Distribuição e estimativa populacional de boto vermelho (inia geoffrensis) e tucuxi (sotalia fluviatilis) no baixo Rio Negro, Amazonas.

Information on habitat use and population density are essential to understand the population dynamics of a specie. They are also important for guiding conservation and management measures. In the Amazon, due to its proximity to human populations, river dolphins are considered endangered species. However, according to the IUCN, there is limited amount of information on threats, ecology, estimates and population trends for the Amazon river and Tucuxi dolphins. In order to fill this gap, the present study investigated the population density and distribution of these dolphins in the lower Negro River, verifying the existence of preference for habitats and areas of higher density. The study was carried out in the lower Negro river region, comprising the municipalities of Novo Airão and Manaus. Two visual surveys were carried out in 2016: one in the flood period (April) and another in the lowing (October) period. Two vessels were used: a regional boat with length of 16m with two floors and a small boat with 15hp engine. For counting, two survey methodologies were used: 200m strip transects in river margins and linear transects, using distance sampling, in the center of the river. In the flood period (April), there were 298 sightings, with 195 boto dolphins and 333 tucuxis, with a general encounter rate of 0.91 individual/km, being 0.34 botos/km and 0.57 tucuxi/km. In the lowing period (October), 276 sightings were made, with 195 botos and 244 tucuxis, with a general encounter rate of 1.08 individuals/km, with 0.48 boto/km and 0.60 tucuxi/km. During the flood, the stratum "lake" had a higher density of botos (D = 2.4 ind/km 2) and lower density of tucuxis (D = 1.0 ind/km 2). In the lowing period, the "paranã" stratum showed higher density of both botos (D = 2.3 ind/km 2) and tucuxis (D = 2.6 ind/km 2). The uneven distribution of a species, observed along an area, is probably the result of an uneven distribution of resources, driven by topographic variation or habitat fragmentation. Despite the high diversity of fish, the Negro River presents some factors that limit the abundance of existing species, such as low levels of nutrients (oligotrophy), caused by the flood pulse and low productivity of animal and plant biomass. In addition, estimates of densities are hampered by the discrete behavior of dolphins and their high mobility. This study is the first attempt to estimate the population of botos and tucuxis in the lower Negro River. We expect that the results could serve as a basis for future research and effective conservation measures.Informações sobre uso de habitat e densidade populacional são essenciais para conhecimento da dinâmica populacional de espécies. Além disso, são importantes para guiar medidas de conservação e manejo. Na Amazônia, devido à proximidade com populações humanas, os golfinhos de rio são considerados como espécies ameaçadas. Porém, de acordo com a IUCN, é limitada a quantidade de informações sobre ameaças sofridas, ecologia, estimativas e tendências populacionais para os botos-vermelho e tucuxis. Com objetivo de preencher esta lacuna, o presente estudo determinou a densidade populacional e a distribuição desses golfinhos no baixo rio Negro, verificando a existência de preferência por habitats e áreas de maior densidade. O estudo foi realizado na região do baixo rio Negro, compreendida entres os municípios de Novo Airão e Manaus. Duas expedições de campo foram realizadas em 2016: uma no período de enchente (abril) e outra no período de vazante (outubro) do rio. Duas embarcações foram utilizadas: barco regional de 16m de comprimento com dois andares e lancha pequena com motor de 15hp. Para a contagem, houve a combinação de duas metodologias de levantamento: transectos de banda de 200m nas margens e transectos lineares, com o uso de amostragem de distância, no centro do rio. No período de enchente (abril), houve 298 avistagens, com 195 botos-vermelhos e 333 tucuxis, e taxa de encontro geral de 0,91 indivíduo/km, sendo 0,34 boto-vermelho/km e 0,57 tucuxi/km. No período de vazante (outubro), foram feitas 276 avistagens, com 195 botos-vermelhos e 244 tucuxis, e taxa de encontro geral de 1,08 indivíduos/km, sendo 0,48 boto-vermelho/km e 0,60 tucuxi/km. Durante a enchente, o estrato “lago” teve maior densidade de botos-vermelhos (D = 2,4 ind/km 2) e menor densidade de tucuxis (D = 1,0 ind/km 2). Na vazante, o estrato “paranã” apresentou maior densidade de botos-vermelhos (D = 2,3 ind/km 2) e tucuxis (D = 2,6 ind/km 2). A distribuição desigual de uma espécie, observada ao longo de uma área, é provavelmente resultado de uma distribuição desigual dos recursos, orientada por variação topográfica ou fragmentação do habitat. Apesar da alta diversidade de peixes, o rio Negro apresenta alguns fatores que limitam a abundância das espécies existentes, como níveis baixos de nutrientes (oligotrofia), desgaste provocado pelo pulso de inundação e baixa produtividade de biomassa animal e vegetal. Além disso, as estimativas de densidades são dificultadas pelo comportamento discreto dos golfinhos e sua alta mobilidade. Esse estudo é a primeira tentativa de estimativa populacional de botovermelho e tucuxi no baixo rio Negro. Espera-se que os resultados encontrados possam servir de base para futuras pesquisas e medidas efetivas de conservação

Assessment of performance of professionals in immunohematology proficiency tests of the public blood bank network of the state of Minas Gerais

BACKGROUND: Despite significant advances, the practice of blood transfusion is still a complex process and subject to risks. Factors that influence the safety of blood transfusion include technical skill and knowledge in hemotherapy mainly obtained by the qualification and training of teams. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between professional categories working in transfusion services of the public blood bank network in the State of Minas Gerais and their performance in proficiency tests. METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional study (2007-2008) performed using a specific instrument, based on evidence and the results of immunohematology proficiency tests as mandated by law. RESULTS: The error rates in ABO and RhD phenotyping, irregular antibody screening and cross-matching were 12.5%, 9.6%, 43.8% and 20.1%, respectively. When considering the number of tests performed, the error rates were 4.6%, 4.2%, 26.7% and 11.0%, respectively. The error rates varied for different professional categories: biochemists, biologists and biomedical scientists (65.0%), clinical pathology technicians (44.1%) and laboratory assistants, nursing technicians and assistant nurses (74.6%). A statistically significant difference was observed when the accuracy of clinical pathology technicians was compared with those of other professionals with only high school education (p-value < 0.001). This was not seen for professionals with university degrees (p-value = 0.293). CONCLUSION: These results reinforce the need to invest in training, improvement of educational programs, new teaching methods and tools for periodic evaluations, contributing to increase transfusion safety and improve hemotherapy in Brazil