Comparison between nerve conduction study and high-resolution ultrasonography with color doppler in type 1 and type 2 leprosy reactions.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the role of high-resolution ultrasonography with color Doppler (HRUS with CD) to diagnose inflammatory activity (IA) in nerves of leprosy patients under type 1 (RT1) and 2 (RT2) reactions compared to Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS). METHODS: Leprosy patients with signs or symptoms suggestive of neuritis (RT1 and RT2) without corticosteroids use were selected. They were evaluated by NCS and subsequently by HRUS with CD. Subacute segmental demyelination and the presence of blood flow, respectively, were considered signs of IA. The two methods were compared for their ability to diagnose patients with leprosy reactions. RESULTS: A total of 257 nerves from 35 patients were evaluated. NCS and HRUS with CD diagnosed IA in 68% and 74% of patients, respectively. When both methods were used concomitantly, the diagnosis rate was 91.4%. HRUS with CD was particular helpful when there was minimal neurophysiological compromise in NCS or when motor potentials were not detected. CONCLUSION: HRUS with CD was able to detect leprosy reactions, especially when combined with NCS. It was especially useful in two opposite situations: nerves with only minor changes and those without motor response in NCS. SIGNIFICANCE: Our data shows the usefulness of HRUS and CD, similar to NCS, as a tool to diagnose leprosy reactions.

Morfogênese do capim faixa-branca submetido à adubação nitrogenada / Morphogenesis of digit grass submitted to nitrogen fertilization

Objetivou-se avaliar as características morfogênicas, estruturais e produtivas do capim Faixa-Branca (Digitaria eriantha) submetido à adubação nitrogenada, no período de janeiro a maio de 2014. Foram avaliadas cinco doses de nitrogênio: 0; 100; 200; 300 e 500 kg/ha. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. A adubação nitrogena-da não influenciou o comprimento final das folhas, a taxa de senescência foliar, o número de folhas vivas por perfilho, a altura das plantas e a relação folha:colmo do capim Faixa-Branca. As taxas de aparecimento e de alongamento de folhas, a densidade populacional de perfilhos e os acúmulos de forragem, de folhas, de colmos e de material morto do capim Faixa-Branca foram influenciados pelas doses de nitrogênio, ajustando-se a uma equação quadrática pelas doses de nitrogênio, em que a maior quantidade de nitrogênio aplicada aumentou os valores destas taxas, atingindo pon-tos de máximo com doses entre 300 e 400 kg/ha. O filocrono e a duração de vida das folhas foram afetados de maneira quadrática negativa pelas doses de nitrogênio. De maneira semelhante, o aumento na quantidade de nitrogênio aplicada diminuiu os valores destas taxas, atingindo pontos de mínimo com doses entre 300 e 400 kg/ha, segundo as respectivas equações ajustadas. A taxa de alongamento de colmo aumentou linearmente com a dose de nitrogênio. O capim Faixa-Branca apresenta maior renovação de tecidos e produtividade quando adubado. A melhoria nas caracte-rísticas produtivas do capim Faixa-Branca atingem valores máximos com doses de nitrogênio em torno de 300 kg/ha...(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphogenetic, structural and produc-tive characteristics of digit grass (Digitaria eriantha) submitted to nitrogen fertilization from Janu-ary to May 2014. Five nitrogen doses were evaluated: 0, 100, 200, 300 and 500 kg/ha. A randomized block design with four replicates was used. Nitrogen fertilization did not influence the final leaf length, leaf senescence rate, number of live leaves per tiller, plant height, or leaf:stem ratio of digit grass. The leaf emergence and elongation rates, tiller population density and forage, leaf stem and dead material accumulation rates were influenced by the nitrogen doses, fitting a quadratic equation in which the highest nitrogen dose applied increased these rates, with the maximum rates being reached at doses of 300 to 400 kg/ha. The nitrogen doses exerted a negative quadratic effect on the phyllochron and leaf lifespan, in which these rates decreased with increasing nitrogen dose, reaching minimum values at doses of 300 to 400 kg/ha according to the respective equations. The stem elongation rate increased linearly with increasing nitrogen dose. Fertilization increases the tissue renewal and productivity of digit grass. The improvement in the productive characteristics of digit grass reaches maximum values at nitrogen doses of about 300 kg/ha...(AU)

