Abstract This study sought to understand the role of continental influence on ocean productivity along the late Quaternary based on the comparison between continental palynomorphs and paleoproductivity proxies from the marine sediment core SIS188. Retrieved from the slope of the Pelotas Basin at a depth of 1,514 m, the core documents the time interval between 47.8 and 7.4 cal ka BP, including the Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 3, 2 and 1. The palynological content found in the core SIS188 indicates a typical flora of the southern Brazil highlands, which is at the same latitude as the core. Thus, continental input sources, such as wind-borne dust and discharges from the Mampituba and Araranguá rivers, would more likely account for the palynological content than the Brazilian Coastal Current (BCC). During the glacial intervals (MIS 3 and MIS 2), paleoproductivity (indicated by the proxies coccolith numbers, N Ratio, and TOC content) suggest the intensification of upwelling and transport of wind dust, the latter of which may have transported pollen grains to the core region. There is a concentration decrease of continental palynomorphs at the end of MIS 2, which is accentuated during MIS 1 when the sea level is higher. Paleoproductivity was high during MIS 1, especially from the Holocene onwards, although the concentration of continental-derived palynomorphs decreases sharply, showing that the rise in sea level interferes with the fertilization of marine waters far from the coast by continental input.

RESUMO Characiformes é o grupo de Actinopterygii de água doce mais estudado citogeneticamente, porém dados cariotípicos de vários taxa permanecem desconhecidos. Este é o caso de Nematocharax , considerado um gênero monotípico e caracterizado pelo acentuado dimorfismo sexual. Em vista disso, nós fornecemos a primeira descrição citogenética de populações alopátricas de Nematocharax venustus , baseada em métodos distintos de bandamento cromossômico e hibridação fluorescente in situ (FISH) com sondas de DNA repetitivo (DNAr 18S e 5S). A macroestrutura cariotípica mostrou-se conservada em todos os espécimes e populações, independentemente do sexo, uma vez que compartilharam um número diploide (2n) de 50 cromossomos dividido em 8m+26sm+14st+2a. A heterocromatina distribuiu-se principalmente nas regiões pericentroméricas e a coloração com fluorocromos base-específicos revelou um único par portador de sítios GC-ricos, coincidentes com as regiões organizadoras de nucléolo (RONs). Por outro lado, foi observada uma variação interpopulacional no número e na posição das sequências repetitivas, especialmente em relação ao DNAr 5S. Aparentemente, ciclos de vida curtos e dispersão restrita dos pequenos caracídeos, tal como N. venustus , podem ter favorecido a divergência do DNA repetitivo entre as populações, indicando que essa espécie pode englobar populações com distintas histórias evolutivas, o que tem implicações importantes para medidas de conservação.

ABSTRACT Characiformes is the most cytogenetically studied group of freshwater Actinopterygii, but karyotypical data of several taxa remain unknown. This is the case of Nematocharax , regarded as a monotypic genus and characterized by marked sexual dimorphism. Therefore, we provide the first cytogenetic report of allopatric populations of Nematocharax venustus based on distinct methods of chromosomal banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with repetitive DNA probes (18S and 5S rDNA). The karyotype macrostructure was conserved in all specimens and populations, independently on sex, since they shared a diploid number (2n) of 50 chromosomes divided into 8m+26sm+14st+2a. The heterochromatin was mainly distributed at pericentromeric regions and base-specific fluorochrome staining revealed a single pair bearing GC-rich sites, coincident with nucleolar organizer regions (NORs). On the other hand, interpopulation variation in both number and position of repetitive sequences was observed, particularly in relation to 5S rDNA. Apparently, the short life cycles and restricted dispersal of small characins, such as N. venustus , might have favored the divergence of repetitive DNA among populations, indicating that this species might encompass populations with distinct evolutionary histories, which has important implications for conservation measures.

