Anphira branchialis GEN. ET SP. NOV. (CRUSTACEA, ISOPODA, CYMOTHOIDAE) A GILL CAVITY PARASITE OF PIRANHAS (Serrasalmus SPP.) IN THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON

Anphira branchialisgen. et sp. nov. (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae) is described from the dorsal areas of the gill chambers of three species of piranhas (Serrasalmusspp.). The fishes were caught in rivers near Manaus, Amazonas State and on Maracá island, Federal Territory of Roraima, Brasil. The new genus and species is characterized by having large, flat coxal plates on ail 7 pereonites. These plates usually extend beyond the margins of the following segments and the 7th ones extend nearly to the pleotelson and cover the lateral margins of the pleonites. The mandible of this species is rounded, "foot shaped" and without incisor. The mandibular palp is short and stout. The maxillules have 3 terminal and 2 subterminal spines. The pleopods are simple lamellar structures with rounded tips. Evidence is presented that these parasites feed on gill filaments.

Cytochemical characterization of gill and hepatopancreatic cells of the crab Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Brachyura) validated by cell metal transport

Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) is a hypo-hyper-regulating mangrove crab possessing gills for respiratory and osmoregulatory processes, separated in anterior and posterior sections. They also have hepatopancreas, which is responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients and detoxification of toxic metals. Each of these organs has specific cells that are important for in vitro studies in cell biology, ion and toxic metals transport. In order to study and characterize cells from gills and hepatopancreas, both were separated using a Sucrose Gradient (SG) from 10 to 40% and cells in each gradient were characterized using the vital mitochondrial dye DASPEI (2-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-N- ethylpyridinium iodide) and Trichrome Mallory's stain. Both in 20 and 40% SG for gill cells and 30% SG for hepatopancreatic cells, a greater number of cells were colored with DASPEI, indicating a larger number of mitochondria in these cells. It is concluded that the gill cells present in 20% and 40% SG are Thin cells, responsible for respiratory processes and Ionocytes responsible for ion transport, respectively. For hepatopancreatic cells, the 30% SG is composed of Fibrillar cells that possess larger number of membrane ion and nutrient transporters. Moreover, the transport of toxic metal cadmium (Cd) by isolated hepatopancreatic cells was performed as a way of following cell physiological integrity after cell separation and to study differences in transport among the cells. All hepatopancreatic cells were able to transport Cd. These findings are the first step for further work on isolated cells of these important exchange epithelia of crabs, using a simple separation method and to further develop successful in vitro cell culture in crabs.

The Ultrastructure of the Gastrodermis and the Nutrition of the Gill Parasitic Atriaster heterodus Lebedev and Paruchin, 1969 (Platyhelminthes: Monogenea)

The gastrodermis of Atriaster heterodus Lebedev & Paruchin, 1969 (Polyopisthocotylea), a gill parasite from Diplodus argenteus (Valenciennes, 1830), is composed of "U"-shape hematin cells and a connecting syncytium, both having cytoplasmic lamellae. These cells show outgrowths and bent folds which were seen to enclose lumen material. The trapped material was then subjected to endocytosis. The nature of ingested food material was comparatively analyzed by cytochemical and histochemical tests. Blood residues were detected in the gut but tests for mucins were negative. No intact erythrocytes were observed in the gut lumen.

A new species of Henneguya, a gill parasite of Astyanax altiparanae (Pisces: Characidae) from Brazil, with comments on histopathology and seasonality

A new species of Myxosporea, Henneguya chydadea, is described parasitizing the gills of Astyanax altiparanae collected from a lake on Rio das Pedras farm near Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Of the fish examined, 88.3% had gills parasitized by myxosporeans. The prevalence of the parasite ranged from 80% in the spring and fall, 93% in the summer and 100% in the winter. The parasite induced the formation of white, oval-shaped cysts measuring 40-64 µm x 64-80 µm which deformed the gill lamellae, compressed the capillaries, and caused retraction of the neighboring lamellae. The mature spores were elongated and had two identical, parallel elongate polar capsules. Each capsule contained a polar filament with 9-10 turns. There was no mucous envelope or iodinophilous vacuole. Morphometric differences between this parasite and other species of the genus Henneguya indicated, that he parasite observed in A. altiparanae is a new species. This is the first report of a myxosporeanparasitizing A. altiparanae.

