bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Challenges Related to Interface Bond Characterization of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete With Implications for Bridge Rehabilitation Practices
Authors: Harris Devin K. , Carbonell Muñoz Miguel A. , Gheitasi Amir , Ahlborn Theresa M. , Rush Sarah V.
Published: January 2015

Over the past decade there has been a significant increase in the number of concrete transportation structures reaching the end of their service lives, typically as a result of age and severe degradation. This deterioration is often the result of exposure to aggressive environments and substantial increases in vehicle loading. Rehabilitation is typically the most appropriate solution for these structures because of the high cost of full replacement, resulting in the need for cost-effective and suitable solutions for rehabilitation. Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), one of the more recent advances in construction materials, appears to be a promising material for the repair of concrete structures. The potential benefit of UHPC is primarily derived from its negligible permeability, which prevents water or chemical penetration, and its high mechanical properties, which serve to increase the bearing capacity of the structure. Some of the primary challenges associated with the use of UHPC as a repair material are uncertainty in the bond performance and interaction with the existing substrate material. This paper focuses on the characterization of the interface bond and compatibility between UHPC and normal concrete. The testing program was conducted in the spirit of ASTM because no standard test methods currently exist for UHPC. In addition, a series of numerical models were developed to support the results obtained in the experimental investigations. The results highlight the exceptional performance of the bond, but they also demonstrate a number of challenges with respect to characterizing the bond. Specific challenges included characterization of surface roughness, premature specimen failure, material strength mismatch, and the quality and consistency of the testing methods used.
Aging Impairs Protein-Synthesis-Dependent Long-Term Memory inDrosophila
Authors: Tonoki Ayako , Davis Ronald L.
Published: January 2015

Although aging is known to impair intermediate-term memory inDrosophila, its effect on protein-synthesis-dependent long-term memory (LTM) is unknown. We show here that LTM is impaired with age, not due to functional defects in synaptic output of mushroom body (MB) neurons, but due to connectivity defects of dorsal paired medial (DPM) neurons with their postsynaptic MB neurons. GFP reconstitution across synaptic partners (GRASP) experiments revealed structural connectivity defects in aged animals of DPM neurons with MB axons in the α lobe neuropil. As a consequence, a protein-synthesis-dependent LTM trace in the α/β MB neurons fails to form. Aging thus impairs protein-synthesis-dependent LTM along with the α/β MB neuron LTM trace by lessening the connectivity of DPM and α/β MB neurons.
Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 Maintains the Stemness of Radial Glia at Mid-Neurogenesis
Authors: Hong Seulgi , Song Mi-Ryoung
Published: January 2015

Radial glial cells are stem cell-like populations of glial nature that supply neurons either directly or indirectly via basal progenitors that give rise to neurons. Here we show that signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) signaling, a cytokine signaling mediated by Janus tyrosine kinase (Jak), is active during neurogenesis in radial glia (RG) but not in basal progenitors. Enhanced STAT3 signaling in cortical progenitors caused more RG to persist rather than become neurons. Targeted deletion or RNAi-mediated knockdown ofStat3resulted in fewer radial glial cells and more basal progenitors and led to premature neurogenesis. The neuronal populations affected inStat3mutant mice were the late-born neurons that constitute the upper cortical layers rather than early-born neurons, thus supporting the view that the role of STAT3 at mid-neurogenesis is layer specific. Analysis of dividing RG revealed that STAT3 selectively increased the proportion of dividing RG, whereas downregulation of STAT3 reduced the proportion. Consistent with this, STAT3 activity in dividing RG was associated frequently with vertical cleavage. Pair-cell analysis showed that elevated STAT3 activity correlated with symmetric division of RG, producing more RG, whereas elimination of STAT3 generated more neurogenic cells. Together, our results suggest that STAT3 maintains the stemness of RG and inhibits their transition to basal progenitors at mid-neurogenesis, so probably preserving a pool of RG for later neurogenesis or gliogenesis.
Slack Channels Expressed in Sensory Neurons Control Neuropathic Pain in Mice
Authors: Lu Ruirui , Bausch Anne E. , Kallenborn-Gerhardt Wiebke , Stoetzer Carsten , Debruin Natasja , Ruth Peter , Geisslinger Gerd , Leffler Andreas , Lukowski Robert , Schmidtko Achim
Published: January 2015

Slack (Slo2.2) is a sodium-activated potassium channel that regulates neuronal firing activities and patterns. Previous studies identified Slack in sensory neurons, but its contribution to acute and chronic painin vivoremains elusive. Here we generated global and sensory neuron-specific Slack mutant mice and analyzed their behavior in various animal models of pain. Global ablation of Slack led to increased hypersensitivity in models of neuropathic pain, whereas the behavior in models of inflammatory and acute nociceptive pain was normal. Neuropathic pain behaviors were also exaggerated after ablation of Slack selectively in sensory neurons. Notably, the Slack opener loxapine ameliorated persisting neuropathic pain behaviors. In conclusion, Slack selectively controls the sensory input in neuropathic pain states, suggesting that modulating its activity might represent a novel strategy for management of neuropathic pain.
Chronic Oligodendrogenesis and Remyelination after Spinal Cord Injury in Mice and Rats
Authors: Hesp Zoe C. , Goldstein Evan A. , Miranda Carlos J. , Kaspar Brain K. , McTigue Dana M.
Published: January 2015

