Constraints on tree seedling establishment after fires: passing the germination bottlenecks.

Persistence and colonization by tree species in an environment following a fire depends on the effects on seed germination and seedling development. We used seeds of Kielmeyera coriacea and Qualea parviflora as a model to test the effects of high temperatures on germination and initial development of tree seedlings. We exposed the seeds to heat flow (70, 100, 130, 150 or 170 °C) for 2 or 5 min and compared the germination with that of unheated seeds (control). Seedlings were then harvested after 3, 7 or 15 days to evaluate aerial and root mass, root:shoot ratio, presence of cotyledon opening, true leaves, and secondary roots. We found no effect on germination for seeds exposed to temperatures ≥150 °C. However, germination was significantly reduced for seeds exposed to 100 °C for both 2 and 5 min. The mass of 15-day-old K. coriacea seedlings was smaller when seeds were heated at 70 °C for 5 min or at temperatures higher or equal to 100 °C. Qualea parviflora seedlings did not show any difference in mass, but there were marginal differences in the presence of roots and the opening of cotyledons. Kielmeyera coriacea seedlings allocated biomass faster than Q. parviflora. High temperatures affect both quantity and quality of germinable seeds, as well as biomass allocation during initial seedling development. These factors may explain the decrease in seedlings observed after fire, suggesting a bottleneck effect that influences population dynamics and species persistence in systems with frequent fires.

Complete sequence of a new bipartite begomovirus infecting Sida sp. in Northeastern Brazil.

In Brazil, non-cultivated plants, especially weeds, are infected with a diversity of begomoviruses and often show striking golden mosaic symptoms. In the present study, leaves showing these symptoms were collected from Sida sp. plants in Guadalupe, Piaui State, Northeastern Brazil, in 2015 and 2016. PCR tests with degenerate primers revealed the presence of begomovirus DNA-A and DNA-B components. Restriction enzyme digestion of rolling circle-amplified DNA revealed fragments totaling ~5.2 kb, indicating infection by a bipartite begomovirus. The DNA-A and DNA-B components have a genome organization typical of New World (NW) bipartite begomoviruses and a common region of 220 nucleotides (nt) with 96% identity, indicating these are cognate components. Comparisons performed with the DNA-A sequence revealed the highest nt sequence identity (84%) with that of sida angular mosaic virus (SiAMV), whereas those performed with the DNA-B sequence revealed highest identity (77%) with that of sida chlorotic vein virus (SiCVV). In phylogenetic analyses, the DNA-A sequence was placed in a strongly supported clade with SiAMV and SiCVV from Piaui, whereas the DNA-B sequence was placed in a clade with SiCVV and corchorus mottle virus. Based on the current ICTV criteria for the demarcation of begomovirus species (<91% nt sequence identity for the DNA-A component), this is a member of a new species for which the name "Sida yellow golden mosaic virus" is proposed.

Characterization of tomato leaf curl purple vein virus, a new monopartite New World begomovirus infecting tomato in Northeast Brazil.

A new begomovirus species was identified from tomato plants with upward leaf curling and purple vein symptoms, which was first identified in the Piaui state of Northeast (NE) Brazil in 2014. Tomato leaf samples were collected in 2014 and 2016, and PCR with degenerate primers revealed begomovirus infection. Rolling circle amplification and restriction enzyme digestion indicated a single genomic DNA of ~ 2.6 kb. Cloning and sequencing revealed a genome organization similar to DNA-A components of New World (NW) bipartite begomoviruses, with no DNA-B. The complete nucleotide sequence had the highest identity (80%) with the DNA-A of Macroptilium yellow spot virus (MacYSV), and phylogenetic analyses showed it is a NW begomovirus that clusters with MacYSV and Blainvillea yellow spot virus, also from NE Brazil. Tomato plants agroinoculated with a dimeric clone of this genomic DNA developed upward leaf curling and purple vein symptoms, indistinguishable from those observed in the field. Based on agroinoculation, this virus has a narrow host range, mainly within the family Solanaceae. Co-inoculation experiments with tomato severe rugose virus and tomato mottle leaf curl virus, the two predominant begomoviruses infecting tomato in Brazil, revealed a synergistic interaction among these begomoviruses. The name Tomato leaf curl purple vein virus (ToLCPVV) is proposed for this new begomovirus.

Synthesis and characterization of nickel nanoparticles prepared using the aquolif approach.

We report on the synthesis of nickel nanoparticles using a combination of chemical reduction and freezing-drying processes that we named the aquolif approach. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns reveal that the synthesized nanoparticles were composed of a single metallic nickel phase. The average crystallite sizes of the nickel nanoparticles were determined using the Scherrer method. The average crystallite sizes increased from 8±3 to 16±3 nm as the annealing temperature increased, which is consistent with the XRD and transmission electron microscopy results. The zero-field-cooling and field-cooling (ZFC-FC) magnetization curves reveal that the nickel nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic behavior with a high blocking temperature and a surface effect at lower temperatures. Our experimental results demonstrate that the aquolif approach can be successfully scaled up to industrially prepare other types of metallic nanoparticles.

PP166. HELLP syndrome: Challenges for establishing diagnostic criteria.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia is a public health problem which may manifest as pre-eclampsia (hypertension, proteinuria and/or edema) and eclampsia (convulsive crises and rarely coma in pregnant women with previous pre-eclampsia). But the pathology of hypertensive disease of pregnancy can present different clinical forms. Within that spectrum is HELLP syndrome: hemolysis (H), elevated liver enzymes (EL) and thrombocytopenia (LP). OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic criteria in the literature adopted for HELLP syndrome. METHODS: A literature review on the Virtual Health Library with the keywords "HELLP syndrome" and "diagnosis" found 674 citations. Six hundred and thirty-four dismissed for failing to engage with the proposed question, and 43 articles remained. Twenty seven articles were excluded because of the language, unable in Latin America, letters, case report and articles published prior to 1999. Sixteen original articles were included. Eleven reviews, one prospective study, two cohorts, one retrospective cohort study and a cross. Studies were classified according to degree of recommendation and level of evidence. RESULTS: The term clinical and laboratory markers were varied and their cut-off levels differ among the authors. The appearance of eclampsia, pain in the upper abdomen, nausea and significant proteinuria and other maternal morbidities were more frequent in patients with HELLP syndrome. The levels of lactic dehydrogenase, AST, and uric acid were further elevated in women with HELLP syndrome guarding correlation with the prognosis of the case. There is no consensus for the interpretation of laboratory values that may represent the most widespread occurrence of parameters: hemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes and thrombocytopenia. Other morbidities may have clinical signs, symptoms and laboratory abnormalities that mimic the syndrome. CONCLUSION: There are many questions to establish standard diagnostic criteria for all patients with HELLP syndrome, necessitating studies consistent with significant population numbers to establish the main signs and symptoms and try to reach consensus on the best markers for the diagnosis and its proper indexes cutting.

