Abelhas visitantes florais de Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae) no Morro do Pai Inácio, Palmeiras, Bahia, Brasil

Studies on pollination ecology have been made with Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae) on Morro do Pai Inácio, a plateau located in the Chapada Diamantina, central part of the state of Bahia, Northeast of Brazil. The plant is a common Neotropical invader shrub called “lobeira” or “fruta-do-lobo” that occurs in the “Cerrado biome”. It is part of the diet of the wolf called “guará” (Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger). Both the poricide anthers and the flower of S. lycocarpum are associated with the buzz pollination syndrome, which requires bees with a specific behavior for pollen removal. This behavior is also described on the present study. The main visitors of Solanum lycocarpum in the studied area were the halictid bees Augochloropsis sp. and Pseudaugochloropsis graminea (Halictidae). Pollen grains released by the vibration of the anthers were attached to the ventral part of the thorax and abdomen of the bees which subsequently had the behavior of cleaning their bodies and transferring the pollen to the scopa. Frequently, several flowers from the same plant were visited. Flowers presented more than 87% of the pollen grains viable.Estudos sobre Ecologia da Polinização foram realizados em Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae), na Chapada Diamantina, um planalto localizado na parte central do Estado da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil. A planta é um arbusto invasor, neotropical, comum, conhecido como “lobeira ou fruta-do-lobo”, que ocorre no bioma Cerrado e faz parte da dieta alimentar do lobo-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger). Anteras poricidas e as flores de Solanum lycocarpum são associadas à síndrome de polinização por vibração, a qual requer abelhas com comportamento especial para a coleta de pólen; esse comportamento foi também descrito no presente estudo. Os principais visitantes de Solanum lycocarpum na área estudada foram os Apoidea com as respectivas espécies Augochloropsis sp. e Pseudaugochloropsis graminea (Halictidae). O pólen liberado na vibração das anteras era aderido nas partes ventrais do tórax e do abdome das abelhas, que posteriormente realizavam o comportamento de limpeza do corpo e transferência do pólen para as escopas. Freqüentemente, diversas flores da mesma planta eram visitadas. As flores apresentaram acima de 87% de grãos de pólen viáveis

Teste de nomeação de categorias específicas: Estudo de adaptação portuguesa

O presente estudo visa o desenvolvimento de uma versão adaptada para a população portuguesa do Teste de Nomes de Categorias Específicas (McKenna, 1997). Trata-se de um instrumento de rastreio e avaliação neuropsicológica que permite identificar um défice caracterizado por uma dificuldade em nomear objectos das quatro categorias semânticas seguintes: Animais, Frutos e Legumes, Objectos Práxicos e Objectos Não práxicos. O original inglês apresenta-se sob duas formas:uma produtiva – a nomeação de imagens, e outra receptiva – o reconhecimento de imagens, podendo este ser feito a partir da palavra falada ou da palavra escrita.Foi desenvolvida em português a versão de nomeação, que foi aplicada a 56 indivíduos saudáveis do ponto de vista neurológico (grupo de controlo total) e a um grupo de 24 pacientes neurológicos comlesão cerebral unilateral (grupo clínico). O grupo clínico foi emparelhado com um subgrupo de controlo constituído por indivíduos com características semelhante sem termos de idade, escolaridade e sexo. Os resultados obtidos no grupo de controlo total mostram um interacção entre categoria e sexo, e um efeito principal de categoria. Verificou-se também que o grupo clínico obteve, em todas as categorias, resultados significativamente mais baixos do que o subgrupo de controlo emparelhado, o que neste estudo exploratório indicia a validade do instrumento

