Abstract Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a fatal complication of thyrotoxicosis, characterized by sudden hypokalemia, muscle paralysis and thyrotoxicosis. TPP, although it is becoming more frequent in our country, is still not diagnosed in a timely manner due to the lack of familiarity and the subtlety of the referred symptomatology. Early recognition by the first contact physician can prevent the mortality of said disease. A typical case of thyrotoxic paralysis is presented in a private Mexican university hospital and a review of the most current literature is made. We conducted a review of the literature in PubMed and EMBASE. Clinical, biochemical, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic characteristics were analyzed. TPP is a clinical entity that occurs rarely in the Mexican population, however it is important to be familiar with the diagnosis since the treatment is different from other periodic hypokalemic paralysis..

Resumen La parálisis periódica tirotóxica (PTT) es una complicación mortal de la tirotoxicosis caracterizada por hipopotasemia súbita, parálisis muscular y tirotoxicosis. La PTT, aunque cada vez es más frecuente en nuestro medio, todavía no diagnostica de forma oportuna debido a la falta de familiaridad y la sutileza de la sintomatología referida. El reconocimiento temprano por parte del médico de primer contacto puede prevenir la mortalidad de dicha enfermedad. Se presenta un caso típico de parálisis tirotóxica en un hospital universitario privado mexicano y se realiza una revisión de la literatura más actual.: Realizamos una revisión de la literatura en PubMed y EMBASE. Se analizaron características clínicas, bioquímicas y diagnósticas, la terapéutica y el pronóstico. La PPT es una entidad clínica que se presenta de forma rara en la población mexicana, sin embargo es importante encontrarse familiarizado con el diagnóstico ya que el tratamiento es diferente al de otras parálisis periódicas hipopotasémicas.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have important antimicrobial activity. These nanoparticles are present in several commercial products, leading to human and environmental exposure. This review presents a critical view of the toxic effects of Ag NPs on in vitro and in vivo biological models. It is noteworthy that the toxicity of AgNPs is dependent on several parameters, such as the preparation mode of the colloidal suspension of the nanoparticles, their state of aggregation, the chemical nature of the nanoparticles, surface size, morphology, dose, cell type, nature of the living organism, among others. In general, low concentrations of AgNPs do not present significant toxicity in in vitro and in vivo assays, however with the increase of the concentration of AgNPs there is a significant increase of nanoparticle toxicity and its accumulation in diverse tissues/organs. It should be emphasized that in living organisms, exposure routes should be taken into account, such as ingestion and inhalation. At high concentrations, inhalation or ingestion of AgNPs can cause adverse effects and even lead to human death. In this context, the importance of further studies of the toxicity of AgNPs in several in vitro and in vivo models is emphasized.

Polycarpol, a recurrent lanostane-type triterpene in Annonaceae family, was confirmed by thin layer chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis in the aerial parts (twigs and trunk barks) of Unonopsis duckei R.E. Fr., U. floribunda Diels, U. rufescens(Baill.) R.E. Fr., U. stipitata Diels, Onychopetalum amazonicum R.E. Fr. and Bocageopsis pleiospermaMaas. Its chemotaxonomic significance was discussed for these three genera, as well for the Annonaceae family. In addition, the antimicrobial activity against several strains of microorganisms was evaluated for the first time for this compound, being observed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 1228) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 10538 and ATCC 10799) with minimal inhibitory concentration values between 25 and 50 μg ml−1.

No Nordeste do Brasil, a redução da cobertura florestal original a pequenos fragmentos isolados tem trazido consequências negativas para a avifauna local, em particular, uma perda de espécies mais especializadas e o aumento populacional de algumas espécies generalistas. O presente estudo foca na composição e nos grupos tróficos de uma comunidade de aves de uma propriedade rural em Alagoas, nordeste do Brasil. Amostragens mensais foram realizadas entre novembro de 2008 e outubro de 2009, através de capturas com redes-de-neblina e observações de campo. De forma geral, foram identificadas 112 espécies, das quais 76 estiveram associadas aos dois fragmentos florestais estudados, com as demais ocorrendo apenas na matriz de pasto e pomares. A avifauna da área de estudo demonstrou um predomínio de espécies insetívoras seguidas por onívoras. No entanto, insetívoros especialistas como os forrageadores de troncos e de subosque, corresponderam a apenas ∼15% dos insetívoros como um todo. A baixa diversidade de algumas guildas e espécies com dietas mais específicas e a total ausência de outras espécies sensíveis, tais como grandes rapineiros e papagaios, é reflexo da fragmentação acentuada e degradação das florestas locais, o que reduziu a disponibilidade de recursos alimentares e eliminou seus sítios reprodutivos.

In northeastern Brazil, the reduction of the natural forest cover to a series of small, isolated fragments has had negative consequences for the local avian fauna, in particular, a loss of the more specialized species, while the populations of some generalists have tended to increase. The present study focuses on the composition and trophic groups of a bird community on a farm in the northeastern Brazilian state of Alagoas. Monthly surveys were conducted between November 2008 and October 2009, based on mist-netting and systematic observations. Overall, 112 species were recorded, of which 76 were associated with the two forest fragments surveyed, while all the others were observed exclusively in the surrounding matrix of pasture and orchards. The bird community presented a predominance of insectivorous species, followed by omnivores. However, specialized trunk-creeping and understory insectivores accounted for only around 15% of the species in this feeding category. The reduced diversity of other guilds and species with more specialized diets, and the complete absence of sensitive species such as large parrots and raptors, reflects the severe fragmentation and degradation of the local forests, which has greatly reduced the availability of dietary resources and breeding sites.

Foram estudados alguns aspectos da biologia da avifauna do Refúgio Ecológico Charles Darwin, fragmento de 60 ha de Mata Atlântica, no município de Igarassu, Pernambuco. Objetivando obter informações acerca das espécies desse bioma, foram realizadas observações entre agosto de 1996 e julho de 1997 e capturas mensais utilizando redes de neblina, entre julho de 2003 e junho de 2004. Entre observações, capturas, recapturas e recuperações, foram registradas 151 espécies (31 famílias) para a área, onde 456 aves (53 espécies/25 famílias) foram capturadas com redes ornitológicas. Foram recuperadas 10 espécies (tempo de anilha de seis a oito anos). O número de capturas foi maior nos meses mais quentes. A maioria das espécies capturadas (52,8%) teve freqüência de ocorrência menor que 25%, sendo Manacus manacus (Linnaeus, 1766), Arremon taciturnus (Hermann, 1783), Neopelma pallescens (Lafresnaye, 1853) e Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 as mais freqüentes. Houve correlação significativa entre as análises dos valores médios entre massa corpórea e sexo, dados biométricos (medidas da asa, tarso e diâmetro do tarso) e sexo e entre mudas e estação do ano. O maior período com muda associada à placa de incubação foi de março a maio (pico em maio). Os resultados fortaleceram a imprevisibilidade dos efeitos das alterações ambientais na estrutura da comunidade de aves em longo prazo. Reforçam ainda que os desequilíbrios populacionais possam vir a aumentar as chances de extinção, sendo necessárias novas alternativas para a proteção da biodiversidade, sobretudo em fragmentos florestais.

We carried out a study about the biology of the avifauna of Refúgio Ecológico Charles Darwin, a 60 ha fragment of Atlantic Forest in the town of Igarassu, Pernambuco. To obtain information about species of this bioma, observations were done between August, 1996 and July, 1997 and monthly captures using mist nets were conducted between July, 2003 and June, 2004. Among observations, captures, recaptures and recovers, 151 species (31 families) were registered in the study area, and 456 birds (from 53 species and 25 families) were trapped in the nets. Ten species had been recovered (life span from six to eight years). The amount of captures was greater during months with higher temperatures. The majority of captured species (52,8%) had frequency of occurrence less than 25%; Manacus manacus (Linnaeus, 1766), Arremon taciturnus (Hermann, 1783), Neopelma pallescens (Lafresnaye, 1853), and Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 were the most frequent. We observed significant correlation between average body mass and sex; length of the wing and tarsus and diameter of tarsus with sex, and of molt with seasons. The main period with molt associated with the brood patches was from March to May (with a peak in May). The findings reinforce the unpredictability of the effects of alterations in the structure of bird community in long term. The population unbalance can increase the possibilities of extinction, highlighting the need of new alternatives for the protection of biodiversity, specially in forest fragments.

