Fish composition and species richness in eastern South American coastal lagoons: additional support for the freshwater ecoregions of the world.

The relationships between fish composition, connectivity and morphometry of 103 lagoons in nine freshwater ecoregions (FEOW) between 2·83° S and 37·64° S were evaluated in order to detect possible congruence between the gradient of species richness and similarities of assemblage composition. Most lagoons included in the study were <2 km(2) , with a maximum of 3975 km(2) in surface area. Combined surface area of all lagoons included in the study was 5411 km(2) . Number of species varied locally from one to 76. A multiple regression revealed that latitude, attributes of morphometry and connectivity, and sampling effort explained a large amount of variability in species richness. Lagoon area was a good predictor of species richness except in low latitude ecoregions, where lagoons are typically small-sized and not affected by marine immigrants, and where non-native fish species accounted for a significant portion of species richness. Relationships between species and area in small-sized lagoons (<2 km(2) ) is highly similar to the expected number in each ecoregion, with systems located between 18·27° S and 30·15° S attaining higher levels of species richness. Similarities in species composition within the primary, secondary and peripheral or marine divisions revealed strong continental biogeographic patterns only for species less tolerant or intolerant to salinity. Further support for the FEOW scheme in the eastern border of South America is therefore provided, and now includes ecotonal systems inhabited simultaneously by freshwater and marine species of fishes.

GERMPLASM BANKING AND ITS ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISH GENETIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME IN BRAZIL.

BACKGROUND: Over the last ten years, Brazilian fish farming has become more focused, resulting in the development of genetic improvement programmes (GIP) for two South American species Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) and Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (cachara). OBJECTIVE: To describe the action plan used for setting up the GIP and to detail the germplasm bank composition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen of both species was collected, frozen and transported between locations in Brazil. To start the programme, full and half-sib families of both species were established from 120 males and 60 females. RESULTS: New species-specific protocols for semen cryopreservation s were established of value to commercial application in fish farming. CONCLUSION: Germplasm banking has enabled the exchange of biological material and reduced the overall GIP costs. Germplasm banking can be very important to the dissemination of the selected genetic material of these species among fish farmers.

Weight loss is not mandatory for exercise-induced effects on health indices in females with metabolic syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of moderate aerobic training on functional, anthropometric, biochemical, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) parameters on women with metabolic syndrome (MS). Fifteen untrained women with MS performed moderate aerobic training for 15 weeks, without modifications of dietary behaviours. Functional, anthropometric, biochemical, control diet record and HRQOL parameters were assessed before and after the training. Despite body weight maintenance, the patients presented decreases in waist circumference (P = 0.001), number of MS components (P = 0.014), total cholesterol (P = 0.049), HDL cholesterol (P = 0.004), LDL cholesterol (P = 0.027), myeloperoxidase activity (P = 0.002) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels (P = 0.006). There were no differences in total energy, carbohydrate, protein and lipid intake pre- and post-training. Furthermore, improvements in the HRQOL subscales of physical functioning (P = 0.03), role-physical (P = 0.039), bodily pain (P = 0.048), general health (P = 0.046) and social functioning scoring (P = 0.011) were reported. Despite the absence of weight loss, aerobic training induced beneficial effects on functional, anthropometric, biochemical and HRQOL parameters in women with MS.

Stranded pellets in Fildes Peninsula (King George Island, Antarctica): New evidence of Southern Ocean connectivity.

Plastic and microplastic debris is transported by ocean currents over long distances, reaching remote areas, far from its original source. In Polar Regions, microplastics (MPs) can come from local activities or be transported from lower latitudes, with the former being the likely and major source. Although historically Antarctica was considered isolated from the global ocean, there is recent evidence of materials and organisms being transported in and out of the Southern Ocean, despite its multi-front structure. During the austral summer of 2019, beach surveys were conducted on the NW coast of the Fildes Peninsula (King George Island). The beach was characterised, and the first 2 cm of sediment from 5 quadrants (50 × 50 cm) along 100 m of the highest strandline were collected. Large microplastics (LMPs) and mesoplastics (MesoPs) were isolated, counted, measured, weighed and classified by shape. Polymer composition was analysed by FTIR and ageing estimated by Carbonyl Index. We found 293 items of LMPs (188 items) and MesoPs (105 items), with a total average density (±SD) of 234.4 ± 166 items m-2. Foams (130.4 ± 76.3), fragments (58.4 ± 56.0) and pellets (44.0 ± 50.5) were the most abundant shapes. The main polymers found were polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene. We found pellets among the MesoPs, being the first record for beaches in Antarctica. The presence of these primary MPs south of 62°S not only alerts about their possible direct consequences on Antarctic ecosystems, but also gives empirical evidence for the passive entry of plastic debris from lower latitudes through cross-frontal exchanges, providing new evidence of a global connectivity of the Southern Ocean. Despite increasing research, knowledge of plastics dynamics and their impact in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica is still limited but certainly necessary.

A reply to "Relevant factors in the eutrophication of the Uruguay River and the Río Negro".

A recent paper by Beretta-Blanco and Carrasco-Letelier (2021) claims that agricultural eutrophication is not one of the main causes for cyanobacterial blooms in rivers and artificial reservoirs. By combining rivers of markedly different hydrological characteristics e.g., presence/absence and number of dams, river discharge and geological setting, the study speculates about the role of nutrients for modulating phytoplankton chlorophyll-a. Here, we identified serious flaws, from erratic and inaccurate data manipulation. The study did not define how erroneous original dataset values were treated, how the variables below the detection/quantification limit were numerically introduced, lack of mandatory variables for river studies such as flow and rainfall, arbitrary removal of pH > 7.5 values (which were not outliers), and finally how extreme values of other environmental variables were included. In addition, we identified conceptual and procedural mistakes such as biased construction/evaluation of model prediction capability. The study trained the model using pooled data from a short restricted lotic section of the (large) Uruguay River and from both lotic and reservoir domains of the Negro River, but then tested predictability within the (small) Cuareim River. Besides these methodological considerations, the article shows misinterpretations of the statistical correlation of cause and effect neglecting basic limnological knowledge of the ecology of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and international research on land use effects on freshwater quality. The argument that pH is a predictor variable for HABs neglects overwhelming basic paradigms of carbon fluxes and change in pH because of primary productivity. As a result, the article introduces the notion that HABs formation are not related to agricultural land use and water residence time and generate a great risk for the management of surface waterbodies. This reply also emphasizes the need for good practices of open data management, especially for public databases in view of external reproducibility.

Functional identification of cell phenotypes differentiating from mice retinal neurospheres using single cell calcium imaging.

Degeneration of neural retina causes vision impairment and can lead to blindness. Neural stem and progenitor cells might be used as a tool directed to regenerative medicine of the retina. Here, we describe a novel platform for cell phenotype-specific drug discovery and screening of proneurogenic factors, able to boost differentiation of neural retinal progenitor cells. By using single cell calcium imaging (SCCI) and a rational-based stimulation protocol, a diversity of cells emerging from differentiated retinal neurosphere cultures were identified. Exposure of retinal progenitor cultures to KCl or to α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) stimulated Ca(2+) transients in microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) positive neurons. Doublecortin (DCX) and polysialated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) positive neuroblasts were distinguished from differentiated neurons on the basis of their response to muscimol. Ca(2+) fluxes in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) or glutamine synthetase (GS) positive cells were induced by ATP. To validate the platform, neurospheres were treated with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (proneurogenic) or ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) (gliogenic factor). BDNF increased the percentage of differentiated cells expressing Tuj-1 sensitive to KCl or AMPA and reduced the population of cells responding to muscimol. CNTF exposure resulted in a higher number of cells expressing GFAP responding to ATP. All together, our data may open new perspectives for cell type-specific discovery of drug targets and screening of novel proneurogenic factors to boost differentiation of neural retina cells to treat degenerative retinal diseases.

Trophic activity derived from bone marrow mononuclear cells increases peripheral nerve regeneration by acting on both neuronal and glial cell populations.

A rat model of complete sciatic nerve transection was used to evaluate the effect of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) transplanted to the injury site immediately after lesion. Rats treated with BMMC had both sensory and motor axons reaching the distal stump earlier compared to untreated animals. In addition, BMMC transplantation reduced cell death in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) compared to control animals. Transplanted BMMC remained in the lesion site for several days but there is no evidence of BMMC differentiation into Schwann cells. However, an increase in the number of Schwann cells, satellite cells and astrocytes was observed in the treated group. Moreover, neutralizing antibodies for nerve growth factor (NGF) (but not for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and ciliary-derived neurotrophic factor) added to the BMMC-conditioned medium reduced neurite growth of sensory and sympathetic neurons in vitro, suggesting that BMMC release NGF, improve regeneration of the sciatic nerve in the adult rat and stimulate Schwann and satellite cell proliferation or a combination of both.

Tuberculosis incidence among contacts of active pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) in Brazil is recommended only in the case of contacts of pulmonary smear-positive TB patients agedor=10 mm and no previous bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination or with a TST>or=15 mm regardless of previous BCG vaccination. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 2-year incidence and predictors of TB among contacts who did not meet the Brazilian criteria for LTBI treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. Contacts aged between 12 and 15 years and those aged>or=15 years who did not meet the Brazilian criteria for LTBI treatment were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: TB incidence was 3.2% (22/667), with an estimated TB rate of 1649 per 100000 population. Risk of TB was greater among the 349 contacts with TST>or=5 mm (5.4%) compared to the 318 contacts with TST<5 mm (0.9%; RR 6.04, 95%CI 1.7-20.6). CONCLUSION: The high incidence of TB among contacts who did not meet the Brazilian criteria for LTBI treatment strongly suggests that these criteria should be reviewed. Furthermore, even among BCG-vaccinated contacts, TST induration>or=5 mm was the only variable that predicted the development of TB disease within 2years.

Putrescine as an important source of GABA in the postnatal rat subventricular zone.

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is a neurogenic region that continually gives rise to olfactory bulb (OB) GABAergic interneurons in mammals. The newly generated neuroblasts already express GABA while migrating to this structure along the rostral migratory stream (RMS). Here, we investigate in early postnatal rat if SVZ/RMS cells undertake the same synthetic pathway by which GABA is produced in differentiated neurons, i.e. the decarboxylation of glutamate by the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), or, if an alternative pathway, the conversion of putrescine into GABA, also contributes to GABA synthesis. We show here that GAD immunoreactivity is not significantly detectable within the SVZ/RMS. However, strong immunolabeling is found within the OB. Nevertheless, low GAD enzymatic activity (as compared with OB) is detected in the SVZ/RMS. SVZ/RMS explants convert approximately 30% of all captured radiolabeled putrescine into GABA in vitro, showing that this pathway is important for GABA synthesis in the SVZ. We also show that SVZ/RMS, OB and choroid plexus explants are able to synthesize putrescine, as analyzed by ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, providing neuroblasts with different sources of putrescine for GABA production. During early stages of neuroblast differentiation, in which neurotransmitter choice may still be undefined, an alternative pathway for GABA synthesis guarantees the production of GABA, necessary for neuroblast proliferation and migration in the SVZ/RMS.

Transporter mediated GABA release in the retina: role of excitatory amino acids and dopamine.

In general, the release of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system is accomplished by a calcium-dependent process which constitutes a common feature of exocytosis, a conserved mechanism for transmitter release in all species. However, neurotransmitters can also be released by the reversal of their transporters. In the retina, a large portion of GABA is released by this mechanism, which is under the control of neuroactive agents, such as excitatory amino acids and dopamine. In this review, we will focus on the transporter mediated GABA release and the role played by excitatory amino acids and dopamine in this process. First, we will discuss the works that used radiolabeled GABA to study the outflow of the neurotransmitter and then the works that took into consideration the endogenous pool of GABA and the topography of GABAergic circuits influenced by excitatory amino acids and dopamine.

On the identity of Onthophagus columbianus Boucomont, 1932 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae).

Onthophagus columbianus Boucomont, 1932 is a new case of transcontinental mislabeling within the genus. The species name is here considered to be new synonym under the Madagascan Onthophagus elegans Klug, 1832. Historical notes, lectotype designations and illustrations of the primary type specimens of both species are provided.

More transcontinental mislabeling in the genus Onthophagus: d'Orbigny's "African" Group 27 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae).

With more than 2300 species, Onthophagus Latreille, 1802 is a mega diverse genus within the subfamily Scarabaeinae. Recent revisions have yielded an over-abundance of redundant species names accumulated over the years as results of bad and inappropriate taxonomic practices. Indeed, the difficulty of access to public entomological collections, the usage of outdated bibliographic references, as well as the description of new species based on a few specimens, and often accompanied by diagnoses largely vague, has resulted thus far in a very large number of synonyms.

Plastics and microplastics on recreational beaches in Punta del Este (Uruguay): Unseen critical residents?

