Morphometry and morphology of fish otoliths on the coast of the state of Maranhão, Brazil.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the biometric relationships between the species Bagre bagre, Lutjanus synagris and Nebris microps and their otoliths. The relationship between the size of the otolith (length and weight) and the size of the fish (standard length and total weight) was determined using the linear regression model (y = a + bx). For the morphological description, the otoliths of three specimens were selected by standard length class (10mm). The morphological characters analyzed were chosen according to traditional literature. Three hundred eight specimens of B. bagre, 200 of L. synagris and 237 of N. microps were analyzed. Throughout the collection period, the source of the capture of individuals was the municipality of Raposa. The linear correlations for fish and otolith length for B. bagre were 0.9129 and 0.9652, respectively. For L. synagris, the coefficients were 0.8634 and 0.8672, while for N. microps, 0.9597 and 0.8636, respectively. The morphological classification of L. synagris and N. microps is of the Saggita type, and the B. bagre species is of the Lapillus type. From the data presented here, it is possible to observe that otolith morphometric and morphological data can serve as a parameter to estimate the relationship between the fish and the otolith in terms of its biomass and the length of an individual and a population.

Rhodnius prolixus: from physiology by Wigglesworth to recent studies of immune system modulation by Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli.

This review is dedicated to the memory of Professor Sir Vincent B. Wigglesworth (VW) in recognition of his many pioneering contributions to insect physiology which, even today, form the basis of modern-day research in this field. Insects not only make vital contributions to our everyday lives by their roles in pollination, balancing eco-systems and provision of honey and silk products, but they are also outstanding models for studying the pathogenicity of microorganisms and the functioning of innate immunity in humans. In this overview, the immune system of the triatomine bug, Rhodnius prolixus, is considered which is most appropriate to this dedication as this insect species was the favourite subject of VW's research. Herein are described recent developments in knowledge of the functioning of the R. prolixus immune system. Thus, the roles of the cellular defences, such as phagocytosis and nodule formation, as well as the role of eicosanoids, ecdysone, antimicrobial peptides, reactive oxygen and nitrogen radicals, and the gut microbiota in the immune response of R. prolixus are described. The details of many of these were unknown to VW although his work gives indications of his awareness of the importance to R. prolixus of cellular immunity, antibacterial activity, prophenoloxidase and the gut microbiota. This description of R. prolixus immunity forms a backdrop to studies on the interaction of the parasitic flagellates, Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli, with the host defences of this important insect vector. These parasites remarkably utilize different strategies to avoid/modulate the triatomine immune response in order to survive in the extremely hostile host environments present in the vector gut and haemocoel. Much recent information has also been gleaned on the remarkable diversity of the immune system in the R. prolixus gut and its interaction with trypanosome parasites. This new data is reviewed and gaps in our knowledge of R. prolixus immunity are identified as subjects for future endeavours. Finally, the publication of the T. cruzi, T. rangeli and R. prolixus genomes, together with the use of modern molecular techniques, should lead to the enhanced identification of the determinants of infection derived from both the vector and the parasites which, in turn, could form targets for new molecular-based control strategies.

Physalin B inhibits Rhodnius prolixus hemocyte phagocytosis and microaggregation by the activation of endogenous PAF-acetyl hydrolase activities.

The effects of physalin B (a natural secosteroidal chemical from Physalis angulata, Solanaceae) on phagocytosis and microaggregation by hemocytes of 5th-instar larvae of Rhodnius prolixus were investigated. In this insect, hemocyte phagocytosis and microaggregation are known to be induced by the platelet-activating factor (PAF) or arachidonic acid (AA) and regulated by phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and PAF-acetyl hydrolase (PAF-AH) activities. Phagocytic activity and formation of hemocyte microaggregates by Rhodnius hemocytes were strongly blocked by oral treatment of this insect with physalin B (1mug/mL of blood meal). The inhibition induced by physalin B was reversed for both phagocytosis and microaggregation by exogenous arachidonic acid (10microg/insect) or PAF (1microg/insect) applied by hemocelic injection. Following treatment with physalin B there were no significant alterations in PLA(2) activities, but a significant enhancement of PAF-AH was observed. These results show that physalin B inhibits hemocytic activity by depressing insect PAF analogous (iPAF) levels in hemolymph and confirm the role of PAF-AH in the cellular immune reactions in R. prolixus.

Immune depression in Rhodnius prolixus by seco-steroids, physalins.

A comparative study of the effects of physalins, seco-steroidal substances of Physalis angulata (Solanaceae), on the immune reactions of R. prolixus was carried out. Ecdysis and mortality were not affected by treatment with physalins B, D, F or G (1-10 microg/ml of blood meal). R. prolixus larvae fed with blood containing physalins and inoculated with 1 microl of Enterobacter cloacae beta12 (5 x 10(3)/insect) exhibited mortality rates three times higher than controls. The insects treated with physalin B, and F (1 microg/ml) and inoculated with E. cloacae beta12 showed significant differences on lysozyme activity in the hemolymph compared to untreated insects. Furthermore, physalin D (1 microg/ml) significantly reduced the antibacterial activity. Concerning cellular immune reactions, all insects treated with physalins (1 microg/ml), exhibited drastic reductions in the quantity of yeast cell-hemocyte binding and subsequent internalization. Insects inoculated with bacteria and treated with physalins B, F and G showed reductions of microaggregate formation but physalin D did not. Physalins B and F also reduced total hemocyte count in the hemolymph. These results suggest that, in different ways, probably due to their different chemical structures, physalin B, D, F and G are immunomodulatory substances for the bloodsucking insect, R. prolixus.

