cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832268
title: Spatial segregation between Chalceus guaporensis and Chalceus epakros (Osteichthyes: Characiformes) in the Madeira River, Amazon Basin

description: ABSTRACT Chalceus guaporensis is an endemic fish to the upper Madeira River whereas C. epakros is widespread in many rivers of the central and lower portions of the Amazon Basin, middle and upper Orinoco River Basin, the Essequibo River in Guyana and in the Nanay River in northern Peru. According to literature, both species do not occur in syntopy. We carried out ichthyological surveys along the Madeira River Basin and its rapids, and data on abundance, diet and habitat use were obtained for both species. Chalceus guaporensis and C. epakros are morphologically similar, occupying floodplain habitats and exploiting similar food resources. The former predominated upstream from the Jirau Fall, whereas the latter had most of its abundance bellow the last fall of the Madeira River; both species co-occurred along part of the rapids stretch and in the Machado River, but with strongly uneven abundances. This pattern may have developed in the past by speciation regarding the presence of the falls, while co-occurrence of the two species seems to be regulated by competitive interactions or maintained by slight differences in environmental requirements nowadays. The recent disruption of the Madeira River by two run-of-river dams built in cascade submerged a large portion of the rapids stretch and substituted it by semi-lenthic habitats created by the dam reservoirs, together with the construction of a fish passage. These environmental changes may allow the invasion of the upper reaches of the Madeira River by C. epakros, and disturb the population of endemic C. guaporensis.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832265
title: Conidial fungi associated with leaf litter of red cedar (Cedrela odorata) in Belém, Pará (eastern Brazilian Amazon)

description: ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the species of conidial fungi associated with leaf litter of Cedrela odorata (Meliaceae), an endangered red cedar species typical of Amazonian terra-firme forests. Conidial fungi were sampled around C. odorata individuals in three forest areas in the municipality of Belém (Pará State, Brazil). A total of 104 species were identified, with 53 new records for the state of Pará, 46 first records for the Brazilian Amazon, including new records for Brazil (Cordana abramovii), for South America (Acarocybiopsis cubitaensis, Xylocladium claviforme) and for the Americas (Dactylaria biguttulata). A review of species of conidial fungi reported on C. odorata is provided, indicating its distribution in Brazil. For each new record in Brazil, South America and the Americas we present a description, illustrations, geographical distribution and taxonomic comments.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832265.v1
title: Conidial fungi associated with leaf litter of red cedar (Cedrela odorata) in Belém, Pará (eastern Brazilian Amazon)

description: ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the species of conidial fungi associated with leaf litter of Cedrela odorata (Meliaceae), an endangered red cedar species typical of Amazonian terra-firme forests. Conidial fungi were sampled around C. odorata individuals in three forest areas in the municipality of Belém (Pará State, Brazil). A total of 104 species were identified, with 53 new records for the state of Pará, 46 first records for the Brazilian Amazon, including new records for Brazil (Cordana abramovii), for South America (Acarocybiopsis cubitaensis, Xylocladium claviforme) and for the Americas (Dactylaria biguttulata). A review of species of conidial fungi reported on C. odorata is provided, indicating its distribution in Brazil. For each new record in Brazil, South America and the Americas we present a description, illustrations, geographical distribution and taxonomic comments.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832268.v1
title: Spatial segregation between Chalceus guaporensis and Chalceus epakros (Osteichthyes: Characiformes) in the Madeira River, Amazon Basin

description: ABSTRACT Chalceus guaporensis is an endemic fish to the upper Madeira River whereas C. epakros is widespread in many rivers of the central and lower portions of the Amazon Basin, middle and upper Orinoco River Basin, the Essequibo River in Guyana and in the Nanay River in northern Peru. According to literature, both species do not occur in syntopy. We carried out ichthyological surveys along the Madeira River Basin and its rapids, and data on abundance, diet and habitat use were obtained for both species. Chalceus guaporensis and C. epakros are morphologically similar, occupying floodplain habitats and exploiting similar food resources. The former predominated upstream from the Jirau Fall, whereas the latter had most of its abundance bellow the last fall of the Madeira River; both species co-occurred along part of the rapids stretch and in the Machado River, but with strongly uneven abundances. This pattern may have developed in the past by speciation regarding the presence of the falls, while co-occurrence of the two species seems to be regulated by competitive interactions or maintained by slight differences in environmental requirements nowadays. The recent disruption of the Madeira River by two run-of-river dams built in cascade submerged a large portion of the rapids stretch and substituted it by semi-lenthic habitats created by the dam reservoirs, together with the construction of a fish passage. These environmental changes may allow the invasion of the upper reaches of the Madeira River by C. epakros, and disturb the population of endemic C. guaporensis.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832262
title: Calibration of the outdoor comfort index Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) for Curitiba

