LISTA DE HELMINTOS ASOCIADOS A LOS TESTUDINES CONTINENTALES DE AMÉRICA DEL SUR

This study collected records of 135 taxa of parasitic helminths (Nematoda, Trematoda, Cestoda, Monogenoidea and Acanthocephala) and ectosimbionts (Temnocephalida) associated with continental Testudines from South America. Eighty-nine helminths were identified at the species level while others were identified up to genus or family levels. The greatest diversity of helminths associated with Testudines was reported in Brazil. Chelidae was the family with the largest number of helminth species. Regarding the conservation status, 17 Testudines species with helminth records are cited in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Knowledge of helminth biodiversity and of relations between these organisms and Testudines can provide important data on host biology. Therefore, information generated by studies of helminths can contribute to research which aims at the conservation of organims and their habitats.En este estudio se recogieron registros de 135 taxones de helmintos parásitos (Nematoda, Trematoda, Cestoda, Monogenoidea y Acanthocephala) y ectosimbiontes (Temnocephalida) asociados a Testudines continentales de Sudamérica. Se identificaron 89 helmintos a nivel de especie, mientras que otros se identificaron hasta el nivel de género o familia. La mayor diversidad de helmintos asociados a los Testudines se registró en Brasil. Chelidae fue la familia con el mayor número de especies de helmintos. En cuanto al estado de conservación, 17 especies de Testudines con registros de helmintos están citadas en la Lista Roja de Especies Amenazadas de la IUCN. El conocimiento de la biodiversidad de los helmintos y de las relaciones entre estos organismos y los Testudines puede aportar datos importantes sobre la biología de los hospedadores. Por lo tanto, la información generada por los estudios de los helmintos puede contribuir a la investigación que tiene como objetivo la conservación de los organismos y sus hábitats

TELORCHIS SPP. (DIGENEA: TELORCHIIDAE) EN TRACHEMYS DORBIGNI (DUMÉRIL & BIBRON, 1835) (TESTUDINES: EMYDIDAE) EN EL SUR DE BRASIL

Trachemys dorbigni, the Brazilian slider turtle, is native to Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. In Brazil the species is abundant in the southern region. This research investigated the helminth fauna of this species. We examined sixty chelonians from aquatic environments of urban and rural areas in two municipalities in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. During the research we found Telorchis achavali and Telorchis corti (Digenea). This is the first record of T. achavali in Brazil.Trachemys dorbigni es nativo de Uruguay, Argentina y Brasil, en el territorio brasileño es abundante en el extremo sur del país. Para la investigación de la fauna de helmintos de T. dorbigni se examinaron sesenta tortugas de ambientes acuáticos de zonas urbanas y rurales de dos municipios de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Durante la investigación se encontraron Telorchis achavali y Telorchis corti (Digenea). Este es el primer registro de T. achavali en Brasil

First record of Eustrongylides sp. (Nematoda: Dioctophymatidae) larvae parasitizing snakes in the Neotropical region

Eustrongylides uses piscivorous birds as definitive hosts, oligoquets as intermediate hosts and fish as second intermediate hosts. However, amphibians and reptiles can act as secondary or paratenic hosts. The following work presents the first record of Eustrongylides larvae in snakes in the Neotropics. The coelomic cavity of 101 snakes belonging to Helicops infrataeniatus, Philodryas aestiva, Philodryas olfersii, Philodryas patagoniensis, Erythrolamprus poecilogyrus, Erythrolamprus jaegeri, Atractus reticulatus, Dipsas ventrimaculatus, Thamnodynastes strigatus, Phalotris lemniscatus and Bothrops alternatus from southern Brazil were examined. Six H. infrataeniatus were parasitized with larvae of Eustrongylides sp. The encounter of these larvae only in this specie can be related to the aquatic habit of the snake, which allows ecological interactions with the definitive and intermediate hosts of the Eustrongylides cycle. The occurrence of these parasites in a Neotropical snake is registered for the first time, contributing to the knowledge of the helminth diversity associated to Brazilian snakes.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

Parasitic helminths in Boana pulchella (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) (Anura: Hylidae) and their relation with host diet, body size, and habitat

