Behavioral Responses to Body Position in Bees: The Interaction of Apis mellifera and Lithurgus littoralis in Prickly Pear Flowers.

The behavior of bees is modulated by the presence of other bees and potentially by the visual information transmitted by the different body positions of bees while visiting flowers. We tested whether bee body position promoted the attraction and/or antagonistic behavior of con- and hetero-specific bees that interacted on prickly pear flowers of Opuntia huajuapensis. To test this, we placed dummy model bees of Apis mellifera and the native Lithurgus littoralis in flowers in three common body positions: alert, feeding, and horizontal. The results showed that dummy model bees in feeding and horizontal body positions attracted A. mellifera bees, while the alert position attracted native male L. littoralis. Male L. littoralis bees spent more time attacking model bees in horizontal and alert positions. The position of dummy bees also influenced response times. Bees of A. mellifera responded fastest to L. littoralis in the alert and horizontal position, male L. littoralis responded fastest to con-specific bees in the alert and feeding position, and female L. littoralis responded fastest to A. mellifera bees in the feeding position. A. mellifera reacted fastest to their con-specific bees in the alert and horizontal body positions. Our results demonstrate, for the first time in bees, that the position of individuals on a floral resource provides important visual information that modulates bee behavior, and illuminates aspects that likely have implications for bees in access to floral resources.

Charged sequence motifs increase the propensity towards liquid-liquid phase separation.

Protein phase separation is a major governing factor in multiple cellular processes, such as RNA metabolism and those involving RNA-binding proteins. Despite many key observations, the exact structural characteristics of proteins involved in the phase separation process are still not fully deciphered. In this work, we show that proteins harbouring sequence regions with specific charged residue patterns are significantly associated with liquid-liquid phase separation. In particular, regions with repetitive arrays of alternating charges show the strongest association, whereas segments with generally high charge density and single α-helices also show detectable but weaker connections.

Resonance assignment of the Shank1 PDZ domain.

Shank proteins are among the most abundant and well-studied postsynaptic scaffold proteins. Their PDZ domain has unique characteristics as one of its loop regions flanking the ligand-binding site is uniquely long and has also been implicated in the formation of PDZ dimers. Here we report the initial characterization of the Shank1 PDZ domain by solution NMR spectroscopy. The assigned chemical shifts are largely consistent with the common features of PDZ domains in general and the available Shank PDZ crystal structures in particular. Our analysis suggests that under the conditions investigated, the domain is monomeric and the unique loop harbors a short helical segment, observed in only one of the known X-ray structures so far. Our work stresses the importance of solution-state investigations to fully decipher the functional relevance of the structural and dynamical features unique to Shank PDZ domains.

Identification of Immunogenic Linear B-Cell Epitopes in C. burnetii Outer Membrane Proteins Using Immunoinformatics Approaches Reveals Potential Targets of Persistent Infections.

Coxiella burnetii is a global, highly infectious intracellular bacterium, able to infect a wide range of hosts and to persist for months in the environment. It is the etiological agent of Q fever-a zoonosis of global priority. Currently, there are no national surveillance data on C. burnetii's seroprevalence for any South American country, reinforcing the necessity of developing novel and inexpensive serological tools to monitor the prevalence of infections among humans and animals-especially cattle, goats, and sheep. In this study, we used immunoinformatics and computational biology tools to predict specific linear B-cell epitopes in three C. burnetii outer membrane proteins: OMP-H (CBU_0612), Com-1 (CBU_1910), and OMP-P1 (CBU_0311). Furthermore, predicted epitopes were tested by ELISA, as synthetic peptides, against samples of patients reactive to C. burnetii in indirect immunofluorescence assay, in order to evaluate their natural immunogenicity. In this way, two linear B-cell epitopes were identified in each studied protein (OMP-H(51-59), OMP-H(91-106), Com-1(57-76), Com-1(191-206), OMP-P1(197-209), and OMP-P1(215-227)); all of them were confirmed as naturally immunogenic by the presence of specific antibodies in 77% of studied patients against at least one of the identified epitopes. Remarkably, a higher frequency of endocarditis cases was observed among patients who presented an intense humoral response to OMP-H and Com-1 epitopes. These data confirm that immunoinformatics applied to the identification of specific B-cell epitopes can be an effective strategy to improve and accelerate the development of surveillance tools against neglected diseases.

