Evaluation of a rapid dipstick test, Malar-CheckTM, for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Brazil

The present study was carried out to evaluate the Malar-CheckTM Pf test, an immunochromatographic assay that detects Plasmodium falciparum Histidine Rich Protein II, does not require equipment, and is easy and rapid to perform. In dilution assays performed to test sensitivity against known parasite density, Malar-CheckTMwere compared with thick blood smear (TBS), the gold standard for diagnosis. Palo Alto isolate or P. falciparum blood from patients with different parasitemias was used. The average cut-off points for each technique in three independent experiments were 12 and 71 parasites/mm³ (TBS and Malar-CheckTM, respectively). In the field assays, samples were collected from patients with fever who visited endemic regions. Compared to TBS, Malar-CheckTMyielded true-positive results in 38 patients, false-positive results in 3, true-negative results in 23, and false-negative result in 1. Malar-CheckTMperformed with samples from falciparum-infected patients after treatment showed persistence of antigen up to 30 days. Malar-CheckTM should aid the diagnosis of P. falciparum in remote areas and improve routine diagnosis even when microscopy is available. Previous P. falciparum infection, which can determine a false-positive test in cured individuals, should be considered. The prompt results obtained with the Malar-CheckTM for early diagnosis could avoid disease evolution to severe cases.Este trabalho avaliou o Malar-CheckTM Pf test, ensaio imunocromatográfico que detecta a proteína rica em histidina de Plasmodium falciparum, dispensa uso de equipamentos, é rápido e de fácil execução. Ensaios de diluição com o isolado Palo Alto ou sangue de pacientes com P. falciparum, foram realizados para testar a sensibilidade em diferentes densidades do parasita. Malar-CheckTM foi comparado à gota espessa (GE), padrão ouro para diagnóstico de malária. A média do limiar de sensibilidade para cada técnica em três experimentos independentes foi de 12 e 71 parasitas/mm³ (GE e Malar-CheckTM, respectivamente). Em ensaios de campo, amostras foram coletadas de pacientes febris de áreas endêmicas. Comparado à GE, Malar-CheckTM foi verdadeiramente positivo em 38 pacientes, falso positivo em 3, verdadeiramente negativo em 23 e falso negativo em um. Malar-CheckTMrealizado com sangue de pacientes com P. falciparum após tratamento mostrou persistência do antígeno durante 30 dias. Malar-CheckTM pode ser útil no diagnóstico de P. falciparum em áreas remotas e auxiliar a rotina diagnóstica, mesmo quando a microscopia está disponível. Deve ser considerada infecção pregressa por P. falciparum, que pode determinar testes positivos em indivíduos curados. A rapidez do Malar-CheckTM para o diagnóstico precoce pode evitar evolução para casos graves

Drug release mechanisms of chemically cross-linked albumin microparticles: effect of the matrix erosion

Albumin (BSA) microparticles were developed as a biotechnological alternative for drug delivery. Vitamin B12 (Vit-B12) was used as a model drug. The microparticles were obtained from maleic anhydride-functionalized BSA and N′,N′-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm) in a W/O emulsion without and with PVA. The microparticles produced at 15 min of stirring without PVA showed the best results in terms of size, homogeneity, and sphericity. In such a case, BSA played a role as a surface active agent, replacing PVA. For longer stirring times, BSA was unable to act as an emulsifier. These microparticles showed an uncommon release profile, consisting of a two-step release mechanism, at the pH range studied. Considering that a two-step release mechanism is occurring, the experimental data were adjusted by applying modified power law and Weibull equations in order to describe release mechanism n and release rate constant k, respectively. Each one of the release stages was related to a specific value of n and k. The second stage was driven by a super case II transport mechanism, as a result of diffusion, macromolecular relaxation, and erosion. A third model, described by Hixson–Crowell, confirmed the erosion mechanism. Vit-B12 diffusion kinetics in aqueous solutions (i.e., without the microparticles) follows a one-step process, being k dependent on the pH, confirming that the two-step release mechanism is a characteristic profile of the developed microparticles. The microparticles released only 2.70% of their initial drug load at pH 2, and 58.53% at pH 10

Racismo ambiental: um estudo de caso na turma da EJA da Escola Estadual do Campo São José, no Distrito de Água Fria (MT)

