Persistent organic pollutants in juvenile Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in South America.

Magellanic penguins, Spheniscus magellanicus, are the most abundant penguins living in temperate regions of South America and are good indicators of environmental pollution in the region. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were detected in the liver of Magellanic penguins found debilitated or dead on the beaches of Brazil (states of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul) between 2008 and 2012 as well as in Uruguay and Chile in 2011. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were more prevalent than organochlorine pesticides (DDTs ∼ HCB ∼ Drins) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Among PCBs, penta-, hexa- and hepta-chlorinated congeners were predominant. Concentrations of POPs were similar between the Pacific and Atlantic penguin populations, except for PCBs, which were relatively higher in the Pacific population. During the study years (2008-2012), large variations were found in organochlorine pesticides and PCBs tended to decline. Overall, the southern portion of South America has low concentrations of POPs, with either a constant trend or evidence of decline.

Using Twitter to communicate conservation science from a professional conference.

Scientists are increasingly using Twitter as a tool for communicating science. Twitter can promote scholarly discussion, disseminate research rapidly, and extend and diversify the scope of audiences reached. However, scientists also caution that if Twitter does not accurately convey science due to the inherent brevity of this media, misinformation could cascade quickly through social media. Data on whether Twitter effectively communicates conservation science and the types of user groups receiving these tweets are lacking. To address these knowledge gaps, we examined live tweeting as a means of communicating conservation science at the 2013 International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB). We quantified and compared the user groups sending and reading live tweets. We also surveyed presenters to determine their intended audiences, which we compared with the actual audiences reached through live tweeting. We also asked presenters how effectively tweets conveyed their research findings. Twitter reached 14 more professional audience categories relative to those attending and live tweeting at ICCB. However, the groups often reached through live tweeting were not the presenters' intended audiences. Policy makers and government and non-governmental organizations were rarely reached (0%, 4%, and 6% of audience, respectively), despite the intent of the presenters. Plenary talks were tweeted about 6.9 times more than all other oral or poster presentations combined. Over half the presenters believed the tweets about their talks were effective. Ineffective tweets were perceived as vague or missing the presenters' main message. We recommend that presenters who want their science to be communicated accurately and broadly through Twitter should provide Twitter-friendly summaries that incorporate relevant hashtags and usernames. Our results suggest that Twitter can be used to effectively communicate speakers' findings to diverse audiences beyond conference walls.

Ecological aspects of helminth fauna of Magellanic penguins, Spheniscus magellanicus (aves: Spheniscidae), from the Northern Coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the helminth fauna found in the Magellanic penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus, relating parasite population and community ecological parameters to life aspects of the host species. The study involved 237 specimens of S. magellanicus taken from the northern shore of the state of São Paulo (23° 46' S, 45° 57' W) and southern shore of the state of Rio de Janeiro (23° 02' S, 44° 13' W), Brazil. The following helminth fauna were found: the nematode Contracaecum pelagicum (core species), found in the stomach; the digenetic Cardiocephaloides physalis and the cestode Tetrabothrius lutzi (satellite species), both collected from the initial portion of the small intestine. Comparisons using the Shannon Diversity Index revealed that the parasite community in juvenile penguins is less diverse in the migratory season than the breeding season. Parasitological studies on penguins and other migratory animals provide important information on species during the time in which they remain pelagic and constitute a useful tool for the acquisition of data that is difficult to obtain through other means, thereby favoring the conservation of the species.

Ecological aspects of helminth fauna of Magellanic penguins, Spheniscus magellanicus (aves: Spheniscidae), from the Northern Coast of the State of São Paulo, Brazil / Aspectos ecológicos da helmintofauna de pinguins de Magalhães, Spheniscus magellanicus (Aves: Spheniscidae), do Litoral Norte do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the helminth fauna found in the Magellanic penguin, Spheniscus magellanicus, relating parasite population and community ecological parameters to life aspects of the host species. The study involved 237 specimens of S. magellanicus taken from the northern shore of the state of São Paulo (23° 46' S, 45° 57' W) and southern shore of the state of Rio de Janeiro (23° 02' S, 44° 13' W), Brazil. The following helminth fauna were found: the nematode Contracaecum pelagicum (core species), found in the stomach; the digenetic Cardiocephaloides physalis and the cestode Tetrabothrius lutzi (satellite species), both collected from the initial portion of the small intestine. Comparisons using the Shannon Diversity Index revealed that the parasite community in juvenile penguins is less diverse in the migratory season than the breeding season. Parasitological studies on penguins and other migratory animals provide important information on species during the time in which they remain pelagic and constitute a useful tool for the acquisition of data that is difficult to obtain through other means, thereby favoring the conservation of the species.

Com o intuito de investigar se estudos parasitológicos podem ser utilizados como ferramenta para a conservação de espécies, principalmente migratórias, este trabalho analisa a helmintofauna de Spheniscus magellanicus por meio de parâmetros ecológicos populacionais e da comunidade parasitária, relacionando-os com diversos aspectos de vida da espécie hospedeira. O estudo foi realizado com 237 espécimes de S. magellanicus procedentes das praias do litoral norte de São Paulo (23° 46' S, 45° 57' W) ao sul do Rio de Janeiro (23° 02' S, 44° 13' W). A helmintofauna desta ave incluiu: o nematoide Contracaecum pelagicum (espécie-núcleo), encontrado no estômago; o digenético Cardiocephaloides physalis e o cestoide Tetrabothrius lutzi (espécies satélites), ambos coletados na porção inicial do intestino delgado. Comparações utilizando o índice de diversidade de Shannon mostraram que a comunidade de parasitas em filhotes durante o período migratório é menos diversa do que na estação reprodutiva. Os resultados obtidos permitem inferir que estudos parasitológicos em pinguins, assim como em outros animais migratórios, podem fornecer informações importantes a respeito da espécie durante a época em que permanece pelágica, tornando-se uma ferramenta útil na aquisição de informações dificilmente obtidas por outros meios e favorecendo, dessa forma, a conservação da espécie.

Gross and histopathological findings in magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus Forster, 1781) / Achados necroscópicos e histopatológicos em pinguins-de-Magalhães (Spheniscus magellanicus Forster, 1781)

Durante os movimentos migratórios os Pinguins-de-Magalhães chegam às águas da costa brasileira, especialmente nos estados do sul do Brasil até o estado do Rio de Janeiro. Muitos chegam desidratados, hipotérmicos, com lesões traumáticas ou coberto de óleo, exigindo cuidados especiais em centros de reabilitação. Vinte e quatro pinguins juvenis, que chegaram para a reabilitação e posteriormente vieram a óbito apresentaram caquexia, incapacidade de ficar ereto e manter a temperatura do corpo, média de 33ºC ou menos, apresentando desidratação, bradicardia e letargia. Durante a necrópsia, amostras histológicas foram coletadas de fígado, pulmão e rim. Um importante achado histopatológico foi a congestão hepática passiva, encontrada em 50% dos espécimes e a congestão pulmonar foi a lesão histopatológico mais frequente, ocorrendo em 75% dos casos. Anorexia pode acarretar a perda de massa muscular e isso inclui o coração, fazendo com que ocorra uma diminuição da pressão cardíaca, resultando em uma respiração mais lenta e uma bradicardia. Os principais achados anatomopatológicos neste trabalho foram relacionados a lesões vasculares nos pulmões e no fígado, sendo estes encontrados em aves que experimentam uma sobrecarga metabólica associada à adversidade ambiental.

