Brazilian Simuliidae (Diptera, Culicomorpha) - XII about the genus Thyrsopelma Enderlein, 1934: description of the T. jeteri new species, considerations related with cibarium and key for the pupae

A new pupal character is increased for T. hirtipupa (Lutz,1910). The existence of teeth is evidenced in the female cibarium of T. guianense (Wise,1911), main species involved in the transmission of Onchocerca volvulus (Leuckart,1893) in the focus of the Amazonian area. A new relationship is proposed among the antenna articles of the T. guianense larva. A new species is described for the genus Thyrsopelma Enderlein,1934, T. jeteri sp.n., collected in Uruguay basin, State of Rio Grande do Sul. The physico-chemical parameters are presented for the type locality. A key is presented for the pupal differentiation inside of Thyrsopelma.É acrescentado um novo caráter pupal para a espécie T. hirtipupa (Lutz,1910). É evidenciada a existência de dentes no cibário da fêmea de T. guianense (Wise,1911), principal espécie envolvida na transmissão da filaria Onchocerca volvulus (Leuckart,1893) no foco da região amazônica. É proposta uma nova relação para os artículos antenais da larva de T. guianense. É descrita uma nova espécie para o gênero Thyrsopelma Enderlein,1934, T. jeteri sp.n., proveniente da bacia hidrográfica do rio Uruguai, no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. São apresentados os parâmetros físico-químicos do criadouro de onde provem o material tipo. É apresentada uma chave para diferenciação das pupas das espécies constantes neste gênero

Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of pregnant and puerperal crack-cocaine using women: preliminary data

Background The literature provides several studies on the effects of cocaine when exposed to the fetus. However, the majority of these data comes from animal models. Objective The objective of this study is to present socio-demographic and clinical data in crack-cocaine using pregnant women and their babies, as compared to non-users. Methods Cross-sectional study, comprised by 56 dyads of crack-cocaine using mothers-babies and 89 control dyads. In addition to the socio-demographic data and the babies’ information, data collection was based on ABIPEMI for socioeconomic level, WAIS for IQ, MINI for psychopathology and ASSIST for drug use. Results Most crack users, in comparison to non-users, did not have a partner (10.52% vs 4.4%, P = 0.001) and presented lower IQ (78.15, +/-8.07 vs 84.27 +/- 9.87; P = 0.002). The prevalence of antisocial personality disorder and suicide risk in users was higher than in non-users (24.44% vs none, P < 0.001; 28.26% vs 10.46% P = 0.01). Most of the users did not participate in prenatal care (75%). The babies that the crack-cocaine using mothers gave birth to weighed significantly less than the controls (2.858 g vs 3.240 g, P = 0.002). Discussion Users had a higher degree of psychopathology and lower attendance in prenatal care. There was an overlap of adverse factors, both for exposed mothers and babies. The sum of these vulnerabilities could result in significant harm to the developing infant

Níveis de IL-6 e IL-10 no sangue de cordão umbilical de recém-nascidos com história de exposição intrauterina ao crack/cocaína : um estudo comparativo

Introduction: Prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) is associated with neurobehavioral problems during childhood and adolescence. Early activation of the inflammatory response may contribute to such changes. Our aim was to compare inflammatory markers (IL-6 and IL-10) both in umbilical cord blood and in maternal peripheral blood at delivery between newborns with history of crack/cocaine exposure in utero and non-exposed newborns. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 57 newborns with a history of crack/cocaine exposure in utero (EN) and 99 non-exposed newborns (NEN) were compared for IL-6 and IL-10 levels. Sociodemographic and perinatal data, maternal psychopathology, consumption of nicotine and other substances were systematically collected in cases and controls. Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, mean IL-6 was significantly higher in EN than in NEN (10,208.54, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1,328.54-19,088.55 vs. 2,323.03, 95%CI 1,484.64-3,161.21; p = 0.007; generalized linear model [GLM]). Mean IL-10 was also significantly higher in EN than in NEN (432.22, 95%CI 51.44-812.88 vs. 75.52, 95%CI 5.64- 145.39, p = 0.014; GLM). Adjusted postpartum measures of IL-6 were significantly higher in mothers with a history of crack/cocaine use (25,160.05, 95%CI 10,958.15-39,361.99 vs. 8,902.14, 95%CI 5,774.97-12,029.32; p = 0.007; GLM), with no significant differences for IL-10. There was no correlation between maternal and neonatal cytokine levels (Spearman test, p ≥ 0.28 for all measures). Conclusions: IL-6 and IL-10 might be early biomarkers of PCE in newborns. These findings could help to elucidate neurobiological pathways underlying neurodevelopmental changes and broaden the range of possibilities for early intervention.Introdução: A exposição pré-natal à cocaína está associada a problemas neurocomportamentais durante a infância e adolescência. A ativação precoce da resposta inflamatória pode contribuir para tais alterações. Nosso objetivo foi comparar marcadores inflamatórios (IL-6 e IL-10) no sangue do cordão umbilical e no sangue periférico materno na hora do parto, entre recém-nascidos expostos ao crack intraútero e recém-nascidos não expostos. Métodos: Neste estudo transversal, 57 recém-nascidos expostos ao crack intraútero (RNE) e 99 recém-nascidos não expostos (RNNE) foram comparados quanto aos níveis de IL-6 e IL-10. Dados sociodemográficos e perinatais, psicopatologia materna, consumo de nicotina e outras substâncias foram sistematicamente coletados em casos e controles. Resultados: Após o ajuste para potenciais confundidores, a média de IL-6 foi significativamente maior nos RNE em comparação aos RNNE [10.208,54, intervalo de confiança (IC95%) 1.328,54- 19.088,55 versus 2.323,03, IC95% 1.484,64-3.161,21; p = 0,007; modelo linear generalizado (MLG)]. A média ajustada de IL-10 foi significativamente maior nos RNE do que nos RNNE (432,2189, IC95% 51,44-812,88 versus 75,52, IC95% 5,64- 145,39, p = 0,014; MLG). Medidas pós-parto ajustadas de IL-6 foram significativamente maiores nas mães que usaram de crack/ cocaína (25.160,05, IC95% 10.958,15-39.361,99 versus 8.902,14, IC95% 5.774,97-12.029,32; p = 0,007; MLG), sem diferenças significativas para IL-10. Não houve correlação entre níveis maternos e neonatais de citocinas (teste de Spearman, p ≥ 0,28 para todas as medidas). Conclusões: IL-6 e IL-10 podem ser biomarcadores precoces da exposição pré-natal a cocaína em recém-nascidos. Esses resultados podem ajudar a elucidar as vias neurobiológicas subjacentes a alterações do desenvolvimento e aumentar a gama de possibilidades para intervenção precoce

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Inventory of Countertransference Behavior (ICB) into Brazilian Portuguese

Objetivo: O artigo apresenta a adaptação transcultural do Inventory of Countertransference Behavior (ICB) para o português brasileiro. O ICB constitui-se numa escala de 21 itens que busca acessar o comportamento contratransferencial. Esta escala, que deve ser preenchida pelo supervisor após a sessão de supervisão, abrange a contratransferência em suas categorias positiva e negativa. Método: Foram realizadas as etapas de equivalência conceitual, equivalência de itens, equivalência semântica, equivalência operacional, equivalência funcional e aprovação da versão final pelo autor original do instrumento. Resultados: Os critérios de equivalência foram satisfeitos, tendo a versão final sido aprovada pelo autor do instrumento original. Conclusão: A adaptação do ICB disponibiliza para uso um instrumento de utilização prática, que abrange as categorias de contratransferência positiva e negativa. Constitui, deste modo, uma ferramenta de grande utilidade para a clínica, a supervisão e a pesquisa em psicoterapia e psicanálise, onde a contratransferência tem se mostrado um importante recurso, especialmente no tratamento de patologias fundamentadas em estágios precoces do desenvolvimento, nos casos graves e nos traumas severos.Objective: This article presents a cross-cultural adaptation of the Inventory of Countertransference Behavior into Brazilian Portuguese. The Inventory of Countertransference Behavior is a 21-item scale designed to assess countertransferential behavior. This scale, which should be completed by the supervisor after a supervised session, comprehends countertransference and its positive and negative categories. Method: The following steps were performed: conceptual equivalence, item equivalence, semantic equivalence, operational equivalence, functional equivalence, and approval of the final version by the author of the original instrument. Results: The study reached the objectives of equivalence, and the final Brazilian Portuguese version was approved by the original author. Conclusion: This adaptation provides a Brazilian Portuguese version of a practical instrument to assess positive and negative countertransference. It represents a valuable instrument for therapists, supervisors and researchers on psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, where countertransference has proved to be an important resource, especially to the treatment of diseases based on early stages of development, as well as to severe cases and severe trauma

