Low Intraspecific Aggression Level, Cuticular Hydrocarbons, and Polydomy in the Bullet Ant.

Ants use chemical cues known as cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) for both intraspecific and interspecific recognition. These compounds serve ants in distinguishing between nestmates and non-nestmates, enabling them to coexist in polydomous colonies characterized by socially connected yet spatially separated nests. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the intraspecific aggression level between nestmates and non-nestmates of the bullet ant Paraponera clavata (Fabricius, 1775), analyze and compare their CHCs, and evaluate the occurrence of polydomy in this species.

Hydrocarbons in Formicidae: influence of chemical footprints on ant behavioral strategies.

When an insect walks, it leaves chemical cues that derive from the arolium, a tarsal structure. These cues may contain important information about other species that occur in their community and can then mediate interactions of competition, predation, and information about resources with ants from their own colony. The compounds of these cues are released into the substrate in the form of chemical footprints.

Identification of Germline Mutations in Genes Involved in Classic FAP in Patients from Northern Brazil.

Background: Colorectal cancer is a common cancer worldwide, with 5-10% of cases being hereditary. Familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome (FAP) is caused by germline mutations in the APC gene or rarely in the MUTYH gene.

Patients And Methods: This work did not identify germline mutations in the MUTYH, NTHL1, POLD1 and POLE genes in 15 individuals belonging to five families with classic FAP, who had the mutation in the APC gene confirmed in a previous study.

NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES: A dataset of occurrence and abundance of freshwater fishes in the Neotropics.

The Neotropical region hosts 4225 freshwater fish species, ranking first among the world's most diverse regions for freshwater fishes. Our NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set is the first to produce a large-scale Neotropical freshwater fish inventory, covering the entire Neotropical region from Mexico and the Caribbean in the north to the southern limits in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. We compiled 185,787 distribution records, with unique georeferenced coordinates, for the 4225 species, represented by occurrence and abundance data.

Bioaccumulation of metal in liver tissue of fish in response to water toxicity of the Araguari-Amazon River, Brazil.

This study aimed to determine the concentration of metals in the water and in the liver tissue of fish (Anodus orinocensis, Hemiodus unimaculatus, Curimata vittata, and Plagioscion squamosissimus) in the lower Araguari River. Steps were also taken to estimate any difference in metal bioaccumulation in the liver of fish species at different trophic levels, determine any correlations between metals found in hepatic tissue of fish species relative to that found in river water, and evaluate the bioaccumulation factor. The metals analyzed in the water in the lower Araguari River (Cd, Pb, Fe, Hg, Cu, and Zn) exceeded the limits considered safe for aquatic life.

Evaluation of the water quality in a conservation unit in Central-West Brazil: Metals concentrations and genotoxicity in situ.

This study assessed the quality of vegetation cover in the Parque Estadual das Várzeas do Rio Ivinhema (PEVRI, Upper Paraná River basin, MS, Brazil), the concentration of metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn and Ni) in water and muscle and hepatic tissues of five fish species collected in the PEVRI - Hemiodus orthonops, Leporinus friderici, Prochilodus lineatus, Pterodoras granulosus and Pimelodus maculatus - in addition to non-carcinogenic risk assessment and genotoxicity potential in these species. Regarding vegetation index, we found that only 26.25% of the PEVRI area is occupied by denser vegetation.

Hydrocarbon and Fatty Acid Composition from Blowfly Eggs Represents a Potential Complementary Taxonomic Tool of Forensic Importance.

One of the most important contributions of forensic entomology is to assist criminal expertise to determine the postmortem interval, which depends on the duration of the immature stages of insects of forensic interest. On the other hand, the time of development of the different stages varies according to the species; therefore, its identification is essential. Currently, few studies have investigated the use of cuticular hydrocarbons, and none regarding fatty acids, as complementary taxonomic tools to expedite species identification.

Effect of temperature on the chemical profiles of nest materials of social wasps.

Social insects depend on their nests for protection against predation and abiotic threats. Accordingly, the chemical compounds present in the material wasps use to build their nests can both facilitate communication and repel predators. It is herein hypothesized that different wasp species build their nests with different structure and substrate materials and that such materials consist of chemical compounds related to unique wasp behavior and outside temperature variation.

Intraspecific Cuticular Chemical Profile Variation in the Social Wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis (Hymenoptera, Vespidae).

Chemical compounds present on the cuticle of social insects are important in communication, as they are used in recognition of nestmates and sexual partners as well as in caste distinction, varying according to several factors, such as genetic and environmental. In this context, some studies have explored the cuticular chemical profile as a tool for assessing intra- and interspecific differences in social insects, although few studies have investigated this in social wasps. This study aimed to assess the differences in cuticular chemical profiles among different geographic samples of the wasp Mischocyttarus consimilis Zikán.

