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ABSTRACT The major surface lipophosphoglycan (LPG) of Leishmania parasites is critical to vector competence in restrictive sand fly vectors in mediating Leishmania attachment to the midgut epithelium, considered essential to parasite survival and development. However, the relevance of LPG for sand flies that harbor multiple species of Leishmania remains elusive. We tested binding of Leishmania infantum wild-type (WT), LPG-defective (Δlpg1 mutants), and add-back (Δlpg1 + LPG1) lines to sand fly midguts in vitro and their survival in Lutzomyia longipalpis sand flies in vivo. Le. infantum WT parasites attached to the Lu. longipalpis midgut in vitro, with late-stage parasites binding to midguts in significantly higher numbers than were seen with early-stage promastigotes. Δlpg1 mutants did not bind to Lu. longipalpis midguts, and this was rescued in the Δlpg1 + LPG1 lines, indicating that midgut binding is mediated by LPG. When Lu. longipalpis sand flies were infected with the Le. infantum WT or Le. infantum Δlpg1 or Le. infantum Δlpg1 + LPG1 line of the BH46 or BA262 strains, the BH46 Δlpg1 mutant, but not the BA262 Δlpg1 mutant, survived and grew to numbers similar to those seen with the WT and Δlpg1 + LPG1 lines. Exposure of BH46 and BA262 Δlpg1 mutants to blood-engorged midgut extracts led to mortality of the BA262 Δlpg1 but not the BH46 Δlpg1 parasites. These findings suggest that Le. infantum LPG protects parasites on a strain-specific basis early in infection, likely against toxic components of blood digestion, but that it is not necessary to prevent Le. infantum evacuation along with the feces in the permissive vector Lu. longipalpis. IMPORTANCE It is well established that the presence of LPG is sufficient to define the vector competence of restrictive sand fly vectors with respect to Leishmania parasites. However, the permissiveness of other sand flies with respect to multiple Leishmania species suggests that other factors might define vector competence for these vectors. In this study, we investigated the underpinnings of Leishmania infantum survival and development in its natural vector, Lutzomyia longipalpis. We found that LPG-mediated midgut binding persists in late-stage parasites. This observation is of relevance for the understanding of vector-parasite molecular interactions and suggests that only a subset of infective metacyclic-stage parasites (metacyclics) lose their ability to attach to the midgut, with implications for parasite transmission dynamics. However, our data also demonstrate that LPG is not a determining factor in Leishmania infantum retention in the midgut of Lutzomyia longipalpis, a permissive vector. Rather, LPG appears to be more important in protecting some parasite strains from the toxic environment generated during blood meal digestion in the insect gut. Thus, the relevance of LPG in parasite development in permissive vectors appears to be a complex issue and should be investigated on a strain-specific basis.

ABSTRACT Lathosterol oxidase (LSO) catalyzes the formation of the C-5–C-6 double bond in the synthesis of various types of sterols in mammals, fungi, plants, and protozoa. In Leishmania parasites, mutations in LSO or other sterol biosynthetic genes are associated with amphotericin B resistance. To investigate the biological roles of sterol C-5–C-6 desaturation, we generated an LSO-null mutant line (lso−) in Leishmania major, the causative agent for cutaneous leishmaniasis. lso− parasites lacked the ergostane-based sterols commonly found in wild-type L. major and instead accumulated equivalent sterol species without the C-5–C-6 double bond. These mutant parasites were replicative in culture and displayed heightened resistance to amphotericin B. However, they survived poorly after reaching the maximal density and were highly vulnerable to the membrane-disrupting detergent Triton X-100. In addition, lso− mutants showed defects in regulating intracellular pH and were hypersensitive to acidic conditions. They also had potential alterations in the carbohydrate composition of lipophosphoglycan, a membrane-bound virulence factor in Leishmania. All these defects in lso− were corrected upon the restoration of LSO expression. Together, these findings suggest that the C-5–C-6 double bond is vital for the structure of the sterol core, and while the loss of LSO can lead to amphotericin B resistance, it also makes Leishmania parasites vulnerable to biologically relevant stress. IMPORTANCE Sterols are essential membrane components in eukaryotes, and sterol synthesis inhibitors can have potent effects against pathogenic fungi and trypanosomatids. Understanding the roles of sterols will facilitate the development of new drugs and counter drug resistance. LSO is required for the formation of the C-5–C-6 double bond in the sterol core structure in mammals, fungi, protozoans, plants, and algae. Functions of this C-5–C-6 double bond are not well understood. In this study, we generated and characterized a lathosterol oxidase-null mutant in Leishmania major. Our data suggest that LSO is vital for the structure and membrane-stabilizing functions of leishmanial sterols. In addition, our results imply that while mutations in lathosterol oxidase can confer resistance to amphotericin B, an important antifungal and antiprotozoal agent, the alteration in sterol structure leads to significant defects in stress response that could be exploited for drug development.

Abstract Background Lipophosphoglycan (LPG) is a dominant surface molecule of Leishmania promastigotes. Its species-specific polymorphisms are found mainly in the sugars that branch off the conserved Gal(β1,4)Man(α1)-PO4 backbone of repeat units. Leishmania amazonensis is one of the most important species causing human cutaneous leishmaniasis in the New World. Here, we describe LPG intraspecific polymorphisms in two Le. amazonensis reference strains and their role during the development in three sand fly species. Results Strains isolated from Lutzomyia flaviscutellata (PH8) and from a human patient (Josefa) displayed structural polymorphism in the LPG repeat units, possessing side chains with 1 and 2 β-glucose or 1 to 3 β-galactose, respectively. Both strains successfully infected permissive vectors Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia migonei and could colonize their stomodeal valve and differentiate into metacyclic forms. Despite bearing terminal galactose residues on LPG, Josefa could not sustain infection in the restrictive vector Phlebotomus papatasi. Conclusions LPG polymorphisms did not affect the ability of Le. amazonensis to develop late-stage infections in permissive vectors. However, the non-establishment of infection in Ph. papatasi by Josefa strain suggested other LPG-independent factors in this restrictive vector.

Summary: Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by Leishmania parasites is critical for the outcome of leishmaniasis, a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. We investigate the mechanisms involved in NLRP3 activation and demonstrate that caspase-11 (CASP11) is activated in response to infection by Leishmania species and triggers the non-canonical activation of NLRP3. This process accounts for host resistance to infection in macrophages and in vivo. We identify the parasite membrane glycoconjugate lipophosphoglycan (LPG) as the molecule involved in CASP11 activation. Cytosolic delivery of LPG in macrophages triggers CASP11 activation, and infections performed with Lpg1–/– parasites reduce CASP11/NLRP3 activation. Unlike bacterial LPS, purified LPG does not activate mouse CASP11 (or human Casp4) in vitro, suggesting the participation of additional molecules for LPG-mediated CASP11 activation. Our data identify a parasite molecule involved in CASP11 activation, thereby establishing the mechanisms underlying inflammasome activation in response to Leishmania species. : Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is critical for the outcome of leishmaniasis. De Carvalho et al. show that Leishmania lipophosphoglycan (LPG) triggers caspase-11 activation in macrophage cytoplasm and the non-canonical activation of NLRP3, thereby establishing the mechanisms underlying NLRP3 activation in response to Leishmania. Keywords: Leishmania, inflammasome, caspase-11, lipophosphoglycan, LPG, caspase-1, NLRP3, macrophage, non-canonical inflammasome, Leishmaniasis

Trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas Disease, shed extracellular vesicles (EVs) enriched with glycoproteins of the gp85/trans-sialidase (TS) superfamily and other α-galactosyl (α-Gal)-containing glycoconjugates, such as mucins. Here, purified vesicles from T. cruzi strains (Y, Colombiana, CL-14 and YuYu) were quantified according to size, intensity and concentration. Qualitative analysis revealed differences in their protein and α-galactosyl contents. Later, those polymorphisms were evaluated in the modulation of immune responses (innate and in the chronic phase) in C57BL/6 mice. EVs isolated from YuYu and CL-14 strains induced in macrophages higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and nitric oxide via TLR2. In general, no differences were observed in MAPKs activation (p38, JNK and ERK 1/2) after EVs stimulation. In splenic cells derived from chronically infected mice, a different modulation pattern was observed, where Colombiana (followed by Y strain) EVs were more proinflammatory. This modulation was independent of the T. cruzi strain used in the mice infection. To test the functional importance of this modulation, the expression of intracellular cytokines after in vitro exposure was evaluated using EVs from YuYu and Colombiana strains. Both EVs induced cytokine production with the appearance of IL-10 in the chronically infected mice. A high frequency of IL-10 in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes was observed. A mixed profile of cytokine induction was observed in B cells with the production of TNF-α and IL-10. Finally, dendritic cells produced TNF-α after stimulation with EVs. Polymorphisms in the vesicles surface may be determinant in the immunopathologic events not only in the early steps of infection but also in the chronic phase.

The subgenus Mundinia includes several Leishmania species that have human and veterinary importance. One of those members, Leishmania Mundinia enriettii was isolated from the guinea pig Cavia porcellus in the 1940s. Several histopathological studies have already been performed in this species in the absence of salivary gland extract (SGE), which are determinant and the early and future events of the infection. Our main hypothesis is that SGE could differentially modulate the course of the lesion and macrophage differentiation caused by avirulent and virulent L. enriettii strains. Here, the C. porcellus nasal region was infected using needles with two strains of L. enriettii (L88 and Cobaia) in the presence/absence of SGE and followed for 12 weeks. Those strains vary in terms of virulence, and their histopathological development was characterized. Some L88-infected animals could develop ulcerated/nodular lesions, whereas Cobaia strain developed non-ulcerated nodular lesions. Animals experimentally inoculated developed a protuberance and/or lesion after the 4th and 5th weeks of infection. Macroscopically, the size of lesion in L88-infected animals was smaller in the presence of SGE. Remarkable differences were detected microscopically in the presence of SGE for both strains. After the 6th and 7th weeks, L88-infected animals were heavily parasitized with an intense inflammatory profile bearing amastigotes and pro-inflammatory cells compared to those infected by Cobaia strain. Morphometry analysis revealed that L1+ macrophages were abundant in the L88 infection, but not in the Cobaia infection. In the presence of SGE, an increased CD163+ macrophage infiltrate by both strains was detected. Interestingly, this effect was more pronounced in Cobaia-infected animals. This study showed the role of SGE during the course of L. enriettii (strains L88 and Cobaia) infection and its role in modulating macrophage attraction to the lesion site. SGE decreased L1+ macrophages and this may favor an escaping mechanism for L88 parasites. On the other hand, in the presence of SGE, an increase in CD163+ cells during Cobaia infection may be important for its control. Although both strains healed at the end of the infection, the role of SGE was determinant for the kinetics of the immunopathological events in this dermotropic species.

In the past years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become an important field of research since EVs have been found to play a central role in biological processes. In pathogens, EVs are involved in several events during the host–pathogen interaction, including invasion, immunomodulation, and pathology as well as parasite–parasite communication. In this report, we summarised the role of EVs in infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and helminths based on the talks and discussions carried out during the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) workshop held in São Paulo (November, 2016), Brazil, entitled Cross-organism Communication by Extracellular Vesicles: Hosts, Microbes and Parasites.

The genus Sarcocystis contains around 200 species and 25 of these infect snakes. Two Sarcocystis spp. shed by snakes have called special attention of the scientific community. S. nesbitti, which is shed by scrub pythons (Simalia amethistina), causes myopathy in humans that consume water or food contaminated with the parasite. Sporocysts of S. singaporensis, excreted by reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus), is letal for rats and was successfully tested in the biological control of these rodents. A high biodiversity of snakes is found in Brazil, however, scarce information is available about Sarcocystis spp. in Brazilian snakes. Herein, we investigated Sarcocystis sp. in feces of the common boa (Boa constrictor) from Salvador, as it is widely distributed in Brazil and it is also bred in other countries. Feces of 65 boas were examined, and Sarcocystis sp. was found in 1/65 (1.53%) snakes. All snakes were alive, and for this reason, intestinal scrapping, which is the most sensitive method to detect the parasite, was not performed. Morphometric evaluation of sporocysts showed significant differences in their sizes. PCR and multilocus sequencing of four genetic markers (cox1, 18S, ITS1, and 28S) revealed that sporocysts corresponded to a new Sarcocystis species. Sequences of cox1 and 18S had identities of 100% and higher than 98%, respectively, with sequences obtained from the rodent Lagostomus maximus in Argentina. ITS1 and 28S sequences did not match with any known Sarcocystis sp. No ITS1 and 28S sequences were available for the Sarcocystis sp. found in the Argentinian L. maximus. Bioassay using the boa sporocysts was conducted in three mouse lineages and in Rattus norvegicus, but no parasitic stages were detected in these rodents. We concluded that the common boa is probably the definitive host of a new species of Sarcocystis sp. that has L. maximus or related rodents as intermediate hosts.

Abstract Parasites are responsible for the most neglected tropical diseases, affecting over a billion people worldwide (WHO, 2015) and accounting for billions of cases a year and responsible for several millions of deaths. Research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) has increased in recent years and demonstrated that EVs shed by pathogenic parasites interact with host cells playing an important role in the parasite's survival, such as facilitation of infection, immunomodulation, parasite adaptation to the host environment and the transfer of drug resistance factors. Thus, EVs released by parasites mediate parasite‐parasite and parasite‐host intercellular communication. In addition, they are being explored as biomarkers of asymptomatic infections and disease prognosis after drug treatment. However, most current protocols used for the isolation, size determination, quantification and characterization of molecular cargo of EVs lack greater rigor, standardization, and adequate quality controls to certify the enrichment or purity of the ensuing bioproducts. We are now initiating major guidelines based on the evolution of collective knowledge in recent years. The main points covered in this position paper are methods for the isolation and molecular characterization of EVs obtained from parasite‐infected cell cultures, experimental animals, and patients. The guideline also includes a discussion of suggested protocols and functional assays in host cells

Benzer-se no marafo implica em estar de acordo com as dinâmicas religiosas, além disso, que estamos cientes das sequências ritualistas que envolverão nossos corpos e produzirão subjetividades. O texto que segue é fruto de entrevistas semiestruturadas com sete dirigentes de terreiros do interior do Rio Grande do Sul. O objetivo é descrever as compreensões dos colaboradores, com relação aos conceitos de Educação, Pedagogias e Culturas, enquanto elementos implicados na tradição oral, entendida como prática educadora indispensável para problematização das dinâmicas educativas do sagrado. O texto está organizado em três subitens: Assentando saberes (os fundamentos); Pedagogias: ferramentas disciplinares para educar-ensinar (tecnologia da Educação); e Culturas: contextos que oportunizam diferentes leituras da Educação (indissociabilidade dos três conceitos). Esses conceitos (Educação, Pedagogias e Culturas) apontam, respectivamente: o princípio mais amplo do que sabemos, iremos ensinar e estratégias de aprendizagem recorridas. O segundo orientado pela práxis dialógica do saber ser e cuidar de si. E o terceiro, instituído pela gama de saberes que fundamentarão cada escolha, atitude, preparação e execução das práticas educativas. É na interação desses três que compreenderemos os processos de pedagogização que nos forjam e que sempre envolverão relações de poder e saber, que não se conectam apenas pelos meandros ideológicos, visto que os saberes estão subordinados às teias do poder, campos teóricos conceituais e estratégias didático-pedagógicas. O saber será sempre fruto de um complexo cultural, que poderá vir a ser pedagogizado por diferentes vieses, constituído de linhas de força que disputarão qual deverá entrar na ordem discursiva e qual não.

Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) causes illness and death in cetaceans worldwide; the CeMV strains circulating in the Southern Hemisphere are poorly known. We detected a pilot whale CeMV strain in 3 short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) stranded in Brazil during July–October 2020. Our results confirm this virus circulates in this species.

Objective: To evaluate the mechanical properties of mini-implants (MIs) manufactured from stainless steel and compare them with conventional titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy MIs. Material and Methods: The following groups were formed: G1 (n=24), 8×1.5 mm steel MIs; G2 (n=24), 12×2.0 mm steel MIs; and G3 (n=24), 10×1.5 mm titanium MIs. The 72 MIs were inserted in the infra zygomatic crest region of the maxilla and retromolar trigone in the jaw of 10 pigs. Pull-out, insertion torque, fracture and percussion tests were performed in order to measure the tensile strength, primary stability and fracture strength of MIs. A digital torque gauge was used to measure insertion and fracture torque, a universal mechanical testing machine was used for pull-out testing and a periotest device was used to measure the micromovement of MIs. For morphological and MI component evaluation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed. D'Agostino & Pearson, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn post-hoc and normality tests were used. Results:G2 insertion and fracture torques were significantly higher than G1 and G3 insertion and fracture torques (p

O objetivo desse trabalho foi analisar a relação entre a Sofisticação Financeira (SF) do CEO e os investimentos realizados em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (P&D), divulgados no resultado e no intangível. Para tanto, foram coletados dados das empresas listadas na B3 durante o período de 2011 a 2019 sobre a P&D e as características pessoais do CEO (experiências e formações) em diversas fontes. Para as análises foram utilizados métodos de análise fatorial, modelos de regressão probit e dados em painel com efeitos fixos. Constatou-se que, da amostra total, menos que 20% das empresas realizam gastos com P&D. Entre os setores econômicos, o que mais aplica recursos em P&D é o de tecnologia da informação. Quanto à SF do CEO, as evidências encontradas não permitem confirmar a hipótese da relação com a P&D. No entanto, os testes feitos com as dimensões acadêmica e profissional da SF apontaram que o CEO com níveis maiores da dimensão profissional tem a probabilidade de divulgar P&D no resultado, enquanto a dimensão acadêmica da SF tem relação negativa fraca com níveis de recursos aplicados em P&D e registrados no intangível.

Esta pesquisa objetiva evidenciar pessoas que contribuíram para o surgimento e o desenvolvimento das Danças Urbanas no município do Rio Grande/RS. Através de estudo de cunho qualitativo, caracterizado como uma pesquisa descritiva, e tendo como instrumento de pesquisa e coleta de informações a entrevista semi-estruturada. Realizamos uma entrevista com dois bailarinos que propuseram as Danças Urbanas sistematizada e com vistas à profissionalização. Identificamos os atravessamentos das Danças Urbanas com os estúdios de dança da cidade, seu processo de profissionalização e a projeção de bailarinos e professores que são reconhecidos como os pioneiros e líderes de grupos de dança importantes no município.

Este texto possui como proposta analisar as relações de participação no Festival Dança Estudantes. A pesquisa foi possível pela participação de três professoras e dois oficineiros vinculadas(os) a Prefeitura Municipal do Rio Grande. A metodologia é qualitativa, com uso de entrevistas semiestruturadas e individuais, as quais foram gravadas, transcritas e refletidas sob a técnica da Análise de Conteúdo. As respostas centram-se na elaboração coreográfica que deriva de múltiplos artefatos culturais que motivam os sujeitos a participarem do evento, orientados(as) por compreensões distintas sobre dança e competição. Ocorrem transformações nos contextos escolares, pelo envolvimento da comunidade, a fim de oportunizar a participação dos sujeitos.

An object-oriented architecture of a topological data structure that allows high-level interactive two-dimensional (2-D) geometric modeling, called HETOOL, is introduced in this paper. The implementation is based on the well-known half-edge data structure for 2-manifold solids, adapted here to deal efficiently with general 2-D models and planar subdivisions, often employed in science and engineering problems. The HETOOL was implemented in Python. The developed package presents a dynamic data structure that performs the automatic topological sewing of the modeled geometric elements. The library offers many features and facilities to the user, allowing the use of the package even without the user knowing the topological concepts involved in implementing this data structure. In addition, the library offers flexibility in configuring new attributes, enabling the creation of these elements in a fast and straightforward way from a file in JSON format. This versatility in creating attributes allows the application of this package to solve several problems present in the scientific world.

Background: Some studies indicated that body mass index (BMI) is inversely proportional to serum testosterone concentrations in men. Purposes: This study aimed to analyze the effects of aging and obesity on total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), bioavailable testosterone (BT), luteinizing hormone (LH), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the clinical and laboratory profiles of 701 patients treated at a private urology clinic in Ponta Grossa, Brazil, from January 2016 to December 2018. Results: Patients’ age ranged from 16 to 88 years (mean, 56.9 ± 13.62 years). Age did not significantly influence serum TT concentrations, except compared to patients aged >70 years. However, changes were observed in FT and BT (p < 0.05). The mean SHBG increased with age (p < 0.05). A tendency toward LH elevation was observed in older patients, but it was not statistically significant. An inverse proportional relationship between TT, FT, and BT and the testosterone deficiency rate (TT < 300 ng/dL) was observed within BMI groups (p < 0.05). The testosterone deficiency rate was 21.5% in individuals with normal BMI, 29% in overweight individuals, and 37% in obese individuals. Conclusions: Aging affected the testosterone concentrations in men and became increasingly evident using FT and BT instead of TT. SHBG increased with age. Obesity was associated with a decrease in TT, FT, and BT but also increased the rate of hypogonadism.

O texto objetiva saber de que maneira os profissionais que participaram de todas as edições do Festival Dança Estudantes tecem relações entre as danças e a Educação. Realizamos entrevistas semiestruturadas com três professoras concursadas e dois oficineiros vinculados a Prefeitura Municipal para posterior ação da Análise de Conteúdo. Para eles, além do princípio técnico ou artístico ensinar danças chega em saberes estéticos que humanizam os estudantes ao propor desafios que confrontam seus contextos de vida para produzir danças nas escolas. Nesse pensamento, as relações entre danças e Educação extrapolam a pesquisa e ação docente, pois, possibilita intercâmbios nas posições de sujeito, nas quais todos aprendem e ensinam pelas danças.

Abstract Background The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of alveolar corticotomy (AC) and piezocision (PZ) in accelerating maxillary canine retraction, and their effects on multiple bone remodeling expression in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). A split-mouth, randomized controlled clinical trial was performed at the Department of Orthodontics of Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Eligibility criteria included orthodontic need for first maxillary premolars extractions, followed by canine retraction. Fifty-one adult patients were recruited and randomly assigned to 3 groups (allocation ratio 1:1:1). Random allocation of surgical or control interventions to each side of the maxillary arch was also conducted: G1 − AC × Control, G2 − PZ × Control, and G3 − AC × PZ. Both the definition of the group and the decision of the experimental or control sides were randomized by the software. Intraoral digital scans were performed before, 7 and 14 days after the beginning of canine retraction, and subsequently, at every 14 days until a maximum period of 6 months. GCF samples were collected before, and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. The primary outcome consisted in the cumulative distal movement of the canines and was measured by digital model superimposition. The secondary outcome consisted in GCF bone remodeling samples that were quantified in a multiplex immunoassay. The measurements examinator was properly blinded. Results Forty-seven patients, 19 males and 28 females, were analyzed (mean age 20.72, SD = 6.66, range 15 to 38). Statistically significant differences in canine distal movement between AC and control in G1 were not observed (p > 0.05). In G2, PZ showed lower cumulative incisal and cervical measurements than control from the 2nd to the 24th week (p < 0.05). In G3, PZ showed a lower cumulative incisal and cervical measurements than AC from the16th to the 24th week (p < 0.05). In all groups, differences on biomarkers expression occurred at specific timepoints (p < 0.05), but a distinct pattern was not observed. Conclusions AC and PZ were not effective to accelerate maxillary canine retraction and did not induce a distinct pattern of biomarker expression. Trial registration NCT03089996 . Registered 24 March 2017 - Registered.

ABSTRACT Objective: To develop and make available, at no cost to the user, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools for Dentistry, providing dental information and advice geared toward patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. Material and Methods: A Dentistry-based content that contemplated information and advice concerning orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances was elaborated. The materials, which included instructions on oral hygiene and treatment strategies when faced with possible complications, were evaluated and validated by specialists, whose assessments reached a 85% approval. From the validated content, products using four distinct ICT tools were formulated. Results: The following technological products were developed: a program for community radios, three blog posts, four educational and informative videos, and a smartphone application - using texts, as well as images and videos. These ICT tools, geared toward patients wearing fixed orthodontic appliances, were made available by internet at no cost to the user, and the number of accesses is already expressive. Conclusion: These technological-scientific tools, developed and provided freely to the population, can aid patients during their treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances, contributing to the dissemination of reliable information, and clarifying doubts that may arise during orthodontic therapy. These free ICT tools serve to facilitate access to scientific knowledge, thereby favoring social inclusion, bearing in mind that this educational and informative material was offered in a simple and accessible manner to the general population.

O texto se propõe a expor as experiências de quatro bailarinos, da cidade do Rio Grande/ RS, que se aventuram ao interpretar diferentes formas de representação do que eles entendem por gay, em seu contexto de solo gaúcho interiorano, seguindo uma influência Queer, acreditando que essa seja uma oportunidade de interagir com diferentes espaços. Por meio de duas formas de entrevista, em grupo e individual, os dados produzidos permitiram perceber que ocorrem transformações pelo uso de metáforas cênicas, utilizadas para expor identidades “ditas” femininas, paradoxalmente, em corpos masculinos de tal forma, que essas representações propiciem um misto de sensações, por exemplo, estranheza e desejo, entendendo essas, enquanto manifestações culturais, produzidas pela experimentação entre os seus corpos e os afetos sentidos pelos(as) seus/ suas expectadores(as).

Studies on infectious and emerging diseases caused by bats have been increasing worldwide due to their well-recognised status as a reservoir species for various infectious agents as well as their close relationship to humans and animals. This study reports the molecular frequency and diversity of the parasites belonging to the Sarcocystidae family in bats in São Paulo state, Brazil. A total of 2892 tissue samples (brain and pectoral muscle/heart homogenates) from 1921 bats belonging to 36 species were collected, and the Sarcocystidae protozoan 18S ribosomal RNA encoding genes (18S rDNA) were detected by nested PCR and Sanger sequencing. The relative prevalence of Sarcocystidae species was 4.7% (91/1921) among 16 bat species, including insectivorous (n = 65), frugivorous (n = 13) and nectarivorous (n = 11) bats. From 66 sequenced positive samples, 50 were found to be suitable for analysis. Ten samples from insectivorous and nectarivorous bats showed 100% similarity with Neospora caninum (n = 1), Hammondia hammondi (n = 1), Cystoisospora canis (n = 1), Nephroisospora eptesici (n = 1), Sarcocystis (Frenkelia) glareoli (n = 1), and Toxoplasma gondii (n = 5). The 45 non-T. gondii samples revealed 15 different 18S rDNA alleles with identities varying from 96.1 to 100% with several Sarcocystidae species, which might suggest that bats can harbour a large variety of Sarcocystidae organisms. From the five T. gondii-positive tissue samples, three samples from two different bat specimens of the insectivorous Eumops glacinus were characterised using 11 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers, revealing the non-archetypal ToxoDB genotypes #6 (type BrI), which is one of the most prevalent in different hosts and regions from Brazil, and #69. We recommend the inclusion of T. gondii as a differential diagnosis for rabies and other neurological syndromes in bats.

We previously showed that L. (Leishmania) amazonensis promastigotes and amastigotes of the PH8 strain generated larger lesions in mice than LV79, and that lesion-derived amastigotes from the two strains differ in their proteomes. We recently reported that PH8 promastigotes are more phagocytized by macrophages. Promastigotes’ membrane-enriched proteomes showed several differences, and samples of each strain clustered based on proteomes. In this paper, we show phenotypic differences between PH8 and LV79 promastigotes that may explain the higher virulence of PH8. We compared in vitro macrophage infections by day 4 (early) and day 6 (late stationary phase) cultures, resistance to complement, and LPG characteristics. PH8 promastigotes showed a higher infectivity and were more resistant to murine complement. LPG was different between the strains, which may influence the interaction with macrophages and survival to complement. We compared the infection of the permissive vector Lutzomyia longipalpis. PH8 was more abundant in the vector’s gut 72 h after feeding, which is a moment where blood digestion is finished and the parasites are exposed to the gut environment. Our results indicate that PH8 promastigotes are more infective, more resistant to complement, and infect the permissive vector more efficiently. These data suggest that PH8 is probably better adapted to the sand fly and more prone to survive in the vertebrate host.

