First report of chemical composition and cytotoxicity evaluation of Foraminispora rugosa basidiomata from Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Foraminispora rugosa is a species reported from Brazil, Venezuela, French Guiana, Costa Rica and Cuba. It is a basidiomycete in the Ganodermataceae family. In this study, both chemical composition and cytotoxicity of the ethanolic extract of F. rugosa were investigated for the first time. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the identification of the specimens, and the results of cytotoxicity assays showed that at concentrations of 7.8-500.0 µg/mL the ethanolic extract displayed weak cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines. Five oxylipins were identified by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight and mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new insights into the current knowledge of bioactive compounds produced by macrofungi, and provides data for future biological assays with relative selectivity and safety.

Acute toxicity assay using mysid as an alternative test organism in the assessment of the aqueous fraction of sediment.

The evaluation of sediment quality through biological testing of the aqueous fraction can be applied in dredging situations and is associated with a small number of confounding factors. The use of test organisms that are relatively resistant to contaminants is recommended when working with complex mixtures such as sediments. In this study, the sensitivity of the mysid Mysidopsis juniae to ammonia (NH3) and metals was investigated in acute toxicity laboratory tests and the results were compared to those obtained in the traditional test with sea urchin embryos and larvae. The ability of the toxicity identification and evaluation (TIE) technique, with the use of EDTA and sodium thiosulfate, to indicate the factors responsible for adverse effects was determined. The results indicate that mysids are almost 5 times more resistant than the sea urchin to ammonia (NH3), more sensitive to Cd2+ and Ni2+ and more resistant to Zn2+ and Pb2+. With the TIE technique and with the use of EDTA as a complexing agent, a greater resolution was observed in the diagnosis of the presence of the metals Cd2+ and Ni2+, which could be applied to the aqueous fraction of the sediment.

Environmental variations drive polyploid evolution in neotropical Eugenia species (Myrtaceae).

Polyploidy is one of the most important mechanisms of speciation and diversification in plant evolution. Polyploidy results in genetic variation among individuals of the same species and even between populations, and may be responsible for differences in environmental tolerance between populations of the same species. This study determined chromosome numbers of Eugenia L. (Myrtaceae, x = 11) for 26 populations of 14 species by conventional cytogenetic techniques. Nine species (13 populations) were diploid (2n = 2x = 22), but diploid and/or polyploid cytotypes were found in the other five species (13 populations), with 2n = 33, 2n = 44, and 2n = 55. Data on chromosome number/ploidy level for other Eugenia species/populations were collected from the literature and included in this cytogeographic analysis. For each collection point (32 species and 62 populations), environmental variables were recorded using georeferencing techniques through the DIVA-GIS v.7.5 program. Environmental variables such as temperature, altitude, rainfall, solar radiation, soil type, and vegetation were analyzed with the R program, using Mann-Whitney and chi-square tests, principal component analysis, and graphic analyses, such as scatterplots, boxplots, and barplot. Polyploid and diploid populations had different spatial distribution patterns and were found in areas subjected to different environmental conditions. Polyploid individuals were collected from locations with more adverse environmental conditions, usually at higher elevations than the diploid individuals. Polyploidy allows species to occur at locations with varying environmental conditions. As diploidy and polyploidy occur under different environmental conditions, species with cytotypes exhibit wide environmental tolerance.

Evidence for herbaceous seed dispersal by small-bodied fishes in a Pantanal seasonal wetland.

We analysed the germination of seeds after their passage through the digestive tract of small floodplain fishes. Samples were collected in five open flooded fields of the northern Pantanal in March 2011. All fishes were sacrificed and their intestinal contents were removed. The fecal material was weighed and stored at 4°C in a GF/C filter wrapped in aluminum foil. The material was then transferred to a receptacle containing sterilised soil from the sampling area. The fecal samples were kept in a germination chamber for 68 days and then transferred to a greenhouse for another 67 days. We collected a total of 45 fish species and 1014 individuals which produced a total amount of 32 g of fresh fecal mass and 11 seedlings. We were able to identify six seedlings: two Banara arguta, two Steinchisma laxa, one Hymenachne amplexicaulis and one Luziola sp.. The fish species that produced samples with seedlings were Astyanax assuncionensis, Metynnis mola, Plesiolebias glaucopterus, Acestrorhyncus pantaneiro and Anadoras wendelli. With the exception of B. arguta the remaining plant species and all fish species were not known to be associated with the seed dispersal process of these plants. We found a ratio of 0.435 seedlings.g-1 of fresh fecal material, which is 100 times higher than the amount of seedlings encountered in fresh soil mass (92,974 grams) in seed bank studies conducted in the same study area. In particular, Astyanax assuncionensis and Metynnis mola were among the most frequent and most abundant fish taxa in the area. Together with the high seed concentration in the fish fecal material, this evidence allows us to conclude that such fish species may play an important role in seed dispersal in the herbaceous plants of the Pantanal.

