Composição florística e biomassa em diferentes estágios de sucessão da vegetação ciliar do Mearim, MA

O estudo da composição florística e de outros paramentos da vegetação podem gerar informações importantes para futuras intervenções que visem à restauração do ambiente estudado. O presente trabalho realizou um levantamento florístico e ainda quantificou a biomassa da vegetação do rio Mearim, AM. A vegetação foi classificada em quatro estágios sucessionais, coletou-se material botânico e medida do diâmetro e altura da vegetação em 10 parcelas por estágio. Foram registradas 80 espécies distribuídas em 61 gêneros e 28 famílias. Os estágios III e IV apresentaram 36 e 29 espécies, respectivamente. Nos estágios I ocorreram 24 e no II 42 espécies. A biomassa aérea foi 13 vezes menor nas áreas do estágio I em relação a vegetação do estágio IV, devido à menor biomassa de árvores e palmeiras. Ao contrário disto, houve um forte aumento na biomassa dos arbustos (323%) e da vegetação herbácea (356%). Este estudo constatou que os estágios intermediários possui maior riqueza de espécies e o estoque de biomassa aumenta de acordo com avanço da sucessão.The study of the floristic composition jointly with vegetation parameters can help to highlight environmental studiesn and support future interventions aiming the ecosystem restoration. We performed a floristic survey and biomass quantification of riverine vegetation at Mearim river, State of Maranhão, Brazil. The vegetation was classified into four successional stages (I – strongly degraded; II – medium degraded; III – weakly degraded; IV – mature forest), and for each one we collected the botanical material and measure the diameter and height of vegetation in 10 plots. We recorded 80 species in 61 genera and 28 families. The stages III and IV showed 36 species and 29, respectively. In stages I and II were 24 42 species. The biomass was 13 times lower in the areas of stage I for Stage IV vegetation due to lower biomass of trees and palms. On the other hand, there was a sharp increase in the biomass of shrubs (323%) and herbaceous vegetation (356%). This study found that the intermediate stages have greater species richness and the biomass stock increases with advancing succession.Eje A4: Ambiente, Naturaleza y AgroecologíaFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Composição florística e biomassa em diferentes estágios de sucessão da vegetação ciliar do Mearim, MA

O estudo da composição florística e de outros paramentos da vegetação podem gerar informações importantes para futuras intervenções que visem à restauração do ambiente estudado. O presente trabalho realizou um levantamento florístico e ainda quantificou a biomassa da vegetação do rio Mearim, AM. A vegetação foi classificada em quatro estágios sucessionais, coletou-se material botânico e medida do diâmetro e altura da vegetação em 10 parcelas por estágio. Foram registradas 80 espécies distribuídas em 61 gêneros e 28 famílias. Os estágios III e IV apresentaram 36 e 29 espécies, respectivamente. Nos estágios I ocorreram 24 e no II 42 espécies. A biomassa aérea foi 13 vezes menor nas áreas do estágio I em relação a vegetação do estágio IV, devido à menor biomassa de árvores e palmeiras. Ao contrário disto, houve um forte aumento na biomassa dos arbustos (323%) e da vegetação herbácea (356%). Este estudo constatou que os estágios intermediários possui maior riqueza de espécies e o estoque de biomassa aumenta de acordo com avanço da sucessão.The study of the floristic composition jointly with vegetation parameters can help to highlight environmental studiesn and support future interventions aiming the ecosystem restoration. We performed a floristic survey and biomass quantification of riverine vegetation at Mearim river, State of Maranhão, Brazil. The vegetation was classified into four successional stages (I – strongly degraded; II – medium degraded; III – weakly degraded; IV – mature forest), and for each one we collected the botanical material and measure the diameter and height of vegetation in 10 plots. We recorded 80 species in 61 genera and 28 families. The stages III and IV showed 36 species and 29, respectively. In stages I and II were 24 42 species. The biomass was 13 times lower in the areas of stage I for Stage IV vegetation due to lower biomass of trees and palms. On the other hand, there was a sharp increase in the biomass of shrubs (323%) and herbaceous vegetation (356%). This study found that the intermediate stages have greater species richness and the biomass stock increases with advancing succession.Eje A4: Ambiente, Naturaleza y AgroecologíaFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Composição florística e biomassa em diferentes estágios de sucessão da vegetação ciliar do Mearim, MA

O estudo da composição florística e de outros paramentos da vegetação podem gerar informações importantes para futuras intervenções que visem à restauração do ambiente estudado. O presente trabalho realizou um levantamento florístico e ainda quantificou a biomassa da vegetação do rio Mearim, AM. A vegetação foi classificada em quatro estágios sucessionais, coletou-se material botânico e medida do diâmetro e altura da vegetação em 10 parcelas por estágio. Foram registradas 80 espécies distribuídas em 61 gêneros e 28 famílias. Os estágios III e IV apresentaram 36 e 29 espécies, respectivamente. Nos estágios I ocorreram 24 e no II 42 espécies. A biomassa aérea foi 13 vezes menor nas áreas do estágio I em relação a vegetação do estágio IV, devido à menor biomassa de árvores e palmeiras. Ao contrário disto, houve um forte aumento na biomassa dos arbustos (323%) e da vegetação herbácea (356%). Este estudo constatou que os estágios intermediários possui maior riqueza de espécies e o estoque de biomassa aumenta de acordo com avanço da sucessão.The study of the floristic composition jointly with vegetation parameters can help to highlight environmental studiesn and support future interventions aiming the ecosystem restoration. We performed a floristic survey and biomass quantification of riverine vegetation at Mearim river, State of Maranhão, Brazil. The vegetation was classified into four successional stages (I – strongly degraded; II – medium degraded; III – weakly degraded; IV – mature forest), and for each one we collected the botanical material and measure the diameter and height of vegetation in 10 plots. We recorded 80 species in 61 genera and 28 families. The stages III and IV showed 36 species and 29, respectively. In stages I and II were 24 42 species. The biomass was 13 times lower in the areas of stage I for Stage IV vegetation due to lower biomass of trees and palms. On the other hand, there was a sharp increase in the biomass of shrubs (323%) and herbaceous vegetation (356%). This study found that the intermediate stages have greater species richness and the biomass stock increases with advancing succession.Eje A4: Ambiente, Naturaleza y AgroecologíaFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the family needs assessment scale for Brazilian families of children and adolescents with disabilities

IntroductionIn Brazil, there are few studies that investigate the support needs of families that have handicap children in their daily context. This study aims to adapt and validate the Family Needs Assessment (FNA) scale for use with families of children and adolescents with disabilities in Brazil.MethodTwo studies were conducted. The first study involved the cross-cultural adaptation of the scale, resulting in the Brazilian version of the FNA, which is called Avaliação das Necessidades da Família (ANF). The FNA comprises 49 items with high internal consistency (α = 0.98). The second study validated the FNA using a sample of 151 families with children and adolescents with disabilities.ResultsThe structure of the scale was confirmed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), which grouped 46 items into seven dimensions. The scale demonstrated good fit (RMSEA = 0.041, SRMR = 0.063), satisfactory convergent validity (rs = −0.27, p < 0.001), and high levels of reliability (α = 0.92, ω = 0.94) and test–retest consistency (R1F = 0.98).DiscussionThe FNA is a valid, reliable, and accurate measure for assessing the needs of Brazilian families with children and adolescents with disabilities under 18 years of age

Caracterização físico-química de complexos de insulina: dimetil-beta-ciclodextrina e insulina: hidroxipropil-beta-ciclodextrina e avaliação da influência do tipo de complexo na produção de microesferas biodegradáveis

The main stage in the linking and activation of the specific receptors by the insulin is the dissociation of this peptide hexamers, normally present in pharmaceutical formulations, in the monomeric active form. Because of this, the use of different cyclodextrins as adjuvants in the formulations containing insulin has been explored and the realized studies have demonstrated that the cyclodextrins can increase the absorption of the insulin mainly by reducing the ability of insulin oligomerization in aqueous media. In this work, complexes of INS:HP-beta-CD and INS:DM-beta-CD have been characterized by the use of isothermal calorimetry titration (ICT) and dynamic scattering of light. By means of ICT, the thermodynamic parameters of interaction between insulin and the cyclodextrins have been determined, and it was observed that the complexation occurs with an increase of entropy for both systems. The experiments of dynamic scattering of light have not showed reduction in the size of insulin particles, which could indicate the dissociation of insulin hexamers after the complexation with cyclodextrins. Then, the INS: HP-beta-CD and INS:DM-beta-CD complexes were encapsulated in PLGA microspheres. These systems were characterized and it was not observed any significant difference in the microspheres diameter, but a considerable increase in the hormone loading after the complexation with HP-beta-CD and DM-beta-CD was shown.A etapa principal na ativação e ligação da insulina ao seu receptor é a dissociação dos hexâmeros do hormônio, normalmente presente nas preparações farmacêuticas, para a forma monomérica bioativa. A utilização de diferentes ciclodextrinas (CDs) como adjuvantes em formulações contendo insulina vem sendo explorada e os estudos realizados demonstram que estas substâncias podem aumentar a absorção da insulina principalmente por diminuírem sua capacidade de formar dímeros e hexâmeros em meio aquoso. No presente trabalho, complexos de insulina:hidroxipropil-beta-ciclodextrina (INS:HP-beta-CD) e insulina:dimetil-beta-ciclodextrina (INS:DM-beta-CD) foram caracterizados utilizando técnicas de titulação calorimétrica isotérmica e espalhamento dinâmico de luz. Por meio da titulação calorimétrica foram determinados os parâmetros termodinâmicos de interação entre a insulina e as CDs utilizadas, sugerindo que o mecanismo de complexação ocorre com aumento de entropia para ambos os sistemas. Os experimentos de espalhamento dinâmico de luz não indicaram diminuição do diâmetro hidrodinâmico das espécies moleculares de insulina após a complexação com as CDs. Os complexos INS:HP-beta-CD e INS:DM-beta-CD foram encapsulados em microesferas (MEs) de PLGA 50:50. A caracterização das MEs obtidas revelou aumento considerável na taxa de encapsulamento de insulina quando complexada com as CDs sem que ocorresse diferença significativa no diâmetro das partículas em função da complexação

Microbiome resilience of Amazonian forests: agroforest divergence to bacteria and secondary forest succession convergence to fungi

An alarming and increasing deforestation rate threatens Amazon tropical ecosystems and subsequent degradation due to frequent fires. Agroforestry systems (AFS) may offer a sustainable alternative, reportedly mimicking the plant-soil interactions of the natural mature forest (MF). However, the role of microbial community in tropical AFS remains largely unknown. This knowledge is crucial for evaluating the sustainability of AFS and practices given the key role of microbes in the aboveground-belowground interactions. The current study, by comparing different AFS and successions of secondary and MFs, showed that AFS fostered distinct groups of bacterial community, diverging from the MFs, likely a result of management practices while secondary forests converged to the same soil microbiome found in the MF, by favoring the same groups of fungi. Model simulations reveal that AFS would require profound changes in aboveground biomass and in soil factors to reach the same microbiome found in MFs. In summary, AFS practices did not result in ecosystems mimicking natural forest plant-soil interactions but rather reshaped the ecosystem to a completely different relation between aboveground biomass, soil abiotic properties, and the soil microbiome

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Caracterização físico-química de complexos de insulina: dimetil-beta-ciclodextrina e insulina: hidroxipropil-beta-ciclodextrina e avaliação da influência do tipo de complexo na produção de microesferas biodegradáveis Physico-chemical caracterization of insulin: dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin and insulin:hydroxypropil-beta-cyclodextrin complexes and evaluation of the kind of complexes on the biodegradable microspheres preparation

