Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis co-infection in dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: evaluation by specific PCR and RFLP-PCR assays

Introduction During a diagnostic evaluation of canine visceral leishmaniasis (VL), two of seventeen dogs were found to be co-infected by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi. Methods Specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR (RFLP-PCR) assays were performed. Results PCR assays for Leishmania subgenus identification followed by RFLP-PCR analysis in biopsies from cutaneous lesions and the spleen confirmed the presence of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi in those fragments. Conclusions This report reinforces the importance of using serological and molecular techniques in the epidemiological surveillance of canine populations in endemic areas in which both diseases are known to co-exist. In such cases, a reassessment of the control measures is required.

Impact of alcohol intoxication and withdrawal syndrome on social phobia and panic disorder in alcoholic inpatients

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of alcohol intoxication and withdrawal on the course of social phobia and panic disorder. METHOD: A group of 41 alcoholic inpatients undergoing detoxification therapy were interviewed using the SCID-I (DSM-IV) and questions to detect fluctuations in the course of social phobia and panic disorder as a function of the different phases in alcohol dependence (intoxication, withdrawal, and lucid interval). RESULTS: Only 1 (2.4%) patient presented panic disorder throughout life, and 9 (21.9%) had panic attacks during alcohol intoxication or during the withdrawal syndrome. Sixteen (39%) alcoholic patients showed social phobia with onset prior to drug use. However, drinking eventually became unable to alleviate social phobia symptoms or worsened such symptoms in 31.2% of social-phobic patients. While patients with social phobia reported a significant improvement in psychiatric symptoms during alcohol intoxication, patients experiencing panic attacks worsened significantly during intoxication. In the withdrawal phase, patients with social phobia tended to have more and more intense phobic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the impact of alcohol intoxication is different for social phobia as compared to panic disorder, at first decreasing the social-phobic symptoms but later aggravating them. In panic disorder, the impact of intoxication by alcohol is more harmful, at least in the short term.

Wood specific gravity of trees and forest types in the southern Peruvian Amazon

Estimates of terrestrial biomass depend critically on reliable information about the specific gravity of the wood of forest trees. The study reported on here was carried out in the southern Peruvian Amazon and involved collection of wood samples from trees (70 spp.) in intact forest stands. Results demonstrate the high degree of variability in specific gravity (ovendry weight/green volume) in trees at single locations. Three forest types (swamp, high terrace forest with alluvial soil, and sandy-soil forest) had values close to the average reported for tropical forest woods (.69). Two early successional forest types, which make up as much as 12% of the total vegetated area in this part of the Amazon, had values significantly lower (.40). An increase in specific gravity with increasing age of the tree, which has been reported in some spe cies of tropical-forest woods, is seen in a positive relationship between specific gravity and di ameter for a species prevalent in one plot. Increases in specific gravity with tree and forest age may be significant in estimating changes in carbon stores over time.

Nutritional status and specific leaf area of mahogany and tonka bean under two light environments

Studies on nutritional status and leaf traits were carried out in two tropical tree species Swietenia macrophylla King (mahogany) and Dipetryx odorata Aubl. Willd. (tonka bean) planted under contrasting light environments in Presidente Figueiredo-AM, Brazil. Leaves of S. macrophylla and D. odorata were collected in three year-old trees grown under full sunlight (about 2000 µmol m-2 s-1) and natural shade under a closed canopy of Balsa-wood plantation (Ochroma pyramidale Cav. Ex. Lam.Urb) about 260 µmol m-2 s-1. The parameters analysed were leaf area (LA), leaf dry mass (LDM), specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nutrient contents. It was observed that, S. macrophylla leaves grown under full sunlight showed LA 35% lower than those grown under shade. In D. odorata leaves these differences in LA were not observed. In addition, it was observed that S. macrophylla shade leaves, for LDM, were 50% smaller than sun leaves, while in D. odorata, there differences were not observed. SLA in S. macrophylla presented that sun leaves were three times smaller than those grown under shade. In D. odorata, no differences were observed. Nutrient contents in S. macrophylla, regardless of their light environments, showed higher contents for P and Ca than those found in D. odorata. The N, K, Fe and Mn contents in S. macrophylla leaves decreased under shade. Finally, we suggest that the decreasing in leaf nutrient contents may have a negative influence on leaf growth. The results demonstrated that the tested hypothesis is true for leaf traits, which D. odorata, late-successional species, showed lower plasticity for leaf traits than Swietenia macrophylla, mid-successional species.