Chromosomes of Gymnothorax funebris and the karyotypical differentiation within Gymnothorax (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae).

Cytogenetic studies in Gymnothorax funebris revealed a diploid chromosome number 2n = 42 (6 metacentrics, 4 submetacentrics, and 32 acrocentrics, FN = 52). The results obtained are novel and similar to those previously described for species belonging to Muraenidae family. The conventional karyotype is also novel and divergent from other species of the genus Gymnothorax, where a higher proportion of metacentric chromosomes predominate. The data are reported and discussed considering the cytotaxonomy of the genus. These results strongly support the current view that chromosomal alterations such as centric fusion and Robertsonian's translocations have an important role in the evolution of this group.

Responses of Chironomidae (Diptera; Insecta) to the exclusion of shrimps and Ephemeroptera in a coastal forest stream, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In a benthic community on a continuous flat granite substrate in a third-order coastal forest stream, the dominant chironomid (Cricotopus) increased in number when shrimps (Macrobrachium olfersi and Potimirim glabra) and baetid ephemeropterans were excluded by electricity. The response appeared to be mediated by an increase in periphyton and sediments, rather than a reduction of direct predation or interference. Chironomids, periphyton and sediments decreased significantly compared to the control when shrimps only were excluded. Baetid ephemeropteran appeared to be the most important determinants of periphyton and sediment mass; the density of chironomids appeared to follow the quantity of periphyton and sediments.

Responses of Chironomidae (Diptera; Insecta) to the exclusion of shrimps and Ephemeroptera in a coastal forest stream, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In a benthic community on a continuous flat granite substrate in a third-order coastal forest stream, the dominant chironomid (Cricotopus) increased in number when shrimps (Macrobrachium olfersi and Potimirim glabra) and baetid ephemeropterans were excluded by electricity. The response appeared to be mediated by an increase in periphyton and sediments, rather than a reduction of direct predation or interference. Chironomids, periphyton and sediments decreased significantly compared to the control when shrimps only were excluded. Baetid ephemeropteran appeared to be the most important determinants of periphyton and sediment mass; the density of chironomids appeared to follow the quantity of periphyton and sediments.

Os quironomídeos dominantes (Cricotopus) de uma comunidade bentônica aumentaram em densidade quando camarões (Macrobrachium olfersi e Potimirim glabra) e efemerópteros betídeos foram excluídos por eletricidade de um substrato rochoso contínuo em um córrego de Mata Atlântica. Esta resposta parece ter sido mais influenciada por um aumento no perifíton do que pela redução da predação direta ou competição por interferência. Quando somente os camarões foram excluídos, os quironomídeos, perifíton e sedimentos sofreram redução significativa em comparação com os controles. Efemerópteros betídeos parecem ter sido os maiores determinantes da quantidade de sedimentos e perifíton; a densidade de quironomídeos parece seguir a quantidade de perifíton e sedimentos.

First Report of Ravenelia spegazziniana on Acacia farnesiana from Brazil.

