Behavioral Evaluation of Herpailurus yagouaroundi (É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803) in Response to Environmental Enrichment.

The environment provided for animals in captivity is less complex than its natural habitat, which generates a stressful condition. Environmental enrichment tries to meet the animals' ethological and psychological needs. This paper aims to evaluate the effect of different environmental enrichment methods on the jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi; É Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1803) behavior kept in captivity at Fundação Ecológica e Zoobotânico de Brusque - SC [Brusque Ecological and Zoobotanical Foundation - SC]. Four environmental enrichments were introduced, and the behaviors expressed by the animal were observed in three stages (pre-enrichment, during-enrichment, and post-enrichment), totaling 55 h. Differences in behaviors were tested using the Mann-Whitney test. After the "sensory enrichment" there was a decrease in the behaviors of Maintenance, Calm, and Inactive with an increase in the expression of Exploratory behaviors. On the other hand, both "physical enrichments" reduced the expression of Exploratory and Locomotion behaviors, with an increase of Inactive and Calm. The "occupational/nutritional enrichment" increased the Inactive behaviors reducing Locomotion and Pacing. These results reinforce that environmental enrichments in captivity are useful to reduce stress and increase animal well being.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid Extraction and Quantification from Human Saliva Deposited on Foods with Bitemarks.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) recovery from bite marks in foods, in different collection types, from DNA quantification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 80 swabs, obtained from 20 cheese pieces, bitten by the same person, using the double-swab technique in the center and the periphery of the bite. A statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software version 20.0, with values of p < 0.05 being considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The DNA was recovered in all cheese pieces, regardless of the collection types and the bite region. However, the comparative analysis of DNA recovery potential in the four swabs allowed us to infer that the collections in the central region of the bite (DC and WC) were the ones that presented better precision, in addition to extracting a higher DNA concentration, the dry swab being in the center of the bite which presented better results. CONCLUSION: The results proved the effectiveness of the double-swab technique for collecting genetic materials in bite marks; however, in the food used, a single collection at the center of the bite would be enough, optimizing the resources and time needed for the analysis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Due to the difficulties of physically comparing a site of a skin lesion and the dental arches of the suspect, the evidence of DNA in saliva has been used to indicate the perpetrator of the bite. In addition, the collection, preservation, and isolation of saliva DNA can be done at low cost and provide flexibility for clinical and laboratory workflow.

Prevalence of C282Y and H63D mutations in the HFEgene in patients from São Paulo and Southern Brazil / Prevalência das mutações C282Y e H63D no gene HFEem pacientes de São Paulo e do Sul do Brasil

ABSTRACT Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the HFE gene; it is characterized by the risk of iron overload. C282Y and H63D are the most associated mutations in HH. This study aimed to determine the frequency of mutations in the south of Brazil and São Paulo. It used the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and the results collected from Genolab data. In 90 individuals, 46.67% had at least one of the mutations for HH. There is a high prevalence of these mutations in both populations, therefore searching for patients under clinical suspicion is recommended.

RESUMO A hemocromatose hereditária (HH) é uma desordem autossômica recessiva provocada por mutações no gene HFE e caracterizada pelo risco de uma sobrecarga de ferro. As mutações mais conhecidas associadas à HH são a C282Ye a H63D. Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a frequência das mutações no sul do Brasil e em São Paulo. Ele utilizou a técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) em tempo real e o resultado coletado dos dados do Genolab. De 90 indivíduos, 46,67%possuíam pelo menos uma das mutações para HH. Existe alta prevalência dessas mutações nas duas populações, portanto recomenda-se a busca em pacientes sob suspeita clínica.

Prevalência de Chlamydia trachomathis em amostras endocervicais de mulheres em São Paulo e Santa Catarina pela PCR / Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in endocervical samples by PCR in São Paulo and Santa Catarina

INTRODUÇÃO: Nenhuma outra doença sexualmente transmissível (DST) tem mostrado frequência tão elevada quanto a infecção por Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). É frequente a detecção de mulheres portadoras de danos tubários causados por esse agente, determinando infertilidade permanente e as intervenções cirúrgicas não têm demonstrado sucesso em reparar esses danos. A reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) se mostrou mais sensível do que a cultura para a identificação de CT, principalmente em cervicite clamidiana nas mulheres. A PCR promove a detecção de sequências específicas de nucleotídeos para a CT. OBJETIVO: Analisar a prevalência de infecções causadas pela CT em mulheres nos estados de São Paulo e Santa Catarina utilizando amostras endocervicais. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS Utilizaram-se para o presente trabalho amostras enviadas pelos laboratórios conveniados ao Genolab, pertencentes aos estados de São Paulo e de Santa Catarina. Foram consultados os resultados dos laudos de exames para CT oriundos do banco de dados do Genolab no ano de 2010. Para a obtenção e o isolamento do ácido desoxirribonucleico (DNA), utilizou-se a técnica de fenol-clorofórmio e para a amplificação do material genético, a técnica de PCR. RESULTADOS: Obteve-se uma amostra de 287 indivíduos, e desse total 56,45% das mulheres eram positivas. A amostra que obteve o maior número de positivos foi o swab endocervical, com 75%. CONCLUSÃO: As amostras biológicas provenientes do endocérvix apresentaram detecção eficiente da CT na população feminina. A alta prevalência salienta a importância no emprego do diagnóstico molecular, principalmente por este trabalho apontar esse aspecto.

INTRODUCTION: No other sexually transmitted disease (STD) has been as frequent as Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection. Tubal damage caused by this agent has been frequently detected among women. This infection causes permanent infertility. Furthermore, surgical interventions have not demonstrated success in repairing tubal damage. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has proved to be more sensitive than culture to the identification of CT mainly in women with chlamydial cervicitis.PCR promotes the detection of specific nucleotide sequences in CT. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prevalence of infections caused by CT in women in São Paulo and Santa Catarina states by use of endocervical samples. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study we used samples from laboratories in São Paulo and Santa Catarina states, which are associated with Genolab. CT examination result reports from 2010 obtained from Genolab database were analyzed. The phenol-chloroform protocol was used to obtain and isolate deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the (PCR) method was used to amplify genetic material. RESULTS: We obtained a sample of 287 individuals, of which 56.45% were positive. Endocervical swab samples showed the highest positive results (75%). CONCLUSION: Endocervical samples constituted an accurate detection of CT. The high prevalence emphasizes the importance of molecular diagnosis, which is also corroborated by this study.

Análise da mutação G20210A no gene da protrombina (fator II) em pacientes com suspeita de trombofilia no sul do Brasil / Analysis of prothrombin G20210A mutation (factor II) in patients with suspected trombophilia in Southern Brazil

INTRODUÇÃO: A protrombina (fator II) é uma proteína sanguínea sintetizada no fígado com a presença de vitamina K. É a precursora da trombina, que induz a formação de fibrina. Foi descrita uma mutação no gene da protrombina G20210A, associada diretamente a altos níveis de protrombina no sangue e, consequentemente, à trombofilia. Essa variante alélica consiste em mutação pontual, também chamada de polimorfismo de nucleotídeo simples (SNP), ocasionando a troca de uma guanina por uma adenina no nucleotídeo 20210, localizado em um sítio de clivagem do precursor do ácido ribonucleico mensageiro (mRNA). Essa troca caracteriza o alelo A e a ausência da mutação do alelo G. OBJETIVO: Quantificar o número de indivíduos homozigotos para alelo G, homozigotos para alelo A e heterozigotos, cujas amostras foram enviadas para o laboratório Genolab Análises Genéticas, abrangendo os estados do Paraná e Santa Catarina, no período de 1º de janeiro de 2009 a 10 de outubro de 2010. MÉTODOS: Análise de mutação pontual por reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (RT-PCR). RESULTADOS: Obtivemos o número de 243 indivíduos e desse total 51,03% eram oriundos do estado do Paraná, enquanto 48,97%, oriundos do estado de Santa Catarina. Do total analisado, 88,89% possuíam o genótipo para homozigoto G, e nenhum indivíduo foi encontrado com mutação para homozigoto A. Apenas 11,11% possuíam genótipo heterozigoto. O estado de Santa Catarina apresentou frequência superior para genótipo heterozigoto em relação ao Paraná. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo mostrou que é recomendável a identificação do genótipo para esse gene em pacientes com suspeita de trombofilia nos dois estados.

INTRODUCTION: Prothrombin (factor II) is a blood protein synthesized in the liver in the presence of vitamin K. It is a thrombin precursor, which induces fibrin formation. Prothrombin G20210A mutation and high prothrombin levels have been closely associated with thrombophilia. This allelic variant is a single mutation, also denominated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), in which guanine is replaced with adenine in the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) cleavage of nucleotide 20210. The replacement is characterized by the presence of allele A and the absence of mutation in allele G. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the number of individuals homozygous for allele G, allele A and heterozygotes. The samples were collected in Paraná and Santa Catarina from January 1st, 2009 to October 10th, 2010 and were sent to Genolab Análises Genéticas. METHODS: Analysis of single mutation by polymerase chain reaction in real time (RT-PCR). RESULTS: From 243 individuals, 51.03% were from Paraná and 48.97% were from Santa Catarina. 88.89% individuals were homozygous for G genotype, none of them were homozygous for A. Only 11.11% were heterozygotes. Santa Catarina presented a higher frequency in heterozygous genotype in comparison with Paraná. CONCLUSION: This study showed that patients with suspected thrombophilia should undergo genotype identification in both states.