Sustainable analytical methods are highly demanded in the modern society. Within the green principles, novel procedures that attend the sustainable development goals have been proposed and the internet of things (IoT) can play key role to achieve this goal. The association of IoT with analytical chemistry enables the real-time obtaining of analytical data to control industrial processes as well as for monitoring different environmental scenarios and human health by accessing remotely analytical information. In this context, this review presents the main IoT technologies used for analytical chemistry as well as a tutorial for beginners in the field.

RESUMO Introdução: Alterações na taxa de desenvolvimento de torque (TDT) e arquitetura muscular causadas pela fadiga são temas pouco investigados. Esta pesquisa avaliou o efeito da fadiga na TDT e arquitetura muscular do vasto lateral (VL). Métodos: Dezessete voluntários (25,5 ± 6,2 anos; 177,2 ± 12,9 cm; 76,4 ± 13,1 kg) realizaram avaliação isocinética de extensão do joelho em 30º/s para obtenção do pico de torque (PT-ISK) antes e após uma série de contrações voluntárias isométricas máximas (CVIM) intermitentes (15 reps - 3 s contração, 3 s intervalo) utilizadas para causar fadiga muscular, monitoradas pela frequência mediana (FMD) da eletromiografia do VL, reto femoral e vasto medial. Antes e após o protocolo de fadiga, imagens de ultrassonografia do VL foram obtidas para mensuração da espessura muscular, comprimento de fascículo e ângulo do fascículo. O pico de torque isométrico (PT-ISM) e TDTs em janelas de 50 ms foram calculados para cada CVIM. As TDTs foram calculadas em valores absolutos e normalizadas pelo PT-ISM. Resultados: A fadiga foi confirmada devido a reduções significativas da FMD dos três músculos. Após a fadiga, o PT-ISK foi reduzido de 239,0 ± 47,91 para 177,3 ± 34,96 Nm, e o PT-CVIM de 269,5 ± 45,63 para 220,49 ± 46,94 Nm. Todos os valores de TDT absolutos apresentaram-se significativamente diferentes após o protocolo de fadiga. Contudo, as TDTs normalizadas não demonstraram diferença significativa. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na arquitetura muscular do VL. Conclusões: A redução da capacidade explosiva ocorreu de maneira concomitante com a redução da força máxima evidenciada pela falta de alterações na TDT normalizada. Nível de Evidência III.

ABSTRACT Introduction: There has been little research on changes in rate of torque development (RTD) and muscle architecture. This study evaluated the effect of fatigue on RTD and muscle architecture of the vastus lateralis (VL). Methods: Seventeen volunteers (25.5 ± 6.2 years; 177.2 ± 12.9 cm; 76.4 ± 13.1 kg) underwent isokinetic knee extension assessment at 30°/s to obtain the peak torque (PT-ISK), before and after a set of intermittent maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) (15 reps – 3 s contraction, 3 s rest) used to promote muscle fatigue, monitored by the median frequency (MDF) of the electromyography from the VL, rectus femoris and vastus medialis muscles. Before and after the fatigue protocol, ultrasound images of the VL were obtained to measure muscle thickness (MT), fascicle length (FL), and fascicle angle (FA). The peak isometric torque (PT-ISM) and the RTDs in 50 ms windows were calculated for each MVIC. The RTDs were reported as absolute values and normalized by the PT-ISM. Results: Fatigue was confirmed due to significant reductions in MDF in all three muscles. After the fatigue protocol, the PT-ISK was reduced from 239.0±47.91 to 177.3±34.96 Nm, and the PT-MVIC was reduced from 269.5±45.63 to 220.49±46.94 Nm. All the RTD absolute values presented significant change after the fatigue protocol. However, the normalized RTD did not demonstrate any significant differences. No significant differences were found in the muscle architecture of the VL. Conclusions: The reduction in explosive strength occurred concomitantly with the reduction in maximum strength, as evidenced by the lack of changes in normalized TDT. Level of Evidence III.

