Acute toxicity of total ammonia to Macrobrachium rosenbergii postlarvae at different salinity levels

Nitrogen compounds, particularly ammonium, nitrite and nitrate, are a major problem in shrimp production systems. These compounds can accumulate in the aquatic environment and reach harmful or even lethal levels. Thus, monitoring the levels of nitrogenous compounds such as ammonia and studying their effects on the animals are essential. One tool used for this purpose is acute toxicity testing based on the evaluation of LC50 values. Furthermore, tools that can help improve the performance of aquatic organisms in culture are needed. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of salinity on the toxicity of total ammonia to postlarvae of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. For this purpose, acute toxicity testing (LC50-96h) was performed using 540 postlarvae with a mean weight of 0.13 g and a mean total length of 2.47 cm, divided into 54 experimental units of two liters each. A completely randomized design in a 3×6 factorial scheme was used, combining three salinities (0, 5, and 10 g.L-1) and six total ammonia concentrations (0, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 mg.L-1), with three replicates per combination. The LC50 values for M. rosenbergii postlarvae at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h and their respective confidence intervals (95%) were estimated using the trimmed Spearman-Karber method. The results showed that salinities of 5 or 10 g.L-1 did not reduce the acute toxicity of total ammonia.

Ovarian development of Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Crustacea: Penaeidae) from Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil

This study aimed to describe and characterize the stages of gonadal development of females of Xiphopenaeus kroyeri caught by artisanal fishers in Espírito Santo state, southeastern region of Brazil. All females (n= 1,831) were subjected to macroscopic and microscopic morphological analysis (n= 333) of the ovaries. From the morphology, coloration and degree of turgidity of the fresh ovary, macroscopic analysis determined five stages of gonadal development. The macroscopic analysis showed difficulties in differentiating the immature and spawning stages due to the similarity between the colors of the ovaries, which confirms the need to perform the macroscopic and histological analysis simultaneously for fisheries management studies. Microscopic observations allowed us to analyze the following six stages of cell development: oogonia, previtellogenic oocytes, primary vitellogenic oocytes, secondary vitellogenic oocytes, mature oocytes and atretic oocytes. From this, five stages of gonadal development were defined, i.e., immature, early development, advanced development, mature and spawned. The presence of peripheral bodies was not observed in this species. These results help to clarify and better understand the reproductive and population aspects of the Atlantic Seabob, which are fundamental for the establishment of management and conservation measures of this resource.

Growth and hematological responses of tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum fed different levels of rice, Oryza spp

The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) is a fish of primary importance in South American aquaculture, principally in the Amazon region and has a particularly unique diet in the wild. Oryza spp, or Wild rice as it is commonly known, is native to the floodplains of muddy rivers in the Amazon region. The aim of this study was to analyze the physical performance and the effects of dietary levels of Oryza spp. via the hematological parameters, total food intake, conversion efficiency, growth ratio and swimming performance of this fish. Diets containing 45% Oryza spp. induced the best performance in tambaqui. Diets containing 15% and 30% did not affect these indices, thus indicating that this amount of Oryza can be used as an alternative energy source for this important species within Brazilian aquaculture.

Zootechnical indices and digestibility in juveniles of tambaqui Colossoma macropomum fed a diet containing particulate maize

Three experiments were done with different particle sizes of corn feed on its zootechnical performance, passing rate and apparent digestibility of juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). In the first, 200 juveniles were used and distributed in 20 tanks (220 L), 10 fish per unit (four replicates). The experimental system used to record passage time was composed of five incubators with 200 L. In the second, 75 juveniles were used per 55 days (three replications). In the third, 75 juveniles were used and distributed in five incubators of 200 L. All experiments were performed randomly. Different linear behavior treatments were observed for apparent digestibility of crude protein; and the smaller particle size (150 μm) had better results digestibility. smaller particle size of the corn had better results, affected the growth performance of tambaqui and the apparent digestibility of crude protein and ether extract. Thus, is recommended that a particle size of 150 μm of corn be used for tambaqui.

