Flora arbustivo-arbórea do fragmento de floresta estacional semidecidual do Ribeirão Cachoeira, município de Campinas, SP

An inventory of the woody flora (trees and shrubs), was carried out in the Ribeirão Cachoeria forest (233.7ha, 650m high, 46°55'58''W, 22°50'13''S), the second largest and best conserved fragment of semideciduous tropical forest in the municipality of Campinas, São Paulo state, Southeastern Brazil. The soil is a red-yellow podsol and the climate is of Köppen's Cwag type. Collections were made from August/1996 to September/1997. Only fertile individuals with a perimeter at breast height of 9cm or greater were included in the survey. One hyndred and seventhy five species were identified, belonging to 119 genera and 49 families. The most important families were Myrtaceae (14 species), Rutaceae and Fabaceae (13), Caesalpiniaceae (11), Solanaceae (9), and Rubiaceae (8). Some species were found for the first time in the region: Tachigali multijuga Benth. and Schoepfia brasiliensis A.DC. The flowering peak for most species was from August to October. Maximum fruit production was from August to November. Most species are zoochoric (58%), but 23% were anemochoric and 19% autochoric. The floristic composition of this forest and another 20 forests from São Paulo state were compared. The results obtained indicate the existence of distinct groups of forests. The most homogeneus group contains forests from the municipality of Campinas with similarity of 40%. This suggests that these forests are possibly fragments of a original continuous forest in the Campinas region.

Flora e aspectos auto-ecológicos de um encrave de cerrado na chapada do Araripe, Nordeste do Brasil

This study subject to investigate the floristic composition and richness, the reproductive phenological patterns, the dispersal syndromes and life forms of species of a disjunt cerrado in semiarid climate at Araripe plateau during a one year period. We found 107 species and 41 families. Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Poaceae, Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Malpighiaceae showed the largest number of species. For 47 of the woody species found, we studied the geographical distribution based on 27 papers of the Brazilian cerrados. Twelve species are of widespread occurence in the cerrado, and 13 are restricted to the Araripe plateau. Zoocory, autocory, and anemocory are the predominant syndromes of dispersal. The predominant life forms were phanerophytes (50.7%), hemicriptophytes (14.9%) and camephytes (13.1%). The cerrado of Araripe have lower species richness than continous cerrados, but a similar pattern of reproductive phenology, dispersal syndromes and life forms in more humid zones.

Flora arbórea da bacia do rio Tibagi (Paraná, Brasil): Celastrales sensu Cronquist

A study of the tree species of the order Celastrales sensu Cronquist from the Tibagi river basin, Paraná state, Brazil, is presented, based on herbarium material. This basin is subdivided into three zones, from north to south: lower Tibagi (BT), mid Tibagi (MT) and upper Tibagi (AT), each with different environmental conditions and vegetation types. The order Celastrales is represented in the basin by 15 tree species belonging to three families: Aquifoliaceae, Celastraceae and Icacinaceae. Icacinaceae has only two species, Citronella gongonha and C. paniculata. The former is distinguished by a glabrous ovary and leaves that usually bear thorns. Aquifoliaceae has six species: Ilex brasiliensis, I. brevicuspis, I. chamaedryfolia, I. dumosa, I. paraguariensis and I. theezans. These species are found mainly in AT and MT and are distinguished by leaf size, indument, apices and margins, and by sepal features. Celastrales is represented by seven species and two genera; Plenckia populnea, a Brazilian savannah species found only in MT, and six species of Maytenus (M. evonymoides, M. robusta, M. dasyclada, M. salicifolia, M. ilicifolia and M. aquifolia) distinguished by leaf size and margins, branch shape and number of flowers per inflorescence.

Educação fisica na educação infantil : a realidade nas secretarias municipais de educação de Belem-PA, Macapa-AP, Palmas-TO e Rio Branco-AC

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Uma nova espécie de Mezilaurus Taubert (Lauraceae) para a flora brasileira

É descrita e ilustrada uma nova espécie de Mezilaurus Taubert (Lauraceae): Mezilaurus vanderwerffii F.M. Alves & J.B. Baitello, caracterizada por folhas densamente dotadas de pontoações glandulares na face adaxial. A espécie é relatada para o Cerrado, Cerradão, e Floresta Estacional Semidecidual do entorno do Pantanal Matogrossense.

Sequential increase in Egr-1 and AP-1 DNA binding activity in the dentate gyrus following the induction of long-term potentiation

Establishment of long-term potentiation (LTP) at perforant path synapses is highly correlated with increased expression of Egr and AP-1 transcription factors in rat dentate gyrus granule cells. We have investigated whether increased transcription factor levels are reflected in increased transcription factor activity by assessing Egr and AP-I DNA binding activity using gel shift assays. LTP produced an increase in binding to the Egr element, which was NMDA receptor-dependent and correlated closely with our previously reported increase in Egr-1 (zif/268) protein levels. Supershift analysis confirmed involvement of Egr-1, but not Egr-2 in the DNA binding activity. AP-1 DNA binding was also rapidly elevated in parallel with protein levels, however, the peak increase in activity was delayed until 4 h, a time point when we have previously shown that only jun-D protein was elevated. These data indicate that binding of Egr-1 and AP-1 to their response elements is increased in two phases. This may result in activation of distinct banks of target genes which contribute to the establishment of persistent LTP. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Identification of a minimal promoter sequence for the human N-acetyltransferase Type I gene that binds AP-1 (activator protein 1) and YY-1 (Yin and Yang 1)

Human N-acetyltransferase Type I (NAT1) catalyses the acetylation of many aromatic amine and hydrazine compounds and it has been implicated in the catabolism of folic acid. The enzyme is widely expressed in the body, although there are considerable differences in the level of activity between tissues. A search of the mRNA databases revealed the presence of several NAT1 transcripts in human tissue that appear to be derived from different promoters. Because little is known about NAT1 gene regulation, the present study was undertaken to characterize one of the putative promoter sequences of the NAT1 gene located just upstream of the coding region. We show with reverse-transcriptase PCR that mRNA transcribed from this promoter (Promoter 1) is present in a variety of human cell-lines, but not in quiescent peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Using deletion mutant constructs, we identified a 20 bp sequence located 245 bases upstream of the translation start site which was sufficient for basal NAT1 expression. It comprised an AP-1 (activator protein 1)-binding site, flanked on either side by a TCATT motif. Mutational analysis showed that the AP-1 site and the 3' TCATT sequence were necessary for gene expression, whereas the 5' TCATT appeared to attenuate promoter activity. Electromobility shift assays revealed two specific bands made up by complexes of c-Fos/Fra, c-Jun, YY-1 (Yin and Yang 1) and possibly Oct-1. PMA treatment enhanced expression from the NAT1 promoter via the AP-1-binding site. Furthermore, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, PMA increased endogenous NAT1 activity and induced mRNA expression from Promoter I, suggesting that it is functional in vivo.

Radiation of the Australian flora: What can comparisons of molecular phylogenies across multiple taxa tell us about the evolution of diversity in present-day communities?

The Australian fossil record shows that from ca. 25 Myr ago, the aseasonal-wet biome (rainforest and wet heath) gave way to the unique Australian sclerophyll biomes dominated by eucalypts, acacias and casuarinas. This transition coincided with tectonic isolation of Australia, leading to cooler, drier, more seasonal climates. From 3 Myr ago, aridification caused rapid opening of the central Australian and zone. Molecular phylogenies with dated nodes have provided new perspectives on how these events could have affected the evolution of the Australian flora. During the Mid-Cenozoic (25-10 Myr ago) period of climatic change, there were rapid radiations in sclerophyll taxa, such as Banksia, eucalypts, pea-flowered legumes and Allocasuarina. At the same time, taxa restricted to the aseasonal-wet biome (Nothofagus, Podocarpaceae and Araucariaceae) did not radiate or were depleted by extinction. During the Pliocene aridification, two Eremean biome taxa (Lepidium and Chenopodiaceae) radiated rapidly after dispersing into Australia from overseas. It is clear that the biomes have different histories. Lineages in the aseasonal-wet biome are species poor, with sister taxa that are species rich, either outside Australia or in the sclerophyll biomes. In conjunction with the fossil record, this indicates depletion of the Australian aseasonal-wet biome from the Mid-Cenozoic. In the sclerophyll biomes, there have been multiple exchanges between the southwest and southeast, rather than single large endemic radiations after a vicariance event. There is need for rigorous molecular phylogenetic studies so that additional questions can be addressed, such as how interactions between biomes may have driven the speciation process during radiations. New studies should include the hither-to neglected monsoonal tropics.

