Epidemiological profile of accidents caused by venomous animals in Amazonas state

Introduction: The Amazonas is the largest state of Brazil, being located in the northwestern of the country. Nevertheless, the Amazonas is not so populous; its population corresponds only to 1.9% (4,063,614 habitants) from the population of Brazil. On the other hand, the state is famous for its rich flora and fauna including venomous animals such as snakes, spiders and scorpions. Therefore, epidemiological studies of venomous animal accidents in the region becomes essential for the development of better therapeutical strategies and preventing actions to reduce the occurrence of these accidents. Objective: The present study aimed to perform an epidemiological analysis of accidents caused by venomous animals in the Amazonas state from 2012 to 2015. Methods: The data were obtained by consulting the Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN, Information System for Notifiable Diseases) and Sistema Nacional de Informações Tóxico-Farmacológicas (SINITOX, National System of Toxic-Pharmacological Information) databases. Data of accidents caused by venomous animals between 2012 and 2015 were collected from the Amazonas 60 municipalities. The variables analyzed were: year of highest incidence, municipality with the highest incidence, age of the victims, sex of the victim, animal responsible for the accident, time interval between the accident and therapeutics and deaths. Results: During the years 2012 to 2015, a total of 9,349 cases of accidents involving venomous animals were reported in Amazonas state, with most victims registered in Manaus (1,331 cases). Most of the victims present 20 to 39 years-old and were male. The snakes were responsible for the most accidents, followed by scorpions. Most of the victims reach the hospital and start the therapy between 1 to 3 hours after the accident. The deaths in the state present less than 20 cases per year. Conclusion: This study expands the knowledge about the epidemiological profile of venomous animal accidents in Amazonas state, which is crucial for quantifying the disease burden, contributing to evidence-based healthcare planning, and evaluating effectiveness and relative contribution of primary, secondary and tertiary preventative measures for reducing these accidents and their complications in the region

Role of homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-Zip) iv transcription factors in plant development and plant protection from deleterious environmental factors

Homeobox genes comprise an important group of genes that are responsible for regulation of developmental processes. These genes determine cell differentiation and cell fate in all eukaryotic organisms, starting from the early stages of embryo development. Homeodomain leucine zipper (HD-Zip) transcription factors are unique to the plant kingdom. Members of the HD-Zip IV subfamily have a complex domain topology and can bind several cis-elements with overlapping sequences. Many of the reported HD-Zip IV genes were shown to be specifically or preferentially expressed in plant epidermal or sub-epidermal cells. HD-Zip IV TFs were found to be associated with differentiation and maintenance of outer cell layers, and regulation of lipid biosynthesis and transport. Insights about the role of these proteins in plant cuticle formation, and hence their possible involvement in plant protection from pathogens and abiotic stresses has just started to emerge. These roles make HD-Zip IV proteins an attractive tool for genetic engineering of crop plants. To this end, there is a need for in-depth studies to further clarify the function of each HD-Zip IV subfamily member in commercially important plant species.William Chew, Maria Hrmova and Sergiy Lopat

Análise comparativa qualitativa da inclusão da agenda ambiental nos grandes eventos esportivos: certificação ambiental e inovações tecnológicas nos estádios sede

Os grandes eventos esportivos apresentam princípios como a paz, a integração entre os povos e, atualmente, a implementação das questões socioambientais promovendo inovações tecnológicas e sistemas de gestão eficientes para uma economia socioambiental. Neste estudo foi desenvolvida uma análise e comparação dos projetos dos estádios das cidades e países sede dos Jogos Olímpicos e das Copas do Mundo de Futebol no período de 2006 a 2014. É conclusiva a constante evolução no planejamento e gestão de inovações tecnológicas e soluções ambientais desde a Copa do Mundo FIFA de Futebol da Alemanha (2006) às presentes preparações da cidade sede Brasília para Copa do Mundo FIFA de Futebol do Brasil (2014)

Fatal Rattlesnake Envenomation in Northernmost Brazilian Amazon: A Case Report and Literature Overview

Snakebite envenomations are classified as Category A Neglected Tropical Diseases by the World Health Organization. In Brazil, 405 snake species are distributed among 11 families, with the genera Bothrops and Crotalus being the most studied and main responsible for severe and lethal envenomations. In the country, Crotalus genus (i.e., rattlesnakes) is represented by Crotalus durissus species, showing seven different subspecies distributed along the country, including Crotalus durissus ruruima, which inhabits Roraima, the Brazilian nothermost state from Amazon forest. Here, we report a fatal case of a severe envenomation following a rattlesnake bite. The patient presented classic crotalic neurological signs and symptoms such as ptosis, drooling of saliva, sluggishness, macroscopic hematuria, and oliguria, which evolved to acute kidney failure (AKF) and hemodynamic instability. Although the patient was treated with the specific antivenom therapy, the severe envenomation resulted in three cardiac arrests and death of the victim in less than 38 h. This study discusses the causes of the patient death, the features of rattlesnake venom-induced AKF, and shows evidences that the Brazilian crotalic antivenom should be improved to treat rattlesnake envenomations caused by C. d. ruruima venom in Roraima state

Leaf structure, microanalysis and characterization of the latex protein profile of Pachystroma longifolium (Nees) I.M. Jonhst. (Euphorbiaceae) in a seasonally dry Atlantic Forest

Pachystroma longifolium is an evergreen species of Euphorbiaceae that occurs in tabuleiro forest, a type of lowland Atlantic Forest. The site chosen for this study was a fragment of tabuleiro forest that has a history of being selectively logged for timber. P. longifolium is very successful at colonizing disturbed areas in this forest fragment in comparison with preserved fragments. In the present work, which was based on using different microscopy (electron and light microscopy, X-ray analysis) and biochemistry techniques, we describe the leaf and latex traits of P. longifolium and their role as defense mechanisms against desiccation and herbivory. Our results suggest the richness of P. longifolium populations, in the disturbed forest area studied, is primarily a consequence of unpalatable leaves because of an abundance of calcium oxalate crystals in the subjacent epidermis; the presence of phenolic compounds in the adaxial surface; and a laticifer system that contains a complex mixture of proteins, which provides resistance to herbivores. In addition, this species is resistant to desiccation during dry periods because of an extensive amount of wax that occurs on the outer cell walls of the epidermis, and its ability to retain water because of a biseriate epidermis