Effect of Enalapril on erythropoiesis recovery in murine anemia

La presencia de receptores de Angiotensina en células eritropoyéticas y estromales medulares muestra claramente un mecanismo de regulación de la eritropoyesis mediado por el Sistema Renina-Angiotensina. El objetivo fue estudiar los efectos de Inhibidores de la Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina (IECA) como Enalapril (E) sobre la respuesta eritropoyética en ratones anémicos tratados con Fenilhidrazina (FHZ), a través de estudios hematológicos e histológicos. Tanto los ratones tratados con FHZ como los tratados con E y FHZ mostraron hemólisis el día 14. Sin embargo, la recuperación del estado anémico fue el día 16 en ratones tratados con FHZ y el día 20 en ratones tratados con E y FHZ. Se observó actividad eritropoyética en el bazo (día 16) y en el riñón (día 20) de ratones tratados con E y FHZ. En ratones tratados con FHZ, se observó actividad eritropoyética en bazo y riñón el día 16. Concluimos que la inhibición de la ECA con Enalapril retarda la recuperación eritropoyética en ratones tratados con E y FHZ. La actividad eritropoyética en el bazo y riñón sugiere la participación de estos órganos en la recuperación del eritrón.The presence of Angiotensin receptors in erythropoietic bone marrow and marrow stromal cells clearly shows a mechanism for Rennin-Angiotensin System-mediated regulation of erythropoiesis. The aim was to study the effects of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibition (ACEI) as Enalapril(E) on erythropoietic response in anemic mice treated with Phenylhydrazine (PHZ) by means of hematological and histological studies. Both PHZ and E-PHZ-treated mice showed hemolysis on day 14. However the restoration of anemic state occurred on day 16 in PHZ-treated mice and on day 20 in E-PHZ-treated mice. Erythropoietic activity was observed in spleen (day16) and kidney (day20) of E-PHZ-treated mice. In PHZ-treated mice erythropoietic activity was seen in spleen and kidney on day 16. We conclude that Inhibition of ACE with Enalapril delays the erythropoietic recovery of hemolytic anemia in E-PHZ-treated mice. Erythropoietic activity in spleen and kidney suggest an involvement of these organs in the erythron recovery.Este trabajo fue subsidiado por la Secretaría General de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Universidad Nacional del Sur (Grant 24/B116) y por la Agencia de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (FONCYT) (Grant-908). Tania Veuthey y María Cecilia D ́Anna son becarias doctorales del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnica (CONICET)

Avaliação do impacte de fogos florestais nos recursos hídricos subterrâneos

O presente trabalho corresponde ao relatório final do Projecto POCI/AGR/59180/2004 “Avaliação do Impacte de Fogos Florestais nos Recursos Hídricos Subterrâneos” e nele se avalia o impacto dos fogos no meio hídrico superficial e subterrâneo, considerando as alterações quantitativas no meio hídrico – escoamento superficial, recarga, evapotranspiração – e de qualidade. Na avaliação da alteração da qualidade das águas consideraram-se como fontes de contaminação os solos ardidos e as cinzas da matéria vegetal ardida, cuja caracterização foi realizada em ensaios de queima e de lixiviação. Os poluentes avaliados foram os elementos inorgânicos, os metais pesados e os hidrocarbonetos. Os trabalhos de campo visaram a caracterização das unidades florísticas das áreas ardidas, recolha de amostras para os ensaios de queima e lixiviação assim como a amostragem das águas superficiais e subterrâneas para a avaliação das alterações na sua qualidade e a evolução da poluição ao longo do tempo.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologi

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 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset 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 south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards 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 datasets of Neotropical Series which 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 dataset