Production and diagnostic application of recombinant domain III of West Nile envelope protein in Brazil

INTRODUCTION: West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus with a natural cycle involving mosquitoes and birds. Over the last 11 years, WNV has spread throughout the Americas with the imminent risk of its introduction in Brazil. METHODS: Envelope protein domain III of WNV (rDIII) was bacterially expressed and purified. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with WNV rDIII antigen was standardized against mouse immune fluids (MIAFs) of different flavivirus. RESULTS: WNV rDIII reacted strongly with St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) MIAF but not with other flaviviruses. CONCLUSIONS: This antigen may be a potentially useful tool for serologic diagnosis and may contribute in future epidemiological surveillance of WNV infections in Brazil.

Vitamin A, vitamin E, iron and zinc status in a cohort of HIV-infected mothers and their uninfected infants

Introduction We hypothesized that nutritional deficiency would be common in a cohort of postpartum, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women and their infants. Methods Weight and height, as well as blood concentrations of retinol, α-tocopherol, ferritin, hemoglobin, and zinc, were measured in mothers after delivery and in their infants at birth and at 6-12 weeks and six months of age. Retinol and α-tocopherol levels were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography, and zinc levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The maternal body mass index during pregnancy was adjusted for gestational age (adjBMI). Results Among the 97 women 19.6% were underweight. Laboratory abnormalities were most frequently observed for the hemoglobin (46.4%), zinc (41.1%), retinol (12.5%) and ferritin (6.5%) levels. Five percent of the women had mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations < 31g/dL. The most common deficiency in the infants was α-tocopherol (81%) at birth; however, only 18.5% of infants had deficient levels at six months of age. Large percentages of infants had zinc (36.8%) and retinol (29.5%) deficiencies at birth; however, these percentages decreased to 17.5% and 18.5%, respectively, by six months of age. No associations between infant micronutrient deficiencies and either the maternal adjBMI category or maternal micronutrient deficiencies were found. Conclusions Micronutrient deficiencies were common in HIV-infected women and their infants. Micronutrient deficiencies were less prevalent in the infants at six months of age. Neither underweight women nor their infants at birth were at increased risk for micronutrient deficiencies.

Transplants: bioethics and justice

Bioethics, as a branch of philosophy that focuses on questions relative to health and human life, is closely tied to the idea of justice and equality. As such, in understanding the concept of equality in its original sense, that is, in associating it to the idea to treat "unequals" (those who are unequal or different, in terms of conditions or circumstances) unequally (differentially), in proportion to their inequalities (differences), we see that the so-called "one-and-only waiting list" for transplants established in law no. 9.434/97, ends up not addressing the concept of equality and justice, bearing upon bioethics, even when considering the objective criteria of precedence established in regulation no. 9.4347/98, Thus, the organizing of transplants on a one-and-only waiting list, with a few exceptions that are weakly applicable, without a case by case technical and grounded analysis, according to each particular necessity, ends up institutionalizing inequalities, condemning patients to happenstance and, consequently, departs from the ratio legis, which aims at seeking the greatest application of justice in regards to organ transplants. We conclude, therefore, that from an analysis of the legislation and of the principles of bioethics and justice, there is a need for the creation of a collegiate of medical experts, that, based on medical criteria and done in a well established manner, can analyze each case to be included on the waiting list, deferentially and according to the necessity; thus, precluding that people in special circumstances be treated equal to people in normal circumstances.

BIOLOGIA REPRODUTIVA DE Clidemia hirta (L.) D. DON (MELASTOMATACEAE)

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com a finalidade de apresentar algumas considerações sobre a biologia reprodutiva de Clidemia Iurta, Conclui-se que: I ) A ântese tem início em torno das 18:00 h e termina por volta das 09:00 h do dia seguinte; 2) Esta é uma espécie preferencialmente alógama, porém não apresenta auto-incompatibilidade genética; 3) A polinização parece depender de agentes polinizadores, principalmente abelhas das famílias Apidae (Bambus, Melipona, Euglossa, Trigona) e Halictidae.

