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In September 2021, Bagaza virus (BAGV), a member of the Ntaya group from the Flavivirus genus, was detected for the first time in Portugal, in the heart and the brain of a red-legged partridge found dead in a hunting ground in Serpa (Alentejo region; southern Portugal). Here we report the genomic characterization of the full-length sequence of the BAGV detected (BAGV/PT/2021), including phylogenetic reconstructions and spaciotemporal analyses. Phylogenies inferred from nucleotide sequence alignments, complemented with the analysis of amino acid alignments, indicated that the BAGV strain from Portugal is closely related to BAGV strains previously detected in Spain, suggesting a common ancestor that seems to have arrived in the Iberia Peninsula in the late 1990s to early 2000s. In addition, our findings support previous observations that BAGV and Israel turkey meningoencephalitis virus (ITV) belong to the same viral species.

Este estudo é parte de um programa que visa ao controle e prevenção do dengue em área urbana favelizada vizinha à Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Como resultado da aplicação de um questionário acompanhado de levantamento entomológico, pôde-se observar problemas ligados a informações veiculadas pelas campanhas de saúde pública para o controle do dengue, e suas interpretações por parte da população local, ao se verificar práticas que favorecem a procriação do mosquito, resultantes do esquecimento dessas mensagens ou de interpretação parcial das mesmas. Os dados provenientes do questionário são relativos ao nível de informação sobre dengue, criadouros mais freqüentes; conhecimento e hábitos da população local no tocante à endemia. As conclusões deste estudo apontam para a necessidade de: elaboração de mensagens que informem não só práticas preventivas ideais, mas também ofereçam soluções possíveis; divulgação permanente de mensagens através da mídia; planejamento de atividades de educação em saúde para o estreitamento da relação entre profissionais de saúde e população, com o objetivo da construção de alternativas sustentáveis para o controle do dengue.This study is part of a program to control and prevent dengue in a slum bordering on the grounds of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The results obtained from a questionnaire and entomological survey called attention to problems pertaining to the information transmitted by public health campaigns and its interpretation, since many practices result from misunderstanding or forgetting preventive messages. Dengue-related data include most frequent vector breeding sites, people's knowledge, and dengue-related habits. The study's conclusions in terms of dengue prevention point to the need for drafting messages not only about ideal preventive practices but also teaching possible solutions: disseminating frequent messages throughout the year and not only seasonally and planning health education to join health professionals and the population in the search for sustainable dengue control alternatives.

Este estudo é parte de um programa que visa ao controle e prevenção do dengue em área urbana favelizada vizinha à Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Como resultado da aplicação de um questionário acompanhado de levantamento entomológico, pôde-se observar problemas ligados a informações veiculadas pelas campanhas de saúde pública para o controle do dengue, e suas interpretações por parte da população local, ao se verificar práticas que favorecem a procriação do mosquito, resultantes do esquecimento dessas mensagens ou de interpretação parcial das mesmas. Os dados provenientes do questionário são relativos ao nível de informação sobre dengue, criadouros mais freqüentes; conhecimento e hábitos da população local no tocante à endemia. As conclusões deste estudo apontam para a necessidade de: elaboração de mensagens que informem não só práticas preventivas ideais, mas também ofereçam soluções possíveis; divulgação permanente de mensagens através da mídia; planejamento de atividades de educação em saúde para o estreitamento da relação entre profissionais de saúde e população, com o objetivo da construção de alternativas sustentáveis para o controle do dengue.

Identifying novel regulators of vascular smooth muscle cell function is necessary to further understand cardiovascular diseases. We previously identified cytoglobin, a hemoglobin homolog, with myogenic and cytoprotective roles in the vasculature. The specific mechanism of action of cytoglobin is unclear but does not seem to be related to oxygen transport or storage like hemoglobin. Herein, transcriptomic profiling of injured carotid arteries in cytoglobin global knockout mice revealed that cytoglobin deletion accelerated the loss of contractile genes and increased DNA damage. Overall, we show that cytoglobin is actively translocated into the nucleus of vascular smooth muscle cells through a redox signal driven by NOX4. We demonstrate that nuclear cytoglobin heterodimerizes with the non-histone chromatin structural protein HMGB2. Our results are consistent with a previously unknown function by which a non-erythrocytic hemoglobin inhibits DNA damage and regulates gene programs in the vasculature by modulating the genome-wide binding of HMGB2.

