Characterization of the phonological system in low-income Brazilian preschoolers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to characterize the phonological skills of low-income preschool children in a city in the Natal in the Northeast, Brazil.

Methods: The researchers assessed the phonological skills of 90 children (from 5 to 6:11) in early childhood education in three public schools located in regions of social and economic vulnerability. The evaluators used the phonology subtests of the Test of Childhood language (ABFW) children's language test.

Expression and antigenic analysis of the recombinant TRP36 protein from Ehrlichia canis São Paulo strain for serologic tests.

Ehrlichia canis is the main etiological agent of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), a globally canine infectious disease. In Brazil, CME is considered to be endemic, and its prevalence can reach 65% in some states. The diagnosis of ehrlichiosis is important for treatment and epidemiological purposes.

Melanin particles isolated from the fungus Fonsecaea pedrosoi activates the human complement system.

Background: Melanin production has been associated with virulence in various pathogenic fungi, including Fonsecaea pedrosoi, the major etiological agent for chromoblastomycosis, a subcutaneous fungal disease that occurs in South America.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acid-basic extracted F. pedrosoi melanin particles and fungal cell ghosts obtained by Novozym 234 treatment on their ability to activate the human complement system.

Activation of the human complement system by pigmented and hypopigmented mycelia of the fungus Fonsecaea pedrosoi.

The action of the complement system on pigmented and hypopigmented mycelia of the fungus Fonsecaea pedrosoi, the major aetiological pathogen of the chromoblastomycosis is herein discussed. Fungi were grown in medium Czapeck-Dox at 37°C, for 14 days, without shaking to obtain pigmented mycelium. To obtain hypopigmented mycelium, the fungus was grown at the same conditions, but in the dark and with low oxygenation.

Spores of Mucor ramosissimus, Mucor plumbeus and Mucor circinelloides and their ability to activate human complement system in vitro.

Complement activation by spores of Mucor ramosissimus, Mucor plumbeus and Mucor circinelloides was studied using absorbed human serum in the presence or absence of chelators (EGTA or EDTA). We found that the spore caused full complement activation when incubated with EGTA-Mg2+ or without chelators, indicating that the alternative pathway is mainly responsible for this response. In order to compare activation profiles from each species, ELISAs for C3 and C4 fragments, mannan binding lectin (MBL), C-reactive protein (CRP) and IgG studies were carried out.

Frequencies of feline blood types in the Rio de Janeiro area of Brazil.

Background: The distribution and frequency of blood types in cat populations vary according to geographic region and breed. Frequencies of feline blood types in Rio de Janeiro city, as well as in other Brazilian areas, are unknown, and the risk of unmatched transfusions and neonatal isoerythrolysis has not been estimated.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of feline blood types in the area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Characterization of sialidase from an influenza A (H3N2) virus strain: kinetic parameters and substrate specificity.

Neuraminidase (NA) of influenza A (H3N2) viruses was characterized after purification by gel filtration and proteolytic treatment, using the X-31 variant strain that is a reassortment between the influenza A/Victoria/3/75 (responsible for the 1975 pandemic) and the influenza A/PR/8/34 virus samples, as a model. In the purification process, NA heads, that is the spike responsible for the virus sialidase activity, were purified by filtration through a Bio-Gel polyacrylamide column. The enzyme activity was determined by periodic acid/thiobarbituric acid assay and high-performance thin-layer chromatography.