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Learning to anticipate events based on the predictive relationship between an action and an outcome (operant conditioning) is a form of associative learning shared by humans and most of other living beings, including invertebrates. Several behavioral studies on the mechanisms of operant conditioning have included Melipona quadrifasciata, a honey bee that is easily manipulated due to lack of sting. In this work, brain proteomes of Melipona bees trained using operant conditioning and untrained (control) bees were compared by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis within pI range of 3-10 and 4-7; in order to find proteins specifically related to this type of associative learning.One protein was detected with differential protein abundance in the brains of trained bees, when compared to not trained ones, through computational gel imaging and statistical analysis. This protein was identified by peptide mass fingerprinting and MS/MS peptide fragmentation using a MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometer as one isoform of arginine kinase monomer, apparently dephosphorylated. Brain protein maps were obtained by 2-DE (Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis) from a total proteins and phosphoproteins extract of the bee Melipona quadrifasciata. One isoform of arginine kinase, probably a dephosphorylated isoform, was significantly more abundant in the brain of trained bees using operant conditioning. Arginine kinase has been reported as an important enzyme of the energy releasing process in the visual system of the bee, but it may carry out additional and unexpected functions in the bee brain for learning process.

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Automeris liberia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) caterpillars are important defoliators of the African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis (Arecaceae) in Central and South America. The family Tachinidae (Diptera) comprises flies that are parasitoids of many insect pests, mainly from the order Lepidoptera. However, host records for tachinids are still relatively scarce. In the present work, we report the occurrence of Belvosia sp. aff. williamsi (Diptera: Tachinidae: Exoristinae: Goniini) and Leptostylum oligothrix (Diptera: Tachinidae: Exoristinae: Blondeliini) parasitizing caterpillars of A. liberia in E. guineensis in the municipality of Tailândia, state of Pará, Brazil. This is the first record of the parasitism of A. liberia by Leptostylum in Brazil, as well as by Belvosia in the world.(AU)

Lagartas de Automeris liberia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) são importantes desfolhadoras da palma de óleo, Elaeis guineensis (Arecaceae) nas Américas Central e do Sul. A família Tachinidae (Diptera) compreende moscas parasitoides de muitos insetos-praga, principalmente da ordem Lepidoptera. Contudo, o registro de hospedeiros de taquinídeos ainda é relativamente escasso. No presente trabalho, relatamos a ocorrência de Belvosia sp. aff. williamsi (Diptera: Tachinidae: Exoristinae: Goniini) e Leptostylum oligothrix (Diptera: Tachinidae: Exoristinae: Blondeliini) parasitando lagartas de A. liberia em E. guineensis no município de Tailândia, Pará, Brasil. Trata-se do primeiro registro do parasitismo de A. liberia por Leptostylum no Brasil, bem como o primeiro por Belvosia no mundo.(AU)

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Triatoma dimidiata, a Chagas disease vector widely distributed along Central America, has great capability for domestic adaptation as the majority of specimens caught inside human dwellings or in peridomestic areas fed human blood. Exploring the salivary compounds that overcome host haemostatic and immune responses is of great scientific interest. Here, we provide a deeper insight into its salivary gland molecules. We used high-throughput RNA sequencing to examine in depth the T. dimidiata salivary gland transcriptome. From >51 million reads assembled, 92.21% are related to putative secreted proteins. Lipocalin is the most abundant gene family, confirming it is an expanded family in Triatoma genus salivary repertoire. Other putatively secreted members include phosphatases, odorant binding protein, hemolysin, proteases, protease inhibitors, antigen-5 and antimicrobial peptides. This work expands the previous set of functionally annotated sequences from T. dimidiata salivary glands available in NCBI from 388 to 3815. Additionally, we complemented the salivary analysis through proteomics (available data via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD008510), disclosing the set complexity of 119 secreted proteins and validating the transcriptomic results. Our large-scale approach enriches the pharmacologically active molecules database and improves our knowledge about the complexity of salivary compounds from haematophagous vectors and their biological interactions. SIGNIFICANCE: Several haematophagous triatomine species can transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Due to the reemergence of this disease, new drugs for its prevention and treatment are considered priorities. For this reason, the knowledge of vector saliva emerges as relevant biological finding, contributing to the design of different strategies for vector control and disease transmission. Here we report the transcriptomic and proteomic compositions of the salivary glands (sialome) of the reduviid bug Triatoma dimidiata, a relevant Chagas disease vector in Central America. Our results are robust and disclosed unprecedented insights into the notable diversity of its salivary glands content, revealing relevant anti-haemostatic salivary gene families. Our work expands almost ten times the previous set of functionally annotated sequences from T. dimidiata salivary glands available in NCBI. Moreover, using an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approach, we showed a correlation pattern of transcription and translation processes for the main gene families found, an important contribution to the research of triatomine sialomes. Furthermore, data generated here reinforces the secreted proteins encountered can greatly contribute for haematophagic habit, Trypanosoma cruzi transmission and development of therapeutic agent studies.

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O objetivo do presente estudo foi examinar o efeito do tratamento periodontal não-cirúrgico sobre a proteína C-reativa, em pacientes com indicação de cirurgia de revascularização no Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia. Foram avaliados 22 pacientes portadores de periodontite crônica, com idade acima de 35 anos (média de idade 59,45 anos) separados em 2 grupos. O grupo I, estudo, (n = 11) recebeu tratamento periodontal anterior ao procedimento cirúrgico, e o grupo II, controle, (n = 11) não realizou tratamento periodontal. Os parâmetros periodontais avaliados foram: profundidade de bolsa à sondagem e nível de inserção clínica. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue de todos os pacientes para análise da proteína C-reativa. Os parâmetros foram avaliados no dia 0, ao início do tratamento periodontal e repetida aos 90 dias, junto com a coleta sanguínea. O tratamento periodontal não-cirúrgico foi eficaz no controle da doença periodontal e aumentou os níveis séricos de proteína C-reativa.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of periodontal treatment on nonsurgical blood components like C-reactive protein in patients referred for bypass surgery at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiologia. We evaluate 22 patients with chronic periodontitis, aged above 35 years (mean age 59.45 years) divided into 2 groups. The group I, study (n=11), received periodontal treatment prior to cardiovascular surgvyery, and group II, control (n=11) did not have periodontal treatment. The periodontal parameters evaluated were: probing depths and clinical attachment level. Blood samples were collected from all patients for analysis of C-reactive protein. The parameters were evaluated at baseline, in the beginning of periodontal treatment and were repeated after 90 days, along with blood collection. The non-surgical periodontal treatment was effective in controlling periodontal disease and increased serum levels of C-reactive protein.

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This paper aims to find the current level of periodontal med-care knowledge, as well as the possible existence of some oral infection control protocol regarding hospitalized patients. Our sample gathered 110 cardiologists and intensive care units doctors selected from medical teams of five Rio de Janeiro hospitals. Preliminary numbers: 75.4% said to have heard something about Periodontal Medicine, although only 30% out of this group admitted to have read something concerning such subject. On the other side, only 2.7% of the sample informed to do consistent information searching along their patients anamnese, while 58.2% out of this group admitted such procedure conditional to the patient's general state at the due moment. Through such numbers, we tend to come up to the conclusion that, be it either through direct or indirect Periodontal Medicine technical information (and consequently with regards to the absolut importance of preservation and control of oral biofilm and its impact on one's systemic health), the matter has been dimly spread among medical groups. The search also revealed the probability that Rio de Janeiro hospitals lack either units or agents designed for prevention and control of oral infection; consequently, such organizations do not have any kind of protocols, reliable or not, concerned to oral infections.

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O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o grau de conhecimento médico sobre medicina periodontal e verificar a existência de algum protocolo de controle de infecção da cavidade oral em pacientes internados em hospitais. Para tal, 110 médicos cardiologistas e intensivistas lotados em cinco hospitais no município do Rio de Janeiro foram entrevistados. Dentre os indivíduos, 75,4 por cento afirmaram ter conhecimento sobre o termo medicina periodontal; entretanto, apenas 30 por cento declararam já ter lido algo a respeito. Apenas 2,7 por cento dos médicos possuem o hábito de coletar informações sobre a história odontológica de seus pacientes e 58,2 por cento afirmaram que essa conduta é condicional ao quadro apresentado pelo paciente. Com base nos dados obtidos, pode-se concluir que o conhecimento sobre medicina periodontal e, consequentemente, sobre a importância do controle do biofilme oral na manutenção da saúde sistêmica, apresenta-se pouco difundido entre a classe médica. Verificou-se não haver setor ou pessoa responsável pelo controle de infecção oral dentro dos hospitais avaliados e, consequentemente, a não existência de qualquer protocolo, eficaz ou não, de controle de infecção oral nessas unidades.

This paper aims to find the current level of periodontal med-care knowledge, as well as the possible existence of some oral infection control protocol regarding hospitalized patients. Our sample gathered 110 cardiologists and intensive care units doctors selected from medical teams of five Rio de Janeiro hospitals. Preliminary numbers: 75.4 percent said to have heard something about Periodontal Medicine, although only 30 percent out of this group admitted to have read something concerning such subject. On the other side, only 2.7 percent of the sample informed to do consistent information searching along their patients anamnese, while 58.2 percent out of this group admitted such procedure conditional to the patient's general state at the due moment. Through such numbers, we tend to come up to the conclusion that, be it either through direct or indirect Periodontal Medicine technical information (and consequently with regards to the absolut importance of preservation and control of oral biofilm and its impact on one's systemic health), the matter has been dimly spread among medical groups. The search also revealed the probability that Rio de Janeiro hospitals lack either units or agents designed for prevention and control of oral infection; consequently, such organizations do not have any kind of protocols, reliable or not, concerned to oral infections.

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O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar clinicamente o efeito de dois medicamentos dessensibilizantes de dentina aplicados diretamente na região cervical de dentes com dentina exposta e história clínica de sensibilidade dentinária. Foram selecionados 150 dentes com dentina exposta, ausência de lesões cariosas e queixa de sensibilidade cervical dentinária de um total de 25 pacientes. Os produtos comerciais testados (Dessensiv e Sensikill) e um placebo foram aplicados a cada 7 dias durante quatro semanas. Todos os dentes sensíveis de um mesmo quadrante receberam aplicação tópica do mesmo produto, sorteados aleatoriamente. Em todas as sessões avaliou-se o grau de sensibilidade cervical de cada dente através de estímulos táctil (ponta de uma sonda exploradora) e volátil (jato de arda seringa tríplice). Na semana subsequente a cada aplicação dos produtos (7, 14 e 21 dias) foi calculado o índice de melhora ou piora na sensibilidade dentinária aos estímulos aplicados. Após a 3ª aplicação dos produtos o índice de melhora na sensibilidade ao estímulo táctil foi de 87,2% para os dentes que foram tratados com o produto Dessensiv, 91,9% para o produto Sensikill e 27,5% no grupo placebo. Quanto à sensibilidade ao estímulo volátil, o índice de melhora nos dentes que receberam tratamento dos produtos Dessensiv, Sensikill e placebo foi, respectivamente, de 83,5%, 87,1% e 20,4%. A análise dos resultados permitiu concluir que os produtos comerciais testados são eficazes no tratamento da hipersensibilidade cervical dentinária após três aplicações, não havendo diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois produtos e ambos foram mais eficazes que o placebo.

The aim of this paper is to make a clinical assessment of the effect of two dentine desensitizing medications applied directly to the cervical region of teeth with exposed dentine and with clinical histories of dentine sensitivity. A total of 150 teeth from 25 patients were selected which had exposed dentine, absence of carious lesions and dentinal cervical sensitivity. The commercial products being tested (Dessensivand Sensikill) and a placebo were applied every seven days for four weeks. All sensitive teeth from the same quadrant were treated topically with the same randomly-chosen product. In all sessions the degree of cervical sensitivity was evaluated for each tooth by means of tactile stimulus (the tip of an exploratory probe) and volatile stimulus (ablast of air from a triple syringe). The rate of improvement or relapse of dentine sensitivity was estimated after each weekly application of products (day 7, 14 and 21). After the third application of the products, however, the rate of improvement in sensitivity to tactile stimuli was 87.2% for teeth treated with Dessensiv, 91.9% for those treated with Sensikill and 27.5% for the placebo group. With regard to sensitivity to volatile stimulus, the rate of improvement for teeth treated with Dessensiv, Sensikill and placebo was, respectively, 83.5%, 87.1% and 20.4%. Upon analyzing the results, one can conclude that the commercial products tested are efficient in the treatment of dentinal cervical hypersensitivity after three applications and that there is no significant statistical difference between the two products, both being more effective than the placebo.

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O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a existência de um protocolo de controle de infecção oral nos hospitais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Foram avaliados 62 hospitais da rede pública e privada. Quando questionados se existia na instituição algum procedimento destinado aos pacientes internados (no caso de UTIs), 39 por cento dos hospitais pesquisados responderam positivamente. Das instituições pesquisadas, apenas 15 por cento possuem um protocolo regular para o controle de placa nos pacientes internados. Pesquisas têm demonstrado a inter-relação da doença periodontal com doenças sistêmicas, como doenças cardiovasculares, osteoporose, nascimento de bebês de baixo peso e parto prematuro, diabetes e doenças respiratórias. A cavidade oral tem sido considerada como um potente reservatório de patógenos respiratórios. Diante destes fatos, evidencia-se a importância da higiene bucal como um meio de se prevenir patologias diversas. Desta forma, existe a necessidade de se criar um protocolo de controle de infecção da cavidade oral para contribuir para a redução da mortalidade de pacientes internados e propor medidas preventivas para este fim.

The aim of the present study is to ascertain whether an oral infection control protocol is being used in Rio de Janeiro State hospitals. Sixty two hospitals, both public and private have been surveyed. When asked whether any procedure was being adopted with admitted patients (in case of ICU patients), 39 percent of the hospitals responded positively. Among all institutions surveyed, only 15 percent conduct a regular plaque control protocol in admitted patients. Studies have shown that there is an inter-relationship between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, preterm births and low birthweight, diabetes and respiratory diseases. The oral cavity is considered a potent reservoir of respiratory pathogens. Based on these findings, it has become evident that oral hygiene is an important means of preventing a number of diseases. Thus the need arises not only to create an oral cavity infection control protocol that will contribute to reduce mortality in admitted patients but also to propose preventive measures towards this end.

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RESUMO

The aim of the present study is to ascertain whether an oral infection control protocol is being used in Rio de Janeiro State hospitals. Sixty two hospitals, both public and private have been surveyed. When asked whether any procedure was being adopted with admitted patients (in case of ICU patients), 39% of the hospitals responded positively. Among all institutions surveyed, only 15% conduct a regular plaque control protocol in admitted patients. Studies have shown that there is an inter-relationship between periodontal disease and systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, preterm births and low birthweight, diabetes and respiratory diseases. The oral cavity is considered a potent reservoir of respiratory pathogens. Based on these findings, it has become evident that oral hygiene is an important means of preventing a number of diseases. Thus the need arises not only to create an oral cavity infection control protocol that will contribute to reduce mortality in admitted patients but also to propose preventive measures towards this end.

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