Evaluation of Microbicidal Activity of Oxygen-Containing Plasmas using Biological Monitors with Different Lumen Calibers

New technologies and sterilization agents for heat-sensitive materials are under intense investigation. Plasma sterilization, an atoxic low-temperature substitute for conventional sterilization, uses various gases that are activated by an electrical discharge, generating reactive species that promote lethality in microorganisms. Here, assays were performed using pure O-2 and O-2 + H2O2 mixture gas plasmas against a standard load of Bacillus atrophaeus spores inoculated on glass carriers inside PVC catheters. The sterilization efficiency was studied as a function of plasma system (reactive ion etching or inductively coupled plasma), biological monitor lumen diameter, gas, radio frequency power, and sub-lethal exposition time. After sterilization, the biological monitors were disassembled and the surviving bacteria were grown in trypticase soy broth using the most probable number technique. Plasma antimicrobial activity depended on the catheter's internal diameter and radio frequency powers. The N-2 + H2O2 mixture exhibited higher microbial efficacy than pure N-2 in both plasma systems.

Gene expression profiles displayed by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus focusing on biological processes implicated on the pathogenesis of the disease

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibit insulin resistance associated with obesity and inflammatory response, besides an increased level of oxidative DNA damage as a consequence of the hyperglycemic condition and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In order to provide information on the mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of T2DM, we analyzed the transcriptional expression patterns exhibited by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with T2DM compared to non-diabetic subjects, by investigating several biological processes: inflammatory and immune responses, responses to oxidative stress and hypoxia, fatty acid processing, and DNA repair. PBMCs were obtained from 20 T2DM patients and eight non-diabetic subjects. Total RNA was hybridized to Agilent whole human genome 4x44K one-color oligo-microarray. Microarray data were analyzed using the GeneSpring GX 11.0 software (Agilent). We used BRB-ArrayTools software (gene set analysis - GSA) to investigate significant gene sets and the Genomica tool to study a possible influence of clinical features on gene expression profiles. We showed that PBMCs from T2DM patients presented significant changes in gene expression, exhibiting 1320 differentially expressed genes compared to the control group. A great number of genes were involved in biological processes implicated in the pathogenesis of T2DM. Among the genes with high fold-change values, the up-regulated ones were associated with fatty acid metabolism and protection against lipid-induced oxidative stress, while the down-regulated ones were implicated in the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines production and DNA repair. Moreover, we identified two significant signaling pathways: adipocytokine, related to insulin resistance; and ceramide, related to oxidative stress and induction of apoptosis. In addition, expression profiles were not influenced by patient features, such as age, gender, obesity, pre/post-menopause age, neuropathy, glycemia, and HbA(1c) percentage. Hence, by studying expression profiles of PBMCs, we provided quantitative and qualitative differences and similarities between T2DM patients and non-diabetic individuals, contributing with new perspectives for a better understanding of the disease. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Discriminating Different Classes of Biological Networks by Analyzing the Graphs Spectra Distribution

The brain's structural and functional systems, protein-protein interaction, and gene networks are examples of biological systems that share some features of complex networks, such as highly connected nodes, modularity, and small-world topology. Recent studies indicate that some pathologies present topological network alterations relative to norms seen in the general population. Therefore, methods to discriminate the processes that generate the different classes of networks (e. g., normal and disease) might be crucial for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the disease. It is known that several topological properties of a network (graph) can be described by the distribution of the spectrum of its adjacency matrix. Moreover, large networks generated by the same random process have the same spectrum distribution, allowing us to use it as a "fingerprint". Based on this relationship, we introduce and propose the entropy of a graph spectrum to measure the "uncertainty" of a random graph and the Kullback-Leibler and Jensen-Shannon divergences between graph spectra to compare networks. We also introduce general methods for model selection and network model parameter estimation, as well as a statistical procedure to test the nullity of divergence between two classes of complex networks. Finally, we demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed methods by applying them to (1) protein-protein interaction networks of different species and (2) on networks derived from children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and typically developing children. We conclude that scale-free networks best describe all the protein-protein interactions. Also, we show that our proposed measures succeeded in the identification of topological changes in the network while other commonly used measures (number of edges, clustering coefficient, average path length) failed.

