Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro

About: Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro is a education organization based out in Seropédica, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Species richness. The organization has 6405 authors who have published 9852 publications receiving 105911 citations.

Past land-use and ecological resilience in a lowland Brazilian Atlantic Forest: implications for passive restoration

Abstract: The ecological resilience of abandoned pastures has important implications for the potential of passive restoration in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, especially in the face of the ambitious restoration targets for this biodiversity hotspot. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the influence of past land-use on natural regeneration in two secondary forests that established on abandoned pastures with different land use histories (Abandoned + Fire—15 years since the last fire event and Abandoned—36 years ago) in a lowland Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Both secondary forests exhibit low resilience for the three analyzed attributes: vegetation structure, richness, and species composition. Secondary forests affected by fire have the lowest values for species richness, aboveground biomass and leaf area index compared to old-growth forests. Secondary forests were dominated by Moquiniastrum polymorphum—Asteraceae, which was absent from the old-growth forests. Fire resistance, capacity to establish in nutrient-poor soils and efficient seed dispersal in human-modified landscapes are important attributes that may explain the dominance of this species. We demonstrate that even in sites considered appropriate for passive restoration a priori (e.g. located in a protected area, 36 years since abandonment and close to old-growth forests), secondary forests exhibited low aboveground biomass and communities were dominated by few species. Therefore, our results highlight the effects of past land-use on natural regeneration and suggest the necessity to use interventions such as enrichment plantings, nucleation techniques and assisted natural regeneration in order to accelerate forest restoration.

Pharmacogenomic implications of population admixture: Brazil as a model case.

Abstract: The heterogeneous Brazilian population, with European, African and Amerindian ancestral roots is a model case for exploring the impact of population admixture on the frequency distribution of polymorphisms in pharmacogenes, and the design and interpretation of pharmacogenomics trials. Examples drawn from studies carried out by researchers of the Brazilian pharmacogenomics network, support the following conclusions: the distribution of polymorphisms varies across geographical regions and self-reported 'race/color' categories, and is best modeled as continuous functions of individual proportions of European and African ancestry; the differential frequency of polymorphisms impacts the calculations of sample sizes required for adequate statistical power in clinical trials performed in different segments of the Brazilian population; and extrapolation of pharmacogenomics data from well-defined ethnic groups to Brazilians is plagued with uncertainty. Data for warfarin and tacrolimus are reviewed to highlight the advantages and challenges of performing pharmacogenomic trials in Brazilians.

Plant extract and essential oils added as antimicrobials to cheeses: a review

Abstract: Cheese is a food that is highly susceptible to contamination by pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, which can result in a decrease in its shelf life and cause serious risks to the consumers’ health. Consumers always require healthy food, free of synthetic preservatives, inducing a search for natural alternatives to ensure safety of the products. Essential oils and plant extracts emerge as an alternative for aiding cheese preservation. Some substances have demonstrated good effects against most pathogens and cheese spoilage microorganisms. However, intrinsic and extrinsic factors may influence the actions of these compounds when incorporated into cheese, besides affecting the product characteristics. This review aims at discussing the antimicrobial efficiency of plant extracts and essential oils as well as the impact of their incorporation on lactic bacteria and the sensory characteristics of products.