Crithidia ricardoi sp. n. a new species of trypanosomatidae isolated from Culex saltanensis Dyar, 1928 (Diptera: Culicidae)

A flagellte trypanosomatid was isolated in culture from the digestive tract of the mosquito Culex saltanensis Dyar, 1928. It grows exuberantly in liver infusion in the form of epimastigotes and choanomastigotes typical of the genus Crithidia. The trypanosomatid was compared to C. deanei, C. fasciculata, C. luciliae, C. oncopelti and C. guilhermei. The techniques used for comparison were electron transmission microscopy, isoenzymes and kDNA restriction profiles. No endosymbionts were found at electron microscopy. Results for the biochemical methods employd indicate that the trypanosomatid isolated from C. saltanensis is a new species of Crithidia. The name C. ricardoi sp. n. is proposed for thes new species.

Neocucullanus neocucullanus Travassos, Artigas et Pereira, 1928 (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) from the Characidae fish, Brycon hilarii Valenciennes, 1850, from Brazil

During investigation on the helminth parasites from Brycon hilarii Valenciennes, 1850 (Characiformes, Characidae), from River Juba, Tangará da Serra, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, several specimens of the nematode Neocucullanus Travassos, Artigas et Pereira, 1928 were detected. A detailed study of this material, including scanning electron microscopy, allowed to identify these nematodes as N. neocucullanus Travassos, Artigas et Pereira, 1928 and to confirm N. multipapillatus Petter, 1989 as a junior synonym of N. neocucullanus.

The life history of Pygidiopsis macrostomum Travassos, 1928 (Digenea: Heterophyidae)

The life history of the trematode Pygidiopsis macrostomum Travassos, 1928 is described for the first time. Rediae and cercariae were obtained from naturally infected snails Heleobia australis (d´Orbigny), a new first intermediate host. Metacercariae were found encysted in the mesenteries of three naturally infected guppies, Phalloptychus januarius (Hensel), Jenynsia multidentata (Jenyns) (new host records) and Poecilia vivipara Bloch and Schneider. Experimental infections were successfully completed in the intermediate hosts H. australis and Poe. vivipara reared in the laboratory and hamsters Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse were utilised as a definitive host.

Síndrome de Fournier: a percepçao do seu portador

O propósito da presente investigação foi identificar a percepção dos pacientes que tiveram Síndrome de Fournier (SF) sobre esta afecção, bem como sobre seus cuidadores. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevista com roteiro estruturado e a análise baseada na Análise de Prosa de André. Segundo os entrevistados, a SF causa dor intensa, edema, febre e ferida, necessitando tratamento cirúrgico, curativos e que traz problemas físicos, econômicos e familiares. Sobre seus cuidadores descreveram demonstração de atitudes e comportamentos mais negativos que positivos. A necessidade de melhor treinamento de seus cuidadores tanto nos aspectos cognitivos e psicomotor quanto afetivo, ficou evidente.

Pineus boerneri Annand, 1928 (Hemiptera, Adelgidae) - a new species to Brazil: morphology of eggs, nymphs and adults

Pineus boerneri Annand, 1928 (Hemiptera, Adelgidae) _ a new species to Brazil: morphology of eggs, nymphs and adults. Pineus boerneri represents the first Adelgidae species recorded in Brazil. This aphid species forms extensive colonies on branches and trunk of Pinus spp., with apterous oviparous females, eggs and nymphs covered with white wax. The aim of this research is to study the morphology of eggs, nymphs, and adults to provide useful data for species identification in order to solve taxonomic issues. The study was based on morphometric data and optical and scanning electron microscopy images. First instar nymphs are active and can be easily distinguished from the others by their elongate minute yellowish body; well developed legs bearing a pair of sensorial setae at the apex of the second tarsomere; and antenna with three segments with a large rhinarium and distinct apical setae on the last segment. From the second to the fourth instar, nymphs are sessile, with round red body; they loose the third antennal segment and its sensorial structures, as well as the setae on the second tarsomere. The oviparous female is reddish-brown, with round body with about 0.76 mm diameter; legs reduced; antennae one-segmented; ovipositor distinct; numerous wax glands are present, mainly on the head. Accurate characterization of the species and distinction of the nymphal instars of P. boerneri were made possible by canonical analysis of morphometric data and morphological characters.

História da química e da geologia: Joseph Black e James Hutton como referências para educação em ciências

The second half of eighteenth century is marked by the advancement of chemistry and geology. The first science acquired the law of conservation of mass and this science represented a important support to geology and mineralogy. We say that both became modern science that time. Our aim is to show up some interrelations between history of chemistry and history of geology by means of the study of Joseph Black's and James Hutton's works. We defend that it is positive to science education to understand and approach the relations among different and disciplinary areas of science.

Joseph Neng Shun Kwong: a famous and obscure scientist

Many students and professionals in chemistry and chemical engineering related the name Kwong with one of the most remarkable equations of state with two parameters. In the same way, very few people know who Kowng was. This article shows some of the unknown personal and professional facts of Joseph Neng Shun Kwong, a person who devoted almost four decades of his life to the industrial research in the adhesives industry.

Manejo da gangrena de Fournier: experiência de um hospital universitário de Curitiba

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados obtidos no Serviço de Cirurgia Geral do Hospital Universitário Cajuru - PUCPR, com o tratamento da gangrena de Fournier. MÉTODOS: Foram revisados os prontuários de 40 pacientes com diagnóstico de Gangrena de Fournier internados no hospital universitário Cajuru de Novembro de 1999 a Abril de 2006, analisando-se as variáveis: sexo, idade, fatores predisponentes, etiologia, localização da lesão, exames laboratoriais, procedimentos cirúrgicos realizados, antibioticoterapia e utilização de câmara hiperbárica. RESULTADOS: A etiologia mais comum foi de origem anorretal. O agente etiológico mais prevalente foi a E. coli. O fator predisponente predominantes foi a diabetes mellitus, A maioria dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino. A localização e extensão da lesão mais freqüente foi a perineal. Todos foram submetidos à desbridamento cirúrgico, 17 à colostomia e dois à cistostomia. Todos os pacientes utilizaram antibiótico, sendo os mais usados: metronidazol e gentamicina. Vinte e seis pacientes submeteram-se à terapia hiperbárica. A mortalidade global foi de 20%. CONCLUSÃO: A Síndrome de Fournier, apesar de todos os avanços terapêuticos atuais, continua apresentando altos índices de mortalidade. O reconhecimento precoce da infecção associado a tratamento agressivo e invasivo são medidas essenciais para se tentar diminuir esses índices prognósticos.