A neglected normal anatomical structure in mammal: a study in bats and tree shrews / Una estructura anatómica normal desatendida en mamíferos: un estudio en murciélagos y musarañas arborícolas

SUMMARY: The myodural bridge is a dense connective tissue connecting muscles and ligaments to the spinal dura mater in the atlanto-occipital interspace. Some researchers believe that the myodural bridge may play a vital physiological role. It is possible, for instance, that the prevention of spinal dura mater infoldings might be involved in regulated cerebrospinal fluid circulation. For instance, it is possible to prevent spinal dura mater infoldings, regulating cerebrospinal circulation. Bats are nocturnal and the only mammals that can perform a genuine and sustained flight, whereas tree shrews are arboreal mammals that often climb to a high altitude of about 10,000 feet. Both animals have lifestyles that are different from other previously studied mammals. The study of these two animals will shed further light on the existence of the myodural bridge in mammals. Gross anatomical dissection was used to observe the connections between the deep muscles of the neck and the dura mater at the level of the atlanto-occipital interspace. The existing structures were analyzed using conventional and special histological staining techniques. The suboccipital regions in bats and tree shrews contained the rectus capitis dorsal major (RCDma), rectus capitis dorsal minor (RCDmi), oblique capitis anterior (OCA), and oblique capitis posterior (OCP). Dense connective tissue connects the RCDmi to the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane (PAOM) and the latter to the spinal dura mater. The myodural bridge in these mammals shares a similar structure to the myodural bridge in humans. Histological analyses confirmed that the connective fibers of the myodural bridge were primarily type I collagen fibers. In this study, it is supplemented by the existence of the myodural bridge in mammals. This further demonstrates that myodural bridge widely exists in the normal anatomy of mammals. This provides morphological support for a comparative anatomical study of the physiological function of the myodural bridge.

El puente miodural es un tejido conjuntivo denso que conecta los músculos y los ligamentos a la duramadre espinal en el espacio atlanto-occipital. Algunos investigadores creen que el puente miodural puede desempeñar un papel fisiológico vital. Es posible, por ejemplo, que la prevención de los pliegues de la duramadre espinal pueda estar involucrada en la circulación regulada del líquido cefalorraquídeo. En esta instancia, es posible prevenir los pliegues de la duramadre espinal, regulando la circulación cerebro espinal. Los murciélagos son animales nocturnos y los únicos mamíferos que pueden realizar un vuelo real y sostenido, mientras que las musarañas arborícolas son mamíferos arbóreos que a menudo ascienden a una gran altura de unos 10 000 pies. Ambos animales tienen estilos de vida diferentes a los de otros mamíferos previamente estudiados. El estudio de estos dos animales ofrecerá más información sobre la existencia del puente miodural en los mamíferos. Se realizó una disección anatómica macroscópica para observar las conexiones entre los músculos profundos del cuello y la duramadre a nivel del espacio atlanto-occipital. Las estructuras existentes se analizaron mediante técnicas de tinción histológica convencionales y especiales. Las regiones suboccipitales en murciélagos y musarañas arbóreas presentaban el músculo recto dorsal mayor de la cabeza (RCDma), el recto dorsal menor de la cabeza (RCDmi), el oblicuo anterior de la cabeza (OCA) y el oblicuo posterior de la cabeza (OCP). El tejido conjuntivo denso conecta el RCDmi con la membrana atlanto- occipital posterior (PAOM) y esta última con la duramadre espinal. El puente miodural en estos mamíferos comparte una estructura similar al puente miodural en humanos. Los análisis histológicos confirmaron que las fibras conectivas del puente miodural son principalmente fibras de colágeno tipo I. Esto demuestra además que el puente miodural existe ampliamente en la anatomía normal de los mamíferos. Esta investigación proporciona apoyo morfológico para un estudio anatómico comparativo de la función fisiológica del puente miodural.

Current understanding of an Emerging Coronavirus using in silico approach: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) / Compreensão atual de um coronavírus emergente usando abordagem in silico: síndrome respiratória aguda grave - coronavírus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Abstract Novel coronavirus (nCoV) namely "SARS-CoV-2" is being found responsible for current PANDEMIC commenced from Wuhan (China) since December 2019 and has been described with epidemiological linkage to China in about 221 countries and territories until now. In this study we have characterized the genetic lineage of SARS-CoV-2 and report the recombination within the genus and subgenus of coronaviruses. Phylogenetic relationship of thirty nine coronaviruses belonging to its four genera and five subgenera was analyzed by using the Neighbor-joining method using MEGA 6.0. Phylogenetic trees of full length genome, various proteins (spike, envelope, membrane and nucleocapsid) nucleotide sequences were constructed separately. Putative recombination was probed via RDP4. Our analysis describes that the "SARS-CoV-2" although shows great similarity to Bat-SARS-CoVs sequences through whole genome (giving sequence similarity 89%), exhibits conflicting grouping with the Bat-SARS-like coronavirus sequences (MG772933 and MG772934). Furthermore, seven recombination events were observed in SARS-CoV-2 (NC_045512) by RDP4. But not a single recombination event fulfills the high level of certainty. Recombination mostly housed in spike protein genes than rest of the genome indicating breakpoint cluster arises beyond the 95% and 99% breakpoint density intervals. Genetic similarity levels observed among "SARS-CoV-2" and Bat-SARS-CoVs advocated that the latter did not exhibit the specific variant that cause outbreak in humans, proposing a suggestion that "SARS-CoV-2" has originated possibly from bats. These genomic features and their probable association with virus characteristics along with virulence in humans require further consideration.

