Individuals can experience accentuated disputes for resources when living with many conspecifics, even in situations in which cooperative behaviors assure benefits associated with an increase in the frequency of food acquisition and in diet breadth. Thus, intraspecific competition may exert a significant selective pressure on social animals. Theoretical models suggest that females of social species could improve their fitness by producing relatively large offspring, since body size can provide competitive advantages during foraging activities. As female reserves are limited, the production of large offspring would occur at the expense of their number. Using five Anelosimus (Araneae, Theridiidae) species, we assessed whether the social ones produce fewer and larger eggs than the subsocials. In addition, we tested the effect of female size on the adoption of each particular reproductive strategy. Small females could hypothetically invest in producing large offspring since they cannot produce as many offspring as large females. Our results suggested that, indeed, sociality influences reproductive strategies. Females of social species produced fewer and larger offspring than females of subsocial species. Subsociality, in turn, would benefit the production of many small spiderlings, possibly because a large number of siblings is important to maintain and expand new webs and to subdue prey during their initial instars. Our results also indicated that large females produce more eggs without necessarily reduce their sizes. We discussed how the costs and benefits of group living may influence reproductive strategies.
Reproduction , Spiders , Humans , Animals , Female , Social Behavior , Body Size
Cyanobacteria, a group of photosynthetic prokaryotes, can sinthesize several substances due to their secondary metabolism, with notable properties, such as Cyanovirin-N(CVN), a carbohydrate-binding lectin, that exhibits antiviral activity against several pathogens, due to its ability to bind viral surface carbohydrates such as mannose, thus interfering with the viral entry on the cell. CVN has been described in several cyanobacterial strains and shows biotechnological potential for the development of drugs of pharmaceutical interest. This study focuses on the genomic exploration and characterization of Cyanovirin-N homologs to assess the conservation of carbohydrate-binding affinity within the group. The analysis of their antiviral properties was carried out using bioinformatics tools to study protein models through an in silico pipeline, following the steps of genomic prospection on public databases, homology modeling, docking, molecular dynamics and energetic analysis. Mannose served as the reference ligand, and the lectins' binding affinity with mannose was assessed across Cyanovirin-N homologs. Genomic mining identified 33 cyanobacterial lectin sequences, which underwent structural and functional characterization. The results obtained from this work indicate strong carbohydrate affinity on several homologs, pointing to the conservation of antiviral properties alongside the group. However, this affinity was not uniformly distributed among sequences, exhibiting significant heterogeneity in binding site residues, suggesting potential multi-ligand binding capabilities on the Cyanovirin-N homologs group. Studies focused on the properties involved in these molecules and the investigation of the genetic diversity of Cyanovirin-N homologs could provide valuable insights into the discovery of new drug candidates, harvesting the potential of bioinformatics for large-scale functional and structural analysis.
Cyanobacteria , Mannose , Mannose/chemistry , Carrier Proteins/chemistry , Ligands , Bacterial Proteins/chemistry , Binding Sites , Cyanobacteria/chemistry , Cyanobacteria/metabolism , Carbohydrates , Lectins/pharmacology , Lectins/chemistry , Lectins/metabolism , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Antiviral Agents/chemistry , Peptides/metabolism
O manicômio, outrora destino daqueles em crise psíquica, não se comprometia com saúde mental, mas sim com encarceramento, exclusão e eugenia, com uma visão biomédica do encarcerado. Com a Reforma Psiquiátrica Brasileira e o advento do SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde), busca-se o fim dos manicômios, e promove-se cuidado psicossocial, emancipador, em rede. No entanto, a lógica biomédica e manicomial persiste, promovendo práticas perversas, mesmo dentro de uma rede com propósito psicossocial. Objetivo: Conhecer a articulação e a lógica de cuidado de serviços da RAPS (Rede de Atenção Psicossocial) de Francisco Morato no atendimento à crise psíquica, incluindo entraves e potencialidades. Metodologia: Pesquisa qualitativa, entrevistando gerentes de equipamentos de saúde da RAPS municipal, e subsequente análise das entrevistas. Resultados: Dificuldades na comunicação entre os serviços da rede, atenção básica pouco presente na atenção à crise, falta de matriciamento, e alta quantidade de usuários buscando atendimento na atenção básica e especializada, que têm equipes incompletas, são entraves. Foco na escuta e posicionamento contra internações desnecessárias e medicalização são potencialidades. Conclusão: A RAPS municipal efetivamente ainda está em construção, com questões materiais dificultando sua implementação. Há aspectos manicomiais coexistindo com aspectos psicossociais na atenção à crise psíquica.
Mental Health , Public Health , Health Policy , Crisis Intervention
Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 continues to raise health and socio-economical concerns globally. The recent discovery of the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant with its critical mutations has heightened the debate about the need for a better global vaccination rollout to prevent the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 strains. Optimizing vaccine rollout in Africa is crucial for the management of the pandemic and preventing the rise of new strains. To better direct efforts and interventions it is important to know what parts of the continent necessitate more attention. Material and Methods: 30 African countries were grouped in five geographical subregions, six countries for each subregion. Data on confirmed cases, doses administered, fully vaccinated, and deaths were extracted from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center database. The ANOVA test evaluated differences in means for these variables classified by subregions. The correlation test and the linear regression examined the relationship between these independent variables and total deaths. Results: There was a significant regional difference in confirmed cases (P<0.0001), and in fully vaccinated (P=0.01) across the five subregions. The overall model showed that there is a significant regional difference in the three variables' effect on total deaths (P<0.0001). The linear regression indicated an association between the total number of deaths in relation to the confirmed cases, doses administered, and fully vaccinated (P<0.0001). Discussion: This study indicates that a relation exists between total deaths and the variables confirmed cases, doses administered, and fully vaccinated. More importantly, African countries grouped in geographical subregions perform differently in terms of vaccine rollout, and that offers insights for better and oriented interventions (AU)
Introducción: El SARS-CoV-2 sigue generando preocupaciones sanitarias y socioeconómicas a nivel mundial. El reciente descubrimiento de la variante B.1.1.529 (Omicron), con sus mutaciones críticas, ha aumentado el debate sobre la necesidad de un mejor despliegue mundial de vacunación para prevenir la aparición de nuevas cepas de SARS-CoV-2. La optimización del despliegue de vacunas en África es crucial para la gestión de la pandemia y la prevención del surgimiento de nuevas cepas. Para dirigir mejor los esfuerzos y las intervenciones, es importante saber qué partes del continente necesitan más atención. Material y Métodos: 30 países africanos fueron agrupados en cinco subregiones geográficas, seis países para cada subregión. Los datos sobre casos confirmados, dosis administradas, vacunación completa y muertes se extrajeron de la base de datos del Centro de Recursos de Coronavirus de Johns Hopkins. La prueba ANOVA evaluó diferencias de medias para estas variables clasificadas por subregiones. La prueba de correlación y la regresión lineal examinaron la relación entre estas variables independientes y el total de muertes. Resultados: Hubo una diferencia regional significativa en casos confirmados (P<0,0001) y en vacunados completos (P=0,01) en las cinco subregiones. El modelo general mostró que existe una diferencia regional significativa en el efecto de las tres variables sobre el total de muertes (P<0,0001). La regresión lineal indicó una asociación entre el número total de muertes con relación a los casos confirmados, las dosis administradas y los vacunados completos (P<0,0001). Discusión: Este estudio indica que existe una relación entre el total de muertes y las variables casos confirmados, dosis administradas y vacunados completos. Más importante aún, los países africanos agrupados en subregiones geográficas se desempeñan de manera diferente en términos de implementación de vacunas, y eso ofrece información para intervenciones mejores y más orientadas (AU)
Humans , Vaccination Coverage , /mortality , /prevention & control
Orb-webs show diversity in several traits, including silk types, architecture, physical properties, locale, and period of exposition. The investigation of how they determine the identity of intercepted prey is important to functional ecology and to the evaluation of trophic niche partitioning within communities. However, the influence of several of these variables on the composition of intercepted insects remains to be determined. In this study, we evaluated the effects of web architectural traits, height, and daily periods of exposition on the interception of different insects in terms of sizes, masses, and taxa. We conducted observations of prey intercepted by the orb webs of 16 sympatric spider species and artificial webs. We found that all orb webs mainly intercepted small and light insects, sharing the most abundant insect families found in the study area. However, spiders that show nocturnal activity, more radii in their webs, large and high webs captured heavier insects. Other orb-web traits, such as the density of capture threads did not influence the kind of intercepted insects. We discuss why some variables affected prey interceptions in terms of mass. Finally, we discuss the implications of these influential variables to functional ecology, niche differentiation, and how behavioral assessments can complete this investigation in future studies.
Predatory Behavior , Spiders , Animals , Humans , Phenotype , Silk
Açaí berry is a fruit from the tree commonly known as açaízeiro (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) originated from the Amazonian region and widely consumed in Brazil. There are several reports of the anti-inflammatory activity of its pulp and few data about the seed's potential in inflammation control. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of catechin-rich açaí extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and carrageenan-induced paw edema. The treatment with E. oleracea ethyl acetate extract (EO-ACET) was used in an in vitro model performed with macrophages stimulated by LPS, in which pro-inflammatory markers were evaluated, and in an in vivo model of acute inflammation, in which edema inhibition was evaluated. EO-ACET showed an absence of endotoxins, and did not display cytotoxic effects in RAW 264.7 cells. LPS-stimulated cells treated with EO-ACET displayed low levels of nitrite and interleukins (IL's), IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-12, when compared to untreated cells. EO-ACET treatment was able to inhibit carrageenan-induced paw edema at 500 and 1000 mg/kg, in which no acute inflammatory reaction or low mast cell counts were observed by histology at the site of inoculation of λ-carrageenan. These findings provide more evidence to support further studies with E. oleracea seeds for the treatment of inflammation.
Before using estimators, it is essential to consider their efficiency in order to avoid bias in results. Due to the architectural and structural complexity of spider webs, some important variables involved in prey capture are usually estimated based on a few measurements obtained from photographs. One of these variables is the capture thread length (CTL), which can provide valuable information on foraging behaviours and the energetic investment in prey capture. However, many of the webs found in the field are damaged, and there is no automatic method to measure the CTL. Therefore, the determination of a simple and accurate estimator of this variable is important to several studies involving spider foraging strategies. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of traditional and new CTL estimators and their vulnerability to web shape and asymmetry. Our results validated the accuracy of the previous estimators. However, we also presented a simple new estimator that can be even more accurate, irrespective of whether the webs exhibit circular shapes or asymmetry in thread investment between superior and inferior web parts. Moreover, we presented an accurate CTL estimator for non-circular orb webs, for which the traditional ones are not applicable.
Predatory Behavior/physiology , Spiders/physiology , Animals , Silk
Nanostructured particles of polystyrene sulfate (PSS) covered by a cationic lipid bilayer of dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) incorporated gramicidin D (Gr) yielding optimal and broadened bactericidal activity against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The adsorption of DODAB/Gr bilayer onto PSS nanoparticles (NPs) increased the zeta-average diameter by 8-10 nm, changed the zeta-potential of the NPs from negative to positive, and yielded a narrow size distributions for the PSS/DODAB/Gr NPs, which displayed broad and maximal microbicidal activity at very small concentrations of the antimicrobials, namely, 0.057 and 0.0057 mM DODAB and Gr, respectively. The results emphasized the advantages of highly-organized, nanostructured, and cationic particles to achieve hybrid combinations of antimicrobials with broad spectrum activity at considerably reduced DODAB and Gr concentrations.
BACKGROUND: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the safety of hypothetical arthroscopic portals from talonavicular joint and to evaluate their reproducibility and enforceability. METHODS: 19 cadaveric feet were marked and four arthroscopic portals were made (medial, dorsomedial, dorsolateral and lateral). The specimens were dissected in layers and the distances between neurovascular structures and the trocars were measured. RESULTS: Medial and dorsomedial portals were in average 8.3 and 8.7, respectively, to the saphenous vein and nerve. Dorsolateral portal was in average 8.1mm to the deep peroneal nerve and dorsalis pedis artery, and 9.1mm to the medial dorsal cutaneous branch of the superficial peroneal nerve. Lateral portal was in average 12.3mm to the intermediate dorsal cutaneous branch of the superficial peroneal nerve. CONCLUSION: Tested portals shown to have a good safety margin for the foot neurovascular deep dorsal structures and an acceptable safety margin for the superficial neurovascular structures.
Anatomic Landmarks , Arthroscopes , Arthroscopy/methods , Tarsal Joints/surgery , Cadaver , Dissection , Feasibility Studies , Foot/anatomy & histology , Foot/surgery , Humans , Safety Management , Tarsal Joints/anatomy & histology
The objective of this study is to highlight the possibility of dysphagia induced by anterior cervical osteophytes. When not diagnosed early this condition may be responsible for complications such as severe dysphagia and potential lung aspiration, especially in elderly patients. Analysis of a case report of a 72-year old woman who presented cervical pain and progressive dysphagia. Imaging studies have shown anterior cervical osteophytosis and multilevel degenerative changes in the cervical spine. The patient underwent surgical excision of the cervical anterior osteophytes (C4, C5 and C6) and C5/C6 arthrodesis through anterior approach. The postoperative period was uneventful and symptoms resolved within 2 weeks. Early diagnosis and treatment led to complete resolution, avoiding late and serious complications associated with this pathology in the geriatric population, especially severe and progressive dysphagia and risk of pulmonary aspiration, and the consequent morbidity and mortality associated. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for the correct assessment of this condition.
O objetivo do trabalho é salientar a possibilidade de disfagia induzida por osteofitose cervical anterior. Quando não diagnosticada precocemente essa afecção pode ser responsável por complicações como disfagia grave e aspiração pulmonar, sobretudo nos doentes idosos. Análise de caso clínico de doente do sexo feminino com 72 anos de idade que apresentava dor cervical e disfagia progressiva. Foram realizados exames de imagem que revelaram osteofitose cervical anterior e alterações degenerativas em diversos níveis. A paciente foi submetida à excisão cirúrgica dos osteófitos cervicais anteriores (C4, C5 e C6) e à artrodese de C5-C6 por acesso cervical anterior. O período pós-operatório decorreu sem complicações com remissão dos sintomas em duas semanas. O diagnóstico e tratamento precoces permitiram a resolução completa, evitando as complicações tardias e graves associadas a essa patologia na população geriátrica, sobretudo disfagia grave e progressiva e risco de aspiração pulmonar, com a consequente morbimortalidade a elas associada. A abordagem multidisciplinar é fundamental para a avaliação correta desse quadro.
El objetivo de este trabajo es salientar la posibilidad de disfagia inducida por osteofitosis cervical anterior. Cuando no es diagnosticada precozmente esta afección puede ser responsable por complicaciones como disfagia grave y aspiración pulmonar, sobre todo en los enfermos ancianos. Análisis de caso clínico de enfermo del sexo femenino con 72 años de edad que presentaba dolor cervical y disfagia progresiva. Fueron realizados exámenes de imagen que revelaron osteofitosis cervical anterior y alteraciones degenerativas en diversos niveles. La paciente fue sometida a escisión quirúrgica de los osteófitos cervicales anteriores (C4, C5 e C6) y a la artrodesis de C5-C6 por acceso cervical anterior. El período postoperatorio transcurrió sin complicaciones con remisión de los síntomas en dos semanas. El diagnóstico y tratamiento precoces permitieron la resolución completa, evitando las complicaciones tardías y graves asociadas a esa patología en la población geriátrica, sobre todo disfagia grave y progresiva y riesgo de aspiración pulmonar, con la consiguiente morbimortalidad a ellas asociada. El abordaje multidisciplinario es fundamental para la evaluación correcta de ese cuadro.
Humans , Female , Aged , Spinal Osteophytosis/complications , Arthrodesis , Deglutition Disorders , Osteophyte/surgery
This study evaluated for the first time, ectoparasite infestations on dogs from urban and rural areas of the continental land of the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. In total, 622 dogs were examined for ectoparasite infestations. Overall, 392 (63.0%) were infested with ectoparasites, 154 (51.3%) of 300 urban dogs and 238 (73.9%) of 322 rural dogs. Five species of ectoparasites were found, three ticks [Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille), Amblyomma ovale Koch, and Amblyomma cajennense (F.)], one flea [Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché)], and one louse [(Heterodoxus spininger (Enderlein)]. The frequency of infestation by R. sanguineus tended to be higher in urban than in rural areas, whereas infestations by Amblyomma ticks and C. felis fleas tended to be higher among rural dogs. Louse (H. spininger) infestations were similarly low among all areas. Mixed infestations by at least two species of ectoparasites on the same dog were significantly more frequent on rural than on urban dogs. The most frequent mixed infestation was by R. sanguineus and C. felis, found on 11.4% of the dogs. Further studies are warranted to evaluate canine vector-borne agents in Maranhão, especially because most of the ectoparasites here reported are vectors of major vector-borne diseases, including zoonoses of continental importance.
Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Flea Infestations/veterinary , Lice Infestations/veterinary , Tick Infestations/veterinary , Amblycera/classification , Amblycera/physiology , Animals , Brazil/epidemiology , Ctenocephalides/classification , Ctenocephalides/physiology , Dog Diseases/parasitology , Dogs , Environment , Female , Flea Infestations/epidemiology , Flea Infestations/parasitology , Ixodidae/classification , Ixodidae/physiology , Lice Infestations/epidemiology , Lice Infestations/parasitology , Male , Tick Infestations/epidemiology , Tick Infestations/parasitology