description: Abstract The analysis of the relationship between thermal comfort and the climatic conditions of a given location can be an important tool for urban planning. A possible way to perform such evaluation is by means of comfort indices, such as PET (Physiological Equivalent Temperature), which is widely used in thermal studies in open-air environments, after duly calibration to local thermal preferences. This study aims to calibrate the PET index for Curitiba, a city characterized by a temperate climate (Cfb), according to three distinct procedures. Climatic and subjective data were obtained in outdoor thermal monitoring campaigns during 2009 and 2010, covering summer, autumn and winter. Calibration procedures involved three distinct methods: 1) binning method for 1 ºC discrete variations in the PET scale; 2) identifying the most prevailing thermal sensation categories in each 1 ºC PET-bin; 3) Probit analysis. Method 2 was considered less precise in defining limits for Curitiba while Probit results corresponded well with those from Method 1, by which a comfort zone for outdoor spaces was obtained.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832262.v1
title: Calibration of the outdoor comfort index Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) for Curitiba

description: Abstract The analysis of the relationship between thermal comfort and the climatic conditions of a given location can be an important tool for urban planning. A possible way to perform such evaluation is by means of comfort indices, such as PET (Physiological Equivalent Temperature), which is widely used in thermal studies in open-air environments, after duly calibration to local thermal preferences. This study aims to calibrate the PET index for Curitiba, a city characterized by a temperate climate (Cfb), according to three distinct procedures. Climatic and subjective data were obtained in outdoor thermal monitoring campaigns during 2009 and 2010, covering summer, autumn and winter. Calibration procedures involved three distinct methods: 1) binning method for 1 ºC discrete variations in the PET scale; 2) identifying the most prevailing thermal sensation categories in each 1 ºC PET-bin; 3) Probit analysis. Method 2 was considered less precise in defining limits for Curitiba while Probit results corresponded well with those from Method 1, by which a comfort zone for outdoor spaces was obtained.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832250
title: Cardioprotective effect of lipstatin derivative orlistat on normotensive rats submitted to cardiac ischemia and reperfusion

description: Abstract Purpose: To evaluate in vivo animal model of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion the cardioprotective activity of pancreatic lipase inhibitor of the orlistat. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were anesthetized, placed on mechanical ventilation and underwent surgery to induce cardiac I/R by obstructing left descending coronary artery followed by reperfusion to evaluation of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB) and lethality (LET) with pancreatic lipase inhibitor orlistat (ORL). At the end of reperfusion, blood samples were collected for determination of triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB). Results: Treatment with ORL has been able to decrease the incidence of VA, AVB and LET. Besides that, treatment with ORL reduced serum concentrations of CK and LDL, but did not alter the levels of serum concentration of TG, VLDL and HDL. Conclusion: The reduction of ventricular arrhythmias, atrioventricular block, and lethality and serum levels of creatine kinase produced by treatment with orlistat in animal model of cardiac isquemia/reperfusion injury suggest that ORL could be used as an efficient cardioprotective therapeutic strategy to attenuate myocardial damage related to acute myocardial infarction.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832250.v1
title: Cardioprotective effect of lipstatin derivative orlistat on normotensive rats submitted to cardiac ischemia and reperfusion

description: Abstract Purpose: To evaluate in vivo animal model of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion the cardioprotective activity of pancreatic lipase inhibitor of the orlistat. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were anesthetized, placed on mechanical ventilation and underwent surgery to induce cardiac I/R by obstructing left descending coronary artery followed by reperfusion to evaluation of ventricular arrhythmias (VA), atrioventricular block (AVB) and lethality (LET) with pancreatic lipase inhibitor orlistat (ORL). At the end of reperfusion, blood samples were collected for determination of triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB). Results: Treatment with ORL has been able to decrease the incidence of VA, AVB and LET. Besides that, treatment with ORL reduced serum concentrations of CK and LDL, but did not alter the levels of serum concentration of TG, VLDL and HDL. Conclusion: The reduction of ventricular arrhythmias, atrioventricular block, and lethality and serum levels of creatine kinase produced by treatment with orlistat in animal model of cardiac isquemia/reperfusion injury suggest that ORL could be used as an efficient cardioprotective therapeutic strategy to attenuate myocardial damage related to acute myocardial infarction.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832253
title: Phylogenetic structure is determined by patch size in rock outcrop vegetation on an inselberg in the northern Amazon region

