Recently, the tiger-cat species complex was split into Leopardus tigrinus and Leopardus guttulus, along with other proposed schemes. We performed a detailed analysis integrating ecological modeling, ...biogeography, and phenotype of the four originally recognized subspecies-tigrinus, oncilla, pardinoides, guttulus-and presented a new multidimensional niche depiction of the species. Species distribution models used > 1400 records from museums and photographs, all checked for species accuracy. Morphological data were obtained from institutional/personal archives. Spotting patterns were established by integrating museum and photographic/camera-trap records. Principal component analysis showed three clearly distinct groups, with the Central American specimens (oncilla) clustering entirely within those of the Andes, namely the pardinoides group of the cloud forests of the southern Central-American and Andean mountain chains (clouded tiger-cat); the tigrinus group of the savannas of the Guiana Shield and central/northeastern Brazil (savanna tiger-cat); and the guttulus group in the lowland forests of the Atlantic Forest domain (Atlantic Forest tiger-cat). This scheme is supported by recent genetic analyses. All species displayed different spotting patterns, with some significant differences in body measurements/proportions. The new distribution presented alarming reductions from the historic range of - 50.4% to - 68.2%. This multidimensional approach revealed a new species of the elusive and threatened tiger-cat complex.
Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis are the most important gastrointestinal nematodes causing serious losses in sheep production of tropical and subtropical regions. Prophylaxis ...of gastrointestinal nematode infections is based on anthelmintics use, but their frequent administration selects multiple-resistant parasites. To evaluate how the situation has changed over the last decades, the anthelmintic resistance status of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep flocks was assessed in the current study and compared to previous surveys. In each one of the 15 flocks evaluated, animals (n ≥ 7) were allocated into at least five groups and treated as follows: 1) untreated control; 2) albendazole; 3) levamisole; 4) ivermectin; and 5) monepantel. If more animals were available, two additional groups were included: 6) closantel, and 7) moxidectin. The faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was carried out to evaluate the pre- and post-treatment using the SHINY tool. Haemonchus spp. was the most prevalent nematode from faecal cultures. The mean efficacy of albendazole was 40%. Only in two farms, levamisole presented a relatively high percentage of reduction in the FECRT about 90%, while ivermectin and moxidectin presented the worst mean efficacy of 34% and 21% among all farms, respectively. Like other anthelmintics, closantel demonstrated low efficacy (63%) across all farms evaluated. Monepantel presented an overall mean efficacy of 79%, but it was the only anthelmintic that presented efficacy ≥95%, in five farms. The results revealed that gastrointestinal nematodes with multiple anthelmintic resistance were prevalent in all 15 sheep herds. The research suggests that nematodes are becoming more and more resistant to various anthelmintic compounds, which has made the problem worse. This circumstance highlights the necessity to put into practice sustainable and long-lasting methods to prevent gastrointestinal nematode infections in sheep husbandry.
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•Multiple anthelmintic resistance is established in all sheep farms evaluated.•Anthelmintic resistance status has worsened over the last three decades.•Monepantel was 100% effective against Trichostrongylus spp.•Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. are the most resistant genera.•Oesophagostomum spp. is the most susceptible genus.
New strategies to manage the pool of potential donors are needed to increase organ donation rates. The purpose of the study was to identify the main causes of lack of organ donation and to identify ...the sociodemographic and clinical profiles of potential organ donors in an area of northeastern Brazil.
We conducted a cross-sectional, retrospective, observational study between November 2015 and January 2017.
A total of 150 potential donors were included in the sample. The main cause of death among potential donors was hemorrhagic stroke (35.3%). Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (25.6%). Family member's refusal was cited as the most common reason for not performing organ donation (49.4%). Among the causes of family member's refusal, the most prevalent was declaration of non-consent in life (23%), followed by family disagreement (20.3%).
There is clearly a need for public educational efforts with regard to organ donation. Educational advertising campaigns can help improve the authorization rate of organ donation.
The growing concern about climate change and related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) has been shared by many companies who are now involved in emission reduction efforts. In order to do this, it is ...necessary to first develop GHG emission inventories. The construction of inventories is not common practice in developing countries and among Brazilian water and wastewater companies, only four companies, among the top 25, have developed their GHG inventories, and none in the Northeast of the country. This paper aims to identify and estimate GHG emissions from the activities of a water utility, Empresa Baiana de Águas e Saneamento S.A (Embasa) in the State of Bahia during 2012. The method used for the inventory was the GHG Protocol proposed by World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and World Resources Institute (WRI), the most widely adopted method worldwide. In addition, the guidelines of IPPC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) were used to calculate emissions from wastewater treatment plants. It was found that the emissions resulting from sewage treatment (mostly carried out by anaerobic processes) constitute the largest source of GHG at the sanitation company studied, when considering the activities defined in this work. The assessment of GHG sources and emissions identified in this research can support proposals for reduction targets and benchmarking. The results form the basis for the incorporation of GHG reduction measures in the company's strategic planning as well as for integrating its sustainability report. The findings of this work can also help other companies to undertake GHG reduction measures.
Irisin, a hormone secreted by myocytes induced in exercise, acts as a muscle-derived energy-expenditure signal that binds to undetermined receptors on the white adipose tissue surface, stimulating ...its browning and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of an intradialytic resistance exercise training program (RETP) on plasma irisin levels of hemodialysis (HD) patients and compare the baseline plasma irisin levels of HD patients to healthy subjects. This longitudinal study enrolled 26 patients undergoing HD (50% men, 44.8±14.1 years, body mass index (BMI) 23.5±3.9 kg/m²). The healthy subjects group consisted of 11 women and 7 men with mean age of 50.9±6.6 years and BMI, 24.2±2.7 kg/m². Anthropometric and biochemistry parameters (Irisin by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) were measured at the baseline and after 6 months of RETP (in both lower limbs). There was no difference regarding gender, age, and BMI between HD patients and healthy subjects. Plasma irisin levels in HD patients were lower than in healthy subjects (71.0±41.6 vs. 101.3±12.5 ng/ml, p<0.05). Although the muscle mass increased in consequence of exercise evaluated by arm muscle area from 27.9 (24.1) to 33.1 (19.0) cm², plasma irisin did not differ significantly after exercises (71.0±41.6 vs. 73.3±36.0 ng/ml). HD patients seem to have lower plasma irisin when compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, a resistance exercise training program was unable to augment plasma irisin despite increasing muscle mass.
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continues to be a burden in low- and middle-income countries and prevalence estimates are lacking from South America. We aimed to determine the prevalence of RHD in the ...Brazilian Amazon Basin.
We examined a random sample of adults (≥18 years) from the general population, who underwent echocardiographic image acquisition by a medical doctor. All images were analyzed according to (i) the 2012 World Heart Federation criteria and (ii) a simplified algorithm for RHD from a previously validated risk score (categories: low-, medium-, high-risk) which involved assessment of the mitral valve (leaflet thickening and excessive motion, regurgitation jet length) and aortic valve (thickening and any regurgitation).
A total of 488 adults were screened (mean age 40 ± 15 years, 38% men). The prevalence of RHD was 39/1000 adults (n = 17 definite and n = 2 borderline). Fourteen (74%) had pathological mitral regurgitation, four (21%) mitral stenosis, 0 (0%) pathological aortic regurgitation and six (32%) both mitral and aortic valve disease. None had a prior diagnosis of RHD, 10 (53%) had positive cardiac auscultation and two (11%) reported a history of rheumatic fever. The simplified algorithm identified four (21%) adults as low-risk, six (32%) as intermediate, and nine (47%) as high-risk.
The prevalence of RHD was 39/1000 in adults from the Brazilian Amazon Basin, indicating the need for screening programs in remote areas. A simplified model was only able to categorize every second case of RHD as high-risk. External validation of simplified screening models to increase feasibility in clinical practice are encouraged.
•Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a burden in low- and middle-income countries.•This is the first study to investigate RHD in the Brazilian Amazon Basin.•By echocardiographic screening the incidence was 39/1000 adults.•Screening programs to diagnose RHD are encouraged in the Amazon Basin.
