High population levels lead Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) to unrecorded feeding and oviposition behaviors on Eucalyptus urograndis plants / Altos níveis populacionais levam Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) a diferentes comportamentos de alimentação e oviposição em plantas de Eucalyptus urograndis

The red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964 (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), an insect pest originating in Australia and which feeds only on Eucalyptus L'Hér. (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) plants, has spread to several countries. The populations of this insect commonly reach high populations on Eucalyptus plants since its entry into Brazil, and also indicated an unrecorded behavioral. The objectives of this study were to describe a peculiar adaptation in the feeding habit of G. brimblecombei and to register the new habit. The oviposition and feeding by G. brimblecombei, commonly, on the leaves of Eucalyptus, started to occur, also, on lignified twigs. This suggests a not yet recorded adaptation of this insect to reduce insect × plant intraspecific competition.

O psilídeo de concha, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964 (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), um inseto praga originário da Austrália e que se alimenta apenas de plantas de Eucalyptus L'Hér. (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), se espalhou por vários países. Esse inseto, geralmente, atinge grandes populações em plantas de Eucalyptus desde sua entrada no Brasil e, também, indicou um comportamento diferente. Os objetivos deste estudo foram descrever uma adaptação peculiar no hábito alimentar de G. brimblecombei e registrar o novo hábito. A oviposição e alimentação por G. brimblecombei, geralmente, nas folhas de Eucalyptus, passaram a ocorrer, também, em ramos lignificados. Isso sugere uma adaptação diferente desse inseto para reduzir a competição intraespecífica inseto × planta.

High population levels lead Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) to unrecorded feeding and oviposition behaviors on Eucalyptus urograndis plants

Abstract The red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964 (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), an insect pest originating in Australia and which feeds only on Eucalyptus L'Hér. (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) plants, has spread to several countries. The populations of this insect commonly reach high populations on Eucalyptus plants since its entry into Brazil, and also indicated an unrecorded behavioral. The objectives of this study were to describe a peculiar adaptation in the feeding habit of G. brimblecombei and to register the new habit. The oviposition and feeding by G. brimblecombei, commonly, on the leaves of Eucalyptus, started to occur, also, on lignified twigs. This suggests a not yet recorded adaptation of this insect to reduce insect × plant intraspecific competition.

Resumo O psilídeo de concha, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964 (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), um inseto praga originário da Austrália e que se alimenta apenas de plantas de Eucalyptus L'Hér. (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), se espalhou por vários países. Esse inseto, geralmente, atinge grandes populações em plantas de Eucalyptus desde sua entrada no Brasil e, também, indicou um comportamento diferente. Os objetivos deste estudo foram descrever uma adaptação peculiar no hábito alimentar de G. brimblecombei e registrar o novo hábito. A oviposição e alimentação por G. brimblecombei, geralmente, nas folhas de Eucalyptus, passaram a ocorrer, também, em ramos lignificados. Isso sugere uma adaptação diferente desse inseto para reduzir a competição intraespecífica inseto × planta.

Antifungal activity of terpenes isolated from the Brazilian Caatinga: a review.

Terpenoids, also named terpenes or isoprenoids, are a family of natural products found in all living organisms. Many plants produce terpenoids as secondary metabolites, and these make up a large part of essential oils. One of most important characteristic is that the compounds are volatile, have odor and can be used in a variety of applications in different industrial segments and traditional medicine. Brazil has a rich and diverse flora that can be used as a source of research for obtaining new molecules. Within the Brazilian flora, it is worth mentioning the Caatinga as an exclusively Brazilian biome where plants adapt to a specific series of weather conditions and therefore become a great storehouse of the terpenoid compounds to be described herein. Fungal infections have become increasingly common, and a great demand for new agents with low toxicity and side effects has thus emerged. Scientists must search for new molecules exhibiting antifungal activity to develop new drugs. This review aims to analyze scientific data from the principal published studies describing the use of terpenes and their biological applications as antifungals.

Wolbachia pipientis: first detection in populations of Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) and Psyllaephagus bliteus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Brazil.

