Oficinas de Criatividade: atendimento à população de rua / Creativity Workshop: service to the homeless population

O presente trabalho é um relato de experiência do estágio curricular de Oficina de Criatividade, realizado com população de rua. Esta modalidade de intervenção visa atender populações que normalmente estão à margem dos serviços tradicionais de psicologia. Utiliza técnicas expressivas como meio de acesso às experiências humanas e sua finalidade é favorecer a transformação das relações e ampliar o horizonte existencial de cada integrante. A perspectiva teórica adotada a respeito do trabalho com população de rua pressupõe o distanciamento da patologização dos comportamentos desviantes e moralmente estabelecidos e prioriza a valorização, a aproximação e o reconhecimento dos diferentes modos de ser e estar no mundo. A experiência aqui descrita atendeu a este propósito na medida em que os participantes puderam refletir e compartilhar seus saberes, histórias e cultura, sentindo-se valorizados para reconhecer ou construir e comunicar seu posicionamento crítico a respeito de certa institucionalização concreta e cultural dos serviços socioassistenciais e psicológicos direcionados a este público. Desde modo, entendemos que a Oficina de Criatividade favoreceu mútuas afetações entre pesquisador, pesquisado e instituição, num exercício de ressignificação sobre o fazer psicológico e seu potencial transformador.(AU)

This work is a traineeship experience report of Creativity Workshop, conducted with homeless people. This type of intervention needs to serve populations that are frequently beyond the traditional psychology services. Uses expressive techniques as a means to human experience and its purpose is to promote the transformation of relationships and expand the existential horizon of each participant. The theoretical perspective adopted about work with homeless people sought to distance from the pathologizing of different behavior and morally established and prioritize the valuation, approximation and recognition of different ways of being in the world. The experience described here has served this purpose insofar as the participants were able to reflect and share their knowledge, histories and culture, feeling appreciated recognizing or constructing and communicating their critical position regarding a certain concrete and cultural institutionalization of social welfare and psychological services directed to this public. Thus, we understand that the Creativity Workshop favored common affectations between researcher, researched and institution, in an exercise of ressignification about the psychological doing and its transforming potential.(AU)

A novel complex neurological phenotype due to a homozygous mutation in FDX2.

Defects in iron-sulphur [Fe-S] cluster biogenesis are increasingly recognized as causing neurological disease. Mutations in a number of genes that encode proteins involved in mitochondrial [Fe-S] protein assembly lead to complex neurological phenotypes. One class of proteins essential in the early cluster assembly are ferredoxins. FDX2 is ubiquitously expressed and is essential in the de novo formation of [2Fe-2S] clusters in humans. We describe and genetically define a novel complex neurological syndrome identified in two Brazilian families, with a novel homozygous mutation in FDX2. Patients were clinically evaluated, underwent MRI, nerve conduction studies, EMG and muscle biopsy. To define the genetic aetiology, a combination of homozygosity mapping and whole exome sequencing was performed. We identified six patients from two apparently unrelated families with autosomal recessive inheritance of a complex neurological phenotype involving optic atrophy and nystagmus developing by age 3, followed by myopathy and recurrent episodes of cramps, myalgia and muscle weakness in the first or second decade of life. Sensory-motor axonal neuropathy led to progressive distal weakness. MRI disclosed a reversible or partially reversible leukoencephalopathy. Muscle biopsy demonstrated an unusual pattern of regional succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase deficiency with iron accumulation. The phenotype was mapped in both families to the same homozygous missense mutation in FDX2 (c.431C > T, p.P144L). The deleterious effect of the mutation was validated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, which demonstrated normal expression of FDX2 mRNA but severely reduced expression of FDX2 protein in muscle tissue. This study describes a novel complex neurological phenotype with unusual MRI and muscle biopsy features, conclusively mapped to a mutation in FDX2, which encodes a ubiquitously expressed mitochondrial ferredoxin essential for early [Fe-S] cluster biogenesis.

Overexpression of KLC2 due to a homozygous deletion in the non-coding region causes SPOAN syndrome.

SPOAN syndrome is a neurodegenerative disorder mainly characterized by spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy and neuropathy (SPOAN). Affected patients are wheelchair bound after 15 years old, with progressive joint contractures and spine deformities. SPOAN patients also have sub normal vision secondary to apparently non-progressive congenital optic atrophy. A potential causative gene was mapped at 11q13 ten years ago. Here we performed next-generation sequencing in SPOAN-derived samples. While whole-exome sequencing failed to identify the causative mutation, whole-genome sequencing allowed to detect a homozygous 216-bp deletion (chr11.hg19:g.66,024,557_66,024,773del) located at the non-coding upstream region of the KLC2 gene. Expression assays performed with patient's fibroblasts and motor neurons derived from SPOAN patients showed KLC2 overexpression. Luciferase assay in constructs with 216-bp deletion confirmed the overexpression of gene reporter, varying from 48 to 74%, as compared with wild-type. Knockdown and overexpression of klc2 in Danio rerio revealed mild to severe curly-tail phenotype, which is suggestive of a neuromuscular disorder. Overexpression of a gene caused by a small deletion in the non-coding region is a novel mechanism, which to the best of our knowledge, was never reported before in a recessive condition. Although the molecular mechanism of KLC2 up-regulation still remains to be uncovered, such example adds to the importance of non-coding regions in human pathology.

Nerve conduction studies in spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy, and neuropathy (SPOAN) syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: SPOAN (spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy, and neuropathy) syndrome is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder identified in a large consanguineous Brazilian family. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with SPOAN syndrome (20 women), aged 4-58 years, underwent nerve conduction studies (NCS) of the median, ulnar, tibial, and fibular nerves, and sensory NCS of the median, ulnar, radial, sural, and superficial fibular nerves. RESULTS: Sensory nerve action potentials were absent in the lower limbs and absent in >80% of upper limbs. Motor NCS had reduced amplitudes and borderline velocities in the upper limbs and absent compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) in the lower limbs. CONCLUSIONS: The neuropathy in SPOAN syndrome is a severe, early-onset sensory-motor axonal polyneuropathy. Normal NCS seem to rule-out this condition.

Combined nerve conduction index in diabetic polyneuropathy.

UNLABELLED: Diabetic polyneuropathy can be confirmed by nerve conduction studies. The data can be analyzed in the form of a combined index instead of individual parameters. METHODS: The combined index included five parameters of nerve conduction studies commonly used for evaluation of polyneuropathies. We evaluated sensitivity in 100 diabetic patients with suspected polyneuropathy, and specificity in 200 non-diabetic patients with suspected lumbosacral radiculopathy. All results were expressed in number of standard deviations (SD). RESULTS: The sensitivity of the combined index was 81 or 74%, and specificity was 97 or 98%, using respectively -2.0 or -2.5 SD as cutoff. The range of sensitivity of the other parameters was 57-65% or 48-56%, and specificity range was 96-98% or 98-100%, using the same criteria. DISCUSSION: The combined index had higher sensitivity and equivalent specificity compared to isolated parameters.

Combined nerve conduction index in diabetic polyneuropathy / Índice combinado de condução nervosa na polineuropatia diabética

Diabetic polyneuropathy can be confirmed by nerve conduction studies. The data can be analyzed in the form of a combined index instead of individual parameters. METHODS: The combined index included five parameters of nerve conduction studies commonly used for evaluation of polyneuropathies. We evaluated sensitivity in 100 diabetic patients with suspected polyneuropathy, and specificity in 200 non-diabetic patients with suspected lumbosacral radiculopathy. All results were expressed in number of standard deviations (SD). RESULTS: The sensitivity of the combined index was 81 or 74%, and specificity was 97 or 98%, using respectively -2.0 or -2.5 SD as cutoff. The range of sensitivity of the other parameters was 57-65% or 48-56%, and specificity range was 96-98% or 98-100%, using the same criteria. DISCUSSION: The combined index had higher sensitivity and equivalent specificity compared to isolated parameters.

A polineuropatia diabética pode ser confirmada por estudos de condução nervosa. Os dados podem ser analisados por um índice combinado ao invés de parâmetros isolados. MÉTODOS: O índice combinado incluiu cinco parâmetros usados rotineiramente na avaliação de polineuropatias. Avaliamos a sensibilidade em 100 pacientes diabéticos com suspeita de polineuropatia e a especificidade em 200 pacientes não diabéticos com suspeita de radiculopatia lombossacral. Todos os resultados foram expressos em número de desvios-padrão (DP). RESULTADOS: A sensibilidade do índice combinado foi 81 ou 74%, e a especificidade foi 97 ou 98%, usando respectivamente -2,0 ou -2,5 DP como ponto de corte. A sensibilidade dos parâmetros isolados oscilou entre 57-65% ou 48-56%, e a especificidade foi 96-98% ou 98-100%, usando os mesmos critérios. DISCUSSÃO: O índice combinado apresentou melhor sensibilidade e especificidade equivalente aos parâmetros isolados.

Vibrios patogênicos isolados em mexilhões (Perna perna) cultivados em sistema longline na Baía de Ilha Grande, RJ / Pathogenic vibrios isolated from mussels (Perna perna) cultivated in longline system in the Baía de Ilha Grande, RJ

Avaliaram-se 200 unidades de mexilhões (Perna perna) cultivados em sistemas longline na Baía de Ilha Grande, a fim de avaliar a presença de Vibrio spp. As amostras foram analisadas e submetidas a enriquecimento em água peptonada alcalina adicionada de 1% de NaCl, incubadas a 37ºC por 24 horas. Em seguida, os cultivos foram semeados em Agar tiossulfato citrato bile sacarose e as colônias suspeitas foram submetidas à caracterização bioquímica. Vibrio alginolyticus, V. harveyi e V. cincinnatiensis representaram as principais espécies (>70%) isoladas dos mexilhões in natura.

Motor and functional evaluation of patients with spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy, and neuropathy (SPOAN).

Spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy, and neuropathy (SPOAN) is an autosomal recessive complicated form of hereditary spastic paraplegia, which is clinically defined by congenital optic atrophy, infancy-onset progressive spastic paraplegia and peripheral neuropathy. In this study, which included 61 individuals (age 5-72 years, 42 females) affected by SPOAN, a comprehensive motor and functional evaluation was performed, using modified Barthel index, modified Ashworth scale, hand grip strength measured with a hydraulic dynamometer and two hereditary spastic paraplegia scales. Modified Barthel index, which evaluate several functional aspects, was more sensitive to disclose disease progression than the spastic paraplegia scales. Spasticity showed a bimodal distribution, with both grades 1 (minimum) and 4 (maximum). Hand grip strength showed a moderate inverse correlation with age. Combination of early onset spastic paraplegia and progressive polyneuropathy make SPOAN disability overwhelming.

Motor and functional evaluation of patients with spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy, and neuropathy (SPOAN) / Avaliação motora e funcional de pacientes com paraplegia espástica, atrofia óptica e neuropatia (SPOAN)

Spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy, and neuropathy (SPOAN) is an autosomal recessive complicated form of hereditary spastic paraplegia, which is clinically defined by congenital optic atrophy, infancy-onset progressive spastic paraplegia and peripheral neuropathy. In this study, which included 61 individuals (age 5-72 years, 42 females) affected by SPOAN, a comprehensive motor and functional evaluation was performed, using modified Barthel index, modified Ashworth scale, hand grip strength measured with a hydraulic dynamometer and two hereditary spastic paraplegia scales. Modified Barthel index, which evaluate several functional aspects, was more sensitive to disclose disease progression than the spastic paraplegia scales. Spasticity showed a bimodal distribution, with both grades 1 (minimum) and 4 (maximum). Hand grip strength showed a moderate inverse correlation with age. Combination of early onset spastic paraplegia and progressive polyneuropathy make SPOAN disability overwhelming.

A paraplegia espástica, atrofia óptica e neuropatia (SPOAN) é uma forma complicada de paraplegia espástica de herança autossômica recessiva, caracterizada por atrofia óptica congênita, paraplegia espástica progressiva de início na infância e neuropatia periférica. Este estudo avaliou o desempenho motor e funcional de 61 indivíduos com SPOAN (5 a 72 anos), por meio do índice de Barthel modificado, a escala modificada de Ashworth, da avaliação da força de preensão das mãos com dinamômetro hidráulico de Jamar e escalas de paraplegia espástica hereditária. O índice de Barthel modificado, que investiga aspectos funcionais, mostrou-se mais sensível para avaliar a progressão da doença do que as escalas de paraplegia espástica. A espasticidade apresentou distribuição bimodal, com o grau 1 (mínimo) e 4 (máximo). A força de preensão mostrou correlação inversa moderada com a idade. A combinação de paraplegia espástica de início precoce com polineuropatia progressiva faz da SPOAN uma condição incapacitante.

Spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy, and neuropathy: new observations, locus refinement, and exclusion of candidate genes.

SPOAN is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder which was recently characterized by our group in a large inbred Brazilian family with 25 affected individuals. This condition is clinically defined by: 1. congenital optic atrophy; 2. progressive spastic paraplegia with onset in infancy; and 3. progressive motor and sensory axonal neuropathy. Overall, we are now aware of 68 SPOAN patients (45 females and 23 males, with age ranging from 5 to 72 years), 44 of which are presented here for the first time. They were all born in the same geographic micro region. Those 68 patients belong to 43 sibships, 40 of which exhibit parental consanguinity. Sixty-one patients were fully clinically evaluated and 64 were included in the genetic investigation. All molecularly studied patients are homozygotes for D11S1889 at 11q13. This enabled us to reduce the critical region for the SPOAN gene from 4.8 to 2.3 Mb, with a maximum two point lod score of 33.2 (with marker D11S987) and of 27.0 (with marker D11S1889). Three genes located in this newly defined critical region were sequenced, but no pathogenic mutation was detected. The gene responsible for SPOAN remains elusive.

Novos possíveis para a militância no campo da Saúde: a afirmação de desvios nos encontros entre trabalhadores, gestores e usuários do SUS / Nuevas posibilidades de militancia en el crampo de la Salud: la afirmación de desvíos en los encuentros entre trabajadores, gestores y usuarios del Sistema Único de Salud Brasileño / New possibilities for militancy in the field of healthcare: affirmation of deviations in encounters among SUS workers, managers and users

Os autores tecem considerações sobre a militância no campo da saúde, em especial na defesa do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), enquanto uma política pública universal. Após apontar algumas estratégias desta militância, o texto discute o centralismo e o caráter identitário dessas práticas. Destacam e problematizam quatro formas de centralismo: do "bem comum" em suas representações; o procedimento como oferta de tecnologias de saúde; do usuário e as concepções sobre suas necessidades/demandas; e da proteção inadvertida da vida. Propõem, como alternativa, uma nova militância no SUS, como prática intensiva e produzida no encontro, na dimensão relacional, entre gestores, trabalhadores e usuários.

The authors make comments about militancy in the field of healthcare, especially for defending the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) as a universal public policy. After indicating some strategies for such militancy, the text discusses centralism and the identifying nature of these practices. It highlights and questions four forms of centralism: the "common good" in its representations; procedures as offers of health technologies; users and notions about their needs/demands; and careless protection of life. As an alternative, the authors propose a new form of militancy within SUS, as intensive practice produced at the meeting point within the dimension of the relationship between managers, workers and users.

Los autores elaboran consideraciones sobre la militanoia en el campo de la salud, especialmente en defensa del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) como política públioa universal. Tras presentar algunas estrategias de esta miliancia, el texto discute el centralismo y el caracter de identidad de estas prácticas. Destacan el conjunto de problemas de cuatro formas de centralismo: del "bien común" en sus representaciones; el procedimiento como oferta de tecnologías de salud; del usuario y los conceptos sobre sus necesidades/demandas; el de la protección inadvertida de la vida. Proponen como alternativa una nueva militancia en el SUS como práctica intensiva y producida en el encuentro, en dimensión nacional, entre gestores, trabajadores y usuarios.

Plesiomonasshigelloides and Aeromonadaceae family pathogens isolated from marine mammals of Southern and Southeastern Brazilian coast / Plesiomonasshigelloides e patógenos da família Aeromonadaceae isolados de mamíferos marinhos da costa sul e sudeste do Brasil

The aquatic environment is the habitat of many microorganisms, including Plesiomonasshigelloides and Aeromonas species which are pathogenic to human and animals. In the present investigation, we evaluated the occurrence of these pathogens from marine mammals beached or accidentally captured by fishing net in southeastern (RJ) and southern (RS) coastal Brazilian regions. A total of 198 swabs from 27 specimens of marine mammals, including 11 different species, were collected by DEENSP and GEMARS-CECLIMAR/UFRGS Institutes and sent to LRNCEB/IOC/FIOCRUZ. The samples were enriched in Alkaline Peptone Water (APW) added with 1 percent of sodium chloride (NaCl), APW plus 3 percent NaCl and incubated at 37ºC for 18-24 hours. Following, samples were streaked onto Pseudomonas-Aeromonas Selective Agar Base (GSP Agar) and suspected colonies were biochemically characterized. The results revealed 114 strains, including ten Aeromonas species and P.shigelloides. The main pathogens isolated were A.veronii biogroup veronii (19.3 percent), A. caviae (12.3 percent), A. hydrophila (9.6 percent) and P.shigelloides (7 percent). The pathogens were isolated in both coastal and offshore marine mammals. These data point the importance of epidemiological surveillance and microbiological monitoring and reinforce the need to implement environmental protection programs, especially related to endangered cetacean species.

O ambiente aquático é o habitat de vários microrganismos, incluindo Plesiomonasshigelloides e espécies de Aeromonas, os quais são patogênicos para o homem e os animais. Na presente investigação, foi avaliada a ocorrência destes patógenos a partir de swabs coletados de mamíferos marinhos encalhados ou capturados acidentalmente em redes de pesca nas regiões costeiras do sudeste (RJ) e sul (RS) do Brasil. O total de 198 swabs de 27 espécimes de mamíferos marinhos, incluindo 11 espécies distintas, foi coletado por profissionais dos institutos DEENSP, GEMARS-CECLIMAR/UFRGS e enviado ao LRNCEB/IOC/FIOCRUZ. Em seguida, as amostras foram submetidas a enriquecimento em Água Peptonada Alcalina (APA) adicionada de 1 por cento de cloreto de sódio (NaCl) e APA com 3 por cento de NaCl (37ºC/18-24 h). Posteriormente, as amostras foram semeadas em meio Agar Seletivo para Pseudomonas-Aeromonas (Agar GSP) e as colônias suspeitas submetidas à caracterização bioquímica. Um total de 114 cepas foram identificadas, incluindo dez espécies de Aeromonas e P.shigelloides. Os principais patógenos isolados foram A.veronii biogrupo veronii (19,3 por cento), A. caviae (12,2 por cento), A. hydrophila (9,6 por cento) e Plesiomonasshigelloides (7 por cento). Os patógenos foram encontrados tanto em espécies de mamíferos marinhos costeiros como oceânicos. Esses dados apontam para a importância da vigilância epidemiológica e monitoramento microbiológico, além de reforçar a necessidade de implantação de programas de proteção ambiental, particularmente relacionados aos mamíferos marinhos ameaçados de extinção.

[Characterization of Aeromonas spp isolates from newborns hospitalized]. / Caracterização de Aeromonas spp isoladas de neonatos hospitalizados.

Aeromonas spp is recognized as pathogenic to humans after consumption of contaminated water and food. In the present investigation, 2,323 rectal swab samples from newborns hospitalized in Rio de Janeiro were evaluated with a view to isolating Aeromonas. The samples were collected and sent to the national reference laboratory for cholera and other bacterial intestinal infections, at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. The swabs were subjected to enrichment in alkaline peptonated water with the addition of 1% sodium chloride (NaCl) and alkaline peptonated water plus 3% NaCl (37 degrees C/18-24h) and were streaked onto agar that was selective for Pseudomonas-Aeromonas (GSP Agar). Fifty-six Aeromonas strains were isolated, distributed as follows: Aeromonas caviae (42.8%), Aeromonas media (25%), Aeromonas veronii biogroup sobria (10.7%), Aeromonas hydrophila (9%), Aeromonas veronii biogroup veronii (5.3%), Aeromonas sobria (1.8%), Aeromonas jandaei (1.8%), Aeromonas schubertii (1.8%) and Aeromonas sp (1.8%). Resistance to one or more antimicrobial drugs was observed in 26.8% of the strains. Considering the importance of Aeromonas, there is an urgent need to warn about this in relation to nosocomial infection control.

Caracterização de Aeromonas spp isoladas de neonatos hospitalizados / Characterization of Aeromonas spp isolates from newborns hospitalized

Aeromonas spp é reconhecida como patogênica para o homem após o consumo de água e alimentos contaminados. Na presente investigação, foram avaliadas 2.323 amostras de swabs retais de neonatos hospitalizados no Rio de Janeiro objetivando o isolamento de Aeromonas. As amostras foram coletadas e enviadas ao Laboratório de Referência Nacional de Cólera e outras enteroinfecções bacterianas, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Os swabs foram submetidos ao enriquecimento em água peptonada alcalina adicionada de 1 por cento de cloreto de sódio (NaCl) e água peptonada alcalina adicionada de 3 por cento de NaCl (37ºC/18-24h) e semeadas em agar seletivo para Pseudomonas aeromonas (Agar GSP). Foram isoladas 56 cepas de Aeromonas assim distribuídas: Aeromonas caviae (42,8 por cento), Aeromonas media (25 por cento), Aeromonas veronii biogrupo sobria (10,7 por cento), Aeromonas hydrophila (9 por cento), Aeromonas veronii biogrupo veronii (5,3 por cento), Aeromonas sobria (1,8 por cento), Aeromonas jandaei (1,8 por cento), Aeromonas schubertii (1,8 por cento) e Aeromonas sp (1,8 por cento). Foi observada resistência a uma ou mais drogas antimicrobianas em 26,8 por cento das cepas. Considerando a relevância de Aeromonas torna-se urgente alertar sobre sua importância para o controle de infecções hospitalares.

Aeromonas spp is recognized as pathogenic to humans after consumption of contaminated water and food. In the present investigation, 2,323 rectal swab samples from newborns hospitalized in Rio de Janeiro were evaluated with a view to isolating Aeromonas. The samples were collected and sent to the national reference laboratory for cholera and other bacterial intestinal infections, at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. The swabs were subjected to enrichment in alkaline peptonated water with the addition of 1 percent sodium chloride (NaCl) and alkaline peptonated water plus 3 percent NaCl (37°C/18-24h) and were streaked onto agar that was selective for Pseudomonas-Aeromonas (GSP Agar). Fifty-six Aeromonas strains were isolated, distributed as follows: Aeromonas caviae (42.8 percent), Aeromonas media (25 percent), Aeromonas veronii biogroup sobria (10.7 percent), Aeromonas hydrophila (9 percent), Aeromonas veronii biogroup veronii (5.3 percent), Aeromonas sobria (1.8 percent), Aeromonas jandaei (1.8 percent), Aeromonas schubertii (1.8 percent) and Aeromonas sp (1.8 percent). Resistance to one or more antimicrobial drugs was observed in 26.8 percent of the strains. Considering the importance of Aeromonas, there is an urgent need to warn about this in relation to nosocomial infection control.

Plesiomonas shigelloides and Aeromonadaceae family pathogens isolated from marine mammals of Southern and Southeastern Brazilian coast.

The aquatic environment is the habitat of many microorganisms, including Plesiomonas shigelloides and Aeromonas species which are pathogenic to human and animals. In the present investigation, we evaluated the occurrence of these pathogens from marine mammals beached or accidentally captured by fishing net in southeastern (RJ) and southern (RS) coastal Brazilian regions. A total of 198 swabs from 27 specimens of marine mammals, including 11 different species, were collected by DEENSP and GEMARS-CECLIMAR/ UFRGS Institutes and sent to LRNCEB/IOC/FIOCRUZ. The samples were enriched in Alkaline Peptone Water (APW) added with 1% of sodium chloride (NaCl), APW plus 3% NaCl and incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours. Following, samples were streaked onto Pseudomonas-Aeromonas Selective Agar Base (GSP Agar) and suspected colonies were biochemically characterized. The results revealed 114 strains, including ten Aeromonas species and P. shigelloides. The main pathogens isolated were A. veronii biogroup veronii (19.3%), A. caviae (12.3%), A. hydrophila (9.6%) and P. shigelloides (7%). The pathogens were isolated in both coastal and offshore marine mammals. These data point the importance of epidemiological surveillance and microbiological monitoring and reinforce the need to implement environmental protection programs, especially related to endangered cetacean species.

Vibrio spp. isolados de mamíferos marinhos capturados na região litorânea do Sudeste ao Sul do Brasil / Vibrio spp. isolated from marine mammals captured in coastal regions from southwestern to southern Brazil

Avaliou-se a incidência de Vibrio spp. a partir de lesões superficiais em mamíferos marinhos encalhados ou capturados em redes de pesca nas regiões litorâneas do Sudeste (Rio de Janeiro) e Sul (RS) do Brasil. Foram coletadas 198 amostras, pelas instituições de pesquisa DEENSP, GEMARS e Ceclimar, as quais foram enviadas ao Labent/IOC/FIOCruz, onde foram submetidas ao enriquecimento em Agua Peptonada Alcalina (APA) adicionada de 1 por cento e 3 por cento de NaCl e in-cubadas a 37°C por 18-24 horas. Em seqüência foram semeadas em meio Agar Tiossulfato Citrato Bile Sacarose (TCBS) e as colônias suspeitas submetidas à caracterização bioquímica. Foram isoladas 108 cepas bacterianas, destacando-se Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus e V. fluvialis como os principais patógenos isolados. Os resultados obtidos apontam para a necessidade de implementar atividades de vigilância e monitorização bacteriológica, particularmente de espécies selvagens, e reforçar os programas de proteção ambiental em casos de mamíferos marinhos ameaçados de extinção.

In the present investigation was evaluated the incidence of Vibrio spp. from superficial lesions at marine mammals beached or captured by fishing net in the southwestern (RJ) and southern (RS) coastal regions of Brazil. One hundred and ninety eight swabs were collected by DEENSP, GEMARS and Ceclimar institutes and sent to Labent/IOC/FIOCruz where the samples were submitted to enrichment in Alkaline Peptone Water (APW) added with 1 percent and 3 percent of sodium chloride (NaCl) incubated at 37°C for 18-24 hours. After the samples were streaked onto Thiossulfate Citrate Bile Sucrose Agar (TCBS), the suspected colonies were submitted to biochemical characterization. The results showed 108 strains, and Vibrio alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus and V. fluvialis were the main pathogens isolated. These results appoint the importance of surveillance and microbiological monitoring accomplishment and reinforcement of environmental protective programs applied to marine mammals endangered with extinction.

Spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy, and neuropathy is linked to chromosome 11q13.

We report an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder in 25 white members from a large inbred Brazilian family, 22 of whom were evaluated clinically. This condition is characterized by (1) subnormal vision secondary to apparently nonprogressive congenital optic atrophy; (2) onset of progressive spastic paraplegia in infancy; (3) onset of progressive motor and sensory axonal neuropathy in late childhood/early adolescence; (4) dysarthria starting in the third decade of life; (5) exacerbated acoustic startle response; and (6) progressive joint contractures and spine deformities. Motor handicap was severe, and all patients were wheelchair bound after 15 years old. We performed a genome-wide screen including 25 affected individuals and 49 of their unaffected relatives. Linkage was detected at 11q13 region with a maximum logarithm of odds score of +14.43, obtained with marker D11S1883. The candidate region, which lies between D11S1908 and D11S1889, encompasses approximately 4.8Mb and has more than 100 genes and expressed sequences. We propose the acronym SPOAN (spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy, and neuropathy) for this complex syndrome.

Efeitos da vitamina "a" sobre o timo

Os retinoides tem acao moduladora sobre o sistema imunitario, sendo a Vit. A conhecida, desde o comeco do seculo, como vitamina anti-infecciosa. Entretanto, pouco se sabe sobre o papel da Vit. A na linfopoiese timica. Neste trabalho, foram estudados os efeitos da hipervitaminose A sobre o peso relativo e a celularidade de timo e baco em camundongos outbred suicos e inbred C57B1/6 com 3 a 5 semanas de vida. Procurou-se tambem verificar um possivel efeito protetor da Vit. A sobre a atrofia timica experimental induzida por glicocorticoides. Os resultados mostraram que esta vitamina pode modular a producao e/ou sobrevivencia de lincocitos in vivo, pois camundongos suicos tratados com varias doses de Vit. A apresentaram hipertrofia de timo estatisticamente significativa, relacionada ao aumento de celularidade timica, sendo que apenas a maior dose induziu hipertrofia de baco. O tratamento destes animais com vitamina A foi ainda capaz de proteger o timo da atrofia induzida por hidrocortisona. No entanto, os mesmos resultados nao foram obtidos em camundongos C57B1/6. Sao discutidos possiveis mecanismos de acao da vitamina A sobre a linfopoidese T.