Synthetic Peptides Mimic gp75 from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in the Diagnosis of Paracoccidioidomycosis

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic granulomatous disease, endemic in Latin America, caused by the thermal dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Although some fungal antigens have already been characterized and used for serological diagnosis, cross-reactions have been frequently observed. Thus, the examination of fungal forms in clinical specimens or isolation of P. brasiliensis by culture is still the most frequent method for the diagnosis of this mycosis. In this study, a random peptide phage display library was used to select mimotopes of P. brasiliensis, which were employed as antigens in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protective monoclonal antibody against experimental PCM (anti-gp75) was used as molecular target to screen a phage display library. That approach led to a synthetic peptide named P2, which was synthesized and tested against PCM patients’ sera to check whether it was recognized. There was significant recognition of P2 by sera of untreated PCM patients when compared with normal human sera. Sera from treated PCM group, patients with other mycosis or co-infected with HIV had much lower recognition of P2 than untreated patient group. The test showed a sensitivity of 100 and 94.59% of specificity in relation to human sera control. These data indicate a potential use of P2 as diagnostic tool in PCM. Its application for serological diagnosis of PCM may contribute to the development and standardization of simpler, faster and highly reproducible immunodiagnostic tests at low cost

Antiulcerogenic Activity of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaves of Croton campestris

Croton campestris A. St.-Hill., popularly known as “velame do campo,” is a species native to the savannah area of Northeast Brazil, which is used by traditional communities in folk medicine for variety of health problems, especially detoxification, inflammation, and gastritis. The hydroalcoholic extract of C. campestris leaves (HELCC) was assessed for its antiulcerogenic effect in gastric lesion models and effect on intestinal motility in mice, and possible mechanisms of action were examined. HELCC showed significant gastroprotective action in all models of gastric ulcer evaluated; the results suggest that this action probably involves the nitric oxide pathway. HELCC did not show alteration of intestinal motility in mice. It was also found that C. campestris represents a promising natural source with important biological potential, justifying some of its uses in folk medicine

The Brazilian Soil Spectral Library (BSSL): A general view, application and challenges

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:42:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-11-15Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)The present study was developed in a joint partnership with the Brazilian pedometrics community to standardize and evaluate spectra within the 350–2500 nm range of Brazilian soils. The Brazilian Soil Spectral Library (BSSL) began in 1995, creating a protocol to gather soil samples from different locations in Brazil. The BSSL reached 39,284 soil samples from 65 contributors representing 41 institutions from all 26 states. Through the BSSL spectra database, it was possible to estimate important soil attributes, such as clay, sand, soil organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, pH and base saturation, resulting in differences among the multi-scale models taking Brazil (overall), regional and state scale. In general, spectral descriptive and quantitative behavior indicated important relationship with physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. Statistical analyses showed that six basic patterns of spectral signatures represent the Brazilian soils types and that environmental conditions explain the differences in spectra. This study demonstrates that spectroscopy analyses along with the establishment of soil spectral libraries are a powerful technique for providing information on a national and regional levels. We also developed an interactive online platform showing soil sample locations and their contributors. As soil spectroscopy is considered a fast, simple, accurate and nondestructive analytical procedure, its application may be integrated with wet analysis as an alternative to support the sustainable management of soils.Department of Soil Science Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ) University of São Paulo (USP), Ave. Pádua Dias 11, Cx. Postal 9Department of Soil Federal University of Santa Maria, Av. Roraima 1000Geographical Sciences Department Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Ac. Hélio Ramos, s/nDepartment of Agronomy State University of Maringá, Av. Colombo 5790Department of Agriculture Biodiversity and Forestry Federal University of Santa Catarina, Rodovia Ulysses Gaboardi 3000 - Km 3Federal Rural University of Amazon, Ave. Presidente Tancredo Neves 2501Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine University of BrasíliaEMBRAPA - Solos, R. Antônio Falcão, 402, Boa ViagemCenter of Nuclear Energy in Agriculture (CENA) USP, Av. Centenário 303CDRS/Secretary of Agriculture of São Paulo State, R. Campos Salles 507Department of Soils Federal University of Viçosa, Ave. Peter Henry Rolfs s/nEMBRAPA – Informática Agropecuária, Ave. André Tosello, 209Department of Nuclear Energy Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Luis Freire 1000Department of Geography Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, R. Joaquim Gregório s/nAgronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC), Ave. Barão de Itapura 1481Institute of Agricultural Sciences Federal Rural University of Amazônia, Ave. Presidente Tancredo Neves 2501, 66.077-830Department of Soil Science Federal University of LavrasFederal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, Av. Fernando Corrêa da Costa 2367Department of Soils Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, Km 07 s/nSoil and Water Sciences Department University of Florida, 2181 McCarty Hallr, PO Box 110290EMBRAPA - Solos, R. Jardim Botânico, 1024Department of Soils and Fertilizers School of Agricultural and Veterinary Studies São Paulo State University (FCAV-UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/nFederal University of Sergipe, Av. Marechal Rondon s/nGraduate Program in Earth Sciences (Geochemistry) Department of Geochemistry Federal Fluminense University, Outeiro São João Batista, s/nFederal Institute of the Southeast of Minas Gerais, R. Monsenhor José Augusto 204Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, R. Joaquim Gregório s/nFederal University of PiauíEMBRAPA Milho e Sorgo, Rod MG 424 Km 45Institute of Agricultural Sciences Federal University of Jequitinhonha e Mucuri Valleys, Ave. Ver. João Narciso 1380Department of Biosystems Engineering ESALQ USP, Ave. Pádua Dias 11, Cx. Postal 9Federal University of Acre, Rodovia BR 364 Km 04Federal University of Amazonas, Av. General Rodrigo O. J. Ramos 1200EMBRAPA Clima Temperado, BR-392, km 78Department of Agronomy Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, R. Manuel de Medeiros s/nEMBRAPA Cocais, Quadra 11, Av. São Luís Rei de França 4Paraense Emílio Goeldi Museum, Av. Gov. Magalhães Barata 376Exata Laboratory, Rua Silvestre Carvalho Q 11Federal University of Rondônia, BR 364, Km 9.5Nacional Institute for Amazonian Research, Ave. André Araújo 2936Department of Forestry Sciences ESALQ-USP, Ave. Pádua Dias 11, Cx. Postal 9Department of Soils and Fertilizers School of Agricultural and Veterinary Studies São Paulo State University (FCAV-UNESP), Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane s/nFAPESP: 2014/22262-0FAPESP: 2016/26176-6FAPESP: 2017/03207-

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 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