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Abstract Inherited retinal dystrophies/degenerations (IRDs) are the leading cause of visual impairment and incurable familial blindness in the Western world. Given the clinical and genetic heterogeneity, establishing a molecular diagnosis is especially relevant. The aim of this study was to perform the first nationwide survey to understand the prevalence and current management of IRDs in Portugal. A response was obtained from 26 healthcare providers (HCP) (76.5% response rate). Only 4 respondents reported not managing IRD patients. Most HCPs (68.1%) reported managing up to 100 patients, while three currently manage between 501 and 1000 patients. Based on the Portuguese population, an estimated IRD prevalence of 0.031%, i.e., about 1 in 3000 individuals, was calculated. In most HCPs (86.3%), most patients are adults, and non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa is the most frequent diagnosis. Only 4 HCPs currently use the national, web-based IRD registry (IRD-PT). However, all but one respondent expressed interest in participating in such a registry. Genetic testing is available in 54.5%, with 58.3% HCPs reporting solved rates between 61–80%, but 4 to 9 months to get a genetic test result in 83.4% of cases. Based on this survey, the prevalence of biallelic RPE65-associated disease in Portugal is 0.00031%, i.e., approximately 1:300,000 individuals. Data from this study provide vital background information on national differences in the diagnosis and management of IRD patients. Nationwide implementation of the IRD-PT registry should be encouraged and supported to provide population-based reference data and to identify patients eligible for current and future therapies.

A difusão é o principal meio de transporte do fósforo (P) no solo e depende de vários fatores, como a interação do P com os componentes da fase sólida, a textura, a mineralogia da fração argila, a umidade, a compactação e a fonte fosfatada. Assim, dada a variação de solos no Seridó Paraibano, é de se esperar variação no fluxo difusivo de P. Objetiva-se com este estudo analisar o efeito de níveis de fósforo no fluxo difusivo de fosfato em solos representativos do Seridó Paraibano. Foram utilizadas amostras, coletadas na camada 0-20 cm de profundidade, de seis solos representativos. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos casualizados, em fatorial 6 × 5, sendo seis solos e cinco níveis de P (0%, 10%, 20%, 30% e 40% da capacidade máxima de sorção de P). Para estimativa do fluxo difusivo de P, utilizou-se como unidades experimentais anéis de PVC com 5 cm de altura e 10 cm de diâmetro interno, com volume de solo de 300 cm3, que receberam os solos e as doses em estudo e serviram como câmara de difusão. Para avaliação do fluxo difusivo de P nos solos, utilizou-se o papel de troca aniônica (PA), que permaneceu em contato com o solo por 15 dias. Após esse período, a quantidade de P retida no PA foi quantificada. Os níveis de P promoveram o aumento do fluxo difusivo do fosfato de forma linear, com exceção do Neossolo Flúvico, no qual não foi verificada resposta significativa. O maior fluxo de P foi verificado no Planossolo (0,0753 µmol.cm-²/15 dias), seguido pelo Neossolo Regolítico (0,0510 µmol.cm-²/15 dias). O Neossolo Flúvico foi o solo que apresentou menor fluxo difusivo (0,0274 µmol.cm-²/15 dias). Conclui-se que a aplicação de P aumentou o fluxo difusivo do fosfato e que o fluxo difusivo de P foi maior no Planossolo e menor no Neossolo Flúvico.

The diversity of criteria used in the diagnosis of periodontitis in pregnant women makes it difficult to define and compare the disease. Using a systematic review, this study evaluated the accuracy of criteria for diagnosing periodontitis in pregnant women. Searches were carried out in the databases: Medline/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, Lilacs, ProQuest, and CINAHL. Validation studies of the criteria used for diagnosing periodontitis met the inclusion criteria. The study steps were performed by three independent reviewers. A qualitative synthesis of the included articles was carried out and the quality methodological analysis using the QUADAS-2 instrument. The assessment of the quality of the evidence was obtained through the GRADE tool. A total of 592 records were identified, of which only 6 made up this systematic review. The included studies analyzed different criteria for diagnosing periodontitis, evaluating 3,005 pregnant women. The criteria selected as a test presented results equivalent to the performance of those recognized as the gold standard. The self-reported criteria were of lower diagnostic accuracy. A major limitation of this review was the small number of primary studies that evaluated clinical diagnosis of periodontitis in pregnant women, which was highly heterogeneous, making it impossible to carry out accuracy meta-analysis and additional analyzes. There is a lack of consensus on the criteria for the diagnosis of periodontitis, with great variability in the accuracy and prevalence of the disease in pregnant women.

Abstract Despite the advance of vaccination worldwide, epidemic waves caused by more transmissible and immune evasive genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 have sustained the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. Monitoring such variants is expensive, as it usually relies on whole-genome sequencing methods. Therefore, it is necessary to develop alternatives that could help identify samples from specific variants. Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification is a method that has been increasingly used for nucleic acid amplification, as it is cheaper and easier to perform when compared to other molecular techniques. As a proof of concept that can help distinguish variants, we present an RT-LAMP assay capable of detecting samples carrying a group of mutations that can be related to specific SARS-CoV-2 lineages, here demonstrated for the Variant of Concern Gamma. We tested 60 SARS-CoV-2 RNA samples extracted from swab samples and the reaction showed a sensitivity of 93.33%, a specificity of 88.89% and a kappa value of 0.822 for samples with a Ct ≤ 22.93. The RT-LAMP assay demonstrated to be useful to distinguish VOC Gamma and may be of particular interest as a screening approach for variants in countries with poor sequencing coverage.