RESUMEN Introducción: Los cambios en la tasa de desarrollo del torque (TDT) y la arquitectura muscular causada por la fatiga son temas poco investigados. Esta investigación evaluó el efecto de la fatiga en la TDT y la arquitectura muscular del vasto lateral (VL). Métodos: 17 voluntarios (25.5 ± 6.2 años; 177.2 ± 12.9 cm; 76.4 ± 13.1 kg) se sometieron a una evaluación isocinética de la extensión de la rodilla a 30º/s para obtener el pico de torque (PT-ISK), antes y después de una serie de contracciones voluntarias máximas intermitentes (CVIM) (15 repeticiones - contracción 3 s, intervalo 3 s) utilizadas para causar fatiga muscular, monitoreadas por la frecuencia media (FMD) de la electromiografía VL, recto femoral y vasta medial. Antes y después del protocolo de fatiga, se obtuvieron imágenes de ultrasonido VL para medir el grosor muscular, la longitud del fascículo y el ángulo del fascículo. Se calculó el par isométrico máximo (PT-ISM) y las TDT en ventanas de 50 ms para cada CVIM. Las DTT se calcularon en valores absolutos y se normalizaron mediante PT-ISM. Resultados: la fatiga se confirmó por reducciones significativas en la fiebre aftosa de los tres músculos. Después de la fatiga, el PT-ISK se redujo de 239.0 ± 47.91 a 177.3 ± 34.96 Nm, y el PT-CVIM de 269.5 ± 45.63 a 220.49 ± 46.94 Nm. Todos los valores absolutos de TDT fueron significativamente diferentes después del protocolo de fatiga. Sin embargo, las TDT normalizadas no mostraron diferencias significativas. No se observaron diferencias significativas en la arquitectura muscular de la LV. Conclusiones: La reducción en la capacidad explosiva ocurrió simultáneamente con la reducción en la fuerza máxima, evidenciada por la falta de cambios en la TDT normalizada. Nível de evidencia III.

RESUMO Objetivo: A escoliose idiopática do adolescente (EIA) é uma deformidade da coluna que pode ocasionar disfunções cardiorrespiratórias, contribuindo para a diminuição da tolerância ao exercício aeróbio (TEA) e da funcionalidade. O objetivo é avaliar a TEA e a capacidade pulmonar em pacientes no pré (PRÉ) e pós-operatório (PÓS) de correção da EIA. Métodos: Participaram 60 indivíduos PRÉ (n = 30, idade: 18,5 ± 2,4 anos) e PÓS (n = 30, idade: 24,5 ± 4,5 anos). A capacidade vital forçada (CVF), o volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1) e a razão VEF1/CVF, assim como as pressões inspiratória e expiratória máximas, foram verificados. A TEA foi avaliada pela distância percorrida no teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6), acompanhado de medidas de pressão arterial, frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória e saturação periférica de oxigênio no início e no final do teste. Resultados: Um padrão restritivo leve na função pulmonar e força da musculatura expiratória reduzida foram observados em ambos os grupos, mas sem diferença entre PRÉ e PÓS. Não foi encontrada diferença entre PRÉ (534 ± 67,1 m) e PÓS (541 ± 69,5 m) para a distância percorrida no TC6, abaixo do predito para ambos os grupos (82,8 ± 10,0% e 84,8 ± 10,9%, respectivamente). Foram observadas alterações hemodinâmicas e respiratórias provocadas pelo TC6, exceto para a saturação periférica de oxigênio. Conclusões: Os resultados sugerem que mesmo após a correção cirúrgica os pacientes com EIA continuam apresentando baixa TEA. Nível de evidência III; Estudos terapêuticos - Investigação dos Resultados do Tratamento / Estudo de caso-controle.

