Avian influenza virus (H11N9) in migratory shorebirds wintering in the Amazon region, Brazil

Aquatic birds are the natural reservoir for avian influenza viruses (AIV). Habitats in Brazil provide stopover and wintering sites for water birds that migrate between North and South America. The current study was conducted to elucidate the possibility of the transport of influenza A viruses by birds that migrate annually between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In total, 556 orotracheal/cloacal swab samples were collected for influenza A virus screening using real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR). The influenza A virus-positive samples were subjected to viral isolation. Four samples were positive for the influenza A matrix gene by rRT-PCR. From these samples, three viruses were isolated, sequenced and characterized. All positive samples originated from a single bird species, the ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), that was caught in the Amazon region at Caeté Bay, Northeast Pará, at Ilha de Canelas. To our knowledge, this is the first isolation of H11N9 in the ruddy turnstone in South America. (Résumé d'auteur

Gonial angle growth patterns according to age and gender

Currently there are controversial results about gender and age differences in human gonial angle values. In this context we aimed to ascertain the gender and age differences in the gonial angle values of young Caucasian Mediterranean subjects. We tested the hypothesis of a relation between the gonial angle values and the gender and age of the subjects by means of a prospective study involving 266 subjects. Panoramic radiographs (Cranex Novus®, XMIND Novus® Soredex, France) were carried out in order to measure the gonial angle values. We found significant differences between females and males in the subgroups aged ≤10 years old (128.6 ± 3.4 vs 126.8 ± 4.5, p = 0.017), 16–20 years old (119.1 ± 5.6 vs 122.3 ± 7.7, p = 0.011), 21–25 years old (117.6 ± 5.2 vs 120.8 ± 7.0, p = 0.016) and 26–30 years old (117.5 ± 5.4 vs 120.6 ± 5.4, p = 0.019) but not in the subgroup aged 11–15 years old (123.4 ± 5.2 vs 123.5 ± 5.4, p = 0.927). A significant negative correlation was found between age and gonial angle values (r = −0.365, p < 0.001). In sum, females under 10 years of age have significantly higher values than males. The angle values decreased until the age of 11–15 years of age when there were no significant gender differences. Thus, the males aged over 16 years old presented significantly higher values than the females. The decrease in gonial angle values seems to slow or stop from 21 years onwards. Knowledge of the pattern differences will serve for age and gender determination when analyzing human remains.Odontologí

Multi-Scale Forest Governance, Deforestation, and Violence in Two Regions of Guerrero, Mexico

Summary It has been suggested that weaknesses in rights and land tenure is one of the important causes of forest-related violence. We go beyond rights and tenure to examine relationships between deforestation, forest-related violence, and multi-scale forest governance in a situation of secure tenure rights in comparative case studies of four communities in two watersheds in Guerrero, Mexico. Multi-scale forest governance influenced different rates of land use/cover change and lethal violence but cattle and human population are also influential. We suggest that weaknesses at the regional level of forest governance can be compensated by strong national and community governance.common property community forest management forest-related violence LUCC analysis Latin America Mexico

Seasonality, biology and threats to Sicalis luteola (Sparrman, 1789) (Aves, Thraupidae) in northeastern Brazil

Abstract Sicalis luteola occurs from Mexico to South America. In the Northeastern Brazilian region its biology, population dynamics and threats are poorly known. The subspecies S. luteola luteiventris apparently migrates northward during austral winter. The specific aims of this work were: 1) to verify the seasonality of the species; 2) to analyze information on molting and breeding, and 3) to check the main threats to this bird in northeastern Brazil. The highest number of records were in March, April, and May (51.12%) and the lowest in November and December (3%).We found a greater population peak in April in the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará, and in April and May in Pernambuco. In Paraíba there was not an apparent seasonal variation in frequency. We captured 66 individuals, all adults, being 38 males and 28 females. 30% of the captured birds showed contour feathers molt, mainly on the head. A total of 23 individuals had brood patch, all being females. Six nests were found and four contained two to three eggs. We found that the main threat is the illegal trade. Our findings may support conservation plans for this bird in the region