Abstract Introduction: Multicenter research initiatives in Brazilian dialysis centers are scarce. We described the recruitment and implementation phases of the SARC-HD study, aimed at investigating sarcopenia and its impact on adverse clinical outcomes. Methods: The SARC-HD is a cohort study being conducted with patients on hemodialysis in Brazil. The recruitment phase was defined as the period from the invitation to the center until the start of patient enrollment, whereas the implementation phase lasted from then until the completion of enrollment and baseline data collection. Upon implementation, a structured questionnaire was distributed to collect feedback from principal investigators. Results: 21 centers from three Brazilian regions consented to participate, with two dropping out. Ten principal investigators oversaw the 19 sites. Nine centers (47%) were funded entirely by health insurance companies. A total of 1525 patients were screened for eligibility and 1008 were enrolled, with a 66.1% recruitment rate. Recruitment and baseline data collection took 12 [interquartile range: 5–15] weeks. Qualitative content analysis identified barriers such as a lack of infrastructure and logistics for research. Facilitators included the management and organization of the steering committee. Data collection challenges were mainly reported with the subjective 7-point global assessment and the international physical activity questionnaire. The main challenge for the ongoing maintenance phase will be the lack of standardized information in electronic health records. Conclusions: The recruitment and implementation phases of the multicenter SARC-HD study were feasible. Barriers and facilitators identified by principal investigators may help future multicenter initiatives to integrate research-related tasks into clinical routine, facilitating successful experiences. Introduction scarce SARCHD SARC HD outcomes Methods Brazil Results 2 participate out 1 sites 47% 47 (47% companies 152 100 enrolled 661 66 66.1 rate interquartile range 5–15 515 5 15 weeks committee 7point point 7 records Conclusions feasible researchrelated related routine experiences 4 (47 10 6 66. 5–1 51 (4 5– (

Resumo Introdução: Pesquisa multicêntrica em centros de diálise brasileiros são escassas. Descrevemos as fases de recrutamento e implementação do estudo SARC-HD, visando investigar a sarcopenia e seu impacto em desfechos clínicos adversos. Métodos: O SARC-HD é um estudo de coorte realizado com pacientes em hemodiálise no Brasil. A fase de recrutamento foi considerada o período entre convite ao centro e início da inclusão de pacientes, enquanto a fase de implementação durou a partir de então até a conclusão do recrutamento e coleta de dados basais. Após a implementação, um questionário estruturado foi distribuído para coletar feedback dos principais pesquisadores. Resultados: 21 centros de três regiões brasileiras consentiram em participar, com duas desistências. Dez pesquisadores principais supervisionaram 19 locais. Nove centros (47%) eram totalmente financiados por planos de saúde. 1525 pacientes foram avaliados para elegibilidade e 1008 foram incluídos, com taxa de recrutamento de 66,1%. Recrutamento e coleta de dados basais levaram 12 semanas [intervalo interquartil: 5–15]. A análise qualitativa de conteúdo identificou barreiras como falta de infraestrutura e logística para pesquisa. Os facilitadores incluíram gestão e organização do comitê gestor. Os desafios da coleta de dados foram relatados principalmente quanto à avaliação global subjetiva de 7 pontos e o questionário internacional de atividade física. O principal desafio para a fase de manutenção será a falta de informações padronizadas nos prontuários eletrônicos. Conclusões: As fases de recrutamento e implementação do estudo multicêntrico SARC-HD foram viáveis. Barreiras e facilitadores identificados pelos pesquisadores principais podem auxiliar futuras iniciativas multicêntricas a integrar tarefas relacionadas à pesquisa na rotina clínica, facilitando experiências bem-sucedidas. Introdução escassas SARCHD, SARCHD SARC HD, HD adversos Métodos Brasil Resultados 2 participar desistências 1 locais 47% 47 (47% saúde 152 100 incluídos 661 66 66,1% intervalo interquartil 5–15. 515 5–15 . 5 15 5–15] gestor física eletrônicos Conclusões viáveis clínica bemsucedidas. bemsucedidas bem sucedidas. sucedidas bem-sucedidas 4 (47 10 6 66,1 51 5–1 (4 66, 5– (

