Regeneration of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Based on Therapy with Red LED Light and a Natural Latex Biomembrane.

This study analyzes the effects of the Rapha® system, which employs red light therapy (RLT) and a natural latex biomembrane in the healing of neuropathic ulcers associated with the diabetic foot. We conducted a randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial with 15 participants that were divided into three groups (GI, GII and GIII): (i) Rapha® system application by the participant and a health professional at home, with clinical status evaluation every 2 weeks at the hospital (GI); (ii) standard protocol used in Brazil, performed by a health professional at the hospital (GII; control); and (iii) the Rapha® system applied by the participant at home and clinical status evaluation every 2 weeks at the hospital (GIII). We used image processing techniques on photographic recordings of the lesions, and several statistical tests were used to analyze the data, allowing for the comparison of the average results for all groups. The average healing rates of GI, GII, and GIII were 77.0, 51.4, and 80%, respectively. The granulation tissue evaluation indicated a higher efficacy in the tissue repair of lesions treated with the Rapha® system. In conclusion, the Rapha® system proved to be an effective healing system, even when self-applied at the patient's home.

Mine water treatment with limestone for sulfate removal.

Limestone can be an option for sulfate sorption, particularly from neutral mine drainages because calcium ions on the solid surface can bind sulfate ions. This work investigated sulfate removal from mine waters through sorption on limestone. Continuous stirred-tank experiments reduced the sulfate concentration from 588.0mg/L to 87.0mg/L at a 210-min residence time. Batch equilibrium tests showed that sulfate loading on limestone can be described by the Langmuir isotherm, with a maximum loading of 23.7mg/g. Fixed-bed experiments were utilized to produce breakthrough curves at different bed depths. The Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) model was applied, and it indicated sulfate loadings of up to 20.0gSO(4)(2-)/L-bed as the flow rate increased from 1 to 10mL/min. Thomas, Yoon-Nelson and dose-response models, predicted a maximum particle loading of 19mg/g. Infrared spectrometry indicated the presence of sulfate ions on the limestone surface. Sulfate sorption on limestone seems to be an alternative to treating mine waters with sulfate concentrations below the 1200-2000mg/L range, where lime precipitation is not effective. In addition, this approach does not require alkaline pH values, as in the ettringite process.

Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy in malformations of cortical development.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate phospholipid metabolism in patients with malformations of cortical development (MCDs). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with MCDs and 31 control subjects were studied using three-dimensional phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P-MRS) at 3.0 T. The voxels in the lesions and in the frontoparietal cortex of the control subjects were compared (the effective volumes were 12.5 cm(3)). Robust quantification methods were applied to fit the time-domain data to the following resonances: phosphoethanolamine (PE); phosphocholine (PC); inorganic phosphate (Pi); glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE); glycerophosphocholine (GPC); phosphocreatine (PCr); and α-, ß-, and γ-adenosine triphosphate (ATP). We also estimated the total ATP (ATP(t) = α-+ß-+γ-ATP), phosphodiesters (PDE = GPC+GPE), phosphomonoesters (PME = PE+PC), and the PME/PDE, PCr/ATP(t) and PCr/Pi ratios. The magnesium (Mg(2+)) levels and pH values were calculated based on PCr, Pi, and ß-ATP chemical shifts. KEY FINDINGS: Compared to controls and assuming that a p-value < 0.05 indicates statistical significance, the patients with MCDs exhibited significantly lower pH values and higher Mg(2+) levels. In addition, the patients with MCDs had lower GPC and PDE and an increased PME/PDE ratio. SIGNIFICANCE: Mg(2+) and pH are important in the regulation of bioenergetics and are involved in many electrical activity pathways in the brain. Our data support the idea that neurometabolic impairments occur during seizure onset and propagation. The GPC, PDE, and PME/PDE abnormalities also demonstrate that there are membrane turnover disturbances in patients with MCDs.

Detection of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum RNA in fleas and ticks collected from naturally infected dogs.

The occurrence of the insect vector (sand flies) with low rates of Leishmania infection, as well as autochthonous transmission in the absence of the natural vector in dogs, have been reported. These unexpected data suggest a hypothesis of other arthropods as a possible way of Leishmania transmission. The prevalence of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in fleas and ticks collected from dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), as well as parasite viability, were evaluated herein. The presence of L. (L.) infantum was assayed by PCR and ELISA in ectoparasites and biological samples from 73 dogs living in a Brazilian endemic area. As the occurrence of Leishmania DNA in ticks and fleas is expected given their blood-feeding habits, we next investigated whether parasites can remain viable inside ticks. PCR and ELISA confirmed that 83% of the dogs had CVL. Fleas and ticks (nymphs, male and female adults) were collected in 55% and 63% of the 73 dogs, respectively. Out of the 60 dogs with CVL, 80% harbored ectoparasites infected with L. (L.) infantum. The infection rates of the ectoparasites were 23% and 50% for fleas and ticks, respectively. The RNA analysis of the extract from ticks left in laboratory conditions during 7 to 10 days after removal from CVL dogs showed that parasites were alive. In addition, live parasites were also detected inside adult ticks recently molted in laboratory conditions. These findings indicate a higher infection rate of L. (L.) infantum in ticks and fleas, but they do not conclusively demonstrate whether these ticks can act as vectors of CVL, despite the fact that their rates were higher than those previously described in Lutzomyia longipalpis. The presence of viable L. (L.) infantum in ticks suggests the possible importance of dog ectoparasites in CVL dissemination.

MORPHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS OF DIABETIC RATS TREATED WITH EXTRACTS OF Azadirachta indica (NEEM) AND STREPTOZOTOCIN 6C / Avaliação morfométrica das Ilhotas de Langerhans de ratos diabéticos tratados com extratos de Azadirachta ...

Foram avaliados os efeitos dos extratos aquoso e hidroalcoólico de Azadirachta indica, A. Juss e da estreptozootocina 6 CH sobre a morfometria das ilhotas de Langerhans de ratos com diabetes mellitus induzida por estreptozootocina. Os resultados morfométricos indicam que área e o perímetro do grupo controle apresentaram valores médios maiores quando comparados aos demais grupos, formados por animais diabéticos, os quais não diferiram entre si. O diâmetro mínimo do grupo tratado com extrato aquoso de Azadirachta indica, A. Juss a 10% revelou-se com maior valor confrontado ao grupo controle. Não se observou diferenças significativas entre os todos os grupos tratados e o grupo controle diabético. Portanto, conclui-se que os tratamentos analisados não tiveram efeito significativo quanto à morfometria das ilhotas pancreáticas, ou seja, não induziram a regeneração do pâncreas endócrino em animais diabéticos durante o intervalo de tempo deste estudo.                     &

Morphometric evaluation of the islets of langerhans of diabetic rats treated with extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and streptozotocin 6 CH / Avaliação morfométrica das ilhotas de langerhans de ratos diabéticos tratados com extratos de Azadirachta indica (Neem) e estreptozootocina 6 CH

The effects of aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of Azadirachta indica, A. Juss and streptozotocin 6 CH on the morphometrics of the islets of Langerhans in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. The morphometric results indicate that the area and the perimeter of the control group have higher means compared to the other groups of diabetic animals, which did not differ among themselves. The minimum diameter of the group treated with aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica, A. Juss 10% was larger than the control group. There were no significant differences between treated groups and diabetic control group. Therefore, we concluded that the treatments studied do not induce the regeneration of endocrine pancreas of diabetic animals because they had no significant effect on the morphometrics of pancreatic islets during the period of this study.

Foram avaliados os efeitos dos extratos aquoso e hidroalcoólico de Azadirachta indica, A. Juss e da estreptozootocina 6 CH sobre morfometria das ilhotas de Langerhans de ratos com diabetes mellitus induzida por estreptozootocina. Os resultados morfométricos indicam que área e perímetro do grupo controle branco possuem valores médios maiores quando comparados aos demais grupos, formados por animais diabéticos, os quais não diferiram entre si. O diâmetro mínimo do grupo tratado com extrato aquoso de Azadirachta indica, A. Juss a 10% revelou-se com maior valor confrontado ao grupo controle branco. Não se observou diferenças significativas entre os todos os grupos tratados e o grupo controle branco diabético. Portanto, conclui-se que os tratamentos analisados não tiveram efeito significativo quanto à morfometria das ilhotas pancreáticas, ou seja, não induziram a regeneração do pâncreas endocrino em animais diabéticos durante o intervalo de tempo deste estudo.

Anaerobic treatment of coconut husk liquor for biogas production.

The market for coconut water causes environmental problems as it is one of the major agro-industrial solid wastes in some developing countries. With the aim of reusing the coconut husk, Embrapa developed a system for processing this raw material. During the dewatering stage Coconut Husk Liquor (CHL) is generated with chemical oxygen demand (COD) varying from 60 to 70 g/L due to high concentrations of sugars and tannins. The present study evaluated the feasibility of anaerobic treatment of CHL through Anaerobic Toxicity Assay and the operation of a lab-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor. Results showed that CHL can be treated through a UASB reactor operating with an OLR that reaches up to 10 kg/m3.d and that is maintained stable during the whole operation. With this operational condition, the removal efficiency was higher than 80% for COD and approximately 78% for total tannins, and biogas production was 20 m3 of biogas or 130 KWh per m3 of CHL. Seventy-five percent of the biogas composition was methane and toxicity tests demonstrated that CHL was not toxic to the methanogenic consortia. Conversely, increasing the concentration of CHL leads to increased methanogenic activity.

A comparison of the immune parameters of dogs infected with visceral leishmaniasis using Western blot and neutralization techniques.

The Western blot technique was used to demonstrate the presence of antibodies in the blood of dogs that presented canine visceral leishmaniasis. This technique was used against some specific molecules present in the lysate of the promastigote form of Leshmania chagasi. Through the association of the results of the Western blot technique with the morphological alterations seen as a result of the serum neutralization technique performed in McCoy cells (which mimetizes the macrophage) it was possible to observe the role of some molecules of great relevance in determining the disease in symptomatic dogs as well as that of some other molecules associated with asymptomatic infected dogs that may become transmitters as well as differentiating them as asymptomatic resistant dogs. In the sera analyses carried out during the immunobloting a variation of 9 to 27 immunoreacting bands was observed, which were then compared using Dice's similarity coefficient. In the dendrogram constructed on the basis of the coefficient, 50% similarity was observed among the total number of reagent bands with the promastigote lysate, thus creating five groups. The main difference observed related to the clinical condition of the dogs: symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs were found in separate groups. The asymptomatic group of dogs was distributed in two different places in the dendrogram because they presented two different behavior patterns regarding the cellular morphology in the serum neutralization reaction: the presence or absence of cellular lysis. According to this analysis it is possible to evaluate the immune status and associate it with specific markers observed in the reaction found in the Western blot strips.

A comparison of the immune parameters of dogs infected with visceral leishmaniasis using Western blot and neutralization techniques

The Western blot technique was used to demonstrate the presence of antibodies in the blood of dogs that presented canine visceral leishmaniasis. This technique was used against some specific molecules present in the lysate of the promastigote form of Leshmania chagasi.Through the association of the results of the Western blot technique with the morphological alterations seen as a result of the serum neutralization technique performed in McCoy cells (which mimetizes the macrophage) it was possible to observe the role of some molecules of great relevance in determining the disease in symptomatic dogs as well as that of some other molecules associated with asymptomatic infected dogs that may become transmitters as well as differentiating them as asymptomatic resistant dogs. In the sera analyses carried out during the immunobloting a variation of 9 to 27 immunoreacting bands was observed, which were then compared using Dice's similarity coefficient. In the dendrogram constructed on the basis of the coefficient, 50 percent similarity was observed among the total number of reagent bands with the promastigote lysate, thus creating five groups. The main difference observed related to the clinical condition of the dogs: symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs were found in separate groups. The asymptomatic group of dogs was distributed in two different places in the dendrogram because they presented two different behavior patterns regarding the cellular morphology in the serum neutralization reaction: the presence or absence of cellular lysis. According to this analysis it is possible to evaluate the immune status and associate it with specific markers observed in the reaction found in the Western blot strips.

A técnica de Western blot foi utilizada para demonstrar a presença de anticorpos do soro de cães, que apresentavam leishmaniose visceral canina, contra algumas moléculas específicas no lisado da forma promastigota de Leshmania chagasi.Através da associação da técnica de Western blot com as alterações morfológicas observadas como resultado da técnica de soro-neutralização em células McCoy (que mimetizam o macrófago) foi possível observar o papel de algumas moléculas de maior relevância para a determinação da doença em cães sintomáticos bem como o papel de outras moléculas na predição de cães infectados assintomáticos com o potencial de serem transmissores e ainda diferenciá-los como cães assintomáticos resistentes. Na análise dos soros durante a reação de immunoblotting observou-se uma variação de 9 a 27 bandas imunorreagentes, que foram comparadas utilizando-se o coeficiente de similaridade de Dice. No dendrograma construído com base no coeficiente, observou-se 50 por cento de similaridade entre as bandas totais reagentes com o lisado de promastigota formando cinco agrupamentos. A principal diferença foi observada com respeito à condição clínica, ou seja, cães sintomáticos e assintomáticos ficaram em grupos separados. Os soros dos cães assintomáticos distribuídos em dois grupos diferentes do dendrograma apresentaram padrões de comportamento diferentes, quanto à morfologia celular na reação de soro-neutralização, ou seja, a presença ou ausência de lise celular. De acordo com esta análise foi possível avaliar o status imunitário e associá-lo com determinados marcadores específicos observados na reação encontrada nas fitas de Western blot.

Flebotomíneos de várzea do rio Aguapeí, região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Sand flies in the Aguapeí river floodplain, northwest area of State of São Paulo, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Investigar a sazonalidade de flebotomíneos de acordo com sua ocorrência e densidade. MÉTODOS: A pesquisa for realizada em área de várzea do rio Aguapeí, do município de Mirandópolis, Estado de São Paulo. Os flebotomíneos foram capturados mensalmente com armadilhas automáticas luminosas, instaladas das 18:00 às 7:00 horas, durante um ano (2004-2005), em dois locais: varanda de um rancho de pesca e mata. Utilizou-se a média de Williams para o cálculo da sazonalidade dos flebotomíneos e teste de qui-quadrado para comparação. RESULTADOS: Foram capturados 35.995 flebotomíneos. Cinco espécimes eram Brumptomyia avellari, um Psathyromyia (Xiphomyia) hermanlenti e os demais Nyssomyia neivai, que apresentou freqüência mais elevada no inverno. É o primeiro registro de Ps. hermanlenti no Estado. CONCLUSÕES: A alta densidade de Nyssomyia neivai, um dos vetores suspeitos de transmitir a leishmaniose tegumentar americana, aponta o risco de transmissão dessa doença no local, principalmente nos períodos mais secos do ano.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the seasonal variation of sand flies regarding their occurrences and densities. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Aguapeí river floodplain in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Sand flies were monthly captured with automatic light traps set up between 18:00 and 7:00 hours, over a period of one year (2004-2005), at two sites: veranda of a domicile and in a forest on the banks of Aguapeí River. The Williams' average was used for estimating the seasonal variation and the Chi-square test for comparison. RESULTS: A total of 35,995 specimens were captured: five Brumptomyia avellari, one Psathyromyia (Xiphomyia) hermanlenti and the rest Nyssomyia neivai, which had the highest frequency during the winter. Ps. hermanlenti is first recorded in state of São Paulo. CONCLUSIONS: The high density of Nyssomyia neivai, a suspected vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis, points out to the risk of transmission of this disease in this setting, especially during drier periods of the year.

[Sand flies in the Aguapeí river floodplain, northwest area of State of São Paulo, Brazil]. / Flebotomíneos de várzea do rio Aguapeí, região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the seasonal variation of sand flies regarding their occurrences and densities. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Aguapeí river floodplain in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Sand flies were monthly captured with automatic light traps set up between 18:00 and 7:00 hours, over a period of one year (2004-2005), at two sites: veranda of a domicile and in a forest on the banks of Aguapeí River. The Williams' average was used for estimating the seasonal variation and the Chi-square test for comparison. RESULTS: A total of 35,995 specimens were captured: five Brumptomyia avellari, one Psathyromyia (Xiphomyia) hermanlenti and the rest Nyssomyia neivai, which had the highest frequency during the winter. Ps. hermanlenti is first recorded in state of São Paulo. CONCLUSIONS: The high density of Nyssomyia neivai, a suspected vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis, points out to the risk of transmission of this disease in this setting, especially during drier periods of the year.

