Potential of the chemical dinotefuran in the control of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae) semi-engorged female ticks

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The effects of environmental enrichment on biochemical and metric parameters of aged rats

The enriched environment (EE) is a promoter of physical activity, by its characteristics such as ample room for movement and exploration, presence of wheels, tunnels and toys. The maintenance of animals in enriched environment can bring a range of benefits, but the majority of the researches investigate cognitive parameters and changes related to the nervous system. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the maintenance of aged rats in enriched cages on biochemical and metric parameters. Wistar rats were randomly distributed (n=6) into two groups during 6 weeks: control (C) in a conventional cage and enriched environment (EE). The body mass were recorded weekly and the body length at the end of the study. After euthanasia, blood was collected for analysis of glucose, triglycerides and the brain was collected for analysis of mass. The EE group had higher brain mass and lower gain of body weight compared to control group. The control group animals had normal values of blood glucose and triglyceride levels, and the maintenance in an EE did not promote changes in these parameters. Therefore, it can be concluded that the EE group increases brain mass and reduces the gain of body weight without changing the blood glucose and triglycerides in aged animals.

Herpes zoster-associated acute urinary retention in immunocompetent patient

Herpes zoster-associated urinary retention is an uncommon event related to virus infection of the S2-S4 dermatome. The possible major reasons are ipsilateral hemicystitis, neuritis-induced or myelitis-associated virus infection. We report a case of a 65-year-old immunocompetent female patient who presented an acute urinary retention after four days under treatment with valacyclovir for gluteal herpes zoster. The patient had to use a vesical catheter, was treated with antibiotics and corticosteroids and fully recovered after eight weeks.

Electrochemical behaviour of copper electrode in concentrated sulfuric acid solutions

The electrochemical behaviour of copper in 6.0 mol 1-1 sulfuric acid at 30°C, was studied by means of the potentiodynamic method. At low potential sweep rates, v < 200 m V s-1, the data reveal that the anodic process is basically constituted of copper dissolution and a film formation which inhibits further metal oxidation and which may undergo further dissolution. For higher potential sweep rates, a modification in the passivation region of the voltammogram is observed. It can be ascribed to a change in the passivation mechanism which possibly involves different surface species. The kineticrelationships derived from the potentiodynamic I/E curves obtained at low v suggest a film formation via a dissolution/precipitation mechanism. © 1993.

O grito de um é a soma do grito de todos; escutam?

O tema proposto para o 18º COLE é intrigante: “O mundo grita. Escuta?” Vale-se de uma afirmação e de uma interrogação com verbos de conotações diversas, num entrelace quiasmático da linguagem. Enfocando esta proposição, nosso objetivo é examinar conotações e atos de linguagem que perpassam o referido tema. Para tanto, utilizaremos como corpus a tela: “O grito”, de Munch; um capítulo de “Memórias póstumas de Brás Cubas”, de Machado de Assis; a crônica “Diálogo de todo dia”; de Carlos Drummond de Andrade; a música: “Sinal fechado”, de Paulinho da Viola; e cinco aulas do escritor argentino Jorge Luis Borges, in: “Borges oral & sete noites”, destacando que, apesar de o mundo pretender comunicar-se, o que resta é uma dúvida quanto à consecução de seu escopo. Os textos focados vão para a oralidade: pela representação iconográfica do grito, em Munch; pelo diálogo tipográfico, em Machado; pela conversa psitacista, em Drummond; pela conversa de tempo marcado, em Paulinho da Viola; e pela força da oralidade de um escritor cego, Nobel de Literatura. Várias linguagens representam o grito do mundo e outras escutam. Representações das artes plásticas e literárias fazem-nos refletir sobre a recusa de escutarmos os gritos de cada indivíduo, em solilóquios que se somam, mas continuam sendo, apenas, ouvidos, sem resposta concreta, pois, frequentemente, as redes sociais tomam lugar da oralidade. Embora haja diálogos, o grito individual está dentro do grito do mundo e o escutar resulta de um ato perlocutivo, impondo ao enunciatário uma resposta, uma ação.

Evaluation of Attractants for Live-Trapping Nine-Banded Armadillos

In the past 50 years, the range of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) in the south has been rapidly expanding. As their range expands, armadillos increasingly come into conflict with suburban landowners. When foraging, armadillos often uproot ornamental plants. Their rooting also destroys gardens, lawns, and flower beds. Their burrowing can damage tree roots and building foundations. Most armadillo damage is a result of their feeding habits. Armadillos dig shallow holes, 1- 3 inches deep and 3-5 inches long, as they search for soil invertebrates. A recent survey of Georgia county extension agents by scientists at the University of Georgia found that 77.6% of all agents reported receiving complaints or requests for information on armadillos. Armadillo related inquiries made up 10.1 % all inquiries for all agents across the state, surpassing even the white-tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Armadillos are often assumed to destroy nests of ground-nesting birds. Armadillo diets have been studied in several states including Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, and Florida. According to these studies, vertebrate matter, especially bird eggs, made up an minor portion of their diet. The armadillo’s diet often consists of more than 90% insects, grubs and earthworms. Based on these studies, it seems that claims of armadillos being significant nest predators are unfounded.

Evidence for genetic differentiation of Octopus vulgaris (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) fishery populations from the southern coast of Brazil as revealed by microsatellites

Octopus vulgaris is a cephalopod species in several oceans and commonly caught by artisanal and industrial fisheries. In Brazil, O. vulgaris populations are mainly distributed along the southern coast and have been subjected to intensive fishing during recent years. Despite the importance of this marine resource, no genetic study has been carried out to examine genetic differences among populations along the coast of Brazil. In this study, 343 individuals collected by commercial vessels were genotyped at six microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic differences in O. vulgaris populations along the southern coast of Brazil. Genetic structure and levels of differentiation among sampling sites were estimated via a genotype assignment test and F-statistics. Our results indicate that the O. vulgaris stock consists of four genetic populations with an overall significant analogous F(ST). (phi(CT) = 0.10710, P<0.05) value. The genetic diversity was high with an observed heterozygosity of Ho = 0.987. The negative values of F(IS) found for most of the loci examined suggested a possible bottleneck process. These findings are important for further steps toward more sustainable octopus fisheries, so that this marine resource can be preserved for long-term utilization. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Identification of sense and antisense transcripts regulated by drought in sugarcane

Sugarcane is an important sugar and energy crop that can be used efficiently for biofuels production. The development of sugarcane cultivars tolerant to drought could allow for the expansion of plantations to sub-prime regions. Knowledge on the mechanisms underlying drought responses and its relationship with carbon partition would greatly help to define routes to increase yield. In this work we studied sugarcane responses to drought using a custom designed oligonucleotide array with 21,901 different probes. The oligoarrays were designed to contain probes that detect transcription in both sense and antisense orientation. We validated the results obtained using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). A total of 987 genes were differentially expressed in at least one sample of sugarcane plants submitted to drought for 24, 72 and 120 h. Among them, 928 were sense transcripts and 59 were antisense transcripts. Genes related to Carbohydrate Metabolism, RNA Metabolism and Signal Transduction were selected for gene expression validation by qPCR that indicated a validation percentage of 90 %. From the probes presented on the array, 75 % of the sense probes and 11.9 % of the antisense probes have signal above background and can be classified as expressed sequences. Our custom sugarcane oligonucleotide array provides sensitivity and good coverage of sugarcane transcripts for the identification of a representative proportion of natural antisense transcripts (NATs) and sense-antisense transcript pairs (SATs). The antisense transcriptome showed, in most cases, co-expression with respective sense transcripts.