Inflammatory mammary carcinoma (IMC), a neoplasia affecting women and female dogs, is considered an aggressive cancer with high metastatic potential and a low survival rate. Studies focused on the tumour microenvironment indicate that the aggressive behaviour of this tumour is primarily correlated with immunological factors as well as inflammation. The objective of this study was to analyse the possible strategies used by the tumour cells to suppress the immune response in female dogs with IMC. Forty-six female dogs were divided into three groups: control (C, n = 10), IMC (n = 14) and mammary carcinoma (MC, n = 22). Clinical-pathological evaluations, survival at follow-up, immunophenotyping of leukocytes in peripheral blood and tumours, and immunohistochemical evaluation of CD4+, granzyme B, perforin and FAS-L were performed. Clinical and pathological results showed a higher frequency of the primary form of neoplasia, solid arrays of tumor cells and a lower survival rate in the IMC group (30 days). Morphometric analysis of inflammatory infiltrate revealed more lymphocytes and macrophages in the IMC group. Immunophenotyping analysis of peripheral blood revealed a higher frequency of CD8+ T-cells (p = 0.0017), a lower frequency of CD4+ T-cells (p

The emergence of antibiotic resistance (ABR) is one of the most serious public health threats worldwide. The inappropriate use of antibiotics is considered the main determinant for the increase and development of ABR, contributing to a greater risk of therapeutic ineffectiveness, particularly within primary care context. Therefore, this pilot study aims to raise awareness and promote an adequate antibiotic use among physicians, through the evaluation of the eHealthResp platform, a digital intervention composed by an online course and a mobile application, to aid in the management of respiratory tract infections. The global validation of the eHealthResp platform was carried out by 12 physicians who explored and performed a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the contents of the online course and mobile app. The global evaluation of the analyzed parameters was very positive, with the highest median scores being attributed to adequacy, correction, format, and trust of the eHealthResp platform. The qualitative feedback enhanced the contents’ relevance, clarity, and consolidation, as well as the effectiveness of the educational intervention against ABR. Overall, this study revealed that the eHealthResp may be regarded as an important e-health tool for the management of respiratory tract infections and improvement of antibiotic prescription practices among physicians.

A major open question in microbial community ecology is whether we can predict how the components of a diet collectively determine the taxonomic composition of microbial communities. Motivated by this challenge, we investigate whether communities assembled in pairs of nutrients can be predicted from those assembled in every single nutrient alone. We find that although the null, naturally additive model generally predicts well the family-level community composition, there exist systematic deviations from the additive predictions that reflect generic patterns of nutrient dominance at the family level. Pairs of more-similar nutrients (e.g. two sugars) are on average more additive than pairs of more dissimilar nutrients (one sugar–one organic acid). Furthermore, sugar–acid communities are generally more similar to the sugar than the acid community, which may be explained by family-level asymmetries in nutrient benefits. Overall, our results suggest that regularities in how nutrients interact may help predict community responses to dietary changes.

O presente estudo objetivou identificar o conhecimento de discentes do ensino médio sobre plantas exóticas no Cerrado, considerando essa temática muito pouco estudada. Participaram do estudo 170 estudantes de diferentes cursos técnicos de nível médio, sendo utilizado, para coleta de dados um questionário investigativo e para análise dos resultados realizou-se análise de correspondência. No geral, o nível de conhecimento a respeito da temática da bioinvasão dentre os alunos é baixo. Destaca-se a necessidade de que a temática seja melhor abordada nas escolas. Nesse sentido, sugere-se a produção de materiais que sirvam de recursos e propostas didáticas, de modo que se explore esse problema ambiental e de grande interesse ecológico, bem como econômico.

O cenário escolar contemporâneo é marcado por uma dinâmica acelerada de atividades e mudanças no papel dos professores, que associada a uma constante sobrecarga de trabalho pode favorecer o aparecimento de patologias ligadas ao desgaste e esgotamento físico como a Ansiedade, Depressão e a Síndrome de Burnout. Diante disso, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a prevalência da Síndrome de Burnout entre professores atuantes no ensino de Ciências e Biologia em escolas públicas na microrregião de Pires do Rio, Goiás. Com este intuito 17 docentes atuantes na microrregião responderam a um questionário investigativo composto por 16 questões sobre a jornada de trabalho e alguns pontos de vista dos docentes em relação a algumas condições estruturais e sociais encontradas no ambiente de trabalho. Dentre os participantes a maioria 82,35% é do sexo feminino, sendo 76,47% casados e em média exercem uma grande carga horária de 46,70 (±13,76) horas/aula semanais no ensino de Ciências (58,82%), Biologia (29,41%) ou ambos (11,76%). Os participantes apresentam formação em Ciências Biológicas (58,82%), Química (5,88%) ou em áreas distintas à de atuação (Matemática, História, Letras e Zootecnia). A maioria dos participantes apresenta o título de especialista (82,35%), contudo, apenas um docente possui especialização na área de Ciências ou Biologia. Em relação à síndrome de Burnout 88,23% dos participantes apresentam indicativo de estarem em alguma fase da síndrome. Esta elevada prevalência associada à alta carga horária de trabalho e condições desgastantes de trabalho relatadas pelos participantes, sinalizam uma condição preocupante de trabalho na microrregião de Pires do Rio. Por fim, observa-se uma necessidade urgente de mudanças organizacionais e reduções da jornada de trabalho, a fim de evitar o agravamento da condição dos docentes que estão em alguma fase da síndrome e evitar que outros a desenvolvam.

A elevada riqueza de espécies de mamíferos do Brasil o colocam em destaque no cenário mundial. Entretanto, em função de inúmeras ameaças à mastofauna, sobretudo no bioma Cerrado, os levantamentos de fauna são essenciais para obter informações sobre a ocorrência localizada das espécies e subsidiar estratégias conservacionistas. Dessa forma, o presente estudo teve por objetivo realizar um levantamento rápido de espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte em um fragmento florestal não inventariado no Cerrado do sudeste goiano, no município de Ipameri-GO. A ocorrência das espécies foi registrada por meio de observações diretas dos animais, observações indiretas, armadilhamento fotográfico e entrevista com moradores da área. Foram registradas 19 espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte, das quais 5 fazem parte das listas nacional de fauna ameaçada de extinção, pelo MMA ou pela IUCN. A riqueza encontrada é considerada elevada, em função do esforço amostral realizado, e indica a necessidade de adoção de medidas conservacionistas para fragmentos florestais do Cerrado e para as espécies amostradas, sobretudo às consideradas como ameaçadas de extinção.

O modo de vida da sociedade contemporânea tem favorecido o hábito de possuir uma alimentação baseada em alimentos de grande teor calórico e que sejam de rápido preparo ou obtenção/consumo. Assim, os alimentos hipercalóricos que compõe a conhecida dieta de cafeteria associados aos hábitos sedentários têm refletido no crescimento constante dos percentuais de habitantes com sobrepeso e obesidade. A obesidade causa uma série de condições deletérias de saúde, aumentando o risco de morte e a mortalidade dos obesos. Contudo, a obesidade deve estar associada a outras patologias nos dias atuais, nos quais as pessoas vivem grande pressão social e uma dinâmica acelerada cotidianamente. O estresse crônico tem acumulado estatísticas negativas de forma semelhante à obesidade, sendo precursor de muitos quadros graves de saúde com forte impacto psicossocial. Dessa forma, a associação entre estas condições deve ter grande prevalência e as discussões e estudos sobre as duas condições associadas nos mesmos indivíduos devem ser valorizadas e encorajadas, a fim de conhecer se existe sinergismo entre as condições ou como elas interagem nos portadores. Esta revisão discute sobre os aspectos já conhecidos dessa associação e frisa algumas lacunas que necessitam de avaliações controladas para avançar sobre os efeitos da associação entre a obesidade e o estresse crônico, ambos com grande potencial deletério na saúde humana.

