MOLECULAR DETECTION OF Leishmania IN PHLEBOTOMINE SAND FLIES IN A CUTANEOUS AND VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS ENDEMIC AREA IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Several phlebotomine sand fly species have been regarded as putative or proven vectors of parasites of the genus Leishmania in Brazil, but data for the northeastern region remains incipient. In this study, a total of 600 phlebotomine sand flies were grouped in pools of 10 specimens each and tested by a Leishmania genus-specific PCR and by a PCR targeting Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum. Fourteen out of 60 pools were positive by the genus-specific PCR, being five pools of L. migonei, seven of L. complexa, one of L. sordellii and one of L. naftalekatzi, which correspond to a minimal infection rate of 2.3% (14/600). Our results, associated with their known anthropophily and their abundance, suggest the participation of L. migonei and L. complexa as vectors of Leishmania in northeastern Brazil. Remarkably, this is the first time in this country that the detection of Leishmania DNA in L. sordellii and L. naftalekatzi has been reported, but future studies are necessary to better understand the significance of these findings

Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Surface Functionalization Strategies

Surface functionalized magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are a kind of novel functional materials, which have been widely used in the biotechnology and catalysis. This review focuses on the recent development and various strategies in preparation, structure, and magnetic properties of naked and surface functionalized iron oxide NPs and their corresponding application briefly. In order to implement the practical application, the particles must have combined properties of high magnetic saturation, stability, biocompatibility, and interactive functions at the surface. Moreover, the surface of iron oxide NPs could be modified by organic materials or inorganic materials, such as polymers, biomolecules, silica, metals, etc. The problems and major challenges, along with the directions for the synthesis and surface functionalization of iron oxide NPs, are considered. Finally, some future trends and prospective in these research areas are also discussed

Synthesis and magnetic characterization of Pb(1-x)Mn(x)S nanocrystals in glass matrix

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)The synthesis of manganese-doped PbS (Pb(1-x)Mn(x)S) nanocrystal (NC) dots within a borosilicate glass matrix has been investigated by atomic force microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic measurements. The fusion method was employed in the preparation of the magnetic semiconductor NC dots whereas the measurements performed showed changes in the physical properties of the manganese-doped dots as a result of the Mn(2+)-incorporation into the hosting PbS crystal structure. Nevertheless, the data indicated that only a small fraction of the nominal Mn-doping was incorporated into the PbS NC dot, in both lower (0.5%) and higher (40%) nominal doping ends. For the lower nominal Mn-doping end (0.5%) we found only about 0.05% actually incorporated into the PbS NC dot whereas about 0.45% appeared dispersed throughout the glass template as isolated paramagnetic centres.4116Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)FINATECConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Qualidade de vida no trabalho de profissionais de enfermagem, atuantes em unidades do bloco cirúrgico, sob a ótica da satisfação Calidad de vida en el trabajo entre profesionales de enfermería actuantes en unidades del centro quirúrgico Quality of life at work among nursing professionals at surgical wards from the perspective of satisfaction

Estudo descritivo, de corte transversal, que avaliou a qualidade de vida no trabalho (QVT) de profissionais de enfermagem, atuantes em unidades do Bloco Cirúrgico (BC) em quatro hospitais de Londrina, PR. Participaram 105 trabalhadores, sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (82,9%), com média de idade de 38 anos. Dentre eles, 69,5% eram auxiliares de enfermagem, 11,4% eram enfermeiros. A QVT foi medida através do Índice de Satisfação no Trabalho (ISP) e os valores obtidos variaram entre 114 e 227 e média de 169,7±25,9. O valor médio dos 44 itens foi de 3,85, significando que os trabalhadores estavam entre insatisfeitos e nem satisfeitos/nem insatisfeitos com a QVT. A remuneração foi considerada como fonte de menor satisfação entre os trabalhadores, enquanto o domínio status profissional, o de maior satisfação. O instrumento mostrou-se confiável à população estudada, sendo o valor obtido para o alpha de Cronbach igual a 0,81.<br>Estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, cuyo objetivo fue evaluar la calidad de vida en el trabajo de profesionales de enfermería actuantes en unidades del Centro Quirúrgico (CQ), utilizando el Índice de Satisfacción en el Trabajo. Participaron del estudio 105 trabajadores, la mayoría de ellos mujeres (82,9%), con un promedio de edad de 38 años. Entre todos, el 69,5% era ayudante de enfermería y el 11,4% enfermeros. En cuanto a la calidad de vida en el trabajo, los valores obtenidos variaron entre 114 y 227, con promedio de 169,7±25,9. El valor promedio obtenido para los 44 ítem fue de 3.85, mostrando que los trabajadores estaban entre insatisfechos y ni satisfechos/ ni insatisfechos con la calidad de vida en el trabajo. La remuneración fue considerada como fuente de menor satisfacción, mientras el dominio de status profesional es el de mayor satisfacción. El instrumento se mostró confiable para el grupo estudiado, con alpha de Cronbach igual a 0,81.<br>This transversal and descriptive study aimed at evaluating the life quality of nursing professionals working at a surgical ward, using the Index of Work Satisfaction. Study participants were 105 workers; most of them women (82.9%), with an average age of 38. In this group, 69.5% were nursing auxiliaries and 11.4% were nurses. As to quality of life at work, scores varied between 114 and 227 (possible range of 44 to 308), with an average score of 169.7±25.9. The average score for the 44 items was 3.85, showing that workers were either dissatisfied or neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the aspects mentioned in the instrument on quality of life at work. Satisfaction levels were lowest for remuneration and highest for the professional status domain. Authors found the instrument reliable for the study population, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.81