We analyzed the diet and helminthological fauna of the frog Boana pulchella from the extreme south of Brazil. A total of 100 males were collected from two wetland areas in the state of Rio Grande do Sul: Ilha dos Marinheiros (n = 50) in the Rio Grande municipality, and the UFPel/ Embrapa (n = 50) in the Capão do Leão municipality. Boana pulchella food items and helminths found in different organs were identified and quantified. We analyzed the relationship between helminth assemblage and host diet, body size, and sampling sites. Boana pulchella presented a generalist diet, composed mainly of terrestrial insects, with diet richness higher at Ilha dos Marinheiros. Helminth fauna was composed of Nematoda, Cestoda, Digenea, and Acanthocephala, with no difference in helminth richness and abundance between sampling sites. However, the abundance of helminths presented a significant correlation with the volume of items found in the gastrointestinal contents of the anurans from UFPel/Embrapa-CL. Although for some helminth taxa there were significant differences in prevalence and mean intensity of infection among host size classes, the GLM (generalized linear model) between helminth abundance and anuran SVL (snout-vent length) was not significant. Oxyascaris oxyascaris, Cosmocercinae gen. spp., Ochoterenella sp., Diplostomidae gen. spp., Pseudoacanthocephalus sp., and Centrorhynchus sp. were the main taxa constituting the helminth assemblage associated to B. pulchella males at the sampling sites. The occurrence of helminths at larval and adult stages suggests that B. pulchella may occupy different trophic levels in the biological cycles of those helminths. This helminth parasitic fauna associated with B. pulchella is mainly composed of taxa with heteroxenous cycles involving several intermediate and paratenic hosts, which agrees with the observations of a typical generalist anuran diet in this species.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

PRIMER REGISTRO DE TEMNOCEPHALA PEREIRAI (PLATYHELMINTHES, TEMNOCEPHALIDA) SOBRE TRACHEMYS DORBIGNI (EMYDIDAE) EN EL SUR DE BRASIL – ESTUDIO MORFOLÓGICO COMPLETO

Specimens and eggs of Temnocephala pereirai Volonterio, 2010 found on Trachemys dorbigni (Duméril & Bibron, 1835), were reported for the first time extending the known geographical distribution of T. pereirai from Uruguay to southern Brazil. Sixteen turtles were collected from a dam at 'Centro Agropecuário da Palma', Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Municipality of Capão do Leão, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The helminthes were fixed according to our standard protocols. Juvenile and adult temnocephalans were translucent and without the red-eye pigmentation. The worms were living in the inner corners of the plastron, near the legs, together with the eggs, and in the center of the plastron. Eggs were elongated, thick-shelled, with a small and subpolar filament. The most distinctive features of this species were: 1. cirrus's introvert proximal portion with spines from top to mid-level, followed by a smooth region, extending to the introvert proximal limit; 2. vagina with strong muscular walls and a single, symmetrical sphincter; 3. vesicula intermedia unusually long; 4. small dorsolateral 'excretory' syncytial epidermal plates larger in the anterior portion; and 5. excretory pore in the anterior portion of the plate, near the internal limit. The specimens in the present work had larger body length and base diameter of the shaft than the Uruguayan specimens. Keywords: freshwater turtles - NeotropicEspecimenes de Temnocephala pereirai Volonterio, 2010 ectosimbiontes en Trachemys dorbigni (Duméril & Bibron, 1835) se describen del Municipio de Capão do Leão, Estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Este registro permite la extensión de la distribución geográfica conocida de T. pereirai desde Uruguay hacia el sur de Brasil. Dieciséis tortugas se recogieron en una represa del 'Centro Agropecuário da Palma', Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), Municipio de Capão do Leão, Estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. La totalidad de la muestra se fijó de acuerdo a nuestros protocolos. Temnocéfalos juveniles y adultos eran translúcidos y la pigmentación de ojos rojos estaba ausente. Se localizan en las esquinas internas del plastrón, cerca de las patas, junto con los huevos, y en el centro del plastrón. Los huevos eran alargados con cáscara espesa y con un pequeño filamento desplazado hacia un lado. Las características más distintivas de esta especie fueron las siguientes: 1. cirro con la porción proximal del introverto con espinas desde la extremidad distal hasta la mitad, seguido por una región desnuda, que se extiende hasta el límite proximal del introverto; 2. vagina con fuertes paredes musculares y esfínter vaginal simétrico; 3. vesícula intermedia inusualmente larga; 4. placas dorsolaterales, sincitiales 'excretoras' pequeñas, más anchas en su parte anterior; y 5. poro excretor en la porción anterior de la placa, cerca del límite interno. Los especímenes del presente trabajo tenían una mayor longitud del cuerpo y diámetro de la base del 'shaft' en comparación con los especímenes uruguayos