Bibliotecas digitais e virtuais à luz da literatura brasileira: da construção ao acesso / Digital and virtual libraries in the light of brazilian literature: from construction to access

RESUMO Os reflexos das tecnologias da informação e comunicação nas bibliotecas é tema recorrente na literatura da área de Biblioteconomia e Ciência da Informação. Este artigo constitui uma revisão de literatura sobre o tema "Bibliotecas Digitais" e "Bibliotecas Virtuais", haja vista verificar os principais assuntos discorridos na literatura, por conseguinte, apresentar aspectos quantitativos que caracterizam a produção científica sobre o tema. A pesquisa é descritiva, qualiquantitativa e foram selecionados artigos da Base de Dados de Periódicos em Ciência da Informação, SciELO e Portal de Periódicos CAPES, publicados em português, de 2010 a 2014, mediante a técnica de coleta do tipo levantamento e análise de conteúdo. Os procedimentos realizados no estudo permitiram a identificação de 21 artigos que contemplam diferentes assuntos relacionados ao tema: estruturação das bibliotecas, produtos e serviços oferecidos, educação e formação, e acesso e usabilidade da biblioteca. Os dados quantitativos analisados demonstraram haver preferência pelo termo "Bibliotecas Digitais" ao termo "Bibliotecas Virtuais", com predominância dos assuntos "estruturação de bibliotecas" e "acesso e usabilidade". Os trabalhos foram publicados de forma equilibrada, ao longo dos anos, predomínio da autoria coletiva, e houve distribuição uniforme entre boa parte dos periódicos brasileiros da Ciência da Informação/Biblioteconomia. Como principal limitação, destaca-se o uso de artigos em português, o que instiga a realização de estudos futuros em artigos publicados em inglês e espanhol, e delimitando o tempo para anos mais recentes.

RESUMEN Los reflejos de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en las bibliotecas son un tema recurrente en la literatura de bibliotecas y ciencias de la información. Este artículo es una revisión de la literatura sobre el tema "Bibliotecas digitales" y "Bibliotecas virtuales", con el fin de verificar los principales temas discutidos en la literatura, por lo tanto, presenta aspectos cuantitativos que caracterizan la producción científica sobre el tema. La investigación es descriptiva, cualitativa y cuantitativa, y los artículos de la Base de datos periódica de ciencias de la información, SciELO y Portal Capes, publicados en portugués, de 2010 a 2014, se seleccionaron utilizando la técnica de recopilación de encuestas y el análisis de contenido. Los procedimientos realizados en el estudio permitieron la identificación de 21 artículos que cubren diferentes temas relacionados con el tema: estructuración de la biblioteca, productos y servicios ofrecidos, educación y capacitación, y acceso a la biblioteca y usabilidad. Los datos cuantitativos analizados mostraron una preferencia por el término "Bibliotecas digitales" sobre el término "Bibliotecas virtuales", con predominio de los temas "estructuración de bibliotecas" y "acceso y usabilidad". Las obras se publicaron de manera equilibrada, a lo largo de los años, predominando la autoría colectiva, y hubo una distribución uniforme entre la mayoría de las revistas brasileñas de Ciencias de la Información / Bibliotecología. La principal limitación es el uso de artículos en portugués, lo que impulsa futuros estudios en artículos publicados en inglés y español, limitando el tiempo a años más recientes.

ABSTRACT The reflexes of information and communication technologies in libraries is a recurring theme in the library and information science literature. This article is a literature review on the topic "Digital Libraries" and "Virtual Libraries", in order to verify the main subjects discussed in the literature, therefore, presenting quantitative aspects that characterize the scientific production on the subject. The research is descriptive, qualitative and quantitative, and articles from the Information Science Periodical Database, SciELO and Portal Capes, published in Portuguese, from 2010 to 2014, were selected using the survey collection technique and content analysis. The procedures performed in the study allowed the identification of 21 articles that cover different subjects related to the theme: library structuring, products and services offered, education and training, and library access and usability. The quantitative data analyzed showed a preference for the term "Digital Libraries" over the term "Virtual Libraries", with predominance of the subjects "library structuring" and "access and usability". The works were published in a balanced way, over the years, predominance of collective authorship, and there was a uniform distribution among most Brazilian journals of Information Science / Library Science. The main limitation is the use of articles in Portuguese, which prompts future studies in articles published in English and Spanish, limiting the time to more recent years.

