ABSTRACT: Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by fungus of the Sporothrix complex, and in Brazil the main species reported is Sporothrix brasiliensis, of which the diseased cat is the transmitter. Although, its occurrence has increased in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, since 2016, data on the disease in this state are limited. Therefore, this research aimed to identify molecularly isolates of Sporothrix spp. from domestic cats from cities in Paraíba, and in this way to expand the understanding of the disease in the state. Thirty-nine samples were analyzed, obtained from skin lesions of domestic felines, from the following cities in Paraíba: João Pessoa, Pilões, Patos, Areia, Bananeiras and Guarabira. Cytological analysis was performed to screen the samples, followed by fungal culture, and the molecular characterization of the isolates was performed, using the species-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or partial sequencing of the calmodulin gene. All isolates were identified as S. brasiliensis. The sequencing showed 100% similarity to the S. brasiliensis CBS 120339 strain. In view of this, it is concluded that in the study areas the species involved in cases of feline sporotrichosis is S. brasiliensis, its presence in Paraíba demonstrated the spread of the agent in regions distant from the epicenters in Brazil, alerting to the possible occurrence of zoonotic outbreaks similar to those found in the South and Southeast regions of the country. In addition, it highlights the emerging role of felines in the transmission of sporotrichosis in new endemic areas of Brazil.

RESUMO: A esporotricose é uma micose subcutânea causada por fungos do complexo Sporothrix, e no Brasil a principal espécie relatada é Sporothrix brasiliensis da qual o transmissor é o gato doente. Embora sua ocorrência tenha aumentado no estado da Paraíba, Brasil, desde 2016, os dados sobre a doença neste estado são limitados. Diante disso, esta pesquisa teve por objetivo identificar, molecularmente, isolados de Sporothrix spp. procedentes de felinos domésticos de cidades da Paraíba, e dessa maneira expandir a compreensão da enfermidade no estado. Foram analisadas 39 amostras, obtidas de lesões cutâneas de felinos domésticos, oriundos das seguintes cidades paraibanas: João Pessoa, Pilões, Patos, Areia, Bananeiras e Guarabira. Realizou-se análise citológica, para triagem das amostras, a seguir cultura fúngica, e posteriormente a caracterização molecular dos isolados, utilizando a Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR), espécie-específica ou sequenciamento parcial do gene calmodulina. Todos os isolados foram identificados molecularmente como S. brasiliensis. O sequenciamento demonstrou 100% de similaridade com a cepa S. brasiliensis CBS 120339. Contudo, conclui-se que nas áreas do estudo a espécie envolvida em casos de esporotricose felina é S. brasiliensis, sua presença na Paraíba demonstra a disseminação do agente em regiões distantes dos epicentros no Brasil, alertando para a possível ocorrência de surtos zoonóticos, semelhantes aos encontrados nas regiões Sul e Sudeste do país. Além disso, destaca o papel emergente dos felinos na transmissão da esporotricose em novas áreas endêmicas do Brasil.

Abstract Background Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a vasculitis that affects the aorta and its branches and causes stenosis, occlusion, and aneurysms. Up to 60% of TA patients are associated with cardiac involvement which confers a poor prognosis. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis is an echocardiographic technique that can detect the presence of subclinical systolic dysfunction. Hence, this study aimed to describe the prevalence of subclinical systolic dysfunction in patients with TA using the GLS method and to correlate this finding with disease activity using the ITAS-2010 (Indian Takayasu Activity Score). Methods Thirty patients over 18 years of age who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 criteria for TA were included. The sample was submitted for medical record review, clinical and echocardiographic evaluation, and application of ITAS-2010. The cutoff for systolic dysfunction was GLS > - 20%. Results Of the 30 patients analyzed, 25 (83.3%) were female, and the mean age was 42.6 years (± 13.2). The median time since diagnosis was 7.5 years [range, 3-16.6 years], and the type V angiographic classification was the most prevalent (56.7%). Regarding echocardiographic findings, the median ejection fraction (EF) was 66% [61-71%] and the GLS was - 19.5% [-21.3 to -15.8%]. Although half of the participants had reduced GLS, only two had reduced EF. Eleven patients (33.%) met the criteria for activity. An association was found between disease activity and reduced GLS in eight patients (P = 0.02) using the chi-square test. Conclusion GLS seems to be an instrument capable of the early detection of systolic dysfunction in TA. The association between GLS and disease activity in this study should be confirmed in a study with a larger sample size.

Um grupo de professores de Trompete foi convidado a avaliar a performance instrumental de dois alunos. Inicialmente, a avaliação da performance instrumental dos executantes foi realizada livremente (sem referenciais teóricos ou instrumentos específicos) e posteriormente baseada na Escala de Registo da Execução Musical, a qual foi construída com base na teoria de Espiral de Desenvolvimento Musical (SWANWICK, 1988). Pretendeu-se efetuar um contraste entre as avaliações efetuadas pelos professores de Trompete, baseadas na Escala de Registo da Execução Musical (COSTA e BARBOSA, 2010) e as avaliações livremente produzidas pelos mesmos (sem referenciais). Quando se coloca em confronto as duas formas de avaliação é possível constatar inconsistências nas avaliações dos professores a respeito da performance instrumental dos alunos. Adicionalmente, é possível concluir que os professores de Trompete recorrem maioritariamente apenas a duas das dimensões da crítica musical: Materiais e Expressão, considerados os estágios situados no nível mais básico da Teoria Espiral.

A group of Trumpet´s teachers was invited to assess the instrumental performance of two students. Initially, the evaluation of the performance of the two students was held freely (without theoretical frameworks or specific instruments) and then based on the Scale of Evaluation of Musical Execution, which was based on Swanwick’s theory. The main objective of this research is to contrast the assessments done by Trumpet´s teachers, based on Scale of Evaluation of the Musical Execution (COSTA e BARBOSA, 2010), with the free assessments (without references) carried out by the same group of teachers. By comparing the two forms of evaluation, we verify the inconsistency of the assessments and judgments in respect to the performance of the students. Additionally, our results show that Trumpet´s teachers´ evaluation of the students´ instrumental performance is mostly focused on two dimensions: materials and expression, which are stages at the most basic levels of the Spiral Theory.

OBJETIVO: Diagnosticar a prevalência de restaurações de amálgama e resina composta realizadas por profissionais no serviço público e estudantes universitários de um município do noroeste do estado do Paraná. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionadas aleatoriamente dez unidades básicas de saúde, das quais foram consultados 500 prontuários de pacientes com 18 a 50 anos, de ambos os sexos. Para analisar a prevalência das restaurações realizadas pelos estudantes, aplicou-se um questionário aos estudantes do quarto e quinto ano contendo perguntas relativas ao número de restaurações e tipo de material utilizado nas atividades clínicas intramuros. RESULTADOS: Nas unidades básicas de saúde, 66% das restaurações foram feitas com amálgama e 34% com resina composta. Na escola, os estudantes do quarto ano responderam que quando estavam no terceiro ano, de um total de 367 restaurações, 21,5% foram feitas com amálgama e 78,5% com resina. Para o grupo de estudantes do quinto ano, a porcentagem de dentes restaurados com amálgama foi de 14,3%, 12,0% e 10,2%, respectivamente, para quando estavam no 3º, 4º e 5º ano do curso. Os resultados obtidos revelaram que a indicação do material restaurador nos dois cenários é divergente. CONCLUSÃO: Nas unidades básicas de saúde a maioria das restaurações realizadas foi de amálgama enquanto na escola, a maior prevalência foi de resina composta. Deve-se refletir se a formação profissional tem desenvolvido adequadamente as competências necessárias para a tomada de decisão e o atendimento às necessidades da população.

