Microplastics ingestion and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) by breeding seabirds in the east tropical Atlantic: Associations with trophic and foraging proxies (δ15N and δ13C).

In this study we found that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) were omnipresent in a tropical seabird community comprising diverse ecological guilds and distinct foraging and trophic preferences. Because EDCs tend to bioaccumulate within the food web and microplastics can absorb and release harmful chemical compounds, our findings draw attention to the potential threats to wildlife. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the role of plastic ingestion, trophic and foraging patterns (δ15N and δ13C) of five tropical seabird species breeding in sympatry, on the exposure to EDCs, namely Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) and personal care products (PCPs, e.g., musk fragrances and UV-filters). Results indicated that microplastics occurrence and EDCs detection frequency varied among species. Microplastics occurrence was higher in species with dual and coastal foraging strategies. Preen oil had higher levels of MeO-PBDEs and PCPs, while serum had higher levels of PBDEs. In brown boobies, the correlation between microplastics and ∑PBDEs levels was significant, suggesting that microplastics ingestion is a key PBDEs route. Trophic position (δ15N) plays a key role in PBDEs accumulation, particularly in Bulwer's petrel, which occupies a high trophic position and had more specialized feeding ecology than the other species. MeO-PBDEs were linked to foraging habitat (δ13C), although the link to foraging locations deserves further investigation. Overall, our findings not only fill key gaps in our understanding of seabirds' exposure to microplastics and EDCs, but also provide an essential baseline for future research and monitoring efforts. These findings have broader implications for the marine wildlife conservation and pollution management in sensitive environments, such as the tropical regions off West Africa.

Anthropogenic debris ingestion in a tropical seabird community: Insights from taxonomy and foraging distribution.

Oceans have been considered as an unlimited supply of goods and services, but resource extraction and waste disposal became ubiquitous and have been damaging the health of marine ecosystems. Finding suitable sentinel species of the human impacts on the oceans is thus imperative, since they may work as early warnings of disruptive situations. In this study, we investigated how taxonomy and foraging distribution influenced the occurrence of anthropogenic debris among five seabird species inhabiting the tropical Atlantic region. Occurrence of anthropogenic debris was assessed using faeces of breeding individuals as a proxy of ingestion. A total of 268 particles were extracted from all samples. The categories "fragments" and "fibres", as well as the colour "blue", were the most prevalent characteristics across species. There was a high diversity of polymers from cellulosic particles to synthetic plastics (Anthropogenic Cellulosic 26.9 %; Polyester 7.7 %; Varnish 5.8 %; Polypropylene 1.9 %). Species with a more coastal foraging strategy exhibited higher occurrence and number of anthropogenic debris when compared to species foraging comparably more in pelagic areas. This suggests that anthropogenic debris are more prevalent in coastal foraging areas, where human activities occur in higher number and frequency (e.g., fisheries) and sources of freshwater input from inland are at close distance. These results provide more evidence to the growing perception on the ubiquity and diversity of anthropogenic debris in the marine environment, and further support the usefulness of using seabirds as bio-indicators of anthropogenic pollution in both neritic and oceanic regions.

Adaptive SIR model for propagation of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil.

We study the spreading of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil based on official data available since March 22, 2020. Calculations are done via an adaptive susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model featuring dynamical recuperation and propagation rates. We are able reproduce the number of confirmed cases over time with less than 5% error and also provide with short- and long-term predictions. The model can also be used to account for the epidemic dynamics in other countries with great accuracy.

So small and so rich: diversity of floral resources in miniature Oncidiinae (Orchidaceae) and their relation to pollinators.

Oncidiinae is one of the most important subtribes among the Neotropical orchids, with an enormous diversity of floral morphology and secretory structures. This subtribe attracts a diverse array of pollinators which explore a variety of floral resources of its flowers. In this paper we provide a detailed investigation of the floral anatomy of 32 species of micro Oncidiinae. We applied histochemical tests in order to determine the diversity of the glands and rewards. The diversity of secretory flower structures and rewards was related to the group of pollinators known for this subtribe. We verified that half of the species (16 species, 50%) secrete oil as a resource, being pollinated by female of solitary bees. Species of some distinct nectar-secreting genera (four species, 12.5%) are pollinated by a range of nectar-searching animals. Species of the genus Notylia (four species, 12.5%) release floral perfumes that reward male Euglossini bees. Most of the investigated species (six species, 18.75%) possess osmophores that are involved in pollinator attraction. Two species of Capanemia (6.25%) do not offer any floral reward, suggesting that pollination by food deception is involved. There are strong variations in the anatomy of reward-producing structures and resources in Oncidiinae. The diversity of floral rewards affects the range of pollinators, which are related to the diversification of this subtribe throughout the Neotropics. The understanding of relationships between Oncidiinae species and their pollinators is crucial to our knowledge of the evolution of pollination systems in this huge plant family represented by the orchids.

