Showing papers by "Universidade Estadual de Londrina published in 2001"

Obesidade em idosos: prevalência, distribuição e associação com hábitos e co-morbidades

Abstract: Objective: The goal was to define the prevalence of global and central obesity through the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Besides, the associations between BMI and WHR were evaluated as the risk factors related to the excess of body fat and to the central pattern of distribution of fat, such as diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), hypertriglyceridaemia, smoking, practice of physical activities, and social level. Methodology: Through a cross-sectional study, 847 outpatients 60 years old or more were evaluated. Results: Obesity was detected in 9.3% of the men and 23.8% of the women (p = percentile 75 (WHR> 1.01 for men and WHR> 0.96 for women) presented higher frequencies of hypertension, DM, low HDL-c, and hypertriglyceridaemia in the male and hypertension and DM in the female. Conclusions: The results reveal differences in relation to sex, with men presenting lower prevalence of obesity and higher associations between BMI or WHR, with risk factors related to the body fat. The data obtained contribute to the amplification of the anthropometric reference of the elderly, besides identifying the characteristics of the correlations between the anthropometric indicators and the metabolic alterations associated with obesity.

O método da análise documental: seu uso numa pesquisa historiográfica

Abstract: Com o intuito de contribuir para a utilizacao de analise documental em pesquisa, este texto apresenta o processo de uma investigacao que objetivou compreender as relacoes entre psicologia e educacao, no contexto socio-historico brasileiro, entre as decadas de 50 e 80. Partindo de uma autora cuja relevância na historia recente se deve, especialmente, a criacao de uma proposta de alfabetizacao, o Programa Alfa, foram pesquisadas as interseccoes entre producao teorica da psicologia e atividade pratica em educacao. Sao descritos os instrumentos e meios de realizacao da analise de conteudo, apontando o percurso em que as decisoes foram sendo tomadas quanto as tecnicas de manuseio dos documentos: desde a organizacao e classificacao do material ate a elaboracao das categorias de analise. A perspectiva historiografica adotada nesse estudo procurou superar a dicotomia entre as abordagens internalista e externalista da historia das ciencias, propiciando compreender o âmbito socio-historico em que se constituiu a referida producao cientifica.

Niveis de pratica de atividade fisica habitual em adolescentes

Abstract: Beneficios da pratica de atividade fisica e riscos do sedentarismo associados a saude e ao bem-estar sao amplamente documentados na literatura. No entanto, maior numero de estudos procura envolver sujeitos adultos. Pouco se conhece com relacao aos habitos de pratica de atividade fisica de adolescentes. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar niveis de pratica de atividade fisica habitual em amostra representativa de adolescentes matriculados em escola de ensino medio do municipio de Londrina, Parana. A amostra foi constituida por 281 adolescentes (157 mocas e 124 rapazes) com idade entre 15 e 18 anos. Informacoes acerca da atividade fisica habitualmente realizada foram obtidas mediante instrumento retrospectivo de auto-recordacao das atividades diarias. Estabeleceram-se estimativas quanto a demanda energetica (kcal/kg/dia) com base no custo calorico associado ao tipo e a duracao das atividades registradas pelos adolescentes. Os resultados revelam que rapazes foram consistentemente mais ativos fisicamente que mocas. Por volta de 54% dos rapazes envolvidos no estudo foram classificados como ativos ou moderadamente ativos, enquanto aproximadamente 65% das mocas analisadas mostraram ser inativas ou muito inativas. Os rapazes demonstraram significativamente maior envolvimento na pratica de exercicios fisicos e de esportes que mocas (3:20 vs. 0:48 horas/semana). Os niveis de pratica de atividade fisica habitual tenderam a reduzir-se com a idade, sobretudo entre mocas. As mocas permaneceram menor tempo em frente da TV e do video que rapazes (3:30 vs. 4:00 horas/dia). Rapazes, porem nao mocas, pertencentes a classe socioeconomica familiar mais baixa mostraram ser menos ativos fisicamente que seus pares de classe socioeconomica familiar mais privilegiada. A maioria dos adolescentes (97% das mocas e 74% dos rapazes) nao atende as recomendacoes quanto a pratica de atividade fisica que possa alcancar impacto satisfatorio a saude. Como conclusao, a elevada incidencia de sedentarismo observada na amostra analisada sugere acoes intervencionistas que venham incentivar a pratica adequada de atividade fisica na populacao jovem.

