BACKGROUND In southeastern Brazil, autochthonous cases of malaria can be found near Atlantic Forest fragments. Because the transmission cycle has not been completely clarified, the behaviour of the possible vectors in those regions must be observed. A study concerning the entomological aspects and natural infection of anophelines (Diptera: Culicidae) captured in the municipalities of the mountainous region of Espírito Santo state was performed in 2004 and 2005. Similarly, between 2014 and 2015, 12 monthly collections were performed at the same area of the study mentioned above. METHODS Center for Disease Control (CDC) light traps with CO2 were set in open areas, at the edge and inside of the forest (canopy and ground), whereas Shannon traps were set on the edge. FINDINGS A total of 1,414 anophelines were collected from 13 species. Anopheles (Kerteszia) cruzii Dyar and Knab remained the most frequently captured species in the CDC traps set in the forest canopy, as well as being the vector with the highest prevalence of Plasmodium vivax/simium infection, according to molecular polymerase chain reaction techniques. CONCLUSIONS P. vivax/simium was found only in abdomens of the mosquitoes of the subgenus Nyssorhynchus, weakening the hypothesis that this subgenus also plays a role in malaria transmission in this specific region.

The center of diversity of Argentinean orchids is in the northeast region of the country. Chromosome numbers and karyotype features of 43 species belonging to 28 genera are presented here. Five chromosome records are the first ones at the genus level; these taxa are Aspidogyne kuckzinskii (2n = 42), Eurystyles actinosophila (2n = 56), Skeptrostachys paraguayensis (2n = 46), Stigmatosema polyaden (2n = 40) and Zygostates alleniana (2n = 54). In addition, a chromosome number is presented for the first time for 15 species: Corymborkis flava (2n = 56), Cyclopogon callophyllus (2n = 28), C. oliganthus (2n = 64), Cyrtopodium hatschbachii (2n = 46), C. palmifrons (2n = 46), Galeandra beyrichii (2n = 54), Habenaria bractescens (2n = 44), Oncidium edwallii (2n = 42), O. fimbriatum (2n = 56), O. pubes (2n = 84), O. riograndense (2n = 56), Pelexia ekmanii (2n = 46), P. lindmanii (2n = 46) and Warrea warreana (2n = 48). For Oncidium longicornu (2n = 42), O. divaricatum (2n = 56) and Sarcoglottis fasciculata (2n = 46+1B?, 46+3B?), a new cytotype was found. Chromosome data support phylogenetic relationships proposed by previous cytological, morphologic and molecular analyses, and in all the cases cover some gaps in the South American literature on orchid chromosomes.

A forma hereditária do carcinoma medular da tiróide pode ocorrer de modo isolado, o carcinoma medular da tiróide familiar (FMTC), ou como parte das neoplasias endócrinas múltiplas tipo 2A (MEN2A) e 2B (MEN2B). MEN2B é uma síndrome rara e seu fenótipo é usualmente, mas nem sempre, notado pelo médico. Na infância, nenhuma das características de MEN2B estão presentes, exceto pela disfunção gastrintestinal precoce, causada pelos neuromas intestinais. Quando disponível, a análise genética confirma o diagnóstico e orienta a avaliação pré-operatória e extensão da cirurgia. Neste artigo, apresentamos quatro casos de MEN2B, nos quais o diagnóstico tardio teve impacto significativo na evolução clínica e, potencialmente, na mortalidade em geral. APRESENTAÇÃO DOS CASOS: Apresentamos quatro casos, dois homens e duas mulheres, com diferenças em seus fenotipos e com diagnóstico tardio. O primeiro caso tem história de obstrução gastrintestinal importante em que foi necessária cirurgia dois dias após o nascimento. O segundo paciente apresentava nódulos na mucosa oral e constipação desde a infância. O terceiro referia história de constipação desde o nascimento até 5 meses de idade. O quarto tinha história de constipação intestinal desde a infância. DISCUSSÃO: Novos conceitos emergiram desde que o oncogene RET foi identificado, em 1993, como o gene responsável pelo carcinoma medular da tiróide hereditário. A maioria dos indivíduos apresenta a mutação M918T no éxon 16 do RET, enquanto poucos casos apresentam a mutação A883F ou a associação de V804M com E805K, Y806C ou S904C. O consenso recomenda a tiroidectomia total com dissecção dos linfonodos no compartimento central até os 6 meses após o nascimento. O diagnóstico rápido e preciso é essencial para o atingir os objetivos. CONCLUSÃO: O diagnóstico precoce de MEN2B é muito importante para propiciar a investigação apropriada de doenças associadas e para permitir aconselhamento e rastreamento dos parentes para uma mutação do RET. Pacientes com MEN2B, que apresentam frequentemente achados típicos ao exame físico, podem não ser reconhecidos e seguidos como casos esporádicos. Por causa disso, todos os casos de neoplasia endócrina múltipla devem ser avaliados pelo teste genético para mutações do RET.