Histopathological changes in liver and gill epithelium of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, exposed to waterborne copper

Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, of both sexes were reared in freshwater and exposed to 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5mg L-1 of waterborne copper for a period of 21 days. Liver and gill samples were collected after 21 days of exposure to copper and lesions were analyzed by light microscopy. The main histopathological changes observed in gills exposed to the highest concentration were edema, lifting of lamellar epithelia and an intense vasodilatation of the lamellar vascular axis. Although less frequent, lamellar fusion caused by the filamentar epithelium proliferation and some lamellar aneurisms were also found. The liver of control group exhibited a quite normal architecture, while the fish exposed to copper showed vacuolation and necrosis. These hepatic alterations were more evident in fish exposed to 1.0 and 2.5mg L-1 copper concentrations. The number of hepatocytes nucleus per mm² of hepatic tissue decreased with the increase of copper concentration. In contrast, the hepatic somatic index was high in fish exposed at 2.5mg L-1 of copper. In short, this work advance new knowledge as influence of copper in the gill and liver histology of O. niloticus and demonstrated that their effects could be observed at different concentrations.

Determinação dos tipos de resistência em genótipos de feijoeiro ao ataque de Zabrotes subfasciatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

O Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman, 1833) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) é considerado a principal praga do feijão armazenado. O método de controle mais utilizado tem sido o uso de inseticidas; no entanto outros métodos podem ser empregados, como, por exemplo, a resistência de plantas. Este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar os tipos de resistência em 12 genótipos de feijoeiro ao ataque dessa praga. O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Resistência de Plantas a Insetos, do Departamento de Fitossanidade da FCAV\UNESP, Jaboticabal - SP, no período de março a novembro de 2009. Foram realizados testes de não preferência para oviposição, com e sem chance de escolha, e de alimentação, sem chance de escolha. Concluiu-se que os genótipos Dor 391, Dor 476, IAPAR-MD 806 e Raz 59 apresentam resistência do tipo não preferência para oviposição por Z. subfasciatus, em teste com chance de escolha; no teste sem chance de escolha todos os genótipos foram igualmente ovipositados pelo inseto; no teste com chance de escolha, machos e fêmeas foram igualmente atraídos por todos os genótipos testados; e Raz 56, Arc 2, Raz 55, Raz 49 e Raz 59 apresentaram resistência dos tipos não preferência para alimentação e,ou, antibiose.

Preferência de Cotesia flavipes (Cameron, 1891) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) por lagartas de Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) alimentadas com diferentes cultivares de cana-de-açúcar

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a preferência do parasitoide Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) por lagartas de Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), alimentadas com diferentes cultivares de cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi conduzido em laboratório, em duas condições de alimentação, uma envolvendo lagartas de D. saccharalis, alimentadas em dieta artificial, e, a outra, com lagartas alimentadas em dieta artificial e mantidas temporariamente nos toletes dos cultivares de cana-de-açúcar. Os cultivares utilizados foram: SP80-1842 e SP81-3250, resistentes, e RB855536, suscetível à D. saccharalis. A preferência para oviposição das fêmeas de C. flavipes foi avaliada em testes com e sem chance de escolha, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e 15 repetições. Lagartas de D. saccharalis com 19 dias de idade foram oferecidas para fêmeas de C. flavipes, acasaladas e com 24 horas de idade, em ambos os testes. No teste com chance de escolha, utilizou-se um olfatômetro, o qual constou de quatro compartimentos, em cujo centro liberaram-se quatro fêmeas de C. flavipes, enquanto, no teste sem chance de escolha, foram utilizadas placas de Petri, no interior das quais se colocou uma lagarta de D. saccharalis, oriunda das duas condições de alimentação. Nestes testes, foi observada a percentagem de parasitismo e, continua-mente, o comportamento da primeira escolha de fêmeas de C. flavipes, em intervalos de zero a um, um a três, três a cinco, cinco a oito e de oito a dez minutos após as liberações. Lagartas de D. saccharalis, oriundas da alimentação em dieta artificial com colmos triturados dos cultivares, foram igualmente preferidas para atratividade de fêmeas do parasitoide C. flavipes. A percentagem de parasitismo de lagartas de D. saccharalis, criadas com dietas artificiais com colmos dos cultivares SP80-1042 e RB855536, foi igualmente parasitadas por C. flavipes.