Parrotfishes (Labridae, Scarinae) comprise a large marine fish group of difficult identification, particularly during juvenile phase when the typical morphology and coloration of adults are absent. Therefore, the goal of this study was to test cytogenetic markers and DNA barcoding in the identification of bucktooth parrtotfish Sparisoma radians from the northeastern coast of Brazil. Sequencing of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) confirmed all studied samples as S. radians, and all showed high similarity (99-100%) with Caribbean populations. The karyotype of this species was divergent from most marine Perciformes, being composed of 2n = 46 chromosomes. These consisted of a large number of metacentric and submetacentric pairs with small amounts of heterochromatin and GC-rich single nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) not syntenic to 5S rDNA clusters. These are the first data about DNA barcoding in parrotfish from the Brazilian province and the first refined chromosomal analysis in Scarinae, providing useful data to a reliable genetic identification of S. radians.

The location of 18S and 5S rDNA sites was determined in eight species and populations of the fish genus Triportheus by using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The males and females of all species had 2n = 52 chromosomes and a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system. A single 18S rDNA site that was roughly equivalent to an Ag-NOR was detected on the short arms of a submetacentric pair in nearly all species, and up to two additional sites were also observed in some species. In addition, another 18S rDNA cluster was identified in a distal region on the long arms of the W chromosome; this finding corroborated previous evidence that this cluster would be a shared feature amongst Triportheus species. In T. angulatus, a heterozygotic paracentric inversion involving the short arms of one homolog of a metacentric pair was associated with NORs. The 5S rDNA sites were located on the short arms of a single submetacentric chromosomal pair, close to the centromeres, except in T. auritus, which had up to ten 5S rDNA sites. The 18S and 5S rDNA sites were co-localized and adjacent on the short arms of a chromosomal pair in two populations of T. nematurus. Although all Triportheus species have a similar karyotypic macrostructure, the results of this work show that in some species ribosomal genes may serve as species-specific markers when used in conjunction with other putatively synapomorphic features.

Chromosomal studies were carried out on a population of the fish Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (jeju) from Prata river in the São Francisco river basin, Minas Gerais, Brazil using conventional Giemsa staining, C-banding, silver nitrate nucleolar organizer region (Ag-NOR) staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with 18S and 5S rDNA probes. We found a high degree of inter- and intra-individual variability with the identification of 2n = 50, 2n = 51 and 2n = 52 karyotypes at nearly the same frequency within the population. Intra-individual variation in chromosomal morphology and, consequently, karyotype formulae was also observed, chiefly in the specimens with 2n = 50 and 2n = 52 chromosomes. Ag-NORs and 18S rDNA sites also showed numerical and chromosomal variation similar to that found for the 5S rDNA sites. Some putative hypotheses are considered in order to explain these results.

Para este artigo, foram analisadas trezentas matérias extraídas dos principais jornais da mídia impressa brasileira sobre o tema da clonagem, em um período de dezoito meses, a contar do anúncio de Dolly, feito em fevereiro de 1997. A análise do material teve dois grandes objetivos: mapear os constantes morais a que a possibilidade da clonagem de seres humanos esteve associada e identificar alguns dos pressupostos morais da pesquisa científica com animais não-humanos e que foram reproduzidos irrefletidamente pela mídia. Além do reconhecimento de que houve antes uma difusão irrefletida do medo da clonagem em seres humanos que mesmo um debate ético frente à questão, a conclusão a que os autores chegaram com este estudo foi que há um sério descompasso entre as reflexões bioéticas e a mídia brasileira.

This article was based on an analysis of three hundred articles from mainstream Brazilian periodicals over a period of eighteen months, beginning with the announcement of the Dolly case in February 1997. There were two main objectives: to outline the moral constants in the press associated with the possibility of cloning human beings and to identify some of the moral assumptions concerning scientific research with non-human animals that were published carelessly by the media. The authors conclude that there was a haphazard spread of fear concerning the cloning of human beings rather than an ethical debate on the issue, and that there is a serious gap between bioethical reflections and the Brazilian media.

