Envenomation by neotropical Opisthoglyphous colubrid Thamnodynastes cf. pallidus Linné, 1758 (Serpentes:Colubridae) in Venezuela

This is a case report of a "non-venomous" snake bite in a herpetologist observed at the Sciences Faculty of the Universidad de los Andes (Mérida, Venezuela). The patient was bitten on the middle finger of the left hand, and shows signs of pronounced local manifestations of envenomation such as bleeding from the tooth imprint, swelling and warmth. He was treated with local care, analgesics, and steroids. He was dismissed from the hospital and observed at home during five days with marked improvement of envenomation. The snake was brought to the medical consult and identified as a Thamnodynastes cf. pallidus specimen. This report represents the first T. pallidus accident described in a human.

Biometria de frutos e sementes e germinação e curupixá (Micropholis cf. venulosa Mart. & Eichler - Sapotaceae)

Micropholis cf. venulosa Mart. & Eichler, conhecida como curupixá, é uma espécie arbórea que vem sendo explorada pelas industrias madeireiras do Estado do Pará. O objetivo do trabalho foi estudar as características biométricas de frutos e sementes de curupixá e avaliar o efeito do dessecamento na germinação das sementes. Determinou-se o comprimento e o diâmetro dos frutos, o número de sementes por frutos, a porcentagem de sementes danificadas por insetos e o comprimento, a largura e a espessura das sementes. No controle (sementes frescas) e nas sementes submetidas ao dessecamento em sílica gel durante 72 e 96 horas, foram quantificadas as porcentagens de germinação, de plântulas anormais, de sementes mortas, tempo médio de germinação e o número de dias para iniciar a germinação. A semeadura foi realizada em substrato de areia e serragem curtida (1:1), em quatro repetições de 50 sementes. O fruto de curupixá é uma baga oblonga cujo comprimento e diâmetro dos frutos variaram de 32,5 a 72,9 mm e de 29,1 a 58,0 mm, respectivamente. O número de sementes por fruto variou de um a três, com 53,3% delas danificadas por insetos. O comprimento, a largura e a espessura das sementes variaram de 15,5 a 41,4 mm, de 8,0 a 18,7 mm e de 4,7 a 12,6 mm, respectivamente. Nas sementes frescas observou-se que a germinação foi lenta e com acentuada desuniformidade, iniciando 24 dias após a semeadura e atingindo a germinação final de 55% aos 96 dias após a semeadura. Registrou-se reduções significativas na germinação das sementes submetidas ao dessecamento e, aumento no número de dias para iniciar a germinação e na porcentagem de sementes mortas. A redução do grau de umidade de 42,6% para 28,9% reduziu a germinação de 55% para 24,7% e aumentou a porcentagem de sementes mortas de 40,5% para 70%, indicando que sementes dessa espécie apresentam sensibilidade ao dessecamento.

Descrição da larva de Idiataphe longipes (Odonata, Libellulidae, Trameini)

A larva de Idiataphe longipes (Hagen, 1861) é descrita com base em cinco exúvias associadas aos respectivos adultos emergidos, coletadas no Açude da Concórdia, Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Use of glass beads and CF 11 cellulose for removal of leukocytes from malaria-infected human blood in field settings

Passage of malaria infected blood through a two-layered column composed of acid-washed glass beads and CF 11 cellulose removes white cells from parasitized blood. However, because use of glass beads and CF 11 cellulose requires filtration of infected blood separately through these two resins and the addition of ADP, the procedure is time-consuming and may be inapropriate for use in the field, especially when large numbers of blood samples are to be treated. Our modification of this process yields parasitized cells free of contaminating leukocytes, and because of its operational simplicity, large numbers of blood samples can be processed. Our procedure also compares well with those using expensive commercial Sepacell resins in its ability to separate leukocytes from whole blood. As a test of usefulness in molecular biologic investigations, the parasites obtained from the blood of malaria-infected patients using the modified procedure yield genomic DNA whose single copy gene, the circumsporozite gene, efficiently amplifies by polymerase chain reaction.

Comparative dosimetry in intracavitary balloon catheter brachytherapy with I-125 and in Cf-252 brachytherapy combined with BNCT for brain tumors