Oxynitrides such as LaTa(O,N)3 are attractive materials as photoelectrodes for photoelectrocatalytic solar water splitting. The potential anionic ordering in their perovskite-type structure has been shown to impact the materials’ properties. Given the importance attributed to it, the present study reports a detailed experimental analysis supported by simulations of the anionic ordering of La1−xYxTa(O,N)3. The influence of O/N and yttrium content on the anionic order was assessed. Neutron diffraction analysis was performed on four different nominal compositions—LaTaON2, LaTaO2N, La0.9Y0.1TaON2, and La0.9Y0.1TaO2N—at 10 K and 300 K to study potential long-range ordering. Neutron pair distribution function (PDF) analysis was performed on all samples at 10 K and on non-Y-substituted samples at 300 K to evaluate short-range ordering. There was no evidence of long-range O/N order in any of the compounds. In contrast, at a short range (1.5 Å ≤ r < 6 Å), a Pnma (a−b+a−) tilting pattern and local cis-ordering of the anions were seen. The latter faded rapidly, leaving the Pnma tilting pattern in a 6 Å ≤ r ≤ 11 Å range. At higher distances, the PDF analysis agreed with the Imma (a−b0a−) O/N disordered long-range structure. As the O/N content changed, not much difference in behavior was observed. Yttrium substitution introduced some disorder in the structure; nonetheless, it showed marginal influence on octahedral tilting and anionic ordering.

Summary: Genomics and proteomics have been central to identify tumor cell populations, but more accurate approaches to classify cell subtypes are still lacking. We propose a new methodology to accurately classify cancer cells based on their organelle spatial topology. Herein, we developed an organelle topology-based cell classification pipeline (OTCCP), which integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and imaging quantification to analyze organelle spatial distribution and inter-organelle topology. OTCCP was used to classify a panel of human breast cancer cells, grown as 2D monolayer or 3D tumor spheroids using early endosomes, mitochondria, and their inter-organelle contacts. Organelle topology allows for a highly precise differentiation between cell lines of different subtypes and aggressiveness. These findings lay the groundwork for using organelle topological profiling as a fast and efficient method for phenotyping breast cancer function as well as a discovery tool to advance our understanding of cancer cell biology at the subcellular level.

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy is used in numerous biophysical and biomedical applications to monitor inter- and intramolecular interactions and conformational changes in the 2–10 nm range. FRET is currently being extended to in vivo optical imaging, its main application being in quantifying drug-target engagement or drug release in animal models of cancer using organic dye or nanoparticle-labeled probes. Herein, we compared FRET quantification using intensity-based FRET (sensitized emission FRET analysis with the three-cube approach using an IVIS imager) and macroscopic fluorescence lifetime (MFLI) FRET using a custom system using a time-gated-intensified charge-coupled device, for small animal optical in vivo imaging. The analytical expressions and experimental protocols required to quantify the product fDE of the FRET efficiency E and the fraction of donor molecules involved in FRET, fD, are described in detail for both methodologies. Dynamic in vivo FRET quantification of transferrin receptor-transferrin binding was acquired in live intact nude mice upon intravenous injection of a near-infrared-labeled transferrin FRET pair and benchmarked against in vitro FRET using hybridized oligonucleotides. Even though both in vivo imaging techniques provided similar dynamic trends for receptor-ligand engagement, we demonstrate that MFLI-FRET has significant advantages. Whereas the sensitized emission FRET approach using the IVIS imager required nine measurements (six of which are used for calibration) acquired from three mice, MFLI-FRET needed only one measurement collected from a single mouse, although a control mouse might be needed in a more general situation. Based on our study, MFLI therefore represents the method of choice for longitudinal preclinical FRET studies such as that of targeted drug delivery in intact, live mice.