RESUMO Devido à alta importância do milho como cultura de subsistência e do melhor uso dos recursos hídricos em região semiárida, este estudo teve como objetivo determinar o potencial agronômico, a heterose e a heterobeltiose em diferentes categorias genéticas de híbridos de milho na região semiárida, sob condições de cultivo em sequeiro e irrigação com águas residuais. Foram avaliados 10 genótipos de milho, e suas 45 combinações híbridas, além de cinco genótipos como testemunhas, em regime de sequeiro e sob irrigação com água residuária. Estimou-se a altura da planta, altura da espiga e a produtividade de grãos. Observou-se heterose e heterobeltiose positivas em ambos os ambientes para os híbridos H1, H13, H16, H32, H35, H5, H8 e H9. Os genótipos P2, P3 e P9 mostraram-se como potenciais genitores para criação de novas variedades híbridas de milho no semiárido sergipano. Observou-se maiores desempenhos em regime irrigado com água de reuso, apresentando-se como uma excelente estratégia para a produção de milho em região semiárida. Os híbridos formados pela combinação de variedade × híbrido intervarietal [F1(P1 × P2), F1(P1 × P5)], variedade × híbrido simples [F1(P2 × P6), F1(P2 × P9), F1(P5 × P7) e F1(P5 × P10)], híbrido intervarietal × híbrido simples [F1(P1 × P6) e F1(P1 × P9)] e híbrido duplo [F1(P1 × P10)] sinalizam novas opções de cultivo em região semiárida.

ABSTRACT Considering the high importance of maize as a subsistence crop and the need for optimal use of water resources in semi-arid regions, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic potential, heterosis, and heterobeltiosis within different genetic categories of maize hybrids grown in a semi-arid region in Sergipe, Brazil, under rainfed and wastewater irrigation systems. Ten maize genotypes, their 45 hybrid combinations, and five commercial genotypes as controls were evaluated based on plant height, ear height, and grain yield. Positive heterosis and heterobeltiosis were found under both growing environments for hybrids H1, H13, H16, H32, H35, H5, H8, and H9. Genotypes P2, P3, and P9 were identified as potential parents for the development of new hybrid maize varieties for growing in the semi-arid region of Sergipe. Better agronomic performance was found for the wastewater irrigation system, indicating an excellent strategy for maize production under semi-arid conditions. The hybrids formed by the combination of variety × intervarietal hybrid [F1 (P1 × P2), F1 (P1 × P5)], variety × single hybrid [F1 (P2 × P6), F1 (P2 × P9), F1 (P5 × P7), and F1 (P5 × P10)], intervarietal hybrid × single hybrid [F1 (P1 × P6) and F1 (P1 × P9)], and double hybrid [F1 (P1 × P10)] indicate promising hybrid candidates for maize crops in semi-arid regions.

Silver nanowires thin films have gained attention due to their excellent optical and electrical properties, being a potential material to be applied in optoelectronic devices as transparent conductive films, deposited on a substrate in a such way that forms a percolated network. We report the synthesis of silver nanowires with average length of 9.5 ± 0.4 µm and diameter of 75 ± 3 nm by a modified polyol method and fabrication of transparent and conductive thin films using a simple and low-cost technique as drop-casting. Additionally, we examined the influence of the drop-casting method in function of number of deposition cycles on the optical and electrical properties of the films through optical absorption and electrical resistance measurements using the two-point methodology. Increasing the number of silver nanowire deposition layers, the optical transmittance decreased from 97 (for one layer) to 60% (for five layers), and electrical resistance decreased from 940 ± 0.35 Ω for the 2-layer film to 32 ± 0.02 Ω, for the 5-layer film. Due to the electrical conductivity range of the produced silver nanowires films, we suggested their application in low-voltage circuits. network 95 9 5 9. 04 0 4 0. 7 lowcost low cost dropcasting. dropcasting drop casting. casting Additionally twopoint two point methodology layers layer 60 , layers) 94 035 35 0.3 2layer 2 002 02 0.0 5layer lowvoltage voltage circuits 6 03 00

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, and its presentation differs according to age and sex. Recent studies have revealed differences in AF among various demographic groups, including the Latin American population. Objectives To better understand potential disparities in AF prevalence and treatment strategies in the Brazilian population through data from a large multicentric prospective registry. Methods The Rede D’Or AF registry is a multicenter prospective observational study including patients aged ≥ 18 years with AF who were seen in the emergency department of 32 tertiary hospitals in Brazil. Patients were characterized according to sex and other baseline characteristics and were classified according to previous anticoagulant use. The lack of anticoagulant use in patients with previous indications was analyzed. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Results The study data were from a total of 1955 patients enrolled. Male sex was more prevalent, and men were younger than the women. Due to an increased prevalence of previous AF episode and a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score, more women had indications for anticoagulant therapy; however, a significant proportion was not receiving this treatment. From 29 in-hospital deaths, 15 patients had previous indication for anticoagulation, but only 3 were using anticoagulants. Conclusion This study revealed sex-related differences in the Brazilian population of patients with AF that are consistent with trends in high-income countries. The promotion of better implementation of anticoagulant and antithrombotic therapies to reduce the risk of death and thromboembolic events among women with AF in Brazil is crucial. (AF arrhythmia groups DOr D Or 1 analyzed 5 5% 195 enrolled CHA2DS2VASc CHADSVASc CHA2DS2 VASc CHA DS score therapy however 2 inhospital hospital deaths anticoagulation anticoagulants sexrelated related highincome high income countries crucial 19 CHADS CHA2DS

Resumo Fundamento A fibrilação atrial (FA) é a arritmia cardíaca mais prevalente e sua apresentação difere de acordo com a idade e o sexo. Estudos recentes revelaram diferenças na FA entre vários grupos demográficos, incluindo a população latino-americana. Objetivos Melhor compreender as possíveis disparidades na prevalência da FA e nas estratégias de tratamento na população brasileira por meio de dados de um registro prospectivo multicêntrico de grande escala. Métodos O registro de FA da Rede D’Or é um estudo observacional prospectivo multicêntrico que incluiu pacientes com idade ≥ 18 anos com FA atendidos no pronto-socorro de 32 hospitais terciários no Brasil. Os pacientes foram caracterizados de acordo com o sexo e outras características basais e classificados de acordo com o uso prévio de anticoagulantes. Foi analisada a falta de uso de anticoagulantes em pacientes com indicações prévias. A significância estatística foi estabelecida em 5%. Resultados Os dados do estudo foram provenientes de um total de 1.955 pacientes inscritos. O sexo masculino foi mais prevalente e os homens eram mais jovens que as mulheres. Devido ao aumento da prevalência de episódios anteriores de FA e a um escore CHA2DS2-VASc mais elevado, mais mulheres tiveram indicação de terapia anticoagulante; no entanto, uma proporção significativa não estava recebendo esse tratamento. Dos 29 óbitos intra-hospitalares, 15 pacientes tinham indicação prévia para anticoagulação, mas apenas 3 estavam em uso de anticoagulantes. Conclusão O presente estudo revelou diferenças relacionadas ao sexo na população brasileira de pacientes com FA que são consistentes com tendências em países de alta renda. A promoção de uma melhor implementação de terapias anticoagulantes e antitrombóticas para reduzir o risco de óbito e eventos tromboembólicos entre mulheres com FA no Brasil é crucial. (FA demográficos latinoamericana. latinoamericana latino americana. americana latino-americana escala DOr D Or 1 prontosocorro pronto socorro prévias 5 5% 1955 955 1.95 inscritos CHA2DS2VASc CHADSVASc CHA2DS2 VASc CHA DS elevado anticoagulante entanto 2 intrahospitalares, intrahospitalares intra hospitalares, hospitalares intra-hospitalares anticoagulação renda crucial 195 95 1.9 CHADS CHA2DS 19 9 1.

