Ocorrência do fungo entomopatogênico Isaria javanica (Frieder. & Bally) Samson & Hywell-Jones (Fungi, Sordariomycetes) em lagartas de Lonomia obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae, Hemileucinae)

Este fungo foi isolado pela primeira vez de lagartas de L. obliqua de uma agregação em plátano (Platanus acerifolia (Aiton) Wild - Platanaceae), em Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brasil. Após isolamento, purificação e caracterização, realizou-se um teste de patogenicidade com lagartas sadias de L. obliqua para corroborar, sua infectividade pelo postulado de Koch. Constatou-se correspondência morfológica e molecular entre o inóculo e o reisolado, comprovando sua patogenicidade a L. obliqua.

The renal and hepatic distribution of Bence Jones proteins depends on glycosylation: a scintigraphic study in rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate renal and liver distribution of two monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains. The chains were purified individually from the urine of patients with multiple myeloma and characterized as lambda light chains with a molecular mass of 28 kDa. They were named BJg (high amount of galactose residues exposed) and BJs (sialic acid residues exposed) on the basis of carbohydrate content. A scintigraphic study was performed on male Wistar rats weighing 250 g for 60 min after iv administration of 1 mg of each protein (7.4 MBq), as the intact proteins and also after carbohydrate oxidation. Images were obtained with a Siemens gamma camera with a high-resolution collimator and processed with a MicroDelta system. Hepatic and renal distribution were established and are reported as percent of injected dose. Liver uptake of BJg was significantly higher than liver uptake of BJs (94.3 vs 81.4%) (P<0.05). This contributed to its greater removal from the intravascular compartment, and consequently lower kidney accumulation of BJg in comparison to BJs (5.7 vs 18.6%) (P<0.05). After carbohydrate oxidation, there was a decrease in hepatic accumulation of both proteins and consequently a higher renal overload. The tissue distribution of periodate-treated BJg was similar to that of native BJs: 82.7 vs 81.4% in the liver and 17.3 vs 18.6% in the kidneys. These observations indicate the important role of sugar residues of Bence Jones proteins for their recognition by specific membrane receptors, which leads to differential tissue accumulation and possible toxicity

Nephrotoxicity of Bence-Jones proteins: interference in renal epithelial cell acidification

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acidification of the endosome-lysosome system of renal epithelial cells after endocytosis of two human immunoglobulin lambda light chains (Bence-Jones proteins, BJP) obtained from patients with multiple myeloma. Renal epithelial cell handling of two BJP (neutral and acidic BJP) was evaluated by rhodamine fluorescence. Renal cells (MDCK) were maintained in culture and, when confluent, were incubated with rhodamine-labeled BJP for different periods of time. Photos were obtained with a fluorescence microscope (Axiolab-Zeiss). Labeling density was determined on slides with a densitometer (Shimadzu Dual-Wavelength Flying-Spot Scanner CS9000). Endocytosis of neutral and acidic BJP was correlated with acidic intracellular compartment distribution using acridine orange labeling. We compared the pattern of distribution after incubation of native neutral and acidic BJP and after complete deglycosylation of BJP by periodate oxidation. The subsequent alteration of pI converted neutral BJP to acidic BJP. There was a significant accumulation of neutral BJP in endocytic structures, reduced lysosomal acidification, and a diffuse pattern of acidification. This pattern was reversed after total deglycosylation and subsequent alteration of the pI to an acidic BJP. We conclude that the physicochemical characteristics of BJP interfere with intracellular acidification, possibly explaining the strong nephrotoxicity of neutral BJP. Lysosomal acidification is fundamental for adequate protein processing and catabolism.

Detecção do gerenciamento de resultados pela análise do diferimento tributário

O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar se a análise do diferimento tributário aumenta signifi cativamente a detecção do gerenciamento de resultados nas companhias abertas brasileiras. Desenvolveu-se uma pesquisa empírica nos setores de mineração, siderurgia e metalurgia, e têxtil, durante o período de 2000 a 2004, utilizando-se as regressões probit e logit baseadas nos modelos Jones Modificado e Kang e Sivaramakrishnan (KS). Este estudo apresenta evidências de que a análise do diferimento tributário não aumenta o poder preditivo dos modelos analisados. Essa divergência pode ser explicada pelo fato de que a maioria dos trabalhos realizados foi direcionada ao contexto norte-americano, que supostamente apresenta diferentes fatores motivadores para o gerenciamento de resultados. Além disso, as diferenças das evidências empíricas no âmbito brasileiro podem ser originadas pelo uso da flexibilidade do método parcial de reconhecimento do diferimento dos tributos.

