Chlorogenic acid improves the quality of boar semen subjected to cooled storage at 15°C.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chlorogenic acid (ChA) in boar semen stored at 15°C. Twelve ejaculates were processed into insemination doses at different concentrations of ChA (0.0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.0 and 6.0 mg/ml) or vitamin E (200 µl/ml) as positive control. Semen was analysed after 0, 24 and 72 hr of storage. ChA improved (p < .05) sperm motility, acrosome integrity and mitochondrial activity in all periods of storage. Furthermore, after 24 hr of storage, ChA above 1.5 mg/ml supported the sperm viability until 120 min after reheating (p < .05). Both ChA and vitamin E were similarly efficient in increasing the antioxidant capacity of semen, reducing the malondialdehyde levels before and after 72 hr of storage (p < .05). However, with 72 hr of storage, ChA at 3.0 mg/ml improved the mitochondrial activity over vitamin E (p < .05). In conclusion, results suggest that the concentration of 3.2 mg/ml of ChA is the best for semen stored for up to 24 hr. However, for semen stored for a longer period, 6.0 mg/ml or more should be used.

Metals and pesticides in commercial bivalve mollusc production areas in the North and South Bays, Santa Catarina (Brazil).

Concentrations of heavy metals were quantified in mussels Perna perna and Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas in 28 cultivation sites in the North and South Bays, SC (Brazil). Concentrations of pesticides were also quantified in these bivalve, water and sediment samples collected in 14 cultivation sites on four occasions in the period October 2012-October 2013. Pesticides were not detected in any of the mussel, oyster, water or sediment samples. The South Bay was found to be generally more contaminated with As while the North Bay showed higher concentrations of Ni. Concentrations of Pb and Cd were below the limit of detection of the method (0.5mg/kg) in all samples. Mussels accumulated more As and Ni than oysters, while the opposite was observed for Cu. Metal concentrations were below the maximum levels for foodstuffs specified in the Brazilian legislation.

Dengue in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1986-1998.

This paper presents epidemiological, laboratory, and clinical data on 12 years of dengue virus activity in the State of Rio de Janeiro from the time the disease was first confirmed virologically in April 1986 through April 1998. DEN-1 and DEN-2 viruses are the serotypes circulating in the state and were responsible for the epidemics reported during the last 12 years. The results published here show both the impact of dengue virus infections on the population and laboratory advances that have improved dengue diagnosis.

Retrospective study on dengue in Fortaleza, state of Ceará, Brazil.

A retrospective serologic study was carried out in Fortaleza, State of Ceará, Brazil, in order to detect the dengue virus activity before recognizing the epidemic of 1994. Mac-Elisa was performed by using a mixture of specific DEN-1 and DEN-2 antigens on serum samples from the Emilio Ribas Laboratory collection. Samples were obtained from 1,224 patients with exanthematic febrile disease and negative serological results for rubella. All specimens were taken during November 1993 to May 1994. The results confirmed dengue infections in Fortaleza by November 1993, approximately six months before the beginning of the epidemic, proving how misleading diagnosis of dengue infection are still troublesome, in spite of the strong dengue activity in Ceará. The authors stress the urgent necessity to implement the active surveillance system in order to prevent another extensive dengue fever epidemics in the state. Epidemiological background of the dengue activity in the State of Ceará is described.

Pulmonary function changes in the acute stage of histoplasmosis, with follow-up. An analysis of eight cases.

We have studied eight patients, six children and two adults, during a microepidemic of soil- and patient-proven histoplasmosis. Pulmonary function tests were performed between the 15th and 23rd days after the onset of symptoms, and repeated between the fifth and sixth, the ninth and tenth and the 15th and 22nd months afterward. Initial abnormalities were mild in seven cases and severe in one. There was a restrictive pattern in three cases and an obstructive pattern in two. The fraction of CO extraction was reduced in five cases and the diffusing capacity for CO was reduced in five of six cases so tested. Hypoxemia was present in three cases. On follow-up, the obstructive defect had disappeared by the sixth month, the restrictive pattern by the tenth month, and the diffusing defect still remained in three cases by the end of follow-up. Hypoxemia remained only in the severe case.