Trichogramma pretiosum parasitism and dispersal capacity: a basis for developing biological control programs for soybean caterpillars

In order to succeed in biological control programs, not only is it crucial to understand the number of natural enemies to be released but also on how many sites per area this releasing must be performed. These variables might differ deeply among egg parasitoid species and crops worked. Therefore, these trials were carried out to evaluate the parasitism (%) in eggs of Anticarsia gemmatalis and Pseudoplusia includens after the release of different densities of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum. Field dispersal was also studied, in order to determine appropriate recommendations for the release of this parasitoid in soybean fields. The regression analysis between parasitism (%) and densities of the parasitoid indicated a quadratic effect for both A. gemmatalis and P. includens. The maximum parasitism within 24 h after the release was reached with densities of 25.6 and 51.2 parasitoids per host egg, respectively, for the two pests. Parasitism of T. pretiosum in eggs of P. includens decreased linearly as the distance of the pest eggs from the parasitoid release sites increased. For P. includens, the mean radius of T. pretiosum action and the area of parasitoid dispersal in the soybean crop were 8.01 m and 85.18 m(2), respectively. We conclude that for a successful biological control program of lepidopteran pests using T. pretiosum in soybean fields, a density of 25.6 parasitoids per host egg, divided into 117 sites per hectare, should be used.

Aspisoma lineatum (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) Firefly: Description of the Immatures, Biological, and Ecological Aspects

(Gyllenhal) is a common firefly in the Southeastern region of Brazil. Adults and larvae were collected in the municipality of Campinas, state of So Paulo, Brazil, and the immature stages were described and reared in the laboratory. Four generations were reproduced in the laboratory, and a method for its rearing was established. The life cycle usually lasts 6 months, but under optimal laboratory conditions, it lasted from 2 to 4 months. Larvae were fed with and snails since the beginning of the larval stage. This species was found to be easily adapted to environments under anthropic influence, such as urban areas and farms.

In Vitro Schistosomicidal Activity of Some Brazilian Cerrado Species and Their Isolated Compounds

Miconia langsdorffii Cogn. (Melastomataceae), Roupala montana Aubl. (Proteaceae), Struthanthus syringifolius (Mart.) (Loranthaceae), and Schefflera vinosa (Cham. & Schltdl.) Frodin (Araliaceae) are plant species from the Brazilian Cerrado whose schistosomicidal potential has not yet been described. The crude extracts, fractions, the triterpenes betulin, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and the flavonoids quercetin 3-O-beta-D-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside and isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside were evaluated in vitro against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms and the bioactive n-hexane fractions of the mentioned species were also analyzed by GC-MS. Betulin was able to cause worm death percentage values of 25% after 120 h (at 100 mu M), and 25% and 50% after 24 and 120 h (at 200 mu M), respectively; besides the flavonoid quercetin 3-O-beta-D-rhamnoside promoted 25% of death of the parasites at 100 mu M. Farther the flavonoids quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside and quercetin 3-O-beta-D-rhamnoside at 100 mu M exhibited significantly reduction in motor activity, 75% and 87.5%, respectively. Biological results indicated that crude extracts of R. montana, S. vinosa, and M. langsdorffii and some n-hexane and EtOAc fractions of this species were able to induce worm death to some extent. The results suggest that lupane-type triterpenes and flavonoid monoglycosides should be considered for further antiparasites studies.

THE CONVERSION OF THE ATLANTIC FOREST IN ANTHROPOGENIC LANDSCAPES: LESSONS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OF TROPICAL FORESTS

The Brazilian Atlantic forest has been an excellent laboratory for investigations regarding tropical forest ecology and the fragility of tropical ecosystems in face of human disturbances. In this article, we present a synthesis about the spatial distribution of Atlantic forest biodiversity and forest response to human disturbances, as well as the ongoing conservation efforts based on a review of several investigations in this biota. In general, studies have documented an uneven distribution of biodiversity throughout the Atlantic forest region, revealing alarming rates of habitat loss at low altitudes, while protected areas concentrate at higher altitudes. It has been suggested that the remaining forest habitat is moving towards an early-successional systems across human-modified landscapes. Such regressive forest succession increases the threats for several animals and plant groups. Based on these findings, we propose seven guidelines in order to enhance the provision of ecosystem services and the conservation value of human-modified landscapes, reducing the species extinction risk in the Atlantic forest and in other irreplaceable tropical biotas.

