Soil macrofauna communities in Brazilian land-use systems

Background

Soil animal communities include more than 40 higher-order taxa, representing over 23% of all described species. These animals have a wide range of feeding sources and contribute to several important soil functions and ecosystem services. Although many studies have assessed macroinvertebrate communities in Brazil, few of them have been published in journals and even fewer have made the data openly available for consultation and further use. As part of ongoing efforts to synthesise the global soil macrofauna communities and to increase the amount of openly-accessible data in GBIF and other repositories related to soil biodiversity, the present paper provides links to 29 soil macroinvertebrate datasets covering 42 soil fauna taxa, collected in various land-use systems in Brazil. A total of 83,085 georeferenced occurrences of these taxa are presented, based on quantitative estimates performed using a standardised sampling method commonly adopted worldwide to collect soil macrofauna populations, i.e. the TSBF (Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Programme) protocol. This consists of digging soil monoliths of 25 x 25 cm area, with handsorting of the macroinvertebrates visible to the naked eye from the surface litter and from within the soil, typically in the upper 0-20 cm layer (but sometimes shallower, i.e. top 0-10 cm or deeper to 0-40 cm, depending on the site). The land-use systems included anthropogenic sites managed with agricultural systems (e.g. pastures, annual and perennial crops, agroforestry), as well as planted forests and native vegetation located mostly in the southern Brazilian State of Paraná (96 sites), with a few additional sites in the neighbouring states of São Paulo (21 sites) and Santa Catarina (five sites). Important metadata on soil properties, particularly soil chemical parameters (mainly pH, C, P, Ca, K, Mg, Al contents, exchangeable acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, Base Saturation and, infrequently, total N), particle size distribution (mainly % sand, silt and clay) and, infrequently, soil moisture and bulk density, as well as on human management practices (land use and vegetation cover) are provided. These data will be particularly useful for those interested in estimating land-use change impacts on soil biodiversity and its implications for below-ground foodwebs, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem service delivery.

New information

Quantitative estimates are provided for 42 soil animal taxa, for two biodiversity hotspots: the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes. Data are provided at the individual monolith level, representing sampling events ranging from February 2001 up to September 2016 in 122 sampling sites and over 1800 samples, for a total of 83,085 ocurrences.

Amazonian earthworm biodiversity is heavily impacted by ancient and recent human disturbance

Despite the importance of earthworms for soil formation, more is needed to know about how Pre-Columbian modifications to soils and the landscape. Gaining a deeper understanding is essential for comprehending the historical drivers of earthworm communities and the development of effective conservation strategies in the Amazon rainforest. Human disturbance can significantly impact earthworm diversity, especially in rainforest soils, and in the particular case of the Amazonian rainforest, both recent and ancient anthropic practices may be important. Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs) are fertile soils found throughout the Amazon Basin, created by sedentary habits and intensification patterns of pre-Colombian societies primarily developed in the second part of the Holocene period. We have sampled earthworm communities in three Brazilian Amazonian (ADEs) and adjacent reference soils (REF) under old and young forests and monocultures. To better assess taxonomic richness, we used morphology and the barcode region of the COI gene to identify juveniles and cocoons and delimit Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs). Here we suggest using Integrated Operational Taxonomical units (IOTUs) which combine both morphological and molecular data and provide a more comprehensive assessment of diversity, while MOTUs only rely on molecular data. A total of 970 individuals were collected, resulting in 51 taxonomic units (IOTUs, MOTUs, and morphospecies combined). From this total, 24 taxonomic units were unique to REF soils, 17 to ADEs, and ten were shared between both soils. The highest richness was found in old forest sites for ADEs (12 taxonomic units) and REFs (21 taxonomic units). The beta-diversity calculations reveal a high species turnover between ADEs and REF soils, providing evidence that ADEs and REFs possess distinct soil biota. Furthermore, results suggest that ADE sites, formed by Pre-Columbian human activities, conserve a high number of native species in the landscape and maintain a high abundance, despite their long-term nature.

