Endemic species may have complex histories: within-refugium phylogeography of an endangered Iberian vole.

Glacial refugia protected and promoted biodiversity during the Pleistocene, not only at a broader scale, but also for many endemics that contracted and expanded their ranges within refugial areas. Understanding the evolutionary history of refugial endemics is especially important in the case of endangered species to recognize the origins of their genetic structure and thus produce better informed conservation practices. The Iberian Peninsula is an important European glacial refugium, rich in endemics of conservation concern, including small mammals, such as the Cabrera vole (Microtus cabrerae). This near-threatened rodent is characterized by an unusual suite of genetic, life history and ecological traits, being restricted to isolated geographic nuclei in fast-disappearing Mediterranean subhumid herbaceous habitats. To reconstruct the evolutionary history of the Cabrera vole, we studied sequence variation at mitochondrial, autosomal and sex-linked loci, using invasive and noninvasive samples. Despite low overall mitochondrial and nuclear nucleotide diversities, we observed two main well-supported mitochondrial lineages, west and east. Phylogeographic modelling in the context of the Cabrera vole's detailed fossil record supports a demographic scenario of isolation of two populations during the Last Glacial Maximum from a single focus in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, our data suggest subsequent divergence within the east, and secondary contact and introgression of the expanding western population, during the late Holocene. This work emphasizes that refugial endemics may have a phylogeographic history as rich as that of more widespread species, and conservation of such endemics includes the preservation of that genetic legacy.

Prevalence of Leptospira antibodies in wild boars (Sus scrofa) from Northern Portugal: risk factor analysis.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution, caused by infection with pathogenic spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira. The wild boar (Sus scrofa), an important hunting species in Europe, seems to play a significant role in the epidemiological cycle of leptospirosis. A total of 101 serum samples from wild boar hunted in Northern Portugal were analysed for leptospiral antibodies detection by microscopic agglutination test. Sera were collected during hunting seasons (2011-2013) and tested with 17 different pathogenic serovars of Leptospira. Antibodies against nine serovars were detected in 66 (65·4%) of these sera. Serovars Tarassovi and Altodouro exhibited the highest seroreactivity rates (23·8% and 16·8%, respectively), followed by Autumnalis (7·9%) and Bratislava (6·9%). Age and district of origin were found to be risk factors for the presence of leptospiral antibodies in contrast to gender. From a One Health perspective, this study revealed that wild boar should be considered as a potential source of leptospirosis dissemination for humans and animal species (domestic and wild) in shared environments, particularly in the Trás-os-Montes region.

Effect of light reduction on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity.

The effect of ocular protection on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity was tested in 188 newborns weighing less than 1600 g in a randomised controlled trial. No effect of ambient light reduction on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity was shown.

A Minimal Invasive Method to Forecast the Effects of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Tropical Cave Beetle Communities.

Many tropical landscapes are changing rapidly, with uncertain outcomes for biodiversity, landscape function, and the corresponding landscape services. Therefore, monitoring and adaptively managing the drivers and consequences of landscape change while sustaining the production of essential resources have become research and policy priorities. In this perspective, we have applied a recent framework, the stochastic dynamic methodology (StDM), with the purpose of understanding the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on caves' integrity using cave beetle communities (Coleoptera) as ecological indicators. The proposed method was preceeded by a generalized linear model for discriminating significant relationships between the selected indicators, the structural changes in the caves, and the epigean habitats associated. The obtained results showed different ecological trends in response to the environmental changes. Overall, the simulation results seem to demonstrate the StDM reliability in determining the effects of habitat dynamics, that is, the expansion of agricultural activities, in areas near the caves in the structure of cave beetle communities. The applied method, based on universal information-theoretic principles, can be easily implemented and interpreted by environmental managers and decision makers, enabling anticipating impacts and supporting the development of measures aimed at minimizing the identified problems.

Systematic study of high molecular weight compounds in Amazonian plants by high temperature gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The fractions of hexane and dichloromethane extraction from marupá (Simaruba amara) and (Bertholletia excelsa) leaves were analyzed by HT-HRGC (high temperature high resolution gas chromatography) and HT-HRGC coupled to mass spectrometry (HT-HRGC-MS). Several compounds can be characterized including unusual high molecular weight compounds.

[Giant epignathus in the newborn: report of a case and review of the literature]. / Epignathus gigante no recém nascido: relato de um caso e revisão da literatura.

Epignathus is a congenital teratoide tumor in the oral cavity. It is extremely rare and usually lethal. The authors present a case treated successfully. Important aspects of the diagnosis, clinical management and surgical procedures are discussed. Extensive review of the literature is presented.

Molecular sexing of birds: A comparative review of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods.

Accurate identification of sex in birds is important for the management and conservation of avian wildlife in several ways, namely in the development of population, behavioral and ecological studies, as well as in the improvement of ex situ captive breeding programs. In general, nestlings, juveniles and adult birds of a wide number of sexually monomorphic species cannot be sexed based on phenotypic traits. The development of molecular methodologies for avian sexing overcame these difficulties, allowing a reliable gender differentiation for these species. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods have been widely applied in molecular sexing of birds, using a large diversity of sex-linked markers. During the last 15 yrs, there was a continuous improvement in the PCR-based protocols for bird sexing, increasing the accuracy, speed and high-throughput applicability of these techniques. The recent advances in real-time PCR platforms and whole genome analysis methods provided new resources for the detection and analysis of novel specific markers and protocols. This review presents a comparative guide of classical and recent advances in PCR-based methods for avian molecular sexing, highlighting its strengths and limitations. Future research opportunities in this field are also addressed.

