Resumo Intervenções educacionais podem desencadear ações que contribuam para a prevenção de doenças parasitárias, como a doença de Chagas (DC). Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o impacto de um vídeo instrucional denominado “Documentário Doença de Chagas” no conhecimento sobre DC e seus vetores exibidos a uma população que vive em área endêmica no Brasil, para validá-lo como uma ferramenta educacional. O vídeo foi exibido para 226 indivíduos, divididos em dois grupos. O grupo 1 foi composto por usuários das Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) de Pelotas e Pinheiro Machado, cidades do estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brasil, onde a DC é endêmica. O grupo 2 foi formado por estudantes que frequentam três escolas públicas localizadas na zona rural de Pinheiro Machado, RS. Dois questionários com perguntas sobre conhecimentos sobre triatomíneos e DC foram aplicados, antes e depois da exibição do documentário. Após a exibição do vídeo, houve um aumento significativo no conhecimento dos indivíduos (em ambos os grupos) sobre “triatomíneos”, sua notificação, a doença e sua prevenção. Além disso, os observadores consideraram que a qualidade do material era satisfatória. Como o “Documentário DC” pode ser facilmente acessado na Internet e ser eficaz no ensino à população que vive em áreas endêmicas, seu uso deve ser incentivado em locais e reuniões relacionadas à saúde, que visam combater os triatomíneos e exibir uma informação atualizada sobre a DC.

Abstract Educational interventions may trigger actions that contribute to prevent parasitic diseases, such as Chagas disease (CD). This study aimed at investigating the impact of an instructional video named “Documentary on Chagas Disease” on knowledge about CD and its vectors displayed by a population that lives in an endemic area in Brazil, so as to validate it as an educational tool. The video was shown to 226 subjects, divided into two groups. Group 1 was composed of users of Basic Health Units (BHU) in Pelotas and Pinheiro Machado, cities located in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil, where CD is endemic. Group 2 consisted of students who attend three public schools located in the rural area in Pinheiro Machado, RS. Two questionnaires with questions about their knowledge about triatomines and CD were applied, before and after the documentary was shown. After the video was shown, there was significant increase in individuals’ knowledge (in both groups) about “kissing bugs”, their notification, the disease and its prevention. Besides, watchers considered that the quality of the material was satisfactory. Since the “Documentary on CD” can be easily accessed on the internet and was effective in teaching the population that lives in endemic areas, its use should be encouraged in places and meetings connected to health that aim at fighting against triatominae and at exposing an updated view of CD.

Resumo O estabelecimento e a manutenção de espécies no Chaco, uma planície semi-árida da América do Sul com variações climáticas importantes, possivelmente estão relacionados a características biológicas que favorecem as plantas detentoras de defesas particulares. Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar os mecanismos de defesa física e química anti-herbivoria em órgãos vegetativos e reprodutivos. Analisamos 12 espécies da família Fabaceae (Leguminosae) obtidas em remanescentes de Chaco brasileiro. Observamos que 75% das espécies estudadas apresentam atributo de defesa física e 50% possuem defesa química – proteínas de defesa nas sementes, como inibidores de protease e lectinas. As defesas físicas ocorrem principalmente nos ramos (78% das espécies), nos órgãos reprodutivos (56% das espécies) e nas folhas (67%). Os atributos físicos mais frequentes são tricomas e espinhos, cuja coloração não contrastante com as demais estruturas das plantas representa um caráter críptico. Proteínas de defesa ocorrem nas sementes da maioria das espécies, com diferentes concentrações e classes de pesos moleculares. Inibidores de protease nas sementes estão sendo relatados pela primeira vez em: Albizia niopoides, Anadenanthera colubrina, Mimosa glutinosa, Prosopis rubriflora e Poincianella pluviosa. A ocorrência de defesas física e química entre os membros de Fabaceae indica que não há associações entre as características de defesa das espécies de plantas avaliadas no Chaco.

