Natural history of "Patagioenas picazuro" and "Zenaida auriculata" (Aves, Columbiformes) at an urban park in Campinas, São Paulo : a comparative study

Orientador: Ivan SazimaDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: A população humana aumenta continuamente, causando a degradação de ambientes e resultando em perda de biodiversidade. Aves são um dos grupos de vertebrados afetados por alterações antropogênicas e a composição da avifauna muda em áreas alteradas. Por outro lado, para diversas espécies as mudanças de paisagem causadas por desmatamento e ampliação agrícola possibilitam sua expansão, como ocorre com algumas espécies de Columbidae (pombas). Esta expansão vem sendo registrada para a pomba asa-branca "Patagioenas picazuro", o maior columbídeo brasileiro e a avoante "Zenaida auriculata", espécie de porte médio. Embora haja diversos estudos sobre a biologia e a ecologia destas duas pombas, não há estudos comparativos em um mesmo local de área urbanizada. O presente estudo examina, comparativamente, a história natural da asa-branca e da avoante em um parque urbano. Estudos de história natural são focados em organismos e seu ambiente, com base em perguntas convenientemente simplificadas como segue: 1) Quem? 2) O quê? 3) Onde? 4) Como? 5) Quando? "Quem" são as duas espécies de pombas. "O que" são os aspectos básicos da sua biologia (alimentação, repouso, higiene e conforto, reprodução). "Onde" é o tipo de ambiente. "Como" são os modos como estas duas aves se comportam durante os aspectos mencionados. "Quando" diz respeito ao período do dia, do ano, da época reprodutiva e das fases de desenvolvimento. Além destes aspectos básicos de história natural, é verificada a seguinte hipótese: como as duas espécies têm tamanhos distintos, o uso da vegetação seria diferente para cada espécie, provavelmente para os comportamentos de higiene e conforto, repouso, alimentação e nidificação. Também, como há provisão de alimentos (grãos de milho, ração em pelotas e farelo) para as aves domésticas no parque, é averiguado se as duas espécies se alimentam destes recursos e de que modo interagem entre si. Conhecimento sobre os aspectos básicos da biologia das aves urbanas é importante para que elas possam se tornar mais apreciadas pelos habitantes das cidades, além de ampliar o conhecimento científico sobre a fauna urbanaAbstract: Human population increases continuously and cause environmental degradation, which results in biodiversity loss. Birds are one of vertebrate groups affected by anthropogenic changes, and the bird fauna is altered in the modified areas. On the other hand, for several species, the changes of landscape caused by deforestation and agricultural expansion allow their expansion, as occurs with some species of Columbidae (doves). This expansion has been recorded for the Picazuro Pigeon ("Patagioenas picazuro"), the largest Brazilian columbid and the Eared Dove ("Zenaida auriculata"), a medium-sized specie. Although there are several studies on the biology and ecology of these two doves, there are no comparative studies in the same locality of an urban area. This study examines comparatively the natural history of the Picazuro Pigeon and the Eared Dove in an urban park. Natural history studies are focused on organisms and their environment, based on questions that can be conveniently simplified as follows: 1) Who? 2) What? 3) Where? 4) How? 5) When? "Who" are the two dove species. "What" are the basic aspects of their biology (food, rest, hygiene and comfort, reproduction). "Where" is the environment type. "How" are the ways by which these two birds behave during the mentioned aspects. "When" refers to the period of day, year, reproductive season, and developmental stages. Besides these basic aspects of natural history, the following hypothesis is examined: as the two species have different size, the use of vegetation would be different for each species, probably for hygiene and comfort, rest, feeding and nesting behaviors. In addition, as there is a provision of food (corn kernels, bran and pellet feed) for poultry at the park, it is here investigated whether both species feed on these resources and how they interact with each other. Knowledge about the basic aspects of urban bird biology is essential if they are to be more appreciated by city dwellers, besides expanding scientific knowledge of the fauna of urbanized areasMestradoBiodiversidade AnimalMestre em Biologia Anima

Mouth troubles: possible outcomes for three bird species with deformed bills

Bill deformities occur with low frequency among birds (0.5-2%). The deformity degree may influence several phases of the birds' life, from feeding to feather maintenance, the latter affecting thermoregulation, parasite proliferation, courtship and mating. We recorded three bird species, a pigeon, a hummingbird and an ovenbird, with similar bill deformity (crossed bill). This deformity affected a female Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda) with lower mandible skewed to the left, an unsexed individual and a probable female of the Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro) with similar deformity, and an unsexed individual of the Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus) with upper mandible strongly twisted to the left. We hypothesise that possible outcomes due to crossed bill vary with the deformity degree, and the species, sex, and general habits of the affected birds244354357CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQsem informaçã

