The role of melanism in oncillas on the temporal segregation of nocturnal activity

The occurrence of coat colour polymorphisms in populations may promote the ecological success of species by permitting a wider spectrum of use of different subsets of available resources. We conducted an analysis of temporal segregation by comparing night brightness with nocturnal activity of spotted and melanistic oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus). Melanistic oncillas were more active during bright nights and spotted oncillas and other species were more active during dark nights. Each colour morph occupied a temporal niche outside the confidence interval of the other colour morph, demonstrating the ecological significance of polymorphic colour patterns in this felid species

The role of melanism in oncillas on the temporal segregation of nocturnal activity

The occurrence of coat colour polymorphisms in populations may promote the ecological success of species by permitting a wider spectrum of use of different subsets of available resources. We conducted an analysis of temporal segregation by comparing night brightness with nocturnal activity of spotted and melanistic oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus). Melanistic oncillas were more active during bright nights and spotted oncillas and other species were more active during dark nights. Each colour morph occupied a temporal niche outside the confidence interval of the other colour morph, demonstrating the ecological significance of polymorphic colour patterns in this felid species

Interrelationship between radiologic findings and prognosis of epilepsy in children with neurocysticercosis Interrelação entre achados radiológicos e o prognóstico da epilepsia em crianças com neurocisticercose

INTRODUCTION: Epileptic manifestations of Neurocysticercosis (NC) appear to depend on number and localization of the cysts. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between CT findings, number of parasites and the evolutive stage of the cysts, and the prognosis of epilepsy in children with NC. METHOD: We studied 28 patients with the parenchymal form of NC, considering: epilepsy duration; seizure frequency before and after AED treatment; seizure control; number of AED and recurrence after AED withdrawal. Clinical information was crossed with the number of lesions and disease activity in univariate comparison. RESULTS: The analysis of the clinical data in relation to the number of lesions and disease activity showed no statistical difference among the variables (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the course of epilepsy due to NC in childhood cannot be based exclusively on the number or stage of the parasites.<br>INTRODUÇÃO: As manifestações epilépticas da neurocisticercose (NC) parecem depender do número e localização das lesões. O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a relação entre os achados de CT, número de parasitas e estágio evolutivo dos cistos, com o prognóstico da epilepsia em crianças. MÉTODO: Nós estudamos 28 pacientes com a forma parenquimatosa da NC, considerando: duração da epilepsia; freqüência de crises antes e após o tratamento com DAE; aquisição de controle; número de drogas e recorrência. Esses aspectos foram correlacionados com o número de lesões e atividade da doença em análise estatística univariada. RESULTADOS: A análise dos dados clínicos em relação ao número de lesões e atividade da doença não revelou diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Concluímos que o curso da epilepsia por NC na infância não pode se basear exclusivamente no número ou estágio dos parasitas

Quantitative ultrasound bone measurements: normal values and comparison with bone mineral density by dual X-ray absorptiometry.

Normative data for qualitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements: speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness were established in 118 healthy women aged 20-86 years and in 42 healthy men aged 22-76 years. The relations between age, weight, height, and QUS were studied. QUS measurements were negatively correlated with age in both sexes. In women, age was accepted as first factor (R2 = 0.39 for SOS, 0.35 for BUA, and 0.45 for stiffness, P < 0.001); weight was accepted as second factor for BUA (R2 = 0.44, P < 0.001). In men, age was the only significant parameter (R2 = 0.41 for SOS, 0.39 for BUA, 0.43 for stiffness, P < 0.001). QUS measurements of the right and left feet were highly correlated unless unilateral foot pathology such as algodystrophy was present. Significant correlations were found between QUS of the calcaneus and dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the lumbar spine (R = 0.67, P < 0.01 for SOS; R = 0.57, P < 0.02 for BUA; R = 0.65, P < 0.01 for stiffness).Comparative StudyJournal ArticleSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe