Showing papers by "Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul published in 2007"
TL;DR: The high prevalence of isolates from subgenotype A1 (of African origin) indicates that the African influx during the colonial slavery period had a major impact on the circulation of HBV genotype A currently found in Brazil.
Abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolates have been classified in eight genotypes, A to H, which exhibit distinct geographical distributions. Genotypes A, D and F are predominant in Brazil, a country formed by a miscegenated population, where the proportion of individuals from Caucasian, Amerindian and African origins varies by region. Genotype F, which is the most divergent, is considered indigenous to the Americas. A systematic molecular characterization of HBV isolates from different parts of the world would be invaluable in establishing HBV evolutionary origins and dispersion patterns. A large-scale study is needed to map the region-by-region distribution of the HBV genotypes in Brazil. Genotyping by PCR-RFLP of 303 HBV isolates from HBsAg-positive blood donors showed that at least two of the three genotypes, A, D, and F, co-circulate in each of the five geographic regions of Brazil. No other genotypes were identified. Overall, genotype A was most prevalent (48.5%), and most of these isolates were classified as subgenotype A1 (138/153; 90.2%). Genotype D was the most common genotype in the South (84.2%) and Central (47.6%) regions. The prevalence of genotype F was low (13%) countrywide. Nucleotide sequencing of the S gene and a phylogenetic analysis of 32 HBV genotype F isolates showed that a great majority (28/32; 87.5%) belonged to subgenotype F2, cluster II. The deduced serotype of 31 of 32 F isolates was adw4. The remaining isolate showed a leucine-to-isoleucine substitution at position 127. The presence of genotypes A, D and F, and the absence of other genotypes in a large cohort of HBV infected individuals may reflect the ethnic origins of the Brazilian population. The high prevalence of isolates from subgenotype A1 (of African origin) indicates that the African influx during the colonial slavery period had a major impact on the circulation of HBV genotype A currently found in Brazil. Although most genotype F isolates belonged to cluster II, the presence of some isolates belonging to clusters I (subgroup Ib) and IV suggests the existence of two or more founder viral populations of genotype F in Brazil.
125 citations
TL;DR: ILTI was found to be a single polypeptide chain containing 180 amino acids, the sequence of which was clearly homologous to the Kunitz family of serine protease plant protein inhibitors, and it also showed significant similarity to the seed storage proteins, sporamin and miraculin.
114 citations
TL;DR: There was significative statistical association between age and prenatal infection of rubella, cytomegalovirus, Chagas disease and herpes virus and the rates of frequency in pregnant women studied were lower than the compared rates.
Abstract: It was aimed to estimate the frequency of syphilis, rubella, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, toxoplasmosis, Chagas disease, HTLV I/II, simple herpes virus, HIV-1 and cytomegalovirus in pregnant women and to evaluate the relationship between age and the frequency of the infections studied. A transversal study of 32,512 pregnant women submitted to pre-natal screening in the period of November 2002 to October 2003. The frequency of the tried infections among the pregnant women were 0.2% of HIV-1, 0.03% of rubella, 0.8% of syphilis, 0.4% of toxoplasmosis, 0.05% of cytomegalovirus, 0.02% of simple herpes virus, 0.3% of HBsAg, 0.1% of hepatitis C, 0.1% of HTLV and 0.1% of Chagas disease. There was significative statistical association between age and prenatal infection of rubella, cytomegalovirus, Chagas disease and herpes virus. The rates of frequency of rubella, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, Chagas disease and cytomegalovirus in pregnant women studied were lower than the compared rates.
94 citations
TL;DR: It is important to consider the possibility of the development of catastrophic APS inThose patients with signs of HELLP syndrome and multiorgan failure during pregnancy or puerperium, especially in those patients with previous history of abortions and/or thrombosis.
Abstract: Background: The catastrophic variant of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a life-threatening form of presentation of this syndrome that can be triggered by several factors. Aim: To describe the characteristics of patients who developed catastrophic APS triggered during pregnancy and puerperium. Methods: A review of the first 255 cases collected in the website-based “CAPS Registry” was undertaken. Three new and unpublished cases of catastrophic APS developed during pregnancy and puerperium were added. Results: Fifteen cases were identified. The mean (range) age was 27 (17–38) years. Most patients had a previous unsuccessful obstetric history. In 7 of 14 (50%) cases with available medical history, the catastrophic APS appeared during pregnancy, in 6 (43%) during the puerperium and in 1 (7%) after curettage for a fetal death. The main clinical and serological characteristics were similar to those patients with catastrophic APS triggered by other factors, except for a history of a higher prevalence of previous abortions (p Conclusions: It is important to consider the possibility of the development of catastrophic APS in those patients with signs of HELLP syndrome and multiorgan failure during pregnancy or puerperium, especially in those patients with previous history of abortions and/or thrombosis.
