Phallus eversion sexing in Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae): a new non-invasive approach

Abstract The sexing of species is an important tool for population management. In tortoises and turtles, sexing is usually done according to secondary characteristics, such as plastron morphology or phallus eversion techniques. In this paper, we present the phallus eversion method and compare its efficiency to other existing techniques. This new method aims at shortening the management time and reducing the physical aftereffects on the animals, fostering the clinical and reproductive management of Geoffroys side-necked turtle (Phrynops geoffroanus) and related species. A sample of fifty individuals was taken in the central region of Piauí state, Northeastern Brazil. The proposed method consisted of moving the head from its resting position. The methods achieving a success rate higher than 80% were compared to each other as for the stimulation time required for phallus eversion. The method as here proposed achieved 100% efficiency in the sex determination of specimens with a linear carapace length between 10 and 34 cm. Also, when compared to the second most efficient method, it substantially reduced the time needed for managing the specimens (91%), avoiding possible sequelae in the individuals handled.

Resumo A sexagem das espécies é uma ferramenta importante para o manejo populacional. Em tartarugas, cágados e jabutis, a sexagem geralmente é feita de acordo com características secundárias, como morfologia do plastrão ou técnicas de eversão do falo. Neste artigo, apresentamos o método de eversão do falo e comparamos sua eficiência com outras técnicas existentes. Este novo método visa encurtar o tempo de manejo e reduzir os efeitos colaterais físicos nos animais, promovendo o manejo clínico e reprodutivo do cágado-de-barbicha (Phrynops geoffroanus) e espécies relacionadas. Uma amostra de cinquenta indivíduos foi coletada na região central do estado do Piauí, Nordeste do Brasil. O método proposto consiste em remover a cabeça de sua posição de repouso. Os métodos que obtiveram índice de sucesso superior a 80% foram comparados entre si quanto ao tempo de estimulação necessário para a eversão do falo. O método aqui proposto alcançou 100% de eficiência na determinação do sexo de espécimes com comprimento de carapaça linear entre 10 e 34 cm. Além disso, quando comparado ao segundo método mais eficiente, reduziu substancialmente o tempo necessário para o manejo dos espécimes (91%), evitando possíveis sequelas nos indivíduos manuseados.

Phallus eversion sexing in Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae): a new non-invasive approach / Sexagem por eversão do falo em Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae): uma nova abordagem não invasiva

Abstract The sexing of species is an important tool for population management. In tortoises and turtles, sexing is usually done according to secondary characteristics, such as plastron morphology or phallus eversion techniques. In this paper, we present the phallus eversion method and compare its efficiency to other existing techniques. This new method aims at shortening the management time and reducing the physical aftereffects on the animals, fostering the clinical and reproductive management of Geoffroy's side-necked turtle (Phrynops geoffroanus) and related species. A sample of fifty individuals was taken in the central region of Piauí state, Northeastern Brazil. The proposed method consisted of moving the head from its resting position. The methods achieving a success rate higher than 80% were compared to each other as for the stimulation time required for phallus eversion. The method as here proposed achieved 100% efficiency in the sex determination of specimens with a linear carapace length between 10 and 34 cm. Also, when compared to the second most efficient method, it substantially reduced the time needed for managing the specimens (91%), avoiding possible sequelae in the individuals handled.

Resumo A sexagem das espécies é uma ferramenta importante para o manejo populacional. Em tartarugas, cágados e jabutis, a sexagem geralmente é feita de acordo com características secundárias, como morfologia do plastrão ou técnicas de eversão do falo. Neste artigo, apresentamos o método de eversão do falo e comparamos sua eficiência com outras técnicas existentes. Este novo método visa encurtar o tempo de manejo e reduzir os efeitos colaterais físicos nos animais, promovendo o manejo clínico e reprodutivo do cágado-de-barbicha (Phrynops geoffroanus) e espécies relacionadas. Uma amostra de cinquenta indivíduos foi coletada na região central do estado do Piauí, Nordeste do Brasil. O método proposto consiste em remover a cabeça de sua posição de repouso. Os métodos que obtiveram índice de sucesso superior a 80% foram comparados entre si quanto ao tempo de estimulação necessário para a eversão do falo. O método aqui proposto alcançou 100% de eficiência na determinação do sexo de espécimes com comprimento de carapaça linear entre 10 e 34 cm. Além disso, quando comparado ao segundo método mais eficiente, reduziu substancialmente o tempo necessário para o manejo dos espécimes (91%), evitando possíveis sequelas nos indivíduos manuseados.

