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Two new heptapeptides, [1-7-NαC]-crocaorbs A1 (1) and A2 (2), were isolated from the latex of Croton campanulatus. Their structures were determined using NMR spectroscopic techniques, ESI-HRMS data, Marfey's method, and further refined using molecular dynamics with simulated annealing (MD/SA). Molecular dynamics calculations of peptides 1 and 2 demonstrated greater stability in simulations using a biological solvent compared to those using DMSO. Compound 1, the most abundant peptide in latex, was assessed for NO production, antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity activities. The peptide significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) production at concentrations of 40, 20 or 10 µM (17.932 ± 1.1, 18.270 ± 0.9, 18.499 ± 0.7, respectively). Its antiplasmodial activity exhibited limited efficacy, with only 5% inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 growth at a concentration of 50 µM. Also, it exhibited no cytotoxic effects in the J774A.1 murine macrophages cell line. This study represents the first report of a phytochemical investigation of the species C. campanulatus, which showed orbitides with distinctive sequences in contrast to other peptides described for the genus Croton and contributes to the study of structural diversity within this particular class of compounds.

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Lepidopteran pests have been successfully managed by the adoption of insect resistant transgenic plants expressing Cry and/or Vip insecticidal proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt plants). Among such pests, Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is highlighted for its destructive potential in maize crops and for cases of field-evolved resistance to Bt plants. Cry insecticidal proteins expressed in Bt plants are known for their interaction with insect midgut receptors and subsequent midgut cell disruption that leads to target pest death. In the midgut of lepidopteran larval pests such as S. frugiperda, serine proteases are important in dietary protein digestion and activation or degradation of insecticidal proteins. This work was conducted to evaluate if the use of a soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) could disrupt the development of a Bt-susceptible and a Bt-resistant population of S. frugiperda ingesting Bt (expressing Cry1F, Cry1A.105, and Cry2Ab2 Cry proteins) and non-Bt maize plants. The SBTI was produced and purified using recombinant expression in E. coli followed by purification in Ni-Sepharose. Bioassays using non-Bt maize leaves indicated that the development of susceptible and resistant populations of S. frugiperda was not influenced by the ingestion of SBTI. However, when the resistant population consumed Bt maize plants amended with SBTI, high mortality along with a reduction in larval weight and reduced activity of digestive trypsins were observed. Although the mode of action was not elucidated, it is possible that the consumption of SBTI increased susceptibility to Bt maize in the resistant population of S. frugiperda.

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It is estimated that 3.75 billion people worldwide lack access to healthcare services. Marginalized populations, such as people with disabilities, are at greater risk of exclusion. People with disabilities not only face the same barriers as people without disabilities, but also experience a range of additional barriers in accessing healthcare due to a variety of discriminatory and inaccessible environments. These extra barriers exist despite their greater need for general healthcare, as well as specialized healthcare related to their impairment. Few studies have focused on healthcare providers and the challenges they face in caring for this group. This paper describes the perspectives of healthcare stakeholders and reported challenges to the provision of quality primary healthcare for people with disabilities. In-depth interviews with 11 healthcare stakeholders were conducted in three regions of Guatemala. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five sub-themes emerged from the above theme: infrastructure and availability of resources, impairment-based challenges, need for special attention and empathy, opportunity to provide services to people with disabilities, and gaps in training. The results could contribute to the development and implementation of strategies that can improve primary care provision and ultimately access to services for people with disabilities in low- and middle-income countries.

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Research has demonstrated that persons with disabilities, despite their greater need for healthcare services, often experience greater barriers to accessing healthcare including primary healthcare. Data and interventions on access to primary healthcare for persons with disabilities to date appear to concentrate more on access and quality issues once the person with a disability has initiated the healthcare seeking process, with less emphasis on how healthcare decisions are made at the personal or household level when one identifies a healthcare need. The aim of this study was to investigate how healthcare decisions are made by people with disabilities when they first identify a healthcare need. It is anticipated that gaining a better understanding of how such decisions are made will facilitate the development of interventions and approaches to improve access to primary healthcare services for this group. A qualitative study was undertaken in Guatemala. In-depth interviews were undertaken with twenty-seven adults with disabilities, including men and women with a range of impairment types and ages. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify themes that influence the decision-making processes in accessing primary healthcare services for people with disabilities. Thematic analysis of the interviews along with exploration of three existing access to health frameworks and models, led to identification of four primary themes and development of a new conceptual framework highlighting the complex decision-making process undertaken by people with disabilities about whether to seek primary healthcare services or not when confronted with a healthcare concern. The themes include perceived severity of illness and need for treatment, personal attributes, societal factors, and health system characteristics. Using this new conceptual framework will facilitate the development of more effective policies and interventions to improve access to primary healthcare services for people with disabilities through greater understanding of the complex network of variables and barriers.