Beaches are social-ecological systems that provide several services improving human well-being. However, as one of the major coastal interfaces they are subject to plastic pollution, one of the most significant global environmental threats at present. For the first time for Uruguayan beaches, this study assessed and quantified the accumulation of plastic and microplastic debris on sandy beaches of the major touristic destination Punta del Este during the austral spring of 2013. Aiming to provide valuable information for decision-making, we performed a detailed analysis of plastic debris, their eventual transport pathways to the coast (from land and sea), and the associated persistent pollutants. The results indicated that the smallest size fractions (<20 mm) were the dominant size range, with fragments and resin pellets as types with the highest number of items. PAHs and PCBs were found in plastic debris, and their levels did not differ from baseline values reported for similar locations. The abundance of plastic debris was significantly and positively correlated with both the presence of possible land-based sources (e.g. storm-water drains, beach bars, beach access, car parking, and roads), and dissipative beach conditions. The analysis of coastal currents suggested some potential deposition areas along Punta del Este, and particularly for resin pellets, although modeling was not conclusive. From a local management point of view, the development and use of indices that allow predicting trends in the accumulation of plastic debris would be critically useful. The time dimension (e.g. seasonal) should also be considered for this threat, being crucial for locations such as Uruguay, where the use of beaches increases significantly during the summer. This first diagnosis aims to generate scientific baseline, necessary for improved management of plastic litter on beaches and their watersheds.

Growth of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes controlled by shifts in cyclic AMP mediated by adrenergic ligands.

Intracellular levels of cAMP in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes were determined in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, and in the presence of the adrenergic ligand isoproterenol. An increase in the levels of cAMP was observed when those drugs were added. This effect was more pronounced when the cells were in the lag phase of growth. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors, catecholamines and dibutyryl cAMP inhibited proliferation of the organisms, as well as [3H]thymidine incorporation in in vitro experiments. These findings strongly suggest that cAMP plays a role in the control of growth of T. cruzi. The effects of adrenergic ligands in increasing cAMP levels and inhibiting growth could be reversed by beta-adrenergic antagonists, suggesting the presence of a receptor-mediated adenylate cyclase system in T. cruzi. Cholinergic ligands had no effect.

Direct inhibition of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor channel by dopamine and (+)-SKF38393.

1. Dopamine is known to modulate glutamatergic synaptic transmission in the retina and in several brain regions by activating specific G-protein-coupled receptors. We have examined the possibility of a different type of mechanism for this modulation, one involving direct interaction of dopamine with ionotropic glutamate receptors. 2. Ionic currents induced by fast application of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) were recorded under whole-cell patch-clamp in cultured striatal, thalamic and hippocampal neurons of the rat and in retinal neurons of the chick. Dopamine at concentrations above 100 microM inhibited the NMDA response in all four neuron types, exhibiting an IC50 of 1.2 mM in hippocampal neurons. The time course of this inhibition was fast, developing in less than 100 ms. 3. The D1 receptor agonist (+)-SKF38393 mimicked the effect of dopamine, with an IC50 of 58.9 microM on the NMDA response, while the enantiomer (-)-SKF38393 was ineffective at 50 microM. However, the D1 antagonist R(+)-SCH23390 did not prevent the inhibitory effect of (+)-SKF38393. 4. The degree of inhibition by dopamine and (+)-SKF38393 depended on transmembrane voltage, increasing 2.7 times with a hyperpolarization of about 80 mV. The voltage-dependent block by dopamine was also observed in the presence of MgCl2 1 mM. 5. Single-channel recordings showed that the open times of NMDA-gated channels were shortened by (+)-SKF38393. 6. These data suggested that the site to which the drugs bound to produce the inhibitory effect was distinct from the classical D1-type dopamine receptor sites, possibly being located inside the NMDA channel pore. It is concluded that dopamine and (+)-SKF38393 are NMDA channel ligands.

Excitatory amino acid receptors mediate the glutamate-induced release of GABA synthesized from putrescine in cultured cells of embryonic avian retina.

Cultured retina cells from chick embryos took up [3H]putrescine and approx 10.8% of the incorporated amine was converted into [3H]GABA. The putrescine-derived GABA accumulated in a pool that was released in the medium at a rate corresponding to 3.66% of the total [3H]GABA in the cell at incubation intervals of 12 min. Treatment of cultures with L-glutamate (500 microM) promoted a 5-7 fold increase in the rate of [3H]GABA efflux which was totally independent on the presence of calcium ions in the superfusing medium. (+)-5-Methyl-10,11-dihydro-5h-Dibenzo(A,D)cyclohepten-5,10- Iminihydrogenmaleate (MK 801) and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), 100 microM, inhibited the glutamate evoked release of GABA by 78 and 73% respectively. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, 100 microM), elicited the release of putrescine-derived GABA only when magnesium ions were removed from the superfusing medium with 2 mM EGTA. In the presence of 1 mM MgCl2, NMDA was totally ineffective in inducing the release. As for glutamate, AMPA (R,S)-alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyllisoxazole-4-propionicacid+ ++ hydrobromide (100 microM) also induced the release of GABA synthesized from putrescine. Our data show that putrescine is an important source of GABA in the embryonic CNS and that GABA synthesized from putrescine can be released in the extracellular space when cells are stimulated by L-glutamate through the activation of excitatory amino acid (EAA) receptors.