A Música Popular Brasileira e a Nueva Canción Chilena foram expressões artístico-culturais críticas ao autoritarismo imposto pelo Estado, em um período predominantemente marcado por regimes militares no Cone Sul. Nos últimos anos houve um crescimento de pesquisas que buscaram estabelecer conexões entre a MPB e a Nueva Canción Chilena, com enfoque nas perspectivas da história comparada e transnacional. O presente artigo tem o intuito de explorar a presença da Nueva Canción Chilena na memória da resistência cultural brasileira, a partir da análise do livreto Cancionero de la Nueva Canción Chilena, localizado no Archivio Storico del Movimento Operaio Brasiliano (ASMOB). Os significados da guarda e da produção desse documento apontam caminhos para pensar fluxos e redes culturais, principalmente no que diz respeito a experiência do exílio que está relacionada ao contexto da fonte.

Zoonotic leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum is a disease of One Health concern since human and animal cases and environmental damage are interconnected. L. infantum has a complex epidemiological cycle with multiple hosts, including mammals—humans, domestic, and wild animals—and arthropod vectors. Knowledge on mammal infections in endemic areas is crucial for developing control strategies. This work aimed to detect and characterize L. infantum infection in domestic cats from areas where human and canine leishmaniasis cases occur. No cases of feline leishmaniasis (FeL) had been previously reported in those areas. Five municipalities from Bahia state were chosen, comprising 2,480.8 km2 with 1,103,866 inhabitants. Ninety domiciliated and/or sheltered cats underwent clinical examination and serology by a rapid reference test recommended by the Brazilian government. Cytology, PCR, and parasite DNA sequencing were performed in bone marrow samples. Rapid tests detected antibodies in 5.6% (5/90) of the cats. Leishmania infantum infection was confirmed in 7.8% (7/90) of the cats by PCR, sequencing, and parasite isolation. Three out of the five municipalities (60%) had infected cats, and PCR positivity varied from 6.9 to 29%. One cat was categorized as harboring active L. infantum infection with amastigote forms in bone marrow smears. No clinical signs were detected at the first clinical exam, but 1 month later the cat developed severe FeL. The cat isolate was grown in culture, typed and its DNA sequence was homologous to the L. infantum reference strain (PP75). In conclusion, cats are potential hosts and may acquire L. infantum in endemic areas where canine and human cases occur. For cats, the need for surveillance, differential diagnosis and clinical care is highly recommended since a fast clinical progression of FeL developed in a subclinical animal. An accurate standardized immunodiagnostic assay for FeL is warranted.

BackgroundThe municipality of Caratinga is an important endemic area for American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) and no epidemiological studies were performed during the past two decades. Here, we analyzed the epidemiological situation and the geographical distribution of ATL cases in the municipality of Caratinga from 2007 to 2018 using geographic information systems (GIS). Also, we evaluated the impact of several demographic parameters in ATL distribution and the sand flies incriminated in its transmission.MethodsAll demographic information (gender, age, educational level, clinical form, diagnostic criteria and case evolution) used in this study was retrieved from the public health archives and confirmed in the State Health Services databases. All cases were analyzed using GIS software based on ATL distribution. Also, non-systematic sand fly collections and molecular detection of Leishmania were performed in the hotspots.Results and conclusionsDuring the period, ATL cases continued and increased especially in the past years (2016-2018). Hotspots included urban Caratinga areas and the districts of Patrocínio de Caratinga and Sapucaia. The species Nyssomyia whitmani, Nyssomyia intermedia, Migonemyia migonei and Evandromyia cortelezzii complex were captured. However, ITS1-PCR did not detect Leishmania DNA in those insects. Based on our analyses, urbanization of ATL in Caratinga has occurred in the past years. Due to the increase in the number of cases and vectors presence, it is recommended that health authorities focus on control measures in the most affected areas (Patrocínio of Caratinga and Sapucaia districts and urban Caratinga).

Lipophosphoglycan (LPG), when used as an ELISA target, confers high specificity and sensitivity to the detection of Leishmania infantum antibodies in dogs. Glycoconjugates are economically viable because the yield is very high after extraction/purification. In addition, they are very stable, which allows their use in point-of-care testing without special storage conditions. During the glycoconjugate extraction, a glycoinositolphospholipid (GIPL)-enriched fraction is obtained in similar quantities as LPG. Since GIPLs can be extracted from the same parasite pellet as LPGs, this work aimed to evaluate the immune recognition of GIPLs by Leishmania infantum-infected dogs and its use for canine leishmaniasis (CanL) immunodiagnosis. Like LPG, GIPLs were recognized by sera from L. infantum-infected dogs, but with less sensitivity (83.8%). However, 80% (16/20) of subclinically infected dogs were detected as positive in the assay. Different from LPG, the GIPL-based assay achieved a lower specificity (73.7%) and cross-reactions occurred with T. cruzi and L. braziliensis-infected dogs. Although GIPLs exhibited a similar performance to LPG for subclinically L. infantum-infected dogs, the occurrence of cross-reactivities with other protozoa and a lower sensitivity hinders its use for an immunodiagnostic test. In places where those diseases do not co-exist such as in the Mediterranean region, its use for subclinically dogs could be an alternative.

Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania (Trypanosomatidae: Kinetoplastida) are parasitic protozoan causing Chagas disease, African Trypanosomiasis and Leishmaniases worldwide. They are vector borne diseases transmitted by triatomine bugs, Tsetse fly, and sand flies, respectively. Those diseases cause enormous economic losses and morbidity affecting not only rural and poverty areas but are also spreading to urban areas. During the parasite-host interaction, those organisms release extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are crucial for the immunomodulatory events triggered by the parasites. EVs are involved in cell-cell communication and can act as important pro-inflammatory mediators. Therefore, interface between EVs and host immune responses are crucial for the immunopathological events that those diseases exhibit. Additionally, EVs from these organisms have a role in the invertebrate hosts digestive tracts prior to parasite transmission. This review summarizes the available data on how EVs from those medically important trypanosomatids affect their interaction with vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.

Neste artigo problematizo como os saberes em torno das narrativas de experiências históricas foram recorrentes ao produzir análises acerca do ensino de danças de exus e pombagiras, em terreiros de Quimbanda, na cidade do Rio Grande/ RS. Utilizei, para tanto, discussões sobre ensino relacionadas a dois conceitos: conhecimento histórico e usos do passado. Ensinar, ainda que não seja uma premissa de todos(as) os(as) participantes do estudo, coloca em debate artefatos ou técnicas, que substanciam os movimentos dos corpos dos(as) filhos(as) de santo dos(as) dirigentes de terreiros. O aporte teórico está centrado nos Estudos Culturais na sua vertente pós-estruturalista e as narrativas foram produzidas a partir de roteiros estruturados, sendo os dados analisados sob uma Análise Cultural. Considero que o conhecimento é transitório e que produz, a partir de narrativas históricas, sujeitos religiosos por meio das danças. Desse modo, especifico que os saberes e o ato de ensinar não são processos definitivos e que apresentam conexões de proximidade com histórias que forjam os terreiros.

