Ecophysiological mechanisms and growth of Inga vera Willd. under different water and light availability.

Light and water availability can impact plant survival and growth, making ecophysiological studies crucial for understanding their tolerance and to single and combined stresses. The aimed of this study was to investigate the physiological and growth responses of Inga vera Willd. plants induced by different water regimes and light intensities. Three water regimes were implemented based on substrate water retention capacity (WRC) - 50%, 75%, and 100%, along with shading levels (SH) - 0% (full sun), 30%, and 70%. Evaluations were conducted at 25 and 50 days after applying the water regimes, and during a recovery period of 30 days when all treatments were maintained at 75% of WRC. Photochemical efficiency, gas exchange, chlorophylls indices, growth, quality of the seedlings and content proline amino acid were assessed. Overall, I. vera plants showed greater sensitivity to increased exposure to light than to low water availability. The interaction of SH + WRC was beneficial for the gas exchange and chlorophylls indices characteristics under SH 70% + WRC 75-100% at 25 and 50 days, with higher results, greater plant growth and higher proline contents for leaves and roots under SH 30% and 70% + WRC 50%, 75% and 100% at 25 and 50 days. There was no recovery effect for seedlings grown in full sun. The plants grown under shade during the recovery period maintained their values for most of the characteristics evaluated. SH 30% + WRC 75% contributed to an increase in photosynthetic metabolism and, as a result, to the quality of the seedlings.

Association and decontamination of Bacillus spores in a simulated drinking water system.

The objective of this work was to elucidate the disinfectant susceptibility of Bacillus anthracis Sterne (BA) and a commercial preparation of Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) spores associated with a simulated drinking water system. Biofilms composed of indigenous water system bacteria were accumulated on copper and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe material surfaces in a low-flow pipe loop and uniformly mixed tank reactor (CDC biofilm reactor). Application of a distributed shear during spore contact resulted in approximately a 1.0 and 1.6 log10 increase in the number of spores associated with copper and PVC surfaces, respectively. Decontamination of spores in both free suspension and after association with biofilm-conditioned pipe materials was attempted using free chlorine and monochloramine. Associated spores required 5- to 10-fold higher disinfectant concentrations to observe the same reduction of viable spores as in suspension. High disinfectant concentrations (103 mg/L free chlorine and 49 mg/L monochloramine) yielded less than a 2-log10 reduction in viable associated spores after 60 min. Spores associated with biofilms on copper surfaces consistently yielded higher Ct values than PVC.

Bacillus anthracis spore suspensions: determination of stability and comparison of enumeration techniques.

AIM: To determine the stability and variability in concentration of spore suspensions of Bacillus anthracis (BA) spore suspensions by comparing different methods of enumeration and to detect changes, if any, under different storage conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plate and microscope counts were compared to measuring the genomic equivalents based on DNA content BA spore suspensions. We developed chemical methods to extract spore DNA and extra-spore (ES) DNA. DNA mass was determined by gel electrophoresis and QPCR assays were developed using the markers on the chromosome (rpoB) and the pXO1 plasmid (pag). The plate counts and microscope counts were very stable (for up to 900 days). The effect of freezing and the presence of additives in samples were tested for up to 300 days, and the results indicated that the additives tested and freezing did not decrease the viability or microscope counts. CONCLUSIONS: Bacillus anthracis spore suspensions can be stored for long periods of time without significant loss of viability or clumping. The content of ES DNA was variable and changed with time. SIGNIFICANT AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study shows that BA spore suspensions can be developed for reference materials providing a uniform basis for comparing detection equipment and results from different laboratories.

Carcinoma in jejunal pancreatic heterotopia.

BACKGROUND: Although heterotopic pancreas in the gastrointestinal tract is not uncommon, jejunal pancreatic heterotopia is a rare finding, and malignant transformation in such a location is very unusual. METHODS: We encountered a case of jejunal carcinoma in pancreatic heterotopia and because of its rarity, we reviewed the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology experience as well as the literature. The clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features were studied. RESULTS: In 109 patients diagnosed as having pancreatic heterotopia in the gastrointestinal tract between 1970 and 1997 at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 67 cases (62%) occurred in the stomach, 42 (38%) in the small intestine, and none in the large intestine. We found 2 patients with adenocarcinoma arising in pancreatic heterotopia. The 2 cases arose in the jejunum. One was of the ductal type, while the other was an acinar cell carcinoma with focal ductular differentiation. In both cases the nontumoral pancreatic tissue contained ducts, acini, and islets. Review of the literature yielded 26 reports of 28 cases of carcinoma arising in heterotopic pancreas; of these, 18 were well documented. Only 1 occurred in the jejunum, and none was of the acinar type. CONCLUSIONS: Carcinoma in pancreatic heterotopia is rare, and acinar cell carcinoma in pancreatic heterotopia is extremely rare. Recognition of carcinoma in pancreatic heterotopia is important to prevent its misinterpretation as a metastatic tumor.

Paradigm shift, metamorphosis of medical ethics, and the rise of bioethics.

Both the increasing incorporation of medical technology and new social demands (including those for health care) beginning in the 1960s have brought about significant changes in medical practice. This situation has in turn sparked a growth in the philosophical debate over problems pertaining to ethical practice. These issues no longer find answers in the Hippocratic ethical model. The authors believe that the crisis in Hippocratic ethics could be described as a period of paradigm shift in which a new set of values appears to be emerging. Beginning with the bioethics movement, the authors expound on the different ethical theories applied to medical practice and conclude that principlism is the most appropriate approach for solving the new moral dilemma imposed on clinical practice.

[Torsion of wandering spleen. An unusual case of abdominal pain]. / Torção de baço flutuante. Uma situação rara de dor abdominal.

Wandering spleen is uncommon and of difficult diagnosis. New Imaging Modalities (Eco; TC), can suggest or confirm the preoperative diagnosis of wandering spleen, permitting conservative surgery, mainly in children. We report two cases of wandering spleen. The first one, with acute surgical abdomen and tumor on left iliac fossa, operated as an ovarian cyst torsion: the laparotomy showed a necrotic spleen in pelvis. The second case presented as intestinal sub-occlusion with recurrent abdominal pain, and a left iliac fossa movable tumor. It was diagnosed by eco and radionuclides before laparotomy. Even diagnosed in different ways, the surgical treatment was the same.

[Clinical and epidemiological evaluation of Hansen's disease August 1937 to December 1980 in the Sanitary Dermatology Service of the Health Center of Campos, RJ]. / Avaliação clínica e epidemiológica da hanseníase no período de agosto de 1937 a dezembro de 1980, no Serviço de Dermatologia Sanitária do Centro de Saúde de Campos--RJ.

Resulting from the the research that has been performed in the Health Center of Campos--RJ, Sanitary Dermatology Service, a total of 854 cases of Hansen's disease were analysed in its principal clinical and epidemiological aspects, in the period from August 1937 until December 1980.

Avaliacao clinica e epidemiologica da hanseniase no periodo de agosto de 1937 a dezembro de 1980, no Servico de Dermatologia Sanitaria do Centro de Saude de Campos - RJ. / Clinical and epidemiological evaluation of Hansen's disease in the period from August 1937 to December 1980, in the Sanitary Dermatology Service of the Health Center of Campos - RJ

Resultante de pesquisa realizada no Centro de Saude de Campos - RJ, Servico de Dermatologia Sanitaria, analisa-se um total de 854 casos de hanseniase, no periodo de agosto de 1937 a dezembro de 1980, em seus principais aspectos clinicos e epidemiologicos