ABSTRACT Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy that frequently recurs/disseminates, but metastases to the genitourinary tract are rare. Only eight cases of Merkel cell carcinoma metastatic to the testis are reported. We describe the ninth case of this event and provide a review of the literature. A 58-year-old man diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma of the wrist, presented, 37 months later, a recurrence in the form of a testicular metastasis. The tumor consisted of a monotonous proliferation of small, blue, round cells, with immunoexpression of neuroendocrine markers and the typical dot-like paranuclear immunostaining for cytokeratin 20, in the absence of immunostaining for cytokeratin 7. The patient is alive with no evidence of disease. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of metastatic dissemination to the testis since genital examination/imaging is not part of routine follow-up for these patients, but timely orchiectomy may be curative.

ABSTRACT This work aimed to characterize the biochar produced from residues of coconut fruit and to evaluate how it might beneficially alter the retention capacity of water and nutrients in soils with a sandy texture. The biochar was produced in a retort furnace and later analyzed to determine its chemical and physical characteristics. Experiments to analyze the retention potential of the biochar for water and nutrients were performed in PVC columns filled to a 400 mm depth, with the upper 300 mm receiving treatments that consisted of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% (p p-1) biochar mixed with soil. For the nutrient retention experiment, in addition to the biochar concentrations, the treatments received the same NPK fertilization. The experiments were performed in a completely randomized design with four replications. The water retention in the upper 300 mm, as well as the pH, effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) of the substrate, base saturation, and concentrations of P and K, increased with increasing biochar concentration. Coconut biochar demonstrated potential for increasing water retention and improving nutrient retention in sandy soils.

Abstract Altitudinal gradients can generate environmental limits, influencing the growth and development of plant species. The aim was to understand the edaphoclimatic variation in altitudinal gradients, and its influence on tropical forests. Research articles with a geographic scope between 27º N and 27º S latitude were searched, with influence of altitudinal gradients between 0 m and 5000 m; The information was systematized, organizing it in climatic issues, in physicochemical and biological properties of the soil, and in the behavior of forest species. It was determined that the mean annual temperature (TMA) decreases as the altitude increases, and the annual precipitation (PA) presents maximum pluvial at mid altitudes; soil pH values decrease up to 3000 m, increasing above this altitude; however, organic matter, organic carbon, total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (NT) and the C/N ratio of the soil increase up to 3000 m a.s.l., above this altitude the values decrease; potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al) in the soil decrease with increasing altitude due to the influence of low temperatures and soil moisture (HS). The edaphoclimatic variation in the altitudinal gradients interacts with the forest species, affecting the physiological responses, decreasing their growth and height with increasing altitude; in the same way its density and diversity decreases with increasing altitude. The forest species of the tropics thrive in wide or narrow elevational and edaphoclimatic limits, so identifying these limits is essential not only in ecological terms, but also in political and economic terms, to design effective land use and conservation policies.

Resumen Los gradientes altitudinales pueden generar límites ambientales, influyendo en el crecimiento y desarrollo de las especies vegetales. Se tuvo por objetivo identificar las variaciones edafoclimáticas en gradientes altitudinales y su influencia en los bosques tropicales. Se buscaron artículos de investigación con ámbito geográfico entre 27º N y 27º S de latitud, con influencia de gradientes altitudinales entre 0 m y 5000 m. Se sistematizó la información, organizándose en temáticas del clima, en las propiedades fisicoquímicas y biológicas del suelo, y en el comportamiento de las especies forestales. Se determinó que la temperatura media anual (TMA) disminuye conforme aumenta la altitud; y la precipitación anual (PA) presenta máximos pluviales en altitudes medias. Los valores del pH del suelo disminuyen hasta 3000 m, aumentando sobre esta altitud; sin embargo, la materia orgánica, carbono orgánico, carbono total (CT), nitrógeno total (NT) y la relación C/N del suelo aumentan hasta 3000 m; sobre esta altitud los valores disminuyen. El potasio (K), el calcio (Ca), el magnesio (Mg), el fierro (Fe), y el aluminio (Al) del suelo disminuyen con el aumento de la altitud por influencia de las bajas temperaturas y humedad del suelo (HS). La variación edafoclimática en los gradientes altitudinales interactúa con las especies forestales, afectando las respuestas fisiológicas, disminuyendo su crecimiento y altura con el aumento de la altitud; del mismo modo disminuye su densidad y diversidad con el aumento de la altitud. Las especies forestales de los trópicos prosperan en amplios o estrechos límites altitudinales y edafoclimáticos, por lo que identificar estos límites es fundamental no solo en términos ecológicos, sino también políticos y económicos, para diseñar políticas efectivas de uso de la tierra y de conservación.