Pesquisa em epilepsia na infância / Research in epilepsy in the childhood

Este relato pretende divulgar a pesquisa em epilepsia na infância realizada por diferentes centros no nosso país. Estas informações foram apresentadas durante o Fórum Nacional de Epilepsia (XX Congresso Brasileiro de Neurofisiologia Clínica), e ilustram os esforços de cada grupo para promover pesquisa e conhecimentos sobre epilepsia em populações pediátricas. Os principais temas pesquisados incluem epidemiologia, eletrencefalografia, genética e aspectos cognitivos em crianças com epilepsia, estudos controlados de drogas antiepilépticas em diferentes síndromes epilépticas da infância, dieta cetogênica, crises únicas e crises febris, epilepsia do lobo frontal e do lobo temporal, síndrome de West e espasmos infantis, estado de mal epiléptico, malformações do desenvolvimento cortical, sono e epilepsia, cirurgia de epilepsia, co-morbidade psiquiátrica e aspectos de neuroimagem associados à epilepsia na infância. Alguns centros relataram a realização de estudos colaborativos envolvendo diferentes instituições, uma importante ferramenta para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa em epilepsia na infância em nosso país.(AU)

This report describes current pediatric epilepsy research carried out in Brazilian academic centers, presented at the National Epilepsy Forum, during the XX Brazilian Clinical Neurophysiology Congress. It illustrates the different groups’ efforts to promote research and increase awareness of epilepsy in the pediatric population. Main current research lines include epidemiology, electroencephalography, genetic and cognitive issues in pediatric epilepsy, controlled clinical trials with antiepileptic drugs in different childhood epileptic syndromes, ketogenic diet, single and febrile seizures, temporal and frontal lobe epilepsy, West syndrome-infantile spasms, status epilepticus, malformations of cortical development, sleep and epilepsy, epilepsy surgery in childhood, psychiatric co-morbities and neuroimaging in childhood epilepsy. Collaborative studies, an important tool in fostering research in pediatric epilepsy in our country, are being carried out by some academic centers.(AU)

Structure of the cytosolic Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase from Schistosoma mansoni.

Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn SOD) is an essential enzyme for protecting cells from the toxic effects of reactive oxygen species. In humans, two distinct Cu,Zn SOD genes are located on chromosomes 4 and 21 and mutations in the latter have been associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Similarly, schistosomes (trematode parasites responsible for the chronically debilitating disease schistosomiasis) also produce two distinct Cu,Zn SODs, in this case one cytosolic and one bearing a signal peptide. The crystal structure of the cytosolic form of the enzyme from the human trematode Schistosoma mansoni (SmCtSOD) was solved and refined to a resolution of 2.2 A (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), R = 17.6% and R(free) = 24.1%) and 1.55 A (space group P2(1), R = 15.7% and R(free) = 17.1%). This is the first report of a crystal structure of a Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase derived from a human parasite. Alternate positions for the catalytic copper and its water ligand were refined for the 1.55 A SmCtSOD model, but the most interesting structural differences between SmCtSOD and the human homologue reside in the loops used for electrostatic guidance of the substrate to the enzyme active site.

Immune complex-FcgammaR interaction modulates monocyte/macrophage molecules involved in inflammation and immune response.

The interaction between receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (FcgammaRs) from monocytes/macrophages and immune complexes (IC) triggers regulatory and effector functions. Recently, we have demonstrated that IC exert a drastic inhibition of basal and IFN-gamma-induced expression of MHC class II on human monocytes. Taking into account that the regulation of MHC class II molecules is a crucial event in the immune response, in this report we extend our previous studies analysing the effect of STAT-1 phosphorylation in the down-regulatory process, the fate of the intracellular pool of MHC class II molecules and the effect of complement on MHC class II down-regulation induced by IC. We also studied the effect of IC on the expression of MHC class II (I-A(d)) in macrophages using a mouse model of chronic inflammation. We demonstrate that IC induce a depletion not only on surface expressed but also on intracellular MHC class II content and that IC-induced down-regulation of MHC class II is not mediated by the inhibition of STAT-1 phosphorylation. On the other hand, the effect of IC is not specific for the down-regulation of MHC class II, for it could be restricted to other molecules involved in inflammatory processes. Our experiments also show that the activation of the complement system could be a crucial step on the regulation of the effect of IC on MHC class II expression. In agreement with our in vitro experiments using human monocytes, IC treatment reduces the expression of MHC class II in a mouse model of chronic inflammation.

Immune complexes (IC) down-regulate the basal and interferon-gamma-induced expression of MHC class II on human monocytes.

The interaction of Fc receptors for IgG (FcgammaRs) on monocytes/macrophages with immune complexes (IC) triggers regulatory and effector functions. Previous studies have shown that FcgammaR-IC interactions inhibit the IFN-gamma-induced expression of MHC class II in murine macrophages. However, the mechanism(s) responsible for these effects have not been elucidated. In addition, whether this IC-dependent effect also occurs in human cells is not known. Taking into account the fact that IC and IFN-gamma are frequently found in infections and autoimmune disorders, together with the crucial role MHC class II molecules play in the regulation of immune response, we explored the effect and mechanism of IC-induced MHC class II down-regulation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). This effect was studied either in the presence or absence of IFN-gamma. We demonstrate that IC exert a drastic inhibition of basal and IFN-gamma-induced expression of MHC class II on human monocytes. This effect was mediated through the interaction of IC with both FcgammaRI and FcgammaRII. Moreover, similar results were obtained using supernatants from IC-treated PBMC. The IC-induced down-regulation of MHC class II is abrogated by pepstatin and phosphoramidon, supporting the role of aspartic protease(s) and metalloprotease(s) in this process. In parallel with MHC class II expression, antigen presentation was markedly inhibited in the presence of IC.

Immunohematological findings in myelodysplastic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Few immunohematological studies have been done in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). METHODS: Twenty-nine MDS patients were retrospectively evaluated with a direct antiglobulin test (DAT), antibody screening, serum electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis. Clinical and laboratory studies (hemoglobin level, reticulocyte count, DHL, total and indirect bilirubin) were done simultaneously, as well as the French-American-British subtype and bone marrow biopsy findings. RESULTS: Alloantibodies were demonstrated in 17 patients (58.6%), autoantibodies in 10 (34.4%) patients and cold agglutinin in 18 (62%) patients. DAT was mediated by only IgG in 8 patients (80%), by IgG and C3 in 1 patient (10%) and by IgG, IgA and C3 in 1 (10%) patient. No hemolytic disease occurred in patients with autoantibodies. Increased serum gammaglobulin was observed in 16 (54.4%) patients. There was no correlation between the incidence of allo-/autoantibodies and the gammaglobulin level (p = 0.937) and the presence of lymphocyte infiltrates in bone marrow biopsies (p = 0.156). No significant difference was observed when the incidence of autoantibodies and number of red blood cell transfusions were compared (p = 0.334). Patients with refractory anemia and refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts subtypes had a higher incidence of allo-/autoantibodies than other MDS subtypes (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Patients with MDS, in particular refractory anemia and refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts have a high incidence of allo- and autoantibodies, probably related to intrinsic immune disorder, without clinical or laboratory hemolysis.

Safety and immunogenicity of a pediatric formulation of inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in Argentinean children.

BACKGROUND: Children are a reservoir of hepatitis A virus and must be considered as primary targets of any immunization strategy. The safety and immunogenicity were evaluated for a new formulation of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine, Avaxim 80 units, containing one-half the antigen dose of the adult formulation. METHODS: The safety of two doses of this vaccine given 6 months apart was evaluated in an open study in 537 Argentinean children 12 months to 15 years old. Immunogenicity was evaluated at Weeks 0, 2, 24 and 27 in a subgroup of 120 subjects. RESULTS: Two weeks after the first vaccine dose, >99% of initially seronegative children had seroconverted (titers > or =20 mIU/ml), with a geometric mean titer of 98.5 mIU/ml. Before booster at 24 weeks all subjects had seroconverted. A strong anamnestic response was observed after the second dose at which time the geometric mean titer had increased >35-fold, and antibody titers were consistent with long term protection. Immediate adverse reactions were observed in 3 of 537 (0.6%) subjects after the first dose. Local reactions were mild and transient and did not increase with subsequent doses. Among the systemic events reported during the 7-day follow-up period, 37 cases of fever after the first dose and 22 cases after the second dose were reported. Only 3 cases of fever were clearly related to vaccination (< or =38.2 degrees C) after the first injection, all of which subsided in less than 1 day. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the safety and immunogenicity of a pediatric formulation of hepatitis A vaccine in children ages 12 months to 15 years in healthy children ages 12 to 47 months.

