Search

Abstract Background Developing monocots that accumulate more vegetative tissue protein is one strategy for improving nitrogen-sequestration and nutritive value of forage and silage crops. In soybeans (a dicotyledonous legume), the vspA and B genes encode subunits of a dimeric vegetative storage protein that plays an important role in nitrogen storage in vegetative tissues. Similar genes are found in monocots; however, they do not accumulate in leaves as storage proteins, and the ability of monocot leaves to support accumulation of an ectopically expressed soybean VSP is in question. To test this, transgenic maize (Zea Mays L. Hi-II hybrid) lines were created expressing soybean vspB from a maize ubiquitin Ubi-1 promoter. Results From 81 bombardments, 101 plants were regenerated, and plants from five independent lines produced vspB transcripts and VSPβ polypeptides. In leaves from seven-week-old plants (prior to flowering), VSPβ accumulated to 0.5% of the soluble leaf protein in primary transgenic plants (R0), but to only 0.03% in R1 plants. During seed-filling (silage-stage) in R1 plants, the VSPβ protein was no longer detected in leaves and stems despite continued presence of the vspB RNA. The RNA transcripts for this peptide either became less efficiently translated, or the VSPβ protein became unstable during seed-fill. Conclusion Developmental differences in the accumulation of soybean VSPβ when transgenically expressed in maize show that despite no changes in the vspB transcript level, VSPβ protein that is readily detected in leaves of preflowering plants, becomes undetectable as seeds begin to develop.

Holtbyrnia anomala is a bathypelagic platytroctid widely distributed in the Atlantic Ocean. In this contribution, we report, for the first time, the occurrence of this species in the tropical southwest Atlantic. A single specimen was collected in 2000 on the continental slope off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at an average depth of 1158 m. This report also represents the first record of Holtbyrnia anomala in the Brazilian Economic Exclusive Zone., (© 2024 Fisheries Society of the British Isles.)

In this contribution, nanocatalysts with rather diverse architectures were designed to promote different intimacy degrees between Cu and SiO 2 and consequently tune distinct Cu-SiO 2 interactions. Previously synthesized copper nanoparticles were deposited onto SiO 2 (NPCu/SiO 2 ) in contrast to ordinarily prepared supported Cu/SiO 2 . NPCu@SiO 2 and SiO 2 @Cu core-shell nanocatalysts were also synthesized, and they were all bulk and surface characterized by XRD, TGA, TEM/HRTEM, H 2 -TPR, XANES, and XPS. It was found that Cu 0 is the main copper phase in NPCu/SiO 2 while Cu 2+ rules the ordinary Cu/SiO 2 catalyst, and Cu 0 and electron-deficient Cu δ+ species coexist in the core-shell nanocatalysts as a consequence of a deeper metal-support interaction. Catalytic performance could not be associated with the physical properties of the nanocatalysts derived from their architectures but was associated with the more refined chemical characteristics tuned by their design. Cu/SiO 2 and NPCu/SiO 2 catalysts led to the formation of furfuryl alcohol, evidencing that catalysts holding weak or no metal-support interaction have no significant impact on product distribution even in the aqueous phase. The establishment of such interactions through advanced catalyst architecture, allowing the formation of electron-deficient Cu δ+ moieties, particularly Cu 2+ and Cu + as unveiled by spectroscopic investigations, is critical to promoting the hydrogenation-ring rearrangement cascade mechanism leading to cycloketones.

Two Portuguese institutions, the Museu Maynense da Academia das Cincias de Lisboa (ACL), and the Museu da Cincia da Universidade de Coimbra (MCUC), house a collection of 85 dried fish specimens prepared in what can be called a fish-herbaria following a process similar to that developed by the Dutch naturalist Johan Frederic Gronovius (16901762). These specimens date back to the late eighteenth century and represent Brazilian taxa. Previous authors assumed that they were part of the collections amassed by the Brazilian-Portuguese naturalist Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira (17561815) during his philosophical voyage to the Amazon. Here we present a review of these specimens, suggesting that they belonged to Friar Jos Mariano da Conceio Veloso (17421811) and describe the history of dispersal of these collections up the present day. A total of 58 species in 50 genera, 32 families and 19 orders are represented in the collection. Only 8.6% of these specimens represent freshwater species, while 91.4% are marine or brackish water species. The present known distribution of these taxa is focused on southwestern Brazil, which agrees with the area where Veloso collected natural history specimens. A good percentage of the species were undescribed at the time Veloso collected them, and had they been published by him, would have had priority over species described decades later by famous eighteenth and nineteenth century ichthyologists. We also present a brief discussion on the challenges and opportunities of studying historical natural history specimens, with special focus on those amassed during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century by Brazilian-Portuguese naturalists.

Psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory and polygenic dermatosis associated with both physical and psychological burden that can be triggered by injury, trauma, infections and medications. The etiology of PsO is not fully elucidated but genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors are all likely to play a role. A case-control study was carried out to evaluate the frequency of the IL36G C>T (rs13392494) and the IL36G A>G (rs7584409) variants and their association with susceptibility, joint involvement and severity of PsO. The study included 154 patients with PsO and 154 controls from Brazilian population. The severity of PsO was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). The IL36G (rs13392494 and rs7584409) variants were genotyped by allelic discrimination assay using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. The association between the IL36G genetic variants and the study variables was analyzed in allelic, dominant, codominant, overdominant, recessive, and haplotype models. The main results were that PsO patients were older (p < 0.001) and had higher body mass index (p < 0.001) than controls; 95.8% of the patients had plaque PsO, 16.1% had psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and 27.9% had PASI > 10. The IL36G rs1339294 variant showed no association with PsO in all genetic models while the IL36G rs7584409 variant showed a protective effect in PsO. However, the G allele of the IL36G rs7584409 in the dominant model was positively associated with PASI > 10 (p = 0.031). Moreover, patients with the GG genotype of the IL36G rs7584409 variant had about 5.0 times more chance of PsA than those with the AA genotype (p = 0.014). Regarding the haplotypes, the C/A in a recessive model (CACA versus C/G and T/A carriers) was associated with PsO (p = 0.035) while the C/G haplotype in a dominant model (C/A carriers versus C/G and T/A carriers) showed a protective effect for PsO (p = 0.041). In conclusion, the G allele of the IL36G rs7584409 variant was associated with protection to PsO; however, in patients with PsO, this same allele was associated with moderate to severe disease and PsA. These results suggest that the IL36G rs7584409 variant may be used as a possible genetic biomarker to predict severity and joint involvement of PsO., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interest. None of the authors are involved in the publication process or have a financial or other beneficial interest in the products or concepts mentioned in the submitted manuscript., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Calcium (Ca 2+ ) plays a central role in regulating many cellular processes and influences cell survival. Several mechanisms can disrupt Ca 2+ homeostasis to trigger cell death, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis. Voltage-gated Ca 2+ channels (VGCCs) act as the main source of Ca 2+ entry into electrically excitable cells, such as neurons, and they are also expressed in glial cells such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The dysregulation of VGCC activity has been reported in both Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's (HD). PD and HD are progressive neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) of the basal ganglia characterized by motor impairment as well as cognitive and psychiatric dysfunctions. This review will examine the putative role of neuronal VGCCs in the pathogenesis and treatment of central movement disorders, focusing on PD and HD. The link between basal ganglia disorders and VGCC physiology will provide a framework for understanding the neurodegenerative processes that occur in PD and HD, as well as a possible path towards identifying new therapeutic targets for the treatment of these debilitating disorders., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None.

This study has assessed the psychometric proprieties of the Mental Toughness Inventory (MTI) within the context of Brazilian sports. About 12 professionals participated in the process of adapting and translating the scale to Brazilian Portuguese. Subjects were 575 athletes (23.54 ± 5.79 years old; 58% males) who answered the MTI and the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). Data were analyzed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach's alpha (α), composite reliability (CR), average variance extracted (AVE), Spearman correlation, and model invariance tests. Results from CFA showed adequate fit for the original 8-item structure of the scale [Chi-square (χ 2 ) = 27.041; p = 0.078; normalized chi-square (χ 2/df ) = 1.50; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.988; Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.981; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.03 [0.00-0.05]; standardized root mean residual (SRMR) = 0.030] assessing mental toughness (MT) as a single factor and the scale presented satisfactory internal consistency (CR = 0.81; α = 0.82). MT was correlated with resilience ( r = 0.607), age ( r = 0.276), and time of experience in the sport ( r = 0.215). The MTI has also shown partial measurement invariance for sex and complete invariance across sport types. It was concluded that the MTI is a suitable tool for assessing MT in the present sample of Brazilian athletes; this instrument has potential practical application for researchers and sports psychologists who seek to develop the well-being and performance of athletes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Moreira, Codonhato and Fiorese.)

Microcambeva bendego, a small psammophilous catfish species, is described from the rio Guapi-Macacu basin at Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro State, an Atlantic Forest remnant. This coastal drainage has been explored by several naturalists and fish researchers since the 19th century. It is a drainage with remarkably high endemism and species richness, and some recently-described and threatened species. The new species is distinguished from all congeners by two distinctive characters: long finger-like projections in the branchial isthmus and a large opercular patch of odontodes with 19 odontodes. Due to the paucity of specimens (n=3) osteological features of the new species were accessed by CT-Scan images of the holotype. Microcambeva bendego shares putative synapomorphies with two congeners, M. ribeirae and M. filamentosa, such as the fusion of supraorbital pore s6, the absence of ossification in the anterior autopalatine cartilage, the presence of an elongated and wide posterior process of the autopalatine, and a concavity on the dorsal process of the opercle. Those characters suggest that M. bendego is more closely related to those two species from the rio Ribeira de Iguape basin than to other congeners. The biogeography and conservation status of M. bendego are also discussed.

Bryconops cyrtogaster, a poorly known species endemic from the Oyapock River at the border between French Guyana and Brazil, is redescribed herein based on examination of available type material, as well as newly collected material. Additionally, a new rheophilic species from the rio Jari rapids, lower Amazon basin, Brazil, is described. The two species belong to the subgenus Creatochanes and are unique among the congeneres for possessing a posteriorly positioned humeral blotch at the level of the sixth and seventh lateral line scales. They differ from each other by meristic and morphometric characters. The list of endemic species in the rio Jari basin is revised., (© 2020 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.)

A recent study based on genomic data by Roxo et al. (2019) provided a phylogeny of the Loricariidae, the largest catfish family and second largest Neotropical fish family with approximately 1,000 species. The study represents a valuable and innovative contribution for understanding higher-level relationships within the family. The phylogenetic tree inferred by Roxo et al. (2019) thoroughly corroborates the monophyly and relationships of most currently accepted subfamilies of Loricariidae, based on a fair taxon sampling (nearly 14% of the species in the family) representing most genera of each but one of the subfamilies, the Lithogeninae, the sister-group of the remaining members of the family (Pereira & Reis, 2017; Reis et al., 2017). In addition to a hypothesis of relationships, Roxo et al. (2019) also proposed a series of lower-level taxonomic changes, which are deemed premature considering that the taxonomic sampling of the study targeted higher-level clades, and go against one of the pillars of biological classification: nomenclatural stability (e.g., Heterick & Majer, 2018; Beninger & Backeljau, 2019). Here we (1) discuss implications of inadequate taxonomic sampling as a basis for changes in classification of species; (2) explain why the taxonomic sampling design of Roxo et al. (2019) is inadequate for the proposed nomenclatural changes; and (3) advocate that changes to classifications must be grounded on phylogenies with dense sampling of taxa at the relevant level.

