BACKGROUND Black fungi of the Herpotrichiellaceae family are agents of chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis. There are few therapeutic options for these infections and it is common to associate antifungal drugs in their treatment. OBJECTIVES To investigate the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Pathogen Box® for possible compounds presenting synergism with antifungal drugs used to treat black fungal infections. METHODS An initial screening of the Pathogen Box® compounds was performed in combination with itraconazole or terbinafine at sub-inhibitory concentrations against Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Hits were further tested against eight Herpotrichiellaceae using the checkerboard method. FINDINGS No synergism was observed with terbinafine. MMV687273 (SQ109) and MMV688415 showed synergism with itraconazole against F. pedrosoi. Synergism of these compounds was confirmed with some black fungi by the checkerboard method. SQ109 and itraconazole presented synergism for Exophiala dermatitidis, F. pedrosoi, F. monophora and F. nubica, with fungicidal activity for F. pedrosoi and F. monophora. MMV688415 presented synergism with itraconazole only for F. pedrosoi, with fungicidal activity. The synergic compounds had high selectivity index values when combined with itraconazole. MAIN CONCLUSIONS These compounds in combination, particularly SQ109, are promising candidates to treat Fonsecaea spp. and E. dermatitidis infections, which account for most cases of chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis.

O salto vertical (SV) é considerado um dos movimentos locomotores fundamentais em muitas modalidades esportivas. O basquetebol é uma modalidade dinâmica, na qual durante suas partidas os jogadores atingem alto número de saltos que dependem de força explosiva dos membros inferiores para uma boa performance dos atletas. Assim, o presente trabalho objetivou analisar se a intensificação do treinamento pliométrico dos membros inferiores influencia no desempenho muscular para a melhoria da qualidade do salto vertical em uma equipe sub 17 masculina. A pesquisa se caracterizou através do método quantitativo com uma população de jogadores de basquete da categoria sub 17 da cidade de Macapá no decorrer de duas etapas. Observou-se no Teste 1 que os jogadores de basquetebol não obtiveram um bom desempenho no salto, pois a maior altura alcançada foi 64 cm. Em contrapartida, no Teste 2, todos os avaliados alcançaram um salto mais elevado, chegando a obtenção de um ganho de altura de até 10 cm. Com os resultados do presente estudo inferiu-se que a resposta de um treinamento específico sobre a impulsão vertical pode ser considerada uma atividade relevante na promoção de efeitos positivos no aprimoramento do salto.

The vertical jump (SV) is considered one of the fundamental locomotive movements in many sports modalities. Basketball is a dynamic mode in which during their matches the players reach high number of jumps that depend on explosive strength of the lower limbs for a good performance of the athletes. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze if the intensification of the plyometric training of the lower limbs influences the muscular performance to improve the quality of the vertical jump in a sub 17 male team. The research was characterized through the quantitative method with a population of basketball players of the sub 17 category of the city of Macapá in the course of two stages. It was observed in Test 1 that the basketball players did not perform well in the jump, because the highest height reached was 64 cm. On the other hand, in Test 2, all the evaluated ones reached a higher jump, obtaining a gain of height of up to 10 cm. With the results of the present study it was inferred that the response of a specific training on the vertical impulse can be considered a relevant activity in promoting positive effects in the improvement of the jump.

There is a paucity of studies on the cell biology of Sporothrix luriei, the less common of the pathogenic Sporothrix species worldwide. The production of DHN-melanin, eumelanin, and pyomelanin were evaluated on the mycelial and yeast forms of the S. luriei ATCC 18616 strain. The mycelial form of this species produced only pyomelanin, which protected the fungus against environmental stressors such as ultraviolet light, heat, and cold. The yeast form was unable to produce any of the tested melanin types. The lack of melanin in the parasitic form of S. luriei may be an explanation for its low frequency in human infections.

BACKGROUND Sporothrix brasiliensis is the most virulent sporotrichosis agent. This species usually responds to antifungal drugs, but therapeutic failure can occur in some patients. Antifungal susceptibility tests have been performed on this species, but no clinical breakpoints (CBPs) are available. In this situation, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions and epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) support the detection of identification of resistant strains. OBJECTIVES To study the MIC distributions of five antifungal drugs against S. brasiliensis and to propose tentative ECVs. METHODS MICs of amphotericin B (AMB), itraconazole (ITR), ketoconazole (KET), posaconazole (POS), and terbinafine (TRB) against 335 S. brasiliensis strains were determined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution method. FINDINGS The proposed ECV, in µg/mL, for AMB, ITR, KET, POS, and TRB were 4.0, 2.0, 1.0, 2.0, and 0.25, respectively. Percentages of wild-type strains in our population for the above antifungal drugs were 98.48, 95.22, 95.33, 100, and 97.67%, respectively. MAIN CONCLUSIONS These ECVs will be useful to detect strains with resistance, to define CBPs, and to elaborate specific therapeutic guidelines for S. brasiliensis. Rational use of antifungals is strongly recommended to avoid the emergence of resistant strains and ensure the therapeutic effectiveness of sporotrichosis.

Since the description of Candida orthopsilosis and C. metapsilosis in 2005, several methods have been proposed to identify and differentiate these species from C. parapsilosis sensu stricto. Species-specific uniplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and compared with sequencing of the D1/D2 region of the LSU 28S rDNA gene, microsatellite typing of C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns in the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the rDNA gene. There was agreement between results of testing of 98 clinical isolates with the four PCR-based methods, with 59 isolates identified as C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, 37 as C. orthopsilosis, and two as C. metapsilosis.

Abstract Recent studies investigating protease-activated receptor type 2 (PAR-2) suggest an association between the receptor and periodontal inflammation. It is known that gingipain, a bacterial protease secreted by the important periodontopathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis can activate PAR-2. Previous studies by our group found that PAR-2 is overexpressed in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with moderate chronic periodontitis (MP). The present study aimed at evaluating whether PAR-2 expression is associated with chronic periodontitis severity. GCF samples and clinical parameters, including plaque and bleeding on probing indices, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level, were collected from the control group (n = 19) at baseline, and from MP patients (n = 19) and severe chronic periodontitis (SP) (n = 19) patients before and 6 weeks after periodontal non-surgical treatment. PAR-2 and gingipain messenger RNA (mRNA) in the GCF of 4 periodontal sites per patient were evaluated by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). PAR-2 and gingipain expressions were greater in periodontitis patients than in control group patients. In addition, the SP group presented increased PAR-2 and gingipain mRNA levels, compared with the MP group. Furthermore, periodontal treatment significantly reduced (p <0.05) PAR-2 expression in patients with periodontitis. In conclusion, PAR-2 is associated with chronic periodontitis severity and with gingipain levels in the periodontal pocket, thus suggesting that PAR-2 expression in the GCF reflects the severity of destruction during periodontal infection.

Currently, it is accepted that there are three species that were formerly grouped under Candida parapsilosis: C. para- psilosis sensu stricto, Candida orthopsilosis, andCandida metapsilosis. In fact, the antifungal susceptibility profiles and distinct virulence attributes demonstrate the differences in these nosocomial pathogens. An accurate, fast, and economical identification of fungal species has been the main goal in mycology. In the present study, we searched sequences that were available in the GenBank database in order to identify the complete sequence for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S-ITS2 region, which is comprised of the forward and reverse primers ITS1 and ITS4. Subsequently, an in silico polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed to differentiate the C. parapsilosis complex species. Ninety-eight clinical isolates from patients with fungaemia were submitted for analysis, where 59 isolates were identified as C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, 37 were identified as C. orthopsilosis, and two were identified as C. metapsilosis. PCR-RFLP quickly and accurately identified C. parapsilosis complex species, making this method an alternative and routine identification system for use in clinical mycology laboratories.

This study evaluated the antifungal susceptibility profile and the production of potential virulence attributes in a clinical strain of Candida nivariensis for the first time in Brazil, as identified by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1-5.8S-ITS2 region and D1/D2 domains of the 28S of the rDNA. For comparative purposes, tests were also performed with reference strains. All strains presented low planktonic minimal inhibitory concentrations (PMICs) to amphotericin B (AMB), caspofungin (CAS), and voriconazole. However, our strain showed elevated planktonic MICs to posaconazole (POS) and itraconazole, in addition to fluconazole resistance. Adherence to inert surfaces was conducted onto glass and polystyrene. The biofilm formation and antifungal susceptibility on biofilm-growing cells were evaluated by crystal violet staining and a XTT reduction assay. All fungal strains were able to bind both tested surfaces and form biofilm, with a binding preference to polystyrene (p < 0.001). AMB promoted significant reductions (≈50%) in biofilm production by our C. nivariensis strain using both methodologies. This reduction was also observed for CAS and POS, but only in the XTT assay. All strains were excellent protease producers and moderate phytase producers, but lipases were not detected. This study reinforces the pathogenic potential of C. nivariensis and its possible resistance profile to the azolic drugs generally used for candidiasis management.

OBJETIVO:descrever a mortalidade de idosos por doenças cardiovasculares, respiratórias e neoplasias no município de Marília-SP, Brasil.MÉTODOS:estudo descritivo da mortalidade pelos grupos de três doenças segundo a Décima Revisão da Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde (CID-10), nos períodos 1998-2000 e 2005-2007; utilizaram-se registros do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (Sim) e calcularam-se os coeficientes de mortalidade por idade e sexo.RESULTADOS:doenças do aparelho circulatório lideraram as causas de mortalidade dos idosos (39,25%); houve declínio da mortalidade por neoplasias em ambos os sexos e na faixa etária de 60-69 anos, câncer da próstata nos homens (-83,36%) e de mama nas mulheres (-70,96%); óbitos por doenças do aparelho respiratório aumentaram aos 80 e mais anos, em homens (+39,31%) e mulheres (+57,92%).CONCLUSÃO:a mortalidade dos idosos por doenças cardiovasculares e neoplasias apresentou declínio, enquanto aumentou por doenças respiratórias na faixa etária ≥80 anos.

OBJECTIVE:to describe elderly mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and neoplasms in Marilia (SP).METHODS:this is a descriptive study of mortality from three diseases as defined by the 10th International Classification of Diseases, between 1998-2000 and 2005-2007. Mortality Information System records were used. Mortality rates by age and sex were calculated.RESULTS:circulatory diseases were the main causes of death among the elderly (39.25%). Neoplasm decline was noticed in both sexes and in those aged 60-69, particularly prostate cancer in men (-83.86%) and breast cancer (-70.96%) in this age group. Deaths from respiratory diseases increased in patients aged 80 and older: 39.31% in men and 57.92% in women.CONCLUSION:mortality from circulatory diseases and neoplasms among the elderly showed a decline, with increased mortality from respiratory system problems in patients 80 years of age and older.

OBJETIVO: descrever a mortalidade de idosos por doenças cardiovasculares, respiratórias e neoplasias no município de Marília-SP, Brasil. MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo da mortalidade pelos grupos de três doenças segundo a Décima Revisão da Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde (CID-10), nos períodos 1998-2000 e 2005-2007; utilizaram-se registros do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (Sim) e calcularam-se os coeficientes de mortalidade por idade e sexo. RESULTADOS: doenças do aparelho circulatório lideraram as causas de mortalidade dos idosos (39,25%); houve declínio da mortalidade por neoplasias em ambos os sexos e na faixa etária de 60-69 anos, câncer da próstata nos homens (-83,36%) e de mama nas mulheres (-70,96%); óbitos por doenças do aparelho respiratório aumentaram aos 80 e mais anos, em homens (+39,31%) e mulheres (+57,92%). CONCLUSÃO: a mortalidade dos idosos por doenças cardiovasculares e neoplasias apresentou declínio, enquanto aumentou por doenças respiratórias na faixa etária ≥80 anos.

OBJECTIVE: to describe elderly mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and neoplasms in Marilia (SP). METHODS: this is a descriptive study of mortality from three diseases as defined by the 10th International Classification of Diseases, between 1998-2000 and 2005-2007. Mortality Information System records were used. Mortality rates by age and sex were calculated. RESULTS: circulatory diseases were the main causes of death among the elderly (39.25%). Neoplasm decline was noticed in both sexes and in those aged 60-69, particularly prostate cancer in men (-83.86%) and breast cancer (-70.96%) in this age group. Deaths from respiratory diseases increased in patients aged 80 and older: 39.31% in men and 57.92% in women. CONCLUSION: mortality from circulatory diseases and neoplasms among the elderly showed a decline, with increased mortality from respiratory system problems in patients 80 years of age and older.

