Localization and symbiotic status of probiotics in the coral holobiont.

Corals establish symbiotic relationships with microorganisms, especially endosymbiotic photosynthetic algae. Although other microbes have been commonly detected in coral tissues, their identity and beneficial functions for their host are unclear. Here, we confirm the beneficial outcomes of the inoculation of bacteria selected as probiotics and use fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to define their localization in the coral Pocillopora damicornis. Our results show the first evidence of the inherent presence of Halomonas sp. and Cobetia sp. in native coral tissues, even before their inoculation. Furthermore, the relative enrichment of these coral tissue-associated bacteria through their inoculation in corals correlates with health improvements, such as increases in photosynthetic potential, and productivity. Our study suggests the symbiotic status of Halomonas sp. and Cobetia sp. in corals by indicating their localization within coral gastrodermis and epidermis and correlating their increased relative abundance through active inoculation with beneficial outcomes for the holobiont. This knowledge is crucial to facilitate the screening and application of probiotics that may not be transient members of the coral microbiome. IMPORTANCE: Despite the promising results indicating the beneficial outcomes associated with the application of probiotics in corals and some scarce knowledge regarding the identity of bacterial cells found within the coral tissue, the correlation between these two aspects is still missing. This gap limits our understanding of the actual diversity of coral-associated bacteria and whether these symbionts are beneficial. Some researchers, for example, have been suggesting that probiotic screening should only focus on the very few known tissue-associated bacteria, such as Endozoicomonas sp., assuming that the currently tested probiotics are not tissue-associated. Here, we provide specific FISH probes for Halomonas sp. and Cobetia sp., expand our knowledge of the identity of coral-associated bacteria and confirm the probiotic status of the tested probiotics. The presence of these beneficial microorganisms for corals (BMCs) inside host tissues and gastric cavities also supports the notion that direct interactions with the host may underpin their probiotic role. This is a new breakthrough; these results argue against the possibility that the positive effects of BMCs are due to factors that are not related to a direct symbiotic interaction, for example, that the host simply feeds on inoculated bacteria or that the bacteria change the water quality.

Multidisciplinary estimates of connectivity and population structure suggest the use of multiple units for the conservation and management of meagre, Argyrosomus regius.

Information on population structure and connectivity of targeted species is key for proper implementation of spatial conservation measures. We used a combination of genomics, biophysical modelling, and biotelemetry to infer the population structure and connectivity of Atlantic meagre, an important fisheries resource throughout its distribution. Genetic samples from previously identified Atlantic spawning locations (Gironde, Tejo, Guadalquivir, Banc d'Arguin) and two additional regions (Algarve and Senegal) were analysed using genome-wide SNP-genotyping and mitochondrial DNA analyses. Biophysical models were conducted to investigate larval dispersal and connectivity from the known Atlantic spawning locations. Additionally, thirteen fish were double-tagged with biotelemetry transmitters off the Algarve (Portugal) to assess movement patterns and connectivity of adult individuals. This multidisciplinary approach provided a robust overview of meagre population structure and connectivity in the Atlantic. Nuclear SNP-genotyping showed a clear differentiation between the European and African populations, with significant isolation of the few known Atlantic spawning sites. The limited level of connectivity between these subpopulations is potentially driven by adults, capable of wide-ranging movements and connecting sites 500 km apart, as evidenced by tagging studies, whilst larval dispersal inferred by modelling is much more limited (average of 52 km; 95% of connectivity events up to 174 km). Our results show sufficient evidence of population structure, particularly between Africa and Europe but also within Europe, for the meagre to be managed as separate stocks. Additionally, considering the low degree of larvae connectivity, the implementation of marine protected areas in key spawning sites could be crucial towards species sustainability.

Artificial intelligence convolutional neural networks map giant kelp forests from satellite imagery.

Climate change is producing shifts in the distribution and abundance of marine species. Such is the case of kelp forests, important marine ecosystem-structuring species whose distributional range limits have been shifting worldwide. Synthesizing long-term time series of kelp forest observations is therefore vital for understanding the drivers shaping ecosystem dynamics and for predicting responses to ongoing and future climate changes. Traditional methods of mapping kelp from satellite imagery are time-consuming and expensive, as they require high amount of human effort for image processing and algorithm optimization. Here we propose the use of mask region-based convolutional neural networks (Mask R-CNN) to automatically assimilate data from open-source satellite imagery (Landsat Thematic Mapper) and detect kelp forest canopy cover. The analyses focused on the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera along the shorelines of southern California and Baja California in the northeastern Pacific. Model hyper-parameterization was tuned through cross-validation procedures testing the effect of data augmentation, and different learning rates and anchor sizes. The optimal model detected kelp forests with high performance and low levels of overprediction (Jaccard's index: 0.87 ± 0.07; Dice index: 0.93 ± 0.04; over prediction: 0.06) and allowed reconstructing a time series of 32 years in Baja California (Mexico), a region known for its high variability in kelp owing to El Niño events. The proposed framework based on Mask R-CNN now joins the list of cost-efficient tools for long-term marine ecological monitoring, facilitating well-informed biodiversity conservation, management and decision making.

Telerrehabilitación en personas con enfermedad cardiovascular durante el periodo de aislamiento preventivo obligatorio por COVID-19 en Colombia / Telerehabilitation in people with cardiovascular disease during the period of compulsory preventive isolation by COVID-19 in Colombia

Introducción: La enfermedad cardiovascular es una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad a nivel mundial. Como resultado de la pandemia de COVID-19, muchos programas de rehabilitación han pasado a modelos de entrega remota. La telerrehabilitación es una forma de realizar rehabilitación cardiaca mientras se reduce el riesgo de transmisión del COVID-19. Objetivo Describir los efectos de un programa de ejercicio terapéutico en personas con enfermedad cardiovascular que realizan telerrehabilitación, en el periodo de aislamiento preventivo obligatorio por COVID-19. Materiales y métodos Estudio cuasiexperimental, de 6 meses, en personas con enfermedad cardiovascular que ingresaron a un programa de ejercicio terapéutico asistido por tecnología virtual en una clínica de Cali (Colombia). Resultados De 31 personas, 21 eran hombres. La edad promedio fue de 60,48±11,21 años. Se encontraron diferencias significativas al inicio y al final del estudio en las variables de fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo, frecuencia cardiaca, presión arterial, frecuencia respiratoria, índice de masa corporal, perímetro de abdomen, porcentaje de grasa, porcentaje de masa muscular, colesterol, estado de depresión, distancia recorrida, consumo de oxígeno e índice metabólico (MET), con p<0,05. Conclusión Un programa de ejercicio terapéutico en personas con enfermedad cardiovascular que realizan telerrehabilitación resulta eficaz, al alcanzar las metas de tratamiento (AU)

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and death globally. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many rehabilitation programs have shifted to remote delivery models. Telerehabilitation is a way to perform cardiac rehabilitation while reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Objective This study aimed to describe the effects of a physical exercise program in persons with cardiovascular disease who performed telerehabilitation in the period of mandatory preventive isolation due to the COVID-19 emergency. Materials and methods This was a quasiexperimental 6-month study of persons with cardiovascular disease who entered a virtual technology-assisted physical exercise program in a clinic in Cali, Colombia. Results Significant differences were found at the beginning and end of the study in the variables of left ventricular ejection fraction, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body mass index, abdominal perimeter, percentage of fat, percentage of muscle mass, cholesterol, state of depression, distance traveled, oxygen consumption and metabolic equivalent (METs), showing p-value <0.05. Conclusions A physical exercise program in persons with cardiovascular disease performing telerrehabilitation proves effective in achieving treatment goals (AU)

Global warming assessment suggests the endemic Brazilian kelp beds to be an endangered ecosystem.

Kelps are canopy-forming brown seaweed sustaining critical ecosystem services in coastal habitats, including shelter, nursery grounds, and providing food resources to a myriad of associated species. This study modeled the fundamental niche of Laminaria abyssalis along the Brazilian continental margin, an endemic species of the South Atlantic, to anticipate potential distributional range shifts under two contrasting scenarios of future environmental changes (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5). The model for fundamental niche predictions considering the "present scenario" has shown a wider potential area than the realized niche (i.e., the area where the species actually occurs) along the Brazilian coast. In both future scenarios, the models have shown niche erosion on the northern portion of the Brazilian coast and niche gains towards the south. In both scenarios, L. abyssalis populations tend to shift to deeper regions of the reef. The restricted range of occurrence (33,000 km2), intense anthropic activities along these beds (e.g., trawling fisheries, oil/gas mining, or removal for agricultural purposes) acting synergically with global warming, may drive this ecosystem to collapse faster than kelp species' ability to adapt. We propose to classify L. abyssalis as Endangered - (EN) under IUCN criteria, and highlight that long-term monitoring of kelp beds is an urgent need to develop effective conservation initiatives to protect such rare and invaluable ecosystem.

Weak biodiversity connectivity in the European network of no-take marine protected areas.

The need for international cooperation in marine resource management and conservation has been reflected in the increasing number of agreements aiming for effective and well-connected networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). However, the extent to which individual MPAs are connected remains mostly unknown. Here, we use a biophysical model tuned with empirical data on species dispersal ecology to predict connectivity of a vast spectrum of biodiversity in the European network of marine reserves (i.e., no-take MPAs). Our results highlight the correlation between empirical propagule duration data and connectivity potential and show weak network connectivity and strong isolation for major ecological groups, resulting from the lack of direct connectivity corridors between reserves over vast regions. The particularly high isolation predicted for ecosystem structuring species (e.g., corals, sponges, macroalgae and seagrass) might potentially undermine biodiversity conservation efforts if local retention is insufficient and unmanaged populations are at risk. Isolation might also be problematic for populations' persistence in the light of climate change and expected species range shifts. Our findings provide novel insights for management directives, highlighting the location of regions requiring additional marine reserves to function as stepping-stone connectivity corridors.

Cambios en la tolerancia al ejercicio, disnea y calidad de vida a las 8 vs. 12 semanas de rehabilitación pulmonar en pacientes con EPOC / Changes in tolerance to exercise, dyspnoea and quality of life at 8 vs. 12 weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with COPD

Introducción En pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), la rehabilitación pulmonar reporta mejorías en la tolerancia al ejercicio, la calidad de vida y la disminución de síntomas; sin embargo, pocos estudios comparan programas de rehabilitación pulmonar de menor y mayor duración. El objetivo fue describir los beneficios de la RP en cuanto a tolerancia al ejercicio, percepción de disnea y de calidad de vida, en pacientes con EPOC que asisten a un programa de rehabilitación pulmonar durante 8 semanas comparados con los que asisten durante 12 semanas en una institución de tercer nivel de la ciudad de Cali-Colombia. Métodos Estudio cuasiexperimental vinculando pacientes con EPOC, 15 pacientes en el programa de rehabilitación pulmonar de 8 semanas y 15 pacientes en el programa de rehabilitación pulmonar de 12 semanas. Se valoró al inicio y final del programa el índice de masa corporal, distancia recorrida en el test de caminata de los 6 minutos (TC6M), la calidad de vida CRQ-SAS. Resultados El índice de masa corporal no presentó cambios estadísticamente significativos en los grupos, la tolerancia al ejercicio presentó mejoría estadísticamente significativa en la rehabilitación pulmonar de 12 semanas (p<0,05), el cuestionario CRQ-SAS evidenció una mejoría en todos los dominios, pero no hubo diferencias entre ambos grupos. Conclusiones Pacientes con EPOC presentaron mejorías estadísticamente significativas después del programa de rehabilitación pulmonar en variables como la disnea y la calidad de vida; sin embargo, solo el grupo de rehabilitación pulmonar de 12 semanas presentó mejorías estadísticamente significativas en la distancia recorrida del TC6M comparado con el grupo de rehabilitación pulmonar de 8 semanas (AU)

Introduction In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary rehabilitation reports improvements in exercise tolerance, quality of life and decrease in symptoms; however, few studies compare shorter and longer pulmonary rehabilitation programmes. The objective was to describe the benefits of PR in terms of exercise tolerance, perception of dyspnoea and quality of life, in patients with COPD attending a pulmonary rehabilitation programme for 8 weeks compared to those attending for 12 weeks in a third level institution in the city of Cali, Colombia. Methods Quasi-experimental study linking patients with COPD, 15 patients in the 8-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme and 15 patients in the 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Body mass index (BMI), distance covered in the 6-minute walk test (TC6M), quality of life CRQ-SAS questionnaire were assessed at the beginning and end of the programme. Results BMI did not show statistically significant changes in the groups, exercise tolerance showed statistically significant improvement in 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme (p<.05), the CRQ-SAS questionnaire evidences improvement in all domains, but there were no differences between both groups. Conclusions COPD patients, statistically significant improvement after the pulmonary rehabilitation programme in variables such as dyspnoea and quality of life; however, only the 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme group presented statistically significant improvements in the distance travelled of the TC6M compared to the 8-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme group (AU)

