Uma nova espécie de Phyllotheca Brongniart (Townrow) no Permiano Inferior da Bacia do Paraná, RS

This paper deals with remains of Sphenophyta found on the upper levels of Itararé Subgroup, Early Permian in age (late Sakmarian), from Morro do Papaléo outcrop, in Mariana Pimentel municipality, Rio Grande do Sul state. The new species described, P. brevifolia, is distinct from the other ones established in the Phylloteca genus, by its shorten leaf sheath strongly adpressed to the stem, in many cases, not entirely covering the internode regions, and by short leaflets, free from the upper part of leaf sheath and without leaf sheath expansions beyond the stem. Considering that the new taxon is an intermediate form between those classified in Phyllotheca and Koretrophyllites genera, the validity of the genus Koretrophyllites are discussed, using for this the comparison of the diagnostic features established to both genera.Key words: Koretrophyllites, Phyllotheca, Sphenophyta, Early Permian, Paraná Basin, Rio Grande do Sul State.Este trabalho trata do estudo de restos de Sphenophyta identificados em níveis correspondentes ao topo do Subgrupo Itararé no afloramento do Morro do Papaléo, em Mariana Pimentel, Rio Grande do Sul, atribuídos ao Sakmariano tardio (Permiano Inferior). Os restos mencionados permitiram o estabelecimento de uma nova espécie P. brevifolia para o gênero Phyllotheca, caracterizada pela presença de uma bainha extremamente curta e adpressa ao caule, nem sempre recobrindo por completo os inter-nós, em especial nos ramos proximais da planta, e por folíolos relativamente curtos, que partem livres a partir do topo da bainha, sem apresentar expansões desta para além do caule. Tendo em vista a intergradação e o caráter intermediário destes caracteres com aqueles presentes em formas atribuídas ao gênero Koretrophyllites, são feitas considerações sobre a validade deste último gênero, através da comparação das feições diagnósticas estabelecidas para cada um deles e que, efetivamente, mostram uma grande proximidade. Palavras-chave: Koretrophyllites, Phyllotheca, Sphenophyta, Permiano Inferior, Bacia do Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul

Uma nova espécie de Phyllotheca Brongniart (Townrow) no Permiano Inferior da Bacia do Paraná, RS

This paper deals with remains of Sphenophyta found on the upper levels of Itararé Subgroup, Early Permian in age (late Sakmarian), from Morro do Papaléo outcrop, in Mariana Pimentel municipality, Rio Grande do Sul state. The new species described, P. brevifolia, is distinct from the other ones established in the Phylloteca genus, by its shorten leaf sheath strongly adpressed to the stem, in many cases, not entirely covering the internode regions, and by short leaflets, free from the upper part of leaf sheath and without leaf sheath expansions beyond the stem. Considering that the new taxon is an intermediate form between those classified in Phyllotheca and Koretrophyllites genera, the validity of the genus Koretrophyllites are discussed, using for this the comparison of the diagnostic features established to both genera.Key words: Koretrophyllites, Phyllotheca, Sphenophyta, Early Permian, Paraná Basin, Rio Grande do Sul State.Este trabalho trata do estudo de restos de Sphenophyta identificados em níveis correspondentes ao topo do Subgrupo Itararé no afloramento do Morro do Papaléo, em Mariana Pimentel, Rio Grande do Sul, atribuídos ao Sakmariano tardio (Permiano Inferior). Os restos mencionados permitiram o estabelecimento de uma nova espécie P. brevifolia para o gênero Phyllotheca, caracterizada pela presença de uma bainha extremamente curta e adpressa ao caule, nem sempre recobrindo por completo os inter-nós, em especial nos ramos proximais da planta, e por folíolos relativamente curtos, que partem livres a partir do topo da bainha, sem apresentar expansões desta para além do caule. Tendo em vista a intergradação e o caráter intermediário destes caracteres com aqueles presentes em formas atribuídas ao gênero Koretrophyllites, são feitas considerações sobre a validade deste último gênero, através da comparação das feições diagnósticas estabelecidas para cada um deles e que, efetivamente, mostram uma grande proximidade. Palavras-chave: Koretrophyllites, Phyllotheca, Sphenophyta, Permiano Inferior, Bacia do Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul

Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor Antagonism Induces Protection from Lethal Sepsis: Involvement of Toll-like Receptor 4 Signaling

In sepsis, toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 modulates the migration of neutrophils to infectious foci, favoring bacteremia and mortality. In experimental sepsis, organ dysfunction and cytokines released by activated macrophages can be reduced by gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor (GRPR) antagonist RC-3095. Here we report a link between GRPR and TLR-4 in experimental models and in sepsis patients. RAW 264.7 culture cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and RC-3095 (10 ng/mL), Male Wistar rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and RC-3095 was administered (3 mg/kg, subcutaneously); after 6 h, we removed the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage, peritoneal lavage and lung. Human patients with a clinical diagnosis of sepsis received a continuous infusion with RC-3095 (3 mg/kg, intravenous) over a period of 12 h, and plasma was collected before and after RC-3095 administration and, in a different set of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or sepsis. GRP plasma levels were determined. RC-3095 inhibited TLR-4, extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK)-1/2, Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and Akt and decreased activation of activator protein 1 (AP-1), nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B and interleukin (IL)-6 in macrophages stimulated by LPS. It also decreased IL-6 release from macrophages stimulated by TNF-alpha. RC-3095 treatment in CLP rats decreased lung TLR-4, reduced the migration of cells to the lung and reduced systemic cytokines and bacterial dissemination. Patients with sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome have elevated plasma levels of GRP which associates with clinical outcome in the sepsis patients. These findings highlight the role of GRPR signaling in sepsis outcome and the beneficial action of GRPR antagonists in controlling the inflammatory response in sepsis through a mechanism involving at least inhibition of TLR-4 signaling. Online address: http://www.molmed.org doi: 10.2119/molmed.2012.0008

Máxima participação e atividade física não sedentária: uma proposta metodológica

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an adapted physical activity program in health and parameters using two principles: maximum participation and non sedentary physical activity. These principles were applied in a university outreach program, Proefa (Adapted Physical Education Program). These two principles were proposed by Dr. Mauerberg-deCastro, the Proefa coordinator beginning 2011. Her goals was to improve students’ participation in the APA classes, and to increase energy expenditure during the APA activities. Proefa uses an inclusive and developmental approach and requires significant demands of efforts and motor skills that are appropriate to the group. The study also aimed to analyze two weekly classes, one hour each, to determine whether they are sufficient to improve health parameters of participants. The study compared the results of yearly evaluations of 2 years, 2009 and 2013, the last using the proposed methodology. The results showed that when students participated in the context with deliberate demands for effort and participation, the improvement was greater in health parameters.O objetivo deste estudo foi o de examinar o potencial da atividade física adaptada em parâmetros de saúde utilizando-se de dois princípios: máxima participação e atividade física não sedentária. Esses princípios foram aplicados nas aulas de um programa de extensão universitária em atividade física adaptada (APA), o Proefa (Programa de Educação Física Adaptada). A partir de 2011, estes dois princípios foram propostos por Mauerberg-deCastro. Seu objetivo era melhorar a participação dos alunos nas aulas de educação física adaptada (EFA) e aumentar o gasto energético durante as atividades. O Proefa trabalha através de uma abordagem inclusiva e desenvolvimentista através de demandas de esforços e habilidades motoras adequadas ao grupo. O estudo também teve como objetivo analisar se duas aulas semanais, de uma hora por dia, são suficientes para beneficiar parâmetros de saúde dos alunos do Proefa. Para isso, o estudo comparou os resultados de avaliações anuais de 2 anos do projeto, 2009, e 2013, sendo o último dentro da proposta metodológica citada. Os resultados mostraram que quando inseridos em um contexto onde as exigências de demandas de esforço e participação foram explícitas, alguns ganhos em parâmetros de saúde foram melhores.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data