Acetone­butanol­ethanol fermentation from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysates: utilization of C5 and C6 sugars

Background: Fuels and chemicals from renewable feedstocks have a growing demand, and acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE) are some relevant examples. These molecules can be produced by the bacterial fermentation process using hydrolysates generated from lignocellulosic biomass as sugarcane bagasse, one of the most abundant sources of lignocellulosic biomass in Brazil. It originates as a residue in mills and distilleries in the production of sugar and ethanol. Results: In the present work, two strategies to generate hydrolysates of sugarcane bagasse were adopted. The fermentation of the first hydrolysate by Clostridium acetobutylicum DSM 6228 resulted in final concentrations of butanol, acetone and ethanol of 6.4, 4.5 and 0.6 g/L, respectively. On the other hand, the second hydrolysate presented better results (averages of 9.1, 5.5 and 0.8 g/L, respectively), even without the need for nutrient supplementation, since key elements were already present in the medium. The productivity (QP) and yield (YP/S) of the solvents with second hydrolysate were 0.5 g/L•h-1 and 0.4 g/g, respectively. Conclusions: The results described herein open new perspectives for the production of important molecules from residual lignocellulosic biomass for the fuel and chemical industries within the context of second-generation biorefinery.

Intentional homicide, drug trafficking and social indicators in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. / Homicídios dolosos, tráfico de drogas e indicadores sociais em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil.

To study the association between intentional homicide, drug trafficking and social indicators in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in 2010. This is an ecological study, based on cases of intentional homicides and drug trafficking registered by the Civil Police of Bahia, as well as social indicators. A negative binomial regression model, utilizing R software (version 2.13.0), was used to verify the association between the homicide rate, drug trafficking and the proportion of black males aged 15 - 49. There were 1391 homicides in 2010, giving a rate of 108.5 homicides per 100,000 people. It was observed that in neighborhoods with a proportion of black males aged 15 - 49 over 60%, this rate increased by 89% (≥ 60% and ≤ 80%) and 87% (> 80%), compared to neighborhoods with less than 60% of black males aged 15 - 49. Regarding the factor of drug trafficking, there was a statistically significant average increase of 40% in terms of this coefficient in neighborhoods with five or more cases of drug trafficking, compared to neighborhoods with less than five of such cases. The empirical evidence that was observed can help to contribute to the existing knowledge about the phenomenon of deaths due to homicide in large cities, and it will also help managers, public security and organized civil society to face this problem.

O objetivo deste artigo é verificar a associação entre homicídio doloso, tráfico de drogas e indicadores sociais em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, no ano de 2010. Trata-se de estudo ecológico a partir dos casos de homicídios dolosos e de tráfico de drogas registrados pela Polícia Civil da Bahia com indicadores sociais. A análise entre o coeficiente de homicídio doloso, tráfico de drogas e proporção de homens negros de 15 a 49 anos foi feita através do modelo de regressão binomial negativa, com software R versão 2.13.0. Foram registrados 1.391 homicídios dolosos em 2010, gerando coeficiente de 108,5 homicídios por 100mil habitantes. Na associação foi observado que nos bairros com proporção de homens negros de 15 a 49 anos acima de 60%, esse coeficiente aumentou 89% (≥ 60% e ≤ 80%) e 87% (> 80%), comparado com bairros com proporção menor que 60%. Quanto ao tráfico de drogas, houve aumento médio de 40% estatisticamente significante nesse coeficiente nos bairros com 5 ou mais casos, comparado com bairros com menos de 5. As evidências empíricas observadas poderão contribuir para o conhecimento sobre o fenômeno dos óbitos por homicídios dolosos nas grandes cidades e poderá auxiliar gestores, segurança pública e sociedade civil organizada no enfrentamento desse problema.

Homicídios dolosos, tráfico de drogas e indicadores sociais em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil / Intentional homicide, drug trafficking and social indicators in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é verificar a associação entre homicídio doloso, tráfico de drogas e indicadores sociais em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, no ano de 2010. Trata-se de estudo ecológico a partir dos casos de homicídios dolosos e de tráfico de drogas registrados pela Polícia Civil da Bahia com indicadores sociais. A análise entre o coeficiente de homicídio doloso, tráfico de drogas e proporção de homens negros de 15 a 49 anos foi feita através do modelo de regressão binomial negativa, com software R versão 2.13.0. Foram registrados 1.391 homicídios dolosos em 2010, gerando coeficiente de 108,5 homicídios por 100mil habitantes. Na associação foi observado que nos bairros com proporção de homens negros de 15 a 49 anos acima de 60%, esse coeficiente aumentou 89% (≥ 60% e ≤ 80%) e 87% (> 80%), comparado com bairros com proporção menor que 60%. Quanto ao tráfico de drogas, houve aumento médio de 40% estatisticamente significante nesse coeficiente nos bairros com 5 ou mais casos, comparado com bairros com menos de 5. As evidências empíricas observadas poderão contribuir para o conhecimento sobre o fenômeno dos óbitos por homicídios dolosos nas grandes cidades e poderá auxiliar gestores, segurança pública e sociedade civil organizada no enfrentamento desse problema.

Abstract To study the association between intentional homicide, drug trafficking and social indicators in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in 2010. This is an ecological study, based on cases of intentional homicides and drug trafficking registered by the Civil Police of Bahia, as well as social indicators. A negative binomial regression model, utilizing R software (version 2.13.0), was used to verify the association between the homicide rate, drug trafficking and the proportion of black males aged 15 - 49. There were 1391 homicides in 2010, giving a rate of 108.5 homicides per 100,000 people. It was observed that in neighborhoods with a proportion of black males aged 15 - 49 over 60%, this rate increased by 89% (≥ 60% and ≤ 80%) and 87% (> 80%), compared to neighborhoods with less than 60% of black males aged 15 - 49. Regarding the factor of drug trafficking, there was a statistically significant average increase of 40% in terms of this coefficient in neighborhoods with five or more cases of drug trafficking, compared to neighborhoods with less than five of such cases. The empirical evidence that was observed can help to contribute to the existing knowledge about the phenomenon of deaths due to homicide in large cities, and it will also help managers, public security and organized civil society to face this problem.

The importance of animal studies in exercise science

Abstract The validity and relevance of research with animals for the development of knowledge in Exercise Science have for long been discussed. Given the complexity of the biological systems, the use of animal models offers a significant contribution to uncover new findings about acute and chronic effects of exercise, particularly when these studies in humans have limitations and ethical implications. There have been notable findings using experimental animals either in basic sciences or in clinical studies involving physiology, pharmacology, genetic, biochemistry, urology, endocrinology and cancer. This article presents a brief review of scientific research using animal models with a focus on exercise training as an effective tool for the prophylaxis and treatment of different pathological processes, which are the basis of many concepts taught and used in undergraduate courses and graduate programs, as well as in new researches showed in scientific conference meetings in numerous areas of science.(AU)

Optimisation of Cellulase Production by Penicillium funiculosum in a Stirred Tank Bioreactor Using Multivariate Response Surface Analysis.

Increasing interest in the production of second-generation ethanol necessitates the low-cost production of enzymes from the cellulolytic complex (endoglucanases, exoglucanases, and ß-glucosidases), which act synergistically in cellulose breakdown. The present work aimed to optimise a bioprocess to produce these biocatalysts from the fungus Penicillium funiculosum ATCC11797. A statistical full factorial design (FFD) was employed to determine the optimal conditions for cellulase production. The optimal composition of culture media using Avicel (10 g·L(-1)) as carbon source was determined to include urea (1.2 g·L(-1)), yeast extract (1.0 g·L(-1)), KH2PO4 (6.0 g·L(-1)), and MgSO4 ·7H2O (1.2 g·L(-1)). The growth process was performed in batches in a bioreactor. Using a different FFD strategy, the optimised bioreactor operational conditions of an agitation speed of 220 rpm and aeration rate of 0.6 vvm allowed the obtainment of an enzyme pool with activities of 508 U·L(-1) for FPase, 9,204 U·L(-1) for endoglucanase, and 2,395 U·L(-1) for ß-glucosidase. The sequential optimisation strategy was effective and afforded increased cellulase production in the order from 3.6 to 9.5 times higher than production using nonoptimised conditions.

Sugarcane bagasse as feedstock for cellulase production by Trichoderma harzianum in optimized culture medium

This work aimed at the production of cellulases from pretreated sugarcane bagasse by the filamentous fungus Trichoderma harzianum IOC 3844 and their application in the hydrolysis of this same substrate, for a future use in second-generation ethanol production. The production of cellulases was optimized, which resulted in high enzymatic activities after 42 hrs of process in an instrumented bioreactor (CMCase 27,017 U x L-1; FPase 1,225 U x L-1; and β-glucosidase 609 U x L-1). The enzymatic extract was concentrated by using a hollow fiber membrane filtration system. The concentrated extract was applied in the hydrolysis of pretreated sugarcane bagasse, after 28 hrs of enzymatic reaction, displaying a similar catalytic performance of that attained with a commercial enzymatic preparation (hydrolysis efficiency of roughly 50%). Finally, the enzymatic extract was partially characterized in terms of the molecular weights of the main activities of the enzymatic pool. Electrophoretic analysis identified eleven protein bands; six of them were related to CMCase activity and revealing molecular weights that varied from 48 to 78 kDa, and two bands were associated with β-glucosidase activity and having molecular weights of 75 and 85 kDa.

Cellulase production by Penicillium funiculosum and its application in the hydrolysis of sugar cane bagasse for second generation ethanol production by fed batch operation.

This study aimed to produce a cellulase blend and to evaluate its application in a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process for second generation ethanol production from sugar cane bagasse. The sugar cane bagasse was subjected to pretreatments (diluted acid and alkaline), as for disorganizing the ligocellulosic complex, and making the cellulose component more amenable to enzymatic hydrolysis. The residual solid fraction was named sugar cane bagasse partially delignified cellulignin (PDC), and was used for enzyme production and ethanol fermentation. The enzyme production was performed in a bioreactor with two inoculum concentrations (5 and 10% v/v). The fermentation inoculated with higher inoculum size reduced the time for maximum enzyme production (from 72 to 48). The enzyme extract was concentrated using tangential ultrafiltration in hollow fiber membranes, and the produced cellulase blend was evaluated for its stability at 37 °C, operation temperature of the simultaneous SSF process, and at 50 °C, optimum temperature of cellulase blend activity. The cellulolytic preparation was stable for at least 300 h at both 37 °C and 50 °C. The ethanol production was carried out by PDC fed-batch SSF process, using the onsite cellulase blend. The feeding strategy circumvented the classic problems of diffusion limitations by diminishing the presence of a high solid:liquid ratio at any time, resulting in high ethanol concentration at the end of the process (100 g/L), which corresponded to a fermentation efficiency of 78% of the maximum obtainable theoretically. The experimental results led to the ratio of 380 L of ethanol per ton of sugar cane bagasse PDC.

Susceptibilidad a la nistatina de aislamientos bucales de Candida y su correlación con la respuesta al tratamiento / Susceptibility to nystatin of oral Candida isolates and its correlation with the response to treatment

INTRODUCCIÓN: la candidiasis bucofaríngea es un marcador precoz de progresión a sida en los pacientes seropositivos al VIH sin tratamiento antirretroviral, así como un indicador de no adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral o su posible fracaso. OBJETIVO: determinar la susceptibilidad frente a nistatina de las cepas de Candida aisladas de la cavidad bucal de pacientes seropositivos al VIH, y correlacionar los resultados con la respuesta al tratamiento. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio de susceptibilidad in vitro frente a nistatina para 104 cepas aisladas de lesiones de candidiasis bucofaríngea de 97 pacientes VIH/sida que habían participado, como voluntarios, en un ensayo clínico para evaluar la respuesta a cuatro drogas. De los 104 aislamientos, 58 fueron obtenidos antes de iniciar los esquemas de tratamientos y 46 una vez finalizado estos. Se procedió según el micrométodo el documento M27-A3 del Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTADOS: todas las cepas se comportaron como sensibles a la nistatina, con valores de concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) menores que 16 µg/mL, independientemente del momento de su aislamiento y de la droga administrada a los pacientes. En el grupo de pacientes tratados con nistatina, los rangos de CMI80 (1-2 µg/mL), las medias geométricas y los valores acumulativos de la droga frente a los aislamientos de Candida albicans obtenidos antes de iniciar el tratamiento, resultaron similares a los obtenidos frente a las cepas recobradas al finalizar este. De todas las especies identificadas, C. lusitaniae fue la que alcanzó el valor absoluto de CMI más elevado, 4 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONES: la correlación entre la evolución clínica de los pacientes y los resultados de los estudios de susceptibilidad de sus aislamientos in vitro, fue buena para los pacientes con evolución favorable, pero no para predecir posibles fracasos terapéuticos.

INTRODUCTION: oropharyngeal candidiasis is an early marker of progression to AIDS in HIV-positive patients and an indicator of non-adherence of treatment or possible failure in patients undergoing anti-retroviral therapy. OBJECTIVE: to determine the in vitro susceptibility to nystatin in Candida strains isolated from the oral cavity of HIV-positive patients, and to correlate the results with the response to treatment. METHODS: a study of in vitro susceptibility to nystatin was conducted in 104 oral isolates from 97 HIV/AIDS patients, who participated as volunteers in a clinical trial to evaluate the response to four antifungal drugs. Fifty-eight of the 104 isolates were obtained before starting treatment and the remaining 46 at the end of therapy. Broth microdilution method was performed according to the document M27-A3 of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTS: one hundred percent of the strains were susceptible to nystatin, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of <16 µg/mL, regardless of the time of isolation and of the drug administered to patients. In the group of patients treated with nystatin, the MIC80 ranges (1-2 µg/mL), geometric mean and cumulative values of the drug against Candida albicans isolates before starting treatment were similar to those obtained against strains recovered at the end. Among the identified species, C. lusitaniae reached the highest absolute MIC value (4 µg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: the correlation between the clinical evolution and the results of in vitro susceptibility tests was good in patients with a favorable outcome; however, it did not allow predicting possible treatment failure.

Susceptibilidad a la nistatina de aislamientos bucales de Candida y su correlación con la respuesta al tratamiento / Susceptibility to nystatin of oral Candida isolates and its correlation with the response to treatment

INTRODUCCIÓN: la candidiasis bucofaríngea es un marcador precoz de progresión a sida en los pacientes seropositivos al VIH sin tratamiento antirretroviral, así como un indicador de no adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral o su posible fracaso. OBJETIVO: determinar la susceptibilidad frente a nistatina de las cepas de Candida aisladas de la cavidad bucal de pacientes seropositivos al VIH, y correlacionar los resultados con la respuesta al tratamiento. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio de susceptibilidad in vitro frente a nistatina para 104 cepas aisladas de lesiones de candidiasis bucofaríngea de 97 pacientes VIH/sida que habían participado, como voluntarios, en un ensayo clínico para evaluar la respuesta a cuatro drogas. De los 104 aislamientos, 58 fueron obtenidos antes de iniciar los esquemas de tratamientos y 46 una vez finalizado estos. Se procedió según el micrométodo el documento M27-A3 del Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTADOS: todas las cepas se comportaron como sensibles a la nistatina, con valores de concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) menores que 16 Ág/mL, independientemente del momento de su aislamiento y de la droga administrada a los pacientes. En el grupo de pacientes tratados con nistatina, los rangos de CMI80 (1-2 Ág/mL), las medias geométricas y los valores acumulativos de la droga frente a los aislamientos de Candida albicans obtenidos antes de iniciar el tratamiento, resultaron similares a los obtenidos frente a las cepas recobradas al finalizar este. De todas las especies identificadas, C. lusitaniae fue la que alcanzó el valor absoluto de CMI más elevado, 4 Ág/mL. CONCLUSIONES: la correlación entre la evolución clínica de los pacientes y los resultados de los estudios de susceptibilidad de sus aislamientos in vitro, fue buena para los pacientes con evolución favorable, pero no para predecir posibles fracasos terapéuticos (AU)

INTRODUCTION: oropharyngeal candidiasis is an early marker of progression to AIDS in HIV-positive patients and an indicator of non-adherence of treatment or possible failure in patients undergoing anti-retroviral therapy. OBJECTIVE: to determine the in vitro susceptibility to nystatin in Candida strains isolated from the oral cavity of HIV-positive patients, and to correlate the results with the response to treatment. METHODS: a study of in vitro susceptibility to nystatin was conducted in 104 oral isolates from 97 HIV/AIDS patients, who participated as volunteers in a clinical trial to evaluate the response to four antifungal drugs. Fifty-eight of the 104 isolates were obtained before starting treatment and the remaining 46 at the end of therapy. Broth microdilution method was performed according to the document M27-A3 of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTS: one hundred percent of the strains were susceptible to nystatin, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of <16 Ág/mL, regardless of the time of isolation and of the drug administered to patients. In the group of patients treated with nystatin, the MIC80 ranges (1-2 Ág/mL), geometric mean and cumulative values of the drug against Candida albicans isolates before starting treatment were similar to those obtained against strains recovered at the end. Among the identified species, C. lusitaniae reached the highest absolute MIC value (4 Ág/mL). CONCLUSIONS: the correlation between the clinical evolution and the results of in vitro susceptibility tests was good in patients with a favorable outcome; however, it did not allow predicting possible treatment failure (AU)

Susceptibilidad a la nistatina de aislamientos bucales de Candida y su correlación con la respuesta al tratamiento / Susceptibility to nystatin of oral Candida isolates and its correlation with the response to treatment

INTRODUCCIÓN: la candidiasis bucofaríngea es un marcador precoz de progresión a sida en los pacientes seropositivos al VIH sin tratamiento antirretroviral, así como un indicador de no adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral o su posible fracaso. OBJETIVO: determinar la susceptibilidad frente a nistatina de las cepas de Candida aisladas de la cavidad bucal de pacientes seropositivos al VIH, y correlacionar los resultados con la respuesta al tratamiento. MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio de susceptibilidad in vitro frente a nistatina para 104 cepas aisladas de lesiones de candidiasis bucofaríngea de 97 pacientes VIH/sida que habían participado, como voluntarios, en un ensayo clínico para evaluar la respuesta a cuatro drogas. De los 104 aislamientos, 58 fueron obtenidos antes de iniciar los esquemas de tratamientos y 46 una vez finalizado estos. Se procedió según el micrométodo el documento M27-A3 del Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTADOS: todas las cepas se comportaron como sensibles a la nistatina, con valores de concentración mínima inhibitoria (CMI) menores que 16 Ág/mL, independientemente del momento de su aislamiento y de la droga administrada a los pacientes. En el grupo de pacientes tratados con nistatina, los rangos de CMI80 (1-2 Ág/mL), las medias geométricas y los valores acumulativos de la droga frente a los aislamientos de Candida albicans obtenidos antes de iniciar el tratamiento, resultaron similares a los obtenidos frente a las cepas recobradas al finalizar este. De todas las especies identificadas, C. lusitaniae fue la que alcanzó el valor absoluto de CMI más elevado, 4 Ág/mL. CONCLUSIONES: la correlación entre la evolución clínica de los pacientes y los resultados de los estudios de susceptibilidad de sus aislamientos in vitro, fue buena para los pacientes con evolución favorable, pero no para predecir posibles fracasos terapéuticos (AU)

INTRODUCTION: oropharyngeal candidiasis is an early marker of progression to AIDS in HIV-positive patients and an indicator of non-adherence of treatment or possible failure in patients undergoing anti-retroviral therapy. OBJECTIVE: to determine the in vitro susceptibility to nystatin in Candida strains isolated from the oral cavity of HIV-positive patients, and to correlate the results with the response to treatment. METHODS: a study of in vitro susceptibility to nystatin was conducted in 104 oral isolates from 97 HIV/AIDS patients, who participated as volunteers in a clinical trial to evaluate the response to four antifungal drugs. Fifty-eight of the 104 isolates were obtained before starting treatment and the remaining 46 at the end of therapy. Broth microdilution method was performed according to the document M27-A3 of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTS: one hundred percent of the strains were susceptible to nystatin, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of <16 Ág/mL, regardless of the time of isolation and of the drug administered to patients. In the group of patients treated with nystatin, the MIC80 ranges (1-2 Ág/mL), geometric mean and cumulative values of the drug against Candida albicans isolates before starting treatment were similar to those obtained against strains recovered at the end. Among the identified species, C. lusitaniae reached the highest absolute MIC value (4 Ág/mL). CONCLUSIONS: the correlation between the clinical evolution and the results of in vitro susceptibility tests was good in patients with a favorable outcome; however, it did not allow predicting possible treatment failure (AU)