O processamento da pele bovina constitui uma das atividades industriais que geram resíduos altamente tóxicos, por conterem elevadas concentrações de metais pesados, como cromo, cádmio, níquel e chumbo. Sabe-se que o descarte inadequado desses efluentes no ambiente pode incorrer em consequências danosas aos organismos de magnitude complexa e pouco conhecida. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se com o presente estudo determinar doses potencialmente letais de efluentes de curtume, por meio da indução de toxicidade aguda em camundongos da linhagem BALB/c, acompanhada de uma avaliação de parâmetros físicos (massa corpórea e massa relativa de distintos órgãos), bioquímicos e comportamentais. 24 fêmeas de camundongos BALB/c foram distribuídas em grupos que receberam, pela via intraperitoneal, duas doses fracionadas de efluentes de curtume (wet blue), diluídos em água, que totalizaram as seguintes doses: 11,25%, 22,5% e 45%. O grupo controle recebeu apenas soro fisiológico. Os encontrados neste estudo não apontam para qualquer alteração física na massa corpórea dos animais, tampouco nas massas relativas do fígado, baço, timo e rins. Além disso, nenhuma mudança comportamental pelo screening hipocrático foi observada nos animais, com exceção de um animal do grupo 45% que foi a óbito no 3º dia de avaliação, o que corresponde para essa dose uma concentração de efluente de curtume que mata 16,66% dos animais, não sendo possível calcular a DL50. Em relação aos parâmetros bioquímicos, foi observada uma diminuição nas concentrações séricas da enzima fosfatase alcalina nos animais que receberam efluentes de curtume, em relação ao grupo controle. Logo, conclui-se que efluentes de curtume do tipo wet blue, administrados intraperitonealmente, em fêmeas de camundongos BALB/c não causam sinais evidentes de toxicidade aguda nos animais. A DL16,16 foi obtida apenas para a maior dose de efluente pré-estabelecida (45%).

A obesidade é uma enfermidade caracterizada pelo aumento excessivo de gordura corporal em um nível que compromete a saúde dos indivíduos, ocasionando diversos danos. Estudos vem demonstrando a sua associação com transtornos alimentares e doenças psicológicas. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a prevalência da síndrome do comer noturno (SCN), um transtorno alimentar, conceituada como um atraso no ritmo circadiano do padrão alimentar, em discentes do curso de Licenciatura em Ciências Biológicas do Instituto Federal Goiano – Câmpus Urutaí. Para isso, utilizou-se o questionário Night Eating, traduzido e adaptado para versão brasileira. Além disso, foram aferidas as medidas de massa corpórea, altura e idade dos discentes, tendo sido calculado o índice de massa corpórea (IMC). A população estudada compreendeu 74 discentes. Os resultados demonstram que a prevalência da SCN, na população estudada, foi de apenas 1,4%. Observou-se, ainda, que 5,4% dos participantes correm o risco de desenvolver a SCN. Os dados não relataram relação da SCN com excesso de peso. Conclui-se, portanto, que a SCN não constitui um problema de saúde prevalente na população estudada.

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar a toxicidade aguda e determinar a dose letal mediana (DL50) de efluentes de curtume, administrados pela via oral em fêmeas de camundongos da linhagem Swiss. Para isso, estabeleceu-se os seguintes grupos experimentais: grupo controle, o qual recebeu apenas água filtrada; grupo 20% de efluente de curtume diluído em água filtrada, 40%, 60%, 80% e 100%. Adotou-se procedimentos adaptados da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária para avaliação da toxicidade aguda. Observou-se que as concentrações de 100% e 80% de efluente de curtume promoveram a morte de todos os animais dos respectivos grupos. Por outro lado, a DL50 correspondeu à concentração de 60% de efluente de curtume diluído em água. Para as demais doses (40% e 20%) não foi evidenciada a morte de nenhum dos animais. Acredita-se que este estudo possa subsidiar trabalhos futuros que venham investigar diferentes efeitos da exposição oral de camundongos a efluentes de curtume, possibilitando a elucidação dos mecanismos que relacionam os efeitos à esses xenobióticos.

Considerando que na adolescência os hábitos alimentares estão sendo adquiridos e consolidados, objetivou - se realizar um levantamento sobre o perfil, a concepção de alimentação saudável e os hábitos alimentares de estudantes do Ensino Médio de uma escola pública de Pires do Rio, Goiás. Para subsidiar esta pesquisa, a qual 103 discentes, aplicou-se um questionário investigativo contendo questões objetivas e discursivas de caráter individual, não sendo necessária identificação relatada pelos adolescentes foram além disso, os dados obtidos neste estudo demonstram que concepção de alimentação saudável pelos adolescentes apresentou-se limitada e que intervenções são necessárias para a melhoria dos hábitos alimentares dos adolescentes investigados. Nesse sentido, sugere-se o desenvolvimento contínuo de trabalhos voltados à nutrição e à promoção da saúde na escola investigada, bem como em escolas de perfil semelhante a investigada.

Este trabalho objetivou realizar uma caracterização da bacia do rio Gualaxo do Norte, Leste Sudeste do Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF), MG, Brasil. Inicialmente foi realizada uma avaliação das condições ambientais do rio principal da bacia, por meio de um Protocolo de Avaliação Rápida de Rios (PAR), a fim de conhecer a área e demarcar os sítios amostrais, bem como possibilitar associações entre a condição física atual da bacia e possíveis níveis de contaminação por elementos químicos. Em seguida, foi realizado o levantamento estratigráfico de 16 perfis sedimentares ao longo da bacia, sendo coletadas 119 amostras de sedimentos em fácies desses perfis. Após isso, procedeu-se análises mineralógicas, granulométricas, químicas, bem como a descrição e interpretações faciológicas. Em dois dos perfis foram coletadas amostras de material carbonoso para datação via C14 e em amostras de quatro desses perfis foi realizada análise da composição geoquímica dos sedimentos via extração sequencial. Em seguida, foram coletadas 51 amostras de sedimentos ativos de drenagem nas margens do rio principal da bacia e nas margens de alguns de seus afluentes. A avaliação das condições ambientais do rio principal da bacia evidenciou a presença de muitos focos de degradação ao longo de toda sua extensão. As análises químicas realizadas nos sedimentos dos perfis levantados, em associação com as análises mineralógicas, granulométricas e das interpretações faciológicas, permitiram o agrupamento dos perfis em três conjuntos distintos interpretados como: aqueles cujas concentrações químicas são influenciadas pela mineração de ferro e garimpo de ouro; aqueles influenciados pela mineração de ferro e aqueles sem influência de atividades antropogênicas. Em relação à extração sequencial, os resultados demonstraram a presença de Ba, Mn, S e Cu associados a frações mais lábeis e a presença de As, Fe, Zn e Al associados a frações mais estáveis. Contudo, em relação ao As, a associação dos dados de estratigrafia obtidos neste estudo – os quais evidenciam concentrações anômalas de As em fácies interpretada como depósito de canal com interferência direta ou indireta de atividades como garimpo ou draga (fácies Ct) – com as observações in situ da presença de garimpo recente na região onde os perfis com as maiores concentrações de As foram levantados (especialmente em perfis do alto curso da bacia), bem como a hipótese de associação do As a frações biodisponíveis, evidenciam contribuição antropogênica do As para o ambiente superficial. Por fim, os mapas geoquímicos da distribuição atual das concentrações dos elementos químicos reforçam alguns achados do estudo, sobretudo, aqueles que evidenciam contribuições antropogênicas no enriquecimento de metais tais como Mn, Ba e Fe; mostram que as atividades atuais de exploração aurífera na bacia, possivelmente não estejam disponibilizando concentrações elevadas de As e Pb, ambos metais altamente tóxicos, bem como revelam baixo risco de contaminação ambiental em relação aos elementos Zn e Ni, estando as poucas concentrações elevadas dos elementos, possivelmente relacionadas a anomalias geoquímicas naturais. De um modo geral, conclui-se que as atividades antropogênicas evidenciadas na bacia estudada acabam influenciando não apenas a distribuição química de elementos importantes do ponto de vista ambiental e de saúde pública, como também proporcionou, ao longo da história de exploração, um incremento considerável na concentração de alguns elementos como Ba, Fe, As e Pb.

A desnutrição causa diversos tipos de alterações, síndromes e doenças, afetando de forma generalizada ou não, vários parâmetros do indivíduo. Diante disso, o presente estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos da restrição alimentar, em curto prazo, sobre parâmetros físicos, bioquímicos, hematológicos e histológicos em ratos Wistar. Para isso, fêmeas adultas com aproximadamente 90 dias de idade foram submetidas ao processo de restrição alimentar utilizando uma dieta contendo 6% de proteína. Já os animais do grupo controle foram aqueles alimentados com dieta comercial padrão contendo 19% de proteína. Após o estabelecimento da desnutrição, indicada pela diferença entre as massas corpóreas dos animais estudados, estes foram submetidos à eutanásia, tendo sido avaliada a massa absoluta e relativa do fígado, baço, coração, pâncreas, cérebro, rins e pulmões e glândulas suprarrenais, parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos, assim como a histologia do baço, fígado e rins desses animais. Os animais do grupo desnutrição apresentaram diminuição da concentração de leucócitos, triglicérides e lipoproteínas de muito baixa densidade (VLDL) e maior massa relativa do fígado, com presença de alterações histopatológicas incipientes quando comparados com os respectivos controles. Estes dados sugerem que a restrição alimentar, em curto prazo, é capaz de induzir o quadro de desnutrição e ocasionar sinais de alterações no fígado, mas não ocasiona alterações bioquímicas e hematológicas generalizada.

In this study we modified the predatory stress paradigms to determine if a simple and new predatory stress paradigm could produce anxiety-like behaviour in female Swiss mice, exposed to male Wistar rat. We hypothesized that the stressor employed would induce anxiety in the short-term in mice. In addition, we assessed the behavioral effects of the paradigm as much as 12 days after the conclusion of the stress exposure and demonstrate lasting effects of the predatory stress exposure on behavior. Collectively, the data presented here demonstrate that the rat-on-mouse predatory stress paradigm causes changes in behavior of female Swiss mice following a 12 day exposure to the chronic stress paradigm.

O conhecimento acerca do Fator Capacidade Tampão de Fósforo (FCP) dos solos é de extrema importância para a otimização do manejo da adubação fosfatada. O fósforo remanescente (P-rem) tem sido uma das características que mais se correlacionam com o FCP, e sua quantificação pode ajudar na compreensão do comportamento do elemento no solo. Entretanto, não há dados sobre esse atributo químico em solos do Seridó Paraibano. O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar o P-rem em seis solos do Seridó Paraibano e correlacioná-lo com atributos químicos e físicos do solo. Foram utilizadas amostras (camada 0-20 cm) de seis solos representativos do Seridó Paraibano, sendo estes selecionados com base na sua ocorrência e importância agrícola. Após a coleta, os solos foram secos ao ar, passados por peneira de 2 mm de malha e caracterizados química e fisicamente. Para determinação do P-rem, foram colocados 5 g de solo em erlenmeyer com uma solução de CaCl2 0,01 mol L-1, contendo 60 mg L-1 de P. Os erlenmeyers foram agitados durante cinco minutos e deixados em repouso para decantação do solo durante 16 horas. Após esse período, o P foi quantificado por colorimetria. O P-rem foi correlacionado com características químicas e físicas dos solos. Em sua maioria, os solos em estudo apresentam teores elevados de areia, pH acima de 5,5 e elevados teores de Ca+Mg, K, Na, e CTC efetiva. O P-rem, para a maioria dos solos, apresentou valores elevados, refletindo baixo FCP. Verificou-se correlação positiva e significativa com o fósforo disponível (0,56º), K (0,77*) e areia (0,72*) e negativa e significativa com Ca+Mg (-0,56º), Na (-0,74*) e argila (-0,59º). Conclui-se que os valores de P-rem dos solos do Seridó são elevados, mostrando baixo FCP, sendo influenciados principalmente pela textura mais arenosa dos solos e que o P-rem é um bom estimador do FCP.