Indomethacin attenuates mechanical allodynia during the organization but not the maintenance of the peripheral neuropathic pain induced by nervus ischiadicus chronic constriction injury.

The neurochemical mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain (NP) are related to peripheral and central sensitization caused by the release of inflammatory mediators in the peripheral damaged tissue and ectopic discharges from the injured nerve, leading to a hyperexcitable state of spinal dorsal horn neurons. The aim of this work was to clarify the role played by cyclooxygenase (COX) in the lesioned peripheral nerve in the development and maintenance of NP by evaluating at which moment the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin, a non-selective COX inhibitor, attenuated mechanical allodynia after placing one loose ligature around the nervus ischiadicus, an adaptation of Bennett and Xie's model in rodents. NP was induced in male Wistar rats by subjecting them to chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the nervus ischiadicus, placing one loose ligature around the peripheral nerve, and a sham surgery (without CCI) was used as control. Indomethacin (2 mg/kg) or vehicle was intraperitoneally and acutely administered in each group of rats and at different time windows (1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days) after the CCI or sham surgical procedures, followed by von Frey's test for 30 min. The data showed that indomethacin decreased the mechanical allodynia threshold of rats on the first, second, and fourth days after CCI (P<0.05). These findings suggested that inflammatory mechanisms are involved in the induction of NP and that COX-1 and COX-2 are involved in the induction but not in the maintenance of NP.

Indomethacin attenuates mechanical allodynia during the organization but not the maintenance of the peripheral neuropathic pain induced by nervus ischiadicus chronic constriction injury

The neurochemical mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain (NP) are related to peripheral and central sensitization caused by the release of inflammatory mediators in the peripheral damaged tissue and ectopic discharges from the injured nerve, leading to a hyperexcitable state of spinal dorsal horn neurons. The aim of this work was to clarify the role played by cyclooxygenase (COX) in the lesioned peripheral nerve in the development and maintenance of NP by evaluating at which moment the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin, a non-selective COX inhibitor, attenuated mechanical allodynia after placing one loose ligature around the nervus ischiadicus, an adaptation of Bennett and Xie's model in rodents. NP was induced in male Wistar rats by subjecting them to chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the nervus ischiadicus, placing one loose ligature around the peripheral nerve, and a sham surgery (without CCI) was used as control. Indomethacin (2 mg/kg) or vehicle was intraperitoneally and acutely administered in each group of rats and at different time windows (1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days) after the CCI or sham surgical procedures, followed by von Frey's test for 30 min. The data showed that indomethacin decreased the mechanical allodynia threshold of rats on the first, second, and fourth days after CCI (P<0.05). These findings suggested that inflammatory mechanisms are involved in the induction of NP and that COX-1 and COX-2 are involved in the induction but not in the maintenance of NP.

Adverse birth outcomes associated with Zika virus exposure during pregnancy in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to report the first 54 cases of pregnant women infected by Zika virus (ZIKV) and their virologic and clinical outcomes, as well as their newborns' outcomes, in 2016, after the emergence of ZIKV in dengue-endemic areas of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This descriptive study was performed from February to October 2016 on 54 quantitative real-time PCR ZIKV-positive pregnant women identified by the public health authority of São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. The women were followed and had clinical and epidemiologic data collected before and after birth. Adverse outcomes in newborns were analysed and reported. Urine or blood samples from newborns were collected to identify ZIKV infection by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: A total of 216 acute Zika-suspected pregnant women were identified, and 54 had the diagnosis confirmed by RT-PCR. None of the 54 women miscarried. Among the 54 newborns, 15 exhibited adverse outcomes at birth. The highest number of ZIKV infections occurred during the second and third trimesters. No cases of microcephaly were reported, though a broad clinical spectrum of outcomes, including lenticulostriate vasculopathy, subependymal cysts, and auditory and ophthalmologic disorders, were identified. ZIKV RNA was detected in 18 of 51 newborns tested and in eight of 15 newborns with adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although other studies have associated many newborn outcomes to ZIKV infection during pregnancy, these same adverse outcomes were rare or nonexistent in this study. The clinical presentation the newborns we studied was mild compared to other reports, suggesting that there is significant heterogeneity in congenital Zika infection.

Pollination of Campomanesia phaea (Myrtaceae) by night-active bees: a new nocturnal pollination system mediated by floral scent.

Bees are the most important diurnal pollinators of angiosperms. In several groups of bees a nocturnal/crepuscular habit developed, yet little is known about their role in pollination and whether some plants are adapted specifically to these bees. We used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the reproductive biology and to understand the role of nocturnal/crepuscular bees in pollination of Campomanesia phaea (Myrtaceae), popularly named cambuci. We studied the floral biology and breeding system of C. phaea. We collected the floral visitors and tested the pollinators' effectiveness. We also determined the floral scents released at night and during daytime, and studied behavioural responses of crepuscular/nocturnal bees towards these scents. The flowers of cambuci were self-incompatible and had pollen as the only resource for flower visitors. Anthesis lasted around 14 h, beginning at 04:30 h at night. The flowers released 14 volatile compounds, mainly aliphatic and aromatic compounds. We collected 52 species of floral visitors, mainly bees. Nocturnal and crepuscular bees (four species) were among the most frequent species and the only effective pollinators. In field bioassays performed at night, nocturnal/crepuscular bees were attracted by a synthetic scent blend consisting of the six most abundant compounds. This study describes the first scent-mediated pollination system between a plant and its nocturnal bee pollinators. Further, C. phaea has several floral traits that do not allow classification into other nocturnal pollination syndromes (e.g. pollinator attraction already before sunrise, with pollen as the only reward), instead it is a plant specifically adapted to nocturnal bees.

Comparative reproductive biology and pollinator specificity among sympatric Gomesa (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae).

The incredible pollination mechanisms displayed by orchid flowers has inspired biologists over the centuries. Based on the intriguing flower structures, the relationship among orchid species and their pollinators has been frequently regarded as very specialised. Given that visits on flowers pollinated by oil-collecting bees are regularly rare, and in Oncidiinae the flowers frequently attractexclusively species that act as effective pollinators, the comparative reproductive biology and pollinator specificity of two sympatric Gomesa (G. varicosa and G. montana; Oncidiinae) were analysedbased on records of floral morphology, production of floral rewards, pollinators and pollination mechanisms. Furthermore, experimental pollinations were carried out in order to examine the breeding systems. The results have show that in the studied population, both Gomesa are visited by several bee species, but these orchids present a specific pollination system.Pollinaria are deposited on the head of Centridini (G. varicosa and G. montana) and Epicharitini (G. varicosa) bees when landed on the central callus of the labellumto collect lipoidal substances produced by glandular elaiophores on lateral lobes of the labellum. Both species are dependent on a biotic pollen vector to set fruits. Gomesamontana is completely self-incompatible, while G. varicosa is partially self-compatible. Our results indicate that although the occurrence of self-sterile species seems to be common in Oncidiinae, in partially self-incompatible species, as is the case of G. varicosa, self-compatibility has been considered as an important factor favouring reproductive assurance in populations with low visitation frequencies, despite occurrence of inbreeding depression.

Maternal protein restriction during lactation modulated the expression and activity of rat offspring hepatic CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2B2, and CYP2E1 during development.

Early nutrition plays a long-term role in the predisposition to chronic diseases and influences the metabolism of several drugs. This may happen through cytochromes P450 (CYPs) regulation, which are the main enzymes responsible for the metabolism of xenobiotics. Here, we analyzed the effects of maternal protein restriction (MPR) on the expression and activity of hepatic offspring's CYPs during 90 days after birth, using Wistar rats as a mammal model. Hepatic CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B1, CYP2B2 and CYP2E1 mRNA and protein expression, and associated catalytic activities (ECOD, EROD, MROD, BROD, PROD and PNPH) were evaluated in 15-, 30-, 60-, and 90-day-old offspring from dams fed with either a 0% protein (MPR groups) or a standard diet (C groups) during the 10 first days of lactation. Results showed that most CYP genes were induced in 60- and 90-day-old MPR offspring. The inductions detected in MPR60 and MPR90 were of 5.0- and 2.0-fold (CYP1A2), 3.7- and 2.0-fold (CYP2B2) and 9.8- and 5.8- fold (CYP2E1), respectively, and a 3.8-fold increase of CYP2B1 in MPR90. No major alterations were detected in CYP protein expression. The most relevant CYP catalytic activities' alterations were observed in EROD, BROD and PNPH. Nevertheless, they did not follow the same pattern observed for mRNA expression, except for an induction of EROD in MPR90 (3.5-fold) and of PNPH in MPR60 (2.2-fold). Together, these results suggest that MPR during lactation was capable of altering the expression and activity of the hepatic CYP enzymes evaluated in the offspring along development.

