Showing papers by "Universidade Estadual de Londrina published in 2005"

Rickettsial Infection in Animals and Brazilian Spotted Fever Endemicity

Abstract: We compared the rickettsial infection status of Amblyomma cajennense ticks, humans, dogs, and horses in both Brazilian spotted fever (BSF)–endemic and –nonendemic areas in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil Most of the horses and few dogs from BSF-endemic areas had serologic titers against Rickettsia rickettsii antigens In contrast, no dogs or horses from BSF-nonendemic areas had serologic titers against R rickettsii antigens, although they were continually exposed to A cajennense ticks All human serum samples and ticks from both areas were negative by serologic assay and polymerase chain reaction, respectively Our results indicate that surveys of horse serum are a useful method of BSF surveillance in areas where humans are exposed to A cajennense ticks In addition, we successfully performed experimental infection of A cajennense ticks with R parkeri

Reprodutibilidade e validade do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física em adolescentes

Abstract: RESUMENReprodutibilidad de la validez de la Encuesta Internacional deActividad Fisica en adolescentes La Encuesta Internacional de Actividad Fisica (IPAQ) se desarro-llo originalmente con proposito de estimar el nivel de practica habi-tual de actividad fisica de poblaciones de paises diferentes. Losobjetivos del estudio fueron analizar al reproducibilidad y la validezde la version corta de IPAQ en adolescentes. La muestra fue cons-tituida por 161 adolescentes (92 muchachas y 69 muchachos) conedades entre 12 y 18 anos. Reproducibilidad se obtuvo a traves delas contestaciones en la aplicacion de la encuesta, con intervalo dedos semanas, involucrando coeficiente de correlacion de Spear-man (Rs) y tecnica de Bland y Altman (B-A). La validacion fue reali-zada por medio de las comparaciones entre el tiempo dispensadoen las actividades periodicas por los adolescentes por medio deIPAQ y para el instrumento del retrospectivo de auto-recordacionde las actividades diarias (R-24h). Para ello, se uso el R

Stress and depression-induced immune dysfunction: implications for the development and progression of cancer.

Abstract: The persistent activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axes in chronic stress response and in depression impairs the immune response and contributes to the development and progression of some types of cancer. This overview presents results from experimental animal models, human studies, and clinical evidence that various cellular and molecular immunological parameters are compromised in chronic stress and depression. At the cellular level, stressed and depressed patients had overall leukocytosis, high concentrations of circulating neutrophils, reduced mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and neutrophil phagocytosis. At the molecular level, high levels of serum basal cortisol, acute phase proteins, specific antibodies against herpes simplex virus type 1 and Epstein Barr virus, plasma concentration of interleukins IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α, and a shift in the balance of Th1 and Th2 immune response were observed. Both stress and depression were associate...

Das redes sociais à inovação

Abstract: A insercao em rede e determinante para o compartilhamento da informacao e do conhecimento. Isto porque as redes sao espacos valorizados para o compartilhamento da informacao e para a construcao do conhecimento. Neste artigo, sao abordadas as relacoes entre informacao, conhecimento, aprendizagem organizacional e inovacao, assim como o entorno em que as redes sociais se realizam. Essas relacoes constituem o foco das ligacoes que se estabelecem nas redes. A interacao entre os atores promove o compartilhamento da informacao e do conhecimento, fomentando o desenvolvimento de inovacoes.

