Transplante de células de medula óssea para o miocárdio em paciente com insuficiência cardíaca secundária á doença de Chagas

Apresentado o primeiro caso de transplante de célula de medula óssea para o miocárdio de um portador de insuficiência cardíaca de etiologia chagásica. Homem, 52 anos, portador de insuficiência cardíaca crônica, em classe funcional III da NYHA, apesar de terapêutica clínica otimizada. Como procedimento, foi aspirado 50 ml de medula óssea através de punção da crista ilíaca, seguidos de filtragem, separação das células mononucleares, ressuspensão e injeção intracoronariana. A fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo em repouso, medida pela ventriculografia radioisotópica com hemácias marcadas, antes do transplante, era de 24% e, após 30 dias, aumentou para 32% sem alterar o esquema medicamentoso. Foram avaliados, antes e 30 dias após o procedimento, respectivamente, o diâmetro diastólico final do ventrículo esquerdo (82 mm; 76 mm); escore de qualidade de vida de Minnesota (55; 06); distância caminhada no teste de 6min (513 m; 683 m). Achados demonstraram ser possível realizar a injeção intracoronariana de célula de medula óssea, sugerindo que este procedimento é potencialmente seguro e efetivo em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca chagásica.

Tradução e validação do Walking Impairment Questionnaire em brasileiros com claudicação intermitente

FUNDAMENTO: O Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) tem sido utilizado para a obtenção de informações sobre a percepção de locomoção dos indivíduos com claudicação intermitente (CI). Entretanto, esse questionário ainda não foi traduzido para o idioma português, o que limita sua utilização em amostra brasileira. OBJETIVO: Traduzir e verificar a validade e reprodutibilidade do WIQ em brasileiros com CI. MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 42 indivíduos com CI, diagnosticados pelo índice tornozelo-braço < 0,90. Após os procedimentos de tradução e retradução do questionário, realizado por dois tradutores independentes, a validade de constructo do WIQ foi analisada correlacionando os escores do WIQ com os escores do Medical Outcome Study Questionnaire Short Form 36 (SF-36) e com o desempenho em testes de aptidão física (marcha e de força máxima). A reprodutibilidade foi analisada em duas aplicações do WIQ com 7 dias de intervalo. RESULTADOS: Foi encontrada correlação significativa entre os domínios do WIQ, os domínios do SF-36 (capacidade funcional, aspectos físicos, dor e aspectos emocionais) e o desempenho nos testes de aptidão física (marcha e força máxima). Além disso, verificaram-se coeficientes de correlação intraclasse que variaram de 0,72 a 0,81, e não houve diferença entre os escores do WIQ entre as duas aplicações do questionário. CONCLUSÃO: A versão em português do WIQ é válida e reprodutível em brasileiros com CI.

Atividade reprodutiva de Physalaemus signifer (Anura, Leptodactylidae) em ambiente temporário

The breeding activity of Physalaemus signifer (Girard, 1853) was monitored from July 1999 to July 2000 in a temporary pond in Palmital, Municipality of Saquarema, State of Rio de Janeiro, Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil. Males were sexually actives only in four nights, arriving at the pond on the early rainy season. Males in amplexus were larger and spent more nights in the reproductive aggregation than solitary ones. The number of nights was correlated with the mass of the males. Males adopted satellite behavior as alternative tactic for mate acquisition. Changes between calling and satellite tactics were observed in different nights. Calling males were not larger and heavier than satellite ones. Satellite behavior seemed to be related with the order of arrival on the pond. Size and mass of males did not influence the results of fights. Resident males won the majority of agonistics combats. Three types of vocalizations are described: advertisement, territorial, and encounter calls.

In vivo differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi - 1. Experimental evidence of the influence of vector species on metacyclogenesis

Vector species has not hitherto been studied as influencing metacyclogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi, while the role of the parasite strain has been frequently stressed as of dominant importance in this process. In order to fill this gap in our knowledge, metacyclogenesis was monitored in nine triatomine species. The first part of this paper presents photographs of the main and intermediate parasite stages in each vector species studied. In the second part of the study the proportional distribution of all these forms, as seen in Giemsa stained smears is summarized, thus providing an opportunity to analyze both: the length of time between the ingestion of the blood trypomastigotes and the appearance of metacyclic forms and the rates of developmental stages leading to these latter. The most remarkable observation was that metacyclogenesis rates in vivo appear to be vector dependent, reaching 50 in Rhodnius neglectus, 37 in its congener R. prolixus and being dramatically lower in the majority of Triatoma species (5 in T. sordida, 3 in T. brasiliensis and 0 in T. pseudomaculata) at the 120th day of infection. These observations suggest that through screening of different vector species it is possible to find some that are capable of minimizing or maximizing metacyclic production.

