Collection and Long-Term Maintenance of Leaf-Cutting Ants (Atta) in Laboratory Conditions.

Ants are one of the most biodiverse groups of animals on the planet and inhabit different environments. The maintenance of ant colonies in controlled environments enables an enriched comprehension of their biology that can contribute to applied research. This practice is usually employed in population control studies of species that cause economic loss, such as Atta ants. To cultivate their mutualistic fungus, these leaf-cutting ants collect leaves and for this are considered agricultural pests widely distributed throughout the American continent. They are highly socially organized and inhabit elaborated underground nests composed of a variety of chambers. Their maintenance in a controlled environment depends on a daily routine of several procedures and frequent care that are described here. It starts with the collection of queens during the reproductive season (i.e., nuptial flight), which are then individually transferred to plastic containers. Due to the high mortality rate of queens, a second collection can be carried out about 6 months after the nuptial flight, when incipient nests with developed fungus wad are excavated, hand-picked, and placed in plastic containers. In the laboratory, leaves are daily provided to established colonies, and ant-produced waste is weekly removed along with remaining dry plant material. As the fungus garden keeps growing, colonies are transferred to different types of containers according to the experimental purpose. Leaf-cutting ant colonies are placed in interconnected containers, representing the organizational system with functional chambers built by those insects in nature. This setup is ideal to monitor factors such as waste amount, fungus garden health, and the behavior of workers and queen. Facilitated data collection and more detailed observations are considered the greatest advantage of keeping ant colonies in controlled conditions.

Benefícios e desafios do uso de sistemas de informação na atuação do profissional de enfermagem / Beneficios y desafíos del uso de sistemas de información en el desempeño de los profesionales de enfermería / Applications, benefits and challenges os using information systems in the perfomance of nursing

Objetivo: Apresentar benefícios e entraves que impedem os profissionais de Enfermagem utilizarem sistemas de informação (SI). Métodos: Trata-se de revisão sistemática. Dados coletados nas bases: Scielo, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e PubMed Centralcom descritores: enfermagem AND sistemas de informação AND aplicações OR beneficios OR limitações,utilizando a estratégia PICO.Critério de inclusão: artigos completos, idioma Português, período 2019 a 2021, excluídos artigos repetidos e não vinculados ao tema. Resultados:Analisadas sete publicações que discutem dificuldades na utilização do sistema devido ao atraso na inserção das informações do paciente,baixa adesão e aceitabilidade entre os profissionais. Pontos positivos encontrados foram otimização de tempo, redução de atividades burocráticas, agilidade para tomar decisões corretas no atendimento ao paciente.Conclusão: Os sistemas de informação fornecem o armazenamento, a organização e o controle das informações que facilitam o conhecimento prévio do paciente; além de fornecer o suporte necessário para a tomada de decisão na prática de Enfermagem(AU)

Objective: To present benefits and obstacles that prevent Nursing professionals from using information systems (IS). Methods: This is a systematic review. Data collected in the following databases: Scielo, Virtual Health Library (BVS) and PubMed Central with descriptors: nursing AND information systemsAND applications OR benefits OR limitations, using the PICO strategy. Inclusion criteria: full articles, Portuguese language, period 2019 to 2021, excluding repeated articles not linked to the theme. Results: Seven publications were analyzed that discuss difficulties in using the system due to the delay in entering patient information, low adherence and acceptability among professionals. Positive points found were time optimization, reduction of bureaucratic activities, agility to make correct decisions in patient care. Conclusion: Information systems provide the storage, organization and control of information that facilitate prior knowledge of the patient; in addition to providing the necessary support for decision-making in Nursing practice.(AU)

Objetivo: Presentar beneficios y obstáculos que impiden que los profesionales de Enfermería utilicen los sistemas de información (SI). Métodos: Esta es una revisión sistemática. Datos recolectados en las siguientes bases de datos: Scielo, Biblioteca Virtual en Salud (BVS) y PubMed Central con descriptores: enfermería Y sistemas de información Y aplicaciones O beneficios O limitaciones, utilizando la estrategia PICO. Criterios de inclusión: artículos completos, idioma portugués, período 2019 a 2021, excluyendo artículos repetidos no vinculados al tema. Resultados: Se analizaron siete publicaciones que discuten las dificultades en el uso del sistema debido a la demora en el ingreso de la información del paciente, baja adherencia y aceptabilidad entre los profesionales. Los puntos positivos encontrados fueron optimización de tiempo, reducción de actividades burocráticas, agilidad para tomar decisiones correctas en la atención al paciente Conclusión: Los sistemas de información brindan el almacenamiento, organización y control de la información que facilitan el conocimiento previo del paciente; además de brindar el apoyo necesario para la toma de decisiones en la práctica de Enfermería.(AU)

Exploring the diversity and potential interactions of bacterial and fungal endophytes associated with different cultivars of olive (Olea europaea) in Brazil.

The olive crop has expanded in the southeastern region of South America, particularly in Brazil. Thus, the objectives of this study were to identify the diversity of endophytic microorganisms associated with olive leaves with culture-dependent and culture-independent methods, to explore which factors influence the composition and abundance of this microbial community, to identify the trophic mode of these fungi by FunGuild and, to verify type associations between bacterial and fungal communities. Leaf samples were collected from 93 plants in nine locations in the Brazilian states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. Leaves were first superficially disinfected before fungal isolation and next-generation metabarcoding sequencing was completed targeting the 16S rRNA regions for bacteria and ITS1 for fungi. In total, 800 isolates were obtained, which were grouped into 191 morphotypes and molecularly identified, resulting in 38 genera, 32 of which were recorded for the first time in cultivated olive trees in Brazil. For the isolated fungi, the most abundant trophic level was pathotrophic and for the culture-independent method was unidentified followed by symbiotrophic. The metabarcoding results revealed that factors such as plant age, altitudinal gradient, and geographic location can influence the microbial community of commercial olive plants, while the specific cultivar did not.

ATLANTIC ANTS: a data set of ants in Atlantic Forests of South America.

Ants, an ecologically successful and numerically dominant group of animals, play key ecological roles as soil engineers, predators, nutrient recyclers, and regulators of plant growth and reproduction in most terrestrial ecosystems. Further, ants are widely used as bioindicators of the ecological impact of land use. We gathered information of ant species in the Atlantic Forest of South America. The ATLANTIC ANTS data set, which is part of the ATLANTIC SERIES data papers, is a compilation of ant records from collections (18,713 records), unpublished data (29,651 records), and published sources (106,910 records; 1,059 references), including papers, theses, dissertations, and book chapters published from 1886 to 2020. In total, the data set contains 153,818 ant records from 7,636 study locations in the Atlantic Forest, representing 10 subfamilies, 99 genera, 1,114 ant species identified with updated taxonomic certainty, and 2,235 morphospecies codes. Our data set reflects the heterogeneity in ant records, which include ants sampled at the beginning of the taxonomic history of myrmecology (the 19th and 20th centuries) and more recent ant surveys designed to address specific questions in ecology and biology. The data set can be used by researchers to develop strategies to deal with different macroecological and region-wide questions, focusing on assemblages, species occurrences, and distribution patterns. Furthermore, the data can be used to assess the consequences of changes in land use in the Atlantic Forest on different ecological processes. No copyright restrictions apply to the use of this data set, but we request that authors cite this data paper when using these data in publications or teaching events.

Machaerium opacum Vogel (Fabaceae): phytochemical study and toxicity to Atta sexdens Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

In this work was described the phytochemical investigation of Machaerium opacum Vogel (Fabaceae) leaves as well as the insecticidal activity of its crude extract and fractions against Atta sexdens Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The phytochemical study led to the identification of α-amyrin, ß-amyrin, lupeol, phytol, isomucronulatol and rutin, described for the first time in M. opacum and mucronulatol. Insecticidal activity was assessed by the ingestion of the crude extract and fractions incorporated into an artificial diet at three different concentrations (0.2, 1.0 and 2.0 mg mL-1). Statistical analysis revealed that all the samples of M. opacum at all concentrations tested showed significant results when compared to the pure diet control.

Characteristics of pregnant women at risk and relationship with type of delivery and complications.

OBJECTIVE: to describe characteristics of pregnant women at risk and analyze the relationship with type of delivery and complications during pregnancy and puerperium. METHODS: a retrospective study with secondary data of 1,574 at-risk pregnant women followed up in an educational intervention by telemedicine. RESULTS: pregnant women with an average age of 35 years and high educational level participated. Preference for normal delivery was 43.1%, but only 17.3% had normal delivery. During pregnancy, 43.5% sought emergency care. In the postpartum period, 2.0% needed an ICU. Emergency room search was associated with age and contacts with the intervention. Cesarean delivery was associated with age, physical inactivity and overweight/obesity. ICU admission was associated with age and BMI. CONCLUSION: pregnant women were of high age and education, the younger and who had more contacts with the intervention sought more the emergency room. Older age, physical inactivity and overweight/obesity were factors associated with cesarean delivery.

Memory complaints at primary care in a middle-income country: clinical and neuropsychological characterization.

There are different causes of memory complaints in the elderly, such as subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. OBJECTIVE: 1) To characterize individuals with memory complaints in a mid-sized city in Brazil, through clinical, cognitive and functional assessment; 2) to compare SCD individuals with MCI and dementia patients in terms of clinical and cognitive variables. METHODS: We consecutively included individuals aged ≥50 years, with memory complaints (spontaneous or inquired). Subjects who scored ≥25 on the Memory Complaint Questionnaire or who had spontaneous memory complaints were selected. Participants underwent a semi-structured interview, the Mini-Mental State Examination, Figure Memory Test for visual episodic memory, Clock Drawing Test, Category Fluency (Animals), Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and functional assessment. Individuals were classified as SCD, MCI or dementia. We did not include individuals with previous diagnosis of dementia. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 91 subjects (73.6% women; mean age 67.6±9.8 years): 14.3% had spontaneous complaints and 85.7% had inquired complaints. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (69.2%), diabetes (36.3%), and dyslipidemia (24.2%). Low levels of vitamin B12 and hypothyroidism were found in 26.4 and 16.5%, respectively. Regarding cognitive diagnosis, 16.5% of the sample were classified as SCD, 49.4% as MCI and 34.1% as dementia. MCI and dementia were identified in five (38.5%) and seven (53.4%) patients with spontaneous complaint, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MCI and dementia are frequently underdiagnosed. Potential reversible causes of cognitive decline are common. The diagnosis of dementia is highly frequent among individuals with spontaneous memory complaints.

Há diferentes causas de queixas de memória nos idosos, como declínio cognitivo subjetivo (DCS), comprometimento cognitivo leve (CCL) ou demências. OBJETIVO: 1) Caracterizar indivíduos com queixa de memória em uma cidade de médio porte do Brasil, por meio de avaliação clínica, cognitiva e funcional; 2) comparar indivíduos com DCS, com CCL e pacientes com demência em termos de variáveis clínicas e cognitivas. MÉTODOS: Incluiu-se, de modo consecutivo, indivíduos com idade ≥50 anos, com queixas de memória (espontânea ou inquirida). Foram selecionados participantes que pontuaram ≥25 no Questionário de Queixa de Memória ou que apresentaram queixa de memória espontânea. Todos foram submetidos à entrevista semiestruturada, Miniexame do Estado Mental, Teste de Figuras (teste de memória episódica visual), Teste do Desenho do Relógio, Fluência Semântica (Animais), Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico e avaliação funcional. Os indivíduos foram classificados em declínio cognitivo subjetivo (DCS), CCL e demência. RESULTADOS: A amostra final foi composta por 91 indivíduos (73,6% mulheres; média de idade 67,6±9,8 anos); 14,3% apresentaram queixa espontânea e 85,7%, queixa inquirida. As comorbidades mais comuns foram hipertensão (69,2%), diabetes (36,3%) e dislipidemia (24,2%). Baixos níveis de vitamina B12 e hipotireoidismo foram encontrados em 26,4 e 16,5%, respectivamente. Quanto ao diagnóstico cognitivo, 16,5% foram classificados como DCS, 49,4% como CCL e 34,1% como demência. CCL e demência foram respectivamente identificados em cinco (38,5%) e sete (53,4%) pacientes com queixa espontânea de memória. CONCLUSÕES: CCL e demência são frequentemente subdiagnosticados. Causas potencialmente reversíveis de declínio cognitivo foram frequentes na amostra. O diagnóstico de demência foi muito frequente entre indivíduos com queixas espontâneas de memória.

Viabilidade da terapia de aceitação e compromisso para dependentes de drogas / Feasibility of acceptance and commitment therapy for drug addicts

A dependência de substâncias é uma das condições de saúde mais estigmatizadas no mundo, contribuindo para o seu agravamento, exclusão social e discriminação. Conscientes da percepção negativa da sociedade em relação à sua condição, essas pessoas podem internalizar o estigma, a partir de crenças, sentimentos e comportamentos negativos sobre si. Uma das intervenções com evidências iniciais positivas para reduzir o estigma internalizado é a Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso (ACT). Este estudo avaliou a viabilidade de uma intervenção baseada em ACT para reduzir o estigma internalizado entre dependentes de substâncias. Os participantes receberam o tratamento convencional do serviço, além da intervenção composta por seis sessões com periodicidade semanal, conduzidas por uma dupla de terapeutas previamente treinadas. Implementar estratégias para a redução do estigma internalizado pode contribuir para manter os benefícios obtidos ao longo do tempo, aumentando a adesão ao tratamento e a qualidade dos cuidados fornecidos.

Substance dependence is one of the most stigmatized health conditions in the world, contributing to its worsening, social exclusion and discrimination. Aware of society's negative perception of their condition, these people can internalize stigma from negative beliefs, feelings and behaviors about themselves. One of the interventions with positive initial evidence to reduce internalized stigma is the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This study evaluated the feasibility of an ACT-based intervention to reduce internalized stigma among substance addicts. The participants received the conventional treatment of the service, in addition to the intervention consisting of six weekly sessions, conducted by a pair of previously trained therapists. Implementing strategies to reduce internalized stigma can contribute to maintaining the benefits obtained over time, increasing adherence to treatment and the quality of care provided.

Memory complaints at primary care in a middle-income country: clinical and neuropsychological characterization / Queixas de memória na atenção primária em um país de renda média: caracterização clínica e neuropsicológica

ABSTRACT. There are different causes of memory complaints in the elderly, such as subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Objective: 1) To characterize individuals with memory complaints in a mid-sized city in Brazil, through clinical, cognitive and functional assessment; 2) to compare SCD individuals with MCI and dementia patients in terms of clinical and cognitive variables. Methods: We consecutively included individuals aged ≥50 years, with memory complaints (spontaneous or inquired). Subjects who scored ≥25 on the Memory Complaint Questionnaire or who had spontaneous memory complaints were selected. Participants underwent a semi-structured interview, the Mini-Mental State Examination, Figure Memory Test for visual episodic memory, Clock Drawing Test, Category Fluency (Animals), Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and functional assessment. Individuals were classified as SCD, MCI or dementia. We did not include individuals with previous diagnosis of dementia. Results: The final sample consisted of 91 subjects (73.6% women; mean age 67.6±9.8 years): 14.3% had spontaneous complaints and 85.7% had inquired complaints. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (69.2%), diabetes (36.3%), and dyslipidemia (24.2%). Low levels of vitamin B12 and hypothyroidism were found in 26.4 and 16.5%, respectively. Regarding cognitive diagnosis, 16.5% of the sample were classified as SCD, 49.4% as MCI and 34.1% as dementia. MCI and dementia were identified in five (38.5%) and seven (53.4%) patients with spontaneous complaint, respectively. Conclusions: MCI and dementia are frequently underdiagnosed. Potential reversible causes of cognitive decline are common. The diagnosis of dementia is highly frequent among individuals with spontaneous memory complaints.

