Trichoderma strains accelerate maturation and increase available phosphorus during vermicomposting enriched with rock phosphate.

AIMS: To suggest microbial inoculation as a tool to shorten organic residues stabilization and increase rock phosphate (RP) solubilization through vermicomposting, thus increasing nutrient content in plants and making it more appealing to farmers. Two Trichoderma strains were inoculated alone or combined in a RP apatite-enriched vermicompost. Stability and plant-available phosphorus levels were monitored for 120 days. METHODS AND RESULTS: Observable higher total organic carbon reduction in the treatment with the combined Trichoderma strains, followed by the inoculation with T. asperellum and T. virens. Combined Trichoderma and inoculation with T. virens increased humic acids (HA) content in 38·2 and 25·0%, respectively; non-inoculated vermicompost with T. asperellum increased it by 15·0%. The combined Trichoderma strains and T. virens achieved the stability index based on the humic/fulvic acids (HA/FA) ratio after 120 days. T. asperellum, combined Trichoderma and T. virens increased the citric acid soluble-P content in 83·2, 62·2 and 49·5%, respectively, compared to the non-inoculated vermicompost. CONCLUSIONS: Inoculation with combined T. asperellum and T. virens efficiently accelerated vermicompost stabilization; T. asperellum increased the citric acid soluble-P in the final product. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Combined Trichoderma inoculation and RP enrichment improves the vermicompost quality, increasing HA and citric acid soluble-P, recycling organic waste nutrients and reducing agricultural dependence on phosphate fertilizers.

Hydrolyzable tannins from Poincianella (Caesalpinia) microphylla fruits: Metabolite profiling and anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity.

Poincianella (Caesalpinia) microphylla fractions were analyzed by LC-DAD-MS and by statistical tools to determine the possible bioactive compounds against T. vaginalis. Tannins enriched-fractions toxicity (M5 and M10) were analyzed in in vitro against human red cells and in in vivo model of Galleria mellonella. Twenty-six compounds were detected from the P. microphylla fractions. The main compounds identified were hydrolyzable tannins (gallotanins and ellagitannis), such as O-digalloyl hexoside, O-digalloyl HHDP -hexoside, tri-O-galloyl HHDP-hexoside, O-galloyl HHDP-DHHDP-hexoside and their isomers. In addition, procyanidin dimer, epicatechin, ellagic acid and O-(digalloyl) quinic acid were also identified. Based on univariate statistical analyses, stronger correlations with the anti-T. vaginalis properties were observed for the compounds 7 (O-galloyl HHDP-DHHDP-hexoside - Geraniin isomer), 3 (O-digalloyl HHDP -hexoside - mallotinic acid), 2 (O-digalloyl) quinic acid), 1 (O-digalloyl hexoside) and 9 (unknown). Tannins enriched-fractions (M5 and M10) presented anti-Trichomonas activity (IC50 70.41 µg/mL and 142.1 µg/mL, respectively) and no toxicity in the in vivo model of G. mellonella. This innovative approach allowed us to identify likely bioactive compounds in the extracts, although the mechanism(s) underlying anti-trichomonal activity encompass a complex trait.

Metabolic profiling and correlation analysis for the determination of killer compounds of proliferating and clonogenic HRT-18 colon cancer cells from Lafoensia pacari.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lafoensia pacari A. St.-Hil., belonging to the family Lythraceae and popularly known as 'dedaleira' and 'mangava-brava,' is a native tree of the Brazilian Cerrado, and its barks have been traditionally used as a tonic to treat inflammatory conditions, particularly related to gastric ulcers, wounds or fevers and various types of cancer. AIM OF THE STUDY: We have previously demonstrated the apoptogenic effects of the methanolic extract of L. pacari using various cancer cell lines. In the present study, this extract has been partitioned into fractions to identify the components that might be responsible for the apoptogenic effects using HRT-18 cells, which have been previously demonstrated to be sensitive to this extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A standard methanolic extract was prepared and fractionated by centrifugal partition chromatography. The fractions were submitted to cytotoxicity and clonogenic assays to monitor the effects in parallel with LC-DAD-MS and statistical analyses to suggest the potential bioactive compounds. RESULTS: Besides ellagic acid, the primary constituent of the plant and also the biomarker of the species, punicalin, pedunculagin and punicalagin isomers, catechin and ellagic acid derivatives were putatively identified. CONCLUSIONS: The barks of L. pacari are rich in ellagic acid and various hydrolysable tannins, some of which were reported for the first time in this species, such as punicalagin and ellagitannins. This mixture of substances had the ability to kill proliferating cells and abrogate the growth of clonogenic cells in a similar manner shown by the methanolic extract of our previous study. The collective data reported herein suggest that the biological activities of the L. pacari barks used by population to treat cancer conditions are due to the apoptogenic effects promoted by a mixed content of ellagitannins.

Gas-phase dissociation study of erythrinian alkaloids by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and computational methods.

Alkaloids from plants of the genus Erythrina display important biological activities, including anxiolytic action. Characterization of these alkaloids by mass spectrometry (MS) has contributed to the construction of a spectral library, has improved understanding of their structures and has supported the proposal of fragmentation mechanisms in light of density functional calculations. In this study, we have used low-resolution and high-resolution MSn analyses to investigate the fragmentation patterns of erythrinian alkaloids; we have employed the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) model to obtain their reactive sites. To suggest the fragmentation mechanism of these alkaloids, we have studied their protonation sites by density functional calculation, and we have obtained their molecular electrostatic potential map and their gas-phase basicity values. These analyses have indicated the most basic sites on the basis of the proton affinities of the nitrogen and oxygen atoms. The protonated molecules were generated by two major fragmentations, namely, neutral loss of CH3 OH followed by elimination of H2 O. High-resolution analysis confirmed elimination of NH3 by comparison with the losses of H2 and •CH3 . NH3 was eliminated from compounds that did not bear a substituent on ring C. The benzylic carbocation initiated the dissociation mechanism, and the first reaction involved charge transfer from a lone pair of electrons in the oxygen atoms. The second reaction consisted of ring contraction with loss of a CO molecule. The presence of hydroxy and epoxy groups could change the intensity or the occurrence of the fragmentation pathways. Given that erythrinian alkaloids are applied in therapeutics and are promising leads for the development of new drugs, the present results could aid identification of several analogues of these alkaloids in biological samples and advance pharmacokinetic studies of new plant derivatives based on MSn and MS/MS analyses. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Peripheral and central antinociceptive effects of the butanolic fraction of Byrsonima verbascifolia leaves on nociception-induced models in mice.

Byrsonima verbascifolia (Malpighiaceae), commonly known as 'murici', is used in folk medicine, for example, in the treatment of inflammation. The anti-inflammatory activity of the butanolic fraction of B. verbascifolia leaves (BvBF) was previously reported by our group, and the present study was designed to evaluate their antinociceptive effects. BvBF (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) inhibited acetic acid induced abdominal writhing. In the formalin test, BvBF (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a reduction in licking time in both the neurogenic and inflammatory phases. Moreover, we demonstrated that BvBF (30 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) caused an increase in the latency to response in the hot-plate test. These results demonstrate that BvBF possesses marked peripheral and central antinociceptive activities. Pre-treatment with the non-selective receptor antagonist naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p.) abolished the antinociceptive effects of BvBF (100 mg/kg, i.p.) in the neurogenic phase of the formalin and hot-plate tests. The anti-inflammatory activity of BvBF (previously reported) as well as the participation of the opioidergic system seems to be responsible, at least in part, for these antinociceptive effects. Finally, BvBF at the doses investigated (25, 50 and 100 mg/Kg) did not cause any toxicity signals, showing that the antinociceptive activity is devoid of sedative and hypomotility effects.

Do nymphs and adults of three Neotropical zoophytophagous mirids damage leaves and fruits of tomato?

The predators Macrolophus basicornis (Stal), Engytatus varians (Distant) and Campyloneuropsis infumatus (Carvalho) consume large numbers of tomato pests such as Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). However, they are zoophytophagous and feed on plant parts as well. We evaluated the type and effect of injury caused by nymphs and adults of these mirids on tomato seedlings and fruit in the absence of prey. For each mirid species, seedlings were exposed to groups of 20 nymphs or adults for 72 h, and fruits were exposed for 48 h to groups of four nymphs or adults. Type and the number of injury on stems, petioles and leaflets of tomato seedlings and fruits were recorded after removal of insects. Nymphs and adults of these mirids caused necrotic rings on the leaflets, but no injury was observed on stem and petioles. The necrotic rings on leaflets consisted of blemishes, characterized by feeding punctures surrounded by a yellowish, bleached area. The number of necrotic rings did not exceed one per individual mirid and seedlings developed normally. Nymphs also caused feeding punctures on tomato fruit, but in even lower numbers than on leaflets. Two weeks after the start of the experiment the tomato fruit still looked fresh and feeding punctures had disappeared. Adults did not cause any injury to tomato fruit. The results indicate that nymphs and adults of these zoophytophagous mirids cause little injury to tomato seedlings and fruit, even when present in high densities and in the absence of prey, making them interesting candidates for biological control.

Perfil do consumidor de ovos e carne de frango do município de Janaúba-MG / The consumer profile of eggs and chicken meat from the municipality of Janaúba-MG

Neste estudo foi caracterizado o perfil do consumidor do município de Janaúba-MG, em relação ao consumo de ovos de poedeiras comerciais e carne de frango. Foram aplicados 155 questionários, utilizando-se o método “survey”, estruturados com perguntas discursivas e de múltipla escolha e direcionados a pessoas escolhidas aleatoriamente. Constatou-se que a preferência por ovos brancos foi mais elevada (46,45%) comparada aos vermelhos (34,19%), em virtude da aparência (40,65%). Alguns consumidores acreditam que o ovo, dependendo da cor da sua casca, não apresenta equivalência nutricional (23,23%) e a maioria (45,81%) afirmam que a qualidade externa é o fator que mais influencia no ato da compra. No entanto, o consumo semanal pela maior parte dos entrevistados é baixo, não ultrapassando duas vezes por semana (47,74%). Com relação à carne de frango, a maioria consome (72,99%), e o frango caipira é o preferido pelos consumidores (50,32%). Entretanto, o consumo da carne ocorre, no máximo, duas vezes por semana (56,57%). 27,1% dos entrevistados afirmaram não consumir carne de frango; destes 3,87% acreditam que a mesma possui antibióticos e 8,39%, hormônios. Do total de entrevistados, 78,06% já ouviram falar em bem-estar animal. Destes, 83,23% aceitariam pagar mais caro por um produto obtido de aves criadas em sistemas que seguemos padrões de bem-estar. 73,13% dos entrevistados aceitariam pagar mais por um ovo enriquecido nutricionalmente. Mediante o exposto, observa-se que o baixo consumo tanto da carne quanto do ovo está associado a falsas informações divulgadas relativas à alimentação das aves e ao sistema de produção. Portanto, se fazem necessários maiores esclarecimentos sobre as questões levantadas, o que pode refletir em aumento no consumo tanto dos ovos quanto da carne de frango.(AU)

This study characterized the municipality of Janaúba-MG user profile, in relation to the consumption of eggs commercial laying hens and chicken meat. 155 questionnaires were applied, using the method "survey", structured with essay questions and multiple choices and targeted to people chosen at random. It was found that the preference for white eggs was higher (46.45%) compared to red (34.19%), because appearance (40.65%). Some consumers believe that the egg depending on the color of its bark, has no nutritional equivalence (23.23%) and the majority (45.81%) state that the external quality is the factor that most influences upon purchase. However, the weekly consumption by most respondents is low, not more than twice a week (47.74%). With regard to chicken meat, most consuming (72.99%), and the jerk chicken is preferred by consumers (50.32%). However, the consumption of meat is no more than twice a week (56.57%) 27.1% of respondents said they consume chicken meat; 3.87% of these believe that it has antibiotics and 8.39%, hormones. To total respondents, 78.06% have heard of animal. Destes welfare, 83.23% would accept paying more for a product obtained from birds reared in systems seguemos welfare standards. 73.13% of respondents would accept paying more for an enriched egg nutritionally. Through the above, it is noted that the low power consumption as much meat as egg is associated with false information disclosed for the feeding of poultry and the production system. So are needed further clarifications on the issues raised, which may reflect increased consumption of both eggs as the chicken.(AU)

Perfil do consumidor de ovos e carne de frango do município de Janaúba-MG / The consumer profile of eggs and chicken meat from the municipality of Janaúba-MG