Dynamics of evolution and resistance to starvation of Triatoma vitticeps (Stal 1859) (Reduviidae: Triatominae), submitted to two different regimens of food deprivation

The resistance to starvation of Triatoma vitticeps has been analyzed comparatively, according to different regimens of food deprivation under laboratory conditions. One cohort, composed of 100 specimens of each evolutionary nymphal stage, was submitted to continuous fasting until death; the second group, arranged in the same way, was fed once on chicken. Through this work, it was possible not only to compare the results obtained from the first group with other authors' results but, also, to analyze the dynamics of evolution, molting, longevity and the increase in insect longevity, in the second group. The average values recorded for survival time revealed statistical differences between the two groups. Among the important results detected, there is one that deserves to be emphasized: the incredible increase in longevity among insects that received only one feed - an average increase in survival time that reached 2.95 to 3.30 times in nymphs of 3rd and 4th stages, respectively. One 5th stage nymph survived for up to 350 days and the females may triplicate their survival rate, what represents an important epidemiological factor. The knowledge about this type of biological characteristic of T. vitticeps may contribute to prevent the domiciliation of this species, what seems to be incipient in some municipal districts, in Brazil.

Alteration in the endogenous intestinal flora of swiss webster mice by experimental Angiostrongylus costaricensis infection

The association between worm infections and bacterial diseases has only recently been emphasized. This study examined the effect of experimental Angiostrongylus costaricensis infection on endogenous intestinal flora of Swiss Webster mice. Eight mice aging six weeks were selected for this experiment. Four were infected with A. costaricensis and the other four were used as controls. Twenty eight days after the worm infection, all mice in both groups were sacrificed and samples of the contents of the ileum and colon were obtained and cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. In the mice infected with A. costaricensis there was a significant increase in the number of bacteria of the endogenous intestinal flora, accompanied by a decrease in the number of Peptostreptococcus spp. This alteration in the intestinal flora of mice infected by the nematode may help to understand some bacterial infections described in humans.

Morphobiological aspects of Rhodnius brethesi Matta, 1919 (Hemiptera:Reduviidae) from the Upper and Middle Negro River, Amazon region of Brazil: I - scanning electron microscopy

The occurrence of autochthonous cases of Chagas disease in the Amazon region of Brazil over recent decades has motivated an intensification of studies in this area. Different species of triatomines have been identified, and ten of these have be proven to be carriers of the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi or " cruzi-like " parasites. Studies conducted in the municipalities of Santa Isabel do Rio Negro and Barcelos, located on the Upper and Middle of the Negro River, microregion of Negro River, state of Amazonas have confirmed not only that Rhodnius brethesi is present in the palm tree Leopoldinia piassaba, but also that this insect was recognized by palm fiber collectors. A morphological study of eyes, inter-ocular and inter-ocellar regions, antennae, buccula, labrum, rostrum, stridulatory sulcus and feet, including the apex of the tibia, spongy fossette and ctenidium was conducted by scanning electron microscopy. The buccula and the stridulatory sulcus presented notable differences in specimens of different genera and also of different species. These data make it possible to suggest that the details presented in these structures can be included as diagnostic characteristics to be used in new dichotomous keys, thereby contributing towards studies of taxonomy and systematics and furnishing backing for comparative analysis of specimens collected from different localities.

Detection of Wuchereria bancrofti DNA in paired serum and urine samples using polymerase chain reaction-based systems

The Global Program for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) aims to eliminate this disease by the year 2020. However, the development of more specific and sensitive tests is important for the success of the GPELF. The present study aimed to standardise polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based systems for the diagnosis of filariasis in serum and urine. Twenty paired biological urine and serum samples from individuals already known to be positive for Wuchereria bancrofti were collected during the day. Conventional PCR and semi-nested PCR assays were optimised. The detection limit of the technique for purified W. bancrofti DNA extracted from adult worms was 10 fg for the internal systems (WbF/Wb2) and 0.1 fg by using semi-nested PCR. The specificity of the primers was confirmed experimentally by amplification of 1 ng of purified genomic DNA from other species of parasites. Evaluation of the paired urine and serum samples by the semi-nested PCR technique indicated only two of the 20 tested individuals were positive, whereas the simple internal PCR system (WbF/Wb2), which has highly promising performance, revealed that all the patients were positive using both samples. This study successfully demonstrated the possibility of using the PCR technique on urine for the diagnosis of W. bancrofti infection.