Caracterização da silagem da rama da batata doce emurchecida e adicionada de fubá de milho como aditivo / Characterization of silage made from sweet potato vines using corn meal as additive

Objetivou-se investigar as características fermentativas e nutricionais da rama da batata doce (Ipomoea batatas) na forma de silagem utilizando níveis de fubá de milho como aditivo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com sete níveis de aditivo (fubá de milho) (0; 5; 10; 15; 20; 25 e 30%) e quatro repetições, totalizando 28 mini silos laboratoriais (unidades experimentais).Efeito quadrático foi observado nos teores de matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), proteína insolúvel em detergente neutro (PIDN), proteína insolúvel em detergente ácido (PIDA) e carboidratos totais das silagens da rama da batata doce com diferentes níveis de aditivo. Houve aumento no teor de MS com adição do aditivo, e a PB reduziu de 11,23% (zero aditivo) para 9,46% (30% aditivo) nas silagens da rama da batata doce. Os teores da PIDN e PIDA foram menores das silagens da rama da batata com 30% de aditivo (1,15% e 0,70%, respectivamente). Não foi observada diferença significativa nos teores de matéria orgânica, cinzas, extrato etéreo, fibra em detergente ácido, fibra em detergente neutro e nutrientes digestíveis totais nas silagens da rama da batata doce em relação aos níveis de aditivos. Na avaliação dos parâmetros fermentativos, foi observado efeito quadrático no pH, nitrogênio amoniacal, em porcentagem do nitrogênio total [N-NH3 (%NT)], perda por gases e perda por efluentes das silagens da rama da batata doce com diferentes níveis de aditivo. Menor valor de pH foi observado no nível de 15% de aditivo (3,31) e maiores nos níveis 20%, 25% e 30% de aditivo (3,88; 3,89 e 3,88, respectivamente)...(AU)

The objective of this study was to investigate the fermentative and nutritional characteristics of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) vine silage using different levels of corn meal as additive. A completely randomized design consisting of seven levels of the additive (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% corn meal) and four replicates was used, totaling 28 laboratory mini-silos (experimental units). The different levels of additive in sweet potato vine silage exerted quadratic effects on the content of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent insoluble protein (NDIP), acid detergent insoluble protein (ADIP), and total carbohydrates. There was an increase in DM content with inclusion of the additive and CP was reduced from 11.23% (no additive) to 9.46% (30% additive) in sweet potato vine silage. NDIP and ADIP content was lower in sweet potato vine silage containing 30% additive (1.15% and 0.70%, respectively). No significant differences in organic matter, ashes, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, or total digestible nutrients were observed between the different levels of additive. Regarding fermentative parameters, a quadratic effect of sweet potato vine silage containing different additive levels was observed on pH, ammoniacal nitrogen as a percentage of total nitrogen [N-NH3 (%NT)], and losses from gases and effluent. A lower pH was observed at a level of the additive of 15% (3.31) and higher values at levels of 20%, 25% and 30% (3.88, 3.89 and 3.88, respectively). The N-NH3 values (%NT) ranged from 2.84% (no additive) to 3.59% (15% additive), and the lowest loss from gases and effluents was 2.38% DM and 199 kg/t in sweet potato vine silages containing 30% and 10% additive, respectively. Sweet potato vine is a good-quality roughage alternative that can be stored as silage, as along as a water-absorbing additive such as corn meal is used at a level no less than 20%...(AU)

Caracterização da silagem da rama da batata doce emurchecida e adicionada de fubá de milho como aditivo / Characterization of silage made from sweet potato vines using corn meal as additive