Condrosarcoma mesenquimal extraesquelético en un paciente pediátrico: revisión de la literatura a propósito de un caso / Extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma in a pediatric patient: a case report

El condrosarcoma mesenquimal extraesquelético pertenece a un grupo de tumores cartilaginosos malignos, que son infrecuentes y habitualmente no presentan compromiso óseo. Se presenta más frecuentemente en la órbita, sistema nervioso central y en los tejidos blandos de los miembros inferiores. El compromiso metastásico es generalmente pulmonar y ganglionar, especialmente en pacientes adultos en quienes se ha demostrado una mayor mortalidad. Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar el caso de un paciente masculino de 14 años de edad, que ingresó a nuestra institución con una lesión sólida localizada a nivel de los tejidos blandos en el aspecto posterior de la pierna derecha, cuyo estudio histopatológico confirmó un condrosarcoma mesenquimal extraesquelético, junto con una revisión bibliográfica del tema.

The extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma belongs to a group of infrequent malignant cartilaginous tumors, which are not obvious mainly in the bone. The most common site of such tumors is within the orbit, the central nervous system and the soft tissues of the lower limbs. The commitment is usually metastatic to the lung and lymph nodes, especially in adult patients, who have shown an increased mortality. The paper aims at presenting the case of male patient aged 14, who was admitted to our institution with a solid lesion located at the level of soft tissues in the posterior aspect of the right leg and whose histopathological study confirmed Extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (CME) and the literature review about the same.

El miembro asimétrico (gigantismo): aproximación diagnóstica / The asymmetric limb (gigantism): diagnostic approach

Las enfermedades que cursan con desarrollo asimétrico de una de las extremidades son entidades raras y se consideran un reto para los radiólogos. Dentro de estas entidades encontramos la macrodistrofia lipomatosa, el síndrome de Proteus, el síndrome de Maffucci y el síndrome de Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber. Es importante conocer los hallazgos radiológicos de las enfermedades que se caracterizan por gigantismo, para lograr un diagnóstico acertado.

Proleptus acutus Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda, Physalopteridae) parasite of rays Zapteryx brevirostris Müller & Henle, 1841 (Rhinobatiformes, Rhinobatidae) in Brazil / Proleptus acutus Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda, Physalopteridae) parasita de raias Zapteryx brevirostris Müller & Henle, 1841 (Rhinobatiformes, Rhinobatidae) no Brasil

Relata-se a ocorrência de Proleptus acutus Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda, Physalopteridae) parasitando Zapteryx brevirostris Müller & Henle, 1841 (Rhinobatiformes, Rhinobatidae) em Ubatuba, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Vinte raias foram analisadas e P. acutus foi encontrado no estômago e intestinos de 14 (70 por cento) animais. Este é o primeiro relato da ocorrência dessa espécie de nematóide em Z. brevirostris no Brasil.

Serum biochemistry of an, atlantic Yellow-Nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos (Gmelin, 1789)

Colheu-se uma amostra de sangue de um albatroz Thalassarche chlororhynchos (Gmelin, 1789), recolhido pela Polícia do Meio Ambiente de Ubatuba, SP, para análises da bioquímica do soro. O objetivo dessas análises foi o de apontar possíveis alterações dos parâmetros bioquímicos, visando facilitar futuras casas para reabilitação de aves. Nenhuma anormalidade foi encontrada e o animal morreu após três dias da captura.

[Free fat flap for the treatment of Parry-Romberg disease in children]. / Trasplante libre de grasa para tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parry-Romberg infantil.

Progressive hemifacial Atrophy (PHA) or Romberg's Disease is a rare entity of unknown etiology, which most often affects only one side of the face and can include all tissue planes in different grades of severity. Of the several treatments proposed, pedicled or free flaps seem to achieve the best cosmetic results in severe cases. In mild to moderate cases, free autologous fat transplant may obtain optimal results with lower complexity, cost and morbidity. The presence of multiple adipoblasts might increase the possibilities of graft take, particularly in children. Furthermore, refinements in the processes of extraction, preparation and reintroduction of the fat have contributed to improve the results that may be long lasting. We present 2 cases of PHA in 2 girls (11 and 13 years old), that were treated by lipofilling. No complications occurred. In both cases we observed a small reduction in the volume of the initial graft. Thus the procedure was repeated 6 months later to improve facial symmetry. Results have been excellent in one year follow-up.