A relação entre a satisfação dos funcionários e a satisfação dos clientes: estudo nas empresas de software do município de Belo Horizonte

A indústria de software tem apresentado crescimento vigoroso nos últimos anos, não só em termos mundiais, como também no Brasil. O segmento é composto basicamente por empresas de pequeno porte, com utilização intensiva de mão de obra especializada. No entanto, estudos indicam que o setor pouco se preocupa com a qualificação de funcionários, talvez porque, normalmente, a demanda supere a oferta, o que relega a um plano secundário as preocupações com a gestão de pessoas, ficando as atenções voltadas para o desenvolvimento e a formatação do serviço propriamente dito. Segundo os modelos teóricos, a participação dos funcionários é de vital importância para o fornecimento de um serviço de qualidade, podendo acarretar a satisfação dos clientes, sua lealdade e, consequentemente, incrementar a rentabilidade da organização. A satisfação dos funcionários pode ser alcançada pela introdução de práticas adequadas de gerenciamento de recursos humanos, incluindo boa comunicação, treinamento e desenvolvimento, trabalho em equipe, incentivo à participação e poder de decisão. Diversos modelos foram propostos para avaliar a satisfação dos clientes, a qual é fruto da qualidade percebida do serviço, de suas expectativas e do valor percebido, de acordo com um dos modelos em questão. Alguns estudos relatam a existência de relação positiva e significativa entre satisfação de clientes e de funcionários. Nesse contexto, procurou-se avaliar qual o impacto da satisfação dos funcionários diretamente sobre a satisfação dos clientes, com base em um modelo teórico que integrasse práticas de Recursos Humanos e antecedentes da satisfação dos clientes. Por meio de pesquisa quantitativa, foram entrevistados clientes e funcionários de 50 empresas da indústria de software de Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais, Brasil), totalizando uma amostra válida de 147 respondentes para cada grupo. Os dados foram avaliados com o recurso da modelagem de equações estruturais, pelo método dos mínimos quadrados parciais. Com base nos resultados obtidos, infere-se que as melhores práticas de Recursos Humanos realmente influenciam a satisfação dos funcionários e que a qualidade percebida do serviço influencia positivamente a satisfação dos clientes. Contudo, não se constatou relação significativa entre a satisfação dos funcionários e a satisfação dos clientes.

Himenópteros parasitóides (Insecta, Hymenoptera) coletados em cultura de algodão (Gossypium hirsutum L.) (Malvaceae), no município de Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil

Parasitoid Hymenoptera (Insecta, Hymenoptera) collected in a cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) (Malvaceae) plantation at the municipal district of Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Parasitoid Hymenoptera were collected by using Moericke trap placed in a cotton plantation (Gossypium hirsutum L.) of the variety Delta Pine 90, during the period of February 23rd to April 3rd, 2001. A total of 16,166 specimens of parasitoids, belonging to eight superfamilies and 22 families, were collected. Encyrtidae, Trichogrammatidae, Mymaridae and Scelionidae were the most common families, being responsible for 45.14%, 19.11%, 14.33% and 6.57% of the total number of parasitoids collected, respectively. Other eigthteen families showed the relative frequency lower than 5%.

Himenópteros parasitóides (Insecta, Hymenoptera) coletados em cultura de soja (Glycine max (L.)) Merril (Fabaceae), no município de Nuporanga, SP, Brasil

Parasitoid Hymenoptera collected in a soybean plantation (Glycine max (L.)) Merril (Fabaceae) at the municipal district of Nuporanga, SP, Brazil. Parasitoid Hymenoptera were collected by using Moericke trap placed in a soybean plantation (Glycine max (L.) Merril) (Fabaceae) of the variety Conquista, during the period of March 24th to April 7th, 2000. A total of 4,969 specimens of parasitoids, belonging to seven superfamilies and 15 families, were collected. Scelionidae, Encyrtidae, Aphelinidae and Trichogrammatidae were the most common families, being responsible for 41.66%, 19.42%, 11.19% and 7.35% of the total number of parasitoids collected, respectively. Other eleven families showed the relative frequency lower than 5%.

Bilateral anomaly in the style of Micropygomyia schreiberi (Martins, Falcão & Silva) (Diptera, Psychodidae)

This paper presents a specimen of phlebotomine sand fly with a bilateral anomaly in the style. Although such anomaly be rare in this group of insects, it may cause confusion in taxonomic identification and even lead to description of new species, increasing the number of synonymies. The specimen was measured and compared with the holotype and four paratypes of Micropygomyia schreiberi (Martins, Falcão & Silva, 1975) and confirmed that it belongs, in fact, to this species.