Adult progenitor cells proliferate in the acutely injured spinal cord and their progeny differentiate into new oligodendrocytes (OLs) that remyelinate spared axons. Whether this endogenous repair continues beyond the first week postinjury (wpi), however, is unknown. Identifying the duration of this response is essential for guiding therapies targeting improved recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) by enhancing OL survival and/or remyelination. Here, we used two PDGFRα-reporter mouse lines and rats injected with a GFP-retrovirus to assess progenitor fate through 80 d after injury. Surprisingly, new OLs were generated as late as 3 months after injury and their processes ensheathed axons near and distal to the lesion, colocalized with MBP, and abutted Caspr+ profiles, suggesting newly formed myelin. Semithin sections confirmed stereotypical thin OL remyelination and few bare axons at 10 wpi, indicating that demyelination is relatively rare. Astrocytes in chronic tissue expressed the pro-OL differentiation and survival factors CNTF and FGF-2. In addition, pSTAT3+ NG2 cells were present through at least 5 wpi, revealing active signaling of the Jak/STAT pathway in these cells. The progenitor cell fate genes Sox11, Hes5, Id2, Id4, BMP2, and BMP4 were dynamically regulated for at least 4 wpi. Collectively, these data verify that the chronically injured spinal cord is highly dynamic. Endogenous repair, including oligodendrogenesis and remyelination, continues for several months after SCI, potentially in response to growth factors and/or transcription factor changes. Identifying and understanding spontaneous repair processes such as these is important so that beneficial plasticity is not inadvertently interrupted and effort is not exerted to needlessly duplicate ongoing spontaneous repair.
Corticospinal Tract Development and Spinal Cord Innervation Differ between Cervical and Lumbar Targets
Authors: Kamiyama Tsutomu , Kameda Hiroshi , Murabe Naoyuki , Fukuda Satoshi , Yoshioka Noboru , Mizukami Hiroaki , Ozawa Keiya , Sakurai Masaki
Published: January 2015

The corticospinal (CS) tract is essential for voluntary movement, but what we know about the organization and development of the CS tract remains limited. To determine the total cortical area innervating the seventh cervical spinal cord segment (C7), which controls forelimb movement, we injected a retrograde tracer (fluorescent microspheres) into C7 such that it would spread widely within the unilateral gray matter (to >80%), but not to the CS tract. Subsequent detection of the tracer showed that, in both juvenile and adult mice, neurons distributed over an unexpectedly broad portion of the rostral two-thirds of the cerebral cortex converge to C7. This even included cortical areas controlling the hindlimbs (the fourth lumbar segment, L4). With aging, cell densities greatly declined, mainly due to axon branch elimination. Whole-cell recordings from spinal cord cells upon selective optogenetic stimulation of CS axons, and labeling of axons (DsRed) and presynaptic structures (synaptophysin) through cotransfection usingexo uteroelectroporation, showed that overgrowing CS axons make synaptic connections with spinal cells in juveniles. This suggests that neuronal circuits involved in the CS tract to C7 are largely reorganized during development. By contrast, the cortical areas innervating L4 are limited to the conventional hindlimb area, and the cell distribution and density do not change during development. These findings call for an update of the traditional notion of somatotopic CS projection and imply that there are substantial developmental differences in the cortical control of forelimb and hindlimb movements, at least in rodents.
Role of Parafacial Nuclei in Control of Breathing in Adult Rats
Authors: Huckstepp Robert T.R. , Cardoza Kathryn P. , Henderson Lauren E. , Feldman Jack L.
Published: January 2015

Contiguous brain regions associated with a given behavior are increasingly being divided into subregions associated with distinct aspects of that behavior. Using recently developed neuronal hyperpolarizing technologies, we functionally dissect the parafacial region in the medulla, which contains key elements of the central pattern generator for breathing that are important in central CO2-chemoreception and for gating active expiration. By transfecting different populations of neighboring neurons with allatostatin or HM4D Gi/o-coupled receptors, we analyzed the effect of their hyperpolarization on respiration in spontaneously breathing vagotomized urethane-anesthetized rats. We identify two functionally separate parafacial nuclei: ventral (pFV) and lateral (pFL). Disinhibition of the pFLwith bicuculline and strychnine led to active expiration. Hyperpolarizing pFLneurons had no effect on breathing at rest, or changes in inspiratory activity induced by hypoxia and hypercapnia; however, hyperpolarizing pFLneurons attenuated active expiration when it was induced by hypercapnia, hypoxia, or disinhibition of the pFL. In contrast, hyperpolarizing pFVneurons affected breathing at rest by decreasing inspiratory-related activity, attenuating the hypoxia- and hypercapnia-induced increase in inspiratory activity, and when present, reducing expiratory-related abdominal activity. Together with previous observations, we conclude that the pFVprovides a generic excitatory drive to breathe, even at rest, whereas the pFLis a conditional oscillator quiet at rest that, when activated, e.g., during exercise, drives active expiration.
Musical Training Orchestrates Coordinated Neuroplasticity in Auditory Brainstem and Cortex to Counteract Age-Related Declines in Categorical Vowel Perception
Authors: Bidelman Gavin M. , Alain Claude
Published: January 2015