Papel del cirujano plástico en la obesidad mórbida: experiencia en dermolipectomía tras cirugía bariátrica / The role of the plastic surgeon in morbid obesity: our experience in dermolipectomies after bariatric surgery

La cirugía bariátrica ha demostrado ser en la actualidad el método más eficaz para conseguir grandes perdidas de peso estables. La mayor experiencia en este campo y el aumento del número de intervenciones realizadas, va creando una gran demanda de actuación por parte del cirujano plástico. Tras este tipo de cirugía se producen severas disminuciones de peso y del índice de masa corporal (IMC),lo que va a ocasionar grandes excedentes cutáneos Las dermolipectomías juegan un papel fundamental en la corrección de las deformidades estéticas, funcionales y psicológicas de estos pacientes, por lo que la Cirugía Plástica va a aportar una importante mejora en la calidad de vida y autoestima del paciente. En nuestra experiencia, se consiguen buenos resultados funcionales y estéticos, sin un elevado índice de complicaciones (AU)

Bariatric surgery has proven to be the most effective method for acquiring large and stable weight loss. A large amount of experience in this field, as well as an impressive number of interventions, has created a large demand for this specific surgery. After this type of surgery, massive weight loss, as well as BMI (Body Mass Index) decrease, can be observed. This, in turn, will lead to large amounts of loose redundant skin. Dermolipectomies play a fundamental role in the correction of aesthetic, functional and psychological deformities of these sickly individuals. It is therefore clear that Plastic Surgery will provide a serious improvement in the quality of life and self – esteem of the patient. In our experience, these procedures obtain good functional and aesthetic results, without and elevated number of complications (AU)

Trasplante libre de grasa para tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parry-Romberg infantil / Acute secundary abdomen to pancreatic hydatid cyst

La hemiatrofia facial progresiva (HAFP) o enfermedad de Romberg es una rara entidad de etiología desconocida, que mayoritariamente afecta a un solo lado de la cara, pudiendo incluir todos los planos tisulares en diferentes grados de severidad. De los diferentes tratamientos propuestos, en los casos severos, los colgajos pediculados o libres parecen lograr los mejores resultados estéticos. Para los casos leves o moderados, el trasplante libre de grasa autóloga puede obtener resultados óptimos con menor complejidad, coste y morbilidad. La presencia de múltiples adipoblastos en los niños puede aumentar las posibilidades de prendimiento del injerto. Además los refinamientos en los procesos de extracción, procesado y reintroducción de la grasa han contribuido a perfeccionar los resultados y a que éstos sean más duraderos. Presentamos dos casos de HAFP en 2 niñas de 11 y 13 años que fueron tratados mediante lipoinfiltración. No se observaron complicaciones. En ambos casos se observó una discreta reducción del volumen inicial, por lo que se repitió el procedimiento a los 6 meses para mejorar la simetría facial. Los resultados han sido excelentes tras un año de seguimiento (AU)

Progressive hemifacial Atrophy (PHA) or Romberg’s Disease is a rare entity of unknown etiology, which most often affects only one side of the face and can include all tissue planes in different grades of severity. Of the several treatments proposed, pedicled or free flaps seem to achieve the best cosmetic results in severe cases. In mild to moderate cases, free autologous fat transplant may obtain optimal results with lower complexity, cost and morbidity. The presence of multiple adipoblasts might increase the possibilities of graft take, particularly in children. Furthermore, refinements in the processes of extraction, preparation and reintroduction of the fat have contributed to improve the results that may be long lasting. We present 2 cases of PHA in 2 girls (11 and 13 years old), that were treated by lipofilling. No complications occurred. In both cases we observed a small reduction in the volume of the initial graft. Thus the procedure was repeated 6 months later to improve facial symmetry. Results have been excellent in one year follow-up (AU)

Second primary cancers in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.

The occurrence of second primary cancers was explored in patients with squamous cell cancer of the skin (SCC). The excess incidence subsequent to SCC was mainly in cancers related to sunlight and smoking, and in lymphoproliferative malignancies, it was largest (10-fold) in salivary gland cancer.