Determination of chemical structure and anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity of extracts from the roots of Lonchocarpus cultratus (Vell.) A.M.G. Azevedo & H.C. Lima.

Trypanosoma cruzi is the agent of Chagas disease, an infection that affects around 8 million people worldwide. The search for new anti-T. cruzi drugs are relevant, mainly because the treatment of this disease is limited to two drugs. The objective of this study was to investigate the trypanocidal and cytotoxic activity and elucidate the chemical profile of extracts from the roots of the Lonchocarpus cultratus. Roots from L. cultratus were submitted to successive extractions with hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol, resulting in LCH, LCD, and LCM extracts, respectively. Characterization of extracts was done using 1H-RMN, 13C-RMN, CC and TLC. Treatment of T. cruzi forms (epimastigotes, trypomastigotes, and amastigotes) with crescent concentrations of LCH, LCD, and LCM was done for 72, 48, and 48 h, respectively. After this, the percentage of inhibition and IC50/LC50 were calculated. Benznidazole was used as a positive control. Murine macrophages were treated with different concentrations of both extracts for 48 h, and after, the cellular viability was determined by the MTT method and CC50 was calculated. The chalcones derricin and lonchocarpine were identified in the hexane extract, and for the first time in the genus Lonchocarpus, the presence of a dihydrolonchocarpine derivative was observed. Other chalcones such as isocordoin and erioschalcone B were detected in the dichloromethane extract. The dichloromethane extract showed higher activity against all tested forms of T. cruzi than the other two extracts, with IC50 values of 10.98, 2.42, and 0.83 µg/mL, respectively; these values are very close to those of benznidazole. Although the dichloromethane extract presented a cytotoxic effect against mammalian cells, it showed selectivity against amastigotes. The methanolic extract showed the lowest anti-T. cruzi activity but was non-toxic to peritoneal murine macrophages. Thus, the genus Lonchocarpus had demonstrated in the past action against epimastigotes forms of T. cruzi but is the first time that the activity against infective forms is showed, which leading to further studies with in vivo tests.

Retrospective cross-sectional observational study on the epidemiological profile of dengue cases in Pernambuco state, Brazil, between 2015 and 2017.

BACKGROUND: The spread of Dengue virus (DENV) infections, as well as their signs and symptoms, are the result of a complex interaction between several factors. In Brazil, especially in the Northeastern, dengue is an important public health problem. Here, we report an epidemiological analysis of dengue cases in Pernambuco state, Northeastern Brazil, during 2015-2017. METHODS: This work is a retrospective cross-sectional observational study on the epidemiological profile of all dengue cases confirmed and reported to the Health Secretary of Pernambuco between 2015 and 2017. These data cover all municipalities of Pernambuco, except Fernando de Noronha. DENV-positive individuals were classified according to the dengue type (without and with warning signs, or severe dengue), age, gender, ethnicity and intermediate geographic region of residence (Recife, Caruaru, Serra Talhada or Petrolina). The distribution of cases over the years was assessed by χ2 test. Temperature and rainfall data were evaluated by Unpaired t-test. p-value < 0.05 and CI 95% were considered in all analyses. RESULTS: Most dengue cases was without warning signs. The most observed characteristics in the less severe dengue phenotypes were: female, mulatto ethnicity and age between 20 and 39 years old; this profile was more clearly observed in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, however, the numbers of dengue without and with warning signs were more evenly distributed and the difference in cases within groups decreased significantly. Regarding severe dengue, mulattoes were the most affected, but it is possible to note a trend towards a more uniform distribution between the genders and ages. Recife was the region with the highest numbers of both total cases and incidence rates and the highest rainfall levels. Overall, over the years, there has been a decrease in dengue cases in all regions of Pernambuco. CONCLUSIONS: We identified the epidemiological profile of dengue in Pernambuco, Brazil, reporting the gender, age, ethnicity and regions most affected by different dengue types. In addition, we observed that these cases were probably more influenced by rainfall than by temperature. Finally, we believe that this epidemiological knowledge is important to direct public health policies to the reality of each population.

Mealybug species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) on soursop and sugar apple (Annonaceae) in North-East Brazil, with description of a new species of Pseudococcus Westwood.

