The use of indigenous or remote popular knowledge to identify new drugs against diseases or infections is a well-known approach in medicine. The inhabitants of coastal regions are known to prepare algae extracts for the treatment of disorders and ailments such as wounds, fever and stomach aches, as for the prevention of arrhythmia. Recent trends in drug research from natural sources have indicated that marine algae are a promising source of novel biochemically active compounds, especially with antiprotozoal activity. Algae survive in a competitive environment and, therefore, developed defense strategies that have resulted in a significant level of chemical structural diversity in various metabolic pathways. The exploration of these organisms for pharmaceutical and medical purposes has provided important chemical candidates for the discovery of new agents against neglected tropical diseases, stimulating the use of sophisticated physical techniques. This current review describes the main substances biosynthesized by benthic marine algae with activity against Leishmaniaspp., Trypanosoma cruziand Trypanosoma brucei; the causative agents of leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and African trypanosomiasis, respectively. Emphasis is given to secondary metabolites and crude extracts prepared from marine algae.

INTRODUÇÃO: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) são pequenas moléculas de RNA (21-24 nt) que regulam negativamente a expressão gênica, seja pela repressão da tradução ou pela degradação do RNA mensageiro. Essas moléculas estão envolvidas em muitos processos importantes incluindo diferenciação celular, neurogênese, formação do sistema nervoso entre outras. A epilepsia de lobo temporal mesial e as epilepsias causadas por disgenesias corticias estão entre as principais causas de refratariedade ao tratamento medicamentos nas epilepsias. OBJETIVOS: Os objetivos desse trabalho foram elucidar o perfil de expressão dos miRNAs e investigar a regulação dos mesmos na epilepsia de lobo temporal mesial (ELTM) e nas displasias corticais focais (DCFs). MÉTODOS: RNA total foi extraído de tecidos de hipocampo e de neocórtex, tanto congelados fresco como em parafina, de pacientes que se submeteram a cirurgia para controle das crises. Para comparação utilizamos tecidos equivalentes provindos de autópsia. Para a análise da expressão dos miRNAs, o RNA extraído foi utilizado em reações de PCR em tempo real (157 miRNAs analisados) ou em chips de microarranjos (847 miRNAs analisados). RESULTADOS: Análises de bioinformática identificaram três miRNAs com expressão significantemente alterada em pacientes com ELTM: let-7d, miR-29b e miR-30d; enquanto nos pacientes com DCFs foram encontrados 23 microRNAs diferencialmente expressos, sendo que o padrão de expressão foi diferente em diferentes formas histopatológicas de DCFs. CONCLUSÕES: Os possíveis genes regulados pelos miRNAs com expressão alterada nos tecidos com esclerose mesial temporal (EMT) estão relacionados principalmente com neurogênese e apoptose. Enquanto que nas DCFs estes estão predominantemente relacionados à proliferação e migração celular. Nossos resultados demonstram a relevância da regulação por miRNAs nos processos moleculares que culminam com a formação das lesões presentes na EMT e nas DCFs. A complexidade dessa regulação começa agora a ser desvendada e pode resultar não só na elucidação dos processos biológicos envolvidos, como também na identificação de biomarcadores de potencial uso clínico nas epilepsias.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules (21-24 nt) that negatively regulate gene expression, either by repression of translation or by degradation of messenger RNA. These molecules are involved in many important processes including cell differentiation, neurogenesis, formation of nervous system and others. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and epilepsy caused by cortical dysgenesis are among the leading causes of drug resistant epilepsy. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to characterize the expression profile of miRNAs and to investigate their regulation in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTL) and in focal cortical dysplasias (FCDs). METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from hippocampal and neocortical tissue, maintained in paraffin or fresh-frozen, from patients who underwent surgery for seizure control. For comparison we used tissue obtained from autopsy. RNA was extracted and used in real time PCR reactions (157 miRNAs analyzed) or microarray chips (847 miRNAs analyzed). RESULTS: Bioinformatics analyzes identified three miRNAs with expression significantly different in patients with MTLE: let-7d, miR-29b and miR-30d; while in patients with FCDs we found 23 microRNAs differentially expressed. In addition, we found that different pathological forms of had different molecular signatures. CONCLUSIONS: The possible genes regulated by miRNAs with differential expression in tissue with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) are mainly related to neurogenesis and apoptosis. While in DCFs they were predominantly related to cell proliferation and migration. Our results demonstrate the importance of miRNA regulation the in molecular processes that lead to the lesions present in the MTS and the FCDs.

OBJETIVOS: As malformações do córtex cerebral (MCC) são uma causa importante de epilepsia. Nossas metas foram: triagem de mutações em genes associados às MCC (FLN1, LIS1, DCX e EMX2), investigar funcionalmente as mutações e mapear o locus para polimicrogiria perisylviana familiar. MÉTODOS: A triagem de mutações foi realizada por PCR, DHPLC e sequênciamento. Estudo funcional foi realizado por RT-PCR, PCR em tempo real e HUMARA. O estudo de ligação foi realizado por PCR e análise com programas Fragment Profiler® e MLINK®. RESULTADOS: Mutações deletérias foram identificadas em 3/108 pacientes. Uma mutação de splicing (G987C) em FLN1 foi identificada em duas pacientes aparentadas com heterotopia nodular periventricular. Mudança no padrão de inativação do cromossomo X é responsável pelas diferenças clínicas entre as pacientes. Uma substituição A1385C (H277P) foi identificada em LIS1 em um indivíduo com lissencefalia. Alterações neutras foram identificadas em DCX e EMX2. A análise de ligação identificou um locus em Xq27.2-Xq27.3 para polimicrogiria familiar. CONCLUSÃO: Mosaicismo, mutações em regiões não codificantes, deleções, rearranjos e casos atípicos podem estar contribuindo para a baixa freqüência de mutações identificadas. Esquizencefalia e polimicrogiria parecem não ter base genética relacionada com o gene EMX2. Um novo locus candidato em Xq27.2-Xq27.3 foi identificado para polimicrogiria perisylviana familiar.

OBJECTIVES: Malformations of cerebral cortex (MCC) are an important cause of epilepsy. Our main goals were: to search for mutations in genes responsible for MCC (FLN1, LIS1, DCX and EMX2), to map the locus for familial perisylvian polymicrogyria and to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the mutations identified. Methods: Mutation screening was performed by PCR, DHPLC and sequencing. HUMARA and Real Time PCR were performed to study the molecular mechanisms of mutations. Linkage analysis was carried out by PCR, Fragment profiler® and MLINK® software. RESULTS: Deleterious mutations were identified in 3/108 patients. We found a G987C splicing mutation in the FLN1 in two related patients with periventricular nodular heterotopia. Skewed X-chromosome inactivation was detected as the possible mechanism responsible for clinical differences observed in the two patients. An A1385C transversion (H277P) in LIS1 was identified in one patient with lisencephaly. Only neutral variants were identified in DCX and EMX2. Linkage analysis has detected a locus in Xq27.2-Xq27.3 for familial polymicrogyria. CONCLUSION: We believe that the low frequency of mutations identified may be due to mosaicism, mutations in non-coding regions, deletions and patients with atypical neuroimaging findings. Deleterious mutations in EMX2 were not found in patients with schizencephaly and polymicrogyria. We found a locus for familial perisylvian polymicrogyria in Xq27.2-Xq27.3.

OBJECTIVE: To assess survival of patients undergoing cerebral cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers and to identify prognostic factors for short-term survival. METHODS: Prospective study with patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers. RESULTS: The study included 150 patients. Spontaneous circulation was re-established in 88 (58%) patients, and 42 (28%) were discharged from the hospital. The necessary number of patients treated to save 1 life in 12 months was 3.4. The presence of ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia (VF/VT) as the initial rhythm, shorter times of cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers and cardiopulmonary arrest, and greater values of mean blood pressure (BP) prior to cardiopulmonary arrest were independent variables for re-establishment of spontaneous circulation and hospital discharge. The odds ratios for hospital discharge were as follows: 6.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7-13.6), when the initial rhythm was VF/VT; 9.4 (95% CI = 4.1-21.3), when the time of cerebral cardiopulmonary resuscitation was < 15 min; 9.2 (95% CI = 3.9-21.3), when the time of cardiopulmonary arrest was < 20 min; and 5.7 (95% CI = 2.4-13.7), when BP was > 70 mmHg. CONCLUSION: The presence of VF/VT as the initial rhythm, shorter times of cerebral cardiopulmonary resuscitation and of cardiopulmonary arrest, and a greater value of BP prior to cardiopulmonary arrest were independent variables of better prognosis.

As Finanças Comportamentais são um ramo do estudo de Finanças que tem como objetivo a revisão e o aperfeiçoamento do modelo econômico-financeiro atual, pela incorporação de evidências sobre a irracionalidade do investidor. O artigo faz uma revisão das pesquisas internacionais pioneiras sobre o tema, um relato dos primeiros estudos sobre a identificação dessas anomalias no mercado financeiro brasileiro e um levantamento das principais qualidades e deficiências das Finanças Comportamentais, que fazem deste um dos ramos mais polêmicos no mundo contemporâneo das Finanças.

Behavioral Finance is a line of study of Finance which has as its objective the review and the improvement of the modern economic and financial model through the addition of evidences about investor's irrationality. The article brings a review of the first international papers about the subject. It gives, as well, an account of the studies about the identification of these anomalies on the Brazilian stock market and a research about the major qualities and deficiencies of the Behavioral Finance model that make this study one of the most controversial subjects within the contemporary world of Finance.

Alguns equipamentos utilizados na agricultura de precisão têm, por finalidade, a melhoria das condições operacionais. A barra de luz é um equipamento utilizado para a orientação de um veículo em faixas adjacentes, diminuindo a sobreposição da operação agrícola entre passadas consecutivas e otimizando a eficiência da aplicação agrícola. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo a determinação da acurácia da barra de luz em relação ao marcador de espuma e a verificação da adaptação dos operadores à nova tecnologia. Para tanto, foram realizados dois ensaios em locais distintos, com operadores diferentes e foram comparados os erros de sobreposição e falhas nas passadas adjacentes de um pulverizador automotriz. Ocorreu alta adaptação dos operadores à nova tecnologia, devido a uma facilidade operacional maior em relação ao marcador de espuma. Concluiu-se que o marcador de espuma pode ser substituído pela barra de luz na aplicação de defensivos agrícolas.

Some equipments are used in precision farming to improve operational conditions. A light bar is an equipment used to guide a vehicle in adjacent bands, reducing the overlap of the parallel swathing and optimizing the efficiency of the agricultural application. The objective of this work was to determine the accuracy of a light bar compared to a foam marker, and to verify the adaptation of the operators to this new technology. Experiments were conducted at two different places with several operators. The overlap errors and missed applications in the parallel swathing system were compared for both systems. There was a high adaptability of the operators to the light bar since this system was easier to operate than the foam marker. It was concluded that the light bar for the application of agricultural chemicals could replace the foam marker.