Male practitioners of physical activity present lower absolute power of beta band in time perception test.

Cortical changes resulting from physical activity and differences in the estimation of the time of practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity have already been documented. However, there aren't studies that compare the cortical responses of the time estimate between these groups. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of the level of physical activity in time estimation and beta band activity in frontal regions, specifically in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, and parietal cortex during the task of estimating time in practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activity. After characterizing the sample, the signal was captured using an electroencephalogram during a task to estimate the time of four intervals of supraseconds. The results indicated that the practitioners of physical activity had lower errors in the evaluation of time for the intervals of 1 s, 7 s, and 9 s. The beta band showed less activity among practitioners of physical activity. The correlation between task performance and the absolute power of the beta band proved to be positive in the task of estimating time in the 7 s, and 9 s intervals. It was concluded that participants involved in the regular practice of physical activity showed underestimation in the temporal judgment and lower absolute power of the beta band during the time estimate.

Prevalência das disfunções sexuais no período do climatério em uma clínica especializada na saúde da mulher em Caruaru/PE / Prevalence of climacteric sexual dysfunctions in a women's health clinic at Caruaru/PE

Introdução: As mulheres, entre 40 e 65 anos, passam por mudanças fisiológicas que interferem na sua sexualidade, caracterizado pelo climatério. Objetivo: Verificar a prevalência das disfunções sexuais em mulheres climatéricas contribuindo com evidências para profissionais que lidam com a saúde da mulher. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal descritivo e analítico, realizado na clínica especializada da mulher em Caruaru/PE, com 99 mulheres, de 40 a 65 anos e que tinham vida sexual ativa. Foram avaliadas através dos questionários: Sociodemográfico, Questionário da Saúde da Mulher, Quociente Sexual Versão Feminina e Índice de Função Sexual Feminino. Resultados: 44,44% têm indicativo para disfunção sexual. 52,52% possuem bom desempenho sexual, cerca de 58,58% tem alteração na lubrificação e 51,51% dor no ato sexual. 63,63% tem alterações na satisfação e orgasmo, 69,69% têm alterações no desejo e a falta de excitação foi o maior índice amostral, representado por 74,74%. Conclusão: A maioria apresenta bom desempenho sexual, entretanto possuem baixa qualidade de vida e alto indicativo para disfunções sexuais. Sendo assim, propõe-se desenvolvimento de pesquisas, gerando conhecimentos para profissionais que lidam com essa temática, visando saúde e qualidade de vida. (AU)

Introduction: Women, between 40 and 65 years old, undergo physiological changes that interfere with their sexuality, characterized by the climacteric. Objective: To verify the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in climacteric women, contributing with evidence for professionals who deal with women's health. Methods: Descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study, carried out at the women's specialized clinic in Caruaru/PE, with 99 women, 40 to 65 years old and who had an active sex life. They were evaluated through questionnaires: Sociodemographic, Women's Health Questionnaire, Female Version Sexual Quotient and Female Sexual Function Index. Results: 44.44% are indicative of sexual dysfunction. 52.52% have good sexual performance, about 58.58% have changes in lubrication and 51.51% have pain during sex. 63, 63% have changes in satisfaction and orgasm, 69.69% have changes in desire and lack of excitement was the highest sample rate, represented by 74.74%. Conclusion: Most have good sexual performance, however they have low quality of life and high indications for sexual dysfunction. Therefore, it is proposed to develop research, generating knowledge for professionals who deal with this theme, aiming at health and quality of life. (AU)

Detection and quantification of Leishmania braziliensis in ectoparasites from dogs.

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a disease caused by different species of Leishmania protozoa, Leishmania braziliensis being the main species found in Brazil. In this study, two rural areas in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, where ACL is endemic, were selected. Genomic DNA was extracted from canine ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, and lice) and tested using a conventional PCR and a quantitative real time PCR. A total of 117 ectoparasites were collected, being 50 (42.74%) of them positive for L. braziliensis (in at least one PCR protocol), with a mean parasite load of 14.14 fg/µL. Furthermore, 46 (92.00%) positive ectoparasites were collected from positive dogs and 4 (8.00%) from negative ones. This study reports the detection of L. braziliensis DNA in ectoparasites, but does not prove their vector competence. Certainly, experimental transmission studies are necessary to assess their role, if any, in the transmission of Leishmania parasites to dogs.

Detection of Leishmania infantum in animals and their ectoparasites by conventional PCR and real time PCR.

Visceral leishmaniosis (VL) is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum, which is primarily transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. However, there has been much speculation on the role of other arthropods in the transmission of VL. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the presence of L. infantum in cats, dogs and their ectoparasites in a VL-endemic area in northeastern Brazil. DNA was extracted from blood samples and ectoparasites, tested by conventional PCR (cPCR) and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) targeting the L. infantum kinetoplast DNA. A total of 280 blood samples (from five cats and 275 dogs) and 117 ectoparasites from dogs were collected. Animals were apparently healthy and not previously tested by serological or molecular diagnostic methods. Overall, 213 (76.1 %) animals and 51 (43.6 %) ectoparasites were positive to L. infantum, with mean parasite loads of 795.2, 31.9 and 9.1 fg in dogs, cats and ectoparasites, respectively. Concerning the positivity between dogs and their ectoparasites, 32 (15.3 %) positive dogs were parasitized by positive ectoparasites. The overall concordance between the PCR protocols used was 59.2 %, with qPCR being more efficient than cPCR; 34.1 % of all positive samples were exclusively positive by qPCR. The high number of positive animals and ectoparasites also indicates that they could serve as sentinels or indicators of the circulation of L. infantum in risk areas.