An experimental test of host’s life history traits modulation in response to cuckoo parasitism risk

Hosts can counteract parasites through defences based on resistance and/or tolerance. The mechanistic basis of tolerance, which involve defensive mechanisms minimizing parasite damage after a successful parasitic attack, remains poorly explored in the study of cuckoo-host interactions. Here, we experimentally explore the possibility that the risk of great spotted cuckoo Clamator glandarius parasitism may induce tolerance defences in magpie Pica pica hosts through plasticity in life-history traits. We predict that magpies exposed to auditory cues indicating high parasitism risk will more likely exhibit resistance and/or modify their life-history traits to minimize parasitism costs (i.e. tolerance) compared to magpies under low parasitism risk. We found that manipulating the perceived parasitism risk did not affect host resistance (i.e. rejection of parasitic eggs) nor host life-history traits. Unexpectedly, host's egg volume increased over the season in nests exposed to auditory cues of control non-harmful hoopoes Upupa epops. Our results do not provide support for inducible defences (either based on resistance or tolerance) in response to risk of parasitism in magpie hosts. Even so, we encourage studying plastic expression of breeding strategies in response to risk of cuckoo parasitism to achieve a better understanding of the mechanistic basis of tolerance defences.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science/FEDER (Projects CGL2011-27561/BOS and CGL2014-56769-P to D. P. and J.M.A.). D.P. was supported by the Government of Extremadura while writing (contract number TA13002). M.E.G. was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant number BES-2012-051898).

Physio-anatomic aspects on the initial growth of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. seedlings (Sterculiaceae)

This paper aimed to evaluate the initial growth of "mutambo" seedlings in different conditions of light intensity and treatments with gibberellic acid (GA). The seedlings were kept under full sun and 50% of shading. Sixty days after the emergence, seedlings were sprayed with: 1) 100 mg L-1 GA3; 2) 200 mg L-1 GA3; 3) control. At the end of the appraisals, seedlings height under 50% of shading was compared to the height that were growing under full sun with 200 mg L-1 GA. Stem diameter was lower under shading. Leaf area did not vary among the treatments, but the root system growth was higher under full sun and did not vary among GA levels. The number of stomata, trichomes and epidermal cells on adaxial and abaxial sides was higher under full sun. Total dry masses of leaf and root were highe runder full sun and with 200 mg L-1 GA application. "Mutambo" seedlings presented a higher initial growth under full sun, although with a lower height, diameter, and lenght of the largest root and total dry masses of leaf and root were higher. A concentration with 200 mg L-1 promoted a higher growth<br>O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento inicial das mudas de mutambo em diferentes condições de luminosidade e tratamentos com ácido giberélico (GA). As mudas foram mantidas em sombrite 50% de sombra e a pleno sol e aos 60 dias após a emergência as mudas foram pulverizadas com: 1) ácido giberélico 100 mg L-1; 2) ácido giberélico 200 mg. L-1 e 3) testemunha. Ao final das avaliações a altura sob 50% de sombreamento foi maior comparada com aquelas crescendo a pleno sol com GA 200 mg L-1. O diâmetro de colo foi menor sob sombreamento. A área foliar não variou entre os tratamentos, porém o crescimento do sistema radicular foi maior a pleno sol não variando entre os níveis de GA. O número de estômatos, tricomas e células epidérmicas nas faces adaxial e abaxial foram maiores a pleno sol. As massas secas total, de folha e raiz foi maior a pleno sol e com aplicação deGA 200 mg L-1. As mudas de mutambo apresentaram umcrescimento inicial melhor a pleno sol, embora com menoraltura, o diâmetro, o comprimento da maior raiz e a massaseca total, de folha e de raiz foram maiores. A concentraçãode 200 mg L-1 de GA promoveu maior cresciment

Control of mother-to-child transmission of infectious diseases in Brazil: progress in HIV/AIDS and failure in congenital syphilis Controle da transmissão vertical de doenças infecciosas no Brasil: avanços na infecção pelo HIV/AIDS e descompasso na sífilis congênita

In Brazil, syphilis and HIV infection are considered serious public health problems. However, in practice, epidemiological surveillance, prevention measures, and prenatal care seem to be more effective in the control of mother-to-child transmission of the HIV than in the control of transmission of the Treponema pallidum. Here we discuss the differences in surveillance, prenatal care, and care of the newborn. Important differences were identified. It is concluded that there is an urgent need to establish prevention of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis as a public health priority, using an integrated approach including women's health, children's health, primary health care, and STD/AIDS programs on all governmental levels. These issues also need to be discussed with all stakeholders involved. Important aspects related to the problem are the training of public health professionals, as well as the participation of the community. The elimination of congenital syphilis does not require expensive drugs, and diagnostic tools, but a long-term sustainable approach.<br>No Brasil, a infecção pelo Treponema pallidum e pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana são eventos considerados prioritários. No entanto, apesar das políticas públicas, a resposta em termos das ações de vigilância e prevenção, assistência pré-natal e ao recém-nascido, é diferenciada, parecendo ser mais bem estruturada para a redução da transmissão vertical do HIV do que para a do T. pallidum. No presente artigo, potenciais diferenças são analisadas quanto ao desenvolvimento das ações. Identificou-se que as desigualdades existentes na atenção aos dois problemas apresentam dimensões diferenciadas nas regiões do país. Reconheceu-se a necessária e urgente priorização da sífilis na gravidez, envolvendo áreas técnicas como atenção básica, saúde da mulher, saúde da criança e controle de doenças sexualmente transmissíveis, em todas as esferas de governo. Emerge como questão relevante no encaminhamento do problema a formação de profissionais de saúde e a mobilização da sociedade na perspectiva do controle. É ainda necessário inserir o tema e formas de enfrentamento na agenda de gestão. A eliminação da sífilis congênita requer insumos de baixo custo, bem como ações sustentáveis em longo prazo

Antibacterial effect (in vitro) of Moringa oleifera and Annona muricata against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria Efeito antibacteriano (in vitro) de Moringa oleifera (moringa) e Annona muricata (graviola) frente a bactérias Gram-negativas e Gram-positiva

Antibacterial effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of seeds of moringa (Moringa oleifera) and pods of soursop (Annona muricata) in the concentration of 1:5 and 1:10 in volumes 50, 100, 150 and 200 µL were examined against Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli (isolated from the organism and the aquatic environment) and Salmonella Enteritidis. Antibacterial activity (inhibition halo > 13 mm) against S. aureus, V. cholerae and E. coli isolated from the whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannmaei, was detected in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of moringa. E. coli isolated from tilapiafish, Oreochromis niloticus, was sensitive to the ethanolic extract of moringa. The aqueous extracts of soursop showed an antibacterial effect against S. aureus and V. cholerae, but the antibacterial activity by the ethanol extracts of this plant was not demonstrated.<br>Para avaliação do efeito bactericida frente à Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli (isolada de pescados e ambiente aquático) e Salmonella Enteretidis, foram testados extratos aquosos e etanólicos de sementes de moringa (Moringa oleifera) e casca de graviola (Annona muricata) na concentração de 1:5 e 1:10, nos volumes de 50, 100, 150 e 200 µL. Os resultados mostraram efeito antibacteriano (halo de inibição > 13mm) dos extratos aquosos e etanólicos de moringa frente a S. aureus, V. cholerae e E. coli isoladas de camarão cinza Litopenaeus vannmaei. A cepa de E. coli isolada do pescado Oreochromis niloticus apresentou sensibilidade frente ao extrato etanólico de moringa. Os extratos aquosos de graviola apresentaram efeito bactericida frente a S. aureus e V. cholerae, entretanto, os extratos etanólicos dessa planta não mostraram atividade antibacteriana