Para este artigo, foram analisadas trezentas matérias extraídas dos principais jornais da mídia impressa brasileira sobre o tema da clonagem, em um período de dezoito meses, a contar do anúncio de Dolly, feito em fevereiro de 1997. A análise do material teve dois grandes objetivos: mapear os constantes morais a que a possibilidade da clonagem de seres humanos esteve associada e identificar alguns dos pressupostos morais da pesquisa científica com animais não-humanos e que foram reproduzidos irrefletidamente pela mídia. Além do reconhecimento de que houve antes uma difusão irrefletida do medo da clonagem em seres humanos que mesmo um debate ético frente à questão, a conclusão a que os autores chegaram com este estudo foi que há um sério descompasso entre as reflexões bioéticas e a mídia brasileira.

This article was based on an analysis of three hundred articles from mainstream Brazilian periodicals over a period of eighteen months, beginning with the announcement of the Dolly case in February 1997. There were two main objectives: to outline the moral constants in the press associated with the possibility of cloning human beings and to identify some of the moral assumptions concerning scientific research with non-human animals that were published carelessly by the media. The authors conclude that there was a haphazard spread of fear concerning the cloning of human beings rather than an ethical debate on the issue, and that there is a serious gap between bioethical reflections and the Brazilian media.

Descrevemos as características clínicas da esclerose lateral amiotrófica (ELA) em Fortaleza (Nordeste Brasileiro). Para isso, fizemos uma análise retrospectiva (de 1980 a 1999) de 78 casos de ELA do Serviço de Neurologia do Hospital Universitário de Fortaleza, diagnosticados do ponto de vista clínico e laboratorial (EMG, biópsia de músculo, mielografia, análises hematológica e bioquímica, e raio X da junção crânio-cervical). Os resultados mostraram que esses casos eram principalmente da forma esporádica (76/78), e estes foram divididos, de acordo com o nível de certeza diagnóstica, em definidos (n= 36), prováveis (n= 20), possíveis (n= 15) e suspeitos (n= 7). Eles foram também subdivididos nos grupos juvenil (n= 17), adulto jovem (n= 18), idade-específico (n= 39) e tardio (n= 4). Clinicamente, os principais sintomas iniciais foram fraqueza assimétrica (38/78) e simétrica (24/78) das extremidades, além de sinais bulbares, fasciculações e atrofia. Curiosamente, dor como sintoma inicial ocorria de maneira expressiva (17/78). O local anatômico inicial predominante foi, nessa série, a medula espinhal, afetando principalmente os braços. O avanço regional de sintomas ocorreu mais rapidamente em áreas contíguas, e as fasciculações eram predominantes quando a região bulbar estava associada.

We report on the clinical characteristics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Fortaleza (Northeastern Brazil). For this, we analyzed retrospectively (from 1980 to 1999) 78 cases of ALS from the Service of Neurology of the University Hospital of Fortaleza diagnosed clinically and laboratorially (EMG, muscle biopsy, myelography, blood biochemistry, muscle enzymes and cranio-cervical X-ray). The results showed that they were mostly sporadic ALS (76/78), and they were divided into definite (n= 36), probable (n= 20), possible (n= 15) and suspected (n= 7), according to the level of diagnostic certainty. They were also subdivided into juvenile (n= 17), early-onset adult (n= 18), age-specific (n= 39) and late-onset (n= 4) groups. Clinically, they presented as initials symptoms, principally, asymmetrical (30/78) and symmetrical (24/78) weakness of extremities, besides bulbar signs, fasciculations, and atrophy. Curiously, pain as first symptom occurred in an expressive fashion (17/78). The predominant initial anatomic site, in this series, was the spinal cord, and mainly affecting the arms. As to the symptom accrual from region to region, this occurs more quickly in contiguous areas, and fasciculations are predominant when bulbar region was associated.