Multiplex-PCR for differentiation of Mycobacterium bovis from Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Desenvolvimento de biossensor eletroquímico para diagnóstico de dengue

Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia - IQ

Avaliação dos efeitos dos inseticidas malation e fipronil sobre a viabilidade e regeneração de girardia tigrina (Platyhelminthe, tricladida)

In this study were carried out toxicity tests and the evaluation of sub lethal effects of the insecticides malathion and fipronil, over the test system of Girardia tigrina, using for these analyses a great variety of methods. For evaluation of the lethal concentrations of the products, adult planarians were exposed to several different concentrations. All the tests were carried out in duplicate, maintained on the shelter of the light, on a temperature 24-26ºC and they had the duration of 96h, with observations at each 24h. The results were statically valued by the tests U of Mann- Whitney, Spearman-Karber, ANOVA and Pearson correlation. The effects over the system-test, in the different tested concentrations, varied in accordance with the time of exposition. The EC50 given by the test of Spearman-Karber was of 12,5mg/L for malathion and 13,4mg/L for fipronil. The evaluation of sub lethal effects was composed by analyses of the potential of regeneration; histological, for tissue damage evaluation; d; and the “comet assay”, for DNA damage detection. The specimens split up and exposed to the insecticides demonstrated, between other effects, retardation in development of the regenerative blastema. The histological evaluation has shown that exposed planarians to lower concentrations of the insecticides cause more significant damage against the tissues and some specific cell types. Through the comet assay, significant damages were noticed in the DNA in all the treatments, when compared with the control group. Such damages may result in reproduction and immunity alterations, which reduce the competitive efficiency and, consequently, the survival chances of these organisms.

Métodos analíticos para a identificação de espécies animais

The food industry has been rapidly modernized, and with this the disposal and the consumption of industrialized food has been increasing continually. These products lose their original morphological characteristics, requiring fast and reliable tests that could help to identify the species in question, as most fraudulent behavior in the milk and dairy industry (meat and fish) is carried out where there is partial or total exchange of the original material for other with less value at market. Nowadays there is a lot of techniques that can be used for the identification of animal species, based on muscle protein, or DNA analysis. In the case of protein based analysis, we can mention several types of electrophoresis and immunologic methods, as ELISA. In the case of DNA based methods, we have several assays that use the amplification of DNA fragments, known as PCR, as proof. All these techniques have advantages and disadvantages that can be affected by factors- the sample condition, or the degree of relation between the species in question. Because of this, it’s necessary that a continuous study looking for the improvement of the available techniques, making sure that the confirmation of food authenticity is in place. This is to ensure the true product value, to comply with labeling regulationand and protect the consumer of frauds

Anemia and hemoglobinopathies in pregnant women attended in a public hospital

Objectives: to identify the demographic profile and frequency of anemia and hemoglobinopathies, as a basis for future implementation of actions aimed at pregnant women in the public health domain. Method: this is a cross-sectional study developed with pregnant women attended in a university hospital at Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Blood samples were collected for the erythrogram analysis for detection of anemia and selective and specific tests for abnormal hemoglobin. The patients regarded as indigenous and mentally ill, as well as inmates, were excluded from the research, as they represent a vulnerable population which needs a cohort different from that of the sample. For data collection, a particular questionnaire was used. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), under the Protocol 873/2006. Results: of the 215 pregnant women under study, 20% were adolescents; 36.3% had incomplete primary education; 53.0% were non-Caucasian; 43.3% were from Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil; and 21.1% were of European descent. 17.7% had some type of anemia and, in the evaluation of hemoglobinopathies, 4.7% of patients were detected with some abnormal hemoglobin, with the following frequencies: 3.3% with HbAS; 0.9% with HbAC; and 0.5% with intermediate β-thalassemia. Conclusion: the frequencies of anemia and hemoglobinopathy found in these pregnant women showed the importance of early diagnosis, revealing indicators able to provide a basis for preventive and assistance actions for adequate clinical monitoring, reducing maternal and neonatal morbimortality in the public health services. Descriptors: pregnant women; anemia; hemoglobinopathies; public health; nursing.

Microwave interferometric technique for characterizing few mode fibers

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a simple and accurate technique for measuring differential mode group delay (DMGD) in few mode fibers (FMF). A frequency-swept microwave signal is modulated on a filtered optical incoherent source. The microwave signals carried on different fiber modes experience different time delays and interfere with each other in the photodetector. Optical interference between propagating fiber modes is avoided by the use of an incoherent optical source. A mathematical model is established to analyze the interference pattern and extract the DMGD values. A 456-m two-mode fiber and a 981-m FMF, which supports four LP modes, are measured. The measurement covers the whole C-band and the results coincide well with those obtained by the time-of-flight method and the numerical simulations. A precision of ±0.002 ps/m is achieved.

Monitoração dos parâmetros reprodutivos e perfil sorológico do herpesvírus caprino tipo 1 e do herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 em rebanhos caprinos dos estados de São Paulo e Minas Gerais

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV