Showing papers by "Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso published in 2011"

A multilingual key to the genera and subgenera of the subfamily Scarabaeinae of the New World (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abstract: Presented is a multilingual (English, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French) key to the 119 currently recognized genera and subgenera of scarabaeine dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) occurring in the New World. Also included are illustrations of representative species of all taxa included in the key as well as supplementary references to studies at the species level.

Endogenous fraction and urinary recovery of purine derivatives obtained by different methods in Nellore cattle.

Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to assess the endogenous fraction of purine derivative (PD) excretion, urinary recovery, and intestinal digestibility of purines in Nellore heifers. For both experiments, 8 Nellore heifers fitted with ruminal and abomasal cannulas were allocated to two 4 × 4 Latin squares. The diets were based on corn silage and concentrate (60 and 40% DM basis, respectively); feces and urine samples were obtained by total collection, and abomasal DM flow was estimated using indigestible NDF as an internal marker. In Exp. I, 4 of the 8 heifers (BW 258 ± 20 kg) were also fitted with ileal cannula. The planned treatments were 4 different DMI: 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, and 2.4% of BW (DM basis). The endogenous losses and purine recovery as urinary PD were estimated using linear regression between daily urinary PD excretion (Y) and daily abomasal flow of purine bases (X), expressed in millimoles per kilogram of BW(0.75). In Exp. II, the same 8 Nellore heifers (BW of 296 ± 15 kg) were fed at 1.37% BW (DM basis). The treatments were the infusion of purines (RNA from torula yeast, type VI, Sigma) into the abomasum in increasing amounts (0, 33, 66, and 100 mmol/d). All statistical analyses were performed using the PROC MIXED procedure in SAS. In Exp. I, the DMI range was 1.16 to 1.84% of BW and did not affect (P > 0.05) the apparent RNA digestibility in the small intestine, which had a mean of 75.6%, and a true digestibility of 93.0%. The mean ratio of the N-RNA to the total-N in the ruminal bacteria was 0.137. The daily urinary PD excretion (Y, mmol/kg of BW(0.75)) was a function of RNA flow in the abomasum (X, mmol/kg of BW(0.75)): Y = 0.860X + 0.460, where 0.860 and 0.460 were the PD recovery of purines and the endogenous fraction (in mmol/kg of BW(0.75)), respectively. In Exp. II, the daily urinary PD excretion was a function of RNA flow in the abomasum: Y = 0.741X + 0.301, where 0.741 and 0.301 were the recovery of PD in urine of infused purines and the endogenous losses (in mmol/kg of BW(0.75)), respectively. In conclusion, our data suggest that in Nellore heifers the respective values of endogenous PD excretion (mmol/kg of BW(0.75)), urinary recovery of the purines absorbed in the abomasum, and true digestibility of RNA in the small intestine were 0.30, 0.80, and 0.93.

Effects of preoperative feeding with a whey protein plus carbohydrate drink on the acute phase response and insulin resistance. A randomized trial

Abstract: Prolonged preoperative fasting increases insulin resistance and current evidence recommends carbohydrate (CHO) drinks 2 hours before surgery. Our hypothesis is that the addition of whey protein to a CHO-based drink not only reduces the inflammatory response but also diminish insulin resistance. Seventeen patients scheduled to cholecystectomy or inguinal herniorraphy were randomized and given 474 ml and 237 ml of water (CO group) or a drink containing CHO and milk whey protein (CHO-P group) respectively, 6 and 3 hours before operation. Blood samples were collected before surgery and 24 hours afterwards for biochemical assays. The endpoints of the study were the insulin resistance (IR), the prognostic inflammatory and nutritional index (PINI) and the C-reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio. A 5% level for significance was established. There were no anesthetic or postoperative complications. The post-operative IR was lower in the CHO-P group when compared with the CO group (2.75 ± 0.72 vs 5.74 ± 1.16; p = 0.03). There was no difference between the two groups in relation to the PINI. The CHO-P group showed a decrease in the both CRP elevation and CRP/albumin ratio (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients who showed CRP/albumin ratio considered normal was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the CHO-P group (87.5%) than in the CO group (33.3%). Shortening the pre-operative fasting using CHO and whey protein is safe and reduces insulin resistance and postoperative acute phase response in elective moderate operations. ClinicalTrail.gov NCT01354249

Gastroprotective and ulcer-healing mechanisms of ellagic acid in experimental rats.

