Zooplankton fluctuations in Jurumirim Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil): a three-year study.

During three consecutive years, monthly samples of zooplankton were taken in the lacustrine (dam) zone of Jurumirim (São Paulo, Brazil). The seasonal effect on basic limnological features (thermal regime, oxygen distribution, phytoplankton biomass, etc.) was also examined. The influence of the seasonality on the fluctuation of the zooplankton composition and abundance was not clearly detected (low degree of recurrent patterns). Rotifers (32 taxa) were the most abundant organisms during almost the entire study period with some seasonal alternations in the maximum abundance peaks of the main taxa (Conochilus unicornis, Keratella americana, K. cochlearis and Hexarthra spp.), except for Polyarthra (mainly P. vulgaris). Only occasionally copepods were numerically dominant. Higher copepod abundance was positively associated to periods of increase in the water retention time. Among the Copepoda (10 taxa) the calanoids (mainly Notodiaptomus iheringi) were more abundant, especially in warmer periods. Conversely, cyclopoids had higher abundance in autumn and winter. The species Thermocyclops minutus and T. decipiens co-occurred, but the first attained higher abundance. Some evidence of co-existence strategies between both species are considered. Cladocera (17 taxa) was never numerically dominant and the main taxa (Bosmina spp., Ceriodaphnia spp. and Diaphanosoma spp.) occurred almost the whole study period and did not present a seasonal pattern of fluctuation. Diaphanosoma (mainly D. birgei) attained the highest abundance among cladocerans. Most organisms were always found at the surface, but they also occupy the whole water column, even in periods of stratified conditions and low oxygen concentration in the bottom layers. Among the main zooplanktonic taxa, only Hexarthra avoids deep layers. An exceptionally high concentration of Copepoda nauplii on the surface was influenced by low transparency, high concentration of phytoplankton at this layer and low oxygen concentration at the bottom. In periods of higher retention timevariability there was a more heterogeneous distribution of the zooplankton in the water column. The increase in the retention time seems also to favor the copepod development. Finally, some inter-decade changes are considered on the basis of zooplankton assemblage structure observations.

Zooplankton fluctuations in Jurumirim Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil): a three-year study / Flutuações do zooplâncton na represa de Jurumirim (São Paulo, Brasil): um estudo de três anos

During three consecutive years, monthly samples of zooplankton were taken in the lacustrine (dam) zone of Jurumirim (São Paulo, Brazil). The seasonal effect on basic limnological features (thermal regime, oxygen distribution, phytoplankton biomass, etc.) was also examined. The influence of the seasonality on the fluctuation of the zooplankton composition and abundance was not clearly detected (low degree of recurrent patterns). Rotifers (32 taxa) were the most abundant organisms during almost the entire study period with some seasonal alternations in the maximum abundance peaks of the main taxa (Conochilus unicornis, Keratella americana, K. cochlearis and Hexarthra spp.), except for Polyarthra (mainly P. vulgaris). Only occasionally copepods were numerically dominant. Higher copepod abundance was positively associated to periods of increase in the water retention time. Among the Copepoda (10 taxa) the calanoids (mainly Notodiaptomus iheringi) were more abundant, especially in warmer periods. Conversely, cyclopoids had higher abundance in autumn and winter. The species Thermocyclops minutus and T. decipiens co-occurred, but the first attained higher abundance. Some evidence of co-existence strategies between both species are considered. Cladocera (17 taxa) was never numerically dominant and the main taxa (Bosmina spp., Ceriodaphnia spp. and Diaphanosoma spp.) occurred almost the whole study period and did not present a seasonal pattern of fluctuation. Diaphanosoma (mainly D. birgei) attained the highest abundance among cladocerans. Most organisms were always found at the surface, but they also occupy the whole water column, even in periods of stratified conditions and low oxygen concentration in the bottom layers. Among the main zooplanktonic taxa, only Hexarthra avoids deep layers. An exceptionally high concentration of Copepoda nauplii on the surface was influenced by low transparency, high concentration of phytoplankton at this layer ...

