Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Pharmacological Properties of Riparin IV in Models of Pain and Inflammation

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2017-03-16T17:04:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Nascimento OA Pharmacological ....pdf: 1543204 bytes, checksum: 62ff0f3c4a1831446c9052206ab3c303 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2017-03-16T17:14:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Nascimento OA Pharmacological ....pdf: 1543204 bytes, checksum: 62ff0f3c4a1831446c9052206ab3c303 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-16T17:14:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Nascimento OA Pharmacological ....pdf: 1543204 bytes, checksum: 62ff0f3c4a1831446c9052206ab3c303 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ).Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Paraíba. Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica. João Pessoa, PB, BrasilUniversidade Federal do Piauí. Departamento de Bioquímica e Farmacologia. Teresina, PI, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Hospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, BrasilRiparins, natural alkaloids of the alkamide group, can be synthesized by simple methods, enhancing their potential application in pharmaceutical development. Here, the pharmacological properties of riparins were investigated in in vitro and in vivo assays of pain and inflammation in Swiss mice. Inflammatory mediators were measured by radioimmunoassay and Real-Time PCR. Riparins I, II, III and IV (1.56-100 mg/kg; ip) produced dose-related antinociceptive effects in the formalin test, exhibiting ED50 values of 22.93, 114.2, 31.05 and 6.63 mg/kg, respectively. Taking the greater potency as steering parameter, riparin IV was further investigated. Riparin IV did not produce antinociceptive effect on the tail flick, suggesting that its antinociception is not a centrally-mediated action. In fact, riparin IV (1.56-25 mg/kg) produced dose-related antinociceptive and antiedematogenic effects on the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced paw inflammation in mice. During CFA-induced inflammation, riparin IV did not modulate either the production of cytokines, TNF-α and IL-10, or COX-2 mRNA expression. On the other hand, riparin IV decreased the PGE₂ levels in the inflamed paw. In in vitro assays, riparin IV did not exhibit suppressive activities in activated macrophages. These results indicate, for the first time, that riparin IV induces antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, possibly through the inhibition of prostanoid production

Unveiling Targets for Treating Postoperative Pain: The Role of the TNF-α/p38 MAPK/NF-κB/Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 Pathways in the Mouse Model of Incisional Pain

Although the mouse model of incisional pain is broadly used, the mechanisms underlying plantar incision-induced nociception are not fully understood. This work investigates the role of Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 sodium channels in nociceptive sensitization following plantar incision in mice and the signaling pathway modulating these channels. A surgical incision was made in the plantar hind paw of male Swiss mice. Nociceptive thresholds were assessed by von Frey filaments. Gene expression of Nav1.8, Nav1.9, TNF-α, and COX-2 was evaluated by Real-Time PCR in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Knockdown mice for Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 were produced by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides intrathecal treatments. Local levels of TNF-α and PGE2 were immunoenzymatically determined. Incised mice exhibited hypernociception and upregulated expression of Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 in DRG. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides reduced hypernociception and downregulated Nav1.8 and Nav1.9. TNF-α and COX-2/PGE2 were upregulated in DRG and plantar skin. Inhibition of TNF-α and COX-2 reduced hypernociception, but only TNF-α inhibition downregulated Nav1.8 and Nav1.9. Antagonizing NF-κB and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), but not ERK or JNK, reduced both hypernociception and hyperexpression of Nav1.8 and Nav1.9. This study proposes the contribution of the TNF-α/p38/NF-κB/Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 pathways to the pathophysiology of the mouse model of incisional pain

Structural improvement of new thiazolidinones compounds with antinociceptive activity in experimental chemotherapy-induced painful neuropathy

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2018-03-26T13:53:20Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Moreira DRM Structural improvement of new thiazolidinones....pdf: 801900 bytes, checksum: 613600fb6bc50142de2fe46bdd4ccc8e (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2018-03-26T14:02:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Moreira DRM Structural improvement of new thiazolidinones....pdf: 801900 bytes, checksum: 613600fb6bc50142de2fe46bdd4ccc8e (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-26T14:02:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Moreira DRM Structural improvement of new thiazolidinones....pdf: 801900 bytes, checksum: 613600fb6bc50142de2fe46bdd4ccc8e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017FAPESB, Grant/Award Number: PNX 0009/2009 and RED0010/2012.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal de Pernambuco. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas. Recife, PE, BrazilUniversidade Federal de Pernambuco. Centro de Ciências da Saúde. Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas. Recife, PE, BrazilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Hospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, BrasilChemotherapy-induced neuropathy is a disabling pain condition resulting from chemotherapy for cancers. Up to now, no drug is available to cure chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. In the present study, we describe the structural design, synthesis, chemical and pharmacological characterization of 15 thiazolidinones, a class of potential analgesic compounds. The synthesis of new thiazolidinones was achieved by using the thiazolidinone heterocyclic as main structural pharmacophoric group and varying the substituents attached to the phenyl near to the iminic bond. The analgesic potential of the compounds was investigated in a mice model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain, using von Frey, rota-rod and open-field tests. Except for compound 14, these thiazolidinones exhibited antinociceptive property without causing motor impairment. Thiazolidinones 12, 15 and 16 displayed a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect, with similar efficacy and enhanced potency than gabapentin, the gold standard drug used for neuropathic pain. In addition, the antinociceptive activity of 16 lasted longer than gabapentin. The antinociceptive effect of thiazolidinones was prevented by GW9662, a PPARγ antagonist. The main antinociceptive compounds exhibited positive Lipinski's index, predicting their oral bioavailability. In conclusion, the structural design performed here led to the identification of new compounds endowed with potent antinociceptive activity, potentially useful to treat chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain

Pain-like behaviors and local mechanisms involved in the nociception experimentally induced by Latrodectus curacaviensis spider venom

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2019-01-25T18:04:48Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LAURIA, P.S. Pain-like behaviors....2018.pdf: 1173822 bytes, checksum: 88f9c0969c9b199936b95315069ef57b (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2019-01-25T18:20:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 LAURIA, P.S. Pain-like behaviors....2018.pdf: 1173822 bytes, checksum: 88f9c0969c9b199936b95315069ef57b (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2019-01-25T18:20:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LAURIA, P.S. Pain-like behaviors....2018.pdf: 1173822 bytes, checksum: 88f9c0969c9b199936b95315069ef57b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia [grant number 11582/2015].Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Universidade Federal da Bahia. Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Instituto Vital Brasil. Niterói, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Hospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, Brasil.Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil.The present study was undertaken to characterize the behavioral manifestations of nociception and the local mechanisms involved with the nociceptive response elicited by Latrodectus curacaviensis venom (LCV) in mice. After the intraplantar LCV inoculation, spontaneous nociception, mechanical and thermal nociceptive thresholds, motor performance, edema and cytokine levels were evaluated using von Frey filaments, hot/cold plate, rota-rod, plethismometer and ELISA, respectively. Analysis of LCV was performed by SDS-PAGE and chromatography. Intraplantar injection of LCV (1-100 ng/paw) induced intense and heat-sensitive spontaneous nociception, mediated by serotonin and bradykinin receptors, TRPV1 channels, as well as by transient local inflammation. LCV (0.1-10 ng/paw) induced mechanical allodynia, which was reduced by the local pretreatment with H1 receptor or TRPV1 antagonists. Corroborating the TRPV1 involvement, in thermal nociception assays, LCV induced a similar response to that of capsaicin, a TRPV1 agonist, facilitating the response to noxious hot stimuli and inhibiting the response to cold noxious stimulation. LCV promoted mast cell degranulation, increased IL-1β paw levels, but did not produce a relevant edematogenic effect. Analysis of LCV components showed a predominance of high molecular weight proteins. This work provides the first mechanistic hypothesis to explain the local pain induced by LCV, the most frequent clinical symptom of human envenomation

Antinociceptive compounds and LC-DAD-ESIMSn profile from Dictyoloma vandellianum leaves.