As observações ocorreram no período de dois anos, monitorando grupos marcados de sagüis durante oito horas por dia. Foram registrados seis tipos de eventos: predação de sagüis; predação de aves, disputa de área de forrageio e recurso alimentar; compartilhamento de área de forrageio e recurso alimentar; perseguição branda e utilização de ninho de ave como local de pernoite dos sagüis. Os eventos agrupados obtiveram diferenças significativas entre as estações do ano e os estratos ocupados.

The observations cover a period of two years, monitoring groups of marked common marmosets in eight hour/day periods. Six types of events were recorded: marmoset predation; bird predation; foraging competition; food sharing; use of avian nest for nocturnal marmoset rest and mutual pursuit. All pooled events showed highly significant differences between season and vegetation strata.

O estudo da estrutura trófica da avifauna da Reserva Estadual de Gurjaú (8º14'S, 35º03'W) envolveu 225 espécies de aves identificadas, das quais, 220 registradas por meio de observações in situ e capturas, quatro por meio de entrevistas com moradores da área do entorno e uma através de consulta à Coleção Ornitológica da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. As famílias que se destacaram com o maior número de espécies foram Tyrannidae (N = 43) e Emberizidae (N = 36). Dentre as guildas, os insetívoros (N = 99) e onívoros (N = 59) englobaram a maioria das espécies.

The study of trophic structure of birds community from Gurjaú Estadual Reserve (8º14'S, 35º03'W) has involved 225 bird species, from that 220 registered by observation and capture, four by interview with native people from surrounding area and one in the ornithological collection of Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. The groups with the higher number of species were Tyrannidae (N = 43) and Emberizidae (N = 36). Concerning the guilds, insectivorous (N = 99) and omnivorous (N = 59) were the most representative among the especies.

The great variability in the clinical presentation of Chagas disease may depend in part in the genetic variability of Trypanosoma cruzi populations. Aim: To compare prepatent period, parasitemia, mortality and histological lesions in mice infected with two populations of Trypanosoma cruzi isolated in Chile. Material and methods: Two Trypanosoma cruzi populations, isolated from Chilean Triatomides and genetically characterized by kinetoplast restriction fragment DNA profiles, were compared. Two groups of 40 Balb/c mice were studied. Each mouse was inoculated with 10(4) trypomastigotes, of the V-121 and sp COMB 2 Trypanosoma cruzi populations. The prepatent period, parasitemia, mortality and histopathological lesions, at different evolutionary stages of infection were registered during 32 days. Results: Prepatency and mortality were similar in both groups of mice. However, parasitemia was significantly greater in mice inoculated with V-121 than those inoculated with sp COMB 2. Amastigote pseudocysts and inflammation were present only in skeletal muscle and myocardium in both groups of mice. The intensity of tissue involvement was associated to the level of parasitemia, therefore it was greater in mice inoculated with V-121 population. Conclusions: V-121 population of Trypanosoma cruzi caused a greater parasitemia than COMB 2, in inoculated mice

Programas de marcação de espécies migratórias vêm sendo desenvolvidos desde a década de 1980, dentre eles o PASP Pan-American Shorebirds Programs, o qual, consistia na marcação de aves migratórias neárticas com anéis e bandeirolas coloridas possibilitando formação de códigos individuais permitindo a observação das aves marcadas sem que necessitasse capturar. Esta pesquisa objetivou a recuperação de códigos do PASP de indivíduos de Calidris alba (Pallas 1764) entre os anos de 1993 a 1995 na Coroa do Avião. Essas recuperações visuais demonstraram a fidelidade de Calidris alba ao seu sítio de invernada, a Coroa do Avião. O alto percentual de recuperações de Calidris alba, bem como, as recuperações de indivíduos anilhados na Lagoa do Peixe e em algumas áreas de invernada nos Estados Unidos, demonstram a utilização da rota do Atlântico e reforça a idéia de que bandos provenientes da costa leste do Alaska migram por esta rota. A idade máxima estimada para Calidris alba durante esta pesquisa foi de 11 anos, nada se tem sobre a idade desta espécie em bibliografias específicas no estudo de Scolopacidae.

