New challenges for the Human Oceans Past agenda.

We contend that the harvest of marine resources played a critical, but as yet underappreciated and poorly understood, role in global history. In a review of the field of marine environmental history and archaeology we conclude that while much progress has been made, especially in the last two decades, fundamental questions remain unanswered. In order to make full use of the rapid growth of Big Data and ongoing methodological breakthroughs there is a need for collaborative and comparative research. Such joint efforts on a global scale must be guided by a focus on common, simple yet challenging, questions. We propose a Human Oceans Past research agenda to call for multi- and trans-disciplinary archaeological, historical and palaeoenvironmental/palaeoecological research to investigate: (1) when and where marine exploitation was of significance to human society; (2) how selected major socio-economic, cultural, and environmental forces variously constrained and enabled marine exploitation; and (3) what were the consequences of marine resource exploitation for societal development. We contend that this agenda will lead to a fundamental revision in our understanding of the historical role of marine resources in the development of human societies.

Reduced volume of red blood cell priming is safe for pediatric patients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange.

RATIONAL: Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) procedures in pediatric patients are challenging due to the large extracorporeal volume of the cell separators, which were designed for adults. Red blood cell (RBC) priming is an alternative for overpassing the risks of hypovolemia, but data referring to the volume of packed RBCs to be infused are yet incomplete. Restricting the volume of RBC priming may potentially be associated with less transfusion reactions. GOAL: To determine the safety of administering a reduced volume of RBC priming for pediatric patients undergoing TPE, in comparison to the standard volume recommended by the cell separators' manufacturers. METHODS: This was a case-control study which enrolled 15 pediatric patients undergoing TPE and weighting more than 10Kg. The TPE procedures (n = 406) were divided in two groups: 1) Group1: TPE with ≤150 mL of packed RBC priming and 2) Group2: TPE with 150-250 mL of RBC priming. Groups were compared in terms of hemoglobin / hematocrit and occurrence of adverse reactions. RESULTS: Group1 and Group2 did not differ significantly in relation to pre- and post-TPE hemoglobin (Hb) levels (p = 0.19 and p = 0.18, respectively). The Δ Hb (Hb pre-TPE - Hb post-TPE) was also not statistically different between the groups. The number of adverse reactions was significantly higher in Group 2 in relation to Group 1 (p = 0.01). The number of allergic reactions was also higher in Group 2 (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Restricting the volume of RBC priming to less than 150 mL is safe for pediatric patients weighting more than 10Kg and associated with lower rates of transfusion-related adverse reactions.

Retinal structural changes in preterm children without retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare all retinal layers' thickness in full-term and preterm children without retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: Cross-sectional study including two groups of patients: group 1 children with history of preterm gestation without ROP (gestational age < 37 weeks) and group 2 healthy children with history of full-term gestation. All subjects underwent an ophthalmic examination including spectral domain-optical coherence tomography. After automatic retinal segmentation, each retinal layer thickness (eight separate layers and overall thickness) was calculated in all nine Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study areas. Demographic, systemic, gestational, and birth data were collected. Generalized additive regression models were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Fifty-one children (51 eyes) were recruited, 19 full-term and 32 preterm children, mean age at ophthalmic examination of 10.58 (4.21) and 14.13 (3.16), respectively. In multivariable analysis, the preterm group's retinal thickness was significantly decreased in total retina nasal outer sector, ganglion cell layer (GCL), and inner plexiform layer (IPL), specifically GCL temporal outer (p = 0.010), GCL superior outer (p = 0.009), IPL temporal outer (p = 0.022), and IPL superior outer (p = 0.004), when compared with full-term group. From the variables compared only with birth head circumference that influenced the models, a non-linear association was identified and consequently modeled with splines through a generalized additive model. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that preterm children without ROP have structural retinal alterations, mostly in GCL and IPL in outer areas of the macula. Therefore, it is crucial to question gestational history since these retinal changes may be found later in life leading to useless investigation.

From sea monsters to charismatic megafauna: Changes in perception and use of large marine animals.

Marine megafauna has always elicited contrasting feelings. In the past, large marine animals were often depicted as fantastic mythological creatures and dangerous monsters, while also arousing human curiosity. Marine megafauna has been a valuable resource to exploit, leading to the collapse of populations and local extinctions. In addition, some species have been perceived as competitors of fishers for marine resources and were often actively culled. Since the 1970s, there has been a change in the perception and use of megafauna. The growth of marine tourism, increasingly oriented towards the observation of wildlife, has driven a shift from extractive to non-extractive use, supporting the conservation of at least some species of marine megafauna. In this paper, we review and compare the changes in the perception and use of three megafaunal groups, cetaceans, elasmobranchs and groupers, with a special focus on European cultures. We highlight the main drivers and the timing of these changes, compare different taxonomic groups and species, and highlight the implications for management and conservation. One of the main drivers of the shift in perception, shared by all the three groups of megafauna, has been a general increase in curiosity towards wildlife, stimulated inter alia by documentaries (from the early 1970s onwards), and also promoted by easy access to scuba diving. At the same time, environmental campaigns have been developed to raise public awareness regarding marine wildlife, especially cetaceans, a process greatly facilitated by the rise of Internet and the World Wide Web. Currently, all the three groups (cetaceans, elasmobranchs and groupers) may represent valuable resources for ecotourism. Strikingly, the economic value of live specimens may exceed their value for human consumption. A further change in perception involving all the three groups is related to a growing understanding and appreciation of their key ecological role. The shift from extractive to non-extractive use has the potential for promoting species conservation and local economic growth. However, the change in use may not benefit the original stakeholders (e.g. fishers or whalers) and there may therefore be a case for providing compensation for disadvantaged stakeholders. Moreover, it is increasingly clear that even non-extractive use may have a negative impact on marine megafauna, therefore regulations are needed.

CYP1B1 gene analysis and phenotypic correlation in Portuguese children with primary congenital glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of CYP1B1 mutations in Portuguese children with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) and to study the possible correlations between the mutation status and clinical features of the disease. METHODS: DNA sequencing analysis of the CYP1B1 gene was used to screen 21 children with PCG followed on Paediatric Ophthalmology and Medical Genetics consultations at D. Estefânia's Hospital (Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Portugal). The effect of mutations on the phenotype of the patients was also assessed. Presence and type of mutations in CYP1B1 gene, age at diagnosis, bilaterality, age at first surgery, postoperative intraocular pressure and corneal diameter, final visual acuity, number of surgical reinterventions, and number of antiglaucoma medications required postoperatively were noted. RESULTS: Mutations in the CYP1B1 gene in 6 patients (28.57%) were detected, all compound heterozygotes. Seven types of mutations were identified: c.182G>A, c.317C>A, c.535delG, c.1064_1076del, c.1159G>A, c.1310C>T, and c.1390dupT. All patients with these mutations developed bilateral PCG, whereas in the group without mutations only 7 (46.67%) showed bilateral disease. Age at diagnosis was lower in the group of patients with these mutations (0.0 ± 0.00 vs 4.5 ± 2.63 months, p<0.01). In the remaining variables (age at first surgery, postoperative intraocular pressure and corneal diameter, final visual acuity, number of surgical reinterventions and antiglaucoma medications required postoperatively), no significant differences between the groups were detected (p>0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to report the variety of mutations in the CYP1B1 gene in a group of Portuguese children with PCG and to describe 2 new mutations. Genetic analysis of PCG must be carried out, although it has not yet been possible to establish a genotype-phenotype correlation, with the exception of bilaterality and early age at diagnosis.

Higher order aberrations in amblyopic children and their role in refractory amblyopia / Aberrações de alta ordem em crianças com ambliopia e seu papel na ambliopia refratária

