Investigating Polyextremophilic Bacteria in Al Wahbah Crater, Saudi Arabia: A Terrestrial Model for Life on Saturn's Moon Enceladus.

The study of extremophilic microorganisms has sparked interest in understanding extraterrestrial microbial life. Such organisms are fundamental for investigating life forms on Saturn's icy moons, such as Enceladus, which is characterized by potentially habitable saline and alkaline niches. Our study focused on the salt-alkaline soil of the Al Wahbah crater in Saudi Arabia, where we identified microorganisms that could be used as biological models to understand potential life on Enceladus. The search involved isolating 48 bacterial strains, sequencing the genomes of two thermo-haloalkaliphilic strains, and characterizing them for astrobiological application. A deeper understanding of the genetic composition and functional capabilities of the two novel strains of Halalkalibacterium halodurans provided valuable insights into their survival strategies and the presence of coding genes and pathways related to adaptations to environmental stressors. We also used mass spectrometry with a molecular network approach, highlighting various classes of molecules, such as phospholipids and nonproteinogenic amino acids, as potential biosignatures. These are essential features for understanding life's adaptability under extreme conditions and could be used as targets for biosignatures in upcoming missions exploring Enceladus' orbit. Furthermore, our study reinforces the need to look at new extreme environments on Earth that might contribute to the astrobiology field.

Spawning ecology of the Saint Paul's Gregory Stegastes sanctipauli, a damselfish endemic to the remote St Peter and St Paul's Archipelago.

We studied the spawning ecology of Stegastes sanctipauli, a damselfish endemic to the small and remote St Peter and St Paul's Archipelago (Brazil), aiming to determine the main correlates of reproductive success, as inferred from rates of egg losses along a spawning season. New clutches appeared mostly in the last quarter moon, when egg predation intensified. Predation by heterospecifics, particularly Halichoeres radiatus (Linnaeus, 1758), accounted for most egg losses, while filial cannibalism showed negligible influence. Predation pressure was highest for larger nests with higher initial density of eggs. Hatching of eggs occurred close to the new moon (i.e., ~5 days after spawning). Most nests occur in shallow reefs (<16 m depth), where main food resources for adults (turf algae) are concentrated, but abundance of egg predators, particularly H. radiatus, is also highest. This latter result suggests that the spawning activity of S. sanctipauli is influenced by the trade-offs between food accessibility by adults and egg predation risk. The patterns recorded here are similar to those known for other tropical damselfish species and may reflect strategies for attenuating predation pressure over new fry and eggs.

Correlação Inexistente entre o Ciclo Lunar no Trabalho de Parto e Ruptura Prematura de Membranas em uma Amostra de Parturientes do Sul de Santa Catarina / No Correlation between the Lunar Cycle in Labor and Premature Rupture of Membranes in a Sample of Parturients from Southern Santa Catarina

Introdução: De acordo com as culturas mais antigas, a luz da lua é responsável pela fertilidade da terra e concepção dos animais, estendendo esse entendimento ao organismo materno. Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a ocorrência de trabalho de parto e ruptura prematura de membranas ovulares nas diferentes fases da lua e em suas mudanças. Métodos: Amostra composta por gestantes admitidas em um hospital do sul de Santa Catarina por trabalho de parto ou ruptura prematura de membranas ovulares, no ano de 2018, baseado em informações obtidas pela análise de prontuários. Resultados: Houve discreto aumento do número de partos na lua nova (19,2%) e mudança para lua nova (11,7%), porém sem significância estatística. Motivo de internação, via de parto e paridade não estiveram associados à lua e suas mudanças de fase. Não se observou relação entre meses do ano e motivo de internação. Conclusão: Verificou-se que a lua e suas mudanças de fase não denotaram um maior número de admissões hospitalares por trabalho de parto ou ruptura prematura de membranas ovulares, contrariando a crença popular.

Introduction: According to ancient cultures, the moonlight is responsible for the fertility of the earth and the conception of animals, extending this understanding to the maternal organism. This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of labor and premature rupture of ovular membranes in different phases of the moon and its changes. Methods: The sample was composed of pregnant women admitted to a hospital in southern Santa Catarina for labor or premature rupture of ovular membranes in 2018, based on information obtained by analyzing medical records. Results: There was a slight increase in the number of deliveries during the new moon (19.2%) and a change to the new moon (11.7%) but without statistical significance. Reason for hospitalization, mode of delivery, and parity were not associated with the moon and its phase changes. No relationship was observed between the months of the year and the reason for hospitalization. Conclusion: It was verified that the moon and its phase changes did not denote a higher number of hospital admissions for labor or premature rupture of ovular membranes, contrary to popular belief.

Seasonal and diel influences on bottlenose dolphin acoustic detection determined by whistles in a coastal lagoon in the southwestern Gulf of California.

Marine mammals in subtropical coastal habitats are sentinels of the health of the ecosystem and offer important ecosystem services. They rely on prey that pursues feeding opportunities, while both avoid unfavorable conditions. In many cases, these predator-prey dynamics fluctuate seasonally and are regulated by lunar, tidal, and/or diel cycles (hour). However, these rhythmical patterns may vary under different seasonal conditions. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Ensenada de La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, were detected acoustically over the course of an annual cycle on 21 separate occasions, covering 640 h from June 2017 to May 2019. The presence of bottlenose dolphins was examined using Generalized Additive Models (GAM) including variables that are related directly to their habitat (direct variables: hour, distance, depth) and to their prey (indirect variables: SST, moon phase and tides). Seasonal differences in the presence of bottlenose dolphins were influenced more by indirect variables (explained deviance: 34.8% vs. 37.7%). Hourly acoustic detections occurred less frequently when SST exceeded 27.4 °C (Aug-End of Nov.) and more frequently at moderate temperatures (22.7 °C to 26.3 °C) in May through July. Moreover, bottlenose dolphins were detected more frequently during waning and new moon phases, at the onset of flood and ebb tides, and during day (04:00 to 20:00). The seasonal differences in acoustic detections rates were highlighted by the global GAM and hierarchical clustering. The strong seasonal pattern indicated possible interactions with rhythmic pattern of bottlenose dolphins. Four candidate variables (SST, moon, tide, and hour) were tested for plausible interaction terms additional to their individual consideration, out of which only hour changed significantly between seasons. The patterns of presence likely increase feeding opportunities or may favor other behaviors such as socializing, resting, or nursing. These might prove responsible for the distinct occurrence and hourly patterns of bottlenose dolphins.

Lunar Cycle Influences Production of Tilapia (Oreochromis spp) Eggs in an Intensive Outdoor Production System in the Tropics.

A robust body of evidence has demonstrated that the lunar cycle plays an important role in the reproduction of fish living in natural environments. However, little is known about the influence of the moon on tilapia reproductive activity in intensive fish farming systems. This study aims to evaluate the influence of the lunar cycle on the reproductive performance of tilapias in an intensive outdoor tropical production system in Latin America. Records of two tilapia strains (Nile tilapia [Oreochromis niloticus; n = 75] and Red tilapia [Oreochromis spp.; n = 1335]) reared in concrete tanks in a commercial fish farm were analyzed. Over a 3-year period, 60,136 captures were made in intervals of 12 to 14 days and 6,600 females were manually spawned. The number of females spawned and the volume of eggs collected from each tank (n = 9) were recorded. Data was analyzed by the general linear model and means were compared by least squares means method. A very slight or no variation was observed when the lunar cycle was split into two halves (crescent and waning). The proportions of females spawned and the volume of eggs per spawned female and per female in the tank varied considerably across the eight periods of the lunar cycle, with greater values in the waning than in the crescent phase. A significantly greater proportion of tilapia spawned and yielded more eggs around the full moon than around the new moon and remaining days of the lunar cycle. The moon cycle affected the reproductive activity of tilapia, which were more reproductively active around the full moon and most of the waning phase.

Complex interactions between meteorological parameters and the thermal regime of two tropical, high altitude crater lakes (Nevado de Toluca, Mexico).