AP-1 and Egr DNA-binding activities are increased in rat brain during ethanol withdrawal

The DNA-binding activities of AP-1 and Egr proteins were investigated in nuclear extracts of rat brain regions during ethanol withdrawal. Both DNA-binding activities were transiently elevated in the hippocampus and cerebellum 16 h after withdrawal. In the cerebral cortex, AP-1 and Egr DNA-binding activities increased at 16 h and persisted until 32 and 72 h, respectively. The AP-1 DNA-binding activities in all regions at all times after withdrawal were composed of FosB, c-Jun, JunB, and JunD. c-Fos was detected at all times in the cerebral cortex, at 16 h only in the hippocampus, and from 16 to 72 h in the cerebellum. Withdrawal severity did not affect the composition of the AP-1 DNA-binding activities. Two Egr DNA-binding activities were present in the cortex and hippocampus. The faster-migrating complex predominated in hippocampus, and only the slower-migrating complex (identified as Egr-1) was present in the cerebellum. The increase in DNA-binding activity of immediate early gene-encoded transcription factors supports their proposed role in initiating a cascade of altered gene expression underlying the long-term neuronal response to ethanol withdrawal.

Expression of transcription factors NF-kappa B and AP-1 in nasal polyposis

Background The treatment and prognosis of nasal polyposis (NP) may be influenced by transcription factors, but their expression is poorly understood. Objective To determine the expression of transcription factors [(nuclear factor-kappa B) NF-kappa B and (activator protein) AP-1], cytokines [IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and (granulocytes and macrophage colony-stimulating factor) GM-CSF], growth factor (b-FGF), chemokine (eotaxin-2) and adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) in NP in comparison with nasal mucosa controls. Methods Cross-sectional study. Twenty biopsies of nasal polyps were compared with eight middle turbinate biopsies. p65, c-Fos, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, ICAM-1, b-FGF, eotaxin-2 and GM-CSF were analysed through RQ-PCR, and p65 and c-Fos were also analysed through Western blotting. Results NF-kappa B expression was increased in patients with NP when compared with control mucosa (P < 0.05), whereas AP-1 expression did not differ significantly between groups. Expressions of IL-1 beta, eotaxin-2 and b-FGF were also increased in patients with NP compared with controls (P < 0.05). Conclusions The transcription factor NF-kappa B is more expressed in NP than in control mucosa. This is important in NP because NF-kappa B can induce the transcription of cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules, which play an important role in the inflammatory process. Moreover, transcription factors influence the response to corticosteroids, which are the basis of NP treatment. Transcription factor AP-1 does not seem to have a significant role in the pathological process.

Marine macroalgal biodiversity hotspots: why is there high species richness and endemism in southern Australian marine benthic flora?

The southern Australian marine macroalgal flora has the highest levels of species richness and endemism of any regional macroalgal flora in the world. Analyses of species composition and distributions for the southern Australian flora have identified four different floristic elements, namely the southern Australian endemic element, the widely distributed temperate element, the tropical element and a cold water element. Within the southern Australian endemic element, four species distribution patterns are apparent, thought to largely result from the Jurassic to Oligocene fragmentation of East Gondwana, the subsequent migration of Tethyan ancestors from the west Australian coast and the later invasion of high latitude Pacific species. Climatic deterioration from the late Eocene to the present is thought responsible for the replacement of the previous tropical south coast flora by an endemic temperate flora which has subsequently diversified in response to fluctuating environmental conditions, abundant rocky substrata and substantial habitat heterogeneity. High levels of endemism are attributed to Australia's long isolation and maintained, as is the high species richness, by the lack of recent mass extinction events. The warm water Leeuwin Current has had profound influence in the region since the Eocene, flowing to disperse macroalgal species onto the south coast as well as ameliorating the local environment. It is now evident that the high species richness and endemism we now observe in the southern Australian marine macroalgal flora can be attributed to a complex interaction of biogeographical, ecological and phylogenetic processes over the last 160 million years.

A hist??ria de Henrique: quando as habilidades de l??der s??o testadas ap??s a ascens??o profissional

Henrique, funcion??rio antigo de um importante programa governamental, ?? promovido ao mais alto cargo do programa. Devido a algumas posi????es e a????es ortodoxas, colegas e superiores come??aram a questionar o estilo e as iniciativas de Henrique. Ele, por sua vez, ao identificar as cr??ticas, voltou-se para fora da institui????o, transformando-se em ???embaixador do programa???, com viagens semanais e cada vez mais ausente. Seus subordinados tamb??m come??aram a se queixar e o Ministro finalmente mostrou insatisfa????o a respeito. Ao final do caso, prop??e-se um exerc??cio de avalia????o sobre as habilidades de Henrique