RESUMO

Polycystic echinococcosis (PE) is a zoonosis endemic in the Neotropical region of the Americas. It is caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus vogeli, which develops as harmful cysts that slowly grow in the liver, lungs and other organs of humans and other host species. Human PE diagnosis is usually based on clinical and epidemiological aspects and imaging techniques, often requiring confirmation by immunological assays. The currently available serological tests for detecting antibodies against Echinococcus spp. are mostly based on complex, variable and poorly characterized mixtures of native parasite antigens, which impairs specificity and/or sensitivity. In this scenario, the evaluation of well-characterized alternative antigens is urgently needed for the improvement of PE diagnosis. Here, two subunits (AgB8/1 and AgB8/2) of the major secretory antigen from Echinococcus granulosus (antigen B (AgB)), of diagnostic value for cystic echinococcosis, were validated for PE diagnosis. These antigens, produced as pure recombinant proteins (rAgB8/1 and rAgB8/2) in Escherichia coli, allowed detecting specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in sera from PE patients in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, with sensitivities of 83.72% and 81.40%, respectively, and specificities of 83.12% and 80.09%, respectively. The use of recombinant proteins overcomes difficulties to obtain parasite material and reduced non-specific reactions and costs. Our results demonstrated reproducibility and accuracy high enough to be considered valid according to the acceptance criteria for Food and Drug Administration assay validation. This qualifies rAgB8/1 and rAgB8/2 as potential substitutes for the currently used parasite crude or partially purified antigens.

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Abstract Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. (Dicksoniaceae) is target of extractive exploitation and is threatened with extinction. We analyzed the population structure, the spatial distribution pattern of D. sellowiana and its relationship with environmental parameters within three fragments of Araucaria Forest in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The fragments are of different sizes, namely, large (H1LF) with 246 ha, medium (H2MF) with 57 ha and small (H3SF) with 5.2 ha. Within each site, 1 ha was delimited, divided into 100 subplots (100 m2), of which 20 were selected with a draw. In each subplot, counting of the individuals, the registration of the caudice height and the coverage of leaves (SC) (m2), measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), canopy opening degree (CO), soil moisture (SM) and litter thickness (LT). The temperature (T) was measured inside each site. A total of 792 plants were sampled, of which 551 were concentrated in H1LF, 108 in H2MF and 133 in H3SF. An average of 1320 ha-1 individuals were estimated. Of the total including the three fragments, 96.9% of the individuals are in the first class of height (up to 0.8 m), indicating a great potential of population development. The spatial distribution pattern (AI) was aggregated in the three populations and the plants presented a heterogeneous total coverage, between 4.73 m2 (H2MF) and 2,223.47 m2 (H1LF). The highest values ​​of SC and SM were more related to the distribution of individuals in H1LF whereas the opposite was recorded in H2MF. The highest values ​​of PAR, LT and CO correlated with the distribution of D. sellowiana in H3SF. In addition to revealing that the H1LF population is among the most dense in southern Brazil, the results demonstrated a significant structural distinction between the interior populations of the fragments, in spite of them being located near to one another and being part of the same natural field matrix.