Musicianship in early life is associated with pervasive changes in brain function and enhanced speech-language skills. Whether these neuroplastic benefits extend to older individuals more susceptible to cognitive decline, and for whom plasticity is weaker, has yet to be established. Here, we show that musical training offsets declines in auditory brain processing that accompanying normal aging in humans, preserving robust speech recognition late into life. We recorded both brainstem and cortical neuroelectric responses in older adults with and without modest musical training as they classified speech sounds along an acoustic–phonetic continuum. Results reveal higher temporal precision in speech-evoked responses at multiple levels of the auditory system in older musicians who were also better at differentiating phonetic categories. Older musicians also showed a closer correspondence between neural activity and perceptual performance. This suggests that musicianship strengthens brain-behavior coupling in the aging auditory system. Last, “neurometric” functions derived from unsupervised classification of neural activity established that early cortical responses could accurately predict listeners' psychometric speech identification and, more critically, that neurometric profiles were organized more categorically in older musicians. We propose that musicianship offsets age-related declines in speech listening by refining the hierarchical interplay between subcortical/cortical auditory brain representations, allowing more behaviorally relevant information carried within the neural code, and supplying more faithful templates to the brain mechanisms subserving phonetic computations. Our findings imply that robust neuroplasticity conferred by musical training is not restricted by age and may serve as an effective means to bolster speech listening skills that decline across the lifespan.
Apolipoprotein E promotes subretinal mononuclear phagocyte survival and chronic inflammation in age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Levy Olivier , Calippe Bertrand , Lavalette Sophie , Hu Shulong J , Raoul William , Dominguez Elisa , Housset Michael , Paques Michel , Sahel José‐Alain , Bemelmans Alexis‐Pierre , Combadiere Christophe , Guillonneau Xavier , Sennlaub Florian
Published: January 2015

Physiologically, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) expresses immunosuppressive signals such as FAS ligand (FASL), which prevents the accumulation of leukocytes in the subretinal space. Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is associated with a breakdown of the subretinal immunosuppressive environment and chronic accumulation of mononuclear phagocytes (MPs). We show that subretinal MPs in AMD patients accumulate on the RPE and express high levels of APOE. MPs of Cx3cr1−/− mice that develop MP accumulation on the RPE, photoreceptor degeneration, and increased choroidal neovascularization similarly express high levels of APOE. ApoE deletion in Cx3cr1−/− mice prevents pathogenic age‐ and stress‐induced subretinal MP accumulation. We demonstrate that increased APOE levels induce IL‐6 in MPs via the activation of the TLR2‐CD14‐dependent innate immunity receptor cluster. IL‐6 in turn represses RPE FasL expression and prolongs subretinal MP survival. This mechanism may account, in part, for the MP accumulation observed in Cx3cr1−/− mice. Our results underline the inflammatory role of APOE in sterile inflammation in the immunosuppressive subretinal space. They provide rationale for the implication of IL‐6 in AMD and open avenues toward therapies inhibiting pathogenic chronic inflammation in late AMD.
Promising biological monitoring for occupational 1,2‐Dichloropropane exposure by urinalysis for unmetabolized solvent
Authors: Kawai Toshio , Mitsuyoshi Koji , Ikeda Masayuki
Published: January 2015

Promising biological monitoring for occupational 1,2‐dichloropropane exposure by urinalysis for unmetabolized solvent: Toshio Kawai, et al. Osaka Occupational Health Service Center

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of urinalysis for unmetabolized solvent to biomonitor 1,2‐dichloropropane (1,2‐DCP) exposure.

Methods

Thirty three male printers exposed to 1,2‐DCP and 5 nonexposed male controls participated in the study. The 8‐hr average levels of exposure to 1,2‐DCP in air and 1,2‐DCP in the end‐of‐shift urine samples were measured with capillary FID‐GC.

Results

The geometric mean (the maximum) concentrations was 7.1 ppm (23.1 ppm) for 1,2‐DCP in air, and the level in urine (without correction for urine density) was 77 μg/l (247 μg/l). A regression analysis showed a correlation coefficient of 0.909 (p<0.01). No 1,2‐DCP was detected in the urine samples from nonexposed subjects.

Conclusions

The high correlation and low background (essentially zero) showed that urinalysis for unmetabolized 1,2‐DCP is a promising tool for biomonitoring of occupational exposure to this carcinogenic solvent at lower levels (e.g. <1 ppm).
New records of marine “sea slugs” (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Heterobranchia) in the outlets of the estuary systems in Paraná, southern Brazil
Authors: Ferreira-Jr Augusto Luiz , Carvalho Iarema , Wambier Susete Christo , Absher Theresinha Monteiro
Published: January 2015

Four species of shell-less marine gastropods, col­lectively called “sea slugs”, are newly recorded from outlets of estuarine systems, the Paranaguá estuarine complex and Guaratuba Bay, on the coast of Paraná state. These include a marine pulmonate slug, Onchidella indolens (Gould, 1852) (Eu­pulmonata: Systellommatophora: Onchidellidae); two species of sea hares, Bursatella leachii de Blainville, 1817 (Euthyneu­ra: Sacoglossa: Aplysiidae) and Elysia serca Er. Marcus, 1955 (Euthyneura: Sacoglossa: Plakobranchidae); and one species of nudibranch, Spurilla braziliana MacFarland, 1909 (Nudi­pleura: Aeolidiidae). Egg mass shapes of E. serca and B. leachii are newly described.
The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome increases through the quartiles of thyroid stimulating hormone in a population-based sample of euthyroid subjects
Authors: Shinkov Alexander , Borissova Anna-Maria , Kovatcheva Roussanka , Atanassova Iliana , Vlahov Jordan , Dakovska Lilia
Published: January 2015

