Universidade Estadual de Londrina

About: Universidade Estadual de Londrina is a education organization based out in Londrina, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Toxoplasma gondii. The organization has 13052 authors who have published 19291 publications receiving 212123 citations.

Removing the abyss between conservation science and policy decisions in Brazil

Abstract: The executive and legislative branches of Brazilian government have either proposed or taken a variety of initiatives that threaten biodiversity and ecosystems. Opposition by the scientific community has largely been ignored by decision-makers. In this short essay, we present recent examples of harmful policies that have great potential to erode biodiversity, and we suggest ways to communicate scientific knowledge to decision- makers. If the current gap between conservation science and policies is not filled, the country will threaten the maintenance of its natural capital and, consequently, the sustainability of essential societal activities in the long term.

A limited survey of fumonisins in corn and corn-based products in Asian countries

Abstract: Natural occurrence of fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2), a promoter for hepato-carcinogenesis, was investigated in corn and corn — based products sampled in Japan, Nepal, and China by high — performance liquid chromatographic method From the 9 imported corn kernel and 6 gluten feed samples, FB1 was detected in 8 corn (06 ∼ 41μg/g) and all gluten feed (03 ∼ 24μg/g) samples, while FB2 was found in the same corn (03 ∼ 10μg/g) and 3 gluten feed (08 ∼ 85μg/g) samples ELISA analysis also revealed the contamination of aflatoxin B1 in 2 corn and all gluten feed samples along with fumonisins Of 17 corn grit samples, 14 and 5 samples were contaminated with fumonisin B1 and B2, with maximum levels of 26 and 28μg/g, respectively As for corn-based foodstuffs marketed in Japan, no significant contamination of fumonisins was observed Among 24 corn kernel samples in Nepal, 12 and 7 samples were positive for FB1 and FB2, and averaged to 06 and 16μg/g, respectively One sample showed the highest fumonisin contents as 46 and 55μg/g, respectively In corn samples harvested at Shanghai and Beijing, China, FB1 and FB2 were detected in various concentrations Mycological survey has also revealed the presence of a fumonisin — producing fungus in a crop field of Japan These findings have for the first time demonstrated high levels of contamination of fumonisins in corn and corn — based products in Asian countries Natural co — occurrence of fumonisins and aflatoxin B1 was also detected in raw materials for mixed feed

Biology and nutrition of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) fed on different food sources

Abstract: We studied Spodoptera frugiperda development using different food sources in the laboratory and field. Newly hatched larvae were fed soybean, cotton, maize, wheat, and oat leaves. An artificial diet was used as the control. Duration of pre-pupal, pupal, and larva-adult period, pupal weight, sex ratio, survival, larva feeding preferences, oviposition preferences, and nutritional quality of different hosts were evaluated. Insects fed on wheat showed the shortest larva-adult period. The insects fed on cotton and soybean had longer larval development cycles and pupae of lower weight. Feeding preference was evident for third instar larvae and did not differ between wheat, oat, maize, and soybean, which were the preferred hosts. Moths oviposited to a greater extent on the upper canopy of wheat than that of other plants in both the no-choice and free-choice tests. Treatments influenced insect growth, food consumption, and digestion when nutritional variables were analyzed. Thus, grasses were better hosts for S. frugiperda development. Cotton was the least preferred food, followed by soybean. The present study can improve our understanding of S. frugiperda in these different crops and help in developing management strategies. Even though S. frugiperda is considered to be polyphagous, this pest is closely associated with grasses (maize, wheat, oat) and has lower potential as a soybean or cotton feeder. Howerver, S. frugiperda food intake regulation appears to be triggered by a complex of different mechanisms. Thus, S. frugiperda can also damage soybean and cotton and adapt to them in the absence of preferred hosts.

Differential oxidative status and immune characterization of the early and advanced stages of human breast cancer

Abstract: Breast cancer is the malignant neoplasia with the highest incidence in women worldwide. Chronic oxidative stress and inflammation have been indicated as major mediators during carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Human studies have not considered the complexity of tumor biology during the stages of cancer advance, limiting their clinical application. The purpose of this study was to characterize systemic oxidative stress and immune response parameters in early (ED; TNM I and II) and advanced disease (AD; TNM III and IV) of patients diagnosed with infiltrative ductal carcinoma breast cancer. Oxidative stress parameters were evaluated by plasmatic lipoperoxidation, carbonyl content, thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), nitric oxide levels (NO), total radical antioxidant parameter (TRAP), superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities and GSH levels. Immune evaluation was determined by TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12, and IL-10 levels and leukocytes oxidative burst evaluation by chemiluminescence. Tissue damage analysis included heart (total CK and CKMB), liver (AST, ALT, GGT), and renal (creatinine, urea, and uric acid) plasmatic markers. C-reactive protein (CRP) and iron metabolism were also evaluated. Analysis of the results verified different oxidative stress statuses occur at distinct cancer stages. ED was characterized by reduction in catalase, 8-isoprostanes, and GSH levels, with enhanced lipid peroxidation and TBARS levels. AD exhibited more pronounced oxidative status, with reduction in catalase activity and TRAP, intense lipid peroxidation and high levels of NO, TBARs, and carbonyl content. ED patients presented a Th2 immune pattern, while AD exhibited Th1 status. CRP levels and ferritin were increased in both stages of disease. Leukocytes burst impairment was observed in both the groups. Plasma iron levels were significantly elevated in AD. The data obtained indicated that oxidative stress enhancement and immune response impairment may be necessary to ensure cancer progression to advanced stages and may result from both host and tumor inflammatory mediators.

Water resources deterioration and its impact on human health

Abstract: The objective of the study is to analyse the actual availability of water resources and its impact on human health deterioration The following aspects were studied: (a) human activities and environmental deterioration; (b) statistics on the availability and demand of water resources; (c) urban and industry wastes as sources of water resources contamination; and (d) deleterious effect of contaminated water on human health Statistical data on the impact of contaminated water on human health and the increasing demand of water resources are alarming It is paramount that modern generations develop an environmental awareness to avoid overstressing water systems, as predicted to come about in the very near future