Cetacean records along São Paulo state coast, Southeastern Brazil

The São Paulo state (SP) coast (23º18'S, 44º42'W; 25º14'S, 48º01'W) is of approximately 600 km in length, bordering the Western Atlantic Ocean, in southeastern Brazil. Cetacean sightings and strandings have long been observed throughout this area. Scattered data from scientific publications, skeletal remains in museums, photographs and articles from newspaper files, universities and aquaria have been organised and updated since 1993. Field investigations on strandings and sightings have also been conducted. A total of 29 cetacean species have been recorded, including 7 baleen whales (Mysticeti) and 22 toothed whales (Odontoceti), as follows: Balaenoptera physalus, B. borealis, B. edeni, B. acutorostrata, B. bonaerensis, Megaptera novaeangliae, Eubalaena australis, Physeter macrocephalus, Kogia breviceps, K. sima, Berardius arnuxii, Mesoplodon europaeus, M. mirus, Ziphius cavirostris, Orcinus orca, Feresa attenuata, Globicephala melas, G. macrorhynchus, Pseudorca crassidens, Delphinus capensis, Lagenodelphis hosei, Steno bredanensis, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis, S. longirostris, S. coeruleoalba, Lissodelphis peronii, Sotalia guianensis and Pontoporia blainvillei. Several species have been observed only once and include strays from their areas of common distribution, as well as species with known preferences for offshore distribution. Others, such as P. blainvillei and S. guianensis, are common coastal dwellers year-round. Z. cavirostris, P. crassidens and L. hosei are reported for the first time on the SP coast.A costa do Estado de São Paulo (SP) (23º18'S, 44º42'O; 25º14'S, 48º01'O) apresenta aproximadamente 600 km de extensão voltada para o Oceano Atlântico Ocidental no sudeste do Brasil. Registros de encalhes e de avistamentos de cetáceos vêm sendo realizados ao longo desse litoral. Desde 1993, dados obtidos em literatura científica, material osteológico encontrado em museus, fotografias e artigos de arquivos de jornais, universidades e aquários foram organizados e atualizados. Investigações efetuadas em campo referentes a encalhes e avistamentos de cetáceos também foram conduzidas. Um total de 29 espécies de cetáceos foi registrado, incluindo 7 misticetos e 22 odontocetos, como indicados a seguir: Balaenoptera physalus, B. borealis, B. edeni, B. acutorostrata, B. bonaerensis, Megaptera novaeangliae, Eubalaena australis, Physeter macrocephalus, Kogia breviceps, K. sima, Berardius arnuxii, Mesoplodon europaeus, M. mirus, Ziphius cavirostris, Orcinus orca, Feresa attenuata, Globicephala melas, G. macrorhynchus, Pseudorca crassidens, Delphinus capensis, Lagenodelphis hosei, Steno bredanensis, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis, S. longirostris, S. coeruleoalba, Lissodelphis peronii, Sotalia guianensis e Pontoporia blainvillei. Algumas espécies foram observadas apenas em uma ocasião e incluem tanto vagantes de suas áreas comuns de distribuição, assim como de conhecidas áreas de distribuições preferenciais oceânicas. Outras, como P. blainvillei e S. guianensis, são comumente encontradas em águas rasas o ano todo. Z. cavirostris, P. crassidens e L. hosei são listados pela primeira vez para a costa de SP.123142Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Cetacean records along São Paulo state coast, Southeastern Brazil

The São Paulo state (SP) coast (23º18'S, 44º42'W; 25º14'S, 48º01'W) is of approximately 600 km in length, bordering the Western Atlantic Ocean, in southeastern Brazil. Cetacean sightings and strandings have long been observed throughout this area. Scattered data from scientific publications, skeletal remains in museums, photographs and articles from newspaper files, universities and aquaria have been organised and updated since 1993. Field investigations on strandings and sightings have also been conducted. A total of 29 cetacean species have been recorded, including 7 baleen whales (Mysticeti) and 22 toothed whales (Odontoceti), as follows: Balaenoptera physalus, B. borealis, B. edeni, B. acutorostrata, B. bonaerensis, Megaptera novaeangliae, Eubalaena australis, Physeter macrocephalus, Kogia breviceps, K. sima, Berardius arnuxii, Mesoplodon europaeus, M. mirus, Ziphius cavirostris, Orcinus orca, Feresa attenuata, Globicephala melas, G. macrorhynchus, Pseudorca crassidens, Delphinus capensis, Lagenodelphis hosei, Steno bredanensis, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis, S. longirostris, S. coeruleoalba, Lissodelphis peronii, Sotalia guianensis and Pontoporia blainvillei. Several species have been observed only once and include strays from their areas of common distribution, as well as species with known preferences for offshore distribution. Others, such as P. blainvillei and S. guianensis, are common coastal dwellers year-round. Z. cavirostris, P. crassidens and L. hosei are reported for the first time on the SP coast.A costa do Estado de São Paulo (SP) (23º18'S, 44º42'O; 25º14'S, 48º01'O) apresenta aproximadamente 600 km de extensão voltada para o Oceano Atlântico Ocidental no sudeste do Brasil. Registros de encalhes e de avistamentos de cetáceos vêm sendo realizados ao longo desse litoral. Desde 1993, dados obtidos em literatura científica, material osteológico encontrado em museus, fotografias e artigos de arquivos de jornais, universidades e aquários foram organizados e atualizados. Investigações efetuadas em campo referentes a encalhes e avistamentos de cetáceos também foram conduzidas. Um total de 29 espécies de cetáceos foi registrado, incluindo 7 misticetos e 22 odontocetos, como indicados a seguir: Balaenoptera physalus, B. borealis, B. edeni, B. acutorostrata, B. bonaerensis, Megaptera novaeangliae, Eubalaena australis, Physeter macrocephalus, Kogia breviceps, K. sima, Berardius arnuxii, Mesoplodon europaeus, M. mirus, Ziphius cavirostris, Orcinus orca, Feresa attenuata, Globicephala melas, G. macrorhynchus, Pseudorca crassidens, Delphinus capensis, Lagenodelphis hosei, Steno bredanensis, Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis, S. longirostris, S. coeruleoalba, Lissodelphis peronii, Sotalia guianensis e Pontoporia blainvillei. Algumas espécies foram observadas apenas em uma ocasião e incluem tanto vagantes de suas áreas comuns de distribuição, assim como de conhecidas áreas de distribuições preferenciais oceânicas. Outras, como P. blainvillei e S. guianensis, são comumente encontradas em águas rasas o ano todo. Z. cavirostris, P. crassidens e L. hosei são listados pela primeira vez para a costa de SP

Stimulation of H+-ATPase activity by Enterobacter sp. in Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess (guanandi) seedlings

Os bioestimulantes vegetais utilizando microrganismos tendem a aumentar a eficiência nutricional, tolerância ao estresse abiótico e são indicados como insumos comerciais para produção em sistemas agroflorestais. Muitas espécies florestais são exigentes quanto aos aspectos nutricionais e os solos podem não apresentar nutrientes suficientes para suprir diversas demandas metabólicas das plantas. O Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess (guanandi) é uma espécie arbórea com ocorrência no Cerrado de interesse para o desenvolvimento de sistemas florestais, a produção de mudas desta espécie depende do uso de insumos como por exemplo os inoculados microbianos (IM). Os IM usando bactérias do gênero Enterobacter têm sido estudados como potenciais agentes de desenvolvimento vegetal, por serem de baixo custo de produção, mas ainda são pouco explorados para a produção de mudas de espécies arbóreas. O trabalho objetivou verificar se o uso das bactérias isoladas altera o perfil de desenvolvimento das mudas de guanandi durante a fase de viveiro, bem como se ocorre estímulo da produção de enzimas H+-ATPases. Para isto as bactérias do gênero Enterobacter foram isoladas previamente, e as mudas sofreram duas aplicações de 50 mL de IM durante 150 dias de desenvolvimento em viveiro florestal. Após este período essas mudas foram submetidas a avaliação de ação enzimática por extrusão de prótons H+ por meio da acidificação do meio, sendo aferidas as variáveis biométricas. Os resultados mostraram que a acidez proporcionada pela exposição das mudas de guanandi ao IM foi de 2,92% maior que o controle e não houve diferença para as variáveis biométricas avaliadas, porém o tratamento IM apresentou melhor rendimento para todas as variáveis, sendo o número de raízes laterais, comprimento da raiz principal, massa seca da parte área e raízes 16,35; 12,2; 7,35 e 11,12% maiores que o controle, respectivamente. Portanto, a existência da sinergia entre bactérias benéficas associadas ao guanandi, podem ser exploradas como inoculantes microbianos na agricultura.  Plant biostimulants using microorganisms tend to increase nutritional efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and are indicated as commercial inputs for production in agroforestry systems. Many forest species are nutritionally demanding and soils may not have sufficient nutrients to meet various plant metabolic demands. Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess (guanandi) is a tree species occurring in the Cerrado of interest for the development of forest systems. The production of seedlings of this species depends on the use of inputs such as microbial inoculated (IM). IM using bacteria of the genus Enterobacter have been studied as potential agents of plant development, as they are of the low cost of production, but are still little explored for tree seedlings production. The objective of this work was to verify if the use of isolated bacteria alters the development profile of guanandi seedlings during the nursery phase, as well as if there is stimulation of the production of H+-ATPases enzymes. For this, bacteria of the genus Enterobacter were previously isolated, and the seedlings underwent two applications of 50 mL of IM during 150 days of development in a forest nursery. After this period, these seedlings were submitted to enzymatic action evaluation by H+ proton extrusion through the acidification of the medium, and the biometric variables were measured. The results showed that the acidity provided by exposure of guanandi seedlings to the IM was 2.92% higher than the control and there was no difference for the biometric variables evaluated, but the IM treatment presented better yield for all variables, being the number of lateral roots, main root length, dry mass of the area and roots 16.35, 12.2, 7.35 and 11.12% greater than the control, respectively. Therefore, the existence of synergy between beneficial guanandi-associated bacteria can be exploited as microbial inoculants in agriculture

Quick math: uma ferramenta dinâmica e interativa para o estudo da matemática básica e do calculo 1 / Quick math: a dynamic and interactive tool for the study of basic mathematics and calculus 1

 Atualmente os programas computacionais são indissociáveis da realidade humana. Constantemente surgem novos softwares no mercado. Neste cenário, este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver um software para fins educacionais tanto para o ensino como para o estudo da matemática básica e do cálculo 1. O programa computacional será dividido em dois módulos. O primeiro módulo compreenderá o conteúdo de determinados tópicos da matemática estudados no ensino médio, enquanto o segundo módulo abrangerá os tópicos da disciplina de Cálculo 1, ofertada aos alunos de engenharia pelo Instituto de Tecnologia. Cada tópico possuirá as seguintes funções disponíveis para o usuário: teoria, exercícios propostos e entrada de dados. O programa computacional será desenvolvido em MatLab Guide. A utilização desta ferramenta proporciona ao desenvolvedor a condição de elaborar uma interface amigável entre o computador e o usuário. Para o desenvolvimento da interface gráfica, ferramentas disponíveis no MatLab Guide como janelas Pop-up Menu, List Box, Button Group, Push Button serão utilizadas. Essas ferramentas são muito usadas por todo navegador da internet e usuários de programas computacionais, portanto o software desenvolvido será de fácil utilização. Pretende-se divulgar e disponibilizar o programa para professores e alunos da áre

Fishers and groupers (epinephelus marginatus and E. morio) in the coast of Brazil : integrating information for conservation

Groupers are a vulnerable but economically important group of fish, especially for small-scale fisheries. We investigated catches and local ecological knowledge (LEK) of diet, habitat, and past fishing experiences. Landings, prices, interviews, and restaurants demand for two species, Epinephelus marginatus (dusky grouper) and Epinephelus morio (red grouper), were registered. We visited 74 markets and 79 sites on the coast of Brazil in 2017–2018, and we interviewed 71 fishers: Bahia (NE), Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (SE), and Santa Catarina (S). The landings sampled of dusky grouper (2016–2017) in Rio de Janeiro were: n = 222, size 38–109 cm, weight 1–24 kg, average 3.84 kg; in São Paulo, São Sebastião were: n = 47, size 39–106 cm, weight 2–8 kg, average of 2.77 kg; and at Santos: n = 80, 26–120 cm, weight 0.36–15 kg, average 2.72 kg. Red grouper was observed in markets in the northeastern Brazil. We did not observe Epinephelus marginatus from Bahia northward; a maximum size of 200 cm was reported south of the Bahia, besides Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo coasts, 20 years ago (or longer) by 12 fishers. Local knowledge of fishers was important for grouper data of habitat and diet; the reproduction period was identified by fishers as September to March. Groupers can be considered as a cultural and ecological keystone species. We suggest protective measures: 1) fishing zoning, 2) islands (MPAs) with the surveillance of fishers, 3) late Spring and early Summer as key periods for management (grouper reproduction), 4) studies on grouper larvae, 5) mapping of fishing spots, 6) studies on local knowledge. Collaboration with small-scale fishers and local knowledge could contribute to low-conflict management measures. In that regard, integrative models of management from Latin America, by using local knowledge and citizen science, could produce successful grouper management for Brazilian data-poor fisheries, a contrasting reality to the Mediterranean areas. Finally, the distribution of E. marginatus in Brazil leave us with questions: a) Have dusky groupers disappeared from Bahia because of a decline in the population? b) Was it uncommon in Northeast Brazil? c) Did changes in water temperatures forced a movement southward?151CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP307762/2013–0; 301592/2017–914/16939–7In addition to FAPESP and CNPq, we acknowledge Eduardo Camargo and Marco Antonio A. G. Araújo for helping with fieldwork in NE Brazil and Mara Magenta (UNISANTA) for helping us with infrastructure for fish larvae observation in the laboratory. We are grateful to the fisher-buyers Antonio, Elenilson and Valdecir. We are also very grateful to Rodrigo Caires, who supported us with taxonomic matter

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Post-intervention Status in Patients With Refractory Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab During REGAIN and Its Open-Label Extension

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether eculizumab helps patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) achieve the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) post-intervention status of minimal manifestations (MM), we assessed patients' status throughout REGAIN (Safety and Efficacy of Eculizumab in AChR+ Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis) and its open-label extension. METHODS: Patients who completed the REGAIN randomized controlled trial and continued into the open-label extension were included in this tertiary endpoint analysis. Patients were assessed for the MGFA post-intervention status of improved, unchanged, worse, MM, and pharmacologic remission at defined time points during REGAIN and through week 130 of the open-label study. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients completed REGAIN and continued into the open-label study (eculizumab/eculizumab: 56; placebo/eculizumab: 61). At week 26 of REGAIN, more eculizumab-treated patients than placebo-treated patients achieved a status of improved (60.7% vs 41.7%) or MM (25.0% vs 13.3%; common OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). After 130 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 88.0% of patients achieved improved status and 57.3% of patients achieved MM status. The safety profile of eculizumab was consistent with its known profile and no new safety signals were detected. CONCLUSION: Eculizumab led to rapid and sustained achievement of MM in patients with AChR+ refractory gMG. These findings support the use of eculizumab in this previously difficult-to-treat patient population. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: REGAIN, NCT01997229; REGAIN open-label extension, NCT02301624. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that, after 26 weeks of eculizumab treatment, 25.0% of adults with AChR+ refractory gMG achieved MM, compared with 13.3% who received placebo

Minimal Symptom Expression' in Patients With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody-Positive Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Treated With Eculizumab

The efficacy and tolerability of eculizumab were assessed in REGAIN, a 26-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive (AChR+) refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and its open-label extension

Ethnoecology of cetaceans in fishing communities of São Sebastião, São Paulo

Orientador: Alpina BegossiDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: A Etnobiologia estuda as interações entre populações humanas e recursos naturais, enfocando a percepção e o conhecimento humano sobre os recursos naturais, a forma como estes são utilizados e as práticas de manejo desenvolvidas pelas sociedades. O conhecimento ecológico local (LEK, de 'local ecological knowlegde¿) tem sido muito útil na elaboração de sistemas de co-manejo envolvendo comunidades locais, instituições do governo e cientistas. Pesquisas sobre o conhecimento dos pescadores em relação à ecologia de baleias e golfinhos iniciaram-se no Brasil na década passada. Os principais objetivos deste estudo são registrar e avaliar o conhecimento dos pescadores de São Sebastião, litoral paulista, em relação à etnotaxonomia (classificação e nomenclatura) de cetáceos, bem como sobre a etnoecologia destes animais obtendo informações sobre áreas de ocorrência, habitat, sazonalidade, dieta, tamanho de grupo, reprodução, predadores e interações com a pesca. Os resultados demonstraram que os pescadores estudados percebem os cetáceos em função de sua saliência morfológica e cultural. As espécies mais reconhecidas e nomeadas por eles foram as de maior tamanho (Eubalaena australis, Tursiops truncatus), as acidentalmente capturadas em redes de espera (Pontoporia blainvillei, Sotalia guianensis) e as mais veiculadas em programas de televisão (Megaptera novaeangliae, Orcinus orca). Encontramos uma alta concordância entre o LEK dos pescadores estudados sobre a ecologia dos cetáceos, o conhecimento de pescadores de outras comunidades do sul e sudeste brasileiro, dados obtidos de pesquisas locais e da literatura científica. Isto demonstra que o conhecimento dos pescadores pode ser útil para a conservação dos cetáceos, especialmente das espécies pouco conhecidas, sugerindo novas linhas de pesquisa e apontando áreas críticas em relação à captura acidental destes animais. Além disto, os pescadores podem contribuir de forma valiosa na elaboração de estratégias alternativas em relação ao uso de redes de pesca, ao passo que sua participação em projetos e planos de manejo pode ser uma forma de valorização da cultura localAbstract: Ethnobiology, a branch of Human Ecology, is the study of the interactions between human population and natural resources, concerning human perception, knowledge, resource uses and management. Local ecological knowledge (LEK) has been empirically built by several human societies and transmitted through generations, shaping their culture. LEK has been especially useful to design systems of co-management involving local people, government institutions and scientists. Surveys on fishers¿ knowledge about cetaceans¿ ecology are relatively scarce around the world and in Brazil they have begun in the last decade. The main objectives of this study are to record and to evaluate the knowledge of the fishers from São Sebastião, in relation to cetaceans¿ folk taxonomy and bio-ecological aspects, recording their information about classification, nomenclature, occurrence areas, habitat, seasonality, diet, group size, reproduction, predators and interactions with fisheries. Our results showed that fishers¿ perception about cetaceans was highly influenced by phenotypic and cultural salience of the whales and dolphins. The most recognized and cited species were those of greater size (Eubalaena australis, Tursiops truncatus), the most frequently caught ones (P. blainvillei and S. guianensis) and the most exposed by media (M. novaeangliae and O. orca). The high concordance among the LEK of the fishers from São Sebastião on cetaceans, the knowledge of fishers from other communities of southern and southeastern Brazil, data obtained by local researchers and from literature indicates that fishers¿ knowledge could contribute to cetacean¿s conservation, especially in relation to the less studied cetacean¿s species, pointing out new lines of investigation as well as determining fishing grounds where incidental capture of cetaceans are more critical in the studied areas and indicating possible changes in gillnets operations in order to reduce cetaceans catches. Besides, fishers¿ participation in such researches and co-management plans can be a way to revive and valorize their local cultureMestradoEcologiaMestre em Ecologi

Payment for Environmental Services, fishers and cetaceans’ conservation

The interactions between fisheries and cetaceans have been widely discussed by several authors. Bycatch of small cetaceans is frequent around the world, threatening several species. In Brazil, in two critical areas– Soure(Marajó Island) and São Sebastião - more than 70% of the local fishers (n= 40 and n=70, respectively) interviewed in a previous study reported bycatch of Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) or Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) in gillnets. Other negative interaction involving fisheries and cetaceans is the entanglement of Southern right whales in fishing nets during their migration along the coast, as reported by 68% of the fishers interviewed in the South of Brazil (Pântano do Sul: n=25). On the other hand these interactions result in damage of the fishing gear and great economic losses to the fishers. To minimize these conflicts we suggest the adoption of strategies involving interested fishers in bycatch monitoring programs, where fishers could collect local data on the critical areas and frequency of dolphins’ accidental catches, consequently increasing their awareness of the problem and providing a better baseline to support educational and regulatory measures related to cetaceans’ bycatch. As a compensation for the time and energy spent in these programs, fishers could receive a “payment for environmental services” (PES), as an economic incentive to their participation, which would contribute to their economic stability as well as to cetaceans’ conservation.The interactions between fisheries and cetaceans have been widely discussed by several authors. Bycatch of small cetaceans is frequent around the world, threatening several species. In Brazil, in two critical areas– Soure(Marajó Island) and São Sebastião - more than 70% of the local fishers (n= 40 and n=70, respectively) interviewed in a previous study reported bycatch of Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) or Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) in gillnets. Other negative interaction involving fisheries and cetaceans is the entanglement of Southern right whales in fishing nets during their migration along the coast, as reported by 68% of the fishers interviewed in the South of Brazil (Pântano do Sul: n=25). On the other hand these interactions result in damage of the fishing gear and great economic losses to the fishers. To minimize these conflicts we suggest the adoption of strategies involving interested fishers in bycatch monitoring programs, where fishers could collect local data on the critical areas and frequency of dolphins’ accidental catches, consequently increasing their awareness of the problem and providing a better baseline to support educational and regulatory measures related to cetaceans’ bycatch. As a compensation for the time and energy spent in these programs, fishers could receive a “payment for environmental services” (PES), as an economic incentive to their participation, which would contribute to their economic stability as well as to cetaceans’ conservation