OBJECTIVES: Strategic planning for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) care has dominated the agenda of medical services, which have been further restricted by the need for minimizing viral transmission. Risk is particularly relevant in relation to endoscopy procedures. This study aimed to describe a contingency plan for a tertiary academic cancer center, define a strategy to prioritize and postpone examinations, and evaluate the infection rate among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the endoscopy unit of the Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo (ICESP). METHODS: We created a strategy to balance the risk of acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and to mitigate the effects of postponing endoscopic procedures in oncological patients. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on all endoscopies between March and June 2020 compared with those during the same period in 2019 was carried out. All HCWs were interviewed to obtain clinical data and SARS-CoV-2 test results. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 outbreak, there was a reduction of 55% in endoscopy cases in total. Colonoscopy was the most affected modality. The total infection rate among all HCWs was 38%. None of the senior digestive endoscopists had COVID-19. However, all bronchoscopists had been infected. One of three fellows had a serological diagnosis of COVID-19. Two-thirds of all nurses were infected, whereas half of all technicians were infected. CONCLUSIONS: In this pandemic scenario, all endoscopy services must prioritize the procedures that will be performed. It was possible to maintain some endoscopic procedures, including those meant to provide nutritional access, tissue diagnosis, and endoscopic resection. Personal protective equipment (PPE) seems effective in preventing transmission of COVID-19 from patients to digestive endoscopists. These measures can be useful in planning, even for pandemics in the future.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is known for its bioactive compounds with high antioxidant potential and pharmacological properties, such as antibacterial, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory. These properties are attributed to the presence of (poly)phenolic compounds. In the literature there is no extraction of these compounds with a totally non-toxic solvent, capable of applying the extract directly to the food. This work aimed to optimize the extraction conditions of bioactive compounds from the rosemary leaves using water as solvent. According to the analysis of variance parameters, a cubic model of high order of significance was obtained with adjusted R2 (R squared) > 0.947. The optimal conditions of the antioxidant potential for conventional and ultrasonic agitation were: temperature 70 °C, 30 min of extraction and the solvent/solute ratio of 25, resulting in an antioxidant potential of 6861 and 7126 µmol L−1 Trolox, respectively. The electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI(−)-MS/MS) analysis showed the presence of antioxidant compounds such as: carnosol (m/z 329.20), rosmanol (m/z 345.03) and rosmarinic (m/z359.14) acids. The response surface methodology evaluated the influence of the main parameters of the bioactive compounds extraction from rosemary using only water as solvent, in addition to the use of less time and sample mass, resulting in lower cost.

Resumo Devido à importância ecológica de Lophiosilurus alexandri, o presente trabalho avaliou sua representatividade genética, comparando estoques selvagens com plantéis de reprodutores de três larviculturas ao longo do Rio São Francisco. Noventa e sete amostras foram genotipadas com marcadores microssatélites recém-desenvolvidos. Baixos níveis de diversidade genética (número médio de alelos de 4,2) foram detectados em todos os casos, sendo mais severo no cativeiro. Os valores de FST e DEST par a par, as análises do Structure e DAPC mostraram a estruturação dos animais selvagens em dois grupos, e um terceiro formado pelas larviculturas, evidenciando a necessidade de adoção de critérios genéticos para retenção da diversidade genética no cativeiro. Por essa razão, três famílias de irmãos completos foram construídas para selecionar o melhor estimador de parentesco para a espécie e estabelecer os valores mínimos de corte para evitar cruzamentos indesejados. Dois estimadores, Wang (RW) e Lynch & Li (RLL), foram eficientes em refletir as relações de parentesco para irmãos completos nessa espécie. Segundo eles, menos de 50% dos potenciais cruzamentos são recomendáveis nas três larviculturas. A baixa diversidade genética inerente ao L. alexandri destaca a importância de minimizar a consanguinidade e evitar perda de diversidade genética, visando a recuperação da espécie.

Abstract Due to the ecological importance of Lophiosilurus alexandri, the present work evaluated its genetic representativeness by comparing wild stocks to broodstocks that were kept at three restocking hatcheries along the São Francisco River. A total of 97 samples were genotyped for newly developed microsatellite markers. Low levels of genetic diversity (average alleles number of 4.2 alleles) were detected in all cases, being more severe in captive groups. Significant pairwise FST and DEST values, Structure, and DAPC analyses showed that wild animals were structured in two groups, and a third group was formed by captive animals, evidencing the need to adopt genetic criteria to retain genetic diversity in the hatcheries. For this reason, three full-sib families were constructed to select the best relatedness estimator for L. alexandri and establish a cut-off value aimed to avoid full-sibling matings in the hatcheries. Two estimators, Wang (RW) and Lynch & Li (RLL), were accurate in reflecting the relatedness level for full-sibs in this species. According to them, less than 50% of the potential breeding matings in the three hatcheries are advisable. The innate low diversity of L. alexandri highlights the importance of minimizing inbreeding and retaining genetic diversity towards the species recovery.

