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The article studies the experience of Jesuit missionaries who worked in the "Austral Missions" (1750-1753) in the current territory of the Province of Buenos Aires. The sources that support the research are letters and reports from Jesuits and members of the colonial government, referring to the foundation, functioning and abandonment of that "pueblos de indios". It will be critically analyzed seeking to understand the effects of this experience on the subjectivity of religious people. Therefore, in addition to working with sources, we will also make use of comparisons with situations of a similar nature, in other mission areas, as well as the debate with historiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe ocular surface findings in impression cytology obtained from healthy rabbit conjunctiva treated with interferon alpha-2b eyedrop, and compare them to findings after use of mitomycin C 0.02%. Methods: An experimental study using a rabbit model was performed between September 2013 and October 2014 at the Faculdade de Medicina de Marília, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Clínica de Olhos Moacir Cunha. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 6 groups and received interferon alpha-2b or mitomycin C 0.02%. Impression cytology (IC) was performed prior to topical applications and at15, 30 and 60 days of use. The following variables were analyzed in impression cytology: goblet cells, cellularity, cell-to-cell adhesion, nucleus/cytoplasm ratio, nuclear chromatin, inflammatory cells keratinization, and cytomegaly. Results: The major findings in impression cytology after us of interferon alpha-2b included loss of goblet cells (50.8%), reduced cell-to-cell adhesion (26.2%), abnormal nucleus/cytoplasm ratio (20%) and reduced cellularity (15.4%). After use of mitomycin C 0.02%, the most common changes included loss of goblet cells (46.2%), abnormal nucleus/cytoplasm ratio (25.6%), less cell-to-cell adhesion (23.1%), and reduced cellularity (20.5%). There were no significant differences in any variable when comparing impression cytology after interferon alpha-2b and after mitomycin C 0.02%. Goblet cell loss was more pronounced at days 30 and 60, as compared to impression cytology at day 15 for both drugs. Conclusion: The loss of goblet cells, reduced cell-to-cell adhesion and cellularity, along with abnormal nucleus/cytoplasm ratio were the most common findings in impression cytology after use of interferon alpha-2b.These findings are similar to those described for use of mitomycin C 0.02%. .. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to show some aspects that are part of the (Latin-Portuguese) bilingual critical edition of "Pilgrimage of Egeria." Notably, we try to show the different types of notes that are part of our edition, i.e. notes of textual and historical-literary criticism, according to the tradition of ecdotics. In the critical edition notes, we present some problems related to beneventan script. Finally we show some lexical items that are part of the glossary, attached to the text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper I discuss the impact of the use of revisionist tactics in retellings of fairy tales by the contemporary writers Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, and Angela Carter, in order to show how the new readings make it possible to question, and in some cases, even to contest or change conventional meanings crystallized by the tradition of these children's stories. To do so I rely on Adrienne Rich's concept of "revision" and on the notions of revisionist tactics pointed out by Rachel B. DuPlessis and Alicia S. Ostriker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relations between indigenous society and the academic research in Brazil consist on the object studied of this paper. Therefore, ponder about the eurocentrism present on the traditional historiography. Finally, discuss around the modern schedule of this theme in the scholarship practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe a case of eyelid sarcoidosis without systemic manifestations with a three-year follow-up. Methods: A 73-year-old woman presented complaining of a one-year history of swelling and hyperemia in the right upper eyelid. To confirm the diagnosis, we performed an incisional biopsy of the eyelid. Results: Histopathological examination showed a non-caseating granulomatous process suggestive of sarcoidosis. After three years, the patient was asymptomatic and physical and laboratory examination showed no signs of systemic sarcoidosis. Conclusion: The histopathological exam was fundamental for the diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is key to fight bacterial adhesion to prevent biofilm establishment on biomaterials. Surface immobilization of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) is a promising strategy to avoid bacterial colonization. This work aimed to investigate whether the direct surface immobilization of Dhvar5, an AMP with head-to-tail amphipathicity, would improve the antimicrobial activity of chitosan ultrathin coatings. The peptide was grafted by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) chemistry by either its C- or N- terminus to assess the influence of peptide orientation on surface properties and antimicrobial activity. These features were compared with those of coatings fabricated using previously described Dhvar5-chitosan conjugates (immobilized in bulk). The peptide was chemoselectively immobilized onto the coating by both termini. Moreover, the covalent immobilization of Dhvar5 by either terminus enhanced the antimicrobial effect of the chitosan coating by decreasing colonization by both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. Relevantly, the antimicrobial performance of the surface on Gram-positive bacteria depended on how Dhvar5-chitosan coatings were produced. An antiadhesive effect was observed when the peptide was grafted onto prefabricated chitosan coatings (film), and a bactericidal effect was exhibited when coatings were prepared from Dhvar5-chitosan conjugates (bulk). This antiadhesive effect was not due to changes in surface wettability or protein adsorption but rather depended on variations in peptide concentration, exposure, and surface roughness. Results reported in this study show that the antibacterial potency and effect of immobilized AMP vary greatly with the immobilization procedure. Overall, independently of the fabrication protocol and mechanism of action, Dhvar5-chitosan coatings are a promising strategy for the development of antimicrobial medical devices, either as an antiadhesive or contact-killing surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major risk factor associated with the development of gastric cancer is chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori. The available treatments, based on a cocktail of antibiotics, fail in up to 40% of patients and disrupt their gut microbiota. The potential of blank nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for H. pylori eradication was previously demonstrated by us. However, the effect of NLC charge, size and protein corona on H. pylori-specific bactericidal activity herein studied was unknown at that time. All developed NLC formulations proved bactericidal against H. pylori. Although cationic NLC had 10-fold higher bactericidal activity than anionic NLC, they lacked specificity, since Lactobacillus acidophilus was also affected. Anionic NLC achieved complete clearance in both H. pylori morphologies (rod- and coccoid-shape) by inducing alterations in bacteria membranes and the cytoplasm, as visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The presence of an NLC protein corona, composed of 93% albumin, was confirmed by mass spectrometry. This protein corona delayed the bactericidal activity of anionic NLC against H. pylori and hindered NLC activity against Escherichia coli. Overall, these results sustain the use of NLC as a promising antibiotic-free strategy targeting H. pylori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of thrombin based on aptamer binding is studied using two different optical fiber-based configurations: long period gratings coated with a thin layer of titanium dioxide and surface plasmon resonance devices in optical fibers coated with a multilayer of gold and titanium dioxide. These structures are functionalized and the performance to detect thrombin in the range 10 to 100 nM is compared in transmission mode. The sensitivity to the surrounding refractive index (RI) of the plasmonic device is higher than 3100 nmRIU-1 in the RI range 1.335 to 1.355, a factor of 20 greater than the sensitivity of the coated grating. The detection of 10 nM of thrombin was accomplished with a wavelength shift of 3.5 nm and a resolution of 0.54 nM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine Toxoplasma gondii genotype in scars of retinochoroiditis in humans. Design: Immunopathology analysis. Methods: DNA was isolated from retinochoroidal specimens taken from the borders of the scars from eye bank eyes as well as enucleated eyes from uveitis patients with retinochoroidal toxoplasmic scars. The SAG2 region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Of the 92 eyes studied, 9 had toxoplasmic scars. All of them, as well as the 2 enucleated eyes, disclosed the presence of type I parasites by the gel electrophoresis analysis of the restriction fragment length polymorphism from SAG2. Conclusion: These results suggest that type I strain seems to be responsible for the ocular infections in the population studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: To describe autofluorescence patterns of choroidal melanocytic lesions using the Heidelberg Retinal Angiograph 2 system (HRA2). Methods: 20 patients with choroidal melanocytic lesions in the ocular fundus underwent ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, autofluorescence and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Pathologic examination was performed on one enucleated eye with a large choroidal melanoma. Results: 15 patients had choroidal nevi and 5 had malignant choroidal melanoma (1 small, 1 medium and 3 large tumours). Choroidal nevi did not show any characteristic autofluorescence pattern, although secondary retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes, such as drusen and pigment epithelium detachment, appeared faintly hyperautofluorescent in 2 patients. Only the small malignant choroidal melanomas had prominent orange pigmentation, although all melanomas had an intense confluent hyperautofluorescent signal over the lesions. Pathology of one large malignant melanoma revealed lipofuscin underlying RPE. Conclusion: Most nevi did not have characteristic hyperauto- fluorescent features, but choroidal melanomas seemed to have a pattern of confluent hyperautofluorescence. Therefore, autofluorescence may be a useful non-invasive tool to assess lipofuscin in pigmented choroidal lesions, which may contribute to the diagnosis of malignancy. This hypothesis, however, remains to be confirmed in large prospective studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents lists of sadomasochism groups, listservs and advocacy organizations in countries and cities around the world. A discussion is also presented of the legal, political and social issues facing the BDSM community in each of these countries, as well as the historical progress towards greater visibility and acceptance of the sadomasochistic lifestyle. Cities and countries listed include New York City (N.Y.), Norway, Switzerland, Austria, Toronto (Canada), Canada, Germany, and Brazil.

Abstract: Purpose: Ocular lesions are frequent in various individuals infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Disease intensity in ocular toxoplasmosis varies greatly between patients. Autoimmunity has been suggested as a possible component to retinal destruction. Methods: Immunologic parameters in the response to retina antigens were evaluated in infected persons with and without ocular lesions and in non-infected controls. Subjects were divided into groups on the basis of titers of serum antibodies to T. gondii, presence and severity of ocular lesions, and clinical history. Results: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with mild disease responded to one or more retinal antigens with a significantly higher frequency than patients without disease or with severe disease. Interestingly, the cytokines produced by the proliferating mononuclear cells did not follow any specific patterns, except for the fact that IL-4 and IL-5 were seldom detected. Conclusions: Our results suggest that although the presence of an immune response towards autoantigens is not protective against the development of ocular lesions by the T. gondii, it may protect against the development of severe disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Designing hydrogels with high-strength and stiffness remains a challenge, limiting their usage in several applications that involve load-bearing. In this work, in situ incorporation of different amounts of graphene oxide (GO) into poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) was used to create hydrogels with outstanding stiffness (Young's modulus of up to 6.5 MPa, 8.3x higher than neat pHEMA) and tensile resistance (ultimate tensile strength of up to 1.14 MPa, 7.4x higher than neat pHEMA) without affecting the water absorption capacity, surface wettability and cytocompatibility of pHEMA. Such magnitude of improvement in Young's modulus and ultimate tensile strength was never before described for GO incorporation in hydrogels. Moreover, these stiffness and tensile resistance values are higher than the ones of most hydrogels (few hundred kPa), achieving a stiffness comparable to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), cartilage and artery walls and a tensile resistance similar to rigid foams, PDMS and cork. These new materials open a wide range of applications for pHEMA in different fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]