An atlas of spider development at single-cell resolution provides new insights into arthropod embryogenesis.

Spiders are a diverse order of chelicerates that diverged from other arthropods over 500 million years ago. Research on spider embryogenesis, particularly studies using the common house spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum, has made important contributions to understanding the evolution of animal development, including axis formation, segmentation, and patterning. However, we lack knowledge about the cells that build spider embryos, their gene expression profiles and fate. Single-cell transcriptomic analyses have been revolutionary in describing these complex landscapes of cellular genetics in a range of animals. Therefore, we carried out single-cell RNA sequencing of P. tepidariorum embryos at stages 7, 8 and 9, which encompass the establishment and patterning of the body plan, and initial differentiation of many tissues and organs. We identified 20 cell clusters, from 18.5 k cells, which were marked by many developmental toolkit genes, as well as a plethora of genes not previously investigated. We found differences in the cell cycle transcriptional signatures, suggestive of different proliferation dynamics, which related to distinctions between endodermal and some mesodermal clusters, compared with ectodermal clusters. We identified many Hox genes as markers of cell clusters, and Hox gene ohnologs were often present in different clusters. This provided additional evidence of sub- and/or neo-functionalisation of these important developmental genes after the whole genome duplication in an arachnopulmonate ancestor (spiders, scorpions, and related orders). We also examined the spatial expression of marker genes for each cluster to generate a comprehensive cell atlas of these embryonic stages. This revealed new insights into the cellular basis and genetic regulation of head patterning, hematopoiesis, limb development, gut development, and posterior segmentation. This atlas will serve as a platform for future analysis of spider cell specification and fate, and studying the evolution of these processes among animals at cellular resolution.

An acute bout of resistance exercise increases BDNF in hippocampus and restores the long-term memory of insulin-resistant rats.

A sedentary lifestyle, inadequate diet, and obesity are substantial risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) development. A major picture of T2DM is insulin resistance (IR), which causes many impairments in brain physiology, such as increased proinflammatory state and decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration, hence reducing cognitive function. Physical exercise is a non-pharmacological tool for managing T2DM/IR and its complications. Thus, this study investigated the effects of IR induction and the acute effects of resistance exercise (RE) on memory, neurotrophic, and inflammatory responses in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of insulin-resistant rats. IR was induced by a high-fat diet and fructose-rich beverage. Insulin-resistant rats performed acute resistance exercise (IR.RE; vertical ladder climb at 50-100% of the maximum load) or rest (IR.REST; 20 min). Cognitive parameters were assessed by novel object recognition (NOR) tasks, and biochemical analyses were performed to assess BDNF concentrations and inflammatory profile in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Insulin-resistant rats had 20% worse long-term memory (LTM) (p < 0.01) and lower BDNF concentration in the hippocampus (-14.6%; p < 0.05) when compared to non-insulin-resistant rats (CON). An acute bout of RE restored LTM (-9.7% pre vs. post; p > 0.05) and increased BDNF concentration in the hippocampus (9.1%; p < 0.05) of insulin-resistant rats compared to REST. Thus, an acute bout of RE can attenuate the adverse effects of IR on memory and neurotrophic factors in rats, representing a therapeutic tool to alleviate the IR impact on the brain.

Evolution of the Spider Homeobox Gene Repertoire by Tandem and Whole Genome Duplication.

Gene duplication generates new genetic material that can contribute to the evolution of gene regulatory networks and phenotypes. Duplicated genes can undergo subfunctionalization to partition ancestral functions and/or neofunctionalization to assume a new function. We previously found there had been a whole genome duplication (WGD) in an ancestor of arachnopulmonates, the lineage including spiders and scorpions but excluding other arachnids like mites, ticks, and harvestmen. This WGD was evidenced by many duplicated homeobox genes, including two Hox clusters, in spiders. However, it was unclear which homeobox paralogues originated by WGD versus smaller-scale events such as tandem duplications. Understanding this is a key to determining the contribution of the WGD to arachnopulmonate genome evolution. Here we characterized the distribution of duplicated homeobox genes across eight chromosome-level spider genomes. We found that most duplicated homeobox genes in spiders are consistent with an origin by WGD. We also found two copies of conserved homeobox gene clusters, including the Hox, NK, HRO, Irx, and SINE clusters, in all eight species. Consistently, we observed one copy of each cluster was degenerated in terms of gene content and organization while the other remained more intact. Focussing on the NK cluster, we found evidence for regulatory subfunctionalization between the duplicated NK genes in the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum compared to their single-copy orthologues in the harvestman Phalangium opilio. Our study provides new insights into the relative contributions of multiple modes of duplication to the homeobox gene repertoire during the evolution of spiders and the function of NK genes.

