Abstract A study on aerosols in the Brazilian subequatorial Amazon region, Tangará da Serra (TS) and Alta Floresta (AF) was conducted and compared to findings in an additional site with background characteristics (Manaus, AM). TS and AF counties suffer from intense biomass burning periods in the dry season, and it accounts for high levels of particles in the atmosphere. Chemical characterization of fine and coarse particulate matter (PM) was performed to quantify water-soluble ions (WSI) and black carbon (BC). The importance of explanatory variables was assessed using three machine learning techniques. Average concentrations of PM in AF and TS were similar (PM2.0, 17±10 µg m-3 (AF) and 16±11 µg m-3 (TS) and PM10-2.0, 13±5 µg m-3 (AF) and 11±7 µg m-3 (TS)), but higher than the background site. BC and SO4 2- were the prevalent components as they represented 27%–68% of particulates chemical composition. The combination of the machine learning techniques provided a further understanding of the pathways for PM concentration variability, and the results highlighted the influence of biomass burning for key sample groups and periods. PM2.0, BC, and most WSI presented higher concentrations in the dry season, providing further support for the influence of biomass burning.

Abstract This study examined the effects of pharmacist interventions for patients with advanced prostate cancer. A pre-post study was conducted between October 2014 and August 2017 in a community pharmacy in Brazil for outpatients with advanced prostate cancer, aged ≥ 18 years, using cyproterone acetate and/or goserelin. The patients had face-to-face meetings with a pharmacist who dispensed antiandrogenic drugs and performed interventions aimed at solving and/or preventing drug-therapy problems. Primary outcomes regarding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and testosterone levels were compared at 0, 6, and 12 months, whereas secondary outcomes-medication adherence and quality of life-were compared at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up. Medication adherence was assessed using the Morisky-Green test, and quality of life was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P). The analysis included 20 patients; 311 drug-therapy problems were identified and most of them were related to adverse reactions (78.5%). The most common adverse reactions were reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, hyperglycemia, fatigue, and gynecomastia. Testosterone levels significantly decreased at 6 months, and PSA levels at 6 and 12 months. No significant changes in adherence were noted at the end of the study. A significant increase in the “pain” domain and an improvement trend in the “physical aspects” and “vitality” domains were observed based on the SF-36 instrument. The findings show that pharmacist interventions were able to improve PSA and testosterone levels, and some domains of quality of life of patients.

Abstract Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is the rate-limiting enzyme for the de novo synthesis of fatty acids in the cytoplasm of tumour cells. Many tumour cells express high levels of FASN, and its expression is associated with a poorer prognosis. Cervical cancer is a major public health problem, representing the fourth most common cancer affecting women worldwide. To date, only a few in silico studies have correlated FASN expression with cervical cancer. This study aimed to investigate in vitro FASN expression in premalignant lesions and cervical cancer samples and the effects of a FASN inhibitor on cervical cancer cells. FASN expression was observed in all cervical cancer samples with increased expression at more advanced cervical cancer stages. The FASN inhibitor (orlistat) reduced the in vitro cell viability of cervical cancer cells (C-33A, ME-180, HeLa and SiHa) in a time-dependent manner and triggered apoptosis. FASN inhibitor also led to cell cycle arrest and autophagy. FASN may be a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer, and medicinal chemists, pharmaceutical researchers and formulators should consider this finding in the development of new treatment approaches for this cancer type.

Abstract Among the 26 Hybosorinae genera, seven are present exclusively in the Neotropical region. However, Hybosorinae from the New World have been less studied. One new genus and new species collected in Brazil is herein described to this subfamily. The genus is recognizable by the following combination of characters: labium with semicircular mentum; mandibles with lateral projection excavated, separated in the middle by longitudinal carina, inner side sheltering the labrum; antennae with nine antenomeres; scutellar shield with strong punctures at the proximal half; elytra with single rows formed by punctures; and protibia without well-defined denticles.

Abstract The colorful genus Erotylina Curran was proposed to include a group of species originally described in Erotylus Fabricius but differing by the lack of three longitudinal carinae on the tibiae. The taxonomy of Erotylina is mostly based on coloration while information on mouthparts, thorax, male and female abdominal terminalia remain unknown. In addition, little is known about the factors underlying coloration in Erotylina and Erotylidae in general. Here we redescribe the type species of Erotylina, Erotylus leopardus Lacordaire providing the first descriptions of several morphological structures, and new data on its geographical distribution. Erotylus nicaraguae Crotch is proposed as new junior synonymy of E. leoparda. Lectotypes are designated for the following species: Erotylus leopardus Lacordaire, Erotylus nicaraguae Crotch and Erotylus confluens Crotch. Based on the geographical records, specimen labels, literature and online environmental databases, we show that E. leoparda includes two discrete morphs distributed across a latitudinal gradient, with intermediate and continuous variations distributed across altitudinal and temperature gradients. The present study sheds light on the taxonomy of Erotylina and provides the first clearest evidence of a relation between coloration, latitude, altitude, temperature variations and the distributional patterns of a taxon in Erotylidae.