Objective: Some studies have hypothesized that an unfavourable higher order aberrometric profile could act as an amblyogenic mechanism and may be responsible for some amblyopic cases that are refractory to conventional treatment or cases of “idiopathic” amblyopia. This study compared the aberrometric profile in amblyopic children to that of children with normal visual development and compared the aberrometric profile in corrected amblyopic eyes and refractory amblyopic eyes with that of healthy eyes. Methods: Cross-sectional study with three groups of children – the CA group (22 eyes of 11 children with unilateral corrected amblyopia), the RA group (24 eyes of 13 children with unilateral refractory amblyopia) and the C group (28 eyes of 14 children with normal visual development). Higher order aberrations were evaluated using an OPD-Scan III (NIDEK). Comparisons of the aberrometric profile were made between these groups as well as between the amblyopic and healthy eyes within the CA and RA groups. Results: Higher order aberrations with greater impact in visual quality were not significantly higher in the CA and RA groups when compared with the C group. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in the higher order aberrometric profile between the amblyopic and healthy eyes within the CA and RA groups. Conclusions: Contrary to lower order aberrations (e.g., myopia, hyperopia, primary astigmatism), higher order aberrations do not seem to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of amblyopia. Therefore, these are likely not the cause of most cases of refractory amblyopia. .

Objetivo: Alguns estudos levantaram a hipótese de que um perfil aberrométrico de alta ordem desfavorável poderia ser um fator ambliogênico, responsável por certos casos de ambliopia “idiopática” ou refratária ao tratamento convencional. Este trabalho tem como objetivos: 1) comparar o perfil aberrométrico de crianças amblíopes com o de crianças com desenvolvimento visual normal; 2) comparar a aberrometria de olhos amblíopes tratados com sucesso/curados e olhos amblíopes refratários ao tratamento convencional com a aberrometria de olhos saudáveis. Métodos: Estudo transversal com três grupos de crianças: grupo CA (22 olhos de 11 crianças com ambliopia unilateral curada), grupo RA (24 olhos de 13 crianças com ambliopia unilateral refratária) e grupo C (28 olhos de 14 crianças com desenvolvimento visual normal). Avaliou-se a aberrometria ocular total utilizando o OPD Scan-III (NIDEK). Comparou-se o perfil aberrométrico dos três grupos de estudo bem como dentro dos grupos CA e RA, o olho amblíope com o saudável. Resultados: As aberrações de alta ordem com maior impacto na qualidade visual não foram significativamente superiores nos grupos CA e RA, comparativamente ao grupo C. Por outro lado, não se encontraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre o perfil aberrométrico de alta ordem dos olhos amblíopes e dos olhos sãos dentro dos grupos CA e RA. Conclusão: Contrariamente às aberrações de baixa ordem (miopia, hipermetropia, astigmatismo primário), as de alta ordem não parecem relacionar-se com a etiopatogênese da ambliopia. É também pouco provável que estas sejam a causa da maioria dos casos de ambliopia refratária. .

Archaeological remains accounting for the presence and exploitation of the North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis on the Portuguese Coast (Peniche, West Iberia), 16th to 17th Century.

The former occurrence of the North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis on the Portuguese coast may be inferred from the historical range of that species in Europe and in NW Africa. It is generally accepted that it was the main prey of coastal whaling in the Middle Ages and in the pre-modern period, but this assumption still needs firming up based on biological and archaeological evidence. We describe the skeletal remains of right whales excavated at Peniche in 2001-2002, in association with archaeological artefacts. The whale bones were covered by sandy sediments on the old seashore and they have been tentatively dated around the 16th to 17th centuries. This study contributes material evidence to the former occurrence of E. glacialis in Portugal (West Iberia). Some whale bones show unequivocal man-made scars. These are associated to wounds from instruments with a sharp-cutting blade. This evidence for past human interaction may suggest that whaling for that species was active at Peniche around the early 17th century.

The environmental history of cetaceans in Portugal: ten centuries of whale and dolphin records.

The history between cetaceans and humans is documented throughout time not only in reports, descriptions, and tales but also in legal documents, laws and regulations, and tithes. This wealth of information comes from the easy spotting and identification of individuals due to their large size, surface breathing, and conspicuous above water behaviour. This work is based on historical sources and accounts accounting for cetacean presence for the period between the 12th and 17th centuries, as well as scientific articles, newspapers, illustrations, maps, non-published scientific reports, and other grey literature from the 18th century onwards. Information on whale use in Portugal's mainland has been found since as early as the 12th century and has continued to be created throughout time. No certainty can be given for medieval and earlier events, but both scavenging of stranded whales or use of captured ones may have happened. There is an increasing number of accounts of sighted, stranded, used, or captured cetaceans throughout centuries which is clearly associated with a growing effort towards the study of these animals. Scientific Latin species denominations only started to be registered from the 18th century onwards, as a consequence of the evolution of natural sciences in Portugal and increasing interest from zoologists. After the 19th century, a larger number of observations were recorded, and from the 20th century to the present day, regular scientific records have been collected. Research on the environmental history of cetaceans in Portugal shows a several-centuries-old exploitation of whales and dolphins, as resources mainly for human consumption, followed in later centuries by descriptions of natural history documenting strandings and at sea encounters. Most cetaceans species currently thought to be present in Portuguese mainland waters were at some point historically recorded.

