Analysis of the marine ornamental fish trade at Ceará State, northeast Brazil

Brazil is one of the leading exporters of ornamental fishes, mostly freshwater; however, monitoring of the trade is nearly non-existent in the country. This paper provides an initial assessment of a new venture, the marine aquarium fish trade at Ceará State, northeast Brazil, aiming to document the species traded, to provide preliminary estimates of numbers of specimens traded, and to identify priorities in data collection and monitoring. A total of 143 species and 199 304 fishes were traded. From the total, 109 species were native and represented 84% of the fishes traded. Thirty-four exotic species figured on the permits and amounted to nearly 16% of the exports; however, most of them consist of misidentified native species. Nearly 90% of the fish trade was directed to the international market. Official figures represent an underestimation of the total number of captured specimens.     

Life cycle of Amblyomma cooperi (Acari: Ixodidae) using capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) as hosts

The life cycle of Amblyomma cooperi was evaluated under laboratory conditions testing different host species. Larval infestations were performed on chickens (Gallus gallus) and capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris). Nymphal infestations were performed on G. gallus, H. hydrochaeris, guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) and wild mice (Calomys callosus). Infestations by adult ticks were performed only on capybaras. All free-living stages were observed in darkness at 27 degrees C and RH 85%. Capybaras were significantly (p < 0.05) the most suitable hosts for immature ticks, with the highest larval (63.6%) and nymphal (48%) recovery. Larval and nymphal feeding and premolt periods were significantly different (p < 0.05) between ticks fed on different host species. Male nymphs showed premolt period significantly shorter (p < 0.05) than female nymphs. The overall sex ratio of adult ticks was 0.92:1 (M:F). Infestations by adult ticks on capybaras yielded more than 76% of engorged female recovery. Only three out of 33 engorged females fed on capybaras did not lay fertile eggs. The life cycle of A. cooperi in laboratory, reported for the first time, was completed in an average period of 189.4 days. During the premolt period, all A. cooperi engorged nymphs secreted distinct blackish drops, which seem to be inherent to this species. Our results, associated data in the literature, confirm the high suitability of capybaras for the adult stage of A. cooperi and also indicate this animal species as a primary host for immature stages of A. cooperi in nature. On the other hand, the results of larval and nymphal infestation on chickens and guinea pigs suggest that birds and wild guinea pigs, which are also present in the distribution area of A. cooperi in South America, could be potentially infested by A. cooperi immature stages in nature.     

Association of Nuclear Matrix Proteins with Granular and Threaded Nuclear Bodies in Cell Lines Undergoing Apoptosis

The granules which appear in the nucleolar area in apoptotic HL-60 cells after camptothecin administration (Zweyeret al., Exp. Cell Res.221, 27–40, 1995) were detected also in several other cell lines induced to undergo apoptosis by different stimuli, such as MOLT-4 treated with staurosporine, K-562 incubated with actinomycin D, P-815 exposed to temperature causing heat shock, Jurkat cells treated with EGTA, U-937 growing in the presence of cycloheximide and tumor necrosis factor-α, and HeLa cells treated with etoposide. Using immunoelectron microscopy techniques, we demonstrate that, besides the already described nuclear matrix proteins p125 and p160, these granules contain other nucleoskeletal polypeptides such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a component of ribonucleoprotein particles, a 105-kDa constituent of nuclear spliceosomes, and the 240-kDa nuclear mitotic apparatus-associated protein referred to as NuMA. Moreover, we also found in the granules SAF-A/hn-RNP-U and SATB1 proteins, two polypeptides that have been reported to bind scaffold-associated regions DNA sequencesin vitro,thus mediating the formation of looped DNA structuresin vivo.Fibrillarin and coilin are not present in these granules or the PML protein. Thus, the granules seen during the apoptotic process apparently are different from coiled bodies or other types of nuclear bodies. Furthermore, these granules do not contain chromatin components such as histones and DNA. Last, Western blotting analysis revealed that nuclear matrix proteins present in the granules are not proteolytically degraded except for the NuMA polypeptide. We propose that these granules might represent aggregates of nuclear matrix proteins forming during the apoptotic process. Moreover, since the granules are present in several cell lines undergoing apoptosis, they could be considered a previously unrecognized morphological hallmark of the apoptotic process.     