Dietary vitamin e inhibits poultry pse and improves meat functional properties

Abstract: The objective of this work was to investigate the occurrence of pale, soft, exudative meat (PSE) in chicken by submitting birds to physical stress. Dietary supplementation of vitamin E was undertaken to overcome this syndrome. Postmortem muscle biochemical events and their consequence on meat properties were evaluated in samples with and without supplemented vitamin E. Our studies showed chickens were susceptible to heat stress which promoted changes in the glycolytic parameters causing the development of chicken PSE. Dietary vitamin E was capable of inhibiting the development of the syndrome hence improving meat functional properties.

Detection of a Bacterium Associated with a Leaf Spot Disease of Maize in Brazil

Abstract: A leaf spot disease of maize occurring in Brazil in the 1980s was described as being caused by the ascomycete Phaeosphaeria maydis (P. Henn) Rane. Payak and Renfro (imperfect form Phyllosticta sp.). Disease symptoms were dark-green water-soaked spots that later became necrotic lesions. There are no reports at present in the literature of re-infection by the fungus under controlled conditions, casting doubt on the true identity of the pathogen. In this study, cytological analyses of lesions at the initial stages did not detect the presence of fungal structures. Bacterial colonies with yellow pigmentation were isolated from the lesions, which reacted positively in hypersensitivity tests in tobacco plants. Maize plants were inoculated with the isolated bacteria. After 72 h incubation in a dew chamber, plants were transferred to a greenhouse, where they remained until evaluation. Typical symptoms of the disease were observed 5‐7 days after inoculation of plants, only on treatments inoculated with the bacteria. The bacterium was re-isolated, which suggests its involvement in the initial phases of disease. The bacterium was identified as Pantoea ananas (synonym Erwinia ananas).

Antimutagenic effects of the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill extracts on V79 cells

Abstract: Agaricus blazei Murrill, a native mushroom in Brazil, has been widely consumed in different parts of the world due to its medicinal power. Its anticarcinogenic activity has been shown in experimental animals, and antimutagenic activity has been demonstrated only in Salmonella. In this work, the mutagenic and antimutagenic activities of mushroom teas of strains AB96/07, AB96/09 and AB97/11 were evaluated in Chinese hamster V79 cells, using the comet assay and the micronucleus test. The cells were treated with three different concentrations (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15) of teas prepared from a 2.5% aqueous solution, under three different temperatures: (1) room (20-25 degrees C); (2) ice-cold (2-8 degrees C); and (3) warm (60 degrees C). The teas were applied in co-, pre- and post-treatments in combination with the mutagen methyl methanesulfonate (MMS; 1.6x10(-4) and 4x10(-4)M). The duration of the treatment was 1h in the comet assay and 2h in the micronucleus test. The results showed that the mushroom was not mutagenic itself. Nevertheless, the mushroom is an efficient antimutagen against the induction of micronuclei by MMS in all concentrations and preparations tested. The observed reductions in the frequencies of micronuclei ranged from 61.5 (room temperature 0.1% tea in post-treatment) to 110.3% (co-treatment with warm and ice-cold 0.15% tea). In the comet assay, the antimutagenic activity was detected only when the cells were pre-treated with the following teas: warm 0.1 and 0.15%, room temperature 0.05% and ice-cold 0.1%. The results indicate that the mushroom A. blazei extracts are antimutagenic when tested in V79 cells.

Resistência do solo à penetração e desenvolvimento do sistema radicular do milho (Zea mays) sob diferentes sistemas de manejo em um Latossolo Roxo

Abstract: As modificacoes estruturais causadas no solo pelos diferentes sistemas de manejo podem resultar em maior ou menor compactacao, que podera interferir na densidade do solo, na porosidade, na infiltracao de agua no solo e no desenvolvimento radicular das culturas. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar, em condicoes de campo, os efeitos da estrutura, umidade e resistencia do solo a penetracao no desenvolvimento do sistema radicular do milho (Zea mays), sob sistema convencional (aracao mais grade niveladora ha mais de dez anos) e plantio direto (ha mais de vinte anos). As avaliacoes foram realizadas em um Latossolo Roxo argiloso, na regiao norte do estado do Parana - Brasil, cultivado com milho, no verao, e trigo, no inverno. Os resultados mostraram que valores de resistencia do solo a penetracao superiores a 3,5 MPa nao restringiram desenvolvimento radicular do milho, porem influenciaram a sua morfologia. O plantio direto apresentou melhores condicoes de continuidade estrutural para o desenvolvimento radicular do que o sistema convencional, tendo sido sua resistencia mais afetada pela distribuicao estrutural do que pela umidade do solo.

Caminhos para aproximar a formacao de profissionais de saude das necessidades da atencao basica

Abstract: Resumo: A partir da consideracao de que o Sistema Unico de Saude, por mandato constitucional, deveria “ordenar” o processo de formacao profissional na area da saude e com base na importância da forca de trabalho que ele absorve, os autores exploram as possibilidades de integracao do processo de aprendizagem a rede de servicos de saude. Na busca de reorientar a formacao, tratam de estimular uma atuacao interdisciplinar multiprofissional por meio da construcao de um novo modelo pedagogico que equilibre a excelencia tecnica e a relevância social, com metodos de ensino-aprendizagem centrados no aluno e desenvolvidos como processo permanente, com base nas relacoes de parceria da universidade com os servicos de saude, com a comunidade, com as entidades e outros setores da sociedade civil. Os autores propoem um sistema de incentivos as instituicoes de ensino superior, visando maior sintonia com o paradigma da integralidade. Para isto, estabelecem um mecanismo de acompanhamento classificatorio que congrega os distintos eixos de um processo de mudanca da organizacao de uma instituicao de ensino na direcao proposta, que incluem: a orientacao teorica predominante na instituicao, a abordagem pedagogica e os cenarios de praticas, cada um deles abrindo-se em tres vetores que marcam o grau de avanco nas mudancas em curso. Com isso, conformam uma tipologia em um “perfil radical de avaliacao” da tendencia a alcancar o paradigma proposto. Nao se avalia com este instrumento a qualidade da instituicao ou do programa, senao sua posicao em relacao ao SUS.

Averrhoa carambola L., Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels and Cissus sicyoides L.: medicinal herbal tea effects on vegetal and animal test systems

Abstract: Since folk medicine has been greatly appreciated for centuries, many researchers decided to study more deeply the curative qualities of plants. In the present study, meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. were used as vegetal test system and bone marrow cells of Wistar rats as animal test system. Both were treated in vivo to evaluate whether the plants Averrhoa carambola L., Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels and Cissus sicyoides L. presented cytotoxic and mutagenic effects and whether they resulted in cell alterations in their morphology, chromosomes or cell cycle division. Herbal teas were prepared as normally done by the population, albeit in two different concentrations, the usual concentration and a concentration ten times higher. Rats were treated with only one concentration of teas. Results showed that teas did not alter the cell cycle of Allium cepa L., with the exception of the 24 hours analysis after suspension of treatment (recovery of treatments), with a lower concentration of Averrhoa carambola. The latter had a low mitotic index when compared to control and to the post-treatment analysis, showing an inhibition of cell division. The three herbal teas neither induced an increase in the number of chromosomal damage in bone marrow cells of Wistar rats nor altered the cell division cycle. Results are important in so far as these plants are used as therapeutic agents.

Effect of Biofertilizers and Neem Oil on the Entomopathogenic Fungi Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. and Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok

Abstract: The in vitro fungitoxic effect of three biofertilizers, E.M.-4, Multibion O and Supermagro used in organic agriculture and the neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on the entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana was studied. These products were mixed in a medium where the two fungi were inoculated, and germination, vegetative growth and conidiogenesis were assessed. The biofertilizers Supermagro and E.M.- 4 showed to be less toxic for the two fungi whereas MultibionO caused major inhibition on M. anisopliae, with reductions in germination (-37.74%), colony diameter (-30.26%) and conidiogenesis (-42.62%). Neem oil promoted a larger negative effect on B. bassiana, inhibiting germination (-45.27%), colony diameter (-36.62%) and conidiogenesis (-84.93%).

The mixed acid-base disturbances of severe canine babesiosis.

Abstract: Thirty-four dogs suffering from severe babesiosis caused by Babesia canis rossi were included in this study to evaluate acid-base imbalances with the quantitative clinical approach proposed by Stewart. All but 3 dogs were severely anemic (hematocrit <12%). Arterial pH varied from severe acidemia to alkalemia. Most animals (31 of 34; 91%) had inappropriate hypocapnia with the partial pressure of CO2 < 10 mm Hg in 12 of 34 dogs (35%). All dogs had a negative base excess (BE; mean of - 16.5 mEq/L) and it was below the lower normal limit in 25. Hypoxemia was present in 3 dogs. Most dogs (28 of 34; 82%) were hyperlactatemic. Seventy percent of dogs (23 of 33) were hypoalbuminemic. Anion gap (AG) was widely distributed, being high in 15, low in 12, and normal in 6 of the 33 dogs. The strong ion difference (SID; difference between the sodium and chloride concentrations) was low in 20 of 33 dogs, chiefly because of hyperchloremia. Dilutional acidosis was present in 23 of 34 dogs. Hypoalbuminemic alkalosis was present in all dogs. Increase in unmeasured strong anions resulted in a negative BE in all dogs. Concurrent metabolic acidosis and respiratory alkalosis was identified in 31 of 34 dogs. A high AG metabolic acidosis was present in 15 of 33 dogs. The lack of an AG increase in the remaining dogs was attributed to concurrent hypoalbuminemia, which is common in this disease. Significant contributors to BE were the SID, free water abnormalities, and AG (all with P < .01). Mixed metabolic and respiratory acid-base imbalances are common in severe canine babesiosis, and resemble imbalances described in canine endotoxemia and human malaria.

An improved boost PWM soft-single-switched converter with low voltage and current stresses

Abstract: This paper presents an improved regenerative soft turn-on and turn-off snubber applied to a boost pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) converter. The boost soft-single-switched converter proposed, which has only a single active switch, is able to operate with soft switching in a PWM way without high voltage and current stresses. This is achieved by using an auxiliary inductor, which is magnetically coupled with the main inductor of the converter. In order to illustrate the operating principle of this new converter, a detailed study, including simulations as well as experimental results, is carried out. The validity of this new converter is guaranteed by the obtained results.

A relação teoria-prática na formação do educador

Abstract: It is the school’s duty to suggest new ways of producing and distributing knowledge oriented to new ways of understanding and acting in the world, leading to the development of an educational practice that deals with social practice. However, the teachers formation, favouring the theoretical dimension, is distant from the practice; enduring the theory-practice relation, makes it difficult, when not impossible to the teachers, the improve the capacity of reflecting upon their own participation in the process to, continuously and progressively, transform it. Therefore, it is necessary to promote a critical educational process, which not only allows the perfect relation between theory and educational practice but also overcomes the simple transmission of knowledge.

The new Brazilian traffic code and some characteristics of victims in southern Brazil

Abstract: Objective—The aim was to study characteristics of traffic accident victims before and after the implementation of the new Brazilian traffic code, in January 1998. Subjects and methods—The study population was car and motorcycle occupants seen in a pre-hospital care service in Londrina, Parana State (Brazil) before the introduction of the new Brazilian traffic code, from 22 January to 21 July 1997, and after its implementation during the same period in 1998. Victims were analyzed over the time periods according to helmet and seat belt use, gender, underage driving, and alcohol on the breath. Results—Use of seat belts increased from 45% to 62.6% and of helmets from 31.2% to 66.2% after the introduction of the new Brazilian code. The proportion driving under age 18 and with perceptible alcoholic breath declined significantly only among motorcycle riders. There was a 20% decline in car occupant injuries along with a 9% reduction in motorcycle related injuries after the change of the law. Conclusion—Results favor the hypothesis that rigorous legislation increases safer practices in traffic, at least during the first months of its implementation.

The influence of prehospital trauma care on motor vehicle crash mortality.

Abstract: Background: This study evaluated the impact of the prehospital trauma care system on the mortality from motor vehicle crashes and on the temporal distribution between the crash and related death. Methods: Autopsies performed by the Forensic Medical Institute on all deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes 1 year before and 1 year after the beginning of the prehospital trauma care system were evaluated. Results: In the first period, 128 deaths occurred, 53.9% of them in the first hour after the crash, 36.7% between the first hour and the seventh day, and 9.4% after 1 week. In the second period, 115 deaths occurred, 40.8% of them in the first hour, 52.2% between the first hour and the seventh day, and 7% after 1 week. Central nervous system injury was the most frequent cause of death in both periods. Mortality was greatest among young people as well as male victims in both periods. Conclusion: After starting the prehospital trauma care system in our city, there was a decrease in the deaths occurring before hospital admission, a change in temporal distribution of deaths, and a reduction in the motor vehicle crash mortality rate.

Evaluation of fumonisin-aflatoxin co-occurrence in Brazilian corn hybrids by ELISA.

Abstract: The natural co-occurrence of fumonisins and aflatoxins was investigated in freshly harvested corn kernels (150 samples, 62 hybrids), acquired from the Central-Southern (27 samples, 21 hybrids), Central-Western (86 samples, 51 hybrids) and Northern (37 samples, 18 hybrids) regions of the State of Parana, Brazil using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fumonisins were detected in 147 (98%) samples at a concentration range of 0.096 to 22.6 microg/g, while aflatoxins were detected in 17 (11.3%). All the aflatoxin-positive samples (range 38.0-460.0 ng/g) came from the Central-Western region and were co-contaminated with fumonisins. Fumonisin contamination was higher in corn from the Northern (9.85 microg/g) and Central-Western regions (5.08 microg/g), when compared with the Central-Southern region (1.14 microg/g). The overall evaluation detected 62% samples with fumonisin levels < or = 5.0 microg/g. Regional differences affected fumonisin levels in the same hybrid, regardless of Fusarium count and moisture content, suggesting interference from climatic conditions, in addition to the local predominance of toxigenic strains of the Fusarium biotype.

RAPD and isoenzyme analysis of genetic variability in three allied species of catfish (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) from the Tibagi River, Brazil

Abstract: Genetic variability in three species of Pimelodidae catfish (Iheringichthys labrosus, Pimelodus maculatus and Pimelodus cf. absconditus), collected at four sites in the Tibagi river-basin: Sertaneja, Londrina (lower Tibagi), Sapopema (middle Tibagi) and Tibagi (upper Tibagi) was analysed using RAPD and isoenzymatic techniques. Iheringichthys labrosus had the greatest genetic variability showing a proportion of mean polymorphic loci (P¯m) of 53.7%. The dendrogram showed that the individuals from the locations were clustered together, supporting the hypothesis that I. labrosus has a sedentary or localized geographical distribution. Pimelodus maculatus is the only species studied that is considered to be highly migratory. The P¯m obtained for this species was 30.2%. Their genetic dendrogram showed that the individuals were not clustered, based on the place of collection. P. cf. absconditus had a P¯m value of 47.4%, and the external morphology of this species is similar to that of I. labrosus, which hindered differentiation of individuals from the two species. RAPD and isoenzyme analysis, however, provided differential patterns for P. cf. absconditus from I. labrosus.

Bacterial Community Associated with Fish and Water from Congonhas River, Sertaneja, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract: A bacteriological study was conducted on fish and water from Congonhas River, Sertaneja (22o58’ S; 50o58’ W), Parana State, Brazil. From 44% of the analysed fish, bacteria belonging to Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Enterobacteriaceae, Micrococcus, Bacillus and Lactobacillus were isolated. The group most frequently isolated from fish was Aeromonas. In the water, the bacterial groups detected were Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Enterobacteriaceae, Bacillus and Flavobacterium, from which Flavobacterium and Acinetobacter were the most abundant. The numbers of Colony Forming Units per millilitre of water varied from 3.1x102 to 1.0 x 103. Although a clear pattern was not detected in the susceptibilities/resistances of the isolated strains to nine antimicrobial substances, Gram negative aerobic bacteria were more resistant than the other strains. A simultaneous resistance to furazolidone, oxolinic acid and norfloxacin, particularly in the bacteria isolated from fish, as well as in the aerobic strains isolated from water was observed. The antimicrobial substances to which less resistances were found were oxytetracycline in the strains isolated from water, and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol in those isolated from fish.

Spatial and temporal variation in the canopy cover in a tropical semi-deciduous forest

Abstract: This study was developed in the Mata dos Godoy State Park (23° 27’S, 51° 15’W) South Brazil which present great environmental heterogeneity when its north portion (ridge) is compared with the southern portion (valley), where there are some flooded areas. The forest formation is classified as tropical semi-deciduous forest. Spatial and temporal variations in the degree of the canopy cover were compared at flooded and unflooded sites. The measures were taken seasonally in 100 m2 plots using a spherical densiometer from spring 1995 to winter 1996. The flooded area was more open and lighter and had a greater spatial and temporal variation in the canopy cover than the unflooded areas. The greater heterogeneity in the flooded area could be due to structural characteristics of the canopy (greater spacing between individual trees, lower canopy and less stratified canopy), more frequent natural disturbances and a greater degree of deciduousness. These causes seemed to be related to the presence of the river and flooding.

Veratryl alcohol stimulates fruiting body formation in the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus.

Abstract: The oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, cultivated in solid state on sugarcane bagasse–wheat bran (5:1) medium in the presence of veratryl alcohol resulted in an increased production of the fruiting body at earlier times compared to when the fungus was grown in the absence of veratryl alcohol. The results indicate a new physiological role for veratryl alcohol in stimulating fruiting body formation. Veratryl alcohol also stimulated laccase production during the mycelial growth stage. Evidence is also presented that laccases were involved in the physiological development of the fruiting body.

Symbiotic effectiveness of fast-growing rhizobial strains isolated from soybean nodules in Brazil

Abstract: The symbiotic effectiveness of 30 fast-growing rhizobial strains (doubling times of 85–225 min and acid reaction in yeast mannitol medium) isolated from soybean nodules in Brazil and of Sinorhizobium fredii reference strains was evaluated under greenhouse and field conditions Most Brazilian fast-growing strains were genetically related to the Rhizobium tropici-Rhizobium genomic species Q-Agrobacterium spp branch and five to the Bradyrhizobium japonicum and B elkanii species Under axenic conditions, some of the fast-growing strains fixed as much N2 as the B japonicum/B elkanii strains carried in Brazilian commercial inocula However, in a co-inoculation experiment, very few strains were able to compete against B elkanii strain SEMIA 5019 Although isolated from acid soils (pH 30–51), the competitiveness of Brazilian fast growers and of S fredii reference strains against B japonicum/B elkanii was low under acid conditions (pH 51 and pH 54), but increased when the pH was raised to 68 and 79 Therefore, as the great majority of Brazilian soils are acidic and show a very high population of naturalized B japonicum/B elkanii, the low competitiveness of S fredii and of the Brazilian rhizobial strains investigated in this study, under the given conditions, limits, at this time, their recommendation for use in commercial inocula

Study of the factors associated with dental caries in children who receive early dental care

Abstract: The present study investigated the factors associated with the development of dental caries in preschool children who receive regular dental care and follow-up. The research was carried out at the Baby Clinic, Londrina State University, and comprised two hundred preschool children, whose ages ranged from 24 to 48 months, as well as their mothers, who had already taken part in a dental program at the Baby Clinic during, at least, the previous twelve months. Regarding oral hygiene habits, there was no significant difference between the preschool children who presented with caries and those who did not present with caries. However, the presence of visible bacterial plaque on the upper incisors was strongly associated with the presence of dental caries. Other factors associated with the presence of caries were: period of formal education of the father or of both parents equal or inferior to 8 years, high sugar consumption and bottle-feeding during sleep. In the studied population, the dietary pattern is still the main cause of carious lesions. In addition, the presence of visible bacterial plaque on the labial surface of the upper incisors must be considered as an important clinical sign, often associated with inadequate patterns of diet and oral hygiene.

Expressão gênica diferencial durante déficit hídrico em soja

Abstract: - Tolerance to drought in plants is not a simple trait, but rather a complex of mechanismsworking in combination to avoid or to tolerate water deficit. Genotypes that differ in tolerance to waterdeficit would have qualitative and quantitative differences in gene expression when submitted to periodsof drought. Three soybean cultivars (BR-4, BR-16 and MG/BR-46 Conquista) with contrasting responsesto water deficit stress were studied by using the “Differential Display” (DD) technique to identify andisolate genes which may differ among these cultivars. A total of 84 cDNA fragments differentiallydisplayed were detected. These fragments were extracted from the DD gels and reamplified. Third-fivereamplified fragments were cloned in pGEM-T vectors. From these, 28 clones were able to be sequenced.Search of gene bank databases showed, for example, that two cDNA clones, A1B2-1 and A1B1-8 havehigh homology with a Transcription Activator found in Arabidopsis thaliana and NADHa Dehydrogenase ND4L subunit found in

Prevalência de carrapatos em cães de áreas rurais da região norte do Estado do Paraná

Abstract: During January and February, 2000, 133 dogs from 21 farms located in eight diferent counties at the northern region of Parana, Brazil, were examined for ticks Ticks found on dogs were collected and identified Information about dog rearing system was also obtained Fifty-five ticks were collected on 19 dogs (143%) from 11 farms (524%) Four species were identified: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (20 ticks on nine dogs from seven farms), Boophilus microplus (15 ticks on five dogs from five farms), Amblyomma ovale (nine ticks on six dogs from four farms) and Amblyomma aureolatum (11 ticks on three dogs from one farm) The results are discussed considering the behavior of some dogs used to stroll into the woods and pasture areas whereas other dogs remained closer to the human facilities

Road accidents in a city in southern Brazil

Abstract: The study was conducted in the municipality of Londrina, a medium-sized city of southern Brazil. Analysis was performed in the characteristics of road accidents that had occurred during the first semester of 1996, resulting in 3,643 victims. Car or small truck collisions were the most common type of accident. The rate of motorcycle-related injuries (per 1,000 registered vehicles) was seven times higher than that resulting from cars or small trucks. Fatality rates were higher for motorcyclists who collided with stationary objects (29.4%) and pedestrians who were injured by lorries or buses (22.2%), in comparison with a mean fatality rate of 1.8%. This information may provide a basis for the implementation of public policies aiming at reducing accidents.

Genetic Variability of Avian Escherichia coli Strains Evaluated by Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus and Repetitive Extragenic Palindromic Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract: SUMMARY. In this study, we tested the capability of enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) and repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect genetic diversity among Escherichia coli strains isolated from chickens bearing clinical signs of colibacillosis and compared the genotypes so obtained with the O:H serotypes and virulence of those strains. The DNAs from 50 avian E. coli strains and from E. coli ATCC 25922 were used to amplify ERIC and REP sequences. DNA from avian strains produced from 8 to 17 bands by ERIC-PCR and from 6 to 20 bands by REP-PCR; E. coli ATCC produced 11 bands by both methods. ERIC and REP-PCR showed good discriminating power, and the dendograms based on the different patterns revealed extensive genetic diversity among the avian strains. Those strains were allocated into four major clonal clusters, each one with 60% of similarity by ERIC and REP-PCR, and those clusters corresponded to strains with different degrees of pathogenicity. However, 56% of the pathogenic strains (28/50) belonged to two out of three major clonal clusters, and 86% of the nonpathogenic strains tended to group in one cluster and one subgroup. The 32 serotypes detected were distributed in all clusters, and within a serogroup, different DNA fingerprints were observed; however, strains with same serotypes tended to form clusters with similarity coefficients greater than 80%. These results suggest that no specific serotype and genotype is responsible for colibacillosis and that REP and ERIC-PCR are reproducible techniques that can improve the studies needed to clarify the pathways to the pathogenesis of colibacillosis.

Serodiagnosis of chronic Chagas infection by using EIE-Recombinant-Chagas-Biomanguinhos kit

Abstract: A kit based on an enzyme immunoassay, EIE-Recombinant-Chagas-Biomanguinhos, developed by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, was evaluated for the serodiagnosis of chronic Chagas disease. Evaluation was performed with 368 serum samples collected from individuals living in an endemic area for Chagas disease: 131 patients in the chronic phase with confirmed clinical, epidemiological, and serological diagnosis (indirect immunofluorescence, indirect hemagglutination or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and 237 nonchagasic seronegative individuals were considered negative control. The EIE-Recombinant-Chagas-Biomanguinhos kit showed high sensitivity, 100% (CI 95%: 96.4-100%) and high specificity, 100% (CI 95%: 98-100%). The data obtained were in full agreement with clinical and conventional serology data. In addition, no cross-reaction was observed with sera from patients with cutaneous (n=14) and visceral (n=3) leishmaniasis. However, when these sera were tested by conventional serological assays for Chagas disease, cross-reactions were detected in 14.3% and 33.3% of the patients with cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, respectively. No cross-reactions were observed when sera from nonchagasic seronegative patients bearing other infectious disease (syphilis, n=8; HTLV, n=8; HCV, n=7 and HBV, n=12) were tested. In addition, sera of patients with inconclusive results for Chagas disease by conventional serology showed results in agreement with clinical evaluation, when tested by the kit. These results are relevant and indicate that the refered kit provides a safe immunodiagnosis of Chagas disease and could be used in blood bank screening.

Performance of ultrasound echo decomposition using singular spectrum analysis.

Abstract: Diagnostic ultrasonography has its well-established role in medicine. Nevertheless, the quantitative characterisation of biological tissues by ultrasound (US) is still a main topic of research. Several parameters have been explored with this purpose, (e.g. attenuation, backscatter coefficient, US speed). More recently, mean scatterer space (MSS) has been proposed as a characterisation parameter. The objective of this work was to investigate the potential of the singular spectrum analysis (SSA) to estimate MSS. This method proposes the reconstruction of the periodic part of the original US signal from where the MSS of the medium can be estimated. SSA is applied to simulated and real backscattered echoes from a phantom and a bovine liver sample. Consistent results were obtained from both Monte-Carlo simulation and real data. They were compared with literature. Presently, precision, accuracy and sensibility of SSA are being investigated.