Fish assemblage structure and aquatic pollution in a Brazilian stream: some limitations of diversity indices and models for environmental impact studies

The aim of this study was to describe and quantify the effect of aquatic pollution on the fish assemblage structure of the Corumbatai River (Brazil), by comparing two sites with different water quality characteristics. The results revealed that abundance of individuals was low at the polluted site (B). However, the two sites did not differ significantly in species richness (total and average). This fact contradicts theories stating that portions where the transverse area of the channel is larger should present a higher biological richness. It was also observed that the ichthyofauna of site B had higher evenness, and, consequently, a tendency to a higher diversity than that at site A. This demonstrates that diversity estimates should be used cautiously in environmental impact studies, as they do not necessarily indicate better conditions of communities living in more preserved environments.

Fecal progestins during pregnancy and postpartum periods of captive red brocket deer (Mazama americana)

This study aimed to validate the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for fecal progestin quantification of the species Mazama americana, define its excretion profile during periods of gestation and postpartum and determine the gestation period and resumption of postpartum ovarian activity in this species in captivity Fecal samples were collected twice a week during gestation and every day in the postpartum period, and analyzed using EIA The mean concentrations (±SEM) of fecal progestins during gestation were 2180.0 ± 299.1 ng/g in early pregnancy (week 1-11), 3271.4 ± 406.9 ng/g in middle pregnancy (week 12-22) and 5592.0 ± 1125.8 ng/g in late pregnancy (week 23-32) The gestation period determined for the species was 220.9 ± 1.2 days The concentration of progestins reached its peak prior to parturition and returned to baseline levels in 4 ± 0.31 days after parturition In the postpartum period, the mean concentrations of fecal progestins were 1564.2 ± 182.6 ng/g in the interval between parturition and resumption of ovarian activity, 469.8 ± 24.5 ng/g in the inter-luteal phase and 2401.7 ± 318.5 ng/g during the luteal phase, such that the postpartum period and the luteal phase differed from the inter-luteal phase Fecal progestin profiling permitted the detection of ovulation 26.9 ± 3.4 days after parturition in all the hinds studied and estimation of the mean duration of the estrous cycle, 21.3 ± 1.1 days Analysis established that concentrations of progestins above 3038.76 ng/g diagnosed pregnancy, a value determined from the week 12 of gestation Moreover, the quantification of fecal progestins by EIA proved to be an important tool for noninvasive endocrine monitoring and to obtain reproductive data on the species M americana in captivity © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Efeitos da contaminação fecal sobre a dinâmica e a estrutura da alça microbiana em areias de praias do litoral norte do estado de São Paulo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Densities and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from marine waters and beach sands

Bacterial resistance is a rising problem all over the world. Many studies have showed that beach sands can contain higher concentration of microorganisms and represent a risk to public health. This paper aims to evaluate the densities and resistance to antimicrobials of Escherichia coli strains, isolated from seawater and samples. The hypothesis is that microorganisms show higher densities in contaminated beach sands and more antimicrobial resistance than the water column. Density, distribution, and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria E. coli were evaluate in seawater and sands from two recreational beaches with different levels of pollution. At the beach with higher degree of pollution (Gonzaguinha), water samples presented the highest densities of E. coli; however, higher frequency of resistant strains was observe in wet sand (71.9 %). Resistance to a larger number of antimicrobial groups was observe in water (betalactamics, aminoglycosides, macrolides, rifampicins, and tetracyclines) and sand (betagalactamics and aminoglycosids). In water samples, highest frequencies of resistance were obtain against ampicilin (22.5 %), streptomycin (15.0 %), and rifampicin (15.0 %), while in sand, the highest frequencies were observe in relation to ampicilin (36.25 %) and streptomycin (23.52 %). At the less polluted beach, Ilha Porchat, highest densities of E. coli and higher frequency of resistance were obtain in wet and dry sand (53.7 and 53.8 %, respectively) compared to water (50 %). Antimicrobial resistance in strains isolated from water and sand only occurred against betalactamics (ampicilin and amoxicilin plus clavulanic acid). The frequency and variability of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials in marine recreational waters and sands were related to the degree of fecal contamination in this environment. These results show that water and sands from beaches with a high index of fecal contamination of human origin may be potential sources of contamination by pathogens and contribute to the dissemination of bacterial resistance.

Effect of the particle size of maize, rice, and sorghum in extruded diets for dogs on starch gelatinization, digestibility, and the fecal concentration of fermentation products

The influence of rice, maize, and sorghum raw material particle size in extruded dry dog food on the digestibility of nutrients and energy and the fecal concentration of fermentation products was investigated. Three diets with similar nutrient compositions were formulated, each with 1 starch source. Before incorporation into diets, the cereals were ground into 3 different particle sizes (approximately 300, 450, and 600 mu m); therefore, a total of 9 diets were in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement (3 cereals and 3 particle sizes). Fifty-four beagle dogs (12.0 +/- 0.1 kg BW) were randomly assigned to the diets, with 6 dogs per diet. The digestibility was measured with the chromium oxide method. The data were evaluated with ANOVA considering the carbohydrate source, grinding effect, and interactions. The means were compared with the Tukey test and polynomial contrasts (P < 0.05). With the same grinding procedure, rice was reduced to smaller particles than other cereals. The cereal mean geometric diameter (MGD) was directly related to starch gelatini-zation (SG) during extrusion. For rice diets, the MGD and SG did not change nutrient digestibility (P > 0.05); only GE digestibility was reduced at the largest MGD (P < 0.01). For maize and sorghum diets, the total tract apparent nutrient digestibility was reduced for foods with greater MGD and less SG (P < 0.01). A linear reduction in nutrient digestibility according to cereal particle size was observed for sorghum (r(2) < 0.72; P < 0.01). Higher concentrations of fecal total shortchain fatty acids (SCFA) were observed for sorghum diets (P < 0.05) than for other diets. The rice diets led to the production of feces with less lactate (P < 0.05). The increase in raw material MGD did not influence fecal SCFA for rice diets, but for the dogs fed maize and sorghum foods, an increase in propionate and butyrate concentrations were observed as MGD increased (P < 0.05). In conclusion, for dogs fed different particle sizes of the cereal starches in the extruded diets, the digestibility and fecal characteristics were affected, and this effect was ingredient dependent.

Comparação de marcadores para estimativas de produção fecal e de fluxo de digesta em bovinos

Foram realizados três experimentos procurando avaliar a utilização de dois marcadores internos (FDN e FDA indigestíveis), obtidos por meio da incubação in vitro e in situ, e de um marcador externo (óxido crômico) para estimativa da produção fecal e do fluxo da digesta duodenal em bovinos. Para análise dos dados, adotou-se o delineamento em blocos inteiramente ao acaso, sendo os tratamentos distribuídos em esquema fatorial, constituindo cinco marcadores e três volumosos. Os teores de FDN e FDA indigestíveis mostraram-se variáveis para cada volumosos, independentemente da metodologia utilizada (in vitro ou in situ), indicando que possivelmente a incubação por 144 horas não reproduz a fração indigestível total. As estimativas de produção fecal e de fluxo da digesta duodenal, obtidas por intermédio dos marcadores avaliados, apresentaram comportamento bastante diferenciado de acordo com cada volumoso. Os marcadores internos (FDN e FDA indigestíveis) podem ser utilizados como preditores dos parâmetros avaliados, desde que alguns cuidados sejam tomados na sua determinação.

Effect of ingestion of soy yogurt on intestinal parameters of rats fed on a beef-based animal diet

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efeitos do manejo comportamental de incontinência fecal em adolescente

A incontinência fecal, também conhecida como encoprese, é um transtorno de evacuação que acarreta prejuízos ao desenvolvimento psicossocial e orgânico da criança e do adolescente, e que demanda atenção e cuidado de pais e profissionais de saúde. No amplo contexto de tratamento da encoprese, a psicoterapia constitui importante recurso, sendo a terapia comportamental apontada como uma das modalidades mais promissoras e eficazes para o tratamento dessa dificuldade de eliminação. Este artigo apresenta o estudo dos efeitos do manejo comportamental de quadro de incontinência fecal em um adolescente de 14 anos, atendido em clínica-escola de Psicologia do interior do Estado de São Paulo durante 14 meses. A partir do referencial teórico da análise do comportamento, foi desenvolvido, em contexto psicoterápico, um conjunto de estratégias comportamentais com o cliente, bem como orientações aos pais, visando à gradativa extinção encoprética. No decorrer desse processo, o cliente apresentou significativas aquisições comportamentais de uso regular do banheiro e adequado controle esfincteriano, monitoradas semanalmente, que possibilitaram a plena extinção das ocorrências de sujidade, sendo avaliado o efeito em follow-up realizado três meses após o encerramento dessa intervenção.

Effects of lycopene, synbiotic and their association on early biomarkers of rat colon carcinogenesis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Prevalence and risk factors for urinary and fecal incontinence in brazilian women

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Use of anaerobic cecal microflora, lactose and acetic acid for the protection of broiler chicks against experimental infection with Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Environmental factors influencing the transmission of Haemonchus contortus

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genotoxicity assessment of water soluble fractions of biodiesel and its diesel blends using the Salmonella assay and the in vitro MicroFlow (R) kit (Litron) assay

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cytotoxicity of water-soluble fraction from biodiesel and its diesel blends to human cell lines

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Evolution of Substrate Preparation Behaviors for Cultivation of Symbiotic Fungus in Attine Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)