O estudo avaliou a formação em enfermagem ancorada na problematização e na aprendizagem baseada em problemas a partir da percepção dos egressos. Trata-se de estudo transversal de natureza ex-post-facto. Os resultados foram analisados na triangulação das abordagens quantitativa e qualitativa e na perspectiva hermenêutica dialética. Na abordagem quantitativa 180 egressos responderam um questionário. Na qualitativa, 14 participaram das entrevistas, que buscaram sentidos relacionados ao cuidado ideal, para construção dos indicadores que revelassem a lógica da avaliação. Esses indicadores nortearam a escolha das questões para triangulação. Os resultados apontaram que 85,1% dos egressos estão inseridos no mercado de trabalho, 92,1% cursaram pós-graduação e 99,1% acreditam apresentar formação necessária ao cuidado ético, humanizado e fundamentado. A análise dos dados aponta para formação comprometida com a construção da autonomia e do conhecimento, bem como articulada aos princípios do Sistema Único de Saúde e do mundo do trabalho em enfermagem.

This present study evaluated nursing education based on problem-solving and learning based on problems originating from alumni's perceptions. This is an ex-post-facto cross-sectional study. Results were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches triangulation and through dialectical hermeneutics. In the quantitative approach 180 alumni answered a questionnaire. The qualitative approach involved 14 interviews that searched for meanings related to the notion of ideal care, in order to build indicators that would reveal this evaluation logic. These indicators guided the choice of triangulation questions. Results demonstrated that 85.1% of alumni are working in the nursing market, 92.1% have taken a post-graduate course and 99.1% believe they have the education required to deliver ethical, humanized and founded care. Data analysis demonstrates a compromised education as autonomy and knowledge are being built, and articulated to the Single Health System and the world nursing principles.

El estudio objetivó evaluar los resultados de la formación en enfermería anclada en la problematización y en el aprendizaje basado en problemas desde la percepción de los propios egresados. Estudio transversal y de naturaleza ex-post-facto. Los resultados fueron analizados en por la triangulación de métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos y la perspectiva hermenéutica dialéctica. En el abordaje cuantitativo 180 egresados respondieron un cuestionario. En el cualitativo, 14 participaron de entrevistas, relatando sus pensamientos relacionados al cuidado ideal, para la construcción de indicadores que revelasen la lógica de la evaluación. Esos indicaron nortearon las cuestiones para la triangulación. Los resultados mostraron: 85,1% de los graduados están en el mercado laboral, 92,1% asistieron al posgrado y 99,1% creen presentar una formación necesaria al cuidado ético, humanizado y fundamentado. Los datos resaltan una formación comprometida con la construcción de autonomía y conocimiento y articulada a los principios del Sistema Único de Salud y del mundo laboral en enfermería.

This present study evaluated nursing education based on problem-solving and learning based on problems originating from alumni's perceptions. This is an ex-post-facto cross-sectional study. Results were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches triangulation and through dialectical hermeneutics. In the quantitative approach 180 alumni answered a questionnaire. The qualitative approach involved 14 interviews that searched for meanings related to the notion of ideal care, in order to build indicators that would reveal this evaluation logic. These indicators guided the choice of triangulation questions. Results demonstrated that 85.1% of alumni are working in the nursing market, 92.1% have taken a post-graduate course and 99.1% believe they have the education required to deliver ethical, humanized and founded care. Data analysis demonstrates a compromised education as autonomy and knowledge are being built, and articulated to the Single Health System and the world nursing principles.

El estudio objetivó evaluar los resultados de la formación en enfermería anclada en la problematización y en el aprendizaje basado en problemas desde la percepción de los propios egresados. Estudio transversal y de naturaleza ex-post-facto. Los resultados fueron analizados en por la triangulación de métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos y la perspectiva hermenéutica dialéctica. En el abordaje cuantitativo 180 egresados respondieron un cuestionario. En el cualitativo, 14 participaron de entrevistas, relatando sus pensamientos relacionados al cuidado ideal, para la construcción de indicadores que revelasen la lógica de la evaluación. Esos indicaron nortearon las cuestiones para la triangulación. Los resultados mostraron: 85,1% de los graduados están en el mercado laboral, 92,1% asistieron al posgrado y 99,1% creen presentar una formación necesaria al cuidado ético, humanizado y fundamentado. Los datos resaltan una formación comprometida con la construcción de autonomía y conocimiento y articulada a los principios del Sistema Único de Salud y del mundo laboral en enfermería.

O estudo avaliou a formação em enfermagem ancorada na problematização e na aprendizagem baseada em problemas a partir da percepção dos egressos. Trata-se de estudo transversal de natureza ex-post-facto. Os resultados foram analisados na triangulação das abordagens quantitativa e qualitativa e na perspectiva hermenêutica dialética. Na abordagem quantitativa 180 egressos responderam um questionário. Na qualitativa, 14 participaram das entrevistas, que buscaram sentidos relacionados ao cuidado ideal, para construção dos indicadores que revelassem a lógica da avaliação. Esses indicadores nortearam a escolha das questões para triangulação. Os resultados apontaram que 85,1% dos egressos estão inseridos no mercado de trabalho, 92,1% cursaram pós-graduação e 99,1% acreditam apresentar formação necessária ao cuidado ético, humanizado e fundamentado. A análise dos dados aponta para formação comprometida com a construção da autonomia e do conhecimento, bem como articulada aos princípios do Sistema Único de Saúde e do mundo do trabalho em enfermagem.

Este trabalho apresenta o comportamento de duas frentes quentes que afetaram o tempo no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Imagens de satélite e vários campos meteorológicos foram analisados para ambas as situações. Na primeira situação o sistema deslocou-se da Argentina e foi atingindo gradualmente as diversas regiões do estado, de oeste para leste. Durante a passagem deste sistema foi registrada a ocorrência de precipitação; em algumas estações do litoral, foram observadas nuvens cumulonimbus. Durante aproximadamente 24 horas o estado do Rio Grande do Sul esteve sob a influência do sistema. No segundo caso, uma frente quente atingiu o referido estado, enquanto o vórtice ao qual ela estava associada, ainda encontrava-se no Oceano Pacífico. Para este segundo caso, foram construídas seções verticais de temperatura potencial e observou-se uma inclinação das superfícies isentrópicas, a qual está relacionada com movimento ascendente. A análise de mesoescala mostrou que existia uma região com pressões mais altas no nordeste do estado e pressões baixas no oeste/noroeste. Neste segundo caso, também foram observadas nuvens cumulonimbus em várias estações do estado, incluindo algumas na parte oeste do estado. Foi registrada também a ocorrência de nevoeiros nas duas situações.

This paper presents the behavior of two warm fronts which affected the weather in Rio Grande do Sul state. Satellite images and various meteorological fields were analyzed for both situations. In the first one the system moved from Argentina and gradually reached the various regions of the state, from the west to the east. During the passage of this system, occurrence of precipitation was registered; in some stations of the shore, cumulonimbus clouds were observed. During about 24 hours the Rio Grande do Sul state was under the influence of that system. In the second case, the warm front that reached the same state was not associated with a clearly defined vortex. In the second situation, a warm front arrived at state mentioned earlier, while the vortex to which the front was associated, was still over the Pacific Ocean. For this case, vertical sections of potential temperature were constructed and it was observed a slope of the isentropic surfaces, which is related to the presence of vertical motions. The mesoscale analysis showed that there was a region with higher pressures in the northeast region of Rio Grande do Sul and lower pressures in the west/northwest. Also in this second situation cumulonimbus clouds were observed in various stations of the state, including some in the west part of the state. It was also registered the occurrence of fog during the two situations.

As condições termodinâmicas do desenvolvimento de nuvens Cumulunimbus (Cb) e Nimbustratus (Ns) e formação de precipitações na cidade de Pelotas são estudadas utilizando-se dados do NCEP (National Center for Environmental Prediction, Washington) para os níveis padrões e dados meteorológicos convencionais. Analisou-se a freqüência das nuvens Cb e Ns durante três anos, para as quatro estações do ano, e calcularam- se os índices de instabilidade (Showalter, lifted, K and standard totals-totals) e a energia potencial de convecção. Foram identificados cinco tipos de perfis verticais de temperatura e umidade para os dias em que foram verificadas nuvens Cb e Ns, através de dados de radiossondagens de Porto Alegre, e das análises do NCEP. Apresentam-se os resultados da análise da instabilidade atmosférica e são discutidos os problemas da previsão de nuvens Cb e Ns, utilizando os índices de instabilidade.

The thermodynamic conditions of Cumulunimbus (Cb) and Nimbustratus (Ns) cloudiness development and precipitation formation in Pelotas city were studied using NCEP (National Centers for Environmental Prediction, Washington) data for standard levels and conventional meteorological data. The frequency of the Cb and Ns cloudiness during three years and for each seasons was analyzed. Stability indexes (Showalter, lifted, K and standard totals-totals) and the convective available potential energy were calculated. Five types of vertical profiles of temperature and humidity for days with Cb and Ns clouds were identified through radiosonde data over Porto Alegre and NCEP analysis. The results of the atmospheric instability analysis are presented and problems envolving the Cb and Ns cloudiness forecasting, using the stability indexes, are discussed.