Single-cell atlases of two lophotrochozoan larvae highlight their complex evolutionary histories.

Pelagic larval stages are widespread across animals, yet it is unclear whether larvae were present in the last common ancestor of animals or whether they evolved multiple times due to common selective pressures. Many marine larvae are at least superficially similar; they are small, swim through the beating of bands of cilia, and sense the environment with an apical organ. To understand these similarities, we have generated single-cell atlases for marine larvae from two animal phyla and have compared their cell types. We found clear similarities among ciliary band cells and between neurons of the apical organ in the two larvae pointing to possible homology of these structures, suggesting a single origin of larvae within Spiralia. We also find several clade-specific innovations in each larva, including distinct myocytes and shell gland cells in the oyster larva. Oyster shell gland cells express many recently evolved genes that have made previous gene age estimates for the origin of trochophore larvae too young.

Structural Characterization and Anticancer Activity of a New Anthraquinone from Senna velutina (Fabaceae).

In this study, a novel compound was isolated, identified, and its chemical structure was determined from the extract of the roots of Senna velutina. In addition, we sought to evaluate the anticancer potential of this molecule against melanoma and leukemic cell lines and identify the pathways of cell death involved. To this end, a novel anthraquinone was isolated from the barks of the roots of S. velutina, analyzed by HPLC-DAD, and its molecular structure was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Subsequently, their cytotoxic activity was evaluated by the (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method against non-cancerous, melanoma, and leukemic cells. The migration of melanoma cells was evaluated by the scratch assay. The apoptosis process, caspase-3 activation, analysis of mitochondrial membrane potential, and measurement of ROS were evaluated by flow cytometry technique. In addition, the pharmacological cell death inhibitors NEC-1, RIP-1, BAPTA, Z-VAD, and Z-DEVD were used to confirm the related cell death mechanisms. With the results, it was possible to elucidate the novel compound characterized as 2'-OH-Torosaol I. In normal cells, the compound showed no cytotoxicity in PBMC but reduced the cell viability of all melanoma and leukemic cell lines evaluated. 2'-OH-Torosaol I inhibited chemotaxis of B16F10-Nex2, SK-Mel-19, SK-Mel-28 and SK-Mel-103. The cytotoxicity of the compound was induced by apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway with reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, increased levels of reactive oxygen species, and activation of caspase-3. In addition, the inhibitors demonstrated the involvement of necroptosis and Ca2+ in the death process and confirmed caspase-dependent apoptosis death as one of the main programmed cell death pathways induced by 2'-OH-Torosaol I. Taken together, the data characterize the novel anthraquinone 2'-OH-Torosaol I, demonstrating its anticancer activity and potential application in cancer therapy.

Chemical Components and Antioxidant Activity of Geotrigona sp. and Tetragonisca fiebrigi Stingless Bee Cerumen Reduce Juglone-Induced Oxidative Stress in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Cerumen is a bee product produced exclusively by stingless bees, resulting from a mixture of beeswax and plant resins. The antioxidant activity of bee products has been investigated since oxidative stress is associated with the onset and progression of several diseases that can lead to death. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of cerumen produced by the Geotrigona sp. and Tetragonisca fiebrigi stingless bees, in vitro and in vivo. The chemical characterization of cerumen extracts was performed by HPLC, GC, and ICP OES analyses. The in vitro antioxidant potential was evaluated by DPPH• and ABTS•+ free radical scavenging methods, and in human erythrocytes subjected to oxidative stress with AAPH. In vivo, the antioxidant potential was evaluated in Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes subjected to oxidative stress with juglone. Both cerumen extracts presented phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and metallic minerals in their chemical constitution. The cerumen extracts showed antioxidant activity by capturing free radicals, reducing lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes, and reducing oxidative stress in C. elegans, observed by the increase in viability. The results obtained indicate that cerumen extracts from Geotrigona sp. and Tetragonisca fiebrigi stingless bees may be promising against oxidative stress and associated diseases.

