Showing papers by "Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso published in 1996"

The Seasonal Succession of Biotic Communities in Wetlands of the Tropical Wet-and-Dry Climatic Zone: IV. The Free-Living Sarcodines and Ciliates of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract: This fourth paper in a series on the effects of the wet-and-dry climate on the northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil, provides an outline of the seasonal activity of sarcodine and ciliate species. Both of these groups of protozoans include grazers on bacteria and algae, predators, and omnivores. Apparently because of their more complex trophic relationships and competition from small metazoans, the fauna of these groups in the Pantanal is considerably less rich in species than the alga flora, and the populations of most species remain small throughout the year. The presence of only 97 species was recorded during a period of study lasting about three and a half years. While the number of testacean species encountered is not notably less than expected, the number and diversity of the ciliate fauna are remarkably low compared to those encountered not only in the eutrophic waters of the temperate zones but also in water bodies in the eastern part of Brazil. The species found are almost exclusively cosmopolitan or circumtropical in distribution.

The Seasonal Succession of Biotic Communities in Wetlands of the Tropical Wet‐and‐Dry Climatic Zone: III. The Algal Communities in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil, with a Comprehensive List of the Known Species and Revision of two Desmid Taxa

Abstract: Studies conducted over a period of about 14 years in the northern part of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso revealed that there is a pronounced seasonal succession of algal communities resulting from periodic flooding and desiccation. Generally, during the high water period, the microflora is very sparse but species-rich and dominated by the Desmidiales, which are notably inhabitants of mineral-poor waters. During the dry season, the rapidly evaporating pools of water in the Pantanal often support extremely large concentrations of algae belonging mainly to other orders of Chlorophyta and to Euglenophyta. The seasons of rising and falling water levels are chraracterized by a mixed flora containing elements typical of both the high water and dry seasons, according to the local conditions that prevail. Dense beds of filamentous algae in the family Zygnemataceae are generally encountered only where there is inflow of nutrient-rich water or another source of local eutrophication. The algae present belong overwhelmingly to cosmopolitan or circumtropical species. Their presence and relative abundance seem to be determined primarily by the concentrations of inorganic nutrients in the water. Of the 337 species observed, most are reported for the first time from the Pantanal, and the list of species provides the only comprehensive catalog of autotrophic microorganisms yet compiled for this vast wetland. The physical and chemical characteristics of the habitats in which the various algae occur and their relationships with the macrophyte communities are discussed. One variety of desmid is redescribed and given a valid name: Staurodesmus convergens (EHRENBERG ex RALFS) LILLIEROTH var. teilingii DE-LAMONICA-FREIRE nom. nov., and the taxonomic status of Cosmarium galiciense (GUTWINSKI) DE-LAMONICA-FREIRE comb. nov. is revised.

Autoantibodies in leprosy sera

Abstract: Our objective was to assess the prevalence of autoantibodies in patients with leprosy. Forty-one cases of lepromatous leprosy were studied. For the detection of autoantibodies we used the Elisa technique using the following purified antigens in an Elisa assay: dsDNA, ssDNA, histone, mitochondria, RNA, RNP, SS-A, SS-B, Sm, Scl-70, Anca C, Anca P and the cardiolipin complex. As a “cut off” point we used values shown on previous studies to differentiate normal from elevated values. Antibodies to SS-B, mitochondria and cardiolipin were the most prevalent in our study. Antimitochondrial antibodies distinct from those seen in primary biliary cirrhosis and antiphospholipid antibodies with variable ligand activity to B2GIP are frequent in the sera of leprosy patients.

Nitrogen and phosphorus concentration of different structures of the aquatic macrophytes Eichhornia azurea Kunth and Scirpus cubensis Poepp & Kunth in relation to water level variation in Lagoa Infernão (São Paulo, Brazil)

Abstract: We evaluated the nitrogen and phosphorus concentration of floating meadows of Eichhornia azurea and Scirpus cubensis in Lagoa do Infernao (State of Sao Paulo, Brazil). The chemical composition of these plants and of the water (littoral and limnetic zones) was determined during the period March 1987 to march 1988. During high water, the water becomes enriched by soluble nutrients and particulates washed from the flooded areas adjacent to the lake, especially from areas situated between the river and Lagoa do Infernao. The soluble allochthonous material is rapidly assimilated and stocked in the plant tissues, which results in an increase in its concentration. Besides this, it was established that the aquatic macrophytes studied utilize the nutrients dissolved in the water of the floating meadow itself, these nutrients being derived principally from their own decomposition. Since these are floating stands, the sediment does not function as a direct source of nutrients, and since concentrations in the water are low, the nutrients excreted by the aquatic macrophytes during growth and liberated during decomposition do not remain available in the water, but are rapidly absorbed by the young plants. This closed nutrient system makes possible the maintenance of the high biomass of the stands during the entire hydrological cycle.

Características do adulto, genitália e formas imaturas de Gonipterus gibberus Boisduval e G. scutellatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Abstract: . CHARACTERlSTlCS 01' ADULT, GENITALlA ANO IMMATU RE FORMS 0 1' GONIf'TERUS GIBBERUS BOISDUVA L ANO G. SCUTELLA TUS GVLLENIIA L (COLEOPTERA, CURCUI.IONIDA E). Adults and immature forms ofG. gibbel'lIs Boisduval, 1835 and G . .I'clItellatlls Gyllenhal, 1833 are redescribed briefly. A morphologic study ofmale and female genitalia with illustrations and keys for the identification ofthese species are included. The records on the !emale genitalia are presented for the first time. KEY WORDS. Coleoptera, Curculionidae, G Ol1iple/'us, genital ia, imm3ture forms Poucos sao os trabalhos referentes a Gonip/erus gihberus Boisduval, 1835 e Gonipterus seu/elIa/us Gyllenhal, 1833 onde sao apresentados caracteres que auxiliem no processo de identificacao destas especies. Ultimamente, o Centro de Identificacao de Insetos Fitofagos do Departamen­to de Zoologia da Universidade Federal do Parana tem recebido exemplares destas especies, demonstrando com isto a dificuldade encontrada por profissionais de diversas areas no momento da identificacao das mesmas. Observa-se que a bibliografia referente (MARELLI I 926a,b,c; LEA 1927), alem das descricoes originais, nao permite identificar com seguranca os adultos daquelas especies, mesmo porque as diferencas existentes nao sao facilmente perceptiveis. Ao contrario dos adultos, as formas imaturas (larva e pupa) apresentam caracteres morfologicos externos facilmente distintos, contribuindo para a identifi­cacao correta do material (ROSADO-NETO

The mercury problem and diets in the Brazilian Amazon: planning a solution

Abstract: In order to determine whether mercury from distant goldmining affected health in the districts of lranduba and Barreirinha, Amazonas State, Brazil, mercury in the scalp hair of 101 peasants (39 males and 62 females) was determined by cold vapour atomic absorption. In both areas fish is the major source of dietary protein. The average hair mercury content was 38.6 ppm (1SD = 14.1) in Barreirinha, where the diet contains a high proportion of carnivorous fish, and 5.6 ppm (1SD = 3.1) in Iranduba, where the diet contains more herbivorous fish. The levels found in women's hair in Barreirinha are particularly critical in view of the evidence that peak maternal hair mercury levels above 70 ppm are associated with 30% of risk of neurological disorder in the offspring, and that 5% risk may be associated with a peak mercury level of 10–20 ppm in the maternal hair (WHO 1990).The health of many people, and thus forest preservation, are threatened. An environmental monitoring and health programme is urgently needed for the Brazilian Amazon. Dietary assessment could be a useful indicator of the risk of mercury poisoning, if taken together with periodic analysis of mercury contents of commonly eaten fishes and of scalp hair, particularly that of young and pregnant women. Environmental monitoring is pointless if not directed at effective action; and a planning approach to this is suggested which includes a major educational component.

