Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Efeito da suplementação com suco de uvaia (Eugenia uvalha cambes) no perfil lipídico e no estresse oxidativo de ratas hipercolesterolêmicas.

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde e Nutrição. Escola de Nutrição, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto.O estresse oxidativo causado pelo aumento do colesterol tem sido sugerido como um dos principais fatores de risco para diversas doenças correlacionadas a hipercolesterolemia, como por exemplo, a aterosclerose. Estudos recentes caracterizam a uvaia, como fonte de compostos bioativos, além de possuir uma elevada capacidade antioxidante in vitro, características que sugerem um possível efeito positivo deste fruto no estresse oxidativo causado pela hipercolesterolemia. Sendo assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito do suco da uvaia sobre o perfil lipídico e o estresse oxidativo em ratos alimentados com uma dieta hipercolesterolêmica. Primeiramente o fruto da uvaia foi analisado quanto a sua composição centesimal, conteúdo de polifenóis totais e a sua capacidade antioxidante in vitro e posteriormente foi conduzida a experimentação animal, onde ratos Fischer fêmeas foram alocadas em 4 grupos de 8 animais de acordo com o tratamento recebido: grupo controle (C), recebeu dieta AIN-93M padrão; controle uvaia (CUv), recebeu dieta AIN-93M padrão + 2 ml de suco de uvaia; hipercolesterolêmico (H), recebeu dieta hipercolesterolêmica e o grupo hipercolesterolêmico uvaia (HUv), recebeu dieta hipercolesterolêmica + 2 ml de suco de uvaia. Ao final de 10 semanas os animais foram anestesiados e eutanasiados e o sangue e os órgãos foram recolhidos e armazenados para posteriores análises. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância bivariada (ANOVA two way). Diferenças de p < 0,05 foram consideradas significativas. A uvaia apresentou um conteúdo considerável de compostos fenólicos e uma atividade antioxidante elevada. A suplementação com o suco de uvaia promoveu um efeito hipocolesterolêmico significativo, além de apresentar um efeito protetor contra os danos hepáticos e renais causados pela dieta hipercolesterolêmica. O suco de uvaia alterou a concentração do marcador de dano oxidativo, TBARS, apresentando, portanto ação antioxidante. Esses resultados sugerem que a suplementação com o suco apresentou um importante papel hipocolesterolêmico e antioxidante, favorecendo a saúde dos animais, principalmente, nas condições deletérias da hipercolesterolemia.Oxidative stress caused by increased cholesterol has been suggested as one of the major risk factors for various diseases correlated with hypercholesterolemia, such as atherosclerosis. Recent studies characterize uvaia as a source of bioactive compounds, in addition to having a high antioxidant capacity in vitro, characteristics that suggest a possible positive effect of this fruit in the oxidative stress caused by hypercholesterolemia. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the uvaia juice on lipid profile and oxidative stress in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. Primarily the fruit of uvaia was analyzed for its chemical composition, content of total polyphenols and their antioxidant capacity in vitro and subsequently was conducted animal experiments, where female Fischer rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 animals according to treatment received: control group (C) received AIN- 93M standard diet; control uvaia (CUv), received AIN-93M standard diet + 2 ml of uvaia juice; hypercholesterolemic (H) received hypercholesterolemic diet and hypercholesterolemic group uvaia (HUv) received hypercholesterolemic diet + 2 ml uvaia juice. At the end of 10 weeks the animals were anesthetized and euthanized and blood and organs were collected and stored for further analysis. The fruit of uvaia was analyzed for its chemical composition, polyphenol contents and its antioxidant capacity in vitro. Data were subjected to analysis of variance bivariate (two-way ANOVA). Differences of p <0.05 were considered significant. The uvaia showed a considerable content of phenolic compounds and high antioxidant activity. Supplementation with juice uvaia caused a significant hypocholesterolemic effect, besides showing a protective effect against the liver and kidney damage hypercholesterolemic diet. The juice uvaia change the concentration of the marker of oxidative damage, TBARS, presenting therefore antioxidant action. These results suggest that supplementation with the juice showed a significant hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant role, promoting the health of animals, especially the deleterious conditions of hypercholesterolemia

Açai ( Euterpe oleracea

Acai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.), a fruit from the Amazon region, has emerged as a promising source of polyphenols. Acai consumption has been increasing owing to ascribed health benefits and antioxidant propertieshowever, its effects on hepatic injury are limited. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant effect of filtered acai pulp on the expression of paraoxonase (PON) isoforms and PON1 activity in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The rats were fed a standard AIN-93M (control) diet or a high-fat (HF) diet containing 25% soy oil and 1% cholesterol with or without acai pulp (2 g/day) for 6 weeks. Our results show that acai pulp prevented low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, increased serum and hepatic PON1 activity, and upregulated the expression of PON1 and ApoA-I in the liver. In HF diet-fed rats, treatment with acai pulp attenuated liver damage, reducing fat infiltration and triglyceride (TG) content. In rats receiving acai, increased serum PON1 activity was correlated with a reduction in hepatic steatosis and hepatic injury. These findings suggest the use of acai as a potential therapy for liver injuries, supporting the idea that dietary antioxidants are a promising approach to enhance the defensive systems against oxidative stress.FAPEMIG Foundation (Research Support Foundation of Minas Gerais State)CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development)Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, BrazilResearch Center in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, 35400-000 Ouro Preto, MG, BrazilDepartment of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto, 35400-000 Ouro Preto, MG, BrazilFederal University of São Paulo, 04039-002 São Paulo, SP, BrazilPostgraduate Program in Health and Nutrition, Federal University of Ouro Preto, 35400-000 Ouro Preto, MG, BrazilDepartment of Basic Health, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares Campus, 35010-177 Governador Valadares, MG, BrazilDepartment of Foods, Federal University of Ouro Preto, 35400-000 Ouro Preto, MG, BrazilFederal University of São Paulo, 04039-002 São Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Medical waste in mobile prehospital care

<p></p><p>ABSTRACT Objective: the objective of this study is to identify how Medical Waste (MW) is managed in Mobile Prehospital Care (MPC) services in the state of São Paulo as well as characterize and quantify this waste. Method: exploratory and descriptive field study with data collection based on the methodology proposed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which was conducted over eight consecutive days to identify the production and characteristics of generated waste. Results: it was found that the MW management of the MPC is not yet in line with the requirements of RDC 306/04, which could affect the occupational safety of workers, patients, the community, and the environment. Conclusion: it is recommended for the health managers to focus on this issue. The lack of studies with regard to MPC also indicates the need for further studies on the waste management.</p><p></p

Antioxidant potential of Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) pulp flour in diabetic rats