Evaluation of carbamazepine uptake and metabolization by Typha spp., a plant with potential use in phytotreatment

Phytoremediation technologies such as constructed wetlands have shown higher efficiencies in removal of pharmaceuticals from wastewaters than conventional wastewater treatment processes, and plants seem to have an important role in the removal of some of those compounds. In this context, a study was conducted to assess tolerance, uptake, and metabolism of the epilepsy drug, carbamazepine, by the macrophyte Typha spp. This evaluation was conducted in hydroponic solutions with 0.5-2.0 mg/L of this pharmaceutical for a maximum period of 21 days. The removal of carbamazepine from nutrient solutions by the plants reached values of 82% of the initial contents. Furthermore, a metabolite (10,11-dihydro-10,11-epoxycarbamazepine) was detected in leaf tissues indicating carbamazepine translocation and metabolism inside plants. Activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and guaiacol peroxidase generally increase (after some mild initial inhibition in the case of the latter enzyme) as result of the abiotic stress caused by the exposure to carbamazepine, but ultimately Typha seemed able to cope with its toxicity. The results obtained in this study suggest the ability of Typha spp., to actively participate in the removal of carbamazepine from water when used in phytotreatment systems.     

Inhibition of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and Rat Arginases by Green Tea EGCG, (+)-Catechin and (?)-Epicatechin: A Comparative Structural Analysis of Enzyme-Inhibitor Interactions

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a dietary polyphenol (flavanol) from green tea, possesses leishmanicidal and antitrypanosomal activity. Mitochondrial damage was observed in Leishmania treated with EGCG, and it contributed to the lethal effect. However, the molecular target has not been defined. In this study, EGCG, (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin were tested against recombinant arginase from Leishmania amazonensis (ARG-L) and rat liver arginase (ARG-1). The compounds inhibit ARG-L and ARG-1 but are more active against the parasite enzyme. Enzyme kinetics reveal that EGCG is a mixed inhibitor of the ARG-L while (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin are competitive inhibitors. The most potent arginase inhibitor is (+)-catechin (IC₅₀ = 0.8 µM) followed by (−)-epicatechin (IC₅₀ = 1.8 µM), gallic acid (IC₅₀ = 2.2 µM) and EGCG (IC₅₀ = 3.8 µM). Docking analyses showed different modes of interaction of the compounds with the active sites of ARG-L and ARG-1. Due to the low IC₅₀ values obtained for ARG-L, flavanols can be used as a supplement for leishmaniasis treatment.     

Ultrastructural aspects of Fallisia effusa (Haemosporina: Garniidae) in thrombocytes of the lizard Neusticurus bicarinatus (Reptilia: Teiidae)

The fine structure of the different stages of the Fallisia effusa (Haemosporina: Garniidae), infecting the thrombocytes of the semi-aquatic Amazonian lizard Neusticurus bicarinatus (Reptilia: Teiidae) is described. Gametocytes, meronts, and merozoites of Fallisia effusa were found within a parasitophorous vacuole (PV). Multiple infections of micro- and macrogametocytes were observed. A circumferential coil of microtubules was seen in the cytoplasm of the infected host cell and this microtubule array was pronounced in cells harboring gametocytes. A deep invagination of the inner membrane complex of gametocytes may be involved in nutrition. The non-pigmented parasites underwent both merogony and gametogony in thrombocytes of the peripheral blood. No infection of the erythrocytes was observed. These observations confirm that Fallisia effusa displays characteristic features distinguishing it from other members of the Haemosporidian families, and that it has the ability to modulate microtubule assembly.     

Human exploitation shapes productivity–biomass relationships on coral reefs

Coral reef fisheries support the livelihoods of millions of people in tropical countries, despite large‐scale depletion of fish biomass. While human adaptability can help to explain the resistance of fisheries to biomass depletion, compensatory ecological mechanisms may also be involved. If this is the case, high productivity should coexist with low biomass under relatively high exploitation. Here we integrate large spatial scale empirical data analysis and a theory‐driven modelling approach to unveil the effects of human exploitation on reef fish productivity–biomass relationships. We show that differences in how productivity and biomass respond to overexploitation can decouple their relationship. As size‐selective exploitation depletes fish biomass, it triggers increased production per unit biomass, averting immediate productivity collapse in both the modelling and the empirical systems. This ‘buffering productivity’ exposes the danger of assuming resource production–biomass equivalence, but may help to explain why some biomass‐depleted fish assemblages still provide ecosystem goods under continued global fishing exploitation.     

Optimization and Technological Development Strategies of an Antimicrobial Extract from Achyrocline alata Assisted by Statistical Design

Achyrocline alata, known as Jateí-ka-há, is traditionally used to treat several health problems, including inflammations and infections. This study aimed to optimize an active extract against Streptococcus mutans, the main bacteria that causes caries. The extract was developed using an accelerated solvent extraction and chemometric calculations. Factorial design and response surface methodologies were used to determine the most important variables, such as active compound selectivity. The standardized extraction recovered 99% of the four main compounds, gnaphaliin, helipyrone, obtusifolin and lepidissipyrone, which represent 44% of the extract. The optimized extract of A. alata has a MIC of 62.5 μg/mL against S. mutans and could be used in mouth care products.