Bees, birds and yellow flowers: pollinator-dependent convergent evolution of UV patterns.

Colour is one of the most obvious advertisements of flowers, and occurs in a huge diversity among the angiosperms. Flower colour is responsible for attraction from a distance, whereas contrasting colour patterns within flowers aid orientation of flower visitors after approaching the flowers. Due to the striking differences in colour vision systems and neural processing across animal taxa, flower colours evoke specific behavioural responses by different flower visitors. We tested whether and how yellow flowers differ in their spectral reflectance depending on the main pollinator. We focused on bees and birds and examined whether the presence or absence of the widespread UV reflectance pattern of yellow flowers predicts the main pollinator. Most bee-pollinated flowers displayed a pattern with UV-absorbing centres and UV-reflecting peripheries, whereas the majority of bird-pollinated flowers are entirely UV- absorbing. In choice experiments we found that bees did not show consistent preferences for any colour or pattern types. However, all tested bee species made their first antennal contact preferably at the UV-absorbing area of the artificial flower, irrespective of its spatial position within the flower. The appearance of UV patterns within flowers is the main difference in spectral reflectance between yellow bee- and bird-pollinated flowers, and affects the foraging behaviour of flower visitors. The results support the hypothesis that flower colours and the visual capabilities of their efficient pollinators are adapted to each other.

Characterization of Neuwiedin, a new disintegrin from Bothrops neuwiedi venom gland with distinct cysteine pattern.

Disintegrins are cysteine-rich toxins containing the RGD motif exposed in a loop that binds integrins such as αIIbß3, α5ß1 and αvß3. The flexibility of the RGD loop, controlled by the profile of the cysteine pairs and the residues flanking the RGD sequence, are key structural features for the functional activity of these molecules. Recently, our group reported a transcript in the venom gland of Bothrops neuwiedi corresponding to a new P-II SVMP precursor, BnMPIIx, in which the RGD-binding loop includes many substituted residues and unique cysteine residues at the C-terminal. In this paper, we obtained the recombinant disintegrin domain of BnMPIIx, Neuwiedin, which inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation, endothelial cell adhesion to fibrinogen and tube formation in Matrigel with no particular selectivity to αIIbß3 or endothelial cell integrins. This value was also comparable to the inhibition observed with other recombinant disintegrins with conserved cysteine positions and residues in RGD loop. In this regard, Neuwiedin is an important component to understand the functional relevance of the diversity generated by accelerated evolution of venom toxins as well as to find out eventual new disintegrin-dependent targets that may be approached with disintegrins.

Liver failure and the need for transplantation in 6 patients with hepatoportal sclerosis.

Hepatoportal sclerosis (HPS), first reported by Mikkelsen et al in 1965, is a pathologic condition that does not cause cirrhotic portal hypertension. The primary hepatic lesion in HPS is found in portal vein branches with preserved synthetic function. Rarely do patients with HPS need liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and pathologic features of 6 HPS cases who underwent liver transplantation (OLT). From 2000 to 2008, 6 OLT candidates were diagnosed with HPS: 3 displayed bleeding varices and 4 ascites. Child-Pugh evaluation was class B (n = 4) or C (n = 2). The Model for End-stage Liver Disease scores were 18 (n = 2), 20 (n = 3), and 22 (n = 1). Cirrhosis resulted from presumed diagnoses of alcohol n = (1), autoimmune n = (2) or cryptogenic cirrhosis n = (3). On histologic examination, there was marked phlebosclerosis in all cases, including nonocclusive portal vein thrombosis (n = 3), intense portal fibrosis (n = 1), moderate portal fibrosis (n = 5), and uniform moderate sinusoidal dilatation without megasinusoid formation, but with ductal biliary proliferation and ductal biliary fibrosis in all cases. Cholestasis was observed in 1 and incomplete septal cirrhosis in 4 cases. None of the subjects showed histological features of the presumed underlying liver disease. The overall survival of this group was no different from that of other OLT patients. HPS causing hepatic failure may require liver transplantation. Fhlebosclerosis andportal fibrosis may contribute to the loss of hepatic synthesis leading to the need for hepatic transplant. Significant portal fibrosis and phlebosclerosis can contribute to hepatic parenchymal and posterior synthetic loss.

Which fields under a coverslip should one assess to estimate sperm motility?

