First record of anelosimus jucundus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1896) (araneae, theridiidae) in the state of Ceara, Brazil

We present the first record for Anelosimus jucundus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1896 for the state of Ceará, Brazil. We collected 22 individuals in three different ecosystems: (1) Mangrove swamps, (2) Caatinga-type desert vegetation, and (3) Montane semi-deciduous tropical forest. We corrected the misinformation of Levi’s 1963 Ceará record, was actually from the state of Pernambuco. Anelosimus jucundus presents a wide altitudinal distribution, which indicates that this species can tolerate a variety climatic conditions and can colonize a variety of sites with different vegetation155933936CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPnão temnão temnão temThis study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES), Finance Code 001 (G.A. Villanueva-Bonilla). We were also financially supported by the Instituto Na-cional de Ciência e Tecnologia dos Hymenoptera Para-sitoides (HYMPAR/Sudeste – CNPq/FAPESP/CAPES), FUNCAP-BPI proc. BP3- 00139- 00186.01.00/18 (research grants to J.F. Sobczak

Exposure to potentially inappropriate medications in Brazilian elderly outpatients with metabolic diseases

ABSTRACT Management of pharmacotherapy in elderly with metabolic diseases is challenging and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are risk factors for drug interactions and adverse events. The exposure to PIMs in elderly outpatients with metabolic diseases and its relationship with polypharmacy and other variables was investigated. PIMs prescribed to 207 elderly patients (aged 60 to 96 years) with metabolic diseases who attended a University Hospital of Sao Paulo city, Brazil, from April/2010 to January/2011, were evaluated. PIMs were detected using both 2003 Beers and 2008 STOPP criteria. The association between PIMs and age, gender and polypharmacy was also examined. 2008 STOPP criteria detected more PIMs (44.4 %) than 2003 Beers criteria (16.0%, p<0.001). Beers detected mainly PIMs antihypertensive (clonidine, 20.0%; doxazosin, 10.0%) and antidepressant (fluoxetine, 15.0%; amitriptyline, 10.0%) PIMs. Medicines used for cardiovascular (aspirin, 53.7%) and endocrine system (glibenclamide, 21.3%) were PIMs more frequently detected by 2008 STOPP. Unlike age and gender, polypharmacy increased the risk of PIMs by both 2003 Beers (OR: 4.0, CI95%: 1.2-13.8, p<0.031) and 2008 STOPP (OR: 6.8, CI95%: 3.0-15.3, p<0.001). Beers and STOPP criteria are important tools to evaluate the exposure to PIMs, which is strongly associated with polypharmacy in elderly outpatients with metabolic diseases

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

Growth of four <i>Pinus taeda</i> families in response to fertilization at establishment with nitrogen and phosphorus

Los individuos de Pinus taeda utilizados en plantaciones comerciales sobre suelos lateríticos de Argentina, presentan heterogeneidad en la respuesta a la fertilización con nitrógeno (N) y fósforo (P) durante el establecimiento. En general, las respuestas en crecimiento a la aplicación de P son positivas, mientras que la aplicación de N en forma de urea tiene un efecto perjudicial. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la respuesta a la fertilización con N y P de cuatro familias de P. taeda seleccionadas de un plan de mejoramiento genético, y determinar si la mejora genética permite obtener materiales con diferente respuesta a la adición de estos nutrientes. Los resultados demuestran que existe variabilidad entre las familias en el crecimiento en altura y diámetro del cuello, 8 y 16 meses luego de realizada la fertilización. Las familias de mayor tasa de crecimiento, respondieron positivamente a fertilización con P y no fueron afectadas por la fertilización con N. La familia que tuvo un crecimiento intermedio, no respondió a la adición de P y fue negativamente afectada por el N. La familia de menor crecimiento, respondió positivamente frente a la fertilización con P, pero fue negativamente afectada por el N. La mejora genética permite obtener genotipos con altas tasas de crecimiento que respondan en mayor magnitud a la fertilización con P y que no sean negativamente afectados por la adición de nitrógeno. Mediante el mejoramiento genético se puede evitar la penalidad en crecimiento que implica fertilizar con urea en el establecimiento, factor que facilitaría la utilización de esta práctica silvícola para recuperar o mantener la dotación de N de los sitios que están sujetos a repetidos ciclos de plantación y cosecha.Commercial seedlings of Pinus taeda have heterogeneous responses to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization at planting on lateritic soils of Argentina. In general, P addition increases plant growth, while N fertilization with urea reduces it. The aim of this work was to evaluate the response of four P. taeda families to N and P fertilization at planting and to determinate if populations with different response to fertilization can be obtained by breeding programs. Results demonstrate that 8 and 16 months after planting there was variation between families in collar diameter and height in the response to fertilization. Families with high growing rate had positive responses to P addition and they were not affected by N fertilization. The family with intermediate growth was negatively affected by N and it did not respond to P fertilization. The family of lower growth rate responded positively to P addition but was negatively affect by N. Breeding programs are useful tools to obtain high growing rate families that respond positively to fertilization, or at least, that are not negatively affected by N fertilizers addition. It is possible to maximize the response to P fertilization and to solve the depressive effect of urea fertilization at planting through family selection. Therefore, it is possible to use initial N fertilization of selected families to recover or maintain the fertility of the sites subject to repeated planting and harvesting cycles.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Growth of four <i>Pinus taeda</i> families in response to fertilization at establishment with nitrogen and phosphorus