Marking programs for migratory species have been developed since the 1980 decade, among them the PASP Pan-American Shorebirds Programs which consisted in the marking of nearctic migratory birds with color bands and flags, enabling the development of individual codes, allowing the observation of the marked birds without the need of capture. The purpose of this study was the recuperation of PASP codes of individuals of Calidris alba (Pallas, 1764) between 1993 and 1995 in the Coroa do Avião. These visual recuperations demonstrated the fidelity of this specie to its winter site, the Coroa do Avião. The high percentual of recuperations of Calidris alba, as well as the recuperations of marked individuals in the Lagoa do Peixe and in some wintering areas in the United States, demonstrated the use of the Atlantic route and reinforce the idea that flocks provenient from the East coast of Alaska migrate on this route. The maximum age estimated for Calidris alba during this study was of 11 years, nothing is known about the age of this species in specific bibliography of studies of the Scolopacidae.

No Brasil existem 210 species of Tyrannidae, incluindo quatro espécies do gênero Myiarchus Cabanis, 1844: M. tyrannulus (Müller, 1776), M. ferox (Gmelin, 1789), M. swainsoni Cabanis & Heine, 1859 e M. tuberculifer. A última espécie é reportada nesta pesquisa como o primeiro registro para o Estado de Pernambuco, em fragmentos de Floresta Atlântica (Reserva Estadual de Gurjaú, Cabo de Santo Agostinho e Estação Ecológica do Tapacurá, em São Lourenço da Mata). A identificação da espécie se deu através do registro de vocalizações.

There are in Brazil 210 species of Tyrannidae, including four species of the genus Myiarchus Cabanis, 1844: M. tyrannulus (Müller, 1776), M. ferox (Gmelin, 1789), M. swainsoni Cabanis & Heine, 1859 and M. tuberculifer. This last species is for first time reported from Pernambuco State, in fragments of Atlantic forest (Reserve State of Gurjaú, Santo Agostinho Cape and Ecological Station of Tapacurá, in São Lourenço da Mata). The species identification was based on voices records.

Thousands of shorebirds and seabirds use the Atlantic route through the northeastern coast of Brazil every year to migrate to South America. In this study was made a census of individuals that uses the Coroa do Avião (7º40'S and 34º50"W), an islet located on the south bar of the Santa Cruz channel on the north coast of Pernambuco state, from May 1993 throughout April 1995 and from August 1996 throughout July 1997. Four species of the family Charadriidae, seven species of the family Scolopacidae, and two species of the family Laridae was observed. The populational peaks match both the period of arrival to the winter season site and the period of departure to the reproduction site. The species considered very frequent were: Charadrius semipalmatus Bonaparte, 1825 and Calidris alba (Pallas, 1764). All the other species were considered rather frequent. There was a strong linear correlation between 1993 and 1994 among Pluvialis squatarola (Linnaeus, 1758) and Arenaria interpres (Linnaeus, 1758); A. interpres and Calidris pusilla (Linnaues, 1766); A. interpres and C. alba; and C. pusilla and C. alba. From 1994 to April 1995 it occured between P. squatarola and C. alba; C. semipalmatus and C. pusilla; C. semipalmatus and C. pusilla; and A. interpres and C. pusilla. From August 1996 throughout July 1997 there was correlation only between P. squatarola and C. pusilla. The obtained results demonstrate the great importance of the Coroa do Avião as a winter season site.

The objective of this study was to investigate feather mites on birds of the Family Emberizidae, to collect data on the ecological ectoparasite-host relationship and infestation level. A sum of 94 birds of 9 species was captured at the Refúgio Ecológico Charles Darwin, Igarassú, Pernambuco, Brazil, from August 1996 to July 1997. Five genera of mites from the superfamily Analgoidea were identified: Analges Nitzsch, 1818; Mesalgoides Gaud & Atyeo, 1967; Pterodectes Robin, 1877; Proctophyllodes Robin, 1877 and Trouessartia Canestrini, 1899. Among the 94 birds examined, 92 (97,87%) were infested. Regarding the prevalence, it was observed that the genera with higher percentage were, respectively, Pterodectes (88,04%), Proctophyllodes (56,52%) and Trouessartia (45,65%).

Cissus verticillata, a Vitaceae very used in the traditional medicine in Pará and Minas Gerais State - Brazil, was investigated in order to validate its indication for the hyperglycaemia control. The aqueous extract reduces the normal glycaemia of male white Wistar rats in about 19.5 %. The hypoglycaemic effect of this extract could be related to the flavonoids found in the preparation. Luteolin, Kaempferol and Luteolin-3'-sulphate could be isolated from the aqueous extract after acid hydrolysis.