Adult worm-specific IgE/IgG4 balance is associated with low infection levels of Schistosoma mansoni in an endemic area.

Field studies have suggested an immune-mediated mechanism associated with resistance to Schistosoma mansoni infection. Overall, levels of specific IgE have been correlated with resistance to infection, whereas levels of IgG4 have been associated with susceptibility. This study aimed to evaluate serum levels of soluble adult worm antigen preparation (SWAP)-specific IgE and IgG4 in relation to current infection in a large casuistic of individuals living in an endemic area of schistosomiasis in Bahia, Brazil. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 37·7% and the mean parasite burden was 55·4 (0-2100) epg/faeces. There was no significant difference in the levels of SWAP-specific IgE in individuals with different parasite burden, whereas high producers of parasite-specific IgG4 presented higher parasite burden when compared to low IgG4 producers. Additionally, S. mansoni parasite load was positively correlated with the levels of specific IgG4 or total IgE. No significant correlation was observed between parasite burden and SWAP-specific IgE. Nevertheless, SWAP-specific IgE/IgG4 ratio was higher in uninfected or lightly infected individuals (1-99 epg/faeces) than in heavily infected ones (≥400 epg/feces). These findings highlight the important role of IgE/IgG4 ratio in the resistance to infection, which could be useful for further studies in schistosomiasis vaccine candidates.

Amazonia through time: Andean uplift, climate change, landscape evolution, and biodiversity.

The Amazonian rainforest is arguably the most species-rich terrestrial ecosystem in the world, yet the timing of the origin and evolutionary causes of this diversity are a matter of debate. We review the geologic and phylogenetic evidence from Amazonia and compare it with uplift records from the Andes. This uplift and its effect on regional climate fundamentally changed the Amazonian landscape by reconfiguring drainage patterns and creating a vast influx of sediments into the basin. On this "Andean" substrate, a region-wide edaphic mosaic developed that became extremely rich in species, particularly in Western Amazonia. We show that Andean uplift was crucial for the evolution of Amazonian landscapes and ecosystems, and that current biodiversity patterns are rooted deep in the pre-Quaternary.

Snakes from the Atlantic Rainforest area of Serra do Mendanha, in Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil: a first approximation to the taxocenosis composition.

We studied the species composition of the snake community of Serra do Mendanha, in Rio de Janeiro state, Southeastern Brazil, with an effort of 800 hours/man in different habitats, including undisturbed forest, secondary forest, areas under regeneration, and banana plantation. We sampled snakes monthly in the area using a combination of methods including intensive visual searching and pitfall traps with drift-fences. We found a total of 191 individuals of 27 snake species, belonging to four families: Boidae, Colubridae, Elapidae and Viperidae. In terms of species richness, the most speciose snake family in the area was Colubridae (85.2%; n = 23), followed by Viperidae (7.4%; n = 2), Boidae (3.7%; n = 1) and Elapidae (3.7%; n = 1) (Table 1). Quantitatively, the family Colubridae represented 81.7% (n = 156) of the total of individuals captured throughout the study, followed by Elapidae (13.1% of the individuals; n = 25), Viperidae (4.7%; n = 9) and Boidae (0.5%; n = 1). The data obtained in the study allowed a first approximation of the richness and composition of the snake fauna from Serra do Mendanha, including the records obtained during fieldwork in the present study and those of specimens deposited in Institutional Collections and detailed field data for each voucher specimen. All records are novel data for the area.

Snakes from the Atlantic Rainforest area of Serra do Mendanha, in Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil: a first approximation to the taxocenosis composition / Serpentes da Serra do Mendanha, estado do Rio de Janeiro, sudeste do Brasil: uma primeira aproximação da composição da taxocenose

We studied the species composition of the snake community of Serra do Mendanha, in Rio de Janeiro state, Southeastern Brazil, with an effort of 800 hours/man in different habitats, including undisturbed forest, secondary forest, areas under regeneration, and banana plantation. We sampled snakes monthly in the area using a combination of methods including intensive visual searching and pitfall traps with drift-fences. We found a total of 191 individuals of 27 snake species, belonging to four families: Boidae, Colubridae, Elapidae and Viperidae. In terms of species richness, the most speciose snake family in the area was Colubridae (85.2 percent; n = 23), followed by Viperidae (7.4 percent; n = 2), Boidae (3.7 percent; n = 1) and Elapidae (3.7 percent; n = 1) (Table 1). Quantitatively, the family Colubridae represented 81.7 percent (n = 156) of the total of individuals captured throughout the study, followed by Elapidae (13.1 percent of the individuals; n = 25), Viperidae (4.7 percent; n = 9) and Boidae (0.5 percent; n = 1). The data obtained in the study allowed a first approximation of the richness and composition of the snake fauna from Serra do Mendanha, including the records obtained during fieldwork in the present study and those of specimens deposited in Institutional Collections and detailed field data for each voucher specimen. All records are novel data for the area.

Estudamos a composição da comunidade de serpentes da Serra do Mendanha, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, com um esforço de 800 horas/homem nos diferentes hábitats da região incluindo mata pouco perturbada, mata secundária e áreas de cultivo de bananeiras. Para amostrar as serpentes, utilizamos os métodos de procura visual e armadilhas de queda com cercas-guia. Encontramos um total de 191 indivíduos de 27 espécies de serpentes, distribuídas em quatro famílias: Boidae, Colubridae, Elapidae e Viperidae. Em termos de riqueza de espécies, a família com maior número de espécies foi a Colubridae (85,2 por cento; n = 23), seguida pela Viperidae (7,4 por cento; n = 2), Boidae (3,7 por cento; n = 1) e Elapidae (3,7 por cento; n = 1) (Tabela 1). Quantitativamente, a família Colubridae representou 81,7 por cento (n = 156) do total de indivíduos capturados durante o estudo; Elapidae (13,1 por cento dos indivíduos; n = 25); Viperidae (4,7 por cento; n = 9); e Boidae (0,5 por cento; n = 1). Os dados obtidos no presente estudo permitiram uma primeira aproximação da riqueza e composição da fauna de serpentes da Serra do Mendanha, incluindo os registros obtidos durante o trabalho de campo neste estudo, dos espécimes depositados em coleções institucionais e dos dados de campo de cada espécime-testemunho. Todos os registros obtidos são inéditos para a região.

Comparison of xylazine and medetomidine as premedicants for cats being anaesthetised with propofol-sevoflurane.

The effects of premedicating cats with saline, xylazine or medetomidine before anaesthetising them with propofol-sevoflurane were compared. Twenty-four cats were randomly assigned to three groups of eight to receive either 0.25 ml of saline, 0.50 mg/kg of xylazine or 0.02 mg/kg of medetomidine intravenously, and anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane. Medetomidine produced a greater reduction in the induction dose of propofol and fewer adverse postoperative effects than saline or xylazine. Hypoxaemia was observed after induction with propofol in the cats premedicated with saline and xylazine, but not in the cats given medetomidine. The cats treated with medetomidine and xylazine developed profound bradycardia. The blood pressure of the cats premedicated with saline and xylazine decreased, but the blood pressure of the cats premedicated with medetomidine was maintained. The cats premedicated with saline took longer to recover from anaesthesia than the other two groups.

Infusão contínua de propofol em gatos pré-medicados com cetamina-midazolam / Continuous infusion of propofol after ketamine-midazolam premedication in cats

Estudaram-se os efeitos anestésicos e cardiorrespiratórios produzidos pela infusão contínua de propofol em gatos pré-medicados com a associação cetamina-midazolam. Catorze gatos adultos foram igualmente distribuídos em dois grupos (TX1 e TX3) aos quais administraram-se, pela via intramuscular, cetamina (3,0mg/kg) e midazolam (0,3mg/kg). Decorridos cinco minutos procedeu-se a indução anestésica pela administração intravenosa de propofol (5,0mg/kg), imediatamente seguida pela infusão contínua do agente hipnótico nas doses de 0,1 ou 0,3mg/kg/min, aos animais de TX1 e TX3, respectivamente. Foram mensuradas as freqüências cardíaca e respiratória, temperatura retal, saturação de oxihemoglobina, concentração exalada de dióxido de carbono e pressão arterial. Em TX3 observou-se manutenção de adequado plano anestésico, enquanto que os animais do TX1 apresentaram-se sedados. Houve decréscimo acentuado da freqüência cardíaca, pressão arterial e elevação da concentração de dióxido de carbono exalado no TX3. Conclui-se que o emprego de propofol na dose de infusão de 0,3mg/kg/min em gatos pré-medicados com cetamina-midazolam produz anestesia satisfatória, bradicardia, depressão da função respiratória e pressão arterial.

Clinical use of dexmedetomidine as premedicant in cats undergoing propofol-sevoflurane anaesthesia.

The purpose of this report was to evaluate the cardiorespiratory effects and efficacy of dexmedetomidine as a premedicant agent in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy anaesthetized with propofol-sevoflurane. Cats were randomly divided into two groups of eight animals each. Dexmedetomidine (0.01 mg/kg) or 0.9% saline was administered intravenously (D and S, respectively). After 5 min, propofol was administered intravenously and anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. Heart and respiratory rates, arterial blood pressure, oxygen saturation, rectal temperature and the amount of propofol needed for induction were measured. Premedication with dexmedetomidine reduced the requirement of propofol (6.7+/-3.8 mg/kg), but induced bradycardia, compared with the administration of saline (15.1+/-5.1 mg/kg). Recovery quality was significantly better in D but no significant difference in time to return of swallowing reflex was observed between groups (D=2.5+/-0.5 min; S=3.2+/-1.8 min). In conclusion, dexmedetomidine is a safe and effective agent for premedication in cats undergoing propofol-sevoflurane anaesthesia with minimal adverse effects.