Cryptogams of the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil. Algae, 45: Bacillariophyceae (Naviculales: Brachysira) / Criptógamos do Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Algae, 45: Bacillariophyceae (Naviculales: Brachysira)

The floristic survey of Brachysira Kützing (Naviculales) of the Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI), São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil, resulted from the analysis of 31 permanent preparations of diatom material collected between years 1991 and 2017. The water and substrate samples (macrophytes and rocks) from lentic systems, streams and the hydrophytoterium were collected and subsequently were oxidized for analysis under light microscope. Nine species and one morphotype were identified from 15 diatom slides, of which four species are new records for Brazil (Brachysira cf. calcicola Lange-Bertalot, Brachysira frenguellii (Manguin) Lange-Bertalot & Moser, Brachysira huitotarum Vouilloud, Sala & Núñez-Avellaneda and Brachysira intermedia (Østrup) Lange-Bertalot). Brachysira subrostrata Lange-Bertalot was registered for the first time in the State of São Paulo

O levantamento florístico do gênero Brachysira Kützing (Naviculales) do Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI), São Paulo, SP, Brasil, resultou da análise de 31 preparações permanentes de material coletado entre 1991 e 2017. As amostras de água e de substratos (macrófitas e rochas) de sistemas lênticos, riachos e do hidrofitotério foram coletadas e posteriormente oxidadas para análise ao microscópio de luz. Nove espécies e um morfotipo foram encontrados em 15 amostras de material do PEFI, sendo quatro novas citações para o Brasil (Brachysira cf. calcicola Lange-Bertalot, Brachysira frenguellii (Manguin) Lange-Bertalot & Moser, Brachysira huitotarum Vouilloud, Sala & Núñez-Avellaneda e Brachysira intermedia (Østrup) Lange-Bertalot). Brachysira subrostrata Lange-Bertalot foi registrada pela primeira vez no Estado de São Paulo.

Neuronal preservation and reactive gliosis attenuation following neonatal sciatic nerve axotomy by a fluorinated cannabidiol derivative.

Immature peripheral nervous system damage, such as the transection of a peripheral nerve, results in the extensive degeneration of motoneurons and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons, mostly due to apoptotic events. We have previously shown that cannabidiol (CBD), the most abundant non-psychotropic molecule present in the Cannabis sativa plant, exhibits neuroprotective action when administered daily at a dose of 15 mg/kg. This study shows that use of the fluorinated synthetic version of CBD (4'-fluoro-cannabidiol, HUF-101) significantly improves neuronal survival by 2-fold compared to that achieved with traditional CBD at one-third the dose. Furthermore, we show that HUF-101 administration significantly upregulates anti-apoptotic genes and blocks the expression of pro-apoptotic nuclear factors. Two-day-old Wistar rats were subjected to unilateral sectioning of the sciatic nerve and treated daily with HUF-101 (1, 2.5, 5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) or a vehicle solution for five days. The results were evaluated by Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR. Neuronal counting revealed a 47% rescue of spinal motoneurons and a 79% rescue of DRG neurons (HUF-101, 5 mg/kg). Survival was associated with complete depletion of p53 and a 60-fold elevation in BCL2-like 1 gene expression. Additionally, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) gene expression was downregulated by 80%. Neuronal preservation was coupled with a high preservation of synaptic coverage and a reduction in astroglial and microglial reactions that were evaluated in nearby spinal motoneurons present in the ventral horn of the lumbar intumescence. Overall, these data strongly indicate that HUF-101 exerts potent neuroprotective effects that are related to anti-apoptotic protection and the reduction of glial reactivity.

Can larval lacewings Chrysoperla externa (Hagen): (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) be reared on pollen? / Larvas de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen): (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) podem ser criadas com pólen?

The aim of this study was to verify the viability of exclusive use of elephant grass pollen, Pennisetum purpureum (Schum), to feed larvae of the lacewing Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861). The insects were kept at 24ºC and the duration and survival rate of each instar and the larval and pupal phases were recorded. The diet provided complete development of the larvae. The average duration of the first and second instars was the same (6.9 days), while the third instar lasted an average of 10.0 days and the pupal phase 13.2 days. The average survival of the larvae was above 80 percent for the first, second and third instars, and 70.0 percent and 33.3 percent for the larval and pupal phase, respectively. These results indicate that the exclusive use of elephant grass pollen can provide complete development of the immature stages of this predator.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a viabilidade do uso exclusivo de pólen de capim-elefante Pennisetum purpureum (Schum) como dieta para larvas de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861). Os insetos foram mantidos a 24ºC, avaliando-se a duração e a sobrevivência em cada instar e em todo o estágio larval e pupal. Verificou-se que a dieta proporcionou o desenvolvimento completo das larvas do crisopídeo, que apresentaram a mesma duração média para o primeiro e segundo ínstares (6,9 dias) e permaneceram 10,0 e 13,2 dias no terceiro instar e no estágio pupal, respectivamente. A sobrevivência média das larvas de C. externa foi superior a 80 por cento para o primeiro, segundo e terceiro ínstares, e de 70,0 por cento e 33,3 por cento para o estágio larval e pupal, respectivamente. Verificou-se que o uso exclusivo de pólen de capim-elefante como alimento para larvas de C. externa proporcionou o completo desenvolvimento dos estágios imaturos do predador.

Tabela de esperança de vida e de fertilidade de Sipha flava (Forbes) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) alimentado com capim-elefante em diferentes temperaturas / Life expectancy and fertility tables of Sipha flava (Forbes) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) fed elephant grass at different temperatures

Objetivou-se estimar as tabelas de esperança de vida e de fertilidade para Sipha flava (Forbes, 1884) alimentados com capim-elefante, em diferentes temperaturas. Foram utilizadas câmaras climatizadas a 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 e 32ºC, UR 70 ± 10 por cento e fotofase de 12 horas, contendo 150 insetos em cada condição térmica. Foi constatada mortalidade gradual em todas as temperaturas. A maior longevidade e maior esperança de vida dos afídeos foi a 12ºC. As taxas líquidas de reprodução (Ro) e o tempo necessário para a população duplicar em número (TD) também foram maiores a 12ºC. A sobrevivência (l x) começou a diminuir a partir de 3,5 dias a 24ºC e a partir do primeiro dia nas demais temperaturas, seguindo uma redução gradativa com o desenvolvimento do inseto. O intervalo de tempo entre cada geração (T) diminuiu com o aumento da temperatura, até 28ºC. A maior fertilidade específica (m x) e a maior fecundidade total média ocorreram a 24ºC. A capacidade inata de aumentar em número (r m) foi menor a 12ºC. A razão finita de aumento (λ) foi maior a 20 e 24ºC. A temperatura de 24ºC mostrou-se mais adequada para o desenvolvimento de S. flava em capim-elefante por proporcionar maiores valores para os parâmetros reprodutivos.

The objective of this study was to estimate the life expectancy and fertility tables of Sipha flava (Forbes, 1884) fed with elephant grass at different temperatures. The investigations were conducted in climate controlled chambers at 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32ºC, UR 70 ± 10 percent and 12-hour photophase, with 150 insects at each temperature. There was gradual mortality at all temperatures studied. The longest life expectancy and longevity values for the aphids were at 12ºC. The highest net reproduction rates (Ro) and longest population doubling time (DT) were also found at 12ºC. The survival (l x) started to diminish after 3.5 days at 24ºC and after the first day at the other temperatures, gradually declining with the development of the insect. The time interval between each generation (T) decreased as the temperature increased up to 28ºC. The highest specific fertility (m x) and total fecundity were recorded at 24ºC. The smallest value for innate capacity to increase in number (r m) were at 12ºC. The finite increase ratio (λ) were highest at 20 e 24ºC. The temperature of 24ºC is most suitable for the population density of S. flava to increase on elephant grass because it provides the highest values for the reproductive parameters.