Using long-term time series of meteorological and water-column parameters, the dynamics of two lakes separated by about 500 m from each other by a central lava dome, located at 4207 m above sea level in the volcano crater of Nevado de Toluca, Mexico were explored. Because of the strong wind-forcing previously measured on the volcano slope and the proximity of the lakes, wind-mixing was expected, with similar dynamics in both lakes. However, the meteorological parameters in the crater were significantly different than on the slope of the volcano, due to the dome and the high walls of the crater, which weakened wind speeds, modified wind direction, and reduced exposure to solar radiation by almost 20% in the crater compared to on the volcano slope. The rate and depth of thermal penetration into each lake differed by an order of magnitude, related with differential insolation due to crater wall shading, along with differences in transparency, most likely due to differential algal growth and suspended matter. At times, rapid surface cooling occurred during periods of reduced insolation and calm winds, leading to strong vertical convection and the formation of a characteristic step profile in the water column rather than the predicted wind mixing. These results are important for interdisciplinary studies of these and other alpine lakes and, in particular for biophysical coupling in these unique hydrological systems.

Pregnancy during the course of Cushing's syndrome: a case report and literature review.

SUMMARY: Cushing's syndrome is an endocrine disorder that causes anovulatory infertility secondary to hypercortisolism; therefore, pregnancy rarely occurs during its course. We present the case of a 24-year-old, 16-week pregnant female with a 10-month history of unintentional weight gain, dorsal gibbus, nonpruritic comedones, hirsutism and hair loss. Initial biochemical, hormonal and ultrasound investigations revealed hypokalemia, increased nocturnal cortisolemia and a right adrenal mass. The patient had persistent high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and hypercortisolemia. She was initially treated with antihypertensive medications and insulin therapy. Endogenous Cushing's syndrome was confirmed by an abdominal MRI that demonstrated a right adrenal adenoma. The patient underwent right laparoscopic adrenalectomy and anatomopathological examination revealed an adrenal adenoma with areas of oncocytic changes. Finally, antihypertensive medication was progressively reduced and glycemic control and hypokalemia reversal were achieved. Long-term therapy consisted of low-dose daily prednisone. During follow-up, despite favorable outcomes regarding the patient's Cushing's syndrome, stillbirth was confirmed at 28 weeks of pregnancy. We discuss the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of Cushing's syndrome to prevent severe maternal and fetal complications. LEARNING POINTS: Pregnancy can occur, though rarely, during the course of Cushing's syndrome. Pregnancy is a transient physiological state of hypercortisolism and it must be differentiated from Cushing's syndrome based on clinical manifestations and laboratory tests. The diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome during pregnancy may be challenging, particularly in the second and third trimesters because of the changes in the maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Pregnancy during the course of Cushing's syndrome is associated with severe maternal and fetal complications; therefore, its early diagnosis and treatment is critical.

Avaliação da influência do ciclo lunar e da sazonalidade na prematuridade e na rotura prematura de membranas / Evaluate the influence of the lunar cycle and seasonality on the occurrence of premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor

O ciclo lunar sempre foi alvo de crenças populares, principalmente relacionado a ocorrência de maior número de nascimentos durante a fase de lua cheia. Influências externas como baixa pressão atmosférica estão ligadas à rotura de membrana corioamniótica e parece existir um mecanismo biológico para o desencadeamento do trabalho de parto prematuro. Este estudo tem como objetivo estudar a influência do ciclo lunar e da sazonalidade na ocorrência de rotura prematura de membranas e de trabalho de parto prematuro. Realizado um estudo transversal envolvendo dados do livro de partos de uma maternidade localizada no sul do Brasil por um período de 4 anos, totalizando 13.291 nascimentos. Utilizados dois sites, um para estimativa do ciclo lunar à época do nascimento e outro para determinar o dia da semana. Um banco de dados foi criado e exportado para o SPSS18.0 onde foi analisado. Utilizada a análise de Poisson. As variáveis que apresentaram p < 0,25 foram incluídas em uma análise multivariada para observar a independência das associações. A significância estatística estabelecida foi p < 0,05. Houveram maior prevalência de nascimentos durante a fase de lua crescente, meses de novembro e junho, estação de verão e terças-feiras. Encontrada associação estatisticamente significativa entre rotura prematura de membranas, mês de outubro e sexta-feira. Não encontrou-se associação entre a fase do ciclo lunar com rotura prematura de membranas e prematuridade, assim como, fatores sazonais e prematuridade. Observou-se menor prevalência de rotura prematura de membranas no mês de outubro e na sexta feira.

The lunar cycle has always been the target of popular beliefs, mainly related to the occurrence of more births during the full moon phase. External influences such as low atmospheric pressure are associated with rupture of the chorioamniotic membrane and there seems to be a biological mechanism for the onset of preterm labor. This study aims to study the influence of the lunar cycle and seasonality on the occurrence of premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving data from the birth book of a maternity unit located in the south of Brazil for a period of 4 years, totaling 13,291 births. Two sites were used, one to estimate the lunar cycle at the time of birth and another to determine the day of the week. A database was created and exported to SPSS18.0 where it was parsed. Poisson analysis was used. The variables that presented p <0.25 were included in a multivariate analysis to observe the independence of the associations. Statistical significance was set at p <0.05. There was a higher prevalence of births during the growing moon phase, months of November and June, summer season and Tuesday. We found a statistically significant association between premature rupture of membranes, from October to Friday. There was no association between the lunar cycle phase with premature rupture of membranes and prematurity, as well as seasonal factors and prematurity. It was observed a lower prevalence of premature rupture of membranes in the month of October and on Friday.

A modeling approach for reposition dynamics of litter composition in coastal areas of the city of Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Given the complexity of the dynamics in litter reposition, our objective was modeling the possible main and interaction effects of tidal oscillations, seasons of the year and the moon phases over the solid waste in Santos beaches. A total of 80 collections were carried out using quadrat sampling, from which we classified, counted and weighed all residue items. We fitted mixed Hurdle models to the output datasets and performed hypotheses tests based on this framework. We found plastic to be the most abundant residue in all seasons, moon phases and tides, followed by Styrofoam and wood. Our models suggest the strongest effect was due to seasonal variations, which, in turn, may be related to different human activities. Although the dynamics of different components showed independency of all interaction structures, plastics depended on the interaction of tide and season, whose impact over estuarine life and ecosystem services shall be further investigated.

Influência do ciclo lunar na frequência de admissões hospitalares na maternidade: estudo retrospectivo / Influencia del ciclo lunar en la frecuencia de admisiones hospitalarias en la maternidad: estudio retrospectivo / Influence of the lunar cycle on the frequency of maternity hospital admissions: a retrospective study

Objetivo analisar se a frequência de admissões hospitalares na maternidade sofre influência do ciclo lunar. Método estudo analítico, documental, retrospectivo, com abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido em uma maternidade no Sul do Brasil, no período de julho de 2013 a julho de 2014. A amostra foi composta por 845 prontuários de parturientes. A análise dos dados foi do tipo descritiva e utilizou-se teste exato de Fischer e Qui-Quadrado. Resultados aproximadamente 84% (n=709) das mulheres não foram admitidas na maternidade cenário do estudo durante os dias de mudança de Lua e não houve diferença significativa entre o número de admissões em cada fase lunar, determinando (p=0,1116). Conclusão evidenciou-se que as mudanças de fase da Lua não foram fatores determinantes para o aumento da demanda de cuidados obstétricos e admissão hospitalar na instituição cenário deste estudo.

Objetivo analizar si la frecuencia de admisiones hospitalarias en la maternidad recibe influencia del ciclo lunar. Método estudio analítico, documental, retrospectivo, con abordaje cuantitativo, desarrollado en una maternidad del Sur de Brasil, entre julio de 2013 y julio de 2014. Muestra integrada por 845 historias clínicas de parturientas. Datos estudiados por análisis descriptivo; se utilizó test exacto de Fischer y Chi-cuadrado. Resultados aproximadamente el 84% (n=709) de las mujeres no fueron admitidas en la maternidad sede del estudio durante los días de cambio de luna, y no hubo diferencia significativa entre el número de admisiones en cada fase lunar, determinando (p=0,1116). Conclusión se evidenció que los cambios de fase lunar no constituyeron factores determinantes para incremento de la demanda de cuidados obstétricos y admisión hospitalaria en la institución sede del estudio.

Objective to analyze whether the frequency of maternity hospitals admissions is influenced by the lunar cycle. Method an analytical, documentary, and retrospective study with a quantitative approach was carried out in a maternity hospital in the South of Brazil from July 2013 to July 2014. The sample was made up of 845 medical records of pregnant women. A descriptive data analysis was carried out with the use of the Fisher's exact test and chi-square test. Results approximately 84% (n=709) of the pregnant women were not admitted to the maternity hospital setting of the present study during the days of lunar change and no significant difference in the number of admissions in each lunar phase was found, determining p=0.1116. Conclusion it was evidenced that lunar phase changes were not determining factors for the increase in the demand of obstetric care and hospital admission in the institution setting of the present study.

