Development of a thematic collection of Musa spp accessions using SCAR markers for preventive breeding against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense tropical race 4.

Bananas are one of the most consumed fruits worldwide, but are affected by many pests and diseases. One of the most devastating diseases is Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense (Foc). Recently, Fusarium tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) has been causing irreparable damage, especially in Asia and Africa where it has devastated entire plantations, including areas with Cavendish, which is known to be resistant to Foc race 1. Although this race is not yet present in Brazil, results obtained by Embrapa in partnership with the University of Wageningen, The Netherlands, indicate that 100% of the cultivars used by Brazilian growers are susceptible to Foc TR 4. In our study, 276 banana accessions were screened with sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers that have been linked to the resistance of Foc TR 4. Two SCAR primers were tested and the results revealed that SCAR ScaU1001 was efficient at discriminating accessions with possible resistance in 36.6% of the evaluated accessions. This is the first attempt to develop a thematic collection of possible Foc TR 4 resistant banana accessions in Brazil, which could be tested in Asian or African countries to validate marker-assisted selection (MAS), and for use in the preventive breeding of the crop to safeguard our banana plantations against Foc TR 4. We believe that this is an important step towards the prevention of this devastating disease, especially considering that our banana plantations are at risk.

Estimation of genetic structure of a Mycosphaerella musicola population using inter-simple sequence repeat markers.

Among the diseases affecting banana (Musa sp), yellow Sigatoka, caused by the fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella musicola Leach, is considered one of the most important in Brazil, causing losses throughout the year. Understanding the genetic structure of pathogen populations will provide insight into the life history of pathogens, including the evolutionary processes occurring in agrosystems. Tools for estimating the possible emergence of pathogen variants with altered pathogenicity, virulence, or aggressiveness, as well as resistance to systemic fungicides, can also be developed from such data. The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity and population genetics of M. musicola in the main banana-producing regions in Brazil. A total of 83 isolates collected from different banana cultivars in the Brazilian states of Bahia, Rio Grande do Norte, and Minas Gerais were evaluated using inter-simple sequence repeat markers. High variability was detected between the isolates, and 85.5% of the haplotypes were singletons in the populations. The highest source of genetic diversity (97.22%) was attributed to variations within populations. Bayesian cluster analysis revealed the presence of 2 probable ancestral groups, however, showed no relationship to population structure in terms of collection site, state of origin, or cultivar. Similarly, we detected noevidence of genetic recombination between individuals within different states, indicating that asexual cycles play a major role in M. musicola reproduction and that long-distance dispersal of the pathogen is the main factor contributing to the lack of population structure in the fungus.

UTILIZAÇÃO DO DETECTOR DE METAIS PARA A DETERMINAÇÃO DA PREVALÊNCIA DE CORPOS ESTRANHOS METÁLICOS EM BOVINOS DE RAÇAS LEITEIRAS NA REGIÃO DE ARAÇATUBA-BRASIL

Com os objetivos de determinar a prevalência de corpos estranhos metálicos nos animais de rebanhos da região de Araçatuba-Brasil, verificar a presença de animais com reticuloperitonite traumática nestes rebanhos e correlacionar a presença de sinais clínicos de reticuloperitonite traumática à positividade quando da avaliação pelo detector de metais, foram pesquisados 138 animais adultos, sendo 48 animais na propriedade 1, sendo 24 animais positivos à passagem do detector de metais, 32 animais na propriedade 2, nenhum positivo, 28 animais na propriedade 3 sendo 3 positivos e 30 animais na propriedade 4 sendo 7 animais positivos. Sangue de 11animais foram colhidos para a realização de hemograma, porém nenhum deles apresentou alteração. Podemos concluir que a utilização do detector de metais como auxiliar de diagnóstico é de fundamental importância, pois permite um diagnóstico mais precoce o que diminui os gastos e melhora a chance de sucesso no tratamento e que propriedades melhores manejadas tem menor incidência de ingestão de corpos estranhos metálicos e portanto menor probabilidade da ocorrência da doença.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Bovinos. Reticuloperitonite. Reticulopericardite. Corpo estranho.

