ABSTRACT Sporotrichosis is the most frequent subcutaneous mycosis in Latin America. It is caused by species of the genus Sporothrix. Infection in humans occurs through the entry of the fungus into the skin. Zoonotic outbreaks involving cats in the transmission of the disease have been frequently reported. The lymphocutaneous form is the most commonly observed and the upper limbs are the most affected sites. We report a case of a 64-year-old healthy female patient with a lymphocutaneous form with rapid progression of lesions, which was refractory to initial treatment with itraconazole. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B was performed with a satisfactory resolution, but aesthetic and functional sequelae in the left upper limb were installed.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of Mother-to-child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV to neonates in a reference university hospital in Sao Luis city, the capital of Maranhao State (MA), evaluating MTCT-associated factors. A retrospective cohort study based on data from the Notifiable Diseases Data System (SINAN) was carried out and included all HIV-exposed neonates notified from 2013 to 2017 by the university hospital. The study population comprised 725 HIV-exposed neonates, of whom 672 neonates were exposed and uninfected, and 53 were exposed and infected. The estimated rate of MTCT in the period of 2013 to 2017 was 7.3%. Most pregnant women were ≥ 20 years old (86.9%), reported ≥ 8 years of schooling (53.2%), reported full-time or independent paid work (46.9%) and were residents in other cities of the state (61.7%). Regarding healthcare, 86.3% received prenatal care, 74.6% received Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) as prophylaxis during pregnancy, 81.8% received ART prophylaxis during childbirth and 78.1% underwent cesarean section. Among the neonates, 92.8% received ART prophylaxis and 94.3% were not breastfed. Despite these variables, the 7.3% MTCT rate found in this study makes it clear that the interventions recommended by the Ministry of Health were not fully adopted.

LN-1 and LN-2 are two Ru(II) complexes coordinated to the phosphine and amines simultaneously, each with two chlorides. PPh3 is the phosphine and the amine is piperidine (LN-1) and perhydroazepine (LN-2). The two compounds are complexes five-coordinated square pyramidal geometry, with the amine in the axial plane. LN-1 and LN-2 were tested for the first time as initiator for piperine self-metathesis olefin. The system variables chosen to this study were the reactional time (24, 48 and 72 h), catalyst:substrate ratio (1:1 and 1:10 mol) and temperature (25 e 50 ºC). Results were analyzed by GC-ME. None olefin metathesis product was noted in the experiments to 25 ºC for until 72 h, in any catalyst:substrate ration. However, to 50 ºC for 72 h, olefin metathesis product from piperine was observed. LN-1 presented yield of c.a. 29% of product in the mixture and LN-2 were c.a. 39%. The product is interesting and unheard, it has two 1,3-benzildiaxine groups, interleaved for one unsaturated carbon chain. In the experiments with catalyst:substrate ratio of 1:10 mol there was no product formation. The results were discussed in function of the electronic and steric properties of the ancillary ligand of LN1 and LN-2.

RESUMO: A lagarta-do-cartucho Spodoptera frugiperda Smith, 1797 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) é uma praga polífaga que ocasiona danos em diversos cultivos, e o conhecimento do seu espectro de hospedeiros é essencial para o estabelecimento de estratégias de manejo e controle. Assim, o presente estudo registra pela primeira vez a ocorrência de S. frugiperda em videiras brasileiras. Desse modo, recomenda-se a realização de estudos adicionais em laboratório para compreender os aspectos biológicos e os danos as diferentes estruturas (vegetativas e uvas). Essa informação será essencial para avaliar o potencial de dano de S. frugiperda se alimentando de videiras.

ABSTRACT: The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda Smith, 1797 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous pest that causes losses in several crops. The knowledge of host plants is essential for establishing management and control strategies. The present study reported the first occurrence of S. frugiperda in Brazilian grapevines. It is recommended that further studies should be carried out in the laboratory to understand the biological aspects of the damage to different structures (leaves and grapes). This information will be essential to assess the potential of S. frugiperda damage to vines.