Neste estudo foi caracterizado o perfil do consumidor do município de Janaúba-MG, em relação ao consumo de ovos de poedeiras comerciais e carne de frango. Foram aplicados 155 questionários, utilizando-se o método “survey”, estruturados com perguntas discursivas e de múltipla escolha e direcionados a pessoas escolhidas aleatoriamente. Constatou-se que a preferência por ovos brancos foi mais elevada (46,45%) comparada aos vermelhos (34,19%), em virtude da aparência (40,65%). Alguns consumidores acreditam que o ovo, dependendo da cor da sua casca, não apresenta equivalência nutricional (23,23%) e a maioria (45,81%) afirmam que a qualidade externa é o fator que mais influencia no ato da compra. No entanto, o consumo semanal pela maior parte dos entrevistados é baixo, não ultrapassando duas vezes por semana (47,74%). Com relação à carne de frango, a maioria consome (72,99%), e o frango caipira é o preferido pelos consumidores (50,32%). Entretanto, o consumo da carne ocorre, no máximo, duas vezes por semana (56,57%). 27,1% dos entrevistados afirmaram não consumir carne de frango; destes 3,87% acreditam que a mesma possui antibióticos e 8,39%, hormônios. Do total de entrevistados, 78,06% já ouviram falar em bem-estar animal. Destes, 83,23% aceitariam pagar mais caro por um produto obtido de aves criadas em sistemas que seguemos padrões de bem-estar. 73,13% dos entrevistados aceitariam pagar mais por um ovo enriquecido nutricionalmente. Mediante o exposto, observa-se que o baixo consumo tanto da carne quanto do ovo está associado a falsas informações divulgadas relativas à alimentação das aves e ao sistema de produção. Portanto, se fazem necessários maiores esclarecimentos sobre as questões levantadas, o que pode refletir em aumento no consumo tanto dos ovos quanto da carne de frango.

This study characterized the municipality of Janaúba-MG user profile, in relation to the consumption of eggs commercial laying hens and chicken meat. 155 questionnaires were applied, using the method "survey", structured with essay questions and multiple choices and targeted to people chosen at random. It was found that the preference for white eggs was higher (46.45%) compared to red (34.19%), because appearance (40.65%). Some consumers believe that the egg depending on the color of its bark, has no nutritional equivalence (23.23%) and the majority (45.81%) state that the external quality is the factor that most influences upon purchase. However, the weekly consumption by most respondents is low, not more than twice a week (47.74%). With regard to chicken meat, most consuming (72.99%), and the jerk chicken is preferred by consumers (50.32%). However, the consumption of meat is no more than twice a week (56.57%) 27.1% of respondents said they consume chicken meat; 3.87% of these believe that it has antibiotics and 8.39%, hormones. To total respondents, 78.06% have heard of animal. Destes welfare, 83.23% would accept paying more for a product obtained from birds reared in systems seguemos welfare standards. 73.13% of respondents would accept paying more for an enriched egg nutritionally. Through the above, it is noted that the low power consumption as much meat as egg is associated with false information disclosed for the feeding of poultry and the production system. So are needed further clarifications on the issues raised, which may reflect increased consumption of both eggs as the chicken.

Propolis and swimming in the prevention of atherogenesis and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypercholesterolemic mice.

AIMS: The present study verified the effect of propolis alone and its association with swimming in dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy and atherogenesis of hypercholesterolemic mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: The experiments were performed in LDLr-/- mice, fed with high fat diet for 75 days, and were divided into four experimental groups (n=10): HL, sedentary, subjected to aquatic stress (5 min per day, 5 times per week); NAT submitted to a swimming protocol (1 hour per day, 5 times per week) from the 16th day of the experiment; PRO, sedentary, submitted to aquatic stress and which received oral propolis extract (70 uL/animal/day) from the 16th day of the experiment; HL+NAT+PRO, submitted to swimming and which received propolis as described above. After 75 days, blood was collected for analysis of serum lipids. The ratio between the ventricular weight (mg) and the animal weight (g) was calculated. Histological sections of the heart and aorta were processed immunohistochemically with anti-CD40L antibodies to evaluate the inflammatory process; stained with hematoxylin/eosin and picrosirius red to assess morphological and morphometric alterations. The HL animals showed severe dyslipidemia, atherogenesis and left ventricular hypertrophy, associated with a decrease in serum HDLc levels and subsequent development of cardiovascular inflammatory process, characterized by increased expression of CD40L in the left ventricle and aorta. Swimming and propolis alone and\or associated prevented the LVH, atherogenesis and arterial and ventricular inflammation, decreasing the CD40L expression and increasing the HDLc plasmatic levels. CONCLUSION: Propolis alone or associated with a regular physical activity is beneficial in cardiovascular protection through anti-inflammatory action.

Propolis and swimming in the prevention of atherogenesis and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypercholesterolemic mice / Própolis e natação na prevenção da aterogênese e hipertrofia ventricular esquerda de camundongos hipercolesterolêmicos

Aims The present study verified the effect of propolis alone and its association with swimming in dyslipidemia, left ventricular hypertrophy and atherogenesis of hypercholesterolemic mice. Methods and Results The experiments were performed in LDLr–/mice, fed with high fat diet for 75 days, and were divided into four experimental groups (n=10): HL, sedentary, subjected to aquatic stress (5 min per day, 5 times per week); NAT submitted to a swimming protocol (1 hour per day, 5 times per week) from the 16th day of the experiment; PRO, sedentary, submitted to aquatic stress and which received oral propolis extract (70 uL/animal/day) from the 16th day of the experiment; HL+NAT+PRO, submitted to swimming and which received propolis as described above. After 75 days, blood was collected for analysis of serum lipids. The ratio between the ventricular weight (mg) and the animal weight (g) was calculated. Histological sections of the heart and aorta were processed immunohistochemically with anti-CD40L antibodies to evaluate the inflammatory process; stained with hematoxylin/eosin and picrosirius red to assess morphological and morphometric alterations. The HL animals showed severe dyslipidemia, atherogenesis and left ventricular hypertrophy, associated with a decrease in serum HDLc levels and subsequent development of cardiovascular inflammatory process, characterized by increased expression of CD40L in the left ventricle and aorta. Swimming and propolis alone and\or associated prevented the LVH, atherogenesis and arterial and ventricular inflammation, decreasing the CD40L expression and increasing the HDLc plasmatic levels. Conclusion Propolis alone or associated with a regular physical activity is beneficial in cardiovascular protection through anti-inflammatory action. .(AU)

Objetivos O presente estudo verificou o efeito do própolis associação ou não com a natação na dislipidemia, na hipertrofia ventricular esquerda e aterogênese de camundongos hipercolesterolêmicos. Métodos e Resultados Os experimentos foram realizados em camundongos LDLr–/–, alimentados com dieta hiperlipídica por 75 dias, e divididos em quatro grupos experimentais (n = 10): HL, sedentários, foram submetidos ao estresse aquático (5 min por dia, cinco vezes por semana); NAT foram submetidos a um protocolo de natação (1 hora por dia, cinco vezes por semana) a partir do 16° dia do experimento; PRO, sedentários, submetidos a estresse aquático e que receberam extrato de própolis oral (70 uL / animal / dia) a partir do 16° dia do experimento; HL + NAC + PRO, submetidos a natação e que recebeu a própolis, como descrito acima. Após 75 dias, foi coletado sangue para análise do perfil lipídico. Calculou-se a relação entre o peso ventricular (mg) e o peso do animal (g). Os cortes histológicos do coração e aorta foram processados imunohistoquímicamente com anticorpos anti-CD40L para avaliar o processo inflamatório, corados com hematoxilina / eosina e picrossírius red, para avaliar as alterações morfológicas e morfométricas. Os camundongos HL apresentaram dislipidemia grave, aterogênese e hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo, associada a uma diminuição dos níveis plasmáticos de HDLc e o desenvolvimento subsequente do processo inflamatório cardiovasculares, caracterizada pelo aumento da expressão do CD40L no ventrículo esquerdo e na aorta. Natação e a própolis isolado e \ ou associados preveniram a HVE, a aterogênese e a inflamação tanto na artéria quanto no ventrículo, diminuindo a expressão de CD40L, aumentando os níveis plasmáticos de HDLc. Conclusão A Própolis isolada ou associada a uma atividade física regular é benéfica na proteção cardiovascular através da ação anti-inflamatória. .(AU)

Evaluation of mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunomodulatory effects of Annona nutans hydromethanolic fraction on pregnant mice.

