Abstract Background Migraine underdiagnosis and undertreatment are so widespread, that hence is essential to diagnose migraine sufferers in nonclinical settings. A systematic review of validation studies on migraine diagnostic tools applicable to nonclinical settings can help researchers and practitioners in tool selection decisions. Objective To systematically review and critically assess published validation studies on migraine diagnostic tools for use in nonclinical settings, as well as to describe their diagnostic performance. Methods A multidisciplinary workgroup followed transparent and systematic procedures to collaborate on this work. PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science were searched for studies up to January 17, 2022. The QUADAS-2 was employed to assess methodological quality, and the quality thresholds adopted by the Global Burden Disease study were used to tail signaling questions. Results From 7,214 articles identified, a total of 27 studies examining 19 tools were eligible for inclusion. There has been no high-quality evidence to support any tool for use of migraine diagnosis in nonclinical settings. The diagnostic accuracy of the ID-migraine, structured headache and HARDSHIP questionnaires have been supported by moderate-quality evidence, with sensitivity and specificity above 70%. Of them, the HARDSHIP questionnaire has been the most extensively validated. The remaining 16 tools have provided poor-quality evidence for migraine diagnosis in nonclinical populations. Conclusions Up till now, the HARDSHIP questionnaire is the optimal choice for diagnosing migraine in nonclinical settings, with satisfactory diagnostic accuracy supported by moderate methodological quality. This work reveals the crucial next step, which is further high-quality validation studies in diverse nonclinical population groups.

Resumo Antecedentes O sub-diagnóstico e o subtratamento da enxaqueca são tão difundidos que, portanto, é essencial para diagnosticar os portadores de enxaqueca em ambientes não-clínicos. Uma revisão sistemática dos estudos de validação das ferramentas de diagnóstico da enxaqueca aplicáveis a ambientes não-clínicos pode ajudar os pesquisadores e profissionais nas decisões de seleção de ferramentas. Objetivo Revisar sistematicamente e avaliar criticamente estudos de validação publicados sobre ferramentas de diagnóstico da enxaqueca para uso em ambientes não-clínicos, bem como descrever seu desempenho diagnóstico. Métodos Um grupo de trabalho multidisciplinar seguiu procedimentos transparentes e sistemáticos para colaborar neste trabalho. PubMed, Medline e Web of Science foram pesquisados por estudos até 17 de janeiro de 2022. O QUADAS-2 foi empregado para avaliar a qualidade metodológica, e os limites de qualidade adotados pelo estudo da Global Burden Disease foram usados para responder a questões de sinalização. Resultados De 7.214 artigos identificados, um total de 27 estudos examinando 19 ferramentas foram elegíveis para inclusão. Não houve evidência de alta qualidade para apoiar qualquer ferramenta para o uso de diagnóstico de enxaqueca em ambientes não clínicos. A precisão diagnóstica do ID-Migraine, questionário de dor de cabeça estruturada e questionário HARDSHIP foram apoiados por evidências de qualidade moderada, com sensibilidade e especificidade acima de 70%. Deles, o questionário HARDSHIP foi o mais amplamente validado. As 16 ferramentas restantes forneceram provas de má qualidade para o diagnóstico de enxaqueca em populações não-clínicas. Conclusões Até agora, o questionário HARDSHIP é a escolha ideal para o diagnóstico da enxaqueca em ambientes não-clínicos, com precisão diagnóstica satisfatória apoiada por uma qualidade metodológica moderada. Este trabalho revela o próximo passo crucial, que é a realização de mais estudos de validação de alta qualidade em diversos grupos populacionais não-clínicos.

Abstract In the era of climate change, due to increased incidences of a wide range of various environmental stresses, especially biotic and abiotic stresses around the globe, the performance of plants can be affected by these stresses. After oxygen, silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the earth’s crust. It is not considered as an important element, but can be thought of as a multi-beneficial quasi-essential element for plants. This review on silicon presents an overview of the versatile role of this element in a variety of plants. Plants absorb silicon through roots from the rhizospheric soil in the form of silicic or monosilicic acid. Silicon plays a key metabolic function in living organisms due to its relative abundance in the atmosphere. Plants with higher content of silicon in shoot or root are very few prone to attack by pests, and exhibit increased stress resistance. However, the more remarkable impact of silicon is the decrease in the number of seed intensities/soil-borne and foliar diseases of major plant varieties that are infected by biotrophic, hemi-biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens. The amelioration in disease symptoms are due to the effect of silicon on a some factors involved in providing host resistance namely, duration of incubation, size, shape and number of lesions. The formation of a mechanical barrier beneath the cuticle and in the cell walls by the polymerization of silicon was first proposed as to how this element decreases plant disease severity. The current understanding of how this element enhances resistance in plants subjected to biotic stress, the exact functions and mechanisms by which it modulates plant biology by potentiating the host defence mechanism needs to be studied using genomics, metabolomics and proteomics. The role of silicon in helping the plants in adaption to biotic stress has been discussed which will help to plan in a systematic way the development of more sustainable agriculture for food security and safety in the future.

Abstract Background: Water stress is one of the serious abiotic stresses that negatively influences the growth, development and production of sugarcane in arid and semi–arid regions. However, silicon (Si) has been applied as an alleviation strategy subjected to environmental stresses. Methods: In this experiment, Si was applied as soil irrigation in sugarcane plants to understand the mitigation effect of Si against harmful impact of water stress on photosynthetic leaf gas exchange. Results: In the present study we primarily revealed the consequences of low soil moisture content, which affect overall plant performance of sugarcane significantly. Silicon application reduced the adverse effects of water stress by improving the net photosynthetic assimilation rate (Anet) 1.35–18.75%, stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) 3.26–21.57% and rate of transpiration (E) 1.16–17.83%. The mathematical models developed from the proposed hypothesis explained the functional relationships between photosynthetic responses of Si application and water stress mitigation. Conclusions: Silicon application showed high ameliorative effects on photosynthetic responses of sugarcane to water stress and could be used for mitigating environmental stresses in other crops, too, in future.

Objetivo: Determinar os padrões de suscetibilidade aos antibióticos e a prevalência de enterobactérias produtoras de beta-lactamases de espectro alargado (ESBL) dos isolados bacterianos de uroculturas positivas colhidas em estruturas residenciais para idosos (ERPI). Tipo de estudo: Observacional e descritivo, com uma componente analítica. Local: ACeS Pinhal Litoral e laboratórios de análises clínicas da sua área de influência. Amostra: Resultados de uroculturas de amostra de urina colhidas entre junho de 2014 e junho de 2016 em 51 ERPI dos concelhos de Alcobaça, Batalha, Caldas da Rainha, Figueira da Foz, Leiria, Ourém, Pombal e Rio Maior. Métodos: O isolamento, contagem e identificação das bactérias foi executado através do meio Gelose chromID CPS ou Vitek 2 (bioMérieux). Os resultados foram classificados em suscetível (S) e resistente (R). Utilizaram-se os testes estatísticos qui-quadrado (?²) e o teste t. Aceitou-se um erro alfa de 0,05. Resultados: E. coli foi a bactéria mais prevalente na amostra (48,2%), seguida pela K. pneumoniae (18,7%) e P. mirabilis (10,6%). A percentagem de enterobactérias produtoras de ESBL foi de 27,0%. A fosfomicina apresentou elevada eficácia para E. coli (86,6%). A amoxicilina-ácido clavulânico apresentou um nível de eficácia de 81,5% para P. mirabilis. As quinolonas apresentaram eficácia de 40,4%, 36,9% e 40,5%, respetivamente para E. coli, K. pneumoniae e P. mirabilis. Conclusões: Foi encontrado um nível elevado de resistência aos antibióticos. No ambulatório tornam-se escassas as opções terapêuticas para o tratamento das infeções complicadas do trato urinário cujo agente infecioso seja E. coli ou K. pneumoniae.

Objective: This study aims to determine the susceptibility patterns in response to the antibiotics and the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae that secrete ESBL from the bacterial isolates of positive urine cultures, collected from nursing homes residents. Design: An observational and descriptive study, with an analytical component. Local: ACeS Pinhal Litoral and laboratories of clinical analysis of the area of influence. Population: Results of urine sample cultures collected between June 2014 and June 2016 in 51 ERPI of the municipalities of Alcobaça, Batalha, Caldas da Rainha, Figueira da Foz, Leiria, Ourém, Pombal and Rio Maior. Methods: Isolation, counting, and identification of the bacteria were performed through Gelose chromID CPS or Vitek 2 (bioMérieux). The results were classified as susceptible (S) and resistant (R). Used chi-square (?2) and t-test. a=0.05. Results: E. coli was the most prevalent bacterium in the sample (48.2%), followed by K. pneumoniae (18.7%) and P. mirabilis (10.6%). The percentage of enterobacteria ESBL producer was 27.0%. Fosfomycin showed high efficacy for E. coli (86.6%). Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid had an 81.5% efficacy level for P. mirabilis. The quinolones presented efficacy of 40.4%, 36.9%, and 40.5%, respectively for E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. mirabilis. Conclusions: A high level of antibiotic resistance was found. In the outpatient clinic, the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections by E. coli or K. pneumoniae has given the available therapeutic options is difficult.

ABSTRACT Objective: Initial diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is frequently associated with advanced stages and a poor prognosis. Thus, the need for earlier diagnoses and detection in relatives at risk for the disease has led to increased use of RET genetic screening. Subjects and methods: We performed RET screening in 247 subjects who were referred to the Brazilian Research Consortium for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (BRASMEN) Center in the State of Ceará. Direct genetic sequencing was used to analyze exons 8, 10, 11, and 13-16 in MTC index cases and specific exons in at risk relatives. Afterward, clinical follow-up was offered to all the patients with MTC and their affected relatives. Results: RET screening was performed in 60 MTC index patients and 187 at-risk family members. At the initial clinical assessment of the index patients, 54 (90%) were diagnosed with apparently sporadic disease and 6 (10%) diagnosed with hereditary disease. After RET screening, we found that 31 (52%) index patients had sporadic disease, and 29 (48%) had hereditary disease. Regarding at-risk relatives, 73/187 were mutation carriers. Mutations in RET codon 804 and the rare p.M918V mutation were the most prevalent. Conclusions: Performing RET screening in Ceará allowed us to identify a different mutation profile in this region compared with other areas. RET screening also enabled the diagnosis of a significant number of hereditary MTC patients who were initially classified as sporadic disease patients and benefited their relatives, who were unaware of the risks and the consequences of bearing a RET mutation.

RESUMO Neste trabalho apresenta-se a resolução da equação de advecção-difusão tridimensional estacionária obtida através da técnica GIADMT (Generalized Integral Advection Diffusion Multilayer Technique), considerando o fechamento não-local linear para o fluxo turbulento. Foram consideradas duas parametrizações diferentes para o coeficiente do termo do contragradiente e utilizados três diferentes métodos de inversão numérica para a transformada inversa de Laplace. Comparou-se os resultados com os dados medidos no experimento de Copenhagen através de uma avaliação dos índices estatísticos a fim de comparar a solução da equação através dos métodos de inversão numérica. Ainda, foram utilizados diferentes parametrizações para o coeficiente de difusão turbulento vertical e o perfil do vento. Os resultados apresentaram uma boa concordância com o experimento e os métodos de inversão numérica para a transformada de Laplace apresentaram preaticamente a mesma precisão, sendo que o método baseado na série de Fourier foi o mais acurado dos três algoritmos.Por outro lado, o método de fixed-Talbot foi o que mostrou o melhor desempenho do ponto de vista computacional.

ABSTRACT In this paper, a three-dimensional solution of the steady-state dvection-diffusion equation is obtained applying the so-called generalized integral advection-diffusion multilayer technique, considered non-local closure for turbulent flow. Two different parametrizations were considered for the countergradient coefficient and three different methods of numerical inversion for inverse Laplace transform. The results were compared with the experimental data of Copenhagen experiment by an evaluation of statistical indexes to analyze the solution of the equation through the methods of numerical inversion. Different parametrizations for the vertical turbulent eddy diffusivity and wind profile were utilized. The results show a good agreement with the experiment and the methods of numerical inversion for inverse Laplace transform show almost the same accuracy.

Resumo Objetivos Exercícios aeróbicos podem melhorar a qualidade de vida (QV) de mulheres com síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP). No entanto, não há dados sobre o efeito de um programa de treinamento de exercício resistido (TER) sobre a QV destas mulheres. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de um programa de TER de 16 semanas na QV em mulheres com SOP. Métodos Estudo caso-controle com 16 semanas de duração, para o qual foram incluídas 43 mulheres com SOP (grupo com SOP, GSOP) e 51 controles saudáveis com received idade entre 18 a 37 anos (grupo de controle, GC). Todas as mulheres foramsubmetidas ao protocolo TER supervisionado por 16 semanas, e foram avaliadas em dois momentos: na semana 0 (linha de base), e na semana 16 (após TER). A qualidade de vida foi avaliada pelo 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Resultados Houve redução significativa da testosterona emambos os grupos após o TER (p < 0,01). O GSOP obteve significativa melhora na capacidade funcional na semana 16 em relação à semana 0 (p = 0,02). O GC apresentou significativa melhora no escore do domínio vitalidade, aspectos sociais e saúde mental na semana 16 em relação à semana 0 (p ≤ 0,01). Houve uma fraca correlação entre os aspectos sociais de domínio SF-36 e o nível de testosterona em mulheres com SOP. Conclusão a aplicação de um programa de treinamento físico resistido durante 16 semanas resultou em melhora modesta da QV de mulheres com SOP.

Abstract Purpose Aerobic exercises may improve quality of life (QoL) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, there is no data on the effect of resistance exercise training (RET) programs on the QoL of women with PCOS. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effect of a 16-week RET program on QoL in PCOS women. Methods This 16-week case-control study enrolled 43 women with PCOS (PCOS group, PCOSG) and 51 healthy pre-menopausal controls aged 18 to 37 years (control group, CG). All women underwent a supervised RET program for 16 weeks, and were evaluated in two different occasions: week-0 (baseline), and week-16 (after RET). Quality of life was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results Testosterone reduced significantly in both groups after RET (p < 0.01). The PCOSG had improvements in functional capacity at week-16 relative to week-0 (p = 0.02). The CG had significant improvements in vitality, social aspects, and mental health at week-16 relative to week-0 (p ≤ 0.01). There was a weak correlation between social aspects of the SF-36 domain and testosterone levels in PCOS women. Conclusion A 16-week RET program modestly improved QoL in women with PCOS.

Objective Consuming a low-iodine diet (LID) is a widely accepted practice before administering radioiodine (131I) to evaluate and to treat thyroid disease. Although this procedure is well established for the management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, its use in patients with benign disease is unclear. So, we aimed to evaluate the influence of a LID on the outcome in patients with Graves’ disease (GD) treated with131I. Subjects and methods We evaluated 67 patients with GD who were divided into 2 groups: one group (n = 31) consumed a LID for 1-2 weeks, and the second group (n = 36) was instructed to maintain a regular diet (RD). Results The LID group experienced a 23% decrease in urinary iodine after 1 week on the diet and a significant 42% decrease after 2 weeks on the diet. The majority (53%) of the patients in the LID group had urinary iodine levels that were consistent with deficient iodine intake. However, there was no difference in the rate of hyperthyroidism’s cure between the LID and the RD groups 6 months after 131I therapy. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy did not differ in patients with varying degrees of sufficient iodine intake (corresponding urinary iodine levels: < 10 μg/dL is deficient; 10-29.9 μg/dL is sufficient; and > 30 μg/dL is excessive). Conclusion In the present study, we demonstrated that although a LID decreased urinary iodine levels, those levels corresponding with sufficient or a mild excess in iodine intake did not compromise the therapeutic efficacy of131I for the treatment of GD.

Monosporascus root rot and vine decline caused by Monosporascus cannonballus is one of the most important melon yield-limiting diseases in northeastern Brazil. This study investigated the fitness components of 57 isolates of M. cannonballus obtained from Brazilian melon fields by evaluating: i) their mycelial growth rate (MGR), and perithecia and ascospore production (PP and AP) on potato dextrose agar (PDA); ii) their sensitivity to the fungicide fluazinam; and iii) their virulence to melon seedlings. All M. cannonballus isolates showed variability in their MGR, PP and AP values. They were sensitive to the fungicide fluazinam, showing some degree of mycelial growth inhibition (MGI), and were pathogenic to melon seedlings, with a mean disease severity index (DSI) of 62.1%. By univariate analysis, the formation of groups of similarity amongst the isolates of M. cannonballus within each variable was not limited by the area of origin of each isolate, given that in most situations, different isolates of the same area were distributed into distinct groups of similarity. A multivariate cluster analysis allowed the separation of the 57 M. cannonballus isolates in 18 groups of similarity. The fitness variability among M. cannonballus isolates found in this study should be considered when possible sources of resistance are evaluated in melon breeding programs.

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar o óleo do farelo de arroz refinado quimicamente e fisicamente. O óleo de arroz (Oryza sativa) refinado quimicamente foi obtido da Irgovel (Pelotas/RS,/Brasil), e o óleo refinado fisicamente foi obtido da indústria Helmut Tessmann (Camaquã/RS/Brasil), indústrias processadoras de óleos vegetais. O conteúdo de acidez para o óleo refinado quimicamente e fisicamente foi de 0,3% (ácido oléico). Os valores de índice de peróxidos encontrados para o óleo refinado quimicamente e o óleo refinado fisicamente foram respectivamente de 2,07 meq-g.Kg-1 e de 1,72 meq-g.Kg-1. O óleo refinado quimicamente apresentou um conteúdo de 43,52 mg.100g-1, de tocoferóis totais, enquanto que o óleo refinado fisicamente apresentou um conteúdo de 35,60 mg.100g-1. O conteúdo do ? - orizanol no óleo de arroz refinado quimicamente foi de 33,55 mg.100g-1 e de 732,60 mg.100g-1 para o óleo refinado fisicamente, constatando que a etapa de neutralização parece afetar o conteúdo de ?-orizanol.

The aim of this study was to characterize chemically and physically refined rice bran oil. The samples of the rice (Oryza sativa) bran oil were provided by Irgovel industry (Pelotas/RS/Brasil) and Helmut Tessmann industry (Camaquã/RS/Brasil). The acidity content of the chemically and physically refined rice bran oil was 0.3% (oleic acid). The peroxide value for chemically and physically refined rice bran oil was 2.07 meq g. Kg-1 and 1.72 meq g.Kg-1, respectively. The chemically refined oil showed a content of 43.52 mg. 100 g-1 of tocopherols, and the physically refined rice bran oil was 35.60 mg.100 g-1. The ? - oryzanol content was 33.55 mg.100 g-1 and 732.60 mg.100 g-1 for the chemically and physically refined rice oils, respectively. Therefore, the neutralization step affects the content of ? -oryzanol.

El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar al aceite de salvado de arroz refinado quimicamente y físicamente. Los aceites de salvado de arroz (Oryza sativa) fueron cedidos por las industrias Irgovel de aceites vegetales (Pelotas/RS/Brasil), y Helmut Tessmann (Camaquã/RS/Brasil). El contenido de acidez para el aceite refinado químicamente y físicamente fue del 0,3% (ácido oleico). El valor encontrado para el peróxido de aceite refinado químicamente y físicamente, respectivamente, fueron de 2,07 meq-g.Kg-1 y 1,72 meq-g.Kg-1. El aceite refinado químicamente tuvo un contenido de 43,52 mg.100 g-1 de tocoferoles totales. Sin embargo, el aceite refinado físicamente presentó un valor de 35,60 mg.100 g-1. El contenido de ? - orizanol en el aceite del salvado de arroz químicamente refinado fue de 33,55 mg.100 g-1 y de 732,60 mg.100 g-1 para el aceite refinado físicamente, constatando que la etapa de neutralización parece afectar el contenido de ? -orizanol.

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (Brassicaceae) is a wild herb with high nutritional value that can be eaten raw or cooked. A metabolomic study was performed with different extracts of its aerial parts that were tested concerning their antiradical, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antibacterial activities. Phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD, organic acids and amino acids were determined by HPLC-UV, while free fatty acids and sterols were analysed by GC-ITMS. The vegetal material was rich in kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (mean value 2247.09 mg/kg of dry plant), quinic acid (95628.00 mg/kg of dry plant), arginine (mean value of 1.18 mg/kg of dry plant), palmitic acid (284.48 mg/kg) and β-sitosterol (28%). The extracts presented a concentration-dependent antiradical activity (against DPPH•, O2•- and LOO•), being most effective against •NO (EC25 0.20 µg/mL). In addition, the extracts were also acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and antibacterial active, revealing that, besides the plant's good nutritional value, it presents important biological properties as well.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar risco de malignidade de nódulos tiroidianos por meio de aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais, ultrassonográficos e citológicos. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: 741 nódulos de 407 pacientes. RESULTADOS: A citologia foi benigna (60,5%), indeterminada (23,3%), maligna (8,6%) ou não diagnóstica (7,6%). A prevalência de câncer nas citologias indeterminadas foi 18,5% (16% nas lesões foliculares, 44% nas suspeitas). O diagnóstico de malignidade foi 17,2% (n = 70). A frequência de câncer em mulheres (15,2%) foi menor do que em homens (27,9%). Houve uma relação inversa entre idade e risco de câncer. Não houve significância estatística na prevalência de câncer de acordo com número, tamanho dos nódulos ou níveis de TSH. Hipoecogenicidade e microcalcificações ao ultrassom foram fatores de risco. CONCLUSÃO: O risco de malignidade foi maior em homens, nódulos hipoecogênicos, com microcalcificações e inversamente relacionado à idade. O nível de TSH não foi um preditor independente de malignidade.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of malignancy in thyroid nodules through clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and cytological aspects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 741 nodules of 407 patients. RESULTS: The cytology was benign (60,5%), indeterminate (23,3%), malignant (8,3%) or nondiagnostic (7,6%). The prevalence of cancer in indeterminate citology was 18,5% (16% in follicular lesions, 44% in suspicious). The diagnosis of malignancy was 17,2% (n = 70). The frequency of cancer in women (15,2%) was lower than in men (27,9%). There was an inverse relation between age and cancer risk. There was no statistical significance in the prevalence of cancer according to number, size of nodules or TSH levels. Hypoechogenicity and microcalcifications on ultrasound were risk factors. CONCLUSION: The risk of malignancy was higher in men, hypoechoic nodules, with microcalcifications and was inversely related to age. The TSH level was not an independent factor predictive of malignancy.

Este estudo avaliou e comparou a microflora aeróbica da cavidade oral, cloaca e veneno de serpentes Crotalus durissus terrificus recém-capturadas da natureza e mantidas sob quarentena (WQ), mantidas em cativeiro coletivo (CC) e em cativeiro individual (IC). A eficácia de drogas antimicrobianas de agentes isolados foi também avaliada. Foram isolados microorganismos dos grupos I, II e III respectivamente: 29 (63.04%), 38 (90.48%) e 21 (42.86%) da cloaca; 15 (32.61%), 3 (7.14%) e 25 (51.02%) da cavidade oral, e finalmente 2 (4.35%), 1 (2.38%) e 3 (6.12%) do veneno. As bactérias mais frequentes foram Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris e Morganella morganii, com sensibilidade para amikacina, gentamicina, norfloxacina, sulfazotrina e tobramicina. Serpentes mantidas no cativeiro semi-aberto mostraram menor número de agentes infecciosos em cavidade oral, talvez devido ao ambiente de cativeiro com diferentes gradientes de temperatura, água corrente, ausência de manejo diário, ampla circulação de ar, possibilidade de movimentação pelos animais, limpeza diária e acesso ao Sol.

The study evaluated and compared the aerobic microbiota from the oral cavity, cloaca and venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes, recently caught from the wild and kept under quarantine (WQ), individual captivity (IC) and collective captivity (CC). Antimicrobial drug effectiveness on isolated agents also was assayed. From group I, II and III were isolated, respectively, 29 (63.04%), 38 (90.48%) and 21 (42.86%) microorganisms from the cloaca; 15 (32.61%), 3 (7.14%) and 25 (51.02%) microorganisms from the oral cavity; and, 2 (4.35%), 1 (2.38%) and 3 (6.12%) microorganisms from venom. The most frequent bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Morganella morganii, with sensitivity to amikacin, gentamicin, norfloxacin, sulfazotrin and tobramycin. Snakes kept in semi-open captivity exhibited the fewest microorganisms in oral cavities, perhaps due to the environment in captivity, with different temperature gradients, running water, absence of daily handling, circulating air, possibility of moving around, daily cleaning, and sunlight access.

