ABSTRACT In this study, based on the mechanical shear treatment, the cellulosic pulp was fibrillated in nanofibrils dispersed in aqueous suspension. Nanofibrillated Cellulose (NFC) matrix - Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films’ were prepared by casting from NFC/PVA suspension mixtures. The thermal and mechanical properties of the obtained films were evaluated. Low levels (2, 5 and 10 wt%) of PVA were used as an additive in a nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) matrix. The predominant use of NFC, with superior properties due to its purity, with an efficient and environmentally friendly method, has allowed the production of NFC-based biodegradable materials with enhanced properties for high-level applications. The addition of PVA to the NFC matrix produced positive results, as it causes little aesthetic interference, without changes in surface brightness. After the addition of PVA the films showed a great gain in mechanical strength, increasing by 24% in Young’s modulus with the addition of 10% PVA. Even after addition, the samples’ chemical composition remains unchanged and the mixture shows a decrease in the film surface hydrophilicity when compared to pure NFC. Composite material thermal analysis indicates that thermal degradation temperatures remain unchanged after the addition of PVA. Although PVA is not very temperature resistant, in the proportions used, NFC thermal resistance is preserved.

RESUMO Filmes constituídos por amido de mandioca, álcool polivinílico (PVA) e argila Bentonita (BNT) e glicerol como plastificante foram obtidos utilizando o método casting. A fim de aumentar a compatibilidade dos polímeros ao mineral e sua hidrofobicidade, estes foram posteriormente modificados quimicamente utilizando metacrilato de glicidila (GMA) para a substituição dos grupamentos hidroxilas por vinílicos. Este procedimento gerou filmes com excelente estabilidade a sorção de água e permeabilidade ao vapor de água 15% menor quando comparados coms os filmes sem modificação química. Adicionalmente, esta estratégia também resultou na melhora de 25% na resistência a tração, mantendo o mesmo módulo de Young mas, com uma leve diminuição na estabilidade térmica (início de degradação 14ºC menor). A adição da argila BNT gera filmes compósitos com propriedades, mecânicas, térmicas e físicas diferenciadas, contudo há uma dependência entre a quantidade de reforço e a distribuição estrutural das lamelas de argila na matriz. As modificações químicas foram comprovadas por RMN H1, FTIR, DRX e os filmes foram caracterizados por DRX, sorção e permeabilidade a água, ensaios mecânicos (tração, alongamento e módulo de Young) e TGA. A utilização de 1% m/m deste reforço gera compósitos com BNT estruturalmente esfoliado, independentemente da prévia modificação com metacrilato de glicidila. Já a formulação com 5% m/m gerou filmes compósitos intercalados. Qualquer outro teor de reforço exibe estruturas lamelares aglomeradas (empacotadas). Destaca-se que nas formulações reforçadas com 1% de argila, houve melhora em cerca 30% na resistência a tração com permeabilidade a água 60% menor, para cargas maiores de argila. Estes fatos apontam que as modificações propostas neste trabalho geraram propriedades promissoras para a produção de materiais de embalagem biodegradáveis.

ABSTRACT Films constituted by cassava starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Bentonite clay (BNT) and glycerol as plasticizer were obtained using the casting method. In order to increase the compatibility of the polymers with the mineral and its hydrophobicity, they were subsequently chemically modified by replacing the hydroxyl groups with vinyls using glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). This procedure generated films with excellent water sorption stability and 15% lower water vapor permeability. This strategy also resulted in a 25% improvement in tensile strength, maintaining the same Young’s modulus and slight decrease in thermal stability (onset of degradation 14 ° C lower). The addition of BNT clay generates composite films with different mechanical, thermal and physical properties, however, there is a dependence between the amount of reinforcement and the structural distribution of the clay lamellae in the matrix. The chemical modifications were confirmed by H 1 NMR, FTIR, XRD and the films were characterized by XRD, sorption and water permeability, mechanical tests (traction, stretching and Young’s modulus) and TGA. The use of 1% w / w of this reinforcement generates composites with structurally exfoliated BNT, independently of the previous modification with glycidyl methacrylate. The formulation with 5% m / m generated intercalated composite films. Any other reinforcing content exhibits agglomerated (packaged) lamellar structures. It is noteworthy that in the formulations reinforced with 1% clay, there was an improvement of about 30% in tensile strength with 60% lower water permeability, for higher clayey loads. These facts indicate that the modifications proposed in this work have generated promising properties for the production of biodegradable packaging materials.

Abstract PVA cryogels are well established as candidate biomaterials for wound healing applications but are not themselves biodegradable or antimicrobial. Blending PVA with NaCMC (CMC) or gelatin (G) can increase the gel’s ability to swell and would introduce a degree of biodegradability. The incorporation of appropriate amounts of a natural antimicrobial/healing agents, such as honey (H), would contribute to the gels properties. The present work addresses the development and characterization of layered gels (PVA-H, PVA-CMC-H and PVA-G-H, with empty PVA, PVA-CMC, PVA-G gels presented as controls). The gels were characterized by FTIR, DSC, in vitro analysis of swelling and microbiological (S. aureus) effects. Addition of gelatin, NaCMC and honey to PVA diminished the PVA chains’ ability to pack into crystallites. Samples containing honey swelled less and presented higher weight loss/biodegradability than samples without honey. Only the honey-laden PVA-CMC and PVA-G presented activity against S. aureus.

RESUMO Polyols as solvents are widely and successfully used in various methodologies to obtain zinc oxide nanostructures. One of the main reasons of using polyols is related to its capacity to prevent the agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticles during the synthesis and to promote a more stable colloidal solution of it. In this work it is presented, for the first time, the obtaining of nanostructured ZnO by a polyol mediated solvothermal synthesis using zinc nitrate as precursor. The combination of the zinc source with sodium hydroxide in a polyol medium with PVA as dispersing agent provided a simple process for obtaining nanostructured ZnO. The zinc oxide nanostructures obtained were characterized by UV-visible, XRD, FESEM, TEM, DLS and BET. As result, was obtained a wurtzite phase with hexagonal structure with crystallite size of 12 nm and, according to TEM micrographs, an average size of 14 nm, which was corroborated to other analyses.

Abstract Enrofloxacin can be slowly delivered through polymeric systems and the addition of oil could increase the polymeric gels hydrophobicity and help the continuous release. The present work intended to develop and characterize microstructurally (XRD and FTIR) and in vitro (swelling and antimicrobial tests) the PVA hydrogels loaded with copaiba oil and Duotrill (enrofloxacin) to treat bacterial infections, as pyelonephritis, in the veterinary field. Duotrill® and oil combined diminished the gels degree of crystallinity and it was observed interaction between phases due to a new band found only in PVA hydrogels loaded with copaiba oil and Duotrill (PVA-D-O) FTIR spectrum. The samples with oil swelled less than samples without it, where copaiba oil altered the samples’ hydrophilicity. PVA-D-O presented lower weight loss and higher gel fraction than PVA, indicating the loaded material increased the gels stability. All samples containing oil and Duotrill® inhibited S. aureus.

RESUMO A assincronia pacie nte-ventilador (APV) é um desacoplamento entre o paciente, em relação a demandas de tempo, fluxo, volume e/ou pressão de seu sistema respiratório, e o ventilador, que as oferta durante a ventilação mecânica (VM). É um fenômeno comum, com taxas de incidência entre 10% e 85%. A APV pode ser devida a fatores relacionados ao paciente, ao ventilador ou a ambos. Os tipos de APV mais comuns são as de disparo, como esforço ineficaz; autodisparo e duplo disparo; as de ciclagem (tanto prematura quanto tardia); e as de fluxo (insuficiente ou excessivo). Cada um desses tipos pode ser detectado pela inspeção visual das curvas de volume-tempo, fluxo-tempo e pressãotempo na tela do ventilador mecânico. Estratégias ventilatórias específicas podem ser adotadas, em combinação com a abordagem clínica do paciente, como controle de dor, ansiedade, febre, etc. Níveis profundos de sedação devem ser evitados sempre que possível. A APV se associa a desfechos indesejados, tais como desconforto, dispneia, piora da troca gasosa, aumento do trabalho da respiração, lesão muscular diafragmática, prejuízo do sono, aumento da necessidade de sedação e/ou de bloqueio neuromuscular, assim como aumento do tempo de VM, de desmame e de mortalidade. A ventilação proporcional assistida e a ventilação assistida com ajuste neural são modalidades de suporte ventilatório parcial que reduzem a APV e têm se mostrado promissoras. Este artigo revisa a literatura acerca da APV abordando seus tipos, causas, métodos de avaliação, suas potenciais implicações no processo de recuperação de pacientes críticos e estratégias para sua resolução.

