Insights on sperm assays and cryopreservation in six Neotropical pit vipers.

Breeding snakes in captivity has become more and more relevant due not only to the growing interest on their venoms but also to the increasing number of endangered species worldwide. Unfortunately, studies on the formation of germplasm banks for these reptiles do not follow the same pace, and literature on sperm cryopreservation remains in its infancy when compared to other taxa. Herein, we first validated a sperm-egg binding assay (using chicken egg perivitelline membrane - EPM) and some nonfluorescent staining techniques for semen analysis of two pit viper genera (Bothrops and Crotalus), and then we investigated the protective effects of dimethylacetamide (DMA), dimethylformamide (DMF), and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at different concentrations (3, 6 and 12%) throughout the freezing process in five species of lancehead and one of rattlesnake. Our validation process showed high correlations among sperm functional tests (including sperm-binding to EPM) and motion parameters. A total of 166 fresh ejaculates were acquired from 233 collection attempts, and 63.9% of these samples exhibited minimal motility for freezing (≥20%). During cryopreservation we observed that post-thaw motility and quality was improved by higher levels of cryoprotectants (CPA), regardless the CPA type. Lower concentrations of CPA were less harmful to sperm motility and progressive motility following the equilibrium phase, but were ineffective in protecting these cells from the freeze-thaw cycle. Likewise, higher CPA concentrations increased post-thaw integrity of the acrosome and plasma membrane for most species, except for rattlesnakes in which only 12% DMSO produced better outcomes.

New challenges beyond nutrition: c-section, air pollution and domestic violence.

The DOHaD research field has successfully associated adult non-communicable diseases with inadequate nutrition in early periods of life. More recently, different types of exposure have been linked with impaired developmental outcomes and later health consequences, such as cesarean section at delivery, air pollution and domestic violence during pregnancy. The aim of this work is to bring up this issue looking at the published evidence on these three highly prevalent hazards in Latin American countries.

Immune response to respiratory syncytial virus in young Brazilian children.

We have evaluated the cellular and humoral immune response to primary respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in young infants. Serum specimens from 65 patients <=12 months of age (39 males and 26 females, 28 cases <3 months and 37 cases > or = 3 months; median 3 3.9 months) were tested for anti-RSV IgG and IgG subclass antibodies by EIA. Flow cytometry was used to characterize cell surface markers expressed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 29 RSV-infected children. There was a low rate of seroconversion in children <3 months of age, whose acute-phase PBMC were mostly T lymphocytes (63.0 +/- 9.0%). In contrast, a higher rate of seroconversion was observed in children >3 months of age, with predominance of B lymphocytes (71.0 +/- 17.7%). Stimulation of PBMC with RSV (2 x 10(5) TCID50) for 48 h did not induce a detectable increase in intracellular cytokines and only a few showed a detectable increase in RSV-specific secreted cytokines. These data suggest that age is an important factor affecting the infants' ability to develop an immune response to RSV.

Immune response to respiratory syncytial virus in young Brazilian children

We have evaluated the cellular and humoral immune response to primary respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in young infants. Serum specimens from 65 patients <=12 months of age (39 males and 26 females, 28 cases <3 months and 37 cases > or = 3 months; median 3 ± 3.9 months) were tested for anti-RSV IgG and IgG subclass antibodies by EIA. Flow cytometry was used to characterize cell surface markers expressed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 29 RSV-infected children. There was a low rate of seroconversion in children <3 months of age, whose acute-phase PBMC were mostly T lymphocytes (63.0 ± 9.0 percent). In contrast, a higher rate of seroconversion was observed in children >3 months of age, with predominance of B lymphocytes (71.0 ± 17.7 percent). Stimulation of PBMC with RSV (2 x 10(5) TCID50) for 48 h did not induce a detectable increase in intracellular cytokines and only a few showed a detectable increase in RSV-specific secreted cytokines. These data suggest that age is an important factor affecting the infants' ability to develop an immune response to RSV

Clinical patterns and seasonal trends in respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations in São Paulo, Brazil.

The respiratory viruses are recognized as the most frequent lower respiratory tract pathogens for infants and young children in developed countries but less is known for developing populations. The authors conducted a prospective study to evaluate the occurrence, clinical patterns, and seasonal trends of viral infections among hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract disease (Group A). The presence of respiratory viruses in children's nasopharyngeal was assessed at admission in a pediatric ward. Cell cultures and immunofluorescence assays were used for viral identification. Complementary tests included blood and pleural cultures conducted for bacterial investigation. Clinical data and radiological exams were recorded at admission and throughout the hospitalization period. To better evaluate the results, a non- respiratory group of patients (Group B) was also constituted for comparison. Starting in February 1995, during a period of 18 months, 414 children were included- 239 in Group A and 175 in Group B. In Group A, 111 children (46.4%) had 114 viruses detected while only 5 children (2.9%) presented viruses in Group B. Respiratory Syncytial Virus was detected in 100 children from Group A (41.8%), Adenovirus in 11 (4.6%), Influenza A virus in 2 (0.8%), and Parainfluenza virus in one child (0.4%). In Group A, aerobic bacteria were found in 14 cases (5.8%). Respiratory Syncytial Virus was associated to other viruses and/or bacteria in six cases. There were two seasonal trends for Respiratory Syncytial Virus cases, which peaked in May and June. All children affected by the virus were younger than 3 years of age, mostly less than one year old. Episodic diffuse bronchial commitment and/or focal alveolar condensation were the clinical patterns more often associated to Respiratory Syncytial Virus cases. All children from Group A survived. In conclusion, it was observed that Respiratory Syncytial Virus was the most frequent pathogen found in hospitalized children admitted for severe respiratory diseases. Affected children were predominantly infants and boys presenting bronchiolitis and focal pneumonias. Similarly to what occurs in other subtropical regions, the virus outbreaks peak in the fall and their occurrence extends to the winter, which parallels an increase in hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases.

Efficacy of IV aminophylline as a supplemental therapy in moderate broncho-obstructive crisis in infants and preschool children.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of iv aminophylline as a supplemental therapy for wheezy infants and preschool children who still present moderate broncho-obstruction after treatment with nebulized fenoterol. A prospective randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a Paediatric Emergency Room. The major selection criteria for patients>> inclusion were age between 1 and 7 years, a wheezy episode lasting less than 2 days which failed to respond to three sequential fenoterol nebulizations, a Wood-Downes score between 3 and 6, and a history of at least two similar episodes. Exclusion criteria were radiologically-identified pulmonary condensation, recent use of corticosteroid and/or theophylline drugs, and previous diagnosis of chronic conditions. A sample of 43 cases was selected: 24 in Group A and 19 in Control Group B. All patients were submitted to nebulization with fenoterol and intravenous hydrocortisone for a maximum period of 24 h. Only Group A patients received iv aminophylline (6 mg/kg in bolus and 1.2 mg/kg per h for maintenance schedule). Treatment efficacy parameters established for the two groups were based on the Wood-Downes clinical score. Throughout the study, the average clinical scores and the discharge rate were similar for both groups. The average stay in the Emergency Room was 12.5 h for Group A and 14.6 h for Control Group B. In conclusion, the use of supplemental iv aminophylline for moderate broncho-obstructive crisis in wheezy infants and preschool children did not add therapeutically significant results to the usually prescribed combination of nebulized beta-adrenergic and intravenous corticosteroid drugs.

[Management of febrile infants younger than 2 months of age at the Emergency Care Unit: diagnosis aspects and therapeutics]. / Febre no lactente jovem atendido em Serviço de Emergência: aspectos diagnósticos e terapêuticos.

82 febrile young infants were studied, prospectively, at the Emergency Service in Hospital Universitário-University of São Paulo. All the children were kept at the Emergency ward for 24 hours. Clinical and laboratory investigations were performed and when necessary, administration of antibiotic agents were started. 18 infants exhibited potentially severe bacterial infections (21.9%). Several important disorders were recognized in 40 infants (48.8%). All infants were followed until the end of the febrile episode: 20 children as inpatients and 62 as outpatients. 38 infants received antibiotic therapy (46.3%). Evolution was satisfactory in all patients. The authors detected in young febrile infants potentially dangerous clinical conditions that need close observation, laboratorial investigation and frequently antimicrobial therapy. The observation period at the Emergency ward was important to allow these procedures and to decide about hospitalization need.

Falha na terapeutica inalatoria domiciliar para asma: analise e proposta / Therapeutic failure in the domiciliary management of asthmatic children: analysis and proposal

Os autores analisaram 19 casos de criancas asmaticas que apresentavam crises espaticas severas apesar da utilizacao domiciliar de aerosol de salbutamol. Os pacientes eram seguidos em ambulatorio especializado. Foram avaliadas as tecnicas de utilizacao do inalador, constatando-se 32 erros. Na continuidade do trabalho foi acoplado espacador ao aerosol e realizado treinamento breve. A avaliacao subsequente da tecnica inalatoria observou apenas 1 erro em todo o grupo.