Continuous Micro-Environments Associated Orchid Bees Benefit from an Atlantic Forest Remnant, Paraná State, Brazil

The fragmentation and habitat loss are the main causes of pollinators decline worldwide, however very little is known about the composition and distribution of neotropical pollinators along continuous micro-environments. To fill this gap, we carried out samplings of Euglossini bees in a continuous area of forest with micro-environments of primary (remnant) and secondary (regeneration) forest of Atlantic Forest. We evaluated the differences in the composition and uniformity of orchid bees in different micro-environments, in order to characterize the responses of the local environmental changes in the attraction of bees to chemical traps. Our results indicated that the composition and uniformity were similar between the two forest fragments studied here, although there are greater abundance of some species by micro-environments. We conclude that the characteristics of the sites in a continuous environment with primary and secondary forest do not seem to have an effect on the composition of the Euglossini fauna, and that the chemical substances are complementary in the attractiveness of the orchid bee males. Thus, our findings suggest that micro-environments in a continuous matrix near forest remnants can help to promote the reintegration of the orchid bee communities and contribute to the conservation of areas in process of forest regeneration

Sensitivity of human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma Hep-2 to metrotexate chemoterapy

Aim: Methotrexate (MTX) is an antifolate agent that acts inhibiting purine and pyrimidine synthesis. The objective of the study was to evaluate the viability of Hep-2 human laryngeal cancer cells to the treatment with MTX chemotherapy in vitro. Methods: Cultured Hep-2 cells were treated with 0.25, 25.0 and 75 μM MTX for 24 h, and their viability was evaluated with Bcl-2-FITC antibody in flow cytometry. Results: The numbers of viable Hep-2 cells after 24 h treatment with 0.25, 25.0 and 75.0 uM MTX were 85.43%, 22.46% and 8.42%, respectively (p < 0.05). Therefore, MTX possesses a dose-dependent effect on viability of Hep-2 cells in vitro. Conclusion: The highest MTX concentration is associated with highest tumor cell sensitivity of human laryngeal cancer cells of Hep-2 line

Pickering emulsions stabilized with curcumin-based solid dispersion particles as mayonnaise-like food sauce alternatives

Pickering emulsions, which are emulsions stabilized by colloidal particles, are being increasingly positioned as novel strategies to develop innovative food product solutions. In this context, the present work aims to develop Pickering emulsions stabilized by natural-based curcuminloaded particles produced by the solid dispersion technique as promising mayonnaise-like food sauce alternatives. Two particle formulations (KC1 and KC2) were produced using k-carrageenan as the matrix material and different curcumin contents, then employed in the preparation of three Pickering emulsion formulations comprising different oil fractions (') and particle concentrations (KC1 ' 0.4 (4.7%), KC2 ' 0.4 (4.7%) and KC2 ' 0.6 (4.0%)). The creaming index tests accompanied by the optical microscopy analysis evidenced the good stability of the developed products for the tested period of 28 days. The final products were tested concerning color attributes, pH, oxidative stability, textural, and nutritional composition, and compared with two commercial mayonnaises (traditional and light products). Overall, the produced emulsions were characterized by a bright yellow color (an appealing attribute for consumers), an acidic pH (similar to mayonnaise), and a considerably improved oxidative stability, implying a foreseeable longer shelf life. The sauce KC1 ' 0.4 (4.7%) showed a similar texture to the light commercial mayonnaise, being a promising alternative to conventional sauces, holding a low-fat content and potentially added benefits due to the curcumin and virgin olive oil intrinsic properties.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020) and LSRE-LCM (UIDB/50020/2020). Promove program of the “la Caixa” Foundation and BPI. National funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for Arantzazu Santamaria-Echart, Nuno Rodrigues, Márcio Carocho, and Lillian Barros. FCT for the Research grant SFRH/BD/147326/2019 of Stephany C. de Rezende.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Visual or spatial isolation in ruminants.

Livestock production in intensive systems has expanded the world, always agreeing to raise production levels and economic returns, respectively. This vertical integration of livestock has led to some adjustments in management and also on the premises, which has changed the behavior of animals, coming from both visual and spatial constraints of the individual. In dairy farming, the creation of calves in individual stalls is an example of vertical integration, thus making a common practice in many countries. Knowing that the cattle are social animals that show high willingness to form social bonds with other individuals of the same species, some agencies have implemented laws to ensure a minimum of comfort for these animals. A systematic study of social preferences of animals and the calming effects of different animal companion familiarity are needed to document the response to separation. The objective of this review, present and discuss the effect of spatial isolation and/or visual on the productive and behavioral responses of ruminant animals.A produção animal em sistemas intensivos tem se ampliado no mundo, sempre visando à elevação de índices produtivos e retorno econômico, respectivamente. Essa verticalização da pecuária tem provocado algumas adaptações de manejo e também nas instalações, que tem alterado o comportamento dos animais, oriundo das restrições tanto visual como espacial do indivíduo. Na pecuária leiteira, a criação de bezerros em baias individuais é um exemplo dessa verticalização, tornando então uma prática comum em muitos países. Sabendo que os bovinos são animais sociais que mostram alta disponibilidade para formar vínculo social com outros indivíduos da mesma espécie, alguns órgãos têm implantado legislações para garantir um mínimo de conforto para esses animais. Um estudo sistemático das preferências sociais dos animais e os efeitos calmantes do animal companheiro de familiaridade diferente são necessários para documentar a resposta à separação. Objetivou-se com esta revisão, apresentar e discutir o efeito do isolamento espacial e/ou visual sobre as respostas produtivas e comportamentais de animais ruminantes

Alternative Models in Genetic Analyses of Carcass Traits Measured by Ultrasonography in Guzerá cattle: A Bayesian Approach

The objective was to study alternative models for genetic analyses of carcass traits assessed by ultrasonography in Guzerá cattle. Data from 947 measurements (655 animals) of Rib-eye area (REA), rump fat thickness (RFT) and backfat thickness (BFT) were used. Finite polygenic models (FPM), infinitesimal polygenic models (IPM) and FPM combined with IPM (IPM + FPM) were empirically tested, adjusting for the effects of permanent environment, age and weight at measurement and the contemporary group. A Bayesian analysis using the computer package FlexQTLTM was adopted. The combined model adjusted to the data, allowing reliable genetic analyses of REA and BFT. For the RFT, the IPM model was the only one to have convergence and, in this case, the trait should be analyzed by a polygenic model. The presence of up to three major genes (MGs) controlling the expression of REA and two MGs for BFT was detected. The additive genetic action was over dominance to REA, and for BFT the dominance genetic action was greater. Heritability estimates, and respective standard error, adjusted for the combined model to REA were 0.15 (0.00025) for the polygenic fraction and 0.10 (0.00019) for the oligogenic fraction; for BFT was 0.19 (0.00027) and 0.13 (0.00025), respectively. Heritability of 0.17 (0.00028) was estimated for RFT when the model was adjusted to IPM. There are major genes segregating within the population studied for REA and BFT traits, thus, their genetic analyses must be studied considering oligogenic effects. The major gene effects detected for a small number of genes, may possibly help to increase the reliability in detecting chromosomal regions that explain and control the phenotypic expression of these traits, facilitating research on detection and validation of molecular markers in this populatio

Biochemical parameters of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) after transport with eugenol or essential oil of Lippia alba added to the water