Abstract: Ellagic acid (EA), a plant-derived polyphenol, exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and gastroprotective effects. Its gastroprotective mechanisms have not been fully elucidated nor have its effects on chronic ulcer previously been described. Toward these ends, the antiulcer activities of EA were evaluated in acute (ethanol and indomethacin) and chronic (acetic acid) ulcer models in Wistar rats. In this study, oral administration of EA significantly prevented the gastric ulceration caused by ethanol, indomethacin, and acetic acid treatments. Its gastroprotective mechanism in ethanol-induced ulcer were partly due to intensification in the endogenous production of nitric oxide, an antioxidant effect by replenishing depletion of endogenous nonprotein sulfhydryls and attenuation of tumor necrosis factor-α increase, whereas in indomethacin ulcer, it is partly due to a reduction in the plasma level of leukotriene B4. In acetic acid ulcer, promotion of ulcer-healing effects was partly due to attenuation of th...

Acute Exposure to Glyphosate Herbicide Affects Oxidative Parameters in Piava ( Leporinus obtusidens )

Abstract: In recent years, commercial glyphosate herbicide formulations have been widely used in agriculture to control aquatic weeds These pesticides may result in disruption of ecological balance, causing damage to nontarget organisms including fish Teleostean fish (Leporinus obtusidens) were exposed to commercial glyphosate herbicide formulation at 0 (control), 3, 6, 10 or 20 mg L−1 for 96 h The effects of herbicide on plasmatic metabolic parameters, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), catalase activity, protein carbonyl, and mucus layer parameters were studied Plasmatic glucose and lactate levels increased but protein levels showed reduction after herbicide exposure TBARS levels in brain showed a reduction at all tested concentrations However, liver demonstrated increased TBARS levels at all tested concentrations, whereas in white muscle TBARS production did not change after exposure to herbicide Fish exposed to all concentrations of glyphosate showed increase in liver catalase activity and protein carbonyl Herbicide exposure increased protein and carbohydrate levels of the mucus layer at all tested concentrations The present results showed that, in 96 h, glyphosate changed toxicological parameters analyzed in piava Parameters measured in this study may be useful in environmental biomonitoring

Rickettsial infections of dogs, horses and ticks in Juiz de Fora, southeastern Brazil, and isolation of Rickettsia rickettsii from Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks

Abstract: The present study was performed in an area endemic for Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) in Juiz de Fora, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, during the years 2007 and 2008, when fatal cases of BSF (caused by Rickettsia rickettsii) were reported. Adult ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) and Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius) were collected from dogs and horses, respectively, and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Overall, 13.1% of the Rh. sanguineus ticks and none of the A. cajennense were found to be infected with R. rickettsii. Two isolates of R. rickettsii were successfully established in Vero cell culture from two Rh. sanguineus ticks. An indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using R. rickettsii antigens detected blood serological reaction to R. rickettsii in 67.9% (53/78) of dogs and 41.0% (16/39) of horses living in the study area. Larval offspring from two Rh. sanguineus engorged females, naturally infected by R. rickettsii, were reared to adult stage in the laboratory. All active stages (larvae, nymphs, adults) remained 100% infected by R. rickettsii, which was efficiently transmitted to naive rabbits. Overall, the results of the present study indicate a potential risk for transmission of R. rickettsii to humans by Rh. sanguineus, an occurrence yet to be documented in Brazil.

Adherence to Plasmodium vivax malaria treatment in the Brazilian Amazon Region

Abstract: Background: Patients’ adherence to malaria treatment is an important factor in determining the therapeutic response to anti-malarial drugs. It contributes to the patient’s complete recovery and prevents the emergence of parasite resistance to anti-malarial drugs. In Brazil, the low compliance with malaria treatment probably explains the large number of Plasmodium vivax malaria relapses observed in the past years. The goal of this study was to estimate the proportion of patients adhering to the P. vivax malaria treatment with chloroquine + primaquine in the dosages recommended by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Methods: Patients who were being treated for P. vivax malaria with chloroquine plus primaquine were eligible for the study. On the seventh day of taking primaquine, they were visited at their home and were interviewed. The patients were classified as probably adherent, if they reported having taken all the medication as prescribed, in the correct period of time and dosage, and had no medication tablets remaining; probably non-adherent, if they reported not having taken the medication, in the correct period of time and dosage, and did not show any remaining tablets; and certainly non-adherent, if they showed any remaining medication tablets. Results: 242 of the 280 patients reported having correctly followed the prescribed instructions and represented a treatment adherence frequency (CI95%) of 86.4% (81.7%-90.1%). Of the 38 patients who did not follow the recommendations, 27 (9.6%) were still taking the medication on the day of the interview and, therefore, still had primaquine tablets left in the blister pack. These patients were then classified as certainly non-adherent to treatment. Although 11 patients did not show any tablets left, they reported incorrect use of the prescribed therapy regimen and were considered as probably non-adherent to treatment. Conclusions: Compliance with the P. vivax malaria treatment is a characteristic of 242/280 patients in the surveyed region. However, the group of non-adherent patients can have an impact on the magnitude of transmission and relapses of P. vivax infections currently observed in the studied area. Simple practices can be introduced in the healthcare services in order to improve compliance with the treatment prescribed.

Fluorescence index as an indicator of dissolved organic carbon quality in hydrologic flowpaths of forested tropical watersheds

Abstract: Over two hundred samples were collected in tropical headwater forested catchments in the lowland Amazon basin near Juruena, Mato Grosso Brazil. These were analyzed for fluorescence characteristics and DOC concentrations, and represented a range of terrestrial hydrologic flowpaths and first-order streams during baseflow and stormflow conditions. The fluorescence index (FI) of McKnight et al. (2001) was found to have a significant relationship with DOC concentrations for stream water at baseflow conditions, but FI values within individual terrestrial flowpaths and stormflow varied little for the range of DOC concentrations observed. FI values were seen to increase for increasing residence time of water within the terrestrial ecosystem, while DOC concentration decreased for increasing hydrologic residence time. The FI of terrestrial flow paths indicated that DOC became increasingly characterized by microbially derived carbon for flow paths with longer residence times, on the order through fall and overland flow < percolating soil water < groundwater. Base flow samples of stream water had a mean FI value of 1.78, compared with 1.51 and 1.44 for through fall and overland flow, respectively, and 1.65 for percolating soil water. The FI values for stream water at base flow were also seen to vary seasonally, and were inversely proportional to DOC concentrations over time.

Arthropods associated with pig carrion in two vegetation profiles of Cerrado in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract: Forensic Entomology research has been concentrated in only a few localities of the "Cerrado" vegetation, the Brazilian Savannah. The present study had, as its objective, an examination of the diversity of arthropod fauna associated with the carcasses of Sus scrofa (Linnaeus) in this biome. The study was conducted during the dry and humid periods in two Cerrado vegetation profiles of the State of Minas Gerais. The decaying process was slower and greater quantities of arthropods were collected during the dry period. Insects represented 99% of 161,116 arthropods collected. The majority of these were Diptera (80.2%) and Coleoptera (8.8%). The entomofauna belong to 85 families and at least 212 species. Diptera were represented by 31 families and at least 132 species. Sarcophagidae (Diptera) and Scarabaeidae (Coleoptera) were the richest groups. Oxysarcodexia (Sarcophagidae) presented the largest number of attracted species, however none of these species bred in the carcasses. The Coleoptera collected belong to at least 50 species of 21 families. Among these species, Dermestes maculatus and Necrobia rufipes were observed breeding in the carcasses. This study showed species with potential importance for estimating the postmortem interval (PMI), indicative of seasonal and environmental type located.

Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress on Phagocytes’ Function: from Effective Defense to Immunity Evasion Mechanisms

Abstract: Although oxygen, nitrogen, and chlorine reactive species have been associated with disease pathogenesis, their partial absence is very harmful to the body’s innate immune defense. Lacking of adequate release of free radicals from activated phagocytes is related to impaired ability on fungi, bacteria, and protozoa killing. We constructed an updated conceptual landmark regarding the paramount role of free radicals in phagocyte defense systems (phagocyte oxidase, myeloperoxidase, and nitric oxide/peroxynitrite system) on natural immunity. Diverse fungal, bacterial and protozoal pathogens evade the phagocytes’ oxidative/nitrosative burst though antioxidant genes, enzymes and proteins. The most important evasion mechanisms were also described and discussed. These interconnected systems were reviewed and discussed on the basis of knowledge from relevant research groups around the globe. Phagocyte-derived free radicals are essential to destroy important human pathogens during the course of innate immunity.

Diabetes induced immunological and biochemical changes in human colostrum

Abstract: Aim: This article describes the changes and relationships between biochemical and immunological parameters in the colostrum and serum of diabetic women. Methods: Colostrum and blood samples were collected from 30 diabetic and 15 normoglycaemic women. Glucose, total protein, antibody, complement proteins (C3 and C4), fat and calorie content, amylase, lipase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. Results: Glucose was higher in both the colostrum and serum of diabetic mothers compared to that of their normoglycaemic counterparts. In both groups, total protein was higher in colostrum than in serum. IgA and IgG were lower in the colostrum of hyperglycaemic mothers, whereas IgM did not vary between the groups. Colostral C3 protein was significantly lower in diabetic mothers, but colostral C4 protein was similar between normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic mothers. Fat content was lower in the colostrum of the diabetic mothers, although calorie content did not vary between the groups. Amylase was lower in colostrum than in serum in both groups. Lipase was higher in the colostrum and serum of diabetic mothers. Colostral SOD was similar between the groups. Conclusions: Our results support the hypothesis that the colostrum of diabetic mothers suffers biochemical and immunological alterations that affect the levels of its components.

Arthropods associated with pig carrion in two vegetation profiles

Abstract: Estudos de entomologia forense em area de Cerrado ainda sao escassos no Brasil. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a riqueza da artropodofauna associada a carcacas de suinos domesticos em decomposicao e o padrao de sucessao da fauna ao longo desse processo. O estudo foi conduzido em dois perfis de Cerrado – Cerrado senso stricto e Campo sujo – durante dois periodos do ano – seco e umido – em Uberlândia, MG. Insetos representaram 99% dos 161.116 artropodes coletados. Eles eram majoritariamente dipteros (80,2%) e coleopteros (8,8%). A entomofauna pertence a 85 familias e pelo menos 212 especies. Os dipteros foram representados por 31 familias e pelo menos 132 especies, das quais 14 criaram-se nas carcacas. Os Sarcophagidae (Diptera) e Scarabaeidae (Coleoptera) foram os grupos mais ricos. Oxysarcodexia (Sarcophagidae) apresentou maior numero de especies atraidas, mas nenhuma de suas especies criou-se nas carcacas. Os coleopteros coletados pertencem a pelo menos 50 especies de 21 familias. Entre elas, Dermestes maculatus e Necrobia rufipes foram observadas criando-se nas carcacas. Este estudo apresenta varias especies potenciais indicadoras de Intervalo Pos Mortem, sazonalidade e do ambiente natural estudado.

Liver HLA-G expression is associated with multiple clinical and histopathological forms of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Abstract: SUMMARY. As the mechanisms leading to the persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are poorly understood and as the histocompatibility leucocyte antigen (HLA)-G is well described as a tolerogenic molecule, we evaluated HLA-G expression in 74 specimens of HBV liver biopsies and in 10 specimens obtained from previously healthy cadaver liver donors. HBV specimens were reviewed and classified by the METAVIR score, and HLA-G expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. No HLA-G expression was observed in control hepatocytes. In contrast, 57 (77%) of 74 HBV specimens showed soluble and membrane-bound HLA-G expression in hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells or both. No associations between the intensity of HLA-G expression and patient age or gender, HBeAg status, severity of liver fibrosis, and grade of histological findings were observed. Although significance was not reached (P = 0.180), patients exhibiting HLA-G expression presented a higher median HBV DNA viral load (10 5 copies/mL) than those who did not express HLA-G (10 3.7 copies/mL). These results indicate that HLA-G is expressed in most cases of chronic HBV infection in all stages and may play a role in the persistency of HBV infection.

Florestas de restinga e de terras baixas na planície costeira do sudeste do Brasil: vegetação e heterogeneidade ambiental

Abstract: Foram avaliadas semelhancas floristicas entre duas fisionomias de Floresta Atlântica na regiao costeira do Brasil, denominadas Floresta de Restinga e Floresta das Terras Baixas. A hipotese era que, devido a diferenca nos processos geomorfologicos, essas duas florestas difeririam em variaveis fisico-quimicas dos solos, composicao floristica, biomassa aerea e producao de serapilheira. O trabalho foi conduzido em uma area de 1 ha (100 × 100 m) em cada tipo de floresta, no municipio de Ubatuba, Sao Paulo. Foram registrados e medidos todos os individuos arboreos com DAP > 4,8 cm e coletadas amostras de solo e serapilheira. As analises de agrupamento e de ordenacao indicaram que os solos e principalmente a flora distribuem-se como grupos bem definidos, concordando com a hipotese de distincao entre as duas florestas. A diversidade de especies foi maior (p 0,05) entre as duas florestas. Esse aparente paradoxo poderia ser explicado supondo-se que, uma vez que especies diferentes consigam se estabelecer na Restinga ou nas Terras Baixas e encontrem um espectro favoravel de condicoes e recursos, elas tenderiam a persistir e se desenvolver naquele local; nesse caso, embora as condicoes edaficas difiram entre as duas areas, cada especie responderia de modo particular a essas variacoes, de modo que as florestas poderiam atingir valores semelhantes de biomassa e producao de serapilheira. E provavel que o filtro ambiental condicionado pelos solos esteja sendo importante para a forte separacao floristica entre essas duas florestas.

Human colostral phagocytes eliminate enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli opsonized by colostrum supernatant.

Abstract: Background Several elements in colostrum and human milk, including antibodies and nonspecific factors with bactericidal and antiviral activity, may play an important anti-infectious and protective role. In developing countries, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the main etiological agent of diarrhea in low-socioeconomic level children. In the present work, we studied the functional activity of mononuclear (MN) and polymorphonuclear (PMN) phagocytes of human colostrum against ETEC, as well as the interactions between these cells and colostral or serum opsonins. Methods Colostrum samples were collected from 33 clinically healthy women between 48 and 72 hours postpartum. We verified superoxide release in colostral MN and PMN using cytochrome C reduction methods, phagocytosis, and bactericidal activity using acridine orange methods and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the colostrum supernatants. Results Colostral MN and PMN phagocytes exposed to ETEC opsonized with colostrum supernatants caused a significant increase ( p p p Conclusions These results suggest that the ability of phagocytes to eliminate ETEC depends on the activation of cellular oxidative metabolism; moreover, activation of colostral phagocytes is likely an additional breast-feeding protection mechanism against intestinal infections in infants.

Saber local e medicina popular: a etnobotânica em Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brasil

Abstract: O estudo foi realizado na comunidade Bom Jardim, em Cuiaba, Mato Grosso, com o objetivo de resgatar o conhecimento que as pessoas possuem das plantas como remedio, o quanto as utilizam e a finalidade do uso. Aplicou-se o pre-teste, entrevistas semiestruturadas e observacao direta, abordando o uso, a preparacao da planta e a indicacao das mesmas. A coleta dos dados ocorreu de marco de 2008 a julho de 2009. O material botânico encontra-se no Herbario Central da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT). Dos entrevistados, 45% nao apresentam escolaridade, numa faixa etaria de 20 a 89 anos de idade. Os entrevistados citaram 86 especies, distribuidas em 45 familias, sendo Fabaceae, Mimosaceae e Caesalpiniaceae as mais expressivas. A maioria das especies apresenta habito arboreo, seguido de herbaceo e arbustivo. A folha e a parte mais utilizada e o principal modo de preparo e o cha. A populacao demonstrou ter conhecimento e fazer uso das plantas locais e revelou um largo consumo na categoria de uso medicinal. O cuidado com a biodiversidade vegetal e o processo de conservacao ficaram evidentes na fala e no manejo que as pessoas dispensam nas atividades do cotidiano.

Involvement of L-type calcium channel and SERCA2a in myocardial dysfunction induced by obesity.

Abstract: State Univ Julio Mesquita Filho UNESP, Sch Med, Dept Clin & Cardiol, BR-18618000 Sao Paulo, Brazil

Checklist dos mamíferos do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract: Sao Paulo harbors 231 mammal species until now This is an estimate of its real diversity since many regions of the State continue poorly surveyed, and also reflects the lack of taxonomic work for certain mammal taxa Nevertheless, our knowledge of the Sao Paulo mammals has increased in 20% in the last 12 years, especially in relation to bats and rodents These new data are based in mammal inventories and also in the analysis of specimens housed in scientific collections associated with taxonomic revisions We also know better about the mammal distribution in the distinct vegetation units present in the State, permitting us to divide the mammals in three distinct components: the most important one is the generalists, represented by species occurring in every landscape in the State, while the second one concentrates species inhabiting the open formations, and the third component the species associated with the forest formations Besides, the number of studies dealing with the effect of fragmentation and the permeability of mammals in altered areas also has increased Occurrence, abundance and vulnerability data were essential to raise strategies in order to choose priority areas and to indicate priority actions to conserve the mammals of the State, as well as to classify the species in the different proposed threaten categories, culminating in the List of the Threaten Species of the Sao Paulo State However, there are many points yet poorly developed or poorly known, such as the limited number of zoological samples, and the lack of information about the ecology and natural history of many species, respectively It's extremely important that we increase our samples in the scientific collections, especially in areas of Dense Ombrofilous Forests, in the Cerrado fragments, as well as in central and western areas of the State that continue poorly surveyed The objective is to produce more taxonomic work in several mammalian groups, and also studies focusing in the phylogeography and in the population genetics in order to effectively diagnose the mammal richness of the State, as well as the evolutionary processes responsible for this diversification Additionally, ecological data accompanying this information is needed in order to evaluate the conservation status of the Sao Paulo mammals to decide about the better strategies to manage and conserve these mammals Keywords: mammals, biodiversity of the State of Sao Paulo, BIOTA/FAPESP Program

Endogenous annexin A1 counter-regulates bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis

Abstract: Background The balancing functions of pro/anti-inflammatory mediators of the complex innate responses have been investigated in a variety of experimental inflammatory settings. Annexin-A1 (AnxA1) is one mediator of endogenous anti-inflammation, affording regulation of leukocyte trafficking and activation in many contexts, yet its role in lung pathologies has been scarcely investigated, despite being highly expressed in lung cells. Here we have applied the bleomycin lung fibrosis model to AnxA1 null mice over a 21-day time-course, to monitor potential impact of this mediator on the control of the inflammatory and fibrotic phases.