Leaves, young branches, and fruits of Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd. (Fabaceae) that were distorted because of hypertrophy causing witches' brooms and other abnormal growth were collected in the area surrounding the Panteón da Liberdade e da Democracia, Brasilia, Brazil, during August 2005. Uredinia and telia were observed in the symptomatic areas. The uredinia were small on leaflets and rachis and on pods in confluent groups as much as 1 cm in diameter, subcuticular becoming erumpent, and cinnamon-brown; paraphyses were mostly clavate and colorless. Urediniospores were 17 to 28 × 12 to 16 µm, ellipsoid to obovoid, with a wall 1.5 to 2 µm thick at the sides and 2 to 3 µm at the apex, cinnamon-brown, with hub and spoke pattern of ornamentation, and pores in two bands of four each above and below the equator. Telia were small, erumpent, on rachis and small branches, and dark cinnamon-brown. Teliospores were 84 to 100 × 65 to 90 µm in diameter, chestnut-brown, (4) 5 to 6 probasidial cells across, and smooth; cysts were globoid, same number as peripheral probasidial cells; pedicels were colorless, multihyphal, and deciduous. The rust was identified as Ravenelia spegazziniana J.C. Lindq, on the basis of the comparison with specimens deposited at the Instituto Spegazzini (LPS) and U.S. National Fungus Collection (BPI), as well as with published descriptions (2). R. spegazziniana has been reported on species of Acacia from Central, North, and South America, and Hawaii (1). A. farnesiana is probably native to tropical America, but it is naturalized and cultivated all over the world where it has become invasive in disturbed areas in some Pacific islands. This species is economically important for fuel wood, flowers used in the perfume industry, and bark and fruits used for tannin production. In Federal District (DF), Brasilia, Brazil, A. farnesiana is commonly used in urban forestation as an ornamental and shade tree. To our knowledge, this is the first report of R. spegazziniana in Brazil. The voucher specimen has been deposited in the herbarium of the Faculty of Biology of Porto Alegre from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul as ICN 139085. References: (1) D. F. Farr et al. Fungal Databases. Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory. On-line publication. ARS, USDA, 2006. (2) J. R. Hernandez and J. F. Hennen. Mycol. Res. 106:972. 2002.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite used with three irrigation methods in the elimination of Enterococcus faecalis from the root canal, in vitro.

The effectiveness of 4.0% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) used with three irrigation methods in the elimination of Enterococcus faecalis from the root canal was tested in vitro. Root canals contaminated with E. faecalis were treated as follows: (i) irrigation with 2 mL of NaOCl solution and agitation with hand files; (ii) irrigation with 2 mL of NaOCl solution and ultrasonic agitation; (iii) irrigation with NaOCl alternated with hydrogen peroxide. Contaminated canals irrigated with sterile saline solution served as the control. Paper points used to sample bacteria from the root canals were transferred to tubes containing 5 mL of brain heart infusion (BHI) broth. Tubes were incubated and the appearance of broth turbidity was indicative of bacteria remaining in the root canal. There were no statistically significant differences between the experimental groups. However, NaOCl applied by the three methods tested, was significantly more effective than the saline solution (control group) in disinfecting the root canal.

Eficiência de antígenos aglutinantes elaborados com diferentes amostras de micoplasmas aviários / Efficiency of agglutinating antigens produced with several strains of avian mycoplasmas

Antígenos para soroaglutinaçäo rápida em placa (SAR) foram produzidos a partir de quatro amostras isoladas de Mycoplasma gallisepticum (Mg) e duas de Mycoplasma synoviae (Ms), além das amostras de padräo Mg S6 e Ms WVU1853. As culturas foram processadas em caldo Frey e os antígenos compostos de células íntegras coradas em suspensäo. Todos os antígenos foram comparados entre si em SAR e com outros dois antígenos comerciais, sendo ainda os isolados e amostras padräo comparadas em "immunoblotting". Os antígenos produzidos no laboratório mostraram sensibilidade acima de 0,92 a soros específicos, mas também alto índice de reatividade frente a soros SPF congelados, variando de 54 até 100 por cento. Os melhores resultados (especificidade de 0,87 e sensibilidade 0,94) foram obtidos no antígeno do isolado MgCNPSA88, o qual näo apresentou uma proteína de 68kDa na membrana. Sugere-se que essa proteína tenha papel importante nas reaçöes cruzadas de SAR para Mg

Polymerase chain reaction optimization for Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae diagnosis.

Mycoplasma gallisepticum- or M. synoviae-challenged chickens were monitored with serological assays (serum plate agglutination, hemagglutination inhibition, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The tracheal swabs from M. gallisepticum-challenged chickens received three different treatments (phosphate-buffered saline [PBS], Frey's broth, or 10 mM Tris-HCl/250 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/ 2.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate [STE]) prior to DNA purification. A nonphenolic method for DNA extraction was utilized. The best PCR results were obtained with PBS swab treatment. The nonphenolic method for DNA extraction was compared with a phenolic method in an experiment with tracheal swabs from M. synoviae-challenged chickens and commercial flocks. Both methods gave comparable results.

Monoclonal antibodies species-specific to Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae.

Two species-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced against Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. synoviae. The MAb against M. synoviae recognizes an antigen of 90,000 molecular weight present in strain WVU 1853 and in two Brazilian field isolates. The MAb produced against M. gallisepticum recognizes a surface antigen in strains S6 and R and in three Brazilian field isolates of different molecular weights. The MAbs do not recognize antigens in M. gallinarum and M. iowae.