Classic depictions of human evolutionary ecology cast Homo as predator and other hominins, including Paranthropus robustus, as prey. Such hypotheses rest on a small number of fossils that exhibit evidence of carnivore predation, including the iconic SK 54 cranium from Swartkrans in South Africa. Here we demonstrate that the SK 54 cranium shares its closest affinities with H. erectus sensu lato rather than P. robustus. Demonstrating that Homo was prey for leopards at Swartkrans weakens the historically significant hypothesis that Homo was better able to avoid predation because of being behaviourally and technologically advanced compared to Paranthropus. Subsequent ideas about hominin palaeobiology derived from this hypothesis warrant reconsideration. SIGNIFICANCE: • The small sample of early Homo from southern Africa is increased by the allocation of the SK 54 cranium to that genus. • Evidence from Swartkrans suggests that Homo was prey for leopards. • Hypotheses concerning the biology, behaviour, and technological capabilities of Homo and P. robustus stemming from Brain's seminal work, The Hunters or the Hunted?, should be reassessed.

Egeria densa is a submerged aquatic weed that can grow into dense monocultures in rivers and dams in South Africa, which negatively affects ecosystem functioning and services. The biological control agent Hydrellia egeriae Rodrigues-Júnior (Diptera: Ephydridae) was first released against Egeria densa Planchon (Hydrocharitaceae) in South Africa in 2018. Biotic resistance in an introduced range can have negative impacts on the ability of a biological control agent to establish and exert top-down pressure. Dipteran and lepidopteran species that are used as biological control agents are often susceptible to higher levels of parasitism in their introduced range than biological control agents from other insect orders. In addition, ecological analogues that are present in South Africa, make H. egeriae particularly vulnerable to biotic resistance. Considering this, post-release surveys were conducted to investigate if native parasitoids will extend their host range to include H. egeriae. Chaenusa seminervata van Achterberg, C. anervata van Achterberg (Braconidae: Alysiinae: Dacnusini) and Ademon lagarosiphonae van Achterberg (Braconidae: Opiinae) were reared from field-collected H. egeriae pupae, within a year of its release. These braconid parasitoids were previously recorded from a native herbivore, Hydrellia lagarosiphon Deeming (Diptera: Ephydridae). Parasitism levels of H. egeriae ranged from 50 to 74% in cold months and 0 to 60% in warmer months, with higher levels of parasitism at a site where H. lagarosiphon naturally occurs. This study also found that cumulative release events of the biological control agent increase the probability of parasitism of field populations, by directly increasing the host pool. However, biological control efficacy can potentially be increased by limiting release efforts to a maximum of two release events per site per season, with particular focus on releasing in warm (i.e. spring/summer) months. Continued post-release surveys are necessary to not only monitor H. egeriae's impact on E. densa, but also to obtain a better understanding of seasonal parasitism levels across E. densa-invaded sites in South Africa.