UTILIZAÇÃO DO DETECTOR DE METAIS PARA A DETERMINAÇÃO DA PREVALÊNCIA DE CORPOS ESTRANHOS METÁLICOS EM BOVINOS DE RAÇAS LEITEIRAS NA REGIÃO DE ARAÇATUBA-BRASIL

Com os objetivos de determinar a prevalência de corpos estranhos metálicos nos animais de rebanhos da região de Araçatuba-Brasil, verificar a presença de animais com reticuloperitonite traumática nestes rebanhos e correlacionar a presença de sinais clínicos de reticuloperitonite traumática à positividade quando da avaliação pelo detector de metais, foram pesquisados 138 animais adultos, sendo 48 animais na propriedade 1, sendo 24 animais positivos à passagem do detector de metais, 32 animais na propriedade 2, nenhum positivo, 28 animais na propriedade 3 sendo 3 positivos e 30 animais na propriedade 4 sendo 7 animais positivos. Sangue de 11animais foram colhidos para a realização de hemograma, porém nenhum deles apresentou alteração. Podemos concluir que a utilização do detector de metais como auxiliar de diagnóstico é de fundamental importância, pois permite um diagnóstico mais precoce o que diminui os gastos e melhora a chance de sucesso no tratamento e que propriedades melhores manejadas tem menor incidência de ingestão de corpos estranhos metálicos e portanto menor probabilidade da ocorrência da doença.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Bovinos. Reticuloperitonite. Reticulopericardite. Corpo estranho.

Use of the metal detector to determine the prevalence of metallic foreign bodies in dairy cows in Araçatuba region, Brazil / Utilização do detector de metais para a determinação da prevalência de corpos estranhos metálicos em bovinos de raças leiteiras na região de Araçatuba-Brasil

Com os objetivos de determinar a prevalência de corpos estranhos metálicos nos animais de rebanhos da região de Araçatuba-Brasil, verificar a presença de animais com reticuloperitonite traumática nestes rebanhos e correlacionar a presença de sinais clínicos de reticuloperitonite traumática à positividade quando da avaliação pelo detector de metais, foram pesquisados 138 animais adultos, sendo 48 animais na propriedade 1, sendo 24 animais positivos à passagem do detector de metais, 32 animais na propriedade 2, nenhum positivo, 28 animais na propriedade 3 sendo 3 positivos e 30 animais na propriedade 4 sendo 7 animais positivos. Sangue de 11 animais foram colhidos para a realização de hemograma, porém nenhum deles apresentou alteração. Podemos concluir que a utilização do detector de metais como auxiliar de diagnóstico é de fundamental importância, pois permite um diagnóstico mais precoce o que diminui os gastos e melhora a chance de sucesso no tratamento e que propriedades melhores manejadas tem menor incidência de ingestão de corpos estranhos metálicos e portanto menor probabilidade da ocorrência da doença.

To determine the prevalence of metallic foreign bodies in animals from flocks in the region of Araçatuba-Brazil, to verify the presence of animals with traumatic peritonitis and if there a correlation between the presence of clinical signs with a positive result on the metal detector exam. 138 adult dairy cows from four farms were used: 48 animals from property 1 with 24 found positive on the metal detector exam, 32 animals from property 2, with no positive results, 28 animals in property 3, with 3 positives and 30 animals in property 4, with 7 animals positive. Blood of 11 positive animals was collected for the hemogram, however none of them showed any changes. We can conclude that the use of the metal detector as an auxiliary diagnostic test is of extreme importance, since it allows an earlier diagnosis which diminishes the expenses and improves the possibility of success of the treatmente and that anials from properties with good management practices have a minor incidence og ingestion of metallic foreign bodies, therefore a lesser probability of occurrence of the disease.

Utilização do detector de metais para a determinação da prevalência de corpos estranhos metálicos em bovinos de raças leiteiras na região de araçatuba-brasil

Com os objetivos de determinar a prevalência de corpos estranhos metálicos nos animais de rebanhos da região de Araçatuba-Brasil, verificar a presença de animais com reticuloperitonite traumática nestes rebanhos e correlacionar a presença de sinais clínicos de reticuloperitonite traumática à positividade quando da avaliação pelo detector de metais, foram pesquisados 138 animais adultos, sendo 48 animais na propriedade 1, sendo 24 animais positivos à passagem do detector de metais, 32 animais na propriedade 2, nenhum positivo, 28 animais na propriedade 3 sendo 3 positivos e 30 animais na propriedade 4 sendo 7 animais positivos. Sangue de 11animais foram colhidos para a realização de hemograma, porém nenhum deles apresentou alteração. Podemos concluir que a utilização do detector de metais como auxiliar de diagnóstico é de fundamental importância, pois permite um diagnóstico mais precoce o que diminui os gastos e melhora a chance de sucesso no tratamento e que propriedades melhores manejadas tem menor incidência de ingestão de corpos estranhos metálicos e portanto menor probabilidade da ocorrência da doença.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Bovinos. Reticuloperitonite. Reticulopericardite. Corpo estranho.

High frequency of immature dendritic cells and altered in situ production of interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Antigen-presenting cells, like dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, play a significant role in the induction of an immune response and an imbalance in the proportion of macrophages, immature and mature DCs within the tumor could affect significantly the immune response to cancer. DCs and macrophages can differentiate from monocytes, depending on the milieu, where cytokines, like interleukin (IL)-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induce DC differentiation and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha induce DC maturation. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze by immunohistochemistry the presence of DCs (S100+ or CD1a+), macrophages (CD68+), IL-4 and TNF-alpha within the microenvironment of primary lung carcinomas. RESULTS: Higher frequencies of both immature DCs and macrophages were detected in the tumor-affected lung, when compared to the non-affected lung. Also, TNF-alpha-positive cells were more frequent, while IL-4-positive cells were less frequent in neoplastic tissues. This decreased frequency of mature DCs within the tumor was further confirmed by the lower frequency of CD14-CD80+ cells in cell suspensions obtained from the same lung tissues analyzed by flow cytometry. CONCLUSION: These data are discussed and interpreted as the result of an environment that does not oppose monocyte differentiation into DCs, but that could impair DC maturation, thus affecting the induction of effective immune responses against the tumor.

Expression of a dendritic cell maturation marker CD83 on tumor cells from lung cancer patients and several human tumor cell lines: is there a biological meaning behind it?

The present paper shows, for the first time, the membrane expression of the dendritic cell maturation marker CD83 on tumor cells from lung cancer patients. CD83 was also detected on freshly cultured fibroblast-like cells from these tissues and on several adherent human tumor cell lines (lung adenocarcinomas P9, A459 and A549, melanomas A375 and C81-61, breast adenocarcinomas SKBR-3 and MCF-7 and colon carcinoma AR42-J), but not in the non-adherent MOT leukemia cell line. CD83 may have immunosuppressive properties and its expression by cancer cells could have a role in facilitating tumor growth.

Genotyping of Giardia duodenalis from human and animal samples from Brazil using beta-giardin gene: a phylogenetic analysis.