91 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that, for both a synthetic phenol wastewater and an aqueous extract of Brazilian gasoline, the inhibition of the photo-Fenton degradation of the organic material in the presence of chloride ion can be circumvented by maintaining the pH of the medium at or slightly above 3 throughout the process, even in the absence of significant amounts of added chloride ion.
Abstract: The inhibition of the photo-Fenton (Fe2+/Fe3+, H2O2, UV light) degradation of synthetic phenol wastewater solutions by chloride ions is shown to affect primarily the photochemical step of the process, having only a slight effect on the thermal or Fenton step. Kinetic studies of the reactions of oxoiron (IV) (FeO2+) with phenol indicate that, if FeO2+ is formed in the photo-Fenton degradation, its role is probably minor. Finally, it is shown that, for both a synthetic phenol wastewater and an aqueous extract of Brazilian gasoline, the inhibition of the photo-Fenton degradation of the organic material in the presence of chloride ion can be circumvented by maintaining the pH of the medium at or slightly above 3 throughout the process, even in the presence of significant amounts of added chloride ion (0.5 M).
89 citations
TL;DR: Findings suggest the possibility of using ACLEC to engineer crop plants and suggest the toxicity in A. kuehniella apparently resulted from a change in the gut membrane environment and consequent disruption of digestive enzyme recycling mechanisms.
Abstract: Annona coriacea lectin (ACLEC) was tested for insecticidal activity against larvae of two pyralid moths, Anagasta kuehniella and Corcyra cephalonica. ACLEC produced ∼ 50% mortality and mass loss in A. kuehniella larvae when incorporated into an artificial diet at levels of 1.5% and 1.0% (w/w), respectively. In contrast, the inclusion of up to 2% ACLEC in the diet did not significantly decrease the survival or weight of C. cephalonica larvae. The nutritional indices for A. kuehniella and C. cephalonica suggested that ACLEC had a multi-mechanistic mode of action and was an antifeedant for both insects. The toxicity in A. kuehniella apparently resulted from a change in the gut membrane environment and consequent disruption of digestive enzyme recycling mechanisms. Affinity chromatography showed that ACLEC bound to midgut proteins of A. kuehniella and C. cephalonica. However, the 14 kDa subunit of ACLEC was not digested by midgut proteases of A. kuehniella, but was degraded by the corresponding C. cephalonica proteases within a few hours. These findings suggest the possibility of using ACLEC to engineer crop plants.
80 citations
TL;DR: The possible existence of a new tick-borne disease in Brazil imitating LD is discussed, except for a higher frequency of recurrence episodes observed along prolonged clinical follow-up.
Abstract: An emerging clinical entity that reproduces clinical manifestations similar to those observed in Lyme disease (LD) has been recently under discussion in Brazil Due to etiological and laboratory particularities it is named LD-like syndrome or LD imitator syndrome The condition is considered to be a zoonosis transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, possibly caused by interaction of multiple fastidious microorganisms originating a protean clinical picture, including neurological, osteoarticular and erythema migrans-like lesions When peripheral blood of patients with LD-like syndrome is viewed under a dark-field microscope, mobile uncultivable spirochete-like bacteria are observed PCR carried out with specific or conservative primers to recognize Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto or the genus Borrelia has been negative in ticks and in biological samples Two different procedures, respectively involving hematoxylin and eosin staining of cerebrospinal fluid and electron microscopy analysis of blood, have revealed spirochetes not belonging to the genera Borrelia, Leptospira or Treponema Surprisingly, co-infection with microorganisms resembling Mycoplasma and Chlamydia was observed on one occasion by electron microscopy analysis We discuss here the possible existence of a new tick-borne disease in Brazil imitating LD, except for a higher frequency of recurrence episodes observed along prolonged clinical follow-up
71 citations
TL;DR: Uetanabaro et al. as discussed by the authors presented the first record of the herpetofauna from the Serra da Bodoquena National Park and adjacent areas, including 63 species, including 38 amphibians and 25 reptiles.
Abstract: Uetanabaro, M, Souza, F.L., Landgref Filho, P., Beda, A.F. & Brandao, R.A. Amphibians and reptiles of the Serra da Bodoquena National Park, Mato Grosso do Sul, central Brazil. Biota Neotrop. Sep/Dez 2007 vol. 7, no. 3 http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n3/pt/abstract?inventory+bn01207032007. ISSN 1676-0603. The State of Mato Grosso do Sul, central Brazil, is located in the center of the broad South American open- dry diagonal areas. This region harbors a great diversity of amphibians and reptiles, with some endemic species. Despite such biogeographical scenario, biodiversity of this region is poorly known at local scales. Dry forests are important physiognomies in Mato Grosso do Sul and represent an important landscape element at Serra da Bodoquena, resulting in local characteristics that require biodiversity surveys. There are few and punctual information on the herpetofauna from the Serra da Bodoquena National Park and they suggest a similarity with the Cerrado herpetofauna. The present study represents the first record of the herpetofauna from the Serra da Bodoquena National Park and adjacent areas. Samples were conducted in pristine and disturbed areas in two distinct climatic periods, covering both rainy and dry seasons, by means of active search limited by time as well as opportunistic records. Data on the herpetofauna of the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Chaco biomes were compiled and compared with the species sampled in the present study. We registered 63 species, including 38 amphibians and 25 reptiles. Several species were associated to particular habitats, such as gallery forests or rocky outcrops. The herpetofauna from the Serra da Bodoquena National Park showed a greater similarity with that of the Cerrado, probably because the area is inserted in this biome. Considering the habitat diversity found at Serra da Bodoquena, the number of species must increase with other surveys in the area. Natural history and ecological studies on amphibian and reptiles of the Serra da Bodoquena must be encouraged in order to contribute for the National Park management.
68 citations
TL;DR: The structural features that are important to design specific inhibitors against these PKs will be reviewed in the present work and the possibility that PKs may represent targets for novel anti-parasitic agents is being explored.
Abstract: Parasitic protozoa infecting humans have a great impact on public health, especially in the developing countries. In many instances, the parasites have developed resistance against available chemotherapeutic agents, making the search for alternative drugs a priority. In line with the current interest in Protein Kinase (PK) inhibitors as potential drugs against a variety of diseases, the possibility that PKs may represent targets for novel anti-parasitic agents is being explored. Research into parasite PKs has benefited greatly from genome and EST sequencing projects, with the genomes from a few species fully sequenced (notably that from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum) and several more under way, the structural features that are important to design specific inhibitors against these PKs will be reviewed in the present work.
59 citations
TL;DR: This is the first approach of digitizing 3D objects which guarantees topology preservation and gives an upper bound for the geometric distortion and how one can efficiently estimate the volume and the surface area of digital objects by looking at their digitizations.
Abstract: Digitization is not as easy as it looks. If one digitizes a 3D object even with a dense sampling grid, the reconstructed digital object may have topological distortions and, in general, there exists no upper bound for the Hausdorff distance. This explains why so far no algorithm has been known which guarantees topology preservation. However, as we will show, it is possible to repair the obtained digital image in a locally bounded way so that it is homeomorphic and close to the 3D object. The resulting digital object is always well-composed, which has nice implications for a lot of image analysis problems. Moreover, we will show that the surface of the original object is homeomorphic to the result of the marching cubes algorithm. This is really surprising since it means that the well-known topological problems of the marching cubes reconstruction simply do not occur for digital images of r-regular objects. Based on the trilinear interpolation, we also construct a smooth isosurface from the digital image that has the same topology as the original surface. Finally, we give a surprisingly simple topology preserving reconstruction method by using overlapping balls instead of cubical voxels. This is the first approach of digitizing 3D objects which guarantees topology preservation and gives an upper bound for the geometric distortion. Since the output can be chosen as a pure voxel presentation, a union of balls, a reconstruction by trilinear interpolation, a smooth isosurface, or the piecewise linear marching cubes surface, the results are directly applicable to a huge class of image analysis algorithms. Moreover, we show how one can efficiently estimate the volume and the surface area of 3D objects by looking at their digitizations. Measuring volume and surface area of digital objects are important problems in 3D image analysis. Good estimators should be multigrid convergent, i.e., the error goes to zero with increasing sampling density. We will show that every presented reconstruction method can be used for volume estimation and we will give a solution for the much more difficult problem of multigrid-convergent surface area estimation. Our solution is based on simple counting of voxels and we are the first to be able to give absolute bounds for the surface area
56 citations
TL;DR: An outbreak of hepatogenous photosensitization in a flock of 28 sheep grazing Brachiaria decumbens in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Central-Western Brazil, and 6 of them died should be an important limiting factor for the sheep industry.