ABSTRACT Patient-v entilator asynchrony (PVA) is a mismatch between the patient, regarding time, flow, volume, or pressure demands of the patient respiratory system, and the ventilator, which supplies such demands, during mechanical ventilation (MV). It is a common phenomenon, with incidence rates ranging from 10% to 85%. PVA might be due to factors related to the patient, to the ventilator, or both. The most common PVA types are those related to triggering, such as ineffective effort, auto-triggering, and double triggering; those related to premature or delayed cycling; and those related to insufficient or excessive flow. Each of these types can be detected by visual inspection of volume, flow, and pressure waveforms on the mechanical ventilator display. Specific ventilatory strategies can be used in combination with clinical management, such as controlling patient pain, anxiety, fever, etc. Deep sedation should be avoided whenever possible. PVA has been associated with unwanted outcomes, such as discomfort, dyspnea, worsening of pulmonary gas exchange, increased work of breathing, diaphragmatic injury, sleep impairment, and increased use of sedation or neuromuscular blockade, as well as increases in the duration of MV, weaning time, and mortality. Proportional assist ventilation and neurally adjusted ventilatory assist are modalities of partial ventilatory support that reduce PVA and have shown promise. This article reviews the literature on the types and causes of PVA, as well as the methods used in its evaluation, its potential implications in the recovery process of critically ill patients, and strategies for its resolution.

RESUMO O potencial de vazão ambiental (PVA) é um método alternativo de estimativa de vazão por considerar principalmente as características ecológicas, econômicas e culturais das bacias hidrográficas, reduzindo erros de estimativa na avaliação de impactos ambientais para implantação ou operação de usinas hidrelétricas (UHEs). O objetivo desta pesquisa foi adaptar a metodologia do PVA para grandes bacias da Amazônia usando abordagem holística. A metodologia de estimativa do PVA foi adaptada às bacias hidrográficas dos rios Tocantins, no Pará, Jari, no Amapá e Pará, e Araguari, no Amapá, em fase de operação e/ou instalação de UHEs. Os resultados sugerem que, nos rios Tocantins e Araguari, ambos sob influência de barramentos em operação, o parâmetro mais relevante do PVA foi o estresse hídrico. Diante dos impactos diretos dessas UHEs, a vazão é elevada e suficiente para manter o ecossistema ou a diversidade aquática durante o ano. Contudo, a resposta do método na bacia hidrográfica do rio Jari indicou o parâmetro dependência econômica como o mais crítico, já que o rio é intensamente utilizado para a locomoção pelos moradores do Pará e Amapá e, dessa forma, o cálculo da vazão por método não adequado comprometeria essa tão importante função do rio. Concluiu-se que o método PVA é uma ferramenta alternativa interessante à gestão de grandes bacias por ser flexível, adaptável e principalmente por permitir a participação dos agentes envolvidos nos processos decisórios.

ABSTRACT The potential of environmental flow (PVA) is an alternative method to estimate the flow as it mainly considers the ecological, economic and cultural characteristics of the basins, reducing estimation errors in the assessment of environmental impacts for deployment or operation of hydroelectric power plants (HPPs). The aim of this research was to adapt the PVA methodology for Amazon’s large basins using holistic approach. The methodology for estimating the PVA was adapted to the watersheds of the rivers Tocantins, in Pará, Jari, in Amapá and Pará, and Araguari, in Amapá, under operation and/or final installation of HPPs. The results suggest that, in the Tocantins and Araguari rivers, both under the influence of dams in operation, the most relevant parameter of PVA was water stress. Taking into account the direct impact of these HPPs, the flow rate is high enough to keep the ecosystem or aquatic diversity during the whole year. However, the response of the PVA in the Jari river basin, in the ultimate construction phase, the most relevant parameter was the economic dependence, because the priority is the fluvial transport, and, in this way, estimating the flow by a non-adequate method would jeopardize this very important function. We concluded that the PVA method is an interesting tool for managing large basins, because it is flexible, adaptable and especially allowing the participation of the agents involved in the decision making processes.

