A social and ecological assessment of tropical land uses at multiple scales: the Sustainable Amazon Network

Science has a critical role to play in guiding more sustainable development trajectories. Here, we present the Sustainable Amazon Network (Rede Amazonia Sustentavel, RAS): a multidisciplinary research initiative involving more than 30 partner organizations working to assess both social and ecological dimensions of land-use sustainability in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The research approach adopted by RAS offers three advantages for addressing land-use sustainability problems: (i) the collection of synchronized and co-located ecological and socioeconomic data across broad gradients of past and present human use; (ii) a nested sampling design to aid comparison of ecological and socioeconomic conditions associated with different land uses across local, landscape and regional scales; and (iii) a strong engagement with a wide variety of actors and non-research institutions. Here, we elaborate on these key features, and identify the ways in which RAS can help in highlighting those problems in most urgent need of attention, and in guiding improvements in land-use sustainability in Amazonia and elsewhere in the tropics. We also discuss some of the practical lessons, limitations and realities faced during the development of the RAS initiative so far.Keywords: Social–ecological systems, Tropical forests, Land use, Interdisciplinary research, Sustainability, Trade-off

Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK.

BACKGROUND: A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials. METHODS: This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5 × 1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1 - relative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674. FINDINGS: Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23 848 participants were enrolled and 11 636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0-75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4-97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8-80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74 341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3-4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation. INTERPRETATION: ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials. FUNDING: UK Research and Innovation, National Institutes for Health Research (NIHR), Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lemann Foundation, Rede D'Or, Brava and Telles Foundation, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Thames Valley and South Midland's NIHR Clinical Research Network, and AstraZeneca

Safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) against SARS-CoV-2: an interim analysis of four randomised controlled trials in Brazil, South Africa, and the UK

Background A safe and efficacious vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), if deployed with high coverage, could contribute to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in a pooled interim analysis of four trials. Methods This analysis includes data from four ongoing blinded, randomised, controlled trials done across the UK, Brazil, and South Africa. Participants aged 18 years and older were randomly assigned (1:1) to ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine or control (meningococcal group A, C, W, and Y conjugate vaccine or saline). Participants in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group received two doses containing 5 × 1010 viral particles (standard dose; SD/SD cohort); a subset in the UK trial received a half dose as their first dose (low dose) and a standard dose as their second dose (LD/SD cohort). The primary efficacy analysis included symptomatic COVID-19 in seronegative participants with a nucleic acid amplification test-positive swab more than 14 days after a second dose of vaccine. Participants were analysed according to treatment received, with data cutoff on Nov 4, 2020. Vaccine efficacy was calculated as 1 - relative risk derived from a robust Poisson regression model adjusted for age. Studies are registered at ISRCTN89951424 and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04324606, NCT04400838, and NCT04444674. Findings Between April 23 and Nov 4, 2020, 23 848 participants were enrolled and 11 636 participants (7548 in the UK, 4088 in Brazil) were included in the interim primary efficacy analysis. In participants who received two standard doses, vaccine efficacy was 62·1% (95% CI 41·0–75·7; 27 [0·6%] of 4440 in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group vs71 [1·6%] of 4455 in the control group) and in participants who received a low dose followed by a standard dose, efficacy was 90·0% (67·4–97·0; three [0·2%] of 1367 vs 30 [2·2%] of 1374; pinteraction=0·010). Overall vaccine efficacy across both groups was 70·4% (95·8% CI 54·8–80·6; 30 [0·5%] of 5807 vs 101 [1·7%] of 5829). From 21 days after the first dose, there were ten cases hospitalised for COVID-19, all in the control arm; two were classified as severe COVID-19, including one death. There were 74 341 person-months of safety follow-up (median 3·4 months, IQR 1·3–4·8): 175 severe adverse events occurred in 168 participants, 84 events in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group and 91 in the control group. Three events were classified as possibly related to a vaccine: one in the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 group, one in the control group, and one in a participant who remains masked to group allocation. Interpretation ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has an acceptable safety profile and has been found to be efficacious against symptomatic COVID-19 in this interim analysis of ongoing clinical trials

Hydraulic and chemical mechanisms controlling stomatal and xylem responses to changes in vapor pressure deficit

Estômatos são pequenos poros, localizados na epiderme foliar de quase todas as plantas vasculares, responsáveis pelas trocas gasosas entre a atmosfera e o interior foliar. O poro estomático é delimitado por células-guarda, que aumentam e diminuem em volume em resposta a estímulos endógenos e externos. Em particular, as flutuações no déficit de pressão de vapor entre a folha e a atmosfera (DPV) ditam a abertura estomática ao longo do dia, com influências nas trocas gasosas e na hidratação foliar. Neste estudo, foi testado em girassol (Helianthus annuus) e em soja (Glycine max) se o ácido abscísico (ABA) é importante na regulação das respostas estomáticas ao DPV em plantas ajustadas osmoticamente, ou se a influência do potencial hídrico foliar (Ψ1) sobre a resposta estomática supera a influência desse hormônio. Também foi examinada a capacidade de folhas de girassol de se aclimatarem a uma reduzida disponibilidade hídrica, modificando a sensibilidade do estômato e do xilema ao déficit de água no solo. A condutância estomática durante as transições de DPV não foram associadas ao Ψ1, mas tanto o fechamento estomático em alto DPV quanto a abertura estomática no retorno ao baixo DPV foram fortemente influenciadas pela concentração de ABA na folha. Demonstrou-se que a produção de ABA foliar em alto DPV é desencadeada por variações na turgescência celular e não por alterações no Ψ1 per se. Plantas de girassol ajustadas osmoticamente mantiveram maior abertura estomática a Ψ1 mais negativos e uma reduzida sensibilidade de dano fotossintético ao estresse hídrico. Ao mesmo tempo, a vulnerabilidade hidráulica do xilema variou em resposta à condição de crescimento, com plantas sob seca produzindo condutos xilemáticos com paredes celulares mais grossas e mais resistentes à cavitação. A plasticidade coordenada entre o potencial osmótico e a vulnerabilidade do xilema permite que girassóis crescidos em seca extraiam água do solo com mais segurança, protegendo o xilema das folhas do embolismo. A alta plasticidade da vulnerabilidade do xilema encontrada em girassol pode sugerir uma estratégia alternativa em espécies herbáceas durante o déficit hídrico.Stomata are tiny pores located in the leaf epidermis of almost all vascular land plants, responsible for the majority of gaseous diffusion between the bulk atmosphere and the leaf internal environment. The stomatal pore is surrounded by guard cells, which increase and decrease in volume in response to endogenous and external stimuli. In particular, fluctuations in leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit (VPD) dictate daytime stomatal aperture and hence leaf gas exchange and hydration. Here we test whether abscisic acid (ABA) is primal in regulating stomatal response to VPD in osmotically adjusted herbs (Helianthus annuus and Glycine max); or whether the influence of the steady-state leaf water potential (Ψ1) overcomes the hormonal control. We further examined the capacity of sunflower (H. annuus) leaves to acclimate to reduced water availability by modifying the sensitivity of xylem and stomata to soil water deficit. Stomatal aperture during VPD transitions was not associated with steady- state Ψ1 per se, rather stomatal closure under high VPD and stomatal hysteresis on returning to low VPD were closely linked with foliar ABA levels. We further indicate that ABA production under high VPD is triggered by changes in the leaf turgor pressure, and not by changes in Ψ1 per se. The osmotically adjusted sunflower plants also demonstrated a prolongation of stomatal opening as soil dried and a reduced sensitivity of photosynthesis to drought-induced damage. At the same time, the vulnerability of midrib xylem to cavitation was observed to be highly responsive to growth conditions, with water-limited plants producing conduits with thicker cell walls which were much more resistant to cavitation. Coordinated plasticity in osmotic potential and xylem vulnerability enabled water-limited sunflowers to safely extract water from the soil, while protecting leaf xylem against embolism. High plasticity in sunflower xylem vulnerability contrasts with data from woody plants, and may suggest an alternative strategy in herbs to cope with drought.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerai

Physiological and biochemistry changes in embryo from seeds of Plathymenia reticulata Benth. (Fabaceae) subjected to mercury and dithiothreitol

