Species diversity of Leishmania (Viannia) parasites circulating in an endemic area for cutaneous leishmaniasis located in the Atlantic rainforest region of northeastern Brazil

OBJECTIVES To identify the aetiological agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis and to investigate the genetic polymorphism of Leishmania (Viannia) parasites circulating in an area with endemic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the Atlantic rainforest region of northeastern Brazil. METHODS Leishmania spp. isolates came from three sources: (i) patients diagnosed clinically and parasitologically with CL based on primary lesions, secondary lesions, clinical recidiva, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and scars; (ii) sentinel hamsters, sylvatic or synanthropic small rodents; and (iii) the sand fly species Lutzomyia whitmani. Isolates were characterised using monoclonal antibodies, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism of the internal transcribed spacer region rDNA locus. RESULTS Seventy-seven isolates were obtained and characterised. All isolates were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis serodeme 1 based on reactivity to monoclonal antibodies. MLEE identified 10 zymodemes circulating in the study region. Most isolates were classified as zymodemes closely related to L. (V.) braziliensis, but five isolates were classified as Leishmania (Viannia) shawi. All but three of the identified zymodemes have so far been observed only in the study region. Enzootic transmission and multiclonal infection were observed. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that transmission cycle complexity and the co-existence of two or more species in the same area can affect the level of genetic polymorphism in a natural Leishmania population. Although it is not possible to make inferences as to the modes of genetic exchange, one can speculate that some of the zymodemes specific to the region are hybrids of L. (V.) braziliensis and L. (V.) shawi.

Spatial and temporal patterns of occurrence of Lutzomyia sand fly species in an endemic area for cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Atlantic Forest region of northeast Brazil

Sand fly populations of different ecological niches in the Amaraji endemic American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) focus of the Pernambuco Atlantic Forest region of northeastern Brazil were monitored spatiotemporally. Lutzomyia whitmani was dominant in all niches but occurred in smaller numbers in forested locations. L. whitmani was significantly less seasonal than the other species, being present throughout the year while other species were more abundant between February and April. These results suggest that L. whitmani may potentially be the principal vector of ACL in the region, even though the sand fly fauna was diverse: 88% were L.whitmani and 12% belonged to 11 other species. Two other species, L. complexa (1.3%) and L. migonei (0.8%), considered to be ACL vectors in other regions, were also present. This detailed picture of the sand fly population`s abundance and spatiotemporal distribution provides a basis for future modeling studies of forecasting sand fly activity patterns and ACL occurence.

Association between particulate matter from biomass burning and respiratory diseases in the southern region of the Brazilian Amazon

Objective. To investigate the short-term effects of exposure to particulate matter from biomass burning in the Amazon on the daily demand for outpatient care due to respiratory diseases in children and the elderly. Methods. Epidemiologic study with ecologic time series design. Daily consultation records were obtained from the 14 primary health care clinics in the municipality of Alta Floresta, state of Mato Grosso, in the southern region of the Brazilian Amazon, between January 2004 and December 2005. Information on the daily levels of fine particulate matter was made available by the Brazilian National Institute for Spatial Research. To control for confounding factors ( situations in which a non-causal association between exposure and disease is observed due to a third variable), variables related to time trends, seasonality, temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and calendar effects ( such as occurrence of holidays and weekends) were included in the model. Poisson regression with generalized additive models was used. Results. A 10 mu g/m(3) increase in the level of exposure to particulate matter was associated with increases of 2.9% and 2.6% in outpatient consultations due to respiratory diseases in children on the 6th and 7th days following exposure. Significant associations were not observed for elderly individuals. Conclusions. The results suggest that the levels of particulate matter from biomass burning in the Amazon are associated with adverse effects on the respiratory health of children.

Extensive Bilayer Perforation Coupled with the Phase Transition Region of an Anionic Phospholipid

At low ionic strength dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) exhibits a broad phase transition region characterized by several superimposed calorimetric peaks. Peculiar properties, such as sample transparency, are observed only in the transition region. In this work we use differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), turbidity. and optical microscopy to study the narrowing of the transition region with the increase of ionic strength (0-500 mM NaCl). Upon addition of salt, the temperature extension of the transition region is reduced, and the number of calorimetric peaks decreases until a single cooperative event at T(m) = 23 degrees C is observed in the presence of 500 mM NaCl. The transition region is always coupled with a decrease in turbidity, but a transparent region is detected within the melting process only in the presence of up to 20 mM NaCl. The vanishing of the transparent region is associated with one of the calorimetric peaks. Optical microscopy of giant vesicles shows that bilayers first rupture when the transition region is reached and Subsequently lose optical contrast. Fluorescence microscopy reveals a blurry and undefined image in the transparent region, suggesting a different lipid self-assembly. Overall sample turbidity can be directly related to the bilayer optical contrast. Our observations are discussed in terms of the bilayer being perforated along the transition region. In the narrower temperature interval of the transparent region, dependent on the ionic strength, the perforation is extensive and the bilayer completely loses the optical contrast.

Sequence and Structural Analysis of the 5 ` Noncoding Region of Hepatitis C Virus in Patients With Chronic Infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), exhibits considerable genetic diversity, but presents a relatively well conserved 5 ` noncoding region (5 ` NCR) among all genotypes. In this study, the structural features and translational efficiency of the HCV 5 ` NCR sequences were analyzed using the programs RNAfold, RNAshapes and RNApdist and with a bicistronic dual luciferase expression system, respectively. RNA structure prediction software indicated that base substitutions will alter potentially the 5 ` NCR structure. The heterogeneous sequence observed on 5 ` NCR led to important changes in their translation efficiency in different cell culture lines. Interactions of the viral RNA with cellular transacting factors may vary according to the cell type and viral genome polymorphisms that may result in the translational efficiency observed. J. Med. Virol. 81: 1212-1219, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Mg(2+) Ions Bind at the C-Terminal Region of Skeletal Muscle alpha-Tropomyosin

Tropomyosin (Tm) is a dimeric coiled-coil protein that polymerizes through head-to-tail interactions. These polymers bind along actin filaments and play an important role in the regulation of muscle contraction. Analysis of its primary structure shows that Tm is rich in acidic residues, which are clustered along the molecule and may from sites for divalent cation binding. In a previous study, we showed that the Mg(2+)-induced increase in stability of the C-terminal half of Tin is sensitive to imitations near the C-terminus. In the present report, we study the interaction between Mg(2+) and full-length Tin and smaller fragments corresponding to the last 65 and 26 Tin residues. Although the smaller Tin peptide (Tm(259-284(W269))) is flexible and to large extent unstructured, the larger Tm(220-284(W269)) fragments forms a coiled coil in solution whose stability increases significantly in the presence of Mg(2+). NMR analysis shows thin Mg(2+) induces chemical shift perturbations in both Tm(220-284(W269)) and Tm(259-284(W269)) in the vicinity of His276, in which are located several negatively charged residues. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 583-590, 2009.

Estrutura de uma turfeira de altitude no municipio de São José dos Ausentes (RS-Brasil)

A turfeira é uma associação de plantas formada pelo acúmulo e decomposição de vegetais em ambientes saturados de água, baixo pH e pouco oxigênio dissolvido. A turfeira, objeto deste estudo está localizada no município de São José dos Ausentes, região que abriga as nascentes de rios que contribuem para a formação das principais bacias hidrográficas do Rio Grande do Sul. A área de estudo localiza-se nas coordenadas 28°35'58'2'' de latitude sul e 49°58'56'5'' de longitude oeste. Situando-se na serra do nordeste, na região fisiográfica denominada Campos de Cima da Serra, a altitude do município é de 1100 a 1300m. A fim de contribuir com informações a respeito desse ecossistema, o trabalho teve como objetivo fornecer subsídios à compreensão de sua estrutura e funcionamento. Foi registrada a ocorrência de 43 espécies vegetais, pertencentes a 31 gêneros e 15 famílias, tendo como predominantes as famílias Cyperacea e Poaceae sendo que as formas de vida são principalmente anfíbias. A característica do material orgânico, indicou que o grau de decomposição fíbrico geralmente ocorre mais próximo à superfície e sáprico domina nas camadas mais profundas do solo e as camadas hêmicas não mostram localização mais específica, geralmente intercaladas com camadas sápricas. O solo é caracterizado pelo escasso conteúdo de nutrientes; pois quanto ao nitrogênio há apenas uma fonte, que é via decomposição de matéria orgânica; o cálcio teve resultados baixos, porque a maioria é perdida pelo sistema através da lixiviação ou deposição no fundo do sedimento.

Autocorrelação espacial na distribuição de área de loja de supermercados em municípios do estado de São Paulo

Cerca de 90% da variabilidade da densidade de m2 de loja de supermercados nas microrregiões do estado de São Paulo pode ser explicada pela densidade de renda ali existente, desde que a autocorrelação espacial presente nas duas variáveis seja levada em consideração. Neste trabalho, apresenta-se o conceito de autocorrelação espacial, sugere-se uma medida para a sua intensidade (Índice de Geary), e estuda-se uma estratégia para sua remoção.

Disseminação de programas públicos de microcrédito: o caso da região metropolitana de São Paulo

Esse trabalho analisa o processo de disseminação de programas públicos de microcrédito implantados pelos governos municipais da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP), com o objetivo de identificar os fatores que influenciaram a adoção desses programas, assim como identificar os fatores que influenciaram a opção pela implantação de seus diferentes modelos: estatal ou por meio de Organizações da Sociedade Civil de Interesse Público (Oscips) criadas em parceiras entre instituições da sociedade civil e prefeituras municipais. O estudo conclui que a rápida disseminação dos programas públicos de microcrédito na RMSP nos últimos 15 anos foi influenciada por diversos fatores entre os quais: 1) a existência de problemas comuns e a percepção destes como prioritários pelos municípios: o aumento da informalidade e de pessoas que trabalham por conta própria, e a dificuldade que essas pessoas têm de obter crédito para suas atividades produtivas; 2) a redução das taxas de inflação e a nova regulamentação da atividade de microcrédito, que criaram um ambiente favorável à implantação e gestão desses programas; 3) a identificação do microcrédito como proposta de enfrentamento do problema a partir do acesso a informações sobre programas de microcrédito existentes no Brasil e no exterior por gestores públicos. Entretanto o acesso à informação sobre os diferentes modelos foi influenciado pela capacidade financeira e técnica dos municípios e a participação de seus gestores em fóruns de debates sobre problemas comuns e possíveis formas de enfrentamento destes. Já a escolha por um dos modelos foi influenciada por fatores ideológicos, de afinidade política, pela comparação da eficiência de cada modelo, pelos incentivos políticos e financeiros, e pela capacidade financeira e técnica dos municípios.

Structural features of the epididymal region of the domestic duck (Anas plathyrynchos)

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

Desenvolvimento, pobreza e meio ambiente no seridó potiguar: um estudo centrado nas micro-regiões do seridó oriental e ocidental

This research work intends to carry out a study focused on the dynamic between development, poverty reduction and conservation of natural resources. To consider this relationship to the region chosen was the micro-region of Eastern and Western Seridó in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. In recent years, several studies (Araújo, 2011; BASTOS, 2009) have pointed out that after a period of economic crisis in its tripodproductive, formed by the activities of farming, cotton farming, mining and faced in the eighties, this region of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, has not only shown signs of economic recovery but also improve their social indicators. On the other hand, studies of desertification as the view of the state of RN (produced in cooperation between the Government of RN and research institutions) and the Sustainable Development Plan of Seridó (ADES, 2000), indicate that there is an ongoing French process of degradation of natural resources that is capable of compromising the ability of sustaining such a system. To verify this reality and likely finding this relationship, this work is adopted for this study, the analysis of evolution of secondary data from official bodies such as the IBGE on HDI, per capita income and other social indicators between 2000 and 2009. Here is another time of the survey analysis of qualitative data collected from interviews with institutions of academic intervention in nature, researchers at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) State agencies that address the issue of the Middle Environment in Seridó: Institute for Sustainable Development of the NB (IDEMA) and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and the Amazon (IBAMA) and institutions of direct intervention in the region, as the Agency's Sustainable Development Seridó (adhesive) and the Joint Semi-Arid (ASA). After crossing data from quantitative and qualitative, it was found that the dynamics of the region's economic Seridó Potiguar partially answers the improvement of social indicators of poverty. Contribution by the State in this shared stock transfer income. Regarding the influence of productive restructuring in the region on issues of environment, it is noted that the ceramic tile industry, responsible for the absorption percentage of the population with limited ingress into the urban economy, given the low education, accounts for the increase of susceptibility to the ongoing process of desertification in North Seridó Rio Grande. We conclude finally that the guarantee of increased income, freedom and conservation of natural resources ensures primarily by changing the beliefs and values, especially on the part of the business sector, which use natural resources so predatory, aimed at maintaining their rates of return on investment. And concomitantly, the synchronization between technological change, through the use of new energy sources, and institutional change.

Levantamento de Meloidogyne exigua na cultura da seringueira em São José do Rio Claro, MT, Brasil

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de efetuar um levantamento da ocorrência de Meloidogyne exigua em seringueira em São José do Rio Claro, MT. Foram amostradas 191 propriedades agrícolas, totalizando cerca de 18.000ha. Os nematóides foram identificados no Laboratório de Nematologia do Departamento de Fitossanidade da FCAV/UNESP, em Jaboticabal, SP. Foram encontrados níveis populacionais de M. exigua entre 0 e 61.824 juvenis/5g de raízes.

Diversity of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) in the Atlantic Forest of São Paulo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)