The Portuguese language version of social phobia and Anxiety Inventory: analysis of items and internal consistency in a Brazilian sample of 1,014 undergraduate students

OBJECTIVE: Theoretical and empirical analysis of items and internal consistency of the Portuguese-language version of Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI-Portuguese). METHODS: Social phobia experts conducted a 45-item content analysis of the SPAI-Portuguese administered to a sample of 1,014 university students. Item discrimination was evaluated by Student's t test; interitem, mean and item-to-total correlations, by Pearson coefficient; reliability was estimated by Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: There was 100% agreement among experts concerning the 45 items. On the SPAI-Portuguese 43 items were discriminative (p < 0.05). A few inter-item correlations between both subscales were below 0.2. The mean inter-item correlations were: 0.41 on social phobia subscale; 0.32 on agoraphobia subscale and 0.32 on the SPAI-Portuguese. Item-to-total correlations were all higher then 0.3 (p < 0.001). Cronbach's alphas were: 0.95 on the SPAI-Portuguese; 0.96 on social phobia subscale; 0.85 on agoraphobia subscale. CONCLUSION: The 45-item content analysis revealed appropriateness concerning the underlying construct of the SPAI-Portuguese (social phobia, agoraphobia) with good discriminative capacity on 43 items. The mean inter-item correlations and reliability coefficients demonstrated the SPAI-Portuguese and subscales internal consistency and multidimensionality. No item was suppressed in the SPAI-Portuguese but the authors suggest that a shortened SPAI, in its different versions, could be an even more useful tool for research settings in social phobia.

Cholesterol pericarditis. A specific but rare cause of pericardial disease

During a diagnostic investigation in a 40-year-old male with pericardial effusion associated with hypothyroidism, cholesterol pericarditis was detected. We report a brief review on the etiopathogeny, clinical findings, and therapeutical possibilities of this entity.

Validade e equivalência da versão em português do Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire

FUNDAMENTO: O Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ) tem sido utilizado para a individualização de testes ergométricos (TE) e para avaliar indiretamente a aptidão cardiorrespiratória (ACR) em estudos epidemiológicos. Apesar disso, ainda não há versão em português validada. OBJETIVO: Verificar a validade de critério da versão em português do VSAQ e examinar a equivalência de mensuração dessa versão em 95 indivíduos, sendo 8 mulheres (69 ± 7 anos), com indicação para a realização de TE. MÉTODOS: Os indivíduos realizaram teste cardiopulmonar de exercício progressivo máximo em ciclo-ergômetro. A correlação do escore do VSAQ com o MET Máximo Medido e Estimado foi comparada com os resultados de outros estudos. O Nomograma VSAQ foi calculado e seus resultados comparados com os valores reais da ACR por regressão linear. Limites de concordância e as diferenças médias (vieses) foram avaliados segundo a metodologia proposta por Bland e Altman. RESULTADOS: Os escores obtidos através do VSAQ correlacionaram-se de forma significativa com o MET máximo medido (r = 0,64) e estimado (r = 0,67), resultados equivalentes àqueles obtidos com versões originais. O nomograma VSAQ obteve resultados com R múltiplo de 0,78 (para MET medido) e 0,80 (para MET estimado). O nomograma, entretanto, parece subestimar os valores de indivíduos com ACR acima de 6 MET. CONCLUSÃO: A versão do VSAQ confirmou-se válida e equivalente à versão original, especialmente para avaliação de indivíduos cardiopatas e de idade avançada.

Biomarkers in Cardiology – Part 1 – In Heart Failure and Specific Cardiomyopathies

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Brazil. The primary and secondary preventions of those diseases are a priority for the health system and require multiple approaches to increase their effectiveness. Biomarkers are tools used to more accurately identify high-risk individuals, to speed the diagnosis, and to aid in treatment and prognosis determination. This review aims to highlight the importance of biomarkers in clinical cardiology practice, and to raise relevant points of their use and the promises for the coming years. This document was divided into two parts, and this first one discusses the use of biomarkers in specific cardiomyopathies and heart failure.

Sex-Specific Equations to Estimate Maximum Oxygen Uptake in Cycle Ergometry

AbstractBackground:Aerobic fitness, assessed by measuring VO2max in maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) or by estimating VO2max through the use of equations in exercise testing, is a predictor of mortality. However, the error resulting from this estimate in a given individual can be high, affecting clinical decisions.Objective:To determine the error of estimate of VO2max in cycle ergometry in a population attending clinical exercise testing laboratories, and to propose sex-specific equations to minimize that error.Methods:This study assessed 1715 adults (18 to 91 years, 68% men) undertaking maximum CPX in a lower limbs cycle ergometer (LLCE) with ramp protocol. The percentage error (E%) between measured VO2max and that estimated from the modified ACSM equation (Lang et al. MSSE, 1992) was calculated. Then, estimation equations were developed: 1) for all the population tested (C-GENERAL); and 2) separately by sex (C-MEN and C-WOMEN).Results:Measured VO2max was higher in men than in WOMEN: -29.4 ± 10.5 and 24.2 ± 9.2 mL.(kg.min)-1 (p < 0.01). The equations for estimating VO2max [in mL.(kg.min)-1] were: C-GENERAL = [final workload (W)/body weight (kg)] x 10.483 + 7; C-MEN = [final workload (W)/body weight (kg)] x 10.791 + 7; and C-WOMEN = [final workload (W)/body weight (kg)] x 9.820 + 7. The E% for MEN was: -3.4 ± 13.4% (modified ACSM); 1.2 ± 13.2% (C-GENERAL); and -0.9 ± 13.4% (C-MEN) (p < 0.01). For WOMEN: -14.7 ± 17.4% (modified ACSM); -6.3 ± 16.5% (C-GENERAL); and -1.7 ± 16.2% (C-WOMEN) (p < 0.01).Conclusion:The error of estimate of VO2max by use of sex-specific equations was reduced, but not eliminated, in exercise tests on LLCE.

A study of the endocervical columnar cells II - effects of physiological changes and of oathological lesions of the uterus on the specific numerical composition of the endocervical epithelium

In the second part of this paper we nalysed the correlation between the clinical pathological alterations and the sum of the types of columnar cells of 300 histological sections of cervix. Fifty histological sections of normal cervix of sexually mature women were selected and considered as normal in pattern. The specific counts of the columnar cells which line the endocervical mucosa and those of the glands of 50 normal cervices were compared with other similar counts made in 50 histological sections of cervices of old women and emphasized the differences. Comparisons were made also between 50 normal cervices and 50 sections of cervices with chronic inflammation, 50 cervices with epidermoid metaplasia and 50 cervices with myoma of the corpus. Counts were made from 50 cervices of patients who on the occasion of the surgical operation were in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle; these were compared with the counts of 50 cervices of uteri in the luteal phase. Finally, the numerical frequency of the following data encountered in the 300 cervices was recorded: 1. aspects of the ectocervical epithelium; 2. number of Nabothian cysts; 3. number of cervical glands; 5. number of deliveries and 6. aspect of the material within the cervical canal.

Cross-suppression of specific immune responses after oral tolerance

Adult normal inbred mice rendered tolerant to OVA by previous oral exposure do not respond to intraperitonela immunization with DNP-OVA in adjuvant. These tolerant mice also form less DNP-specific antibodies to DNP-KLH when immunized with mixtures of DNP-KLH and DNP-OVA, or less HGG-specific antibodies when immunized with cross-linked conjugates of OVA and HGG. These same procedures increased DNP-specific or HGG-specific responses in non-tolerant control mice. The cross-supperssion was ineffective, however, to inhibit already ongoing antibody responses.

EVI antibodies in patients with Chagas' disease: relationship with anti-Trypanosoma cruzi immunoglobulins and effects of specific treatment

Antibodies against heart vascular structures and striated muscle cells interstitium (EVI antibodies) persist in Chagas' disease patients who had been cured by specific treatment as demonstrated by negative xenodiagnosis, conventional serology (CS) and complement mediated lysis (CoML). On the other hand, EVI antibodies are either present or absent in treated patients presenting positive CS but negative CoML. Since CoML detects antibodies associated to resistance, EVI antibodies are not likely to participate in the control of T. cruzi infections although they might be induced by cross-reacting antigens of heart cells and the parasite. They are neither necessarily related to antibodies responsible for CS. Absorption with T. cruzi and heart tissue confirms the suggestion that EVI antibodies are induced by a number of antigenic determinants, most from heart structures with a minor participation of T. cruzi antigens.

New specific synonymy in Neotropical Simulium S. L. (Diptera: Simuliidae)

In an attempt to clarify the taxonomy of Neotropical Simuliidae prior to the production of keys to species, various nomenclatural problems are resolved. Information is given on the status of types, their depositories, the condition of type-material where relevant, and on already established synonyms. fifteen new synonyms are established and six lectotypes designated based on an examination of type-material and long series of reared specimens from many localities to take account of intraspecific variation.

Evaluation of a monoclonal antibody affinity purified antigen for zymodeme specific serological diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Theoretically, serological assays with affinity purified marker antigens can allow strain-specific diagnosis even when parasites cannot be retrieved from and infected host. A Trypanosoma cruzi antigen was purified by affinity chromatography using a zymodeme (Z) 2 specific monoclonal antibody (2E2C11). An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the purified antigen could discriminate between sera from rabbits immunized with T. cruzi zymodeme clones but could not discriminate between sera from mice infected with different zymodemes.