Comparison between serum levels of Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART) from umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood of pregnant crack users

Introdução: No Brasil, o uso de crack permanece um desafio à saúde pública devido à facilidade de aquisição da droga e sua elevada capacidade de induzir dependência. A exposição intrauterina (EIU) à cocaína está associada a alterações neurocomportamentais durante a infância e adolescência. Em estudo prévio do nosso grupo, achou-se menor nível de estresse oxidativo (EO) em recém-nascidos (RN) com EIU. Uma possível explicação pode ser a Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART), um antioxidante endógeno presente desde o período embrionário e ativado por maiores níveis de dopamina. Objetivo: Verificar a correlação entre os níveis de CART no sangue de cordão umbilical (SCU) e sangue periférico de 57 gestantes com exposição ao crack. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, com amostragem consecutiva, em que o desfecho primário foi a correlação entre os níveis de CART no SCU e sangue periférico materno no pós-parto imediato. Dados gestacionais e perinatais foram sistematicamente coletados. Resultados: Houve correlação significativa entre os níveis de CART no sangue de cordão umbilical e sangue periférico materno (rs= 0,350 e p<0,05). Conclusões: Estes achados demonstram que os níveis de CART no sangue materno e no SCU se correlacionam. Todavia, não se pode afirmar de quem é a produção, ou se é produzida por ambos. O presente trabalho pode ajudar a elucidar os caminhos neurobiológicos responsáveis pelas alterações de neurodesenvolvimento, contribuindo para a ampliação das possibilidades de intervenções precoces.Introduction: In Brazil, the use of crack cocaine remains a public health challenge, due to easy drug acquisition and its high ability to induce dependence. Intrauterine exposure (IUE) to crack cocaine is associated with neurobehavioral changes during childhood and adolescence. In a previous study of our group, lower levels of oxidative stress (OS) were found in newborns with IUE. One possible explanation may be the Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulator Transcript (CART), an endogenous antioxidant present since the embryonic period activated by higher levels of dopamine. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation of CART levels between umbilical cord blood (UCB) and peripheral blood samples of 57 pregnant women exposed to crack. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with a consecutive sampling, in which the primary outcome was the correlation between CART levels at UCB and peripheral blood of their mothers in immediate postpartum. Gestational and perinatal data were systematically collected. Spearman correlation test was performed after checking the pattern of distribution, being considered a 0.05 significance level. Results: There was a significant correlation between CART levels in umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood (rs = 0.350 and p <0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest a correlation between CART levels at UCB and mother´s blood. However, it remains unclear whether it is produced by the mother, the fetus, or both. This study may help to elucidate the neurobiological pathways responsible for neurodevelopmental changes, providing a rationale for early interventions

Avaliação dos níveis séricos de IL-6, IL-10, BDNF E TBARS em gestantes usuárias de crack e no sangue do cordão umbilical dos seus filhos

A presente tese abordou o tema de potenciais biomarcadores em uma população altamente vulnerável – díades mães/bebês com história de exposição ao crack na gestação. Foram avaliados 57 bebês expostos e 99 não expostos, e as suas mães. No primeiro artigo, a ênfase foi à ativação inflamatória, onde se detectou um aumento da IL-6 (perfil pró-inflamatório) nos expostos, mesmo mediante ajuste para confundidores (10.208,54 IC95% 1.328,54–19.088,55 vs. 2.323,03 IC95% 1.484,64–3.161,21; p= 0.007). A IL-10 (perfil antiinflamatório) também se mostrou elevada nos bebês expostos (432,22 IC95% 51,44–812,88 vs. 75,52 IC95% 5,64– 145,39, p = 0.014). A IL-6 esteve aumentada nas mães expostas ao crack (25.160,05, IC95% 10.958,15–39.361,99 vs. 8.902,14 IC95% 5.774,97–12.029,32; p = 0.007), sem alterações de IL-10 entre as puérperas. Não houve correlação entre os níveis de citocina materna e do bebê (Spearman test; p ≥ 0.28). Neste estudo, concluiu-se que IL-6 e IL-10 podem ser marcadores da ativação inflamatória precoce em bebês com exposição intrauterina ao crack. Nossos resultados corroboram com os achados da literatura indicando que as citocinas possam ser mediadores potenciais para explicar os efeitos comportamentais e cognitivos do estresse prénatal sobre o feto, integrando imunologia e a hipótese da neuroinflamação a saúde mental da criança. No segundo artigo, avaliou-se uma medida de estresse oxidativo (EO), o TBARS, e de Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Cérebro (BDNF), nas referidas díades. Os resultados encontrados na análise multivariada do TBARS no sangue de cordão umbilical (SCU) apontam para um menor EO nos bebês expostos (63,97 IC95% 39,43 – 88,50 em expostos vs 177,04 IC95% 140,93 – 213,14 em não expostos, p 0.28). In this study, it was concluded that IL-6 and IL-10 could be markers of early inflammatory activation on babies exposed to crack/cocaine. Our results support the findings of the literature indicating that the cytosine could be potential mediators to explain the behavior and cognitive effects of prenatal stress on the fetus, integrating immunology and the hypothesis of the neuroinflammation to the child’s mental health. In the second article, we assessed a measurement of oxidative stress, the TBARS and the BDNF in the referred dyads. The results found in the multivariate analysis of the TBARS in the umbilical chord’s blood (UCB) point to a less oxidative stress in the babies exposed to (63.97, 95%CI 39.43 – 88.50 in exposed vs. 177.04, 95%CI 140.93 – 213.14 non exposed, p < 0.001). This is an innovative finding, pointing in the direction of an endogenous antioxidant activation system on the newly born exposed, on the basis of the homeostasis rupture caused by the crack toxicity during the pregnancy. The fetus would mobilize endogenous antioxidant routes since very early in its development, as promoted by Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART). Still in this study, we can see the increase of the BDNF in the exposed babies (3.86, 95%CI 2.29 – 5.43 vs 0.85, 95%CI 0.47- 1.23; p < 0.001), but a decrease in the exposed pregnant women in relation to the non-exposed (4.03, 95%CI 2.87 – 5.18 vs. 6.67, 95%CI 5.60 – 7.74; p = 0.006). The data of BDNF in babies exposed to crack are highly innovative, but consistent to the literature in the sense of a reaction of neuroplasticity. In pregnant women the data is surprising, having in mind that the adult literature indicates an increase of BDNF in crack/cocaine users in relation to controllers. A possibility to explain this finding is a possible variation in the practicality and intensity of usage of crack/cocaine from the test group. Alternatively the most prevalence post-traumatic stress (PTSD) in the crack pregnant users could justify this finding. Patients with PTSD tend to present levels of BDNF less than the normal controllers. This leads us to four possible biomarkers, in a population difficult to access and in a highly relevance to public health. We can tell that there are different answers according to the development stage and that the pregnant women could have a neurotrophins recruitment profile and perhaps other biomarkers, different to non pregnant. Therefore, we can observe that structural, physiological, molecular changes promoted by cocaine result from an involvement from a vast network of neurotransmitters integrated and active in different areas of the brain and in different moments of maturation

Avaliação dos níveis séricos de IL-6, IL-10, BDNF E TBARS em gestantes usuárias de crack e no sangue do cordão umbilical dos seus filhos

A presente tese abordou o tema de potenciais biomarcadores em uma população altamente vulnerável – díades mães/bebês com história de exposição ao crack na gestação. Foram avaliados 57 bebês expostos e 99 não expostos, e as suas mães. No primeiro artigo, a ênfase foi à ativação inflamatória, onde se detectou um aumento da IL-6 (perfil pró-inflamatório) nos expostos, mesmo mediante ajuste para confundidores (10.208,54 IC95% 1.328,54–19.088,55 vs. 2.323,03 IC95% 1.484,64–3.161,21; p= 0.007). A IL-10 (perfil antiinflamatório) também se mostrou elevada nos bebês expostos (432,22 IC95% 51,44–812,88 vs. 75,52 IC95% 5,64– 145,39, p = 0.014). A IL-6 esteve aumentada nas mães expostas ao crack (25.160,05, IC95% 10.958,15–39.361,99 vs. 8.902,14 IC95% 5.774,97–12.029,32; p = 0.007), sem alterações de IL-10 entre as puérperas. Não houve correlação entre os níveis de citocina materna e do bebê (Spearman test; p ≥ 0.28). Neste estudo, concluiu-se que IL-6 e IL-10 podem ser marcadores da ativação inflamatória precoce em bebês com exposição intrauterina ao crack. Nossos resultados corroboram com os achados da literatura indicando que as citocinas possam ser mediadores potenciais para explicar os efeitos comportamentais e cognitivos do estresse prénatal sobre o feto, integrando imunologia e a hipótese da neuroinflamação a saúde mental da criança. No segundo artigo, avaliou-se uma medida de estresse oxidativo (EO), o TBARS, e de Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Cérebro (BDNF), nas referidas díades. Os resultados encontrados na análise multivariada do TBARS no sangue de cordão umbilical (SCU) apontam para um menor EO nos bebês expostos (63,97 IC95% 39,43 – 88,50 em expostos vs 177,04 IC95% 140,93 – 213,14 em não expostos, p 0.28). In this study, it was concluded that IL-6 and IL-10 could be markers of early inflammatory activation on babies exposed to crack/cocaine. Our results support the findings of the literature indicating that the cytosine could be potential mediators to explain the behavior and cognitive effects of prenatal stress on the fetus, integrating immunology and the hypothesis of the neuroinflammation to the child’s mental health. In the second article, we assessed a measurement of oxidative stress, the TBARS and the BDNF in the referred dyads. The results found in the multivariate analysis of the TBARS in the umbilical chord’s blood (UCB) point to a less oxidative stress in the babies exposed to (63.97, 95%CI 39.43 – 88.50 in exposed vs. 177.04, 95%CI 140.93 – 213.14 non exposed, p < 0.001). This is an innovative finding, pointing in the direction of an endogenous antioxidant activation system on the newly born exposed, on the basis of the homeostasis rupture caused by the crack toxicity during the pregnancy. The fetus would mobilize endogenous antioxidant routes since very early in its development, as promoted by Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript (CART). Still in this study, we can see the increase of the BDNF in the exposed babies (3.86, 95%CI 2.29 – 5.43 vs 0.85, 95%CI 0.47- 1.23; p < 0.001), but a decrease in the exposed pregnant women in relation to the non-exposed (4.03, 95%CI 2.87 – 5.18 vs. 6.67, 95%CI 5.60 – 7.74; p = 0.006). The data of BDNF in babies exposed to crack are highly innovative, but consistent to the literature in the sense of a reaction of neuroplasticity. In pregnant women the data is surprising, having in mind that the adult literature indicates an increase of BDNF in crack/cocaine users in relation to controllers. A possibility to explain this finding is a possible variation in the practicality and intensity of usage of crack/cocaine from the test group. Alternatively the most prevalence post-traumatic stress (PTSD) in the crack pregnant users could justify this finding. Patients with PTSD tend to present levels of BDNF less than the normal controllers. This leads us to four possible biomarkers, in a population difficult to access and in a highly relevance to public health. We can tell that there are different answers according to the development stage and that the pregnant women could have a neurotrophins recruitment profile and perhaps other biomarkers, different to non pregnant. Therefore, we can observe that structural, physiological, molecular changes promoted by cocaine result from an involvement from a vast network of neurotransmitters integrated and active in different areas of the brain and in different moments of maturation