Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the bodying agents (erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, and polydextrose) and their mixtures on the preparation of mixed Brazilian Cerrado fruit preserves (marolo, soursop, and sweet passion fruit). Mixture design was used for product optimization and the preserves were evaluated by texture profile, stress relaxation test, and uniaxial compression test. The research data were analyzed using regression equations on SAS software. The results indicated that the rheological parameters were affected by the body agents. Erythritol should not be used as an isolated component because it provoked changes in the properties of the final product (harder and brittle preserves); xylitol and sorbitol made preserves more elastic, cohesive, and more fragile; and polydextrose showed a synergistic effect with erythritol for rupture deformation and lesser effects for hardness, adhesiveness, and gumminess.

A new compound, (6R,7S,2E,4E)-6,7-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethylocta-2,4-dienoic acid (1), together with eight known compounds were isolated from the co-culture of Saccharicola sp. and Botryosphaeria parva, an endophytic fungi associated with Eugenia jambolana Lam. (Myrtaceae) plant species. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis of the one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) data as well as by comparison with literature data. The bioactivity (antioxidant and antifungal) of the crude EtOAc was evaluated. All crude extracts presented antioxidant activity and only the crude extract from the co-culture was active on the fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum. This investigation contributed to the knowledge about the metabolic production of two endophytic fungi Saccharicola sp. and Botryosphaeria parva in co-culture, once, until the present date, there are no studies in the literature that report the understanding of the chemical interaction of both grown in the same environment.

A new compound named methyl (6S,7S,2E,4E)-6,7-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethyl octanoate was isolated from Saccharicola sp. using high performance liquid chromatography-solid phase extraction-transfer tube (HPLC-SPE-TT), together with four known compounds, fusaric acid, trans-4-hydroxymellein, thymidine and adenosine. Saccharicola sp. was isolated from the stems of Eugenia jambolana Lam. (Myrtaceae) as endophytic fungus. The structure of this novel substance was established based on its spectroscopic data, including 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 2D NMR techniques and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS). This paper deals with the first report of its kind on this compound in Saccharicola sp.

Resumo: Paisagens antropicamente modificadas (HMLs) são compostas por fragmentos florestais pequenos, isolados e defaunados, imersos em áreas agrícolas e/ou urbanas. Informações sobre as espécies que habitam essas paisagens são importantes para o direcionamento de estratégias de conservação em escalas local e regional. Uma vez que as HMLs são as paisagens dominantes na Mata Atlântica, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a diversidade de mamíferos em uma HML do sudeste do Brasil e propor estratégias para sua conservação. Foram coletados dados de mamíferos terrestres (pequenos, médios e grandes) e voadores em três fragmentos florestais (10, 14 e 26 ha) e áreas adjacentes, entre 2003 e 2016, usando métodos complementares: busca ativa, armadilhamento fotográfico, armadilhas de captura e redes de neblina. Adicionalmente, foram utilizados dados de literatura para complementar a lista de espécies. Foram registradas 35 espécies de mamíferos nativos (6 de pequenos, 16 de médios e grandes e 13 de morcegos) e sete espécies exóticas. A assembleia de mamíferos registrada (terrestres e voadores), embora composta por espécies generalistas, apresentou três espécies de médio e grande porte ameaçadas de extinção nacionalmente (Leopardus guttulus, Puma concolor and Puma yagouaroundi) e duas deficientes em dados (Galictis cuja and Histiotus velatus), destacando a importância dessa HML para conservação e manutenção das populações de mamíferos. Embora inserida em uma paisagem extremamente modificada, a área de estudo abriga uma riqueza significativa de mamíferos de médio e grande porte, sendo um importante refúgio para a biodiversidade na região. Entretanto, essa biodiversidade está ameaçada pela baixa qualidade dos habitats, por atropelamentos e por abundantes populações de cães e gatos domésticos. Portanto, enfatizamos a necessidade de estratégias de conservação focadas nos mamíferos de médio e grande porte como grupo "guarda-chuva", o que pode beneficiar as demais espécies na paisagem. Recomendamos ações de conservação visando a restauração biológica, para melhorar a composição estrutural e conectividade dos fragmentos florestais, reduzir o número de atropelamentos e controlar as populações de cães e gatos domésticos, afim de manter e aumentar a diversidade local de mamíferos em longo prazo.

