Abstract Fishes from the coastal basins of the Mid-Northeastern Caatinga ecoregion (MNCE) were first sampled by the Stanford expedition at the beginning of the 20th century, and published by Edwin C. Starks in 1913. This material included specimens from the Papary lake (= Papari lagoon) in the lower portion of the Trairí river basin, draining towards the eastern coast of Rio Grande do Norte State. In 1941, Henry Fowler provided a broad taxonomic study of the freshwater fishes from northeastern Brazil, including material from the Papari lagoon, besides describing four species assigned to this locality. However, these previous surveys focused only in the lower portion of the Trairí river basin and might be incomplete. Given this framework, the present study aimed at perform a wide ichthyofaunal inventory of Trairí river basin and compare with previously surveys performed in the regions. In 2013 and 2014, four expeditions along the whole basin, including the Papari lagoon itself, resulted in 28 species of fishes belonging to 17 families and seven orders. At Papari lagoon area 16 species were registered whereas 26 and 18 species were recorded by Starks and Fowler’s studies, respectively. Considering all records, 50 species were documented in the basin with 14 (28%) new records, including Serrapinnus potiguar, whose distribution was extended to the south. Two species described by Fowler, Pimelodella papariae and Pseudancistrus papariae, were not found in this study or in any fish collection, and are only known from their type-material. These two species can be naturally rare, locally extinct, or there were inaccuracies in their type-locality. However, species of these genera are only found in larger basins of the MNCE, which drains to the north, corroborating the latter assumption. Although not being a definitive list, the recent extensive fish surveys conducted in the MNCE’s coastal basins are helping to elucidate species’ geographic distribution and little knowing taxonomic issues.

A peroxidase de fenóis (POX) é uma enzima que associa a remoção do peróxido de hidrogênio com a biossíntese de lignina, contribuindo para a inibição do crescimento pelo espessamento da parede secundária. Com o objetivo de verificar as relações entre a inibição do crescimento e a modulação oxidativa induzida por estresse salino, foram avaliadas as atividades das enzimas dismutase do superóxido (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase de ascorbato (APX) e POX em raízes de feijão caupi sob salinidade. Plântulas das cultivares Pitiúba e Pérola com quatro dias foram expostas ao NaCl 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100 mM em papel de germinação sob condições controladas. Após dois dias de tratamento, o comprimento radicular foi reduzido pelo NaCl 100 mM em 56 e 26% nas cultivares Pitiúba e Pérola, respectivamente, associado ao aumento do vazamento de eletrólitos e à morte celular no ápice radicular. A salinidade não causou aumento da peroxidação de lipídios nas raízes, indicando que a morte celular se deve mais a danos nas membranas do que ao estresse oxidativo. O estresse salino reduziu a atividade das enzimas SOD, CAT e APX e causou intenso aumento da atividade de POX, demonstrando que essa última exerce algum papel na proteção oxidativa das raízes sob salinidade. Em conclusão, a redução no alongamento das raízes de feijão caupi sob salinidade pode ser atribuída, pelo menos em parte, a uma sincronia entre o aumento da atividade de peroxidase de fenóis e redução nas atividades de catalase e peroxidase de ascorbato.

Phenol peroxidase (POX) is a dual enzyme that is involved with hydrogen peroxide scavenging and lignin biosynthesis, contributing to growth inhibition by secondary wall thickening. In order to relate growth inhibition to salt-induced oxidative modulation, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and POX were evaluated in cowpea roots under salinity. Four-day-old seedlings of the Pitiúba and Pérola cultivars were exposed to 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl in germination paper under controlled conditions. After two days of treatment, root length was reduced under 100 mM NaCl by 56 and 26% in Pitiúba and Pérola, respectively, which was associated with enhanced electrolyte leakage and cell death in the root apex. NaCl salinity did not trigger lipid peroxidation, indicating that cell death was probably due to membrane damage instead of oxidative stress. Salt stress reduced the activity of SOD, CAT and APX and increased the POX activity, demonstrating that this enzyme plays a role in oxidative protection in cowpea roots exposed to NaCl salinity. In conclusion, salt-induced growth inhibition in cowpea roots could be attributed, at least in part, to a coordinate action involving an increase in POX activity and a drop in CAT and APX activities.

INTRODUÇÃO: O trauma facial tem crescido em importância para a Cirurgia Plástica, especialmente nas últimas quatro décadas, tendo estreita relação com o aumento de acidentes automobilísticos e violência urbana. O presente estudo objetiva traçar um perfil dos pacientes que sofreram esse tipo de trauma. MÉTODO: Foram analisados 194 casos de trauma facial atendidos em serviço de referência em Fortaleza (Ceará), entre 2005 e 2009. Os dados obtidos foram entrecruzados e classificados utilizando os programas Excel versão 2003 e Epi Info versão 6.04. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 30,35 anos, variando de 4 a 71 anos. Os homens foram os responsáveis por 80,4%, e proporção homem/mulher foi de 4,1:1. Idosos e crianças corresponderam a 5,7%. Os traumas relacionados a acidentes de trânsito foram prevalentes (60,31%), com destaque para os acidentes com motociclistas, que representam 44,8% do total. Em segundo lugar, ficou a violência interpessoal, com 18,6%. A maioria dos pacientes era oriunda do interior do estado (57,2%), porém os da capital tiveram maior proporção de fraturas relacionadas à violência interpessoal (66,66%). O osso mais fraturado foi a mandíbula (30,49%), seguida pelo osso nasal (22,2%) e pelo zigoma (17,5%). A lesão associada mais frequente foi o TCE (21,1%). CONCLUSÕES: A incidência de fraturas faciais pode ser reduzida por medidas educativas, como o uso rotineiro do cinto de segurança e do capacete; pelo menor consumo de álcool e por estratégias para lidar com situações hostis, no intuito de evitar a crescente violência interpessoal.

INTRODUCTION: Facial trauma has grown in importance for Plastic Surgery, especially in the last four decades, being closely connected with the increase of traffic accidents and urban violence. This study aims to establish a profile of patients who have suffered such trauma. METHODS: We analyzed 194 cases of facial trauma seen at a referral hospital in Fortaleza (Ceará), between 2005 and 2009. Data were intertwined and classified using the programs Excel 2003 and Epi Info version 6.04. RESULTS: The mean age was 30.35 years, ranging from 4 to 71 years. Men were responsible for 80.4%, and the proportion male/female was 4.1:1. Seniors and children account for 5.7%. Trauma-related traffic accidents were prevalent (60.31%), especially motorcycle accidents, which account for 44.80% of the total. Interpersonal violence was the second cause, with 18.6%. The majority in the study was patients from the interior of the state (57.2%), however, the capital had a higher proportion of fractures related to interpersonal violence (66.66%). The bone was the most common jaw (30.49%), followed by nasal bone (22.2%) and zygoma (17.5%). The lesion most closely associated with facial trauma was ECA (21.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of facial fractures can be reduced by educational measures, as the routine use of seat belts and helmets; by lower consumption of alcohol and strategies to deal with hostile situations in order to avoid increasing interpersonal violence.

Necessitávamos de uma grande quantidade de soro padrão para ser usado num estudo em que seria doseada IgG anti-sarampo em centenas de soros, usando uma técnica imunoenzimática (EIA). Foi preparado um homogeneizado de soros de cinco adolescentes ao qual foi dado o nome de Alexandre Herculano (AH). Para calibrar o soro AH foram realizados 18 ensaios pela técnica EIA, avaliando em paralelo AH e o soro padrão internacional (SPI)(2nd International Standard 1990, Anti-Measles Antibody, 66/202) em diluições sucessivas de 1/50 a 1/25600. Para estimar a potência do soro AH relativamente ao SPI, foi usado um método no qual se compararam linhas paralelas representando graficamente os resultados da prova laboratorial. Para a análise dos dados e estimativa da potência, foi usado um programa informático escrito para o efeito por um dos autores (Maia JC). Foi usado outro método de análise, no qual foram comparadas curvas logísticas representando a relação entre concentrações séricas de IgG anti-sarampo e os correspondentes valores de densidade óptica (DO) pela EIA. Para este efeito foi usado um programa informático já conhecido (WRANL) por dois de nós (Heath A e Walker D). A potência estimada do soro AH relativamente ao SPI foi de 2,4. Como o SPI tem uma concentração de IgG anti-sarampo de 5000 mili unidades internacionais por mililitro (mUI/ml), concluimos que o soro AH tem 12000 mUI/ml.

For the purpose of research a large quantity of anti-measles IgG working reference serum was needed. A pool of sera from five teenagers was prepared and named Alexandre Herculano (AH). In order to calibrate the AH serum, 18 EIA assays were performed testing in parallel AH and the 2nd International Standard 1990, Anti-Measles Antibody, 66/202 (IS) in a range of dilutions (from 1/50 to 1/25600). A method which compared parallel lines resulting from the graphic representation of the results of laboratory tests was used to estimate the power of AH relative to IS. A computer programme written by one of the authors was used to analyze the data and make potency estimates. Another method of analysis was used, comparing logistic curves relating serum concentrations with optical density by EIA. For that purpose an existing computer programme (WRANL) was used. The potency of AH relative to IS, by either method, was estimated to be 2.4. As IS has 5000 milli international units (mIU) of anti-measles IgG per millilitre (ml), we concluded that AH has 12000 mIU/ml.