Objective Comparative analysis of dosimetry in intracavitary balloon catheter brachytherapy with I-125 and in Cf-252 brachytherapy combined with BNCT for treatment of brain tumors. Materials and Methods Simulations of intracavitary balloon catheter brachytherapy with I-125 and in Cf-252 brachytherapy combined with BNCT were performed with the MCNP5 code, modeling the treatment of a brain tumor on a voxel computational phantom representing a human head. Absorbed dose rates were converted into biologically weighted dose rates. Results Intracavitary balloon catheter brachytherapy with I-125 produced biologically weighted mean dose rates of 3.2E-11, 1.3E-10, 1.9E-11 and 6.9E-13 RBE.Gy.h-1.p-1.s, respectively, on the healthy tissue, on the balloon periphery and on the I 1 and I 2 tumor infiltration zones. On the other hand, Cf-252 brachytherapy combined with BNCT produced a biologically weighted mean dose rate of 5.2E-09, 2.3E-07, 8.7E-09 and 2.4E-09 RBE.Gy.h-1.p-1.s, respectively on the healthy tissue, on the target tumor and on the I 1 and I 2 infiltration zones. Conclusion Cf-252 brachytherapy combined with BNCT delivered a selective irradiation to the target tumor and to infiltration zones, while intracavitary balloon catheter brachytherapy with I-125 delivered negligible doses on the tumor infiltration zones.

Triterpenos isolados de Eschweilera longipes miers (Lecythidaceae)

The phytochemical studies of Eschweilera longipes have led to the identification of ten triterpenoids: fridelin, fridelinol, alpha-amirin, beta-amirin, 3beta-O-cinamoyl-alpha-amirin, 3beta-O-cinamoyl-beta-amirin, alpha-amirenone, beta-amirenone, 3-alpha-hidroxi-lupeol, 3-alpha-hidroxi-taraxasterol, along with b-sitosterol, stigmasterol, alpha -tocopherol and tocotrienol. The structures of these compounds were identified by analysis of IR, ¹H and 13C NMR data and comparison with values of literature.

Controle alternativo de helmintos de Astyanax cf. zonatus utilizando fitoterapia com sementes de abóbora (Cucurbita maxima) e mamão (Carica papaya)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia de sementes de abóbora e mamão desidratadas e moídas, no controle de helmintos parasitos de Astyanax cf. zonatus. Sessenta peixes foram distribuídos em doze recipientes, um peixe/litro. O experimento constituiu de quatro tratamentos e três repetições: TJ = peixes deixados em jejum; TRC = peixes alimentados com ração comercial; TSA = peixes alimentados ad libitum com abóbora, e TSM = peixes alimentados ad libitum com mamão. Após sete dias de alimentação, todos os peixes foram pesados, e o sangue foi retirado para extensão sanguínea. A eficácia foi determinada, verificando a presença de parasitos nas brânquias, no estômago e no intestino. Os peixes do TJ e TSM apresentaram perda de peso (39% e 25%, respectivamente). O TSA apresentou melhor eficácia no controle de nematóides do intestino e do estômago (95,26% e 92,48%). No controle de monogenéticos TSM promoveu 72% de eficácia. Na hematologia observou-se aumento de monócitos nos peixes do TSM e os valores de eosinofilos diminuíram nos tratamentos TSA, TSM e TRC. Assim pode-se concluir que a alimentação com abóbora pode ser utilizado como um controle alternativo eficaz de nematóides intestinais do lambari.

Frequência e distribuição de Helicobacter spp. na mucosa gástrica de cães

A associação das helicobacterias com doença gástrica em humanos e em alguns animais domésticos e selvagens sugere a participação dessas na patogênese da gastrite em cães. Neste artigo procurou-se verificar a presença de Helicobacter spp. na mucosa gástrica de cães e avaliar sua associação com os achados macro e microscópicos, considerando a idade. Coletaram-se amostras das regiões cárdica, fúndica, do corpo e pilórica dos estômagos de 60 cães para a realização de exame histopatológico, utilizando-se as colorações pela hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e carbolfucsina (CF). Tais exames revelaram Helicobacter spp. em 96,7% dos animais, sendo observados infiltrados inflamatórios, predominantemente mononucleares (100%), hiperplasia de nódulos linfoides (98,3%), erosões/ulcerações (6,7%), hemorragia (5%) e hiperemia (95%) em amostras coradas por HE. Não houve correlação da infecção por helicobacter spp. com a idade do animal e da idade com alterações inflamatórias na presença da bactéria. As amostras das regiões do corpo e pilórica apresentaram maior presença de bactérias a histopatologia (CF) (ambos 95%), em seguida vindo as regiões fúndica (91,7%) e cárdica (56,7%). Houve correlação do número de Helicobacter spp. com o de células inflamatórias e nódulos linfoides nessas regiões, sugerindo que as bactérias encontradas na mucosa gástrica dos cães poderiam ser responsáveis pelas alterações que caracterizam a gastrite.