ABSTRACT Objective: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal deformity that can cause cardiorespiratory dysfunction, contributing to decreases in tolerance for aerobic exercise (TAE) and in functionality. The objective is to assess the TAE and lung capacity of patients who underwent corrective AIS surgery in the pre- (PRE) and postoperative (POST) periods. Methods: Sixty individuals, PRE (n=30, age: 18.5±2.4 years) and POST (n=30, age: 24.5±4.5 years), participated in the study. The forced vital capacity (FVC), the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC ratio, as well as the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure were verified. The TAE was assessed by the distance travelled in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), together with blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and peripheral oxygen saturation measured at the beginning and at the end of the test. Results: A mild restrictive pattern in lung function and reduced expiratory muscle strength were observed in both groups, but with no difference between the PRE and POST groups. No difference was found between the PRE (534±67.1 m) and POST (541± 69.5 m) groups for the distance travelled in the 6MWT, though both were below the predicted percentage (82.8±10.0% and 84.8±10.9%, respectively). Hemodynamic and respiratory changes caused by the 6MWT were observed, except for the peripheral oxygen saturation. Conclusion: The results suggest that even after surgical correction, patients with AIS continue to have low TAE. Level of evidence III; Therapeutics Study - Investigation of Treatment Results / Case-control study.

RESUMEN Objetivo: La escoliosis idiopática del adolescente (EIA) es una deformidad de la columna que puede causar disfunciones cardiorrespiratorias, contribuyendo para la disminución de la tolerancia al ejercicio aeróbico (TEA) y de la funcionalidad. El objetivo es evaluar la TEA y la capacidad pulmonar en pacientes en el pre (PRE) y postoperatorio (POS) de corrección de la EIA. Métodos: Participaron 60 individuos PRE (n=30, edad: 18,5±2,4 años) y POS (n=30, edad: 24,5±4,5 años). Fueron verificadas la capacidad vital forzada (CVF), el volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo (VEF1) y la razón VEF1/CVF, así como las presiones inspiratoria y espiratoria máximas. La TEA fue evaluada por la distancia recorrida en el test de caminata de 6 minutos (TC6), acompañado de mediciones de presión arterial, frecuencia cardíaca, frecuencia respiratoria y saturación de oxígeno al inicio y al final del test. Resultados: Fueron observados un patrón restrictivo leve y fuerza muscular espiratoria reducida en ambos grupos, pero sin diferencia entre PRE y POS. No fue encontrada diferencia entre PRE (534 ± 67,1 m) y POS (541 ± 69,5 m) para la distancia recorrida en el TC6, por debajo de los predicho para ambos grupos (82,8 ± 10,0% y 84,8 ± 10,9%, respectivamente). Se observaron alteraciones hemodinámicas y respiratorias provocadas por el TC6, excepto para la saturación periférica de oxígeno. Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que incluso después de la corrección quirúrgica, los pacientes con EIA continúan presentando baja TEA. Nivel de evidencia III; Estudios Terapéuticos - Investigación de los Resultados del Tratamiento / Estudio de caso-control.

Molecular absorbance and fluorescence measurements are usually performed by benchtop or portable USB spectrophotometers or fluorometers. However, even the simplest configuration of these instruments requires considerable financial input, which is not affordable to many universities and research groups especially when public politics withdraw funds from science. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based devices can be an interesting alternative for low-cost, portable yet reliable measurements of absorbance of fluorescence. Especially if associated with the fabrication of 3D structures by additive manufacturing techniques. Although there are many reviews in the literature dedicated to discussing the theoretical aspects and analytical performance of LED-based devices, we consider that these reviews are not easily applicable for beginners in electronics. It results in the intimidation to employ such powerful tools which could have a huge impact mainly to small and/or initial groups. In this tutorial, we present a guide that will help students and researchers to construct “lab-built” devices based on simple optoelectronic components and 3D printing to perform molecular absorbance and fluorescence measurements for analytical methods. Finally, with this tutorial guide, we anticipate a large spread of the usage of LED devices for reliable analytical measurements that can be extensively used in many scenarios.

Unforeseen Plasmodium infections in the Atlantic Forest of Brazilian Extra-Amazonian region could jeopardise malaria elimination. A human malaria case was registered in Três Forquilhas, in the Atlantic Forest biome of Rio Grande do Sul, after a 45 years’ time-lapsed without any malaria autochthonous notification in this southern Brazilian state. This finding represents the expansion of the malaria distribution areas in Brazil and the southernmost human malaria case record in South America in this decade. The coexistence of the bromeliad-breeding vector Anopheles (Kerteszia) cruzii and non-human primates in the Atlantic Forest regularly visited by the patient claimed for the zoonotic origin of this infection. The reemergence of Atlantic Forest human malaria in Rio Grande do Sul was also discussed.

Tea infusions are a source of mineral nutrients, including manganese. Although it is classified as an essential element, the excess of manganese is toxic for humans and its toxicity depends on its bioavailability. In this context, we propose a simple procedure to determine free and total manganese in black tea infusions by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). Free manganese was directly quantified in the samples after simple sample dilution in 0.1 mol L−1 acetic acid/acetate buffer (pH = 4.5) while total manganese determination was carried out after sample digestion with oxidant mixture (HNO3 + H2O2). For comparison, cloud point extraction was performed to remove organic-bound manganese and the content of free metal (not extracted) measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F AAS) agrees with the values obtained by the proposed SWV procedure. The limit of detection and quantification were estimated for manganese determination as 0.06 and 0.20 µg L−1, respectively, with a linear range observed between 20 and 250 µg L−1. The coefficient of variation was 9.7% (50 µg L−1, n = 10). The procedure was applied to determination of free and total manganese in black tea bags and the results were compared with literature procedures employing F AAS.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: to identify the modifiable risk factors of patients with systemic arterial hypertension and to relate them to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. METHODS: cross-sectional and correlational study carried out in patients with systemic arterial hypertension. The risk factors analyzed were obesity, excessive salt consumption, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, smoking, stress and sleep apnea. Obesity was analyzed by body mass index and measurement of waist circumference, salt consumption and physical inactivity by patients' reports, disorders related to alcohol consumption by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, smoking by patients' reports and Fagerström Questionnaire, stress by the Perceived Stress Scale and sleep apnea by the Berlin Questionnaire. The sociodemographic and clinical variables analyzed were age, sex, race, education, marital status, family income, housing, number of children and cohabitants and professional occupation. RESULTS: 106 patients were evaluated; 85 were obese, 73 were sedentary, 71 were at high risk for obstructive sleep apnea and 25 were using alcohol. The average score of disorders due to alcohol was 0.83 ± 2.8 points, salt consumption was 3.95 grams, stress was 14.2 ± 7.6 points and nicotine dependence was 3.00 ± 1.7 points. Obesity, physical inactivity, use of alcohol, salt consumption and stress were related to some sociodemographic variables. CONCLUSION: preventive actions should be taken to change the lifestyle of these patients and, consequently, reduction of complications and other cardiovascular diseases.