Ornamental fishing in the region of Barcelos, Amazonas: socioeconomic description and scenario of activity in the view of “piabeiros”

Abstract The Negro river basin is considered the largest area of extractive of ornamental fish in Brazil. This area has fundamental importance for the populations from the Amazon. The present study aimed to describe socioeconomic profile of ornamental fishermen known as “piabeiros” in the Municipality of Barcelos, as well as the ornamental fishery, fisheries area, target species, environments, fishing techniques, equipment, capture techniques and main difficulties faced by the current activity. This study was carried out in municipality of Barcelos, through semi - structured interviews, with artisanal ornamental fishermen (N= 89). The main families of ornamental fish caught and traded were: Characidae, Lebiasinidae, Gasteropelecidae, Cichilidae, Anostomidae, Loricaridae, Potamotrygonidae and Gymnotidae. The main catchment areas were igarapés, lakes, flooded fields, beaches, river banks and igapó forest. Rapiché was the most used equipment in the fisheries both by the fishermen of the urban areas (43.81%) and rural (41.89%). Most of the fishermen are associated with the colony of fishermen of Barcelos (Z33). The data showed that the dynamics of ornamental fishing have changed in a short time and directly affected fishermen, in addition to the low age renewal with the participation of younger fishermen, threatening the transmission of ecological knowledge to future generations. As a result, the increase of the problems related to the productive chain and absence of public power to the activity, since ornamental fishing has already been treated as one of the main economic activities more important for the local communities and for the State of Amazonas.

Organogenesis and foetal haemodynamics during the normal gestation of healthy black-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha, Wagler, 1831) bred in captivity

The objective of this study was to define the patterns of organogenesis and foetal haemodynamics during the normal gestation of healthy agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) kept in captivity. Thirty pregnant agoutis that ranged in size from small to medium and weighed between 2.5 and 3 kg underwent B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography for the biometric evaluation of the foetal organs. The foetal aortic blood flow proved to be predominantly systolic, and the measured flow velocity was 78.89 ± 2.95 cm/s, with a maximum pressure gradient of 2.12 ± 0.27 mmHg. The liver was characterized by its large volume, occupying the entire cranial aspect of the abdominal cavity, and it was associated cranially with the diaphragm and caudally with the stomach. The flow velocity in the portal vein was estimated to equal 12.17 ± 2.37 cm/s, with a resistivity index of 0.82 ± 0.05. The gallbladder was centrally located and protruded cranially towards the diaphragm. The spleen was visualized as an elongated structure with tapered cranial and caudal extremities, and the foetal kidneys were visualized bilaterally in the retroperitoneal region, with the right kidney positioned slightly more cranially than the left. The morphological characterization and hemodynamic analysis of the foetal organs of black-rumped agoutis via B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography allow determination of the vascular network and of reference values for the blood flow required for perfusing the anatomical elements essential for maintaining the viability of foetuses at different gestational ages.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the Amazonas State, Brazil, 2000-2011

SETTINGS

Amazonas is facing increasing challenges in tuberculosis (TB) control, with nearly 3000 cases per year, and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) may jeopardise the TB control programme.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the number of MDR-TB cases in the Amazonas and to improve estimates of the burden of TB.

DESIGNS

The Brazilian National Mandatory Disease Reporting System (SINAN) and the Brazilian Epidemiological Surveillance System of Multidrug Resistance (TBMR) were searched for MDR-TB cases in the State of Amazonas from 2000 to 2011.

RESULTS

Eighty-one MDR-TB cases were notified. The rates of primary MDR-TB, initial MDR-TB during the first treatment regimen and acquired MDR-TB were respectively 3.8%, 13.7% and 82.7%; 26.9% of previously treated patients had ⩾ 4 treatment cycles. The MDR-TB cases reported 263 contacts, only 35.0% of whom were examined. The cure and death rates among the 81 patients with MDR-TB were respectively 45.7% and 25.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of MDR-TB cases seems incompatible with the high TB prevalence in the Amazonas. Most patients were unaware of contact with TB patients. TB is endemic in the Amazonas. This highlights the need for improving resistance investigation among all TB cases.

[Leisure forms used by nurses]

The present study, of exploratory character, has as objectives to know the leisure activities, developed by a sample of thirty nurses as well as your periodicity, during the day-off. For collection of the data a questionnaire was used, being classified sixteen different activities was detected. The most significant results show tendency of the population studied to the inactivity physical, little contact with the nature and certain social isolation. This research recommends activities to stimulate and to facilitate the leisure to the category.

[Hoping for the future child: the father's experience in the intensive care unit]

This study was intended to analyse the experience of the father who have a child in an Intensive Care Unit, by applying the qualitative research under the phenomenological perspective of Martin Heidegger, it was to identify three themes which figured that experience: Transforming the fear into hope, Perceiving himself as the person who decides and Acting for his child benefit. These themes unveiled the phenomenon SEARCHING A CHANCE FOR THE CHILD TO BECOME, who reveals that submits his child to risks and to essential treatments while continuously unchanging overcomes his own feelings in order to offer to his child an opportunity of full living.