ABSTRACT Caatinga is a biome unique to Brazil, where degradation caused by anthropogenic actions has led to loss of biodiversity and put many species at risk of extinction. The Ceará state is located within the Caatinga and has a rich avifauna. It comprises 433 species, including 13 species that are in danger of extinction, which are found in the Baturité Massif. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and diversity of enterobacteria in wild birds and determine their susceptibility to antimicrobials. Cloacal swab samples were collected from 50 individuals of 28 different species, including the Ceara Gnatheter (Conopophaga cearae) and the Red-necked Tanager (Tangara cyanocephala), which are classified as vulnerable (VU) by the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment. A total of 55 isolates belonging to 14 different species of Enterobacteriaceae were identified. Among them, Pantoea agglomerans and Escherichia coli were the most prevalent species with isolation rates of 36% and 26%, respectively. The highest rate of antimicrobial resistance found was to ampicillin (41.8%), followed by nalidixic acid (36.3%) and amoxicillin associated with clavulanic acid (32.7%). Drugs that presented best efficacy were tobramycin (96.4%), ciprofloxacin (92.6%), and tetracycline (90.9%). Multidrug resistance was observed in 23.5% of the analyzed strains. This research provides important information about the composition of the cloacal microbiota of wild birds in Mulungu, Brazil, as well as their health status. Additionally, these results demonstrate that they harbor multidrug-resistant strains of Enterobacteriaceae.

ABSTRACT The optimal soil pH for most annual crops in Brazil varies between 5.7 and 6.0. Numerous methods have been developed for estimating lime requirement (LR), but they vary widely in their predictions and fail to raise pH to desired values for optimum crop production in the highly weathered soils of Brazil. The objectives of this study were to (i) compare seven traditional methods for estimating LR in Brazilian soils; (ii) assess the effects of LR predicted by these methods on soil-acidity related properties, and (iii) determine if these methods are predicting LR to attain target pH values of 5.8 and 6.0, which are within the pH range recommended to optimize crop yields. The traditional LR methods evaluated in this study are based on the following criteria: exchangeable acidity (EA), base saturation (BSAT), exchangeable acidity along with Ca2+ and Mg2+ as proposed by the 4th (MG4A) and 5th (MG5A) Approximations to the Minas Gerais State, SMP soil-buffer pH (SMP), potential acidity (PA), and soil pH along with organic matter (pHOM). These methods were compared with the standard incubation method using correlation-regression analysis and, alternatively, the identity test designed for assessing equivalence between methods. Representative agricultural soils (n = 22) were incubated for 60 days with incremental amounts of lime determined by the tested methods. On average, LR predictions differed among methods, and increased in the following order: EA < BSAT ≈ MG5A ≤ MG4A ≈ SMP ≤ PA < pHOM. Suitable changes in soil pH, exchangeable acidity, potential acidity, base saturation, and Ca2+ and Mg2+ were achieved upon application of LR estimated by all methods except the EA and pHMO, which resulted in undesirable soil acidity characteristics. All methods evaluated in this study were unable to predict LR for attaining target pH values of 5.8 and 6.0 as revealed by the identity test, even though they were moderate to strongly correlated with the standard incubation method as indicated by the correlation-regression analysis. Further research should focus on the development of reliable methods for predicting LR to attain desired pH values and consequently maximize crop production on Brazilian soils.

ABSTRACT In Brazil, empirical models are traditionally used to determine lime requirement (LR), but their reliability is doubtful in most cases, since they can lead to under- or overestimation of LR for different soil types. In this study, the most critical characteristics influencing LR were selected to develop reliable models for predicting LR that raise soil pH to optimum values for crop production in Brazil. Soil samples (n = 22) with varying proportions of clay (5-88 %) and organic matter (OM) levels (3.78-79.35 g kg-1) were used to develop the models. Organic matter and potential acidity (HAl) combined with ΔpH [target pH(H2O) - initial pH(H2O)] were the best predictor variables for estimating LR. Four models were developed (OMpH5.8, OMpH6.0, HAlpH5.8, and HAlpH6.0) for estimating LR to attain target pH values of 5.8 or 6.0 with reasonably high prediction performance (0.758≤ R2 ≤0.886). An algorithm was further developed for selecting the LR to be recommended among those estimated by the models. The proposed algorithm enables to select the minimum LR that ensure the adequate supply of Ca and Mg to plants and does not exceed the levels of soil HAl, thus preventing excessive pH increase. The new predictive models were less sensitive to predict LR high enough to meet Ca2+ and Mg2+ requirements of plants in soils containing levels of HAl lower than 5 cmolc dm-3 and OM lower than 40 g kg-1. However, they ensured an adequate supply of Ca2+ and Mg2+ to plants and avoided the overestimation of LR for most soils used in this research. Validation via an independent dataset (n = 100 samples) confirmed the good predictive performance of the models across a wide range of soil types. In summary, the proposed models can be used as good alternatives to traditional methods for predicting LR for a great variety of Brazilian soils. Further, they are versatile and may be easily deployed in soil testing laboratories, since soil pH, OM, and HAl are characteristics determined in routine analysis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar resultados da técnica cirúrgica descrita por Crouch na correção de esotropia por paralisia do reto lateral (RL). Métodos: Estudo realizado com seis pacientes diagnosticados com paralisia de IV par craniano, com mais de três meses, e com contratura associada do musculo reto medial. As causas da paralisia variaram em traumática, congênita e neuropática. Os pacientes foram submetidos à correção cirúrgica, realizada com técnica que consiste na desinserção do músculo reto superior (RS) e sua sutura acima da inserção do músculo RL, completada com ponto de Foster (sutura unindo, a 8mm da inserção muscular, o corpo do RS e RL). Os pacientes foram seguidos por seis meses. Resultados: Cinco pacientes apresentaram, no pré-operatório, desvio entre 30 e 50 dioptrias prismáticas (DP), e um paciente apresentava desvio maior que 100DP, sendo, portanto o paciente que necessitou de reintervenção cirúrgica, por desvio residual. Os outros cinco pacientes apresentaram ortotropia no pós-operatório, com melhor da acuidade visual e sem desvios verticais. Conclusão: A cirurgia proposta por Crouch demostrou-se uma boa alternativa às técnicas convencionais, como cirurgia de Carlson-Jampolsky, sendo um procedimento tecnicamente mais simples e com bons resultados.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the results of the surgical technique described by Crouch in the correction of lateral rectal paralysis (LR) esotropia. Methods: A study conducted of six patients with VI cranial nerve palsy, with more than three months, and associated contracture of the medial rectus muscle. The causes of paralysis varied in traumatic, congenital and neuropathic. The patients underwent surgical correction, performed with a technique consisting of the instillation of the superior rectus muscle (SR) and its suture above the insertion of the LR muscle, completed with Foster´s suture (suture joining, 8mm of the muscle insertion, the body of the SR and LR). The patients were followed for six months. Results: Five patients presented preoperative deviation between 30 and 50 prismatic diopter (PD), and one patient presented a deviation greater than 100 PD, and therefore, the patient required surgical reintervention due to residual deviation. The other five patients presented postoperative orthoppy, with better visual acuity and no vertical deviations. Conclusion: The surgery proposed by Crouch has been shown to be a good alternative to conventional techniques, such as Carlson-Jampolsky surgery, being a technically simpler procedure with good results.

The initial encounter of Leishmania with its host's immune system is important in the outcome of infection. Previous studies have shown that PBMCs from healthy volunteers (HV) exposed to Leishmania differ in IFN-γ production. We have expanded such observations evaluating the profile and kinetics of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-10, IL-13), chemokines (CCL5, CCL3, CCL4, CXCL10), and chemokine receptors (CCR1,CCR5, CXCR3, CCR4) in vitro L. amazonensis-stimulated of HV's PBMCs. HVs were divided in groups of high (HR) or low (LR) IFN-γ responders. In both groups, HR and LR, after L. amazonensis infection there was a predominance of IL-10 and IL-13 over IFN-γ production, while IL-12 was produced in similar amount. Regarding chemokines, a more striking difference was observed for CCL3 expression that was lower at 12 hours and 48 hours post infection in LR than in HR. Interestingly, a downregulation of CCR5 and a greater expression of CCR4 were found in low IFN-γ responders. These data suggest that early after L. amazonensis infection there is a cytokine milieu dominated by IL-13 and IL-10, and despite of this environment, IFN-γ is produced, supporting the complexity of the response. It is noteworthy that the pattern of immune response is mounted in first hours after Leishmania stimulation, with the definition of the differentiation of Th1 versus Th2 cells. It remains to be determined if such an in vitro difference has an in vivo counterpart in terms of susceptibility to infection

OBJETIVO: Investigar os fatores associados a sintomas depressivos em estudantes do ensino médio. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo transversal com estudantes residentes no Município de São Paulo, Brasil, em 2001. O total de 724 estudantes com idades entre 14 e 18 anos preencheram questionários de condições de vida e saúde. Dentre eles, os estudantes trabalhadores (44,8%) e desempregados (22,9%) também responderam a um outro questionário de condições de trabalho. A regressão logística foi utilizada para determinar os fatores associados para apresentar distúrbios depressivos, utilizando-se a "situação ocupacional" para ajustar o modelo. RESULTADOS: A prevalência dos sintomas depressivos na população estudada foi de 7,5%; as taxas de acordo com o sexo foram de 39 (10,3%) e 15 (4,3%) nos adolescentes dos sexos feminino e masculino, respectivamente. A regressão logística mostrou que os fatores associados aos distúrbios depressivos são: baixo escore na auto-avaliação da saúde (OR=5,78), ser do sexo feminino (OR=2,45) e consumo de bebidas alcoólicas (OR=2,35). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostraram que variáveis sociodemográficas, de estilo de vida e de saúde estavam associadas aos distúrbios depressivos. Esses achados sugerem a importância de que profissionais de saúde mental em escolas de ensino médio efetuem rastreio para reconhecer precocemente problemas mentais e fornecer aconselhamento aos estudantes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess factors associated with depression symptoms in high school students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving high school students was conducted in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, 2001. A total of 724 students aged 14-18 years answered questionnaires on life and health conditions. Another questionnaire was applied to working (44.8%) and unemployed (22.9%) students to collect information on working conditions. Factors associated to depressive disorders were analyzed using multiple logistic regression controlled for occupational status. RESULTS: Overall prevalence rate of depression was 7.5%. Rates according to gender were 39 (10.3%) in females and 15 (4.3%) in males. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that factors associated with depressive disorders were: poor self-perception of health (OR=5.78), being female (OR = 2.45), and alcohol consumption (OR=2.35). CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that sociodemographic, lifestyle and health variables were associated with symptoms of depression in this population. These ndings suggest that it is important to have mental health professionals available in high schools for early detection of mental conditions and student counseling.

OBJETIVO: Investigar os fatores associados a sintomas depressivos em estudantes do ensino médio. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo transversal com estudantes residentes no Município de São Paulo, Brasil, em 2001. O total de 724 estudantes com idades entre 14 e 18 anos preencheram questionários de condições de vida e saúde. Dentre eles, os estudantes trabalhadores (44,8%) e desempregados (22,9%) também responderam a um outro questionário de condições de trabalho. A regressão logística foi utilizada para determinar os fatores associados para apresentar distúrbios depressivos, utilizando-se a "situação ocupacional" para ajustar o modelo. RESULTADOS: A prevalência dos sintomas depressivos na população estudada foi de 7,5%; as taxas de acordo com o sexo foram de 39 (10,3%) e 15 (4,3%) nos adolescentes dos sexos feminino e masculino, respectivamente. A regressão logística mostrou que os fatores associados aos distúrbios depressivos são: baixo escore na auto-avaliação da saúde (OR=5,78), ser do sexo feminino (OR=2,45) e consumo de bebidas alcoólicas (OR=2,35). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostraram que variáveis sociodemográficas, de estilo de vida e de saúde estavam associadas aos distúrbios depressivos. Esses achados sugerem a importância de que profissionais de saúde mental em escolas de ensino médio efetuem rastreio para reconhecer precocemente problemas mentais e fornecer aconselhamento aos estudantes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess factors associated with depression symptoms in high school students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving high school students was conducted in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, 2001. A total of 724 students aged 14-18 years answered questionnaires on life and health conditions. Another questionnaire was applied to working (44.8%) and unemployed (22.9%) students to collect information on working conditions. Factors associated to depressive disorders were analyzed using multiple logistic regression controlled for occupational status. RESULTS: Overall prevalence rate of depression was 7.5%. Rates according to gender were 39 (10.3%) in females and 15 (4.3%) in males. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that factors associated with depressive disorders were: poor self-perception of health (OR=5.78), being female (OR = 2.45), and alcohol consumption (OR=2.35). CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that sociodemographic, lifestyle and health variables were associated with symptoms of depression in this population. These ndings suggest that it is important to have mental health professionals available in high schools for early detection of mental conditions and student counseling.