Conservation genetics of the endangered Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus)

The Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus L. 1758) is the most endangered neotropical cervid, and in the past occupied a wide range of open habitats including grassland, pampas, savanna, and cerrado (Brazil) from 5 degrees to 41 degrees S. To better understand the effect of habitat fragmentation on gene flow and genetic variation, and to uncover genetic units for conservation, we examined DNA sequences from the mitochondrial control region of 54 individuals from six localities distributed throughout the present geographical range of the Pampas deer. Our results suggest that the control region of the Pampas deer is one of the most polymorphic of any mammal. This remarkably high variability probably reflects large historic population sizes of millions of individuals in contrast to numbers of fewer than 80 000 today. Gene flow between populations is generally close to one migrant per generation and, with the exception of two populations from Argentina, all populations are significantly differentiated. The degree of gene flow was correlated with geographical distance between populations, a result consistent with limited dispersal being the primary determinant of genetic differentiation between populations. The molecular genetic results provide a mandate for habitat restoration and reintroduction of Pampas deer so that levels of genetic variation can be preserved and historic patterns of abundance can be reconstructed. However, the source of individuals for reintroduction generally should be from populations geographically closest to those now in danger of extinction.

Epidemiology and genetics of endemic goiter. II. Genetic aspects

Complex genetic models and segregation analysis were applied to family data obtained in a hyperendemic goiter area in Brazil. The single locus and Falconer's models did not fit the data. Edward's model showed convergency, but statistical concordance has not been obtained. Although the genetic load model explains statistically the family data, it would be hard to imagine that endemic goiter could be explained by a model where synergism among genetic and environmental factors is not assumed.

Epidemiology and genetics of endemic goiter. I. Epidemiological aspects

This study dealt with approximately 2,000 children and their parents living in a hyperendemic goiter area in Central Brazil, which is bounded by the jungle to the north and by a large plain to the south. The determination of goiter was made according to the methods and classification adopted by WHO. Conspicuous forms of goiter were found in 41% of the children examined. Multiple linear regression analysis showed an increase with age in the frequency of goiter in both sexes. Although data from the literature show that Mulattoes and Negroes have statistically higher frequencies of goiter than do Whites, our multiple linear regression analysis revealed no evidence for an effect of race on the endemism. There was no significant association with socioeconomic level. The presence of goiter in parents was shown to be statistically associated with its occurrence in the children.

Propriedades de contração na madeira juvenil e adulta de Pinus taeda L.

This paper had the objective of studying variability of radial, tangential, longitudinal and volumetric shrinkage between the juvenile and mature wood, from a 35 year-old Pinus taeda L., from Horto Florestal of Manduri at São Paulo State, Brazil. First of all the experimental program determinations were related to the juvenile wood, region of the transition and region of the mature wood, using anatomical analysis (length of the axial tracheids), according to ABNT and IAWA codes. Results had shown that the area of juvenile wood of this species occurs approximately until the 20th growth ring, being more representative until the 12th ring. The transition area of this wood occurs between the 12th and 20th growth ring. In the second part of the work the shrinkage of the juvenile and mature wood were evaluated. Values of the radial, tangential and volumetric shrinkage were smaller and more variable on the juvenile wood. The longitudinal shrinkage did not present significant differences between the two wood types; medium values were slightly inferior and very variable on juvenile wood related to mature wood.

Retratibilidade da madeira de Pinus caribæa var. hondurensis e de Eucalyptus grandis e suas relações com a umidade e densidade

It had been studied the dimensional variations Pinus caribæa var. hondurensis and Eucalyptus grandiswood, emphasizing the axial, radial, tangential and volumetric shrinkage. The results had shown that the volumetric shrinkage of Pinus and Eucalyptus varied according to an exponential curve, R V=R Vmaxe -ku. The total or maximum volumetric shrinkage showed a linear behavior with the specific gravity on basis of ovendry mass and volume and the same behavior as respect of the specific gravity, where the adjusted equations were, respectively: R vmax = 3,01 + 19,15,oo e R vmax = 1,96 + 24,28,ob. It was also verified that the tangential shrinkage was 1,3 times greater than the radial one and 9,0 times greater than the axial one.

Latin-American Society Of Forensic Genetics (SLAGF) results of the Interlaboratory Quality Control Exercise 2010-2011

Latin-American Society of Forensic Genetics (SLAGF) Interlaboratory Quality Control Exercise (2010-2011) included the analysis of three bloodstain samples in FTA Classic Card (three persons, biologically unrelated) and one theoretical exercise. There were 56 participating laboratories from 13 Latin-American countries that belong to society, were reported 70 STRs, including autosomal and sex chromosome markers with consensus in 53 STRs with a rate in reporting errors of 2.3%. Fifty-six laboratories reported results in theoretical exercise with mistakes in calculation of IP for each marker. It is necessary to hold meetings to discuss the results of this exercise to reach conclusions and recommendations on all aspects of DNA forensics analysis and paternity test, to improve results and quality in the results of each laboratory. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Biologic and genetics aspects of chagas disease at endemic areas

The etiologic agent of Chagas Disease is the Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted through blood-sucking insect vectors of the Triatominae subfamily, representing one of the most serious public health concerns in Latin America. There are geographic variations in the prevalence of clinical forms and morbidity of Chagas disease, likely due to genetic variation of the T. cruzi and the host genetic and environmental features. Increasing evidence has supported that inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are responsible for the generation of the inflammatory infiltrate and tissue damage. Moreover, genetic polymorphisms, protein expression levels, and genomic imbalances are associated with disease progression. This paper discusses these key aspects. Large surveys were carried out in Brazil and served as baseline for definition of the control measures adopted. However, Chagas disease is still active, and aspects such as host-parasite interactions, genetic mechanisms of cellular interaction, genetic variability, and tropism need further investigations in the attempt to eradicate the disease. Copyright 2012 Marilanda Ferreira Bellini et al.

A precautionary tale when describing species in a world of invaders: Morphology, coloration and genetics demonstrate that Lysmata rauli is not a new species endemic to Brazil but a junior synonym of the Indo-Pacific L. vittata

The objective of this study was to investigate morphological variation in traits of systematic relevance and the phylogenetic position, ecology, and reproductive biology of the shrimp Lysmata rauli Laubenheimer and Rhyne, 2010 (Caridea: Hippolytidae), described based only on a single specimen collected in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. We analyzed a total of 89 specimens from Camamu Bay, Bahia (n = 88) and from S3o Vicente estuary, São Paulo (n = 1). Considerable morphological variation was detected in the rostral spine series, number of segments on the carpus and merus of pereiopod 2, number of spiniform setae on the ventrolateral margin of merus and on the ventral margin of propodus of pereiopods 3-5. Importantly, L rauli can be distinguished neither using morphology, nor coloration from the Indo-Pacific L. vittata (Stimpson, 1860). Furthermore, molecular phylogenetic analyses (using the 16S mt DNA fragment) did not reveal any considerable genetic dissimilarities between L rauli and L vittata. Thus, our results clearly indicate that L rauli is not a new species but a junior synonym of L vittata. The high density observed within the structures of oyster farming indicates that the invasive L vittata lives in crowds in Brazil. The studied population was composed of males, hermaphrodites, and transitional individuals (having characteristics of males and hermaphrodites). The above information suggests that L rauli is a protandric simultaneous hermaphrodite, as it has been observed in all species of Lysmata that have been investigated. Lysmata vittata has invaded the southwestern Atlantic and is present in Bahia, Rio de Janeiro and S3o Paulo, Brazil. © The Crustacean Society, 2013. Published by Brill NV, Leiden.

Delimitação entre os lenhos juvenil e adulto de pinus elliottii engelm

Trees produce different types of woody tissue during growth. The xylem produced in the first years until a certain cambial age is called juvenile wood and has different physical, mechanical, chemical and anatomical characteristics from that produced later, when the cambial cells have matured. Thus, prior knowledge of the quality of the wood is of fundamental importance for choosing the best use of the material. This work aimed at using data from length of the tracheid and wood density to define the age transition from juvenile to mature wood. For this, three Pinus elliottii var. elliottii trees, aged 35 years, were collected at the Itapetininga Experimental Station, located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. From each tree, disks of about 5 cm thick were obtained 0.05 m above the ground and used to determine the radial density by the gamma ray attenuation method and to measure the length of the tracheids. The results obtained by linear regression analysis showed that juvenile wood is limited to the first seven years of tree growth and the formation of mature wood occurs after twenty years. For the mature wood, there are significant differences among the averages obtained from the tracheid length and wood density.

Comparative study of the life cycle assessment of particleboards made of residues from sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum spp.) and pine wood shavings (Pinus elliottii)

This paper presents a research on the environmental impacts of particleboards produced from wastes, based on a comparative Life Cycle Assessment study. The particleboards were manufactured in laboratorial scale from the following residues: sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum spp.) and pine wood shavings (Pinus elliottii). The study was developed following the methodological guidelines of ISO 14040. The functional unit adopted was the m2 of the particleboards produced and the impacts were evaluated by the Environmental Development of Industrial Products method. The results indicated that pine particleboard present the highest environmental impact potential. Our findings suggested that the factors that mostly aggravated the environmental impacts were: the distance between the raw materials and the production site, and formaldehyde emissions (FE). The first is related to the combustion of fossil fuel during the acquisition of raw material, which achieved the values of 2185.94 g/m2 for consumption of non-renewable resources for pine particleboard and 893.53 g/m2 for bagasse particleboard. The second is related to the use of urea-formaldehyde resin, responsible for the FE into the air during production. The FE is accountable for the contamination of approximately 7,800,000.00 m3 of air per m2 of particleboard produced, and was the factor with the greatest impact in human toxicity potential. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mamíferos de médio e grande porte e ecologia alimentar de carnívoros em remanescentes de Floresta Ombrófia Mista e palntios de Pinus spp. na região centro-sul do Estado do Paraná, Brasil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise técnica e econômica da resinagem de Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii na região de Manduri, SP

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Determinação de módulos de elasticidade à compressão da madeira de Pinus taeda L. com o uso de ultra-som

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

Influência das características dos anéis de crescimento na densidade, resistência e rigidez da madeira de Pinus taeda L

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Carcterização da influência da velocidade de corte, pressão e granulometria de lixa no lixamento plano do Pinus elliottii

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)