A "Dirty" Footprint: Macroinvertebrate diversity in Amazonian Anthropic Soils

Amazonian rainforests, once thought to be pristine wilderness, are increasingly known to have been widely inhabited, modified, and managed prior to European arrival, by human populations with diverse cultural backgrounds. Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs) are fertile soils found throughout the Amazon Basin, created by pre-Columbian societies with sedentary habits. Much is known about the chemistry of these soils, yet their zoology has been neglected. Hence, we characterized soil fertility, macroinvertebrate communities, and their activity at nine archeological sites in three Amazonian regions in ADEs and adjacent reference soils under native forest (young and old) and agricultural systems. We found 673 morphospecies and, despite similar richness in ADEs (385 spp.) and reference soils (399 spp.), we identified a tenacious pre-Columbian footprint, with 49% of morphospecies found exclusively in ADEs. Termite and total macroinvertebrate abundance were higher in reference soils, while soil fertility and macroinvertebrate activity were higher in the ADEs, and associated with larger earthworm quantities and biomass. We show that ADE habitats have a unique pool of species, but that modern land use of ADEs decreases their populations, diversity, and contributions to soil functioning. These findings support the idea that humans created and sustained high-fertility ecosystems that persist today, altering biodiversity patterns in Amazonia.

Reversal of the anticoagulant and anti-hemostatic effect of low molecular weight heparin by direct prothrombin activation

Lopap, found in the bristles of Lonomia obliqua caterpillar, is the first exogenous prothrombin activator that shows serine protease-like activity, independent of prothrombinase components and unique lipocalin reported to interfere with hemostasis mechanisms. To assess the action of an exogenous prothrombin activator reversing the anticoagulant and antihemostatic effect induced by low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), male New Zealand rabbits (N = 20, weighing 3.8-4.0 kg) allocated to 4 groups were anticoagulated with 1800 IU/kg LMWH (iv) over 2 min, followed by iv administration of saline or recombinant Lopap (rLopap) at 1 µg/kg (LG1) or 10 µg/kg (LG10), 10 min after the injection of LMWH, in a blind manner. Control animals were treated only with saline. The action of rLopap was assessed in terms of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin fragment F1+2, fibrinogen, and ear puncture bleeding time (BT) at 5, 10, 15, 17, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 90 min after initiation of LMWH infusion. LG10 animals showed a decrease of aPTT in more than 50% and BT near to normal baseline. The level of prothrombin fragment F1+2 measured by ELISA had a 6-fold increase with rLopap treatment (10 µg/kg) and was inversely proportional to BT in LMWH-treated animals. Thus, Lopap, obtained in recombinant form using E. coli expression system, was useful in antagonizing the effect of LMWH through direct prothrombin activation, which can be a possible strategy for the reversal of bleeding and anticoagulant events.

Evaluation of an ELISA for canine leishmaniasis immunodiagnostic using recombinant proteins

The present work describes the isolation and purification of two Leishmania chagasi (= syn. Leishmania infantum) recombinant proteins, rLci2B and rLci1A, and their use in the development of an immunoassay for the diagnostic of canine leishmaniasis. After protein expression and cell disruption, rLci2B was purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography followed by size exclusion chromatography, whereas rLci1A, expressed as an inclusion body, was treated with urea and purified by anion-exchange chromatography. Homogeneities were ascertained by denaturing gel electrophoresis (MW (rLci2B) = 46,370; MW(rLci1A) = 88,400), isoelectric focusing (pI (rLci2B) = 5·91; pI (rLci1A) = 6·01) and Western blot. An indirect ELISA was developed using the purified antigens rLci2B and rLci1A and a leishmaniasis canine serum panel (n = 256). The ELISA showed 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity for rLci2B and 96% sensitivity and 92% specificity for rLci1A. The purified proteins did not present cross-reactivity with sera from dogs infected with Trypanosoma caninum, Babesia canis and Ehrlichia canis. Cross-reaction was verified with sera from dogs infected with Leishmania brasiliensis (11·7% for rLci2B and 2·9% for rLci1A). Based on ELISA results, it is suggested the use of rLci2B and rLci1A as antigens in an alternative serological assay for diagnostic of canine leishmania.

