Assessment of phytotoxicity and impact on the enzymatic activity of soil microorganisms caused by veterinary antibiotics used in Brazilian farms.

This work aimed to evaluate the impact of veterinary antibiotics on biomass phytoproductivity and soil enzyme activity. The soil was sampled in the city of Camboriú (state of SC, Brazil). The soil enzyme activity was assessed through hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate (FDA), while phytotoxicity was tested using Lactuca sativa (lettuce). Results showed that the most appropriate exposure time to assess the impact of antibiotics on soil microbiology was 24 h, while the incubation time of 3 h was the most appropriate for FDA hydrolysis. Ampicillin and Amoxicillin at the tested concentrations did not interfere with the enzyme activity of the soil microbiota, while Oxytetracycline and Neomycin showed a significant reduction in soil enzyme activity. For the dry and wet biomass of lettuce, 2% Colistin and 1% Ampicillin were the treatments that reduced lettuce biomass. Hence, the use of excessive antibiotics in animal production may lead to environmental impacts and, in the future, to public health problems.

Organophosphate poisoning of Hyacinth Macaws in the Southern Pantanal, Brazil.

The populations of hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), an emblematic species, have suffered declines due to many environmental factors. The Hyacinth Macaw Institute's actions are showing positive outcomes for the conservation of A. hyacinthinus. However, environmental issues, such as fires and deforestation due to inefficient and unsustainable cattle ranching practices, are a threat to the biodiversity. Another major threat is the reckless use of pesticides. The objective of this manuscript is to describe the findings, in the Pantanal, of three dead hyacinth macaws and to investigate their cause of death and conservation implications. A necropsy was conducted on two individuals and biological samples were collected and sent to conduct toxicological exams to test for organophosphates, organochlorines, and carbomates. Compatible with other findings, results showed a highly dangerous level of organophosphate, 158.44 ppb. We describe for the first time, a rare, isolated but unusual mortality event associated with organophosphate pesticide poisoning of hyacinth macaws. Mortality reports for bees and other bird species on how the improper use of pesticides can potentially cause the contamination of food and water resources are discussed. These factors are antagonistic to long-term efforts to preserve wildlife and carry out other conservation efforts in Brazil's southern Pantanal.

Interaction of Drug Candidates with Various SARS-CoV-2 Receptors: An in Silico Study to Combat COVID-19.

The world is currently facing the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The pandemic is causing the death of people around the world, and public and social health measures to slow or prevent the spread of COVID-19 are being implemented with the involvement of all members of society. Research institutions are accelerating the discovery of vaccines and therapies for COVID-19. In this work, molecular docking was used to study (in silico) the interaction of 24 ligands, divided into four groups, with four SARS-CoV-2 receptors, Nsp9 replicase, main protease (Mpro), NSP15 endoribonuclease, and spike protein (S-protein) interacting with human ACE2. The results showed that the antimalarial drug Metaquine and anti-HIV antiretroviral Saquinavir interacted with all the studied receptors, indicating that they are potential candidates for multitarget drugs for COVID-19.

Effect of the Ages of Parasitoid and Host Eggs on Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) Parasitism.

This study investigates the influence of parasitoid age and egg age of the hosts Euschistus heros (Fabricius) and Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) on parasitism of Telenomus podisi Ashmead. Six separate bioassays were conducted: parasitism on eggs of E. heros (bioassay 1) and D. melacanthus (bioassay 2) by T. podisi females of different age (1, 5, and 10 days old); parasitism by T. podisi on eggs of different age (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days of embryonic development) of the hosts E. heros (bioassay 3) and D. melacanthus (bioassay 4); preference of T. podisi females for eggs at different embryonic developmental stages (eggs of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days) of the hosts E. heros (bioassay 5) and D. melacanthus (bioassay 6). The age of T. podisi females and their hosts affected parasitism on both E. heros and D. melacanthus eggs. Overall, the parasitism rate was higher in older than younger parasitoids, independent of the tested host species, and host eggs between 1 and 3 days old were similarly parasitized. Thus, in T. podisi mass rearing facilities, it is recommended to use older adults (5 to 10 days old) as mother wasps to increase parasitism on the offered eggs. In addition, when hosts are completely absent in the field, or climatic conditions are unfavorable for release, mass-reared adults can be kept in the laboratory (25°C) for up to 10 days for later release in the field without any impairment of their subsequent parasitism performance.

