Refinement and initial validation of a multidimensional composite scale for use in assessing acute postoperative pain in cats

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

Efeito da temperatura e do fotoperíodo sobre o desenvolvimento do aparelho reprodutor de rã-touro (Rana catesbeiana Shaw, 1802)

Foram avaliados os efeitos da temperatura e do fotoperíodo sobre a maturação sexual de rãs-touro pesando 94,22 g ± 12,03, mantidas durante trinta dias em temperaturas de 20, 23, 26, 29, 32 e 35°C, com fotoperíodo de 12/12 horas de luz/horas de escuridão (h L/E). A temperatura afetou os pesos do corpo gorduroso e do fígado, os quais variaram de acordo com modelos quadráticos, estimando-se maiores pesos de corpo gorduroso a 27,27°C e de fígado a 26,81°C. Estimaram-se ovários mais pesados a 28,36°C e ovidutos mais pesados a 28,77°C. Temperatura afetou a maturação sexual das rãs, avaliada por índices numéricos. Num experimento mais longo, rãs com peso médio inicial de 95,31 ± 8,46 g foram submetidas à combinação das temperaturas de 26 e 29°C com os fotoperíodos de 8/16, 12/12 e 16/8 h L/E, até atingirem a maturidade gonadal. Temperatura interagiu com fotoperíodo em seus efeitos sobre o desenvolvimento dos órgãos reprodutivos de rã-touro. Temperatura afetou a relação diâmetro do abdômen/distância entre os olhos, com maiores valores calculados para 26°C. Verificou-se que os maiores diâmetros dos ovócitos são obtidos a uma temperatura de 26°C, com fotoperíodo de 12,6/11,4 h L/E.

Mapas de dor corporal aprimoram os relatos das queixas dolorosas em pacientes com dor orofacial

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Identificar as queixas dolorosas dos pacientes é essencial para determinar diagnósticos e intervenções terapêuticas adequadas em dor orofacial (DOF). Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a frequência das queixas de dor relatadas comparando-as àquelas marcadas pelos pacientes em mapas de dor. MÉTODO: Os dados foram coletados dos prontuários de 532 pacientes da Clínica de Dor Orofacial da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araraquara. Os indivíduos responderam a um questionário informando suas queixas de dor e completaram um mapa corporal indicando as áreas dolorosas. A frequência dos relatos foi comparada à frequência dos locais identificados nos mapas. Foram consideradas nove regiões anatômicas: cabeça, face, pescoço, ombros, braços, tórax, abdômen, costas e pernas. Também foram calculados sensibilidade, especificidade e valores kappa comparando os relatos de dor aos mapas, os últimos considerados padrão-ouro. RESULTADOS: A média etária da amostra foi de 33,5 ± 13,8 anos, 33,9 ± 13,9 anos para as mulheres e 31,7 ± 13,1 anos para os homens. Foi observada maior prevalência de dor entre as mulheres. em ambos os gêneros, as regiões com mais queixas de dor estavam localizadas na parte superior do corpo e uma diferença significativa entre os relatos de dor e os desenhos de dor foi observada para as regiões abaixo do pescoço. Os mapas de dor corporal demonstraram superioridade sobre os relatos de dor na identificação das queixas dolorosas durante a anamnese. CONCLUSÃO: O relato da queixa principal não foi um método eficiente para conhecer todas as queixas dolorosas, pois os mapas corporais evidenciaram a presença de dores adicionais em pacientes com DOF.

Description of a new species of Pareiorhina (Siluriformes: Neoplecostominae) from Rio Sao Francisco basin

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

Post-larval morphology, growth, and development of Uca cumulanta Crane, 1943 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Ocypodidae) under laboratory conditions

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

Population biology of the freshwater anomuran Aegla longirostri (Aeglidae) from South Brazilian streams

This paper describes a population of Aegla longirostri from Ibicui-Mirim River, Itaara, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, evaluating the size at onset of sexual maturity, relative growth, mean size, size-frequency distribution, sex ratio, ovigerous-rate, and recruitment. Samples were collected monthly from September 1996 to August 1997. Sex, carapace length (CL), cheliped length (ChL), abdomen width (AW), and front width (FW) were recorded for each crab. A total of 586 specimens were collected (277 males, 244 females, and 65 unsexed juveniles). The smallest specimen was 1.5 mm CL and the largest male was 23.8 mm CL. The relative growth analysis and the Mature software showed that the size at onset of sexual maturity was 13.7 mm CL in males and 10.7 mm CL in females. Females were smaller than males and were more abundant in adult classes, whereas males were more representative in juvenile classes. The sex ratio did not differ from 1:1 throughout the collecting period. Recruitment was observed throughout the entire sampling period, but it was higher in the winter months (from June to August). However, ovigerous females were present in spring and summer (from January to April). This population seemed to be at equilibrium during the study period. Recently, this area has been changed because of the construction of a reservoir, and a new study is required to evaluate the present condition of this population of A. longirostri.

