RESUMO
Some parasitic fungi can increase fitness by modifying the behavior of their hosts. These behaviors are known as extended phenotypes because they favor parasitic gene propagation. Here, we studied three lineages of Ophiocordyceps, a fungus that infects ants, altering their conduct before death. According to fungal strategy, ants may die in leaf litter, with entwined legs in branches, under the moss mat, or biting plant tissue. It is critical for parasites that the corpses stay at these places because Ophiocordyceps exhibit iteroparity, possibly releasing spores in multiple life cycles. Thus, we assumed substrate cadaver permanence as a fungi reproductive proxy and corpse height as a proxy of cadaver removal. We hypothesize that biting vegetation and dying in higher places may increase the permanence of ant corpses while avoiding possible corpse predation on the forest floor. We monitored over a year more than 4000 zombie ants in approximately 15 km2 of undisturbed tropical forest in central Amazonia. Our results show a longer permanence of corpses with increasing ground height, suggesting that the parasites may have better chances of releasing spores and infecting new hosts at these places. We found that the zombie ants that last longer on the substrate die under the moss mat in tree trunks, not necessarily biting vegetation. The biting behavior appears to be the most derived and complex mechanism among Ophiocordyceps syndromes. Our results put these findings under a new perspective, proposing that seemingly less complex behavioral changes are ecologically equivalent and adaptative for other parasite lineages.
Assuntos
Formigas , Fenótipo , Formigas/fisiologia , Formigas/microbiologia , Formigas/parasitologia , Animais , Hypocreales/fisiologia , Brasil , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Interações Hospedeiro-Parasita/fisiologiaRESUMO
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the TNF -308 G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of the tumor necrosis factor-α gene on the susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in individuals from the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS: A total of 323 individuals-192 healthy controls without arthritis and 131 individuals suffering from arthritis-were genotyped for this polymorphism using a methodology based on PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: The frequency of the A allele (TNF2) in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers was not significantly higher than in the controls (p=0.926; OR=0.97; confidence interval 0.54-1.76). However, using a logistic regression model, when the patients were stratified according to whether the manifestations were preponderantly articular or systemic, there was a strong association between the TNF2 allele and systemic arthritis (p=0.001; OR=5.89; confidence interval=1.98-17.5) as well as the use of anti-TNF immunotherapy (p=0.023; OR=1.10; confidence interval=1.00-1.14). The main factors that were found to influence the risk of extra-articular disease were age greater than or equal to 60 years (p=0.008; OR=4.06; confidence interval=1.45-11.38), disease duration greater than 10 years (p=0.031; OR=3.10; confidence interval=1.11-8.63) and positive rheumatoid factor (p=0.035; OR=2.07; confidence interval=1.05-4.09). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the TNF2 allele is associated with the more serious forms of the disease in individuals from the Brazilian Amazon but not with a risk for developing RA.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide/genética , Artrite Reumatoide/patologia , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo Único/genética , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Alelos , Brasil , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Demografia , Feminino , Humanos , Articulações/patologia , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Modelos Genéticos , Curva ROC , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the follow-up of children diagnosed with deafness in neonatal hearing screening and risk factors for hearing loss. METHODS: Quantitative, cross-sectional, and retrospective study to evaluate factors associated with hearing loss and the follow-up of cases of children diagnosed with audiological dysfunction, by analyzing electronic medical records of 5,305 children referred to a Specialized Center in Type I Rehabilitation, from January/2016 to February/2020, in the city of Manaus, Amazonas. The statistical study used Pearson's chi-square test and binary logistic regression in which odds ratio scans were obtained with reliability intervals of 95%. RESULTS: Of the 5,305 children referred for the otoacoustic emission retest, 366 (6.9%) failed the retest. Children diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss continued in the study, totaling 265 (72.4%). Only 58 (21.9%) children continued in the study to its end, of these 39 had received hearing aids at that point; and 16 (41%) had surgical indication for cochlear implants, of which only 3 (18.7%) had undergone surgery. Among the risk factors for hearing loss, we found 2.6 times more chance of failure in the otoacoustic emissions retest in those children who had a family history of hearing loss and ICU stay. CONCLUSION: Although the screening flow reaches a large part of live births, the dropout rates during the process are high, therefore, the socioeconomic and geographic characteristics of regions such as the Amazon should be considered as relevant factors to the evasion of rehabilitation programs of these children. Hospitalization in the neonatal ICU and family history of hearing loss in the investigations could be identified as the main and most important factors for alteration of the otoacoustic emissions retests.
Assuntos
Surdez , Perda Auditiva , Recém-Nascido , Humanos , Criança , Estudos Retrospectivos , Seguimentos , Estudos Transversais , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Brasil/epidemiologia , Perda Auditiva/diagnóstico , Audição , Testes Auditivos , Surdez/diagnósticoRESUMO
The nasal mucosa is the main gateway for entry, replication and elimination of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the pathogen that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19). The presence of the virus in the epithelium causes damage to the nasal mucosa and compromises mucociliary clearance. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral antigens in the nasal mucociliary mucosa of patients with a history of mild COVID-19 and persistent inflammatory rhinopathy. We evaluated eight adults without previous nasal diseases and with a history of COVID-19 and persistent olfactory dysfunction for more than 80 days after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Samples of the nasal mucosa were collected via brushing of the middle nasal concha. The detection of viral antigens was performed using immunofluorescence through confocal microscopy. Viral antigens were detected in the nasal mucosa of all patients. Persistent anosmia was observed in four patients. Our findings suggest that persistent SARS-CoV-2 antigens in the nasal mucosa of mild COVID-19 patients may lead to inflammatory rhinopathy and prolonged or relapsing anosmia. This study sheds light on the potential mechanisms underlying persistent symptoms of COVID-19 and highlights the importance of monitoring patients with persistent anosmia and nasal-related symptoms.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Adulto , Humanos , COVID-19/complicações , COVID-19/diagnóstico , SARS-CoV-2 , Anosmia/diagnóstico , Anosmia/etiologia , Teste para COVID-19 , Mucosa Nasal , Antígenos ViraisRESUMO
Abstract Objectives: Age at menarche (MA) is a proxy for biological maturation and a parameter of socioeconomic changes. Worldwide, anticipation of menarche is associated with nutritional transition and excess weight. The objective of this study was to evaluate the MA in Amazonian students and its association with nutritional status, ethnicity, and socioeconomic level. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 1,017 students aged 6 to 17 living in the city of Manaus, Brazil. MA was analyzed by status quo and recall; its association with body mass index (BMI), race, socioeconomic status, and adult height was examined. Results: 559 (51.9%) participants had already experienced menarche. In 91.7%, menarche occurred between 10 and 14 years of age; the mean age at the onset of menarche was 11.9 years. Overweight (11.6 years) and obese (11.4 years) participants reached menarche earlier than those with normal weight (12 years) and lean (12.7 years) participants. The associations between MA and nutritional status showed that overweight and obesity are risk factors for the early occurrence of menarche. MA was not associated with socioeconomic status/parental education or race. However, excess weight was associated with earlier MA in all races and social classes. The adult height was slightly lower in girls with menarche before 12 years old (157.9 vs 159.4 cm). Conclusion: Regardless of socioeconomic level or ethnicity, excess weight was associated with earlier menarche in Amazonian students.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: To evaluate if oral flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum), which reduces the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, may help keratoconjunctivitis sicca's treatment in Sjögren's syndrome patients. METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial, 38 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erithematosus associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca and Sjögren's syndrome were consecutively selected from patients of the Department of Rheumatology of the Amazonas University Hospital. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca diagnosis was based on a dry-eye symptom survey score (Ocular Surface Disease Index - OSDI), Schirmer-I test, fluorescein break-up time, 1% Rose Bengal staining of ocular surface measured by the van Bijsterveld scale. All patients had ocular surface inflammation evaluated and quantified by conjunctival impression cytology, before and after the study. The subjects were divided into three groups with 13 (Group I), 12 (Group II) and 13 (Group III) patients. Group I received flaxseed oil capsules with a final 1 g/day dosis, Group II flaxseed oil capsules with a final 2 g/day dosis and Group III - controls - placebo, for 180 days. RESULTS: Comparing the results at the beginning and at the end of the treatment, statistically significant changes (p<0.05) in symptoms (OSDI), ocular surface inflammation quantified by conjunctival impression cytology, Schirmer-I test and fluorescein break-up time occurred in Groups I e II when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with oral flaxseed oil capsules 1 or 2 g/day reduces ocular surface inflammation and ameliorates the symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in Sjögren's syndrome patients. Long-term studies are needed to confirm the role of this therapy for keratoconjunctivitis sicca in Sjögren's syndrome.