Resumen El abuso y mal uso de los antimicrobianos aceleró la propagación de bacterias resistentes. La asociación entre las infecciones que presentan resistencia a antimicrobianos (RAM) en humanos y el uso de antimicrobianos en la producción agropecuaria es compleja, pero está bien documentada. Proporcionamos una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis sobre la diseminación de la resistencia a antimicrobianos designados como críticamente importantes por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) en cerdos, aves y bovinos de producción intensiva y extensiva en Argentina. Se buscó información en bases de datos electrónicas (Medline-PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, Sistema Nacional de Repositorios Digitales de Argentina) y en la literatura gris. Se incluyeron estudios epidemiológicos sobre la RAM en las principales bacterias transmitidas por los alimentos - Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli y Enterococcus spp. - y bacterias causantes de mastitis aisladas de cerdos, pollos y bovinos. Los resultados de este estudio apoyan la hipótesis de que la RAM de las bacterias transmitidas por los alimentos alcanza niveles alarmantes. Los metaanálisis seguidos de análisis por subgrupos mostraron asociación entre la RAM y (a) el animal (p<0,01) para estreptomicina, ampicilina y tetraciclina o (b) el sistema productivo (p<0,05) para estreptomicina, cefotaxima, ampicilina, ácido nalidíxico y tetraciclina. La mayor prevalencia conjunta de multirresistencia se detectó en cerdos (0,47 [0,29; 0,66]) y producción intensiva (0,62 [0,34; 0,83]), mientras que la menor correspondió a bovinos de leche (0,056 [0,003; 0,524]) y producción extensiva (0,107 [0,043; 0,240]). Se observó un vacío de información respecto de los bovinos de feedlot. Es urgente adoptar medidas políticas para coordinar y armonizar la vigilancia de la RAM y regular el uso de antimicrobianos en animales.

Abstract Abuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents has accelerated the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The association between antimicrobial-resistant infections in humans and antimicrobial use in agriculture is complex, but well-documented. This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to antimicrobials defined as critically important by the WHO, in swine, chicken, and cattle from intensive and extensive production systems in Argentina. We conducted searches in electronic databases (MEDLINE-PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, the National System of Digital Repositories from Argentina) as well as in the gray literature. Inclusion criteria were epidemiological studies on AMR in the main food-transmitted bacteria, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp., and mastitis-causing bacteria, isolated from swine, chicken, dairy and beef cattle from Argentina. This study gives evidence for supporting the hypothesis that AMR of common food-transmitted bacteria in Argentina is reaching alarming levels. Meta-analyses followed by subgroup analyses confirmed the association between the prevalence of AMR and (a) animal species (p<0.01) for streptomycin, ampicillin and tetracycline or (b) the animal production system (p<0.05) for streptomycin, cefotaxime, nalidixic acid, ampicillin and tetracycline. Moreover, swine (0.47 [0.29; 0.66]) and intensive production (0.62 [0.34; 0.83]) showed the highest pooled prevalence of multidrug resistance while dairy (0.056 [0.003; 0.524]) and extensive production (0.107 [0.043; 0.240]) showed the lowest. A research gap regarding beef-cattle from feedlot was identified. Finally, there is an urgent need for political measures meant to coordinate and harmonize AMR surveillance and regulate antimicrobial use in animal production.

Abstract The objectives of this work were to investigate the occurrence of parasites in feces of cats, compare different coproparasitological techniques for their diagnosis and determine associations with parasitism. The samples were processed using three different coproparasitological techniques: centrifugal flotation in sucrose, centrifugal flotation in ZnSO4 and simple sedimentation. The parasitic association between parasitism and variables such as age, sex and fecal consistency was performed using the chi-square test or the G test with a significance level of 5%. A total of 237 samples were analyzed, of which 93 (39.2%) were positive, being Ancylostoma spp. (17.3%), Giardia intestinalis (12.2%), Platynosomum illiciens (8.0%), Cystoisospora spp. (6.3%), Toxoplasma gondii/ Hammondia hammondi (3.4%), Diphyllobothriidae (2.1%), Toxocara spp. (1.7%), Dipylidium caninum (1.3%) and Mesocestoides spp. (0.8%). In the parasitism association analysis, it was possible to verify a statistical difference in the age category for Cystoisospora spp. (p=0.001) observing a strong relationship between parasitism and young animals, the association with sex proved to be important for P. illiciens (p<0.001) with a higher frequency of parasitized females and fecal consistency revealed to be related to the parasites G. intestinalis (p=0.007) and P. illiciens (p=0.033) showing a higher number of positive animals for these parasites with normal fecal consistency. In conclusion, we observed a higher occurrence of Ancylostoma spp. and G. intestinalis in fecal samples from domestic cats received in routine diagnoses and the presence of other parasites with zoonotic potential, as well as the relationship of these diagnosed parasites with the categories sex, age and fecal consistency.

Resumo Os objetivos deste trabalho foram investigar a ocorrência de parasitos em fezes de gatos, comparar diferentes técnicas coproparasitológicas para o seu diagnóstico e determinar as associações com o parasitismo. As amostras foram processadas usando três diferentes técnicas coproparasitológicas: centrífugo-flutuação em sacarose, centrífugo-flutuação em ZnSO4 e sedimentação simples. A associação parasitária entre o parasitismo e variáveis, como idade, sexo e consistência fecal, foi realizada pelo teste de qui-quadrado ou teste de G com nível de significância de 5%. No total, foram analisadas 237 amostras, das quais 93 (39,2%) foram positivas, sendo diagnosticados os parasitos Ancylostoma spp. (17,3%), Giardia intestinalis (12,2%), Platynosomum illiciens (8,0%), Cystoisospora spp. (6,3%), Toxoplasma gondii/ Hammondia hammondi (3,4%), Diphyllobothriidae (2,1%), Toxocara spp. (1,7%), Dipylidium caninum (1,3%) e Mesocestoides spp. (0,8%). Na análise de associação entre o parasitismo e as outras variáveis, foi possível verificar diferença estatística na categoria idade para Cystoisospora spp. (p=0,001), observando forte relação entre o parasitismo e animais jovens. A associação com o sexo demonstrou ser importante para P. illiciens (p<0,001), com maior frequência de fêmeas parasitadas. E a consistência fecal revelou ter relação com os parasitos G. intestinalis (p=0,007) e P. illiciens (p=0,033), com maior frequência de fezes com consistência normal nos animais positivos para esses parasitos. Em conclusão, foi observada uma maior ocorrência de Ancylostoma spp. e G. intestinalis em amostras fecais de gatos domésticos, recebidas em diagnósticos de rotina e a presença de outros parasitos com potencial zoonótico, como também, a relação desses parasitos diagnosticados com as categorias sexo, idade e consistência fecal.

ABSTRACT Osteoporosis, a disease classically attributed to postmenopausal women, is underappreciated, underdiagnosed, and undertreated in men. However, it is not uncommon for osteoporotic fractures to occur in men. About 40% of fractures occur in men with an incidence that has increased over the years. After a first fracture, the risk of a subsequent episode, as well as the risk of death, is higher in the male than in the female population. Despite these facts, only 10% of men with osteoporosis receive adequate treatment. Up to half of the cases of male osteoporosis have a secondary cause, the most common being hypogonadism, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic use of glucocorticoids. The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) recommends using the female database for the diagnosis of osteoporosis by DXA (T-score ≤ −2.5 in men over 50 years old). In addition, osteoporosis can also be diagnosed independently of the BMD if a fragility fracture is present, or if there is a high risk of fractures by FRAX. Treatment is similar to postmenopausal osteoporosis, because the data regarding changes in bone density track closely to those in women. Data concerning fracture risk reduction are not as certain because the clinical trials have included fewer subjects for shorter period of time. In men with symptomatic hypogonadism, testosterone replacement, if indicated, can improve BMD.

ABSTRACT High acidity and low soil P availability in the soils from the Pampa natural grasslands generally limit the forage growth and economic return. Thus, to increase the economic return and avoid environmental degradation and biodiversity loss due to replacement by intensive cropping systems, it is essential to improve the soil P availability. This study aimed to diagnose the nutritional status of the pluri-specific natural grasslands amended with different history of P sources. Additionally, we also try to indicate the most appropriate range of soil P availability for maximizing forage growth. The experiment started in 1997 in an area of Pampa natural grasslands in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The treatments evaluated the application of Gafsa hyperphosphate (HP) and triple superphosphate (SP) for four years (1997, 1998, 2002, and 2010). Soil and aboveground biomass sampling were performed five times from October 2010 to March 2011 to access aboveground biomass production, botanical composition, soil available P, and N and P nutrition index. Greater P availability in the soil amended with SP produced more forage and resulted in a higher P accumulation than in the soil amended with HP. The ideal range of soil P availability in the soils of natural grasslands ranged from 14 to 20 mg kg˗1, varying for different plant species. The species Paspalum plicatulum and Aristida laevis produce less aboveground biomass and accumulate less P in their tissue than Dichantelium sabulorum and Eustachys uliginosa, and P. notatum. Therefore, areas of natural grasslands dominated by D. sabulorum, E. uliginosa and P. notatum demand higher soil P availability to maintain high forage production. Soil P fertilization of pluri-specific natural grasslands in the Brazilian Pampa biome must consider the dominant forage species in the area and the soil P availability.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in males. 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT, a non-invasive diagnostic tool to evaluate PC with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression, has emerged as a more accurate alternative to assess disease staging. We aimed to identify predictors of positive 68Ga-PSMA PET and the accuracy of this technique. Materials and methods: Diagnostic accuracy cross-sectional study with prospective and retrospective approaches. We performed a comprehensive literature search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase database in search of studies including PC patients submitted to radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy with curative intent and presented biochemical recurrence following ASTRO 1996 criteria. A total of 35 studies involving 3910 patients submitted to 68-Ga-PSMA PET were included and independently assessed by two authors: 8 studies on diagnosis, four on staging, and 23 studies on restaging purposes. The significance level was α=0.05. Results: pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.90 (0.86-0.93) and 0.90 (0.82-0.96), respectively, for diagnostic purposes; as for staging, pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.93 (0.86-0.98) and 0.96 (0.92-0.99), respectively. In the restaging scenario, pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.76 (0.74-0.78) and 0.45 (0.27-0.58), respectively, considering the identification of prostate cancer in each described situation. We also obtained specificity and sensitivity results for PSA subdivisions. Conclusion: 68Ga-PSMA PET provides higher sensitivity and specificity than traditional imaging for prostate cancer.

Resumo Platynosomum illiciens é um trematódeo do fígado, encontrado principalmente em felinos, embora também tenha sido relatado em aves e outras espécies de mamíferos, incluindo primatas não humanos. Este estudo relata um caso de parasitismo natural por P. illiciens em um primata do gênero Callithrix. O diagnóstico foi feito com uma combinação de técnicas coproparasitológicas, avaliação morfológica de espécimes adultos recuperados do fígado durante a necropsia e análise molecular. Os ovos eram de cor marrom, ovais, operculados e continham um miracídio. Espécimes adultos recuperados durante a necropsia foram medidos e mostraram dimensões compatíveis com P. illiciens. A caracterização molecular do trematódeo envolveu a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e o sequenciamento de um fragmento de, aproximadamente, 900 pares de bases correspondentes ao DNA robosomal 18S-ITS1-5.8S, que apresentou 100% de identidade da sequência de nucleotídeos com as sequências do GenBank depositadas como derivadas de P. illiciens recuperados de gatos na Malásia e no Brasil, respectivamente. Concluiu-se pelas análises morfológicas e moleculares aqui apresentadas, que o trematódeo é da espécie P. illiciens.

Abstract Platynosomum illiciens is a liver trematode encountered infecting mainly felids although it has also been reported in birds and in additional mammalian species, including non-human primates. The current study reports a natural P. illiciens infection primate of the genus Callithrix. The diagnosis was made using a combination of copro-parasitological techniques, morphological evaluation of adult specimens recovered from the liver during necropsy, and molecular analyses. Eggs were brown in color, oval, operculated, and contained a miracidium. Adult specimens recovered during necropsy were measured and showed dimensions compatible with P. illiciens. Molecular characterization of the trematode involved amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in combination with nucleotide sequencing, of an approximately 900 base pairs fragment corresponding to 18S-ITS1-5.8S ribosomal DNA. Sequenced amplicons showed 100% nucleotide identity with sequences deposited in the GenBank database as derived from specimens of P. illiciens recovered from cats in Malaysia and Brazil. It was concluded that the morphological and molecular analyses presented herein, confirmed the identification of the trematode recovered as P. illiciens.

Abstract The objective of this study was to describe the morphology and morphometry of saggitta otoliths of Polydactylus virginicus, Menticirrhus cuiaranensis and Conodon nobilis in a tropical environment. Fishes were caught with rod and reel in competitive fishing events promoted in 2014-2015 along the coast of Sergipe. A total of 174 pairs of sagitta otoliths of P. virginicus, 181 of M. cuiaranensis and 77 of C. nobilis was extracted. In general, the sagitta otoliths of all three species analyzed here presented different morphology and shape indices. The permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) demonstrated significant differences among species and ontogenetic phases within each species using morphometry and shape indices. The linear discriminant analysis (LDA) presented a 98.3% correct reclassification of the otoliths by species.

RESUMO O conhecimento acerca da dieta de uma determinada espécie é essencial para fornecer informações sobre o crescimento e manutenção das populações em ambiente natural. Macrobrachium brasiliense (Heller, 1862) é uma espécie de camarão de água doce com ampla distribuição no Brasil, ocorrendo frequentemente em ambientes aquáticos inseridos no bioma Cerrado. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a dieta natural de uma população de M. brasiliense, comparando os itens alimentares consumidos em função do sexo, sazonalidade e tamanho corporal dos indivíduos. Foram realizadas coletas mensais entre setembro de 2018 a agosto de 2019. Os indivíduos coletados tiveram seu sexo identificado e o comprimento do cefalotórax mensurado. O conteúdo estomacal foi avaliado a partir do grau de repleção, método de pontos e de frequência de ocorrência. Verificou-se elevada frequência de detrito vegetal no conteúdo estomacal e uma frequência menor de insetos aquáticos, porém significativa. Não houve diferenças significativas quanto à dieta de machos e fêmeas e entre as estações seca e chuvosa. Foi observado um aumento do consumo total de insetos com aumento de tamanho de machos e fêmeas de M. brasiliense. Uma preferência de dieta por Trichoptera foi registrada em ambos os períodos de amostragem para machos e fêmeas.Os resultados obtidos confirmam uma dieta onívora para a espécie e sugerem que a composição e a proporção de itens podem variar em função do tamanho dos indivíduos e da disponibilidade dos itens no ambiente.

ABSTRACT Knowledge about the diet of a given species is essential to provide information on the growth and maintenance of populations in a natural environment. Macrobrachium brasiliense (Heller, 1862) is a species of freshwater prawn widely distributed in Brazil, being frequent in aquatic environments inserted in the Cerrado biome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural diet of a population of M. brasiliense, comparing the consumed food items according to sex, seasonality and body size of individuals. Monthly collections were carried out between September 2018 and August 2019. The individuals collected had their sex identified and the length of the cephalothorax measured. Stomach content was assessed based on the degree of repletion, the method of points and the frequency of occurrence. There was a high frequency of plant material in the stomach contents and a smaller but significant frequency of aquatic insects. There were no significant differences regarding the diet of males and females and between the dry and rainy seasons. It was observed an increase in total insect consumption with the increase in size of males and females of M. brasiliense. A diet preference for Trichoptera was recorded in both sampling periods for males and females. The results obtained confirm an omnivorous diet for the species and suggest that the composition and proportion of items may vary depending on the size of the individuals and the availability of the items in the environment.