Purpose – This study aims to identify the relationship between the use of financial covenants and the cost of borrowing via bonds issued by firms in Brazil. Design/methodology/approach – The sample comprised 269 bond series issued by 106 publicly-listed companies from 2010 to 2016. Covenants were sampled manually from the indentures and prospectuses of these issues. A distinction was made between covenants that must be fulfilled by the firm issuing the debt and those that create obligations for another firm that has a secondary liability to the issuer’s creditors. A linear regression model was constructed to test the relationships between these covenants and the spreads paid on the bonds. Findings – The results indicate that covenants that must be observed by the issuer are used as a complementary mechanism to the risk premium charged by creditors. In turn, covenants that bind guarantors constitute a mechanism to substitute the risk premium, reducing the spread. These findings show that financial covenants play a double role in bond issues in Brazil and that the role varies depending on the firm that is responsible for complying with the covenant. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature by showing that the effect of financial covenants on the cost of debt varies as a function of which firm must fulfill the covenant. It therefore demonstrates that it is essential to control for the responsibility to fulfill covenants when measuring their effect on the cost of debt.

BACKGROUND:The two most common general anesthesia techniques are total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and venous/inhalation balanced general anesthesia (BGA). It is unclear whether any of these two techniques affect patient perception of the quality of recovery. The aim of this randomized, double-blinded clinical trial was to assess the quality of postoperative recovery of women undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. We compared patients who received TIVA with those who received BGA. We also evaluated the factors that may decrease patient-perceived quality of postoperative recovery. METHODS:We prospectively recruited 121 women aged 18-65 years who were scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to cholelithiasis. These patients were randomized to receive TIVA (target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil) or BGA (continuous remifentanil infusion and sevoflurane inhalation). To measure the quality of postanesthetic and postoperative recovery, we administered the Quality of Recovery-40 (QoR-40) questionnaire 24 hours after the patient awoke from anesthesia. RESULTS:All 60 patients in the TIVA group responded to QoR-40 (median, 188 points; minimum 128; maximum 200). Sixty-one patients in the BGA group had a mean QoR-40 score of 186 points (median, 188 points; minimum 146; maximum 200). There was no significant difference in the QoR-40 score between the two groups (p = 0.577). The patients who presented postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and pain had worse perception of the quality of postoperative recovery. CONCLUSIONS:Both TIVA and BGA had a similar effect on the perception of the quality of postoperative recovery in women undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. PONV and pain may negatively affect patient perception of the quality of postoperative recovery.

O presente texto realiza a descrição das abordagens do currículo real do Programa de Pós-Graduação (lato sensu) em Docência para Educação Profissional, Científica e Tecnológica ofertado pelo Instituto Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, campus Nova Andradina a estudantes ingressantes no primeiro semestre de 2017. Apresenta-se, também, os aspectos positivos e aspectos a serem melhorados em cada arranjo pedagógico na perspectiva dos estudantes envolvidos, na maioria professores em formação continuada. A pesquisa embasa-se nos conceitos de currículo, teorias, níveis e abordagens curriculares. Foram analisados questionários respondidos pelos participantes ao término de cada módulo do curso, planos de aula e diário de bordo. Como resultado, os aspectos positivos foram: experiência de métodos ativos, trabalhos colaborativos e integração de conteúdos disciplinares. Já os aspectos que precisam ser melhorados na visão dos estudantes são: alinhamento na abordagem de ensino, diálogo com os estudantes, adoção da modalidade híbrida (atividades online e presencial), reorganização das disciplinas de forma a permitir que a disciplina Pesquisa em Educação seja abordada desde o início do curso, maior utilização de recursos tecnológicos. Quanto às abordagens, percebe-se que no âmbito do currículo real os estudantes experienciaram a organização multidisciplinar e pluridisciplinar no primeiro módulo do curso; a multidisciplinaridade e transdisciplinaridade no segundo módulo; e no terceiro, a organização interdisciplinar e transdisciplinar, o que concede à trajetória caráter inovador.

Este artigo tem como objetivo geral compreender o processo de ocupação produtiva nas áreas de Cerrado pós 1960 e os impactos socioambientais imprimidos, a partir deste modelo de desenvolvimento, ao Estado de Goiás. Para isto, fazemos inicialmente uma caracterização geral do Bioma Cerrado, considerando sua diversidade biológica e o processo degradação sofridos historicamente. Em seguida analisamos o processo de modernização da agricultura e sua relação com o processo de degradação social e ambiental do Cerrado goiano e, por fim, buscamos compreender as características do movimento recente de fortalecimento do Agronegócio nas áreas de Cerrado, destacando o crescimento no uso de agrotóxicos, uma das bases deste processo. Metodologicamente, a construção do texto tem como base um levantamento referencial detalhado, a partir do qual, selecionamos alguns autores que entendemos ser essenciais para apoiar a compreensão e análise da ocupação histórica do Bioma Cerrado pela agricultura moderna. Os resultados demonstram, de forma geral, a nocividade do modelo baseado nos parâmetros no Agronegócio ao meio ambiente e para a sociedade de forma geral. O aumento no uso de agrotóxicos, especificamente, tem ocasionado impactos socioambientais irreversíveis ao Cerrado e à sua população.

Lipophosphoglycan (LPG) is the major surface glycoconjugate of Leishmania protozoan and has an important biological role in host-parasite interactions both in the midgut epithelium of the sand fly vector and in the vertebrate macrophages. Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a chronic infectious disease predominantly caused by Leishmania infantum. An early and accurate immunodiagnosis of the disease is crucial for veterinary clinical practice and for disease control. In this work, we evaluated L. infantum LPG as an antigen in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for CanL immunodiagnosis (LPG-ELISA) by testing serum samples from 97 naturally infected dogs with diverse clinical presentations ranging from subclinical infection to severe disease, as evaluated by veterinarian infectologists. Serum samples from healthy dogs from non-endemic areas (n = 68) and from dogs with other infectious diseases (n = 64) were used as controls for assay validation. The performance of the LPG-ELISA was compared with that of an ELISA using the soluble fraction of L. infantum total lysate antigen (TLA). LPG-ELISA presented a superior performance in comparison to TLA-ELISA, with 91.5% sensitivity, 98.5% specificity and 99.7% accuracy. A distinguishing feature of the LPG-ELISA compared to the TLA-ELISA was its higher ability to identify subclinical infection in clinically healthy dogs, in addition to the absence of cross-reactivity with other canine infectious diseases. Finally, LPG-ELISA was compared to TR DPP visceral canine leishmaniasis test, the immunochromatographic test recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. LPG-ELISA exhibited higher values of specificity (98.5% versus 93.1%) and sensitivity (91.5% versus 90.6%) compared to TR DPP. In conclusion, L. infantum-derived LPG was recognized by antibodies elicited during CanL in different infection stages and was shown to be a suitable antigen for specific clinical settings of veterinary diagnosis and for public health usage.

O cuidado com feridas constitui atividade importante no cotidiano dos enfermeiros e requer conhecimentos atualizados para intervenção segura. Dentre as terapias tópicas no tratamento de feridas, destaca-se papaína com fácil aplicabilidade e eficácia. Objetivou-se identificar o perfil sociodemográfico dos enfermeiros da área cirúrgica e descrever a indicação da papaína por esses profissionais. Estudo exploratório-descritivo, abordagem quantitativa, realizado com 33 enfermeiros cirúrgicos de um hospital universitário do Rio de Janeiro, abril a junho de 2017, com aplicação de questionário abordando perfil dos enfermeiros e indicação e uso da papaína. A seguir, foram elaborados 2 instrumentos: um alicerçado no levantamento bibliográfico sobre utilização da papaína e um Barema para avaliar respostas obtidas. Os dados foram coletados, agrupados por semelhança, analisados, e posteriormente inseridos no instrumento de avaliação. Foram encontrados 63,6% dos enfermeiros como residentes e plantonistas, e 28 (84,8%), confirmaram usar a papaína em feridas. Destes, 67,8% indicaram a papaína considerando a ação farmacológica. Não houve consenso para emprego nas fases de cicatrização e 82,1% afirmaram usar equipamento de proteção individual durante o procedimento. Concluiu-se que apesar do uso da papaína pelos enfermeiros, não há consenso na utilização e indicação, o que reforça necessidade de estratégias educativas de atualização para os mesmos. Descritores: Papaína; Cicatrização; Enfermagem cirúrgica. ABSTRACT The use of papain in wounds by surgical nurses of an University Hospital. Wound care is an important activity in the daily routine of nurses and requires up-to-date knowledge for safe intervention. Among the topical therapies in the treatment of wounds, the papain stands out for its easy applicability and effectiveness. The objective was to identify the sociodemographic profile of nurses in the surgical area and to describe the indication of papain by these professionals. An exploratory-descriptive study, a methodological approach, performed with 33 surgical nurses from a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro, from April to June 2017, with the application of a questionnaire addressing nurses’ profile and indication of the use of papain. Next, two instruments were elaborated: one based on the bibliographical survey on the use of papain and a Barema to evaluate the answers obtained. The data were collected, grouped by similarity, analyzed, and later, inserted in the evaluation instrument. A total of 63.6% of nurses were found as residents and attendees, and 28 (84.8%) confirmed using papain in wounds. Of these, 67.8% indicated papain considering the pharmacological action. There was no consensus for use in the healing phases and 82.1% stated that they used personal protective equipment during the procedure. It was concluded that despite the use of papain by nurses, there is no consensus on the use and indication which increases the need for educational strategies to update them. Keywords: Papain; Healing; Surgical nursing

Trypanosoma cruzi is a flagellate protozoan pathogen that causes Chagas disease. Currently there is no preventive treatment and the efficiency of the two drugs available is limited to the acute phase. Therefore, there is an unmet need for innovative tools to block transmission in endemic areas. In this study, we engineered a novel recombinant molecule able to adhere to the T. cruzi surface, termed scFv-10D8, that consists of a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) derived from mAb-10D8 that targets gp35/50. The synthetic gene encoding scFv-10D8 was cloned and fused to a 6×His tag and expressed in a prokaryotic expression system. Total periplasmic or 6xHis tag affinity-purified fractions of scFv-10D8 retained the capacity to bind to gp35/50, as shown by Western blot analyses. Pre-incubation of metacyclic trypomastigotes with scFv-10D8 showed a remarkable reduction in cell invasion capacity. Our results suggest that scFv-10D8 can be used in a paratransgenic approach to target parasites in insect vectors, avoiding dissemination of infective forms. Such advances in the development of this functional molecule will surely prompt the improvement of alternative strategies to control Chagas disease by targeting mammalian host stages.

Evidence of sarcocystid infection was investigated in samples of 16 penguins (Spheniscus. magellanicus), four Dominican gulls (Larus dominicanus) and two Chilean skuas (Stercorarius chilensis) found in Madalenas Islands, Chile, in 2017. Samples of skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and brain from all birds were screened by a pan-sarcocystid nested-PCR targeting a short fragment of the gene encoding the small ribosomal unit (nPCR-18Sa). The only two positive samples by nPCR-18Sa, both from skuas, were tested by a nested-PCR directed to the internal transcribed spacer 1 (nPCR-ITS1), also a pan-sarcocystidae nested-PCR, and to a nested-PCR directed to the B1 gene (nPCR-B1), for the exclusive detection of Toxoplasma gondii. The two nPCR-18Sa-positive samples were nPCR-ITS1-positive and nPCR-B1-negative. The nPCR-ITS1 nucleotide sequences from the two skuas, which were identical to each other, were revealed closely related to homologous sequences of Sarcocystis halieti, species found in seabirds of northern hemisphere. Larger fragments of genes encoding 18S and partial sequences of genes coding for cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 were also analyzed, corroborating ITS1 data. The haplotypes found in the skuas are unprecedent and closely related to species that use birds as the definitive host. Further studies need to be carried out to detect, identify and isolate this parasite to understand the epidemiology of the infection and its impact on the health of marine fauna.

The main motivation for this study was to determine the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii, a cosmopolitan widespread zoonotic parasite distribution that can infect a wide variety of mammals and birds, in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) in Brazil. In recent decades there has been a significant increase in the number of penguins originating from Argentinian and Chilean Patagonia, where these birds are born, that arrive on the Brazilian coast, where many of them are stranded and rescued. Tissue samples were collected from 330 individuals surveyed from 2012-2015 at the Institute for Marine Animal Research and Rehabilitation (IPRAM) located in Cariacica, state of Espirito Santo, Brazil. Serum were collected from 145 animals surveyed in 2015 for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies using the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT ≥20) and 18 birds were positive, with titers of 20 (7 birds), 40 (9 birds) and 80 (2 birds). Mouse bioassay for the isolation of T. gondii was performed using tissues from 54 penguins that were also surveyed in 2015, but no isolates were obtained. DNA from tissue samples of 330 individuals was PCR amplified and sequenced to detect tissue cyst forming coccidians by using pan sarcocystids-directed primers (based on 18S rDNA). These samples were from animals surveyed in 2015 and from frozen stocked tissues from animals surveyed in the years 2012 and 2013. The positives were PCR amplified and sequenced with genus Sarcocystis-specific primers (based on internal transcribed spacer 1, RNA polymerase beta subunit coding gene, and cytochrome B coding gene) and with Sarcocystis falcatula/Sarcocystis neurona- specific primers (based on surface antigens SAG2, SAG3 and SAG4). Sixteen (3.0%) of pectoral muscle samples were positive by all the seven molecular markers and all the samples were identical to each other. Organisms close related to Sarcocystis falcatula were confirmed in all cases. This is the first report on molecular detection of infection by S. falcatula-related organisms and the first report of seropositivity for T. gondii in free-living Magellanic penguins in Brazil. Felids and didephid opossums are definitive hosts of T. gondii and S. falcatula, respectively. Where the penguins acquire the infective forms of the parasites shed by the terrestrial mammals remains to be elucidated.

Aim: To test the hypothesis that there is no relationship between the amount of vestibular inclination of mandibular incisors and the appearance of gingival recession in this region. Methods: This study included 20 patients selected in accordance with the following inclusion criteria: 1. adult patients without gingival recession in the mandibular incisors before treatment (T0), 2. no previous orthodontic treatment, 3. treated without tooth extraction in the mandibular arch, 4. bonded mandibular splinting from one canine to another after the active stage of orthodontic treatment (T1), 5. no visible wear of the incisal edge of the mandibular incisors, 6. Pre- and post-treatment teleradiography and plaster casts, and plaster casts 3 years post-treatment (T2). Depending on the amount of inclination of the mandibular incisors after treatment, the sample was divided into two groups: Group 1- 10 individuals (IMPA T1-T0 ≤ 5˚) and Group 2- 10 individuals (IMPA T1-T0 > 5˚). The measurement of length of the clinical crown (LCC) of the four mandibular incisors, distance between the incisal edge and vestibular marginal gingiva were made in plaster casts at T0, T1 and T2. Results: In spite of Group 1 presenting a reduction in LCC at T2, there was no statistically significant difference in LCC in the 3 time intervals evaluated in the two groups. Conclusions: The null hypothesis was accepted. The variation in the amount of vestibular inclination of the mandibular incisors during orthodontic treatment and 3 years after conclusion of treatment did not promote the appearance of gingival recessions in this group of patients.

This paper aims to investigate whether income smoothing and use of derivative financial instruments are related as substitute or complementary practices regarding organizational policies to reduce the volatility of corporate earnings. In order to reach this goal, 214 non-financial companies listed on BM&FBOVESPA stock exchange between 2005 and 2011were analyzed and Eckel (1981) model was applied in order to gather which companies present income smoothing evidences during this period, besides qualitative analysis on explanatory notes to investigate which companies used derivatives in the final year. Chi-square test with Yates correction was employed in order to verify the existence of correlations between income smoothing and derivative instruments. Results indicated, considering the impossibility of rejecting the null hypothesis of the chi-square test with Yates correction, evidence for an inverse relationship between the aforementioned variables. Through the results of this test, it is suggested that organizational policies for use of income smoothing and derivatives can be acting as resource substitutes for non-financial enterprises stock dealers on BM&FBOVESPA, thus meeting individual findings in other international researches.

O Brasil é um país de escolarização em massa e imprensa tardias. Paradoxalmente, é através dos espaços institucionais formais, sobretudo a escola, que se tem buscado traçar a história da distribuição social da leitura e da escrita na sociedade brasileira, não necessariamente, contudo, tomando tal questão como foco – em uma abordagem global, de caráter sociológico e demográfico –, mas apenas dando pistas para a sua compreensão, através, por exemplo, da história das políticas educacionais, do mapeamento dos métodos de ensino ou ainda da história da construção dos materiais didáticos, enfatizando-se, na maioria das vezes, o analfabetismo da população. Identifica-se, portanto, uma carência de investigações, que, contemplando novas fontes, novos métodos, novos espaços, novos atores, abordem a multifacetada questão da distribuição social da leitura e da escrita na sociedade brasileira, desde as suas origens coloniais. Buscando contribuir para preencher tal lacuna, o projeto Leitura e escrita aos olhos da Inquisição objetiva traçar, a partir da análise das fontes documentais produzidas pelas visitações do Santo Ofício, um quadro aproximativo da faculdade das letras na América colonial portuguesa. Neste artigo, apresentam-se resultados parciais das pesquisas desenvolvidas no âmbito do referido projeto, analisando-se o conjunto de depoimentos prestados e assinados perante o Santo Ofício constantes do Livro das Denunciações e do Livro das Confissões e Reconciliações, escritos ambos quando da segunda visitação da Inquisição à Capitania da Bahia, entre 1618 e 1620. Cruzando a variável binária assinante versus não assinante com as variáveis sexo, origem geográfica do depoente, etnia, condição religiosa e categoria socioocupacional, esboça-se um perfil sociológico dos letrados nos primórdios da colonização, contexto marcadamente multilíngue e de quase ausência de instituições voltadas à alfabetização. Ao abarcar a questão da distribuição social da leitura e da escrita no período colonial, abarca-se uma das questões-chave para a compreensão da história social do português brasileiro.

The aims of this study were to assess in vitro if bovine oocytes and oviductal epithelial cells from slaughterhouses for in vitro fertilization use may be infected with bovine herpesvirus 1; to analyze whether the treatment with trypsin according to the International Embryo Transfer Society guideline is efficient to inactivate the bovine herpesvirus 1; to morphologically study the virus-oocyte interaction through optical microscopy. In this study, Madin Darby Bovine Kidney (MDBK) cells that were co-cultured with oocytes matured in vitro and exposed to bovine herpesvirus 1 showed a cytopathic effect. The nested polymerase chain reaction for the supernatant was positive for the bovine herpesvirus 1, thus suggesting that the cytopathic effect observed in the MDBK monolayer was seen due to virus replication and not because of any culture toxicity. It was also observed cytopathic effect and positive nested polymerase chain reaction in MDBK cells co-cultured with in vitro maturated oocytes free of virus, but that were co-cultured in uterine epithelial cells pre-infected with bovine herpesvirus 1 and washed or not with trypsin, demonstrating an oocyte contamination by the virus. When trypsin-washing efficacy was evaluated, we could observe that the trypsin treatment was not able to eliminate the bovine herpesvirus 1 of the oocytes, and it was not observed any morphological difference in the infected oocytes.

Dental anatomy is quite complex and diverse factors must be taken into account in its analysis. Teeth with anatomical variations present an increase in the rate of severity periodontal tissue destruction and therefore a higher risk of developing periodontal disease. In this context, this paper reviews the literature regarding enamel pearls and their implications in the development of severe localized periodontal disease as well as in the prognosis of periodontal therapy. Radiographic examination of a patient complaining of pain in the right side of the mandible revealed the presence of a radiopaque structure around the cervical region of lower right first premolar. Periodontal examination revealed extensive bone loss since probing depths ranged from 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm and additionally intense bleeding and suppuration. Surgical exploration detected the presence of an enamel pearl, which was removed. Assessment of the remaining supporting tissues led to the extraction of tooth 44. Local factors such as enamel pearls can lead to inadequate removal of the subgingival biofilm, thus favoring the establishment and progression of periodontal diseases.

Este estudo tem por objetivo construir um modelo de previsão de insolvência para as Micro e Pequenas Empresas com base em indicadores contábeis. Para atingir este objetivo realizou-se uma pesquisa com profissionais de contabilidade do Rio Grande do Sul, obtendo-se informações contábeis de 104 Micro e pequenas empresas referentes ao período de 1995 a 2007. Para análise dos dados foi feita, inicialmente, uma análise fatorial que reduziu o número de indicadores contábeis de 25 para 5 fatores. Foi utilizada a análise discriminante para a construção de uma função discriminante, buscando classificar as empresas com relação à sua possibilidade de insolvência. A validação do modelo foi realizada por crossvalidation, ou seja, a subdivisão da amostra original, sendo uma para a definição do modelo e outra para a sua validação. O grau de predição alcançou 96,15% de acerto. Posteriormente foi criada uma régua de insolvência, ou seja, uma escala ilustrativa, utilizando-se a análise de conglomerados ou clusters analysis para classificar as empresas que compuseram a pesquisa.