Objective: to identify the underlying harm reduction trends in Brazilian drug policies., Method: The research, qualitative in nature, used in-depth interviews with experts in the field. The recorded and transcribed material was analyzed via the content analysis method., Results: The analysis exposed the following conceptions: drug use is a disease, and its associated health practices should be treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration. These conceptions deviate to some extent from the war on drugs approach, and support the adoption of harm-reduction practices, proposed by public health. Less expressively, critical conceptions which clearly distance themselves from the prohibitionist approach and from public health may be seen, in line with the perspective of collective health, for the implementation of emancipatory harm-reduction practices., Final Considerations: Harm-reduction conceptions and practices reveal the underlying conservative, liberal, and critical tendencies in Brazilian drug policies.

The low professional insertion of psychologists in Brazilian sports teams, as well as the Sport Psychology course being seldom offered in undergraduate Psychology courses, may reflect in the current scenario of scientific research in Brazil. It is still not clear what Graduate Programs (GPs) have adopted directions regarding the development of studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology (SEP) research fields since an assessment or mapping of scientific knowledge production in this area has not yet been performed involving Exercise and Sport Science and Psychology GPs. This study aimed at investigating institutional research and their themes in SEP from these graduate programs. Studies were selected and retrieved from a national database (Sucupira Platform), that contains all registered researches from all Exercise and Sport Science ( n = 31) and Psychology ( n = 84) GPs in the country. Data were analyzed through R software using text mining techniques, latent semantic analysis and K-means clustering. Results revealed that research involving SEP is predominantly being developed at Exercise and Sport Science GPs ( n = 171; p < 0.01) in comparison to psychology GPs ( n = 39), mostly located in the south and southeast regions of Brazil. This research has focused on the effects of physical exercise and quality of life, while Psychology GPs have analyzed sport as associated with health and education, as a way to promote social support and to study sports' psychological aspects. It was concluded that Exercise and Sport Science GPs had the most significant contribution to SEP. Investigations were focused on the interface of exercise with quality of life, health and education, with gaps existing in programs advancing in the studies on sports and performance., (Copyright © 2019 Fiorese, Rodacki, Caruzzo, Moreira, Contreira, de Lima, Fortes, Vissoci and Stefanello.)

A new species, Poecilia (Pamphorichthys) akroa, is described from the Rio Tocantins drainage, Brazil. The new species differs from the remaining species of the genus by the possession of 10 or 11 pectoral-fin rays, entire preopercular ramus and posterior portion of the supraorbital ramus of the cephalic sensory system enclosed in canals, a faint longitudinal band along the body, a single gonapophysis, a homogeneous reticulate color pattern on sides of body, urogenital region of females heavily pigmented, distalmost segments of the anterior branch (4a) of the fourth gonopodial ray fused into an elongated segment turned anteriorly, subdistal segments of anterior branch (5a) of fifth gonopodial ray simple, without anterior (ventral) projections, dorsal fin with pigmentation at its distal portion and with a basal black blotch, and chromatophores more concentrated on the posterior margin of the mid-ventral scale series of the caudal peduncle and ventrolateral margin of the adjacent scales forming a series of rhombi posterior to anal fin.

This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Dispositional Hope Scale (DHS) for the Brazilian sport context. The sample for construct validity consisted of 474 athletes; internal validity was assessed with 101 athletes; and external validity was tested in 81 athletes, from which, were 55 had further participated in the temporal stability assessment. Data analysis was conducted through the following tests: Cronbach's alpha, Composite Reliability (CR), Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Spearman Correlation Coefficient and intraclass correlation. Results had shown that the DHS presents satisfactory internal consistency (.79 ≤ α ≤ .83; .58 ≤ r ≤ .75). The EFA model revealed a two-factor solution to be the most adequate, while CFA confirmed such model (χ2= 59.88; p .50). Temporal stability was achieved (ICC > .70). It was concluded that the DHS is a valid measure for the assessment of hope in Brazilian sports context; this instrument has potential practical applications for professionals working with Sport Psychology.

Creagrutus yudja is described from the Rio Xingu basin, Brazil. It is distinguished from its congeners by the lack of infraorbital 6, the shallower body (13.7-19.2% of SL), the presence of 34-36 perforated lateral line scales, and the presence of 4-6 post-anal scales. The inclusion of the new species on the available, morphology-based phylogenetic study of Creagrutus placed C. yudja as the sister-species of C. nigrotaeniatus, but the clade including those species is not recovered as sister to the pair C. cracentis + C. maxillaris, suggesting independent modifications of the dentition pattern typical of Creagrutus to a condition similar to the plesiomorphic characid condition within the genus.

A new species of penguin tetra, Thayeria tapajonica, is described from the rio Tapajós basin. It is most similar to T. boehlkei by presenting a straight midlateral stripe running anteriorly to immediately posterior to the head, while in T. ifati and T. obliqua the midlateral stripe is restricted to the caudal peduncle, merging with an anterodorsal oblique stripe. The new species is restricted to the rio Tapajós basin downriver of the confluence of the rio Juruena and rio Teles Pires, and lower rio Teles Pires, where its distribution overlaps with T. boehlkei.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term effects of methylphenidate imediate-release (MPH-IR), and to confirm the efficacy established in previous meta-analyses of short-term studies., Method: Published and unpublished studies in which participants were treated with MPH-IR for 12 weeks or more were searched. Pooled effect sizes from these studies were computed with the DerSimonian and Laird random-effect model. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to estimate covariates associated with treatment effects., Results: Seven studies were included. Pooled parents ratings for inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity resulted in standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.96 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.60, 1.32]) and SMD = 1.12 (95% CI = [0.85, 1.39]), respectively; pooled teachers ratings showed SMD = 0.98 (95% CI = [0.09, 1.86]) for inattention and SMD = 1.25 (95% CI = [0.7, 1.81]) for hyperactivity/impulsivity. No evidence of association of any covariates with treatment effect was detected in the meta-regression., Conclusion: MPH-IR is efficacious for childhood ADHD for periods longer than 12 weeks.

Ambient electrostatic paper spray ionization from a hydrophobic paper occurs when a DC potential is applied to the dry paper triangle. Online liquid/liquid extraction of small organic compounds from a drop of biological fluid present on the dry hydrophobic paper is achieved with an organic spray solvent in under 1 min and utilizes in situ electrostatic-spray ionization for more efficient detection of extracted molecules. Direct analysis of small volumes of biofluids with no sample pretreatment is possible, which is applicable in point-of-care analyses. High sensitivity and quantitative accuracy was achieved for the direct analysis of illicit drugs in 4 μL of raw blood, serum, and whole urine. The study was extended to monitor the activity of alanine transaminase enzyme, a key biomarker for the detection of liver injury in patients (with HIV and tuberculosis) who typically take several medications at once.

The best structural model for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms remains a matter of debate. The objective of this study is to test the fit and factor reliability of competing models of the dimensional structure of ADHD symptoms in a sample of randomly selected and high-risk children and pre-adolescents from Brazil. Our sample comprised 2512 children aged 6-12 years from 57 schools in Brazil. The ADHD symptoms were assessed using parent report on the development and well-being assessment (DAWBA). Fit indexes from confirmatory factor analysis were used to test unidimensional, correlated, and bifactor models of ADHD, the latter including "g" ADHD and "s" symptom domain factors. Reliability of all models was measured with omega coefficients. A bifactor model with one general factor and three specific factors (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) exhibited the best fit to the data, according to fit indices, as well as the most consistent factor loadings. However, based on omega reliability statistics, the specific inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity dimensions provided very little reliable information after accounting for the reliable general ADHD factor. Our study presents some psychometric evidence that ADHD specific ("s") factors might be unreliable after taking common ("g" factor) variance into account. These results are in accordance with the lack of longitudinal stability among subtypes, the absence of dimension-specific molecular genetic findings and non-specific effects of treatment strategies. Therefore, researchers and clinicians might most effectively rely on the "g" ADHD to characterize ADHD dimensional phenotype, based on currently available symptom items.

Retroculus acherontos is described from the Rio Tocantins basin, Brazil. It is distinguished from all congeners by the presence of a nuchal hump in large specimens, an irregular black blotch located on the middle of the anterior soft dorsal-fin rays, fewer pectoral-fin rays (15-16), a deeper body, a convex ventral profile, a more transversely convex ventral surface of the body, and by chest scales similar in size to the scales on the side. An expanded diagnosis for the genus Retroculus is provided.

Objective: Children of parents with bipolar disorder (BD) are at heightened risk for developing mood and other psychiatric disorders. We proposed to evaluate the environment of families with at least one parent with BD type I (BDF) with affected offspring (aBDF) and unaffected offspring (uBDF) compared with control families without a history of DSM-IV Axis I disorder (CF)., Method: We used the Family Environment Scale (FES) to evaluate 47 BDF (aBDF + uBDF) and 30 CF. Parents were assessed through the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Diagnosis of the offspring was determined through the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children/Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) interview., Results: There were statistically significant differences between aBDF, uBDF and CF in cohesion (p = 0.003), intellectual-cultural orientation (p = 0.01), active-recreational orientation (p = 0.007), conflict (p = 0.001), control (p = 0.01), moral-religious emphasis (p = 0.01) and organization (p = 0.001). The aBDF showed higher levels of control (p = 0.02) when compared to the uBDF., Conclusions: Families with a BD parent presented more dysfunctional interactions among members. Moreover, the presence of BD or other psychiatric disorders in the offspring of parents with BD is associated with higher levels of control. These results highlight the relevance of psychosocial interventions to improve resilience and family interactions.

Background: As the responsibility and demand on health care grows and resources do not increase at the same pace, the healthcare system has been forced to reconsider the benefits and costs of their actions, to ensure a rational and effective decision-making process regarding the adoption of interventions and allocation of resources. Cost-effectiveness (CE) studies represent one of the basic tools to achieve this goal., Aims: To present the current state of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and health economics in mental health in Brazil and its importance to the decision-making process., Methodology: Descriptive paper on HTA and health economics in Brazil. Databases from government and universities as well as some scientific databases to assess the information are presented., Results and Conclusion: Economic analysis to evaluate interventions in mental health care is a relatively recent addition to the field of health economics; in Brazil, it is also considered a topic within Epidemiology research area. There have been an increased number of studies developed in high-income countries. However, there are fewer CE studies in low- and middle-income ones. Psychiatric disorders represent a significant burden in developing countries, where resources devoted to health care are even scarcer.

