Estudo palinológico de coprólitos pré-históricos holocenos coletados na Toca do Boqueirão do Sítio da Pedra Furada. Contribuições paleoetnológicas, paleoclimáticas e paleoambientais para a região sudeste do Piauí - Brasil.

This work presents the results of the pollen analyses made on animal and human coproliths collected from the rock-shelther “Toca do Boqueirão do Sítio da Pedra Furada”. These coproliths were identified by researchers from the National School of Public Health (ENSP) and were treated according to the methodology described by Chaves (1994, 1996, 1997) and Chaves & Renault-Miskovsky (1996). The results have generated data which permited us to elaborated a palaeoclimatological and palaeoenvironmental scene of the studied region. From the palaeoethnobotanical point of view, the results from the pollen analysis in human coproliths allowed us to demonstrate the variety of plants used by the prehistoric men who inhabited the region around 8.000 years B.P..Este trabalho apresenta os resultados das análise polínicas feitas em coprólitos humanos e de animais recolhidos no abrigo sob rocha da Toca do Boqueirão do Sítio da Pedra Furada. Esses coprólitos foram identificados por pesquisadores da escola Nacional de Saúde Pública (ENSP) e foram tratados segundo a metodologia descrita por Chaves (1994, 1996, 1997) e Chaves e Renault-Miskovsky (1996). Os resultados forneceram dados que nos permitiram elaborar um quadro paleoclimático e paleoambiental da região estudada. Do ponto de vista paleoetnológico, os resultados das análises polínicas dos coprólitos humanos nos permitiram demonstrar a gama de plantas utilizadas pelos homens que habitaram a região por volta de 8.000 anos A.P.

Dados da Chuva Polínica no Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara (PNSC), Piauí, Brasil

The present work was developed in the Serra da Capivara National Park (PNSC) that occupies a total of 130,000 ha in the southeastern region of the State of Piauí. For four years (1998 to 2001) the local pollen rain was collected and analyzed to establish the local pollen rain and improve our current flora knowledge for a future plant management in this semi-arid vegetation. The results indicate sharply dissociation between different flowering times and season time rain.O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido no Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara (PNSC), que ocupa um total de 130.000 ha na região sudeste do Estado do Piauí. Durante quatro anos (1998 a 2001), foi coletada e analisada a chuva polínica local, visando caracterizá-la e também para melhorar nosso atual conhecimento da flora para um futuro monitoramento dessa vegetação do semiárido. Os resultados apontam para uma nítida dissociação entre as épocas de precipitação e a abundância de floração

Establishing Tobacco Origin from Pollen Identification: An Approach to Resolving the Debate

Previous research into pollen content of tobacco resulted in a debate. We address this debate and determine that pollen analysis may be able to assist with identifying geographical origin of tobacco. However, the value of any results should be assessed on a case-by-case regional basis until sufficient database information is available for an objective interpretation to be undertaken on a global basis. As a first step toward developing comparative data for South America, we analyzed a tobacco sample from Brazil in an effort to identify signature taxa from the state of Minas Gerais. We also assessed the role of honey additives to tobacco to assess this issue. Comparing the data to previously published data, we conclude that pollen signatures can distinguish broad geographic areas. We conclude that this forensic interpretation framework needs to be developed in context of the National Academy of Sciences recommendations for tightening methods in forensic science

Establishing Tobacco Origin from Pollen Identification: An Approach to Resolving the Debate

Previous research into pollen content of tobacco resulted in a debate. We address this debate and determine that pollen analysis may be able to assist with identifying geographical origin of tobacco. However, the value of any results should be assessed on a case-by-case regional basis until sufficient database information is available for an objective interpretation to be undertaken on a global basis. As a first step toward developing comparative data for South America, we analyzed a tobacco sample from Brazil in an effort to identify signature taxa from the state of Minas Gerais. We also assessed the role of honey additives to tobacco to assess this issue. Comparing the data to previously published data, we conclude that pollen signatures can distinguish broad geographic areas. We conclude that this forensic interpretation framework needs to be developed in context of the National Academy of Sciences recommendations for tightening methods in forensic science

Desempenho do teste rápido imunocromatográfico (TRI) para o diagnóstico da leishmaniose visceral canina: comparação com outros métodos sorológicos em cães suspeitos de Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil

O teste rápido imunocromatográfico (TRI) para leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) foi testado em cães suspeitos da área urbana de Cuiabá. O desempenho do teste foi comparado com RIFI e ELISA e, como padrão ouro, o teste parasitológico direto (TPD). A amostra com 45 cães foi selecionada pelo Centro de Controle de Zoonoses, sendo 23 (51,1%) machos, 34 (75,5%) sem raça definida e com idade estimada inferior a três anos. De acordo com os dados clínicos e os exames laboratoriais, 10 (26,3%) cães foram classificados como expostos, outros 10 (26,3%) como infectados e 18 (47,4%) como doentes. O TRI alcançou os melhores resultados quanto à sensibilidade, 62%, elevada especificidade, 87% e para os valores preditivos positivo e negativo: 83,30% e 81,48%, respectivamente, consolidado pelo coeficiente Kappa igual a 0,50, de concordância moderada. Os resultados confirmaram TRI como um bom preditor de doença e infecção para LVC.The immunochromathographic rapid test (IRT) for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) was tested in suspected dogs from the urban area of Cuiabá. The performance of IRT was compared with IFT and EIE and the direct parasitological test (DPT) as the gold standard. The sample, comprising 45 dogs, was selected by the Zoonosis Control Center. Twenty (51%) were male and thirty-four (75.5%) were both mongrel and had an estimated age of less than three years old. According to clinical data and lab tests: 10 (26.3%) dogs have been classified as exposed or infected and 18 (47.4%) as sick. IRT has achieved the best result for sensibility, 62%, high specificity, 87% and for positive and negative predictive values: 83.3% and negative 81.48%, respectively, reinforced by a k coefficient equal to 0.50, representing substantial agreement

Ecoepidemiology of American Visceral Leishmaniasis in Tocantins State, Brazil: Factors Associated with the Occurrence and Spreading of the Vector Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae)

Leishmaniases are considered serious public health problems, and their geographical expansion has enabled their establishment in urban areas of medium and large cities in Brazil. Continuous processes of deforestation, construction of dams, and hydroelectric plants, among others, cause environmental impact and may favor the increase in the number of human cases of leishmaniases, as well as the establishment of epidemic outbreaks. This scenario reflects the reality of some regions of Brazil, such as Tocantins State, which in recent years has recorded high levels of American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL). This study is aimed to analyze environmental and epidemiological factors related with the spatial and temporal distribution of AVL and with the occurrence of Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) longipalpis, the main vector of AVL, in the state of Tocantins. The results indicate that the vector is adapted to all environments, especially the ones under human influence, and that anthropogenic environmental impacts can support the development and adaptation of AVL in Brazil. Such information could be applied in control strategies aimed at decreasing AVL incidence

PRODUÇÃO LACRIMAL E DENSIDADE DE CÉLULAS CALICIFORMES CONJUNTIVAIS EM CÃES DA RAÇA SHIH-TZU

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar quantitativa e qualitativamente a produção lacrimal de cães da raça Shih Tzu, confrontando a produção lacrimal na raça Shih Tzu e a descrita em outras raças. A avaliação quantitativa foi realizada em 35 animais, por meio dos testes lacrimais de Schirmer 1 e 2 (TLS-1 e TLS-2), na ausência e na presença de anestesia local, respectivamente. Uma avaliação qualitativa, relativa à camada lacrimal mucosa, foi realizada por meio da obtenção da densidade de células caliciformes (DCC) conjuntivais, em 15 animais. Os valores médios obtidos para TLS-1 foram 19,66 ± 7,30 e 21,97 ± 5,69 para o olho esquerdo (OE) e olho direito (OD), respectivamente. Os valores médios obtidos para TLS-2 foram 10,71 ± 6,10 e 9,14 ± 4,78 para OE e OD, respectivamente. Tanto os valores de TLS-1 quanto os de TLS-2 encontrados para a raça Shih Tzu estão dentro dos padrões de produção lacrimal normal descritos para cães hígidos de outras raças A densidade de células caliciformes média encontrada para o OE foi de 13,64 ± 3,44; e para o OD, de 13,64 ± 4, 07, valores inferiores aos descritos para cães hígidos de outras raças. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: braquicefálico; cão; lágrima; mucina; Schirmer

Effects of platelet-rich fibrin produced by three centrifugation protocols on bone neoformation in defects created in rat calvaria.

This study evaluated the potential of Leukocyte-platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF; fixed angle centrifugation protocol), Advanced-platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF; low-speed fixed angle centrifugation protocol), and Horizontal-platelet-rich fibrin (H-PRF; horizontal centrifugation protocol) in bone neoformation in critical size defects (CSDs) in rat calvaria. Thirty-two rats were divided into groups: Control (C), L-PRF, A-PRF, and H-PRF. 5 mm diameter CSDs were created in the animals' calvaria. Defects from group Control (C) were filled with blood clots, while defects from groups L-PRF, A-PRF, and H-PRF were filled with respective platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membranes. L-PRF, A-PRF, and H-PRF were prepared from animal blood collection and specific centrifugation protocols. At 14 and 30 days, calcein (CA) and alizarin (AL) injections were performed, respectively. Animals were euthanized at 35 days. Microtomographic, laser confocal microscopy, and histomorphometric analyzes were performed. Data were statistically analyzed (ANOVA, Tukey, p < .05). L-PRF, A-PRF, and H-PRF groups showed higher values of bone volume (BV), newly formed bone area (NFBA), and precipitation of CA and AL than the C group (p < .05). The H-PRF group showed higher values of BV, number of trabeculae (Tb. N), NFBA, and higher precipitation of AL than the A-PRF and L-PRF groups (p < .05). Therefore, it can be concluded that: i) L-PRF, A-PRF, and H-PRF potentiate bone neoformation in CSDs in rat calvaria; ii) H-PRF demonstrated more biological potential for bone healing