A diversidade da cultura fronteiriça a Oeste da província do Rio Grande de São Pedro: o comércio e a paróquia de São Patrício de Itaqui (1850-1870)

Este artigo analisa a organização da atividade mercantil que se estabelece na Província do Rio Grande de São Pedro, na segunda metade do século XIX, a partir da Paróquia de São Patrício de Itaqui, entre 1850 e 1870. Busca identificar como se manifestava a atividade mercantil em uma região de fronteira aberta e suscetível aos fluxos de artigos, pessoas e associações comerciais que se prolongavam ao longo do Rio Uruguai, colaborando para dinamizar a atuação dos comerciantes e negociantes nessa sociedade. Fontes primárias, jurídicas e administrativas, ajudaram a identificar por meio da pesquisa quantitativa um comércio que se prolongava graças à atuação de uma série de agentes e estratégias privadas de acumulação de recursos que se multiplicam nesse espaço fronteiriço, tornando possível a ampliação das atividades dos mais variados ramos de negócios. Assim, o comércio criou múltiplas estratégias nessa sociedade de fronteira favorável aos interesses mercantis que nos dispomos a analisar

Pathogenic diversity amongst serotype C VGIII and VGIV Cryptococcus gattii isolates

Cryptococcus gattii is one of the causative agents of human cryptococcosis. Highly virulent strains of serotype B C. gattii have been studied in detail, but little information is available on the pathogenic properties of serotype C isolates. In this study, we analyzed pathogenic determinants in three serotype C C. gattii isolates (106.97, ATCC 24066 and WM 779). Isolate ATCC 24066 (molecular type VGIII) differed from isolates WM 779 and 106.97 (both VGIV) in capsule dimensions, expression of CAP genes, chitooligomer distribution, and induction of host chitinase activity. Isolate WM 779 was more efficient than the others in producing pigments and all three isolates had distinct patterns of reactivity with antibodies to glucuronoxylomannan. This great phenotypic diversity reflected in differential pathogenicity. VGIV isolates WM 779 and 106.97 were similar in their ability to cause lethality and produced higher pulmonary fungal burden in a murine model of cryptococcosis, while isolate ATCC 24066 (VGIII) was unable to reach the brain and caused reduced lethality in intranasally infected mice. These results demonstrate a high diversity in the pathogenic potential of isolates of C. gattii belonging to the molecular types VGIII and VGIV

Scanning electron microscopy and machine learning reveal heterogeneity in capsular morphotypes of the human pathogen Cryptococcus spp.

Phenotypic heterogeneity is an important trait for the development and survival of many microorganisms including the yeast Cryptococcus spp., a deadly pathogen spread worldwide. Here, we have applied scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to defne four Cryptococcus spp. capsule morphotypes, namely Regular, Spiky, Bald, and Phantom. These morphotypes were persistently observed in varying proportions among yeast isolates. To assess the distribution of such morphotypes we implemented an automated pipeline capable of (1) identifying potentially cell-associated objects in the SEM-derived images; (2) computing object-level features; and (3) classifying these objects into their corresponding classes. The machine learning approach used a Random Forest (RF) classifer whose overall accuracy reached 85% on the test dataset, with per-class specifcity above 90%, and sensitivity between 66 and 94%. Additionally, the RF model indicates that structural and texture features, e.g., object area, eccentricity, and contrast, are most relevant for classifcation. The RF results agree with the observed variation in these features, consistently also with visual inspection of SEM images. Finally, our work introduces morphological variants of Cryptococcus spp. capsule. These can be promptly identifed and characterized using computational models so that future work may unveil morphological associations with yeast virulence

Allergies and Diabetes as Risk Factors for Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: Results of a Case Control Study

Dengue is an arboviral disease that affects large areas of countries in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Around 500,000 cases and 22,000 deaths of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)/Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS), the most severe presentations of this disease, occur annually. It is unclear why some cases of dengue fever (0.5% to 4%) progress to DHF/DSS. There is weak evidence that some diseases could have a role in this process, such as diabetes, hypertension, and allergies. In epidemics most dengue fever cases are sent home as there are too many to be kept in observation, but if it were possible to identify those with a higher risk of progression to DHF, they could be kept for observation, for early detection of signs, symptoms and alterations in laboratory tests suggestive of DHF, to enable timely and effective clinical management and early intervention. We study this issue and we believe that the evidence produced in this study, when confirmed in other studies, suggests that screening criteria might be used to identify adult patients at a greater risk of developing DHF with a recommendation that they remain under observation and monitoring in a hospital

Nutrientes na serapilheira em um fragmento de Floresta Estacional Decidual, Itaara, RS

The aim of the present study was to quantity aboveground mass and nutrients in a deciduous seasonal forest fragment in the district of Itaara, RS, Brazil. For quantification and fractionation of the litter, sampling was carried out using two methodologies: the first one for leaves and branches with diameter smaller than 1 cm (S0) and the second one for woody material with diameter varying from 1 cm to 3 cm (S1), 3.1 cm to 6 cm (S2), and greater than 6 cm (S3).  To evaluate the S0 fraction, 50 randomly sample were collected with a metallic frame of 25 cm x 25 cm, and for S1, S2 and S3 10 plots of 3 m x 2 m were distributed randomly in the area of study.  Samples was packed and taken to the Laboratory of Forest Ecology of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, where they were dried, weighed, ground and analyzed for nutrient contents. The woody senescent litter represented about 45% of the litter layer.  Litter classes differed statistically in relation to nutrient content (p < 0.05), except for Mg and Cu; usually the S0 fraction presented higher contents. The fractions S1, S2 and S3 showed an accumulation of nutrients ranging from 53.3% to 8.7% K for Fe in the total litter, demonstrating the importance of quantification of these components during the evaluation of nutrient stocks contained in the litter of the forest ecosystem.O presente estudo teve por objetivo quantificar a massa e o estoque de nutrientes da serapilheira sobre o solo em um fragmento de Floresta Estacional Decidual no município de Itaara, RS. Para a quantificação da serapilheira, a amostragem foi realizada conforme frações estabelecidas em metodologias: uma para folhas e galhos com diâmetro menor a 1 cm (S0) e outra para material lenhoso com diâmetro de 1 cm a 3 cm (S1), 3,1 cm a 6 cm (S2) e maior que 6 cm (S3). Para a avaliação da fração S0, foram coletadas aleatoriamente cinquenta amostras com moldura metálica de 25 cm x 25 cm, já para a avaliação das frações S1, S2 e S3, foram distribuídas aleatoriamente dez parcelas de 3 m x 2 m na área de estudo. O material amostrado foi acondicionado e levado ao Laboratório de Ecologia Florestal da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria onde foram secas, pesadas, moídas e analisadas quanto aos teores de macro e micronutrientes. Cerca de 45% da serapilheira depositada sobre o solo é formada por materiais lenhosos senescentes (galhos e troncos). As frações da serapilheira diferiram significativamente (p < 0,05), quanto aos teores de nutrientes, com exceção de Mg e Cu; geralmente a fração S0 apresentou teores mais altos de nutrientes. As frações S1, S2 e S3 apresentaram um acúmulo de nutrientes variando de 53,3% para o K a 8,7% para o Fe em relação ao total da serapilheira, demonstrando a importância da quantificação desses componentes durante a avaliação do estoque de nutrientes contidos na serapilheira de ecossistema florestal

Characteristics of resistance training-based protocols in older adults with sarcopenic obesity: a scoping review of training procedure recommendations

Background: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a clinical and functional disease characterized by the coexistence of obesity and sarcopenia. Resistance training (RT) characteristics for older adults with sarcopenia or obesity are already well established in the scientific literature. Nonetheless, we still do not know how detailed the RT protocols are described for older adults with SO. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the characteristics of RT programs, including each of their variables, recommended for older adults with SO. Methods: This is a scoping review study that was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews. The search was carried out until November 2022 in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, Google Scholar, and medRxiv databases. The studies included SO diagnosis and RT as an intervention strategy. The RT variables analyzed were as follows: exercise selection, the volume of sets, the intensity of load, repetition cadence, rest interval between sets, and weekly frequency. Results: A total of 1,693 studies were identified. After applying the exclusion criteria, 15 studies were included in the final analysis. The duration of the RT intervention ranged from 8 to 24 weeks. All studies included full-body routines, with single/multi-joint exercises. Regarding the volume of sets, some studies fixed it in three sets, whereas others varied between one and three sets. The load was reported by repetition range and the weight lifted, elastic-band color/resistance, percentage of one repetition maximum, or perceived exertion scale. Repetition cadence was fixed in some studies, while it was self-selected between concentric and eccentric phases in others. The interval between sets of rest varied from 30 to 180 s. All studies reported progression overload during the interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mayaro Fever Virus, Brazilian Amazon

In February 2008, a Mayaro fever virus (MAYV) outbreak occurred in a settlement in Santa Barbara municipality, northern Brazil. Patients had rash, fever, and severe arthralgia lasting up to 7 days. Immunoglobulin M against MAYV was detected by ELISA in 36 persons; 3 MAYV isolates sequenced were characterized as genotype D

Tratamento em massa para controle das helmintíases intestinais em área endêmica na Amazônia Brasileira

The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis and evaluate the sanitary conditions and the role of a mass treatment campaign for control of these infections in Santa Isabel do Rio Negro. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2002, to obtain data related to the sanitary conditions of the population and fecal samples for parasitological examination in 308 individuals, followed by a mass treatment with albendazole or mebendazole with coverage of 83% of the city population in 2003. A new survey was carried out in 2004, involving 214 individuals, for comparison of the prevalences of intestinal parasitosis before and after the mass treatment. The prevalences of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection were 48%; 27% and 21% respectively in 2002. There was a significant decrease for the frequency of infections by Ascaris lumbricoides (p < 0.05; OR / 95% CI = 0.44 / 0.30 - 0.65), Trichuris trichiura (p < 0.05; OR / 95% CI = 0.37 / 0.22 - 0.62), hookworm (p < 0.05; OR / 95% CI = 0.03 / 0.01 - 0.15) and helminth poliparasitism (p < 0.05; OR / 95% CI = 0.16 / 0.08 - 0.32). It was also noticed a decrease of prevalence of infection by Entamoeba histolytica / dispar (p < 0.05; OR / 95% CI = 0.30 / 0.19 - 0.49) and non-pathogenic amoebas. It was inferred that a mass treatment can contribute to the control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis as a practicable short-dated measure. However, governmental plans for public health, education and urban infrastructure are essential for the sustained reduction of prevalences of those infections.O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a prevalência e o papel de um tratamento em massa das helmintíases intestinais em Santa Isabel do Rio Negro, Estado do Amazonas, Brasil. Foi realizado em 2002 um estudo seccional, incluindo inquérito copro-parasitológico, objetivando a obtenção das prevalências das parasitoses intestinais e dados sobre as condições sanitárias do local, estudando-se uma amostra de 308 indivíduos. Em 2003 foi realizada intervenção para tratamento em massa das helmintíases intestinais com administração de albendazol (ou mebendazol para crianças entre 12 e 24 meses) na sede do município, alcançando-se 83% de cobertura. Novo inquérito copro-parasitológico foi realizado em 2004, para comparação das prevalências antes a após o tratamento. As prevalências das infecções por Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura e ancilostomídeos foram 48%, 27% e 21%, respectivamente em 2002. Em 2004 observou-se redução significativa das infecções por Ascaris lumbricoides (p < 0,05; OR / 95% IC = 0,44 / 0,30 - 0,65), Trichuris trichiura (p < 0,05; OR / 95% IC = 0,37 / 0,22 - 0,62), ancilostomídeos (p < 0,05; OR / 95% IC = 0,03 / 0,01 - 0,15) e poliparasitismo por helmintos intestinais (p < 0,05; OR / 95% IC = 0,16 / 0,08 - 0,32). Foi também observada redução da prevalência de infecção por Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (p < 0,05; OR / 95% CI = 0,30 / 0,19 - 0,49). Concluiu-se que o tratamento em massa pode auxiliar o controle das helmintíases intestinais, porém ações governamentais em infraestrutura urbana e educação são essenciais para uma redução sustentada das prevalências destas infecções