Expression and purification of the immunogenically active fragment B of the Park Williams 8 Corynebacterium diphtheriae strain toxin

The construction of a hexahistidine-tagged version of the B fragment of diphtheria toxin (DTB) represents an important step in the study of the biological properties of DTB because it will permit the production of pure recombinant DTB (rDTB) in less time and with higher yields than currently available. In the present study, the genomic DNA of the Corynebacterium diphtheriae Park Williams 8 (PW8) vaccine strain was used as a template for PCR amplification of the dtb gene. After amplification, the dtb gene was cloned and expressed in competent Escherichia coli M15 cells using the expression vector pQE-30. The lysate obtained from transformed E. coli cells containing the rDTB PW8 was clarified by centrifugation and purified by affinity chromatography. The homogeneity of the purified rDTB PW8 was confirmed by immunoblotting using mouse polyclonal anti-diphtheria toxoid antibodies and the immune response induced in animals with rDTB PW8 was evaluated by ELISA and dermonecrotic neutralization assays. The main result of the present study was an alternative and accessible method for the expression and purification of immunogenically reactive rDTB PW8 using commercially available systems. Data also provided preliminary evidence that rabbits immunized with rDTB PW8 are able to mount a neutralizing response against the challenge with toxigenic C. diphtheriae.

Effect of kinin B2 receptor ablation on skeletal muscle development and myostatin gene expression

Bradykinin (BK) is an active peptide that binds to the kinin B(2) receptor and induces biological events during the development and adult life. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of kinin B(2) receptor ablation in the postnatal skeletal muscle development and body composition in adult life. For studies of skeletal muscle development, control (C57Bl6 - WT) and B(2) receptor knockout mice (B(2)(-/-)) were sacrificed at 15, 30 and 90days after birth, the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle was weighed and myostatin gene expression evaluated by real time PCR. For energy balance determination, data from control and B(2)(-/-) at 90 and 120days were collected by calorimetric method. Body composition at 120days was determined by chloroform-methanol (total body fat) and Lowry-modified method (total body protein). The results show that B(2)(-/-) have significantly increased total body weight at 15, 30 and 90days of life, when compared to WT. The weight of the gastrocnemius skeletal muscle was also significantly increased at 30 and 90days of life. Body composition analyses revealed that B(2)(-/-) mice exhibit more total corporal protein and less total corporal fat. Energy balance revealed that B(2)(-/-) have increased metabolizable energy intake and energy expenditure when compared to control mice, resulting in a lower energy gain. Interestingly, myostatin mRNA expression was significantly decreased in 15 and 30days old B(2)(-/-) mice and after icatibant treatment of WT adult mice for 5days. In conclusion, together our results show that kinin B(2) receptor deletion increases lean mass, reduces fat mass and improves metabolism efficiency in mice. The mechanism involved in this phenotype could be related to the reduction of myostatin gene expression during postnatal life.

Canine visceral leishmaniosis: A comparative analysis of the EIE-leishmaniose-visceral-canina-Bio-Manguinhos and the IFI-leishmaniose-visceral-canina-Bio-Manguinhos kits

This study evaluated the performance of the EIE-leishmaniose-visceral-canina-Bio-Manguinhos (EIE-LVC) kit and to compare it with that of the IFI-leishmaniose-visceral-canina-Bio-Manguinhos (IFI-LVC) kit. Four groups of dogs were studied: group 1 (G1), dogs with clinical signs indicative of CVL and testing positive for the parasite (n = 25); group 2 (G2), dogs with only a presumed diagnosis of CVL (n = 62); group 3 (G3), dogs that had never lived in an area where CVL is endemic and never received a blood transfusion (n = 16); group 4 (G4), dogs carrying other parasites: such as babesiosis (n = 4), ehrlichiosis (n = 6) and demodicosis (n = 1). G1 and G3 were used for the calculation of sensitivity and specificity, respectively. The EIE-LVC showed a sensitivity of 72% (IC 95%: 50.4-87.1%) and a specificity of 87.5% (IC 95%: 60.4-97.8%). The value of the kappa index was 0.975 (CI 95%: 0.926-1.024), which represents an excellent fit. For IFI-LVC, the sensitivity was 68.0% (CI 95%: 46.4-84.3%) and the specificity 87.5% (CI 95%: 60.4-97.8%). When the tests were conducted in parallel, sensitivity was 92.0% (CI 95%: 72.5-98.6%) and specificity 75.0% (CI 95%: 47.4-91.7%). However, when conducted consecutively, the tests showed a sensitivity of 48.0% (CI 95%: 28.3-68.2%) and a specificity of 100.0% (CI 95%: 75.9-99.4%). The analysis of clinically suspected dogs using IFI-LVC and EIE-LVC kits in parallel, revealed that 26/62 animals were positive. Cross-reaction was observed in a dog with demodicosis. These results lead to the following conclusions: (1) the performance of the EIE-LVC kit is not statistically different from the IFI-LVC and (2) the kits must be used in parallel if higher sensitivity is required, reducing the number of false-negative results.

Chagas' disease diagnosis: comparative analysis of recombinant ELISA with conventional ELISA and the haemagglutination test

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Serological screening for Chagas' disease in the blood banks of South America is carried out by using two different assays that generally show a high number of inconclusive results. To establish a combination of two tests that can minimize the number of inconclusive results, we compared a recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with two conventional tests.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Serum samples from chagasic patients (n = 112), from non-chagasic individuals (n = 143) and from patients with other diseases (n = 32) were tested using three assays: recombinant ELISA (Rec-ELISA); conventional ELISA (Con-ELISA); and the indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test.

RESULTS

When we evaluated the data by matching the Rec-ELISA and the IHA test, 52 inconclusive results were obtained. When Rec-ELISA and Con-ELISA were matched, only four inconclusive results were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our investigation indicates that the use of two ELISAs with different antigen preparations provides an effective test combination for blood bank screening of Chagas' disease.

Serodiagnosis of chronic Chagas infection by using EIE-Recombinant-Chagas-Biomanguinhos kit

A kit based on an enzyme immunoassay, EIE-Recombinant-Chagas-Biomanguinhos, developed by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, was evaluated for the serodiagnosis of chronic Chagas disease. Evaluation was performed with 368 serum samples collected from individuals living in an endemic area for Chagas disease: 131 patients in the chronic phase with confirmed clinical, epidemiological, and serological diagnosis (indirect immunofluorescence, indirect hemagglutination or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and 237 nonchagasic seronegative individuals were considered negative control. The EIE-Recombinant-Chagas-Biomanguinhos kit showed high sensitivity, 100% (CI 95%: 96.4-100%) and high specificity, 100% (CI 95%: 98-100%). The data obtained were in full agreement with clinical and conventional serology data. In addition, no cross-reaction was observed with sera from patients with cutaneous (n=14) and visceral (n=3) leishmaniasis. However, when these sera were tested by conventional serological assays for Chagas disease, cross-reactions were detected in 14.3% and 33.3% of the patients with cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. No cross-reactions were observed when sera from nonchagasic seronegative patients bearing other infectious disease (syphilis, n=8; HTLV, n=8; HCV, n=7 and HBV, n=12) were tested. In addition, sera of patients with inconclusive results for Chagas disease by conventional serology showed results in agreement with clinical evaluation, when tested by the kit. These results are relevant and indicate that the referred kit provides a safe immunodiagnosis of Chagas disease and could be used in blood bank screening.

Redefining papillorenal syndrome: an underdiagnosed cause of ocular and renal morbidity

PURPOSE

To report ocular and renal findings specific to the inheritable entity called papillorenal (also known as renal-coloboma) syndrome and relate these to a common cause.

DESIGN

Observational case series and genetic study.

PARTICIPANTS

Two unrelated probands presenting with absent central retinal vessels and 11 available family members.

TESTING

Doppler ultrasonographic imaging of the optic nerves and kidneys, fluorescein angiography, and genetic testing for PAX2 mutations were performed. In selected cases, indocyanine green angiography, scanning laser ophthalmoscope perimetry, Retinal Thickness Analyzer measurements, visual evoked potentials, and magnetic resonance imaging were also performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Better defined characteristics of the papillorenal syndrome.