description: ABSTRACT Although inselbergs from around the world are iconic ecosystems, little is known on the underlying mechanisms of community assembly, especially in their characteristic patchy outcrop vegetation. Environmental constraints are expected to cause phylogenetic clustering when ecological niches are conserved within evolutionary lineages. We tested whether vegetation patches from rock outcrops of the Piedra La Tortuga Natural Monument, in the northern Amazon region, are phylogenetically clustered, indicating that environmental filtering is the dominant driver of community assemblage therein. We classified all patches according to their size as very small (&lt; 1 m2), small (1-4 m2), medium-sized (4-8 m2), and large patches (8-15 m2). From each class, we randomly selected 10 patches, totalizing 40 patches covering 226 m2. All individuals found in the 40 isolated patches were identified to the species level. We also correlated measurements of phylogenetic community structure with patch size. We found that species from patches are restricted to the clades monocots, fabids, malvids, and lamiids. We conclude that vegetation in this rock outcrop is phylogenetically clustered. Furthermore, we found that phylogenetic turnover between pairs of patches increases with patch size, which is consistent with a scenario of higher environmental stress in smaller patches. Further research is necessary to identify nurse species in inselberg vegetation, which is pivotal for conservation and restoration of this particular ecosystem.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832253.v1
title: Phylogenetic structure is determined by patch size in rock outcrop vegetation on an inselberg in the northern Amazon region

description: ABSTRACT Although inselbergs from around the world are iconic ecosystems, little is known on the underlying mechanisms of community assembly, especially in their characteristic patchy outcrop vegetation. Environmental constraints are expected to cause phylogenetic clustering when ecological niches are conserved within evolutionary lineages. We tested whether vegetation patches from rock outcrops of the Piedra La Tortuga Natural Monument, in the northern Amazon region, are phylogenetically clustered, indicating that environmental filtering is the dominant driver of community assemblage therein. We classified all patches according to their size as very small (&lt; 1 m2), small (1-4 m2), medium-sized (4-8 m2), and large patches (8-15 m2). From each class, we randomly selected 10 patches, totalizing 40 patches covering 226 m2. All individuals found in the 40 isolated patches were identified to the species level. We also correlated measurements of phylogenetic community structure with patch size. We found that species from patches are restricted to the clades monocots, fabids, malvids, and lamiids. We conclude that vegetation in this rock outcrop is phylogenetically clustered. Furthermore, we found that phylogenetic turnover between pairs of patches increases with patch size, which is consistent with a scenario of higher environmental stress in smaller patches. Further research is necessary to identify nurse species in inselberg vegetation, which is pivotal for conservation and restoration of this particular ecosystem.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832241
title: Curcumin exerts anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective effects through amelioration of NFAT-dependent endothelin-1 production in mice with acute Chagas cardiomyopathy

description: BACKGROUND The anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties of curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, are increasingly considered to have beneficial effects on the progression of Chagas heart disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of oral therapy with Cur on T. cruzi-mediated cardiovasculopathy in acutely infected mice and analyse the in vitro response of parasite-infected human microvascular endothelial cells treated with this phytochemical. METHODS Inflammation of heart vessels from Cur-treated and untreated infected mice were analysed by histology, with benznidazole (Bz) as the reference compound. Parasitaemia was monitored by the direct method. Capillary permeability was visualised by Evans-blue assay. Myocardial ET-1, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA expressions were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Microvascular endothelial HMEC-1 cells were infected in vitro with or without addition of Cur or Bz. Induction of the Ca2+/NFAT pathway was assessed by fluorometry, immunoblotting, and reporter assay. FINDINGS Oral Cur therapy of recently infected mice reduced inflammatory cell infiltration of myocardial arteries without lowering parasite levels. Compared to that of the phosphate-buffered saline-receiving group, hearts from Cur-treated mice showed significantly decreased vessel inflammation scores (p &lt; 0.001), vascular permeabilities (p &lt; 0.001), and levels of IL-6/TNF-α (p &lt; 0.01) and ET-1 (p &lt; 0.05) mRNA. Moreover, Cur significantly (p &lt; 0.05 for transcript; p &lt; 0.01 for peptide) downregulated ET-1 secretion from infected HMEC-1 cells. Remarkably, Cur addition significantly (p &lt; 0.05 at 27.0 μM) interfered with T. cruzi-dependent activation of the Ca2+/NFATc1 signalling pathway that promotes generation of inflammatory agents in HMEC-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Oral treatment with Cur dampens cardiovasculopathy in acute Chagas mice. Cur impairs the Ca2+/NFATc1-regulated release of ET-1 from T. cruzi-infected vascular endothelium. These findings identify new perspectives for exploring the potential of Cur-based interventions to ameliorate Chagas heart disease.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832241.v1
title: Curcumin exerts anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective effects through amelioration of NFAT-dependent endothelin-1 production in mice with acute Chagas cardiomyopathy

description: BACKGROUND The anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties of curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, are increasingly considered to have beneficial effects on the progression of Chagas heart disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of oral therapy with Cur on T. cruzi-mediated cardiovasculopathy in acutely infected mice and analyse the in vitro response of parasite-infected human microvascular endothelial cells treated with this phytochemical. METHODS Inflammation of heart vessels from Cur-treated and untreated infected mice were analysed by histology, with benznidazole (Bz) as the reference compound. Parasitaemia was monitored by the direct method. Capillary permeability was visualised by Evans-blue assay. Myocardial ET-1, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA expressions were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Microvascular endothelial HMEC-1 cells were infected in vitro with or without addition of Cur or Bz. Induction of the Ca2+/NFAT pathway was assessed by fluorometry, immunoblotting, and reporter assay. FINDINGS Oral Cur therapy of recently infected mice reduced inflammatory cell infiltration of myocardial arteries without lowering parasite levels. Compared to that of the phosphate-buffered saline-receiving group, hearts from Cur-treated mice showed significantly decreased vessel inflammation scores (p &lt; 0.001), vascular permeabilities (p &lt; 0.001), and levels of IL-6/TNF-α (p &lt; 0.01) and ET-1 (p &lt; 0.05) mRNA. Moreover, Cur significantly (p &lt; 0.05 for transcript; p &lt; 0.01 for peptide) downregulated ET-1 secretion from infected HMEC-1 cells. Remarkably, Cur addition significantly (p &lt; 0.05 at 27.0 μM) interfered with T. cruzi-dependent activation of the Ca2+/NFATc1 signalling pathway that promotes generation of inflammatory agents in HMEC-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Oral treatment with Cur dampens cardiovasculopathy in acute Chagas mice. Cur impairs the Ca2+/NFATc1-regulated release of ET-1 from T. cruzi-infected vascular endothelium. These findings identify new perspectives for exploring the potential of Cur-based interventions to ameliorate Chagas heart disease.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832238
title: Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in slaughtered swine in the Federal District of Brazil, as determined by the PCR technique

description: Abstract The production of pork has been increasing in recent years as well as the requirement for quality products, free of any hazard for consumers. Salmonella spp. represents a biological hazard and has been identified worldwide as the agent responsible for many cases of foodborne diseases. Swine are considered to be an important reservoir of Salmonella spp. and hence knowledge of the dynamics of the bacteria throughout the pork production chain is essential. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pigs slaughtered in the Federal District of Brazil. A total of 240 samples of mesenteric lymph nodes (LM) were collected and also 240 carcass swabs (SC), in a slaughterhouse submitted to official inspection. The samples were subjected to the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) assay for bacterial detection, revealing a prevalence of 68.75% in the mesenteric lymph nodes of the slaughtered pigs and 29.17% in the SC. Moreover, the data analysis revealed that the distance between farm and slaughterhouse showed a moderately positive correlation with the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in the LM of the pigs at slaughter. A low positive correlation was also found between the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in the LM of the slaughtered pigs and the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in the SC. These results show the need to implement monitoring programs to reduce the prevalence in the animals sent to slaughterhouses and to avoid cross-contamination in food establishments.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6832238.v1
title: Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in slaughtered swine in the Federal District of Brazil, as determined by the PCR technique

description: Abstract The production of pork has been increasing in recent years as well as the requirement for quality products, free of any hazard for consumers. Salmonella spp. represents a biological hazard and has been identified worldwide as the agent responsible for many cases of foodborne diseases. Swine are considered to be an important reservoir of Salmonella spp. and hence knowledge of the dynamics of the bacteria throughout the pork production chain is essential. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in pigs slaughtered in the Federal District of Brazil. A total of 240 samples of mesenteric lymph nodes (LM) were collected and also 240 carcass swabs (SC), in a slaughterhouse submitted to official inspection. The samples were subjected to the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) assay for bacterial detection, revealing a prevalence of 68.75% in the mesenteric lymph nodes of the slaughtered pigs and 29.17% in the SC. Moreover, the data analysis revealed that the distance between farm and slaughterhouse showed a moderately positive correlation with the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in the LM of the pigs at slaughter. A low positive correlation was also found between the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in the LM of the slaughtered pigs and the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in the SC. These results show the need to implement monitoring programs to reduce the prevalence in the animals sent to slaughterhouses and to avoid cross-contamination in food establishments.