Agentes nocivos para abelhas (Apis mellifera L.), segundo a percepção dos apicultores de Cáceres, Pantanal Norte, Brasil

The use of ethno-science in studies to understand apiculturists’ perception of agents hazardous to honey bees is extremely important for optimizing apiculture. Seventeen semi-structured interviews were performed from March to April of 2004, with members of APIALPA (Alto Pantanal Apiculturist Association) and with other apiculturists who have their apiaries in Cáceres county, Mato Grosso. The questions were directed to what informants know about the hazardous agents in apiaries in Cáceres and cultural and social-economics apiarists’ data to support later studies. Observations were made in three apiaries, and local flora and photographic records were collected. The hazardous agents were classified by apiculturists as predators, toxic plants, or parasites. Predators (82.4%) included ants, giant armadillos, birds, tayras, frogs, spiders and humans. Parasites (41.2%) cited were: varroa mites, termites, wasps and other bees, clothes moths and flies. Toxic plant products (65%) included African tulip tree nectar (Spathodea campanulata), the true barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringes) and false barbatimão pollens (Dimorphandra mollis). According to apiculturists interviewed, the hazardous agents cited have no great risk to apiary yield of Cáceres and surrounding areas. In this study, diseases and the use of pesticides as agents responsible for the damage of the Cáceres apicultural region were not reported by apiculturists. This may indicate quality of apiary products.O uso da etnociência visando conhecer a percepção dos apicultores com relação aos agentes nocivos para as abelhas é de extrema importância para a otimização da apicultura. Foram realizadas 17 entrevistas semi-estruturadas, nos meses de março a abril de 2004, com membros da APIALPA (Associação dos Apicultores do Alto Pantanal) e com outros apicultores que possuem seu(s) apiário(s) no município de Cáceres-MT. As perguntas foram direcionadas para se conhecer os agentes nocivos ocorrentes nos apiários dessa região, além de dados sócio-econômicos e culturais dos apicultores para auxiliar em estudos posteriores. Observações em três apiários sobre a flora local e registros fotográficos também foram realizados. Os agentes nocivos citados foram classificados pelos apicultores em predadores, plantas tóxicas e parasitas. Os predadores citados (82,4%) foram formiga, tatu-canastra, pássaro, irara, sapo, aranha e o próprio homem. Com 41,2% de citações, os parasitas citados foram: varroa, cupim, vespas e outras abelhas, traça e mosquinha. Quanto às plantas tóxicas (65%), foram citadas o néctar de espatódea (Spathodea campanulata), os polens de barbatimão (Stryphnodendron adstringens) e do falso-barbatimão (Dimorphandra mollis). De acordo com os apicultores entrevistados, os agentes nocivos citados não apresentam grandes riscos na produtividade apícola de Cáceres e entorno. Neste trabalho, não foram mencionados doenças e uso de agrotóxicos como agentes causadores de malefícios para a apicultura da região de Cáceres, o que pode indicar uma boa qualidade aos produtos apícolas

Low temperatures reduce skin healing in the Jacaré do Pantanal (Caiman yacare, Daudin 1802)

Studies of skin wound healing in crocodilians are necessary given the frequent occurrence of cannibalism in intensive farming systems. Air temperature affects tissue recovery because crocodilians are ectothermic. Therefore, the kinetics of skin wound healing in Caiman yacare were examined at temperatures of 33°C and 23°C. Sixteen caiman were selected and divided into two groups of eight maintained at 23°C or 33°C. The studied individuals' scars were photographed after 1, 2, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days of the experimental conditions, and samples were collected for histological processing after 3, 7, 15 and 30 days. Macroscopically, the blood clot (heterophilic granuloma) noticeably remained in place covering the wound longer for the caiman kept at 23°C. Microscopically, the temperature of 23°C slowed epidermal migration and skin repair. Comparatively, new blood vessels, labeled using von Willebrand factor (vWF) antibody staining, were more frequently found in the scars of the 33°C group. The collagen fibers in the dermis were denser in the 33°C treatment. Considering the delayed healing at 23°C, producers are recommended to keep wounded animals at 33°C, especially when tanks are cold, to enable rapid wound closure and better repair of collagen fibers because such lesions tend to compromise the use of their skin as leather.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Mato Grosso (FAPEMAT), 715823/2008São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), 2010/04527-

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Análise histológica, histoquímica, histométrica e ultraestrutural de intestinos de jacaré-do-pantanal (Caiman yacare DAUDIN, 1802) (Crocodilia: Reptilia) criado em cativeiro

The commercial breeding of the Caiman yacare has been consolidated in the state of Mato Grosso as an alternative and as a legal activity for rural properties in the area of its natural occurrence, restraining predatory hunting and collaborating to the preservation of the species. The rationalization of the production process into the caiman's breading is a relatively new action, which allows obtaining better skin quality and its integral use, different from those originated from animals living in wildlife. Considering the importance of the intestines as the main organ where the major events related to obtaining nutrients for the body metabolism occur, this study aimed at characterizing qualitative and quantitatively the mucosa of the small and large intestine of the C. yacare. For the characterization of the intestinal wall structure and histometry of the mucosa, intestinal samples from 16 animals were collected for the study in the optical microscope and two others for the study in the scanning electron microscope. The samples were obtained and processed according to the respective protocols, in five regions, four from the small intestine and one from the large intestine. The stains were hematoxylin, eosin, Mallory trichomo and Picrossirius, and the histochemical techniques consisted of the reaction to periodic acid-Schiff and alcian blue pH 1.0 counterstained with hematoxylin and alcian blue pH 2.5 conjugated to periodic acid-Schiff. Histometric study was used in the analysis of variance and Neuwman-Keuls test. For the description of histological structures it was used the terminology available in Nomina Histology. The wall structure of small and large intestine of the C. yacare was composed of the tunica mucosa, muscular and serosa. The mucosa was composed of epithelial lining like the simple cylindrical type made by epithelial columnar cells of the villus and goblet cells; characteristic lamina of loose connective tissue and muscular tissue from the single mucosa. The composition of the secretion of goblet cells ranged from neutral to acid. It was not observed the presence of intestinal glands. The muscular layer consisted of two decks, the circular and the longitudinal, the former being the most developed. The serosa was typical. The specializations of the mucosa observed in the small and in the large intestine, respectively, were intestinal villi and folds, and alongside the regions of the intestine, showed a reduction of its complexity. The histometric study of the mucosa showed a statistically significant difference between the small and the large intestine. The scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of one type of ridge or fold in the duodenum and two types in the other regions analyzed. They showed variation in shape, spacing, height and scale between the regions. Although the structure of the intestinal wall of C. yacare is similar to those of other crocodilians, of the green turtle and of the ostrich, it is still necessary to carry out studies about the histophysiology so that the nutritional management of the species in captivity is improved.Financiadora de Estudos e ProjetosA criação de jacaré-do-pantanal (Caiman yacare) tem-se consolidado no estado de Mato Grosso como atividade alternativa e legal para as propriedades rurais na área de ocorrência natural da espécie, coibindo a caça predatória e colaborando na preservação da espécie. A racionalização do processo produtivo na criação de jacaré é uma ação relativamente nova, que permite obter pele de melhor qualidade e de utilização integral, diferentemente daquelas oriundas de animais da natureza. Considerando a importância dos intestinos como sede dos principais eventos relacionados à obtenção de nutrientes para o metabolismo corpóreo, este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar qualitativa e quantitativamente a mucosa dos intestinos delgado e grosso do jacaré-do-pantanal. Para a caracterização da estrutura da parede intestinal e da histometria da mucosa foram coletadas amostras intestinais de 16 jacarés para o estudo ao microscópio óptico e de outros dois para o estudo ao microscópio eletrônico de varredura. As amostras foram obtidas e processadas de acordo com os respectivos protocolos, em cinco regiões, sendo quatro do intestino delgado e uma do intestino grosso. As colorações realizadas foram hematoxilina eosina, tricomo de Mallory e Picrossirius, e a técnicas histoquímicas constituíram de reação ao ácido periódico de Schiff, alcian blue pH 1,0 contrastado com hematoxilina e alcian blue pH 2,5 conjugado ao ácido periódico de Schiff. No estudo histométrico foi empregado a análise de variância e Teste de Neuwman-Keuls. Para a descrição das estruturas histológicas foi empregada a terminologia disponível na Nomina Histologia. A estrutura da parede do intestino delgado e grosso do jacaré-dopantanal é constituída pelas túnicas mucosa, muscular e serosa. A mucosa é formada por epitélio de revestimento do tipo cilíndrico simples constituído pelo epiteliócito colunar da vilosidade e o exocrinócito caliciforme; lâmina própria de tecido conjuntivo frouxo e muscular da mucosa única. A composição da secreção do exocrinócito caliciforme variou de neutro a ácido. Não foi observada a presença de glândulas intestinais. A túnica muscular é constituída por dois estrados, o circular e o longitudinal, sendo o estrato circular o mais desenvolvido. A serosa é típica. As especializações da mucosa observadas no intestino delgado e grosso, respectivamente, foram vilosidades e pregas intestinais, e ao longo das regiões dos intestinos, apresentaram diminuição de sua complexidade. O estudo histométrico da mucosa demonstrou diferença estatisticamente significante entre o intestino delgado e grosso. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura evidenciou a presença de 1 tipo de prega ou crista no duodeno e 2 tipos nas demais regiões analisadas. Elas apresentam variação de forma, espaçamento, altura e a amplitude entre as regiões. Embora a estrutura da parede intestinal de C. yacare seja semelhante à de outros crocodilianos, a da tartaruga verde e avestruz, ainda se faz necessário estudos sobre a histofisiologia para que o manejo nutricional da espécie em cativeiro seja incrementado

