Development of an integrated genetic map of a sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) commercial cross, based on a maximum-likelihood approach for estimation of linkage and linkage phases.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a clonally propagated outcrossing polyploid crop of great importance in tropical agriculture. Up to now, all sugarcane genetic maps had been developed using either full-sib progenies derived from interspecific crosses or from selfing, both approaches not directly adopted in conventional breeding. We have developed a single integrated genetic map using a population derived from a cross between two pre-commercial cultivars ('SP80-180' x 'SP80-4966') using a novel approach based on the simultaneous maximum-likelihood estimation of linkage and linkage phases method specially designed for outcrossing species. From a total of 1,118 single-dose markers (RFLP, SSR and AFLP) identified, 39% derived from a testcross configuration between the parents segregating in a 1:1 fashion, while 61% segregated 3:1, representing heterozygous markers in both parents with the same genotypes. The markers segregating 3:1 were used to establish linkage between the testcross markers. The final map comprised of 357 linked markers, including 57 RFLPs, 64 SSRs and 236 AFLPs that were assigned to 131 co-segregation groups, considering a LOD score of 5, and a recombination fraction of 37.5 cM with map distances estimated by Kosambi function. The co-segregation groups represented a total map length of 2,602.4 cM, with a marker density of 7.3 cM. When the same data were analyzed using JoinMap software, only 217 linked markers were assigned to 98 co-segregation groups, spanning 1,340 cM, with a marker density of 6.2 cM. The maximum-likelihood approach reduced the number of unlinked markers to 761 (68.0%), compared to 901 (80.5%) using JoinMap. All the co-segregation groups obtained using JoinMap were present in the map constructed based on the maximum-likelihood method. Differences on the marker order within the co-segregation groups were observed between the two maps. Based on RFLP and SSR markers, 42 of the 131 co-segregation groups were assembled into 12 putative homology groups. Overall, the simultaneous maximum-likelihood estimation of linkage and linkage phases was more efficient than the method used by JoinMap to generate an integrated genetic map of sugarcane.

[Association of Helicobacter pylori and chronic idiopathic urticaria]. / Estudo sobre a associação entre Helicobacter pylori e urticária crônica idiopática.

OBJECTIVES: To analise the etiological association of Hp and Idiopathic Chronic Urticaria (UCI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case control study. Eighteen patients over 18 years with clinical and laboratory evidences of ICU have been studied. Previous exposure to Hp was evaluated by serum IgG for Hp. The control group, with 18 patients were paired to age, sex, race and social economic conditions. In the patients positive to Hp oral doses of amoxacilin, metronidazole and omeoprazole were given in order to eradicate the agent. RESULTS: Twelve patients with UCI were positive to Hp (66.7%) and 6 were positive in the control group (33.3%). In the cases treated to eradicate Hp 6 had complete remission, 4 parcial remission and 2 had no improve. CONCLUSION: There are strong evidences that Hp is an etiological factor of Urticaria. In our study the difference of 33.4% in the previous exposure to Hp between cases and controls and the positive results with the therapeutics confirm the existence of this etiological association.

Estudo sobre a associaçäo entre Helicobacter pylori e urticária crônica idiopática / Study about the association of Helicobacter pylori and idiopathic chronic urticaria

Objetivo. Analisar a possível associaçao de nexo causal entre o Hp e Urticária Crônica Idiopática (UCI). Material e Métodos. Estudo de casos e controles. Foram estudados 18 pacientes, maiores de 18 anos, com quadro clínico e laboratorial de UCI. A exposiçao prévia ao Hp foi avaliada pela realizaçao de sorologia por radioimunoensaio (IgG para Helicobacter pylori). O grupo-centrole, composto por 18 integrantes, foi emparelhado para idade, sexo, raça e condiçoes sócio-econômicas. Nos pacientes soro-reagentes, instituiu-se tratamento para a erradicaçao do Hp, com doses orais de amoxacilina, metronidazol e omeprazol sendo o seguimento realizado por dois meses. Resultados. Entre os pacientes com UCI, 12 foram soro-reagentes para Hp (66,7 por cento) e entre os controles 6 foram soro-reagentes (33,3 por cento). Dos casos tratados para a erradicaçao do Hp 6 obtiveram remissao completa, 4 obtiveram remissao parcial e 2 nao obtiveram melhora alguma. Conclusoes. As evidências de que o Hp constitui-se em um dos fatores etiológicos dos quadros urticarianos vêm se fortalecendo e, em nosso trabalho, a diferença de quase 30 por cento na exposiçao prévia ao Hp entre casos e controles, somada com os resultados na terapêutica e no seguimento, corroboram as expectativas da existência deste nexo causal.

