ABSTRACT
The rarity of infant adoption in wild primates compromises our understanding of its consequences for the participating individuals. We report the first case of successful infant adoption in a wild group of brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans). We evaluated the potential costs of the behavior for the adoptive mother by comparing her activity budget and diet before and after the adoption. On 18 June 2013, a domestic dog killed the mother of a 2-month-old male infant (Victorio) as she attempted to cross a canopy gap. Victorio was immediately rescued from her belly by a researcher and released in a climber near another infant-carrying female (Sofia, his likely grandmother). Sofia recovered him 2 min later. She carried and breastfed both infants during the next 4 weeks, when her own infant disappeared. We monitored Victorio until he reached adulthood in March 2018. Sofia fed more (mainly on immature leaves) when she nursed only Victorio than when nursing only her own or both infants. Assuming that the disappearance of Sofia's own infant was unrelated to the adoption of Victorio, we conclude that his successful adoption may contribute to Sofia's inclusive fitness if he sires his own infants.
Subject(s)
Alouatta/physiology , Maternal Behavior , Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Animals , Brazil , Diet/veterinary , Feeding Behavior , Female , Lactation , Male , Plant LeavesABSTRACT
Parturition is a key process of mammalian reproduction that is rarely documented in New World monkeys because it often occurs at night. However, diurnal births have been recorded in several species. In howler monkeys (Alouatta spp.) they have often been observed during prolonged resting periods. Similarly, infanticide is a behavior observed quite infrequently. Infanticide in howler monkeys is often inferred from infant deaths or disappearances after group takeovers by nonresident male(s). Here we report the first observation of parturition and birth-related behaviors in the brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) and the likely attack on the infant that caused its death. The mother was a multiparous female that lived in a ca. 3-ha Atlantic forest fragment in southern Brazil with nine group mates. The behavior ("all occurrences") sampling method was used to record birth-related behaviors and social interactions. The parturition occurred during the day of 27 October 2013 during a feeding session. The female showed no sign of contraction or birth delivery posture. Parturition began apparently after matrix rupture and release of the amniotic fluid. Expulsion of the newborn occurred between 1 and 3 min later (the exact moment of delivery was not observed). Then, the female held and licked the newborn and began to ingest the placenta and the umbilical cord. The other group members continued feeding and had no interaction with the parturient during the preparturition and parturition events. The infant died ca. 35 days later as a consequence of injuries to his forehead and face, potentially caused by a conspecific bite. Because the adult and subadult males chased the female in the day that the infant's wounds were detected, we believe that one of them might have been the aggressor. We discuss this putative case of infanticide in light of the potential motivation of each male.
Subject(s)
Aggression , Alouatta/physiology , Behavior, Animal/physiology , Parturition , Animals , Brazil , Female , MaleABSTRACT
Inhibition of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) is a modern therapeutic target in the treatment of hypertension. Within the enzyme cascade of the renin-angiotensin system, ACE removes histidyl-leucine from angiotensin I to form the physiologically active octapeptide angiotensin II, one of the most potent known vasoconstrictors. Therefore, a rationale for treating hypertension would be to administer drugs or natural compounds which selectively inhibit ACE. The present work constitutes a review of the literature of plants and chemically defined molecules from natural sources with in vitro anti-hypertensive potential based on the inhibition of ACE. The review refers to 321 plants, the parts utilized, type of extract and whether they are active or not. It includes also the names of 158 compounds isolated from higher plants, marine sponges and algae, fungi and snake venom. Some aspects of recent research with natural products directed to produce anti-hypertensive drugs are discussed. In this review, 148 references were cited.
A inibição da Enzima Conversora da Angiotensina (ECA) é um alvo terapêutico moderno e eficaz no tratamento da hipertensão arterial. Na cascata enzimática que envolve o sistema renina-angiotensina, a ECA promove a remoção dos aminoácidos histidil-leucina da angiotensina I para formar o octapeptídio angiotensina II, a qual é fisiologicamente ativa em diversos sistemas, e considerado como um dos mais potentes vasoconstrictores endógenos conhecido. Portanto, uma racionalidade no tratamento da hipertensão seria administrar drogas ou compostos de origem natural que inibam seletivamente a ECA. O presente estudo constitui uma revisão da literatura sobre plantas e moléculas de origem natural com potencial anti-hipertensivo, baseado na inibição in vitro da ECA. A revisão referencia 321 plantas, partes usadas, tipo de extrato e se é ativo ou não. Inclui ainda o nome de 158 compostos isolados de plantas superiores, esponjas e algas marinhas, fungos e venenos de cobra. Alguns aspectos de pesquisa recente com produtos naturais direcionados à produção de drogas anti-hipertensivas também são discutidos. Nesta revisão 148 referências foram consultadas.
ABSTRACT
O estudo tem como objetivo analisar os critérios de aquisição, identificando os recursos intrucionais utilizados por estudantes universitários de Enfermagem. Foi realizada pesquisa exploratória do tipo survey com 371 estudantes de cindo cursos de graduação em Enfermagem dos estados de São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro e Minas Gerais, em 1998. São resultados: os livros mais comprados são os de Enfermagem Médico-Cirúrgica, Anatomia e Fisiologia. As outras especialidades são mais raras, sendo os de Medicina Preventiva e Enfermagem em Saúde Pública e Materno-Infantil os menos comprados. A maioria dos livros é comprada no livreiro da escola. O idioma preferencial na escolha dos livros ainda é o Inglês, quando comparados com o Português e Espanhol. Conclui-se que existe uma diversificação na utilização dos recursos instrucionais, mas o livro-texto apresenta-se como preferência marcante, apesar de os recursos de informática serem também utilizados por esta categoria de alunos