The sucking insect, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), is originally from Australia and reduces the productivity of Eucalyptus crops. The parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is the main agent used in the integrated management of G. brimblecombei. Endosymbionts, in insects, are important in the adaptation and protection of their hosts to the environment. The intracellular symbionts Wolbachia, induces reproductive changes such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, feminization, male death and parthenogenesis. The objective of this study was to report the first record of Wolbachia pipientis in populations of G. brimblecombei and of its parasitoid P. bliteus in the field in Brazil. Branches with adults of G. brimblecombei and P. bliteus were collected from eucalyptus trees in commercial farms in six Brazilian states and, after emergence, the insects obtained were frozen at -20 °C. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the Wolbachia endosymbiont. Wolbachia pipientis was identified in individuals of G. brimblecombei and its parasitoid P. bliteus from populations of the counties of Agudos and Mogi-Guaçu (São Paulo State), Itamarandiba (Minas Gerais State) and São Jerônimo da Serra (Paraná State) in Brazil.

Positive relationships between insects and negative with spiders on Acacia auriculiformis (Fabaceae) plants in the savannah biome and their distribution pattern.

Forest restoration is mainly based on plant-soil relationships and plant species with economic potential, but those between insects and other arthropods are also important to this reestablishment. The objective was to evaluate, during 24 months, the relationships between tending ants, Hemiptera phytophagous, predators and their distribution pattern (aggregated, random or uniform). The arthropods were sampled, stored and identified and their relationships and distribution patterns calculated with the BioDiversity-Pro software. The number of tending ants and phytophagous Hemiptera, Brachymyrmex sp. and Aethalion reticulatum, Cephalotes and Aleyrodidae were positively correlated. Tending ants were negatively correlated with Sternorrhyncha predators on A. auriculiformis saplings. The distribution of arthropods was aggregated, except for Teudis sp. and Cephalocoema sp., with a random pattern. The herbivores Stereoma anchoralis, Aethalion reticulatum and Tetragonisca angustula and the predators Brachymyrmex sp. and Dolichopodidae were the most abundant arthropods. The relationships between the arthropods studied on A. auriculiformis indicate that this plant, even introduced, is suitable for programs to recover degraded areas in the savannah.

Isolation and molecular characterization of Cordyceps sp. from Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and pathogenic to Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae).

The Brazilian forestry sector stands out for its technology, forestry management practices, social and environmental responsibility and, mainly, for its high productivity and exotic pests can reduce it. The red gum lerp psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei (Moore, 1964) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) is an important pest in Eucalyptus plantations. The parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus (Riek, 1962) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), predatory bugs and entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are the natural enemies and used in the biological control of the red gum lerp psyllid. The use of entomopathogenic fungi against exotic pests is increasing in the forestry sector and the prospecting and identification of fungus isolates is important for integrated pest management. The objective of this work was the isolation and molecular identification of Cordyceps spp. And to evaluate the pathogenicity of isolates, obtained from Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) adults, against to the red gum lerp psyllid G. brimblecombei. The fungi were isolated from B. tabaci adults found in soybean and tomato crops and molecularly identified. The conidia obtained were suspended in solution with Tween 80 (0.1%) at a concentration of 1.0 × 108 conidia/mL and sprayed on ten G. brimblecombei nymphs per Eucalyptus leaf cut and placed on a hydroretentive gel inside per Petri dishes as a replication. The number of dead insects was quantified, daily, for seven days, and transferred to humid chambers. Cordyceps javanica (LCBPF 11) and C. fumosorosea (LCBPF 12 and LCBPF 63) were identified with a molecular analysis and all isolates were pathogenic to the insects and indicates that they could be used to manage G. brimblecombei and adds to reports that, normally, fungi cause greater mortality on insects of the same order as that from which they were isolated.

High population levels lead Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) to unrecorded feeding and oviposition behaviors on Eucalyptus urograndis plants.

The red gum lerp psyllid, Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore, 1964 (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), an insect pest originating in Australia and which feeds only on Eucalyptus L'Hér. (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) plants, has spread to several countries. The populations of this insect commonly reach high populations on Eucalyptus plants since its entry into Brazil, and also indicated an unrecorded behavioral. The objectives of this study were to describe a peculiar adaptation in the feeding habit of G. brimblecombei and to register the new habit. The oviposition and feeding by G. brimblecombei, commonly, on the leaves of Eucalyptus, started to occur, also, on lignified twigs. This suggests a not yet recorded adaptation of this insect to reduce insect × plant intraspecific competition.

Risk assessment of in vitro cytotoxicity, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Mentha piperita L. essential oil.

