There are few studies on the richness of social wasps in ecotones, particularly in mining regions. These transitional environments exhibit specific geophysical conditions, host species from both biomes, and can act as barriers to evolutionary processes and gene flow. In view of this, this study aimed to document the occurrence of social wasps by a rapid sampling method in a transition region between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado in the vicinity of a mining area in Itatiaiu & ccedil;u, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sampling effort was 24 h, distributed over three field days in December 2022. A total of 18 species were sampled. One noteworthy record is that of Parachartergus smithii (de Saussure, 1854), a rare species in the state, previously documented in an ecotone region between the Caatinga and Cerrado. These findings demonstrate the importance of ecotone systems in supporting the diversity of social wasps.
Spiders are found in diverse natural ecosystems and urban environments, exhibiting a broad variety of morphological characteristics and prey -capture strategies. These arthropods play important functions in trophic chains, acting as both predators and prey, which is of great relevance for ecosystem management and biological control in agricultural systems. This study aimed to identify social wasps captured by Trichonephila clavipes (L., 1767) in anthropogenic areas associated with semideciduous seasonal forest fragments. The study was conducted in 2023 in anthropogenic areas associated with Atlantic Forest fragments in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two individuals of Protopolybia sedula (de Saussure, 1854) were recorded. The specimens were captured in suspended webs of T. clavipes . Given the paucity of information on this interaction, further research is needed to better understand the frequency and impact of the relationship on social wasp populations.
Eugenol is a natural product present in different plant species, especially in the flower buds of Syzygiu Aromatum. This secondary metabolite exhibits antioxidant action, in addition to acting as an anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, antipyretic, anesthetic and analgesic agent. Given the biological potential of eugenol, the antioxidant activity of eugenol derivatives was evaluated. Thus, eugenol isolated from flower buds of Syzygiu aromaticum was subjected to different types of reactions such as O-alkylation. The eugenol derivatives were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR techniques. The evaluation of antioxidante activity was carried out using the ABTS radical capture assay. Six derivatives were synthesized with yields ranging from 75-92%, which exhibited low antioxidant potential compared to radical capture assays, with EC50 values from 0.085 to 0.327 mg/mL. These results motivate new studies, since the search for new antioxidant agents is extremely necessary in view of the numerous pathologies that are associated with oxidative stress.
Visceral leishmaniasis is considered one of the main neglected tropical diseases of zoonotic character caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Reaching more vulnerable populations and presenting a change in their transmission pattern, affecting urban areas, such as the municipality of Bel & eacute;m in the State of Par & aacute; . This study analyzed epidemiological data of the disease in Bel & eacute;m do Par & aacute; from 2012 to 2022, including factors such as incidence, sex, zone and evolution of cases. Epidemiological study conducted through data obtained from the Par & aacute; State Department of Health, in the period of 10 years.During the research period, 935 cases were diagnosed, reaching a maximum incidence of 8.8 in 2018. Case fatality rates were below national averages in this period, with the exception of 2016. The male, urban and rural areas being more prevalent throughout the period. The positive findings such as the high percentage of evolution of cure of the disease and the low rate of death. Due to the results presented, epidemiological characteristics of the disease is fundamental for the direction of efficient prevention and control strategies. Underscoring the need for integrated approaches, including individual protection measures, vector control and the search for an effective vaccine.
Leishmaniasis is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be one of the most neglected tropical diseases in the world. The host ' s immune response is crucial for parasite elimination and, although the Th1 profile is associated with control of infections, if not modulated, it can cause tissue damage. The treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is still a challenge because it is not adapted to the context of the patients, and is long, toxic and invasive. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the lymphoproliferation and dosage of cytokines induced by bioactive compounds of plant and inorganic origin, with antileishmanial action, through peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with CL. Lymphoproliferation was evaluated against the stimuli from the methanolic extract and fraction of Libidibia ferrea, copper complex and phytohemagglutinin using a BrdU cell proliferation ELISA kit after 72 hours of incubation. The dosage of IL-6, IL-8 and IL1 beta was determined using a BD (TM) cytometric bead array (CBA) human Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine kit. Our results indicate that the bioactive substances significantly stimulated in vitro lymphoproliferation of PBMCs (Cu(I) p<0.000; LFME p<0.02) and patients showed higher levels of IL-6 and IL-8 before treatment. It is therefore suggested that these bioactive compounds can enhance the cellular immune response.
