One sixth of Amazonian tree diversity is dependent on river floodplains.

Amazonia's floodplain system is the largest and most biodiverse on Earth. Although forests are crucial to the ecological integrity of floodplains, our understanding of their species composition and how this may differ from surrounding forest types is still far too limited, particularly as changing inundation regimes begin to reshape floodplain tree communities and the critical ecosystem functions they underpin. Here we address this gap by taking a spatially explicit look at Amazonia-wide patterns of tree-species turnover and ecological specialization of the region's floodplain forests. We show that the majority of Amazonian tree species can inhabit floodplains, and about a sixth of Amazonian tree diversity is ecologically specialized on floodplains. The degree of specialization in floodplain communities is driven by regional flood patterns, with the most compositionally differentiated floodplain forests located centrally within the fluvial network and contingent on the most extraordinary flood magnitudes regionally. Our results provide a spatially explicit view of ecological specialization of floodplain forest communities and expose the need for whole-basin hydrological integrity to protect the Amazon's tree diversity and its function.

Mapping density, diversity and species-richness of the Amazon tree flora.

Using 2.046 botanically-inventoried tree plots across the largest tropical forest on Earth, we mapped tree species-diversity and tree species-richness at 0.1-degree resolution, and investigated drivers for diversity and richness. Using only location, stratified by forest type, as predictor, our spatial model, to the best of our knowledge, provides the most accurate map of tree diversity in Amazonia to date, explaining approximately 70% of the tree diversity and species-richness. Large soil-forest combinations determine a significant percentage of the variation in tree species-richness and tree alpha-diversity in Amazonian forest-plots. We suggest that the size and fragmentation of these systems drive their large-scale diversity patterns and hence local diversity. A model not using location but cumulative water deficit, tree density, and temperature seasonality explains 47% of the tree species-richness in the terra-firme forest in Amazonia. Over large areas across Amazonia, residuals of this relationship are small and poorly spatially structured, suggesting that much of the residual variation may be local. The Guyana Shield area has consistently negative residuals, showing that this area has lower tree species-richness than expected by our models. We provide extensive plot meta-data, including tree density, tree alpha-diversity and tree species-richness results and gridded maps at 0.1-degree resolution.

Unraveling Amazon tree community assembly using Maximum Information Entropy: a quantitative analysis of tropical forest ecology.

In a time of rapid global change, the question of what determines patterns in species abundance distribution remains a priority for understanding the complex dynamics of ecosystems. The constrained maximization of information entropy provides a framework for the understanding of such complex systems dynamics by a quantitative analysis of important constraints via predictions using least biased probability distributions. We apply it to over two thousand hectares of Amazonian tree inventories across seven forest types and thirteen functional traits, representing major global axes of plant strategies. Results show that constraints formed by regional relative abundances of genera explain eight times more of local relative abundances than constraints based on directional selection for specific functional traits, although the latter does show clear signals of environmental dependency. These results provide a quantitative insight by inference from large-scale data using cross-disciplinary methods, furthering our understanding of ecological dynamics.

Healing of dermal wounds property of Caryocar brasiliense oil loaded polymeric lipid-core nanocapsules: formulation and in vivo evaluation.

Cutaneous lesions lead to complications in patients, since they may be recurrent and also represent risk of progression to infection and/or amputation. Therefore, effective, protective, and topical treatments of easy application and removal need to be developed to provide effective alternatives to patients. The Caryocar brasiliense Cambess (CBC) presents important pharmacological activities and proved in the healing process. This paper reports the improvement of the CBC nanostructured (LNCCBC and LNCCBC+) activity in dermal wounds in vivo. The oil was physico-chemically characterized and used in the development of lipid-core nanocapsules (LNCs), coated (LNCCBC+) or without chitosan (LNCCBC), in concentration of 1.0 mg mL-1. Hydrogel (HG) was tested in vivo on lesions in the back of male Wistar rats for 14 days. The oil presented appropriate physico-chemical characteristics for its use, such as moisture 0.76 %, acidity 0.85 % and oleic acid 25.90 %. The LNCs showed nanometric size (around 200 nm), monomodal distribution, slight acid pH and zeta potential of + 22.1 mV in accordance with the composition. The nanostructured oil induced dermal healing in vivo showing significantly better improvement than free oil. LNCCBC+ showed best results showing the higher increase of the production of type 1 collagen, an important protein to the healing repair. These results suggest that development of formulations LNCCBC and LNCCBC+ are promising and important alternative for the treatment of dermal wounds, avoiding complications related to cutaneous lesions.