O que os empregadores pensam sobre o trabalho da pessoa com deficiência

Abstract: Este estudo teve o objetivo de identificar o ponto de vista dos empregadores sobre a pessoa com deficiencia, o seu trabalho e a sua admissao como funcionaria da empresa. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista semi-estruturada, junto a seis responsaveis pelo setor de recursos humanos de empresas pertencentes aos ramos de comercio, industria e prestacao de servicos. Os resultados indicaram que essas empresas possuiam funcionarios com diferentes tipos de deficiencia e a sua contratacao ocorreu, predominantemente, pela obrigatoriedade da lei. Os entrevistados acreditavam que as pessoas com deficiencia tinham condicoes de exercer um trabalho, mas apontaram algumas dificuldades em funcao: a) dela propria - falta de escolaridade, de interesse e de preparacao profissional e social; b) da empresa - condicoes inadequadas do ambiente fisico e social, falta de conhecimento sobre a deficiencia; c) das instituicoes especiais - inadequacao dos programas de treinamento profissional e social, falta de contato com as empresas para conhecer as suas necessidades; d) do governo - de proporcionar acesso a escola e ao transporte, falta de incentivo para as empresas promoverem adaptacoes ergonomicas e desenvolverem programas de responsabilidade social. Os cargos que os funcionarios com deficiencia ocupavam exigiam pouca qualificacao e o seu treinamento era realizado no proprio local de trabalho. A concepcao de que as dificuldades desse trabalhador eram decorrentes das suas condicoes orgânicas prevaleceu na fala desses entrevistados.

Postural changes in morbidly obese patients.

Abstract: Background: Postural deviations in morbidly obese individuals may contribute to low self-esteem and to long-term adverse effects on bones and joints. In a case-control study, the axial skeleton was investigated, to disclose the main abnormalities found in obese compared to non-obese groups. Methods: 2 groups were compared. Group 1, severely obese patients (n= 32), age 41.5 ± 8.2 years, BMI 49.4 ± 6.6 kg/m2, 93.8% females, and group 2 non-obese (n= 30), age 43.5 ± 5.8 years, BMI 24.6 ± 5.1 kg/m2, 96.7% females, had their posture analyzed through clinical examination and radiological imaging. Variables measured were anterior, lateral and posterior angular deviation from the vertical body axis at the head, shoulders, pelvis, Thales triangle, spine, knees, ankles and feet. Data are shown as a percentage of abnormal angles in the 2 groups. Results: On anterior analysis of the 2 groups, disturbances affected head (37.5% vs 13.3%), Thales angle (78.1% vs 53.3%), knees (84.4% vs 33.3%), legs (59.4% vs 30.0%) and support base (59.4% vs 26.7%) (P<0.05). On posterior view, the spine was the deranged segment (87.5% vs 36.7%) (P<0.05), and on lateral assessment, 100% of the results were abnormal. Conclusions: 1) Individuals with morbid obesity present important postural alterations. 2) Seriously altered posture was the rule for the obese population in this study, especially in the spine, knees and feet. 3) Most patients had compatible clinical complaints, but they rarely associated the bone and joint pain with the obesity and axial skeleton deviations. 4) Planned physical activity should be part of the treatment of severe obesity, in order to correct deviations, prevent new ones, and improve quality of life.

[Characteristics of traffic accidents and victims treated through a pre-hospital service in a city in southern Brazil, 1997/2000].

Abstract: Traffic accidents and the resulting injury and trauma constitute an important social and public health problem. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of such accidents and the victims treated by the only pre-hospital service - the Integrated Trauma and Emergency Aid Service (SIATE) - in the city of Londrina, Parana State, southern Brazil, from 1997 to 2000. All victims (14,474) registered in the SIATE database were studied. The majority (> 70.0%) were male and aged 10 to 39 years. Motorcyclists were the most frequent victims (> 40.0%), and accidents occurred most frequently in December, on weekends (especially Saturdays), and at night. These results are consistent with those of other studies showing the need to implement preventive measures targeting young males, especially motorcyclists.