Herbicides have great importance in agricultural productivity for weed control, given their competition with crops. However, inadequate application of herbicides may lead to environmental problems, which can be minimized through controlled release of the active compounds. This may be achieved by protecting the herbicide in a structure with adequate porosity, where the diffusional behavior can determine release. Thus, in this study we evaluated a novel structure, a composite based on activated carbon bonded by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as pellets, to deliver a triazine herbicide. The product obtained was shown to be adequate for its purpose, since it was possible to process regular pellets, where the PVA percentage determined the properties.

RESUMO Estudos sobre novos adesivos ou resinas para colagem de madeira e derivados estão sendo realizados com a intenção de melhorar suas propriedades, levando em consideração um menor impacto ambiental. Por este motivo, novas formulações de adesivos de acetato de polivinila (PVA) vêm sendo desenvolvidas, pois estes não possuem em sua composição compostos químicos extremamente poluentes e prejudiciais à saúde, como é o caso de resinas à base de formaldeído, que, por sua vez, são as mais comumente utilizadas hoje em dia para a produção de painéis de madeira. Este trabalho testou três formulações diferentes de adesivos PVA, com duas combinações de tempo e temperatura de prensagem, para a produção de painéis compensados de Eucalyptus sp., obtendo bons resultados com relação à resistência ao cisalhamento na linha de cola, a qual foi superior para os adesivos PVA se comparados com painéis produzidos com ureia e fenol-formaldeído, encontrados na literatura. propriedades ambiental motivo (PVA desenvolvidas saúde formaldeído que vez prensagem sp sp. cola fenolformaldeído, fenolformaldeído fenol fenol-formaldeído literatura

ABSTRACT Studies on new adhesives and resins for bonding wood and wood products are being carried out with the intention to improve their properties, taking into account a lower environmental impact. To this end, new formulations of polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesives have been developed, because they have no polluting harmful to health chemicals in their composition, in contrast to formaldehyde-based resins; which in turn are the most commonly used for wood panels production these days. This study tested three different formulations of PVA adhesives, with different pressing times and temperatures for the production of Eucalyptus sp. plywood, obtaining satisfactory results with respect to shear strength at the bondline, which was higher for the PVA adhesives compared to the urea-formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde panels found in the literature. properties impact end (PVA developed composition formaldehydebased formaldehyde based days sp plywood bondline ureaformaldehyde urea phenolformaldehyde phenol literature

One case of unsuspected schwannoma is reported in a 69-year old man with chronic lumbosacral pain. The tumour had been mistaken for a lumbar lipoma for a decade. The definitive diagnosis was established after surgery based on the characteristic histopathological findings. The purpose of this report is to alert primary care physicians to peripheral sheath nerve tumours, in addition to highlight the role of pain and image features in the suspicion of tumours with longterm evolution.

Se relata un caso de schwannoma insospechado en un hombre con dolor lumbosacral crónico. El tumour había estado equivocado por el lipoma lumbar durante una década. El diagnóstico definitivo puede establecerse después de la cirugía, con base en los resultados histopatológicos característicos. El propósito de este informe es dar énfasis al conocimiento de médicos del cuidado primario sobre los tumoures de la vaina de nervios periféricos, y resaltar el papel del dolor e de las imágenes en la sospecha de estos tumoures que evolucionan con equívocos diagnósticos a largo plazo.

Polymers are often used to coat tablets for controlled drug release. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the solubility of the HPMC and PVA blend compared to isolated polymers in solutions with a pH of biological fluids (6 and 1.2) and the dissolution of capsules obtained using theophylline granules produced with the HPMC/PVA 25/75 blend as a matrix and as coating. HPMC is completely solubilized in the medium that simulates the pH of the stomach and intestine, and PVA is the polymer that allows controlling the solubility of the blend in the medium, with a differents pH. The dissolution time was monitored by UV absorbance with maximum theophylline at 269 nm. The theophylline was released immediately in the granules, and in the capsules 78.4% after 30 minutes and 97.4%, after 120 minutes. Thus, PVA can potentially control the drug solubilization, contributing to obtaining modified release systems.

