Intestinal parasites among Karitiana Indians from Rondônia State, Brazil Parasitas intestinais entre índios Karitiana do Estado de Rondônia, Brasil

Gravity sedimentation parasitological examinations were performed in stool samples from 111 Karitiana Indians from Rondônia State, Brazilian Amazon Basin. Intestinal parasites were found in 43 samples (38.7%). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent helminth species (18.9%). Egg counts in samples positive for Ascaris suggested an overdispersed distribution of worm burdens in the host population. Age-distribution pattern of intestinal parasites among Karitiana Indians was found to be rather unusual: the highest prevalence (60.0%) was detected in the 12-to 16-year-old age group<br>Exames parasitológicos por meio da técnica de sedimentação por gravidade foram feitos em amostras fecais de 111 índios Karitiana, do Estado de Rondônia, na Amazônia brasileira. Encontraram-se parasitas intestinais em 43 amostras (38,7%). Ascaris lumbricoides foi o parasita mais prevalente (18,9%). As contagens de ovos em amostras positivas para Ascaris sugeriram uma distribuição superdispersa das cargas parasitárias na população hospedeira. Encontrou-se uma distribuição etária incomum de parasitas intestinais entre os índios Karitiana: a maior prevalência (60%) foi detectada na faixa etária entre 12 e 16 ano

Npy and sbgnrh gene expression in juvenile and adult male brazilian flounder paralichthys orbignyanus

The objective of this study was to evaluate neuropeptide Y (NPY) and sea bream gonadotropin-release hormone (sbGnRH) gene expression in juvenile and adult males of Brazilian flounder. Hypothalamuses from fish were sampled for total RNA extraction. After cDNA synthesis, real-time PCR was used to measure gene expression. NPY showed approximately 2-fold increases in their mRNA levels while sbGnRH showed 3-fold increases in adult fish. These results suggest that these peptides could be involved on hypothalamic regulation of Brazilian flounder sexual maturation.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a expressão gênica do neuropeptídeo Y (NPY) e da variante sea bream do hormônio liberador de gonadotrofinas (sbGnRH) em linguados machos juvenis e adultos. O hipotálamo foi isolado para a extração de RNA total. Após a síntese de cDNA, a PCR em tempo real foi usada para avaliar a expressão gênica. Foi observado um aumento de aproximadamente duas vezes nos níveis de NPY e de aproximadamente três vezes nos níveis de sbGnRH nos peixes adultos. Esses resultados demonstram que estes peptídeos podem estar envolvidos na regulação, via hipotálamo, da maturação sexual no linguado

RECOVERY OF RICHNESS, BIOMASS AND DENSITY IN ATLANTIC RAINFOREST AREAS AFTER CLEARCUTTING

ABSTRACT Our aim was to analyze areas of Atlantic rainforest after clearcutting with different types of management (pasture establishment followed (PA) by abandonment and simple abandonment (NR)). We then compared composition parameters, structure and ecological processes with native forest as a reference. Our study was conducted in Sete Barras municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil. Data collection was performed six years after clearcutting, including all woody plants found in two strata (DBH (diameter at 1.3 m soil) >5cm and DBH<5cm and height >1.5m, respectively). PA and RN showed lower values of richness, density, basal area, and diversity index (H´) when compared with F for both strata. Thus, independently of management type, six years of abandonment were not enough to recover the parameters analyzed, compared to native forest. Type of management influences ecological succession and structural parameters considering the second strata only