Influência do ciclo lunar no padrão de atividade de Cuniculus paca (Rodentia: Cuniculidae) em uma floresta de Mata Atlântica no Sul do Brasil

Information on the activity period is relevant to understand how species adapt themselves and persist in their environment. The influence of moonlight on the activity pattern of mammals has already been reported for certain species. Ten photo-traps set during 12 months were distributed in a fragment of the Atlantic Rainforest in southern Brazil to verify whether moon phases had any effect on the activity period of Cuniculus paca. Ninety-six registers of C. paca were obtained in 8,928 hours of photo-traps. A prevalent night activity pattern (92%) was reported, with most registries occurring during the new moon phase (40%) and the lowest number during the full moon phase (12%), with differences between activity peaks according to the moon phases. Data showed that C. paca reacts negatively to high moonlight and decreases its circadian cycle in nights with a full moon.

Entender o que influência o período de atividade é relevante para a compreensão de como as espécies se adaptam e persistem em seus ambientes. A influência da luz da Lua no padrão de atividade de mamíferos já foi documentada em algumas espécies. Para verificar se as fases lunares exercem influência no período atividade de Cuniculus paca, fez-se o uso de dez armadilhas fotográficas, que permaneceram ligadas por 12 meses, distribuídas ao longo de um fragmento florestal de Mata Atlântica no Sul do Brasil. Em 8.928 horas armadilhas fotográficas ligadas, obtiveram-se 96 registros de C. paca. Encontrou-se um padrão de atividade predominantemente noturno (92%), sendo que a maior quantidade de registros ocorreu em Lua Nova (40%) e a menor em Lua Cheia (12%), havendo diferenças entre os picos de atividade em relação às fases da Lua. Nossos resultados demonstraram que C. paca reage negativamente a maior incidência de luz lunar, diminuindo ou alterando seu ciclo circadiano em noites de Lua cheia.

Influência do ciclo lunar no padrão de atividade de Cuniculus paca (Rodentia: Cuniculidae) em uma floresta de Mata Atlântica no Sul do Brasil

Information on the activity period is relevant to understand how species adapt themselves and persist in their environment. The influence of moonlight on the activity pattern of mammals has already been reported for certain species. Ten photo-traps set during 12 months were distributed in a fragment of the Atlantic Rainforest in southern Brazil to verify whether moon phases had any effect on the activity period of Cuniculus paca. Ninety-six registers of C. paca were obtained in 8,928 hours of photo-traps. A prevalent night activity pattern (92%) was reported, with most registries occurring during the new moon phase (40%) and the lowest number during the full moon phase (12%), with differences between activity peaks according to the moon phases. Data showed that C. paca reacts negatively to high moonlight and decreases its circadian cycle in nights with a full moon.(AU)

Entender o que influência o período de atividade é relevante para a compreensão de como as espécies se adaptam e persistem em seus ambientes. A influência da luz da Lua no padrão de atividade de mamíferos já foi documentada em algumas espécies. Para verificar se as fases lunares exercem influência no período atividade de Cuniculus paca, fez-se o uso de dez armadilhas fotográficas, que permaneceram ligadas por 12 meses, distribuídas ao longo de um fragmento florestal de Mata Atlântica no Sul do Brasil. Em 8.928 horas armadilhas fotográficas ligadas, obtiveram-se 96 registros de C. paca. Encontrou-se um padrão de atividade predominantemente noturno (92%), sendo que a maior quantidade de registros ocorreu em Lua Nova (40%) e a menor em Lua Cheia (12%), havendo diferenças entre os picos de atividade em relação às fases da Lua. Nossos resultados demonstraram que C. paca reage negativamente a maior incidência de luz lunar, diminuindo ou alterando seu ciclo circadiano em noites de Lua cheia.(AU)

Influência da mudança das fases da lua nos tipos de partos de ovelhas deslanadas / Change the influence of the phases of the moon in the types of delivery wooless sheep

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of lunar phases in Dorper sheep, according to theproportion of births (single: double). Twenty were used two sheep from a breeding season. For the evaluation oflunar phases sheep were grouped proportionally according to the type of delivery (single: double). The analysisof the types of delivery were obtained according to the moon phases in place by the Brazilian NationalObservatory, being considered corresponding to the lunar phase where the maximum headquarters was up totwo days before and after the date of interest after being compared by the test chi-square test (P <0.05). It wasfound that there was a greater proportion of births in the crescent moon (P <0.05) compared to other lunarphases. The conclusion of this research that the crescent moon of the lunar phases, seems to affect the types ofdelivery of Dorper sheep.