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition as well as antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic properties of the essential oil of Mentha piperita L. (peppermint). Fifteen chemical constituents were identified in the essential oil, for a total of 99.99% of the compounds. The essential oil exhibited antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of essential oil of Mentha piperita L. for Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes was 1.84 µg/ml, whereas the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were 3.7 and 7.43 µg/ml, respectively. The oil displayed potent antioxidant activity inhibiting up to approximately73% of 2,2'-azinothiobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals. In the cytotoxicity assay, the highest essential oil concentration (100 µg/ml) resulted in viability of approximately 90% human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. With respect to antitumor activity in C6 rat glioma cells, there was significant reduction in cell viability: 56-74% in 24 hr, and 71-77% in 48 hr. Data suggest that in presence of the essential oil of Mentha piperita L. antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor and non-cytotoxic properties were noted.

Cultivable bacterial diversity associated with bromeliad roots from ironstone outcrops in central Brazil / Diversidade de bactérias cultiváveis associadas a raízes de bromélias de afloramentos ferruginosos do Brasil central

Abstract Studies on the bacterial diversity associated with wild plants are rare, especially on those that grow in association with bromeliads. In the present study, we isolated and identified epiphytic and endophytic bacteria from the roots of the bromeliads Dyckia excelsa, Dyckia leptostachya and Deuterocohnia meziana occurring in the "cangas" in the Pantanal from Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. The epiphytic bacteria were isolated from washed roots, while the endophytic bacteria were isolated from surface disinfested roots. Bacterial representatives corresponding to each BOX-PCR fingerprint, as well as those that did not result in amplicons, were selected for 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. The BOX-PCR data showed intrageneric and intraspecific diversity and could discriminate strains and identify their phenotypic characteristics. The 16S rDNA gene sequence and phylogeny analysis showed a higher occurrence of strains belonging to the genus Bacillus than Mycobacterium and Brevibacterium, which were found in lower numbers. Species from the Bacillus genus are well known for their sporulation capacity and longer survival in arid locations, such as the "cangas". This study clearly showed that the bromeliad species represent a vast reservoir of bacterial community diversity, and the cultivable strains represent a new source for biotechnological prospecting.

Resumo Estudos sobre a diversidade bacteriana associada a plantas silvestres são raros, especialmente naqueles que crescem em associação com bromélias. No presente estudo, isolamos e identificamos bactérias epífitas e endofíticas das raízes das bromélias Dyckia excelsa, D. leptostachya e Deuterocohnia meziana ocorrentes nas "cangas" no Pantanal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. As bactérias epifíticas foram isoladas de raízes lavadas, enquanto as bactérias endofíticas foram isoladas de raízes desinfestadas na superfície. Representantes bacterianos correspondentes a cada perfil do BOX-PCR, bem como aqueles que não resultaram em amplificações, foram selecionados para o sequenciamento do gene 16S rDNA. Os dados da BOX-PCR mostraram diversidade intragênica e intraespecífica e puderam discriminar cepas e identificar suas características fenotípicas. A seqüência do gene 16S rDNA e a análise filogenética mostraram uma maior ocorrência de cepas pertencentes ao gênero Bacillus do que as bactérias Mycobacterium e Brevibacterium, encontradas em menor número. Espécies do gênero Bacillus são bem conhecidas por sua capacidade de esporulação e maior sobrevida em locais áridos, como as "cangas". Este estudo mostrou claramente que as espécies de bromélias representam um vasto reservatório de diversidade de comunidades bacterianas, e as linhagens cultiváveis podem representar uma nova fonte para a prospecção biotecnológica.

Cultivable bacterial diversity associated with bromeliad roots from ironstone outcrops in central Brazil.

Studies on the bacterial diversity associated with wild plants are rare, especially on those that grow in association with bromeliads. In the present study, we isolated and identified epiphytic and endophytic bacteria from the roots of the bromeliads Dyckia excelsa, Dyckia leptostachya and Deuterocohnia meziana occurring in the "cangas" in the Pantanal from Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. The epiphytic bacteria were isolated from washed roots, while the endophytic bacteria were isolated from surface disinfested roots. Bacterial representatives corresponding to each BOX-PCR fingerprint, as well as those that did not result in amplicons, were selected for 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. The BOX-PCR data showed intrageneric and intraspecific diversity and could discriminate strains and identify their phenotypic characteristics. The 16S rDNA gene sequence and phylogeny analysis showed a higher occurrence of strains belonging to the genus Bacillus than Mycobacterium and Brevibacterium, which were found in lower numbers. Species from the Bacillus genus are well known for their sporulation capacity and longer survival in arid locations, such as the "cangas". This study clearly showed that the bromeliad species represent a vast reservoir of bacterial community diversity, and the cultivable strains represent a new source for biotechnological prospecting.

Phylogenetic diversity of aerobic spore-forming Bacillalles isolated from Brazilian soils.

The phylum Firmicutes comprises seven classes where most species are either aerobic or anaerobic endospore former. Inside Firmicutes, species allocated in the genus Bacillus and related genera are collectively named aerobic endospore-forming bacteria (AEFB), and the soil is their major reservoir. AEFB have great importance in health, agriculture, and biotechnology although the more studied species are Bacillus subtilis and the human pathogens Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis. AEFB have great importance in health, agriculture, and biotechnology; although the knowledge about these organisms is based on few species, notably, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus anthracis. In this work, we generated partial 16S rRNA gene sequences of both strands of 192 AEFB strains isolated from soils of Distrito Federal, Brazil (SDF strains). The resulting consensus sequences were used to obtain taxonomic assignment and establish the phylogenetic relationships among these strains. Through this approach, we could observe that classified SDF strains were distributed among genera Bacillus (169 strains; 88.02%), Paenibacillus (11; 5.73%), Lysinibacillus (6; 3.13%), Brevibacillus (4; 2.08%), Terribacillus (1; 0.52%), and Rummeliibacillus (1; 0.52%). Phylogenetic trees revealed these 192 SDF strains can be segregated into eight groups spanning families Bacillaceae and Paenibacillaceae belonging to the order Bacillales. To expand the knowledge about the diversity of these SDF strains, further studies regarding characterization with different methodologies are underway.

Clinicopathological analysis of head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma: A series of 10 cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND: To describe the clinicopathological characteristics of a series of head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and to review the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cases diagnosed as RMS affecting the head and neck region were retrospectively retrieved from the files of two Brazilian institutions from January 2006 to January 2017. Data on clinical features (sex, age and affected site), microscopic subtype, immunohistochemical results, treatment employed and follow-up status were obtained from the patient's medical charts. RESULTS: During the period considered, 10 cases of RMS were identified. Females predominated (4M:6F), the mean age at diagnosis was 16.5 years-old and the orbit was the most affected site (4 cases). Microscopically, most cases were classified as embryonal RMS (6 cases) and the Desmin/Myogenin/Myo-D1 immunohistochemical positivity was useful to confirm the diagnosis. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were applied to 9 and 8 patients respectively, whereas 2 patients were treated by surgery. Recurrences occurred in 3 patients and distant metastasis in 2 cases. Nine patients were alive in their last follow-up, 3 of them with disease, whereas 1 patient died due to the disease. CONCLUSION: Head and neck RMS is an aggressive malignant neoplasm which demands especial concern to achieve early diagnosis and successful treatment.

Trends in freshwater microcrustaceans studies in Brazil between 1990 and 2014 / Tendências nos estudos de microcrustáceos de água doce no Brasil entre 1990 e 2014

Abstract This study presents a review of scientiometric data about freshwater microcrustaceans (Copepoda, Ostracoda, Branchiopoda: Cladocera, Anostraca, Notostraca and Conchostraca) in Brazil from 1990-2014. This review is based on 179 papers published across four databases, using the following keywords in the search: microcrustaceans, Copepoda, Cyclopoida, Calanoida, Harpacticoida, Ergasilidae, Daphniidae, Moinidae, Cladocera, Ostracoda, Conchostraca, zooplankton, reservoir, river, ponds, reservoirs, wetlands, caves, lakes, limnology, ecology, aquatic, taxonomy, systematics, morphology and biogeography. No studies were identified that addressed freshwater microcrustaceans in four (Amapá, Roraima, Alagoas and Espírito Santo) of the 27 Brazilian Federative States. Forty-five percent of the included studies were concentrated within three of the most populous states (São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Paraná), which also have a long tradition of limnological study. The included studies mostly addressed reservoirs for hydropower generation (22%), multiple environments (22%), rivers (14%) and small artificial reservoirs (11%). Pools, ponds, small lakes, wetlands and phytothelma were not widely studied. Cladocera (48%) and Copepoda (48%) were the most studied groups. No studies were identified that addressed Notostraca, Anostraca or Conchostraca. The sharp increase in the number of published freshwater studies after 2000 is likely a result of increased internet facilities and the implementation of the Scielo platform. Ecology was most frequently the study focus (~50%), followed by taxonomy. Three journals (two Brazilian and one international) accounted for the publication of 44% of the Brazilian studies on microcrustaceans. We expect the frequency of studies employing newer technologies to increase in the coming years. Based on our findings, we propose that future studies should focus on the least well-studied states and should integrate biogeography and systematic approaches. Further data on the fauna within environmental sub-types in Brazil is required.