A etapa principal na ativação e ligação da insulina ao seu receptor é a dissociação dos hexâmeros do hormônio, normalmente presente nas preparações farmacêuticas, para a forma monomérica bioativa. A utilização de diferentes ciclodextrinas (CDs) como adjuvantes em formulações contendo insulina vem sendo explorada e os estudos realizados demonstram que estas substâncias podem aumentar a absorção da insulina principalmente por diminuírem sua capacidade de formar dímeros e hexâmeros em meio aquoso. No presente trabalho, complexos de insulina:hidroxipropil-beta-ciclodextrina (INS:HP-beta-CD) e insulina:dimetil-beta-ciclodextrina (INS:DM-beta-CD) foram caracterizados utilizando técnicas de titulação calorimétrica isotérmica e espalhamento dinâmico de luz. Por meio da titulação calorimétrica foram determinados os parâmetros termodinâmicos de interação entre a insulina e as CDs utilizadas, sugerindo que o mecanismo de complexação ocorre com aumento de entropia para ambos os sistemas. Os experimentos de espalhamento dinâmico de luz não indicaram diminuição do diâmetro hidrodinâmico das espécies moleculares de insulina após a complexação com as CDs. Os complexos INS:HP-beta-CD e INS:DM-beta-CD foram encapsulados em microesferas (MEs) de PLGA 50:50. A caracterização das MEs obtidas revelou aumento considerável na taxa de encapsulamento de insulina quando complexada com as CDs sem que ocorresse diferença significativa no diâmetro das partículas em função da complexação.<br>The main stage in the linking and activation of the specific receptors by the insulin is the dissociation of this peptide hexamers, normally present in pharmaceutical formulations, in the monomeric active form. Because of this, the use of different cyclodextrins as adjuvants in the formulations containing insulin has been explored and the realized studies have demonstrated that the cyclodextrins can increase the absorption of the insulin mainly by reducing the ability of insulin oligomerization in aqueous media. In this work, complexes of INS:HP-beta-CD and INS:DM-beta-CD have been characterized by the use of isothermal calorimetry titration (ICT) and dynamic scattering of light. By means of ICT, the thermodynamic parameters of interaction between insulin and the cyclodextrins have been determined, and it was observed that the complexation occurs with an increase of entropy for both systems. The experiments of dynamic scattering of light have not showed reduction in the size of insulin particles, which could indicate the dissociation of insulin hexamers after the complexation with cyclodextrins. Then, the INS: HP-beta-CD and INS:DM-beta-CD complexes were encapsulated in PLGA microspheres. These systems were characterized and it was not observed any significant difference in the microspheres diameter, but a considerable increase in the hormone loading after the complexation with HP-beta-CD and DM-beta-CD was shown

Wood Decay Characteristics and Interspecific Interactions Control Bacterial Community Succession in Populus grandidentata (Bigtooth Aspen)

Few studies have investigated bacterial community succession and the role of bacterial decomposition over a continuum of wood decay. Here, we identified how (i) the diversity and abundance of bacteria changed along a chronosequence of decay in Populus grandidentata (bigtooth aspen); (ii) bacterial community succession was dependent on the physical and chemical characteristics of the wood; (iii) interspecific bacterial interactions may mediate community structure. 459 taxa were identified through Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons from samples taken along a continuum of decay, representing standing dead trees, downed wood, and soil. Community diversity increased as decomposition progressed, peaking in the most decomposed trees. While a small proportion of taxa displayed a significant pattern in regards to decay status of the host log, many bacterial taxa followed a stochastic distribution. Changes in the water availability and chemical composition of standing dead and downed trees and soil were strongly coupled with shifts in bacterial communities. Nitrogen was a major driver of succession and nitrogen-fixing taxa of the order Rhizobiales were abundant early in decomposition. Recently downed logs shared 65% of their bacterial abundance with the microbiomes of standing dead trees while only sharing 16% with soil. As decay proceeds, bacterial communities appear to respond less to shifting resource availability and more to interspecific bacterial interactions – we report an increase in both the proportion (+9.3%) and the intensity (+62.3%) of interspecific interactions in later stages of decomposition, suggesting the emergence of a more complex community structure as wood decay progresses