Impaired Design Fluency Is a Marker of Pathological Cognitive Aging; Results from the Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging

ObjectiveaaWe investigated neuropsychological markers that can be used to discriminate pathological cognitive aging from normal cognitive aging. MethodsaaWe administered frontal lobe function tests including the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), digit span test, lexical fluency test, fixed condition design fluency test, and Trail Making Test B (TMT-B) to 92 individuals with pathological cognitive aging (PCA) and 222 individuals with normal cognitive aging (NCA). We examined the main effects of participants ’ diagnoses (PCA, NCA) and age (65-69 years old, 70-74 years old and 75 years old or over) on their test performance using multivariate analysis of variance. ResultsaaThe main effects of both the diagnosis (F=2.860, p=0.002) and the age group (F=2.484, p<0.001) were significant. The PCA group showed lower performance on the backward digit span test (F=14.306, p<0.001), fixed condition design fluency test (F=8.347, p=0.004) and also exhibited perseverative errors in the WCST (F=4.19, p=0.042) compared with the NCA group. The main effect of the diagnosis on the backward digit span test and the fixed condition design fluency test remained significant after Bonferroni correction

Captive-born collared peccary (Pecari tajacu, Tayassuidae) fails to discriminate between predator and non-predator models

Captive animals may lose the ability to recognize their natural predators, making conservation programs more susceptible to failure if such animals are released into the wild. Collared peccaries are American tayassuids that are vulnerable to local extinction in certain areas, and conservation programs are being conducted. Captive-born peccaries are intended for release into the wild in Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil. In this study, we tested the ability of two groups of captive-born collared peccaries to recognize their predators and if they were habituated to humans. Recognition tests were performed using models of predators (canids and felids) and non-predators animals, as well as control objects, such as a plastic chair; a human was also presented to the peccaries, and tested as a separate stimulus. Anti-predator defensive responses such as fleeing and threatening displayswere not observed in response to predator models. Predator detection behaviors both from visual and olfactory cues were displayed, although they were not specifically targeted at predator models. These results indicate that collared peccaries were unable to recognize model predators. Habituation effects, particularly on anti-predator behaviors, were observed both with a 1-h model presentation and across testing days. Behavioral responses to humans did not differ from those to other models. Thus, if these animals were to be released into the wild, they should undergo anti-predator training sessions to enhance their chances of survival

2 nd Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease, 2015

Abstract Chagas disease is a neglected chronic condition with a high burden of morbidity and mortality. It has considerable psychological, social, and economic impacts. The disease represents a significant public health issue in Brazil, with different regional patterns. This document presents the evidence that resulted in the Brazilian Consensus on Chagas Disease. The objective was to review and standardize strategies for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of Chagas disease in the country, based on the available scientific evidence. The consensus is based on the articulation and strategic contribution of renowned Brazilian experts with knowledge and experience on various aspects of the disease. It is the result of a close collaboration between the Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine and the Ministry of Health. It is hoped that this document will strengthen the development of integrated actions against Chagas disease in the country, focusing on epidemiology, management, comprehensive care (including families and communities), communication, information, education, and research

Sanitary quality of edible bivalve mollusks in Southeastern Brazil using an UV based depuration system

The increase in seafood production, especially in mariculture worldwide, has brought out the need of continued monitoring of shellfish production areas in order to ensure safety to human consumption. The purpose of this research was to evaluate pathogenic protozoa, viruses and bacteria contamination in oysters before and after UV depuration procedure, in brackish waters at all stages of cultivation and treatment steps and to enumerate microbiological indicators of fecal contamination from production site up to depuration site in an oyster cooperative located at the Southeastern estuarine area of Brazil. Oysters and brackish water were collected monthly from September 2009 to November 2010. Four sampling sites were selected for enteropathogens analysis: site 1- oyster growth, site 2- catchment water (before UV depuration procedure), site 3 - filtration stage of water treatment (only for protozoa analysis) and site 4- oyster's depuration tank. Three microbiological indicators were examined at sites 1, 2 and 4. The following pathogenic microorganisms were searched: Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts, Human Adenovirus (HAdV), Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Human Norovirus (HnoV) (genogroups I and II), JC strain Polyomavirus (JCPyV) and Salmonella sp. Analysis consisted of molecular detection (qPCR) for viruses (oysters and water samples); immunomagnetic separation followed by direct immunofluorescence assay for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts and also molecular detection (PCR) for the latter (oysters and water samples); commercial kit (Reveal-Neogee (R)) for Salmonella analysis (oysters). Giardia was the most prevalent pathogen in all sites where it was detected: 36.3%, 18.1%, 36.3% and 27.2% of water from sites 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively; 36.3% of oysters from site 1 and 54.5% of depurated oysters were harboring Giardia cysts. The huge majority of contaminated samples were classified as Giardia duodenalis. HAdv was detected in water and oysters from growth site and HnoV GI in two batches of oysters (site 1) in huge concentrations (2.11 x 10(13), 3.10 x 10(12) gc/g). In depuration tank site, Salmonella sp., HAV (4.84 x 10(3)) and HnoV GII (7.97 x 10(14)) were detected once in different batches of oysters. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were present in 9.0% of water samples from site four. These results reflect the contamination of oysters even when UV depuration procedures are employed in this shellfish treatment plant. Moreover, the molecular comprehension of the sources of contamination is necessary to develop an efficient management strategy allied to shellfish treatment improvement to prevent foodborne illnesses. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.72SI9310

Fluorescence properties of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles for cell tracking

Bassam Felipe Mogharbel,1 Julio Cesar Francisco,1 Ana Carolina Irioda,1 Dilcele Silva Moreira Dziedzic,1 Priscila Elias Ferreira,1 Daiany de Souza,1 Carolina Maria Costa de Oliveira Souza,1 Nelson Bergonse Neto,2 Luiz Cesar Guarita-Souza,2 Celia Regina Cavichiolo Franco,3 Celso Vataru Nakamura,4 Vanessa Kaplum,4 Letícia Mazzarino,5 Elenara Lemos-Senna,6 Redouane Borsali,7 Paula A Soto,8 Patricia Setton-Avruj,8 Eltyeb Abdelwahid,9 Katherine Athayde Teixeira de Carvalho1 1Cell Therapy and Biotechnology in Regenerative Medicine Department, Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Institute, Child and Adolescent Health Research and Pequeno Príncipe Faculty, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil; 2Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS), Curitiba, Brazil; 3Cell Biology Department, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil; 4Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, Paraná, Brazil; 5Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, NanoBioMat Laboratory, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; 6Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil; 7Centre de Recherches sur les Macromolécules Végétales (CERMAV), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), University Grenoble Alpes, F-38000, Grenoble, France; 8Instituto de Química y Físicoquímica Biológica (IQUIFIB), Departament of Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bíoquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) Consejo nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentine; 9Feinberg School of Medicine, Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Il, USA Background: Posttransplant cell tracking, via stem cell labeling, is a crucial strategy for monitoring and maximizing benefits of cell-based therapies. The structures and functionalities of polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids allow their utilization in nanotechnology systems. Materials and methods: In the present study, we analyzed the potential benefit of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles (NPC) using Vero cells (in vitro) and NPC-labeled adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NPC-ADMSCs) (in vivo) in myocardial infarction and sciatic nerve crush preclinical models. Thereafter, transplantation, histological examination, real time imaging, and assessment of tissue regeneration were done. Results: Transplanted NPC-ADMSCs were clearly identified and revealed potential benefit when used in cell tracking. Conclusion: This approach may have broad applications in modeling labeled transplanted cells and in developing improved stem cell therapeutic strategies. Keywords: mesenchymal stem cells, transplantation, cell marking, myocardium infarction, sciatic nerve crus

Percepções de familiares de adolescentes sobre oficinas terapêuticas em um centro de atenção psicossocial infantil

Objetivo: Conhecer as percepções de familiares de adolescentes sobre oficinas terapêuticas em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infantil. Métodos: Pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva, desenvolvida em 2013, em Santa Catarina, com 18 familiares de adolescentes em acompanhamento no CAPSi. As entrevistas realizadas foram interpretadas a partir da análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Identificaram-se duas categorias: o desconhecimento sobre as oficinas terapêuticas e o reconhecimento da ação terapêutica das oficinas. Nove familiares desconheciam as atividades realizadas nas oficinas, enquanto os outros nove referiram as conhecerem. Destacaram-se aspectos terapêuticos, como a melhora da autoestima dos adolescentes, dos comportamentos e da convivência. Todavia, alguns familiares não perceberam mudanças. Conclusões: As oficinas terapêuticas oportunizam espaço de convivência, educação em saúde e suporte social, psicológico e pedagógico. Ressalta-se a importância da inclusão dos familiares no serviço para o cuidado efetivo. Este estudo pode contribuir para a reflexão sobre as práticas das oficinas terapêuticas na Enfermagem, em serviços de saúde mental. Palavras-chave: Família. Adolescente. Saúde mental. Serviços comunitários de saúde mental

Virus, protozoa and organic compounds decay in depurated oysters

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Aims: (1) Evaluate the dynamic of the deputation process of Crassostrea gigas oysters using different ultraviolet doses with different amounts of contaminants (virus, protozoa and organic contaminants) and (2) investigate the morphological changes in the oysters' tissues produced by the deputation procedures. Methods: The oysters were allocated in sites with different degrees of contamination and analyzed after 14 days. Some animals were used as positive controls by artificial bioaccumulation with HAdV2 and MNV1 and subjected to deputation assays using UV lamps (18 or 36 W) for 168 h. The following pollutants were researched in the naturally contaminated oysters, oysters after 14 days in sites and oysters during the deputation processes: virus (HAdV, HAV, HuNoV GI/GII and JCPyV), by (RI) qPCR; protozoa (Cryptosporidium and Giardia species), by immunomagnetic separation and immunofluorescence; and organic compounds (AHs, PAHs, LABs, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides-OCs), by chromatography. Changes in the oysters' tissues produced by the deputation processes were also evaluated using histochemical analysis by light microscopy. In the artificially bioaccumulated oysters, only HAdV2 and MNV1 were investigated by (RT) qPCR before the deputation procedures and after 96 and 168 h of these procedures. Results: At 14 days post-allocation, HAdV was found in all the sites (6.2 x 105 to 4.4 x 107 GC g(-1)), and Giardia species in only one site. Levels of PCBs and OCs in the oyster's tissues were below the detection limit for all samples. AHs (3.5 to 4.4 mu g g(-1)), PAHs (11 to 191 ng g(-1)) and LABs (57 to 751 ng g(-1)) were detected in the samples from 3 sites. During the deputation assays, we found HAdV, Giardia and Cryptosporidium species until 168 h, independent of UV treatment. AHs, PAHs and LABs were found also after 168 h of depuration (36 W and without UV lamp). The deputation procedures did not produce changes in the oysters' tissues. In the artificially contaminated and depurated oysters, we detected HAdV until 168 h and MNV1 until 96 h of deputation. Conclusion: The applied deputation treatments were unable to eliminate the protozoa or to degrade the HAdV genomes but were able to degrade the MNV1 genomes. Similarly, the UV water treatment was not efficient for aliphatic hydrocarbons, PAHs and LABs, as their concentrations were equivalent or higher to the concentrations of the control samples and samples from deputation tanks without UV treatment. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.1673337345Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)CNPq [578200/2008-2]CNPq [14/2009/UNIVERSAL]CNPq [25/2010