Establishing and characterising a new cell line from Calliphora vicina (diptera: calliphoridae) fly embryonic tissues.

Insect cell lines represent a promising and expanding field as they have several research applications including biotechnology, virology, immunity, toxicology, cell signalling mechanisms and evolution. They constitute a powerful tool having a direct impact on human and veterinary medicine and agriculture. Although more than 1000 cell lines have currently been established from various insect species, Calliphora vicina-derived fly cell lines are lacking. This study was aimed at establishing a new C. vicina embryonic tissue-derived cell line. Adult flies were collected and embryonated eggs were mechanically homogenised and seeded in four types of culture media (L15, Grace's insect medium, Grace's/L15 and DMEM). Cell growth and morphological characteristics were recorded and cytogenetic and molecular patterns were determined. The CV-062020-PPB cell line was established and was shown to have optimal growth in Grace's/L15 medium. CV-062020-PPB cell monolayers that had been sub-cultured over 16 times consisted of firmly adhering cells having different morphologies; a fibroblast-like shape dominated and the karyotype had a 12-chromosome diploid number. RAPD-PCR analysis of the CV-062020-PPB cell line revealed a high similarity index and strong intraspecific relationship with C. vicina adult flies and a weaker relationship with the Lutzomyia longipalpis-derived cell line (Lulo). The CV-062020-PPB cell line constitutes the first cell line obtained from C. vicina embryonic tissues and represents an important basic and applied research tool.

Hydroethanolic extract from Endopleura uchi (Huber) Cuatrecasas and its marker bergenin: Toxicological and pharmacokinetic studies in silico and in vivo on zebrafish.

Endopleura uchi, is used for the treatment of inflammatory disease and related to the female reproductive tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of the Endopleura uchi stem bark hydroethanolic extract (EEu) in zebrafish, emphasizing the histopathological and biochemical parameters, as well as evaluating the in silico pharmacokinetic and toxicological parameters of the phytochemical/pharmacological marker, bergenin, as their metabolites. The animals were orally treated with EEu at a single dose of 75 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg and 3000 mg/kg. the oral LD50 of the EEu higher to the dose of 3000 mg/kg. Behavioral, biochemical and histopathological changes were dose dependent. In silico pharmacokinetic predictions for bergenin and its metabolites showed moderate absorption in high human intestinal absorption (HIA) and Caco-2 models, reduced plasma protein binding, by low brain tissue binding and no P-glycoprotein (P-Gp) inhibition. Their metabolism is defined by the CYP450 enzyme, in addition to bergenin inhibition of CYP2C9, CYP3A4 and CYP2C19. In the bergenin and its metabolites in silico toxicity test it have been shown to cause carcinogenicity and a greater involvement of the bergenin with the CYP enzymes in the I and II hepatic and renal metabolism's phases was observed. It is possible to suggest that the histopathological damages are involved with the interaction of this major compound and its metabolites at the level of the cellular-biochemical mechanisms which involve the absorption, metabolization and excretion of these possible prodrug and drug.

Calibration of the maximum carboxylation velocity (Vcmax) using data mining techniques and ecophysiological data from the Brazilian semiarid region, for use in Dynamic Global Vegetation Models / Calibração da velocidade máxima de carboxilação (Vcmax), utilizando técnicas de mineração de dados e dados de ecofisiologia da região semiárida brasileira, para uso em Modelos de Vegetação Globais Dinâmicos

Abstract The semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, the Caatinga, is extremely important due to its biodiversity and endemism. Measurements of plant physiology are crucial to the calibration of Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs) that are currently used to simulate the responses of vegetation in face of global changes. In a field work realized in an area of preserved Caatinga forest located in Petrolina, Pernambuco, measurements of carbon assimilation (in response to light and CO2) were performed on 11 individuals of Poincianella microphylla, a native species that is abundant in this region. These data were used to calibrate the maximum carboxylation velocity (Vcmax) used in the INLAND model. The calibration techniques used were Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), and data mining techniques as the Classification And Regression Tree (CART) and K-MEANS. The results were compared to the UNCALIBRATED model. It was found that simulated Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) reached 72% of observed GPP when using the calibrated Vcmax values, whereas the UNCALIBRATED approach accounted for 42% of observed GPP. Thus, this work shows the benefits of calibrating DGVMs using field ecophysiological measurements, especially in areas where field data is scarce or non-existent, such as in the Caatinga.

Resumo A região semiárida do nordeste do Brasil, a Caatinga, é extremamente importante devido à sua biodiversidade e endemismo. Medidas de fisiologia vegetal são cruciais para a calibração de Modelos de Vegetação Globais Dinâmicos (DGVMs) que são atualmente usados para simular as respostas da vegetação diante das mudanças globais. Em um trabalho de campo realizado em uma área de floresta preservada na Caatinga localizada em Petrolina, Pernambuco, medidas de assimilação de carbono (em resposta à luz e ao CO2) foram realizadas em 11 indivíduos de Poincianella microphylla, uma espécie nativa que é abundante nesta região. Estes dados foram utilizados para calibrar a velocidade máxima de carboxilação (Vcmax) usada no modelo INLAND. As técnicas de calibração utilizadas foram Regressão Linear Múltipla (MLR) e técnicas de mineração de dados como Classification And Regression Tree (CART) e K-MEANS. Os resultados foram comparados com o modelo INLAND não calibrado. Verificou-se que a Produtividade Primária Bruta (PPB) simulada atingiu 72% da PPB observada ao usar os valores de Vcmax calibrado, enquanto que o modelo não calibrado obteve-se 42% da PPB observada. Assim, este trabalho mostra os benefícios de calibrar DGVMs usando medidas ecofisiológicas de campo, especialmente em áreas onde os dados de campo são escassos ou inexistentes, como na Caatinga.

Calibration of the maximum carboxylation velocity (Vcmax) using data mining techniques and ecophysiological data from the Brazilian semiarid region, for use in Dynamic Global Vegetation Models / Calibração da velocidade máxima de carboxilação (Vcmax), utilizando técnicas de mineração de dados e dados de ecofisiologia da região semiárida brasileira, para uso em Modelos de Vegetação Globais Dinâmicos

Abstract The semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, the Caatinga, is extremely important due to its biodiversity and endemism. Measurements of plant physiology are crucial to the calibration of Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs) that are currently used to simulate the responses of vegetation in face of global changes. In a field work realized in an area of preserved Caatinga forest located in Petrolina, Pernambuco, measurements of carbon assimilation (in response to light and CO2) were performed on 11 individuals of Poincianella microphylla, a native species that is abundant in this region. These data were used to calibrate the maximum carboxylation velocity (Vcmax) used in the INLAND model. The calibration techniques used were Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), and data mining techniques as the Classification And Regression Tree (CART) and K-MEANS. The results were compared to the UNCALIBRATED model. It was found that simulated Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) reached 72% of observed GPP when using the calibrated Vcmax values, whereas the UNCALIBRATED approach accounted for 42% of observed GPP. Thus, this work shows the benefits of calibrating DGVMs using field ecophysiological measurements, especially in areas where field data is scarce or non-existent, such as in the Caatinga.(AU)

Resumo A região semiárida do nordeste do Brasil, a Caatinga, é extremamente importante devido à sua biodiversidade e endemismo. Medidas de fisiologia vegetal são cruciais para a calibração de Modelos de Vegetação Globais Dinâmicos (DGVMs) que são atualmente usados para simular as respostas da vegetação diante das mudanças globais. Em um trabalho de campo realizado em uma área de floresta preservada na Caatinga localizada em Petrolina, Pernambuco, medidas de assimilação de carbono (em resposta à luz e ao CO2) foram realizadas em 11 indivíduos de Poincianella microphylla, uma espécie nativa que é abundante nesta região. Estes dados foram utilizados para calibrar a velocidade máxima de carboxilação (Vcmax) usada no modelo INLAND. As técnicas de calibração utilizadas foram Regressão Linear Múltipla (MLR) e técnicas de mineração de dados como Classification And Regression Tree (CART) e K-MEANS. Os resultados foram comparados com o modelo INLAND não calibrado. Verificou-se que a Produtividade Primária Bruta (PPB) simulada atingiu 72% da PPB observada ao usar os valores de Vcmax calibrado, enquanto que o modelo não calibrado obteve-se 42% da PPB observada. Assim, este trabalho mostra os benefícios de calibrar DGVMs usando medidas ecofisiológicas de campo, especialmente em áreas onde os dados de campo são escassos ou inexistentes, como na Caatinga.(AU)

Calibration of the maximum carboxylation velocity (Vcmax) using data mining techniques and ecophysiological data from the Brazilian semiarid region, for use in Dynamic Global Vegetation Models

Abstract The semiarid region of northeastern Brazil, the Caatinga, is extremely important due to its biodiversity and endemism. Measurements of plant physiology are crucial to the calibration of Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs) that are currently used to simulate the responses of vegetation in face of global changes. In a field work realized in an area of preserved Caatinga forest located in Petrolina, Pernambuco, measurements of carbon assimilation (in response to light and CO2) were performed on 11 individuals of Poincianella microphylla, a native species that is abundant in this region. These data were used to calibrate the maximum carboxylation velocity (Vcmax) used in the INLAND model. The calibration techniques used were Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), and data mining techniques as the Classification And Regression Tree (CART) and K-MEANS. The results were compared to the UNCALIBRATED model. It was found that simulated Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) reached 72% of observed GPP when using the calibrated Vcmax values, whereas the UNCALIBRATED approach accounted for 42% of observed GPP. Thus, this work shows the benefits of calibrating DGVMs using field ecophysiological measurements, especially in areas where field data is scarce or non-existent, such as in the Caatinga.

Resumo A região semiárida do nordeste do Brasil, a Caatinga, é extremamente importante devido à sua biodiversidade e endemismo. Medidas de fisiologia vegetal são cruciais para a calibração de Modelos de Vegetação Globais Dinâmicos (DGVMs) que são atualmente usados para simular as respostas da vegetação diante das mudanças globais. Em um trabalho de campo realizado em uma área de floresta preservada na Caatinga localizada em Petrolina, Pernambuco, medidas de assimilação de carbono (em resposta à luz e ao CO2) foram realizadas em 11 indivíduos de Poincianella microphylla, uma espécie nativa que é abundante nesta região. Estes dados foram utilizados para calibrar a velocidade máxima de carboxilação (Vcmax) usada no modelo INLAND. As técnicas de calibração utilizadas foram Regressão Linear Múltipla (MLR) e técnicas de mineração de dados como Classification And Regression Tree (CART) e K-MEANS. Os resultados foram comparados com o modelo INLAND não calibrado. Verificou-se que a Produtividade Primária Bruta (PPB) simulada atingiu 72% da PPB observada ao usar os valores de Vcmax calibrado, enquanto que o modelo não calibrado obteve-se 42% da PPB observada. Assim, este trabalho mostra os benefícios de calibrar DGVMs usando medidas ecofisiológicas de campo, especialmente em áreas onde os dados de campo são escassos ou inexistentes, como na Caatinga.