Ultrasound protocol in odontogenic infections: a new proposal.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care-ultrasound can be applied to preview a difficult airway, detect the presence of fluid collection, and soft-tissue edema, and guide the drainage location, although is rarely used. The purpose of this study is to validate a protocol for the assessment of these clinical features on patients with severe odontogenic infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a single-group prospective cohort study (n=20) including patients with the diagnosis of deep-neck propagation of odontogenic infection. A transcervical linear high-frequency probe transducer (13-6 MHz) was used to scan the structures of the upper airway and the infectious collections. The drainage was guided by ultrasound and the patients were daily evaluated, according to the protocol. The data were extracted and the airway volume, midline deviation, and other important data such as length of hospital stay, dysphagia, voice alteration, raised floor of the mouth, dyspnea, and neck swelling were registered. RESULTS: The ultrasound examination was correlated with multiple clinical findings, such as dyslalia (p=0,069), dysphagia (p=0,028), dyspnea (p=0,001), among others. This protocol has an advantage as it can be used at bedside evaluation, allowing the assessment of severe and unstable patients, and predicting the increase of the hospitalization time (p=0,019). CONCLUSIONS: This protocol is reliable for the assessment of the upper airway, even in an emergency, predicting not only the severity of the clinical features but aids in the determination of the length of the hospitalization time.

Double blind randomized clinical trial comparing minimally- invasive envelope flap and conventional envelope flap on impacted lower third molar surgery.

BACKGROUND: The latest trend in surgery is to look for minimally invasive procedures, with fewer complications and a shorter recovery time. This study aims to compare the minimally- invasive envelope flap, with smaller incision and fewer dissection and the conventional envelope flap, with a 20mm incision, on impacted mandibular third molar surgery, focusing on the hypothesis that there were no differences in postoperative outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was designed to compare both incisions, focused on determining the approach with minor postoperative side-effects and minor impact on quality-of-life. A total of 60 patients were enrolled for the study if their presented impacted mandibular third molar and was 18-years-old or more. Both groups were evaluated from time elapsed on the surgery, maximum mouth opening, swelling and quality of life assessment. RESULTS: The flap choice influenced facial swelling (p=0,03), pain on the first three days (p=0,037), interference with oral hygiene (p=0,019) and discomfort on speech (p=0,07). Chewing, swallowing, trismus, pain after seven days, postoperative complications and other quality-of-life arrangements were no different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The minimally- invasive envelope flap could lead to a less painful experience for the patient, with fewer impact on the oral hygiene and speech discomfort.

Vascular ligations for control of postpartum hemorrhage / Ligaduras vasculares para el control de la hemorragia posparto

Objective: To present a case series of 26 patients with postpartum hemorrhages treated with vascular ligations and analyze its efficiency for hemorrhagic control.Material and methods: This case series included patients with postpartum hemorrhages hospitalized in a high risk pregnancy unit in Sofia Feldman Hospital, Brazil, between January 2014 and May 2017, who were treated with vascular ligation techniques. The data were collected from patient medical records.Results: The success rate in hemorrhagic control was 96.2% and hemorrhagic control of the single case in which vascular ligation failed was obtained with total hysterectomy. Hypovolemic shock occurred in 19.2% of the patients and blood transfusion was required in 26.9%. No patient required intensive care unit treatment. Hypertensive syndrome was the most prevalent comorbidity (46.2%). The main etiology was uterine atony (65.4%). Uterine and/or pelvic adhesions and uterine lacerations associated with fetal extraction occurred in 19.3% and 15.4% of cases, respectively. Conclusion: Vascular ligations are efficient strategies for hemorrhagic control during cesarean sections and should be an integral part of the set of techniques that allow uterus preservation in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage.(AU)