RESULTS

Numerous cilioretinal vessels were present with rudimentary or absent central retinal vessels. Superonasal visual field defects, typical for papillorenal syndrome, corresponded to inferotemporal areas of anomalous retinal and choroidal perfusion and hypoplastic retina. Renal hypoplasia was discovered in two affected members of one family (with previously unsuspected renal failure in one case), and recurrent pyelonephritis was discovered in four affected members of the other family. No PAX2 mutations were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

In the papillorenal syndrome, the hereditary absence of central retinal vessels may be missed, leading to confusion with isolated coloboma, low-tension glaucoma, and morning glory anomaly. Greater awareness of this syndrome will avoid unneeded glaucoma therapy, allow earlier recognition of renal diseases, and allow genetic counseling. We propose that the papillorenal syndrome is a primary dysgenesis that causes vascular abnormalities predominantly affecting the eye, kidney, and urinary tract, leading to hypoplasia of these structures. The absence of defects in the PAX2 gene in these families suggests that mutations in other genes may also be responsible for this syndrome.

Genetic basis of total colourblindness among the Pingelapese islanders

Complete achromatopsia is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by photophobia, low visual acuity, nystagmus and a total inability to distinguish colours. In this disease, cone photoreceptors, the retinal sensory neurons mediating colour vision, seem viable but fail to generate an electrical response to light. Achromatopsia, or rod monochromatism, was first mapped to 2p11-2q12 (MIM 216900; ref. 3), where it is associated with missense mutations in CNGA3 (ref. 4). CNGA3 encodes the alpha-subunit of the cone cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel, which generates the light-evoked electrical responses of cone photoreceptors. A second locus at 8q21-q22 has been identified among the Pingelapese islanders of Micronesia, who have a high incidence of recessive achromatopsia (MIM 262300). Here we narrow the achromatopsia locus to 1.4 cM and show that Pingelapese achromatopsia segregates with a missense mutation at a highly conserved site in CNGB3, a new gene that encodes the beta-subunit of the cone cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel. Two independent frameshift deletions establish that achromatopsia is the null phenotype of CNGB3. Combined with earlier findings, our results demonstrate that both alpha- and beta-subunits of the cGMP-gated channel are essential for phototransduction in all three classes of cones.

[Liver transplantation from living related donors]

OBJECTIVES: To present the experience with the first 12 living related liver transplants performed at Hospital Sírio-Libanês in São Paulo. METHODS: The donors were the fathers (6) and the mothers (6) with age ranging from 30 to 48 years. All candidates for donation were submitted to a full informed consent form, clinical and radiological evaluation and had blood withdrawn for autotransfusion. Recipient age ranged from 7 months to 10 years whereas recipient weight varied from 6.3 to 34 kg. Six patients were considered as high risk due to complications of advanced liver disease and were submitted to urgent transplantation. RESULTS: Mean donor hospital stay was 10 days with no mortality. Technical complications were observed in 4 recipients. Seven patients presented at least one episode of bacterial, viral or fungal infection. One or more biopsy proven rejection episodes were disclosed in 7 patients. Overall recipient survival was 67%, being 83% for elective cases and 50% for urgent cases. Long term follow up ranged from 8 to 25 months. Seven out of 8 survivors present excellent quality of life and normal liver function. The other patient is currently under reduced immunosuppression due to Epstein-Barr virus infection.CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the safety and viability of living related liver transplantation which, in face of the current donor scarcity, should be considered as a valid option for the treatment of children with end stage liver disease.

Magnetic resonance imaging in intracranial paracoccidioidomycosis

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis, endemic in South and Central America, that affects the central nervous system (CNS) in almost 10% of patients. Neurological involvement includes two different clinical forms: meningeal and granulomatous, also known as the pseudotumor form. Five patients with biopsy-proved systemic paracoccidioidomycosis and neurological complaints were studied by magnetic resonance imaging. CNS involvement was detected in all patients in the form of multiple round or lobulated lesions, predominantly hypointense on T2-weighted images and ring or nodular enhancement on post-gadolinium T1-weighted images. The lesions were distributed diffusely, with a slight predominance in the supratentorial compartment, although infratentorial lesions were also observed, mainly in the cerebellum. Hypointense lesions on T2-weighted images persisted in all 3 patients reexamined after treatment, whereas enhancing lesions on post-gadolinium T1-weighted images turned isointense in 2 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging is a sensitive method in documenting CNS paracoccidioidomycosis, most frequently as supratentorial and infratentorial multiple, round or lobulated hypointense lesions on T2-weighted images.