Behavioral aspects of waterbirds / Aspectos comportamentais de aves aquáticas

Abstract Estuaries are used by waterbirds as foraging, resting and nesting sites, serving also as shelter for migratory birds. The dynamics of this avifauna in an aquatic environment may be associated with the differences of time of day, tide height, temperature, wind speed and use of the site by different species. This study had the objective of evaluating behavioral aspects of aquatic birds, relating the influence of environmental variables with their activities. Bird counts were performed at the mouth of two important rivers of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, during two-hour intervals throughout the day in monthly samplings between June (2015) and May (2016). A total of 44 species were recorded, ten of which were migratory. The most recorded behaviors were foraging and resting. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis indicated no significant difference in behavior between the sampling intervals. The Bray-Curtis similarity test resulted in three groups: 1) - species that foraged most of the time; 2) - species that rested most of the time; and 3) - same time in both activities. The Indicator Species Analysis showed that 17 species were associated with only one microhabitat and 15 species with more than one. The Canonical Correlation Analysis indicated that only tide height, temperature and rainfall variables were correlated with the behaviors performed and only the resting activity was positively correlated with all variables. This may be associated with thermoregulation and the ability of some species to stay in midlitoral at high tide. The results demonstrate that different waterbird species used the studied areas in different ways. Thus, the heterogeneity of microhabitats in an aquatic environment of extreme importance for the coexistence and maintenance of the diversity of waterbirds.

Resumo Estuários são utilizados por aves aquáticas como locais de forrageio, descanso e nidificação, servindo, também, como pontos de parada para aves migratórias. A dinâmica dessa avifauna em um ambiente pode estar associada a diferenças entre horários do dia, altura da maré, temperatura, velocidade do vento e uso do local. Esse trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar aspectos comportamentais de aves aquáticas, relacionando a influência de variáveis ambientais com suas atividades. Amostragens mensais foram realizadas na foz de dois importantes rios do Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, entre junho de 2015 e maio de 2016, em intervalos de duas horas no decorrer do dia. Um total de 44 espécies foram registradas, dez das quais foram migratórias. Os comportamentos mais observados foram forrageio e descanso. A análise de Kruskall-Wallis não indicou diferenças significativas no comportamento entre os horários de amostragem. O teste de similaridade Bray-Curtis resultou em três agrupamentos: 1) - espécies que forragearam na maior parte do tempo; 2) - espécies que descansaram na maior parte do tempo; e 3) - mesma quantidade de tempo em ambas atividades. A Análise de Espécies Indicadoras mostrou que 17 espécies estiveram associadas com apenas um microhabitat e 15 espécies com mais de um. A Análise de Correlação Canônica indicou que apenas as variáveis maré, temperatura e precipitação foram significativamente correlacionadas com os comportamentos demonstrados e apenas a atividade de descanso foi positivamente correlacionada com as todas as variáveis. Isso pode estar associado com a termorregulação e com a habilidade de algumas espécies de permanecer no mediolitoral durante a maré cheia. Os resultados demonstram que diferentes espécies de aves aquáticas utilizaram as áreas estudadas de diferentes maneiras. Assim, a heterogeneidade de microhabitats em um ambiente aquático é de extrema importância para a coexistência e a manutenção da diversidade de aves.

Evaluation of the cryosurgery for treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in cats / Avaliação da criocirurgia no tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas em gatos

The cryosurgery is a very useful therapy for the treatment of a variety of neoplastic and non-neoplastic processes. Nevertheless, it is still poorly described as an option for the treatment of specific cutaneous neoplasms, such as squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the clinical response of cryosurgery for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in cats. For this 13 squamous cell carcinoma lesions were selected in 11 cats, diagnosed through citopathological and/or histopathological examinations. The lesions were frozen using liquid nitrogen spray, and the evaluations were performed in the moment of freeze and approximately every 15 days until the wound was completely healed. The response of cryosurgery was considered complete with tumoral remission on 38.5% of the cats, and partial on 46.1%. The main complications included crusting and nostril stenosis. The presented results suggested that cryosurgery is effective and may be a viable option for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in cats. The effectiveness of the therapy; however, depends on the correct selection of the candidates for cryosurgery based on the lesion size, and the attendance to some criteria, such as the freezing time and post-operative care.(AU)