Grande importância tem sido dada a problemas envolvendo poluição e seus efeitos sobre organismos vivos. Dentre os principais vilões, encontram-se os metais pesados que assumem papel de destaque. Um metal pesado conhecido por sua alta toxicidade é o mercúrio (Hg2+): um elemento químico não essencial que se acumula facilmente nos organismos vivos, causando danos fisiológicos e estruturais bastante acentuados. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar as alterações fisiológicas e bioquímicas em embriões de sementes de Plathymenia reticulata Benth. tratadas com cloreto de mercúrio (HgCl 2 ). Foi avaliado o efeito do HgCl 2 a 10 -5 , 10 -4 , 10 -3 e 10 -2 M na germinação de sementes e embebição e teor de água dos embriões oriundos de sementes hidratadas nestas soluções. Foi avaliado também a germinação de sementes hidratadas soluções de ditiotreitol (DTT) nas concentrações 10 -5 , 10 -4 , 10 -3 e 10 - M. Foi verificada a reversão, utilizando o DTT, dos danos causados pelo cloreto de mercúrio, avaliando a germinação de sementes e embebição e teor de água dos embriões oriundos de sementes hidratadas: nas seguintes soluções: HgCl 2 10 -3 M + DTT 10 -3 M e HgCl 2 10 -2 M + DTT 10 -3 M. Por fim, foi determinada a atividade das enzimas superóxido dismutase, catalase e peroxidases totais nos embriões durantes as primeiras horas de embebição de sementes nas soluções: DTT 10 -3 , HgCl 2 10 -3 M e HgCl 2 10 -3 M + DTT 10 -3 . O HgCl 2 altera as fases iniciais da embebição dos embriões de sementes de P. reticulata, modificando o teor de água dos embriões e a porcentagem e velocidade de germinação, sem promover estresse oxidativo. Em concentrações mais elevadas provoca a morte das sementes. O DTT é capaz de reverter o processo de inibição da embebição de embriões oriundos de sementes tratadas com cloreto de mercúrio, permitindo que o teor de água dos embriões e a porcentagem e velocidade de germinação das sementes sejam restabelecidos.Great importance has been given to problems involving pollution and the effects on living organisms. Among the main pollution villain, heavy metals assume a relevant role. A heavy metal, referred by the high toxicity is Mercury (Hg 2+ ), a non-essential chemical element that can easily accumulate in all live organisms causing accented physiological and structural damages. The aim of this work was to evaluate physiological and biochemical changes in embryos from Plathymenia reticulate Benth. seeds subjected to mercury chloride (HgCl 2 ) and dithiothreitol (DTT). It was evaluated the effects of HgCl 2 solutions in the concentrations of 10 -5 , 10 -4 , 10 -3 and 10 -2 M on seed germination, embryo hydration and embryo moisture content. It was also evaluated he effects of DTT solutions in the concentrations of 10 -5 , 10 -4 , 10 -3 and 10 -2 M on seed germination. DTT was used to test the reversal of the damage caused by mercury chloride on seed germination, embryo hydration and embryo moisture content, thus was used the solutions of 10 -3 M HgCl 2 + 10 -3 M DTT and 10 -2 M HgCl 2 + 10 -3 M DTT. Lastly it was determined the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and total peroxidases in embryos during the initial 48 hours of seed imbibition in the solutions: water (control), 10 -3 M DTT, 10 -3 M HgCl 2 and10 -3 M HgCl 2 + 10 -3 M DTT. The imbibition of seeds in the concentration of 10 -3 M HgCl 2 delays the embryo hydration and reduces embryo moisture content and seed germination, without promoting oxidative stress. Imbibition of seeds in the concentration of 10 -2 M HgCl 2 kills the seeds. DTT reverses the inhibition on embryo imbibition, when seeds are subjected to mercury chloride and allows embryo moisture content and seed germination to restore.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superio

Environmental factors on seed germination, seedling survival and initial growth of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.)

Abstract: Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) is an Amazon species of elevated agro-industrial potential due the high content of omega-3 and omega-6 in its seeds. Despite of it, little information about its propagation by seeds is currently available. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess seed germination, seedling survival and growth of this species under different conditions of substrate (on paper, between papers and paper roll), light (continuous darkness, 12-h photoperiod and continuous light) and temperature (continuous temperature at 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C). Germination is stimulated by substrates with increased surface contact with the seeds, presence of light and temperatures between 25 and 35 °C. Survival and initial growth of seedlings are favored by vermiculite, continuous light and 30 °C temperature. These conditions allow rapid and uniform germination of seeds and better establishment and development of seedlings. We encourage the propagation of sacha inchi by seeds, since we consider it a feasible technique

Action of nitric oxide in sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) submitted to stress by cadmium

Abstract: The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of nitric oxide (NO) as a protecting agent of sesame seeds submitted to different concentrations of cadmium. The treatments were: water (control), water increased by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and other treatments regarding the concentrations of cadmium increased by SNP. The following determinations were done: germination, first count of germination, germination speed index, length of hypocotyl and radicle and dry matter of hypocotyl and radicle, besides quantification of enzyme activities, superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and total peroxidases. The statistical design was entirely randomized with five replicates. The data was submitted to a variance analysis and the averages obtained for the treatments were compared by the Tukey test at 5% significance. The averages obtained in the treatments with and without SNP were compared by the F test at 5% probability. The NO due to the application of SNP was beneficial, providing an increase in germination, vigor and growth of seedlings. There was a progressive increase of the antioxidant enzymes activity in the period of 0 to 24 hours, showing an organization of the antioxidant system in the sesame seeds throughout germination time

Resumos em andamento - Fisiopatologia

Resumos em andamento - Fisiopatologi

Resumos em andamento - Fisiopatologia

Resumos em andamento - Fisiopatologi