Early neonatal deaths with perinatal asphyxia in very low birth weight Brazilian infants.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of early deaths associated with birth asphyxia of very low birth weight infants between 2005 and 2010, in Brazil. STUDY DESIGN: This population study enrolled all live births with birth weight from 400 to 1499 g, gestational age ⩾ 22 weeks, without malformations that died up to 6 days after birth with perinatal asphyxia. Asphyxia was defined if intrauterine hypoxia, asphyxia at birth or meconium aspiration syndrome were written in any line of the death certificate. Active search was carried out in 27 Brazilian federative units. RESULT: For every 1000 live births of very low birth weight infants without congenital malformations, 40.25 and 32.38 died with birth asphyxia in the first week after birth, respectively, in 2005 and 2010 (P<0.001). The contribution of birth asphyxia to early neonatal death of these infants was approximately 10 to 12% all study years. CONCLUSION: Reduction of birth asphyxia in very low birth weight infants is essential to reducing neonatal mortality in Brazil.

Novo imunotipo de um genótipo variante do virus da bronquite infecciosa (vbi) isolado no Brasil definido pelo teste de proteção vacinal com a estirpe Massachussetts h120 / A new protectotype of a variant genotype of infectious bronchitis virus (ibv) isolated in Brazil defined by test of protection with Massachusetts h120 vaccine strain

Um grande número de genótipos e fenótipos do VBI (sorotipos e patótipos) aparece com frequência em todo o mundo, incluindo as cepas variantes encontradas no Brasil, apesar da vacinação rotineira que acontece neste país com estirpes do VBI Massachusetts. No entanto, agrupar isolados do VBI em imunotipos é mais relevante do ponto de vista prático, porque fornece informações diretas sobre a eficácia de uma vacina contra o VBI. Cepas do VBI que induzem proteção contra o outro pertencem ao mesmo imunotipo. Neste estudo, a proteção induzida pela vacina da estirpe Massachusetts (H120) foi avaliada após o desafio com uma estirpe variante do VBI isolado no Brasil. Doze frangos LPE (livres de patógenos específicos) foram vacinados via óculo-nasal aos 21 dias de idade e desafiados com isolados de campo 21 dias pós-vacinação. Três frangos foram sacrificados aos 4, 7, 11, 14 dias pós-infecção (dpi). Os sinais clínicos foram registrados e amostras de tecidos foram coletadas da traqueia, rins e gônadas, e avaliadas quanto à presença de lesões por exame histopatológico, à carga viral por RT-qPCR, ao tropismo viral por imuno-histoquímica, e estase traqueal ciliar. Sintomas respiratórios leves foram observados em aves vacinadas e desafiadas. Além disso, a VBI foi detectada em todos os órgãos de aves vacinadas, embora as cargas virais mais elevadas estivessem presentes em rins e testículos. As lesões traqueais foram mais proeminentes entre 4-7 dpi. Os rins apresentavam uma nefrite moderada entre 4-11 dpi, e o testículo apresentou degeneração das células dos túbulos seminíferos entre 7-14 dpi. Assim, a vacina H120 promoveu apenas uma proteção parcial contra esta variante brasileira com relação à infecção da traqueia e dos rins e nenhuma proteção cruzada para a infecção dos testículos. Concluindo, este estudo caracterizou um novo imunotipo de um genótipo variante do isolado do VBI brasileiro no que diz respeito à estirpe da vacina Massachusetts, que é utilizada no Brasil atualmente.

A high number of IBV genotypes and phenotypes (serotypes and pathotypes) are frequently emerging worldwide, including the variant strains found in Brazil, despite the routine vaccination in this country with Massachusetts IBV vaccine strains. However, grouping IBV strains into immunotypes or protectotypes is more relevant from a practical point of view, because it provides direct information about the efficacy of an IBV vaccine. IBV strains that induce protection against each other belong to the same protectotype. In this study, we conducted the evaluation of protection induced by the Massachusetts (H120) vaccine strain upon challenge with a variant strain of IBV isolated in Brazil. Twelve SPF (specific pathogen free) chickens were vaccinated with by oculo-nasal route at 21 days old and challenged with field isolate 21 days post-vaccination. Three birds were euthanized at 4, 7, 11, 14 days post-infection (dpi). Clinical signs were recorded and tissue samples were collected from trachea, kidney and gonads, and were evaluated for the presence of lesions by histopathology, viral load by RT-qPCR, viral tropism by immunohistochemistry, and tracheal ciliary stasis. Mild respiratory symptoms were observed in vaccinated and challenged chickens. Additionally, IBV was detected in all organs of vaccinated birds, though higher viral loads were present in kidneys and testicles. The tracheal lesions were more prominent between 4-7 dpi. The kidney showed a moderate nephritis between 4-11 dpi, and the testicle showed degeneration of the seminiferous tubules cells between 7-14 dpi. Thus, the H120 vaccine induced only a partial protection against this Brazilian variant isolate with regard to the infection of trachea and kidney and no cross-protection to the infection of testicles. In conclusion, a new protectotype. of a variant genotype of a Brazilian IBV isolate was characterized in this study with regard to Massachusetts vaccine strain which is currently used in Brazil.

Novo imunotipo de um genótipo variante do virus da bronquite infecciosa (vbi) isolado no Brasil definido pelo teste de proteção vacinal com a estirpe Massachussetts h120 / A new protectotype of a variant genotype of infectious bronchitis virus (ibv) isolated in Brazil defined by test of protection with Massachusetts h120 vaccine strain

Um grande número de genótipos e fenótipos do VBI (sorotipos e patótipos) aparece com frequência em todo o mundo, incluindo as cepas variantes encontradas no Brasil, apesar da vacinação rotineira que acontece neste país com estirpes do VBI Massachusetts. No entanto, agrupar isolados do VBI em imunotipos é mais relevante do ponto de vista prático, porque fornece informações diretas sobre a eficácia de uma vacina contra o VBI. Cepas do VBI que induzem proteção contra o outro pertencem ao mesmo imunotipo. Neste estudo, a proteção induzida pela vacina da estirpe Massachusetts (H120) foi avaliada após o desafio com uma estirpe variante do VBI isolado no Brasil. Doze frangos LPE (livres de patógenos específicos) foram vacinados via óculo-nasal aos 21 dias de idade e desafiados com isolados de campo 21 dias pós-vacinação. Três frangos foram sacrificados aos 4, 7, 11, 14 dias pós-infecção (dpi). Os sinais clínicos foram registrados e amostras de tecidos foram coletadas da traqueia, rins e gônadas, e avaliadas quanto à presença de lesões por exame histopatológico, à carga viral por RT-qPCR, ao tropismo viral por imuno-histoquímica, e estase traqueal ciliar. Sintomas respiratórios leves foram observados em aves vacinadas e desafiadas. Além disso, a VBI foi detectada em todos os órgãos de aves vacinadas, embora as cargas virais mais elevadas estivessem presentes em rins e testículos. As lesões traqueais foram mais proeminentes entre 4-7 dpi. Os rins apresentavam uma nefrite moderada entre 4-11 dpi, e o testículo apresentou degeneração das células dos túbulos seminíferos entre 7-14 dpi. Assim, a vacina H120 promoveu apenas uma proteção parcial contra esta variante brasileira com relação à infecção da traqueia e dos rins e nenhuma proteção cruzada para a infecção dos testículos. Concluindo, este estudo caracterizou um novo imunotipo de um genótipo variante do isolado do VBI brasileiro no que diz respeito à estirpe da vacina Massachusetts, que é utilizada no Brasil atualmente.(AU)