CCS e amiloide A do leite de quartos mamários tratados na secagem com plasma rico em plaquetas autólogo, associado ou não a antibiótico / [CCS and Amyloid A of milk from breast quarters treated in drying with autologous platelet-rich plasma, with or without antibiotics]

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar biomarcadores de mastite após terapia da secagem com plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP), associado ou não a antibiótico. Trinta e seis quartos mamários foram utilizados em três tratamentos (T): T1 - antibiótico (ATB), T2 - PRP e T3 - PRP + ATB. Amostras de leite foram coletadas antes da secagem (A1), no parto (D0) e 14, 30 e 60 dias pós-parto (D14, D30 e D60), para determinar contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e amiloide A (AA). O delineamento foi inteiramente ao acaso, com arranjo em parcelas subdivididas (SigmaPlot®). Dados de CCS foram transformados (log 10). As médias foram comparadas utilizando-se testes de Tukey ou Holm-Sidak (P<0,05). A CCS em A1 foi elevada em todos os grupos (P>0,05). No D30, CCS foi maior em T2 (P<0,05), igualando-se no D60. Não houve diferença na AA entre Ts em qualquer dia de coleta (P>0,05). Houve diferença nos momentos de coleta (P<0,05), A1 maior que D14 e D30. Houve uma correlação positiva fraca com CCS (0,280). Os tratamentos foram semelhantes em manter a saúde da glândula mamária na lactação subsequente. O PRP intramamário pode ser usado para terapia de vaca seca em casos de mastite subclínica.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate biomarkers of mastitis after autologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) dry cow therapy, associated or not with antibiotic, compared to conventional treatment. Thirty-six mammary quarters were used in three treatments (T): T1 - antibiotic, T2 - PRP and T3 - PRP + ATB. Milk samples were collected before drying (A1), on calving (D0) and at 14, 30 and 60 days postpartum (D14, D30 and D60), for Somatic Cell Count (CCS) and amyloid dosage A (AA). The design was completely randomized with arrangement in subdivided plots (SigmaPlot ®). Data from CCS were transformed in log10. Means were compared using the Tukey or Holm-Sidak tests, at a 95% confidence level (P<0.05). CCS in A1 was elevated in allgroups (P>0.05). On D30 CCS was higher in T2 (P<0.05), matching D60. There was no difference in AA among T on any day of collection (P>0.05). There was difference in collection moments (P<0.05), A1 different from D14 and D30. There was a weak positive correlation with CCS (0.280). Three treatments were similar in maintaining the health of the mammary gland at subsequent lactation. PRP intramammary can be used for dry cow therapy in subclinical mastitis.(AU)

Analysis of two meteorite fragments (lunar and martian) using X-Ray microfluorescence and X-Ray computed microtomography techniques.

Meteorites have been arousing the curiosity of mankind since antiquity. However, the interest in these objects goes far beyond mere curiosity in the study of such materials, which has great importance due essentially to the information they can provide. The importance of studying meteorites is associated about the earliest conditions and processes during the formation and earliest history of the solar system. So, in this study, the characterization of two meteorite fragments was performed using X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) and X-ray microfluorescence (micro-XRF). These techniques were used for their non-destructive characteristics and the ability to provide information about the structure and composition the meteorites. The micro-CT images showed encrusted structures within both samples. However, while in Lunar meteorites spheroidal structures very similar to small grains internally grouped in clusters were found, in the Martian meteorite a very peculiar structure was identified. Besides that, the micro-CT it was also possible to evaluate the different density materials that compose the samples. The micro-XRF results accounted for the presence of the elements Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Sr in the Lunar sample, as well as of Si, S, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sr and Y in the Martian sample. The results obtained are effective for the characterization of meteorites, proving thus that it is possible to obtain important information about the chemical composition, as well as about the distribution and the internal structure of these materials, evaluating aspects such as density and porosity.

Major shifts at the range edge of marine forests: the combined effects of climate changes and limited dispersal.

Global climate change is likely to constrain low latitude range edges across many taxa and habitats. Such is the case for NE Atlantic marine macroalgal forests, important ecosystems whose main structuring species is the annual kelp Saccorhiza polyschides. We coupled ecological niche modelling with simulations of potential dispersal and delayed development stages to infer the major forces shaping range edges and to predict their dynamics. Models indicated that the southern limit is set by high winter temperatures above the physiological tolerance of overwintering microscopic stages and reduced upwelling during recruitment. The best range predictions were achieved assuming low spatial dispersal (5 km) and delayed stages up to two years (temporal dispersal). Reconstructing distributions through time indicated losses of ~30% from 1986 to 2014, restricting S. polyschides to upwelling regions at the southern edge. Future predictions further restrict populations to a unique refugium in northwestern Iberia. Losses were dependent on the emissions scenario, with the most drastic one shifting ~38% of the current distribution by 2100. Such distributional changes might not be rescued by dispersal in space or time (as shown for the recent past) and are expected to drive major biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystem functioning.

Avaliação biométrica de caracteres do melão de São Caetano (Momordica charantia L) / Biometric evaluation of the characters of the melon from Sao Caetano (Momordica charantia L)

RESUMOO melão de São Caetano, planta trepadeira originaria do leste indiano e sul da Índia, é encontrada no bioma caatinga. Neste trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a biometria dos frutos e o número de sementes por fruto do melão de São Caetano. Os frutos foram coletados em área de vegetação nativa do campus da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), situada no município de Mossoró, RN, seguindo para o laboratório de fitotecnia para a determinação das seguintes características: comprimento, diâmetro e peso dos frutos, bem como o número de sementes por fruto. As análises descritivas e gráficas foram realizadas utilizando o pacote estatístico software R-project. As variáveis, comprimento e diâmetro apresentaram baixa amplitude de variação e bons valores de coeficiente de variação. Já o peso do fruto e o número de sementes por fruto mostraram alta amplitude de variação. Verificou-se alto grau de simetria e distribuição mesocúrtica para todas as características avaliadas nesse estudo. Constatou-se também a correlação linear simples positiva significativa entre o comprimento e o diâmetro, e não significativa entre o peso e o número de sementes por fruto, e que os dados referentes a todas as características do fruto do melão de São Caetano avaliadas neste trabalho se ajustaram à distribuição normal de probabilidade, o que permite a realização de inferências com base estatística.

ABSTRACTThe melon from Sao Caetano is a climbing plant, originally from India and South East India and is found in the savanna biome. This study aimed to evaluate the biometric fruit and the number of seeds per fruit of the melon Sao Caetano. The fruits were collected inside a native vegetation area of the campus at the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), located in the city of Mossoró, RN. They were then taken to the laboratory of crop science, for the determination of the following characteristics: length, diameter and fruit weight as well as number of seeds per fruit. The descriptive and graphical analyzes were performed by using the statistical package R -project software. The length and diameter variables exhibited a low amplitude variation and a good value for the coefficient of variation. However, the fruit weight and number of seeds per fruit showed a high amplitude variation. There was a high degree of symmetry and a flattened distribution for all traits evaluated in this study. It was also found significant positive simple linear correlation between the length and diameter, and no significant difference between the weight and number of seeds per fruit. The data related to all features of the São Caetano melon fruit evaluated in this study were adjusted to normal distribution of probability which allows the performance of interferences with statistical basis.

Rendimento do coentro (Coriandrum sativum L) adubado com esterco bovino em diferentes doses e tempos de incorporação no solo / Yield of the coriander [Coriandrum sativum (L)] fertilized with manure at different doses and incorporation times in the soil