Objetivou-se investigar as características fermentativas e nutricionais da rama da batata doce (Ipomoea batatas) na forma de silagem utilizando níveis de fubá de milho como aditivo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com sete níveis de aditivo (fubá de milho) (0; 5; 10; 15; 20; 25 e 30%) e quatro repetições, totalizando 28 mini silos laboratoriais (unidades experimentais).Efeito quadrático foi observado nos teores de matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), proteína insolúvel em detergente neutro (PIDN), proteína insolúvel em detergente ácido (PIDA) e carboidratos totais das silagens da rama da batata doce com diferentes níveis de aditivo. Houve aumento no teor de MS com adição do aditivo, e a PB reduziu de 11,23% (zero aditivo) para 9,46% (30% aditivo) nas silagens da rama da batata doce. Os teores da PIDN e PIDA foram menores das silagens da rama da batata com 30% de aditivo (1,15% e 0,70%, respectivamente). Não foi observada diferença significativa nos teores de matéria orgânica, cinzas, extrato etéreo, fibra em detergente ácido, fibra em detergente neutro e nutrientes digestíveis totais nas silagens da rama da batata doce em relação aos níveis de aditivos. Na avaliação dos parâmetros fermentativos, foi observado efeito quadrático no pH, nitrogênio amoniacal, em porcentagem do nitrogênio total [N-NH3 (%NT)], perda por gases e perda por efluentes das silagens da rama da batata doce com diferentes níveis de aditivo. Menor valor de pH foi observado no nível de 15% de aditivo (3,31) e maiores nos níveis 20%, 25% e 30% de aditivo (3,88; 3,89 e 3,88, respectivamente)...

The objective of this study was to investigate the fermentative and nutritional characteristics of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) vine silage using different levels of corn meal as additive. A completely randomized design consisting of seven levels of the additive (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% corn meal) and four replicates was used, totaling 28 laboratory mini-silos (experimental units). The different levels of additive in sweet potato vine silage exerted quadratic effects on the content of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent insoluble protein (NDIP), acid detergent insoluble protein (ADIP), and total carbohydrates. There was an increase in DM content with inclusion of the additive and CP was reduced from 11.23% (no additive) to 9.46% (30% additive) in sweet potato vine silage. NDIP and ADIP content was lower in sweet potato vine silage containing 30% additive (1.15% and 0.70%, respectively). No significant differences in organic matter, ashes, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, or total digestible nutrients were observed between the different levels of additive. Regarding fermentative parameters, a quadratic effect of sweet potato vine silage containing different additive levels was observed on pH, ammoniacal nitrogen as a percentage of total nitrogen [N-NH3 (%NT)], and losses from gases and effluent. A lower pH was observed at a level of the additive of 15% (3.31) and higher values at levels of 20%, 25% and 30% (3.88, 3.89 and 3.88, respectively). The N-NH3 values (%NT) ranged from 2.84% (no additive) to 3.59% (15% additive), and the lowest loss from gases and effluents was 2.38% DM and 199 kg/t in sweet potato vine silages containing 30% and 10% additive, respectively. Sweet potato vine is a good-quality roughage alternative that can be stored as silage, as along as a water-absorbing additive such as corn meal is used at a level no less than 20%...

Morfogênese do capim faixa-branca submetido à adubação nitrogenada / Morphogenesis of digit grass submitted to nitrogen fertilization

Objetivou-se avaliar as características morfogênicas, estruturais e produtivas do capim Faixa-Branca (Digitaria eriantha) submetido à adubação nitrogenada, no período de janeiro a maio de 2014. Foram avaliadas cinco doses de nitrogênio: 0; 100; 200; 300 e 500 kg/ha. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. A adubação nitrogena-da não influenciou o comprimento final das folhas, a taxa de senescência foliar, o número de folhas vivas por perfilho, a altura das plantas e a relação folha:colmo do capim Faixa-Branca. As taxas de aparecimento e de alongamento de folhas, a densidade populacional de perfilhos e os acúmulos de forragem, de folhas, de colmos e de material morto do capim Faixa-Branca foram influenciados pelas doses de nitrogênio, ajustando-se a uma equação quadrática pelas doses de nitrogênio, em que a maior quantidade de nitrogênio aplicada aumentou os valores destas taxas, atingindo pon-tos de máximo com doses entre 300 e 400 kg/ha. O filocrono e a duração de vida das folhas foram afetados de maneira quadrática negativa pelas doses de nitrogênio. De maneira semelhante, o aumento na quantidade de nitrogênio aplicada diminuiu os valores destas taxas, atingindo pontos de mínimo com doses entre 300 e 400 kg/ha, segundo as respectivas equações ajustadas. A taxa de alongamento de colmo aumentou linearmente com a dose de nitrogênio. O capim Faixa-Branca apresenta maior renovação de tecidos e produtividade quando adubado. A melhoria nas caracte-rísticas produtivas do capim Faixa-Branca atingem valores máximos com doses de nitrogênio em torno de 300 kg/ha...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphogenetic, structural and produc-tive characteristics of digit grass (Digitaria eriantha) submitted to nitrogen fertilization from Janu-ary to May 2014. Five nitrogen doses were evaluated: 0, 100, 200, 300 and 500 kg/ha. A randomized block design with four replicates was used. Nitrogen fertilization did not influence the final leaf length, leaf senescence rate, number of live leaves per tiller, plant height, or leaf:stem ratio of digit grass. The leaf emergence and elongation rates, tiller population density and forage, leaf stem and dead material accumulation rates were influenced by the nitrogen doses, fitting a quadratic equation in which the highest nitrogen dose applied increased these rates, with the maximum rates being reached at doses of 300 to 400 kg/ha. The nitrogen doses exerted a negative quadratic effect on the phyllochron and leaf lifespan, in which these rates decreased with increasing nitrogen dose, reaching minimum values at doses of 300 to 400 kg/ha according to the respective equations. The stem elongation rate increased linearly with increasing nitrogen dose. Fertilization increases the tissue renewal and productivity of digit grass. The improvement in the productive characteristics of digit grass reaches maximum values at nitrogen doses of about 300 kg/ha...

Matrix metalloproteinase gene polymorphisms: lack of association with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a Brazilian population.

There are many candidate genes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One such candidate is the group of genes that code for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play an essential role in tissue remodeling and repair associated with COPD. We tested the hypothesis that polymorphic variation in MMP genes influences the risk of developing COPD by examining functional polymorphisms in the promoters of MMP-3, MMP-9 and MMP-12 genes in 111 COPD patients and 101 controls. The -1171 5A/6A MMP-3, -1562 C/T MMP-9 and -82 A/G MMP-12 polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, followed by restriction digestion. No significant differences were observed in allele and genotype frequencies between COPD patients and controls. Haplotype analysis also did not reveal differences between COPD patients and controls. We found that MMP polymorphisms had no significant impact on the risk of developing COPD in this Brazilian sample.

Multiple synchronous bronchial carcinoid tumors: report of a case.

Peripheral bronchial carcinoids are uncommon. Their presentation as synchronous tumors is rare and limited to anecdotal cases.We report the case of a 62-year-old female with the radiological finding of multiple bilateral nodular lesions. Bilateral sequential thoracotomies were performed and all three nodules were treated by sublobar resections. Pathological examination revealed all specimens to be carcinoid tumors and subsequent investigation confirmed the lung as the primary site. A review of previous cases of multiple carcinoids is presented and the particularities of their management are discussed.

Clinical, immunological and histological aspects of an uncommon type II reaction in patients with lepromatous leprosy.

This study reports three cases of an unusual leprotic reaction characterized by superficial bullous ulcerative cutaneous lesions associated with high fever, malaise and oedema in patients with leprosy. Two patients responded to thalidomide treatment, with regression of the symptoms and skin ulcers. The third patient responded to thalidomide plus prednisone. Analysis of the ulcerated skin lesions showed dermal oedema with mononuclear cell infiltrate enriched for gammadelta-positive T lymphocytes and an increased number of Mycobaterium leprae bacilli within capillary endothelium. In contrast, gammadelta+ cells were decreased in or absent from the blood. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 were raised in the serum of the patients at the onset of the reaction. After the episode, cytokine levels and the percentage of gammadelta+ cells in the blood returned to normal. These cases characterize an uncommon leprotic reaction with clinical similarities to type II reaction and may indicate a significant role for gammadelta+ T cells in its pathogenesis.

