The hypothalamus at the crossroads of psychopathology and neurosurgery.

The neurosurgical endeavor to treat psychiatric patients may have been part of human history since its beginning. The modern era of psychosurgery can be traced to the heroic attempts of Gottlieb Burckhardt and Egas Moniz to alleviate mental symptoms through the ablation of restricted areas of the frontal lobes in patients with disabling psychiatric illnesses. Thanks to the adaptation of the stereotactic frame to human patients, the ablation of large volumes of brain tissue has been practically abandoned in favor of controlled interventions with discrete targets. Consonant with the role of the hypothalamus in the mediation of the most fundamental approach-avoidance behaviors, some hypothalamic nuclei and regions, in particular, have been selected as targets for the treatment of aggressiveness (posterior hypothalamus), pathological obesity (lateral or ventromedial nuclei), sexual deviations (ventromedial nucleus), and drug dependence (ventromedial nucleus). Some recent improvements in outcomes may have been due to the use of stereotactically guided deep brain stimulation and the change of therapeutic focus from categorical diagnoses (such as schizophrenia) to dimensional symptoms (such as aggressiveness), which are nonspecific in terms of formal diagnosis. However, agreement has never been reached on 2 related issues: 1) the choice of target, based on individual diagnoses; and 2) reliable prediction of outcomes related to individual targets. Despite the lingering controversies on such critical aspects, the experience of the past decades should pave the way for advances in the field. The current failure of pharmacological treatments in a considerable proportion of patients with chronic disabling mental disorders is reminiscent of the state of affairs that prevailed in the years before the early psychosurgical attempts. This article reviews the functional organization of the hypothalamus, the effects of ablation and stimulation of discrete hypothalamic regions, and the stereotactic targets that have most often been used in the treatment of psychopathological and behavioral symptoms; finally, the implications of current and past experience are presented from the perspective of how this fund of knowledge may usefully contribute to the future of hypothalamic psychosurgery.

Tungiasis in the Sanumás Amerindians in the Amazon Rainforest, Brazil: Prevalence, Intensity and Morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Tungiasis is a disease associated with extreme poverty. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of tungiasis in six different settlements of the Sanumás indigenous community in a remote area in the Auaris region, Yanomami territory, Brazil. METHODS: We conducted an observational study to detect clinical and epidemiological factors associated with tungiasis using a cross-sectional strategy and multivariate logistic regression. Soil analysis was performed by visual and microscopic methods. RESULTS: We examined 555 persons, 45 of whom had active tungiasis; 18 cases were classified as mild, 16 as moderate and 11 as severe. The disease was significantly more prevalent in children than in adults (odds ratio (OR) 15.77; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.34-67.91; p < 0.001). Soil infestation was significantly related to the occurrence of human tungiasis (OR = 12.29; 95% CI = 3.75-45.88). The sex and GPS location of the houses were not related to the occurrence of tungiasis. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that tungiasis is an important problem in the Sanumás community, especially for children. We suggest that interruption of the off-host transmission cycle, together with regular treatment [human and animal interventions], must be prioritized to achieve control of tungiasis in indigenous populations.

Cocaine: An Updated Overview on Chemistry, Detection, Biokinetics, and Pharmacotoxicological Aspects including Abuse Pattern.

Cocaine is one of the most consumed stimulants throughout the world, as official sources report. It is a naturally occurring sympathomimetic tropane alkaloid derived from the leaves of Erythroxylon coca, which has been used by South American locals for millennia. Cocaine can usually be found in two forms, cocaine hydrochloride, a white powder, or 'crack' cocaine, the free base. While the first is commonly administered by insufflation ('snorting') or intravenously, the second is adapted for inhalation (smoking). Cocaine can exert local anaesthetic action by inhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels, thus halting electrical impulse propagation; cocaine also impacts neurotransmission by hindering monoamine reuptake, particularly dopamine, from the synaptic cleft. The excess of available dopamine for postsynaptic activation mediates the pleasurable effects reported by users and contributes to the addictive potential and toxic effects of the drug. Cocaine is metabolised (mostly hepatically) into two main metabolites, ecgonine methyl ester and benzoylecgonine. Other metabolites include, for example, norcocaine and cocaethylene, both displaying pharmacological action, and the last one constituting a biomarker for co-consumption of cocaine with alcohol. This review provides a brief overview of cocaine's prevalence and patterns of use, its physical-chemical properties and methods for analysis, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and multi-level toxicity.

Interaction of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis with bovine sperm.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is responsible for Paratuberculosis mainly affecting domestic ruminants. The interaction between MAP and sperm and/or germ cells has not yet been established, however the adherence between MAP and the host cell surface is associated to the 85 complex proteins that bind to the host cell's fibronectin. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the binding of MAP to bovine sperm and to verify changes in these cells by the presence of MAP before and after sperm cryopreservation. Polyclonal antibodies to MAP 85 complex proteins were produced and utilized in the analyzes. Two Nelore bulls were used for semen collection and MAP dilutions (103-108 CFU/mL) were inoculated in the samples; sperm motility and vigor were evaluated using light microscopy at different times before and after cryopreservation and in the presence and absence of the antibodies 85A and 85B. Interaction of MAP and sperm, interaction of MAP and sperm in the presence of Ab 85A and in the presence of Ab 85B were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The viability of MAP after sperm cryopreservation were evaluated by plating the samples after thawing. It was observed that sperm in the presence of MAP shows a decrease in motility and vigor, and that the higher the MAP concentration, the lower the sperm performance. It was possible to determine the viability of MAP after cryopreservation in samples of higher concentrations, which demonstrates the potential of transmission of this pathogen through artificial insemination. The interaction of MAP with bovine sperm occurs mainly in the midpiece and may be linked to the proteins 85A and 85B present in the MAP membrane.

Drinking to death: Hyponatraemia induced by synthetic phenethylamines.

Synthetic phenethylamines are widely abused drugs, comprising new psychoactive substances such as synthetic cathinones, but also well-known amphetamines such as methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy). Cathinones and amphetamines share many toxicodynamic mechanisms. One of their potentially life-threatening consequences, particularly of MDMA, is serotonin-mediated hyponatraemia. Herein, we review the state of the art on phenethylamine-induced hyponatremia; discuss the mechanisms involved; and present the preventive and therapeutic measures. Hyponatraemia mediated by phenethylamines results from increased secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and consequent kidney water reabsorption, additionally involving diaphoresis and polydipsia. Data for MDMA suggest that acute hyponatraemia elicited by cathinones may also be a consequence of metabolic activation. The literature often reveals hyponatraemia-associated complications such as cerebral oedema, cerebellar tonsillar herniation and coma that may evolve to a fatal outcome, particularly in women. Ready availability of fluids and the recommendation to drink copiously at the rave scene to counteract hyperthermia, often precipitate water intoxication. Users should be advised about the importance of controlling fluid intake while using phenethylamines. At early signs of adverse effects, medical assistance should be promptly sought. Severe hyponatraemia (<130 mmol sodium/L plasma) may be corrected with hypertonic saline or suppression of fluid intake. Also, clinicians should be made aware of the hyponatraemic potential of these drugs and encouraged to report future cases of toxicity to increase knowledge on this potentially lethal outcome.

Presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in Brazilian patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and in controls.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) has attracted the interest of researchers because of similarities between paratuberculosis and Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of MAP through cultures, histology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on intestinal biopsies from Brazilian CD patients. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed on positive samples. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analytical cross-sectional study with control group at two federal universities. METHODS: Fresh samples were collected from 25 patients; five with CD, eight with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 12 controls with non-inflammatory bowel disease (nIBD). Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from 143 patients were also collected: 44 CD, 49 UC and 56 nIBD. RESULTS: None of the fresh samples was positive for MAP. Five FFPE samples (one CD, two UC and two nIBD) and three fresh samples (one in each group) were positive through IS900-PCR. qRT-PCR was performed on these eight samples. Among the FFPE samples, there were 192.12 copies/µl in the CD group, 72.28 copies/µl in UC and 81.43 copies/µl in nIBD. Among the fresh samples, there were 432.99 copies/µl, 167.92 copies/µl and 249.73 copies/µl in the CD, UC and nIBD groups, respectively. The highest bacterial load was in the CD group. CONCLUSION: This study does not provide evidence for a role of MAP in the etiology of CD, although MAP DNA was detected in all three patient groups. This is the first report of MAP presence in human intestinal biopsies in Brazil.

