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Annals of the Brazilian Academy of SciencesAABC - Volume 85 (3) - SEPT.2013 |
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On behalf of the Editorial Board of the Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências - AABC), we would like to present a new initiative that will increase the visibility of our journal among researchers worldwide: a special newsletter. Starting with the issue 85.3, we will present the index followed by a short comment provided by the authors themselves, with less technical wording, where they explain the main findings of their paper. The purpose is to show the important research that is being published by the AABC, what is sometimes unknown even by Brazilian scientists. Furthermore, this newsletter will also be sent to the press. We are sure that they too will be delighted to get in touch with some of the authors regarding their research. |
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● Chemical constituents of Distictella elongata (Vahl) Urb. (Bignoniaceae)(Leandro R. Simões, Glauber M. Maciel, Geraldo C. Brandão, José D.S. Filho, Alaíde B. Oliveira and Rachel O. Castilho) Pectolinarin, a flavone diglycoside, was isolated from Distictella elongata (Vahl) Urb. leaves ethanol extract, along with a mixture of ursolic, pomolic and oleanolic acids, besides β-sitosterol. This is the first report on the occurrence of this flavonoid in a species of the Bignoniaceae family. The D. elongate ethanol extract and fractions demonstrated antioxidant activity efficacy. Therefore, D. elongata might be considered a promising source of phytochemicals. |
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● Flavonoids from leaves of Derris urucu: assessment of potential effects on seed germination and development of weeds(Ewerton A.S. da Silva, Lívia T. Lôbo, Geilson A. da Silva, Antonio Pedro da S. Souza Filho, Milton N. da Silva, Alberto C. Arruda, Giselle M.S.P. Guilhon, Lourivaldo S. Santos and Mara S.P. Arruda) Ewerton A.S. da Silva, Lívia T. Lôbo, Geilson A. da Silva, Antonio Pedro da S. Souza Filho, Milton N. da Silva, Alberto C. Arruda, Giselle M.S.P. Guilhon, Lourivaldo S. Santos and Mara S.P. Arruda |
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● Multivariate optimization of an ultrasound-assisted extraction procedure for Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn determination in ration to chickens(Joélia M. Barros, Marcos A. Bezerra, Gisseli S. Valasques, Baraquízio B. do Nascimento Júnior, Anderson S. Souza and Nádia M. Aragão) An ultrasound assisted extraction was applied to simplify the sample treatment of ration for chickens before their analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Doehlert and centroid simplex mixture experimental designs associated with a multiple response technique (Desirability function) were used to simultaneous optimization of a procedure for extraction of Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn. Multivariate optimization allowed the development of a fast, accurate , precise and reliable analytical method for metals determination in chicken ration samples. Read here |
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● Active polyketides isolated from Penicillium herquei(Andrey M.R. Marinho, Patrícia S.B. Marinho, Lourivaldo S. Santos, Edson Rodrigues Filho, and Izabel C.P. Ferreira) Read here |
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● A study of structural lineaments in Pantanal (Brazil) using remote sensing data(Antonio C. Paranhos Filho, Alexis R. Nummer, Edilce A. Albrez, Alisson A. Ribeiro and Rômulo Machado) Made with remote sensed data, the work fills a lack of structural data over the Pantanal Basin, an intracratonic active sedimentary basin in the center of South America. The different lineaments sets in the basin are shown and the presence of neotectonic activities are indicated and related to the reactivation of basement structures as the Transbrazilian Lineament among others. Read here |
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● The Brazilian research contribution to knowledge of the plant communities from Antarctic ice free areas(Antonio B. Pereira and Jair Putzke) The paper “The Brazilian research contribution to knowledge of the plant communities from Antarctic ice free areas” summarize the results of research carried out by Brazilian researchers on the plant communities of Antarctic ice free areas. The field work has been carried out in Elephant Island, King George Island, Nelson Island and Deception Island. The results present six papers published on the chemistry of lichens, seven papers on plant taxonomy, five papers on plant biology, two studies on UVB photoprotection, three studies about the relationships between plant communities and bird colonies and eleven papers on plant communities. |
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● Evaluation of wound healing and antimicrobial properties of aqueous extract from Bowdichia virgilioides stem barks in mice(Isabela K.R. Agra, Luana L.S. Pires, Paulo S.M. Carvalho, Eurípedes A. Silva-Filho, Salete Smaniotto and Emiliano Barreto) In this study, we showed that aqueous extract of the stem bark from B. virgilioides accelerated the rate of healing in cutaneous wound. This effect also was observed when wounds were infected with S. aureus. Under histological aspects, the topical use of aqueous extract induced a collagen type I accumulation, increase in the fibroblast count and reduction in the inflammatory cells in wound area. In vitro this extract also caused an antimicrobial effect against S. aureus. So, this study revealed the healing and antimicrobial effects of aqueous extract of B. virgilioides in the therapy of skin wounds. |
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● Assessment of the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and antigenotoxic activities of Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) in mice(Flavio F.V. Borges, Thiago C. Machado, Kênya S. Cunha, Karla C. Pereira, Elson A. Costa, José R. de Paula and Lee Chen-Chen) Celtis iguanaea (Jacq.) Sargent (Cannabaceae), popularly known as “esporão de galo” in Brazil, is used in folk’s medicine to treat many disorders. Due to the widespread usage as phytoterapic, this work aimed at evaluating C. iguanaea aqueous leaves extract (CALE) cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity using the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. The micronucleus test, micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) scoring and polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes ratio evaluation (PCE/NCE) were carried out according to the classic methodology proposed by Schmid (1975). According to our results, CALE presented no cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, but showed antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic actions. |
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● Expression of manganese peroxidase by Lentinula edodes and Lentinula boryana in solid state and submerged system fermentation |
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● Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Hydrocotyle umbellata L., Araliaceae (acariçoba) in mice(Iziara F. Florentino, Marcus Vinícius M. Nascimento, Pablinny M. Galdino, Adriane F. de Brito, Fabio F. da Rocha, Carlos R. Tonussi, Thereza Christina M. de Lima, José R. de Paula and Elson A. Costa) The Hydrocotyle umbellata L., popularly known as acariçoba, is a creeping specimen that belongs to the Araliaceae family. This species is native to Argentina, Cuba, India and Brazil. Ethnobotanical studies suggest that these plants are used as diuretic, anti-hypertensive and to treat skin ulcers, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, erysipelas, rheumatism, tuberculosis. This study showed that the ethanolic extract from acariçoba’s underground parts (EEA) presents analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. These results may justify the popular use of this plant, thereby showing this species as promising for the development of phytomedicine. |
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● Treadmill exercise does not change gene expression of adrenal catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes in chronically stressed rats(Ljubica Gavrilović, Vesna Stojiljković, Jelena Kasapović, Nataša Popović , Snežana B. Pajović and Sladjana Dronjak) Treadmill running did not result in modulation of gene expression of catecholamine synthesizing enzymes in the adrenal medulla of chronically psychosocially stressed adult rats. The potentially negative physiological adaptations after treadmill running were recorded as increased concentrations of catecholamines and decreased morning corticosterone concentration in the plasma, as well as the adrenal gland hypertrophy of chronically psychosocially stressed rats. The additional acute immobilization stress increases gene expression of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes in the adrenal medulla, as well as catecholamines and corticosterone levels in the plasma. Treadmill exercise does not change the activity of sympatho-adrenomedullary system of chronically psychosocially stressed rats. |
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● Impacts of hydroelectric dams on alluvial riparian plant communities in eastern Brazilian Amazonian(Leandro V. Ferreira, Denise A. Cunha, Priscilla P. Chaves, Darley C.L. Matos and Pia Parolin) The major rivers of the Amazon River basin and their biota are threatened by the planned construction of Read here |
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● Are leaf physiological traits related to leaf water isotopic enrichment in restinga woody species?(Bruno H.P. Rosado, Eduardo A. de Mattos and Leonel da S.L. Sternberg) Although previous models have assumed that leaf water is well-mixed and isotopically uniform different pools of water within leaves, due to morpho-physiological traits, might lead to inaccuracies in isotopic models predicting leaf water enrichment. We evaluate the role of leaf morpho-physiological traits on leaf water isotopic enrichment in species occurring in a coastal vegetation. Leaf isotopic enrichment was more homogeneous among species during the drought suggesting convergent responses to deal to seasonality in water availability and was highly correlated with relative apoplastic water content. We suggest that future studies should include relative apoplastic water content in isotopic models. Read here |
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● Daily and seasonal activity patterns of free range South-American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus)(Alexandro Tozetti and Marcio Martins) The present report is the first relatively detailed study on activity patterns of South-American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus) in nature. Although there are some studies on the biology of C. durissus, few have been conducted in the field. Despite being associated with open vegetation, C. durissus has recently colonized forested areas undergoing fragmentation, increasing the incidence of accidents involving rattlesnakes and humans. This study aimed at investigating aspects of associated activity and abiotic habitat components in a population of rattlesnakes in a fragment of cerrado (Brazilian savanna). The study site represents one of the last remnants of protected cerrado in the State of São Paulo. Read here |
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● Regional movements of the tiger shark, Galeocerdo cuvier, off northeastern Brazil: inferences regarding shark attack Hazard(Fábio H.V. Hazin, André S. Afonso, Pedro C. de Castilho, Luciana C. Ferreira and Bruno C.L.M. Rocha) An abnormally high shark attack rate off Recife, Brazil could be related to migratory behavior of tiger sharks, thus prompting a satellite telemetry study. Pop-up satellite archival tags were deployed on five tiger sharks caught off Recife to assess their regional movement patterns. All tags transmitted from northward latitudes after 7-74 days of freedom at distances ranging between 33-209 km from the tagging site. Such movement trend corroborates the hypothesis that the Suape Port, located to the south of Recife, could be attracting potentially aggressive sharks shoreward, which would then tend to move north towards Recife. Read here |
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● Nuclear entropy, angular second moment, variance and texture correlation of thymus cortical and medullar lymphocytes: Grey level co-occurrence matrix analysis (Igor Pantic, Senka Pantic, Jovana Paunovic and Milan Perovic) Grey level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) texture analysis was carried out for a total of 300 thymus lymphocyte nuclei from 10 one-month-old mice: 150 nuclei from cortex and 150 nuclei from medullar regions of thymus were analyzed. It was found that certain textural parameters are significantly different in these two cell populations. GLCM as a method might have a certain potential in detecting discrete changes in nuclear structure associated with lymphocyte migration and maturation in thymus. Read here |
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● Chemical, enzymatic and cellular antioxidant activity studies of Agaricus blazei Murrill(Ricardo A. Hakime-Silva, José C.R. Vellosa, Najeh M. Khalil, Iguatemy L. Brunetti and Olga M.M.F. Oliveira) Mushrooms possess nutritional and medicinal properties that have long been used for human health preservation and that have been considered by researchers as possible sources of free radical scavengers. In this work, the antioxidant properties of water extracts (maceration and decoction) from Agaricus blazei Murill are demonstrated in vitro: i) inhibition of enzymatic oxidative process (horseradish peroxidase and myeloperoxidase); ii) inhibition of cellular oxidative stress (oxidative burst of polymorphonuclear neutrophils); and iii) direct action over reactive species (HOCl and superoxide radical). Read here |
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● Cryopreservation of mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) spem |
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● Anurans in a forest remnant in the transition zone between cerrado and atlantic rain forest domains in southeastern Brazil(Renata M. Pirani, Luciana B. Nascimento and Renato N. Feio) This study presents the species richness, temporal distribution and reproductive activity of anurans from the Uaimií State Forest (FLOE Uaimií), situated in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region, municipality of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Field activities were performed monthly from September 2009 to August 2010. We recorded 36 anuran species, distributed in 10 families. The greatest richness of the sampled sites corresponds to a permanent rivulet in a secondary forest. The majority of anuran species presented seasonal vocalization activity pattern, mainly in the rainy season. The anuran species composition of FLOE Uaimií is similar to other studied areas from the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region. Read here |
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● The role of phytophysiognomies and seasonality on the structure of ground-dwelling anuran (Amphibia) in the Pampa biome, Southern Brazil(Franciéle P. Maragno, Tiago G. Santos and Sonia Z. Cechin) Pampa is naturally composed by mosaics of grassland and forests, resulting in ecotone zones. We demonstrated that each of these phytophysiognomies was responsible for the maintenance of distinct anuran assemblage, independently of seasonality. This means that even for species of open areas, as Pampa, heterogeneous phytophysiognomies are important for maintaining constancy of populations of anuran. Additionally, we noted that the structure of anuran assemblages, represented by a combination of species composition and abundance of individuals, was more effective on segregating assemblages from distinct phytophysiognomies than just richness, composition and abundance of anurans in each phytophysiognomy. Read here |
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● Efficiency of snake sampling methods in the Brazilian semiarid region(Paulo C.M.D. Mesquita, Daniel C. Passos and Sonia Cechin) The choice of methods to sample snakes often lack objective criteria, following herpetological tradition rather than pursuing specific goals. In this paper we compared the efficiency of the most commonly used methods to sample snakes from semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. We evaluated the cost-benefit of each method regarding sample richness and abundance, time and money spent. We found that time-constrained search was the most efficient method, whereas the traditional pitfall traps were the less effective. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of taking into account the suitability of methods to answer the specific questions of the research. Read here |
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● Pouteria ramiflora extract inhibits salivary amylolytic activity and decreases glycemic level in mice(Neire M. de Gouveia, Cibele L. de Albuquerque, Laila S. Espindola and Foued S. Espindola) In this study, 16 of plant species from the Cerrado biome extracts showed greater than 75% inhibition of human salivary amylase. The ethanolic extracts of Pouteria ramiflora obtained from stem bark and root bark have more than 95% inhibition at a final concentration of 20 μg/mL. The administration with 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of aqueous extract of P. ramiflora for eight days can significantly reduce body weight and blood glucose level in mice. We conclude that the extract of P. ramiflora may have active principle(s) that exert hypoglycemic activity due to alpha-amylase inhibitory effect. Read here |
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● Morphological and hematological studies of Trypanosoma spp. infecting ornamental armored catfish from Guamá River-PA, Brazil(Rodrigo Y. Fujimoto, Mikaelle S. Neves, Rudã F.B. Santos, Natalino C. Souza, Márcia V.S. do Couto, Josiane N.S. Lopes, Daniel G. Diniz, Jorge C. Eiras) The morphological and morphometric characterization of trypanosomes and the hematological parameters of seven Amazon plecos fish were determined. Leporacanthicus galaxias and Pseudacanthicus spinosus presented 100% infection prevalence, and the other species showed a variable prevalence of infection. The parasites showed clearly different morphotypes and dimensions, and probably belong to different species. The hematological response to the infection varied with the host. Several modifications on hematological parameters were found. The possibility of introduction of these parasites in new environments due to the artificial movements was discussed. Read here |
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● The role of cyclooxygenase-2 on endurance exercise training in female LDL-receptor knockout ovariectomized mice(Flavia de Oliveira, Laura B.M. Maifrino, Gustavo P.P. de Jesus, Juliana G. Carvalho, Cláudia Marchon and Daniel A. Ribeiro) Estrogen deprivation in postmenopausal women increases cardiovascular risk. Cardiovascular risk as a result of atherosclerosis is able to induce an inflammatory disease as far as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of COX-2 on exercise training in female mice LDL-KO with or without ovariectomy. Results showed that ovariectomy induced a strong immunoexpression in atherosclerosis lesion of LDL-KO mice. Nevertheless, a down-regulation of COX-2 expression was detected in LDL-KO trained ovariectomized when compared to LDL-KO sedentary. Our results are consistent with the notion that exercise training is able to modulate COX-2 expression in LDL-KO mice as a result of COX-2 down-regulation. Read here |
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● Effect of l-glutamine on myenteric neuron and of the mucous of the ileum of diabetic rats(Eleandro A. Tronchini, Aline R. Trevizan, Cristiano M. Tashima, Priscila de Freitas, Roberto B. Bazotte, Marli A.S. Pereira and Jacqueline N. Zanoni) The study aimed to investigate L-glutamine 1% supplementation on myenteric neurons and ileum mucosa of diabetic rats. The animals were divided in groups normoglycemic untreated (UN), normoglycemic treated with L-glutamine (NG), diabetic (UD) and diabetic treated with L-glutamine, starting with 4 (DG4) or 45 (DG45) days after diabetes induction. L-glutamine 1% supplementation was not effective in preventing the diabetes-induced loss of myosin-V myenteric neurons, but increased significantly the villus height of DG4 and DG45 groups when compared with UD group. New researches with other concentrations are necessary to prove the effectiveness of L-glutamine supplementation on enteric innervation of diabetic rats. Read here |
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● Hawkmoth fauna (Sphingidae, Lepidoptera) in a semi-deciduous rainforest remnant: composition, temporal fluctuations, and new records for northeastern Brazil |
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● Handling sticky Resin by Stingless Bees: Adhesive Properties of Surface Structures(Markus Gastauer, Lucio A.O. Campos and Dieter Wittmann) Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) collect resin to defend their nests against intruders like ants or Robber Bees. Small portions of the resin is attached to intruders’ bodies and extremities causing their immobilization. While the resin is easily removed from the bee’s mandible, it adheres strongly to the intruder’s cuticle. In our study it has been shown that resin sticks more to the smooth mandible of the bee than to the structured trochanter of the ant. Therefore, we hypnotize the bees that lubricate their mandibles with nectar or honey to reduce the resin’s adhesion temporarily. Read here |
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● Predictive factors of subjective sleep quality and insomnia complaint in patients with stroke: implications for clinical practice(Patrícia C. da Rocha, Marina T.M. Barroso, Ana Amália T.S.G. Dantas, Luciana P. Melo and Tania F. Campos) The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive factors of sleep quality and insomnia complaints in stroke. The study included 40 patients (57 ± 7 years) and 30 healthy controls (52 ± 6 years) assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Sleep Habits Questionnaire. The absence of insomnia complaint and the decreased latency of sleep were the protective factors of sleep quality. Female sex and fragmented sleep were the risk factors for insomnia complaint. We suggest that complaints of poor sleep quality and insomnia should be given priority assessment during clinical diagnosis in stroke. Read here |
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● Biochemical and hematological analysis in acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) a case report(Anna R.R. dos Santos, Rafaela R. de Albuquerque, Maria J.R. Doriqui, Graciomar C. Costa and Ana Paula S. Azevedo dos Santos) Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a disease caused by a decrease in hepatic porphobilinogen deaminase activity and the diagnosis is difficult because the signs and symptoms are nonspecific. This paper showed clinical and laboratory aspects in a case report, highlighting the hematological and biochemical parameters during and after the crisis. The analysis of laboratorial parameters showed anemia, leukocytosis, hyponatremia, mild hypokalemia, uremia and elevated C-reactive protein. The data showed the presence of gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms associated with the laboratory results presented in this study can be a strong predictor of AIP, contributing to early diagnosis." Read here |
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Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences
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