Isolation and molecular characterization of Cordyceps sp. from Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and pathogenic to Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae).

The Brazilian forestry sector stands out for its technology, forestry management practices, social and environmental responsibility and, mainly, for its high productivity and exotic pests can reduce it. The red gum lerp psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei (Moore, 1964) (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) is an important pest in Eucalyptus plantations. The parasitoid Psyllaephagus bliteus (Riek, 1962) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), predatory bugs and entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are the natural enemies and used in the biological control of the red gum lerp psyllid. The use of entomopathogenic fungi against exotic pests is increasing in the forestry sector and the prospecting and identification of fungus isolates is important for integrated pest management. The objective of this work was the isolation and molecular identification of Cordyceps spp. And to evaluate the pathogenicity of isolates, obtained from Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) adults, against to the red gum lerp psyllid G. brimblecombei. The fungi were isolated from B. tabaci adults found in soybean and tomato crops and molecularly identified. The conidia obtained were suspended in solution with Tween 80 (0.1%) at a concentration of 1.0 × 108 conidia/mL and sprayed on ten G. brimblecombei nymphs per Eucalyptus leaf cut and placed on a hydroretentive gel inside per Petri dishes as a replication. The number of dead insects was quantified, daily, for seven days, and transferred to humid chambers. Cordyceps javanica (LCBPF 11) and C. fumosorosea (LCBPF 12 and LCBPF 63) were identified with a molecular analysis and all isolates were pathogenic to the insects and indicates that they could be used to manage G. brimblecombei and adds to reports that, normally, fungi cause greater mortality on insects of the same order as that from which they were isolated.

Distinct Roles of Th17 and Th1 Cells in Inflammatory Responses Associated with the Presentation of Paucibacillary Leprosy and Leprosy Reactions.

It is well established that helper T cell responses influence resistance or susceptibility to Mycobacterium leprae infection, but the role of more recently described helper T cell subsets in determining severity is less clear. To investigate the involvement of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of leprosy, we determined the immune profile with variant presentations of leprosy. Firstly, IL-17A, IFN-γ and IL-10 were evaluated in conjunction with CD4+ T cell staining by confocal microscopy of lesion biopsies from tuberculoid (TT) and lepromatous leprosy (LL) patients. Secondly, inflammatory cytokines were measured by multiplex assay of serum samples from Multibacillary (MB, n = 28) and Paucibacillary (PB, n = 23) patients and household contacts (HHC, n = 23). Patients with leprosy were also evaluated for leprosy reaction occurrence: LR+ (n = 8) and LR- (n = 20). Finally, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analysed by flow cytometry used to determine the phenotype of cytokine-producing cells. Lesions from TT patients were found to have more CD4+ IL-17A+ cells than those from LL patients. Higher concentrations of IL-17A and IL-1ß were observed in serum from PB than MB patients. The highest serum IFN-γ concentrations were, however, detected in sera from MB patients that developed leprosy reactions (MB LR+ ). Together, these results indicate that Th1 cells were associated with both the PB presentation and also with leprosy reactions. In contrast, Th17 cells were associated with an effective inflammatory response that is present in the PB forms but were not predictive of leprosy reactions in MB patients.

Maxilla reconstruction with autogenous bone block grafts: computed tomography evaluation and implant survival in a 5-year retrospective study.

This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the bone thickness of the anterior maxillary region after reconstruction with autogenous bone blocks at 6 months and 5 years after surgery using computed tomography (CT) and to determine the implant survival rate. Eleven patients with a horizontal bone deficiency were treated with reconstructive procedures and implant placement. CT measurements were obtained before surgery (T0) and at 6 months (T1) and 5 years (T2) after surgery. The values were analysed statistically (analysis of variance and Tukey's test; P<0.05). Implant survival was evaluated at follow-up. The mean width of the lower region of the ridge (±standard deviation, in millimetres) was 3.8±1.6 at T0, 7.0±1.6 at T1, and 6.5±1.0 at T2; the mean width of the upper region of the ridge was 5.7±2.3 at T0, 8.3±2.2 at T1, and 7.3±1.6 at T2. The mean total thickness of the ridge was 4.7mm at T0, 7.6mm at T1, and 6.9mm at T2; the average increase in horizontal thickness was 2.9mm at T1 and 2.2mm at T2. A statistically significant difference was observed in the mean width of the lower portion at T1 and T2 compared to the width at T0. The implant survival rate was 94.1%. This technique demonstrated high predictability for implant survival, with a reduction in the graft bone during the follow-up period.

Butyrate restores HFD-induced adaptations in brain function and metabolism in mid-adult obese mice.

OBJECTIVE: Midlife obesity affects cognition and increases risk of developing dementia. Recent data suggest that intake of the short chain fatty acid butyrate could improve memory function, and may protect against diet-induced obesity by reducing body weight and adiposity. SUBJECTS: We examined the impact of a high-fat diet (HFD) followed by intervention with 5% (w/w) dietary butyrate, on metabolism, microbiota, brain function and structure in the low-density-lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLr-/-) mouse model in mid and late life. RESULTS: In mid-adult mice, 15 weeks of HFD-induced adiposity, liver fibrosis and neuroinflammation, increased systolic blood pressure and decreased cerebral blood flow, functional connectivity assessed with neuroimaging. The subsequent 2 months butyrate intervention restored these detrimental effects to chow-fed control levels. Both HFD and butyrate intervention decreased variance in fecal microbiota composition. In late-adult mice, HFD showed similar detrimental effects and decreased cerebral white and gray matter integrity, whereas butyrate intervention attenuated only metabolic parameters. CONCLUSION: HFD induces detrimental effects in mid- and late-adult mice, which can be attenuated by butyrate intervention. These findings are consistent with reported associations between midlife obesity and cognitive impairment and dementia in humans. We suggest that butyrate may have potential in prevention and treatment of midlife obesity.

Expression of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase is enhanced in Leishmania spp naturally resistant to nitric oxide.

Leishmania spp are the causative agents of a spectrum of diseases termed leishmaniasis that affect mammals, including humans and dogs. Although reactive nitrogen species are employed in the control of parasitism by the immune system, it is known that Leishmania can withstand this oxidative stress. As the mechanism by which these species are resistant to nitric oxide (NO) is poorly understood, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania chagasi promastigotes showing natural resistance to NO. GAPDH transcript levels were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification, and GAPDH activity (assessed by levels of NADH oxidation) was measured by spectrophotometry. The level of nitration in total protein was assessed by immunoblotting. The results demonstrated an increase in GAPDH expression in resistant isolates of both species compared to susceptible isolates. The increase in GAPDH expression led to an increase in the activity of GAPDH in L. amazonensis human isolates resistant to NO. The pattern of protein nitration did not differ between sensitive and resistant isolates. Our results suggest that changes in expression of GAPDH may be responsible, at least in part, to natural resistance to NO found in human and canine Leishmania spp.

Involvement of cerebral nervous system areas and cytokines on antihyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Kielmeyera rugosa Choisy (Calophyllaceae) in rodents.

Kielmeyera rugosa is a medicinal plant known in Northeastern Brazil as 'pau-santo', and it is used in the treatment of several tropical diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, and leishmaniasis. We evaluated antihyperalgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol stem extract of K. rugosa (MEKR) in mice. The mechanical hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), prostaglandin E2 , and dopamine were assessed. We also investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of MEKR on carrageenan-induced pleurisy and paw edema. Ninety minutes after the treatment, the animals were submitted to an imunofluorescence for Fos protein. MEKR (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg; p.o.) inhibited the development of mechanical hypernociception and edema. MEKR significantly decreased TNF-α and interleukin 1ß levels in pleural lavage and suppressed the recruitment of leukocytes. MEKR (1, 10, and 100 mg/mL) did not produce cytotoxicity, determined using the methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium assay in vitro. The locomotor activity was not affected. MEKR activated significantly the bulb olfactory, piriform cortex, and periaqueductal gray of the central nervous system. Our results provide first time evidence to propose that MEKR attenuates mechanical hyperalgesia and inflammation, in part, through an activation of central nervous system areas, mainly the periaqueductal gray and piriform cortex areas.

Leishmania chagasi naturally resistant to nitric oxide isolated from humans and dogs with visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role as a leishmanicidal agent in murine macrophages. NO resistant Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis have been associated with poor outcomes of their resulting diseases. NO resistant Leishmania braziliensis has also been identified and exacerbates the clinical course of human leishmaniasis. We report, for the first time, natural resistance of Leishmania chagasi promastigotes to NO. These parasites were isolated from humans and dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. We also demonstrate that this resistance profile was associated with a greater survival capacity and a greater parasite burden in murine macrophages, independent of activation and after activation by IFN-γ and LPS.

Measurement of interchain and intrachain exciton hopping barriers in luminescent polymer.

