The Paranuclear corpuscles in poikilothermic vertebrates: description of a new species of Pirhemocyton in Iguana iguana of Venezuela, with remarks on the nature of these organisms and their relation to applied parasites

This paper discusses the relations between the genera Toddia and Pirhemocyton, describing certain cytochemical reactions that clarify their nature, and discussing the position of these organisms as being of a parasitic or viral nature. A new species of Pirhemocyton is described form Iguana iguana from Mamo, Marapa (Dto. Federal) of Venezuela; characterized by rectangular globoids with rounded borders. Attempts at experimental infections of other genera of lizerds indicate that the new species, Pirhemocyton iguanae, is specific to the natural host, Iguana iguana. The course of the parasitemia in the lizard is described.

Subtelomeric structure of Plasmodium falciparum chromosomes

Previous studies of subtelomeric regions in Plasmodium berghei led to the identification of subtelomeric repeats (2.3kb long) present in a variable number at many chromosomal ends. Both loss and increase in 2.3kb-repeat copy number are involved in chromosome-size polymorphisms. Subtelomeric losses leading to chromosome-size polymorphisms have been described by several authors in P.falciparum where the structure of subtelomeric regions is not known in detail. We therefore undertook their characterisation, by means of chromosome walking and jumping techniques, starting from the telomere-flanking sequence present in pPftel.1, the P.falciparum telomeric clone described by Vernick and McCutchan (1988). The results indicate that at least 20 (out of 28) chromosomal ends in P.falciparum 3D7 chromosomes share a subtelomeric region, about 40kb long, covering (but not limited to) the Rep20 region. Non repetitive, AT-rich portions flanking the Rep20 region on both sides are also conserved at most chromosomal ends.

Padrão atípico de secreção de cortisol em profissionais de Enfermagem

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever a frequência de profissionais de enfermagem de unidades hospitalares com alteração no padrão diurno de secreção de cortisol. Método Foram incluídos 56 profissionais de enfermagem randomicamente selecionados, alocados nas unidades ambulatório, clínica médica, clínica cirúrgica, centro cirúrgico, pronto socorro infantil e adulto, unidade de terapia intensiva adulto e pediátrica de um hospital universitário. Para avaliação do padrão diurno de secreção de cortisol foram coletadas amostras de saliva em dois dias úteis consecutivos de trabalho. Resultados 42,5% dos profissionais de enfermagem apresentaram padrão atípico de secreção de cortisol. Além disso, quanto maior o tempo de trabalho na profissão, maior a concentração de cortisol (r=0,346; p=0,020). Conclusão Mais de um terço da amostra de profissionais de enfermagem apresentou padrões atípicos de secreção de cortisol, sugerindo que estes profissionais podem estar expostos a uma sobrecarga não apenas mental, mas biológica, estando expostos ao risco para o adoecimento por doenças relacionadas ao estresse.

On the genera Allomachilis Silvestri, 1906, and Kuschelochilis Wygodzinsky, 1951 (Insecta: Microcoryphia)

The objective of this study was to revise the nominal, and only described, species of the genera Allomachilis Silvestri, 1906, from Australia, and Kuschelochilis Wygodzinsky, 1951, from Chile (Microcoryphia: Meinertellidae). The studied specimens came from the collections deposited in the: American Museum of Natural History (USA); Instituto di Entomologia Agraria dell'Università di Portici (Italy); South Australian Museum (Australia); Carmen Bach collection of the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (Spain); and the entomology collection of the Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical (Portugal). The revision of the nominal species of the genera Allomachilis and Kuschelochilis allows to consider the Neotropical genus a junior synonym of the Australian one.

Mites fluctuation population on peach tree (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) and in associated plants

Despite the importance of peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) in Rio Grande do Sul, little is known about mites fluctuation population considered important to this crop. The objective of this study was to know the population diversity and fluctuation of mite species associated with Premier and Eldorado varieties in Roca Sales and Venâncio Aires counties, Rio Grande do Sul. The study was conducted from July 2008 to June 2009 when 15 plants were randomly chosen in each area. The plants were divided in quadrants and from each one a branch was chosen from which three leaves were removed: one collected in the apical region, another in the medium and the other in the basal region, totalizing 180 leaves/area. Five of the most abundant associated plants were collected monthly in enough amounts for the screening under the stereoscopic microscope during an hour. A total of 1,124 mites were found belonging to 14 families and 28 species. Tetranychus ludeni Zacher, 1913, Panonychus ulmi (Koch, 1836) and Mononychellus planki (McGregor, 1950) were the most abundant phytophagous mites, whereas Typhlodromalus aripo Deleon, 1967 and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks, 1904) the most common predatory mites. The period of one hour under stereoscopic microscope was enough to get a representative sample. In both places evaluated the ecologic indices were low, but little higherin Premier (H' 0.56; EqJ: 0.43) when compared to Eldorado (H' 0.53; EqJ 0.40). In Premier constant species were not observed and accessory only Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939), T. ludeni and T. aripo. Higher abundance was observed in December and January and bigger amount in April. Already in Eldorado, T. ludeni and P. ulmi were constants. Greater abundance was observed in November and December, whereas grater richness in December and January. In both orchards were not found mites in buds. Tetranychus ludeni is the most abundant phytophagous mites with outbreak population in November, December and January and high predator diversity was observed on associated plants and on peach plants, indicating the existence of species mobility in peach orchard.

