Abstract This study analyzed the effect of thermal stress on erythrocytes of Notothenia rossii and Notothenia coriiceps, abundant notothenioids in Admiralty Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. In both species, the antioxidant defense system enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S transferase, glutathione reductase were punctually altered (8°C for 1, 3 and 6 days) in erythrocytes, indicating that these markers are not ideal for termal stress. However, under the influence of thermal stress, morphological changes in Notothenia coriiceps erythrocytes were observed at all exposure times (1, 3 and 6 days at 8°C), and in Notothenia rossii occurred in 6 days. These results suggest that Notothenia corriceps presents a lower tolerance to thermal stress at 8°C for up to 6 days, since the cellular and nuclear alterations recorded are pathological and may be deleterious to the cells. Among the morphological markers analyzed in this work, we believe that the shape change and nuclear bubble formation may be good stress biomarkers in erythrocytes of Notothenia rossii and Notothenia coriiceps.

Este artigo tem por objetivo investigar as práticas extramuros realizadas pelos profissionais que atuam nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e outras Drogas (CAPSad) do Distrito Federal (DF). Trata-se de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa de caráter exploratório e descritivo. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e questionário sociodemográfico e ocupacional com 48 profissionais que atuam nos sete CAPSad do DF. Adotou-se a análise de conteúdo de Bardin e de forma complementar o software NVivo. Constatou-se que os profissionais realizaram práticas extramuros inovadoras e exitosas, como: “Loja de rua”, “Jardim comunitário”, “Clube de corrida”, atividades esportivas, de geração de renda, participações políticas, de arte, lazer e cultura. No entanto, ainda são escassas as ações de cuidado extramuros de forma sistemática, sendo a maioria temporária. É imprescindível que trabalhadores sejam capacitados e tenham condições para atuar extramuros.

This article investigates the extramural practices developed by health professionals working in Alcohol and Drugs Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPSad) in the Federal District, Brazil. We conducted a qualitative exploratory descriptive study with data collected using semi-structured interviews and sociodemographic and occupational questionnaires administered to 48 professionals working in seven CAPSad located in the Federal District. We adopted the content analysis method proposed by Bardin and NVivo. The findings show that the professionals developed innovative and successful extramural practices, including: “street shops”, “community gardens”, “running clubs”, sports, income generating activities, and political participation through art, leisure and culture. However, systematic extramural care actions remain scarce and tend to be temporary. It is vital that health worker are trained and have the conditions necessary to develop extramural activities.

El objetivo de este artículo es investigar las prácticas extramuros realizadas por los profesionales que actúan en los Centros de Atención Psicosocial alcohol y otras drogas (CAPSad) del Distrito Federal (DF). Se trata de una investigación de abordaje cualitativo de carácter exploratorio y descriptivo. La colecta de datos se realizó por medio de entrevista semiestructurada y cuestionario sociodemográfico y ocupacional con 48 profesionales que actúan en los siete CAPSad del DF. Se adoptó el análisis de contenido de Bardin y de forma complementaria el software NVivo. Se constató que los profesionales realizaron prácticas extramuros innovadoras y exitosas, como: “Tienda de calle”, “Jardín comunitario”, “Club de carreras”, actividades deportivas, de generación de renta, participaciones políticas de arte, ocio y cultura. Sin embargo, todavía son escasas las acciones de cuidado extramuros de forma sistemática, siendo la mayoría temporales. Es imprescindible que los trabajadores sean capacitados y tengan condiciones para actuar extramuros.

Este artigo tem por objetivo investigar as práticas extramuros realizadas pelos profissionais que atuam nos Centros de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e outras Drogas (CAPSad) do Distrito Federal (DF). Trata-se de uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa de caráter exploratório e descritivo. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e questionário sociodemográfico e ocupacional com 48 profissionais que atuam nos sete CAPSad do DF. Adotou-se a análise de conteúdo de Bardin e de forma complementar o software NVivo. Constatou-se que os profissionais realizaram práticas extramuros inovadoras e exitosas, como: “Loja de rua”, “Jardim comunitário”, “Clube de corrida”, atividades esportivas, de geração de renda, participações políticas, de arte, lazer e cultura. No entanto, ainda são escassas as ações de cuidado extramuros de forma sistemática, sendo a maioria temporária. É imprescindível que trabalhadores sejam capacitados e tenham condições para atuar extramuros.

This article investigates the extramural practices developed by health professionals working in Alcohol and Drugs Psychosocial Care Centers (CAPSad) in the Federal District, Brazil. We conducted a qualitative exploratory descriptive study with data collected using semi-structured interviews and sociodemographic and occupational questionnaires administered to 48 professionals working in seven CAPSad located in the Federal District. We adopted the content analysis method proposed by Bardin and NVivo. The findings show that the professionals developed innovative and successful extramural practices, including: “street shops”, “community gardens”, “running clubs”, sports, income generating activities, and political participation through art, leisure and culture. However, systematic extramural care actions remain scarce and tend to be temporary. It is vital that health worker are trained and have the conditions necessary to develop extramural activities.

El objetivo de este artículo es investigar las prácticas extramuros realizadas por los profesionales que actúan en los Centros de Atención Psicosocial alcohol y otras drogas (CAPSad) del Distrito Federal (DF). Se trata de una investigación de abordaje cualitativo de carácter exploratorio y descriptivo. La colecta de datos se realizó por medio de entrevista semiestructurada y cuestionario sociodemográfico y ocupacional con 48 profesionales que actúan en los siete CAPSad del DF. Se adoptó el análisis de contenido de Bardin y de forma complementaria el software NVivo. Se constató que los profesionales realizaron prácticas extramuros innovadoras y exitosas, como: “Tienda de calle”, “Jardín comunitario”, “Club de carreras”, actividades deportivas, de generación de renta, participaciones políticas de arte, ocio y cultura. Sin embargo, todavía son escasas las acciones de cuidado extramuros de forma sistemática, siendo la mayoría temporales. Es imprescindible que los trabajadores sean capacitados y tengan condiciones para actuar extramuros.

Neurological diseases are responsible for approximately 6.8 million deaths every year. They affect up to 1 billion people worldwide and cause significant disability and reduced quality of life. In most neurological disorders, the diagnosis can be challenging; it frequently requires long-term investigation. Thus, the discovery of better diagnostic methods to help in the accurate and fast diagnosis of neurological disorders is crucial. Circulating nucleic acids (CNAs) are defined as any type of DNA or RNA that is present in body biofluids. They can be found within extracellular vesicles or as cell-free DNA and RNA. Currently, CNAs are being explored as potential biomarkers for diseases because they can be obtained using non-invasive methods and may reflect unique characteristics of the biological processes involved in several diseases. CNAs can be especially useful as biomarkers for conditions that involve organs or structures that are difficult to assess, such as the central nervous system. This review presents a critical assessment of the most current literature about the use of plasma and serum CNAs as biomarkers for several aspects of neurological disorders: defining a diagnosis, establishing a prognosis, and monitoring the disease progression and response to therapy. We explored the biological origin, types, and general mechanisms involved in the generation of CNAs in physiological and pathological processes, with specific attention to neurological disorders. In addition, we present some of the future applications of CNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for these diseases.

ABSTRACT The incidence of the psittacine beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) was investigated in Brazilian native parrots with normal feathering arriving at rescue and triage centers for wild animals (CETAS, IBAMA) in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. BFDV DNA was investigated by previously described PCR technique for the partial amplification of BFDV ORF-1 in DNA extracts from blood, cloacal swab or liver of psittacines. Some birds provided more than one sample. Nine species of psittacines were sampled between January 2009 and October 2010. Blood (n=46) or cloacal swab (n=128) samples were obtained from psittacines immediately upon arrival at the triage centers. Liver samples were collected from necropsied birds dead on arrival (n=167). All swab samples were negative, except for one Ara ararauna individual (n=3) which blood presented the BFDV DNA. On the other hand, 11 liver samples were positive for BFDV DNA, with a prevalence of 7.8% in Amazona aestiva (n=140). No BFDV DNA was detected in the liver of Amazona amazonica (n=11), A. vinacea (n=5), A. rhodochorytha (n=4), Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus (n=3), Ara ararauna, (n=3), Aratinga leucophtalma (n=2), Guarouba guarouba (n=1) and Pionus maximiliani (n=1). In most cases, alopecia was not associated with BFDV detection in liver, and liver histopathology was inconclusive. Although all cloacal swab samples were negative, a few psittacines (n=19) that died at CETAS-Belo Horizonte were retested, and 21% were detected as positive in liver. A group of psittacines (n=16) was clinically evaluated, and despite showing feather dystrophy, all birds were negative in the cloacal swabs, except for one, which blood sample was positive (A. ararauna). The obtained sequences of the BFDV strains BH 215 and BH 732 were deposited in the GenBank (JQ649409 and JQ649410). A 98% similarity with strain sequences described in Australia, Japan, and New Zealand was observed. It is possible that these strains arrived in Brazil through the legal and illegal trade of parrots. However, it was not possible to associate BFDV infection with the geographical origin of birds and no local marker was detected. The rates of detection, although similar to other studies, indicate the tendency of a high incidence of the disease, possibly associated with stress, and high bird density and wide transmission in captivity conditions.

Formigas-cortadeiras dos gêneros Atta e Acromyrmex causam elevados prejuízos à agricultura e são dependentes obrigatórias da simbiose com Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar morfologicamente e molecularmente, bem como verificar a variabilidade genotípica do fungo simbionte,cultivado por Acromyrmex heyeri e Acromyrmex ambiguus em três regiões do RS, Brasil. Jardins de fungo foram coletados do interior de formigueiros e fragmentos de micélio foram cultivados em meio de cultura seletivo. O DNA total foi extraído e a amplificação da região ITS foi realizada por PCR, utilizando primers universais. Após sequenciamento, os cromatogramas foram montados e as análises filogenéticas foram realizadas pelo método de Neighbor-Joining. Dos jardins de fungo, obtiveram-se seis isolados de L. gongylophorus, confirmados por análise molecular. A análise filogenética da região ITS mostrou uma árvore com dois grupos distintosem relação aos isolados do fungo oriundos de ninhos de A. heyeri e A. ambiguus. Neste estudo, evidenciou-se que as espécies de formigas A. heyeri e A. ambiguus cultivam o mesmo fungo. Entretanto, o marcador molecular estudado evidenciou variações de L. gongylophorus que permitiram formar duas ramificações diferentes na árvore filogenética relacionada à espécie de formiga que o cultiva. Todavia, para validar as possíveis variações nas relações filogenéticas deste fungo simbionte, é necessária a inclusão de um maior número de isolados de L. gongylophorus, bem como o emprego de outros marcadores moleculares.

Leaf-cutting ants of the genera Atta and Acromyrmex determine serious agricultural problems and live on symbiosis with Leucoagaricus gongylophorus. The aim of this study is to identify morphological and molecularly, as well as to verify the genotypic variability of the symbiotic fungus cultivated by A. heyeri and A. ambiguus from three different regions of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Fungus gardens were collected and fragments of mycelia were grown in selective medium. Total DNA was extracted and amplification of the ITS region was performed by PCR using universal primers. After DNA sequencing, the chromatograms were assembled and phylogenetic analyzes were performed by the Neighbor-Joining method. A total of six isolates of L. gongylophorus were obtained and their identities were confirmed by molecular analyses. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region showed a tree with two distinct groups regarding the fungus isolates from A. heiyeri and A. ambiguous. In this study, it was verified that A. heyeri and A. ambiguous, cultivate the same fungus. Additionally, the molecular marker used in this study showed variations in L. gongylophorus, evidencing two distinct branches in the phylogenetic tree, according to the ant species that cultivate L. gongylophorus. However, other studies involving the inclusion of a great number of isolates of L. gongylophorus, as well as the use of other molecular markers to validate the possible variations in the phylogenetic relationship of this symbiotic fungus are required.