Objective The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its elements in relation to TSH in euthyroid subjects. Materials and methods In the cross-sectional study, 2,153 euthyroid adults, 47.2 ± 14.5 years (20-94) with no current antithyroid or thyroid replacement therapy were enrolled. All participants filled a questionnaire on past and current morbidities, medication and smoking. Body weight, height, waist circumference, serum TSH, glucose and lipids were measured. The subjects were stratified by quartiles of TSH (QTSH) and the prevalence of the MetS elements was calculated. MetS was determined by the IDF 2005 criteria. Results Overweight prevalence was 37.2% (35.2-39.2), obesity in 25.1% (23.3-26.9), abdominal obesity – 61.4% (59.3-63.5), hypertension – 42.1% (38.9-43.1), diabetes/increased fasting glucose – 13.6% (12.1-15), low HDL-cholesterol – 27.6% (25.7-29.5), hypertriglyceridemia – 24.1% (22.3-25.9), MetS – 32.2% (30.2-34.2). MetS was more prevalent in the highest QTSH (34.9%, 30.9-38.9) than the lowest (27%, 23.3-30.9), p < 0.001, as were low HDL-C (32%, 28-35.9 vs. 25%, 21.3-28.7, p < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (26.8%, 23-30.5 vs. 20.4%, 17-23.8, p = 0.015). Each QTSH increased the risk of MetS by 14%, p < 0.001, of hypertriglyceridemia by 20%, p = 0.001 and of low LDL-C by 9%, p = 0.042. Other significant factors for MetS were age, male gender and obesity. Conclusion The prevalence of MetS increased with higher QTSH within the euthyroid range, mostly by an increase in the dyslipidemia. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(9):926-32
Aniela Meyer Ginsberg e os estudos de raça/etnia e intercultura no Brasil
Authors: Cunha Renata Rocha Tsuji da , Santos Alessandro de Oliveira dos
Published: January 2015

Este ensaio delineia as contribuições de Aniela Meyer Ginsberg (1902-1986) para o estudo das relações étnico-raciais e interculturais no Brasil. Sua produção sobre estes temas – entre artigos, capítulos de livros e resumos de congressos – foi nosso objeto central de interesse. Influenciada pela agenda antirracista do pós-guerra, os processos inter e intraculturais, as relações étnico-raciais e as migrações estavam no centro de suas investigações. Aniela é uma personagem importante da história do pensamento psicológico brasileiro, seus estudos sobre raça/ etnia no Brasil configuram-se como estudos intraculturais da sociedade nacional e de suas amplas diversidades. A autora procurou desconstruir a visão determinista biológica das raças/etnias e mostrar que é na interação dos indivíduos com a sociedade que as diferenças podem transformar-se em desigualdades.
Vínculo e instituição como temas básicos da abordagem psicanalítica na formação e no trabalho do psicólogo em instituições públicas
Authors: Colosio Robson , Fernandes Maria Inês Assumpção
Published: January 2015

Questões sobre a formação e o trabalho de psicólogos em instituições públicas são abordadas neste estudo por um recorte teórico fundamentado na Psicologia Social (Pichon-Rivière) e na Psicanálise Transicional (René Kaës) que privilegiam a dimensão das relações intersubjetivas (sujeito – grupo – instituição), consciente e inconsciente, na abordagem da complexidade do campo institucional. Os conceitos de vínculo e instituição são definidos e discutidos para compreensão de suas relações e determinações nos processos psíquicos grupais e institucionais, no estabelecimento de alianças inconscientes, na distribuição de poder (lugares e papéis), nos efeitos de enrijecimento, paralisação, crise e ruptura. Remete-se essa discussão à valorização da pesquisa e à proposição de um recorte metodológico (análise institucional do vínculo) centrado no grupo e no conceito de vínculo à formação e ao trabalho do psicólogo na instituição pública (psicólogo pesquisador) como perspectiva para superar estereotipias, capturas ideológicas e formação de pactos que interfiram na consecução do trabalho institucional.
A construção do laço educador-bebê a partir da Metodologia IRDI
Authors: Brandão Daniela Bridon dos Santos Reis , Kupfer Maria Cristina Machado
Published: January 2015

O presente artigo apresenta uma reflexão a partir de uma cena observada em uma creche na cidade de São Paulo. Discute-se o modo pelo qual um profissional, atravessado pela psicanálise, trabalhando nesta creche cria condições para o surgimento de um enlace do professor com o bebê da creche tendo como referência a Metodologia IRDI. Esta metodologia é um procedimento de acompanhamento do desenvolvimento psíquico feito por psicanalistas em instituições de Educação Infantil por meio de indicadores clínicos com valor de previsão precoce de problemas de desenvolvimento. Conclue-se que é necessária a existência de uma transferência entre o professor da creche e o profissional, o que dá suporte para a construção deste enlace.
Assistência hospitalar na tentativa de suicídio
Authors: Gutierrez Beatriz Aparecida Ozello
Published: January 2015

Este artigo discute pontos relevantes que podem colaborar no sucesso da assistência hospitalar direcionada à pessoa com intenção suicida. O risco de suicídio aumenta de acordo com o número de tentativas e também está associado a intervalos de tempo menores entre essas tentativas. Assim, o acolhimento à pessoa com tentativa de suicídio durante a assistência hospitalar é fundamental, pois se realizado com segurança, prontidão e qualidade é possível determinar a aceitação e a adesão do paciente ao tratamento. Essas ações devem estar direcionadas ao cuidado integral prestado à tríade – paciente/família/equipe de profissionais de saúde e da área social. Existem fatores cruciais no alcance da qualidade assistencial que estão atrelados às condições para favorecer a adesão ao tratamento e a criação de uma equipe multidisciplinar com competência de utilizar uma combinação de fatores biológicos, psicológicos e intervenções sociais por meio de educação continuada.
O suicídio e sua essência transgressora
Authors: Marquetti Fernanda Cristina
Published: January 2015

Este ensaio pretende discutir como o suicídio pode ser concebido por meio de suas características de transgressão do domínio da vida privada e do padrão ocidental de morte. Para demonstrar essa hipótese, nós discutiremos alguns eventos suicidas: fragmentos de cenas de suicídios privados, um suicídio público e um suicídio ocorrido no limite do espaço público-privado. Nossas análises apontam para o suicídio como transgressão em sua essência, no qual abordaremos as reações, de sujeitos e instituições, derivadas desse ato processual de violação de tabus que é o suicídio.
O lugar do nutricionista nos Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família
Authors: Rodrigues Diana Cris Macedo , Bosi Maria Lúcia Magalhães
Published: January 2015

Objetivo: Este estudo objetiva compreender percepções e experiências de nutricionistas atuantes em Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família acerca de sua inserção na Estratégia Saúde da Família.Métodos: Trata-se de uma investigação orientada pela abordagem qualitativa, ancorada em fundamentos epistemológicos da vertente crítico-interpretativa. O material empírico resultou da articulação entre entrevistas em profundidade e observações livres, realizadas junto a nutricionistas inseridos nos Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família de Fortaleza, Ceará. O processamento e categorização do material empírico evidenciou três eixos centrais, dos quais um, "O nutricionista na Estratégia Saúde da Família", foi eleito foco deste artigo.Resultados: Os profissionais têm estruturado seu processo de trabalho assumindo majoritariamente uma prática individualizante e tecnicista, com escassa reflexão acerca de sua atuação. A realização de atividades em âmbito coletivo, intentando prevenir doenças, foi considerada a principal atribuição do Núcleo de Apoio à Saúde da Família. Grande parte dos informantes concebeu o lugar do nutricionista na prevenção e tratamento de doenças e agravos relacionados à alimentação, por meio de uma educação nutricional voltada à racionalização de recursos. Entretanto, ainda que minoritariamente, experiências em curso revelam outras formas de perceber o lugar do nutricionista, remontando à realização do cuidado em saúde, de forma coerente com os princípios do Sistema Único de Saúde.Conclusão: Nos achados preponderam posturas profissionais pouco alinhadas aos princípios basilares do Sistema Único de Saúde e às políticas de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional, apontando incongruências entre estas e as necessidades de saúde da população.
Follow-up of women with inadequate Pap smears: a prospective cohort study
Authors: López-Alegría Fanny , Lorenzi Dino Roberto Soares De , Poblete Orlando Quezada
Published: January 2015

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Inadequate Pap smears do not provide satisfactory cell samples for evaluation, thus making it more difficult to detect cervical cytological abnormalities. The objective of this study was to determine the cytological and histological follow-up results from women with inadequate smear reports in primary healthcare centers in Santiago, Chile 2010-2011. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study at primary healthcare clinics in Santiago, Chile. METHODS: The population was taken from the “Cito-Expert" database of 2010. The data were then organized according to the cytological and histological follow-up results of 2,547 women with inadequate cervical cytological reports over the 12-month period. The samples were assigned to groups based on the cause of inadequacy (smears with endocervical cells alone; insufficient, hemorrhagic, inflammatory or poorly fixed samples; insufficient and hemorrhagic samples; or insufficient and inflammatory specimens). The data were analyzed using the “conditional probability tree diagram" and descriptive statistics. RESULT: Half of the women (n = 1,285) met the requirements of the Ministry of Health for repeating these inadequate smears, and 1,104 of these women had normal cytological results (85.9%). The detection rate for cervical lesions according to group ranged from 0% (smears with endocervical cells alone or insufficient and hemorrhagic specimens) to 4.1% (poor fixation). CONCLUSION: The large proportion of normal results justifies revision of the current clinical guidelines. The results showed that it is not necessary to repeat the Pap test early on, with the exception of inadequate hemorrhagic and inflammatory cytological results.
Cryptic species and genetic structure in Didemnum granulatum Tokioka, 1954 (Tunicata: Ascidiacea) from the southern Brazilian coast
Authors: Bouzon JL , Vargas SM , Oliveira Neto JF , Stoco PH , Brandini FP
Published: January 2015

Didemnum granulatum is a colonial fouling ascidian that lives in subtidal substrates, worldwide. It exhibits two morphotypes, orange and beige. In this study, we verified if the color morphotypes and/or the spatial distribution of specimens in different islands might be associated to patterns of genetic structure of a single species, or if they represent distinct cryptic species. Specimens were collected in four islands, along the coast of the Santa Catarina state. A segment of 490 bp from the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) was amplified from 45 samples. Twenty-one haplotypes were identified. The total haplotype diversity (0.912) and the total nucleotide diversity (0.044) were high. The global Fst of the populations analyzed was 0.97, with most of the variation occurring between orange and beige groups (82.19%). The variation found between populations within groups was 15.37%, and 2.45% within populations. Haplotype networks and the neighbor-joining tree showed clear genetic divergence between individuals of distinct colors, and between the islands. These evidences strongly support the presence of a complex of two cryptic species for D. granulatum occupying the studied area. Both species were also highly genetically structured between islands, suggesting that the conservation process of these populations is complex.
Toxicity and genotoxicity of water and sediment from streams on dotted duckweed (Landoltia punctata)
Authors: Factori R , Leles SM , Novakowski GC , Rocha CLSC , Thomaz SM
Published: January 2015

Most rivers are used as a source to supply entire cities; the quality of water is directly related to the quality of tributaries. Unfortunately men have neglected the importance of streams, which receive domestic and industrial effluents and transport nutrients and pesticides from rural areas. Given the complexity of the mixtures discharged into these water bodies, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of water and sediment of ten tributaries of Pirapó River, in Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil. To this end, the free-floating macrophyte Landoltia punctata (G. Meyer) Les & D.J.Crawford was used as test organism in microcosm, and the toxicity of water and sediment samples was evaluated by the relative growth rate, dry/fresh biomass ratio, and genotoxic effects (comet assay). Samples of water and sediment of each stream were arranged in microcosms with L. punctata. Seven days later, plants were collected for analysis. Nutrient levels were higher than the reference location, indicating eutrophication, but the results indicated a toxic effect for only three streams, and a genotoxic effect for all streams.
Evaluation of the potential of Pistia stratiotes L. (water lettuce) for bioindication and phytoremediation of aquatic environments contaminated with arsenic
Authors: Farnese FS , Oliveira JA , Lima FS , Leão GA , Gusman GS , Silva LC
Published: January 2015

Specimens of Pistia stratiotes were subjected to five concentrations of arsenic (As) for seven days. Growth, As absorption, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic activities, amino acids content and anatomical changes were assessed. Plant arsenic accumulation increased with increasing metalloid in the solution, while growth rate and photosynthetic pigment content decreased. The MDA content increased, indicating oxidative stress. Enzymatic activity and amino acids content increased at the lower doses of As, subsequently declining in the higher concentrations. Chlorosis and necrosis were observed in the leaves. Leaves showed starch accumulation and increased thickness of the mesophyll. In the root system, there was a loss and darkening of roots. Cell layers formed at the insertion points on the root stems may have been responsible for the loss of roots. These results indicate that water lettuce shows potential for bioindication and phytoremediation of As-contaminated aquatic environments.
Population biology and color patterns of the blue land crab, Cardisoma guanhumi (Latreille 1828) (Crustacea: Gecarcinidae) in the Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Silva CC , Schwamborn R , Oliveira JE Lins
Published: January 2015

The objective of this study was to analyze the population biology and color patterns of Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille, 1828 in a mangrove area in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Crabs were collected monthly between February 2010 and January 2012 and totaled 1,837 individuals. Sex ratios were similar between males and females in the first year and differed in the second. Sex ratios by size class differed statistically in the extremes of the distribution, with an abundance of males in the large size classes. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in carapace width between males and females in the first year, but in the second year, males were larger than females (p = 0.003), showing the importance of considering interannual variation in such studies. Both sexes presented a unimodal distribution. The size of first maturing of the females was 6.00 cm. Asymptotic carapace width for males was 9.4 cm and females for 9.2 cm, using the Wetherall method. There was no defined modal progression, which made the determination of the Von Bertalanffy growth parameter K impossible. Juveniles were found throughout all months of the year, demonstrating that there was no defined period of recruiting, although slightly fewer juveniles were found in the dry season. Four color patterns were observed, the three first patterns were the same for both sexes, while the fourth pattern was observed in females only. The four color patterns identified could be clearly related to the stage of development (size) and sexual maturity of the animal.
Possible impacts of climate change on wetlands and its biota in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Barros DF , Albernaz ALM
Published: January 2015