Influência da mudança das fases da lua nos tipos de partos de ovelhas deslanadas / Change the influence of the phases of the moon in the types of delivery wooless sheep

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of lunar phases in Dorper sheep, according to theproportion of births (single: double). Twenty were used two sheep from a breeding season. For the evaluation oflunar phases sheep were grouped proportionally according to the type of delivery (single: double). The analysisof the types of delivery were obtained according to the moon phases in place by the Brazilian NationalObservatory, being considered corresponding to the lunar phase where the maximum headquarters was up totwo days before and after the date of interest after being compared by the test chi-square test (P <0.05). It wasfound that there was a greater proportion of births in the crescent moon (P <0.05) compared to other lunarphases. The conclusion of this research that the crescent moon of the lunar phases, seems to affect the types ofdelivery of Dorper sheep.(AU)

Lunar influence on prey availability, diet shifts and niche overlap between Engraulidae larvae in tropical mangrove creeks.

The influence of the lunar cycle on prey availability, diet shifts and overlap between larval Anchovia clupeoides and Cetengraulis edentulus was evaluated in mangrove creeks of the Goiana Estuary. Copepod eggs were highly abundant in the first and last quarter, at the full moon and zoea of Ucides cordatus (Ocypodidae) in the new moon. The Engraulidae larvae fed on microcrustaceans, algae and early planktonic stages of benthic organisms. The relative importance of prey varied according to prey availability in all moon phases. Larval diets were more even in the full and new moons, when the relative importance of calanoid copepods and zoeae of U. cordatus as food items increased (index of relative importance, >80% IRI ). Mangrove creeks were very important feeding grounds for engraulid larvae during spring tides. Larval diets were more diverse in the first and last-quarter moon and included protozoeae of Caridean shrimp, larvae of Anomalocardia brasiliana (Veneridae), Isopoda, Gastropoda, ephippium of Daphnia sp. and nauplii of Cirripedia, Harpacticoidia and cyclopoid Copepoda. The last five items were not found in the creeks, suggesting feeding in the main channel. During neap tides, mangrove creeks were probably also used as refugia. These larvae are opportunistic and feed on highly available prey and both species feed on the same items, leading to high dietary overlap in all moon phases. The lunar cycle, which is related to the spring-neap tidal cycle, was the major driver of quantitative and qualitative changes in feeding of engraulid larvae on a short time scale.

Abundance and Night Hourly Dispersal of the Vesicating Beetles of the Genus Paederus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) Attracted to Fluorescent, Incandescent, and Black Light Sources in the Brazilian Savanna.

Paederus beetles are cosmopolitan medically important insects that cause dermatitis linearis to humans. In Brazil, despite the medical importance of these beetles, no studies focusing directly on the abundance and ecological features of harmful species exist. Therefore, this study aims at determining the abundance and the nocturnal hourly dispersal of Paederus species attracted to fluorescent, incandescent, and black light sources in the Brazilian savanna. Paederus species were captured from May to September for three consecutive years, between 2011 and 2013. The specimens were caught hourly, from 1800 to 0600 hours. Paederus beetles were attracted to incandescent, fluorescent, and black light lamps as light sources. A total of 959 individuals of five species were collected. The collected species were Paederus protensus Sharp (59.85%), Paederus columbinus Laporte de Castelnau (29.20%), Paederus mutans Sharp (7.09%), Paederus brasiliensis Erichson (3.34%), and Paederus ferus Erichson (0.52%). The black light was the most attractive source, and the darkest collecting point was the most representative for the number of individuals. The lowest catches were captured at full moon, and the highest catches were between 2200 and 0100 hours. Future investigations are needed to better understand the role of night temperature and soil humidity affecting the seasonal growth of Paederus beetle populations of northeastern Brazil.

Temporal patterns in the intertidal faunal community at the mouth of a tropical estuary.

