O AVANÇO DA OCUPAÇÃO ANTRÓPICA EM ÁREA DE RISCO NA SERRA DO TEPEQUÉM - RR

A serra do Tepequém, no Norte do estado de Roraima, tem passado por intensas modificações em sua paisagem ocasionada tanto por ação natural como antrópica. A ocupação na região tem contribuído para retirada da vegetação e abertura de estradas, o que intensifica a vulnerabilidade do solo e os impactos ambientais e antrópicos. Na serra, as construções ocupam áreas próximas a encostas, rede de drenagem e feições erosivas lineares que apresentam dinâmica constante em decorrência da ação climática

Tocopherol and fatty acids content and proximal composition of four avocado cultivars (Persea Americana Mill)

Avocado pulp is widely regarded as a great source of edible oil containing fat-soluble vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids (FA). However, avocado peel and seeds are also good sources of edible oil and are less explored byproducts. This paper aimed at determining the proximal composition, FA and tocopherol contents of the pulp, peel, and seeds of Quintal, Fortuna, Margarida, and Hass avocado cultivars. The pulps presented high concentrations of oleic acid. In addition, peel and seeds presented lower omega-6/omega-3 ratios than the pulp. There was also a considerable amount of tocopherol in the peel and seeds, especially in Hass peel (230.7 mg/100 g). According to the results, the peel and seeds of avocado that are considered byproducts, can be utilized in food industry

Nonextensive statistical effects in protoneutron stars

We investigate the bulk properties of protoneutron stars in the framework of a relativistic mean field theory based on nonextensive statistical mechanics, characterized by power-law quantum distributions. We study the relevance of nonextensive statistical effects on the beta-stable equation of state at fixed entropy per baryon, in presence and in absence of trapped neutrinos, for nucleonic and hyperonic matter. We show that nonextensive statistical effects could play a crucial role in the structure and in the evolution of the protoneutron stars also for small deviations from the standard Boltzmann-Gibbs statistics.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

VARIAÇÃO DOS CONSTITUINTES BIOQUÍMICOS SANGUÍNEOS DE TARTARUGAS-DA-AMAZÔNIA (Podocnemis expansa, Schweigger 1812) (TESTUDINATA) MANTIDAS EM CRIATÓRIO COMERCIAL

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the biochemistry of blood constituents from the South American River Turtle Podocnemis expansa, Schweigger 1912. For this experiment, 46 animals from Moenda do Lago Farm, a commercial farm from São José dos Bandeirantes, Goiás State, Brazil, were used, the blood being collected from the vertebral sinus, trsnferred to vacuntainer tubes without anticoagulant, spun down, the serum collected in eppendorfs and storaged at 20C and the respective analysis carried out by colorimetric techniques and fast glucose sensor Precision Plus MedsenseÅ at the College of Veterinary Medicine Latobatories at Federal University of Uberlandia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The mean values found were as follows: Total proteins, 4.42 ± 0.55 g/dL, albumin, 2.50 ±0.2 g/dL, globulins, 1.92 ± 0.35 mg/dL, albumin/globulin ratio (A/G) 1.55 ±1.46, glucose, 122.9 ± 35.2 mg/dL, urea, 61.13 ± 28.35 mg/dL, creatinine, 0.098 ± 0.021 mg/dL, uric acid, 2.08 ± 0.53 mg/dL, cholesterol, 106.93 ± 21.03 mg/dL, total calcium,7.08 ± 1.04 mg/dL, ionic calcium, 4.41 ± 0.60 mg/dL, phosphorus, 5.21 ± 1.22 mg/dL, calcium/phosphorus ratio, 1.58 mg/dL ± 0.66, iron, 390.35 ± 116,65 µg/dL, magnesium, 1.59 ± 0.14, chlorides, 86.40 ± 7.63 mEq/ L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 194.56 ± 154.27 U/L, alanineaminotransferase (ALT) 4.04 ± 3.00 U/L, alkaline phosphatase, 131.13 ± 59.96 U/L, ¡- glutamiltransferase (GGT) 0.60 ± 0.84 U/L and tryglicerides, 127.65 ± 100.86 mg/dL. In conclusion, mean values of blood constituents of Podocnemis expansa did not show great differences from other chelonian species. The albumin/globulin ratio, and uric acid and glucose values were inversely related to body weight. Thus, the results of this research bring data on South America River Turtle blood biochemistry raised in captivity, although new research studies will be necessary to establish the species reference values.O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar as variações dos constituintes bioquímicos sanguíneos da tartaruga Podocnemis expansa de um criatório comercial. Para isto, foram colhidas, por venipuntura do seio vertebral caudal, amostras de sangue de 46 animais mantidos em tanques na Fazenda Moenda do Lago, distrito de São José dos Bandeirantes, município de Nova Crixás GO. Após colhidas, as amostras de sangue foram transferidas rapidamente para frascos vacutainer® sem anticoagulante e levados à centrífuga para obtenção do soro, logo após transferidos para eppendorf e armazenados a 200C. O material foi transportado para o laboratório da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária (FAMEV) da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (UFU) para o seu processamento. As análises foram processadas colorimetricamente e em sensor rápido de glicose (Precision Plus Medsense®), os valores médios foram: proteínas totais 4,42±0,55 g/ dL, albumina 2,50±0,2 g/dL, globulinas 1,92±0,35 g/dL, relação albumina/globulinas (A/G) 1,55±1,46, glicose 122,9±35,2 mg/dL, uréia 61,13±28,35 mg/dL, creatinina 0,098±0,021 mg/dL, ácido úrico 2,08±0,53 mg/dL, cálcio total 7,08±1,04 mg/dL, cálcio ionizado 4,41±0,60 mg/ dL, colesterol 106,93±21,03 mg/dL, fósforo 5,21±1,22 mg/dL, relação cálcio/fósforo (Ca++/P) 1,58±0,66, ferro 390,35±116,65 ì g/dL, magnésio 1,59±0,14 mg/dL, cloretos 86,40±7,63 mEq/L, aspartato aminotransferase (AST) 194,56±154,27 U/L, alanino aminotransferase (ALT) 4,04±3,00 U/L, fosfatase alcalina 131,13±59,96 U/L, gama glutamiltransferase (GGT) 0,60±0,84 U/L e triglicérides 127,65±100,86 mg/dL. Conclui-se que os valores apresentam grandes diferenças dos valores de outras espécies de quelônios e que a relação albumina:globulina, as concentrações plasmáticas de ácido úrico e glicose são inversamente proporcionais às massas corporais dos animais. A espécie estudada apresenta escassos valores de bioquímica sanguínea na literatura, desta maneira os dados que foram apresentados auxiliam no estabelecimento de um padrão de bioquímica sanguínea para Podocnemis expansa criadas em cativeiro, mas também pode ser base para novos estudos

