A 73-Year-Old Female Diagnosed With Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans in the Primary Care Setting: A Case Report and Literature Review of Misdiagnosed Cases.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, slow-growing, malignant tumor in the dermis and subcutaneous fat diagnosed by pathological and immunohistochemical examinations. This case report provides the dermatological findings of a 73-year-old woman with DFSP who presented to a primary care clinic with a longstanding nodular lesion on her left upper thigh. Dermatological examination showed a solitary, skin-colored violaceous/hyperpigmented nodule on the superior anteromedial portion of the left thigh. A punch biopsy revealed spindle cell proliferation, and diffuse CD34 positivity, confirming the diagnosis of DFSP. A dermatology referral was placed for further management and complete surgical excision. Patient underwent wide local excision (WLE) and has no recurrence to date. Unfortunately, DFSP is commonly misdiagnosed before skin biopsy which delays treatment. This case is significant because DFSP is not often diagnosed accurately outside the dermatology specialty and serves as a reminder to practitioners to use biopsies during the diagnostic process of skin findings to prevent the delay in management.

Conductas autolíticas suicidas y no suicidas en víctimas de violencia sexual infantil / Suicidal and Non-Suicidal Self-Harm Behaviors in Victims of Sexual Violence Against Children

La violencia sexual hacia la infancia y las conductas autolesivas suicidas y no suicidas son dos problemáticas sociales y de salud que han incrementado. Las agresiones sexuales conllevan un impacto, afectando a la tendencia a realizar comportamientos autolíticos. Por ello, se pretendía estudiar la relación existente entre haber sido víctima de VSI y la probabilidad de realizar conductas autolesivas suicidas y no suicidas en adolescencia y adultez temprana. Para ello, se ha realizado una revisión sistemática, a través de las bases de datos Pubmed y PsicInfo de artículos publicados entre 2015 y 2022. Se ha hallado una relación significativa entre ambas problemáticas, observando que los intentos de suicidios de estas víctimas estaban relacionados intrínsecamente con sus experiencias de agresión. Así, se ha encontrado que variables como el género, la rumiación, la desregulación emocional, el apoyo social y las características de la agresión median la relación existente entre la violencia sexual infantil y las conductas autolíticas suicidas y no suicidas. Este tipo de investigaciones nos ayuda a establecer el foco de intervención en los casos de víctimas de agresión sexual infantil, pero debe también ayudar a dar visibilidad a la problemática e impulsar la intervención preventiva protegiendo la infancia. (AU)

Sexual violence against children and suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors are two social and health problems that have increased. Sexual assaults have an impact, affecting the tendency to carry out autolytic behaviors. Therefore, it was intended to study the relationship between having been a victim of sexual violence in their childhood and the probability of engaging in suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors in adolescence and early adulthood. For this, a systematic review has been carried out, through the Pubmed and PsycInfo databases of articles published between 2015 and 2022. A significant relationship has been found between both problems, observing that the suicide attempts of these victims were intrinsically related to their experiences of aggression. Thus, it has been found that variables such as gender, rumination, emotional dysregulation, social support, and characteristics of aggression mediate the relationship between sexual violence against children and suicidal and non-suicidal autolytic behaviors. This type of investigation helps us to establish the focus of intervention in the cases of victims of child sexual assault, but it should also help to give visibility to the problem and promote preventive intervention protecting children. (AU)

Conductas autolíticas suicidas y no suicidas en víctimas de violencia sexual infantil / Suicidal and Non-Suicidal Self-Harm Behaviors in Victims of Sexual Violence Against Children

La violencia sexual hacia la infancia y las conductas autolesivas suicidas y no suicidas son dos problemáticas sociales y de salud que han incrementado. Las agresiones sexuales conllevan un impacto, afectando a la tendencia a realizar comportamientos autolíticos. Por ello, se pretendía estudiar la relación existente entre haber sido víctima de VSI y la probabilidad de realizar conductas autolesivas suicidas y no suicidas en adolescencia y adultez temprana. Para ello, se ha realizado una revisión sistemática, a través de las bases de datos Pubmed y PsicInfo de artículos publicados entre 2015 y 2022. Se ha hallado una relación significativa entre ambas problemáticas, observando que los intentos de suicidios de estas víctimas estaban relacionados intrínsecamente con sus experiencias de agresión. Así, se ha encontrado que variables como el género, la rumiación, la desregulación emocional, el apoyo social y las características de la agresión median la relación existente entre la violencia sexual infantil y las conductas autolíticas suicidas y no suicidas. Este tipo de investigaciones nos ayuda a establecer el foco de intervención en los casos de víctimas de agresión sexual infantil, pero debe también ayudar a dar visibilidad a la problemática e impulsar la intervención preventiva protegiendo la infancia. (AU)

Sexual violence against children and suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors are two social and health problems that have increased. Sexual assaults have an impact, affecting the tendency to carry out autolytic behaviors. Therefore, it was intended to study the relationship between having been a victim of sexual violence in their childhood and the probability of engaging in suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors in adolescence and early adulthood. For this, a systematic review has been carried out, through the Pubmed and PsycInfo databases of articles published between 2015 and 2022. A significant relationship has been found between both problems, observing that the suicide attempts of these victims were intrinsically related to their experiences of aggression. Thus, it has been found that variables such as gender, rumination, emotional dysregulation, social support, and characteristics of aggression mediate the relationship between sexual violence against children and suicidal and non-suicidal autolytic behaviors. This type of investigation helps us to establish the focus of intervention in the cases of victims of child sexual assault, but it should also help to give visibility to the problem and promote preventive intervention protecting children. (AU)

The impact of COVID-19 on memory: Recognition for masked and unmasked faces.

Considering the current state of the worldwide pandemic, it is still common to encounter people wearing face protection masks. Although a safety measure against COVID-19, face masks might be compromising our capacity for face recognition. We conducted an online study where 140 participants observed masked and unmasked faces in a within-subjects design and then performed a recognition memory task. The best performance was found when there were no masks either at study and test phase, i.e., at the congruent unmasked condition. The worst performance was found for faces encoded with a mask but tested without it (i.e., masked-unmasked incongruent condition), which can be explained by the disruption in holistic face processing and the violation of the encoding specificity principle. Interestingly, considering the unmasked-masked incongruent condition, performance was probably affected by the violation of the encoding specificity principle but protected by holistic processing that occurred during encoding.

Explicit Instructions Do Not Enhance Auditory Statistical Learning in Children With Developmental Language Disorder: Evidence From Event-Related Potentials.

A current issue in psycholinguistic research is whether the language difficulties exhibited by children with developmental language disorder [DLD, previously labeled specific language impairment (SLI)] are due to deficits in their abilities to pick up patterns in the sensory environment, an ability known as statistical learning (SL), and the extent to which explicit learning mechanisms can be used to compensate for those deficits. Studies designed to test the compensatory role of explicit learning mechanisms in children with DLD are, however, scarce, and the few conducted so far have led to inconsistent results. This work aimed to provide new insights into the role that explicit learning mechanisms might play on implicit learning deficits in children with DLD by resorting to a new approach. This approach involved not only the collection of event-related potentials (ERPs), while preschool children with DLD [relative to typical language developmental (TLD) controls] were exposed to a continuous auditory stream made of the repetition of three-syllable nonsense words but, importantly, the collection of ERPs when the same children performed analogous versions of the same auditory SL task first under incidental (implicit) and afterward under intentional (explicit) conditions. In each of these tasks, the level of predictability of the three-syllable nonsense words embedded in the speech streams was also manipulated (high vs. low) to mimic natural languages closely. At the end of both tasks' exposure phase, children performed a two-alternative forced-choice (2-AFC) task from which behavioral evidence of SL was obtained. Results from the 2-AFC tasks failed to show reliable signs of SL in both groups of children. The ERPs data showed, however, significant modulations in the N100 and N400 components, taken as neural signatures of word segmentation in the brain, even though a detailed analysis of the neural responses revealed that only children from the TLD group seem to have taken advantage of the previous knowledge to enhance SL functioning. These results suggest that children with DLD showed deficits both in implicit and explicit learning mechanisms, casting doubts on the efficiency of the interventions relying on explicit instructions to help children with DLD to overcome their language difficulties.

Correction to: The action of herbal medicine on the libido: aspects of nutritional intervention in increasing sexual desire

Correction to: Nutrire (2017) 42:29 DOI: 10.1186/s41110-017-0051-0

The action of herbal medicine on the libido: aspects of nutritional intervention in increasing sexual desire

INTRODUCTION: The libido is considered to be a sexual drive in individuals that can be determined and influenced by several factors, such as social, psychological, and hormonal factors. It is known that nutritional aspects are important hormone regulators and that sexual dysfunction may, in many cases, be reversed with simple lifestyle changes. Aims: The aim of the study is to describe the actions of herbal medicine on the libido with an appropriate level of scientific evidence. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review of the PUBMED, Scielo, and EMBASE databases was conducted, using the keywords" libido, food, and nutrient." RESULTS: This study identified 2798 articles, 34 of which were selected, as they discussed exclusive studies involving herbal medicine. Some herbal medicines stood out, includingTribulus terrestris, used to increase testosterone serum levels; Eurycoma longifólia, which, in addition to the increased testosterone serum levels, also leads to an increased biosynthesis of several androgens; ginseng, which increases energy levels and stimulates smooth muscle relaxation withnitrous oxide; Maca (Lepidium meyenii), which improves sexual performance, in addition to having androgenic effects; and Mondia whitei (ginger), which improves the libido and erection. In addition to these, one study has demonstrated the effective impact of a hypocaloric, hyperproteic, and hypolipidemic diet on the libido, both improving sexual and erectile functions and increasing testosterone levels. CONCLUSION: Herbal medicine analyzed in this study demonstrate positive effects on the libido, thus proving that, along with nutritional intervention, it is also a promising field in nutrition actions that provide support to combat sexual dysfunctions

Cecal diverticulitis or appendicitis: when should I suspect? A case report

The objective of this article was to report a case of cecal diverticulitis and point out the differential diagnosis of acute appendicitis. The clinical manifestations of these pathological conditions are similar, and the accurate diagnosis of cecal diverticulitis before the surgery is difficult. Therefore, most diagnoses are made during the surgery. Moreover, cecal diverticulum is uncommon in western countries, but it is prevalent in Asian people and their descendants. We report a case of a 55-year-old female patient, whose imaging exams (ultrasonography and computed tomography) and blood tests were not enough to diagnose the affection, requiring laparotomy and pathological exams for the final diagnosis. Some studies suggesting the best practice in case of diverticulum of the cecum were revised, as the diagnosis usually occurs during the surgery. (AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar um caso de diverticulite no ceco e chamar a atenção para o diagnóstico diferencial com apendicite aguda. As manifestações clínicas das duas afecções são semelhantes, dificultando o diagnóstico exato de diverticulite cecal, além de ser incomum, em nosso meio, o aparecimento de divertículo em cólon direito, sendo essa entidade mais comum em asiáticos e em seus descendentes. Relata-se atendimento a uma paciente de 55 anos, cujos exames de imagem (ultrassonografia e tomografia computadorizada) e de sangue não foram suficientes para o diagnóstico. Houve necessidade de realizar-se laparotomia exploradora e exames anatomopatológicos para a confirmação. Também foram revisados alguns trabalhos que sugerem qual a melhor conduta a ser tomada quando se encontra divertículo cecal no perioperatório, já que, na maioria das vezes, o diagnóstico é feito neste momento. (AU)

Identification and functional characterization of a poly(A)-binding protein from Leishmania infantum (LiPABP).

Gene expression regulation in Leishmania has been related to post-transcriptional events involving mainly sequences present in the 5' and 3' untranslated regions. PABPs are high-affinity poly(A)-binding proteins that are implicated in the regulation of translation initiation, RNA stability and other important biological processes. We describe a PABP from Leishmania infantum (LiPABP) that shows a very high homology with PABPs from other eukaryotic organisms, including mammals and other parasites. LiPABP conserves the main domains present in other PABPs, maintains poly(A)-binding properties and is phosphorylated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Using the sera from dogs infected with L. infantum, we demonstrate that LiPABP is expressed in L. infantum promastigotes.

Quality characterization of celery (Apium graveolens L.) by plant zones and two harvest dates.

The aim of this study was to characterize the quality of celery petioles (Apium graveolens L. cv Golden Clause) from the external, middle, and internal zones of each plant. Harvest dates were 93 (HD1) and 124 (HD2) days after transplantation. Total weight (TW), total length (TL), total leaves number (LN), and petiole length of leaves (PL) for the 3 zones were measured. Physicochemical (color, b* and h; texture; total soluble solids, TSS; titratable acidity, TA; water content, WC), nutraceutical (ascorbic acid, AA; total quinones, TQ; browning potential, BP), and sensorial analysis (flavor, fibrosity, crunchiness) were done at harvest on petioles of each zone. No differences between harvesting dates were found in TW, TL, LN, and PL. Middle leaves had the highest PL. Harvest dates were not different in b*, h, TA, AA, and WC. Texture, TSS, BP, and TQ resulted higher in petioles of HD2 than in HD1. Similar TSS and TA were found in leaves of different plant zones. The yellow color of both external and internal zones was significantly higher than in the middle zone. The texture and BP was similar between the external and middle zones but the WC was lower in the external zone. Similarly, the AA content as well as the TQ was also lower than in the middle zone. Harvest delay improved the nutraceutical value in terms of BP and TQ, even though it also resulted in pithiness and fibrosity of the leaves. This study therefore suggests that the petioles of the middle zone when harvested at HD1 are the most suitable for consumption. Practical Application: Celery is a vegetable reduced in calories, has a high nutritional value and its fresh petioles are mainly consumed in salads. The texture and flavor are the most important attributes that define consumers' acceptability. As nutritional value, texture, and flavor may change with plant age and different zones of the plant, harvest date plays an important role on quality. Results indicate that harvest delay improved the nutraceutical value even though it also resulted in pithiness and fibrosity of the stalks. Petioles of the middle zone, when harvested at 93 d after transplanting, are the most suitable for consumers' consumption.

Factores de riesgo vascular y función cognoscitiva en ancianos institucionalizados y de la comunidad / Vascular risk factors and cognitive function of the elderly in homes and in the community

Se realizó un estudio clínico-epidemiológico descriptivo y transversal a 250 adultos mayores, 125 de la comunidad y 125 de instituciones (Hogares de Ancianos) de los municipios Centro Habana y Habana Vieja, para identificar el estado cognitivo de estos pacientes y determinar la relación entre los factores de riesgo vascular y la función cognitiva. A todos se les aplicó una encuesta que incluía datos de identidad, edad, sexo, procedencia y si padecían de hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus, dislipidemias, cardiopatía isquémica y hábitos tóxicos como el tabaquismo. Medimos función cognoscitiva mediante el Minimental State Examination de Folstein, y reconocimos 3 categorías: indemnes, deteriorados y dementes, según puntaje alcanzado. Se procesaron las variables por procedimientos estadísticos establecidos y diseñados por expertos de esta disciplina y se expusieron en tablas y gráficos para su mejor comprensión. Se observó que el 50,0 por ciento del total estaban indemnes; el 37,1 por ciento, deteriorado y el 12,9 por ciento, demente. De los 125 de la comunidad, el 4,0 por ciento estaba demente; el 31,0 por ciento, deteriorado y el 64,8 por ciento, indemne. El mayor porcentaje de pacientes dementes se detectó entre los diabéticos e hipertensos, el 50,0 por ciento de los pacientes estudiados presentaron disfunción cognoscitiva y el mayor porcentaje de los pacientes con deterioro cognoscitivo procedían de las instituciones (Hogares de Ancianos)

A clinicoepidemiological, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 older adults, 125 from the community and 125 from institutions (homes for the aged) of the municipalities of Centro Habana and Habana Vieja, aimed at identifying the cognitive state of these patients and at determining the relation between the vascular risk factors and the cognitive function. All of them took part in a survey that included age, sex, origin and whether they suffered from arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, ischemic heart disease and toxic habits, such as smoking. The cognitive function was measured by Folstein's Minimental State Examination. 3 categories were recognized: undamaged, deteriorated and insane according to the score attained. The variables were processed by statistical procedures established and designed by experts of this discipline. Tables and graphs were shown for a better understanding. It was observed that 50.0 percent of the total were undamaged; 37.1 percent, deteriorated; and 12.9 percent, insane. Of the 125 from the community, 4.0 percent were insane; 31.0 percent, deteriorated; and 64.8 percent, undamaged. The highest percentage of insanes was observed among diabetics and hypertensives. 50.0 percent of the studied patients presented cognitive dysfunction, whereas most of the patients with cognitive deterioration were from the institutions (homes for the aged)

Gestão da qualidade no serviço de saúde pública: relato de experiência de uma farmácia de manipulação municipal / Quality management in public health care: experience of a city compound prescription pharmacy

