Diagnosis of Giardia infections by PCR-based methods in children of an endemic area

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Micronucleus test and observation of nuclear alterations in erythrocytes of Nile tilapia exposed to waters affected by refinery effluent

Micronuclei and nuclear alterations tests were performed on erythrocytes of Oreochromis niloticus (Perciformes, Cichlidae) in order to evaluate the water quality from Paraiba do Sul river, in an area affected by effluents from an oil shale processing plant, located in the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil-SP. Water samples were collected on 2004 May and August (dry season) and on 2004 November and 2005 January (rain season), in three distinct sites, comprising 12 samples. It was possible to detect substances of clastogenic and/or aneugenic potential, as well as cytotoxic substances, chiefly at the point corresponding to the drainage of oil shale plant wastes along the river. The highest incidence of micronuclei and nuclear alterations was detected during May and August, whereas the results obtained in November and January were insignificant. This work shows that the effluent treatment provided by the oil shale plant was not fully efficient to minimize the effect of cytotoxic and mutagenic substances in the test organism surveyed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

To be or not to be . . . a flower? A test of possible cues influencing hunting site selection in subadult females of the crab spider Epicadus heterogaster (Guerin 1812) (Araneae: Thomisidae)

Females of some Thomisidae species are known to use visual and olfactory stimuli to select high quality hunting sites. However, because studies about foraging behavior in this family are concentrated on a few species, the comprehension of the process related to hunting behavior evolution in crab spiders may be biased. In this study we investigated the hunting site selection of a previously unstudied crab spider, Epicadus heterogaster. We performed three experiments to evaluate the hypothesis that subadult females are able to use visual and olfactory stimuli to select hunting sites. In the first experiment, females did not preferentially select flower paper models that matched their body coloration. However, after choosing a model that had the same body color as the spider, they remained on it for longer periods than on models with different colors. In the second experiment, females did not discriminate between flower paper models, natural flower models and crumpled paper models. Females did also not discriminate among different olfactory stimuli in the third experiment. It is possible that subadult females of E. heterogaster need to establish and experience a given hunting site before evaluating its quality. However, it remains to be investigated if they use UV cues to select a foraging area before experiencing it.

Desenvolvimento inicial da parte aérea e do sistema radicular do guandu, Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp

O desenvolvimento das cultivares de guandu IAC-Fava Larga (C1), ICP-7035 (C3) e daiinhagem IAC-87318 (C2) foi estudado em três idades, aos 14,28 e 42 dias após a semeadura, em casa de vegetação. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: altura (cm), número de folhas, área foliar (dm²), densidade de raízes (cm de raiz/cm³ de substrato) e massa seca (g) de caules, lâminas foliares e raízes. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. As médias das medidas de crescimento das cultivares foram comparadas entre si, pelo teste de Tukey, em cada idade, tendo a cultivar C2 apresentado maior crescimento do sistema radicular e da parte aérea, aos 14, 28 e 42 dias. As cultivares C3 e C1, apresentaram plântulas menos vigorosas e com menor quantidade de raízes. Os sistemas radiculares de C1, C2 e C3 alcançaram cerca de 60cm de profundidade, aos 14 dias, e os de C2 e C3 no final do experimento, aos 42 dias, quando atingiram 100cm.

Influence of culture media in viability test of conidia of entomopathogenic fungi

O presente trabalho objetivou investigar se meios de cultura utilizados em teste de viabilidade afetam a germinação de conídios de cinco isolados de Lecanicillium lecanii, cinco de Beauveria bassiana e quatro de Paecilomyces fumosoroseus. Os testes foram realizados em lâminas de microscopia contendo um dos seguintes meios de cultura: Ágar-água (AA), Meio Mínimo (MM), Batata, dextrose e ágar (BDA), Batata, dextrose, ágar e 1% de extrato de levedura (BDAL), Sabouraud, dextrose, ágar e extrato de levedura (SDAL) e Meio Completo (MC). Delimitaram-se três áreas por lâmina e em cada uma aplicou-se 0,05mL de uma suspensão com concentração de 5,5 x 105 conídios ml-1. Para cada isolado foi realizado um bioensaio, com seis tratamentos e cinco repetições. Avaliou-se a germinação 15 horas após incubação, a 26±0,5ºC. Os meios de cultura influíram na capacidade de germinação das três espécies estudadas, ocorrendo variações inter e intraespecíficas. Verificou-se que os meios Completo e BDA proporcionaram as maiores porcentagens de germinação dos isolados de L. lecanii, sendo que e as menores foram obtidas nos meios SDAL e AA. Os meios ricos em nutrientes (BDA, BDAL e Completo) favoreceram a germinação dos isolados de B. bassiana, o que não ocorreu com os meios pobres (AA e MM). Nos meios Completo e BDA foram obtidas as maiores porcentagens de germinação dos isolados de P. fumosoroseus. As menores percentagens, por sua vez, foram obtidas no meio SDAL. Entretanto, alguns isolados apresentaram alta germinação em meios pobres em nutrientes (AA e MM).

Evaluation of a novel kit (TF-test) for the diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections

Intestinal parasitic infections are currently a source of concern for Public Health agencies in developing and developed countries. Since three ovum-and-parasite stool examinations have been demonstrated to provide sensitive results, we designed a practical and economical kit (TF-Test) that is now commercially available (Immunoassay Com. Ind. Ltda., S (a) over tildeo Paulo, Brazil). This kit allows the separate collection of three fecal specimens into a preservative solution. The specimens are then pooled, double-filtered, and concentrated by a single rapid centrifugation process. The TF-Test was evaluated in four different laboratories in a study using 1,102 outpatients and individuals living in an endemic area for enteroparasitosis. The overall sensitivity found using the TF-Test (86.2-97.8%) was significantly higher (P<0.01) than the sensitivity of conventional techniques such as the Coprotest (NIL Comercio Exterior Ltda, São Paulo, Brazil) and the combination of Lutz/Hoffman, Faust, and Rugai techniques (De Carli, Diagnostico Laboratorial das Parasitoses Humanas. Metodos e Tecnicas, 1994), which ranged from 48.3% to 75.9%. When the above combined three specimen technique was repeated with three specimens collected on different days, its sensitivity became similar (P > 0.01) to that of the TF-Test. The kappa index values of agreement for the TF-Test were consistent (P < 0.01), being higher and ranking in a better position than conventional techniques. The high sensitivity, cost/benefit ratio, and practical aspects demonstrate that the TF-Test is suitable for individual diagnosis, epidemiological inquiries, or evaluation of chemotherapy in treated communities. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Increased corticosterone levels in mice subjected to the rat exposure test

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Trypanosoma vivax infection dynamics in a cattle herd maintained in a transition area between Pantanal lowlands and highlands of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Trypanosoma vivax outbreaks in beef cattle in the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, causes relevant economical impact due to weight loss, abortion and mortality. Cattle moved from the Pantanal to adjacent areas of this ecosystem for breeding and fattening is a common feature. Therefore an epidemiological study on breeding cows in the transition area between Pantanal lowland and adjacent highlands of Mato Grosso do Sul was performed to determine the T. vivax infection dynamics and outbreak risk. Three experimental groups were formed: Group 1 consisted of cows parasitologically negative by the Woo test and in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for T. vivax antibody detection (Tv-ELISA-Ab); Group 2 parasitologically negative and positive in the Tv-ELISA-Ab; and in Group 3 cows were parasitologically positive and with positive reactions in the Tv-ELISA-Ab. During 24 months, the cows' dislodgment between the above established groups was monitored by Woo test and Tv-ELISA-Ab exams. The tabanid population was also monitored and the highest number occurred during the rainy season. Although parasitemias were detected only in the first four samplings of the experimental period, the cows could be considered as trypanotolerant, because no clinical signs were observed. Despite the higher T. vivax incidence during the dry season, no disease symptoms were seen. Even though T. vivax epidemiological situation in the herd was characterized as endemic with seasonal variation, the probability of outbreaks was null within the conditions of the study.

Relationship between dog culling and incidence of human visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic area

Domestic dogs are the main reservoirs of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in urban areas; one of the control measures adopted in Brazil is the elimination of this reservoir. In order to test the relationship between the euthanasia rate of the canine reservoir and the incidence of the disease in humans, data on dog culling from the Centre for Zoonosis Control of Aracatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, during the period from 1999 to 2008 and visceral leishmaniasis human cases registered in the same period were analyzed. Reduction of human VL incidence was statistically correlated to dog euthanasia rate (P=0.0211; r(2)=0.616) when it was analyzed for the period of two years after application of this measure. Other factors that may influence this relationship are considered. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Wet deposition of major ions in a rural area impacted by biomass burning emissions

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

CLINICAL STUDY of NATURAL INFECTION BY Trypanosoma cruzi IN DOGS RESIDING IN A RURAL AREA IN MATO GROSSO do SUL STATE, BRAZIL

