Avaliação da deformação miocárdica pela ecocardiografia feature tracking em gatos com defeito perimembranoso do septo ventricular / Evaluation of myocardial deformation by the ecocardiography feature tracking in cats with perimembranosous defect of the septo ventricular

O desenvolvimento de novas ferramentas, como a ecocardiografia bidimensional feature tracking (2D-FTI), permite diagnosticar, de forma precoce, se há disfunção miocárdica em doenças cardíacas, inclusive as congênitas. O defeito septal ventricular (DSV) é a alteração congênita mais observada em felinos, no entanto pouco se sabe sobre a disfunção cardíaca nessa cardiopatia, especialmente em animais assintomáticos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar, por meio do 2D-FTI, a deformação miocárdica ventricular esquerda pela mensuração dos índices ecocardiográficos strain (St) e strain rate (StR) radial, circunferencial e longitudinal, em gatos saudáveis e com DSV. Foram avaliados 12 gatos saudáveis e seis gatos com DSV para obtenção de St e StR em diversos segmentos miocárdicos. No sentido longitudinal, houve diferença estatística (P<0,05) para os segmentos septal basal, mediano e apical epicárdicos (P=0,0017; P<0,0001; P=0,0288), lateral mediano epicárdico (P=0,0327), septal mediano endocárdico (P=0,0035), lateral mediano endocárdico (P=0,0461), St epicárdico (P=0,0250) e St global (P=0,0382). Também houve diferença no segmento lateral mediano circunferencial endocárdico (P=0,0248), lateral mediano radial (St: P=0,0409; StR: P=0,0166) e posterior mediano radial (P=0,0369). O estudo evidenciou que, mesmo em animais assintomáticos com DSV, há redução na deformação miocárdica ventricular principalmente no sentido longitudinal, demonstrando maior vulnerabilidade dessas fibras.(AU)

The development of new tools, such as two-dimensional feature tracking (2D-FTI), allows early diagnosis of myocardial dysfunction in heart diseases including congenital heart disease. The ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most frequently observed congenital abnormality in cats, however, little is known about cardiac dysfunction, especially in asymptomatic animals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the left ventricular myocardial deformation through 2D-FTI by the measurement of the radial, circumferential and longitudinal echocardiographic strain (St) and strain rate (StR) indices. Twelve healthy cats and six cats with VSD were evaluated to obtain St and StR in several myocardial segments. In the longitudinal direction, there was a statistical difference (P<0.05) for the epimyocardial basal septal, mid-septal, apical septal (P=0.0017; P<0.0001; P=0.0288), epimyocardial mid-lateral (P=0.0327), endomyocardial mid-septal (P=0.0035), endomyocardial mid-lateral (P=0.0461), St epimyocardial (P=0.0250) and St global (P=0.0382). There was also difference in the circumferential endomyocardial mid-lateral segment (P=0.0248), radial mid-lateral (St: P=0.0409; StR: P=0.0166) and radial mid-posterior (P=0.0369). The study showed that even in asymptomatic animals with VSD there is a reduction in ventricular myocardial deformation mainly in the longitudinal direction, demonstrating the fragility of these fibers.(AU)

Assessment of left atrial function in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease by biplane simpson's method / Avaliação da função atrial esquerda em cães com degeneração mixomatosa de valva mitral pelo método Simpson biplanar

The relationship between the diameter of the left atrium (LA) and aorta (Ao) is considered as a prognostic factor in chronic mitral valve disease. As the left atrium is a three-dimensional structure, methods based on measurement of the chamber volume can be more accurate than linear methods.The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of measuring LA volume with 2D echocardiography using the biplane modified Simpson (SIMP) method in 33 dogs with various classes of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), as well as to present values of LA function using the atrial diastolic and systolic volume indices (ADVI and ASVI), cardiac index (ACI) and atrial ejection fraction (AEF). We observed agreement among the LA/Ao ratio and the atrial volume indices (ADVI and ASVI) and the ACI, suggesting that the values of the variables increase as the LA/Ao ratio increases due to atrial remodeling that accompanies MMVD progression. The data demonstrated a good assessment of atrial function, allowing a better understanding of LA's role in the pathophysiology of MMVD.(AU)

A relação entre o diâmetro átrio esquerdo (AE) e da aorta (Ao) é considerada como fator prognóstico na doença crônica de valva mitral. Como o átrio esquerdo é uma estrutura tridimensional, os métodos baseados na mensuração de volume da câmara podem ser mais precisos que os métodos lineares. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a viabilidade da mensuração do volume do AE com a ecocardiografia bidimensional, sendo usado o método Simpson biplanar em 33 cães com diversas classes da degeneração mixomatosa de valva mitral (DMVM), bem como apresentar valores de função do AE utilizando-se os índices de volumes atriais diastólico e sistólico (iVdA e iVsA), o índice cardíaco atrial (iCA) e a fração de ejeção atrial (FEA). Observou-se uma concordância entre a relação AE/Ao e os índices de volume atrial (iVdA e iVsA) e o iCA, o que sugere que os valores das variáveis aumentam à medida que a relação AE/Ao aumenta, devido à remodelação atrial que acompanha a progressão da DMVM. Os dados demonstram uma boa avaliação da função atrial e permitem uma melhor compreensão do papel do AE na fisiopatologia da DMVM.(AU)

Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B and C viruses in patients with leprosy.

It has been reported a higher seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in leprosy patients than in the general population, but the reasons for these findings are not yet clear. On the other hand, there is evidence that these viruses may influence the onset of leprosy reactional episodes, an important cause of neurological sequelae. This study aimed to determine seroprevalence and risk factors for HBV and HCV in leprosy patients and to investigate its association with leprosy reactions. Patients attended from 2015 to 2016 at a Reference Center in Leprosy in Northeastern region of Brazil, were interviewed, had their records reviewed to investigate biological, clinical, behavioral and socioeconomic factors, and underwent blood sample collection. Biological samples were tested for HBV (HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBs) and HCV (anti-HCV) serological markers by ELISA and, in anti-HCV positive samples, HCV RNA was screened by real time PCR. SPSS program was used to analyze the data. A total of 403 leprosy patients were included. Although anti-HBc was positive in 14.1%, there was no detection of HBsAg, which contradicts the hypothesis that leprosy patients have immune deficit that make them more prone to chronic HBV infection. Multibacillary leprosy (0.057), health-related work (0.011) and lower educational level (0.035) were associated with anti-HBc positivity. Anti-HCV was positive in 0.5%, with no detection of HCV RNA. No association was identified between anti-HCV and the epidemiological analyzed factors. There was also no association of anti-HBc or anti-HCV with type 1 or type 2 leprosy reactions. Thus, the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in leprosy patients was similar to that of the general population of Northeastern region of Brazil, and no association of HBV or HCV with leprosy reactions was observed.

Deformação miocárdica radial por meio do speckle tracking bidimensional em suínos com hipertensão pulmonar induzida e tratados com angiotensina-(1-7) / Evaluation of myocardial radial deformation by bidimensional speckle tracking in pigs with pulmonary hypertension treated with angiotensin- (1-7)

A hipertensão arterial pulmonar (HAP) é uma doença complexa, caracterizada por disfunção endotelial, que resulta em remodelamento vascular pulmonar e elevação da pressão arterial pulmonar, com consequente insuficiência cardíaca direita. O speckle tracking bidimensional (2D-STE) é uma das mais recentes ferramentas da ecocardiografia, o qual tem sido empregado para avaliação mais precoce da função ventricular e do efeito da HAP sobre a função dos ventrículos esquerdo e direito. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a deformação (St e StR) miocárdica radial do VE em modelo experimental de suínos com HAP induzida e tratados com angiotensina-(1-7), a fim de verificar as possibilidades desse novo fármaco nas respostas clínica e hemodinâmica, pois apresenta efeitos anti-inflamatório e vasodilatador, bem como ações antiproliferativas no sistema cardiovascular. Neste estudo, foi possível observar que os animais tratados com Ang-(1-7) apresentaram St e StR radiais maiores que o grupo placebo aos 60 dias de experimento, demonstrando uma melhora na função sistólica do miocárdio pelo aumento da deformação miocárdica (16,06±7,50 - placebo; 25,14±14,91 - Ang-(1-7)) e StR (1,28±0,51 - placebo; 1,51±0,58 - Ang-(1-7)). Essa melhora na função sistólica pode ser atribuída aos efeitos do fármaco, que reduziram também o desenvolvimento da hipertensão pulmonar. Diante dos resultados, acredita-se que a Ang-(1-7) possa ser um medicamento promissor para tratamento da HAP.(AU)