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Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of worldwide distribution that can infect several species of homeothermic animals. Few studies have evaluated the exposure of captive wild animals to T. gondii. This study involved a serological survey of anti-T. gondii antibodies in mammals kept in Cuba's National Zoo (PZN) and in the Rio de Janeiro Zoo (RIOZOO) in Brazil. The study consisted of a total of 231 serum samples from mammals, 108 from PZN and 123 from RIOZOO. All the samples were subjected to IgG anti-T. gondii testing by means of the inhibition ELISA method and the modified agglutination test, respectively. T. gondii antibodies were detected in 85.2% samples from PZN and 32.5% samples from RIOZOO. At the PZN, Perissodactyla (92.3%) was the order with the highest serological prevalence rate, whereas at the RIOZOO, the order Primates (46.7%) stood out (p<0.05). In addition to this association, the origin of the PZN animals was also associated with T. gondii infection. This finding demonstrates the need for constant veterinary monitoring of captive wild mammals in order to link the serological diagnosis with clinical alterations indicative of toxoplasmosis.

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Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of worldwide distribution that can infect several species of homeothermic animals. Few studies have evaluated the exposure of captive wild animals to T. gondii. This study involved a serological survey of anti-T. gondii antibodies in mammals kept in Cuba's National Zoo (PZN) and in the Rio de Janeiro Zoo (RIOZOO) in Brazil. The study consisted of a total of 231 serum samples from mammals, 108 from PZN and 123 from RIOZOO. All the samples were subjected to IgG anti-T. gondii testing by means of the inhibition ELISA method and the modified agglutination test, respectively. T. gondii antibodies were detected in 85.2% samples from PZN and 32.5% samples from RIOZOO. At the PZN, Perissodactyla (92.3%) was the order with the highest serological prevalence rate, whereas at the RIOZOO, the order Primates (46.7%) stood out (p<0.05). In addition to this association, the origin of the PZN animals was also associated with T. gondii infection. This finding demonstrates the need for constant veterinary monitoring of captive wild mammals in order to link the serological diagnosis with clinical alterations indicative of toxoplasmosis.

Resumo Toxoplasma gondii é um parasito zoonótico de distribuição mundial que pode infectar várias espécies de animais homeotérmicos. Poucos estudos avaliaram a exposição de animais silvestres em cativeiro ao T. gondii. Este estudo envolveu uma pesquisa sorológica de anticorpos anti-T. gondii em mamíferos mantidos no Zoológico Nacional de Cuba (PZN) e no Zoológico do Rio de Janeiro (RIOZOO) no Brasil. O estudo consistiu em um total de 231 amostras de soro de mamíferos, sendo 108 do PZN e 123 do RIOZOO. Todas as amostras foram submetidas à pesquisa de IgG anti-T. gondii pelos métodos de ELISA de inibição (PZN) e teste de aglutinação modificado (RIOZOO). Anticorpos de T. gondii foram detectados em 85,2% das amostras do PZN e 32,5% das amostras do RIOZOO. No PZN, Perissodactyla (92,3%) foi a ordem com maior taxa de prevalência sorológica, enquanto no RIOZOO a ordem Primatas (46,7%) se destacou (p <0,05). Além dessa associação, a origem dos animais PZN também foi associada à infecção por T. gondii. Esse achado demonstra a necessidade de monitoramento veterinário constante de mamíferos silvestres em cativeiro, a fim de vincular o diagnóstico sorológico a alterações clínicas indicativas de toxoplasmose.