A criocirurgia tem se mostrado uma terapia de grande auxílio no tratamento de uma variedade de processos neoplásicos e não neoplásicos. Apesar disso, ainda é pouco descrita a utilização da criocirurgia como opção de tratamento de neoplasias cutâneas específicas, como o carcinoma de células escamosas. Objetivou-se com o presente estudo analisar a resposta clínica da criocirurgia para o tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas em gatos. Para isso, foram selecionadas 13 lesões do tipo carcinoma de células escamosas em 11 gatos, diagnosticadas por meio de análise citopatológica e/ou histopatológica. As lesões foram congeladas por meio de nitrogênio líquido na forma de spray, e as avaliações realizadas no momento do congelamento e aproximadamente a cada 15 dias, até a completa cicatrização da ferida. A resposta da criocirurgia foi considerada completa, com remissão tumoral em 38,5% dos gatos e parcial em 46,1% destes. As principais complicações verificadas incluíram a formação de crostas e estenose de narina. Os resultados apresentados no presente estudo sugerem que a criocirurgia é efetiva e pode ser uma opção viável para o tratamento do carcinoma de células escamosas em gatos. O sucesso do tratamento, entretanto, depende da correta seleção dos candidatos à técnica quanto ao tamanho da lesão, e do atendimento a alguns critérios, como o tempo de congelamento e os cuidados pós-operatórios.(AU)

Behavioral aspects of waterbirds

Abstract Estuaries are used by waterbirds as foraging, resting and nesting sites, serving also as shelter for migratory birds. The dynamics of this avifauna in an aquatic environment may be associated with the differences of time of day, tide height, temperature, wind speed and use of the site by different species. This study had the objective of evaluating behavioral aspects of aquatic birds, relating the influence of environmental variables with their activities. Bird counts were performed at the mouth of two important rivers of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, during two-hour intervals throughout the day in monthly samplings between June (2015) and May (2016). A total of 44 species were recorded, ten of which were migratory. The most recorded behaviors were foraging and resting. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis indicated no significant difference in behavior between the sampling intervals. The Bray-Curtis similarity test resulted in three groups: 1) - species that foraged most of the time; 2) - species that rested most of the time; and 3) - same time in both activities. The Indicator Species Analysis showed that 17 species were associated with only one microhabitat and 15 species with more than one. The Canonical Correlation Analysis indicated that only tide height, temperature and rainfall variables were correlated with the behaviors performed and only the resting activity was positively correlated with all variables. This may be associated with thermoregulation and the ability of some species to stay in midlitoral at high tide. The results demonstrate that different waterbird species used the studied areas in different ways. Thus, the heterogeneity of microhabitats in an aquatic environment of extreme importance for the coexistence and maintenance of the diversity of waterbirds.

Resumo Estuários são utilizados por aves aquáticas como locais de forrageio, descanso e nidificação, servindo, também, como pontos de parada para aves migratórias. A dinâmica dessa avifauna em um ambiente pode estar associada a diferenças entre horários do dia, altura da maré, temperatura, velocidade do vento e uso do local. Esse trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar aspectos comportamentais de aves aquáticas, relacionando a influência de variáveis ambientais com suas atividades. Amostragens mensais foram realizadas na foz de dois importantes rios do Estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, entre junho de 2015 e maio de 2016, em intervalos de duas horas no decorrer do dia. Um total de 44 espécies foram registradas, dez das quais foram migratórias. Os comportamentos mais observados foram forrageio e descanso. A análise de Kruskall-Wallis não indicou diferenças significativas no comportamento entre os horários de amostragem. O teste de similaridade Bray-Curtis resultou em três agrupamentos: 1) - espécies que forragearam na maior parte do tempo; 2) - espécies que descansaram na maior parte do tempo; e 3) - mesma quantidade de tempo em ambas atividades. A Análise de Espécies Indicadoras mostrou que 17 espécies estiveram associadas com apenas um microhabitat e 15 espécies com mais de um. A Análise de Correlação Canônica indicou que apenas as variáveis maré, temperatura e precipitação foram significativamente correlacionadas com os comportamentos demonstrados e apenas a atividade de descanso foi positivamente correlacionada com as todas as variáveis. Isso pode estar associado com a termorregulação e com a habilidade de algumas espécies de permanecer no mediolitoral durante a maré cheia. Os resultados demonstram que diferentes espécies de aves aquáticas utilizaram as áreas estudadas de diferentes maneiras. Assim, a heterogeneidade de microhabitats em um ambiente aquático é de extrema importância para a coexistência e a manutenção da diversidade de aves.

Antipyretic and antioxidant activities of 5-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles in rats

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of eight 5-hydroxy-5-trifluoromethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-1-carboxyamidepyrazoles (TFDPs) on rat body temperature and baker’s yeast-induced fever. TFDPs or vehicle (5 percent Tween 80 in 0.9 percent NaCl, 5 mL/kg) were injected subcutaneously and rectal temperature was measured as a function of time in 28-day-old male Wistar rats (N = 5-12 per group). Antipyretic activity was determined in feverish animals injected with baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae suspension, 0.135 mg/kg, 10 mL/kg, ip). 3-Ethyl- and 3-propyl-TFDP (140 and 200 μmol/kg, respectively, 4 h after yeast injection) attenuated baker’s yeast-induced fever by 61 and 82 percent, respectively. These two effective antipyretics were selected for subsequent analysis of putative mechanisms of action. We then determined the effects on cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and COX-2) activities on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) oxidation in vitro, on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels and on leukocyte counts in the washes of peritoneal cavities of rats injected with baker’s yeast. While 3-ethyl- and 3-propyl-TFDP did not reduce baker’s yeast-induced increases of IL-1β or TNF-α levels, 3-ethyl-TFDP caused a 42 percent reduction in peritoneal leukocyte count. 3-Ethyl- and 3-propyl-TFDP did not alter COX-1 or COX-2 activities in vitro, but presented antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay with an IC50 of 39 mM (25-62) and 163 mM (136-196), respectively. The data indicate that mechanisms of action of these two novel antipyretic pyrazole derivatives do not involve the classic inhibition of the COX pathway or pyrogenic cytokine release.

Effect of the injection of an extract of Ascaris suum on macrophage activation during the early phase of Mycobacterium bovis BCG infection in C57Bl/6 mice

