Selection at the Y chromosome of the African buffalo driven by rainfall.

Selection coefficients at the mammalian Y chromosome typically do not deviate strongly from neutrality. Here we show that strong balancing selection, maintaining intermediate frequencies of DNA sequence variants, acts on the Y chromosome in two populations of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Significant correlations exist between sequence variant frequencies and annual rainfall in the years before conception, with five- to eightfold frequency changes over short time periods.

Single-acquisition method for simultaneous determination of extrinsic gamma-camera sensitivity and spatial resolution.

A new method for measuring simultaneously both the extrinsic sensitivity and spatial resolution of a gamma-camera in a single planar acquisition was implemented. A dual-purpose phantom (SR phantom; sensitivity/resolution) was developed, tested and the results compared with other conventional methods used for separate determination of these two important image quality parameters. The SR phantom yielded reproducible and accurate results, allowing an immediate visual inspection of the spatial resolution as well as the quantitative determination of the contrast for six different spatial frequencies.

Intra-genotypic resolution of African swine fever viruses from an East African domestic pig cycle: a combined p72-CVR approach.

Two of the 22 presently recognised African swine fever (ASF) virus p72 genotypes are genetically homogeneous and are associated with domestic pig cycles. Of these, genotype VIII comprises just two p72 variants, designated 'a' and 'b' in this study, and is confined to four East African countries where it has caused numerous outbreaks between 1961 and 2001. In order to resolve relationships within this homogeneous genotype, the central variable region (CVR) of the 9RL open reading frame of 38 viruses was characterised and the resulting dataset complemented with seven published sequences.

Pulmonary and cardiac cysticercosis: helical CT findings.

The authors aim to report the chest CT findings of a patient with disseminated cysticercosis, emphasising the pulmonary and cardiac features. The main finding consisted of multiple pulmonary, cardiac and chest wall nodules. The present case demonstrates that cysticercosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of multiple pulmonary nodules, mainly in those patients with similar lesions in the cardiac muscle and/or in the chest wall.

Genetic characterisation of African swine fever viruses from outbreaks in southern Africa (1973-1999).

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly lethal and economically significant disease of domestic pigs in the southern African sub-region, where outbreaks regularly occur. There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that trans-boundary movement of infected animals may have played a role in precipitating widespread outbreaks in the past, however, since the 1970s outbreaks have generally been more localised, particularly in those countries where control of animal movement is strictly regulated. The origin and relatedness of regional ASF outbreaks was investigated here by means of a two-step genetic characterisation approach whereby p72 gene sequencing was used to delineate genotypes, prior to intra-genotypic resolution of viral relationships by central variable region (CVR) characterisation of the 9RL ORF.

[Retinopathy in a patient with hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin: case report].

Interferon is an immunomodulating cytokine used to treat patients with different diseases, such as hepatitis C chronic infection. Pegylated interferon is a new type of interferon, developed to increase the half-life of the drug. Many side effects have been related to its use, including ocular toxicity and retinopathy.

[Evaluation of patients with dizziness and normal electronystagmography using stabilometry].

he causes of dizziness are difficult to be diagnosed. At present we have a variety of tests and exams but none of them can adequately evaluate the vestibular function. The most commonly used tests are electronystagmography and posturography.

Diffusion tensor imaging abnormalities in focal cortical dysplasia.

Purpose: Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is one of the most common underlying pathologic substrates in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of FCD is an important predictor of good surgical outcome, conventional MRI is not sensitive enough to detect all lesions. Previous reports of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) abnormalities in FCD suggest the potential of DTI in the detection of FCD.

Intra- and inter-genotypic size variation in the central variable region of the 9RL open reading frame of diverse African swine fever viruses.

African swine fever (ASF) viruses are characterised by numerous p72 genotypes, but by low levels of intra-genotypic variation, particularly in domestic pig associated genotypes. As it is precisely these viral lineages that are involved in outbreaks of the disease it is imperative that alternative, more informative gene regions be identified which are suitable for intra-genotypic resolution of relationships. To this end, the central variable region (CVR) of the 9RL open reading frame of diverse ASF viruses was amplified and product sizes scored and compared within and between genotypes.

Influence of murine Toxocara canis infection on plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophil numbers and its correlation with cytokine levels.

Toxocara canis is a nematode of the Ascaridae family that normally parasites the small intestine of canid species. Humans are accidentally infected upon ingestion of embryonated eggs, and can manifest several clinical alterations such as fever, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, respiratory symptoms, muscle pain and anorexia. In the present work, we investigated the kinetics of tissue distribution of L2 larva in lungs, liver, kidney, brain, skeletal muscle and myocardium.

Retrospective genetic analysis of SAT-1 type foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in southern Africa.

In areas where foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in wildlife hosts, such as the Kruger National Park (KNP) in South Africa, control measures are in place that ensure that potentially infected antelope and buffalo do not come into close contact with domestic animals. In South Africa several SAT-1 outbreaks occurred nearly simultaneously in cattle and impala between 1971-1981. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial 1D gene nucleotide sequencing indicated that several of these outbreaks were linked and it is probable that disease spread from the intermediary impala antelope host to cattle in close proximity.

[Family environment and child's cognitive development: an epidemiological approach].

Objective: To assess the association between quality of stimulation in the family environment and child's cognitive development considering the impact of mother's schooling on the quality of stimulation.

Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising 350 children aged 17-42 months was carried out in central and peripheral areas of Salvador, Northeastern Brazil, in 1999. A socio-economic questionnaire was used, along with the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Scale (HOME Inventory), and the Bayley Scale for Infant Development.

Molecular epidemiology of African swine fever in East Africa.

African swine fever (ASF) a lethal, viral hemorrhagic disease of domestic pigs, first reported from East Africa in 1921, is still widespread in this region. In order to assess field heterogeneity at the regional level, nucleotide sequences corresponding to the C-terminal end of the p72 gene were determined for 77 ASF viruses of diverse temporal and species origin occurring in eight East African countries. The number of sites completely conserved across all East African sequences characterized in this study was 84.

Multiplexed immunoassay for detection of rheumatoid factors by FIDISTM technology.

Our objective was to (i) compare FIDIS Rheuma, a new multiplexed immunoassay designed for simultaneous detection of IgM class rheumatoid factors (RF) directed against Fc determinants of IgG from humans and animals, with agglutination and ELISA (conventional methods) and (ii) evaluate the clinical sensitivity and specificity of biological markers for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To do this, FIDIS technology was employed using the Luminex system. It consists of distinct color-coded microsphere sets, a flow cytometer, and digital signal processing hardware and software.

An investigation into natural resistance to African swine fever in domestic pigs from an endemic area in southern Africa.

A population of domestic pigs in northern Mozambique with increased resistance to the pathogenic effects of African swine fever (ASF) virus was identified by the high prevalence of circulating antibodies to ASF virus. An attempt was made to establish whether the resistance in this population was heritable. Some of these pigs were acquired and transported to a quarantine facility and allowed to breed naturally.

Foot and mouth disease in Mali: the current situation and proposed control strategies.

Two main reasons prompted the authors to write this paper. First, outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) have occurred repeatedly in Mali and neighbouring countries during the last decade. Secondly, there is a pressing need for control strategies, since the first molecular epidemiological studies of FMD virus in West Africa have demonstrated that FMD transmission across national boundaries is common in this region.

An investigation into the source and spread of foot and mouth disease virus from a wildlife conservancy in Zimbabwe.

African buffalo were introduced into a wildlife conservancy in the southeast of Zimbabwe in an effortto increase the conservancy's economic viability, which is primarily based on eco-tourism. The buffalo were infected with SAT serotypes (SAT-1, SAT-2 and SAT-3) of foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus, and in order to isolate the conservancy and prevent the transmission of FMD to adjacent populations of domestic livestock, the conservancy was surrounded by a double-fence system, 1.8 m in height.

Cognitive functioning in bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria (BPP): clinical and radiological correlations.

Bilateral perisylvian polymicrogyria (BPP) is a malformation of cortical development, frequently associated with severe dysarthria or anarthria. BPP patients are therefore often labeled as severely retarded, but a detailed neuropsychological profile has not been reported to date. In a series of 14 patients, we demonstrated that only a minority had extremely low intelligence, and that some aspects of cognitive function correlated with the extent of the cortical disorganization.

Compositional changes of collagen and glycosaminoglycans in the tunica albuginea and corpus cavernosum from the human penis during the fetal and postnatal periods.

Purpose: We investigated the composition of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the corpus cavernosum (CC) and tunica albuginea (TA) of normal human penises.

Materials And Methods: Penises were obtained from a 6-month-old child (group 1), a 2-year-old child (group 2), 18 to 34-year-old adults (group 3), 37 to 53-year-old adults (group 4) and 22 fetuses at 17.2 to 33.

[The physician-patient relationship under the Family Health Program in three municipalities in Bahia State, Brazil].

This study discusses the physician-patient relationship under the Family Health Program (FHP) in Bahia State, Brazil. Assuming that the physician-patient relationship is influenced by macro and micro-contextual factors, we linked health surveillance and the ecological model of human development, both influenced by contextualism. The methodological strategies included: a census of FHP physicians in Bahia and direct observation of consultations by 20 physicians in three municipalities (counties).

Effect of Mycobacterium leprae lipids on BCG- and carrageenan-induced cellular recruitment in mouse pleurisy.

Pathogenic mycobacteria survive inside macrophages and deactivate these cells, using a mechanism that is still poorly understood. Mycobacterial cell wall lipids constitute the first contact with the host cell. Although Mycobaterium leprae and M.

Co-circulation of two genetically distinct viruses in an outbreak of African swine fever in Mozambique: no evidence for individual co-infection.

In 1998, domestic pigs originating from villages within a 40 km radius of Ulongwe in the northern Tete Province of Mozambique were held in a quarantine facility for a 3-month period prior to their importation into South Africa. Eight of a total of 25 pigs died within the first 3 weeks of quarantine of what appeared clinically and on post mortem examination to be African swine fever (ASF). Organs were collected and preserved in formol-glycerosaline and the presence of ASF virus in these specimens was confirmed by three independent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.

The concentration of elastic fibres in the male urethra during human fetal development.

Objective: To describe the distribution of elastic fibres in the developing male urethra and to provide stereological data of the concentration of elastic fibres in the human urethra.

Materials And Methods: Urethras were obtained from 10 fresh normal human fetuses at 15-36 weeks of gestation. A place-matched spongy urethra of a 27-year-old normal adult man was also analysed.

Cortical malformations are associated with a rare polymorphism of cellular prion protein.

Studies in animals lacking the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) gene (Prnp) showed higher neuronal excitability in vitro and increased sensitivity to seizures in vivo. The authors previously reported a rare polymorphism at codon 171 (Asn-->Ser) of human Prnp to be associated with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy related to hippocampal sclerosis. They demonstrated that the same variant allele is also associated with symptomatic epilepsies related to different forms of malformations of cortical development.

Posterior quadrantic dysplasia or hemi-hemimegalencephaly: a characteristic brain malformation.

Introduction: Posterior quadrantic dysplasia (PQD), a developmental malformation involving the temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes of one cerebral hemisphere, leads to intractable epilepsy.

Objective: To characterize the clinical features of 19 patients with PQD and analyze the postsurgical outcome of those who underwent resection of dysplastic tissue.

Methods: The extent and nature of the malformation were primarily assessed with high-resolution brain imaging.