Salt stress response and proline accumulation in Brachiaria humidicola plants with and without mycorrhizal inoculation.

The work was carried out to investigate the effects of different concentrations of NaCl on Brachiaria humidicola Rendle in the presence and absence of Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdemann, as well as to evaluate some growth parameters and the accumulation of free proline in the plant leaves. The soil used was a Neosoil Fluvic Eutrophic with pH of 6.5, organic matter, 12.8 g kg-1 and soil texture, sandy loam, in which Brachiaria humidicola Rendle cv. 409 was grown. Five NaCl concentrations were tested 0; 0.22; 1.09; 1.96 and 2.84 g. kg-1 of soil, whose electrical conductivity (EC) were 2.22; 4.00; 8.13; 12.53 and 16.50 dS m-1, respectively. Brachiaria humidicola showed salt tolerance when submitted to an EC of 4 dS m-1. There was a reduction of leaf area, dry matter of shoots and roots for the soil treatments beyond EC at 8 dS m-1. Free proline content in the leaves increased together with the increase in soil salinity (EC at 8 dS m-1) demonstrating that plants submitted to EC of 2 and 4 dS m-1 were less affected by salt stress, and consequently accumulated less proline in the leaves. Root colonization was not affected by the increase of NaCl dosage in the soil.

Salt stress response and proline accumulation in Brachiaria humidicola plants with and without mycorrhizal inoculation

The work was carried out to investigate the effects of different concentrations of NaCl on Brachiaria humidicola Rendle in the presence and absence of Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdemann, as well as to evaluate some growth parameters and the accumulation of free proline in the plant leaves. The soil used was a Neosoil Fluvic Eutrophic with pH of 6.5, organic matter, 12.8 g kg-1 and soil texture, sandy loam, in which Brachiaria humidicola Rendle cv. 409 was grown. Five NaCl concentrations were tested 0; 0.22; 1.09; 1.96 and 2.84 g. kg-1 of soil, whose electrical conductivity (EC) were 2.22; 4.00; 8.13; 12.53 and 16.50 dS m-1, respectively. Brachiaria humidicola showed salt tolerance when submitted to an EC of 4 dS m-1. There was a reduction of leaf area, dry matter of shoots and roots for the soil treatments beyond EC at 8 dS m-1. Free proline content in the leaves increased together with the increase in soil salinity (EC at 8 dS m-1) demonstrating that plants submitted to EC of 2 and 4 dS m-1 were less affected by salt stress, and consequently accumulated less proline in the leaves. Root colonization was not affected by the increase of NaCl dosage in the soil.(AU)

Salt stress response and proline accumulation in Brachiaria humidicola plants with and without mycorrhizal inoculation

The work was carried out to investigate the effects of different concentrations of NaCl on Brachiaria humidicola Rendle in the presence and absence of Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdemann, as well as to evaluate some growth parameters and the accumulation of free proline in the plant leaves. The soil used was a Neosoil Fluvic Eutrophic with pH of 6.5, organic matter, 12.8 g kg-1 and soil texture, sandy loam, in which Brachiaria humidicola Rendle cv. 409 was grown. Five NaCl concentrations were tested 0; 0.22; 1.09; 1.96 and 2.84 g. kg-1 of soil, whose electrical conductivity (EC) were 2.22; 4.00; 8.13; 12.53 and 16.50 dS m-1, respectively. Brachiaria humidicola showed salt tolerance when submitted to an EC of 4 dS m-1. There was a reduction of leaf area, dry matter of shoots and roots for the soil treatments beyond EC at 8 dS m-1. Free proline content in the leaves increased together with the increase in soil salinity (EC at 8 dS m-1) demonstrating that plants submitted to EC of 2 and 4 dS m-1 were less affected by salt stress, and consequently accumulated less proline in the leaves. Root colonization was not affected by the increase of NaCl dosage in the soil.

Salt stress response and proline accumulation in Brachiaria humidicola plants with and without mycorrhizal inoculation.

The work was carried out to investigate the effects of different concentrations of NaCl on Brachiaria humidicola Rendle in the presence and absence of Glomus etunicatum Becker and Gerdemann, as well as to evaluate some growth parameters and the accumulation of free proline in the plant leaves. The soil used was a Neosoil Fluvic Eutrophic with pH of 6.5, organic matter, 12.8 g kg-1 and soil texture, sandy loam, in which Brachiaria humidicola Rendle cv. 409 was grown. Five NaCl concentrations were tested 0; 0.22; 1.09; 1.96 and 2.84 g. kg-1 of soil, whose electrical conductivity (EC) were 2.22; 4.00; 8.13; 12.53 and 16.50 dS m-1, respectively. Brachiaria humidicola showed salt tolerance when submitted to an EC of 4 dS m-1. There was a reduction of leaf area, dry matter of shoots and roots for the soil treatments beyond EC at 8 dS m-1. Free proline content in the leaves increased together with the increase in soil salinity (EC at 8 dS m-1) demonstrating that plants submitted to EC of 2 and 4 dS m-1 were less affected by salt stress, and consequently accumulated less proline in the leaves. Root colonization was not affected by the increase of NaCl dosage in the soil.