Purpose: This article analyses the extent to which two objective attributes of work – employment status, and occupation – influence workplace relationships in Europe. Employing a quantitative and transnational approach, we explore how far the segmentation of the labour market is reflected in the non-material dimensions of working life, seeing the nature of work and the stabilisation of employment as resources that help explain broader dynamics of job quality. Design/methodology/approach: Based on three indicators from the European Working Conditions Survey (support from colleagues; support from managers; and the quality of relationships), we performed a two-way ANOVA to test both the primary effects of the variables ‘employment status’ and ‘occupation’ on support and quality of workplace relationships, and their interaction effect. Additionally, we carried out a descriptive analysis of the mean scores of each of the dependent variables in the various groups of the independent variables. Findings: The results show that workers with more stable jobs, and those who occupy positions at the top of the occupational hierarchy, enjoy more support and better interpersonal relationships, thus suggesting the need to extend labour market segmentation discussions to the relational spheres of work. Research limitations/implications: The statistical indicators used need a more robust operationalisation, able to provide greater empirical validity. Other independent variables, such as the perceptions of job security or the country of work should be considered in future analysis to control for institutional and policy specificities. Originality/value: Research on workplace relationships tends to emphasise the effects that such relationships have on both organisations and individuals, usually based on case studies and individual narratives of relationships formed in stable work contexts. In this article, we shift the focus from the effects of workplace relationships, to the ways in which they vary in accordance with the nature of work and the objective employment conditions.

Transferrin (Tf) is an essential serum protein which delivers iron throughout the body via transferrin-receptor (TfR)-mediated uptake and iron release in early endosomes. Currently, there is no robust method to assay the population of iron-bound Tf in intact cells and tissues. Raman hyperspectral imaging detected spectral peaks that correlated with iron-bound Tf in intact cells and tumor xenografts sections (~1270-1300 cm−1). Iron-bound (holo) and iron-free (apo) human Tf forms were endocytosed by MDAMB231 and T47D human breast cancer cells. The Raman iron-bound Tf peak was identified in cells treated with holo-Tf, but not in cells incubated with apo-Tf. A reduction in the Raman peak intensity between 5 and 30 min of Tf internalization was observed in T47D, but not in MDAMB231, suggesting that T47D can release iron from Tf more efficiently than MDAMB231. MDAMB231 may display a disrupted iron homeostasis due to iron release delays caused by alterations in the pH or ionic milieu of the early endosomes. In summary, we have demonstrated that Raman hyperspectral imaging can be used to identify iron-bound Tf in cell cultures and tumor xenografts and detect iron release behavior of Tf in breast cancer cells.

Human EGF Receptor 2 (HER2) is an important oncogene driving aggressive metastatic growth in up to 20% of breast cancer tumors. At the same time, it presents a target for passive immunotherapy such as trastuzumab (TZM). Although TZM has been widely used clinically since 1998, not all eligible patients benefit from this therapy due to primary and acquired drug resistance as well as potentially lack of drug exposure. Hence, it is critical to directly quantify TZM–HER2 binding dynamics, also known as cellular target engagement, in undisturbed tumor environments in live, intact tumor xenograft models. Herein, we report the direct measurement of TZM–HER2 binding in HER2-positive human breast cancer cells and tumor xenografts using fluorescence lifetime Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FLI-FRET) via near-infrared (NIR) microscopy (FLIM-FRET) as well as macroscopy (MFLI-FRET) approaches. By sensing the reduction of fluorescence lifetime of donor-labeled TZM in the presence of acceptor-labeled TZM, we successfully quantified the fraction of HER2-bound and internalized TZM immunoconjugate both in cell culture and tumor xenografts in live animals. Ex vivo immunohistological analysis of tumors confirmed the binding and internalization of TZM–HER2 complex in breast cancer cells. Thus, FLI-FRET imaging presents a powerful analytical tool to monitor and quantify cellular target engagement and subsequent intracellular drug delivery in live HER2-positive tumor xenografts.

Abstract Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) is the most frequently reported in staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) outbreaks. Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acids that are seen as promising alternatives to antibodies in several areas, including diagnostics. In this work, systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was used to select DNA aptamers against SEA. The SELEX protocol employed magnetic beads as an immobilization matrix for the target molecule and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for monitoring and optimizing sequence enrichment. After 10 selection cycles, the ssDNA pool with the highest affinity was sequenced by next generation sequencing (NGS). Approximately 3 million aptamer candidates were identified, and the most representative cluster sequences were selected for further characterization. The aptamer with the highest affinity showed an experimental dissociation constant (KD) of 13.36 ± 18.62 nM. Increased temperature negatively affected the affinity of the aptamer for the target. Application of the selected aptamers in a lateral flow assay demonstrated their functionality in detecting samples containing 100 ng SEA, the minimum amount capable of causing food poisoning. Overall, the applicability of DNA aptamers in SEA recognition was demonstrated and characterized under different conditions, paving the way for the development of diagnostic tools.

