Genotypic Characterization of Cryptosporidium Species in Humans and Peri-Domestic Animals in Ekiti and Oyo States, Nigeria.

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the leading causes of diarrhea in humans and several other vertebrate species. Because surveys of Cryptosporidium genotypes from animals and humans living in the same region are rare, our understanding of the importance of zoonotic transmission in the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis remains superficial. PCR was used to amplify a portion of the Cryptosporidium 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA gene from fecal DNA from humans and livestock living in Ekiti and Oyo states, Nigeria. PCR-positive samples were further analyzed using PCR targeting the heat-shock protein HSP-70, the actin, and the sporozoite glycoprotein gene gp60. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic information. Sixteen of 187 samples collected were Cryptosporidium 18S PCR positive. Of these, 5 samples originating from HIV-positive patients, 5 from otherwise healthy children, 2 from chickens, 3 from goats, and 1 from a dog were positive for at least 1 marker. Sequencing of the 18S rRNA amplicons revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum in 2 HIV positive patients and in a child; the actin sequence confirmed the presence of this species. Two samples of HIV-positive patients amplified Cryptosporidium hominis 18S rRNA, one of them confirmed by the HSP-70, actin, and gp60 sequences. Cryptosporidium meleagridis was found in another HIV patient, while C. hominis was detected in 3 children (of which 2 were confirmed by gp60). Cryptosporidium muris was found in 1 child. In birds, we found C. meleagridis and, significantly, C. parvum, whereas we detected C. parvum and C. muris in 1 goat each. The only dog sampled was positive for Cryptosporidium canis. We conclude that, in the environment we surveyed, humans and animals are a potential part of the same transmission cycle. Measures to prevent zoonotic transmission should therefore be considered to reduce the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis.

Effects of Moquiniastrum polymorphum ssp floccosum ethnolic extract on colorectal carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Moquiniastrum polymorphum ssp floccosum ethanolic extract (MPEE) on 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in mice. Forty-two male Swiss mice (Mus musculus) were subdivided into six groups (N = 7/group): negative control, DMH, MPEE, pre-treatment, simultaneous, and post-treatment. Results showed that MPEE has antigenotoxic potential on the tested protocols pre- and silmultaneous treatment, and the percent damage reductions (%DRs) were 81.88 and 93.12%, respectively. The micronucleus test demonstrated that MPEE has great antimutagenic activity, with %DRs higher than 77.09 in the associated groups. The aberrant crypt focus assay demonstrated anticarcinogenic potential of MPEE as the associated groups showed %DRs that ranged from 62.13 to 95.14%. The study shows that MPEE is nontoxic and has chemopreventive and anticarcinogenic activity, thus it may prove to be a promising medicinal plant in view of its demonstrated properties.

Construction of yellow fever-influenza A chimeric virus particles.

In order to obtain a better understanding of the functional mechanisms involved in the fusogenesis of enveloped viruses, the influenza A (X31) and the yellow fever (17DD) virus particles were used to construct a chimeric structure based on their distinct pH requirements for fusion, and the distinct malleability of their nucleocapsids. The malleable nucleocapsid of the influenza A virus particle is characterized by a pleomorphic configuration when observed by electron microscopy. A heat inactivated preparation of X31 virus was used as a lectin to interact with the sialic acid domains present in the 17DD virus envelope. The E spikes of 17DD virus were induced to promote fusion of both envelopes, creating a double genome enveloped structure, the chimeric yellow fever-influenza A virus particle. These chimeric viral particles, originally denominated 'partículas virais quiméricas' (PVQ), were characterized by their infectious capacity for different biological systems. Cell inoculation with PVQ resulted in viral products that showed similar characteristics to those obtained after 17DD virus infections. Our findings open new opportunities towards the understanding of both virus particles and aspects of cellular physiologic quality control. The yellow fever-influenza A chimeric particles, by means of their hybrid composition, should be a valuable tool in the study of cell biology and the function of viral components.

[Pyle's syndrome: report of a case]. / Síndrome de Pyle: relato de caso.

Pyle's syndrome is a rare picture of osseous dysplasia with autosomal recessive inheritance beginning in early childhood. The authors report the case of a 15-years-old female patient with bilateral lower motor neuron facial palsy, progressive hearing loss, salience of frontal bone, metaphyseal enlargement of the lower limbs and genu valgus. In the present paper we briefly review the clinical features and the differential diagnosis of Pyle's syndrome.

[Study of true precocious puberty in girls using clinical, laboratorial and imaging techniques]. / Estudo clínico, laboratorial e por métodos de imagem da puberdade precoce verdadeira em meninas.

This paper reviews the clinical findings, pituitary gonadotrophin reserve, plasma estradiol and androgens, radiological findings and pelvic ultrasound appearance in 17 girls with true precocious puberty (PP), and attempts to asses the value of these tests diagnosis in the clinical management of such patients and better understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder. As noted in other series, acceleration of growth is one of the earliest features of PP and at the time of diagnosis bone age can be already significantly advanced. In 3 (18%) patients intracranial abnormalities were present. Ultrasound examination showed changes similar to those seen during normal puberty. To conclude, the introduction of high-resolution methods (CT scan and RM) and techniques for ultrasound examination have greatly simplified the clinical investigation of female precocious puberty.

Estudo da funçäo tireóidea na síndrome de Down / Study of the thyroid function in Down syndrome

Os autores investigam o funcionamento da tireóide em 43 crianças com síndrome de Down e 48 controles em faixas etárias entre três meses e 18 anos, através de dosagens séricas de T3 livre (T3L), T4 L livre (T4L), tireotropina (TSH), T3 reverso (rT3) e anticorpos antimicrossomais (AcAM) e antitireoglobulina (AcAT). A idade óssea e as habilidades intelectuais também foram estimadas. Das 43 crianças com síndrome de Down, uma tinha hipotireoidismo clínico e em 12 havia hipotireoidismo subclíníco (27,9 por cento). A percentagem de AcAM titulável no grupo dos Down foi de 37,2 por cento. Em 25,6 por cento dos pacientes submetidos a radiografia de maos e punhos havia retardo na idade óssea. As médias hormonais dos casos de síndrome de Down sem disfunçao tireóidea detectável, quando comparadas às dos controles, mostraram-se significativamente mais elevadas quanto ao TSH e mais reduzidas quanto ao rT3. É possível que o déficit relativo de rT3 na síndrome de Down, confirmado neste trabalho, represente tao somente mais uma manifestaçao do hipotireoidismo. O rendimento intelectual dos casos de síndrome de Down com hipotireoidismo exclusivamente subclínico revelou-se comparável ao daqueles sem alteraçoes hormonais, embora o paciente com hipotireoidismo clínico mostrasse importante déficit mental. Crianças com síndrome de Down têm elevado risco de desenvolver hipotireoidismo, devendo portanto ser submetidas a estudos laboratoriais especializados, objetivando a prevençao de danos progressivos à funçao intelectual.

[Prophylactic treatment of migraine: a prospective open study on 100 patients]. / Tratamento profilático da enxaqueca. Estudo prospectivo aberto com a flunarizina em 100 pacientes.

The prophylactic value of a daily dose of 10 mg flunarizine, a calcium antagonist, was analysed in 100 migraineurs during 4-month in an open study. Ninety-three patients completed the full 16-week course of therapy, and seven patients presented important adverse reactions requiring discontinuation of the drug. However, the seven patients who dropped out during flunarizine treatment were not considered in the analysis. Side-effects included weight gain, sleepiness, humor depression, paresthesias and dry mouth. Eighty-one patients experienced abolition or significant reduction in headache incidence and/or severity. We conclude that flunarizine may be an effective drug in migraine prophylaxis.

Hiperplasia supra-renal congenita. Efeito do tratamento sobre o crescimento estatural e a secrecao de somatotropina. / Congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The effect of the treatment of stature growth and somatotropina secretion

Os autores apresentam oito casos de pacientes com sindrome adrenogenital por hiperplasia suprarenal congenita devida a deficiencia de 21-hidroxilase tratados com corticosteroides. Analisam o efeito do tratamento sobre o desenvolvimento estatural e sobre os niveis serivos de hormonio do crescimento, discutindo os resultados em face dos possiveis mecanismos fisiopatologicos em causa