Variation in nitrogen use strategies and photosynthetic pathways among vascular epiphytes in the Brazilian Central Amazon

The variation in nitrogen use strategies and photosynthetic pathways among vascular epiphyte families was addressed in a white-sand vegetation in the Brazilian Central Amazon. Foliar nitrogen and carbon concentrations and their isotopic composition (δ15N and δ13C, respectively) were measured in epiphytes (Araceae, Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae) and their host trees. The host tree Aldina heterophylla had higher foliar N concentration and lower C:N ratio (2.1 ± 0.06% and 23.6 ± 0.8) than its dwellers. Tree foliar δ15N differed only from that of the orchids. Comparing the epiphyte families, the aroids had the highest foliar N concentration and lowest C:N ratios (1.4 ± 0.1% and 34.9 ± 4.2, respectively). The orchids had more negative foliar δ15N values (-3.5 ± 0.2‰) than the aroids (-1.9 ± 0.7‰) and the bromeliads (-1.1 ± 0.6‰). Within each family, aroid and orchid taxa differed in relation to foliar N concentrations and C:N ratios, whereas no internal variation was detected within bromeliads. The differences in foliar δ15N observed herein seem to be related to the differential reliance on the available N sources for epiphytes, as well as to the microhabitat quality within the canopy. In relation to epiphyte foliar δ13C, the majority of epiphytes use the water-conserving CAM-pathway (δ13C values around -17‰), commonly associated with plants that live under limited and intermittent water supply. Only the aroids and one orchid taxon indicated the use of C3-pathway (δ13C values around -30‰).

Composição florística e estrutura do componente epifítico vascular em floresta da planície litorânea na Ilha do Mel, Paraná, Brasil

O estudo das epífitas vasculares foi realizado em uma área de 3.000 m² de floresta na planície litorânea na Ilha do Mel (25°30’ S 48°23’ W); o levantamento qualitativo foi realizado em toda a área; para o estudo quantitativo, foram sorteados 100 forófitos, divididos em intervalos de 2 m a partir do solo. Em cada intervalo, registraram-se todas as espécies epifíticas ocorrentes, sendo estimado o valor de importância epifítico a partir das freqüências nos estratos, nos forófitos e nas espécies forofíticas. No levantamento total, foram encontradas 77 espécies (16 de Pteridophyta, 53 de Liliopsida e 8 de Magnoliopsida), das quais 70 foram amostradas nos forófitos analisados. As famílias mais ricas foram Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae e Polypodiaceae e os gêneros foram Vriesea, Encyclia e Maxillaria. A área com maior similaridade florística com este estudo localiza-se no Município de Torres (RS). As espécies mais importantes quantitativamente foram Microgramma vaccinifolia, Codonanthe gracilis, Epidendrum latilabre e E. rigidum. As espécies amostradas foram agrupadas em três categorias quanto à preferência por intervalos de altura: exclusivas, preferenciais e indiferentes. O número de ocorrências de epífitos em um mesmo forófito variou de 1 a 35, enquanto o número de espécies variou de 1 a 21 (médias 14 ± 7,6 e 10 ± 4,6, respectivamente). Os primeiros estratos (0-2 m, 2-4 m e 4-6 m) foram os mais ricos em espécies epifíticas. As espécies forofíticas com maior número de ocorrências foram Andira fraxinifolia e Ternstroemia brasiliensis, e com maior número de espécies Ocotea pulchella e Guapira opposita. Quanto à fidelidade sobre espécies forofíticas, foram encontradas espécies epifíticas exclusivas, preferenciais e generalistas, esta incluindo a maioria das espécies amostradas.

Florística e estrutura do componente epifítico vascular em floresta ombrófila mista aluvial do rio Barigüi, Paraná, Brasil

O estudo das epífitas vasculares foi realizado em floresta ombrófila mista aluvial do rio Barigüi, município de Araucária (25º34' S e 49º20' W); o levantamento qualitativo foi realizado em uma área aproximada de 8,6 ha. Para o estudo quantitativo foram sorteados 110 forófitos, divididos em três estratos (fuste baixo, fuste alto e copa). Em cada estrato foram atribuídas notas de abundância para as espécies epifíticas ocorrentes. No levantamento florístico foram encontradas 49 espécies (16 de Pteridophyta, 23 de Liliopsida e 10 de Magnoliopsida), das quais 34 foram observadas na amostragem quantitativa. As famílias e gêneros mais ricos foram: Orchidaceae, Polypodiaceae e Bromeliaceae, e Pleurothallis, Tillandsia e Oncidium. As áreas de maior similaridade florística com este estudo localizam-se no município de Curitiba (PR). As espécies mais importantes quantitativamente foram Microgramma squamulosa (Kaulf.) de la Sota, Pleopeltis angusta Humb. & Bonpl. ex Kunth, Peperomia catharinae Miq. e Polypodium hirsutissimum Raddi. Em um mesmo forófito, o número de espécies ocorrentes variou de zero a 13, enquanto a soma das notas de abundância para as epífitas variou de zero a 24. A copa apresentou a maior abundância de epífitos, seguido do fuste alto e do fuste baixo.

Utilization of epiphytes by birds in a Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes constitute a great part of the vegetation biomass in Neotropical forests, offering a large variety of resources to birds. Despite their structural and ecological importance, few studies investigated the use of epiphytes by birds in the Neotropical region. We studied the bird species that exploit vascular epiphytes (and hemi-epiphytes) in an Atlantic forest site in southeastern Brazil. The resources exploited, seasonal variation in the use of epiphytes, the frequency of foraging and selectivity in epiphytes, and the relationship between the use of epiphytes and the participation in mixed-species bird flocks were investigated. After 360 h of observations along trails crossing the forest, 24 bird species (12 families) were recorded in a total of 74 events of epiphyte exploitation. Thamnophilidae (four species), Trochiliclae, Thraupidae and Furnariidae (three species) were the richest bird families in our sample, while Furnariidae and Dendrocolaptidae were the more frequently recorded families. Plants in the Bromeliaceae and Araceae families were the most abundant and more frequently exploited epiphytes. Nectar, water, nest material and invertebrates were the most frequently exploited resources, mainly from Bromeliaceae. None of the species for which we had enough data revealed to be a frequent user of epiphytes for foraging or selective to any epiphyte group. The White-eyed Foliage-gleaner (Automolus leucophthalmus; Furnariidae), a common participant of understory mixed-species flocks, exploited epiphytes more frequently when associated with mixed-species flocks. The utilization of epiphytes was opportunistic for most of the bird species recorded and occurred throughout the year with no seasonal variation.

Epifitismo vascular em duas fisionomias vegetais, floresta paludosa e floresta estacional semidecidual no município de Botucatu, estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Florística e distribuição de epífitas vasculares em floresta alta de restinga na planície litorânea da praia da fazenda, núcleo Picinguaba, parque estadual Serra do Mar, município de Ubatuba, SP

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) - IBRC

Composição florística de comunidades epifíticas vasculares em unidades de conservação no Estado de São Paulo

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) - IBRC

Florística vascular não arbórea da reserva particular do patrimônio natural Paiol Maria, São Lourenço da Serra, SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Flora vascular não-arbórea do Parque Estadual de Porto Ferreira, SP, Brasil

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) - IBRC

Epifitismo vascular em três formações vegetais distintas: mata do brejo, floresta estacional semidecidual e cerradão, pertencentes ao município de Bauru, estado de São Paulo

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Botânica) - IBB

Florística vascular não arbórea de um fragmento de floresta estacional semidecidual no munícipio de Analândia - SP

Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Vegetal) - IBRC

Vascular Pattern In Enchondroma And Chondrosarcoma: Clinical And Immunohistologic Study.

Although cartilaginous tumors have low microvascular density, vessels are important for the provision of nutrition so that the tumor can grow and generate metastasis. The aim of this study was to assess the value of the vascular pattern classification as a prognostic tool in chondrosarcomas (CSs) and its relation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. This was a retrospective study of 21 enchondromas and 57 conventional CSs. Clinical data and outcome were retrieved from medical files. CSs histologic grades (on a scale of 1 to 3) were determined according to the World Health Organization classification. The vascular pattern (on a scale of A to C) was assessed through CD34, according to Kalinski. CD105 and VEGF were also evaluated. Poor outcome was significantly associated with vascular pattern groups B and C. Higher vascular pattern were 6.5 times more frequent in moderate-grade and high-grade CSs than in grade 1 CS. On multivariate analysis, a clear correlation was found between VEGF overexpression and B/C vascular patterns. Only 18 (benign and malignant) tumors stained for CD105. The results point to the use of the vascular pattern classification as a prognostic tool in CSs and to differentiate low-grade from moderate-grade/high-grade CSs. Vascular pattern might be also used to complement histologic grade, VEGF immunostaining, and microvascular density, for indicating a patient's prognosis. Low-grade CSs develop under low neoangiogenesis, which conforms to the slow growth rate of these tumors.

Effect Of Pitavastatin On Vascular Reactivity In Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits.

Pitavastatin is the newest statin available in Brazil and likely the one with fewer side effects. Thus, pitavastatin was evaluated in hypercholesterolemic rabbits in relation to its action on vascular reactivity. To assess the lowest dose of pitavastatin necessary to reduce plasma lipids, cholesterol and tissue lipid peroxidation, as well as endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Thirty rabbits divided into six groups (n = 5): G1 - standard chow diet; G2 - hypercholesterolemic diet for 30 days; G3 - hypercholesterolemic diet and after the 16th day, diet supplemented with pitavastatin (0.1 mg); G4 - hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with pitavastatin (0.25 mg); G5 - hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with pitavastatin (0.5 mg); G6 - hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with pitavastatin (1.0 mg). After 30 days, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, glucose, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured and LDL was calculated. In-depth anesthesia was performed with sodium thiopental and aortic segments were removed to study endothelial function, cholesterol and tissue lipid peroxidation. The significance level for statistical tests was 5%. Total cholesterol and LDL were significantly elevated in relation to G1. HDL was significantly reduced in G4, G5 and G6 when compared to G2. Triglycerides, CK, AST, ALT, cholesterol and tissue lipid peroxidation showed no statistical difference between G2 and G3-G6. Significantly endothelial dysfunction reversion was observed in G5 and G6 when compared to G2. Pitavastatin starting at a 0.5 mg dose was effective in reverting endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Increases During Blood-brain Barrier-enhanced Permeability Caused By Phoneutria Nigriventer Spider Venom.

Phoneutria nigriventer spider accidental envenomation provokes neurotoxic manifestations, which when critical, results in epileptic-like episodes. In rats, P. nigriventer venom (PNV) causes blood-brain barrier breakdown (BBBb). The PNV-induced excitotoxicity results from disturbances on Na(+), K(+) and Ca(2+) channels and glutamate handling. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), beyond its angiogenic effect, also, interferes on synaptic physiology by affecting the same ion channels and protects neurons from excitotoxicity. However, it is unknown whether VEGF expression is altered following PNV envenomation. We found that adult and neonates rats injected with PNV showed immediate neurotoxic manifestations which paralleled with endothelial occludin, β-catenin, and laminin downregulation indicative of BBBb. In neonate rats, VEGF, VEGF mRNA, and Flt-1 receptors, glutamate decarboxylase, and calbindin-D28k increased in Purkinje neurons, while, in adult rats, the BBBb paralleled with VEGF mRNA, Flk-1, and calbindin-D28k increases and Flt-1 decreases. Statistically, the variable age had a role in such differences, which might be due to age-related unequal maturation of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and thus differential cross-signaling among components of the glial neurovascular unit. The concurrent increases in the VEGF/Flt-1/Flk-1 system in the cerebellar neuron cells and the BBBb following PNV exposure might imply a cytokine modulation of neuronal excitability consequent to homeostatic perturbations induced by ion channels-acting PNV neuropeptides. Whether such modulation represents neuroprotection needs further investigation.