Zinc oxide nanoparticle-reinforced pectin/starch functionalized films: A sustainable solution for biodegradable packaging.

Environmental pollution caused by non-biodegradable plastic pollutants adversely affects various ecosystems. This study proposes the development of novel functional and biodegradable films based on corn starch (CST) and pectin (PEC) containing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) from the casting method. The films exhibited processability, transparency, low water vapor permeation, and desirable mechanical properties for food packaging and coating applications. The ZnONPs acted as a plasticizer, enhancing the film elongation at the break, increasing the pec25-1 (PEC 25 wt% and ZnONPs 1 wt%) elongation from 79.85 to 162.32 %. The improved film elasticity supported by ZnONPs reduced the material stiffness. However, the films still demonstrated an average tensile strength (0.69 MPa) 17-fold higher than the tensile strength (0.04 MPa) of the non-biodegradable commercial film based on poly(vinyl chloride). Furthermore, the ZnONPs enhanced the UV-blocking capabilities of the films, leading to wettable materials with water contact angles lower than 90°. The films showed high biodegradation rates under natural disposal conditions. The results indicated that the pec25-1/ZnONPs film is a promising eco-friendly coating in food preservation due to its biodegradability, suitable mechanical properties, low water vapor permeability, and UV-blocking properties.

Epidemiologic profile and histopathological findings in Neotropical Primates during and after the yellow fever outbreak in Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Yellow fever (YF) is a viral disease whose transmission involves non-human primates (NHP), mosquitoes, and humans. Between 2016 and 2018 occurred the largest YF outbreak in the last 100 years in Brazil. We analyzed epidemiologic profile and geographic distribution of epizootics and described most frequent histopathological findings in NHP that died during YF outbreak in the state of Espírito Santo. We consider 487 epizootics notifications registered at the State Health Department from January 2017 to July 2020. Throughout the state, 51 (65.4%) municipalities reported epizootics, with more cases in central and metropolitan areas. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were laboratory tests performed for diagnosis of yellow fever, with 160 (32.9%) positive results, 314 (64.5%) negative and 13 (2.7%) inconclusive. Histopathological findings were compared statistically between positive and negative animals for YF. The liver was the most affected organ. Hemorrhage, hepatocyte necrosis, steatosis, cholestasis and eosinophilic degeneration were statistically more frequent in positive animals. Tubular necrosis, nephritis, congestion and lymphoid hypoplasia on spleen were statistically correlated to positive animals. Knowledge of pathogenic aspect of YF is necessary to guarantee that samples from Neotropical primates are properly used for YF surveillance purposes, to ensure appropriate diagnoses and subsequent public health responses.

Factors associated with caregiver burden of adults with epilepsy in a middle-income country.

PURPOSE: Despite the relevance of socio-economic background in burden of caregivers of persons with epilepsy (PWE), there is a dearth of knowledge about this topic in low-resource settings. Here we attempt to identify the extent of the burden in caregivers of adults with epilepsy in a middle-income country and the factors associated with it. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the level of burden with the Zarit Caregiver Burden Inventory. A comprehensive questionnaire was developed to assess the demographics of patients and caregivers. Epilepsy-related factors were obtained by interview and file review. Depressive, anxiety symptoms, and sleep quality were evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory, State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Stigma was evaluated by the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy. RESULTS: The caregiver's burden was mild to moderate in our sample. The factors most strongly associated with the higher caregiver burden were age-onset of epilepsy, PWE years of schooling, needs for assistance in daily life, disabilities, and caregiver's bad-quality of sleep and higher depressive and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION: Caregivers of PWE deserve special attention regarding mental health and other health aspects, such as sleep quality.

Insights into agar and secondary metabolite pathways from the genome of the red alga Gracilaria domingensis (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales).

Gracilariales is a clade of florideophycean red macroalgae known for being the main source of agar. We present a de novo genome assembly and annotation of Gracilaria domingensis, an agarophyte alga with flattened thallus widely distributed along Central and South American Atlantic intertidal zones. In addition to structural analysis, an organizational comparison was done with other Rhodophyta genomes. The nuclear genome has 78 Mbp, with 11,437 predicted coding genes, 4,075 of which did not have hits in sequence databases. We also predicted 1,567 noncoding RNAs, distributed in 14 classes. The plastid and mitochondrion genome structures were also obtained. Genes related to agar synthesis were identified. Genes for type II galactose sulfurylases could not be found. Genes related to ascorbate synthesis were found. These results suggest an intricate connection of cell wall polysaccharide synthesis and the redox systems through the use of L-galactose in Rhodophyta. The genome of G. domingensis should be valuable to phycological and aquacultural research, as it is the first tropical and Western Atlantic red macroalgal genome to be sequenced.

Marine and coastal biodiversity studies, 60 years of research funding from FAPESP, what we have learned and future challenges / Estudos de biodiversidade marinha e costeira, 60 anos de financiamento à pesquisa da FAPESP, o que aprendemos e desafios futuros

Abstract In this study we survey and analyze 300 projects related to marine biodiversity funded by FAPESP from 1972 to 2021, of which 46 were nested in the BIOTA Program. From a unique project in the 1970's, the number gradually increased until 2009, when BIOTA promoted a call on marine biodiversity, which led to a boost in the number of funded projects in the subsequent years. The geographical range of the projects expanded over the years and, from studies based on the coast of São Paulo State, the focus gradually shifted to broader areas of the Brazilian coast, then to other areas of the Atlantic, and eventually became global. The majority of projects focused on coastal benthic organisms living on hard-bottom. In terms of taxa, six groups accounted for about 60% of the projects (viz. Crustacea, Actinopterygii, Mollusca, Chondrichthyes, Cnidaria, and Rhodophyta), but it is observed an increase in the number of groups studied over the decades. The 300 projects refer to a set of 82 different topics, of which the top five are taxonomy, phylogeny, community, "omics", and pollution. The analyses show a long-standing effort in marine biodiversity surveys, with ongoing updated approaches regarding scope and methods. Research on strategic areas is discussed, including deep-sea and marine microbiota. Climate change and the increasing pressure of human activity on the ocean, including pollution, acidification and invasive species, are among the main challenges for the future. Projects producing and using basic research data in an integrative and transdisciplinary way offer multiple perspectives in understanding changes in ecosystem functioning and, consequently, are essential to support public policies for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity at different scales. UNESCO's Decade of Ocean (starting 2021) is a window of opportunity to strengthen marine research, to promote national and international collaboration, to build up networks involving the public and private sector, but particularly to draw society's attention to the importance of knowing marine environments and using ocean resources in a sustainable way. The advancement of ocean literacy is one of the main legacies for future generations promoted by integrated research programs such as BIOTA-FAPESP.

Resumo Neste estudo levantamos e analisamos 300 projetos relacionados à biodiversidade marinha financiados pela FAPESP entre 1972 a 2021, dos quais 46 foram realizados no Programa BIOTA. De um projeto único na década de 1970, o número foi aumentando gradativamente até 2009, quando o BIOTA promoveu uma chamada sobre biodiversidade marinha, o que impulsionou o número de projetos financiados nos anos seguintes. A abrangência geográfica dos projetos se expandiu ao longo dos anos e, a partir de estudos baseados no litoral do Estado de São Paulo, o foco gradualmente se deslocou para áreas mais amplas da costa brasileira, depois para outras áreas do Atlântico, e acabou se tornando global. A maioria dos projetos se concentrou em organismos costeiros, bentônicos, em substrato consolidado. Em termos de táxons, seis grupos responderam por cerca de 60% dos projetos (Crustacea, Actinopterygii, Mollusca, Chondrichthyes, Cnidaria e Rhodophyta), mas observa-se um aumento no número de grupos estudados ao longo das décadas. Os 300 projetos referem-se a um conjunto de 82 temas diferentes, dos quais os cinco principais são taxonomia, filogenia, comunidade, "ômicas" e poluição. As análises mostram um esforço de longa data em pesquisas de biodiversidade marinha, com abordagens atualizadas em relação ao escopo e métodos. A pesquisa em áreas estratégicas é discutida, incluindo os estudos sobre a microbiota marinha e em águas profundas. As mudanças climáticas e a crescente pressão da atividade humana sobre o oceano, incluindo poluição, acidificação e espécies invasoras, estão entre os principais desafios para o futuro. Projetos de produção e uso de dados de pesquisa básica de forma integrada e transdisciplinar oferecem múltiplas perspectivas de compreensão das mudanças no funcionamento dos ecossistemas e, consequentemente, são essenciais para subsidiar políticas públicas de conservação e uso sustentável da biodiversidade marinha em diferentes escalas. A Década do Oceano da UNESCO (a partir de 2021) é uma janela de oportunidade para fortalecer a pesquisa marinha, promover a colaboração nacional e internacional, construir redes envolvendo os setores público e privado, mas principalmente para chamar a atenção da sociedade para a importância de conhecer os ambientes marinhos e utilizar os recursos oceânicos de forma sustentável. O avanço da "alfabetização" oceânica é um dos principais legados para as gerações futuras promovidos por programas integrados de pesquisa como o BIOTA-FAPESP.

Phylogenomics, divergence time estimation and trait evolution provide a new look into the Gracilariales (Rhodophyta).

The Gracilariales is a highly diverse, widely distributed order of red algae (Rhodophyta) that forms a well-supported clade. Aside from their ecological importance, species of Gracilariales provide important sources of agarans and possess bioactive compounds with medicinal and pharmaceutical use. Recent phylogenetic analyses from a small number of genes have greatly advanced our knowledge of evolutionary relationships in this clade, yet several key nodes were not especially well resolved. We assembled a phylogenomic data set containing 79 nuclear genes, 195 plastid genes, and 24 mitochondrial genes from species representing all three major Gracilariales lineages, including: Melanthalia, Gracilariopsis, and Gracilaria sensu lato. This data set leads to a fully-resolved phylogeny of Gracilariales, which is highly-consistent across genomic compartments. In agreement with previous findings, Melanthalia obtusata was sister to a clade including Gracilaria s.l. and Gracilariopsis, which were each resolved as well-supported clades. Our results also clarified the long-standing uncertainty about relationships in Gracilaria s.l., not resolved in single and multi-genes approaches. We further characterized the divergence time, organellar genome architecture, and morphological trait evolution in Gracilarales to better facilitate its taxonomic treatment. Gracilariopsis and Gracilaria s.l. are comparable taxonomic ranks, based on the overlapping time range of their divergence. The genomic structure of plastid and mitochondria is highly conserved within each clade but differs slightly among these clades in gene contents. For example, the plastid gene petP is lost in Gracilaria s.l. and the mitochondrial gene trnH is in different positions in the genome of Gracilariopsis and Gracilaria s.l. Our analyses of ancestral character evolution provide evidence that the main characters used to delimitate genera in Gracilariales, such as spermatangia type and features of the cystocarp's anatomy, overlap in subclades of Gracilaria s.l. We discuss the taxonomy of Gracilariales in light of these results and propose an objective and practical classification, which is in agreement with the criteria of monophyly, exclusive characters, predictability and nomenclatural stability.

