Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi decrease Meloidogyne enterolobii infection of Guava seedlings.

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) production is prominent in the irrigated fruit growing area of Brazil. However, the parasite Meloidogyne enterolobii (a phytonematode) has caused a decrease in guava production. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to be beneficial to plants; however, their ability to protect plants against nematodes such as M. enterolobii remains poorly known. This study aimed to monitor M. enterolobii infection in guava seedlings inoculated with three AMF species. After AMF inoculation, the seedlings were grown in sterile soil for 60 days before inoculation with 2000 M. enterolobii eggs. Plant growth parameters, mycorrhizal colonization and the number of Meloidogyne in the roots were determined over time (30 and 60 days after Meloidogyne inoculation). The AMF enhanced guava seedling growth, and reduced the amount of Meloidogyne in the roots at 30 and 60 days after nematode inoculation, indicating that these AMF species could serve as biocontrol agents of M. enterolobii in guava cultivation.

Soft optoelectronic sensory foams with proprioception.

In a step toward soft robot proprioception, and therefore better control, this paper presents an internally illuminated elastomer foam that has been trained to detect its own deformation through machine learning techniques. Optical fibers transmitted light into the foam and simultaneously received diffuse waves from internal reflection. The diffuse reflected light was interpreted by machine learning techniques to predict whether the foam was twisted clockwise, twisted counterclockwise, bent up, or bent down. Machine learning techniques were also used to predict the magnitude of the deformation type. On new data points, the model predicted the type of deformation with 100% accuracy and the magnitude of the deformation with a mean absolute error of 0.06°. This capability may impart soft robots with more complete proprioception, enabling them to be reliably controlled and responsive to external stimuli.

Analysis of GATA1 mutations and leukemogenesis in newborns with Down syndrome.

It has been reported that patients with Down syndrome (DS) frequently develop transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) and less commonly myeloid leukemia in DS (ML-DS). We examined the pathogenetic relationship of these conditions with somatic mutations of the GATA1 gene in children with both TMD and ML-DS. To determine the incidence of GATA1 mutations in a cohort of DS patients and the applicability of these mutations as a clonal marker to detect minimal residual disease, we screened 198 samples of 169 patients with DS for mutations in GATA1 exon 2 by direct sequencing. Novel mutations were detected in four of the 169 DS patients (2 with TMD and 2 with ML-DS). We examined spontaneous remission and response to therapy in TMD and ML-DS patients and concluded that these mutations can be used as stable markers in PCR analysis to monitor these events.

Increase of lower esophageal sphincter pressure after osteopathic intervention on the diaphragm in patients with gastroesophageal reflux.

The treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease may be clinical or surgical. The clinical consists basically of the use of drugs; however, there are new techniques to complement this treatment, osteopathic intervention in the diaphragmatic muscle is one these. The objective of the study is to compare pressure values in the examination of esophageal manometry of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) before and immediately after osteopathic intervention in the diaphragm muscle. Thirty-eight patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease - 16 submitted to sham technique and 22 submitted osteopathic technique - were randomly selected. The average respiratory pressure (ARP) and the maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) of the LES were measured by manometry before and after osteopathic technique at the point of highest pressure. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney, and magnitude of the technique proposed was measured using the Cohen's index. Statistically significant difference in the osteopathic technique was found in three out of four in relation to the group of patients who performed the sham technique for the following measures of LES pressure: ARP with P= 0.027. The MEP had no statistical difference (P= 0.146). The values of Cohen d for the same measures were: ARP with d= 0.80 and MEP d= 0.52. Osteopathic manipulative technique produces a positive increment in the LES region soon after its performance.

Cyclooxygenase-2 contributes to functional changes seen on experimental hemorrhagic cystitis induced by ifosfamide in rat urinary bladder.

PURPOSE: Ifosfamide (IFS) is often involved in the occurrence of hemorrhagic cystitis due to direct contact of its metabolite acrolein with uroepithelium. It has been shown that COX-2 is involved in this pathogenesis. Thus, we aimed to study the functional changes on the urinary bladder in the putative modifications induced by IFS, as well as the COX-2 role in this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IFS-treated rats were evaluated by cystometrography in absence or presence of COX inhibitors indomethacin or etoricoxib or in the presence of mesna. Experiments with isolated strips of urinary bladder obtained from animals with IFS-induced cystitis, either treated or not treated with COX inhibitors or mesna, were performed. Histological analyses, immunohistochemistry for COX-2, and measurement of plasma PGE(2) were also performed. RESULTS: IFS treatment caused severe inflammation of the bladder tissue. Cystometrography recordings of IFS-treated rats revealed bladder with increased micturition frequency and enhanced filling intravesical pressure. Contractility of the isolated smooth muscle from the rat's bladder with IFS-induced cystitis showed decreased force development in response to KCl and CCh. Almost all effects induced by IFS were ameliorated by the use of COX inhibitors or mesna. Enzyme expression in the urinary bladder tissue was positive, and plasma concentration of PGE(2) was increased in IFS-treated animals and decreased significantly in etoricoxib-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: IFS causes important changes in the micturition physiology in rats, and the inhibition of the isoenzyme COX-2 could be an important event that could prevent the detrimental effects elicited by IFS-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

Molecular and chromosomal mutations among children with B-lineage lymphoblastic leukemia in Brazil's Federal District.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for approximately 80% of all acute leukemias during childhood. Chromosomal anomalies resulting from gene fusion, which are frequent in leukemias, create hybrid transcripts, the great majority of which encode transcription factors. We analyzed 88 pediatric patients (median age 7.3 years) who had B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, to look for gene fusion transcripts of TEL/AML1, E2A/PBX1, BCR/ABL p190, and MLL/AF4. The frequencies of these transcripts were 21.21, 9.68, 3.03, and 0%, respectively. All positive cases had a common B-ALL immunophenotype. The low frequency of the TEL/AML1 transcript that is found in developing countries, such as Brazil, may be due to the low incidence of leukemia; this would support Greaves' hypothesis.

Changes in hepatitis A virus seroepidemiology in HIV-infected Brazilian patients.

Shifting of hepatitis A virus (HAV) epidemiology from a high towards an intermediate endemicity pattern and use of antiretroviral therapy increased the risk of HIV/HAV coinfection in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of HAV markers in a cohort of HIV-infected patients from 1988 to 2004. The presence of serum anti-HAV antibodies and HAV-RNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction was investigated in 581 patients. Total anti-HAV antibodies was found in 464/581 (79.8%) patients, however, a changing epidemiologic pattern of hepatitis A among HIV-infected patients from 1988 to 2004 was observed. Among patients susceptible to HAV (n = 117), 5 (4.2%) were coinfected with HAV, all of them had IgM anti-HAV antibodies and were serum HAV-RNA-positive. The high prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in HIV-infected patients suggests that screening tests for anti-HAV antibodies should be performed before implementation of hepatitis A vaccination, especially in those patients from endemic countries.

TcZFP8, a novel member of the Trypanosoma cruzi CCHC zinc finger protein family with nuclear localization.

In a 17-kb genomic fragment of Trypanosoma cruzi chromosome XX, we identified three tandemly linked genes coding for CX(2)CX(4)HX(4)C zinc finger proteins. We also showed that similar genes are present in T. brucei and Leishmania major, sharing three monophyletic groups among these trypanosomatids. In T. cruzi, TcZFP8 corresponds to a novel gene coding for a protein containing eight zinc finger motifs. Molecular cloning of this gene and heterologous expression as a fusion with a His-tag were performed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant protein was used to produce antibody in rabbits. Using Western blot analysis, we observed the presence of this protein in all three forms of the parasite: amastigote, trypomastigote and epimastigote. An analysis of cytoplasmic and nuclear cell extracts showed that this protein is present in nuclear extracts, and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed the nuclear localization of TcZFP8. Homologues of TcZFP8 in T. brucei are apparently absent, while one candidate in L. major was identified.

Bacterial complications of postpartum uterine involution in cattle.

The bacterial contamination of the postpartum uterus is a frequent finding which by itself does not disturb the anatomical and histological restoration of tubular genital tract. The improper balance between uterine infection and the intrauterine antimicrobial self-defence mechanisms, however, often results in complications, such as puerperal metritis, clinical endometritis, pyometra and subclinical endometritis. After reviewing the bacteriology of uterine involution, and the predisposing factors for its bacterial complications, this paper defines the different clinical forms, and summarizes their pathology, furthermore, the recent progress in diagnostic considerations and principles of current treatments for these diseases of bovine genitals.

Zonation of ciliated cells on the epithelium of the rat trachea.

We have used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to screen the entire epithelial surface of the cervical trachea of the adult rat. This scrutiny revealed that the density of ciliated cells along this epithelium follows a repetitive pattern: circular strips of high density of ciliated cells alternate with areas of low density of the same cells. Cilia-poor strips of the tracheal epithelium were seen on areas of cartilage rings; here, ciliated cells made up 32% of the total surface of the tracheal lining. Cilia-rich areas filled the epithelial surface at the tracheal ligaments (i.e., the regions located in-between the rings); here, ciliated cells occupied 65% of the tracheal lumen. In the cilia-poor zones, the density of ciliated cells decreased from its periphery into its center, where cilia were virtually absent. No differences in this pattern of the tracheal epithelium were seen between young adult and older rats. We conclude that the respiratory epithelium expresses density zonation of ciliated cells on the trachea of adult rats. We propose that the high concentration of ciliated cells on the regions of epithelium located at the tracheal ligaments suggests that these zones are electively committed in the clearance of the respiratory airway.

Malnutrition during lactation as a metabolic imprinting factor inducing the feeding pattern of offspring rats when adults. The role of insulin and leptin.

The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of malnutrition during early postnatal life and the feeding pattern of rat offspring when adults (2 months and 1 year old). In comparison with rats normally fed during lactation, we observed that adult offspring displayed a faster process of feeding reduction when a protein-free diet was offered. In addition, we studied the concentration of insulin and leptin in the lactating pups (10 days) and when these offspring became adult after the onset of a new feeding pattern induced by the protein-free diet. When the diet was changed at 60 days, the offspring malnourished during lactation displayed, after 3 days, a food intake reduction around 41.4 vs 14.2% of the control group. At 10 days of life, plasma leptin and insulin were higher in the malnourished pups when compared with normally fed rats (leptin: 4.6 +/- 0.8 vs 2.25 ng/ml; insulin: 0.73 +/- 0.12 vs 0.22 +/- 0.03 ng/ml) while at 60 days they showed reduction of both hormones when compared with the control group (leptin: 1.03 +/- 0.25 vs 1.43 +/- 0.5 ng/ml; insulin: 0.54 +/- 0.3 vs 0.61 +/- 0.4 ng/ml). Despite the different food intake reductions, the malnourished and control rats displayed a similar reduction of insulin and leptin after 3 days of protein-free diet (from 60 to 63 days). The data suggest that the high concentration of insulin and leptin found at 10 days in the malnourished pups may elicit a sustained long-term and unique feeding pattern.

Malnutrition during lactation as a metabolic imprinting factor inducing the feeding pattern of offspring rats when adults. The role of insulin and leptin

The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of malnutrition during early postnatal life and the feeding pattern of rat offspring when adults (2 months and 1 year old). In comparison with rats normally fed during lactation, we observed that adult offspring displayed a faster process of feeding reduction when a protein-free diet was offered. In addition, we studied the concentration of insulin and leptin in the lactating pups (10 days) and when these offspring became adult after the onset of a new feeding pattern induced by the protein-free diet. When the diet was changed at 60 days, the offspring malnourished during lactation displayed, after 3 days, a food intake reduction around 41.4 vs 14.2 percent of the control group. At 10 days of life, plasma leptin and insulin were higher in the malnourished pups when compared with normally fed rats (leptin: 4.6 0.8 vs 2.25 ng/ml; insulin: 0.73 0.12 vs 0.22 0.03 ng/ml) while at 60 days they showed reduction of both hormones when compared with the control group (leptin: 1.03 0.25 vs 1.43 0.5 ng/ml; insulin: 0.54 0.3 vs 0.61 0.4 ng/ml). Despite the different food intake reductions, the malnourished and control rats displayed a similar reduction of insulin and leptin after 3 days of protein-free diet (from 60 to 63 days). The data suggest that the high concentration of insulin and leptin found at 10 days in the malnourished pups may elicit a sustained long-term and unique feeding pattern

Genotypic and phenotypic evidence of different drug-resistance mutation patterns between B and non-B subtype isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 found in Brazilian patients failing HAART.

We have investigated the phenotypic and genotypic susceptibility of 14 HIV-1 strains isolated from individuals failing HAART therapy to protease inhibitors (PI). Proviral and plasma viral pol gene fragment were amplified, sequenced and subtyped. Nine samples clustered with protease subtype B reference strains and the remaining samples were classified as non-B subtype corresponding to subtype F (n = 4) and subtype A (n = 1). Although all patients were treated with similar P1 drug regimen, the non-B subtype isolates did not present the L90M and 184V mutations and used mainly G48V and V82A/F to achieve drug resistance. A strong cross-resistance phenotype among all four PI was associated with the mutation L90M in the subtype-B isolates, and with G48V and V82A/F in the non-B counterparts. This observation revealed that the non-B viruses tested had specific genotypic characteristics contrasting with the subtype-B isolates.

Mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor of the appendix vermiformis in a patient with aids.

Mycobacterial pseudotumor (MP) is a rare pathologic presentation of both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease, hitherto reported to occur only in immunosuppressed patients with or without human immunodeficiency virus infection. This lesion shares close pathologic resemblance to certain mesenchymal neoplasms, particularly Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), from which it must be properly differentiated due to distinct prognosis and therapy. We report a case of MP obliterating the lumen of the appendix vermiformis in a 34-year-old patient who died of complications of AIDS at our hospital in Rio de Janeiro. A total of 24 cases of MP (including our patient) have been described in the literature. MP has been found especially in lymph nodes, but extranodal lesions have been described in the skin, spleen, lung, bone marrow, brain and, in our patient, the appendix vermiformis. We offer a review of the other 23 published case reports of MP in both HIV-infected and uninfected patients and discuss the pathologic features that differentiate MP from KS.

Myelopathy in a previously asymptomatic HIV-1-infected patient.

A wide variety of disorders of diverse pathogenic mechanisms can trigger spinal cord dysfunction in HIV-1-infected patients. The most common such condition is HIV-1-associated myelopathy (HM) which characteristically complicates advanced HIV-1 disease in patients with low CD4 cell counts and previous AIDS-defining diagnoses. We describe an unusual presentation of HM in a previously asymptomatic patient with a relatively preserved CD4 cell count (458 cells/mm3) who was even unaware of his serological status. The patient presented with a clinically severe, slowly progressive myelopathy and could not walk unassisted. Significant neurological improvement could be obtained as rapidly as within 4 weeks after the institution of an antiretroviral combination of only two nucleoside analog HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors (zidovudine and didanosine). An HIV-1 protease inhibitor was also prescribed at that point but could only be added to intensify the regimen 3 months later, when significant neurological improvement had already been recorded. We also review the disorders reported to derange spinal cord function in previously asymptomatic HIV-1-infected patients.

Macrocytosis in patients on stavudine.

We retrospectively reviewed the effects on the erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of the use of stavudine-including antiretroviral regimens in both zidovudine-naive and zidovudine-experienced HIV-infected patients. Macrocytosis was commonly observed among patients on stavudine-based regimens although the MCV usually stabilized at a lower level than that observed with zidovudine.

[Social representations of health and disease and the implications in nursing care: a structural analysis]. / Representações sociais da saúde e doença e implicações para o cuidar em enfermagem: uma análise estrutural.

This study characterizes the social representations of the health-disease process of subjects resident in two districts of São Paulo, in order to identify the needs of health and the orientation of the nursing action. Free evocations recollections from 418 adults on the themes health and disease. Data analyse was developed thought a descriptive and structural analysis of the social representations, through the methodology of construction of the "picture of four houses", categorization and similitude analysis. The results show central senses of the representation, the possitiveness of the health, are anchored in a divine entity, and accompanied of notions that associate health to prevention of diseases, to biological needs, to activity and to which the attitude assumed to the disease. The representation structure of disease is similar, in inverse sense, to the one of the health: god is the center of the social representation, in its negative version, being expressed in the body through the pain, of the death and the inactivity and--in the spirit--through the sadness and of the depression. The discussion is that psychological character of health and of disease, that is expressed under the psychosocial needs committed, and the consequent need of rethinking the technological model of work in nursing.

Drug-resistant reverse transcriptase genotyping and phenotyping of B and non-B subtypes (F and A) of human immunodeficiency virus type I found in Brazilian patients failing HAART.

Development of drug resistance is the inevitable consequence of incomplete suppression of virus plasma levels in HIV-1-infected patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy. Resistance mutations previously characterized have been found in B subtype viruses of developed countries. Moreover, mutation profiles for non-B and more divergent B subtype viruses found in developing countries shall be analyzed together with their ex vivo phenotyping in order to establish an exact correlation between the genotyping data and the clinical management counseling for those uncommon virus subtypes. In the present study, we evaluated the mutation profile for individuals infected with B subtype and non-B subtype viruses. Viral DNA fragments corresponding to the RT gene were amplified, sequenced, and subtyped. Phenotyping analysis for reverse transcriptase nucleoside (NRTI) and nonnucleoside inhibitor susceptibility was performed using the recombinant virus assay technology. Brazilian non-B subtypes (subtype F, n = 4, and subtype A, n = 1) isolates showed essentially the same B subtype mutation profile, presenting an NRTI drug resistance with similar MIC50% and MIC90% values for all drugs analyzed regardless of their subtypes. A strong cross-resistance phenotype among AZT, 3TC, and abacavir could be seen in all isolates analyzed. A novel result was that some RT sequences not only revealed the presence of G333D/E mutations but also correlated to the presence of mutation T386I that could abrogate the M184V-surpassing effect of L210W or L210W plus G333D/E. These findings suggest that Brazilian non-B subtype HIV-1 strains use an identical RT drug resistance mutation pattern when compared to B isolates and will contribute to the validation of the genotypic and phenotypic tests in these predominant worldwide-spread viral variants.

Levels of free PABP are limited by newly polyadenylated mRNA in early Spisula embryogenesis.

The poly(A) tail of eukaryotic mRNAs regulates translation and RNA stability through an association with the poly(A)-binding protein (PABP). The role of PABP in selective polyadenylation/deadenylation and translational recruitment/repression of maternal mRNAs that occurs in early development is not fully understood. Here, we report studies including UV-crosslinking and immunoblotting assays to characterise PABP in the early developmental stages of the clam Spisula solidissima. A single, 70 kDa PABP, whose sequence is highly homologous to vertebrate, yeast and plant PABPs, is detected in oocytes. The levels of clam PABP are constant in early embryogenesis, although its ability to crosslink labelled poly(A) is 'masked' shortly after fertilisation and remains so until the larval stage. Full RNA-binding potential of PABP in embryo lysates was achieved by brief denaturation with guanidinium hydrochloride followed by dilution for binding and crosslinking or by controlled treatment of lysates with Ca(2+)-dependent micrococcal nuclease. Masking of PABP, which accompanies cytoplasmic polyadenylation in maturing oocytes and in in vitro activated oocyte lysates, is very likely due to an association with mRNAs that bear new PABP target binding sites and thus prevent protein binding to the labelled A-rich probe. Functional implications of these findings as well as the potential application of this unmasking method to other RNA-binding proteins is discussed.

Genomic variations of hepatitis B virus strains in patients chronically coinfected with hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency viruses.

Serum samples from 56 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected adult men were analysed for the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers. Two or more samples from each patient, collected over an interval of 1-6 years, were tested. The antibody against HBV core antigen (anti-HBc) prevalence was 79%. Three (5%) patients No. 5, 7, and 9 were chronic carriers of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). HBV DNAs from serial samples of these three patients and from two HIV-seronegative control patients were characterised after amplification of different genome regions by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Size and restriction analyses of the PCR products showed that samples from patients No. 7 (with chronic active hepatitis) and 9 (asymptomatic) contained heterogeneous HBV DNA populations. In patient No. 7, HBV DNA contained a precore gene stop codon mutation at nucleotide (nt) 1896. In addition, a deletion in the core gene was found in a sample collected two years after the onset of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). PCR products from serial samples of patient No. 9 indicated a mixture of HBV DNA molecules that were cloned. Sequencing of the pre-S region of the clones and phylogenetic analysis showed that patient No. 9 was superinfected with three HBV populations of distinct origin, all belonging to genotype A. HBV DNA of patient No. 5 (with AIDS) did not present any variability during a 6-year follow-up. Although two of three HIV/HBV coinfected patients harboured heterogeneous HBV DNA populations during the follow-up, no common event with respect to HBV DNA evolution was observed among the coinfected patients.