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

Anti-Leishmania titers and positive skin tests in patients cured of kala-azar

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is an important public health problem. If not treated, virtually all clinically symptomatic patients die within months. The diagnosis is based on the Montenegro skin test (MST) and anti-Leishmania titers. Nevertheless, the time required for cured individuals living in a leishmaniasis-endemic area to present a positive skin test and negative anti-Leishmania serology is known. To determine the cellular and humoral immune response profile in relation to different times post-VL cure, a cross-sectional study was conducted on subjects from a kala-azar endemic area in Paço do Lumiar, MA, Brazil, on the basis of 1995-2005 notifications reported by the National Health Foundation/Regional Coordination of Maranhão. We visited cured individuals with a history of VL within the last 10 years. Seventy-four subjects (30 females) ranging in age from 1 to 44 years were included, all of them symptom free at the time of the study. A cellular immune response was observed in 73 (98.6%) subjects, whereas no significant antibody titers were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) in the sera of 69 (93.2%) cases. Ten years post-cure, 39 (52%) subjects had a positive MST and negative IIF reaction, while in one subject the skin and anti-Leishmania serology tests were negative. Two other subjects were positive in both tests 1 year after cure. These data suggest that a cellular immune response may still be present in subjects cured of VL regardless of post-cure time, and that the parasite persists in the host after clinical cure of the disease. This would explain the persistence of significant Leishmania sp antibody titers in some subjects after treatment

Prevalência de cárie e necessidades de tratamento em escolares de seis a doze anos de idade, Goiânia, GO, Brasil, 1994 The prevalence of dental caries and necessary treatment in six to twelve years old schoolchildren in Brazil, 1994

OBJETIVO: Investigou-se a prevalência de cárie e necessidades de tratamento em escolares de Goiânia-GO, Brasil, que possui água fluoretada há 9 anos. METODOLOGIA: A amostra foi constituída de 1.400 escolares de 6 a 12 anos de idade que freqüentavam escolas públicas na zona urbana do município estudado. RESULTADOS: Os índices CPO-D e ceo-d encontrados no total da amostra foram 2,19 e 2,86, respectivamente, demonstrando uma redução de 57,1% em relação ao CPO-D verificado na região Centro-Oeste, em 1986. Para os escolares de 12 anos de idade, o CPO-D encontrado foi 4,59, estando acima da meta estabelecida para o ano 2.000 pela FDI/OMS. Verificou-se que a percentagem de escolares livres de cárie foi muito baixa em todas as idades, apresentando-se em torno de 11% para o total da amostra. Houve predomínio do tratamento restaurador na dentição decídua em todas as idades e na permanente a partir dos 9 anos de idade. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de cárie em escolares de Goiânia-GO é alta e comparável à situação verificada na maioria dos países da América Latina e nas regiões menos favorecidas de países desenvolvidos. Há necessidade de se implantar medidas educativas e preventivas em saúde bucal que intervenham nos reais determinantes da doença na população.<br>OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of dental caries and needs of treatment among schoolchildren in Goiânia-GO, middle-west of Brazil was assessed. METHODOLOGY: The study population consisted of 6-12-yr-old schoolchildren (n=1,400) attending public schools located in the urban area of the city, where the water-supply had been fluoridated for 9 years. RESULTS: Mean dmf-t and DMF-T for the total sample were 2.19 and 2.86, respectively, showing a reduction of 57.1% in the DMF-T as compared to the regional data from the national survey carried out in 1986. At age 12 DMF-T was 4.59, which is above the acceptable level according to the FDI/WHO goal for the year 2000. Percentage of caries-free schoolchildren was very low at all ages (11% of the total sample). The most significant need was for restorative treatment in the treatment deciduous dentition at all ages and in the permanent dentition from age 9. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the prevalence of dental caries among schoolchildren in Goiânia-GO is high, comparable to the situation in most Latin American countries and poor regions of developed countries. The results indicate the need for oral health education and preventive programs targeted at the underlying causes of the disease, in the population

Atributos químicos, carbono orgânico e substâncias húmicas em Organossolos háplicos de várias regiões do Brasil

A dinâmica e os atributos da matéria orgânica do solo (MOS) há muito vêm sendo estudados em solos minerais. Entretanto, em condições tropicais, poucos estudos envolvem os solos orgânicos e a caracterização das substâncias húmicas (SH), ou sua relação com atributos químicos relevantes, para avaliar o potencial agrícola. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: avaliar atributos químicos de Organossolos Háplicos de diferentes regiões do Brasil; quantificar o teor de C orgânico no solo e nas frações da MOS; e avaliar as relações entre esses atributos em cada ambiente de formação. Foram avaliados os atributos químicos e quantificados os teores de C orgânico total e das frações da MOS (ácido fúlvico - C-FAF, ácido húmico - C-FAH e humina - C-HUM), bem como as relações C-FAH/C-FAF, C-EA/C-HUM, em que C-EA (carbono do extrato alcalino) é obtido pelo somatório de C-FAF e C-FAH. Os Organossolos apresentaram elevada acidez, saturação por bases abaixo de 50 % e elevada capacidade de troca catiônica potencial (T), embora com valores altos de Ca2+ e Mg2+ e de soma de bases, na maioria dos perfis. Os teores de C nas frações húmicas apresentaram correlação significativa com diferentes atributos dos solos, como entre os valores de C-FAH e de C-HUM e os teores de N, H+ e T. O C-HUM e o C-FAH predominaram sobre o C-FAF. A relação C-FAH/C-FAF foi menor nos horizontes mais superficiais, dos perfis com maior intensidade de uso ou efeito de queimadas, assim como os teores de matéria orgânica, C-HUM e C-FAH. Os atributos químicos e os teores de C nas substâncias húmicas refletiram o grau de transformação da MOS e alterações pelo uso agrícola, indicando a vulnerabilidade dos Organossolos