the Earth. One of the tools for starting environmental sensitization is the diagnosis by environmental perception of individuals. In this context, the objective of our work was to identify the environmental perception of Tenda do Moreno community located nearby Pau Furado State Park (PEPF) in Uberlândia – MG. To reach this objective, the research sought, in a first moment, to evaluate the environmental perception of residents of this community through semi-structured interviews applied in their homes and, in a second moment, we evaluated the environmental perception of community’ school students and made Environmental Education intervention activities with the intention to make children aware of the importance of conservation and function of PEPF. Using the Content analysis methodology, we found in nearly 60% of the 118 residents a systemic perception of nature, while approximately 32% expressed an anthropocentric perception. Mixed perceptions were found in 21%. A considerable part of the residents (47 individuals) indicated not knowing the park, although many of them recognize its importance. Among the 46 interviewed students, half expressed an anthropocentric perception of nature, while almost 36% had a systemic view. Seventeen children said they did not know the park and almost half of the students recognize some aspect of the importance of its existence. During the intervention activities, we had huge participation and dedication of students, beyond the massive expression of their personal views and daily experiences. In relation to the ten students that subjected the second evaluation about their environmental perception after the intervention, 80% showed systemic perception and emphasized the importance of conservation and of park. We believe that the continuity of the intervention activities could generate positive perspectives of socio-environmental effective changes in the daily school. Activities lead by Ecopedagogy and that encourage the citizen leadership in the young students are fundamental, while in the community, closer ties and dialog by UC’s managers would be important elements to generate effective change.

Carrapatos em animais silvestres do bioma cerrado triados pelo cetas, Ibama-Goiás

v. 17, n. 2, p. 296-302, abr./jun. 2016.