Pre-Treatment Loss to Follow Up of Tuberculosis Patients; Prevalence and Reasons for It in Central Karnataka, India

Background: Pre-treatment loss to follow up (PTLFU) is defined as diagnosed TB patients not initiated on treatment within 14 days of TB diagnosis. Bringing these PTLFU cases into care can reduce the dis-ease transmission and mortality. The present study was undertaken with main objectives to study the prevalence of PTLFU in TB patients and to know the reasons for PTLFU. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 38 PTLFU TB patients of Davangere dis-trict, Karnataka from January to March 2019. Study participants were personally interviewed using pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The prevalence of PTLFU in TB patients is 3.6%. The reasons for PTLFU were, out of the 38 study subjects, 17 (47%) of them were initiated on treatment in private sector but reported as PTLFU. 7 (18%) died in hospital before treatment initiation. 7 (18%) did not start the treatment because of fear of side effects following anti tuberculosis treatment, whereas 2 (6%) of them did not take treatment by see-ing the side effects in others and 5 (13%) had alcoholic withdrawal effects. Conclusions: Improvement in recording of contact details, biometric registration of all presumptive TB cases and pre-treatment counselling of all diagnosed TB patients may reduce PTLFU.

Acoustic niche partitioning in an anuran community from the municipality of Floriano, Piauí, Brazil / Partição de nicho acústico em uma comunidade de anuros do município de Floriano, Piauí, Brasil

Abstract Vocalizations are an important trait for the identification of cryptic and/or closely related amphibian species. Different vocalizations also contribute to partitioning of the acoustic space by sympatric species. This study aimed to describe the advertisement calls of anurans in a pond of the municipality of Floriano, State of Piauí, Brazil, and infer the acoustic niche partitioning of amphibians. Euclidean distance was used in a cluster analysis approach to infer the acoustic similarities among species. Thirteen species were analysed: Boana raniceps, Dendropsophus nanus, D. rubicundulus , D. minutus, Leptodactylus fuscus, L. troglodytes, L. vastus, Pithecopus nordestinus , Physalaemus cuvieri, P. nattereri, Pleurodema diplolister, Proceratophrys cristiceps and Scinax ruber. From these, six showed more than 90% of acoustic overlap: P. nattereri , P. cuvieri, L. fuscus and L. vastus (Leptodactylidae); and, D. nanus and D. rubicundulus (Hylidae). Despite the acoustic similarities among these six species, the acoustic interference was reduced due to the small number of sympatric species and to distinct features on carrier frequency such as dominant frequency and the degree of modulation in the frequency. Environmental factors limit the periods and sites of reproduction respectively, which may maintain the low anuran diversity and consequently reduce acoustic overlap.

Resumo A vocalização é um componente importante na identificação de espécies crípticas e/ou proximamente relacionadas de anfíbios anuros. Diferenças na bioacústica também contribuem para o particionamento do espaço acústico entre espécies simpátricas. Este estudo descreve o canto de anúncio de anuros em uma lagoa temporária do município de Floriano, Estado do Piauí, Brasil, além de buscar inferir o particionamento do nicho acústico entre essas espécies. Para tanto, foi utilizada a distância Euclidiana para compor uma análise de conglomerados e avaliar a similaridade/dissimilaridade da bioacústica da anurofauna. Treze espécies foram amostradas: Boana raniceps, Dendropsophus nanus, D. rubicundulus , D. minutus, Leptodactylus fuscus, L. troglodytes, L. vastus, Pithecopus nordestinus , Physalaemus cuvieri, P. nattereri, Pleurodema diplolister, Proceratophrys cristiceps e Scinax ruber. Destas, seis apresentaram mais de 90% de sobreposição acústica: P. nattereri, P. cuvieri, L. fuscus e L. vastus (Leptodactylidae); e, D. nanus e D. rubicundulus (Hylidae). Apesar da similaridade acústica entre essas seis espécies, a interferência é reduzida devido ao pequeno número de espécies simpátricas e certas características distintas na frequência do canto, tais como: frequência dominante e sua modulação. Fatores ambientais específicos do semiárido limitam os períodos e sítios reprodutivos, o que mantém baixa diversidade de espécies e consequentemente reduz a sobreposição no nicho acústico.

Prescription pattern among patients having mild to moderate bronchial asthma using metered dose inhaler and dry powder inhaler in tertiary hospital in western india

Background: Bronchial asthma is a syndrome characterized by airflow obstruction that manifests as shortness of breath, wheezing and cough. The treatment is tailored according to the severity of the disease. The drugs used for treatment of bronchial asthma include inhaled corticosteroids, beta-2 agonists, methylxanthines, leukotriene antagonists and mast cell stabilizers. Despite the availability of all these drugs, which are recommended for the treatment, not every patient achieves complete control of the disease. The reason behind this could be irrational prescribing of drugs for the treatment and errors in the technique of using inhaler devices. Though rational prescribing of drugs and correct technique for the use of inhaler can be improved by proper training of target population, but there is paucity of such data in our country.Methods: This study was planned to monitor prescription pattern and errors in use of inhalation devices, in patients diagnosed as cases of mild to moderate bronchial asthma, attending Out Patient Department (OPD) of respiratory medicine of a tertiary hospital. A total of 207 patients were recruited and their prescription pattern and inhalation technique were assessed.Results: The study showed that inhaled short acting ?2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids were the most commonly used drug groups, which were prescribed to all the patients in the study, followed by long acting ?2-agonists, leukotriene antagonists and methylxanthines in decreasing order.Conclusions: As a conclusion, the treating physicians were prescribing according to the laid down guidelines. It is concluded that such studies should be periodically done to ensure the adherence to the treatment guidelines.

Fitase na dieta de alevinos de carpa húngara: desempenho e características de carcaça / Phytase in diet of common carp fingerlings: produtive performance and carcass traits

Foram utilizados 240 alevinos de carpa húngara, com peso médio de 3,42±0,32g, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições. A dieta basal foi formulada com ingredientes de origem vegetal (36 por cento de proteína bruta e 3.200kcal de energia digestível). Os tratamentos corresponderam a quatro níveis de fitase ativa (UF) por kg na dieta: zero (controle), 500, 1000 e 1500UF/kg. A cada 15 dias, foi realizada uma biometria e, ao término do período experimental (45 dias), 5 por cento dos animais foram eutanasiados para determinação do rendimento de carcaça e composição químico-bromatológica. Os parâmetros de desempenho avaliados foram: peso final, ganho de peso, comprimento total, taxa de crescimento específico e sobrevivência. A suplementação de fitase não influiu no desempenho produtivo, entretanto melhorou significativamente as características da carcaça.

A total of 240 fingerlings, with initial average weight 3.42±0.32g, were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, with four treatments and four replicates. Basal diet consisted of vegetal ingredients (36 percent crude protein and 3,220kcal of digestible energy). Treatments corresponded to four levels of active phytase (UF) per kg of diet: zero (control), 500, 1,000, and 1,500. Every 15 days, a biometry was made and at the end of the experimental period (45 days) 5 percent of animals were euthanized to determine carcass yield and chemical-bromatologic composition. The following variables were evaluated: final weight, weight gain, total length, specific growth rate, and survial. There was no effect of phytase on productive performance; however, it significantly improved carcass characteristics.