RESUMEN OBJETIVO: identificar los factores de riesgo modificables de pacientes con hipertensión arterial sistémica y relacionarlos con características sociodemográficas y clínicas. MÉTODOS: estudio transversal y correlacional realizado en pacientes con hipertensión arterial sistémica. Los factores de riesgo analizados fueron obesidad, consumo excesivo de sal, inactividad física, consumo de alcohol, tabaquismo, estrés y apnea del sueño. La obesidad se analizó mediante el índice de masa corporal y la medición de la circunferencia de la cintura, el consumo de sal y la inactividad física según los informes de los pacientes, los trastornos relacionados con el consumo de alcohol mediante el test para la identificación de trastornos por uso de alcohol (AUDIT), el tabaquismo según los informes de los pacientes y el cuestionario de Fagerström, estrés por la escala de estrés percibido y apnea del sueño por el cuestionario de Berlín. Las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas analizadas fueron edad, sexo, raza, educación, estado civil, ingresos familiares, vivienda, número de hijos y convivientes y ocupación profesional. RESULTADOS: se evaluaron 106 pacientes; 85 eran obesos, 73 eran sedentarios, 71 tenían un alto riesgo de apnea obstructiva del sueño y 25 usaban alcohol. El puntaje promedio de los trastornos debidos al alcohol fue de 0,83 + 2,8 puntos, el consumo de sal fue de 3,95 gramos, el estrés fue de 14,2 + 7, 6 puntos y la dependencia de la nicotina fue 3,00 + 1,7 puntos. La obesidad, la inactividad física, el uso de alcohol, el consumo de sal y el estrés se relacionaron con algunas variables sociodemográficas. CONCLUSIÓN: deben tomarse medidas preventivas para cambiar el estilo de vida de estos pacientes y, en consecuencia, reducir las complicaciones y demás enfermedades cardiovasculares.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: identificar os fatores de riscos modificáveis de pacientes com hipertensão arterial sistêmica e relacioná-los às características sociodemográficas e clínicas. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal e correlacional realizado em pacientes com hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Os fatores de risco analisados foram obesidade, consumo excessivo de sal, sedentarismo, consumo de bebida alcoólica, tabagismo, estresse e apneia do sono. A obesidade foi analisada pelo índice de massa corporal e medida da circunferência abdominal, o consumo de sal e o sedentarismo pelo relato dos pacientes, as desordens relacionadas ao consumo de álcool pelo Alcohol Use Disorders Indentification Test, o tabagismo pelo relato dos pacientes e pelo Questionário de Fagerström, o estresse pela Escala de Estresse Percebido e a apneia do sono pelo Questionário de Berlim. As variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas analisadas foram idade, sexo, raça, escolaridade, estado civil, renda familiar, moradia, número de filhos e de conviventes e ocupação profissional. RESULTADOS: foram avaliados 106 pacientes; 85 eram obesos, 73 sedentários, 71 apresentavam alto risco para apneia obstrutiva do sono e 25 faziam uso de álcool. A média do escore de desordens devido ao álcool foi de 0,83+2,8 pontos, do consumo de sal foi de 3,95 gramas, do estresse foi de 14,2+7,6 pontos e da dependência de nicotina foi de 3,00+1,7 pontos. Obesidade, sedentarismo, uso de bebida alcoólica, consumo de sal e estresse relacionaram-se a algumas variáveis sociodemográficas. CONCLUSÃO: ações preventivas devem ser adotadas para que haja mudança no estilo de vida desses pacientes e, consequentemente, redução de complicações e de outras doenças cardiovasculares.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Elimination of malaria in areas of interrupted transmission warrants careful case assessment to avoid the reintroduction of this disease. Occasional malaria cases are reported among visitors of the Atlantic Forest area of Brazil, while data on residents of this area are scarce. METHODS: A sectional study was carried out to examine 324 individuals living in a municipality where autochthonous cases were detected. RESULTS: Asymptomatic Plasmodium infections were detected in 2.8% of the individuals by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with one case of P. falciparum (0.3%), two cases of P. vivax (0.6%), and six cases of P. malariae (1.9%). The thick blood smears were negative in all individuals. Serological tests performed in 314 subjects were reactive in 11.1%, with 3.5% for P. falciparum and 7.7% for P. vivax. A subsample of 42 reactive individuals for any Plasmodium species showed P. malariae in 30.9% of specimens. Individuals who entered the Atlantic Forest region were 2.7 times more likely to exhibit reactive serology for P. vivax compared with individuals who did not enter this region (p<0.05). Children <15 years had a higher chance of reactive serology for P. falciparum and P. vivax than individuals ≥15 years of age (p<0.05). Individuals living in the Paraiso district had a higher chance of reactive serology for P. vivax compared to other districts (p<0.05). No associations were found between sex, past exposure to malaria, or serological response to antibodies of any Plasmodium species. CONCLUSIONS: The implications of these results for the elimination of malaria were discussed.

Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic compound that was employed as fungicide in the past. Despite its disuse, some foods such as mushrooms naturally produce formaldehyde, showing the importance of its determination. In this work, a mechanized flow system based on solenoid valves is proposed for spectrophotometric formaldehyde determination in mushrooms. The analyte was extracted from fresh and dried mushrooms samples by steam distillation with deionized water in the presence of phosphoric acid. The determination was based on the reaction between formaldehyde and acetylacetone in presence of ammonium acetate (Hantzsch reaction), leading to the formation of 3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydrolutidine (DDL, λmax = 412 nm). Linear response from 0.2 to 7.0 mg L-1 was achieved, with detection limit estimated at 0.02 mg L-1 (99.7% confidence level). Coefficient of variation and sample throughput were 1.1% (n = 15) and 17 h-1, respectively. Per determination, 11 mg of acetylacetone and 30 mg of ammonium acetate were consumed, generating 4.2 mL of waste. The procedure was applied to formaldehyde determination in fresh and dried shiitake, and fresh shimeji, and the results agreed with those attained by reference method at the 95% confidence level.

Ti-6Al-4V alloy is employed in implants because of its good mechanical strength, excellent biocompatibility, and good resistance to corrosion in biological environments. Herein, a composite (HAp-TiO2, 50% by volume of both components) coating surface employing Ti-6Al-4V was characterized. Samples were analyzed post fabrication and post heat treatment to analyze the coating recrystallization, phases, crystallinity, porosity, and roughness. The coating showed rutile crystalline and amorphous Hap phases with crystallinity, porosity, and roughness of 55.6%, 13.6 ± 1.0%, and 4.2 ± 0.6 µm; whereas, after heat treatment, it showed a rutile hydroxyapatite phase and β-TCP with values 75.6%, 13.9 ± 1.9%, and 3.8 ± 0.2 µm, respectively. The composite exhibited 874 ± 26 HV100 hardness and 30 ± 2 MPa adhesion strength after heat treatment, which agree with previously reported data on other bioactive coatings. Therefore, this composite becomes much more crystalline after heating at 750 °C for 1 h.

The identification and characterisation of Cryptosporidiumgenotypes and subtypes are fundamental to the study of cryptosporidiosis epidemiology, aiding in prevention and control strategies. The objective was to determine the genetic diversity ofCryptosporidium in samples obtained from hospitals of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Samples were analysed by microscopy and TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays forCryptosporidium detection, genotyped by nested-PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 18S rRNA gene and subtyped by DNA sequencing of the gp60 gene. Among the 89 samples from Rio de Janeiro, Cryptosporidium spp were detected in 26 by microscopy/TaqMan PCR. In samples from Buenos Aires,Cryptosporidium was diagnosed in 15 patients of the 132 studied. The TaqMan PCR and the nested-PCR-RFLP detected Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium hominis, and co-infections of both species. In Brazilian samples, the subtypes IbA10G2 and IIcA5G3 were observed. The subtypes found in Argentinean samples were IbA10G2, IaA10G1R4, IaA11G1R4, and IeA11G3T3, and mixed subtypes of Ia and IIa families were detected in the co-infections. C. hominis was the species more frequently detected, and subtype family Ib was reported in both countries. Subtype diversity was higher in Buenos Aires than in Rio de Janeiro and two new subtypes were described for the first time.

RESUMO A doença de Chagas é antropozoonose endêmica na América Latina que tem como principal mecanismo de transmissão humana o contato da pele lesada ou da mucosa com as fezes de triatomíneos infectados por Trypanosoma cruzi. Neste artigo descrevemos o primeiro caso de doença de Chagas aguda adquirida no Estado do Rio de Janeiro por transmissão vetorial com confirmação parasitológica, sorológica e pela PCR. O paciente apresentou miocardite aguda e derrame pericárdico de evolução benigna. Juntamente com as manifestações sistêmicas da fase aguda, foi notada pápula eritematosa de três cm de diâmetro compatível com chagoma em punho esquerdo. Este relato de caso chama a atenção para a possibilidade de transmissão da doença de Chagas por vetores nativos não domiciliados e em áreas consideradas indenes. Portanto, a doença de Chagas aguda deve ser incluída entre os diagnósticos diferenciais de doenças febris e miopericardites agudas no Rio de Janeiro.

SUMMARY Chagas disease (CD) is an endemic anthropozoonosis from Latin America of which the main means of transmission is the contact of skin lesions or mucosa with the feces of triatomine bugs infected by Trypanosoma cruzi. In this article, we describe the first acute CD case acquired by vector transmission in the Rio de Janeiro State and confirmed by parasitological, serological and PCR tests. The patient presented acute cardiomyopathy and pericardial effusion without cardiac tamponade. Together with fever and malaise, a 3 cm wide erythematous, non-pruritic, papule compatible with a "chagoma" was found on his left wrist. This case report draws attention to the possible transmission of CD by non-domiciled native vectors in non-endemic areas. Therefore, acute CD should be included in the diagnostic workout of febrile diseases and acute myopericarditis in Rio de Janeiro.

This study reports the first genetic characterisation of Cryptosporidium isolates in Brazil using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A total of 1,197 faecal specimens from children and 10 specimens from human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients were collected between 1999-2010 and screened using microscopy. Forty-eight Cryptosporidium oocyst-positive isolates were identified and analysed using a generic TaqMan assay targeting the 18S rRNA to detect Cryptosporidium species and two other TaqMan assays to identify Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum. The 18S rRNA assay detected Cryptosporidium species in all 48 of the stool specimens. The C. parvum TaqMan assay correctly identified five/48 stool samples, while 37/48 stool specimens were correctly amplified in the C. hominis TaqMan assay. The results obtained in this study support previous findings showing that C. hominis infections are more prevalent than C. parvum infections in Brazil and they demonstrate that the TaqMan RT-PCR procedure is a simple, fast and valuable tool for the detection and differentiation of Cryptosporidium species.

INTRODUÇÃO: A letalidade da malária na região extra-amazônica é cerca de 80 vezes maior do que na Amazônia, que concentra 99,8% dos casos do país. Em áreas de transmissão de dengue, como o Rio de Janeiro, o atraso no diagnóstico e tratamento da malária dos pacientes com febre, provenientes de áreas endêmicas de malária, pode ser, entre outros fatores, devido à confusão entre o diagnóstico das duas doenças pelos generalistas da rede de assistência médica. Neste trabalho, apresentamos as consequências do atraso diagnóstico em três pacientes com malária por Plasmodium falciparum; P. malariae e P. vivax, que, após o périplo habitual para tratamento de dengue, procuraram a nossa instituição onde foram corretamente diagnosticados e submetidos aos tratamentos adequados. MÉTODOS: Descrição de três casos de malária diagnosticada tardiamente e encaminhados ao IPEC/ FIOCRUZ, entre os anos de 2007 e 2008. RESULTADOS: uma brasileira proveniente de Moçambique, primo-infectada por P. falciparum, com malária diagnosticada após 6 dias do início da febre, morreu com malária cerebral e choque. Outro paciente com malária por P. malariae teve um curso grave e prolongado, mas ficou curado após o tratamento específico. A terceira paciente diagnosticada tardiamente apresentou malária por P. vivax adquirida na região de Mata Atlântica no Estado do Rio. CONCLUSÕES: Os profissionais de saúde do Rio devem ser treinados para aperfeiçoar a vigilância e o tratamento oportuno da malária e evitar desfechos mórbidos e fatais. Sugere-se que uma investigação de focos de malária autóctone em áreas de mata no estado seja realizada.

INTRODUCTION: The mortality of malaria in the extra-Amazon region is about 80 times higher than in the Amazon region, where malaria is concentrated (99.8% of cases). In areas of dengue transmission, delay in the diagnosis and treatment of malaria in patients with fever who reside in areas of malaria transmission can be due to the confusion between the clinical diagnoses of both diseases by nonspecialist doctors, among other factors. This work presents some of the consequences of delayed diagnosis in three patients with malaria by Plasmodium falciparum, P. malariae and P. vivax, who, after following the usual route for Dengue treatment, sought our institution, where they were correctly diagnosed and adequately treated. METHODS: Description of three cases of malaria with delayed diagnosed malaria referred to the Outpatient Clinic for Acute Febrile Diseases, IPEC/FIOCRUZ-RJ, between 2007 and 2008. RESULTS: A Brazilian from Mozambique, primo-infected with P. falciparum was diagnosed with malaria six days after the onset of fever and died of cerebral malaria and shock. Another patient with P.malariae malaria presented a severe and prolonged course, but was cured after specific treatment. A third patient, with delayed diagnosis of P. vivax malaria, acquired it in the Atlantic Forest region in the State of Rio. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals from non-endemic areas for malaria should be trained to optimize the surveillance and early treatment of malaria and prevent morbid and fatal outcomes. An investigation of outbreaks of autochthonous malaria in the State of Rio de Janeiro is suggested.

Um procedimento analítico limpo baseado em extração em ponto nuvem é descrito para a determinação de cobre e ferro em materiais vegetais. Após a digestão da amostra em frascos fechados em forno de microondas, empregando mistura oxidante diluída (HNO3 + H2O2), os íons metálicos foram simultaneamente extraídos como complexos hidrofóbicos formados com 1,2-tiazolilazo-2-naftol (TAN) usando Triton X-114 como agente extrator. Íons cobre e ferro foram determinados por espectrometria de absorção atômica com chama (FAAS) e ferro também por espectrofotometria de absorção molecular UV-Vis. Nas medidas por FAAS, os limites de detecção (99,7% de confiança) foram estimados em 1 e 10 μg L-1 para cobre e ferro, respectivamente. Respostas lineares para ambos os analitos foram observadas no intervalo de 25-200 μg L-1. O fator de enriquecimento foi estimado em 30, com extração quantitativa dos complexos avaliada por medidas na solução sobrenadante remanescente após extração. Para a determinação de ferro por espectrofotometria UV-Vis, o limite de detecção (99,7% de confiança) foi estimado em 1 μg L-1, com resposta linear entre 6 e 60 μg L-1. A exatidão do procedimento foi avaliada pela determinação dos metais em materiais de referência certificados e os resultados foram concordantes com os valores certificados no nível de confiança de 95%. O consumo de reagentes foi de 1 mL HNO3, 1,1 mL H2O2, 50 mg Triton X-114 e 150 μg TAN por determinação.

A green analytical procedure exploiting cloud point extraction for determination of copper and iron in plant materials is presented. After sample digestion with a diluted oxidant mixture (HNO3 + H2O2) in a closed vessel microwave oven, metal ions were simultaneously extracted as hydrophobic complexes formed with 1,2-tiazolylazo-2-naphthol (TAN) using Triton X-114 as extracting agent. Copper and iron were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and iron also by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. For FAAS, the detection limits (99.7% confidence level) were estimated as 1 and 10 μg L-1 for copper and iron, respectively. Linear responses for both analytes were observed in the 25-200 μg L-1 range. The enrichment factors were estimated as 30 for both analytes and the extraction was quantitative, as evaluated by measurements in the supernatant solution remaining after extraction. For iron determination by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, the detection limit was estimated as 1 μg L-1, with linear response within 6 and 60 μg L-1. The accuracy of the procedure was evaluated by determination of the metals in certified reference materials and the results agreed with the certified values at the 95% confidence level. In the whole procedure, the reagent consumption was 1 mL HNO3, 1.1 mL H2O2, 50 mg Triton X-114 and 150 μg TAN per determination.