Prospective observational cohort study on grading the severity of postoperative complications in global surgery research

Background The Clavien–Dindo classification is perhaps the most widely used approach for reporting postoperative complications in clinical trials. This system classifies complication severity by the treatment provided. However, it is unclear whether the Clavien–Dindo system can be used internationally in studies across differing healthcare systems in high- (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This was a secondary analysis of the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), a prospective observational cohort study of elective surgery in adults. Data collection occurred over a 7-day period. Severity of complications was graded using Clavien–Dindo and the simpler ISOS grading (mild, moderate or severe, based on guided investigator judgement). Severity grading was compared using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Data are presented as frequencies and ICC values (with 95 per cent c.i.). The analysis was stratified by income status of the country, comparing HICs with LMICs. Results A total of 44 814 patients were recruited from 474 hospitals in 27 countries (19 HICs and 8 LMICs). Some 7508 patients (16·8 per cent) experienced at least one postoperative complication, equivalent to 11 664 complications in total. Using the ISOS classification, 5504 of 11 664 complications (47·2 per cent) were graded as mild, 4244 (36·4 per cent) as moderate and 1916 (16·4 per cent) as severe. Using Clavien–Dindo, 6781 of 11 664 complications (58·1 per cent) were graded as I or II, 1740 (14·9 per cent) as III, 2408 (20·6 per cent) as IV and 735 (6·3 per cent) as V. Agreement between classification systems was poor overall (ICC 0·41, 95 per cent c.i. 0·20 to 0·55), and in LMICs (ICC 0·23, 0·05 to 0·38) and HICs (ICC 0·46, 0·25 to 0·59). Conclusion Caution is recommended when using a treatment approach to grade complications in global surgery studies, as this may introduce bias unintentionally

The surgical safety checklist and patient outcomes after surgery: a prospective observational cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis

© 2017 British Journal of Anaesthesia Background: The surgical safety checklist is widely used to improve the quality of perioperative care. However, clinicians continue to debate the clinical effectiveness of this tool. Methods: Prospective analysis of data from the International Surgical Outcomes Study (ISOS), an international observational study of elective in-patient surgery, accompanied by a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature. The exposure was surgical safety checklist use. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the secondary outcome was postoperative complications. In the ISOS cohort, a multivariable multi-level generalized linear model was used to test associations. To further contextualise these findings, we included the results from the ISOS cohort in a meta-analysis. Results are reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: We included 44 814 patients from 497 hospitals in 27 countries in the ISOS analysis. There were 40 245 (89.8%) patients exposed to the checklist, whilst 7508 (16.8%) sustained ≥1 postoperative complications and 207 (0.5%) died before hospital discharge. Checklist exposure was associated with reduced mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.49 (0.32–0.77); P\u3c0.01], but no difference in complication rates [OR 1.02 (0.88–1.19); P=0.75]. In a systematic review, we screened 3732 records and identified 11 eligible studies of 453 292 patients including the ISOS cohort. Checklist exposure was associated with both reduced postoperative mortality [OR 0.75 (0.62–0.92); P\u3c0.01; I2=87%] and reduced complication rates [OR 0.73 (0.61–0.88); P\u3c0.01; I2=89%). Conclusions: Patients exposed to a surgical safety checklist experience better postoperative outcomes, but this could simply reflect wider quality of care in hospitals where checklist use is routine

Critical care admission following elective surgery was not associated with survival benefit: prospective analysis of data from 27 countries

This was an investigator initiated study funded by Nestle Health Sciences through an unrestricted research grant, and by a National Institute for Health Research (UK) Professorship held by RP. The study was sponsored by Queen Mary University of London