RESUMEN Introducción y objetivos: La fuga paravalvular (FPV) moderada o grave tras el implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica (TAVI) se ha asociado a peores resultados. La calcificación de la válvula aórtica constituye un importante factor predictivo de FPV. ACURATE neo (Boston Scientific Corporation, Estados Unidos) es una válvula cardiaca transcatéter autoexpandible para el tratamiento de la estenosis aórtica degenerativa. Se evaluó la presencia de FPV tras el implante de ACURATE neo y neo2, así como el papel de la calcificación de la válvula aórtica. Métodos: Se analizaron pacientes intervenidos de TAVI con ACURATE neo y neo2 de un hospital terciario de alto volumen. Todas las tomografías computarizadas cardiacas se analizaron con el software 3Mensio Structural Heart (Pie Medical Imaging, Países Bajos). El volumen de calcio aórtico se cuantificó mediante tomografía computarizada cardiaca con contraste. Se registró prospectivamente la evolución clínica y ecocardiográfica a 30 días. Resultados: Se incluyeron 165 pacientes intervenidos de TAVI con ACURATE (neo = 87; neo2 = 78). La mediana de edad fue de 82 años, el 65% eran mujeres y la mediana de EuroSCORE II fue de 4,7 [rango intercuartílico, 2,4-6,1]. Los pacientes del grupo con neo presentaban una mayor cantidad de calcio total aórtico (320 frente a 200 mm3; p = 0,0305). No se hallaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos en cuanto a los resultados clínicos tanto durante el ingreso como a los 30 días. A los 30 días, la tasa de FPV ≥ leve (61 frente a 34%; p < 0,001) y de FPV ≥ moderada (15,9 frente a 5,4%, p = 0,0365) fue más alta en el grupo con neo. Tras el emparejamiento por puntuación de propensión ajustado por la cantidad total de calcio aórtico, neo2 se relacionó con un menor riesgo de FPV ≥ leve (odds ratio [OR] = 0,35; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%], 0,18-0,69; p = 0,003) y de FPV ≥ moderada (OR = 0,16; IC95%, 0,03-0,74; p = 0,019). Conclusiones: El TAVI con ACURATE neo2, en comparación con neo, se asocia a un menor riesgo de cualquier grado de FPV y a un menor riesgo de FPV ≥ moderada. Tras el ajuste por volumen de calcio aórtico, ACURATE neo2 se asocia a un menor riesgo de FPV.

ABSTRACT Introduction and objectives: Moderate or severe paravalvular leak (PVL) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been associated with worse outcomes. Aortic valve (AV) calcification is a strong predictor of PVL. ACURATE neo (Boston Scientific Corporation, United States) is a self-expanding transcatheter heart valve to treat degenerative aortic stenosis. We evaluated PVL after ACURATE neo and neo2 implantation, and the role of AV calcification. Methods: We analyzed patients referred for TAVI with ACURATE neo and neo2 from a large volume tertiary center. All cardiac computed tomography scans were analyzed using 3Mensio Structural Heart software (Pie Medical Imaging, The Netherlands). The volume of AV calcium was quantified using contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography series. The 30-day clinical and echocardiographic data were prospectively recorded. Results: We included 165 patients referred for TAVI with ACURATE (neo = 87; neo2 = 78). Median age was 82 years-old, 65% were women with a median EuroSCORE II of 4.7 [IQR, 2.4-6.1]. Patients in the neo group showed a larger amount of total AV calcium (320 mm3 vs 200 mm3; P =.0305). We found no significant inter-group differences regarding clinical outcomes both in-hospital or at 30-days. At 30-days, the rate of PVL ≥ mild (61% vs 34%; P <.001) and ≥ moderate (15.9% vs 5.4%; P =.0365) were higher in the neo group. After propensity score matching adjusted by the total amount of AV calcium, neo2 was associated with a lower risk of PVL ≥ mild (OR, 0.35, 95%CI, 0.18-0.69; P =.003), and ≥ moderate (OR, 0.16; 95%CI, 0.03-0.74; P =.019). Conclusions: TAVI with ACURATE neo2 vs neo is associated with a lower risk of any degree of PVL and a reduced risk of PVL ≥ moderate. After adjusting for AV calcium volume, ACURATE neo2 was still associated with a lower risk of PVL.

Chromolaena odorata (L.) RM King and H Rob. (Asteraceae) has been subject to a biological control programme in South Africa for over three decades. A shoot-tip boring moth, Dichrorampha odorata Brown and Zachariades (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), originating from Jamaica, was released as a biological control agent in 2013 but despite the release of substantial numbers of the insect, it has not established a permanent field population. Because climate incompatibility is a major constraint for classical biological control of invasive plants, and based on the differences in climate between Jamaica and South Africa and field observations at release sites, aspects of the thermal physiology of D. odorata were investigated to elucidate reasons for its failure to establish. Developmental time decreased with increasing temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 30 °C, with incomplete development for immature stages at 18 °C and 32 °C. The developmental threshold, t, was calculated as 8.45 °C with 872.4 degree-days required to complete development (K). A maximum of 6.5 generations per year was projected for D. odorata in South Africa, with the heavily infested eastern region of the country being the most eco-climatically suitable for establishment. The lower lethal temperature (LLT50) of larvae and adults was -4.5 and 1.8 °C, respectively. The upper lethal temperature (ULT50) for larvae was 39.6 °C whilst that of adults was 41.0 °C. Larvae thus had better cold tolerance compared to adults whereas adults had better heat tolerance compared to larvae. The critical thermal (CT) limits for adults were 3.4 ± 0.07 to 43.7 ± 0.12 °C. Acclimation at 20 °C for 7 days resulted in increased cold and heat tolerance with a CTmin. and CTmax of 1.9 ± 0.06 and 44.4 ± 0.07 °C respectively, compared to the relative control, acclimated at 25 °C. Acclimation at 30 °C improved neither cold (CTmin: 5.9 ± 0.08 °C) nor heat tolerance (CTmax: 42.9 ± 0.10 °C). These results suggest that thermal requirements fall within field temperatures and are thus not the main constraining factor leading to poor establishment of D. odorata in South Africa.

ABSTRACT This research analysed the acute effects of flexibility training with two different intensities on inflammation. Twenty-eight young military personnel males were randomised into two groups of 14 individuals each: Submaximal Stretching Group (SG) and Maximal Stretching Group (MG). The training routines were applied for each group and involved shoulder horizontal flexion, shoulder horizontal extension, hip flexion and hip extension. Basal blood samples were collected immediately after exercise and 24 h later in order to assess the inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, IL-10). Repeated measures ANOVA (2x3) for intragroup and intergroup comparisons with the adjusted Bonferroni post-hoc test was used. There was significant intergroup interaction (p< 0.05) with post-exercise CRP levels, which were significantly higher in the MG when compared to the SG (p= 0.035; Δ= 94%). There were no significant differences in IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations at any intergroup moment. The intragroup comparison showed a significant rise in IL-6 immediately after and 24 h after maximal stretching, with a significant difference (p< 0.05) 24 h after when compared to baseline (p= 0.008; Δ= 44.16%). These results suggest that maximal stretching promoted a higher acute inflammatory response when compared to submaximal stretching due to the greater intensity of the exercises.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the difference between real age (RA) and dental age (DA) in boys and girls from the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (C.A.B.A.) by analyzing digital panoramic radiographs from the database of the Imaging Department at the Buenos Aires University School of Dentistry, using the Demirjian Method (DM). The sample consisted of 508 panoramic radiographs of 6- to 14-year old Argentines (268 female and 240 male). The Demirjian method was used to estimate dental age from each panoramic radiograph, and the Wilcoxon test was applied to perform a comparative analysis with the real age recorded in the image database. Average RA was 9.36 years (SD 2.11), and average DA according to the Demirjian method was 10.45 years (SD 2.31). For females, RA was 9.25 (SD 2.12), and DA according to the DM was 10.40 years (SD 2.41). For males, RA was 9.46 (SD 2.10), and DA according to the DM was 10.50 years (SD 2.22). An inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC) calculated as a correlation measure between dental age and real age was ICC = 1.09%. The ICC was 1.04% for the males and 1.15% for females. Significant differences were found between DA and RA (p <0.01) in general and according to sex. Real age was found to be lower than dental age in the study population from Buenos Aires City.

