Hello, kitty: could cat allergy be a form of intoxication?

The relationship between slow loris (Nycticebus spp.) venom (BGE protein) and the major cat allergen (Fel d 1) from domestic cat (Felis catus) is known for about two decades. Along this time, evidence was accumulated regarding convergences between them, including their almost identical mode of action. Methods: Large-scale database mining for Fel d 1 and BGE proteins in Felidae and Nycticebus spp., alignment, phylogeny proposition and molecular modelling, associated with directed literature review were assessed. Results: Fel d 1 sequences for 28 non-domestic felids were identified, along with two additional loris BGE protein sequences. Dimer interfaces are less conserved among sequences, and the chain 1 shows more sequence similarity than chain 2. Post-translational modification similarities are highly probable. Conclusions: Fel d 1 functions beyond allergy are discussed, considering the great conservation of felid orthologs of this protein. Reasons for toxicity being found only in domestic cats are proposed in the context of domestication. The combination of the literature review, genome-derived sequence data, and comparisons with the venomous primate slow loris may point to domestic cats as potentially poisonous mammals.(AU)

Scanning electron microscopy study of the dorsal surface of the tongue in the slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) and pygma slow loris (N. Pygmaeus) / Estudio de microscopía electrónica de barrido de la superficie dorsal de la lengua en lori perezoso (Nycticebus coucang) y lori perezoso pigmeo (N. Pygmaeus)

The dorsal surface of the tongues of the Slow Loris and the Pygma Slow Loris were examined by employing scanning electron microscopy techniques. Three types of the papillae are present on their dorsal surface of the tongue: filiform, fungiform and vallate. The filiform papillae are located the apex and the body of the tongue, and we observed that each of them has a gustatory pore. The fungiform papillae, scattered singly among the filiform papillae, distribute mainly on the apex of the tongue. The vallate papillae are located along the diversing arms of the V-shaped boundary between the anterior and posterior regions of the tongue. In addition, no foliate papillae were observed. The morphological characteristics of the dorsal surface of the tongues in Slow Loris and Pygma Slow Loris are similar to each other.

La superficie dorsal de la lengua en lori perezoso y lori perezoso pigmeo fue examinada utilizando técnicas de microscopía electrónica de barrido. Se observaron tres tipos de papilas presentes en la superficie dorsal de la lengua: filiforme, fungiforme y valada. Las papilas filiformes se localizaban en el ápice y en el cuerpo de la lengua, y observamos que cada una tenía un poro gustativo. Las papilas fungiformes están distribuidas individualmente entre las papilas filiformes, principalmente en el ápice de la lengua. Entre las regiones anterior y posterior de la lengua se observan las papilas valadas a lo largo de las extensiones del margen en forma de 'V'. Además, no se observaron papilas foliadas. Las características morfológicas de la superficie dorsal de las lenguas en lori perezoso y lori perezoso pigmeo son similares entre sí.

Anaphylactic shock following the bite of a wild Kayan slow loris (Nycticebus kayan): implications for slow loris conservation

Asian slow lorises (Nycticebus spp.) are one of few known venomous mammals, yet until now only one published case report has documented the impact of their venomous bite on humans. We describe the reaction of a patient to the bite of a subadult Nycticebus kayan, which occurred in the Mulu District of Sarawak in 2012.Findings Within minutes of the bite, the patient experienced paraesthesia in the right side of the jaw, ear and right foot. By 40 minutes, swelling of the face was pronounced. The patient was admitted to Mulu National Park Health Clinic/Klinik Kesihatan Taman Mulu Tarikh, at which time he was experiencing: swollen mouth, chest pain, mild abdominal pain, nausea, numbness of the lips and mouth, shortness of breath, weakness, agitation and the sensation of pressure in the ears due to swelling. The blood pressure was 110/76, the heart ratio was 116 and oxygen saturation was 96%. The patient was treated intramuscularly with adrenaline (0.5 mL), followed by intravenous injection of hydrocortisone (400 mg) and then intravenous fluid therapy of normal saline (500 mg). By 8 h10 the next day, the patients condition had significantly improved with no nausea, and with blood pressure and pulse rate stable.Conclusions A handful of anecdotes further support the real danger that slow loris bites pose to humans. As the illegal pet trade is a major factor in the decline of these threatened species, we hope that by reporting on the danger of handling these animals it may help to reduce their desirability as a pet.

