Full-length genomic and molecular characterization of Canine parvovirus in dogs from North of Brazil.

With the objective of characterizing Canine parvovirus (CPV) from some suspected fecal samples of dogs collected from the Veterinarian Hospital in Belém city, five positive samples were found by PCR assay and an update molecular characterization was provided of the CPV-2 circulation in Belém. Through sequencing of the complete DNA sequences (NS1, NS2, VP1, and VP2 genes), the CPV-2 strain was identified as CPV-2b (Asn426Asp) circulating in Belém. The CPV-2b strain with a different change at the position Tyr324Leu was detected in all samples assessed and thus reported for the first time for the scientific community. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Belém CPV-2b and CPV-2a strains would be related to a cluster with samples after the 1990s, suggesting that CPV-2b in Belém originated from CPV-2a circulating in Brazil after the 1990s. Potential recombination events were analyzed using RDP4 and SplitsTree4; therefore, results suggest that CPV-2 sequences here described were not potentially recombination events. Continuous monitoring and molecular characterization of CPV-2 samples are needed not only to identify possible genetic and antigenic changes that may interfere with the effectiveness of vaccines but also to bring a better understanding of the mechanisms that drive the evolution of CPV-2 in Brazil.

Floral morphology and anatomy of Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), with emphasis on secretory structures.

The morphology and anatomy of the flower of Dalechampia alata, as well as the chemical nature of the exudates secreted in the inflorescence were studied using light microscope. This is the first report showing the presence of colleters in the genus Dalechampia. In the staminate flower occur a group of small secretory glands. The histochemical results indicate that the substance secreted from the glands is lipidic and resinuous in nature, while in the colleters it consists of polysaccharides and lipid-rich substances. The ovule of D. alata are anatropous, subglobose and bitegmic. It presents obturator, micropyle occluded by nucellar beak and meristematic activity in the ovary wall. The secretion produced in the stigmatic and transmitting tissue consists of polysaccharides.

Floral morphology and anatomy of Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), with emphasis on secretory structures / Morfologia e anatomia da flor de Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill. (Euphorbiaceae), com ênfase nas estruturas secretoras

Abstract The morphology and anatomy of the flower of Dalechampia alata, as well as the chemical nature of the exudates secreted in the inflorescence were studied using light microscope. This is the first report showing the presence of colleters in the genus Dalechampia. In the staminate flower occur a group of small secretory glands. The histochemical results indicate that the substance secreted from the glands is lipidic and resinuous in nature, while in the colleters it consists of polysaccharides and lipid-rich substances. The ovule of D. alata are anatropous, subglobose and bitegmic. It presents obturator, micropyle occluded by nucellar beak and meristematic activity in the ovary wall. The secretion produced in the stigmatic and transmitting tissue consists of polysaccharides.

Resumo A morfologia e anatomia das flores de Dalechampia alata, bem como a natureza química dos exsudatos secretados na inflorescência foram analisadas utilizando microscopia de luz. Este é o primeiro relato de coléteres para o gênero Dalechampia. Um grupo de pequenas glândulas secretoras ocorre nas flores estaminadas. Os resultados dos testes histoquímicos indicam que a substância secretada pelas glândulas apresenta natureza lipídica e resinosa, enquanto nos coléteres a secreção é constituída de polissacarídeos e lipídeos. O ovulo de D. alata é anátropo, subgloboso e bitegumentado. A presença de obturador, projeção do tecido nucelar pela micrópila e atividade meristemática na parede do ovário foram relatadas. A secreção do estigma e do tecido transmissor é constituída de polissacarídeos.

Estruturas secretoras em órgãos vegetativos e florais de Secondatia densiflora A. DC. (Apocynaceae - Apocynoideae - Odontadenieae) / Secretory structures in vegetative and floral organs of Secondatia densiflora A. DC. (Apocynaceae - Apocynoideae - Odontadenieae)

A família Apocynaceae é caracterizada por possuir grande diversidade de estruturas secretoras como idioblastos, coléteres, laticíferos e nectários florais. Este estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar anatomicamente as estruturas secretoras nos órgãos vegetativos e reprodutivos de Secondatia densiflora e identificar as principais classes de compostos químicos nos idioblastos e na secreção dos coléteres vegetativos. Os idioblastos estão distribuídos por todos os órgãos aéreos da planta possuindo conteúdo na maioria das vezes denso e fortemente corado pela safranina. Alguns idioblastos apresentam secreção de aspecto granulado. Os testes histoquímicos evidenciaram apenas compostos fenólicos. Os laticíferos são do tipo anastomosado podendo ser observados em todos os órgãos estudados e identificados pelo conteúdo diferenciado e, em alguns casos, pela presença de paredes celulares mais espessas que as paredes das células parenquimáticas. O látex tem cor branca e aspecto leitoso, sendo extravasado logo que a planta é lesionada. Os coléteres vegetativos são do tipo padrão, formados por uma porção alongada que se afina em direção à extremidade. A epiderme secretora em paliçada delimita uma região parenquimática e o curto pedúnculo é coberto por epiderme não secretora de formato retangular. Todo coléter é recoberto por cutícula fina. A mucilagem é constatada tanto no interior das células secretoras quanto no meio extracelular pelo vermelho de rutênio e pela reação PAS. Os nectários florais têm origem receptacular, possuem uma epiderme que reveste toda estrutura, parênquima nectarífero, e feixes vasculares; são fundidos na base e livres na região apical constituindo cinco unidades distintas.

The family Apocynaceae is characterized for showing a wide variety of secretory structures such as idioblasts, colleters, laticiferous glands and floral nectaries. The present study aimed to anatomically characterize the secretory structures in vegetative and reproductive organs of Secondatia densiflora and to identify the major classes of chemical compounds in idioblasts and in the secretion of vegetative colleters. Idioblasts are distributed all over the aerial organs of the plant and their content is usually dense and strongly stained with safranin. Some idioblasts have secretion of granulated aspect. Histochemical tests evidenced phenolic compounds only. Laticiferous glands are of the anastomosed type and can be seen in all the studied organs and identified by their distinct content and, in some cases, by the presence of cell walls that are thicker than those of parenchyma cells. Latex is white, milky and leaks as the plant is injured. Vegetative colleters are of the standard type and formed of an elongated portion that becomes thinner towards the end. The secretory palisade epidermis delimits a parenchymatic region, while the short peduncle is covered by rectangular non-secretory epidermis. A thin cuticle covers the entire colleter. Mucilage is detected both inside the secretory cells and in the extracellular medium by ruthenium red staining and PAS reaction. Floral nectaries have receptacular origin and epidermis covering their entire structure, nectariferous parenchyma, and vascular bundles; they are fused at their bases but have free apical region, forming five distinct units.

Oral manifestations of human T-cell lymphotropic virus infection in adult patients from Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) was the first human retrovirus discovered and its pathogenesis is related to T cells infection. This study aimed to verify the presence of oral manifestations in a Brazilian population of patients who was seropositive for HTLV, and identify risk factors for oral manifestations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An assessment was made of 139 patients at the Emilio Ribas Institute of Infectious Diseases. RESULTS: A total of 112 (80.5%) patients were HTLV-1, 26 (18.7%) were HTLV-2+. About 35.2% of patients had myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), with 48 of them being HTLV-1+ and one patient was seropositive for HTLV-1 and -2. The most common oral manifestations were: xerostomia (26.8%), candidiasis (20.8%), fissured tongue (17.9%), and loss of tongue papillae (10.0%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HAM/TSP is an independent risk factor for xerostomia (P = 0.02). The patients who were HAM/TSP+ were three times more likely to develop xerostomia when compared with patients without HAM/TSP (odds ratio = 2.69, 95% confidence interval = 1.17-6.17). CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the findings of this study suggest a relationship between xerostomia and HAM/TSP, more studies should be developed to show what the association would be between xerostomia presented by HTLV patients and pathogenesis of the virus.

HIV-associated oral plasmablastic lymphoma and role of adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is an HIV-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that primarily affects the oral cavity. We describe the case of an HIV patient with a lesion in the maxilla that lasted four months. He was diagnosed with PBL and received highly active antiretroviral therapy as well as chemotherapy and local radiotherapy. The lesion regressed after the third cycle of chemotherapy. The patient interrupted antiretroviral treatment and the lesion recurred. The immune reconstitution secondary to the use of antiretroviral therapy seems to participate in the regression of PBL and maintains the remission of the tumour, but it might not be enough to prevent the development of PBL.

The impact of the weight status on subjective symptomatology of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a cross-cultural comparison between Brazilian and Austrian women.

Group differences in symptomatology and symptom perception of young women ageing between 18 and 32 years suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) were tested according to cultural background and weight status. In detail 31 Austrian women, living in Carinthia, Austria, and 102 Brazilian women, living in São Paulo, Brazil, were enrolled in the present study. All participants suffered from diagnosed PCOS. The prevalence of hirsutism, infertility, menstrual disturbances and overweight/obesity and their individual impact on health related quality of life were analysed. Furthermore the impact of weight status (BMI) on symptom perception was tested. It turned out, that the Brazilian sample exhibited higher prevalence of PCOS symptoms and these symptoms had a more negative impact on quality of life. The only exception was body weight. Although significantly leaner, the Austrian women showed a higher Cronin score of body weight than their Brazilian counterparts. The results of the present study may indicate that in western industrialized societies the fear of overweight is much more prevalent than in a developing country such as Brazil and thus it has more influence on the quality of life than all the other symptoms.

Survival of tubercle bacilli in heat-fixed and stained sputum smears.

We used a slide culture technique to detect tubercle bacilli surviving in sputum smears (n=46) after conventional heat fixation and Ziehl-Neelsen staining. In all heat-fixed sputum smears, tubercle bacilli survived after time 0 (n=22), 24 h (n=7), 48 h (n=7), 72 h (n=4), and seven days (n=6). None of the stained sputum smears showed growth on slide cultures. Viable tubercle bacilli remaining in heat-fixed sputum smears for at least seven days may present an infection risk to laboratory staff. Thus, sputum smears should be stained immediately by the Ziehl-Neelsen method or stored in a safe container to avoid transmission of tuberculosis.

[Implantation of mechanical prosthetic valves in the pediatric age group. Review of the last ten years]. / Implantação de próteses valvulares mecânicas em idade pediátrica. Revisão dos últimos dez anos.

Our aim is to evaluate the outcome of 13 patients, under the age of 18, who underwent 15 valve replacements with mechanical prostheses, from January 1985 through December 1995, in our Hospital. The mean age was 11.7 +/- 5.0 years (from eight months to 18 years); six patients were male. The follow-up was five months to 9.5 years. All of them were initially in NYHA classes III or IV, under medical therapy. Indication for valve replacement was rheumatic valve disease in five and congenital in eight. The mitral valve was replaced in eight patients, the aortic in three and both valves in two patients. Two patients (15%) died in the early post operative period. After the procedure there was a remarkable hemodynamic improvement of the remaining patients; the echocardiographic evaluation showed good left ventricular function in all patients and a reduction in systolic pressure of the pulmonary artery and dimensions of the right chambers of the heart. Two patients had perivalvular leaks. Nine patients were NYHA functional class I, one in class II and one in class III. All patients received warfarin anticoagulation and antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis. There was no incidence of anticoagulant related haemorrhage or thromboembolic or infectious events. One patient (7.6%) underwent valve replacement as the first procedure; the others underwent valvuloplasty before replacement of the valve. Although valve replacement in this population should only take place when conventional forms of therapy fail, in our group we observed low mortality and morbidity rates.

[The percutaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus in adults]. / Encerramento percutâneo do canal arterial em adultos.

From May 1990 to June 1998, 116 patients were submitted to percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus. There were 18 adult patients, aged 18 to 61 years. Two patients had residual ductus after an attempted surgical ligation and two other patients had a calcified ductus. A device was not implanted in three patients, two of whom because of pulmonary hypertension being considered irreversible. Another patient, with a very large duct, underwent attempted occlusion, but the device embolized to the pulmonary artery and was retrieved percutaneously in the same session. This patient was operated later. Complete duct occlusion, confirmed by color Doppler echocardiography, was achieved in 14 of the remaining 15 patients (93%; 95% CL: 81-100). This was performed with a single catheterization in 12 cases, with implantation of one or more detachable coils in 8 patients; with a Rashkind device in 3, and a combination of a Rashkind device and coils in 1. In two cases complete duct occlusion required a second catheterization for implantation of additional detachable coils, including one patient with intravascular hemolysis in whom resolution of this problem was achieved with additional coils. In recent years, we have preferentially used detachable coils implanted through 5 Fr catheters, with a controlled release mechanism. This is a safer and less expensive device. Patients with pulmonary hypertension can be submitted to a trial occlusion of the duct with a balloon catheter to evaluate the response of pulmonary artery pressures. Percutaneous closure of the patent ductus arteriosus can be performed with excellent results in adults. Complete occlusion was achieved in 14 of the 15 patients (93%) without pulmonary hypertension or extremely large ductus. This is similar to our results in the pediatric population.

Papillary fibroelastoma of the mitral valve in a 3-year-old child: case report.

A 3.5-year-old boy with stroke secondary to embolization of a primary cardiac tumor is presented. The diagnosis was made by two-dimensional echocardiography and confirmed intraoperatively. A papillary fibroelastoma was identified histologically. It is a rare condition and a diagnostic challenge, as patients are asymptomatic before embolization. In view of the severe consequences, prompt surgery is recommended.

[Holter electrocardiography en pediatric cardiology: preliminary experience]. / Electrocardiografia de Holter em cardiologia pediátrica: experiência inicial.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of the diagnostic value of continuous electrocardiographic recording (Holter monitoring) in Paediatric Cardiology. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study based on the data records of the Arrhythmia Department regarding patients with less than 20 years of age with Holter monitoring performed between January 1983 and February 1995 (374 recordings). PATIENTS: 277 patients were studied, 163 were male and 114 female with a mean age of 12 +/- 5 years. Heart organic anomalies were present in 155 patients and 92 patients had previous cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Clinical indications for Holter recording were the evaluation of symptoms related to arrhythmias (38%), documented dysrhythmia (23%), arrhythmia detected on physical examination (18%) and evaluation of risk in patients without symptoms of arrhythmia (17%). METHODS: Holter recordings were performed during 24 hours with two channels (modified V1 and V5). RESULTS: Significant rhythm and conduction disturbances were found in 122 patients. These were ventricular premature complexes > or = 10/hour (27 patients), AV block (25 patients) and supraventricular premature complexes > or = 10/hour (22 patients). Holter recording revealed significant dysrhythmias in 52% of patients with previously documented dysrhythmia, in 43% of patients referred for assessment of risk without symptoms of arrhythmia, provided insight in 48% of requests due to arrhythmia detected on physical examination and 24% of requests for symptoms related to arrhythmias. In 13 patients the results of Holter recording led to therapeutic or diagnostic measures. CONCLUSIONS: Holter recording showed an overall sensitivity of 44% in the detection of significant arrhythmias and led to therapeutic and additional diagnostic measures in 11% of these patients. Holter recording seems to provide important information in the evaluation of arrhythmias in the paediatric age group.

[How to make a surgical curriculum]. / Como fazer um curriculum cirurgico.

Discussion on curriculum vitae is a highly valorized parameter in the final exam to obtain the degree of medical specialist in Portugal. However, the lack of guidelines for making up a curriculum causes difficulties for everyone involved: residents, juries and institutions which govern the equity of the process. This paper presents guidelines for a curriculum which can be applied to any surgical speciality. The proposal is based on the regulations which govern post-graduate medical training. A broad debate on this issue is also suggested in this article.

[Percutaneous closure of patent ductus arteriosus with the Rashkind device]. / Encerramento do canal arterial por via percutânea com o dispositivo de Rashkind.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of the percutaneous closure of the persistent ductus arteriosus with the Rashkind device. DESIGN: Clinical, angiographic and echocardiographic assessment of the patency of the ductus arteriosus at the time of the implantation of the first or second Rashkind device, followed by clinical and echocardiographic control at one, three and six months and yearly thereafter. PATIENTS: Thirty two patients with patent ductus arteriosus. Twenty seven were female and five male. Their ages ranged between 10 months and 33 years (6.8 +/- 7.7 years) and their weights between 7.3 and 52 (20.1 +/- 12.4) kg. Two patients were excluded due to a ductal diameter greater than 8 mm. Thirty patients had successful device implantation. METHODS: Implantation at cardiac catheterization of the Rashkind double umbrella occluder device in the narrowest portion of the patent ductus arteriosus. Twenty one patients had one device implanted and five had the implantation of a second device four to 12 months later, due to persistent patency of the ductus. RESULTS: Total closure was achieved in 26 out of 30 patients. In 21 patients the occlusion was obtained with a single device and in five patients with two devices. Among the remaining four patients, one is awaiting the implantation of a second device and the other three are under follow-up as their first devices were implanted recently. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous closure of the ductus arteriosus with the Rashkind device represents an efficient and safe alternative to surgery in most patients.

[Permanent pacing in childhood: a review of 11 years of experience]. / Pacing permanente em idades pediátricas: revisão de uma experiência de 11 anos.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To review our eleven year experience in the implantation and follow-up of permanent Pacemakers in the paediatric age group. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Children submitted to permanent cardiac Pacing implantation and accompanied in the Pacing Center of the Hospital de Santa Maria. PATIENTS: Children from both sexes, aged from neonate to 14 years old, with brady-dysrhythmia and indication for permanent cardiac Pacing implantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From November 1980 to September 1991, 16 children had permanent Pacemaker implantation. We describe the clinical and electrocardiographic characteristics of the population, mode of Pacing used, technical data from the implantation and evolution. RESULTS: One children died due to associated cardiac defect not related to the Pacemaker. The other 15 children remain in follow-up with normofunctioning Pacemakers and free of symptoms. We had to perform 11 reinterventions in 8 children due to generator or electrode problems (28,2 months reintervention interval). CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in Pacemaker technology and a careful technique of implantation can significantly reduce the morbidity associated to permanent pacemaker implantation in this age group.

[Lymphangioma of the mediastinum as a cause of chylopericardium]. / Linfangioma mediastínico como causa de quilopericárdio.

Chylopericardium is a rare from of pericardial effusion. A case of a ten-year-old female patient with a chylopericardium incidentally detected during a mild respiratory infection through cardiac enlargement at the chest X ray is reported. The techniques used to achieve this diagnosis are described, a special emphasis being put on the CT-scan and lymphangiography, which have not been used in such cases so far. These techniques provided very useful data which were determinant for the success of the proposed therapy. This and other cases reported in the paper indicate that the most common cause of primary chylopericardium is a mediastinal lymphangioma.