Composition of a fragmented landscape effect on richness and diversity of species and functional diversity of the remaining communities

Orientadores: Flavio Antonio Mäes dos Santos, Flavio Nunes RamosTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: Aproximadamente 2,3 x 106 ha da cobertura global das florestas tropicais são alterados anualmente pela fragmentação. O processo de fragmentação tem múltiplos efeitos negativos sobre esses ecossistemas, podendo alterar a diversidade, composição e os processos ecológicos. Entretanto, os efeitos da fragmentação não são homogêneos para todas as espécies, a intensidade desses efeitos sobre as populações depende da biologia das espécies e das características da paisagem. Estudos com diferentes abordagens podem auxiliar muito no entendimento dos mecanismos e processos ecológicos atuantes em sistemas fragmentados, contribuindo para o planejamento do uso da terra e para uma política da conservação da natureza. Diante disso, o objetivo principal deste estudo é tentar entender como são organizadas as comunidades arbóreas em uma paisagem fragmentada, assim como tentar inferir os processos responsáveis por essa organização. O estudo foi realizado em oito fragmentos de Mata Atlântica semi decídua inseridos em uma paisagem altamente fragmentada. Dentro de cada fragmento foram instaladas 10 parcelas e todos os indivíduos com altura superior a 1,3 metros foram amostrados. Nossos resultados indicam que mesmo fragmentos localizados em paisagens com baixa cobertura florestal e inseridos em matrizes antrópicas podem ter alta riqueza e diversidade de espécies (capítulo 1). Além disso, verificamos que esses fragmentos apresentam alta diversidade beta e que a variação na diversidade beta é devido à substituição de espécies ("turnover"), e não ao aninhamento. Esses resultados foram encontrados tanto para árvores do dossel quanto para as árvores e arbustos de sub-bosque, oferecendo indícios de que os fragmentos são capazes de manter alta diversidade ao longo dos anos (capítulo 2). Quanto ao efeito da paisagem sobre os atributos das comunidades de árvores adultas e regenerantes, verificamos que não há relação entre os atributos das árvores adultas e os atributos da composição da paisagem. Por outro lado, os atributos da comunidade de indivíduos regenerantes são beneficiados pela matriz de pasto, contrariando as expectativas. Esse resultado pode ser atribuído ao baixo manejo desenvolvido nas áreas de pastagens da região (capítulo 3). Já quando buscamos entender a variação da diversidade funcional desses fragmentos e como esta é afetada, verificamos que os indivíduos adultos apresentaram baixa diversidade beta, que está havendo uma perda ordenada de funções mais sensíveis, e que há um aumento na abundância das funções mais tolerantes (aninhamento). Já o estrato regenerante apresenta menor diversidade funcional que o estrato adulto e alta abundância de indivíduos em funções mais tolerantes, que são beneficiadas pela porcentagem de matriz de pasto (capítulo 4). Em outras palavras, quando analisamos apenas a diversidade e riqueza de espécies, os fragmentos apresentam um bom estado de conservação. Entretanto, quando analisamos a diversidade funcional, verificamos que, apesar de haver muitas espécies (alta diverdiade de espécies), essas desempenham as mesmas funções mais tolerantes (baixa diversidade funcional)Abstract: Approximately 2.3 x 106 ha of tropical forests are altered annually through fragmentation. Fragmentation has multiple negative effects on forest ecosystems, impacting their diversity, composition, and ecological processes. The effects of fragmentation are not homogeneous for all species, however, and the intensities of those effects on populations will depend on the biology of the species and on landscape composition. Studies using different approaches can greatly aid our understanding of ecological mechanisms and processes in fragmented systems and contribute to land use planning and nature conservation policies. We examined how tree communities in eight Atlantic forest fragments in a highly fragmented landscape are organized, and the processes responsible for that organization. Ten 10x20 m plots were installed in each fragment, and all individuals above 1.3 m in height were sampled. Our results indicated that even fragments within landscapes with low forest cover and within anthropogenically modified matrices can show high species richness and diversity (chapter 1), that they show high beta diversity, and that variations in beta diversity are due to species substitutions (turnover) and not nesting. These results were valid for both canopy and understory plants, suggesting that forest fragments are capable of maintaining high diversity for many years (Chapter 2). In terms of landscape effects on the attributes of adult and sapling tree communities, we found that adult trees were not affected by landscape composition and, contrary to our expectations, saplings were benefited by the pasture matrix. These results can be attributed to the low management intensity of pasture areas in the region (chapter 3). Close examinations of how the functional diversity of these fragments varies and how it is affected by fragmentation, showed that adult individuals demonstrated low beta diversity and were experiencing an orderly loss of more sensitive functions and increases in more tolerant functions (nesting). The sapling layer showed lower functional diversity than the adult layer and high abundance of individuals with more tolerant functions that were benefited by a high pasture matrix percentage (chapter 4). Thus, when we analyzed only species diversity and richness, the fragments appeared to be well-conserved (higt diversity of species), but when their functional diversity was examined we saw that although there are many species, they displayed the same more tolerant functions (low functional diversity)DoutoradoEcologiaDoutora em Ecologi

Spatial Species Turnover Maintains High Diversities In A Tree Assemblage Of A Fragmented Tropical Landscape

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)The fragmentation process has many negative effects on communities, particularly for plants. This process can generate two distinct scenarios: homogenization of species composition, due to assemblage nestedness, or flora differentiation, due to spatial species turnover. The aim of this study was to answer the following questions: (1) Is the tree canopy and understory community of a highly fragmented landscape (9% of forest cover) the result of species nestedness or turnover? (2) Is the pattern of additive partitioning of diversity similar between the understory and canopy tree communities? and (3) Are landscape characteristics responsible for diversity partitioning of the tree assemblage? The studied area has low remaining forest coverage (similar to 9%), caused by deforestation that started in the 18th century, and a very heterogeneous matrix around forest patches. Within this landscape context, we hypothesized that the tree assemblage (both canopy and understory strata) in the studied fragments would be homogeneous, as a consequence of a nested subset. The study was carried out in nine fragments of submontane semideciduous Atlantic Forest. All individuals with a height >1 m in 10 (200 m(2)) plots in each studied fragment were sampled, measured, and divided into two strata (canopy and understory individuals). The study found that the high beta diversity among plots and among fragments in both strata was due to species turnover (avoiding species homogenization) and that the landscape characteristics tested were not responsible for this result. These fragments present many rare and exclusive species and are not dominated by only a few species. In this scenario, it is necessary to conserve as many fragments as possible to protect most of tree assemblage because each fragment has a unique species composition.710Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)/Vale Company [RDP-00104-10]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) [472250/2010-8, 306595/2014-1]Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Maternal vaccination as an additional approach to improve the protection of the nursling: Anti-infective properties of breast milk

Human milk constitutes a secretion with unique functions of both nourishing the nursling and providing protection against enteric and respiratory infections, mainly due to its content of secretory IgA antibodies but also due to the presence of a plethora of bioactive factors. Specific IgA antibodies are produced locally by plasma cells derived from B lymphocytes that migrate from other mucosae to the mammary gland during lactation, particularly from the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Therefore, here, the authors will provide a comprehensive review of the content and functions of different nutritional and bioactive anti-infectious components from breast milk, such as oligosaccharides, lactoferrin, haptocorrin, α-lactalbumin, k-casein, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, mucin, fatty acids, defensins, cytokines and chemokines, hormones and growth factors, complement proteins, leukocytes and nucleic acids, including microRNAs, among many others, and the induction of antibody responses in breast milk after maternal vaccination with several licensed vaccines, including the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine preparations used worldwide. Currently, in the midst of the pandemic, maternal vaccination has re-emerged as a crucial source of passive immunity to the neonate through the placenta and breastfeeding, considering that maternal vaccination can induce specific antibodies if performed during pregnancy and after delivery. There have been some reports in the literature about milk IgA antibodies induced by bacterial antigens or inactivated virus vaccines, such as anti-diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, anti-influenza viruses, anti-pneumococcal and meningococcal polysaccharide preparations. Regarding anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, most studies demonstrate elevated levels of specific IgA and IgG antibodies in milk with virus-neutralizing ability after maternal vaccination, which represents an additional approach to improve the protection of the nursling during the entire breastfeeding period