Teste de nomeação de categorias específicas: Estudo de adaptação portuguesa

O presente estudo visa o desenvolvimento de uma versão adaptada para a população portuguesa do Teste de Nomes de Categorias Específicas (McKenna, 1997). Trata-se de um instrumento de rastreio e avaliação neuropsicológica que permite identificar um défice caracterizado por uma dificuldade em nomear objectos das quatro categorias semânticas seguintes: Animais, Frutos e Legumes, Objectos Práxicos e Objectos Nãopráxicos. O original inglês apresenta-se sob duas formas: uma produtiva – a nomeação de imagens, e outra receptiva – o reconhecimento de imagens, podendo este ser feito a partir da palavra falada ou da palavra escrita. Foi desenvolvida em português a versão de nomeação, que foi aplicada a 56 indivíduos saudáveis do ponto de vista neurológico (grupo de controlo total) e a um grupo de 24 pacientes neurológicos com lesão cerebral unilateral (grupo clínico). O grupo clínico foi emparelhado com um subgrupo de controlo constituído por indivíduos com características semelhantes em termos de idade, escolaridade e sexo. Os resultados obtidos no grupo de controlo total mostram um interacção entre categoria e sexo, e um efeito principal de categoria. Verificou-se também que o grupo clínico obteve, em todas as categorias, resultados significativamente mais baixos do que o subgrupo de controlo emparelhado, o que neste estudo exploratório indicia a validade do instrumento.ABSTRACT: We present a study based on the Category-Specific Names Test developed by McKenna (1997), that we are presently adapting to Portuguese. This test examines naming and identification of items in four categories, two of living things and two of manufactured objects: Animals, Fruits & Vegetables, Praxic Objects and Non-praxic Objects. It allows the detection of naming and identification difficulties, that may be category- specific. We prepared a version of the naming task in Portuguese and examined 54 adults without brain damage (control group; 33 males) and 24 patients with unilateral brain lesions (16 left-, 8 righthemisphere patients). A subgroup of the healthy adults was matched on a one-to-one basis to the brain lesioned patients, such that age, sex and years schooling were equivalent in both groups (the patients were overall older and less schooled). The results of the 155 control group showed a main effect of category – Fruits & Vegetables reached higher percent correct responses – and an interaction between sex and category: women were better with Fruits & Vegetables, men were better with Animals. A difference of 20% in overall performance was observed between younger adults with more years of schooling and older, less schooled, adults. We propose that this difference is an effect of schooling. The comparison of the matched controls and the brain lesioned patients revealed a significant decrease in the patient group.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O uso de recursos naturais pelos artesãos da Aldeia Hippie de Arembepe, Bahia, Brasil

The hippie village of Arembepe is one of the few still existing in the world. Currently this local community is composed by not more than 50 people (children and adults). They look for a new style of life isolated from the great urban centers and encircled by the nature. The art craft is the main economic activity. For the confection of the art craft the community uses the local and external natural local resources. In this study it was possible to identify the intense use of seeds (86.5%). Of the 23 plant resources used by craftsmen of the hippie village, six are locally found: Cocos nucifera L., Crotalaria retusa L., Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC., Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Coix lacrima-jobi L., and Canna indica L. The majority of the used seeds (75%) come from other regions of the country, gotten through purchase in specific stores and/or exchange with craftsmen fron other localities. The habit to collecting the seeds and of planting species that supply the necessary seeds for the subsistence of local art craft was observed among the craftsmen of Arembepe village.A aldeia hippie de Arembepe é uma das poucas ainda existentes no mundo. Atualmente, esta comunidade local é composta por cerca de 50 pessoas (crianças e adultos) que buscam outro estilo de vida, isolada dos grandes centros urbanos e rodeada pela natureza. O artesanato é a principal atividade econômica. Para a confecção do artesanato a comunidade usa os recursos naturais locais e externos. Neste estudo foi possível observar o uso intenso de sementes (86,5%). Dos 23 recursos vegetais utilizados pelos artesãos da aldeia hippie, seis estão presentes em Arembepe: Cocos nucifera L., Crotalaria retusa L., Canavalia rosea (Sw.) DC., Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Coix lacrima-jobi L. e Canna indica L. Cerca de 75% das sementes usadas vem de outras regiões do país, obtidas por meio da compra em lojas específicas e/ou troca com artesãos de outras localidades. Foi constatado entre os artesãos residentes na aldeia hippie de Arembepe o hábito de coletar as sementes em áreas naturais e de plantar espécies que forneçam aquelas necessárias para a subsistência do artesanato local

Novel indolic AMPK modulators induce vasodilatation through activation of the AMPK-eNOS-NO pathway