Objetivo: Presentar una serie de casos de 26 pacientes con hemorragias posparto tratadas con ligaduras vasculares y analizar su eficacia para el control hemorrágico. Material y métodos: Esta serie de casos incluyó a pacientes con hemorragias posparto hospitalizadas en la Unidad de Embarazo de Alto Riesgo del Hospital Sofia Feldman, Brasil, entre enero de 2014 y mayo de 2017, que fueron tratadas con técnicas de ligaduras vasculares. Los datos se obtuvieron de los registros médicos de las pacientes. Resultados: La tasa de éxito en el control hemorrágico fue del 96,2% y el control hemorrágico del caso único en el que falló la ligadura vascular, se obtuvo con histerectomía total. El choque hipovolémico ocurrió en el 19,2% de los pacientes y se requirió transfusión de sangre en el 26,9%. Ningún paciente requirió tratamiento en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. El síndrome hipertensivo fue la comorbilidad con mayor prevalencia (46,2%). La principal etiología fue la atonía uterina (65,4%). Las adherencias uterinas y/o pélvicas y las laceraciones uterinas asociadas con la extracción fetal ocurrieron en el 19,3% y el 15,4% de los casos, respectivamente. Conclusión: Las ligaduras vasculares son estrategias eficaces para el control hemorrágico durante la cesárea y deben integrar el conjunto de técnicas que permiten la preservación del útero en el tratamiento de la hemorragia posparto.(AU)

Entomopathogenic Viruses in the Neotropics: Current Status and Recently Discovered Species.

The market for biological control of insect pests in the world and in Brazil has grown in recent years due to the unwanted ecological and human health impacts of chemical insecticides. Therefore, research on biological control agents for pest management has also increased. For instance, insect viruses have been used to protect crops and forests around the world for decades. Among insect viruses, the baculoviruses are the most studied and used viral biocontrol agent. More than 700 species of insects have been found to be naturally infected by baculoviruses, with 90% isolated from lepidopteran insects. In this review, some basic aspects of baculovirus infection in vivo and in vitro infection, gene content, viral replication will be discussed. Furthermore, we provide examples of the use of insect viruses for biological pest control and recently characterized baculoviruses in Brazil.

Comprehensive germline mutation analysis and clinical profile in a large cohort of Brazilian xeroderma pigmentosum patients.

BACKGROUND: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients present a high risk of developing skin cancer and other complications at an early age. This disease is characterized by mutations in the genes related to the DNA repair system. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and molecular findings in a cohort of 32 Brazilian individuals who received a clinical diagnosis of XP. METHODS: Twenty-seven families were screened for germline variants in eight XP-related genes. RESULTS: All patients (N = 32) were diagnosed with bi-allelic germline pathogenic or potentially pathogenic variants, including nine variants previously undescribed. The c.2251-1G>C XPC pathogenic variant, reported as the founder mutation in Comorian and Pakistani patients, was observed in 15 cases in homozygous or compound heterozygous. Seven homozygous patients for POLH/XPV variants developed their symptoms by an average age of 7.7 years. ERCC2/XPD, DDB2/XPE and ERCC5/XPG variants were found in a few patients. Aside from melanoma and non-melanoma skin tumours, a set of patients developed skin sebaceous carcinoma, leiomyosarcoma, angiosarcoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, gastric adenocarcinoma and serous ovarian carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: We reported a high frequency of XPC variants in 32 XP Brazilian patients. Nine new variants in XP-related genes, unexpected non-skin cancer lesions and an anticipation of the clinical manifestation in POLH/XPV cases were also described.

Hematological and biochemical profiles of Mangalarga Marchador mares in the transition period bred on pasture / Perfis hematológico e bioquímico de éguas da raça Mangalarga Marchador no período de transição mantidas a pasto

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the transition period on hematological and biochemical constituents in Mangalarga Marchador mares. Forty-eight mares were used to form a maintenance group (MG) and transition group (TG), formed by pregnant mares and, after delivery, infants. Blood samples were collected at the following times: T-60 (60 d pre-delivery), T-30 (30 d pre-delivery), T-15 (15 d pre-delivery), T0 (first 6h post-delivery), T15 (15 d post-delivery), T30 (30 d post-delivery), and T60 (60 d post-delivery). The TG had lower values (P< 0.05) of red blood cells, hematocrit and hemoglobin at T0, T15, T30 and T60 times than MG. The mean corpuscular volume was lower in MG (P< 0.05) than in TG (T0, T15, T30 and T60) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was higher (P< 0.05) in MG than in TG (T15, T30 and T60). On the other hand, the diameter distribution of red blood cells presented a lower value (P< 0.05) in MG than in TG (T15 and T30). Mares in transition period presented regenerative anemia. The results demonstrate physiological metabolic variations of different intensities during pregnancy, delivery and early lactation.(AU)

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do período de transição em constituintes hematológicos e bioquímicos em éguas Mangalarga Marchador. Foram utilizadas 48 éguas para formar um grupo de manutenção (GM) e um grupo de transição (GT), composto por éguas gestantes e, após o parto, lactentes. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas nos seguintes tempos: T-60 (60 dias pré-parto), T-30 (30 dias pré-parto), T-15 (15 dias pré-parto), T0 (seis primeiras horas pós-parto), T15 (15 dias pós-parto), T30 (30 dias pós-parto) e T60 (60 dias pós-parto). O GT apresentou valores menores (P<0,05) de hemácias, hematócrito e hemoglobina, nos tempos T0, T15, T30 e T60, do que o GM. O volume corpuscular médio foi menor no GM (P<0,05) do que no GT (T0, T15, T30, T60) e a concentração corpórea de hemoglobina corpórea foi maior (P<0,05) no GM do que no GT (T15, T30, T60). Por outro lado, a distribuição do diâmetro dos eritrócitos apresentou um valor menor (P<0,05) no GM do que no GT (T15 e T30). Éguas em período de transição apresentam anemia regenerativa. Os resultados demonstram variações metabólicas de diferentes intensidades durante a gestação, o parto e o início de lactação.(AU)

Effects of recombinant bovine interleukin-8 (rbIL-8) treatment on health, metabolism, and lactation performance in Holstein cattle III: Administration of rbIL-8 induces insulin resistance in bull calves.

Our previous work has suggested that recombinant bovine interleukin-8 (rbIL-8) treatment might influence cow metabolism. Therefore, this study was conducted to initially assess the effects of systemic administration of rbIL-8 on response to a glucose challenge, blood metabolites, insulin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, immune cell populations, and inflammatory parameters in Holstein bull calves. Calves from 30 ± 6 d of life were individually housed and randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatment groups: rbIL-8 (rbIL-8, n = 10) and control (CTR, n = 8). Calves assigned to the rbIL-8 group received 1 s.c. injection (d 1, 0900 h) and 6 i.v. injections (d 1 at 1600 h, d 2 and 3 at 0900 h and 1600 h, and d 4 at 0900 h) of rbIL-8 (4 µg/kg of body weight), whereas the CTR group received 2 mL of sterile saline solution at each time point. Day of enrollment was considered as d 1, and the study duration was 10 d. Insulin concentrations and whole-body glucose disappearance were evaluated by an i.v. glucose tolerance test conducted at 12 h and 7 d following the last rbIL-8 injection. Rectal temperature and blood samples were collected on d 1, 2, 3, and 4 at -30 (before treatment, 0830 h), 30, 60, 120, 240, and 360 min relative to treatment, and daily at 0830 h for the rest of the study period. Serum was harvested, and the following parameters were measured: ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), nonesterified fatty acids, glucose, insulin, plasma urea nitrogen, haptoglobin, and differential blood count. Significant differences were considered when P ≤ 0.05 and a trend if 0.05

Highly porous multiwalled carbon nanotube buckypaper using electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofiber as a sacrificial material.

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was solubilized in N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) and the electrospinning process has been employed to obtain PAN nanofibers (PF). Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were dispersed with the aid of Triton X-100 surfactant and subsequently centrifugated. Buckypapers (BP/PF) were prepared by vacuum filtration procedure of MWCNT suspension supernatant stacking four PF layers over a nylon membrane. The PF removal was carried out by immersing the BP/PF system in DMF and removal periods of 10 and 30 min were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has not shown any PAN residue in the MWCNT network resulting in highly porous BP. However, by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) a PAN band was found around of 2243 cm-1 corresponding to nitrile group (C≡N). Besides, PAN leftover was evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), electrical characterization through four-point probe, nitrogen adsorption at 77 K, and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Biological and molecular characterization of two Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus clones exhibiting contrasting virulence.

Baculovirus natural populations are known to be genetically heterogeneous and such genotypic diversity could have implications in the performance of biocontrol agents. The Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) has been widely used to control the velvetbean caterpillar, Anticarsia gemmatalis, in Brazil. In the present work, morphological and molecular analyses as well as the biological activity of AgMNPV genotypes derived from a Brazilian field isolate (AgMNPV-79) were carried out. The existence of genotypic variants in the population was confirmed by DNA restriction analysis. Although difference in virulence was observed among the variants, the most (Ag79-01) and the least (AgL-16) virulent clones do not show any morphological and cytopathological changes when compared to the most studied isolate (AgMNPV-2D). The complete genome analysis of the two viral clones showed the presence of single open reading frames (ORFs) of the pe-38 and he65 genes, which contrasts with the two split ORFs present in the genome of the AgMNPV-2D isolate. The viral clone AgL-16 has many variations in the ie-2 and pe-38 genes, which are transcription regulatory genes responsible for the regulation of viral early gene expression during insect cell infection. Furthermore, other genes showed alterations like the odv-e56, which have an essential role in the maturation and envelopment of the ODVs, and bro-a and bro-b genes which were fused to form a single ORF. For the Ag79-01, although the total number of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) was more prominent in the pe-38 gene, its genome showed very few modifications in comparison to the AgMNPV-2D genome.

Genome-wide diversity in temporal and regional populations of the betabaculovirus Erinnyis ello granulovirus (ErelGV).

BACKGROUND: Erinnyis ello granulovirus (ErelGV) is a betabaculovirus infecting caterpillars of the sphingid moth E. ello ello (cassava hornworm), an important pest of cassava crops (Manihot esculenta). In this study, the genome of seven field isolates of the virus ErelGV were deep sequenced and their inter- and intrapopulational sequence diversity were analyzed. RESULTS: No events of gene gain/loss or translocations were observed, and indels were mainly found within highly repetitive regions (direct repeats, drs). A naturally occurring isolate from Northern Brazil (Acre State, an Amazonian region) has shown to be the most diverse population, with a unique pattern of polymorphisms. Overall, non-synonymous substitutions were found all over the seven genomes, with no specific gathering of mutations on hotspot regions. Independently of their sizes, some ORFs have shown higher levels of non-synonymous changes than others. Non-core genes of known functions and structural genes were among the most diverse ones; and as expected, core genes were the least variable genes. We observed remarkable differences on diversity of paralogous genes, as in multiple copies of p10, fgf, and pep. Another important contrast on sequence diversity was found on genes encoding complex subunits and/or involved in the same biological processes, as late expression factors (lefs) and per os infectivity factors (pifs). Interestingly, several polymorphisms in coding regions lie on sequences encoding specific protein domains. CONCLUSIONS: By comparing and integrating information about inter- and intrapopulational diversity of viral isolates, we provide a detailed description on how evolution operates on field isolates of a betabaculovirus. Our results revealed that 35-41% of the SNPs of ErelGV lead to amino acid changes (non-synonymous substitutions). Some genes, especially non-core genes of unknown functions, tend to accumulate more mutations, while core genes evolve slowly and are more conserved. Additional studies would be necessary to understand the actual effects of such gene variations on viral infection and fitness.

Um caso raro de destruição total do pâncreas por pancreatite em cão / A rare case of total pancreatic destruction due to pancreatitis in a dog

A 16-year-old female Poodle entered UFMG's Veterinary Hospital with severe prostration, lack of appetite, and vomit. During physical examination, abdominal pain, dehydration, and hyperglycemia (448mg/dl) were found, therefore the animal was admitted under the suspicion of diabetic ketoacidosis. Screening revealed metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, glycosuria, ketonuria, and proteinuria. Leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, increase in the number of hepatic enzymes and hyperglycemia were also present in these tests. The ultrasound images showed a smaller and hypoechogenic pancreas, irregularity and folds in duodenum and reactivity of the surrounding tissue, indicating pancreatitis. Thirty days after the dog had been discharged for treatment at home, it was taken back to the veterinary hospital due to status epilepticus, which motivated the owner's decision of euthanasia. During post mortem examination no trace of pancreas was found. On histological examination of the adipose tissue next to the duodenum, only one pancreatic duct was seen, together with inflamatory cells , thus characterizing a rare case of total pancreatic destruction due to pancreatitis.(AU)

Effects of photobiomodulation on experimental models of peripheral nerve injury.

Phototherapy has demonstrated positive effects in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury, but there is a need to investigate the dosimetric parameters. Thus, the aim of the present study was to conduct a literature review on the effects of photobiomodulation with the use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the treatment of peripheral nerve injury in experimental models. The databases of PubMed/MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and SPIE Digital Library were searched for articles on the use of LLLT in experimental models of peripheral nerve injury published in English between January 2007 and March 2016. The laser parameter variability was wavelength (632.8 to 980 nm), power (10 to 190 mW), and total energy (0.15 to 90 J) in pulsed or continuous wave and single or multiple points. Eighteen original articles demonstrating the effects of LLLT on the acceleration of functional recovery, morphological aspects as well as the modulation of the expression inflammatory cytokines, and growth factors were selected. LLLT is a viable phototherapeutic modality for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury, demonstrating positive effects on the neuromuscular repair process using either red or infrared light. The majority of studies used a power of up to 50 mW and total energy of up to 15 J administered to multiple points. The determination of these parameters is important to the standardization of a LLLT protocol to enhance the regeneration process following a peripheral nerve injury.

Evaluation of Mollicutes Microorganisms in Respiratory Disease of Cattle and Their Relationship to Clinical Signs.

BACKGROUND: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is an important problem in cattle production that is responsible for economic losses in dairy herds. Mycoplasma spp. are described as an important etiological agent of BRD. HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the occurrence of the most important mycoplasmas in the lower respiratory tract of healthy and BRD cattle in relationship to clinical signs of BRD. ANIMALS: Sixty young dairy cattle were classified as healthy (n = 32) or cattle showing clinical signs of BRD (n = 28). METHODS: Tracheal lavage samples were collected and added to tubes containing Hayflick media. Mycoplasma spp. were identified by the presence of "fried egg" like colonies, biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Occurrence of Mollicutes, M. bovis, M. mycoides subsp. mycoides SC and M. dispar was evaluated. The association between clinical signs of BRD and the presence of Mycoplasma spp. also was evaluated. RESULTS: Colonies were obtained from a 1-year-old BRD calf only. However, species identification was not possible. Mollicutes (P = .035) and M. dispar (P = .036) were more common in BRD cattle. The relationship between Mollicutes and crackle (P = .057) was not significant. M. dispar was associated to tachypnea (P = .045) and mixed dyspnea (P = .003). Relationships to heart rate (P = .062) and crackle (P = .062) were not significant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The results confirmed the importance of mycoplasma as an etiologic agent of BRD and suggested M. dispar as part of the respiratory microbiota and its possible role in the development of BRD.

Treatment efficiency and economic feasibility of biological oxidation, membrane filtration and separation processes, and advanced oxidation for the purification and valorization of olive mill wastewater.

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is a major waste stream resulting from numerous operations that occur during the production stages of olive oil. The resulting effluent contains various organic and inorganic contaminants and its environmental impact can be notable. The present work aims at investigating the efficiency of (i) jet-loop reactor with ultrafiltration (UF) membrane system (Jacto.MBR), (ii) solar photo-Fenton oxidation after coagulation/flocculation pre-treatment and (iii) integrated membrane filtration processes (i.e. UF/nanofiltration (NF)) used for the treatment of OMW. According to the results, the efficiency of the biological treatment was high, equal to 90% COD and 80% total phenolic compounds (TPh) removal. A COD removal higher than 94% was achieved by applying the solar photo-Fenton oxidation process as post-treatment of coagulation/flocculation of OMW, while the phenolic fraction was completely eliminated. The combined UF/NF process resulted in very high conductivity and COD removal, up to 90% and 95%, respectively, while TPh were concentrated in the NF concentrate stream (i.e. 93% concentration). Quite important is the fact that the NF concentrate, a valuable and polyphenol rich stream, can be further valorized in various industries (e.g. food, pharmaceutical, etc.). The above treatment processes were found also to be able to reduce the initial OMW phytotoxicity at greenhouse experiments; with the effluent stream of solar photo-Fenton process to be the least phytotoxic compared to the other treated effluents. A SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats) analysis was performed, in order to determine both the strengths of each technology, as well as the possible obstacles that need to overcome for achieving the desired levels of treatment. Finally, an economic evaluation of the tested technologies was performed in an effort to measure the applicability and viability of these systems at real scale; highlighting that the cost cannot be regarded as a 'cut off criterion', since the most cost-effective option in not always the optimum one.

Prophylactic use of a standardized botanical extract for the prevention of naturally occurring diarrhea in newborn Holstein calves.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prophylactic use of SB-300 (Jaguar Animal Health, San Francisco, CA), a standardized botanical extract isolated from the bark latex of Croton lechleri, on reducing fecal water losses and diarrhea events in Holstein bull calves individually housed under a restricted whole-milk feeding regimen (6 L/d) from 1 to 25 d of life. Fluid therapy administration due to dehydration, average weight gain, and the fecal microbiome were also evaluated. Bull calves used in this study were born from normal parturition, fed 4 L of pooled pasteurized colostrum by esophageal feeder, and moved to a research facility at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY). A double-blinded randomized clinical trial was designed to allocate a total of 40 newborn calves into 1 of 2 treatment groups: calves receiving (twice daily) a solution containing 500 mg of SB-300 added to the whole milk for the first 15 d of life (SB-300, n = 20) or a control group receiving sterile water added to whole milk for the same period (CTR, n = 20). Treatment solutions had a total volume of 10 mL per treatment. Data regarding fecal dry matter were collected to precisely measure water content in fecal samples and to define diarrhea events; the SB-300 group had significantly increased fecal dry matter during the study period. Additionally, significantly fewer events of diarrhea were observed for calves in the SB-300 group (16.9%) compared with calves in the CTR group (46.5%). Dehydration status was evaluated and treated accordingly; calves with moderate dehydration were offered oral electrolytes, and calves with severe dehydration were rescued with intravenous fluid therapy. Calves in the SB-300 group had fewer intravenous fluid therapies administered during the study period (1.6%) compared with the CTR group (3.1%). Overall fluid therapy administered (oral electrolytes plus intravenous fluids) was significantly higher for the CTR group (9.2%) compared with the SB-300 group (6.1%) during the study period. No differences in milk consumption, calf starter intake, or weight gain were observed between treatment groups. A single time increase in Bifidobacterium was observed on d 20 of life for the SB-300 group; otherwise, no differences in fecal microbiome profile were detected between treatment groups. These results suggest that 500 mg of SB-300 added to the milk for 15 d can reduce the incidence of diarrhea and reduce severe dehydration in milk-fed calves.

5-ALA-mediated photodynamic therapy reduces the parasite load in mice infected with Leishmania braziliensis.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has proven to be an effective alternative for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Skin lesions consist of ulcers with well-defined raised edges, and granular floor. Th1 immune response is the protective profile in patients infected with Leishmania. In this study, the photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid, the parasitic load, and the modulation of the immune response was evaluated in mice infected with Leishmania braziliensis. Balb/c mice were infected with L. braziliensis and subsequently treated with three sections of PDT. The parasite load and mRNA expression of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-17, IL-22, IL-27, IL-10) and transcription factors (GATA-3, Foxp3 and T-bet) were analysed by quantitative PCR. The parasite load in the treated group was significantly lower than in the untreated group (P<.0001); in PDT treated animals, we observed an increase in IFN-γ and T-bet mRNA (P=.012 and P=.0071). There was a significant reduction in mRNA expression of IL-22 associated with an increased expression of IL-27 mRNA in the animals treated with light only (P=.0001). 5-ALA associated with photodynamic therapy promotes a reduction in parasite load and an increased expression of IFN-γ and T-bet mRNA.