Malaria patients are at risk of cardiopulmonary complications but diagnosis and management can be difficult in resource-limited settings. B-lines on lung ultrasound (LUS) mark changes in lung ...density; however, little is known about their role in malaria. We aimed to examine the prevalence of B-lines in adults with malaria at baseline and follow-up compared with controls in the Amazon Basin. We also examined the relationship between B-lines and left ventricular ejection fraction. We performed eight-zone LUS, echocardiography, and blood smears in 94 adults (mean age 40 years, 54% men) with uncomplicated malaria and 449 controls without heart failure, renal insufficiency or lung disease (mean age 41 years, 38% men). Examinations of adults with malaria were repeated after antimalarial treatment, corresponding to a median of 30 days (interquartile range IQR 27-39). Adults with malaria suffered from Plasmodium vivax (N = 70, median 2,823 IQR 598-7,698 parasites/μL) or P. falciparum (N = 24, median 1,148 IQR 480-3,128 parasites/μL). At baseline, adults with malaria more frequently had ≥ 3 B-lines (summed across eight zones) compared with controls (30% versus 2%, P value < 0.001), indicating higher lung density. When examinations were repeated, only 6% of adults with malaria had ≥ 3 B-lines at follow-up, which was significant lower compared with baseline (median reduction 3 B-line; P value < 0.001). B-lines were not significantly associated with left ventricular ejection fraction in adults with malaria. In conclusion, B-lines detected by LUS were more frequent in adults with uncomplicated malaria compared with controls and decreased after completed antimalarial treatment.
An optical sensor (OS) was synthesized by mixing 10,12-pentacosadiinoic acid (PDA) with a triblock copolymer for use in the detection/quantification of lidocaine (LD) in seized cocaine hydrochloride ...(seized CH) samples. In the presence of LD, the OS presented a chromatic transition from blue to red, while no chromatic transition was observed for other typical cocaine adulterants or cocaine hydrochloride. Isothermal titration calorimetry analysis revealed specific interactions between the PDA molecules of the OS and the LD molecules, with these interactions being enthalpically favorable (-1.20 to -36.7 kJ mol
). Therefore, the OS color change only occurred when LD was present in the sample, making the OS selective for LD. Consequently, LD was successfully detected in seized CH samples, irrespective of the type of adulteration. The OS was used for the quantification of LD in seized CH samples containing different adulterants, providing a linear range of 0.0959 to 0.225% (w/w), a precision of 7.2%, an accuracy ranging from -10 to 10%, and limits of detection and quantification of 0.0110% (w/w) and 0.0334% (w/w), respectively.
Cerebral malaria (CM) is a multifactorial syndrome involving an exacerbated proinflammatory status, endothelial cell activation, coagulopathy, hypoxia, and accumulation of leukocytes and parasites in ...the brain microvasculature. Despite significant improvements in malaria control, 15% of mortality is still observed in CM cases, and 25% of survivors develop neurologic sequelae for life—even after appropriate antimalarial therapy. A treatment that ameliorates CM clinical signs, resulting in complete healing, is urgently needed. Previously, we showed a hyperbaric oxygen (HBO)‐protective effect against experimental CM. Here, we provide molecular evidence that HBO targets brain endothelial cells by decreasing their activation and inhibits parasite and leukocyte accumulation, thus improving cerebral microcirculatory blood flow. HBO treatment increased the expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor over hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐α (HIF‐1α), an oxygen‐sensitive cytosolic receptor, along with decreased indoleamine 2, 3‐dioxygenase 1 expression and kynurenine levels. Moreover, ablation of HIF‐1α expression in endothelial cells in mice conferred protection against CM and improved survival. We propose that HBO should be pursued as an adjunctive therapy in CM patients to prolong survival and diminish deleterious proinflammatory reaction. Furthermore, our data support the use of HBO in therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes of non‐CM disorders affecting the brain.—Bastos, M.F., Kayano, A. C. A. V., Silva‐Filho, J. L., Dos‐Santos, J. C. K., Judice, C., Blanco, Y. C., Shryock, N., Sercundes, M. K., Ortolan, L.S., Francelin, C., Leite, J.A., Oliveira, R., Elias, R. M., Camara, N. O. S., Lopes, S.C.P., Albrecht, L., Farias, A. S., Vicente, C. P., Werneck, C. C., Giorgio, S., Verinaud, L., Epiphanio, S., Marinho, C. R. F., Lalwani, P., Amino, R., Aliberti, J., Costa, F. T. M. Inhibition of hypoxia‐associated response and kynurenine production in response to hyperbaric oxygen as mechanisms involved in protection against experimental cerebral malaria. FASEB J. 32, 4470–4481 (2018). www.fasebj.org
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