Plants such as Annona nutans used in folk medicine have a large number of biologically active compounds with pharmacological and/or toxic potential. Moreover, pregnant women use these plants indiscriminately, mainly in the form of teas, without being aware of the harm that they could cause to the health of the embryo/fetus. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the potential toxic effects of medicinal plants during gestation. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of A. nutans hydromethanolic fraction leaves (ANHMF) on mutagenic and immunomodulatory activity, reproductive performance, and embryo-fetal development in pregnant female mice. The animals (N=50 female and 25 male) were divided into 5 groups: Control, Pre-treatment, Organogenesis, Gestational, and Pre+Gestational. The results indicate that ANHMF mainly contains flavonoid and other phenolic derivatives. It was found that it does not exhibit any mutagenic or immunomodulatory activity, and it does not cause embryo-fetal toxicity. Based on the protocols used in the present studies, our analyses confirm that it is safe to use ANHMF during pregnancy.

Genetic variations in the leptin gene associated with growth and carcass traits in Nellore cattle.

The aim of the study was to detect polymorphisms in the leptin gene and to determine the association of these polymorphisms with growth and carcass traits in Nellore cattle. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) -1457 (AJ571671:g.-1457A>G) and A59V (AF536174.1:g. 321C>T), as well as the microsatellite BM1500 (3.9 kb downstream), were genotyped. The measures of body weight and ultrasound examinations (rib eye area, back, and rump fat thickness) were performed in 3 different periods of animal management. During the first period, the animals were fed with grass and mineralized salt ad libitum. In the second period, they received grass and concentrate, and in the third, only concentrate. After the slaughter of animals, data were collected for classification and typification of carcasses. No significant association was found between the variables assessed and SNP -1457. Conversely, SNP A59V was associated with rump fat thickness and muscle color post-slaughter. BM1500 was associated with rump fat thickness in the first period (pre-slaughter), subcutaneous fat thickness in the second, weight of the animals in the third, and length of the carcass after slaughter. These results suggest that SNP A59V and the microsatellite BM1500 might be useful for marker-assisted selection in Nellore cattle.

Social support provided to caregivers of children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the perception of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) concerning social support received and to verify how the characteristics of the children (i.e. type of CP and severity of motor impairment) and those of their caregivers (i.e. age, level of education, occupation, income and number of children) are significantly related to this perception. METHOD: A total of 50 children with CP aged between 3 and 12 years and their respective caregivers participated in this study. Children were grouped in terms of type of CP and according to the severity of motor impairment through the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) was used to evaluate the perception of caregivers concerning the social support they receive (number of people offering support - SSQ-N index, and level of satisfaction concerning such support - SSQ-S index). RESULTS: The caregivers reported receiving support from a mean of 1.67 people. Core and extended family members (i.e. husband, mother, siblings) and friends are the most common providers of support. In regard to level of satisfaction, caregivers considered the support they received to be positive, obtaining a mean of 5.52 out of a total of six points. Children's and caregivers' characteristics were not significantly related to the SSQ-N and SSQ-S indexes. CONCLUSION: Family members are the caregivers' primary source of social support and caregivers reported being satisfied with the support they received.

Evolutionary pattern of reemerging influenza B/Victoria lineage viruses in São Paulo, Brazil, 1996-2012: Implications for vaccine composition strategy.

Since the 1980s, 2 antigenically distinct influenza B lineages have cocirculated in the world: B/Victoria/2/87 (first appeared in the 1980s) and B/Yamagata/16/88 (became predominant in the 1990s). B/Victoria/2/87 isolates were geographically restricted to eastern Asia during 1991-2000. During 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, B/Victoria/2/87 isolates reemerged in North America, Europe, and South America, and then spread globally. During influenza virus surveillance, season 2002, an outbreak of acute respiratory illness, which quickly spread among the population, has been notified by public health authorities living in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil. Instituto Adolfo Lutz and Secretariat of Health of São Paulo state teams initiate an investigation towards to describe the pattern of infection in this population temporally and by age and to characterize the strains by virus isolation and hemagglutination inhibition assay. The outbreak lasted approximately 10 weeks; many cases occurred between mid-August and mid-September. Children younger than 13 years were the most affected; the elderly were mostly immune to infection. Analysis of the clinical respiratory samples helped in identifying the B/Hong Kong/330/2001 and B/Brisbane/32/2002 subtypes-recent variants of B/Victoria/02/88, a lineage restricted to Southeast Asia until 2001. The Araraquara outbreak confirms the reemergence of the B/Victoria viruses in South America and highlights the importance of monitoring local circulating strains, especially in light of the absence of cross-protection between antigenically distinct influenza lineages. Based on influenza virus surveillance, public health authorities worldwide should decide whether trivalent vaccines or quadrivalent vaccines (containing both influenza virus B lineages) are to be used in each country.