Several species of Annonaceae are economically important fruit-tree crops in North-East Brazil, including Pernambuco state. However, in several regions within the state, the fruits are commonly infested by mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae). There is a lack of information about the mealybug species damaging this produce, so a survey of mealybug species associated with commercial sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.) and soursop (A. muricata L.) was conducted in the main production areas. The species Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green), Planococcus minor (Maskell), Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley and Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel Miller were found on both Annona species. Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), Ferrisia dayslirii Kaydan Gullan and Ferrisia malvastra (MacDaniel) were found only on soursop; and Ferrisia cristinae Kaydan Gullan, Planococcus citri (Risso), Pseudococcus annonae sp. n. Pacheco da Silva Kaydan and Pseudococcus sp. were found only on sugar apple. The species F. cristinae, F. dasylirii, F. malvastra and Ph. solenopsis are recorded infesting these hosts for the first time. The most abundant mealybug species found were F. virgata, Pl. minor, Ps. jackbeardsleyi and M. hirsutus, often forming heavy infestations and damaging the fruits. A new species, Pseudococcus annonae sp. n. Pacheco da Silva Kaydan, is described and illustrated, and an identification key to the mealybug genera occurring on annonaceous species in the Neotropical region is also provided.

Two new Auletta Schmidt, 1870 (Axinellidae; Demospongiae; Porifera) from Brazil.

The genus Auletta Schmidt, 1970 comprises 14 valid species, with six known from the Atlantic Ocean. The genus was previously recorded for the Brazilian coast only in 1967 from surveys in Pernambuco State. The present paper describes two new Auletta from Northeastern Brazil. Auletta akaroa sp. nov. is from Alagoas State and it has a stalked tubular shape and small sinuous styles and strongyles. Auletta laboreli sp. nov. was found in Pernambuco State and it is a sponge with a cylindrical and cavernous body composed of styles with blunt and telescopic tips and sinuous strongyles. Both new species were compared with the other valid species of Auletta. The spicule complement and external morphology of the new species are discussed.

Leaf domatia in montane forest and Caatinga in the semiarid of Pernambuco State: Morphology and ecological implications / Domácias foliares em brejo de altitude e Caatinga no Semiárido pernambucano: morfologia e implicações ecológicas

Leaf domatia are cavity-shaped structures of different types or tufts of hairs located at the junction between ribs on the abaxial surface of the leaf blades of various families of angiosperms, serving as protection against phytophagous organisms by harboring beneficial mites, suggesting a mutualistic relationship. There is shortage of inventories of species with such structures; thus the present study examined native woody plant in two habitats of the backwoods of Pernambuco to identify the types of leaf domatia. 86 species were observed, 43 in Caatinga area, out of which five had domatia, and 43 in the montane forest, 11 species with domatia. Four types of domatia were observed: hairtufts, pocket, pit and revolute margin. There was predominance of plant species with leaf domatia in the area Carro Quebrado in Triunfo, Pernambuco State. These results corroborate the information available in the literature in which domatia are prevalent in more humid environments, and that these structures as micro-habitats influence the maintenance of diverse organisms.

Domácias foliares são estruturas em forma de cavidades de diferentes tipos ou tufos de tricomas localizados na junção entre as nervuras, na face abaxial das lâminas foliares de diversas famílias de angiospermas, servindo de defesa contra organismos fitófagos por abrigarem ácaros benéficos, sugerindo uma relação mutualística. Há escassez de inventários de espécies apresentando essas estruturas; diante disso, o presente estudo analisou plantas lenhosas nativas em dois ambientes do sertão de Pernambuco, visando identificar os tipos de domácias foliares. Foram observadas 86 espécies, 43 em área de Caatinga em as quais cinco apresentaram domácias e 43 no brejo de altitude, 11 espécies com domácias. Foram encontrados quatro tipos de domácias: tufo de pelos, bolso, cova e orla. Na área do Carro Quebrado, Triunfo, Estado do Pernambuco, as plantas com domácias foliares foram predominantes. Estes resultados corroboram as informações disponíveis na literatura de que domácias são predominantes em ambientes mais úmidos, e que essas estruturas como micro-habitats, influenciam a manutenção de diversos organismos.