Retrieving records of a rare and threatened shark in a mosaic of marine-protected areas of southeastern Brazil.

In this study the authors use the Fishers ecological knowledge (FEK) from the south coast of the São Paulo State, in southeastern Brazil, to recover records of Atlantic nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), a threatened with extinction species, in a mosaic of marine-protected areas (MPAs) of the south coast of São Paulo, in southeastern Brazil, in the southernmost distribution of the species in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. For half a century, in the study area only one male of G. cirratum was officially recorded, in 1967. Retrieving records from artisanal fishers, recreational anglers, fishing guides and spearfishers added 30 more records of G. cirratum, including 2 recent captures (February/2022 and May/2022), especially around coastal islands that are covered by MPAs. Two uncommon fishing techniques, but which provided the highest number of records for the species, were documented. These are fishing nets and small longlines adapted for fishing close to the rocks, being an apparently traditional activity of a few natives of the region. As Brazil has a long history of intense catches of threatened elasmobranchs and problems with fisheries monitoring, the consideration of the FEK in the fisheries monitoring carried out by the authorities can be useful to promote improvements in data collection, especially of rare and endangered species such as G. cirratum. The strengthening of the protection of the MPAs and the articulation of research and management institutions with native people and tourists who use these areas should also be considered.

Enhancing the Luminescence of Eu(III) Complexes with the Ruthenocene Organometallic Unit as Ancillary Ligand.

Five novel Eu(III)-ß-diketonate complexes containing ruthenocene ancillary ligands (1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphoryl)ruthenocene─RcBPO) were synthesized and characterized. The coordination compounds presented the general formula [Eu(ß-dik)3(RcBPO)], where ß-dik stands for 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (tta), 3-benzoyl-1,1,1-trifluoroacetone (btf), 2-dibenzoylmethanate (dbm), 2-acetyl-1,3-indandionate (aind), and 2-benzoyl-1,3-indandionate (bind), and RcBPO stands for 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphoryl)ruthenocene. The [Eu(aind)3(RcBPO)] complex crystallizes in a monoclinic Cc non-centrosymmetric space group with the europium site environment, assuming a bicapped trigonal prism coordination polyhedron with the symmetry point group close to C2v. Photoluminescent properties for the solid-state samples were described in terms of excitation, emission, lifetime decay curves, and intrinsic and overall quantum yields. The replacement of the two coordinated H2O molecules by the RcBPO ancillary ligand leads to great enhancements of the overall quantum yields (QEuL), with the minimum increment by a factor of 5 for the case of [Eu(btf)3(RcBPO)] and the maximum enhancement of 270 times for the case of the [Eu(dbm)3(RcBPO)] complex. In addition, theoretical calculations were carried out to model the spectroscopic properties of the investigated compounds. To obtain theoretical Judd-Ofelt parameters (Ωλ, λ = 2, 4, and 6) and intramolecular energy transfer rates, the JOYSpectra web platform was employed using the structure obtained from density functional theory calculations. Hence, a rate equation model provided theoretical overall quantum yields, which are in great agreement with measured data.

Coastal sharks and rays in a marine protected area in southern Brazil.

In southern Brazil, we investigated shark and ray capture records in an integral protection marine protection area (MPA) that allows fishing in that area. We found 10 shark and nine ray species, of which 88.5% and 66.2%, respectively, are endangered. Female adults and neonates of both sexes are abundant in the area, with records of stranding of large specimens, postcapture abortions and ovigerous capsules with fresh embryos on the beach. We suggest the application of continuous fisheries monitoring and an increase in guidelines on the capture of endangered species.