Alterações dos hábitos alimentares em pacientes submetidos a laringectomia parcial frontolateral e total

CONTEXT: Swallowing is a continuous dynamic process, characterized by complex stages, that involves structures of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and esophagus. It can be divided into three phases: oral, pharyngeal and esophageal. Dysphagia is characterized by difficulty with, or the inability to swallow food of normal consistencies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of swallowing difficulties and modifications made to the consistency of the food consumed in cases of total and partial laryngectomy, with or without subsequent radiotherapy, among patients who had not been diagnosed as having dysphagia. TYPE OF STUDY: Descriptive study. SETTING: Voice Clinic of São Paulo Hospital, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)/Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil. METHOD: 36 laryngectomy patients: 25 total and 11 frontolateral cases, were studied. A survey consisting of a 23-item questionnaire was applied by a single professional. RESULTS: Among those interviewed, 44% reported having modified the consistency of the food consumed (56% of the total and 20% of the partial frontolateral laryngectomy cases). It was not possible to investigate the influence of radiotherapy on the groups in this study, because the partial frontolateral laryngectomy cases were not exposed to radiotherapy. There was a higher incidence of complaints of swallowing difficulties in total laryngectomy cases (p < 0.027) than in partial frontolateral cases. However, there was no relationship between the surgery and weight loss. We also noted the patients' other problems regarding the eating process, as well as the compensation that they made for such problems. DISCUSSION: Research has shown an association between laryngectomy and swallowing difficulties, although there have been no reports of associated changes in eating habits among laryngectomized patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that difficulty in swallowing is not rare in total and frontolateral laryngectomy cases. Such patients, even those who did not complain of dysphagia, also had minor difficulties while eating, and had to make some adaptations to their meals.CONTEXTO: A deglutição é um processo dinâmico e contínuo, caracterizado por etapas complexas, que envolve estruturas da cavidade oral, faringe, laringe e esôfago. Pode ser dividida em fases: oral, faríngea e esofágica. A disfagia é caracterizada por dificuldades ou inabilidade em deglutir alimentos em consistências normais. OBJETIVO: Investigar a presença de dificuldades de deglutição e mudanças nas consistências dos alimentos em pacientes submetidos a laringectomia total e laringectomia parcial vertical frontolateral, seguidos ou não de radioterapia e sem diagnóstico de disfagia. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Descritivo. LOCAL: Ambulatório de Voz do Hospital São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil. MÉTODO: 36 pacientes laringectomizados: 25 submetidos a laringectomia total e 11 a laringectomia parcial frontolateral foram incluídos no estudo. Questionário contendo 23 itens, foi aplicado por uma única profissional. RESULTADOS: Dentre os entrevistados, 44% relataram modificações na consistência dos alimentos durante as refeições; dentre estes 56% eram laringectomizados totais e 20%, laringectomizados parciais frontolaterais. Não foi possível investigar a influência da radioterapia nos grupos deste estudo, pois os pacientes laringectomizados parciais frontolaterais não foram expostos à radioterapia. Houve alta incidência de queixas de dificuldades de deglutição entre os pacientes laringectomizados totais (p < 0,027). Entretanto, não houve associação entre cirurgia realizada e perda de peso. Observamos outras queixas relatadas pelos pacientes durante a alimentação, como problemas e compensações realizadas pelos pacientes. DISCUSSÃO: Pesquisas mostraram associação entre laringectomia e dificuldades de deglutição, porém não foram encontrados estudos associando mudanças de hábitos alimentares em pacientes laringectomizados. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo mostra que a dificuldade na deglutição não é rara nos pacientes submetidos a laringectomia frontolateral e total. Os pacientes, mesmo aqueles que não apresentaram queixas de disfagia, também tiveram pequenas dificuldades durante a alimentação, fazendo algumas adaptações necessárias.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL