Seroprevalence and risk factors for Neospora caninum in sheep in the state Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with infection due to Neospora caninum in serum samples from 488 sheep originating from 63 farms in 63 municipalities distributed across eight of the twelve mesoregions of the state Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. For detection of N. caninum the sheep serum samples were subjected to the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT ≥ 50). To identify the risk factors associated with infection due to N. caninum a questionnaire was filled out for each herd by interviewing, the individual responsible for the herd, demanding information on the general characteristics of the property. Sixty-four sheep sera (13.1%; 95% CI=10.3-16.4) presented IgG-specific anti-N. caninum antibodies with the following titers: 50 (49; 76.6%), 100 (7; 10.9%), 200 (4; 6.2%), 400 (3; 4.7%) and 800 (1; 1.6%). The prevalence of infected sheep per mesoregion ranged from 0 to 28.1%. Out of the 63 farms sampled, 31 (49.2%; 95% CI=36.4-62.1) presented at least one seropositive sheep. No significant association was found between the presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies and the risk factors evaluated on the farms, except for the mesoregion variable (p=0.004; OR=0.429; CI95%=0.182-1.008). These results indicate that there is a need for additional research to define the epidemiological importance of this parasite as a cause of reproductive problems in sheep herds in Minas Gerais.     

The relative influence of catchment and site variables on fish and macroinvertebrate richness in cerrado biome streams

Landscape and site-scale data analyses aid the interpretation of biological data and thereby help us develop more cost-effective natural resource management strategies. Our study focused on environmental influences on stream assemblages and we evaluated how three classes of environmental variables (geophysical landscape, land use and cover, and site habitat), influence fish and macroinvertebrate assemblage richness in the Brazilian Cerrado biome. We analyzed our data through use of multiple linear regression (MLR) models using the three classes of predictor variables alone and in combination. The four MLR models explained dissimilar amounts of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa richness (geophysical landscape R ² ≈ 35 %, land use and cover R ² ≈ 28 %, site habitat R ² ≈ 36 %, and combined R ² ≈ 51 %). For fish assemblages, geophysical landscape, land use and cover, site habitat, and combined models explained R ² ≈ 28 %, R ² ≈ 10 %, R ² ≈ 31 %, and R ² ≈ 47 % of the variability in fish species richness, respectively. We conclude that (1) environmental variables differed in the degree to which they explain assemblage richness, (2) the amounts of variance in assemblage richness explained by geophysical landscape and site habitat were similar, (3) the variables explained more variability in macroinvertebrate taxa richness than in fish species richness, and (4) all three classes of environmental variables studied were useful for explaining assemblage richness in Cerrado headwater streams. These results help us to understand the drivers of assemblage patterns at regional scales in tropical areas.     

New lignans from the perisperm of Sesamum indicum

A procedure, based on XAD-4 adsorption resin, which permits the obtainment of enriched polyphenolic extracts from Sesamum indicum perisperm (coat) has been developed. Chemical analysis of the obtained extracts led to the identification of 16 lignans. Among them, two new lignans, (+)-saminol and (+)-episesaminone-9-O-beta-D-sophoroside, have been isolated. Additionally, the relative stereochemistry of (-)-sesamolactol, previously reported as todolactol A epimer, has been unequivocally defined using X-ray crystallography. The structures of all new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, mainly by the concerted application of 1D and 2D NMR techniques (HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and mass spectroscopy.     

SOURCES OF SULFUR FOR DRY MATTER,SEED YIELD,AND OIL CONCENTRATION OF CANOLA GROWN IN SULFUR DEFICIENT SOILS OF SOUTH-WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Leaching of sulfur (S) on sandy soils may limit the effectiveness of S fertilizers especially when applied at sowing. The effectiveness of S sources for canola (oil seed rape, Brassica napus L.) grown in sandy low S soils of south-western Australia is not known. This study was completed to determine the relative effectiveness of gypsum and a gypsum-based by-product from synthetic rutile processing called Canola Blue for canola grown in low S soils of the region. Canola Blue is a mixture of gypsum and elemental S, and is granulated so its effectiveness may vary from gypsum. We measured the effectiveness of the two S sources in the glasshouse for young seedling growth and for minimizing S leaching. In the four field experiments, the two S sources were evaluated for relative effects on canola seed yield and the concentration of oil in seed. Canola Blue applied at sowing was as effective as gypsum for canola growth in the glasshouse and when applied at 35 days after sowing (DAS) was as effective as gypsum for seed yield in the field. For the glasshouse study, Canola Blue when applied to the soil surface (topdressed) at 35 DAS was as effective as gypsum in achieving a rapid recovery of leaves from S deficiency symptoms and of shoot growth. Where S deficiency appears during the growing season, topdressing with Canola Blue appears to be as effective under the conditions of this experiment as was gypsum. However, the S in Canola Blue was less prone to leaching than that applied as gypsum.     

The fate of Amazonian forest fragments: A 32-year investigation

We synthesize findings to date from the world’s largest and longest-running experimental study of habitat fragmentation, located in central Amazonia. Over the past 32 years, Amazonian forest fragments ranging from 1 to 100 ha have experienced a wide array of ecological changes. Edge effects have been a dominant driver of fragment dynamics, strongly affecting forest microclimate, tree mortality, carbon storage, fauna, and other aspects of fragment ecology. However, edge-effect intensity varies markedly in space and time, and is influenced by factors such as edge age, the number of nearby edges, and the adjoining matrix of modified vegetation surrounding fragments. In our study area, the matrix has changed markedly over the course of the study (evolving from large cattle pastures to mosaics of abandoned pasture and regrowth forest) and this in turn has strongly influenced fragment dynamics and faunal persistence. Rare weather events, especially windstorms and droughts, have further altered fragment ecology. In general, populations and communities of species in fragments are hyperdynamic relative to nearby intact forest. Some edge and fragment-isolation effects have declined with a partial recovery of secondary forests around fragments, but other changes, such as altered patterns of tree recruitment, are ongoing. Fragments are highly sensitive to external vicissitudes, and even small changes in local land-management practices may drive fragmented ecosystems in markedly different directions. The effects of fragmentation are likely to interact synergistically with other anthropogenic threats such as logging, hunting, and especially fire, creating an even greater peril for the Amazonian biota.     

Reducing preharvest drop of ‘Temple’ orange fruits by 2,4-D — Role of cellulase in the calyx abscission zone

One or two treatments of 2,4-D (18 p.p.m.) applied to ‘Temple’ orange trees during the last 6 weeks before the regular picking-period in late January, successfully reduced natural preharvest fruit abscission, allowing picking to be delayed by at least one month, and thus producing better external and internal fruit quality. It has been demonstrated for the first time that the delaying effect of auxin treatment on preharvest abscission was directly related to the decrease in the activity of endo- and exo-cellular cellulase. Most of the increase in cellulase activity during the abscission process was, however, due mainly to the activity of exo-cellular cellulase. When frost occurred a few days after application of 2,4-D, the auxin treatment significantly decreased total cellulase activity, thus reducing fruit abscission.The data proved that, except for the difference in the length of time between application and the onset of the hormone effect, the control mechanism of 2,4-D on abscission and on cellulase activity in intact fruit is similar to that previously reported for fruit explants.