Abstract In the present study, the complete characterization of cDNA and genomic sequences of IL-1β and IL-8, as well as the expression profile of these genes in the South American fish pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) is provided. The full-length pmIL-1β cDNA was composed of 1208 nucleotides that would produce a precursor peptide with 273 amino acid residues. A putative caspase-1 cleavage site, similar to what is found in mammalian IL-1β, was identified producing a mature peptide with a theoretical molecular weight of 17.21 kDa. The pmIL-8 cDNA sequence consisted of 1019 nucleotides which encoded a 95-amino acid protein with a theoretical molecular weight of 10.43 kDa that showed all typical CXC chemokine features, including a 20-residue signal peptide and four conserved cysteine residues. Constitutive mRNA expression was detected for both genes in the liver, head kidney, gill, intestine, skin and spleen. After a bacterial challenge, up-regulation was detected for both pmIL-1β and pmIL-8 in the spleen and head kidney at 12 h post-infection. At 24 h post-infection there was a decrease in the expression of both genes, with pmIL-8 showing a significant down-regulation in the liver and head kidney when compared to the control groups.

Abstract The objective of this study is to describe the reproductive and vegetative phenological patterns of individuals of Copernicia alba, popularly known as “carandá,” in two areas of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso and to test the relations between their phenophases and climatic seasonality. We obtained the phenological aspects of the carandá through a biweekly observation of 22 individuals from two areas of the Pantanal of Mato Grosso between August 2015 and August 2017. The carandá population presented a perennial behavior, flowering during the dry season and greater leaf intensity in the transition period to the rainy season. Budding, although continuous, was intense in the rainy season, and the leaf deciduous pattern had a direct interference from the absence of rainfalls in the dry period. The incidence of floral buds occurred in the dry period, and the flowering occurred between the dry and rainy periods. The fruiting period occurred in the rainy season, indicating a high synchronism of phenophases.

ABSTRACT Objective: α-2-agonists cause sympathetic inhibition combined with parasympathetic activation and have other properties that could be beneficial during cardiac anesthesia. We evaluated the effects of dexmedetomidine as an anesthetic adjuvant compared to a control group during cardiac surgery. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all adult patients (> 18 years old) undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients were divided into two groups, regarding the use of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant intraoperatively (DEX group) and a control group who did not receive α-2-agonist (CON group). Results: A total of 1302 patients who underwent cardiac surgery, either coronary artery bypass graft or valve surgery, were included; 796 in the DEX group and 506 in the CON group. Need for reoperation (2% vs. 2.8%, P=0.001), type 1 neurological injury (2% vs. 4.7%, P=0.005) and prolonged hospitalization (3.1% vs. 7.3%, P=0.001) were significantly less frequent in the DEX group than in the CON group. Thirty-day mortality rates were 3.4% in the DEX group and 9.7% in the CON group (P<0.001). Using multivariable Cox regression analysis with in hospital death as the dependent variable, dexmedetomidine was independently associated with a lower risk of 30-day mortality (odds ratio [OR]=0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.24-0.65, P≤0.001). The Logistic EuroSCORE (OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10, P=0.004) and age (OR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, P=0.003) were independently associated with a higher risk of 30-day mortality. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine used as an anesthetic adjuvant was associated with better outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft and valve surgery. Randomized prospective controlled trials are warranted to confirm our results.

O bioma Pantanal pode ser considerado um ambiente de hipersazonalidade, onde há um período de inundação pronunciada seguido por extenso período seco com temperaturas muito elevadas. A diversidade de suas fitofisionomias ocasiona aportes de carbono para o solo em quantidade e qualidade distintas. Com esse foco, este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar o efeito do ciclo hidrológico do Pantanal (enchente, cheia, vazante e estiagem) sobre a dinâmica do estoque carbono orgânico do solo nas fitofisionomias de Cambarazal, de Floresta Ripária, de Cordilheira e de Espinheiral. Verificou-se que as fitofisionomias puderam ser separadas pela análise de componentes principais (ACP) em três grupos distintos, caracterizados pela reserva de nutrientes e pela acidez do solo. O estoque de carbono do solo está condicionado por fatores sazonais e igualmente dependentes da fitofisionomia local que ocorreram nas fitofisionomias que apresentaram maior nível de fertilidade natural, ou seja, respectivamente o Cambarazal e o Espinheiral. O maior teor de carbono foi observado no período de enchente, na maioria das fitofisionomias, e o menor estoque de carbono aconteceu no período de vazante (2008), após o período de anaerobiose em razão da enchente e antes que o período seco passasse a ser determinante.

The Pantanal biome may be considered a hyperseasonal environment where there is a flooded period followed by an extended dry period with very high temperatures. The diversity of vegetation types modify the input of carbon into the soil in different quantity and quality. With this focus, this study aimed to verify the effect of the hydrological Pantanal Cycle (rising, flood, low tide and dry season), on the dynamics of soil organic carbon stock in different vegetation types of Cambarazal, Riparian Forest, Mountain Range and Thorn-Scrub. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified three distinct groups, characterized by nutrient reserves and by soil acidity. The carbon stock of the soil is conditioned by seasonal factors and equally dependent on the local vegetation type that occurred in vegetation types that showed the highest level of natural fertility, respectively, Cambarazal and Thorn-Scrub. The highest carbon content was observed during the flood period, for most vegetation types and the lowest carbon stock occurred during the period of low tide in 2008, just after a period of anaerobiosis due to the flood and before the dry season became predominant.

Nas áreas de Cerrado em zona de ecótono com o Pantanal, o solo apresenta características inerentes ao processo de formação dos solos tanto do Planalto Central quanto da Planície do Pantanal. Considerando tal premissa, esta área deve se destacar por sua elevada heterogeneidade edáfica. O presente estudo teve como objetivos determinar os atributos físicos, químicos e físico-hídricos que melhor explicam a heterogeneidade de solos em áreas de Cerrado, ecótono com o Pantanal, e avaliar se estes atributos diferem entre os fragmentos estudados e entre solos de Cerrado do Planalto Central e da Planície do Pantanal. Foram coletadas 160 amostras de solo e descritos 11 perfis em cinco áreas de Cerrado zona de ecótono com o Pantanal (15º43' S; 56º04' W). Foram identificadas as classes Plintossolo Pétrico Concrecionário típico, Plintossolo Pétrico Litoplíntico típico, Latossolo Amarelo distrófico típico e Latossolo Amarelo distrófico com plintita, sendo que as últimas três ainda não haviam sido descritas para esta região. Os atributos químicos CTC, H, M.O., K, P, Mg, Ca, Mn explicaram 40,49% da variabilidade de solos da região em estudo, diferindo ou não entre os fragmentos estudados. A distribuição espacial dos atributos variou entre aleatória e agregada, sendo os atributos químicos CTC, K, Ca e Mg similares aos solos da Planície do Pantanal. Já o Al, o P e o Mn bem como as variáveis hídricas foram similares ao Planalto. Por outro lado, o teor médio de matéria orgânica, o pH, cascalho e calhaus foram característicos tanto do Planalto como da Planície.

In areas of the Cerrado-Pantanal ecotone in Brazil, the soil displays features which are inherent to the processes of soil formation, both of the Central Plateau and the Pantanal Plain. Given this premise, the area should be noteworthy for its high level of edaphic heterogeneity. The present study aimed to determine the physical, chemical and physico-hydric attributes that best explain the heterogeneity of soils in areas of the Cerrado-Pantanal ecotone, and to assess whether these attributes differ between the studied fragments and between the Cerrado soils of the Central Plateau and of the Pantanal Plain. One hundred and sixty soil samples were collected and 11 profiles described for five areas of the Cerrado-Pantanal ecotone (15º43' S, 56º04' W). The following classes were identified: typic Concretionary Petric Plinthosol; typic Lithoplintic Petric Plinthosol; typic dystrophic Yellow Latosol; dystrophic Yellow Latosol with plinthite, the last three not yet having been described for this region. The chemical attributes CEC, M, OM, K, P, Mg, Ca and Mn explained 40.49% of the variability of the soils in the region under study, whether differing or not between the studied fragments. Spatial distribution of the attributes varied between random and aggregated, with the chemical attributes CEC, K, Ca and Mg being similar to soils of the Pantanal Plain. Whereas Al, P and Mn, as well as the hydric variables, were similar to the Plateau. On the other hand, the average organic matter content, pH, gravel and pebbles, were characteristic of both the Plateau and the Plain.

