Space-time patterns and drivers of migrant bird communities in coastal Piauí State, Brazil

Introduction: Migration is a natural phenomenon that includes annual movements of many bird species in response to seasonal cycles. With approximately one third of all living bird species, South America has an important avifauna, and many migrants land in Brazil at stopping points and wintering sites. Objective: To identify associations between migrant birds and coastal vegetation, and environmental influence of on migration. Methods: At 10 points along the coast of Piauí State, Brazil, we made visual censuses and mist net captures, between April 2009 and February 2016. Results: We identified 82 migrant bird species (13 orders; 28 families) that represented 41 intracontinental migrating species, 26 northern visiting species, 14 nomad species and one vagrant species. The richness peaks were at the beginning and end of both dry and rainy seasons, matching insolation and atmospheric pressure. There were spatial pattern differences among vegetation complexes. Chrysolampis mosquitus is an indicator of caatinga vegetation, Numenius phaeopus of wetland, Charadrius collaris of non-flooding fields, Rostrhamus sociabilis of forest-grassland transition, and Columbina picui of orchards. Despite differences in number and species composition within vegetation types, the temporal pattern in species richness was similar among flooded fields, non-flooded fields, and transition grassland categories. Conclusions: Migrant birds occupy specific environments during their permanence along the coast of Piauí State, with richness matching insolation and atmospheric pressure.

Introducción: La migración es un fenómeno natural que incluye los movimientos anuales de muchas especies de aves en respuesta a los ciclos estacionales. Con aproximadamente un tercio de todas las especies de aves conocidas, América del Sur tiene una avifauna importante y muchas aves migratorias tienen puntos de parada e invernada en Brasil. Objetivo: Identificar asociaciones entre las aves migratorias y la vegetación costera, y la influencia del medio ambiente en la migración. Métodos: En 10 puntos a lo largo de la costa del Estado de Piauí, Brasil, realizamos censos visuales y capturas con redes de niebla, entre abril 2009 y febrero 2016. Resultados: Identificamos 82 especies de aves migratorias (13 órdenes; 28 familias) que representaron 41 especies migratorias intracontinentales, 26 especies visitantes del norte, 14 especies nómadas y una especie vagante. Los picos de riqueza se dieron al principio y al final de las estaciones seca y lluviosa, coincidiendo con la insolación y la presión atmosférica. Hubo diferencias en el patrón espacial entre los complejos de vegetación. Chrysolampis mosquitus es un indicador de vegetación de caatinga, Numenius phaeopus de humedales, Charadrius collaris de campos que no se inundan, Rostrhamus sociabilis de transición bosque-pastizales y Columbina picui de huertos. A pesar de las diferencias en el número y composición de especies dentro de los tipos de vegetación, el patrón temporal en la riqueza de especies fue similar entre las categorías de campos inundados, campos no inundados y pastizales de transición. Conclusiones: Las aves migratorias ocupan ambientes específicos durante su permanencia a lo largo de la costa del estado de Piauí, con una riqueza acorde con la insolación y la presión atmosférica.

On the use of evoked potentials for quantification of pain.

Pain is a subjective and individual sensation causing major discomfort. So, it is necessary to put into practice methods to objectively quantify it. Several studies indicate that evoked potentials (EP) generate responses which may reflect painful processes. This study reports the results of the application of two different protocols by using biopotentials to objectively measure pain. The first (protocol 1) evaluates the relation between pain, induced by electrical stimulation, and subjective perception and also with nociceptive flexion reflex (NFR) represented by muscle activity (electromyography) detected on the femoral biceps after sural nerve stimulation. The second protocol (protocol 2) verifies whether there is some correlation between M-wave parameters and subjective pain sensation. The results obtained from protocol 1 suggest that the area of the EMG envelope and entropy estimated from the EMG activity are correlated with subjective sensation of pain. The analysis of data obtained from protocol 2 shows a correlation between the global minimum of the M-wave and pain increase. These results contribute to studies which seek to objective measures for pain quantification based on the analysis of biopotentials.

Methotrexate and liver function: a study of 13 psoriasis cases treated with different cumulative dosages.

BACKGROUND: The need and frequency of hepatic biopsies during methotrexate (MTX) therapy are still controversial. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation is to assess MTX liver toxicity in patients with psoriasis through percutaneous liver biopsy, and compare liver morphology changes with increasing cumulative dosages (1, 2, 3 and 4 g) of MTX. RESULTS: Cumulative dosages of 1 to 2 g MTX did not cause significant liver toxicity. From a cumulative dosage of 3 to 4 g, there is fibrosis formation, inflammation enhancement in the portal area and fibrous septa, configuring regenerative nodes. CONCLUSION: In patients with no risk factors for liver disease, with normal physical examination and liver tests, biopsy can be done after a cumulative MTX dosage of approximately 1 to 1.5 g and repeated for each gram. In patients with risk factors, liver biopsy should be done before use of MTX, or within the first 2 months of treatment at the most, and repeated for each gram of cumulative dosage.

Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA by in situ hybridization in paraformaldehyde fixed biopsies.

Fourteen hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically infected patients were submitted to routine liver biopsy for histological evaluation. Liver samples were assayed to HCV-RNA by in situ hybridization, using digoxigenin labeled probe. HCV genotypes were found to be predominantly type 1 (71.4%), followed by genotype 3 (21.4%), and genotype 2 (7.2%). Alanine-aminotransferase levels were raised in 10 patients. The histopathological scores were minimal (21.4%), mild (57.2%), and moderate (21.4%). Viral RNA was detected in liver cells from nine patients (64.3%). ISH method provides localization and poor confirmation of HCV RNA in the liver tissue of HCV chronic patients.

Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA by in situ hybridization in paraformaldehyde fixed biopsies

Fourteen hepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically infected patients were submitted to routine liver biopsy for histological evaluation. Liver samples were assayed to HCV-RNA by in situ hybridization, using digoxigenin labeled probe. HCV genotypes were found to be predominantly type 1 (71.4 percent), followed by genotype 3 (21.4 percent), and genotype 2 (7.2 percent). Alanine-aminotransferase levels were raised in 10 patients. The histopathological scores were minimal (21.4 percent), mild (57.2 percent), and moderate (21.4 percent). Viral RNA was detected in liver cells from nine patients (64.3 percent). ISH method provides localization and poor confirmation of HCV RNA in the liver tissue of HCV chronic patients.

Herpes simplex virus ophthalmic disease induced using two different methods of mice inoculation.

Two different procedures for inoculation of HSV on corneas of BALB/c mice were evaluated. The first was by the use of HSV suspensions directly on the corneas and the other was after corneal scarification. Animals by this later method presented greater morbidity and mortality than those of first group, suggesting that inoculation of HSV without scarification of the cornea should be the method of choice for the study of HSV ophthalmic infection. This model showed also be an efficient experimental system to testing antiviral drugs.

[Gastroduodenal Crohn's disease - report of 4 cases and review of the literature]. / Doença de Crohn gastroduodenal - relato de quatro casos e revisão da literatura.

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease can affect all the gastrointestinal tract, but gastroduodenal involvement is rarely seen (0.5 to 13%). OBJECTIVES: Report clinical, radiological and endoscopic findings and treatment of four patients with gastroduodenal Crohn's disease and review the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four patients (one male of 24 years old three females of 37, 66 and 74 years old) with epigastric pain, weight loss and low grade fever were referred to the University Hospitals of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Fluminese Federal University. Two had also mild intermittent diarrhea and arthritis/arthralgia and the third developed pyloric obstruction and received surgical treatment. Anemia was observed in only one (the young female). Barium x-ray studies showed aphthous ulcers in stomach and duodenum with distal ileum lesions and deformity in both. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed aphthous ulcers in stomach and geographic duodenal ulcers. Polypoid lesions and serpiginous ulcers within gastric antrum were observed in the young female. Colonoscopy was performed in two patients and disclosed an ulcerated ileitis in one and ulcerated pancolitis in other. Histopathology findings of biopsy specimens were inconclusive (granulomas were not found) and other causes of granulomatous disease were ruled out. Corticosteroids and proton pump inhibitors were started and two patients had their disease controlled. The other patient developed pyloric obstruction and had to be operated. CONCLUSIONS: Gastroduodenal Crohn's disease has distinct clinical, therapeutic and prognostic features. Advances in endoscopic methods and recognition of new histopathologic criteria for diagnosis have revealed an incidence higher than previously reported.