A high number of IBV genotypes and phenotypes (serotypes and pathotypes) are frequently emerging worldwide, including the variant strains found in Brazil, despite the routine vaccination in this country with Massachusetts IBV vaccine strains. However, grouping IBV strains into immunotypes or protectotypes is more relevant from a practical point of view, because it provides direct information about the efficacy of an IBV vaccine. IBV strains that induce protection against each other belong to the same protectotype. In this study, we conducted the evaluation of protection induced by the Massachusetts (H120) vaccine strain upon challenge with a variant strain of IBV isolated in Brazil. Twelve SPF (specific pathogen free) chickens were vaccinated with by oculo-nasal route at 21 days old and challenged with field isolate 21 days post-vaccination. Three birds were euthanized at 4, 7, 11, 14 days post-infection (dpi). Clinical signs were recorded and tissue samples were collected from trachea, kidney and gonads, and were evaluated for the presence of lesions by histopathology, viral load by RT-qPCR, viral tropism by immunohistochemistry, and tracheal ciliary stasis. Mild respiratory symptoms were observed in vaccinated and challenged chickens. Additionally, IBV was detected in all organs of vaccinated birds, though higher viral loads were present in kidneys and testicles. The tracheal lesions were more prominent between 4-7 dpi. The kidney showed a moderate nephritis between 4-11 dpi, and the testicle showed degeneration of the seminiferous tubules cells between 7-14 dpi. Thus, the H120 vaccine induced only a partial protection against this Brazilian variant isolate with regard to the infection of trachea and kidney and no cross-protection to the infection of testicles. In conclusion, a new protectotype. of a variant genotype of a Brazilian IBV isolate was characterized in this study with regard to Massachusetts vaccine strain which is currently used in Brazil.(AU)

New records of coastal fishes in the northern Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, with comments on the biogeography of the south-western Atlantic Ocean.

The distribution limits in the Atlantic of Callorhinchus callorynchus (Callorhinchidae) and Odontesthes argentinensis (Atherinopsidae) are extended northwards to 22° 22' S and 22° 31' S, respectively, whereas that of Lile piquitinga (Clupeidae) is extended southwards to 22° 22' S. Their occurrence in the north of Rio de Janeiro State is discussed. Remarks on the osteology of O. argentinensis, and morphometric and meristic data of L. piquitinga, are also provided.

Anorectal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Anorectal transplantation is a valid procedure for the treatment of anorectal dysfunction; however, the lack of a suitable animal model has hampered the development of this method. We describe a simple technique for anorectal transplantation in the rat and compare this procedure with colostomy. METHODS: The anorectal segment including the skin surrounding the anus were freed by abdominal and perineal dissection. In a heterotopically transplanted group the segment was exteriorized by the formation of an anus through an abdominal incision. In an orthotopically transplanted group the segment was replaced in its original position and reimplanted by suturing. In another group a distal colostomy was performed. A sham-treated control group (simulated surgical procedure) was also included. Changes in behavior, characteristics of the stool, body weight and survival rate were assessed by daily clinical examination. Moribund animals, those with a weight loss of more than 30%, and those surviving at 1 month were killed by an overdose of anesthetic. The results were analyzed using the Mann Whitney, Student's t and chi-squared tests, and p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Within 4 days after the operation, animals submitted to orthotopic or heterotopic transplantation had achieved normal defecation, body weight gain and clinical evolution similar to the sham-treated group. The overall mortality in these groups was 4.16%. In contrast, colostomized animals showed a high incidence of diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, stress posture and violent behavior (p

Chromosomal evolution in the Brazilian geckos of the genus Gymnodactylus (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) from the biomes of Cerrado, Caatinga and Atlantic rain forest: evidence of Robertsonian fusion events and supernumerary chromosomes.

Chromosomes of the South American geckos Gymnodactylus amarali and G. geckoides from open and dry areas of the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes in Brazil, respectively, were studied for the first time, after conventional and AgNOR staining, CBG- and RBG-banding, and FISH with telomeric sequences. Comparative analyses between the karyotypes of open areas and the previously studied Atlantic forest species G. darwinii were also performed. The chromosomal polymorphisms detected in populations of G. amarali from the states of Goiás and Tocantins is the result of centric fusions (2n = 38, 39 and 40), suggesting a differentiation from a 2n = 40 ancestral karyotype and the presence of supernumerary chromosomes. The CBG- and RBG-banding patterns of the Bs are described. G. geckoides has 40 chromosomes with gradually decreasing sizes, but it is distinct from the 2n = 40 karyotypes of G. amarali and G. darwinii due to occurrence of pericentric inversions or centromere repositioning. NOR location seems to be a marker for Gymnodactylus, as G. amarali and G. geckoides share a medium-sized subtelocentric NOR-bearing pair, while G. darwinii has NORs at the secondary constriction of the long arm of pair 1. The comparative analyses indicate a non-random nature of the Robertsonian rearrangements in the genus Gymnodactylus.

Chromosomal studies on sphaerodactyl lizards of genera Gonatodes and Coleodactylus (Squamata, Gekkonidae) using differential staining and fragile sites analyses.

The karyotypes of three species of sphaerodactyl gekkonid lizards are described after conventional and differential staining. Karyotypes of Gonatodeshumeralis and G. hasemani are formed by a gradual series of 32 acrocentric chromosomes, similar to those already published for other species of the genus. G. humeralis shows multiple Ag-NORs with intra-individual variability, and positive C-bands located at centromeric and telomeric regions of several chromosome pairs. Coleodactylus amazonicus, the first non-Gonatodes sphaerodactyl studied so far karyologically, exhibits 36 acrocentric/subtelocentric chromosomes and a single pair of Ag- NORs. Fragile sites were detected on two medium-sized chromosome pairs in the karyotype of G. humeralis, most of them obtained in BrdU-treated culture preparations. These sites may represent a putative fission/fusion spot involved in the differentiation of G. humeralis-like 2n = 32 and C. amazonicus-like 2n = 36 karyotypes. Our results, especially on the location of Ag-NORs and the description of fragile sites, are relevant in improving our knowledge about the events of chromosome evolution in this extremely variable and poorly known group of lizards.

Phase transitions in a model for the formation of herpes simplex ulcers.

The critical properties of a cellular automaton model describing the spreading of infection of the herpes simplex virus in corneal tissue are investigated through the dynamic Monte Carlo method. The model takes into account different cell susceptibilities to the viral infection, as suggested by experimental findings. In a two-dimensional square lattice the sites are associated with two distinct types of cells, namely, permissive and resistant to the infection. While a permissive cell becomes infected in the presence of a single infected cell in its neighborhood, a resistant cell needs to be surrounded by at least R>1 infected or dead cells in order to become infected. The infection is followed by the death of the cells resulting in ulcers whose forms may be dendritic (self-limited clusters) or amoeboid (percolating clusters) depending on the degree of resistance R of the resistant cells as well as on the density of permissive cells in the healthy tissue. We show that a phase transition between these two regimes occurs only for R>/=5 and, in addition, that the phase transition is in the universality class of the ordinary percolation.

Dynamics of HIV infection: a cellular automata approach.

We use a cellular automata model to study the evolution of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the onset of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The model takes into account the global features of the immune response to any pathogen, the fast mutation rate of the HIV, and a fair amount of spatial localization, which may occur in the lymph nodes. Our results reproduce the three-phase pattern observed in T cell and virus counts of infected patients, namely, the primary response, the clinical latency period, and the onset of AIDS. The dynamics of real experimental data is related to the transient behavior of our model and not to its steady state. We have also found that the infected cells organize themselves into spatial structures, which are responsible for the decrease on the concentration of uninfected cells, leading to AIDS.

Aging and gender affect the response of thyrotropin (TSH) to gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) in rats.

We had previously shown that GRP acts directly at the pituitary gland inhibiting basal and TRH-stimulated TSH secretion in adult male rats. In this study we showed a gender dimorphism in this response of old animals pituitaries to GRP. In both female and male young adult animals, GRP-incubated pituitaries showed approximately 50% less basal and TRH-stimulated TSH secretion to the medium, without affecting the pituitary content of TSH. However, GRP did not have any significant effect upon TSH secretion in old male rats, but the old female showed the same degree of response to GRP as the young adult female rat, regarding basal and TRH-stimulated TSH secretion, while the TSH pituitary content after GRP incubation was higher than that of the young female group. Our data suggest a loss of thyrotrope responsiveness to GRP in aged male rats that could contribute to the decrease in TSH pituitary stores leading to lower basal and TRH-stimulated TSH secretion. Meanwhile, the preservation of GRP responsiveness could help in the relative maintenance of these parameters in the old female rat.

Cluster of Candida parapsilosis primary bloodstream infection in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Candida parapsilosis is an increasingly important bloodstream pathogen in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). We investigated a cluster of bloodstream infections in a NICU to determine whether nosocomial transmission occurred. During a 3-day period, 3 premature infants hospitalized in the same unit presented with sepsis caused by C. parapsilosis. Electrophoretic karyotype of the organisms was performed by using pulsed field gel electrophoresis in a countour-clamped homogeneous electric field system. The isolate from 1 newborn could not be typed, and the isolates from the remaining 2 infants had identical patterns. All 3 cases are described. We conclude that nosocomial transmission of C. parapsilosis occurred and that neonates under intensive care may represent a risk group for this pathogen.

[Nursing as a history subject: reflecting on the theme]. / A enfermagem como objeto da história: uma reflexão sobre o tema.

In this study we propose a reflection on nursing as an object of history. Our proposal is based on studies which have dealt with the history of nursing in Brazil and with the new perspectives of history studies. Our reflection is guided by an analysis of the history of nursing in Brazil and the social circumstances which determined the development of this profession in this context. This research adopted methodological proposals which are usually used in historical studies. The data collection was done through oral history and the analysis of documentary sources. The review of the social phenomenon, through the data collected, showed the importance of studies of historic nature and how much these can help on the understanding of the nursing professional identity as well as on the strengthening of this category. We hope that this project motivates the production of other works on this subject and calls the attention for the importance of preserving our historical memory.

[Nursing research projects in CNPQ (National Council for Scientific and Technologic Development): their trajectory, themes and adherences--1998/2000]. / Os projetos de pesquisa de enfermagem no CNPq: seu percurso, suas temáticas, suas aderências--1998/2000.

The present study analyses the themes proposed by research projects in nursing. It focuses on the projects that were sent to a Brazilian governmental research fomentation agency--CNPq--in the period of time between November 1998 and November 2000. The objective of this work is to identify the recurrent themes proposed in nursing research projects, and discuss its adherence to lines of research under study by nursing professionals which have the support of CAPES. It also relates these themes to the priorities of research established by CNPq. In order to achieve the objectives mentioned, an exploratory and descriptive study was carried out. The primary sources were evaluation grids of research projects. The secondary sources were studies, written and statistics reports from CNPq. Results show that most of the scholarships awarded by CNPq are in the southeast region of Brazil, where a larger number of researchers and post-graduation programs are concentrated. It also reveals that there is a diversity of themes being explored and that there is a relation between the themes and the parameters adopted for the studies.

Differential distribution of a second type of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive amacrine cell in the chick retina.

A second population of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive amacrine cells was demonstrated in embryonic and adult chicken retinas by immunohistochemistry techniques in whole flat-mount preparations. The populations were differentiated on a basis of different immunostaining intensities, levels of stratification in the inner plexiform layer, and topographical distributions. Cells of one type were similar to the previously described dopaminergic amacrine cells, denoted here as tyrosine hydroxylase type 1 cells. Immunoreactive neurons of the second type observed in the present work had relatively smaller somata size, and weaker immunostaining than type 1 cells, and were located preferentially in the ventral retina. These tyrosine hydroxylase type 2 cells could be visualized from embryonic day 14 to 21 days after hatching animals. The distribution of the second population was coincident with that of the targets of centrifugal fibres and with cells involved in long proprioretinal connections. We propose that the tyrosine hydroxylase type 2 amacrine cells found in the ventral retina could mediate an important pathway to the upper half of the visual field so as to aid in the detection of predators.

Histogenesis and topographical distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive amacrine cells in the developing chick retina.

There is a delay from the time when amacrine cells are generated to the time when the dopaminergic phenotype is first expressed, in the chick retina. In order to determine the birthdate of amacrine cells expressing the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) phenotype, we combined autoradiography of [3H]thymidine incorporated into dividing cells with the immunocytochemical method for TH in mature retinas. We also investigated the morphogenesis and the topographical distribution of dopaminergic amacrine cells using radial and horizontal sections of the chick retina. Although TH immunoreactivity was first detected at E12, the morphological pattern of TH-immunoreactive (TH-IR) amacrine cells started to be defined at E16, with an increasing arborization complexity until hatching. The topographical distribution of dopaminergic cells revealed that TH-IR neurons were predominantly concentrated in the dorsal retina of E13 and E14 embryos. At E18 and PH2 the distribution of dopaminergic cells was uniform throughout the retina. Autoradiography of [3H]thymidine incorporated association with TH immunocytochemistry showed that dopaminergic amacrine cells are generated during a discrete period (E3 through E7) of amacrinogenesis that occurs from E3 to E9. Therefore, a delay of days between histogenesis of dopaminergic amacrine cells and their differentiation is observed.