Descrição anatômica do plexo braquial de Callithrix jacchus e Callithrix penicillata / Anatomic description of brachial plexus of Callithrix jacchus and Callithrix penicillata

Callithrix jacchus e Callithrix penicillata são primatas de pequeno porte cuja utilização como modelo anatômico tem se mostrado cada vez mais frequente, não somente pela praticidade no manuseio como facilidade no trato em criatório e sua taxa de reprodução. Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever os componentes dos plexos braquial em Callithrix jacchus e penicillata. Para tanto, três espécimes com aproximadamente 8 anos e 240 g foram fixados em solução de formaldeído a 10%, e posteriormente dissecados e fotodocumentados. O plexo braquial do Callithrix jacchus e penicillata originou-se dos nervos espinhais C5 a T1 constituindo os troncos cranial, médio e caudal. A composição do plexo braquial destes animais se assemelha ao de outros primatas, bem como a outros mamíferos.(AU)

Callithrix jacchus and Callithrix penicillata are small primates used as anatomic model, not only for convenience in handling as ease in regard to breeding and reproductive rate. The aim of this study was to describe the components of the brachial plexus in Callithrix jacchus and C. penicillata. Three specimens about 8 years old and weighing 240g were fixed in 10% formaldehyde and subsequently dissected and photodocumented. The brachial plexus of Callithrix jacchus and C. penicillata originates from the spinal nerves C5 to T1 in continuation of the cranial, medium and flow trunk. The composition of the brachial plexus of these animals is similar to the one of other primates ands other mammals.(AU)

A microestrutura e o desenvolvimento dos órgãos genitais masculinos de preás (Galea spixii) criados em cativeiro / The microstructure and development of male genital organs of Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii) bred in captivity

O preá do semiárido nordestino (Galea spixii) é um roedor pertencente à família Caviidae. São encontrados nas regiões da Caatinga e do Cerrado Brasileiro e se reproduz ao longo do ano, apresentando um período de gestação de 48 dias e uma ninhada de 2 a 4 crias. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar histologicamente os componentes estruturais dos órgãos genitais de preás machos relacionando com a evolução cronológica destes órgãos na espécie. Foram utilizados para análise animais ao nascimento e aos 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120 e aos 150 dias de idade. Fragmentos do epidídimo, ducto deferente, pênis e glândulas sexuais acessórias foram coletados, fixados e processados para descrição em microscopia de luz. O epidídimo apresentou epitélio colunar simples e em cada fase sexual notou-se diferença quanto ao tamanho do lúmen tubular e à presença de espermatozóides no lúmen aos 45 dias de idade. O epitélio do ducto deferente no preá mostrou-se pseudo-estratificado colunar com crescente presença de estereocilios com o avanço da idade. A glândula vesicular no preá apresentou uma mucosa com pregueamento variado, de acordo com a fase do desenvolvimento sexual. A próstata mostrou-se pouco desenvolvida, com lúmen pequeno nos preás ao nascimento e aos 15 dias de idade; aos 45 dias mostrou-se com um pregueamento do epitélio variável. Os órgãos genitais masculinos do preá passaram por transformações morfológicas no decorrer da idade e com o desenvolvimento sexual, isso colaborou para a determinação do início da fase da puberdade, que na espécie em estudo foi aos 45 dias de idade.(AU)

The Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii) from the Brazilian northeastern semi-arid is a rodent that does belong to the family Caviidae. They are found in regions of the Caatinga and Cerrado, and reproduces throughout the year, with a gestation period of 48 days and a litter of 2 to 4 pups. The aim of this study was to characterize histologically the structural components of the genital organs of male Spix's yellow-toothed cavies regarding their chronological development. For the analysis we used animals at birth and with 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120 and 150 days of age. Fragments of the epididymis, vas deferens, penis and accessory sex glands were collected, fixed and processed for light microscopic. The epididymis had a simple columnar epithelium and at each sexual stage the epididymis was noted different in size of the tubular lumen and regarding the presence of sperm in the lumen at 45 days of age. The epithelium of vas deferens was found to be pseudo-stratified columnar with increasing presence of stereocilia with advancing age. The vesicular gland showed a folded mucosa that varied according to stage of sexual development. The prostate was not very developed, with a small lumen in Spix's yellow-toothed cavy at birth and at 15 days of age; at 45 days showed variable wrinkling of the epithelium. The male genital organs underwent morphological transformations in line with age and sexual development, what helped to determine the onset of puberty, which in the species studied occurred at 45 days of age.(AU)

Daily sperm production and evaluation of morphological reproductive parameters of Murrah buffaloes in an extensive breeding system.