FGF signalling is involved in cumulus migration in the common house spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum.

Cell migration is a fundamental component during the development of most multicellular organisms. In the early spider embryo, the collective migration of signalling cells, known as the cumulus, is required to set the dorsoventral body axis. Here, we show that FGF signalling plays an important role during cumulus migration in the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum. Spider embryos with reduced FGF signalling show reduced or absent cumulus migration and display dorsoventral patterning defects. Our study reveals that the transcription factor Ets4 regulates the expression of several FGF signalling components in the cumulus. In conjunction with a previous study, we show that the expression of fgf8 in the germ-disc is regulated via the Hedgehog signalling pathway. We also demonstrate that FGF signalling influences the BMP signalling pathway activity in the region around cumulus cells. Finally, we show that FGFR signalling might also influence cumulus migration in basally branching spiders and we propose that fgf8 might act as a chemo-attractant to guide cumulus cells towards the future dorsal pole of the spider embryo.

Beneficial Effects of Bauhinia rufa Leaves on Oxidative Stress, Prevention, and Treatment of Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Fed C57BL/6 Mice.

Obesity is an epidemic disease worldwide, associated with oxidative stress and the development of several other diseases. Bauhinia rufa (Bong.) Steud. is a native Brazilian Cerrado medicinal plant popularly used for the treatment of obesity. In this context, we investigated the chemical composition of the methanolic extract of B. rufa leaves (MEBr) and evaluated the antioxidant activity and its impact on the prevention and treatment of obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD 60%). Additionally, the acute oral toxicity of MEBr was evaluated. In MEBr, 17 glycosylated compounds were identified, including myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, coumaroyl, cyanoglucoside, and megastigmane. In vitro, MEBr showed antioxidant activity in different methods: DPPH•, ABTS•+, FRAP, iron-reducing power, inhibition of ß-carotene bleaching, and inhibition of DNA fragmentation. In human erythrocytes, MEBr increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Under oxidative stress, MEBr reduced oxidative hemolysis, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels generated in erythrocytes. Mice treated acutely with MEBr (2000 mg/kg) showed no signs of toxicity. During 90 days, the mice received water or MEBr simultaneously with HFD for induction of obesity. At this stage, MEBr was able to reduce the gain of subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) and prevent the increase of MDA in the heart and brain. After 180 days of HFD for obesity induction, mice that received MEBr simultaneously with HFD (HFD-MEBr) in the last 60 days of treatment (120-180 days) showed a reduction of retroperitoneal and mesenteric WAT deposits and MDA levels in the heart, liver, kidney, and brain, compared to the HFD-Control group. These effects of MEBr were similar to mice treated with sibutramine (HFD-Sibutramine, 2 mg/kg). Combined, the results show that compounds from the leaves of B. rufa affect controlling oxidative stress and actions in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Thus, associated oxidative stress reduction and body composition modulation, in obese people, can contribute to the prevention of obesity-related comorbidities and improve quality of life.

Genome Assembly of the Polyclad Flatworm Prostheceraeus crozieri.

Polyclad flatworms are widely thought to be one of the least derived of the flatworm classes and, as such, are well placed to investigate evolutionary and developmental features such as spiral cleavage and larval diversification lost in other platyhelminths. Prostheceraeus crozieri, (formerly Maritigrella crozieri), is an emerging model polyclad flatworm that already has some useful transcriptome data but, to date, no sequenced genome. We have used high molecular weight DNA extraction and long-read PacBio sequencing to assemble the highly repetitive (67.9%) P. crozieri genome (2.07 Gb). We have annotated 43,325 genes, with 89.7% BUSCO completeness. Perhaps reflecting its large genome, introns were considerably larger than other free-living flatworms, but evidence of abundant transposable elements suggests genome expansion has been principally via transposable elements activity. This genome resource will be of great use for future developmental and phylogenomic research.

