First molecular characterization of Galba neotropica in Uruguay

Until recently, it was believed that only two lymnaeid species (i.e. Galba viatrix and Pseudosuccinea columella) occurred in Uruguay. However, based on a molecular approach, an additional species Galba cubensis, was recently discovered. The aim of this study was to molecularly characterize different lymnaeid populations from the northern region of Uruguay. The lymnaeids collections were carried out in two farms of the departments of Paysandú and Tacuarembó. The collected lymnaeids were divided in two fractions, one fraction was used for conchological analyses and detection of trematode larval stages, while the other fraction was used for molecular studies. Three PCRs targeting the 16S, ITS-2 and COI DNA regions were performed and the amplicons obtained were direct sequenced. The sequences were used for homology search and construction of phylogenetic trees by the maximum-likelihood method. The sequencing results revealed that both isolates corresponded to Galba neotropica. The phylogenetic analyses placed our isolates among the G. neotropica monophyletic group, closely related to other isolates of this species found in several South American countries. To our knowledge, this is the first record of G. neotropica in Uruguay and the confirmation as competent intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica. Further studies are needed to define the distribution and the role of each lymnaeid species in the transmission of F. hepatica in Uruguay.

Tradicionalmente se indicaba que existían dos especies de limneidos en Uruguay: Galba viatrix y Pseudosuccinea columella. Sin embargo, en los últimos años se identificó por medio de técnicas moleculares una tercera especie, Galba cubensis. El objetivo de los autores fue muestrear e identificar por medios moleculares poblaciones de limneidos del norte del país. Las colectas fueron realizadas en establecimientos rurales de los departamentos de Tacuarembó y Paysandú. Los caracoles colectados fueron divididos en dos fracciones, una de ellas fue destinada para el estudio morfológico de las conchillas y búsqueda de larvas de trematodos. La otra fracción se usó para la caracterización molecular. Tres genes fueron amplificados (ITS2, COI y 16S) utilizando protocolos de PCRs previamente descriptos. Las secuencias obtenidas se utilizaron para estudios de homología y construcción de árboles filogenéticos por medio del método de máxima verosimilitud. Por medio de la secuenciación se pudo confirmar que los dos aislamientos corresponden a Galba neotropica. Los estudios filogenéticos colocan ambos aislamientos dentro del grupo monofilético de G. neotropica junto a otros encontrados en distintas regiones de Sudamérica. Hasta lo que sabemos, el presente, es el primer registro de G. neotropica en Uruguay, además de comprobarse su capacidad para actuar como hospedero intermediario de Fasciola hepatica en condiciones de campo. Se sugieren futuros estudios para determinar la distribución y el rol de cada especie de limneido en la transmisión de F. hepatica.

Efecto cicatrizante de las diferentes formas farmacéuticas tópicas elaboradas con el extracto hidroalcohólico de juglans neotropica diels nogal en ratones albinos / Healing effect of different topic presentations formulated with hydroalcoholic extract of juglans neotropica diels nogal in albino mice

Introducción: el nogal (Juglans neotropica Diels) crece en valles de tierras profundas y arenosas, de clima templado y lluvioso, en zonas como Cusco, Arequipa y Cajamarca. El objetivo fue determinar el efecto cicatrizante de diferentes formas farmacéuticas de aplicación tópica elaboradas con el extracto hidroalcohólico de Juglans neotropica Diels en ratones albinos. Material y métodos: se usaron hojas recolectadas en la localidad de Urubamba. Se realizaron cortes de 1cm2 en el área dorsal escapular de ratones, a quienes en una primera fase del estudio se les aplicó el extracto a diferentes concentraciones (2.5%-40%), durante 21 días, luego de lo cual fueron sacrificados e inmediatamente se realizó la prueba del tensiómetro propuesto por Vaisberg. En la segunda fase, se formularon cinco formas farmacéuticas tópicas (pomada, emulsión agua en aceite (A/O), emulsión aceite en agua (O/A), pasta e hidrogel) las que se evaluaron según prueba del tensiómetro, en comparación al fármaco patrón (Cicatrin®). Resultados: la concentración mínima efectiva cicatrizante fue de 5%, encontrándose una relación concentración-cicatrización en el rango de 2.5% a 30% y una relación formulación-cicatrización, pues las presentaciones en emulsión O/A e hidrogel obtuvieron mayor resistencia a la fuerza de tensión, incluso mayor a la del fármaco patrón. Los resultados fueron corroborados con el estudio histológico. Conclusión: tanto el extracto hidroalcohólico al 5% como las formas farmacéuticas de emulsión O/A e hidrogel presentanro muy buena actividad cicatrizante.

