A new chitinozoan assemblage from the Middle Devonian Los Monos Formation (sub-Andean basin, southern Bolivia) and its biozonal implications for Western Gondwana.

Chitinozoans recovered from one section of the Middle Devonian Los Monos Formation in the TCB X-1001-Tacobo borehole, sub-Andean basin of Bolivia, have been analysed. Eleven from the eighteen processed cutting samples yielded specimens that allowed taxonomic study. Eleven genera and thirty-five chitinozoan species were identified from the Los Monos Formation with four of them recorded for the first time in Western Gondwana. Ancyrochitina biconstricta, Ancyrochitina parisi, Angochitina galarzae and Ramochitina boliviensis are among the most relevant taxa restricted to Western Gondwana that support the affinity with this paleocontinent. One new species, Lagenochitina tacobensis sp. nov. is described, and Ramochitina candelariaensis sp. nov. (n. n.) is formally erected. The chitinozoan assemblage reinforces the late Eifelian-middle Givetian age previously proposed by organic-walled phytoplankton and miospores for this section of the TCB X-1001-Tacobo borehole. A new local chitinozoan biozonation based on the chitinozoan assemblages is proposed and a revision of the current chitinozoan biozonation for Western Gondwana and Bolivia is recommended.

Treatment of a burn animal model with functionalized tridimensional electrospun biomaterials.

Laminin-functionalized poly-d,l-lactic acid scaffolds were produced. Following this, mesenchymal stem cells and keratinocytes were seeded on biomaterials for the in vivo experiments, where the biomaterials with or without cells were implanted. The analysis is comprised of the visual aspect and mean size of the lesion plus the histology and gene expression. The results showed that the cells occupied all the structure of the scaffolds in all the groups. After nine days of in vivo experiments, the defect size did not show statistical difference among the groups, although the groups with the poly-d,l-lactic acid/Lam biomaterial had the lowest lesion size and presented the best visual aspect of the wound. Gene expression analysis showed considerable increase of tumor growth factor beta 1 expression, increased vascular endothelial growth factor and balance of the BAX/Bcl-2 ratio when compared to the lesion group. Histological analysis showed well-formed tissue in the groups where the biomaterials and biomaterials plus cells were used. In some animals, in which biomaterials and cells were used, the epidermis was formed throughout the length of the wound. In conclusion, these biomaterials were found to be capable of providing support for the growth of cells and stimulated the healing of the skin, which was improved by the use of cells.

Bacteriological analysis of induced sputum for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in the clinical practice of a general tertiary hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity of bacteriological analyses in induced sputum (IS) for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and to identify the clinical characteristics associated with the confirmed diagnosis, as well as to determine the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy carried out when IS tests negative for AFB in smear microscopy. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients suspected of having active pulmonary TB and referred to our clinic for sputum induction. We consecutively reviewed the laboratory data of all patients submitted to sputum induction between June of 2003 and January of 2006, as well as their electronic medical records. In addition, the results of the bacteriological analysis of bronchoscopic specimens collected from the patients whose AFB tests were negative in IS were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 417 patients included in the study, 83 (19.9%) presented IS samples that tested positive for TB (smear microscopy or culture). In the logistic regression analysis, radiological findings of cavitation (OR = 3.8; 95% CI: 1.9-7.6) and of miliary infiltrate (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.6-8.6) showed the strongest association with the diagnosis of pulmonary TB. In 134 patients, bronchoscopy was carried out after negative AFB results in IS and added 25 (64.1%) confirmed diagnoses of pulmonary TB. CONCLUSIONS: In our clinical practice, the frequency of confirmed diagnosis of pulmonary TB using IS (19.9%) was lower than that previously reported in controlled trials. Cavitation and miliary infiltrate increase the diagnostic probability of pulmonary TB using IS. The use of bronchoscopy when IS tests negative for AFB significantly increases sensitivity in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB.

Bacteriological analysis of induced sputum for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in the clinical practice of a general tertiary hospital / Análise bacteriológica do escarro induzido para o diagnóstico de tuberculose pulmonar na prática clínica de um hospital geral terciário

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity of bacteriological analyses in induced sputum (IS) for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and to identify the clinical characteristics associated with the confirmed diagnosis, as well as to determine the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy carried out when IS tests negative for AFB in smear microscopy. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients suspected of having active pulmonary TB and referred to our clinic for sputum induction. We consecutively reviewed the laboratory data of all patients submitted to sputum induction between June of 2003 and January of 2006, as well as their electronic medical records. In addition, the results of the bacteriological analysis of bronchoscopic specimens collected from the patients whose AFB tests were negative in IS were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 417 patients included in the study, 83 (19.9 percent) presented IS samples that tested positive for TB (smear microscopy or culture). In the logistic regression analysis, radiological findings of cavitation (OR = 3.8; 95 percent CI: 1.9-7.6) and of miliary infiltrate (OR = 3.7; 95 percent CI: 1.6-8.6) showed the strongest association with the diagnosis of pulmonary TB. In 134 patients, bronchoscopy was carried out after negative AFB results in IS and added 25 (64.1 percent) confirmed diagnoses of pulmonary TB. CONCLUSIONS: In our clinical practice, the frequency of confirmed diagnosis of pulmonary TB using IS (19.9 percent) was lower than that previously reported in controlled trials. Cavitation and miliary infiltrate increase the diagnostic probability of pulmonary TB using IS. The use of bronchoscopy when IS tests negative for AFB significantly increases sensitivity in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a sensibilidade diagnóstica da análise bacteriológica do escarro induzido (EI) para o diagnóstico de tuberculose (TB) pulmonar e identificar as variáveis clínicas associadas com o diagnóstico confirmado. Além disso, avaliar o rendimento diagnóstico da broncoscopia realizada se a pesquisa de BAAR for negativa no EI. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal e retrospectivo de pacientes com suspeita de TB pulmonar ativa, encaminhados ao serviço para a indução de escarro. Foram revisados consecutivamente os registros laboratoriais de todos os pacientes submetidos à indução de escarro entre junho de 2003 e janeiro de 2006, assim como o prontuário eletrônico de cada caso. Também foram revisados os resultados bacteriológicos das amostras broncoscópicas coletadas dos pacientes cujos resultados de BAAR em EI foram negativos. RESULTADOS: Dos 417 pacientes estudados, 83 (19,9 por cento) tiveram resultados positivos (BAAR e/ou cultura) no EI. Na análise de regressão logística, os achados radiológicos de cavitação pulmonar (OR = 3,8; IC95 por cento: 1,9-7,6) e de infiltrado de padrão miliar (OR = 3,7; IC95 por cento: 1,6-8,6) associaram-se mais significativamente com o diagnóstico de TB pulmonar. A broncoscopia foi realizada, após resultado de BAAR negativo no EI, em 134 pacientes e acrescentou 25 (64,1 por cento) diagnósticos confirmados de TB pulmonar. CONCLUSÕES: Na prática clínica, a frequência de diagnósticos confirmados de TB pulmonar por EI (19,9 por cento) foi menor do que aquela previamente relatada em ensaios controlados. Cavitação e infiltrado miliar aumentam a probabilidade diagnóstica de TB pulmonar no EI. O uso de broncoscopia quando EI é negativo para BAAR melhora significativamente a sensibilidade para o diagnóstico de TB.