Chemical control of dieback and mango malformation in a semiarid region

The São Francisco Sub medium Valley is a great mango exporter in Brazil. In this semiarid region, diseases such as dieback and mango malformation have reduced the production of this crop. In this work the effectiveness of different active ingredients (flutriafol, methyl-thiophanate, copper hydroxide and fluxapyroxad mixed with pyraclostrobin) was assessed for the control of these diseases in a mango orchard. Monthly assessments of disease incidence were carried out. There was a difference among treatments for the two diseases studied, with flutriafol as the most effective fungicide against dieback and, for the malformation, the mixture of fluxapyroxad and pyraclostrobin and methyl-thiophanate showed the best results.

Rhynchophorus palmarum (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Guarani-Kaiowá indigenous knowledge and pharmacological activities.

Zootherapy is a traditional secular practice among the Guarani-Kaiowá indigenous ethnic group living in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. My people use the oil extracted from larvae of the snout beetle Rhynchophorus palmarum (Linnaeus, 1758) to treat and heal skin wounds and respiratory diseases. Based on this ethnopharmacological knowledge, the chemical composition and antioxidant, antimicrobial, and healing properties of R. palmarum larvae oil (RPLO) were investigated, as well as possible toxic effects, through in vitro and in vivo assays. The chemical composition of the RPLO was determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The antioxidant activity of RPLO was investigated through the direct 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, and the antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria that are pathogenic to humans. The healing properties of RPLO were investigated by performing a cell migration assay using human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5), and the toxicity was analyzed, in vivo, using a Caenorhabditis elegans model and MRC-5 cells, in vitro. RPLO contains 52.2% saturated fatty acids and 47.4% unsaturated fatty acids, with palmitic acid (42.7%) and oleic acid (40%) representing its major components, respectively. RPLO possesses direct antioxidant activity, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 46.15 mg.ml-1. The antimicrobial activity of RPLO was not observed at a concentration of 1% (v/v). RPLO did not alter the viability of MRC-5 cells and did not exert toxic effects on C. elegans. Furthermore, MRC-5 cells incubated with 0.5% RPLO showed a higher rate of cell migration than that of the control group, supporting its healing properties. Taken together, RPLO possesses direct antioxidant activity and the potential to aid in the healing process and is not toxic toward in vitro and in vivo models, corroborating the safe use of the oil in traditional Guarani-Kaiowá medicine.

Lack of support for Deuterostomia prompts reinterpretation of the first Bilateria.

The bilaterally symmetric animals (Bilateria) are considered to comprise two monophyletic groups, Protostomia (Ecdysozoa and the Lophotrochozoa) and Deuterostomia (Chordata and the Xenambulacraria). Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have not consistently supported deuterostome monophyly. Here, we compare support for Protostomia and Deuterostomia using multiple, independent phylogenomic datasets. As expected, Protostomia is always strongly supported, especially by longer and higher-quality genes. Support for Deuterostomia, however, is always equivocal and barely higher than support for paraphyletic alternatives. Conditions that cause tree reconstruction errors-inadequate models, short internal branches, faster evolving genes, and unequal branch lengths-coincide with support for monophyletic deuterostomes. Simulation experiments show that support for Deuterostomia could be explained by systematic error. The branch between bilaterian and deuterostome common ancestors is, at best, very short, supporting the idea that the bilaterian ancestor may have been deuterostome-like. Our findings have important implications for the understanding of early animal evolution.

Sistema de confinamento Compost barn: interações entre índices de conforto, características fisiológicas, escore de higiene e claudicação / Compost barn housing systems: interactions among comfort indexes, physiological characteristics, hygiene score, and claudication / Sistema de confinamiento Compost barn: interacciones entre índices de confort, características fisiológicas, puntuación de higiene y claudicación

O objetivo desse artigo foi avaliar o conforto térmico de bovinos leiteiros confinados em instalações Compost Barn com base em índices de conforto térmico, parâmetros fisiológicos, escore de higiene e claudicação. A pesquisa foi realizada, em uma propriedade do município de Três Corações no estado de Minas Gerais no período de verão e inverno de 2016. As variáveis microclimáticas e os escores de limpeza e de locomoção foram analisadas por meio da estatística descritiva. Os parâmetros fisiológicos foram submetidos a um delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados em parcela subdividida no tempo, por meio da análise de variância e teste de Scott-Knott. Pode-se concluir que não ocorreu estresse térmico nos animais na estação de verão e inverno. Os parâmetros fisiológicos se encontraram dentro dos limites de conforto animal. Existe um relacionamento maior entre a frequência respiratória, temperatura superficial e temperatura retal e os índices de conforto animal no verão, quando comparada com o inverno. Para a análise dos escores, as vacas apresentaram uma melhoria na limpeza e um número muito baixo de vacas com problemas de cascos.(AU)

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the thermal comfort of dairy cattle confined in compost barn facilities based on thermal comfort indexes, physiological parameters, hygiene score, and claudication. The research was carried out in a property in the city of Três Corações in the state of Minas Gerais during the summer and winter of 2016. The microclimatic variables and the cleaning and locomotion scores were analyzed through a descriptive statistics analysis. The physiological parameters were submitted to an experimental design in randomized blocks in a subdivided plot, using analysis of variance and Scott-Knott's test. It can be concluded that no thermal stress occurred on the animals during the summer and winter seasons. There is a greater relationship between respiratory rate, surface and rectal temperature, and the animal comfort indexes in summer compared to winter. For the analysis of the scores, the cattle showed an improvement in cleaning and a very low number of cows presented hoof problems.(AU)

El objetivo de este artículo es evaluar el confort térmico de bovinos lecheros confinados en instalaciones Compost Barn con base en índices de confort térmico, parámetros fisiológicos, puntuación de higiene y claudicación. La investigación se realizó en una propiedad del municipio de Tres Corações en el estado de Minas Gerais, en el período de verano e invierno de 2016. Las variables microclimáticas y los escores de limpieza y de locomoción fueron analizados por medio de estadística descriptiva. Los parámetros fisiológicos fueron sometidos a un delineamiento experimental en bloques casualizados en parcela subdividida en el tiempo, por medio del análisis de varianza y prueba de Scott-Knott. Se puede concluir que no ocurrió estrés térmico en los animales en la estación de verano e invierno. Los parámetros fisiológicos se encontraron dentro de los límites de confort animal. Hay una relación mayor entre la frecuencia respiratoria, la temperatura superficial y la temperatura rectal y los índices de confort animal en verano, en comparación con el invierno. Para el análisis de los escores, las vacas presentaron mejora en la limpieza y un número muy bajo de vacas con problemas de cascos.(AU)

Prototype of Robotic Device for Mobility Assistance for the Elderly in Urban Environments.

This study aims to develop a prototype of an autonomous robotic device to assist the locomotion of the elderly in urban environments. Among the achievements presented are the control techniques used for autonomous navigation and the software tools and hardware applied in the prototype. This is an extension of a previous work, in which part of the navigation algorithm was developed and validated in a simulated environment. In this extension, the real prototype is controlled by an algorithm based on fuzzy logic to obtain standalone and more-natural navigation for the user of the device. The robotic device is intended to guide an elderly person in an urban environment autonomously, although it also has a manual navigation mode. Therefore, the device should be able to navigate smoothly without sudden manoeuvres and should respect the locomotion time of the user. Furthermore, because of the proposed environment, the device should be able to navigate in an unknown and unstructured environment. The results reveal that this prototype achieves the proposed objective, demonstrating adequate behaviour for navigation in an unknown environment and fundamental safety characteristics to assist the elderly.

Dataset of macrobenthic species in urban coastal reef environments in Brazilian northeast.