The integrated photoluminescence intensity in thin films of 'Super Yellow' copolymer has been analyzed using a Mott-like temperature dependence. This has enabled us to observe contributions from two emission channels, indicative of exciton recombination proceeding from two distinct origins. At high temperature, interchain thermally activated exciton energy transfer and migration dominates, resulting in large scale quenching of the integrated emission intensity and hence the photoluminescence quantum yield. However, at relatively low temperature, an additional increase of the integrated emission intensity occurs. This new channel of emission has been attributed to recombination from excitons where intrachain exciton energy transfer between adjacent subunits of the copolymer backbone becomes hindered. The activation energy barriers that control both of these emission channels have been obtained and are correlated with chain backbone degrees of freedom.

[Paradoxical expansive lesions of cerebral tuberculosis during antitubercular drug therapy]. / Expansão paradoxal de lesões de tuberculose cerebral durante o uso de tuberculostáticos.

Central nervous system involvement by tuberculosis presents two main types: tuberculosis meningitis or tuberculoma. This second condition has nowadays ideal conditions for development. We report three patients who developed paradoxical brain tuberculosis expansive lesion during the use of tuberculostatic drugs. The cases point out the importance of tomography follow up of patients who present neurological signs in the course of treatment for tuberculosis. The first two patients presented onset of the a neurological symptoms, associated with lung tuberculosis. The third patient previously had tuberculous meningitis. Computerized tomography was used to follow up these patients. Tuberculostatic and corticoid drugs were used for treatment.

Human occupational radioactive contamination from the use of phosphated fertilizers.

210Po and 210Pb concentrations in urine, hair and skin smear samples from individuals using phosphated fertilizers have been compared with a control group of occupationally unexposed individuals. Urine and hair samples of the test group showed slightly higher concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb than those observed for the control group. These concentrations remained, however, lower than those for uranium mine workers. Skin smear values indicated contamination by direct contact with dust from fertilizers and this may contribute to skin cancer induction in this risk population.

Concentrations of 210Pb and 210Po in hair and urine of workers, of the uranium mine at Poços de Caldas (Brazil).

210Po and 210Pb concentrations in urine and hair samples from individuals working in different areas of the uranium industrial complex of Poços de Caldas (Brazil) have been determined and compared with a control group of occupationally unexposed individuals. In the control group, smokers showed higher urinary excretion of these radionuclides. Such difference could not be detected in the workers group, which showed an increase in urinary excretion of 210Po for the group working in the chemical laboratory. Accumulation of 210Po and 210Pb in hair showed the same trends as for urinary excretion. The workers group, with the exception of the office employees, showed a 210Po/210Pb ratio > 1 in hair.

Lead-210 in vegetables and soils from an area of high natural radioactivity in Brazil.

Contamination of vegetables and associates soils by 210Pb, originating either by natural fallout from uranium or by the processing mills of Poços de Caldas (CIPC), State of Minas Gerais, Brazil is estimated by comparison with similar control samples collected from areas distant from the mining and milling operations. For lichens and bryophytes, the mean values of 210Pb concentrations were significantly higher than those of the control region. Similarly, vegetables and soils from kitchen-gardens located near the mill contained much higher concentrations of 210Pb than those observed for other regions.

Lead-210 and polonium-210 concentrations in some species of marine molluscs.

Data are presented for 210Pb and 210Po concentrations in three species of molluscs collected in the intertidal region of the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Lead-210 activity in the soft tissue of the edible mussel Perna perna was 20 times higher than that found in its shell. The visceral mass contained the largest activity for both radionuclides, which is attributed to the feeding habits of the molluscs. Animals collected from Ponta Negra beach (open sea) showed higher concentrations of isotopes than those collected from Boa Viagem beach (within Guanabara Bay).

Uptake of 210Pb and 210Po by Brazilian Bunodosoma caissarum Corrêa, 1964 (cnidaria, actinidae).

Bunodosoma caissarum, a carnivorous marine species exclusive to the Brazilian southern coast, recognized as a sensitive bioindicator of artificial radioactive pollution, also shows a great capacity for concentrating natural alpha-emitters. The authors have measured the alpha-emitters 210Po and its precursor 210Pb in this animal. The average concentrations found are greater (by a factor of 4.6) for 210Po measured in samples gathered on Ponta Negra Beach (protected outer coast) than the values obtained in specimens collected on Boa Viagem Beach (closed bay) along the Rio de Janeiro coast, Brazil. The same was also found for 210Pb (a factor of 2.5).