Este estudo descreveu os hábitos alimentares do lambari Astyanax aff. fasciatus. Foram comparadas as composições alimentares de espécimes de dois sítios (A e B) de um rio no sul do Brasil de acordo com o tamanho dos indivíduos e do período sazonal. As coletas foram realizadas mensalmente de março de 2005 a fevereiro de 2006, sendo o conteúdo estomacal de 290 exemplares analisado. A dieta de A. aff. fasciatus foi composta basicamente por plantas e insetos, especialmente fragmentos de folhas, sementes, frutos, algas filamentosas, insetos aquáticos e terrestres e fragmentos de insetos. No sítio A, os itens de maior importância foram fragmentos de insetos e plantas. Ao contrário no sítio B, fragmentos de plantas foram mais representativos. Em geral, todos os itens de origem animal apresentaram os maiores valores do índice alimentar no sítio A, enquanto que no sítio B detritos e gramíneas foram mais abundantes. A composição dos itens ingeridos variou sazonalmente, sendo a maior diversidade registrada durante o período da primavera para ambos os sítios. Indivíduos pequenos preferiram itens de origem animal enquanto que os maiores consumiram principalmente itens de origem vegetal. De acordo com seu tamanho A. aff. fasciatus neste estudo pode ser considerada uma espécie com tendências à insetivoria quando imaturo, ou à herbivoria quando adulto. No entanto, seu hábito alimentar pode ser flexível de acordo com a disponibilidade de recursos, mostrando ampla variação tanto ontogenética quanto espacial e temporal.

This study described the feeding habits of the characin Astyanax aff. fasciatus. The diet compositions of specimens from two sites (A and B) on a river in Southern Brazil were compared according to the size of individuals and seasonal period. The collections were performed monthly from March 2005 to February 2006, where the stomach contents of 290 specimens were assessed. Food items for A. aff. fasciatus were basically composed of plants and insects, especially leaf fragments, seeds, fruits, filamentous algae, aquatic and terrestrial insects and insect fragments. At site A, the most common items were insect and plant fragments. Conversely at site B, plant fragments were more representative. In general, all items of animal origin showed the highest feeding index values at site A, whereas at site B detritus and grass items were more abundant. The composition of items varied seasonally, with higher diversity of items being recorded during the spring at both sites. Smaller individuals preferred items of animal origin, while the larger ones consumed mainly items of plant origin. According to its size, A. aff. fasciatus in this study may be considered a species with insectivorous tendencies when immature or herbivorous tendencies when adult. Nevertheless, its feeding habits may be flexible according to resource availability, showing wide ontogenetic, besides spatial and temporal variation.

Os autores relatam caso raro de tumor pulmonar benigno, o LEIOMIOMA INTRABRÔNQUICO, em paciente masculino de 33 anos de idade. O diagnóstico foi realizado por broncoscopia com biópsia do tumor, que apresentou intensa proliferação de células musculares lisas. A escolha terapêutica, após sete anos de evolução do tumor, foi a pneumectomia.

The authors report a rare case of benign lung tumor, the INTRABRONCHIAL LEIOMYOMA, of a 33-year-old male patient. Diagnosis was performed by bronchoscopy with tumor biopsy, the tumor consisted largely of smooth muscle fibers. The option for treatment, after seven years of tumor evolution, was pneumonectomy.

The drying of wet Tetraethoxysilane-derived gels was studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis as a function of the time, from the instant when the samples were placed into a pre-heated oven, kept at 70, 83 and 100 °C. The precursor sol of the gel was obtained by sono-hydrolysis of the Tetraethoxysilane under acid condition and the final [Water]/[Tetraethoxysilane] molar ratio was adjusted to 30. The wet gels were cylindrical (2.5 cm height and 1.2 cm diameter) after 30 days of aging at 30 °C in a hermetically sealed container. The changes in volume and weight during drying are compatible with a mechanism controlled by evaporation from a flat liquid-vapour interface at the surface of the body and contraction of the gel by capillary forces, together with structural changes induced by polycondensation, which partially account for the irreversible shrinkage of the gel. The employed thermogravimetric method does not permit to unequivocally follow the small and slow final loss of weight associated to the falling rate periods.