Ethnobiology and photo-identification: identifying anthropic impacts on boto-cinza dolphin Sotalia guianensis in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil

This study aimed to identify the possible impact of fishing activities and boat collision on the population of the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) through the methodologies of ethnobiology and photo-identification the Bay of Sepetiba, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Data were collected through interviews with fishermen ethnobiological local sightings by photo-identification. The results show that occurs enmeshing of animals with nets used in fishing and accidents among the dolphins and vessels used in this activity. Furthermore, the results confirmed that the uses of these techniques are complementary methods for the identification of possible impacts caused by artisanal fisheries. The information gathered in this study contributes to define strategies for dolphin conservation in order to reduce the negative anthropic impacts on the species’ natural population.(Etnobiologia e foto-identificação: identificando impactos antrópicos sobre o golfinho boto-cinza Sotalia guianensis na Baía de Sepetiba, Brasil). Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar o possível impacto das atividades de pesca e a colisão com embarcações sobre a população do golfinho boto-cinza (Sotalia guianensis) através das metodologias da etnobiologia e da foto-identificação na Baía de Sepetiba, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas etnobiológicas com pescadores artesanais locais e avistamentos por foto-identificação.  Os resultados mostram que ocorre emalhamento dos animais com as redes usadas na pesca e acidentes entre os golfinhos e as embarcações utilizadas nesta atividade. Também os resultados confirmaram que o uso dessas técnicas são métodos complementares para a identificação dos possíveis impactos causados pelas atividades de pesca artesanal. As informações geradas neste estudo contribuem para definir estratégias para a conservação do golfinho a fim de reduzir os impactos antrópicos negativos na população natural da espécie

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Ethnobiology and photo-identification: identifying anthropic impacts on boto-cinza dolphin Sotalia guianensis in Sepetiba Bay, Brazil

This study aimed to identify the possible impact of fishing activities and boat collision on the population of the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) through the methodologies of ethnobiology and photo-identification the Bay of Sepetiba, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Data were collected through interviews with fishermen ethnobiological local sightings by photo-identification. The results show that occurs enmeshing of animals with nets used in fishing and accidents among the dolphins and vessels used in this activity. Furthermore, the results confirmed that the uses of these techniques are complementary methods for the identification of possible impacts caused by artisanal fisheries. The information gathered in this study contributes to define strategies for dolphin conservation in order to reduce the negative anthropic impacts on the species’ natural population.(Etnobiologia e foto-identificação: identificando impactos antrópicos sobre o golfinho boto-cinza Sotalia guianensis na Baía de Sepetiba, Brasil). Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar o possível impacto das atividades de pesca e a colisão com embarcações sobre a população do golfinho boto-cinza (Sotalia guianensis) através das metodologias da etnobiologia e da foto-identificação na Baía de Sepetiba, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas etnobiológicas com pescadores artesanais locais e avistamentos por foto-identificação.  Os resultados mostram que ocorre emalhamento dos animais com as redes usadas na pesca e acidentes entre os golfinhos e as embarcações utilizadas nesta atividade. Também os resultados confirmaram que o uso dessas técnicas são métodos complementares para a identificação dos possíveis impactos causados pelas atividades de pesca artesanal. As informações geradas neste estudo contribuem para definir estratégias para a conservação do golfinho a fim de reduzir os impactos antrópicos negativos na população natural da espécie

Photo-id catalog points to some degree of Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni) site fidelity to Cabo Frio region, southeastern Brazil

Photo-identification technique of Bryde’s whales was carried out off the coast of Cabo Frio region, south-eastern Brazil between December 2010 and November 2012. Twenty-five individuals were sighted on nineteen different days, and of these, nine were individually identified using natural marks on the dorsal fin. Of these, two individuals were seen in four different days, and one was seen in two different days. The mean interval between re-sighting was 133 days (minimum: one day, maximum: 431 days). Two different adult individuals that were previously identified were seen again accompanied by calves and one of these was also seen next to the Rio de Janeiro city coast (126 km apart). Most of the observations consisted of lone individuals (58.8% of sightings). The data reported here indicate that the Cabo Frio coast may be important for the studied species in Brazilian waters and indicated the possible habitat fidelity of Bryde’s whales to this area.

Respiratory support in patients with severe COVID-19 in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection (ISARIC) COVID-19 study: a prospective, multinational, observational study

Background: Up to 30% of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 require advanced respiratory support, including high-flow nasal cannulas (HFNC), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for failing non-invasive respiratory support in patients treated with severe COVID-19 during the first two years of the pandemic in high-income countries (HICs) and low middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: This is a multinational, multicentre, prospective cohort study embedded in the ISARIC-WHO COVID-19 Clinical Characterisation Protocol. Patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who required hospital admission were recruited prospectively. Patients treated with HFNC, NIV, or IMV within the first 24 h of hospital admission were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, random forest, and logistic regression analyses were used to describe clinical characteristics and compare clinical outcomes among patients treated with the different types of advanced respiratory support. Results: A total of 66,565 patients were included in this study. Overall, 82.6% of patients were treated in HIC, and 40.6% were admitted to the hospital during the first pandemic wave. During the first 24 h after hospital admission, patients in HICs were more frequently treated with HFNC (48.0%), followed by NIV (38.6%) and IMV (13.4%). In contrast, patients admitted in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were less frequently treated with HFNC (16.1%) and the majority received IMV (59.1%). The failure rate of non-invasive respiratory support (i.e. HFNC or NIV) was 15.5%, of which 71.2% were from HIC and 28.8% from LMIC. The variables most strongly associated with non-invasive ventilation failure, defined as progression to IMV, were high leukocyte counts at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 5.86 [4.83-7.10]), treatment in an LMIC (OR [95%CI]; 2.04 [1.97-2.11]), and tachypnoea at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 1.16 [1.14-1.18]). Patients who failed HFNC/NIV had a higher 28-day fatality ratio (OR [95%CI]; 1.27 [1.25-1.30]). Conclusions: In the present international cohort, the most frequently used advanced respiratory support was the HFNC. However, IMV was used more often in LMIC. Higher leucocyte count, tachypnoea, and treatment in LMIC were risk factors for HFNC/NIV failure. HFNC/NIV failure was related to worse clinical outcomes, such as 28-day mortality. Trial registration This is a prospective observational study; therefore, no health care interventions were applied to participants, and trial registration is not applicable