Hannemania sp. larvae (Acari: Leeuwenhoekiidae) in Leptodactylus luctator (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in the Pampa biome, southern Brazil

The study aims to register Hannemania larvae in Leptodactylus luctator and their infestation rates in an area of the Pampa biome at the extreme south of Brazil. Forty-six specimens of L. luctator (25 females: 21 males) collected in an urban area of the state of Rio Grande do Sul were examined. The prevalence of mites was 93.5%, and 4207 larvae were collected. The mean intensity of infestation was 97.8 mites/host (6-379). There were no significant differences in the prevalence and mean intensity of infestation between male and female hosts. There was no relationship between abundance of larvae and size of anurans. The study increases knowledge of the parasitic fauna and its parasitological indices in anurans from extreme south of Brazil.O estudo tem o objetivo de registrar larvas de Hannemania sp. em Leptodactylus luctator e suas taxas de infestação em uma área do bioma Pampa no extremo sul do Brasil. Foram examinados 46 espécimes de L. luctator (25 fêmeas: 21 machos) coletados em uma área urbana do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A prevalência de ácaros foi de 93,5%, e 4207 larvas foram coletadas. A intensidade média de infestação foi de 97,8 ácaros/hospedeiro (6-379). Não houve diferenças significativas na prevalência e intensidade média de infestação entre hospedeiros machos e fêmeas. Não houve relação entre abundância de larvas e tamanho dos anuros. O estudo amplia o conhecimento da fauna parasitária e seus índices parasitológicos em anuros no extremo sul do Brasil.Asociación Herpetológica Argentin

Parȃmetros biológicos e tamanho mínimo de captura do Brycon falcatus (Peixes: Characidae) na bacia do rio Guaporé Mato Grosso, Brasil

O tamanho mínimo de captura do matrinxa (Brycon falcatus) estabelecido na Lei N° 9 096 de 16 de janeiro de 2009 é 35 cm, este comprimento foi considerado inadequado pelos pescadores profissionais de Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade, rio Guaporé-MT. Sendo assim, para subsidiar a gestão deste recurso pesqueiro, e garantir a viabilidade de sua exploração, foram estudadas 279 fémeas do matrinxa entre marçeo de 2008 a janeiro de 2010, das quais foram avaliados o comprimento total, idade e estádio de maturagao gonadal. A estrutura populacional amostrada consiste em peixes com até 5 anos de idade, com crescimento rápido (K = 0,75 ano-1) e comprimento assintótico de 38.85 cm. O L50 dentre as fêmeas adultas foi de 29.50 cm e o L100 foi de 35.5 cm. O conjunto dos dados analisados sugere que a legislação vigente superestima o tamanho de captura do B. falcatus na Bacia do Guaporé-MT.El tamaño de captura mínima del matrinchan (Brycon falcatus) establecido en La ley N° 9 096 de 16 de Enero de 2009 es de 35 cm. Esta medida fue considerada inadecuada por pescadores profesionales de Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade, rio Guaporé* (Estado de Mato Grosso). Para poder lograr un manejo sostenible de este recurso, y con el objetivo de garantizar viabilidad de la explotación, 279 hembras de matrinchan fueron estudiados entre Marzo 2008 y Enero 2010. Las variables analizadas fueron longitud total, edad y grado de maduración gonadal. La población consistía de peces hasta 5 años de edad, caracterizados por su crecimiento rápido (K = 0,75 año-1) y una longitud máxima de 38.85 cm. La L50 de las hembras adultas fue calculada de 29.50 cm y la L100 de 35.5 cm. El análisis enfatiza que la legislación actual sobreestima la longitud total permitida para la captura de B. falcatus en la cuenca del río Guaporé (Mato Grosso).* El río Iténez es denominado rio Guaporé en Brasil.The minimum allowed capture size for matrinxa (Brycon falcatus), established in law N° 9 096 of the 16th of January of 2009, is 35 cm. This length was considered inadequate by professional fisherman of Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade, Guaporé* river - MT. In order to achieve a sustainable management of this resource, and to guarantee its exploitation viability, 279 female matrinxa were studied between March 2008 and January 2010. The analyzed variables were total length, age and stage of gonadal maturation. The population consisted of fish until 5 years old, with a fast growth (K = 0,75 year-1) and asymptotic length 38.85 cm. The L50 among the adult females was 29.50 cm and the L100 was 35.5 cm. The analyzed data emphasize that the current legislation overestimates the fish length allowed for capture of B. falcatus in the Guaporé river basin (Matto Grosso).* The Iténez river is known as Guaporé river in Brasil