A new antimalarial quassinoid from Simaba guianensis.

Two antimalarial quassinoids, gutolactone [1] and simalikalactone D [2], have been characterized by bioactivity-directed fractionation from the bark of Simaba guianensis collected near Manaus, Brazil. Compound 2 was previously isolated from Simaba multiflora and Quassia africana and shown to be an active antimalarial in vitro. This is the first occurrence of 1. The structure of the novel quassinoid was established by spectral methods including 2D nmr spectroscopy.

[Factors associated with postoperative mortality following gastric adenocarcinoma surgery at the Edgardo Rebagliati Martins Hospital]. / Factores asociados a la mortalidad postoperatoria luego de cirugia por adenocarcinoma gastrico en el Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins.

OBJECTIVES: This study is a retrospective, descriptive and observational evaluation aimed at defining the factors associated with postoperative mortality due to gastric adenocarcinoma and evaluating postoperative morbidity at the Edgardo Rebagliati Martins Hospital. METHODS: The study included 282 patients, which had undergone surgery between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1999 and the evaluation involved filiation, background, tumor location, Bormann and Early Cancer classifications, histological classification, number of resected lymphatic nodes, extragastric compromise, type of surgery and reconstruction, TNM classification, clinical stage and medical and surgical complications. RESULTS: Patients were divided in two groups: Survivors (n=251) and deceased (n=31) evidencing 31.56% morbidity and 10.99% mortality. The factors associated with mortality were: age, hypertension (AHT), cardiopathy, tumor location in the stomach, extragastric compromise of the liver, T3 and T4 tumors, N1, distant metastases, clinical stage IV, pneumonia and other surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: These results lead us to conclude that proper preoperative staging of the disease is necessary and so is special care with patients suffering of hypertension, diabetes and cardiopathy.Finally, we consider it pertinent to bear in mind the postoperative complications, for proper management of them.

Factores asociados a la mortalidad postoperatoria luego de cirugía por adenocarcinoma gástrico en el Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins / Factors associated with postoperative mortality following gastric adenocarcinoma surgery, at the Edgardo Rebagliati Martins Hospital

El artículo es un estudio retrospectivo y observacional que tiene como objetivos: Definir los factores asociados a la mortalidad post-operatoria por adenocarcinoma gástrico, así como evaluar la morbimortalidad perioperatoria en el Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins. Se estudiaron 282 pacientes sometidos a cirugía entre el 1° de enero de 1996 y el 31 de diciembre de 1999, evaluando filiación, antecedentes, localización del tumor, clasificaciones Bromann y Early Cáncer, clasifcación histológica, número de ganglios resecados, compromiso estragástrico, cirugía y reconstrucción realizada, clasificación, TNM, estadío clínico y complicaciones medico-quirúrgicas. Las pacientes fueron divididas en dos grupos: sobreviviente (n=251) y fallecidos (n=31), observándose una morbilidad de 31.56 por ciento y una mortalidad de 10.99 por ciento. Los factores asociados a la mortalidad fueron: edad, hipertensión, cardiopatía, localización del tumor en cuerpo gástrico, compromiso extragástrico del hígado, tumores Y3 y T4, los N1, metástasis a distancia, estadio clínico IV, neumonía y otras complicaciones quirúrgicas. Con estos resultados concluimos que es necesario realizar un adecuado estadío de la enfemredad. Así como, tener especial cuidado con los pacientes hipertensos, diabéticos y cardiopatías. Finalmente, consideramos pertinente tener presente las complicaciones periperatorias para darles un manejo óptimo.

Revisao de 10 casos de doenca hemolitica perinatal por incompatibilidade Rh - formas graves. / Review of 10 cases of perinatal haemolytic disease by Rh incompatibility - severe forms

No periodo de julho de 1982 a maio de 1983 foram admitidos no Bercario da Unidade Materno-Infantil do Hospital dos Servidores do Estado do Rio de Janeiro 10 recem-nascidos com isoimunizacao Rh grave.Foram revistos dados da historia obstetrica e neonatal com o objetivo de avaliar a experiencia do Servico, complicacoes e mortalidade. Em nosso levantamento, demos enfase aos dados de pre-natal, com referencia especial aos exames atualmente disponiveis alem da diferencia de densidade optica em 450 micros (DO450), para avaliar vitalidade fetal, maturidade e grau de acometimento intra-utero pela doenca. Verificou-se que a cardiotocografia e a ultra-sonografia sao metodos indispensaveis para tambem indicar a interrupcao da gestacao na doenca hemolitica perinatal por incompatibilidade Rh (DHPN-Rh) grave. Foram realizadas, no total, 22 exsanguineotransfusoes, sendo a media de 2,4 exsanguineotransfusoes por recem-nascidos (RN). Observamos que 30% dos RNs necessitaram de assistencia ventilatoria por um tempo medio de 48 horas.Tivemos dois obitos (dois hidropicos), sendo que um RN faleceu com SARI grave e hemorragia pulmonar. Estes dados mostram que a existencia de uma Unidade Neonatal de alto risco e imprescindivel para a reducao da mortalidade e morbidade nos RNs com DHPN-Rh grave