Hair as a tool for identification of predators and prey: a study based on scats of jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) / Pelos como ferramenta de identificação de predadores e presas: um estudo baseado em fezes de onças-pintadas (Panthera onca) e pumas (Puma concolor)

Abstract: Microscopic hair identification is a non-invasive, simple, and economical method applied in scientific studies to identify mammal species. In ecology, this method is used mainly in mastofaunistic inventories and dietary studies. In the last decade, the number of dietary studies using the microscopic identification of hairs has grown substantially, but the application of this technique as a tool for the identification of both predators and prey species is still scant. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify predator and prey hairs in scat samples from the two largest species of carnivores in the Neotropical region, the jaguar (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758) and the puma (Puma concolor Linnaeus, 1771). We examined a total of 100 scat samples being 50 from the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul and 50 from the Atlantic Forest of Paraná. We used different identification categories that included the hair microscopic and macroscopic identification, as well as the use of hooves and nails present in the scats associated with tracks and kills found in the field. We identified 57 prey items in the Pantanal samples and 61 in the Atlantic Forest samples. Predator´s hairs were identified in 34% of Pantanal samples and in 46% of Atlantic Forest samples. The combination of hair microscopic and macroscopic characteristics was efficient in the identification of different taxonomic levels, with most identifications reaching the level of the species. However, the methodological protocol for microscopic hair identification was not fully effective in obtaining all the microstructural patterns of the studied mammals. Adjustments in the technique are necessary to differentiate microstructural characteristics of species belonging to the same family. We recommend macroscopic identification of scat content items (hairs, hooves or nails) of both prey and predators to be used to complete the microscopic hair identification technique in dietary ecological studies.

Resumo: A identificação microscópica do pelo é um método não invasivo, simples e econômico, aplicado em estudos de identificação de várias espécies. Em ecologia, esse método é usado principalmente em inventários mastofaunísticos e estudos de dieta. Na última década, a identificação microscópica de pelos em estudos de dieta tem crescido substancialmente, porém ainda conhecemos muito pouco sobre o uso das características microscópicas e macroscópicas dos pelos para identificação tanto de presas quanto de predadores. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar pelos de predadores e presas em amostras fecais das duas maiores espécies de carnívoros da região Neotropical, onças (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758) e pumas (Puma concolor Linnaeus, 1771). Foram examinadas um total de 100 amostras de fezes, provenientes do Pantanal de Mato Grosso do Sul e da Mata Atlântica do estado do Paraná, sendo 50 amostras de cada local. Utilizamos diferentes categorias de identificação que incluíam a identificação microscópica e macroscópica do pelo, bem como o uso de outros vestígios como cascos e unhas presentes nas fezes e pegadas e carcaças encontradas em campo. Nós identificamos 57 itens de presas nas amostras do Pantanal e 61 itens de presas nas amostras da Mata Atlântica. Pelos dos predadores foram identificados em 34% das amostras do Pantanal e 46% das amostras da Mata Atlântica. A combinação de características microscópicas e macroscópicas dos pelos foi eficiente na identificação de diferentes níveis taxonômicos, com a maioria das identificações atingindo o nível da espécie. No entanto, o protocolo metodológico de identificação microscópica dos pelos não foi totalmente eficaz para obter todos os padrões microestruturais dos mamíferos estudados. São necessários ajustes na técnica para diferenciar características microestruturais de espécies pertencentes à mesma família. Recomendamos que a identificação macroscópica de itens alimentares (pelos, cascos ou unhas) tanto de presas quanto de predadores seja usada para completar a técnica de identificação microscópica dos pelos em estudos de ecologia alimentar..

Escorbuto en el siglo XXI / Scurvy in XXI century

El escorbuto es una enfermedad causada por la deficiencia de vitamina C o ácido ascórbico. Sus manifestaciones clínicas son variadas debido a que esa vitamina es un cofactor de enzimas que intervienen en numerosos procesos, como la síntesis de colágeno y la absorción de diferentes nutrientes. La expresión cutánea característica son las petequias foliculares con pelos en cuello de cisne y en tirabuzón. El compromiso mucoso se manifiesta como hipertrofia y hemorragia gingival, gingivitis y pérdida de piezas dentarias. El diagnóstico es clínico y puede confirmarse mediante la determinación de la vitamina C plasmática o leucocitaria. El tratamiento se basa en el aporte suplementario de esa vitamina. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 32 años con escorbuto debido a una dieta casi exclusivamente a base de harinas y carente de frutas y verduras. (AU)

Scurvy is a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency (also called ascorbic acid). Its clinical manifestations are varied because this vitamin is a cofactor of enzymes that take part in numerous processes, such as the synthesis of collagen and the absorption of different nutrients. Cutaneous expression of scurvy is follicular petechiae with corkscrew hairs. Mucous involvement manifests as gingival hypertrophy and bleeding, gingivitis and loss of teeth. The diagnosis of this entity is clinical and can be confirmed by plasma or leukocyte vitamin C dosing. The treatment consists of vitamin C supplementation. We present a 32-year-old male patient with scurvy secondary to a diet based almost exclusively on flour and lacking in fruits and vegetables. (AU)

Dermoscopy - a simple and rapid in vivo diagnostic technique for tinea incognito

Abstract Tinea incognito resulting from corticosteroid abuse is becoming very common in the tropics. Its diagnosis is tricky owing to its confusing morphology, as well as practical and technical issues associated with mycological tests. Dermoscopy has now evolved as a novel diagnostic tool for diagnosing tinea incognito in such challenging situations, since the typical hair changes such as Morse-code hairs, deformable hairs, translucent hairs, comma and cork screw hairs, and perifollicular scaling may be seen despite steroid use, irrespective of mycological results.

Genetic relationship and population genetic diversity of Epimedium pubescens and its related species based on ISSR and non-glandular hair characteristic / 中国中药杂志

In this study, 128 individuals form 14 Epimedium pubescens populations and 1 E. stellulatum population were analyzed by ISSR marker. The data were calculated by POPGENE software and clustered by UPGMA method. Optical microscope was used to observe the main types of the non-glandular hairs and their characteristics in each population. It is found that the following conclusions: Non-glandular hairs can be divided into five morphological categories, long straight pubescent, curly pubescent, appressed curly pubescent, pseudo short appressed hairs and long appressed. Eight primers were screening and a total of 94 bands were detected in ISSR, among which 90 were polymorphic bands. Based on the results of ISSR cluster analysis, 15 populations were divided into 3 clades. E. stellulatum populations should be incorporated into the E. pubescens or as avariety under E. pubescens not be independent and as it has no separate phylogenetic branch for a cluster. The genetic relationship among the populations of E. pubescens was closely related with its geographical distribution and non-glandular hair features. But there were also some inconsistency, which provided a good hint for the further study on the interspecific relationship and natural speciation manner of Epimedium species. Population diversity analysis showed Nm=0.354 4, Nei's=0.585 2. It was showed that E. pubescens has high genetic diversity among populations, for which the main reason was probably the high inbreeding rate and the small range of seed dispersal.

Severe anemia due to parvovirus B19 in a silver haired boy.

Griscelli syndrome (GS) is a rare autosomal recessive immunodeficiency disorder in which the affected children present with characteristic silvery‑white hairs. The hair microscopy of these children is characteristic and is helpful in differentiating GS from Chediak–Higashi syndrome which also presents with immunodeficiency and silver hairs. We report a 17‑month‑old boy with GS type 2 who presented with severe anemia. Bone marrow examination of the child suggested parvovirus B19 as the cause of severe anemia, which was later confirmed by DNA polymerase chain reaction

Changes of physiological pain threshold in gonadectomized rats / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To investigate the modulatory effect of gonadal hormone on peripheral pain. Methods: Orchiectomized and ovariectomized rats models were established. Radio heater and Von-Frey hair were used to determine the peripheral mechanical and thermal pain threshold in gonadectomized rats and their corresponding sham-controls. Results: The body weight was increased and the uterus weight was decreased after ovariectomy in female rats(P<0.01). There was no significant change in the body weight of mate rats after orchiectomization. The 100% hind paw withdrawal threshold to Von-Frey hair stimulation was decreased significantly after ovariectomization in female rats, with no significant change in the thermal pain threshold. There was no significant changes in the 100% hind paw withdrawal threshold after Von-Frey hair stimulation or thermal pain threshold after orchidectomy in male rats. Conclusion: These results suggest that changes in androgen level of male rats have no influence on the peripheral basal pain threshold, and female gonadal hormone may inhibit the peripheral pain signaling and has no effect on thermal pain threshold.

