Impulsividade e uso de álcool e outras drogas em adultos jovens privados de liberdade

Esta dissertação foi constituída por três blocos. O primeiro estudo é uma revisão sistemática de literatura que envolve as palavras-chave: impulsividade, álcool e drogas, e presos, com suas devidas variações em cada base de dados, analisando os estudos já realizados neste tema nos últimos 10 anos, nas seguintes plataformas: PubMed/Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, SCOPUS e Web of Science. O resultado apontou que álcool e drogas estão relacionados com a impulsividade entre os apenados, possuindo maior consumo aqueles participantes que apresentavam maiores escores de impulsividade. Este estudo foi submetido para a revista Psychological Studies e está aguardando aprovação. O segundo estudo foi empírico e avaliou a impulsividade e o uso de álcool e outras drogas em pessoas privadas de liberdade em uma Penitenciária do Rio Grande do Sul, traçando relações entre variáveis. Os apenados foram convidados para a pesquisa, com a assinatura do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido, seguido do preenchimento de instrumentos em 174 sujeitos. Foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos: ASI-6 (Escala de Gravidade de Dependência - Versão 6), e Escala de Impulsividade de Barratt (BIS-Brief ). Os dados foram analiados com o software R. O teste qui-quadrado de independência testou a relação entre as variáveis categóricas, o teste t de Welch as diferenças entre as variáveis contínuas e a ANOVA de Welch as diferenças de impulsividade em três faixas etárias. Uma regressão logística testou os efeitos da impulsividade e álcool e drogas com outras variáveis e uma regressão ordinal ajustou probabilidades proporcionais. Os resultados apontaram que adultos jovens são mais impulsivos, consomem mais álcool e drogas, e que a impulsividade aumenta a probabilidade de uso de álcool e drogas. Ainda apontou que fatores de risco como abuso na infância e não ter renda suficiente aumentam a probabilidade de uso de álcool e outras drogas, e que possuir com quem contar diminiu a probabilidade de uso. Fatores escolares não foram significativos. Este estudo será submetido para publicação após a defesa. O terceiro bloco constitui-se de outras informações relevantes desta amostra, como consumo, dados sociodemográficos e penais

Bradykinin B2 Receptors of Dendritic Cells, Acting as Sensors of Kinins Proteolytically Released by Trypanosoma cruzi, Are Critical for the Development of Protective Type-1 Responses

Although the concept that dendritic cells (DCs) recognize pathogens through the engagement of Toll-like receptors is widely accepted, we recently suggested that immature DCs might sense kinin-releasing strains of Trypanosoma cruzi through the triggering of G-protein-coupled bradykinin B2 receptors (B2R). Here we report that C57BL/6.B2R−/− mice infected intraperitoneally with T. cruzi display higher parasitemia and mortality rates as compared to B2R+/+ mice. qRT-PCR revealed a 5-fold increase in T. cruzi DNA (14 d post-infection [p.i.]) in B2R−/− heart, while spleen parasitism was negligible in both mice strains. Analysis of recall responses (14 d p.i.) showed high and comparable frequencies of IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleen of B2R−/− and wild-type mice. However, production of IFN-γ by effector T cells isolated from B2R−/− heart was significantly reduced as compared with wild-type mice. As the infection continued, wild-type mice presented IFN-γ-producing (CD4+CD44+ and CD8+CD44+) T cells both in the spleen and heart while B2R−/− mice showed negligible frequencies of such activated T cells. Furthermore, the collapse of type-1 immune responses in B2R−/− mice was linked to upregulated secretion of IL-17 and TNF-α by antigen-responsive CD4+ T cells. In vitro analysis of tissue culture trypomastigote interaction with splenic CD11c+ DCs indicated that DC maturation (IL-12, CD40, and CD86) is controlled by the kinin/B2R pathway. Further, systemic injection of trypomastigotes induced IL-12 production by CD11c+ DCs isolated from B2R+/+ spleen, but not by DCs from B2R−/− mice. Notably, adoptive transfer of B2R+/+ CD11c+ DCs (intravenously) into B2R−/− mice rendered them resistant to acute challenge, rescued development of type-1 immunity, and repressed TH17 responses. Collectively, our results demonstrate that activation of B2R, a DC sensor of endogenous maturation signals, is critically required for development of acquired resistance to T. cruzi infection