Resumo O novo coronavírus (nCoV), nomeadamente "SARS-CoV-2", foi considerado responsável pela pandemia atual iniciada em Wuhan (China) desde dezembro de 2019 e foi descrito com ligação epidemiológica à China em cerca de 221 países e territórios até agora. Neste estudo, caracterizamos a linhagem genética do SARS-CoV-2 e relatamos a recombinação dentro do gênero e subgênero dos coronavírus. A relação filogenética de 39 coronavírus pertencentes a seus quatro gêneros e cinco subgêneros foi analisada usando o método de Neighbour-joining usando MEGA 6.0. Árvores filogenéticas do genoma de comprimento total, várias proteínas (espícula, envelope, membrana e nucleocapsídeo), sequências de nucleotídeos foram construídas separadamente. A recombinação putativa foi testada via RDP4. Nossa análise descreve que o "SARS-CoV-2", embora mostre grande semelhança com as sequências de Bat-SARS-CoVs em todo o genoma (dando semelhança de sequência de 89%), exibe agrupamento conflitante com as sequências de coronavírus do tipo Bat-SARS (MG772933 e MG772934) Além disso, sete eventos de recombinação foram observados em SARS-CoV-2 (NC045512) por RDP4. Mas nem um único evento de recombinação preenche o alto nível de certeza. A recombinação está alojada mais em genes de proteína de pico, principalmente, do que no resto do genoma, indicando que o cluster de ponto de interrupção surge além dos intervalos de densidade de ponto de interrupção de 95% e 99%. Os níveis de similaridade genética observados entre "SARS-CoV-2" e Bat-SARS-CoVs defendem que o último não exibe a variante específica que causa surto em humanos, sugerindo que "SARS-CoV-2" tenha se originado possivelmente de morcegos. Essas características genômicas e sua provável associação com as características do vírus, juntamente com a virulência em humanos, requerem uma consideração mais aprofundada.

Current understanding of an Emerging Coronavirus usingin silico approach: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) / Compreensão atual de um coronavírus emergente usando abordagem in silico: síndrome respiratória aguda grave - coronavírus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Novel coronavirus (nCoV) namely "SARS-CoV-2" is being found responsible for current PANDEMIC commenced from Wuhan (China) since December 2019 and has been described with epidemiological linkage to China in about 221 countries and territories until now. In this study we have characterized the genetic lineage of SARS-CoV-2 and report the recombination within the genus and subgenus of coronaviruses. Phylogenetic relationship of thirty nine coronaviruses belonging to its four genera and five subgenera was analyzed by using the Neighbor-joining method using MEGA 6.0. Phylogenetic trees of full length genome, various proteins (spike, envelope, membrane and nucleocapsid) nucleotide sequences were constructed separately. Putative recombination was probed via RDP4. Our analysis describes that the "SARS-CoV-2" although shows great similarity to Bat-SARS-CoVs sequences through whole genome (giving sequence similarity 89%), exhibits conflicting grouping with the Bat-SARS-like coronavirus sequences (MG772933 and MG772934). Furthermore, seven recombination events were observed in SARS-CoV-2 (NC_045512) by RDP4. But not a single recombination event fulfills the high level of certainty. Recombination mostly housed in spike protein genes than rest of the genome indicating breakpoint cluster arises beyond the 95% and 99% breakpoint density intervals. Genetic similarity levels observed among "SARS-CoV-2" and Bat-SARS-CoVs advocated that the latter did not exhibit the specific variant that cause outbreak in humans, proposing a suggestion that "SARS-CoV-2" has originated possibly from bats. These genomic features and their probable association with virus characteristics along with virulence in humans require further consideration.

O novo coronavírus (nCoV), nomeadamente "SARS-CoV-2", foi considerado responsável pela pandemia atual iniciada em Wuhan (China) desde dezembro de 2019 e foi descrito com ligação epidemiológica à China em cerca de 221 países e territórios até agora. Neste estudo, caracterizamos a linhagem genética do SARS-CoV-2 e relatamos a recombinação dentro do gênero e subgênero dos coronavírus. A relação filogenética de 39 coronavírus pertencentes a seus quatro gêneros e cinco subgêneros foi analisada usando o método de Neighbour-joining usando MEGA 6.0. Árvores filogenéticas do genoma de comprimento total, várias proteínas (espícula, envelope, membrana e nucleocapsídeo), sequências de nucleotídeos foram construídas separadamente. A recombinação putativa foi testada via RDP4. Nossa análise descreve que o "SARS-CoV-2", embora mostre grande semelhança com as sequências de Bat-SARS-CoVs em todo o genoma (dando semelhança de sequência de 89%), exibe agrupamento conflitante com as sequências de coronavírus do tipo Bat-SARS (MG772933 e MG772934) Além disso, sete eventos de recombinação foram observados em SARS-CoV-2 (NC045512) por RDP4. Mas nem um único evento de recombinação preenche o alto nível de certeza. A recombinação está alojada mais em genes de proteína de pico, principalmente, do que no resto do genoma, indicando que o cluster de ponto de interrupção surge além dos intervalos de densidade de ponto de interrupção de 95% e 99%. Os níveis de similaridade genética observados entre "SARS-CoV-2" e Bat-SARS-CoVs defendem que o último não exibe a variante específica que causa surto em humanos, sugerindo que "SARS-CoV-2" tenha se originado possivelmente de morcegos. Essas características genômicas e sua provável associação com as características do vírus, juntamente com a virulência em humanos, requerem uma consideração mais aprofundada.

