Peptides Derived from Mycobacterium leprae ML1601c Discriminate between Leprosy Patients and Healthy Endemic Controls

The stable incidence of new leprosy cases suggests that transmission of infection continues despite worldwide implementation of MDT. Thus, specific tools are needed to diagnose early stage Mycobacterium leprae infection, the likely sources of transmission. M. leprae antigens that induce T-cell responses in M. leprae exposed and/or infected individuals thus are major targets for new diagnostic tools. Previously, we showed that ML1601c was immunogenic in patients and healthy household contacts (HHC). However, some endemic controls (EC) also recognized this protein. To improve the diagnostic potential, IFN-γ responses to ML1601c peptides were assessed using PBMC from Brazilian leprosy patients and EC. Five ML1601c peptides only induced IFN-γ in patients and HHC. Moreover, 24-hour whole-blood assay (WBA), two ML1601c peptides could assess the level of M. leprae exposure in Ethiopian EC. Beside IFN-γ, also IP-10, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MCP-1 were increased in EC from areas with high leprosy prevalence in response to these ML1601c peptides. Thus, ML1601c peptides may be useful for differentiating M. leprae exposed or infected individuals and can also be used to indicate the magnitude of M. leprae transmission even in the context of various HLA alleles as present in these different genetic backgrounds

Goliath catfish spawning in the far western Amazon confirmed by the distribution of mature adults, drifting larvae and migrating juveniles

We mapped the inferred long-distance migrations of four species of Amazonian goliath catfishes (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, B. platynemum, B. juruense and B. vaillantii) based on the presence of individuals with mature gonads and conducted statistical analysis of the expected long-distance downstream migrations of their larvae and juveniles. By linking the distribution of larval, juvenile and mature adult size classes across the Amazon, the results showed: (i) that the main spawning regions of these goliath catfish species are in the western Amazon; (ii) at least three species - B. rousseauxii, B. platynemum, and B. juruense - spawn partially or mainly as far upstream as the Andes; (iii) the main spawning area of B. rousseauxii is in or near the Andes; and (iv) the life history migration distances of B. rousseauxii are the longest strictly freshwater fish migrations in the world. These results provide an empirical baseline for tagging experiments, life histories extrapolated from otolith microchemistry interpretations and other methods to establish goliath catfish migratory routes, their seasonal timing and possible return (homing) to western headwater tributaries where they were born. © The Author(s) 2017

Scientific diving in Brazil: history, present and perspectives

Scientific diving (SD) is defined as any diving activity that applies scientific procedures to produce subsidies forstudies and technical works in underwater environments. The first report of an underwater scientific study inBrazil dates to the 19th century, in the Abrolhos reefs. Currently, in Brazil, scientific diving has been performedin various areas, from shallow coastal regions to remote and sometimes hard-to-reach places, such as oceanicislands, flooded caves, and icy areas like Antarctica. However, the regulation of SD in Brazil still lacks moreconcrete actions towards an effective and efficient self-regulation that offers physical safety to practitioners andinstitutional safeguards for organizations that use it in their research projects. Thus, this article aims to contributeto a better understanding of this critical issue in Brazil and to serve as a reference and incentive for the trainingof professionals and the development of these activities in the country. It includes: 1) a historical review ofSD; 2) a diagnosis of the training and application of SD in Brazil; 3) the evolution of marine sciences in Brazilfrom the perspective of SD; 4) a review of the use of environmental assessment and underwater conservationtechniques in oceans and internal waters; 5) an analysis of the evolution of scientific diver training in Brazil,including a diagnosis on training; 6) the history and updates of the rules, regulations, and safety of SD. Givenall the potential of diving combined with specific techniques for research, monitoring, and marine and limnicscience in Brazil, we aim to understand the evolution of scientific diving teaching and to outline perspectives inthe country, as it is crucial for the training of qualified scientists capable of performing these underwater tasks.Finally, we present futture plans for the development of this activity in Brazil from the point of view of researchand the labor market

Ideação suicida, ansiedade e depressão em pacientes com esclerose múltipla

Transtornos psiquiátricos frequentemente ocorrem em pacientes com esclerose múltipla (EM). No entanto, os artigos sobre estas comorbidades são limitados. Pretendemos investigar as relações entre EM, ansiedade, depressão e ideação suicida. Métodos: Cento e trinta e dois pacientes com EM remitente-recorrente foram avaliados usando a Escala de Estado de Incapacidade Expandida, Inventário de Depressão de Beck-II (IDB-II), Escala de Beck para Ideação de Suicídio (BSI) e Escala de Ansiedade e Depressão. Resultados: Uma análise de regressão hierárquica foi realizada para avaliar as variáveis. A equação de regressão previu significativamente o escore BSI (R2 = 0,306; R2 ajustado = 0,273; F (9,125) = 9,18; p < 0,0005) e o escore no IDB-II foi a única variável que contribuiu significativamente para este modelo (p < 0,0005). Conclusões: Uma alta prevalência de depressão e ansiedade e uma maior taxa de ideação suicida foram identificadas em pacientes com EM em comparação com a população em geral. A presença de sintomas depressivos pareceu ter uma influência direta no risco de suicídio.Psychiatric disorders frequently occur in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); however, limited reports are available on these comorbidities. We aimed to investigate the relationships among MS, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Methods: One hundred and thirty two patients with relapsing-remitting MS were evaluated using the Expanded Disability Status Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: A hierarchical regression analysis was performed to evaluate the variables. The regression equation significantly predicted the BSI score (R2 = 0.306; adjusted R2 = 0.273; F (9, 125) = 9.18; p < 0.0005), and the BDI-II score was the only variable that contributed significantly to this model (p < 0.0005). Conclusions: A high prevalence of depression and anxiety, and a higher rate of suicidal ideation were identified in MS patients compared to the general population. The presence of depressive symptoms appeared to have a direct influence on the risk of suicide

Os mártires e a cristianização do território na América portuguesa, séculos XVI e XVII

O artigo investiga um grupo de atores sociais bastante relevante para viabilizar a cristianização na América portuguesa: os mártires cristãos, indivíduos muito especiais, dispostos a regar a terra com seu próprio sangue, de forma a tornar definitiva e irreversível a ocupação cristã do território. Os mártires - e principalmente a narrativa em torno deles - parecem ter sido bastante acionados para integrar a América portuguesa e seus habitantes nativos à temporalidade e territorialidade cristã. Os mártires dos séculos XVI e XVII, principalmente missionários, reeditavam os martírios do início da cristandade, que espalharam o cristianismo rumo a diversas partes do mundo na antiguidade. Dessa forma, viabilizaram a cristianização das novas fronteiras, consagrando o solo com seu sangue divino e viabilizando posteriores processos de urbanização. Além da função estratégica dos mártires para os cristãos, o texto mostra que eles também tiveram significado peculiar na interlocução com as culturas ameríndias, que tinha como um de seus principais personagens o grande guerreiro, disposto a perder seu sangue em prol de seu grupo.This paper looks into a group of social agents who played a significant role in the Christianization of Portuguese America, namely, the Christian martyrs - very special individuals who were ready to wet the land with their own blood in order to make possible a definitive and irreversible occupation of the territory by Christian settlers. The martyrs, and above all the stories told about them, seem to have been called upon to integrate Portuguese America and its native inhabitants into the temporalities and territory of Christendom. Mostly made up of missionaries, this group of 16th and 17th-century martyrs reedited the martyrdom of early Christians, who spread their creed across numerous parts of the Ancient World. They enabled the Christianization of new frontiers by consecrating the soil with their divine blood and paving the way for subsequent processes of urban development. In addition to their strategic significance for Christianity, the text also shows that their martyrdom played a specific role in the Christian settlers' interaction with Amerindian culture, whose main cults included the figure of the great warrior, ever ready to shed his own blood for his group

MÉTODOS DE INDEXAÇÃO DE INDICADORES NA AVALIAÇÃO DA QUALIDADE DO SOLO EM RELAÇÃO À EROSÃO HÍDRICA

A avaliação da qualidade dos solos agrícolas é importante para definição e adoção de práticas de manejo que garantam a sustentabilidade socioeconômica e ambiental. Os métodos de indexação dos indicadores de qualidade denominados Índice de Qualidade Integrado (IQI) e Índice de Qualidade Nemoro (IQN) foram utilizados neste estudo para avaliar a qualidade de solo em áreas experimentais de plantio de eucalipto. A seleção dos indicadores foi feita a partir de nove indicadores de qualidade do solo: diâmetro médio geométrico, permeabilidade à água, matéria orgânica, macro e microporosidade, volume total de poros, densidade do solo, resistência à penetração e índice de floculação, que estão relacionados à erosão hídrica. Os tratamentos constituíram de eucalipto plantado em nível, com e sem a manutenção dos resíduos, em desnível e solo descoberto, em dois biomas distintos, cujas vegetações nativas são Cerrado e Floresta. Os índices de qualidade do solo (IQS) apresentaram alta correlação com a erosão hídrica. Entre os sistemas manejados, o Eucalipto com manutenção do resíduo evidenciou valores mais elevados em ambos os índices, ressaltando-se a importância da cobertura vegetal e manutenção da matéria orgânica para conservação do solo e da água em sistemas florestais. Os IQS demonstraram alto coeficiente de correlação inversa com as perdas de solo e água. Em locais com as maiores taxas de erosão hídrica manifestaram também os menores valores de IQI e IQN. Assim, os índices testados permitiram avaliar com eficácia os efeitos dos manejos adotados sobre a qualidade do solo em relação à erosão hídrica