Microestruturas de pêlos de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores: chave para identificação de espécies de agroecossistemas do estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Microstructures of the hair of non-volant small mammals: key to the identification of species from agroecosystems of the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Hair microstructure characteristics have been used for species identification in taxonomic, ecological, paleontological, archeological and forensic research. This study aims to describe the hair structure from small mammals commonly found in agroecosystems of the São Paulo State. The hairs were collected from the dorsal region of previously identified specimens collected in agricultural areas (sugar-cane plantations), pasture areas, silviculture areas (eucalyptus plantation) and fragments of native vegetation (semideciduos Atlantic Forest and Cerrado). Optic microscope was not effective for describing the form and the border of scales, which were described using scanning electronic microscope. A dichotomic key of identification is presented for 11 species of non-volant small mammals (seven rodents and four marsupials).

Características microestruturais dos pêlos vêm sendo usadas para identificação de espécies em pesquisas taxonômicas, ecológicas, paleontológicas, arqueológicas e forenses. Este estudo tem como objetivo a descrição da estrutura dos pêlos de algumas espécies de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores comumente encontrados em agroecossistemas do Estado de São Paulo. Os pêlos foram coletados do dorso de espécimes previamente identificados coletados em áreas de agricultura (canavial), pastagens, silvicultura (plantio de eucalipto) e fragmentos de vegetação nativa (floresta semidecídua e cerrado). O microscópio óptico apresentou limitações para a descrição do formato e borda das escamas, os quais foram descritos através do uso de microscópio eletrônico de varredura. Uma chave de identificação dicotômica é apresentada para 11 espécies de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores (sete roedores e quatro marsupiais).

Você conhece esta síndrome? / Do you know this syndrome?

A síndrome dos cabelos anágenos frouxos caracteriza-se por cabelos finos e rarefeitos que podem ser facilmente extraídos, de forma indolor, mediante leve tração. Acomete principalmente crianças. O tricograma evidencia 70% ou mais de pêlos anágenos desprovidos das bainhas radiculares interna e externa, apresentando cutícula enrugada em sua porção proximal. Apesar de benigno e auto-limitado, o distúrbio freqüentemente aflige os pais e deve ser diferenciado do eflúvio telógeno e da tricotilomania.

Loose anagen hair syndrome is characterized by thin and sparse hairs that can be easily extracted upon mild traction. The disorder affects predominantly children. Trichogram shows at least 70% of loose anagen hairs devoid of inner and outer hair sheaths, presenting a ruffled cuticle at the proximal portion. Although benign and self-limited, the disorder frequently concerns parents and should be further differentiated from telogen effluvium and trichotillomania.

The Relation Between Treatment Based on Differential Diagnosis of Syndromes and Trace Elements in the Hairs of Aplastic Anemia Patients / 中医杂志

12 trace elements from the hairs of 20 cases of aplastic anemia were examined and compared with that from hairs of normal people as control. Results showed that in Yin-deficient type patients, Li, Ca, Si, Cr markedly decreased; in Yangdeficient type patients, Zn, Mg, Ba, Si, Ca, Li markedly decreased, while all 12 trace elements decreased in patients of deficiencies of both Yin and Yang. New approaches were also offered for treatment of aplastic anemia on the basis of differential diagnosis.

Changes of physiological pain threshold in gonadectomized rats / 第二军医大学学报

Objective:To investigate the modulatory effect of gonadal hormone on peripheral pain.Methods:Orchiectomized and ovariectomized rats models were established.Radio heater and Von-Frey hair were used to determine the peripheral mechani- cal and thermal pain threshold in gonadectomized rats and their corresponding sham-controls.Results:The body weight was in- creased and the uterus weight was decreased after ovariectomy in female rats(P