Abstract This article presents a study performed in early 2022 with 186 students who started higher education at a federal university and in a private college – both in the countryside of Minas Gerais – during the remote teaching period, that is, 2020 and 2021. The research was carried out remotely by emailing a form to all participants and having an online discussion with two of them. The questionnaire consisted of questions about the students’ profile, their experiences during remote teaching, as well as of the reduced version of the Academic Experience Questionnaire – QVA-r, which aims to investigate the students’ experiences and adaptation to higher education. The data showed that students’ interpersonal relationships were affected by remote teaching. As for the personal dimension, measured by the QVA-R and related to mental health and wellbeing, it was severely impaired, which can be an effect of social distancing caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other hand, it was surprising to observe how students and the educational institutions themselves developed ways of becoming close - not only in class but also extra-classroom - by using information and communication technologies to have relationships, even from a distance. The results also show that students considered that their learning had been negatively affected by remote teaching, and that, despite it being easy and convenient, they were eager for better learning with the return of face-to-face classes.

Resumo Este artigo apresenta uma pesquisa desenvolvida no início de 2022, com 186 estudantes que ingressaram no ensino superior durante o período remoto, ou seja, 2020 e 2021, em uma universidade federal e em uma faculdade particular, ambas do interior de Minas Gerais. A pesquisa foi realizada de maneira remota com o envio de um formulário por e-mail e a realização de uma roda de conversa online com duas estudantes. O questionário continha perguntas sobre o perfil dos estudantes, suas experiências no ensino remoto e o Questionário de Vivências Acadêmicas reduzido – QVA-r que tem por objetivo investigar as vivências e a adaptação de estudantes ao ensino superior. Os dados mostraram que as relações interpessoais dos estudantes foram afetadas pelo ensino remoto e a dimensão pessoal, medida pelo QVA-r e relacionada com a saúde mental e bem-estar, estava bastante prejudicada, o que pode ser um efeito do distanciamento social provocado pela pandemia do Covid-19. Por outro lado, surpreendeu o quanto os estudantes e as próprias instituições de ensino criaram meios de aproximação, tanto intra quanto extraclasse, utilizando as tecnologias de informação e comunicação para criar conexões, mesmo à distância. Os resultados mostram, ainda, que os estudantes consideravam que a aprendizagem tinha sido prejudicada pelo ensino remoto e que, apesar de suas facilidades e comodidade, estavam ansiosos por uma melhor aprendizagem com o retorno das aulas presenciais.

Abstract The addition of linseed (Linum usitatissimum Linn) in the diet, as a functional food, has increased over the years. However, it possesses cyanogenic glycosides. This study aimed to quantify and compare cyanide concentration in whole seed and bran of brown and golden types to establish a safe limit of intake. Three commercial labels, from brown and golden whole seed types (Ab, Ag, Bb, Bg, Cb and Cg), and six commercial labels of brown and golden bran (1b, 2g, 3g, 4b, 5g, and 6b), were selected, totalizing twelve samples. Total cyanide concentration was quantified by a colorimetric method employing alkaline picrate, after acid hydrolysis. The whole seed cyanide values were between 348.4 and 473.20 µg/g and the bran cyanide values were between 459.53 and 639.35 μg/g. The analyzed bran presented increased cyanide concentrations than the whole seeds with no differences between brown and golden types. Food able to produce cyanide less than 90 µg/kg body weight, daily, is considered secure for consumption. Considering this limit and analyzed samples, it is safe to eat approximately two tablespoons of seeds or one tablespoon of bran. These results point out the importance of cyanide amount daily intake information to be in linseed packaging, to ensure secure consumption.

Abstract Background: In Brazil, entomological surveillance of Chagas disease (ChD) is based on community participation, which notifies the presence of vectors inside their homes. Thus, the sustainability of this control measure depends on the knowledge of the population about the vectors. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of schoolchildren about ChD in the municipalities of Itatiaiuçu (active surveillance) and Sabará (inactive surveillance). Method: A semi-structured questionnaire was given to students enrolled in two high schools in Sabará (rural and urban) and one in Itatiaiuçu (urban). Results: In general, students living in Sabará demonstrated only limited knowledge about vectors, pathogens, transmission, and disease (with no significant differences between the schools in urban and rural areas). Similarly, the schoolchildren in Itatiaiuçu, despite living in an area of active surveillance, also did not have a fully satisfactory knowledge of ChD. Conclusions: The results emphasize the lack of information about ChD, both in relation to academic knowledge and the education campaigns established by the program. Improvements in educational interventions to raise community awareness and promote knowledge about ChD are necessary and vital for maintaining vigilance against ChD over space and time.

Resumo Introdução: No Brasil, a vigilância entomológica da doença de Chagas (DCh) é respaldada na participação comunitária, que notifica a presença dos vetores nas habitações. Assim, a sustentabilidade desta medida de controle depende do conhecimento da população sobre os vetores. Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento de escolares sobre a doença de Chagas nos municípios mineiros de Itatiaiuçu (vigilância ativa) e Sabará (vigilância inativa). Método: Questionário semiestruturado foi aplicado para alunos matriculados no ensino médio em duas escolas de Sabará (rural e urbana) e uma em Itatiaiuçu (urbana). Resultados: Em geral, os alunos residentes em Sabará demonstraram conhecimento limitado acerca dos vetores, patógeno, transmissão e doença (sem diferenças relevantes quanto à localização entre área urbana e rural), quando comparados aos residentes em Itatiaiuçu, que apesar de ter uma vigilância mais atuante, também não apresentaram conhecimento totalmente satisfatório. Conclusões: Os resultados enfatizam a carência de informações sobre a DCh tanto em relação ao conhecimento acadêmico quanto às campanhas de educação firmadas pelo programa. Ações educativas para sensibilizar a comunidade e promover o conhecimento sobre esta doença mostram-se necessárias e fundamentais para a manutenção da vigilância ao longo do tempo e espaço.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade interna de ovos provenientes de poedeiras comerciais e de galinhas caipiras submetidos a diferentes períodos e temperaturas de armazenamento. Para o experimento, foram utilizados 280 ovos. Os ovos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente nos diferentes tratamentos adotando-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 7, duas temperaturas, sete períodos de armazenamento, totalizando 14 tratamentos com 10 repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em duas condições de armazenamento: sob refrigeração (6 ± 1,0ºC) e em temperatura ambiente (26,6 ± 1,0ºC). Os ovos foram analisados por um período de 30 dias, com avaliações realizadas em diferentes períodos de armazenamento (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 e 30 dias). Para cada condição de armazenamento, foram separados 140 ovos, sendo 70 ovos comerciais e 70 ovos caipiras. Ocorreu aumento linear na perda de peso dos ovos, peso da gema, pH do albúmen, pH da gema, comprimento e largura do albúmen e da gema dos ovos comerciais e caipiras, à medida que se aumentava o período de armazenamento. Verificou-se redução linear no peso, altura e índice do albúmen e no índice da gema dos ovos comerciais e caipiras conforme se aumentava o período de armazenamento, com respostas mais acentuadas para ovos acondicionados em temperatura ambiente (P<0,05). A porcentagem de albúmen foi reduzida linearmente apenas para ovos comerciais (P<0,05). Ovos mantidos sob temperatura ambiente reduzem a sua qualidade a partir dos 15 dias de armazenamento, sendo o armazenamento sob refrigeração durante o período de 30 dias, o recomendado para preservar a vida de prateleira do ovo para consumo.

Abstract The objective was to evaluate the internal quality of eggs from commercial laying hens and free-range hens subjected to different storage periods and temperatures. For the experiment, 280 eggs were randomly distributed into different treatments, adopting a completely randomized design, in a 2 x 7 factorial arrangement of two temperatures, seven storage periods, totaling 14 treatments with 10 replications. The treatments consisted of two storage conditions: under refrigeration (6 ± 1.0ºC) and at room temperature (26.6 ± 1.0ºC). Eggs were analyzed for 30 days, with evaluations in different storage periods (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 days). For each storage condition, 140 eggs were separated, 70 commercial eggs and 70 free-range eggs. There was a linear increase in egg weight loss, yolk weight, albumen pH, yolk pH, length and width of albumen and yolk of commercial and free-range eggs, as the storage period increased. There was a linear reduction in weight, height and albumen index and in the yolk index of commercial and free-range eggs as the storage period increased, with more pronounced responses for eggs stored at room temperature (P<0.05). Albumen percentage was linearly reduced only for commercial eggs (P<0.05). Eggs kept at room temperature reduce their quality after 15 days of storage, and the storage under refrigeration for 30 days is recommended to preserve the shelf life of the egg for consumption.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. Thousands of years and centuries of colonisation have passed the precarious housing conditions, food insecurity, lack of sanitation, the limitation of surveillance, health care programs and climate change. Chagas disease continues to be a public health problem. The control programs have been successful in many countries in reducing transmission by T. cruzi; but the results have been variable. WHO makes recommendations for prevention and control with the aim of eliminating Chagas disease as a public health problem. Climate change, deforestation, migration, urbanisation, sylvatic vectors and oral transmission require integrating the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, as well as the links within and between objectives and sectors. While the environment scenarios change around the world, native vector species pose a significant public health threat. The man-made atmosphere change is related to the increase of triatomines’ dispersal range, or an increase of the mobility of the vectors from their sylvatic environment to man-made constructions, or humans getting into sylvatic scenarios, leading to an increase of Chagas disease infection. Innovations with the communities and collaborations among municipalities, International cooperation agencies, local governmental agencies, academic partners, developmental agencies, or environmental institutions may present promising solutions, but sustained partnerships, long-term commitment, and strong regional leadership are required. A new world has just opened up for the renewal of surveillance practices, but the lessons learned in the past should be the basis for solutions in the future.

The multiplicity of epidemiological scenarios shown by Chagas Disease, derived from multiple transmission routes of the aetiological agent, occurring on multiple geo-ecobiosocial settings determines the complexity of the disease and reveal the difficulties for its control. From the first description of the link between the parasite, the vector and its domestic habitat and the disease that Carlos Chagas made in 1909, the epidemiological scenarios of the American Trypanosomiasis has shown a dynamic increasing complexity. These scenarios changed with time and geography because of new understandings of the disease from multiple studies, because of policies change at the national and international levels and because human movements brought the parasite and vectors to new geographies. Paradigms that seemed solid at a time were broken down, and we learnt about the global dispersion of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the multiplicity of transmission routes, that the infection can be cured, and that triatomines are not only a health threat in Latin America. We consider the multiple epidemiological scenarios through the different T. cruzi transmission routes, with or without the participation of a Triatominae vector. We then consider the scenario of regions with vectors without the parasite, to finish with the consideration of future prospects.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Panstrongylus megistus is the main triatomine involved in the human transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi in Minas Gerais, Brazil. We analyzed the occurrence of triatomines in the Itaúna micro-regions for healthcare. METHODS: Data were collected as part of routine entomological surveillance activities, including the species identity, capture site, developmental stage, and trypanosome infection. RESULTS: In total, 503 specimens from five species were captured (495 P. megistus). Adults were mainly captured by residents inside their homes, whereas nymphs were mostly captured by public health professionals outside. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiologically important triatomine, P. megistus, continues to persist in our study region.

Resumo Este artigo, baseando-se na perspectiva construcionista social, visa apresentar uma possibilidade metodológica para pesquisas fundamentadas em princípios relacionais, de colaboração e diálogo. O texto apresenta as bases teóricas desta perspectiva e suas influências na realização de uma pesquisa científica. Uma pesquisa relacional, que também pode ser definida como dialógica ou colaborativa, tem como centro de suas preocupações as relações entre as pessoas, o diálogo e o trabalho colaborativo. Embora seus princípios possam ser úteis para vários tipos de investigações, tendemos a considerar que dizem muito mais respeito a pesquisas que envolvem seres humanos, especialmente no âmbito das Ciências Sociais e Humanas. Teoricamente, essas pesquisas se fundamentam em perspectivas chamadas pós-modernas, que tem por características a crítica aos fundamentos da Ciência Moderna e também os estudos construcionistas sociais que partem do princípio de que qualquer conhecimento é construído socialmente. Essas pesquisas não trazem propostas metodológicas pré-definidas e estabelecidas, pelo contrário, convidam os pesquisadores a se abrirem a novos diálogos com seus sujeitos de pesquisa, convidando-os a tornarem-se co-construtores da investigação, criando espaços de inclusão e diversidade dentro dos estudos científicos.

Abstract This articleessay, based on the social construcionist perspective, aims to present a methodological possibility for research based on relational, collaboration and dialogue principles. The text presents the theoretical bases of this perspective and is influences in carrying out scientific research. A relational research, that can also be defined as dialogic or collaborative, has as its center of attention the relationships between people, dialogue and collaborative work. Although its principles may be useful for various types of research, we tend to consider them to be much more concerned with research involving human beings, especially in the Social Sciences and Humanities. Theoretically, these researches are based on so-called postmodern perspectives that have as characteristics the criticism to the foundations of Modern Science as well as the social constructionism studies that assume that any knowledge is socially constructed. On the contrary, they invite researchers to open up new dialogues with their research subjects, inviting them to become co-constructors of research, creating spaces of inclusion and diversity within of scientific studies.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of triatomine bloodmeal sources is essential for understanding vector-host interactions in Trypanosoma cruzi transmission cycles. Expensive commercial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction kits are widely used for bloodmeal identification. This study assessed the performance of an inexpensive phenol-chloroform DNA extraction protocol for identification of triatomine bloodmeal sources, comparing it with a commercially available kit. METHODS: Both methods were used to obtain DNA from the intestinal contents of Triatoma brasiliensis blood-fed on either Columba sp., Mus musculus, or Gallus gallus. Subsequently, the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, sequenced, and compared with GenBank data. RESULTS: Twelve (80%) samples extracted with the commercial kit and four (26.7%) with phenol-chloroform were pure (according to the A260/A280 ratio). Samples extracted with phenol-chloroform, except for Columba sp. samples, had higher DNA concentration than those extracted with the commercial kit. Samples extracted using phenol-chloroform and blood-fed on G. gallus had significantly higher DNA concentration than those blood-fed on Columba sp. (p-value <0.001) and M. musculus (p-value <0.001). The 215-base-pair 12S rRNA fragment was amplified from all samples and produced reliable sequences, enabling the identification of the bloodmeal source, most of which showed identity and coverage above 95%. The phenol-chloroform method was much less expensive than the commercial kit but took considerably more time to perform. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that both DNA extraction methods produced reliable sequences enabling identification of triatomine bloodmeal sources but differed greatly in cost and time required.

Abstract INTRODUCTION The ecoepidemiological situation in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil is characterized by frequent invasion and colonization of domiciliary units (DUs) by several triatomine species, with high rates of natural infection by Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODS: We evaluated the possibility of vector transmission of T. cruzi based on records of the occurrence of domiciled triatomines collected by the Secretariat of State for Public Health from 2005 to 2015. During this period, 67.7% (113/167) of municipalities conducted at least one active search and 110 recorded the presence of insects in DUs. These activities were more frequent in municipalities considered to have a high and medium-level risk of T. cruzi transmission. RESULTS Of 51,569 captured triatomines, the most common species were Triatoma brasiliensis (47.2%) and T. pseudomaculata (40.2%). Colonies of T. brasiliensis, T. pseudomaculata, T. petrocchiae, Panstrongylus lutzi, and Rhodnius nasutus were also recorded in the intradomicile and peridomicile. Natural infection by trypanosomatids was detected in 1,153 specimens; the highest rate was found in R. nasutus (3.5%), followed by T. brasiliensis (2.5%) and T. pseudomaculata (2.4%). There have been high levels of colonization over the years; however, not all infested DUs have been sprayed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of intradomicile and peridomicile colonization by P. lutzi. These results demonstrate the risk of new cases of infection by T. cruzi and reinforce the need for continuous entomological surveillance in the State of Rio Grande do Norte.

Introduction Biological collections are depositories of information on different species and contribute to the knowledge, protection, conservation and maintenance of biodiversity. Methods A list of triatomine species currently included in the Collection of Chagas Disease Vectors (FIOCRUZ-COLVEC) was prepared from the database made available by the Reference Center on Environmental Information. Results COLVEC curatorship houses 4,778 specimens of triatomines, of which 811 come from other American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, the United States of America, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela) and 3,967 are autochthonous from Brazil. Altogether, 56 species of Chagas disease vectors are represented in the COLVEC: two species of the Tribe Cavernicolini Usinger, 1944; fifteen species of the tribe Rhodniini Pinto, 1926, of which 12 are of the genus Rhodnius and 3 are of the genus Psamolestes; and 39 species of the tribe Triatomini Jeannel, 1919, represented by the genus Dipetalogaster, two species of the genus Eratyrus, two of the genus Meccus, seven of the genus Panstrongylus and 27 of the genus Triatoma. Conclusions This list provides important data on the diversity of triatomines currently included in COLVEC, including the expanded area of Panstrongylus lutzi occurrence in the municipalities Pirapora and Januária, State of Minas Gerais. The maintenance and expansion of the collection ensures the preservation of biodiversity and further studies.

The role played by different mammal species in the maintenance of Trypanosoma cruzi is not constant and varies in time and place. This study aimed to characterise the importance of domestic, wild and peridomestic hosts in the transmission of T. cruzi in Tauá, state of Ceará, Caatinga area, Brazil, with an emphasis on those environments colonised by Triatoma brasiliensis. Direct parasitological examinations were performed on insects and mammals, serologic tests were performed on household and outdoor mammals and multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used on wild mammals. Cytochrome b was used as a food source for wild insects. The serum prevalence in dogs was 38% (20/53), while in pigs it was 6% (2/34). The percentages of the most abundantly infected wild animals were as follows: Thrichomys laurentius 74% (83/112) and Kerodon rupestris 10% (11/112). Of the 749 triatomines collected in the household research, 49.3% (369/749) were positive for T. brasiliensis, while 6.8% were infected with T. cruzi (25/369). In captured animals, T. brasiliensis shares a natural environment with T. laurentius, K. rupestris, Didelphis albiventris, Monodelphis domestica, Galea spixii, Wiedomys pyrrhorhinos, Conepatus semistriatus and Mus musculus. In animals identified via their food source, T. brasiliensis shares a natural environment with G. spixii, K. rupestris, Capra hircus, Gallus gallus, Tropidurus oreadicus and Tupinambis merianae. The high prevalence of T. cruzi in household and peridomiciliar animals reinforces the narrow relationship between the enzootic cycle and humans in environments with T. brasiliensis and characterises it as ubiquitous.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding behavior of Triatoma vitticeps through the identification of its food sources and the characterization of the blood ingestion process. In addition, we aimed to verify if the saliva of this vector interferes with the perception of the host during the feedings by creating a nervous impulse. Here, we demonstrated that the T. vitticeps saliva reduces, gradually and irreversibly, the amplitude of the compound action potential of the nervous fibre, which helps decrease the perception of the insect by the host. The precipitin reaction demonstrated the feeding eclecticism of this vector, with the identification of eight food sources - most of them found simultaneously in the same insect. The analysis of the electrical signals produced by the cibarial pump during meals demonstrated that the best feeding performance of T. vitticeps nymphs that fed on pigeons is mainly due to the higher contraction frequency of the pump. The longer contact period with the host to obtain a complete meal compared with other triatominae species of the same instar could favor the occurrence of multiple blood sources in T. vitticeps under natural conditions, as it was evidenced by the precipitin test.

Taxonomic markers (head structure morphometry, isoenzymes and randon amplified polymorphism of DNA - RAPD) were used to understand the population dynamics of Triatoma vitticeps, predominant triatomine species in Itanhomi district, using samples obtained from domestic, peridomiciliary and sylvatic habitats. Morphometric analysis revealed sexual dimorphism within the three samples although specimens could not be separated according to the habitat in which they were captured. Forty-two bands were analyzed from RAPD profiles generated using four primers. A dendrogram constructed from Dice's similarity coefficient values showed that migration of the insects between the habitats has occurred, without structuring of populations. Moreover, the dendrogram obtained from the genetic distance values showed an important gene flow between the sylvatic and domestic habitats. No polymorphism was found in the electrophoretic mobility of proteins for the ten enzymes studied. Our results revealed movement of triatomines between the three habitats, suggesting that the presence of T. vitticeps in houses should not be ignored. As invasion of houses by sylvatic insects is frequent and the natural infection indices of this species are among the highest known, epidemiological vigilance studies may reveal possible changes in T. vitticeps behaviour which could present future risks to public health.

O Panstrongylus lutzi é um triatomíneo de ocorrência restrita às áreas de "caatinga" do Nordeste brasileiro. Apesar da presença de adultos no ambiente artificial ser freqüente, a ocorrência de colônias nunca havia sido assinalada pelas estatísticas do Programa de Controle da Doença de Chagas. No Estado do Ceará, a ocorrência desta espécie aumentou paulatinamente ao longo do período estudado, com taxas de infecção natural com Trypanosoma cruzi geralmente altas, sempre associadas a adultos que invadem o ambiente artificial. Chama a atenção o encontro de ninfas no peridomicílio e no intradomicílio. No ambiente silvestre duas fêmeas foram coletadas em troncos de árvores, que podem representar ecótopos naturais alternativos para a espécie neste Estado. As amostras de Panstrongylus lutzi dos municípios de Sobral e Crateús estudadas morfológica e morfometricamente, demonstraram alta variabilidade, sendo os insetos de Crateús significativamente menores e de coloração pálida, apresentando alguns indivíduos padrão da morfologia do falo compatível com a descrição da espécie; os insetos de Sobral eram escuros e as genitálias coincidentes com o padrão de Panstrongylus sherlocki, mas sendo todos considerados por nós como Panstrongylus lutzi.

Panstrongylus lutzi is generally restricted to the "caatinga" areas of north-eastern Brazil. Adult insects are frequently found in local houses, but colonies have not previously been registered in the statistics of the Control Programme of Chagas Disease. In Ceará State, our study revealed increasing occurrence of this species, usually with high infection rates for Trypanosoma cruzi, and always represented by adults that invaded the artificial environment. We also found nymphs in the peridomicile and inside the houses. In silvatic habitats we collected two adult females from hollow tree trunks, which may represent an alternative natural ecotope for the species in this state. Panstrongylus lutzi entomological collections from Sobral and Crateús, studied by morphology and morphometrics, showed great variability; those from Crateús were larger smaller and paler in colour, with individuals showing genital features consistent with those described for Panstrongylus lutzi or Panstrongylus sherlocki, whereas those from Sobral were darker and with genitalia compatible with P. sherlocki, nevertheless, all were considered to be Panstrongylus lutzi.