O reconhecimento de si no cyborg: Uma análise cinematográfica das implicações sociais do surgimento do pós-humano

Dissertação apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências da Comunicação

Human mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Três Braços, Bahia - Brazil: an area of Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis transmission. I. Laboratory diagnosis

Leishmanial parasites were detected in 71.2% of patients with cutaneous disease and 48% of patients with mucosal disease, using principally scanning of imprints mears and histological sections and hamster inoculation. Parasites were more frequent in early cutaneous lesions (p < 0.005) o fless than two month duration. Also they were more common in multiple than single mucosal lesions (p < 0.02) in spite of considerable prior glucan time therapy in the former group. 93% of cutaneous lesions had a positive leishmanin skin test and most of the negatives occurred in patients with lesions of less than one month duration. 97% of patients with single mucosal lesion and 79% with multiple mucosal lesions had a positive skin test. 86% of cutaneous disease and 90% of mucosal disease was associated with a positive indirect immunofluorescent antibody test at a ≥ 1/20 dilution. In both groups multiple lesions were associated with higher titres and titres were significantly higher in patients with mucosal disease compared with cutaneous disease (p < 0.01).

Patogenia da leishmaniose cutânea experimental: a importância da necrose na eliminação dos parasitos das lesões

Um estudo histopatológico e ultraestrutural das lesões da leishmaniose cutânea causada pela Leishmania mexicana amazonensis em duas cepas isogênicas de camundongo, uma susceptível (Balb/c) e outra resistente (A/J), demonstrou que os amastigotas ficavam bem preservados nos vacúolos parasitóforos dos macrófagos, igualmente em ambas as cepas. A reação de imunofluorescência revelou antigenos parasitários no interior e na membrana dos macrófagos de maneira idêntica para ambas as cepas. A diferença ocorria quando os macrófagos apareciam destruídos e as leishmanias ficavam livres ou fagocitadas por polimorfonucleares, neutrófilos e eosinófilos. Estes parasitos exibiam então graus variáveis de nítidas alterações degenerativas. No camundongo resistence, a necrose, de tipo caseoso ou fibrinóide, era mais disseminada e mais freqüente que no animal susceptível. Os achados observados indicaram que as leishmanias não são destruídas no interior dos macrófagos e sim fora deles, especialmente quando fagocitadas por leucócitos polimorfonucleares. A necrose apareceu como o mecanismo mais saliente através do qual o hospedeiro elimina os parasitos das lesões, sendo a mesma um aspecto importante da reação de hipersensibilidade tardia que ocorre nos animais resistentes.

Aspectos epidemiológicos determinantes na manutenção da leishmaniose visceral no Estado do Maranhão - Brasil

Analisou-se o comportamento da leishmaniose visceral (LV) no Estado do Maranhão-Brasil, no período de 1982 a 1993. A enfermidade vem ocorrendo predominantemente na Ilha de São Luís-MA em áreas periurbanas, destacando, no período epidêmico, a capital São Luís como principal área endêmica. A maior freqüência de casos ocorreu em 1993, apesar do uso de inseticidas e controle dos cães. Houve predomíyiio na faixa etária de 0 a 4 anos de idade com 58,4% dos casos. Nem a doença humana nem o índice pluviométrico apresentaram variações sazonais significativas, entretanto estiveram moderadamente correlacionados, havendo quase sempre elevação do número de casos após o período de maior precipitação chuvosa. A partir deste estudo, poderão ser levantadas questões para o controle mais eficaz, consoante á urbanização da doença, aliada aos fatores da dinâmica de transmissão em áreas endêmicas do Estado.

Joga outra vez: um conjunto de objectos que nos contam histórias inteligentes

Dissertação de mestrado em Audiovisuais e Media Interactivos (Ciências da Comunicação)

Characterization of mannose-binding lectin plasma levels and genetic polymorphisms in HIV-1-infected individuals

INTRODUCTION: The present study investigated the association between mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene polymorphism and serum levels with infection by HIV-1. METHODS: Blood samples (5mL) were collected from 97 HIV-1-infected individuals resident in Belém, State of Pará, Brazil, who attended the Special Outpatient Unit for Infections and Parasitic Diseases (URE-DIPE). CD4+ T-lymphocyte count and plasma viral load were quantified. A 349bp fragment of exon 1 of the MBL was amplified via PCR, using genomic DNA extracted from controls and HIV-1-infected individuals, following established protocols. MBL plasma levels of the patients were quantified using an enzyme immunoassay kit. RESULTS: Two alleles were observed: MBL*O, with a frequency of 26.3% in HIV-1-infected individuals; and the wild allele MBL*A (73.7%). Similar frequencies were observed in the control group (p > 0.05). Genotype frequencies were distributed according to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both groups. Mean MBL plasma levels varied by genotype, with statistically significant differences between the AA and AO (p < 0.0001), and AA and OO (p < 0.001) genotypes, but not AO and OO (p = 0.17). Additionally, CD4+ T-lymphocytes and plasma viral load levels did not differ significantly by genotype (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that MBL gene polymorphism or low plasma MBL concentrations might have a direct influence on HIV-1 infection, although a broader study involving a large number of patients is needed.

Abnormal spontaneous interleukin 8 receptor expression: a brief report of two cases

Interleukin 8 (CXCL8) is an autocrine chemokine specific for the chemoattraction and activation of granulocytes, NKT cells and T lymphocytes. Patients with tuberculosis and latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection were assessed for the spontaneous expression of CXCR1 (CD128) and CXCR2 on lymphocytes and monocytes. Compared with ex vivo profiles, increased spontaneous CXCR2 expression and normal CXCR1 expression were found on lymphocytes in two out of 59 individuals. Monocytes showed normal ex vivo profiles for both receptors. After stimulation with purified protein derivative, the in vitro levels of CXCL8 were below the median levels of all patients with prior tuberculosis. Spontaneous CXCR2 modulation did not cause notable variation in the in vitro levels of CXCL8.

The absence of the human platelet antigen polymorphism effect on fibrosis progression in human immunodeficiency virus-1/hepatitis C virus coinfected patients

AbstractINTRODUCTION:Hepatic fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infections has been associated with viral and host factors, including genetic polymorphisms. Human platelet antigen polymorphisms are associated with the rapid development of fibrosis in HCV-monoinfected patients. This study aimed to determine whether such an association exists in human immunodeficiency virus-1/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients.METHODS:Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid from 36 human immunodeficiency virus-1/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients was genotyped to determine the presence of human platelet antigens-1, -3, or -5 polymorphisms. Fibrosis progression was evaluated using the Metavir scoring system, and the patients were assigned to two groups, namely, G1 that comprised patients with F1, portal fibrosis without septa, or F2, few septa (n = 23) and G2 that comprised patients with F3, numerous septa, or F4, cirrhosis (n = 13). Fisher's exact test was utilized to determine possible associations between the human platelet antigen polymorphisms and fibrosis progression.RESULTS:There were no deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the human platelet antigen systems evaluated. Statistically significant differences were not observed between G1 and G2 with respect to the distributions of the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the human platelet antigen systems.CONCLUSION:The greater stimulation of hepatic stellate cells by the human immunodeficiency virus and, consequently, the increased expression of transforming growth factor beta can offset the effect of human platelet antigen polymorphism on the progression of fibrosis in patients coinfected with the human immunodeficiency virus-1 and the hepatitis C virus.

CTT, the mail going public

The main purpose of this case-study is to analyse CTT’s privatisation process, a previously Government-owned firm, which went public in 2013, under the terms of the adjustment program agreed between Portugal, the European institutions (ECB and European Commission) and the IMF. The emphasis will be placed on the IPO process, but also on the company itself (its history, current situation and prospects for its new phase, as a publicly listed company). This piece of work aims to evaluate the different alternatives for the privatisation of the company along with the respective implications, as well as the outcome of the actual decision taken by the Portuguese Government. One key aspect of the case is also to understand the importance that the privatisation of the Royal Mail, which can be seen as a peer of the Portuguese company, in the unfolding of the process and in the choice of the privatisation model. The case intends to show how the British process influenced the subsequent option of the Portuguese entities to sell CTT through an IPO, instead of a trade sale. All in all, the overall objective of this case-study is to analyse CTT’s successful sale process, which created the first Portuguese company with 100% free-float. 3 On the last days of November 2013, Steven Bernstein was staring at the window of his office overlooking downtown Manhattan, not even noticing the intense rain that was pouring down. As senior manager at ABC Fund, a pension fund responsible for managing more than 800 million dollars, his thoughts were focused on a very important decision that ABC Fund would have to make in just a matter of days. The American pension fund was considering whether or not to invest in the upcoming Initial Public Offering of CTT- Correios de Portugal, the Government-owned Portuguese mail company. Is this investment opportunity in accordance with the risk profile of a pension fund? Is it a wise decision to acquire shares in a Portuguese company when the country is at the centre of the European Sovereign debt crisis, going through a very demanding economic adjustment program imposed by its bail-out creditors? Would the creation of Portugal's Postal Bank make CTT a sure bet today when its price does not fully reflect the future benefits from entering financial services? Those were some of the questions that were constantly in Mr. Bernstein’s mind over the last couple of days and he was struggling to find the answers…

Biology of amazonian mosquitoes. III. Esterase isozymes in Anopheles darlingi.

Six esterase isozymes were studied during the development of Anopheles darlingi by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two different substrates, a-naphthylcelate and a-naphthylpropionate. Esterases 5 and 6'were detected in all developmental stages esterases 1 and 2 were more intensively stained if larvae, while esterases 3 and 4 were better visualized in pupae and adults. Strong differences in intensity of some of the isozymes were observed during the pupal stage.Four out of the six isozymes showed variation in the electrophoretic mobility. Esterase-2 was choosed for genetic studies, because was the best stained isozyme in the gels. Two codominant alleles {Est2*S and Est2*F) code for this polymorphic system, with the Est*S frequency equal to 0.521. Phenotypic distribution is in agreement with hardy-Weinberg expectations.

Distributional and ecological notes on Polygonanthus amazonicus Ducke

Polygonanthus amazonicus Ducke já foi incorporada em oito famílias diferentes, mas era conhecida de apenas uma árvore desde a primeira coletada em 1929. Uma excursão do projeto Flora Amazônica comprovou sua área de ocorrência, que é de pelo menos 17.500 km2 na região compreendida entre Maués e Borba no Estado do Amazonas. Seu habitat e provável meio de dispersão são descritos. o caso desta e de muitas outras espécies com escassa representação nos herbários demonstra a necessidade de se manter um intenso programa de coleta botânica para se manter uma base mais realista da distribuição de muitas espécies.

BIOLOGIA DE ANOFELINOS AMAZÔNICOS. XV. LEUCINA AMINOPEPTIDASE EM ANOPHELES (NYSSORHYNCHUS) NUÑEZ-TOVARI; ONTOGENIA E VARIAÇÃO GENÉTICA

Dados sobre a leucina aminopeptidase durante o desenvolvimento ontogenético em Anopheles nuñez-tovarìevidenciaram seis zonae de atividade, eendo a LAP1, LAP2, LAP4 e LAP5 presentes nos estádios larvais, pupae e adultos e a LAP3 e LAP6 características desses dois últimos estágios. Diferenças na intensidade de coloração foram detectadas conforme o estágio considerado. A LAP1 e LAP5 apresentam intensidade fraca em todos os estágios e a LAP2 e LAP4 mostram atividade intensa nos estádios larvais, diminuindo nos dois estágios subseqüentes. Considerando-se as funções das enzimas, foi admitido que a LAP3, no estágio de pupa, possa estar relacionada com a histólise dos tecidos larvais. Dos seis locidetectados, variação alélica foi constatada apenas para o locus LAP5,sendo detectados dois alelos de ação codominante. As freqüências genotípicas de progênies de fêmeas inseminadas naturalmente desviam-se significativamente do equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg.

Técnicas avançadas de sensoriamento remoto aplicadas ao estudo de mudanças climáticas e ao funcionamento dos ecossistemas amazônicos

Este artigo se propõe a apresentar exemplos de questões científicas que puderam ser respondidas no contexto do Projeto LBA (Large Sale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia) graças à contribuição de informações derivadas de sensoriamento remoto. Os métodos de sensoriamento remoto permitem integrar informações sobre os vários processos físicos e biológicos em diferentes escalas de tempo e espaço. Nesse artigo, são enfatizados aqueles avanços de conhecimento que jamais seriam alcançados sem a concorrência da informação derivada de sensoriamento.

Outcrossing rate of Couratari multiflora (J.Smith) Eyma (Lecythidaceae), a low-density tropical tree species from a central Amazonian rainforest

A multilocus mixed-mating model was used to evaluate the mating system of a population of Couratari multiflora, an emergent tree species found in low densities (1 individual/10 ha) in lowland forests of central Amazonia. We surveyed and observed phenologically 41 trees in an area of 400 ha. From these, only four mother trees were analyzed here because few of them set fruits, which also suffered high predation. No difference was observed between the population multilocus outcrossing rate (t mp = 0.953 ± 0.040) and the average single locus rate (t sp = 0.968 ± 0.132). The four mother trees were highly outcrossed (t m ~ 1). Two out of five loci showed departures from the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) expectations, and the same results occurred with the mixed-mating model. Besides the low number of trees analyzed, the proportion of loci in HWE suggests random mating in the population. However, the pollen pool was heterogeneous among families, probably due to both the small sample number and the flowering of trees at different times of the flowering season. Reproductive phenology of the population and the results presented here suggest, at least for part of the population, a long-distance pollen movement, around 1,000 m.

O polimorfismo AGT*M235T na disfunção cardíaca de etiologia isquêmica aguda: projeto gisca

FUNDAMENTO: O polimorfismo AGT*M235T tem sido associado a elevados níveis séricos de angiotensinogênio (AGT), hipertensão arterial sistêmica e disfunção cardíaca (DC). OBJETIVO: Testar a hipótese de haver associação entre polimorfismo AGT*M235T e o risco de desenvolver disfunção cardíaca (insuficiência cardíaca ou disfunção sistólica ventricular esquerda assintomática) pós-síndrome coronariana aguda (SCA), durante o período de internação hospitalar. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 363 pacientes (idade média 62 ± 12 anos), sendo 233 (64%) homens e 130 (36%) mulheres, todos da mesma coorte, internados por SCA. Compararam-se dados clínicos e genéticos dos 117 (32,2%) que evoluíram com disfunção cardíaca (grupo caso) com os dos 246 (67,8%), que não desenvolveram tal condição (grupo controle). O polimorfismo AGT*M235T foi determinado por análise de sequenciamento e estava em equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença significativa na distribuição dos genótipos nas mulheres, com predomínio do genótipo *235MM no grupo controle (p = 0,001) e do alelo *235T no grupo caso. Em ambos os sexos, nos modelos de regressão logística, o diagnóstico de infarto de parede anterior na admissão foi fator de incremento no risco de DC, enquanto angina instável na admissão, ausência do alelo *235T, glicemia < 100 mg/dl, uso de betabloqueador, creatinina sérica < 1,5 mg/dl, faixa de frequência cardíaca > 60 e < 90 bpm e tabagismo atual foram fatores de redução do risco de DC. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere que a ausência do alelo *235T do AGT contribui para a redução do risco de disfunção cardíaca pós-síndrome coronariana aguda.