Ring enhancing intracranial lesion responding to antituberculous treatment in an HIV-infected patient

Cerebral tuberculomas constitute a major differential diagnosis of cerebral toxoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in developing countries. We report the case of a 34-year old woman co-infected with HIV and possible disseminated tuberculosis (hepatitis, lymphadenopathy, and pleural effusion) who presented a large and solitary intracranial mass lesion. Despite extensive diagnostic efforts, including brain, ganglionar, and liver biopsies, no definitive diagnosis was reached. However, a trial with first-line antituberculous drugs led to a significant clinical and radiological improvement. Atypical presentations of cerebral tuberculomas should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial mass lesions in HIV-infected patients and a trial with antituberculous drugs is a valuable strategy to infer the diagnosis in a subset of patients.

Vegetation near Santa Teresinha, NE Mato Grosso.

The Santa Tenesinha region in northeaster Mato Grosso has a varied vegetation which is principally hammock pantanal. The flat clayey alluvial ground between the hummocks is coveted with a continuous non-cerrado ground cover dominated by grasses but which harbors sedges and a lange herb flora. No woody plants grow in it. The tops of the 10-20m wide, slightly elliptical hummocks, 1.5-2 m high, 10-40 per hectare, are covered with cerrado plants: herbs, semlshrubs, thin- and thick-stemmed shrubs and low trees. For 4-5 months during the latter part of the rainy season, the regional water table rises to the surface and the ground between the hummocks becomes saturated or floods up to 1.5-2 m deep. The tops of the hummocks almost always remain above high water level. In the dry season the surface soil dries out completely. This alternation of saturation or shallow flooding and dryness, prevents woody plant, growth between the hummocks, and except for a few tolerant species, also prevents woody plant. growth on the lower part of the hummochs. The gallery forests in the pantanal are seasonally flooded more deeply but their soil does not dry out so thonoughly in the dry season so woody plant growth is not prevented.

Small mammal abundances in isolated and non-isolated primary forest reserves near Manaus, Brazil

Abundances of msmall terrestrial mammals were estimated in 10 and 100-ha, isolated and non-isolated primary forest reserves near, Manaus, Brazil between October 1983 and March 1984. The smalt mammal abundance pattern In a 10 ha reserve isolated fan appoximately three years differed significantly from that in othen reserves, primarily due to higher capture rates of Marmosa cinerea, Rhipidomys mastacalis, and Onyzomys paricola in the isolated reserve. Viet type and re-invasion potential may be important factors the small mammal communities in forest patches. Variation the small mammal community among othen reserves was pnimanlty due to variatton In the abundances of Proechimys and 0. capito. At least pant of this vantation was attributable to temporal efects, but variation due to reserve effects also was suggested. Small mammals were much more abundant in the reserves during the present study than in 1982.

EARTHWORM ACTIVITY IN FOREST AND SAVANNA SOILS NEAR BOA VISTA, RORAIMA, BRAZIL

From May to December, 1992 we studied the earthworm activity, as part of the ECOFIT Program at Surrão ( 30km from Boa Vista), verifying the duration of the activity and quantifying it through the casts deposited on the soil surface. Three transects were stablished: a 100m long in the savanna, a 40m in the transitional area and 100m long in the forest. Specimens were collected monthly along the transects according to the method proposed by TSBF and the casts were collected from the squares previously placed on the transects. Two earthworm species were found in the three areas: Pontoscolex roraìmensis and Pontoscolex corethrurus. The first species depositing its casts on the soil surface. Rainy season wich usually occurs from April to August, determined the duration of activity for the two species (however, 1992 was atypical in that rainy season, only started in May). P. roraìmensis produced casts in the three areas from May to August followed by aestivation. In the savanna, P. corethrurus started aestivation in the same period as P. roraìmensis but remained active until November in the two other areas. P. roraìmensiswas found up 50m from the forest border, being associated to the presence of Curatella americana and Byrsonima sp, two typical savanna bushes.

