Number of adult females in a group affects infant motor development of a cooperative breeding primate (Callithrix jacchus).

Callitrichids are small Neotropical primates and, due to their cooperative breeding system, infants are of particular interest in research on social dynamics. Although a few studies have investigated the role of helpers in this type of system, there is still a lack of research in field studies seeking to determine whether there is a relationship between the number of helpers (adults) in a social group and the motor development of infants. With that in mind, four groups of wild marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) were observed and the motor behaviors of 1 to 4 month-old infants were recorded. To investigate the influence of the adult:infant ratio on motor diversity, used as an indicator of motor development, we ran a GLMM with a Gaussian distribution and found that: (i) in groups with fewer adults, 2-month-old infants show earlier motor diversity; (ii) motor diversity increases with age regardless of the ratio of adult males per infant; (iii) in groups with more adult females per infant, the motor diversity of 2-month-old infants is significantly lower compared to 3-month-old infants. Although adult callitrichid males play an important role in the care of their offspring, the presence of females appears to be a key factor in motor development at this early stage in the study groups. In a cooperative breeding system, the lack of helpers seems to drive the development of independence in infants, resulting in earlier development.

Parental Behavior in Carnivores.

The mammalian order Carnivora is generally defined as species that feed exclusively or to some degree by eating other animals. The Carnivora comprise around 280 species, divided into 16 families, 13 of which are terrestrial and 3 aquatic. Carnivores are spread across the entire planet, including the two polar regions and on land and sea. Consistent with such diverse ecologies, there is no typical pattern of parental care distinguishing carnivores from other mammals. Using examples from different taxonomic families, our aim is to illustrate the diversity of parental care in Carnivora. Major topics include parental care before and after birth of the young, paternal, and alloparental care and the process of weaning. Given the position of many carnivores at the apex of food chains, a greater understanding of their patterns of parental care as a vital part of reproductive biology is essential to conservation programs.

Betulinic Acid Prevents the Acquisition of Ciprofloxacin-Mediated Mutagenesis in Staphylococcus aureus.

The occurrence of damage on bacterial DNA (mediated by antibiotics, for example) is intimately associated with the activation of the SOS system. This pathway is related to the development of mutations that might result in the acquisition and spread of resistance and virulence factors. The inhibition of the SOS response has been highlighted as an emerging resource, in order to reduce the emergence of drug resistance and tolerance. Herein, we evaluated the ability of betulinic acid (BA), a plant-derived triterpenoid, to reduce the activation of the SOS response and its associated phenotypic alterations, induced by ciprofloxacin in Staphylococcus aureus. BA did not show antimicrobial activity against S. aureus (MIC > 5000 µg/mL), however, it (at 100 and 200 µg/mL) was able to reduce the expression of recA induced by ciprofloxacin. This effect was accompanied by an enhancement of the ciprofloxacin antimicrobial action and reduction of S. aureus cell volume (as seen by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy). BA could also increase the hyperpolarization of the S. aureus membrane, related to the ciprofloxacin action. Furthermore, BA inhibited the progress of tolerance and the mutagenesis induced by this drug. Taken together, these findings indicate that the betulinic acid is a promising lead molecule in the development helper drugs. These compounds may be able to reduce the S. aureus mutagenicity associated with antibiotic therapies.

Inserção do técnico em saúde bucal no Sistema Único de Saúde: a instabilidade dos vínculos de trabalho e a desvalorização profissional / Inclusion of the oral health technician in the Unified Health System: the instability of the employment relationships and the professional devaluation / Inserción del técnico en salud bucal en el Sistema de Salud: la instabilidad de los vínculos de trabajo y la desvalorización profesional

Resumo A Política Nacional de Saúde Bucal destaca a importância da formação de pessoal auxiliar para a sua consolidação. Este estudo avaliou a inserção de técnicos em saúde bucal formados pela Escola de Saúde Pública do Ceará no Sistema Único de Saúde. Trata-se de estudo descritivo com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido em duas etapas. Na primeira, traçou-se o perfil profissional de 573 técnicos em saúde bucal ex-alunos da Escola. Na segunda, foram realizados grupos focais e utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo, na modalidade temática. A pergunta direcionadora foi: que aspectos influenciam na inserção dos técnicos em saúde bucal no Sistema Único de Saúde? Verificou-se que 73,3% estavam no Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde. Destes, 20,7% estavam cadastrados como técnico em saúde bucal e 67,9% como auxiliar de saúde bucal. Nos grupos focais, foram identificadas três categorias temáticas: interesse dos gestores; tipo de vínculo de trabalho; e valorização profissional. Concluiu-se que a maioria estava inserida no Sistema Único de Saúde, mas como auxiliar de saúde bucal. Na visão dos egressos, faltam interesse por parte dos gestores para contratação de técnicos em saúde bucal, vínculos de trabalho mais estáveis e maior valorização profissional.

Abstract The Oral Health National Policy emphasizes the importance of the training of assistant personnel for its consolidation. This study evaluated the inclusion of Oral Health Technicians, trained by Escola de Saúde Pública do Ceará, Brazil, in the Unified Health System. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, developed in two stages. In the first one, the professional profile of 573 oral health technicians was outlined. In the second stage, we used focal groups, as well as the technique of content analysis, thematic modality. The orienting question was: which aspects influence the inclusion of the oral health technician in the Unified Health System? It was found that 73.3% of technicians were in the National Health Facilities Register. Out of these, 20.7% were registered as oral health technician, and 67.9% as oral health assistant. In the focal groups, three thematic categories were identified: manager's interests; type of employment relationship; and professional appreciation. It was concluded that the majority was included in the Unified Health System, but as oral health assistant. From the graduates" point of view, managers lack interest in hiring oral health technicians, and there is lack of more stable employment relationships and of greater professional appreciation.

Resumen La Política Nacional de Salud Bucal destaca la importancia de la formación de personal auxiliar para su consolidación. Este estudio evaluó la inserción de Técnicos en Salud Bucal formados por la Escuela de Salud Pública del Ceará en el Sistema Único de Salud. Trata-se de estudio descriptivo con abordaje cualitativa, desarrollado en dos etapas. En la primera, se elaboró el perfil profesional de 573 técnicos en salud bucal exestudiantes. En la segunda, fueron realizados grupos focales y fue utilizada la técnica de análisis de contenido, en la modalidad temática. La pregunta rectora fue: ¿qué aspectos influencian la inserción de los técnicos en salud bucal en el Sistema Único de Salud? Fue verificado que 73,3% estaban en el Registro Nacional de Establecimientos de Salud. De estos, 20,7% estaban registrados como técnico en salud bucal y 67,9% como auxiliar de salud bucal. En los grupos focales, fueron identificadas tres categorías temáticas: interés de los gestores; tipo de vínculo de trabajo; y valorización profesional. Fue concluido que la mayoría estaba inserida en el Sistema Único de Salud, pero como auxiliar de salud bucal. En la visión de los licenciados, faltan interés por parte de los gestores para contratación de técnicos en salud bucal, vínculos de trabajo más estables y mayor valorización profesional.

Biophysical characterization data of the artificial protein Octarellin V.1 and binding test with its X-ray helpers.

The artificial protein Octarellin V.1 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2016.05.004[1]) was obtained through a direct evolution process over the de novo designed Octarellin V (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-2836(02)01206-8[2]). The protein has been characterized by circular dichroism and fluorescence techniques, in order to obtain data related to its thermo and chemical stability. Moreover, the data for the secondary structure content studied by circular dichroism and infra red techniques is reported for the Octarellin V and V.1. Two crystallization helpers, nanobodies (http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2014.039[3]) and αRep (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2010.09.048[4]), have been used to create stable complexes. Here we present the data obtained of the binding characterization of the Octarellin V.1 with the crystallization helpers by isothermal titration calorimetry.

Household Composition and Longitudinal Health Outcomes for Older Mexican Return Migrants.

Mexican return migrant population is increasing, yet our knowledge about their lives after resettlement in Mexico remains fragmentary. Using 2001-2012 longitudinal data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study, we investigate difference in household composition for older migrants who returned from the United States compared to nonmigrants. Furthermore, we fit a Cox proportional hazards model to assess the relationship between household composition and health and functional trajectories of return migrants and nonmigrants. The results indicate that return migrants with long duration of U.S. stay have different household composition than nonmigrants or short-term migrants: On average, they have smaller household size, including fewer females who may be available to offer assistance to older adults. Presence of middle-age females in the household has positive effects on health and functional trajectories. We highlight implications of this research for policy makers in Mexico and the United States.

Traforismo InterassistencialInterassistential Strong TraitsTraforismo InterassistencialTraforismo Interassistencial / Interassistential Strong Traits

Neste artigo, o tema traforismo interassistencial é proposto como atitudeprática de auto-superação e qualificação da amparalidade. São apresentadas ascorrelações do traforismo interassistencial com o curso intermissivo, bem comoos conceitos de sinergismo e complementaridade traforista. As conclusões dapesquisa direcionam para a eliminação das omissões deficitárias em relação aouso dos trafores pessoais, visando maior aproveitamento da oportunidadeevolutiva atual e criação de vínculos interassistenciais amplos(AU)

This article proposes the theme interassistential strong trait as the practicalattitude of self-overcoming and qualification of helperness. Correlationsbetween interassistential strong traits and the intermissive course are presented,in addition to the concepts of strong traits synergism and complementarity.The research conclusions direct to the elimination of deficitary omissions inrelation to the use of personal strong traits in order to benefit more from thepresent evolutionary opportunity and create broader interassistential links(AU)

En este artículo, el tema traforismo interasistencial es propuesto comoactitud práctica de auto-superação y calificación de la amparalidad. Sonpresentadas las correlaciones del traforismo interasistencial con el cursointermisivo, así como los conceptos de sinergismo y complementariedadtraforista. Las conclusiones de la pesquisa son en el sentido de eliminar lasomisiones deficitarias en relación al uso de los trafores personales, visandomayor aprovechamiento de la oportunidad evolutiva actual y creación de vínculosinterasistenciales amplios(AU)