Influência do processo de familiarização para avaliação da força muscular em testes de 1-RM

Abstract: RESUMENInfluencia del proceso de familiarizacion para evaluacion de lafuerza muscular en tests de 1-RM Embora la utilizacion de tests de una repeticion maxima (1-RM)es frecuente para la evaluacion de la fuerza muscular, se acreditaque los resultados obtenidos puedan ser afectados por la falta defamiliarizacion previa, hasta mismo en sujetos con experiencia enejercicios con pesos. Asi, el objetivo de este estudio fue investigarel impacto del proceso de familiarizacion para evaluacion de la fuerzamuscular en tests de 1-RM. Por lo tanto, 21 hombres (24,5 ± 3,8anos), aparentemente saludables con experiencia previa de por lomenos seis meses de entrenamiento con pesos, fueron someti-dos a tests reptitivos de 1-RM en los ejercicios supino en bancohorizontal, agachamiento y rosca directa de biceps. Los tests fue-ran ejecutados en cuatro sesiones, intervaladas en cada 48-72 ho-ras. Un numero maximo de tres tentativas, con intervalo de tres acinco minutos para recuperacion, fue utilizado en cada ejercicio,en las cuatro sessiones de testeo. ANOVA se utilizo para medidasrepetidas, seguida por el test post hoc de Tukey, cuando p ≤ 0,05,fue utilizada para el tratamiento de los datos. Aumentos significan-tes en la fuerza muscular (p ≤ 0,01) fueron encontrados los tresejercicios analizados entre la primera y la cuarta sesion de familia-rizacion (2,4% en supino en banco horizontal, 3,4% en agacha-miento y 5,4% en la rosca directa del biceps). Todavia, ningunadiferencia estadisticamente significativamente fuera encontradaentre la segunda y la cuarta sesion de familiarizacion en la roscadirecta de biceps (p > 0,05), bien con entre la tercera y la cuartasesion en el supino en el banco horizontal y en el agachamiento ( p> 0,05). Los resultados indican que la falta de familiarizacion previacon tests de 1-RM puede comprometer la evaluacion de la fuerzamuscular. Por lo tanto, se sugiere para la evaluacion mas acuradade la fuerza muscular mediante tests de 1-RM la ejecucion de dosa tres sesiones de familiarizacion en los hombres adultos con ex-periencia en ejercicios con pesos.

Gait cinematic analysis in morbidly obese patients.

Abstract: Background: Functional co-morbidities of excess body weight such as gait problems are never life-threatening like those associated with certain metabolic sequelae. Nevertheless, they may interfere with quality of life and also act as a mirror of muscle, bone and joint stress. In this prospective study, the goal was to document dynamic aspects of gait in severely obese subjects. Methods: An outpatient population (age 47.2 ± 12.9 years, 94.1% females, BMI 40.1 ± 6.0 kg/m2, n= 34) had their gait analyzed by an experienced physical therapist. Variables included speed, cadence, stride, support base and foot angle, which were compared to reference values for the Brazilian population. Results: All variables were significantly lower in the obese patients, except for support base which was increased. Speed was 73.3±16.3 vs 130 cm/s, cadence was 1.4±0.2 vs 1.8 steps/s, stride was 106.8±13.1 vs 132.0 cm, and support was 12.5±3.5 vs 10.0 cm (P<0.05). Conclusions: 1) Widespread cinematic impairment was the rule in the studied population. 2) These findings are consistent with poor skeletal muscle performance, high metabolic expenditure and constant physical exhaustion. 3) Attention should be paid not only to the metabolic management but also to the physical rehabilitation required in cases of advanced obesity.

Compactação do solo: causas e efeitos

Abstract: The agricultural soils have been suffering great commotions and the compacting is pointed as the main cause of these changes due to the tractors and agricultural machines traffic in inadequate conditions of management. The present review had as purpose to discuss the causes and the effects of the compacting on the physic properties of the soil, considering the management. The extension and the intensity of the soil compacting will depend on the pression exerced by the help points from machines and equipments, their weight, the number of times that they traffic on the land, the texture and the aggregation of the soil. The changes that can happen in the physics properties of the soil vary since the increase in the soil bulk density, the increase of the soil resistance to the penetration of the roots, reduction of the macroporosity, consequently, less conductivity and less accumulate water, damaging the water infiltration and the penetration of the roots in the soil profile, that become more susceptible to erosion. With the adaptation of some management techniques from the farmers, the effects of soil compacting on its physics properties can be minimized, improving the development of the system of crop roots.

Compatibility of the fungus Beauveria Bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Deuteromycetes) with extracts of neem seeds and leaves and the emulsible oil

Abstract: The compatibility of a commercial formula of emulsible neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) and of aqueous extracts of neem seeds and leaves with Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. was evaluated in vitro. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of each product on the fungus vegetative growth and on conidia production and viability. The products were incorporated to a culture medium (BDA+E) and distributed into petri dishes, in the following concentrations: 0.15%; 1.5% and 15% (leaf aqueous extract), 1%; 2% and 4% (seed aqueous extract) and 0.5%; 1% and 1.5% (emulsible oil). Vegetative growth and conidia production were the basis for characterization of the aqueous extracts of seeds and leaves and of the emulsible oil, using the T classification model for compatibility of products. Seed and leaf extracts were less harmful to B. bassiana than the emulsible oil. Under the tested concentrations, the oil was not compatible with B. bassiana, inhibiting conidia vegetative growth significantly and decreasing production and viability of conidia, particularly at higher concentrations. Neem seed and leaf extracts were compatible with the entomopathogen in all concentrations. The seed extracts reduced conidia vegetative growth and production, but it did not affect the viability of spores. Leaf extract at 15% had a small negative impact on vegetative growth, and on production and viability of conidia, but it was still compatible with the fungus B. bassiana, according to the T model.

Classification of irreps and invariants of the N-extended Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics

Abstract: We present an algorithmic classification of the irreps of the $N$-extended one-dimensional supersymmetry algebra linearly realized on a finite number of fields. Our work is based on the 1-to-1 \cite{pt} correspondence between Weyl-type Clifford algebras (whose irreps are fully classified) and classes of irreps of the $N$-extended 1D supersymmetry. The complete classification of irreps is presented up to $N\leq 10$. The fields of an irrep are accommodated in $l$ different spin states. N=10 is the minimal value admitting length $l>4$ irreps. The classification of length-4 irreps of the N=12 and {\em real} N=11 extended supersymmetries is also explicitly presented.\par Tensoring irreps allows us to systematically construct manifestly ($N$-extended) supersymmetric multi-linear invariants {\em without} introducing a superspace formalism. Multi-linear invariants can be constructed both for {\em unconstrained} and {\em multi-linearly constrained} fields. A whole class of off-shell invariant actions are produced in association with each irreducible representation. The explicit example of the N=8 off-shell action of the $(1,8,7)$ multiplet is presented.\par Tensoring zero-energy irreps leads us to the notion of the {\em fusion algebra} of the 1D $N$-extended supersymmetric vacua.

Ictiofauna, recursos alimentares e relações com as interferências antrópicas em um riacho urbano no sul do Brasil

Abstract: This research was performed in the upper portion of ribeirao Cambe, a Tibagi river subafluent, located at the urban area of Londrina, Parana. The goals of this research were assessing qualitative and quantitative variations of fish species and of the food resources consumed by them related to environmental alterations. Four samples were taken in each of the five points (P1 to P5) selected along the stream, from November 2001 to August 2002. The number of species and diversity of food resources were different in each sampling point, with a direct relation between diversity of food resources and fish species. Detritus was the most abundant resource used by fishes in all sampling points except in P1, where insects and terrestrial plants were among the abundant food item. In P2, P3, and P4, the abundance of detritus consumed by fishes is related to the abundance of Poecilia reticulata, highly tolerant to antropic impacts. In P5, P. reticulata e Phalloceros caudimaculatus foraged basically on detritus, whereas four species of Tetragonopterinae that preyed mainly upon insects and plants behaved as generalists. Along the studied portion of ribeirao Cambe, the effects of antropic impacts typical of urbanized areas such as removal of riparian forest, effluent discharges, channel alteration, and introduction of exotic or allochothonus species were evident. Furthermore, many species behaved as specialists consuming an abundant item (detritus) instead of a wider array of food resources as expected in undegraded streams.

Impacto de oito semanas de treinamento com pesos sobre a forca muscular de homens e mulheres

Abstract: O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o impacto de oito semanas de treinamento com pesos (TP) sobre a forca muscular. Para tanto, 23 homens (20,7 ± 1,7 anos) e 15 mulheres (20,9 ± 2,1 anos), aparentemente saudaveis e moderadamente ativos (atividade fisica regular < 2 vezes por semana), foram submetidos a um programa de TP composto por 10 exercicios para os diferentes grupos musculares durante oito semanas consecutivas. Tres series de 8-12 RM foram executadas em cada exercicio, em tres sessoes semanais intervaladas a cada 48 horas. A forca muscular foi determinada pre e pos-treinamento por meio de testes de 1-RM nos exercicios supino em banco horizontal, agachamento e rosca direta de biceps, apos cinco sessoes de familiarizacao. Aumentos na forca muscular foram identificados, em ambos os sexos, nos tres exercicios investigados, bem como no somatorio da carga total levantada (P < 0,01). Apesar de os homens apresentarem forca absoluta maior do que as mulheres em todos os exercicios analisados, os ganhos observados ao longo do tempo foram maiores no sexo feminino (14,7 vs. 7,6% no agachamento; 17,2 vs. 11,0% no supino em banco horizontal; 20,4 vs. 14,0% na rosca direta de biceps). Os resultados sugerem que o periodo de oito semanas de TP parece ser suficiente para promover modificacoes significantes na forca muscular de homens e mulheres, em diferentes segmentos corporais (membros inferiores, tronco e membros superiores).

Relationships among arbuscular mycorrhizas, root morphology and seedling growth of tropical native woody species in southern Brazil

Abstract: The relationships between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and root morphological characteristics were studied under greenhouse conditions of 78 tropical native woody species and 47 seedling species collected in the field. Seedlings of native woody pioneer and early secondary species that generally exhibited fine roots with a dense cover of long root hairs showed higher mycorrhizal response and root mycorrhizal colonization than late-secondary and climax species with coarse roots with a sparse cover of short root hairs. Root-hair length and incidence decreased with the progression among the successional groups while fine-root diameter increased, both in the greenhouse and in the field. The mycorrhizal response was highly correlated to root mycorrhizal colonization in the greenhouse and in the field. These parameters were inversely correlated with the seed mass and fine-root diameter, but directly correlated with root-hair incidence, both in the greenhouse and in the field. Mycorrhizal response and root mycorrhizal colonization were also directly correlated with the root-hair length and root/shoot ratio of uninoculated plants. The seedling mycorrhizal status of the early successional woody species suggests that the root traits of these fast-growing species can be more receptive to attraction, infection and colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizas than root traits of late-successional species.

A infecção pelo vírus da diarréia viral bovina (BVDV) no Brasil : histórico, situação atual e perspectivas

Abstract: Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is one of the most important pathogens of cattle worldwide. BVDV infection and associated diseases have been reported in Brazil since the late 1960ties. Several serological, virological, clinical and pathological reports demonstrate the widespread distribution of BVDV infection among Brazilian cattle. In addition to variable levels of positive serology in beef and dairy cattle, BVDV antibodies have been occasionally detected in swine, wild boars, goats, cervids and water buffaloes. BVDV infection has been diagnosed in aborted fetuses, buffy coats of persistently infected (PI) animals, clinical specimens from animals suffering from different clinical syndromes, semen of bulls of artificial insemination (AI) centers, in healthy fetuses and in commercial fetal bovine serum and/or cultured cells. About 50 isolates have been genetically and/or antigenically characterized up to date, whilst roughly an equivalent number of isolates awaits characterization. Most of the characterized isolates belong to BVDV-1 genotype, non-cytopathic (NCP) biotype, yet some BVDV-2 (and some CP BVDV) have been identified as well. Brazilian BVDV isolates display a high antigenic variability and are markedly different from North American vaccine strains. A few inactivated, polyvalent vaccines are currently licensed in the country, yet vaccination is still incipient in many regions: only about 2.5 million doses were marketed in 2003. The low serological cross-reactivity between vaccine strains and field isolates has recently stimulated national industries to develop vaccines containing Brazilian BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 strains. The overall knowledge about BVDV infection in Brazil has grown considerably in the last years, due to an increasing number of laboratories performing diagnosis and research. Studies on the pathogenesis, serological and molecular epidemiology and production of reagents for diagnosis have contributed decisively for the recent growing knowledge on BVDV infections in the country.