Estrutura florestal em projeto de assentamento, comunidade São Mateus, município de Placas, Pará, Brasil

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o potencial e a estrutura florestal de uma Floresta Ombrófila Densa de terra firme, da Comunidade São Mateus, município de Placas, Pará. A avaliação foi realizada em dois tipos de ambiente, sendo, um, em Floresta Manejada (FM) e, outro, em Floresta Não Manejada (FNM). Foram alocadas 20 unidades amostrais, sendo nove em FM e 11 em FNM. Em cada unidade amostral, os indivíduos foram inventariados em três classes de tamanho (CT): CT1 - 10 cm < DAP < 30 cm (subparcelas de 50 m x 25 m); CT2 - 30 cm < DAP < 50 cm (50 m x 50 m); e CT3 - DAP > 50 cm (50 m x 200 m). As formas de utilização de todas as espécies arbóreas registradas foram verificadas por meio de entrevistas com assentados, no comércio, nas feiras livres e no mercado municipal de Santarém. Foram amostrados 472,6 árvores/ha na FM, distribuídas em 134 espécies e, na FNM, 508,0 árvores/ha, distribuídas em 146 espécies. As espécies de maior valor de importância nos dois tipos florestais foram: Licania kunthianamm Hook. f. (Chrysobalanaceae) e Mezilaurus itauba Taubert ex Mez (Lauraceae). As espécies que mais se destacaram com diferentes possibilidades de uso foram: Protium cf. heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand (Burseraceae), Hymenaea courbaril L. (Fabaceae) e Caryocar villosum (Aubl.) Pers (Caryocaraceae). Após quatro anos de colheitas, não ocorreu diferenciação estrutural entre FM e FNM.

Production and photosynthetic activity of Mimosa Verde and Mimosa Roxa lettuce in two farming systems

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is the most commonly consumed leaf vegetable in the Brazilian diet, and it is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It is widely grown in the conventional farming system. However, the hydroponic farming system has been gaining importance in the market, wining confidence from consumers, who are becoming increasingly more demanding on food quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of two lettuce cultivars on hydroponic and conventional farming systems for the production of fresh mass (FM) and dry mass (DM), photosynthesis, contents of chlorophyll and anthocyanin. The following two experiments were carried out: hydroponics farming (HF) and conventional farming (CF), performed in protect and unprotect environments, respectively, in Florianópolis, SC. Mimosa Verde cultivar (MV) showed greater fresh mass than Mimosa Roxa (MR), in both farming systems and the two cultivars presented better performance in the hydroponic system (287.7 g MV and 139.1 g MR) than the conventional system (129.7 g MV and 111.8 g MR). Mimosa Verde cultivar presented lower average contents of total chlorophyll (7.7 mg g-¹ FM) than Mimosa Roxa (11.8 mg g-¹FM), and both cultivars displayed higher means for this variable in the hydroponic farming system. Mimosa Roxa presented higher contents of anthocyanin in the conventional system (88.24 mg g-¹ FM) than the ones in the hydroponic system (36.89 mg g-¹ FM). The best results for CO2 net assimilation rate regarded to photosyntheticaly active photon flux density were found in the hydroponic system, for both lettuce cultivars. Variation in the contents of chlorophyll were also found. Those variations were higher in the protected system than in the hydroponic system and contents of anthocyanin were higher in the conventional system.

Factors associated with the nutritional status of children less than 5 years of age

OBJECTIVE To analyze if the nutritional status of children aged less than five years is related to the biological conditions of their mothers, environmental and socioeconomic factors, and access to health services and social programs.METHODS This cross-sectional population-based study analyzed 664 mothers and 790 children using canonical correlation analysis. Dependent variables were characteristics of the children (weight/age, height/age, BMI/age, hemoglobin, and retinol serum levels). Independent variables were those related to the mothers’ nutritional status (BMI, hemoglobin, and retinol serum levels), age, environmental and socioeconomic factors and access to health service and social programs. A < 0.05 significance level was adopted to select the interpreted canonical functions (CF) and ± 0.40 as canonical load value of the analyzed variables.RESULTS Three canonical functions were selected, concentrating 89.9% of the variability of the relationship among the groups. In the first canonical function, weight/age (-0.73) and height/age (-0.99) of the children were directly related to the mother’s height (-0.82), prenatal appointments (-0.43), geographical area of the residence (-0.41), and household incomeper capita (-0.42). Inverse relationship between the variables related to the children and people/room (0.44) showed that the larger the number of people/room, the poorer their nutritional status. Rural residents were found to have the worse nutritional conditions. In the second canonical function, the BMI of the mother (-0.48) was related to BMI/age and retinol of the children, indicating that as women gained weight so did their children. Underweight women tended to have children with vitamin A deficiency. In the third canonical function, hemoglobin (-0.72) and retinol serum levels (-0.40) of the children were directly related to the mother’s hemoglobin levels (-0.43).CONCLUSIONS Mothers and children were associated concerning anemia, vitamin A deficiency and anthropometric markers. Living in rural areas is a determining factor for the families health status.

