Flavones from Erythrina falcata are modulators of fear memory

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

Construction and preliminary characterization of a river buffalo bacterial artificial chromosome library

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

Occurrence of pathogenic environmental mycobacteria on surfaces in health institutions

The presence of environmental mycobacteria on surfaces in two public health institutions, namely a health center and a hospital in upstate São Paulo (Brazil), was identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction enzyme analysis (PRA). The possible sources of contamination by these microorganisms were evaluated, contributing to epidemiology studies. Methods: From June 2005 to June 2006, a total of 632 samples were collected from exposed surfaces, such as washbasins, drinking fountains, and other accessible sites, and the mycobacteria present in the samples were isolated and cultured. Results: Sixty-five mycobacteria were isolated from the 632 samples; 47 of which were detected in samples from the health center and 18 in samples collected from the hospital. The isolates were identified by DNA restriction patterns obtained by PRA, and potentially pathogenic species were found to be prevalent among the identified mycobacteria. This study shows that the PRA technique can be employed as a fast and easy method for identification of nontuberculous mycobacteria in public areas. Conclusions: The isolation of environmental mycobacteria from the two health institutions demonstrates that these surfaces are reservoirs of potentially pathogenic mycobacteria and indicates the need for continuous maintenance and monitoring. These data will add to the study of the epidemiology of these microorganisms.

Prevalence and etiology of buffalo mastitis and milk somatic cell countin dry and rainy seasons in a buffalo herd from Analândia, São Paulo State,Brazil

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

Identification of the notothenioid sister lineage illuminates the biogeographic history of an Antarctic adaptive radiation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Longevity Records and Signs of Aging in Marsh Antwren Formicivora acutirostris (Thamnophilidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Action of ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Tagetes patula L. (Asteraceae) on hatchability and embryogenesis of Rhipicephalus sanguineus eggs (Acari: Ixodidae)

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

Detection of bla(CTX-M)-type genes in complex class 1 integrons carried by Enterobacteriaceae isolated from retail chicken meat in Brazil

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

Genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from eared doves (Zenaida auriculata) in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Antifungals and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from the stem bark of Croton heliotropiifolius

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

Influence of soil texture in the recovery of Toxocara canis eggs by a flotation method

In epidemiological surveys, the evaluation of soil contamination by Toxocara canis eggs requires a quick and easy method for the isolation of parasite eggs from soil samples. The efficiency of flotation methods is influenced by sample size, soil texture, degree of soil contamination, pretreatment, flotation solutions and time of flotation. This investigation was designed to evaluate the influence of soil texture in the recovery of T. canis eggs with the centrifugal flotation technique of Dada (Dada, B.J.O., 1979. A new technique for the recovery of Toxocara eggs from soil. J. Helminthol., 53: 141-144). Four types of soil (clay silt, sandy, silty clay and sand) were artificially contaminated with T. canis eggs (200 eggs per gram). Zinc sulphate (specific gravity 1.20) and sodium dichromate (specific gravity 1.35) were used as flotation solutions. Twenty replicated examinations were performed for each type of soil and flotation solution. There was a statistically significant difference in the results depending on soil type. The highest recovery percentages were observed in soils rich in sand (62.5% for sand and 38.0% for sandy soil). Differences were also observed with different flotation solutions. Sodium dichromate solution was more efficient for recovering T. canis eggs, regardless of the soil texture. © 1994.

Lignans and diterpenes of three Aristolochia species

Phytochemical examination of Aristolochia cymbifera, A. esperanzae and A. galeata led to the isolation of furofuran and dibenzylbutyrolactone type lignans, as well as of clerodane and ent-labdane type diterpenes. Structural assignments for two new ent-labdans are presented and discussed. © 1988.

Islet of Langerhans transplantation. A comparative study of two different methods for isolating islet cells from rat pancreas

Two different methods for isolation of islet of Langerhans on control of metabolic abnormalities of alloxan-induced diabetic rat were tested. Sixty rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups: GI included 10 non-diabetic control rats, GII included 10 diabetic control rats, without treatment, GIII included 20 diabetic rats (10 inbred and 10 outbred rats) that received islet of Langerhans transplantation (ILT) using islet cells prepared by collagenase, and GIV included 20 diabetic rats (10 inbred and 10 outbred rats) submitted to ILT using islet cells prepared by nonenzymatic method. Clinical and laboratory parameters at beginning and 4, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days of follow-up were recorded. Outbred rats were immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A, diabetes was induced by e.v. alloxan administration, and islet cells were isolated from normal donor Lewis rats and injected into the portal vein. ILT corrected the body weight gain, polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, and the high levels of blood and urine glucose in 73.7% of rats treated by enzymatic method and in 64.7% of those ones treated by nonenzymatic method. However, there was no significantly difference between the two methods (P > 0.50). We did not also observe significantly difference between the two methods when ILT was performed either in inbred or outbred rats. We concluded that ILT performed by nonenzymatic method may be an alternative treatment for diabetes due to be less expensive and to have possible advantages in the isolation process.

Condyloma acuminata in the tongue and palate of a sexually abused child: a case report

Condyloma acuminata caused by human papilloma viruses, (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) appearing most frequently as soft, pink cauliflower like growths in moist areas, such as the genitalia, mouth and other places. The disease is highly contagious, can appear singly or in groups, small or large. In children, the isolation of a sexually transmitted organism may be the first indication that an abuse has occurred. Although the presence of a sexually transmissible agent from a child beyond the neonatal period is suggestive of sexual abuse, exceptions do exist. The authors report the clinical case of a five-year-old Caucasian male with lesions located in the dorsal surfaces of the posterior tongue and palate. Both lesions had a firm consistency, reddish appearance and presence of whitish areas and regions of ulceration. During the interview, the mother reported that the boy had been sexually abused. Sexually transmitted disease may occur during sexual abuse. Dentists as well as pediatricians have a role to play in identifying and treating these children. The diagnosis is essentially clinical (anamnesis and physical examination), but also the use of cytology eventually resorts to biopsy of the suspicious lesions for histological examination. The therapeutic option was the excision of the lesions.

VapB type 8 plasmids in Rhodococcus equi isolated from the small intestine of pigs and comparison of selective culture media

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)