RESUMO O uso de esterco bovino é de suma importância para os agricultores familiares que produzem coentro na região de Mossoró-RN, pois esse insumo é amplamente disponível e utilizado pelos agricultores. Objetivando-se avaliar o Rendimento do coentro fertilizado com esterco bovino em diferentes doses e tempos de incorporação ao solo foi conduzido um experimento no período de setembro a novembro de 2011, na Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes, da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido - UFERSA, Brasil. Os tratamentos consistiram da combinação de quatro doses de esterco bovino incorporadas ao solo: 15,0; 30,0; 45,0 e 60,0 t ha-1 em base seca, com quatro tempos de incorporação: 28; 49; 64 e 80 dias antes da semeadura do coentro - DAS, mais um tratamento controle (ausência de adubação). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos completos casualizados com os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 4 + 1 com 3 repetições. A cultivar de coentro utilizado foi a Verdão e as variáveis determinadas foram altura e número de hastes por planta e rendimento de coentro. O coentro respondeu à aplicação de esterco bovino, produzindo rendimentos máximos de 6453 e 6349 kg ha-1 de massa verde, com a dose de 60 t ha-1 e aos quarenta e seis dias de incorporação antes da semeadura, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT The use of manure is very important to family farmers who produce coriander in the region of Mossoró-RN, because this input is widely available and used by farmers. Aiming to evaluate the yield of the coriander fertilized with manure at different doses and incorporation times in the soil, a trial was conducted from September to November 2011, at the Experimental Farm Rafael Fernandes in the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró-RN, Brazil. The treatments consisted on the combination of four levels of manure incorporated into the soil: 15.0; 30.0; 45.0 and 60.0 t ha-1 at dry basis, with four incorporation times: 28; 49; 64 and 80 days before the coriander"s sowing - DAS, plus a control treatment (without fertilization). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with treatments arranged in a 4 x 4 + 1, with three replications. The coriander planted was the "Verdão" and the specific variables were height and number of stalks per plant and yield of the coriander. The coriander responded to the application of the manure, producing maximum yields of 6453 and 6349 kg ha-1 of fresh mass, with the dose of 60 t ha-1 and at forty-six days of incorporation before the sowing, respectively.

Comparison of pore space features by thin sections and X-ray microtomography.

Microtomographic (µCT) and thin section (TS) images were analyzed and compared regarding porosity and its distribution along the samples. The results show that µCT, although limited by its resolution, shows relevant information about the distribution of porosity and quantification of connected and non-connected pores. TS have no limitations concerning resolution, but are limited by the experimental data and can only give information about connected pores. These two methods have their own advantages but when paired together they are able to make for a more complete analysis.

Climate-driven range shifts explain the distribution of extant gene pools and predict future loss of unique lineages in a marine brown alga.

The climate-driven dynamics of species ranges is a critical research question in evolutionary ecology. We ask whether present intraspecific diversity is determined by the imprint of past climate. This is an ongoing debate requiring interdisciplinary examination of population genetic pools and persistence patterns across global ranges. Previously, contrasting inferences and predictions have resulted from distinct genomic coverage and/or geographical information. We aim to describe and explain the causes of geographical contrasts in genetic diversity and their consequences for the future baseline of the global genetic pool, by comparing present geographical distribution of genetic diversity and differentiation with predictive species distribution modelling (SDM) during past extremes, present time and future climate scenarios for a brown alga, Fucus vesiculosus. SDM showed that both atmospheric and oceanic variables shape the global distribution of intertidal species, revealing regions of persistence, extinction and expansion during glacial and postglacial periods. These explained the distribution and structure of present genetic diversity, consisting of differentiated genetic pools with maximal diversity in areas of long-term persistence. Most of the present species range comprises postglacial expansion zones and, in contrast to highly dispersive marine organisms, expansions involved only local fronts, leaving distinct genetic pools at rear edges. Besides unravelling a complex phylogeographical history and showing congruence between genetic diversity and persistent distribution zones, supporting the hypothesis of niche conservatism, range shifts and loss of unique genetic diversity at the rear edge were predicted for future climate scenarios, impoverishing the global gene pool.

Bone quality analysis using X-ray microtomography and microfluorescence.

Bone quality is an evaluation index often applied in order to interpret clinical observations made upon bone health, such as bone mineral density, micro and macro architecture, and mineral content. Conventional inspection techniques do not provide full information on trabecular bone quality. This study shows the high resolution potential and the non-destructive character of X-ray microtomography and microfluorescence upon the application of such techniques for evaluating bone quality. The mineral content assessment was performed by two-dimensional concentration mappings of calcium, zinc, and strontium. The results showed significant changes in bone morphology.

Divergence between sympatric rice- and maize-infecting populations of Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 IA from Latin America.

ABSTRACT The basidiomycetous fungus Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group (AG)-1 IA is a major pathogen in Latin America causing sheath blight (SB) of rice. Particularly in Venezuela, the fungus also causes banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) on maize, which is considered an emerging disease problem where maize replaced traditional rice-cropping areas or is now planted in adjacent fields. Our goals in this study were to elucidate (i) the effects of host specialization on gene flow between sympatric and allopatric rice and maize-infecting fungal populations and (ii) the reproductive mode of the fungus, looking for evidence of recombination. In total, 375 isolates of R. solani AG1 IA sampled from three sympatric rice and maize fields in Venezuela (Portuguesa State) and two allopatric rice fields from Colombia (Meta State) and Panama (Chiriquí State) were genotyped using 10 microsatellite loci. Allopatric populations from Venezuela, Colombia, and Panama were significantly differentiated (Phi(ST) of 0.16 to 0.34). Partitioning of the genetic diversity indicated differentiation between sympatric populations from different host species, with 17% of the total genetic variation distributed between hosts while only 3 to 6% was distributed geographically among the sympatric Venezuelan fields. We detected symmetrical historical migration between the rice- and the maize-infecting populations from Venezuela. Rice- and maize-derived isolates were able to infect both rice and maize but were more aggressive on their original hosts, consistent with host specialization. Because the maize- and rice-infecting populations are still cross-pathogenic, we postulate that the genetic differentiation was relatively recent and mediated via a host shift. An isolation with migration analysis indicated that the maize-infecting population diverged from the rice-infecting population between 40 and 240 years ago. Our findings also suggest that maize-infecting populations have a mainly recombining reproductive system whereas the rice-infecting populations have a mixed reproductive system in Latin America.

Highly polymorphic microsatellite loci in the rice- and maize-infecting fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 1 IA.

Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the rice- and maize-infecting Basidiomycete fungus Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group AG-1 IA. All loci were polymorphic in two populations from Louisiana in USA and Venezuela. The total number of alleles per locus ranged from four to eight. All 10 loci were also useful for genotyping soybean-infecting R. solani AG-1 isolates from Brazil and USA. One locus, TC06, amplified across two other AG groups representing different species, showing species-specific repeat length polymorphism. This marker suite will be used to determine the global population structure of this important pathogenic fungus.

Protective effects of 4-nerolidylcatechol against genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide.

In the present work we evaluated both the mutagenicity and antimutagenicity of the Pothomorphe umbellata root extract (PUE) and its isolated active principle, the 4-nerolidylcatechol (4-NC), in bone marrow cells of mice using the micronucleus test. Swiss male mice were orally treated for 4 days with PUE (200, 100 or 50mg/kg/day) or 4-NC (50, 25 or 12.5mg/kg/day) prior to exposition with a single dose (200mg/kg) of cyclophosphamide (CP), 24h after the end of the treatment. The results demonstrated that the PUE and 4-NC did not have any mutagenic effect on mouse bone marrow cells; quite the opposite, there was a protective effect against genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide. Taken together, under the conditions tested herein, mice treated with PUE and 4-NC showed, in a dose-dependent manner, protective effect against CP-induced genotoxicity. Due to their ability to prevent chromosomal damage, with apparent low toxicity and cost, PUE or pure 4-NC are likely to open a field of interest concerning their possible use in clinical applications.

Analysis of the toxic potential of Palicourea corymbifera (Müll. Arg.) Standl. in laboratory animals.

Palicourea species may produce bovine toxicity. Palicourea corymbifera grows in terra firme forests within the Amazon rain forest and in Tropical America, particularly in spots that gave place to gazing areas. The lyophilized extract done with the aerial organs of P. corymbifera were analyzed in male and female mice. Results revealed a significant toxicity: LD50 was 1.10 (1.04-1.15)g/kg for male mice, and 1.05 (1.00-1.10)g/kg for female mice. Locomotion was affected as well as there were reflexes linked to environmental stimuli in addition to changes in posture. Progressive central nervous system stimulus signs such as trembling and convulsions were detected, the latter followed by the animal's death. Macroscopic histopathological exams performed on the liver, kidneys and lungs of mice submitted to necropsy did not indicate the existence of lesions. General activity of animals, measured in an open field, was reduced as a result of the administration of the extract. Duration of locomotion and rearing frequency were reduced, in opposition to an increase in the duration of immobility. Thin layer chromatography analysis showed that monofluoroacetic acid is present in the lyophilized extract, but other qualitative techniques as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance showed that the MFAA was not present in the extract, and that the toxicity is related to other compound, although the toxic profile is very similar to that of MFAA. P. corymbifera was shown to be significantly toxic to laboratory animals and investigation of the possible toxic substance shall be done.