Morphology and biological aspects of Gundlachia ticaga from SE Brazil (Gastropoda: Basommatophora: Ancylidae)

Some aspects of the biology, reproduction and morphology of Gundlachia ticaga (MARCUS & MARCUS 1962) were studied and compared with literature data. A sample of similar to 100 specimens, collected in a darn in Ribeirao Preto, were maintained in Petri dishes at the laboratory during a period no longer than a month. The oviposition, number of capsules, and incubation time of eggs were registered for each individual. A morphologic study was carried out in both, alive and fixed specimens. Although some morphological discrepancies were identified, the majority of data confirms what was previously described for the species. Regarding the biology, however, the results were somewhat different from those previously reported. The incubation time of the eggs varied from 10 to 13 days, and the number of embryos in the interior of the ovigerous capsules varied from 1 to 4. In addition, each individual laid 9 eggs during the first month of the reproductive period. The formation of septa occurred in some animals and intermediary phases are figured.

On the formation of carbonate adducts of fatty alcohols, sterols, and sugars in biological conditions

The formation and properties of carbonate adducts of some organic hydroxy compounds in aqueous medium were investigated. Fatty alcohols and sugars were chosen as representative classes of biological interest, and the medium was carbonated aqueous solution with pH ranging from 3.0 to 8.3. Capillary electrophoresis with two capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detectors (C4Ds) was used for quantitation and to obtain the mobility of the monoalkyl carbonates (MACs), which were used to determine the equilibrium and kinetic constants of the reaction as well as the diffusion coefficients. For increasing chain length of the alcohols, the equilibrium constant tends to the unit, which suggests that fatty alcohols can form the corresponding MACs. The formation of MACs for cyclohexanol and cyclopentanol also suggest the existence of similar species for sterols. Carbonate adducts of fructose, glucose, and sucrose were also detected, which suggests that these counterparts of the well-known phosphates can also occur in the cytosol. Our calculations suggest that one in 1000 to one in 10 000 molecules of these hydroxy compounds would be available as the corresponding MAC in such a medium. Experiments carried out at pH values less than 3.0 showed that there is a catalytic effect of hydronium on the interconversion of bicarbonate and a MAC. Taking into account the great number of hydroxy compounds similar to the ones investigated and that bicarbonate is ubiquitous in living cells, one can anticipate the existence of a whole new class of carbonate adducts of these metabolites.

Schistosomicidal evaluation of flavonoids from two species of Styrax against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms

Context: Schistosomiasis is a major health problem worldwide. Thus, the search for new schistosomicidal agents from natural sources can provide prototypes for drug discovery. Objective: The present study investigated the chemical composition of the EtOAc fractions of Styrax pohlii Pohl (Styracaceae) (EF-SP) aerial parts and S. camporum A. DC. leaves (EF-SC), as well as schistosomicidal activities against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms, which have not yet been studied. Materials and methods: The crude ethanol extracts of S. camporum leaves and S. pohlii aerial parts (EE-SC and EE-SP) were partitioned with n-hexane, EtOAc, and n-BuOH. The EtOAc fractions were purified by preparative HPLC. The crude extracts, EtOAc fractions and pure compounds were tested against S. mansoni adult worms in vitro. Results: The purification procedure resulted in the isolation of kaempferol-3-O-(2 '',4 ''-di-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), kaempferol-3-O-(2 '',6 ''-di-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), quercetin (3), and kaempferol (4). The bioassay results indicated that EE-SC, EF-SC, EF-SP, and compounds 2 and 4 are able to separate coupled S. mansoni adult worms. Additionally, EE-SC, EF-SP, and compound 4 killed the adult schistosomes in vitro at 100 mu g/mL and 100 mu M. Discussion and conclusion: This is the first time that the presence of compounds 1-2 in S. pohlii and 3-4 in S. camporum has been reported. Additionally, biological results indicated that S. pohlii and S. camporum have great potential as a source of active compounds.

A new species of spider fly in the genus Sabroskya Schlinger from Malawi, with a key to Acrocerinae world genera (Diptera, Acroceridae)

In this paper we diagnose the genus Sabroskya Schlinger, 1960 and describe Sabroskya schlingeri sp. n. from Malawi. We also provide dichotomous keys to species of Sabroskya and to world genera of the subfamily Acrocerinae, both extant and extinct.