Brain death caused by electric shock and organ donation in children.

INTRODUCTION: There are still few publications about brain death caused by electric shock and the use of organs for donation in this situation. We sought to present our experience, with brain dead pediatric donors caused by electric shock. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Notification registers of potential donors were analyzed from 1998 to 2005. RESULTS: During this period, 2086 potential donors were secured, of whom 307 (14.7%) were less than 18 years old. Four pediatric potential donors (1.3%) suffered brain death due to anoxia by electric shock. Six kidneys, three livers, six corneas, and three heart valves were used for transplantation. The hearts and the lungs were not offered, because of a lack of compatible patients on the waiting list. The pediatric donors showed significant alterations of cardiac enzymes and two had altered liver enzymes. CONCLUSION: Brain death caused by electric shock is not a contraindication for organ donation. Follow-up of the recipients is necessary to determine if the transplants were successful.

AGRONOMIC AND NUTRITIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SORGHUM HYBRIDS (SORGHUM BICOLOR L. MOENCH) CULTIVATED FOR SILAGE PRODUCTION / CARACTERÍSTICAS AGRONÔMICAS E BROMATOLÓGICAS DE HÍBRIDOS DE SORGO (SORGHUM BICOLOR (L.) MOENCH), CULTIVADOS PARA PRODUÇÃO DE SILAGEM.

The experiment was conceived to evaluate the agronomic and nutritional characteristics of the BR-700, AG-2005, MASSA-03, 699005, 699001, 698005, 698007, and 498111 sorghum hybrids cultivated in two different localities. The hybrids were sowed in November 1999 at 180.000 plants/ha. The study was conducted in accordance with a randomized block design with eight treatments, three replications, and the results were analyzed separately for each locality. The average data among localities were used to determine the main component and cluster analyses. The dry matter yields, stem, leaf and panicle proportion and percentage of crude protein and cell wall components were determined. The results showed highest percentages of whole plant crude protein in 698005 and AG-2005 hybrids. The 699005 hybrid presented highest(P

O experimento foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar as características agronômicas e nutricionais dos híbridos de sorgo: BR-700, AG-2005, MASSA-03, 699005, 699001, 698005, 698007 e 498111, cultivados em duas localidades. A semeadura foi feita em novembro de 1999 em parcelas experimentais com uma densidade de 180.000 plantas por hectare. O delineamento estatístico utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso com oito tratamentos e três repetições, sendo os resultados analisados separadamente para cada localidade. As médias entre os dois locais das características avaliadas foram utilizadas para determinação dos componentes principais e também análise de agrupamento. Foram determinadas a produção de matéria seca, proporção das frações folha, colmo e panícula, o teor de proteína bruta e os constituintes da parede celular. Os resultados mostraram que os maiores percentuais de proteína bruta (P < 0,05) para a planta inteira foram verificados nos híbridos 698005 e AG- 2005. O híbrido 699005 foi o que apresentou maior teor(P < 0,05) de fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e celulose. Os teores de lignina, hemicelulose e nitrogênio insolúvel em detergente ácido não diferiram (P > 0,05) na planta inteira em nenhuma das localidades. A maior produção de matéria seca (P < 0,05) foi obtida pelo híbrido 698005, que também apresentou o melhor equilíbrio e

Thalidomide protects mice against LPS-induced shock

Thalidomide has been shown to selectively inhibit TNF-alpha production in vitro by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocytes. TNF-alpha has been shown to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of endototoxic shock. Using a mouse model of LPS-induced shock, we investigated the effects of thalidomide on the introduction of TNF-alpha and other cytokines and on animal survival. After injecton of 100-350 mug LPS into mice, cytokines including TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1beta, GM-CSF and IFN-gamma were measured in the serum. Administration of 200 mg/kg thalidomide to mice before LPS challenge modified the profile of LPS-induced cytokine secretion. Serum TNF-alpha levels were reduced by 93 percent, in a dose-dependent manner, and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in the spleens of mice was reduced by 70 percent. Serum IL-6 levels were also inhibited by 50 percent. Thalidomide induced a two-fold increase in serum IL-10 levels. Thalidomide treatment did not interfere with the production of GM-CSF, IL-1beta or IFN-gamma. The LD50 of LPS in this model was increased by thalidomide pre-treatment from 150 mug to 300 mug in 72 h. Thus, at otherwise lethal doses of LPS, thalidomide treatment was found to protect animals from death.

Thalidomide protects mice against LPS-induced shock.

Thalidomide has been shown to selectively inhibit TNF-alpha production in vitro by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated monocytes. TNF-alpha has been shown to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of endotoxic shock. Using a mouse model of LPS-induced shock, we investigated the effects of thalidomide on the production of TNF-alpha and other cytokines and on animal survival. After injection of 100-350 micrograms LPS into mice, cytokines including TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1 beta, GM-CSF and IFN-gamma were measured in the serum. Administration of 200 mg/kg thalidomide to mice before LPS challenge modified the profile of LPS-induced cytokine secretion. Serum TNF-alpha levels were reduced by 93%, in a dose-dependent manner, and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in the spleens of mice was reduced by 70%. Serum IL-6 levels were also inhibited by 50%. Thalidomide induced a two-fold increase in serum IL-10 levels. Thalidomide treatment did not interfere with the production of GM-CSF, IL-1 beta, or IFN-gamma. The LD50 of LPS in this model was increased by thalidomide pre-treatment from 150 micrograms to 300 micrograms in 72 h. Thus, at otherwise lethal doses of LPS, thalidomide treatment was found to protect animals from death.

Cellular immune response to Mycobacterium leprae infection in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals.

The immune responses to Mycobacterium leprae and other mycobacterial antigens were studied in 11 leprosy patients with concurrent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Three patients manifested borderline lepromatous leprosy, and eight patients had borderline tuberculoid (BT) leprosy. Despite the low CD4+ T-cell count in the peripheral blood, no histologic or phenotypic change in the cellular infiltrate in either the lepromatous or tuberculoid lesions was observed when compared with HIV-1-negative patients. Lepromatous lesions contained heavily parasitized macrophages and few CD8+ T cells. Lesions from the patients with BT leprosy showed extensive CD4+ T-cell infiltration despite a significant reduction in CD4+ T-cell counts in the peripheral blood. No acid-fast bacilli were detected in the tuberculoid lesions. HIV-1 infection did not alter the lack of response in lepromatous leprosy to M. leprae antigens either in vitro or in vivo. In contrast, the skin test response to M. leprae antigens as well as the in vitro lymphoproliferative responses to mycobacterial antigens that are usually seen in patients with tuberculoid leprosy were abrogated in the BT HIV-1+ patients. However, production of gamma interferon in response to the same stimuli was preserved in most of the patients. Analysis of cytokine gene expression showed activation of additional cytokine genes in the unstimulated peripheral blood cells of patients with both leprosy and HIV-1 infections as compared with cells from patients with leprosy alone. These results suggest that granuloma formation in leprosy can be independent of the impaired CD4+ T-cell response of the HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, in HIV-1+ individuals with M. leprae infection, activation of cytokine genes is observed even when the circulating CD4+ T-cell count is significantly reduced.

Evaluation of chemiluminescence, procoagulant activity and antigen presentation by monocytes from lepromatous leprosy patients with or without reactional episodes.

In this study, we evaluated the activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), isolated from treated and untreated lepromatous leprosy patients, from lepromatous leprosy patients during and after reactional episodes (erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) and reversal reaction (RR)), and from normal healthy individuals. We determined reactive oxygen intermediate (ROI) production, procoagulant activity (PCA) and HLA-DR antigen expression of monocytes, besides lymphoproliferation, both in the presence and absence of various stimulatory agents. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulated ROI production by monocytes from all the groups studied, with patients during reactional episodes (ENL and RR) showing a significantly higher response (p < 0.009 and p < 0.00001). Irradiated Mycobacterium leprae, although having little effect when added alone, strongly suppressed PMA-stimulated ROI production. Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) had no influence on either basal or on PMA-induced ROI production. Basal monocyte PCA, as well as M. leprae or concanavalin A (ConA)-induced monocyte PCA was comparable in monocytes from all the groups studied. ConA was able to induce mitogenic activity in mononuclear cells isolated from all the groups studied. M. leprae, although stimulatory for normal individuals, did not induce lymphoproliferation in lepromatous leprosy patients, except for cells from patients during RR, which responded equally to M. leprae and to ConA. The absence of M. leprae-induced lymphoproliferation in lepromatous leprosy patients is not caused by the lack of basal HLA-DR expression, as PBMC from all individuals studied showed the same level of this antigen. Our results suggest an increase of spontaneous or PMA-induced monocyte activity, as detected by ROI production, during the reactional episode; addition of M. leprae suppressed this response. The increase in monocyte activity could be correlated with the increase of lymphoproliferation response to M. leprae during RR, but not during ENL. The importance of a possible immune suppressive action of M. leprae is discussed.

Development of giant reaction in response to PPD skin test in lepromatous leprosy patients.

The present study analyzes some clinical and immunological aspects of the giant reaction (GR) in lepromatous leprosy. Sixteen out of a total of 147 (10.9%) lepromatous patients developed the clinical features of GR upon the intradermal administration of PPD; most (14 of 16) GRs occurred in bacteriologically positive cases. GR precipitated an episode of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) in three patients. In addition, patients with GR showed enhanced in vitro response to PPD, by the lymphoproliferation test and interferon-gamma assay, as compared to either PPD-negative individuals or PPD-positive patients without GR. Therefore, cell-mediated-immune response to mycobacterial antigens is present in lepromatous patients with GR. It is suggested that the exacerbated in vivo response to PPD in lepromatous leprosy is the result of an increased immunoreactivity to the antigen, which well may be associated with the local and/or systemic release of cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma)] by the inflammatory cells. These episodes may, in fact, play an important role in determining the development of disabilities and reactional states, thereby interfering with the prognosis of leprosy disease.

Effect of treatment on immune responsiveness in lepromatous leprosy patients.

This study was performed in order to analyse whether the immune unresponsiveness to Mycobacterium leprae, largely seen in lepromatous patients, persisted after discharge from treatment. Lymphoproliferation and skin tests were performed using two mycobacterial antigens (M. leprae and BCG) in three groups of lepromatous patients grouped by treatment status. Forty-seven per cent of the lepromatous patients tested acquired reactivity to M. leprae after long-term treatment.

[Morphological and functional characterization of adherent splenic cells of mice]. / Caracterização morfológica e funcional de células aderentes de baço de camundongo.

The separation, characterization and functional assay of the inflammatory infiltrate present in the site of the lesion has been useful in the study of many diseases. Histochemical techniques for esterase and acid phosphatase, as well as the Phagocytose test and the Giemsa staining were applied to the study of the spleen-cell population of ten mice. A good characterization of the components of the Phagocytic Mononuclear System and the identification and quantification of the total cell population were obtained.

A proposito de um caso de fistula uretrorretal iatrogenica. / Apropos of a case of iatrogenic rectourethral fistula

E apresentado um caso de fistula uretrorretal com estenose de uretra, como complicacoes de prostatectomia transvesical, onde a enucleacao foi dificultada por aderencias fibrosas. Por acesso perineal, a fistula foi corrigida cirurgicamente,assim como a estenose uretral. Obteve-se sucesso com o procedimento empregado