Buriti pulp flour (BPF) contains significant levels of antioxidants. This study evaluated the effect of BPF on biomarkers of oxidative damage in the liver, heart, and pancreas of diabetic rats. The chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and polyphenol content of BPF were determined. Thirty-six female Fisher rats were divided into four groups: control (C); control + BPF (CB); diabetic (D); diabetic + BPF (DB). Diabetes was induced by treatment with streptozotocin. Thirty days after the induction of diabetes, glucose, total cholesterol and triacylglycerides serum levels, aminotransferase and paraoxonase activities were evaluated. Oxidative damage to lipids and proteins was assessed through thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyl analyses, respectively. Histopathological analyses were also performed. BPF contained high concentrations of phenolic compounds, lipids, and fibers, and exhibited a high capacity to neutralize the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. Diabetes was evidenced by equivalent high levels of glucose in plasma from rats in the D and DB groups. Diabetic rats in both groups also presented the same increased activity of aminotransferases. Protein carbonyl levels were increased in liver, heart, and pancreas in the D compared with C group. Although treatment with BPF did not result in any histopathological alterations, it reduced significantly the levels of TBARS in the heart and protein carbonyls in the liver and heart. No effect on blood glucose and tissue histology was observed following treatment with BPF. However, BPF diminished oxidative damage in liver and heart, indicating a possible antioxidant potential&nbsp;in vivo, in addition to&nbsp;in vitro.La harina de pulpa buriti (BPF) contiene niveles significativos de antioxidantes. Este estudio evalu&oacute; el efecto del BPF en biomarcadores de da&ntilde;o oxidativo en el h&iacute;gado, el coraz&oacute;n y el p&aacute;ncreas de ratas diab&eacute;ticas. Se determino la composici&oacute;n qu&iacute;mica, la capacidad antioxidante y el contenido de polifenoles del BPF. Treinta y seis ratas Fisher fueron divididas en cuatro grupos: Control (C); Control + BPF (CB); Diab&eacute;tico (D); Diab&eacute;tico + BPF (DB). La diabetes fue inducida por tratamiento con estreptozotocina. Treinta dias despu&eacute;s de la inducci&oacute;n de la diabetes, se evaluaron los niveles s&eacute;ricos de glucosa, colesterol total y triacilglic&eacute;ridos, y las actividades de aminotransferasa y paraoxonasa. El da&ntilde;o oxidativo a l&iacute;pidos y prote&iacute;nas se evalu&oacute; a trav&eacute;s de sustancias reactivas al &aacute;cido tiobarbit&uacute;rico (TBARS) y an&aacute;lisis de prote&iacute;nas carboniladas respectivamente. Tambi&eacute;n se realizaron an&aacute;lisis histopatol&oacute;gicos. El BPF conten&iacute;a altas concentraciones de compuestos fen&oacute;licos, l&iacute;pidos y fibras, y exhib&iacute;a una alta capacidad para neutralizar el radical 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidracil (DPPH). La diabetes se evidenci&oacute; por altos niveles de glucosa en plasma de ratas en los grupos D y DB. Las ratas diab&eacute;ticas en ambos grupos tambi&eacute;n presentaron la misma actividad aumentada de las aminotransferasas. Los niveles de prote&iacute;nas carboniladas se incrementaron en el h&iacute;gado, el coraz&oacute;n y el p&aacute;ncreas en el grupo D en comparaci&oacute;n con el C. Aunque el tratamiento con BPF no dio lugar a alteraciones histopatol&oacute;gicas, redujo significativamente los niveles de TBARS en el coraz&oacute;n y las prote&iacute;nas carboniladas en el h&iacute;gado y el coraz&oacute;n. No se observo ning&uacute;n efecto sobre la glucosa en la sangre y la histolog&iacute;a de tejidos despu&eacute;s del tratamiento con BPF. Sin embargo, el BPF disminuy&oacute; el da&ntilde;o oxidativo en el h&iacute;gado y el coraz&oacute;n, lo que indica un posible potencial antioxidante&nbsp;in vivo, adem&aacute;s de&nbsp;in vitro

Trypanosoma cruzi nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 (TcNTPDase-1) biochemical characterization, immunolocalization and possible role in host cell adhesion.

Previous work has suggested that Trypanosoma cruzi diphosphohydrolase 1 (TcNTPDase-1) may be involved in the infection of mammalian cells and serve as a potential target for rational drug design. In this work, we produced recombinant TcNTPDase-1 and evaluated its nucleotidase activity, cellular localiza- tion and role in parasite adhesion to mammalian host cells. TcNTPDase-1 was able to utilize a broad range of triphosphate and diphosphate nucleosides. The enzyme’s Km for ATP (0.096mM) suggested a capabil-ity to influence the host’s ATP-dependent purinergic signaling. The use of specific polyclonal antibodies allowed us to confirm the presence of TcNTPDase-1 at the surface of parasites by confocal and electron microscopy. In addition, electron microscopy revealed that TcNTPDase-1 was also found in the flagellum, flagellum insertion region, kinetoplast, nucleus and intracellular vesicles. The presence of this enzyme in the flagellum insertion region and vesicles suggests that it may have a role in nutrient acquisition, and the widespread distribution of TcNTPDase-1 within the parasite suggests that it may be involved in other biological process. Adhesion assays using anti-TcNTPDase-1 polyclonal antibodies as a blocker or purified recombinant TcNTPDase-1 as a competitor revealed that the enzyme has a role in parasite–host cell adhesion. These data open new frontiers to future studies on this specific parasite–host interaction and other unknown functions of TcNTPDase-1 related to its ubiquitous localization