Hyperhemolysis in a patient with beta-thalassemia major.

A case of hyperhemolysis in a 2-year-old boy with beta thalassemia major was noted. After several transfusions, he developed hyperhemolysis with a positive (C3d only) direct antiglobulin test (DAT) and no clinically significant RBC allo- or auto-antibodies. (There was a weak cold antibody, showing a narrow thermal range).

[Ectoparasitic flies (Diptera: Streblidae) of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil: infestation rates and the host-parasite association].

This study reports the first records of the parasitism rates of the association among ectoparasitic flies of the family Streblidae found in phyllostomid bats in the state of Maranhão. Specimens were collected in patches of secondary forest and borders of mangrove in the village of Quebra Pote, located in the south portion of the island of São Luís. A total of 201 flies of 15 species and eight genera [Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel, A.

Effects of habitat fragmentation and disturbance on howler monkeys: a review.

We examined the literature on the effects of habitat fragmentation and disturbance on howler monkeys (genus Alouatta) to (1) identify different threats that may affect howlers in fragmented landscapes; (2) review specific predictions developed in fragmentation theory and (3) identify the empirical evidence supporting these predictions. Although howlers are known for their ability to persist in both conserved and disturbed conditions, we found evidence that they are negatively affected by high levels of habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. Patch size appears to be the main factor constraining populations in fragmented habitats, probably because patch size is positively related to food availability, and negatively related to anthropogenic pressures, physiological stress and parasite loads.

Coalitions and male-male behavior in Alouatta palliata.

Coalitions influence the establishment and maintenance of social relationships among males in primate species. In this study, we compare the social behavior of males between two groups of Alouatta palliata: a group that was recently taken over by a coalition of two males (Mt), and a group that had a stable composition for at least 9 months (Rh). We predicted that coalition partners would be more cooperative and less competitive than dyads formed by immigrant and long-term resident males, and dyads formed by long-term resident males.

Infectious thoracic aortitis: a literature review.

Infectious thoracic aortitis (IA) remains a rare disease, especially after the appearance of antibiotics. However, if left untreated it is always lethal. It usually affects patients with atherosclerotic aortic disease and/or infective endocarditis.

Transient left ventricular ballooning syndrome.

The transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome or takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction refers to the ventricular morphological features present in the heart of these patients. It resembles the Japanese Takotsubo, which means a "fishing pot for trapping octopuses". This syndrome is characterized by transient left ventricular dysfunction, electrocardiographic changes and minimal release of myocardial enzymes that mimic acute anterior myocardial infarction, in patients without angiographic coronary artery disease.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a diagnosis to consider in acute coronary syndromes.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an extremely rare cause of acute coronary syndrome, with a reported angiographic incidence ranging between 0.1 and 1.1%.

Orthodontic treatment need in a group of 9-12-year-old Brazilian schoolchildren.

The present study aimed to evaluate the need for orthodontic treatment in Brazilian schoolchildren presenting both late mixed dentition and early permanent dentition as well as to determine the possible factors associated with this necessity. Our randomly selected sample consisted of 407 schoolchildren aged between 9 and 12 years from Nova Friburgo (State of Rio de Janeiro), Brazil. All the children were evaluated according to the two components of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), namely, the Dental Health Component (DHC) and the Aesthetic Component (AC).

Ricinus communis biocompatibility histological study in the nose of Cebus apella monkeys.

Unlabelled: Bone tissue lesions can be caused by congenital and acquired factors, and result in nasal deformities with cosmetic and functional repercussion. Surgical treatment in these cases frequently requires complex reconstructions and the use of biomaterials. The polyurethane derived from castor beans (Ricinus communis) has a favorable formulation in terms of ease of processing, flexibility, no emission of toxic vapors and low cost.

Uncommon localization of a sialolith in a child's frenum.

Sialoliths or salivary calculi appear as hard nodules of unknown etiology and are usually located in the anterior portion of Wharton's duct (submandibular gland ducts), affecting mainly adult men. The purpose of this report was to describe an uncommon case of submandibular sialolith located in a child's lingual frenum and address the semiologic and semiotechnical aspects related to the case's diagnosis.

Metabolomic analysis of Ocotea odorifera cell cultures: a model protocol for acquiring metabolite data.

Metabolomics constitutes a quantitative and qualitative survey of the whole metabolites of an organism as well as a tissue, reflecting the genome and proteome of a sample as analyzed. Advanced analytical spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques are used along with uni- or multivariate statistical data analysis, rapidly identifying up- or down-regulated metabolites in complex matrices. In this chapter, protocols for the analysis of target compounds (protocol I) and metabolomics (protocol II) of Ocotea odorifera cell cultures are described.

Refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following influenza vaccination.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterised by the systemic microvascular aggregation of platelets causing ischaemia of the brain and other organs. We describe the case of a 54 year-old man who presented with neurological signs, fever, severe thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and renal failure 5 days after receiving an influenza vaccination. He was diagnosed with acute refractory TTP caused by autoantibody-mediated ADAMTS-13 deficiency.

Telangiectatic adenoma - computed tomography and magnetic resonance findings: a case report and review of the literature.