Use of fish scales in environmental monitoring by the application of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to detect the presence of bioaccumulated Fe and Pb in scales of Salminus brasiliensis and Prochilodus lineatus, and to compare the results from this technique with those obtained using the conventional atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The study used fish collected in the Amambai River, Upper Paraná River, Brazil. The LIBS technique detected the presence of Fe in S.

The Response of Neotropical Fish Species (Brazil) on the Water Pollution: Metal Bioaccumulation and Genotoxicity.

The streams and rivers of the Upper Paraná River Basin have been seriously affected by impacts of high population density around the basin area. Fishes are widely used as models to assess the health of aquatic ecosystems, being considered as bioindicators of environmental pollution. In this context, our objective was to assess the potential genotoxic and mutagenic effects of the polluted water in three native fish species (Astyanax lacustris, Hypostomus ancistroides, and Rhamdia quelen) from Tarumã Microbasin, Upper Paraná River, Brazil.

Erythrocyte Nuclear Abnormalities in Astyanax lacustris in Response to Landscape Characteristics in Two Neotropical Streams.

The objective of this research was to evaluate land use and occupation in the landscape surrounding two neotropical streams of the Upper Paraná River in Brazil and to investigate if the water from these streams induces erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities in Astyanax lacustris. We observed that the areas surrounding the streams are predominantly used for agricultural purposes (73.46% of the total area), followed by buildings (15.

Is subcranial Le Fort III plus Le Fort I osteotomy stable?

The purpose of this study was to test whether associated subcranial Le Fort III (sLF III) and Le Fort I (LF I) osteotomies are stable after large advancements of the middle third of the face and maxilla. The authors designed a retrospective study and enrolled a sample of consecutive patients with midface hypoplasia treated with associated sLF III and LF I osteotomies in this IRB-approved study between September 2013 and February 2015. To test whether the long-term stability was satisfactory, the authors compared cephalometric changes from immediately after surgery to 18 months after surgery taken from multi-slice computed tomography using two different third-party imaging software programs.

Cross-sectional study of anal intraepithelial lesions in women with cervical neoplasia without HIV.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of anal intraepithelial lesions and associated risk factors in women with cervical neoplasia.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study enrolled patients with intraepithelial or invasive cervical neoplasia who had been referred to the lower genital tract pathology outpatient department of the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira, Recife, Brazil, between December 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009; patients with HIV infections were excluded.

Mutagenic and genotoxic effects and metal contaminations in fish of the Amambai River, Upper Paraná River, Brazil.

The present study evaluated mutagenic and genotoxic effects and metal accumulation in the liver and musculature of Pterygoplichthys ambrosetti and Prochilodus lineatus in the Amambai River, a tributary of the Upper Paraná River in Brazil. We also evaluated the potential for these fish species as environmental bioindicators and performed risk assessment for conservation purposes. We found that P.

[Prevalence of HPV-induced lesions in the anal canal among women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 and 3: cross-sectional study].

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of HPV-induced lesions in the anal canal of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2/3.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2008 to June 2009, in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Only women with grade 2/3 CIN were included, and those who could not undergo anoscopy during their first visit were excluded.

Presence of c.3956delC mutation in familial adenomatous polyposis patients from Brazil.

Aim: To characterize APC gene mutations and correlate them with patient phenotypes in individuals diagnosed with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) in northern Brazil.

Methods: A total of 15 individuals diagnosed with FAP from 5 different families from the north of Brazil were analyzed in this study. In addition to patients with histopathological diagnosis of FAP, family members who had not developed the disease were also tested in order to identify mutations and for possible genetic counseling.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and interleukin (IL) 18 genes polymorphisms are correlated with susceptibility to HPV infection in patients with and without cervical intraepithelial lesion.

Background: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) predisposes 500 000 women to cervical cancer. Host genetic background may facilitate virus persistence in the uterine cervix. Polymorphisms in regulatory and coding regions of cytokine genes have been associated with susceptibility to some human diseases.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection and human papillomavirus in women with cervical neoplasia in Pernambuco-Brazil.

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common bacterial cause of sexually transmitted disease. High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is considered the main etiological agent for cervical neoplasia. Evidences showed that the presence of co-infection of CT and HR-HPV plays a central role in the etiology of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer.

Oral myiasis caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax treated nonsurgically with nitrofurazone: report of 2 cases.

Accidental oral myiasis are caused by ingestion of fly's eggs or direct oviposition over a compromised area of the host. Here the authors report 2 cases of accidental oral myiasis caused by direct oviposition over an edentulous area in the first patient and in the periodontium in the second patient. Both cases were treated successfully with topical applications of nitrofurazone during a 3-day period.

Incidence and patterns of mandibular condyle fractures.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the epidemiologic characteristics of the prevalence, type, and treatment modalities of condylar fractures of the mandible.

Patients And Methods: Data were collected from patients during an 8-year period (1999 to 2007). The data recorded included demographic data, etiology, diagnosis, type, dislocation, use of protective devices, state of the dentition, associated facial and general trauma, soft tissue lesions, treatment methods, and the interval between trauma and treatment.