Hemiodus iratapuru, a new species of the Hemiodontidae from the Rio Iratapuru, a left bank tributary of the Rio Jari, Amazon Basin, Brazil, is described. The new species is diagnosed from other species of Hemiodus by modifications in the ectopterygoid, tooth form, scale counts, dorsal-fin form and colour pattern. The new species is proposed to be related to the Hemiodus quadrimaculatus species group., (© 2013 The Authors. Journal of Fish Biology © 2013 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.)

Objective: Technological advances in medicine have given rise to a dilemma concerning the use of new health technologies in a context of limited financial resources. In the field of psychiatry, health economic evaluation is a recent method that can assist in choosing interventions with different cost and/or effectiveness for specific populations or conditions. This article introduces clinicians to the fundamental concepts required for critical assessment of health economic evaluations., Methods: The authors conducted a review with systematic methods to assess the essential theoretical framework of health economic evaluation and mental health in Brazil through textbooks and studies indexed in the PubMed, Cochrane Central, LILACS, NHS CRD, and REBRATS databases. A total of 334 studies were found using the specified terms (MeSH - Mental Health AND Economic, Medical) and filters (Brazil AND Humans); however, only five Brazilian economic evaluations were found., Results and Conclusions: Economic evaluation studies are growing exponentially in the medical literature. Publications focusing on health economics as applied to psychiatry are increasingly common, but Brazilian data are still very incipient. In a country where financial resources are so scarce, economic analyses are necessary to ensure better use of public resources and wider population access to effective health technologies.

Teleocichla wajapi, new species, is described from the rio Jari basin, northern Brazil. The new species differs from its congeners by possessing four anal-fin spines, 56-62 scales in El series, smaller orbital diameter (24.6-30.2% of head length) and barred or zigzag color pattern on flanks. New information on the morphology and distribution of T. centrarchus is provided based on recently collected material.

Objective: This study aimed to identify radiographic alterations in patients administered bisphosphonate treatment that would permit early diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the jaw., Study Design: A prospective study was conducted with clinical and radiographic analysis of 60 patients divided into 2 groups. Thirty patients treated with zoledronate were included in group 1, and 30 patients that had never been treated with bisphosphonate were included in group 2. Digital panoramic radiographs were performed on all patients and subsequently evaluated by 2 radiologists., Results: Data analysis revealed that patients treated with zoledronate presented a statistically significant increase in the number of radiographic abnormalities compared with the control group. Female patients presented significantly more alterations than male patients, and the posterior region of the mandible was the most affected region., Conclusions: Analysis of the data obtained revealed that the use of panoramic radiographs facilitates early identification of bone alterations, which can improve early diagnosis of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To check the respiratory muscle strength in cardiac surgery and the relationship with the postoperative pulmonary complications., Methods: Sixty-tree adult's patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were enrolled in this study. In the day of the surgery all patients did the respiratory muscle strength test. In the postoperative a multidisciplinary team took care all patients and they receive physiotherapy treatment twice a day following the usual care of the hospital. In the fifth day after surgery, the patients repeat the respiratory muscle strength test and were examined postoperative pulmonary complications., Results: A significant lower inspiratory muscle strength (P = 0.001) and expiratory muscle strength (P = 0.0001) was found in the postoperative, however it wasn't statistics significantly the relationship between the inspiratory muscle strength (P = 0.58) and expiratory muscle strength (P = 0.4) preoperative with postoperative pulmonary complication., Conclusions: The respiratory strength preoperative couldn't be a predictor of postoperative pulmonary complication.

Objective: To analyze and to quantify morphological acinar postmortem changes in rat sublingual glands (SLG). MATERIAL AND METHODSs: Fifty rats were divided into two groups of 25 animals each. Group I was used for morphological and morphometric evaluations and group II for the determination of gland density and processed gland volume. Acinar autolytic changes were studied at 0 (control group), 3, 6, 12 and 24 h postmortem periods. The morphometric analysis of the volume density (Vv) and total volume (Vt) of intact (ia) and autolyzed (aa) acini was performed under light microscopy using a Zeiss II integration grid with 100 symmetrically distributed points., Results: Morphologically, temporal progressive nuclear alterations and gradual loss of the structural architecture of acinar cells were found. Regarding quantitative results, both the Vvaa and the Vvia showed statistically significant differences among all postmortem periods (p<0.05). Vvaa increased from 0.42% at 0 h to 75.84% at 24 h postmortem and Vvia decreased from 71.16% to 0% over the same period. For Vtaa and Vtia, no statistically significant differences occurred between 12-24 h and 0-3 h (p>0.05), respectively. Vtaa increased from 0.18 mm³ at 0 h to 38.17 mm³ at 12 h, while Vtia showed a decrease from 33.47 mm³ to 0 mm³ between 3-24 h postmortem. Data concerning Vtaa were adjusted by two-variable linear regression, obtaining the equation: y=-3.54+3.38x (r²=0.90). The Vtaa growth rate calculated by this equation was 3.38 mm³/h between 0-12 h., Conclusion: Acinar autolysis on rat SLG demonstrated the most significant signs during the first 6 h postmortem and was widely spread through the gland at 12 h.

The rediscovery of the enigmatic subterranean characiform Stygichthys typhlops is reported almost a half-century after the collection of the holotype, the only specimen previously known. Thirty-four specimens were collected in two shallow hand-dug wells at the region of the type locality, c. 13 km south-west of the town of Jaíba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. These specimens provide new information on the morphology of this species, and for the first time on its life history. The conservation status of S. typhlops is discussed. The species is severely threatened by habitat loss caused by exploitation of the aquifer.

