Desempenho reprodutivo de fêmeas suínas e sistemas de criação de suínos nos municípios de Ainaro e Viqueque, Timor-Leste: Reproductive performance of sows and pig farming systems in the municipalities of Ainaro and Viqueque, Timor-Leste

O estudo visa identificar índices de desempenho reprodutivo e sistemas de criação de suínos nos municípios de Ainaro e Viqueque, Timor-Leste. Foi utilizado o método de levantamento com caráter puramente descritivo para buscar conhecer os fenômenos ocorridos no local de investigação, principalmente em relação à criação de suínos locais. Assim, foram entrevistados 396 produtores em ambos os municípios. Na determinação do local da pesquisa, utilizou-se o método proporcional para determinar o tamanho da amostra e o método aleatório simples na seleção dos entrevistados. Observou-se que 80% a 90% dos criadores ainda adotaram o sistema extensivo de subsistência, fornecendo alguns alimentos aos animais sem se preocupar com o controle técnico e com a qualidade da alimentação fornecida. O resultado da análise estatística descritiva mostrou que o número médio de leitões por parto nos dois municípios ficou entre 4 e 6 leitões, respectivamente. O peso dos leitões ao nascimento variou entre 900 e 970 g. A idade média de desmame é de 3 a 4 meses, ocorreu naturalmente. O peso médio ao desmame dos leitões foi de aproximadamente 5,56 a 6,72 kg, respectivamente. A idade da primeira ninhada de marrãs é de 10 a 16 meses e o intervalo entre partos é de 6 a 12 meses. Vida útil das porcas entre 3 a 6 anos e taxa de natimortos de 0,17 a 1% por parto. Concluiu-se que os sistemas de criação adotados têm um efeito significativo no baixo desempenho reprodutivo da suinocultura local

Masters of the manipulator: two new hypocrealean genera, Niveomyces (Cordycipitaceae) and Torrubiellomyces (Ophiocordycipitaceae), parasitic on the zombie ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani

During surveys in central Florida of the zombie-ant fungus Ophiocordyceps camponoti-floridani, which manipulates the behavior of the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus, two distinct fungal morphotypes were discovered associated with and purportedly parasitic on O. camponoti-floridani. Based on a combination of unique morphology, ecology and phylogenetic placement, we discovered that these morphotypes comprise two novel lineages of fungi. Here, we propose two new genera, Niveomyces and Torrubiellomyces, each including a single species within the families Cordycipitaceae and Ophiocordycipitaceae, respectively. We generated de novo draft genomes for both new species and performed morphological and multi-loci phylogenetic analyses. The macromorphology and incidence of both new species, Niveomyces coronatus and Torrubiellomyces zombiae, suggest that these fungi are mycoparasites since their growth is observed exclusively on O. camponoti-floridani mycelium, stalks and ascomata, causing evident degradation of their fungal hosts. This work provides a starting point for more studies into fungal interactions between mycopathogens and entomopathogens, which have the potential to contribute towards efforts to battle the global rise of plant and animal mycoses

Cardiac autonomic modulation in subjects with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) during an upper limb virtual reality task: A prospective control trial

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease. As a result of the rapid progression and severity of the disease, people with ALS experience loss of functionality and independence. Furthermore, it has already been described presence of autonomic dysfunction. Despite the increasing use of virtual reality (VR) in the treatment of different diseases, the use of virtual reality environment as an intervention program for ALS patients is innovative. The benefits and limitations have not yet been proven. Our objective was to evaluate the autonomic function of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis throughout the virtual reality task. The analysis of autonomic function was completed before, during, and after the virtual reality task using the upper limbs; also, all steps lasted ten minutes in a sitting position. Heart rate variability (HRV) was taken via the Polar® RS800CX cardiofrequencymeter. The following questionnaire was enforced: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Different types of HRV were revealed for the groups, indicating that the ALS group has reduced HRV, with most of the representative indices of the sympathetic nervous system. Besides, the physiological process of reducing parasympathetic activity from rest to VR activity (vagal withdrawal), with reduction in HF (ms2) and an increase in HR from rest to activity, and a further increase throughout recovery, with withdrawal of sympathetic nervous system, occurs just for the control group (CG), with no alterations between rest, activity, and recovery in individuals with ALS. We could conclude that patients with ALS have the reduction of HRV with the sympathetic predominance when equated to the healthy CG. Besides that, the ALS individuals have no capability to adapt the autonomic nervous system when likened to the CG during therapy based on VR and their recovery