PP176. SFLT-1: A possibility of precocious diagnosis of preeclampsia.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia (PE) affects 5-8% of all pregnant women and can trigger a severe gestational hypertension framework and eventually develop into eclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Anticipating the damage would be important in order to establish procedures that can reduce adverse outcomes. For this reason, many researches are undertaken to identify ways to make a diagnosis of preeclampsia as early as possible. It has been highlighted in literature the study: the sFlt1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) has been implicated in the precocious diagnosis of pre eclampsia. The sFlt1 is an anti-angiogenic factor produced in response to oxidative stress derived from the deleterious effects of pre-eclampsia. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 in the diagnosis of preeclampsia. METHODS: This is a review conducted in the database PubMed and Lilacs. For this purpose, we used the following MeSH, "Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1" OR "FLT1 protein, human" AND "Pre-Eclampsia/diagnosis" in PubMed and "Pre-eclampsia" AND "SFLT1A" in Lilacs, resulting in 84 papers. After reading the abstracts of these studies, we selected the articles analyzed taking into consideration the criteria for inclusion and exclusion. We excluded publications that were not in the period under study (2008 to July 2011) and by study design. Including only case-control, cohort and prospective observational. For a critical analysis of the material, we used the following indicators: researcher, years, central theme, participants, study design and primary outcome. RESULTS: The final results of this study were composed of seven articles and are shown for each target outcome. These vary according to gestational age at which PE is installed and the marker studied (sFlt1 alone or its relation to PlGF - sFlt1/PIGF). Six studies showed greater levels of sFlt1 for the preeclampsia groups when compared to the control group. Significantly differences in antiangiogenic factors seric levels were not found among preeclamptic and eclamptic patients. When associated with another factor, like PIGF, a greater efficacy in the diagnosis of early preeclampsia is shown. Of the studies analyzed, only one (Lynch et al) showed no significant difference between the values of sFlt-1 in groups of early PE, late PE and control for gestational ages between 10 and 15 weeks. As for the relation sFlt-1/PIGF, five studies have considered it even better for PE diagnosis when compared to sFlt-1 isolated. CONCLUSION: The dosage of sFlt1 may be a relevant resource for the early diagnosis of preeclampsia before the installation of target organ damage, especially if measured in the period between 12 and 28 weeks of gestational age. Whereas sFlt-1 manifests itself before the 20th week, that may be interesting clinical point of view since it is this phase that settles the most severe cases, when the adoption of care could prevent further risks. The relationship sFlt1/PIGF, was more appropriate than the measurement of sFlt1 alone. Additional studies are needed to: amplification of the number of women evaluated, establishing gestational age appropriate for study, serum standard and need to consider the relationship between sFlt1 and other factors pro and/or anti-angiogenic.

Brain abscess caused by Cladophialophora (Xylohypha) bantiana in a renal transplant patient.

Infectious disease is the most significant cause of morbidity and mortality in allotransplantation because of heavy immunosuppression. Brain abscesses caused by melanized fungi have been found occasionally and are an example of this complication. In this paper, we describe a case in a 61-year-old black man, who received a cadaveric kidney transplantation in December 1993, followed by triple therapy with cyclosporine, azathioprine, and prednisone. The patient developed right hemiparesis at the beginning of April 1998. A computed tomography scan showed a mass in the left parieto-temporal region of the brain. The patient underwent surgery and a brown-colored encapsulated brain abscess was resected. Histology of the tissue revealed a large number of pigmented fungal hyphae. Culture in a Sabouraud dextrose medium with cyclohexamide and chloramphenicol at 25 degrees C resulted in the growth of dark-green colonies. The fungus identified was Cladophialophora bantiana, based on characteristic microscopic features and on growth at 40 degrees C. The abscess recurred in spite of treatment with fluconazole. The patient was submitted to a second brain surgical procedure and was treated with amphotericin B in addition to fluconazole. Ten days later the patient's blood cultures became positive for Escherichia coli. After 3 days the patient died due to septic shock.

[Epidemiologic monitoring system for the diabetic patient; use of computerized technology in the quality of medical care]. / Sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica para el paciente diabético; el uso de tecnología computacional en la calidad de la atención médica.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an instrument for epidemiologic surveillance of diabetes mellitus and evaluating the quality of care in primary health care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted from January 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999, at the Epidemiology and Health Services Research Unit of the Mexican Institute for Social Security (IMSS), in Hermosillo, Sonora. A single data collection form was designed, which contains items included in the diabetes care clinic of the Unit of Family Medicine of the Mexican Institute of Social Security. RESULTS: We developed and implemented a software program to enter data from the paper format and to generate individual and group reports on attendance to scheduled medical visits, medical history, evolution of signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, and medication. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic data systems allow the availability of reliable and continuing information for surveillance of the comprehensive care of the diabetic patient.

[Acceptance and use of medicinal plants in family medicine]. / Aceptación y uso de herbolaria en medicina familiar.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the degree of usage of therapeutic medical plants among the patients, physicians and health workers in a local Family Medical Care Unit of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS)). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A transversal descriptive study was performed. A questionnaire focusing on two variables was designed and validated. It was applied to 60 family physicians, a randomized sample of 130 health workers and another of 264 patients of the Family Mediccal Care Unit. Response percentage was 78%. RESULTS: The study found that 83% of family physicians accept the therapeutic use of herbal medicine; moreover, 75% use it as a therapeutic resource. Among health workers, acceptance and use was 100%, while in patients the level of acceptance was of 92% and of use it was 90%. Differences between groups are significant (p < 0.05). The more frequently used plants are Gordolobo (Gnaphalium sp.), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp., probably E. globulus), spearmint (Mentha sp.), camomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and prickly pear cladodes (the vegetative parts of the prickly pear, Opuntia sp. Probably Opuntia ficus indica). CONCLUSIONS: This information agrees with previous reports about Mexico, however, in this case, data were gathered in urban areas where physicians have been trained in the biomedical paradigm of medicine.

[Mortality ranking in the norwest of Mexico according to the years of productive life lost index]. / Reordenación de la mortalidad en el noroeste de México, según el índice de años de vida productivos perdidos.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the order of death causes in the Northwestern states of Mexico using the years of potential life lost (YPLL) index. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 1995 INEGI mortality data base for the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sinaloa and Sonora was used to estimate the YPLL index. The method by Bustamante et al. was followed to calculate the cause of death, with ponderation of the potential investment, production and consumption of each individual, according to the age of death. RESULTS: A ranking of cause of death resulted from the application of the YPLL index. At present, in the four states, the group with the greatest potential loss is that between 5 and 14 years of age, and the rate is higher in Baja California than in Sonora. The group of "Perinatal problems as a cause of death" ranked first in three states and in the fourth, Sinaloa, the group of "Homicide and lesions caused intentionally by another person" ranked first. CONCLUSIONS: This work highlights the importance of the YLPP with economic loss ponderation index to discriminate death causes among states in a region with apparently homogeneous mortality.

Factor analysis, a more accurate method to be used in epidemiological studies of blood pressure in children.

The aim of our study is to evaluate whether factor analysis is better able to explain the variability of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) when compared with regression analysis, which is the usual tool to study a set of variables related to blood pressure (BP). SBP, DBP, weight, height, BMI, triceps skin-fold, sexual maturation and rurality were studied in 889 children aged 5-18 years (389 boys and 500 girls). The proposed method transforms any set of variables into a set of new variables (factors) which are uncorrelated with each other. One of the factors obtained clearly explains the BP variance of the. With this method, the algorithm accepts all meaningful variables, while regressions reject most of them. This method also explains a larger amount of BP variability, losing as little information as possible. In our sample the percentage of the total variance (communality) explained by the three factors was 80.3% for SBP, 88.1% for DBP in males, 79.3% for SBP and 90.7% for DBP in females. For the same sample, regressions only explained 41.2% in males and 41.9% in females for SBP, 40.9% in males and 47.2% in females for DBP. In conclusion, this method is more accurate for epidemiological studies producing a better overall score than regression analysis, losing almost no information from the sample. Two important strengths of the proposed methodology are as follows. First, it yields a unique, easy to calculate and flexible cardiovascular index for children, thus circumventing the problem of making decisions based on two variables (SBP and DBP). Second, such an index is the result of a methodology where specific BP variability is isolated rather than explained.

Diagnóstico, tratamento e investigaçäo de casos de esquitossomose realizados em uma área do Município de Säo Paulo; resumo

Foi efetuado um esforço de integraçäo de serviços a nível local, realizando um trabalho em conjunto com a Superintendência de Controle de Endemias (SUCEN). O objetivo é diagnosticar, tratar e investigar os casos de esquitossomose e comunicantes na populaçäo atendida pelos postos do Departamento de Saúde da Comunidade, Regiäo Sul. Demonstram que é possível, com os recursos a nível local, sem necessidade de recursos adicionais, viabilizar um projeto de ampliaçäo da atuaçäo dos Postos de Atendimento Médico da Prefeitura de Säo Paulo nos programas de Saúde Pública

Equipe volante de saúde: uma alternativa para o atendimento da populaçäo rural do Município de Säo Paulo; resumo

O objetivo das equipes volantes de Saúde é dar atendimento a populaçäo da zona rural do Município de Säo Paulo. A equipe volante é constituída por um médico, um auxiliar de enfermagem, um atendente de enfermagem e um motorista, sendo o transporte da mesma efetuado por veículo tipo furgäo que leva também vacinas, medicamentos, suplemento alimentar, material e prontuários necessários ao atendimento. Os locais de atendimento säo fixos, indicados e cedidos pela comunidade, obedecendo a uma frequência semanal de 1 até 3 vezes por semana, de acordo com a demanda. Esse projeto foi implantado em dezembro de 1980 e vem sendo avaliado continuamente

