Productivity and antioxidant activity of mung bean sprouts (Vigna radiata L.) mediated by some elicitors / Produtividade e atividade antioxidante de brotos de feijão (Vigna radiata L.) mediada por alguns elicitores

ABSTRACT: The production of bioactive food is one of the goals of agriculture. Sprouts used for human consumption are an efficient way to increase the intake of essential nutrients, such as minerals, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds. The use of elicitors can increase the nutritional value of these products. Biomass production, phenolic compound content, and antioxidant activity of mung bean sprouts (Vigna radiata L.) after elicitation were examined in this study. Mung bean sprouts were treated with salicylic acid (SA), ascorbic acid (AA), and tocopherol (TOC) at different concentrations and numbers of applications. Shoot and root lengths and dry mass were measured on five-day-old sprouts. Total phenol content and antioxidant activity were determined using the DPPH assay on dried ethanolic extracts. Total soluble protein content and superoxide dismutase activity were measured in frozen hypocotyls. All elicitors stimulated the antioxidant functions of sprouts and, at the highest concentrations, reduced the biometric parameters; therefore, lower concentrations were better. For the first time, a balance between elicitor concentration and application in instalments was achieved to maintain the production of sprouts with enhanced nutritional characteristics.

RESUMO: A produção de alimentos bioativos é um dos objetivos da agricultura. O uso de brotos para consumo humano é uma forma eficiente de aumentar a ingestão de nutrientes essenciais, como minerais, vitaminas e outros compostos bioativos. O uso de elicitores pode aumentar o valor nutricional desses produtos. A produção de biomassa, o conteúdo de compostos fenólicos e a atividade antioxidante de brotos de feijão (Vigna radiata L.) após a elicitação foram examinados neste estudo. Brotos de feijão foram tratados com ácido salicílico (SA), ácido ascórbico (AA) e tocoferol (TOC) em diferentes concentrações e número de aplicações. O comprimento da parte aérea e da raiz e a massa seca foram medidos em brotos com cinco dias de idade. O teor de fenol total e a atividade antioxidante foram determinados usando o ensaio DPPH em extratos etanólicos secos. O conteúdo total de proteína solúvel e atividade da superóxido dismutase foram medidos em hipocótilos congelados. Todos os elicitores estimularam as funções antioxidantes dos brotos e, nas maiores concentrações, reduziram os parâmetros biométricos; assim, concentrações mais baixas foram mais eficientes. Pela primeira vez, foi alcançado um equilíbrio entre a concentração do elicitor e a aplicação em parcelas para incrementar a produção de brotos e aprimorar características nutricionais aprimoradas.

Productivity and antioxidant activity of mung bean sprouts (Vigna radiata L. ) mediated by some elicitors / Produtividade e atividade antioxidante de brotos de feijão (Vigna radiata L. ) mediada por alguns elicitores

The production of bioactive food is one of the goals of agriculture. Sprouts used for human consumption are an efficient way to increase the intake of essential nutrients, such as minerals, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds. The use of elicitors can increase the nutritional value of these products. Biomass production, phenolic compound content, and antioxidant activity of mung bean sprouts (Vigna radiata L.) after elicitation were examined in this study. Mung bean sprouts were treated with salicylic acid (SA), ascorbic acid (AA), and tocopherol (TOC) at different concentrations and numbers of applications. Shoot and root lengths and dry mass were measured on five-day-old sprouts. Total phenol content and antioxidant activity were determined using the DPPH assay on dried ethanolic extracts. Total soluble protein content and superoxide dismutase activity were measured in frozen hypocotyls. All elicitors stimulated the antioxidant functions of sprouts and, at the highest concentrations, reduced the biometric parameters; therefore, lower concentrations were better. For the first time, a balance between elicitor concentration and application in instalments was achieved to maintain the production of sprouts with enhanced nutritional characteristics.