Delineation of vertebral area on the coronal plane using three-dimensional ultrasonography advanced volume contrast imaging (VCI) Omni view: intrarater reliability and agreement using standard mouse, high definition mouse, and pen-tablet

Objective: To assess the fetal lumbosacral spine by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography using volume contrast imaging (VCI) omni view method and compare reproducibility and agreement between three different measurement techniques: standard mouse, high definition mouse and pen-tablet. Methods: A comparative and prospective study with 40 pregnant women between 20 and 34+6 weeks was realized. 3D volume datasets of the fetal spine were acquired using a convex transabdominal transducer. Starting scan plane was the coronal section of fetal lumbosacral spine by VCI-C function. Omni view manual trace was selected and a parallel plane of fetal spine was drawn including interest region. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for reproducibility analysis. The relative difference between three used techniques was compared by chi-square test and Fischer test. Results: Pen-tablet showed better reliability (ICC = 0.987). In the relative proportion of differences, this was significantly higher for the pen-tablet (82.14%; p < 0.01). In paired comparison, the relative difference was significantly greater for the pen-tablet (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The pen-tablet showed to be the most reproductive and concordant method in the measurement of body vertebral area of fetal lumbosacral spine by 3D ultrasonography using the VCI.

Epidemiology and predictors of a poor outcome in elderly patients with candidemia

Background: Candidemia affects patient populations from neonates to the elderly. Despite this, little information is available about the epidemiology of candidemia in elderly patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 987 episodes of candidemia in adults (>14 years of age) from the databases of three laboratory-based surveys of candidemia performed at 14 tertiary care hospitals. Patients aged >= 60 years were considered elderly (group 1, n = 455, 46%) and were compared to younger patients (group 2, n = 532, 54%) regarding demographics, underlying diseases, comorbidities, exposure to medical procedures, species, treatment, and outcome. Results: The median APACHE II score was significantly higher in the elderly patients (19 vs. 15, p = 0.03). Variables that were observed significantly more frequently in elderly patients included admission to an intensive care unit, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, cardiac disease, lung disease, receipt of antibiotics or H2 blockers, insertion of a central venous catheter, mechanical ventilation, and candidemia due to Candida tropicalis. The 30-day mortality of elderly patients was significantly higher than that of younger patients (70% vs. 45%, p < 0.001). Factors associated with higher mortality by multivariate analysis included APACHE II score and being in group 1 (elderly). Factors associated with mortality in elderly patients were lung disease and the receipt of mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: Elderly patients account for a substantial proportion of patients with candidemia and have a higher mortality compared to younger patients. (C) 2012 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aplicabilidade da auriculoterapia para reduzir estresse e como estratégia de coping em profissionais de enfermagem

OBJETIVOS: trata-se de ensaio clínico randomizado com o objetivo de avaliar a auriculoterapia, para diminuição de níveis de estresse, em 75 profissionais de enfermagem de um hospital e analisar os principais domínios de coping que se modificaram após o tratamento. METODOLOGIA: os sujeitos foram divididos em grupos (controle, agulhas, sementes), receberam 8 sessões nos pontos Shenmen, rim e tronco cerebral. O grupo controle não recebeu nenhuma intervenção. RESULTADOS: constataram-se diferenças significativas pela ANOVA, para níveis de estresse entre o grupo agulha/controle na terceira e quarta avaliações, segundo escores de estresse da Lista de Sintoma de Stress de Vasconcelos. Para o Inventário de Folkman e Lazarus, obteve-se diferença estatística para o domínio afastamento entre os grupos agulha/controle, após tratamento; e, na análise dentro do mesmo grupo, obtiveram-se diferenças significativas para o domínio confronto, na quarta avaliação entre grupos agulha/controle e para suporte social, na terceira avaliação para os grupos agulha/semente. CONCLUSÕES: a auriculoterapia com agulhas diminuiu os níveis de estresse significativamente e houve diminuição da utilização dos domínios afastamento, confronto e suporte social para os grupos de intervenção, após o tratamento, sugerindo que a auriculoterapia tanto com agulhas quanto com sementes pode produzir impacto positivo para melhorar a estratégia de coping na equipe de enfermagem. Mais estudos, porém, fazem-se necessários para que se possa conhecer o alcance da técnica.

High-frequency TENS in post-episiotomy pain relief in primiparous puerpere: A randomized, controlled trial

Aim: We evaluated the effectiveness of high-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as a pain relief resource for primiparous puerpere who had experienced natural childbirth with an episiotomy. Methods: A controlled, randomized clinical study was conducted in a Brazilian maternity ward. Forty puerpere were randomly divided into two groups: TENS high frequency and a no treatment control group. Post-episiotomy pain was assessed in the resting and sitting positions and during ambulation. An 11-point numeric rating scale was performed in three separate evaluations (at the beginning of the study, after 60 min and after 120 min). The McGill pain questionnaire was employed at the beginning and 60 min later. TENS with 100 Hz frequency and 75 mu s pulse for 60 min was employed without causing any pain. Four electrodes ware placed in parallel near the episiotomy site, in the area of the pudendal and genitofemoral nerves. Results: An 11-point numeric rating scale and McGill pain questionnaire showed a significant statistical difference in pain reduction in the TENS group, while the control group showed no alteration in the level of discomfort. Hence, high-frequency TENS treatment significantly reduced pain intensity immediately after its use and 60 min later. Conclusion: TENS is a safe and viable non-pharmacological analgesic resource to be employed for pain relief post-episiotomy. The routine use of TENS post-episiotomy is recommended.

Behavioral meaningful opioidergic stimulation activates kappa receptor gene expression

The periaqueductal gray (PAG) has been reported to be a location for opioid regulation of pain and a potential site for behavioral selection in females. Opioid-mediated behavioral and physiological responses differ according to the activity of opioid receptor subtypes. The present study investigated the effects of the peripheral injection of the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U69593 into the dorsal subcutaneous region of animals on maternal behavior and on Oprk1 gene activity in the PAG of female rats. Female Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g at the beginning of the study were randomly divided into 2 groups for maternal behavior and gene expression experiments. On day 5, pups were removed at 7:00 am and placed in another home cage that was distant from their mother. Thirty minutes after removing the pups, the dams were treated with U69593 (0.15 mg/kg, sc) or 0.9% saline (up to 1 mL/kg) and after 30 min were evaluated in the maternal behavior test. Latencies in seconds for pup retrieval, grouping, crouching, and full maternal behavior were scored. The results showed that U69593 administration inhibited maternal behavior (P < 0.05) because a lower percentage of kappa group dams showed retrieval of first pup, retrieving all pups, grouping, crouching and displaying full maternal behavior compared to the saline group. Opioid gene expression was evaluated using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A single injection of U69593 increased Oprk1 PAG expression in both virgin (P < 0.05) and lactating female rats (P < 0.01), with no significant effect on Oprm1 or Oprd1 gene activity. Thus, the expression of kappa-opioid receptors in the PAG may be modulated by single opioid receptor stimulation and behavioral meaningful opioidergic transmission in the adult female might occur simultaneously to specific changes in gene expression of kappa-opioid receptor subtype. This is yet another alert for the complex role of the opioid system in female reproduction

Ensino de Arquitetura e Urbanismo com auxilio de ferramentas digitais

Este texto pretende discutir a importância do desenho à mão livre no processo projetivo arquitetônico inserido no contexto da era digital, por meio do uso das mesas digitais, comumente chamadas de tablets. A relevância desta discussão consiste em identificar como os desenhos feitos com tablets mantêm a percepção e o traço individual de cada pessoa. Pretende-se, com isto, não apenas rever e atualizar as disciplinas de desenho nos cursos de arquitetura, suas práticas e seus procedimentos, mas também, discutir o papel da linguagem e representação – analógica ou digital – e sua integração com outras disciplinas. São apresentadas algumas considerações sobre o uso dessa ferramenta nas seguintes disciplinas: História da Arquitetura e Urbanismo, Paisagismo e Projeto, ministradas no Instituto de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil. As tablets são apresentadas como um meio de conexão entre o projeto analógico e digital, capazes de capturar a pressão e a velocidade do traço, aproximando a potencialidade e racionalidade do processo feito no computador com o gesto criativo do desenho à mão livre, resultando em uma sinergia entre essas duas linguagens.