Abstract: An outbreak of hepatogenous photosensitization is reported in a flock of 28 sheep grazing Brachiaria decumbens in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Central-Western Brazil Seven lambs and an adult sheep were affected and 6 of them died Two surviving affected lambs and one lamb without clinical signs had increased serum values of gamma glutamyltransferase, bilirubin, and cholesterol In two adult unaffected sheep those parameters were within normal values An adult sheep submitted to necropsy presented moderate body condition, unilateral corneal opacity, drying of the muzzle, moderate jaundice, increased lobular pattern of the liver, and a distended gallbladder Histological lesions were epithelial degeneration, necrosis, and hyperplasia of small bile ducts Mild amounts of foamy macrophages were observed, mainly in the centroacinar zone Diffuse swelling and vacuolation were observed in hepatocytes Crystal negative images were found within bile ducts, foamy macrophages, and the lumen of some renal tubules The heart showed multifocal areas of degeneration and necrosis of the muscle fibers Pasture samples (Brachiaria decumbens) contained 236% of protodioscin No Pithomyces chartarum spores were found in the pasture Samples from a similar neighboring B decumbens pasture grazed by cattle without photosensitization contained 163% of protodioscin isomers Outbreaks of photosensitization caused by Brachiaria spp are common in cattle in the Brazilian Cerrado (savanna) with about 51 million hectares of Brachiaria spp pastures Sheep farming has been recently developed in this region, and the number of sheep is increasing significantly Because sheep are more susceptible than cattle to lithogenic saponins, poisoning by Brachiaria should be an important limiting factor for the sheep industry
TL;DR: In this paper, a new electroanalytical procedure was developed for the determination of lidocaine in commercial local anesthetics products containing lidocaine as the active ingredient, based on the use of electrochemical methods as cyclic and square wave voltammetry, with boron-doped diamond electrodes.
Abstract: A new electroanalytical procedure was developed for the determination of lidocaine in commercial local anesthetics products containing lidocaine as the active ingredient. The procedure is based on the use of electrochemical methods as cyclic and square-wave voltammetry, with boron-doped diamond electrodes. The oxidation of lidocaine in Britton–Robinson buffer (0.1 mol L−1) using this type of electrode gives rise to one irreversible peak in 1.68 V (versus Ag/AgCl). The detection and quantification limits obtained from pure water were 10.0 and 34.4 μg/L, respectively. The proposed electrochemical method was also successfully applied to the analysis of commercially available pharmaceutical preparations. The electrochemical responses of pharmaceutical preparations (gels) were identical to those of standard lidocaine. No influence of propyleneglycol present in the gels on the voltammetric responses was observed. Lidocaine recoveries ranged from 97.6% to 99.2%.
TL;DR: In this paper, the optimum nutrient content for soybean, estimated by the Mathematical Chance (ChM), Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) and Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND), where identical to the mean content in the reference population.
Abstract: Several studies pointed out the promising use of nutritional diagnosis methods for the determination of optimum nutrient contents and critical levels in plant tissues. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the optimum nutrient content for soybean, estimated by the Mathematical Chance (ChM), Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) and Compositional Nutrient Diagnosis (CND) methods. The optimum nutrient contents estimated by DRIS and CND where identical to the mean content in the reference population. Apart from the nutrients Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, the optimum contents were also equal or in close proximity to the mean nutrient contents of the reference population by the ChM method. The ChM, DRIS and CND methods proved promising for the calibration of optimal nutrient contents for soybean based on data obtained from nutrient monitoring of commercial fields.
TL;DR: Verificou-se a condicao de vulnerabilidade dos adolescentes para a paternidade em virtude da socializacao de genero nos moldes tradicionais.
Abstract: OBJETIVO: Analisar as relacoes de genero vivenciadas por adolescentes do sexo masculino e como elas contribuem para torna-los vulneraveis a gravidez na adolescencia. METODOS: Estudo qualitativo realizado em Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, em 2003. Participaram 13 adolescentes masculinos com menos de 20 anos, com um unico filho de ate 11 meses, cuja mae estava na mesma faixa etaria do pai. Realizaram-se entrevistas semi-estruturadas gravadas. Apos transcricao, procedeu-se a analise tematica de conteudo. RESULTADOS: Identificaram-se estereotipos de genero em que se destacavam papeis de lider, provedor e ativo sexualmente, bem como a rejeicao a ser cuidador. Esses papeis apareceram consolidados principalmente na perspectiva dos entrevistados acerca do trabalho como marcador de sua condicao de homem e provedor da familia. A lideranca dos adolescentes prevaleceu no relacionamento com a mae de seu filho, notadamente na iniciativa das relacoes sexuais e no uso de contraceptivos. A gravidez foi considerada por eles como "por acaso" e inesperada, mas a paternidade foi vivenciada como uma prova final de sua condicao de homens adultos. CONCLUSOES: Verificou-se a condicao de vulnerabilidade dos adolescentes para a paternidade em virtude da socializacao de genero nos moldes tradicionais. Isso foi evidenciado com a ausencia dos papeis relativos ao cuidado consigo proprio e com os outros, com a incorporacao precoce de papeis de dominacao sexual masculina e de trabalhador e pai, ou seja, deixar de ser crianca e alcancar a condicao de homem.
TL;DR: In this paper, a fracao do oleo essencial bruto that apresentou atividade antioxidante foi purificada by CCD sobre silica gel, and the EC 50 value measured for the bioactive oil fraction in the DPPH assay was 1.05 mg mL -1.
Abstract: O oleo essencial obtido a partir das cascas do caule de Croton urucurana Baillon (Euphorbiaceae) foi analisado por CG e CG-EM. 83 compostos foram identificados, sendo borneol (14,7%), acetato de bornila (5,2%), 1-isopropil-7-metil-4-metileno-1,3,4,5,6,8-hexaidro2H-naftalen-4a-ol (14,7%), sesquicineol (10,5%) e epoxido de γ-gurjuneno (5,4%) os principais componentes. Para o oleo essencial bruto, foi determinada em 3,21 mg mL -1 a EC 50 no ensaio de atividade antioxidante frente ao radical livre DPPH. A fracao do oleo essencial bruto que apresentou atividade antioxidante foi purificada por CCD sobre silica gel. Analises de CG e CG-EM revelaram que α-bisabolol (38,3%), α-eudesmol (9,3%) e guaiol (8,2%) sao os principais componentes da fracao antioxidante. A EC 50 medida no teste frente ao DPPH foi de 1,05 mg mL -1 para a fracao bioativa. Foi determinada a atividade antimicrobiana do oleo essencial bruto frente a sete bacterias Gram-positivas e Gram-negativas e tres fungos. Os valores de CIM medidos variaram de 1,25 a 10,00 mg mL -1 . The essential oil obtained from the stem bark of Croton urucurana Baillon (Euphorbiaceae) was analysed by GC and GC-MS. 83 compounds were identified and borneol (14.7%), bornyl acetate (5.2%), 1-isopropyl-7-methyl-4-methylene-1,3,4,5,6,8-hexahydro-2H-naphthalen-4a-ol (14.7%), sesquicineole (10.5%) and γ-gurjunene epoxide (5.4%) were the main components. The EC 50 value of the crude essential oil in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay was 3.21 mg mL -1 . The fraction of the crude essential oil that presented antioxidant activity was purified by prepTLC on silica gel. GC and GC-MS analysis revealed that α-bisabolol (38.3%), α-eudesmol (9.3%) and guaiol (8.2%) were the main components of the antioxidant fraction. The EC 50 value measured for the bioactive oil fraction in the DPPH assay was 1.05 mg mL -1 . The antimicrobial activity of
TL;DR: By evaporation at 70% of the baseline value of human milk, it is possible to obtain human milk that meets the nutritional requirements recommended for preterm infants, except for calcium and phosphorus.
Abstract: Objective To assess the effects of evaporation and pasteurization of human milk on its biochemical and immunological composition and on its osmolarity. Methods The samples of mature human milk were categorized into four study groups: in natura human milk, pasteurized human milk, human milk evaporated at 70% of the baseline volume and human milk pasteurized and evaporated at 70%, with 12 different samples of milk in each group. The samples were used to determine the concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, protein, fat, lactose, immunoglobulin A and osmolarity. Results The pasteurization of human milk did not show statistically significant changes in the concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, protein, fat, lactose, or in osmolarity; however, it showed remarkable reduction in the mean concentration of immunoglobulin A. Evaporation had a mean increase of 38% in the concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, protein, fat and lactose and mean reduction of 45% in the concentration of immunoglobulin A, without significant change in osmolarity in unprocessed milk. Conclusion By evaporation at 70% of the baseline value of human milk, it is possible to obtain human milk that meets the nutritional requirements recommended for preterm infants, except for calcium and phosphorus.
TL;DR: The diaphragm is the only one of the three devices that also offers mechanical protection, but it requires greater investment in patient education to ensure adherence to use.
TL;DR: Pouterin inhibited the growth of the fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum musae and of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and was best inhibited by glycoproteins such as fetuin, asialofetuin, heparin, orosomucoid, and ovoalbumin.