Biology and consumption of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in different hosts

Abstract: Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) e uma praga em expansao nas culturas de algodao e de soja no cerrado, necessitando de estudos de biologia em diferentes hospedeiros. Com o objetivo de conhecer a biologia e o consumo foliar de S. eridania em algodoeiro, soja e corda-de-viola (Ipomoea grandifolia), este inseto foi criado em laboratorio (27± 2oC, UR 60± 10%, fotofase de 14h), a partir de lagartas recem-eclodidas e individualizadas. Foram observados parâmetros relacionados a biologia, ao consumo foliar e a reproducao quando alimentadas nos tres hospedeiros. O periodo de desenvolvimento larval foi menor nos insetos alimentados com algodoeiro e corda-de-viola do que em soja, embora a sobrevivencia em soja tenha sido satisfatoria (80%). Lagartas alimentadas com folhas de algodoeiro e corda-de-viola tiveram peso medio de pupas semelhante, porem 1,3 e 1,4 vezes maior do que o obtido por pupa macho e femea, respectivamente, em folhas de soja. A soja, tambem influenciou negativamente a sobrevivencia de pre-pupa e pupa, contrastando com os valores, acima de 91,8%, nos outros dois hospedeiros. Em geral, a folha de soja foi a menos adequada para S. eridania, causando 6,3% de deformidade em pupas. Variaveis como periodos de pre-oviposicao, oviposicao, numero de posturas/femea e o total de ovos/femea, nao foram afetados pelas dietas. Embora as folhas de algodoeiro tenham sido as menos consumidas, elas proporcionaram um bom desenvolvimento do inseto. Comprovou-se que a planta invasora corda-de-viola e um hospedeiro alternativo adequado para a especie, possibilitando o seu desenvolvimento e a sua reproducao na ausencia de hospedeiros cultivados.

Isolation and characterization of Streptococcus spp. group B in Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in hapas nets and earth nurseries in the northern region of Parana State, Brazil

Abstract: The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize Streptococcus spp. in Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in net-pens and earth nurseries. Eight intensive tilapia-rearing farms were investigated in north Parana, Brazil from April 1st 2001 to April 30th 2002. The fish were reared in a system of hapas nets on four farms and in earth nurseries on other four farms. A total of 370 samples were analyzed of material collected from 120 fish (brain, liver, kidney, skin scrapes, ascites liquid and eye) that were sown on BHI agar (Brain Heart Infusion) supplemented with 1% yeast extract and sheep blood. Streptococcus spp. was isolated in 36 of the samples (18 brain, eight liver, eight kidney and two ascites liquid) from 25 fish. Streptococci were isolated in both systems, almost in the same proportion. First the streptococci were characterized by the catalase and esculin test, growth in methylene blue and sodium chloride at 6.5%. They were classified in groups by the Slidex Strepto-Kit (BioMerieux, France). The phenotypic characteristics were determined by the Api 20 Strep microtest system (BioMerieux, France). The 36 Streptococcus spp. samples did not present hemolysis and were classified as Lancefield group B. Further 16 samples were identified as Streptococcus agalactiae and 20 were not identified by the Api 20 Strep, but presented the same biochemical profile described for the reference strain of Streptococcus difficile (ND-2-22).

Causas externas entre menores de 15 anos em cidade do Sul do Brasil: atendimentos em pronto-socorro, internações e óbitos

Abstract: OBJETIVO: Identificar causas de atendimento hospitalar ou de morte e lesoes entre menores de 15 anos vitimas de causas externas (acidentes ou violencias), residentes em Londrina, Parana, em 2001. METODO: Estudo transversal, com coleta retrospectiva de dados. As informacoes sobre morbidade foram coletadas em prontuarios dos cinco hospitais gerais da cidade, e as de mortalidade no Nucleo de Informacao em Mortalidade do Municipio, com classificacao dessas causas e do trauma gerado de acordo com a Classificacao Internacional de Doencas. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 8.854 menores de 15 anos, com 95,7% de atendimento em pronto-socorro e alta. Entre os atendidos em pronto-socorro, com alta, houve predominância de quedas (33,9%), seguidas de eventos de intencao indeterminada (31,8%) e de acidentes causados por forcas inanimadas (15,5%), principalmente por penetracao de corpo estranho em orificio natural (4,6%) ou atraves da pele (3,2%). Nesse nivel de atencao predominaram traumatismos superficiais (32,9%) e ferimentos (29,3%). Quedas tambem foram as principais causas entre os internados (32,4%), seguidas de acidentes de transporte (19,5%), acidentes causados por forcas inanimadas (15,7%) e envenenamentos (13,5%). Entre os internados, as principais lesoes foram traumatismos superficiais (22,0%) e fraturas (19,5%). Acidentes de transporte (44,4%) e afogamento (16,7%) foram as principais causas externas de obito e o traumatismo crânio-encefalico a principal lesao fatal (50,0%). CONCLUSOES: As causas e os tipos de lesao diferem segundo o nivel de atencao e indicam a necessidade de reestruturacao dos servicos de saude visando descentralizar o atendimento as lesoes de menor complexidade.

Status dystonicus: study of five cases

Abstract: Status Dystonicus (SD) is characterized by generalized muscle contractions in dystonic patients. We report 5 cases of SD, two of which in patients with dystonic cerebral palsy, one in a patient with primary segmental dystonia, one in a patient with Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome and one in a patient with Wilson's disease (WD). Three patients were admitted to an intensive care unit and treated with propofol and midazolam, and two were submitted to neurosurgical procedures (bilateral pallidotomy and bilateral pallidal deep brain stimulation). Triggering factors were identified in three patients as follows: infection, stress-induced and zinc therapy for WD. On follow-up, two patients presented with significant improvement of dystonia, whereas the other three cases the clinical picture ultimately returned to baseline pre-SD condition.

Molecular characterization of a β-1,4-endoglucanase from an endophytic Bacillus pumilus strain

Abstract: Endophytes comprise mainly microorganisms that colonize inner plant tissues, often living with the host in a symbiotic manner. Several ecological roles have been assigned to endophytic fungi and bacteria, such as antibiosis to phytopathogenic agents and plant growth promotion. Nowadays, endophytes are viewed as a new source of genes, proteins and biochemical compounds that may be used to improve industrial processes. In this study, the gene EglA was cloned from a citrus endophytic Bacillus strain. The EglA encodes a β-1,4-endoglucanase capable of hydrolyzing cellulose under in vitro conditions. The predicted protein, EglA, has high homology to other bacterial cellulases and shows a modular structure containing a catalytic domain of the glycosyl hydrolase family 9 (GH9) and a cellulose-binding module type 3 (CBM3). The enzyme was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity, and characterized. EglA has an optimum pH range of 5–8, and remarkable heat stability, retaining more than 85% activity even after a 24-h incubation at pH 6–8.6. This characteristic is an important feature for further applications of this enzyme in biotechnological processes in which temperatures of 50–60°C are required over long incubation periods.