On occurrence, habitat specificity and natural history of adult tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) near Manaus, Central Amazonia, and key to the larvae of tiger beetle genera

Over a seven year period from 1991 to 1997, 22 species of tiger beetles, representing nine genera, were recorded near Manaus, Brazil. In the Whitewaterfloodplains along the Rio Solimões-Amazonas (Ilha de Marchantaria), three diurnal species inhabit inundation forests and six species (two diurnal, four nocturnal) live in open areas. Data on their natural history and adaptation to living conditions in floodplains are presented. Fifteen species were located on non-flooded uplands (Reserva Florestal A. Ducke). Five diurnal species inhabit the forest floor, two species are canopy dwellers, and eight species (seven diurnal, one nocturnal) live in open areas on whitesand or laterite. Only one species, Pentacomia lacordairei, was found in both floodplain and upland forests. A key to the larvae of tiger beetle genera located near Manaus is presented.

Spatial and temporal distribution of a tiger beetle guild (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae) along a 105m long transect in the reserva florestal A. Ducke near Manaus (Central Amazonia)

The spatial and temporal distribution of a guild of eight diurnal tiger beetle species was studied on a 105 m long transect near the field station of the Reserva Florestal A. Ducke near Manaus (AM), Brazil. The transect followed a path that included both shaded and an open areas. Five of the species, restricted to primary forest, occurrred only in shaded areas of the transect, and three species occurred in open areas. Of all eight species only two of the open habitat species showed no clear seasonality in adult activity. In six species the activity of adults was limited to the rainy season. The most pronounced annual rhythm was found in Pentacomia ventralis, an open habitat species. Activity of adults was limited to October/November. First in-star larvae appeared shortly thereafter. Larval development mainly took place from January to May. The third instar larva entered a dormancy which lasted up to 10 months, and which enabled the synchronisation of emerging adults with annual seasons.

Female gender but not season of birth is associated with mood seasonality in a near-equatorial Brazilian city

OBJECTIVE: Studies conducted mainly in countries located in the Northern Hemisphere have shown that season of birth influences mood seasonality. Greater mood seasonality has been observed for individuals born during spring/summer months than those born during autumn/winter months. Expanding past research to the Southern Hemisphere, in this study we examine the influence of season of birth on mood seasonality in a sample of 1,247 healthy young Brazilians. METHOD: The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire was used to compute a global seasonality score as a measure of mood seasonality in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance was conducted to examine the effects of month of birth and gender on mood seasonality, with age entered as a covariate. A main effect of gender was observed, F (1, 1197) = 17.86, p < .01; partial Eta-squared = .02, with mood seasonality being higher for females (M = 8) than for males (M = 7). Contradicting previous findings, no significant main effect for month of birth was observed, F (1, 1197) = 0.65, p > .05. CONCLUSION: The unexpected finding is tentatively explained by differences in geographic location and weather fluctuations between the sampling location in Brazil and other countries where season of birth has been found to influence mood seasonality. Additional studies with larger samples from the Southern Hemisphere are necessary to shed additional light on the possible significant influence of season of birth on mood.

Mitral valve repair with a malleable bovine pericardium ring

OBJECTIVE: To describe a surgical procedure utilizing a malleable bovine pericardium ring in mitral valve repair and clinical and echodopplercadiographic results. METHODS: Thirty-two (25 female and 7 male) patients, aged between 9 and 66 (M=36.4±17.2) years, were studied over a 16-month period, with 100% follow-up. In 23 (72%) of the patients, the mitral approach was the only one applied; 9 patients underwent associated operations. The technique applied consisted of measuring the perimeter of the anterior leaflet and implanting, according to this measurement, a flexible bovine pericardium prosthesis for reinforcement and conformation of the posterior mitral annulus, reducing it to the perimeter of the anterior leaflet with adjustment of the valve apparatus. RESULTS: The patient survival ratio was 93.8%, with 2 (6.2%) fatal outcomes, one from unknown causes, the other due to left ventricular failure. Only one reoperation was performed. On echodopplercardiography, 88% of the patients had functional recovery of the mitral valve (50% without and 38% with mild insufficiency and no hemodynamic repercussions). Of four (12%) of the remaining patients, 6% had moderate and 6% had seigre insufficiency. Twenty-eight percent of class II patients and 72% of class III patients passed into classes I (65%), II (32%), and III (3%), according to NYHA classification criteria. CONCLUSION: Being flexible, the bovine pericardium ring fit perfectly into the valve annulus, taking into account its geometry and contractility. Valve repair was shown to be reproducible, demonstrating significant advantages during patient evolution, which did not require anticoagulation measures.

Obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract after mitral valvuloplasty with implantation of Gregori's ring

Mitral valvuloplasty is efficient for repairing mitral valve disease with few complications. In some cases, obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract may occur due to systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. We report the case of a patient with this complication and a pressure gradient between the left ventricle and the aorta of 130 mm Hg after mitral valvuloplasty with implantation of a Gregori's ring. The management was clinical with suspension of the vasoactive drugs and introduction of a beta-blocker. Two years after the surgery, the patient is asymptomatic and has a normal life.

Vascular Response of Ruthenium Tetraamines in Aortic Ring from Normotensive Rats

Background: Ruthenium (Ru) tetraamines are being increasingly used as nitric oxide (NO) carriers. In this context, pharmacological studies have become highly relevant to better understand the mechanism of action involved. Objective: To evaluate the vascular response of the tetraamines trans-[RuII(NH3)4(Py)(NO)]3+, trans-[RuII(Cl)(NO) (cyclan)](PF6)2, and trans-[RuII(NH3)4(4-acPy)(NO)]3+. Methods: Aortic rings were contracted with noradrenaline (10−6 M). After voltage stabilization, a single concentration (10−6 M) of the compounds was added to the assay medium. The responses were recorded during 120 min. Vascular integrity was assessed functionally using acetylcholine at 10−6 M and sodium nitroprusside at 10−6 M as well as by histological examination. Results: Histological analysis confirmed the presence or absence of endothelial cells in those tissues. All tetraamine complexes altered the contractile response induced by norepinephrine, resulting in increased tone followed by relaxation. In rings with endothelium, the inhibition of endothelial NO caused a reduction of the contractile effect caused by pyridine NO. No significant responses were observed in rings with endothelium after treatment with cyclan NO. In contrast, in rings without endothelium, the inhibition of guanylate cyclase significantly reduced the contractile response caused by the pyridine NO and cyclan NO complexes, and both complexes caused a relaxing effect. Conclusion: The results indicate that the vascular effect of the evaluated complexes involved a decrease in the vascular tone induced by norepinephrine (10−6 M) at the end of the incubation period in aortic rings with and without endothelium, indicating the slow release of NO from these complexes and suggesting that the ligands promoted chemical stability to the molecule. Moreover, we demonstrated that the association of Ru with NO is more stable when the ligands pyridine and cyclan are used in the formulation of the compound.