Biological Activity of Piper aduncum extracts on Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Piper aduncum found naturally in the Amazon and southeastern Brazil, is known for its secondary metabolites that have activity on insects. Anticarsia gemmatalis and Spodoptera frugiperda are among the major insect pests associated with agricultural production. This research evaluated the biological activity of hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts of P. aduncum leaves on mortality and duration of larval and pupal periods, as well as weight, width, and length of A. gemmatalis and S. frugiperda pupae. The mortality of A. gemmatalis larvae in trials with P. aduncum extracts were 93.3% (hexane) and 90% (ethyl acetate), estimating LC50 of 6.35 and 5.79 mg/mL, respectively. Mortality in S. frugiperda submitted to the hexane extract ranged from 3.33% to 96.66% (LC50 of 8.22 mg/mL). The ethanol extract induced low mortality (3.33% to 23.33%). The P. aduncum extracts did not affect the development of S. frugiperda pupae. In A. gemmatalis differences in weight and length occurred. The chemical characterization was by GC-MS, which revealed that the major constituent in the hexane extract of P. aduncum was apiol (90.7%). P. aduncum extracts are important and promising components to manage A. gemmatalis and S. frugiperda, which cause extensive production losses.

Biological Activity of Piper aduncum extracts on Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

ABSTRACT Piper aduncum found naturally in the Amazon and southeastern Brazil, is known for its secondary metabolites that have activity on insects. Anticarsia gemmatalis and Spodoptera frugiperda are among the major insect pests associated with agricultural production. This research evaluated the biological activity of hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts of P. aduncum leaves on mortality and duration of larval and pupal periods, as well as weight, width, and length of A. gemmatalis and S. frugiperda pupae. The mortality of A. gemmatalis larvae in trials with P. aduncum extracts were 93.3% (hexane) and 90% (ethyl acetate), estimating LC50 of 6.35 and 5.79 mg/mL, respectively. Mortality in S. frugiperda submitted to the hexane extract ranged from 3.33% to 96.66% (LC50 of 8.22 mg/mL). The ethanol extract induced low mortality (3.33% to 23.33%). The P. aduncum extracts did not affect the development of S. frugiperda pupae. In A. gemmatalis differences in weight and length occurred. The chemical characterization was by GC-MS, which revealed that the major constituent in the hexane extract of P. aduncum was apiol (90.7%). P. aduncum extracts are important and promising components to manage A. gemmatalis and S. frugiperda, which cause extensive production losses.

Population Genetic Structure in Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) and Identification of the Probable Origin of Confiscated Individuals.

Understanding the intraspecific genetic composition of populations in different geographic locations is important for the conservation of species. If genetic variability is structured, conservation strategies should seek to preserve the diversity of units. Also, origin of individuals can be determined, which is important for guiding actions against animal trafficking. The hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is located in allopatric regions, vulnerable to extinction and suffering animal trafficking pressure. Therefore, we characterized its population genetic structure based on 10 microsatellites from 98 individuals and 2123bp of mitochondrial sequence (ND5, cytochrome b, and ND2) from 80 individuals. Moderate to high levels of differentiation were observed among 3 geographic regions of Brazil: the north/northeast of the country, the north Pantanal, and the south Pantanal. Differentiation between the 2 regions within the Pantanal was not expected, as they are relatively close and there is no known barrier to macaw movement between these regions. These genetically differentiated groups were estimated to have diverged 16000 to 42000 years ago. The low genetic variability observed seems not to be the result of past bottlenecks, although a star-shaped haplotype network and the mismatch distribution suggest that there was recent demographic expansion in the north and northeast. Environmental changes in the Holocene could have caused this expansion. Given the genetic structure observed, the most probable regions of origin of 24 confiscated individuals were identified. Thus, these data helped to trace illegal traffic routes and identify natural populations that are being illegally harvested.

Relationship between weight, age and hatching success and the concentration of heavy metals in nestling blue macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus Latham, 1790) in the Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul / Relação entre peso, idade, sucesso de eclosão e concentração de metais pesados em filhotes de arara-azul (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus Latham, 1790) no Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul

The concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Al, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mo, Ni, Se and Zn) was evaluated in the blood of nestling blue macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) captured in the Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul (n=26) in 2012; this was based on the hypothesis that these birds exhibit levels of these heavy metals in their organism and that these interfere in hatching success, weight and age of the chicks. Blood samples were digested with nitric acid and hydrochloric acid and the quantification of metals was performed by ICP-OES (Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Inductively Coupled Plasma). Blood samples of nestlings showed concentrations of Cr (0.10μg/g) Fe (3.06μg/g) Al (3.46μg/g), Cd (0.25μg/g) Cu (0.74μg/g), Mo (0.33μg/g), Ni (0.61μg/g), Se (0.98μg/g), and Zn (2.08μg/g). The levels of heavy metals found were not associated with weight, age and hatching success of the chicks.

