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Objective: To investigate the effect of diadynamic currents administered prior to exercises on pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Design: A randomized-controlled trial. Setting: Special Rehabilitation Services in Taboão da Serra. Participants: Patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. Intervention: Participants were randomly allocated to Group I (diadynamic currents and exercises; n = 30, 60 knees) or Group II (exercises alone; n = 30, 60 knees) and were treated three times a week for 8 weeks. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome measures were change in knee pain evaluated by visual analog scale and disability Index Score (Lequesne). Secondary outcomes included change in mobility (Timed Up and Go test), range of motion (goniometer), muscle strength (dynamometer), a composite score for pain and disability (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis questionnaire), and a drug diary to measure consumption of rescue pain medication (paracetamol). All measurements were collected at baseline, 8 weeks, and 6 months from baseline (follow-up). Results: There were 60 participants with a mean (SD) age of 63.40 (8.20) years. Between-group differences in the follow-up (8 weeks and 6 months) were observed for pain at rest, pain during activities of daily living and disability. There was improvement in Group I that was maintained for the three variables 6 months after treatment. Mean difference for pain at rest was −3.08 points (95% confidence interval −4.13; −2.02), p < 0.01 with an effect size of 1.4; mean difference for pain during activities of daily living was −2.40 points (95% confidence interval −3.34; −1.45), p < 0.01 with an effect size of 1.24; and mean difference for disability was −4.08 points (95% confidence interval −5.89; −2.26), p < 0.01 with an effect size of 1.04. Conclusion: Patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis receiving 8 weeks of treatment with diadynamic currents as an adjunct to a program of exercises had significantly greater improvements in pain and disability than those receiving exercises alone. Beneficial effects were sustained for 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhamdia quelen is a commercially important fish in South America. During the survey of myxozoan infections in fishes from Pardo River, Paranapanema River basin, São Paulo State, Brazil, we describe three new species of Henneguya found parasitizing gills of R. quelen: Henneguya bagre n. sp., Henneguya breviscauda n. sp and Henneguya novaerae n. sp. The descriptions were based on myxospores morphology and small subunit ribosomal DNA partial sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed a clade formed by species that parasitize Siluriformes, with Henneguya jundiai as a sister species of Henneguya bagre n. sp., Henneguya breviscauda n. sp and Henneguya novaerae n. sp. Our study indicates that the parasites infecting R. quelen belong to a lineage of myxozoans infecting Heptapteridae fishes. Using molecular and morphological characterization, the species were identified as new species for the genus Henneguya. Based on our analysis we recommend monitoring the presence of these parasites in farmed fishes, to analyze possible pathologies caused by them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The allocreadiid trematode Wallinia brasiliensis Dias, Müller, Almeida, Silva, Azevedo, León & Abdallah, 2018 is redescribed herein based on integrative taxonomy approach using morphological and molecular data from seven adult specimens found in the digestive tract of the yellow-tail lambari, Astyanax lacustris (Lütken, 1875), sampled in Pardo River, municipality of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. The present specimens are about four times longer and show several morphological differences (e.g. distribution of vitelline follicles and in the number and relative size of operculate eggs) regarding type-species from Batalha River (type locality), São Paulo State, Brazil. Considering that some of the diagnostic features listed in the original description of W. brasiliensis were lost/modified in the present specimens, we conclude that there is a need to redescribe this species and to perform a new comparison between W. brasiliensis and its five congeners (including two species not yet described at the time of the original description). Based on the new data, W. brasiliensis can be readily distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the oblique position of testes, the extension of vitelline follicles, and the size of the body and internal organs. The validity of the identification of the present specimens as W. brasiliensis was confirmed by the molecular characterization of the LSU rDNA gene, which showed 100% similarity between the original and current sequences. A key to the six known species of Wallinia Pearse, 1920 is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We describe two new Henneguya spp. (Myxobolidae) found parasitizing Cyphocharax modestus from Pardo river, Paraná river basin, municipality of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil: Henneguya fastigata n. sp. from gill lamellae and Henneguya pardensis n. sp. from gill arches. We based the descriptions on myxospore morphology, histology, and small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. Methods: In this investigation, 50 specimens of Cyphocharax modestus were examined between July and December 2020 for myxozoan infections. Morphological characterization was based on the mature myxospores. The small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences were used for molecular and phylogenetic study. Results: Phylogenetic analysis provided the evolutionary position of these new species with other myxobolids species. Myxospores of the two species had similar morphology and morphometrics, but differed in spore body width and length, and ssrDNA sequences differed by 7.2%. These data supported the diagnosis of the parasites as distinct and novel species. The phylogenetic analysis showed a well-supported subclade formed by species that parasitize curimatid fishes, with Henneguya gilbert as a sister species of Henneguya fastigata n. sp., and Henneguya pardensis n. sp. as a sister species of both species. Conclusion: Our analysis was consistent with previous studies suggesting that orders and families of the hosts are strongly correlated with phylogenetic signals in the Myxobolidae. These are the first species of myxozoans described in the Pardo river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe, based on morphological features, a new copepod species of Rhinergasilus, Rhinergasilus unguilongus n. sp., collected from gills of the Streaked prochilod, Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1837), sampled in the Veados and Paranapanema Rivers, two tributaries of the Jurumirim Reservoir (Upper Paranapanema River, Paraná River Basin), São Paulo State, Brazil. Methods: Fish were collected using multi-panel gill nets. The gills of each fish were washed and examined for copepods using a stereo microscope. The copepods found were stored in 70% ethanol, cleared in lactic acid, and mounted in Hoyer's medium. Drawings were made with the aid of a microscope equipped with a drawing tube. Results: The new copepod species can be distinguished from its two congeners, Rhinergasilus piranhus (type-species) Boeger et Thatcher, 1988 and Rhinergasilus digitus Narciso, Brandão, Perbiche-Neves et Silva, 2020, due to its extremely long antennary claw (etymology of the species), being longer than the other antennary segments; third leg lacking any interpodal plate; and third endopodal segment of third leg lacking a distal spine. Conclusions: Based on the morphological differences, we erected a new species of Rhinergasilus. The new copepod represents the second report of a Rhinergasilus species parasitizing a fish from the Jurumirim Reservoir. It also represents the first report of this genus in P. lineatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: To describe a new species of a parasitic copepod, Rhinergasilus digitus n. sp. (Cyclopoida, Ergasilidae), collected from the gills of the red-tailed lambari Astyanax fasciatus (Characiformes, Characidae) in two tributaries of the Jurumirim Reservoir (Upper Paranapanema River), São Paulo State, Brazil: Ribeirão dos Veados and Paranapanema River. Methods: Fish were collected using multi-panel gills nets. The gill of each fish was washed and examined in a stereo microscope for copepods. The copepods found were stored in 70% ethanol, cleared in lactic acid, and mounted in Hoyer's medium. Drawings were made with the aid of a Leica microscope DMLS equipped with a drawing tube. Results: The new species differs from its congeneric species, Rhinergasilus piranhus (type-species), in having comparatively biggest body size (body length: 535–598 µm in the new species vs. 237–282 µm in R. piranhus); second antennary segment armed with a minute sensillum near middle of inner margin and a row of spinules on outer margin; third exopodal segment of leg 1 with digitiform process; interpodal plates two and three both ornamented with spinules along posterior margin; leg 5 reduced and represented by two unequal setae. Conclusions: Based on the morphological differences described above, we erected a new species of Rhinergasilus. Rhinergasilus digitus n. sp. is the second ergasilid described from A. fasciatus, as well as it represents the first report of this genus in a characid fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe a new genus and a new species of an ectoparasitic ergasilid (Copepoda, Ergasilidae) parasite of the red-tailed lambari, Astyanax fasciatus, from Jurumirim Reservoir (Upper Paranapanema River), São Paulo State, Brazil. Methods: The host fish were collected using multi-panel gill nets. The gill of each fish was washed and examined in a stereo microscope for copepods. The copepods found were stored in 70% ethanol, cleared in lactic acid, and mounted in Hoyer's medium. Some specimens were dissected in glycerol medium and then each dissected part was mounted on individual slides. Results: A new genus and a new species of Ergasilidae were described herein. Duoergasilus basilongus n. gen., n. sp. differs from all other ergasilids in having the second and third pair of biramous swimming legs (P2 and P3) each with a 2-segmented endopod, and by its unique maxillary basis, resembling a whip. Conclusions: The new copepod is the first 'four-legged' ergasilid with all swimming legs having a 2-segmented endopod. Duoergasilus basilongus n. sp. represents the first record of a parasitic copepod on A. fasciatus in Jurumirim Reservoir, as well as its represents the first description to species level of an ergasilid infecting an Astyanax species in Brazil. A key to the 28 accepted genera of Ergasilidae is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lernaea cyprinacea is a lernaeid copepod also known as anchor worm. This species is considered one of the most invasive ectoparasites on fishes, with a worldwide distribution. In Brazil, L. cyprinacea has spread in almost the entire country, being recorded parasitizing both native and farmed fishes. Post-metamorphic adult females of L. cyprinacea were recorded for the first-time parasitizing larvae and juveniles of the native fish Piabarchus stramineus sampled in the Taquari River, Upper Paranapanema River, São Paulo State, Brazil. The lernaeids were found attached to the base of the fins, with a preference for the pelvic fin (43.7% of parasitized hosts). The presence of these parasites on larvae/juveniles resulted in deformations in the host bodies and modification of the caudal peduncle angulation. The findings of L. cyprinacea infecting P. stramineus raises concern about the dispersal of this invasive parasite in natural areas and the deleterious effects of this parasite, especially in young fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Paulista de Enfermagem is the property of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Escola Paulista de Enfermagem and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We describe Myxobolus cataractae n. sp., found parasitizing Imparfinis mirini from Cachoeirinha stream, a tributary of Pardo River, Paraná River basin, municipality of Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. We based the description on myxospore morphology, histology, and small subunit ribosomal DNA partial sequences. Whitish and elongated mass of myxospores were found in gill filaments, occupying an intrafilamental position. The myxospores were slightly ellipsoidal and the morphometric measurements revealed a myxospore body length of 7.8 ± 0.4 μm; myxospore width of 5.9 ± 0.4 μm; and thickness of 3.9 ± 0.3 μm. The polar capsules are equal in size and measured 3.5 ± 0.2 μm in length and 1.7 ± 0.2 μm in width. The polar tubules had 6–7 coils. Myxobolus cataractae n. sp. is classified as the intrafilamental type and chondreal subtype by the histological analysis of gills. Phylogenetic analysis showed a well-supported subclade formed by species that parasitize gills of Siluriformes, with M. imparfinis as a sister species of Myxobolus cataractae n. sp. Using molecular and morphological characterization, this cryptic species was identified as a new species of the genus Myxobolus. [Display omitted] • A new myxosporean species is described from gill lamellae of Imparfinis mirini ; • Histological analysis showed chondrocyte degradation and lamella deformations; • A new species was denominated Myxobolus cataractae n. sp.; • This research contributes to the knowledge of myxosporean diversity in South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]