Chromoblastomycosis: study of 27 cases and review of medical literature

BACKGROUND: Chromoblastomycosis is a subcutaneous mycosis that occurs mainly in rural workers although is being more commonly found among people working in other sectors. The fungus penetrates the skin after its inoculation and the most frequently isolated agent is the Fonsecaea pedrosoi. OBJECTIVES: This study aims at evaluating patients suffering from chromoblastomycosis admitted into the Department of Dermatology of the University Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Sao Paulo State during the ten-year period from 1997 to 2007. METHODS: It is a retrospective study and the medical report cards of 27 Brazilian patients diagnosed as suffering from Chromoblastomycosis from 1997 to 2007 at the Dermatology Department of the Medical School, University of Sao Paulo were reviewed. The following items were analyzed: previous therapeutic approaches; treatment implemented by the group; length of time between the appearing of the lesion and diagnosis; age; gender; profession; origin; site of lesions; isolated agents found in culture and histopathology. RESULTS: Twenty two patients were from the state of Sao Paulo whereas the others came from the states of Bahia and Rondonia. 37% of them were rural workers. Men were more frequently infected (85%). Lesions were more commonly found on the lower limbs (59.2%). In 52% of the cases the isolated agent was the dematiaceous fungus Fonsecaea. pedrosoi. Biopsies showed sclerotic bodies in 92.5% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Data found are in accordance with medical literature on the subject. The disease had been previously studied in our institution in 1983 by Cuce et al. This present study is the second retrospective one about the characteristics of patients suffering from chromoblastmycosis which has been published in indexed medical literature in the state of Sao Paulo.

Comparison of different nonlinear functions to describe Nelore cattle growth

This work aims to compare different nonlinear functions for describing the growth curves of Nelore females. The growth curve parameters, their (co) variance components, and environmental and genetic effects were estimated jointly through a Bayesian hierarchical model. In the first stage of the hierarchy, 4 nonlinear functions were compared: Brody, Von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, and logistic. The analyses were carried out using 3 different data sets to check goodness of fit while having animals with few records. Three different assumptions about SD of fitting errors were considered: constancy throughout the trajectory, linear increasing until 3 yr of age and constancy thereafter, and variation following the nonlinear function applied in the first stage of the hierarchy. Comparisons of the overall goodness of fit were based on Akaike information criterion, the Bayesian information criterion, and the deviance information criterion. Goodness of fit at different points of the growth curve was compared applying the Gelfand`s check function. The posterior means of adult BW ranged from 531.78 to 586.89 kg. Greater estimates of adult BW were observed when the fitting error variance was considered constant along the trajectory. The models were not suitable to describe the SD of fitting errors at the beginning of the growth curve. All functions provided less accurate predictions at the beginning of growth, and predictions were more accurate after 48 mo of age. The prediction of adult BW using nonlinear functions can be accurate when growth curve parameters and their (co) variance components are estimated jointly. The hierarchical model used in the present study can be applied to the prediction of mature BW in herds in which a portion of the animals are culled before adult age. Gompertz, Von Bertalanffy, and Brody functions were adequate to establish mean growth patterns and to predict the adult BW of Nelore females. The Brody model was more accurate in predicting the birth weight of these animals and presented the best overall goodness of fit.

Prevalence of trachoma in a population of the upper Rio Negro Basin and risk factors for active disease

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of trachoma in Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira (SGC), the only urban community of the upper Rio Negro Basin of the Amazon state in Brazil, near the Colombian border, and to investigate the risk factors associated with the active forms of the disease. Methods: A total of 1702 people (440 children up to 9 years and 1069 adults aged 15 years and above) were examined. The sample was selected from a probabilistic household sampling procedure based on census data and a previous study of trachoma prevalence in Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira. A two-stage probabilistic household cluster sample was drawn. Household units were randomly selected within each cluster. A variety of socioeconomic and hygiene variables were studied in order to determine the risk factors for active trachoma in a household. Results: The total prevalence of trachoma was 8.9%. Prevalence of active trachoma (TF and/or TI) in children aged 1-9 years was 11.1% and trachomatous trichiasis in adults aged 15 years and above was 0.19%. Trachomatous scarring reached a peak of 22.4% for subjects between 50 to 60 years of age. Corneal opacity occurred in subjects aged 50 years and older with a prevalence of 2.0%. No sex effect was found on the overall prevalence of trachoma in SGC. Risk factors associated with active trachoma were mainly related to poor socioeconomic indicators. Conclusions: Despite the ubiquitous presence of water, the analysis of the risk factors associated with the active forms of the disease supports the idea that a low personal standard of hygiene and not water availability per se, is the key factor associated with trachoma.

Cross-mating experiments with geographically different populations of Amblyomma cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae)

The present study evaluated the reproductive compatibility of the crosses between adult ticks of the following three geographically different populations of Amblyomma cajennense: State of So Paulo (SP), southeastern Brazil; State of Rondnia (RO), northern Brazil; and Colombia (CO). In addition, crosses between A. cajennense ticks from Argentina (AR) and SP ticks were also performed. The Argentinean population (AR) was compatible with SP because their crosses resulted in high % egg hatching (mean values ranging from 71.5 to 93.5%), similarly to all homologous (intrapopulational) crosses. In contrast, the tick populations SP, RO, and CO were shown to be incompatible with each other, since their heterologous (interpopulational) crosses always resulted in very low % egg hatching (range: 0-5%). The F(1) larval offspring derived from some of these females that yielded 5% egg hatching were reared until the F(1) adult stage. In all cases, only adult females molted from engorged nymphs. These F(1) females were likely to be a product of thelytokous parthenogenesis of the SP, RO, and CO females that were used in the heterologous crosses. Reproductive incompatibility is not expected to occur between different populations of a single species. Thus, our results suggest that the taxon A. cajennense might be represented by a complex of different species, whereas SP and AR ticks might represent a single species. Further populational genetic studies, coupled with extensive morphological analyses, are needed to clarify and determine a possible complex of valid species that might have been classified under the taxon A. cajennense.

Acquisition and transmission of Hepatozoon canis (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) by the tick Amblyomma ovale (Acari: Ixodidae)

The present study aimed to evaluate under controlled conditions the acquisition of Hepatozoon canis by Amblyomma ovale after feeding on infected dogs, and the subsequent induction of infection in uninfected dogs that ingested the experimentally infected ticks. Two H. canis naturally infected dogs were infested with A. ovate adult ticks derived from an uninfected laboratory tick colony. After feeding, two A. ovale females presented H. canis oocysts in the hemolymph at the first and fourth days after removal of ticks from dogs. The oocysts had an average size of 244.34 mu m x 255.46 mu m. Three uninfected dogs were fed with ticks previously fed on the infected dogs. Only one dog became infected 32 days after oral inoculation, presenting circulating gametocytes, parasitemia less than 1%, and positive PCR confirmed to be H. canis by DNA sequencing. The results obtained indicated A ovale ticks as potential vector of H. canis in rural areas of Brazil. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Redescription of the female, description of the male, and several new records of Amblyomma parkeri (Acari: Ixodidae), a South American tick species

The tick Amblyomma parkeri Fonseca and Arago was described in 1952, based on female and immature ticks collected in the states of So Paulo and Santa Catarina, Brazil. Thereafter, there has been no further report of A. parkeri, and the male has remained unknown. Herein, we examined ticks collected on porcupines from a locality in the state of So Paulo. Some of the ticks were identified as Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844), whereas others as A. parkeri, including male specimens, for which we provide the first description. We also provide additional reports of A. parkeri after examining collections of A. longirostre and Amblyomma geayi Neumann, 1899 from different tick collections. Morphological evidence to support the original description of A. parkeri is presented, supported by molecular analyses of portions of the 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA mitochondrial genes. Morphological particularities to separate A. parkeri, A. longirostre, and A. geayi are provided.