Book-tax differences e gerenciamento de resultados no mercado de ações do Brasil

Este estudo verifica a relação entre book-tax differences (BTD) e gerenciamento de resultado em companhias listadas na BM&FBovespa no período de 2005 a 2009. Metodologicamente, foram empregadas duas abordagens: (i) distribuição de frequências e (ii) accruals discricionários - Modelo Jones Modificado. Os achados indicam uma relação diretamente proporcional entre a BTD e os accruals discricionários. Foram identificadas evidências de que as entidades preponderantemente gerenciam seus resultados na mesma direção do sinal observado da BTD, além de buscarem apresentar o montante de BTD em nível e em variação em torno do ponto zero e desta forma evitar sinalizar baixa qualidade do lucro. Adicionalmente, foram encontradas evidências de que o tamanho da firma e a adoção do regime tributário de transição estão relacionados de forma inversamente proporcional ao nível dos accruals discricionários.

Hexachlorophene as a topically applied chemical for prophylaxis against Schistosoma mansoni infections in mice

Treatment of mouse tail skins with hexachlorophene (1.25% w/v) in absolute methanol or 70% isopropanol suppressed Schistosoma mansoni infections by more than 95% even when the application was performed up to three days prior to exposure to cercarial suspensions by tail immersion. Treatment with concentrations of 0.313% or higher one day prior to exposure provided at least 98% protection when the treated surface was not subjected to water washes of greater duration than 1/2 hour. Tail immersion application of 1.25% hexachlorophene one day prior to exposure still provided 87-92% protection after 3 hours water wash. Wipe application of 1.25% hexachlorophene three days prior to exposure still provided 93% protection following 3 hours water wash. High cercarial recoveries from exposure tubes at the end of exposure periods indicated high antipenetrant activity for hexachlorophene. Sufficient hexachlorophene leached from treated tail skins into the surrounding water to affect subsequently added cercariae so that they were no longer infective to untreated mice.

Prevalence of intestinal microsporidiosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected patients with diarrhea in major United States cities

To determine the prevalence of intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV-infected patients, we performed a prospective study of HIV-infected patients with diarrheal illnesses in three US hospitals and examined an observational database of HIV-infected patients in 10 US cities. Among 737 specimens from the three hospitals, results were positive for 11 (prevalence 1.5%); seven (64%) acquired HIV through male-to-male sexual contact, two (18%) through male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use, and one (9%) through heterosexual contact; one (9%) had an undetermined mode of transmission. Median CD4 count within six months of diagnosis of microsporidiosis was 33 cells/µL (range 3 to 319 cells/µL). For the national observational database (n = 24,098), the overall prevalence of microsporidiosis was 0.16%. Prevalence of microsporidiosis among HIV-infected patients with diarrheal disease is low, and microsporidiosis is most often diagnosed in patients with very low CD4+ cell counts. Testing for microsporidia appears to be indicated, especially for patients with very low CD4+ cell counts.

PATHOGENICITY OF Blastocystis sp. TO THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT OF MICE: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INOCULUM SIZE AND PERIOD OF INFECTION

The pathogenic potential of Blastocystis sp. in experimental models requires further investigation. In this work, the pathogenicity of this parasite in the gastrointestinal tract of male Swiss mice was evaluated according to the inoculum size and period of infection. Animals were infected intragastrically, with 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 Blastocystis sp. vacuolar forms obtained from a mixture of eight human isolates cultured axenically in Jones' medium. After seven, 14, 21, 28 and 60 days of infection, the animals were sacrificed and fragments of the small intestine (duodenum), large intestine, and cecum were subjected to histopathological analysis. Blastocystis sp. triggered an inflammatory response in the different tissues analyzed, with a predominance of mononuclear cells. The parasite was found in the muscular layer of the cecum, showing its invasive character. Larger inocula triggered inflammatory processes earlier (seven days) than smaller ones (from 21 days). We conclude that, in the proposed model, the pathogenicity of Blastocystis sp. isolates that were studied is related to inoculum size and period of infection.

Symptomless Plasmodium vivax parasitemias and malaria eradication in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

Thirty-nine symptomless carriers of P. vivax parasites in the blood gave blood films at monthly intervals for four to six months during the non- transmission season. It was found that parasitaemias can continue for many months. Thirteen of those studied relapsed with symptoms and were treated with chloroquine at a dosage of 600 mg for adults with proportionate doses for children. Of these nine relapsed silently while under observation: a symptomless relapse rate of approximately 70 per cent. One case had symptoms attributable to malaria close to the time of the original survey (the day before). Of the remaining 38 asymptomatic parasite carriers four showed microgametocytes in a density that suggested a potentially high infectivity and six showed microgametocytes in a density suggesting a potentially low to moderate infectivity for mosquito vectors. There was thus a proportion of one smptomatic case of malaria to 10 potentially infective symptomless parasite carriers. Because they feel no need to seek treatment, such persons may form an important reservoir of infection when vectors cannot be fully controlled by spraying. Some possible methods of dealing with such situations are discussed.

