Molecular detection of Trypanosoma sp. and Blastocrithidia sp. (Trypanosomatidae) in phlebotomine sand flies (Psychodidae) in the Federal District of Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION : This study describes the occurrence of trypanosomatids in phlebotomines in Brasília, Brazil. METHODS : Two hundred and ten females of 13 sand fly species were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using different molecular markers (D7 24Sα rRNA, kDNA, and ITS1) and sequencing. RESULTS : PCR revealed trypanosomatid-positive samples from Nyssomyia whitmani and Evandromyia evandroi, which were negative by kDNA and ITS1 Leishmania-specific PCRs. DNA sequence analysis of D7 24Sα rRNA amplicons indicated the occurrence of Blastocrithidia sp. and Trypanosoma sp. in Nyssomyia whitmani and Evandromyia evandroi, respectively. CONCLUSIONS : Two trypanosomatid species other than Leishmania sp. were found to circulate in sand flies in Central Brazil.

Ten years of a hantavirus disease emergency in the Federal District, Brazil

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Hantavirus diseases are emerging human diseases caused by Hantavirus spp. of the Bunnyaviridae family. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) has been detected in the Federal District (DF) of Brazil since 2004. Among the 27 Brazilian Federal Units, DF has the highest fatality rate. More than 10 years have already passed since then, with confirmation of cases caused by the Araraquara and Paranoa species. The reservoir is Necromys lasiurus. METHODS: Local surveillance data of the confirmed cases were analyzed, including age, sex, month and year of occurrence, clinical symptoms, syndromes and outcomes, and probable transmission place (PTP). The cases were mainly confirmed by IgM detection with a capture enzyme immunoassay. The cases were classified as autochthonous if PTPs were in the DF area. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2013, in the DF, 126 cases of hantavirus were confirmed, and the cumulative incidence was 5.0 per 100,000 inhabitants. The occurrence of cases was predominantly from April to August. At least 75% of the cases were autochthonous. Acute respiratory failure was reported in 47.5% of cases, and the fatality rate was 40%. CONCLUSIONS: In the DF, the cumulative incidence of HPS was one of the highest worldwide. A seasonal pattern of hantavirus disease in the dry season is clear. There was a high frequency of severe clinical signals and symptoms as well as a high fatality rate. For the near future, visitors and inhabitants of DF rural areas, particularly male adults, should receive continuous education about hantavirus transmission and prevention.

Libellulidae (Insecta: Odonata) from Itapiracó reserve, Maranhão, Brazil: new records and species distribution information

In this work, I apply a simple protocol to species occurrence inventory of Odonata in a region of Maranhão state which has very few distributional records. Some relations between species occurrence and environmental characteristics are discussed, mainly in relation to the high occurrence of Erythemis. Eighteen new records are presented discussing the role of this approach to generate useful information for conservation purposes.

Aspectos reprodutivos e dieta alimentar dos ninhegos de Rhinoptynx clamator (Aves: Strigidae) no campus Marco Zero da Universidade Federal do Amapá, Macapá-AP

Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar os aspectos comportamentais de nidificação, alimentação e desenvolvimento dos ninhegos de Rhinoptynx clamator (Strigidae) em um fragmento florestal no Campus Marco Zero da Universidade Federal do Amapá. Apenas um ninho foi encontrado, no solo e na base de um tucumã Astrocaryum oleatum. Três ovos brancos com manchas marrons foram observados, cuja medida foi de 41 x 35 mm em média. A incubação durou 28 dias e foi efetuada pela fêmea, e o último filhote a nascer viveu apenas dois dias. Os filhotes sobreviventes foram medidos durante o seu desenvolvimento. Durante a estação reprodutiva foram coletadas algumas pelotas de regurgitação, sendo encontrados três tipos de vertebrados: Rattus sp., Micoureus cf. regina e Columbina talpacoti.

