Gastropods with different development modes respond differently to habitat fragmentation.

The role of the human-made structures in coastal ecosystems can determine the spatial distribution or patterns of spatial abundances of marine organisms. To contribute to the understanding of linkages between different components of habitats (i.e. natural and artificial structures), we explored the role of type of larval development (planktotrophic vs. non-planktotrophic) on patterns of spatial variation of gastropods on rocky shores, elucidating the possible responsibility of habitat fragmentation on their distribution. Obtained results suggest that habitat fragmentation affects differently the patterns of variability of species with different types of larval development. Namely, fragmentation caused by artificial structures mostly influence variability of species with non-planktotrophic development. Moreover, although abundance of the species with non-planktotrophic development varied at small spatial scales, suggesting that processes operating at this scale are likely the main drivers of their distribution, changes in species variability were not associated with differences in species abundance among habitats.

Invasion success and development of benthic assemblages: effect of timing, duration of submersion and substrate type.

Several studies have suggested that communities associated with artificial substrata support more non-indigenous species (NIS) than natural habitats, and may function as corridors for their expansion. Our study focused on the role of substrate type, timing and duration of submersion as determinants of fouling assemblage. We used plates made of basalt, concrete or fibreglass, to assess early, i.e., 3 months, and late, i.e., 12 months, succession in benthic communities. To assess spatial and temporal variability of the results, sampling was performed at 2 locations and the experiment was repeated in two seasons of the year. Our results showed that the timing and duration of submersion affected the number and percent cover of natives and NIS, as well as assemblage composition. Moreover, the present study showed no support for the hypothesis that marine NIS are more abundant on artificial substrata, as neither of the two artificial substrata tested supported a greater number of NIS compared to basalt (the natural substratum). Overall, fibreglass presented the most different benthic assemblage composition, supporting the fact that the extent and nature of the observed differences varied not only between natural and artificial substrata, but also according to the type of artificial habitat considered. Thus, our results are in agreement with previous studies that stated that appropriate strategies for environmental management should integrate ecological assessment in order to maintain natural patterns of distribution and abundance of organisms, scales of variability and relevant ecological processes.

In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of staphylococci isolated from canine pyoderma in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Susceptibilidade in vitro a antimicrobianos de staphylococci isolados de cães com piodermatite no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The study aimed to determine the etiology and antimicrobial resistance of staphylococci isolated from canine pyoderma. Samples were obtained from dogs with pyoderma and isolates were identified by biochemical reactions and tested for susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials. Thirty nine staphylococci isolates were obtained, and S. pseudintermedius was the most frequent (47.4 percent). All isolates showed resistance to at least one drug and 77.1 percent were multiresistant. The most effective drug was oxacillin. The study reports the alarming antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus isolated from canine pyoderma samples.

O estudo se propõe a avaliar a etiologia e a susceptibilidade de estafilococos isolados de cães com dermatite. Os isolados foram identificados por provas bioquímicas e testados quanto a sua susceptibilidade a 15 antimicrobianos. Trinta e nove isolados de Staphylococci foram obtidos, e S. pseudintermedius foi mais freqüente (47,4 por cento). Todos isolados apresentaram resistência a pelo menos uma droga e 77,1 por cento foram multirresistentes. A oxacilina foi a droga mais eficaz. O estudo demonstra níveis alarmantes de resistência antimicrobiana nos Staphylococcus de pioderma canino.

In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of staphylococci isolated from canine pyoderma in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The study aimed to determine the etiology and antimicrobial resistance of staphylococci isolated from canine pyoderma. Samples were obtained from dogs with pyoderma and isolates were identified by biochemical reactions and tested for susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials. Thirty nine staphylococci isolates were obtained, and S. pseudintermedius was the most frequent (47.4%). All isolates showed resistance to at least one drug and 77.1% were multiresistant. The most effective drug was oxacillin. The study reports the alarming antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus isolated from canine pyoderma samples.