Resumo Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. (Dicksoniaceae) é alvo de exploração extrativista e encontra-se ameaçada de extinção. Analisamos a estrutura populacional, o padrão de distribuição espacial de D. sellowiana e sua relação com parâmetros ambientais no interior de três fragmentos de Floresta com Araucária, no Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil. Os fragmentos possuem diferentes tamanhos sendo denominados de grande (H1LF) com 246 ha, médio (H2MF) com 57 ha e de pequeno (H3SF) com 5,2 ha. No interior de cada sítio, foi demarcado 1 ha, fracionado em 100 subparcelas (100m2), das quais 20 foram sorteadas. Em cada subparcela foi feita a contagem dos indivíduos, o registro da altura do cáudice e da cobertura (SC) (m2) das folhas, as medições da radiação fotossinteticamente ativa (PAR), grau de abertura do dossel (CO), umidade do solo (SM) e espessura da serapilheira (LT). A temperatura (T) foi medida no interior de cada sítio. Foram amostradas 792 plantas, das quais 551 concentradas no H1LF, 108 no H2MF e 133 no H3SF e em média foram estimados 1320 indivíduos ha-1. Do total dos três fragmentos, 96,9% dos indivíduos estão na primeira classe de altura (até 0,8 m), indicando grande potencial de desenvolvimento das populações. O padrão de distribuição espacial (AI) foi agregado nas três populações e as plantas apresentaram uma cobertura total heterogênea, entre 4,73m2 (H2MF) e 2.223,47m 2 (H1LF). Os maiores valores de SC e de SM foram mais relacionadas com a distribuição dos indivíduos no H1LF enquanto que o contrário foi registrado no H2MF. Os maiores valores de PAR, LT e de CO relacionaram-se com a distribuição de D. sellowiana no H3SF. Além de revelar que a população do H1LF está entre as mais densas já descritas no sul do Brasil, os resultados demonstraram uma significativa distinção estrutural entre as populações dos interiores dos fragmentos com diferentes tamanhos, embora muito próximos geograficamente e inseridos em uma mesma matriz de campo natural.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. (Dicksoniaceae) is target of extractive exploitation and is threatened with extinction. We analyzed the population structure, the spatial distribution pattern of D. sellowiana and its relationship with environmental parameters within three fragments of Araucaria Forest in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The fragments are of different sizes, namely, large (H1LF) with 246 ha, medium (H2MF) with 57 ha and small (H3SF) with 5.2 ha. Within each site, 1 ha was delimited, divided into 100 subplots (100 m2), of which 20 were selected with a draw. In each subplot, counting of the individuals, the registration of the caudice height and the coverage of leaves (SC) (m2), measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), canopy opening degree (CO), soil moisture (SM) and litter thickness (LT). The temperature (T) was measured inside each site. A total of 792 plants were sampled, of which 551 were concentrated in H1LF, 108 in H2MF and 133 in H3SF. An average of 1320 ha-1 individuals were estimated. Of the total including the three fragments, 96.9% of the individuals are in the first class of height (up to 0.8 m), indicating a great potential of population development. The spatial distribution pattern (AI) was aggregated in the three populations and the plants presented a heterogeneous total coverage, between 4.73 m2 (H2MF) and 2,223.47 m2 (H1LF). The highest values ​​of SC and SM were more related to the distribution of individuals in H1LF whereas the opposite was recorded in H2MF. The highest values ​​of PAR, LT and CO correlated with the distribution of D. sellowiana in H3SF. In addition to revealing that the H1LF population is among the most dense in southern Brazil, the results demonstrated a significant structural distinction between the interior populations of the fragments, in spite of them being located near to one another and being part of the same natural field matrix.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. (Dicksoniaceae) is target of extractive exploitation and is threatened with extinction. We analyzed the population structure, the spatial distribution pattern of D. sellowiana and its relationship with environmental parameters within three fragments of Araucaria Forest in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The fragments are of different sizes, namely, large (H1LF) with 246 ha, medium (H2MF) with 57 ha and small (H3SF) with 5.2 ha. Within each site, 1 ha was delimited, divided into 100 subplots (100 m2), of which 20 were selected with a draw. In each subplot, counting of the individuals, the registration of the caudice height and the coverage of leaves (SC) (m2), measurements of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), canopy opening degree (CO), soil moisture (SM) and litter thickness (LT). The temperature (T) was measured inside each site. A total of 792 plants were sampled, of which 551 were concentrated in H1LF, 108 in H2MF and 133 in H3SF. An average of 1320 ha-1 individuals were estimated. Of the total including the three fragments, 96.9% of the individuals are in the first class of height (up to 0.8 m), indicating a great potential of population development. The spatial distribution pattern (AI) was aggregated in the three populations and the plants presented a heterogeneous total coverage, between 4.73 m2 (H2MF) and 2,223.47 m2 (H1LF). The highest values of SC and SM were more related to the distribution of individuals in H1LF whereas the opposite was recorded in H2MF. The highest values of PAR, LT and CO correlated with the distribution of D. sellowiana in H3SF. In addition to revealing that the H1LF population is among the most dense in southern Brazil, the results demonstrated a significant structural distinction between the interior populations of the fragments, in spite of them being located near to one another and being part of the same natural field matrix(AU)