Abstract: This paper describes the purification and characterization of a novel protein from the seeds of Pouteria torta (family Sapotaceae). The protein was purified by a combination of gel filtration, ion-exchange, and reverse phase chromatographies. SDS-PAGE of the purified protein resulted in a single protein band of 14 kDa in the presence and absence of DTT. The lectin-like activity of pouterin was best inhibited by glycoproteins such as fetuin, asialofetuin, heparin, orosomucoid, and ovoalbumin. Pouterin inhibited the growth of the fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum musae and of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The incorporation of pouterin into an artificial diet (final concentration = 0.12%, w/w) caused 50% mortality in larvae of the insect Callosobruchus maculatus, whereas 0.08% pouterin produced an ED50. Keywords: Pouteria torta; seed; lectin-like; antifungal protein; Callosobruchus maculatus
TL;DR: PCR in Giemsa-stained bone marrow slides is a suitable tool for confirming diagnosis in patients with VL and may be useful in the diagnosis of difficult cases, making it an excellent option for diagnosis in the field.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection of Leishmania DNA in archived Giemsa-stained bone marrow slides for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and to compare PCR with conventional diagnostic techniques, like direct microscopy and parasite culture. Specimens of archived Giemsa-stained bone marrow slides from 91 patients with VL and from 79 controls with other diseases or conditions were studied. PCR showed the highest sensitivity (92.3%) and had good specificity (97.5%). Direct examination detected 79.1% and culture 59% of positive samples. In addition, PCR was able to detect VL in 16 of 19 patients (84.2%) with negative microscopy. PCR in Giemsa-stained bone marrow slides is a suitable tool for confirming diagnosis in patients with VL and may be useful in the diagnosis of difficult cases. Slide smears are easily stored, do not require special storage conditions such as low temperatures, and can be easily mailed to centers where PCR is available, making it an excellent option for diagnosis in the field.
TL;DR: Thirty cases of histoplasmosis observed at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (HU-UFMS) from January 1998 to December 2005 are reported and the observed mortality was 40%.
Abstract: Thirty cases of histoplasmosis observed at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (HU-UFMS) from January 1998 to December 2005 are reported. Most (83.3%) of the patients were men, average 33.4 years old, 63.3% of them were born and living in Mato Grosso do Sul and 83.3% presented AIDS as an underlying disease. In almost all cases (96.7%) the disease occurred in its disseminated form and the most frequent clinical manifestations were: fever (83.3%), weight loss (70.0%), cough (63.3%), hepatomegaly and splenomegaly (40.0%), and lymph node enlargement (36.7%). The laboratory diagnosis was obtained in 29 patients by isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum from various clinical specimens cultivated in Sabouraud dextrose and brain heart infusion agar and in 16 patients the fungus was observed by direct microscopy of Giemsa-stained smears. The observed mortality was 40%. This is the first report in the literature of the occurrence of histoplasmosis in Mato Grosso do Sul State.
TL;DR: A catalogue of the family Nycteribiidae (Diptera, Hippoboscoidea) of the New World is presented and two genera and 52 species are listed in alphabetical order.
Abstract: Catalogue of American Nycteribiidae (Diptera, Hippoboscoidea). A catalogue of the family Nycteribiidae (Diptera, Hippoboscoidea) of the New World is presented. Two genera and 52 species are listed in alphabetical order. Each genus account lists synonymies and type species, and each species account lists type locality and host, disposition of type material, geographic and host distribution, and a detailed bibliography.
25 Jun 2007
TL;DR: Experimental results from an evaluation exercise carried out by students showed that the use of screen readers was helpful to better understand and to reinforce the concepts of Web accessibility.
Abstract: This paper discusses an approach for Web accessibility education tacking advantage of short introductory courses. In this approach, screen readers were used toallimmerse students in the problems experienced by blind users while using the Web. Experimental results from an evaluation exercise carried out by students showedallthat the use ofallscreen readers was helpful to better understand and to reinforce the concepts of Web accessibility.
TL;DR: The average temperatures of the experimental period were 21.5°C and 31.3°C, respectively, in thermal comfort and heat stress, with the objective of evaluating the behavior, physiological responses and the performance of the animals as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: portuguesForam utilizados 24 suinos machos castrados, distribuidos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso composto por dois tratamentos e doze repeticoes, com o objetivo de avaliar o compor-tamento, respostas fisiologicas e o desempenho dos animais. As temperaturas medias do periodo experimental foram 21,5°C e 31,3°C, respectivamente, nos ambientes de conforto termico e de estresse por calor. Suinos sob estresse por calor permaneceram significativamente menos tempo na posicao em pe, mais tempo na posicao deitado, menos tempo no comedouro, mais tempo no bebedouro, mais tempo na posicao deitado no bebedouro e mais tempo dormindo em relacao aqueles mantidos sob conforto termico. Suinos sob estresse por calor apresentaram consumos de energia, proteina, lisina e racao, ganho de peso e conversao alimentar reduzidos e apresentaram menores pesos de orgaos, exceto do estomago, e frequencia respiratoria e temperaturas retal e de superficie aumentadas. Suinos sob conforto termico apresentaram maior eficiencia de utilizacao da proteina e energia e maiores deposicoes diarias de proteina e gordura na carcaca. Temperaturas que provocam estresse por calor afetam negativamente o comportamento de suinos em crescimento. EnglishWere used 24 castrated swine distributed in completely randomized design composed for two treatments and twelve repetitions, with the objective to evaluate the behavior, physiological responses and the performance of the animals. The average temperatures of the experimental period were 21.5°C and 31.3°C, respectively, in thermal comfort and heat stress. Swine under heat stress remain significantly little time in the position in foot, more time in the lying position, little time in the feeder, more time in the water through, more time in the lying position in the water through and more time sleeping in relation to those kept in thermal comfort. Swine under heat stress had presented energy, protein, lysine and ration intake, weight gain and feed: gain ratio reduced and had presented minor weight of organs, except of the stomach, and had presented increased respiratory frequency and rectal and surface temperatures. Swine under thermal comfort had presented greater efficiency of use of the protein and energy and greater daily protein and fat depositions in the carcass. Temperatures that provoke heat stress affects negatively the behavior of growing swine.
TL;DR: Garrone Neto et al. as mentioned in this paper reported the occurrence record of two species of stingrays in the Upper Parana River, which were not part of native fauna about two decades ago.
Abstract: Garrone Neto, D., Haddad Jr., V., Vilela, M.J.A. & Uieda, V.S. Occurrence record of two potamotrigonids species in the Upper Parana River and some aspects about their biology. Biota Neotrop. Jan/Apr 2007 vol. 7, no. 1 http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v7n1/pt/abstract?short-communication+bn00707012007 ISSN 1676-0603. The freshwater stingrays of the Potamotrygonidae family are elasmobranchs restricted to the major river systems of South America. In Brazil, the occurrence of potamotrigonids is known in all the Amazonian Basin, some rivers of the Northeastern region and in the Paraguay-Parana Basin. The upper course of the Parana River, separated in the past from the medium and low courses by Sete-Quedas Waterfalls, today is connected to these areas due to the dams constructed in great part of its course. The dams had destroyed natural barriers, making possible the dispersion of many species of aquatic organisms to the headwaters of the Parana River. We report the occurrence record of two species of stingrays in the Upper Parana River, which were not part of native fauna about two decades ago.
TL;DR: In this article, the surface of the glassy carbon (GC) disk was modified by anodic oxidation of AQ-2-COOH in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF).
Abstract: The electrochemical reduction of oxygen on glassy carbon (GC) electrodes modified with anthraquinones was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and the rotating disk electrode (RDE) technique. Two methods were used in surface modification. The first method comprised immersion of the polished or anodically pretreated GC electrode in a solution containing 9,10-anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid (AQ-2-COOH) or its anion (AQ-2-COO−) in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or 9,10-anthraquinone-2-ethanoic acid (AQ-2-CH2COOH) or its anion (AQ-2-CH2COO−) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Alternatively, the surface of the GC disk was modified by anodic oxidation of AQ-2-COOH or AQ-2-COO− in DMSO or AQ-2-CH2COOH in DMSO or DMF or AQ-2-CH2COO− in DMF. The modified electrodes showed electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction in 0.1 M acetate buffer pH (4.8), 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 8) and 0.1 M NaOH. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) examination of the modified electrodes was carried out and the differences in surface morphology of various modifications were in evidence.
TL;DR: The development of castor plants (Ricinus communis L.) under nitrogen sidedressing fertilization was evaluated in a randomized block design, constituted by different level of nitrogen sidedressed fertilization (0, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1).
Abstract: The development of castor plants (Ricinus communis L.) under nitrogen sidedressing fertilization was evaluated in a randomized block design, constituted by different level of nitrogen sidedressing fertilization (0, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1). The sowing was performed on January 27, 2006, comprising three lines of 4 m every plot. The spaces were 0.9 m between lines and 0.45 m between plants. Height and diameter plants, dry matter, yield and oil content were evaluated. The 80 kg ha-1 nitrogen sidedressing fertilization increases the yield and did not alter seed oil content.
TL;DR: The phenology of canopy trees in a primary dry forest in Western Brazil in the foothills of the Urucum mountain chain is studied, in order to improve knowledge on the functioning of these poorly-known forests.