Diet of Lontra longicaudis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in a pool system in Atlantic Forest of Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil / Dieta de Lontra longicaudis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) em um sistema de poções na Floresta Atlântica do Estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil

The present study aimed to investigate the feeding habits of Lontra longicaudis in a pool system within the Private Reserve of Natural Patrimony (RPPN) Usina Maurício, located in Paraíba do Sul river basin, Atlantic Forest of southeastern Minas Gerais State. The diet composition was determined based on the identification of items present in 212 scats sampled between July 2008 and October 2009 in a 4.1 km stretch of the pool system. The found items and its respective percentages of occurrence were: mollusks (0.5%), insects (16.5%), spiders (1.4%), crustaceans (3.3%), fish (96.7%), amphibians (0.9%), snakes (3.8%), birds (2.8%), mammals (8.5%) and fruits (0.5%). Among fish, the identified families and respective percentages of occurrence were: Loricariidae (65.4%), Pimelodidae (42.9%) Cichlidae (22%), Characidae (7.3%), Erythrinidae (3.9%), Synbranchidae (2.4%), Anostomidae (2%) . Therefore fish make up the most consumed item in the study area, with the predominance of benthic siluriformes (families Loricariidae and Pimelodidae).

O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar os hábitos alimentares de Lontra longicaudis em um sistema de poções na Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural ­ RPPN Usina Maurício, localizada na bacia do rio Paraíba do Sul, Mata Atlântica do Sudeste do Estado de Minas Gerais. A composição da dieta foi determinada com base na identificação de itens presentes em 212 amostras de fezes coletadas entre julho de 2008 e outubro de 2009 em um trecho de 4,1 km de um sistema de poções. Os itens alimentares encontrados e suas respectivas porcentagens de ocorrência foram: moluscos (0,5%), insetos (16,5%), aranhas (1,4%), crustáceos (3,3%), peixes (96,7%), anfíbios (0,9%), serpentes (3,8%), aves (2,8%), mamíferos (8,5%), frutos (0,5%). Dentre os peixes, famílias identificadas e suas respectivas porcentagens de ocorrência foram: Loricariidae (65,4%), Pimelodidae (42,9%) Cichlidae (22%), Characidae (7,3%), Erythrinidae (3,9%), Synbranchidae (2,4%), Anostomidae (2%). Os peixes, portanto, representaram o item mais consumido na área de estudo, com predominância de siluriformes bentônicos (famílias Loricariidae e Pimelodidae).

Localization of sugar residues in the stomach of three species of monkeys (Tupaiidae glis, Nycticebus cocang and Callithrix jacchus) by lectin histochemistry / Localización de los residuos de azúcar en el estómago de tres especies de monos (Tupaiidae glis, Nycticebus cocang y Callithrix jacchus) por histoquímica de lectina

The stomach of three species of non-human primates was investigated by lectin histochemistry to clarify the staining affinity and distribution patterns of their sugar residues. All gastric regions, with little differences between the deep and superficial parts of the same region, were rich in. in N-acetylglucosamine and/or neuraminic acid. Although, the superficial regions of the gastric mucosa were scanty in N-acetylgalactosamine, a- D-glucose and a -D-mannose, the deep parts of the gastric mucosa were rich in these sugars. In conclusion, there is a difference among the mucosubstances of surface and foveolar mucous cells, mucous neck cells, and gastric gland cells. This indicates heterogeneous composition of gastric mucus, or mucus molecules with variations in the degree of glycosylation of their oligosaccharide chains in the different cells which suggest that lectin binding affinity in the gastric mucosa correlated mostly to the degree of cellular differentiation.

El estómago de tres especies de primates no humanos fue investigado por histoquímica de lectinas para determinar la afinidad de tinción y los patrones de distribución de sus residuos de azúcar. Todas las regiones gástricas, con pequeñas diferencias entre las partes profundas y superficiales de la misma región, eran ricas en N-acetilglucosamina y/o ácido neuramínico. Si bien, las regiones superficiales de la mucosa gástrica eran escasas en N-acetilgalactosamina, a-D-glucosa y a-D-manosa, las partes profundas de la mucosa gástrica eran ricas en estos azúcares. En conclusión, existe una diferencia entre las mucosustancias de la superficie y células mucosas foveolares, células mucosas del cuello y células de las glándulas gástricas. Esto indica una composición heterogénea de la mucosa gástrica, o moléculas de moco con variaciones en el grado de glicosilación de sus cadenas de oligosacáridos en las diferentes células, sugieriendo que la afinidad de union de lectinas en la mucosa gástrica se relacionada principalmente con el grado de diferenciación celular.