Increased IgE serum levels are unrelated to allergic and parasitic diseases in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the IgE serum levels in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients and to evaluate possible associations with clinical and laboratory features, disease activity and tissue damage. METHODS: The IgE serum concentrations in 69 consecutive juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients were determined by nephelometry. IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations were measured by immunoturbidimetry. All patients were negative for intestinal parasites. Statistical analysis methods included the Mann-Whitney, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, as well as the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Increased IgE concentrations above 100 IU/mL were observed in 31/69 (45%) juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The mean IgE concentration was 442.0 ± 163.4 IU/ml (range 3.5-9936.0 IU/ml). Fifteen of the 69 patients had atopic disease, nine patients had severe sepsis and 56 patients presented with nephritis. The mean IgE level in 54 juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients without atopic manifestations was 271.6 ± 699.5 IU/ml, and only nine of the 31 (29%) patients with high IgE levels had atopic disease. The IgE levels did not statistically differ with respect to the presence of atopic disease, severe sepsis, nephritis, disease activity, or tissue damage. Interestingly, IgE concentrations were inversely correlated with C4 levels (r = -0.25, p = 0.03) and with the SLICC/ACR-DI score (r = -0.34, p = 0.005). The IgE concentration was also found to be directly correlated with IgA levels (r = 0.52, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated for the first time that juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients have increased IgE serum levels. This increase in IgE levels was not related to allergic or parasitic diseases. Our results are in line with the hypothesis that high IgE levels can be considered a marker of immune dysregulation

Molecular characterization of the complement C1q, C2 and C4 genes in Brazilian patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To perform a molecular characterization of the C1q, C2 and C4 genes in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS: Patient 1 (P1) had undetectable C1q, patient 2 (P2) and patient 3 (P3) had decreased C2 and patient 4 (P4) had decreased C4 levels. All exons and non-coding regions of the C1q and C2 genes were sequenced. Mononuclear cells were cultured and stimulated with interferon gamma to evaluate C1q, C2 and C4 mRNA expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: C1q sequencing revealed heterozygous silent mutations in the A (c.276 A>;G Gly) and C (c.126 C>;T Pro) chains, as well as a homozygous single-base change in the 3′ non-coding region of the B chain (c*78 A>;G). C1qA mRNA expression without interferon was decreased compared with that of healthy controls (

AS CONCEPÇÕES DE DIDÁTICA DE LICENCIANDOS DE PEDAGOGIA À LUZ DA SEMIFORMAÇÃO EM ADORNO

This paper focuses on the conceptions of Didactics of undergraduates in Pedagogy based on the conception of semi training in Adorno. The study was conducted into the discipline Teaching Training in the Academic Master Course of the Post Graduation Stricto Sensu Program in Universidade Estadual do Ceará – UECE. This research was guided by qualitative assumptions of exploratory prospective, using as procedures for data collection the analysis of documents and the narrative present in Memories Diaries written by undergraduates registered in the discipline of General Teaching in the course of Pedagogy at UECE. The data analysis revealed some didactic concepts which point out to some signs of the limits, inconsistencies and incompleteness training of teachers and the paths drawn by universities, public policies and government agencies in promoting training courses for teachers. This also reveals perspectives of dissociation between the theoretical and practical dimensions, between scientific and curricular knowledge, and pedagogical and experiential knowledge, designed from the daily exercise in classroom, in other words, only by practice. Amid conflict contexts, they also provide conceptions that lead to certain proposals for discussion, reflection, critique, change and reconstruction of the field of knowledge of Didactics. Thus, prospects for a Didactics that fosters unrest and changes into the teaching and learning process, into training and teaching work, into the reconfiguration of teaching identity itself, into the way they face themselves, their profession, and into the world in order to humanize and emancipate the human being.O artigo versa sobre as concepções de Didática de licenciandos de Pedagogia à luz da semiformação em Adorno. O estudo se desenvolveu no âmbito do Estágio de Docência do curso de Mestrado Acadêmico em Educação do Programa de Pós-Graduação Stricto Sensu da Universidade Estadual do Ceará – UECE. Este trabalho investigativo se pautou por pressupostos qualitativos de pesquisa exploratória, utilizando como procedimentos de coleta de dados a análise de documentos e a narrativa de Diários de Lembranças por licenciandos da disciplina de Didática Geral do curso de Pedagogia da UECE. A análise dos dados evidenciou algumas concepções didáticas que são a mostra de indícios dos limites, inconsistências e incompletude formativa do docente e dos percursos até então traçados pelas universidades, políticas públicas e órgãos governamentais na promoção dos cursos de formação de professores. Isto revela também perspectivas de dissociação entre as dimensões teórica e prática, entre os saberes científicos e curriculares, e os conhecimentos pedagógicos e experienciais, concebidos a partir do exercício cotidiano de sala de aula, isto é, na e pela prática concreta. Em meio a contextos de conflitos, permeiam também concepções que conduzem a certas propostas de discussão, reflexão, crítica, mudanças e de reconstrução do campo de conhecimento da Didática. Assim, perspectivas de uma Didática que fomente inquietações e transformações nos processos de ensino e aprendizagem, na formação e no trabalho docente, na reconfiguração da própria identidade docente, dos modos de ser e estar na profissão e no mundo com vista à humanização e à emancipação do homem

Increased IgE serum levels are unrelated to allergic and parasitic diseases in patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the IgE serum levels in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients and to evaluate possible associations with clinical and laboratory features, disease activity and tissue damage. METHODS: The IgE serum concentrations in 69 consecutive juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients were determined by nephelometry. IgG, IgM and IgA concentrations were measured by immunoturbidimetry. All patients were negative for intestinal parasites. Statistical analysis methods included the Mann-Whitney, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, as well as the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Increased IgE concentrations above 100 IU/mL were observed in 31/69 (45%) juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients. The mean IgE concentration was 442.0 +/- 163.4 IU/ml (range 3.5- 9936.0 IU/ml). Fifteen of the 69 patients had atopic disease, nine patients had severe sepsis and 56 patients presented with nephritis. The mean IgE level in 54 juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients without atopic manifestations was 271.6 +/- 699.5 IU/ml, and only nine of the 31 (29%) patients with high IgE levels had atopic disease. The IgE levels did not statistically differ with respect to the presence of atopic disease, severe sepsis, nephritis, disease activity, or tissue damage. Interestingly, IgE concentrations were inversely correlated with C4 levels ( r = -0.25, p = 0.03) and with the SLICC/ACR-DI score (r = -0.34, p = 0.005). The IgE concentration was also found to be directly correlated with IgA levels (r = 0.52, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated for the first time that juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus patients have increased IgE serum levels. This increase in IgE levels was not related to allergic or parasitic diseases. Our results are in line with the hypothesis that high IgE levels can be considered a marker of immune dysregulation.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)FAPESP (Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo) [08/58238

Monocyte-to-HDL ratio and non-HDL cholesterol were predictors of septic shock in newborns

Background: The association between lipoprotein levels and late-onset neonatal sepsis has shown controversial results. The aims are to assess lipid profile, cytokines, and Monocyte-to-HDL (M/H) ratio as diagnostic and prognostic markers for late-onset neonatal sepsis. Methods: This prospective study included 49 septic neonates and 17 controls. Cholesterol (CT), Triglyceride (TG), Very-Low-Density (VLDLc), Low-Density (LDLc), and High-Density Lipoproteins (HDLc) were measured at admission (D0) and on days 3, 7 and 10 to evaluate septic shock outcomes. Cytokines and monocytes were evaluated by flow cytometry. Results: Septic newborns showed higher IL-6 and IL-8 at D0 and CT levels on D7 and on D10, which also presented higher TG, VLDLc and non-HDL cholesterol concentrations than controls. The septic shock group (n = 22) revealed a higher number of male subjects, CRP, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 levels, while lower TG, HDLc, monocyte numbers and M/H ratio at admission compared to the non-shock group (n = 27). M/H ratio and non-HDL cholesterol on D0 were risk factors for septic shock (OR = 0.70, 0.49‒0.99; OR = 0.96, 0.92‒0.99, respectively). Decreasing levels from D0 to D3 of CT (OR = 0.96, 0.93‒0.99), VLDLc (OR = 0.91, 0.85‒0.98), and non-HDL cholesterol (OR = 0.92, 0.87‒0.98) were also predictors of septic shock. Conclusions: Lower M/H ratios and non-HDL cholesterol at admission and decreasing levels of cholesterol, VLDLc and non-HDL cholesterol during a hospital stay are associated with the development of septic shock in newborns with late-onset neonatal sepsis