Este artigo tem por objetivo central analisar os fatores sociais que, de forma articulada, explicam a decisão de uma pessoa se tornar empreendedora. Para o efeito é mobilizada informação recolhida no âmbito de um projeto de investigação realizado em Portugal direcionado para o estudo dos padrões, contextos e experiências de empreendedorismo. Com base na componente qualitativa da pesquisa, relativa à análise de entrevistas aprofundadas a mulheres e homens empreendedores sobre os seus trajetos individuais, foi elaborada uma tipologia de acesso à empresarialidade. Esta categorização expressa diferentes combinações de fatores, dando particular destaque aos efeitos que o género e as qualificações têm na opção de trabalhar por conta própria, sem deixar de enfatizar a interligação com as inserções socioeconômicas, as redes interpessoais e as relações familiares

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the major bacterial cause of diarrheal diseases in pigs, particularly at young ages, resulting in significant costs to swine farming. The pathogenicity of ETEC is largely dependent on the presence of fimbriae and the ability to produce toxins. Fimbriae are responsible for their initial adhesion to the intestinal epithelial cells, leading to the onset of infection. In particular, the F4 type (K88) fimbriae are often attributed to neonatal infections and have also been associated with post-weaning diarrheal infections. This disease is traditionally prevented or treated with antibiotics, but their use is being severely restricted due to the emergence of resistant bacteria and their impact on human health. Emerging approaches such as aptamers that target the F4-type fimbriae and block the initial ETEC adhesion are a promising alternative. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of two aptamers, Apt31 and Apt37, in controlling ETEC infection in the G. mellonella in vivo model. Initially, the dissociation constant (KD) of each aptamer against ETEC was established using real-time quantitative PCR methodology. Subsequently, different concentrations of the aptamers were injected into Galleria mellonella to study their toxicity. Afterwards, the anti-ETEC potential of Apt31 and Apt37 was assessed in the larvae model. The determined KD was 81.79 nM (95% CI: 31.21–199.4 nM) and 50.71 nM (95% CI: 26.52–96.15 nM) for the Apt31 and Apt37, respectively, showing no statistical difference. No toxicity was observed in G. mellonella following injection with both aptamers at any concentration. However, the administration of Apt31 together with ETEC-F4+ in G. mellonella resulted in a significant improvement of approximately 30% in both larvae survival and health index compared to ETEC-F4+ alone. These findings suggest that aptamers have promising inhibitory effect against ETEC infections and pave the way for additional in vivo studies.

The conjugation of anti-cancer drugs to endogenous ligands has proven to be an effective strategy to enhance their pharmacological selectivity and delivery towards neoplasic tissues. Since cell proliferation has a strong requirement for iron, cancer cells express high levels of transferrin receptors (TfnR), making its ligand, transferrin (Tfn), of great interest as a delivery agent for therapeutics. However, a critical gap exists in the ability to non-invasively determine whether drugs conjugated to Tfn are internalized into target cells in vivo. Due to the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, it remains unknown whether these Tfn-conjugated drugs are specifically internalized into cancer cells or are localized non-specifically as a result of a generalized accumulation of macromolecules near tumors. By exploiting the dimeric nature of the TfnR that binds two molecules of Tfn in close proximity, we utilized a Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) based technique that can discriminate bound and internalized Tfn from free, soluble Tfn. In order to non-invasively visualize intracellular amounts of Tfn in tumors through live animal tissues, we developed a novel near infrared (NIR) fluorescence lifetime FRET imaging technique that uses an active wide-field time gated illumination platform. In summary, we report that the NIR fluorescence lifetime FRET technique is capable of non-invasively detecting bound and internalized forms of Tfn in cancer cells and tumors within a live small animal model, and that our results are quantitatively consistent when compared to well-established intensity-based FRET microscopy methods used in in vitro experiments.

Este artigo tem como centralidade o papel dos professores na gestão do currículo e nos procedimentos de construção da aprendizagem, entendida como processo social de uma Escola que promove um conhecimento cada vez mais global. Através de uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, fundada em testemunhos de professores do 3.º ciclo do ensino básico e do ensino secundário de escolas do distrito do Porto, recolhidos por meio de entrevistas em focus-group e em entrevistas semi-estruturadas, podemos concluir que os/as professores/as participantes neste estudo: a) querem assumir um papel mais activo na gestão e desenvolvimento do currículo e sentem os condicionamentos que um currículo prescrito a nível nacional, para todos igual, imprime aos resultados escolares; b) dizem valorizar uma postura reflexiva e investigativa expressa na análise que fazem ao currículo bem como na escolha de estratégias que referem assumir no trabalho em sala de aula; c) veiculam um discurso de atenção ao papel da escola como geradora de justiça social e formação cidadã dos seus alunos; d) consideram a formação inicial insuficiente face aos desafios com que convivem a educação e a instituição escolar.