Influenza virus A(H3N2) strain isolated from cerebrospinal fluid from a patient presenting myelopathy post infectious.

BACKGROUND: Neurological involvement during influenza infection has been described during epidemics and is often consistent with serious sequelae or death. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the etiologic agent involved in myelopathy post influenza-like syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: This investigation focuses on virus isolation from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from a 19-year-old male student presenting with clinical diagnosis of myelopathy post influenza-like syndrome. To achieve this goal, different cell cultures and molecular methodologies were carried out. RESULTS: Influenza virus A(H3N2) strain was isolated in MDCK cell culture; virus particles were observed under electron microscopy. Phylogenetics analyses showed that the Brazilian influenza A(H3N2) strains were closely related to the A/Perth/16/2009-like. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that influenza virus A(H3N2) strain was the cause of illness of the students. According to the Brazilian influenza virus sentinel surveillance data A/Perth/16/2009-LIKE (H3N2) strain has predominated during the 2010 influenza virus season in Brasília-DF.

PESQUISA DE ANTICORPOS ANTI-LEPTOSPÍRICOS EM BUBALINOS / LEPTOSPIRAL ANTIBODIES IN BUFFALOES

A leptospirose é uma zoonose cosmopolita causada por micro-organismos do gênero Leptospira que pode comprometer a higidez do rebanho, causando sintomatologia clínica, problemas reprodutivos e queda na produção animal. Os animais são hospedeiros naturais dos diferentes sorovares da Leptospira sp., podendo disseminar a infecção para outros animais e humanos por meio da urina. Entre os animais de produção, os búfalos são importantes como fonte de proteínas para os seres humanos, a partir do consumo do leite, carne e derivados. A criação de búfalos é difundida em todo o território nacional e grandes rebanhos bubalinos concentram-se na Região Norte, no estado do Pará. Poucas investigações sorológicas em bubalinos incluem o isolamento de sorovares nestes animais, principalmente, na referida região. Dentro desse contexto, esse trabalho objetivou avaliar a presença de anticorpos anti-leptospíricos de três regiões do Baixo Amazonas, Ilha do Marajó e do Município de Xinguara, Pará, Brasil. Foram testadas 256 amostras de soro para 25 diferentes sorovares,

ESTUDO SOROLÓGICO DE Leptospira spp. EM CÃES DOMICILIADOS DO MUNICÍPIO DE CASTANHAL, PARÁ / SEROLOGICAL STUDY OF Leptospira spp. IN DOGS FROM CASTANHAL, PARÁ

A leptospirose canina é uma antropozoonose causada por diferentes sorovares de Leptospira spp., de distribuição mundial. Pode acometer humanos, animais domésticos e silvestres, incluindo o cão. Nos cães, as leptospiras se alojam nos rins, havendo sua eliminação pela urina, com consequente contaminação ambiental e transmissão a partir do contato direto com outros cães ou pela ingestão de água e alimentos contaminados (ACHA & SZYFRES, 2001). A falta de censo canino e de controle de reprodução de cães em Castanhal, associada ao elevado índice pluviométrico na região amazônica, favorece a sobrevivência desta bactéria no ambiente, mostrando assim a importância do presente estudo, que tem por objetivo avaliar a soroprevalência de diferentes sorovares de Leptospira spp. no município de Castanhal, Pará. Foram coletadas amostras sanguíneas de 109 cães domiciliados, sendo 51 machos e 58 fêmeas de diferentes idades e sadios. As amostras foram testadas pela técnica de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (SAM), utilizando 25 so