Abstract: Human-modified landscapes (HMLs) are composed by small, isolated and defaunated forest fragments, which are surrounded by agricultural and urban areas. Information on species that thrives in these HMLs is essential to direct conservation strategies in local and regional scales. Since HMLs are dominant in the Atlantic Forest, we aimed to assess the mammalian diversity in a HML in southeastern Brazil and to propose conservation strategies. We collected data of terrestrial (small-, medium- and large-sized) and volant mammals in three small forest fragments (10, 14 and 26 ha) and adjacent areas, between 2003 and 2016, using complementary methods: active search, camera trapping, live-traps, mist nets and occasional records (i.e., roadkills). In addition, we used secondary data to complement our species list. We recorded 35 native mammal species (6 small-sized, 16 medium- and large-sized, and 13 bats) and seven exotic species in the HML. The recorded mammal assemblage (non-volant and volant), although mainly composed of common and generalist species, includes three medium- and large-sized species nationally threatened (Leopardus guttulus, Puma concolor and Puma yagouaroundi) and two data deficient species (Galictis cuja and Histiotus velatus), highlighting the importance of this HML for the maintenance and conservation of mammal populations. Despite highly impacted by anthropogenic disturbances, the study area harbors a significant richness of medium- and large-sized mammals, being an important biodiversity refuge in the region. However, this biodiversity is threatened by the low quality of the habitats, roadkills and abundant populations of domestic cats and dogs. Therefore, we stress the need of conservation strategies focusing on the medium- and large-sized mammals as an umbrella group, which could benefit all biodiversity in the landscape. We recommend actions that promotes biological restoration, aiming to increase structural composition and connectivity of the forest fragments, reducing roadkills and controlling the domestic cats and dogs' populations, in order to maintain and improve the diversity of mammals in long-term.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program on cognition, quality of life, and neuropsychiatry symptoms in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: The present study was a single-blind, controlled study that was conducted at a university-based day-hospital memory facility. The study included 25 Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers and involved a 12-week stimulation and psychoeducational program. The comparison group consisted of 16 Alzheimer's patients in waiting lists for future intervention. INTERVENTION: Group sessions were provided by a multiprofessional team and included memory training, computer-assisted cognitive stimulation, expressive activities (painting, verbal expression, writing), physiotherapy, and physical training. Treatment was administered twice a week during 6.5-h gatherings. MEASUREMENTS: The assessment battery comprised the following tests: Mini-Mental State Examination, Short Cognitive Test, Quality of Life in Alzheimer's disease, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Test scores were evaluated at baseline and the end of the study by raters who were blinded to the group assignments. RESULTS: Measurements of global cognitive function and performance on attention tasks indicated that patients in the experimental group remained stable, whereas controls displayed mild but significant worsening. The intervention was associated with reduced depression symptoms for patients and caregivers and decreased neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's subjects. The treatment was also beneficial for the patients' quality of life. CONCLUSION: This multimodal rehabilitation program was associated with cognitive stability and significant improvements in the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients. We also observed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms and caregiver burden. These results support the notion that structured nonpharmacological interventions can yield adjunct and clinically relevant benefits in dementia treatment.

A síndrome do abscesso pituitário é uma doença neurológica responsável por casos esporádicos e surtos, principalmente em bezerros, ocasionando alto índice de mortalidade. Descreve-se a ocorrência e os achados clínicos, laboratoriais e anátomo-patológicos em três bezerros com síndrome do abscesso pituitário no Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Os animais tinham 8-11 meses de idade e os sinais clínicos mais marcantes relacionaram-se aos sinais nervosos de origem cerebral e do tronco encefálico com evolução clínica de 7-20 dias. A hematologia revelou leucocitose por neutrofilia e hiperfibrinogenemia. A análise do líquido céfalo-raquidiano apresentou pleocitose neutrofílica. Arcanobacterium pyogenes foi isolado do líquido céfalo-raquidiano. Um dos bezerros apresentou recuperação após antibioticoterapia. A mortalidade foi de 66,6% (2/3). Os achados de necropsia consistiram em um único abscesso de localização parapituitária ou situado no parênquima da glândula; um dos bezerros apresentou rinite necrosante e outro, broncopneumonia abscedativa. O exame histológico do sistema nervoso central revelou ausência quase completa do tecido hipofisário normal, devido à necrose extensa e infiltrado inflamatório neutrofílico difuso concomitante. Reitera-se a importância da realização de práticas de manejo adequadas a fim de reduzir a incidência de inúmeras enfermidades, principalmente em bezerros, dentre elas a síndrome do abscesso pituitário.

Pituitary abscess syndrome is a neurologic disease responsible for sporadic cases and outbreaks especially in calves leading to high mortality rates. This paper aimed to report the occurrence and the clinical, laboratorial and pathologic findings in three 8 to 11-month-old calves with pituitary abscess syndrome from Mid-Western Brazil. The most important clinical findings were nervous signs of cerebral and brainstem origin with clinical evolution of 7-20 days. Hematology revealed leucocytosis by neutrophilia and hyperfibrinogenemia. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed neutrophilic pleocytosis. Arcanobacterium pyogenes was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid. One calf recovered after antibiotic treatment. Mortality rate was 66.6% (2/3). Necropsy findings included single para-hypophyseal abscesses or located in the glandular parenchyma; one calf showed necrotizing rhinitis and another abscedative pneumonia. Histological exams of the central nervous system reveal complete absence of normal pituitary tissue due to the wide necrosis and neutrophilic inflammatory infiltrate. The authors reiterate the importance of adequate management practices to reduce incidence of several diseases especially in calves, including the pituitary abscess syndrome.

Placa aural é uma variante da papilomatose eqüina. Foram examinados 306 eqüinos da raça Mangalarga e 275 da raça Quarto de Milha, com o objetivo de comparar a ocorrência da placa aural entre os animais destas raças, e caracterizar os achados clínicos e histopatológicos desta enfermidade. A ocorrência da placa aural foi 57% nos eqüinos da raça Mangalarga e 35% nos eqüinos da raça Quarto de Milha. Clinicamente as lesões consistiram de placas aplainadas, descamativas e hipocrômicas, formadas com freqüência pela coalescência de pequenas pápulas. Os principais achados histopatológicos foram hiperplasia epidérmica e hipomelanose levando à alteração abrupta entre o epitélio normal e o epitélio acometido pela placa aural.

Aural plaque is a variant of equine papillomatosis. Clinical examination was performed on 306 Mangalarga and 275 Quarter Horses to compare the occurrence of aural plaques among animals and to characterize clinical and histological findings for the disease. Aural plaques occurred in 57% of Mangalarga and in 35% of Quarter breeds. Clinically the lesions consisted of flat, desquamated and hypochromic plaques formed by coalescence of small papules. The main histopathological findings were epidermal hyperplasia and hypomelanosis with abrupt change between the normal and the affected epithelium.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar a prevalência de rinite alérgica em um grupo aleatório de escolares de Brasília (DF), com idade entre 13-14 anos; avaliar suas tendências ao longo de 6 anos e comparar as taxas de prevalência entre diferentes grupos socioeconômicos. MÉTODOS: Dois estudos de corte transversal foram realizados com intervalo de 6 anos, usando o questionário escrito do protocolo ISAAC (fases I e III). Nesta pesquisa, 39 escolas foram escolhidas aleatoriamente, em oito regiões administrativas de Brasília, e divididas em três grupos, segundo as condições socioeconômicas da população. RESULTADOS: Foram obtidos 3.009 questionários, sendo 53,5% do sexo feminino e 80% de alunos de escolas públicas. As prevalências de rinite diagnosticada, rinite recente e rinite alérgica foram 20, 29,3 e 12,2%, respectivamente. A prevalência de rinite foi maior nas escolas privadas do que nas escolas públicas (17,8 versus 14,1%) e predominou no sexo feminino. Também foi maior nas populações de melhor nível socioeconômico (23,5 versus 12,2%). Comparando com dados de 1996, houve aumento significativo da prevalência de rinite diagnosticada (12,7 versus 20%, p = 0,001), aumento que ocorreu em todos os níveis socioeconômicos. CONCLUSÃO: Um grande número de crianças de 13 e 14 anos de idade do Distrito Federal está apresentando os sintomas relacionados à rinite, a maioria dos quais representa rinite alérgica. Em um período de 6 anos, a prevalência de rinite alérgica aumentou de maneira significativa, predominando no sexo feminino, e foi maior em crianças de escolas privadas e de nível socioeconômico mais elevado.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in a random group of schoolchildren aged 13 to 14 years in Brasilia, Brazil, to evaluate tendencies over 6 years and to compare prevalence rates among different socioeconomic groups. METHODS: Two cross-sectional studies were undertaken 6 years apart, using the ISAAC (phases I and III) written questionnaire. Thirty-nine schools were chosen at random from eight administrative regions in Brasilia, and were classified into three groups according to the socioeconomic conditions of the population. RESULTS: A total of 3,009 questionnaires were collected. Of these 53.5% related to female children and 80% to students from public schools. Prevalence rates for diagnosed rhinitis, recent rhinitis and allergic rhinitis were 20, 29.3 and 12.2%, respectively. Rhinitis was more prevalent in private schools than in public ones (17.8 versus 14.1%) and sufferers were predominantly female. Prevalence rates were also higher among populations with higher socioeconomic status (23.5 versus 12.2%). Comparison with the 1996 data revealed significant increases in the prevalence of diagnosed rhinitis (12.7 versus 20%, p = 0.001). These increases were observed at all socioeconomic levels. CONCLUSION: A large number of 13 and 14-year-old children resident in the Distrito Federal exhibit symptoms indicative of rhinitis and the majority of them have allergic rhinitis. Over a six-year period the prevalence of allergic rhinitis increased significantly, predominantly affecting females and with greater prevalence among students at private school and from families with higher socioeconomic status.

O objetivo do presente estudo é relatar a primeira ocorrência do parasitóide Brachymeria podagrica como inimigo natural de Ophyra aenescens, mosca de importância médico-sanitária. Para coleta dos insetos foi utilizado como isca fezes humanas. Obtiveram-se 20 pupas de Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Muscidae), das quais 4 emergiram parasitóides pertencentes à espécie Brachymeria podagrica (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), apresentando uma incidência de parasitismo de 20,0%.

The objective of the study was to report the first occurrence of the parasitoid Brachymeria podagrica in pupae of Ophyra aenescens, a fly of medical-sanitary importance. Human feces was used as bait to collect the insects. In the study 20 pupae of Ophyra aenescens (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Muscidae) were obtained, of which 20% of the total yielded the parasitoid Brachymeria podagrica (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae).