Resumo O Brasil possui uma grande diversidade de aves exóticas que foram trazidas para o país durante a colonização europeia. Estes animais são mantidos em cativeiros, os quais muitas vezes são inadequados, proporcionando o surgimento de doenças provocadas por parasitas gastrointestinais. Objetivou-se neste estudo, realizar avaliação coproparasitológica de fezes de aves ornamentais mantidas em cativeiros no estado de Sergipe, região Nordeste do Brasil. Amostras fecais (n= 362) de aves exóticas foram analisadas através do exame direto a fresco e técnica de Willis-Mollay. Ovos de Amidostomum sp., Ascaridia sp., Capillarinae, Heterakis sp., Trichostrongylidae, e oocistos de coccídeos foram encontrados em nove diferentes espécies de aves. Aqui, destacamos, os primeiros registros no Brasil de Ascaridia sp. e Heterakis sp., parasitando Nymphicus hollandicus; Trichostrongilidae em Serinus canaria e Streptopelia risoria.

Abstract Brazil has a wide diversity of exotic birds that were brought to this country during the European colonization. These animals are kept in captivity and, in some cases, in inadequate facilities, which may facilitate the introduction of pathogens, including gastrointestinal parasites. The purpose of this study was to identify the main gastrointestinal parasites that affect exotic birds living in captivity in the state of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil. Fecal samples (n = 362) from exotic birds were analyzed by direct examination and by the Willis-Mollay technique. Eggs of Amidostomum sp., Ascaridia sp., Capillarinae, Heterakis sp., Trichostrongylidae, and oocysts of coccidians were identified in nine different bird species. This is the first report in Brazil of infection by Ascaridia sp. and Heterakis sp. in Nymphicus hollandicus; by Trichostrongylidae in Serinus canaria and Streptopelia risoria.

Resumo OBJETIVO: analisar a tendência da mortalidade por câncer do colo do útero no estado do Rio Grande do Norte e em suas microrregiões de saúde, no período de 1996 a 2010, e realizar projeções para os quinquênios, de 2011 a 2030. MÉTODOS: estudo ecológico de series temporais; empregou-se regressão binomial negativa para análise das tendências e projeções. RESULTADOS: foram observadas taxas acima de 5,0 óbitos por 100 mil mulheres em todas as microrregiões, com tendência estacionária para o estado e ascendente nas microrregiões com piores condições socioeconômicas; as projeções indicaram redução nas taxas de mortalidade no estado, de 5,95/100 mil mulheres (2006-2010) para 3,67 (2026-2030), embora seja previsto aumento de 22% no número absoluto de óbitos. CONCLUSÃO: apesar da previsão de redução nas taxas de mortalidade, estas ainda apresentam-se elevadas, sinalizando a necessidade de revisão e fortalecimento do programa de controle do câncer do colo do útero no estado.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: to analyze cervical cancer mortality trends in the state of Rio Grande do Norte and its health micro-regions from 1996 to 2010, as well as to make projections for five-year periods from 2011 to 2030. METHODS: this was an ecological time series study; negative binomial regression was used to analyze trends and projections. RESULTS: rates above 5.0 deaths per 100,000 women were observed in all the micro-regions, with a stationary trend in the state as a whole and an upward trend in the micro-regions with the worst socioeconomic conditions; projections indicated reduction in mortality rates in the state, from 5.95/100,000 women (2006-2010) to 3.67 (2026-2030), although a 22% increase in the absolute number of deaths is expected. CONCLUSION: although a reduction in mortality rates is projected, they continue to be high, indicating the need for review and strengthening of the state's cervical cancer control program.

Resumen OBJETIVO: analizar la tendencia de mortalidad por cáncer de cuello de útero en el estado de Rio Grande del Norte (RN) y en sus microrregiones de salud, en el período de 1996 a 2010, así como realizar proyecciones para los períodos quinquenales entre 2011 y 2030. MÉTODOS: estudio ecológico de series de tiempo; se utilizó regresión binomial negativa para analizar tendencias y proyecciones. RESULTADOS: observamos tasas de 5.0 muertes por cada 100 mil mujeres en todas las microrregiones, con una tendencia estacionaria para el estado y ascendente en las microrregiones con peores condiciones socioeconómicas. Las proyecciones mostraron una reducción en las tasas de mortalidad en el estado, de 5.95/100 mil mujeres (2006-2010) para 3.67 (2026-2030), aunque se espere un aumento de 22% en el número absoluto de muertes. CONCLUSIÓN: a pesar del pronóstico de reducción de las tasas de mortalidad, estas siguen siendo altas, lo que indica la necesidad de revisar y fortalecer el programa de control de cáncer de cuello uterino en el estado.

Resumo OBJETIVO: analisar a tendência da mortalidade por câncer do colo do útero no estado do Rio Grande do Norte e em suas microrregiões de saúde, no período de 1996 a 2010, e realizar projeções para os quinquênios, de 2011 a 2030. MÉTODOS: estudo ecológico de series temporais; empregou-se regressão binomial negativa para análise das tendências e projeções. RESULTADOS: foram observadas taxas acima de 5,0 óbitos por 100 mil mulheres em todas as microrregiões, com tendência estacionária para o estado e ascendente nas microrregiões com piores condições socioeconômicas; as projeções indicaram redução nas taxas de mortalidade no estado, de 5,95/100 mil mulheres (2006-2010) para 3,67 (2026-2030), embora seja previsto aumento de 22% no número absoluto de óbitos. CONCLUSÃO: apesar da previsão de redução nas taxas de mortalidade, estas ainda apresentam-se elevadas, sinalizando a necessidade de revisão e fortalecimento do programa de controle do câncer do colo do útero no estado.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: to analyze cervical cancer mortality trends in the state of Rio Grande do Norte and its health micro-regions from 1996 to 2010, as well as to make projections for five-year periods from 2011 to 2030. METHODS: this was an ecological time series study; negative binomial regression was used to analyze trends and projections. RESULTS: rates above 5.0 deaths per 100,000 women were observed in all the micro-regions, with a stationary trend in the state as a whole and an upward trend in the micro-regions with the worst socioeconomic conditions; projections indicated reduction in mortality rates in the state, from 5.95/100,000 women (2006-2010) to 3.67 (2026-2030), although a 22% increase in the absolute number of deaths is expected. CONCLUSION: although a reduction in mortality rates is projected, they continue to be high, indicating the need for review and strengthening of the state's cervical cancer control program.

Resumen OBJETIVO: analizar la tendencia de mortalidad por cáncer de cuello de útero en el estado de Rio Grande del Norte (RN) y en sus microrregiones de salud, en el período de 1996 a 2010, así como realizar proyecciones para los períodos quinquenales entre 2011 y 2030. MÉTODOS: estudio ecológico de series de tiempo; se utilizó regresión binomial negativa para analizar tendencias y proyecciones. RESULTADOS: observamos tasas de 5.0 muertes por cada 100 mil mujeres en todas las microrregiones, con una tendencia estacionaria para el estado y ascendente en las microrregiones con peores condiciones socioeconómicas. Las proyecciones mostraron una reducción en las tasas de mortalidad en el estado, de 5.95/100 mil mujeres (2006-2010) para 3.67 (2026-2030), aunque se espere un aumento de 22% en el número absoluto de muertes. CONCLUSIÓN: a pesar del pronóstico de reducción de las tasas de mortalidad, estas siguen siendo altas, lo que indica la necesidad de revisar y fortalecer el programa de control de cáncer de cuello uterino en el estado.

Objective Investigate the differences in cardiopulmonary (CP) capacity and Quality of Life (QOL) between healthy elderly (≥ 65 years) with different TSH levels (< 1.0 and ≥ 1.0 μIU/mL) both within the normal range. Also, evaluate the effects of TSH elevation on CP test and QOL, by administering methimazole to subjects with initial lower-normal TSH, in order to elevate it to superior-normal limit. Materials and methods Initially, a cross-sectional study was performed to compare CP capacity at peak exercise and QOL (using WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire) between healthy seniors (age ≥ 65 years) with TSH < 1.0 μIU/mL vs. TSH ≥1.0 μIU/mL. In the second phase, participants with TSH < 1.0 μIU/mL were included in a non-controlled-prospective-interventional study to investigate the effect of TSH elevation, using methimazole, on QOL and CP capacity at peak exercise. Results From 89 elderly evaluated, 75 had TSH ≥ 1 μIU/mL and 14 TSH < 1 μIU/mL. The two groups had similar basal clinical characteristics. No difference in WHOQOL-OLD scores was observed between groups and they did not differ in terms of CP function at peak exercise. QOL and CP variables were not correlated with TSH levels. Twelve of 14 participants with TSH < 1.0 μIU/mL entered in the prospective study. After one year, no significant differences in clinical caracteristics, QOL, and CP variables were detected in paired analysis before and after methimazole intervention. Conclusions We found no differences in CP capacity and QOL between health elderly with different TSH levels within normal range and no impact after one year of methimazole treatment. More prospective-controlled-randomized studies are necessary to confirm or not the possible harm effect in normal low TSH.

Bauhinia purpurea (Fabaceae). Plants of the Bauhinia species (Fabaceae) are used in the treatment of several infections and diseases, especially diabetes. In this paper, with an aim to contribute to the knowledge of the chemistry and therapeutic potential of the Amazonian species of the genus Bauhinia, flavonoid profiles in the leaves and branches of Bauhinia purpurea collected in Manaus and São Gabriel da Cachoeira/AM were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and ESIMS. Differences in the flavonoid profiles were detected along with the presence of rutin and isoquercitrin in the leaves collected in Manaus. All samples showed antioxidant activity, however, no cytotoxic activity against cell lines MDA-MB435 (breast), HCT-8 (colon), and SF-295 (glioblastoma) could be detected.

Domestic dogs are considered to be the main reservoirs of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis. In this work, we evaluated a protocol to induce Leishmania infantum/Leishmania chagasi-specific cellular and humoral immune responses in dogs, which consisted of two injections of Leishmania promastigote lysate followed by a subcutaneous inoculation of viable promastigotes. The primary objective was to establish a canine experimental model to provide positive controls for testing immune responses to Leishmania in laboratory conditions. After inoculation of viable promastigotes, specific proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to either Leishmania lysate or recombinant proteins, the in vitro production of interferon-γ by antigen-stimulated PBMCs and a significant increase in circulating levels of anti-Leishmania antibodies were observed. The immunized dogs also displayed positive delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to Leishmania crude antigens and to purified recombinant proteins. An important finding that supports the suitability of the dogs as positive controls is that they remained healthy for the entire observation period, i.e., more than seven years after infection. Following the Leishmania antigen lysate injections, the infection of dogs by the subcutaneous route appears to induce a sustained cellular immune response, leading to an asymptomatic infection. This provides a useful model for both the selection of immunogenic Leishmania antigens and for immunobiological studies on their possible immunoprotective activities.