Age and growth of the endemic Xingu River stingray Potamotrygon leopoldi validated using fluorescent dyes.

Between 2003 and 2005, vertebrae of 151 Xingu River Potamotrygon leopoldi (Potamotrygonidae) (75 males and 76 females) were analysed to derive a growth curve for this species. The disc width (WD ) was significantly different between sexes, with females measuring 149-700 mm WD and males 109-500 mm WD . The average percentage error for vertebrae readings of the whole sample was 2·7%. The marginal increment ratio (RMI ) showed an increasing trend with the highest value in November, decreasing from December on. The majority of vertebrae displaying RMI zero, occurred in September, but the annual periodicity of ring deposition throughout the year was not conclusive. Tetracycline (TCN) injected specimens were held in captivity for 13 months and displayed a fluorescent mark in vertebrae confirming a yearly periodicity of band pair formation with the translucent ring deposited in September-October. The Akaike information criterion (AIC) showed that, among the seven models considered, the best fit was obtained for the von Bertalanffy modified with W0 (where W0 = WD at birth) for both sexes. Growth parameters for females were: W0 = 149 mm; W∞ = 763·06 mm; k = 0·12 year- 1 , whereas for males: W0 = 109 mm; W∞ = 536·4 and k = 0·22 year-1 . Maximal ages were 7·2 years in males and 14·3 years in females. The species shows sexual dimorphism expressed in the growth pattern, size at maturity, longevity and asymptotic sizes. Concern for sustainability is raised due to the construction of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Power Plant (2015 and 2016) in the State of Pará causing changes to the habitat of this species, which is endemic to the Xingu River and two of its tributaries.

Insectivory in Potamotrygon signata (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae), an endemic freshwater stingray from the Parnaíba River basin, northeastern Brazil / Insetivoria em Potamotrygon signata (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae), uma raia de água doce endêmica da bacia do rio Parnaíba, nordeste do Brasil

Potamotrygon signata is an endemic freshwater stingray species in the Parnaíba River basin, Brazil. After its original description, only citations in systematic lists were recorded in the literature and the biology of the species remains unknown, including the feeding habits. The aim of this study is to characterize the overall diet of P. signata based on analysing stomach contents and to provide preliminary information on intraspecific diet variability between sexes and maturity stages. The stomach contents of 56 specimens of P. signata were analyzed. The taxonomic identification of food items showed the presence of 13 prey orders, including insects, mollusks, crustaceans and teleost fish. The Index of Relative Importance (IRI%) indicated P. signata as an insectivorous species, with a dominance of Diptera larvae (60.64%) and Ephemeroptera nymphs (34.68%). Differences in diet were observed between sexes, as well as between mature and immature individuals. The IRI% of females showed a similar occurrence of Diptera and Ephemeroptera (47.12% and 47.86%, respectively), whereas for males, Ephemeroptera was the main item (79.56%). Immature individuals showed a dominance of Diptera (76.20%) while mature individuals showed a similar occurrence of Diptera (46.95%) and Ephemeroptera (47.23%). The observed sexual and ontogenetic differences in diet may be related to distinct nutritional requirements of males and females, and to the variation of morphological aspects of the oral apparatus and dentition of males and females and of immature individuals and adults. The essentially insectivorous diet of the species is possibly adaptively advantageous in the Caatinga semi-arid environment, where the availability of fish as prey may be subject to strong seasonal variation.

Potamotrygon signata é uma espécie de raia de água doce endêmica da bacia do rio Parnaíba, Brasil. Após a sua descrição original, apenas citações em listas sistemáticas foram registradas na literatura e a biologia da espécie permanece desconhecida, incluindo os hábitos alimentares. Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a dieta de P. signata com base na análise do conteúdo estomacal, e fornecer informações preliminares sobre a variabilidade intraespecífica da dieta entre os sexos e segundo os estádios de maturidade. O conteúdo estomacal de 56 espécimes de P. signata foi analisado. A identificação taxonômica dos itens alimentares revelou a presença de 13 ordens de presas, incluindo insetos, moluscos, crustáceos e peixes teleósteos. O Índice de Importância Relativa (IRI%) indicou P. signata como uma espécie insetívora, com predominância de larvas de Diptera (60.64%) e ninfas de Ephemeroptera (34.68%). Diferenças na dieta entre os sexos foram observadas, bem como entre os indivíduos maduros e imaturos. A IRI% das fêmeas mostrou uma ocorrência similar de Diptera e Ephemeroptera (47.12% e 47.86%, respectivamente), enquanto para os machos, Ephemeroptera foi o principal item (79.56%). Indivíduos imaturos mostraram um predomínio de Diptera (76.20%), enquanto indivíduos maduros apresentaram uma ocorrência similar de Diptera (46.95%) e Ephemeroptera (47.23%). As diferenças sexuais e ontogenéticas observadas na dieta podem estar relacionadas a diferentes necessidades nutricionais de machos e fêmeas, e à variação de aspectos morfológicos do aparelho bucal e dentição de machos e fêmeas e de indivíduos imaturos e maduros. A dieta essencialmente insetívora desta espécie possivelmente é uma vantagem adaptativa para esta espécie no ambiente semiárido da Caatinga, onde a disponibilidade de peixes como presa pode sofrer grandes variações sazonais.