The complete genome of a baculovirus isolated from an insect of medical interest: Lonomia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).

Lonomia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is a species of medical importance due to the severity of reactions caused by accidental contact with the caterpillar bristles. Several natural pathogens have been identified in L. obliqua, and among them the baculovirus Lonomia obliqua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (LoobMNPV). The complete genome of LoobMNPV was sequenced and shown to have 120,022 bp long with 134 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Phylogenetic analysis of the LoobMNPV genome showed that it belongs to Alphabaculovirus group I (lepidopteran-infective NPV). A total of 12 unique ORFs were identified with no homologs in other sequenced baculovirus genomes. One of these, the predicted protein encoded by loob035, showed significant identity to an eukaryotic transcription terminator factor (TTF2) from the Lepidoptera Danaus plexippus, suggesting an independent acquisition through horizontal gene transfer. Homologs of cathepsin and chitinase genes, which are involved in host integument liquefaction and viral spread, were not found in this genome. As L. obliqua presents a gregarious behavior during the larvae stage the impact of this deletion might be neglectable.

Dried, ground banana plant leaves (Musa spp.) for the control of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections in sheep.

To evaluate the anthelmintic effect of Musa spp. leaves, 12 animals were artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus, and another 12 animals were infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Then, both treatment groups were offered 400 g of dried ground banana plant leaves, and the control animals were offered only 1000 g of coast cross hay. During the trials, the animals received weekly physical examinations. The methods used to evaluate the efficiency of this treatment were packed cell volume, total plasma protein and faecal egg counts, and egg hatchability tests were performed on days -2, +3, +6, +9, +13 and +15. Coproculture tests were performed on day -2 to confirm monospecific infections. In the FEC and EHT, a statistically significant difference (0.04, 0.005; p < 0.05) was noted for T. colubriformis. There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) for Haemochus contortus group in all tests. Our results confirmed previous findings suggesting that dried ground banana plant leaves possess anthelmintic activity.

Comparative analysis of American Dengue virus type 1 full-genome sequences.

Dengue virus (DENV; Genus Flavivirus, Family Flaviviridae) has been circulating in Brazil since at least the mid-1980s and continues to be responsible for sporadic cases of Dengue fever and Dengue hemorrhagic fever throughout this country. Here, we describe the full genomes of two new Brazilian DENV-serotype 1 (DENV-1) variants and analyze these together with all other available American DENV-1 full-genome sequences. Besides confirming the existence of various country-specific DENV-1 founder effects that have produced a high degree of geographical structure in the American DENV-1 population, we also identify that one of the new viruses is one of only three detectable intra-American DENV-1 recombinants. Although such obvious evidence of genetic exchange among epidemiologically unlinked Latin American DENV-1 sequences is relatively rare, we find that at the population-scale there exists substantial evidence of pervasive recombination that most likely occurs between viruses that are so genetically similar that it is not possible to reliably distinguish and characterize individual recombination events.

Molecular analysis of a mutant Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) shows an interruption of an inhibitor of apoptosis gene (iap-3) by a new class-II piggyBac-related insect transposon.

A new piggyBac-related transposable element (TE) was found in the genome of a mutant Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus interrupting an inhibitor of apoptosis gene. This mutant virus induces apoptosis upon infection of an Anticarsia gemmatalis cell line, but not in a Trichoplusia ni cell line. The sequence of the new TE (which was named IDT for iap disruptor transposon) has 2531 bp with two DNA sequences flanking a putative Transposase (Tpase) ORF of 1719 bp coding for a protein with 572 amino acids. These structural features are similar to the piggyBac TE, also reported for the first time in the genome of a baculovirus. We have also isolated variants of this new TE from different lepidopteran insect cells and compared their Tpase sequences.