Development of new dissolution test and HPLC-RP method for anti-parasitic ornidazole coated tablets

This work aimed the development and validation of a new dissolution test for ornidazole coated tablets. The dissolution conditions were determined after testing Sink conditions, dissolution medium, apparatus, stirring speed, 24 h stability and medium filtration influence. The best conditions were paddle at a stirring speed of 75 rpm and 900 mL of 0.1 M HCl. A new HPLC quantification method was developed and validated. The dissolution test and quantification method showed to be adequate for their purposes and could be applied for quality control of ornidazole coated tablets, since there is no official monograph.

Desenvolvimento de método analítico para quantificação do efavirenz por espectrofotometria no UV-Vis

An UV-Vis spectrophotometry analytical method for quantifying Efavirenz was developed and validated as an alternative to replace the HPLC current method. The report method presents sample concentration of 10 μg mL-1, dissolved in a solution ethanol:water (60:40, v/v), economic and technically adequate for the purpose adopted. The results and the statistical treated proved that the method being considered an precise and accurate analytical low cost alternative for laboratory routine. The adaptability of this method in product and other analytical methods development has been challenged by mathematical calculation of drug extinction coefficient in water and methanol and practical experiments, showing interesting results.

Improving the solubility of the antichagasic drug benznidazole through formation of inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins

This study describes unpublished research on improving the solubility of benznidazole by the formation of an inclusion complex. The cyclodextrins selected were αCD, βCD, γCD, HPβCD, RMβCD and SBβCD. All complexes were obtained in solution, presenting 1:1 stoichiometry according to the phase solubility diagram. The highest association constants were obtained with RMβCD and SBβCD, being selected for attainment of solid state complexes. These were characterized using XRD, SEM and dissolution test. The data obtained suggest the formation of complexes and indicate that these may provide a promising alternative way of developing solid doses of drug with suitable biopharmaceutical properties.

Cytogenetics of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Glomerella cingulata f. sp. phaseoli)

Cytogenetic and morphological studies were conducted with Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Glomerella cingulata f. sp. phaseoli), the pathogen responsible for anthracnose of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). In this species, there is some evidence of genomic variation but it is unknown whether the process occurs in a manner similar to other fungal genetic models. Six isolates from bean plants were used and sexual reproduction was observed in vitro. Meiosis and ascospore formation were investigated by cytogenetical approaches and light microscopy. To study the nucleus and chromosome numbers, a mixture of carmine and orcein propionic dyes was used. Nucleus divisions as well as ascospore maturation were asynchronous. Meiosis was observed in three isolates. In the asexual form, chromosomal polymorphism in conidia was also observed microscopically and the mitosis process was described.

Compatibilidade sexual e vegetativa do complexo Glomerella-Colletotrichum associado a sementes de algodão

Colletotrichum gossypii (Cg) (Glomerella gossipii) e Colletotrichum gossypii var. cephalosporioides (Cgc) são agentes etiológicos da antracnose e da ramulose no algodoeiro (Gossypium hirsutum). Ambos os patógenos são encontrados na forma mitospórica na natureza e a diferenciação entre eles é feita principalmente a partir dos sintomas das doenças causadas. O presente trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de verificar a ocorrência de reações de compatibilidade sexual e incompatibilidade vegetativa entre e dentro de isolados de Cg e Cgc e avaliar alguns aspectos citológicos das formas de esporulação. Pelos resultados, observou-se existência de grande variabilidade dentro dessa espécie. Os conídios diferiram em tamanho em todos os isolados, sendo encontrados conídios bi- e trinucleados. Em cultura, nas áreas de contato (entre as hifas), foram observadas reações de incompatibilidade vegetativa tanto entre quanto dentro dos isolados. Em apenas um dos isolados avaliados ocorreu reprodução sexuada de forma espontânea, sugerindo comportamento homotálico.