Once-daily, low-cost, highly effective Helicobacter pylori treatment to family members of gastric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori eradication in family members of gastric cancer patients is now widely accepted, although problems related to costs and compliance persist. AIM: To compare the efficacy, tolerability and long-term re-infection rates of two once-daily regimens for the eradication of H. pylori in family members of gastric cancer patients. METHODS: 106 first-degree family members of gastric cancer patients were recruited and submitted to the 13C-urea breath test (UBT) to detect H. pylori. If positive, they were randomly allocated to receive a combination of lanzoprazole 30 mg, clarithromycin OD (extended-release formulation) 500 mg and furazolidone 400 mg, once daily, in the morning, for 7 days (Group A) or the same regimen with only 200 mg furazolidone (Group B). Eradication was confirmed by urea breath test performed 6 weeks after treatment. 13C-urea breath test was repeated at 944 (784-1258) days after treatment in successfully treated participants to look for re-infection. RESULTS: Twenty-five participants were H. pylori negative and two H. pylori-positive individuals refused to sign the informed consent and were excluded. Therefore, 79 participants were studied. Forty participants were allocated to Group A and 39 to Group B. All participants completed treatment. Adverse effects, mostly mild, were observed in 18% of Group A and 18% of Group B (N.S.). The intention-to-treat eradication rate was 87.5% in Group A and 61.5% in Group B (P = 0.006). The mean annual re-infection rate was 3%. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of lanzoprazole 30 mg, one tablet of clarithromycin OD (extended release formulation) 500 mg and furazolidone 400 mg, once daily for 7 days, constitutes an inexpensive, safe and effective alternative for anti-H. pylori therapy in family members of gastric cancer patients.

[Color vision in school children: evaluation of a new test] / Visão das cores em escolares: avaliação de um novo teste.

OBJECTIVE: To compare standard color vision test results (Ishihara test) with a new test developed by the authors ("crayon" test) for the detection of congenital dyschromatopsia. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 712 children from three public schools and one private school in the city of Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Children with learning disabilities, or systemic and ocular diseases were excluded from this random sample. Two color vision tests, Ishihara test (short version with 14 plates) and crayon test (developed by the authors) were sequentially applied. Each test was applied by different evaluators and analyzed by a third evaluator. RESULTS: The crayon test showed a specificity of 100% (99.3-100%) and sensitivity of 38.5% (15.1-67.7%) when compared to Ishihara test. The prevalence of congenital dyschromatopsia in this population sample was 2.6% for male children, and 0.9% for female children. CONCLUSIONS: The crayon test results showed greater specificity than Ishihara test in the studied group; however, sensitivity was not adequate for a screening test. It is necessary to improve the sensitivity so that congenital dyschromatopsia can be detected by the crayon test.

Fast and reliable screening of mutations in human tumors: use of multiple fluorescence-based long linker arm nucleotides assay (mf-LLA).

Human tumor samples were screened for point mutations by adapting a mobility-shift assay to automated DNA sizing. This screen identifies the type of point mutation and relative amount of mutated DNA sequences present in a sample. Test samples having known hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt)/exon-3 sequence mutations were characterized by: (i) PCR amplification, (ii) fluorescent dye-primer extension with 36-atom linker derived deoxycytosine or deoxyuridine triphosphate and the remaining three natural nucleotides and (iii) sizing of the resulting fluorescently labeled modified strands, using an automated DNA sequencer. Routinely, a range of sizes is observed among the sequence variants of a single DNA target sequence. This is because nucleotide analogs are incorporated into DNA strands in a sequence-dependent manner, resulting in composition-dependent electrophoretic mobility. Thus, point mutations are identified as shifts in mobility between the fluorescently labeled modified strands of the control and test samples. The twenty different hprt/exon-3 single-base substitution mutations tested were easily identified, even at fourfold dilution with control DNA.

[Lupus erythematosus systemic and persistent pulmonary salmonellosis]. / Lupus eritematoso sistêmico e salmonelose pulmonar persistente.

A 40-years-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and severe pulmonary nontyphoid salmonellosis (Salmonella Typhimurium), is reported. In addition the patient had incomplete septal cirrhosis. The authors pointed out a possible influence of Salmonella infection in the development of immune complex diseases.