Caracterização cromossômica de taxa do gênero Trinomys Thomas, 1921, (Rodentia, Echimyidae) nos Estados do Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo

Ten species of spiny rats of the genus Trinomys are currently recognized in eastern Brazil. Although most taxa known in the genus Trinomys have been characterized on the basis of craniodental, pelage, and bacular traits, data on chromosomal morphology are available for only four taxa, two from the State of Bahia, one from the State of São Paulo, and one from the State of Espírito Santo. Here we describe the normal chromosomal complement for three additional taxa, namely, Trinomys gratiosus bonafidei (Fazenda Boa Fé, Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, type-locality), Trinomys eliasi (Barra de Maricá, Maricá, Rio de Janeiro, type- locality), and Trinomys dimidiatus (Rio Bonito, Rio de Janeiro, and Ubatuba, São Paulo). The specimens analyzed here from the locality of Ubatuba were identified on the basis of craniodental, pelage, and bacular traits as T. dimidiatus, extending the known range of this species at least 100km south into the State of São Paulo. The three taxa for which chromosomal data are presented differ in their diploid and fundamental numbers and, therefore, can be diagnosed on the basis of their karyotypes. The significance and implications of chromosome numbers and morphology as diagnostic markers are evaluated in the framework of the molecular phylogenetic relationships and of the data on geographic distribution currently available for the genus Trinomys.Dez unidades taxonômicas no nível de espécie são atualmente reconhecidas para os roedores do gênero Trinomys no leste do Brasil. Embora a maioria dos taxa conhecidos tenham sido caracterizados com base em caracteres do crânio, da dentição, da pelagem e do báculo, a informação sobre a morfologia dos cromossomos limita-se até o momento apenas a quatro taxa, dois provenientes do Estado da Bahia, um de São Paulo e um do Espírito Santo. Neste trabalho são descritos os complementos cromossômicos para mais três taxa, Trinomys gratiosus bonafidei (Fazenda Boa Fé, Teresópolis, RJ, localidade tipo), Trinomys eliasi (Barra de Maricá, Maricá, RJ, localidade tipo) e Trinomys dimidiatus (Rio Bonito, RJ, and Ubatuba, SP). Os espécimes analisados neste estudo provenientes de Ubatuba foram identificados como T. dimidiatus com base em caracteres craniodentais, da pelagem e do báculo, estendendo a distribuição da espécie pelo menos 100km ao sul na direção do Estado de São Paulo. Os taxa analisados neste trabalho diferem nos seus números diplóide e fundamental e, por conseguinte, podem ser diagnosticados com base nos seus cariótipos. As implicações da variação nos cromossomos para a diagnose dos taxa do gênero Trinomys que ocorrem nos estados do Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo são avaliadas no contexto das relações filogenéticas deste grupo, inferidas a partir de seqüências do genoma mitocondrial e da informação disponível sobre a distribuição geográfica de suas espécies

Effect of uncaria tomentosa extract on purinergic enzyme activities in lymphocytes of rats submitted to experimental adjuvant arthritis model

Background: Considering that adjuvant arthritis is an experimental model of arthritis widely used for preclinical testing of numerous anti-arthritic agents, which were taken by a large number of patients worldwide, it is of great interest to investigate the therapeutic action of compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Uncaria tomentosa extract. Moreover, there are no studies demonstrating the effect of U. tomentosa on the metabolism of adenine nucleotides published so far. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of U. tomentosa extract on E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities in lymphocytes of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) arthritis induced rats. Methods: To evaluate the effect of U. tomentosa extract on the activity of E-NTPDase and ADA in lymphocytes, the rats were submitted to an experimental adjuvant arthritis model. Peripheral lymphocytes were isolated and E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities were determined. Data were analyzed by a one- or two-way ANOVA. Post hoc analyses were carried out by the Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) Multiple Comparison Test. Results: E-NTPDase activity was increased in arthritic untreated. Arthritic rats which received U. tomentosa extract, presented similar results to the control group. However, results obtained for adenosine hydrolysis by E-ADA were not altered in arthritic rats. U. tomentosa extract did not alter E-NTPDase and E-ADA activity in healthy animals. Conclusions: The present investigation supports the hypothesis that the increased E-NTPDase activity verified in arthritic rats might be an attempt to maintain basal levels of ATP and ADP in the extracellular medium, since the arthritis induction causes tissue damage and, consequently, large amounts of ATP are released into this milieu. Also, it highlights the possibility to use U. tomentosa extract as an adjuvant to treat arthritis

Effect of uncaria tomentosa extract on purinergic enzyme activities in lymphocytes of rats submitted to experimental adjuvant arthritis model

Background: Considering that adjuvant arthritis is an experimental model of arthritis widely used for preclinical testing of numerous anti-arthritic agents, which were taken by a large number of patients worldwide, it is of great interest to investigate the therapeutic action of compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Uncaria tomentosa extract. Moreover, there are no studies demonstrating the effect of U. tomentosa on the metabolism of adenine nucleotides published so far. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of U. tomentosa extract on E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities in lymphocytes of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA) arthritis induced rats. Methods: To evaluate the effect of U. tomentosa extract on the activity of E-NTPDase and ADA in lymphocytes, the rats were submitted to an experimental adjuvant arthritis model. Peripheral lymphocytes were isolated and E-NTPDase and E-ADA activities were determined. Data were analyzed by a one- or two-way ANOVA. Post hoc analyses were carried out by the Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) Multiple Comparison Test. Results: E-NTPDase activity was increased in arthritic untreated. Arthritic rats which received U. tomentosa extract, presented similar results to the control group. However, results obtained for adenosine hydrolysis by E-ADA were not altered in arthritic rats. U. tomentosa extract did not alter E-NTPDase and E-ADA activity in healthy animals. Conclusions: The present investigation supports the hypothesis that the increased E-NTPDase activity verified in arthritic rats might be an attempt to maintain basal levels of ATP and ADP in the extracellular medium, since the arthritis induction causes tissue damage and, consequently, large amounts of ATP are released into this milieu. Also, it highlights the possibility to use U. tomentosa extract as an adjuvant to treat arthritis

Psychological Distress in Men during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil: The Role of the Sociodemographic Variables, Uncertainty, and Social Support

Objective: To analyze the relationships between sociodemographic variables, intolerance to uncertainty (INT), social support, and psychological distress (i.e., indicators of Common Mental Disorders (CMDs) and perceived stress (PS)) in Brazilian men during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with national coverage, of the web survey type, and conducted with 1006 Brazilian men during the period of social circulation restriction imposed by the health authorities in Brazil for suppression of the coronavirus and control of the pandemic. Structural equation modeling analysis was performed. Results: Statistically significant direct effects of race/skin color ( = 0.268; p-value < 0.001), socioeconomic status (SES) ( = 0.306; p-value < 0.001), household composition( = 0.281; p-value < 0.001), PS ( = 0.513; p-value < 0.001), and INT ( = 0.421; p-value < 0.001) were evidenced in the occurrence of CMDs. Black-skinned men with higher SES, living alone, and with higher PS and INT levels presented higher prevalence values of CMDs. Conclusions: High levels of PS and INT were the factors that presented the strongest associations with the occurrence of CMDs among the men. It is necessary to implement actions to reduce the stress-generating sources as well as to promote an increase in resilience and the development of intrinsic reinforcements to deal with uncertain threats.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

NTPDase, 5′-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase activities and purine levels in serum of sickle cell anemia patients

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hereditary disorder that is characterized by tendency of hemoglobin molecules within the erythrocytes to polymerize under hypoxia conditions, deform the red cells, and promote vaso-occlusion and endothelial damage. This disease may be associated with the extracellular release of nucleotides, particularly ATP, ADP and adenosine into the circulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible changes in adenine nucleotides and nucleoside metabolizing enzymes as well as their levels in serum of SCA patients. NTPDase, 50-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase activities were evaluated in serum obtained from blood samples of 15 SCA treated patients and 15 healthy subjects (control group). The results revealed that there were significant (P 0.05) alteration was observed in ATP, ADP and adenosine levels of both SCA treated and control groups. However, inosine level was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased and hypoxanthine level was higher in SCA treated patients (P < 0.001) when compared to the control group. The results suggest the involvement of purinergic signaling enzymes in the maintenance of the levels of extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides, thus preventing some pathophysiological conditions associated with SCA