Background: walnut (Juglans neotropica Diels) grows in deep valleys and sandy land, in temperate and rainy weather, in areas such as Cusco, Arequipa and Cajamarca. The objective was to determine the healing effect of different pharmaceutical presentations and concentrations for topical application from the hydroalcoholic extract of Juglans neotropica Diels in albino mice. Methods: we used leaves collected in the town of Urubamba. 1cm2 cuts were made in the dorsal scapular area of mice, who in the first phase of the study were administered the extract at different concentrations (2.5-40%) for 21 days, after which they were sacrificed and immediately performed the tensiometer test proposed by Vaisberg. In the second phase five topical dosage forms (ointment, water in oil (W/O) emulsion, oil in water (O/W) emulsion, pasta and hydrogel) were evaluated by tensiometer test, and assessed the effect of these forms compared with standard drug (Cicatrin®). Results: minimal effective healing concentration was 5%, with a concentration-healing effect relationship in the range of 2.5% to 30% and a presentation-healing effect relationship, since the O/A emulsion and hydrogel were more resistant to tensile strength, even higher than the standard drug. Results were corroborated by histology. Conclusion: both hydroalcoholic extract at 5% and pharmaceutical presentations O/W emulsion and hydrogel have a good healing activity.

Two new species of Leporinus Agassiz, 1829 from Araguaia-Tocantins system, Amazon basin, Brazil (Ostariophysi, Anostomidae) / Duas novas espécies de Leporinus Agassiz, 1829 do sistema hidrográfico Araguaia-Tocantins, Amazônia, Brasil (Ostariophysi, Anostomidae)

Two new species of genus Leporinus from the Araguaia-Tocantins system, Amazon, Brazil, are described. Leporinus unitaeniatus n. sp. is distinguished from the remaining species of this genus by the presence of a conspicuous longitudinal dark brown bar along the lateral line on the flanks, and Leporinus geminis n. sp. is distinguished by an inconspicuous dark bar combined with three large and vertically elongated brown blotches on the trunk; the first on the dorsal fin region, the second anterior to the adipose fin and the third on the caudal peduncle. Both are medium-sized species of the genus (up to 150 mm SL) and share the following combination of meristic characters: 4 teeth on each premaxillary and dentary; 40-43 scales in the lateral line, 6/I/5 scales on the transversal line, and 16 series of scales around the caudal peduncle. L. unitaeniatus n. sp. has a sub-terminal mouth and tooth series formed by incisive-like elongated teeth frontally turned and with only a straight cutting edge decreasing in size like the steps of stairs from the teeth pair of symphysis. Leporinus geminis n. sp. has a sub-inferior mouth and the tooth series shaped by large incisive-like teeth forming an arched cutting edge, decreasing in size from the symphysal pair of teeth.

Duas novas espécies do gênero Leporinus originárias dos rios Araguaia e Tocantins são descritas e distinguidas das demais espécies desse gênero na bacia Amazônica. Leporinus unitaeniatus sp. n., por possuir uma fina listra longitudinal castanho-escura ao longo da linha lateral e 12 a 15 barras transversais castanho-escuras sobre o dorso que não alcançam a linha lateral. Leporinus geminis sp. n., por apresentar uma larga listra longitudinal castanho-escura ao longo da linha lateral entre a vertical com origem da nadadeira pélvica e a nadadeira caudal e duas ou três largas manchas castanho-escuras verticalmente alongadas sobre o tronco: abaixo da nadadeira dorsal, na região anterior à nadadeira adiposa e sobre o pedúnculo caudal. Ambas são espécies de médio porte do gênero (em torno de 150 mm CP) e podem ser diagnosticadas pela seguinte combinação de caracteres merísticos: 4/4 dentes, 40-43 escamas na linha lateral, 6/I/5 escamas na linha transversal e 16 escamas circumpedunculares. Leporinus unitaeniatus sp. n. apresenta a abertura bucal em posição subterminal e a arcada dentária composta por dentes incisiviformes alongados de borda cortante simples, voltados para a frente e decrescendo progressivamente de tamanho a partir do par da sínfise. Leporinus geminis sp. n. se caracteriza pela posição subinferior da boca e pela arcada dentária formada por dentes incisiviformes largos, de borda cortante escavada internamente, também decrescendo em tamanho a partir da sínfise dentária.