Injection of an Ascaris suum extract (Asc) affects both the humoral and cellular immune responses to unrelated antigens when it is co-administered with these antigens. In the present study we evaluated the effect of Asc on macrophage activation in the early phase of Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Pasteur strain TMCC 1173) infection in C57Bl/6 mice. C57Bl/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with 0.1 mg BCG (BCG group) or BCG plus 1 mg Asc (BCG + Asc group). The peritoneal exudates were obtained at 2, 7 and 14 days after infection. The numbers of IFN-g-secreting cells were assessed by the ELISPOT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by the Griess method and by the evaluation of NADPH diaphorase activity in the peritoneal exudates. The administration of Asc extract increased NADPH diaphorase activity (2 days: control = 0, BCG = 7 per cent, BCG + Asc = 13 per cent, and Asc = 4 per cent; 7 days: control = 4, BCG = 13 per cent, BCG + Asc = 21 per cent, and Asc = 4.5 per cent) and TNF-a levels (mean + or - SD; 2 days: control = 0, BCG = 169 + or - 13, BCG + Asc = 202 + or - 37, and Asc = 0; 7 days: control = 0, BCG = 545 + or - 15.5, BCG + Asc = 2206 + or - 160.6, and Asc = 126 + or - 26; 14 days: control = 10 + or - 1.45, BCG = 9 + or - 1.15, BCG + Asc = 126 + or - 18, and Asc = 880 + or - 47.67 pg/ml) in the early phase of BCG infection. Low levels of NO production were detected at 2 and 7 days after BCG infection, increasing at 14 days (mean + or - SD; 2 days: control = 0, BCG = 3.7 + or - 1.59, BCG + Asc = 0.82 + or - 0.005, Asc = 0.48 + or - 0.33; 7 days: control = 0, BCG = 2.78 + or - 1.54, BCG + Asc = 3.07 + or - 1.05, Asc = 0; 14 days: control = 0, BCG = 9.05 + or - 0.53, BCG + Asc = 9.61 + or - 0.81, Asc = 10.5 + or - 0.2 (2 x 106) cells/ml). Furthermore, we also observed that Asc co-injection induced a decrease of BCG-colony-forming units (CFU) in the spleens of BCG-infected mice during the first week of infection (mean + or - SD; 2 days: BCG = 1.13 + or - 0.07 and BCG + Asc = 0.798 + or - 0.305; 7 days: BCG = 1.375 + or - 0.194 and BCG + Asc = 0.548 + or - 0.0226; 14 days: BCG = 0.473 + or - 0.184 and BCG + Asc = 0.675 + or - 0.065 (x 102) CFU). The present data suggest that Asc induces the enhancement of the immune response in the early phase of BCG infection.

Trisomy 13 mosaicism demonstrated only in skin fibroblasts in a patient presenting psychomotor retardation, pigmentary dysplasia and some dysmorphic features

Os autores descrevem uma criança do sexo feminino com atraso do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, manchas hipercrômicas na pele e algumas características dismórficas. O cariótipo em linfócitos de sangue periférico foi normal e a cultura de fibroblastos a partir de biópsia de pele revelou trissomia do cromossomo 13 em 50 por cento das metáfases analisadas. Enfatizam a importância do cariótipo de pele nas situaçöes clínicas em que o retardo psicomotor ou mental está associado com displasia pigmentar de pele e cromossomos normais nos linfócitos.

Paf antagonists do not modify IgE antibody production in mice

The effect of selective PAF antagonists on the in vivo production of IgE antibodies was investigated. The anti-ovalbumin IgE antibody content was estimated by passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction (PCA) in the plasma of Balb/c mice 10 days after immunization with ovalbumin and alum. The PAF antagonists, BN 52021 (5 mg/kg, ip), BN 50730(20 mg/kg, ip) BN 50730 (20 mg/kg, po), WEB 2086 (2 mg/kg, ip) and WEB 2170 (5 mg/kg, ip) were administered 1 h before immunization and twice a day for 8 days thereafter. The effect of the antagonists on the PAF-induced vasopermeability was also assayed. In the immunized mice the level of antiovalbumin IgE antibody, estimated by PCA titer, was 1/640. The treatment with the PAF antagonists did not change this level. At the concentrations employed, the antagonists BN 50730, WEB 2086 and WEB 2170 significantly reduced the PAF-induced vascular permeability. These results suggest that PAF does not seem to have a relevant effect on the production of IgE antibodies in vivo in the system used in the present study

Isquemia com perfuracao do hepatico comum. / Ischaemic perforation of the common hepatic duct

Os autores apresentam uma complicacao de cirurgia da via biliar extra-hepatica consequente a disseccao extensa da mesma, que acarretou algumas microperfuracoes por isquemia. Na impossibilidade de realizar uma anastomose biliodigestiva, fez-se uma plastica com epiploo pediculado, moldado por uma solda e o resultado foi bom