O modelo de atenção à saúde no Brasil é a busca por um sistema equânime, integral e resolutivo. Apesar de seu alcance social, não tem sido possível implantá-lo da maneira desejada, em decorrência de dificuldades relacionadas com seu financiamento e com a eficiência administrativa de sua operação. Essa situação fez com que fossem ampliados os debates sobre o aumento do financiamento do setor público da saúde e a melhor utilização dos limitados recursos existentes. As alternativas passam por novas propostas de modelos de gestão aplicáveis ao setor e que pretendem resultar, em última análise, em menos desperdício e melhoria da qualidade dos serviços oferecidos. O presente estudo tem por objetivo descrever os impactos das políticas públicas de saúde para melhoria da qualidade da gestão do SUS, com o relato de experiência da Unidade de Farmácia de Manipulação Municipal do Posto Central em Bandeirantes- PR, no período de agosto de 2005 a maio de 2006. Diante dos resultados observados nesta pesquisa, constatou-se a importância de investimentos financeiros desta iniciativa, cujas necessidades de demanda e economia são respectivamente atendidas. A farmácia magistral é uma atividade predominantemente privada no Brasil, traz para o serviço público a garantia de qualidade somada ao baixo custo e faz com que o sistema apresente para o usuário os príncipios do SUS. A qualidade, por sua vez, só se obtém com mudanças comportamentais e participação efetiva das pessoas. É um processo dinâmico que supõe uma estrutura ágil e flexível, dando enfoque aos processos.

Gestão da qualidade no serviço de saúde pública: relato de experiência de uma farmácia de manipulação municipal / Quality management in public health care: experience of a city compound prescription pharmacy

O modelo de atenção à saúde no Brasil é a busca por um sistema equânime, integral e resolutivo. Apesar de seu alcance social, não tem sido possível implantá-lo da maneira desejada, em decorrência de dificuldades relacionadas com seu financiamento e com a eficiência administrativa de sua operação. Essa situação fez com que fossem ampliados os debates sobre o aumento do financiamento do setor público da saúde e a melhor utilização dos limitados recursos existentes. As alternativas passam por novas propostas de modelos de gestão aplicáveis ao setor e que pretendem resultar, em última análise, em menos desperdício e melhoria da qualidade dos serviços oferecidos. O presente estudo tem por objetivo descrever os impactos das políticas públicas de saúde para melhoria da qualidade da gestão do SUS, com o relato de experiência da Unidade de Farmácia de Manipulação Municipal do Posto Central em Bandeirantes- PR, no período de agosto de 2005 a maio de 2006. Diante dos resultados observados nesta pesquisa, constatou-se a importância de investimentos financeiros desta iniciativa, cujas necessidades de demanda e economia são respectivamente atendidas. A farmácia magistral é uma atividade predominantemente privada no Brasil, traz para o serviço público a garantia de qualidade somada ao baixo custo e faz com que o sistema apresente para o usuário os príncipios do SUS. A qualidade, por sua vez, só se obtém com mudanças comportamentais e participação efetiva das pessoas. É um processo dinâmico que supõe uma estrutura ágil e flexível, dando enfoque aos processos.(AU)

Factores de riesgo vascular y función cognoscitiva en ancianos institucionalizados y de la comunidad / Vascular risk factors and cognitive function of the elderly in homes and in the community

Se realizó un estudio clínico-epidemiológico descriptivo y transversal a 250 adultos mayores, 125 de la comunidad y 125 de instituciones (Hogares de Ancianos) de los municipios Centro Habana y Habana Vieja, para identificar el estado cognitivo de estos pacientes y determinar la relación entre los factores de riesgo vascular y la función cognitiva. A todos se les aplicó una encuesta que incluía datos de identidad, edad, sexo, procedencia y si padecían de hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus, dislipidemias, cardiopatía isquémica y hábitos tóxicos como el tabaquismo. Medimos función cognoscitiva mediante el Minimental State Examination de Folstein, y reconocimos 3 categorías: indemnes, deteriorados y dementes, según puntaje alcanzado. Se procesaron las variables por procedimientos estadísticos establecidos y diseñados por expertos de esta disciplina y se expusieron en tablas y gráficos para su mejor comprensión. Se observó que el 50,0 por ciento del total estaban indemnes; el 37,1 por ciento, deteriorado y el 12,9 por ciento, demente. De los 125 de la comunidad, el 4,0 por ciento estaba demente; el 31,0 por ciento, deteriorado y el 64,8 por ciento, indemne. El mayor porcentaje de pacientes dementes se detectó entre los diabéticos e hipertensos, el 50,0 por ciento de los pacientes estudiados presentaron disfunción cognoscitiva y el mayor porcentaje de los pacientes con deterioro cognoscitivo procedían de las instituciones (Hogares de Ancianos) (AU)

A clinicoepidemiological, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 older adults, 125 from the community and 125 from institutions (homes for the aged) of the municipalities of Centro Habana and Habana Vieja, aimed at identifying the cognitive state of these patients and at determining the relation between the vascular risk factors and the cognitive function. All of them took part in a survey that included age, sex, origin and whether they suffered from arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, ischemic heart disease and toxic habits, such as smoking. The cognitive function was measured by Folstein's Minimental State Examination. 3 categories were recognized: undamaged, deteriorated and insane according to the score attained. The variables were processed by statistical procedures established and designed by experts of this discipline. Tables and graphs were shown for a better understanding. It was observed that 50.0 percent of the total were undamaged; 37.1 percent, deteriorated; and 12.9 percent, insane. Of the 125 from the community, 4.0 percent were insane; 31.0 percent, deteriorated; and 64.8 percent, undamaged. The highest percentage of insanes was observed among diabetics and hypertensives. 50.0 percent of the studied patients presented cognitive dysfunction, whereas most of the patients with cognitive deterioration were from the institutions (homes for the aged) (AU)

Calpain inhibition stimulates caspase-dependent apoptosis induced by taxol in NIH3T3 cells.

Taxol is an anticancer drug that triggers apoptosis in a wide spectrum of cancers such as ovarian, breast, lung, head and neck, and bladder carcinoma by both caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis mechanisms. However, the exact signaling pathways involved in taxol-induced apoptosis strongly depend on the cellular background and they are not completely established yet. In this study we demonstrate that taxol induces caspase-3-independent apoptosis in NIH3T3 cells by a calpain-mediated mechanism. Taxol treatment produced changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi m) which could be responsible of Ca(2+) release from the mitochondria and the consequent calpain activation. Interestingly, we show that calpain produced proteolysis of caspase-3 and demonstrate that, accordingly, calpain inhibition increased taxol-induced apoptosis. In addition, we reveal that poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was processed by calpain in taxol-treated cells and by caspase-3 after calpain inhibition. In conclusion, these results demonstrate for the first time that calpain could play an important role modulating taxol-induced apoptosis. Further studies are needed to address the potentiality of inducing apoptosis by a combined use of taxol and calpain inhibitors in cells with increased calpain activity.

Caracterização da biota de protozoários e sua função depurativa na lagoa de estabilização da estação de tratamento de esgoto de Bandeirantes – PR / Characterization of the protozoan biota and its depurating function in the stabilization pond of the Bandeirantes water treatment plant, Paraná State

Os protozoários são, usualmente, maiores que as bactérias e podem se alimentar das mesmas. Isto faz com que os protozoários constituam-se em importantes degraus na pirâmide alimentar, possibilitando que organismos maiores se alimentem indiretamente das bactérias que, de outra forma, seriam um alimento inacessível (VON SPERLING, 1996). Este estudo objetivou a caracterização físico-química e microbiológica da lagoa de estabilização da ETE Bandeirantes - PR, analisando sua inter-relação e nível de estratificação, relacionando os parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos, a variação populacional dos protozoários frente a valores de matéria orgânica e microbióta bacteriana do esgoto e dos vários estratos da lagoa anaeróbia. A identificação de protozoários foi feita conforme metodologia empregada por Pace e Orcutt (1981) e Foissnere Berger (1996). As análises físico-químicas foram realizadas conforme metodologia padronizada por Clesceri et al. (2000); e as análises microbiológicas foram realizadas por metodologia padronizada conforme CETESB, (NT.L5.214), 1992; CETESB, (NT. L5.201), 1986; CETESB, (NT.L5.221), 1984. As coletas e análises foram realizadas em triplicata, no mês de outubro de 2003. A análise qualitativa do zooplâncton revelou a presença de onze gêneros de ciliados e organismos da classe nematoda distribuídos em diferentes pontos e estratos. A distribuição aleatória do zooplâncton está relacionada com parâmetros físico-químicos e valores quantitativos de bactérias eterotróficas, coliformes totais e fecais. O gênero Chilodontopsis foi o protozoário mais encontrado e estava presente em pontos com altos valores de contagem de bactérias, o que denota sua característica ecológica de preferência alimentar por bactérias, conforme Foissner e Berger (1996).

The protozoans are usually bigger than the bacteria and can feed themselves of the same ones. This consequence is that the protozoan consists in an important step in the alimentary pyramid, making possible that bigger organisms feeds the bacteria it self indirectly which, in the other hand, would be an in accessible food form (VON SPERLING, 1996). This study aim characterize microbiological physicist-chemistry profile in a lagoon of stabilization of the Sewer Plant Bandeirantes - PR, analyzing its interrelation and level of stratification, relating the parameters microbiological physicistchemistries and the protozoa’s population variation front the values of bacterial and organic substance of the sewer, and some stratus of the anaerobic lagoon. The identification of protozoan was made in agreement the methodology used for Pace and Orcutt (1981) and Foissner and Berger (1996). The physicist-chemistries analysis had been carried through in agreement standardized methodology for Clesceri et al. (2000); e the microbiological analysis had been carried through by standardized methodology, as CETESB (NT.L5.214), 1992; CETESB, (NT L5.201), 1986; CETESB,(NT.L5.221), 1984. The samplings and analysis were realized intriplicate in October of 2003. The qualitative analysis of zooplankton disclosed to the presence of eleven kinds of ciliates organisms and Nematoda class organisms distributed in different points and stratus. The random distribution of zooplankton is related with physicistchemistries parameters and quantitative values of heterotrophic bacteria, total and fecal coliformes. The Chilodontopsis sort was the greater found and was present in points with high values of counting of bacteria, what it denotes its ecological characteristic of alimentary preference for bacteria, as referenced by Foissner and Berger (1996).

Natural killer receptors on CD8 T cells and natural killer cells from different HLA-C phenotypes in melanoma patients.

PURPOSE: Because immune mechanisms involved in cutaneous melanoma have not been fully elucidated, efforts have been made to achieve prognosis markers and potential targets for immune therapies, but they have not been entirely fruitful thus far. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate the involvement of early changes in CD8 T cells and CD56 natural killer (NK) cells expressing NK receptors in different HLA-C dimorphism groups of melanoma patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: CD8 T cells and CD56 NK cells were analyzed in 41 patients and 39 sex- and age-matched controls with different HLA-C genotypes by flow cytometry. HLA-C dimorphism at position 80 was tested by PCR sequence-specific primers and PCR sequence-specific oligonucleotide to examine whether it could mediate in the emergence of cells expressing killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors. RESULTS: Thirty-five of 41 patients had benign sentinel node, and showed an imbalance in the absolute number of CD8(+)DR(+) or CD8(+)CD161(+) peripheral blood T cells according to the CD28 coexpression compared with controls. CD8(+)CD28(-)CD158a(+) T and CD56(+)CD158a(+) NK cells were significantly increased in HLA-C(Lys80) homozygous nonmetastatic patients, whereas only CD56(+)CD158a(+) NK cells increased in heterozygous ones. An up-regulation of the CD158a KIR receptor was also seen on NK cells but not in T cells of patients at advanced disease stages. CONCLUSIONS: This work provides, for the first time, evidence of immune activation in early stages of cutaneous melanoma, together with an increase of cells expressing CD158a in patients bearing the corresponding HLA-C ligand, which may be important to evaluate the disease progression and to use individualized immune therapeutic approaches.

HLA class I and class II frequencies in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma from southeastern Spain: the role of HLA-C in disease prognosis.

Available data have led to a controversy on the relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and cutaneous malignant melanoma susceptibility or prognosis. Moreover, the influence of HLA-C on melanoma has not yet been well established. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to analyze the possible influence of the HLA system on melanoma susceptibility and prognosis in the Spanish population. For this purpose, HLA-A and HLA-B serotyping and HLA-C, HLA-DRB1, and HLA-DQB1 genotyping by polymerase chain reactions using sequence-specific oligonucleotide (PCR-SSO) and sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) were performed in 174 melanoma patients and 227 ethnically matched controls. The number of controls was increased up to 356 for HLA-C typing. Patients were stratified according to the histological subtypes of melanoma, sentinel lymph node status, tumor thickness, and ulceration of primary lesion. No HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DRB1, or HLA-DQB1 relationship with melanoma was observed for susceptibility or disease prognosis. However, the analysis of HLA-C locus showed that individuals homozygous for HLA-C(Lys80) were significantly more frequent within the patient than the control group. Remarkably, individuals homozygous for group 2 HLA-C alleles (HLA-C(Lys80)) seem to be associated with metastatic progression of melanoma. In contrast, we found a negative association between group 1 HLA-C alleles (HLA-C(Asn80)) and disease susceptibility or metastasis development. In conclusion, although an association with HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DRB1, or HLA-DQB1 was not demonstrated, the study of the HLA-C locus revealed that the analysis of the dimorphism at position 80 in the alpha1 helix may help to evaluate the risk and prognosis of melanoma in our population.

Occurrence of Pseudomonas aeruginosain drinking water - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v28i1.1053 / Ocorrência de Pseudomonas aeruginosa em água potável - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v28i1.1053

A total of 413 samples of drinking water, taken from principal and secondary water systems in the municipality of Bandeirantes, state of Paraná, southern Brazil, were analyzed through membrane filtration for P. aeruginosa and on Plate Count agar for heterotrophic bacteria. Total and fecal coliforms were determined by multiple dilution tube methods. Turbidity, pH, chlorine, fluoride, alkalinity, color, dissolved oxygen, hardness and organic matter were also measured. Of the 413 samples examined, 10.41% were contaminated by P. aeruginosa, including 23,53% of the water from secondary water system, 8,56% of the water from principal water system. No coliform was found in any of the samples. One sample counted above the maximum heterotrophic bacteria level permitted. P. aeruginosa isolated from the water samples were tested for chlorine sensitivity and survived up to three times the minimum chlorine concentration used. It is desirable that Pseudomonas enumeration be performed periodically, in addition to data routinely collected by most water supply systems

Foram analisadas 413 amostras de água potável do sistema principal e do sistema secundário em Bandeirantes, Estado do Paraná, através de membrana filtrante para P. aeruginosa e bactérias heterotróficas em ágar Plate Count. Coliformes totais e fecais foram determinados pelo método dos tubos múltiplos. A qualidade físico-química da água foi determinada em termos de turbidez, pH, cloro, flúor, alcalinidade, cor, oxigênio dissolvido, dureza e matéria orgânica. Das amostras examinadas, 10,41% estavam contaminadas por P. aeruginosa, incluindo 23,53% das amostras do sistema de água secundário, e 8,56% das amostras do sistema de água principal. Somente uma amostra apresentou contagem de bactérias heterotróficas acima do nível máximo recomendado. P. aeruginosa isoladas foram testadas para sensibilidade ao cloro livre e sobreviveram a uma concentração de cloro três vezes acima da concentração mínima usada. É recomendada a determinação periódica de Pseudomonas em adição aos dados rotineiramente coletados na maioria dos sistemas de abastecimento

Perfil dos usuários da Farmácia Pública Municipal de Bandeirantes - Paraná - 2005 / Profile of the users of the Municipal Public Pharmacy of the city of Bandeirantes - Paraná State, 2005

Apesar das dificuldades do Sistema Único de Saúde, a Assistência Farmacêutica é uma das principais formas de acesso da população verificando-se que um dos serviços mais procurados do sistema é a Farmácia Pública Municipal. Uma grande parcela da população depende da assistência médica pública e não tem recursos financeiros para adquirir medicamentos em farmácias privadas. O presente estudo tem como objetivo caracterizar o perfil dos usuários da Farmácia Pública Municipal, relacionar a oferta do medicamento gratuito ao perfil do usuário da farmácia e avaliar a postura dos entrevistados quanto à automedicação, sobra de medicamentos e valorização do serviço gratuito. Os dados do presente estudo foram coletados por um instrumento aplicado em julho de 2005, em 130 usuários que estavam presentes na fila da Farmácia Básica Municipal, onde a população alvo foram adultos acima de 18 anos de idade. Conclui-se que os usuários da Farmácia Pública Municipal são adultos jovens, não inseridos formalmente no mercado de trabalho que fazem uso contínuo de medicamentos e não têm o conhecimento do valor real dos serviços prestados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde, especialmente na área farmacêutica. Portanto, estes princípios devem ser abordados nos instrumentos de educação permanente para enfocar a importância do uso racional de medicamentos e a valorização dos usuários em relação ao serviço prestado.

Regardless of the difficulties of the "Sistema Único de Saúde" (SUS), the Pharmaceutical Assistance is one of the main forms of access of the population verifying itself that one of the looked services more of the system is the Municipal Public Pharmacy. A great parcel of the population depends on the public medical assistance and it does not have financial resources to acquire medicines in private pharmacies. The present study it has as objective to characterize the profile of the users of the Municipal Public Pharmacy, to relate offers of the gratuitous medicine to the profile of the user of the pharmacy and to evaluate the position of interviewed how much the self-medication, medicine remaining portion and valuation of the gratuitous service. The data of the present study was collect by an instrument applied in July of 2005, in 130 users who were gifts in the line of the Municipal Basic Pharmacy, where the white population had been adult above of 18 years of age. It is concluded formal that the users of the municipal public pharmacy are adult young, not inserted in the market of work that they make continuous medicine use and it does not have the knowledge of the real value of the services given for the Only System of Health, especially in the pharmaceutical area. Therefore, these principles must be boarded in the instruments of permanent education to focus the importance of the rational medicine use and the valuation of the users in relation to the given service.