Chemical composition and biological activities of the essential oils from Lippia alba and Lippia origanoides.

There is an increasing interest in essential oils extracted from Verbenaceae plant species as potential sources of biologically active compounds that could provide a starting point for designing novel phyto-pharmaceuticals in aquaculture. The present study was aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant activity, acute toxicity and antimicrobial effects against Vibrio parahaemolyticus of essential oils extracted from Lippia alba and L. origanoides. Approximately 23 components were identified and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and flame ionization detection in each species' essential oil. The most predominant compounds were geranial (23.0%), limonene (17.0%) and neral (15.5%) in L. alba, and thymol (47.2%), p-cymene (16.0%) and E-caryophyllene (11.3%) in L. origanoides. The essential oils have antibacterial activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus presenting Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values between 156-625 µg mL-1. The essential oils also show antioxidant potential estimated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assays, presenting IC50 of 60.16 mg mL-1 and 0.22 mg mL-1 for L. alba and L. origanoides EO, respectively. Both oils were classified as toxic to Artemia salina nauplii. Therefore, these essential oils may be useful for controlling pathogenic bacteria important to the aquaculture industry.

Microsatellite Marker Discovery in the Stingless Bee Uruçu-Amarela (Melipona rufiventris Group, Hymenoptera, Meliponini) for Population Genetic Analysis.

The species Melipona rufiventris Lepeletier, 1836 is a Brazilian native stingless bee that is part of a species complex known as the 'rufiventris group', making it difficult to distinguish between the different species. Populations in this group are facing a severe decline, leading to the risk of local extinction, and therefore, their conservation should be treated as a major concern. This study describes the first set of tri- and tetranucleotide microsatellite markers, using next-generation sequencing technology for use in the identification of genetic diversity and population structure in the 'rufiventris group'. A total of 16 microsatellite loci displayed polymorphism. Analysis of the whole data set (n = 50) detected 63 alleles in all loci, ranging from 2 to 7 with a mean of 3.9 alleles/locus. A genetic diversity analysis revealed high values for population differentiation estimates (FST = 0.252, RST = 0.317, and DEST = 0.284) between the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga biomes. An additional evidence for genetic divergence among populations was also found in the 'rufiventris group'; these should be treated as separate conservation units or even as separate species. These microsatellite markers have demonstrated a strong potential for assessing population discrimination in this threatened stingless bee group.

Mindup: A Platform for Monitoring and Cognitive Enhancement for Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is an illness that degenerates an individual's cognitive functions, leaving them unable to take care of themselves. Even without a definitive cure, AD should be treated with remedies and cognitive enhancement. This article presents an application that assists in the cognitive reinforcement of AD patients through games, supports the medical follow-up of patients, and facilitates the daily exchange of information between the caregiver and the doctor.

Identification and characterization of microsatellite loci in West Atlantic sea cucumber Holothuria grisea (Selenka 1867).

The sea cucumber Holothuria grisea has become the subject of intense and unregulated fishing in northeastern Brazil due to their growing demand in Asian market. However, there is little knowledge about the dynamics and genetics of H. grisea wild populations on the South American coast. In this study, we present the first set of H. grisea microsatellite markers, identified and characterized using Illumina paired-end reads of whole genome shotgun sequencing. From 50 strictly selected candidates, eight novel microsatellite markers were successfully developed. We then genotyped 30 individuals to evaluate the degree of polymorphism and validate the markers. The number of alleles ranged from three to 14, while observed and expected heterozygotes ranged from 0.156 to 0.906 and from 0.283 to 0.774, respectively. After correcting for multiple tests,we found no evidence of linkage disequilibrium in all pairwise combinations between the loci. One locus (Hgr15607) revealed deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, as well as the presence of null alleles. However, we observed significant differences in frequency distribution between males and females at locus Hgr15607. We believe that the markers describedhere will be useful for conservation efforts and management of H. grisea fisheries and for prospective aquaculture of these organisms.

Population connectivity and larval dispersal of the exploited mangrove crab Ucides cordatus along the Brazilian coast.

BACKGROUND: The mangrove crab Ucides cordatus is considered a key species for the ecological balance of mangrove forests and a major source of employment and income for traditional crab collectors in Brazil. Several studies evidenced weak genetic variation among populations due to an efficient larval transport. However, gene flow patterns of the species is poorly understood, with no information about migration rates. The influence of the two main Brazilian currents in larval dispersion is also not clear. In order to provide baseline information for conservation, planning and management of this important fishery resource, the present study aimed to estimate and evaluate spatial distribution of genetic diversity, migration rates and gene flow directivity among populations of U. cordatus in Brazil. METHODS: Nine microsatellites were used to resolve population structure of 319 crabs collected from six sites located along the Brazilian coast. The degree of geographical differentiation included estimates of genetic diversity, population structure and gene flow models, with spatial analysis of shared alleles (SAShA), isolation by distance tests, AMOVA, discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) and Bayesian clustering. We estimated the amount of ongoing gene flow between clusters using the coalescent-based method implemented in Migrate-N. RESULTS: Loci were highly polymorphic (average of 12.4 alleles per locus) evidencing high genetic variability. There was significant differentiation among localities, despite of the low value of FST (= 0.019; P < 0.001). FST and Jost's D indexes were also estimated in pairwise comparisons and showed significant differences between most of the surveyed site pairs (P < 0.05). Structure evidenced a single genetic group among samples, however SAShA pointed to a non-panmictic condition (P = 0.011). AMOVA detected four statistical significant clusters with low level of differentiation (FCT = 0.037; P = 0.023). The gene flow model that best described the population connectivity was the island model, with ∼24 crabs being exchanged among localities per generation. DISCUSSION: The high migration rates found among localities seem to be the main force acting to sustain the distribution of the genetic diversity of U. cordatus. Despite the high gene flow and the weak population structure among samples, the significant genetic differences found suggest that gene flow alone does not bypass the effects of genetic drift, natural selection and/or human exploitation. These findings are vital for the establishment of a database to be used in the development of conservation programs.

Mitochondrial DNA Variation Reveals a Sharp Genetic Break within the Distribution of the Blue Land Crab Cardisoma guanhumi in the Western Central Atlantic.

The blue land crab Cardisoma guanhumi is widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical estuarine regions in the Western Central Atlantic (WCA). Patterns of population genetic structure and historical demographics of the species were assessed by mtDNA control region sequence analysis to examine the connectivity among five populations (n = 97) within the region for future conservation strategies and decision-making of fishery management. A total of 234 polymorphic nucleotides were revealed within the sequence region, which have defined 93 distinct haplotypes. No dominant mtDNA haplotypes were found but instead a distribution of a few low-frequency recurrent haplotypes with a large number of singletons. A NJ-tree and a median-joining haplotype network revealed two distinct clusters, corresponding to individuals from estuaries located along the Caribbean Sea and Brazilian waters, respectively. AMOVA and FST statistics supported the hypothesis that two main geographic regions exists. Phylogeographical discontinuity was further demonstrated by the Bayesian assignment analysis and a significant pattern of isolation-by-distance. Additionally, tests of neutral evolution and analysis of mismatch distribution indicate a complex demographic history in the WCA, which corresponds to bottleneck and subsequent population growth. Overall, a sharp genetic break between Caribbean and Brazilian populations raised concerns over the conservation status of the blue land crab.

Aspectos bioecológicos e genético-comportamentais envolvidos na conservação da abelha Jandaíra, Melipona subnitida Ducke (Apidae, Meliponini), e o uso de ferramentas moleculares nos estudos de diversidade / Bioecological and behavioral genetic aspects involved in the conservation of the stingless bee Melipona subnitida Ducke (Apidae, Meliponini) and the use of molecular tools in studies of diversity

A abelha sem ferrão Melipona subnitida atualmente está presente em quase toda a região nordeste, em função da boa adaptabilidade ao semiárido nordestino e do potencial econômico-ecológico proporcionado pela produção de mel e pela polinização de cultivos em condições de confinamento. Apesar disso, é uma espécie ameaçada devido a processos de degradação ambiental, dentre os quais estão o desmatamento, o uso indiscriminado de agrotóxicos e o extrativismo. Tais interferências tendem a isolar as populações de Jandaíra, provocando uma queda na variabilidade genética e, consequentemente, uma redução na capacidade adaptativa da espécie. Porém, técnicas de biologia molecular estão sendo implementadas, possibilitando que populações desse tipo sejam avaliadas quanto ao seu grau de variabilidade genética. Marcadores moleculares do tipo microssatélites de DNA vêm sendo bastante usados, porém, em função do alto custo exigido para seu desenvolvimento, diversos estudos vêm empregando microssatélites transferidos de táxons próximos com amplo sucesso em estudos voltados à caracterização e à diversidade genética. Dessa forma, a presente revisão objetivou avaliar os mais relevantes aspectos bioecológicos e genético-comportamentais envolvidos na conservação da abelha Jandaíra, a fim de auxiliar na avaliação do grau de diversidade genética da espécie, bem como da sua distribuição entre indivíduos e populações da abelha sem ferrão M. subnitida.(AU)

The stingless bee Melipona subnitida is now present almost everywhere in the Brazilian Northeastern, as a consequence of its good adaptability to the semiarid and economic and ecological potential offered by the honey production and pollination of commercial crops under confined conditions. Nevertheless, it is an endangered species due to environmental degradation processes, among which are: deforestation, indiscriminate use of pesticides and honey extraction. Such interference tends to isolate populations of Jandaíra causing a decrease in genetic variability, and therefore a reduction in the adaptive capacity of the species. However, advanced Molecular Biology techniques have been used allowing such populations to be assessed for their degree of genetic variability. Molecular markers such as microsatellite DNA are widely applied to genetic diversity studies. However, due to the high costs required for their development, several studies have been focused on the use of microsatellites transferred from closely related taxa with much success in studies on the genetic characterization of species and their populations. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the most relevant ecological and behavioral aspects in order to assist the population genetic studies of the stingless bee M. subnitida.(AU)

Aspectos de imagem na tendinite calcária pré-vertebral / Imaging findings in acute calcific prevertebral tendinitis

A tendinite calcária aguda pré-vertebral é uma condição benigna e rara que apresenta calcificação das fibras do músculo longo do pescoço com reação inflamatória local, sendo esta uma das formas de apresentação menos frequentes da doença por deposição de hidroxiapatita de cálcio. Manifesta-se com dor cervical aguda e/ou odinofagia, podendo ser erroneamente diagnosticada como abscesso retrofaríngeo, espondilodiscite ou alteração decorrente de trauma. Os achados radiológicos na tendinite calcária pré-vertebral são patognomônicos. O conhecimento de tais achados é muito importante, pois o correto diagnóstico possibilita a resolução precoce dos sintomas e evita intervenções desnecessárias em um paciente que apresenta afecção com boa resposta ao tratamento conservador.

Acute calcific prevertebral tendinitis is a benign and rare condition that presents calcification of the superior oblique fibers of longus colli muscle with local inflammatory reaction. Such condition is one of the less common presentations of calcium hydroxyapatite deposition disease. Clinical signs are usually acute neck pain and odynophagia, and it may be misdiagnosed as retropharyngeal abscess, spondylodiscitis or traumatic injury. The imaging findings in calcific prevertebral tendinitis are pathognomonic. The knowledge of such findings is extremely important to avoid unnecessary interventions in a patient presenting a condition with a good response to conservative treatment.

Analysis of direct costs of anesthesia-related materials between spinal and venous anesthesia with propofol associated with local perianal block in hemorrhoidectomy

There is no consensus on the ideal anesthesia for hemorrhoidectomy in ambulatory facilities. Spinal anesthesia and venous propofol associated with local perianal block (combined anesthesia) are frequently used, and their direct costs may be crucial for the anesthesia type selection. The objective of this study was to compare the direct costs of anesthesia-related materials in hemorrhoidectomy between these two anesthetic techniques.Retrospective and cross-section analysis, comparing the direct costs of the materials of spinal and venous anesthesia with propofol associated with local perianal block, in hemorrhoidectomy. Twenty patients were included, ten submitted to each anesthesia type (five from each gender). The mean age in the spinal anesthesia group was 46.5 years and in the combined anesthesia group, 42.5 years (p=0.334). The mean cost of anesthesia-related materials was R$ 58.50 (R$ 36.48 - R$ 85.79) in the first group versus R$ 190.31 (R$ 98.16 - R$ 358.51) in the second - 69.27% difference between them (p<0.001). The mean costs according to gender analysis were R$ 50.32 and R$ 66.69 (p=0.263) in the spinal anesthesia group versus R$ 222.52 and R$ 158.10 (p=0.221) in the combined anesthesia group, respectively. The direct costs of anesthesia-related materials were significantly lower in patients submitted to hemorrhoidectomy using spinal anesthesia. No difference was observed between the genders in each group analyzed. (AU)