Poisoning by Megathyrsus maximus (Sin. Panicum maximum) cv. Colonião in horses in the state of Rio de Janeiro

ABSTRACT: Colic outbreaks in horses have been associated with the grazing of several Megathyrsus maximus (Sin. Panicum maximum) cultivars in the North and Central-West regions of Brazil. In this paper, we report a horse colic outbreak in the Southeast region of Brazil caused by ingestion of the Colonião cultivar of M. maximus, which has not previously been considered as toxic. The five affected horses belonged to the Veterinary Platoon based at the Central Ammunition Deposit of the Brazilian Army in the city of Paracambi, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The horses had access to treated water and commercial concentrate, and were located in a field of M. maximus at the time of the outbreak. All horses exhibited clinical signs of colic and bloat, and three of them died. The extend of the clinical course ranged from four to five days in the three animals that died; in the two animals that recovered from the colic episodes, the extend of the clinical courses were 10 and 15 days. Necropsy findings revealed intestinal and gastric bloating and hemorrhages involving the intestinal wall. Light microscopy showed moderate diffuse lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic enteritis with multifocal erosions, in addition to submucosal edema associated with multifocal vasculitis. The pathogenesis of colic caused by M. maximus ingestion in horses has not yet been elucidated. Some authors have suggested that higher starch concentrations in M. maximus during the rainy season may be responsible for the toxicity of this plant. However, the findings of this study do not support this hypothesis. As a prophylactic measure, it is suggested that horses do not graze exclusively M. maximus at the beginning of rainy periods, in which regrowth of this grass occurs. In Brazil, outbreaks of horse colic associated with ingestion of varieties of Megathyrsus can also occur outside the North and Midwest regions, under specific climate conditions.

RESUMO: Surtos de cólica em equinos vêm sendo associados ao pastejo de várias cultivares de Megathyrsus maximus (Sin. Panicum maximum) nas regiões Norte e Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Neste trabalho relata-se um surto de cólica em equinos determinado pela ingestão da variedade Colonião de M. maximus, cultivar até então não descrita como tóxico. Os cinco equinos, oriundos do Pelotão de Veterinária do Centro de munição do Exército situado no município de Paracambi/RJ, estavam em uma mesma pastagem de M. maximus, tinham acesso à água tratada e ao concentrado comercial para equinos. Todos os equinos tiveram sinais clínicos de cólica por timpanismo e três deles morreram. O curso clínico variou de quatro a cinco dias nos três equinos que morreram e de 10 a 15 dias nos dois equinos que recuperaram-se da cólica. À necropsia, os principais achados foram timpanismo intestinal e gástrico e hemorragias na parede intestinal. À microscopia havia enterite linfoplasmocítica e eosinofílica difusa moderada com erosões multifocais e edema submucoso associado à vasculite multifocal. A patogênese da cólica pela ingestão de M. maximus ainda não foi elucidada, no entanto, alguns autores têm sugerido que uma maior concentração de amido presente na forrageira durante o período de chuvas possa ser responsável pela ação tóxica da planta. Contudo as observações aqui levantadas não dão suporte a essa hipótese. Sugere-se como medida profilática evitar o pastejo exclusivo de M. maximus por cavalos, por meio de pastagens alternativas, principalmente durante o início das chuvas e rebrota da pastagem. Demonstra-se que, no Brasil, os surtos de cólica em equinos associados à ingestão de variedades de Megathyrsus, também podem ocorrer fora das regiões Norte e Centro-Oeste, desde que existam condições climáticas especiais.

Poisoning by Megathyrsus maximus (Sin. Panicum maximum) cv. Colonião in horses in the state of Rio de Janeiro / Intoxicação por Megathyrsus maximus (Sin. Panicum maximum) cv. Colonião em equinos no estado do Rio de Janeiro

Colic outbreaks in horses have been associated with the grazing of several Megathyrsus maximus (Sin. Panicum maximum) cultivars in the North and Central-West regions of Brazil. In this paper, we report a horse colic outbreak in the Southeast region of Brazil caused by ingestion of the "Colonião" cultivar of M. maximus, which has not previously been considered as toxic. The five affected horses belonged to the Veterinary Platoon based at the Central Ammunition Deposit of the Brazilian Army in the city of Paracambi, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The horses had access to treated water and commercial concentrate, and were located in a field of M. maximus at the time of the outbreak. All horses exhibited clinical signs of colic and bloat, and three of them died. The extend of the clinical course ranged from four to five days in the three animals that died; in the two animals that recovered from the colic episodes, the extend of the clinical courses were 10 and 15 days. Necropsy findings revealed intestinal and gastric bloating and hemorrhages involving the intestinal wall. Light microscopy showed moderate diffuse lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic enteritis with multifocal erosions, in addition to submucosal edema associated with multifocal vasculitis. The pathogenesis of colic caused by M. maximus ingestion in horses has not yet been elucidated. Some authors have suggested that higher starch concentrations in M. maximus during the rainy season may be responsible for the toxicity of this plant. However, the findings of this study do not support this hypothesis. As a prophylactic measure, it is suggested that horses do not graze exclusively M. maximus at the beginning of rainy periods, in which regrowth of this grass occurs. In Brazil, outbreaks of horse colic associated with ingestion of varieties of Megathyrsus can also occur outside the North and Midwest regions, under specific climate conditions.(AU)

Surtos de cólica em equinos vêm sendo associados ao pastejo de várias cultivares de Megathyrsus maximus (Sin. Panicum maximum) nas regiões Norte e Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Neste trabalho relata-se um surto de cólica em equinos determinado pela ingestão da variedade Colonião de M. maximus, cultivar até então não descrita como tóxico. Os cinco equinos, oriundos do Pelotão de Veterinária do Centro de munição do Exército situado no município de Paracambi/RJ, estavam em uma mesma pastagem de M. maximus, tinham acesso à água tratada e ao concentrado comercial para equinos. Todos os equinos tiveram sinais clínicos de cólica por timpanismo e três deles morreram. O curso clínico variou de quatro a cinco dias nos três equinos que morreram e de 10 a 15 dias nos dois equinos que recuperaram-se da cólica. À necropsia, os principais achados foram timpanismo intestinal e gástrico e hemorragias na parede intestinal. À microscopia havia enterite linfoplasmocítica e eosinofílica difusa moderada com erosões multifocais e edema submucoso associado à vasculite multifocal. A patogênese da cólica pela ingestão de M. maximus ainda não foi elucidada, no entanto, alguns autores têm sugerido que uma maior concentração de amido presente na forrageira durante o período de chuvas possa ser responsável pela ação tóxica da planta. Contudo as observações aqui levantadas não dão suporte a essa hipótese. Sugere-se como medida profilática evitar o pastejo exclusivo de M. maximus por cavalos, por meio de pastagens alternativas, principalmente durante o início das chuvas e rebrota da pastagem. Demonstra-se que, no Brasil, os surtos de cólica em equinos associados à ingestão de variedades de Megathyrsus, também podem ocorrer fora das regiões Norte e Centro-Oeste, desde que existam condições climáticas especiais.(AU)

Bovine digital dermatitis in the Brazilian Amazon biome and topical treatment with Copaifera reticulata oil / Dermatite digital bovina no bioma amazônico brasileiro e tratamento tópico com óleo de Copaifera reticulata

Bovine Digital Dermatitis (BDD) was studied in crossbred dairy cows grazing in Rondon do Pará, in the state of Pará, as well as in Açailândia and Cidelândia, in the state of Maranhão, Brazilian Amazon biome. The digits inspection from the dairy cows during milking was performed in ten farms comprising four visits (August and November 2016; April and July 2017). The cows were kept all year in pastures, and were mechanically milked on concrete floors and the animals were protected against the rains in eight farms, maintaining a daily cleaning, however, it could not be found a concrete floor in pre- or post-milking to ensure milking parlor on three farms. Manual milking on no concrete floors was performed in two farms. No preventive measures against hoof lesions were adopted. The BDD prevalence was 1.3% (22/1664), and no statistical difference among rainy or no rainy season was obtained (p = 0.72). The BDD lesions were classified according to "M system" (M0 = no lesion, M1 = active ulceration <2cm, M2 = active ulceration >2cm, M3 = healing stage, M4 = chronic stage, M4.1 = M4 with active ulceration). Regarding the 22 BDD lesions observed, 22.7% (5/22) were M1 stage, 36.4% (8/22) M2, 22.7% (5/22) M3, 13.6% (3/22) M4 and 4.5 (1/22) M4.1. Hypertrophic hairs at the edges of the lesions caused by fly larvae of genus Cochliomyia spp. as well as alterations on the hoof were also observed. Topical treatment was performed in six BDD lesions with a raw extract from trees of the genus Copaifera reticulata (Copaiba oil) and compared with the treatment of salicylic acid paste in five BDD lesions. The lesions were protected with a bandage for seven days and followed weekly until recovery. The complete therapeutic responses were 83.4% (5/6) and 75% (3/4), respectively, with an average time of seven weeks. The BDD in the Amazon biome occurs in low prevalence, not seasonal, and presents macro and microscopic features similar to BDD lesions from dairy cattle kept in free-stall housing. The treatment with copaiba oil showed similar results to the treatment of salicylic acid paste and can be used in control measures to BDD in the Amazon biome.(AU)

A dermatite digital bovina (DDB) foi estudada em vacas mestiças leiteiras nos municípios de Rondon do Pará no Pará, Açailândia e Cidelândia no Maranhão, bioma amazônico brasileiro. Para tanto, foram realizadas quatro visitas a 10 propriedades, nos meses de agosto e novembro em 2016 e abril e julho em 2017, e realizada a inspeção dos dígitos de 1.664 vacas em lactação durante a ordenha. Nestas propriedades as vacas eram criadas a pasto durante todo o ano e ordenhadas mecanicamente em oito propriedades. As quais, as salas de ordenha tinham piso concretado, com proteção contra as chuvas e era realizada a limpeza diariamente. No entanto, em três dessas propriedades, as salas de pré ou pós ordenha tinham piso não concretado e em duas, a ordenha era manual em piso de chão batido. Em todas elas não havia medidas profiláticas para afecções podais. A prevalência de DDB foi de 1,3% (22/1.664) e não se obteve diferença estatística entre os períodos chuvoso e não chuvoso (P = 0,72). As lesões observadas foram classificadas de acordo com o sistema M (M0-sem lesão; M1-lesão ulcerada <2cm; M2-lesão ulcerada >2cm; M3-lesão em cicatrização; M4-lesão crônica; M4.1- M4 com área ulcerada). De 22 lesões observadas, 22,7% (5/22) apresentavam-se em estágio M1, 36,4% (8/22) em M2, 22,7% (5/22) em M3, 13,6% (3/22) em M4 e 4,5% (1/22) em M4.1. Pelos hipertrofiados nos bordos das lesões, larvas de moscas do gênero Cochliomyia spp. e alterações no tecido córneo também foram observados. Nas lesões de 11 bovinos, em seis, foi realizado o tratamento tópico com extrato bruto de Copaifera reticulata (óleo de copaíba) e em cinco, com a pasta de ácido salicílico a 660mg/g e ambos os tratamentos foram protegidos com bandagem por sete dias. Após, as lesões foram acompanhadas semanalmente até a cura e obteve-se um índice de 83,4% (5/6) e 75% (3/4) de cura com esses tratamentos, respectivamente, com uma média de 7 semanas. Conclui-se que no bioma amazônico a DDB ocorre em baixa prevalência, não sazonal e com características macroscópicas semelhantes às lesões de vacas leiteiras criadas em sistema free stall. O tratamento com o óleo da copaíba apresentou resultados semelhante ao ácido salicílico e pode ser uma alternativa como medida de controle da DDB no bioma amazônico.(AU)

Detection of Treponema spp. in bovine digital dermatitis in the Amazon biome, Brazil / Detecção de Treponema spp. em dermatite digital bovina no bioma amazônico, Brasil

Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is a polybacterial claw disease that is endemic to dairy cattle kept in loose house systems, and treponemas are the main bacteria implicated in this disease. The objective of this study was to report the occurrence of Treponema spp. in BDD from crossbred dairy cattle (Holstein x Zebu) kept in a pasture in the Brazilian Amazon biome. The diagnostic of BDD was performed by inspecting the distal extremities of cattle during milking in one or more visits comprising 15 farms. In total, it could be inspected 1,847 cows from August 2016 to July 2017, and 25 lesions of BDD were diagnosed. The feet were scored (System M: M0 = no lesion, M1 = ulcer stage <2cm, M2 = ulcer stage >2cm, M3 = healing stage, M4 = chronic stage, M4.1 = chronic stage with ulcer area). Twenty four biopsy samples were taken from feet with BDD and five biopsy samples from feet with no lesions. The histopathology of stained tissues was performed by hematoxylin and eosin and Warthin-Starry method. The samples were also tested by nested PCR for the three previously isolated BDD Treponema phylogroups (T. medium/T. vincentii-like, T. phagedenis-like and T. putidum/T. denticola-like). Spirochetes were observed in 54.2% (13/24) of the lesions, and in 91.7% (22/24) of the samples were detected the DNA of this spirochete belonging to the treponema phylogroups implicated in BDD. In 25% (6/24) of the lesions were detected all the phylogroups. Forty percent (40%, 2/5) of the M0 samples were also positive for the nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nested-PCR), as 8.3% (2/24) of the lesions were negative in both techniques employed. Treponema putidum/T. denticola-like was the most detected bacterial in all the stages, and active lesions (M2 and M4.1) presented a greater proportion of T. medium/T. vincentii-like and T. phagedenis-like, but no statistical differences were observed (p>0.05). It could be concluded that BDD lesions in crossbred dairy cattle kept to pasture in the Amazon biome were classified as "polytreponemal" infections and the phylogroup T. putidum/T. denticola-like was the most frequent in the lesions.(AU)

Dermatite digital bovina (DDB) é uma enfermidade polibacteriana dos dígitos endêmica em vacas leiteiras criadas em estábulos e as treponemas são as principais bactérias envolvidas. Este estudo teve como objetivo relatar a ocorrência de Treponema spp. em DDB em bovinos leiteiros mestiços (Holandês x Zebu) criados a pasto no bioma amazônico brasileiro. O diagnóstico da DDB foi realizado pela inspeção, em uma ou mais visitas, das extremidades distais das vacas durante a ordenha em 15 propriedades. No total, foram inspecionadas 1.847 vacas de agosto de 2016 a julho de 2017 e diagnosticou-se 25 lesões de DDB. As extremidades distais inspecionadas foram classificadas em escores (M0 = sem lesão, M1 = estágio ulcerado <2cm, M2 = estágio ulcerado >2cm, M3 = estágio em cicatrização, M4 = estágio crônico, M4.1 = estágio crônico com área ulcerada) e realizada 24 biópsias de dígitos com DDB e cinco biópsias de dígitos em estágio M0. Foram realizadas a histopatologia pelas colorações de hematoxilina e eosina e pelo método de Warthin-Starry, e a nested de reação em cadeia de polimerase (nested-PCR) para os três filogrupos de treponemas previamente isolados de DDB (Treponema medium/T. vincentii-like, T. phagedenis-like e T. putidum/T. denticola-like). Espiroquetas foram observadas em 54,2% (13/24) das lesões e em 91,7% (22/24) detectou-se o DNA de, pelo menos, um dos filogrupos de treponemas pesquisados. Em 25% (6/24) das lesões foram detectados o DNA dos três filogrupos. Em 40% (2/5) das amostras em estágio M0 também foram positivas na nested-PCR, assim como 8,3% (2/24) das lesões foram negativas em ambas as técnicas empregadas. T. putidum/T. denticola-like foi o filogrupo mais detectado em todos os estágios e lesões ativas (M2 e M4.1) apresentaram uma maior proporção para Treponema medium/T. vincentii-like e T. phagedenis-like, mas não se obteve diferença estatística na ocorrência dos filogrupos entre os estágios das lesões (P>0,05). Conclui-se que lesões de DDB em rebanhos leiteiros mestiços criados a pasto no bioma amazônico brasileiro são "politreponemais" e o filogrupo T. putidum/T. denticola-like é o mais frequente nas lesões.(AU)

Dual influence of terrestrial and marine historical processes on the phylogeography of the Brazilian intertidal red alga Gracilaria caudata.

In this study, we explored how past terrestrial and marine climate changes have interacted to shape the phylogeographic patterns of the intertidal red seaweed Gracilaria caudata, an economically important species exploited for agar production in the Brazilian north-east. Seven sites were sampled along the north-east tropical and south-east sub-tropical Brazilian coast. The genetic diversity and structure of G. caudata was inferred using a combination of mitochondrial (COI and cox2-3), chloroplast (rbcL) and 15 nuclear microsatellite markers. A remarkable congruence between nuclear, mitochondrial and chloroplast data revealed clear separation between the north-east (from 03° S to 08° S) and the south-east (from 20° S to 23° S) coast of Brazil. These two clades differ in their demographic histories, with signatures of recent demographic expansions in the north-east and divergent populations in the south-east, suggesting the maintenance of several refugia during the last glacial maximum due to sea-level rise and fall. The Bahia region (around 12° S) occupies an intermediate position between both clades. Microsatellites and mtDNA markers showed additional levels of genetic structure within each sampled site located south of Bahia. The separation between the two main groups in G. caudata is likely recent, probably occurring during the Quaternary glacial cycles. The genetic breaks are concordant with (i) those separating terrestrial refugia, (ii) major river outflows and (iii) frontiers between tropical and subtropical regions. Taken together with previously published eco-physiological studies that showed differences in the physiological performance of the strains from distinct locations, these results suggest that the divergent clades in G. caudata correspond to distinct ecotypes in the process of incipient speciation and thus should be considered for the management policy of this commercially important species.

An outbreak of malignant catarrhal fever in Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) / Surto de febre catarral maligna em cervos Sambar (Rusa Unicolor)

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is an infectious, pansystemic and highly fatal disease with wide geographic distribution. The species that are clinically prone to it include cattle, deer and bison. In Brazil, the disease in ruminants and deer is associated with the contact with sheep, especially during labor, when the fetal remains that are eliminated contain the ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2). The outbreak took place in a conservationist property in the city of Casimiro de Abreu/RJ, which hosted 23 Sambar deer, and, of these, 19 died, showing neurological signs. The deer lived in a location together with 15 male and female meat sheep. A female specimen of the Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), aged approximately three years, which had presented with neurological clinical signs was referred to necropsy in the Setor de Anatomia Patológica at Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (SAP/UFRRJ). During necropsy, cerebrospinal fluid was sampled for analysis; fragments of several organs were fixated in 10% buffered formalin and processed for histopathological analysis. Fragments of occipital lobe, cerebellum and bulb were collected to perform the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The diagnosis of this outbreak was based on epidemiological, clinical and pathological findings, and on the amplification of the OvHV-2 DNA through PCR. The histological changes were the base to confirm the MCF case and were characterized by degeneration of vascular endothelial cells, fibrinoid vasculitis, hyperplasia and necrosis of lymphoid organs. However, PCR was an important tool to confirm the diagnosis. MCF as an important disease with nervous symptomatology in deer.(AU)

A febre catarral maligna (FCM) é uma doença infecciosa, com distribuição geográfica ampla, pansistêmica e altamente fatal. As espécies clinicamente suscetíveis incluem bovino, cervo e bisão. No Brasil, a doença em ruminantes e cervídeos está associada ao contato com ovinos, principalmente durante o parto, no qual os envoltórios fetais eliminados contém, em suas secreções, o Herpesvírus ovino-2 (OvHV-2). O surto ocorreu em uma propriedade conservacionista no município de Casimiro de Abreu/RJ, que abrigava 23 cervos exóticos, onde foram registradas a morte de 19 destes, com sinais neurológicos. Os cervos habitavam em um piquete com 15 ovinos de corte, machos e fêmeas. Um exemplar de cervo sambar (Rusa unicolor), fêmea, com aproximadamente três anos de idade, que havia apresentado sinais clínicos neurológicos foi encaminhado para necropsia no Setor de Anatomia Patológica da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (SAP/UFRRJ). Durante a necropsia foi realizada a coleta de líquido cefalorraquidiano e de fragmentos de lobo occipital, cerebelo e bulbo, para a realização de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Fragmentos de diversos órgãos foram fixados em formalina 10% tamponada e processados para a análise histopatológica. O diagnóstico do presente surto foi estabelecido com base nos achados epidemiológicos, clínicos, patológicos e na amplificação do DNA do OvHV-2 através da PCR. As alterações histológicas foram a base para confirmar o caso de FCM e caracterizaram-se por degeneração de células endoteliais vasculares, vasculite fibrinoide, hiperplasia dos órgãos linfoides. Contudo, a PCR foi uma ferramenta importante para a confirmação do diagnóstico. Ressalta-se a importância da FCM na lista dos diagnósticos diferenciais de doenças que cursam com sintomatologia nervosa em cervídeos.(AU)

Organellar genomics: a useful tool to study evolutionary relationships and molecular evolution in Gracilariaceae (Rhodophyta).

