Identifying global trends and gaps in research on pesticide fipronil: a scientometric review.

Fipronil is a broad potent insecticide that belongs to the phenylpyrazole chemical family. Its action mode acting in the presynaptic and postsynaptic blocking the chlorine ions by the neurotransmitters GABA. It is considered highly toxic, and in some countries, its use has been prohibited.

Allium cepa test vs. insecticides: a scientometric and meta-analytical review.

Insecticides stand out as the most dangerous pesticides, and many of them can cause cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in organisms. For this reason, a systematic review was performed focusing on the effect of insecticides on Allium cepa system by two ways: (1) a scientometric study to identify trends and gaps in the literature on the evaluation of insecticides to guide future research efforts and (2) a meta-analytical approach compiling the information to obtain an overall result about insecticide effect on A. cepa.

Extraction of DNA from micro-tissue for bat species identification.

Bat populations are declining worldwide. Accurate identification is essential to promote species' conservation. However, minimal morphological differences and a high rate of cryptic species make identification difficult, unless voucher specimens are kept, a controversial issue today.

Molecular characterization of Moenkhausia (Pisces: Characiformes) populations with different lateral line developmental levels.

The genera Hemigrammus and Moenkhausia have been traditionally diagnosed mainly by the former having lateral line completely pored whereas the latter having a lateral line with a few pored scales. Those features have been used to diagnose species of both genera in the upper Paraná River floodplain. Specimens with the diagnostic features of Moenkhausia bonita, collected in the upper Paraná River floodplain, exhibited different developmental levels of the lateral line, making it difficult to distinguish them from specimens of Hemigrammus sp.

Performance of biomarkers metallothionein and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase in aquatic environments: A meta-analytic approach.

The preservation of natural environments guarantees the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Biomonitoring programs in preserved sites can be carried out using molecular biomarkers, which reflect possible stresses that exist in the monitored location. The metallothionein (MT) proteins and isoenzyme Cytochrome P4501A (CYP4501A) are among the most used biomarkers and reflect the detoxification of metal and organic xenobiotics, respectively.

Benefits of caloric restriction in the myenteric neuronal plasticity in aging rats.

Aging is a biologic process characterized by progressive damage of structures and functions of organic systems. In gastrointestinal tract, it can involve enteric nervous system, which plays an important role in digestion and absorption of nutrients, causing hastening of intestinal transit thus reducing its absorptive function. Caloric restriction has been used in several studies with the intention of delaying deleterious effects of aging.