Postlarval stages and growth patterns of the spider crab Pyromaia tuberculata (Brachyura, Majidae) from laboratory-reared material

The spider crab Pyromaia tuberculata was introduced into southeastern Brazil; ovigerous material was collected and reared in the laboratory. Morphologic changes and growth patterns of post-larval development are reported. Results show that within-stage size variation is lowest in mature stages, especially in the case of females in which there is an apparent size threshold for the last juvenile stages to undergo the puberty molt. A prepuberty molt taking place at the fourth crab stage is indicated by analyzing the allometric growth of the abdomen in females. In contrast, the same procedure using the allometric growth of chelae failed in detecting both the prepuberty and puberty molts in males. Conversely to females, which develop a complex brood chamber at the puberty molt, the enlargement of chelae was not consistent in all postpuberty males. The short instar sequence of this species, in no case exceeding nine stages, is marked by conspicuous morphologic alterations achieved at each molt. Almost all stages can be identified by examining diagnostic features of rostrum, abdomen, sternum, and pleopods.

Ecological distribution and reproductive period of the hermit crab Loxopagurus loxochelis (Anomura, Diogenidae) on the northern coast of São Paulo State, Brazil

The present study aimed to determine the ecological distribution of Loxopagurus loxochelis as a function of selected environmental factors, as well as its reproductive period based on the combined analysis of the presence of ovigerous females and the development of the gonad. The collections were carried out monthly from January to December 2000 in the region of Ubatuba (SP), using a fishing boat equipped with two double rig nets, in isobaths of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 m, at which depths samples of sediment and water were collected. The cephalothoracic shield length and sex of the animals were determined; the abdomen was dissected to verify gonad development stages. A total of 334 individuals was obtained ( 196 males, 48 ovigerous females and 90 non-ovigerous females) with sizes varying from 3.0 to 8.6 mm (5.7 +/- 1.0 mm). A greater abundance of L. loxochelis (95.2%) was observed at depths of 20 and 25 m. These sites mainly revealed a substratum stable with a very fine sand fraction, which facilitates the habit of embedding shown by this hermit. With regard to gonadal analysis, it was possible to classify four gonad development stages for each sex: immature, rudimentary, developing and developed. It was observed that in the winter months about 71% of the females had gonads either developing or developed and 67% were ovigerous. Therefore, the winter period can be considered the peak of reproduction for this species, characterizing a typical seasonal-continuous reproduction.

Morphometric study of the ghost crab Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1887) (brachyura, ocypodidae) from Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil

A morphometric study of the ghost crab Ocypode quadrata from Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on the relationships between carapace width and carapace length, abdomen width, gonopod length and propodus length and height of the major cheliped is presented. An allometric positive growth was found for most of the analyzed relationships; however, important changes in the gonopod and abdomen were observed at the size at which sexual maturity is attained. Morphological (external) sexual maturity for both sexes is achieved at a smaller size than that at which gonad maturity is reached. Concerning heterochely, 53.3% of the analyzed specimens exhibited a longer propodus length in the right cheliped.

Reproductive cycle and recruitment period of Ocypode quadrata (Decapoda, Ocypodidae) at a sandy beach in southeastern Brazil

The reproductive cycle and recruitment period of a ghost crab population from Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil were investigated by means of examining the developmental stages of gonads of breeding crabs and the ingress of young recruits to the studied population. Monthly collections over a one-year period were carried out during nocturnal low-tide periods at Vermelha beach. The morphology of the abdomen and pleopods was used for sex determination. All captured crabs were measured for carapace width and dissected for the determination of the development stage of the gonads. A total of 582 specimens was captured: 271 males, 241 females, and 70 juveniles. Size ranged from 8.5 to 37.5 mm for males, from 9.5 to 39.2 mm for females, and from 5.8 to 12 mm for early juveniles. Median size of males and females did not differ statistically. The frequency of ovigerous females was markedly low. The onset of sexual maturity in females is achieved at around 23 mm of carapace width. Mature females with advanced gonad stages were not recorded from May to September. Recruitment of young was highest during summer, but the presence of early and late juvenile specimens throughout the year indicates that continuous recruitment is taking place in the studied population.

Allometry of the secondary sexual characters of the shore crab Pachygrapsus transversus (Gibbes, 1850) (Brachyura, Grapsidae)

The allometric growth of secondary sexual characters in Pachygrapsus transversus is investigated from the 2(nd) crab stage onward. Clear sexual dimorphism is restricted to abdominal morphology, but ANCOVA analyses showed that chelae become larger in males and the carapace becomes wider in females. Size at the puberty moult in both sexes was estimated using Somerton's computer techniques. Mature II analyses applied to bi-log gonopod length vs, carapace length relationships indicated a puberty moult at 5.0 mm in males.In females, Mature I analyses detected the overlapping growth phase lines in bi-log carapace length vs. abdomen width scatterplots. Fitting the logistic equation provided an estimate of 50% maturity at 5.5 mm. The regression lines separate young and resting individuals from the potentially reproductive females, but they do not separate young from adult crabs. Year-round monthly samples showed that the proportion of small adult-like females is higher during the breeding season. After breeding, females may moult to a young-like morphotype, as observed in controlled laboratory conditions. Moulting to a resting condition splits smaller mature females into different growth phase lines. Therefore, estimates of female size at sexual maturity by means of abdomen allometric growth analyses are inadequate in this species.

A morphometric study of the mud crab, Panopeus austrobesus Williams, 1983 (Decapoda, Brachyura) from a subtropical mangrove in South America

The relative growth of the xanthid crab, Panopeus austrobesus was investigated by means of the allometric method. Crabs were obtained in the mangrove formed by the estuary of the rivers Comprido and Escuro (23degrees29'24S 45degrees10'12W), Ubatuba, São Paulo State, Brazil. All crabs were measured to obtain their carapace width (CW) and length (CL), abdomen width (AW) at the basis of the 5(th) somite, and major cheliped propodus length (PL) and height (PH). Males were also measured for their gonopod length (GL). The size of crabs based on CW ranged from 4.0 to 44.8 mm for males and 3.1 to 34.5 mm for females. The relative growth equation (Y = aX(b)) based on the relationship between GL and CW suggested that males reach their sexual maturity near 14.6 mm CW. Such relationship shows a positive allometry during the juvenile phase and an isometric growth in adult life. In females, the estimated size at 50% maturity is 13.0 mm CW, based on the relationship AW vs. CW. Males reach larger sizes than females, which probably provides them better conditions to protect females during courtship. Concerning cheliped size, approximately 73% of the crabs analysed (N = 209), disregarding sex, have the right PL larger than the left. The PL growth shows that specimens with a left major cheliped (26%) have a higher allometric coefficient, despite being smaller considering their CW. Such a difference may compensate the smaller size of the crab during defense or prey capture.

Morphometry of the crab Hexapanopeus schmitti (Decapoda : Xanthoidea) on the northern coast of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

A morphometric study of the xanthoid crab Hexapanopeus schmitti was carried out, using the allometric method. Samples were taken monthly for two years (1998-1999) in the Ubatuba region, northern coast of São Paulo, Brazil. Sex and size were assessed for each specimen, and all crabs were measured to obtain their carapace width (CW) and length (CL), abdomen width (AW) of females, major cheliped propodus length and height (PL and PH), and gonopod length (GL) of males. A total of 301 crabs were analyzed, 209 males and 92 females. The CWs of the crabs ranged from 2.5 to 9.8 mm for males and from 2.8 to 9.4 mm for females. The relative growth equation (y=ax(b)) based on the relationship between GL and CW suggested that males reach their morphological sexual maturity near 6.1 mm CW. In females, the estimated size at 50 % maturity was 4.8 mm CW, based on the relationship of AW vs. CW. Males reach larger sizes than females, which probably favors their ability to guard the females during courtship. In approximately 83 % of the crabs (n= 371), disregarding sex, the right cheliped was larger.

Relative growth and morphological sexual maturity of Chasmagnathus granulatus (Crustacea, Varunidae) from a mangrove area in southeastern Brazilian coast

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

Relative growth and sexual maturity of the stone crab Menippe nodifrons Stimpson, 1859 (Brachyura, Xanthoidea) in southeastern Brazil

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar o crescimento relativo e a maturidade sexual morfológica de Menippe nodifrons. As coletas foram realizadas na Praia Grande e Tenório, Ubatuba, São Paulo. Os caranguejos foram separados quanto ao sexo e mensurados na região da largura (LC) e comprimento da carapaça, comprimento e altura dos própodos quelares direito e esquerdo, largura do abdome (LA) nas fêmeas e comprimento do gonopódio (CG) nos machos. Obteve-se 399 indivíduos, sendo 195 machos e 204 fêmeas. Os machos atingiram a maturidade sexual com 29,7mm LC e as fêmeas com 31,6mm LC. Para as fêmeas a melhor relação que indicou a muda da puberdade foi LA vs. LC, sendo que o crescimento foi alométrico negativo na fase jovem e alométrico positivo após a muda da puberdade. Para os machos foi CG vs. LC evidenciando crescimento alométrico positivo na fase jovem e isométrico na fase adulta.