Epidemiology And Outcome Assessment Of Hand Burns: A 3-Year Retrospective Analysis In A Burn Unit.

A great number of burns affect the hands, either as part of a more extensive burn or as an isolated injury. These injuries can lead to physical, social and psychological consequences that may reduce quality of life and make difficult the return to work. The goal of this study was to investigate the main epidemiologic characteristics of adult patients with hand burns admitted to a dedicated burn centre, evaluate the outcomes of the treatment, and identify the predictors associated with the worst outcomes. This study found that a considerable amount of burn victims admitted had hand burns (41.5%). Males are more likely to be injured in general, but females are more prevalent in burns by hot liquids. The most common comorbidity was hypertension, followed by dyslipidemia and type II diabetes. Cooking is the activity associated with more accidental victims. Most injuries did not require surgical intervention. Approximately two-thirds of the patients did not have any important sequelae. The most common complications were scar disturbances (26%) and scar contractures (14%). The need for surgery, a higher number of surgeries and higher surface area burn were associated with the worst outcomes. It is imperative to establish a burn prevention education program nationwide, encompassing water temperature control in households, the use of anti-burn equipment, and the replacement of old electrical/ heating equipment.

Bon nombre de brûlures touchent les mains, isolément ou dans le cadre de brûlures plus étendues. Elles peuvent entraîner des conséquences physiques, psychologiques et sociales susceptibles d'obérer la qualité de vie et rendre difficile la reprise de l'activité professionnelle. Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer les principales caractéristiques épidémiologiques des brûlures de main chez des adultes admis dans notre CTB, leur évolution et les facteurs prédictifs de mauvaise évolution. Nous avons constaté que 41,5% de nos patients avaient une atteinte de main. Si les hommes étaient plus à risque de brûlures, les brûlures des femmes étaient plus souvent dues à un ébouillantement. Les comorbidités les plus fréquentes étaient l'hypertension artérielle, les dyslipidémies et le diabète de type 2. La cuisine était une activité particulièrement à risque. La plupart des lésions ont cicatrisé spontanément et les 2/3 des patients n'avaient pas de séquelle majeure, les plus fréquentes étant les anomalies cicatricielles (26%) et les brides rétractiles (14%). Les critères de mauvaise évolution étaient la nécessité d'intervention chirurgicale (et leur nombre) ainsi que l'augmentation de la surface brûlée. Il est impératif d'établir un plan national de prévention comprenant la régulation de la température de l'eau aux points de puisage, l'utilisation d'équipements sécurisés et le remplacement des systèmes de chauffage comme des circuits électriques anciens.

Bilateral third-degree burn of the legs: lower limb salvage with dermal regenerative matrix.

Third-degree burns of the lower extremities are among the most difficult burn injuries to treat as they frequently expose bone, tendons or articular surfaces. Coverage with a flap is the ideal treatment, but local tissue is often unavailable, and free flaps require sophisticated equipment and perfect microsurgical technique. We demonstrate a treatment option to obtain a stable cutaneous coverage for this kind of injury, consisting in an association of skin grafts, amniotic membrane and bilaminar dermal matrix templates. This combined treatment proved to be an excellent option to cover a wide area of tibial exposure with low donor site morbidity and good functional and aesthetic results. This shows that artificial dermis is a good alternative for treating bone exposure, especially in patients for whom a classic flap reconstruction is not suitable.

Les brûlures du troisième degré distales des membres inférieurs sont parmi les plus difficiles à traiter en raison de la fréquence des expositions osseuses, tendineuses ou articulaires. Bien que l'utilisation de lambeaux soit le traitement idéal de ces expositions, les tissus adjacents sont souvent inutilisables et les lambeaux libres requièrent un équipement spécifique et une maitrise des techniques microchirurgicales. Nous soumettons une option thérapeutique permettant d'obtenir une couverture cutanée stable pour ce type de brûlures : association de greffe cutanée, de membrane amniotique et de matrice dermique double couche. Ce traitement combiné s'est révélé être un excellent choix thérapeutique pour couvrir de larges expositions tibiales avec peu de morbidité de site donneur et un bon résultat fonctionnel et esthétique. Cela démontre que le derme artificiel peut être une alternative thérapeutique pour les expositions osseuses, surtout lorsque qu'une couverture par lambeau n'est pas possible.

First molecular detection of Leishmania infantum in Sergentomyia minuta (Diptera, Psychodidae) in Alentejo, southern Portugal.

Protozoan parasites, such as Leishmania spp., are the causative agents of many insect-borne infectious diseases with medical and veterinary importance. Leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania spp., is transmitted by female phlebotomine sand flies. In the Alentejo region of Portugal, located at the north of Algarve, cases of human and canine leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum have been notified. However, no recent studies regarding the sand fly fauna in the region are available. We therefore aimed to explore the phlebotomine sand fly species found in both, Évora and Beja Districts, to gain an insight about the leishmaniasis epidemiology in these areas. After the identification of the insect species, PCR molecular tests were used to assess L. infantum infection rate in the sand fly captured females, together with the analysis of blood meal sources of the insect vectors. One Sergentomyia minuta female was positive for L. infantum infection and another for human blood as a meal source. The occurrence of this phlebotomine species infected with L. infantum may suggest that, in the Mediterranean basin, leishmaniasis epidemiology is changing. Also, if the importance of S. minuta for the zoonotic and anthroponotic cycle of leishmaniasis is later proven, the strategies to control its vector will inevitably to be rethought.

Bilateral chorioretinopathy in child-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

Any of the various layers of the eye may suffer injury in systemic lupus erythematosus, ranging from keratoconjunctivitis sicca to retinopathy and optic neuritis. Rheumatologists must always be aware of ocular involvement in those patients since rapid diagnosis and a prompt intervention in those severe cases can prevent visual loss or even irreversible blindness. We present here the case of a 14-year-old girl who, despite a short period of disease, developed chorioretinopathy with transitory visual impairment with a good treatment response.

Description of a New Phlebotomine Species of the Brazilian Cerrado from Sandstone Caves in Tocantins State, Brazil: Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) elizabethrangelae sp. nov. (Diptera: Psychodidae).

The sand fly Lutzomyia (Lutzomyia) elizabethrangelae sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on the morphological characters of male and female specimens captured in sandstone caves in the municipality of Palmeirópolis, in the southern region of Tocantins state. The samples were collected as part of an entomological vector-monitoring project during the construction of the Peixe Angical Hydroelectric Plant. Based on the morphological characters of the new species, we believe this species can be included in the subgenus Lutzomyia. This species is closely related to two others, Lutzomyia forattinii Galati et al. 1985 and Lutzomyia almerioi Galati and Nunes 1999. The new species can be distinguished from Lutzomyia forattinii and Lutzomyia almerioi by the morphological characteristics of the male genitalia and the female cibarium.

[Initial experiences of an orthogeriatric unit]. / Puesta en marcha de una unidad de ortogeriatría.

OBJECTIVE: To report the design and outcomes obtained during the first operational years of the Orthogeriatric Unit (OGU) established in the Zaragoza-1 (Spain) Health-Sector. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 494 patients >70 years old treated in the OGU from February 2009 to December 2012. An analysis was performed using the following variables: demography, previous functional level, comorbidities, surgical delay, fracture type and surgical technique, complications, hospital stay, functional outcomes, destination after hospital discharge, and short and long term mortality. RESULTS: Mean age 85.22 years. High incidence of comorbidities (Charlson Index): 24.3%. Dementia: 38.5%. Surgical delay: 2.57 days. Mean hospital stay between admission and discharge/transfer to convalescence unit, 20.9 days (Traumatology 6.45+OGU 14.49). More than a third (34.6%) of patients suffered from delirium. Mean functional improvement (Barthel index at hospital discharge-Barthel index at hospital admission): 27.25 points. Montebello index: 0.49. In-hospital mortality: 6.9%. CONCLUSION: Hip fracture is such a frequent and disabling pathology among the geriatric population that its treatment requires an interdisciplinary approach. This must be managed by the geriatrician, who has to assure the continuity and integration of the diverse treatment and care schedules, with the participation of the entire professional team in the decision-making process. We are very satisfied with the creation of our interdisciplinary Unit that enables us to report competitive outcomes. We believe that the progression of this Unit from providing subacute to acute care will improve the general outcomes in the future.

Doctors' awareness concerning primary immunodeficiencies in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: PIDs are a heterogeneous group of genetic illnesses, and delay in their diagnosis is thought to be caused by a lack of awareness among physicians concerning PIDs. The latter is what we aimed to evaluate in Brazil. METHODS: Physicians working at general hospitals all over the country were asked to complete a 14-item questionnaire. One of the questions described 25 clinical situations that could be associated with PIDs and a score was created based on percentages of appropriate answers. RESULTS: A total of 4026 physicians participated in the study: 1628 paediatricians (40.4%), 1436 clinicians (35.7%), and 962 surgeons (23.9%). About 67% of the physicians had learned about PIDs in medical school or residency training, 84.6% evaluated patients who frequently took antibiotics, but only 40.3% of them participated in the immunological evaluation of these patients. Seventy-seven percent of the participating physicians were not familiar with the warning signs for PIDs. The mean score of correct answers for the 25 clinical situations was 48.08% (±16.06). Only 18.3% of the paediatricians, 7.4% of the clinicians, and 5.8% of the surgeons answered at least 2/3 of these situations appropriately. CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of medical awareness concerning PIDs, even among paediatricians, who have been targeted with PID educational programmes in recent years in Brazil. An increase in awareness with regard to these disorders within the medical community is an important step towards improving recognition and treatment of PIDs.

Lesions of the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus alter the cholinergic innervation and neuropeptide Y expression in the medial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens.

The effects of the ibotenic acid infused into the area of the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT) of rats on the expression of cortical and accumbal neuropeptides were assessed. The effects of this manipulation were determined in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by estimating the numerical density of varicosities immunoreactive for vesicular acetylcholine transporter and the total number of NAc neurons immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) as well as the total number of mPFC neurons immunoreactive for NPY and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). In LDT-lesioned rats, the density of the cholinergic varicosities was reduced in the ventral divisions of the mPFC and in all divisions of the NAc. In addition, in these rats, the total number of NPY-immunoreactive neurons was reduced in all subregions of the mPFC and in the NAc. Conversely, the total number of VIP-immunoreactive neurons in the mPFC and of ChAT-immunoreactive neurons in the NAc did not differ between LDT- and sham-lesioned rats. These data provide the first direct evidence for a relationship between selective damage of LDT cholinergic neurons and decreased expression of NPY in the mPFC and NAc. They also reveal that different types of cortical and accumbal interneurons respond differently to the cholinergic denervation induced by LDT lesions.

Severe combined immunodeficiency in Brazil: management, prognosis, and BCG-associated complications.

BACKGROUND: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is one of the most severe forms of primary immunodeficiency. The objectives of this study were to analyze the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of SCID in Brazil and to document the impact of BCG vaccine. METHODS: We actively searched for cases by contacting all Brazilian referral centers. RESULTS: We contacted 23 centers and 70 patients from 65 families. Patients were born between 1996 and 2011, and 49 (70%) were male. More than half (39) of the diagnoses were made after 2006. Mean age at diagnosis declined from 9.7 to 6.1 months (P = .058) before and after 2000, respectively, and mean delay in diagnosis decreased from 7.9 to 4.2 months (P = .009). Most patients (60/70) were vaccinated with BCG before the diagnosis, 39 of 60 (65%) had complications related to BCG vaccine, and the complication was disseminated in 29 of 39 (74.3%). Less than half of the patients (30, 42.9%) underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Half of the patients died (35, 50%), and 23 of these patients had not undergone HSCT. Disseminated BCG was the cause of death, either alone or in association with other causes, in 9 of 31 cases (29%, no data for 4 cases). CONCLUSIONS: In Brazil, diagnosis of SCID has improved over the last decade, both in terms of the number of cases and age at diagnosis, although a much higher number of cases had been expected. Mortality is higher than in developed countries. Complications of BCG vaccine are an important warning sign for the presence of SCID and account for significant morbidity during disease progression.

Nutritional supplementation assessment with whey proteins and TGF-ß in patients with Crohn's disease.

UNLABELLED: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the intestines, resulting in breakage of the intestinal barrier, pathological inflammation and nutritional disorders that encompass from trace elements deficiency to severe malnutrition. Nutritional interventions either alone or associated to drug therapy may be effective to achieve and maintain inflammation remission. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate usual food intake as quantitative and qualitatively, in CD patients; and describe the effect of a supplement containing whey proteins and TGF- on their body composition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dietary intake was assessed considering 42 consecutive patients, followed in a tertiary center, and by using the 3-day food recall and food intake frequency questionnaire. Body composition was assessed previously and 8 weeks after supplementation with a diet containing whey proteins and TGF-ß (N = 22). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Considering carbohydrates and lipids, most patients had adequate dietary intake according recommendations. Protein, saturated fat, B12 vitamin and zinc intakes were higher than the recommended values. The dietary fiber, A, D, C and E vitamins, calcium, iron, folate, potassium and sodium intakes did not reach the recommended requirements in most patients. Patients supplemented with the whey protein and TGF-ß dietary presented a positive increment in their lean body mass, when compared to non-supplemented group. CONCLUSION: CD patients require nutritional orientation. Whey protein intake resulted in significant differences, such as improvement in Lean Body Mass and reduction in Fat percentage.

Estrategias para la reducción de la transmisión vertical del virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y su relación con Enfermería / Estratégias para redução da transmissão vertical do vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e sua relação com a Enfermagem

Introducción: Cerca del 40% de las personas infectadas por el vírus VIH son mujeres, feminización de la epidemia, ocurriendo de esta forma un aumento de casos de niños infectados a través de la TV. Objetivos: Identificar las estrategias utilizadas en el proceso de investigación diagnóstica de la gestante y la importancia del enfermero en este proceso. Material y Métodos: Se trata de una revisión bibliográfica en bases de datos virtuales. Resultados y Discusión: Se encontraron 56 publicaciones, de las cuales tras realizar una lectura exploratoria de sus resúmenes, fueron seleccionados 17 artículos que contienen el tema propuesto. Se establecieron las siguientes estrategias: evaluación y educación sexual del VIH, que consiste en la realización de exámenes gratuitos y consejos a las gestantes antes y después del test. Yen la adhesión a la terapia anti-retroviral, indicada para las gestantes seropositivas, percibimos que hay una gran dificultad en la continuidad del tratamiento, sin embargo los factores deben ser investigados individualmente. En estas estrategias el enfermero tiene un papel significativo en su ejecución.. Consideraciones finales: Son varios los desafios encontrados, siendo necesaria la constante actualización para la asistencia de enfermería, constituyendo la aplicación de acciones y de informaciones científicas un objetivo de la prevención y tratamiento para la disminución de la TV (AU)

Introduction: About 40% of people infected with HIV are women, called the feminization of the epidemic, in this way an increase occurs in cases among children infected through TV. Objectives: To identify the strategies used in the diagnostic investigation of pregnancy and the importance of nurses in the process. Methods: This is a bibliographic survey on the database software. Results and Discussion: There were 56 publications, of which after reading the exploratory summaries, 17 articles were selected covering the proposed topic. The following strategies were raised: HIV testing and counseling, which consists of free testing and counseling and examinations of pregnant women before and after the test. Joining the antiretroviral therapy, given to the women who are pregnant and HIV positive, we realize that continuation of the treatment is very difficult, however the factors must be investigated individually. In both the strategies the nurse has in a significant role to play in the implementation of treatment. Final considerations: There are several challenges encountered, there is a constant need to update the assistance of nursing and the implementation of actions and scientific information with the objective of prevention and treatment is aimed at the reduction of TV (AU)

Introdução: Cerca de 40% das pessoas infectadas pelo vírus HIV são mulheres, denominando a feminização da epidemia, ocorrendo desta forma um aumento de casos de crianças infectadas através da TV. Objetivos: Identificar as estratégias utilizadas no processo de investigação diagnóstica da gestante e a importância do enfermeiro nesse processo. Material e Métodos: Trata-se de um levantamento bibliográfico em base de dados virtuais. Resultados e Discussão: Foram encontradas 56 publicações, dos quais após realizada uma leitura exploratória de seus resumos, foram selecionados 17 artigos que abrangem o tema proposto. Foram levantadas as seguintes estratégias: testagem e aconselhamento do HIV, que consiste na realização de exames gratuitos e aconselhamento das gestantes antes e após o teste. E a adesão à terapia anti-retroviral, indicada para as gestantes soropositivas, percebemos que há uma grande dificuldade na continuidade do tratamento, no entanto os fatores devem ser investigados individualmente. Sendo que em ambas as estratégias o enfermeiro encontra-se em um papel significativo para execução das mesmas. Considerações finais: São vários os desafios encontrados, sendo necessária a constante atualização para a assistência de enfermagem, constituindo a aplicação de ações e de informações científicas com objetivo da prevenção e tratamento visando a diminuição da TV (AU)

Circulating concentrations, cerebral output of the CINC-1 and blood­brain barrier disruption in Wistar rats after pneumococcal meningitis induction.

Pneumococcal meningitis is a severe infectious illness of the central nervous system (CNS), with high rates of lethality and morbidity, being that the microorganism and the host's inflammatory response are responsible for cerebral complications. Moreover, the blood­brain barrier (BBB) itself secretes cytokines and, because of the bipolar nature of the BBB, these substances can be secreted into either the CNS compartment or in the blood, so patients with acute bacterial meningitis frequently develop sepsis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cytokine/chemokine levels in different vessels and the BBB integrity after pneumococcal meningitis induction. Wistar rats were infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the BBB integrity was investigated using Evan's blue dye. Also, blood from the carotid artery and jugular vein was collected in order to perform tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-60 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) analyses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CINC-1 levels were increased at 6 h in the arterial plasma and at 3 and 6 h in the jugular plasma. We observed BBB breakdown between 12 and 24 h in the hippocampus and at 12 and 18 h in the cortex after pneumococcal meningitis induction. The increase of CINC-1 occurred prior to the BBB breakdown. CINC-1 is a neutrophil chemoattractant and it may be related to early events in the pneumococcal meningitis pathophysiology.

Abnormalities in body composition and nutritional status in HIV-infected children and adolescents on antiretroviral therapy.

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare growth, nutritional status and body composition outcomes between a group of 94 HIV-infected children and adolescents on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 364 healthy controls, and to evaluate their association with clinical and lifestyle variables within the HIV-infected group. When compared with the control group, HIV patients had higher risk of stunting (odds ratio [OR] 5.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.83-10.04) and thinness (OR 4.7, 95% CI: 2.44-9.06), higher waist-to-hip ratios (medians 0.89 versus 0.82 for boys and 0.90 versus 0.77 for girls, P < 0.001), and lower prevalence of overweight or obesity (OR 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14-0.78). Protease inhibitor usage was associated with thinness (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.07-11.44) and lipoatrophy (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.37-8.95). HIV-infected children on ART showed significant nutritional status and body composition abnormalities, consistent with the severity of vertical HIV infection and the consequences of prolonged ART.

In vivo and in vitro exposures for the evaluation of the genotoxic effects of lead on the Neotropical freshwater fish Prochilodus lineatus.

In the present study, in vivo and in vitro exposures were used to assess the genotoxicity of lead (Pb) to the freshwater fish Prochilodus lineatus. The comet assay using blood, liver and gill cells, and the occurrence of micronuclei (MN) and other erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) were used to assess the genotoxic potential of lead in vivo. Metallothionein content (MT) was measured in fish liver in order to evaluate the protection of fish against Pb toxicity. Fish erythrocytes were exposed to Pb in vitro (1, 3 and 6 h) and the number of viable cells, DNA integrity, using the comet assay, and lysosomal membrane stability, measured by the neutral red retention assay (NRRA) were analyzed. The results of the comet assay after in vivo toxicity tests (6, 24 and 96 h) showed that Pb was genotoxic for all the three tissues analyzed after 96 h exposure. A significant increase in liver MT content was observed after 6 and 24 h of Pb exposure. MN frequency did not increase after Pb exposures, but the frequency of the other ENA, such as kidney-shaped nuclei, segmented nuclei and lobed nuclei, showed a significant increase after 24 and 96 h, indicating that ENA is a better biomarker for Pb exposure than MN alone after short-term exposures. The results of the comet assay performed with erythrocytes in vitro exposed to lead confirmed its genotoxic effect and showed that DNA damage increased with increasing exposure time. Moreover, the NRRA clearly indicated that Pb induces a destabilization of the lysosomal membrane. These results demonstrate the potential genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of lead after acute exposures.

Increased levels of glutamate in the central nervous system are associated with behavioral symptoms in experimental malaria

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe complication resulting from Plasmodium falciparum infection. This condition has been associated with cognitive, behavioral and motor dysfunctions, seizures and coma. The underlying mechanisms of CM are incompletely understood. Glutamate and other metabolites such as lactate have been implicated in its pathogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of glutamate in the behavioral symptoms of CM. Seventeen female C57BL/6 mice (20-25 g) aged 6-8 weeks were infected with P. berghei ANKA by the intraperitoneal route using a standardized inoculation of 10(6) parasitized red blood cells suspended in 0.2 mL PBS. Control animals (N = 17) received the same volume of PBS. Behavioral and neurological symptoms were analyzed by the SmithKline/Harwell/Imperial College/Royal Hospital/Phenotype Assessment (SHIRPA) battery. Glutamate release was measured in the cerebral cortex and cerebrospinal fluid of infected and control mice by fluorimetric assay. All functional categories of the SHIRPA battery were significantly altered in the infected mice at 6 days post-infection (dpi) (P ≤ 0.05). In parallel to CM symptoms, we found a significant increase in glutamate levels in the cerebral cortex (mean ± SEM; control: 11.62 ± 0.90 nmol/mg protein; infected at 3 dpi: 10.36 ± 1.17 nmol/mg protein; infected at 6 dpi: 26.65 ± 0.73 nmol/mg protein; with EGTA, control: 5.60 ± 1.92 nmol/mg protein; infected at 3 dpi: 6.24 ± 1.87 nmol/mg protein; infected at 6 dpi: 14.14 ± 0.84 nmol/mg protein) and in the cerebrospinal fluid (control: 128 ± 51.23 pmol/mg protein; infected: 301.4 ± 22.52 pmol/mg protein) of infected mice (P ≤ 0.05). These findings suggest a role of glutamate in the central nervous system dysfunction found in CM.

Increased levels of glutamate in the central nervous system are associated with behavioral symptoms in experimental malaria.

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a severe complication resulting from Plasmodium falciparum infection. This condition has been associated with cognitive, behavioral and motor dysfunctions, seizures and coma. The underlying mechanisms of CM are incompletely understood. Glutamate and other metabolites such as lactate have been implicated in its pathogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of glutamate in the behavioral symptoms of CM. Seventeen female C57BL/6 mice (20-25 g) aged 6-8 weeks were infected with P. berghei ANKA by the intraperitoneal route using a standardized inoculation of 106 parasitized red blood cells suspended in 0.2 mL PBS. Control animals (N = 17) received the same volume of PBS. Behavioral and neurological symptoms were analyzed by the SmithKline/Harwell/Imperial College/Royal Hospital/Phenotype Assessment (SHIRPA) battery. Glutamate release was measured in the cerebral cortex and cerebrospinal fluid of infected and control mice by fluorimetric assay. All functional categories of the SHIRPA battery were significantly altered in the infected mice at 6 days post-infection (dpi) (P ≤ 0.05). In parallel to CM symptoms, we found a significant increase in glutamate levels in the cerebral cortex (mean ± SEM; control: 11.62 ± 0.90 nmol/mg protein; infected at 3 dpi: 10.36 ± 1.17 nmol/mg protein; infected at 6 dpi: 26.65 ± 0.73 nmol/mg protein; with EGTA, control: 5.60 ± 1.92 nmol/mg protein; infected at 3 dpi: 6.24 ± 1.87 nmol/mg protein; infected at 6 dpi: 14.14 ± 0.84 nmol/mg protein) and in the cerebrospinal fluid (control: 128 ± 51.23 pmol/mg protein; infected: 301.4 ± 22.52 pmol/mg protein) of infected mice (P ≤ 0.05). These findings suggest a role of glutamate in the central nervous system dysfunction found in CM.

Seletividade de acaricidas utilizados em cafeeiro para pré-pupas e adultos de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) / Selectivity of pesticides used in coffee crops to pre-pupae and adults of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Os ácaros Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) (Tetranychidae) e Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Tenuipalpidae) causam prejuízos econômicos ao cafeeiro e seu controle é feito geralmente por meio do método químico. Dentre os inimigos naturais que regulam as densidades populacionais desses artrópodes-praga, destacam-se os crisopídeos, os quais devem ser preservados por meio do uso de compostos seletivos. Desta forma, objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de espirodiclofeno (0,12 g i.a./L), fenpropatrina (0,15 e 0,30 g i.a./L), enxofre (4,0 e 8,0 g i.a./L) e abamectina (0,0067 e 0,0225 g i.a./L) sobre as fases de pré-pupa e adulta de Chrysoperla externa. As pulverizações dos compostos foram realizadas diretamente sobre pré-pupas e adultos do crisopídeo por meio de torre de Potter. Em seguida, as pré-pupas foram transferidas para tubos de vidro (2 x 8 cm) e os adultos para gaiolas de PVC (10 x 10 cm), sendo mantidos em sala climatizada (25 ± 2o C, UR de 70 ± 10% e fotofase de 12h). Os compostos foram classificados de acordo com o efeito total no desenvolvimento do predador, seguindo recomendações da IOBC. Constatou-se que espirodiclofeno, fenpropatrina e abamectina foram moderadamente nocivos para C. externa quando aplicados sobre a fase de pré-pupa e enxofre foi levemente nocivo. Quando aplicados sobre adultos, fenpropatrina foi nocivo, espirodiclofeno, abamectina e enxofre na maior dose (8,0 g i.a./L) foram moderadamente nocivos, enquanto que enxofre na menor dose (4,0 g i.a./L) mostrou-se levemente nocivo.

The mites Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) (Tetranychidae) and Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Tenuipalpidae) cause economic losses to coffee and they are usually controlled by means of chemical method. Among the natural enemies that regulate the population densities of arthropod pests, the green lacewings stand out, which must be preserved through the use of selective compounds. For this reason, the present study evaluated the effects of spirodiclofen (Envidor ­ 0.12 g a.i./L), fenpropathrin (Meothrin 300 ­ 0.15 and 0.30 g a.i./L), sulphur (Thiovit Sandoz ­ 4.0 and 8.0 g a.i./L) and abamectin (Vertimec 18 CE ­ 0.0067 and 0.0225 g a.i./L) on pre-pupae and adults of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen). The pesticides were applied directly on pre-pupae and adults of green lacewings, using a Potter's tower. The pre-pupae were then transferred to glass tubes (2 x 8 cm) and the adults to PVC cages (10 x 10cm) and maintained in climatic chambers (25 ± 2o C, RH of 70 ± 10% and 12h photophase). The compounds were classified according to the total effect on the development of the predator, following recommendations of the IOBC. Spirodiclofen, fenpropathrin and abamectin were moderately harmful to C. externa, when applied on the pre-pupae, and sulphur was slightly harmful. When applied on adults, the acaricide fenpropathrin was harmful; spirodiclofen, abamectin and sulphur (8.0 g a.i./L) were moderately harmful, and sulphur (4.0 g a.i./L) was slightly harmful.

Mutations of Bruton's tyrosine kinase gene in Brazilian patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia

Mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene are responsible for X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), which is characterized by recurrent bacterial infections, profound hypogammaglobulinemia, and decreased numbers of mature B cells in peripheral blood. We evaluated 5 male Brazilian patients, ranging from 3 to 10 years of age, from unrelated families, whose diagnosis was based on recurrent infections, markedly reduced levels of IgM, IgG and IgA, and circulating B cell numbers <2 percent. BTK gene analysis was carried out using PCR-SSCP followed by sequencing. We detected three novel (Ala347fsX55, I355T, and Thr324fsX24) and two previously reported mutations (Q196X and E441X). Flow cytometry revealed a reduced expression of BTK protein in patients and a mosaic pattern of BTK expression was obtained from mothers, indicating that they were XLA carriers.

Mutations of Bruton's tyrosine kinase gene in Brazilian patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia.

Mutations in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene are responsible for X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), which is characterized by recurrent bacterial infections, profound hypogammaglobulinemia, and decreased numbers of mature B cells in peripheral blood. We evaluated 5 male Brazilian patients, ranging from 3 to 10 years of age, from unrelated families, whose diagnosis was based on recurrent infections, markedly reduced levels of IgM, IgG and IgA, and circulating B cell numbers <2%. BTK gene analysis was carried out using PCR-SSCP followed by sequencing. We detected three novel (Ala347fsX55, I355T, and Thr324fsX24) and two previously reported mutations (Q196X and E441X). Flow cytometry revealed a reduced expression of BTK protein in patients and a mosaic pattern of BTK expression was obtained from mothers, indicating that they were XLA carriers.