Não há consenso sobre a técnica anestésica de escolha para hemorroidectomias em regime ambulatorial. A raquianestesia e a anestesia combinada (venosa com propofol + local) são frequentemente utilizadas, e os custos das mesmas podem ser determinantes na escolha do melhor tipo de anestesia. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar e comparar os custos diretos dos materiais anestésicos utilizados em hemorroidectomias entre essas duas técnicas. Foi feito um estudo retrospectivo e transversal, comparativo entre os custos diretos dos materiais anestésicos entre a raquianestesia e a anestesia venosa com poropofol associada ao bloqueio perianal local, em hemorroidectomias. Foram analisados 20 pacientes, 10 operados com cada técnica anestésica (5 de cada gênero). A média de idade do grupo da raquianestesia foi de 46,5 anos e do grupo da anestesia combinada foi de 42,5 anos (p=0,334). O custo médio do procedimento anestésico no primeiro grupo foi de R$ 58,50 (R$ 36,48 - R$ 85,79), no segundo foi de R$ 190,31 (R$ 98,16 - R$ 358,51). A diferença das médias foi de 69,27%, com significância estatística (p<0,001). A média dos custos dos gêneros masculino e feminino no grupo da raquianestesia foi de R$ 50,32 e R$ 66,69 (p=0,263) e no grupo da anestesia combinada foi de R$ 222,52 e R$ 158,10 (p=0,221), respectivamente. Os custos diretos médios dos materiais anestésicos dos pacientes submetidos a hemorroidectomias foram significativamente menores no grupo da raquianestesia. Não houve significância estatística na diferença entre os gêneros em cada grupo. (AU)

Ultrassonografia nas lesões do couro cabeludo pediátrico / Ultrasonography in pediatric scalp lesions

OBJETIVO: Apresentar os resultados do estudo ultrassonográfico de diferentes lesões do couro cabeludo em crianças de diversas faixas etárias, seguidos de breve discussão acerca da patologia, juntamente com revisão da literatura. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Pacientes com idades entre 13 dias e 7 anos e 9 meses, submetidos a avaliação ultrassonográfica das lesões do couro cabeludo com transdutor linear de alta frequência (12 MHz) e avaliação com Doppler colorido. DISCUSSÃO: A ultrassonografia possibilitou o estudo anatômico detalhado e a caracterização das lesões do couro cabeludo, assim como seu padrão de fluxo sanguíneo ao Doppler colorido. CONCLUSÃO: A correta interpretação dos achados de imagem das lesões do couro cabeludo depende do conhecimento,pelo médico radiologista, das principais afecções existentes, dos mecanismos fisiopatológicos dadoença e da apresentação clínica do paciente, para que o diagnóstico seja estabelecido de formaprecoce e correta.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of an ultrasound study of differentscalp lesions in children of different ages followed by brief discussion of pathology, along with review of literature. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Patients aged between 13 days and 7 years and 9 months underwent sonographic evaluation of lesions of the scalp with a linear, high frequency probe (12 MHz) and color Doppler evaluation. DISCUSSION: The ultrasound allowed a detailed anatomical study and characterization of lesions of the scalp, as well as its pattern of blood flow on color Doppler. CONCLUSION: The correct interpretation of imaging findings of lesions of the scalp depends on the knowledge, the radiologist, existing major diseases,the pathophysiological mechanisms of disease and clinical presentation so that the diagnosis is established early and correct.

Aspectos das faringoceles nos exames de imagens / Pharyngoceles aspects in imaging exams

OBJETIVO: O presente ensaio tem a finalidade de mostrar as diferentes características nos exames de imagem (videodeglutograma e tomografia computadorizada) que a faringocele pode apresentar,assim como sua correlação com o quadro clínico. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram selecionados casos de faringocele nos exames de imagem (videodeglutograma e tomografia computadorizada) realizados em nosso serviço, efetuando a correlação com o quadro clínico. RESULTADOS: A faringocele apresenta-se frequentemente com dimensões pequenas e orifício estreito. Quando aumenta de tamanho, o quadro clínico é mais evidente e diverso, podendo-se confundir com outras lesões cervicais que aumentam com a manobra de Valsalva. O diagnóstico diferencial pode ser realizado através da avaliação imaginológica. CONCLUSÃO: Procuramos mostrar que a faringocele pode se apresentar com diferentes aspectos, nem sempre sendo evidente o seu reconhecimento pela clínica ou pelos exames de imagem. Seu diagnóstico deve ser sempre lembrado naprática diária.

OBJECTIVE: The present study is aimed at showing the differentcharacteristics of pharyngoceles in imaging exams (video fluoroscopicswallowing exam [VFSE] and computed tomography) and itscorrelation with clinical presentation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Pharyngocele cases were selected in imaging exams (video fluoroscopic swallowing exam [VFSE] and computed tomography) realized in our service, realizing clinical presentation correlation. RESULTS: Pharyngocele presents frequently with small dimensions and narrow orifice. When the size enlarges, clinical presentation is more evident and diverse, which can confuse with other cervical lesionsthat enlarge with Valsalva maneuver. Differential diagnosis canbe done by imaging evaluation. CONCLUSION: We intended to demonstrate that many times pharyngocele can be presented withdifferent aspects, not always being easy to recognize by clinics orimaging exams, but its diagnosis must be always remembered inour daily practice.

Polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus (Brachyura: Ocypodidae).

The isolation and characterization of the first polymorphic microsatellite markers for the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus are described. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from three to 25, mean of nine alleles, in 46 crabs captured in two Brazilian mangroves. The markers averaged high levels of observed (0.709  ±  0.183) and expected (0.716  ±  0.170) heterozygosities. Departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed at two loci. Linkage disequilibrium tests were not significant and no evidence of null alleles was detected. All these microsatellite loci are expected to be useful in estimating fine-scale population processes of this valuable mangrove species currently subjected to excessive fishing efforts.

Application of a double-enrichment procedure for microsatellite isolation and the use of tailed primers for high throughput genotyping

The number of microsatellite loci and their allelic diversity contribute to increase accuracy and informativity of genetic estimates, however, the isolation of microsatellite loci is not only laborious but also quite expensive. We used (GATA)n and (GACA)n tetranucleotide probes and single- and double-enrichment hybridization to construct and screen a genomic library with an increased proportion of DNA fragments containing repeat motifs. Repeats were found using both types of hybridization but the double-enrichment procedure recovered sequences of which 100 percent contained (GATA)n and (GACA)n motifs. Microsatellite loci primers were then designed with an M13R-tail or CAG-tag to produce scorable PCR products with minimal stutter. The approach used in this study suggests that double-enrichment is a worthwhile strategy when isolating repeat motifs from eukaryotic genomes. Moreover, the use of tailed microsatellite primers provides increased resolution for compound microsatellite loci, with a significant decrease in costs.

The hypervariable domain of the mitochondrial control region in Atlantic spiny lobsters and its potential as a marker for investigating phylogeographic structuring.

Atlantic spiny lobsters support major fisheries in northeastern Brazilian waters and in the Caribbean Sea. To avoid reduction in diversity and elimination of distinct stocks, understanding their population dynamics, including structuring of populations and genetic diversity, is critical. We here explore the potential of using the hypervariable domain in the control region of the mitochondrial DNA as a genetic marker to characterize population subdivision in spiny lobsters, using Panulirus argus as the species model. The primers designed on the neighboring conserved genes have amplified the entire control region (approx. 780 bases) of P. argus and other closely related species. Average nucleotide and haplotype diversity within P. argus were found to be high, and population structuring was hypothesized. The data suggest a division of P. argus into genetically different phylogeographic groups. The hypervariable domain seems to be useful for determining genetic differentiation of geographically distinct stocks of P. argus and other Atlantic spiny lobsters.