Myxomycetes collection preserved in the herbarium of the Federal University of Roraima (Brazil)

First records of myxomycetes in the North region of Brazil go back to the 19th century. Nevertheless, the myxobiota of this region is still largely unexplored, with only 42 species recorded, distributed in 20 genera and seven families. The objectives of this paper were to characterize the Myxomycetes collection of the Herbarium of the Federal University of Roraima (UFRR) and to add new records for the myxobiota of this State. The collection holds specimens collected in fragments of Open Ombrophilous Forest, Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forest, Riparian Forest, deforested areas and urban home gardens in the state of Roraima. The 157 exsiccates were analyzed and identified or redetermined based on identification keys, descriptions and illustrations. The collection is in good conditions of preservation and includes all subclasses of Myxomycetes, 83% of its orders, 50% of its families, and 20 species. Trichiales, with one family, three genera and six species, represents 62% of all exsiccates. Cribraria aff. splendens, Metatrichia vesparia, Physarella oblonga, Stemonaria longa and Stemonitis splendens are new records for Roraima and Arcyria obvelata, Comatricha pulchella, Stemonitis pallida and Stemonitopsis aequalis are referred for the first time in the Northern Region, enlarging the knowledge of the Brazilian geographic distribution of these species.

Updated List and identification key of 219 tree species of white sand forests of the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, Loreto, Peru

White sand forests, although low in nutrients, are characterized not only by several endemic species of plants but also by several monodominant species. In general, plants in this forest have noticeably thin stems. The aim of this work was to elaborate a parallel dichotomous key for the identification of Angiosperm tree species occurring on white sand forests at the Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, Loreto, Peru. We compiled a list of species from several publications in order to have the most comprehensive list of species that occur on white sand forest. We found 219 species of Angiosperm, the more abundant species were Pachira brevipes (26.27%), Caraipa utilis (17.90%), Dicymbe uaiparuensis (13.27%), Dendropanax umbellatus (3.28%), Sloanea spathulata (2.52%), Ternstroemia klugiana (2.30%), Haploclathra cordata (2.28%), Parkia igneiflora (1.20%), Emmotum floribundum (1.06%), Ravenia biramosa (1.04%) among others. Most species of white sand forests can be distinguished using characteristics of stems, branches and leaves. This key is very useful for the development of floristic inventories and related projects on white sand forests from Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve.

Uso de drogas por estudantes de Farmácia da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

OBJETIVO: Traçar o perfil dos usuários de substâncias psicoativas do curso de Farmácia do Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS) da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (Ufes). MÉTODOS: Tratou-se de estudo exploratório, descritivo, transversal e quantitativo. Foram pesquisados 148 alunos (80,4%) matriculados no curso de Farmácia. O instrumento utilizado foi o questionário da Organização Mundial de Saúde adaptado à realidade brasileira. Os dados foram tabulados e analisados por meio do programa Statistical Packcage for the Social Science (SPSS). RESULTADOS: Dos pesquisados, a maior representação foi na faixa etária de 20 a 22 anos (52,7%), do sexo feminino (67,6%), e da classe socioeconômica B (47,3%). Quanto ao uso de álcool, o " uso na vida" foi de 87,8%, " uso no ano" de 77,7% e " uso no mês" de 58,1%. Entre as outras drogas, o " uso na vida" mais prevalente foi dos inalantes (18,2%). CONCLUSÃO: Conforme observado, o uso de substâncias psicoativas entre universitários é questão preocupante, demonstrando a importância de maior abordagem à temática no currículo acadêmico.

Uso de substâncias psicoativas entre universitários de medicina da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

OBJETIVO: Traçar o perfil do uso de substâncias psicoativas entre os universitários do Curso de Medicina do Centro de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, descritivo, transversal e quantitativo, desenvolvido com 168 universitários, do primeiro ao último ano do curso de medicina. O instrumento utilizado na coleta de dados foi o Questionário sobre o Uso de Drogas, uma adaptação do questionário proposto pela OMS¹. Os dados foram tabulados por meio do programa Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS)². RESULTADOS: Ao todo, 54,8% dos universitários são do sexo feminino, 76,8% se encontram na faixa etária de 17 a 22 anos e 50% pertencem à classe social B. Quanto ao uso de substâncias psicoativas, 86,9% relataram uso na vida de álcool, seguido de tabaco (22,0%), solventes (15,5%), anfetaminas (10,1%), cannabis sativa (9,5%), alucinógenos com 1,8% e barbitúricos com 0,6%. CONCLUSÃO: Faz-se necessária a prevenção do uso indevido de substâncias psicoativas entre universitários, por meio de disciplinas curriculares que abordem a temática e de programas de prevenção destinados a essa população.

Uso de álcool e tabaco entre estudantes de Psicologia da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

OBJETIVO: Traçar o perfil do uso de álcool e tabaco entre universitários do curso de graduação em Psicologia do Centro de Ciências Humanas e Naturais da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal, com abordagem quantitativa. A população estudada foi de alunos matriculados no referido curso no segundo semestre do ano de 2010, constituindo uma amostra de 221 estudantes. O questionário utilizado foi o mesmo utilizado no I Levantamento Nacional entre Universitários, proposto pela Secretaria Nacional de Políticas sobre Drogas. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos estudantes era solteira (90,1%), do sexo feminino (81%), estava na faixa etária de 18 a 24 anos (81%), era da raça/cor caucasoide/branca (57,5%) e 55% referiram pertencer às classes econômicas B1 e B2. Encontrou-se maior prevalência de álcool (85,07%) e tabaco (33,07%) na frequência uso na vida, sendo o uso de álcool maior que na população geral. As substâncias associadas ao uso de álcool na vida foram a maconha (p-valor = 0,007), os tranquilizantes (p = 0,011) e os anfetamínicos (p = 0,045). Já para o uso de tabaco na vida, as substâncias mais associadas foram a maconha (p = 0,0001), os inalantes (p = 0,0001), os alucinógenos (p = 0,0001) e os anfetamínicos (p = 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: É necessária maior abordagem nos currículos de graduação, especialmente da Psicologia, sobre o consumo de substâncias psicoativas e seus impactos para o indivíduo, a família e a sociedade, bem como a criação de programas preventivos específicos para estudantes universitários.

Estudo transversal sobre o uso de risco de álcool em uma amostra de estudantes de uma universidade federal brasileira

Objetivo Avaliar o padrão de consumo de álcool entre estudantes de uma universidade federal brasileira que faz parte do Programa de Apoio a Planos de Reestruturação e Expansão das Universidades Federais (REUNI) e identificar os grupos mais expostos a problemas relacionados ao uso de álcool e fatores associados. Métodos Caracteriza-se como um estudo descritivo, quantitativo e de delineamento transversal no qual se aplicou um questionário de caracterização sociodemográfica e o The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) em 787 estudantes universitários de uma universidade federal brasileira. Resultados Entre os estudantes, 82,9% se enquadraram no grupo que faz consumo de baixo risco e 17,1%, no grupo que faz um consumo de risco. A análise de correspondência detectou que os estudantes do gênero masculino, os que não possuíam religião, que praticavam atividade física esporadicamente e que residiam em repúblicas se caracterizaram como pertencentes ao grupo de risco em relação ao consumo de álcool. Conclusões Os resultados indicam predominância de consumo de álcool de baixo risco entre os estudantes e sugerem uma relação entre consumo de álcool de maior risco e gênero masculino, não possuir religião, praticar atividade física esporadicamente e residir em repúblicas. Essas informações devem ser consideradas em programas preventivos no ambiente universitário.

Study of Coronary Flow Reserve with Intravenous Use of Microbubbles (Contrast Echocardiography) and Adenosine: Protocol for Clinical Application in Patients Suspected of Having Coronary Heart Disease

OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility, safety and accuracy of the adenosine protocol in the study of myocardial perfusion with microbubbles contrast echocardiography. METHODS: 81 pts (64 male, 60+11 years) were submitted to contrast echocardiography with PESDA (sonicated solution of albumin 20%-1ml, dextrose 5%-12ml and deca-fluorobutane gas-8ml) to study the myocardial perfusion at rest and after bolus injection of adenosine (6 to 18mg) and to coronary angiography within 1 month each other. For each patient 3 left ventricle perfusion beds were considered (total of 243 territories). 208 territories were analyzed and 35 territories were excluded. PESDA was continuously infused (1-2ml/min), titrated for best myocardial contrast. Triggered (1:1) second harmonic imaging was used. RESULTS: Coronary angiography showed 70 flow limiting (> 75%) lesions and 138 no flow limiting lesions. At rest an obvious myocardium contrast enhancement was seen in at least 1 segment of a territory in all patients. After adenosine injection an unquestionable further increase in myocardial contrast was observed in 136 territories (99%) related to no flow limiting lesions, lasting < 10 s, and a myocardial perfusion defect was detected in 68 territories (97%) related to flow limiting lesions. It was observed only 4 false results. There were no serious complications. CONCLUSION: Myocardial perfusion study with PESDA and adenosine protocol is a practical, safe and accurate method to analyze the coronary flow reserve.

Study of Coronary Sinus Flow Reserve Through Transesophageal Doppler Echocardiography in Normal Subjects

OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the Coronary Flow Reserve in the Coronary Sinus through transesophageal Doppler echocardiography in normal subjects. METHODS - We obtained technically adequate flow samples for analysis in 10 healthy volunteers (37±8 years, 5 men) with no history of heart or systemic disease and with mean left ventricular mass index by transthoracic echocardiography of 87±18 g/m². Coronary sinus flow velocity was recorded within the coronary sinus with the patient in a resting condition and during intravenous adenosine infusion at a dose of 140 µg/kg/min for 4 minutes. Recording of coronary sinus blood flow was possible in all cases with measurement of peak systolic, diastolic, and retrograde velocities (PSV, PDV, and PRV, cm/sec), mean systolic and diastolic velocities (MSV and MDV, cm/sec), and systolic and diastolic velocity time integral (VTI S and VTI D, cm/sec). RESULTS - The coronary flow reserve was calculated as the ratio between the blood flow in the basal state and the maximum measured hyperemic blood flow with adenosine infusion. Results are shown as mean and standard deviations. (CFR = PSV + PDV -- PRV/basal PSV): 1st min = 2.2±0.21; 2nd min = 3±0.3; 3rd min = 3.4±0.37; 4th min = 3.6 ± 0.33. CONCLUSION - Although coronary sinus flow had significantly increased in the first minute, higher velocities were seen at third and fourth minutes, indicating that these should be the best times to study coronary sinus flow with intravenous adenosine in continuous infusion.

Percutaneous transluminal septal alcoholization for the treatment of refractory hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: initial experience in the Federal District

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy of percutaneous transluminal septal alcoholization in the treatment of refractory obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOC). METHODS: The patients were referred for alcoholization after Doppler echocardiography. Before and after alcoholization, the intraventricular pressure gradient was recorded. Alcoholization was performed with a 3mL injection of absolute alcohol through a coronary angioplasty balloon catheter. The procedure was concluded after a significant reduction or abolition of the pressure gradient. RESULTS: Of 22 patients, 18 (81.8%) successfully concluded the procedure with a reduction in intraventricular pressure gradient at baseline (from 67.6±24.2 mmHg to 3.8± 1.9 mmHg, p<0.005) and after extrasystole (from 110.4± 24.2 mmHg to 9.6±2.6 mm Hg, p<0.005). A significant reduction in mean interventricular septal thickness (from 2± 0.3 mm to 1.7±0.2 mm, p<0.005) and in peak pressure gradient (from 90.7±23.5 mmHg to 6.1±1.4 mmHg, p<0.005) was observed on Doppler echocardiography after 6 months, when all patients were in functional class I. The most frequent acute complication, present in 11% of the patients, was the need for definitive pacing implantation. Relapse of the symptoms and reappearance of the pressure gradient occurred in 16.6% of the patients. One patient (5.5%) died probably due to a diffuse coronary spasm prior to the procedure, and another died suddenly on late follow-up. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transluminal septal alcoholization is effective and safe in the treatment of HOC.