RESUMO O crescimento de um plantio de eucalipto deve ser monitorado, para identificar fatores que influenciam o seu desenvolvimento, auxiliando na tomada de decisões para reduzir perdas de produtividade. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo é avaliar a influência da época de realização de replantios sobre a produtividade e o crescimento de povoamentos de eucalipto. O experimento foi conduzido em uma área da CENIBRA S.A. e implantado em um plantio comercial em agosto de 2011. A aplicação de herbicida e o controle de formigas, em área total, foram realizados antes do plantio, com mudas clonais de Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis no espaçamento 3,0 × 2,5 m. A calagem (1.500 kg ha-1) foi realizada em área total antes do plantio e 100 g planta-1 de fertilizante NPK (06-30-06), aplicado imediatamente após o plantio. Quatro meses após a instalação do experimento, 300 kg ha-1 de NPK (06-10-29) foi aplicado. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro datas de replantio de mudas (0, 20, 40 e 80 dias após plantio) sem adubação complementar, e dois tratamentos (replantio com 40 e 80 dias do plantio) com adubação complementar de plantio (100 g planta-1 de NPK 06-30-06) O volume individual das árvores replantadas foi 46,6% inferior ao das não replantadas. Os tratamentos com adubação complementar de plantio não diferiram (p > 0,05) pelo teste t. Conclui-se que quanto maior o intervalo de tempo entre o plantio e o replantio, menor é o volume individual da árvore replantada e que a realização de adubação complementar em mudas de replantio não favorece o crescimento dessas.

ABSTRACT The growth of an eucalypt plantation should be monitored to identify factors that influence its development, helping in the decision-making process, aiming to reduce productivity losses. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the age of replanting on the yield and growth of eucalypt stands. The experiment was conducted in an area of CENIBRA S.A. Company, and established in a commercial plantation in August 2011. The application of herbicide and the ant control were performed in total area before planting. Seedlings of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis clones in 3.0 × 2.5 m spacing were used. Limestone (1,500 kg ha-1) was applied in total area before planting and 100 g plant-1 of NPK fertilizer (06-30-06) was applied immediately after planting. Four months after the installation of the experiment, 300 kg ha-1 of NPK (06-10-29) was applied. Treatments consisted of four dates of seedling replanting (0, 20, 40 and 80 days after planting) without complementary fertilization, and two treatments (replanting 40 and 80 days after planting) with supplementary fertilization (100g plant-1 NPK 06-30-06). The individual volume of replanting trees was 46.6% lower than of non-replanted ones. Treatments with complementary planting fertilization did not differ (p > 0.05) by the T-test. It is concluded that the longer the time between planting and replanting, the smaller the individual volume of the replanting trees and that the complementary fertilization in seedlings replanted does not favor their growth.

In Brazil, the rotavirus A genotype G26 was first identified in suckling piglets, while the P[19] genotype has not been identified in any animal species so far. This report details the genetic characterisation of a G26P[19] RVA strain detected from an eight year-old child, vaccinated with Rotarix®, hospitalised with acute diarrhoeal disease in Rio de Janeiro in 2015. Most likely, the genome constellation (I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1) observed in the G26P[19] Brazilian strain was a result of interspecies transmission events between humans and pigs. In addition, a rearrangement in the NSP5 gene was observed downstream of the 3’ non-coding region.

O Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil) é um estudo de coorte multicêntrico com o objetivo de identificar os fatores de risco associados ao diabetes tipo 2 e à doença cardiovascular na população brasileira. O artigo descreve as estratégias de coleta, processamento, transporte e de controle de qualidade dos exames de sangue e urina no ELSA. O estudo optou pela centralização dos exames em um único laboratório. O processamento das amostras foi realizado nos laboratórios locais, reduzindo o peso do material a ser transportado e diminuindo os custos do transporte para o laboratório central no Hospital da Universidade de São Paulo. O estudo incluiu exames para avaliação de diabetes, resistência à insulina, dislipidemias, alterações eletrolíticas, hormônios tireoidianos, ácido úrico, alterações de enzimas hepáticas, inflamação e hemograma completo. Além desses exames, foram estocados DNA de leucócitos, amostras de urina, plasma e soro. O laboratório central realizou aproximadamente 375.000 exames.

The ELSA (Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto - Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health) is a multicenter cohort study which aims at the identification of risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in the Brazilian population. The paper describes the strategies for the collection, processing, transportation, and quality control of blood and urine tests in the ELSA. The study decided to centralize the tests at one single laboratory. The processing of the samples was performed at the local laboratories, reducing the weight of the material to be transported, and diminishing the costs of transportation to the central laboratory at the Universidade de São Paulo Hospital. The study included tests for the evaluation of diabetes, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, electrolyte abnormalities, thyroid hormones, uric acid, hepatic enzyme abnormalities, inflammation, and total blood cell count. In addition, leukocyte DNA, urine, plasma and serum samples were stored. The central laboratory performed approximately 375,000 tests.

O Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil) é uma coorte prospectiva multicêntrica de funcionários públicos delineada para avaliar os determinantes das doenças crônicas, principalmente a doença cardiovascular e o diabetes tipo 2. Neste artigo são descritos os principais pontos do delineamento e implementação do projeto do biobanco do ELSA-Brasil. São detalhados aspectos econômicos, políticos, logísticos e tecnológicos do estudo. O artigo também discute o protocolo final de estocagem de material biológico e as instalações implementadas para atingir esse objetivo. O processo de delineamento e implementação do biobanco do ELSA-Brasil durou três anos. Tanto os biobancos centrais quanto os locais foram constituídos de acordo com as melhores práticas de estocagem de material biológico, usando soluções tecnológicas diferentes para as diferentes necessidades previstas no estudo.

The Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) is a multicenter prospective cohort of civil servants designed to assess the determinants of chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. The present article describes the main design and implementation points of the ELSA-Brasil biobank project. Economic, political, logistical and technological aspects of this study are characterized. Additionally, it discusses the final biorepository protocol and the facilities implemented to achieve this objective. The design and implementation process of the ELSA-Brasil biobank took three years to be performed. Both the central and local biobanks were built according to the best biorepository techniques, using different technological solutions for the distinct needs expected in this study.

O Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil) é uma coorte prospectiva multicêntrica de funcionários públicos delineada para avaliar os determinantes das doenças crônicas, principalmente a doença cardiovascular e o diabetes tipo 2. Neste artigo são descritos os principais pontos do delineamento e implementação do projeto do biobanco do ELSA-Brasil. São detalhados aspectos econômicos, políticos, logísticos e tecnológicos do estudo. O artigo também discute o protocolo final de estocagem de material biológico e as instalações implementadas para atingir esse objetivo. O processo de delineamento e implementação do biobanco do ELSA-Brasil durou três anos. Tanto os biobancos centrais quanto os locais foram constituídos de acordo com as melhores práticas de estocagem de material biológico, usando soluções tecnológicas diferentes para as diferentes necessidades previstas no estudo.

The Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) is a multicenter prospective cohort of civil servants designed to assess the determinants of chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. The present article describes the main design and implementation points of the ELSA-Brasil biobank project. Economic, political, logistical and technological aspects of this study are characterized. Additionally, it discusses the final biorepository protocol and the facilities implemented to achieve this objective. The design and implementation process of the ELSA-Brasil biobank took three years to be performed. Both the central and local biobanks were built according to the best biorepository techniques, using different technological solutions for the distinct needs expected in this study.

O Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil) é um estudo de coorte multicêntrico com o objetivo de identificar os fatores de risco associados ao diabetes tipo 2 e à doença cardiovascular na população brasileira. O artigo descreve as estratégias de coleta, processamento, transporte e de controle de qualidade dos exames de sangue e urina no ELSA. O estudo optou pela centralização dos exames em um único laboratório. O processamento das amostras foi realizado nos laboratórios locais, reduzindo o peso do material a ser transportado e diminuindo os custos do transporte para o laboratório central no Hospital da Universidade de São Paulo. O estudo incluiu exames para avaliação de diabetes, resistência à insulina, dislipidemias, alterações eletrolíticas, hormônios tireoidianos, ácido úrico, alterações de enzimas hepáticas, inflamação e hemograma completo. Além desses exames, foram estocados DNA de leucócitos, amostras de urina, plasma e soro. O laboratório central realizou aproximadamente 375.000 exames.

The ELSA (Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto - Brazilian Longitudinal Study for Adult Health) is a multicenter cohort study which aims at the identification of risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in the Brazilian population. The paper describes the strategies for the collection, processing, transportation, and quality control of blood and urine tests in the ELSA. The study decided to centralize the tests at one single laboratory. The processing of the samples was performed at the local laboratories, reducing the weight of the material to be transported, and diminishing the costs of transportation to the central laboratory at the Universidade de São Paulo Hospital. The study included tests for the evaluation of diabetes, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, electrolyte abnormalities, thyroid hormones, uric acid, hepatic enzyme abnormalities, inflammation, and total blood cell count. In addition, leukocyte DNA, urine, plasma and serum samples were stored. The central laboratory performed approximately 375,000 tests.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the interleukin-18 +105A/C and interleukin-10 -1082A/G germline polymorphisms in the development and outcome of differentiated thyroid carcinoma associated or not with concurrent thyroiditis. METHODS: We studied 346 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinomas, comprising 292 papillary carcinomas and 54 follicular carcinomas, who were followed up for 12-298 months (mean 76.10 ± 68.23 months) according to a standard protocol. We genotyped 200 patients and 144 control individuals for the interleukin-18 +105A/C polymorphism, and we genotyped 183 patients and 137 controls for the interleukin-10 -1082A/G polymorphism. RESULTS: Interleukin-18 polymorphisms were not associated with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or any clinical or pathological feature of tumor aggressiveness. However, there was an association between the presence of interleukin-10 variants and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis was present in 21.74% of differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients, most frequently affecting women previously diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis who had received a lower 131I cumulative dose and did not present lymph node metastases. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the inheritance of a G allele at the interleukin-10 -1082A/G polymorphism may favor a concurrent thyroid autoimmunity in differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients, and this autoimmunity may favor a better prognosis for these patients.

OBJETIVO: Investigar o efeito do pré-condicionamento com L-alanil-L-glutamina (L-Ala-Gln) em gerbils submetidos à isquemia/reperfusão (I/R) cerebral aguda. MÉTODOS: Trinta e seis gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) (60-100g) foram divididos em dois grupos (n=18) e pré-condicionados com 2,0 ml de soro fisiológico (Grupo-S) ou 0.75g/kg de L-Ala-Gln, (Grupo-G), administrados na veia femoral 30 minutos antes da I / R. Cada grupo foi dividido em três subgrupos (n=6).Animais anestesiados com uretano, 1.5g/kg, ip, foram submetidos à oclusão bilateral das artérias carótidas comuns, durante 15 minutos. Amostras (tecido cerebral e sangue arterial) foram coletadas no final da isquemia (T0) e após 30 (T30) e 60 minutos (T60) para a aferição das concentrações de glicose, lactato, mieloperoxidase (MPO), substâncias reagentes ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), glutationa (GSH) e avaliação histopatológica. RESULTADOS: As concentrações de glicose e lactato não foram diferentes nos grupos estudados; a glicemia aumentou significativamente no Grupo-S ao final da reperfusão. Concentrações de TBARS no tecido cerebral foram significativamente diferentes, comparando os Grupos G e S, no T30 (p <0,05). O pré-tratamento com L-Ala-Gln promoveu um aumento significativo de GSH cerebral no Grupo-G comparado ao Grupo-S no T30 (p <0,001). Houve aumento das concentrações de GSH no T30 e T60 no Grupo-G. Não houve diferenças quanto as concentrações de MPO. Picnose, presença de neurônios vermelhos e edema intracelular foram significativamente menores no Grupo-G. CONCLUSÃO: O pré-condicionamento com L-Ala-Gln em gerbils submetidos à isquemia/reperfusão cerebral reduz o estresse oxidativo, a degeneração nuclear (picnose) e morte celular (neurônios vermelhos) no tecido cerebral.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of L-alanyl-L-glutamine (L-Ala-Gln) preconditioning in an acute cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model in gerbils. METHODS: Thirty-six Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), (60-100g), were randomized in 2 groups (n=18) and preconditioned with saline 2.0 ml (Group-S) or 0.75g/Kg of L-Ala-Gln, (Group-G) administered into the femoral vein 30 minutes prior to I/R. Each group was divided into three subgroups (n=6). Anesthetized animals (urethane, 1.5g/Kg, i.p.) were submitted to bilateral occlusion of common carotid arteries during 15 minutes. Samples (brain tissue and arterial blood) were collected at the end of ischemia (T0) and after 30 (T30) and 60 minutes (T60) for glucose, lactate, myeloperoxidase (MPO), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH) assays and histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: Glucose and lactate levels were not different in studied groups. However glycemia increased significantly in saline groups at the end of the reperfusion period. TBARS levels were significantly different, comparing treated (Group-G) and control group after 30 minutes of reperfusion (p<0.05) in cerebral tissue. Pretreatment with L-Ala-Gln promoted a significant increase in cerebral GSH contents in Group-G at T30 (p<0.001) time-point compared with Group-S. At T30 and T60, increased levels of GSH occurred in both time-points. There were no group differences regarding MPO levels. Pyknosis, presence of red neurons and intracellular edema were significantly smaller in Group-G. CONCLUSION: Preconditioning with L-Ala-Gln in gerbils submitted to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion reduces oxidative stress and degeneration of the nucleus (pyknosis) and cell death (red neurons) in the cerebral tissue.

Rotaviruses are important enteric pathogens for humans and animals. Group A rotaviruses (RV-A) are the most common agents of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children and vaccination is the most effective method to reduce RV-A-associated diseases. G1P[8], the most prevalent RV-A genotype worldwide, is included in the RV-A vaccine Rotarix®. The discrimination between wild-type G1P[8] and vaccine G1P[8] strains is an important topic in the study of RV-A epidemiology to manage outbreaks and to define control measures for vaccinated children. In this study, we developed a novel method to segregate the wild-type and vaccine strains using restriction endonucleases. The dsRNA from the Rotarix® vaccine was sequenced and the NSP3 gene was selected as the target gene. The vaccine strain has a restriction pattern that is different than that of wild-type RV-A G1P[8] isolates after digestion with the restriction endonuclease BspHI. This pattern could be used as a marker for the differentiation of wild-type G1P[8] strains from the vaccine strain.

No período de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2003 foram colhidas, em várias regiões geográficas do Estado do Paraná, 550 amostras fecais de crianças e adultos com quadro clínico de diarréia aguda. Por meio de ensaio imunoenzimático comercial, 120 (21,8%) amostras foram positivas para o rotavírus grupo A. Dessas, 114 amostras foram genotipadas por meio da multiplex-nested-PCR. A maior freqüência (77,5%) de amostras positivas (n=93) foi observada em crianças menores de cinco anos de idade. A maior concentração de casos positivos para o rotavírus ocorreu nos meses frios e secos dos quatro anos avaliados. Os genotipos de maior ocorrência foram: G1 (50,9%), G4 (9,6%), G9 (7,0%), G2 (1,7%), G3 (0,9%), P[ 8] (71,9%) e P[ 4] (3,5%). P[ 8] G1 (46,5%) e P[ 8] G4 (9,6%) foram as associações de genotipos P e G mais encontradas. Infecções mistas, caracterizadas por estirpes de rotavírus com mais de um genotipo G, P e amostras não-genotipadas foram observadas, respectivamente, em 8,8, 3,5 e em 16,7% das amostras. De forma semelhante ao que vem ocorrendo em várias partes do mundo a identificação do genotipo G9 em estirpes de rotavírus identificadas ao longo dos quatro anos do estudo ratifica a emergência desse genotipo também no Estado do Paraná, Brasil.

From January/2000 to December/2003, 550 diarrheic fecal samples from the children and adults were collected in several geographical regions of Paraná State, Brazil. The enzyme immunoassay showed 120 (21.8%) samples positive for the group A rotaviruses. One hundred and fourteen samples were genotyped by multiplex-nested-PCR assay. The highest frequency (77.5%) of the positive samples (n=93) was observed in the children under 5 years old. Rotavirus diarrhea was more frequent in the cold and dry seasons of the four evaluated years. The most frequent genotypes were: G1 (50.9%), G4 (9.6%), G9 (7.0%), G2 (1.7%), G3 (0.9%), P[ 8] (71.9%), and P[ 4] (3.5%). The P[ 8] G1 (46.5%) and P[ 8] G4 (9.6%) were the main combinations found to P and G genotypes. The mixed infections, characterized by the rotaviruses with more than one genotype G or P, and nontypeable rotavirus were observed in 8.8, 3.5, and 16.7% of the samples, respectively. The identification of the G9 genotype in the rotavirus strains tested along the four years of studies ratifies the emergency of this genotype also in Paraná State, South region of Brazil, as the worldwide.

Viruses are the leading cause for hospitalization due to gastroenteritis worldwide. Group A rotaviruses (RV) are the most prevalent and are assorted in glycoproteins (G) and protease sensitive (P) dual genotypes based on polymorphic genes that encode the external VP7 and VP4 capsid proteins, respectively. Noroviruses (NoV) have increasingly answered by sporadic gastroenteritis. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of NoV and RV in 68 hospitalized children, between July 2004 and November 2006, at a pediatric hospital in Vitória city, state of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil. Nucleic acid was extracted from fecal suspension following the guanidine-silica procedure. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were employed for NoV and RV detection, respectively. RV genotyping was accomplished using RT-PCR followed by heminested multiplex PCR with specific primers for the most prevalent types of G and P. Fecal samples were positive for NoV and RV in 39.7% (27/68) and 20.5% (14/68), respectively and together were responsible for 60% (41/68) of the cases. RV genotypes were: 50% G9P[8], 28.7% G2P[4], 7.1% G1P[8], G2P[8] and G?P[8]. Vomit was a prominent manifestation observed in 92% and 85% of the NoV and RV cases, respectively. The median hospitalization was 5 and 5.5 days for the patients infected with NoV and RV, respectively. The data showed that NoV prevailed over RV and it also corroborated the emergence of RV G9 genotype followed by G2P[4], reinforcing the need for RV genotype surveillance.

This study describes the genetic relationships of the first human astrovirus type-8 (HAstV-8) detected in Belém-Brazil, during a public hospital-based study. This strain was compared with other HAstV-8 strains identified elsewhere which have sequences available at GeneBank. The regions ORF1a (primers Mon348/Mon340) and ORF2 (primers Mon269/Mon270) were analyzed by nucleotide sequencing and a high similarity rate was observed among the Belém strain and other HAstV-8 strains. In ORF1a, homology values of 93-100% were detected, and in ORF2 96-99%. Considering the sequence variation (7%) observed in ORF2 region, it was suggested that HAstV-8 strains could be divided in three different lineages.

Rotavirus is a major cause of infantile acute diarrhea, causing about 440,000 deaths per year, mainly in developing countries. The World Health Organization has been recommending the assessment of rotavirus burden and strain characterization as part of the strategies of immunization programs against this pathogen. In this context, a prospective study was made on a sample of 134 children with acute diarrhea and severe dehydration admitted to venous fluid therapy in two state hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from February to September 2004. Rotavirus where detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and by an enzyme-linked immunoassay to rotavirus and adenovirus (EIARA) in 48% of the children. Positive samples for group A rotavirus (n = 65) were analyzed by reverse transcription/heminested multiplex polymerase chain reaction to determine the frequency of G and [P] genotypes and, from these, 64 samples could be typed. The most frequent G genotype was G1 (58%) followed by G9 (40%). One mixed infection (G1/G9) was detected. The only [P] genotype identified was [8]. In order to estimate the rotavirus infection frequency in children who acquired diarrhea as hospital infection in those hospitals, we studied 24 patients, detecting the pathogen in 41% of them. This data suggest that genotype G9 is an important genotype in Rio de Janeiro, with implications to the future strategies of vaccination against rotavirus, reinforcing the need of continuous monitoring of circulating strains of the pathogen, in a surveillance context.

Human astroviruses (HAstV) have been increasingly identified as important etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis in children up to five years old. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotype diversity of HAstV in children with symptomatic and asymptomatic infections in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. From June 1997 to July 1999 a total of 183 fecal samples 84 from symptomatic and 99 from asymptomatic children were tested by enzyme immunoassay for HAstV. Prevalence rates were found to be 11 and 3% for symptomatic and asymptomatic children, respectively. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out in 46 specimens (26 symptomatic and 20 asymptomatic) including the 12 samples that were positive by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The overall positivity yielded by both methods was 8% (15/184); of these, 11% (9/84) for symptomatic and 5% (5/99) for those without symptoms or signs. Sequence analysis of amplicons revealed that HAstV-1 genotype was the most prevalent, accounting for 60% of isolates. Genotypes 2, 3, 4, and 5 were also detected, as one single isolate (10%) for each type. Variations in the sequences were observed when Brazilian isolates were compared to prototype strains identified in the United Kingdom. No seasonal pattern of occurrence was observed during these two years of study, and peak detection rate was observed in children aged between 3 and 6 months in the symptomatic group, and between 18 and 24 months in the controls.

During an epidemiological survey of acute respiratory infection in Rio de Janeiro, among 208 adenovirus isolates, we found two strains that we were not able, by a standard neutralization procedure, to distinguish between type 3 or 7. However, DNA restriction pattern for the two strains with different enzymes were analyzed and showed a typical Ad3h profile. Using a cross-neutralization test in which both Ad3p and Ad7p antisera were used in different concentration against 100 TCID50 of each adenovirus standard and both isolates, we were able to confirm that the two isolates belong to serotype 3. An hemagglutination inhibition test also corroborated the identification of both strains as adenovirus type 3. Comparing Ad3h and Ad3p genome, we observed 16 different restriction enzyme sites, three of which were located in genomic regions encoding polypeptides involved in neutralization sites