Conservadorismo Condicional: Um Estudo com Clubes de Futebol Brasileiros no Período de 2007 a 2012

A despeito de uma séria de iniciativas com objetivo de implantar uma nova postura à gestão dos clubes brasileiros, como por exemplo, a Lei Zico 8.672/93, Lei Pelé 9.615/98 e Lei nº 10.672/03 bem como as Resoluções CFC nº 1.005/04 e a NBCT1 10.13, o nível do disclosure das agremiações brasileiras é inferior aos apresentados pelos clubes estrangeiros. Nesse ponto, buscou-se analisar o nível de Conservadorismo das Demonstrações Contábeis reportado pelas agremiações de futebol brasileiras no período de 2007 a 2012. Para tal, dada a inexistência de variáveis de mercado, como o preço das ações, foi utilizado o modelo de Ball e Shivakumar (2005) à mensuração do Conservadorismo Contábil. Como principal resultado, notou-se que os gestores dos clubes com maior grau de endividamento têm apresentado comportamento oportunista nas escolhas contábeis adotadas, sobretudo no reconhecimento de Ativos, buscando melhorar os índices de endividamento, majorando, assim, a capacidade das agremiações contrairem novas dívidas

Effect of dietary supplements in American bullfrogs reared in low and high stocking densities

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the probiotic Bacillus subtillis and beta-glucan from the fungus Agaricus blazei on survival, growth and immunological capacity in bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) cultured in low and high stocking densities. Animals weighing 24.3 ± 2.38 g were randomly distributed into four treatments with four simultaneous replicates: D100: 100 frogs/m2 (control); D236: 236 frogs/m2; D236 + Prob.: 236 frogs/m2 supplemented with probiotic; and D236 + BG: 236 frogs/m2 supplemented with beta-glucan. The parameters evaluated were weight gain, survival, plasma corticosterone (CORT), phagocytic capacity (PC) and phagocytic index (PI), at 24 h and 15 and 30 days. There is significant interaction between treatments and time for CORT levels. At 30 days, these values were very close for the D100 (control) and D236 + BG groups. Meanwhile, no statistical differences were observed between treatments for PC and PI. These results indicate that beta-glucan reduced the effects of stress caused by high density in bullfrogs, but the probiotic did not reduce these effects. Both compounds are not efficient at increasing survival rates, weight gain and neither immune response of animals. Thus, the use of commercial food additives may not have the favorable impact desired by the farmer. Their use in aquaculture should be further studied in experiments involving a longer trial period and taking into account the cost of their use

The semi-synthetic kaurane ent-16 alpha-methoxykauran-19-oic acid induces vascular relaxation and hypotension in rats

The present work investigates the mechanisms involved in the vasorelaxant effect of ent-16 alpha-methoxykauran-19-oic acid (KA-OCH(3)), a semi-synthetic derivative obtained from the kaurane-type diterpene ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (kaurenoic acid). Vascular reactivity experiments were performed in aortic rings isolated from male Wistar rats using standard muscle bath procedures. The cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]c) was measured by confocal microscopy using the fluorescent probe Fluo-3 AM. Blood pressure measurements were performed in conscious rats. KA-OCH(3) (10,50 and 100 mu mol/l) inhibited phenylephrine-induced contraction in either endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings. KA-OCH(3) also reduced CaCl(2)-induced contraction in a Ca(2+)-free solution containing KCl (30 mmol/l) or phenylephrine (0.1 mu mol/l). KA-OCH(3) (0.1-300 mu mol/l) concentration-dependently relaxed endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortas pre-contracted with either phenylephrine or KCl, to a greater extent than kaurenoic acid. Moreover, a Ca(2+) mobilisation study showed that KA-OCH(3) (100 mu mol/l) inhibited the increase in Ca(2+) concentration in smooth muscle and endothelial cells induced by phenylephrine or KCl. Pre-incubation of intact or denuded aortic rings with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 mu mol/l), 7-nitroindazole (100 mu mol/l), wortmannin (0.5 mu mol/l) and 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ 1 mu mol/l) produced a rightward displacement of the KA-OCH(3) concentration-response curve. Intravenous administration of KA-OCH(3) (1-10 mg/kg) reduced mean arterial blood pressure in normotensive rats. Collectively, our results show that KA-OCH(3) induces vascular relaxation and hypotension. The mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular actions of KA-OCH(3) involve blockade of Ca(2+) influx and activation of the NO-cGMP pathway. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)[2009/52629-4

The semi-synthetic kaurane ent-16 alpha-methoxykauran-19-oic acid induces vascular relaxation and hypotension in rats

The present work investigates the mechanisms involved in the vasorelaxant effect of ent-16 alpha-methoxykauran-19-oic acid (KA-OCH(3)), a semi-synthetic derivative obtained from the kaurane-type diterpene ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (kaurenoic acid). Vascular reactivity experiments were performed in aortic rings isolated from male Wistar rats using standard muscle bath procedures. The cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]c) was measured by confocal microscopy using the fluorescent probe Fluo-3 AM. Blood pressure measurements were performed in conscious rats. KA-OCH(3) (10,50 and 100 mu mol/l) inhibited phenylephrine-induced contraction in either endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings. KA-OCH(3) also reduced CaCl(2)-induced contraction in a Ca(2+)-free solution containing KCl (30 mmol/l) or phenylephrine (0.1 mu mol/l). KA-OCH(3) (0.1-300 mu mol/l) concentration-dependently relaxed endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded aortas pre-contracted with either phenylephrine or KCl, to a greater extent than kaurenoic acid. Moreover, a Ca(2+) mobilisation study showed that KA-OCH(3) (100 mu mol/l) inhibited the increase in Ca(2+) concentration in smooth muscle and endothelial cells induced by phenylephrine or KCl. Pre-incubation of intact or denuded aortic rings with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 mu mol/l), 7-nitroindazole (100 mu mol/l), wortmannin (0.5 mu mol/l) and 1H-[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ 1 mu mol/l) produced a rightward displacement of the KA-OCH(3) concentration-response curve. Intravenous administration of KA-OCH(3) (1-10 mg/kg) reduced mean arterial blood pressure in normotensive rats. Collectively, our results show that KA-OCH(3) induces vascular relaxation and hypotension. The mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular actions of KA-OCH(3) involve blockade of Ca(2+) influx and activation of the NO-cGMP pathway. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)[2009/52629-4

Ethanol Consumption Alters the Expression and Reactivity of Adrenomedullin in the Rat Mesenteric Arterial Bed

Aims: Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide that displays cardiovascular protective activity. We investigated the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on arterial blood pressure, vascular reactivity to AM and the expression of AM system components in the rat mesenteric arterial bed (MAB). Methods: Male Wistar rats were treated with ethanol (20% vol/vol) for 6 weeks. Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure were monitored in conscious rats. Vascular reactivity experiments were performed on isolated rat MAB. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) levels were determined by gelatin zymography. Nitrite and nitrate generation were measured by chemiluminescence. Protein and mRNA levels of pre-pro-AM, CRLR (calcitonin receptor-like receptor) and RAMP1, 2 and 3 (receptor activity-modifying proteins) were assessed by western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: Ethanol consumption induced hypertension and decreased the relaxation induced by AM and acetylcholine in endothelium-intact rat MAB. Phenylephrine-induced contraction was increased in endothelium-intact MAB from ethanol-treated rats. Ethanol consumption did not alter basal levels of nitrate and nitrite, nor did it affect the expression of MMP-2 or the net MMP activity in the rat MAB. Ethanol consumption increased mRNA levels of pre-pro-AM and protein levels of AM in the rat MAB. Finally, no differences in protein levels or mRNA of CRLR and RAMP1, 2 and 3 were observed after treatment with ethanol. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that ethanol consumption increases blood pressure and the expression of AM in the vasculature and reduces the relaxation induced by this peptide in the rat MAB.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo-FAPESP [06/60076-7, 10/09962-1

Gender inequality and not female mentors hinder female scientists career outcomes

Studies on gender disparity in academia generate constructive discussions to promote equality. In a recently published study, AlShebli et al. 2020 analyzed the role of informal mentorship in supporting early-career scientists and how gender may shape scientific careers. Besides presenting methodological flaws, the study culminates in the authors' conclusion that mentoring quality is determined by the mentor's gender, suggesting that female protégés reap more benefits when mentored by males rather than equally-impactful females. Despite acknowledging that possible causal factors were not considered in their analyses, they attest that the success of female scientists' careers relies on opposite-gender mentorships in terms of publication and impact. Although the authors state that these findings add a new perspective to the policy debate on the best ways to elevate the women in science, their conclusions reinforce the traditional patriarchal, biased scientific structure that stimulates a poorly diversified hierarchical chain in STEM. Here we highlight the study's methodological weaknesses and major issues that must be addressed to avoid the perpetuation of gender disparity in science