Wing membrane and fur samples as reliable biological matrices to measure bioaccumulation of metals and metalloids in bats.

There is a growing conservation concern about the possible consequences of environmental contamination in the health of bat communities. Most studies on the effects of contaminants in bats have been focused on organic contaminants, and the consequences of bat exposure to metals and metalloids remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of external biological matrices (fur and wing membrane) for the assessment of exposure and bioaccumulation of metals in bats. The concentration of arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, selenium and zinc was measured in internal organs (liver, heart, brain), internal (bone) and external tissues (wing membrane, fur) collected from bat carcasses of four species (Hypsugo savii, Nyctalus leisleri, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus) obtained in windfarm mortality searches. With the exception of zinc (P = 0.223), the results showed significant differences between the concentrations of metals in the analyzed tissues for all metals (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also found between organs/tissues (P < 0.001), metals (P < 0.001) and a significant interaction between organs/tissues and metals was found (P < 0.001). Despite these results, the patterns in terms of metal accumulation were similar for all samples. Depending on the metal, the organ/tissue that showed the highest concentrations varied, but fur and wing had the highest concentrations for most metals. The variability obtained in terms of metal concentrations in different tissues highlights the need to define standardized methods capable of being applied in monitoring bat populations worldwide. The results indicate that wing membrane and fur, biological matrices that may be collected from living bats, yield reliable results and may be useful for studies on bats ecotoxicology, coupled to a standardized protocol for large-scale investigation of metal accumulation.

Estudo retrospectivo do tratamento clínico da úlcera indolente em cães da raça Boxer / Retrospective study on clinical management of indolent ulcers in Boxer dogs

Indolent ulcers are superficial corneal ulcers secondary to several changes on the corneal surface. They are frequently observed in middle-aged Boxer dogs, cause pain of acute onset and requires appropriate treatment. Aiming to evaluate the efficacy of clinical managements on the rate of healing of indolent ulcers, a retrospective study was conducted (1997-2008). Results demonstrated that proteinase inhibitors were the most often prescribed medication, and its administration did not interfere on the healing rate, as well as observed in dogs that received 1 percent atropine, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Healing was delayed in dogs administered orally with vitamin C, but the healing process was faster on those dogs that went through corneal debridement/cauterization. In conclusion, to know the various types of treatments seems to be fundamental for the rapid resolution of the disease. It is suggested that debridement/cauterization, administration of proteinase inhibitor eye drops, prophylactic topical antibiotics and oral vitamin C, should be considered as an effective clinical management for indolent ulcers in Boxer dogs.

Úlceras indolentes são úlceras corneais superficiais e espontâneas, que apresentam curso prolongado e que tendem a recidivar. Comumente observadas em cães de meia idade da raça Boxer, provoca dor de início agudo e necessita de tratamento específico, já que este, quando não realizado corretamente, pode prolongar o curso da lesão por semanas a meses. Com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia dos tratamentos clínicos quanto à rapidez na resolução do quadro, realizou-se estudo retrospectivo (1997 a 2008). Observou-se que os inibidores das proteinases foram as medicações mais frequentemente prescritas e que sua administração não interferiu no tempo de cicatrização corneal, o que também foi observado nos casos em que se administrou antibióticos e antinflamatórios tópicos e sistêmicos e/ou atropina 1 por cento. A administração de vitamina C retardou, de maneira estatisticamente significante, o tempo de cicatrização. Por outro lado, a realização do debridamento/cauterização corneal acelerou, significativamente, o processo. Conhecer os diversos tipos de tratamentos parece ser fundamental no sucesso e rapidez da resolução da doença. Os autores sugerem que a realização do debridamento/cauterização corneal, administração de inibidores das proteinases e antibióticos tópicos, associados à vitamina C por via oral, seja considerado um tratamento clínico efetivo na rápida resolução da doença.