Giardia duodenalis is one of the major diarrhea agents in human and animals distributed worldwide, and present high levels of genetic diversity, showing seven genotypes: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Only Assemblages A and B have been detected in humans and in a wide range of other mammalians hosts, whereas the remaining Assemblages (C-G) are host-specific. Molecular characterization of cysts of human and animal origin are useful to address the co-circulate isolates between these host, and represents an objective means to evaluate zoonotic infection hypothesis. In the present work the G. duodenalis genotypes were characterized by restriction fragment length polymorphisms and DNA sequencing analysis of PCR products of the beta-giardin gene. The cysts were collected in the city of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, from a population composed by humans (n=366, 310 children and 56 adults), domestic animals (n=11) from a municipal daycare center in the surroundings of a slum and neighborhood medium-high class domestic animals (n=18). Parasitological exams were developed in human fecal samples. Parasites were found in 60% (186/310) and 66% (37/56) of the samples from children and adults, respectively. Among children's samples, 27.7% (86/310) were positive for G. duodenalis. Only 1.7% (1/56) of the adults was positive for this parasite. In general a total of 87 fecal samples (86 from children and 1 from adult) from all population studied were positive for G. duodenalis, and 62 of these were subjected to molecular analysis using a PCR that amplified a fragment of the beta-giardin gene. Sixty samples were typed as genotype A1, two as genotype A2 and genotype B was not encountered. Among domestic animals samples (n=29), eight (seven dogs and one cat) from the slum community were identified as genotype A1, and all control samples (n=18) were negative in the molecular assay. The host-specific genotypes C, D and, F were not found. In this study we described single case of G. duodenalis infection associated with a child and her dog and both isolates characterized as genotype A1. Despite the low incidence, this data suggest the putative existence of a zoonotic cycle of G. duodenalis in the studied population.

Leishmanial antigens in the diagnosis of active lesions and ancient scars of American tegumentary leishmaniasis patients.

Cutaneous biopsies (n = 94) obtained from 88 patients with American tegumentary leishmaniasis were studied by conventional and immunohistochemical techniques. Specimens were distributed as active lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 53) (Group I), cicatricial lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis (n = 35) (Group II) and suggestive scars of healed mucosal leishmaniasis patients (n = 6) (Group III). In addition, active cutaneous lesions of other etiology (n = 24) (Group C1) and cutaneous scars not related to leishmaniasis (n = 10) (Group C2) were also included in the protocol. Amastigotes in Group I biopsies were detected by routine histopathological exam (30.2%), imprint (28.2%), culture (43.4%), immunofluorescence (41.4%) and immunoperoxidase (58.5%) techniques; and by the five methods together (79.3%). In Group II, 5.7% of cultures were positive. Leishmanial antigen was also seen in the cytoplasm of macrophages and giant cells (cellular pattern), vessel walls (vascular pattern) and dermal nerves (neural pattern). Positive reaction was detected in 49 (92.5%), 20 (57%) and 4 (67%) biopsies of Groups I, II and III, respectively. Antigen persistency in cicatricial tissue may be related to immunoprotection or, on the contrary, to the development of late lesions. We suggest that the cellular, vascular and neural patterns could be applied in the immunodiagnosis of active and cicatricial lesions in which leishmaniasis is suspected.

[Surgical removal of pulmonary metastasis: prospective study in 182 patients]. / Ressecção cirúrgica de metástases pulmonares: estudo prospectivo em 182 pacientes.

PURPOSE: The present study evaluates the results of surgical treatment of lung metastases, as well as attempts to identify subgroups of patients who would benefit the most from the operation. CASE AND METHODS: This is a prospective analysis of patients with history of neoplasia, submitted to resection of pulmonary nodules, with the diagnosis or suspicion of metastases. The 182 patients were operated upon through a lateral thoracotomy. RESULTS: The patients submitted to pulmonary resection for suspected metastases showed no malignant tissue in 34 patients (18.6%), and in six patients (3.2%) were diagnosed a second lung primary tumor. Overall survival of the patients was 28% at 56 months, and disease-free survival was 9%. Multivariate analysis showed that disease free interval (p = 0.002), complete resection (p = 0.039), and number of malignant nodules resected (p = 0.016) significantly affected overall survival. Disease-free survival was affected only by complete resection (p = 0.0001) and number of malignant nodules resected (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Resection of pulmonary metastasis improve survival in a selected group of patients. More studies are necessary to define the value of other therapies in the results of survival in resected pulmonary metastasis.

Detection of Leishmania DNA by polymerase chain reaction in scars of treated human patients.

Leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in developing countries. The efficacy of therapy is usually evaluated through clinical parameters. To define the parasitologic cure, 20 patients were biopsied before and 1 month to 8 years after treatment. Paraffin-embedded tissue was used for DNA isolation. All patients had a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result before therapy, except 1, for whom no histopathologic material was available. The causative agent was identified as belonging to the Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus by hybridization. Despite clinical healing and absence of reactivation or development of mucosal lesions, PCR was positive in scars of 16 patients (80%). The results suggest that parasites persist in the skin for many years despite treatment. Depending on specific pathogenetic features of the parasite and the immune status of the host, this phenomenon might result in mucosal lesions. Alternatively, it could have a role in the maintenance of immunologic memory in patients living in areas in which leishmaniasis is endemic.

Ressecçäo cirúrgica de metástases pulmonares: estudo prospectivo em 182 pacientes / Surgical removal o pulmonary metastasis: prospective study in 182 patients

Objetivo. O presente estudo visa avaliar os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico de metástases pulmonares, além de tentar identificar mais precisamente os subgrupos de pacientes que se beneficiariam mais da operaçao. Casuística e Método. O estudo é uma análise prospectiva de pacientes com história de tumores primários, submetidos à ressecçao de nódulos pulmonares com suspeita ou diagnóstico de metástases, para determinar os resultados desta abordagem, e investigar a influência de fatores prognósticos potenciais sobre a probabilidade de sobrevida global ou livre de doença. Foram incluídos neste estudo todos os pacientes (n=182) com neoplasias malignas prévias, e submetidos a toracotomia. Resultados. Os pacientes submetidos à ressecçao pulmonar de nódulos suspeitos de metástases reveleram a ausência de qualquer neoplasia em 34 deles (18,6 por cento), seis deles (3,2 por cento) apresentaram um segundo tumor primário de pulmao. A sobrevida global dos pacientes foi de 28 por cento em 56 meses. A sobrevida livre de doença de 56 meses foi de 9 por cento. A análise multivariada mostrou que a sobrevida global dos pacientes foi influenciada pelo intervalo livre de doença (menor que 1,5 ano, p=0,002), pela ressecçao completa (p=0,039), e pelo número de nódulos maqlignos ressecados (menor que três nódulos, p=0,016). A sobrevida livre de doença foi significativamente afetada pela ressecçao completa das metástases (p=0,0001) e pelo número de nódulo malignos ressecados (menor que três nódulos, p=0,004). Conclusao. A ressecçao cirúrgica de metástases pulmonares beneficia um grupo selecionado de pacientes; estudos complementares sao necessários para se definir o valor da associaçao de outras modalidades terapêuticas na sobrevida destes pacientes.

[Isodense intracranial hematomas: study of 5 cases]. / Hematomas intracranianos isodensos: estudo de cinco casos.

The authors report 5 cases of isodense intracranial hematomas identified by computerized tomography and confirmed by angiography and surgical procedures. Radiological aspects are discussed and tomographic signals are emphasized.

[Meningioma of the posterior fossa with extracranial expansion in a child: report of a case]. / Meningeoma de fossa posterior com expansão extracraniana em crianca: registro de um caso.

A case of posterior fossa meningeoma with extracranial projection in a three years old female child is reported. The rarity of the process, its localization and the age group committed are emphasized. The radiological findings first suggesting an aneurismatic bone cyst like are commented. The surgical treatment with a posterior fossa approach and good results observed as well as the rarity of this pathology justify the report.

Meningeoma de fossa posterior com expansao extracraniana em crianca. Registro de um caso. / Meningioma of the posterior fossa with extracranial expansion in a child: report of a case

Os autores relatam caso de meningeoma de fossa posterior com projecao extracraniana em criancas de 3 anos de idade, submetido a terapeutica cirurgica com boa evolucao e remissao completa dos sinais e sintomas neurologicos apresentados. A raridade do tipo e localizacao do tumor nessa faixa etaria justificam a apresentacao e registro do caso