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Sixty-two fecal samples of capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) living in eight conservation units (CUs) across the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil, were assessed for the presence of eggs of liver flukes via sedimentation. Fasciola hepatica eggs were found in 37.1% (23/62) of the samples. Positive samples were found in six CUs (75%), three CUs located in the southern region of the state and three others in the metropolitan region of the capital city of Vitória. Identification of Fasciola hepatica eggs collected from capybara fecal samples were based on morphology, and confirmed using molecular methods. Our results suggest that capybaras may serve as a wild reservoir host for F. hepatica, possibly contributing to the epidemiology and geographic range expansion of this zoonotic parasite across its vast range of distribution in South America.

Forty percent of the world’s population live in areas where they are at risk from dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and dengue shock syndrome. Dengue viruses are transmitted primarily by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. In Cali, Colombia, approximately 30% of field collected Ae. aegypti are naturally refractory to all four dengue serotypes.

Use RNA-sequencing to identify those genes that determine refractoriness in feral mosquitoes to dengue. This information can be used in gene editing strategies to reduce dengue transmission.

We employed a full factorial design, analyzing differential gene expression across time (24, 36 and 48 h post bloodmeal), feeding treatment (blood or blood + dengue-2) and strain (susceptible or refractory). Sequences were aligned to the reference Ae. aegypti genome for identification, assembled to visualize transcript structure, and analyzed for dynamic gene expression changes. A variety of clustering techniques was used to identify the differentially expressed genes.

We identified a subset of genes that likely assist dengue entry and replication in susceptible mosquitoes and contribute to vector competence.

The differential expression of specific genes by refractory and susceptible mosquitoes could determine the phenotype, and may be used to in gene editing strategies to reduce dengue transmission.

The differential expression of specific genes by refractory and susceptible mosquitoes could determine the phenotype, and may be used to in gene editing strategies to reduce dengue transmission.As cetaceans are sentinels of the marine environment, studying their life history is of utmost importance in understanding their habits and their interaction with the environment. To achieve this goal, it is important to study their ecological niches through the investigation of their habitat use patterns and trophic relationships. This study aimed to evaluate if there are differences in the habitat use patterns and the trophic ecology of franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) and Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) accidentally caught off the south coast of São Paulo State, and Guiana dolphins biopsied in the Cananeia estuary, southeastern Brazil, based on the carbon and the nitrogen stable isotopes analysis. Isotopic ratios were estimated from skin samples. The isotopic niche size and overlap were calculated using the SIBER package (R software). The gathered results showed evidence of spatial segregation between Guiana dolphins and franciscanas. The Guiana dolphins sampled inside and outside the estuary showed evidence of trophic and spatial segregation. No difference in isotopic values between sexes was found for both species. Such differences between franciscanas and Guiana dolphins were expected as both species have distinct life histories as a result of different evolutionary pathways.Microsatellite primers pairs were developed for the Neotropical tree Roupala montana var. brasiliensis for use in studies on genetic diversity, mating system, and gene flow. Forty-two primer pairs were developed, resulting in 27 polymorphic loci, with two to 27 alleles per locus. The primer pairs were validated against 34 R. montana var. brasiliensis adult trees from four populations. The observed (H o) and expected (H e)heterozygosities ranged among loci from 0.061 to 0.930 (mean of 0.544) and from 0.116 to 0.950 (mean of 0.700), respectively. Null alleles were observed for ten loci. No genotypic linkage disequilibrium was detected in any pair of loci. This set of loci is suitable for population genetic studies of the species.Muscle overuse and its consequent muscle damage has no cure. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the regulatory role of tau-AuNPs on muscle recovery of muscle overuse model. The animals (Male Swiss mice) were randomly divided into four groups Control (Ctr; n=6); tau-AuNPs (n=6); overuse (n=6); and overuse plus tau-AuNPs (n=6). Exercise sessions were performed for 21 consecutive days, and one exercise model was applied daily in the following sequence low intensity, moderate intensity, and high intensity. The mice were then sacrificed. The quadriceps muscles were surgically removed for subsequent biochemical analysis (oxidative stress parameters, DNA damage markers and muscle differentiation protein). The overuse group significantly increased the oxidative stress parameters and DNA damage markers, whereas tau-AuNPs significantly decreased the oxidative stress parameters in the overuse animal model. However, there were no significant differences observed between overuse group and overuse plus tau-AuNPs administrated group in relation to DNA damage markers including DNA damage frequency and index levels when compared to control and tau-AuNPs groups. Muscle differentiation protein Myf-5 was increased in the overuse plus tau-AuNPs administration group when compared to control group. In conclusion, tau-AuNPs had significant effect on reducing oxidative stress parameters and increasing myogenic regulatory protein Myf-5 in the overuse group. BMS-986165 purchase However, it did not have significant effect on reducing DNA damage.Diversified crop rotation is an option for expanding producer incomes, and its adoption has presented a series of agronomic advantages compared to less diversified crop rotation systems. In this context, the objective of this study was to verify if higher-diversified crop rotation systems perform economically better than low-diversified ones. To this end, we conducted an experiment in no-tillage crop areas in Londrina, in south of Brazil, for the years 2014/15 to 2016/17. The experiment design was randomized blocks, with six treatments, consisting of crop rotation systems with different levels of diversification, and four replications. We observed that higher-diversified crop rotation systems yield higher revenues and profits. Only these systems, specifically the ones that included canola-corn, crambe-corn, and safflower-soybeans, or wheat-corn+brachiaria, canola-corn, and edible beans-soybeans were economically feasible. Despite higher cost, diversified systems with a greater number of commercial crops in winter presented higher profits.