A produção de alimentos bioativos é um dos objetivos da agricultura. O uso de brotos para consumo humano é uma forma eficiente de aumentar a ingestão de nutrientes essenciais, como minerais, vitaminas e outros compostos bioativos. O uso de elicitores pode aumentar o valor nutricional desses produtos. A produção de biomassa, o conteúdo de compostos fenólicos e a atividade antioxidante de brotos de feijão (Vigna radiata L.) após a elicitação foram examinados neste estudo. Brotos de feijão foram tratados com ácido salicílico (SA), ácido ascórbico (AA) e tocoferol (TOC) em diferentes concentrações e número de aplicações. O comprimento da parte aérea e da raiz e a massa seca foram medidos em brotos com cinco dias de idade. O teor de fenol total e a atividade antioxidante foram determinados usando o ensaio DPPH em extratos etanólicos secos. O conteúdo total de proteína solúvel e atividade da superóxido dismutase foram medidos em hipocótilos congelados. Todos os elicitores estimularam as funções antioxidantes dos brotos e, nas maiores concentrações, reduziram os parâmetros biométricos; assim, concentrações mais baixas foram mais eficientes. Pela primeira vez, foi alcançado um equilíbrio entre a concentração do elicitor e a aplicação em parcelas para incrementar a produção de brotos e aprimorar características nutricionais aprimoradas.

Temporal distribution of fruit-feeding butterflies (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) in the eastern extreme of the Amazon region / Distribuição temporal de borboletas frugívoras (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) no extremo leste da região amazônica

Rainfall is one of the most influential factors driving insect seasonality in the Amazon region. However, few studies have analyzed the temporal dynamics of fruit-feeding butterflies in the Brazilian Amazon, specially in its eastern portion. Here, we evaluated the diversity patterns and temporal distribution of fruit-feeding butterflies in a remnant of eastern Amazon forest in the Baixada Maranhense, northeastern Brazil. Specifically, we tested whether fruit-feeding butterflies are temporally structured and whether rainfall influences species richness and abundance. Butterflies were collected with baited traps in both the rainy and dry seasons for two consecutive years. In total, we captured 493 butterflies belonging to 28 species, 15 genera and eight tribes. Three species comprised about half of the overall abundance, and Satyrinae was the most representative subfamily. The fruit-feeding butterfly assemblage showed a strong temporal structure during the second year of sampling, but not during the first year. Species composition and richness did not differ between rainy and dry seasons, and neither abundance nor richness was influenced by rainfall. Our results indicate that seasonality is not a strong environmental filter in this region, and that other biotic and abiotic factors are probably driving the community structure. The predominance of palms in the Baixada Maranhense, which are used as host plants by larvae of several lepidopteran species (specially satyrines) and are available year-round, might have contributed to the observed patterns of temporal diversity.(AU)

A pluviosidade é considerada um dos fatores mais determinantes na sazonalidade de insetos na região amazônica. No entanto, poucos estudos analisaram a dinâmica temporal de borboletas frugívoras na Amazônia brasileira, especialmente em sua porção oriental. Aqui, avaliamos os padrões de diversidade e a distribuição temporal de borboletas frugívoras em um remanescente de floresta amazônica oriental na Baixada Maranhense, nordeste do Brasil. Especificamente, testamos se borboletas frugívoras são temporalmente estruturadas e se a pluviosidade influencia a riqueza e abundância das espécies. As borboletas foram coletadas com armadilhas iscadas nas estações chuvosa e seca por dois anos consecutivos. No total, capturamos 493 borboletas pertencentes a 28 espécies, 15 gêneros e oito tribos. Três espécies representaram cerca da metade da abundância total, e Satyrinae foi a subfamília mais representativa. A assembleia de borboletas frugívoras apresentou uma forte estrutura temporal durante o segundo ano de amostragem, mas não durante o primeiro ano. A composição e riqueza de espécies não diferiram entre as estações chuvosa e seca, e tanto a abundância quanto a riqueza não foram influenciadas pela chuva. Nossos resultados indicam que a sazonalidade não é um filtro ambiental forte na região estudada, e que outros fatores bióticos e abióticos provavelmente determinam a estrutura da comunidade. A predominância de palmeiras na Baixada Maranhense, que são utilizadas como plantas hospedeiras por larvas de várias espécies de lepidópteros (especialmente satiríneos) e estão disponíveis durante todo o ano, pode ter contribuído para os padrões observados de diversidade temporal.(AU)

Species diversity and community structure of fruit-feeding butterflies (Lepidoptera: nymphalidae) in an eastern Amazonian forest