OBJECTIVE: To diagnose the prevalence of amalgam and resin composite restorations performed by professionals in public service and university students in a municipality in the Northeast of the State of Paraná. METHODS: Ten basic health units were randomly selected, at which 500 clinical record charts of patients of both sexes aged from 18 to 50 years were consulted. To analyze the prevalence of restorations performed by students, a questionnaire was applied to 4th and 5th year students, containing questions relative to the number of restorations and type of material using in intramural clinical activities. RESULTS: In the basic health units, 66% of restorations were performed with amalgam, and 34% with resin composite. At the dental school, 4th year students responded that when they were in the 3rd year, out of a total of 367 restorations, 21.5% were performed with amalgam and 78.5% with resin composite. For the 5th year group of students, the percentage of teeth restored with amalgam was 14.3%, 12.0% and10.2%, when they were in the 3rd, 4the and 5th years of the course, respectively. The results obtained revealed that the indication of the restoration material differed in the two scenarios. CONCLUSION: In the basic health units, the majority of restorations were performed with amalgam, whereas at the dental school there was higher prevalence of resin composite restorations. One must reflect whether professional education has adequately developed the necessary competencies for decision making and meeting the needs of this population.

Plantas sob forte sombreamento (2% ou 6% da luz solar direta) apresentaram, em relação às plantas sob maior nível de luz, menor biomassa, menores taxas de crescimento, menor razão raiz/parte aérea, menor massa foliar específica (MFE), menor razão clorofila a/b e maior razão de área foliar (RAF). Com o aumento da irradiância as plantas apresentaram três tipos de comportamento, dependendo da quantidade de luz dada: 1) até cerca de 20% da luz solar direta as plantas apresentaram, com aumento da luz, aumento de biomassa, das taxas de crescimento relativo (TCR) e de assimilação líquida (TAL), maior alocação de biomassa para a raiz, maior número de folhas, maior MFE, maior razão clorofila a/b e menor razão de peso foliar (RPF) e RAF; 2) entre 20% e 70% de luz as plantas não mostraram alterações morfológicas ou fisiológicas com aumento na quantidade de luz, à exceção de um aumento na razão clorofila a/b; e 3) plantas crescendo em luz solar plena apresentaram uma redução do crescimento em massa seca. As plantas transferidas de 4% para 20 ou 30% de luz mostraram respostas similares àquelas das plantas crescidas sempre em mais luz. A densidade de estômatos mostrou uma leve tendência ao aumento em plantas transferidas para maior quantidade de luz. O menor crescimento em níveis mais fortes de sombreamento e o maior crescimento com aumento de irradiância até 20-30% da luz solar total sugere que a espécie possa se beneficiar do aparecimento de clareiras para sua regeneração. O menor desempenho das plantas em condições de luz plena ou forte sombreamento sugere menor capacidade competitiva da espécie em grandes clareiras ou sob dossel fechado.

Seedlings growing in deep shade (2 and 6% of full sun) showed, compared to seedlings growing at higher light levels, lower values of biomass, growth rates, root/shoot ratio, specific leaf weight (SLW), chlorophyll a/b ratio and higher value of leaf area ratio (LAR). With the increase in light availability, plants showed three different responses: 1) up to 20% of full sun, plants showed, with light increase, higher values of biomass, relative growth rate (RGR), unit leaf rate (ULR), root/shoot ratio, number of leaves, chlorophyll a/b ratio and lower values of leaf weight ratio (LWR) and LAR; 2) between 20% and 70% of full sun the seedlings did not show morphological or physiological alterations with increase in light, except higher chlorophyll a/b ratio at higher light levels; and 3) seedlings growing in full sun light showed lower biomass. Seedlings transferred from low to high light showed behavior similar to seedlings growing always in higher light. Stomatal density was slightly higher in plants transferred to higher light levels. Lower growth in deep shade and increase in growth with increasing light up to 20-30% of sun light may indicate that the regeneration of this species can take advantage of the appearance of a clearing. The lower performance in full sun and in deep shade may indicate limited competitive capacity of the species in large clearings and in very closed canopies.