RESUMO. Há diferentes causas de queixas de memória nos idosos, como declínio cognitivo subjetivo (DCS), comprometimento cognitivo leve (CCL) ou demências. Objetivo: 1) Caracterizar indivíduos com queixa de memória em uma cidade de médio porte do Brasil, por meio de avaliação clínica, cognitiva e funcional; 2) comparar indivíduos com DCS, com CCL e pacientes com demência em termos de variáveis clínicas e cognitivas. Métodos: Incluiu-se, de modo consecutivo, indivíduos com idade ≥50 anos, com queixas de memória (espontânea ou inquirida). Foram selecionados participantes que pontuaram ≥25 no Questionário de Queixa de Memória ou que apresentaram queixa de memória espontânea. Todos foram submetidos à entrevista semiestruturada, Miniexame do Estado Mental, Teste de Figuras (teste de memória episódica visual), Teste do Desenho do Relógio, Fluência Semântica (Animais), Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico e avaliação funcional. Os indivíduos foram classificados em declínio cognitivo subjetivo (DCS), CCL e demência. Resultados: A amostra final foi composta por 91 indivíduos (73,6% mulheres; média de idade 67,6±9,8 anos); 14,3% apresentaram queixa espontânea e 85,7%, queixa inquirida. As comorbidades mais comuns foram hipertensão (69,2%), diabetes (36,3%) e dislipidemia (24,2%). Baixos níveis de vitamina B12 e hipotireoidismo foram encontrados em 26,4 e 16,5%, respectivamente. Quanto ao diagnóstico cognitivo, 16,5% foram classificados como DCS, 49,4% como CCL e 34,1% como demência. CCL e demência foram respectivamente identificados em cinco (38,5%) e sete (53,4%) pacientes com queixa espontânea de memória. Conclusões: CCL e demência são frequentemente subdiagnosticados. Causas potencialmente reversíveis de declínio cognitivo foram frequentes na amostra. O diagnóstico de demência foi muito frequente entre indivíduos com queixas espontâneas de memória.

Characteristics of pregnant women at risk and relationship with type of delivery and complications / Características de la gestante en riesgo y relación con tipo de parto y complicaciones / Características de gestantes de risco e relação com tipo de parto e complicações

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe characteristics of pregnant women at risk and analyze the relationship with type of delivery and complications during pregnancy and puerperium. Methods: a retrospective study with secondary data of 1,574 at-risk pregnant women followed up in an educational intervention by telemedicine. Results: pregnant women with an average age of 35 years and high educational level participated. Preference for normal delivery was 43.1%, but only 17.3% had normal delivery. During pregnancy, 43.5% sought emergency care. In the postpartum period, 2.0% needed an ICU. Emergency room search was associated with age and contacts with the intervention. Cesarean delivery was associated with age, physical inactivity and overweight/obesity. ICU admission was associated with age and BMI. Conclusion: pregnant women were of high age and education, the younger and who had more contacts with the intervention sought more the emergency room. Older age, physical inactivity and overweight/obesity were factors associated with cesarean delivery.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir las características de las gestantes en riesgo y analizar la relación con el tipo de parto y las complicaciones durante el embarazo y el puerperio. Métodos: estudio retrospectivo con datos secundarios de 1.574 gestantes de alto riesgo seguidas en una intervención educativa por telemedicina. Resultados: participaron de la intervención gestantes con edad promedio de 35 años y estudios secundarios. La preferencia por el parto normal fue del 43,1%, pero solo el 17,3% tuvo un parto normal. Durante el embarazo, el 43,5% acudió a urgencias. En el posparto, el 2,0% necesitó una UCI. La búsqueda del servicio de urgencias se asoció con la edad y los contactos con la intervención. El parto por cesárea se asoció con la edad, la inactividad física y el sobrepeso/obesidad. El ingreso a la UCI se asoció con la edad y el IMC. Conclusión: las gestantes tenían mayor edad y educación, las más jóvenes y que tenían más contactos con la intervención acudieron más a urgencias. La edad avanzada, la inactividad física y el sobrepeso/obesidad fueron factores asociados con el parto por cesárea.

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever as características de gestantes de risco e analisar relação com tipo de parto e complicações na gestação e puerpério. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo com dados secundários de 1.574 gestantes de risco acompanhadas em intervenção educativa por telemedicina. Resultados: gestantes com idade média de 35 anos e escolaridade elevada participaram da intervenção. A preferência pelo parto normal foi de 43,1%, mas apenas 17,3% tiveram parto normal. Durante a gestação, 43,5% buscaram o pronto-socorro. No pós-parto, 2,0% necessitaram de UTI. A busca pelo pronto-socorro esteve associada à idade e contatos com a intervenção. O parto cesáreo esteve associado à idade, sedentarismo e sobrepeso/obesidade. A internação em UTI esteve associada à idade e IMC. Conclusão: as gestantes tinham idade e escolaridade elevadas, as mais jovens e que tiveram mais contatos com a intervenção buscaram mais o pronto-socorro. Idade mais elevada, sedentarismo e sobrepeso/obesidade foram fatores associados ao parto cesárea.