The butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea and Hesperioidea) of the Environmental Protection Zone/APA do Gama e Cabeça de Veado, Distrito Federal, Brazil

Uma listagem atualizada com 507 espécies de borboletas (Papilionoidea e Hesperioidea) encontradas na APA do Gama e Cabeça de Veado - DF nas últimas quatro décadas é apresentada neste estudo. Foram reunidos dados da bibliografia, de nossas coletas pessoais e coleções entomológicas, mas espécies com ocorrência apenas presumida não foram incluídas. Nossos objetivos com esta publicação são: (1) demonstrar a importância desta APA para a conservação da fauna de borboletas do cerrado e (2) permitir o monitoramento futuro da biodiversidade deste grupo de insetos nestes locais.A list containing 507 species of butterflies (Papilionoidea e Hesperioidea) found in the APA do Gama e Cabeça de Veado - DF in the last four decades is presented in this study. The list includes data obtained in the literature, our personal collections, and entomological collections recently visited, but not species with presumed distribution in the region. The purpose of this study is (1) to demonstrate the importance of this APA for the conservation of the cerrado butterfly fauna and, (2) allow for monitoring such biodiversity in future studies

Diclofenac and caffeine inhibit hepatic antioxidant enzymes in the freshwater fish Astyanax altiparanae (Teleostei: Characiformes)

Although concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic ecosystems are low, they can cause toxic effects on organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diclofenac (DCF), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and caffeine (CAF), a central nervous system stimulant, both alone or combined, in Astyanax altiparanae males under acute exposure (96 h), measuring neurotoxicity biomarkers, antioxidant response and damage at biochemical and cellular levels. DCF concentration in water, separated and combined, was 3.08 mg L−1 and that of CAF was 9.59 mg L−1. To assess neurotoxicity, brain and muscle acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were measured. To evaluate oxidative stress, the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), as well as lipoperoxidation (LPO), were analyzed in liver and gills. Activity of hepatic cyclooxygenase (COX) was also evaluated. Genotoxicity was assessed in blood using comet assay and micronucleus test, as well as nuclear abnormalities. DCF and CAF, alone or combined, had neither effect on AChE activity, nor in the activity of SOD, CAT, GPx and GST in gills. In liver, DCF inhibited SOD and GPx activity, CAF inhibited CAT activity, the mixture inhibited SOD and GST activity; although only fish exposed to CAF showed increased hepatic LPO. Under these experimental conditions, no effect on COX activity was observed, nor cytotoxic and genotoxic damage. The most pronounced effects were caused by the drugs separately, since both compounds altered the enzymes, but only CAF triggered LPO, showing more harmful effects.Fil: Muñoz Peñuela, Marcela. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Lo Nostro, Fabiana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Dal'Olio Gomes, Aline. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Tolussi, Carlos Eduardo. Universidade Anhembi Morumbi; BrasilFil: Branco, Giovana Souza. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Pinheiro, João Paulo Silva. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Godoi, Filipe Guilherme Andrade de. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Moreira, Renata Guimarães. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Occurrence of antibodies against Maedi-Visna in Santa Inês sheep in the State of Sergipe, Brazil

As Lentiviroses de Pequenos Ruminantes (LVPR) são enfermidades infecciosas de etiologia viral causadas por retrovírus, caracterizadas por uma doença de degeneração progressiva e lenta. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos contra o lentivírus no rebanho ovino Santa Inês, de Sergipe. Para analisar o número mínimo de amostras utilizou-se o cálculo de Astudillo, com prevalência esperada (p) de 10%, margem de erro (α) de 20% e grau de confiança de 95% (g = 1,96), obtendo-se o número mínimo de amostras (n) de 861. Foram colhidas 941 amostras de soro ovino oriundas de 54 propriedades e 19 municípios distribuídos nas três mesorregiões do Estado, sendo o número de amostras proporcional ao efetivo ovino do município. O soro foi acondicionado a -20°C até a realização do teste de Imunodifusão em Gel de Ágar (IDGA). Os resultados considerados positivos ou suspeitos na IDGA foram reavaliados através da técnica de Western blotting. Dos animais amostrados, 194 (20,62%) eram machos e 747 (79,38%) eram fêmeas. Quanto à estratificação por idade, 300 ovinos eram jovens (31,88%), entre seis meses e um ano, 308 (32,73%) eram jovens adultos, entre 1 e 3 anos, e 333 (35,39%) tinham idade estimada superior a 3 anos. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que anticorpos contra o vírus Maedi-Visna (MVV) ocorrem no rebanho ovino do estado de Sergipe em baixa frequência (0,11%). Assim, relata-se a ocorrência da infecção por Maedi-Visna em ovinos no estado de Sergipe e ressalta-se a participação do trânsito de animais na epidemiologia da doença.Small Ruminant Lentiviruses (SRLV) are infectious diseases of viral etiology caused by retroviruses, characterized for being a slowly progressive degenerative disease. The aim of this study was to determine the occcurrence of antibodies against lentivirus in the flock of Santa Inês sheep in Sergipe, Brazil. A minimum number of samples was analyzed by the Astudillo calculation, with an expected prevalence (p) of 10%, error rate (α) of 20% and confidence level of 95% (g = 1.96) obtaining the minimum number of samples (n) of 861. Finally, 941 serum samples were collected, derived from 54 properties and 19 municipalities distributed in three regions of the State, and the number of collected samples was proportional to the sheep flock of each municipality. The serum was placed at -20°C until the Agar Gel Immunodiffusion test (AGID), and results considered as positive or suspicious in AGID were assessed by the Western blotting technique. Out of sampled animals, 194 (20.62%) were male and 747 (79.38%) were female. From the stratification by age, 300 were young sheep (31.88%), aged between six months and one year old, 308 (32.73%) were young adults, aged between 1 and 3 years old, and 333 (35.39%) were estimated to be older than three years old. Results showed that antibodies against the Maedi-Visna virus in the sheep flock occcurred in the State of Sergipe at low frequency (0.11%). Thus, the occcurrence of Maedi-Visna infection in sheep in the State of Sergipe is reported, and emphasizes the participation of the transit of animals in the epidemiology of the disease

Procedural and political aspects of forensic exhumation in Brazil

Exhumation may be defined as the legally sanctioned excavation and recovery of the remains of lawfully buried or – occasionally – cremated individuals, as distinct from forensic excavations of clandestinely buried remains conducted as part of a criminal investigation and from unlawful disinterment of human remains, commonly referred to as ‘bodysnatching’. The aim of this article is to review the role of exhumation – so defined – in the activities of CEMEL, the Medico-Legal Centre of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School-University of São Paulo, in international, regional and local collaborations. Exhumations form part of routine forensic anthropology casework; scientific research in physical and forensic anthropology; and forensic casework conducted in collaboration with the Brazilian Federal Police; and are carried out as part of humanitarian investigations into deaths associated with the civil–military dictatorship of 1964 to 1985. This article aims to offer a non-technical summary – with reference to international comparative information – of the role of exhumation in investigative and scientific work and to discuss developments in their historical and political context

Characterization and selection of torch ginger for cut flower

Torch ginger, Etlingera elatior, is among the most cultivated tropical flower of its genus. Its great acceptability in the market led researchers to improve production characteristics and to adapt it for commercialization. This study aimed to characterize 10 genotypes of torch ginger in order to select and recommend them as cut flower. The experiment ran from Jan 2014 to Dec 2016 in Paulista, Brazil and nine agro-morphological characteristics were evaluated to build a grading system that determined their suitability for cut flower. The IAC 26 and IAC 34 genotypes were classified as poorly suitable, for they presented fresh mass exceeding 237 g. They also presented less than 19 flower stems per clump and only one month with ≥1 floral stem produced in 2015. The genotypes IAC 1, IAC 2, IAC 3, IAC 11, IAC 13 and the cultivar IAC Prumirim were classified as suitable, although they obtained intermediate scores for most of the evaluated criteria. The genotype IAC 41 and the cultivar IAC Camburi were classified as very suitable for cut flower, beginning of flowering period at 12 months, produce 33.25 and 41.20 flower stem per clump, respectively, and present seven months with production of more than one floral stem per clump in 2016, achieving maximum scores from most of the evaluated characteristics

The butterflies (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) of the University Campus Darcy Ribeiro (Distrito Federal, Brasil)

O cerrado brasileiro, considerado o segundo maior bioma do país em extensão territorial, encontra-se atualmente constituído apenas por fragmentos de vegetação que em conjunto representam menos de 20% de sua vegetação original. Neste trabalho nós investigamos a fauna remanescente de borboletas em fragmentos de cerrado sensu stricto e mata ciliar do campus universitário Darcy Ribeiro. No total foram encontradas 128 espécies correspondendo a aproximadamente 25% da fauna de borboletas do Distrito Federal. Alguns fatores que afetam a riqueza de espécies de borboletas nas áreas de estudo são também discutidos.The Brazilian cerrado, the second largest bioma in this country, is now constituted only by fragments of vegetation that together correspond to less than 20% of its original vegetation. This study investigates the butterfly fauna found in fragments of cerrado sensu stricto and gallery forest of the University Campus Darcy Ribeiro. A list containing 128 butterfly species, corresponding to approximately 25% of all Papilionoidea found in the Distrito Federal is presented. Some factors affecting the species richness of butterflies in the study sites are also discussed

The Heart and COVID-19: What Cardiologists Need to Know

In face of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the management of patients with cardiovascular risk factors and/or disease is challenging. The cardiovascular complications evidenced in patients with COVID-19 derive from several mechanisms, ranging from direct viral injury to complications secondary to the inflammatory and thrombotic responses to the infection. The proper care of patients with COVID-19 requires special attention to the cardiovascular system aimed at better outcomes

O Coração e a COVID-19: O que o Cardiologista Precisa Saber

Frente à pandemia da doença causada pelo novo coronavírus (COVID-19), o manejo do paciente com fator de risco e/ou doença cardiovascular é desafiador nos dias de hoje. As complicações cardiovasculares evidenciadas nos pacientes com COVID-19 resultam de vários mecanismos, que vão desde lesão direta pelo vírus até complicações secundárias à resposta inflamatória e trombótica desencadeada pela infecção. O cuidado adequado do paciente com COVID-19 exige atenção ao sistema cardiovascular em busca de melhores desfechos