High frequencies of plexiform neurofibromas, mental retardation, learning difficulties, and scoliosis in Brazilian patients with neurofibromatosis type 1

A clinical study of Brazilian patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) was performed in a multidisciplinary Neurofibromatosis Program called CEPAN (Center of Research and Service in Neurofibromatosis). Among 55 patients (60% females, 40% males) who met the NIH criteria for the diagnosis of NF1, 98% had more than six café-au-lait patches, 94.5% had axillary freckling, 45% had inguinal freckling, and 87.5% had Lisch nodules. Cutaneous neurofibromas were observed in 96%, and 40% presented plexiform neurofibromas. A positive family history of NF1 was found in 60%, and mental retardation occurred in 35%. Some degree of scoliosis was noted in 49%, 51% had macrocephaly, 40% had short stature, 76% had learning difficulties, and 2% had optic gliomas. Unexpectedly high frequencies of plexiform neurofibromas, mental retardation, learning difficulties, and scoliosis were observed, probably reflecting the detailed clinical analysis methods adopted by the Neurofibromatosis Program. These same patients were screened for mutations in the GAP-related domain/GRD (exons 20-27a) by single-strand conformation polymorphism. Four different mutations (Q1189X, 3525-3526delAA, E1356G, c.4111-1G>A) and four polymorphisms (c.3315-27G>A, V1146I, V1317A, c.4514+11C>G) were identified. These data were recently published.

Study of the enthalpy-entropy mechanism from water sorption of orange seeds (C. sinensis cv. Brazilian) for the use of agro-industrial residues as a possible source of vegetable oil production

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

Comparison between the complete Bayesian method and empirical Bayesian method for ARCH models using Brazilian financial time series

In this work we compared the estimates of the parameters of ARCH models using a complete Bayesian method and an empirical Bayesian method in which we adopted a non-informative prior distribution and informative prior distribution, respectively. We also considered a reparameterization of those models in order to map the space of the parameters into real space. This procedure permits choosing prior normal distributions for the transformed parameters. The posterior summaries were obtained using Monte Carlo Markov chain methods (MCMC). The methodology was evaluated by considering the Telebras series from the Brazilian financial market. The results show that the two methods are able to adjust ARCH models with different numbers of parameters. The empirical Bayesian method provided a more parsimonious model to the data and better adjustment than the complete Bayesian method.

Morphology of the testicles of some brazilian species of Diplopoda and their phyllogenetic relations

The morphology of the testicles of some Brazilian species of Diplopoda is described. One type is scalariform, with two deferent ducts and the other consists of some single deferent duct. Phyllogenetic considerations on the structure are made.

Distribution and importance of spiders inhabiting a Brazilian sugar cane plantation

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

Spatial distribution of arboviral mosquito vectors (Diptera, Culicidae) in Vale do Ribeira in the South-eastern Brazilian Atlantic Forest

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

In vitro anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity of some Brazilian Cerrado plants

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

Occurrence of skeletal malocclusions in Brazilian patients with dentofacial deformities

Este estudo avaliou a ocorrência de más oclusões esqueléticas apresentadas pelos pacientes do Centro de Pesquisa e Tratamento das Deformidades Bucofaciais (CEDEFACE), na cidade de Araraquara, SP, Brasil. Foram avaliados prontuários de 381 pacientes com deformidades dentoesqueléticas, que fizeram tratamento combinado ortodôntico-cirúrgico no período entre 2000 e 2006. Após a seleção da amostra (método de conveniência), baseado nos dados da documentação pré e pós-cirúrgica, o número de pacientes foi reduzido para 171. Para classificação do levantamento, considerou-se a discrepância ântero-posterior (Classe I, II e III), raça, idade, gênero, ausência ou presença de assimetria, excesso vertical maxilar e biprotrusão maxilar, além de determinar em qual base óssea o procedimento cirúrgico foi realizado. As documentações dos pacientes foram analisadas por um examinador previamente calibrado pelo processo de repetição até que o método fosse considerado adequado (correlação intraclasse >0,94). A idade média dos pacientes foi de 23,59 anos (DP 6,93), a maioria do gênero feminino (102 pacientes) e leucoderma (160 pacientes). A má oclusão mais prevalente foi a Classe III (81 pacientes). A assimetria, o excesso maxilar vertical e biprotrusão maxilar estavam presentes em 54, 33, e 7 pacientes, respectivamente. Na maioria dos casos, as cirurgias para correção de deformidades dentoesqueléticas foram combinadas, envolvendo os dois maxilares. Com base nos resultados, conclui-se que a Classe III foi a deformidade esquelética mais prevalente e a Classe I a menos prevalente. em geral, a prevalência de deformidades esqueléticas foi maior entre as mulheres e a maioria dos pacientes apresentou uma combinação de problemas maxilares e mandibulares, o que interfere diretamente na decisão sobre o plano de tratamento mais adequado. Houve uma maior incidência de assimetria na Classe III esquelética; o excesso vertical ocorreu de forma semelhante na Classe II e III e a biprotrusão teve baixa incidência entre as más oclusões avaliadas.

Genetic linkage map of chicken chromosome 1 from a Brazilian resource population

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

Genetic variability in natural populations of Zeyheria montana mart. from the Brazilian Cerrado

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

Determinação do percentual de malte e adjuntos em cervejas comerciais brasileiras através de análise isotópica

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

Grading and staging chronic hepatitis C and its relation to genotypes and epidemiological factors in brazilian blood donors

Progression of chronic hepatitis C is known to be associated with some factors, but influence of HCV genotypes is still controversial. Association between HCV genotypes and other risk factors was examined to determine which factors are associated with progression of infection. One hundred consecutive anti-HCV positive volunteer blood donors were evaluated for several risk factors, examined for HCV genotypes, and submitted to hepatic biopsy and biochemical exams.HCV genotyping were carried out in 89 patients and hepatic biopsy in 78. Transmission routes were found to be illicit intravenous drug use (26%), Gluconergan® use in a non-safe manner (48%) and blood transfusion (15%). HCV genotype was 1 in 45%, 3 in 40%, and it was not associated with the stage of fibrosis or with inflammatory activity. There was no significant association of factors related to infection, chronic alcohol use, or duration of illness, with progression of the lesion. There was a significant association of aminotransferase levels and the fibrosis stage. Univariate analysis showed that the age at contamination, patient's age, GT-gamma, and aminotransferase levels over three times the upper normal limits, were associated with fibrosis stages 2 to 4. Multivariate analysis detected age (odds ratio=1.19), and GT-gamma (odds ratio=2.02) as independent factors.

Genetics of resistance to soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines ichione (Race 3), in a brazilian soybean population

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

Interactions in the Agrobacterium-soybean system and capability of some Brazilian soybean cultivars to produce somatic embryos

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

Antigenic typing of brazilian rabies virus samples isolated from animals and humans, 1989-2000

Amostras de vírus rábico isoladas de animais e humanos no período de 1989 a 2000 foram tipificadas antigenicamente com a utilização de um painel de anticorpos monoclonais contra a nucleoproteína viral, pré-estabelecido para o estudo da epidemiologia molecular do vírus rábico isolado nas Américas. As amostras testadas foram isoladas no laboratório de diagnóstico do Instituto Pasteur e outros centros de diagnóstico de raiva no Brasil. Além das cepas de vírus rábico fixo CVS-31/96-IP, mantida em cérebro de camundongos e a PV-BHK/97, mantida em cultura de células, cepas de vírus rábico isoladas de cães, gatos, bovinos, eqüinos, morcegos, ovinos, caprino, suínos, raposa, sagüí, coatí, guaxinim e humanos, totalizaram 330 amostras. Seis variantes antigênicas foram definidas, compatíveis com perfís observados no painel de anticorpos monoclonais pré-estabelecido utilizado, as de número 2 (cão), 3 (Desmodus rotundus), 4 (Tadarida brasiliensis), 5 (Vampiro da Venezuela), 6 (Lasiurus cinereus) e Lab (reagente a todos os anticorpos utilizados), além de outros seis perfís desconhecidos, não compatíveis com aqueles observados no painel utilizado. A maior variabilidade foi observada entre as amostras isoladas de morcegos insetívoros e a variante mais comum isolada entre as espécies foi a variante 3 (Desmodus rotundus). Estes fatos podem representar a existência de múltiplos ciclos de transmissão independentes, envolvendo diferentes espécies de morcegos.