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Objetivo: delinear o panorama da discussão entre a leishmaniose visceral e a desnutrição. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo descritivo, exploratório, com suporte em uma revisão integrativa da literatura, realizada na Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde por meio das bases de dados científicas, sendo estas a Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval Sistem on-line (MEDLINE) e a Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS). A coleta resultou em artigos publicados durante o período de 2006 a 2017. Foi encontrado um total de 89 artigos, sendo 76 documentos na MEDLINE e 13 na LILACS. Destes, apenas 11 compuseram a amostra final. Resultados: a desnutrição na leishmaniose visceral parece apresentar duas gêneses diferentes, uma pela deficiência na ingestão de macro e micronutrientes, antecedendo à infecção e favorecendo a susceptibilidade do hospedeiro pelo comprometimento dos ramos da resposta imunológica e outra por meio de um processo consumptivo hipercatabólico e anorético deflagrado pela resposta inflamatória sistêmica frente à ação da leishmania. Ambas dentro de um quadro global que envolve elementos genéticos, imunológicos, hormonais, ambientais e do próprio parasito. Considerações finais: assim sendo, torna-se imprescindível o manejo clínico da desnutrição por meio de parâmetros antropométricos e laboratoriais, independente da origem.

Although high-intensity focused ultrasonography (HIFU) can be performed as an US-guided technique, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance is preferred for bone treatments. I Purpose or Learning Objective: i To review the importance of magnetic resonance thermometry, its technical advances but also possible pitfalls regarding technical obstacles pertaining to temperature measurement accuracy in noninvasive thermal ablation treatments such as magnetic resonance image-guided focused ultrasonography (MRgFUS). [Extracted from the article]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake, apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and intake behaviour of crossbred Boer goat kids fed with diets contain cottonseed cake. It was utilised 32 crossbred Boer goat kids, with average body weight of 16 ± 2 kg, distributed in a completely randomised experimental design, in four experimental diets, with levels of substitution of soybean meal by cottonseed cake, in 0%, 33%, 66% and 100%, respectively. There was no significant effect (p >.05) of cottonseed cake levels on the intake of nutritional components, except for ether extract that behaved in a quadratic manner (p <.05). The digestibility of the nutritional components and the nitrogen balance were not altered as a function of the levels of cottonseed cake in the diet (p >.05). The average daily weight gain and feed conversion were not altered (p >.05) by the amounts of cottonseed cake. Rumination efficiency (minutes/kg of NDF) and feeding frequency (number of visits to the trough/24 h) were not altered (p <.05) as function of the cottonseed cake levels, however, feeding, rumination, and idleness times, as well as the other feeding efficiency and activities frequency were not influenced. Hence, cottonseed cake can be totally substituted soybean meal in diets for crossbred Boer goat kids in feedlot, once it does not alter the productive performance, intake and digestibility of nutritional components and nitrogen balance of the animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rupture of the Fundão dam is considered the largest mining failure in history, which had a particularly detrimental impact on fish populations, as the mud from the ore tailings significantly altered the water quality and habitat of Doce River basin. This study aimed to assess the trophic structure of fish communities in areas impacted and not impacted by the dam rupture in the Doce River basin. To evaluate the food web structure, community-wide trophic niche, and trophic positions of fish, stable isotopes of carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) were utilized across ten sites (seven impacted and three control). In general, fish appeared to assimilate resources such as invertebrates, algae, and periphyton, although the importance of each resource varied among sites. The site closest to the dam rupture exhibited a more simplified trophic structure compared to the control sites and those nearer the river mouth. In this site, most fish species occupied a similar trophic position. Trophic niches also exhibited the greatest dissimilarity between the site closest to the dam failure and those farther away from it, with an expansion of trophic niche breadth observed with an increase in the distance from the dam rupture. Our study provided valuable insights into the trophic structure of fish communities within the Doce River basin, shedding light on the trophic ecology of the 59 fish species investigated. We also emphasize the importance of our study for future assessments of ore tailings dam failure disasters and evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation measures for Doce River basin recovery., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH) is a rare FGF23-independent disorder caused by biallelic variants in the SLC34A3 gene. The disease severity varies, and patients have an increased risk of developing renal complications. Phosphate supplementation is standard of care and active vitamin D analogs are not indicated as they could worsen the hypercalciuria. We report a Brazilian girl with HHRH who presented with knee pain and progressive genu valgum deformity that became apparent later in childhood (at age 8). Nephrocalcinosis was also identified at age 13. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) target panel directed to inherited forms of rickets detected compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in SLC34A3 , including a novel missense variant c.1217G>T (p.Gly406Val). Compliance to oral phosphorus therapy was suboptimal and adjunctive chlorthalidone therapy improved hypercalciuria. Our case highlights the phenotypic variability of patients with HHRH and expands the growing list of SLC34A3 variants associated with this disorder. An accurate diagnosis is crucial for proper treatment, and a thiazide diuretic may be useful as adjunctive therapy for controlling hypercalciuria.

Changes in physical habitat that are associated with anthropogenic disturbances facilitate the establishment and expansion of non-native species in receiving environments. Here, we evaluated the relative importance of ecosystem variables for the presence and abundance of the invasive fish Poecilia reticulata in Brazil. We collected fish species and assessed environmental variables through an established physical habitat protocol in 220 stream sites located in southeastern and midwestern Brazil. A total of 14,816 P. reticulata individuals were collected in 43 stream sites, and 258 variables that describe the physical characteristics of streams were assessed, including measures of channel morphology, substrate size and type, habitat complexity and cover, riparian vegetation cover and structure, and human influence. Dimensionality reduction methods were employed to limit redundancy, resulting in a smaller set of the most relevant environmental variables. Subsequently, we used random forest models to assess the relative importance of these variables in determining the presence and abundance of P. reticulata. The presence of this invasive fish was primarily explained by human disturbance variables related to urbanization (total impact, pavement, artificial structure areal cover, riparian canopy cover, electrical conductivity, mean thalweg depth, and sand), whereas channel morphology (mean bank full height) and fish cover variables (natural fish cover, and aquatic macrophyte areal cover) were important predictors of its abundance. Identifying which ecosystem variables are favorable to the establishment of non-native species is an important step in preventing future biological invasions, as well as managing those that already occur., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The Neotropical region hosts 4225 freshwater fish species, ranking first among the world's most diverse regions for freshwater fishes. Our NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set is the first to produce a large-scale Neotropical freshwater fish inventory, covering the entire Neotropical region from Mexico and the Caribbean in the north to the southern limits in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. We compiled 185,787 distribution records, with unique georeferenced coordinates, for the 4225 species, represented by occurrence and abundance data. The number of species for the most numerous orders are as follows: Characiformes (1289), Siluriformes (1384), Cichliformes (354), Cyprinodontiformes (245), and Gymnotiformes (135). The most recorded species was the characid Astyanax fasciatus (4696 records). We registered 116,802 distribution records for native species, compared to 1802 distribution records for nonnative species. The main aim of the NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set was to make these occurrence and abundance data accessible for international researchers to develop ecological and macroecological studies, from local to regional scales, with focal fish species, families, or orders. We anticipate that the NEOTROPICAL FRESHWATER FISHES data set will be valuable for studies on a wide range of ecological processes, such as trophic cascades, fishery pressure, the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation, and the impacts of species invasion and climate change. There are no copyright restrictions on the data, and please cite this data paper when using the data in publications., (© 2022 The Ecological Society of America.)

Congenital disorders of glycosylation type 1 (CDG-I) comprise a group of 27 genetic defects with heterogeneous multisystem phenotype, mostly presenting with nonspecific neurological symptoms. The biochemical hallmark of CDG-I is a partial absence of complete N-glycans on transferrin. However, recent findings of a diagnostic N-tetrasaccharide for ALG1-CDG and increased high-mannose N-glycans for a few other CDG suggested the potential of glycan structural analysis for CDG-I gene discovery. We analyzed the relative abundance of total plasma N-glycans by high resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in a large cohort of 111 CDG-I patients with known (n = 75) or unsolved (n = 36) genetic cause. We designed single-molecule molecular inversion probes (smMIPs) for sequencing of CDG-I candidate genes on the basis of specific N-glycan signatures. Glycomics profiling in patients with known defects revealed novel features such as the N-tetrasaccharide in ALG2-CDG patients and a novel fucosylated N-pentasaccharide as specific glycomarker for ALG1-CDG. Moreover, group-specific high-mannose N-glycan signatures were found in ALG3-, ALG9-, ALG11-, ALG12-, RFT1-, SRD5A3-, DOLK-, DPM1-, DPM3-, MPDU1-, ALG13-CDG, and hereditary fructose intolerance. Further differential analysis revealed high-mannose profiles, characteristic for ALG12- and ALG9-CDG. Prediction of candidate genes by glycomics profiling in 36 patients with thus far unsolved CDG-I and subsequent smMIPs sequencing led to a yield of solved cases of 78% (28/36). Combined plasma glycomics profiling and targeted smMIPs sequencing of candidate genes is a powerful approach to identify causative mutations in CDG-I patient cohorts., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of SSIEM.)

Historically, anthropogenic fixed nitrogen has been purposely increased to benefit food production and global development. One consequence of this increase has been to raise concentrations of nitrogen in aquatic ecosystems. To evaluate whether nitrogen pollution promotes changes in the estimates of niche space of fish communities, we examined 16 sites along a Brazilian river basin highly impacted by anthropogenic activities, especially discharge of domestic and industrial sewage from a region with more than 5 million inhabitants. We analysed the carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope ratios of fish species and both autochthonous (periphyton) and allochthonous (course and fine particulate organic matter) basal food resources. To estimate the magnitude of nitrogen pollution, we measured the nitrate and ammonium concentrations at each site. Sampling was conducted in the dry and wet seasons to evaluate the influence of seasonality. Nitrogen pollution generally increased estimates of niche space, and seasonality influenced only the niche estimates of fish communities from polluted sites. In addition, isotopic analyses of nitrogen polluted sites yielded unrealistic estimates of trophic positioning (detritivores at the top of the food web). We conclude that changes in niche space estimates reflect both alterations in baseline isotopic values and differential trophic behaviour among fishes. Our study suggests that under conditions of high pollution, other factors appear to influence isotopic estimates of niche, such as isotopically distinct sources that have not been sampled, and/or differences in δ 15 N turnover rates between fish tissue and basal resources, creating isotopic baselines that are challenging to interpret., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

This study aimed to describe the clinical, genetic, and epidemiological features of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) in Brazilian patients from a tertiary center, and to compare our data with previously published findings. This retrospective observational study conducted between February 2015 and July 2020 evaluated 503 patients (94 families and 192 unrelated individuals), diagnosed with CMT. Clinical and neurophysiological data were obtained from electronic medical records and blood samples were used for genetic analyses. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was used to assess duplications/deletions in PMP22. Sanger sequencing of GJB1 was performed in cases of suspected demyelinating CMT. Targeted gene panel sequencing was used for the remaining negative demyelinating cases and all axonal CMT cases. The first decade of life was the most common period of disease onset. In all, 353 patients had demyelinating CMT, 39 had intermediate CMT, and 111 had axonal CMT. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in 197 index cases. The most common causative genes among probands were PMP22 (duplication) (n = 116, 58.88%), GJB1 (n = 23, 11.67%), MFN2 (n = 12, 6.09%), GDAP1 (n = 7, 3.55%), MPZ (n = 6, 3.05%), PMP22 (point mutation) (n = 6, 3.05%), NEFL (n = 3, 1.52%), SBF2 (n = 3, 1.52%), and SH3TC2 (n = 3, 1.52%). Other identified variants were ≤1% of index cases. This study provides further data on the frequency of CMT subtypes in a Brazilian clinical-based population and highlights the importance of rarer and previously undiagnosed variants in clinical practice., (© 2021 Peripheral Nerve Society.)

Anthropogenic activities can have a great influence on water quality and in the availability of habitat and food resources, which can promote changes in the trophic diversity and carbon sources sustaining aquatic communities. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the trophic diversity and the main carbon sources sustaining fish communities change along a pollution gradient. The study was carried out at eight sites distributed along the Rio das Velhas, a Brazilian river highly impacted by anthropogenic activities, in which the discharge of domestic and industrial sewage from the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte (MRBH) presents a major source of pollution. Using carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) isotope ratios, we identified the major carbon sources/food sources of common fish species and calculated six metrics of trophic diversity. Autochthonous primary producers (algae, periphyton, and macrophytes) were the main carbon sources for all trophic guilds at all sites, but notably, sewage-derived organic matter was an additional significant carbon source to the fish community in the most polluted testing site. Here, the community was composed mainly by detritivorous and omnivorous fishes and exhibited greater ranges of carbon and nitrogen isotopic values, large total areas, high trophic diversity, small trophic redundancy, and less even distribution of trophic niches than the less polluted sites. We conclude that the trophic guilds, trophic diversity metrics, and carbon sources sustaining fish communities in the Rio das Velhas are highly influenced by the presence of pollution. Besides favoring omnivorous and detritivorous fishes, the input of sewage also provided an important food source to sustain the fish community from sites close to the MRBH., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the effects of water-based exercise training on postural balance in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and compare the effects of two similar protocols of land- and water-based exercise programmes on postural balance in this population., Design: Randomised clinical trial., Setting: University-based, outpatient, physical therapy clinic., Subjects: Fifty individuals with COPD., Interventions: Participants were assigned at random to the land group (LG; n=27) or the water group (WG; n=23), and underwent high-intensity endurance and strength training three times per week for 3months., Main Outcome Measures: Functional balance was assessed by the timed up and go test (TUG), and static balance was assessed with a force platform in the following conditions: standing with feet hip-width apart and eyes open; standing with feet hip-width apart and eyes closed; standing on a short base; and one-legged stance., Results: Seventeen subjects completed the intervention in the LG {nine males, mean age 64 [standard deviation (SD) 8] years, mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) 48 (SD 17) %predicted} compared with 14 subjects in the WG [nine males, mean age 65 (SD 8) years, FEV 1 51 (SD 15) %predicted]. Water-based exercise training had a positive effect on functional balance [TUG: mean difference -1.17 (-1.93 to -0.41 95% confidence interval) seconds; P=0.006], whereas static balance remained unaltered for both groups. There was no between-group difference in postural balance after exercise training; however, a higher proportion of participants who had a clinically relevant improvement in the TUG were in the WG (LG 35%, WG 64%; P<0.001)., Conclusion: Functional balance improved after 3months of high-intensity exercise training performed in water. Despite the environment, non-specific training seems to be insufficient to improve static balance., Clinical Trial Registration Number: clinicalTrials.gov NCT01691131., (Copyright © 2019 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate if aquatic pollution promote diet shifts in two livebearer fishes (Poeciliidae): an exotic species, the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), and a native livebearer (Phalloceros uai). The study was carried out in a Brazilian basin highly impacted by anthropogenic activities, especially discharge of domestic and industrial sewage from a region with more than five million human inhabitants. To evaluate the trophic ecology of both native and exotic species it was analysed carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) stable isotopes of fish tissue, food resources and, sewage. Moreover, stable isotopes analyses were coupled with gut contents of the two species to provide additional information about fish diet. Exotic guppy abundance was high in the most polluted site, where P. reticulata assimilated carbon directly from sewage. The native species was absent in the most polluted site, but presented wider niches than the exotic species in almost all other sites. Gut content analyses indicated high consumption of aquatic insects by both species. However, while the native species consumed a diverse suite of insect taxa, the exotic species consumed mainly Chironomidae larvae. We conclude that aquatic pollution promotes diet shifts in both native and exotic species, with both species changing their trophic niches in a similar way according to the level of degradation of the environment. The ability to directly assimilate sewage, together with its capacity to survive in environments with poor water quality and its reproductive strategy, may favour the establishment of exotic guppies in strongly polluted sites., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common microvascular complications presenting by patients diagnosticated with diabetic diseases. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia may manifest as visual impairment and blindness. The early detection of DR is essential to minimize the risk and consequence of visual diminishing. The standard gold diagnoses tool relies on different imaging modalities and requires a judgment of expert photographers, which are not available in most of the primary care centers or remote location. In that scenario, an automate or semiautomated DR screening systems can contribute to improving the accuracy of the diagnostic. Thus, we performed a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis to evaluate the Decision Support Systems (DSS) in diagnosing DR. The overall Diagnostic Odds Ratio was 73.15 (95%CI: 37.54-142.50), sensitivity was 97.70 (95%CI: 97.50-97.90) and specificity was 90.30 (95%CI: 90.00-90.60). Our results corroborate with the concept of usefulness of DSSs in early diagnosis, screening and preliminary evaluation of suspicious images of DR.

Objectives: To compare the effects of two similar 6-month protocols of high-intensity exercise training, in water and on land, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)., Design: Randomised controlled trial., Setting: University-based outpatient clinic., Participants: Thirty-six patients with predominantly moderate-to-severe COPD completed the study., Intervention: Patients were evaluated at baseline, at 3 months and at the end of the programme (i.e. 6 months). For both groups, the 6-month protocol consisted of high-intensity endurance and strength exercises with gradual increase in time and/or workload, totalling 60 sessions., Main Outcomes: Objective monitoring of physical activity in daily life (PADL, primary outcome), lung function, peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, body composition, maximal and submaximal exercise capacity, functional status, quality of life, and symptoms of anxiety and depression., Results: After 6 months of training, a significant improvement in PADL was seen for both groups [mean difference (95% confidence interval): land group 993 (358 to 1628) steps/day; water group 1669 (404 to 2934) steps/day]. Significant improvements were also seen in inspiratory, expiratory and peripheral muscle strength; maximal and submaximal exercise capacity; quality of life and functional status for both groups. There were no significant improvements in lung function, body composition, and symptoms of anxiety and depression for either group. No difference was found in the magnitude of improvement between the two types of training for any outcome., Conclusion: High-intensity exercise training in water generates similar effects compared with training on land in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD, rendering it an equally beneficial therapeutic option for this population., Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT01691131., (Copyright © 2018 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of decision support systems in the diagnosis of breast cancer by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of diagnostic accuracy. The first step of the research, which consisted of the initial research of abstracts and titles identified from the research strategy in the databases was performed by two researchers independently. In this stage, 622 references were retrieved in the databases and, through a consensus meeting, 183 articles were selected for full reading.

Background: Studies have shown that individuals with COPD have impaired body balance, probably caused by the disease's multisystemic manifestations plus age-related decline in balance, potentially increasing the risk of falling and its consequences. However, little is known about the profile of individuals with COPD who present balance impairments, especially related to sex and disease severity stages. The aim of this work was to compare static and functional balance between subjects with COPD and healthy controls and to check possible differences according to sex and degrees of disease severity., Methods: Forty-seven subjects with COPD and 25 healthy controls were included in this study. Their static balance was assessed in one-legged stance using a force platform and functional balance with the Timed Up and Go test. Additionally, participants performed spirometry, the 6-min walk test and isometric quadriceps maximal voluntary contraction assessment. Disease severity was classified according to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease stages and BODE (body mass index, air-flow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity) scores., Results: In comparison with healthy controls, subjects with COPD had worse static (center of pressure displacement area: 9.3 ± 1.9 cm 2 vs 11.6 ± 4.0 cm 2 , respectively, P = .01) and functional balance (Timed Up and Go test: 8.5 ± 1.3 s vs 10.3 ± 1.8 s, respectively, P < .001). In the COPD group, men performed better in the Timed Up and Go test than women (9.8 ± 1.2 s vs 10.9 ± 2.2 s, respectively, P = .03), whereas women presented a better static balance in comparison with men for all parameters related to center of pressure (P < .005 for all). Disease severity did not affect any balance results., Conclusions: Individuals with COPD had worse static and functional balance in comparison with healthy controls. Sex can mediate these results, depending on the type of balance evaluation (force platform or functional test). Balance performance was similar among the groups classified according to disease severity., (Copyright © 2016 by Daedalus Enterprises.)

Purpose: Comorbidity of celiac disease with demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system has been reported since the 1960s. The objective of this study was to determine the serological prevalence of celiac disease in the largest series of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, or myelitis., Methods: A prevalence study was conducted with patients evaluated at Sarah Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals between March 2012 and September 2013. They were previously diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, or idiopathic myelitis. The serum levels of antibodies against tissue transglutaminase and endomysium were assessed., Results: Of the 379 patients evaluated, 249 (65.70%) were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, 37 (9.56%) with neuromyelitis optica, and 96 (24.54%) with idiopathic myelitis. Two patients (0.53%), one with multiple sclerosis and other with myelitis, tested positive for both antibodies., Conclusion: Our study do not confirm the relationship between celiac serological antibodies with multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica and inflammatory myelitis of an unknown etiology., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Sotos syndrome (SoS) is a multiple anomaly, congenital disorder characterized by overgrowth, macrocephaly, distinctive facial features and variable degree of intellectual disability. Haploinsufficiency of the NSD1 gene at 5q35.3, arising from 5q35 microdeletions, point mutations, and partial gene deletions, accounts for a majority of patients with SoS. Recently, mutations and possible pathogenetic rare CNVs, both affecting a few candidate genes for overgrowth, have been reported in patients with Sotos-like overgrowth features. To estimate the frequency of NSD1 defects in the Brazilian SoS population and possibly reveal other genes implicated in the etiopathogenesis of this syndrome, we collected a cohort of 21 Brazilian patients, who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for SoS, and analyzed the NSD1 and PTEN genes by means of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and mutational screening analyses. We identified a classical NSD1 microdeletion, a novel missense mutation (p.C1593W), and 2 previously reported truncating mutations: p.R1984X and p.V1760Gfs*2. In addition, we identified a novel de novo PTEN gene mutation (p.D312Rfs*2) in a patient with a less severe presentation of SoS phenotype, which did not include pre- and postnatal overgrowth. For the first time, our study implies PTEN in the pathogenesis of SoS and further emphasizes the existence of ethno-geographical differences in NSD1 molecular alterations between patients with SoS from Europe/North America (70-93%) and those from South America (10-19%).

Science has a critical role to play in guiding more sustainable development trajectories. Here, we present the Sustainable Amazon Network (Rede Amazônia Sustentável, RAS): a multidisciplinary research initiative involving more than 30 partner organizations working to assess both social and ecological dimensions of land-use sustainability in eastern Brazilian Amazonia. The research approach adopted by RAS offers three advantages for addressing land-use sustainability problems: (i) the collection of synchronized and co-located ecological and socioeconomic data across broad gradients of past and present human use; (ii) a nested sampling design to aid comparison of ecological and socioeconomic conditions associated with different land uses across local, landscape and regional scales; and (iii) a strong engagement with a wide variety of actors and non-research institutions. Here, we elaborate on these key features, and identify the ways in which RAS can help in highlighting those problems in most urgent need of attention, and in guiding improvements in land-use sustainability in Amazonia and elsewhere in the tropics. We also discuss some of the practical lessons, limitations and realities faced during the development of the RAS initiative so far.

Aim: The aim of the present paper is to report a case of benign cementoblastoma (BC) involving multiple maxillary teeth and discuss the importance of its diagnosis in clinical oral practice., Background: BC is a rare, benign odontogenic neoplasm of ectomesenchymal origin. This neoplasm has characteristic radiologic and microscopic features, and it is intimately associated with the roots of teeth., Case Report: The intra-oral examination in a 21-year-old white man revealed a palatine growth in the premolar-molar region. Dental panoramic and periapical radiographies showed a mixed radiodense/radiolucent lesion closely associated with the roots of three maxillary teeth. A biopsy was undertaken and confirmed the clinical hypothesis., Summary: In most cases, initial BC is asymptomatic and early diagnosis can be performed by routine radiographic examination. BC was considered as an indolent lesion for several years. Nevertheless, recent studies have demonstrated that some BCs may exhibit aggressive biological behavior and can affect several teeth., Clinical Significance: Because a benign cementoblastoma represents an odontogenic lesion, general practicing professionals must be able to identify the main features of this tumor. This case corroborates some papers that have demonstrated a possible aggressive behavior of BC. Therefore, a brief update concerning the clinical and radiographic features of this unique tumor is also provided.

Ascidian hemolymph contains various types of blood cells (hemocytes), which are believed to be involved in defense mechanisms. We have studied nitric-oxide (NO) synthase activity in hemocytes of the ascidian Styela plicata after exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To investigate which cell types are involved in NO production, we first identified, by electron microscopy, the types of hemocytes previously described, mainly by light microscopy, by others. Five types of blood cells could be recognized in the hemolymph: granulocytes, hemoblasts, lymphocyte-like cells, morula cells, and pigment cells. The lymphocyte-like cells produced the most NO. In agreement with studies of other invertebrates, nitrite generation did not change after LPS stimulation in assays in vitro, under either different concentrations of LPS or different time periods. Therefore, we performed an in vivo assay by injecting a known quantity of Escherichia coli into the tunic of the ascidians in order to investigate possible differences in NO levels. No increase of NO occurred accompanying the inflammatory reaction suggesting that another molecule in the pathway was involved. We found that nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) was activated. Since NFkappaB is involved in the production of many substances related to immune responses, additional molecules might also be generated in response to E. coli infection. These observations may improve our understanding of the reaction of animals to eutrophic conditions.

We report on a 4-year-old girl with blepharophimosis, a typical facial gestalt and skeletal abnormalities seen in the blepharofacioskeletal syndrome (BFSS). A comparative review with previous cases provides further evidence that BFSS and Schilbach-Rott syndrome (SRS) are the same condition., (Copyright 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

The induction of a chloroplast-localized 13-lipoxygenase (13-LOX) in passion fruit leaves in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJa) was previously reported. Since allene oxide synthase (AOS) is a key cytochrome P450 enzyme in the oxylipin pathway leading to AOS-derived jasmonates, the results above led in turn to an investigation of AOS in our model plant. Spectrophotometric assays showed that 24 h exposure of MeJa caused a high increase in 13-hydroperoxy linolenic acid (13-HPOT) metabolizing activity in leaf tissue. Western analysis using polyclonal antibodies against tomato AOS strongly indicate that, at least a part of the 13-HPOT metabolizing capacity can be attributed to AOS activity. We cloned the cDNA from a novel AOS encoding gene from passion fruit, named PfAOS. The 1,512 bp open reading frame of the AOS-cDNA codes a putative protein of 504 amino acid residues containing a chloroplast target sequence. Database comparisons of the deduced amino acid sequence showed highest similarity with dicot AOSs. Immunocytochemistry analysis showed the compartmentalization of AOS in chloroplasts of MeJa treated leaves, corroborating the predicted subcellular localization. Northern analysis showed that AOS gene expression is induced in leaf tissue in response to mechanical wounding and exposure to MeJa. In addition, such treatments caused an increase in papain inhibitor(s) in leaf tissue. Taken together, these results indicate that PfAOS may play an important role in systemic wound response against chewing insect attack. Furthermore, it can be useful as a tool for understanding the regulation of jasmonates biosynthesis in passion fruit.