A research perspective towards a more complete biodiversity footprint: a report from the World Biodiversity Forum

ISSN:0948-3349ISSN:1614-750

Morphological variation in a secondary contact between divergent lineages of brown trout (Salmo trutta) from the Iberian Peninsula

The aim of this study was to analyze the morphological variation of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in the Duero basin, an Atlantic river basin in the Iberian Peninsula, where a spatial segregation of two divergent lineages was previously reported, based on isozyme, microsatellite and mtDNA data. In these studies, two divergent pure regions (Pisuerga and Lower-course) and several hybrid populations between them were identified. Morphological variation was evaluated in 11 populations representative of the genetic differentiation previously observed in the Duero basin, using multivariate analysis on 12 morphometric and 4 meristic traits. A large differentiation between populations was observed (interpopulation component of variance: 41.8%), similar to that previously detected with allozymes and microsatellites. Morphometric differentiation was also reflected by the high classification success of pure and hybrid individuals to their respective populations, using multivariate discriminant functions (94.1% and 79.0%, respectively). All multivariate and clustering analyses performed demonstrated a strong differentiation between the pure regions. The hybrid populations, though showing large differentiation among them, evidenced an intermediate position between the pure samples. Head and body shape traits were the most discriminant among the morphometric characters, while pectoral rays and gillrakers were the most discriminant among the meristic traits. These results confirmed the high divergence of the brown trout from the Duero basin and suggest some traits on which selection could be acting to explain the spatial segregation observed

Non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension in primary health care: A comparative clinical trial of two education strategies in health and nutrition

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Poor adherence to non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension represents a serious challenge for public health policies in several countries. This study was conducted to compare two intervention strategies regarding the adherence of adult women to dietary changes recommended for the treatment of hypertension in a community covered by Primary Health Care Unit.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study is a randomized controlled trial of a sample composed of 28 women with hypertension enrolled in the Primary Health Care Unit located in the urban area of southeastern Brazil. The participants were already undergoing treatment for hypertension but devoid of nutritional care; and were divided into two groups, each composed of 14 individuals, who received interventions that consisted of two different strategies of nutritional guidance: monthly health education workshops alone (Group 1) and combined with family orientation through home visits (Group 2). Adherence to nutritional guidelines was evaluated by dietary, anthropometric, clinical and serum biochemical parameters, measured before and after the interventions. Knowledge on control and risk of hypertension was also investigated. The study lasted five months.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean age was 55.6 (± 2.8) and 50.7 (± 6.5) in the groups 1 and 2, respectively. The home orientation strategy promoted greater adherence to dietary changes, leading to a statistically significant improvement in the clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and dietary parameters. The group 2 reduced the consumption of risk foods (p = 0.01), oil (p = 0.002) and sugar (p = 0.02), and decreased body mass index (-0.7 kg/m²; p = 0.01); waist circumference (-4.2 cm; p = 0.001), systolic blood pressure (-13 mm HG; p = 0.004) and glycemia (-18.9 mg/dl; p = 0. 01). In group 1 only waist circumference (-2 cm; p = 0.01) changed significantly.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Nutritional orientations at the household level were more effective with regard to the adherence of individuals to non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension, regarding the reduction of clinical and behavioral risk parameters.</p

Malaria control in an Amazon municipality

This study aimed to evaluate the organization of malaria control actions in the Indigenous population of the municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, AM, Brazil, from 2003 to 2007. This is an ecological study to evaluate the impact of control measures. Statistical analysis of the indicators revealed that the number of cases showed an increasing trend, with the highest numbers occurring in the rural areas. The same trend was observed for the Annual Parasite Index (API), however the highest APIs were found in the urban areas. The proportion of cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum showed a reduction. Hospitalization and mortality rates presented fluctuations and the fatality rate decreased. The findings indicate that control actions have proved partially effective and that they have provided a broader capacity to detect cases and to provide immediate treatment. Although the municipality still presents a high risk for transmission, the Pluriannual Plan in progress seems to have a good prognosis for the control of the disease, if maintained in a sustainable and permanent way.Este estudio objetiva evaluar la organización de las acciones de control de la malaria en indígenas del municipio de Sao Gabriel de la Cachoeira, en el estado Amazonas (MA), en Brasil, en el período de 2.003 a 2.007. Se trata de un estudio ecológico, de evaluación del impacto de medidas de control. El análisis estadístico de los indicadores reveló el número de casos mostrando una tendencia creciente, los mayores números ocurrieron en el área rural. La misma tendencia fue observada para la Incidencia Parasitaria Anual (IPA), entre tanto las mayores IPA se verificaron en el área urbana. La proporción de casos por Plasmodium falciparum mostró una reducción. Las tasas de internación y mortalidad presentaron oscilaciones y la tasa de letalidad una disminución. Los resultados indican que las acciones de control se mostraron parcialmente efectivas, así como proporcionaron una capacidad de detección más amplia de casos y tratamiento inmediato. A pesar de que el municipio todavía presenta alto riesgo para transmisión, el Plan Plurianual en andamiento parece tener buen pronóstico en el control de la enfermedad, manteniéndose de forma sustentable y permanente.Este estudo objetiva avaliar a organização das ações de controle da malária em populações indígenas do município de São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas, AM, Brasil, no período de 2003 a 2007. Trata-se de estudo ecológico, de avaliação do impacto de medidas de controle. A análise estatística dos indicadores revelou o número de casos, mostrando tendência crescente, os maiores números ocorrendo na área rural. Mesma tendência observada pela incidência parasitária anual (IPA); entretanto, as maiores IPA verificaram-se na área urbana. A proporção de casos por Plasmodium falciparum mostrou redução. Taxas de internação e mortalidade apresentaram oscilações e a taxa de letalidade, decréscimo. Os achados indicam que as ações de controle mostraram-se parcialmente efetivas, assim como proporcionaram capacidade de detecção mais ampla de casos e tratamento imediato. Apesar de o município ainda apresentar alto risco para transmissão, o plano plurianual em andamento parece ter bom prognóstico quanto ao controle da doença, se mantido de forma sustentável e permanente