First record on enchytraeids in a Savanna Tall Woodland (Cerradão) and Upper Montane Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

Brazil is considered a megadiverse country, but the soil fauna is still very poorly known. The aim of this study was to report, for the first time, the abundance and genus composition of terrestrial enchytraeids (Enchytraeidae, Oligochaeta) in Savanna Tall Woodland (Cerradão) and a pasture in Cerrado Biome and in Upper Montane Atlantic Forest and a grassland in Atlantic Forest Biome. The enchytraeid density in Pasture and Cerradao was 2,036 and 18,844 (204 and 2,094, on average) individuals per square meter, respectively. At the Atlantic forest and Grassland, density was 9,666 and 12,242 individuals per square meter (1,075 and 1,471 on average). About genus composition for the studied areas, Enchytraeus and Hemienchytraeus were found in the four ecosystems evaluated, while Tupidrilus and Fridericia were found only in Cerradão and Atlantic Forest, respectively. Achaeta was absent in Upper Montane Atlantic Forest, but dominant in pasture, while Guaranidrilus was absent in Pasture, but predominant in the other ecosystems.

Biological control of Fasciola hepatica eggs with the Pochonia chlamydosporia fungus after passing through the cattle gastrointestinal tract.

Fasciolosis is a disease caused by Fasciola hepatica responsible for causing significant losses in livestock. This study aimed to evaluate the Pochonia chlamydosporia fungus (isolate VC1) on F. hepatica eggs after passing through the cattle gastrointestinal tract. For this evaluation, 1 g pellet was given in sodium alginate matrix per kilogram live weight containing 25% of fungal mycelium from isolate VC1 per animal. Twelve animals were used, six treated and six untreated (control). Some stool samples were collected from the groups of treated and control animals, at the times of 12, 18, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after the pellets' administration. Then, from each stool sample of treated and control groups, 2 g was placed in a Petri dish of 9 cm in diameter, containing 2% water-agar and 1,000 eggs of F. hepatica. It was observed that the fungus was effective in preying upon the eggs in the samples recovered at all of the schedules starting at 12 h. Furthermore, differences were observed (p < 0.01) in the destruction of eggs in the Petri dishes in the treated group compared with the control group. The ovicidal effect was observed after 7 days of interaction. The ovicidal P. chlamydosporia fungus was effective in destroying F. hepatica eggs; therefore, it is suggested that this fungus could be employed as agent for the control of helminth eggs.

Efeitos do treinamento com plataformas vibratórias / Effects of training with vibratorys platforms

Esta revisão de literatura teve como objetivo dispor informações sobre as adaptações produzidas pelo treinamento de vibração quando realizado através de plataformas vibratórias. Em consulta a base de dados Medline encontramos 25 artigos originais sobre o tema. Após uma análise criteriosa desses estudos constatamos que grande parte deles foi realizada com delineamento experimental inapropriado. Sendo assim, 13 artigos foram excluídos e, esta revisão foi baseada em 12 estudos. Em relação aos efeitos agudos e crônicos da vibração em jovens encontramos resultados controversos, o que nos permite afirmar que ainda não existem dados suficientes na literatura que comprovem a eficiência dessa estratégia nessas condições. Por outro lado, em se tratando da população idosa, parece que o treinamento de vibração pode melhorar o equilíbrio, a agilidade e a marcha. Além disso, o treinamento de vibração pode ser tão eficiente quanto o treinamento de força convencional na melhora da força e da potência. No entanto, essas conclusões ainda não podem ser consideradas definitivas, uma vez que esses resultados foram encontrados em apenas dois estudos.

The purpose of this review was to investigate the adaptations of vibration training using vibration platforms. Literature search was performed using the Medline database (25 original studies). However, the analysis of the experimental designs revealed that only 12 studies met the criteria to be included in our review. Regarding the acute and chronic effects of vibration training in young population, results were controversial and its efficiency has yet to be proven under such conditions. On the other hand, in the elderly, it seems that vibration training can improve balance, agility and gait. Moreover, vibration training seems to be as efficient as conventional strength training in the improvement of strength and power for this population. However, further evidence is still needed in order to establish such conclusions, once these results had been found in two studies only.