Psico-oncologia: apontamentos sobre a evolução histórica de um campo interdisciplinar / Psycho-oncology: notes on the historical development of an interdisciplinary

O aumento da sobrevida entre pacientes com câncer não foi suficiente para erradicar o estigma historicamente construído sobre essa doença. Percepções, crenças, julgamentos e atitudes sobre o câncer e seus tratamentos influenciam desde a população em geral, pacientes e familiares, até profissionais de saúde, criando barreiras conceituais e comportamentais que dificultam tanto a prevenção como o acompanhamento terapêutico. Mas, nas últimas décadas, diversos trabalhos desenvolvidos em psico-oncologia contribuem para uma atuação mais eficaz das equipes de saúde. Assim sendo, o presente artigo reúne apontamentos sobre a evolução histórica dos conhecimentos teóricos e técnicos acerca do câncer e da psico-oncologia, visando a oferecer aportes para a formação de profissionais interessados pela temática.

The increase in survival among patients with cancer was not enough to eradicate the stigma historically built on the disease. Perceptions, beliefs, judgments and attitudes about cancer and its treatment, altogether, influence many.From the general population, patients and families, to the health professionals, it acts by creating conceptual andbehavioral barriers that hinder both the prevention and therapeutic monitoring. But in recent decades, various work inPsycho-Oncology contributed to a more effective performance of the health team. Therefore, this article brings together notes on the historical development to knowledge about cancer and Psycho-Oncology, seeking contributions for the training of professionals concerned by the issue.

[Susceptibility to nystatin of oral Candida isolates and its correlation with the response to treatment]. / Susceptibilidad a la nistatina de aislamientos bucales de Candida y su correlación con la respuesta al tratamiento.

INTRODUCTION: oropharyngeal candidiasis is an early marker of progression to AIDS in H1V-positive patients and an indicator of non-adherence of treatment or possible failure in patients undergoing anti-retroviral therapy. OBJECTIVE: to determine the in vitro susceptibility to nystatin in Candida strains isolated from the oral cavity of HIV-positive patients, and to correlate the results with the response to treatment. METHODS: a study of in vitro susceptibility to nystatin was conducted in 104 oral isolates from 97 HIV/AIDS patients, who participated as volunteers in a clinical trial to evaluate the response to four antifungal drugs. Fifty-eight of the 104 isolates were obtained before starting treatment and the remaining 46 at the end of therapy. Broth microdilution method was performed according to the document M27-A3 of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. RESULTS: one hundred percent of the strains were susceptible to nystatin, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of <16 microg/mL, regardless of the time of isolation and of the drug administered to patients. In the group of patients treated with nystatin, the MIC80 ranges (1-2 microg/mL), geometric mean and cumulative values of the drug against Candida albicans isolates before starting treatment were similar to those obtained against strains recovered at the end. Among the identified species, C. lusitaniae reached the highest absolute MIC value (4 microg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: the correlation between the clinical evolution and the results of in vitro susceptibility tests was good in patients with a favorable outcome; however, it did not allow predicting possible treatment failure.

Nitrogen source optimization for cellulase production by Penicillium funiculosum, using a sequential experimental design methodology and the desirability function.

The present study aimed at maximizing cellulase production by Penicillium funiculosum using sequential experimental design methodology for optimizing the concentrations of nitrogen sources. Three sequential experimental designs were performed. The first and the second series of experiments consisted of a 2(4) and a 2(3) factorial designs, respectively, and in the third one, a central composite rotational design was used for better visualizing the optimum conditions. The following nitrogen sources were evaluated: urea, ammonium sulfate, peptone, and yeast extract. Peptone and ammonium sulfate were removed from the medium optimization since they did not present significant statistical effect on cellulase production. The optimal concentrations of urea and yeast extract predicted by the model were 0.97 and 0.36 g/L, respectively, which were validated experimentally. By the use of the desirability function, it was possible to maximize the three main enzyme activities simultaneously, which resulted in values for FPase of 227 U/L, for CMCase of 6,917 U/L, and for beta-glucosidase of 1,375 U/L. These values corresponded to increases of 3.3-, 3.2-, and 6.7-folds, respectively, when compared to those obtained in the first experimental design. The results showed that the use of sequential experimental designs associated to the use of the desirability function can be used satisfactorily to maximize cellulase production by P. funiculosum.