This dataset presents the macrobenthic species occurrence frequency in four coastal intertidal reefs environment of Paraiba state Brazil. The species were classified in bioindicators groups based in morpho-anatomical, physiological and ecological characteristics. In the dry and wet season in each reef, the sampling units were randomly positioned and photographed inside a circular area with a 10 m radius. Thirty points were plotted over photos to quantify the percentage of species occurrence frequency. Taxons hard to identify by photo were grouped in a unique category. Currently, macrobenthic species are used as bioindicators of the local state of conservation by managing agencies. The population ecology monitoring of macrobenthic species with bioindicator potential is useful to recognize seasonal environmental patterns or local anthropic impactful. The research article on these data [1] will be published in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management for some interpretive insights. Title: Evaluation of the conservation status and monitoring proposal for the coastal reefs of Paraíba, Brazil: bioindication as an environmental management tool.

Medicinal Plants from Brazilian Cerrado: Antioxidant and Anticancer Potential and Protection against Chemotherapy Toxicity.

The use of natural antioxidants in cancer therapy has increased: first, due to the potential of natural antioxidants to kill tumour cells and second, because of their capacity to protect healthy cells from the damage caused by chemotherapy. This review article discusses the antioxidant properties of extracts obtained from medicinal plants from the Brazilian Cerrado and the cell death profile induced by each of these extracts in malignant cells. Next, we describe the capacity of other medicinal plants from the Cerrado to protect against chemotherapy-induced cell toxicity. Finally, we focus on recent insights into the cell death profile induced by extracts from Cerrado plants and perspectives for future therapeutic approaches.

Duplication and expression of Sox genes in spiders.

BACKGROUND: The Sox family of transcription factors is an important part of the genetic 'toolbox' of all metazoans examined to date and is known to play important developmental roles in vertebrates and insects. However, outside the commonly studied Drosophila model little is known about the repertoire of Sox family transcription factors in other arthropod species. Here we characterise the Sox family in two chelicerate species, the spiders Parasteatoda tepidariorum and Stegodyphus mimosarum, which have experienced a whole genome duplication (WGD) in their evolutionary history. RESULTS: We find that virtually all of the duplicate Sox genes have been retained in these spiders after the WGD. Analysis of the expression of Sox genes in P. tepidariorum embryos suggests that it is likely that some of these genes have neofunctionalised after duplication. Our expression analysis also strengthens the view that an orthologue of vertebrate Group B1 genes, SoxNeuro, is implicated in the earliest events of CNS specification in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In addition, a gene in the Dichaete/Sox21b class is dynamically expressed in the spider segment addition zone, suggestive of an ancient regulatory mechanism controlling arthropod segmentation as recently suggested for flies and beetles. Together with the recent analysis of Sox gene expression in the embryos of other arthropods, our findings support the idea of conserved functions for some of these genes, including a potential role for SoxC and SoxD genes in CNS development and SoxF in limb development. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a new chelicerate perspective to understanding the evolution and function of Sox genes and how the retention of duplicates of such important tool-box genes after WGD has contributed to different aspects of spider embryogenesis. Future characterisation of the function of these genes in spiders will help us to better understand the evolution of the regulation of important developmental processes in arthropods and other metazoans including neurogenesis and segmentation.

Evaluation of In Vitro Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of the Aqueous Extract from the Stem Bark of Stryphnodendron adstringens.

Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville (Fabaceae) is a tree species native to the Brazilian Cerrado commonly known as barbatimão. In traditional medicine, decoctions or infusions of the stem bark of this plant are used in the treatment of several diseases. The objective of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of Stryphnodendron adstringens aqueous extracts (SAAE) prepared from the stem bark to assess their antioxidant activity and anticancer effects as well as characterize cell death mechanisms against murine B16F10Nex-2 melanoma cells. From the SAAE, gallic acid, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, dimeric and trimeric proanthocyanidins mainly composed of prodelphinidin units and the isomeric chromones C-hexosyl- and O-pentosyl-5,7-dihydroxychromone were identified. The SAAE showed antioxidant activity through direct free-radical scavenging as well as through oxidative hemolysis and lipid peroxidation inhibition in human erythrocytes. Furthermore, SAAE promoted apoptosis-induced cell death in melanoma cells by increasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, inducing mitochondrial membrane potential dysfunction and activating caspase-3. Together, these data show the antioxidant and anticancer effects of Stryphnodendron adstringens. These results open new perspectives for studies against other tumor cell lines and in vivo models as well as for the identification and isolation of the chemical constituents responsible for these effects.

A SoxB gene acts as an anterior gap gene and regulates posterior segment addition in a spider.

Sox genes encode a set of highly conserved transcription factors that regulate many developmental processes. In insects, the SoxB gene Dichaete is the only Sox gene known to be involved in segmentation. To determine if similar mechanisms are used in other arthropods, we investigated the role of Sox genes during segmentation in the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum. While Dichaete does not appear to be involved in spider segmentation, we found that the closely related Sox21b-1 gene acts as a gap gene during formation of anterior segments and is also part of the segmentation clock for development of the segment addition zone and sequential addition of opisthosomal segments. Thus, we have found that two different mechanisms of segmentation in a non-mandibulate arthropod are regulated by a SoxB gene. Our work provides new insights into the function of an important and conserved gene family, and the evolution of the regulation of segmentation in arthropods.

Commute to school, level of physical activity, and physical fitness of young adolescents in the Municipality of Florestal, Minas Gerais / Diferentes formas de deslocamento para a escola, nível de atividade física e desempenho físico de jovens adolescentes do Município de Florestal - MG

This study aimed to evaluate performance in physical fitness tests and physical activity level when comparing the level of physical activity and performance in physical fitness tests among adolescents who moved in three different ways to school. The sample was 60 students (50% female), divided equally into three groups: walk, bike and motorized transport, aged between 15 and 18 years (16,38 ±0,86 years). The physical fitness was evaluated by means of the six-minute run/walk tests, horizontal jump test and 20m maximal speed run. The physical activity score was estimated by the brief IPAQ version. The time and distance displaced by each school was estimated through the Global Position-ing System by the Google Maps application. The main findings were that in the physical fitness eval-uation, in neither test and for both sexes were found significant differences in physical performance of the three groups. But we found differences in physical activity levels between the walking and motorized transport groups. And the distance traveled by the motorized group was higher than that of the other groups, in both sexes, and the mean total time spent to perform the displacement in the bicycle group in both sexes was smaller. The differences in time or distance between the groups were not able to produce an effect on the physical fitness. We concluded that the walking group presents a higher level of physical activity to the other groups, pedaling and motorized, suggesting that walking improves physical fitness due to time spent on the course.

Este estudo objetivou avaliar o desempenho em testes de aptidão física e o nível de atividade física ao compa-rou o nível de atividade física e o desempenho em testes de aptidão física entre adolescentes que de deslocavam de três formas distintas até a escola. A amostra compreendeu 60 escolares (50% do sexo feminino), divididos igualmente em três grupos: caminhada, bicicleta e transporte motorizado, com idades entre 15 e 18 anos (16,38 ±0,86 anos). A aptidão física foi avaliada mediante os testes de corrida/caminhada de seis minutos, salto horizontal e corrida de 20 metros. O escore de atividade física foi estimado pela versão curta do IPAQ. O tempo e distância de deslocamento foi estimado por meio do Global Positioning System pelo aplicativo Google Maps. Os principais achados foram que, na avaliação da aptidão física, em nenhum dos testes e para ambos os sexos foram encontradas diferenças significativas em relação ao desempenho físico dos três grupos. Foram indentificadas diferenças nos níveis de atividade física entre os grupos caminhada e transporte motorizado: a distância percorrida pelo grupo motorizado foi maior do que a dos demais grupos, em ambos os sexos, e que o tempo total médio gasto para realizar o deslocamento no grupo bicicleta com relação aos outros grupos em ambos os sexos foi menor. As diferenças no tempo ou na distância entre os grupos não foram capazes de produzirem efeito nas aptidões físicas, mas pode-se concluir que o grupo que se desloca caminhando apresenta um maior nível de atividade física em relação aos outros grupos, pedalando e de carro, sugerindo que o deslocamento está associado as maiores níveis de condicionamento física.