LETRAMENTO CIENTÍFICO E SEUS DESDOBRAMENTOS NA LITERATURA NACIONAL E INTERNACIONAL

Scientific Literacy-LC in the various domains of scientific and technological knowledge, has been seen as necessary to form the citizens, who, when scientifically literate, make social use of science, understanding scientific information disseminated in everyday life and incorporating it into own  needs. The objective of this work was to bring together concepts and contributions from LC; and present bibliometric indicators on this phenomenon. Bibliometry was used to extract data from the Scopus database in September/2022, verifying “scientific literacy/Scientific Literacy” in articles published in Brazil and world. The main conclusions indicate that the countries considered developed are ranked among the top ten places, with the USA leading with 23.8% of world publications regardless of the theme; and Brazil, in 15th place, with 1.8% of publications. In works on CL, the US is in first place, with 32.5%; and Brazil, in ninth place, with 3.6%. The areas that most publish about CL in the world and in Brazil are Social Sciences and Humanities. Of the articles published worldwide, 91.2% are in English; in Brazil, 51.6% are in Portuguese; and 50.0% in English. It is suggested that the LC arouses current interest in the scientific community, since, worldwide, publications on the subject increase with an annual average rate of 13.3%. In this work, the main authors, institutions, areas, journals and languages ​​of publications on CL were mapped, showing its importance to support research in different areas, whether educational, social, applied to health, among others.La Alfabetización Científica (AC), en los diversos dominios del conocimiento científico y tecnológico, ha sido vista como necesaria para formar ciudadanos que, alfabetizados científicamente, hagan un uso social de la ciencia, comprendiendo la información científica difundida en la vida cotidiana e incorporándola a las propias necesidades. Objetivo de este trabajo fue reunir conceptos y aportes de LC; y presentar indicadores bibliométricos sobre este fenómeno. Se utilizó bibliometría para extraer datos de la base de datos Scopus en septiembre 2022, verificando el término de búsqueda “alfabetización científica/Alfabetización científica” en artículos publicados en Brasil y en el mundo. Principales conclusiones indican que países considerados desarrollados se ubican entre diez primeros lugares, con EE.UU. a la cabeza con el 23,8% de las publicaciones mundiales independientemente de la temática; y Brasil, en el puesto 15, con el 1,8% de las publicaciones. En trabajos CL, EE.UU. el primer lugar, con 32,5%; Brasil, en noveno lugar, con 3,6%. Áreas que más publican sobre CL en el mundo y Brasil son Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades. Artículos publicados a nivel mundial, 91,2% están en inglés; Brasil, el 51,6% está en portugués; 50,0% en inglés. Sugiere que LC despierta interés actual en la comunidad científica, ya que, a nivel mundial, las publicaciones sobre el tema aumentan con una tasa promedio anual de 13,3%. Este trabajo se mapearon los principales autores, instituciones, áreas, revistas e idiomas de publicación sobre CL, mostrando su importancia para apoyar la investigación en diferentes áreas, ya sea educativa, social, aplicada a la salud, entre otras.O Letramento Científico (LC), nos vários domínios de conhecimentos científicos e tecnológicos, tem sido colocado como necessário para formar o cidadão, o qual, quando é letrado cientificamente, faz uso social da ciência, entendendo informações científicas difundidas no cotidiano e as incorporando às próprias necessidades. O objetivo deste trabalho foi congregar conceitos e contribuições do LC; e apresentar indicadores bibliométricos sobre esse fenômeno. Utilizou-se a bibliometria para extrair dados da base Scopus em setembro de 2022, verificando o termo de busca “letramento científico/Scientific Literacy” em artigos publicados no Brasil e no mundo. As principais conclusões indicam que os países considerados desenvolvidos estão ranqueados dentre os dez primeiros lugares, sendo que os EUA lideram com 23,8% das publicações mundiais independentemente do tema; e o Brasil, em 15º lugar, com 1,8% de publicações. Em trabalhos sobre LC, os EUA estão em primeiro lugar, com 32,5%; e o Brasil, em nono, com 3,6%. As áreas que mais publicam sobre LC no mundo e no Brasil são Ciências Sociais e Humanidades. Dos artigos publicados no mundo, 91,2% são de língua inglesa; no Brasil, 51,6% são em português; e 50,0% em inglês. Sugere-se que o LC desperta atual interesse na comunidade científica, pois, em âmbito mundial, as publicações sobre o tema sobem com uma taxa média anual de 13,3%. Neste trabalho, mapearam-se principais autores, instituições, áreas, periódicos e idiomas de publicações sobre LC, mostrando a importância deste para fundamentar pesquisas de diversas áreas, sejam educacionais, sociais, aplicadas à saúde, entre outras

