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Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) promotes gut dysbiosis, and enteric glial reactivity, a feature of intestinal inflammation. Brazil nut modulated enteric glial profile in healthy animals and could modulate these cells in 5/6 nephrectomized rats.Methods: A 5/6 nephrectomy-induced CKD and Sham-operated rats were divided as follows: CKD and Sham received a standard diet and CKD-BN and Sham-BN received a 5% Brazil nut enriched-diet. The protein content of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), enteric glial marker, and GPx protein content and activity were assessed in the colon. The major phyla of gut microbiota were assessed.Results: CKD-BN group presented a decrease in GFAP content (p = 0.0001). The CKD-BN group modulated the abundance of Firmicutes, increasing its proportion compared to the CKD group. The CKD-BN group showed increased GPx activity in the colon (p = 0.0192), despite no significant difference in protein content.Conclusion: Brazil nut-enriched diet consumption decreased enteric glial reactivity and modulated gut microbiota in the CKD experimental model.

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been demonstrated to affect several systems of the human body, including the gastrointestinal and nervous systems. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a division of the autonomic nervous system that extends throughout the gut, regulates gastrointestinal function, and is therefore involved in most gut dysfunctions, including those resulting from many viral infections. Growing evidence highlights enteric neural cells and microbiota as important players in gut inflammation and dysfunction. Furthermore, the ENS and gastrointestinal immune system work together establishing relevant neuroimmune interactions during both health and disease. In recent years, gut-driven processes have also been implicated as players in systemic inflammation and in the initiation and propagation of several central nervous system pathologies, which seem to be hallmarks of COVID-19. In this review, we aim to describe evidence of the gastrointestinal and ENS infection with a focus on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We discuss here viral-induced mechanisms, neuroplasticity, and neuroinflammation to call attention to the enteric neuroglial network as a nervous system with a sensitive and crucial position to be not only a target of the new coronavirus but also a way in and trigger of COVID-19-related symptoms.

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The retinotectal topography of rats develops within the first three postnatal weeks during the critical period. Previous studies have shown that monocular enucleation results in plasticity of the intact retinotectal pathway in a time-dependent manner. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astrocyte marker, is up-regulated after central nervous system injury. Adenosine is a neuromodulator involved in the development and plasticity of the visual system acting through the inhibitory A1 and excitatory A2a receptor activities. Herein, we examined whether adenosine receptors and astrocytes are crucial for monocular enucleation (ME)-induced plasticity. We also investigate whether A2a blockade alters retinotectal plasticity in an astrocyte-dependent manner. Lister Hooded rats were submitted to monocular enucleation at postnatal day 10 (PND10) or PND21 and, after different survival times, were processed for immunohistochemistry or western blotting assays. Another group underwent subpial implantation of ELVAX containing vehicle (DMSO) or SCH58261 (1 µM - an A2a receptor antagonist), simultaneously with ME at PND10. After a 72 h survival, GFAP content and the retinotectal plasticity were evaluated. Our data show that monocular enucleation leads to an upregulation in GFAP expression in the contralateral superior colliculus. At PND10, a slight increase in GFAP labeling was observed at 72 h post-enucleation, while at PND21 GFAP increase was detected in the deafferented superior colliculus after 1 to 3 weeks of survival. The content of adenosine receptors also varies in the contralateral target after ME. A transient increase in A1 receptors is observed in the early periods of plasticity, while A2a receptors are upregulated later. Interestingly, the local blockade of A2a receptors abolished the increase in GFAP and the retinotectal reorganization induced by monocular enucleation during the critical period. Taken together these results suggest a correlation between astrocytes and A2a adenosine receptors in the subcortical visual plasticity.

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Austrodiplostomum Szidat & Nani, 1951 is a genus of parasitic digenetic trematodes widely distributed in the Neotropical region. Infects a wide variety of species, families and requests for freshwater fish. We identify samples of Austrodiplostomum sp, based on metacercariae isolates from eyes of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), a fish of high commercial importance in Brazil, and widely consumed by the population of the northern region. The sequences obtained clustered with A. compactum. This is the first report of the occurrence of diplostomids in farmed tambaqui in Amazonia.

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Rex retroelements are the best-known transposable elements class and are broadly distributed through fish and also individual genomes, playing an important role in their evolutionary dynamics. Several agents can stress these elements; among them, there are some parasitic compounds such as the organochlorophosphate Trichlorfon. Consequently, knowing that the organochlorophosphate Trichlorfon is indiscriminately used as an antiparasitic in aquaculture, the current study aimed to analyze the effects of this compound on the activation of the Transposable Elements (TEs) Rex1, Rex3, and Rex6 and the structure of heterochromatin in the mitotic chromosomes of the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). For this, two concentrations of the pesticide were used: 30% (0.261 mg/L) and 50% (0.435 mg/L) of the recommended LC50-96 h concentration (0.87 mg/L) for this fish species. The results revealed a dispersed distribution for Rex1 and Rex6 retroelements. Rex3 showed an increase in both marking intensity and distribution, as well as enhanced chromosomal heterochromatinization. This probably happened by the mediation of epigenetic adaptive mechanisms, causing the retroelement mobilization to be repressed. However, this behavior was most evident when Trichlorfon concentrations and exposure times were the greatest, reflecting the genetic flexibility necessary for this species to successfully adapt to environmental changes.

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Enteric glial cells (EGCs) constitute the majority of the neural population of the enteric nervous system and are found in all layers of the gastrointestinal tract. It is active in enteric functions such as immunomodulation, participating in inflammation and intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) regulation. Both EGCs and IEB have been described as altered in Parkinson's disease (PD). Using an animal model of PD induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), we investigated the effect of ongoing neurodegeneration on EGCs and inflammatory response during short periods after model induction. C57Bl/6 male mice were unilaterally injected with 6-OHDA in the striatum. Compared to the control group, 6-OHDA animals showed decreased relative water content in their feces from 1 w after model induction. Moreover, at 1 and 2 w post-induction, groups showed histopathological changes indicative of intestinal inflammation. We identified an increase in IBA1 and GFAP levels in the intestinal mucosa. At an earlier survival of 48 h, we detected an increase in GFAP in the neuromuscular layer, suggesting that it was a primary event for the upregulation of GDNF, TNF-α, and occludin in the intestinal mucosa observed after 1 w. Within 2 w, we identified a decrease in the expression of occludin barrier proteins. Thus, EGCs modulation may be an early enteric signal induced by parkinsonian neurodegeneration, followed by inflammatory and dysmotility signs besides IEB modification.

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The enteric nervous system (ENS) regulates several functional and immunological processes in the gastrointestinal tract. However, some diseases can disrupt the ENS functionality, impacting the behavior of enteric neurons and enteric glial cells by increasing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress is considered to be a trigger for alterations in these cells' morphology, density, and neurochemical patterns. In light of this, nutritional strategies are a growing field of investigation regarding their potential to modulate enteric neurons and enteric glial cells through reduced reactive oxygen species production. Moreover, several lines of evidence show that nutrients are related to counteracting oxidative stress. Some studies have evaluated the potential of nutrients with antioxidant roles (such as amino acids, polyphenols, prebiotics, vitamins, and specific extracts obtained from foods) to modulate the ENS. Thus, this review discusses how bioactive compounds and nutrients can impact the ENS by alleviating oxidative stress.

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Obesity is a chronic disease that affects various physiological systems. Among them, the gastrointestinal tract appears to be a main target of this disease. High-fat diet (HFD) animal models can help recapitulate the classic signs of obesity and present a series of gastrointestinal alterations, mainly dysmotility. Because intestinal motility is governed by the enteric nervous system (ENS), enteric neurons, and glial cells have been studied in HFD models. Given the importance of the ENS in general gut physiology, this review aims to discuss the relationship between HFD-induced neuroplasticity and gut dysmotility observed in experimental models. Furthermore, we highlight components of the gut environment that might influence enteric neuroplasticity, including gut microbiota, enteric glio-epithelial unit, serotonin release, immune cells, and disturbances such as inflammation and oxidative stress.

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BACKGROUND: The role of food and nutrients in the regulation of enteric glial cell functions is unclear. Some foods influence enteric neurophysiology and can affect glial cell functions that include regulation of the intestinal barrier, gastric emptying, and colonic transit. Brazil nuts are the most abundant natural source of selenium, unsaturated fatty acids, fibers, and polyphenols. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the effects of a Brazil nut-enriched diet on enteric glial cells and gastrointestinal transit. METHODS: Two-month-old male Wistar rats were randomized to a standard diet (control group, CG), standard diet containing 5% (wt/wt) Brazil nut (BN5), and standard diet containing 10% (wt/wt) Brazil nut (BN10) (n = 9 per group). After eight weeks, the animals underwent constipation and gastric emptying tests to assess motility. Evaluations of colonic immunofluorescence staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and myenteric ganglia area were performed. RESULTS: The BN5 group showed increased weight gain while the BN10 group did not (p < 0.0001). The BN10 group showed higher gastric residue amounts compared to the other groups (p = 0.0008). The colon exhibited an increase in GFAP immunoreactivity in the BN5 group compared to that in the other groups (p = 0.0016), and the BN10 group presented minor immunoreactivity compared to the CG (p = 0.04). The BN10 group presented a minor ganglia area compared to the CG (p = 0.0155). CONCLUSION: The Brazil nut-enriched diet modified the gastric residual, colonic GFAP immunoreactivity, and myenteric ganglia area after eight weeks in healthy male Wistar rats.

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OBJECTIVE: to validate the content and appearance of the educational booklet "You can control your child's asthma - let's learn together?" with parents and caregivers of children with asthma. METHODS: this is a methodological study, carried out with 34 mothers and caregivers of children, from two to 10 years old, diagnosed with asthma. The educational booklet validation was performed using Content Validity Index (CVI) and assessment of comprehension, attractiveness, self-efficacy, persuasion, and cultural acceptance domains. RESULTS: the booklet was considered clear (99.8%) and relevant (100%), with a global CVI of 0.99. Domain assessment proved to be an easy-to-understand tool, culturally appropriate, attractive, with persuasive power and promoting self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: the booklet is valid and adequate for promoting the self-efficacy of parents and caregivers in childhood asthma control and management, potentially scalable to other realities of outpatient care.

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Monocular eye enucleation (ME) is a classical paradigm to induce neural plasticity in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) axons from the intact eye, especially when performed within the critical period of visual system development. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the axonal sprouting and synaptogenesis seen in this model remain poorly understood. In the present work, we investigated the temporal alterations in phosphorylation of three kinases related to axonal growth and synaptogenesis-GSK3ß (an important repressor of axonal outgrowth), AKT, and ERK-in superior colliculus of rats submitted to ME during early postnatal development. Western blotting analysis showed an increase in pGSK3ß, the inactive form of this enzyme, 24 and 48 hr after ME. Accordingly, an increase in pERK levels was detected 24 hr after ME, indicating that phosphorylation of these enzymes might be related to axonal reorganization induced by ME. Interestingly, AKT phosphorylation was increased just 1 week after ME, suggesting it may be involved in the stabilization of newly formed synapses, rising from the axonal reorganization of remaining eye. A better understanding of how signaling pathways are modulated in a model of intense axonal sprouting can highlight possible therapeutic targets in RGCs injuries in adult individuals, where axonal regrowth is nearly absent.

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ABSTRACT Objective: to validate the content and appearance of the educational booklet "You can control your child's asthma - let's learn together?" with parents and caregivers of children with asthma. Methods: this is a methodological study, carried out with 34 mothers and caregivers of children, from two to 10 years old, diagnosed with asthma. The educational booklet validation was performed using Content Validity Index (CVI) and assessment of comprehension, attractiveness, self-efficacy, persuasion, and cultural acceptance domains. Results: the booklet was considered clear (99.8%) and relevant (100%), with a global CVI of 0.99. Domain assessment proved to be an easy-to-understand tool, culturally appropriate, attractive, with persuasive power and promoting self-efficacy. Conclusion: the booklet is valid and adequate for promoting the self-efficacy of parents and caregivers in childhood asthma control and management, potentially scalable to other realities of outpatient care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: validar el contenido y la apariencia del folleto educativo "Puedes controlar el asma de tu hijo, ¿vamos a aprender juntos?" con los padres y cuidadores de niños con asma. Métodos: estudio metodológico, realizado con 34 madres y cuidadoras de niños, de 2 a 10 años, diagnosticados de asma. La validación del cuadernillo educativo se realizó mediante el Índice de Validez de Contenido (IVC) y la evaluación de los dominios comprensión, atractivo, autoeficacia, persuasión y aceptación cultural. Resultados: el folleto se consideró claro (99,8%) y relevante (100%), con un IVC global de 0,99. La evaluación de los dominios resultó ser una herramienta fácil de entender, culturalmente apropiada, atractiva, con el poder de persuadir y promover la autoeficacia. Conclusión: el folleto es válido y adecuado para promover la autoeficacia de los padres y cuidadores en el control y manejo del asma infantil, potencialmente escalable a otras realidades de la atención ambulatoria.

RESUMO Objetivo: validar o conteúdo e a aparência da cartilha educativa "Você é capaz de controlar a asma da sua criança - vamos aprender juntos?" junto a pais e cuidadores de crianças com asma. Métodos: estudo metodológico, realizado com 34 mães e cuidadoras de crianças, de dois a 10 anos de idade, com diagnóstico de asma. A validação da cartilha educativa foi realizada a partir do Índice de Validade de Conteúdo (IVC) e da avaliação dos domínios compreensão, atratividade, autoeficácia, persuasão e aceitação cultural. Resultados: a cartilha foi considerada clara (99,8%) e relevante (100%), com IVC global de 0,99. A avaliação dos domínios evidenciou ser uma ferramenta de fácil compreensão, adequada culturalmente, atrativa, com poder de persuasão e de promover autoeficácia. Conclusão: a cartilha é válida e adequada para promoção da autoeficácia de pais e cuidadores no controle e manejo da asma infantil, potencialmente escalável a outras realidades de atendimento ambulatorial.

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Background: Fetal malformations are diagnosed prenatally in nearly 3% of pregnancies, and ∼1.2% are major malformations. After prenatal diagnosis, it is imperative to consider families' values and to support their decision-making process. Prenatal palliative care is a growing field mainly based on family conferences. The prenatal care setting is unique and differs from postnatal and adult care. There are no descriptions of family conferences in prenatal palliative care. The descriptions of themes that emerge from the prenatal care conference charts may guide professionals in this delicate task, and help determine the causes of suffering and identify family values before the birth of the infant. Aim: To perform a content analysis of medical records of family conferences and to describe the main themes observed during prenatal palliative care follow-up after the diagnosis of a life-limiting fetal condition. Design: This is a retrospective study of medical records of family conferences from a perinatal palliative care group, the GAI group, between May 2015 and September 2016. Setting/Participants: Families with estimated perinatal mortality >50% and eligibility for follow-up at our tertiary fetal medicine center were enrolled. We included women who participated in at least one family conference with the GAI group and who had given birth at the clinic or delivered at another center and returned for the postnatal family conference. Results: Fifty women met the inclusion criteria. Five main themes and 18 categories emerged from the charts and are described in detail. A model of follow-up in prenatal palliative care is proposed based on the themes and categories identified. Conclusions: This analysis may guide health professionals who seek to better identify family needs and values and organize follow-up during prenatal palliative care.

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Um grupo de pessoas se encontra em plataforma virtual para falar de medos, angústias e violências em tempos de pandemia. Alunos e ex-alunos da UFRGS, falando de diferentes lugares, a maioria não se conhecia. Começam dizendo do porquê de terem vindo. Pedaços de vida, dores, violências, solidão e morte, o mundo esfrangalhado lá fora. Alguns vão embora, 13 ficam. No meio do medo, da angústia e da violência começam a brotar narrativas, o desejo de contar histórias, divisado por poetas, viajantes, profetas e loucos, do qual nos fala Walter Benjamin. Desejo que permanece, quer seja em volta da fogueira, no barraco destelhado, embaixo do viaduto, em frente à tela do computador. O desejo de se contar vigora mesmo no espaço virtual e os fluxos de energia pensante driblam o muro e se lançam no espaço, quebrando as cadeias de ódio emitidas pelas redes de robôs, pelas máquinas da Matrix. Durante três meses, membros e membras deste grupo se reuniram e debulharam os conceitos, queriam saber mais. Depois, amarraram os conceitos nas narrativas pessoais e veio a vontade de fazer, de criar algo, de resistir. Então começou a tarefa grupal, aquela que Pichon-Rivière e Paulo Freire descobriram que acontece nos grupos humanos, quando se irmanam para fazer juntos. Em comunhão. A tarefa pode ser muito simples. Escrever um texto, contar uma história, dar de comer aos que têm fome, ensinar a ler o mundo, enterrar os mortos, semear o grão, amassar o pão de cada dia. Os 13 decidiram escrever um antimanual, como se fosse uma mensagem colocada em uma garrafa e jogada ao mar. Levando apenas a esperança de ser encontrada. Apresento, então esta prosaica criação que inventamos, nós ­ os treze: Um antimanual para enfrentar a Covid 19 ­ falando de medos, angústias e violências. Nele estão mescladas histórias, dores, medos e angústias, um pouco de arte, um pouco de alegria e uma grande vontade de seguir a luta.

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Lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) can often induce structural reorganization within intact circuits of the brain. Several studies show advances in the understanding of mechanisms of brain plasticity and the role of the immune system activation. Microglia, a myeloid derived cell population colonizes the CNS during early phases of embryonic development. In the present study, we evaluated the role of microglial activation in the sprouting of intact axons following lesions of the visual pathways. We evaluated the temporal course of microglial activation in the superior colliculus following a contralateral monocular enucleation (ME) and the possible involvement of microglial cells in the plastic reorganization of the intact, uncrossed, retinotectal pathway from the remaining eye. Lister Hooded rats were enucleated at PND 10 and submitted to systemic treatment with inhibitors of microglial activation: cyclosporine A and minocycline. The use of neuroanatomical tracers allowed us to evaluate the time course of structural axonal plasticity. Immunofluorescence and western blot techniques were used to observe the expression of microglial marker, Iba-1 and the morphology of microglial cells. Following a ME, Iba-1 immunoreactivity showed a progressive increase of microglial activation in the contralateral SC at 24 h, peaking at 72 h after the lesion. Treatment with inhibitors of microglial activation blocked both the structural plasticity of intact uncrossed retinotectal axons and microglial activation as seen by the decrease of Iba-1 immunoreactivity. The local blockade of TNF-α with a neutralizing antibody was also able to block axonal plasticity of the intact eye following a ME. The data support the hypothesis that microglial activation is a necessary step for the regulation of neuroplasticity induced by lesions during early brain development.

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The dinoflagellate Piscinoodinium pillulare is a parasite with low parasitic specificity and unspecific geographical distribution. This research reported a simple and practical method - the principle of spontaneous sedimentation - to identify the presence of P. pillulare during massive infestations which does not require using precision equipment. Agitation in water of the gill arches of infested fish will elicit, after a period of rest, recording the accumulation of trophonts in the bottom of flasks. The method was applied during outbreaks of P. pillulare in tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum and matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus, in fish farms of the Amazon region and proved to be effective.(AU)

O dinoflagelado Piscinoodinium pillulare é um parasita com baixa especificidade parasitária e distribuição geográfica não específica. Este trabalho reporta um método simples e prático - o princípio da sedimentação espontânea - para identificar a presença de P. pillulare durante infestações maciças, que não requer o uso de equipamentos de precisão. A agitação em água dos arcos branquiais de peixes infestados permite, após um período de repouso, registrar o acúmulo de trofontes no fundo dos frascos. O método foi aplicado durante os surtos de P. pillulare em tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum e matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus, em pisciculturas comerciais da região Amazônica e provou ser eficaz.(AU)

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In this paper, we have described for the first time a semiquantitative method to evaluate histopathological damage, taking the degree of Neoechinorhynchus buttnerae attachment to the intestinal wall of the tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), an important species in Brazilian aquaculture, into account. Twelve specimens of tambaqui were collected from a fish farm. Their bowels were removed and divided into seven morphologically distinct portions according to density and distribution of the parasite studies. Fragments from each fraction were histologically processed and analyzed. There was a clear preference on the part of N. buttnerae for the intermediate regions of the intestinal tube, where the highest densities were recorded. The intensity of damage to the host, estimated by calculating the Histopathological Alteration Index (HAI), showed severe and irreversible changes only where the parasite had its proboscis penetrated into the intestine wall.

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ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties in terms of validity and reliability of the scale Self-efficacy and their child's level of asthma control: Brazilian version. Method: Methodological study in which 216 parents/guardians of children with asthma participated. A construct validation (factor analysis and test of hypothesis by comparison of contrasted groups) and an analysis of reliability in terms of homogeneity (Cronbach's alpha) and stability (test-retest) were carried out. Results: Exploratory factor analysis proved suitable for the Brazilian version of the scale (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkim index of 0.879 and Bartlett's sphericity with p < 0.001). The correlation matrix in factor analysis suggested the removal of item 7 from the scale. Cronbach's alpha of the final scale, with 16 items, was 0.92. Conclusion: The Brazilian version of Self-efficacy and their child's level of asthma control presented psychometric properties that confirmed its validity and reliability.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar las propiedades psicométricas en términos de validez y confiabilidad de la escala Self-efficacy and their child's level of asthma control: versión brasileña. Método: Estudio metodológico del cual participaron 216 padres/cuidadores de niños con asma. Se procedió a la validación del constructo (análisis factorial y testeo de hipótesis por comparación de grupos contrastados), confiabilidad en términos de homogeneidad (alfa de Cronbach) y estabilidad (test-retest). Resultados: El análisis factorial exploratorio se mostró adecuado para la versión brasileña de la escala (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkim de 0,879 y esfericidad de Bartlett con p<0,001). La matriz de correlación en el análisis factorial sugirió el retiro del ítem 07, resultando el Alfa de Cronbach final de la escala con 16 ítems de 0,92. Conclusión: La versión brasileña de la Self-efficacy and their child's level of asthma control expresó propiedades psicométricas que comprueban su validez y confiabilidad.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as propriedades psicométricas em termos de validade e confiabilidade da escala Self-efficacy and their child's level of asthma control: versão brasileira. Método: Estudo metodológico em que participaram 216 pais/cuidadores de crianças com asma. Procederam-se a validação de construto (análise fatorial e testagem de hipóteses por comparação de grupos contrastados), confiabilidade em termos de homogeneidade (alfa de Cronbach) e estabilidade (teste-reteste). Resultados: A análise fatorial exploratória mostrou-se adequada para a versão brasileira da escala (Kaiser- Meyer-Olkim de 0,879 e a esfericidade de Bartlett com p<0,001). A matriz de correlação na análise fatorial sugeriu a retirada do item 07, sendo o Alfa de Cronbach final da escala com 16 itens de 0,92. Conclusão: A versão brasileira da Self-efficacy and their child's level of asthma control apresentou propriedades psicométricas que comprovam sua validade e confiabilidade.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties in terms of validity and reliability of the scale Self-efficacy and their child's level of asthma control: Brazilian version. METHOD: Methodological study in which 216 parents/guardians of children with asthma participated. A construct validation (factor analysis and test of hypothesis by comparison of contrasted groups) and an analysis of reliability in terms of homogeneity (Cronbach's alpha) and stability (test-retest) were carried out. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis proved suitable for the Brazilian version of the scale (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkim index of 0.879 and Bartlett's sphericity with p < 0.001). The correlation matrix in factor analysis suggested the removal of item 7 from the scale. Cronbach's alpha of the final scale, with 16 items, was 0.92. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of Self-efficacy and their child's level of asthma control presented psychometric properties that confirmed its validity and reliability.

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ABSTRACT: The dinoflagellate Piscinoodinium pillulare is a parasite with low parasitic specificity and unspecific geographical distribution. This research reported a simple and practical method - the principle of spontaneous sedimentation - to identify the presence of P. pillulare during massive infestations which does not require using precision equipment. Agitation in water of the gill arches of infested fish will elicit, after a period of rest, recording the accumulation of trophonts in the bottom of flasks. The method was applied during outbreaks of P. pillulare in tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum and matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus, in fish farms of the Amazon region and proved to be effective.

RESUMO: O dinoflagelado Piscinoodinium pillulare é um parasita com baixa especificidade parasitária e distribuição geográfica não específica. Este trabalho reporta um método simples e prático - o princípio da sedimentação espontânea - para identificar a presença de P. pillulare durante infestações maciças, que não requer o uso de equipamentos de precisão. A agitação em água dos arcos branquiais de peixes infestados permite, após um período de repouso, registrar o acúmulo de trofontes no fundo dos frascos. O método foi aplicado durante os surtos de P. pillulare em tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum e matrinxã, Brycon amazonicus, em pisciculturas comerciais da região Amazônica e provou ser eficaz.