Objective: To evaluated the transdentinal diffusion and subsequent cytotoxicity of self-etching adhesives on odontoblast-like cells., Materials and Methods: Sixty dentin disks (0.4-mm thick) were produced from human molars and divided into six groups (n = 10). The dentin disks were placed in in vitro pulp chambers where MDPC-23 cells were planted on 0.28 cm(2) of exposed dentin on the pulpal side. The adhesives Clearfil SE Bond (CSE), Clearfil Protect Bond (CPB), Adper Prompt (PR), and Xeno III (XE) were applied on the occlusal side. Single Bond (SB) was used as positive and phosphate buffer solution (PBS) as negative control. The cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay and cell characteristics were assessed by SEM. The transdentinal diffusion was qualified by GC/MS., Results: Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests demonstrated a significant difference among the adhesives and PBS. Cellular viability reduction promoted by the self-etching systems was lower than that of SB (53.1%), except for CSE. Cell metabolism was reduced in 47.8%, 42.1%, 28.0%, and 46.5% for CSE, CPB, PR, and XE, respectively. HEMA was identified as the main diffused component., Conclusion: Components from all investigated self-etching adhesive systems were able to diffuse through the dentin resulting in significant reduction of the cellular metabolism.

A new species of Moenkhausia is described from Rio Xingu and Rio Tapajós basins, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners, except from Moenkhausia moisae, by having more scales in the lateral series, 43-47 (v. 23-41 in the remaining congeners). The new species is distinguished from M. moisae by its colour pattern, which consists of a dark midlateral stripe, and an asymmetrical caudal blotch (inconspicuous or faded in specimens from the Rio Arinos) continuous with the midlateral stripe (v. narrow dark midlateral line and conspicuous, regularly rounded and symmetrical blotch not continuous with the midlateral line). The new species is putatively assumed to be mimetic to Jupiaba apenima, in the Rio Xingu and Rio Teles Pires drainages, and to Jupiaba yarina in the Rio Arinos. The two species of Jupiaba are sympatric and remarkably similar in size, general external morphology and colouration to the new species. A small difference occurs in the colouration between the two species of Jupiaba and is also observed in the two respectively sympatric morphotypes of the new species of Moenkhausia. The occurrence of polymorphic Batesian mimicry is therefore discussed for neotropical freshwater fishes.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to provide further evidence to demonstrate the precision and accuracy of maxillofacial linear and angular measurements obtained by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images., Study Design: The study population consisted of 15 dry human skulls that were submitted to CBCT, and 3-dimensional (3D) images were generated. Linear and angular measurements based on conventional craniometric anatomical landmarks, and were identified in 3D-CBCT images by 2 radiologists twice each independently. Subsequently, physical measurements were made by a third examiner using a digital caliper and a digital goniometer., Results: The results demonstrated no statistically significant difference between inter- and intra-examiner analysis. Regarding accuracy test, no statistically significant differences were found of the comparison between the physical and CBCT-based linear and angular measurements for both examiners (P = .968 and .915, P = .844 and .700, respectively)., Conclusions: 3D-CBCT images can be used to obtain dimensionally accurate linear and angular measurements from bony maxillofacial structures and landmarks.

Objective: To assess ADHD symptoms after switching from Methylphenidate Immediate-release (MPH-IR) to Methylphenidate Spheroidal Oral Drug Absorption System (MPH-SODAS) in clinically stable patients with ADHD and to identify predictors of dissatisfaction with MPH-SODAS., Methods: This is an 8-week open clinical trial. Patients were assigned to MPH-SODAS according to their pre-study dose of MPH-IR. Assessments at baseline were conducted using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-IV Questionnaire (SNAP-IV), and the Barkley's Side Effect Rating Scale (SERS). Potentials predictors of treatment response were evaluated., Results: From 62 patients, 47 completed the protocol. There was no significant change in the total score at the SNAP-IV (F (1,51.26) = 0.01; P = 0.91) and its subscales scores during the trial. Although no significant effect on the SERS total score (F (1,111.49) = 0.75; P = 0.39) was found, one adult patient with a previous cardiovascular condition presented a hemorrhagic cerebral vascular accident resulting in her obit. Overall, 46 (74.2%) patients reported to be satisfied. No factor assessed predicted dissatisfaction in univariated analyses., Conclusion: Results suggested that switching from MPH-IR to MPH-SODAS did not affect stabilization of ADHD symptoms in the majority of patients. MPH prescription in patients with previous cardiovascular conditions must be extremely careful. Further studies with long-acting MPH including larger samples and patients not responsive to MPH-IR are needed especially in countries outside the US.

Objective: This study was designed to determine the precision and accuracy of angular measurements using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) volume rendering by computer systems., Study Design: The study population consisted of 28 dried skulls that were scanned with a 64-row multislice CT, and 3D-CT images were generated. Angular measurements, (n = 6) based upon conventional craniometric anatomical landmarks (n = 9), were identified independently in 3D-CT images by 2 radiologists, twice each, and were then performed by 3D-CT imaging. Subsequently, physical measurements were made by a third examiner using a Beyond Crysta-C9168 series 900 device., Results: The results demonstrated no statistically significant difference between interexaminer and intraexaminer analysis. The mean difference between the physical and 3-D-based angular measurements was -1.18% and -0.89%, respectively, for both examiners, demonstrating high accuracy., Conclusion: Maxillofacial analysis of angular measurements using 3D-CT volume rendering by 64-row multislice CT is established and can be used for orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic applications.

The aim of this study was to assess the shape of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articular eminence and the articular disc configuration and position in patients with disc displacement. TMJ magnetic resonance images (MRI) of 14 patients with bilateral disc displacement without unilateral reduction were analyzed. Articular eminence morphology was characterized as box, sigmoid, flattened, or deformed. Articular disc configuration was divided into biconcave, biplanar, biconvex, hemiconvex or folded, and its position, as "a" (superior), "b" (anterosuperior), "c" (anterior) or "d" (anteroinferior). The images were divided and the sides with disc displacement with reduction (DDWR) and without reduction (DDWOR) were compared. Regarding articular eminence shape, the sigmoid form presented the greatest incidence, followed by the box form, in the DDWR side, although this was not statistically significant. In the DDWOR side, the flattened shape was the most frequent (p = 0.041). As to disc configuration, the biconcave shape was found in 79% of the DDWR cases (p = 0.001) and the folded type predominated in 43% of the DDWOR cases (p = 0.008). As to disc position, in the DDWR side, "b" (anterosuperior position) was the most frequent (p = 0.001), whereas in the DDWOR side, "d" (anteroinferior position) was the most often observed (p = 0.001). The side of the patient with altered disc configuration and smaller shape of TMJ articular eminence seems to be more likely to develop non-reducing disc displacement as compared to the contralateral side.

Mandibulofacial dysostosis (Treacher Collins Syndrome) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that probably derives from inhibition of the facial structures from the first and second branchial arches. The facial pattern of the syndrome is a convex facial profile with a prominent nose above a retruded chin. The eyes are deformed by antimongoloid slant of the palpebral fissures and facial bones are hypoplastic. The alterations are caused by mutation in gene 5q32-33.1, which encodes the nucleolar phosphoprotein treacle. Computed tomography images are able to demonstrate craniofacial bones, allowing the morphological analysis of these bones in individuals with complex deformities. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a clinical and computed tomography investigation of two patients with Treacher Collins syndrome.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of relative measurements from the roof of the mandibular canal to the alveolar crest in multislice (multidetector) computed tomography (MDCT) and single-slice computed tomography (SSCT)., Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 26 printed CT films (7 SSCT and 19 MDCT) from the files of the LABI-3D (3D Imaging Laboratory) of the School of Dentistry of the University of São Paulo (FOUSP), which had been acquired using different protocols. Two observers analyzed in a randomized and independent order a series of 22 oblique CT reconstructions of each patient. Each observer analyzed the CT scans twice. The length of the mandibular canal and the distance between the mandibular canal roof and the crest of the alveolar ridge were obtained. Dahlberg test was used for statistical analysis., Results: The mean error found for the mandibular canal length measurements obtained from SSCT was 0.53 mm in the interobserver analysis, and 0.38 mm for both observers. On MDCT images, the mean error was 0.0 mm in the interobserver analysis, and 0.0 and 0.23 mm in the intraobserver analysis. Regarding the distance between the mandibular canal roof and the alveolar bone crest, the SSCT images showed a mean error of 1.16 mm in the interobserver analysis and 0.66 and 0.59 mm in the intraobserver analysis. In the MDCT images, the mean error was 0.72 mm in the interobserver analysis and 0.50 and 0.54 mm in the intraobserver analysis., Conclusion: Multislice CT was demonstrated a more accurate method and demonstrated high reproducibility in the analysis of important anatomical landmarks for planning of mandibular dental implants, namely the mandibular canal pathway and alveolar crest height.

Lassa virus (LASV) is responsible for the deaths of thousands of people in West Africa annually. Genetic diversity among LASV strains is the highest among the Arenaviridae and represents a great challenge for vaccine development. Guinea pigs vaccinated with a ML29 reassortant vaccine experienced sterilizing immunity and complete protection when challenged on day 30 either with homologous virus or with the distantly related Nigerian isolate. Simultaneous vaccination-challenge or challenge on day 2 after vaccination also protected 60-100% of the animals against both strains, but without sterilizing immunity. These results indicate that simultaneous replication of ML29 and LASV attenuates the virulence of LASV infection.

Tuberous sclerosis is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that is characterized by the early development of hamartomas, malformations, and congenital tumors of the nervous system, skin, kidneys, lungs, and heart. Variable clinical expressivity has been reported and more than one gene can be responsible for the disorder. Benign neoplasias accompanying the syndrome are common but malignant neoplasias are rare, being generally mesenchymal and possibly affecting the jaws. We report here a clinical case of a malignant fibrous histiocytoma (undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma) of the mandible in a patient with tuberous sclerosis.

Anxiety disorders are very prevalent in children and adolescents, causing serious impairments. The pharmacological treatment for these disorders is not much investigated in children and adolescents. Thus, there is no consensus about its indication. The present study aims to check the efficacy and tolerability of drugs used for the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents in the context of evidence based medicine. A systematic literature review was carried out in the main databases. In addition, authors were contacted. We found seven studies classified as A or B according to criteria established by the Cochrane Collaboration. Findings suggest efficacy for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, insignificant or unfavorable results for benzodiazepines and imipramine. Some studies present methodological problems. Methodological improvements are needed in futures clinical trials.

Objective: To quantify morphological age- and gender-related differences in human sublingual glands (SLG)., Design: Ninety right human SLG from necropsies were distributed by gender and age groups. Individuals with ages ranging from 7 months to 92 years were divided into Groups I (0-30 years), II (31-60 years) and III (61-92 years). The glandular volume of each SLG was calculated. The morphometric quantifications of the volume density and total volume of acini, ducts, stroma, adipose tissue and septa were realized under light microscopy using a Zeiss II integration grid with 100 points symmetrically distributed., Results: The glandular volume decreased, on average, 33.78% across the groups. The volume density (V(V)) of acini reduced 60.54% and of septa 34.82%, being replaced partly by an increase of 58.82%, 551.22% and 2,783.33% in the volume density of ducts, stroma and adipose tissue, respectively. In absolute terms, with aging, the total volume (V(T)) of the acini decreased by 54.04% and by 34.84% in the septa. In contrast, the total volume of ducts, stroma and adipose tissue showed increases of 62.53%, 363.25% and 2,308.64%, respectively. Both the V(V) and the V(T) of acini, ducts, stroma and adipose tissue and the V(V) of septa were statistically different with age. No significant difference was observed between genders., Conclusion: The decrease of parenchyma accompanied by an increase of stroma observed here in SLG is a common feature of aging in human salivary glands.

Actinomycosis of the paranasal sinuses is a rare occurrence and its clinical presentation does not suggest a specific diagnosis. Therefore, actinomycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of neoplasms and granulomatous lesions of the head and neck region. However, the differentiation from a malignant neoplasm is not easy because the radiological findings are frequently similar and positive cultures are difficult to obtain. This report highlights the clinical progress of paranasal actinomycosis associated with some computed tomography findings that can be extremely helpful in the correct diagnosis. The characteristics of the disease are described and the relevant literature is discussed.

An outbreak of bacteraemia in a haemodialysis unit where 65 episodes of infection involved 35 outpatients is reported. Burkholderia cepacia complex was the agent most frequently recovered from blood. Thirty-three environmental and clinical isolates of B. cepacia complex were characterized by whole-cell protein electrophoresis and recA-RFLP profile. Fourteen isolates were genomovar I and 16 isolates were not classifiable by their recA-RFLP pattern. Ribotyping, random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and integron profile were used to explore the clonality of the isolates, and revealed multiple strain genotypes. Four ribotypes and RAPD types and three integron patterns were identified. The water supply was identified as the source of the outbreak, and inappropriate cleaning and a leak in the reverse osmosis tubing connection were the probable causes of contamination. B. cepacia complex was still recovered from blood of patients even after apparently adequate measures were taken and water quality standards were met, suggesting that higher standards for water quality should be adopted in haemodialysis units. The genomovars recovered here were distinct from those commonly reported for cystic fibrosis isolates.

The effect of xylosides on the synthesis of [35S]-sulfated glycosaminoglycans by endothelial cells in culture was investigated. Ortho-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xylose (10(-3)M) produces a dramatic enhancement on the synthesis of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate secreted to the medium (20- and 100-fold, respectively). Para-nitrophenylxyloside, at the same concentration, produces an enhancement of only 37- and 3-fold of chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate, respectively. These differences of action seem to be related with the higher lipophilic character of ortho-nitrophenyl-xyloside. A lower enhancement of the synthesis of the two glycosaminoglycans is also observed with 2-naphtol beta-D-xylose and cis/trans-decahydro-2-naphtol beta-D-xylose. Besides stimulating the synthesis, O-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xylose as PMA [J. Cell. Biochem. 70 (1998) 563] also inhibits [3H]-thymidine incorporation by quiescent endothelial cells stimulated for growth by fetal calf serum (FCS). The combination of xylosides with PMA produced some cumulative effect. PMA stimulates the synthesis of heparan sulfate mainly at G1 phase whereas the highest enhancement of synthesis produced by the xylosides is in the S phase of the endothelial cell cycle.

Bradykinin (BK) and phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) were used in the present work to study the biosynthesis of proteoglycans (PG) during the cell cycle of endothelial cells. PMA, an activator of PKC, stimulated the synthesis of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) secreted to the medium of endothelial cells mainly during the G(1) phase of the cell cycle [J. Cell. Biochem. 70 (1998) 563]. BK is a vasoactive peptide that increases calcium levels inside the cells indirectly stimulating PKC. Treatment of the endothelial cells with BK, as well as PMA, stimulated the synthesis of HSPG secreted to the medium and produced an antimitogenic effect on the cell cycle. These results led to the conclusion that PKC is directly involved in the synthesis of HSPG secreted to the medium. Also, comparing the effect showed by BK with PMA, one may suggest that different PKC isoforms are involved in these two processes and that their isoforms are mainly Ca(2+) dependent.

Dissemination of a malignant tumour is the result of a cascade of events beginning with detachment of cells from primary tumour followed by extravasation and growth at secondary sites. The differences in metastatic ability could be attributed to properties intrinsic to the various tumour types. Thus the clonal selection of tumour cells from successive metastases apparently results in cells better equipped for survival and formation of colonies in secondary sites, indicating that survival is not a random phenomenon. Many studies of malignant cells have correlated the overexpression of adhesion receptors such as integrins and the production of cysteine proteases and glycosidases with the progression of malignancy. The interaction of cysteine proteases with basement membrane components has been implicated in tumour invasion, activation of hormones and growth factors. On the other hand, the expression of the heparanase gene and its protein has been associated with the metastatic potential of several human and mouse tumour cell lines. This study aimed to investigate the correlations between the metastatic properties of clones with high and low metastatic potential and their ability to adhere to the extracellular matrix and to degrade proteins and sulphated glycosaminoglycans present there. Clonal selection of the B16F10 cell line was performed, and the clones were examined for the expression of an integrin-type laminin receptor. A significantly higher level was detected in a high metastatic clone. Enzymatic assays showed higher activity for alpha-d-N-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-d-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and beta-d-glucuronidase in conditioned medium from low metastatic clones compared with that from high metastatic clones. However, higher endopeptidase activity was observed in conditioned medium from high metastatic clones. In summary, these results showed a positive correlation between high metastatic potential and endopeptidase secretion. Similarly, a positive correlation was observed between low metastatic cells and the secretion of glycosaminoglycan-degrading glycosidases.