The influence of reperitonization on the induction of formation of intraperitoneal adhesions by a polypropylene mesh prosthesis. An experimental study in rats.

The correction of groin hernias has increasingly been performed by transperitoneal videolaparoscopic methods, using a polypropylene mesh. This could lead to an increased incidence of adhesion formation. The incidence of adhesions induced by mesh placement and the influence of reperitonization was observed on 40 male adult Wistar rats. Adhesions were significantly more common on the groups in which the prosthesis was placed (59% vs 95%; p = 0.01), as well as on the groups in which reperitonization was performed (58% vs 100%; p = 0.03). The results suggest that polypropylene mesh placement and reperitonization are each independent factors in the induction of adhesions formation.

Prospective study of strongyloidosis in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Immunocompromised individuals infected with Strongyloides stercoralis may develop severe hyperinfection or disseminated disease with high mortality. Patients with hematological malignancies are at risk because of immunodepression produced either by the disease or its treatment. A prospective study was undertaken at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, from July 1994 to July 1995. Seventy-two (HIV negative), had 3 stool samples collected at different days and had not received recent anthelmintic therapy. Larvae, isolated in a modified Baermann method, were found in 6 patients, with a resultant prevalence of 8.3%. No complicated strongyloidosis was documented. The positive result for S. stercoralis larvae was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with eosinophilia. Knowledge of prevalence figures and incidence of severe disease is important to adequate guidelines for empirical treatment besides the rigorous search for strongyloidosis in patients with hematological malignancies.

Prospective study of strongyloidosis in patients with hematologic malignancies

Immunocompromised individuals infected with Strongyloides stercoralis may develop severe hyperinfection or disseminated disease with high mortality. Patients with hematological malignancies are at risk because of immunodepression produced either by the disease or its treatment. A prospective study was undertaken at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, from July 1994 to July 1995. Seventy-two (HIV negative), had 3 stool samples collected at different days and had not received recent anthelmintic therapy. Larvae, isolated in a modified Baermann method, were found in 6 patients, with a resultant prevalence of 8.3%. No complicated strongyloidosis was documented. The positive result for S. stercoralis larvae was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with eosinophilia. Knowledge of prevalence figures and incidence of severe disease is important to adequate guidelines for empirical treatment besides the rigorous search for strongyloidosis in patients with hematological malignancies.

Indivíduos imunocomprometidos infectados com Strongyloides stercoralis podem desenvolver quadros severos de hiperinfecção ou doença disseminada com elevada mortalidade. Pacientes portadores de neoplasias hematológicas tem imunodepressão causada pela doença básica ou pelo seu tratamento. Um estudo prospectivo foi desenvolvido no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, entre julho 1994 e julho de 1995. Setenta e dois pacientes (HIV negativos), tiveram 3 amostras de fezes coletadas em diferentes dias e não tinham recebido medicação antihelmíntica recentemente. Larvas, isoladas por método de Baermann modificado, foram encontradas em 6 pacientes, resultando em prevalência de 8,3%. Não foi documentado nenhum episódio de estrongiloidose complicada. O resultado positivo para pesquisa de S. stercoralis estava significativamente associado (p < 0,001) com eosinofilia. O conhecimento das taxas de prevalência e incidência de doença grave é importante para adequar as recomendações para tratamento empírico além da rigorosa pesquisa da estrongiloidose nos pacientes com neoplasias hematológicas.

Atresia de esofago. / Esophageal atresia

A atresia de esofago e uma anomalia incompativel com a vida do recem-nato. O peso e outras anomalias influem consideravelmente no prognostico. O diagnostico precoce tem grande importancia no resultado final. As condicoes de tratamento cirurgico, suporte hospitalar e melhores cuidados dos recem-nascidos melhoraram de muito o prognostico. O transporte de recem-nascidos com atresia do esofago para centros com maior experiencia e condicoes de tratamento nao e dificil e deve ser feito sempre que as condicoes locais tipo experiencia e suporte pos-operatorios nao foram adequadas

Tracheoesophageal fistula and anomalies of thoracic vessels: their occurrence in a case of congenital rubella.

Virologic, gross, and microscopic studies of rubella embryopathy were performed. The presence of esophageal atresia with tracheal fistula allied with anomalies of the thoracic vessels were seen. We believe that both the mechanical action of the anomalous vessels on the developing organ, and the vascular degenerative aortic lesions, which are identical to those described in rubella syndrome, are probable causes of the esophageal malformation.