The development of male sexual maturity varies among buffaloes. The Murrah buffalo is considered the most important and efficient milk and fat producer, but aspects of its reproductive biology are still unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the daily sperm production (DSP) and spermatogenesis in developing Murrah buffalo bulls by evaluation of the seminiferous tubules, testicular morphometry and using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The testes of Murrah buffalo bulls at 18 mo was immature and at 24 mo could still be considered an average-efficiency breed based on their DSP. At 24 mo, the DSP rate was 0.97 billion sperm per testis and 13 million sperm per gram of testis. However, the animals had superior morphometric parameters compared with those of other livestock animals, except for the seminiferous tubule volume and diameter, which were inferior. In conclusion, our data support former views that the testes of the Murrah breed does not reach sexual maturity before 2 y of age and that important developmental steps occur later than Murrah crossbreeds from Brazil.

Descrição morfológica do diafragma do sagui-de-tufo-branco (Callithrix jacchus) / Morphological description of diaphragm of white-tufted-ear-marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

O músculo diafragma, encontrado apenas nos mamíferos, é o principal músculo no processo respiratório, servindo de fronteira entre as cavidades torácica e abdominal. Sua importância também ganha destaque em pesquisas realizadas no âmbito dos enxertos, empregando-se diversos tipos de membranas biológicas para o reparo de defeitos diafragmáticos, os quais podem gerar hérnias diafragmáticas. Apesar de muitos estudos já conduzidos para com os primatas não humanos, especialmente no que tange a espécie do novo mundo Callithrix jacchus (Sagui-de-tufo-branco), oriundo do nordeste brasileiro, as pesquisas envolvendo o uso do diafragma em tal espécie é inexistente. Deste modo objetivou-se caracterizar a morfologia e a biometria do diafragma na espécie Callithrix jacchus de ambos os sexos, analisando possíveis divergências estruturais entre machos e fêmeas. Para tal foram utilizados quatros animais, 2 machos e 2 fêmeas, adultos, que vieram a óbito por causas naturais, provenientes de um criadouro comercial. Após fixação em solução de formaldeído 10% os animais foram devidamente dissecados para fotodocumentação e em seguida o diafragma coletado para efetuação da biometria (comprimento e largura) com o uso de um paquímetro e para o processamento histológico por meio da coloração de hematoxilina-eosina e tricrômio de masson, da porção muscular. As mensurações feitas permitiram concluir que não houve diferenças signifcativas entre machos e femeas. A topografia e a presença de três aberturas (forame da veia cava caudal, hiato aórtico e esofágico) na extensão do diafragma corroboram com descrições na literatura classica para outros mamíferos. A presença de um centro tendíneo em "V" difere do encontrado para animais como o peixe-boi e porquinho-da-india, mas é similar ao encontrado para o gambá-de-orelhas-brancas e rato albino. No que diz respeito aos achados histológicos conclui-se que as fibras musculares estão dispostas de forma organizada, apresentam diâmetro grande e núcleos basais, tendo, portanto, características similares do músculo estriado esquelético tanto nos animais machos como nas fêmeas.

The diaphragm muscle found only in mammals is the main muscle in the respiratory process, serving as the border between the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Its significance also is highlighted in research conducted with grafts using various types of biological membranes for the repair of diaphragmatic defects which may cause diaphragmatic hernias. In spite of many studies already conducted in non-human primates, especially in regard to the new world species Callithrix jacchus (white-tufted-ear-marmoset) from northeastern Brazil, research involving use of the diaphragm in such species is nonexistent. Thus, the objective was to characterize the morphology and biometry of the diaphragm in C. jacchus of both sexes, analyzing possible structural differences between males and females. To this end, we used four adult white-tufted-ear-marmosets from a commercial breeder, two males and two females that had died of natural causes. After fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution, the animals were dissected for photo documentation, the diaphragm was collected for biometrics (length and width) with a caliper, and for histological processing by hematoxylin-eosin and Trichrome Masson. The measurements showed that there were no significant differences between males and females. The topography and the presence of three openings (foramen vena cava, aortic et esophageal hiatus) in the extension of the diaphragm corroborate descriptions in classical literature for other mammals. Regarding the histological findings, it was concluded that the muscular fibers are arranged in an organized shape, with a large diameter and basal nuclei, and showed similar characteristics of skeletal muscle in males and females.

Caracterização morfológica e frequência dos estádios do ciclo do epitélio seminífero em preás (Galea spixii Wagler, 1831) criados em cativeiro / Morphological characterization and frenquency of stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle in captive bred Spix's yellow-toothed (Galea spixii Wagler, 1831)

Estudos baseados nas características testiculares estão altamente relacionados com a eficiência reprodutiva de varias espécies. Assim, o projeto desenvolvido teve como objetivo identificar as células do epitélio seminífero, caracterizar histologicamente suas associações, que formam os estádios, e determinar a frequência destes. Os fragmentos de testículos, com 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 150 dias foram coletados no Centro de Multiplicação da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-árido, Mossoró/ RN. Passando pelos processos de fixação, lavagens em soluções de concentrações crescentes de álcoois (70-100 por cento), desidratação em xilol, inclusão em Histosec®, preparação das lâminas histológicas, colorações em Hematoxilina e Eosina (HE) e suas fotomicrografias para a caracterização dos núcleos celulares do epitélio germinativo e a definição dos oitos estágios do ciclo do epitélio seminífero (CES) baseados no Método da Morfologia Tubular. Das faixas etárias analisadas todos os animais de 90-150 dias de idade apresentaram todos os estádios do CES. Os estádios I e III foram os que apresentaram maior e menor freqüência, respectivamente. Os animais caracterizados como pré-púberes (30 dias), púberes (45-90 dias de idade) e pós-púberes (105150 dias de idade) apresentaram os estádios I, VIII e IV com uma maior freqüência, respectivamente.

Studies based on the testicular characteristics are strongly associated with the reproductive efficiency of various species. Thus, the developed project aimed to identify the cells of the seminiferous epithelium, histologically characterized their associations, which form stages, and determine the frequency of these. The fragments of testes, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 150 days were collected Multiplication Center of Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró, RN. Through the process of fixing, washing in solutions of increasing concentrations of alcohols (70-100 percent), dehydration in xylene, inclusion in Histosec ®, preparation of histological slides, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and their photomicrographs for the characterization of cell nuclei of the germinal epithelium and the definition of the eight stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle (CES) based on the tubular morphology method. The different age groups all animals at 90 to 150 days of age showed all stages of the CES. Stages I and III showed the highest and lowest frequency, respectively. Animals categorized as prepubertal (30 days), pubertal (45 to 90 days old) and postpubertal (105 to 150 days of age) had stage I, IV and VIII with a higher frequency, respectively.

Evaluation of the genotoxicity of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom and its isolated toxins on human lymphocytes.

In the present study, experiments were carried out to evaluate the mutagenic potential and genotoxic effects of Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom and its isolated toxins on human lymphocytes, using the micronucleus and comet assays. Significant damage to DNA was observed for crotoxin and crotapotin (CA). Basic phospholipase A(2) (CB) and crotamine did not present any mutagenic potential when evaluated by the micronucleus test. C. d. terrificus crude venom was able to induce the formation of micronuclei, similarly to the mutagenic drug used as a positive control. In the comet assay, all the toxins tested (crotamine, crotoxin, CB and CA) and C. d. terrificus venom presented genotoxic activity. Studies on the cytogenetic toxicology of animal venoms and their isolated proteins are still very scarce in the literature, which emphasizes the importance of the present work for the identification and characterization of potential therapeutic agents, as well as for the better understanding of the mechanisms of action of toxins on the human body.