Inter-specific and developmental differences on the array of antennal chemoreceptors in four species of triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

The aim of the work was to investigate the pattern of chemoreceptor sensilla in adults and fifth stage nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus, R. neglectus, Triatoma infestans and T. sordida in order to study differences and similarities between genera and species. Three types of sensilla were analyzed by light microscopy: thin-walled trichoidea, thick-walled trichoidea and basiconica. The number of sensilla of each three types were counted. The length of the antennal segments were also used as a variable for the analysis. The statistical analysis showed that the number of these antennal chemoreceptors had significant differences between species and between adults and nymphs of each species. Discriminant analysis separates incompletely the fifth stage nymphs of the four species and showed similarity between them. Discriminant analysis performed with 12 variables of the antennae, allowed a complete separation of the adults of the four species.

Anti-mycobacterial treatment reduces high plasma levels of CXC-chemokines detected in active tuberculosis by cytometric bead array

Chemokines recruit and activate leukocytes, assisting granuloma formation. Herein, we evaluated plasma chemokines in patients with active tuberculosis (ATB) and after completing treatment (TTB) and compared them to BCG-vaccinated healthy controls (HC). Levels of chemokines were measured by cytometric bead array. Levels of CXCL8, CXCL9 and CXCL10 were higher in ATB patients compared to HC, but they decreased in TTB. Levels of CCL2 and CCL5 in ATB patients were similar to those observed in HC. Thus, the high levels of CXC-chemokines detected during ATB, which can modulate the trafficking of immune cells from the periphery to the site of infection, were reversed by anti-mycobacterial treatment.

Colesteatoma: utilidade da sequência de difusão sem echo-planar

Colesteatomas são lesões císticas congênitas ou adquiridas que acometem as orelhas e que podem apresentar padrões típicos aos estudos de tomografia computadorizada, em função de suas características expansivas e tendência a promover erosão óssea. Entretanto, particularmente nos casos de resíduo ou recorrência pós-cirúrgica, a distinção entre colesteatoma e tecido inflamatório pode ser bastante difícil e, não raro, impossível com base somente nos achados tomográficos. A avaliação por ressonância magnética pode ser útil, particularmente neste contexto, uma vez que as sequências pós-contraste obtidas tardiamente e a difusão podem demonstrar padrões distintos nestas duas situações. Os artefatos condicionados pela interface ar/osso na região das mastoides podem limitar bastante a utilização da sequência de difusão echo-planar. A sequência de difusão sem echo-planar é uma alternativa na solução deste problema por estar menos sujeita a este tipo de artefato, fornecendo ainda imagens com maior resolução espacial e com espessuras de corte mais finas, as quais permitem a detecção de colesteatomas de pequenas dimensões.

Conformações distorcida e planar do anel porfirínico em complexos e hemoproteínas: propriedades físico-químicas e implicações espectroscópicas

The different conformations of porphyrin rings are strongly related with the electronic configurations of the metallic center in the ferriheme coordination compounds and heme proteins. The usual electronic configuration, (d xy)²(d xz,d yz )³ presents a planar conformation of the porphyrin ring and the less common electronic configuration (d xz,d yz)4(d xy )¹ occurs in the case of a strongly ruffled ring. These states are responsible for distinct chemical and spectroscopic properties of the porphyrin systems. The importance of the ring conformations, their characteristics, implications and applications are discussed.

Determinação do íon ferro em preparações farmacêuticas através da cromatografia planar e espectrofotometria

Os autores estudaram o comportamento cromatográfico de preparações farmacêuticas comerciais contendo o íon Fe (II). Utilizando celulose microcristalina/Propanol: ácido clorídrico 4 N: ácido acético concentrado: ácido nítrico concentrado: clorofórmio (40: 5: 5: 10: 10), como sistema cromatográfico e alizarina como reagente de detecção, Fe (II), Mn (II), Mg (II), Cu (II), Zn (II) e Ca (II) foram separados e identificados pela Cromatografia Planar. O Fe (II) foi determinado pela reação com a ortofenantrolina, resultando em solução adequada para quantificação colorimétrica.

Cyanobacterial occurrence and detection of microcystin by planar chromatography in surface water of Billings and Guarapiranga Reservoirs, SP, Brazil

Billings and Guarapiranga Reservoirs were deeply affected by environmental disturbances, which more evident consequence are the cyanobacterial blooms. Microcystins are the most common cyanotoxin in freshwaters and more than 70 types are known. Different methods for microcystins analysis in water can be used, among which ELISA and HPLC are the most frequently employed. However, less sophisticated and more economic methods can also be used. This is the case of planar chromatography (thin-layer chromatography) method previously used in cyanotoxins purification but gradually replaced by others. Posterior optimization of the microcystin chromatography conditions and because of its simplicity, rapidity, efficiency and low cost, this method is again considered an option for the analysis of microcystins and nodularins. Considering the importance of Billings and Guarapiranga Reservoirs for drinking water supplies and the few scientific data about cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in these water bodies, the aims of this work are to analyze the biodiversity of cyanobacteria in the Billings and Guarapiranga Reservoirs and the detection of dissolved microcystins in the water. It was possible to identify 17 species of cyanobacteria, 9 of them being potentially toxic. In Billings Reservoir Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya & Subba Raju are the most common species, while in Guarapiranga Reservoir only M. aeruginosa was considered as a common species. Microcystins were detected in all Billings Reservoir samples and in only one sample from Guarapiranga Reservoir.

Methodological approaches to planar and volumetric scintigraphic imaging of small volume targets with high spatial resolution and sensitivity

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a non-invasive imaging technique, which provides information reporting the functional states of tissues. SPECT imaging has been used as a diagnostic tool in several human disorders and can be used in animal models of diseases for physiopathological, genomic and drug discovery studies. However, most of the experimental models used in research involve rodents, which are at least one order of magnitude smaller in linear dimensions than man. Consequently, images of targets obtained with conventional gamma-cameras and collimators have poor spatial resolution and statistical quality. We review the methodological approaches developed in recent years in order to obtain images of small targets with good spatial resolution and sensitivity. Multipinhole, coded mask- and slit-based collimators are presented as alternative approaches to improve image quality. In combination with appropriate decoding algorithms, these collimators permit a significant reduction of the time needed to register the projections used to make 3-D representations of the volumetric distribution of target’s radiotracers. Simultaneously, they can be used to minimize artifacts and blurring arising when single pinhole collimators are used. Representation images are presented, which illustrate the use of these collimators. We also comment on the use of coded masks to attain tomographic resolution with a single projection, as discussed by some investigators since their introduction to obtain near-field images. We conclude this review by showing that the use of appropriate hardware and software tools adapted to conventional gamma-cameras can be of great help in obtaining relevant functional information in experiments using small animals.

Estudo anatômico da cóclea para confecção de instrumental para a cirurgia de implante coclear com 2 feixes de eletrodos em cócleas ossificadas

A ossificação da cóclea, decorrente principalmente de meningite, impede a inserção completa do implante coclear convencional. Os implantes com 2 feixes de eletrodos mais curtos do que o convencional foram desenvolvidos especialmente para cócleas ossificadas. Porém, durante essa cirurgia há um grande risco de lesão da artéria carótida interna (ACI). Portanto, a medida da profundidade das cocleostomias para inserir os dois feixes de eletrodos aumentaria a segurança desse procedimento. OBJETIVOS: 1) Obter as distâncias entre as cocleostomias e a ACI em ossos temporais de cadáver; 2) Confeccionar instrumento que possa ser usado na cirurgia de implante coclear com 2 feixes de eletrodos. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Experimental prospectivo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Em 21 ossos de cadáveres foi realizada: 1) mastoidectomia cavidade aberta; 2) cocleostomias nos giros basal e médio da cóclea; 3) identificação da ACI; 4) medida da distância entre as cocleostomias e a artéria. RESULTADOS: A medida média ± desvio padrão obtida para o túnel superior foi 8,2 ± 1,1mm e para o túnel inferior foi 8,1± 1,3mm. A menor distância encontrada foi 6,5mm para o túnel superior e 6,0mm para o túnel inferior. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar dos parâmetros calculados concluímos que a melhor medida para ser considerada na confecção do instrumento cirúrgico serão as mínimas medidas obtidas em cada um dos giros cocleares, pois é a maneira mais segura para evitar a lesão da ACI, que pode ser fatal.