RESUMO DINÂMICA SAZONAL DE OVOS EM DIAPAUSA DE MAHANARVA SPECTABILIS (DISTANT, 1909) (HEMIPTERA: CERCOPIDAE) EM CAPIM-ELEFANTE. O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar a ocorrência, duração e viabilidade de ovos em diapausa de Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) oriundos de diferentes épocas do ano. Adultos coletados, quinzenalmente, de setembro a maio em 2005/2006 e 2006/2007, em casa-de-vegetação, foram levados para o laboratório, sepa rados por sexo e mantidos em gaiolas contendo uma planta de capim-elefante em copo plástico de 500 mL, com a porção superior envolvida por uma secção de gaze que serviu de substrato para oviposição. Cerca de cem ovos obtidos em cada data foram mantidos em câmaras climatizadas. Diariamente foram analisadas a duração e viabilidade de ovos. A viabilidade dos ovos de M. spectabilis foi superior a 50 e 72% nas avaliações de setembro de 2005 a maio de 2006 e no mesmo período de 2006 a 2007, respectivamente. O período embrionário total médio de setembro de 2005 à primeira quinzena de março de 2006 variou de 15,79 a 28,24 dias, exceto na primeira quinzena de janeiro. Nas demais amostragens variou de 94,80 a 139,04 dias, sendo esses considerados em diapausa. No segundo ciclo de avaliação (2006/2007), um período embrionário inferior a 27 dias foi registrado de setembro até a primeira quinzena de novembro/2006 e em janeiro e fevereiro/2007. Nas demais avaliações os insetos permaneceram na fase de ovo de 55,30 a 196,42 dias. O maior número de ovos em diapausa ocorreu no outono, com 100% e 90 % para o primeiro e segundo ciclo de avaliação, respectivamente.

ABSTRACT This work examines the occurrence, duration and viability of diapause eggs of Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) at different periods of the year. Adult insects were gathered twice a month in a greenhouse from September 2005 to May 2006 as well as in the same period in 2006-2007. The spittlebugs collected were taken to the laboratory, sexed and kept in cages containing one elephant grass plant potted in a 500 mL plastic cup with the upper part wrapped in gauze to serve as a substrate for egg laying. Around one hundred eggs obtained on each sample date were kept in climate-controlled chambers. The duration and viability of the eggs were analyzed daily. The viability was greater than 50% and 72%, respectively, in the evaluations for September 2005 to May 2006 and the same period of 2006-2007. The average embryonic period from September 2005 the first half of March 2006 varied from 15.79 to 28.24 days, except in the first half of January. In the other samples it varied from 94.80 to 139.04 days, with these being considered diapause. In the second study period (2006-2007), an embryonic period under 27 days was registered from September to the first half of November 2006 and again in January and February 2007. In the other evaluations the insects remained in the egg phase from 55.30 to 196.42 days. The largest number of diapause eggs occurred in the autumn, with 100% and 90% for the first and second evaluation periods, respectively.

The main objective of the present study was to upgrade a clinical gamma camera to obtain high resolution tomographic images of small animal organs. The system is based on a clinical gamma camera to which we have adapted a special-purpose pinhole collimator and a device for positioning and rotating the target based on a computer-controlled step motor. We developed a software tool to reconstruct the target’s three-dimensional distribution of emission from a set of planar projections, based on the maximum likelihood algorithm. We present details on the hardware and software implementation. We imaged phantoms and heart and kidneys of rats. When using pinhole collimators, the spatial resolution and sensitivity of the imaging system depend on parameters such as the detector-to-collimator and detector-to-target distances and pinhole diameter. In this study, we reached an object voxel size of 0.6 mm and spatial resolution better than 2.4 and 1.7 mm full width at half maximum when 1.5- and 1.0-mm diameter pinholes were used, respectively. Appropriate sensitivity to study the target of interest was attained in both cases. Additionally, we show that as few as 12 projections are sufficient to attain good quality reconstructions, a result that implies a significant reduction of acquisition time and opens the possibility for radiotracer dynamic studies. In conclusion, a high resolution single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system was developed using a commercial clinical gamma camera, allowing the acquisition of detailed volumetric images of small animal organs. This type of system has important implications for research areas such as Cardiology, Neurology or Oncology.

Desde a década de 1970 não se notificavam casos autóctones de doença de Chagas aguda em São Paulo. Em março de 2006 a Vigilância Epidemiológica registrou óbito por doença de Chagas aguda, em Itaporanga, de paciente de seis anos de idade. Exame histopatológico post mortem realizado no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu confirmou o diagnóstico. Consultamos prontuários de hospitais e entrevistamos profissionais de saúde envolvidos além de familiares do paciente. Descrevemos medidas adotadas in loco para identificar a via de transmissão, reservatórios e vetores. Discutimos as possíveis fontes de infecção. Na região não foram identificados outros casos humanos, vetores ou reservatórios vertebrados infectados por Trypanosoma cruzi. Salientamos a importância de manter a vigilância, mesmo em áreas onde a transmissão de doença de Chagas está interrompida e naquelas ainda infestadas por triatomíneos. Deve-se admitir a hipótese diagnóstica de doença de Chagas quando observados: edema palpebral (uni ou bilateral), insuficiência cardíaca, miocardite, pericardite, anasarca, quadros similares aos de síndrome nefrótica ou glomerulonefrite sem causas outras aparentes, em pacientes com dados epidemiológicos positivos. Encontro, mesmo em raras ocasiões, de triatomíneos na região ou ainda contato com alimento contaminável com formas infectantes de T. cruzi.

No vector transmitted cases of Chagas disease had been notified in the state of São Paulo since the 1970s. However, in March, 2006, the death of a six-year-old boy from the municipality of Itaporanga was notified to the Center for Epidemiological Survey of the São Paulo State Health Secretariat: an autochthonous case of acute Chagas disease. The postmortem histopathological examination performed in the Hospital das Clínicas of the Botucatu School of Medicine confirmed the diagnosis. Reference to hospital records, consultation with the health professionals involved in the case and interviews with members of the patient's family supplied the basis for this study. We investigated parasite route of transmission, probable local reservoirs and vectors. No further human cases of acute Chagas disease were diagnosed. No locally captured vectors or reservoirs were found infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Alternative transmission hypotheses - such as the possible ingestion of foods contaminated with vector excreta - are discussed, as well as the need to keep previously endemic regions and infested houses under close surveillance. Clinicians should give due attention to such signs as uni- or bilateral palpebral edema, cardiac failure, myocarditis, pericarditis, anasarca and atypical signs of nephrotic syndrome or nephritis and consider the diagnostic hypothesis of Chagas disease.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar os aspectos relacionados ao diâmetro de gotas de aerossóis domissanitários. O espectro de gotas foi determinado num analisador de partículas (Mastersizer S®, versão 2.19), utilizando o delineamento inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 6 x 2, com seis repetições. Avaliaram-se duas amostras, de seis diferentes marcas de aerossóis disponíveis no mercado e codificados como: BAT, REB, RCJ, RAT, SMI e M. Os seguintes parâmetros foram analisados: 1) a porcentagem do volume pulverizado contendo gotas com diâmetro igual ou inferior a 15 µm; 2) a amplitude relativa ao diâmetro de gotas do jato aplicado; e 3) os diâmetros de gotas para os quais 10% (Dv0,1), 50% (Dv0,5) e 90% (Dv0,9) dos volumes pulverizados apresentaram gotas de diâmetro inferiores. Os aerossóis avaliados apresentaram características de gotas que atenderam aos limites de tolerância vigente em resolução oficial da agência reguladora nacional.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to characterize the aspects related to the diameter of household aerosol droplets. The droplet spectra was determined in a particle size analyzer (Mastersizer S®, version 2.19). The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, arranged on a 6 x 2 factorial scheme, with six replications. Two samples were evaluated, of 6 different aerosols available on the market and codified as: BAT, REB, RCJ, RAT, SMI and M. The following parameters were analyzed: 1) the percentage of the sprayed volume containing drops with diameter equal to 15 µm or less; 2) the relative amplitude of the diameter of the droplets in the applied spurt; and the 3) the diameter of droplets for which 10% (Dv0.1), 50% (Dv0.5) and 90% (Dv0.9) of the sprayed volumes presented droplets with lesser diameters. The aerosols evaluated presented characteristics of droplets within the limits of effective tolerance according to the official resolution of the national regulating agency.

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a non-invasive imaging technique, which provides information reporting the functional states of tissues. SPECT imaging has been used as a diagnostic tool in several human disorders and can be used in animal models of diseases for physiopathological, genomic and drug discovery studies. However, most of the experimental models used in research involve rodents, which are at least one order of magnitude smaller in linear dimensions than man. Consequently, images of targets obtained with conventional gamma-cameras and collimators have poor spatial resolution and statistical quality. We review the methodological approaches developed in recent years in order to obtain images of small targets with good spatial resolution and sensitivity. Multipinhole, coded mask- and slit-based collimators are presented as alternative approaches to improve image quality. In combination with appropriate decoding algorithms, these collimators permit a significant reduction of the time needed to register the projections used to make 3-D representations of the volumetric distribution of target’s radiotracers. Simultaneously, they can be used to minimize artifacts and blurring arising when single pinhole collimators are used. Representation images are presented, which illustrate the use of these collimators. We also comment on the use of coded masks to attain tomographic resolution with a single projection, as discussed by some investigators since their introduction to obtain near-field images. We conclude this review by showing that the use of appropriate hardware and software tools adapted to conventional gamma-cameras can be of great help in obtaining relevant functional information in experiments using small animals.

Avaliou-se a influência da classificação dos ovos no incubatório sobre a uniformidade, o desempenho e o rendimento de abate dos frangos de corte, utilizando-se 140 machos e 140 fêmeas nascidos de cada um dos seguintes tratamentos: A - ovos com pesos entre 66 e 72g, 33,3% deles originados de matrizes com diferentes idades; B - ovos com pesos entre 58 e 65g, 33,3% deles originados de matrizes com diferentes idades; C - ovos com pesos entre 52 e 57g, 33,3% deles originados de matrizes com diferentes idades; D - ovos com pesos entre 52 e 72g, produzidos por matrizes com 31 semanas; E - ovos com pesos entre 52 e 72g, produzidos por matrizes com 38 semanas; e F - ovos com pesos entre 52 e 72g, produzidos por matrizes com 43 semanas. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 6 x 2 (seis categorias de peso dos ovos x dois sexos), com quatro repetições de 35 aves. O período de criação dos frangos foi de um a 44 dias de idade, e o abate foi feito aos 45 dias. A classificação dos ovos nos tratamentos A, B e C, visando limitar as categorias de peso dos ovos, não foi eficaz para manter a melhor uniformidade dos frangos com 44 dias de idade. O peso do frango aos 44 dias está positivamente correlacionado ao peso do pinto aos sete dias, exceto em frangos provenientes do tratamento D. O desempenho dos frangos e o rendimento de abate não foram influenciados pela classificação dos ovos no incubatório.

The effect of egg classification on uniformity, performance, and meat yield of broiler chicks was evaluated using 140 males and 140 females hatched from one of each of the following treatments: A - eggs weighting from 66 to 72g, 33,3% of them produced by broiler breeders of different ages; B - eggs weighting from 58 to 65g, 33,3% of them produced by broiler breeders of different ages; C - eggs weighting from 52 to 57g, 33,3% of them produced by broiler breeders of different ages; D - eggs from 31-wk-old broiler breeders, weighting from 52 to 72g; E - eggs from 38-wk-old broiler breeders, weighting from 52 to 72g; and F - eggs from 43-wk-old broiler breeders, weighting from 52 to 72g. It was used a completely randomized design, in a 6x2 factorial (six categories of egg classification x two genders) with four replicates of 35 bird each. The chicks were raised from one to 44-day-old and slaughtered at 45-day-old. Sorting eggs by weight prior to incubation was not efficient to keep the better broiler chickens uniformity until they were 44-day-old. A significant and positive relationship between 7-day-old chick weight and broiler weight at slaughtering age was observed, except in chicks from treatment D. Broiler performance and meat yield were not affected by egg classification.