Regulators of G protein Signaling (RGS) proteins (version 2020.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

Regulator of G protein Signaling, or RGS, proteins serve an important regulatory role in signaling mediated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). They all share a common RGS domain that directly interacts with active, GTP-bound Gα subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. RGS proteins stabilize the transition state for GTP hydrolysis on Gα and thus induce a conformational change in the Gα subunit that accelerates GTP hydrolysis, thereby effectively turning off signaling cascades mediated by GPCRs. This GTPase accelerating protein (GAP) activity is the canonical mechanism of action for RGS proteins, although many also possess additional functions and domains. RGS proteins are divided into four families, R4, R7, R12 and RZ based on sequence homology, domain structure as well as specificity towards Gα subunits. For reviews on RGS proteins and their potential as therapeutic targets, see e.g. [160, 377, 411, 415, 416, 512, 519, 312, 6]

Regulators of G protein Signaling (RGS) proteins in GtoPdb v.2021.2

Regulator of G protein Signaling, or RGS, proteins serve an important regulatory role in signaling mediated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). They all share a common RGS domain that directly interacts with active, GTP-bound Gα subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. RGS proteins stabilize the transition state for GTP hydrolysis on Gα and thus induce a conformational change in the Gα subunit that accelerates GTP hydrolysis, thereby effectively turning off signaling cascades mediated by GPCRs. This GTPase accelerating protein (GAP) activity is the canonical mechanism of action for RGS proteins, although many also possess additional functions and domains. RGS proteins are divided into four families, R4, R7, R12 and RZ based on sequence homology, domain structure as well as specificity towards Gα subunits. For reviews on RGS proteins and their potential as therapeutic targets, see e.g. [225, 529, 578, 583, 584, 742, 753, 444, 10]

In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicological Assessment of BPP-BrachyNH2, A Vasoactive Proline-Rich Oligopeptide from Brachycephalus ephippium

BPP-BrachyNH2 is a proline-rich oligopeptide (PRO) firstly identified in skin secretion of the frog Brachycephalus ephippium, which possess in vitro inhibitory activity of angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant activity. Considering its potential application in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the present work assessed the toxicological profile of the BPP-BrachyNH2. The in silico toxicity prediction was performed from the best model obtained through the optimization of the FASTA query peptide. This prediction study revealed that BPP-BrachyNH2 induced high predicted LD50 values for both humans and rats, and then is well-tolerated in the recommended range. The MTT assay was applied for the in vitro cytotoxic evaluation in murine macrophages. In this assay, a decrease of cell viability was not observed. The in vivo acute toxicological study was performed after the intraperitoneal administration of BPP-BrachyNH2 at doses of 5 and 50 mg/kg. After intraperitoneal administration, no death, alterations in behavioral parameters or weight gain curve was observed, as well as none in the serum biochemical parameters, and gross pathological and histopathological analyses. These observations demonstrates an acceptable safety profile for BPP-BrachyNH2, leading towards further studies focused on investigation of pharmacological and therapeutical applications for this peptide.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio