RESUMEN La coledocolitiasis es una patología obstructiva frecuente de las vías biliares, pudiendo llevar a una serie de síntomas y complicaciones. Presentamos una paciente femenina, de 64 años con antecedente de co- lecistectomía 30 años antes, que acude con dolor epigástrico de 6 días de evolución, ictericia, coluria y acolia. Al ingreso se diagnostica por colangioresonancia, ictericia obstructiva de etiología litiásica. El cuadro no pudo resolverse por colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica y se resuelve por vía laparoscópica.

ABSTRACT Choledocholitiasis is a common obstructive pathology of the bile ducts, which can lead to a series of symptoms and complications. We present a 64-year-old female patient, with a history of cholecystectomy 30 years ago, who presented with epigastric pain, jaundice, choluria and acholia for six days. Upon admission obstructive jaundice related to gallstones was diagnosed by MRCP. The condition could not be resolved by ERCP and was resolved with a laparoscopic approach.

ABSTRACT Isolated gallbladder perforation due to penetrating abdominal trauma is a rare event due to its anatomical location. The signs and symptoms suggestive of choleperitoneum may not be obvious within the first few hours following the event. This is the case of a 26-year-old man with penetrating abdominal trauma due to bladed weapon used by some individual with isolated gallbladder perforation. Keywords: gallbladder perforation, biliary peritonitis, penetrating abdominal trauma

RESUMEN La perforación vesicular aislada posterior a un traumatismo penetrante de abdomen es un evento infrecuente debido a la situación anatómica de la misma. Los signos y síntomas de un coleperitoneo pueden no ser evidentes en las primeras horas a días del evento. Este es el caso de un paciente de 26 años que, tras traumatismo abdominal por arma blanca por agresión de terceros, presenta perforación aislada de la vesícula biliar.

RESUMO: A produção de alimentos bioativos é um dos objetivos da agricultura. O uso de brotos para consumo humano é uma forma eficiente de aumentar a ingestão de nutrientes essenciais, como minerais, vitaminas e outros compostos bioativos. O uso de elicitores pode aumentar o valor nutricional desses produtos. A produção de biomassa, o conteúdo de compostos fenólicos e a atividade antioxidante de brotos de feijão (Vigna radiata L.) após a elicitação foram examinados neste estudo. Brotos de feijão foram tratados com ácido salicílico (SA), ácido ascórbico (AA) e tocoferol (TOC) em diferentes concentrações e número de aplicações. O comprimento da parte aérea e da raiz e a massa seca foram medidos em brotos com cinco dias de idade. O teor de fenol total e a atividade antioxidante foram determinados usando o ensaio DPPH em extratos etanólicos secos. O conteúdo total de proteína solúvel e atividade da superóxido dismutase foram medidos em hipocótilos congelados. Todos os elicitores estimularam as funções antioxidantes dos brotos e, nas maiores concentrações, reduziram os parâmetros biométricos; assim, concentrações mais baixas foram mais eficientes. Pela primeira vez, foi alcançado um equilíbrio entre a concentração do elicitor e a aplicação em parcelas para incrementar a produção de brotos e aprimorar características nutricionais aprimoradas.

ABSTRACT: The production of bioactive food is one of the goals of agriculture. Sprouts used for human consumption are an efficient way to increase the intake of essential nutrients, such as minerals, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds. The use of elicitors can increase the nutritional value of these products. Biomass production, phenolic compound content, and antioxidant activity of mung bean sprouts (Vigna radiata L.) after elicitation were examined in this study. Mung bean sprouts were treated with salicylic acid (SA), ascorbic acid (AA), and tocopherol (TOC) at different concentrations and numbers of applications. Shoot and root lengths and dry mass were measured on five-day-old sprouts. Total phenol content and antioxidant activity were determined using the DPPH assay on dried ethanolic extracts. Total soluble protein content and superoxide dismutase activity were measured in frozen hypocotyls. All elicitors stimulated the antioxidant functions of sprouts and, at the highest concentrations, reduced the biometric parameters; therefore, lower concentrations were better. For the first time, a balance between elicitor concentration and application in instalments was achieved to maintain the production of sprouts with enhanced nutritional characteristics.

RESUMO Esta investigação tem como objetivo analisar as relações entre as capacidades de marketing estáticas (CME), capacidades de marketing dinâmicas (CMD) e desempenho internacional de pequenas e médias empresas (PMEs), bem como a conexão entre CME e CMD. Também analisamos o papel da orientação para o mercado (OM) como um antecedente das capacidades de marketing. Foi desenvolvido um estudo quantitativo, utilizando-se um inquérito como método de pesquisa. Foram coletadas 335 respostas válidas das PMEs portuguesas internacionalizadas por meios do modelo B2B. Para testar as hipóteses propostas, utilizou-se o modelo de equações estruturais. Os resultados mostram uma relação direta e positiva entre o CME e o desempenho internacional. A CMD foi positivamente ligada à CME, exercendo, assim, sua influência indireta no desempenho internacional. Além disso, observou-se uma relação positiva entre a OM e ambas as capacidades de marketing, revelando sua natureza antecedente sobre as capacidades analisadas. Este estudo contribui para a área da pesquisa relacionada às capacidades de marketing na medida em que as inter-relações entre diferentes tipos de capacidades de marketing nunca foram estudadas antes. Além disso, chama a atenção dos gestores para a importância de desenvolver recursos básicos de marketing mix, uma vez que aparecem como elemento com influência direta no desempenho internacional.

ABSTRACT This investigation analyzes the relationships between static marketing capabilities (SMC), dynamic marketing capabilities (DMC), and business-to-business (B2B) small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SME) international performance, and the interconnection between SMC and DMC. We also analyze the role of market orientation (MO) as an antecedent of marketing capabilities. A quantitative study was developed using a survey-based method. We collected 335 valid responses from internationalized Portuguese B2B SMEs. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Results show a direct and positive relationship between SMC and international performance. DMC was positively linked with SMC, thus indirectly exerting its influence on international performance. Also, a positive relationship between MO and both marketing capabilities was observed, revealing its antecedent nature over marketing capabilities. This study contributes to marketing capabilities research, given that interrelationships between different types of marketing capabilities were never studied before. Furthermore, it draws managers’ attention to the importance of developing basic marketing-mix capabilities since they appear as the direct link to international performance.

RESUMEN La presente investigación tiene como objetivo analizar las relaciones entre las capacidades de marketing estáticas (SMC), las capacidades de marketing dinámicas (DMC) y el desempeño internacional de las pymes, B2B, así como la interconexión entre SMC y DMC. También se analiza el papel de la orientación al mercado (MO) como antecedente de las capacidades de marketing. Se desarrolló un estudio cuantitativo, utilizando un método basado en encuestas. Se recopilaron 335 respuestas válidas de pymes B2B portuguesas internacionalizadas. Para probar las hipótesis propuestas, se utilizó el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales. Los resultados muestran una relación directa y positiva entre las SMC y el desempeño internacional. Las DMC se vincularon positivamente con las SMC, ejerciendo así su influencia en el desempeño internacional de manera indirecta. Además, se observó una relación positiva entre la MO y ambas capacidades de marketing, revelando su carácter antecedente sobre las capacidades de marketing. Este estudio contribuye a la investigación de las capacidades de marketing dado que nunca se habían estudiado las interrelaciones entre los diferentes tipos de capacidades de marketing. Además, llama la atención de los gerentes sobre la importancia de desarrollar capacidades básicas de marketing mix, ya que aparecen como el vínculo directo con el desempeño internacional.

ABSTRACT Two triatomine genera (Panstrongylus and Triatoma) have essentially been recorded in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Panstrongylus megistus should be highlighted since this species is one of the main vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi in Brazil, due to its wide geographical distribution and the high susceptibility to this protozoan. This study aimed to present not only the occurrence and distribution of P. megistus in the Porto Alegre city’s metropolitan area (PAMA), Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, but also the rates of T. cruzi infection, from 2009 to 2020. The PAMA, which comprises 34 cities and 4.4 million habitants, extends across the transition area in two biomes – Pampa and Mata Atlantica – found in the state. Results showed that P. megistus was recorded in 76.5% of cities (i.e., 26 out of 34), mainly in Porto Alegre city, where the vector was found in 11 out of the 12 years that were monitored. Three hundred and nineteen specimens were captured. Two hundred and sixty-seven specimens (83.7%) were located intradomicile (p < 0.0001), while 52.3% positivity for T. cruzi was found. Thus, P. megistus is important in the PAMA, because it invades and colonizes the households. Moreover, the high rates of T. cruzi infection have drawn attention.

RESUMO O conhecimento tático e a coordenação motora com bola são conteúdos importantes na iniciação aos jogos esportivos coletivos. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de um programa de ensino-aprendizagem dos jogos esportivos coletivos referenciado na aprendizagem implícita, no conhecimento tático processual (CTP) e na coordenação motora com bola de 24 crianças (10 a 12 anos) de escolas da área rural (ER) e urbana (EU). Mensurou-se as variáveis dependentes em 4 momentos diferentes (M1, M2, M3 e M4) e desenvolveu-se o programa entre M1-M2 e M3-M4. Observou-se um aumento do CTP nas ações de ataque e defesa com as mãos para o grupo EU no M3 (17,46) em comparação com M1 (11,25). Em relação à coordenação motora, os alunos apresentaram maiores escores para a tarefa um em M4 (Mãos: EU: 3,93 e ER: 3,90. Pés: EU: 4,00 e ER: 4,00) em relação ao M1 (Mãos: EU: 1,71 e ER: 1,80. Pés: EU: 2,14 e ER: 1,90), bem como na tarefa quatro em M4 (sentido horário e anti-horário: EU: 4,00 e ER: 4,00) em comparação com M1 (sentido horário: EU: 1,64 e ER: 0,40, sentido anti-horário: EU: 1,36 e ER: 0,70). Conclui-se que o programa foi eficaz no desenvolvimento da coordenação motora.

ABSTRACT The tactical knowledge and motor coordination with the ball are important contents in the early stages of teaching team sports. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effects of a team sports teaching-learning program based on implicit learning, on the procedural tactical knowledge (PTK) and motor coordination with the ball of 24 children (10 to 12 years old) from rural (RS) and urban (US) schools. We measured the dependent variables at 4 different times (M1, M2, M3, and M4) and developed the program between the M1-M2 and M3-M4. An increased PTK in attacking and defensive actions with the hands in M3 (17.46) compared to M1 (11.25) for the US group was observed. Regarding the motor coordination, the students presented higher scores for task one in M4 (Hands: US: 3.93 ± 0.27 and RS: 3.90. Feet: US: 4.00 and RS: 4.00) compared to M1 (Hands: US: 1.71 and RS: 1.80. Feet: US: 2.14 and RS: 1.90), as well as in task four in M4 (clockwise and counterclockwise: US: 4.00 and RS: 4.00) compared to M1 (clockwise : US: 1.64 and RS: 0.40, counterclockwise: US: 1.36 and RS: 0.70). We conclude that the program was effective in developing motor coordination.

RESUMO A pluviosidade é considerada um dos fatores mais determinantes na sazonalidade de insetos na região amazônica. No entanto, poucos estudos analisaram a dinâmica temporal de borboletas frugívoras na Amazônia brasileira, especialmente em sua porção oriental. Aqui, avaliamos os padrões de diversidade e a distribuição temporal de borboletas frugívoras em um remanescente de floresta amazônica oriental na Baixada Maranhense, nordeste do Brasil. Especificamente, testamos se borboletas frugívoras são temporalmente estruturadas e se a pluviosidade influencia a riqueza e abundância das espécies. As borboletas foram coletadas com armadilhas iscadas nas estações chuvosa e seca por dois anos consecutivos. No total, capturamos 493 borboletas pertencentes a 28 espécies, 15 gêneros e oito tribos. Três espécies representaram cerca da metade da abundância total, e Satyrinae foi a subfamília mais representativa. A assembleia de borboletas frugívoras apresentou uma forte estrutura temporal durante o segundo ano de amostragem, mas não durante o primeiro ano. A composição e riqueza de espécies não diferiram entre as estações chuvosa e seca, e tanto a abundância quanto a riqueza não foram influenciadas pela chuva. Nossos resultados indicam que a sazonalidade não é um filtro ambiental forte na região estudada, e que outros fatores bióticos e abióticos provavelmente determinam a estrutura da comunidade. A predominância de palmeiras na Baixada Maranhense, que são utilizadas como plantas hospedeiras por larvas de várias espécies de lepidópteros (especialmente satiríneos) e estão disponíveis durante todo o ano, pode ter contribuído para os padrões observados de diversidade temporal.

ABSTRACT Rainfall is one of the most influential factors driving insect seasonality in the Amazon region. However, few studies have analyzed the temporal dynamics of fruit-feeding butterflies in the Brazilian Amazon, specially in its eastern portion. Here, we evaluated the diversity patterns and temporal distribution of fruit-feeding butterflies in a remnant of eastern Amazon forest in the Baixada Maranhense, northeastern Brazil. Specifically, we tested whether fruit-feeding butterflies are temporally structured and whether rainfall influences species richness and abundance. Butterflies were collected with baited traps in both the rainy and dry seasons for two consecutive years. In total, we captured 493 butterflies belonging to 28 species, 15 genera and eight tribes. Three species comprised about half of the overall abundance, and Satyrinae was the most representative subfamily. The fruit-feeding butterfly assemblage showed a strong temporal structure during the second year of sampling, but not during the first year. Species composition and richness did not differ between rainy and dry seasons, and neither abundance nor richness was influenced by rainfall. Our results indicate that seasonality is not a strong environmental filter in this region, and that other biotic and abiotic factors are probably driving the community structure. The predominance of palms in the Baixada Maranhense, which are used as host plants by larvae of several lepidopteran species (specially satyrines) and are available year-round, might have contributed to the observed patterns of temporal diversity.

Abstract: We recorded a second specimen of the poorly known insular blind snake Liotyphlops caissara. This new specimen expands the morphological variation of the number of dorsal scales in the genus Liotyphlops to 296 (vs. 304 in L. wilderi) and, considering the fact that the holotype of this species was destroyed, the present specimen represents the only available L. caissara individual in zoological collections. Also, this new record constitutes the first out of type locality and expands the distribution of the species in about 40 km to the northeastern. According to IUCN criteria (B1a, b [iii]), we suggest that L. caissara be included in the “Endangered” category, since it occurs in only two insular locations and exhibits an occurrence extension of <5,000 km² (about 355 km2).

Resumo Apesar de ser um dos grupos mais bem estudados no Brasil, as borboletas da região Nordeste, especialmente ao norte da foz do Rio São Francisco, são ainda pouco conhecidas. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um inventário da fauna de borboletas em um fragmento de Floresta Atlântica no estado de Pernambuco, como uma contribuição para compreensão sobre a distribuição desses insetos. O estudo foi realizado em um fragmento de Floresta Atlântica de 384.7 hectares do Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, localizado na região metropolitana de Recife. As borboletas foram amostradas mensalmente, de agosto de 2011 a julho de 2012 e de janeiro a agosto de 2016, com auxílio de redes entomológicas. Registros adicionais foram obtidos de duas Coleções Entomológicas e de duas coletas prévias em julho de 2003 e agosto de 2006. Um total de 273 espécies foi registrado em 464 horas e 15 espécies adicionais registradas a partir de Coleções Entomológicas, totalizando 288 espécies de borboletas registradas. A família mais rica foi Hesperiidae (108 espécies), seguida por Nymphalidae (80), Lycaenidae (43), Riodinidae (37), Pieridae (16) e Papilionidae (4). A fauna de borboletas foi dominada por espécies generalistas com uma ampla distribuição geográfica, muitas delas encontradas comumente em áreas abertas, bordas de mata e em vegetação secundária. Roeberella lencates (Hewitson, 1875) e Pheles atricolor atricolor (Butler, 1871) (Riodinidae) representam um novo registro para o Nordeste do Brasil.

Abstract Despite being one of the groups most well studied in Brazil, the butterfly fauna of northeastern Brazil, especially north of the mouth of São Francisco River, is poorly known. The aim of this study was to inventory the butterfly fauna in a remnant of Atlantic Forest in the state of Pernambuco as a contribution to understanding the distribution of these insects. The study was carried out in a 384.7 hectares fragment of Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos, in the metropolitan region of Recife. The butterflies were sampled monthly with insect nets from August 2011 to July 2012 and from January to August 2016. Additional records were obtained from two entomological collections and from two previous visits to the area in July 2003 and August 2006. A total of 273 species was sampled in 464 hours, with an additional 15 species recorded from the Entomological Collections, totaling 288 butterfly species recorded. The richest family was Hesperiidae (108 species), followed by Nymphalidae (80), Lycaenidae (43) Riodinidae (37), Pieridae (16) and Papilionidae (4). The fauna was dominated by generalist species with a broad geographical distribution, many of them commonly found on open areas, forest edges and secondary vegetation. Roeberella lencates (Hewitson, 1875) and Pheles atricolor atricolor (Butler, 1871) (Riodinidae) represent new records for northeastern Brazil.

Abstract A case of a bite inflicted by Oxybelis fulgidus in the wilds of Amazon is reported. The patient was a 67-year-old man who presented with dizziness, tachycardia and local pain, with erythema and bleeding in his left arm. The venom of Oxybelis fulgidus, a neotropical rear-fanged snake, contains one of the four three-finger toxins already isolated from colubrid snakes, called fulgimotoxin. He was treated with oral analgesics and returned to the ambulatory in 48 hours, with good evolution. We report tirst authenticated case of adult Oxybelis fulgidus with signs of mild local envenoming without evidence of systemic envenoming.

Abstract The light-attracted silk moths (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) of the Boraceia Biological Station in the municipality of Salesópolis, state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil have been sampled over more than seven decades (1942-2013). A total of 6,288 individuals (including a gynandromorph) belonging to five subfamilies, 46 genera and 133 species were identified. Hemileucinae was the most abundant and speciesrich subfamily, followed by Ceratocampinae, Arsenurinae, Saturniinae, and Oxyteninae. Hylesia Hübner, Automeris Hübner, and Dirphiopsis Bouvier (Hemileucinae) were the dominant genera in abundance and species richness. Only Automeris illustris (Walker), Gamelia remissoides Lemaire, and Hidripa paranensis (Bouvier) (Hemileucinae) were recorded in all months of sampling. Hylesia metapyrrha (Walker) was the most abundant saturniid species recorded at the station, with 375 specimens, followed by Hylesia oratex Dyar with 265 specimens, Dirphia muscosa Schaus with 261 specimens (all Hemileucinae); Copaxa canella Walker (Saturniinae) with 232 specimens, and Lonomia cf. obliqua Walker (Hemileucinae) with 106 specimens. Fifteen additional species were each represented by more than 100 specimens. The importance of the Boraceia Biological Station to the maintenance of the saturniid moth diversity in the Atlantic Forest is discussed.

RESUMO O desmatamento tem impactos negativos na diversidade e padrões de comunidades de diversos taxa. Na Amazônia Oriental, onde um grande desmatamento é previsto para os próximos anos, manchas florestais podem ser essenciais para manter a biodiversidade local. Apesar de crescente preocupação quanto à conservação de áreas ameaçadas, poucos estudos foram realizados a fim de analisar comunidades de grupos diversificados, como insetos, na Amazônia Oriental. Aqui, nós investigamos a diversidade de espécies e a estrutura da comunidade de borboletas frugívoras, um reconhecido grupo de bioindicadores, em um remanescente de floresta Amazônica Oriental localizada na Ilha do Maranhão, Nordeste do Brasil. As borboletas frugívoras foram amostradas mensalmente por um ano. Índices de diversidade e equitabilidade, estimadores de riqueza, curva de rarefação e um gráfico de rank/abundância foram utilizados para descrever a estrutura da comunidade na área de estudo. Nós capturamos 529 borboletas frugívoras de quatro subfamílias, 23 gêneros e 34 espécies. As três espécies mais abundantes, Hamadryas februa, Hamadryas feronia e Hermeuptychia cf. atalanta são indicadores de habitats perturbados e representaram mais da metade dos indivíduos coletados. Os estimadores de riqueza revelaram que entre 87 e 94% das espécies de borboletas frugívoras foram amostradas, sugerindo que poucos registros adicionais seriam feitos para a área. Nossos resultados indicam que distúrbios antrópicos alteraram padrões da comunidade local e fornecem dados para pesquisas futuras em regiões ameaçadas da Amazônia Oriental.

ABSTRACT Deforestation has negative impacts on diversity and community patterns of several taxa. In the eastern Amazon, where much deforestation is predicted for the coming years, forests patches may be essential to maintain the local biodiversity. Despite increasing concerns about the conservation of threatened areas, few studies have been performed to analyze the communities of diversified groups, such as insects, in the eastern Amazon. Here, we investigated species diversity and community structure of fruit-feeding butterflies, a well-known bioindicator group, in a threatened remnant of an eastern Amazonian forest located on Maranhão Island, northeastern Brazil. Fruit-feeding butterflies were sampled monthly for one year. Diversity and evenness indices, richness estimators, rarefaction curve, and rank-abundance plot were used to describe community structure in the study area. We captured 529 fruit-feeding butterflies in four subfamilies, 23 genera and 34 species. The three most abundant species, Hamadryas februa, Hamadryas feronia, and Hermeuptychia cf. atalanta are indicators of disturbed habitats and represented more than half of the collected individuals. Richness estimators revealed that between 87 and 94% of the fruit-feeding butterfly species were sampled, suggesting few additional records would be made for the area. Our results indicate that human-caused disturbances have altered local community patterns and provide baseline data for future research in threatened regions of the eastern Amazon.