Estudo imunológico da esquistossomose mansoni intestinal antes e após tratamento com aminonitrotiazol

Foram dosadas as imunoglobulinas e realizados testes cutâneos para se avaliar o sistema imunológico de pacientes portadores da forma intestinal da esquistossomose mansoni. Estes testes foram realizados antes do tratamento com aminonitrotiazol e após trinta, sessenta e noventa dias do tratamento. Antes do tratamento o nível de IgG (1893 ± 472 mg%) apresentava-se elevado, mas os níveis de IgA (186 ± 74 mg%) e de IgM (91 ± 26 mg%) achavam-se normais. Decorridos trinta, sessenta e noventa dias do tratamento, o nível de IgG diminuiu, observando-se ligeira elevação de IgA bem como de IgM. Os pacientes, antes do tratamento, quando testados com schistosomina e anti IgE apresentaram áreas de 1,22 ± 0,36 cm² e 1,04 ± 0,25 cm², respectivamente. Noventa dias após o tratamento, as reações à schistosomina e ao soro anti IgE produziram reações com áreas ainda maiores. Os testes de hipersensibilidade retardada mostraram que 35% dos pacientes reagiram à schistosomina e 71% ao 2-4 dinitrofluorobenzeno.

Estudo do comportamento dos linfócitos derivados do timo em pacientes com pênfigo foliáceo na presença de levamisol

Foram estudados linfócitos T de pacientes portadores de pênfigo foliáceo em relação à sua capacidade de formar rosáceas "E'. diante de diferentes concentrações do imunopotenciador levamisol. O levamisol é uma substância que estimula formação de rosáceas de linfócitos T ativos em indivíduos normais. Os linfócitos de pacientes antes da corticoterapia sistêmica não responderam ao levamisol; já os linfócitos de pacientes em tratamento com corticóides tiveram inibida sua capacidade de formar rosáceas. Esses achados sugerem alteração no metabolismo celular dos linfócitos de pacientes penfigosos devido provavelmente a alguma falha no sistema enzimático dessas células envolvendo a fosfodiesterase do AMPc.

Leishmaniose mucocutânea humana em Três Braços, Bahia - Brasil: uma área de transmissão de Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis. III. Comprometimento mucoso e evolução inicial

Numa análise de 57 pacientes o acometimento da mucosa foi mais comumente observado em homens (77%) na terceira década de vida, embora fosse grande a variação das idades e ocorrendo mesmo o acometimento de duas crianças. Com a exceção de nove pacientes (16%) todos os outros tinham sinais de leishmaniose cutânea sendo que em somente oito (14%) de lesão era ativa. O acometimento do nariz foi observado em 100% de 19 pacientes que apresentavam lesões múltiplas e em 92% de 38 pacientes apresentando uma única lesão. A faringe, palato, laringe e lábio superior foram afetados nesta experiência. 42% dos pacientes com lesões múltiplas apresentavam acometimento da laringe sendo que em dois pacientes a única lesão existente apresentava-se neste ponto. Não foi observada qualquer diferença relacionada com a idade no que se referia à existencia de lesões únicas ou múltiplas. A duração do acometimento da mucosa variou de menos de 4 até 264 meses. Somente 7% desenvolveram o acometimento da mucosa após mais de dez anos o desenvolvimento da lesão cutânea. Os pacientes usualmente responderam ao tra-tamento adequado por antimonial embora em algumas exceções fosse usada amphotericina B. Morreram três pacientes que se recusaram a colaborar no tratamento. Dois anos após o tratamento observou-se positividade de anticorpos fluorescentes em somente 18% dos pacientes entre aqueles acompanhados.

The use of different concentrations of leishmanial antigen in skin testing to evaluate delayed hypersensitivity in american cutaneous leishmaniasis

Three concentrations of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis sonicated whole promastigote antigen (30, 9.6 and 3 ug N in 0.1 ml) wereprepared and 0.1 ml of each inoculated intradermally intopatients who live in one endemic leishmaniasis region in Brazil. Patients were divided into groups with active cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), healed cutaneous leishmaniasis (HCL), mucosal leishmaniasis (ML), and Controls (C). Skin reactions were recorded by measuring induration 48 hours after inoculation. Skin tests using 9.6 ugN/0.1 mlyielded the best diagnostic resultssince 97% of 30 patients with active lesions (cutaneous or mucosal) and 83% with HCL showed reactions of 5 mm orgreater as compared with 4% Controls. Tests using 30ug N/O. 1 ml causedan unacceptable levei of skin reactions with necrosis (10% of ACL patients tested and 17% of HCL, respectively). Tests using 3 ug N/O. 1 ml were less sensitive since only 87% of patients with active lesions and 68% with HCL had reactions of 5mm orgreater. The 3 ug N/O. 1 ml dose was utilized to ask the questions whether skin delayed hypersensitivity decreased with time after the initial lesion and whether mucosal involvement is associated with enhaced hypersensitivity to leishmanial antigen. Decreased delayed hypersensitivity was noted only in those patients who had an initial lesion more than 30 years ago. The mean induration of the reaction in 10 patients with ML was 11.3 mm ± 7.15, in 41 patients with HCL, 9.27 mm ± 6.78 and in 20patients with ACL 10. 7 mm ± 6.10 mm. The percent of patients with 5 mm orgreater induration was ML 80%, HCL 71%, ACL 90%. Thus, we could not confirm an association between enhanced delayed hypersensitivity and mucosal involvement in leishmaniasis.