Dois experimentos foram realizados em casa de vegetação, visando a caracterização de resistência ou suscetibilidade de 52 espécies vegetais a Meloidogyne ethiopica e os seus possíveis efeitos adversos sobre a população do nematóide, em condições de casa de vegetação. As plantas que apresentaram o Fator de Reprodução menor que um (FR<1,0), consideradas não hospedeiras ou resistentes foram: amendoim (Arachis hypogaea) 'Cavalo Vermelho', guandus (Cajanus cajan) 'IAPAR 43' e 'PPI 832', Crotalaria grantiana, C. apioclice, C. spectabilis, mucuna anã (Mucuna deeringiana), mamona (Ricinus communis) 'IAC 80', sorgo (Sorghum bicolor) 'SARA', caupi (Vigna unguiculata) 'Espace 10' e 'Australiano', aveia preta (Avena strigosa) 'IAPAR 61', azevém (Lolium multiflorum) 'Italiano', nabo forrageiro (Raphanus sativus var. oleiferus ) 'IPR116' e centeio (Secale cereale) 'IPR 69'. As 11 primeiras são espécies de verão e as quatro últimas de inverno. As outras 37 espécies de plantas testadas foram boas hospedeiras ou susceptíveis (FR>1.0). Alguns sistemas de rotação de culturas alternando plantas de verão e de inverno não hospedeiras foram sugeridos para realização de experimentos a campo para validar os resultados de casa de vegetação.

Two greenhouse experiments were carried out to characterize the resistance or susceptibility reactions of 52 species of plants to Meloidogyne ethiopica and their possible adverse effect on nematode population under greenhouse conditions. Tested plants with Reproduction Factor less than one (RF<1.0) were rated as non-hosts or resistant, including: peanut (Arachis hypogaea) 'Cavalo Vermelho', forage pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan) 'IAPAR 43'and 'PPI 832', Crotalaria grantiana, C. apioclice, C. spectabilis, dwarf velvet bean (Mucuna deeringiana), castor bean (Ricinus communis) 'IAC 80', sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) 'SARA', cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) 'Espace 10' and 'Australian', black oat (Avena strigosa) 'IAPAR' 61', ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) 'Italian', forage radish (Raphanus sativus var. oleiferus) IPR116' and rye (Secale cereale) 'IPR 69'. The first 11 are summer plants and the last four winter plants. The other 37 species/cultivars tested were good hosts or susceptible. Some crop succession systems alternating summer and winter non-host plants are suggested for field experiments to validate these greenhouse results.

Desenvolvemos método semi-automatizado em placa para a determinação de iodo urinário; utilizamos, primeiramente, a digestão das amostras de urina com persulfato de amônio e, a seguir, estimamos a quantidade de iodo pela redução do sulfato cérico amoniacal. O método foi validado no inquérito nacional de monitoração da deficiência de iodo, realizado em 1994, que empregou um sistema de amostragem mista da população brasileira e analisou a iodúria em 16.803 amostras de urina de escolares obtidas por coleta casual. Em 401 municípios estudados encontramos 4 com deficiência de iodo de grau moderado (Almas, Arraias e Paraná, em Tocantins, e Cocos, na Bahia) e 116 de grau leve. Desta forma, este estudo mostrou a presença de regiões com deficiência de iodo em 1994, a despeito do programa de iodação do sal. Dados recentes de outros autores, com número menor de municípios, indicam excesso de ingestão de iodo. Assim, num país de dimensões continentais e heterogêneo como o Brasil, é necessária a realização de avaliações periódicas de amplitude nacional para a verificação da ingestão de iodo da população. O método apresentado neste estudo apresenta as características de simplicidade e eficiência necessários para este tipo de estudo populacional.

In this study we developed a semi-automated method for the measurement of urinary iodine using firstly ammonium persulfate for digestion of urine followed by estimation of iodine content in the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction, in which iodine acts as a catalyst for the reduction of cerium. This method was validated in the 3rd Brazilian National Survey of iodine deficiency in 1994. We studied 16,803 casual urine samples from schoolchildren of 401 cities and found 4 moderately-deficient towns (Almas, Arraias, and Parana, in the State of Tocantins, and Cocos, in the State of Bahia), and 116 mildly-deficient. This work suggests that despite the salt iodization program, there was some iodine-deficient areas in Brazil in 1994. Recent surveys, involving less cities, are indicating an excess of iodine ingestion. Therefore, in a country of continental dimensions and very heterogeneous in terms of public health, periodical evaluations are necessary to monitor the real situation of iodine nutrition in Brazil. The method developed in this paper is suitable for these surveys.