RESUMEN El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la diferencia entre la edad real (ER) y la edad dental (ED) en niños y niñas de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires analizando radiografías panorámicas digitales de la base de datos de la Cátedra de Diagnóstico por imágenes FOUBA, utilizando el Método Demirjian (MD). La muestra consistió en 508 radiografías panorámicas (268 del sexo femenino y 240 del sexo masculino) en una población argentina de 6 a 14 años de edad. Se realizó el cálculo de la edad dental en cada una de ellas, conforme el método de Demirjian. Se efectuó un análisis comparativo con la ER proveniente de la base de datos, utilizando la prueba de Wilcoxon. En las 508 panorámicas se estimó la ED. Se pudo establecer que la ER en promedio es 9.36 años con un desviación estándar (DS) de 2,11 y que la edad según el método de Demirjian es 10,45 años con una DS de 2,31. Para el sexo femenino se obtuvo una ER de 9,25 y una DS de 2,12 y según MD es de 10,40 años con una DS de 2,41. Para el sexo masculino se obtuvo una ER de 9,46 y una DS de 2,10 y según MD es de 10,50 años con una DS de 2,22. Se obtuvo un coeficiente de correlación inter-clase (CCI), como medida de correlación entre edad dental y real, de (CCI 1,09%). El CCI para el sexo masculino fue de (CCI 1,04 %) y en el caso del sexo femenino fue de (CCI 1,15%). Se hallaron diferencias significativas entre ED y ER (p<0,01) en general y también para ambos sexos. Se pudo evidenciar que la edad real es menor que la edad dental en la población de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the potential use of the String Test (ST) for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in children and adolescents. This is a case series of patients aged 4-15 years presenting with clinically presumed PTB and submitted to ST in three pediatric TB referral centers in Brazil, between November 2017 and July 2020. The ST was performed in the morning, after 4-12 h of fasting, followed by ingestion of the capsule by the patient, which was attached to the patient’s malar region. The material was collected for simultaneous smear microscopy (acid-fast bacilli - AFB), culture and the molecular investigation by the GeneXpert MTB/RIF®. Thirty-three patients with presumed PTB were included and ST was performed in 26 (78.8%) of them and 7 (21.2%) patients could not swallow the cord. The diagnosis of PTB was established in 11 (42.3%) of the 26 patients who underwent the ST. The diagnosis of PTB was confirmed (by culture or GeneXpert MTB/RIF®) in 5 patients, 4 of whom were also positive by the ST. Two of them showed positivity by the GeneXpert MTB/RIF® only in the ST sample. Two other patients had a positive ST following the induced sputum test (AFB, GeneXpert MTB/RIF®, and positive culture in both specimens). Thus, ST was positive in 36.4% of the patients in whom PTB was diagnosed. ST could be a useful test for diagnosing PTB in children and adolescents.

Abstract Proteases are enzymes that act in the hydrolysis of proteins and have several industrial applications. Moreover, proteases have gained prominence as enzymes for the generation of bioactive peptides from the hydrolysis of different protein sources. Milk is the most studied protein source to obtain peptides due to its nutritional and physiological effects and has been studied as complementary therapeutic approaches for the cancer treatment, interacting specifically with cancer cells, consequently fewer side effects. The ability of Eupenicillium javanicum metalloprotease to generate whey-derived peptides with antioxidant activity has already been demonstrated. For this reason, we thus hypothesized that whey-derived peptides from Eupenicillium javanicum metalloprotease hydrolysis could also have a potential against melanoma cell lines. In this study, B16F10 melanoma cells were treated for 72 h with whey-derived peptides and the effects on cell viability were determined. Moreover, the protein profiles of the treated and nontreated cells were compared in proteomic assay and mass spectrometry analyzes. Whey-derived peptides impaired about 62% cell viability, and proteomic approach associated this behavior to modulate proteins involved in proliferation, energy, apoptosis, metastatic and malignancy rates. This study describes the relevance of microbial enzymes in generation of whey-derived peptides with biological activity against melanoma cells.

