Hematological reference values for Alouatta palliata (Primates: Atelidae) and Cebus imitator (Primates: Cebidae) from the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica / Valores de referencia hematológicos para Alouatta palliata (Primates: Atelidae) y Cebus imitator (Primates: Cebidae) de la costa Pacífica de Costa Rica

Abstract Introduction: Wildlife hematological patterns are fundamental for health monitoring, and allows elucidating variations both within and between populations. Among these, hematological parameters are particularly valuable to evaluate the health status of neotropical primate species in the wild. Objective: To define hematological reference values for two species of monkeys in Costa Rica. Methods: During 2014, we collected blood samples from free-ranging mantled howler monkeys, Alouatta palliata (17 females, 18 males) and white-faced capuchin monkeys, Cebus imitator (5 females, 7 males) in seven localities of the Costa Rican Pacific coast. Results: For both species, the hematological values were higher in males, and howler monkey populations differed significantly except for platelets. Conclusions: These hematological values, which differ by sex and locality, will help evaluate the health status of these neotropical primate populations.

Resumen Introducción: Los patrones hematológicos de la vida silvestre son fundamentales para el monitoreo de la salud y permiten dilucidar las variaciones tanto dentro como entre poblaciones. Entre estos, los parámetros hematológicos son particularmente valiosos para evaluar el estado de salud de las especies de primates neotropicales en la naturaleza. Objetivo: Definir valores de referencia hematológicos para dos especies de monos en Costa Rica. Métodos: Durante el 2014 recolectamos muestras de sangre de monos aulladores de manto, Alouatta palliata (17 hembras, 18 machos) y monos capuchinos cariblancos, Cebus imitador (5 hembras, 7 machos) en siete localidades de la costa Pacífica de Costa Rica. Resultados: Para ambas especies, los valores hematológicos fueron mayores en los machos, y las poblaciones de monos aulladores difirieron significativamente con excepción de las plaquetas. Conclusiones: Estos valores hematológicos, que difieren según el sexo y la localidad, ayudarán a evaluar el estado de salud de estas poblaciones de primates neotropicales.

The Study of Correlation Between Bronchiectasis Severity Index and FACED Score for Assessment of Severity of Bronchiectasis

Introduction: Two different validated scores are currently used to assess the severity of bronchiectasis: the FACED score and the Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI). The study was conducted to evaluate clini-cal etiology in bronchiectasis patients. And to compare the results of the assessment of bronchiectasis severity obtained via FACED and BSI scores. Methods: The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in the outpatients of the department of respiratory medicine. Detailed clinical history and necessary investigations were done. BSI and the FACED score were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS package. Results: According to the FACED score, we found 28 patients with mild bronchiectasis, 17 with moder-ate, and 5 with severe bronchiectasis. The frequency of patients with low, intermediate, and high BSI was 24, 21, and 5, respectively. Moreover, we observed a weak but statistically significant association of 43% agreement between FACED and BSI scores: Fisher’s exact test(p=0.399), tau-b de Kendall (-0.123; p = 0.337) and kappa test (0.032; p = 0.878). Conclusions: There is a small but significant correlation between the two scales (BSI and FACED). a ten-dency is observed for patients to be classified with a higher BSI compared to the FACED score.

Avipoxvirus detected in tumor-like lesions in a white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata) / Avipoxvirus detectado em lesões tipo tumorais em uma marreca-irerê (Dendrocygna viduata)

Avipoxvirus is the etiological agent of the avian pox, a well-known disease of captive and wild birds, and it has been associated with tumor-like lesions in some avian species. A white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna viduata) raised in captivity was referred to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Northeast due to cutaneous nodules present in both wings. A few days after the clinical examination, the animal died naturally. Once submitted to necropsy, histopathological evaluation of the lesions revealed clusters of proliferating epithelial cells expanding toward the dermis. Some of these cells had round, well-defined, intracytoplasmic eosinophilic material suggestive of poxvirus inclusion (Bollinger bodies). PCR performed on the DNA extracted from tissue samples amplified a fragment of the 4b core protein gene (fpv167), which was purified and sequenced. This fragment of Avipoxvirus DNA present in these tumor-like lesions showed high genetic homology (100.0%) with other poxviruses detected in different avian species in several countries, but none of them were related to tumor-like lesions or squamous cell carcinoma. This is the first report of Avipoxvirus detected in tumor-like lesions of a white-faced whistling duck with phylogenetic analysis of the virus.(AU)

Avipoxvirus é o agente etiológico da varíola (bouba) aviária, uma doença bem descrita em aves de cativeiro e selvagens, tendo sido associada a lesões semelhantes a tumores em algumas dessas espécies. Uma marreca piadeira (Dendrocygna viduata), criada em cativeiro, foi atendida em um Hospital Veterinário na região nordeste devido à presença de nódulos cutâneos em ambas as asas. Alguns dias após o exame clínico, o animal veio a óbito naturalmente. A ave foi submetida à necropsia e coletados fragmentos das lesões para análise histopatológica, que revelou proliferação de células epiteliais expandindo para a derme. Algumas dessas células possuíam material eosinofílico intracitoplasmático e bem definido, sugestivo de inclusão de poxvírus (corpúsculos de Bollinger). A PCR realizada a partir do DNA extraído de amostras das lesões amplificou um fragmento do gene da proteína do núcleo 4b (fpv 167), que foi purificado e sequenciado. Esse fragmento de DNA de Avipoxvirus presente nas lesões relevou alta homologia genética (100,0%) com outros poxvírus detectados em diferentes espécies de aves em vários países, mas nenhum deles estava relacionado a lesões tumorais ou carcinoma espinocelular. Este é o primeiro relato de Avipoxvirus detectado em lesões semelhantes a tumores em uma marreca piadeira com caracterização molecular do vírus.(AU)

Reporte de dieta del Periquito de Cara Amarilla (Forpus xanthops) en el Bosque Tropical Estacionalmente Seco del Marañón, Perú

Resumen Se documentan los registros de las observaciones de campo de Forpus xanthops. Entre 2013 y 2018, ocho observaciones muestran a F. xanthops alimentándose en diversos lugares del bosque tropical estacionalmente seco del Marañón (BTES-Marañón) en Cajamarca y Amazonas. Estos registros muestran que algunos ítems en su dieta son especies de cactus, como Espostoa lanata (Kunth) Britton & Rose, Espostoa mirabilis F. Ritte, Armatocereus rauhii Backeb siendo estas dos últimas especies endémicas de Perú; también se presentan registros de alimentación en Parkinsonia praecox (Ruiz & Pav.) Hawkins, Eriotheca discolor (Kunth) A. Robyns, Ochroma pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.) Urb. y las especies frutales Spondias purpurea L. y Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck.

Abstract Field observation records of Forpus xanthops are documented. Between 2013 and 2018, eight observations show F. xanthops feeding in various places in the seasonally dry tropical forest of the Marañón (BTES-Marañón) in Cajamarca and Amazonas. These records show that some items in their diet are cactus species, such as Espostoa lanata (Kunth) Britton & Rose, Espostoa mirabilis F. Ritte, Armatocereus rauhii Backeb, the latter two species being endemic to Peru. Feeding records include also Parkinsonia praecox (Ruiz & Pav.) Hawkins, Eriotheca discolor (Kunth) A. Robyns, Ochroma pyramidale (Cav. ex Lam.) Urb. and the fruit species Spondias purpurea L. and Citrus sinensis (L .) Osbeck.

Correlation of serum parameters with disease severity, exacerbations and hospitalizations in patients with Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis

Background: The factors essential to define the severity and the prognosis of subjects with NCFB have not been sufficiently assessed. A prospective observational study was conducted to assess the serum parameters, their correlation with BSI (bronchiectasis severity index) and FACED (FEV1% predicted, age, chronic colonization by pseudomonas aeruginosa, extension by radiological assessment and dyspnoea) score in assessing disease severity and respiratory hospitalizations in patients with NCFB.Methods: About 76 clinically stable patients diagnosed as NCFB were included. Data extraction was done using structured proforma. The BSI and FACED scores were calculated. The serum parameters albumin, CRP (C-reactive protein), ANC (Absolute neutrophil count) and Hb (hemoglobin) levels were estimated. The number of exacerbations and hospitalizations during the 6 months follow up period were recorded.Results: The mean value of the serum parameters albumin, CRP, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and Hb were 3.86 (95% CI 3.77- 3.95), 19.61 (95% CI 15.53 -23.68), 8632.95 (95% CI 7258.5-10068) and 12.3 (95% CI 11.84- 12.74) respectively. There was strong negative correlation between serum albumin and the BSI and FACED score. The mean exacerbations and hospitalizations during the 6 months follow up period were 3.3 (95% CI 2.93-3.65) and 1.14 (95% CI 0.85-1.44) respectively.Conclusions: The serum albumin level exhibited strong correlation and was identified as a variable associated with the BSI and FACED scores. Further studies in this direction are needed for use of serum parameters in severity assessment.

Difficulties Faced by Nurses Newly Assigned to a Palliative Care Ward: Based on Interviews at 3 Points after Their Assignment

<p>Objective: To clarify the care-related difficulties faced by nurses newly assigned to a palliative care ward, and develop future perspectives on education and support for such nurses. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 4 nurses at 3 points: 1) immediately, 2) 10 months, and 3) 1 year and 6 months after their assignment to the palliative care ward. The obtained data were analyzed, adopting the content analysis method developed by K. Krippendorff. Results: The difficulties faced by the nurses at each point included: 1) [realizing their own insufficient understanding of palliative care and repeating trials and errors to appropriately manage each situation] and [considering methods to benefit the most from their knowledge related to general wards, while developing anxiety over differences between such wards and this one]; 2) [becoming aware of the significance of active listening to patients with a short life expectancy and realizing their limited skills for it] and [difficulties and dilemmas caused by conflicts related to care policies]; and 3) [difficulty in making judgment regarding care due to an insufficient confirmation of patients’ intentions] and [becoming aware of the importance of establishing favorable relationships with patients/families]. Conclusion: Education and support for nurses newly assigned to palliative care wards should be continuously provided on a step-by-step basis through approaches, such as improving their active listening skills in the early stages, confirming their knowledge of interpersonal support and bioethics, and providing opportunities for them to examine each case.</p>

Malófagos (Insecta, Phthiraptera) de marreca caneleira Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) e marreca piadeira Dendrocygna viduata (Linnaeus, 1766) na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul / Chewing lice (Insecta, Phthiraptera) of the fulvous whistling duck Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) and white-faced whistling-duck Dendrocygna viduata (Linnaeus, 1766) from Rio Grande do Sul Southern Brazil

Os autores relatam a ocorrência de Acidoproctus rostratus (Rudow, 1866), Holomenopon leucoxanthum (Burmeister, 1838), Trinoton aculeatum (Piaget, 1885), Trinoton querquedulae (Linnaeus, 1758) e Anatoecus dentatus (Scopoli, 1763) em Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) e Dendrocygna viduata (Linnaeus, 1766); Anatoecus icterodes (Nitzsch, 1818) em D. bicolor e Anaticola chaetodens (Eichler, 1954) em D. viduata . Diferenças significativas na prevalência foram encontradas entre T. aculeatum e T. querquedulae , tanto em D. bicolor quanto em D. viduata , sendo esse achado caracterizado como um evento potencial de colonização. Outras diferenças também foram encontradas para a prevalência e a abundância média de Anatoecus spp. entre D. bicolor e D. viduata. A ocorrência de Trinoton querquedulae em D. bicolor e D. viduata , de Anatoecus dentatus em D. bicolor e de Anaticola chaetodens em D. viduata ¸caracteriza novos hospedeiros para essas espécies de piolhos.(AU)

The authors report the occurrence of Acidoproctus rostratus (Rudow, 1866), Holomenopon leucoxanthum (Burmeister, 1838), Trinoton aculeatum (Piaget, 1885), Trinoton querquedulae (Linnaeus, 1758) and Anatoecus dentatus (Scopoli, 1763) in Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) and Dendrocygna viduata (Linnaeus, 1766); Anatoecus icterodes (Nitzsch, 1818) in D. bicolor and Anaticola chaetodens (Eichler, 1954) in D. viduata . Significant differences in the prevalence were found between T. aculeatum and T. querquedulae in D. bicolor as well as D. viduata , which is characterized as a potential event of colonization. Significant differences were also found for the prevalence and mean abundance of Anatoecus spp. between D. bicolor and D. viduata. The occurrence of Trinoton querquedulae in D. bicolor and D. viduata , of Anatoecus dentatus in D. bicolor and Anaticola chaetodens in D. viduata characterize new hosts species to these species of lice.(AU)

Ocorrência de Rhinonyssus rhinolethrum (Trouessart, 1895) (Acarina: Rhinonyssidae) em marreca caneleira Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) e marreca piadeira Dendrocygna viduata (Linnaeus, 1766) na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / Occurrence of Rhinonyssus rhinolethrum (Trouessart, 1895) (Acarina: Rhinonyssidae), a nasal mite in fulvous whistling duck Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) and white-faced whistling-duck Dendrocygna viduata (Linnaeus, 1766) in Southern Brazil

Os autores relatam a ocorrência do ácaro nasal Rhinonyssus rhinolethrum (Trouessart, 1895) (Acarina: Rhinonyssidae) em marreca caneleira Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) e marreca piadeira Dendrocygna viduata (Linnaeus, 1766) de vida livre na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul. Para a prevalência e intensidade média foram observados 35,5% e 2,27 ácaros para D. bicolor e 13% e 9,33 ácaros para D. viduatta . A intensidade de parasitismo observada variou de 1 a 6 ácaros em D. bicolor e 1 a 22 ácaros em D. viduatta . O parasitismo caracteriza o primeiro relato da ocorrência de R. rhinolethrum sobre Dendrocygna bicolor e sobre Dendrocygna viduata no Rio Grande do Sul, ampliando a listagem dos anatídeos parasitados por essa espécie neste Estado.(AU)

The authors report the occurrence of the nasal mite Rhinonyssus rhinolethrum (Trouessart, 1895) (Acarina: Rhinonyssidae) in free-living fulvous whistling duck Dendrocygna bicolor (Vieillot, 1816) and white-faced whistling-duck Dendrocygna viduata (Linnaeus, 1766) in the Rio Grande do Sul region, Southern Brazil. Prevalence and mean intensity showed values of 35.5% and 2.27 mites to D. bicolor and 13% and 9.33 mites for D. viduatta . The intensity of parasitism ranged from 1 to 6 mites in D. bicolor , and 1 to 22 mites in D. viduatta . This is the first report of R. rhinolethrum on D. bicolor and D. viduata in Rio Grande do Sul, expanding the list of anatids parasitized by this species in this State.(AU)

Toxoplasmosis in a Pet Peach-Faced Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis)

Toxoplasma gondii atypical type II genotype was diagnosed in a pet peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) based on histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and multilocus DNA typing. The bird presented with severe neurological signs, and hematology was suggestive of chronic granulomatous disease. Gross post-mortem examination revealed cerebral hemorrhage, splenomegaly, hepatitis, and thickening of the right ventricular free wall. Histologic sections of the most significant lesions in the brain revealed intralesional protozoan organisms associated with malacia, spongiform changes, and a mild histiocytic response, indicative of diffuse, non-suppurative encephalitis. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the causative organisms to be T. gondii. DNA isolated from the brain was used to confirm the presence of T. gondii DNA. Multilocus genotyping based on SAG1, altSAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico markers demonstrated the presence of ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #3 and B1 gene as atypical T. gondii type II. The atypical type II strain has been previously documented in Australian wildlife, indicating an environmental transmission route.

Ecotourism and primate habituation: Behavioral variation in two groups of white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) from Costa Rica / Ecoturismo y habituación de primates: variación en comportamiento de dos grupos de monos carablanca (Cebus capucinus) en Costa Rica

The increase of ecotourism operations within Costa Rica during the last 20yrs has brought more and more humans into close, direct contact with several wildlife species. One of these species is the white-faced capuchin (Cebus capucinus), highly gregarious, and with exposure over time, willing to come into close vicinity of humans and their developments. Such contact has its advantages and disadvantages for the ecotourism industry. We observed white-faced monkeys in order to assess the impact of human presence and development on monkey behavior, with a focus on aggressive, affiliative, and foraging behaviors in Curú Wildlife Refuge (CWR), located in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, and to ascertain the degree of over-habituation of capuchin populations at CWR. Though there exists no discrete behavioral parameters that measure over-habituation, it can be defined as an extreme state of habituation in which non-human primates not only lose fear of humans, but also actively include humans in social interactions or treat them as a food resource. We used instantaneous focal animal and group scan sampling during 8wks in March and April 2012. Two groups (approximately 20-30 individuals each) of capuchins were observed; the first near the tourist development at the Southwestern area of CWR, representing a habituated population that regularly foraged, rested, and groomed in the presence of humans. The second, was observed in the Northeastern area of CWR, did not visit the center of human activity and exhibited fear of humans. The habituated group exhibited significantly fewer instances of threatened behavior in response to human presence (p<0.0001) than the non-habituated group, and spent significantly more time eating and foraging (p<0.0001). While the habituated monkeys at CWR may not be over-habituated, they could become that way as development, especially ecotourism, increases. Over-habituation is a problem that affects capuchins in certain ecotourism sites in Costa Rica. It is critical that the consequences of habituation be studied more carefully, primarily in areas where ecotourism operations draw visitors to wildlife habitats. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (3): 909-918. Epub 2014 September 01.

El aumento de actividades ecoturísticas en Costa Rica durante los últimos 20 años ha ocasionado que más y más personas entren en contacto directo y cercano con varias especies de vida silvestre. Una de estas especies es el mono carablanca (Cebus capucinus), que es muy gregario y, al pasar el tiempo, tiende a acercarse a los humanos y sus instalaciones. Tal contacto tiene ventajas y desventajas para la industria del ecoturismo. Observamos monos carablanca con el fin de evaluar el impacto de la presencia humana y la infraestructura en el comportamiento de estos animales, enfocando los comportamientos de agresión, acicalamiento y forrajeo para determinar el grado de habituación excesiva de las poblaciones de monos capuchinos en el Refugio de Vida Silvestre Curú, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Aunque no existen parámetros específicos de comportamiento para medir la habituación excesiva, se puede definir esta condición como un estado en que los primates no humanos no solamente pierdan su temor a los humanos, sino que también incluyen a las personas activamente en sus interacciones sociales o las consideran como una fuente de alimentación. Los monos carablanca fueron observados a través del muestreo instantáneo focal y por escaneo grupal durante ocho semanas de marzo y abril de 2012. Dos grupos (aproximadamente 20-30 individuos cada uno) fueron observados; uno cerca del desarrollo turístico en la parte suroeste del refugio, que representó una población habituada que de manera regular comía, descansaba y se acicalaba en presencia de humanos; el segundo grupo, que se observó en el noreste del refugio, no visitaba el centro de actividad humana y mostraba temor hacia los humanos. El grupo habituado mostró significativamente menos ocasiones de comportamiento amenazante ante la presencia humana (p<0.0001) y empleó más tiempo comiendo y buscando alimento (p<0.0001). Aunque el grupo de habituados en Curú probablemente no tenga habituación excesiva, esta condición podría surgir más adelante, especialmente si aumenta el desarrollo, y en particular el ecoturismo. La habituación excesiva es un problema que afecta a los monos carablanca en ciertos sitios secoturísticos de Costa Rica. Es de suma importancia que las consecuencias de la habituación excesiva se estudien más a fondo, principalmente en las áreas donde las actividades ecoturísticas atraen visitantes a los hábitats de la vida silvestre.

A Study on Users’ Satisfaction of Electronic Resources and Services in the Self Financing Colleges Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University.

Utilization of electronic resources by the students depends largely on some factors pertaining to the users, especially E resource service and satisfaction. Therefore, the study investigated the influence of e- resources service and satisfaction about the usage of electronic resources by the students in self financing colleges affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. The survey research design was adopted in the study with the questionnaire as a major instrument for data collection. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were adopted to select self financing colleges and 216 respondents. The study recommended that measures should be taken to increase the level of e-resources service among the students for increasing the usage of available electronic resources in the academic libraries.

Atitude frente à morte em profissionais e estudantes de enfermagem: revisão da produção científica da última década / The attitude among nursing professionals and students when facing death: a review of the scientific literature of the last decade

Profissionais de enfermagem são os integrantes da equipe de saúde que mais mantêm contato direto e prolongado com pacientes que vivenciam a terminalidade. Este estudo de revisão integrativa da literatura teve por objetivo investigar a atitude frente à morte em profissionais e estudantes de enfermagem. Os dados foram coletados por meio de buscas nas bases Lilacs, MedLine, PsycINFO e CINAHL, utilizando os descritores "nurses" e "attitude to death", no período de 2000 a 2011. Das 1376 referências levantadas, 262 foram selecionadas para extração dos dados e 35 foram recuperadas na íntegra, constituindo o corpus da pesquisa. Os resultados evidenciaram predomínio de artigos publicados em periódicos brasileiros. Os estudos indicam que o assunto morte e morrer têm sido negligenciados pelas instituições de formação, o que gera sofrimento entre profissionais e estudantes quando enfrentam a questão na prática, além de condutas inapropriadas diante dos pacientes que vivenciam o processo de morte. Como conclusão ressalta-se a necessidade de futuras pesquisas, que possam fornecer esclarecimentos mais pormenorizados a respeito do tema e busquem estratégias para suprirem a falta de preparo e respaldo dos profissionais de enfermagem ao vivenciarem a morte e o morrer.

Nursing professionals are integral members of the healthcare team and they maintain the most direct and prolonged contact with patients experiencing a terminal illness. This integrative review of the literature sought to investigate the attitude towards death among nursing professionals and students. Data were collected through searches in Lilacs, Medline, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases using the key words "nurses" and "attitude to death" in the period from 2000 to 2011. Of the 1376 articles identified, 262 were selected for data extraction and 35 were downloaded in full, constituting the corpus of research. The results showed a predominance of articles published in Brazilian journals. Studies indicate that the subject of death and dying has been neglected in training institutions, which causes hardship among professionals and nursing students when faced with the issue in practice, in addition to inappropriate conduct when dealing with patients who are experiencing the end of life process. In conclusion, the need for future research that may provide more detailed clarifications on the subject and seek strategies to address the lack of preparation and support of the nursing staff when they cope with death and dying was emphasized.

Polymorphic heterologous microsatellite loci for population genetics studies of the white-faced ibis Plegadis chihi (Vieillot, 1817) (Pelecaniformes, Threskiornithidae)

We screened 44 heterologous microsatellites isolated in species of the families Threskiornithidae, Ciconiidae and Ardeidae for their use in a migratory waterbird, the white-faced ibis Plegadis chihi (Vieillot, 1817) (Threskiornithidae). Of the screened loci, 57 percent amplified successfully and 24 percent were polymorphic. In two breeding colonies from southern Brazil (N = 131) we detected 32 alleles (2-10 alleles/ locus). Average He over all loci and colonies was 0.55, and the combined probability of excluding false parents, 98 percent. There was no departure from HWE in any loci or population. Eru6 and Eru4 loci were in non-random association in the Alvorada colony, and NnNF5 and Eru5 in both populations. AMOVA analysis indicated that most of the genetic diversity was contained within populations. Structure analysis suggested a single population, and F ST value showed weak genetic structuring (F ST = 0.009, p = 0.05). The two populations are apparently connected through gene-flow. The panel of six microsatellites optimized here was sufficiently informative for characterizing the genetic diversity and structure in these natural populations of the white-faced ibis. The information generated could be useful in future studies of genetic diversity, relatedness and the mating system in Plegadis chihi and related species.

A bumblefoot outbreak and fatal septicemia in captive aquatic birds in Brazil / Surto de esparavão e septicemia fatal em aves aquáticas cativas no Brasil

A bumblefoot outbreak with different prognosis according to host species was studied in captive aquatic avian species. Six wood ducks (Aix sponsa), three scarlet-ibis (Eudocimus ruber), two black-swans (Cygnus atratus), five white-faced ducks (Dendrocygna viduata) and two roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) were kept in a common pen with abrasive pavement pond margin, predisposing to podal skin wear. Incoordination and mortality occurred in the two roseate spoonbils and one black swan. Coagulase-positive penicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the synovial fluid and from the liver. All birds sharing the pen presented active or cicatricial foot lesions, indicating a possible challenge to the environmental Staphylococci. However, except for the roseate spoonbill and the black swan, which had fatal disease, for all other species the case did not evolve to a clinically debilitating or fatal disease. The different susceptibility to a fatal Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positive infection is discussed.

Este trabalho relata um surto de esparavão em aves aquáticas cativas com prognóstico variado conforme a espécie de ave. Foram examinados um marreco carolina (Aix sponsa), três guarás (íbis vermelha) (Eudocimus ruber), dois cisnes negros (Cygnus atratus), cinco marrecas piadeiras (Dendrocygna viduata) e dois colhereiros (Platalea ajaja) mantidos em recinto comunitário, em cativeiro e em criatório. No recinto, a piscina é margeada por borda de cimento abrasivo que possibilita a abrasão da pele podal. Todas as aves apresentaram erosões da pele na face de apoio dos pés, indicando fator predisponente (erosão) similar e possível semelhante desafio infeccioso. Entretanto, incoordenação e mortalidade ocorreram em colhereiros e no cisne negro, mas não nas outras espécies. Staphylococcus aureus coagulase positivo e resistente à penicilina foi isolado do líquido sinovial e do fígado das aves recém-mortas e conservadas em geladeira. A susceptibilidade diferenciada das espécies aquáticas estudadas à infecção por S. aureus coagulase positivo é discutida.

Risperidone as a Janus in Mood Disorder

To examine the double-faced thymoleptic(antidepressant and antimanic) effects of risperidone in mood disorders, this article reviews the psychotropic-induced mania, thymoleptic effects of antipsychotics, therapeutic effects of risperidone(RIS)-induced mania(RIM) in mood disorders, risk factors of RIM, possible neurochemical mechanism of these thymoleptic effects, pathophysiological and clinical significance of thymoleptic effects, and suggestive clinical guideline of RIS in mood disorders. RIS appeared effective for bipolar disorder at a lower dose than that recommended for schizophrenia, especially in the cased of maintenance of mood stabilizers, and gradual titration from low doses. Manic induction/exacerbation can occur by chance during RIS treatment in mood disorders, schizoaffective disorders, and schizophrenias. The possible risk factors for RIM are refractory mood disorder, especially in bipolar I disorder with poor initial response ; refractory chronic schizophrenias, especially with initial response ; psychotic features ; higher initial doses ; rapid titration ; combined therapy with antidepressants in refractory depression ; and RIS monotherapy in mania/hypomania. RIS is a drug that preferentially block 5-HT2 receptors. The effect of low dose are due mainly to the blockade of 5-HT2 receptors. There are more gradual increase in D2 blockade with increasing dose and the D2 blocking properties become apparent at higher doses. This may be related to a modulation of dopaminergic transmission by 5-HT2 antagonism at lower doses with the direct action of RIS on DA receptors coming into play at higher dose. The serotonergic antagonistic effect may be important for its effects on depressive symptoms. This, together with adequate blockade of D2 receptors, may not necessarily lead to destabilization of mood disorder, but rather to more therapeutic effects. Therefore, this dose-receptor affinity relationship with both antidepressant and antimanic effects according to treatment duration can explain a continuum of antidepressant effect, antimanic effect, behavioral stimulation, and manic/hypomanic induction/exacerbation. It was the recognition of a useful psychiatric side effects by a thoughtful observer with fertile minds that led to their ultimate utilization as psychotropic drugs, i.e., phenothiazine, MAOI, TCA, and lithium. And, in vivo pharmacological challenge by novel psychotropics, as a neruochemical probe, with more specific actions is a useful tool to select pharmacologically homogeneous subgroup of the same phenotypical(clinical) condition, to further study the unknown underlying pathogenesis of various mental illnesses. Finally, RIS may be a useful alternative or adjunctive drug for patients with mood disorders without psychotic features or refractory to treatment with standard antipsychotic drugs. The more conservative doses(tirated slowly from 1-3mg/d) of RIS, and maintenance of mood stabilizer in the cases. with risk factors of RIM are recommended in mood disorder.