Diversification in the use of resources by Idarnes species: bypassing functional constraints in the fig-fig wasp interaction

Mutualisms such as the figfig wasp mutualism are generally exploited by parasites. We demonstrate that amongst nonpollinating fig wasps (NPFWs) parasitic on Ficus citrifolia, a species of Idarnes galls flowers and another species feeds on galls induced by other wasps killing their larvae. The galling wasp inserts its ovipositor through the fig wall into the fig cavity. The ovipositor then follows a sinuous path and is introduced through the stigma and style of the flower. The egg is deposited between the integument and nucellus, in the exact location where the pollinating mutualistic wasp would have laid its egg. Gall induction is a complex process. In contrast, the path followed by the ovipositor of the other species is straightforward: attacking a larva within a developed gall poses different constraints. Shifts in feeding regime have occurred repeatedly in NPFWs. Monitoring traits associated with such repeated evolutionary shifts may help understand underlying functional constraints. (c) 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 106, 114122.

Mapping the biosphere: exploring species to understand the origin, organization and sustainability of biodiversity

The time is ripe for a comprehensive mission to explore and document Earth's species. This calls for a campaign to educate and inspire the next generation of professional and citizen species explorers, investments in cyber-infrastructure and collections to meet the unique needs of the producers and consumers of taxonomic information, and the formation and coordination of a multi-institutional, international, transdisciplinary community of researchers, scholars and engineers with the shared objective of creating a comprehensive inventory of species and detailed map of the biosphere. We conclude that an ambitious goal to describe 10 million species in less than 50 years is attainable based on the strength of 250 years of progress, worldwide collections, existing experts, technological innovation and collaborative teamwork. Existing digitization projects are overcoming obstacles of the past, facilitating collaboration and mobilizing literature, data, images and specimens through cyber technologies. Charting the biosphere is enormously complex, yet necessary expertise can be found through partnerships with engineers, information scientists, sociologists, ecologists, climate scientists, conservation biologists, industrial project managers and taxon specialists, from agrostologists to zoophytologists. Benefits to society of the proposed mission would be profound, immediate and enduring, from detection of early responses of flora and fauna to climate change to opening access to evolutionary designs for solutions to countless practical problems. The impacts on the biodiversity, environmental and evolutionary sciences would be transformative, from ecosystem models calibrated in detail to comprehensive understanding of the origin and evolution of life over its 3.8 billion year history. The resultant cyber-enabled taxonomy, or cybertaxonomy, would open access to biodiversity data to developing nations, assure access to reliable data about species, and change how scientists and citizens alike access, use and think about biological diversity information.

Biological invasions and the acoustic niche: the effect of bullfrog calls on the acoustic signals of white-banded tree frogs

Invasive species are known to affect native species in a variety of ways, but the effect of acoustic invaders has not been examined previously. We simulated an invasion of the acoustic niche by exposing calling native male white-banded tree frogs (Hypsiboas albomarginatus) to recorded invasive American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) calls. In response, tree frogs immediately shifted calls to significantly higher frequencies. In the post-stimulus period, they continued to use higher frequencies while also decreasing signal duration. Acoustic signals are the primary basis of mate selection in many anurans, suggesting that such changes could negatively affect the reproductive success of native species. The effects of bullfrog vocalizations on acoustic communities are expected to be especially severe due to their broad frequency band, which masks the calls of multiple species simultaneously.

Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatography method for quantification of egonol and homoegonol in Styrax species

Styrax camporum Pohl, known in Brazil as estoraque do campo or cuia de brejo, has been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The therapeutic action of S. camporum has been attributed to the ethyl acetate fraction, although the chemical composition of this fraction has not yet been analyzed. In this study, a high-performance liquid chromatography photodiode array detection (HPLC-PAD) method for analysis of Brazilian Styrax species has been developed. The compounds egonol (1) and homoegonol (2) were found to be present in all the samples investigated by HPLC. These compounds were isolated by open column chromatography followed by preparative TLC, and were identified by 1H NMR. Compounds 1 and 2 were thus proposed as phytochemical markers for Styrax, owing to their biological properties and presence in other Styrax species. The developed method has been validated and successfully applied for quantification of 1 and 2 in S. camporum dried leaves and crude ethanolic extracts from S. ferrugineus and S. pohlii aerial parts. Copyright (c) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.