Gracilariaceae has a worldwide distribution including numerous economically important species. We applied high-throughput sequencing to obtain organellar genomes (mitochondria and chloroplast) from 10 species of Gracilariaceae and, combined with published genomes, to infer phylogenies and compare genome architecture among species representing main lineages. We obtained similar topologies between chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes phylogenies. However, the chloroplast phylogeny was better resolved with full support. In this phylogeny, Melanthalia intermedia is sister to a monophyletic clade including Gracilaria and Gracilariopsis, which were both resolved as monophyletic genera. Mitochondrial and chloroplast genomes were highly conserved in gene synteny, and variation mainly occurred in regions where insertions of plasmid-derived sequences (PDS) were found. In mitochondrial genomes, PDS insertions were observed in two regions where the transcription direction changes: between the genes cob and trnL, and trnA and trnN. In chloroplast genomes, PDS insertions were in different positions, but generally found between psdD and rrs genes. Gracilariaceae is a good model system to study the impact of PDS in genome evolution due to the frequent presence of these insertions in organellar genomes. Furthermore, the bacterial leuC/leuD operon was found in chloroplast genomes of Gracilaria tenuistipitata, G. chilensis, and M. intermedia, and in extrachromosomal plasmid of G. vermiculophylla. Phylogenetic trees show two different origins of leuC/leuD: genes found in chloroplast and plasmid were placed with proteobacteria, and genes encoded in the nucleus were close to Viridiplantae and cyanobacteria.

Delimitating cryptic species in the Gracilaria domingensis complex (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) using molecular and morphological data.

Species in the genus Gracilaria that display conspicuously flattened vegetative morphologies are a taxonomically challenging group of marine benthic red algae. This is a result of their species richness, morphological similarity, and broad phenotypic plasticity. Within this group, the Gracilaria domingensis complex is one of the most common, conspicuous, and morphologically variable species along the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. Previous research has identified that members of this complex belong to two distantly related clades. However, despite this increased phylogentic resolution, species delimitations within each of these clades remain unclear. Our study assessed the species diversity within this difficult complex using morphological and molecular data from three genetic markers (cox1, UPA, and rbcL). We additionally applied six single-marker species delimitation methods (SDM: ABGD, GMYCs, GMYCm, SPN, bPTP, and PTP) to rbcL, which were largely in agreement regarding species delimitation. These results, combined with our analysis of morphology, indicate that the G. domingensis complex includes seven distinct species, each of which are not all most closely related: G. cervicornis; a ressurected G. ferox; G. apiculata subsp. apiculata; a new species, Gracilaria baiana sp. nov.; G. intermedia subsp. intermedia; G. venezuelensis; and G. domingensis sensu stricto, which includes the later heterotypic synonym, G. yoneshigueana. Our study demonstrates the value of multipronged strategies, including the use of both molecular and morphological approaches, to decipher cryptic species of red algae.

Progression of gray matter atrophy in seizure-free patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the presence and progression of gray matter (GM) reduction in seizure-free patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHODS: We enrolled 39 consecutive TLE patients, seizure-free for at least 2 years--20 with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS), 19 with normal MRI (TLE-NL), and 74 healthy controls. For longitudinal analysis, we included individuals who had a second MRI with minimum interval of 18 months: 21 patients (10 TLE-HS, 11 TLE-NL) and 11 controls. Three-dimensional (3D) T1 -weighted images acquired in 3 Tesla MRI were analyzed with voxel-based morphometry (VBM). The images of patients with right-sided interictal epileptogenic zone (EZ) were right-left flipped, as well as a comparable proportion of controls. Cross-sectional analysis: The patients' images from each group were compared to controls to investigate differences in GM volumes. Longitudinal analysis: The first and second images were compared in each group to look for decreased GM volume. RESULTS: Cross-sectional analysis: Patients with TLE-HS had diffuse GM atrophy, including hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus, insula, frontal, and occipital lobes ipsilateral to EZ, bilateral thalamus and contralateral orbitofrontal gyrus, and caudate. In contrast, TLE-NL group did not present significant differences compared to controls. Longitudinal analysis: TLE-HS presented progressive GM reduction in ipsilateral insula and occipital lobe, contralateral motor area, and bilateral temporal and frontal lobes. TLE-NL had GM progression in ipsilateral hypothalamus and parietal lobe, contralateral cerebellum, and bilateral temporal lobe. Controls did not show changes in GM volume between MRIs. SIGNIFICANCE: Diffuse extrahippocampal GM atrophy is present in seizure-free patients with TLE-HS. In addition, there is progressive GM atrophy in patients with and without HS. These results demonstrate that not only ongoing seizures are involved in the progression of GM atrophy. An underlying pathologic mechanism could be responsible for progressive brain volume loss in TLE patients even in seizure-free periods.

Estudo sobre a sensibilidade dos caprinos à toxidez de crotalárias tóxicas para bovinos visando a sua utilização na profilaxia / Study about the sensitivity of goats to the toxicity of crotalarias poisonous for cattle aiming their use for prophylactic measures

A intoxicação por plantas é sabidamente uma das principais causas de morte de bovinos adultos no Brasil. Uma vez que pouco pode ser feito no que diz respeito ao tratamento destas intoxicações, os esforços devem se concentrar na adoção de medidas profiláticas alternativas, como a utilização de uma espécie menos sensível no local de ocorrência de determinadas plantas. Objetivou-se com esse trabalho verificar a sensibilidade de caprinos às crotalárias (Crotalaria spectabilis e Crotalaria juncea) para que estes possam ser utilizados na profilaxia da intoxicação por essas plantas em bovinos. Sementes de C. spectabilis e C. juncea foram fornecidas em doses únicas ou diárias a oito caprinos adultos jovens, de ambos os sexos, divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos de quatro animais (um grupo para cada planta)...

Plant poisoning is known to be one of the most important causes of death of adult cattle in Brazil. As there are not many possibilities for treatment, all efforts must focus on application of alternative prophylactic measures, among them the use of a less sensitive animal species in areas of the occurrence of certain plants...

Unveiling privacy: advances in microtomography of coralline algae.

Marine calcareous algae are widespread in oceans of the world and known for their calcified cell walls and the generation of rhodolith beds that turn sandy bottoms into a complex structured ecosystem with high biodiversity. Rhodoliths are unattached, branching, crustose benthic marine red algae; they provide habitat for a rich variety of marine invertebrates. The resultant excavation is relevant to sediment production, while is common that the fragments or the whole specimens result in vast fossil deposits formed by rich material that can be "mined" for biological and geological data. Accordingly, microtomography (µCT) may enable a detailed investigation of biological and geological signatures preserved within the rhodolith structure in a non-destructive approach that is especially relevant when analyzing herbaria collections or rare samples. Therefore, we prepared coralline algae samples and submitted them to a range of capabilities provided by the SkyScan1176 micro-CT scanner, including reconstruction, virtual slicing, and pinpointing biological and geological signatures. To this end, polychaetes and mollusk shells, or their excavations, coral nucleation, sediment deposits and conceptacles were all observed. Although a similar technique has been applied previously to samples of living rhodoliths in Brazil, we show, for the first time, its successful application to fossil rhodoliths. We also provide a detailed working protocol and discuss the advantages and limitations of the microtomography within the rhodoliths.

Phylogeny of Gracilariaceae (Rhodophyta): evidence from plastid and mitochondrial nucleotide sequences.

Gracilariaceae are mostly pantropical red algae and include ~230 species in seven genera. Infrafamilial classification of the group has long been based on reproductive characters, but previous phylogenies have shown that traditionally circumscribed groups are not monophyletic. We performed phylogenetic analyses using two plastid (universal plastid amplicon and rbcL) and one mitochondrial (cox1) loci from a greatly expanded number of taxa to better assess generic relationships and understand patterns of character distributions. Our analyses produce the most well-supported phylogeny of the family to date, and indicate that key characteristics of spermatangia and cystocarp type do not delineate genera as commonly suggested. Our results further indicate that Hydropuntia is not monophyletic. Given their morphological overlap with closely related members of Gracilaria, we propose that Hydropuntia be synonymized with the former. Our results additionally expand the known ranges of several Gracilariaceae species to include Brazil. Lastly, we demonstrate that the recently described Gracilaria yoneshigueana should be synonymized as G. domingensis based on morphological and molecular characters. These results demonstrate the utility of DNA barcoding for understanding poorly known and fragmentary materials of cryptic red algae.

Morphological and molecular studies on the Brazilian native red seaweed Laurencia oliveirana (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales)

Morphological and molecular studies were carried out on Laurencia oliveirana from the type locality (Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). This species is easily recognized by its small size, sub-erect habit forming intricate cushion-like tufts and unilateral pectinate branching. The species displays all the typical characters of the genus Laurencia, such as the production of the first pericentral cell underneath the basal cell of the trichoblast, tetrasporangia produced from particular pericentral cells, with the third and fourth pericentral cells becoming fertile, without production of additional pericentral cells, spermatangial branches produced from one of two laterals on the suprabasal cell of trichoblasts, and procarp-bearing segment with five pericentral cells. Details of tetrasporangial plants and development of procarp and male plants are described for the first time for the species. The phylogenetic position of L. oliveirana was inferred by analysis of the chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene sequences from 57 taxa. In all phylogenetic analyses, L. oliveirana grouped with L. caraibica, L. caduciramulosa, L. venusta and L. natalensis, forming a monophyletic clade within the Laurencia sensu stricto. The genetic divergence between L. oliveirana and the molecularly closest species, L. caraiba collected in Brazil, was 2.3%.

Absorption of metals and characterization of chemical elements present in three species of Gracilaria (Gracilariaceae) Greville: a genus of economical importance

Gracilaria Greville is a genus of seaweed that is economically explored by the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. One of the biggest problems associated with growing Gracilaria is the discharge of heavy metals into the marine environment. The absorption of heavy metals was investigated with the macroalga Gracilaria tenuistipitata Zhang et Xia, cultivated in a medium containing copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd). In biological samples, EC50 concentrations of 1 ppm for cadmium and 0.95 ppm for copper were used. These concentrations were based on seaweed growth curves obtained over a period of six days in previous studies. ICP-AES was used to determine the amount of metal that seaweeds absorbed during this period. G. tenuistipitata was able to bioaccumulate both metals, about 17 percent of copper and 9 percent of cadmium. Basal natural levels of Cu were found in control seaweeds and in G. tenuistipitata exposed to Cd. In addition, the repertoire of other important chemical elements, as well as their concentrations, was determined for G. tenuistipitata and two other important seaweeds, G. birdiae Plastino & Oliveira and G. domingensis (Kützing) Sonder ex Dickie, collected in natural environments on the Brazilian shore.