Chemical Screening of <i>Urochloa humidicola</i>: Methods for Characterizing Secondary Metabolites and Allelopathic Activity on Forage Legumes

The aim of this study was to identify the main classes of secondary metabolites present in the root and shoot crude extracts and fractions from the forage grass Urochloa humidicola (Rendle) Morrone & Zuloaga and to evaluate the allelopathic effect of these metabolites on forage legumes for intercropping. Phytochemical prospecting analyses, 1H NMR and capillary electrophoresis were performed on extracts of U. humidicola. Allelopathic activity was evaluated in germination of Stylosanthes, Macrotyloma axillare and Lactuca sativa L. (standard) in the presence of crude extracts, isolated saponins, flavonoids and trans-cinnamic acid. The metabolite classes present in the extracts could be determined by the combined use of the tested analytical techniques, but their use alone was usually not sufficient to chemically characterize the species. Capillary electrophoresis was effective in detecting phenolic compounds. Macrotyloma axillare was tolerant to crude extracts of U. humidicola. Saponins and trans-cinnamic acid, but not the flavonoids, reduced germination of the target plants.

Prevalence and Characterization of the Cerebral Palsy in Maceio,a Northeast City of Brazil

Background: Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders arising from a static damage or brain development defects occurring during fetal life and in the first months of life. Methods: The sample consisted of 800 individuals living in 50 districts of the city of Maceio. A standardized questionnaire was applied. Results: The prevalence of cerebral palsy in the sample was 5/1000. All were born at term, 75% were male, 50% had severe cerebral palsy and 50% was moderate. 75% had quadriplegia and 25% had diplegia. Fifty percent of the cerebral palsy was caused by meningitis and 50% for prolonged labor. Conclusions: The prevalence of cerebral palsy in Maceió is 140.38% higher than the highest prevalence found in developed countries, predominantly in low-income and related to postnatal infection in families.

Prediction of SARS-CoV-2 hosts among Brazilian mammals and new coronavirus transmission chain using evolutionary bioinformatics

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV)and SARS-CoV-2 are thought to transmit to humans via wild mammals,especially bats.However,evidence for direct bat-to-human transmission is lacking.Involvement of intermediate hosts is considered a reason for SARS-CoV-2 transmission to humans and emergence of outbreak.Large biodiversity is found in tropical territories,such as Brazil.On the similar line,this study aimed to predict potential coronavirus hosts among Brazilian wild mammals based on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)sequences using evolutionary bioinformatics.Cougar,maned wolf,and bush dogs were predicted as potential hosts for coronavirus.These indigenous carnivores are philogenetically closer to the known SARS-CoV/SARS-CoV-2 hosts and presented low ACE2 divergence.A new coronavirus transmission chain was developed in which white-tailed deer,a susceptible SARS-CoV-2 host,have the central position.Cougar play an important role because of its low divergent ACE2 level in deer and humans.The discovery of these potential coronavirus hosts will be useful for epidemiological surveillance and discovery of interventions that can contribute to break the transmission chain.

Ergatoid reproductives in the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes aquilinus (Holmgren) (Blattaria: Isoptera: Termitidae): developmental origin, fecundity, and genetics

Termite colonies are usully headed by primary reproductives,which estab-listh nests during the swar ming scason.However,secondary reproductives may develop in some specics and become supplementary or replacement breeders,extending colony lifes-pan.Here we investigate the developmental origin,fecundity and genetic characterizaion of ergatoid reproductives in the Neotropical termite Nasuitermes aquilinus(Holmgren),using morphometrical and histological techniques,five micosiallitle loci and the COI mitochondrial DNA.Twelve measurements performed on 208 apterous individuals of Nuauidius revealed 10 groups,including ergatoid females,which developed from major workers through two successive molts.and were characterized by the presence of imaginal features such as eyes andl wing buds.The difentiation of these features was correlated to physogastric development in these ergatoids,Histology revealed ooeytes in all matu-ration sages in worker-derived reproductives of N aquidinus,presence of nonflagellate spermatozoa inside the spermatheea,and royal fa body.Thus,ergatoid reproduwetives were reproductively functional.According to the genotypes of 221 individuals from 11 nests,and mitochondrial haplotypes of 43 ergatoids,73%of the colomies were simple families,whereas 27%were extendbed families.Despite the oecurenee of related reproductives,low inbreeding rates were detected within and among colonies.Such values could be explained given that sib mating itself cannot result in a higher inbreeding rate but depend on several factors discussed in detail.This is the first study to investigate the genetic structure of termite colonies influenced by the development of ergatoids and further investigations are encouraged 10 understand the inflwence of these reproductives on colony lifespan.