Religião, ciência ou auto-ajuda? trajetos do Espiritismo no Brasil

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar certas configurações recentes do Espiritismo no Brasil. Tomando como ponto de partida a bibliografia produzida sobre o tema, chama-se atenção, em primeiro lugar, para a omissão desta quanto às relações estabelecidas entre o Espiritismo e o Catolicismo; em seguida, deslocando o foco para a situação contemporânea, analisa-se as novas interlocuções que vêm sendo estabelecidas pelo Espiritismo como estratégia de inovação da doutrina. Baseada em estudos de caso, essa discussão se constitui em torno de três personagens - Chico Xavier, Waldo Vieira e Luiz Antonio Gasparetto -, os quais sintetizam, por meio de seus percursos pessoais, formas diversas de expressão e/ou contestação da "tradição" espírita.

Prevalência de marcadores sorológicos de hepatite B numa pequena comunidade rural do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Foi realizado estudo epidemiológico com vistas a determinar a prevalência de marcadores sorológicos de hepatite B na população de um pequeno município, de características rurais, do Estado de São Paulo. Observou-se prevalência total de marcadores igual a 7,74%, com valores de HBsAg, anti-HBs e anti-HBc, respectivamente iguais a 0,10%, 1,69% e 7,64%. Ressalta-se a importância da determinação do anti-HBc em estudos epidemiológicos, bem como discute-se a relevância de se comparar a reduzida circulação viral, observada na área, com as elevadas prevalências verificadas em outras regiões, buscando assim levantar hipóteses acerca de mecanismos alternativos de transmissão.

Two-year follow-up study of elderly residents in S. Paulo, Brazil: methodology and preliminary results

INTRODUCTION: Previous cross-sectional studies have shown a high prevalence of chronic disease and disability among the elderly. Given Brazil’s rapid aging process and the obvious consequences of the growing number of old people with chronic diseases and associated disabilities for the provision of health services, a need was felt for a study that would overcome the limitations of cross-sectional data and shed some light on the main factors determining whether a person will live longer and free of disabling diseases, the so-called successful aging. The methodology of the first follow-up study of elderly residents in Brazil is presented. METHOD: The profile of the initial cohort is compared with previous cross-sectional data and an in-depth analysis of nonresponse is carried out in order to assess the validity of future longitudinal analysis. The EPIDOSO (‘Epidemiologia do Idoso’) Study conducted a two-year follow-up of 1,667 elderly people (65+), living in S. Paulo. The study consisted of two waves, each consisting of household, clinical, and biochemical surveys. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In general, the initial cohort showed a similar profile to previous cross-sectional samples in S. Paulo. There was a majority of women, mostly widows, living in multigenerational households, and a high prevalence of chronic illnesses, psychiatric disturbances, and physical disabilities. Despite all the difficulties inherent in follow-up studies, there was a fairly low rate of nonresponse to the household survey after two years, which did not actually affect the representation of the cohort at the final household assessment, making unbiased longitudinal analysis possible. Concerning the clinical and blood sampling surveys, the respondents tended to be younger and less disabled than the nonrespondents, limiting the use of the clinical and laboratory data to longitudinal analysis aimed at a healthier cohort. It is worth mentioning that gender, education, family support, and socioeconomic status were not important determinants of nonresponse, as is often the case.

Surtos de enfermidades transmitidas por alimentos causados por Salmonella Enteritidis

OBJETIVO: São descritos surtos de salmonelose notificados no período de julho de 1993 a junho de 1997 na região Noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, tendo em vista os vários surtos de veiculação alimentar ocasionados por Salmonella nessa região. MÉTODO: Foram obtidos 19 inquéritos epidemiológicos para análise de dados, 87 amostras de fezes e 38 amostras de alimentos, incluindo 12 de ovos para análise microbiológica. Cepas de Salmonella foram submetidas a sorotipagem, fagotipagem e teste de sensibilidade a 13 agentes antimicrobianos. RESULTADOS: Foram acometidas 906 pessoas com 295 hospitalizações. Cepas de Salmonella Enteritidis Fagotipo 4 foram isoladas de 80,5% das coproculturas, de todas amostras de alimentose de 41,7% dos ovos. Em 22 (95,7%) surtos os a salmonela foi veiculada por alimentos contendo ovos crus ou semicrus. Os testes de sensibilidade a antimicrobianos revelaram sensibilidade à maioria das cepas. CONCLUSÕES: Considerando os resultados obtidos, torna-se necessária a implantação e intensificação de medidas de controle na produção e armazenamento dos ovos, além da orientação à população quanto aos riscos no consumo inadequado desse alimento.

Hemorrhagic syndrome and Acute renal failure in a pregnant woman after contact with Lonomia caterpillars: a case report

A case of a 37-week pregnant woman who developed a hemorrhagic syndrome and acute renal failure after contact with Lonomia caterpillars is reported. The accident also initiated labour and the patient gave birth to an alive child. Some pathophysiological aspects of the genital bleeding and of the acute renal failure are discussed.

Nutritonal evaluation of pemphigus foliaceus patients on long term glucocorticoid therapy

Our objective was to compare food intake and nutritional status of Pemphigus Foliaceus patients (PG) on long term glucocorticoid therapy to a Control Group (CG). Fourteen PG female inpatients receiving prednisone (0.33 ± 0.22mg/kg) for at least 12 months and twelve CG subjects were submitted to nutritional evaluation, including anthropometry, urinary creatinine determination and serum biochemical measurements, besides 48-h-based food intake records. Groups were compared by Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and "t" tests. PG patients and CG were paired, respectively, in relation to age (24.7 ± 14.1 vs. 22.0 ± 12.0 years), body mass index (25.8 ± 6.4 vs. 24.0 ± 5.6kg/m2), daily protein intake (132.9 ± 49.8 vs. 95.2 ± 58.9g), and serum albumin (median; range) (3.8; 3.5-4.1 vs. 3.8; 3.6-5.0g/dl). However, PG patients had lower height-creatinine index (64.8 ± 17.6 vs. 90.1 ± 33.4%), and higher daily energy (3080 ± 1099 vs. 2187 ± 702kcal) and carbohydrate (376.8 ± 135.8 vs. 242.0 ± 80.7g) intakes. Despite high food, protein and energy consumption, PG patients on long term glucocorticoid therapy had lower body muscle mass than controls, while showing high body fat stores. These findings are possibly related to combined metabolic effects of long term corticotherapy and inflammatory disease plus corticosteroid-induced increased appetite.

Papular-purpuric "gloves and socks" syndrome due to parvovirus B19: report of a case with unusual features

We present a case of papular-purpuric "gloves and socks" syndrome (PPGSS) in an adult male with acute parvovirus B19 infection. The patient displayed the classical features of fever, oral lesions, and purpura on hands and feet, but the purpuric lesions on the feet evolved to superficial skin necrosis, a feature not previously described in this syndrome. We believe this is the first reported case of PPGSS occurring in Brazil.