Caracterização de superfícies de titânio modificado por oxidação à plasma

Recent years have seen a significant growth in surface modifications in titanium implants, resulting in shorter healing times in regions with low bone density. Among the different techniques, subtraction by chemical agents to increase oxidation has been applied for surface treatment of dental implants. However, this technique is generally unable to remove undesirable oxides, formed spontaneously during machining of titanium parts, raising costs due to additional decontamination stages. In order to solve this problem, the present study used plasma as an energy source to both remove these oxides and oxidize the titanium surface. In this respect, Ti disks were treated by hollow cathode discharge, using a variable DC power supply and vacuum system. Samples were previously submitted to a cleaning process using an atmosphere of Ar, H2 and a mixture of both, for 20 and 60 min. The most efficient cleaning condition was used for oxidation in a mixture of argon (60%) and oxygen (40%) until reaching a pressure of 2.2 mbar for 60 min at 500°C. Surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), adhesion and cell proliferation. SEM showed less cell spreading and a larger number of projections orfilopodia in the treated samples compared to the control sample. AFM revealed surface defects in the treated samples, with varied geometry between peaks and valleys. Biological assays showed no significant difference in cell adhesion between treated surfaces and the control. With respect to cell proliferation, the treated surface exhibited improved performance when compared to the control sample. We concluded that the process was efficient in removing primary oxides as well as in oxidizing titanium surfaces

Síndrome metabólica e fatores de risco relacionados em crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso na cidade do Natal

Nas últimas décadas, houve grande aumento da prevalência de obesidade, inclusive na faixa etária pediátrica. Com isso, aumentou o número de crianças e adolescentes afetados por síndrome metabólica (SM), diabetes tipo 2 (DM2) e doenças cardiovasculares (DCV), doenças anteriormente consideradas quase exclusivas de adultos. Os objetivos do estudo foram identificar e correlacionar marcadores antropométricos (IMC- índice de massa corpórea, CA- circunferência abdominal, RCQ- razão cintura/quadril, RCArazão cintura altura e PSE- prega subescapular), PAS e PAD- pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica, respectivamente, e laboratoriais (CT- colesterol total, HDL, LDL, TGL- triglicérides, I/G- razão insulina glicose, HOMA- homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance) de risco para o desenvolvimento de SM e observar a sua prevalência em crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso. Foi conduzido estudo transversal, em amostra aleatória, de conveniência, onde foram avaliadas 60 crianças e adolescentes com excesso de peso, atendidas no ambulatório de endocrinologia pediátrica do Hospital de Pediatria da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) com idade mínima e máxima de 7 e 15 anos, de maio de 2009 a abril de 2010. Foram admitidos os indivíduos que apresentavam sobrepeso (IMC P > 85 e < 95) ou obesidade (IMC P > 95) (CDC, 2000) e história familiar positiva para DM2 em parentes de primeiro ou segundo grau ou algum dos sinais de resistência insulínica (acantose, hipertensão arterial, dislipidemia, síndrome de ovários policísticos). 2 O componente individual para SM mais prevalente foi o percentil da CA ≥ 90 (58,3%), seguido de HDL ≤ 40 mg/dl (36,6%). Na regressão linear simples, observaram-se as variações para mais nos parâmetros laboratoriais e de PA para cada unidade de aumento de IMC, CA, RCA, RCQ e PSE, sendo significantes as seguintes correlações: CA com TGL, HOMA IR, I/G, PAS e PAD; RCQ com TGL, HOMA, I/G, LDL e glicemia; RCA com TGL; PSE com TGL, HOMA-IR, I/G e PAS; e IMC com HOMA IR, I/G, PAS e PAD. De acordo com os critérios da IDF (Federação Internacional de Diabetes International Diabetes Federation) 2007, o diagnóstico de SM foi encontrado em seis indivíduos (10%). Do total, oito (13,3%), estavam em situação de sobrepeso e 52 (86,6%), obesos. As evidências de correlação CA e RCQ, medidas de obesidade centrípeta, com vários marcadores como TGL e HOMA, já sabidamente relacionados à SM, chamam atenção para a necessidade de utilização dessas medidas de forma mais rotineira na prática pediátrica, por serem de fácil obtenção, baixo custo e método não invasivo. Os valores de CA, RCQ, RCA e PSE, quando elevados devem justificar maior detalhamento na avaliação laboratorial de possível resistência insulínica. É importante a identificação de crianças e adolescentes que preencham os requisitos para o diagnóstico da SM, pois são indivíduos de maior risco metabólico e devem ser adequadamente acompanhados.