This work reports on the design, development, and characterization of novel magneto-plasmonic elastic liposomes (MPELs) of DPPC:SP80 (85:15) containing Mg0.75Ca0.25Fe2O4 nanoparticles coupled with gold nanorods, for topical application of photothermal therapy (PTT). Both magnetic and plasmonic components were characterized regarding their structural, morphological, magnetic and photothermal properties. The magnetic nanoparticles display a cubic shape and a size (major axis) of 37 ± 3 nm, while the longitudinal and transverse sizes of the nanorods are 46 ± 7 nm and 12 ± 1.6 nm, respectively. A new methodology was employed to couple the magnetic and plasmonic nanostructures, using cysteine as bridge. The potential for photothermia was evaluated for the magnetic nanoparticles, gold nanorods and the coupled magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles, which demonstrated a maximum temperature variation of 28.9 °C, 33.6 °C and 37.2 °C, respectively, during a 30 min NIR-laser irradiation of 1 mg/mL dispersions. Using fluorescence anisotropy studies, a phase transition temperature (Tm) of 35 °C was estimated for MPELs, which ensures an enhanced fluidity crucial for effective crossing of the skin layers. The photothermal potential of this novel nanostructure corresponds to a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 616.9 W/g and a maximum temperature increase of 33.5 °C. These findings point to the development of thermoelastic nanocarriers with suitable features to act as photothermal hyperthermia agents.

The importance of addressing the problem of biofilms in farm, wild, and companion animals lies in their pervasive impact on animal health and welfare. Biofilms, as resilient communities of microorganisms, pose a persistent challenge in causing infections and complicating treatment strategies. Recognizing and understanding the importance of mitigating biofilm formation is critical to ensuring the welfare of animals in a variety of settings, from farms to the wild and companion animals. Effectively addressing this issue not only improves the overall health of individual animals, but also contributes to the broader goals of sustainable agriculture, wildlife conservation, and responsible pet ownership. This review examines the current understanding of biofilm formation in animal diseases and elucidates the complex processes involved. Recognizing the limitations of traditional antibiotic treatments, mechanisms of resistance associated with biofilms are explored. The focus is on alternative therapeutic strategies to control biofilm, with illuminating case studies providing valuable context and practical insights. In conclusion, the review highlights the importance of exploring emerging approaches to mitigate biofilm formation in animals. It consolidates existing knowledge, highlights gaps in understanding, and encourages further research to address this critical facet of animal health. The comprehensive perspective provided by this review serves as a foundation for future investigations and interventions to improve the management of biofilm-associated infections in diverse animal populations.

Enteric colibacillosis is a common disease in nursing and weanling pigs. It is caused by the colonization of the small intestine by enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (ETEC) that make use of specific fimbria or pili to adhere to the absorptive epithelial cells of the jejunum and ileum. Once attached, and when both the immunological systems and the gut microbiota are poorly developed, ETEC produce one or more enterotoxins that can have local and, further on, systemic effects. These enterotoxins cause fluid and electrolytes to be secreted into the intestinal lumen of animals, which results in diarrhea, dehydration, and acidosis. From the diversity of control strategies, antibiotics and zinc oxide are the ones that have contributed more significantly to mitigating post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) economic losses. However, concerns about antibiotic resistance determined the restriction on the use of critically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals and the prohibition of their use as growth promoters. As such, it is important now to begin the transition from these preventive/control measures to other, more sustainable, approaches. This review provides a quick synopsis of the currently approved and available therapies for PWD treatment while presenting an overview of novel antimicrobial strategies that are being explored for the control and treatment of this infection, including, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, organic acids, bacteriophages, spray-dried plasma, antibodies, phytogenic substances, antisense oligonucleotides, and aptamers.

Swine pathogenic infection caused by Escherichia coli, known as swine colibacillosis, represents an epidemiological challenge not only for animal husbandry but also for health authorities. To note, virulent E. coli strains might be transmitted, and also cause disease, in humans. In the last decades, diverse successful multidrug-resistant strains have been detected, mainly due to the growing selective pressure of antibiotic use, in which animal practices have played a relevant role. In fact, according to the different features and particular virulence factor combination, there are four different pathotypes of E. coli that can cause illness in swine: enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that comprises edema disease E. coli (EDEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Nevertheless, the most relevant pathotype in a colibacillosis scenario is ETEC, responsible for neonatal and postweaning diarrhea (PWD), in which some ETEC strains present enhanced fitness and pathogenicity. To explore the distribution of pathogenic ETEC in swine farms and their diversity, resistance, and virulence profiles, this review summarizes the most relevant works on these subjects over the past 10 years and discusses the importance of these bacteria as zoonotic agents.

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) is a rare form of inflammatory granulomatous disease of the skin characterized by the presence of pruritic to painful lesions, generally located in the periorbital area, although trunk and proximal extremities may also be involved. We report a case of a 69-year-old male patient with extensive involvement of the trunk, upper and lower extremities, and an associated gamma monoclonal gammopathy. The skin biopsy was consistent with the diagnosis of NXG. Necrobiosis lipoidica and granuloma annulare were the major differential diagnosis in this case. We highlight the importance of searching for clinical and histological features that may differentiate these entities, which is crucial to select an adequate therapeutic and surveillance strategy.

Recognition of facial lentigo maligna (LM) is often difficult, particularly at early stages. Algorithms and multivariate diagnostic models have recently been elaborated on the attempt to improve the diagnostic accuracy. We conducted a cross-sectional and retrospective study to evaluate dermatoscopic criteria aiding in diagnosis of flat pigmented facial lesions (FPFL). We examined 46 FPFL in 42 Caucasian patients and found that 4 of 20 dermatoscopic criteria reached the significance level required for features indicating malignancy namely, hyperpigmented follicular openings, obliterated follicular opening, annular-granular structures, and pigment rhomboids. Concomitant presence of at least 2 or 3 of the 4 mentioned criteria was significantly more frequent in LM than in pigmented actinic keratosis (PAK). However, despite more frequently seen in LM, these features were also displayed in some of the PAK and other FPFL, so we found them not specific for LM. Although dermatoscopy enhances the diagnostic accuracy in evaluating FPFL, histopathology remains the gold standard for correct diagnosis, making evident the need for improvements in early noninvasive diagnosis of LM.

Este estudo é parte de um programa que visa ao controle e prevenção do dengue em área urbana favelizada vizinha à Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Como resultado da aplicação de um questionário acompanhado de levantamento entomológico, pôde-se observar problemas ligados a informações veiculadas pelas campanhas de saúde pública para o controle do dengue, e suas interpretações por parte da população local, ao se verificar práticas que favorecem a procriação do mosquito, resultantes do esquecimento dessas mensagens ou de interpretação parcial das mesmas. Os dados provenientes do questionário são relativos ao nível de informação sobre dengue, criadouros mais freqüentes; conhecimento e hábitos da população local no tocante à endemia. As conclusões deste estudo apontam para a necessidade de: elaboração de mensagens que informem não só práticas preventivas ideais, mas também ofereçam soluções possíveis; divulgação permanente de mensagens através da mídia; planejamento de atividades de educação em saúde para o estreitamento da relação entre profissionais de saúde e população, com o objetivo da construção de alternativas sustentáveis para o controle do dengue.

Mid-dermal elastolysis (MDE) is a rare skin disorder clinically characterized by the appearance of diffuse fine wrinkling, most often of the trunk and arms. This entity is distinguished from other elastolytic disorders by its characteristic selective loss of elastic fibers of the mid dermis. The aetiopathogenesis of the disease is still unclear as well as the effective treatment. Half of the cases described in the literature are associated with ultraviolet radiation exposure. Other reported triggering conditions such as urticaria, eczema and granuloma annulare suggests different eliciting inflammatory pathways. The authors describe the case of a 38-year-old woman who developed an urticarial eruption during months which progressed to generalized and severe fine wrinkling.

Ketron-Goodman disease was formerly considered a disseminated type of pagetoid reticulosis. However, according to the new classification consensus, it should be regarded as aggressive epidermotropic CD8 T-cutaneous lymphoma, cutaneous gamma/delta T-lymphoma, or tumor-stage mycosis fungoides, depending on the clinical-histological picture. This case highlights a rare and challenging presentation of Ketron-Goodman disease with an indolent presentation and evolution and good response to a low-grade treatment regimen, not fitting well into the new classification criteria.