Atendendo a notificação de encontro, por habitantes da Fazenda Paraíso, área rural do Município de Paulínia, Estado de São Paulo, de um exemplar alado de triatomíneo, procedeu-se a uma investigação epidemiológica em que capturaram-se 109 exemplares de Triatoma infestans em focos situados em construções peridomiciliares. As condições locais favoreciam a colonização por triatomíneos: grande número de construções peridomiciliares abandonadas, habitadas por pombos e pardais, fornecedores de farto alimento para os hemípteros. Eliminaram-se os focos por meio de controle mecânico dos ninhos dos pássaros. Borrifaram-se, com inseticida de ação residual, todas as unidades domiciliares da região. Desde que persistam as condições para a instalação de focos de triatomíneos nessa localidade, é obrigatória a implementação de ações de vigilância. Entretanto, os indicadores entomológicos e sorológicos sugerem não ser preocupante a situação atual. Destaca-se aqui a importância da notificação triatomínica para a detecção de focos de triatomíneos, particularmente os de Triatoma infestans.

In response to notification of the capture of a winged triatomine bug by local inhabitants, an epidemiological investigation was investigated in the rural area of the Municipality of Paulínia, São Paulo State (Brazil). This led to the collection of 109 specimens of Triatoma infestans from peridomiciliary breeding sites. Local conditions favored colonization by triatomine bugs: many abandoned outbuildings were inhabited by pigeons and sparrows, which meant abundant feed for these bugs. Thus, surveillance is mandatory as long as conditions for triatomine breeding persist. Nevertheless, entomological and serological indicators ruled out immediate concern over vectorial transmission of Chagas' disease in this municipality. All domiciliary units of the region were sprayed with residual-effect insecticides and the triatomine breeding sites were destroyed by the use of mechanical control of bird nests. The importance of reporting the occurrence of triatomine bugs, particularly Triatoma infestans, in this region, is emphasized.

We determined the frequency of large rearrangements and point mutations in 130 Brazilian patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency and correlated genotype with phenotype. The frequency of CYP21 deletions was lower (4.4%) than in most of the previous series described, whereas the frequency of large gene conversions was similar to the frequency reported in the literature (6.6%). The most frequent point mutations were I2 splice (41.8% in salt wasting - SW), I172N (32.6% in simple virilizing - SV) and V281L (40.2% in the late onset form - LO). The frequency of the nine most common point mutations was similar to that reported for other countries. The 93 fully genotyped patients were classified into 3 mutation groups based on the degree of enzymatic activity (A<2%, B <FONT FACE="Symbol">@</FONT> 2%, C>20%). In group A, 62% of cases presented the SW form; in group B, 96% the SV form, and in group C, 88% the LO form. We diagnosed 80% of the affected alleles after screening for large rearrangements and 15 point mutations. To diagnose these remaining alleles we sequenced the CYP21 gene of one patient with the SV form and identified a heterozygous G->A transition in codon 424. This mutation leads to a substitution of glycine by serine in a conserved region and was also found in a compound heterozygous state in 4 other patients. The mutation G424S presented a linkage disequilibrium with CYP21P and C4A gene deletions and HLA DR17, suggesting a probable founder effect. Search for the G424S mutation in other populations will reveal if it is restricted to the Brazilian patients or if it has a wider ethnic distribution.

A neurotoxic peptide, granulitoxin (GRX), was isolated from the sea anemone Bunodosoma granulifera. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of GRX is AKTGILDSDGPTVAGNSLSGT and its molecular mass is 4958 Da by electrospray mass spectrometry. This sequence presents a partial degree of homology with other toxins from sea anemones such as Bunodosoma caissarum, Anthopleura fuscoviridis and Anemonia sulcata. However, important differences were found: the first six amino acids of the sequence are different, Arg-14 was replaced by Ala and no cysteine residues were present in the partial sequence, while two cysteine residues were present in the first 21 amino acids of other toxins described above. Purified GRX injected ip (800 µg/kg) into mice produced severe neurotoxic effects such as circular movements, aggressive behavior, dyspnea, tonic-clonic convulsion and death. The 2-h LD50 of GRX was 400 ± 83 µg/kg.