Variabilités spatiales et temporelles de la qualité physico-chimique et des invertébrés pélagiques des eaux de la retenue hydroélectrique de Petit Saut (Guyane française).

Le bassin versant du fleuve Sinnamary est situé en Guyane française, au nord du continent sud américain, en zone néo-tropicale. Il s'étend entre 4 et 5°de latitude Nord et entre 52°50' et 53°30' de longitude Ouest. En 1994, la mise en eau du barrage hydroélectrique construit sur le site de Petit Saut occasionne l'ennoiement de 365 km2 de forêt primaire. Le remplissage s'effectue en 18 mois, et la demande en oxygène dissous nécessaire à la dégradation de la matière organique est telle qu'en quelques jours la masse d'eau se stratifie en un épilimnion oxygéné et un hypolimnion anoxique. Représentant quelques centimètres en 1994, l'épilimnion s'épaissit progressivement jusqu'en 1998. Depuis, cette progression s'est nettement ralentie et l'épilimnion oscille autour d'une valeur moyenne de 5 à 6 mètres. Il abrite la plus grande partie du zooplancton pélagique. L'hypolimnion est anoxique et riche en éléments réduits. Le zooplancton s'est rapidement installé avec des rotifères, des cladocères et des copépodes. Des ostracodes et des Chaoboridae y sont désormais associés. La retenue présente une zonation longitudinale, de la tête de la retenue vers la queue, aussi bien en termes de densités que de composition des peuplements. De même, il existe une zonation transversale, notamment marquée par un gradient croissant de la conductivité de l'axe vers les berges. Ces ressources endogènes ainsi que des apports complémentaires (végétaux, invertébrés terrestres, détritus…) sont utilisées par la faune ichtyque qui a su s'adapter au changement du milieu. Le temps de rétention des eaux qui fluctue saisonnièrement en fonction des pluies semble être le facteur prépondérant de variabilité pour la qualité physico-chimique des eaux et les communautés biologiques.The Sinnamary River is located in a neotropical zone, in French Guiana, in the northern part of South America. Its flood basin extends between 4° and 5° N latitude and 52°50' and 53°30' W longitude. The river is found in an equatorial climate, and is influenced by its proximity to the ocean. The temperature varies little, with an average of 25°C for the least hot month (January) and 27°C for the hottest month (October). The humidity is always high and averages more than 90%. The Sinnamary River bed is broad (> 50 m), and runs from south to north for approximately 240 km with a very weak slope (0.0003%). Petit Saut, the site of the hydroelectric dam, is located approximately 60 km from the mouth of the river, with a flood basin area of 5927 km2 and an average flow rate 260 m3 /s.The construction of the hydroelectric dam at Petit Saut in 1994 resulted in the flooding of 365 km2 of primary forest in a neotropical zone (the average depth of the reservoir is 11 m). The dam reservoir was filled over a period of 18 months and the amount of dissolved oxygen necessary for the organic matter to decompose was such that, in a matter of days, the body of water became stratified into an oxygenated epilimnion and an anoxic hypolimnion. Only centimeters thick in 1994, by 1998 the epilimnion had progressively expanded. Since that time it has varied between an average thickness of 5 to 6 m and is home to various biological communities. The hypolimnion is anoxic and rich in reduced compounds (nitrogen and phosphorus minerals, dissolved organic matter, particles, metals and gas). The products of the degradation of the flooded organic matter, which still prevail at the bottom, are gradually relayed towards surface by phenomena of dilution, hydrolysis and oxidation.The river fauna disappeared from the reservoir and was replaced after a few weeks by various pelagic fauna. The zooplanktonic communities, primarily confined to the epilimnion, were quickly settled with rotifera, cladocera and copepoda. Initially dominated by detritivores (Bosminidae) and Cyclopidae from February to May 1994, the settlements diversified with phytophagous zooplankton (Calanidae and Daphniidae) when the phytoplankton developed. This procession was quickly accompanied by Sididae, which has dominated the cladocera since mid-1996 and by ostracoda, which were particularly abundant from 1995 to 1997. Carnivores such as Chaoboridae larvae were also present in Petit Saut reservoir. In contrast to the other zooplankton species, Chaoboridae larvae occupy the entire water column. As a result of great quantities of organic matter available at the time the reservoir was filled, the biomasses were initially large and have gradually decreased with decreasing nutrient concentrations.The reservoir was not homogeneous in terms of zooplankton density, with a longitudinal zonation from the dam towards the upstream tail. In the tail, fauna were identical to those of the river. In the lake zone, phytophagous Calanidae dominated. In the intermediate zone, known as the zone of transition, the zooplankton biomass normalized to the volume of oxygenated water was less important than in the lake zone. Cyclopidae, well represented at the time of the reservoir colonization, dominated the communities in the transition zone. This distribution of zooplankton was likely connected with the dissolved oxygen concentrations, as well as with the quantities of phytoplankton and bacterio-chlorophyll. Similarly, there was a transverse zonation, marked by an increase in conductivity towards the reservoir banks. The density of the communities varied seasonally. The highest biomasses were measured along the central axis at the time of high waters and close to the banks at the time of low waters.The time of water retention, which fluctuates according to the rainy season, seemed to be the factor dominating the physicochemical water quality variability and the biological communities. The rainy season is characterized by the dilution of various elements (e.g., conductivity is reduced). Conversely, during the dry season, the elements concentrate again in the water mass. Nevertheless, the peaks of pelagic invertebrate density were observed during times of high waters, when the hydraulic conditions favour the exchanges between the hypolimnion (anoxic and rich in nutritive elements) and the epilimnion (oxygenated and very low in nutrients).These endogenous resources, as well as complementary contributions (vegetation, invertebrate, terrestrial, refuse), are used by the fish fauna, which adapted to the change in their environment. Predation contributes to the seasonal evolution of the zooplankton. Predation pressure was more important in the dry season than in the rainy season

