Factors influencing gastrointestinal parasites in a colony of Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) interacting with domestic ruminants

Parasitic infections in populations of wild herbivores can affect the individual fitness and population dynamics of their hosts. In this study, the ecology of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites was investigated in an Alpine ibex colony of the Marmolada massif, eastern Alps. Both individual and environmental factors were studied to reveal their relationship with parasite prevalence and burden. In a four-year period, 414 individual faecal samples of ibex were collected on a monthly basis during summer and autumn and were subjected to quali-quantitative examinations for the identification and quantification of oocysts and eggs. Domestic ungulates grazing in the same area were also sampled to investigate the risk of GI parasite transmission. Negative binomial regression models were developed to study the influence of physiological and environmental factors on parasite burdens. The results of the qualitative examination were in agreement with the few data already present in the literature for Alpine ibex, showing high prevalence values for Coccidia and GI strongyles, low values for Cestoda and sporadic presence of whipworms. Higher burdens in kids were found for Coccidia and Cestoda. Analysis of the GI endoparasite community of cattle and sheep suggested a negligible risk of parasite transmission to the Alpine ibex population. The sanitary risk represented by Coccidia and Cestoda in ibex kids and some peculiarities of the endoparasite distribution patterns in the Marmolada ibex population call for future in-depth ecological studies to investigate their influence on the limited growth rate shown by the ibex colony during the last decade

Tango, tensões e resistências: o caso do Milonga na Praça

O presente artigo busca compreender a história, as tensões e as resistências que caracterizaram o baile de tango Milonga na Praça, entre 2016 e 2020, quando realizado na Praça dos Namorados Beto Stodieck, região central de Florianópolis (SC). Para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa, foram coletados documentos sobre a história desse ritmo e realizadas entrevistas com idealizadores, organizadores, professores e participantes do evento. As análises possibilitaram visibilizar as tensões que constituíram a história do tango, bem como os embates decorrentes da realização dessa dança em espaço público de uma cidade na região Sul do Brasil. Concluímos que, ao migrar para outro contexto, a estrutura e as regras de uma milonga se modificam, e analisá-las nos permite compreender as resistências e transformações em uma dança que se mantém viva na medida em que é reinventada

CRAS e território: relato de experiência em um Centro de Convivência e Fortalecimento de Vínculos / CRAS and territory: experience report in a center for acquaintanceship and strengthening bonds

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo relatar a experiência de estágio de alunas de um curso de graduação em Psicologia em um Centro de Convivência e Fortalecimento de Vínculos (CCFV). Foram realizados grupos com crianças com o objetivo de trabalhar questões relativas às suas vivências cotidianas e as emoções dali advindas. Em todas as intervenções utilizou-se como mediadores do processo grupal materiais artísticos e lúdicos, incluindo desenho, sucata, contação de histórias e brincadeiras diversas. Observou-se que os temas mais frequentemente expressos pelas crianças, através de suas falas e de suas produções artísticas, relacionavam-se ao vínculo com a mãe e familiares, perdas e conflitos e aqueles marcados por diferenciações de gênero. Além de relevante por possibilitar ao grupo de crianças o (re)criar e o (re)pensar de sentimentos, ações, relações e vivências, a experiência de estagiar em um CCFV evidenciou inúmeras dificuldades e desafios, como a rotatividade dos funcionários e a precariedade do serviço e do vínculo com o Centro de Referência de Assistência Social (CRAS)

Biopsychosocial model of resilience in young adults with multiple sclerosis (BPS-ARMS): an observational study protocol exploring psychological reactions early after diagnosis

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurological disease causing disability in young adults, is widely recognised as a major stress factor. Studies have shown that the first years after the diagnosis are distressing in terms of adjustment to the disease and that MS negatively affects patients' psychological well-being, quality of life (QoL) and social functioning. However, the links between disease-specific variables at diagnosis, resilience and psychological adjustment of patients with MS remain largely unexplored, especially in adolescents and young adults. This observational study aims to fill the gap of knowledge on biopsychosocial characteristics and resilience of young adults with MS to evaluate the relationship among these variables and to develop a biopsychosocial model of resilience. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Biological and clinical characteristics of young adults newly diagnosed with MS will be investigated by collecting clinical information, performing neurological examinations, MRI and analysing cerebrospinal fluid and blood biomarkers (eg, measures of inflammation), body composition, gut microbiota and movement/perceptual markers. Psychosocial characteristics (eg, psychological distress, coping strategies), QoL, psychological well-being and resilience will be assessed by self-report questionnaires. Comparative statistics (ie, analysis of variance or unpaired samples t-test, correlation and regression analyses) will be applied to evaluate the relationship among biological, psychological and social factors. The results are expected to allow a comprehensive understanding of the determinants of resilience in young patients with MS and to inform resilience interventions, tailored to young patients' specific needs, aiming to reduce the risk of maladaptive reactions to the disease and to improve psychological well-being and QoL. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Verona University Hospital Ethics Committee (approval number: 2029CESC). The findings will be disseminated through scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, social media and specific websites. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03825055)

A Gain-of-Function Mutation on BCKDK Gene and Its Possible Pathogenic Role in Branched-Chain Amino Acid Metabolism

: BCKDK is an important key regulator of branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase complex activity by phosphorylating and so inactivating branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenases, the rate-limiting enzyme of the branched-chain amino acid metabolism. We identified, by whole exome-sequencing analysis, the p.His162Gln variant of the BCKDK gene in a neonate, picked up by newborn screening, with a biochemical phenotype of a mild form of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). The same biochemical and genetic picture was present in the father. Computational analysis of the mutation was performed to better understand its role. Extensive atomistic molecular dynamics simulations showed that the described mutation leads to a conformational change of the BCKDK protein, which reduces the effect of inhibitory binding bound to the protein itself, resulting in its increased activity with subsequent inactivation of BCKDC and increased plasmatic branched-chain amino acid levels. Our study describes the first evidence of the involvement of the BCKDK gene in a mild form of MSUD. Although further data are needed to elucidate the clinical relevance of the phenotype caused by this variant, awareness of this regulatory activation of BCKDK is very important, especially in newborn screening data interpretation