A agregação de valor às sementes de Brachiaria spp., utilizando métodos e tecnologias de beneficiamento de sementes como o recobrimento das sementes é uma exigência do mercado consumidor, cada vez mais competitivo. Apesar do incremento no uso de sementes recobertas verificado no mercado nos últimos anos, são poucas as informações disponíveis na literatura sobre o comportamento destas sementes durante o período de armazenamento. Neste contexto, objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar o efeito de diferentes materiais de revestimento em associação com tratamento químico sobre desempenho das sementes durante o armazenamento. Foram utilizadas sementes de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, e estas foram revestidas em uma betoneira adaptada, utilizando quatorze tipos de revestimento e como testemunha foram utilizadas sementes sem revestimento; combinados com e sem tratamento químico e armazenadas em condição ambiente. As avaliações da qualidade fisiológica pelo teste de germinação e emergência de plântulas e sanitária foram realizadas durante 0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 meses de armazenamento. Conclui-se que sementes revestidas com Areia + PVA e Areia + CaSiO3 + PVA ou polímero, tratadas quimicamente, mantém sua qualidade fisiológica ao longo dos 12 meses de armazenamento; o tratamento químico com fungicida Carbendazim + Thiram e inseticida Fipronil nas sementes revestidas ou não, é eficiente no controle de fungos e promove melhor desempenho fisiológico ao longo do armazenamento; o revestimento com Betonita e/ou Calcário afeta negativamente a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu no armazenamento por um período de 12 meses; o revestimento de sementes promove redução da velocidade de germinação e emergência de sementes de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu.

Despite the increasing use of coated seeds in recent years, there is little information available on the behavior of these seeds during storage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different coating materials, in combination with chemical treatments, on seed performance during storage. Seeds of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu provided by WolfSeeds were coated (pelleted) in an adapted concrete mixer using fourteen types of coating and were compared to uncoated control seeds. The combination of these treatments was also evaluated with fungicide and insecticide treatments of the seed. An evaluation was made of the physiological quality from the germination test, seedling emergence and sanitary quality after 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of storage. It was concluded that seeds coated with Sand + PVA and sand + CaSiO3 + PVA or polymer, chemically treated, maintained physiological quality over the 12 months of storage; chemical treatment with the fungicide mixture Carbendazim + Thiram and the insecticide Fipronil on coated or non-coated seed gives effective control of fungi and promotes better physiological performance during storage; the coating with bentonite and/ or limestone negatively affected the seed quality of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu during the 12 months storage period; the seed coating reduced the speed of germination and emergence of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o rendimento de buchada, os pesos e rendimentos de órgãos, vísceras e subprodutos da carcaça de cabritos, sem padrão racial definido, alimentados em pastejo na Caatinga, com ou sem suplementação. Dezoito cabritos machos castrados, com peso vivo inicial de 15±0,55 kg, foram mantidos em área de pastejo na Caatinga durante 105 dias. Os animais foram submetidos a três tratamentos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso: pastejo à vontade, sem suplementação; pastejo restrito; e pastejo à vontade, com suplementação de farelo de soja e palma forrageira. Animais do tratamento com suplementação apresentaram maior peso vivo ao abate (PVA), maior peso do corpo vazio (PCVZ) e maior peso de língua, pulmões + traqueia, coração, baço, diafragma, pâncreas e rins. Os pesos do fígado, vesícula biliar e do aparelho reprodutor não apresentaram diferença entre os tratamentos. O valor absoluto de peso de buchada foi influenciado pelos tratamentos, e os animais alimentados com suplementação tiveram os maiores pesos. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos quanto aos rendimentos de buchada em termos de PVA e PCVZ. A suplementação para cabritos criados em pastejo na Caatinga produz animais com maior peso vivo ao abate, maior peso do corpo vazio e maior peso de buchada, mas não influencia os rendimentos da buchada, em termos de PVA e PCVZ.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the "buchada" - composed of heart, lungs, liver, spleen, intestines, stomach and blood - yields, the weights and yields of organs, visceras, and carcass of undefined breed Caatinga grazing-fed goats, with or without supplementation. Eighteen castrated male goats with initial live weight of 15±0,55 kg, were kept in a grazing area in the Caatinga vegetation, Pernambuco state, Brazil, during 105 days. Animals were subjected to three treatments in a completely randomized design: grazing at will, without supplementation; restricted grazing; and grazing at will, with supplementation of soybean meal and forage cactus. Supplemented animals had higher weight at slaughter (PVA), higher empty body weight (PCVZ), and higher weight of tongue, lungs + trachea, heart, spleen, diaphragm, pancreas and kidneys. The weights of liver, gallbladder and reproductive tract showed no difference between treatments. The absolute value of "buchada" weights was influenced by treatments, and supplemented animals had the higher ones. "Buchada" yields in terms of PVA and PCVZ did not differ between treatments. The supplementation for grazing-goats raised in Caatinga produces animals with higher PVA, PCVZ and "buchada" weights, but does not influence the "buchada" yields, in terms of PVA and PCVZ.

O presente trabalho estudou os compostos bioativos (ácidos clorogênicos, trigonelina, cafeína, fenóis totais e proantocianidinas), grupos hidroxila ácidos e atividade antioxidante de um café arábica proveniente do Cerrado Mineiro e de seu PVA (grãos pretos, verdes e ardidos). As amostras foram preparadas nas torras clara (180 ± 10 °C; 6,0 ± 1,0 minutos), média (180 ± 10 °C; 8,0 ± 1,0 minutos) e escura (180 ± 10 °C; 10,0 ± 1,0 minutos). Considerando-se a média das três torras do café e do PVA, a diferença observada no teor de todos os constituintes acima não foi significativa (p > 0,05), exceto com o teor de grupos hidroxila ácidos que foi ligeiramente superior no PVA e cafeína calculada pelo método semiquantitativo que foi superior no café. Portanto, dentre esses constituintes, os compostos com grupos ácidos seriam os únicos que poderiam contribuir para explicar a grande diferença de sabor existente entre o café de grãos sadios e o de PVA. Tanto o café como o PVA apresentaram atividade seqüestradora do radical DPPH. nas três torras, sendo a atividade do café sempre superior. Analisando-se as variações dos teores de cafeína, fenóis totais, proantocianidinas, grupos hidroxila ácidos, trigonelina e ácidos clorogênicos, não foi possível explicar a atividade antioxidante superior apresentada pelo café da torra média (CE50 de 2,3 mg.mg-1 de DPPH.).

This work reports the results of the investigation of bioactive compounds (chlorogenic acids, trigonelline, caffeine, total phenolics, and proanthocyanidins), total acid groups, and the antioxidant activity of the Arabian coffee (Coffea arabica) from the Brazilian cerrado (vast tropical savannah) (Minas Gerais state) and its defective beans (Black, green, and sour beans). The samples were prepared using three roasting degrees: light (180 ± 10 °C; 6,0 ± 1,0 minutes), medium (180 ± 10 °C; 8,0 ± 1,0 minutos), and dark (180 ± 10 °C; 10,0 ± 1,0 minutes). Considering the average of the three roasts per coffee and defective beans, the difference observed for the content of all constituents listed above was not significant (p > 0,05). Exceptions are the content of acid hydroxyl groups, which were slightly greater in the coffee defective beans and the content of caffeine, calculated using the semi-quantitative method, which was higher in the coffee itself. Both the coffee and its defective beans presented scavenging activity against DPPH. radical; however, the coffee antioxidant activity was always higher. The variations observed in the content of caffeine, total phenols, proanthocyanidins, phenolic acid groups, trigonelline, and chlorogenic acid levels can not explain the higher antioxidant activity observed for the medium roasted coffee (EC50 of 2,3 mg.mg-1 of DPPH.).

The comprehension of the pathogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi-elicited myocarditis is crucial to delineate new therapeutic strategies aiming to ameliorate the inflammation that leads to heart dysfunction, without hampering parasite control. The augmented expression of CCL5/RANTES and CCL3/MIP-1alpha, and their receptor CCR5, in the heart of T. cruzi-infected mice suggests a role for CC-chemokines and their receptors in the pathogenesis of T. cruzi-elicited myocarditis. Herein, we discuss our recent results using a CC-chemokine receptor inhibitor (Met-RANTES), showing the participation of CC-chemokines in T. cruzi infection and unraveling CC-chemokine receptors as an attractive therapeutic target for further evaluation in Chagas disease.