Aspectos ecológicos de briofitas em areas preservadas de mata atlantica, Rio Janeiro, Brasil

This paper aims at comparing the continental (Mangaratiba) and insular (Ilha Grande) bryoflora in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The floristic survey of these areas has resulted in the identification of 231 bryophyte species, the similarity index being 69%. The highest index of specific diversity occurs in a track that is not under the influence of local human activity. The bryoflora is represented by families typical of tropical rain forests such as Lejeuneaceae, which also presents the highest index of specific diversity. The majority of the species presents rare absolute frequency, and is saxicolous, umbraticolous and ombrophilous. Nevertheless, these characteristics are not limiting as morphological adaptations allow for the colonization of different environments and substrates.Neste trabalho são comparadas as briofloras continental (Mangaratiba) e insular (Ilha Grande) de Mata Atlântica do estado do Rio de Janeiro. O inventário florístico dessas áreas resultou na identificação de 231 espécies de briófitas, sendo 69% o índice de similaridade entre elas. O maior índice de diversidade específica ocorre em uma trilha que não sofre influência das atividades antrópicas locais. A brioflora estudada está representada por famílias típicas das florestas tropicais úmidas como por exemplo, Lejeuneaceae, que também apresenta a maior riqueza específica. A maioria das espécies, apresenta freqüência absoluta muito rara e é saxícola, umbrófila e ombrófila, embora estas características não sejam limitantes, pois adaptações morfológicas permitem a colonização de ambientes e substratos diferentes

Mycobacterium leprae is identified in the oral mucosa from paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy patients

In leprosy, the nasal mucosa is considered as the principal route of transmission for the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. the objective of this study was to identify M.leprae in the oral mucosa of 50 untreated leprosy patients, including 21 paucibacillary (PB) and 29 multibacillary (MB) patients, using immunohistochemistry (IHC), with antibodies against bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and phenolic glycolipid antigen-1 (PGL-1), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with MntH-specific primers for M.leprae, and to compare the results. the material was represented by 163 paraffin blocks containing biopsy samples obtained from clinically normal sites (including the tongue, buccal mucosa and soft palate) and visible lesions anywhere in the oral mucosa. All patients and 158 available samples were included for IHC study. Among the 161 available samples for PCR, 110 had viable DNA. There was viable DNA in at least one area of the oral mucosa for 47 patients. M.leprae was detected in 70% and 78% of patients using IHC and PCR, respectively, and in 94% of the patients by at least one of the two diagnostic methods. There were no differences in detection of M.leprae between MB and PB patients. Similar results were obtained using anti-BCG and anti-PGL-1 antibodies, and immunoreactivity occurred predominantly on free-living bacteria on the epithelial surface, with a predilection for the tongue. Conversely, there was no area of predilection according to the PCR results. M.leprae is present in the oral mucosa at a high frequency, implicating this site as a potential means of leprosy transmission.Univ Oeste Paulista, Presidente Prudente Reg Hosp, Dermatol Unit, Presidente Prudente, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Dermatol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Multiuser Mol Biol Lab, Div Dermatol, Dept Clin Med,Ribeirao Preto Coll Med, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, BrazilAdolfo Lutz Inst, Dept Pathol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Dermatol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Early and late morbidity and mortality and life expectancy following thoracoscopic talc insufflation for control of malignant pleural effusions: a review of 400 cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malignant pleural effusion is a common sequelae in patients with certain malignancies. It represents a terminal condition with short median survival (in terms of months) and the goal is palliation. Aim of our study is to analyze morbidity, mortality and life expectancy following videothoracoscopic talc poudrage.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>From September 2004 to October 2009, 400 patients underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for malignant pleural effusion. The conditions of patients were assessed and graded before and after treatment concerning morbidity, mortality, success rate of pleurodesis and median survival.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median duration of follow up was 40 months (range 4-61 months). All patients demonstrated notable improvement in dyspnea. Intraoperative mortality was zero. The procedure was well tolerated and no significant adverse effects were observed. In hospital mortality was 2% and the pleurodesis success rate was 85%. A poor Karnofsky Performance Status and delay between diagnosis of pleural effusion and pleurodesis were statistically significant factors for in-hospital mortality. The best survival was seen in breast cancer, followed by ovarian cancer, lymphoma and pleural mesothelioma.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Video-assisted thoracoscopic talc poudrage is an effective and safe procedure that yields a high rate of successful pleurodesis and achieves long-term control with marked dyspnea decrease.</p

Validation of the test need for cognition: a study in behavioral accounting

This study aimed to validate the Need for Cognition scale (NFC) in behavioral accounting. In addition, we sought to measure the possible correlations between the level of need for cognition and the existence of cognitive biases in decisions in accounting and financial information. Two validations were performed to carry out the process of full validation – criterion and construct. The analysis was done by the examination of a sample comprised by 128 graduation students. The statistical technique used for the validation of this test was a factorial analysis for it has the ability to determine the degree of influence of a particular variable in the explanation of a factor, and the processing logistic regression was used for the explanation of possible values as a function of known values or independent variables. The results of the construct of validity showed the legitimacy of the NFC as a unidimensional scale excluding three outputs of its original scale, since the criterion validity of the results confirmed the impact of the level of cognition in maximizing the occurrence of heuristics in managerial decisions

Are ant assemblages of Brazilian veredas characterised by location or habitat type?

Wetland areas in the Brazilian Cerrado, known as “veredas”, represent ecosystems formed on sandy soils with high concentrations of peat, and are responsible for the recharge of aquiferous reservoirs. They are currently under threat by various human activities, most notably the clearing of vegetation for Eucalyptus plantations. Despite their ecological importance and high conservation value, little is known about the actual effects of human disturbance on the animal community. To assess how habitat within different veredas, and plantations surrounding them affect ant assemblages, we selected four independent vereda locations, two being impacted by Eucalyptus monoculture (one younger and one mature plantation) and two controls, where the wetland was surrounded by cerrado vegetation. Ant sampling was conducted in May 2010 (dry season) using three complementary methods, namely baits, pitfall traps, and hand collection, in the wetland and in the surrounding habitats. A total of 7,575 ants were sampled, belonging to seven subfamilies, 32 genera and 124 species.Ant species richness and abundance did not differ between vereda locations, but did between the habitats. When impacted by the monoculture, ant species richness and abundance decreased in wetlands, but were less affected in the cerrado habitat. Ant species composition differed between the three habitats and between vereda locations. Eucalyptus plantations had an ant species composition defined by high dominance of Pheidole sp. and Solenopsis invicta, while natural habitats were defined by Camponotus and Crematogaster species. Atta sexdens was strictly confined to native habitats of non-impacted “veredas”. Eucalyptus monocultures require high quantities of water in the early stages, which may have caused a decrease in groundwater level in the wetland, allowing hypogeic ants such as Labidus praedator to colonise this habitat