Insectivory in Potamotrygon signata (Chondrichthyes: Potamotrygonidae), an endemic freshwater stingray from the Parnaíba River basin, northeastern Brazil.

Potamotrygon signata is an endemic freshwater stingray species in the Parnaíba River basin, Brazil. After its original description, only citations in systematic lists were recorded in the literature and the biology of the species remains unknown, including the feeding habits. The aim of this study is to characterize the overall diet of P. signata based on analysing stomach contents and to provide preliminary information on intraspecific diet variability between sexes and maturity stages. The stomach contents of 56 specimens of P. signata were analyzed. The taxonomic identification of food items showed the presence of 13 prey orders, including insects, mollusks, crustaceans and teleost fish. The Index of Relative Importance (IRI%) indicated P. signata as an insectivorous species, with a dominance of Diptera larvae (60.64%) and Ephemeroptera nymphs (34.68%). Differences in diet were observed between sexes, as well as between mature and immature individuals. The IRI% of females showed a similar occurrence of Diptera and Ephemeroptera (47.12% and 47.86%, respectively), whereas for males, Ephemeroptera was the main item (79.56%). Immature individuals showed a dominance of Diptera (76.20%) while mature individuals showed a similar occurrence of Diptera (46.95%) and Ephemeroptera (47.23%). The observed sexual and ontogenetic differences in diet may be related to distinct nutritional requirements of males and females, and to the variation of morphological aspects of the oral apparatus and dentition of males and females and of immature individuals and adults. The essentially insectivorous diet of the species is possibly adaptively advantageous in the Caatinga semi-arid environment, where the availability of fish as prey may be subject to strong seasonal variation.

[Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and pregnancy. Apropos of a case]. / Syndrome d'Ehlers-Danlos et grossesse. A propos d'un cas.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a hereditary dysplasia of connective tissue with an abnormality in collagen synthesis. The syndrome consists of increased elasticity and fragility of the skin, increased laxity of the ligaments of the joints and fragility of the blood vessels. It is rarely associated with pregnancy but when it is several problems arise which are demonstrated in our case. Our patient had a type III syndrome (hypermobility of the joints) or a type IV syndrome (echymoses, Sack-Barabas Syndrome). In the literature the following are reported: premature rupture of the membranes with premature delivery, tears, perineal haematomas and type IV ruptures of the great vessels of the uterus. The best way of delivering and anaesthetising the patient are discussed. The prognosis depends above all on the type of the disease (25% of mothers die in type IV disease). Strict rest and Pfannestiel lower segment Caesarean section operation under general anaesthetic allowed us to achieve a favorable outcome for the mother and for her child.

[The significance of the level of C-reactive protein in gynecologic infections]. / Intérêt du dosage de la protéine C réactive (PCR) dans les infections gynécologiques.

C-reactive protein, synthesized by the liver, belongs to the group of proteins in the acute stage of inflammation. It has a very short half life of 6 to 8 hours with rapid evolution kinetics. The CRP level has been measured 959 times by the immuno-turbidimetric method in 500 in-patients of the Gynaecology Department of Claude Bernard Hospital. It was measured every 48 hours. The CRP level increases in the immediate post-operative period, reaches its maximum on D3 and falls back to normal between D5 and D7. The CRP level seems to be the most reliable parameter for the diagnosis of pelvic infections (namely salpingitis). It represents the best criterium to assess the effectiveness of the treatments administered to the infected patients (adnexitis, post-operative complications).

[Method for studying internal tensions at the intervertebral junction in extreme postures. Description of experimental material and preliminary results]. / Méthode d'étude des contraintes internes des éléments de la jonction intervertébrale en postures extrêmes. Description du matériel expérimiental et résultats préliminaires.

The authors describe a device for measuring the resultant tensions existing at the intervertebral junction (or its constitutive elements) in all spine attitudes. The reported method has been applied to the L4-L5 junction of a spine taken from the corpse of a 50 years old man. Although incomplete, the results suggest the following points: --the L4-L5 intervertebral junction seems to be very deformable, particularly in the sagittal plane; --the intervertebral disk is probably an elastic support which sustains shear stresses during flexion, extension and bending movements in the frontal plane; --during flexion, articular processes seem to be movement leaders as well as supports; --ligaments seem to play a small mechanical role, but their proprioceptive function seems essential.