Several published studies have evaluated the problems associated with the utilization of biodiesel obtained from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil due to the low oxidative stability, caused by the high content of unsaturated fatty acids. Thus, this study aimed at the extraction of safflower seed oil and its use as an unsaturation source to obtain a synthetic antioxidant. The synthesis of this phenolic additive was done by modifying its structure through the addition of hydroquinone to the unsaturation of the oil, by electrophilic substitution. It was investigated and confirmed that this reaction is promising for obtaining phenolic products, with high yields (83.5%). The product obtained in this research was evaluated as an antioxidant in commercial biodiesel by the Rancimat method, using 5000 ppm of the synthesized additive the induction period increased from 8 to 17 h (2.12 times). Therefore, this paper brought a positive response to the improvement of biodiesel oxidation stability that creates a possibility to increase the use and expansion of this fuel in the market, as utilization of the safflower seed as raw material for additives, bringing a new market for these seeds.

abstract background: the recovery of areas impacted by mining activities is a major challenge and requires knowledge of how the biological and biochemical processes of the soil as well as the establishment of plant species are affected by mining residue. in this work, the influence of deposition of iron mining mud and tailings on soil biochemical attributes and the initial development of tree seedlings was studied in a simulated event in the greenhouse. pots (n = 27) with natural soil (2.0 kg) received deposition (280 ml) of iron mining mud or tailings and by three-month was cultivated with urochloa decumbens. at the end of this period, part of the pots was sampled and the soil biochemical activities were evaluated. then tree seedlings (schinus terebinthifolius and eremanthus incanus) were planted and cultivated for a year, when then shoot (sdw) and roots (rdw) dry weight were evaluated. results: deposition of iron mining mud and tailings did not affect microbial biomass carbon or basal soil respiration, however both conditions reduced (p < 0.05) β-glucosidase activities by up to 30%, and the easy extractable glomalin by about 19%. in addition, the mud deposition reduced (p < 0.05) the sdw and rdw of s. terebinthifolius by about 21% and 24%, respectively. nevertheless, uruchloa decumbens and eremanthus incanus had no variation in dry weight production between treatments, so they have good ability to grow settle in soil affected by mining residue. conclusion: this study shows that the sequential planting of u. decumbens and e. incanus can be an alternative for use in environments with deposition of iron mining tailings.

Abstract Objective This in vitro study evaluated the effect of commercial whitening dentifrices on erosive tooth wear (ETW) of bovine enamel samples, in comparison with commercial regular dentifrices. Methodology Sixty bovine crowns were embedded in acrylic resin, polished and then had their baseline profile determined. They were randomly assigned to 5 groups (n=12/group), according to the type of commercial dentifrice to be tested: GI – Crest Anti-cavity Regular; GII – Crest 3D White; GIII – Colgate Total 12 Clean Mint; GIV – Colgate Optic White; GV – Placebo (negative control, fluoride-free dentifrice). The samples were submitted to daily erosive and abrasive challenges for 3 days. The erosive challenges were performed 3 times a day by immersing the specimens in 0.1% citric acid solution (pH 2.5) for 90 s. Each day after the first and last erosive challenges, the specimens were subjected to the abrasive challenge for 15 s, using a toothbrushing machine (Biopdi, São Carlos, SP, Brazil), soft toothbrushes and slurry (1:3 g/ml) of the tested toothpastes (1.5 N). The specimens were kept in artificial saliva between the challenges. The final profile was obtained and the ETW (µm) was calculated. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s tests (p<0.05). Results All dentifrices tested significantly reduced the enamel wear in comparison with the Placebo, except GIII. The median (95% CI) ETW was 1.35 (1.25-1.46)bc for GI, 1.17 (1.01-1.34)cd for GII, 1.36 (1.28-1.45)ab for GIII, 1.08 (1.04-1.14)d for GIV and 2.28 (2.18-2.39)a for GV. Conclusion When dentifrices from the same manufacturer were compared, the whitening dentifrices led to similar or less wear than the regular ones.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil de susceptibilidade antimicrobiana de bactérias isoladas de olhos de cães com ceratoconjuntivite seca (CCS). Foram avaliados 65 cães com diagnóstico de CCS e 30 cães saudáveis (Grupo Controle). Depois do diagnosticado de CCS, suabes conjuntivais foram coletados. Exames microbiológicos foram realizados, incluindo cultura aeróbia, teste de susceptibilidade antimicrobiana e determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) para cloranfenicol, tobramicina, ofloxacina e moxifloxacina. Para determinar a CIM, foram selecionadas as quinze cepas mais resistentes de Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (Staphylococcus intermedius Group-SIG) e as quinze cepas mais resistentes de bactérias gram-negativas. Os microrganismos apresentaram maior suscetibilidade percentual à polimixina B, tobramicina e cloranfenicol e menor suscetibilidade à tetraciclina. Três cepas de SIG resistentes a múltiplos medicamentos foram detectadas, do quais um demonstrou suscetibilidade isolada à cefazolina, outro à vancomicina e outro à polimixina B e à amicacina. As espécies de bactérias isoladas dos olhos de cães com CCS apresentaram suscetibilidade variável aos antibióticos testados. Encontramos evidências do surgimento de cepas resistentes à quinolona de S. pseudintermedius e outras evidências de aumento da prevalência ocular. Esses achados reforçam a necessidade de identificar as bactérias envolvidas e seu perfil de susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos, pois as infecções secundárias podem servir como fatores exacerbantes e perpetuantes na CCS.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacteria isolated from the eyes of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). We evaluated 65 dogs diagnosed with KCS and 30 healthy dogs (Control Group). Conjunctival swab samples were collected after KCS was diagnosed. Microbiological examinations were performed, including aerobic culture, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination for chloramphenicol, tobramycin, ofloxacin and moxifloxacin. MICs of the fifteen most resistant strains of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (Staphylococcus intermedius Group, SIG) and the fifteen most resistant strains of gram-negative bacteria were determined. By percentage, the microorganisms exhibited the highest susceptibility to polymyxin B, tobramycin and chloramphenicol and the lowest to tetracycline. Three multi-drug-resistant strains of SIG were detected: one displayed isolated susceptibility to cefazolin, another to vancomycin, and another to polymyxin B and amikacin. The species of bacteria isolated from the eyes of dogs with KCS presented variable susceptibility to the antibiotics tested. We found evidence of the emergence of quinolone-resistant strains of SIG and further evidence of increased ocular prevalence. These findings reinforce the need to identify the bacteria involved and their antimicrobial susceptibility profile, as secondary infections can serve as exacerbating and perpetuating factors in KCS.

ABSTRACT Objective The transcriptional repressor DREAM is involved in thyroid-specific gene expression, thyroid enlargement and nodular development, but its clinical utility is still uncertain. In this study we aimed to investigate whether DREAM mRNA levels differ in different thyroid tumors and how this possible difference would allow the use of DREAM gene expression as molecular marker for diagnostic and/or prognosis purpose. Materials and methods We quantified DREAM gene mRNA levels and investigated its mutational status, relating its expression and genetic changes to diagnostic and prognostic features of 200 thyroid tumors, being 101 malignant [99 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) and 2 anaplastic thyroid carcinomas] and 99 benign thyroid lesions [49 goiter and 50 follicular adenomas (FA)]. Results Levels of mRNA of DREAM gene were higher in benign (0.7909 ± 0.6274 AU) than in malignant (0.3373 ± 0.6274 AU) thyroid lesions (p < 0.0001). DREAM gene expression was able to identify malignancy with 66.7% sensitivity, 85.4% specificity, 84.2% positive predictive value (PPV), 68.7% negative predictive value (NPV), and 75.3% accuracy. DREAM mRNA levels were also useful distinguishing the follicular lesions FA and FVPTC with 70.2% sensitivity, 73.5% specificity, 78.5% PPV, 64.1% NPV, and 71.6% accuracy. However, DREAM gene expression was neither associated with clinical features of tumor aggressiveness, nor with recurrence or survival. Six different genetic changes in non-coding regions of DREAM gene were also found, not related to DREAM gene expression or tumor features. Conclusion We suggest that DREAM gene expression may help diagnose thyroid nodules, identifying malignancy and characterizing follicular-patterned thyroid lesions; however, it is not useful as a prognostic marker.

ABSTRACT Objectives The objectives of this study were to evaluate the serum levels of adipokines in women with fibromyalgia with and without overweight/obesity, and to correlate the adipokines levels with clinical parameters associated with fibromyalgia and adipose tissue mass (body fat). Subjects and methods The study included 100 women divided into four groups: (a) fibromyalgia and overweight/obesity; (b) fibromyalgia and normal weight; (c) controls and overweight/obesity; and (d) controls and normal weight. Patients and controls were evaluated for clinical, anthropometric, and fibromyalgia-related parameters. Assessments included serum levels of leptin, adiponectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Levels of adipokines were further adjusted for fat mass. Results Fibromyalgia patients with overweight/obesity or normal weight had no differences in clinical parameters. Unadjusted leptin levels were lower in fibromyalgia patients than controls, a finding that was more remarkable in fibromyalgia patients with overweight/obesity. Leptin levels had no correlation with clinical parameters of fibromyalgia or inflammation markers (MCP-1 and CRP), and adiponectin levels showed no difference between groups. Conclusions No correlation was observed between adjusted leptin levels and clinical parameters of fibromyalgia. Patients with fibromyalgia and overweight/obesity presented lower levels of leptin than controls with overweight/obesity.

ABSTRACT The essential oil from Croton polyandrus Spreng., Euphorbiaceae, leaves was tested for the toxicity and antitumor activity. The concentration producing 50% hemolysis was 141 µg/ml on mice erythrocytes. In the acute toxicological study, the estimated LD50 was 447.18 mg/kg. The essential oil did not induce increase in number of micronucleated erythrocytes, suggesting low genotoxicity. Essential oil (100 or 150 mg/kg) showed significant antitumor activity in Ehrlich ascitic carcinoma model. We observed that essential oil induces cell-cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, and increases the sub-G1 peak, which represents a marker of cell death by apoptosis. Survival also increased for the treated animals. The toxicological analyses revealed reduction in body weight, increased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity, hematological changes, and a thymus index reduction. These data suggest gastrointestinal and liver toxicity, anemia, leukopenia/lymphocytopenia, and immunosuppressive effects. Histopathological analysis revealed the weak hepatotoxicity of essential oil. In summary, essential oil of C. polyandrus displays in vivo antitumor activity and moderate toxicity.

AbstractSidastrum paniculatum (L.) Fryxell, Malvaceae, is popularly known in Brazil as “malva-roxa” or “malvavisco”. The species is found mainly in Northeast region where it is used by locals to treat spider bites and bee stings. Aiming to identify the chemical compounds from S. paniculatum secondary metabolism and to contribute to the chemotaxonomic knowledge of Malvaceae family, a phytochemical study of S. paniculatum was carried out. Besides that, the isolated compounds were evaluated for antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of Leishmania braziliensis. By using chromatographic techniques the study resulted the isolation of eight compounds: 3-oxo-21β-H-hop-22(29)-ene; sebiferic acid; sitosterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside/stigmasterol 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside; phaeophytin a; 132(S)-hydroxyphaeophytin a; 132(S)-hydroxy-(173)-ethoxyphaeophorbide a and 7,4′-di-O-methylisoescutellarein. The structure of all isolated compounds was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, including two-dimensional NMR techniques. In addition, the isolated compounds phaeophytin a; 132(S)-hydroxyphaeophytin a; 132(S)-hydroxy-(173)-ethoxyphaeophorbide a and 7,4′-di-O-methylisoescutellarein exhibited antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of L. braziliensis.

FUNDAMENTO: O papel dos testes de reatividade plaquetária (RP) na predição de eventos em longo prazo em pacientes latino-americanos tratados com stents farmacológicos (SF) não foi estabelecido. OBJETIVOS: Analisar o papel dos testes de RP na predição de eventos após a implantação de SF. MÉTODOS: De maio de 2006 a janeiro de 2008, foram incluídos 209 pacientes brasileiros que se submeteram a tratamento eletivo com SF. A RP foi avaliada 12 a 18 horas após o procedimento, por agregometria de transmitância de luz com 5µM de ADP. Os pacientes foram acompanhados prospectivamente por até 4,8 anos. Dezessete (8%) dos indivíduos foram perdidos durante o acompanhamento e a coorte final foi composta de 192 pacientes. A curva ROC foi utilizada para determinar o melhor ponto de corte de 5µM de ADP para prever eventos. O endpoint primário foi uma combinação de morte cardiovascular, infarto agudo do miocárdio, trombose definitiva de stent, e revascularização de artéria alvo.Modelos de risco proporcional de Cox foram utilizados para determinar as variáveis independentemente associadas com o tempo até o primeiro evento. RESULTADOS: O melhor ponto de corte de 5µM de ADP foi de 33%. Cento e sete (55,7%) pacientes apresentaram 5mM de ADP > 33%. A taxa de sobrevivência livre de eventos em 1.800 dias foi de 55% contra 70% para os indivíduos com ADP5 acima e abaixo desse ponto de corte, respectivamente (p = 0,001). Preditores de tempo independentes para o primeiro evento foram tabagismo atual (HR 3,49, IC95%: 1,76-6,9, p = 0,0003), ADP 5mM > 33% (HR 1,95, IC95%: 1,09-3,51, p = 0,025) e idade (HR 1,03 IC 95%: 1,0-1,06, p = 0,041). CONCLUSÕES: Neste estudo, 55,7% dos pacientes apresentaram alta reatividade plaquetária durante tratamento. 5µM de ADP > 33% foi um preditor independente de eventos em longo prazo.

BACKGROUND: The role of platelet reactivity (PR) tests in the prediction of long-term events in Latin-American patients treated with drug-eluting stents (DES) has not been established. OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of PR tests in the prediction of events after DES implantation. METHODS: From May 2006 through January 2008, 209 Brazilian patients who underwent elective treatment with DES were included. PR was assessed 12 to 18h after the procedure by light transmittance aggregometry with 5µM of ADP. Patients were prospectively followed for up to 4.8 years. Seventeen (8%) individuals were lost to follow-up and the final cohort comprised 192 patients. Receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to determine the best 5µM of ADP cutoff to predict events. The primary endpoint was a combination of cardiovascular death, acute myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, and target-artery revascularization. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the variables independently associated with the time to the first event. RESULTS: The best ADP 5µM cutoff was 33%. One hundred and seven (55.7%) patients had ADP 5µM >33%. Event-free survival rate at 1,800 days was 55% vs. 70% for individuals with ADP5 above and below such cutoff, respectively (p=0.001). Independent predictors of time to first event were current smoking (HR 3.49; 95% CI 1.76-6.9; p=0.0003), ADP 5µM >33% (HR 1.95; 95% CI 1.09-3.51; p=0.025) and age (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.0-1.06; p=0.041). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 55.7% of the patients had high on-treatment platelet reactivity. ADP 5µM >33% was an independent predictor of long-term events.

Os carrapatos são susceptíveis à infecção por nematoides entomopatogênicos. Essa susceptibilidade diverge quanto às espécies de carrapato estudadas, à fase evolutiva, às espécies e estirpes dos nematoides e ao tempo ao qual os carrapatos ficam expostos a estes. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os tempos de infecção in vitro de fêmeas ingurgitadas de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus pelo nematoide entomopatogênico Steinernema glaseri estirpe CCA, pela análise dos parâmetros biológicos do carrapato. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que um período de duas horas de exposição foi suficiente para que fêmeas ingurgitadas de R. microplus fossem infectadas por S. glaseri CCA e que um período de exposição mínimo de 24h foi necessário para que houvesse infecção de fêmeas ingurgitadas de R. microplus por S. glaseri estirpe CCA, capaz de gerar, in vitro, eficácia no tratamento superior a 90%.

Studies have shown that ticks are susceptible to infection by entomopathogenic nematodes. These studies indicate different susceptibilities of ticks to infection by these fungi, depending on the tick species, development phase, entomopathogenic nematodes species and strains and the time the ticks are exposed to them. Usually this period ranges from 24 to 72 hours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the infection times in vitro of engorged Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus females by the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema glaseri CCA strain, by analysis of the ticks' biological parameters. The results show that a 2-hour exposure time was sufficient for the engorged R. microplus females to be infected by S. glaseri CCA, but that a minimum exposure time of 24 hours was necessary to generate treatment efficacy above 90%.