Medidas de parâmetros morfológicos e funcionais do Coração em brasileiros: um subestudo do primeiro registro multicêntricos latino-americano em ressonância magnética cardiáca

There is no data about cardiac measurements em Brazilians obtained by CMR. This a muldisciplinary study with the objective of obtaining measurements of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) diastolic diameter (Dd), systolic diameter (Ds), diastolic volume (Dv), systolic volume (Sv), ejection fraction (EF) and myocardial mass in Brazilians. One hundred and seven (54 men and 53 women, mean age of 43.4 ± 13.1 years) asymptomatic individuals without heart disease were submitted to cardiac magnetic resonance (cMR) studies using steady state free precession technique. The means and standard deviations of the parameters of the LV and RV were respectively: LVDD = 4,8 ± 0,5 cm; LVSD = 3,0±0,6 cm; LVDV = 128,4±29,6 ml; LVSV = 45,2±16,6 ml; LVEF = 65,5±6,3%; LV mass = 95,2±30,8.1 g; RVDD = 3,9±1,3 cm; RVSD = 2,5±0,5 cm; RVDV = 126,5±30,7 ml; RVSV = 53.6±18,4 ml; RVEF = 58.3±8,0.0% and RV mass = 26,1±6,1 g. The masses and volumes were significantly higher in men, except for the LVSV. The RV EF was significantly higher in women. There was inverse correlation between RV systolic volume and with age, being more significant in men. This study describes for the first time benchmarks for cardiac measurements obtained by CMR among asymptomatic Brazilians individuals without heart disease and demonstrated differences according to sex and age

Estudo de pré-formulação para dose fixa combinada dos tuberculostáticos rifampicina, isoniazida, pirazinamida e etambutol (4 em 1)

According to the global framework regarding new cases of tuberculosis, Brazil appears at the 18th place. Thus, the Ministry of Health has defined this disease as a priority in the governmental policies. As a consequence, studies concerning treatment and prevention have increased. Fixed-dose combination formulations (FDC) are recognized as beneficial and are recommended by WHO, but they present instability and loss on rifampicin bioavailability. The main purpose of this work was to carry out a pre-formulation study with the schedule 1 tuberculosis treatment drugs: rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol and pharmaceutical excipients (lactose, cellulose, magnesium stearate and talc), in order to develop an FDC product (150 mg of rifampicin + 75 mg of isoniazid + 400 mg of pyrazinamide + 250 mg of ethambutol). The studies consisted of the determination of particle size and distribution (Ferret s diameter) and shape through optical microscopy, as well as rheological and technological properties (bulk and tapped densities, Hausner Factor, Carr s Index, repose angle and flux rate) and interactions among drugs and drug excipient through thermal analysis (DSC, DTA, TG and your derivate). The results showed that, except isoniazid, the other drugs presented poor rheological properties, determined by the physical characteristics of the particles: small size and rod like particles shape for rifampicin; rectangular shape for pyrazinamide and ethambutol, beyond its low density. The 4 drug mixture also not presented flowability, particularly that one containing drug quantity indicated for the formulation of FDC products. In this mixture, isoniazid, that has the best flowability, was added in a lower concentration. The addition of microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate and talc to the drug mixtures improved flowability properties. In DSC analysis probable interactions among drugs were found, supporting the hypothesis of ethambutol and pyrazinamide catalysis of the rifampicin-isoniazid reaction resulting in 3- formylrifamycin isonicotinyl hydrazone (HYD) as a degradation product. In the mixtures containing lactose Supertab® DSC curves evidenced incompatibility among drugs and excipient. In the DSC curves of mixtures containing cellulose MC101®, magnesium stearate and talc, no alterations were observed comparing to the drug profiles. The TG/DTG of the binary and ternary mixtures curves showed different thermogravimetrics profiles relating that observed to the drug isolated, with the thermal decomposition early supporting the evidences of incompatibilities showed in the DSC and DTA curves

Capacidade antioxidante in vitro e avaliação da toxicidade aguda in vivo de extratos de folhas de Licania rígida Benth., Licania tomentosa (Benth.) Fritsch e Couepia impressa Prance (Chrysobalanaceae)

Licania rigida Benth., Licania tomentosa (Benth.) Fritsch, and Couepia impressa Prance (Chrysobalanaceae family) plants have long been used medicinally by the people from Northeastern Brazil. Crude extracts and infusions of these plants have been applied in the treatment of several conditions such as diabetes and rheumatism, degenerative diseases with involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the aqueous, ethanolic, and hydroethanolic leaves extracts antioxidant capacity of these species, using several in vitro assay systems (reducing power, DPPH● scavenging, the β-carotene linoleate model system and lipid peroxidation inhibition in rat brain homogenate, using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS). The oral acute toxicity of aqueous extracts was also evaluated in vivo. Results revealed that these extracts possess a potent reducing power and DPPH scavenging ability, as well as the ability to prevent TBARS formation in rat brain homogenate in a concentration-dependent manner. Regarding in vivo oral acute toxicity of the aqueous species extracts, no toxic effects were observed upon evaluating physiological, hematological and biochemical parameters. The presence of high levels of phenolics and flavonoids was determined mainly in the ethanol extract. However, the C. impressa hydroethanolic extract, fractionated with hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate for analysis by NMR 1H, showed more efficient results than the reference antioxidant Carduus marianus. The classes of organics compounds were determined were phenolics in the fraction of ethyl acetate and terpenes in chloroform and hexane fractions. The ethil acetate fraction had the highest content of flavonoids and increased scavenging capacity of DPPH●, possibly by the presence of phenolic compounds. Therefore, a detailed investigation of the phytochemical composition and in vivo study of the C. impressa hydroethanolic extract is suggested to characterize the active compounds of the species

A dimensão ética do cinema de Walter Salles: hospitalidade, religação e perdão

Soulignant l´importance des transformations du discours politique du cinéma brésilien actuel, cet étude entreprend une analyse de la dimension éthique du cinéma de Walter Salles. Pour cela, nous avons parti de trois films long-métrages du directeur: Terra Estrangeira, Central do Brasil et Abril Despedaçado. Les films sélectionnés constituent les trois diférents chapitres de cette mémoire de maîtrise, qui s´articulent a des diférentes dimensions de l´éthique - l´hospitalité, la réliaison, et le pardon- et se présentent em format essayistique. Au texte, ces dimensions éthiques émergent à partir des récits, surtout des expériences existencielles des protagonistes et de ses singulières rencontres avec l´altérité. Comme tel, dialoguent avec des réflétions d´auteurs comme Edgar Morin, Zigmunt Bauman, Julia Kristeva, Paul Ricoeur et Hannah Arendt. Des diférents régistres de la connaissance -artistique, scientifique, religieuse- s´articulent donc dans le travail, et dialoguent en condition d´égalité. La recherche fait usage de matériels multiples qui incluent, au-delà des films mentionnés, et de ses respectifs scripts, des références à d´autres long-métrages et documentaires du directeur, ainsi que, des makingoffs, entretiens, et interprétations de commentaristes comme Lucia Nagib, Luiz Zanin Oricchio, Ivana Bentes, Pedro Butcher e Jurandir Freire Costa

Iniqüidade em saúde: uma extensão das desigualdades sociais no sistema público de saúde do Brasil (2003-2006)

This issue analises the unevenness in the brazilian system of public health care as an extension of socials inequities. It is a theoretical study based in a historical method, using empirical camp from academic, corporation and institution researchs, along the period 2002-2006. Equality and effectiveness in health systems are analitical basic cathegories grap in the root of the doctrine, principles and organization of the Unique Health System, in which sectorial actions are inserted. Discuss the estructural prodution and determined those inequalities through some social determiners of health system: income, land, food securitiy, nutritional situation, basic sanitation, epidemiological inequities and public management policy. Carry out a thematic review over health social production, it formlation and the goals of social policies, as well as the insertion of the equality principle in the assistance system, in the frame of the running public health regulations. It uses reflections that enlighted the correlation between the process of political-institutional actions and equity on health assistance. Analized the pertinency of sectorial reorganizational strategies on basic attendance, confronting the hipothesis that those strategies reinforce social inequities in health system, because it organize diferential assistance levels over not equal baselines. The results show up that social inequalities, even remaining, have had a small decrease; that the selectiviness of actual public policies and the duplication of the health system, increases the differences within and between the social classes and configures the assistance as inequal. The basic care system has great shortages that also appeares in middle and complex assistance levels. As conclusion, it remarks that the health assintance system, even with it integrality has limits; structural problems on material conditions of living and health system could not be reversed only with institutional legal arragements; by the contrary, in border conditions, these strategies produce policies that reinforce inequities, neglecting the equity principle of the system in which frame, they work. One patina of this tim

Processo participativo da população na construção da agenda 21 local:o caso de Parnamirim

One of the agreements assumed at the conference of the United Nations for the Environments and Development which took place in Rio de Janeiro in 1992; through Global Agenda 21, was that the signatory countries would create a national Politics of sustainable development, by means of their national Agenda 21. Demonstrating the relevance of municipal districts and the local communities, during the definitions of new development standards compromised to the transformation of the society, socia1ly and environmentally well-balanced world, it was also agreed on that places under the responsibilities of the municipal districts would promote their own local Agenda 21. We need to point out though that the government has the prerogative and the responsibly of facilitating the population participation process in the construction of national and local Agenda. This made it possible again, to plan the scheming process directly towards the insertion of population participation at the different levels, involving the entire local sectors while establishing a new local partnership through the local municipal government. Thus, we decide to verify the participation of the population in the construction of their local Agenda 21, choosing for the study case Parnamirim municipality from RN. The question which originated the objectives and analysis was formulated on the following terms: Up to which stage was the process of population participation effective in the elaboration of Parnamirims's local Agenda 21? Based on this uneasiness, it was defined as the general objective, the verification of population participation process during the elaboration of Parnamirims's local Agenda 21, aiming at its effectiveness as well as specific objectives; to identify the population representivity, the construction of the local AG 21 in order to identify on which level is the participation based, to verify the strategies used in order to promote the process participation, to identify the motives guiding those involved in the construction of the local Agenda 21. This case study at Parnamirim municipal district demonstrated that there was effective population participation as far as the local Agenda 21 is concerned

Afinal, quantos éramos? Um estudo da mortalidade pretérita na freguesia da gloriosa Sant Anna

Search mortality in the glorious St. Anna Parish, hinterland of Rio Grande do Norte in the time frame 1788-1838 is the main objective of this research. Questions that the research aims to answer are: how many were after? Data parish deaths allow us to study mortality in Town? To conduct the research, first appealed to the population maps of the years 1777, 1810, 1811, 1824, 1844, 1853; censuses of 1872 and 1890. As well, the first two books of burials / deaths of the Parish, the first dating from 1788 to 1811 and the second from 1812 to 1838 and a book of baptism 1803-1806. Among the findings it was realized that, for now, the question of knowing, "After all, how many were?" Still cannot be answered, because during the analysis we noticed a high rate of underreporting, demonstrated through a study of the first infant mortality, in which the records we have was very high, which goes against the pre-transitional period, but with the exercise of inverse projection found the opposite, a population that would have a life expectancy higher. Demonstrating the problem of underreporting. Infant deaths occur mainly with the male children in the first months of the year due to infectious causes, and in the early days and weeks, we raised a hypothesis is that these deaths have as a backdrop the poor condition of the mother leading to poor training child, thus leading to his early death

Os antagonismos da integração sul-americana na ordem jurídica brasileira

The economic regional integration is a phenomenon observed in numerous occasions inside the global economic reality. Watchful to that phenomenon, the 1988 s Brazilian constitutional order establish in its 4th article, single paragraph, the commitment to seek for the Latin- American integration, as a Fundamental Principle to the Brazilian Federative Republic. Regarding the mentioned constitutional disposition s realization, the Brazilian State celebrated, specially, the 1980 s Montevideo Treaty, creating the Latin-American Integration Association, and the 1991 s Asuncion Treaty, performing the duty to establish a common market, in sub regional level, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, called Mercado Comum do Sul. However, due to an addiction to a wrong comprehension of State s Sovereignty Principle, the Constitution imposes to the international rules an incorporation process, without providing any privilege to those ones regarding the integration constitutional disposition s realization, whether original or derived. The Brazilian s Supreme Court, as matter of fact, affirmed that it is not possible, facing the actual constitutional order, to grant any character of preference. Also in the controversies solution mechanism, responsible for the law s execution in case of its noncompliance, where found malfunctions, most notably the system s open character and its excessive procedural flexibility, in addiction to restricting the access of individuals. It follows from these findings, then, the lack of legal certainty provided by the Mercosul s legal system, considering its effects both international and within the Brazilian state. Among the possible solutions to reduce or eliminate the problem are using the practice of the so-called executive agreements in the Mercosul s original rules incorporation to the Brazilian state, the creation of a Mercosul s court of law and/or a constitutional reform

Limites formais e materiais ao controle de constitucionalidade pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal

This document approaches the formal and material limits of the constitucionalidade control for the Supreme Federal Court, iniating with the study of the Constitution, detaching its evolution, nature and meanings, passing for its historical evolution, offering still a unconstitutionality concept. Is work the principles as material Constitution, making the distinction entere principles and rules, detaching the characteristics of the principles constitutional, and the basic principle of the Constituition. It analyzes metodologics the historical parameters and of the brazilian system of constitutionality control and detaches the paper of the Supreme Federal Court as positive legislator. It observes the beddings of the constitutionality control and the legitimacy of the Supreme Federal Court. Is examines the performance of the Supreme Federal Court in face of the principle of the legal security. Is offers a vision on the experience of the control of constitutionality in other constries. It still approaches the control of constitutionality in Brazil, detaching the critical points of its formal and material limits. Is verifies the application of the principles constitutional for the Supreme Federal Court in the diffuse control and the intent control of constitutionality, as well as the performance of the Supreme Federal Court ahead of the unconstitutional omissions. It brings to the debate the new perspectives how much to the formal and material limits of the control of constitutionality for the Supreme Federal Court. Objective to elaborate considerations concerning the limits of the constitutional jurisdiction from the model of Constituition, the character politican of the difficulties with respect to the definition of its formal and material limits from the performance of the Supreme Federal Court

Uso e conservação da fauna por populações humanas no Rio Grande do Norte, Nordeste do Brasil

Muitos países subdesenvolvidos são caracterizados por uma significativa diversidade sociocultural e por uma acentuada pobreza em grande parte da população, que fazem uso da caça de animais como uma fonte alternativa de alimento e para outros fins. O estudo objetivou investigar se a distância das populações humanas da zona rural em relação à zona urbana e fatores socioeconômicos podem ser preditores de um maior conhecimento sobre as espécies da fauna utilizadas. Além disso, o estudo objetivou também testar uma ferramenta capaz de gerar uma lista da fauna prioritária para a conservação local a partir do conhecimento local. Os dados foram coletados por meio de 30 entrevistas utilizando formulários semi-estruturados em quatro comunidades rurais no município de Pedro Avelino, RN. Foram calculados o fator de consenso dos informantes (ICF), a importância relativa (IR) e o nível de fidelidade (FL). Adicionalmente, foi calculado o índice de Shannon-Wiener para as categorias de uso: estimação, alimentar, medicinal e para a multiplicidade de uso por informante. Os entrevistados reconhecem 83 espécies pertencentes a 45 famílias de animais. As espécies citadas pertencem a seis grandes grupos taxonômicos: aves, mamíferos, répteis, anfíbios, peixes e insetos. O conhecimento sobre a utilização de animais para as categorias de uso definidas neste trabalho não mostrou relação significativa com os fatores socioeconômicos e nem com a distância das comunidades da zona rural para a zona urbana de Pedro Avelino. Os resultados sugerem, portanto, que a pobreza nivela o conhecimento sobre o uso da fauna independente da distância que as comunidades encontram-se da zona urbana. As listas geradas permitirão direcionar estudos ecológicos mais aprofundados visando à conservação das espécies do bioma Caatinga. Desta forma, é importante considerar as interações existentes entre as pessoas e os animais para melhor entender a dinâmica de utilização e fornecer, assim, subsídios para a conservação das espécies.

Uso da biodiversidade por populações humanas na caatinga e na Mata Atlântica, Rio Grande do Norte, Nordeste do Brasil

The use of animals is a common activity but it can be really variable between human populations. This work analyzed the knowledge about useful animal species between human communities in Caatinga and Atlantic Forest considering the influence of socioeconomics and environmental factors on the species selection. Forty people were interviewed in Caraúbas community (Atlantic Forest) and thirty were interviewed in Barrocas community (Caatinga). A total of 193 animals were cited. The communities showed a low degree of similarity (20%) and the general diversity of mentioned species was significantly bigger in Caraúbas. Men cited a diversity of species greater than women for food category in Caraúbas and pet category in Caraúbas and Barrocas. Women cited greater species diversity for medicinal use in Caraúbas. In general, in both communities, the age group >60 years showed a greater knowledge than the others. The multiple regression analysis showed the age as the only socioeconomic factor which influenced significantly the knowledge about animals for the food category in both communities. Considering the richness of known species, there were differences only between gender for sum of uses and food category in Caraúbas and for the pet category in Barrocas with men showing a greater knowledge than women. The results showed that local environmental differences are fundamental at the species selection but they also showed that within communities there are other factors like gender and age that tend to influence the knowledge about species. It is important to consider cultural, economic, social and environmental factors to understand better the interactions between people and animals so that this information can be used to facilitate the implementation of conservation measures

Análise da resiliência sócio-ecológica em unidades de conservação de uso sustentável: subsídios para o manejo da pesca artesanal no Brasil

O uso da biodiversidade pelo homem leva a alterações no funcionamento dos ecossistemas, podendo ainda levar a perda de resiliência. Pode-se definir resiliência como a capacidade de um sistema absorver um distúrbio e reorganizar-se, enquanto submetido a mudanças, mantendo a mesma estrutura e funcionamento. Em um sistema social, entende-se como a capacidade dos usuários de recursos naturais de enfrentar e adaptar-se as mudanças nas regras que regem o uso e acesso a estes. Alterações na resiliência, tanto ecológica quanto social, podem ser resultantes das ações de exploração e manejo destes recursos. Assim, torna-se essencial compreender como funcionam as estratégias de manejo e sua interação com a resiliência sócio-ecológica, permitindo a auto-avaliação das ações e possíveis modificações das mesmas. Neste projeto, propõe-se comparar a resiliência sócio-ecológica de três Unidades de Conservação (UCs) de uso sustentável: Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (RDS) Ponta do Tubarão, localizada no estado do Rio Grande do Norte; e as Reservas Extrativistas do Batoque e Prainha do Canto Verde, ambas localizadas no estado do Ceará. Em cada área de estudo serão escolhidas comunidades pesqueiras, permitindo a comparação entre elas. A partir destas comunidades, alguns aspectos relacionados ao uso dos recursos serão analisados, como atividade pesqueira, dieta e modo de vida. Os dados serão coletados através de questionários semi-estruturados, contendo questões baseadas em aspectos sociais, econômicos e ecológicos. Os resultados obtidos servirão de indicadores para a resiliência ecológica (informações obtidas com base na atividade pesqueira) e social (informações obtidas com base no acompanhamento da dieta e análise do modo de vida). Apesar da similaridade ecológica entre as áreas de estudo, algumas estratégias de manejo distintas em função da categoria da UC podem apresentar diferentes resultados sobre a resiliência sócio-ecológica. Desta forma, compreender como a resiliência sócio-ecológica se comporta, dentro dos sistemas de manejo estudados, permitirá avaliar a influência destes dois tipos de UCs (RDS e RESEX) na promoção da sustentabilidade ecológica e/ou social

Etnobiologia do boto cinza (Sotalia guianensis, van Bénéden, 1864) por comunidades pesqueiras do Rio Grande do Norte, Basil

Ethnobiology studies Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) as well as the use and management of natural resources by local communities in order to understand how the environment is perceived, known and classified by human groups. In fishing communities, LEK adds empirical information about the biology of aquatic species and complements scientific findings, especially when it is difficult to obtain factual information during studies on cetaceans, whose behavior is essentially underwater. Cetaceans (whales and dolphins) are constantly threatened by human activities, especially by accidental capture of small coastal species, as in the case of the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), object of this study. Ethnobiological researches in fishing communities are of great importance and can clarify aspects of the biology and conservation of this species. Although extensively studied throughout its distribution range, there are still gaps in the knowledge about S. guianensis. Therefore, fishers local ecological knowledge becomes an additional tool to get and confirm information about S. guianensis. This study evaluated the LEK of artisanal fishers who are daily exposed to local population of S. guianensis, through the use of semistructured interviews (N=116). The interviewed fishers were asked about the biology and popular classification of S. guianensis and about possible interactions between this dolphin and them. The studied communities were located in Tibau do Sul (n=39), Pipa (n=36) and Baía Formosa (n=41), all on the south coast of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The study was based on the assumption that differences in fishers LEK among those communities would be caused by both the variety of fishing environments (lagoon/estuary and ocean) and the intensity of tourism activities. Fishers knowledge is expressive and differed among the studied communities depending on the topic investigated. Fishers correctly reported the habitat, distribution, seasonality and behavioral particularities of S. guianensis. Tourism mainly affected the naming of the species. The study results also suggest that marine fishers have greater knowledge about the species than the estuarine/lagoon ones. Local populations accumulate empirical knowledge according to their environment. Hence, it is important to take into account both empirical knowledge and popular participation in management systems, in order to maintain information sharing among communities