Phylogenetic characterization of rabies virus isolates from Carnivora in Brazil.

The incidence of canine rabies has been widely reported in Brazil, and new rabies virus (RV) variants, genetically similar to canine RV, have recently been isolated from foxes. In order to derive the epidemiological characteristics of Brazilian Carnivora RV, Brazilian RVs isolated from dogs, cats, and foxes were genetically analyzed. Brazilian Carnivora RV isolates were divided into 2 main lineages. The predominant lineage was found in dogs and cats, which included the Argentinean and Bolivian Carnivora RV isolates, and was extensively distributed throughout Brazil and surrounding countries. The other lineage consisted of three sublineages containing Brazilian dog and fox RV isolates, with the dog sublineages located on an internal branch of 2 fox sublineages, suggesting that RV transmission events might have occurred between foxes and dogs in the past. These results suggest that contact between dogs and wildlife has the potential to generate new rabies variants and that it is important to control RV infection cycles in both dogs and wildlife to prevent spread of rabies infection.

Salmonelose em cäes de experimentaçäo / Salmonellosis in experimental dogs

Relata-se um surto de salmonelose em cäes de experimentaçäo, com mortalidade de 50 por cento nos animais. Os sorotipos isolados foram Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Agona e Salmonella enterica subsp. Enterica. Discute-se a epidemiologia e sua importância em Saúde Pública

Expressão heteróloga em Escherichia coli de antígenos do Schistosoma mansoni / Heterologous expression in Escherichia coli antigens of Schistosoma mansoni

O sistema de expressão da RNA polimerase do bacteriófago T7 foi utilizado neste trabalho para a produção de dois antlgenos de vermes adultos do Schistosoma mansoni. Esses dois antlgenos, Sm14 e Sm25, são potenciais candidatos a componentes de uma vacina anti-esquistossom6tica. A Sm14 é uma proteína solúvel e a região do gene codificadora foi diretamente clonada no vetor de expressão, pGEMEX-1. A Sm25 é uma glicoprotelna integral da membrana do tegumento de vermes adultos, por isso, para sua clonagem, foi selecionado o fragmento do gene correspondente ã região hidrofllica central da protelna. Esse fragmento foi amplificado a partir de DNA genômico de vermes adultos do Schistosoma mansoni, através de PCR. Após a clonagem dos insertos em pGEMEX-1, os plasmídeos recombinantes foram usados para transformar cepas de bactérias BL21(DE3). A padronização da expressão resultou em altos nlveis de protelnas de fusão, quando foram utilizadas as seguintes condições: culturas iniciadas a partir de uma colônia retirada de placa fresca (máximo de 20 horas), incubação por mais três horas ap6s adição de IPTG e manutenção dos estoques de recombinantes a -70C, com 15% de glicerol. As protelnas de fusão foram purificadas e usadas para vacinar camundongos "outbred" e coelhos. A Sm14 recombinante teve sua imunogenicidade preservada, pois foi capaz de induzir a produção de anticorpos, que reconheceram especificamente a proteína de fusão usada na vacinação. Anticorpos anti-rSm14 também reconheceram a proteína nativa, através de "western blot". Além disso, imunização com rSm14 induziu nIveis altamente significativos de proteção em coelhos e camundongos, 89% e 60%, respectivamente. A rSm25 teve uma posslvel alteração na sua imunogenicidade, pois, apesar de induzir a produção de anticorpos capazes de reconhecer especificamente a rSm25, esses anticorpos não foram capazes de reconhecer a proteína nativa...