Panicum cf. hispidifolium Swallen: una gramínea con potencial forrajero para las Sabanas de Sucre / Panicum cf. hispidifolium Swallen: a grass with forage potential for the Savannas of Sucre

Introducción: En la región Caribe de Colombia hay presencia de especies nativas de gramíneas que aún no han sido evaluadas. Objetivo: Identificar taxonómicamente una gramínea de la región Sabanas de Sucre y estudiar la influencia de la edad sobre sus atributos morfológicos y de producción. Materiales y métodos: El estudio se ubicó en 9º12'38.59" N y 75º24'06.63", a 165 msnm. En 18 parcelas se evaluaron tres intervalos de corte (21, 28 y 35 días). Inicialmente, se identificó la gramínea. Fue evaluada la composición química, el número y longitud de las hojas, las relaciones entre material verde y seco y entre hojas y tallos, y su evolución, y la producción y tasa de acúmulo de MS. Resultados: La gramínea se identificó como Panicum cf. hispidifolium Swallen. El contenido de PB, NDT y cenizas disminuyeron (P<0,05) con el incremento en la edad, presentando valores medios de 12,3; 58,5 y 9,7%, respectivamente. Las fracciones MS, FDA y CNE aumentaron (P<0,05) con la edad, presentando valores medios de 21,6; 37,17 y 6,24%, respectivamente. La disponibilidad de MS y la tasa de acúmulo evolucionaron cuadráticamente (P<0,05), con mayor intensidad entre los días 21 y 28. El promedio de MS disponible fue de 8049,1 kg/ha y la tasa diaria de acúmulo fue de 281,2 kg/ha. Conclusión: Se concluye que P. hispidifolium es una gramínea con potencial forrajero para la región Sabanas de Sucre, y que se debe manejar con periodos de descanso de alrededor de 28 días, considerando la disponibilidad y calidad de la MS.

Introduction: In the Caribbean region of Colombia there are native species of grasses that have not yet been evaluated. Objective: To identify taxonomically a grass observed in the Savannas de Sucre region and study the influence of age on its morphological and production attributes. Materials and Methods: The study was located at 9º12'38.59"N and 75º24'06.63", at 165 meters above sea level. In 18 plots, three cut intervals were evaluated (21, 28 and 35 days). Initially, the grass was identified. The chemical composition, the number and length of the leaves, the relationships between green and dry material and between leaves and stems, and their evolution, and the production and accumulation rate of DM were tested. Results: The grass was identified as Panicum cf. hispidifolium Swallen. The content of PB, NDT and ash decreased (P <0.05) with increasing age, presenting mean values of 12.27; 58.5 and 9.7%, respectively. The MS, FDA and CNE fractions increased (P <0.05) with age, presenting mean values of 21.6; 37.17 and 6.24%, respectively. DM availability and accumulation rate evolved quadratically (P <0.05), with greater intensity between days 21 and 28. The average DM available was 8049.1 kg / ha and the daily accumulation rate was 281.2 kg / ha. Conclusion: It is concluded that P. hispidifolium is a grass with forage potential for the Savannas of Sucre region, and that it should be managed with rest periods of around 28 days, considering the availability and quality of the DM.

Integrating data to redescribe Euschistus taurulus Berg (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

The genus Euschistus Dallas includes 67 species restricted to the New World, and several species are registered on cultivated plants in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. In South America, most Euschistus species are completely overlooked due to the lack of information to allow accurate identification. Here, we redescribed Euschistus taurulus Berg, including for the first time, characterization of the internal and external genitalia of both sexes. We also report original information on bionomics, review and update information on geographical distribution and host plants records. Additionally, we provide DNA barcoding sequences for E. taurulus and three other morphologically similar key-agriculture pest species in South America: Euschistus heros (Fabricius), Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas), and Dichelops furcatus (Fabricius). We discuss means for correct identification of E. taurulus and its phylogenetic position within Euschistus and other similar stink bugs; the potential economic importance of the E. taurulus is also addressed.

Almost a century of oblivion: Integrative taxonomy allows the resurrection of the longnose skate Zearaja brevicaudata (Marini, 1933) (Rajiformes; Rajidae).

Zearaja chilensis has been reported from Southern Brazil in the Southwest Atlantic (SWA) to northern Chile in the Southeast Pacific (SEP), and it was listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Recent molecular studies have called into question the conspecificity between specimens from these opposite coasts of South America, which can have implications for the conservation status of the species. To verify the identity of specimens identified as Z. chilensis, 47 individuals from SWA and 22 from SEP were examined. By comparing external morphology, spinulation pattern, clasper, egg cases, and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequence data, differences between groups were found. Adults from SWA presented longer snout length and shorter tail than those from SEP. Dermal denticles were restricted to the rostral area in SWA skates, whereas in SEP skates most of the dorsal surface was covered with denticles. Marked differences in the morphology of several components of clasper were noticeable. Egg cases of SWA skates had thinner lateral keels than those of SEP. Molecular analysis revealed two well-defined cohesive clusters, corresponding to SWA and SEP specimens, respectively. Average K2P distance between groups was 3.4%, higher than expected for intraspecific differences, and sequences were assigned to different BINs. These integrative approaches strongly support that specimens from SWA known as Z. chilensis correspond to a different nominal species than those from SEP. Herein, Z. brevicaudata (Marini 1933) is resurrected from synonymy with Z. chilensis.

Linfonodos axilares em pacientes com câncer de mama: avaliação ultrassonográfica / Axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients: sonographic evaluation

O estadiamento axilar nas pacientes portadoras de câncer de mama inicial é fator essencial no planejamento terapêutico. Atualmente este é realizado durante o tratamento cirúrgico, mas há uma tendência em buscar técnicas pré-operatórias e de menor morbidade para avaliação dos linfonodos axilares. A ultrassonografia é um exame amplamente usado para esta finalidade e muitas vezes associado a punção aspirativa por agulha fina ou por agulha grossa. Entretanto, os critérios ultrassonográficos de suspeição para linfonodos axilares não apresentam valores preditivos significativos, gerando resultados discrepantes em estudos sobre sensibilidade e especificidade do método. O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar uma revisão na literatura médica sobre a ultrassonografia no estadiamento axilar e as principais alterações morfológicas do linfonodo metastático.

Axillary staging of patients with early-stage breast cancer is essential in the treatment planning. Currently such staging is intraoperatively performed, but there is a tendency to seek a preoperative and less invasive technique to detect lymph node metastasis. Ultrasonography is widely utilized for this purpose, many times in association with fine-needle aspiration biopsy or core needle biopsy. However, the sonographic criteria for determining malignancy in axillary lymph nodes do not present significant predictive values, producing discrepant results in studies evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of this method. The present study was aimed at reviewing the literature approaching the utilization of ultrasonography in the axillary staging as well as the main morphological features of metastatic lymph nodes.

Morfologia e biometria dos otólitos de Beryx splendens e Hoplostethus occidentalis (Beryciformes) no Atlântico Sudoeste / Otolith morphology and biometry of Beryx splendens and Hoplostethus occidentalis (Beryciformes) in the Southwestern Atlantic

Beryx splendens and Hoplostethus occidentalis are common species distributed along the shelf break and upper slope of Southeastern and Southern Brazil. In this area, B. splendens and H. occidentalis were important species in survey catches. Beryx splendens has been landed in commercial catches and it is an important prey for other fish species. In this study, the morphological features of B. splendens and H. occidentalis otoliths are described, including shape indices and regression analyses. Ontogenetic changes in otoliths were also analyzed and the results are presented and discussed.(AU)

Beryx splendens e Hoplostethus occidentalis são típicos de regiões de borda de plataforma continental e talude superior na região Sudeste-Sul do Brasil. Nesta área, B. splendens e H. occidentalis se destacaram nas capturas em cruzeiros de prospecção pesqueira, tendo a primeira sido registrada nos desembarques de pescarias comerciais e constitui item importante da dieta de outros peixes. Neste estudo, foi realizada a caracterização morfológica das sagittae de B. splendens e H. occidentalis, por meio da descrição das feições do otólito, das estimativas dos índices de forma e do ajuste de regressões. Variações ontogenéticas também foram analisadas, sendo os resultados apresentados e discutidos.(AU)

Morfologia e biometria dos otólitos de Beryx splendens e Hoplostethus occidentalis (Beryciformes) no Atlântico Sudoeste / Otolith morphology and biometry of Beryx splendens and Hoplostethus occidentalis (Beryciformes) in the Southwestern Atlantic

Beryx splendens and Hoplostethus occidentalis are common species distributed along the shelf break and upper slope of Southeastern and Southern Brazil. In this area, B. splendens and H. occidentalis were important species in survey catches. Beryx splendens has been landed in commercial catches and it is an important prey for other fish species. In this study, the morphological features of B. splendens and H. occidentalis otoliths are described, including shape indices and regression analyses. Ontogenetic changes in otoliths were also analyzed and the results are presented and discussed.

Beryx splendens e Hoplostethus occidentalis são típicos de regiões de borda de plataforma continental e talude superior na região Sudeste-Sul do Brasil. Nesta área, B. splendens e H. occidentalis se destacaram nas capturas em cruzeiros de prospecção pesqueira, tendo a primeira sido registrada nos desembarques de pescarias comerciais e constitui item importante da dieta de outros peixes. Neste estudo, foi realizada a caracterização morfológica das sagittae de B. splendens e H. occidentalis, por meio da descrição das feições do otólito, das estimativas dos índices de forma e do ajuste de regressões. Variações ontogenéticas também foram analisadas, sendo os resultados apresentados e discutidos.

Axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients: sonographic evaluation.

Axillary staging of patients with early-stage breast cancer is essential in the treatment planning. Currently such staging is intraoperatively performed, but there is a tendency to seek a preoperative and less invasive technique to detect lymph node metastasis. Ultrasonography is widely utilized for this purpose, many times in association with fine-needle aspiration biopsy or core needle biopsy. However, the sonographic criteria for determining malignancy in axillary lymph nodes do not present significant predictive values, producing discrepant results in studies evaluating the sensitivity and specificity of this method. The present study was aimed at reviewing the literature approaching the utilization of ultrasonography in the axillary staging as well as the main morphological features of metastatic lymph nodes.

O estadiamento axilar nas pacientes portadoras de câncer de mama inicial é fator essencial no planejamento terapêutico. Atualmente este é realizado durante o tratamento cirúrgico, mas há uma tendência em buscar técnicas pré-operatórias e de menor morbidade para avaliação dos linfonodos axilares. A ultrassonografia é um exame amplamente usado para esta finalidade e muitas vezes associado a punção aspirativa por agulha fina ou por agulha grossa. Entretanto, os critérios ultrassonográficos de suspeição para linfonodos axilares não apresentam valores preditivos significativos, gerando resultados discrepantes em estudos sobre sensibilidade e especificidade do método. O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar uma revisão na literatura médica sobre a ultrassonografia no estadiamento axilar e as principais alterações morfológicas do linfonodo metastático.