Terapia Assistida por Animais: relato das atividades com idosos do Projeto Cão-Cidadão-Unesp.

We report the experience of dog-Citizen-Unesp projectdemonstrating the benefitsachieved through theAnimal Assisted Therapy(AAT) in institutionalized elderlyin the city ofAraçatuba, São Paulo.The projectoperates in that institutionfor eight years andthepresent reportrefers toobservations made during theyear 2014.Throughweekly visitscanbe seen thatthe presenceof dogscontribute toa higher qualityof life for seniors.Relata-se a experiência do projeto Cão-Cidadão-Unesp demonstrando os benefícios alcançados por meio da Terapia Assistida por Animais (TAA) em idosos institucionalizados na cidade de cidade de Araçatuba, São Paulo. O projeto atua em tal instituição há oito anos e o presente relato refere-se às observações realizadas durante o ano de 2014. Pode-se perceber que a presença dos cães contribuiu para uma maior qualidade de vida dos idosos.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.35700/ca.2016.ano3n4.p128-131.182

Efeitos sedativos da farmacopuntura com xilazina no acuponto VG-20 em ovinos: Sedative effects of pharmacopuncture with xylazine on the GV-20 acupoint in sheeps

A farmacopuntura é uma técnica que pode ser associada ao ato anestésico, permitindo a redução dos efeitos colaterais, diminuindo o consumo, resíduo farmacológico e custo do procedimento. O presente estudo objetivou comparar os efeitos sedativos e clínicos da administração de subdoses de xilazina 2% no acuponto VG-20 (Baihui) em ovinos hígidos sobre diferentes protocolos. Foram utilizados 5 ovinos adultos, peso (54±7) kg, fêmeas, com idade média (5±1 anos), submetidos a quatro tratamentos, com o intervalo de uma semana.  O grupo (X1/10 VG-20), recebeu xilazina 2%, na dose de 0,01mg/kg administrada no acuponto VG-20. O segundo grupo (SF1/10 VG-20), recebeu o agulhamento com solução salina (NaCl 0,9%), na dose de 0,01mg/kg no acuponto VG-20. O terceiro grupo (X1/3 VG-20), administrou-se xilazina 2%, na dose de 0,033mg/kg administrada no acuponto VG-20. O quarto grupo (X1/3 SC), recebeu xilazina 2%, na dose de 0,033mg/kg, pela via subcutânea, fora dos meridianos de acupuntura. Avaliou-se FC (bpm), PAM (mmHg), f (mpm), escore de sedação, altura da cabeça em relação ao solo e temperatura corporal (°C). As observações das variáveis estudadas tiveram início antes da aplicação do fármaco (MB). As demais avaliações foram realizadas em intervalos de 10 minutos, durante 60 minutos, após a administração do fármaco (M10, M20, M30, M40, M50 e M60, respectivamente). Houve redução da FC, entre M10, M20, M30, M40, M50 e M60 comparado ao MB no grupo (X1/10 VG-20). Esta variável também se apresentou diminuída quando comparado os momentos M20 e M40 ao MB no grupo (X1/3 VG-20). A f reduziu nos momentos M20, M30, M40 e M50, quando comparado ao MB no grupo (X1/3 VG-20). A temperatura corporal apresentou-se maior quando comparado o M50 e M60 o MB e M60 comparado ao M10. As demais variáveis não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas relacionadas aos momentos, dentro de cada grupo. Apenas a sedação apresentou diferenças entre os grupos. O grupo (SF1/10 VG-20) apresentou escores menores de sedação quando comparado ao grupo (X1/3 VG-20) nos momentos M20 e M30 e comparado ao grupo e (X1/3 SC), durante os momentos M20, M30, M40 e M50. Os momentos MB, M10 e M60 não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas entre os grupos. Através dos resultados obtidos é possível concluir que a administração de xilazina no acuponto VG-20 (Baihui), nas doses empregadas neste estudo, promoveu sedação, sem causar alterações clinicamente significativas nas variáveis clínicas avaliadas

Photography-based taxonomy is inadequate, unnecessary, and potentially harmful for biological sciences

The question whether taxonomic descriptions naming new animal species without type specimen(s) deposited in collections should be accepted for publication by scientific journals and allowed by the Code has already been discussed in Zootaxa (Dubois & Nemésio 2007; Donegan 2008, 2009; Nemésio 2009a–b; Dubois 2009; Gentile & Snell 2009; Minelli 2009; Cianferoni & Bartolozzi 2016; Amorim et al. 2016). This question was again raised in a letter supported by 35 signatories published in the journal Nature (Pape et al. 2016) on 15 September 2016. On 25 September 2016, the following rebuttal (strictly limited to 300 words as per the editorial rules of Nature) was submitted to Nature, which on 18 October 2016 refused to publish it. As we think this problem is a very important one for zoological taxonomy, this text is published here exactly as submitted to Nature, followed by the list of the 493 taxonomists and collection-based researchers who signed it in the short time span from 20 September to 6 October 2016

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Postoperative pain behaviours in rabbits following orthopaedic surgery and effect of observer presence.

Rabbits are widely used in studies focusing on pain. However, pain is undertreated in this species and one possible factor to explain this is the lack of evaluation methods. The objective of this study was to identify behaviours related to orthopaedic pain in rabbits and to evaluate the influence of the presence of an observer on these behaviours. Twenty-eight rabbits undergoing orthopaedic surgery and filmed 24 hours before surgery, and 1 hour (before rescue analgesia), 4 hours (3 hours after rescue analgesia), and 24 hours post-recovery were observed in the presence and absence of an observer. The frequency and/or duration of behaviours were compared over time and between the presence and absence of the observer using the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests respectively. Data are expressed as median and interquartile range and a significant difference was considered when p<0.05. At 1 hour post-recovery, the rabbits showed reduced activity, hopping, change posture, position in the cage, explore, and open eyes in both the presence and absence of the observer. In the absence of the observer, quadrupedal posture, interact with pinecone, and eat carrot also decreased, while wince behaviour increased. In the presence of the observer, before surgery, the rabbits were less active (Presence-280; 162-300, Absence-300; 300-300) and presented a lower duration of explore (Presence-3; 0-32, Absence-40; 4-63). Post-recovery the rabbits flinched less (Presence-0; 0-0, Absence-0; 0-1) and suspended the affected limb less (Presence-0; 0-0, Absence-0; 0-65). After rescue analgesia the rabbits put weight on and raised the affected limb less (Presence-0; 0-0, Absence-0; 0-2) and licked the affected area less (Presence-0; 0-0, Absence-0; 0-2). These findings demonstrate that the presence of the observer inhibited pain-free behaviours in the rabbits, leading to a false impression of pain, and after the surgery the rabbits masked some pain signs related to the affected area

Alteração do índice biespectral antes e após estimulação elétrica ou mecânica em cães anestesiados pelo isofluorano

One of the current methods to assess hypnosis and central depression during anesthesia is the bispectral index (BIS), which generates a number from 0 to 100. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the changes in BIS during electrical or mechanical supra-maximal stimulation in order to investigate whether there is a relation between this index and motor response to nociception. Seven beagle dogs were included, two males and five females, which were anesthetized with isoflurane at 2.0, 1.8, 1.6, 1.4 and 1.2%. Different types of stimuli were employed at different procedures in the same animals with at least 15 days of interval. The BIS values were recorded during 60 seconds each time and mean values were obtained before (AE) and after (DE) the stimulus. Results were compared through paired t test or Wilcoxon's paired test (P<0.05). Significant differences were found between AE and DE values in almost every isoflurane concentration, as well as between the subtraction of these values, when compared between types of stimuli at 1.8 and 2.0%. In conclusion, the response to supra-maximal stimulation does change BIS values in dogs by decreasing the depth of anesthesia. The use of mechanical stimulation is suggested in order to avoid possible interferences of the electrical current and loss of data reliability.Uma das formas atuais para se avaliar o grau de hipnose e depressão do sistema nervoso central durante a anestesia é o índice biespectral (BIS), que fornece um valor de 0 a 100. Objetivou-se avaliar as alterações do BIS de cães durante a estimulação elétrica e mecânica supra-máxima e sob diferentes concentrações de isofluorano, a fim de verificar se existe uma relação entre este índice e a resposta motora frente à nocicepção. Utilizaram-se sete cães da raça Beagle, dois machos e cinco fêmeas, anestesiados com isofluorano nas concentrações de 2,0; 1,8; 1,6; 1,4 e 1,2%. Os diferentes tipos de estímulo foram utilizados em procedimentos anestésicos diferentes nos mesmos animais, com intervalo mínimo de 15 dias. Os valores de BIS foram anotados por 60 segundos em cada avaliação, derivando médias antes (AE) e depois (DE) de cada estímulo. Os resultados foram analisados por meio de teste t pareado ou Wilcoxon pareado (P<0,05). Houve diferença significativa entre os valores AE e DE em todas as concentrações de isofluorano, exceto 2,0% no estímulo mecânico. Também foi significativa entre a subtração desses valores, quando comparados entre estímulos, em 1,8 e 2,0%. Conclui-se que a resposta frente a estímulos supra-máximos modifica os valores de BIS em cães por meio da superficialização do plano anestésico. Sugere-se o emprego do modelo mecânico para evitar possíveis interferências de corrente elétrica e perda da confiabilidade dos dados.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Ligamentum teres reconstruction using autogenous semitendinosus tendon with toggle technique in rabbits

Background Ligamentum teres (LT) has traditionally been considered a vestigial or redundant structure in humans; however, based on new studies and the evolution of hip arthroscopy, the LT injury has been viewed as a source of hip pain. Therefore, LT reconstruction can be beneficial in some cases. Rabbits have been frequently used as a model for cranial cruciate ligament reconstruction but few studies are available for ligamentum teres reconstruction. Objective To evaluate the semitendinosus tendon to replace ligamentum teres with the toggle technique, using rabbits as an experimental model. Methods Twenty-six female Norfolk rabbits with approximately 3 months of age were divided into two equal groups after excision of ligamentum teres (LT) from the right hip joint: G1—no reconstruction of LT and capsulorrhaphy; G2—double—bundle reconstruction of the LT using semitendinosus tendon autograft. In both groups, the LT was removed from the right hip joint. In G2 the autograft was harvested from the left hind limb of the same rabbit. The rabbits were evaluated clinically at different time intervals; before surgery (M1), 48 h (M2), 15 days (M3), 30 days (M4) and 90 days (M5) after surgery. Results The rabbits supported their limbs on the ground in both the groups. As complications of the procedure, four hip joints showed subluxations in the radiographic evaluation of G1; three at M4 and one at M5. In G2; two luxations of hip joints at M3 and one subluxation at M4 were seen. On ultrasound, irregular articular surface was seen in 30.8% of the rabbits that had subluxation of hip joints. Gross evaluation identified tendon graft integrity in 76.92% of the rabbits. Histological analysis revealed graft adhesion to the bone in the early phase comprised of sharpey-like collagen fibers. Conclusion The double-bundle reconstruction of the LT using autologous semitendinosus tendon associated with the toggle rod shows an early phase of tendon graft ligamentization at 90 days post-operatively in young rabbits, but biomechanical bias suffered by the tendon during gait must be considered