Resumo: A Escarpa Devoniana (APAED), localizada no sul do Brasil, representa uma importante área de preservação ambiental composta por campos, matas de galeria, além de afloramentos rochosos e sítios arqueológicos. Atualmente, tramita na câmara dos deputados do estado do Paraná um projeto de lei estadual (PL 527/2016) que sugere a redução da área da APAED em aproximadamente 70% de sua área original (de 393.579 para 125.895 ha). Tal redução parece estar relacionada com interesses econômicos (principalmente agropecuária e mineração) no estado do Paraná. Caso aprovado, o PL 527/2016 permitirá que agricultores expandam suas atividades deliberadamente, tendo como consequência principal a supressão de áreas de floresta nativa. Com isso, espera-se perda de diversidade faunística, contaminação de água e solos e alteração nos ciclos de nutrientes, dado o aumento no uso de agroquímicos. Além das consequências ambientas diretas, podemos esperar o desaparecimento de elevado interesse geológico, reduzindo a geodiversidade local, além de substanciais perdas econômicas com ecoturismo. O Brasil é um dos países signatários da Convenção da Diversidade Biológica das Nações Unidas, onde se compromete a desenvolver estratégias que evitem a perda da biodiversidade e a degradação de ecossistemas até 2020. Assim, a aprovação desse projeto de lei é, no mínimo, contraditória considerando que existem poucas áreas de vegetação natural nessa região do país. Destacamos que a proposta de tais projetos vai contra a sustentabilidade no país e desconsideram o conhecimento científico gerado até então. Dessa forma, é necessário o desenvolvimento de objetivos políticos regionais e federais que garantam o desenvolvimento econômico de forma equilibrada, considerando a bio e geodiversidade local, e não a proposta de mecanismos que as destruam.

Abstract: The Devonian Escarpment (DEEPA), located in the south of Brazil, represents an important area of environmental preservation composed by grasslands, gallery forests, as well as rock outcrops and archaeological sites. A law project (LP 527/2016), which suggests a reduction of the DEEPA area in approximately 70% of its original area (from 393,579 to 125,895 ha), is currently being processed in the Paraná State House of Representatives. Such reduction seems to be related to economic interests (mainly agriculture and mining) in the state of Paraná. If approved, LP 527/2016 will allow farmers to deliberately expand their activities, with the suppression of natural forest as main consequence. Additionally, loss of faunal diversity, contamination of water and soils, and alteration in nutrient cycles are expected, due the intensive use of agrochemicals. In addition to the direct environmental consequences, we expect the disappearance of areas of high geological interest, reducing local geodiversity, as well as substantial economic losses with ecotourism. Brazil is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, where it undertakes to develop strategies to prevent biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation by 2020. An approval of the LP would be contradictory, considering that there are few natural vegetation areas in this region of the country. We emphasize that the proposal of such projects goes against the sustainability in the country and disregard the scientific knowledge generated until then. Thus, it is necessary to develop regional and federal political objectives that guarantee economic development in a balanced way, considering the local bio and geodiversity, not the proposal of mechanisms that destroy them.

RESUMO Considerando que o comportamento de anti-predação de peixes-presas podem variar de acordo com a estratégia de caça de predadores, investigaram-se experimentalmente as respostas fisiológicas de cardumes de Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) na presença de duas espécies de peixes piscívoros com diferentes modos de caça: senta-espera e busca ativa. Além disso, avaliou-se a influência das condições de visibilidade subaquática sobre a interação entre predadores e presas. Para isso, realizou-se um experimento para testar as hipóteses de que (i) os níveis plasmáticos de cortisol e glicose variam de acordo com a estratégia de caça dos peixes piscívoros, e (ii) em ambiente com elevada turbidez não haverá redução nos níveis plasmáticos de glicose e cortisol devido à incapacidade da presa em reconhecer com precisão os predadores através de estímulos não visuais. Os resultados evidenciam que a presença de peixes piscívoros aumenta os níveis plasmáticos de cortisol das presas, mas não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos com piscívoros de diferentes estratégias de caça. Não foi observada alteração significativa nos níveis de glicose plasmática entre tratamentos com água transparente e água túrbida. Assim, conclui-se que as mudanças fisiológicas na espécie de peixes-presa utilizada não variam com o modo de caça do predador e é, portanto, necessário considerar a habilidade das presas de reconhecer e avaliar a ameaça de predação, independentemente da estratégia de caça do piscívoro.