Avaliou-se a concentração de metais pesados (selênio, zinco, ferro, cobre, molibdênio, níquel, cromo, arsênio, cádmio, chumbo e alumínio) no sangue de filhotes de arara-azul (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) capturados no Pantanal (n=26) no ano de 2012, partindo da hipótese de que estas aves apresentem níveis desses metais pesados no organismo e que os mesmos tenham relação com o sucesso de eclosão, peso e idade dos filhotes. As amostras de sangue foram digeridas em ácido nítrico e ácido clorídrico e a quantificação dos metais foi realizada por ICP-OES (Espectroscopia e Emissão Óptica por Plasma Indutivamente Acoplado). As amostras de sangue de filhotes de A.hyacinthinusapresentaram concentrações de Cr (0,10μg/g), Fe (3,06μg/g), Al (3,46μg/g), Cd (0,25μg/g), Cu (0,74μg/g), Mo (0,33μg/g), Ni (0,61μg/g), Se (0,98μg/g) e Zn (2,08μg/g). Os níveis de metais pesados encontrados não apresentaram relação com o peso, idade ou sucesso de eclosão.

Biotic potential, fertility and life table of Spodoptera albula (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), under controlled conditions.

This study aimed to evaluate the biotic potential, life table parameters and fertility of Spodoptera albula (Walker, 1857) under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hour photo phase). The longevity, pre, post and oviposition periods, fecundity and fertility of 13 couples were evaluated. The longevity of females (13.500 days) was significantly higher than those of males (11.154 days). The mean durations of the pre, post and oviposition periods were 2.615, 1.769 and 9.385 days, respectively. The mean fecundity was 1.417.69 eggs and mean fertility was 1.340.401 larvae, per female. On average, females copulated 1, 231 times. A strong positive correlation was observed between the number of copulations and fecundity (r = 0.847, p <0.001), as well as a strong negative correlation between the number of copulations and the duration of the pre-oviposition period (r = -0.762, p = 0.002), and longevity (r = -0.788, p = 0.001). The biotic potential of S. albula was estimated at 8.768 x 1022 individuals / female / year. The net reproductive rate (Ro) was 353,904 times per generation and the mean generation time (T) was 37.187 days. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 1,105, with a finite rate of increase (λ) of 3,019.

Non-invasive genetic sampling for molecular sexing and microsatellite genotyping of hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus).

Molted feather sampling is a useful tool for genetic analyses of endangered species, but it is often very laborious due to the low quality and quantity of the DNA obtained. In the present study we show the parts of feathers that resulted in better yield of DNA. In descending order these were: blood clot outside the umbilicus, umbilicus (without blood clot), tip, inner membrane, and small calamus. Compared to DNA extracted from blood samples, DNA extracted from feathers produced microsatellite alleles of poorer quality and had to be processed immediately after extraction. As expected due to the level of DNA degradation, molecular sexing protocols that result in shorter PCR products were more efficient.

Immature stages of Spodoptera albula (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): developmental parameters and host plants.

This study aimed to detail the temporal and morphological parameters of the immature stages of Spodoptera albula (Walker 1857) under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hour photophase) and to gather information about their larval host plants. For this purpose, a new rearing method and artificial diet was employed and validated. The viability of the egg, larval, pupal and pre-pupal stages was 94.54, 97.33, 93.84 and 92.34%, respectively. The average duration of the egg, larval, pupal and pre-pupal stages was 4.14, 16.37, 1.69, and 9.34 days, respectively. During the larval stage, 80.85% of females and 93.99% of males passed through six and remaining through seven instars, with significant larval protandry. The larvae that developed through six and seven instars exhibited a mean growth rate of 1.58 and 1.48, respectively. Fifty five host plant species belonging to 29 families are listed. The female pupae were significantly larger, exhibiting protogyny. Both the rearing methods as well as the larval diet proved adequate, providing more detailled observations of the biological cycle, especially the larval stage, and resulting in an overall survival of almost 80%.

Gene expression analysis by ESTs sequencing of the Brazilian frog Phyllomedusa nordestina skin glands.

The subfamily Phyllomedusinae has attracted a great interest of many researchers mainly due to the high diversity of these frog species and plethora of pharmacological activities frequently observed for their skin secretions. Despite of this fact, mainly for new species, limited information is available regarding the molecular composition of these skin secretions and the cellular components involved in their production. Phyllomedusa nordestina is a recently described Brazilian frog species also popularly known as 'tree-frogs'. Aiming at contributing to the biological knowledge of this species, we show here the gene expression profile of this frog skin secretion using a global ESTs analysis of a cDNA library. The marked aspect of this analysis revealed a significant higher transcriptional level of the opioid peptide dermorphins in P. nordestina skin secretion than in Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis, which is its closest related species, belonging both to the same phylogenetic group. Precursors of bioactive peptides as dermaseptins, phylloseptins, tryptophyllins, and bradykinin-like peptideswere also found in this library. Transcripts encoding proteins related to ordinary cellular functions and pathways were also described. Some of them are chiefly involved in the production of the skin secretion. Taken together, the data reported here constitute a contribution to the characterization of the molecular diversity of gene-encoded polypeptides with potential possibility of pharmacological exploitation. The transcriptional composition of the skin secretion may also help to give the necessary support for the definition of P. nordestina as a new species, which actually relies basically on frog morphological characteristics and geographical distribution.

Transmissão vertical do HIV em população de baixa renda do sul do Brasil / HIV vertical transmission in low class population in the south of Brazil

Objetiva estabelecer o índice de transmissão vertical do HIV nos recém-nascidos atendidos e o perfil das gestantes HIV positivase de seus recém-nascidos

Rotavirus associated diarrhoea during infancy in the city of S. Luís (MA), Brazil: a two-year longitudinal study.

A total of 479 diarrhoeic children and 337 children without diarrhoea (controls) less than 5 years old were investigated in a two-year study in the city of S. Luís (MA), with the purpose to determine the incidence, the age distribution and the seasonality of rotaviruses, as well as to establish the severity of the disease in this region between the North and the Northeast of Brazil. rotavirus incidence was highest in children of the 1st. year of life, showing an average of 25% per year among the diarrhoeic patients attending the two main hospitals and three health units at the periphery of the city. It was shown that rotaviruses are significant enteropathogens in children less than 18 months old. Frequency of rotaviruses dropped in diarrhoeic patients 18 to 23 months old to only 4%, the same percentage observed in children of the control group. A typical seasonal distribution of rotaviruses was not seen during the two years of study. There was a peak in the incidence of rotaviruses in 1986, during the rainy season, and two peaks in 1987, one in the rainy season and one in the dry season. It was also shown that severity of diarrhoea in rotavirus positive cases was higher than in the negative cases. Rotavirus diarrhoeic patients had more loose stools per day, and higher frequencies of vomiting and fever, resulting more often (> 2 times) in moderate or severe dehydration. Finally, it is concluded that the introduction of immunoprophylaxis may reduce significantly the high mortality rates in early childhood observed in S. Luís.

Lidocaina antes da intubaçäo traqueal: venosa ou laringotraqueal? / Lidocaine before endotracheal intubation: intravenous or laryngotracheal?

O uso da lidocaína para controle da freqüência cardíaca, pressäo arterial sistólica e produto FC X PAS, durante laringoscopia e intubaçäo traqueal, foi estudado em 20 pacientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar qual a via preferível para a adminsitraçäo de lidocaína antes da intubaçäo traqueal. Metade dos pacientes recebeu lidocaína 2%, 15 mg.Kg-1 por via venosa (grupo IV) e a outra metade recebeu lidocaína 10%, 1 mg.Kg-1 tópica sob visäo direta com laringoscopia e lâmina curva. A lidocaína tópica na laringe e na traquéia causa desconforto e aumento do produto FC X PAS e näo protege das alteraçöes cardiocirculatórias da intubaçäo. A lidocaína venosa administrada 2 min antes da laringoscopia e intubaçäo traqueal previne a alteraçäo do produto FC x PAS, assim como o aparecimento de disritmias cardíacas. Estes dados indicam que a via venosa é a de preferência para administraçäo de lidocaína antes da intubaçäo traqueal

Estudo comparativo entre bupivacaína 0,5% e 0,75% para cirurgias ginecológicas intra-abdominais / Comparative study between 0,5% and 0,75% bupivacaine intra-abdominal gynecologic surgeries

Foram observadas 50 pacientes submetidas a cirurgias ginecológicas abdominais sob a anestesia peridural com bupivacaína 0,5% ou 0,75%, com mesma massa final (150 mg) em volumes diferentes, procurando-se avaliar tempo de latência, bloqueio sensitivo, motor, regressäo dos bloqueios motor e sensitivo, relaxamento muscular e duraçäo da analgesia. Obtiveram-se graus de analgesia e de relaxamento muscular adequados para realizaçäo dos procedimentos cirúrgicos em 80% no grupo 0,5% e 72 no grupo 0,75% nas demais, houve necessidade de complementaçäo com anestesia geral. O período médio de latência observado foi de 12,96 min com bupivacaína 0,5% e 10,64 min com bupivacaína 0,75%, o tempo médio de regressäo do bloqueio motor 254,3 min no grupo 0,5% e 262,3 no grupo 0,75% e a duraçäo da analgesia de 380,8 min no grupo 0,5% e 317,2 min no grupo 0,75%. Näo foi observado diferença estatisticamente significativa quanto ao relaxamento muscular (x2 = 0,14, 1df). A duraçäo da analgesia foi estatisticamente significativa (U = 419,5 Z = 2,39), sendo mais longa no grupo 0,5%. O aumento do volume influenciou a altura do bloqueio sensitivo