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Stachys byzantina C. Koch (Lamiaceae alt. Labiatae), commonly known as lamb's ear, is an important medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anticancer, antispasmodic, sedative and diuretic properties (Asnaashari et al. 2010). This plant is widely consumed in Europe and Asia as aromatic teas. In Brazil, it is an unconventional food plant, nonetheless, its medicinal properties have been recognized as well as its production. In May 2019, in a Sao Paulo State municipality, Jaboticabal, (21°14'38.7"S 48°17'10.6"W), S. byzantina plants presented reduced growth and chlorotic leaves associated with root galls. In the phytopathological clinic, 7,983 eggs and juveniles of Meloidogyne sp. were counted in 10 g of the plant roots. In 100 cm³ of soil surrounding the plant, 532 second-stage Meloidogyne sp. juveniles (J2) were found. Morphological, enzymatic and molecular identification of the nematode species found were performed (Fig. S1). For morphological analysis, perineal pattern of females (n = 10) and labial region of males (n = 10) were analyzed. In the perineal region of females, a high and trapezoidal dorsal arch with thick striations was observed, whereas the males presented the trapezoidal labial region with the prominent labial disc in relation to the sub-median lips and transverse streaks in the head region, typical characteristics of M. incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919) Chitwood 1949. (Netscher and Taylor 1974; Eisenback and Hirschmann 1981). The esterase enzyme profile, obtained individually from 8 females, was compatible with phenotype I1 [Rm (x100) = 46.25], also associated with M. incognita (Esbenshade and Triantaphyllou 1985). Molecular analysis was realized (n = 3) by applying the primers Finc/Rinc (Zijlstra et al. 2000) in the DNA of individual females, which resulted in the amplification of an amplicon of 1200 bp specific for M. incognita. Pathogenicity testing was conducted in a greenhouse by inoculation of 5,000 eggs and juveniles from the original population into S. byzantina seedlings (n = 4). After 90 days, the inoculated plants, unlike the non-inoculated ones, exhibited symptoms similar to those initially observed in the field. The nematodes were extracted from the roots of the inoculated plants, quantified, and the identity of M. incognita was confirmed. The average reproductive factor obtained was 136.6, confirming the pathogenicity of M. incognita to S. byzantina. Thus, this is the first report of M. incognita associated with S. byzantina in Brazil and in the world. Lamb's ear is a horticultural plant, and its high reproductive factor to M. incognita can also result in damage to the subsequent crops. In addition, Lamb's ear is propagated vegetatively and this favors the spread of nematodes to other areas. This new report is important in order to alert producers to realize the proper management of this nematode in S. byzantina.

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Biological control using entomopathogens and natural enemies is an ecofriendly method for pest management in agriculture. Biological control agents often can be simultaneously employed and compatibility between agents may improve pest suppression. We investigated the influence of the entomopathogen Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on the immune system of the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) to determine if such changes impact parasitization by Cotesia flavipes Cameron, 1891 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). The immune response of surviving D. saccharalis larvae fed with an LC25 dosage of a Bt-based biopesticide (Dipel®) was analyzed (total hemocyte count, hemocyte adhesion, and activities of phenoloxidase and lysozyme). Furthermore, the suitability of surviving Bt-fed larvae as hosts for C. flavipes was assessed by measuring parasitoid attributes such as number and size of teratocytes, weight of pupae, length of adult female tibia and number of emerged adults. Total hemocyte count, but not hemocyte adhesion, total protein content and phenoloxidase activity increased in the hemolymph of non-parasitized Bt-fed larvae (Bt-NP) compared to control larvae (NBt-NP). Lysozyme activity increased only after parasitization without Bt exposure (NBt-P). After parasitization, the immunological parameters activated in Bt-NP larvae decreased to levels at or below those observed in control larvae, showing that C. flavipes can regulate the activated immune response of Bt-fed larvae. The development of C. flavipes was not impaired in Bt-fed larval hosts (Bt-P); no changes were observed for teratocyte size, weight of pupal mass, length of hind tibia and number of adults emerged.

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Toxoplasma gondii is the etiological agent of toxoplasmosis, a widespread zoonosis that affects several homeothermic animals, including humans. This disease causes serious health problems, such that 10% of infected individuals develop clinical manifestations. Some studies on indigenous human populations have indicated variations in seroprevalence from 10.6% to 80.4% in such populations in different regions of Brazil and in other countries like Venezuela and Malaysia. To date, there have been no studies regarding the prevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies in Haliti-Paresí Indians living in Campo Novo do Parecis, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Our objective here was to determine the frequency of occurrence of antibodies against this protozoon in nine Haliti-Paresí villages by correlating seroprevalence with locations and variables. Serodiagnoses were made using the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis and Other Protozoan Diseases of IOC/Fiocruz. It was considered that samples tested positive for T. gondii infection if IgG/IgM antibodies against this protozoon were detected through serodiagnosis using either IFAT or ELISA. Among the 293 samples analyzed, 66.9% presented anti-T. gondii IgG and 3.4% presented anti-T. gondii IgM. It was observed that there were no statistically significant differences in frequency of antibody occurrence among infected individuals, based on sex, schooling or occupation/activities. However, there were statistical differences based on age and villages. The prevalence observed in this study is in agreement with values found in other studies on indigenous populations in Latin America. Like among other such populations, the Haliti-Paresí villages are located close to forests and the individuals have domestic cats as pets, are involved in hunting and farming and consume water directly from water accumulation sources. These factors might cause exposure to T. gondii tissue cysts and oocysts.

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The aim of this study was to identify possible infection of Toxoplasma gondii among cats in a shelter and a set of condominiums in the city of Rio de Janeiro, through changes to the cats' serological status between two different times in 2014 and 2015. One group was made up of captive cats at the municipal shelter and the other comprised stray cats that circulated in condominiums in the city. On the first occasion, cats were caught and tagged through application of microchips; in this manner, blood samples were obtained from 261 captive cats and 172 stray cats. On the second occasion, blood samples were obtained from 94 captive cats and 56 recaptured stray cats. The serological diagnosis was made by means of the indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) and indirect immunofluorescence reaction (IFAT) (cutoff ≥ 64). The frequency of T. gondii infection among the captive cats was 24.5% and among the stray cats, 18%. With the second analysis, it was possible to verify modifications to the serological status of anti-T. gondii antibodies, in 18% of both populations of animals. The presence of seroconversion shows that infection was possibly occurring in the region at the time of the study.

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Abstract The aim of this study was to identify possible infection of Toxoplasma gondii among cats in a shelter and a set of condominiums in the city of Rio de Janeiro, through changes to the cats' serological status between two different times in 2014 and 2015. One group was made up of captive cats at the municipal shelter and the other comprised stray cats that circulated in condominiums in the city. On the first occasion, cats were caught and tagged through application of microchips; in this manner, blood samples were obtained from 261 captive cats and 172 stray cats. On the second occasion, blood samples were obtained from 94 captive cats and 56 recaptured stray cats. The serological diagnosis was made by means of the indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) and indirect immunofluorescence reaction (IFAT) (cutoff ≥ 64). The frequency of T. gondii infection among the captive cats was 24.5% and among the stray cats, 18%. With the second analysis, it was possible to verify modifications to the serological status of anti-T. gondii antibodies, in 18% of both populations of animals. The presence of seroconversion shows that infection was possibly occurring in the region at the time of the study.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar uma possível infecção por Toxoplasma gondii entre gatos de abrigo e de um conjunto de condomínios na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, por meio de mudanças no status sorológico dos gatos em dois momentos diferentes em 2014 e 2015. O grupo foi formado por gatos, denominados cativos, de um abrigo municipal, e o outro por gatos de rua que circulavam em condomínios da cidade. Na primeira ocasião, os gatos foram capturados, microchipados e coletadas amostras de sangue de 261 gatos cativos e de 172 gatos de rua. Na segunda ocasião, as amostras de sangue foram obtidas de 94 gatos cativos e 56 de gatos de rua recapturados. O diagnóstico sorológico foi realizado por meio do ensaio de hemaglutinação indireta (HAI) e pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) (ponto de corte ≥ 64). A frequência de infecção por T. gondii entre os gatos cativos foi de 24,5% e entre os gatos de rua 18%. Com a segunda análise, foi possível verificar modificações no status sorológico de anticorpos anti-T. gondii, em 18% em ambas populações de animais. A presença de soroconversão mostra que a infecção possivelmente ocorreu na região no momento do estudo.

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The aim of this study was to identify possible infection of Toxoplasma gondii among cats in a shelter and a set of condominiums in the city of Rio de Janeiro, through changes to the cats serological status between two different times in 2014 and 2015. One group was made up of captive cats at the municipal shelter and the other comprised stray cats that circulated in condominiums in the city. On the first occasion, cats were caught and tagged through application of microchips; in this manner, blood samples were obtained from 261 captive cats and 172 stray cats. On the second occasion, blood samples were obtained from 94 captive cats and 56 recaptured stray cats. The serological diagnosis was made by means of the indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) and indirect immunofluorescence reaction (IFAT) (cutoff ≥ 64). The frequency of T. gondii infection among the captive cats was 24.5% and among the stray cats, 18%. With the second analysis, it was possible to verify modifications to the serological status of anti-T. gondii antibodies, in 18% of both populations of animals. The presence of seroconversion shows that infection was possibly occurring in the region at the time of the study.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar uma possível infecção por Toxoplasma gondii entre gatos de abrigo e de um conjunto de condomínios na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, por meio de mudanças no status sorológico dos gatos em dois momentos diferentes em 2014 e 2015. O grupo foi formado por gatos, denominados cativos, de um abrigo municipal, e o outro por gatos de rua que circulavam em condomínios da cidade. Na primeira ocasião, os gatos foram capturados, microchipados e coletadas amostras de sangue de 261 gatos cativos e de 172 gatos de rua. Na segunda ocasião, as amostras de sangue foram obtidas de 94 gatos cativos e 56 de gatos de rua recapturados. O diagnóstico sorológico foi realizado por meio do ensaio de hemaglutinação indireta (HAI) e pela reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) (ponto de corte ≥ 64). A frequência de infecção por T. gondii entre os gatos cativos foi de 24,5% e entre os gatos de rua 18%. Com a segunda análise, foi possível verificar modificações no status sorológico de anticorpos anti-T. gondii, em 18% em ambas populações de animais. A presença de soroconversão mostra que a infecção possivelmente ocorreu na região no momento do estudo.(AU)

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INTRODUCTION: Prospective studies have shown that the course of bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by the persistence of symptoms, predominantly depression, along most of the time. However, to our knowledge, no studies in Latin America have investigated it. OBJECTIVES: To replicate international studies using a Brazilian sample to prospectively analyze treatment outcomes in the first year and to determine potential chronicity factors. METHODS: We followed up 102 patients with BD for 12 months and evaluated the number of months with affective episodes and the intensity of manic and depressive symptoms using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D17). Sociodemographic and retrospective clinical data were examined to determine possible predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Almost 50% of the patients had symptoms about half of the time, and there was a predominance of depressive episodes. Disease duration and number of depressive episodes were predictors of chronicity. Depressive polarity of the first episode and a higher number of depressive episodes predicted the occurrence of new depressive episodes. CONCLUSION: In general, BD outcome seems to be poor in the first year of monitoring, despite adequate treatment. There is a predominance of depressive symptoms, and previous depressive episodes are a predictor of new depressive episodes and worse outcome (AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos prospectivos vêm demonstrando que o curso do transtorno bipolar (TB) é marcado por uma persistência de sintomas em grande parte do tempo, sendo estes predominantemente depressivos. Porém, até onde sabemos, não há estudos na América Latina sobre o assunto. OBJETIVO: Replicar pesquisas internacionais com uma amostra brasileira, para estudar prospectivamente a evolução no primeiro ano de tratamento e possíveis fatores relacionados a cronicidade. MÉTODO: Acompanhamos 102 pacientes com TB mensalmente por 12 meses, avaliando o número de meses em episódios afetivos e a intensidade dos sintomas maníacos e depressivos com a Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) e a Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D17), respectivamente. A partir de dados sociodemográficos e clínicos retrospectivos, buscamos definir fatores preditivos de evolução. RESULTADOS: Quase metade dos pacientes ficou cerca de metade do tempo sintomática, com predominância de episódios depressivos. Fatores preditivos de cronicidade encontrados foram a duração da doença e o número prévio de episódios depressivos. Encontramos, ainda, como fatores que predizem a ocorrência de novos episódios depressivos, a polaridade depressiva do primeiro episódio e um número maior de episódios depressivos. CONCLUSÕES: Em geral, a evolução do TB é bastante insatisfatória no primeiro ano de acompanhamento, apesar de tratamento adequado, com a predominância de sintomas depressivos. Episódios depressivos prévios são um fator preditivo de novos episódios depressivos e de uma pior evolução (AU)

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INTRODUCTION: Prospective studies have shown that the course of bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by the persistence of symptoms, predominantly depression, along most of the time. However, to our knowledge, no studies in Latin America have investigated it. OBJECTIVES: To replicate international studies using a Brazilian sample to prospectively analyze treatment outcomes in the first year and to determine potential chronicity factors. METHODS: We followed up 102 patients with BD for 12 months and evaluated the number of months with affective episodes and the intensity of manic and depressive symptoms using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D17). Sociodemographic and retrospective clinical data were examined to determine possible predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Almost 50% of the patients had symptoms about half of the time, and there was a predominance of depressive episodes. Disease duration and number of depressive episodes were predictors of chronicity. Depressive polarity of the first episode and a higher number of depressive episodes predicted the occurrence of new depressive episodes. CONCLUSION: In general, BD outcome seems to be poor in the first year of monitoring, despite adequate treatment. There is a predominance of depressive symptoms, and previous depressive episodes are a predictor of new depressive episodes and worse outcome.