Detection of resistance genes and evaluation of water quality at zoo lakes in Brazil / Detecção de genes de resistência e qualidade da água dos lagos de zoológico, Brasil

ABSTRACT: The investigation of the presence of antibiotic-resistance genes in aquatic environments is important to identify possible reservoirs of resistant microorganisms that could be a threat to human and animal health. The aims of this study were to analyze the presence of genes conferring resistance to antimicrobials in the aquatic environment and to assess the quality of water in zoo lakes. Results showed a pattern of genes conferring resistance to multiple antibiotics and turbidity, which was expected to be due to the presence of contaminants. The most frequent genes were sul I and sul II (sulfonamides), which were present in all the lakes, followed by genes encoding β-lactamases such as blaPSE I (77.8%) and ampC (66.7%). However, tet(K), tet(M), and ermC genes were not detected. There was a positive correlation between the number of Enterobacteriaceae and resistance genes. In conclusion, the source of contamination of all lakes was probably the neighboring urban sewage or wastewater that increased the frequency of the total coliforms and resistance genes, which in turn posed a threat to the conservation of the animal life inhabiting the zoo.

RESUMO: A investigação da presença de genes de resistência a antibióticos (ARGs) em ambientes aquáticos é importante para identificação de possíveis reservatórios de microrganismos resistentes que podem ser uma ameaça para a saúde humana e animal. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a presença de genes de resistência a antimicrobianos e a qualidade da água de zoológico. Os resultados mostraram um padrão de genes de resistência a múltiplos antibióticos e turbidez da água, devido à presença de contaminantes. Os genes mais frequentes foram sul I e sul II (sulfonamidas) que estão presentes em todos os lagos, e β-lactamases como blaPSE I (77,8%) e ampC (66,7%). Os genes tet(K), tet(M) e ermC não foram detectados. Houve correlação entre o número de Enterobacteriaceae e aumento na detecção de genes de resistência. As fontes de contaminação dos lagos são, provavelmente, esgoto urbano vizinho ou de águas residuais que aumentam a presença de coliformes totais e a frequência dos genes de resistência, que podem ser um risco para vida de animais silvestres em cativeiro.

Presence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in Brazilian patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and in controls / Presença de Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) em pacientes brasileiros com doença inflamatória intestinal e em controles

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) has attracted the interest of researchers because of similarities between paratuberculosis and Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of MAP through cultures, histology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on intestinal biopsies from Brazilian CD patients. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed on positive samples. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analytical cross-sectional study with control group at two federal universities. METHODS: Fresh samples were collected from 25 patients; five with CD, eight with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 12 controls with non-inflammatory bowel disease (nIBD). Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from 143 patients were also collected: 44 CD, 49 UC and 56 nIBD. RESULTS: None of the fresh samples was positive for MAP. Five FFPE samples (one CD, two UC and two nIBD) and three fresh samples (one in each group) were positive through IS900-PCR. qRT-PCR was performed on these eight samples. Among the FFPE samples, there were 192.12 copies/μl in the CD group, 72.28 copies/μl in UC and 81.43 copies/μl in nIBD. Among the fresh samples, there were 432.99 copies/μl, 167.92 copies/μl and 249.73 copies/μl in the CD, UC and nIBD groups, respectively. The highest bacterial load was in the CD group. CONCLUSION: This study does not provide evidence for a role of MAP in the etiology of CD, although MAP DNA was detected in all three patient groups. This is the first report of MAP presence in human intestinal biopsies in Brazil.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Mycobaterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) tem atraído o interesse de pesquisadores devido às semelhanças entre a paratuberculose e a doença de Crohn (CD). Este estudo objetivou avaliar a frequência de MAP por meio de cultura, histologia e reação da polimerase em cadeia (PCR), em biópsias intestinais de pacientes brasileiros com CD. PCR quantitativa em tempo real (qRT-PCR) foi realizada nas amostras positivas. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal analítico com grupo controle realizado em duas universidades federais. MÉTODOS: Amostras frescas foram coletadas de 25 pacientes; cinco com CD, oito com colite ulcerativa (UC) e 12 controles sem doença inflamatória intestinal (nIBD). Também foram coletadas 149 amostras fixadas em parafina (FFPE): 44 CD, 49 UC e 56 nIBD. RESULTADOS: Nenhuma das amostras frescas foi positiva para MAP. Cinco amostras FFPE (uma CD, duas UC e duas nIBD) e três amostras frescas (uma de cada grupo) foram positivas por IS900-PCR. qRT-PCR foi realizada nessas oito amostras. Nas amostras FFPE, havia 192,12 cópias/μl no grupo CD, 72,28 cópias/μl no UC e 81,43 cópias/μl no nIBD. Nas amostras frescas, havia 432,99 cópias/μl, 167,92 cópias/μl e 249,73 cópias/μl nos grupos CD, UC e nIBD, respectivamente. A maior carga bacteriana foi encontrada no grupo CD. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo não fornece evidências do papel de MAP na etiologia da CD, embora DNA de MAP tenha sido detectado em pacientes dos três grupos. Este é o primeiro relato da presença de MAP em biópsias intestinais humanas no Brasil.