Comparison of dentin root canal permeability and morphology after irradiation with Nd:YAG, Er:YAG, and diode lasers

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Nd:YAG, Er:YAG, and diode lasers on the morphology and permeability of root canal walls. The three laser wavelengths mentioned interact differently with dentin and therefore it is possible that the permeability changes caused will determine different indications during endodontic treatment. Twenty-eight human single-rooted teeth were instrumented up to ISO 40 and divided into four groups: group C, control (GC), non-laser irradiated; group N (GN), irradiated with Nd:YAG laser; group E (GE), with Er:YAG laser and group D (GD) with diode laser. After that, the roots were filled with a 2% methylene blue dye, divided into two halves and then photographed. The images were analyzed using Image J software and the percentage of dye penetration in the cervical, middle, and apical root thirds were calculated. Additional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were also performed. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant permeability differences between all groups in the middle and cervical thirds (p < 0.05). The Tukey test showed that in the cervical third, GN presented means of dye penetration statistically significantly lower than all of the other groups. In the middle third, GE and GD showed statistically higher dye penetration means than GC and GN. SEM analysis showed melted surfaces for GN, clean wall surfaces with open dentinal tubules for GE, and mostly obliterated dentinal tubules for GD. Er:YAG (2,094 nm) laser and diode laser (808 nm) root canal irradiation increase dentinal permeability and Nd:YAG (1,064 nm) laser decreases dentin permeability, within the studied parameters.

Human alveolar bone cell proliferation, expression of osteoblastic phenotype, and matrix mineralization on porous titanium produced by powder metallurgy

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the influence of the porous titanium (Ti) structure on the osteogenic cell behaviour. Materials and methods: Porous Ti discs were fabricated by the powder metallurgy process with the pore size typically between 50 and 400 mm and a porosity of 60%. Osteogenic cells obtained from human alveolar bone were cultured until subconfluence and subcultured on dense Ti (control) and porous Ti for periods of up to 17 days. Results: Cultures grown on porous Ti exhibited increased cell proliferation and total protein content, and lower levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity than on dense Ti. In general, gene expression of osteoblastic markers-runt-related transcription factor 2, collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein-7, and osteocalcin was lower at day 7 and higher at day 17 in cultures grown on porous Ti compared with dense Ti, a finding consistent with the enhanced growth rate for such cultures. The amount of mineralized matrix was greater on porous Ti compared with the dense one. Conclusion: These results indicate that the porous Ti is an appropriate substrate for osteogenic cell adhesion, proliferation, and production of a mineralized matrix. Because of the three-dimensional environment it provides, porous Ti should be considered an advantageous substrate for promoting desirable implant surface-bone interactions.

Exposure to lead exacerbates dental fluorosis

Aim: Our aim was to test: the hypothesis that co-exposure to lead and fluoride alter the severity of enamel fluorosis. Materials and methods: Wistar rats were allocated in four groups: control, and 3 groups that received water containing 100 ppm of fluoride (F), 30 ppm of lead (Pb), or 100 ppm of F and 30 ppm of Pb (F + Pb) from the beginning of gestation. Enamel analysis and F and Pb determinations in enamel, dentine, and bone were performed in 81-day-old animals. Fluorosis was quantified using a new fluorosis index based on the identification of incisor enamel defects (white bands and white islets, representing hypomineralization, and cavities) weighted according to their severity and quantity. Hypomineralization was validated histopathologically by polarizing microscopy and microradiography. Scores were given by two blinded calibrated examiners (intra and interexaminer kappa values were 0.8 and 0.86, respectively). Results: The control and the Pb groups presented normal enamel. The F + Pb group presented more severe enamel defects compared with the F group (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study shows that lead exacerbates dental fluorosis in rodents, suggesting that co-exposure to lead may affect the degree of fluorosis. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Atlas da criminalidade no Espírito Santo

O livro encontra-se disponível na Biblioteca Central da Universidade. Financiamento Fundação de Apoio à Ciência e Tecnologia do Espírito Santo (FAPES).

Going Global: an organizational study of Brazilian foreign policy

This study analyzes the impact of globalisation on the organization and strategies outlined by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The study intends to understand how countries from the periphery deal with new institutional challenges resulting from globalization, using the case of the Brazilian diplomatic service.

QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR (Q-PCR) FOR SPUTUM SMEAR DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS AMONG PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS

Objective: To assess quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) for the sputum smear diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in patients living with HIV/AIDS with a clinical suspicion of PTB.Method: This is a prospective study to assess the accuracy of a diagnostic test, conducted on 140 sputum specimens from 140 patients living with HIV/AIDS with a clinical suspicion of PTB, attended at two referral hospitals for people living with HIV/AIDS in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. A Löwenstein-Jensen medium culture and 7H9 broth were used as gold standard.Results: Of the 140 sputum samples, 47 (33.6%) were positive with the gold standard. q-PCR was positive in 42 (30%) of the 140 patients. Only one (0.71%) did not correspond to the culture. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the q-PCR were 87.2%, 98.9% and 95% respectively. In 39 (93%) of the 42 q-PCR positive cases, the CT (threshold cycle) was equal to or less than 37.Conclusion: q-PCR performed on sputum smears from patients living with HIV/AIDS demonstrated satisfactory sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, and may therefore be recommended as a method for diagnosing PTB.

Laboratory infection of the wild rodent, Sciurus alphonsei with Pasteurella pestis

The author studied the susceptibility of the wild rodent, Sciurus alphonsei (Sciuridae) from Brazil to Pasteurella pestis. Two strains of P. pestis isolated from wild rodents were used: one, P. EXU 19, was isolated from O. subflavus in the county of Em, Pernambuco (Brazil), and other, RANGEL, isolated from S. hispidus of Camp. Rangel (Venezuela) . Six animais were tested by inoculation through different routes (percutaneous, subcutaneous and peritoneal). All the animals died as a result of the infection.

Studies on a small collection of planorbid snails from southern south America

Snails belonging to Biomphalaria genus were collected from some regions of Southern South America as follows: Resistencia, province of Chaco, Argentina; Assumpcion, Paraguay; Department of Maldonado of Caneloni, Uruguay; and Pôrto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The material was classified as Biomphalaria peregrina (Orbigny) twice from Uruguay and once in Brazil; B. tenagophila (Orbigny), from Argentina and Brazil; and B. straminea (Dunker) in Paraguay. Negative results were obtained from the exposition of the abone refered snail specimens to miracidia of S. mansoni from Pernambuco, Brazil.

The performance of an in-house nested-PCR technique for pleural tuberculosis diagnoses

Introduction This study evaluated the performance of an in-house nested-PCR system for the detection of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in pleural fluid, blood and urine samples from pleural effusion tuberculosis patients by health services physicians in Pernambuco, Brazil. Methods A prospective double-blind study with 37 hospitalized patients of both sexes, aged over 15, was used to investigate the diagnosis of pleural effusion. The criteria used to define the cases included the demonstration of bacillus in biological samples by smear or culture or by a granulomatous finding in the histopathological examination, associated with an evident response to specific treatments to each clinical situation. Pleural fluid, blood and urine samples were collected and subjected to routine tests and the nested PCR technique to assess for M. tuberculosis amplification. Results In total, 37 pleural effusion patients took part in the study, of whom 19 (51.3%) had tubercular etiologies and 18 (48.7%) had etiologies from other causes. When the pleural fluid, blood and/or urine sample in-house nested-PCR sensitivities were evaluated simultaneously, the results were positive regardless of the biological specimen (the sensitivity was 84.2%); however, when the blood and/or urine samples were analyzed together, the sensitivity was 72.2%. When the pleural fluid samples were evaluated alone, the sensitivity was only 33.3%. Conclusions The performance of the diagnostic pleural tuberculosis nested-PCR was directly related to the diversity of the samples collected from the same patient. Additionally, this study may identify a need to prioritize non-invasive blood and urine collection for this diagnosis.