NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Neoplasmas da bexiga associados à hematúria enzoótica bovina Urinary bladder neoplasms associated with bovine enzootic hematuria

Relatam-se três casos de hematúria enzoótica bovina (HEB) em animais provenientes do município de Jaguari, RS, Brasil. As pastagens de todas as propriedades de origem estavam altamente infestadas por samambaia (Pteridium aquilinum). Três bovinos, com idades entre 4 e 7 anos, apresentaram sinais clínicos que incluíam emagrecimento progressivo, hematúria intermitente e palidez das mucosas. As principais lesões foram observadas na bexiga e consistiam de três tipos de neoplasmas: hemangioma capilar, hemangiossarcoma e carcinoma de células escamosas. A epidemiologia, os sinais clínicos e as lesões macroscópicas e microscópicas observadas nos três bovinos são consistentes com o diagnóstico de HEB.<br>Three cases of bovine enzootic hematuria (BHE) are described in cattle from the municipality of Jaguari, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The pastures of all affected farms were highly infested with bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum). Three 4-7-year-old bovine had clinical signs of progressive weight loss, intermittent hematuria, and mucosal pallor. The main lesions were observed in the urinary bladder and consisted of three types of neoplasms: capillary hemangioma, hemangiosarcoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The epidemiology, the clinical signs, and the gross and microscopic lesions observed in all three bovine were of BHE

Cryptococcosis: a review of the brazilian experience for the disease Criptococose: revisão sobre a experiência brasileira sobre a doença

Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. The disease occurs in patients with cellular immunodeficiency. The incidence of cryptococcosis arises with aids, and mycosis is one of the opportunistic infections that defines AIDS. After the HAART era the occurrence of cryptococcosis decreased all over the world, but it still continues to be a prevalent disease in Brazil. Thus, we consider this paper to be very important as a result of our reviewing of Brazilian literature regarding some relevant aspects of that disease.<br>Criptococose é micose sistêmica causada por Cryptococcus neoformans. A doença ocorre em pacientes com deficiência da imunidade celular. Com o aparecimento da doença AIDS, a incidência de criptococose aumentou, e a micose é uma das infecções oportunistas que definem um caso de AIDS. Após a era HAART, criptococose parece estar diminuindo no mundo todo, mas continua sendo uma doença prevalente no Brasil. Este artigo visa a análise da contribuição dos autores brasileiros sobre vários aspectos da doença

Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans isolado do solo Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans isolated from soil

Na tentativa de identificar a possível fonte de infecção, inquiriu-se, na história epidemiológica de 42 pacientes portadores de criptococose, o contato com pombos. Informações compatíveis com nicho ecológico do Cryptococcus neoformans foram positivas em 16. Foram colhidas 59 amostras de solo contendo fezes de pombos, penas e material orgânico. O C. neoformans foi detectado em 4. Uma das amostras era originada da capital e três do interior do estado. O sorotipo A do C. neoformans isolado de um liquor coincidiu com o sorotipo da amostra isolada do centro de Porto Alegre, local apontado pelo paciente como possível fonte de infecção, caracterizando caso de Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans.<br>We inquiry, in the epidemiologic history of 42 patients with cryptococcosis, the contact with pigeon, trying to find the possible source of infection. Of these patients, the information compatible with ecologic niche of Cryptococcus neoformans was positive in 16. Fifty nine samples were recovered from soil, associated with pigeon habitat. We found C. neoformans in four occasions, one in the capital and three in the interior of state. C. neoformans, serotype A, recovered from a central spine fluid coincides with the serotype of the fungus recovered dowtown Porto Alegre, in a place suggested by the patient as possible source of infection, characterizing of a case of Cryptococcus neoformans. var. neoformans

Bioaccumulation of chromium in aquatic macrophyte Borreria scabiosoides Cham. & Schltdl.

International audienceThe capacity of Borreria scabiosoides Cham. & Schltdl. growing in hydroponics solutions to remove Cr (III) from water was evaluated. This macrophytes efficiently removed Cr from water at concentrations of 25 and 50 mg/l Cr−1. High resolution imaging secondary ion mass-spectrometry (HRI-SIMS) measurements were performed using scanning ion microprobe at the University of Chicago (UC-SIM). The inductively coupled plasma sector type mass spectrometer (HR-ICP-MS) was used to analyse all samples. In general, plant roots exhibited higher metal concentrations than the aerial plants parts. Borreria shows promise for the removal and store Cr from contaminated wastewater. The ion images demonstrated that Cr is preferentially accumulated in cell walls and in some vacuoles of cortical roots cells. The number of Cr deposits are higher in cortical parenchyma, particularly in vacuoles and cell walls, compared to stellar tissue