A comparison of molecular markers to detect Lutzomyia longipalpis naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum

The aim of the present study was to detect natural infection by Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in Lutzomyia longipalpis captured in Barcarena, state of Pará, Brazil, through the use of three primer sets. With this approach, it is unnecessary to previously dissect the sandfly specimens. DNA of 280 Lu. longipalpis female specimens were extracted from the whole insects. PCR primers for kinetoplast minicircle DNA (kDNA), the mini-exon gene and the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) gene of Leishmania were used, generating fragments of 400 bp, 780 bp and 603 bp, respectively. Infection by the parasite was found with the kDNA primer in 8.6% of the cases, with the mini-exon gene primer in 7.1% of the cases and with the SSU-rRNA gene primer in 5.3% of the cases. These data show the importance of polymerase chain reaction as a tool for investigating the molecular epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis by estimating the risk of disease transmission in endemic areas, with the kDNA primer representing the most reliable marker for the parasite.

Repercussões do trágico e do social no teatro de Dias Gomes: leitura comparativa entre Antígona de Sófocles; O Pagador de Promessas, O Santo Inquérito e As Primícias de Dias Gomes

Pós-graduação em Letras - FCLAS

COMPORTAMENTO DO NONI À SALINIDADE DA ÁGUA DE IRRIGAÇÃO EM SOLO COM BIOFERTILIZANTE BOVINO1.

O excesso de sais no solo e em águas utilizadas para irrigação podem provocar perdas significativas de crescimento e de produção em plantas cultivadas. Dentre algumas alternativas para redução dos efeitos negativos dos sais às plantas em áreas cultivadas, a utilização do biofertilizante fermentado vem sendo explorada no cultivo de hortaliças e frutíferas irrigadas com água salina. Nesse sentido, o trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento do noni à salinidade da água de irrigação em substrato sem e com biofertilizante bovino. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, utilizando o arranjo fatorial 5 x 2, correspondente a cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (0,5; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5; 6,0 dS m-1), em substratos com e sem biofertilizante bovino. Foram avaliados: altura de plantas, diâmetro do caule, número de folhas, área foliar, matéria seca da parte aérea e consumo hídrico. Todas as variáveis avaliadas foram influenciadas negativamente pelo incremento de sais na água de irrigação, mas sempre com menor intensidade nos tratamentos com biofertilizante bovino. O biofertilizante não elimina, mas atenua os efeitos negativos dos sais às plantas de noni.

Impacto do padrão geométrico ventricular na remodelação cardíaca após o infarto do miocárdio

BACKGROUND: The relevance of left ventricular (LV) geometric pattern after myocardial infarction is not known. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the presence of different LV geometric patterns and teir impact as a predictor of remodeling in patients with myocardial infarction. METHODS: Patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction (n = 80) were divided according to the geometric pattern: normal (normal left ventricular mass index [LVMI] and normal relative wall thickness [RWT]), concentric remodeling (normal LVMI and increased RWT), concentric hypertrophy (increased LVMI and RWT) and eccentric hypertrophy (increased LVMI and normal RWT). After six months, echocardiographic assessment was repeated. RESULTS: Four patients died. Of the survivors, 41 showed remodeling (R +), whereas 39 did not (R-). Considering the geometric pattern, the cases were distributed as follows: 24 patients with normal pattern, 13 with concentric remodeling, 29 with concentric hypertrophy and 14 with eccentric hypertrophy. Patients who showed remodeling had larger infarction sizes analyzed by peak CPK (R + = 4,610 (1,688-7,970), R- = 1,442 (775-4247), p <0.001) and CK-MB (R + = 441 (246 - 666), R- = 183 (101-465), p <0.001), trend towards higher prevalence of concentric remodeling (R+ = 10, R- = 3, p = 0.08) and lower prevalence of eccentric hypertrophy (R + = 2 R- = 12, p = 0.006). In the multivariate regression analysis, infarction size was a predictor (OR = 1.01, p = 0.020) and eccentric hypertrophy was a protective factor (OR = 0.189, p = 0.046) of ventricular remodeling after coronary occlusion. CONCLUSION: The LV geometric pattern of can have an impact on the remodeling process in patients with myocardial infarction.

Does hyperglycemia in pregnancy change fetal kidney growth?: a longitudinal prospective study

PURPOSE: To measure fetal renal volume in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic pregnancies. METHODS: A longitudinal prospective study was conducted and included 92 hyperglycemic and 339 normoglycemic pregnant women attended at the prenatal service of a hospital from Rio de Janeiro State. Ultrasound examinations were performed to estimate gestational age at baseline and the kidney volume was estimated using the prolate ellipsoid volume equation. RESULTS: Fetal kidney volume growth between normoglycemic and hyperglycemic pregnancies are significantly different. The fetal kidney volume growth in pregnancy is positively correlated with gestational age explained by these predictor equations, by group: normal renal volume = exp (6.186+0.09×gestational week); hyperglycemic renal volume = exp (6.978+0.071×gestational week) and an excessive growth pattern for hyperglycemic pregnancies may be established according to gestational age. CONCLUSION: This is important for early detection of abnormalities in pregnancy, particularly in diabetic mothers.

A lei seca cumpriu sua meta em reduzir acidentes relacionados à ingestão excessiva de álcool?

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the Brazilian Driving Dry Law reached its goal after the three years following its enactment. METHODS: We onnducted a retrospective study of patients with craniofacial fractures who underwent surgery at a university hospital in two periods: before the Law (2005 to 2008) and after the Law (2008 to 2011). RESULTS: 265 patients (220 men and 45 women) were operated on during this period, 149 (56%) before and 116 (44%) after the Law, which indicates a reduction in the number of traumatisms (p=0.04). The age range between 19 and 40 years predominated in both periods. The main causes of traumas were car accidents, physical aggression and falls. Alcohol abuse was identified in 15.4% patients before and 19% patients after the enactment. The jaw and the maxillo-zygomatic complex were the most affected bones. CONCLUSION: The drop in the number of polytraumatized patients operated on at this institution in the three years following the Driving Dry Law was 22%, which is below the expected and desired percentage. These results must be compared to those of different services offering the same attendance type in order to compile data and enlarge statistics. The low index of reduction in the number of traumatisms and the report of alcohol abuse by several patients at the moment of trauma, even after the law, evidence the need of adopting stricter measures to control and punish violators.

Relação entre a precipitação anual e o incremento em volume de árvores amostradas em plantações de Pinus taeda

This work was based on a complete tree stem analysis to assess the growth behavior and current annual volume increment (CAI) of four individuals of Pinus taeda sampled in populations located in the 'Avare II' State Forest and 'Itapeva' Experimental Station, State of São Paulo. The relationship between the rainfall time series and CAI index was examined by means of cross-correlation coefficients. The convergence coefficients (GL) between the series were calculated. In the individuals that showed a statistical significance in the cross-correlation between the time series, the previous year's rainfall significantly affected the current annual volume increment in the year under consideration. The GL values between the series were higher in 'Itapeva'. Since the two sites showed no significant difference in rainfall distribution, the difference was attributed to the soil texture at 40-60 cm - medium in 'Avare' and clayey in 'Itapeva', so the CAI of the 'Itapeva' plantation reflects the higher availability of water.

Estudo genético quantitativo da qualidade da carcaça e da carne e suas associações com as características de avaliação visual na raça Nelore

Pós-graduação em Genética e Melhoramento Animal - FCAV

Carbohydrate production and transport in cotton cultivars grown under boron deficiency

An adequate supply of boron (B) is required for the optimal growth and development of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants, but the low phloem mobility of B limits the possibilities of correcting B deficiency. There are indications that different cotton cultivars could have different responses to B deficiency. The differences in responses of cotton cultivars to B regarding photoassimilate production and transport were studied in a greenhouse experiment with nutrient solution. Treatments consisted of three cotton cultivars (FMT 701, DP 604BG and FMX 993) and five concentrations of B (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mu mol L-1). Sampling began at the phenological stage B1 (first square) and continued for four weeks. The leaf area and the number of reproductive branches and structures decreased due to B deficiency. A higher level of abortion of reproductive structures was observed under B deficiency. Boron deficiency increased the internal CO2 concentration but decreased the transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis. Despite the decrease in photosynthesis, nonstructural carbohydrates accumulated in the leaves due to decreased export to bolls in B-deficient plants. The response to B deficiency is similar among cotton cultivars, which shows that the variability for this trait is low even for cultivars with different genetic backgrounds.

Eichhornia crassipes: an advantageous source of shikimic acid

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

Adequação de demandas funcionais de atividades para a participação escolar de crianças com disfu'nções neuromotoras

The school participation is a prerequisite for the construction of knowledge, learning and development. Neurological deficits may affect child's ability to explore the environment and engage in typical activities. Considering the importance of encouraging professionals in the field of education to conduct simple adjustments in school activities of daily life, this study aimed to adapt, with low cost materials, resources of entertainment and educational for children with neuromotor disorders . It was objects of this study eight resources prescribed and designed for three children diagnosed with cerebral palsy: domino, puzzle, memory game, moving magnetized alphabet, crossword, doll body scheme, adaptation of pencils for writing and bracelet sinker.The analysis of these resources occurred in the parameters of conventional design and management skills, followed by identifying the limiting conditions of the motor skills of the cases observed, indicating the materials used in the adaptation and possible uses. This study provides subsidy for implementation of teaching strategies in the care of students with neuromotor disorders.

A organização da informação hipertextual no artigo jornalístico: em busca das marcas ideológicas

Discusses some aspects of newspaper hypertextual article in order to find their ideological marks. Assumes that the choice of the element of contact with other texts (links), when producing an article reveals the author's ideology and the institution he represents. Intends to offer the less experienced reader of news, conditions to the development of more fruitful reading. Argues that reading is a process of interaction between reader and text and that requires the presence of an active reader, able to construct new meanings. Establishes as a general objective to identify the ideological marks presents in hypertext and its relation to the critical reading of the media. This theme is treated with special attention to its educational aspects, aiming at understanding the reality that educators must become familiar with, in order to turn more effective the processes of education for the media.

Plecoptera from Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)