Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense

To discuss the importance of balancing quality versus quantity in behavioral interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), highlighting evidence-based approaches and the role of therapist training.

Narrative review of the literature examining evidence-based behavioral approaches for ASD, the tension between intervention intensity and quality, factors influencing individualized treatment planning, and the importance of professional qualification.

Evidence indicates that more hours of therapy do not necessarily result in better outcomes, with studies showing no consistent dose-response relationship. Individual learning rates, comorbid conditions, and quality of implementation significantly influence results. High-quality, individualized planning, consistent execution, family engagement, and well-trained professionals are essential. Lack of regulation and standardized training, particularly in contexts without professional certification systems, poses challenges to delivering effective, evidence-based care.

Behavioral interventions for ASD must prioritize quality over quantity, ensuring evidence-based, individualized, and well-supervised treatment plans delivered by qualified professionals to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Tyrosinemia type II (Richner-Hanhart syndrome) is a rare disorder caused by mutations in the TAT gene, leading to elevated blood tyrosine and impaired metabolism. It presents with oculocutaneous symptoms, retinal tyrosine crystals, and neurological issues. Elevated tyrosine disrupts brain metabolism, neurotransmitters, and neurotrophic factors, causing neuroinflammation and affecting brain function. The exact mechanism of neurological damage is unclear, and the impact of dietary intervention on cognition is uncertain. While rodent models are commonly used, zebrafish are emerging as a cost-effective, genetically similar alternative for studying tyrosinemia type II. Thus, this study aims to determine whether acute exposure of zebrafish to elevated tyrosine concentrations can reproduce early central nervous system alterations associated with tyrosinemia type II. Zebrafish were exposed via immersion to 1 mM or 2 mM tyrosine for 1-24 h, with a total of 180 animals used across assays. Behavioral analysis was conducted using the novel tank test, and cholinergic and oxidative stress markers were assessed. Brain tyrosine levels were measured centrally. Exposure to 1 mM tyrosine for 24 h resulted in the highest brain accumulation, suggesting a non-linear dose-response. Behavioral testing revealed decreased locomotor activity and exploratory behavior, and ChAT activity was reduced in both exposure groups. No significant changes were observed in oxidative stress or protein damage. These findings indicate that acute tyrosine exposure induces early behavioral and cholinergic alterations without detectable oxidative stress, supporting the use of zebrafish as a preliminary model to study early neurochemical disturbances such in tyrosinemia type II. Further studies should explore different life stages, sex-specific responses, chronic exposure, and precise tyrosine kinetics, including potential non-linear effects due to the LAT1 transporter, to clarify mechanisms underlying neurotoxicity and improve translational relevance.

Diseases caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania are considered neglected infections. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form of the disease, with a high annual incidence worldwide. In Brazil, dogs play an essential role as reservoirs, exhibiting a high concentration of parasites on their skin and no clinical signs, making them potential transmitters of the disease. Given the need for an efficient method to reduce the incidence of the disease, this study aimed to develop a gene encoding a chimeric protein with multiple epitopes that target both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes. Together with the MPLA adjuvant, the chimeric protein has the potential to compose a vaccine formulation against canine visceral leishmaniasis. Using an immunoinformatics analysis tool, the prediction of specific epitopes for CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes was performed on sequences of hypothetical proteins previously identified in the immunoproteome of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum parasites. The vaccine formulation was evaluated in Balb/c mice, and the chimeric protein, in association with the adjuvant, induced a protective response with a polarized T_H1 profile against the Leishmania parasite, characterized by high levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and low levels of IL-10. Additionally, the vaccinated animals showed a significant reduction in parasite burden in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow and draining lymph nodes of the paws compared to the control groups. Thus, the chimeric protein described here has the potential to be used in a vaccine formulation against canine leishmaniasis.