ABSTRACT Some native plants can survive the disturbances associated with agricultural activities, sometimes being considered weeds and objects of control practices. However, these plants can be very important to support populations of native insects in disturbed habitats. Alternanthera halimifolia (Lam.) Standl. (Amaranthaceae) is locally considered a weed, and here it is reported as the first host plant known for the Neotropical hairstreak Strymon davara (Hewitson, 1868) based on research performed in the coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Furthermore, field observations suggest that this is the only host of S. davara in this area. This case provides an example of the importance of a weed in the conservation of local populations of a butterfly in a highly human-modified environment.

RESUMO Objetivou-se neste estudo investigar a relação entre desenvolvimento motor infantil, condições sóciodemográficas e ambiente familiar de crianças. Foram avaliadas 300 crianças entre 36 e 42 meses matriculadas na rede pública de ensino da educação infantil do município de Parintins/AM e seus respectivos pais ou responsáveis. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: TMGD-2, AHEMD e ABEP. As razões de prevalência (RP) foram obtidas por regressão de Poisson mediante análise hierarquizada. A prevalência de atraso do desenvolvimento foi de 76%. Estiveram significativamente associados a este desfecho sexo da criança e renda familiar. Os meninos apresentaram 31% mais risco de atraso no desenvolvimento motor do que as meninas. Crianças pertencentes a famílias com renda mensal de até R$1.499,00 e de R$1.500,00 a R$2.499,00 tiveram, respectivamente, 1,77 e 2,15 mais probabilidades de apresentarem atraso do desenvolvimento do que as crianças pertencentes a famílias com renda mensal igual ou superior a R$2.500,00. Os resultados servirão de base e estímulo para intervenções com pais, professores e diretores das creches do município de Parintins/AM, no sentido de esclarecer e propiciar ambientes saudáveis e com estimulação adequada para as crianças, auxiliando em seu desenvolvimento.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between infant motor development, socio-demographic and the child’s home environment conditions. We evaluated 300 children aged between 36 and 42 months, who were enrolled in public schools for early childhood education in the city of Parintins/AM, together with their parents or guardians. The instruments for data collection were TMGD-2, AHEMD and ABEP. Prevalence ratios (PR) were obtained by Poisson regression by hierarchical analysis. The prevalence of developmental delay was 76%. The child’s gender and family income were statistically associated with the outcome. Boys had 31% more risk of developmental delay than girls. Children from families with income up to R$1,499.00 and from R$1,500.00 to R$2,499.00 were, respectively, 1.77 and 2.15 more likely to have developmental delay than children from families with monthly income equal to or higher than R$2,500.00.The results will form the basis and stimulus for interventions with parents, teachers and principals of kindergartens in the city of Parintins/AM, to clarify and provide healthy environments and with adequate stimulation for children, assisting in their development.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer has the second highest world's incidence rate, according to the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCa). Clinical examination and mammography are the best methods for early diagnosis. Computer-aided detection (CADe) and computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) systems are developed to improve mammographic diagnosis. Basically, CADx systems have three components: (i) segmentation, (ii) parameters extraction and selection, (iii) lesion classification. The first step for a CADx system is segmentation. METHODS: A microcalcification segmentation method is proposed, based on morphological operators, Otsu's Method and radiologists' knowledge. Pre-processing with top-hat operators improves contrast and reduces background noise. The Otsu's method automatically selects the best grey-level threshold to segment microcalcifications, obtaining binary images. Following, inferior reconstruction and morphological dilatation operators are applied to reconstruct lost structure details and fill small flaws in the segmented microcalcifications. Finally, the Canny edge detection is applied to identify microcalcifications contour candidates for each region-of-interest (ROI). Two experienced radiologists intervene in this semi-automatic method, firstly, selecting the ROI and, then, analyzing the segmentation result. The method was assessed in 1000 ROIs from 158 digital images (300 dpi, 8 bits). RESULTS: Considering the radiologists opinion, the rates of ROIs adequately segmented to establish a diagnosis hypothesis were 97.8% for one radiologist and 97.3% for the other. Using the Area Overlap Measure (AOM) and the 2136 microcalcifications delineated by an experienced radiologist as gold standards, the method achieved an average AOM of 0.64±0.14, being 0.56±0.09 for small microcalcifications and 0.66±0.13 for the large ones. Moreover, AOM was 0.64±0.13 for the benign and 0.64±0.14 for the malignant lesions with no statistical differences between them. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, the proposed method could be used to develop a CADx system that could help early breast cancer detection.