An understanding of species' morphological and physiological parameters is crucial to developing conservation strategies for wild animals kept in human care. Detailed information is lacking for crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) eyes and adnexa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe anatomical, histological and computed tomography (CT) features of the eye and adnexa in crab-eating fox, compared to domestic dogs. CT of the eye and adnexa of one live animal and a frozen specimen was performed for anatomical identification. In addition, the heads of five animals of each species were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for gross anatomical description of the eye and adnexa using topographic dissection and exenteration techniques. All steps were photographed and features such as location, shape, and distances and relationships between structures were described. For histological evaluation, two eyes of each species were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed by routine paraffin inclusion technique and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The CT scan was difficult to evaluate, mainly that of the frozen head, which did not provide good definition of the soft tissues; nevertheless, it demonstrated the potential for structure visualization and description. The gross anatomical and histological evaluations showed the presence of eyelashes on the upper eyelid and of upper and lower lacrimal points, an incomplete orbit with supraorbital ligament, slightly exposed sclera with discretely pigmented limbus and pigmentation throughout the conjunctiva, and a slit-shaped pupil. Hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrated structural similarities between the crab-eating fox and domestic dog. Thus, the possibility of using the domestic dog as a study model for the preventive and therapeutic management of wild dogs kept in human care is demonstrated.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209497.].

Essa revisão de literatura objetiva identificar os efeitos da aplicação de cinza de biomassa vegetal sobre atributos do solo e sobre o crescimento e produção de espécies vegetais. A cinza de biomassa tem sido gerada por diversas atividades industriais e agroindustriais, sendo produzidas grandes quantidades de resíduo. A utilização agrícola desse material é uma alternativa ecologicamente correta e economicamente viável. A composição das cinzas é variável, sendo assim as modificações causadas no solo e resposta das culturas também variável. As principais alterações químicas resultantes da aplicação de cinza de biomassa, são elevação no pH e nos teores de Ca, Mg, K e P, além da redução dos teores de Al3+. A elevação do pH causado pela cinza estimula a atividade biológica favorecendo a decomposição de matéria orgânica e a atividade de algumas enzimas. A cinza pode elevar a retenção de água. A aplicação de cinza de biomassa tem elevado a altura das plantas, o seu diâmetro, número de folhas, massa seca da parte aérea e raízes, bem como o teor foliar de clorofila e nutrientes em diversas espécies, tanto olerícolas, como anuais e perenes, a exemplo da alface, azevém, aveia, milho, sorgo, algodão, girassol, mamona, café, bananeira, campins, pinus e eucalipto.

In Machine Learning, feature selection is an important step in classifier design. It consists of finding a subset of features that is optimum for a given cost function. One possibility to solve feature selection is to organize all possible feature subsets into a Boolean lattice and to exploit the fact that the costs of chains in that lattice describe U-shaped curves. Minimization of such cost function is known as the U-curve problem. Recently, a study proposed U-Curve Search (UCS), an optimal algorithm for that problem, which was successfully used for feature selection. However, despite of the algorithm optimality, the UCS required time in computational assays was exponential on the number of features. Here, we report that such scalability issue arises due to the fact that the U-curve problem is NP-hard. In the sequence, we introduce the Parallel U-Curve Search (PUCS), a new algorithm for the U-curve problem. In PUCS, we present a novel way to partition the search space into smaller Boolean lattices, thus rendering the algorithm highly parallelizable. We also provide computational assays with both synthetic data and Machine Learning datasets, where the PUCS performance was assessed against UCS and other golden standard algorithms in feature selection.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a carboplatin chemotherapy-associated drug in female dogs with mammary carcinoma in benign mixed tumors (MC-BMT) after mastectomy and to assess its association with quality of life and survival rates. Sixty female dogs were included in this study, all of which had histopathological diagnosis of MC-BMT and were divided into three groups: G1 (control), consisting of animals submitted only to mastectomy with or without regional metastasis; G2, composed of treated animals that did not present with metastasis; and G3, treated dogs that presented with metastasis. G2 and G3 were also subdivided according to the treatment administered: chemotherapy alone (MC-BMT(-) C/MC-BMT(+) C) or LDN and chemotherapy (MC-BMT(-) C+LDN/MC-BMT(+) C+LDN). All animals were subjected to clinical evaluation, mastectomy, peripheral blood lymphocyte immunophenotyping, beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin quantification, and evaluation of survival rates and quality of life scores. The results showed higher serum concentrations of beta-endorphin and met-enkephalin, fewer chemotherapy-related side effects, and better quality of life and survival rates in the LDN-treated groups than in LDN-untreated groups (P < 0.05). Evaluation of clinical and pathological parameters indicated a significant association between the use of LDN and both prolonged survival and enhanced quality of life. These results indicate that LDN is a viable chemotherapy-associated treatment in female dogs with MC-BMT, maintaining their quality of life and prolonging survival rates.

Dasypus is the most speciose genus of the order Cingulata, including approximately 40% of known living armadillos. Nine species are currently recognized, although comprehensive analyses of the entire genus have never been done. Our aim is to revise the taxonomy of the long-nosed armadillos and properly define the taxa. We examined 2126 specimens of Dasypus preserved in 39 different museum collections, including 17 type specimens. Three complementary methods were applied to explore morphological datasets both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative morphological variation in discrete characters was assessed by direct observations of specimens. Linear morphometric variation was based on external data and cranial measurements of 887 adult skulls. The shape and size of the skull was abstracted through two-dimensional geometric morphometric analyses of dorsal, lateral and ventral views of respectively 421, 211, and 220 adult specimens. Our results converge on the recognition of eight living species (D. beniensis, D. kappleri, D. mazzai, D. novemcinctus, D. pastasae, D. pilosus, D. sabanicola, and D. septemcinctus), and three subspecies of D. septemcinctus (D. s. septemcinctus, D. s. hybridus, and a new subspecies from Cordoba described here). Information on type material, diagnosis, distribution, and taxonomic comments for each taxon are provided. We designate a lectotype for D. novemcinctus; and a neotype for Loricatus hybridus (= D. septemcinctus hybridus).

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Rice husk collected in Barreiras City, Bahia, Brazil was converted to rice husk ash (RHA) by acidic or basic leaching, followed by calcination. The resulting RHA was modified with vanadium pentoxide (2, 5, or 10 mass% of V2O5). The modified RHA samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). RHA exhibited FTIR bands associated with silica. After modification of acid-leached RHA with vanadium, the XRD data indicated the formation of V2O5 phases. Base-leached RHA modified with vanadium pentoxide showed the presence of the V2O5 phase only in the sample containing 10 mass% V2O5. The FTIR data indicated the formation of cristobalite, where bands associated with Si-O-V interactions were observed only for the sample with 10 mass% V2O5 prepared with acid-leached RHA. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v9i2.916

The objective of this study was to describe the anatomic and histologic features of the Sapajus sp. eye, comparing similarities and differences of humans and other species of non-human primates for biomedical research purposes. Computed tomography (CT) of adnexa, eye and orbit live animal, as well as formolized pieces of the same structures of Sapajus sp. for anatomical and histological study were also performed. The anatomical description of the eye and adnexa was performed using the techniques of topographic dissection and exenteration. Histological fragments were fixated in buffered formalin 10%, processed by the routine paraffin inclusion technique, stained with hematoxylin-eosin and special stains. CT scan evaluation showed no differences between the live animal and the formolized head on identification of visual apparatus structures. Anatomic and histologic evaluation revealed rounded orbit, absence of the supraorbital foramen and frontal notch, little exposure of the sclera, with slight pigmentation of the exposed area and marked pigmentation at the sclerocorneal junction. Masson's Trichrome revealed the Meibomian glands, the corneal epithelium and Bowman's membrane; in the choroid, melanocytes and Bruch's membrane were observed; and in the retina, cones and rods as well as, optic nerve, the lamina cribrosa of the nerve fibers bundles. Toluidine blue highlighted the membranes: Bowman, Descemet and the endothelium; in the choroid: melanocytes; and in the retina: nuclear layers and retinal pigment epithelium. In view of the observed results Sapajus sp. is an important experimental model for research in the ophthalmology field, which has been shown due to the high similarity of its anatomical and histological structures with the human species.

Limited knowledge from mechanistic studies on adult sensory neuronal activity was generated, to some extent, in recapitulated adult in vivo 3D microenvironment. To fill this gap there is a real need to better characterize the adult dorsal root ganglia (aDRG) organotypic cultures to make these in vitro systems exploitable for different approaches, ranging from basic neurobiology to regenerative therapies, to address the sensory nervous system in adult stage. We conducted a direct head-to-head comparison of aDRG and embryonic DRG (eDRG) organotypic culture focusing on axonal growth, neuropeptides expression and receptors tyrosine kinase (RTK) activation associated with neuronal survival, proliferation and differentiation. To identify alterations related to culture conditions, these parameters were also addressed in retrieved aDRG and eDRG and compared with organotypic cultures. Under similar neurotrophic stimulation, aDRG organotypic cultures displayed lower axonal outgrowth rate supported by reduced expression of growth associated protein-43 and high levels of RhoA and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta mRNA transcripts. In addition, differential alteration in sensory neuropeptides expression, namely calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P, was detected and was mainly pronounced at gene expression levels. Among 39 different RTK, five receptors from three RTK families were emphasized: tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR, ErbB2 and ErbB3) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). Of note, except for EGFR, the phosphorylation of these receptors was dependent on DRG developmental stage and/or culture condition. In addition, EGFR and PDGFR displayed alterations in their cellular expression pattern in cultured DRG. Overall we provided valuable information particularly important when addressing in vitro the molecular mechanisms associated with development, maturation and regeneration of the sensory nervous system.

Visando potencializar o uso das redes sociais pelas empresas, enquanto instrumentos estratégicos na formação de parcerias e difusão de negócios, este trabalho prototipa os principais requisitos do ECOS, uma rede social para empresas. O principal objetivo do ECOS é sugerir e manter parcerias entre as empresas integrantes da rede, e assim potencializar os seus negócios. Tecnicamente, o ECOS se propõe a ser um intermediador de informações sobre empresas e seus serviços, sugerindo parcerias entre empresas e alternativas tecnológicas para integração entre serviços, que podem ser da mesma empresa ou de empresas diferentes. Espera-se que essa rede represente um grande repositório de informações, ajudando cada empresa a visualizar oportunidades de negócios, além de sugerir o seu desenvolvimento e projeção através da troca de serviços, a partir da utilização de uma infraestrutura eficiente e ágil.

Este artigo trata da utilização da experimentação animal na pesquisa científica, fazendo um breve comentário sobre a polêmica envolvida nesta questão. Ao servirem de estudos aos cientistas, os animais de laboratório têm contribuído significativamente para o desenvolvimento e aprimoramento de procedimentos cirúrgicos, quimioterápicos, vacinas, etc. Entretanto, a experimentação animal desperta manifestação de diferentes naturezas, conduzindo a uma polarização entre os que consideram relevante o uso de animais e aqueles que se contrapõem à sua utilização. Dessa forma, tornam-se necessárias reflexões e discussões sobre este assunto

Entendendo a necessidade de integração entre academia e indústria, este artigo relata a estratégia de uso de recursos técnicos de uma Empresa Júnior (EJ) da Área de Ciência da Computação enquanto instrumentos para ensino e aprendizagem de Engenharia de Software aplicada. A metodologia associada ao estudo baseou-se no uso de um Processo de Desenvolvimento de Software (PDS) específico, desenvolvido para a EJ, e do ambiente criado para este PDS, como instrumentos na instanciação de projetos reais da EJ ou fictícios, em sala de aula. As principais contribuições do uso do PDS e do seu ambiente foram o aumento na qualidade dos projetos e o valor agregado aos alunos, através da utilização de boas práticas da indústria.

In this study aimed to evaluate the possibility of using industrial boiler ash and rice husk ash in removing the commercial pesticide (carbofuran) in aqueous solution. These solids were collected in the Barreiras/BA, were heat treated and characterized by XRD and FT-IR. The adsorption experiments were performed in batch and the carbofuran removal was quantified using the spectrophotometry in the UV region. XRD data showed high silica content in boiler ash, which was reinforced by FT-IR analyses, showing the band FT-IR associated with presence of silica. In the FT-IR analysis of rice husk ash, this band relative to silica also were observed. The potential of adsorption of the ash industrial boiler and rice husk ash was verified obtaining significant results in the removal of carbofuran at low concentrations (2 mg/L), showing 100% of removal of pesticides from 720 min, used the ash industrial boiler, giving these materials a promising character as adsorbents. In the kinetic study of carbofuran adsorption, the mechanism of pseudo-second-order was better adjusted using the RHA as adsorbent, with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.997. The adsorption equilibrium was adjusted better to model of adsorption isotherm of Freundlich with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v1i1.716

Bone repair is a specialized type of wound repair controlled by complex multi-factorial events. The nervous system is recognized as one of the key regulators of bone mass, thereby suggesting a role for neuronal pathways in bone homeostasis. However, in the context of bone injury and repair, little is known on the interplay between the nervous system and bone. Here, we addressed the neuropeptide Y (NPY) neuronal arm during the initial stages of bone repair encompassing the inflammatory response and ossification phases in femoral-defect mouse model. Spatial and temporal analysis of transcriptional and protein levels of NPY and its receptors, Y1R and Y2R, reported to be involved in bone homeostasis, was performed in bone, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and hypothalamus after femoral injury. The results showed that NPY system activity is increased in a time- and space-dependent manner during bone repair. Y1R expression was trigged in both bone and DRG throughout the inflammatory phase, while a Y2R response was restricted to the hypothalamus and at a later stage, during the ossification step. Our results provide new insights into the involvement of NPY neuronal pathways in bone repair.

We tested the hypothesis that there is a topographical sympathetic activation in rats submitted to experimental cirrhosis. Baseline renal (rSNA) and splanchnic (sSNA) sympathetic nerve activities were evaluated in anesthetized rats. In addition, we evaluated main arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS). Cirrhotic Wistar rats were obtained by bile duct ligation (BDL). MAP and HR were measured in conscious rats, and cardiac BRS was assessed by changes in blood pressure induced by increasing doses of phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside. The BRS and baseline for the control of sSNA and rSNA were also evaluated in urethane-anesthetized rats. Cirrhotic rats had increased baseline sSNA (BDL, 102 vs control, 58 spikes/s; p

Versican expression promotes tumor growth by destabilizing focal cell contacts, thus impeding cell adhesion and facilitating cell migration. It not only presents or recruits molecules to the cell surface, but also modulates gene expression levels and coordinates complex signal pathways. Previously, we suggested that the interaction between versican and human epidermal growth factor receptors may be directly associated with tumor aggressiveness. Thus, the expression of EGFR and HER-2 in these neoplasms may contribute to a better understanding of the progression mechanisms in malignant mammary tumors. The purpose of this study was to correlate the gene and protein expressions of EGFR and HER2 by RNA In Situ Hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively, and their relationship with the versican expression in carcinomas in mixed tumors and carcinosarcomas of the canine mammary gland. The results revealed that EGFR mRNA expression showed a significant difference between in situ and invasive carcinomatous areas in low and high versican expression groups. Identical results were observed in HER-2 mRNA expression. In immunohistochemistry analysis, neoplasms with low versican expression showed greater EGFR immunostaining in the in situ areas than in invasive areas, even as the group presenting high versican expression displayed greater EGFR and HER-2 staining in in situ areas. Significant EGFR and HER-2 mRNA and protein expressions in in situ carcinomatous sites relative to invasive areas suggest that these molecules play a role during the early stages of tumor progression.

Aloe maculata, una monocotiledónea petaloidea originaria de Sudáfrica, se cita por primera vez como miembro de la flora espontánea de Argentina. Esta especie crece en diferentes ambientes de la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina. Los objetivos del trabajo son determinar su estatus de residencia y proponer caracteres diagnósticos novedosos para su identificación, junto con observaciones ecológicas. Se ilustra la especie y se provee un mapa de distribución.

The Valencia region, on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula, is an area prone to torrential rains, especially the north of Alicante province and the south of Valencia province. In October 2007, a torrential rain event with accumulated rainfall values exceeding 400 mm in less than 24 h affected the aforementioned areas, producing flash floods that caused extensive economic losses and human casualties. Several simulations of this rain event have been performed with the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) to test the influence of the different convective parameterization scheme implemented in the model on the precipitation forecast.

Sustainable biofuel production from renewable biomass will require the efficient and complete use of all abundant sugars in the plant cell wall. Using the cellulolytic fungus Neurospora crassa as a model, we identified a xylodextrin transport and consumption pathway required for its growth on hemicellulose. Reconstitution of this xylodextrin utilization pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed that fungal xylose reductases act as xylodextrin reductases, producing xylosyl-xylitol oligomers as metabolic intermediates. These xylosyl-xylitol intermediates are generated by diverse fungi and bacteria, indicating that xylodextrin reduction is widespread in nature. Xylodextrins and xylosyl-xylitol oligomers are then hydrolyzed by two hydrolases to generate intracellular xylose and xylitol. Xylodextrin consumption using a xylodextrin transporter, xylodextrin reductases and tandem intracellular hydrolases in cofermentations with sucrose and glucose greatly expands the capacity of yeast to use plant cell wall-derived sugars and has the potential to increase the efficiency of both first-generation and next-generation biofuel production.

The objective of the present study was to assess cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a diagnostic method for determination of gingival thickness (GT) and distance between gingival margin and vestibular (GMBC-V) and interproximal bone crests (GMBC-I). GT and GMBC-V were measured in 348 teeth and GMBC-I was measured in 377 tooth regions of 29 patients with gummy smile. GT was assessed using transgingival probing (TP), ultrasound (US), and CBCT, whereas GMBC-V and GMBC-I were assessed by transsurgical clinical evaluation (TCE) and CBCT. Statistical analyses used independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and simple linear regression. Difference was observed for GT: between TP, CBCT, and US considering all teeth; between TP and CBCT and between TP and US in incisors and canines; between TP and US in premolars and first molars. TP presented the highest means for GT. Positive correlation and linear regression were observed between TP and CBCT, TP and US, and CBCT and US. Difference was observed for GMBC-V and GMBC-I using TCE and CBCT, considering all teeth. Correlation and linear regression results were significant for GMBC-V and GMBC-I in incisors, canines, and premolars. CBCT is an effective diagnostic method to visualize and measure GT, GMBC-V, and GMBC-I.

Previous work by our group described that human β-defensin-2 induces accumulation of extracellular adenosine (Ado) in E. coli cultures through a non-lytic mechanism causing severe plasmolysis. Here, we investigate the presence of AMP as a direct precursor and the involvement of a bacterial enzyme in the generation of extracellular Ado by treated bacteria. Following hBD-2 treatment, metabolites were quantified in the supernatants using targeted HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Microbial growth was monitored by optical density and cell viability was determined by colony forming units counts. Phosphatase activity was measured using chromogenic substrate pNPP. The results demonstrate that defensin-treated E. coli strain W releases AMP in the extracellular space, where it is converted to Ado by a bacterial soluble factor. An increase in phosphatase activity in the supernatant was observed after peptide treatment, similar to the effect of sucrose-induced osmotic stress, suggesting that the periplasmic 5'nucleotidase (5'-NT) is released following the plasmolysis event triggered by the peptide. Ado accumulation was enhanced in the presence of Co2+ ion and inhibited by EDTA, further supporting the involvement of a metallo-phosphatase such as 5'-NT in extracellular AMP conversion into Ado. The comparative analysis of hBD-induced Ado accumulation in different E. coli strains and in Pseudomonas aeruginosa revealed that the response is not correlated to the peptide's effect on cell viability, but indicates it might be dependent on the subcellular distribution of the nucleotidase. Taken together, these data shed light on a yet undescribed mechanism of host-microbial interaction: a human antimicrobial peptide inducing selective release of a bacterial enzyme (E. coli 5'-NT), leading to the formation of a potent immunomodulator metabolite (Ado).

Host tissues affected by Leishmania infantum have differing degrees of parasitism. Previously, the use of different biological tissues to detect L. infantum DNA in dogs has provided variable results. The present study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of molecular diagnostic testing (qPCR) in dogs from an endemic area for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) by determining which tissue type provided the highest rate of parasite DNA detection. Fifty-one symptomatic dogs were tested for CVL using serological, parasitological and molecular methods. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed for accuracy evaluation of these methods. qPCR detected parasite DNA in 100% of these animals from at least one of the following tissues: splenic and bone marrow aspirates, lymph node and skin fragments, blood and conjunctival swabs. Using latent variable as gold standard, the qPCR achieved a sensitivity of 95.8% (CI 90.4-100) in splenic aspirate; 79.2% (CI 68-90.3) in lymph nodes; 77.3% (CI 64.5-90.1) in skin; 75% (CI 63.1-86.9) in blood; 50% (CI 30-70) in bone marrow; 37.5% (CI 24.2-50.8) in left-eye; and 29.2% (CI 16.7-41.6) in right-eye conjunctival swabs. The accuracy of qPCR using splenic aspirates was further evaluated in a random larger sample (n = 800), collected from dogs during a prevalence study. The specificity achieved by qPCR was 76.7% (CI 73.7-79.6) for splenic aspirates obtained from the greater sample. The sensitivity accomplished by this technique was 95% (CI 93.5-96.5) that was higher than those obtained for the other diagnostic tests and was similar to that observed in the smaller sampling study. This confirms that the splenic aspirate is the most effective type of tissue for detecting L. infantum infection. Additionally, we demonstrated that LCA could be used to generate a suitable gold standard for comparative CVL testing.

We previously reported an interorgan system in which stress-related hormones (corticosterone and noradrenaline), interleukin-6, and glutathione (GSH) coordinately regulate metastatic growth of highly aggressive B16-F10 melanoma cells. Corticosterone, at levels measured in tumor-bearing mice, also induces apoptotic cell death in metastatic cells with low GSH content. In the present study we explored the potential role of glucocorticoids in the regulation of metastatic cell death/survival during the early stages of organ invasion. Glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) knockdown decreased the expression and activity of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), the rate-limiting step in GSH synthesis, in metastatic cells in vivo independent of the tumor location (liver, lung, or subcutaneous). The decrease in γ-GCS activity was associated with lower intracellular GSH levels. Nrf2- and p53-dependent down-regulation of γ-GCS was associated with a decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase 1 and 2, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase, but not of the O2--generating NADPH oxidase. The GCR knockdown-induced decrease in antioxidant protection caused a drastic decrease in the survival of metastatic cells during their interaction with endothelial cells, both in vitro and in vivo; only 10% of cancer cells attached to the endothelium survived compared to 90% survival observed in the controls. This very low rate of metastatic cell survival was partially increased (up to 52%) in vivo by inoculating B16-F10 cells preloaded with GSH ester, which enters the cell and delivers free GSH. Taken together, our results indicate that glucocorticoid signaling influences the survival of metastatic cells during their interaction with the vascular endothelium.

The solubility, pH, electrical conductivity, and radiopacity of AH Plus and MTA FillApex were evaluated. In addition, the surfaces morphologies of the sealers were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy. For pH test, the samples were immersed in distilled water at different periods of time. The same solution was used for electrical conductivity measurement. The solubility and radiopacity were evaluated according to ANSI/ADA. Statistical analyses were carried out at 5% level of significance. MTA FillApex presented higher mean value for solubility and electrical conductivity. No significant difference was observed in the mean values for pH reading. AH Plus presented higher radiopacity mean values. MTA FillApex presented an external surface with porosities and a wide range of sizes. In conclusion, the materials fulfill the ANSI/ADA requirements when considering the radiopacity and solubility. AH Plus revealed a compact and homogeneous surface with more regular aspects and equal particle sizes.

Species identification through DNA barcoding is a tool to be added to taxonomic procedures, once it has been validated. Applying barcoding techniques in public health would aid in the identification and correct delimitation of the distribution of rodents from the subfamily Sigmodontinae. These rodents are reservoirs of etiological agents of zoonoses including arenaviruses, hantaviruses, Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. In this study we compared distance-based and probabilistic phylogenetic inference methods to evaluate the performance of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) in sigmodontine identification. A total of 130 sequences from 21 field-trapped species (13 genera), mainly from southern Brazil, were generated and analyzed, together with 58 GenBank sequences (24 species; 10 genera). Preliminary analysis revealed a 9.5% rate of misidentifications in the field, mainly of juveniles, which were reclassified after examination of external morphological characters and chromosome numbers. Distance and model-based methods of tree reconstruction retrieved similar topologies and monophyly for most species. Kernel density estimation of the distance distribution showed a clear barcoding gap with overlapping of intraspecific and interspecific densities < 1% and 21 species with mean intraspecific distance < 2%. Five species that are reservoirs of hantaviruses could be identified through DNA barcodes. Additionally, we provide information for the description of a putative new species, as well as the first COI sequence of the recently described genus Drymoreomys. The data also indicated an expansion of the distribution of Calomys tener. We emphasize that DNA barcoding should be used in combination with other taxonomic and systematic procedures in an integrative framework and based on properly identified museum collections, to improve identification procedures, especially in epidemiological surveillance and ecological assessments.