Durante três anos consecutivos, foram feitas amostragens mensais do zooplâncton na zona lacustre (barragem) do reservatório de Jurumirim. Os efeitos da sazonalidade nas características limnológicas básicas (regime térmico, distribuição do oxigênio, biomassa fitoplanctônica, etc.) também foram examinados. Um padrão de flutuação da composição zooplanctônica e da sua abundância não foi claramente detectado (baixo grau de recorrência interanual). Os rotíferos foram os organismos mais abundantes durante a maior parte do tempo, com alterações nos picos de abundância dos principais táxons (Conochilus unicornis, Keratella americana, K. cochlearis e Hexarthra spp.), exceto para Polyarthra (principalmente P. vulgaris). Apenas ocasionalmente, os copépodes foram numericamente dominantes, estando esse fato relacionado a períodos de aumento no tempo de residência da água. Entre os Copepoda (10 táxons), os calanóides (principalmente Notodiaptomus iheringi) foram mais abundantes, especialmente em períodos mais quentes. Por outro lado, os ciclopóides foram mais abundantes no outono e no inverno. As espécies Thermocyclops minutus e T. decipiens coocorreram, mas a primeira alcançou maior abundância. Algumas estratégias de coexistência entre ambas as espécies são consideradas. Cladocera (17 táxons) nunca foi dominante numericamente e os principais gêneros (Bosmina, Ceriodaphnia e Diaphanosoma) ocorreram durante quase todo o período de estudo e não apresentaram um padrão sazonal de flutuação. Diaphanosoma birgei foi o táxon mais abundante entre os cladóceros. Embora a maioria dos organismos ocupasse toda a coluna d'água, mesmo em períodos de estratificação térmica e baixas concentrações de oxigênio no fundo, foram sempre mais abundantes na superfície. Entre os principais táxons zooplanctônicos, apenas Hexarthra evitou camadas profundas. A alta concentração de náuplios de Copepoda na superfície foi influenciada pela baixa transparência, alta concentração do ...

Salvage surgery after radiation failure in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

AIM AND BACKGROUND: To investigate patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in order to estimate the recurrence rate and treatment used as salvage surgery. The survival rate in the group of patients treated with salvage surgery was compared to that of patients who had chemotherapy rather than surgery or who refused any treatment. METHODS: From 1989 to 1999, 185 patients came to our institution for laryngeal SCC. All of them underwent RT as primary treatment. Only patients with a minimum of three years follow-up (n = 143) were included in the study group. RESULTS: The 143 cases included 22 loco-regional recurrences (15.3%) during the minimum three years of follow-up. Recurrence was observed in the larynx in eighteen cases (81.8%), in cervical nodes in one case (4.55%) and in both the larynx and cervical nodes in one case (4.55%). There was peristomal recurrence in two cases (9.1%). Recurrence was observed after an average of 16.3 months. Fourteen patients (63.6%) out of the twenty-two cases of recurrence underwent salvage surgery. Surgery was not performed on the remaining eight patients (36.4%). The global survival rate was 92.3% after three years and 66.6% after five years in the group of patients treated with surgery. The actuarial survival rate was 100% after three years and 83.3% after five years. The global and actuarial survival rate was 20% after three years and 0% after five years in the group of patients who received chemotherapy rather than surgery or who refused any kind of treatment. CONCLUSION: The RT seems to play an important role in the loco-regional control of laryngeal SCC (especially in glottic T1). Salvage surgery for recurrence results in a good survival rate.

Hypotonic saline infusion alters the renal response to amino acids in men.

We investigated the effects of hypotonic saline-induced modifications of extracellular volume and sodium handling on the renal and metabolic response to amino acids (AA). Renal hemodynamics (Inutest, p-aminohippurate clearance), plasma AA, and glucagon levels, as well as urea and sodium excretion, were studied in seven adult volunteers infused for 2 h, on six separate occasions, according to the following protocols: 1) high-AA solution (300 mg. min-1. 1.73 m-2); 2) low-AA solution (150 mg. min-1. 1.73 m-2); 3) low AA + 2,000 ml/1.73 m2 of 0.23% saline solution; 4) high AA + 0. 23% saline; 5) high AA + 0.45% saline; and 6) 0.45% saline alone. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) rise induced by the high-AA solution was similar to that induced by the low-AA solution (DeltaGFR = +24 +/- 6 and +20.2 +/- 7 ml. min-1. 1.73 m-2, respectively), whereas the plasma AA and glucagon levels and urea excretion rate increases were related to AA dose. The addition of 0. 23% saline to the low-AA solution and of 0.45% saline to the high-AA solution blunted the renal hemodynamic response (DeltaGFR = +6.6 +/- 10.1 and +11.4 +/- 8.3 ml. min-1. 1.73 m-2, respectively) without modifying the pattern of plasma AA and glucagon levels and urea excretion observed with the AA infusion alone. Urinary sodium excretion increased from baseline with each protocol and rose even further when saline was added to AA. A negative correlation (r = -0. 38, P < 0.05) was found between the changes from basal values in GFR and those in sodium excretion rate with high-AA infusion at different levels of sodium concentration. These data suggest that AA-induced hyperfiltration might be blunted by hypotonic saline infusion, possibly through an acute modification of renal sodium handling and extracellular volume.

Metabolic factors in the renal response to amino acid infusion.

In order to investigate the renal effects of amino acids (AA) with different metabolic fate, we compared the changes in glomerular and tubular function, nitrogen metabolism and glucoregulatory hormones in 7 volunteers during two infusions, one of a complete solution of amino acids (MIX-AA), which included five AA electively metabolized at the splanchnic level, and the other of a solution containing only essential AA (EAA), which escape splanchnic metabolism. MIX-AA increased GFR and RPF (from 104 +/- 6 to 122 +/- 13 and from 488 +/- 46 to 572 +/- 34 ml/min/1.73 m2), stimulated splanchnic metabolism as demonstrated by rises in urinary urea excretion (from 20.7 +/- 2 to 30.6 +/- 7.5 mg/min/1.73 m2) and the plasma glucagon/insulin ratio (from 21.4 +/- 13 to 26.7 +/- 15), and caused increases in fractional excretion of AA, FeNa and free-water clearance. During MIX-AA infusion significant correlations were observed between the individual values of GFR and the urea excretion rate (r = 0.66), and between GFR modifications (DeltaGFR) and the plasma glucagon/plasma insulin ratio (r = 0.40). No change in renal function, urea excretion and the glucagon/insulin ratio was observed with EAA. An intermediate splanchnic step (increased plasma glucagon/insulin ratio and ureagenesis) seems necessary in the pathway leading to the nonessential AA-induced rise in GFR; this might stimulate an ultimate intrarenal pathway (possibly involving the diluting segment) via a still undefined mechanism.

[Salmonella and fecal coliforms in cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia Blume and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees) sold in the city of Florian polis, Santa Catarina, Brazil]. / Ocorrência de Salmonella e coliformes de origem fecal na canela em pó (Cinnamomum cassia Blume a Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees) comercializada em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil.

The microbiological quality of a hundred samples of ten differents commercial brands of a ground cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia Blume and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees) from supermarkets in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil, was assessed. Salmonella and fecal coliforms were determined. Results were negative for Salmonella Fecal coliforms values ranged from <3 to 2,400 MPN per g. 63% of the samples showed values from <3 MPN per g; 34% showed values ranging front 3 to 100 MPN per g, these being the legal acceptable values; 3% showed values >100 MPN per g. Fecal coliforms were detected in 37% of the cinnamon samples.

Antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis of Vochysia divergens (Vochysiaceae).

Vochysia divergens Pohl (Vochysiaceae) is a tree commonly found in wet soils of 'Pantanal' of Mato Grosso, Brazil, and used in folk medicine against infections and asthma. We have studied different extracts and some isolated compounds from this plant for antibacterial activity. From the extracts of the stem bark beta-sitosterol, betulinic acid and sericic acid were isolated. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Staphylococcus aureus were: ethanolic extract (MIC = 1.5 mg/ml); ethyl acetate extract (MIC = 2.0 mg/ml); and sericic acid (MIC = 1.0 mg/ml). Escherichia coli was resistant until 5 mg/ml.

Antibacterial activity of N-phenylmaleimides, N-phenylsuccinimides and related compounds. Structure-activity relationships.

The antibacterial activity of several phyllanthimide analogs were investigated by the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration Method (MIC) against E. coli and S. aureus. It was found that maleimides were approximately 30 times more active than succinimides indicating that the cyclic imido double bond is an important factor related to the activity. Electron-donor and electron-withdrawing substituents in the aromatic ring of N-phenylmaleimides decrease the activity of these compounds indicating the possibility of steric effects. The distance between the aromatic and the imido rings when separated by methylene groups does not affect the antibacterial activity.

[Occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in mussels (Perna perna, Linnaeus, 1758) from a natural coastal bed in the municipality of Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil]. / Ocorrência de Vibrio parahaemolyticus em mexilhões (Perna perna, Linnaeus, 1758) de banco natural do litoral do município de Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brasil.

A study was carried out on the occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in forty samples of mussels (Perna perna, Linnaeus, 1758) from a natural bed at Pinheira Beach, Municipality of Palhoça, Santa Catarina (Brazil), during a three-month period. The most probable number technique was used for isolation methodology with prior enrichment of samples in alkaline peptone water and subsequent planting on thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose agar. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was found in 52.5% of samples of mussels with a most probable number range of <3 to 93 organisms/g. Serotyping was performed on 61 isolates and our findings indicate that 36.1% of these isolates were serologically non-typable; 54.1% of isolates displayed only flagellate antigenic structures and 8.2% had both antigenic structures. None of the isolates were Kanagawa positive.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase Ferrara. A new variant of g-6-PD identified in Northern Italy.

A new variant of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) has been discovered in Northern Italy, in the district of Ferrara. This variant is characterized by high decrease of red blood cell enzyme activity (less than 5% of normal), high affinity for G-6-P and NADP, increased utilization of deamino-NADP and 2-deoxy-G-6-P, and faster electrophoretic mobility in the buffer systems commonly used for the classification of the G-6-PD variants. The new G-6-PD type was never associated with clinical manifestations in any cases except neonatal jaundice in some of the newborns with this enzyme deficiency. The frequency of the new variant in the Ferrara district indicates that it has probably appeared in this area by mutation some centuries ago. It is suggested that this variant should be named G-6-PD Ferrara.