Wetlands cover approximately 6% of the Earth's surface. They are frequently found at the interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and are strongly dependent on the water cycle. For this reason, wetlands are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Mangroves and floodplain ecosystems are some of the most important environments for the Amazonian population, as a source of proteins and income, and are thus the types of wetlands chosen for this review. Some of the main consequences that can be predicted from climate change for wetlands are modifications in hydrological regimes, which can cause intense droughts or inundations. A possible reduction in rainfall can cause a decrease of the areas of mangroves and floodplains, with a consequent decline in their species numbers. Conversely, an increase in rainfall would probably cause the substitution of plant species, which would not be able to survive under new conditions for a long period. An elevation in water temperature on the floodplains would cause an increase in frequency and duration of hypoxic or anoxic episodes, which might further lead to a reduction in growth rates or the reproductive success of many species. In mangroves, an increase in water temperature would influence the sea level, causing losses of these environments through coastal erosion processes. Therefore, climate change will likely cause the loss of, or reduction in, Amazonian wetlands and will challenge the adaptability of species, composition and distribution, which will probably have consequences for the human population that depend on them.
Distribution, composition and seasonality of aquatic birds in the Nhecolândia sub-region of South Pantanal, Brazil
Authors: Donatelli RJ , Posso SR , Toledo MCB
Published: January 2015

Despite remarkable significance of Pantanal for the conservation of aquatic birds, the status of their populations, the spatiotemporal patterns of distribution and habitat use and structure of communities are little known. Thus, we studied three aquatic environments (Negro river, bays and salines) from 2007 to 2009 in the Nhecolândia Pantanal to verify the distribution and composition of aquatic birds and also if there is significant seasonal influence on these aspects. We adopted the transect method (288 hours of sampling) and recorded 135 species (7.834 individuals). The Negro river showed the highest diversity, while the salines the lowest. The similarity of aquatic bird communities was higher between bays and salines, followed by Negro river and bays and lower between salines and Negro river. The equidistribution is more variable in the salines and more stable in the Negro river. The environments strongly differ from each other in aquatic bird composition in space (habitat use and distribution) and time (seasonal water fluctuations). The diversity of bird community in the dry season varies significantly in the salines, followed by the bays and more stable in the Negro river. The Negro river, regardless of large annual amplitude of flow, is more seasonally stable since its riparian vegetation is continuous (not isolated) and constant. These aspects provide better conditions to stay all year, contributing to decrease the seasonal nomadic tendencies of aquatic birds. Finally, all these data provide strong arguments to the preservation of all phytophysiognomies in the Nhecolândia sub- region of Pantanal, but with special attention to the salines widely used by many flocks of aquatic birds (mainly in the dry season) and migrant and/or rare species restricted to this habitat.
Underwater turning movement during foraging in Hydromedusa maximiliani (Testudines, Chelidae) from southeastern Brazil
Authors: Rocha-Barbosa O , Hohl LSL , Novelli IA , Sousa BM , Gomides SC , Loguercio MFC
Published: January 2015

A type of locomotor behavior observed in animals with rigid bodies, that can be found in many animals with exoskeletons, shells, or other forms of body armor, to change direction, is the turning behavior. Aquatic floated-turning behavior among rigid bodies animals have been studied in whirligig beetles, boxfish, and more recently in freshwater turtle, Chrysemys picta. In the laboratory we observed a different kind of turning movement that consists in an underwater turning movement during foraging, wherein the animal pivoted its body, using one of the hindlimbs as the fixed-point support in the substratum. We describe, analyze and quantify this movement during foraging in Hydromedusa maximiliani, using observations made in the laboratory. We studied 3 adult specimens (2 males, 1 female) and 2 non-sexed juveniles of H. maximiliani. They were kept individually in an aquarium filled with water and small fish. They were filmed, in dorsal view, at 30 frames per second. Sequences were analyzed frame by frame and points were marked on limbs and shell to enable analysis of variation in limb flexion and extension, as well as rotation movements. While foraging, turtles frequently turned their bodies, using one hind leg as the pivot point. This underwater turning movement, in addition to slow movements with the neck stretched, or staying nearly immobile and scanning the surroundings with lateral movements of the neck (in arcs up to 180°), and fast attacks of neck, may increase prey capture rates.
The occurence of black spot disease in Astyanax aff. fasciatus(characiformes: characidae) in the Guaíba Lake basin, RS, Brazil
Authors: Flores-Lopes F
Published: January 2015

Black spot disease is common in freshwater fish and is usually caused by the metacercaria stage of digenetic trematodes, normally from the Diplostomidae family. The present study evaluated the prevalence and intensity of this disease in Astyanax aff. fasciatus(Teleostei: Characiformes) in the Guaíba Lake basin (RS, Brazil), including body parts assessment and the points of sampling with higher occurrence of black spots. Fish samples were taken seasonally from December 2002 until October 2004. The samples were collected with the use of a seine net at eleven points. The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and stored in 70% ethanol. Black spot disease showed a low frequency in the Guaíba lake basin (2.07%) and no specificity to the species Astyanax aff. fasciatus was observed. A high prevalence among the individuals and high intensity of infection levels was found in the ventral and dorsal regions in relation to other body parts (e.g., pectoral, pelvic and anal regions). Among the sampling points studied, we observed a higher prevalence on samples collected at points Gasômetro, Saco da Alemoa and Sinos, located in open areas with less occurrence of mollusks.
Sampling a biodiversity hotspot: the orchid-bee fauna (Hymenoptera: Apidae) of Tarapoto, northeastern Peru, the richest and most diverse site of the Neotropics
Authors: Nemésio A , Rasmussen C
Published: January 2015