Current understanding of an Emerging Coronavirus using in silico approach: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Abstract Novel coronavirus (nCoV) namely SARS-CoV-2 is being found responsible for current PANDEMIC commenced from Wuhan (China) since December 2019 and has been described with epidemiological linkage to China in about 221 countries and territories until now. In this study we have characterized the genetic lineage of SARS-CoV-2 and report the recombination within the genus and subgenus of coronaviruses. Phylogenetic relationship of thirty nine coronaviruses belonging to its four genera and five subgenera was analyzed by using the Neighbor-joining method using MEGA 6.0. Phylogenetic trees of full length genome, various proteins (spike, envelope, membrane and nucleocapsid) nucleotide sequences were constructed separately. Putative recombination was probed via RDP4. Our analysis describes that the SARS-CoV-2 although shows great similarity to Bat-SARS-CoVs sequences through whole genome (giving sequence similarity 89%), exhibits conflicting grouping with the Bat-SARS-like coronavirus sequences (MG772933 and MG772934). Furthermore, seven recombination events were observed in SARS-CoV-2 (NC_045512) by RDP4. But not a single recombination event fulfills the high level of certainty. Recombination mostly housed in spike protein genes than rest of the genome indicating breakpoint cluster arises beyond the 95% and 99% breakpoint density intervals. Genetic similarity levels observed among SARS-CoV-2 and Bat-SARS-CoVs advocated that the latter did not exhibit the specific variant that cause outbreak in humans, proposing a suggestion that SARS-CoV-2 has originated possibly from bats. These genomic features and their probable association with virus characteristics along with virulence in humans require further consideration.

Resumo O novo coronavírus (nCoV), nomeadamente SARS-CoV-2, foi considerado responsável pela pandemia atual iniciada em Wuhan (China) desde dezembro de 2019 e foi descrito com ligação epidemiológica à China em cerca de 221 países e territórios até agora. Neste estudo, caracterizamos a linhagem genética do SARS-CoV-2 e relatamos a recombinação dentro do gênero e subgênero dos coronavírus. A relação filogenética de 39 coronavírus pertencentes a seus quatro gêneros e cinco subgêneros foi analisada usando o método de Neighbour-joining usando MEGA 6.0. Árvores filogenéticas do genoma de comprimento total, várias proteínas (espícula, envelope, membrana e nucleocapsídeo), sequências de nucleotídeos foram construídas separadamente. A recombinação putativa foi testada via RDP4. Nossa análise descreve que o SARS-CoV-2, embora mostre grande semelhança com as sequências de Bat-SARS-CoVs em todo o genoma (dando semelhança de sequência de 89%), exibe agrupamento conflitante com as sequências de coronavírus do tipo Bat-SARS (MG772933 e MG772934) Além disso, sete eventos de recombinação foram observados em SARS-CoV-2 (NC045512) por RDP4. Mas nem um único evento de recombinação preenche o alto nível de certeza. A recombinação está alojada mais em genes de proteína de pico, principalmente, do que no resto do genoma, indicando que o cluster de ponto de interrupção surge além dos intervalos de densidade de ponto de interrupção de 95% e 99%. Os níveis de similaridade genética observados entre SARS-CoV-2 e Bat-SARS-CoVs defendem que o último não exibe a variante específica que causa surto em humanos, sugerindo que SARS-CoV-2 tenha se originado possivelmente de morcegos. Essas características genômicas e sua provável associação com as características do vírus, juntamente com a virulência em humanos, requerem uma consideração mais aprofundada.

Value of unenhanced CT-based 5-point predictive score combined with blood glucose detection for predicting short-term prognosis in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the value of a 5-point predictive score based on unenhanced CT combined with blood glucose detection for predicting short-term prognosis in patients with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage.Methods:A total of 102 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage who received treatment in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from March 2020 to March 2022 were included in this study and analyzed retrospectively. Blood glucose level was measured and BAT score was used to evaluate hematoma enlargement. After 30 days, Glasgow Outcome Scale was used to evaluate the prognosis of patients. The relationships between blood glucose and BAT score, and between blood glucose and BAT score and prognosis were analyzed. The value of blood glucose and BAT score for predicting short-term prognosis was analyzed.Results:The Glasgow Outcome Scale results showed that among the 102 patients, 24 patients (23.53%) had poor prognosis. The BAT score and blood glucose level in patients with poor prognosis were (3.13 ± 0.68) points and (11.58 ± 2.30) mmol/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than (2.40 ± 0.59) points and (8.88 ± 1.71) mmol/L in patients with good prognosis ( t = 5.10, 5.30, both P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, blood glucose level was positively correlated with BAT score ( r = 0.43, P < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, blood glucose level and BAT level were positively correlated with prognosis ( r = 0.42, 0.47, both P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve plotted for BAT score combined with blood glucose level for predicting short-term prognosis was 0.874, which was significantly greater than the area under the curve plotted for BAT score alone for predicting short-term prognosis ( Z = 2.54, P < 0.05). Conclusion:A large proportion of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage have a poor prognosis. The patients with a poor prognosis have higher blood glucose levels and BAT scores than those with good prognosis. Blood glucose and BAT score have a high value for predicting the prognosis of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

First report on the detection of Japanese encephalitis virus in fruit bats from India

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito borne viral zoonotic disease and JE virus (JEV) is responsible for causing several children deaths every year in India. Since 1978, cases of JE have been reported from Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh state annually. The knowledge on the role played by wildlife reservoirs in the sylvatic transmission and maintenance of JE virus remains limited. Bats are reservoir hosts for several emerging and re-emerging viral pathogens but their role in zoonotic cycle of JEV has not been elucidated yet. In Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, 52 fruit bats were found dead on 26 May 2020. The post-mortem report of the bat samples conducted at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute stated that the bats died due to brain hemorrhage, caused by excessive heat. The brain tissue samples of the bats were subjected to investigation using molecular techniques to determine the presence of JEV. The present work reports for the first time the detection of JEV in brain samples of bats from India. The viral load ranging from 8 to 18 copies/reaction was detected in brain samples by TaqMan real Time RT-PCR. The low viral load might be the reason for the absence of apparent clinical signs in bats and suggests the probable role of fruit bats in maintaining the JEV in nature.

Predictive value of BAT score in the prognosis of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To study the predictive value of BAT score for the prognosis of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH).Methods:A retrospective analysis of 93 sICH patients in the Emergency Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from January 2018 to December 2020 was conducted, and the patients were classified into the good prognosis group ( n=34) and the poor prognosis group ( n=59) according to the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) 3 months after the discharge. Clinical data such as basic data of patients, admission vital signs, laboratory indicators, National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score and BAT score and other clinical data of the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors affecting poor prognosis of sICH patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze predictive value of BAT score for poor prognosis of sICH patients. Results:The admission systolic blood pressure, white blood cell count, hypertension complications, emergency BAT score and NIHSS score of patients in the poor prognosis group were significantly higher than those in the good prognosis group ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the admission systolic blood pressure ( OR=1.024, 95% CI: 1.002~1.046, P=0.035) and emergency BAT score ( OR=2.640, 95% CI: 1.445-4.825, P=0.002) could accurately predict the poor prognosis of sICH patients. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of BAT score was 0.792, the sensitivity was 79.3%, and the specificity was 76.5%. The AUC of systolic blood pressure for predicting poor prognosis of sICH patients was 0.701, and the sensitivity was 55.2%, and the specificity was 88.2%. The AUC of BAT score combined with systolic blood pressure for predicting poor prognosis of sICH patients was 0.835. Conclusions:BAT score and admission systolic blood pressure could more accurately predict poor prognosis of sICH patients. The combination of them had a higher efficacy in predicting poor prognosis of sICH patients after 3 months.

Filamentous fungi occurrence on Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766) (Chiroptera: Molossidae) present in an Atlantic Forest remnant in Southern Brazil / Ocorrência de fungos filamentosos em Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766) (Chiroptera: Molossidae) presentes em um remanescente da Mata Atlântica no Sul do Brasil

Abstract The bats usually inhabit shelters with favorable conditions for fungal proliferation, including pathogenic and opportunistic species. The fungal diversity present on bats is little known and the studies are scarce in Brazil, which only a work has been performed in Cerrado and Pantanal biomes. Therefore, the objective of this study was evaluating the occurrence of filamentous fungi on the rostral region of Molossus molossus in an Atlantic Forest remnant of Brazil. The bats were captured with mist nets installed outside a shelter located in the municipality of Treviso, (28°29'23"S and 49°31'23"W), south region of state Santa Catarina. With a swab sterile moistened in saline solution, samples from the rostral region were obtained from all captured M. molossus individuals. The samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis and isolation in different culture media, followed of identification of fungal through the microculture technique. In total, 15 individuals were captured, which five fungal genus and 19 taxa were identified. Among the taxa registered, Aspergillioides sp.2, (47%), Penicillium sp.1 (33%), Chrysonilia sp. (33%), Cladosporium sp. (27%) were classified as little constant. In terms of abundance, Penicillium sp.1 (34%), Aspergillioides sp.2 (21%) and Aspergillus sp.2 (11%) were the most abundant in the samples. The results showed the occurrence of high diversity fungal in the rostral region of M. molossus in the Atlantic Forest, which is higher than observed in others Brazilian biomes. Some fungal genera found may harbor pathogenic and opportunistic species that need to be identified for preventing potential disease well as for bat conservation projects.

Resumo Os morcegos comumente abrigam-se em locais com condições favoráveis para proliferação fúngica, incluindo espécies patogênicas e oportunistas. A diversidade fúngica presente nos morcegos é pouco conhecida e os estudos são escassos no Brasil, no qual apenas um trabalho tem sido realizado nos biomas do Cerrado e Pantanal. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de fungos filamentosos na região rostral de Molossus molossus em um remanescente da Mata Atlântica no sul do Brasil. Os morcegos foram capturados com redes-de-neblina instaladas na saída de um abrigo localizado no município de Treviso (28°29'23"S e 49°31'23"W), região sul do estado de Santa Catarina. Com um swab esterilizado e umedecido em solução salina, amostras da região rostral foram obtidas de todos os indivíduos de M. molossus capturados. As amostras foram levadas ao laboratório para análise e isolamento em diferentes meios de cultura, seguido de identificação taxonômica fúngica pela técnica de microcultivo. No total, 15 indivíduos foram capturados, nos quais 5 gêneros fúngicos e 19 taxa foram identificados. Dentre os taxa registrados foram classificados como pouco constante Aspergillioides sp.2, (47%), Penicillium sp.1 (33%), Chrysonilia sp. (33%), Cladosporium sp. (27%). Em termos de abundância, Penicillium sp.1 (34%), Aspergillioides sp.2 (21%) e Aspergillus sp.2 (11%) foram os mais abundantes nas amostras. Os resultados mostraram ocorrência de elevada riqueza de fungos na região rostral de M. molossus na Mata Atlântica, riqueza essa que é superior àquela observada para outros biomas brasileiros. Alguns gêneros fúngicos encontrados podem abrigar espécies patogênicas e oportunistas que precisam ser identificadas tanto para prevenir potenciais doenças, assim como, para os projetos de conservação dos morcegos.

Predictive risk model of livestock rabies occurrence in Peru / Modelo de risco preditivo para a ocorrência da raiva bovina no Peru

Livestock rabies is endemic in Peru. Hence, its persistence and annual dissemination represent an important economic impact, especially for impoverished farming communities. The disease is mostly transmitted by the hematophagous bat Desmodus rotundus. The present study aimed to adapt an existing predictive model of the occurrence of livestock rabies to Peru, in which the risk of rabies transmission from bats to livestock was estimated using decision-tree models of receptivity and vulnerability. Official rabies surveillance data between 2010 and 2015 were used along with possible risk factors, such as livestock biomass, environmental changes, and geomorphological characteristics. Several scenarios were established to evaluate the prediction of the occurrence of livestock rabies cases by determining more than one cut-off point of the receptivity variables. During the study period, the precision of the model was estimated through the sensitivity (39.46%) and specificity (98.64%) by using confusion matrices. Targeting control efforts, especially in districts with a high estimated risk, could represent the prevention of a significant proportion of livestock rabies cases, which would optimize the human and economic resources of the Peruvian surveillance service. However, the quality of data produced by the surveillance should be improved not only to obtain higher model precision but also to allow the adequate planning of control actions.(AU)

Raiva de herbívoros é endêmica no Peru. Consequentemente, sua disseminação persistente e anual representa um importante impacto econômico, especialmente às comunidades rurais empobrecidas. A doença é principalmente transmitida pelo morcego hematófago Desmodus rotundus. Este estudo tem por objetivo adaptar um modelo preditivo pré-existente às ocorrências de raiva de herbívoros no Peru, no qual o risco de transmissão de morcegos para os herbívoros foi estimado por meio de árvores de cenários de receptividade e vulnerabilidade. Foram usados os dados oficiais de vigilância da raiva entre 2010 e 2015, assim como os possíveis fatores de risco, tais quais a biomassa de animais, alterações ambientais e características geomorfológicas. Diversos cenários foram criados para avaliar a predição da ocorrência da raiva por meio da determinação de diversos pontos de corte das variáveis de receptividade. Durante o período de estudo, a precisão do modelo foi estimada por meio da sensibilidade (39,46%) e especificidade (98,64%), utilizando matrizes de confusão. Focando em esforços de controle, especialmente em distritos com elevado risco estimado, seria possível prevenir uma proporção significativa dos focos, o que poderia otimizar os recursos humanos e econômicos do serviço oficial peruano. Entretanto, a qualidade dos dados produzidos pelo sistema de vigilância deveria ser melhorada não somente para obter maior precisão do modelo, mas também para possibilitar o melhor planejamento das ações de controle desta doença.(AU)

Frugivorous bat (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) community structure and trophic relations in Atlantic Forest fragments

We evaluated the structure of a community of frugivorous bats using composition and abundance patterns, niche amplitude and food overlap of these animals in four Atlantic Forest fragments, each one exposed to different conservation realities. For twelve months, we captured six bat species and found the seeds of 13 species of pioneering plants in 158 fecal samples. The most abundant bat species were Artibeus planirostris (25.4%), Artibeus lituratus (24.1%) and Carollia perspicillata(23.9%). Only one fragment (Fazenda Unida), the most conserved area, exhibited a significantly different composition and abundance of species. We found low trophic niche amplitude values (<0.60), associated to high food overlaps. Our results suggest that bats can adjust their foraging strategy to deal with food availability variations. By favoring pioneering plant species, the fragmentation process noted of the studied areas creates an attractive environment for bats more tolerant to this type of disturbance. The sampled areas represent important secondary forest remnants in southern Brazil that require attention to avoid an even greater loss of bat diversity.

Refugios diurnos del murciélago Rhynchonycteris naso (Chiroptera: Emballonuridae) en Laguna de Términos, Campeche, México / Diurnal roosts of the bat Rhynchonycteris naso (Chiroptera: Emballonuridae) in Laguna de Términos, Campeche, Mexico

Introducción: La selección de refugios diurnos es un proceso crucial para los murciélagos debido a su influencia en la ecología, organización social y supervivencia de sus poblaciones. El murciélago narigón (Rhynchonycteris naso) es una especie protegida por leyes de México, cuyos refugios y zonas de forrajeo, están estrictamente asociados a cuerpos de agua, principalmente ríos. Por lo tanto, cambios en la calidad del agua suponen un riesgo para sus poblaciones. Sin embargo, el conocimiento sobre el estado actual de sus poblaciones y refugios diurnos en México, es escaso. Objetivo: Ubicar y describir los refugios diurnos de R. naso y evaluar la relación del tamaño del grupo de murciélagos con las características de los refugios, la salinidad y el pH del agua donde habitan. Métodos: De marzo a octubre 2015, se realizaron búsquedas de refugios diurnos mediante recorridos en lancha a lo largo de ríos, arroyos y lagunas, en once sitios del Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna Laguna de Términos, Campeche México. Por cada refugio localizado se registró el tamaño del grupo y su acomodo en el refugio, el tipo de refugio, el tipo de vegetación, la cobertura, la distancia entre refugios, el diámetro del tronco, la salinidad y el pH. Para investigar el efecto de las variables registradas en los refugios sobre el tamaño de cada grupo, se ajustaron Modelos Lineales Generalizados. Resultados: Encontramos 48 refugios en troncos secos, cortezas de árboles y puentes, asociados a cuerpos de agua dulce y oligohalina, principalmente en vegetación de manglar. El promedio (± EE) del tamaño del grupo fue de 5.3 ± 0.48 para los refugios naturales y de 22.6 ± 9.54 para los artificiales. Encontramos una relación significativa con el tipo de refugio, el tipo de vegetación y el diámetro del tronco. Los refugios con tamaño de grupo mayores presentaron un acomodo agregado. Se localizaron 40 refugios sobre cuerpos de agua dulce y ocho en oligohalina con alto nivel de agrupamiento. Conclusiones: La mayor incidencia de refugios en sitios de agua dulce y ligeramente ácida, es explicada bajo la teoría del óptimo forrajeo. Debido a que el área de estudio se encuentra en el límite de su distribución, el manglar representa el tipo de vegetación más importante para garantizar la permanencia de las poblaciones de R. naso. Adicionalmente, debido a que en algunas porciones de la zona de estudio no fue posible encontrar refugios, es crucial llevar a cabo estudios sobre la calidad del agua y los niveles de contaminación en la región. Este estudio proporciona información relevante sobre las poblaciones del murciélago Rhynchonycteris naso con implicaciones directas sobre su conservación en zonas ribereñas y humedales costeros.

Introduction: The selection of day-roost is a crucial process for bats because it influences the ecology, social organization, and survivorship aspects of their populations. Proboscis bat (Rhynchonycteris naso) is a protected species by Mexican law, whose foraging and roosting areas are strongly associated with bodies of water, primarily rivers. Therefore, alterations in the water quality pose a risk to their populations. However, knowledge of the current state of their populations and roosting ecology is very poor in Mexico. Objectives: To locate and to describe R. naso's diurnal roosts, and to evaluate the relationship of the group size per roost with the characteristics of the diurnal roost, the salinity and pH of the water where they inhabit. Methods: From March to October 2015, we searched diurnal roost through boat tours along rivers, streams, and lagoons, in eleven sites in the Laguna de Términos Flora and Fauna Protection Area, Campeche, Mexico. For each localized roost, we recorded the group size, and their spatial distribution, the type of roost and vegetation, the distance between roosts, the diameter of trunk, the salinity, and pH. In order to investigate the effect of the variables recorded in diurnal roost on size group, generalized linear models were adjusted. Results: We found 48 diurnal roost in dead tree-trunks, tree bark and bridges, associated with freshwater, and oligohaline bodies, mainly in mangrove vegetation. The average size of the groups was 5.3 ± 0.48 and 22.6 ± 9.54 in natural and artificial roosts, respectively. We found a significant relationship with the type of roost, type of vegetation and diameter of trunk. Roosts with larger groups of bats presented an aggregated distribution. We located 40 diurnal roosts on freshwater bodies and eight in oligohaline with a high grouping level. Conclusions: Greater incidence of roost in fresh and lightly acid water is explained under optimal foraging theory. Because the study area is found in the limit of their distribution, mangrove is a very important vegetation type to guarantee the establishment of R. naso populations. Also, due no roosts were found in some portions of the study zone, quality of water, and contaminant level studies are crucial. This study provides relevant information on their populations with direct implications for the conservation in coastal areas.

Notoginsenoside Ft1 acts as a TGR5 agonist but FXR antagonist to alleviate high fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice

Obesity and its associated complications are highly related to a current public health crisis around the world. A growing body of evidence has indicated that G-protein coupled bile acid (BA) receptor TGR5 (also known as Gpbar-1) is a potential drug target to treat obesity and associated metabolic disorders. We have identified notoginsenoside Ft1 (Ft1) from

Variables del rendimiento de los bateadores del béisbol cubano utilizando el sensor Blast Motion Baseball / Variáveis do desempenho dos batedores do basebol cubano utilizando o Sensor de Basebol de Movimento de Explosão / Variables in the Cuban baseball batter's performance using the Blast Motion Baseball sensor

Resumen La introducción de las nuevas tecnologías en el béisbol ha optimizado los sistemas para el registro y análisis de información, tanto en el entrenamiento como en el juego, contribuyendo a un control más exacto del rendimiento de un jugador. En el presente trabajo, se aplica el sensor Blast Motion Baseball cuyo objetivo es identificar las variables significativamente influyentes en el rendimiento de los bateadores en el béisbol cubano. Se eligieron bateadores (N=24) pertenecientes a la Serie Nacional de béisbol LIX debido a que constituye el evento nacional de mayor nivel del béisbol cubano. La información fue registrada en prácticas de bateo, mientras el bateador ejecutaba la tarea de conectar bolas lanzadas por el entrenador de frente (front toss), por encima del brazo a una distancia de 30 pies y a una velocidad inferior a las 50 mph. Posteriormente, se compararon los resultados del Blast Motion Baseball con las estadísticas oficiales de la Serie Nacional de Béisbol LIX. Se demostró que los bateadores con mayor velocidad del bate, mayor velocidad máxima de las manos y mayor potencia lograron un mayor rendimiento ofensivo. Por tanto, conocer en tiempo real estas características del swing contribuyen a perfeccionar el proceso de entrenamiento y predecir el rendimiento deportivo de un bateador.