Clinical characteristics and surgical outcome of patients with temporal lobe tumors and epilepsy

This is a retrospective study of 21 surgically treated patients with temporal lobe tumors and epilepsy. Evaluation included clinical data, EEG findings, structural scans, pathological diagnosis and post-surgical follow-up. There were 9 cases of ganglioglioma, 5 pilocytic astrocytoma, 3 ganglioneuroma, 2 dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, 1 pleomorphic xantoastrocytoma, and 1 meningioangiomatosis. Mean follow-up time was 22 months and outcome was evaluated according to Engel's classification; 76.2 percent were classified in class I and 23.8 percent in II and III. All patients classes II and III had been submitted to mesial and neocortical resections. There were no differences related to clinical characteristics, pathological diagnosis or duration of follow-up in patients seizure-free or not. All patients had abnormal MRI and ten of these had normal CT; the MRI characteristics were compared to pathological diagnosis and specific histological characteristics of the tumors were not discernible by MRI. We concluded that MRI was essential for the diagnosis and precise location of TL tumors. Ganglioglioma was the most frequent tumor and lesionectomy associated to mesial resection doesn't guarantee a better prognosis

Bradicardia como manifestaçao epiléptica em epilepsia temporal: relato de caso / Bradycardia during temporal lobe seizure: case report

Descrevemos um caso de arritmia cardíaca como manifestaçao epiléptica. A monitorizaçao video-eletrencefalográfica de uma paciente com 34 anos de idade que apresentava episódios de perda de consciência permitiu a detecçao de períodos de assistolia como principal manifestaçao clínica, exigindo a implantaçao de marca-passo. O registro eletrencefalográfico concomitante mostrou atividade rítmica a 6-7 Hz de projeçao na regiao temporal esquerda. A ressonância magnética mostrou lesao expansiva no giro para-hipocampal esquerdo. Alteraçoes do ritmo cardíaco como taquicardia sinusal sao frequentes em crises epilépticas. A descriçao de bradicardia e/ou assistolia é rara. As conexoes das estruturas mesiais temporais com estruturas profundas como o hipotálamo devem ser responsáveis pelas manifestaçoes vegetativas durante crises epilépticas temporais

The down-regulation of FcgammaRII and FcgammaRIIIB by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) depends on secretory events in human neutrophils.

We have previously demonstrated that N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) induces down-regulation of FcgammaRs on human neutrophils (PMN) modifying different FcgammaR-dependent functions. The aim of this work was to assess the cellular mechanisms by which FMLP exerts this effect on FcgammaRs. The role of the microfilament and cytoskeletal apparatus in this process was evaluated using cytochalasin B (CB), an inhibitor of microfilament functions. The expression of FcgammaRIIIB and FcgammaRII after CB + FMLP treatment was drastically diminished when compared to FMLP-treated cells. Neutrophil degranulation induced by FMLP affect only 22% of the cells in response to FMLP. However, the FcgammaRs of the whole PMN population were reduced, suggesting that secretory products could be responsible for the down-regulation induced by FMLP or FMLP + CB. In fact, supernatants from FMLP-treated PMN also induced FcyRs down-regulation on naive neutrophils. Moreover, supernatants from FMLP + CB-treated PMNs exerted a higher effect. Data obtained from permeabilized PMN show that after FMLP treatment there is an intracellular depletion of both FcgammaRIIIB and FcgammaRII. In addition, the FcgammaR down-regulation is abrogated by phenyl methyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) but not by other protease inhibitors such as pepstatin, thiorphan, phosphoramidon and leupeptin, suggesting a role for serine protease(s) in this process.