Under field conditions the motility of bull semen often has to be estimated under a coverslip on a microscope slide. This study was aimed at determining which combination of fields under coverslips provides measurements of sperm motility that best represent the motility in semen specimens as measured in a specially designed chamber for use in a computer-assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). We measured the motility (percentages motile, progressively motile, and aberrantly motile spermatozoa) in each of four straws of frozen-thawed semen from each of 10 bulls five times, ranging from 5 to 120 minutes after thawing with each bull by straw by time combination yielding one semen specimen. Motility was measured in duplicate in a Hamilton, Thorne IVOS CASA; once in each of 12 fields equally spaced along the equatorial radius of a coverslip (Field 0 at the edge and Field 11 at the center) and once in each of eight equally spaced fields along the equator of a Leja 4 chamber designed for use in a CASA. We used the weighted average motility of all fields in a chamber as gold standard and compared it to the average motility of each the following combinations of fields under the coverslip: all 12 fields, Fields 2 to 4, Fields 2 and four, Field 3 and the center three fields. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was determined between the motility in each combination of fields under coverslips and the chambers as a reproducibility index, which evaluates the agreement between the readings under the coverslips and the gold standard readings in the chambers (n = 187 for each CCC). We performed pairwise comparisons of the CCCs (P < 0.005 for each comparison) and established that the average motility under all 12 fields better reproduced the motility in the chamber than the center three fields or Field 3. The averages of Fields 2 to 4 and Fields 2 and 4 reproduced chamber motility as well as the average of all 12 fields, except for the percentage motile sperm, where the average of all 12 fields was better. Using the average motility of Fields 2 and 4, 50% of estimates fell within 6%, 4% and 3% above or below the percentages motile, progressively motile and aberrantly motile spermatozoa in the Leja 4 chamber, 80% of estimates fell within 12%, 8% and 7% thereof and 95% fell within 23%, 13% and 12% thereof. In conclusion, for the method of spreading semen under a coverslip and the range in motility values used, this study shows that the average of the motility over the 12 fields along the equatorial radius under a coverslip provides the best estimate of the motility of a semen specimen, while the average of Fields 2 and 4 is also suitable for the subjective estimation of motility under field conditions, although the estimated motility is expected to fall within 6% above or below the motility of the specimen in only 50% of semen specimens.

Wave-packet dynamics in chains with delayed electronic nonlinear response.

We study the dynamics of one electron wave packet in a chain with a nonadiabatic electron-phonon interaction. The electron-phonon coupling is taken into account in the time-dependent Schrödinger equation by a delayed cubic nonlinearity. In the limit of an adiabatic coupling, the self-trapping phenomenon occurs when the nonlinearity parameter exceeds a critical value of the order of the bandwidth. We show that a weaker nonlinearity is required to produce self-trapping in the regime of short delay times. However, this trend is reversed for slow nonlinear responses, resulting in a reentrant phase diagram. In slowly responding media, self-trapping only takes place for very strong nonlinearities.

Male sleeping aggregations of solitary oil-collecting bees in Brazil (Centridini, Tapinotaspidini, and Tetrapediini; Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Males of solitary bees usually spend the night in clusters on small branches of plants, cavities and flowers. The individuals usually return to the same location each evening during their life, exhibiting site fidelity to a particular plant. We report on the sleeping roosts of the males of some oil-collecting bees of the genera Centris, Paratetrapedia, Lanthanomelissa, Monoeca, and Tetrapedia, as well as the host plants. We discuss the role of the male clusters to the associated plants.

Histopathology of canine sporotrichosis: a morphological study of 86 cases from Rio de Janeiro (2001-2007).

The present study reports the histopathological findings of 86 skin lesions of dogs with sporotrichosis from Rio de Janeiro. Suppurative granulomatous inflammation was the predominant finding and was observed in 76 (88.37%) cases. Plasma cells surrounding the suppurative granulomas were detected in 68 (89.5%) cases and an inflammatory infiltrate at the periphery of these granulomatous lesions was observed in 63 (82.9%). Fungus-specific staining revealed yeast cells compatible with Sporothrix schenckii in 36 cases. These fungal elements were only detected in lesions characterized by suppurative granulomatous inflammation. Thus, specific staining of serial sections is recommended in the case of dogs with skin lesions whose histopathological presentation is consistent with sporotrichosis. However, due to the generally small number of yeast cells in lesions, the hypothesis of sporotrichosis should not be ruled out even if the result is negative, especially in epidemic areas where correlation with epidemiological data is particularly useful.