Endothelial adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in the regulation of vascular tone through stimulating nitric oxide (NO) release in endothelial cells. Since obesity leads to endothelial dysfunction and AMPK dysregulation, AMPK activation might be an important strategy to restore vascular function in cardiometabolic alterations. Here, we report the identification of a novel AMPK modulator, the indolic derivative IND6, which shows affinity for AMPKα1β1γ1, the primary AMPK isoform in human EA.Hy926 endothelial cells. IND6 shows inhibitory action of the enzymatic activity in vitro, but increases the levels of p-Thr174AMPK, p-Ser1177eNOS and p-Ser79ACC in EA.Hy926. This paradoxical finding might be explained by the ability of IND6 to act as a mixed-type inhibitor, but also to promote the enzyme activation by adopting two distinct binding modes at the ADaM site. Moreover, functional assays reveal that IND6 increased the eNOS-dependent production of NO and elicited a concentration-dependent vasodilation of endothelium-intact rat aorta due to AMPK and eNOS activation, demonstrating a functional activation of the AMPK-eNOS-NO endothelial pathway. This kinase inhibition profile, combined with the paradoxical AMPK activation in cells and arteries, suggests that these new chemical entities may constitute a valuable starting point for the development of new AMPK modulators with therapeutic potential for the treatment of vascular complications associated with obesity

Widespread seasonal gene expression reveals annual differences in human immunity and physiology.

Seasonal variations are rarely considered a contributing component to human tissue function or health, although many diseases and physiological process display annual periodicities. Here we find more than 4,000 protein-coding mRNAs in white blood cells and adipose tissue to have seasonal expression profiles, with inverted patterns observed between Europe and Oceania. We also find the cellular composition of blood to vary by season, and these changes, which differ between the United Kingdom and The Gambia, could explain the gene expression periodicity. With regards to tissue function, the immune system has a profound pro-inflammatory transcriptomic profile during European winter, with increased levels of soluble IL-6 receptor and C-reactive protein, risk biomarkers for cardiovascular, psychiatric and autoimmune diseases that have peak incidences in winter. Circannual rhythms thus require further exploration as contributors to various aspects of human physiology and disease.The Gambian study providing data for analysis was supported by core funding MC-A760-5QX00 to the International Nutrition Group by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and the UK Department for the International Development (DFID) under the MRC/DFID Concordat agreement. This work was supported by the JDRF UK Centre for Diabetes-Genes, Autoimmunity and Prevention (D-GAP; 4-2007-1003), the JDRF (9-2011-253), the Wellcome Trust (WT061858/091157), the National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre (CBRC) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Cusrow Wadia Fund. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s 7th Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under grant agreement no.241447 (NAIMIT). The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR) is in receipt of a Wellcome Trust Strategic Award (WT100140). X.C.D. was a University of Cambridge/Wellcome Trust Infection and Immunity PhD student. R.C.F. is funded by a JDRF post-doctoral fellowship (3-2011-374). C.W. and H.G are funded by the Wellcome Trust (WT089989). The BABYDIET study was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG ZI-310/14-1 to-4), the JDRF (JDRF 17-2012-16 and 1-2006-665) and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.). E.B. is supported by the DFG Research Center and Cluster of Excellence—Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (FZ 111).This is the final published version. It first appeared at http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2015/150512/ncomms8000/full/ncomms8000.html

Ipsilesional Hippocampal GABA Is Elevated and Correlates With Cognitive Impairment and Maladaptive Neurogenesis After Cortical Stroke in Mice.

BACKGROUND Cognitive dysfunction is a frequent stroke sequela, but its pathogenesis and treatment remain unresolved. Involvement of aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis and maladaptive circuitry remodeling has been proposed, but their mechanisms are unknown. Our aim was to evaluate potential underlying molecular/cellular events implicated. METHODS Stroke was induced by permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery occlusion in 2-month-old C57BL/6 male mice. Hippocampal metabolites/neurotransmitters were analyzed longitudinally by in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Cognitive function was evaluated with the contextual fear conditioning test. Microglia, astrocytes, neuroblasts, interneurons, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and c-fos were analyzed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS Approximately 50% of mice exhibited progressive post-middle cerebral artery occlusion cognitive impairment. Notably, immature hippocampal neurons in the impaired group displayed more severe aberrant phenotypes than those from the nonimpaired group. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, significant bilateral changes in hippocampal metabolites, such as myo-inositol or N-acetylaspartic acid, were found that correlated, respectively, with numbers of glia and immature neuroblasts in the ischemic group. Importantly, some metabolites were specifically altered in the ipsilateral hippocampus suggesting its involvement in aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis and remodeling processes. Specifically, middle cerebral artery occlusion animals with higher hippocampal GABA levels displayed worse cognitive outcome. Implication of GABA in this setting was supported by the amelioration of ischemia-induced memory deficits and aberrant hippocampal neurogenesis after blocking pharmacologically GABAergic neurotransmission, an intervention which was ineffective when neurogenesis was inhibited. These data suggest that GABA exerts its detrimental effect, at least partly, by affecting morphology and integration of newborn neurons into the hippocampal circuits. CONCLUSIONS Hippocampal GABAergic neurotransmission could be considered a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for poststroke cognitive impairment.S

Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice treated with aqueous ethanol plant extract from Euphorbia tirucalli showed signs of systemic toxicity

Purpose: To evaluate the antitumor effect of a latex extract from Euphorbia tirucalli Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) and its toxicity.Methods: Aqueous ethanol and petroleum ether extracts were obtained through maceration. .Maximum tolerated dose was determined in healthy mice. Antitumor activity was measured in Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice treated with the extract through intraperitoneal injection (62.5, 125 or 250 mg/kg) every 48 h (four doses). Efficacy was assessed by weight gain, abdominal circumference, volume of ascitic fluid and packed tumor cells, tumor cell viability and survival. Toxicity indicators were serum glucose, triglycerides, total proteins, activity of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases and mass of heart, spleen, kidney and liver. A hemolysis assay was also performed.Results: Doses of 62.5 and 125 mg/kg caused no antitumor activity, while 250 mg/kg dose reduced weight gain (3-fold), abdominal circumference and volume of ascitic fluid (> 50 %) and packed cells (50 %), but lowered tumor cell viability (40 %). However, mice treated with the extract survived for a shorter time than control mice. Furthermore, the 250 mg/kg dose caused cardiac atrophy, splenomegaly and fasting hyperglycemia. The extract caused hemolysis, and the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) was 1.6 (0.9 – 2.7) mg/mL.Conclusion: Euphorbia tirucalli extract inhibits Ehrlich ascites tumor in mice, but the therapeutic dose is also harmful to non-tumor tissues.Keywords: Euphorbia tirucalli, Ehrlich ascites tumor-bearing mice, Antitumor, Toxicity, Cardiac atrophy, Splenomegal

Nutrient supply does play a role on the structure of marine picophytoplankton communities

Conference communicationThe Margalef´s mandala (1978) is a simplified bottom-up control model that explains how mixing and nutrient concentration determine the composition of marine phytoplankton communities. Due to the difficulties of measuring turbulence in the field, previous attempts to verify this model have applied different proxies for nutrient supply, and very often used interchangeably the terms mixing and stratification. Moreover, because the mandala was conceived before the discovery of smaller phytoplankton groups (picoplankton <2 µm), it describes only the succession of vegetative phases of microplankton. In order to test the applicability of the classical mandala to picoplankton groups, we used a multidisciplinary approach including specifically designed field observations supported by remote sensing, database analyses, and modeling and laboratory chemostat experiments. Simultaneous estimates of nitrate diffusive fluxes, derived from microturbulence observations, and picoplankton abundance collected in more than 200 stations, spanning widely different hydrographic regimes, showed that the contribution of eukaryotes to picoautotrophic biomass increases with nutrient supply, whereas that of picocyanobacteria shows the opposite trend. These findings were supported by laboratory and modeling chemostat experiments that reproduced the competitive dynamics between picoeukaryote sand picocyanobacteria as a function of changing nutrient supply. Our results indicate that nutrient supply controls the distribution of picoplankton functional groups in the ocean, further supporting the model proposed by Margalef.Spanish Governmen