Abstract: Dry forests are common, although highly threatened in the Neotropics. Their ecological processes are mostly influenced by rainfall pattern, hence their cycles exhibit contrasting phases. We studied the phenology of canopy trees in a primary dry forest in Western Brazil in the foothills of the Urucum mountain chain, in order to improve our knowledge on the functioning of these poorly-known forests. Leaf shedding started in the early dry season and was massive in the latter part of this period. Most leaf loss occurred in dry hills, while wet valleys remained evergreen. Anemochorich and autochorich species predominated in dry hills, presumably due to their tolerance to dry conditions and enhanced exposition to winds, which favour diaspores removal and dispersal. Conversely, zoochorich species dominated the wet valleys. Flowering was intense in the late dry season, the driest period of the year, while fruiting was massive just after the onset of rains, as well as flushing. Therefore, most flowering was unrelated to wet conditions, although such an abiotic factor, potentially, triggered the major fruiting episode, widely comprised by zoochorich species. Anemochorich and autochorich species flowered and fruited in the course of the long dry season. The contrasting environmental conditions present in the hills and valleys determine the arrangement of a mosaic in which patches of zoochorich and evergreen trees alternate with patches of non zoochorich and highly deciduous species. Consequently, species with such syndromes exhibited marked flowering and fruiting patterns, accordingly to the pronounced seasonality.
TL;DR: The results revealed the presence of infection by N. caninum in the herds investigated, drawing attention to its role as a potential cause of abortion in cattle in Mato Grosso do Sul.
Abstract: Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular parasite that can infect domestic and wild canids, as well as ruminants and equines. It was described in 1988 and has been known as a major cause of abortion in bovines and neuromuscular alterations and death in dogs. To estimate the prevalence of bovine neosporosis in the 22 municipalities of the so-called Estrato 1 subregion of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, blood samples were collected from cows aged 24 months and older, from December 2003 to March 2004. During sample collection, a questionnaire was used to gather data of epidemiological interest. The samples were subjected to serological diagnosis (indirect fluorescence antibody test - IFAT). Prevalences of 14.9% (449/2488) and 69.8% (143/205) were found for the animals and herds sampled, respectively. The variable found to be associated with seropositivity to N. caninum was abortion (OR 2.52; CI 1.25-5.06). The results revealed the presence of infection by N. caninum in the herds investigated, drawing attention to its role as a potential cause of abortion in cattle in Mato Grosso do Sul.
TL;DR: Findings indicate that there is a high risk of leishmaniasis transmission in this area and Leishmania species using the PCR technique were identified.
Abstract: The main purpose of this study was to investigate natural infection by Leishmania in phlebotomine females in a visceral-leishmaniasis focus in Antonio Joao county in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Between June and October 2003, the digestive tracts of 81 females captured in Aldeia Campestre, Aldeia Marangatu and Povoado Campestre were dissected. The females were separated by species, location, area and date of capture into 13 groups and kept in ethanol 70%. To identify the Leishmania species using the PCR technique, amplifications of the ribosomal-DNA (rDNA) and mini-exon genes were analyzed. Of the 81 specimens, 77 (95%) were Lutzomyia longipalpis, making this the most common species; only one specimen of each of the species Brumptomyia avellari, Evandromyia cortelezzii, Evandromyia lenti and Nyssomyia whitmani was found. Trypanosomatids were identified in eight of the nine groups of Lutzomyia longipalpis (10.39%) one group from Aldeia Campestre, one from Aldeia Marangatu and six from Povoado Campestre; of the eight groups, one from Aldeia Marangatu and another, with promastigotes forms also confirmed by dissection (1.23%) from Povoado Campestre, were identified by PCR as Leishmania chagasi (2.6%). The other groups gave negative results. These findings indicate that there is a high risk of leishmaniasis transmission in this area.
TL;DR: In this paper, a retrospective study based on the database of the patients with permanent ostomies, registered in the 'Programa de Ostomizados do Centro de Especialidades Medicas' of the City Hall of Campo Grande, MS.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To elaborate the profile of the patients with permanent ostomies and the complications related to the stoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study based on the database of the patients with permanent ostomies, registered in the 'Programa de Ostomizados do Centro de Especialidades Medicas' of the City Hall of Campo Grande, MS. RESULTS: It was evaluated 178 handbooks of these patients (56,7% men and 43,3% women). The average age was 46,8 years for the male group and 54.6 years for the female group. It was found 152 colostomies (85,4%), 21 ileostomies (11,8%) and 5 urostomies (2,8%). The main indication for the stomas was the cancer (46,6%). The second indication was abdominal trauma (7,3%), and third was patients with decubitus ulcer (6,7%). Inadequate pouch placement was found in 90 patients (50,6%). Stomal complications had been found in 103 patients (57,9%), including skin irritation (28,7%), plain stoma (18,6%), peristomal hernia (10,7%) and stomal retraction (10,1%). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that, in the group evaluated, the major indication for stomal confection was the rectosigmoid cancer and the anal cancer. The most common was the peristomal dermatitis.