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction resulting in pulmonary vascular remodeling, increased pulmonary arterial pressure, with subsequent right heart failure. The two-dimensional speckle tracking (2D-STE) is one of the newer tools used for early assessment of ventricular function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radial myocardial deformation (St and StR) of LV in experimental pigs with induced PAH and treated with Ang- (1-7), checking the possibilities of this new drug in clinical and hemodynamic response, since it has anti-inflammatory effects and antiproliferative actions on the cardiovascular system. In this study we observed that animals treated with Ang (1-7) had radial St and StR higher than the placebo group at 60 days of the experiment demonstrating an improvement in systolic function of the myocardium by increased myocardial deformation (16.06±7.50 - placebo; 25.14±14.91 - Ang (1-7)) and StR (1.28±0.51 - placebo; 1.51±0.58 - Ang (1-7)). This improvement in systolic function can be attributed to drug effects while also reducing the development of pulmonary hypertension. Based on the results it is believed that Ang (1-7) may be a promising drug for the treatment of PAH.(AU)

Dermatophytosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: clinical aspects and etiologic agents.

Dermatophytosis in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus infection seems to manifest with atypical, multiple, or extensive lesions more frequently. In addition, there are reports of presentations with little inflammation, called anergics. Less common etiologic agents have been isolated in these individuals, such as Microsporum species. To describe clinical aspects and etiologic agents of dermatophytosis in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Patients with clinical diagnosis of dermatophytosis underwent scarification for mycological diagnosis through direct microscopic examination and fungal isolation in culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Sixty individuals had a clinical hypothesis of dermatophytosis. In 20 (33.3%) of the 60 patients, dermatophytosis was confirmed through a mycological study. Tinea corporis, diagnosed in 14 patients, was the most frequent clinical form, followed by tinea unguium in 7, tinea cruris in 5, and tinea pedis in 1 patient. Most of the lesions of tinea corporis were anergic. Five patients with tinea unguium had involvement of multiple nails, with onychodystrophy as the predominant subtype. Multiple cutaneous lesions occurred in 3 patients and extensive cutaneous lesions in 4. Regarding the agent, Trichophyton rubrum was the most commonly isolated. The high occurrence of anergic skin lesions and involvement of multiple nails, especially as onychodystrophy, corroborates the hypothesis that atypical, disseminated, and more severe presentations are common in individuals with HIV infection. However, no Microsporum species was isolated even in atypical, extensive, or disseminated cases, in disagreement with previous reports. Therefore, the approach of squamous lesions in HIV-positive patients must include a mycological study, in view of the possibility of anergic dermatophytosis, to promote the introduction of a suitable therapeutic agent.

Mitral flow propagation velocity in non-sedated healthy cats / Velocidade de propagação do fluxo mitral em gatos saudáveis e não sedados

Mitral flow propagation velocity (Vp) is an index used to evaluate the left ventricular diastolic function. Its influence on human and small animal cardiopathies has been studied; however there are few reports evaluating this variable in domestic felines. In addition, there is a lack of studies in non-sedated healthy cats. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to establish values for Vp and its correlation with other echocardiographic indexes in non-sedated healthy cats in order to provide new perspectives related to diastolic function in this species. Twenty-six clinically healthy cats were submitted to echocardiography to assess the animals' cardiac conditions. Variables such as age, heart rate (HR), body surface area (BSA), initial (E mitral) and late (A mitral) ventricular filling waves, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and E/IVRT relation were correlated to Vp. No proven relation between any of these variables and Vp was observed in this present study, except for HR and BSA. In the variability analysis, higher values were verified for inter-observer analysis. This study concludes that Vp proved to be an useful index for estimating left ventricular relaxation in non-sedated healthy domestic cats and provides reference ranges for this variable.

A velocidade de propagação do fluxo mitral (Vp) é um índice utilizado para avaliação da função diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo. Sua importância nas cardiopatias em humanos e pequenos animais vem sendo estudada; porém, há poucos trabalhos avaliando essa variável em gatos domésticos. Nessa espécie, estudos utilizando animais saudáveis e não sedados não foram encontrados na literatura. Dessa forma, objetivou-se estabelecer os valores da Vp e sua correlação com outros índices ecocardiográficos em gatos domésticos saudáveis e não sedados, de forma a fornecer novas perspectivas relacionadas à função diastólica nessa espécie. Foram utilizados 26 gatos domésticos clinicamente saudáveis, submetidos à ecocardiografia para se avaliar a condição cardíaca dos animais. As variáveis idade, frequência cardíaca (FC), área de superfície corporal (SAC), idade, onda de enchimento ventricular inicial (E mitral) e tardio (A mitral), tempo de relaxamento isovolumétrico (TRIV) e a relação E/TRIV foram correlacionadas com a Vp. No presente estudo não foi observada correlação da Vp com nenhuma das variáveis estudas, exceto com a FC e o SAC. Quanto à análise de variabilidade, foi observado um maior valor para a análise inter-observador. O estudo permite concluir que a Vp demonstrou ser um índice útil para se estimar o relaxamento ventricular esquerdo em gatos domésticos saudáveis e não sedados, além de fornecer valores de referência para essa variável.

High tumor necrosis factor-α/interleukin-10 ratio is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. The risk for the development of HCC increases with the severity of liver inflammation and fibrosis. The hepatic inflammation caused by HCV involves host regulatory immune response, which is mediated by cytokines with anti-viral role upon the interaction of viral polypeptides with innate and adaptive immunity. Two cytokines; tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) play key roles in the regulation of cellular immune response in HCV infection. The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of IL-10 and TNF-α, as well as the ratio of TNF-α and IL-10 serum levels in patients with HCV and HCC caused by HCV (HCC-HCV). The study included 173 patients with chronic HCV. TNF-α and IL-10 serum levels were measured by ELISA (R&D Systems, Inc.). In the present study, 54 patients presented liver mild fibrosis, 68 had severe fibrosis and 51 patients had HCC. After adjustment in the multivariate regression analysis, the following variables remained significantly associated with HCC-HCV occurrence: diabetes (p=0.012 OR 10.44 CI 1.66-65.60), IL-10 lower levels (p<0.0001 OR 0.83 CI 0.78-0.89) and TNF-α higher levels (p<0.0001 OR 1.19 CI 1.11-1.28). Individuals with HCC presented higher TNF-α/IL-10 ratio than those with fibrosis grade F4, F3 or F0+F1+F2 (p=0.0003, p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively). Patients with HCC were associated to higher index TNF-α/IL-10 ratio, suggesting that the unbalanced production of these cytokines may represent progression to the liver disease severity in HCV infected patients.

Molecular detection of nifH gene-containing Paenibacillus in the rhizosphere of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) sown in Cerrado soil.

AIMS: To develop a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approach for the detection of nifH gene-containing Paenibacillus in environmental samples. METHODS AND RESULTS: The primers, nifHPAENf and nifHPAENr, were designed and tested with DNA from: (i) strains of different nitrogen-fixing Paenibacillus species, (ii) strains of other nitrogen-fixing genera and (iii) rhizosphere of sorghum sown in Cerrado soil amended with either 12 or 120 kg ha(-1) of nitrogen fertilizer. All nitrogen-fixing Paenibacillus strains tested and the DNA samples from rhizosphere soil were amplified when these primers were used, generating a 280 bp fragment. When the PCR products obtained from both sorghum rhizospheres were cloned and sequenced, the majority of the clones analysed could be identified as Paenibacillus durus. Moreover, a greater diversity in the nifH sequences could be observed in the rhizosphere treated with a high amount of nitrogen fertilizer. CONCLUSIONS: Nitrogen fertilization slightly influenced the structure of the nifH gene-containing Paenibacillus community in sorghum rhizospheres cultivated in Cerrado soil. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The PCR detection method developed is adequate to assess the presence of nifH gene-containing Paenibacillus in the environment and can be used in future to determine the ecological role of this group of micro-organisms for the nitrogen input to the plants.

