ABSTRACT The successful use of native species in conservation actions depends on basic knowledge of their biology, beginning with the identification of regenerating individuals in the field, up to the behavior and development of the species from the early stages of germination. Moreover, seed propagation and germination may be limited by the occurrence of dormancy. The objective of this work was to identify the best method to overcome seed dormancy of Hymenaea parvifolia Huber, besides characterizing the fruits, seeds, post-seminal development and seedlings of naturally occurring specimens in Amazonia. For this, (i) tests for the breakdown of dormancy were performed through thermal, chemical and mechanical treatments; (ii) analyses of their effects on seed germination were made; and (iii) morphology of germinative development of Hymenaea parvifolia was described. The treatments based on sulfuric acid for 15, 25 and 35 minutes were the most efficient in overcoming the integumentary dormancy. However, scarification by grinding is recommended because it had been less impact on the environment. External characteristics and shape of the fruit, seed and epicotyl can aid taxonomy of the genus and identification of its species in the field. In addition, morphological characters of the fruit, seed, germination and seedling were illustrated.

É relatado um caso de meningencefalite criptococócica com sinais clínicos e radiológicos de processo expansivo localizado no hemisfério cerebral direito. O diagnóstico definitivo foi feito mediante estudo anátomo-patológico de biópsia obtida durante a realização de craniotomia exploradora e descompressiva fronto-têmporo-parietal direita.

A case of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis occurrying in a 26-year-old white man disclosing clinical as well radiological features of a expanding process localized in the right cerebral hemisphere is reported. A definitive diagnosis was established through histopathologic examination following right fronto-temporo-parietal exploratory and decompressive craniotomy. Cryptococcus neo-formans was easily demonstrated in the leptomeninges as well as in cystic spaces in the brain substance.

É relatado um caso de meningeoma intraventricular, ocorrendo no trígono ventricular direito, em paciente do sexo feminino, com 27 anos de idade, e que foi totalmente ressecado em dois tempos cirúrgicos. O tumor pesou 400 gramas. Histologicamente, ao lado de áreas características de meningeoma endoteliomatoso, foram observados marcado pleomorfismo celular, com núcleos bizarros, e células sinciciais neoplásicas.

A case of intraventricular meningeoma in a 27-year-old white woman located in the trigone of the right lateral ventricle is reported. The tumor was parcialy excised in one first surgical stage, its entire removal being performed during a second operation. It weighed 400 grams. No evidence of invasion of the brain was observed. Histologically, besides the characteristic pattern of the endotheliomatous meningeoma, there were observed hypercellular areas with prominent nuclear pleomorphism, hyperchromatism and macronucleoli. These atypical areas were quite suggestive of malignancy. However, evidence of unequivocal invasion of adjacent brain parenchyma and metastases were not observed.

Os autores descrevem um caso de coriocarcinoma cerebral metastático, removido cirurgicamente, ocorrendo numa paciente de 19 anos e localizado na porção posterior do lobo frontal esquerdo. Um estudo retrospectivo da paciente revelou apenas discreta perda sangüínea pelos genitais, iniciada algumas semanas após o delivramento de uma criança normal, ocorrido quatro meses antes. O exame colpocitológico da secreção cérvico-vaginal revelou uma classe V de Papanicolau (positivo para células neoplásicas malignas), tendo ulteriormente a paciente sido submetida à histerectomia total com anexectomia bilateral. Um pequeno tumor de aspecto hemorrágico-necrótico foi encontrado na cavidade uterina, tendo o exame histológico mostrado tratar-se de coriocarcinoma. Os autores tecem considerações clínico-patológicas sobre o coriocarcinoma. com especial referência às lesões metastáticas cerebrais.

A case of a metastatic cerebral chorioncarcinoma in the posterior aspect of the left frontal lobe of a 19-years-old woman is reported. After neurosurgical excision of the brain tumor a retrospective study of the patient was carried out as far as the gynecologic complaints were concerned. The patient complained only of little blood loss through the genitals started some weeks after the birth of a normal child four months ago. A smear vaginal preparation showed the presence of atypical epithelial cells (class V of Papanicolau). A total hysterectomy associated with bilateral anexectomy was performed. A small hemorrhagic tumor was detected within the uterus and a histological examination showed a chorioncarcinoma invading the miometrium. The clinico-pathological aspects of the chorioncarcinoma with special emphasis to cerebral metastases are discussed.

Os autores relatam o caso de um paciente que se apresentara com paraplegia flácida, distúrbios esfincterianos e alterações das sensibilidades superficiais, evoluindo no espaço de pouco mais de um ano para o resultado letal. No curso da doença o paciente apresentara oscilações térmicas que variavam de 37 a 38°, atingindo às vêzes 40°C. Surtos diarréicos entrecortavam ou substituíam às vêzes tenaz obstipação. Entre os vários exames de laboratório, assinalaram-se leucocitose com neutrofilia, presença de ovos de S. mansoni nas fezes. Foi efetuada terapêutica à base de antibióticos, vitaminas e radioterapia profunda, além de derivados de antimônio, sem resultado positivo. Na autópsia foram encontradas lesões granulomatosas fibrosantes esquistossomóticas localizadas nos cornos anteriores da medula, na comissura cinzenta e na substância branca dos funículos anteriores e laterais, com exclusão dos cordões posteriores. Os autores assinalam a concordância dos dados clínicos com os resultados do exame an átomo-patológico e discutem o problema do diagnóstico clínico e do trajeto dos ovos de S. mansoni, até chegarem à medula.

Case report of a 20 year old, white, male patient with flaccid, progressive sensorimotor paraplegia symptoms with sphincteric troubles and hyperthermia. The patient had alternative episodes of diarrhea and obstipation. A blood count showed leucocytosis and neutrophilia, and the stools examination was strongly positive for Schistosoma mansoni eggs. The patient was treated with antibiotics, vitamins, deep roentgen therapy and antimony derivatives without satisfactory results. In autopsy extensive fibrotic granulomatous schistosomotic lesions were found involving the grey matter of spinal cord, the grey commissure, and the white matter of the anterior or lateral funiculi with exclusion of the posterior funiculi. Correlations of clinical data and pathological findings are made. The problem of the clinical diagnosis and the mechanism of conveyance of S. mansoni eggs to the spinal cord are discussed.