Improved antimutagenic effect of Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl. ) Miers nanostructured extract in liposome and polymeric nanoparticle

Abstract Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl.) Miers, popularly known as "Cipó-de São-João", has been used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. Nanotechnology is able to enhance the pharmacological activity of plant extracts. In this context, liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles containing P. venusta ethanolic extract were developed and then physico-chemically characterized to evaluate the mutagenic/antimutagenic effects of P. venusta. In addition, transaminases and serum creatinine were biochemically analyzed for liver and renal damage, respectively. The micronucleus test was performed with male Swiss mice treated orally for 15 consecutive days with free extracts and nanostructured with P. venusta, and then intraperitoneally with N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea (50 mg/kg) on the 15th day of treatment. Micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) were evaluated in bone marrow. There was a significant reduction in the frequency of MNPCE (LPEPV = 183% and NPEPV = 114%, p < 0.001), indicating antimutagenic potential of the nanostructured extracts with P. venusta. The groups treated with only nanostructured extract did not show an increase in MNPCE frequency, and biochemical analyzes showed no significant difference between treatments. The liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles containing Pyrostegia venusta ethanolic extract showed biological potential in preventing the first step of carcinogenesis under the experimental conditions

Volatile compounds in off-odor honey / Compostos voláteis em mel com odor indesejável

ABSTRACT: Climatic conditions in the mid-northern region of Mato Grosso State in Brazil are favorable for beekeeping. However, since 2011, the honey production chain has suffered losses because the production of off-odor honey has made it impossible to market the honey. Reports from beekeepers indicated a relationship between the off-odor in the honey and the nectar of Borreria verticillata (L.) G. Mey (Rubiaceae). In this study, the botanical origins and volatile profiles of ten off-odor honeys (H1-H10) and flowers of B. verticillata were evaluated. Palynological and sensorial analyses of the honeys were performed; a scale from 1 to 4 was applied for the sensorial analysis, in which 1 indicates no off-odor and 4 indicates extreme off-odor. Analysis of volatile was performed by using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy methods. The honeys investigated were classified with very high to intense off-odors, except H4 and H5, which did not differ from the control honey (no off-odor). Palynological analyses showed that honeys H1-H4, H7, and H9 were monofloral from B. verticillata, whereas in H5, H6, H8, and H10 this pollen were accessory. However, there was no quantitative correlation between the B. verticillata pollen content and the off-odor attributes of the honeys. Skatole was identified in all of the honeys except H4, H5, and the control honeys, suggesting that skatole contributed to the off-odor attributes of the products. However, further studies are required to investigate the origin of the skatole because it is not transferred directly from B. verticillata flowers to the honey.

RESUMO: As condições climáticas da região Centro-Norte do Estado de Mato Grosso são favoráveis a apicultura, contudo ocorrem prejuízos nesta cadeia produtiva desde 2011 devido a produção de mel com odor indesejável, o que impossibilitou sua comercialização. Relatos dos apicultores apontaram relação da ocorrência do odor indesejável no mel com o néctar Borreria verticillata (L.) G. Mey (Rubiaceae). Neste estudo foi avaliado a origem botânica e o perfil de voláteis de méis (M1 até M10) com odor indesejável e das flores de B. verticillata. Foi realizada a análise polínica do mel e também sensorial, empregando-se uma escala de um a quatro pontos, em que um refere-se a nenhum odor desagradável e quatro, extremo odor desagradável. A análise de compostos voláteis no mel e nas flores de B. verticillata foi realizada utilizando microextração em fase sólida por headspace e cromatografia gasosa acoplada a detector por espectrometria de massas. Os méis investigados foram classificados desde muito a extremo odor desagradável, exceto os méis M4 e M5, que não diferiram do mel controle (sem odor indesejável). Os méis M1 até M4, M7 e M9 eram monoflorais de B. verticillata, enquanto M5, M6, M8 e M10 o pólen B. verticillata era acessório. Todavia, não foi observada correlação quantitativa entre o teor deste pólen e o atributo odor indesejável. O escatol foi identificado nos méis investigados, exceto em M4, M5 e mel controle. Estes resultados sugerem que o escatol contribuiu para o atributo odor desagradável do produto. Contudo, mais estudos devem ser conduzidos para investigar a origem do odor indesejável, porque o escatol não foi transferido diretamente das flores para o mel.