This study was carried out to describe the clinical characteristics of natural infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi in dogs that reside in a rural area of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Conventional and nonconventional diagnostic methods were used for screening T. cruzi infection in 75 dogs that lived in the area. Cardiovascular tests and biochemical examination of sera were also performed in four confirmed positive dogs. The following techniques were employed: indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with T. cruzi epimastigote antigens (EAE-ELISA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with T. cruzi excreted-secreted trypomastigote antigens (TESA-ELISA) with antibodies detected in 45.33% (n = 34), 24.0% (n = 18) and 12.0% (n = 9) of the dogs, respectively. The current prevalence of the infection was confirmed as 10.7% (n = 8) by immunoblotting test with T. cruzi excreted-secreted antigens (TESA-blot). The test that showed the best concordance index (Kappa; 0.93), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (98.5%) was TESA-ELISA, that when associated with IFAT had the same results as those obtained by TESA-blot (10.7%). Three out of the four chagasic animals showed enlarged cardiac silhouette on X-ray and an increase of the P-wave duration and QRS complex in electrocardiogram. Two dogs presented conduction disturbances, right bundle branch block in one dog and first-degree atrioventricular block and sinus arrest in another. The ecodopplercardiography presented left-ventricular-wall thickness increased during diastole, decrease of the shortening fraction and inversion in the speed peaks of the E and A waves, indicating the presence of systolic and diastolic disorders. The four animals showed enzymatic activities of creatine kinase (221-404 U/L), MB fraction of creatine kinase (189-304 U/L), elevated total proteins (7.6-10.2 g/dL) and total globulins (4.6-7.7g/dL) and reduction of albumin/globulin ratio, which suggested a myocardial injury and continuous antigenic stimulus.

Validation of a Leishmania infantum ELISA rapid test for serological diagnosis of Leishmania chagasi in dogs

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

TWO DECOMPOSITION APPROACHES APPLIED TO THE MULTI-AREA OPTIMAL REACTIVE POWER FLOW PROBLEM

This paper applies two methods of mathematical decomposition to carry out an optimal reactive power flow (ORPF) in a coordinated decentralized way in the context of an interconnected multi-area power system. The first method is based on an augmented Lagrangian approach using the auxiliary problem principle (APP). The second method uses a decomposition technique based on the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) first-order optimality conditions. The viability of each method to be used in the decomposition of multi-area ORPF is studied and the corresponding mathematical models are presented. The IEEE RTS-96, the IEEE 118-bus test systems and a 9-bus didactic system are used in order to show the operation and effectiveness of the decomposition methods.

Comparative field test between two sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) harvesters under two different operational conditions in Brazil

The sugar cane crop is one of the main products in Brazil and according to several authors can generate, besides the industrialized stalks, an amount of crop residues from the order of 15 to 30 % in weight of the aerial part of the plants, depending on the field conditions. The sugar cane area in Brazil is around 5.5×106 hectares, with an amount of 400.106 tons of stalks, with stalks yield of 72 tons.ha-1. This study took place in a sugar cane plot (Latitude 22°46'S, Longitude 47°23'W and 600m of altitude) with 3% of slope, located in São Paulo State. The sugar cane variety was SP 80-1816, in its forth cut, 11 months old and with a planted row spacing of 1.40 m. By other side, several sugar mills are bringing the crop residue to their patio to produce energy with the bagasse. One choice is to bring the crop residue at the same moment with the stalks, avoiding the next operation of baling it. The objective of this study was to analyze some operational parameters of two different sugar cane harvesters under the same field conditions, which was divided in four treatments: T1 = CAMECO CHT2500B operating normally; T2 = CAMECO CHT2500B operating without the cleaning system; T3 = CASE 7700 operating normally; T4 = CASE 7700 operating without the cleaning system. The results obtained were: Table presented CEB = Gross effective capacity; CEL = Net effective capacity. The conclusion is that under normal operation the CASE harvester worked better then CAMECO in the parameters CEL stalks and Manipulation efficiency. And without the cleaning system operating CASE also worked better in the parameters of CEB raw material, CEB stalks, CEL raw material and CEL stalks.

Measurement of sealant surface area by clinical/computerized analysis: 11-year results.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical behavior of 2 pit and fissure sealants through clinical/computerized evaluation. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Occlusal sealants were placed on maxillary and mandibular first and second premolars according to a split-mouth design. All premolars were sealed with either Concise (3M Espe) or Prisma Shield (Caulk/Dentsply) sealant agents. A hematoxylin-based staining solution was applied on the occlusal surface 7 days, 18 months, 36 months, and 11 years after occlusal sealing to allow checking of the sealant material on the surface. At each analysis time all occlusal surfaces were photographed, and the photographs corresponding to each time period were analyzed with SigmaScan 4.0 Software. The alterations of the sealed area of each sealant were analyzed with the software and recorded. Next, the measurements of the areas were tabulated and analyzed according to each period. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), with parts subdivided into time, and the t test, with a significance level of 5%, were used. RESULTS: The greatest sealed area was maintained by the sealant Concise. However, over the course of 11 years, all sealants began to show the same level of alteration in sealed area. CONCLUSION: The sealing materials showed alteration in sealed area over time, but they were efficient in controlling caries lesion formation on premolar pits and fissures.