Abstract This study aimed to compare the activity of ants during the rainy and dry seasons in a transitional environment (ecotone) at the interface of Cerrado and Caatinga biomes situated in the state of Piauí, where studies of local ant fauna are still incipient. The research was carried out at Floriano, state of Piauí, Brazil. Ants were sampled during the rainy season in December 2018 and during the dry season in June 2019. Three parallel transects were established at least 100 m apart. At each point, three sampling methods were used, with attractive baits placed on the trees and ground, and pitfall traps on the ground. Thirty-one ant species belonging to 14 genera and five subfamilies were collected, with 27 recorded in the rainy season and 17 in the dry season. The only species reported with the three collection methods and the two seasons was Camponotus crassus Mayr, 1862. Seven ant species sampled in this study are new reports for the state of Piauí. There was a significant difference in the average number of ants and the composition of the assemblages between the rainy and dry seasons. We demonstrate that the activity of ants is influenced by seasonality, corroborating our hypotheses. This is only the second study on ant diversity in the state of Piauí, and more studies are necessary to understand the processes and factors which regulate the activity patterns of ants in ecotonal situations like those observed in this region.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o poder de discriminação diagnóstica da ferramenta Nutritional Risk Screening 2002. Métodos: Estudo transversal com cem participantes com idade ≥60 anos. Foram aplicados o Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 original, o Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 adaptado e o Mini Nutritional Assessment. A adaptação do Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 consistiu em diminuir o critério de idade, incluindo pontuação adicional para 60 anos de idade ou mais. Resultados: Maior risco nutricional ocorreu nos ≥70 anos quando aplicado o Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 original (p=0,009), enquanto o Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 adaptado apresentou risco nutricional semelhante em ambos os grupos (60-69 anos e ≥70 anos; p=0,117). A frequência de risco nutricional foi maior no Mini Nutritional Assessment (52,7%), seguido do Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 adaptado (35,5%) e do Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 original (29,1%). Conclusão: A adaptação do Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 mostrou-se descritivamente mais eficaz do que a original, porém mais estudos devem ser realizados para confirmar os achados.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the discriminative power of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002. Methods: A cross sectional study involving one hundred participants aged ≥60 years. The original and adapted versions of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 and the Mini Nutritional Assessment were used. Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 adaptation consisted of a lower age cutoff (60 years or older) for addition of one extra point to the final score. Results: Screening using Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 revealed higher nutritional risk among patients aged ≥70 years (p=0.009), whereas screening using the adapted version of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 revealed similar nutritional risk in both age groups (60-69 years and ≥70 years; p=0.117). Frequency of nutritional risk was highest when the Mini Nutritional Assessment was administered (52.7%), followed by the adapted and original versions of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (35.5% and 29.1%, respectively). Conclusion: The adapted version of Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 was more effective than the original version. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Appropriate preservation of specimens is important for taxonomic identification. In sandfly research, various methods have been used for slide preparation; however, high cost, low commercial availability, and associated hazards make their use impossible in some studies. Therefore, the efficacy of Kisser glycerol gelatin for sandfly slide preparation was tested. METHODS: Kisser glycerol gelatin, as a substitute for Canada balsam and Berlese’s fluid, was used for mounting sandflies. RESULTS: Forty-two mounted specimens were created and maintained even after 14 months. CONCLUSIONS: Use of Kisser glycerol gelatin is simple and efficient for preparing microscope slides of sandflies.

ABSTRACT Infection control measures have been responsible for a decline in the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in hemodialysis patients. In Brazil, these measures have been in place since 1996. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current HBV and HCV epidemiology among hemodialysis patients in the State of Tocantins comparing them with those found 14 years ago. There was a significant decline in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV prevalence from 4% and 13% in 2001 to 0.8% and 2.8% in 2014-2015, respectively (p < 0.05). Variables related to hemodialysis environment such as working shift and length of time on hemodialysis treatment were no longer associated to HCV and HBV exposure in 2014-2015. A high prevalence of self-reported hepatitis B vaccination was observed in both periods, but only 30% of the individuals showed serological profile of effective previous immunization, suggesting a low compliance with surveillance of hepatitis B immunization in hemodialysis centers. The significant decline in viral hepatitis B and C prevalence in hemodialysis patients in Tocantins underscores the importance of infection control measures, but the low frequency of protective serological profile after immunization against hepatitis B points to the need for greater vigilance of the patients’ vaccination.

Abstract INTRODUCTION The control of reservoirs for Leishmania infantum -induced zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis requires the identification of dogs posing a population risk. Here, we assessed the performance of several assays to identify Lutzomyia longipalpis infectious dogs. METHODS We evaluated 99 dogs that were positive for visceral leishmaniasis based on parasite identification. Serological analyses were performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence antibody tests in 1:40 and 1:80 dilutions, rapid dual path platform tests, immunochromatographic assay with a recombinant rK39 antigen, fast agglutination screening tests, and direct agglutination tests. We also performed PCR to analyze peripheral blood and xenodiagnosis. RESULTS Forty-six dogs infected at least one L. longipalpis specimen. Although the serological test sensitivities were above 85% for detecting L. longipalpis infectious dogs, none showed a satisfactory performance, as both specificity (0.06 to 13%) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (45 to 53%) were low. The PCR results were also weak, with a sensitivity of 30%, specificity of 72%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 51%. The infected L. longipalpis proportion was higher among asymptomatic dogs than symptomatic dogs. Among the symptomatic dogs, those with ulceration-free skin diseases were more infectious, with an odds ratio of 9.3 (confidence interval of 1.10 - 428.5). The larger the number of insects fed, the greater the detected infectiousness. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the imperative to develop novel technologies for identifying the infectious dogs that transmit L. infantum for the benefit of public health.

RESUMO A grande dificuldade para a produção de alface de qualidade na região semiárida se deve aos fatores climáticos, como temperatura elevada, alta luminosidade e baixa umidade relativa do ar, que afetam as características de qualidade das hortaliças folhosas. Diante disso, o objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar a qualidade de cultivares de alface dos grupos Americana (Angelina, Amélia e Tainá), Mimosa (Mila, Mimosa e Lavínia), Crespa (Scarlet, Vera, Isabella e Vanda) e Lisa (Elisa e Regiane) em quatro épocas do ano: verão (21/12/2012), outono (21/03/2013), inverno (21/06/2013) e primavera (23/09/2013) nas condições de Mossoró, RN. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos casualizados completos com quatro repetições. Foram quantificadas as características: pH, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis (SS) e açúcares solúveis totais. A qualidade da alface foi influenciada pela cultivar e condições ambientais. Os grupos Crespa e Lisa registraram menor acidez titulável no verão e as Americanas no outono. Os maiores teores de SS foram obtidos no outono para as cultivares Vera, Vanda, Isabela, Elisa e Regiane; para Lavínia, Angelina, Amélia e Tainá, o verão e outono se destacaram das demais épocas de cultivo, para esta característica. As cultivares Scarlet, Angelina e Amélia apresentaram maior teor de açúcares solúveis totais no verão, Mila e Lavínia na primavera, Elisa e Regiane no inverno e Tainá na primavera.

ABSTRACT The major challenge in producing good quality lettuce in the semiarid region is the climatic factors such as high temperature, high luminosity and low air relative humidity, which affect the quality characteristics of leafy vegetables. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of lettuce cultivars of Crisphead (Angelina, Amelia and Taina), Mimosa (Mila, Mimosa and Lavinia), Green-leaf (Scarlet, Vera, Isabella and Vanda) and Loose-leaf (Elisa and Regiane) in four seasons: summer (12/21/2012), autumn (3/21/2013), winter (06/21/2013) and spring (09/23/2013) in the conditions of Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte state. The experimental design was a complete randomized block with four replications. The following characteristics were quantified: pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids (SS) and total soluble sugars. The quality of the lettuce was influenced by the cultivar and environmental conditions. Lower titratable acidity was recorded for Green-leaf and Loose-leaf groups in the summer and for Crisphead groups in the autumn. The highest content of soluble solids were achieved in autumn for cultivars Vera, Vanda, Isabela, Elisa and Regiane; to Lavinia, Angelina, Amelia and Tainá, and summer and autumn stood out from the other growing seasons for this trait. Cultivars Scarlet, Angelina and Amelia had higher levels of total soluble sugars in the summer; Mila and Lavinia in spring; Elisa and Regiane in winter and Tainá in spring.

The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical- nutritional evolution of older women submitted to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. A concurrent, retrospective study was conducted involving a sample of 16 older women with morbid obesity submitted to Rouxen- Y gastric bypass surgery between 1997 and 2010. Weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage of weight loss (%WL) and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) were evaluated three, six and 12 months after surgery. Preoperative comorbidities, postoperative clinical-nutritional manifestations and peri-operative mortality were also investigated. Mean age was 62.02 ± 2.02 years. A progressive reduction was found in mean body weight (116.04 ± 22.99 to 80.96 ± 21.43 Kg) and BMI (47.13 ± 8.19 to 33.42 ± 9.31 Kg/m²), with a consequent %WL of 28.60 ± 8.59% and %EWL of 64.79 ± 3.99% throughout the one-year follow-up period (p < 0.05). All patients has diseases associated with obesity, the most frequent of which were arterial hypertension (n = 16), arthropathy (n = 11), dyslipidemia (n = 9) and diabetes (n = 7). The following clinical-nutritional symptoms were reported: alopecia (n = 9), nausea/vomiting (n = 7), constipation (n = 5) and food intolerance (n = 4). One patient was diagnosed with malnutrition one year after surgery. No deaths occurred within 30 days after surgery. At the one-year evaluation, surgical success was evidenced by the significant reductions in mean weight and BMI and the more than 50% loss of excess weight.

El objetivo de este estudio fue la descripción de la evolución clinico-nutricional de mujeres mayores sometidas a cirugía de bypass gástrico en Y de Roux. Se desarrolló un estudio concurrente, retrospectivo, que incluyó una muestra de 16 mujeres mayores con obesidad mórbida sometidas a bypass gástrico en Y de Roux entre 1997 y 2010. Se evaluó el peso, índice de masa corporal (IMC), porcentaje de pérdida de peso (%WL) y porcentaje de pérdida de peso excesivo (%EWL) tres, seis y doce meses después de la cirugía. También se investigó las comorbilidades preoperatorias, manifestaciones clínico-nutricionales postoperatorias y mortalidad perioperatoria. La edad media fue 62,02 ± 2,02 años. Se detectó una reducción progresiva en el peso medio corporal (116,04 ± 22,99 a 80,96 ± 21,43 Kg) e IMC (47,13 ± 8,19 a 33,42 ± 9,31 Kg/ m²), con un consequente porcentaje de pérdida de peso (%WL) de 28,60 ± 8,59% y %EWL de 64,79 ± 3,99% a lo largo del periodo de seguimiento de un año (p < 0,05). Todas las pacientes tenían enfermedades relacionadas con obesidad, siendo la más frecuente hipertensión arterial (n = 16), artropatía (n = 11), dislipidemia (n = 9) y diabetes (n = 7). Se comunicaron los siguientes síntomas clínico-nutricionales: alopecia (n = 9), nausea/vómitos (n = 7), estreñimiento (n = 5) e intolerancia a la comida (n = 4). Una paciente fue diagnosticada de malnutrición un año después de la cirugía. No se registraron muertes tras 30 días de la cirugía. En la evaluación a un año, el éxito quirúrgico quedó constatado por las reducciones significativas en peso medio e IMC, además de más de un 50% de pérdida de peso excesivo.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a infecção natural por Leishmania chagasi em flebotomíneos capturados em focos de leishmanioses visceral (LV) na ilha de São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. Análise molecular por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) foi aplicada para determinar a taxa de infecção natural de Lutzomyia longipalpis por L. chagasi em áreas de ocupação humana antiga e recente, na ilha de São Luís. Valendo-se de uma amostra de 800 fêmeas coletadas no período de março a agosto de 2005, foi possível determinar taxas de infecção natural equivalentes a 1,25% em uma localidade de colonização antiga e 0,25% em duas localidades de colonização recente. A infecção foi detectada nas duas localidades independentemente do número de casos humanos de LV notificados, o que demonstra que outros elementos que modulam a infecção no meio natural precisam ser investigados. Os resultados obtidos confirmam a PCR como técnica específica e importante ferramenta para as ações em vigilância epidemiológica.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate natural infection by Leishmania chagasi in female sand flies in a visceral leishmaniasis (VL) focus on São Luís Island, Maranhão State, Brazil. Molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to determine the rate of natural infection of Lutzomyia longipalpis by L. chagasi in areas of old and recent human settlement on São Luís Island. Based on a sample of 800 female specimens captured from March to August 2005, the natural infection rate was 1.25% in an area of old settlement and 0.25% in two recently settled areas. Infection of L. longipalpis was detected in both areas, regardless of the number of reported human VL cases, indicating that other factors modulating infection in the wild need to be investigated. The results confirm PCR as a specific technique and an important tool for epidemiological surveillance.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a infecção natural por Leishmania chagasi em flebotomíneos capturados em focos de leishmanioses visceral (LV) na ilha de São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil. Análise molecular por reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) foi aplicada para determinar a taxa de infecção natural de Lutzomyia longipalpis por L. chagasi em áreas de ocupação humana antiga e recente, na ilha de São Luís. Valendo-se de uma amostra de 800 fêmeas coletadas no período de março a agosto de 2005, foi possível determinar taxas de infecção natural equivalentes a 1,25% em uma localidade de colonização antiga e 0,25% em duas localidades de colonização recente. A infecção foi detectada nas duas localidades independentemente do número de casos humanos de LV notificados, o que demonstra que outros elementos que modulam a infecção no meio natural precisam ser investigados. Os resultados obtidos confirmam a PCR como técnica específica e importante ferramenta para as ações em vigilância epidemiológica.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate natural infection by Leishmania chagasi in female sand flies in a visceral leishmaniasis (VL) focus on São Luís Island, Maranhão State, Brazil. Molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to determine the rate of natural infection of Lutzomyia longipalpis by L. chagasi in areas of old and recent human settlement on São Luís Island. Based on a sample of 800 female specimens captured from March to August 2005, the natural infection rate was 1.25% in an area of old settlement and 0.25% in two recently settled areas. Infection of L. longipalpis was detected in both areas, regardless of the number of reported human VL cases, indicating that other factors modulating infection in the wild need to be investigated. The results confirm PCR as a specific technique and an important tool for epidemiological surveillance.