Estudos citológicos em Hemíoteros da família Coreidae

A more or less detailed study of the spermatogenesis in six species of Hemiptera belonging to the Coreid Family is made in the present paper. The species studied and their respective chromosome numbers were: 1) Diactor bilineatus (Fabr.) : spermatogonia with 20 + X, primary spermatocytes with 10 + X, X dividing equationaliv in the first division and passing undivided to one pole in the second. 2) Lcptoglossus gonagra (Fabr.) : spermatogonia with 20 + X, primary spermatocytes with 10 + X, X dividing equationally in the first division and passing undivided to one pole in the second. 3) Phthia picta (Drury) : spermatogonia with 20 + X, primary spermatocytes with 10 + X, X dividing equationally in the first division and passing undivided to one pole in the second. 4) Anisocelis foliacea Fabr. : spermatogonia with 26 + X fthe highest mumber hitherto known in the Family), primary .spermatocytes with 13 + X, X dividing equationally in the first division an passing undivided to one pole in the second. 5) Pachylis pharaonis (Herbtst) : spermatogonia with 16 + X, primary spermatocytes with 8 + X. Behaviour of the heteroehromosome not referred. 6) Pachylis laticornis (Fabr.) : spermatogonia with 14 + X, primary spermatocytes with 7 + X, X passing undivided to one pole in the first division and therefore secondary spermatocytes with 7 + X and 7 chromosomes. General results and conclusions a) Pairing modus of the chromosomes (Telosynapsis or Farasynapsis ?) - In several species of the Coreld bugs the history of the chromosomes from the diffuse stage till diakinesis cannot be follewed in detail due specially to the fact that lhe bivalents, as soon as they begin to be individually distinct they appear as irregular and extremely lax chromatic areas, which through an obscure process give rise to the diakinesis and then to the metaphase chomosomes. Fortunately I was able to analyse the genesis of the cross-shaped chromosomes, becoming thus convinced that even in the less favorable cases like that of Phthia, in which the crosses develop from four small condensation areas of the diffuse chromosomes, nothing in the process permit to interpret the final results as being due to a previous telosynaptic pairing. In the case of long bivalents formed by two parallel strands intimately united at both endsegments and more or less widely open in the middle (Leptoglossus, Pachylis), I could see that the lateral arms of the crosses originate from condensation centers created by a torsion or bending in the unpaired parts of the chromosomes In the relatively short bivalents the lateral branches of the cross are formed in the middle but in the long ones, whose median opening is sometimes considerable, two asymetrical branches or even two independent crosses may develop in the same pair. These observations put away the idea of an end-to-end pairing of the chromosomes, since if it had occured the lateral arms of the crosses would always be symetrical and median and never more than two. The direct observation of a side- toside pairing of the chromosomal threads at synizesis, is in foil agreement with the complete lack of evidence in favour of telosynapsis. b) Anaphasic bridges and interzonal connections - The chromosomes as they separate from each other in anaphase they remain connected by means of two lateral strands corresponding to the unpaired segmenas observed in the bivalents at the stages preceding metaphase. In the early anaphase the chromosomes again reproduce the form they had in late diafcinesis. The connecting threads which may be thick and intensely coloured are generally curved and sometimes unequal in lenght, one being much longer than the other and forming a loop outwardly. This fact points to a continuous flow of chromosomal substance independently from both chromosomes of the pair rather than to a mechanical stretching of a sticky substance. At the end of anaphase almost all the material which formed the bridges is reduced to two small cones from whose vertices a very fine and pale fibril takes its origin. The interzonal fibres, therefore, may be considered as the remnant of the anaphasic bridges. Abnormal behaviour of the anaphase chromosomes showed to be useful in aiding the interpretation of normal aspects. It has been suggested by Schrader (1944) "that the interzonal is nothing more than a sticky coating of the chromosome which is stretched like mucilage between the daughter chromosomes as they move further and further apart". The paired chromosomes being enclosed in a commom sheath, as they separate they give origin to a tube which becomes more and more stretched. Later the walls of the tube collapse forming in this manner an interzonal element. My observations, however, do not confirm Schrader's tubular theory of interzonal connections. In the aspects seen at anaphase of the primary spermatocytes and described in this paper as chromosomal bridges nothing suggests a tubular structure. There is no doubt that the chromosomes are here connected by two independent strands in the first division of the spermatocytes and by a single one in the second. The manner in which the chromosomes separate supports the idea of transverse divion, leaving little place for another interpretation. c) Ptafanoeomc and chromatoid bodies - The colourabtlity of the plasmosome in Diactor and Anisocelis showed to be highly variable. In the latter species, one may find in the same cyst nuclei provided with two intensely coloured bodies, the larger of which being the plasmosome, sided by those in which only the heterochromosome took the colour. In the former one the plasmosome strongly coloured seen in the primary metaphase may easily be taken for a supernumerary chromosome. At anaphase this body stays motionless in the equator of the cell while the chromosomes are moving toward the poles. There, when intensely coloured ,it may be confused with the heterochromosome of the secondary spermatocytes, which frequently occupies identical position in the corresponding phase, thus causing missinterpretation. In its place the plasmosome may divide into two equal parts or pass undivided to one cell in whose cytoplasm it breaks down giving rise to a few corpuscles of unequal sizes. In Pachylis pharaonis, as soon as the nuclear membrane breate down, the plasmosome migrates to a place in the periphery of the cell (primary spermatocyte), forming there a large chromatoid body. This body is never found in the cytoplasm prior to the dissolution of the nuclear membrane. It is certain that chromatoid bodies of different origin do exist. Here, however, we are dealing, undoubtedly, with true plasmosomes. d) Movement of the heterochromosome - The heterochromosome in the metaphase of the secondary spermatocytes may occupy the most different places. At the time the autosomes prient themselves in the equatorial plane it may be found some distance apart in this plane or in any other plane and even in the subpolar and polar regions. It remains in its place during anaphase. Therefore, it may appear at the same level with the components of one of the anaphase plates (synchronism), between both plates (succession) or between one plate and tbe pole (precession), what depends upon the moment the cell was fixed. This does not mean that the heterochromosome sometimes moves as quickly as the autosomes, sometimes more rapidly and sometimes less. It implies, on the contrary, that, being anywhere in the cell, the heterochromosome m he attained and passed by the autosomes. In spite of being almost motionless the heterochromosome finishes by being enclosed in one of the resulting nuclei. Consequently, it does move rapidly toward the group formed by the autosomes a little before anaphase is ended. This may be understood assuming that the heterochromosome, which do not divide, having almost inactive kinetochore cannot orient itself, giving from wherever it stays, only a weak response to the polar influences. When in the equator it probably do not perform any movement in virtue of receiving equal solicitation from both poles. When in any other plane, despite the greater influence of the nearer pole, the influence of the opposite pole would permit only so a slow movement that the autosomes would soon reach it and then leave it behind. It is only when the cell begins to divide that the heterochromosome, passing to one of the daughter cells scapes the influence of the other and thence goes quickly to join the autosomes, being enclosed with them in the nucleus formed there. The exceptions observed by BORING (1907) together with ; the facts described here must represent the normal behavior of the heterocromosome of the Hemiptera, the greater frequency of succession being the consequence of the more frequent localization of the heterochromosome in the equatorial plane or in its near and of the anaphase rapidity. Due to its position in metaphase the heterochromosome in early anaphase may be found in precession. In late anaphase, oh the contrary ,it appears almost always in succession. This is attributed to the fact of the heterochromosome being ordinairily localized outside the spindle area it leaves the way free to the anaphasic plate moving toward the pole. Moreover, the heterochromosome being a round element approximately of the size of the autosomes, which are equally round or a little longer in the direction of the movement, it can be passed by the autosomes even when it stands in the area of the spindle, specially if it is not too far from the equatorial plane. e) The kinetochore - This question has been fully discussed in another paper (PIZA 1943a). The facts treated here point to the conclusion that the chromosomes of the Coreidae, like those of Tityus bahiensis, are provided with a kinetochore at each end, as was already admitted by the present writer with regard to the heterochromosome of Protenor. Indeed, taking ipr granted the facts presented in this paper, other cannot be the interpretation. However, the reasons by which the chromosomes of the species studied here do not orient themselves at metaphase of the first division in the same way as the heterochromosome of Protenor, that is, with the major axis parallelly to the equatorial plane, are claiming for explanation. But, admiting that the proximity of the kinetochores at the ends of chromosomes which do not separate until the second division making them respond to the poles as if they were a single kinetochore ,the explanation follows. (See PIZA 1943a). The median opening of the diplonemas when they are going to the diffuse stage as well as the reappearance of the bivalents always united at the end-segments and open in the middle is in full agreement with the existence of two terminal kinetochores. The same can be said with regard to the bivalents which join their extremities to form a ring.

Species Diversity and Flagellate Infections in the Sand Fly Fauna near Porto Grande, State of Amapá, Brazil (Diptera: Psychodidae. Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae)

Forty-six species of Lutzomyia and one species of Brumptomyia were identified among 20,008 sand flies collected in central Amapá. L. squamiventris maripaensis, L. infraspinosa, L. umbratilis and L. ubiquitalis accounted for 66% of the specimens caught in light traps, and L. umbratilis was the commonest of the 16 species found on tree bases. Seven species of Lutzomyia including L. umbratilis were collected in a plantation of Caribbean pine. Sixty out of 511 female sand flies dissected were positive for flagellates. Among the sand flies from which Leishmania was isolated, promastigotes were observed in the salivary glands and foregut of 13 out of 21 females scored as having very heavy infections in the remainder of the gut, reinforcing the idea that salivary gland invasion may be part of the normal life cycle of Leishmania in nature. Salivary gland infections were detected in specimens of L. umbratilis, L. whitmani and L. spathotrichia. Parasites isolated from L. umbratilis, L. whitmani and also from one specimen of L. dendrophyla containing the remains of a bloodmeal, were compatible with Le. guyanensis by morphology and behaviour in hamsters.

Trichurid nematodes in ring-necked pheasants from backyard flocks of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: frequency and pathology

The present investigation is related to the frequency of infection and to the gross and microscopic lesions associated to the presence of trichurid worms in 50 ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) from backyard flocks in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the investigated birds, the overall infection rate was of 74%, with the presence of Eucoleus perforans with 72% of prevalence and 21.2 of mean intensity, in the esophageal and crop mucosa and rarely in the junction of the proventriculus and esophagus, E. annulatus with 2% and 3 in the crop mucosa, Capillaria phasianina, with 12% and 4.3 in the cecum and small intestine and Baruscapillaria obsignata, for the first time referred in this host, with 2% and 1 in the small intestine. Clinical signs were absent. The gross lesions observed in the crop and esophagus of 14 (38.9%) pheasants parasitized with E. perforans were thickening, small nodules, congestion, and petechial haemorrhages in the mucosa. These birds presented a mean infection of 37.5 and a range of infection of 10-82. The microscopic lesions revealed chronic esophagitis with diffuse inflammatory process in the lamina propria characterized mostly by a mononuclear cell infiltrate and also with the presence of granulocytes. In the case of the parasitism of pheasants with C. phasianina, the gross lesions were absent; microscopic lesions were characterized by chronic typhlitis with mononuclear infiltrate. Gross and microscopic lesions were absent in the pheasants parasitized with E. annulatus and B. obsignata.

Anti-leishmanial and structure-activity relationship of ring substituted 3-phenyl-1-(1,4-di-N-oxide quinoxalin-2-yl)-2-propen-1-one derivatives

A series of ring substituted 3-phenyl-1-(1,4-di-N-oxide quinoxalin-2-yl)-2-propen-1-one derivatives were synthesized and tested for in vitro leishmanicidal activity against amastigotes of Leishmania amazonensis in axenical cultures and murine infected macrophages. Structure-activity relationships demonstrated the importance of a radical methoxy at position R3', R4' and R5'. (2E)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl)-1-(3,6,7-trimethyl-1,4-dioxy-quinoxalin-2-yl)-propenone was the most active. Cytotoxicity on macrophages revealed that this product was almost six times more active than toxic.

Response to treatment in Brazilian patients with chronic hepatitis C is associated with a single-nucleotide polymorphism near the interleukin-28B gene

A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) upstream of interleukin (IL)28B was recently identified as an important predictor of the outcome of chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the IL28B gene polymorphism (rs12979860) and virological response in chronic hepatitis C patients. Brazilian patients (n = 263) who were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and were receiving PEG-IFN/RBV were genotyped. Early virological response (EVR) (12 weeks), end-of-treatment response (EOTR) (48 weeks), sustained virological response (SVR) (72 weeks) and relapse were evaluated using conventional and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The frequency of the C allele in the population was 39%. Overall, 43% of patients experienced SVR. The IL28B CC genotype was significantly associated with higher treatment response rates and a lower relapse rate compared to the other genotypes [84% vs. 58% EVR, 92% vs. 63% EOTR, 76% vs. 38% SVR and 17% vs. 40% relapse rate in CC vs. other genotypes (CT and TT), respectively]. Thus, the IL28B genotype appears to be a strong predictor of SVR following PEG-IFN/RBV therapy in treatment-naïve Brazilian patients infected with HCV genotype 1. This study, together with similar research examining other SNPs, should help to define adequate protocols for the treatment of patients infected with HCV genotype 1, especially those with a poor prognosis.