Los individuos de Pinus taeda utilizados en plantaciones comerciales sobre suelos lateríticos de Argentina, presentan heterogeneidad en la respuesta a la fertilización con nitrógeno (N) y fósforo (P) durante el establecimiento. En general, las respuestas en crecimiento a la aplicación de P son positivas, mientras que la aplicación de N en forma de urea tiene un efecto perjudicial. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la respuesta a la fertilización con N y P de cuatro familias de P. taeda seleccionadas de un plan de mejoramiento genético, y determinar si la mejora genética permite obtener materiales con diferente respuesta a la adición de estos nutrientes. Los resultados demuestran que existe variabilidad entre las familias en el crecimiento en altura y diámetro del cuello, 8 y 16 meses luego de realizada la fertilización. Las familias de mayor tasa de crecimiento, respondieron positivamente a fertilización con P y no fueron afectadas por la fertilización con N. La familia que tuvo un crecimiento intermedio, no respondió a la adición de P y fue negativamente afectada por el N. La familia de menor crecimiento, respondió positivamente frente a la fertilización con P, pero fue negativamente afectada por el N. La mejora genética permite obtener genotipos con altas tasas de crecimiento que respondan en mayor magnitud a la fertilización con P y que no sean negativamente afectados por la adición de nitrógeno. Mediante el mejoramiento genético se puede evitar la penalidad en crecimiento que implica fertilizar con urea en el establecimiento, factor que facilitaría la utilización de esta práctica silvícola para recuperar o mantener la dotación de N de los sitios que están sujetos a repetidos ciclos de plantación y cosecha.Commercial seedlings of Pinus taeda have heterogeneous responses to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization at planting on lateritic soils of Argentina. In general, P addition increases plant growth, while N fertilization with urea reduces it. The aim of this work was to evaluate the response of four P. taeda families to N and P fertilization at planting and to determinate if populations with different response to fertilization can be obtained by breeding programs. Results demonstrate that 8 and 16 months after planting there was variation between families in collar diameter and height in the response to fertilization. Families with high growing rate had positive responses to P addition and they were not affected by N fertilization. The family with intermediate growth was negatively affected by N and it did not respond to P fertilization. The family of lower growth rate responded positively to P addition but was negatively affect by N. Breeding programs are useful tools to obtain high growing rate families that respond positively to fertilization, or at least, that are not negatively affected by N fertilizers addition. It is possible to maximize the response to P fertilization and to solve the depressive effect of urea fertilization at planting through family selection. Therefore, it is possible to use initial N fertilization of selected families to recover or maintain the fertility of the sites subject to repeated planting and harvesting cycles.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Ganoderma Lucidum effects in an animal model of obesity

Obesity is a pandemic disease, and its evolution can be influenced by regular consumption of natural bioactive compounds. Mushrooms, such as Ganoderma lucidum (GL), include a wide variety of biomolecules with potential anti-obesity effects. This work aimed to study the influence of GL in an animal model of obesity. Forty-eight male mice (C57BL/6J) were divided into 5 groups: Group (G)-1-Western Control Diet; G-2-Western Diet 0.2% Cholesterol (WDC); G-3-WDC+0.7g/kg of GL; G-4-WDC+1.4g/ kg of GL; G-5 WDC+2.8g/kg of GL. Water and food consumption were recorded weekly. Animals were weighed individually, and their temperature was measured on the back and abdomen (thermographic camera FLIRE6390). Thirteen weeks later, animals were sacrificed, and organs collected. A liver portion was used for histopathology analysis (ethical approval nº 8776). Chemical characterization of the GL extract was profiled by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS. Ganoderic acid H and p-hydroxybenzoic acid were the main triterpenic and phenolic acids in the extract, respectively. Food and water consumption were no different among groups. All animals showed weight gain (11-16%): animals without GL supplementation showed the highest weight gain (G2 and G1, respectively); the groups with GL showed the lowest weight gain, which decreased as the mushroom concentration increased. Basal and final body temperatures remained constant. Liver weight was different among groups (p<0.05). Microvesicular (39/47; 83%) and macrovesicular fatty changes (steatosis) were the most frequent morphological changes in the liver. Hyperlipidemic diets consumption promoted weight gain and obesity. The higher weight gain in the groups not supplemented with GL suggested its anti-obesity properties. In this study, animals developed steatosis, which was not modified by GL supplementation. However, it should be noticed that the changes in lipid metabolism are reversible, and the differences observed in the liver relative weights, lower in the groups supplemented with GL, suggested an ongoing process of restoring to normal hepatocyte’s phenotype.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An insight into the gas-phase fragmentations of potential molecular sensors with porphyrin-chalcone structures

Porphyrin-chalcone derivatives with potential cation sensing ability have been studied by ESI-MS and multistage ESI-MS. The presence of conjugated C=C and C=O double bonds in the chalcone moiety is responsible for the formation of diagnostic fragment ions common to all the studied meta and para chalcones. The ortho isomers show different fragmentation patterns that can be explained by different electronic charge distributions. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved