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Open educational resources (OERs) are becoming increasingly common as a tool in education, particularly in medical and biomedical education. However, three key barriers have been identified to their use: 1) lack of awareness of OERs, 2) lack of motivation to use OERs, and 3) lack of training in the use of OERs. Here, we explore these three barriers with teachers of medical and biomedical science to establish how best to enhance the use of OERs to improve pedagogical outcomes. An online survey was completed by 209 educators, many of whom (68.4%) reported using OERs in their teaching and almost all (99.5%) showing awareness of at least one OER. The results suggest that key problems that prevent educators from adopting OERs in their teaching include suitability for particular classes, time, and copyright. Most (81.8%) educators were somewhat, very, or extremely comfortable with OERs so there is no innate motivational barrier to adoption. A lack of training was reported by 13.9% of respondents, and 40% of respondents stated that there was little or no support from their institutions. OER users were no more comfortable with technology or better supported by departments but tended to be aware of a greater number of sources of OERs. Our study illustrates key opportunities for the expansion of OER use in physiology and medical teaching: increased breadth of awareness, increased institutional support (including time, training, and copyright support), and greater sharing of diverse OERs to suit the range of teaching challenges faced by staff in different subdisciplines.

• L. santolla tolerate up to 60 days without food and high-density of stocking. • Meat quality of L. santolla was not affected by starvation and stocking density. • King crabs can be kept caged at sea in commercial traps for 60 days without mortality. • Starved king crabs showed a very small mass reduction. • L. santolla physiological parameters slightly change during starvation. The southern king crab (SKC) Lithodes santolla is an important commercial species in southern South America. There is a greater need for availability of fresh and live crabs during the season of highest demand in summer (mainly December and January). Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of starvation and stocking densities on the physiological status of male SKC to know whether SKC can be stocked after they are fished. To assess the effects of starvation, crabs were assigned to two experimental groups: the Laboratory group (in which crabs were either fed daily (controls), fed every 15 days, or starved and the Sea group (in which crabs were either fed every 15 days or starved). Starved crabs showed a very slight mass reduction (<5%), glycogen depletion from the midgut gland (when kept at sea), lipid peroxidation reduction in both the muscle and the midgut gland, and micro-structural alterations of the midgut gland. Starved crabs were then analyzed at three stocking density levels: low (35 crabs m−3), medium (69 crabs m−3), and high (115 crabs m−3) for 30 days. In this experiment, we found, at all densities, a decreased weight of the midgut gland, a low condition index, decreased lipase activity, glycogen reduction, increased protein reserves, and lipid peroxidation reduction, and decreased lipid levels at low and medium densities. The muscle showed, at all densities, an increased protein oxidation and a decrease in the RNA:DNA ratio. Our results suggest that SKC can tolerate relatively high stocking densities, have low mortality, and are able to endure 60 days of food deprivation without lowering their flesh yield. This would allow marketing crabs alive off-season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leprosy has a global presence; more than 180 thousand new cases were registered in 2013, 15% of which were found in the Americas. The elderly are a very susceptible demographic in terms of developing illnesses, mainly because of characteristics natural to the senescence of the human organism. This study’s goals were to analyze leprosy in an elderly population from a hyperendemic region of the Brazilian Amazon in a historical series from 2004 to 2013 and to determine the clinical and epidemiological profile of a series of leprosy cases of elderly people in the period spanning from 2009 to 2013. Methods: To achieve these goals, an observational, longitudinal, retrospective and descriptive study was put together to analyze leprosy in elderly people from data acquired from the Notification Aggravations Information System. Furthermore, a profile of the disease from a retrospective cohort based on data collected from medical records was developed. Results: The number of new cases and the leprosy detection rate decreased across the observed period but remained stable among the elderly. The trend for the next ten years indicates decreases in the number of cases and in the detection rate in the general population and an increase in only the elderly. The overall profile was characterized by a predominance of males (64.32%), the multibacillary clinical form (87.57%), Type 1 reaction episodes (37.50%) and some physical incapacity at diagnosis (49.19%). The risk of reaction was greater in the first six months of multidrug therapy, and the positive result from the skin smear was associated with the greater chance of reactional condition development. Conclusions: The resulting data demonstrate that leprosy amongst the elderly deserves attention because of the increased susceptibility to disability in this age group, with their higher risk of reaction and their greater level of co-morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy. It may predispose offspring to increased fat mass (FM) and the development of obesity, however few data from Latin America exist. Objective: To investigate the influence of GDM on newborn FM in mother-newborn pairs recruited from a public maternity care center in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Data were collected cross-sectionally in 2013–2014 from 72 mothers diagnosed with GDM, and 211 mothers with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Newborn FM was evaluated by air-displacement plethysmography (PEA POD), and relevant demographic and obstetric data were collected from hospital records. Associations between maternal GDM status and newborn FM were investigated by multiple linear regression analysis, with adjustment for maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, type of delivery, sex of the child, and gestational age. Results: FM was greater in GDM versus NGT newborns in a bivariable model (Median (IQR), GDM: 0.35 (0.3) kg vs. NGT: 0.27 (0.2) kg, p = 0.02), however GDM status was not a significant predictor of FM with adjustment for other variables. Rather, pre-pregnancy BMI (coefficient (β) 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66, 2.27), gestational weight gain (β 1.32; 95% CI 0.49, 2.15), and male sex (β -17.8; 95% CI -27.2, -8.29) predicted newborn FM. Analyzing GDM and NGT groups separately, pre-pregnancy BMI (β 6.75; 95% CI 2.36, 11.1) and gestational weight gain (β 5.64; 95% CI 1.16, 10.1) predicted FM in the GDM group, while male sex alone predicted FM in the NGT group (β -12.3; 95% CI -18.3, -6.34). Conclusions: Combined model results suggest that in our cohort, pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain are more important risk factors for increased neonatal FM than GDM. However, group-specific model results suggest that GDM status may contribute to variation in the relationship between maternal/offspring factors and FM. Our use of a binary GDM variable in the combined model may have precluded clearer results on this point. Prospective cohort studies including data on maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG, and glycemic profile are needed to better understand associations among these variables and their relative influence on offspring FM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for tooth loss in an extended age group of adults over 4 years. The prospective cohort study assessed adults (20–64 years old) in 2011 and 2015, from Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The sample selection was planned based on the adult population in the city. The inclusion criteria were randomly selected residences per census tract unit (one adult per household). The exclusion criteria comprised of a physical or psychological state that prevented the achievement of clinical procedures or understanding of the questionnaire. The home oral examination was performed using the index of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), the Community Periodontal Index according to the World Health Organization, and visible biofilm. Demographic and socio-economic data, information on health habits, and the use of dental services were obtained by questionnaire. The outcome was a presence incidence of tooth loss, assessed by the difference between Missing teeth (M>0) from DMFT in 2011 and that in 2015. The conceptual theoretical model ‘Ethnicity, aging and oral health outcomes’ was adapted for tooth loss and used in a Hierarchical multivariate Poisson Regression analysis (p<0.20). The reference category for the Poisson regression were individuals who had no missing teeth (M) due to caries or periodontal disease (p<0.05). There were a total of 143 (follow-up rate = 57.7%) participants in the four-year study, and there was incidence of tooth loss in 51 (35.7%) adults over this period. The risk factors for tooth loss were reason for seeking dental services by pain (RR = 2.72; 95.0% CI: 1.04–7.37), previous tooth loss (RR = 3.01; 95.0% CI: 1.18–7.73) and decayed teeth (RR = 2.87; 95.0% CI: 1.22–6.73). The risk factors for tooth loss were: reason for seeking dental services by pain, previous tooth loss and dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The major non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD) are associated with a small group of modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors, including smoking, insufficient physical activity, unhealthy eating, and alcohol abuse. In this study, we evaluated the co-occurrence and clustering of the major NCD risk factors among Brazilian adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data of 101,607 adolescents from the Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE) 2015. The risk factors included were: regular consumption of ultra-processed foods, irregular consumption of fruits and vegetables, insufficient physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Clustering was defined through the ratio between observed and expected prevalences of combination of risk factors greater than 1. Expected prevalence of the co-occurrence of risk factors was calculated from the joint probability of the behaviors. Additionally, we examined the presence of at least four risk factors according to socioeconomic characteristics. Results: Of the 32 combinations of risk factors, 13 corresponded to clustering. We observed a strong correlation between alcohol consumption and smoking, which were found together in 8 of the 13 clusters identified. The most frequent combinations of risk factors involved unhealthy eating and insufficient physical activity. Only 2.9% of the adolescents did not present any risk behaviors, while 38.0%, 32.9%, 9.4% and 1.8% accumulated two, three, four and five risk factors, respectively. The accumulation of risk factors was higher in girls, older adolescents, those who did not live with both parents, children of less-educated mothers, students attending public school, and residents of cities in more developed urban areas of the country. Conclusions: The main risk factors for NCD are frequent and not randomly distributed among Brazilian adolescents. Our results provide information for policymakers to target specific groups and joint behavioral risk factors for health improvement in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis commonly found in Latin America that is caused by distinct species of Paracoccidioides genus: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis complex (S1, PS2, PS3 and PS4) and Paracoccidioides lutzii. Its pathobiology has been recently explored by different approaches to clarify the mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions underpinning PCM. The diversity of clinical forms of this disease has been attributed to both host- and fungus-related factors. Methodology/Principal findings: For better understanding of the molecular underpinnings of host-fungus interactions, we evaluated in vivo virulence of nine Paracoccidioides brasiliensis complex isolates and correlated it to protein expression profiles obtained by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Based on the recovery of viable fungi from mouse organs, the isolates were classified as those having low, moderate, or high virulence. Highly virulent isolates overexpressed proteins related to adhesion process and stress response, probably indicating important roles of those fungal proteins in regulating the colonization capacity, survival, and ability to escape host immune system reaction. Moreover, highly virulent isolates exhibited enhanced expression of glycolytic pathway enzymes concomitantly with repressed expression of succinyl-CoA ligase beta chain, a protein related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Conclusions/Significance: Our findings may point to the mechanisms used by highly virulent P. brasiliensis isolates to withstand host immune reactions and to adapt to transient iron availability as strategies to survive and overcome stress conditions inside the host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visceral Leishmaniasis in humans presents with fever, anemia, and splenomegaly and can be lethal if not treated. Nevertheless, the majority of Leishmania infantum-infected individuals does not manifest symptoms and remain so provided they are not immunosuppressed. In this work, the performance of different tests was evaluated to detect asymptomatic individuals who were living in Teresina, Piauí state, Brazil, an endemic area for VL. Methodology: L. infantum-specific antibodies were detected by ELISA and two different rapid immunochromatographic (IC) diagnostic tests, Kalazar Detect and OnSite, and parasitic loads were detected by real time PCR [qPCR]. Additionally, we measured levels of the biomarkers monokine induced by IFN-γ (MIG) and IFN-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) before and after stimulation of whole blood with soluble Leishmania antigen [SLA]. Principal findings: Kalazar Detect and OnSite detected, respectively, 76% and 64% of patients presenting with active Visceral Leishmaniasis; 50% and 57% of patients remained positive in these tests, respectively, after treatment. Of the healthy participants in the study who were living in the endemic area, only 1.7% were positive with both of the IC tests. On the other hand, reactivity in ELISA tests revealed that 13% of these individuals presented asymptomatic infections; among VL patients, 84% presenting with active disease were reactive in ELISA, and after treatment, 55.5% were seropositive. L. infantum DNA was present in the blood of 37.9% of infected individuals living in the endemic area, while IP-10 and MIG biomarkers were detected in 26.7% of them. The greatest concordance of positivity occurred between ELISA and qPCR. Conclusion: The association of different techniques can detect asymptomatic infections, however, more research is necessary to develop ideal biomarkers that are simple to use in the clinic and in field studies in areas endemic for Visceral Leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess consumers’ uses of and opinions on the current Brazilian food label and their reaction to the introduction of a front-of-package warning label. We conducted 12 focus groups among a diverse sample of adult consumers, to broadly assess: (1) uses of and perceptions about the current food label, and (2) opinions about implementing a front-of-package warning label to guide food purchases. Data was analyzed with a triangulation of researchers using an exploratory content analysis, which allowed codes to emerge from the data. The frequency of codes across focus groups was compared by gender and socioeconomic status to explore differences by these sociodemographic factors. Codes were divided into six main themes: (1) “Reasons for using food labels”; (2) “Barriers to using food labels”; (3) “Requirements for a new label”; (4) “Perceived influence on consumption behaviors”; (5) “Perceived influence on child behaviors”; and (6) “Perceptions of the food manufacturers using of warning labels”. Participants used food labels to check nutrient content and ingredient information but the format of these labels and the technicality of the content displayed often made the information inaccessible, particularly for those with low socioeconomic status. Most participants were supportive of the display of front-of-package warning labels on products and considered them useful to inform purchases. Women believed that they and their children would reduce the consumption of foods with front-of-package warning labels, while men reported more polarity in their intentions. For men and their children, front-of-package warning labels would result in either stopping food intake entirely or continued consumption without changes to the amount. The study results highlight the potential of front-of-package warning labels to support healthier behaviors in both consumers and their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) has been used for mucosal leishmaniasis (ML), but comparative studies on L-AMB and other drugs used for the treatment of ML have not been conducted. The present study aimed to evaluate the outcome of patients with ML who were treated with L-AMB. Methods: This is a 15-year retrospective study of Brazilian patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ML. The therapeutic options for the treatment of ML consisted of L-AMB, amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC), deoxycholate amphotericin B (d-AMB), itraconazole, antimonial pentavalent, or pentamidine. Healing, cure rate and adverse effects (AEs) associated with the drugs used to treat this condition were analyzed. Results: In 71 patients, a total of 105 treatments were evaluated. The outcome of the treatment with each drug was compared, and results showed that L-AMB was superior to other therapeutic regimens (P = 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 4.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.78–13.17). d-AMB had worse AEs than other treatment regimens (P = 0.001, OR = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.09–0.43). Approximately 66% of the patients presented with AEs during ML treatment. Although L-AMB was less nephrotoxic than d-AMB, it was associated with acute kidney injury compared with other drugs (P <0.05). Conclusion: L-AMB was more effective than other therapies for the treatment of ML. However, a high incidence of toxicity was associated with its use. Therapeutic choices should be reassessed, and the development of new drugs is necessary for the treatment of ML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the association between the time spent watching television and the sociodemographic characteristics with the presence of overweight and obesity in Colombian adolescents. Materials and methods: Secondary analysis of the information obtained in the National Survey of the Nutritional Situation 2010 of Colombia, in a probabilistic sample of 18177 adolescents with an age range between 13 and 17 years. The time spent watching television and / or videogames and sociodemographic factors was determined. Anthropometric markers and body composition were recorded. Associations were established through logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of overweight was 13.0% (95% CI 12.4–13.8) and obesity was 3.0% (95% CI 2.8–3.3). The prevalences of overweight and obesity were higher in adolescent women [16.6% (95% CI 15.8–17.5) and 3.4% (95% CI 3.1–3.7), respectively]. Overweight and obesity were associated with being female [OR 1.94 (95%CI 1.77–2.12) and OR 1.29 (95%CI 1.09–1.53), respectively], high socioeconomic level [OR 1.22 (95%CI 1.10–1.36) and OR 1.47 (95%CI 1.19–1.81), respectively], reside in urban area [OR 1.13 (95%CI 1.03–1.24) and OR 1.47 (95%CI 1.21–1.79), respectively]. Being indigenous was associated with being overweight [OR 1.25 (95%CI 1.10–1.42)], while being Afro-Colombian was associated with obesity [OR 1.33 (95%CI 1.05–1.69)]. Watching television and / or video games for two or more hours a day [OR1.17 (95%CI 1.06–1.30)] was associated with being overweight; whereas watching television every day of the week was associated with obesity [OR 1.66 (95%CI 1.13–2.43)]. Conclusions: The population studied has a significant prevalence of overweight and obesity, being overweight is associated with being a woman, a high socioeconomic status, residing in an urban area, having an indigenous ethnicity, watching television for three days during the week and looking at more than two hours of television in a day; Obesity is associated with being a woman, a medium-high and high socioeconomic status, residing in an urban area, Afro-Colombian ethnicity, watching television at least once in the last week and watching television every day during the last week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the prevalence of self-reported dental pain and its association with sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral/psychosocial indicators among 8- to 10-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren. Design: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1,589 eight- to ten-year-old children randomly selected from public schools of Florianopolis, Brazil. Self-reports of dental pain were collected through a single question as follows: “In the last month, how many times have you had pain in your teeth?” Caries experience was determined by the DMFT/dmft index and its clinical consequences by the PUFA/pufa index. Dental trauma, dental fluorosis and molar-incisor hypomineralization were assessed through the Andreasen, Dean and European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry classifications, respectively. Clinical signs of dental erosion were also observed. Sociodemographic indicators were obtained through a questionnaire answered by the children’s caregivers. Information about behavioral/psychosocial indicators was collected through questions from the Brazilian version of the Child Perception Questionnaire 8–10 years (CPQ8–10). Descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and hierarchically adjusted Poisson regression models were performed. Results: 819 children (51.5%) reported episodes of dental pain in the last month prior to the study, whereas 55.6% (n = 509) were girls. The presence of dental pain was significantly associated with sex, trouble sleeping, difficulty eating, school absenteeism, difficulty with paying attention in class, difficulty doing homework, staying away from recreational activities, caries experience, PUFA/pufa index and ulceration (p<0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported dental pain in 8- to 10- year-old Brazilian schoolchildren was high and was associated with sociodemographic, clinical and behavioral/psychosocial indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent epidemics of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Pacific and the Americas have highlighted its potential as an emerging pathogen of global importance. Both Aedes (Ae.) aegypti and Ae. albopictus are known to transmit ZIKV but variable vector competence has been observed between mosquito populations from different geographical regions and different virus strains. Since Australia remains at risk of ZIKV introduction, we evaluated the vector competence of local Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus for a Brazilian epidemic ZIKV strain. In addition, we evaluated the impact of daily temperature fluctuations around a mean of 28°C on ZIKV transmission and extrinsic incubation period. Methodology/Principal findings: Mosquitoes were orally challenged with a Brazilian ZIKV strain (8.8 log CCID50/ml) and maintained at either 28°C constant or fluctuating temperature conditions. At 3, 7 and 14 days post-infection (dpi), ZIKV RNA copies were quantified in mosquito bodies, as well as wings and legs, using qRT-PCR, while virus antigen in saliva (a proxy for transmission) was detected using a cell culture ELISA. Despite high body and disseminated infection rates in both vectors, the transmission rates of ZIKV in saliva of Ae. aegypti (50–60%) were significantly higher than in Ae. albopictus (10%) at 14 dpi. Both species supported a high viral load in bodies, with no significant differences between constant and fluctuating temperature conditions. However, a significant difference in viral load in wings and legs between species was observed, with higher titres in Ae. aegypti maintained at constant temperature conditions. For ZIKV transmission to occur in Ae. aegypti, a disseminated virus load threshold of 7.59 log10 copies had to be reached. Conclusions/Significance: Australian Ae. aegypti are better able to transmit a Brazilian ZIKV strain than Ae. albopictus. The results are in agreement with the global consensus that Ae. aegypti is the major vector of ZIKV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors for several pathogens, with Leishmania being the most important. In Brazil, the main aetiological agent of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, and Nyssomyia neivai is one of its main vectors in São Paulo state and other areas of South America. Similar to other haematophagous insects, sand flies use volatile compounds called kairomones to locate their hosts for blood meals. A possible increase in the attractiveness of hosts infected with Leishmania infantum to their vectors has been demonstrated. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether L. braziliensis-infected hosts present higher attractiveness to Ny. neivai and to identify differences in the volatile compounds released by infected and uninfected mice. Results: Behavioural experiments in which sand fly females directly fed on infected or uninfected mice showed no significant differences in the attractiveness of the mice or the blood volume ingested. Y-tube olfactometer bioassays also revealed no significant differences in the attractiveness of these hosts to Ny. neivai. No differences were observed in the profiles of the volatile compounds released by the two groups of mice. However, PCA and cluster analysis were able to classify the 31 identified compounds into three clusters according to their abundances. This classification showed a possible role for individual variation in the absence of differences in volatile profiles and attractiveness between infected and uninfected mice. Conclusion: In this first cross-sectional study with an aetiological agent of ACL, there were no statistically significant differences in the attractiveness of infected hosts to their vector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schistosoma mansoni is the main species causing hepatic and intestinal schistosomiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa, and it is the only species in South America. Adult stages of the parasite reside in the mesenteric venous plexus of infected hosts, and eggs are shed in feces. Collecting patient stool samples for S. mansoni diagnostic purposes is difficult in large-scale field trials. Urine samples would be an alternative approach for molecular S. mansoni detection since they have several advantages over stool samples, including better handling, management and storage. Additionally, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology is a powerful molecular diagnostic tool for infectious diseases, particularly under field conditions in developing countries. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of our previously developed LAMP assay (SmMIT-LAMP) for S. mansoni-specific detection in clinical urine samples. Methodology/Principal findings: The sensitivity of SmMIT-LAMP in urine was established in simulated fresh human urine samples artificially spiked with genomic DNA from S. mansoni. LAMP for 120 min instead of 60 min improved the sensitivity, reaching values of 0.01 fg/μL. A set of well-defined frozen stored human urine samples collected from Sub-Saharan immigrant patients was selected from a biobank to evaluate the diagnostic validity of SmMIT-LAMP. The set included urine samples from patients with microscopy-confirmed infections with S. mansoni, S. haematobium and other nonschistosome parasites, as well as urine samples from patients with microscopy-negative eosinophilia without a confirmed diagnosis. The SmMIT-LAMP was incubated for 60 and 120 min. A longer incubation time was shown to increase the LAMP-positive results in patient urine samples. We also tested urine samples from mice experimentally infected with S. mansoni, and LAMP-positive results were obtained from the third week after infection. A real-time LAMP assay was also performed with three individual urine samples. Conclusions/Significance: The SmMIT-LAMP could effectively detect S. mansoni DNA in mouse urine samples and produced promising results for human clinical samples. The detection of S. mansoni DNA in mouse urine samples from the third week after infection indicates that early diagnosis of active S. mansoni infection is possible using urine as a source of DNA. Further studies are still needed, but our method could be used as a promising molecular tool applicable to urine samples to diagnose human intestinal schistosomiasis caused by S. mansoni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue virus (DENV) transmission by blood transfusion is an important route of viral acquisition during outbreaks. The prevalence of DENV markers (viral RNA, NS1, anti-DENV IgM, and IgG) among blood donors in Central-West Brazil has never been evaluated. Our aim was to evaluate the full set of serological and molecular markers for DENV among blood donors of the Federal District of Brazil during an extensive outbreak in 2016. We found an anti-DENV IgM prevalence of 6.74% (n = 32/475). Of 475, 20 samples (4.21%) were also anti-DENV IgG positive. All samples were non-reactive for NS1 and DENV RNA. Our results imply that a significant proportion of the tested donors had experienced asymptomatic infection. More studies are necessary to evaluate the real prevalence of DENV viremia in blood donors from the Federal District of Brazil and if specific measures are needed to routinely test the blood donors for DENV RNA during outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Worldwide, overweight and obesity rates have more than tripled over the past three decades. Overweight and obesity rates are particularly high among Latinos. In order to determine some of the potential reasons, it is imperative to investigate how first-generation Latina mothers living in non-metropolitan and small metro areas decide how and what to feed their children. Using the Socio-Ecological Model, this study aimed to understand how Latina immigrant mothers make feeding decisions for their children. Methods: A total of 29 semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of immigrant mothers from Latin American countries whose preschoolers were enrolled in a Women, Infant, and Children supplemental nutrition program located in non-metropolitan and small metro areas. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim in Spanish, and analyzed by a bilingual team. Results: Multi-stage qualitative analysis was employed to analyze the data. Nineteen participants originated from Mexico, four from Central America, and six from South America. Five themes emerged that helped illuminate mother’s decision-making around feeding choices: 1) culture as all-encompassing, 2) location and access to fresh and traditional foods, 3) disjunction between health provider advice and cultural knowledge 4) responsiveness to family needs and wants as determinants of food choices, 5) intrapersonal conflict stemming from childhood poverty and food insufficiency. Conclusion: Findings suggest that Latina immigrant mothers engage in a difficult and even conflicting process when deciding how to feed their children. Future interventions should focus on implementing hands-on activities that can help consolidate, promote, and encourage healthy feeding choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke is the third major cause of death in the world and the second in Brazil. The purpose of this work was to assess the stroke-related hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and case fatality rates under the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) from 2009 to 2016. Methods: We evaluated the hospital admissions for stroke and their associated outcomes using data from the Hospital Information available at the Informatics Department of SUS. We selected hospitalization registries according to stroke diagnosis codes from the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). We identified the association of age and sex with patient death through multiple logistic regression and calculated the rates of hospitalization, mortality and case-fatality per 100,000 inhabitants using age-adjustment methodology. Results: We analyzed 1,113,599 stroke hospitalizations. From 2009 to 2016, the number of admissions increased from 131,122 to 146,950 and the absolute number of in-hospital deaths increased from 28,731 to 31,937. Younger age and male sex were significantly associated with patient survival. Our results showed that the annual age-adjusted hospitalization and in-hospital mortality rates decreased by 11.8% and 12.6%, respectively, but the case fatality rate increased for patients older than 70 years. Conclusions: Although the age-adjusted hospitalization and in-hospital mortality rates declined, the total number of hospitalization and deaths have increased. It is expected a continuous increase over the next years of stroke admissions with the rapid aging of the Brazilian population. Efforts should be renewed targeting risk factors, access to hospital and rehabilitation in particular for the elderly population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite decades of use of control programs, schistosomiasis remains a global public health problem. To further reduce prevalence and intensity of infection, or to achieve the goal of elimination in low-endemic areas, there needs to be better diagnostic tools to detect low-intensity infections in low-endemic areas in Brazil. The rationale for development of new diagnostic tools is that the current standard test Kato-Katz (KK) is not sensitive enough to detect low-intensity infections in low-endemic areas. In order to develop new diagnostic tools, we employed a proteomics approach to identify biomarkers associated with schistosome-specific immune responses in hopes of developing sensitive and specific new methods for immunodiagnosis. Methods and findings: Immunoproteomic analyses were performed on egg extracts of Schistosoma mansoni using pooled sera from infected or non-infected individuals from a low-endemic area of Brazil. Cross reactivity with other soil-transmitted helminths (STH) was determined using pooled sera from individuals uniquely infected with different helminths. Using this approach, we identified 23 targets recognized by schistosome acute and chronic sera samples. To identify immunoreactive targets that were likely glycan epitopes, we compared these targets to the immunoreactivity of spots treated with sodium metaperiodate oxidation of egg extract. This treatment yielded 12/23 spots maintaining immunoreactivity, suggesting that they were protein epitopes. From these 12 spots, 11 spots cross-reacted with sera from individuals infected with other STH and 10 spots cross-reacted with the negative control group. Spot number 5 was exclusively immunoreactive with sera from S. mansoni-infected groups in native and deglycosylated conditions and corresponds to Major Egg Antigen (MEA). We expressed MEA as a recombinant protein and showed a similar recognition pattern to that of the native protein via western blot. IgG-ELISA gave a sensitivity of 87.10% and specificity of 89.09% represented by area under the ROC curve of 0.95. IgG-ELISA performed better than the conventional KK (2 slides), identifying 56/64 cases harboring 1–10 eggs per gram of feces that were undiagnosed by KK parasitological technique. Conclusions: The serological proteome approach was able to identify a new diagnostic candidate. The recombinant egg antigen provided good performance in IgG-ELISA to detect individuals with extreme low-intensity infections (1 egg per gram of feces). Therefore, the IgG-ELISA using this newly identified recombinant MEA can be a useful tool combined with other techniques in low-endemic areas to determine the true prevalence of schistosome infection that is underestimated by the KK method. Further, to overcome the complexity of ELISA in the field, a second generation of antibody-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nutritional intervention involving a problem-raising approach and the use of pictorial representations on the promotion of knowledge and practices of healthy eating among adolescents. This randomized study included 461 adolescents from public schools in Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil (intervention group: 273 students from four schools; control group: 188 students from three schools). Mean age was 14.8±1.0, and 52.9% were boys. The intervention consisted of three meetings with interactive activities about principles of healthy eating, food classification, importance of reading labels and analyzing food advertising critically, and representations of healthy and unhealthy meals and their sugar, salt, and fat content. Pictorial materials consisted of food drawings, food models, and a food packaging model. Controls were not exposed to any activity. Dietary knowledge, consumption, and behaviors were the variables of interest. The intervention group showed a higher mean score of correct answers to questions about dietary knowledge than the control group (p = 0.0006), with higher odds of correctly answering questions about in natura (OR: 3.7; 95% CI: 1.9–6.6), minimally processed (OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.9–6.4), processed (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1–4.3), and ultra-processed foods (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.8–6.6) and composition of ultra-processed foods (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.3–4.4). Participants in the intervention group were also 2.5 times more likely to correctly answer questions about the importance of the dietary environment (95% CI: 1.1–5.5) and caution with food advertising (95% CI: 1.2–5.3) than controls. Increased weekly consumption of vegetables (p = 0.0077; OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.26–4.51) and reduced consumption of soft drinks (p = 0.0212; OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.15–0.86) were observed in the intervention group compared to the control group. The proposed intervention increased adolescents’ knowledge and improved some of their dietary habits. Educational activities using a problem-raising approach and pictorial representations of food appear to be effective in promoting healthy eating practices among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transmission of dengue virus (DENV) from humans to mosquitoes represents a critical component of dengue epidemiology. Examinations of this process have generally been hampered by a lack of methods that adequately represent natural acquisition of DENV by mosquitoes from humans. In this study, we assessed artificial and natural blood feeding methods based on rates of DENV infection and dissemination within mosquitoes for use in a field-based epidemiological cohort study in Iquitos, Peru. Methodology/Principal findings: Our study was implemented, stepwise, between 2011 and 2015. Participants who were 5 years and older with 5 or fewer days of fever were enrolled from ongoing clinic- and neighborhood-based studies on dengue in Iquitos. Wild type, laboratory-reared Aedes aegypti were fed directly on febrile individuals or on blood collected from participants that was either untreated or treated with EDTA. Mosquitoes were tested after approximately 14 days of extrinsic incubation for DENV infection and dissemination. A total of 58 participants, with viremias ranging from 1.3 × 102 to 2.9 × 106 focus-forming units per mL of serum, participated in one or more feeding methods. DENV infection and dissemination rates were not significantly different following direct and indirect-EDTA feeding; however, they were significantly lower for mosquitoes that fed indirectly on blood with no additive. Relative to direct feeding, infection rates showed greater variation following indirect-EDTA than indirect-no additive feeding. Dissemination rates were correlated across all feeding methods. No differences were detected in DENV infection or dissemination rates in mosquitoes fed directly on participants with different dengue illness severity. Conclusions/Significance: Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using direct and indirect feeding methods for field-based studies on vector competence. Direct mosquito feeding is preferable in terms of logistical ease, biosecurity, and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of a study to investigate drivers of dengue virus (DENV) transmission dynamics, this qualitative study explored whether DENV-infected residents of Iquitos, Peru, considered it acceptable (1) to participate in direct mosquito feeding experiments (lab-reared Aedes aegypti mosquitoes fed directly on human volunteers) and (2) to provide blood meals indirectly (Ae. aegypti fed on blood drawn from participants by venipuncture). Twelve focus group discussions (FGDs; 94 participants: 82 females and 12 males) were conducted in January 2014 to explore six themes: (1) concerns and preferences regarding direct mosquito feeds and blood draws, (2) comprehension of and misconceptions about study procedures, (3) motivating factors for participation, (4) acceptability of children’s participation, (5) willingness to provide multiple samples over several days, and (6) preference for direct feedings in homes versus the study laboratory. Results of FGDs, including one with 5 of 53 past direct mosquito feed participants, indicated that mosquito feeding procedures are acceptable to Iquitos residents when they are provided with information and a few key messages are properly reinforced. FGD participants’ concerns focused primarily on safety issues rather than discomfort associated with mosquito bites. A video explaining the study dramatically increased comprehension of the study procedures. The majority of participants expressed a preference for mosquito feeding over venipuncture. Adults supported child participation if the children themselves assented. For most participants, home feedings were preferred over those in a laboratory. A major impetus for participation was the idea that results would contribute to an improved understanding of DENV transmission in Iquitos. Findings from our study will support future large-scale studies that employ direct mosquito feeding, a low-risk, non-invasive procedure that is experimentally superior to artificial mosquito feeding methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mayaro virus (MAYV) of the genus alphavirus is a mosquito-transmitted emerging infectious disease that causes an acute febrile illness, rash, headaches, and nausea that may turn into incapacitating, persistent arthralgias in some victims. Since its discovery in Trinidad in 1954, cases of MAYV infection have largely been confined there and to the northern countries of South America, but recently, MAYV cases have been reported in some island nations in the Caribbean Sea. Accompanying these reports is evidence that new vectors, including Aedes spp. mosquitos, recently implicated in the global spread of Zika and chikungunya viruses, are competent for MAYV transmission, which, if true, could facilitate the spread of MAYV beyond its current range. Despite its status as an emerging virus, there are no licensed vaccines to prevent MAYV infection nor therapeutics to treat it. Here, we describe the development and testing of a novel DNA vaccine, scMAYV-E, that encodes a synthetically-designed consensus MAYV envelope sequence. In vivo electroporation-enhanced immunization of mice with this vaccine induced potent humoral responses including neutralizing antibodies as well as robust T-cell responses to multiple epitopes in the MAYV envelope. Importantly, these scMAYV-E-induced immune responses protected susceptible mice from morbidity and mortality following a MAYV challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South America is a vast continent endowed with extraordinary biodiversity that offers abundant opportunities for neuroethological research. Although neuroethology is still emerging in the region, the number of research groups studying South American species to unveil the neural organization of natural behaviors has grown considerably during the last decade. In this Perspective, we provide an account of the roots and strategies that led to the present state of neuroethology in the Southern Cone of America, with a forward-looking vision of its role in education and its international recognition. Hopefully, our Perspective will serve to further promote the study of natural behaviors across South America, as well as in other scarcely explored regions of the world., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2023. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

We explored the distribution of tooth- and scratch-digging specializations in species of the subterranean rodent Ctenomys (tuco-tucos) from diverse environments and representing different clades. Principal component analysis of craniodental and postcranial indexes with functional relevance showed that specializations for tooth-digging on one hand, and scratch- digging on the other, formed two uncorrelated groups of variables; functionally significant enamel traits varied concurrently with the tooth-digging specialization axis. Species occupied all sectors of the morphospace showing that craniodental and forelimb specializations have not been mutually exclusive in the evolution of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature is an important environmental factor that affects how organisms allocate metabolic resources to physiological processes. Laboratory experiments that determine absolute thermal limits for representative species are important for understanding how fishes are affected by climate change. Critical Thermal Methodology (CTM) and Chronic Lethal Methodology (CLM) experiments were utilized to construct a complete thermal tolerance polygon for the South American fish species, Mottled catfish (Corydoras paleatus). Mottled catfish showed Chronic Lethal Maxima (CLMax) of 34.9 ± 0.52 °C and Chronic Lethal Minima (CLMin) of 3.8 ± 0.08 °C. Fish were chronically acclimated (∼2 weeks) to 6 temperatures ranging from 7.2 ± 0.05 °C →32.2 ± 0.16 °C (7 °C, 12 °C, 17 °C, 22 °C, 27 °C, and 32 °C), and CTM used to estimate upper and lower acute temperature tolerance. Linear regressions of Critical Thermal Maxima (CTMax) and Minima (CTMin) data with each acclimation temperature were used along with CLMax and CLMin to create a complete thermal tolerance polygon. The highest CTMax was 38.4 ± 0.60 °C for fish acclimated to 32.2 ± 0.16 °C, and the lowest CTMin was 3.36 ± 1.84 °C for fish acclimated to 7.2 ± 0.05 °C. Mottled catfish have a polygon measuring 785.7°C2, and the slope of the linear regressions showed the species gained 0.55 °C and 0.32 °C of upper and lower tolerance per degree of acclimation temperature, respectively. We compared slopes of CTMax or CTMin regression lines to each other using a set of comparisons between 3, 4, 5, or 6 acclimation temperatures. Our data demonstrated that 3 acclimation temperatures were as sufficient as 4 → 6 to pair with estimates of chronic upper and lower thermal limits for accurately determining a complete thermal tolerance polygon. Construction of this species' complete thermal tolerance polygon provides a template for other researchers. The following is sufficient to generate a complete thermal tolerance polygon: Three chronic acclimation temperatures that are spread somewhat evenly across a species' thermal range, include an estimation of CLMax and CLMin, and are followed by CTMax and CTMin measurements. • This study provides researchers with guidelines to determine fish species' thermal niches. • Corydoras paleatus are eurythermal and acclimated for ∼2 weeks between 7 → 32 °C. • Tolerance gained through thermal acclimation at 3, 4, 5 or 6 acclimation temperatures were statistically similar. • Three acclimation temperatures spread across a species' thermal range are sufficient to create a full thermal tolerance polygon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim was to investigate the associations between mental disorders and three different measures of labour-market marginalisation, and differences between native Swedes and immigrants.Methods: The study comprised 1,753,544 individuals, aged 20-35 years, and resident in Sweden 2004. They were followed 2005-2011 with regard to disability pension, sickness absence (≥90 days) and unemployment (≥180 days). Immigrants were born in Western countries (Nordic countries, EU, Europe outside EU or North-America/Oceania), or in non-Western countries (Africa, Asia or South-America). Mental disorders were grouped into seven subgroups based on a record of in- or specialised outpatient health care 2001-2004. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed by Cox regression models with both fixed and time-dependent covariates and competing risks. We also performed stratified analyses with regard to labour-market attachment.Results: Individuals with mental disorders had a seven times higher risk of disability pension, a two times higher risk of sickness absence, and a 20% higher risk of unemployment than individuals without mental disorders. Individuals with personality disorders and schizophrenia/non-affective psychoses had highest risk estimates for having disability pension and long-term sickness absence, while the risk estimates of long-term unemployment were similar among all subgroups of mental disorders. Among persons with mental disorders, native Swedes had higher risk estimates for disability pension (HR:6.6; 95%CI:6.4-6.8) than Western immigrants (4.8; 4.4-5.2) and non-Western immigrants (4.8; 4.4-5.1), slightly higher risk estimates for sickness absence (2.1;2.1-2.2) than Western (1.9;1.8-2.1), and non-Western (1.9;1.7-2.0) immigrants but lower risk estimates for unemployment (1.4;1.3-1.4) than Western (1.8;1.7-1.9) and non-Western immigrants (2.0;1.9-2.1). There were similar risk estimates among sub-regions within both Western and non-Western countries. Stratification by labour-market attachment showed that the risk estimates for immigrants were lower the more distant individuals were from gainful employment.Conclusions: Mental disorders were associated with all three measures of labour-market marginalisation, strongest with subsequent disability pension. Native Swedes had higher risk estimates for both disability pension and sickness absence, but lower risk estimates for unemployment than immigrants. Previous labour-market attachment explained a great part of the association between immigrant status and subsequent labour-market marginalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Choco Screech-Owl ( Megascops guatemalae centralis) is one of the rarest birds in Ecuador and its taxonomy remains poorly understood. Here, we describe the nest, owlet morphology, prey items, defensive behaviors, a newly discovered locality for the species, and the occurrence of parasitism, caused by Philornis sp. of the owlets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important food crop, especially in East Africa and Central and South America. Subsistence farmer yields in these areas are limited by the many common bean cultivars that are drought sensitive. Consequently, a major goal of breeding programs is to improve drought tolerance. Our objective was to identify and compare physiological components of drought stress among common bean genotypes varying in stress tolerance. We also included the closely related and highly stress-tolerant tepary bean (P. acutifolius A. Gray). Compositional parameters often related to drought tolerance revealed no drought effect on free proline, but malate, glucose, fructose, inositol, and raffinose all increased, sometimes enough to osmotically adjust leaf tissues. Abscisic acid (ABA) was especially drought responsive. Although geno-typic differences were unrelated to tolerance, grafting revealed that shoot identity controlled ABA levels in stressed roots and that root identity had little or no effect on stomatal behavior. Photosynthetic parameters derived from photosynthesis versus intercellular CO2 concentration curves were not related to drought tolerance, but some traits were related to productivity. Stomatal control and low conductance were clearly associated with tolerance, conserving water during stress, and increasing water use efficiencies. This study should provide guidance in selection of traits associated with enhanced drought tolerance in common bean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bloom forming jellyfish have received considerable attention over the past years. And while the eye-catching medusa is well studied, little is known about its small, inconspicuous and hard to find polyp-counterpart. In fact, so hard to find that polyps of most scyphozoan species have not been detected in their natural habitat. Considering the important roles polyps may play in jellyfish bloom formation, identifying the criteria for planulae to select suitable microhabitats that warrant the well-being and survival of polyps is a key issue. In order to find clues on the characteristics of natural habitats of Chrysaora plocamia polyps, settlement preferences of planulae were determined in a laboratory study. The settlement density, geotaxis and colour preferences were assessed, using a three-dimensional substrate that provided settlement areas of different orientation, levels of shelter and colours. Planulae exclusively colonized horizontal surfaces in an upside down position, tended to settle in sheltered areas and showed significant preferences for green and red substrates. If planulae of the jellyfish C. plocamia display similar preferences in the field, polyps should be found on protected substrates that provide overhangs, small caves, crevices or roof-surfaces, and green or red substrates, like stipes and blades of macroalgae, or crustose coralline algae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Courtship songs have undergone a spectacular diversification in the Drosophila buzzatii cluster. Accordingly, it has been suggested that sexual selection has played a significant role in promoting rapid diversification, reproductive isolation and speciation. However, there is no direct evidence (i.e., song playback experiments with wingless males) supporting this tenet. Moreover, several studies have showed that the courtship song in the genus Drosophila is not always used in female mate choice decisions, nor plays the same role when it is taken into account. In this vein, we use an approach that combines manipulative and playback experiments to explore the importance and the role of courtship song in female mate choice in four species of the D. buzzatii cluster and one species of the closely related D. martensis cluster for outgroup comparison. We also investigate the importance of courtship song in sexual isolation in sympatry between the only semi-cosmopolitan species, D. buzzatii, and the other species of the D. buzzatii cluster. Our study revealed that the courtship song is used by females of the D. buzzatii cluster as a criterion for male acceptance or influences the speed with which males are chosen. In contrast, we showed that this characteristic is not shared by D. venezolana, the representative species of the D. martensis cluster. We also found that the studied species of the D. buzzatii cluster differ in the role that conspecific and heterospecific songs have in female mate choice and in sexual isolation. Our findings support the hypothesis that divergence in female preferences for courtship songs has played a significant role in promoting rapid diversification and reproductive isolation in the D. buzzatii cluster. However, evidence from D. venezolana suggests that the use of the courtship song in female mate choice is not a conserved feature in the D. buzzatii complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of the environment on the geographical variation of morphological traits has been recognized in a number of taxa. Pecari tajacu and Tayassu pecari are ideal models to investigate intraspecific geographic variation in skull because of their wide and heterogeneous geographical distribution in South America. We used geometric morphometric procedures to examine the geographical variation in skull shape of 294 adult specimens of these species from 134 localities. We quantified to what extent skull shape variation was explained by environment, skull size and geographical space using variation partitioning analysis. We detected a strong pattern of geographic variation for P. tajacu skull shape, but not for T. pecari. The environment seems to be the major selective force that drives skull shape variation in both species. Nevertheless, other spatially structured processes (e.g. genetic drift, gene flow) might also have affected variation in the skull shape of the more widespread species P. tajacu. Allometric relationships might reflect the biomechanical constraints that are thought to be strong enough to limit size-related changes in T. pecari skull shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caiman latirostris is a South American crocodilian species characterized as a sentinel of the presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Evaluating developmental events in hormone-dependent organs, such as the oviduct, is crucial to understand physiological postnatal development, to identify putative periods of exposure sensitive to EDCs, and/or to identify biomarkers useful to evaluate the effects of EDC exposure. In this study, we describe the histomorphological features of C. latirostris oviducts by establishing the ontogeny of changes at cellular, tissue and molecular levels from the neonatal to the pre-pubertal juvenile stages. Since the histological diagnosis of the adenogenic oviduct lies on a group of features, here we defined a histofunctional score system and a cut-off value to distinguish between preadenogenic and adenogenic oviducts. Our results showed that the maturation of the C. latirostris oviduct is completed postnatally and characterized by changes that mimic the pattern of histological modifications described for the mammalian uterus. Ontogenic changes in the oviductal epithelium parallel changes at subepithelial level, and include collagen remodeling and characteristic spatial-temporal patterns of α-actin and desmin. The expression pattern of estrogen receptor alpha and progesterone receptor evidenced that, even at early postnatal developmental stages, the oviduct of C. latirostris is a target organ of endogenous and environmental hormones. Besides, oviductal adenogenesis seems to be an estrogen-dependent process. Results presented here provide not only insights into the histophysiological aspect of caiman female reproductive ducts but also new tools to better characterize caimans as sentinels of endocrine disruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) (Flavivirus) is a reemerging arbovirus in the southern cone of South America. In 2005, an outbreak of SLEV in central Argentina resulted in 47 human cases with 9 deaths. In Argentina, the ecology of SLEV is poorly understood. Because certain birds are the primary amplifiers in North America, we hypothesized that birds amplify SLEV in Argentina as well. We compared avian SLEV seroprevalence in a variety of ecosystems in and around Córdoba city from 2004 (before the epidemic) and 2005 (during the epidemic). We also explored spatial patterns to better understand the local ecology of SLEV transmission. Because West Nile virus (WNV) was also detected in Argentina in 2005, all analyses were also conducted for WNV. A total of 980 birds were sampled for detection of SLEV and WNV neutralizing antibodies. SLEV seroprevalence in birds increased 11-fold from 2004 to 2005. Our study demonstrated that a high proportion (99.3%) of local birds were susceptible to SLEV infection immediately prior to the 2005 outbreak, indicating that the vertebrate host population was primed to amplify SLEV. SLEV was found distributed in a variety of environments throughout the city of Córdoba. However, the force of viral transmission varied among sites. Fine scale differences in populations of vectors and vertebrate hosts would explain this variation. In summary, we showed that in 2005, both SLEV and to a lesser extent WNV circulated in the avian population. Eared Dove, Picui Ground-Dove and Great Kiskadee are strong candidates to amplify SLEV because of their exposure to the pathogen at the population level, and their widespread abundance. For the same reasons, Rufous Hornero may be an important maintenance host for WNV in central Argentina. Competence studies and vector feeding studies are needed to confirm these relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mustela felipei Izor and de la Torre, 1978, is a mustelid commonly called the Colombian or Don Felipe's weasel and is South America's smallest weasel. It is also the darkest weasel in South America, with little variation in dorsal coloration; the venter is cream-colored with an oval spot the same color as the dorsum. The species is endemic to the Andes. Known from 6 specimens and 5 localities in Colombia and Ecuador, it may be the rarest carnivore in South America. Globally, it is considered 'Vulnerable' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, although in Colombia it is considered 'Endangered.' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific scope This standard provides guidance for the identification of Tetranychus evansi. Specific approval and amendment Approved in 2013-09. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model was developed to assess how the seed rain and fire regime affect seed bank dynamics and seedling establishment of three native shrub species ( Acanthostyles buniifolius, Baccharis pingraea and Baccharis dracunculifolia) with different regeneration strategies, in temperate South American savanna. Seed bank and seed rain were quantified for each species under different fire regimes, and their relative roles in regeneration were evaluated. All species had short-term persistent seed banks and high annual variability in seed production. A high proportion of seeds deposited in the seed rain produced seedlings after fire; few entered the soil seed bank. Fire killed a high proportion of the seeds in the soil seed bank. Seedlings derived from the seed rain had a higher probability of surviving for 2 years than seedlings emerging from the soil seed bank. In the absence of fire, establishment depended on germination both from the seed rain and the soil seed bank, whereas with annual fire, establishment was primarily dependent on germination of seeds arriving in the annual seed rain, regardless of species' regeneration strategies. These results help to explain changes in the vegetation of South American temperate savannas as a result of changes in fire regime and grazing management during the last 50 years. By revealing the crucial roles of the soil seed bank and seed rain in regeneration, this study provides vital information for the development of appropriate management practices to control populations of shrub species with different regeneration strategies in South American temperate savannas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australoheros facetus, locally known as 'chanchita', is the southernmost (38º44′S) distributed cichlid species in South America where it is eurytopic and abundant in the pampasic 'laguna', and an important dietary component of numerous piscivorous fishes and birds. The objective of the present study was to extend and correct the description of sagitta otoliths of Australoheros facetus and evaluate the occurrence of morphological and morphometric changes at different development stages. The sagittae were described morphologically and the morphometric analyses performed using the regression equation of allometric growth and discriminant analysis. The results of this analysis indicate that the sagitta of A. facetus acquires its definitive shape at 60 mm maturity, laboratory standard length (LS), which is near the lower limit of the size range achieved in laboratory conditions. The main difference compared to individuals below 60 mm LS can be seen in the general shape, type of dorsal and ventral rims, type of cauda ending, and presence of a groove at the posterior end. The presented results on ontogenetic changes in otolith morphology can be used in studies of trophic ecology to avoid overestimating the number of prey species found in the diet of freshwater piscivorous fishes and birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: At-sea behavior and effects of hydrographic conditions on the pelagic habitat use of South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) seasonally inhabiting the surrounding waters of shallow rocky reefs off Punta Mogotes (Mar del Plata, Argentina) were analyzed integrating geographic locations of fur seal groups (FSGs) with coastal hydrographic conditions and behavioral data in a Geographic Information System. Punta Mogotes rocky reefs represent a potentially high quality patch foraging area, crucial to a central place foraging species during their pelagic dispersion at sea. Fur seal behavior at-sea was strongly influenced by hydrographic conditions such us bathymetry, Beafourt sea state and sea surface current direction. Fur seals General Use Area (GUA) was associated with the 10m isobaths, whereas Critical Use Area (CUA) was almost completely enclosed within the 5m isobaths. A concentration-dispersion dynamic trend according to sea state was evident (GUA Beafourt ≤3=3.3km2 vs. GUA Beafourt >3=1.7km2), with a “use area displacement” according to sea surface current direction. A general prevalence of long, at-sea resting periods (passive floating was the most frequently performed behavior, and usually for long periods) and a differential occurrence of each behavior associated with Beafourt sea states were detected. During calm seas (Beafourt ≤3), fur seals exhibit passive floating, occupying extended areas, and drifting according to sea surface current direction. With increasing sea states (Beafourt sea state >3), fur seals tended to perform shallow prolonged immersion and directional movements, and concentrated in restricted areas weakly affected by currents. The importance of floating periods at-sea, probably associated with resting and digestion, was interpreted as an energy conserving strategy that would allow an increase overall foraging efficiency. Results suggested that the ability of fur seals to perform certain behaviors that will allow completing physiological process and ultimately determine reproduction and survival success, would be conditioned by the hydrographic regime at foraging areas. This last could be extrapolated to other fur seal species spending long times at-sea, both as part of migration movements or during typical long foraging round trips. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Neotropical grasshopper Cornops aquaticum (Bruner) lives associated with the macrophytes of the family Pontederiaceae from which it feeds. In the lakes of Central Amazon, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (water hyacinth or Mururé) is considered the most important host plant for this grasshopper. This study aimed to perform a phenological study of adults and nymphs of grasshopper in association with its host plant, compared to the hydrological regime of the Central Amazon. This study was undertaken between April 2006 and August 2007 at the Chameleon Lake (03 17'05"S, 60 11'11"W) in the Central Amazon floodplain. An entomological net adapted for catching grasshoppers was used. 850 individuals (296 adults and 554 nymphs) were captured. It was observed that the abundance and biomass of adults and nymphs of C. aquaticum, as well as their macrophyte host are related to the "flood pulse", ie. to the seasonal oscillations of the Amazonian rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the International Association for Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care (IATSIC)/World Health Organization (WHO)'s Guidelines for Essential Trauma Care ( EsTC Guidelines) in providing an internationally applicable and standardized template to assess trauma care capabilities in the South American Region. Methods: Field assessment was conducted in seven provinces (urban and rural, pop. 2,239,509) and 24 facilities (5 large hospitals (LH); 15 small hospitals (SH); 4 basic hospitals (BH)) in Ecuador using EsTC criteria. A total of 260 individual items in Human Resources (HR- availability, clinical knowledge, skills) and physical resources (PR) were evaluated via inspection, review of local statistics, and administrative and staff interviews. EsTC was evaluated on a scale as follows: 0 (absent); 1(inadequate; < 50%); 2 (partly adequate > 50%); 3 (adequate-100%). Results: 210,045 Emergency Department (ED) visits and 61,365 (29%) ED trauma visits were recorded (incidence rate 2,740/100,000 population). Deficits were noted in prehospital trauma care (inadequate coordination, communication), education and training (ATLS < 30%, TNCC 0%), facility based trauma care (poor physical resources [PR] and human resources [HR]), and quality assurance (1/27 hospitals). Conclusions: The IATSIC/WHO EsTC Guidelines provide a simple and useful template to assess trauma care capability in variable facilities and international settings, and they could serve as a valuable tool for trauma system development. Endorsement of EsTC Guidelines by the Panamerican Health Organization and lead trauma societies (the Panamerican Trauma Society) should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiology of the long-furred woolly mouse opossum (Micoureus paraguayanus) conformed to that of other marsupials. Body temperature at thermoneutrality (all values reported as mean ± SE) was 33.3°C ± 0.3°C and basal metabolic rate was 0.760 ± 0.074 ml O2 g-1 h-1. Opossums were thermolabile at low ambient temperature (Ta) but still maintained a considerable differential between body temperature and Ta, with an increase in metabolic heat production as Ta decreased. This was accommodated by an increase in minute volume, mediated by an increase in both respiratory frequency and tidal volume at low Ta. Basal respiratory frequency was 34.2 ± 3.8 breaths/min and tidal placental mammvolume was 1.62 ± 0.28 ml; minute volume was 53 ± 7 ml/min. Oxygen extraction remained constant at 13.6% ± 1.1%. Wet thermal conductance was high (0.338 ± 0.091 ml O2 g-1 h-1 °C-1; 185% of predicted) but conformed statistically to that of other marsupials. A positive relationship existed between ambient temperature and evaporative water loss; standard evaporative water loss was 2.03 ± 0.21 mg H2O g-1 h-1. The point of relative water economy was 11°C, the lowest yet measured for a marsupial. We found no evidence that this South American marsupial had an elevated metabolic physiology, as might be expected from its neotropical distribution and sympatry with placental mammals. Clearly, marsupials can survive alongside placental mammals without any specific physiological adaptation, although this ability may be restricted to species with generalized low-energy ecological niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on measurement of species' distributional responses to seasonal temperature gradients through a mechanistic niche model. Niche theory helps to understand climate change and response of species towards it geographically. The niche is defined in a biological community, physiology and geographic space. It was observed that the distribution of species were controlled by factors like resource availability, relative humidity, physical barriers to dispersal and biotic interactions. In this study, lethal physiological temperatures were used to parameterize the model for bird species in North and South America. The results showed that broad thermal tolerances are possessed by most bird species.

The exposure of organisms to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is characterized by the climatology (annual cycle) and the variance (anomalies) of biologically-weighted irradiances at eight geographical locations in austral South America, from 1995–2002. The net effect of UVR on biological systems is a result of the balance of damage and repair which depends on intensity and duration of irradiance and is modulated by its variability. The emphasis in this study is on day-to-day variability, a time scale of importance to adaptive strategies that counteract UVR damage. The irradiances were weighted with DNA- and phytoplankton photosynthesis-action spectra. Low latitude sites show high average UVR. For all sites, the frequency of days with above average irradiances is higher than below average irradiances. Persistence in anomalies is generally low (≤0.36 autocorrelation coefficient), but higher for DNA- than phytoplankton photosynthesis-weighted irradiances due to their higher correspondence to stratospheric ozone. Cloudiness and other factors with small wavelength dependence (e.g.aerosols and albedo) are highly correlated with UVR anomalies at low latitudes (24–33° S); ozone correlates higher at high latitudes (42–54.5° S). Our results show that organisms in this region deal with several days of excess radiation and fewer, shorter and more intense periods of lower than average radiation. Relief from UVR stress (or higher frequency of days below the climatology) is more prevalent at high latitudes (54.5° S). Thus, lower latitudes are more stressful to organisms not only because of higher average UVR irradiance but also for the higher frequency of days above the climatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of anthropometry provides many benefits to the sport of volleyball, such as in the evaluation of body composition, predicting physiological and sporting performance and defining mechanical behavior, from which the most efficient position in the court may be determined in terms of anthropometric characteristics. The national teams from Columbia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela were evaluated along with the Chilean youth team, using the method of body division and the Heath-Carter Somatotype. The South American runners-up, Venezuela, possess greater percentages of muscle mass and low percentages for adipose tissue mass. The somatotype of the teams presents an increased mesomorphy, followed by high ectomorphy, thus classifying the individuals as ectomesomorphs. The use of the data acquired allows the formation of a model of the morpho-structurally ideal player for high level competition. The information obtained guides physical preparation in an accurate and efficient way, leading to the detection of new talent or helping train future professional volleyball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge of the craniodental variability of South American canids is mainly anecdotal, and the variability and dental correlation of living canids have only been studied in several species of holarctic foxes ( Vulpes vulpes, Vulpes lagopus and Urocyon cinereoargeteus) and Canis lupus. These studies have shown that the last molars, canines and incisors are the most variable and the central molars and premolars are the least variable, and that correlations are highest among the posterior premolars. This pattern has been accounted for by developmental factors, functional utility and tooth complexity. In this paper the pattern of dental correlation and variability of craniodental measurements in the South American fox Dusicyon gymnocercus is studied, with the aim of checking the extension of the pattern observed in other species and contrasting previous hypotheses. The most variable in D. gymnocercus measurements are some cranial widths, width of the incisors, lower canine and lower last molar, whereas others such as width of the braincase, length of the upper carnassials, and first and second lower and upper molars have lower variability. The premolar region is the most correlated, in terms of values and number of significant correlation coefficients. The results show that measurement error is negatively correlated with size of the variables, which could explain the bias found in this index as earlier authors have suggested, but the pattern captured by this index cannot be completely considered to be an artefact. The observed results confirm that the patterns of variability and correlation found in holarctic foxes are widespread in the family Canidae, and suggest the presence of an evolutionary constraint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on an analysis of nonmetric trait databases from several large skeletal series in Northern Europe and South America, representing 27 bilateral traits, we report a predictable relationship between the frequency of nonmetric traits and the probability that they are expressed bilaterally. In a wider sampling of traits and populations, this study thus confirms the findings of an earlier study by Ossenberg ([1981] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 54:471-479), which reported the same relationship for two mandibular traits. This trend was previously explained by extending the multifactorial threshold model for discontinuous traits to incorporate either separate thresholds for unilateral or bilateral expression, or by a fuzzy threshold in which the probability of bilateral expression increases away from the median threshold value. We show that the trend is produced under the standard multifactorial threshold model for discontinuous traits simply if the within-individual or developmental instability variance remains relatively constant across the range of liability. Under this assumption, the number of individuals in which one side but not the other is pushed over the threshold for trait formation will be a larger proportion of the number of individuals expressing the trait when the trait frequency is low. As trait frequency increases, the significance of within-individual variance as a determinant of trait formation decreases relative to the genetic and among-individual environmental variance. These results have implications for interpreting nonmetric trait data as well as for understanding the prevalence of unilateral vs. bilateral expression of a wide variety of discontinuous traits, including dysmorphologies in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to update the distribution data of Galaxiidae in South America, relating extant distribution to physiological and reproductive characteristics of the species, latitude, temperature, and post-glacial opportunities for colonization. Lakes and rivers of Patagonia. We compared, and eventually reconsidered, general data about distribution based on the original literature about capture sites, incorporating several published and unpublished data to the analysis of the biological traits and distribution of Galaxiidae. The more consistent issue in the comprehension of galaxiid biogeography in South America is the ability to establish landlocked populations. Different founding events in landlocked populations of Galaxias maculatus suggest the possible existence of older and younger landlocked populations. This difference in the time since the establishment of lacustrine populations could have been expressed in their ability for colonization of post-glacial areas. Galaxias maculatus, Aplochiton and Brachygalaxias are more clearly excluded from the post-glacial area than G. platei. For all the species we could note a more abundant record of lake populations at the area of glacial refuges. It could be noted that the most successful species, Galaxias platei, is a specialized deep bottom dweller. Deep bottom dwelling helps to endure winter constraints and it appears to be an alternative to the colonization of the littoral and limnetic zones of post-glacial lakes, the prefered habitat of the other Patagonian fish species. At the end of this process of post-glacial colonization, in the beginning of twentieth century, man introduced several salmonid species in Patagonia. In addition, antropogenic actions had its more recent consequences in global warming. Nowadays we were able to observe new localities for Brazilian fishes into the Austral Subregion and expect some changes in the distribution of Galaxiidae. Northern limits for all species and southern limits for landlocked G. maculatus, Brachigalaxias bullocki and Aplochiton zebra, could be displaced southward. Probably, the species less affected by the changes will be G. platei. These predictions could be accurately formulated using the model of B.J. Shuter & J.R. Post (1990) Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 119, 314–336, when biological database on these species are completed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which measured the starvation resistance and fat content of a specie in ten populations from a transect along a wide latitudinal range in South America. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion on the study.

Buffalo breeding system has a great economic importance in South - America, principally in marginal or sub -tropical lands. Marbofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone developed exclusively for veterinary use. Fluoroquinolones share several pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics such as a wide spectrum of bactericidal activity, a large volume of dist ribution, low plasma protein-binding and relatively low minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against target microorganisms. The pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin was studied in eighteen buffalo calves 2-3, 10 and 20 days old after single i.v. dose of 2 mg/kg body weight. Drug concentration in plasma was determined by high-performance liquid ch romatography (HPLC) and the data collected were subjected to a non co mpartmental kinetic analysis. The results show that, AUC8 is s ignificantly g reater in youngest animals. Elimination half-life was 8.39± 2.74 (2-3 days old), 6.22 ± 0.52 h (10 days old) and 6.42 ± 0.52 h (20 days old). Volume of distribution was relatively high in all age groups (Vss 1.75 ± 0.36; 1.65 ± 0.24 L/kg and 2.01 ± 0.22 respectively). Total body clearance (Cl) increased with age from 2.75 ± 1,01 mL/kg/min (2- 3 days old) to 3.34 ± 0,85 mL/kg/min (10 days old) and 3.76 ± 0.17 mL/kg/min. As a consequence of inc reased body clearance, area under the plasma concentration vs. time curve decreased with age (AUC8 830.11 ± 257.3 ug-min/mL in 2-3 days old to 591.8 ± 91 ug-min/mL in 10 days old and 532 ± 24 ug-min/mL in 20 days buffalo calves . Although many anatomical and physiological changes occur in the maturing ruminant, modifications in young animal's pharmacokinetics are most probably related to changes in body c omposition. Considering the drugs pharmacokinetic profile of marbofloxacin would appear to be a good therapeutic tool for the treatment of most of the infections produced by Gramnegative and Gram-positive susceptible bacteria in buffalo calves. Further studies are required to understand the kinetics at different ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]