ABSTRACT Introduction: Systemic Mastocytosis comprises a group of neoplastic diseases characterized by clonal expansion and infiltration of mast cells into several organs. The diagnosis and treatment of this disease may be challenging for non-specialists. Objective: Make suggestions or recommendations in Systemic Mastocytosis based in a panel of Brazilian specialists. Method and results: An online expert panel with 18 multidisciplinary specialists was convened to propose recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of Systemic Mastocytosis in Brazil. Recommendations were based on discussions of topics and multiple-choice questions and were graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence Chart. Conclusion: Twenty-two recommendations or suggestions were proposed based on a literature review and graded according to the findings.

Abstract Alveolar bone healing after upper incisor extraction in rats is a classical model of preclinical studies. The underlying morphometric, cellular and molecular mechanism, however, remains imprecise in a unique study. Objectives The aim of this study was therefore to characterize the alveolar bone healing after upper incisor extraction in rats by micro computed tomographic (Micro-CT), immunohistochemical and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Material and Methods Thirty animals (Rattus norvegicus, Albinus Wistar) were divided into three groups after upper incisors extraction at 7, 14, and 28 days. Micro-CT was evaluated based on the morphometric parameters. Subsequently, the histological analyses and immunostaining of osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear kappa B ligand (RANKL) and tartrate resistant acid phosphate (TRAP) was performed. In addition, RT-PCR analyses of OPG, RANKL, the runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OC), osteopontin (OPN), osterix (OST) and receptor activator of nuclear kappa B (RANK) were performed to determine the expression of these proteins in the alveolar bone healing. Results Micro-CT: The morphometric parameters of bone volume and trabecular thickness progressively increased over time. Consequently, a gradual decrease in trabecular separation, trabecular space and total bone porosity was observed. Immunohistochemical: There were no differences statistically significant between the positive labeling for OPG, RANKL and TRAP in the different periods. RT-PCR: At 28 days, there was a significant increase in OPG expression, while RANKL expression and the RANKL/OPG ratio both decreased over time. Conclusion Micro-CT showed the newly formed bone had favorable morphometric characteristics of quality and quantity. Beyond the RUNX2, OC, OPN, OST, and RANK proteins expressed in the alveolar bone healing, OPG and RANKL activity showed to be essential for activation of basic multicellular units during the alveolar bone healing.

RESUMO A mesofauna edáfica compreende organismos de dimensões entre 100 μm e 2 mm, sendo importante avaliar os métodos utilizados para sua caracterização. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram definir o período de tempo de permanência do material de solo no extrator Berlese-Tüllgren para a captura dos organismos da mesofauna e determinar o tempo mínimo de extração para a correta utilização dos índices de Shannon, Simpson, Pielou e Margalef, empregados na avaliação da diversidade, dominância e equabilidade das comunidades da mesofauna. O estudo foi conduzido no Departamento de Solos do Instituto de Agronomia da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, em terreno altamente antropizado. Foram instaladas parcelas experimentais com os seguintes tratamentos: feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformis), mucuna-preta (Mucuna aterrima), feijão-bravo-do-Ceará (Canavalia brasiliensis), guandu (Cajanus cajan) e vegetação espontânea, em delineamento de quadrado latino. Em cada uma das unidades experimentais, foram coletadas amostras formadas por serapilheira e material de solo, nos primeiros 5 cm da camada superficial do solo realizada um dia antes do plantio das leguminosas (outubro) e, posteriormente, por ocasião do corte da parte aérea das plantas (março). As amostras foram submetidas a uma bateria de extratores do tipo Berlese-Tüllgren, por um período de 15 dias, realizando-se a contagem diária dos organismos. A partir da contagem e identificação em nível de grupo (Ordem/Família) dos organismos capturados, foram determinados os índices de Margalef, Simpson, Shannon e Pielou, bem como verificou-se a correlação por ordem de Kendall entre os valores obtidos dia a dia até o 8º dia de extração, usando-se o índice de Shannon como referência. Concluiu-se que é possível a redução do tempo de permanência das amostras de material de solo nos funis Berlese-Tüllgren, não sendo recomendável a adoção de período de tempo inferior a seis dias para se determinar a composição da mesofauna edáfica ou para se obterem dados mais consistentes e confiáveis para se avaliarem os índices de diversidade, quando se utiliza esse procedimento.

ABSTRACT Soil mesofauna consists of organisms that measure from 0.100 μm to 2 mm, being important to evaluate methods employed for its characterization. The objectives of this study were to define how long the soil material must remain in the Berlese-Tüllgren extraction device to capture organisms of the mesofauna and determine the minimum extraction time for correct use of the Shannon, Simpson, Pielou, and Margalef indices used to evaluate the diversity, dominance, and richness of the mesofauna communities. The study was conducted at the Department of Soil Science at the Institute of Agronomy of the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in highly anthropic land. Experimental plots were set up with the following treatments: jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), velvet bean (Mucuna aterrima), Ceará bravo bean (Canavalia brasiliensis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), and spontaneous vegetation in a Latin square design. Samples were collected from each of the experimental units, made up of plant litter and soil material in the first 5 cm of topsoil the day before planting legumes (October), and, subsequently, at the time of cutting plant shoots (March). The samples were subjected to a battery of the Berlese-Tüllgren type funnels for a period of 15 days, performing a daily count of organisms. From the count and group-level identification (Order/Family) of the captured organisms, the Margalef, Simpson, Shannon, and Pielou indices were determined and verified by Kendall rank correlation between the values obtained from one day to the next until the 8th day of extraction, using the Shannon index as a reference. From the study, it may be concluded that it is possible to reduce the time the material samples remain in the Berlese-Tüllgren funnels, but adoption of a time less than six days is not recommended to determine the composition of the soil mesofauna or to obtain more consistent and reliable data for evaluating diversity indices when using this procedure.

OBJETIVO: determinar a prevalência de sinais e sintomas de doença da superfície ocular (OSD) em pacientes em uso crônico de hipotensores oculares tópicos. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo transversal, foram recrutados 40 pacientes consecutivos, provenientes do ambulatório de glaucoma de um hospital público localizado no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Os mesmos deveriam apresentar: idade maior ou igual a 18 anos, diagnóstico de hipertensão ocular ou glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto e deveriam estar em uso da mesma terapia hipotensora ocular há pelo menos seis meses. Foram considerados: sexo, idade, medicação utilizada e duração do tratamento. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à avaliação da superfície ocular que incluiu: entrevista por meio do questionário Ocular Surface Disease Index® (OSDI®), tempo de rotura do filme lacrimal, biomicroscopia, avaliação da superfície ocular com fluoresceína e com rosa Bengala. RESULTADOS: A média de pontuação do OSDI® foi 24,6 ± 20,7. A maioria dos pacientes (67,5%) apresentou uma pontuação anormal no questionário do OSDI®. Em 25% dos pacientes, a pontuação foi compatível com sintomas leves, em 12,5% com sintomas moderados e em 30% com sintomas graves. Blefarite e ceratite ponteada foram diagnosticadas em 42,5% e 20% dos pacientes respectivamente. Instabilidade do filme lacrimal foi observada em 75% dos pacientes, enquanto que alteração da superfície ocular foi evidenciada pelo teste de rosa bengala em 35% dos pacientes. Foi encontrada correlação positiva (r=0,4) estatisticamente significativa (p=0,01) entre a pontuação do OSDI® e o tempo de duração do tratamento com hipotensores oculares tópicos. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes em uso crônico de hipotensores oculares tópicos apresentam alta prevalência de sinais e sintomas de OSD. Existe correlação significativa entre a duração do tratamento e a gravidade dos sintomas de OSD.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of signs and symptoms of ocular surface disease (OSD) in patients using topical intraocular pressure-lowering therapy. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 40 patients were consecutively recruited from the glaucoma clinic of a public hospital located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Eligible patients were 18 years of age or older, with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and on the same topical ocular therapy for at least 6 months. The following data were considered: sex, age, medication history and number of years on topical intraocular pressure-lowering therapy. All patients underwent an evaluation of the ocular surface which included: an interview using the Ocular Surface Disease Index® (OSDI®) questionnaire, break-up time, biomicroscopy, fluorescein corneal staining and rose Bengal ocular surface staining. RESULTS: The mean OSDI® score was 24.6 ± 20.7. Most patients (67.5%) had an abnormal score on the OSDI® questionnaire. In 25% of patients, the score was consistent with mild symptoms, 12.5% with moderate symptoms and 30% with severe symptoms. Blepharitis and punctate keratitis were diagnosed in 42.5% and 20% of patients respectively. Tear film instability was observed in 75% of patients and ocular surface staining with rose Bengal in 35%. A positive statistically significant correlation (r=0.4; p=0.01) was found between OSDI® scores and the duration of topical intraocular pressure-lowering therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension on topical intraocular pressure-lowering therapy have high prevalence of OSD. Longer duration since diagnosis is significantly correlated with worsening of OSD symptoms.

The aim of this work was to investigate the potential of castor oil for the control of papaya diseases caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and the bacterium Pseudomonas caricapapayae. The treatment with 1% castor oil did not significantly affect the fungal growth. The effectiveness of castor oil for the control of anthracnose was shown when 5% and 10% (v/v) were used in the assays resulting in reduced mycelial growth. Fungal sporulation was strongly inhibited at 10% (v/v) concentration of essential oil. The studies with the fresh fruits treated with 5% (v/v) castor oil in aqueous emulsions resulted in effective reduction of pathogen spread in these fruits. No lesion was found in the fruits treated with oil, when compared to the control fruits. Castor oil showed no effect against the P. caricapapayae when tested in vitro. These results suggested the potential use of the castor bean essential oil and its fatty acids constituents for the control of anthracnose in papaya fruits.

OBJETIVO: Analisar fatores associados à ocorrência de hipertensão intracraniana em pacientes pediátricos vítimas de traumatismo crânio-encefálico (TCE) grave. MÉTODOS: Coorte com coleta retrospectiva do período de 1998 a 2003. Incluídos pacientes entre 0 e 16 anos com TCE, pontuação < 9 na escala de Glasgow e submetidos a monitoração da pressão intracraniana (PIC) (n = 132). A hipertensão intracraniana (HIC) foi definida como episódio de PIC > 20 mmHg com necessidade de tratamento e HIC refratária, acima de 25 mmHg, com necessidade de coma barbitúrico ou craniectomia descompressiva. Foi realizada análise univariada, seguida de multivariada, sendo consideradas significativas as variáveis com p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: A idade variou entres 2 meses e 16 anos, mediana de 9,7 (6,0-2,3) anos. A pontuação de Glasgow foi de 3 a 8, mediana de 6 (4-7). O trânsito respondeu por 79,5% dos eventos. A instalação do monitor ocorreu, em média, 14 h após o trauma, mediana de 24 h. Cento e três pacientes (78%) apresentaram HIC, e 57 (43,2%), HIC refratária. Na análise multivariada, a menor faixa etária foi associada a HIC risco relativo = 1,67 (1,03-2,72); p = 0,037, e a presença de posturas anormais foi associada a HIC refratária risco relativo = 2,25 (1,06-4,78). A mortalidade do grupo foi de 51,5% e foi relacionada a uso de barbitúrico na HIC refratária e a baixa pressão de perfusão encefálica na unidade de terapia intensiva. CONCLUSÕES: HIC e HIC refratária foram eventos frequentes em pacientes pediátricos com TCE grave. Quanto menor a idade do paciente, maior a chance de desenvolvimento de HIC. A presença de posturas anormais foi fator associado a maior ocorrência de HIC refratária.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors associated with intracranial hypertension in pediatric patients who suffered severe head injuries. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, with data collected from September 1998 through August 2003, including patients aged 0 to 16 who suffered severe head injuries, Glasgow score < 9, and submitted to intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring (n = 132). Intracranial hypertension (IH) was defined as an episode of ICP > 20 mmHg requiring treatment, while refractory IH was ICP over 25 mmHg requiring barbiturates or decompressive craniectomy. Univariate analysis was followed by multivariate analysis; variables were considered significant if p < 0.05. RESULTS: Ages ranged from 2 months to 16 years, median age 9.7 (6.0-2.3) years. Glasgow scores ranged from 3 to 8, median 6 (4-7). Traffic accidents were responsible for 79.5% of events. Monitoring devices were installed, on average, 14 hours after trauma, median time 24 hours. One hundred and three patients (78%) had IH, while 57 (43.2%) had refractory IH. In multivariate analysis, younger age ranges were associated with IH relative risk = 1.67 (1.03-2.72); p = 0.037, and abnormal postures were associated with refractory IH relative risk = 2.25 (1.06-4.78). The group mortality rate was 51.5%; it was correlated with use of barbiturates in refractory IH and low cerebral perfusion pressure at the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: IH and refractory IH were frequent events in pediatric patients who suffered severe head injuries. The younger the patient, the greater the chance of developing IH. The presence of abnormal postures was found to be a risk factor for refractory IH.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as relações filogenéticas de estirpes de Bradyrhizobium e a contribuição destas estirpes para a fixação biológica de nitrogênio em caupi, em solos do Cerrado. Na avaliação da relação filogenética, o gene 16S rDNA de cada uma das estirpes foi amplificado e seqüenciado, e para a análise da eficiência simbiótica, determinou-se: N total, matéria seca das plantas, massa de nódulos e redução de acetileno, em casa de vegetação, e ocupação nodular, em experimento de campo. A maioria das estirpes estudadas pertence a B. elkanii e, pelo menos dez das estirpes, independentemente da espécie, apresentaram bom desempenho quanto à fixação biológica de N2. As estirpes BR3262, BR3280 (caracterizadas como B. elkanii) e BR3267, BR3287 e BR3288 (Bradyrhizobium sp.) mostram-se como inoculantes potenciais para o caupi, em razão do bom desempenho tanto na eficiência simbiótica quanto na ocupação nodular.

The obejctive of this study was to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of Bradyrhizobium strains, and the contribution of these strains to cowpea biological nitrogen fixation in Cerrado soils. To elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among strains, their 16S rDNA gene was extracted, amplified and sequenced. In order to evaluate the symbiotic efficiency, total N, plant dry matter, nodular mass and acetylene reduction in a greenhouse experiment, and nodular occupation, in a field experiment, were determined. Most part of the strains belonge to B. elkanii, and at least ten of the analyzed strains, independently of the species, presented high capacity to fix N2. The strains BR3262, BR3280 (characterized as B. elkanii), BR3267, BR3287 and BR3288 (Bradyrhizobium sp.) exhibit a potential as inoculant for cowpea, due to their high biological nitrogen fixation.

Foram estudados em casa de vegetação alguns parâmetros de crescimento em plantas de quiabo (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench cv. Piranema) colonizadas por dois grupos de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares, com o objetivo de determinar a influência dos inóculos na nutrição e morfologia radicular do quiabeiro. Um grupo continha apenas esporos de Acaulospora longula (A) enquanto o outro, esporos de oito espécies: Glomus occultum, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus microcarpum, Acaulospora longula, Acaulospora morrowae, Sclerocystis coremioides, Sclerocystis sinuosa, Scutellospora pellucida. As plantas foram submetidas a três níveis de P (0, 10 e 60 kg ha-1 de P2O5) e coletadas em três diferentes idades (22, 32 e 47 dias), com quatro repetições para cada tratamento. Foi determinado o acúmulo de N, P, K, e Mg na raiz e parte aérea, bem como o influxo médio desses elementos e a área radicular. Os resultados indicaram, além da resposta positiva do quiabeiro ao P, uma maior eficiência da inoculação com mistura de espécies apesar de o influxo médio, determinado aos 47 dias, apresentar maiores valores para o tratamento com A. longula.

An experiment was carried out in greenhouse to determine the influence of inoculation of two groups of arbuscular mycorrhizae on the nutrition and radicular morphology of the okra plant (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench cv. Piranema. One group had only Acaulospora longula spores and the other a spore mixture of eight species: Glomus occultum, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus microcarpum, Acaulospora longula, Acaulospora morrowae, Sclerocystis coremioides, Sclerocystis sinuosa, Scutellospora pellucida. The experiment was held in greenhouse conditions with three levels of P (0, 10 and 60 kg ha-1 of P2O5), three samplings dates (22, 32 and 47 days) and four replications. The accumulation of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in roots and shoots, root area and their influx ratio were determined. The results made evident that the mixture of species was more efficient although there were higher ratios of influx with Acaulospora longula between 0 and 47th. day.

The evaluation of the role of rodents as natural hosts of Schistosoma mansoni was studied at the Pamparrão Valley, Sumidouro, RJ, with monthly captures and examination of the animals. Twenty-three Nectomys squamipes and 9 Akodom arviculoides with a shistosomal infection rate of 56.5% and 22.2% respectively eliminated a great majority of viable eggs. With a strain isolated from one of the naturally infected N. squamipes, we infected 75% of simpatric Biomphalaria glabrata and 100% of albino Mus musculus mice. The adult worms, isolated from N. squamipes after perfusion were located mainly in the liver (91.5%) and the mesenteric veins (8.5%). The male/female proportion was 2:1. The eggs were distributed on small intestine segments (proximal, medial and distal portions) and the large intestine without any significant differences in egg concentration of these segments. In A. arviculoides, the few eggs eliminated by the stools were viable and there was litlle egg retention on intestinal segments. Considering the ease to complete S. mansoni biological cycle in the Nectomys/Biomphalaria/Nectomys system under laboratory conditions, probably the same is likely to occur in natural conditions. In support to this hypotesis there are also the facts that human mansonic shistosomiasis has a very low prevalence in Sumidouro and endemicity among the rodents has not changed even after repetead treatments of the local patients. Based on our experiments, we conclude that N. squamipes has become a natural host of S. mansoni and possibly may participate in keeping the cycle of schistosomiasis transmission at Pamparrão Valley.