BACKGROUND: The hereditary form of medullary thyroid carcinoma may occur isolated as a familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) or as part of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 2A (MEN2A) and 2B (MEN2B). MEN2B is a rare syndrome, its phenotype may usually, but not always, be noted by the physician. In the infant none of the MEN2B characteristics are present, except by early gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by intestinal neuromas. When available, genetic analysis confirms the diagnosis and guides pre-operative evaluation and extent of surgery. Here we report four cases of MEN2B in which the late diagnosis had a significant impact in clinical evolution and, potentially, in overall survival. CASE REPORT: We report four cases, 2 men and 2 women, with differences in their phenotypes and with a late diagnosis. The first case has a history of severe gastrointestinal obstruction requiring a surgery intervention two days after his birth. The second told had nodules in the oral mucosa and constipation since childhood. The third case referred a history of constipation from birth until 5 months of life. The fourth has had a history of chronic constipation since childhood. DISCUSSION: New concepts have emerged since the RET oncogene was identified in 1993 as the responsible gene for hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma. The majority of MEN2B individuals have M918T mutation in the exon 16 of RET, with a few cases having a mutation A883F or the association of V804M with E805K, Y806C or S904C mutations. The consensus classifies the RET mutation in codon 918 as of highest risk and recommends total thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection until 6 months after birth. A fast and precise diagnosis is essential to reach these goals. The identification of early manifestations such as intestinal ganglioneuromatosis and oral mucosal neuromas should prompt the physician to initiate an investigation for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of MEN2B is very important to allow appropriate investigation of associated diseases and to allow counseling and appropriate screening of relatives for a RET mutation. Even patients with MEN2B, which often have typical physical features, may not be properly recognized and be followed as a sporadic case. Based on this, all suspicious cases of multiple endocrine neoplasia should undergo a molecular genetic test.

Using biotechnology to increase the growth rates of fish is likely to reduce production costs per unit of food. Among vertebrates, fish appear to occupy a unique position, when growth patterns are considered. With few exceptions, fish species tend to grow indeterminately, implying that size is never fixed. Both hyperplasia and hypertrophy contribute to post-larval muscle growth in fish. Growth hormone (GH) - Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) is the most important growth axis in fish. Our experimental model, the pejerrey, Odontesthes bonariensis (Ateriniformes) is a South American inland water fish considered to be a promising species for intensive aquaculture. However, one major drawback to achieve this goal is its slow growth in captivity. In order to understand how growth is regulated in this species, our first objective was to characterized pejerrey GH- IGF-I axis. We first cloned and characterized pejerrey (pj) GH, IGF-I and the growth hormone receptors (GHRs) I and II. In addition to providing valuable data for evolutionary comparison of GH, investigation of GH action in teleosts is particularly important because of its potential application in aquaculture. GH can not only promote the somatic growth in fish but also lower dietary protein requirements. A prerequisite for providing sufficient amounts of GH for basic research and aquaculture application is a large-scale production of GH. For that purpose, recombinant pjGH was expressed in a bacterial system. Protocols for solubilization and proper folding were achieved. Activity of recombinant pjGH was assessed in fish by measuring the liver IGF-I response to different doses of GH. IGF-I transcript was measured in the liver after pjGHr in vivo stimulation by means of quantitative real-time PCR assays. A dose-dependent response of IGF-I mRNA was observed after pjGHr administration, and reached a 6 fold IGF-I maximum increase over control group when 2.5 µg pjGH /g-body weight were injected. Temporal analysis of hepatic IGF-I mRNA levels showed that administration of a single dose of pjGHr into juvenile pejerrey resulted in a significant increase (P<0.02) 9 hours post injection. These results demonstrates that recombinant pjGH could promote a dramatic response in liver, increasing the IGF-I mRNA level. We also study the effect of GH on muscle growth after oral administration. A significant association between GH doses and mean fiber area (MFA) was observed even with a caloric restrictive diet. MFA increased 3.7 µm² per each unit of GH supplied indicating that GH promoted white muscle hypertrophy. These preliminary data indicates that GH could be absorbed by the intestine in an active form and promote somatic growth.

The purpose of this study is gain a better understanding of the anatomical variations of celiac artery and its branches in dogs. The celiac artery supply was analyzed in thirty dogs.The animals were injected with solution of Petrolatex S65 and dissected to evidence the celiac artery origin and its proximal ramifications. The celiac artery and its proximal branches were dissected and lengthen. The celiac artery more frequently emerged ahead of the first lumbar vertebra in one way form. The medium length of the celiac artery was of 0.98 cm. The gastrolienal trunk was the predominant morphological arrangement with medium length of 0.19 cm. The lienal artery emerged in one way form emitting more frequently 2 main branches. A branch emerging of the celiac artery irrigating the left adrenal occurred in 4 animals. The left gastric artery presented 1 branch in 17 animals (56.7%), 2 branches in 11 animals (36.6%) and 3 branches in 3 animals (10%). The left pancreatic lobe received a main branch from the lienal artery in 24 animals (80.0%), two branches in 4 animals (13.4%), and a branch emerging of the gastrolienal trunk in 2 animals (6.6%). The present data should therefore provide important information for devising experiments and interpreting results when using the mongred dogs as a model for experimental surgery and radiolocal practice of the celiac artery specially when making comparisons to human anatomy

El propósito de este estudio es comprender mejor las variaciones anatómicas de la arteria celiaca y de sus ramas en los perros. Estudiamos la arteria celiaca en 30 perros (Canis familiaris). La parte abdominal de la aorta y el tronco celiaco fueron inyectados con una solución de Petrolatex S65, disecándose, desde su origen, la arteria celiaca y sus ramificaciones proximales. La arteria celiaca se originaba, de manera más frecuente, a nivel de la primera vértebra lumbar. La longitud media de la arteria celiaca fue de 0.98 cm. El tronco gastrolienal era el elemento morfológico predominante, con una longitud promedio de 0.19 cm. La arteria lienal se originaba de un tronco y emitía, frecuentemente, dos ramas principales. En 4 animales, se originaba una rama de la arteria celiaca, la cual irrigaba la glándula adrenal izquierda. La arteria gástrica izquierda emitía una rama en 17 animales (56.7%), dos ramas en 11 animales (36.6%) y 3 ramas en 3 animales (10%). El lóbulo pancreático izquierdo recibía una rama principal de la arteria lienal en 24 animales (80.0%), 2 ramas en 4 animales (13.4%), y una rama que se originaba del tronco gastrolienal en 2 animales (6.6%). Los resultados obtenidos se deben tener presentes cuando son utilizados perros como modelo en cirugía experimental y práctica radiolocal, especialmente, cuando se hacen comparaciones con la anatomía humana

Results which have been recently obtained with the Boltzmann master equation and the FLUKA code in the analysis of heavy ion interactions at relative energies ranging from Coulomb barrier up to a few GeV/n are discussed.