Abstract This study focuses on incubation parameters, egg morphometrics, and body mass development, hatching, and behavioral adaptations to heat stress within a colony of freshwater-breeding Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger) located in the private nature reserve of Serviço Social do Comércio (SESC) in the northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Temperatures of nest, eggs, and surface substratum, as well as the development of embryos, were surveyed using thermal imaging, a method allowing digital recording from a distance and in a fraction of the time of traditional measuring techniques. The mean egg dimensions (n = 71) were 4.48 (± 0.13) × 3.27 (± 0.07) cm; the mean mass at hatching was 24.3 (± 1.9) g, with a significant decrease over incubation time. The mean surface temperature of eggs varied from 30.9℃ to 39.7℃, while the sand surface temperature was 20℃ at 06:00 h, rising to 47.7℃ at 11:00 h. There was a significant increase (7%) in egg surface temperature throughout incubation. Incubation-bout durations (n = 2108) were correlated with the microclimatic conditions of the substratum, becoming shorter with increasing sand-surface temperature around midday. Egg hatching lasted one day, and siblings hatched no more than 24 h apart. The mean body mass on Day 1 after hatching was 16.8 (± 1.6) g (n = 6). Three days after hatching, chicks moved to new sand depressions provided by parents near the original nest, where they remained motionless or tried to hide under riparian vegetation. The single chick that fledged had a growth rate of K = 0.117 and a t₁?₀₋₉₀ value of 37.3 days. On Day 7, dorsal pintail feathers and primaries appeared, which were open on Day 15. After 14 days, the chick was able to regulate its body temperature, and no more feeding by parental birds during the daytime was observed. On Day 21, the immature plumage was fully developed. Fledging was completed on Day 27. Our study demonstrates that thermal imaging is a useful method of surveying egg and embryo development in the Black Skimmer, reducing nest disturbance and observation efforts.

Resumen: Introducción: la asociación del nivel de lactato con la mortalidad en pacientes con sospecha de infección y sepsis está bien establecida. La sensibilidad es entre 66 y 83%, con especificidad de 80 y 85%. Sin embargo, el lactato no es sensible ni lo suficientemente específico para detectar o descartar el diagnóstico por sí solo, ya que el lactato sérico es un biomarcador importante de la hipoxia y disfunción tisular, pero no es una medida directa de la perfusión tisular. El lactato y la base estándar medidos al ingreso a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) son de utilidad pronóstica en los pacientes críticamente enfermos, pues sus niveles séricos predicen mortalidad a través de la puntuación en sí misma. Pero la importancia real va más allá de un valor absoluto, pues es mejor medir su aclaramiento a través de un tiempo determinado. Objetivo: demostrar que el aclaramiento de lactato y déficit de base estándar registrados al ingreso y a las 24 h se relacionan con mejor pronóstico y disminución de mortalidad en choque séptico. Material y métodos: se utilizó estadística descriptiva (medidas de tendencia central y dispersión; así como frecuencias y porcentajes). Asimismo, se ocupó estadística inferencial con la prueba t de Student, χ2, curva ROC, área bajo la curva e índice de Youden, con un intervalo de confianza de 95%. Resultados: la asociación estadística con la mortalidad se presentó en el aclaramiento de déficit de base estándar y en aclaramiento de lactato. Conclusión: se demostró que el aclaramiento de lactato y déficit de base estándar registrados al ingreso y a las 24 h se relacionaron con mejor pronóstico y disminución de mortalidad en pacientes con choque séptico.

Abstract: Introduction: the association of lactate level with mortality in patients with suspected infection and sepsis is well established. Sensitivity is between 66 and 83%, with specificity between 80 and 85%. However, lactate is neither sensitive nor specific enough to detect or rule out the diagnosis on its own as serum lactate is an important biomarker of tissue hypoxia and dysfunction but is not a direct measure of tissue perfusion. Lactate and standard base measured on admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are useful for prognosis in critically ill patients since their serum levels predict mortality through the score itself. But the real importance goes beyond an absolute value, since it is better to measure its clearance over a given time. Objective: to demonstrate that lactate clearance and standard base deficit recorded at admission and at 24 hours are related to a better prognosis and decreased mortality in septic shock. Material and methods: descriptive statistics were used (measures of central tendency and dispersion, as well as frequencies and percentages). Likewise, inferential statistics were used with the Student’s t test, χ2, ROC curve, area under the curve and Youden index, with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: the statistical association with mortality was presented in the clearance of standard base deficit and in lactate clearance. Conclusion: it was shown that lactate clearance and standard base deficit recorded at admission and at 24 hours were related to a better prognosis and decreased mortality in patients with septic shock.