Resumo A introdução de novas tecnologias no basebol otimizou os sistemas de gravação e análise de informação, tanto no treino como no jogo, contribuindo para um controlo mais preciso do desempenho de um jogador. No presente trabalho, é aplicado o Sensor de basebol Blast Motion. O seu objetivo é identificar as variáveis que influenciam significativamente o desempenho dos batedores no basebol cubano. Os batedores (N=24) pertencentes à Série Nacional de basebol LIX foram escolhidos porque constitui o evento nacional de mais alto nível do basebol cubano. A informação foi registada durante o treino de batedores, enquanto o batedor executava a tarefa de ligar bolas lançadas pelo treinador a partir do lançamento frontal, sobre o braço a uma distância de 30 pés e a uma velocidade inferior a 50 mph. Os resultados do Blast Motion Baseball foram então comparados com as estatísticas oficiais da Série Nacional de Basebol LIX. Foi demonstrado que batedores com maiores velocidades de taco, maiores velocidades de mão superior, e mais potência alcançaram um maior desempenho ofensivo. Portanto, conhecer estas características do balanço em tempo real ajuda a refinar o processo de treino e a prever o desempenho atlético de um batedor.

Abstract The introduction of new technologies in baseball has optimized the systems for recording and analyzing information, both in training and in the game, contributing to a more accurate control of a player's performance. In this work, it is applied the Blast Motion Baseball sensor which objective is to identify the variables significantly influencing the performance of batters in Cuban baseball. There were chosen batters (N=24) belonging to the National Baseball Series LIX because it constitutes the national event of higher level in Cuban baseball. The information was recorded during batting practice, while the batter was performing the task of connecting balls thrown by the coach from the front toss, over the arm at a distance of 30 feet and at a speed of less than 50 mph. The results of Blast Motion Baseball were then compared with the official statistics of the LIX National Baseball Series. It was shown that batters with higher bat speed, higher top hand speed and more power achieved greater offensive performance. Therefore, knowing these characteristics of the swing in real time helps to perfect the training process and predict the sports performance of a batter.

Un registro de hipertrofia del trago del murciélago frugívoro de gran tamaño Artibeus lituratus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) / A record of hypertrophy of the tragus of great fruit-eating bat Artibeus lituratus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Resumen En este trabajo, reportamos y describimos evidencia de una anomalía en el trago de un individuo de Artibeus lituratus, capturado en los Andes Centrales de Colombia. En junio de 2019, durante un trabajo de campo en el Departamento de Caldas, municipio de Aranzazu, quedó atrapado un individuo de A. lituratus con inusual forma de trago. Este individuo tenía un trago de forma cilíndrica y asimetría. El individuo fue recogido y depositado en el Museo de Historia Natural de la Universidad de Caldas (MHN-UCa). Se realizó una revisión de la literatura para encontrar casos similares utilizando motores de búsqueda, pero no se encontraron informes previos de la anomalía. Además, revisamos el trago de los especímenes en el MHNUCa y ninguno de ellos presentaba malformaciones similares. Concluimos que esta anomalía no se había registrado previamente en Chiroptera.

Abstract In this work, we report and describe evidence of an anomaly in the tragus of an individual of Artibeus lituratus, captured in the Central Andes of Colombia. During field work in the Department of Caldas, municipality of Aranzazu, one individual of A. lituratus with unusual tragus form was trapped. This individual had a tragus with cylindrical shape and asymmetry. The individual was collected and deposited at the Museum of Natural History of the University of Caldas (MHN-UCa). A literature review was conducted to find similar cases using searching engines, but no previous reports of the anomaly were find. Furthermore, we reviewed the tragus of vouchers at the MHN-UCa and none of these had similar malformations. We concluded that this anomaly has not previously registered in Chiroptera.

The Role Of Morphological Traits On The Batting Performance Of Cricket Batsmen – A Review Study

Background: The batting performance is assessed by considering the batting average and strike rate of a batsman. With the induction of T-20 cricket matches, the strike rate of a batsman has gained much attention from coaches and team management. To increase the strike rate a batsman required to hit powerful shots for boundaries, which assist in making maximum scores at the minimum ball. Therefore, this investigation was planned to determine the effect of body size on the batting performance of cricket batsman. Methods: the literature for this study was selected for cricket coaching manual, cricket books, cricket batting videos, a biography of cricket batsmen, research articles. The academic documents were downloaded and shortlisted from Google Scholar, Research Gate, EBSCO, and ProQuest from 1990 to 2019. Results: The synthesized literature review concludes, stature, longer legs, longer arms, and lean body mass of a batsman show positive effects on the execution of powerful shots in cricket. Furthermore, the maximum strength of muscles assists a batsman to boost up the initial velocity of bat swing to accomplish the ball speed for a successful and powerful shot. Conclusions: Although stature and longer limbs of batsmen are associated with batting performance. On the other hand, the specific training would also enhance the capacity of cricket batsman for powerful shots in cricket. A future study was proposed to investigate the effect of training on the batting performance.

First record of Cynomops planirostris (Peters, 1865) (Chiroptera, Molossidae) from Maranhão state, Brazil, based on morphological and molecular data / Primeiro registro de Cynomops planirostris (Peters, 1865) (Chiroptera, Molossidae) para o Estado do Maranhão, com base em dados morfológicos e moleculares

Abstract Based on morphological and molecular data, we present the first record of Cynomops planirostris for the State of Maranhão. The specimen was collected in the Inhamum Municipal Environmental Protection Area in Maranhão, Brazil and characterized morphologically as an adult male with scrotal testicles, dorsal pelage reddish chestnut, with ventral pelage slightly lighter in color, forearm length 34.70-34.80mm dental formula i:1/1, c:1/1, pm:1/2, m:3/3 = 26. The sequence of the Cytochrome Oxidase I subunit (COI) molecular marker confirmed the morphological diagnosis of the specimen as C. planirostris with significant similarities. The combined analysis of both morphological and molecular confirmed the occurrence of C. planirostris in the Brazilian state of Maranhão, in the Cerrado biome and records extends the known geographic distribution of the species by 411.30 km.

Resumo Com base em dados morfológicos e moleculares apresenta-se o primeiro registro de Cynomops planirostris para o Estado do Maranhão. O espécime foi coletado na Área de Proteção Ambiental Municipal do Inhamum, no Maranhão, Brasil e caracterizado morfologicamente como um macho adulto com testículos escrotal, coloração da pelagem dorsal castanho avermelhado, pelagem ventral levemente mais clara, comprimento do antebraço variando de 34,70-34,80mm, fórmula dentária: i:1/1, c:1/1, pm:1/2, m:3/3=26. A sequência do marcador molecular Citocromo Oxidase subunidade I (COI) confirmou a diagnose morfológica do espécime com C. planirostris com significante similaridade. A combinação dos dados morfológicos e moleculares confirmou a ocorrência da espécie C. planirostris para o estado brasileiro do Maranhão, no bioma Cerrado e registra a distribuição geográfica da espécie em 411.30 Km.

Review of the distribution of Lophostoma carrikeri (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), with range extension to transitional vegetation zones in the southwestern Amazon

Lophostoma carrikeri has been mostly recorded within the Amazon biome. There are scarce records in the northern Brazilian Amazon, but also records outside this biome, which were neglected in literature. The aim of this study was to update and extend the distribution of L. carrikeri. Seven new localities in Brazil were provided, including the first records for the states of Rondônia and Mato Grosso, filling a large gap in the species distribution, and three additional records for the state of Pará. Our results reinforce the notion that L. carrikeri is widely distributed in the Amazon, but is also present in other biomes in Brazil, such as Caatinga, Cerrado, and transitional areas. (AU)

Moscas de murciélagos en algunas localidades de la costa peruana / Bat flies in some localities of the Peruvian coast

Resumen En el Perú se registran al menos 180 especies de murciélagos. Sin embargo, son pocos los estudios acerca de sus ectoparásitos, dentro de los cuales destacan las denominadas moscas de murciélagos (Diptera: Streblidae y Nycteribiidae), en los cuales se estima un total de 158 especies en la región Neotropical. En el Perú, una de las regiones con menos información es la costa. En este estudio actualizamos el conocimiento de las asociaciones ectoparásito-hospedero en murciélagos de la costa peruana, una de las regiones ecologicas con más degradación y pérdida de hábitat. Se evaluaron cinco localidades en las regiones de Piura, Lima y Tacna. Se capturaron 85 murciélagos pertenecientes a 7 especies; 4 de Phyllostomidae, 2 de Molossidae y 1 de Vespertilionidae. Se encontraron seis especies de dípteros (Diptera: Streblidae) y un hemíptero (Hemiptera: Polyctenidae) y se reporta por primera vez algunas de estas asociaciones en las regiones de Lima y Piura. Se reporta también a Anoura peruana como hospedero de Anastrebla modestini (Streblidae) en una colonia reproductiva compartida con Platalina genovensium, y por primera vez para la región de Piura, el co-parasitismo de los estréblidos Megistopoda aranea, Aspidoptera phyllostomatis y Metelasmus pseudopterus en un mismo individuo de Artibeus fraterculus.

Abstract There are at least 180 species of bats in Peru. However, there are few studies about ectoparasites of bats, among which the so-called bat flies (Diptera: Streblidae and Nycteribiidae) stand out, with a total of 158 species estimated for the Neotropical region. In Peru, one of the ecological regions with the least information is the coast. In this study we updated the knowledge of the ectoparasite-host associations in bats from the Peruvian coast, one of the regions of the country with the most degradation and loss of habitat. Five locations in the Piura, Lima and Tacna regions were evaluated. 85 bats belonging to 7 species were captured: 4 from Phyllostomidae, 2 from Molossidae and 1 from Vespertilionidae. Six dipterous species (Diptera: Streblidae) and one Hemiptera species (Hemiptera: Polyctenidae) were found and some of these associations are reported for the first time in the Lima and Piura regions. Anoura peruana is also reported as the host of Anastrebla modestini (Streblidae) in a reproductive colony shared with Platalina genovensium, and for the first time for the Piura region, the co-parasitism of the Megistopoda aranea, Aspidoptera phyllostomatis and Metelasmus pseudopterus in a same individual of Artibeus fraterculus.

The branched-chain amino acid transaminase 1 -23c/g polymorphism confers protection against acute coronary syndrome

ABSTRACT Background: Previous studies have shown an association between polymorphisms of the BAT1-NF-κB inhibitor-like-1 (NFKBIL1)-LTA genomic region and susceptibility to myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Objective: The objective of the study was to study the role of three polymorphisms in the BAT1, NFKBIL1, and LTA genes on the susceptibility or protection against ACS; we included a group of cases-controls from Central Mexico. Methods: The BAT1 rs2239527C/G, NFKBIL1 rs2071592T/A, and LTA rs1800683G/A polymorphisms were genotyped using a 5' TaqMan assay in a group of 625 patients with ACS and 617 healthy controls. Results: Under a recessive model, the BAT1 -23C/G (rs2239527) polymorphism showed an association with protection against ACS (odds ratio = 0.56, and p-corrected = 0.019). In contrast, the genotype and allele frequencies of the NFKBIL1 rs2071592T/A and LTA rs1800683G/A polymorphisms were similar between ACS patients and controls and no association was identified. Conclusion: Our data suggest an association between the BAT1 -23C/G polymorphism and protection against ACS in Mexican patients.