A interceptação da luz pelas plantas pode ser utilizada na simulação de vários processos ecofisiológicos que influenciam a produtividade e a qualidade de frutos, tornando-se fator estratégico no manejo de plantas no pomar. Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar o modelo de Charles-Edward & Thornley de interceptação da luz em plantas isoladas de cajueiro anão. O trabalho foi realizado na fazenda experimental da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, no período de 03/09/2012 a 09/11/2012. A simulação da luz interceptada foi efetuada em intervalos de 60, 120, 180, 240 e 300 min. A interceptação variou entre as plantas e entre as escalas temporais adotadas. Em escala de 60 min os dados simulados apresentaram tendência de subestimar valores de radiação medida com sensores pontuais no início e no final do dia, independente da planta utilizada. Na escala de 300 min, por sua vez, a simulação foi a mais próxima do valor medido com sensores pontuais, com R²: 0,90; d: 0,96; c: 0,91 e EAMP 5,65.

The light interception by plants can be used to simulate various ecophysiological processes that influence the productivity and fruit quality, making it a strategic factor in the management of plants in orchard. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Charles-Edward & Thornley light interception model in isolated plant of cashew crop. The study was conducted at the experimental farm of the Federal University of Mato Grosso between the period from 03/09/2012 to 09/11/2012. The simulation of light interception was made ?? ??at intervals of 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min. The light intercept varied between plants and between the adopted scales. In the scale of 60 min simulated data tended to underestimate values of radiation measured with punctual sensors at the beginning and at the end of the day regardless of the used plant. In the scale of 300 min, on the other hand, the simulation was very close to the measured with punctual sensor value with R²: 0.90; d: 0.96; c: 0.91 and EAMP: 5.65.

Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease caused by trematodes from the genus Schistosoma. Because schistosomes exhibit a complex life cycle and numerous mechanisms for regulating gene expression, it is believed that spliced leader (SL) trans-splicing could play an important role in the biology of these parasites. The purpose of this study was to investigate the function of trans-splicing in Schistosoma mansoni through analysis of genes that may be regulated by this mechanism and via silencing SL-containing transcripts through RNA interference. Here, we report our analysis of SL transcript-enriched cDNA libraries from different S. mansoni life stages. Our results show that the trans-splicing mechanism is apparently not associated with specific genes, subcellular localisations or life stages. In cross-species comparisons, even though the sets of genes that are subject to SL trans-splicing regulation appear to differ between organisms, several commonly shared orthologues were observed. Knockdown of trans-spliced transcripts in sporocysts resulted in a systemic reduction of the expression levels of all tested trans-spliced transcripts; however, the only phenotypic effect observed was diminished larval size. Further studies involving the findings from this work will provide new insights into the role of trans-splicing in the biology of S. mansoni and other organisms. All Expressed Sequence Tags generated in this study were submitted to dbEST as five different libraries. The accessions for each library and for the individual sequences are as follows: (i) adult worms of mixed sexes (LIBEST_027999: JZ139310 - JZ139779), (ii) female adult worms (LIBEST_028000: JZ139780 - JZ140379), (iii) male adult worms (LIBEST_028001: JZ140380 - JZ141002), (iv) eggs (LIBEST_028002: JZ141003 - JZ141497) and (v) schistosomula (LIBEST_028003: JZ141498 - JZ141974).

Com este trabalho objetivou-se analisar o comportamento do fluxo de seiva em espécies da floresta de transição Amazônia Cerrado e caracterizar a dependência do fluxo de seiva, em função do déficit de pressão de vapor da atmosfera (DPV). O fluxo de seiva foi medido utilizando-se sondas de dissipação térmica em 5 espécies diferentes. Os dados foram divididos em quatro estações. No período experimental as curvas de variação sazonal do fluxo de seiva evidenciam a ocorrência de picos no período úmido. Esta tendência sazonal do fluxo de seiva foi evidenciada pela relação entre valores diários de transpiração e do DPV. O valor limite do DPV nessas estações foi de 1 a 1,5 kPa. Com referência ao fluxo de seiva como representativo da taxa transpiratória das plantas, a redução do fluxo no período seco não confirma a hipótese da manutenção do processo de evapotranspiração. O fluxo de seiva nas espécies do estudo é influenciado mais pelas condições atmosféricas do que mesmo pela disponibilidade de água no solo, o que suscita um possível armazenamento da água no caule nos períodos mais secos quando a área foliar diminui mas a taxa transpiratória não é significativamente distinta daquela do período chuvoso.

The objective of this study was to analyse the behavior of sap flow in a transition Amazon-Savannah forest species, to characterize the dependence of sap flow as a function of atmospheric vapor pressure deficit (VPD). The sap flow was measured using the technique proposed by Granier, using heat dissipation probes in five different species. The data were divided into four seasons. In the experimental period, the curves of seasonal variation of sap flow showed an occurrence of peaks in the wet season. This seasonal sap flow trend was evidenced by the relationship between daily values of transpiration and VPD. The threshold value of VPD at these stations ranged from 1 to 1.5 kPa. Considering sap flow as representative of plant transpiration, reduction of the flux in the dry season did not confirm the hypothesis of maintenance of evapotranspiration process. The sap flow in the studied species was influenced more by weather than soil water availability. This raises the possibility of water storage in the stem during drier periods, when leaf area decreases. However the transpiration rate is not significantly different from that of the rainy season.

Vochysia divergens Pohl (commonly known as cambara) is a pioneer tree species that is native to the Amazon Basin but has been invading the seasonally flooded wetlands of the Brazilian Pantanal, forming monospecific communities. The physiological aspects associated with cambara invasion, including the effects of flooding and shading on growth and leaf gas exchange, are unknown but may shed light on why cambara is able to invade this novel habitat so rapidly. Thus, we conducted a manipulative experiment to quantify the effects of shading and flooding on the growth, gas exchange and leaf nutrient content of V. divergens saplings. Based on previous research we hypothesized that (1) experimental flooding would have no effect on the growth and gas exchange of V. divergens,and (2) experimental shading would reduce the growth and gas exchange of V. divergens regardless of the water treatment plants are subjected. Our data indicate that shading significantly increased the height, stomatal conductance (g s), and transpiration (T) of V. divergens saplings, especially for plants exposed to normal irrigation. Experimental flooding significantly reduced rates of leaf production, plant height, and gas exchange; however, shaded plants exposed to flooding had a higher water use efficiency than plants exposed to full sun and flooding, because Twas more depressed than net photosynthesis (A) in flooded plants exposed to full sun. Despite the inhibitory effects of flooding and shading, V. divergenssaplings exhibited positive growth and C gain, regardless of the growth light environment or water level, indicating that the growth and leaf gas exchange of species is tolerant to both flooding and shading. Such tolerance to a wide variety of hydrological and growth light conditions presumably explains the ability of cambara to invade, and ultimately form dense, monospecific stands in the Brazilian Pantanal.

A estimativa da área foliar por meio de curvas de regressão que empregam o produto do comprimento pela largura do limbo como variável independente, é uma prática comumente empregada na análise de crescimento vegetal. Entretanto, dependendo da natureza do material vegetal e das condições de cultivo, é possível a ocorrência de variações que afetam essa relação alométrica, o que implica a não universalidade de uma única curva de regressão. Devido a esse problema, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar uma avaliação do efeito da irrigação e da ontogenia sobre a estimativa da área foliar da Hancornia speciosa, para testar a hipótese de que a irrigação afetaria tal relação alométrica. Verificou-se que os modelos de regressão obtidos para as plantas irrigadas e para as não irrigadas diferiram entre si, sendo que houve a necessidade da inclusão da área foliar específica no modelo de estimativa da área foliar das plantas não irrigadas. A não inclusão dessa variável no modelo de regressão acarretou uma diferença de estimativa que se incrementou com a redução da área foliar específica. Em folhas recém-expandidas de plantas irrigadas e não irrigadas, verificou-se diferença na área foliar específica devida à alteração na massa seca e não associada à largura dos tecidos foliares.

Leaf area estimation by regression curves using the product of the length by the breadth of the leaf blade as an independent variable is commonly used in plant growth analysis. However, depending on the nature of the plant species and the farming conditions,it is possible to find variations which affect this allometric relationship, leading to non-universality of a single regression curve. Due to this problem, the present work aimed to evaluate the effect of irrigation and ontogeny in estimating the leaf area of Hancornia speciosa to test the hypothesis that the irrigation would affect such allometric relationship. It was found that the regression models obtained for the irrigated and the non-irrigated plants differed from each other, and there was the need to include specific leaf area into the model to estimate the leaf area for non-irrigated plants. The non inclusion of that variable in the regression model caused a difference on the estimative that increased with the reduction of the specific leaf area. Recently expanded leaves from irrigated and non-irrigated plants differed to each other in their specific leaf area due to dry matter differences but not due to tissue length.