Limonoids, quinolone alkaloids and chromones have been reported as constituents of Dictyoloma vandellianum Adr. Juss. (Rutaceae). Although those compounds are known for their biological activities, only the anti-inflammatory activity of chromones isolated from the underground parts has been evaluated. There are no studies of the pharmacological properties of the aerial parts of D. vandellianum. The present study was carried out to determine the phytochemical profile and antinociceptive activity of the methanol extract, fractions and isolated compounds of leaves of D. vandellianum. The phytochemical profile was performed by HLPC-DAD-ESIMSn and pure substances obtained were characterized by MS and NMR spectroscopy. The antinociceptive activity was assessed using the formalin assay in mice, and the motor function in the rotarod test. ME and all the fractions obtained from ME produced antinociceptive effects. Among them, the ethyl ether fraction was the most active. Data from HPLC-DAD-ESIMSn showed that the ethyl ether fraction presented 42 compounds. The major compounds isolated from this fraction-gallic acid, methyl gallate and 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranose-were tested and produced antinociceptive effects. Gallic acid, methyl gallate and 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranose at antinociceptive doses did not affect the motor performance in mice in the rotarod test. This work is the first report of the occurrence of gallotanins in D. vandellianum. In addition, the pharmacological study showed that D. vandellianum leaves present antinociceptive activity, probably induced by gallic acid, methyl gallate and 1,2,6-tri-O-galloyl-β-d-glucopyranose

Betulinic acid derivative BA5, a dual NF-kB/calcineurin inhibitor, alleviates experimental shock and delayed hypersensitivity

Submitted by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2017-10-18T19:05:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Meira CS Betulinic acid....pdf: 1374615 bytes, checksum: d1bd4768d64bafe689e2b48b019617a7 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Ana Maria Fiscina Sampaio ([email protected]) on 2017-10-18T19:18:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Meira CS Betulinic acid....pdf: 1374615 bytes, checksum: d1bd4768d64bafe689e2b48b019617a7 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-18T19:18:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Meira CS Betulinic acid....pdf: 1374615 bytes, checksum: d1bd4768d64bafe689e2b48b019617a7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017CNPq (# 400910/2013-6), PRONEX (# PNX0002/2014) and FAPESB (# PET0042/2013).Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade Federal da Bahia. Faculdade de Farmácia. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade do Estado da Bahia. Departamento de Ciências da Vida. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Hospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade do Estado da Bahia. Departamento de Ciências da Vida. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Universidade do Estado da Bahia. Departamento de Ciências da Vida. Salvador, BA, BrasilHospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, BrasilUniversidade Federal da Paraíba. Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica. João Pessoa, PB, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, BrasilFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Gonçalo Moniz. Salvador, BA, Brasil / Hospital São Rafael. Centro de Biotecnologia e Terapia Celular. Salvador, BA, BrasilBetulinic acid (BA) is a naturally occurring triterpenoid with several biological properties already described, including immunomodulatory activity. Here we investigated the immunomodulatory activity of eight semi-synthetic amide derivatives of betulinic acid. Screening of derivatives BA1-BA8 led to the identification of compounds with superior immunomodulatory activity than BA on activated macrophages and lymphocytes. BA5, the most potent derivative, inhibited nitric oxide and TNFα production in a concentration-dependent manner, and decreased NF-κB activation in Raw 264.7 cells. Additionally, BA5 inhibited the proliferation of activated lymphocytes and the secretion of IL-2, IL-4 IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A and IFNɣ, in a concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis in lymphocyte cultures showed that treatment with BA5 induces cell cycle arrest in pre-G1 phase followed by cell death by apoptosis. Moreover, BA5 also inhibited the activity of calcineurin, an enzyme that plays a critical role in the progression of cell cycle and T lymphocyte activation. BA5 has a synergistic inhibitory effect with dexamethasone on lymphoproliferation, showing a promising profile for drug combination. Finally, we observed immunosuppressive effects of BA5 in vivo in mouse models of lethal endotoxemia and delayed type hypersensitivity. Our results reinforce the potential use of betulinic acid and its derivatives in the search for potent immunomodulatory drugs