ABSTRACT Among the predatory ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera), members of the Coccinellini, predators of aphids and psyllids, stand out. Although the beneficial status of these beetles has been acknowledged by biological control researchers, there are no keys or detailed studies on the immature stages of South American Coccinellidae, especially Coccinellini. We provide descriptions and illustrations of the immatures and adults of major predatory Coccinellini species in southern Brazil along with an identification key for fourth instar larvae and pupae. The following species are included: Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763), Eriopis connexa (Germar, 1824), Harmonia axyridis (Pallas, 1773), Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, 1842 and Olla v-nigrum (Mulsant, 1866). The morphological study, which included the use of scanning electron microscopy, revealed new characters such as the type of tarsal claws, spiracles, chalazae, parascoli and strumae. The identification key provided here may be useful in biological control programs.

Resumo Este artigo apresenta os resultados de pesquisa envolvendo a formação docente em tempos de cibercultura e sua inter-relação com conhecimentos, habilidades e atitudes para atuação de professores no cenário educacional influenciado pelo uso de Tecnologias Digitais (TDs). A discussão aqui proposta é resultante de uma pesquisa qualitativa, apoiada por um estudo de caso, com dados coletados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, no cenário de uma universidade comunitária no sul do Brasil, tendo como sujeitos os docentes que ministram disciplinas com abordagem semipresencial. Utilizou-se, para realizar a análise dos dados, uma metodologia associada à análise textual discursiva. A investigação possibilitou compreender as competências evidenciadas pelos docentes que empreendem boas práticas pedagógicas com TDs, resultando em elementos que nos permitem refletir acerca do planejamento de ações formativas no âmbito do desenvolvimento acadêmico/profissional de professores em serviço. Foram identificadas quatro grandes competências a serem objeto de reflexão: fluência digital, prática pedagógica, planejamento e mediação pedagógica. Neste artigo, discutimos os desdobramentos da fluência digital, por entender sua contribuição para docentes que desejam utilizar/criar práticas pedagógicas com TDs, a partir de suas experiências e das de seus pares. Os sujeitos entrevistados no estudo demostraram um nível de familiaridade diferenciado quanto ao uso de tecnologias, mas evidenciaram restrições na sua formação no que tange a aspectos didático-metodológicos. Os resultados forneceram-nos indicadores para refletirmos a respeito da organização de espaços de formação estrategicamente pensados para que o corpo docente experimente, teste, discuta e troque experiências acerca das possibilidades didáticas para compor suas práticas com uso de TDs.

Abstract This article presents the research results involving teacher training in the era of cyberculture and its interrelation with knowledge, skills and attitudes by teachers in an educational context influenced by the use of Digital Technologies (DTs). The discussion advanced here results from a qualitative investigation, consisting of a case study, with data collected from semi-structured interviews with teachers of courses with a hybrid approach, in the setting of a non-profit university in the south of Brazil. To analyze the data, we used a methodology associated to discourse textual analysis. This investigation provided an understanding of the competencies evidenced by teachers who engage in good teaching practices with DTs, resulting in elements that allow us to reflect on planning educational actions in the scope of the academic/professional development of working professors. Four major competencies were identified as the object of reflection: digital fluency, teaching practice, planning and pedagogical intervention. In this article, we discuss the developments of digital fluency, for understanding its contribution to teachers that wish to use/create teaching practices with DTs, based on their experiences and those of their peers. The subjects interviewed in this study demonstrated a heightened level of familiarity regarding the use of technologies, but had limited training with respect to their didactic-methodological aspects. The results provided us with indicators to reflect on the organization of strategically-prepared training spaces so that the faculty can experiment, test, discuss and exchange experiences regarding teaching activities to include in their practices with the use of DTs.

Abstract Introduction: The estimated involvement of the central nervous system in patients with multiple myeloma is rare at about 1%. The infiltration can be identified at the time multiple myeloma is diagnosed or during its progression. However, it is more common in refractory disease or during relapse. Methods: This retrospective cohort study reviewed data from medical records of patients followed up at the Gammopathy Outpatient Clinic of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo from January 2008 to December 2016. Results: Twenty patients were included, with a median follow-up of 33.5 months after central nervous system infiltration. The prevalence was 7%. The median age at diagnosis of multiple myeloma was 56.1 years, with 70% of participants being female. Sixteen patients had central nervous system infiltration at diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Seventeen patients had exclusive osteodural lesions and three had infiltrations of the leptomeninge, of which one had exclusive involvement and two had associated osteodural lesions. The median overall survival was 40.3 months after central nervous system involvement. The median overall survival in the group with central nervous system infiltration at relapse was 7.4 months. The patients with leptomeningeal involvement had a median overall survival of 5.8 months. Conclusion: Central nervous system infiltration is a rare condition, but it should be considered as a possibility in patients with multiple myeloma and neurological symptoms. The best treatment regimen for this condition remains unknown and, in most cases, the prognosis is unfavorable.

Resumo É apresentada uma lista de espécies de Rutelinae do estado da Bahia, Nordeste do Brasil. A lista é baseada em espécimes depositados em coleções brasileiras. A lista inclui quatro tribos, 23 gêneros, 101 espécies e 17 subespécies. É feito o primeiro registro para a Bahia e região Nordeste dos gêneros Byrsopolis Burmeister, 1844, Pseudodorysthetus Soula, 2008 e Trizogeniates Ohaus, 1917. Trinta espécies de Rutelinae foram registradas pela primeira vez para a Bahia e região Nordeste: Areoda espiritosantensis Ohaus, 1905, B. laticollis Burmeister, 1855, Bolax flavolineata (Mannerheim, 1829), Chlorota abdominalis Ohaus, 1926, C. espiritosantensis Ohaus, 1912, Dorysthetus espiritosantensis Ohaus, 1905, D. fulgidus (Waterhouse, 1881), Leucothyreus acanthurus Ohaus, 1917, L. albopilosus Ohaus, 1917, L. campestris Burmeister, 1855, L. cayapo Ohaus, 1931, L. duplopunctatus Frey, 1976, L. eligius Ohaus, 1918, L. fluminensis Ohaus, 1918, L. iridipennis Ohaus, 1917, L. lucipetens Ohaus, 1931, L. occipitalis Ohaus, 1931, L. pallefactus Ohaus, 1924, L. paulista Ohaus, 1917, L. punctulatus Blanchard, 1851, L. suturalis Laporte, 1840, L. trochantericus Ohaus, 1917, L. verticalis Ohaus, 1924, Macraspis cincta (Drury, 1872), Paranomala tricostulata (Ohaus, 1897), P. violacea (Burmeister, 1844), Pseudodorysthetus calcaratus (Spinola, 1835) e Trizogeniates planipennis Ohaus, 1917. Foi feito o primeiro registro de Pelidnota unicolor unicolor (Drury, 1778) para a Bahia. Foram identificadas 14 espécies, que serão descritas em trabalhos posteriores: dez de Leucothyreus MacLeay, 1819, duas de Lobogeniates Ohaus, 1917 e uma de Byrsopolis Burmeister, 1844 e Pelidnota MacLeay, 1819. A tribo Rutelini apresenta a maior riqueza com 16 gêneros e 49 espécies. Os resultados aqui apresentados têm importantes informações para o conhecimento de Rutelinae, no estado da Bahia e no Brasil, e servirão de base para a realização de futuras pesquisas com o grupo.

Abstract A list of species of Rutelinae from Bahia state, Northeastern Brazil, is presented. The list is based on specimens deposited in Brazilian collections. The list includes 4 tribes, 23 genera, 101 species and 17 subspecies. The genera Byrsopolis Burmeister, 1844, Pseudodorysthetus Soula, 2008 and Trizogeniates Ohaus, 1917 are recorded for the first time in Bahia and Northeastern Brazil. Thirty species are newly recorded in Bahia: Areoda espiritosantensis Ohaus, 1905, B. laticollis Burmeister, 1855, Bolax flavolineata (Mannerheim, 1829), Chlorota abdominalis Ohaus, 1926, C. espiritosantensis Ohaus, 1912, Dorysthetus espiritosantensis Ohaus, 1905, D. fulgidus (Waterhouse, 1881), Leucothyreus acanthurus Ohaus, 1917, L. albopilosus Ohaus, 1917, L. campestris Burmeister, 1855, L. cayapo Ohaus, 1931, L. duplopunctatus Frey, 1976, L. eligius Ohaus, 1918, L. fluminensis Ohaus, 1918, L. iridipennis Ohaus, 1917, L. lucipetens Ohaus, 1931, L. occipitalis Ohaus, 1931, L. pallefactus Ohaus, 1924, L. paulista Ohaus, 1917, L. punctulatus Blanchard, 1851, L. suturalis Laporte, 1840, L. trochantericus Ohaus, 1917, L. verticalis Ohaus, 1924, Macraspis cincta (Drury, 1872), Paranomala tricostulata (Ohaus, 1897), P. violacea (Burmeister, 1844), Pseudodorysthetus calcaratus (Spinola, 1835), and Trizogeniates planipennis Ohaus, 1917. Pelidnota unicolor unicolor (Drury, 1778) is recorded for the first time in Bahia. Fourteen species are identified and will be described in subsequent papers: 10 of Leucothyreus MacLeay, 1819, 2 of Lobogeniates Ohaus, 1917 and 1 species of Byrsopolis Burmeister, 1844 and Pelidnota MacLeay, 1819. Rutelini is the richest tribe with 16 genera and 49 species. The information presented in the list generates an important set of knowledge regarding the diversity of Rutelinae of Bahia and Brazil and provides the basis for conducting future research within the group.

Resumo Nosso trabalho consistiu em analisar um processador quântico real, chamado IBM Q experience (IBM-Q), como um recurso pedagógico na aplicação de conceitos da computação quântica. Este processador de 5-qbits pode ser acessado remotamente pela internet através de uma plataforma desenvolvida pela empresa de tecnologia IBM. Nos concentramos na caracterização do IBM-Q referente a vários aspectos práticos e metodológicos. Avaliamos quais seriam as principais condições para o acesso a esse processador quântico e, quanto a sua utilização, avaliamos a sua interface com respeito a simplicidade e execução. Em nossa análise, os resultados de projetos executados no IBM-Q estão de acordo com as previsões teóricas. Nossos resultados também demonstram a eficácia do IBM-Q como um recurso pedagógico, voltado para tarefas como montagem e execução de blocos simples de circuitos quânticos.

Abstract Our study consisted in analyzing a real quantum processor, called IBM Q experience (IBM-Q), as a pedagogical resource for the application of quantum computing concepts. This 5-qubits processor can be accessed remotely by internet using a platform developed by IBM technology company. We focused on characterizing several practical and methodological aspects of the IBM-Q. We have evaluated the main conditions for accessing this quantum processor and the interface quality regarding to simplicity and execution. In our analysis, the results of the computational projects are in agreement with the theoretical predictions. The overall results have also demonstrated the IBM-Q is an effective pedagogical resource, focused on tasks such as and assembly execution of simple blocks of quantum circuits.

Abstract As an add-on to the work of Clarkson et al. (2016), new distributional data on species of Helobata Bergroth, 1888 (Hydrophilidae: Acidocerinae) from Brazil is provided. Helobata amazonensis Clarkson, Santos & Ferreira-Jr., 2016, is recorded for the first time for Roraima State and its female is recorded for the first time. Helobata quatipuru Fernández & Bachmann, 1987 and H. larvalis (Horn, 1873) are recorded for the first time for Minas Gerais, Cerrado Biome area. The genus is recorded for the first time for Goiás State. Additions and modifications in the previously published key to Brazilian species are provided.

Abstract The Psyllobora picta species complex (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Coccinellini) was revised, with the description of two new species, Psyllobora lueri sp. nov. and Psyllobora pauline sp. nov., both from Chile. Psyllobora bicongregata was recorded for the first time from Brazil, and there is no confirmed record of this species for Chile. Also, P. picta was not recognized from Paraguay and Uruguay. Male and female genitalia characters are illustrated for all the species.

Abstract Three new species of Pelidnota MacLeay, 1819 are described from Brazil, P. beckeri sp. nov., P. nordestina sp. nov., and P. pernambucana sp. nov. The diagnostic characters of the new species are presented, and they are included in the previously published key to Pelidnota. Illustrations of the male genitalia and photographs of males and females of the new species are also provided. It is reported the first record of the genus for the Brazilian Caatinga (tropical seasonal forest). New records of four species and two subspecies of Pelidnota are presented, all from Bahia state, northeastern Brazil.

ABSTRACT Coeliaria Mulsant, 1850 is revised based on the external morphology and genitalia of the adults and is distinguished from the other Chnoodini by the following characters: dorsal surface pubescent; antenna 11-segmented; hypomera with rounded fovea; tibia flat and angulated; abdominal postcoxal line incomplete, recurved and with oblique line. A new species, Coeliaria castanea sp. nov., from Brazil, and two new combinations, are proposed: Coeliaria bernardinensis comb. nov. and C. luteicornis comb. nov., expanding the distribution of the genus to Bolivia and Paraguay.