Resumo: Introdução: a associação do nível de lactato com mortalidade em pacientes com suspeita de infecção e sepse está bem estabelecida. A sensibilidade está entre 66 e 83%, com especificidade de 80 e 85%. No entanto, o lactato não é sensível nem específico o suficiente para detectar ou descartar o diagnóstico por si só, uma vez que o lactato sérico é um importante biomarcador de hipóxia e disfunção tecidual, mas não é uma medida direta da perfusão tecidual. O lactato e a base padrão medidos na admissão na UTI são de utilidade prognóstica em pacientes críticos, uma vez que seus níveis séricos predizem a mortalidade pelo próprio escore. Mas a real importância vai além de um valor absoluto, pois é melhor medir sua depuração em um determinado tempo. Objetivo: demonstrar que a depuração de lactato e o déficit de base padrão registrados na admissão e em 24 horas estão relacionados a um melhor prognóstico e diminuição da mortalidade no choque séptico. Material e métodos: foi utilizada estatística descritiva (medidas de tendência central e dispersão, bem como frequências e percentagens). Da mesma forma, foi utilizada estatística inferencial com teste t de Student, χ2, curva ROC, área sob a curva e índice de Youden, com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados: a associação estatística com a mortalidade foi apresentada na depuração do déficit de base padrão e na eliminação do lactato. Conclusão: foi demonstrado que a depuração de lactato e o déficit de base padrão registrados na admissão e em 24 horas foram relacionados a um melhor prognóstico e diminuição da mortalidade em pacientes com choque séptico.

Abstract: Objective: To analyze whether screen time is related to lower academic performance in second-cycle students and to determine differences by sex. Subjects and Method: Analytical, retrospective, and cross-sectional research. 733 students from the 5th to 8th year of public schools participating in the study “school health and performance survey in the Biobío province 2018” were recruited. The use of the screen was self-reported through daily hours in front of the TV, video games, and the internet. School performance was measured with the report card of reading, math, physical education, and the grade point average and through behaviors related to cognition in the school context. To determine the relationship between screen time and school performance, the Pearson’s correlation coefficient was determined, and to measure the influence of sex and screen hours on the grades, a two-way ANOVA was performed. Results: The students spend 6.1 ± 5.3 hours in front of a screen daily. Boys spend more time playing video games and girls surfing the internet. Both boys and girls who spend more hours in front of a screen, mainly playing video games and surfing the internet, presented lower grades in mathematics, reading, physical education, grade point average, and had less memory, were slower in solving mathematical problems and had more difficulties in maintaining attention in class or solving complex tasks. Conclusion: Screen use is negatively associated with academic performan ce, as well as behaviors related to cognition in students of both sexes.

Resumen: Objetivo: Analizar si el tiempo de pantalla se relaciona con un menor rendimiento académico en escolares de segundo ciclo y determinar diferencias por sexo. Sujetos y Método: Investigación analí tica, retrospectiva y transversal en 733 escolares de 5to a 8vo año básico de establecimientos educa cionales públicos pertenecientes al estudio “Encuesta de salud y rendimiento escolar de la provincia del Biobío 2018” fueron reclutados. El uso de pantalla fue auto-reportado a través de horas diarias frente a televisión, videojuegos e internet. El rendimiento escolar fue medido con las calificaciones en las asignaturas de lenguaje, matemáticas, educación física, promedio general y a través de conductas asociadas a la cognición en el contexto escolar. Para determinar la relación entre tiempo de pantalla y rendimiento escolar se determinó el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson y para medir la influen cia del sexo y las horas de pantalla en las notas se realizó un ANOVA de dos vías. Resultados: Los escolares pasan 6,1 ± 5,3 h frente a una pantalla diariamente. Los niños pasan más tiempo jugando videojuegos y las niñas más navegando por internet. Tanto niños como niñas que pasan mayor can tidad de horas frente a una pantalla, principalmente jugando videojuegos y navegando por internet presentaron notas más bajas en matemáticas, lenguaje, educación física, promedio general y se per ciben con menos memoria, más lentos para resolver problemas matemáticos, con más dificultades para mantener la atención en clases o para resolver tareas complejas. Conclusión: El uso de pantallas se asocia negativamente con el rendimiento académico, así como en las conductas asociadas a la cog nición en escolares de ambos sexos.

BACKGROUND: The West Malagasy dry forests support numerous endemic species and experience heavy anthropogenic pressures, yet remain very poorly studied. Further research is required to understand species distributions and overall diversity in these threatened forest ecosystems. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to provide a description of the avifaunal community of a particular dry forest, Mariarano forest, north-western Madagascar, as well as other habitats that are heavily integrated with these Forests. The study site possesses a highly endemic bird community and is under severe environmental pressure, but remains poorly explored. METHOD: We compiled all records from a 9-year (2010-2018) bird survey data set (the most extensive compiled from a Madagascan dry forest to date), which yielded data from a combination of point count and mist-netting protocols. This was further supplemented by approximately 4384 h of opportunistic observation effort. RESULTS: In total, 95 species were detected, including 63 regional endemics (66.3% of all species), 2 local endemics and 7 Threatened or Near-Threatened species. CONCLUSION: We highlight the forest mosaic habitats of Mariarano as a potential new Important Bird Area, given the regional importance of its endemic avifauna.

Equid herpesvirus type 1 is primarily a respiratory tract virus associated with poor athletic performance that can also cause late gestation abortion, neonatal foal death and encephalomyelopathy. Horizontal transmission is well described, whereas evidence of vertical transmission of equid herpesvirus type 1 associated with the birth of a healthy foal has not been demonstrated. This study sampled a population of Thoroughbred mares (n = 71), and their healthy neonatal foals and foetal membranes, to test for the presence of both equid herpesvirus types 1 and 4 using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. Foetal membrane swabs and tissue samples were taken immediately post-partum, and venous blood samples and nasal swabs were obtained from both mare and foal 8 h after birth. Neither equid herpesvirus type 1 nor equid herpesvirus type 4 nucleic acid was detected in any sample, and it was concluded that there was no active shedding of equid herpesvirus types 1 and 4 at the time of sampling. Consequently, no evidence of vertical transmission of these viruses could be found on this stud farm during the sampling period.

Abstract Introduction: the Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (NUTRIC) score does not include a variable that objectively estimates protein hypercatabolism (PHC), one of the main metabolic changes experienced by critical patients. Objective: to evaluate the correlation of the NUTRIC score with PHC in critically ventilated patients. Material and methods: prospective, observational study. Mixed ICU. It included ventilated patients ≥ 18 years old, without anuria or chronic renal failure. The modified NUTRIC score, which replaces IL-6 for PCR, was obtained at admission and 24-hour urine was collected at the 2nd (T0) and 4th day (T1) to determine the total urinary nitrogen (TUN). Results: a total of 69 patients were included. Average age: 43 years (± 17.01); 73% were males. Admission pathologies: trauma (39%) and sepsis (20%). APACHE II: 17 (± 6.66). Seventeen patients presented acute renal failure (ARF). NUTRIC score mean: 3.13 (± 1.94); 84% presented low nutritional risk. The Pearson correlation between NUTRIC and TUN in T0 and T1 was: -0.150 (p: 0.218) and -0.053 (p: 0.663). The mean length of staying in ICU and mechanical ventilation was: 13.35 (± 12.37) and 9.84 (± 10.82) days, respectively. Mortality in ICU: 36%. In the non-ARF subgroup with low risk according to NUTRIC score, 27% presented severe PHC at T0 and 52% at T1. The correlation was: 0.070 (p: 0.620) and 0.138 (p: 0.329), respectively. Conclusion: no correlation was found between the estimators of the stress metabolic response of the NUTRIC score and the PHC in critically ill patients ventilated; therefore, it would not be possible to substitute the measurement of the same in the assessment of the nutritional risk

Resumen Introducción: la escala de riesgo nutricional NUTRIC no incluye una variable que estime en forma objetiva el hipercatabolismo proteico (HCP), una de las principales alteraciones metabólicas que experimentan los pacientes críticos. Objetivo: evaluar la correlación de la escala NUTRIC con el HCP en pacientes críticos ventilados. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo, observacional. UCI polivalente. Incluyó pacientes ≥ 18 años, ventilados, sin anuria ni insuficiencia renal crónica. La variante del NUTRIC, que remplaza la IL-6 por PCR se obtuvo al ingreso y se recolectó orina de 24 horas al segundo (T0) y cuarto día (T1) para determinar el nitrógeno urinario total (NUT). Resultados: se incluyeron 69 pacientes. Edad media: 43 años (± 17,01); el 73% eran varones. Patologías de ingreso: trauma (39%) y sepsis (20%). APACHE II: 17 (± 6,66). Presentaron insuficiencia renal aguda (IRA) 17 pacientes. NUTRIC medio: 3,13 (± 1,94). El 84% presentó bajo riesgo nutricional. La correlación de Pearson entre NUTRIC y NUT en T0 y T1 fue de -0,150 (p: 0,218) y -0,053 (p: 0,663). La media de internación y ventilación mecánica fue de 13,35 (± 12,37) y 9,84 (± 10,82) días, respectivamente. Mortalidad en UCI: 36%. En el subgrupo sin IRA con bajo riesgo por NUTRIC el 27% presentó HCP severo en T0 y el 52% en T1. La correlación fue: 0,070 (p: 0,620) y 0,138 (p: 0,329), respectivamente. Conclusión: no se halló correlación entre los estimadores de la respuesta metabólica de estrés de la escala NUTRIC y el HCP en pacientes críticos ventilados; por lo tanto, no se podría sustituir la medición real del mismo en la valoración del riesgo nutricional.

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar a associação entre pressão arterial e letalidade do acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) em uma unidade de terapia intensiva brasileira. Métodos estudo de coorte prospectivo de pacientes com AVC hemorrágico (AVC-H) ou isquêmico (AVC-I) internados em terapia intensiva. O desfecho primário foi a letalidade por todas as causas nos primeiros sete dias. Resultados Avaliados 146 pacientes, idade: 66 ± 13,4 anos, 56% homens, 89% brancos, 69% AVC-I e 80% hipertensos. A mediana do NIH foi de 16. Os pacientes com AVC-I foram 101 e 45 com AVC-H. Para AVC-I, a análise de regressão logística identificou baixa pressão arterial sistólica como um fator prognóstico negativo e o melhor corte foi uma média da pressão arterial sistólica nas primeiras 48 h de admissão ≤ 131 mmHg para a predição da morte. Para o AVC-H, nenhuma correlação foi encontrada. Conclusões houve associação negativa entre a pressão arterial sistólica e a letalidade do AVC-I em fase aguda em pacientes de terapia intensiva.

ABSTRACT Objective ed to investigate the association between blood pressure and acute phase stroke lethality in a Brazilian intensive care unit. Methods This was an observational, prospective cohort study of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke intensive care patients. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality during the first seven days. Results There were 146 patients, aged 66 ± 13.4 years, 56% men, 89% Caucasian, 69% had ischemic stroke, and 80% were hypertensive. The median of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 16. There were 101 ischemic stroke patients and 45 hemorrhagic stroke patients. In the ischemic stroke patients, logistic regression analysis identified low systolic blood pressure as an independent ominous prognostic factor and the optimal cut off was a mean of systolic blood pressure ≤ 131 mmHg during the first 48 hours from admission for prediction of death. No association was found for hemorrhagic stroke. Conclusions There was a negative association between systolic blood pressure and case fatality ratio of acute phase stroke in ischemic stroke intensive care patients.