The orchid-bee fauna of the region of Tarapoto, northeastern Peru, was surveyed using seventeen different scents as baits to attract orchid-bee males. Six hundred and fifty-nine males belonging to 41 species were actively collected with insect nets during 120 hours in late July and early August, 2012. Euglossa dressleriMoure, 1968, Euglossa laurensiBembé, 2008, and Euglossa maculilabrisMoure, 1968, three species belonging to the Euglossa cybelia species-group, are here reported for Peru for the first time. Previous sporadic and unpublished samplings in the area recorded eleven additional species. With 53 species, the region of Tarapoto can be considered the richest single site in the Neotropics for orchid bees. Diversity, estimated with the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′ = 3.02), was also the highest ever recorded for orchid bees.
Molluscs associated with the macroalgae of the genus Gracilaria (Rhodophyta): importance of algal fronds as microhabitat in a hypersaline mangrove in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Queiroz RNM , Dias TLP
Published: January 2015

The fronds of marine macroalgae play an important role in coastal ecosystems because the algae banks are utilized as a microhabitat by different taxa, including molluscs, one of the most abundant and diverse animals of marine ecosystems. In this study, we characterized the malacofauna associated with the macroalgae Gracilaria domingensis (Kützing) Sonder ex Dickie 1874 and Gracilaria cuneata Areschoug 1854 of a hypersaline mangrove on the northern coast of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil. The first alga dominates in the rainy season and it is substituted by second one in the dry period. A total of 1,490 molluscs were surveyed, representing 56 species in 29 families: 1,081 were associated with G. domingensis and 409 with G. cuneata, the latter showing the greater diversity (H′=1.25). Columbellidae, Neritidae, Pyramidellidae and Cerithiidae were among the most representative families in the number of species and individuals. The micromolluscs were dominant in the algal microhabitat, constituting 74.63% of the malacofauna recorded. The columbellid Parvanachis obesa(C. B. Adams, 1845) was the dominant species followed by the neritid Neritina virginea (Linnaeus, 1758) in both algae. In spite of the annual alternated succession of the algae species, at least 15 mollusc species are common for these algae. Furthermore, juveniles of P. obesa were recorded in both seasons, indicating a continuous reproduction. Possible reasons for difference in abundance, diversity and dominance of molluscs living on these algae are discussed. Both species of substrate-algae represent an important microhabitat for refuge, feeding and the reproduction of small-sized mollusc species during rainy and dry seasons.
The effects of unrelated offspring whistle calls on capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)
Authors: Dos Santos E , Tokumaru RS , Nogueira Filho SLG , Nogueira SSC
Published: January 2015

Parent-offspring vocal communication, such as the isolation call, is one of the essential adaptations in mammals that adjust parental responsiveness. Thus, our aim was to test the hypothesis that the function of the capybara infants' whistle is to attract conspecifics. We designed a playback experiment to investigate the reaction of 20 adult capybaras (seven males and 13 females) to pups' whistle calls – recorded from unrelated offspring – or to bird song, as control. The adult capybaras promptly responded to playback of unrelated pup whistles, while ignoring the bird vocalisation. The adult capybaras took, on average, 2.6 ± 2.5 seconds (s) to show a response to the whistles, with no differences between males and females. However, females look longer (17.0 ± 12.9 s) than males (3.0 ± 7.2 s) toward the sound source when playing the pups' whistle playback. The females also tended to approach the playback source, while males showed just a momentary interruption of ongoing behaviour (feeding). Our results suggest that capybara pups' whistles function as the isolation call in this species, but gender influences the intensity of the response.
The orchid-bee fauna (Hymenoptera: Apidae) of a forest remnant in the southern portion of the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Santos Júnior JE , Ferrari RR , Nemésio A
Published: January 2015

The orchid-bee fauna of the region of Porto Velho, in the state of Rondônia, Brazil, close to the southernmost limits of the Amazon Basin, was surveyed for the first time using five different scents as baits to attract orchid-bee males. Five hundred and twenty-one males belonging to five genera and 29 species were collected with bait traps during 26 non-consecutive days from November, 2011 to January, 2012. Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier, 1841 and Eulaema meriana (Olivier, 1789) were the most common species in the region and, together, represented almost 50% of all collected bees. Although the observed richness conforms to similar inventories in the region, the diversity (H′= 2.43) found in the present study is one of the highest ever recorded for orchid bees in the Amazon Basin.
Is the “Centro de Endemismo Pernambuco” a biodiversity hotspot for orchid bees?
Authors: Nemésio A , Santos Junior JE
Published: January 2015

The orchid-bee faunas (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossina) of the three largest forest remnants in the “Centro de Endemismo Pernambuco”, northeastern Brazil, namely Estação Ecológica de Murici (ESEC Murici), RPPN Frei Caneca, and a forest preserve belonging to Usina Serra Grande, in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco, were surveyed using seventeen different scents as baits to attract orchid-bee males. Eight sites were established in the three preserves, where samplings were carried out using two protocols: insect netting and bait trapping. We collected 3,479 orchid-bee males belonging to 29 species during 160 hours in early October, 2012. Seven species were collected in the “Centro de Endemismo Pernambuco” for the first time. Richness proved to be one of the highest of the entire Atlantic Forest domain, and diversity in some sites, especially at ESEC Murici, revealed to be one of the highest in the Neotropics. Eulaema felipei Nemésio, 2010, a species previously recorded only at ESEC Murici, was found in no other preserve in the region and its conservation status is discussed.