Liver pseudotumor: a rare manifestation of hepatic granulomata caused by Ascaris lumbricoides ova.

A rare case of hepatic granulomata caused by Ascaris lumbricoides ova is reported. The patient presented clinically with hepatic mass simulating malignancy, and final diagnosis was performed after surgery, which provided enough material for histopathological examination.

The influence of dietary nucleotides and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on the incorporation of [3H] arachidonic acid on experimental liver cirrhosis.

The purposes of this study were to determine: a) the incorporation of labeled [3H] arachidonic acid on the intestinal mucosa, the liver and plasma, after 1,3 and 5 hours of administration, b) preferential incorporation by different tissues, c) and the effects on experimental rats with thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis, after four weeks of a dietary supplementation with nucleotides and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. 209 female Wistar rats were divided into two groups (control and TAA group). The TAA group was given 300 mg of thioacetamide/L, in their drinking water for four months. After this period, a sample of 6 rats were taken from each group and examined, to evaluate the biochemical and histological changes of the experimental model, and 36 rats were taken to determine the incorporation of radioactivity by the groups. The rest of the animals were divided into four subgroups. Each group, receiving a supplementary diet with only long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or nucleotides or neither, for 4 weeks. After four months of thioacetamide, the incorporation of the [3H] arachidonic acid showed: a) an increased within 3 h in the intestinal mucosa, b) a decreased in the liver after 3 to 5 h c) and a drastic decrease in the plasma after 3 to 5 h. With a dietary supplementation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and nucleotides combined, there was a decrease of accumulate [3H] arachidonic acid in the intestine and a increase in the liver and plasma. The simultaneous supply of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and nucleotides was beneficial in the reversal of abnormalities of the lipid metabolism, in this experimental model of liver cirrhosis.

Prognosis of schistosomiasis mansoni patients infected with hepatitis B virus.

A clinical study on the evolution of patients with schistosomiasis mansoni has been conducted since 1983 at the outpatient clinic of the Infectious and Parasitic Disease Service in the Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, comparing prevalence of positive tests for HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, and anti-HBc among patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni coming from various regions of Brazil and with different clinical forms of the disease. A non-significant predominance of HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, and anti-HBc was detected among patients with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis, who presented a more severe clinical evolution with a higher frequency of hematemesis and/or melena, in addition to the development of macronodular cirrhosis and a worse prognosis as compared to patients with the toxemic form, schistosomiasis-infection and the hepatointestinal form.

Experimental infection of newborn mice with murine EDIM rotavirus.

All four-day old Swiss mice whose dams were seronegative to rotavirus developed diarrhea 72 h after oral infection with EDIM rotavirus (HP strain). Electron microscopy of infected small intestine showed rotavirus particles of different sizes and morphology in the intestinal absorptive cells. In these cells rotavirus particles of 30 to 60 nm representing the various steps of virus maturation were visualized in viroplasm near the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). Mature rotavirus particles of 70 nm approximately were observed inside the RER of the intestinal absorptive cells. In the lamina propria rotavirus particles of approximately 30 nm and tubules were observed in phagosome-like structures of subepithelial phagocytes and were probably destroyed by lysosomal enzymes. The absence of signs of viral replication in phagocytes of lamina propria suggests that this may be the mechanism for viral antigen presentation to the host immunological system and may be one of the reasons for the fact that rotavirus infection is limited to the intestine.

Experimental infection of newborn mice with murine EDIM rotavirus

All four-day old Swiss mice whose dams were seronegative to rotavirus developed diarrhea 72 h after oral infection with EDIM rotavirus (HP strain). Electron microscopy of infected small intestine showed rotavirus particles of different sizes and morphology in the intestinal absorptive cells. In these cells rotavirus particles of 30 to 60 nm representing the various steps of virus maturation were visualized in viroplasm near the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). Mature rotavirus particles of 70 nm approximately were observed inside the RER of the intestinal absorptive cells. In the lamina propria rotavirus particles of approximately 30 nm and tubules were observed in phagosome-like structures of subepithelial phagocytes and were probably destroyed by lysosomal enzymes. The absence of signs of viral replication in phagocytes of lamina propria suggests that this may be the mechanism for viral antigen presentation to the host immunological system and may be one of the reasons for the fact that rotavirus infection is limited to the intestine