Resumo Esse estudo apresenta uma revisão cienciométrica para trabalhos com microcrustáceos de água doce (Copepoda, Ostracoda, Branchiopoda: Cladocera, Anostraca Notostraca e Conchostraca) no Brasil entre 1990-2014. Essa revisão foi baseada em 179 artigos científicos encontrados em quatro bases de dados, usando as seguintes palavras-chave: Microcrustáceos, Copepoda, Cyclopoida, Calanoida, Harpacticoida, Ergasilidae, Chydoridae, Daphniidae, Moinidae, Cladocera, Ostracoda, Conchostraca, Zooplankton, reservatório, rio, lagoas, áreas inundáveis, cavernas, lagos, limnologia, ecologia, aquático, taxonomia, sistemática, morfologia e biogeografia. Não foram encontrados estudos para microcrustáceos de água doce em quatro (Amapá, Roraima, Alagoas e Espírito Santo) dos 27 Estados da Federação Brasileira. Quarenta e cinco por cento dos estudos foram concentrados em três dos estados mais populosos (São Paulo, Minas Gerais e Paraná), os quais têm longa tradição em estudos limnológicos. A maioria dos estudos analisou reservatórios de hidrelétricas (22%), ambientes múltiplos (22%), rios (14%) e pequenos reservatórios artificiais (11%). Ambientes tais como, pequenos lagos, poças, lagoas, brejos e fitotelmatas não foram muito estudados. Cladocera (48%) e Copepoda (48%) foram os grupos mais estudados. Não foram encontrados trabalhos que analisaram Notostraca, Anostraca ou Conchostraca. O salto no número de estudos publicados depois do ano 2000 parece ser resultado do aumento das facilidades da internet e criação da plataforma Scielo. Ecologia foi a área mais focada nos estudos (~50%), seguida pela taxonomia. Três revistas (duas brasileiras e uma internacional) contêm 44% dos artigos publicados sobre microcrustáceos no Brasil. Espera-se que a frequência de estudos utilizando novas tecnologias aumente nos próximos anos. Baseado nos nossos resultados, propõe-se que trabalhos futuros devam focar os estados menos estudados e integrem abordagens biogeográficas e sistemáticas. Mais dados sobre a fauna de microcrustáceos dentro dos tipos de ambiente menos estudados no Brasil também são necessários.

Trends in freshwater microcrustaceans studies in Brazil between 1990 and 2014.

This study presents a review of scientiometric data about freshwater microcrustaceans (Copepoda, Ostracoda, Branchiopoda: Cladocera, Anostraca, Notostraca and Conchostraca) in Brazil from 1990-2014. This review is based on 179 papers published across four databases, using the following keywords in the search: microcrustaceans, Copepoda, Cyclopoida, Calanoida, Harpacticoida, Ergasilidae, Daphniidae, Moinidae, Cladocera, Ostracoda, Conchostraca, zooplankton, reservoir, river, ponds, reservoirs, wetlands, caves, lakes, limnology, ecology, aquatic, taxonomy, systematics, morphology and biogeography. No studies were identified that addressed freshwater microcrustaceans in four (Amapá, Roraima, Alagoas and Espírito Santo) of the 27 Brazilian Federative States. Forty-five percent of the included studies were concentrated within three of the most populous states (São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Paraná), which also have a long tradition of limnological study. The included studies mostly addressed reservoirs for hydropower generation (22%), multiple environments (22%), rivers (14%) and small artificial reservoirs (11%). Pools, ponds, small lakes, wetlands and phytothelma were not widely studied. Cladocera (48%) and Copepoda (48%) were the most studied groups. No studies were identified that addressed Notostraca, Anostraca or Conchostraca. The sharp increase in the number of published freshwater studies after 2000 is likely a result of increased internet facilities and the implementation of the Scielo platform. Ecology was most frequently the study focus (~50%), followed by taxonomy. Three journals (two Brazilian and one international) accounted for the publication of 44% of the Brazilian studies on microcrustaceans. We expect the frequency of studies employing newer technologies to increase in the coming years. Based on our findings, we propose that future studies should focus on the least well-studied states and should integrate biogeography and systematic approaches. Further data on the fauna within environmental sub-types in Brazil is required.