Telangiectatic adenoma is a new classification of a hepatic lesion. It was previously named telangiectatic focal nodular hyperplasia but it is in fact true adenoma with telangiectatic features. We report here a case of telangiectatic adenoma in a 72-year-old woman.

A pH signaling mechanism involved in the spatial distribution of calcium and anion fluxes in ectomycorrhizal roots.

Mycorrhization is a typical example of a host-pathogen symbiotic interaction where the pathogen cell biology and the host immune response coevolved several functional links. Here, the role played by ion fluxes across the root concerning nutrient uptake, osmoregulation, growth and signaling events is addressed. An ion-selective vibrating probe system was used to determine the net fluxes of protons (H(+)), calcium (Ca(2+)) and anions (A(-)) along nonmycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) roots of Eucalyptus globulus colonized by Pisolithus sp.

[Femoro-distal revascularization surgery: 5-years retrospective analysis of results].

Purpose: We describe the outcomes of femoro-distal bypass procedures used to treat peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate primary patency and limb salvage at 5 years.

Methods And Patients: We retrospectively studied 122 consecutive patients who underwent femoro-distal bypass surgery from 1999 to 2002.

Primary clearance of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 by PKCtheta-/- CD8 T cells is compromised in the absence of help from CD4 T cells.

CD4 T cells are dispensable for acute control of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) but are necessary for effective long-term control of the virus by CD8 T cells. In contrast, protein kinase C theta (PKCtheta) is not essential for either acute or long-term viral control. However, we found that while either CD4 or CD8 T cells could mediate the clearance of MHV-68 from the lungs of PKCtheta(+/+) mice, PKCtheta(-/-) mice depleted of either subset failed to clear the virus.

Quantitation of methylxanthinic alkaloids and phenolic compounds in mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and their effects on blood vessel formation in chick embryos.

Methylxanthinic alkaloids and phenolic compounds are related to the therapeutic properties of Ilex paraguariensis infusions. Considering the known vascular tropism of xanthines, an aqueous extract (mate) and caffeine were evaluated on blood vessel formation, in connection with the analysis of those secondary metabolites, which was performed in young and mature leaf samples collected in three cultivation systems located in the southern region in Brazil (Santa Catarina State). Samples of young and mature leaves from a monoculture cultivation system (MC) showed the highest content of phenolic compounds (149.

Special care dentistry: a new specialty in Brazil.

In 2001, the Brazilian Dental Council established a new specialty: Special Care Dentistry (SCD). This decision was based on the increase of both the number of people with disabilities and their demand for dental treatment. The aim of this study was to present the current status of SCD in Brazil.

Limitations to photosynthesis in coffee leaves from different canopy positions.

Limitations to photosynthesis were explored in leaves from four canopy positions of field-grown, unshaded coffee (Coffea arabica L.), a tropical tree species classified as shade-obligatory. Overall, compared to shade (lower) leaves, sun (upper) leaves had higher net carbon assimilation rate (A) (4.

Split mouth randomized controlled clinical trial of beveled cavity preparations in primary molars: an 18-Month follow up.

Objectives: This split-mouth, double-blind, randomized controlled study evaluated the clinical performance of composite restorations in Class I beveled margin cavity preparations in primary molars.

Methods: A total of 94 Class I cavity preparations were performed in the carious primary molars of 32 children aged 4-10 years. Two cavity designs were used: conventional conservative preparation (G1) and modified preparation with cavosurface bevel (G2).

Trans-resveratrol inhibits early blood vessel formation (vasculogenesis) without impairment of embryonic growth.

Resveratrol is a stilbene compound found in grapes and other sources. In this study we examined the effects of trans-resveratrol (4.38 - 438 microM/implant) in the vasculogenesis of yolk-sac membranes and its capacity to improve chick embryo growth.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis: impact on the permanent dentition after an 8-year follow-up.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder which mainly affects children. Oral changes, such as gingival ulceration, halitosis, osseous lesions associated with tooth mobility, and early loss of primary teeth, comprise the disease's first manifestations for most patients. In the long term, dental changes may occur as a result of dental and systemic treatment.

Congenital epulis: an unusual case of spontaneous regression.

Congenital epulis is a rare benign neoplasm of the soft tissues. Typically, this condition manifests as a firm, smooth, pink mass that appears exclusively on the alveolar ridges in newborn infants. Surgical excision usually is recommended; however, smaller lesions may disappear spontaneously over time.

The functions of the "Greeting Ceremony" among male mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata) on Agaltepec Island, Mexico.

Nonhuman primates use greeting behaviors as nonaggressive communicatory signals in multiple social contexts. Adult male mantled howlers (Alouatta palliata) perform a ritual greeting that has been associated with bond-strengthening functions. The aim of this study is to explore the greeting patterns of male howlers living on Agaltepec Island, Mexico.

Transorbital intracranial penetrating injury-an anatomical classification.

Background: A transorbital intracranial injury with a wooden foreign body can be very difficult to diagnose and manage. The orbit forms an easy path for low-velocity foreign bodies into the intracranial space. The severity of the injury is often masked by unobtrusive superficial wounds.