ABSTRACT Considering that the anti-predation behaviour of prey fishes may vary with predator hunting strategy, we experimentally investigated the physiological responses of Astyanax bimaculatus (Linnaeus, 1758) shoals to the presence of two piscivorous fish species with different hunting modes: sit-and-wait and active pursuit. In addition, we evaluated the influence of underwater visibility conditions on the interaction between predator and prey. We tested the hypotheses that: (i) prey plasma cortisol and glucose levels vary according to piscivore hunting strategy, and (ii) no reduction in plasma glucose and cortisol levels takes place in turbid environments due to the inability of prey to accurately recognise predators by non-visual signals. The results revealed that the presence of piscivorous fish increased plasma cortisol levels in prey, with no significant difference recorded between the two hunting strategy treatments. We also observed no significant change in plasma glucose levels in different water transparency conditions. Thus, we conclude that physiological changes in the selected prey fish do not vary with predator hunting mode, and it is therefore necessary to consider the ability of the prey to recognise and evaluate danger, regardless of piscivore hunting strategy.

ABSTRACT The effects of the hexanic extracts of the fruits and flowers of Clusia fluminensis Planch. & Triana, Clusiaceae, as well as their main constituents, the triterpene lanosterol and the benzophenone clusianone, were evaluated on hemipterans Dysdercus peruvianus and Oncopeltus fasciatus. The topical treatments of insects with the hexanic extracts significantly affected the survival of O. fasciatus, but not that of D. peruvianus. Concomitantly, extracts delayed the development of both hemipterans. Moreover, isolated lanosterol significantly reduced both the survival and development of O. fasciatus and D. peruvianus, while clusianone only reduce the survival of D. peruvianus and marginally inhibited the development of both insects. The results show the specific activity of lanosterol and clusianone against the two evaluated insect species and indicate the potential of compounds derived from C. fluminensis for the development of specific biopesticides for the control of agricultural pests. Subsequent work will examine the mode of action of lanosterol and clusianone isolates from C. fluminensis.

Os ambientes aquáticos temporários e semi-permanentes do semiárido brasileiro tem sido mostrados como importantes sítios que possuem uma diversa fauna de peixes. Desta forma, esses ambientes devem ser capazes de sustentar, do ponto de vista trófico, populações de peixes que se alimentam em diversos níveis tróficos. O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever o hábito alimentar de Astyanax aff. bimaculatus, Hoplias malabaricus e Prochilodus brevis em ambientes aquáticos do semiárido brasileiro, fornecendo evidências da importância desses habitats para manutenção da diversidade de consumidores como os peixes. A composição da dieta das espécies estudadas foi diversificada, já que alimentaram-se de uma variedade de classes de itens, desde microalgas até peixes. Apesar disso, alguns itens foram mais importantes para cada uma das três espécies. Estes resultados, e as altas taxas de repleção dos estômagos, indicam que um abundante e diverso conjunto de itens alimentares está disponível nos ambientes estudados, embora as espécies tendam a selecionar alguns itens em detrimento de outros. Este estudo fornece evidência de que, apesar de altamente variáveis, sistemas aquáticos intermitentes e semi-permanentes do semiárido brasileiro são capazes de sustentar, do ponto de vista trófico, consumidores de topo.

Temporary and semi-permanent aquatic habitats in semi-arid Brazil have been reported as important sites supporting a diverse fish fauna. As such, they must be able to trophically sustain fish species that feed at different trophic levels. This study aims to describe the diets of Astyanax aff. bimaculatus, Hoplias malabaricus and Prochilodus brevis in aquatic systems in semi-arid Brazil, providing evidence of the importance of these habitats as supporters of large consumers like fish. The diet of the three species studied was diverse, feeding on a range of food items, from microalgae to fish. Despite that, a few items were more important to each of the study species. These results and the relatively high rates of stomach fullness indicate that a diverse and abundant food range is available in the study sites, but species seem to select some food resources. The present study provides evidence that despite being highly variable, intermittent and semi-permanent aquatic systems in semi-arid Brazil are able to trophically sustain large consumers.