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender a percepção dos alunos da Educação de Jovens e Adultos (EJA) dos anos iniciais sobre racismo ambiental. O estudo foi realizado entre os anos de 2019 e 2020, na Escola Estadual do Campo São José, localizada no Distrito de Água Fria, município de Chapada dos Guimarães – MT. Situados no recorte da pesquisa de mestrado que buscou compreender as percepções dos alunos da EJA sobre educação e racismo ambiental, através da pesquisa qualitativa, tipo estudo de caso, com entrevista não estruturada, análise documental e devido o advento da pandemia Covid-19, foi aplicado questionário aberto com 09 (nove) questões com perguntas abertas e também transcrição de áudios. Foi privilegiado a produção do grupo Modernidade-Colonialidade, pelo seu potencial crítico para discurso das relações entre a educação e o racismo ambiental

Hydrogels Based on Chitosan and Chitosan Derivatives for Biomedical Applications

Chitosan (CS) is a polymer obtained from chitin, being this, after the cellulose, the most abundant polysaccharide. The fact of (i) CS being obtained from renewable sources; (ii) CS to possess capability for doing interactions with different moieties being such capability dependent of pH; (iii) plenty of possibilities for chemical modification of CS; and (iv) tuning the final properties of CS derivatives makes this polymer very interesting in academic and technological points of view. In this way, hydrogels based on CS and on CS derivatives have been widely used for biomedical applications. Other important technological applications can be also cited, such as adsorbent of metals and dyes in wastewater from industrial effluents. In pharmaceutical field, hydrogels based on CS are often used as drugs’ and proteins’ carrier formulations due to the inherent characteristics such as the biocompatibility, nontoxicity, hydrophilicity, etc. This chapter is an attempt for updating and joining the plenty of available information regarding the preparation, characterization, and biomedical application of hydrogels based on chitosan and chitosan derivatives. More than 260 references are provided, being the majority of them published in the last 10 years

IMPACTO AMBIENTAL NA IMPLANTAÇÃO DE AEROPORTOS

Os aeroportos são, caracterizados por serem estruturas com grande impacto modificador do meio ambiente. O presente trabalho apresenta os principais impactos que a implantação de aeroportos, bem como ações mitigadoras, que visam reduzir ou amenizar as conseqüências desses impactos. A questão ambiental passou a ser um fator de extrema importância na tomada de decisões para a sua autorização. Desta forma, ações mitigadoras tem auxiliado à combater os impactos negativos tanto de caráter local, como global, bastando aplicar as leis e normatizações vigentes no Brasil

IMPACTO AMBIENTAL NA IMPLANTAÇÃO DE AEROPORTOS

Os aeroportos são, caracterizados por serem estruturas com grande impacto modificador do meio ambiente. O presente trabalho apresenta os principais impactos que a implantação de aeroportos, bem como ações mitigadoras, que visam reduzir ou amenizar as conseqüências desses impactos. A questão ambiental passou a ser um fator de extrema importância na tomada de decisões para a sua autorização. Desta forma, ações mitigadoras tem auxiliado à combater os impactos negativos tanto de caráter local, como global, bastando aplicar as leis e normatizações vigentes no Brasil

Bioinformatics analysis of circulating miRNAs related to cancer following spinal cord injury

Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) have an increased risk of developing esophageal, bladder and hematologic malignancies compared with the normal population. In the present study, we aimed to identify, through in silico analysis, miRNAs and their target genes related to the three most frequent types of cancer in individuals with SCI. In a previous study, we reported a pattern of expression of miRNAs in 17 sedentary SCI males compared with 22 healthy able-bodied males by TaqMan OpenArray. This list of miRNAs deregulated in SCI patients was uploaded to miRWALK2.0 to predict the target genes and pathways of selected miRNAs. We used Cytoscape software to construct the network displaying the miRNAs and their gene targets. Among the down-regulated miRNAs in SCI, 21, 19 and 20 miRNAs were potentially associated with hematological, bladder and esophageal cancer, respectively, and three target genes (TP53, CCND1 and KRAS) were common to all three types of cancer. The three up-regulated miRNAs were potentially targeted by 18, 15 and 10 genes associated with all three types of cancer. Our current bioinformatics analysis suggests the potential influence of several miRNAs on the development of cancer in SCI. In general, these data may provide novel information regarding potential molecular mechanisms involved in the development of cancer among individuals with SCI. Further studies aiming at understanding how miRNAs contribute to the development of the major cancers that affect patients after SCI may help elucidate the role of these molecules in the pathophysiology of the disease.39CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal e Nível SuperiorFAPESP – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa Do Estado De São PauloSem informação2017/23563-

Arqueologia na floresta: contribuição metodológica da pesquisa na Floresta Nacional Tapirapé-Aquiri – FLONATA, área do Salobo, Pará

This paper presents the methodology used in the rescue archeological sites located in tropical forest area located in the state of Pará Southeast, city of Marabá. The systematic delineation through augerhole mesh with equidistant intervals between 10 m and 1 m, combined with excavations by natural levels in the central and peripheral areas of archaeological sites, allowed the observation continuity processes and discontinuity in the occupation of the settlements and the Earth formed Archaeological dark earth, here related to areas of activity within the villages. The methodology applied demonstrated the feasibility of systematic research in areas with dense vegetation, as well as critical analysis of their reach and limitations. The 22 archaeological sites surveyed provided information that helped in understanding the occupation history of this area, which began 6,000 years ago. This information includes data on the implementation of the sites in the landscape, functional typology of settlements (housing and camp) and occupancy timelines (inter - and intra - sites). This work will also contribute in building the knowledge of the local and regional prehistoric occupation.Este artigo apresenta a metodologia de salvamento arqueológico empregada no resgate de sítios localizados em área de floresta tropical situada no sudeste do estado do Pará, município de Marabá. A delimitação sistemática através de tradagens em malha com intervalos equidistantes entre 10 m e 1 m, aliada a escavações por níveis naturais nas áreas centrais e periféricas dos sítios arqueológicos, possibilitaram a observação de processos de continuidade e descontinuidade na ocupação dos assentamentos e da formação da Terra Preta Arqueológica, aqui relacionada a áreas de atividade dentro das aldeias. A metodologia aplicada demonstrou a viabilidade de pesquisas sistemáticas em áreas com densa cobertura vegetal, assim como a análise crítica de seus alcances e limites. Os 22 sítios arqueológicos pesquisados forneceram informações que auxiliaram no entendimento da história de ocupação desta área, iniciada há 6.000 anos. Essas informações abrangem dados sobre a implantação dos sítios na paisagem, tipologia funcional dos assentamentos (habitação e acampamento) e cronologias de ocupação (inter e intra-sítios). Este trabalho contribuirá ainda na construção do conhecimento da ocupação pré-história local e regional

Drug-cured experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infections confer long-lasting and cross-strain protection.

BACKGROUND: The long term and complex nature of Chagas disease in humans has restricted studies on vaccine feasibility. Animal models also have limitations due to technical difficulties in monitoring the extremely low parasite burden that is characteristic of chronic stage infections. Advances in imaging technology offer alternative approaches that circumvent these problems. Here, we describe the use of highly sensitive whole body in vivo imaging to assess the efficacy of recombinant viral vector vaccines and benznidazole-cured infections to protect mice from challenge with Trypanosoma cruzi. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Mice were infected with T. cruzi strains modified to express a red-shifted luciferase reporter. Using bioluminescence imaging, we assessed the degree of immunity to re-infection conferred after benznidazole-cure. Those infected for 14 days or more, prior to the onset of benznidazole treatment, were highly protected from challenge with both homologous and heterologous strains. There was a >99% reduction in parasite burden, with parasites frequently undetectable after homologous challenge. This level of protection was considerably greater than that achieved with recombinant vaccines. It was also independent of the route of infection or size of the challenge inoculum, and was long-lasting, with no significant diminution in immunity after almost a year. When the primary infection was benznidazole-treated after 4 days (before completion of the first cycle of intracellular infection), the degree of protection was much reduced, an outcome associated with a minimal T. cruzi-specific IFN-?+ T cell response. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings suggest that a protective Chagas disease vaccine must have the ability to eliminate parasites before they reach organs/tissues, such as the GI tract, where once established, they become largely refractory to the induced immune response