Assuntos
Ceratoconjuntivite Seca/tratamento farmacológico , Óleo de Semente do Linho/uso terapêutico , Síndrome de Sjogren/complicações , Administração Oral , Adulto , Artrite Reumatoide/complicações , Artrite Reumatoide/tratamento farmacológico , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Oftalmológico , Métodos Epidemiológicos , Feminino , Fluoresceína , Humanos , Ceratoconjuntivite Seca/diagnóstico , Óleo de Semente do Linho/administração & dosagem , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/complicações , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/tratamento farmacológico , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Placebos , Rosa Bengala , Lágrimas/fisiologiaRESUMO
ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To evaluate the follow-up of children diagnosed with deafness in neonatal hearing screening and risk factors for hearing loss. METHODS Quantitative, cross-sectional, and retrospective study to evaluate factors associated with hearing loss and the follow-up of cases of children diagnosed with audiological dysfunction, by analyzing electronic medical records of 5,305 children referred to a Specialized Center in Type I Rehabilitation, from January/2016 to February/2020, in the city of Manaus, Amazonas. The statistical study used Pearson's chi-square test and binary logistic regression in which odds ratio scans were obtained with reliability intervals of 95%. RESULTS Of the 5,305 children referred for the otoacoustic emission retest, 366 (6.9%) failed the retest. Children diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss continued in the study, totaling 265 (72.4%). Only 58 (21.9%) children continued in the study to its end, of these 39 had received hearing aids at that point; and 16 (41%) had surgical indication for cochlear implants, of which only 3 (18.7%) had undergone surgery. Among the risk factors for hearing loss, we found 2.6 times more chance of failure in the otoacoustic emissions retest in those children who had a family history of hearing loss and ICU stay. CONCLUSION Although the screening flow reaches a large part of live births, the dropout rates during the process are high, therefore, the socioeconomic and geographic characteristics of regions such as the Amazon should be considered as relevant factors to the evasion of rehabilitation programs of these children. Hospitalization in the neonatal ICU and family history of hearing loss in the investigations could be identified as the main and most important factors for alteration of the otoacoustic emissions retests.
RESUMO OBJETIVO Avaliar o seguimento das crianças com diagnóstico de surdez na triagem auditiva neonatal e fatores de risco para deficiência auditiva. MÉTODOS Estudo quantitativo, transversal e retrospectivo para avaliação de fatores associados à perda auditiva e o seguimento dos casos de crianças diagnosticadas com disfunção audiológica, por meio da análise de prontuários eletrônicos de 5.305 crianças encaminhadas a um Centro Especializado em Reabilitação Tipo I, no período de janeiro/2016 a fevereiro/2020, na cidade de Manaus, Amazonas. O estudo estatístico utilizou o teste qui-quadrado de Pearson e por regressão logística binária nos quais foram obtidos odds ratio com intervalos de confiabilidade de 95%. RESULTADOS Das 5.305 crianças encaminhadas para realização do reteste da orelhinha, 366 (6,9%) falharam no reteste. Prosseguiram no estudo as crianças com diagnóstico de perda auditiva neurossensorial, totalizando 265 (72,4%). Permanecendo, no final da pesquisa, apenas 58 (21,9%) crianças, destas 39 receberam aparelho auditivo até o presente estudo; e 16 (41%) já tinham indicação cirúrgica para implante coclear, sendo que apenas três (18,7%) haviam realizado a cirurgia. Dentre os fatores de risco para deficiência auditiva encontramos 2,6 vezes mais chance de falha no reteste da orelhinha naquelas crianças que tinham história familiar de perda auditiva e internação em UTI. CONCLUSÕES Embora o fluxo de triagem alcance boa parte dos nascidos vivos, as taxas de evasão durante o processo são altas, portanto, as características socioeconômicas e geográficas de regiões como a Amazônia devem ser consideradas como fatores relevantes à evasão dos programas de reabilitação dessas crianças. Foi possível identificar que a internação em UTI neonatal e o histórico familiar de perda auditiva presentes nas investigações compõem os principais e mais importantes fatores para alteração dos retestes da orelhinha.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Recém-Nascido , Lactente , Centros de Reabilitação , Correção de Deficiência Auditiva/tendências , Triagem Neonatal , Qualidade, Acesso e Avaliação da Assistência à Saúde , Crianças com Deficiência , Surdez/diagnóstico , Perda de SeguimentoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to propose a protocol with the topographical relations of the ESLN and the superior thyroid artery in order to minimize the number of flaws in the proposals found in the literature. METHODS: the cervical regions of 57 human cadavers from the Forensic Medicine Institute were dissected bilaterally, with photographic identification of the ESLNs and their relation to the superior thyroid artery. These data were used to propose the following classification: Type 1: unidentified ESLN; Type 2: the ESLN crosses the superior thyroid artery 1.5 cm above the upper pole of the thyroid gland; Type 3: the ESLN crosses the superior thyroid artery between 1 and 1.5 cm above the upper pole of the thyroid gland; Type 4: the ESLN crosses the superior thyroid artery less than 1cm above the upper pole of the thyroid gland; Type 5: the ESLN crosses lateral-medially below the upper pole of the thyroid gland. As a supplement, types 2, 3 and 4 received the subclassification: A - the ESLN was partially or totally enclosed in the perimuscular or intramuscular areolar connective tissue, in the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, in more than half of its path after crossing the superior thyroid artery; B - the ESLN was not enclosed in either of these tissues. RESULTS: Type 1, 11.88%; Type 2, 13.86%; Type 3, 34.65%; Type 4, 38.61%; Type 5, 0.99%. CONCLUSION: the majority of the ESLN nearest to the upper pole of the gland (types 3 and 4) followed the perimuscular or intramuscular superficial connective tissue in the upper pole of the thyroid gland, which, in this study, disobliges the systematic identification of the nerve in thyroidectomies (p=0.075).
Assuntos
Nervos Laríngeos/anatomia & histologia , Glândula Tireoide/irrigação sanguínea , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Artérias , Cadáver , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJETIVO: Construir um protocolo das relações anatômicas topográficas do ramo externo do nervo laríngeo superior (NLSE) com a artéria tireóidea superior, para minimizar as falhas das propostas descritas na literatura. MÉTODOS: Foram dissecadas bilateralmente as regiões cervicais de 57 cadáveres frescos, no Instituto Médico-Legal do Estado do Amazonas, com identificação fotográfica dos NLSE e respectivas relações com a artéria tireóidea superior. A partir dos dados obtidos elaborou-se classificação: Tipo1: NLSE não identificado; Tipo 2: NLSE cruza a artéria tireóidea superior a distância maior de 1,5cm do limite cranial do lobo da glândula tireóide; Tipo 3: NLSE cruza a artéria entre 1cm e 1,5cm do limite cranial do lobo da glândula tireóide; Tipo 4: NLSE cruza a artéria a menos de 1cm do limite cranial do lobo da glândula; Tipo 5: NLSE cruza, látero-medialmente, abaixo do limite cranial do lobo tireóideo. Como suplemento classificatório, os tipos 2, 3 e 4 receberam subclassificação: A - quando se encontrava parcial ou totalmente envolto no tecido conjuntivo superficial peri-muscular ou intra-muscular, no constritor inferior da faringe, em mais da metade de seu percurso, após cruzar a artéria tireóide superior; B - quando se encontrava fora destes tecidos. RESULTADOS: Tipo 1, 11,88 por cento; Tipo 2, 13,86 por cento; Tipo 3, 34,65 por cento; Tipo 4, 38,61 por cento e Tipo 5, 0,99 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: Os NLSE mais próximos ao limite cranial (Tipos 3 e 4) percorriam, em sua maioria, o tecido frouxo peri-muscular ou intramuscular, no pólo superior da tireóide, o que neste estudo, desobrigam identificação sistemática do nervo nas tireoidectomias (p=0,075).
OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to propose a protocol with the topographical relations of the ESLN and the superior thyroid artery in order to minimize the number of flaws in the proposals found in the literature. METHODS: the cervical regions of 57 human cadavers from the Forensic Medicine Institute were dissected bilaterally, with photographic identification of the ESLNs and their relation to the superior thyroid artery. These data were used to propose the following classification: Type 1: unidentified ESLN; Type 2: the ESLN crosses the superior thyroid artery 1.5 cm above the upper pole of the thyroid gland; Type 3: the ESLN crosses the superior thyroid artery between 1 and 1.5cm above the upper pole of the thyroid gland; Type 4: the ESLN crosses the superior thyroid artery less than 1cm above the upper pole of the thyroid gland; Type 5: the ESLN crosses lateral-medially below the upper pole of the thyroid gland. As a supplement, types 2, 3 and 4 received the subclassification: A - the ESLN was partially or totally enclosed in the perimuscular or intramuscular areolar connective tissue, in the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, in more than half of its path after crossing the superior thyroid artery; B - the ESLN was not enclosed in either of these tissues. RESULTS: Type 1, 11.88 percent; Type 2, 13.86 percent; Type 3, 34.65 percent; Type 4, 38.61 percent; Type 5, 0.99 percent. CONCLUSION: the majority of the ESLN nearest to the upper pole of the gland (types 3 and 4) followed the perimuscular or intramuscular superficial connective tissue in the upper pole of the thyroid gland, which, in this study, disobliges the systematic identification of the nerve in thyroidectomies (p=0.075).
Assuntos
Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Adulto Jovem , Nervos Laríngeos/anatomia & histologia , Glândula Tireoide/irrigação sanguínea , Artérias , Cadáver , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJETIVO: Avaliar se a utilização por via oral do óleo de linhaça (Linum usitatissimum), que diminui a inflamação na artrite reumatóide, pode auxiliar no tratamento da ceratoconjuntivite seca de portadores da síndrome de Sjõgren. MÉTODOS: Em estudo clínico randomizado, 38 pacientes do sexo feminino, com diagnóstico de artrite reumatóide ou lúpus eritematoso sistêmico associadas à ceratoconjuntivite seca e síndrome de Sjõgren, provenientes do ambulatório de Reumatologia do Hospital Universitário da Universidade Federal do Amazonas, foram consecutivamente selecionadas. O diagnóstico de ceratoconjuntivite seca foi baseado em questionário para olho seco (Ocular Surface Disease Index - OSDI®), Teste I de Schirmer, tempo de quebra do filme lacrimal com fluoresceína e instilação do corante rosa bengala a 1 por cento, com intensidade da impregnação da superfíce ocular quantificada pela escala de van Bijsterveld. Todas as pacientes tiveram a inflamação da superfície conjuntival avaliada e quantificada por interpretação de exame de citologia de impressão conjuntival antes do início e ao final do estudo. As pacientes foram divididas em três grupos: Grupo I (n=13), Grupo II (n=12) e Grupo III (n=13). O Grupo I recebeu cápsulas com dose final de 1 g/dia de óleo de linhaça, o Grupo II recebeu cápsulas com dose final de 2 g/dia de óleo de linhaça e o Grupo III - controle - recebeu cápsulas com placebo, por 180 dias. RESULTADOS: Comparando os resultados no início e no final do tratamento, foram verificadas mudanças estatisticamente significantes (p<0,05) nos sintomas medidos pelo OSDI®, na inflamação da superfície ocular quantificada pela citologia de impressão conjuntival e nos testes I de Schirmer e tempo de quebra do filme lacrimal com fluoresceína nos Grupos I e II, quando comparados ao Grupo-controle. CONCLUSÃO: Terapia oral com óleo de linhaça, em cápsulas na dose de 1 ou 2 g/dia, reduz a inflamação da superfície ocular e melhora os sintomas de...
PURPOSE: To evaluate if oral flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum), which reduces the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, may help keratoconjunctivitis sicca's treatment in Sjõgren's syndrome patients. METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial, 38 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erithematosus associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca and Sjõgren's syndrome were consecutively selected from patients of the Departament of Reumatology of the Amazonas University Hospital. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca diagnosis was based on a dry-eye symptom survey score (Ocular Surface Disease Index - OSDI®), Schirmer-I test, fluorescein break-up time, 1 percent Rose Bengal staining of ocular surface measured by the van Bijsterveld scale. All patients had ocular surface inflammation evaluated and quantified by conjunctival impression cytology, before and after the study. The subjects were divided into three groups with 13 (Group I), 12 (Group II) and 13 (Group III) patients. Group I received flaxseed oil capsules with a final 1 g/day dosis, Group II flaxseed oil capsules with a final 2 g/day dosis and Group III - controls - placebo, for 180 days. RESULTS: Comparing the results at the beginning and at the end of the treatment, statistically significant changes (p<0.05) in symptoms (OSDI®), ocular surface inflammation quantified by conjunctival impression cytology, Schirmer-I test and fluorescein break-up time occurred in Groups I e II when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Therapy with oral flaxseed oil capsules 1 or 2 g/day reduces ocular surface inflammation and ameliorates the symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in Sjõgren's syndrome patients. Long-term studies are needed to confirm the role of this therapy for keratoconjunctivitis sicca in Sjõgren's syndrome.