Protective immunity of single and multi-antigen DNA vaccines against schistosomiasis.

We evaluated the usefulness of the combination of three plasmids encoding tegumental (pECL and pSM14) and muscular (pIRV5) antigens of the Schistosoma mansoni on improving the protective immunity over the use of a single antigen as DNA vaccines. Female BALB/c mice were inoculated twice with 25 micro g DNA plasmid within two weeks interval. The challenge was performed with 80 cercarias of a regional isolate of S.

Lupeol alkanoates in Brazilian propolis.

High temperature high resolution gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HT-HRGC-MS) isa powerful analytical tool. In this work we applied this technique to the study of crude extracts of propolis collected near the city of Uberlândia-Minas Gerais State. Eucalyptus trees and native plants from "cerrado" (savannah) were the material sources disposable for the Apis mellifera bees.

[Trajectory and campaign of the Brazilian Nurses Association in Minas Gerais].

The present article describes the trajectory, the work and the achievements of the Brazilian Association of Nursing (ABEn) in Minas Gerais. It describes some contributions of the association for the growth and development of the nursing profession in Minas Gerais and in the whole country. The facts and events reported in this investigation were taken from meeting minutes, newspaper articles, journals of the association, records and summaries of events, and oral interviews.

Skin reactions to thimerosal and Leishmania in dogs from a leishmaniasis endemic area: it is better to keep them apart.

Positive Montenegro's skin test is a delayed type hypersensitivity reaction widely used as indicative of previous infection with Leishmania in both humans and dogs. Montenegro's antigen consists of a crude Leishmania antigen solution, usually containing thimerosal as preserving agent. In this work it is shown that a large proportion of dogs (11 out of 56) examined in an endemic area of leishmaniasis presented induration at the site of injection of a diluent containing thimerosal alone.

Anti-beta2 glycoprotein I and anticardiolipin antibodies in leptospirosis, syphilis and Kala-azar.

Objective: Reports have shown that anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies present in patients with autoimmune diseases are dependent on the cofactor,beta2 glycoprotein I (beta2 GPI), as opposed to aCL antibodies seen in infectious diseases such as syphilis, HIV hepatitis C, etc. The assay for anti-beta2GPI antibodies has been reported to be more specific for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). However, the prevalence of these antibodies in diseases such as leishmaniasis and leptospirosis remains unknown.

Oxidative responses of human and murine macrophages during phagocytosis of Leishmania chagasi.

Leishmania chagasi, the cause of South American visceral leishmaniasis, must survive antimicrobial responses of host macrophages to establish infection. Macrophage oxidative responses have been shown to diminish in the presence of intracellular leishmania. However, using electron spin resonance we demonstrated that murine and human macrophages produce O2-during phagocytosis of opsonized promastigotes.

Analysis of the distribution of HLA-B alleles in populations from five continents.

A two stage PCR-SSOP typing procedure, that permitted HLA-B allele assignment, was applied to DNA samples obtained from six diverse populations -Brazilian, Mexican (Series and Mestizos), Cuban (Caucasoid and Mulatto), South African Zulu, Omani, and Singapore Chinese. HLA-B allele frequencies and HLA-A/B two locus haplotype frequencies were compiled for each population.

Early rhegmatogenous retinal detachment following laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia.

Purpose: Four eyes had early rhegmatogenous retinal detachment within 3 months of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correction of high myopia using the microkeratome, Clear Corneal Molder.

Methods: In two eyes, retinal detachment resulted from horseshoe tears, one occurring in an otherwise normal region of the retina and the other at the margin of an area of lattice degeneration detected during preoperative examination. The first eye was treated with retinopexy using a 287 encircling scleral exoplant, drainage of subretinal fluid, and laser photocoagulation by indirect ophthalmoscopy.

Analysis of the distribution of HLA-A alleles in populations from five continents.

The variation and frequency of HLA-A genotypes were established by PCR-SSOP typing in diverse geographically distributed populations: Brazilian, Colombian Kogui, Cuban, Mexican, Omani, Singapore Chinese, and South African Zulu. HLA-A allelic families with only one allele were identified for HLA-A*01, -A*23, -A*25, -A*31, -A*32, -A*36, -A*43, -A*69, -A*80; and with two alleles for HLA-A*03, -A*11, -A*26, -A*29, -A*33, -A*34, and -A*66. Greater variation was detected for HLA-A*02, -A*24, and -A*68 allele families.

[The nursing school of the Federal University of Minas Gerais: from its creation until today].

The purpose of this work was to bring back some historical aspects of the Federal University of Minas Gerais Nursing School--EEUFMG, since its creation in 1933 until 1998.

Methanol reference values in urine from inhabitants of Brazil.

In order to properly evaluate the results of the occupational biomonitoring of chemicals it is necessary to establish reference values for the biomarkers of exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the reference values for methanol in urine of the general population non-occupationally exposed to the xenobiotic under study. Thus, urinary methanol was measured in 84 occupationally non-exposed subjects from the city of São Paulo, Brazil, by means of headspace gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector.

Salivary gland proteins of the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus.

Several properties of the salivary glands of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were analysed. The amount of protein in female salivary glands increased from 0.26 microg on day one after emergence to about 1.

Protection of C57BL/10 mice by vaccination with association of purified proteins from Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis.

In the past few years, induction of protective immunity to cutaneous leishmaniasis has been attempted by many researchers using a variety of antigenic preparations, such as living promastigotes or promastigote extracts, partially purified, or defined proteins. In this study, eleven proteins from Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis (LLa) with estimated molecular mass ranging from 97 to 13.5kDa were isolated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electro-elution.

[Biology of Methona themisto (Hübner, 1818) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Ithomiinae) adults in public plazas in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil].

From April 1992 to September 1993 Methona themisto (Hübn.) adults were weekly marked and recaptured in two downtown plazas in Uberlândia, MG. Females accounted for a third of the 637 individuals marked.

Chagas disease in an area of recent occupation in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Introduction: A descriptive, entomological and seroepidemiological study on Chagas disease was conducted in a place of recent occupation on the outskirts of Cochabamba, Bolivia: Avaroa/Primer de Mayo (population:3,000), where the socio-economic level is low and no control measures have been made available.

Methods: The immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used for IgG and IgM anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in filter paper bloodspot eluates from 128 subjects (73 females, 55 males) selected by systematic sampling. Concerning each subject age, gender, birthplace, occupation, duration of residence and building materials used in their houses were recorded.

Visceral larva migrans and tropical pyomyositis: a case report.

We report a case of tropical pyomyositis in a boy who presented with a severe febrile illness associated with diffuse erythema, and swelling in many areas of the body which revealed on operation extensive necrotic areas of various muscles that required repeated débridement. The patient gave a history of contact with dogs, and an ELISA test for Toxocara canis was positive. He also presented eosinophilia and high serum IgE levels.

[Prophylaxis of migraine: open study with venlafaxine in 42 patients].

The present open study intended to show the prophylactic value of venlafaxine (serotonin and noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor) in 42 patients with migraine with or without aura during four months, from May to September 1997. The average age was 32.5 years and average crisis was 3.

Metabolic effects of oxalate in the perfused rat liver.

The effects of oxalate on the metabolism of the isolated perfused rat liver were investigated. The main purpose was to verify if oxalate is also active in intact organs as demonstrated in isolated cells. The results revealed that the action of oxalate in the perfused liver resembles only partially that observed in isolated hepatocytes.

Immunological evaluation of a 26-kDa antigen from Taenia solium larvae for specific immunodiagnosis of human neurocysticercosis.

Human neurocysticercosis, due to infection of the central nervous system by cysticerci of Taenia solium, is a severe form of neurologic disease occurring in Central and South America. Specific proteins from scolex antigen from cysticerci were purified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electroelution and recognized in Western blots by antibodies present in sera from patients with neurocysticercosis. The proteins appeared as 13-, 17-, and 26-kDa bands on Coomassie blue-stained gels and proved to be specific to cysticerci of T.

Cohort study on canine emigration and Leishmania infection in an endemic area for American visceral leishmaniasis. Implications for the disease control.

American visceral leishmaniasis is a main public health matter in Brazil. Since dogs have been incriminated as the main urban reservoir of AVL agent Leishmania chagasi, a cohort study aimed at understanding the dynamics of the canine infection was carried out in Jequié--an endemic community in the Northeast of Brazil. The inhabited urban and periurban areas of Jequié were divided into 140 clusters of 0.

Effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug nimesulide on energy metabolism in livers from adjuvant-induced arthritic rats.

The effects of nimesulide on energy metabolism and the hepatic metabolic alterations produced by adjuvant-induced arthritis were investigated in the perfused rat liver an in isolated liver mitochondria. Nimesulide, at therapeutic levels (20-50 microM), produced: (1) stimulation of oxygen consumption in the perfused rat liver and in isolated mitochondria, (2) inhibition of gluconeogenesis; (3) reduction of ADP/O ratio and the respiratory control ratio and stimulation of glycogenolysis in the livers from healthy rats, but not in livers from arthritic rats. These results indicate that nimesulide acts as a mitochondrial uncoupler.

Glycogenolysis stimulation by non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in the perfused rat liver is not accompanied by Ca2+ release.

Several non-steroidal anti-inflammatories increase glycogenolysis and are also able to affect intracellular Ca2+ channels. In the perfused liver, glycogenolysis stimulation is often associated with a transient Ca2+ efflux, which occurs immediately after the introduction of the glycogenolytic agonist. The purpose of this work was to verify if the introduction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories also stimulates Ca2+ efflux.

An improved method for the recovery of mycoplasmas from the external ear canal of goats.

The efficacy of ear canal flushing and ear canal and mouth swabbing methods for the isolation of mycoplasmas was investigated in 39 goats. Of the 19 goats positive for Mycoplasma spp., 14 (73.

Immune responses induced by a Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis recombinant antigen in mice and lymphocytes from vaccinated subjects.

In the search for Leishmania recombinant antigens that can be used as a vaccine against American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, we identified a Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis recombinant protein of 33 kD (Larp33) which is recognized by antibodies and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) from subjects vaccinated with Leishvacin, Larp33 was expressed in Escherichia coli after cloning of a 2.2 kb Sau3 digested genomic fragment of L. (L.