Suscetibilidade de "híbridos" de Biomphalaria tenagophila à cepa LE (BH) do Schistosoma mansoni

"Híbridos" de Biomphalaria tenagophila provenientes dos cruzamentos de linhagens albinas de Belo Horizonte (BH) ou de Joinvile (SC), com melânicos de Cabo Frio (CF), do Taim (Ta) ou de Curitiba (PR), submetidos à infecção pela cepa do Schistosoma mansoni de Belo Horizonte (=LE), apresentaram os seguintes resultados: em F1, os "híbridos" TaSC, PRSC e CFTa exibiram taxas de 4,5%, 12,5% e 11,2% de suscetibilidade; em F2, todos os "híbridos" foram negativos e em F3, um exemplar albino, filho de (CFBH) ². TaBH se infectou com a LE. Dentre os controles, a B. glabrata apresentou taxas de 66,7 a 93,6% de suscetibilidade à LE e a B. tenagophila de Joinvile exibiu taxas de infecção de 17,1 e 33,3% pela cepa SJ; e os "híbridos" BHTa e BHCF, taxas de 6,0 a 53,8% também pela cepa SJ. Houve grande influência da linhagem materna nas taxas de suscetibilidade. Devido ao fato de descendentes do cruzamento de linhagens refratárias a LE (CF, Ta e BH), terem se infectado, é recomendado o uso de "híbridos" para a detecção de gens de suscetibilidade em tais linhagens. São ainda discutidas, a necessidade do uso de maior número de miracídios nos testes de infecção e a falta de relação entre a freqüência de contatos parasitas-hospedeiros e as taxas de infectividade. Considerando que estas dependem de características genéticas preexistentes na população, a cepa LE seria uma variedade genética (ou raça) distinta da cepa SJ, dotada de pouca aptidão em infectar as diversas populações de B. tenagophila, exceto a de Joinvile (SC).

Predictive value of serologic tests in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis

A serologic study was undertaken in a group of 43 patients with active paracoccidioidomycosis who were treated in the same form (ketoconazole), for identical periods of time (6 months), and folio wed-up for various periods posttherapy. The tests employed were agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and complement fixation (FC). Also studied were 50 sera from patients with proven histoplasmosis and pulmonary aspergilloma, 30 patients with culturaly proven tuberculosis as well as 92 specimens from healthy individuals, residents in the endemic area for paracoccidioidomycosis. A single lot of yeast filtrate antigen was used throughout the study. The value of each test was measured according to GALEN and GAMBINO6. Both tests were highly sensitive, 89 and 93% respectively. Regarding their specificity, the AGID was totally specific while the CF exhibited 96.6% and 97% specificity in front of tuberculosis patients and healthy individuals respectively and 82% in comparison with patients with other mycoses. The concept of predictive value, that is, the certainty one has in accepting a positive test as diagnostic of paracoccidioidomycosis, favored the AGID procedure (100%) over the CF test. The latter could sort out with 93% certainty a patient with paracoccidioidomycosis among a group of healthy individuals and with 97.5% in the case of TB patients; when the group in question was composed by individuals with other deep mycoses, such certainty was lower (81%). The above results indicate that both the AGID and the CF tests furnish results of high confidence; one should not relay, however, in the CF alone as a means to establish the specific diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis.

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay: determination of anti-adenovirus antibodies in an infant population

In order to define an accurate assay for anti-adenovirus antibody detection, a recently developed ELISA was compared with IFA and CF. On 58 sera, the ELISA was more sensitive than both CF and IFA, which showed relative sensitivities of 63% and 94%, respectively. It was not possible to determine the exact specificity of the tests because of the lack of a gold standard. Furthermore, the ELISA was used to define the prevalence of adenovirus antibodies in 116 infants between 1 and 24 months old (mean 7.28). The data showed that maternal antibodies waned by the age of 5 to 6 months and that more than 80% of the children had been infected by adenoviruses by the age of 10 months.

The sensitivity, specificity and efficiency values of some serological tests used in the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis

This work reports on the results of double immunodiffusion (ID), counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), complement fixation (CF) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) techniques in the serodiagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis. The study was undertaken on four groups of individuals: 46 patients with untreated paracoccidioidomycosis, 22 patients with other deep mycoses, 30 with other infectious diseases (tuberculosis and cutaneous leishmaniasis) and 47 blood donors as negative controls. Data were obtained using Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigens, i.e.,a yeast culture filtrate for ID, CIE and CF, and a yeast cell suspension for IIF. The sensitivity, specificity and efficiency values were measured according to GALEN & GAMBINO8.The gel precipitation tests (ID and CIE) showed the greatest sensitivity (91.3 and 95.6%, respectively), maximum specificity (100%) and the highest efficiency values when compared to the CF and IIF tests.