Diagnóstico e encaminhamento para tratamento de casos de tuberculose, numa área do Município de Säo Paulo; resumo

Os autores, integrados com o Distrito Sanitário de Santo Amaro (Secretaria de Saúde do Estado de Säo Paulo), estäo realizando um trabalho de investigaçäo e encaminhamento para tratamento de casos de tuberculose. O objetivo é contribuir para a descoberta de casos de tuberculose em sintomáticos respiratórios adultos, através de exame baciloscópico de escarro, nos Postos de Atendimento Médico, do Departamento de Saúde da Comunidade, Regiäo Sul. Demonstram que é possível, apenas com os recursos a nível local, viabilizar um projeto de aumento da atuaçäo dos Postos de Atendimento Médico da Prefeitura de Säo Paulo, nos programas de Saúde Pública

Effects of phenethyl alcohol on Bacillus and Streptococcus.

The activity of phenethyl alcohol (PEA) on Bacillus cereus, B. megaterium, and Streptococcus faecalis was studied by electron microscopy of thin sections and by the assay of intracellular K+ leakage. S. faecalis was unaffected by PEA at concentrations up to 0.5%, B. cereus was severely damaged by 0.5% PEA, and B. megaterium behaved intermediately. Important membrane ultrastructural alterations were observed in B. cereus cells treated with 0.5% PEA, namely the change in the geometry of the membrane profile from asymmetric to symmetric, the occurrence of prominent, complex mesosome-like structures, and membrane fracturing and solubilization. Protoplasts from B. megaterium were found to be quickly lysed by 0.5% PEA due to the disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane. The electron microscopic observations, together with the results of the study of the K+ efflux from B. cereus and B. megaterium, indicate that PEA primarily and directly damages the cytoplasmic membrane of sensitive bacteria. The breakdown of the permeability barrier probably is responsible for the observed bactericidal action of 0.5% PEA on B. cereus.

Bacterial mesosomes. Real structures or artifacts?

The ultrastructural study of membrane organization in gram-positive bacteria related to the OSO4 fixation conditions revealed that large, complex mesosomes are observed only when the bacteria are subjected to an initial fixation with 0.1%OSO4 in the culture broth, as in the prefixation step of the Ryter-Kellenberger procedure. Evidence was obtained suggesting that the large mesosomes are produced by this prefization. The kinetic study of the membrane morphological alterations occurring during the prefixation of Bacillus cereus with 0.1%OSO4 in the culture broth showed that the amount of mesosome material increases linearly from zero to a maximum observed at 1.7 min of prefixation and that at about this time a maximum is reached for the number of mesosomes per unity of cell area and for the average individual mesosome area. The large mesosomes observed in gram-positives fixed by the complete Ryter-Kellenberger procedure would be the result of the membrane-damaging action of 0.1%OSO4. Such damaging action was deduced from the observation thay 0.1%OSO4 quickly lyses protoplasts and induces a quick and extensive leakage of intracellular K+ from B. cereus and Streptococcus faecalis. In support of that interpretation is the observation that in bacteria subjected to several membrane-damaging treatments, mesosome-like structures are seen after three different fixation procedures. In bacteria initially fixed with 1% OSO4, 4% OSO4 or 2.5% glutaraldehyde, no large complex mesosomes are observed, small and simple invaginations of the cytoplasmic membrane being present. The size of these minute mesosomes is inversely proportional that causes of fixation. Uranyl acetate was found among the studied fixatives the one to the rate the least damage to bacterial membranes. This fixative satisfactorily preserves protoplasts. In bacteria initially fixed with uranyl acetate no mesosomes were found. The results of the present work throw serious doubts on the existence of mesosomes, both large and small, as real structures of bacterial cells. It is proposed that a continuous cytoplasmic membrane without infoldings (mesosomes) would be the real pattern of membrane organization in gram-positives.