Orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the coastal forests of southern Brazil: diversity, efficiency of sampling methods and comparison with other Atlantic forest surveys

Surveys of orchid bees at the Brazilian Atlantic forest have been restricted to a few regions, making difficult to understand latitudinal patterns of distribution and diversity of these bees. For this reason we sampled the euglossine fauna at Atlantic forest areas at the coastal region of São Paulo (Sete Barras, Faz. Morro do Capim: SP3) and state of Paraná (Antonina, Reserva Natural do Rio Cachoeira: PR3), in southern Brazil. In PR3, we also evaluated the efficiency of collecting methods for sampling the fauna, comparing bait traps with direct collecting using entomological nets on fragrance baits. The diversity and abundance of bees was very low: we caught only 39 males of eight species in SP3 (Euglossa iopoecila, Euglossa roderici, Eulaema nigrita, Euglossa annectans, Eulaema cingulata, Euglossa pleosticta, Euglossa viridis and Exaerete smaragdina) and 254 males of six species in PR3 (Euglossa iopoecila, Euglossa annectans, Euglossa stellfeldi, Euglossa roderici, Euglossa pleosticta and Eulaema nigrita). Comparing the sampling methodologies, use of insect nets on fragrance baits (six species; 221 specimens) was more efficient than bait traps (three species; 33 specimens). When comparing the faunas of these two areas with other surveys at the Atlantic forest sites, through a DCA analysis, we found that the two surveys presented in this paper were placed relatively close to each other, but apart from the other sites analyzed, not clustering with the southernmost survey at the subtropical Atlantic forest of Rio Grande do Sul or with the remaining surveys carried out at northern lowland sites of this biome.Os levantamentos da fauna de abelhas euglossíneas realizados até o momento ao longo da floresta Atlântica são restritos a poucas regiões e não permitem um entendimento mais aprofundado dos padrões latitudinais de distribuição e diversidade dessas abelhas. Por este motivo, duas áreas de floresta Atlântica do sul do Brasil, na planície costeira de São Paulo (Sete Barras, Faz. Morro do Capim: SP3) e do Paraná (Antonina, Reserva Natural do Rio Cachoeira: PR3), tiveram sua fauna de euglossíneos amostrada. Em PR3, foi avaliada também a eficiência de dois métodos alternativos de coleta, fazendo-se a comparação entre armadilhas plásticas, iscadas com fragrâncias, e coleta direta com rede entomológica em iscas odoríferas. A diversidade e abundância das abelhas foram muito baixas: apenas 39 machos de oito espécies foram coletados em SP3 (Euglossa iopoecila, Euglossa roderici, Eulaema nigrita, Euglossa annectans, Eulaema cingulata, Euglossa pleosticta, Euglossa viridis e Exaerete smaragdina) e 254 machos de seis espécies em PR3 (Euglossa iopoecila, Euglossa annectans, Euglossa stellfeldi, Euglossa roderici, Euglossa pleosticta e Eulaema nigrita). A comparação entre os métodos de amostragem mostrou que a coleta direta (seis espécies; 221 espécimes) foi mais eficiente do que o uso de armadilhas (três espécies; 33 espécimes). A análise de correspondência (DCA) mostrou que os dois levantamentos apresentados aqui se posicionaram relativamente próximos entre si, porém afastados dos outros locais comparados, não se agrupando com o levantamento mais meridional nos domínios da floresta Atlântica do Rio Grande do Sul, nem com aqueles conduzidos em áreas de terras baixas mais ao norte nesse bioma

Second Order Gauge Theory

A gauge theory of second order in the derivatives of the auxiliary field is constructed following Utiyama's program. A novel field strength $G=\partial F+fAF$ arises besides the one of the first order treatment, $F=\partial A-\partial A+fAA$. The associated conserved current is obtained. It has a new feature: topological terms are determined from local invariance requirements. Podolsky Generalized Eletrodynamics is derived as a particular case in which the Lagrangian of the gauge field is $L_{P}\propto G^{2}$. In this application the photon mass is estimated. The SU(N) infrared regime is analysed by means of Alekseev-Arbuzov-Baikov's Lagrangian.Comment: 27 pages. No figure. Final versio

Cosmic acceleration from second order gauge gravity

We construct a phenomenological theory of gravitation based on a second order gauge formulation for the Lorentz group. The model presents a long-range modification for the gravitational field leading to a cosmological model provided with an accelerated expansion at recent times. We estimate the model parameters using observational data and verify that our estimative for the age of the Universe is of the same magnitude than the one predicted by the standard model. The transition from the decelerated expansion regime to the accelerated one occurs recently (at $\sim9.3\;Gyr$).Comment: RevTex4 15 pages, 1 figure. Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc

Gauge Formulation for Higher Order Gravity

This work is an application of the second order gauge theory for the Lorentz group, where a description of the gravitational interaction is obtained which includes derivatives of the curvature. We analyze the form of the second field strenght, $G=\partial F +fAF$, in terms of geometrical variables. All possible independent Lagrangians constructed with quadratic contractions of $F$ and quadratic contractions of $G$ are analyzed. The equations of motion for a particular Lagrangian, which is analogous to Podolsky's term of his Generalized Electrodynamics, are calculated. The static isotropic solution in the linear approximation was found, exhibiting the regular Newtonian behaviour at short distances as well as a meso-large distance modification.Comment: Published versio

Schistosomiasis Mansoni In Urban Northeast Brazil: Influence Of Rainfall Regime On The Population Dynamics Of Biomphalaria Sp

Introduction: Our objective was to evaluate the infl uence of rainfall regime on the population dynamics of Biomphalaria in a potential urban focus of schistosomiasis in Aracaju, Brazil, during 2009-2010. Methods: Snails were collected monthly and were counted, measured and identifi ed; the level of infection and fecal contamination at the sampling sites was determined; rainfall data were obtained. Results: High levels of fecal contamination were observed, and the abundance of Biomphalaria glabrata increased during the rainy and post-rainy seasons. The snails' size was variable, and infected snails were identifi ed independently of rainfall. Conclusions: These results provide evidence of anthropogenic and climate interference in an urban focus of schistosomiasis in the Aracaju metropolitan area.465654657Pordeus, L.C., Aguiar, L.R., Quinino, L.R.M., Barbosa, C.S.A., Ocorrência das formas aguda e crônica da esquistossomose mansônica no Brasil no período de 1997 a 2006: Uma revisão de literatura (2008) Epidemiol Serv Saude, 17, pp. 163-175Souza, M.A.A., Barbosa, V.S., Wanderlei, T.N.G., Barbosa, C.S., Criadouros de Biomphalaria, temporários e permanentes, em Jaboatão dos Guararapes, PE (2008) Rev Soc Bras Med Trop, 41, pp. 252-256Araújo, K.C.G.M., Resendes, A.P.C., Souza-Santos, R., Silveira Jr., J.C., Barbosa, C.S., Análise espacial dos focos de Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) e de casos humanos de esquistossomose mansônica em Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco, Brasil, no ano 2000 (2007) Cad Saude Publica, 23, pp. 409-417Lima, L.C., Família Planorbidae (1995) Tópicos em Malacologia Médica., pp. 90-112. , In: Barbosa FS, editor. Rio de Janeiro: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz(2005) Resolução CONAMA no 357, , http://www.cetesb.sp.gov.br/Agua/praias/res_conama_357_05.pdf, Conselho Nacional do Meio Ambiente (CONAMA). de 17 de março de. [Cited 2011 February 23]. Available fromSouza, M.A.A., Barbosa, V.S., Albuquerque, J.O., Bocanegra, S., Souza-Santos, R., Paredes, H., Aspectos ecológicos e levantamento malacológico para identificação de áreas de risco para transmissão da esquistossomose mansoni no litoral norte de Pernambuco, Brasil (2010) Iheringia Serie Zoológica, 100, pp. 19-24Barbosa, F.S., Barbosa, C.S., The bioecology of snails vectors for schistosomiasis in Brazil (1994) Cad Saude Publica, 10, pp. 200-209Fernandez, M.A., Thiengo, S.C., Susceptibility of Biomphalaria straminea from Peixe Angical dam, Tocantins, Brazil to infection with three strains of Schistosoma mansoni (2010) Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 105, pp. 488-491Barbosa, C.S., Domingues, A.L.C., Abath, F., Montenegro, S.M.L., Guida, U., Carneiro, J., Epidemia de esquistossomose aguda na praia de Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco, Brasil (2001) Cad Saude Publica, 17, pp. 725-728Rollemberg, C.V.V., Santos, C.M.B., Silva, M.M.B.L., Souza, A.M.B., Silva, A.M., Almeida, J.A.P., Aspectos epidemiológicos e distribuição geográfica da esquistossomose e geo-helmintos, no Estado de Sergipe, de acordo com os dados do Programa de Controle da Esquistossomose (2011) Rev Soc Bras Med Trop, 44, pp. 91-96Barbosa, C.S., Montenegro, S.M.L., Abath, F.G., Domingues, A.L.C., Eventos epidemiológicos relacionados à transmissão da esquistossomose em áreas rurais e urbanas de Pernambuco (2002) Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 96, pp. 169-172Departamento de Vigilância Epidemiológica (2008) Vigilância e controle de moluscos de importância epidemiológica: Diretrizes técnicas., , Ministério da Saúde. Programa de Vigilância e Controle da Esquistossomose (PCE). 2nded. Brasília: Ministério da Saúd

Free 2-propen-1-amine Derivative And Inclusion Complexes With β-cyclodextrin: Scanning Electron Microscopy, Dissolution, Cytotoxicity And Antimycobacterial Activity

Inclusion complexes and physical mixtures of isomeric mixture of E/Z (50:50) of 3-(4′-bromo-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-N,N- dimethyl-2-propen-1-amine (BBAP) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) in the molar proportion of 1:1 and 1:2 were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The dissolution behavior of BBAP and of the inclusion complexes were also evaluated for six hours. By scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was possible to observe an inclusion complex formed between BBAP and β-CD by co-evaporation, either in the molar proportion of 1:1 or 1:2. In the physical mixtures, no complex was observed as previously detected by physicochemical analysis. The dissolution studies showed that the inclusion complexes BBAP/β-CD 1:1 and 1:2 released respectively 49.07 ± 1.48 and 40.26 ± 3.90% of BBAP during six hours. Free BBAP was less soluble than the inclusion complex and reached 9.00 ± 0.75% of dissolution. Biological assays, such as cytotoxicity to J774 macrophages and to a permanent lung fibroblast cell line (V79), indicated that the BBAP does not exhibit any additional toxic effect with the β-CD complexes. However, the complexes were less cytotoxic to V79 cells than the free form. The BBAP/β-CD inclusion complexes were more effective (MIC) than the free compound on several mycobacteria strains. Similar behavior was observed for BBAP/β-CD complexes and rifampicin, a front-line antitubercular drug, on M. tuberculosis H37Rv growing inside J774 macrophages.155682689Bibby, D.C., Davies, N.M., Tucker, I.G., (2000) Int. J. Pharm., 197, p. 1De Souza, A.O., Sato, D.N., Aily, D.C.G., Durán, N., (1998) J. Antimicrob. Chemother., 42, p. 407Pereira, D.G., De Castro, S.L., Durán, N., (1998) Acta Tropica, 69, p. 205De Souza, A.O., Santos Júnior, R.R., Ferreira-Júlio, J.F., Rodrigues, J.A., Melo, P.S., Haun, M., Sato, D.N., Durán, N., (2001) Eur. J. Med. Chem., 36, p. 843De Souza, A.O., Hemerly, F.P., Busollo, A.C., Melo, P.S., Machado, G.M.C., Miranda, C.C., Santa-Rita, R.M., Durán, N., (2002) J. Antimicrob. Chemother., 50, p. 629De Conti, R., Gimenez, S.M.N., Haun, M., Pilli, R.A., De Castro, S.L., Durán, N., (1996) Eur. J. Med. Chem., 31, p. 915De Souza, A.O., Santos Jr., R.R., Sato, D.N., Lima, H.O.S., Andrade-Santana, M.H., Alderete, J.B., Faljoni-Alario, A., Durán, N., (2000) Abstracts of the 29 a Reunião Anual Da Sociedade Brasileira de Bioquímica, , Caxambu, BrazilHiguchi, T., Connors, K.A., (1965) Adv. Anal. Chem. Instrum., 4, p. 117Collins, L.A., Franzblau, S.G., (1997) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 41, p. 1004Oh, Y.K., Nix, D.E., Straubinger, R.M., (1995) Antimicrob Agents Chemother., 39, p. 2104Cingi, M.R., De Angelis, I., Fortunati, E., Reggiani, D., Bianchi, V., Tiozzo, R., Zucco, F., (1991) Toxicol. In Vitro, 5, p. 119Denizot, F., Lang, R., (1986) J. Immun. Methods, 89, p. 271Borenfreund, E., Puerner, J.A., (1984) J. Tiss. Cult. Meth., 9, p. 7Melo, P.S., Maria, S.S., Vidal, B.C., Haun, M., Durán, N., (2000) In Vitro Cell Rev. Biol. Animal, 36, p. 539Melo, P.S., Durán, N., Haun, M., (2001) Toxicology, 159, p. 135Shrivastava, R., John, G.W., Rispat, G., Chevalier, A., Massingham, R., (1991) ATLA - Alt. Lab. Anim., 19, p. 39

Polyphasic analysis of Acidovorax citrulli strains from northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) of cucurbit plants is caused by Acidovorax citrulli and represents a serious concern to melon (Cucumis melo L.) growers worldwide, including those in Brazil. Thirty-four A. citrulli strains from different melon production areas of northeastern Brazil were characterized for their virulence on melon fruits and their substrate utilization and molecular profiles. Based on the analysis of BFB severity on melon fruits, the A. citrulli strains were divided into three groups, classified as mildly, moderately or highly virulent. Although host-related groups were not observed, the watermelon and ‘melão-pepino’ strains exhibited only low or moderate virulence on melon fruit. Substrate utilization profiles revealed that 94 % of the 95 tested compounds were used by A. citrulli strains as a carbon source. Overall, based on substrate utilization, low variability was observed with no relationship to host of origin. The formation of one group of A. citrulli strains based on Repetitive Sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) analysis confirmed the low variability observed in the substrate utilization analyses. Bayesian inference based on the analysis of 23S rDNA partial sequence data resulted in one well-supported clade and clustered the strains with the A. citrulli-type species with high posterior probability support. Based on the markers used, the Brazilian A. citrulli strains belong to a single group, which corresponds to the previously described Group I for this bacterium in the United States