Dicksonia sellowiana Hook. (Dicksoniaceae) é alvo de exploração extrativista e encontra-se ameaçada de extinção. Analisamos a estrutura populacional, o padrão de distribuição espacial de D. sellowiana e sua relação com parâmetros ambientais no interior de três fragmentos de Floresta com Araucária, no Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil. Os fragmentos possuem diferentes tamanhos sendo denominados de grande (H1LF) com 246 ha, médio (H2MF) com 57 ha e de pequeno (H3SF) com 5,2 ha. No interior de cada sítio, foi demarcado 1 ha, fracionado em 100 subparcelas (100m2), das quais 20 foram sorteadas. Em cada subparcela foi feita a contagem dos indivíduos, o registro da altura do cáudice e da cobertura (SC) (m2) das folhas, as medições da radiação fotossinteticamente ativa (PAR), grau de abertura do dossel (CO), umidade do solo (SM) e espessura da serapilheira (LT). A temperatura (T) foi medida no interior de cada sítio. Foram amostradas 792 plantas, das quais 551 concentradas no H1LF, 108 no H2MF e 133 no H3SF e em média foram estimados 1320 indivíduos ha-1. Do total dos três fragmentos, 96,9% dos indivíduos estão na primeira classe de altura (até 0,8 m), indicando grande potencial de desenvolvimento das populações. O padrão de distribuição espacial (AI) foi agregado nas três populações e as plantas apresentaram uma cobertura total heterogênea, entre 4,73m2 (H2MF) e 2.223,47m 2 (H1LF). Os maiores valores de SC e de SM foram mais relacionadas com a distribuição dos indivíduos no H1LF enquanto que o contrário foi registrado no H2MF. Os maiores valores de PAR, LT e de CO relacionaram-se com a distribuição de D. sellowiana no H3SF. Além de revelar que a população do H1LF está entre as mais densas já descritas no sul do Brasil, os resultados demonstraram uma significativa distinção estrutural entre as populações dos interiores dos fragmentos com diferentes tamanhos, embora muito próximos geograficamente e inseridos em uma mesma matriz de campo natural(AU)

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In this study we analyzed diet composition, niche breadth and overlap of the two leaf-litter frogs Ischnocnema henselii and Adenomera marmorata. Frogs were collected in an Atlantic Rainforest area in the Reserva Natural Salto Morato, in Paraná State, Southern Brazil, using plots of 16 m2 established on forest floor. Ischnocnema henselii consumed 18 different types of prey and the diet of this species was composed predominantly by Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (15.4%), Araneae (13.83%), Orthoptera (6.15%) and Opiliones (6.15%), whereas Adenomera marmorata consumed 15 different types of prey and its diet was composed mainly by Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (45.7%), Acari (31.8%) and Blattodea (14.8%). The niche breadth of I. henselii was BA = 0.43 and that of A. marmorata was BA = 0.19. The diet of the two sympatric species of leaf-litter frogs was basically composed by arthropods and the trophic niche overlap among them did not differ from expected at random. The differences in prey consumption should potentially facilitate the coexistence of two sympatric frogs on the forest floor. Possibly, this difference of prey consumption partly reflects differences in jaw width, species-specific body size of the two species and the period of activity of these two species.

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In this study we analyzed diet composition, niche breadth and overlap of the two leaf-litter frogs Ischnocnema henselii and Adenomera marmorata. Frogs were collected in an Atlantic Rainforest area in the Reserva Natural Salto Morato, in Paraná State, Southern Brazil, using plots of 16 m2 established on forest floor. Ischnocnema henselii consumed 18 different types of prey and the diet of this species was composed predominantly by Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (15.4%), Araneae (13.83%), Orthoptera (6.15%) and Opiliones (6.15%), whereas Adenomera marmorata consumed 15 different types of prey and its diet was composed mainly by Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (45.7%), Acari (31.8%) and Blattodea (14.8%). The niche breadth of I. henselii was BA = 0.43 and that of A. marmorata was BA = 0.19. The diet of the two sympatric species of leaf-litter frogs was basically composed by arthropods and the trophic niche overlap among them did not differ from expected at random. The differences in prey consumption should potentially facilitate the coexistence of two sympatric frogs on the forest floor. Possibly, this difference of prey consumption partly reflects differences in jaw width, species-specific body size of the two species and the period of activity of these two species.(AU)

Neste estudo analisamos a composição da dieta e a amplitude e sobreposição do nicho trófico dos anuros de folhiço Ischnocnema henselii e Adenomera marmorata. Os anuros foram coletados em uma área de Mata Atlântica na Reserva Natural Salto Morato, no Estado do Paraná, Sul do Brasil, utilizando o método de parcelas de 16 m2 estabelecidas no chão da floresta. Ischnocnema henselii consumiu 18 diferentes tipos de presa e a dieta desta espécie foi composta predominantemente por Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (15,4%), Araneae (13,83%), Orthoptera (6,15%) e Opiliones (6,15%), enquanto Adenomera marmorata consumiu 15 diferentes tipos de presas e sua dieta foi composta principalmente por Hymenoptera (Formicidae) (45,7%), Acari (31,8%) e Blattodea (14,8%). A amplitude de nicho de I. henselii foi BA = 0,43 e de A.marmorata foi BA = 0,19. A dieta das duas espécies de anuros simpátricos do folhiço por nós estudadas foi composta basicamente de artrópodes e a sobreposição de nicho trófico entre elas não diferiu do esperado para ocorrer ao acaso. As diferenças no consumo de presas potencialmente devem facilitar a coexistência desses dois anuros simpátricos no chão da floresta. Possivelmente, esta diferença no consumo de presas em parte reflete diferenças na largura da mandíbula, no tamanho do corpo e no período de atividade dessas duas espécies.(AU)

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The determination of parasitemia in the diagnosis of malaria is a routine practice because it assists the selection of treatment. The techniques used for estimating parasitemia are based on leukocyte counts or on a fixed volume of blood examined in a microscopic field. This study evaluated the concordance between parasitemia estimated by counting parasites in 200 microscopic fields and by counting parasites per 500 leukocytes using the automated leukocyte count as a reference. This study included 403 patients with acute malaria. The parasitemia levels obtained by each method varied greatly. A large discrepancy was observed between the 2 methods with respect to parasitemia results, with 17.6% and 82.4% of the values being overestimates and underestimates, respectively, compared to quantification by the automated leukocyte counts. Thus, these findings reveal the inaccuracy of this method and should be considered by health professionals involved in clinical management of the disease.

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Phenotypic integration is essential to the understanding of organismal evolution as a whole. In this study, a phylogenetic framework is used to assess phenotypic integration among the floral parts of a group of Neotropical lianas. Flowers consist of plant reproductive organs (carpels and stamens), usually surrounded by attractive whorls (petals and sepals). Thus, flower parts might be involved in different functions and developmental constraints, leading to conflicting selective forces. We found that Bignonieae flowers have very similar patterns of variance/covariance among traits and that such patterns are uncorrelated with the phylogenetic relationships between species. However, in spite of pattern stasis, our results also indicate that diversification of floral morphology in this group has occurred throughout the evolution of magnitudes of correlation among traits. Thus, we suggest that stabilizing selection has played an important role in phenotypic integration, resulting in the long-term stasis of covariance patterns underlying flower diversification during the ca. 50 Myr of evolution of Bignonieae. This is the first report of long-term stasis in the phenotypic integration of angiosperms, suggesting that patterns of floral morphology can be recognizable as specific attributes of distinct botanical families.

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