TOPOGRAFIA DOS COLATERAIS CALIBROSOS DO ARCO AÓRTICO DE UM MÃO - PELADA (Procyon cancrivorus GRAY, 1865) (CARNIVORA PROCYONIADAE)

Estudou-se a topografia dos colaterais calibrosos do arco aórtico em um exemplar de Procyon cancrivorus, adulto, macho, proveniente da Fazenda Experimental do Glória, da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, MG, Brasil, o qual teve seus vasos arteriais injetados com solução corada de Neoprene Latex 450, com posterior fixação em solução aquosa de formol a 10% e submetidos à dissecação. O arco aórtico encontra-se em correspondência à terceira costela, no antímero esquerdo da cavidade torácica. O primeiro ramo calibroso do arco aórtico é o tronco braquiocefálico, situado medialmente à terceira costela, originando as artérias carótida comum esquerda, carótida comum direita e a subclávia direita, em correspondência ao primeiro espaço intercostal. A artéria subclávia esquerda é o segundo ramo emergente do arco aórtico, originando-se medialmente à terceira costela. As artérias subclávias direita e esquerda, cedem os mesmos colaterais em ambos os antímeros, ou seja, tronco costocervical esquerdo (medialmente à primeira costela), tronco costocervical direito (borda cranial da primeira costela), artérias cervical superficial esquerda e cervical superficial direita (borda cranial da primeira costela), artéria torácica interna esquerda (medialmente à segunda costela) e artéria torácica interna direita (borda cranial da primeira costela). The topography of the thick collaterals of the aortic arch in a crab eating raccoon Procyon cancrivorus Gray, 1865, Carnivora Procyoniadae Abstract An anatomical study has been carried out on the topography of the thick collateral branches of the aortic arch in an adult male specimen of raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) from the Gloria Experimental Farm, Federal University of Uberlandia MG, Brasil. For this purpose, the arterial blood vessels were injected with a ruddy solution of Neoprene Latex 450, fixed by means of a 10% aqueous solution of formaldehyde and then dissected. It has been observed that the aortic arch is in correspondence with the third rib at the left side of the thoracic cavity The first thick branch of the aortic arch is the brachiocephalic trunk which is situaded medially in regard to the third rib, originating the left common carotid artery, the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery in correspondence with the first intercostal space. The left subclavian artery is the second emerging branch of the aortic arch originating itself medialy to the third rib. The right and the left subclavian arteries give way to the same collaterals in both sides, as the left costocervical trunk (medially to the first rib), the right costocervical trunk (cranial edge of the first rib), the left and the right superficial cervical arteries (cranial edge of the first rib, the left internal thoracic artery (medially to the second rib), and the right internal thoracic artery (cranial edge of the first rib)

Reliability and validity of body weight and body image perception in children and adolescents from the South American Youth/Child Cardiovascular and Environmental (SAYCARE) Study

Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of body weight (BW) and body image (BI) perception reported by parents (in children) and by adolescents in a South American population. Design: Cross-sectional study. BW perception was evaluated by the question, "Do you think you/your child are/is: severely wasted, wasted, normal weight, overweight, obese?" BI perception was evaluated using the Gardner scale. To evaluate reliability, BW and BI perceptions were reported twice, two weeks apart. To evaluate validity, the BW and BI perceptions were compared with WHO BMI Z-scores. Kappa and Kendall's tau-c coefficients were obtained. Setting: Public and private schools and high schools from six countries of South America (Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil). Participants: Children aged 3-10 years (n 635) and adolescents aged 11-17 years (n 400). Results: Reliability of BW perception was fair in children's parents (k=0·337) and substantial in adolescents (k=0·709). Validity of BW perception was slight in children's parents (k=0·176) and fair in adolescents (k=0·268). When evaluating BI, most children were perceived by parents as having lower weight. Reliability of BI perception was slight in children's parents (k=0·124) and moderate in adolescents (k=0·599). Validity of BI perception was poor in children's parents (k=-0·018) and slight in adolescents (k=0·023). Conclusions: Reliability of BW and BI perceptions was higher in adolescents than in children's parents. Validity of BW perception was good among the parents of the children and adolescents with underweight and normal weight

Histone variant MacroH2A1 is downregulated in prostate cancer and influences malignant cell phenotype

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa), a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide and mostly asymptomatic at earliest stages, is characterized by disruption of genetic and epigenetic balance. A better understanding of how those mechanisms orchestrate disease might improve diagnostic and prognostic tools, allowing for improvements in treatment efficacy. Replacement of canonical histones, an epigenetic mechanism, is highly conserved among species and altered expression of histones variants (e.g., MacroH2A1) has been associated with tumorigenesis. H2AFY gene encodes two isoforms of H2A histone variant MacroH2A1: MacroH2A1.1 and MacroH2A1.2. Specifically, MacroH2A1.1 isoform inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cellular differentiation. Because the contribution of this histone variant to carcinogenesis has been reported in several cancer types, but not for PCa, we aimed to investigate the contribution of MacroH2A1 for prostate carcinogenesis. Methods: MacroH2A1, MacroH2A1.1 and MacroH2A1.2 isoforms and the corresponding splicing regulators transcript levels were evaluated by RT-qPCR, in a tissue cohort composed by PCa, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and normal prostate cases. Knockdown for MacroH2A1 and MacroH2A1.1 was performed through lentiviral transduction in DU145 cells, and MacroH2A1.1 overexpression was achieved in LNCaP cells by plasmid transfection, followed by functional assays. Biological and/or experimental replicates were performed when necessary, and specific statistical tests were applied to perform data analysis. Results: MacroH2A1.1 transcript levels were downregulated in PIN and primary PCa compared to normal prostate tissues. The same was found for QKI, a MacroH2A1.1's splicing regulator. Moreover, lower MacroH2A1.1 and QKI expression levels associated with less differentiated tumors (Gleason score ≥ 7). Interestingly, MacroH2A1.1, but more impressively DDX17 (AUC = 0.93; p < 0.0001) and QKI (AUC = 0.94; p < 0.0001), accurately discriminated cancerous from noncancerous prostate tissues. Furthermore, in PCa cell lines, total MacroH2A1 knockdown augmented malignant features, whereas MacroH2A1.1 overexpression impressively attenuated the malignant phenotype. Conclusions: Overall, our data, derived from primary PCa tissues and cell lines, anticipate a tumor suppressive role for MacroH2A1, particularly for the MacroH2A1.1 isoform, in prostate carcinogenesis

High-resolution monitoring of diffuse (sheet or interrill) erosion using structure-from-motion

Sheet erosion is common on agricultural lands, and understanding the dynamics of the erosive process as well as the quantification of soil loss is important for both soil scientists and managers. However, measuring rates of soil loss from sheet erosion has proved difficult due to requiring the detection of relatively small surface changes over extended areas. Consequently, such measurements have relied on the use of erosion plots, which have limited spatial coverage and have high operating costs. For measuring the larger erosion rates characteristic of rill and gully erosion, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry has been demonstrated to be a valuable tool. Here, we demonstrate the first direct validation of UAV-SfM measurements of sheet erosion using sediment collection data collected from erosion plots. Three erosion plots (12 m × 4 m) located at Lavras, Brazil, with bare soil exposed to natural rainfall from which event sediment and runoff was monitored, were mapped during two hydrological years (2016 and 2017), using a UAV equipped with a RGB camera. DEMs of difference (DoD) were calculated to detect spatial changes in the soil surface topography over time and to quantify the volumes of sediments lost or gained. Precision maps were generated to enable precision estimates for both DEMs to be propagated into the DoD as spatially variable vertical uncertainties. The point clouds generated from SfM gave mean errors of ~2.4 mm horizontally (xy) and ~1.9 mm vertically (z) on control and independent check points, and the level of detection (LoD) along the plots ranged from 1.4 mm to 7.4 mm. The soil loss values obtained by SfM were significantly (p < 0.001) correlated (r 2 = 95.55%) with those derived from the sediment collection. These results open up the possibility to use SfM for erosion studies where channelized erosion is not the principal mechanism, offering a cost-effective method for gaining new insights into sheet, and interrill, erosion processes