ABSTRACT Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) sexual transmission and prolonged viral shedding in semen have been previously reported, suggesting a strong viral affinity for genital tissues. A transient impact of ZIKV on male fertility was shown in animal and human studies. Methods: Adult male patients with confirmed ZIKV infection diagnosed in the city of Araraquara, Brazil during the epidemic season of 2016 were invited one year after the acute infection to respond to a questionnaire of genital symptoms and to provide a semen sample for molecular ZIKV testing and spermogram analysis, as well as a serum sample for hormonal testing. Results: 101 of 187 tested patients had positive ZIKV RT-PCR in plasma and/or urine samples (54%, 72 women and 29 men). Of 15 adult male participants for whom telephone contact was successful, 14 responded to the questionnaire of genital symptoms and six consented to provide a semen sample at a median of 12 months after the acute infection. We report abnormal spermogram results from patients one year after confirmed ZIKV infection. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a possible long-term detrimental effect of ZIKV infection on human male fertility that has to be further explored in well-characterized samples from cohort studies conducted in ZIKV-endemic areas.

RESUMO: Batata-doce [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] apresenta grande versatilidade de usos no Brasil. Com a ampliação das áreas de cultivo, essa espécie estará sujeita à contaminação por herbicidas. Eventualmente, organismos não alvos podem ser expostos aos resíduos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar aspectos biológicos do ácaro Tetranychus ludeni alimentado com folhas de batata-doce pulverizadas com diferentes doses do herbicida 2,4-D. O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Controle Biológico da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), em Diamantina, Minas Gerais. Foram utilizadas 175 fêmeas de T. ludeni e 6 doses de 2,4-D, em g.ha-1 (8,06; 20,15; 40,30; 80,60; 201,50; e 806,00), mais o tratamento-controle com água destilada. Adotou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com sete tratamentos e cinco repetições, contendo cinco fêmeas de T. ludeni em cada repetição. Foram avaliados a mortalidade inicial do ácaro em 24 h, o número de ovos, as ninfas e a longevidade das fêmeas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, sendo as médias significativas analisadas pelo teste de Duncan. Observou-se que doses maiores desse herbicida podem aumentar a mortalidade e reduzir a longevidade das fêmeas de T. ludeni.

ABSTRACT: Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] presents great versatility of uses in Brazil. With the expansion of crop areas, this species is subject to contamination by herbicides. Eventually, non-target organisms can be exposed to residues . The aim of this study was to evaluate biological aspects of the mite Tetranychus ludeni fed on sweet potato leaves sprayed with different doses of the herbicide 2,4-D. The experiment was conducted at the Biological Control Laboratory of Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Altogether, 175 females of T. ludeni and six doses of 2,4-D, in g.ha-1 (8.06, 20.15, 40.30, 80.60, 201.50, and 806,00) were used, plus the control done with distilled water. It was adopted a completely randomized design with seven treatments and five replications with five females each. Early mortality of T. ludeni (24 h), the number of eggs, nymphs and longevity of females were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, being the significant mean analyzed by Duncan test. It was observed that high doses of the herbicide may increase the mortality and decrease longevity of females of T. ludeni.

The misconception that infertility is typically associated with the female is commonly faced in the management of infertile men. It is uncommon for a patient to present for an infertility evaluation with an abnormal semen analysis report before an extensive female partner workup has been performed. Additionally, a man is usually considered fertile based only on seminal parameters without a physical exam. This behavior may lead to a delay in both the exact diagnosis and in possible specific infertility treatment. Moreover, male factor infertility can result from an underlying medical condition that is often treatable but could possibly be life-threatening. The responsibility of male factor in couple's infertility has been exponentially rising in recent years due to a comprehensive evaluation of reproductive male function and improved diagnostic tools. Despite this improvement in diagnosis, azoospermia is always the most challenging topic associated with infertility treatment. Several conditions that interfere with spermatogenesis and reduce sperm production and quality can lead to azoospermia. Azoospermia may also occur because of a reproductive tract obstruction. Optimal management of patients with azoospermia requires a full understanding of the disease etiology. This review will discuss in detail the epidemiology and etiology of azoospermia. A thorough literature survey was performed using the Medline, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and Cochrane databases. We restricted the survey to clinical publications that were relevant to male infertility and azoospermia. Many of the recommendations included are not based on controlled studies.

Conduziram-se dois experimentos em laboratório avaliar o efeito da palha da cana- de-açúcar na acidez do solo. A palha da cana foi adicionada nas doses de 0, 20, 40, e 76 g kg-1 na superfície de um latossolo roxo distrófico acondicionado em colunas de PVC. O solo foi incubado a capacidade de campo durante 0, 7, 14, 45, e 90 dias. Após cada incubação, o solo das colunas foram subdividido e amostrado nas seguintes frações 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, e 20-25 cm. Com o aumento da dose da palha da cana verificou-se aumento do pH CaCl2 do solo e decréscimo do alumínio trocável até a camada de 15 cm de solo da coluna de PVC. A contribuição de compostos orgânicos para a destoxificação do Al aumentou com o acréscimo das doses da palha da cana. O crescimento da raiz das plantas trigo usadas como planta indicadora aumentou com o acréscimo das doses da palha de cana. O máximo de crescimento da raiz foi até a camada de 15 cm de solo depois de oito dias para a maior dose de palha da cana-de-açúcar.

Two laboratory experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of sugar cane straw on soil acidity. Sugar cane straw residues were added on the surface of a Typic Harplortox in a polyvinyl chlorid (PVC) column at rates of 0, 20, 40, and 76 g kg-1, the soil was incubated to field capacity with distilled water and incubated for 0, 7, 14, 45, and 90 days. Soil samples were taken at 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, and 20-25 cm depth. With the increase of sugar cane straw rates one verified the increase of soil pH CaCl2, and decrease of KCl exchangeable Al in the top 15cm soil layer. The contribution of organic compounds to Al detoxification incresead with increasing sugar cane straw rates. Wheat root elongation used as acid indicator plant increased with increasing sugar cane straw rates. Maximum root growth was about 15cm long in the soil after eight days for the highest sugar cane straw rate.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a casuística de pacientes pediátricos atendidos em sala de emergência pediátrica de um hospital universitário. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo descritivo de 1º de janeiro até 31 de dezembro de 2004, com crianças de zero a 14 anos, avaliadas quanto a dados epidemiológicos, hipótese diagnóstica, intubação orotraqueal, óbito, destino e duração da internação. Os pacientes foram divididos em quatro grupos: Não Óbitos; Óbitos <24 horas, Óbitos >24 horas e transferidos para outros hospitais. RESULTADOS: Foram atendidas 203 crianças; 59,1% meninos; média de idade 3,4 anos; 65% previamente hígidos. O diagnóstico mais freqüente foi insuficiência respiratória (31,1%). Dentre os 22 óbitos, 3,5% ocorreram nas primeiras 24 horas e 7,4% após estas primeiras 24 horas; 172 crianças (84,7%) evoluíram para alta após período médio de internação de 19,2 dias. Nove (4,4%) foram transferidas para outros hospitais. Das 203 crianças atendidas, 50 (24,6%) foram intubadas à admissão e 86 (42,4%) necessitaram internação em unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica. CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes que evoluíram para óbito precoce eram mais jovens e com diagnóstico de choque. Nos pacientes que evoluíram para óbito após 24 horas do atendimento inicial, predominaram meninas, com doenças prévias e insuficiência respiratória. Aqueles que sobreviveram ao atendimento de emergência eram, em maior freqüência, meninos mais velhos e com doenças respiratórias. Houve necessidade significativa de procedimento invasivo (intubação orotraqueal) e internação subseqüente em unidade de terapia intensiva, o que reforça a necessidade de equipamentos adequados e profissionais especializados no setor.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the clinical course of pediatric patients treated at a pediatric emergency room in a university hospital. METHODS: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted between January 1st and December 31st, 2004. Data retrieved were: demographical and clinical characacteristics, diagnostic hypotheses, need of tracheal intubation, deaths, transfers and need of hospitalization of children between zero and 14 years old. Patients were divided in four groups: no deaths; deaths <24 hours; deaths >24 hours; transfers to other hospitals after initial care. RESULTS: 203 children were treated: 59.1% boys; mean age of 3.4 years; 65% previously healthy. The most common diagnosis was respiratory failure (31.1%). Of the 22 deaths, 3.5% took place during the first 24 hours and 7.4% after this; 172 children (84.7%) were discharged after a mean hospital length of stay of 19.2 days. Nine children (4.4%) were transferred to other hospitals. Among the 203 children, 50 children (24.6%) were intubated after admission and 86 children (42.4%) had to be admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: The patients who died early were younger and mainly shock victims. Girls who suffered from previous diseases and respiratory failure were predominant among the patients who died 24 hours after initial care. Patients who survived the emergency crisis were mainly males, older and also presented respiratory diseases. The need for invasive procedures (tracheal intubation) and hospitalization in intensive care units was significant in this population, underscoring the need for adequate equipment and specialized professionals in the emergency pediatric hospital services.

A presença de Instabilidade de microsatellites (IMS) tem sido relatada no cancer gastrico e associada a pacientes com idade mais avançada, localização mais distal do tumor, estadios mais precoces e melhor prognostico. Relatamos neste prospectivo estudo envolvendo 24 pacientes com cancer gastrico solitario e esporadico, a incidencia de IMS, sua correlação com parametros epidemiologicos, clinicos e anatomo patológicos e o seu impacto sobre a sobrevida geral e livre de doença. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Todos os pacientes haviam sido tratados com cirurgia radical. Fragmentos de tecido normal e tumoral eram extraidos das peças e armazenados a -80ºC antes da extração e purificação DNA. Realizava-se então a amplificação com PCR utilizando marcadores específicos de microsatelites. Os tumores que apresentavam produtos de amplificação anormais foram considerados positivos para IMS. RESULTADOS: Cinco pacientes (21%) apresentaram Instabilidade de microsatelites (IMS+) com pelo menos um marcador (primer) No grupo de pacientes com adenocarcinomas gástricos do tipo histológico de Lauren, três apresentavam IMS (23%) enquanto no grupo portador de cancar gástrico difuso, dois pacientes mostraram IMS (19%).. Embora haja uma tendência dos pacientes IMS+ apresentarem tumores de localização mais proximal, estadios mais precoces e ausência de metástases linfonodais, não se observou diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p > 0,1). A comparação entre as taxas de sobrevida geral e livre de doença não mostrou significância estatistica (p > 0,1). CONCLUSÕES: IMS é um evento frequente na carcinogese gástrica e pode estar associado a caracteristicas clinicas e anátomo-patológicas do câncer gástrico.

Recently, the presence of microsatellite instability (MSI) has been reported in gastric cancer and associated with older age of presentation, distal tumor location, early disease staging, and better overall prognosis. Different characteristics in presentation and in tumor behavior may be explained by different genetic alterations during carcinogenesis of gastric cancer. Identification of specific genetic pathways in gastric cancer may have direct impact on prognosis and selection of treatment strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All 24 patients were treated by radical surgery. Fragments of normal and tumor tissues were extracted from the specimen and stored at -80ºC before DNA purification and extraction. PCR amplification utilizing microsatellite markers was performed. Tumors presenting PCR products of abnormal sizes were considered positive for microsatellite instability (MSI+). RESULTS: Five patients (21%) had tumors that were MSI+ in at least 1 marker. In the group of patients with Lauren's intestinal-type gastric carcinoma, 3 had tumors that were MSI+ (23%), while in the group of diffuse-type gastric cancer, 2 patients had tumors that were MSI+ (19%). The mean age of presentation and the male:female ratio was similar in both groups. Tumors that were MSI+ were more frequently located in proximal portion of the stomach compared to microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumors (40% vs. 16%). Although there was a trend of patients with MSI+ tumors towards a proximal gastric tumor location, early staging, and negative lymph node metastasis, there was no statistical significance compared to those with MSS tumors (P >.1). Comparison of overall and disease-free survival between gastric tumors that were MSI+ and those that were MSS found no statistically significant differences (P >.1). CONCLUSIONS: Microsatellite instability is a frequent event in gastric carcinogenesis and shows a trend towards distinct clinical and pathological characteristics of gastric cancer.

Fístulas digestivas em pacientes com Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida (SIDA), embora raras, têm sido identificadas desde o esôfago até o ânus, predominando no esôfago. Infecções oportunistas relacionadas à SIDA podem acometer a parede do trato digestivo, levando a formação de fístulas. A Tuberculose é a infecção mais freqüentemente associada com fístula esofágica. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente portadora de SIDA, com tuberculose ganglionar comprometendo o hilo hepático, que evoluiu com fístula entre o ducto colédoco e o duodeno. A literatura revisada indica ser este o terceiro caso de fístula colédoco-duodenal descrito em paciente com tuberculose abdominal, associada à SIDA, e o primeiro em que a infecção pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis e a fístula colédoco-duodenal foram diagnosticados durante laparotomia exploradora, indicada em paciente com abdome agudo. No paciente com SIDA e dor abdominal, pode ser difícil para o cirurgião decidir, se está indicada laparotomia exploradora, uma vez que, na maioria das vezes, o tratamento clínico apropriado será o melhor.

Allthough infrequent, digestive fistulae in HIV/AIDS patients have been reported throughout the digestive tract from the esophagus to the anus, with predominance of esophageal fistulae. AIDS/HIV-associated opportunistic infections may invade the digestive system and lead to fistula formation. Tuberculosis is the most common infection associated with these esophageal fistulae. We report here one case of bile duct-duodenal fistula in a female AIDS patient with associated abdominal Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection compromising lymphnodes of the hepatic pedicle where the fistula was found. According to the reviewed literature, this is the third case of bile duct-duodenal fistula associated with abdominal tuberculosis in AIDS patient, and the first where both the fistula and the tuberculosis infection were diagnosed at laparotomy for acute abdomen. Whether the AIDS patient with abdominal pain needs or not a laparotomy to treat an infectious disease is often a difficult matter for the surgeon to decide, as most of the times appropriate medical treatment will bring more benefit.