REGENERAÇÃO NATURAL DO COMPONENTE ARBÓREO APÓS A MORTALIDADE DE UM MACIÇO DE TAQUARA EM UM FRAGMENTO DE FLORESTA OMBRÓFILA MISTA EM LAGES - SC

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509817467The present study aimed to analyze the floristic and structural descriptors of tree species natural regeneration in a forest sector with synchronized bamboo (Merostachys multiramea Hackel ) die-off (CT) and an adjacent area with continuous canopy cover (ST) in an araucaria forest fragment in the municipality of Lages, Santa Catarina state. A total of 14, 5x5m, plots (six plots in CT sector and eight in ST sector) were allocated, where all tree species regenerative individual with circumference at breast height smaller than 15cm and height higher than 25cm was measured (diameter at soil level) and identified. The richest families were: Myrtaceae (nine), Solanaceae (six) and Aquifoliaceae (four). The Shannon Diversity Index in ST and CT sectors were respectively 2.73 and 2.31. The species with the highest importance values in CT sector were Solanum variabile, Piptocarpha angustifolia, Mimosa scabrella, Jacaranda puberula and Solanum pseudoquina. In ST sector, the species with highest importance values were Myrsine lorentziana, Casearia decandra, Cinnamodendron dinisii, Drimys brasiliensis and Ilex paraguariensis. The results showed that the synchronized bamboo die-off influenced the spatial variation in the floristic and structural descriptors of the tree species natural regeneration.http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509817467O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a composição florística e a estrutura da regeneração natural em um setor onde ocorreu a mortalidade sincronizada de um maciço de taquara (Merostachys multiramea Hackel) (CT) e em uma área adjacente, com dossel contínuo e ausência de taquara (ST), em um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Mista Montana em Lages - SC. Foram alocadas 14 unidades amostrais de 5 x 5 m (seis no setor CT e oito no setor ST), nas quais todos os indivíduos arbóreos regenerantes com circunferência a altura do peito (CAP) ≤ 15 cm e altura ≥ 25 cm foram identificados e mensurados (diâmetro do colo). As famílias com maior riqueza de espécies foram: Myrtaceae (nove), Solanaceae (seis) e Aquifoliaceae (quatro). O setor ST apresentou um índice de diversidade de Shannon de 2,73 e o setor CT apresentou o valor de 2,31. Solanum variabile, Piptocarpha angustifolia, Mimosa scabrella, Jacaranda puberula e Solanum pseudoquina foram as espécies de maior valor de importância (VI) no setor CT. As espécies de maior VI no setor ST foram Myrsine lorentziana, Casearia decandra, Cinnamodendron dinisii, Drimys brasiliensis e Ilex paraguariensis. Os resultados mostraram que a mortalidade sincronizada de indivíduos de taquara influenciou na variação espacial dos descritores florísticos e estruturais da regeneração natural de espécies arbóreas

REGENERAÇÃO NATURAL DO COMPONENTE ARBÓREO APÓS A MORTALIDADE DE UM MACIÇO DE TAQUARA EM UM FRAGMENTO DE FLORESTA OMBRÓFILA MISTA EM LAGES - SC

The present study aimed to analyze the floristic and structural descriptors of tree species natural regeneration in a forest sector with synchronized bamboo (Merostachys multiramea Hackel ) die-off (CT) and an adjacent area with continuous canopy cover (ST) in an araucaria forest fragment in the municipality of Lages, Santa Catarina state. A total of 14, 5x5m, plots (six plots in CT sector and eight in ST sector) were allocated, where all tree species regenerative individual with circumference at breast height smaller than 15cm and height higher than 25cm was measured (diameter at soil level) and identified. The richest families were: Myrtaceae (nine), Solanaceae (six) and Aquifoliaceae (four). The Shannon Diversity Index in ST and CT sectors were respectively 2.73 and 2.31. The species with the highest importance values in CT sector were Solanum variabile, Piptocarpha angustifolia, Mimosa scabrella, Jacaranda puberula and Solanum pseudoquina. In ST sector, the species with highest importance values were Myrsine lorentziana, Casearia decandra, Cinnamodendron dinisii, Drimys brasiliensis and Ilex paraguariensis. The results showed that the synchronized bamboo die-off influenced the spatial variation in the floristic and structural descriptors of the tree species natural regeneration

Immunodominant antibody responses directed to SARS-CoV-2 hotspot mutation sites and risk of immune escape

IntroductionConsidering the likely need for the development of novel effective vaccines adapted to emerging relevant CoV-2 variants, the increasing knowledge of epitope recognition profile among convalescents and afterwards vaccinated with identification of immunodominant regions may provide important information.MethodsWe used an RBD peptide microarray to identify IgG and IgA binding regions in serum of 71 COVID-19 convalescents and 18 vaccinated individuals. ResultsWe found a set of immunodominant RBD antibody epitopes, each recognized by more than 30% of the tested cohort, that differ among the two different groups and are within conserved regions among betacoronavirus. Of those, only one peptide, P44 (S415-429), recognized by 68% of convalescents, presented IgG and IgA antibody reactivity that positively correlated with nAb titers, suggesting that this is a relevant RBD region and a potential target of IgG/IgA neutralizing activity.DiscussionThis peptide is localized within the area of contact with ACE-2 and harbors the mutation hotspot site K417 present in gamma (K417T), beta (K417N), and omicron (K417N) variants of concern. The epitope profile of vaccinated individuals differed from convalescents, with a more diverse repertoire of immunodominant peptides, recognized by more than 30% of the cohort. Noteworthy, immunodominant regions of recognition by vaccinated coincide with mutation sites at Omicron BA.1, an important variant emerging after massive vaccination. Together, our data show that immune pressure induced by dominant antibody responses may favor hotspot mutation sites and the selection of variants capable of evading humoral response

Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil: setting the baseline knowledge on the animal diversity in Brazil

The limited temporal completeness and taxonomic accuracy of species lists, made available in a traditional manner in scientific publications, has always represented a problem. These lists are invariably limited to a few taxonomic groups and do not represent up-to-date knowledge of all species and classifications. In this context, the Brazilian megadiverse fauna is no exception, and the Catálogo Taxonômico da Fauna do Brasil (CTFB) (http://fauna.jbrj.gov.br/), made public in 2015, represents a database on biodiversity anchored on a list of valid and expertly recognized scientific names of animals in Brazil. The CTFB is updated in near real time by a team of more than 800 specialists. By January 1, 2024, the CTFB compiled 133,691 nominal species, with 125,138 that were considered valid. Most of the valid species were arthropods (82.3%, with more than 102,000 species) and chordates (7.69%, with over 11,000 species). These taxa were followed by a cluster composed of Mollusca (3,567 species), Platyhelminthes (2,292 species), Annelida (1,833 species), and Nematoda (1,447 species). All remaining groups had less than 1,000 species reported in Brazil, with Cnidaria (831 species), Porifera (628 species), Rotifera (606 species), and Bryozoa (520 species) representing those with more than 500 species. Analysis of the CTFB database can facilitate and direct efforts towards the discovery of new species in Brazil, but it is also fundamental in providing the best available list of valid nominal species to users, including those in science, health, conservation efforts, and any initiative involving animals. The importance of the CTFB is evidenced by the elevated number of citations in the scientific literature in diverse areas of biology, law, anthropology, education, forensic science, and veterinary science, among others

Pais e filhos: interação familiar e as influências no relacionamento interpessoal = Parents and Children: family interactions and their influences in interpersonal relationship

Este artigo descreve uma experiência de grupoterapia breve entre crianças e seus cuidadores. Inicialmente, foram avaliadas crianças encaminhadas por escolas da região que apresentavam dificuldades escolares e no relacionamento interpessoal. Foi constatada a necessidade de uma intervenção com os pais, a fim de restaurar as relações entre pais e filhos e/ou maximizar a qualidade nestes relacionamentos; uma vez que eram fatores desencadeantes ou mantenedores destas demandas iniciais. Participaram treze crianças e doze cuidadores, divididos em dois grupos coordenados por estagiários da Psicologia. Nas sessões 8 a 12 os grupos foram unificados a fim de intervir nas relações pais e filhos. Foram realizadas doze sessões de 90 minutos com periodicidade semanal. Na Grupoterapia observou-se como pais e filhos interagiam entre si e, ao longo de cada sessão, as mudanças que ocorriam nessas relações foram avaliadas, fornecendo material para o trabalho terapêutico que incluiu as definições de papéis, funções e fronteiras, em cada família. Foi utilizado o entendimento sistêmico no grupo e técnicas como a psicoeducação, redefinição do problema com conotação positiva, e as metáforas, além de preceitos e fundamentos da Grupoterapia. Promoveu-se ainda, a aproximação na relação entre os membros da família. Os resultados foram avaliados por feedbacks, tanto verbais quanto comportamentais, das crianças e dos cuidadores; e indicou o aumento na qualidade das relações, maior interação, melhor rendimento escolar e diminuição de comportamentos agressivos.  This article describes an experience of brief group therapy among children and their caregivers. Initially, we assessed children referred by local schools who presented scholar difficulties and problems in interpersonal relationships. It was observed the need for intervention with the parents in order to restore relations between parents and children and / or maximize the quality of these relationships, since they were triggering or maintainers of these initial demands. Thirteen children and twelve caregivers participated, divided into two groups coordinated by psychology interns. In sessions 8 to12, the groups were unified in order to intervene in the parent-child relationships. Twelve 90-minute sessions were held on a weekly basis. In group therapy we noted how parents and children interact with each other and, throughout each session, the changes occurring in these relationships were evaluated, providing material for therapeutic work which included the definitions of roles, functions and boundaries in every family. We used systemic understanding in the group and techniques such as psychoeducation, redefining the problem with positive connotations, and metaphors, used in addition to precepts and foundations of group therapy. Still, the approximation in the relationship between family members was promoted. The results were evaluated by children and caregivers feedback, both verbal and behavioral, which indicated an increase in the quality of relationships, more interaction, better academic performance and decrease of aggressive behavior.Palavras-chave / KeywordsInteração familiar, Pais e filhos, Relações parentais, Relacionamento interpessoal, Grupoterapia. Family interaction, Parents and children, Parental relationships, Interpersonal relationship, Group therapy

Neutrophil extracellular traps contribute to the pathogenesis of leprosy type 2 reactions.

Up to 50% of patients with the multibacillary form of leprosy are expected to develop acute systemic inflammatory episodes known as type 2 reactions (T2R), thus aggravating their clinical status. Thalidomide rapidly improves T2R symptoms. But, due to its restricted use worldwide, novel alternative therapies are urgently needed. The T2R triggering mechanisms and immune-inflammatory pathways involved in its pathology remain ill defined. In a recent report, we defined the recognition of nucleic acids by TLR9 as a major innate immunity pathway that is activated during T2R. DNA recognition has been described as a major inflammatory pathway in several autoimmune diseases, and neutrophil DNA extracellular traps (NETs) have been shown to be a prime source of endogenous DNA. Considering that neutrophil abundance is a marked characteristic of T2R lesions, the objective of this study was to investigate NETs production in T2R patients based on the hypothesis that the excessive NETs formation would play a major role in T2R pathogenesis. Abundant NETs were found in T2R skin lesions, and increased spontaneous NETs formation was observed in T2R peripheral neutrophils. Both the M. leprae whole-cell sonicate and the CpG-Hlp complex, mimicking a mycobacterial TLR9 ligand, were able to induce NETs production in vitro. Moreover, TLR9 expression was shown to be higher in T2R neutrophils, suggesting that DNA recognition via TLR9 may be one of the pathways triggering this process during T2R. Finally, treatment of T2R patients with thalidomide for 7 consecutive days resulted in a decrease in all of the evaluated in vivo and ex vivo NETosis parameters. Altogether, our findings shed light on the pathogenesis of T2R, which, it is hoped, will contribute to the emergence of novel alternative therapies and the identification of prognostic reactional markers in the near future