Anemia reduction in preschool children with the addition of low doses of iron to school meals.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries there is high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia, which causes negative impact on growth, development and quality of life for infant population. Currently several strategies are being elaborated and tested to tackle this problem. OBJECTIVE: To measure anemia prevalence in preschool children. To evaluate fortification effectiveness with 5 or 10 mg of elemental iron/daily added to school meals by increasing hemoglobin levels in anemic children. METHODS: Double-blind, cluster randomized intervention study with 728 students from public network. Blood count was taken at beginning of study, to evaluate anemia prevalence, those anemic were selected for intervention, after intervention new blood count was taken to evaluate fortification effectiveness. Ferrous Sulphate was added in individual dosage of 5 or 10 mg of elemental iron/daily to usual school meal. From 35 schools 3 were randomized to receive 5 mg/daily (group A) and 3 to receive 10 mg/daily (group B). Hemoglobin and hematocrit averages before and after intervention were compared in each group and between them. RESULTS: In group A, the anemia prevalence reduced 34.9 to 12.4%, and in group B 39.0 to 18.7%. In both groups a significant increase in hemoglobin was observed: in group A from 10.1 to 11.5 g/dl (p < 0.01) and in group B from 10.0 to 11.0 g/dl (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in final levels of hemoglobin among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both dosages of elemental iron were equally effective in increasing hemoglobin levels, and reducing anemia prevalence. Fortification of school meals was shown to be an effective, low cost and easy to manage intervention.

Dopamine levels modulate the updating of tastant values.

To survive, animals must constantly update the internal value of stimuli they encounter; a process referred to as incentive learning. Although there have been many studies investigating whether dopamine is necessary for reward, or for the association between stimuli and actions with rewards, less is known about the role of dopamine in the updating of the internal value of stimuli per se. We used a single-bottle forced-choice task to investigate the role of dopamine in learning the value of tastants. We show that dopamine transporter knock-out mice (DAT-KO), which have constitutively elevated dopamine levels, develop a more positive bias towards a hedonically positive tastant (sucrose 400 mM) than their wild-type littermates. Furthermore, when compared to wild-type littermates, DAT-KO mice develop a less negative bias towards a hedonically negative tastant (quinine HCl 10 mM). Importantly, these effects develop with training, because at the onset of training DAT-KO and wild-type mice display similar biases towards sucrose and quinine. These data suggest that dopamine levels can modulate the updating of tastant values, a finding with implications for understanding sensory-specific motivation and reward seeking.

Determination of the cut-off value of serum alanine aminotransferase in patients undergoing hemodialysis, to identify biochemical activity in patients with hepatitis C viremia.

BACKGROUND: Elevated liver enzymes are infrequent in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD), suggesting that the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is a poor predictor of hepatocellular damage in this population. OBJECTIVE: To establish a more appropriate cut-off value of ALT to identify biochemical activity due to HCV infection in HD patients. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 217 patients, with an average age of 51.2 years, were evaluated between January and October 2002; 130 were males (60%). Serum ALT was measured by a kinetic method in five consecutive monthly blood samples, from which an average was obtained and divided by the upper limit of normal (ULN). HCV antibodies were determined using an enzyme immunoassay, the serum HCV-RNA by nested-PCR and HCV genotype by hybridization of the amplified sequence from the 5'-non-coding region. The cut-off value of ALT was obtained from a ROC curve. RESULTS: Within the 217 patients, 18 (8.3%) were anti-HCV-positive, 17 (7.8%) of whom were also HCV-RNA-positive. Genotype distribution was: 1a=47%; 1b=18%; 3a=35%. Mean ALT/ULN (0.77+/-0.57) of the 18 anti-HCV-positive cases was higher (p<0.001) than the negative group (0.38+/-0.23). The mean ALT/ULN (0.81+/-0.57) of the 17 HCV-RNA-positive cases was also higher (p<0.0001) than the negative cases (0.37+/-0.23). The cut-off value of ALT to distinguish the anti-HCV-positive from negative patients was 0.50% or 50% of the ULN (sensitivity=67%; specificity=83%). According to the HCV-RNA, the cut-off value of ALT was 0.45% or 45% of the ULN (sensitivity=71%; specificity=80%). CONCLUSION: Reducing the cut-off of ALT by half, enables a better identification of biochemical activity in patients with HCV infection on chronic HD.

Effect of TBT on Ruditapes decussatus juveniles.

The effects of sublethal concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) on growth of juvenile clams Ruditapes decussatus were determined during exposure to TBT concentrations of 50, 100 and 250 ng l(-1) (as Sn) for a period up to two years. Length and weight of clams increased continuously in all treatments throughout the experimental period, and, overall, rates were not significantly influenced by TBT exposure, although final length and weight were inversely related to increasing TBT concentration. Juvenile R. decussatus therefore appear to be less sensitive to TBT than larval stages. Some juveniles exposed to TBT developed abnormal shell growth, laterally, changing the typical flattened shape of clams into a more "rounded" form. This characteristic was more visible in the anterior margins of valves than posteriorly, and mainly observed in clams exposed to TBT at 50 ng l(-1) (as Sn).

Biomarkers in Ruditapes decussatus: a potential bioindicator species.

The clam Ruditapes decussatus is distributed worldwide and due to its ecological and economical interest has been proposed as a bioindicator in areas where mussels are not available. The accumulation of several anthropogenic compounds in their tissues suggests that they possess mechanisms that allow them to cope with the toxic effects of these contaminants. Besides pollutant uptake, the use of biomarkers is pointed out in this paper since it is a promising approach to monitor the effect of these contaminants in the marine environment. Biomarkers complement the information of the direct chemical characterization of different types of contaminants. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to review the role of several biomarkers: (metallothioneins (MT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidases (GPx) (total and selenium-dependent), lipid peroxidation (measured as MDA, one of the final products of lipid peroxidation), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), measured in different tissues of the clam R. decussatus, in laboratory conditions and under various environmental stresses, in two ecosystems (Ria Formosa lagoon- Portugal) and Bizerta lagoon (Tunisia) in a perspective of a multibiomarker approach to assess environmental changes. Experiment and field studies are in good agreement since MT levels, especially in the gills, the first target tissue of these contaminants, can be used as biomarker of exposure to Cd. GPx and MDA may also be determined in this respect. AChE activity is inhibited by pesticide and, to a less extent, by metal exposure in the gills and whole soft body of clams. However, the induction of GST isoforms experimentally demonstrated is not observed in the field because only global GST activity was determined. The whole set of results opens new research perspectives for the use of this species to assess the effect of mixtures of pollutants in the aquatic environment.

Routes of TBT uptake in the clam Ruditapes decussatus. I. Water and sediments as vectors of TBT uptake.

This study assesses the relative importance of water and sediments as vectors of TBT uptake in the sediment-dwelling suspension feeder, Ruditapes decussatus. Accumulation of TBT was determined in R. decussatus exposed for 60 days to moderately high but environmentally realistic levels of TBT in water (100 ng Snl(-1)) and sediments (0.8 microg Sn g(-1) dw), separately or in combination, using constant-flow systems. The results indicate that this species accumulates TBT predominantly from water. Although some accumulation from sediments does occur, the processing of large amounts of water needed to sustain the filter-feeding habits of this species is a prime determinant of TBT uptake. The route of exposures reflected in tissue distributions of TBT in R. decussatus. However, gills are the most important site for accumulation of TBT from water, irrespective of whether contaminated sediments are present or not.

Routes of TBT uptake in the clam Ruditapes decussatus. II. Food as vector of TBT uptake.

Marine bivalves are exposed to contaminants via the aqueous phase, sediments and food. Nevertheless, the relative importance of these phases as uptake vectors of contaminants in these marine organisms has not been well studied. Phytoplankton concentrate contaminants from seawater and given their position at the base of most marine food webs, these algal cells may play critical roles in the transfer of contaminants to higher trophic levels. This study assesses the relative importance of microalgae as a vector of tributylin (TBT) uptake in the infaunal, suspension-feeding bivalve Ruditapes decussatus. Accumulation of TBT via the algal diet was determined by experimental exposure of R. decussatus to 14C-TBT labelled phytoplankton Isochrisis galbana, for a period up to 60 days. The digestive tract of these clams initially accumulates TBT preferentially from food. After a few weeks of exposure, internal remobilization results in a more widespread partitioning of TBT amongst tissues.

Evaluation of the diversity of Paenibacillus polymyxa strains by using the DNA of bacteriophage IPy1 as a probe in hybridization experiments.

AIMS: To evaluate the genetic diversity within the species Paenibacillus polymyxa. METHODS: Southern hybridization was performed on 102 strains of P. polymyxa using DNA from the phage IPy1 as a probe. RESULTS: All 102 strains hybridized to phage IPy1 DNA. Data from different hybridization patterns obtained were used to construct a dendrogram in which 53 genotypic groups were split into two main clusters. One cluster contained strains from the rhizospheres of sorghum and maize planted in Cerrado soil, Brazil, and the majority of strains received from two culture collections. The other cluster contained strains isolated from different Brazilian soils and rhizospheres and strains deposited in a third culture collection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The approach used in this study appears to be a new and a very useful tool to study the diversity within this species.

Spinal angiolipomas revisited: two case reports.

Approximately 60 cases of spinal angiolipomas have been described in the medical literature. Extradural tumours predominate. Lesions with a bony component, the infiltrating subgroup, were reported in 10 patients. Intradural angiolipomas were found three times. Several excellent review articles are available, but a systematic comparison of the characteristics of the two major varieties, infiltrating and non-infiltrating spinal extradural angiolipomas, has not so far been made. The authors operated on two patients with spinal angiolipomas and found one of them the infiltrating and the other the non-infiltrating type. Then, they proceeded to a review of all publish cases of infiltrating angiolipomas. With a knowledge of recently reported data on the subject the authors compared essential clinical features of both varieties of tumours. They share identical clinical characteristics. Differences found in age, sex or location were not statistically significant. Mode of onset and signs and symptoms present on admission were essentially similar. As could be anticipated, removal was more often complete in non-infiltrating tumours, but outcome was good or fair in more than 85% of cases in both groups. Involvement of bone by spinal angiolipomas does not imply a worsening in the prognosis.

Synthesis of some 4-oxo-delta 2-thiazolin-2-ylhydrazones as potential antiprotozoal agents.

Several 4-oxo-delta 2-thiazolin-2-ylhydrazone derivatives 6 (6-1 - 6-19) derived from the cyclization reaction between the thiosemicarbazones 5 and homologous alpha-chloroacids were prepared. Only compound 6-2 was found to be active against Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Immunopharmacological effects of Saccharomyces boulardii in healthy human volunteers.

Investigation of oral administration of Saccharomyces boulardii in healthy volunteers demonstrates several cellular and humoral changes in peripheral blood. Among its effects are the increase of erythrocytes, leucocytes, polymorphs, neutrophils, complement components C3, C5, C3d, serum anticomplementary activity and leucocyte chemokinesis, specially when autologous serum and antigen have been added to the culture medium and decrease of complement haemolytic activity (CH50, classic and alternative pathways). We have also demonstrated that in vitro S. boulardii was able to activate complement directly, to fix C3b to its surface and that its phagocytosis by mononuclear cells was complement-dependent. The overall changes in serum proteins suggested changes of acute phase proteins typical of an inflammatory process. Furthermore S. boulardii had no mitogenic response of lymphocyte populations. Our results demonstrated that S. boulardii activates the reticuloendothelial system and complement system and suggest that S. boulardii merits therapeutic trial in a variety of clinical situations.

[Incontinentia pigmenti (Bloch-Sulzberger. Report of a patient with cerebral changes]. / Incontinêntia pigmenti (Bloch-Sulzberger). Relato de um doente com alterações cerebrais.

The clinical case refers to a three months-old female patient with incontinentia pigmenti. The cutaneous lesions, were the predominant features of the dermatosis; it consisted in vesicles, bullae, hyperkeratosis and pigmentation forming bizarre patterns. Associated with the dermatosis there were neurological abnormalities, which consisted in cerebral ulegiria. The child died during an episode of bronchiolitis. The necropsy showed; ulegiria cerebral, severe bronchopneumonia lobar and the cutaneous lesions.