Cell proliferation and death in the gastric epithelium of developing rats after glucocorticoid treatments.

Glucocorticoids take part in the intense morphofunctional modifications that occur in the gastric mucosa during fetal and postnatal development. Two studies were designed to evaluate corticoids role in gastric cell proliferation and apoptosis in developing rats: in vivo, using suckling animals; in vitro, using gastric explants obtained from 20-day fetuses. These explants were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium treated or not with 50 ng/ml of corticosterone; after 22 hr, vincristine was added to the medium for 2 hr to block mitosis.

Predictors related to the occurrence of a measles epidemic in the city of São Paulo in 1997.

A matched case-control study was performed to identify risk factors for measles during an epidemic that occurred in 1997 in the city of São Paulo, in the Brazilian state of the same name. Measles cases from the city of São Paulo from 1 January 1997 to 15 August 1997 were included in the study. The criteria for case definition were age below 30 years, having received no measles vaccine 5-21 days before the onset of rash, and laboratory confirmation by IgM antibodies detection.

Marginal fit of nickel-chromium copings before and after internal adjustments with duplicated stone dies and disclosing agent.

Statement Of Problem: Despite careful procedures, master stone dies may be damaged during laboratory procedures. The dentist routinely adjusts castings because the marginal fit of casting is not as accurate as on the dies.

Purpose: This study evaluated the technique of internal adjustment of castings with use of duplicated stone dies and a disclosing agent to improve marginal fit discrepancy.

Gill infection of Leporinus macrocephalus Garavello & Britski, 1988 (Osteichthyes: Anostomidae) by Henneguya leporinicola n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae). Description, histopathology and treatment.

Piauçus (Leporinus macrocephalus), were raised in 300 m2 ponds (density of 10 fish/m2) presenting asphyxia signals and daily mortality of 27 fishes. Specimens with 8-cm total body length, were collected for necropsy. Mucus of body surface and pieces of organs were collected and examined microscopically, in wet mounts, stained or in histological sections.

Thyroid peroxidase activity is inhibited by amino acids.

Normal in vitro thyroid peroxidase (TPO) iodide oxidation activity was completely inhibited by a hydrolyzed TPO preparation (0.15 mg/ml) or hydrolyzed bovine serum albumin (BSA, 0.2 mg/ml).

Method for marginal measurements of restorations: accessory device for toolmakers microscope.

Standardization of measurements for marginal fit of castings is critical. This study describes the fabrication of a device that allowed fixation of specimens on a Toolmakers microscope with identical conditions according to tri-dimensional positioning of specimens, measuring location, and seating force. The device also allows mapping of the marginal discrepancies on the entire marginal perimeter of the tooth preparation.

Desmoglein-1-specific T lymphocytes from patients with endemic pemphigus foliaceus (fogo selvagem).

Fogo selvagem (FS), the endemic form of pemphigus foliaceus, is a cutaneous autoimmune disease characterized by subcorneal blistering of the epidermis and the production of autoantibodies against the desmosomal antigen desmoglein-1 (Dsg1). Previously, we showed that mice injected with autoantibodies from FS patients develop a skin disease that reproduces the clinical, histological, and immunological features of FS, indicating that autoantibodies play an essential role in the development of this disease. The purpose of this study was to characterize the autoimmune T-cell response associated with FS.

[Time trends in death rates from homicides in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, 1979-1994].

To study homicide trends by gender and age, 1979-1994, São Paulo, Brazil, cubic polynomials were used to determine the best model for adjusting to time trends in homicide mortality rates by age and gender in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, 1979-1994. The model best adjusted to each group was selected considering the regression coefficient (Beta) , R2 value, residual analysis, and model's simplicity. The results show linear growth for total rates and rates by gender due to behavior of rates in the 20-29 and 30-39 year age groups.

Evolution of HLA-class I compared to HLA-class II polymorphism in Terena, a South-American Indian tribe.

We have studied the HLA alleles of 60 unrelated healthy Terena and 10 Terena families. They are members of an isolated Brazilian tribe located in Mato Grosso do Sul (South Central Brazil). Six novel alleles were found in this population: HLA-A*0219 (gf = 0.

Novel HLA-A and HLA-B alleles in South American Indians.

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex includes the most polymorphic genes in humans. More than 600 allelic variants have been described in different populations. The HLA-B locus has contributed the largest number of alleles.

Characterization of a new HLA-B39 allele, B*3913, in a Brazilian Caucasian.

A panel of samples, previously typed by serology, was retyped using a line probe assay. One sample from a Brazilian Caucasian individual was serologically typed as B52/B39, but showed an aberrant HLA-B pattern on the diagnostic strip and was typed as B*52012/B*39new. Further analysis by allele-specific amplification and subsequent sequencing of exons 2 and 3 revealed a G(B*3908)-to-T nucleotide substitution at position 467 (codon 156) resulting in an Arg (B*3908)-to-Leu substitution.

Schistosomiasis mansoni in the "Baixada Ocidental Maranhense", state of Maranhão, Brazil: cross-sectional studies performed in 1987 and 1993.

A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni in three sites of the "Baixada Ocidental Maranhense" was carried out in 1993 in: Alegre (in the municipality of São Bento), Aliança (in Cururupu) and Coroatá II (in the municipality of São João Batista). Results were compared to those of another study performed at the same sites and in similar conditions, in 1987. The entire population of the three sites, with few exceptions, was submitted to fecal tests using the Kato-Katz method and immediate intradermal tests for schistosomiasis in both studies.

Pattern of immune response to GP43 from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in susceptible and resistant mice is influenced by antigen-presenting cells.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), endemic in Latin America, is a progressive systemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The infection can evolve to different clinical forms that are associated with various degrees of suppressed cell-mediated immunity. In the murine model, A/Sn and B10.

Evidence of idiotypic modulation in the immune response to gp43, the major antigenic component of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in both mice and humans.

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis endemic in Latin America, with a high prevalence in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela. The aetiologic agent of disease is a thermal dimorphic fungus, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. A glycoprotein of 43,000 D (gp43) is the major antigen of P.

Enterovirus 71 infection and acute neurological disease among children in Brazil (1988-1990).

Surveillance for Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) infection in children up to 15 years of age was carried out in Brazil, from 1988 to 1990. Patients with acute neurological diseases (AND) such as flaccid paralysis, Bell's palsy, acute cerebellar ataxia and Guillain-Barré syndrome were included in the study. EV-71 infection was detected in 24 of 426 children (5.

Intra-urban differentials in death rates from homicide in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, 1988-1994.

The objective of this research was to analyze the relationship between socioeconomic statistics and homicide mortality rates in the city of São Paulo between 1988 and 1994. City districts were grouped into five geographic areas. A socioeconomic indicator (ISE) was constructed with census information combining average income of the family head, illiteracy rate for the population over 5 yr of age, average number of rooms and number of persons per household.

[Multicenter study of elderly patients assisted at outpatient cardiology and geriatrics clinics in Brazilian institutions].

Purpose: To evaluate epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of elderly patients with cardiovascular disease in Brazil.

Methods: Elderly patients with cardiovascular disease treated in 36 centers of cardiology and geriatrics were investigated through a questionnaire applied to those who had an appointment during the analyzed period.

Results: 2196 elderly patients ranging from 65 to 96 years of age were analyzed, 60% of which were females.

Trypanosoma cruzi: IgG1 and IgG2b are the main immunoglobulins produced by vaccinated mice.

Mice vaccinated with CL-14, a non-infective and non-pathogenic clone isolated from Trypanosoma cruzi CL strain, become protected against lethal challenge by infective trypomastigotes. It has been shown that animals infected with T. cruzi show polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes with an early production of several non-specific immunoglobulins.

Methanol Laser Line Assignments: Evidence of Four-Level Laser Systems.

The "Ritz" computer program, developed for facilitating the assignment of molecular Fourier transform absorption spectra and described in a previous work, determines the energy level values involved in the assigned transitions by the Rydberg-Ritz combination principle. Combining the data obtained from the analyses of high-resolution infrared (IR) and far-infrared (FIR) spectra, it is possible to predict possible FIR laser emissions of molecules. In the present work we have applied this method to the common isotopomer methanol, 12CH3 16OH, and obtained 14 proposed assignments for previously unassigned FIR laser lines.

Investigation of C-O Stretching Band of CD3OH: Assignments of Far-Infrared Laser Lines.

We have investigated the high-resolution Fourier transform spectrum of the C-O stretching fundamental band of CD3OH in order to assign far-infrared (FIR) laser transitions. The absorption spectrum was analyzed by means of the "Ritz" program, which calculates the energy level values directly from the Rydberg-Ritz combination principle. We have also used the "LaseRitz" program to facilitate the assignment of the FIR laser lines.

Prevalence of serotypes and antimicrobial resistance of streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from Brazilian children with invasive infections. Pneumococcal Study Group in Brazil for the SIREVA Project. Regional System for Vaccines in Latin America.

A laboratory surveillance study was developed in Brazil in 1993 to determine capsular types and antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains. By studying 360 strains isolated from children with invasive infections in three different cities, 8 out of 34 types were identified as being the most prevalent and considered as the reference group for further analyses. This group comprised 77.

[Gastroenteritis and acute respiratory infections among children up to 5 years old in an area of Southeastern Brazil, 1986-1987, II--Diarrhea].

Introduction: The decrease morbi-mortality gastroenteritis in is related to the factor responsible largely for the fall in infant mortality and mortality from communicable diseases in developing countries. Nevertheless, diarrhea is still a considerable public health problem in these countries, especially among children under 5 years old.

Objectives: To describe some aspects of the of gastroenteritis epidemiology among children up to 5 years old, resident in areas of S.

Unrelated peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for Fanconi anemia.

The Brazilian unrelated bone marrow donor program began in 1993 and an unrelated matched donor was found for a Fanconi anemia patient without a sibling match. An 11-year-old female recipient received FTBI (6.0 Gy) and cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg) as conditioning.

Laminin-binding epitope on gp43 from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is recognized by a monoclonal antibody raised against Staphylococcus aureus laminin receptor.

Adhesion is regarded as an important step in the pathogenesis of several microorganisms. Thus, the ability to recognize extracellular matrix proteins, such as laminin or fibronectin, has been correlated with invasiveness. Studying the already characterized laminin-binding protein of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, the 43 kDa glycoprotein (gp43), we evaluated whether MAb 1.