From moths to caterpillars: Ideal conditions for Galleria mellonella rearing for in vivo microbiological studies.

ABSTRACT Galleria mellonella is a well-accepted insect model for the study of pathogen-host interactions and antimicrobial compounds. The main advantages of this model include the low cost of maintenance, the fast life cycle, the possibility of using a large number of caterpillars and the innate immune system, which is evolutionarily conserved relative to mammals. Because of these advantages, different research groups have been working to implement the rearing of G. mellonella in laboratory conditions. This protocol describes our experience in the rearing of G. mellonella caterpillars for experimental infection models and the influence of different artificial diets on developmental and physiological parameters. Here, we suggest a diet composition that benefits the life cycle of G. mellonella by accelerating the larval phase length and increasing the caterpillar weight. This diet also stimulated the immune system of G. mellonella by increasing the hemolymph volume and hemocyte concentration. In addition, our rearing protocol generated caterpillars that are more resistant to infection by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. A standard G. mellonella rearing protocol is fundamental to minimize external influences on the results, and this simple and easy protocol can support researchers starting to rear G. mellonella

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Oxygen-functionalized highly mesoporous carbon xerogel based catalysts for direct methanol fuel cell anodes

14 páginas.- 8 figuras en color.- 6 tablas.PtRu catalysts were prepared using a highly mesoporous carbon xerogel submitted to different oxygen functionalization treatments: diluted and concentrated nitric acid as well as gas-phase 5% O2−N2 oxidation. Catalysts with 20 wt % loading and equimolar Pt:Ru metallic phase were prepared using an impregnation procedure involving chemical reduction with formic acid. The so-obtained carbon materials, as well as the different catalysts synthesized, were characterized by means of N2 physisorption, temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were performed to study their activity toward carbon monoxide and methanol oxidation. Functionalization of the carbon support was found to play a definitive role in the interaction between carbon material and the active phase, determining metallic dispersion, alloying degree, and reduction extent. The activity of the catalysts in methanol electro-oxidation was directly related to the metal oxidation state and alloying degree.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) and FEDER through Project MAT2008-06631-C03-01 and -02. The authors also want to thank the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Secretaríade Estado de I+D+I, previously MICINN) and FEDER for financial support under the project CTQ2011-28913-C02-01. M.E. Gálvez is indebted to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Secretaria de Estado de I+D+i) for her “Ramón y Cajal” contract.Peer reviewe

Resultados de Pesquisa em Nutrição de Aves no Brasil: Resumo dos Ultimos 5 anos Results of Poultry Nutrition Research in Brazil: A Summary of the Last 5 years

Foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre as pesquisas brasileiras na área de nutrição avícola, entre 1994 a l999. Nesse período, foi publicado um total de 496 trabalhos, com uma média de 82,7 trabalhos/ ano. Os trabalhos na área de nutrição revelaram que 64,52% foram realizados com frangos de corte; 24,19%, com poedoiras e aves de reposição; 3,93%, com matrizes pesadas; e 7,66%, com outras aves. Com relação às publicações em forma de resumos expandidos, foram publicados 226 e 163 resumos, nos Anais das Reuniões Anuais da Fundação APINCO de Ciência e Tecnologia Avícolas e da Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia, respectivamente. Na Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia e no Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia foram publicados, respectivamente, 65 e 34 trabalhos completos. Os pesquisadores das instituições UFV, UNESP-Jaboticabal e UFRGS publicaram no total 104, 92 e 46 trabalhos. As pesquisas concentraram-se principalmente nas áreas de proteína/aminoácidos (21,77%), avaliação de alimentos (21,77%), minerais (19,15%) e aditivos (16,33%).<br>A literature review of the papers published in the area of poultry nutrition was done considering Brazilian publications from the period of 1994 to 1999. During this period a total of 496 papers were published, with an average of 82. 7 papers/year. The publications in nutrition revealed that 64. 52% were made with broiler chickens, 24. 19% with laying hens and replacement birds, 3.93% with broiler breeders and 7.66% with other type of birds. Considering the publications in the form of summary, 226 and 163, were published in the Proceedings of Fundação APINCO de Ciência e Tecnologia Avícola and Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia, respectively. In the Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia and Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia were published, 65 and 34 papers, respectively. Researches in the Universities UFV, UNESP-Jaboticabal and UFRGS, accounted for a total 104, 92 and 46 papers, respectively. The papers in poultry nutrition concentrated mainly in the area of protein/amino acid (21.77%), feedstuffs evaluation (21.77%), minerals (19.15%) and additives (16.33%)

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data