BACKGROUND The heat-labile nature of Dengue virus (DENV) in serum samples must be considered when applying routine diagnostic tests to avoid issues that could impact the accuracy of test results with direct implications for case management and disease reporting. OBJECTIVES To check if pre-analytical variables, such as storage time and temperature, have an impact on the accuracy of the main routine diagnostic tests for dengue. METHODS Virus isolation, reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and NS1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were evaluated using 84 samples submitted to different pre-analytical conditions. FINDINGS Sensitivity and negative predictive value were directly affected by sample storage conditions. RT-PCR and virus isolation showed greater dependence on well-conserved samples for an accurate diagnosis. Interestingly, even storage at -30ºC for a relatively short time (15 days) was not adequate for accurate results using virus isolation and RT-PCR tests. On the other hand, NS1 ELISA showed no significant reduction in positivity for aliquots tested under the same conditions as in the previous tests. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our results support the stability of the NS1 marker in ELISA diagnosis and indicate that the accuracy of routine tests such as virus isolation and RT-PCR is significantly affected by inadequate transport and storage conditions of serum samples.

Abstract The White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi) is an endemic and threatened raptor of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Here we present the known records of the species, describe the vegetation types where it was found and show Ecological Niche Models generated using Maxent algorithm. Most of the presence data were recorded in open ombrophilous forest and seasonal semideciduous forest in the states of Alagoas and Pernambuco. Maxent model had a good performance (AUC = 0.982 ± 0.004 SD), showing higher suitability for the species from Paraíba to Alagoas states. Maxent average model revealed a distribution range of 20,344 km² and an area of occupancy of 1,636.89 km². The most suitable areas for the species are those near watercourses and streams. We suggest the creation of protected areas, including private ones, and possible restoration actions to connect the most suitable forest fragments, along with the captive breeding, as the most appropriate strategies for the conservation of the White-collared Kite.

A Floresta Atlântica do Nordeste do Brasil abriga uma biota única que está entre as mais ameaçadas na região Neotropical. A quase total conversão dos habitats florestais em áreas de plantação de cana-de-açúcar deixou a avifauna florestal endêmica da região isolada em poucos remanescentes florestais altamente fragmentados e degradados. Aqui, resumimos o status atual de 16 espécies globalmente ameaçadas baseado em pesquisas conduzidas nos últimos 11 anos. Encontramos uma situação desanimadora para a maioria dessas espécies e consideramos que três espécies endêmicas: Glaucidium mooreorum (caburé-de-pernambuco), Cichlocolaptes mazarbarnetti (gritador-do-nordeste) e Philydor novaesi (limpa-folha-do-nordeste) estejam provavelmente extintas. Algumas notícias positivas podem, no entanto, ser reportadas para Leptodon forbesi (gavião-de-pescoço-branco) e Synallaxis infuscata (tatac), do qual necessitam de uma reavaliação de seus respectivos status na lista vermelha. Descrevemos em linhas gerais um planejamento para priorizar as intervenções conservacionistas na região direcionadas na prevenção da extinção do conjunto das espécies de aves ameaçadas e sua biota associada.

The Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil hosts a unique biota which is among the most threatened in the Neotropics. Near-total conversion of forest habitat to sugar cane monocultures has left the region's endemic forest-dependent avifauna marooned in a few highly-fragmented and degraded forest remnants. Here we summarise the current status of 16 globally threatened species based on surveys conducted over the last 11 years. We found a bleak situation for most of these species and consider that three endemics: Glaucidium mooreorum (Pernambuco Pygmy-owl), Cichlocolaptes mazarbarnetti (Cryptic Treehunter) and Philydor novaesi (Alagoas Foliage-gleaner) are most likely globally extinct. Some positive news can, however, be reported for both Leptodon forbesi (White-collared Kite) and Synallaxis infuscata (Pinto's Spinetail) which may warrant re-evaluation of their respective red list statuses. We outline a road map to prioritise conservation interventions in the region directed at preventing the extinction of this suite of threatened bird species and their companion biota.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito de um programa educativo individualizado de curta duração para asma sobre a adesão ao tratamento, técnicas inalatórias e controle da doença. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo em duas fases (antes e depois da intervenção) em pacientes com idade > 14 anos e com diagnóstico confirmado de asma, recrutados no ambulatório especializado de um hospital universitário em Porto Alegre (RS). Durante a visita médica de rotina, os participantes responderam um questionário geral para avaliar o nível de controle da asma e a técnica inalatória e foram submetidos a testes de função pulmonar. Participaram, então, de um programa educativo em asma que consistiu de uma sessão individualizada. A reavaliação ocorreu em três meses. RESULTADOS: Dos 174 pacientes recrutados, 115 completaram o estudo. Entre as avaliações, houve uma melhora significativa no uso efetivo de corticosteroides inalatórios (90,4% vs. 93,3%; p = 0,003), no uso efetivo de β2-agonistas de longa ação (57,4% vs. 63,5%; p < 0,0001), no uso efetivo do regime combinado dessas duas medicações (57,4% vs. 62,6%; p < 0,0001) e na adesão relatada ao tratamento com corticosteroides (p = 0,001). Houve uma redução significativa na proporção de pacientes com visitas a emergência (30,4% vs. 23,5%; p = 0,012), mas o nível de controle da asma e a técnica inalatória não melhoraram significantemente (p = 0,095 e p = 0,512, respectivamente). CONCLUSÕES: Este programa educativo de curta duração resultou em maior utilização das medicações de controle da asma e em redução das visitas a emergência, apesar de não ter ocorrido efeito significante sobre a técnica inalatória.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a short-term individualized education program on adherence to asthma treatment, inhalation techniques, and asthma control. METHODS: A prospective study involving patients aged 14 years or older, with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma and recruited from the asthma outpatient clinic of a university hospital in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. The study was conducted in two phases (before and after the educational intervention). At a routine medical visit, the participants completed a general questionnaire in order to assess the level of asthma control and inhalation techniques. The participants also underwent pulmonary function testing. Subsequently, they participated in an asthma education program, which consisted of one individualized session. The participants were reevaluated after three months. RESULTS: Of the 174 patients recruited, 115 completed the study. Between the first and second evaluations, there was a significant improvement in the effective use of inhaled corticosteroids (90.4% vs. 93.3%; p = 0.003), the effective use of long-acting β2 agonists (57.4% vs. 63.5%; p < 0.0001), the effective use of a combined regimen with these two medications (57.4% vs. 62.6%; p < 0.0001), and the self-reported adherence to corticosteroid therapy (p = 0.001). There was a significant decrease in the proportion of patients visiting ERs (30.4% vs. 23.5%; p = 0.012). However, the level of asthma control and the inhalation technique did not improve significantly (p = 0.095 and p = 0.512, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This short-term asthma education program resulted in an improvement in the use of medications for asthma control and a decrease in the number of ER visits, although it had no significant effect on the inhalation technique.