Anurans of the Estacao Ecologica de Santa Barbara, a remnant of open Cerrado formations in the state of Sao Paulo

Although São Paulo is the state with the most knowledge about anurans from Brazil, it still has important knowledge gaps about this group especially in the remnants of the Cerrado Biome. Only 0.5% of this biome is protected by conservation units in the state and remaining fragments suffer threats that include isolation, risk of fire and invasion by exotic plant species. The aim of this study was to obtain information on anurans species recorded at Estação Ecológica de Santa Bárbara, one of the few remnants in Middle Paranapanema river basin that has a predominance of open Cerrado formations. The inventory was conducted monthly from October/2008 to March/2009, totaling 30 sampling days. Surveys were conducted using pitfall traps with drift fences, incidental encounters and acoustic and visual searches. We recorded 33 anuran species, belonging to 14 genera and six families (Bufonidae, Cycloramphidae, Hylidae, Leiuperidae, Leptodactylidae e Microhylidae). Although species richness was not different between open and forest vegetation types, there was a greater abundance of anurans in the open formations, reflecting the largest association of individuals to water bodies present in open phytophysiognomies during the reproductive period. This research is an important contribution to expanding the knowledge about anurans species in the Cerrado, one of the priority global hotspots for biodiversity conservation.Although São Paulo is the state with the most knowledge about anurans from Brazil, it still has important knowledge gaps about this group especially in the remnants of the Cerrado Biome. Only 0.5% of this biome is protected by conservation units in the state and remaining fragments suffer threats that include isolation, risk of fire and invasion by exotic plant species. The aim of this study was to obtain information on anurans species recorded at Estação Ecológica de Santa Bárbara, one of the few remnants in Middle Paranapanema river basin that has a predominance of open Cerrado formations. The inventory was conducted monthly from October/2008 to March/2009, totaling 30 sampling days. Surveys were conducted using pitfall traps with drift fences, incidental encounters and acoustic and visual searches. We recorded 33 anuran species, belonging to 14 genera and six families (Bufonidae, Cycloramphidae, Hylidae, Leiuperidae, Leptodactylidae e Microhylidae). Although species richness was not different between open and forest vegetation types, there was a greater abundance of anurans in the open formations, reflecting the largest association of individuals to water bodies present in open phytophysiognomies during the reproductive period. This research is an important contribution to expanding the knowledge about anurans species in the Cerrado, one of the priority global hotspots for biodiversity conservation.23024

The impact of the Social Inclusion Program of the University of São Paulo on the access of public school students to free public higher education

Analisa o impacto do Programa de Inclusão Social da Universidade de São Paulo (Inclusp) no acesso de estudantes de escola pública ao ensino superior público gratuito. Os dados foram coletados priorizando-se informações sobre renda, cor e outros aspectos de interesse relacionados aos candidatos oriundos de escola pública, em diferentes etapas do vestibular. Como resultado, foi observada a contribuição significativa do sistema de pontuação acrescida para o ingresso de estudantes de escola pública nos cursos de graduação da USP. Todavia, a contínua e intensa diminuição do percentual desses estudantes no vestibular tem contribuído para a diminuição do impacto das políticas de inclusão social implementadas, indicando a necessidade de maior aproximação entre a Universidade e as escolas públicas, bem como a ampliação das ações de inclusão social em desenvolvimento, visando reverter essa tendência

Reproductive timing and fecundity in the Neotropical lizard Enyalius perditus (Squamata: Leiosauridae)

Enyalius perditus is a semi-arboreal lizard species whose reproduction is poorly known. Here, we combine information obtained from preserved and live specimens to describe the reproductive timing (vitellogenesis, gravidity, and egg-laying) and fecundity (clutch size, egg size, and relative clutch mass) in females of E. perditus. Female reproduction is remarkably seasonal and occurs in the warmer and wetter periods of the year. Secondary vitellogenesis occurs from mid to late spring, whereas gravidity and egg-laying occur in early summer. Mating appears to be synchronized with secondary vitellogenesis, indicating an associated reproductive cycle. We suggest that E. perditus females produce only a single clutch per reproductive season. Clutch size ranged from three to 11 eggs and was positively correlated with female body size. Finally, the relative clutch mass was high, a recurrent feature to “sit-and-wait” foragers

Enterococcus faecalis causes osteitis deformans in a Golden Lancehead snake (Bothrops insularis): a case report

Osteíte deformante (Doença de Paget) é um distúrbio ósseo crônico caracterizado por reabsorção óssea excessiva mediada por osteoclastos, seguida por nova formação óssea. O presente trabalho relata essa condição em uma serpente jararaca-ilhoa (Bothrops insularis) do Brasil de 18 anos. O paciente apresentou inicialmente anorexia e um inchaço no primeiro terço médio da coluna associado com a incapacidade locomotora. O diagnóstico foi estabelecido com o apoio de radiografia, ultrassonografia, tomografia computadorizada, citologia e cultura microbiológica. O diagnóstico por imagem mostrou alterações ósseas, fusão de vértebras e proliferação óssea. A citologia mostrou células sanguíneas como heterófílos tóxicos, monócitos reativos, células sanguíneas jovens e policromasia compatíveis com um processo infeccioso. A cultura bacteriana identificou uma cepa de Enterococcus faecalis suscetível à ampicilina. O tratamento com antibióticos foi iniciado imediatamente, mas a serpente morreu 25 dias depois. Histopatologicamente, o tecido ósseo mostrou um espessamento generalizado das trabéculas vertebrais. Portanto, foi demonstrado pela primeira vez a presença de E. faecalis associada ao desenvolvimento de osteíte deformante em uma serpente.Osteitis deformans (Paget’s disease) is a chronic bone disorder characterized by excessive osteoclast-mediated bone resorption followed by new bone formation. The present paper reports this condition in an 18-year-old captive golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis) from Brazil. This patient initially exhibited anorexia and swelling in the middle third of the spine associated with locomotor disability. For diagnosis, radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, cytology, and microbiological culture were performed. Diagnostic imaging showed bone changes, vertebral fusion, and bone proliferation. Cytology revealed blood cells how toxic heterophiles, reactive monocytes, young red blood cells, and polychromasia compatible with an infectious process. A bacterial culture identified an ampicillin-susceptible strain of Enterococcus faecalis. Antibiotic treatment was promptly started, but the snake died 25 days later. Histopathologically, the bone tissue showed a generalized thickening of the vertebral trabeculae. For the first time, the presence of E. faecalis associated with the development of osteitis deformans in snakes was presented

Importance and challenges of health surveillance in an international border region: a case study

The objective of this article was to identify the main challenges of promoting health surveillance in a triple border region of the Brazilian legal Amazon. A single explanatory case study was carried out, with a qualitative approach, which used documentary data and interviews. The results demonstrate that health surveillance is essential for disease control in the studied region. In addition, the differences between the health systems of the three countries that make up the triple border (Brazil, Colombia, and Peru) showed to be the main challenge for establishing health policies.O objetivo deste artigo foi identificar os principais desafios da promoção da vigilância em saúde em uma região de tríplice fronteira da Amazônia Legal brasileira. Foi realizado um estudo de caso único, explicativo, com abordagem qualitativa, que utilizou dados documentais e entrevistas. Os resultados demonstram que a vigilância em saúde é fundamental para o controle de doenças na região. Além disso, as diferenças dos sistemas de saúde dos três países que compõem a tríplice fronteira (Brasil, Colômbia e Peru) se mostraram o principal desafio para o estabelecimento de políticas sanitárias

Educação a distância em organizações públicas: mesa-redonda de pesquisa-ação

O livro materializa a quintessência dos debates travados pelo seleto grupo de representantes educadores – de diversas instituições brasileiras – no ciclo de reuniões promovidas sob a coordenação da ENAP e que foram realizadas em Brasília, em 2006. É uma obra que busca ampliar as discussões sobre conceitos de educação que se desenrolam ao longo da vida, especialmente na contemporaneidade, no contexto da sociedade global que tem exigido competências e capacidades cada vez mais complexas para a formação profissional, notadamente para o setor de serviços públicosNúmero de páginas: 200 p.Ensino a DistânciaISBN 85-256-0054-

Phylloseptin-1 is leishmanicidal for amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis inside infected macrophages

Leishmania protozoans are the causal agents of neglected diseases that represent an important public health issue worldwide. The growing occurrence of drug-resistant strains of Leishmania and severe side effects of available treatments represent an important challenge for the leishmaniases treatment. We have previously reported the leishmanicidal activity of phylloseptin-1 (PSN-1), a peptide found in the skin secretion of Phyllomedusa azurea (=Pithecopus azureus), against Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. However, its impact on the amastigote form of L. amazonensis and its impact on infected macrophages are unknown. In this work, we evaluated the effects of PSN-1 on amastigotes of L. amazonensis inside macrophages infected in vitro. We assessed the production of hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide, as well as the levels of inflammatory and immunomodulatory markers (TGF-β, TNF-α and IL-12), in infected and non-infected macrophages treated with PSN-1. Treatment with PSN-1 decreased the number of infected cells and the number of ingested amastigotes per cell when compared with the untreated cells. At 32 µM (64 µg/mL), PSN-1 reduced hydrogen peroxide levels in both infected and uninfected macrophages, whereas it had little effect on NO production or TGF-β release. The effect of PSN-1 on IL-12 and TNF-α secretion depended on its concentration, but, in general, their levels tended to increase as PSN-1 concentration increased. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of action of PSN-1 and its interaction with the immune system aiming to develop pharmacological applications

Características botânicas e etnobotânicas das espécies exóticas utilizadas para arborização na cidade de Parazinho-RN/ Botanicals and ethnobotanicals characteristics exotics species used for afforestation in the city Parazinho-RN

Quando ocorre a desarborização fica mais evidente que a presença de chuvas é cada vez mais rara. A combinação das situações anteriores prejudica a biodiversidade do local afetado, além de tornar favorável o surgimento de pragas e doenças devido ao desequilíbrio nas cadeias alimentares e a eliminação de predadores de alguns animais, especialmente insetos que passam a se proliferar sem controle. Espaços urbanos funcionam como ilhas de calor na ausência do sombreamento proporcionado pelas árvores, as superfícies que absorvem a energia solar e lançam calor no ambiente, aumentando a consideravelmente a temperatura do ar. Pois, as sombras das árvores resfriam o ambiente, transferem água do solo até a atmosfera e criam microclimas capazes de reduzir a temperatura entorno. Uma árvore bem posicionada cria sombra e impede que o sol aqueça diretamente a superfície da edificação. Isso resulta em uma economia de 2% a 9% no consumo anual com refrigeração interna. No presente trabalho, foi possível analisar as características das principais espécies que arborizam a cidade de Parazinho-RN: NIM (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), que é utilizada para a arborização de ruas e praças, no campo é bem como o uso como quebra-vento. Sua madeira é resistente a cupins e tem sido utilizada na fabricação de moveis, mourões, estacas, esteios, ripas, caibros e utensílios domésticos, o ALGODOEIRO-DA-PRAIA (Hibiscus tiliaceus L.) pode ser utilizada para a fabricação de pequenos artefatos, brinquedos e caixotaria. A madeira é usada em diversas aplicações, na construção de embarcações, lenha e esculturas em madeira. As fibras vegetais, são retiradas do caule para a fabricação de cordas. E a FIGUEIRA-BENJAMIM (Ficus-benjamina L.) é uma das mais difundidas para ornamento, inclusive e principalmente porque utilizada para a topiaria, que é a arte de criar esculturas vegetais. Entretanto, o objetivo da presente revisão foi explanar as características botânica e etnobotânica das espécies exóticas utilizadas para arborização na cidade de Parazinho-RN. Ao analisar as características botânica e etnobotânica das espécies exóticas utilizadas para arborização na cidade de Parazinho-RN, verificou-se que a Azadirachta indica, o Hibiscus tiliaceus e a Ficus-benjamina são de grande importância econômica, ideais para arborização urbana e promovem a biodiversidade das espécies, contribuindo para o equilíbrio do ecossistema

Promising self-emulsifying drug delivery system loaded with lycopene from red guava (Psidium guajava L.): in vivo toxicity, biodistribution and cytotoxicity on DU-145 prostate cancer cells

Background Self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDSs) have attracted attention because of their effects on solubility and bioavailability of lipophilic compounds. Herein, a SEDDS loaded with lycopene purified from red guava (nanoLPG) was produced. The nanoemulsion was characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurement, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), lycopene content quantification, radical scavenging activity and colloidal stability in cell culture medium. Then, in vivo toxicity and tissue distribution in orally treated mice and cytotoxicity on human prostate carcinoma cells (DU-145) and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were evaluated. Results NanoLPG exhibited physicochemical properties with a size around 200 nm, negative zeta-potential, and spherical morphology. The size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential parameters suffered insignificant alterations during the 12 month storage at 5 °C, which were associated with lycopene stability at 5 °C for 10 months. The nanoemulsion showed partial aggregation in cell culture medium at 37 °C after 24 h. NanoLPG at 0.10 mg/mL exhibited radical scavenging activity equivalent to 0.043 ± 0.002 mg Trolox/mL. The in vivo studies did not reveal any significant changes in clinical, behavioral, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters in mice orally treated with nanoLPG at 10 mg/kg for 28 days. In addition, nanoLPG successfully delivered lycopene to the liver, kidney and prostate in mice, improved its cytotoxicity against DU-145 prostate cancer cells—probably by pathway independent on classical necrosis and apoptosis—and did not affect PBMC viability. Conclusions Thus, nanoLPG stands as a promising and biosafe lycopene delivery system for further development of nanotechnology-based health products