Morcegos:: Agentes Negligenciados da Sustentabilidade

When discussing sustainability, bats cannot be left out.These mammals have inhabited our Planet for more than52 million years11 and, during this period, they have evolvedinto an incredible amount of species exploring a greatvariety of food and shelters. There is currently a worldwidedistribution of 1,200 identified bat species. Amongmammals, bats are only outnumbered by rodents, whichaccount for a total of 2,500 species.Para falar de sustentabilidade, não podemos deixar de fora os morcegos, esses mamíferos voadores presentes em nosso planeta há mais de 52 milhões de anos.11 Ao longo do tempo alcançaram uma quantidade fenomenal de espécies, explorando uma grande variedade de alimentos e abrigos. Atualmente, existe uma distribuição mundial de 1.200 espécies de morcegos. Vale lembrar que, dentre os mamíferos, os números de espécies de morcegos são superados apenas pelo grupo dos roedores, que conta com 2.500 espécies

Biochemical aspects of nitric oxide synthase feedback regulation by nitric oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) is a small gas molecule derived from at least three isoforms of the enzyme termed nitric oxide synthase (NOS). More than 15 years ago, the question of feedback regulation of NOS activity and expression by its own product was raised. Since then, a number of trials have verified the existence of negative feedback loop both in vitro and in vivo. NO, whether released from exogenous donors or applied in authentic NO solution, is able to inhibit NOS activity and also intervenes in NOS expression processes by its effect on transcriptional nuclear factor NF-κB. The existence of negative feedback regulation of NOS may provide a powerful tool for experimental and clinical use, especially in inflammation, when massive NOS expression may be detrimental

Visitas de morcegos fitófagos a Muntingia calabura L. Muntingiaceae) em Brasília, Centro-Oeste do Brasil

Muntingia calabura L. is a neotropical plant which occurs from Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil. This plant is a common tree in several Brazilian cities and it has been used in the streets and urban parks’ arborization. Bats are known as night visitors of this tree, which fruits are available to the bats along the year. We observed three bat species (Artibeus lituratus, Platyrrhinus lineatus and Glossophaga soricina) visiting M. calabura in urban areas of Brasília, Mid-Western Brazil, between 1994 and 1999. The bat visits started at 18:00 h and ended at 20:00 or 20:30 h. The bats generally defecated while flying around the trees and dispersing feces and calabura’ small seeds on the walls, windows, cars and ground. Pet animals, mainly cats, were observed catching bats, and this can represent a problem to public health although no rabies positive bats were found in Brasília. Because of its potential of attracting bats and of its all year fruit production, M. calabura is not an appropriated tree to be used in the street’s arborization although it could be recommended to urban parks and other conservation areas

Ten years of a hantavirus disease emergency in the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Hantavirus diseases are emerging human diseases caused by Hantavirus spp. of the Bunnyaviridae family. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) has been detected in the Federal District (DF) of Brazil since 2004. Among the 27 Brazilian Federal Units, DF has the highest fatality rate. More than 10 years have already passed since then, with confirmation of cases caused by the Araraquara and Paranoa species. The reservoir is Necromys lasiurus. METHODS: Local surveillance data of the confirmed cases were analyzed, including age, sex, month and year of occurrence, clinical symptoms, syndromes and outcomes, and probable transmission place (PTP). The cases were mainly confirmed by IgM detection with a capture enzyme immunoassay. The cases were classified as autochthonous if PTPs were in the DF area. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2013, in the DF, 126 cases of hantavirus were confirmed, and the cumulative incidence was 5.0 per 100,000 inhabitants. The occurrence of cases was predominantly from April to August. At least 75% of the cases were autochthonous. Acute respiratory failure was reported in 47.5% of cases, and the fatality rate was 40%. CONCLUSIONS: In the DF, the cumulative incidence of HPS was one of the highest worldwide. A seasonal pattern of hantavirus disease in the dry season is clear. There was a high frequency of severe clinical signals and symptoms as well as a high fatality rate. For the near future, visitors and inhabitants of DF rural areas, particularly male adults, should receive continuous education about hantavirus transmission and prevention