Distribution and diversification of Adelphobates, emblematic poison frogs from Brazilian Amazonia.

Adelphobates contains three species, and the inaccurate identification of A. quinquevittatus and the scarcity of records of A. castaneoticus complicate inference of their distributions; the latter species occurs in sympatry with A. galactonotus. Our objective was to revise the distributions of Adelphobates by compiling data and modeling habitat suitability, as range limits may be shaped by landscape features and biotic interactions. We initially analyzed the existence of operational taxonomic units within the nominal species and subsequently inferred the observed and potential distributions, taking into account the possible independent lineages for the three species, and we also generated a molecular timetree to understand the chronology of interspecific diversification events. Adelphobates quinquevittatus was found to have a more easterly distribution than previously described, and specimens with phenotypic variation were found to occur in areas inconsistent with the modeling, and A. castaneoticus was concentrated in the Tapajós-Xingu interfluve, surrounded by A. galactonotus. Models indicated that the right bank of the Xingu River is suitable for both species, indeed, both were found there. Despite Adelphobates species having their distributions delimited by major Amazonian rivers, estimated divergence times predate the formation of the modern river network, suggesting that other mechanisms were involved in their diversification.

Rabbit antithymocyte globulin dose does not affect response or survival as first-line therapy for acquired aplastic anemia: a multicenter retrospective study.

In a prospective randomized study, treatment for aplastic anemia (AA) with rabbit antithymocyte globulin (r-ATG) and cyclosporine showed inferior hematological response and survival in comparison to horse antithymocyte globulin (h-ATG) and cyclosporine. However, h-ATG was discontinued in most Asian, South American, and European countries, where r-ATG became the only ATG formulation available. We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients with acquired AA who received either rabbit (n = 170) or horse (n = 85) ATG and cyclosporine for first-line treatment from 1992 to 2014 in seven referral centers in Brazil and Argentina. Overall response at 3 months was 17% (95%CI, 11-23%) for r-ATG and 44% (95%CI, 33-55%) for h-ATG (p < 0.001). At 6 months, it was 31% (95%CI, 34-39%) for r-ATG and 59% (95%CI, 48-69%) for h-ATG (p < 0.001). Overall survival at 5 years was 57% (95%CI, 47-65%) for r-ATG and 80% (95%CI, 69-87%) for h-ATG (log-rank = 0.001). Relapse was significantly higher in patients receiving h-ATG (28%; 95%CI, 17-43%) as compared to r-ATG (9.4%; 95%CI, 4-21%; log-rank, p = 0.01). The type of ATG was the only factor associated with both response and survival. The r-ATG dose varied from 1 to 5 mg/kg/day, but it did not correlate with outcomes. In summary, this is the largest multicenter study comparing the two ATG formulations in AA. Our results indicate that the dose of r-ATG does not influence hematologic response or survival in first-line therapy for acquired AA. Considering the toxicity and costs of r-ATG, our findings challenge its aggregate benefit to cyclosporine therapy and further strengthen that h-ATG should remain standard therapy in AA.

Predictors of early mortality after rabbit antithymocyte globulin as first-line treatment in severe aplastic anemia.

Despite being recommended as first-line immunosuppressive therapy in severe aplastic anemia (SAA), horse antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is still unavailable in many countries outside the USA. Rabbit ATG is more lymphocytoxic than horse ATG, and this might result in a higher incidence of severe infections and early mortality. This study was designed to identify the risk factors for early mortality and overall survival (OS) after rabbit ATG in patients with SAA. We retrospectively reviewed 185 patients with SAA who underwent rabbit ATG and cyclosporine. The incidence of death in 3 months following rabbit ATG therapy was 15.1% (28/185). Early mortality was mainly related to infectious complications, despite adequate antibiotic and/or antifungal treatment. Age > 35 years (odds ratio [OR] 5.06, P = 0.001) and baseline absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≤ 0.1 × 109/L (OR 7.64, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for early mortality after immunosuppressive therapy with this agent. Hematological response at 6 months was observed in only 29.7% of all patients. OS at 1 year after rabbit ATG was 75.3%; and age > 35 years (OR 1.88, P = 0.03), baseline ANC ≤ 0.1 × 109/L (OR 2.65, P < 0.001), and lack of response to rabbit ATG (OR 11.40, P < 0.001) were independently associated with mortality. Alternative strategies are needed for the treatment of SAA patients in countries were horse ATG is unavailable, particularly for those at high risk for early mortality after rabbit ATG due to a higher age and very low pre-treatment neutrophil count.

Cytogenetic analysis of Baryancistrus xanthellus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Ancistrini), an ornamental fish endemic to the Xingu River, Brazil

Baryancistrus xanthellus is a species from the Ancistrini tribe known commonly as "amarelinho " or "golden nugget pleco". It is one of the most popular and valued ornamental fishes due to its color pattern. Also, it is an endemic species from the Xingu River occurring from Volta Grande do Xingu, region where the Belo Monte Hydropower Dam is being built, to São Félix do Xingu. The current study aimed to cytogenetically characterize B. xanthellus . Results point to the maintenance of 2n=52, which is considered the most common condition for the tribe, and a single nucleolus organizer region (NOR). Mapping of the 18S rDNA confirmed the NOR sites, and the 5S rDNA was mapped in the interstitial position of a single chromosome pair. The 18S and 5S rDNA located in different pairs constitute an apomorphy in Loricariidae. Large blocks of heterochromatin are present in pairs 1 and 10 and in the regions equivalent to NOR and the 5S rDNA. Data obtained in this study corroborated with the currently accepted phylogenetic hypothesis for the Ancistrini and demonstrate evidence that the genus Baryancistrus occupies a basal position in the tribe.

Baryancistrus xanthellus é uma espécie da tribo Ancistrini conhecida popularmente como "amarelinho" ou "cascudo pepita de ouro". É um dos peixes ornamentais mais populares e valorizados, devido aos padrões de cor. Também é uma espécie endêmica do rio Xingu, ocorrendo a partir da Volta Grande do Xingu, região onde a Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte está sendo construída, até São Félix do Xingu. O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar citogeneticamente B. xanthellus . Os resultados apontam para a manutenção do 2n=52, considerado a condição mais comum para a tribo, e região organizadora de nucléolo (RON) simples. O mapeamento do DNAr 18S confirmou a marcação da RON e o DNAr 5S foi localizado na posição intersticial de apenas um par cromossômico. A localização dos DNAr 18S e 5S em diferentes pares configura uma apomorfia em Loricariidae. Grandes blocos de heterocromatina estão presentes nos pares 1 e 10 e nas regiões equivalentes à RON e ao DNAr 5S. Os dados obtidos neste estudo corroboram a hipótese filogenética atualmente mais aceita para Ancistrini e demonstram evidências que o gênero Baryancistrus ocupa uma posição basal na tribo.

Anemia aplásica adquirida e anemia de fanconi: diretrizes brasileiras em transplante de células-tronco hematopoéticas / Acquired aplastic anemia and fanconi anemia: Brazilian guidelines in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

As diretrizes apresentadas neste trabalho foram elaboradas e aprovadas na I Reunião de Diretrizes Brasileiras em Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas (TCTH) realizada no Rio de Janeiro, entre os dias 19 e 21 de julho de 2009. O evento foi promovido pela SBTMO (Sociedade Brasileira de Transplante de Medula Óssea). Neste artigo, tratamos da anemia aplásica severa (AAS), considerada uma urgência hematológica, que, identificada e manejada de forma precoce, apresenta grande possibilidade de recuperação da hematopoese seja através de transplante de medula óssea ou terapia imunossupressora. Objetiva-se nortear o manejo terapêutico no contexto do transplante e indicar formas de condicionamento, de acordo com as características clínicas dos pacientes, como o número de transfusões, com intuito de minimizar a rejeição primária e secundária, garantindo a melhora da sobrevida global e livre de doença (observadas pela literatura e já validadas por resultados na população brasileira). No que concerne à anemia de Fanconi, o transplante é a única modalidade curativa para o componente aplásico de medula óssea; embora não modificando as outras características da síndrome também demanda perícia e agilidade na busca de um doador com resultados expressivos de sobrevida.

The guidelines presented in this article have been prepared and approved in the I Meeting of Brazilian Guidelines in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) - Rio de Janeiro, July 19-21, 2009. The event was sponsored by SBTMO (Brazilian Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation). In this paper, we treat the severe aplastic anemia (SAA), considered a hematological emergency, that when identified and medically treated early, shows a great chance of recovery of the hematopoiesis, either through bone marrow transplantation or immunosuppressive therapy. Its objective is to guide the management of the transplantation, and indicate methods of conditioning, according to clinical characteristics of each patient, including the number of transfusions, in order to minimize the primary and secondary rejection, ensuring better overall and disease-free survival observed in literature and already validated by the results in our population. In the Fanconi Anemia, transplantation is the only curative option for the aplastic bone marrow component, although insignificant for the other components of the syndrome, it also requires skill and agility in finding a donor with important results.