Abstract The establishment and maintenance of plant species in the Chaco, one of the widest continuous areas of forests in the South American with sharp climatic variations, are possibly related to biological features favoring plants with particular defenses. This study assesses the physical and chemical defenses mechanisms against herbivores of vegetative and reproductive organs. Its analyses of 12 species of Fabaceae (Leguminosae) collected in remnants of Brazilian Chaco shows that 75% present structural defense characters and 50% have chemical defense – defense proteins in their seeds, like protease inhibitors and lectins. Physical defenses occur mainly on branches (78% of the species), leaves (67%), and reproductive organs (56%). The most common physical characters are trichomes and thorns, whose color represents a cryptic character since it does not contrast with the other plant structures. Defense proteins occur in different concentrations and molecular weight classes in the seeds of most species. Protease inhibitors are reported for the first time in seeds of: Albizia niopoides, Anadenanthera colubrina, Mimosa glutinosa, Prosopis rubriflora, and Poincianella pluviosa. The occurrence of physical and chemical defenses in members of Fabaceae indicate no associations between defense characters in these plant species of the Chaco.

Resumo Este artigo descreve o comportamento da aderência de um concreto leve estrutural com pérolas de EPS (CLEPE) sob carregamento monotônico, com base em revisão bibliográfica e em ensaios de arrancamento. Os resultados desses ensaios de CLEPE foram comparados com os de um concreto convencional (CC) e com os valores baseados nas recomendações da ABNT NBR 6118:2014 - Projeto de estruturas de concreto. Foram analisados os ensaios de arrancamento de dois lotes de CLEPE e um de CC, totalizando 60 ensaios. Também foram determinadas características mecânicas, tais como: resistência à compressão e resistência à tração por compressão diametral. Os resultados calculados de acordo com a norma citada foram muito diferentes dos obtidos nos ensaios, indicando que os valores teóricos são mais conservadores do que os experimentais. Verificou-se também que é possível usar o CLEPE em estruturas, no que diz respeito à adequada aderência da armadura ao concreto.

Abstract This paper describes the adherence behavior of a structural lightweight concrete with EPS beads (SLCEB) in a monotonic loading, based in a bibliographic review and in pull-out tests. The results of these SLCEB tests were compared with those of an ordinary concrete (OC) and with the values based in indications of the Brazilian code ABNT NBR 6118:2014 - Design of concrete structures. The pull-out tests of two batches of SLCEB and one of OC were analyzed, in a total of 60 tests. Mechanical characteristics were determined too, such as: compressive strength and tensile strength in split cylinder test. The calculated results according to the above mentioned standard were very different from those obtained in the tests, indicating that the theoretical values are more conservative than the experimental ones. It was also verified that it is possible to use SLCEB in structures with respect to the adequate adherence of reinforcement in the concrete.

Malnutrition may be a consequence of energy deficit or micronutrient deficiency. It is considered the most relevant risk factor for illness and death, particularly in developing countries. In this review we described the magnitude of this problem, as well as its direct effect on the immune system and how it results in higher susceptibility to infections. A special emphasis was given to experimental models used to investigate the relationship between undernutrition and immunity. Malnutrition is obviously a challenge that must be addressed to health authorities and the scientific community.

We previously reported that a DNA vaccine constructed with the heat shock protein (HSP65) gene from Mycobacterium leprae (DNA-HSP65) was protective and also therapeutic in experimental tuberculosis. By the intramuscular route, this vaccine elicited a predominant Th1 response that was consistent with its protective efficacy against tuberculosis. It has been suggested that the immune response to Hsp60/65 may be the link between exposure to microorganisms and increased cardiovascular risk. Additionally, the high cholesterol levels found in atherosclerosis could modulate host immunity. In this context, we evaluated if an atherogenic diet could modulate the immune response induced by the DNA-HSP65 vaccine. C57BL/6 mice (4-6 animals per group) were initially submitted to a protocol of atherosclerosis induction and then immunized by the intramuscular or intradermal route with 4 doses of 100 µg DNA-HSP65. On day 150 (15 days after the last immunization), the animals were sacrificed and antibodies and cytokines were determined. Vaccination by the intramuscular route induced high levels of anti-Hsp65 IgG2a antibodies, but not anti-Hsp65 IgG1 antibodies and a significant production of IL-6, IFN-g and IL-10, but not IL-5, indicating a Th1 profile. Immunization by the intradermal route triggered a mixed pattern (Th1/Th2) characterized by synthesis of anti-Hsp65 IgG2a and IgG1 antibodies and production of high levels of IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-g. These results indicate that experimentally induced atherosclerosis did not affect the ability of DNA-HSP65 to induce a predominant Th1 response that is potentially protective against tuberculosis.

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pleiotropic cytokine which regulates the proliferation, survival and the secretory activities of many distinct cell types in the body. This cytokine is produced by macrophages and many other cell types in response to infectious agents; it controls growth and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes, activation of Natural Killer (NK) and phagocytic cells, and contributes to the homeostasis of the immune system. The present review focuses on the biological and modulatory effects of IL-15 in microbial infections and shows that this cytokine may play a role in the host defense against infections by inducing activation of effector cells from both innate and adaptive immune system.

In this study we optimized an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate bothropic venom levels in biological samples. These samples were obtained by two distinct protocols. In the first one, Swiss mice were injected with 1 LD50 of Bothrops jararaca (B. jararaca) venom and 15 minutes later, animals were treated with ovine antibothropic serum. Blood and spleen homogenate samples were obtained 6 hours after antiserum therapy. Ovine antibothropic serum significantly neutralized venom levels in serum and spleen. In the second protocol, BALB/c mice were injected with 1 LD50 of bothropic venom by either intraperitoneal (IP) or intradermal (ID) route and venom levels were evaluated 1, 3 and 6 hours after, in blood, spleen homogenates and urine. Serum and splenic venom levels were significantly higher in animals envenomed by IP route comparing with animals envenomed by ID route. Higher venom levels were also detected in urine samples from animals envenomed by IP route. However, these differences were not statistically significant. These results demonstrated that the optimized ELISA was adequate to quantify venom levels in different biological samples. This assay could, therefore, substitute the in vivo neutralizing assay and also be useful to evaluate the severity of human and experimental envenomations.

In this study, we compared the levels of neutralizing antibodies induced by inactivated rabies vaccine in cattle by using three alternative immunization procedures. Forty-five bovines (breed nelore) were then organized in three groups (A, B and C, with 15 animals/group). Group A received only one vaccine dose at day zero and Group B received the first dose at day zero and then another dose at day 30 (early booster). Group C was also immunized with two doses; however, the booster was postponed until day 180 after the first dose (delayed booster). Blood samples were withdrawn at days zero (before the first dose) and 30, 210, 390, and 540 after the beginning of immunization and the antibody titers were evaluated by mouse neutralization test. The protocol used to immunize Group C (booster at day 180) was clearly more efficient. In this group, antibody levels were higher and also remained higher for longer periods in comparison with the other two groups. These results show that booster timing significantly affected antibody levels. Therefore, programs addressed to control this disease in cattle should consider not only the use of a booster but also its administration time.

Alternative sources of anti-ophidic serum are being investigated due to the secondary effects associated with types I and II hypersensitivity reactions. In the present study we raised and evaluated the protective effect of an ovine antibothropic serum in a Swiss mice envenoming model. Ovine antiserum was obtained by immunization with seven increasing doses of bothropic venom associated with adjuvants. The neutralizing ability was tested by the lethal activity (2 LD50) neutralization and serum and splenic venom levels after antivenom administration to experimentally envenomed mice. The antiserum effect on local edema was also tested by injection of venom/antivenom mixtures into the mice footpads. Ovine antiserum neutralized lethal activity and also significantly decreased serum and splenic venom levels. However, this antiserum was not able to mediate any protective effect on edema triggered by bothropic venom.

RESUMO A profilaxia antirrábica em bovinos no Brasil é baseada no uso de preparações vacinais de vírus inativado. O Programa Brasileiro de Controle da Raiva Bovina indica o uso de uma dose destas vacinas (1 mL) seguida de um reforço. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar e comparar os níveis de anticorpos induzidos por 5 esquemas alternativos de vacinação antirrábica em bovinos. Para isto, foram instituídos cinco grupos experimentais, denominados A, B, C, D e E, contendo 9 animais cada grupo. Os bovinos receberam, inicialmente, uma dose da vacina (dia 0). As doses de reforço foram aplicadas de acordo com o seguinte protocolo: grupo B (uma dose no dia 30); grupo C (uma dose no dia 180); os grupos D e E receberam duas doses de reforço, nos dias 30 e 60 e 30 e 180, respectivamente; o grupo A não recebeu dose de reforço. Amostras de sangue para obtenção de soro foram colhidas de todos os animais nos dias 0 (controle), 30, 60, 90, 180, 210 e 360 após o início da vacinação. Para aferir os níveis de anticorpos antirrábicos foi utilizado o Teste Rápido de Inibição de Focos Fluorescentes (RFFIT) e foram consideradas positivas as amostras com títulos ? 0,5 UI/mL (Unidades Internacionais/mL). O esquema de vacinação adotado no grupo E foi o mais eficiente, determinando níveis mais elevados de anticorpos e persistência dos mesmos por tempo mais prolongado e os resultados obtidos ilustram a necessidade de duas doses de reforço para melhor proteção de bovinos. Em função dos resultados observados, os autores sugerem que a vacinação contra a raiva nestes animais seja realizada com 3 doses, sendo os reforços administrados nos dias 30 e 180 após a primeira dose.

ABSTRACT The Brazilian Program for Rabies Control indicates the use of 2 doses of a vaccine with inactivated virus. This study was conducted to determine the best schedule for cattle vaccination. To evaluate this, 45 bovines were organized in 5 groups (9 animals each), identified as A, B, C, D and E. Group A received only the dose at day 0; groups B and C received one booster at days 30 and 180, respectively; groups D and E received two boosters, delivered at days 30 and 60 and 30 and 180, respectively. Blood samples were withdrawn at days 0 (negative control), 30, 60, 90, 180, 210 and 360 after the beginning of vaccination. Specific antibody levels were determined in sera samples by the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). Samples showing titers ? 0.5 IU/mL were considered positive. Group E, whose protocol included two boosters, was the most efficient because it induced high and persistent specific antibody levels. The results reinforce the need of booster application in rabies vaccination to keep the prophylactic efficacy of inactivated vaccines. In view of these results the authors suggest the use of 3 doses of a vaccine with inactivated virus: one priming dose followed by two boosters delivered at days 30 and 180 after the initial dose.

beta-glucan, one of the major cell wall components of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been found to enhance immune functions. This study investigated in vivo and in vitro effects of beta-glucan on lymphoproliferation and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by splenic cells from C57BL/6 female mice. All experiments were performed with particulate beta-glucan derived from S. cerevisiae. Data demonstrated that both, i.p administration of particulate beta-glucan (20 or 100 µg/animal) and in vitro stimulation of splenic cells (20 or 100 µg/ml of culture) decreased lymphoproliferation and IFN-gamma production induced by concanavalin A. These results suggest that beta-glucan can trigger a down-modulatory effect regulating a deleterious immune system hyperactivity in the presence of a strong stimulus.

A espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização eletrotérmica em forno de grafite, como método analítico, possui uma grande vantagem que é a sensibilidade na detecção, tendo assim grande aceitação como rotina analítica em laboratórios de aplicação e pesquisa. Apesar desta metodologia possuir grande poder de detecção, sua aplicação é limitada pelo custo de operação e pela interação química de alguns elementos com a superfície do tubo de grafite. Este trabalho apresenta uma metodologia para obtenção de uma camada de carbeto de tântalo na superfície do grafite, cujas propriedades permitem a atomização do analito sem interferência da camada formada. A metodologia apresentada neste trabalho é a imersão do tubo de grafite em solução aquosa de TaF7(2-). Os corpos de prova obtidos foram submetidos a tratamentos térmicos para a formação do carbeto de tântalo. A homogeneidade das camadas formadas e suas morfologias foram acompanhadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e a formação do carbeto de tântalo foi confirmada por difratometria de raios X.

The atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization in graphite oven, as an analytical method, possesses a great advantage of high sensibility detection; due to this advantage, it has been largely accepted as an analytical routine in application and research laboratories. In spite of its large detection power, the application of this methodology is limited by the operation cost and by the chemical interaction of some elements with the graphite tube surface. This work presents the methodologies of formation of tantalum carbide in the surface of graphite tubes by immersion of the graphite tube in aqueous solution of TaF7(2-). The samples obtained following this methodology were thermally treated in order to obtain the tantalum carbide. The homogeneity of the formed layers and their morphologies were characterized by scanning electron microscopy; the formation of tantalum carbide was confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

Este trabalho apresenta a técnica de eletrodeposição de tântalo em meio de fluoretos fundidos, seguida de tratamento térmico para formação do carbeto de tântalo, como uma alternativa de pré-tratamento para tubos de grafite utilizados em determinações analíticas de espectrometria de absorção atômica em forno de grafite. Os experimentos de eletrodeposição foram executados utilizando-se como solução eletrolítica a mistura eutética LiF-NaF-KF com adição de 15% em massa de K2TaF7. Os ânodos de tântalo foram provenientes de sucata comercial de tântalo, o cátodo foi o próprio tubo de grafite a ser revestido. O revestimento de tântalo foi obtido com alta eficiência de corrente a 750 ° C, em densidade de corrente catódica de 20 mA.cm-2 e tempo de eletrólise de 120 min., sob atmosfera controlada de argônio. O tratamento térmico realizado em atmosfera de argônio, possibilitou a formação de uma perfeita camada de carbeto de tântalo, confirmada através de análise de difratometria de raios X. O depósito, analisado por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (M.E.V.), mostrou-se liso, aderente ao substrato, sem porosidades, incrustações ou microtrincas.

This paper presents tantalum electrodeposition in molten fluorides followed by thermal treatment, as a pre-treatment technique to graphite tubes used in spectrometry of atomic absorption in graphite oven. The experiments were carried out using the eutectic FLINAK with addition of 15% (weight %) of K2TaF7. The tantalum anodes were made of tantalum commercial scrap; the cathode was the graphite tube to be electroplated. Tantalum coatings were obtained with high current efficiency at 750 omicron C temperature, 20 mA.cm-2 current density and 120 minutes electrolysis time, under controlled argon atmosphere. The thermal treatment under argon atmosphere was effective to obtain a perfect tantalum carbide layer; X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed tantalum carbide formation. Based on the scanning electronic microscopy analysis results, it was found that the tantalum carbide deposits were adherent to the substrate and were free of porosities, incrustations and microcracks.

Este trabalho apresenta uma nova metodologia para a formação de uma camada de carbeto de tântalo em superfície de grafite, que consiste da imersão dos tubos de grafite em suspensões aquosas de tântalo e de óxido de tântalo, com posterior tratamento térmico a 2100 °C. Para facilitar a aderência dos compostos de tântalo sobre a superfície do tubo, utilizou-se álcool polivinílico (PVOH). Para obter uma camada de carbeto de tântalo homogênea e aderente, os parâmetros concentração das suspensões e temperatura dos corpos de prova antes da imersão, também foram analisados. A camada de carbeto de tântalo formada foi caracterizada utilizando microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e difratometria de raios X.

This work presents the methodology studied for the formation of a tantalum carbide layer in a graphite surface. The methodology consists of the immersion of the graphite tubes in aqueous suspensions of tantalum and tantalum oxide, with subsequent thermal treatment at 2100 °C. Poly (vinyl alcohol - PVOH) was used in order to facilitate the adherence of the tantalum composite on the tube surface. Parameters such as concentration and temperature of the suspension and the temperature and atmosphere of the thermal treatment were investigated in order to obtain an homogeneous and adherent layer of tantalum carbide. The tantalum carbide layer was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and analysis of phases by X-- ray diffraction.

A sandwich-type ELISA technique for specific and sensitive detection of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom antigens, horse-antivenom, human IgG and IgM antibodies was set up. Sixteen patients, 13 males and 3 females aged between 13 to 63 years (mean 33 ± 15) bitten by Crotalus durissus terrificus snakes were studied. Of the 15 patients, 6 had previously received anti-Crotalus venom and no seric venom was detected. For the other 9 patients studied, the venom levels ranged from 2 to 108 ng/ml according to the severity of each case. Seric antivenom was detected up to 44 days after the bite. IgM human antibody levels against Crotalus venom were higher between 3 and 18 days after specific treatment. IgG human antibody levels against Crotalus venom were detected between 30 and 90 days after envenoming. Venom and antivenom levels in cerebrospinal fluid were not observed 24 h after the bite. This suggests that neither the venom nor the antivenom is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. In addition, when either the venom or the antivenom is presented to the immune system cells an immune response is prepared.