Research regarding anti-PGL-I antibodies by ELISA in wild armadillos from Brazil.

Armadillos have been involved in leprosy transmission and are considered a source of Mycobacterium leprae in numerous reports. Clinicians from certain areas of the USA consider contact with armadillos a risk factor for leprosy. However, there is a challenge associated with the role of wild armadillos perpetuating human leprosy in the American Continent.

Paenibacillus humicus sp. nov., isolated from poultry litter compost.

Two bacterial strains, PC-142 and PC-147(T), isolated from poultry litter compost, were characterized with respect to their phenetic and phylogenetic characteristics. The isolates were endospore-forming rods that were reddish in colour after Gram staining. They were catalase- and oxidase-positive, were able to degrade starch and gelatin and grew at 15-40 degrees C and pH 5.

Genetic divergence in the Atlantic-Mediterranean Montagu's blenny, Coryphoblennius galerita (Linnaeus 1758) revealed by molecular and morphological characters.

Coryphoblennius galerita is a small intertidal fish with a wide distribution and limited dispersal ability, occurring in the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. In this study, we examined Atlantic and Mediterranean populations of C. galerita to assess levels of genetic divergence across populations and to elucidate historical and contemporary factors underlying the distribution of the genetic variability.

[Effects of cadmium on the ovarian parenchyma in Swiss albino mice].

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of cadmium on the ovarian parenchyma. An experimental study was designed with 25 Swiss albino mice (healthy females) living 50 days under controlled laboratory conditions. For the experimental group, 21 mice were selected at random and divided into 3 groups (B, C, and D) of 7 animals each; thereafter they were exposed, respectively, to 50, 100 and 150 ppm of cadmium chloride dissolved in water offered ad libitum.

High susceptibility of Bt maize to aphids enhances the performance of parasitoids of lepidopteran pests.

Concerns about possible undesired environmental effects of transgenic crops have prompted numerous evaluations of such crops. So-called Bt crops receive particular attention because they carry bacteria-derived genes coding for insecticidal proteins that might negatively affect non-target arthropods. Here we show a remarkable positive effect of Bt maize on the performance of the corn leaf aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis, which in turn enhanced the performance of parasitic wasps that feed on aphid honeydew.

A novel mutation in DAX1 gene causing different phenotypes in three siblings with adrenal hypoplasia congenita.

Adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) is a rare disease that can be caused by many abnormalities, including an X-linked form. Mutations in the DAX1 gene have been assigned as the genetic cause of AHC. We describe here three siblings with AHC, clinically presented at different ages, two in the neonatal period and one oligosymptomatic during infancy.

Merozoite surface protein 2 allelic variation influences the specific antibody response during acute malaria in individuals from a Brazilian endemic area.

The antibody response to Plasmodium falciparum parasites of naturally infected population is critical to elucidate the role of polymorphic alleles in malaria. Thus, we evaluated the impact of antigenic diversity of repetitive and family dimorphic domains of the merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP-2) on immune response of 96 individuals living in Peixoto de Azevedo (MT-Brazil), by ELISA using recombinant MSP-2 proteins. The majority of these individuals were carrying FC27-type infections.

Reconstruction of thoracic esophagus with pediculated diaphragmatic flap in dogs.

Purpose: To verify whether pediculated diaphragmatic flaps were suitable to correct iatrogenic wounds in dog's esophagus injuries.

Methods: Seven dogs were submitted to resection of a segment of the esophageal wall, which was then corrected by suturing a pediculated diaphragm flap. Endoscopic evaluation of the esophageal wall was done forty days after the surgical procedure.

[Molecular aspects of glucocorticoid sensitivity].

Glucocorticoids play an essential role in maintaining basal and stress-related homeostasis. Most known effects of glucocorticoids are mediated by the intracellular glucocorticoid receptors. The glucocorticoid sensitivity seems to depend on the amount of receptors expressed and the efficiency of glucocorticoid receptor-mediated signal transduction.

[Cross-cultural adaptation and reliability analyses of the Southampton Assessment of Mobility to assess mobility of Brazilian elderly with dementia].

The objective was to perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the Southampton Assessment of Mobility and test its intra- and inter-examiner reliability for Brazilian elderly living in the community and diagnosed with dementia, with severity classified according to the Clinical Dementia Rating. The instrument was applied to 107 elderly (76.26 years +/- 7.

Distinct mechanisms regulate hemocyte chemotaxis during development and wound healing in Drosophila melanogaster.

Drosophila melanogaster hemocytes are highly motile macrophage-like cells that undergo a stereotypic pattern of migration to populate the whole embryo by late embryogenesis. We demonstrate that the migratory patterns of hemocytes at the embryonic ventral midline are orchestrated by chemotactic signals from the PDGF/VEGF ligands Pvf2 and -3 and that these directed migrations occur independently of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling. In contrast, using both laser ablation and a novel wounding assay that allows localized treatment with inhibitory drugs, we show that PI3K is essential for hemocyte chemotaxis toward wounds and that Pvf signals and PDGF/VEGF receptor expression are not required for this rapid chemotactic response.

Persistence of Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity after systemic eradication therapy.

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate if the oral cavity of chronic periodontitis patients can harbor Helicobacter pylori after systemic eradication therapy.

Materials And Methods: Samples of 30 patients (15 with gingivitis and 15 with chronic periodontitis) positive for H. pylori in the stomach were evaluated.

Transdermal estradiol priming during clonidine stimulation test in non-growth hormone deficient children with short stature: a pilot study.

The diagnosis of growth hormone (GH) deficiency is strongly influenced by age, body mass index and presence of gonadal steroids. Priming with oral estradiol (E2) is one possible way to overcome the impact of variable levels of sex steroids. We describe the effects of transdermal estradiol (E2-t) priming on GH response after clonidine stimulation in prepubertal children with familial short stature (group 1, n = 12) or constitutional growth delay (group 2, n = 22).

Antiproliferative and apoptotic potencies of glucocorticoids: nonconcordance with their antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive properties.

Relative antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive potencies of glucocorticoids (GC) were previously well defined. Nonetheless, GC also regulate cell proliferation and programmed death (apoptosis). The aim of this study was to determine the relative potency of different GC on the modulation of cell survival.

Massage therapy in the management of myogenic TMD: a pilot study.

Introduction: The Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is greatly prevalent in the population and can be associated with bruxism. This disorder produces several signs and symptoms. Among them, pain is one of the most important because it reduces life quality and productivity of people who have such disorder.

Antibiotic use in community-based pediatric outpatients in southern region of Brazil.

The irrational use of antibiotics is incriminated for the escalating antimicrobial resistance problem worldwide. This cross-sectional survey was conducted to describe patterns of antibiotic use in community-based pediatric outpatients in the southern region of Brazil. A sample of children (29 days to 18 years of age) was selected from each community-based outpatient clinic.

Screening for pulmonary tuberculosis in Teresópolis, RJ, Brazil: the search for respiratory symptomatic patients in emergency service of "Hospital das Clínicas de Teresópolis Costantino Ottaviano, Fundação Educacional Serra dos Orgãos".

The aim of the present study was to investigate the detection percentage of tuberculosis among patients that are respiratory symptomatic (TB suspects). In this work, we present the preliminary results of research carried out at "Hospital das Clínicas de Teresópolis Costantino Ottaviano da Fundacao Educacional Serra dos Orgãos (FESO)" from November 2003 to April 2004. Among the 40 respiratory symptomatic individuals identified and referred to the Tuberculosis Control Program in Teresópolis , two (5.

[Subaortic stenosis associated with perimembranous ventricular septal defect. Clinical follow-up of 36 patients].

Objective: To study the clinical pattern of subaortic stenosis associated with perimembranous ventricular septal defect.

Methods: From January 1979 to June 2000, 36 children with perimembranous ventricular septal defect and fixed subaortic stenosis were followed-up regarding anatomic characteristics, evolvement, and clinical events.

Results: Age at diagnosis of subaortic stenosis ranged from 6 months to 170 months, and it was less than 1 year in only 2 children.

Real-time PCR quantitation of glucocorticoid receptor alpha isoform.

Background: The expression of glucocorticoid-receptor (GR) seems to be a key mechanism in the regulation of glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity and is potentially involved in cases of GC resistance or hypersensitivity. The aim of this study is to describe a method for quantitation of GR alpha isoform (GRalpha) expression using real-time PCR (qrt-PCR) with analytical capabilities to monitor patients, offering standard-curve reproducibility as well as intra- and inter-assay precision.

Results: Standard-curves were constructed by employing standardized Jurkat cell culture procedures, both for GRalpha and BCR (breakpoint cluster region), as a normalizing gene.

Effects of tamoxifen on Doppler velocimetry parameters of periurethral vessels in postmenopausal women.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of tamoxifen on periurethral vessels by Doppler velocimetry examination. Increase in the number of these vessels as well as decrease in resistance and pulsatility indices by tamoxifen were observed.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori detected by polymerase chain reaction in the oral cavity of periodontitis patients.

Helicobacter pylori is an important gastrointestinal pathogen associated with gastritis, peptic ulcers, and an increased risk of gastric carcinoma. The oral cavity has been indicated as a possible H. pylori reservoir, and may therefore be involved in the reinfection of the stomach which sometimes follows treatment of H.

Long and short-term effect of prednisolone in hospitalized infants with acute bronchiolitis.

Objective: To assess long and short-term effect of prednisolone in hospitalized infants with bronchiolitis.

Methodology: A randomized and controlled trial was carried out at the Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande-RS, Brazil. Twenty-eight patients were randomly allocated prednisolone (1 mg/kg/day for 5 days) plus standard care, and 24 patients allocated standard care alone.