The transport of live fish is a routine practice in aquaculture and constitutes a considerable source of stress to the animals. The addition of anesthetic to the water used for fish transport can prevent or mitigate the deleterious effects of transport stress. This study investigated the effects of the addition of eugenol (EUG) (1.5 or 3.0 mu L L-1) and essential oil of Lippia alba (EOL) (10 or 20 mu L L-1) on metabolic parameters (glycogen, lactate and total protein levels) in liver and muscle, acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) in muscle and brain, and the levels of protein carbonyl (PC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and nonprotein thiol groups (NPSH) and activity of glutathione-S-transferase in the liver of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen; Quoy and Gaimard, 1824) transported for four hours in plastic bags (loading density of 169.2 g L-1). The addition of various concentrations of EUG (1.5 or 3.0 mu L L-1) and EOL (10 or 20 mu L L-1) to the transport water is advisable for the transportation of silver catfish, since both concentrations of these substances increased the levels of NPSH antioxidant and decreased the TBARS levels in the liver. In addition, the lower liver levels of glycogen and lactate in these groups and lower AChE activity in the brain (EOL 10 or 20 mu L L-1) compared to the control group indicate that the energetic metabolism and neurotransmission were lower after administration of anesthetics, contributing to the maintenance of homeostasis and sedation status.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS/PRONEX) [10/0016-8]; Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Cientifico (CNPq) [470964/2009-0]; Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES); CNPqinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Borboletas (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea e papilionoidea) de val de serra, região central do rio grande do sul, Brasil

The butterfly fauna of the Atlantic Forest Biome is reasonably well-known up to the southern limit of its distribution. However, there are knowledge gaps nearby the central region of Rio Grande do Sul State, whose forest areas are considered priorities for biological conservation. This study investigated the butterfly assemblage of a riparian fragment in an ecotone area between Mixed Ombrophilous Forest and Seasonal Decidous Forest, in Itaara municipality. From September 2005 to September 2006, after 105 net-hours through active search sampling, 877 butterflies were registered representing 104 species. Three more species were registered posteriorly, increasing total richness to 107. The most abundant species were the Nymphalidae Hermeuptychia hermes (Fabricius, 1775), Yphthimoides celmis (Godart, [1824]), Agraulis vanillae maculosa (Stichel, [1908]), Tegosa claudina (Eschscholtz, 1821) and Vanessa braziliensis (Moore, 1883). One new record for the State and four new ones for the central region were registered besides the southern endemic Papilionidae Euryades corethrus (Boisduval, 1836) and the Lycaenidae Arcas ducalis (Westwood, 1852), considered indicator of Atlantic forest preserved areas. Due to the representativeness of the registered fauna, it is suggested the increase of conservation efforts in the area and stimulation of new ecological studies with the local biodiversity

Edaphic, structural and physiological contrasts across Amazon Basin forest-savanna ecotones suggest a role for potassium as a key modulator of tropical woody vegetation structure and function

Sampling along a precipitation gradient in tropical South America extending from ca. 0.8 to 2.0 m ag-1, savanna soils had consistently lower exchangeable cation concentrations and higher C/N ratios than nearby forest plots. These soil differences were also reflected in canopy averaged leaf traits with savanna trees typically having higher leaf mass per unit area but lower mass-based nitrogen (Nm) and potassium (Km). Both Nm and Km also increased with declining mean annual precipitation (PA), but most area-based leaf traits such as leaf photosynthetic capacity showed no systematic variation with PA or vegetation type. Despite this invariance, when taken in conjunction with other measures such as mean canopy height, area-based soil exchangeable potassium content, [K]sa , proved to be an excellent predictor of several photosynthetic properties (including 13C isotope discrimination). Moreover, when considered in a multivariate context with PA and soil plant available water storage capacity (θP) as covariates, [K]sa also proved to be an excellent predictor of stand-level canopy area, providing drastically improved fits as compared to models considering just PA and/or θP. Neither calcium, nor magnesium, nor soil pH could substitute for potassium when tested as alternative model predictors (ΔAIC > 10). Nor for any model could simple soil texture metrics such as sand or clay content substitute for either [K]sa or θP. Taken in conjunction with recent work in Africa and the forests of the Amazon Basin, this suggests-in combination with some newly conceptualised interacting effects of PA and θP also presented here-a critical role for potassium as a modulator of tropical vegetation structure and function.Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) TROBIT Consortium projectCNPqRoyal Society of London - Wolfson Research Merit Awar