Avaliação microbiológica e molecular de líquidos articulares e peri-articulares de suínos / Microbiological and molecular evaluation of articulares and peri-articulares fluids of pigs

No presente estudo coletaram-se 115 amostras de líquido articular e peri-articular de suínos com suspeita clínica de doença articular oriundos de maternidade (30,43 por cento), creche (44,35 por cento) e crescimento/terminação (25,22 por cento) de Sistemas Intensivos de Produção de Suínos (SIPs) para avaliação microbiológica e molecular. Observaram-se 57 (49,5 por cento) amostras positivas em pelo menos uma das técnicas. No isolamento microbiano, 39,13 por cento das amostras foram positivas, sendo Streptococcus spp. (19,72 por cento), Arcabobacterium pyogenes (18,13 por cento) e Escherichia coli (12,68 por cento) os mais frequentes, havendo também a presença de Candida sp. (2,6 por cento). Na técnica de Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR), em 20 por cento das amostras foram detectados microrganismos com uma maior ocorrência de Mycoplasma hyosinoviae (34,09 por cento), Erysipelotrix tonsilarum (20,45 por cento) e Haemophilus parasuis (15,90 por cento). Os microrganismos mais frequentemente isolados em animais com artrite, apresentaram distribuição em todas as faixas etárias, entretanto a fase de crescimento/terminação apresentou maior percentual (69 por cento) de amostras positivas. Streptococcus spp. ocorreu em todas as fases sendo o microrganismo mais detectado. M. hyosinoviae foi observado principalmente em animais de creche. Na fase de crescimento/terminação as bactérias predominantes foram A. pyogenes, H. parasuis e E. tonsilarum. Aproximadamente metade dos casos foi negativo o que indica a provável ocorrência de processos degenerativos como a osteocondrose, embora a participação de infecções articulares e peri-articulares possam representar grandes perdas com menor ou maior impacto dependendo da fase de criação. Problemas articulares e/ou peri-articulares de origem infecciosas foram encontrados em todas as propriedades estudadas. O principal agente foi M. hyosynoviae, principalmente na creche, porém não se pode descartar o envolvimento de problemas degenerativos em associação.

In this study, 115 samples of articular and peri-articular liquid from swine with clinical suspected disease were collected from farrow (30.43 percent), nursery (44.35 percent) and growing-finishing (25.22 percent) phases of Intensive Pig Production Systems (IPPSs) for microbiological and molecular evaluation. A total of 57 (49.5 percent) samples was positive for at least one test. In bacterial isolation, 39.13 percent were positive, with highest frequency of Streptococcus spp. (19.72 percent), Arcanobacterium pyogenes (18.13 percent) and Escherichia coli (12.68 percent), and in some cases the fungus Candida sp. (2.6 percent). In the polymerase chain reaction test, 20 percent of the samples were positive mostly for Mycoplasma hyosinoviae (34.09 percent), Erysipelotrix tonsilarum (20.45 percent) and Haemophilus parasuis (15.90 percent). Almost all microorganisms were distributed over every growth phase, with a higher percentage of cases in the growing-finishing phase (69 percent). Streptococcus spp. were the principal microorganisms detected and were frequent in all phases. M. hyosinoviae was predomiant in the nursery phase. In the growing-finishing phase, A. pyogenes, H. parasuis and E. tonsilarum were predominant. About half of the cases were negative, what probably indicates degenerative processes like osteochondrosis; however articular and peri-articular infections still represent great economic losses with more or less impact depending on the growing phase of the pigs. Articular and peri-articular infectious problems were found in all herds analyzed. M. hyosinoviae mainly in nursery phase, however associated with degenerative processes, could not be excluded.

Implementação do Alojamento Conjunto: dificuldades enfrentadas na percepção de uma equipe de enfermagem / Rooming-in Care Implementation: difficulties faced through the perspective of a nursing staff / Implementación del Alojamiento Conjunto: dificultades enfrentadas en la percepción de un equipo de enfermería

O alojamento conjunto (AC) consiste em um sistema de internação hospitalar em que mãe e recém-nascido sadio permanecem juntos por 24 horas. Estudo descritivo-analítico, de abordagem qualitativa, que objetivou identificar por meio da perspectiva da equipe de enfermagem, as dificuldades encontradas para implementação do Alojamento Conjunto em uma maternidade do interior de São Paulo, bem como analisar se o sistema respeita as normas básicas para o AC, preconizadas pelo Ministério da Saúde. Os dados foram coletados em 2008, por meio de entrevista semi-estruturada, observação livre e submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. Emergiram quatro categorias temáticas: AC ? espaço de relações e de cuidados; dificuldades da equipe de enfermagem ao cuidar das mães; condições limitadoras de trabalho ao desenvolvimento das atividades de enfermagem e infraestrutura do AC - recursos materiais, físicos e humanos. Os resultados apontaram que as maiores dificuldades dos profissionais de enfermagem envolveram a execução de suas atribuições devido às instalações físicas inadequadas, redução de recursos humanos e materiais e ao processo educacional e técnico durante a orientação às mães, principalmente quanto à amamentação e cuidados com o coto umbilical. Concluiu-se que o AC necessita ser revisto, considerando as recomendações advindas do Ministério da Saúde.

Rooming-in Care (RIC) is a hospital stay system where mother and healthy newborn remain together for 24 hours. This descriptive and analytical study of qualitative approach, tried to identify through the perspective of the nursing staff, the difficulties in implementing the Rooming-in Care in a maternity upstate São Paulo, Brazil, and examine if the system complies with the basic standards for RIC, advocated by the Ministry of Health. The data was collected in 2008 through semi-structured interview, free observation, and subjected to analysis of content, thematic. Four themes emerged: RIC - relationship and care space; difficulties for the nursing team in caring for mothers; limiting working conditions for the development of nursing activities and infrastructure of RIC -material, physical and human resources. The results showed that the biggest difficulties of nursing professionals involved in performing its functions due to inadequate infrastructure, reduction of human and materials resources and the educational and technical process while instructing the mothers, especially for breastfeeding and stump cord care. It was concluded that RIC needs to be revised considering the recommendations arising from the Ministry of Health.

El alojamiento conjunto (AC) consiste en un sistema de hospitalización en que la madre y el recién nacido sano permanecen juntos por 24 horas. Estudio descriptivo-analítico, de enfoque cualitativo, que objetivó identificar por medio de la perspectiva del equipo de enfermería, las dificultades encontradas en la implementación del Alojamiento Conjunto en una maternidad del interior de São Paulo, así como analizar si el sistema respecta las normas básicas para el AC, recomendadas por el Ministerio de Salud. Los datos fueron recolectados en 2008, por medio de entrevista semiestructurada, observación libre y sometidos al análisis de contenidos temática. Surgieron cuatro categorías temáticas: AC-espacio de relaciones y de cuidados; dificultades del equipo de enfermería al cuidar de las madres; condiciones limitadoras de trabajo al desarrollo de las actividades de enfermería e infraestructura del AC-recursos materiales, físicos y humanos. Los resultados apuntaron que las mayores dificultades de los profesionales de enfermería envolvieron la ejecución de sus atribuciones debido a las instalaciones físicas inadecuadas, reducción de recursos humanos y materiales y al proceso educativo y técnico durante la orientación a las madres, principalmente, en relación al amamantamiento y cuidados con el cordón umbilical. Se concluye que el AC necesita ser revisto considerando las recomendaciones ofrecidas por el Ministerio de Salud.

Museus e público jovem: percepções e receptividades / Museums and Teenage audience: perceptions and receptivity

Conhecer as percepções do público sobre os museus é um importante passo para compreender quais são seus imaginários sociais. O presente artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa quali-quantitativa com base na análise de desenhos produzidos por estudantes do 6º ao 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental, faixa etária de 10 a 18 anos, de quatro escolas do município do Rio de Janeiro (três públicas e uma particular), completando uma das vertentes do projeto "Imagens dos Museus". A análise de imagens pode ser considerada uma importante ferramenta de investigação, capaz de mostrar as visões e as percepções dos jovens que, muitas vezes, expressam-se através de desenhos como meio de demonstrar de forma natural seus pensamentos, sua maneira de ver o mundo e suas emoções (percepções particulares do seu mundo interior e exterior). Um formulário com duas perguntas: "Como você vê o Museu?" e "Você já foi ao museu?", além de espaço para registro de dados como: nome, escola, idade, sexo e bairro residencial, constituiu a base técnica da investigação. Dos 222 formulários aplicados, 109 estudantes expressaram suas visões sobre os museus por meio de desenhos. A partir da análise das imagens, 07 (sete) categorias e 14 (quatorze) subcategorias foram criadas. A pesquisa indica que os adolescentes além de perceberem os museus de modo variado, valorizam e vêem os processos museais de forma bastante positiva. Essa constatação estimula a construção da hipótese de que está em curso um deslocamento, uma mudança do lugar do museu no imaginário social.

Prevalência de Streptococcus suis tipo 2 por meio da técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase em suínos abatidos no Estado do Mato Grosso / Prevalence of Streptococcus suis type 2 using the polimerase chain reaction in slaughtered pigs in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Streptococcus suis é um patógeno que a afeta a produção industrial de suínos em todo o mundo. É de extrema importância, pois está associado a doenças em suínos e humanos. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência do Streptococcus suis tipo 2 em 201 amostras de tonsilas de animais clinicamente sadios a partir da técnica de PCR. As amostras positivas foram submetidas à pesquisa do gene codificador do fator extracelular (ef). Os resultados demonstraram que a prevalência (23,38 por cento) foi maior que em outro estudo recentemente realizado no mesmo Estado, indicando que a PCR é um método mais sensível em relação ao isolamento bacteriano. Houve baixa ocorrência do gene ef* (1,49 por cento), o que mostra uma grande importância para população analisada, pois cepas negativas são potencialmente menos virulentas que cepas positivas.

Streptococcus suis is a pathogen that affects the industrial production of swine worldwide. It is extremely important, because it is associated with pigs and humans diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Streptococcus suis type 2 in 201 samples of tonsils from clinically healthy animals by the PCR technique. The samples positive for S. suis type 2 were tested for the gene encoding extracellular factors (ef). The results showed that the prevalence (23.38 percent) was higher than other recent survey in the State, demonstrating that the PCR is a more sensitive method in relation to the bacterial isolation. There was a low occurrence of ef* gene in samples (1.49 percent) showing great importance to local swine population, because negative strains are potentially less virulent that positive strains.

Imagens do museu: percepção de estudantes do 6º ao 9º ano do ensino fundamental do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Images of the museum: the perception of junior high school students from public schools in Rio de Janeiro

Conhecer as percepções do público sobre os museus é um importante passo para compreender quais seus imaginários sociais. O presente trabalho apresenta os resultados das análises dos textos coletados entre jovens de 10 a 18 anos. Foram levantadas 17 categorias: positivas, negativas, híbridas, museu como casa/arquitetura, como coleção de objetos, local de História, espaço educativo, como patrimônio, museu turismo/diversão, como ponte entre gerações, museu que "faz parte da minha vida" e que "não faz parte", museu simbólico/mágico, museu inacessível, museu e família, museu e mídia, e citação de instituições. A pesquisa demonstrou que os adolescentes possuem não só uma variada percepção sobre os museus, mas que o veem de forma bastante positiva, sugerindo uma mudança nas imagens estereotipadas.