Efficacy of albendazole and moxidectin and resistance to ivermectin against Libyostrongylus douglassii and Libyostrongylus dentatus in ostriches

AbstractAnthelmintic resistance has emerged globally as a problem amongst nematode of livestock and has been particularly well documented in equine and small ruminants. There are no studies regarding the efficacy of anthelmintics against the hematophagous nematodes in ostriches, Libyostrongylus dentatus; and just a few on L. douglassii. Here the efficacy of albendazole, ivermectin and moxidectin were evaluated against these two species in an ostrich farm in Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The feces were collected on the day of treatment and after 13days of an oral dose of albendazole (6mg/kg), or an injected dose (0.2mg/kg) of ivermectin or moxidectin. The fecal egg count reduction test and coprocultures were performed to determine possible resistance against the drugs used. An efficacy of 60% was found for ivermectin, while albendazole and moxidectin were 100% effective. Both worm species appeared to have reduced sensitivity to ivermectin

Quantitative Risk Assessment of Oocyst Versus Bradyzoite Foodborne Transmission of \u3ci\u3eToxoplasma gondii\u3c/i\u3e in Brazil

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonotic protozoan parasite. Infection with T. gondii can cause congenital toxoplasmosis in developing fetuses and acute outbreaks in the general population, and the disease burden is especially high in South America. Prior studies found that the environmental stage of T. gondii, oocysts, is an important source of infection in Brazil; however, no studies have quantified this risk relative to other parasite stages. We developed a Bayesian quantitative risk assessment (QRA) to estimate the relative attribution of the two primary parasite stages (bradyzoite and oocyst) that can be transmitted in foods to people in Brazil. Oocyst contamination in fruits and greens contributed significantly more to overall estimated T. gondii infections than bradyzoite-contaminated foods (beef, pork, poultry). In sensitivity analysis, treatment, i.e., cooking temperature for meat and washing efficiency for produce, most strongly affected the estimated toxoplasmosis incidence rate. Due to the lack of regional food contamination prevalence data and the high level of uncertainty in many model parameters, this analysis provides an initial estimate of the relative importance of food products. Important knowledge gaps for oocyst-borne infections were identified and can drive future studies to improve risk assessments and effective policy actions to reduce human toxoplasmosis in Brazil

Identification of Critical Amino Acids in the IgE Epitopes of Ric c 1 and Ric c 3 and the Application of Glutamic Acid as an IgE Blocker

Background: The allergenicity of Ricinus communis L. (castor bean, Euphorbiaceae) is associated with components of its seeds and pollen. Castor bean allergy has been described not only in laboratory workers, but also in personnel working in oil processing mills, fertilizer retail, the upholstery industry and other industrial fields. In the present study, we describe the critical amino acids in the IgE-binding epitopes in Ric c 1 and Ric c 3, two major allergens of R. communis. In addition, we also investigate the cross-reactivity between castor bean and some air and food allergen extracts commonly used in allergy diagnosis. Methodology/Principal Findings: The IgE reactivity of human sera from atopic patients was screened by immune-dot blot against castor bean allergens. Allergenic activity was evaluated in vitro using a rat mast cell activation assay and by ELISA. Cross-reactivity was observed between castor bean allergens and extracts from shrimp, fish, gluten, wheat, soybean, peanut, corn, house dust, tobacco and airborne fungal allergens. We observed that treatment of rat and human sera (from atopic patients) with glutamic acid reduced the IgE-epitope interaction. Conclusions/Significance: The identification of glutamic acid residues with critical roles in IgE-binding to Ric c 3 and Ric c

Phosphatidylserine Exposure by Toxoplasma gondii Is Fundamental to Balance the Immune Response Granting Survival of the Parasite and of the Host

Phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure on the cell surface indicates apoptosis, but has also been related to evasion mechanisms of parasites, a concept known as apoptotic mimicry. Toxoplasma gondii mimics apoptotic cells by exposing PS, inducing secretion of TGF-beta1 by infected activated macrophages leading to degradation of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase, NO production inhibition and consequently persisting in these cells. Here PS+ and PS− subpopulation of tachyzoites were separated and the entrance mechanism, growth and NO inhibition in murine macrophages, and mice survival and pathology were analyzed. Infection index in resident macrophages was similar for both PS subpopulations but lower when compared to the total T. gondii population. Growth in resident macrophages was higher for the total T. gondii population, intermediate for the PS+ and lower for the PS− subpopulation. Production of NO by activated macrophages was inhibited after infection with the PS+ subpopulation and the total populations of tachyzoites. However, the PS− subpopulation was not able to inhibit NO production. PS+ subpopulation invaded macrophages by active penetration as indicated by tight-fitting vacuoles, but the PS− subpopulation entered macrophages by phagocytosis as suggested by loose-fitting vacuoles containing these tachyzoites. The entrance mechanism of both subpopulations was confirmed in a non-professional phagocytic cell line where only the PS+ tachyzoites were found inside these cells in tight-fitting vacuoles. Both subpopulations of T. gondii killed mice faster than the total population. Clear signs of inflammation and no tachyzoites were seen in the peritoneal cavity of mice infected with the PS− subpopulation. Moreover, mice infected with the PS+ subpopulation had no sign of inflammation and the parasite burden was intense. These results show that PS+ and PS− subpopulations of T. gondii are necessary for a successful toxoplasma infection indicating that both subpopulations are required to maintain the balance between inflammation and parasite growth

CD4+ T Cell-Dependent Macrophage Activation Modulates Sustained PS Exposure on Intracellular Amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis

Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes can make use of surface-exposed phosphatidylserine (PS) molecules to promote infection and non-classical activation of macrophages (MΦ), leading to uncontrolled intracellular proliferation of the parasites. This mechanism was quoted as apoptotic mimicry. Moreover, the amount of PS molecules exposed on the surface of amastigotes correlates with the susceptibility of the host. In this study, we tested whether host cellular responses influence PS expression on intracellular amastigotes. We found that the level of PS exposure on intracellular amastigotes was modulated by CD4+ T cell and MΦ activation status in vitro and in vivo. L. amazonensis infection generated a Th1/Th2-mixed cytokine profile, providing the optimal MΦ stimulation that favored PS exposure on intracellular amastigotes. Maintenance of PS exposed on the parasite was dependent on low, but sustained, levels of nitric oxide and polyamine production. Amastigotes obtained from lymphopenic nude mice did not expose PS on their surface, and adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells reversed this phenotype. In addition, histopathological analysis of mice treated with anti-PS antibodies showed increased inflammation and similarities to nude mouse lesions. Collectively, our data confirm the role of pathogenic CD4+ T cells for disease progression and point to PS as a critical parasite strategy to subvert host immune responses

First record of the nematode Libyostrongylus dentatus Hoberg, Lloyd & Omar, 1995 (Trichostrongylidae) in ostriches (Struthio camelus Linnaeus, 1758) (Struthionidae) outside the Americas

Abstract Background Libyostrongylus douglassii, Libyostrongylus dentatus and Libyostrongylus magnus are nematodes that infect ostriches. The first species has been identified in ostriches from Africa, Europe, Americas and Oceania. Although the natural range of ostriches is Africa, L. dentatus was first described in birds from the USA and later identified in Brazil, where co-infections with L. douglassii have been commonly reported. Libyostrongylus magnus is known from the original description only. There are a few reports on infections with L. douglassii in ostriches from Africa and all farmed birds examined are from the southern region of the continent. The aim of this report was to verify Libyostrongylus spp. infections in wild ostriches from Ethiopia. Fecal samples from ostriches, Struthio molybdophanes, were collected and submitted to coproculture. Infective larvae were identified to the species level based on general morphology and morphometry. In addition, phylogenetic analysis of the first and second internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA was performed. Results Infective larvae from Ethiopian ostriches had the morphological characteristics of L. dentatus. Confidence interval estimate for sheath tail length from Ethiopian Libyostrongylus sp. isolates overlapped one for Brazilian L. dentatus. Neighbor-joining and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic trees based on sequences of the ITS1 and ITS2 regions revealed that the Ethiopian samples belong to the L. dentatus species clade. Monospecific infections with L. dentatus were confirmed in Ethiopian wild ostriches, opposed to the co-infections typically found in the Americas. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first record of L. dentatus from African ostriches, the region from which this parasite originated