Deforestation has negative impacts on diversity and community patterns of several taxa. In the eastern Amazon, where much deforestation is predicted for the coming years, forests patches may be essential to maintain the local biodiversity. Despite increasing concerns about the conservation of threatened areas, few studies have been performed to analyze the communities of diversified groups, such as insects, in the eastern Amazon. Here, we investigated species diversity and community structure of fruit-feeding butterflies, a well-known bioindicator group, in a threatened remnant of an eastern Amazonian forest located on Maranhão Island, northeastern Brazil. Fruit-feeding butterflies were sampled monthly for one year. Diversity and evenness indices, richness estimators, rarefaction curve, and rank-abundance plot were used to describe community structure in the study area. We captured 529 fruit-feeding butterflies in four subfamilies, 23 genera and 34 species. The three most abundant species, Hamadryas februa, Hamadryas feronia, and Hermeuptychia cf. atalanta are indicators of disturbed habitats and represented more than half of the collected individuals. Richness estimators revealed that between 87 and 94% of the fruit-feeding butterfly species were sampled, suggesting few additional records would be made for the area. Our results indicate that human-caused disturbances have altered local community patterns and provide baseline data for future research in threatened regions of the eastern Amazon.

O desmatamento tem impactos negativos na diversidade e padrões de comunidades de diversos taxa. Na Amazônia Oriental, onde um grande desmatamento é previsto para os próximos anos, manchas florestais podem ser essenciais para manter a biodiversidade local. Apesar de crescente preocupação quanto à conservação de áreas ameaçadas, poucos estudos foram realizados a fim de analisar comunidades de grupos diversificados, como insetos, na Amazônia Oriental. Aqui, nós investigamos a diversidade de espécies e a estrutura da comunidade de borboletas frugívoras, um reconhecido grupo de bioindicadores, em um remanescente de floresta Amazônica Oriental localizada na Ilha do Maranhão, Nordeste do Brasil. As borboletas frugívoras foram amostradas mensalmente por um ano. Índices de diversidade e equitabilidade, estimadores de riqueza, curva de rarefação e um gráfico de rank/abundância foram utilizados para descrever a estrutura da comunidade na área de estudo. Nós capturamos 529 borboletas frugívoras de quatro subfamílias, 23 gêneros e 34 espécies. As três espécies mais abundantes, Hamadryas februa, Hamadryas feronia e Hermeuptychia cf. atalanta são indicadores de habitats perturbados e representaram mais da metade dos indivíduos coletados. Os estimadores de riqueza revelaram que entre 87 e 94% das espécies de borboletas frugívoras foram amostradas, sugerindo que poucos registros adicionais seriam feitos para a área. Nossos resultados indicam que distúrbios antrópicos alteraram padrões da comunidade local e fornecem dados para pesquisas futuras em regiões ameaçadas da Amazônia Oriental.

Species diversity and community structure of fruit-feeding butterflies (Lepidoptera: nymphalidae) in an eastern Amazonian forest

Deforestation has negative impacts on diversity and community patterns of several taxa. In the eastern Amazon, where much deforestation is predicted for the coming years, forests patches may be essential to maintain the local biodiversity. Despite increasing concerns about the conservation of threatened areas, few studies have been performed to analyze the communities of diversified groups, such as insects, in the eastern Amazon. Here, we investigated species diversity and community structure of fruit-feeding butterflies, a well-known bioindicator group, in a threatened remnant of an eastern Amazonian forest located on Maranhão Island, northeastern Brazil. Fruit-feeding butterflies were sampled monthly for one year. Diversity and evenness indices, richness estimators, rarefaction curve, and rank-abundance plot were used to describe community structure in the study area. We captured 529 fruit-feeding butterflies in four subfamilies, 23 genera and 34 species. The three most abundant species, Hamadryas februa, Hamadryas feronia, and Hermeuptychia cf. atalanta are indicators of disturbed habitats and represented more than half of the collected individuals. Richness estimators revealed that between 87 and 94% of the fruit-feeding butterfly species were sampled, suggesting few additional records would be made for the area. Our results indicate that human-caused disturbances have altered local community patterns and provide baseline data for future research in threatened regions of the eastern Amazon.(AU)

O desmatamento tem impactos negativos na diversidade e padrões de comunidades de diversos taxa. Na Amazônia Oriental, onde um grande desmatamento é previsto para os próximos anos, manchas florestais podem ser essenciais para manter a biodiversidade local. Apesar de crescente preocupação quanto à conservação de áreas ameaçadas, poucos estudos foram realizados a fim de analisar comunidades de grupos diversificados, como insetos, na Amazônia Oriental. Aqui, nós investigamos a diversidade de espécies e a estrutura da comunidade de borboletas frugívoras, um reconhecido grupo de bioindicadores, em um remanescente de floresta Amazônica Oriental localizada na Ilha do Maranhão, Nordeste do Brasil. As borboletas frugívoras foram amostradas mensalmente por um ano. Índices de diversidade e equitabilidade, estimadores de riqueza, curva de rarefação e um gráfico de rank/abundância foram utilizados para descrever a estrutura da comunidade na área de estudo. Nós capturamos 529 borboletas frugívoras de quatro subfamílias, 23 gêneros e 34 espécies. As três espécies mais abundantes, Hamadryas februa, Hamadryas feronia e Hermeuptychia cf. atalanta são indicadores de habitats perturbados e representaram mais da metade dos indivíduos coletados. Os estimadores de riqueza revelaram que entre 87 e 94% das espécies de borboletas frugívoras foram amostradas, sugerindo que poucos registros adicionais seriam feitos para a área. Nossos resultados indicam que distúrbios antrópicos alteraram padrões da comunidade local e fornecem dados para pesquisas futuras em regiões ameaçadas da Amazônia Oriental.(AU)

Is the population of Crotalus durissus (Serpentes, Viperidae) expanding in Brazil?

Crotalus durissus are found from Mexico to northern Argentina in a highly disjunct distribution. According to some studies, this species is prone to occupy areas disturbed by human activities and floods comprise a plausible method of dispersal as inferred for some North American rattlesnakes. Based on the literature, it seems plausible that Crotalus durissus expanded their natural distribution in Brazil due to floods, but only in a few municipalities in Rio de Janeiro State. Data entries of Butantan Institute, in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1998 to 2012 show a declining tendency of snakes brought by donors. In addition, research shows no evidence of Crotalus durissus being an expanding species in the Brazilian territory.

Is the population of Crotalus durissus (Serpentes, Viperidae) expanding in Brazil?

Crotalus durissus are found from Mexico to northern Argentina in a highly disjunct distribution. According to some studies, this species is prone to occupy areas disturbed by human activities and floods comprise a plausible method of dispersal as inferred for some North American rattlesnakes. Based on the literature, it seems plausible that Crotalus durissus expanded their natural distribution in Brazil due to floods, but only in a few municipalities in Rio de Janeiro State. Data entries of Butantan Institute, in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1998 to 2012 show a declining tendency of snakes brought by donors. In addition, research shows no evidence of Crotalus durissus being an expanding species in the Brazilian territory.(AU)

Is the population of Crotalus durissus (Serpentes, Viperidae) expanding in Brazil?

Crotalus durissus are found from Mexico to northern Argentina in a highly disjunct distribution. According to some studies, this species is prone to occupy areas disturbed by human activities and floods comprise a plausible method of dispersal as inferred for some North American rattlesnakes. Based on the literature, it seems plausible that Crotalus durissus expanded their natural distribution in Brazil due to floods, but only in a few municipalities in Rio de Janeiro State. Data entries of Butantan Institute, in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1998 to 2012 show a declining tendency of snakes brought by donors. In addition, research shows no evidence of Crotalus durissus being an expanding species in the Brazilian territory.

Immature stages of the moth Lobeza dentilinea (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), with redescription of the species based on male and female morphology

Egg and pupa of Lobeza dentilinea Schaus, 1901 are described and illustrated for the first time. Eggs are smooth, dome-shaped, and greenish at oviposition. Last instar larvae have an aposematic coloration and the chaetotaxy is very similar to other notodontines, except for the number of lateral setae: L. dentilinea has three instead of four lateral setae on abdominal segments A3-A6. Pupae are light brown and typical of the family, with the last abdominal segments broadly round. Evidence from the adult morphology supporting the placement of the genus in Notodontinae includes proboscis smaller than the length of the head, epiphysis with more than half the length of tibia, tarsal claws simple, and labial palpi short. Male and female are confidently associated, and a redescription of the species is presented based on both sexes. Larvae of L. dentilinea are here recorded feeding on a Melastomataceae.

Immature stages of the moth Lobeza dentilinea (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), with redescription of the species based on male and female morphology

Egg and pupa of Lobeza dentilinea Schaus, 1901 are described and illustrated for the first time. Eggs are smooth, dome-shaped, and greenish at oviposition. Last instar larvae have an aposematic coloration and the chaetotaxy is very similar to other notodontines, except for the number of lateral setae: L. dentilinea has three instead of four lateral setae on abdominal segments A3-A6. Pupae are light brown and typical of the family, with the last abdominal segments broadly round. Evidence from the adult morphology supporting the placement of the genus in Notodontinae includes proboscis smaller than the length of the head, epiphysis with more than half the length of tibia, tarsal claws simple, and labial palpi short. Male and female are confidently associated, and a redescription of the species is presented based on both sexes. Larvae of L. dentilinea are here recorded feeding on a Melastomataceae.

Immature stages of the moth Lobeza dentilinea (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), with redescription of the species based on male and female morphology

Egg and pupa of Lobeza dentilinea Schaus, 1901 are described and illustrated for the first time. Eggs are smooth, dome-shaped, and greenish at oviposition. Last instar larvae have an aposematic coloration and the chaetotaxy is very similar to other notodontines, except for the number of lateral setae: L. dentilinea has three instead of four lateral setae on abdominal segments A3-A6. Pupae are light brown and typical of the family, with the last abdominal segments broadly round. Evidence from the adult morphology supporting the placement of the genus in Notodontinae includes proboscis smaller than the length of the head, epiphysis with more than half the length of tibia, tarsal claws simple, and labial palpi short. Male and female are confidently associated, and a redescription of the species is presented based on both sexes. Larvae of L. dentilinea are here recorded feeding on a Melastomataceae.

Soil invertebrates in southern Brazilian Araucaria forest - grassland mosaic: differences between disturbed and undisturbed areas

Soil invertebrate distribution in Araucaria forest, grassland and edge habitats was studied in both disturbed and undisturbed areas in southern Brazil. Mean-density and taxa compositions were verified. Invertebrate densities differed between grassland and the other two habitats in the undisturbed area but not across the disturbed one. At the disturbed area taxa differed between the grassland and the other two habitats. The undisturbed area, on the other hand, presented taxa differences only between the grassland and the forest habitats. Acari, Arachnida and Collembola were the most sensitive taxa for detecting differences across habitats in both areas. At the disturbed area, these taxa presented densities lowering from the forest to the grassland. At the undisturbed area the same taxa increased from the forest to the grassland. Coleoptera and Formicidae (Insecta) presented no difference between habitats at the studied taxonomic level.

A distribuição dos invertebrados de solo entre os em ambientes de floresta com Araucaria, borda-de-mata e campo, foi analisada em duas áreas no sul do Brasil: uma reserva ecológica e uma propriedade agrícola. A densidade média e a composição dos principais taxa foram verificadas. A densidade total de invertebrados diferiu entre o campo e os outros dois hábitats na área protegida, mas não na fazenda. A composição dos taxa diferiu entre o hábitat de campo e os outros dois habitats na fazenda, e entre o campo e a mata com Araucaria na área protegida. Acari, Arachnida e Collembola foram os grupos que mais apresentaram diferenças entre os diferentes habitats. Na área alterada (fazenda), esses grupos apresentaram diminuição na densidade na direção da floresta com Araucária para o campo, enquanto que na área protegida suas densidades foram maiores no campo do que na floresta com Araucária. Coleoptera e Formicidae (Insecta) não apresentaram diferenças significativas no nível taxonômico estudado.

Soil invertebrates in southern Brazilian Araucaria forest - grassland mosaic: differences between disturbed and undisturbed areas

Soil invertebrate distribution in Araucaria forest, grassland and edge habitats was studied in both disturbed and undisturbed areas in southern Brazil. Mean-density and taxa compositions were verified. Invertebrate densities differed between grassland and the other two habitats in the undisturbed area but not across the disturbed one. At the disturbed area taxa differed between the grassland and the other two habitats. The undisturbed area, on the other hand, presented taxa differences only between the grassland and the forest habitats. Acari, Arachnida and Collembola were the most sensitive taxa for detecting differences across habitats in both areas. At the disturbed area, these taxa presented densities lowering from the forest to the grassland. At the undisturbed area the same taxa increased from the forest to the grassland. Coleoptera and Formicidae (Insecta) presented no difference between habitats at the studied taxonomic level.

A distribuição dos invertebrados de solo entre os em ambientes de floresta com Araucaria, borda-de-mata e campo, foi analisada em duas áreas no sul do Brasil: uma reserva ecológica e uma propriedade agrícola. A densidade média e a composição dos principais taxa foram verificadas. A densidade total de invertebrados diferiu entre o campo e os outros dois hábitats na área protegida, mas não na fazenda. A composição dos taxa diferiu entre o hábitat de campo e os outros dois habitats na fazenda, e entre o campo e a mata com Araucaria na área protegida. Acari, Arachnida e Collembola foram os grupos que mais apresentaram diferenças entre os diferentes habitats. Na área alterada (fazenda), esses grupos apresentaram diminuição na densidade na direção da floresta com Araucária para o campo, enquanto que na área protegida suas densidades foram maiores no campo do que na floresta com Araucária. Coleoptera e Formicidae (Insecta) não apresentaram diferenças significativas no nível taxonômico estudado.

Candida isolates in tertiary hospitals in northeastern Brazil

Candida is an opportunistic pathogen that affects highrisk patients who are either immunocompromised or critically ill and is associated with almost 80% of all nosocomial fungal infections, representing the major cause of fungemia with high mortality rates (40%). Candida albicans is the main cause of candidemia and among the non-albicans species C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis are the most frequent agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of Candida species in two tertiary hospitals in Recife, Northeastern Brazil. It began by surveying all positive Candida cultures processed by the microbiology laboratory from September 2003 to September 2006. The cultures, originated from various types of biological material (blood, urine, tracheal, catheter and others), were processed by Vitec® system (Biomerieux SA, France). A total of 1.279 (hospital A: 837; hospital B: 442) sample isolates were positive for Candida. The most frequent species in both hospitals were: C. albicans (367), C. tropicalis (363), C. parapsilosis (147), C. glabrata (81), C. krusei (30) and C. guillermondii (14). The isolates were obtained from 746 hospitalized patients. A total of 221 positive hemocultures were detected in 166 different patients in both hospitals, and 113 (68.1%) of these patients with positive hemocultures presented Candida in other body sites.This study shows thatCandida non-albicans was the main isolated agent and evidences the importante of C. tropicalis in nosocomial fungal infections.

Candida é um patógeno oportunista que afeta pacientes de alto risco que estão também imunocomprometidos ou criticamente doentes, estando associada a quase 80% de todos os casos de infecções fúngicas nosocomiais, representando a maior causa de fungemia com alta taxa de mortalidade (40%). Candida albicans é a principal causa de candidemia e dentre as espécies não-albicans a C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata e C. tropicalis são os agentes mais frequentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a distribuição das espécies de Candida em dois hospitais terciários no Recife, nordeste do Brasil. Foi realizado um levantamento de todas as culturas positivas para Candida processadas pelo laboratório de microbiologia de Setembro de 2003 a Setembro de 2006. Todas as culturas originadas de vários tipos de material biológico (sangue, urina, traquéia, catéter e outros) foram processadas pelo sistema Vitec® (Biomerrieux SA, France). Um total de 1.279 amostras (hospital A:837; hospital B: 442) foram positivas para Candida. As espécies mais frequentes em ambos os hospitais foram: C.albicans (367), C. tropicalis (363), C. parapsilosis (147), C. glabrata (81), C. krusei (30) e C. guillermondii (14). Os isolados foram obtidos de 746 pacientes hospitalizados. Um total de 221 hemoculturas positivas foram detectadas em 166 diferentes pacientes em ambos os hospitais, e 113 (68,1%) destes pacientes com hemoculturas positivas apresentavam Candida em outros locais do corpo. Este estudo mostrou que Candida não-albicans foi o principal agente isolado e prova a importância da C. tropicalis em infecções fúngicas nosocomiais.

Candida isolates in tertiary hospitals in northeastern Brazil

Candida is an opportunistic pathogen that affects highrisk patients who are either immunocompromised or critically ill and is associated with almost 80% of all nosocomial fungal infections, representing the major cause of fungemia with high mortality rates (40%). Candida albicans is the main cause of candidemia and among the non-albicans species C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata and C. tropicalis are the most frequent agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of Candida species in two tertiary hospitals in Recife, Northeastern Brazil. It began by surveying all positive Candida cultures processed by the microbiology laboratory from September 2003 to September 2006. The cultures, originated from various types of biological material (blood, urine, tracheal, catheter and others), were processed by Vitec® system (Biomerieux SA, France). A total of 1.279 (hospital A: 837; hospital B: 442) sample isolates were positive for Candida. The most frequent species in both hospitals were: C. albicans (367), C. tropicalis (363), C. parapsilosis (147), C. glabrata (81), C. krusei (30) and C. guillermondii (14). The isolates were obtained from 746 hospitalized patients. A total of 221 positive hemocultures were detected in 166 different patients in both hospitals, and 113 (68.1%) of these patients with positive hemocultures presented Candida in other body sites.This study shows thatCandida non-albicans was the main isolated agent and evidences the importante of C. tropicalis in nosocomial fungal infections.

Candida é um patógeno oportunista que afeta pacientes de alto risco que estão também imunocomprometidos ou criticamente doentes, estando associada a quase 80% de todos os casos de infecções fúngicas nosocomiais, representando a maior causa de fungemia com alta taxa de mortalidade (40%). Candida albicans é a principal causa de candidemia e dentre as espécies não-albicans a C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata e C. tropicalis são os agentes mais frequentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a distribuição das espécies de Candida em dois hospitais terciários no Recife, nordeste do Brasil. Foi realizado um levantamento de todas as culturas positivas para Candida processadas pelo laboratório de microbiologia de Setembro de 2003 a Setembro de 2006. Todas as culturas originadas de vários tipos de material biológico (sangue, urina, traquéia, catéter e outros) foram processadas pelo sistema Vitec® (Biomerrieux SA, France). Um total de 1.279 amostras (hospital A:837; hospital B: 442) foram positivas para Candida. As espécies mais frequentes em ambos os hospitais foram: C.albicans (367), C. tropicalis (363), C. parapsilosis (147), C. glabrata (81), C. krusei (30) e C. guillermondii (14). Os isolados foram obtidos de 746 pacientes hospitalizados. Um total de 221 hemoculturas positivas foram detectadas em 166 diferentes pacientes em ambos os hospitais, e 113 (68,1%) destes pacientes com hemoculturas positivas apresentavam Candida em outros locais do corpo. Este estudo mostrou que Candida não-albicans foi o principal agente isolado e prova a importância da C. tropicalis em infecções fúngicas nosocomiais.

Morfologia externa do adulto de Hemiargus hanno (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Polyommatinae, Polyommatini): II. Região cervical, tórax e abdome

This paper is intended to allow further comparative contributions regarding the Neotropical lycaenid butterflies. Hemiargus hanno (Stoll, 1790) is chosen as first Neotropical polyommatine to be described in detail. This butterfly is a common species in many open weedy areas, pastures, and fields, widely distributed from southern Texas and Central America to Argentina. Line drawings and SEM photographs are provided.

O presente trabalho visa fornecer subsídios para estudos morfológicos comparativos de Lycaenidae neotropicais. Hemiargus hanno (Stoll, 1790) é a primeira espécie neotropical de Polyommatinae a ter sua morfologia detalhada na literatura. Essa borboleta pode ser encontrada em ambientes abertos com vegetação rasteira, desde o sul do Texas até a Argentina. A morfologia da região cervical, do tórax e do abdome de H. hanno foi estudada com auxílio da microscopia óptica e de varredura.

Morfologia externa do adulto de Hemiargus hanno (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae, Polyommatinae, Polyommatini): II. Região cervical, tórax e abdome

This paper is intended to allow further comparative contributions regarding the Neotropical lycaenid butterflies. Hemiargus hanno (Stoll, 1790) is chosen as first Neotropical polyommatine to be described in detail. This butterfly is a common species in many open weedy areas, pastures, and fields, widely distributed from southern Texas and Central America to Argentina. Line drawings and SEM photographs are provided.

O presente trabalho visa fornecer subsídios para estudos morfológicos comparativos de Lycaenidae neotropicais. Hemiargus hanno (Stoll, 1790) é a primeira espécie neotropical de Polyommatinae a ter sua morfologia detalhada na literatura. Essa borboleta pode ser encontrada em ambientes abertos com vegetação rasteira, desde o sul do Texas até a Argentina. A morfologia da região cervical, do tórax e do abdome de H. hanno foi estudada com auxílio da microscopia óptica e de varredura.

Abundância de microartrópodes do solo em fragmentos de mata com araucária no sul do Brasil

The abundance of soil microarthropods from seven fragments of Araucaria Forest, Muitos Capões, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was compared. The size of the fragments ranged from 0.25 ha to 35 ha, the two largest fragments are situated within the Aracuri Ecological Station and the remaining five are situated in a cattle ranching farm. In June 2000, three plots (10 m x 10 m) were established in the central area of each patch, and three soil cores (7 cm diameter x 6 cm deep) were taken per plot. The abundance of microarthropods in the upper six centimeters (soil + litter) varied between 63209 and 102704 ind.m-2, with oribatid mites (Acari, Cryptostigmata) being dominant in all fragments (between 46.9 % and 61.3 % of total individuals). Most microarthropod groups presented a decrease in abundance with decreasing fragment area, with a statistically significant difference between smaller and larger fragments. The proportion of oribatids also decreased with decreasing fragment area. The results suggest that the growing fragmentation process of Araucaria forests in southern Brazil, associated to a tendency for reducing the size of remnant fragments, can affect the abundance of soil microarthropods, and therefore, the quality and health of this ecosystem.

Abundância de microartrópodes do solo em fragmentos de mata com araucária no sul do Brasil

The abundance of soil microarthropods from seven fragments of Araucaria Forest, Muitos Capões, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was compared. The size of the fragments ranged from 0.25 ha to 35 ha, the two largest fragments are situated within the Aracuri Ecological Station and the remaining five are situated in a cattle ranching farm. In June 2000, three plots (10 m x 10 m) were established in the central area of each patch, and three soil cores (7 cm diameter x 6 cm deep) were taken per plot. The abundance of microarthropods in the upper six centimeters (soil + litter) varied between 63209 and 102704 ind.m-2, with oribatid mites (Acari, Cryptostigmata) being dominant in all fragments (between 46.9 % and 61.3 % of total individuals). Most microarthropod groups presented a decrease in abundance with decreasing fragment area, with a statistically significant difference between smaller and larger fragments. The proportion of oribatids also decreased with decreasing fragment area. The results suggest that the growing fragmentation process of Araucaria forests in southern Brazil, associated to a tendency for reducing the size of remnant fragments, can affect the abundance of soil microarthropods, and therefore, the quality and health of this ecosystem.

Abundância de microartrópodes do solo em fragmentos de mata com araucária no sul do Brasil

The abundance of soil microarthropods from seven fragments of Araucaria Forest, Muitos Capões, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was compared. The size of the fragments ranged from 0.25 ha to 35 ha, the two largest fragments are situated within the Aracuri Ecological Station and the remaining five are situated in a cattle ranching farm. In June 2000, three plots (10 m x 10 m) were established in the central area of each patch, and three soil cores (7 cm diameter x 6 cm deep) were taken per plot. The abundance of microarthropods in the upper six centimeters (soil + litter) varied between 63209 and 102704 ind.m-2, with oribatid mites (Acari, Cryptostigmata) being dominant in all fragments (between 46.9 % and 61.3 % of total individuals). Most microarthropod groups presented a decrease in abundance with decreasing fragment area, with a statistically significant difference between smaller and larger fragments. The proportion of oribatids also decreased with decreasing fragment area. The results suggest that the growing fragmentation process of Araucaria forests in southern Brazil, associated to a tendency for reducing the size of remnant fragments, can affect the abundance of soil microarthropods, and therefore, the quality and health of this ecosystem.