Physical, ecological and human dimensions of environmental change in Brazil's Pantanal wetland: Synthesis and research agenda.

The Pantanal is the world's largest freshwater wetland, located in the geographical centre of South America. It is relatively well conserved, and features unique landscapes, ecosystems, and traditional cultural practices, shaped by the dynamic interaction of climatological, hydrological, geological, ecological, and anthropogenic factors. Its ecological integrity is increasingly threatened by human activities, particularly, in the wider catchment area, for example, deforestation, agricultural intensification, and construction of hydropower plants, with implications for local people's livelihoods. We present a synthesis of current literature on physical, ecological, and human dimensions of environmental change in the wetland, outline key research gaps, and discuss environmental management implications. The literature review suggests that better integration of insights from multiple disciplines is needed and that environmental management could be improved through a better grounding in traditional practices and local perspectives. We conclude with four recommendations: First, future environmental change research should build more strongly on the positive example of a small number of case studies where traditional and local knowledge of the environment was put into a dialogue with scientific knowledge and techniques. Second, we recommend a more explicit consideration of longer temporal scales (>10 years) in environmental change research, making use of oral and written histories, as well as palaeoecological techniques, to understand system responses to different magnitudes of human and climatic pressures, and ultimately, to inform future adaptation activities. Third, we suggest that enhanced stakeholder participation in conceiving and implementing research projects in the Pantanal would strengthen the practical relevance of research in addressing environmental management challenges, livelihood needs, and advocacy processes. Fourth, we call for a more systemic and integrative perspective on environmental education, which encompasses engagement activities between researchers, policy-makers, and citizens, to foster environmental awareness, scientific literacy, and public participation.

Astragaloside IV Supplementation Promotes A Neuroprotective Effect in Experimental Models of Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Neurological disorders constitute a growing worldwide concern due to the progressive aging of the population and the risky behavior they represent. Herbal medicines have scientific relevance in the treatment of these pathologies. One of these substances, Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), is the main active compound present in the root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge, a Chinese medicinal herb with neuroprotective properties. OBJECTIVE: In the present study we performed a systematic review that sought to comprehend the neuroprotective effect presented by AS-IV in experimental models of neurological disorders. METHODS: This study is a systematic review, where an electronic search in United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Scopus, Web of Science, Medline via Proquest and Periodicos Capes databases covering the years between 2007 and 2017, using "Astragaloside IV" and "Neurodegenerative diseases"; "Astragaloside IV" and " Neurological disorders" as reference terms was made. RESULTS: A total of 16 articles were identified, in which the efficacy of AS-IV was described in experimental models of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cerebral ischemia and autoimmune encephalomyelitis, by improving motor deficits and/or neurochemical activity, especially antioxidant systems, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study indicate that the administration of AS-IV can improve behavioral and neurochemical deficits largely due to its antioxidant, antiapoptotic and antiinflammatory properties, emerging as an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Specific human antibodies do not inhibit Trypanosoma cruzi oligopeptidase B and cathepsin B, and immunoglobulin G enhances the activity of trypomastigote-secreted oligopeptidase B.

Trypanosoma cruzi expresses oligopeptidase B and cathepsin B that have important functions in the interaction with mammalian host cells. In this study, we demonstrated that sera from both chagasic rabbits and humans have specific antibodies to highly purified native oligopeptidase B and cathepsin B. Levels of antibodies to cathepsin B were higher than those observed to oligopeptidase B by absorbance values recorded upon ELISA. We next showed that 90% and 30% of sera from individuals with mucocutaneous leishmaniasis have antibodies that recognize oligopeptidase B and cathepsin B as antigens, respectively. In addition, 55% and 40% of sera from kala-azar patients have antibodies to oligopeptidase B and cathepsin B, respectively. Sera from malaria patients did not recognize the proteases as antigens. Despite high levels of specific antibodies, sera from T. cruzi-infected patients did not inhibit the activities of either oligopeptidase B or cathepsin B. Furthermore, sera or IgG purified from either infected or non-infected individuals enhanced the enzymatic activity of the secreted oligopeptidase B. Oligopeptidase B secreted by trypomastigotes and cathepsin B released upon parasite lysis retain their enzymatic activities and may be associated with Chagas' disease pathogenesis by hydrolyzing host proteins and inducing host immune responses.

[Level of knowledge of the compositions of analgesic medication containing aspirin]. / Nível de conhecimento sobre a composição de analgésicos com ácido acetilsalicílico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the knowledge of the generic designation, use and composition of analgesic medications containing aspirin. METHODS: A total of 124 interviews were carried out between December 1999 and January 2000, in two neighborhoods of the city of Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. The interview was held with the person who came to answer the door at each of the homes that was drawn. The data collection instruments comprised a set of five different pharmaceutical specialties containing acetylsalicylic acid, and an interview consisting of two open questions concerning the differences and similarities between the products. RESULTS: Three major knowledge-level groups were characterized on the basis of the information that the interviewees were able to provide. The group that was knowledgeable about the matter comprised 14 individuals (11%). The group with limited knowledge contained 61 people (49)%. Those who had no knowledge of the matter at all formed a group of 49 people (40%). CONCLUSIONS: Taking the results as a whole, they indicate that most people (about 90% of the sample investigated) are simply not aware of what the active substance is, even in pharmaceutical specialties that they use frequently.

Nível de conhecimento sobre a composição de analgésicos com ácido acetilsalicílico / Level of knowledge of the compositions of analgesic medication containing aspirin

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre a designação genérica, uso e composição de medicamentos analgésicos contendo ácido acetilsalicílico. MÉTODOS: Foram realizadas 124 entrevistas entre dezembro de 1999 e janeiro de 2000, em dois bairros da cidade de Porto Alegre, RS. As entrevistas foram respondidas pela pessoa que atendeu o entrevistador em cada um dos domicílios sorteados. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados foram uma cartela com cinco especialidades farmacêuticas de analgésicos contendo ácido acetilsalicílico e uma entrevista com duas perguntas abertas sobre diferenças e semelhanças entre os produtos. RESULTADOS: A partir do nível de informação demonstrado pelos entrevistados, foram caracterizados três grandes grupos de conhecimento. O grupo das pessoas que demonstraram domínio sobre o assunto foi de 14 indivíduos (11 por cento); os que demonstraram domínio limitado foi de 61 pessoas (49 por cento); e os que não demonstraram domínio sobre o assunto formaram um grupo de 49 pessoas (40 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: Considerando o conjunto de resultados, verificou-se que a maioria das pessoas (cerca de 90 por cento na amostra avaliada) simplesmente desconhece qual a substância ativa presente em uma especialidade farmacêutica de seu uso freqüente.

Custos hospitalares das cefaléias agudas em uma unidade de emergência pública brasileira / Hospitalar costs of acute headaches in a Brazilian public emergency room unit

Cefaléia é uma das queixas mais freqüentes na prática médica e causa bastante comum de atendimento em unidades de emergência, implicando custos consideravelmente altos. Foram estudados retrospectivamente os casos de cefaléia atendidos na Unidade de Emergência do Hospital das Clinicas de Ribeirao Preto (UE) no ano de 1996. Neste ano, 1254 pacientes procuraram a UE com queixa de cefaléia aguda, sendo que 64 necessitaram de internaçao. O custo estimado com o atendimento, investigaçao e tratamento clínico das cefaléias agudas foi da ordem de R$ 138,573.31 (US$ 76,985.17). Os gastos apenas com exames laboratoriais foram R$ 23,801.54 (US$ 13,223.07). Os custos cirúrgicos foram R$ 5,817.90 (US$ 3,232.17). Os custos totais foram RS$ 144,391.21 (US$ 80,217.34), o que equivale a R$ 115,14 (US$ 63.97) por paciente. Tais cálculos estimulam discussao adicional acerca de custos e eficácia do modelo de saúde vigente, em que os recursos financeiros sao precários e as necessidades da populaçao dependente do estado sao proporcionalmente maiores