We have prepared, by a sol-immobilization method, bimetallic catalysts with different Au:Pt atomic ratios supported on commercial SrCO3. The catalytic performance for the oxidation reaction of benzyl alcohol of such materials was compared to the monometallic counterparts, aiming at the obtaining of the best composition of the material. It was found that the Au:Pt atomic ratio presents a remarkable effect on the system performance, i.e., Pt-rich systems are more selective; however, less active. Thus, an equilibrium related to the activity and selectivity of the system was obtained by considering the yield of the system. Also, some density functional theory (DFT) insights were obtained by using a cluster of 14 atoms of Au and 1 or 2 atoms of Pt. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental mapping in scanning transmission electron microscopy before and after catalyst usage, flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, Rietveld refinement, among other techniques, were used and associated to the experimental data, which allowed us to propose a catalytic mechanism for the system, which was important since SrCO3 has not been considered before as catalyst support for alcohol oxidation reactions.

Resumo A identificação de massa escrotal sem relato de dor ou trauma deve ser investigada a fim de afastar a possibilidade de câncer escrotal. O artigo reporta o caso de um jovem brasileiro que apresentou massa escrotal com essas características. Ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) e ultrassonografia (US) indicaram grande possibilidade de câncer. Os marcadores tumorais sanguíneos estavam normais, e a biópsia não poderia ser realizada. O resultado anatomopatológico diagnosticou extensa fibrose esquistossomótica, associada a quadro clínico e sorológico de Zika vírus concomitantemente. Em regiões endêmicas, pacientes com alterações escrotais devem ser pesquisados a fim de evitar cirurgias desnecessárias.

Sumary The identification of a escrotal mass without pain or report of trauma should be investigated to rule out scrotal cancer. We report the case of a young Brazilian boy who underwent orchiectomy after magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and duplex scan (DS) indicating a high possibility of cancer. Blood exams ruled out the possibility of cancer. Testicular biopsy was not indicated. After surgery the diagnostic was extensive orchiepididymitis by Schistosoma. In endemic areas orchiepididymis by Schistosoma should be investigate to avoid unnecessary surgeries. This patient was also infected with Zika virus.

No período de novembro de 2000 a novembro de 2001, foi realizado o estudo dos flebotomíneos nos municípios de Alto Caparaó e Caparaó, com o objetivo de determinar a sua variação sazonal, comparar os pontos de estudo quanto à ocorrência destes insetos e determinar os ambientes de prevalência destes. Foram realizadas coletas mensais, com armadilhas luminosas de Falcão em nove pontos, sendo quatro armadilhas por ponto, nos seguintes ambientes: abrigo de animais, mata, cafezal e parede externa das casas. Lutzomyia intermedia (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) foi a espécie predominante, e o abrigo de animais o ambiente com maior ocorrência de flebotomíneos. Encontrou-se diferença significativa na composição de espécies de flebotomíneos nos pontos estudados. Lutzomyia intermedia é a espécie suspeita de transmitir a Leishmania na região.

In the period from November of 2000 to November of 2001, a study of sand flies was realized in the municipalities of Alto Caparaó and Caparaó with the objective of determining their seasonal variation, comparing the points of study related to the occurrence of these insects and detecting their ideal environments. Monthly collections were carried out, with Falcão light traps at nine points, four traps per point, in the following environments: of animals shelter, forest (bush), coffee plantation and the external walls of houses. Lutzomyia intermedia (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) was the predominant species, and animal shelter the environment with the largest occurrence of sand flies. A significant difference in the composition of sand fly species was found in the studied points. Lutzomyia intermedia is the species suspected of transmitting Leishmania in the region.