Aspartate as a selective NMDA receptor agonist in cultured cells from the avian retina.

Although glutamate is considered the natural neurotransmitter that mediates excitatory function in the CNS, other active natural compounds can also drive the functional activation of excitatory amino acid receptors (EAAR). L-aspartate is the most likely neurotransmitter to mimic the actions of glutamate. Here we show that L-aspartate promotes the release of GABA acting selectively on the NMDA receptor subtype. Retina cell cultures, when exposed to excitatory amino acids (EAA), release [3H] GABA previously incorporated by the cells. Both L-glutamate and L- and D-aspartate at 100 microM concentration, promote the release which can be mimicked by kainate and NMDA. While aspartate-induced release of [3H] GABA occurs in the presence of 1 mM Mg2+, NMDA (100 microM) promotes the release only when Mg2+ is omitted from the superfusing medium. However, in the absence of Mg2+ the efficacy of 1- and d-aspartate (100 microM) to activate [3H] GABA release increases by a factor of 2 when compared to the release observed in the presence of 1 mM Mg2+. NMDA and aspartate induced release of [3H] GABA is completely inhibited by 10 microM MK-801 and is not affected by CNQX (100 microM). In the presence of Mg2+, aspartate-induced release of [3H] GABA is also completely inhibited by MK-801 (10 microM) and is not significantly affected by CNQX (100 microM). The [3H] GABA release induced by kainate (100 microM) is fully inhibited by CNQX (100 microM) and is not affected by MK-801 (10 microM). Our results indicate that in the retina, l-aspartate modulates its excitatory function on a set of GABAergic cells via the selective activation of NMDA receptors. The fact that L- and D-aspartate (but not D-glutamate) induce the release of GABA even in the presence of Mg2+ suggests that the electrogenic uptake of aspartate is required to lower the affinity of the NMDA channel for Mg2+. The observation that D-glutamate (200 microM), which is not taken up by the cells, activates the efflux of GABA only when Mg2+ is omitted from the incubating medium, supports this possibility.

Transient coupling of NMDA receptor with ip3 production in cultured cells of the avian retina.

The mobilization of inositol triphosphate ip3 by N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) and kainate, two excitatory amino acid EAA receptor agonists, was studied in cultured chick retina cells as a function of culture differentiation. Kainate (EC50 = 30 microM) stimulated from 6 to 9-fold the production of [3H]ip3 between E8C3 (embryonic day 8 plus 3 days in vitro) and E8C13. The kainate response was blocked by CNQX (100 microM) by more than 80% until stage E8C9. MK-801, however, was totally ineffective in preventing the kainate induced ip3 generation. [3H]ip3 production evoked by NMDA was increased 4-fold above basal levels at E8C3. As cultures differentiated, [3H]ip3 production promoted by NMDA decreased to 2.5-fold at E8C6 to 1.6-fold the basal levels in cultures at later stages of differentiation. The removal of Mg2+ from the incubating medium at E8C3 increased the NMDA mediated [3H]ip3 production by 80%. However, at more differentiated stages of the cultures, when cells were not responsive to NMDA, removal of Mg2+ plus the addition of 1 mM glycine did not change the pattern of the response. Although NMDA mediated ip3 production is almost absent in more differentiated cultures, NMDA is able to induce [3H]GABA release in E8C3 and E8C13 cultures with characteristics that reflect typical NMDA receptor activation: it is highly potentiated by the absence of Mg2+ and by the presence of glycine. The NMDA induced production of [3H]ip3 at E8C3 was entirely blocked by MK-801 (100 microM) and APV (100 microM) but not by CNQX.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Herbimycin A induces sympathetic neuron survival and protects against hypoxia.

We have examined how herbimycin affects the survival and neuritogenesis of avian sympathetic neurons. Herbimycin promoted sympathetic neuron survival and neuritogenesis. At higher concentrations (> or = 100 ng/ml), herbimycin still enhanced neuron survival but blocked neuritogenesis. Addition of herbimycin (10-30 ng/ml) to neurons cultured in the presence of NGF or retinal conditioned medium altered neuronal morphology, with an increase in the number of neurites. Addition of NGF during hypoxia rescued 52% of the neurons compared to 14% survival in control conditions. Herbimycin alone rescued about 50% of the neurons. In the presence of NGF and 100 ng/ml herbimycin, 81% of the neurons survived hypoxia. Our results show that herbimycin promotes survival of chick sympathetic neurons and potentiates the effects of NGF.