Ethnobotany and regional knowledge: combining popular knowledge with the biotechnological potential of plants in the Aldeia Velha community, Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso, Brazil / Etnobotánica y conocimiento regional: Combinando conocimiento popular con el potencial biotecnológico de plantas en la comunidad de Aldeia Velha, Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Grosso, Brasil

Ethnobotanical studies were conducted in the Aldeia Velha community (Mato Grosso, Brazil) through semi-structured interviews. The majority of participants were women who have resided for more than 20 years in the community. Seventy-two species (39 families) were cataloged; leaf tea was the most common form of preparation. Over 80% were medicinal, with much of it is used for inflammation and disorders of the respiratory, digestive or genitourinary systems. Finally, seven species occurring in the Chapada dos Guimarães cerrado have biotechnological potential, especially Amburana cearensis, Mikania glomerata and Pseudobrickellia brasiliensis, where conservation measures are necessary due to their high risk of extinction and/or vulnerability.

El presente trabajo muestra resultados de un estudio etnobotánico realizado en la comunidad Aldeia Velha (Mato Grosso, Brasil). La información de uso de las especies fue colectada a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, aplicadas a mujeres que residen hace más de 20 años en ese local. Adicionalmente fueron catalogadas 72 especies distribuidas en 39 familias. Entre las especies catalogadas más del 80% fueron informadas como medicinales, generalmente utilizadas para el tratamiento de inflamaciones, trastornos del sistema respiratorio, digestivo y genitourinario. Entre las formas de preparacióno la infusión de hojas fue la forma de consumo más común. En este trabajo fueron identificadas especies presentes en el Cerrado Chapadense que muestran un importante potencial biotecnológico destacándose Amburana cearensis, Mikania glomerata y Pseudobrickellia brasiliensis; debido a su alto riesgo de extinción y/o vulnerabilidad por ello son necesarias medidas conservacionistas de esa biodiversidad.

O Movimento Negro do ABC Paulista: diálogos sobre a prevenção das DST/aids / Black Movement in São Paulo ABC Region: dialogues on STD/AIDS prevention

OBJETIVO: Apresentar a avaliação realizada sobre as possibilidades de integração entre as agendas do movimento negro e a prevenção das DST/aids. METODOLOGIA: Utilizou-se o instrumento qualitativo chamado de Panel Delphi, dada a sua flexibilidade de consultas. Foram cadastradas 135 entidades do movimento negro, tendo 41 delas aceitado a proposta de participar do painel de questões. O projeto foi extensivo aos sete municípios da região do ABC paulista, sendo que 32,8 por cento do total da população da região é composta de pretos e pardos. RESULTADOS: O grupo de 41 entidades participantes propôs-se a atuar em ações de prevenção das DST/aids diretamente (agregando-as às suas atividades cotidianas), ou indiretamente (através de ações de controle social) e avaliou a necessidade de um entendimento sócio-histórico da vulnerabilidade da população negra, em relação não somente à prevenção de DTS/aids, mas também da saúde como um todo e da totalidade da vida: "[...] a história do negro é de desumanização, negação da condição de ser humano, que expõe os negros a qualquer doença. A informação fica sem credibilidade vinda dessa maneira. O negro precisa ser visto como ser pleno." (1.10.1). CONCLUSÕES: O racismo vivenciado tem impacto nas condições de acesso à saúde e tem se refletido na maior vulnerabilidade de homens e mulheres negros para a infecção de HIV. Os elementos de afirmação da identidade racial contribuem para a promoção da saúde da população negra. Ações conjuntas entre os serviços de saúde e o movimento social possibilitam condições de fortalecimento de uma política de enfrentamento das DST/aids entre as negras e os negros brasileiros.

OBJECTIVE: To present the integration possibility evaluation (between the agendas of the black movement with the themes of health, particularly in relation to prevention of STD/AIDS). METHODS: We used the qualitative instrument called the Delphi Panel, given its flexibility to consultations with stakeholders with different power resources. 135 were registered entities of the black movement: 41 of them agreed to participate in the panel of questions. The project was extended to seven cities in the ABC region, bringing together 655,886 inhabitants (browns and blacks), who represent 32.8 percent of the total population of the region. RESULTS: The group of 41 participating (grass-roots organizations) proposed to act in actions of prevention of STD/AIDS directly (by adding them to their daily activities) or indirectly (through actions of social control) and assessed the need to understand socio-history of the greater vulnerability of the black population, not only in relation to the prevention of STD/AIDS, but also of health as a whole and the totality of life: "[...] the history of black dehumanization is a denial of the condition to be human, which exposes blacks to any disease. The information is unreliable, if coming this way. Blacks must be seen as a whole. CONCLUSIONS: The racism is understood as something that precedes any other, it has an impact on the access to health and has been reflected in the greater vulnerability of black men and women to HIV infection. The elements of affirmation of racial identity contribute to promoting the health of black people. Joint actions between health services and social movements provide conditions to strengthen a policy of confronting STD/AIDS among black women and black men, all Brazilians.