Parrots are among the most popular pets in the world and they are also some of the most illegally traded, particularly in Brazil. Some computational tools were recently developed by researchers based on molecular data...
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Parrots are among the most popular pets in the world and they are also some of the most illegally traded, particularly in Brazil. Some computational tools were recently developed by researchers based on molecular databases for taxonomy support, forensic identification and conservation purposes. In this study, the DNA Surveillance platform was used to build an online database tool for molecular identification of Brazilian Psittacids using DNA sequences of six mitochondrial genes. To illustrate possible taxonomic issues of the online tool due to interspecific hybridization or unresolved taxonomy, we focused on Amazona aestiva that is considered as one of the most common parrots in Brazil, commonly bred as pets, and considered to be part of a species complex with Amazona ochrocephala from South America. We provide three curated sequence databases, which allow the species identification of individuals or tissue samples of birds of the Psittacidae family using mitochondrial DNA markers, and a comprehensive description of a taxonomic issue involving the A. ochrocephala complex. The results obtained corroborate previous studies suggesting that these species are not reciprocally monophyletic, due to either an ancient hybridization in central Brazil, or, they maybe just are morpho-varieties of the same species. Alternatively, if A. aestiva and A. ochrocephala were considered as sister species, the data could be interpreted either as a result of secondary contact or incipient speciation. Beyond the use of mtDNA for species identification, the high mtDNA haplotype diversity observed in A. aestiva indicates its potential use in discrimination of lineages that could be an important auxiliary tool to certify the captive origin of legally commercialized parrots.
In the face of new diseases, medicine needs to reinvent itself in order to contain and control epidemics, such as the one we have recently faced, COVID-19, a disease with a wide spectrum of clinical severity. A new mo...
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In the face of new diseases, medicine needs to reinvent itself in order to contain and control epidemics, such as the one we have recently faced, COVID-19, a disease with a wide spectrum of clinical severity. A new moment has been established, since the application of well-known, effective and safe medications for other diseases, has shown high success rates in the treatment of COVID-19. Thereunto, studies with early intervention are needed, which can change the unfavorable outcome of patients. In this article, we report the successful experience using an oral strategy during the collapse of Belem (Para, Brazil) Health System. Two hundred and ten patients were diagnosed with respiratory failure due to COVID-19, with no option of hospital treatment due to lack of beds and resources. These patients were then started on therapeutic regimen consisting of 40 mg prednisolone, 40 mg enoxaparin and macrolides (500 mg clarithromycin, 500 mg axetylcefuroxime) associated and followed in outpatient facilities. Two hundred and eight patients had an excellent therapeutic response and there were only two fatalities. These results push research boundaries, valuing outpatient treatment with early use of prednisolone in the initial pulmonary phase, preventing severe COVID-19 pneumonitis. Adoption of the proposed treatment intends to reduce the need for hospitalization, as well as lethality, with social robust benefits and incalculable economic savings since involves the use of accessible, safe and not expensive medications.
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