NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Repositioning of the global epicentre of non-optimal cholesterol

High blood cholesterol is typically considered a feature of wealthy western countries1,2. However, dietary and behavioural determinants of blood cholesterol are changing rapidly throughout the world3 and countries are using lipid-lowering medications at varying rates. These changes can have distinct effects on the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, which have different effects on human health4,5. However, the trends of HDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels over time have not been previously reported in a global analysis. Here we pooled 1,127 population-based studies that measured blood lipids in 102.6 million individuals aged 18 years and older to estimate trends from 1980 to 2018 in mean total, non-HDL and HDL cholesterol levels for 200 countries. Globally, there was little change in total or non-HDL cholesterol from 1980 to 2018. This was a net effect of increases in low- and middle-income countries, especially in east and southeast Asia, and decreases in high-income western countries, especially those in northwestern Europe, and in central and eastern Europe. As a result, countries with the highest level of non-HDL cholesterol—which is a marker of cardiovascular risk—changed from those in western Europe such as Belgium, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Malta in 1980 to those in Asia and the Pacific, such as Tokelau, Malaysia, The Philippines and Thailand. In 2017, high non-HDL cholesterol was responsible for an estimated 3.9 million (95% credible interval 3.7 million–4.2 million) worldwide deaths, half of which occurred in east, southeast and south Asia. The global repositioning of lipid-related risk, with non-optimal cholesterol shifting from a distinct feature of high-income countries in northwestern Europe, north America and Australasia to one that affects countries in east and southeast Asia and Oceania should motivate the use of population-based policies and personal interventions to improve nutrition and enhance access to treatment throughout the world.</p

Influência da concentração de benzocaína e do comprimento dos peixes na anestesia e na recuperação de tilápias-do-nilo Effect of benzocaine concentration and fish size on anesthesia and recovery in Nile tilapia

Com o objetivo de avaliar a influência da concentração de benzocaína na indução e recuperação da anestesia em tilápias-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) de diferentes comprimentos, desenvolveu-se um experimento em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 4 × 4, composto de quatro comprimentos de peixes (6; 10; 14 e 18 cm de comprimento total) e quatro concentrações de benzocaína (60; 120; 180 e 240 mg por litro de água). A indução e a recuperação da anestesia foram divididas em três estágios, de acordo com o comportamento dos peixes sob efeito do anestésico, registrando-se o tempo de permanência em cada estágio. As diferenças de comprimento não influenciaram de forma significativa os tempos de anestesia e recuperação. Regressões lineares com plateau foram geradas para estimar o ponto em que o aumento da dose deixou de ter efeito. Durante a indução à anestesia, o plateau ocorreu na concentração de 132 mg/L e o tempo estimado para atingir a sedação total (estágio 3) foi de 86 segundos. Para permanência do peixe sob sedação total, é necessária concentração de benzocaína de 190 mg/L e o tempo estimado de permanência neste estágio é de 91,1 segundos. Concentrações superiores a 190 mg de benzocaína por litro de água não produzem efeitos que justifiquem seu emprego.<br>To evaluate the influence of benzocaine concentration on the induction and recovery from anesthesia in different sized Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), it was developed a random block experiment design in 4 × 4 factorial consisted of four fish lengths (6; 10; 14 and 18 cm total lenght) and four benzocaine concentrations (60; 120; 180 and 240 mg of benzocaine per liter of water). The induction and the recovery from anesthesia were divided in three stages based on the behavior of the fishes under anesthetic effect. The time spent in each stage was recorded. Differences in length did not affect significantly the anesthesia and recovery time. Linear plateu regressions were generated to estimate the point which increases on anesthetic doses does not imply in further effects. During the anesthesia induction, the plateu occurred in concentration time of 132 mg/L, and estimated time of 86 seconds would be necessary to achieve the complete sedation (stage 3). For permanence of the fish under total sedation, it is needed 190 g/L benzocaine and estimated time of permanence in this stage is 91.1 seconds. Benzocaine concentrations above 190 mg/L do not produce any additional effects that justify its use