A humanização do nascimento: percepção dos profissionais de saúde que atuam na atenção ao parto

Abstract: Estudo exploratorio qualitativo, cujo objetivo foi conhecer a percepcao dos profissionais de saude que atuam na assistencia ao parto sobre a humanizacao do processo de nascimento. Foram entrevistados 17 profissionais da area da saude que atuavam na atencao ao parto. Os dados foram coletados por entrevistas semi-estruturadas e analisados com a tecnica de analise tematica. Na analise dos dados emergiram tres categorias: o significado da humanizacao do nascimento; a pratica da humanizacao nos servicos estudados e elementos dificultadores da humanizacao. Os resultados mostram que a humanizacao na assistencia ao nascimento ainda nao e uma pratica presente na maioria dos hospitais estudados e que os profissionais nao estao preparados para prestar um atendimento humanizado e com qualidade tanto para a mae quanto para o recem-nascido. Conclui-se que e indispensavel que ocorram mudancas no modelo biomedico, essencialmente tecnico, para um modelo que valorize os aspectos sociais e culturais da gestacao e parto.

Integrating field sampling, geostatistics and remote sensing to map wetland vegetation in the Pantanal, Brazil

Abstract: . Development of efficient methodologies for mapping wetland vegetation is of key importance to wetland conservation. Here we propose the integration of a number of statistical techniques, in particular cluster analysis, universal kriging and error propagation modelling, to integrate observations from remote sensing and field sampling for mapping vegetation communities and estimating uncertainty. The approach results in seven vegetation communities with a known floral composition that can be mapped over large areas using remotely sensed data. The relationship between remotely sensed data and vegetation patterns, captured in four factorial axes, were described using multiple linear regression models. There were then used in a universal kriging procedure to reduce the mapping uncertainty. Cross-validation procedures and Monte Carlo simulations were used to quantify the uncertainty in the resulting map. Cross-validation showed that accuracy in classification varies according with the community type, as a result of sampling density and configuration. A map of uncertainty derived from Monte Carlo simulations revealed significant spatial variation in classification, but this had little impact on the proportion and arrangement of the communities observed. These results suggested that mapping improvement could be achieved by increasing the number of field observations of those communities with a scattered and small patch size distribution; or by including a larger number of digital images as explanatory variables in the model. Comparison of the resulting plant community map with a flood duration map, revealed that flooding duration is an important driver of vegetation zonation. This mapping approach is able to integrate field point data and high-resolution remote-sensing images, providing a new basis to map wetland vegetation and allow its future application in habitat management, conservation assessment and long-term ecological monitoring in wetland landscapes.

Viability of fibroblasts cultured under nutritional stress irradiated with red laser, infrared laser, and red light-emitting diode

Abstract: Phototherapy is noninvasive, painless and has no known side effect. However, for its incorporation into clinical practice, more well-designed studies are necessary to define optimal parameters for its application. The viability of fibroblasts cultured under nutritional stress irradiated with either a red laser, an infrared laser, or a red light-emitting diode (LED) was analyzed. Irradiation parameters were: red laser (660 nm, 40 mW, 1 W/cm 2 ), infrared laser (780 nm, 40 mW, 1 W/cm 2 ), and red LED (637 ± 15 nm, 40 mW, 1 W/cm 2 ). All applications were punctual and performed with a spot with 0.4 mm 2 of diameter for 4 or 8 s. The Kruskal-Wallis test and analysis of variance of the general linear model (p ≤ 0.05) were used for statistical analysis. After 72 h, phototherapy with low- intensity laser and LED showed no toxicity at the cellular level. It even stimulated methylthiazol tetrazolium assay (MTT) conversion and neutral red uptake of fibroblasts cultured under nutritional stress, especially in the group irradiated with infrared laser (p = 0.004 for MTT conversion and p < 0.001 for neutral red uptake). Considering the parameters and protocol of phototherapy used, it can be concluded that phototherapy stimulated the viability of fibroblasts cultured under nutritional deficit resembling those found in traumatized tissue in which cell viability