Interações entre nuvens, chuvas e a biosfera na Amazônia

Apresenta-se uma revisão dos resultados já obtidos no Projeto LBA, na componente de Física do Clima, referente ao efeito da interação entre a biosfera e a formação de nuvens e de chuva em diferentes estações do ano e regiões da Bacia Amazônica. O efeito do desmatamento e das queimadas na atmosfera é abordado assim como mecanismos atmosféricos que foram caracterizados a partir das diversas campanhas do projeto LBA. Uma visão da complexidade das interações e do progresso que tem sido feito com base nos dados colhidos é apresentada.

Mecanismos de controle da variação sazonal da transpiração de uma floresta tropical no nordeste da amazônia

No presente trabalho foram estudadas a variação sazonal da transpiração, de uma floresta tropical, e sua dependência com fatores bióticos e abióticos. Utilizaram-se dados do projeto CARBOPARÁ, parte integrante do Experimento de Grande Escala da Biosfera-Atmosfera na Amazônia (LBA), coletados na reserva florestal de Caxiuanã, região nordeste da Amazônia. A evapotranspiração total num intervalo de 39 dias para o período chuvoso foi 108,2 mm, com valor médio de 2,9 mm dia-1, enquanto, durante o período menos chuvoso, a evapotranspiração total num intervalo de 29 dias foi 128,8 mm, com média de 4,3 mm dia-1 para o período. Os valores máximos da condutividade de superfície (Cs), nos dois períodos, ocorreram às 08:00 hl, sendo estes valores de 0,060 m s-1 e 0,045 m s-1 para o período chuvoso e menos chuvoso, respectivamente. A condutância aerodinâmica média (Ca) foi 0,164 m s-1 e 0,210 m s-1, para os períodos chuvoso e menos chuvoso, respectivamente. Os valores máximos da Ca observados para os períodos chuvoso e menos chuvoso foram, respectivamente, 0,220 e 0,375 m s-1. Verificou-se que Cs guarda uma relação exponencial inversa com o déficit de vapor de água atmosférico, para diferentes intervalos de irradiância solar global. A análise horária do fator de desacoplamento sugere que a evapotranspiração, durante a manhã, tem um maior controle realizado pela disponibilidade de energia, quando comparado ao período menos chuvoso. Durante a tarde verifica-se que o dossel da floresta progressivamente tende a estar mais acoplado à atmosfera, para ambos os períodos estudados, demonstrando maior controle superficial na transpiração.

Quantificação de cianeto total nas etapas de processamento das farinhas de mandioca dos grupos seca e d'água

O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar a concentração de cianeto total durante as etapas de produção da farinha de mandioca dos grupos seca e d'água. Em relação à farinha seca, a concentração de cianeto total na raiz de mandioca diminuiu de 160±11,8 mg HCN/kg para 149±12,3 mg HCN/kg após a trituração, 68±2,5 mg HCN/kg após a prensagem e chegando a 5±0,2 mg HCN/kg no produto final, após o processo de torração. Na produção da farinha d'água, a raiz de mandioca apresentava teor de cianeto total de 321±21,6 mg HCN/kg e durante o processo de fermentação da raiz, o teor de cianeto total nas primeiras 24 horas de fermentação era de 297±2,7 mg HCN/kg chegando a 64±2,3 mg HCN/kg após 96 horas em repouso no tanque. Após trituração e prensagem da massa fermentada, os valores diminuíram para 50±0,6 e 36±0,4 mg HCN/kg, respectivamente, obtendo-se no produto final a concentração de 9±0,1 mg HCN/kg, sendo evidenciado a eficiência do processo de destoxificação em ambos os processamentos.

Influência da fermentação na qualidade da farinha de mandioca do grupo d'água

A etapa de fermentação na produção da farinha de mandioca do grupo d'água é responsável pelo desenvolvimento de características químicas e sensoriais peculiares no produto. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a influência da etapa de fermentação das raízes de mandioca nos principais parâmetros físico-químicos da farinha, seguido de avaliação sensorial da preferência do consumidor. As análises realizadas foram determinação do teor de umidade, cinzas, proteínas, amido e acidez total titulável. O teste sensorial utilizado foi o de ordenação-preferência dos produtos. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a etapa de fermentação, responsável pelo aumento da acidez total titulável da farinha de mandioca do grupo d'água, foi o único parâmetro que excedeu o valor limite permitido pela legislação brasileira vigente. Com base no resultado da análise sensorial, houve maior preferência dos consumidores pela farinha de mandioca com maior teor de acidez total (3,44 cmol NaOH kg-1), que corresponde à raiz fermentada por 96 horas.

Mineralogical and geochemical influences on sediment color of Amazon wetlands analyzed by visible spectrophotometry

Based on sedimentological and geochemical data, this work relates spectrophotometric measurements with sediment composition and its application in palaeoecological studies of Amazon wetlands. The CIELAB values are directly related to mineralogical and chemical composition, mostly involving quartz, iron oxyhydroxides and sulfides (e.g. pyrite), and total organic carbon. Total organic carbon contents between 0.4-1%, 1-2%, 3-5% and 15-40% were related to L* (lightness) data of 27, 26-15, 7-10 and 7 or less, respectively. The CIELAB values of a deposit in Marabá, Pará, were proportional to variations in quartz and total organic carbon contents, but changes in zones of similar color, mainly in the +a* (red) and +b* (yellow) values of deposits in Calçoene, Amapá and Soure, Pará, indicate a close relationship between total organic carbon content and iron oxyhydroxides and sulfides. Furthermore, the Q7/4 diagram (ratio between the % re?ectance value at 700 nm to that at 400 nm, coupled with L*) indicated iron-rich sediments in the bioturbated mud facies of the Amapá deposit, bioturbated mud and bioturbated sand facies of Soure deposit, and cross-laminated sand and massive sand facies of the Marabá core. Also, organic-rich sediments were found in the bioturbated mud facies of the Amapá deposit, lenticular heterolithic and bioturbated mud facies of the Soure deposit, and laminated mud and peat facies of the Marabá deposit. At the Marabá site, the data suggest an autochthonous influence with peat formation. The coastal wetland sites at Marajó and Amapá represent the development of a typical tidal flat setting with sulfide and iron oxyhydroxides formation during alternated flooding and drying.

Diferenças nos aspectos cognitivos entre idosos praticantes e não praticantes de exercício físico

Objetivo Comparar o desempenho cognitivo de idosos praticantes e não praticantes de exercícios físicos. Métodos Este estudo transversal foi realizado com 104 idosos, sendo 64 pertencentes ao Grupo Praticantes de exercícios físicos (G1) e 40 pertencentes ao Grupo não Praticantes (G2), cadastrados em Centros de Saúde. Foram aplicados o Miniexame de Estado Mental (MEEM) para avaliar o estado cognitivo e uma ficha para caracterização da amostra. Posteriormente, aplicou-se a Bateria de Avaliação Cognitiva Computadorizada (CogState) para avaliação do desempenho cognitivo dos idosos. Utilizaram-se o teste U Mann-Whitney para comparação dos grupos e o cálculo da medida de efeito d de Cohen, para verificar se a prática de exercício físico influencia no desempenho cognitivo. Para análise descritiva, utilizaram-se dados expressos em média, desvio-padrão, mediana e percentil. Admitiu-se nível de significância de 5%. Resultados A pontuação no MEEM apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre grupos. Quanto ao desempenho cognitivo, medido pelo CogState, os grupos diferiram significativamente para todas as variáveis analisadas, apresentando o G1 o melhor desempenho nos testes de tempo de reação simples, de escolha e de atenção assistida; já o G2 obteve melhor desempenho nos testes de memória de curto prazo e de trabalho. Conclusões Idosos praticantes de exercícios físicos demonstram possuir melhor desempenho para o tempo de reação simples, tempo de reação de escolha e atenção assistida, quando comparados aos idosos não praticantes.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and microalbuminuria in normotensive subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between microalbuminuria with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in normotensive individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients underwent determination of the rate of urinary excretion of albumin through radioimmunoassay and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Their mean age was 26.5±6.7 years, and the mean duration of their disease was 8 (1-34) years. Microalbuminuria was defined as urinary excretion of albumin > or = 20 and <200µg/min in at least 2 out of 3 urine samples. RESULTS: Nine (24.3%) patients were microalbuminuric. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in the microalbuminuric patients had higher mean pressure values, mainly the systolic pressure, during sleep as compared with that in the normoalbuminuric patients (120.1±8.3 vs 110.8±7.1 mmHg; p=0.007). The pressure load was higher in the microalbuminuric individuals, mainly the systolic pressure load during wakefulness [6.3 (2.9-45.9) vs 1.6 (0-16%); p=0.001]. This was the variable that better correlated with the urinary excretion of albumin (rS=0.61; p<0.001). Systolic pressure load >50% and diastolic pressure load > 30% during sleep was associated with microalbuminuria (p=0.008). The pressure drop during sleep did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Microalbuminuric normotensive insulin-dependent diabetic patients show greater mean pressure value and pressure load during ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and these variables correlate with urinary excretion of albumin.

Fast and furious: a look at the death of animals on the highway MS-080, Southwestern Brazil

Several factors, such as hunting and the pet trade, are responsible for the worldwide decline of wildlife populations. In addition, fatal collisions with vehicles on highways have also taken one of the largest tolls. This study aimed to quantify the richness and abundance of vertebrate roadkill along highway MS-080 in Mato Grosso do Sul, Central-West Brazil. We compare the amount of roadkill to the distance between cities, moon phases and the flow of vehicles on the highway. Samples were collected weekly between March and September 2011, totaling 257 individuals, belonging to 32 families and 52 species, resulting in an index of 0.13 individuals hit/km. Birds were the most frequently hit taxa, followed by mammals. The most affected species was Cariama cristata (Cariamidae), followed by Cerdocyon thous (Canidae). The sections of highway closest to cities had the highest number of individual animals killed. Our observations indicate that the density of the vegetation next to the highway positively influences the amount of roadkill.

Monogenea parasites of Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest, 1823) (Pisces, Sciaenidae) from the littoral of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

From the gills of 100 Micropogonia furnieri (Desmarest, 1823) from Atlantic coast of Rio de Janeiro State, were recovered Macrovalvitrema sinaloense Caballero & Bravo-Hollis, 1955, Pterinotrematoides mexicanum Caballero & Bravo-Hollis, 1955, Rhamnocercus rhmnocercus Monaco, Wood & Mizelle, 1954 and Encotyllabe spari Yamaguti, 1934. M. furnieri represents a new host record for them and a new geographical dsitribution is referred for M. sinaloense, P. mexicanum and R. rhmnocercus.

Scanning electron microscopic study of Prosorhynchoides arcuatus (Linton, 1990) (Bucephalidae: Digenea)

Prosorhynchoides arcuatus (Linton, 1900) from the intestine of Pomatomus saltator (L.) from the Atlantic coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro is studied by scanning electron microscopy, with detailed description of tegumental spines. Comments on the synonymy of this species with Bucephalopsis callicotyle Kohn, 1962 are made. The tegument of adult P. arcuatus presents scale like and serrated spines and uniciliated sensory papillae, distributed over the body surface and is compared with other digenetic trematodes.

Human parvovirus B19 infection and hydrops fetalis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded lung and liver tissue from 23 cases of non immune hydrops fetalis and five control cases, in which hydrops were due to syphilis (3) and genetic causes (2), were examined for the presence of human parvovirus B19 by DNA hybridisation. Using in situ hybridisation with a biotynilated probe one positive case was detected. Using 32P-labelled probes in a dot blot assay format, five further positives were obtained. These were all confirmed as positive by a nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Electron microscopy revealed virus in all these five positive cases. The six B19 DNA positive cases of hydrops fetalis were from 1974, 1980, 1982, 1987 and 1988, four of which occurred during the second half of the year, confirming the seasonality of the disease.