Cadeia produtiva de melão do Nordeste.

O estudo da cadeia produtiva do melao na regiao Nordeste se baseou na metodologia do diagnostico rapito dos circuitos de comercializacao, na metodologia "Dephi", no levantamento de dados estatisticos, em entrevistas com os principais agentes envolvidos, do produtor ate o consumidor, em vistas de campo e as feiras. No Brasil, a producao de melao se concentra na regiao Nordeste, de modo especial nos Estados do RN, BA, CE, PE e PB, os quais, conjuntamente, tem respondido, nos ultimos anos, por mais de 89% da oferta de melao, e em 1996, totalizaram uma area plantada de 9.800 hectares. Dentro da estrutura produtiva, ocorre uma diferenciacao do perfil dos produtores de melao em grandes e medias empresas, pequenas empresas e pequenos e medios produtores. Observou-se que o polo RN/CE se caracteriza pela existencia de grandes e medias empresas com modernas tecnologias, equipamentos importados para irrigacao, fertirrigacao, processamento de embalagem, classificacao de frutos, alta produtividade apresenta alta competitividade, jnto aos mercados interno e externo. As grandes e medias empresas sao responsaveis por mais de 90% da producao do polo RN/CE. Cerca de 80% das pequenas empresas tambem estao situadas neste polo com o custo de producao menor, pois nao apresentam os custos administrativos das grandes e medias empresas. Os pequenos e medios produtores representam a maioria dos envolvidos com a producao do melao no Vale do Sao Francisco. Estes frequentemente plantam em parceria com comerciantes de insumos ou com atravessadores e possuem baixo nivel tecnologico. A producao de melao do Nordeste, basicamente esta voltada, em mais de 50%, para o mercado interno, mesmo nas grandes empresas. Como atributo de mercado, e grande a preferencia por "frutos doces"(alto teor de solidos soluveis, brix). As organizacoes de comercializacao tem acumulado a maior fracao do capital circulante no agronegocio do melao (85%). Ha como excecao o caso das grandes empresas, que dispoem de infra-estrutura de comercializacao. Os principais pontos de estrangulamento no processo produtivo sao: o uso inadequado de tecnologias; a falta de cultivares com boa resistencia as pragas e as doencas e de boa qualidade comercial; a ausencia do manejo integrado de pragas; a ausencia de manejo adequado na pos-colheita; a ausencia de organizacao dos pequenos e medios produtores, principalmente para comercializacao e aquisicao de financiamentos para custeios e investimentos; a instabilidade do mercado; as pessimas condicoes do sistema rodoviario e a falta de padronizacao da producao para o mercado interno. Estes aspectos permitiram a definicao das demandas tecnologias e nao tecnologicas, a serem implementadas a outro, medio e longo prazos

The short-chain fatty acid acetate reduces appetite via a central homeostatic mechanism

Increased intake of dietary carbohydrate that is fermented in the colon by the microbiota has been reported to decrease body weight, although the mechanism remains unclear. Here we use in vivo11C-acetate and PET-CT scanning to show that colonic acetate crosses the blood–brain barrier and is taken up by the brain. Intraperitoneal acetate results in appetite suppression and hypothalamic neuronal activation patterning. We also show that acetate administration is associated with activation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and changes in the expression profiles of regulatory neuropeptides that favour appetite suppression. Furthermore, we demonstrate through 13C high-resolution magic-angle-spinning that 13C acetate from fermentation of 13C-labelled carbohydrate in the colon increases hypothalamic 13C acetate above baseline levels. Hypothalamic 13C acetate regionally increases the 13C labelling of the glutamate–glutamine and GABA neuroglial cycles, with hypothalamic 13C lactate reaching higher levels than the ‘remaining brain’. These observations suggest that acetate has a direct role in central appetite regulation

Mitochondrial Substrate-Level Phosphorylation as Energy Source for Glioblastoma: Review and Hypothesis

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant of the primary adult brain cancers. Ultrastructural and biochemical evidence shows that GBM cells exhibit mitochondrial abnormalities incompatible with energy production through oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos). Under such conditions, the mitochondrial F0-F1 ATP synthase operates in reverse at the expense of ATP hydrolysis to maintain a moderate membrane potential. Moreover, expression of the dimeric M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase in GBM results in diminished ATP output, precluding a significant ATP production from glycolysis. If ATP synthesis through both glycolysis and OxPhos was impeded, then where would GBM cells obtain high-energy phosphates for growth and invasion? Literature is reviewed suggesting that the succinate-CoA ligase reaction in the tricarboxylic acid cycle can substantiate sufficient ATP through mitochondrial substrate-level phosphorylation (mSLP) to maintain GBM growth when OxPhos is impaired. Production of high-energy phosphates would be supported by glutaminolysis-a hallmark of GBM metabolism-through the sequential conversion of glutamine -> glutamate -> alpha-ketoglutarate -> succinyl CoA -> succinate. Equally important, provision of ATP through mSLP would maintain the adenine nucleotide translocase in forward mode, thus preventing the reverse-operating F0-F1 ATP synthase from depleting cytosolic ATP reserves. Because glucose and glutamine are the primary fuels driving the rapid growth of GBM and most tumors for that matter, simultaneous restriction of these two substrates or inhibition of mSLP should diminish cancer viability, growth, and invasion

Nut production in Bertholletia excelsa across a logged forest mosaic: implications for multiple forest use

Although many examples of multiple-use forest management may be found in tropical smallholder systems, few studies provide empirical support for the integration of selective timber harvesting with non-timber forest product (NTFP) extraction. Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa, Lecythidaceae) is one of the world’s most economically-important NTFP species extracted almost entirely from natural forests across the Amazon Basin. An obligate out-crosser, Brazil nut flowers are pollinated by large-bodied bees, a process resulting in a hard round fruit that takes up to 14 months to mature. As many smallholders turn to the financial security provided by timber, Brazil nut fruits are increasingly being harvested in logged forests. We tested the influence of tree and stand-level covariates (distance to nearest cut stump and local logging intensity) on total nut production at the individual tree level in five recently logged Brazil nut concessions covering about 4000 ha of forest in Madre de Dios, Peru. Our field team accompanied Brazil nut harvesters during the traditional harvest period (January-April 2012 and January-April 2013) in order to collect data on fruit production. Three hundred and ninety-nine (approximately 80%) of the 499 trees included in this study were at least 100 m from the nearest cut stump, suggesting that concessionaires avoid logging near adult Brazil nut trees. Yet even for those trees on the edge of logging gaps, distance to nearest cut stump and local logging intensity did not have a statistically significant influence on Brazil nut production at the applied logging intensities (typically 1–2 timber trees removed per ha). In one concession where at least 4 trees ha-1 were removed, however, the logging intensity covariate resulted in a marginally significant (0.09) P value, highlighting a potential risk for a drop in nut production at higher intensities. While we do not suggest that logging activities should be completely avoided in Brazil nut rich forests, when a buffer zone cannot be observed, low logging intensities should be implemented. The sustainability of this integrated management system will ultimately depend on a complex series of socioeconomic and ecological interactions. Yet we submit that our study provides an important initial step in understanding the compatibility of timber harvesting with a high value NTFP, potentially allowing for diversification of forest use strategies in Amazonian Perù

Transcriptional responses of Trichodesmium to natural inverse gradients of Fe and P availability

The filamentous diazotrophic cyanobacterium Trichodesmium is responsible for a significant fraction of marine di-nitrogen (N2) fixation. Growth and distribution of Trichodesmium and other diazotrophs in the vast oligotrophic subtropical gyres is influenced by iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) availability, while reciprocally influencing the biogeochemistry of these nutrients. Here we use observations across natural inverse gradients in Fe and P in the North Atlantic subtropical gyre (NASG) to demonstrate how Trichodesmium acclimates in situ to resource availability. Transcriptomic analysis identified progressive upregulation of known iron-stress biomarker genes with decreasing Fe availability, and progressive upregulation of genes involved in the acquisition of diverse P sources with decreasing P availability, while genes involved in N2 fixation were upregulated at the intersection under moderate Fe and P availability. Enhanced N2 fixation within the Fe and P co-stressed transition region was also associated with a distinct, consistent metabolic profile, including the expression of alternative photosynthetic pathways that potentially facilitate ATP generation required for N2 fixation with reduced net oxygen production. The observed response of Trichodesmium to availability of both Fe and P supports suggestions that these biogeochemically significant organisms employ unique molecular, and thus physiological responses as adaptations to specifically exploit the Fe and P co-limited niche they construct

Cultura alimentar e agrobiodiversidade no Semiárido norte baiano.

A experiência relata atividades com mulheres de comunidades tradicionais Fundo de Pasto e Quilombola do Semiárido norte baiano com objetivo de registrar e valorizar seu papel na conservação da agrobiodiversidade e a relação com a cultura alimentar. A biodiversidade é base da diversidade alimentar e define níveis de soberania e segurança alimentar. A valorização e o resgate da cultura alimentar são importantes contrapontos à globalização dos gostos e como alternativa aos modelos de desenvolvimento exógeno. A metodologia envolveu comunidades e grupos de mulheres para a conhecer a agrobiodiversidade e sistemas de produção e preparar receitas tradicionais. Resultados preliminares revelam um profundo conhecimento ecológico e gastronômico das mulheres no desenvolvimento e aproveitamento dos alimentos da Caatinga. Espera-se que a experiência possa contribuir para valorizar este patrimônio, incluindo o reconhecimento dos territórios e apoio à organização das mulheres para a produção, beneficiamento e comercialização de alimentos saudáveis

Alineamiento de la producción científica a las prioridades de investigación en el Seguro Social de Salud del Perú: Propuesta de fortalecimiento y descentralización de la investigación: Propuesta de fortalecimiento y descentralización de la investigación

Background: One of the impact indicators of priorities in health research-setting is the scientific production that refers to these priorities. EsSalud raised nine priority research topics (PRT) and 20 priority research questions (PRQ) for the 2017-2019 period. We assess the alignment to these research priorities in the scientific articles published during the 2017-2020 period by EsSalud, and we characterize those financed by this institution. Material and Methods: Analysis of the scientific articles registered in the EsSalud scientific production database for the period 2017-2020. We used a standardized methodology and in duplicate to evaluate the alignment of a scientific article to the PRT and PRQ 2017-2019 of EsSalud. The evaluation of the alignment to the PRQs is only carried out in original articles and congress summaries. We report alignment frequencies to each PRT and PRQ, and we report the frequency of alignment to at least one PRT according to the articles' characteristics. In addition, the characteristics of the articles financed by EsSalud were reported. Results: 170 out of 1283 articles were aligned to at least one PRT. Eight of the twenty PRQs went unanswered. Articles with authors who belong to or received funding from IETSI-EsSalud had the highest alignment rate. Finally, the highly cited articles financed by EsSalud were mainly observational studies, clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews. Conclusion: The articles published by EsSalud during 2017 to 2020 have low alignment with institutional research priorities. Furthermore, it is necessary a process of implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of research priorities in the institution.Introducción: Uno de los indicadores del impacto del establecimiento de prioridades en investigación en salud es la producción científica. EsSalud planteó nueve temas de investigación prioritarios (TIP) y 20 preguntas de investigación prioritarias (PIP) 2017-2019. Evaluamos el alineamiento a estas prioridades de investigación en los artículos científicos publicados con filiación de EsSalud durante 2017-2020, y caracterizamos aquellos financiados por esta institución. Material y Métodos: Análisis de los artículos científicos registrados en la base de datos de producción científica de EsSalud 2017-2020. Empleamos una metodología estandarizada y por duplicado para evaluar el alineamiento a los TIP y PIP 2017-2019 de EsSalud. La evaluación del alineamiento a las PIP sólo lo realizamos en artículos originales y resúmenes de congreso. Reportamos frecuencias de alineamiento a cada TIP y PIP, y frecuencia de alineamiento a por lo menos un TIP según características de los artículos. Además, se reportó las características de los artículos financiados por EsSalud. Resultados: Un total de 170 de 1283 artículos se alinearon a al menos un TIP. Ocho de las veinte PIP no fueron respondidas. Los artículos con autores que pertenecen o recibieron financiamiento del IETSI-EsSalud tuvieron la mayor tasa de alineación. Finalmente, los artículos financiados por EsSalud fueron principalmente estudios observacionales, guías de práctica clínica y revisiones sistemáticas. Conclusión: Los artículos científicos publicados con filiación de EsSalud durante el 2017 al 2020 tienen baja alineación con las prioridades de investigación de la institución. Por lo tanto, es necesario generar un proceso de gestión de implementación, seguimiento y evaluación de las prioridades de investigación en la institución

Establishment of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Erythroid Progenitor Cell Lines Able to Produce Functional Red Blood Cells

BACKGROUND: The supply of transfusable red blood cells (RBCs) is not sufficient in many countries. If erythroid cell lines able to produce transfusable RBCs in vitro were established, they would be valuable resources. However, such cell lines have not been established. To evaluate the feasibility of establishing useful erythroid cell lines, we attempted to establish such cell lines from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We developed a robust method to obtain differentiated cell lines following the induction of hematopoietic differentiation of mouse ES cells and established five independent hematopoietic cell lines using the method. Three of these lines exhibited characteristics of erythroid cells. Although their precise characteristics varied, each of these lines could differentiate in vitro into more mature erythroid cells, including enucleated RBCs. Following transplantation of these erythroid cells into mice suffering from acute anemia, the cells proliferated transiently, subsequently differentiated into functional RBCs, and significantly ameliorated the acute anemia. In addition, we did not observe formation of any tumors following transplantation of these cells. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to show the feasibility of establishing erythroid cell lines able to produce mature RBCs. Considering the number of human ES cell lines that have been established so far, the intensive testing of a number of these lines for erythroid potential may allow the establishment of human erythroid cell lines similar to the mouse erythroid cell lines described here. In addition, our results strongly suggest the possibility of establishing useful cell lines committed to specific lineages other than hematopoietic progenitors from human ES cells