The use of intertidal sandy beaches by fish and macrocrustaceans was studied at different temporal scales at the mouth of a tropical estuary. Samples were taken along the lunar and diel cycles in the late dry and rainy seasons. Fish assemblage (number of species, density and biomass), crustaceans and wrack biomass, showed significant interactions among all studied factors, and the combination of moon phase and diel cycle, resulting in different patterns of environmental variables (depth, water temperature and dissolved oxygen), affected habitat use by the different species. Variances in faunal community were detected between seasons, stimulated by salinity fluctuations from freshwater input during the rainy season. These differences suggest an important cycling of habitats and an increase in connectivity between adjacent habitats (estuary and coastal waters). Moreover, the results showed that this intertidal sandy beach also provides an alternative nursery and protected shallow-water area for the initial development phase of many marine and estuarine species. In addition, this intertidal habitat plays an important role in the maintenance of the ecological functioning of the estuarine-coastal ecosystem continuum.

Influencia barométrica lunar en la ruptura prematura de membranas en parturientas del Hospital Materno-Infantil Germán Urquídi / Influence lunar barometric premature rupture of membranes in parturients women of Hospital MaternoInfantil Germán Urquidi

Objetivos: analizar la relación existente entre la influencia barométrica lunar y la ruptura prematura de membranas en parturientas del Hospital Materno-infantil German Urquidi de la provincia Cercado del Departamento de Cochabamba, Bolivia. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de tipo observacional, correlacional de corte transversal en 964 registros de pacientes obstétricas, a través de una tabla de levantamiento de datos elaborado en base a objetivos, para registrar los datos requeridos considerando una seguridad del 95%, con una precisión d=0,049%. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el Software PASS2008. Resultados: observamos que el 31% de las RPM ocurren durante el cuarto menguante y el 29% en la fase de Luna Nueva; el 29% de los nacimientos (por cualquiera de las vías) se realizaron en el cuarto menguante, el 22% en Cuarto Creciente, 32% en la fase lunar de Luna Nueva y el 17% en Luna llena. Conclusiones: no existe una relación entre la influencia barométrica lunar y la ruptura prematura de membranas.

Objectives: analyze the characteristics and outcomes of percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of fractures or spinal injuries, transmit our experience of the advantages of this technique and its applications in surgery. Methods: we performed a study of observational and cross-sectional, in 18 patients, 10 were female, of which 8 were for osteoporotic fractures, trauma and 2, and 8 male patients of which 6 were for trauma, and only two consequence of osteoporosis. Results: according to the study and monitoring of the cases it was found that the technique of vertebroplasty with hydroxyapatite promotes the development and treatment of patients with vertebral fracture, reducing their symptoms and ensuring the stability of the patient. Conclusions: the technique of vertebroplasty with hydroxyapatite is an important contribution to vertebral fracture cases in which they quickly resolved indication, hydroxyapatite is a natural phosphate bone tissue which ensures in many cases bone reformation facilitating patient outcomes.

Activity pattern of Cuniculus paca (Rodentia: Cuniculidae) in relation to lunar illumination and other abiotic variables in the southern Brazilian Amazon

Understanding what influences the activity of organisms is important for both ecological understanding and species conservation. Using data from 2,707 camera trap days distributed across 24 forest sites, we present quantitative analyses of the activity pattern of Cuniculus paca (Linnaeus, 1766) in southern Amazonia. We compared the activity pattern of this species across four designated subsets of the 24-hours diel cycle (dawn, dusk, day and night). Using linear regression models we tested the influence of season, temperature and rainfall on the activity patterns of C. paca (paca). We also evaluated the nocturnal photos of paca (N = 111) as a function of the degree of lunar illumination in order to test the prediction that pacas minimize their activity during moon phase when illumination is brighter. Pacas were not recorded during the day but were active at dawn, dusk and night time. We found differences in the influence of the abiotic variables on the nocturnal activity of pacas in the study area. There was no significant difference between the observed (expressed as the frequency of total counts of independent photos over the five classes of lunar illumination) and the expected activity of pacas, based on the frequency of days in the lunar cycle with different classes of lunar illumination, whereas lunar illumination had a weak negative influence on the timing of paca activity (i.e. pacas were active closer to sunset with increasing lunar illumination). However, the timing of nocturnal activity in pacas was not influenced by season, temperature or rainfall. Our findings highlight the ecological plasticity of this Neotropical rodent which has a key function in the maintenance of Neotropical forests.