Ocorrência de transmissão autóctone de leishmaniose visceral em Mato Grosso

Abstract: O Estado de Mato Grosso, antes de sua divisao em 1979, apresentava transmissao de LV na regiao de Corumba, que se mantem ate hoje. Essa regiao, apos a separacao dos estados, ficou localizada no entao recem-criado Mato Grosso do Sul. O novo Estado de Mato Grosso, apesar de endemico para muitas doencas tropicais como malaria, paracoccidioidomicose, leishmaniose tegumentar, entre outras, nao tem registro da ocorrencia de casos autoctones de calazar9. No periodo de 1992 a 1994, quatro casos de LV foram diagnosticados e tratados no Hospital da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, em Cuiaba. Apos investigacao sobre procedencia e historia migracional dos pacientes, concluiu-se por tratar-se de transmissao autoctone da doenca no Estado. O primeiro caso foi de um paciente masculino de 49 anos, natural de Sao Paulo, e residente em Mato Grosso ha 12 anos, nao se tendo ausentado do Estado nesse periodo. Apresentava quadro de febre, emagrecimento, hepatoesplenomegalia, adenomegalia, lesoes cutâneas, pancitopenia e hipergamaglobulinemia. O diagnostico foi feito pelo achado do protozoario em medula ossea, linfonodos e pele ao exame direto. O paciente evoluiu bem com o tratamento convencional. O segundo paciente era uma mulher de 39 anos, natural e procedente de Santo Antonio

Environmental Conditions in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso Conducive to Natural Euglenophyte Populations

Abstract: During studies conducted from 1991 to 1994 in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, the physical and chemical parameters of natural water bodies supporting populations of euglenophyte species were determined, and the data were used to discover the conditions under which the individual species actually live. The results show that there is considerable specific variability not only in the minima and maxima of the individual parameters at which each species occurred but also in the ranges, some species appearing only within a narrow spectrum of physical or chemical conditions and others being able to survive in the greatest variety of environments. Information on the temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, oxygen saturation, water hardness, and concentrations of calcium, cloride, iron, silicate, ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate at which a total of 43 species survived is presented.

A sit-and-wait predatory chironomid from tropical Brazil-Fittkauimyia crypta sp. n. (Diptera : Chironomidae)

Abstract: A new species of Fittkaumyia from central Brazil, F. crypta sp. n., is described as larva, pupa, male and female imago, and observations on the habitat and biology are given. F. crypta is easiest to distinguish from the other three known species of this genus in the pupal stage by the numerous lateral taeniae on segment VIII. Our study reveals that three characters, previously considered to be valid on generic level (overlapping anal lobe points, antepronotum reduced, eyes not irridescent), do not apply to F. crypta.

[The diagnosis of severe disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis in a bone marrow aspirate: a case report].

Abstract: Acute or chronic disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis can be associated with changes in blood and bone marrow cell counts, mainly in the severe forms of this disease. However, there are few reports about the microbiological confirmation of the mycosis in bone marrow tissue. The present report describes a case of an adult patient with severe chronic multifocal paracoccidioidomycosis, whose etiological diagnosis has been done by the microscopical exam and culture fo the bone marrow aspirate. The authors emphasize the importance of these exams as an alternative way for the diagnosis of suspected cases of severe paracoccidioidomycosis.

Regeneração de fibras nervosas periféricas após degeneração induzida por Haloxon

Abstract: Delayed neurotoxicity has been associated with organophosphorus poisoning for years. In order to study such condition in sheep, 11 animals were given either one or two high doses of Haloxon. Exposed sheep were observed daily and between 16 and 25 days after administration neurological signs as incoordination and ataxia were detected in six of them. Biopsies of tibial and laryngeal nerves were performed as soon as neurotoxicity was diagnosed, and after death fragments of selected nerves were collected together with CNS tissues for light and electron microscopy and teased fiber studies. Laryngeal, tibial and sciatic nerves showed the most pronouced changes, consisting chiefly of wallerian degeneration that was seen either as a single fiber or as a complete fascicle feature. Exams performed after death clearly showed regenerating fascicles with axonal sprouts growing within a Schwann cell old basal lamina, and some thinly myelinated axonal sprouts.