Resumo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o potencial de aplicação de ensaios de toxicidade com amostras de sedimento para constatação de poluição aquática causada por lançamentos de efluentes de curtumes em cursos d’água e seu emprego na perícia criminal ambiental. O estudo incluiu avaliação ecotoxicológica de sedimentos, avaliação da fauna bentônica local e dosagem de cromo, cádmio e chumbo que forneceram dados para avaliação da tríade de qualidade dos sedimentos. As amostras de sedimentos mostraram efeito de toxicidade aguda e crônica aos bioindicadores, baixa biodiversidade da macrofauna bentônica e altas concentrações de cromo que chegaram a 4365 mg.Kg–1. Houve uma estreita relação entre os resultados isolados da avaliação ecotoxicológica e a tríade de qualidade de sedimentos. A avaliação ecotoxicológica demonstrou ser aplicável na identificação de fontes de contaminação relacionadas a curtumes e atividades similares em perícias ambientais.

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the potential for using toxicity assays with sediment samples for the detection of water pollution caused by the discharge of tannery effluents into water bodies and its application to environmental forensic investigation. The study included ecotoxicological evaluation of sediments, survey of benthic organisms in the field, as well as chromium, cadmium and lead dosage which provided data for a sediment quality triad evaluation. The sediment samples showed acute and chronic toxicity to the bioindicators, low biodiversity of benthic macrofauna and high chromium concentration, reaching up to 4365 mg.Kg–1. A close relationship was observed between the separate results of ecotoxicological sediment evaluation and the sediment quality triad. The sediment ecotoxicological assessment proved to be applicable to tracking sources of contamination related to tanneries and similar activities in environmental forensics.

Resumo Ao longo dos anos a Etnozoologia vem crescendo, principalmente no Brasil, no qual se observa um expressivo número de publicações científicas nas últimas décadas. Com isto abriu-se a oportunidade para avaliar a qualidade das publicações, já que não existem pesquisas que avaliem os riscos metodológicos na área. Partindo desta premissa objetivamos compilar os artigos publicados na área e responder as seguintes questões: os trabalhos etnozoológicos brasileiros possuem boa qualidade amostral? A qualidade amostral é influenciada por características dos estudos/publicações? Para responder tais perguntas foi realizado levantamento das publicações em bases de dados e sites de busca. As características avaliadas foram relacionadas à natureza, amostragem, uso de hipóteses e testes, fator de impacto do periódico e grupo animal pesquisado. A maior parte dos artigos analisados apresentaram problemas amostrais, 144 (66,98%) foram classificados como sendo de alto risco de viés. Quanto às características analisadas percebemos que a natureza quantitativa e a utilização de testes, são essenciais para uma boa amostragem. A maioria das publicações classificada com moderado e baixo risco não apresentava ou não deixava claro esses dados, sendo classificadas como de natureza quali-quantitativa. Percebemos também que artigos desenvolvidos com grupos vertebrados apresentaram alto risco, levando a crer que as restrições da legislação brasileira limitam as informações mais precisas a respeito do tema.

Abstract There has been a growth in the field of Ethnozoology throughout the years, especially in Brazil, where a considerable number of scientific articles pertaining to this subject has been published in recent decades. With this increase in publications comes the opportunity to assess the quality of these publications, as there are no known studies assessing the methodological risks in this area. Based on this observation, our objectives were to compile the papers published on the subject of ethnozoology and to answer the following questions: 1) Do the Brazilian ethnozoological studies use sound sampling methods?; 2) Is the sampling quality influenced by characteristics of the studies/publications? The studies found in databases and using web search engines were compiled to answer these questions. The studies were assessed based on their nature, sampling methods, use of hypotheses and tests, journal’s impact factor, and animal group studied. The majority of the studies analyzed exhibited problems associated with the samples, as 144 (66.98%) studies were classified as having a high risk of bias. With regard to the characteristics analyzed, we determined that a quantitative nature and the use of tests are essential components of good sampling. Most studies classified as moderate and low risk either did not provide these data or provided data that were not clear; therefore, these studies were classified as being of a quali-quantitative nature. Studies performed with vertebrate groups were of high risk. Most of the papers analyzed here focused on fish, insects, and/or mollusks, thus highlighting the difficulties associated with conducting interviews regarding tetrapod vertebrates. Such difficulties are largely related to the extremely strict Brazilian laws, justified by the decline and extinction of some species, related to the use of wild tetrapod vertebrates.

Resumo Na região tropical são escassos os estudos que exploram o uso do processo de decomposição foliar como ferramenta funcional para avaliar os efeitos das perturbações antrópicas sobre os ecossistemas aquáticos. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos dos impactos antrópicos sobre a taxa de decomposição de Picramnia sellowii em riachos no Sudeste do Brasil. O experimento foi realizado durante 60 dias em três riachos referências e três impactados por poluição orgânica e sem cobertura vegetal. Em cada riacho foram incubados três sacos contendo 3 ± 0,05 g de folhas secas de P. sellowii. Os riachos referência apresentaram maiores concentrações de oxigênio dissolvido e menores valores de nutrientes, turbidez, condutividade elétrica, TIA (área total impermeável) e temperatura. O coeficiente de decomposição (k) diferiu entre os riachos referência (k = 0,014 ± 0,003 d–1) e os impactados (k = 0,005 ± 0,001 d–1). Nas folhas incubadas nos riachos referência foi observada maior biomassa de fungos e abundância de invertebrados, assim como a presença de fragmentadores, estando o k relacionado com a biomassa destes organismos. A decomposição se mostrou sensível para avaliar impactos antrópicos nos ecossistemas aquáticos uma vez que foram observadas nítidas diferenças entre a perda de massa foliar nos riachos referências e impactados. Estes resultados reforçam o efeito negativo da urbanização sobre a decomposição e biomassa de fungos e fragmentadores.

Abstract There are few studies in tropical regions exploring the use of leaf breakdown process as a functional tool to assess anthropic disturbance on aquatic ecosystems. We assessed the effects of water pollution due to human activities on the leaf breakdown rate of Picramnia sellowii in streams of the southeastern Brazil. The experiment was carried out for 60 days in three reference streams and three streams impaired by organic pollution and absence of riparian vegetation. Three litter bags were incubated in each stream containing 3 ± 0.05 g of P. sellowii leaves. The reference streams presented higher values of dissolved oxygen and lower values of nutrients, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total impermeable area and water temperature. The leaf breakdown rate (k) differed significantly between the reference (k = 0.014 ± 0.003 d–1) and impaired streams (k = 0.005 ± 0.001 d–1). The leaves incubated in the reference streams contained greater fungal biomass (measured as ergosterol concentration) and abundance of invertebrates, as well as greater presence of shredders, with k values being related to the biomass of these organisms. Overall, there were clear differences between the leaf mass loss in the reference and impaired streams. These results reinforce the negative effect of urbanization on leaf breakdown and fungal and shredder biomass.

Cocaine is a widely used drug and its abuse is associated with physical, psychiatric and social problems. Abnormalities in newborns have been demonstrated to be due to the toxic effects of cocaine during fetal development. The mechanism by which cocaine causes neurological damage is complex and involves interactions of the drug with several neurotransmitter systems, such as the increase of extracellular levels of dopamine and free radicals, and modulation of transcription factors. The aim of this review was to evaluate the importance of the dopaminergic system and the participation of inflammatory signaling in cocaine neurotoxicity. Our study showed that cocaine activates the transcription factors NF-κB and CREB, which regulate genes involved in cellular death. GBR 12909 (an inhibitor of dopamine reuptake), lidocaine (a local anesthetic), and dopamine did not activate NF-κB in the same way as cocaine. However, the attenuation of NF-κB activity after the pretreatment of the cells with SCH 23390, a D1 receptor antagonist, suggests that the activation of NF-κB by cocaine is, at least partially, due to activation of D1 receptors. NF-κB seems to have a protective role in these cells because its inhibition increased cellular death caused by cocaine. The increase in BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) mRNA can also be related to the protective role of both CREB and NF-κB transcription factors. An understanding of the mechanisms by which cocaine induces cell death in the brain will contribute to the development of new therapies for drug abusers, which can help to slow down the progress of degenerative processes.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a instrumentação e o conhecimento dos profissionais da Equipe de Saúde da Família sobre a notificação de maus-tratos em crianças e adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal realizado em três municípios do Estado do Ceará, de janeiro a abril de 2012. Participaram da pesquisa 51 profissionais: médicos (9), enfermeiros (26) e cirurgiões-dentistas (16) que trabalhavam na Estratégia Saúde da Família. Utilizou-se um questionário para a coleta, e os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva e analítica por meio da aplicação do teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson, sendo significante p≤0,05. RESULTADOS: Na amostra selecionada predominaram profissionais que não haviam participado de treinamento na área de violência contra crianças e adolescentes (86,3%), conheciam o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (90,2%) e conheciam a ficha de notificação de maus-tratos (62,7%). A maioria afirmou que a unidade de saúde possuía a ficha (70,5%) e que sabia para qual lugar encaminhar as vítimas (82,3%). Prevaleceram os profissionais que não se depararam com situações de maus-tratos (62,8%); dos 37,2% que já tinham identificado algum caso, 60,0% relataram as ocorrências. Houve associação significante (p=0,035) entre o ato de notificar e a participação do profissional em treinamento sobre o tema. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo mostrou que os participantes têm dificuldades na notificação de maus-tratos em crianças e adolescentes. Existem lacunas no conhecimento e fragilidades na instrumentação para essa prática.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze training and knowledge of professionals in the Family Health Team on reporting the mistreatment of children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in three municipalities of Ceará State, Northeast Brazil, from January to April 2012. The research included 51 professionals: physicians (9), nurses (26), and dentists (16) who worked in the Family Health Strategy. A questionnaire was used for data collection, which received descriptive statistical analysis with the Pearson's chi-square test, being significant p≤0.05. RESULTS: There was a predominance of professionals who had not participated in violence against children and adolescents training (86.3%); who knew the Child and Adolescent Statute (90.2%), and how to notify mistreatment (62.7%). Most interviewees said that the health unit had the form (70.5%), and they knew where to refer victims to (82.3%). Most professionals did not have any contact with mistreatment situations (62.8%). Only 37.2% had already identified some case and, among them, 60.0% reported the occurrences. There was a significant association (p=0.035) between the act of notifying and the participation in a training on the subject. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the participants have difficulties in the reporting mistreatment of children and adolescents, and there are gaps in knowledge and weaknesses in training in this area.

OBJETIVO: Analizar la instrumentación y el conocimiento de los profesionales del Equipo de Salud de la Familia sobre la notificación de malos tratos en niños y adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Estudio de corte transversal, realizado en tres municipios de la Provincia de Ceará (Brasil), en el periodo de enero a abril de 2012.Participaron de la investigación 51 profesionales: médicos (9), enfermeros (26) y cirujanos dentistas (16) que trabajaban en la Estrategia Salud de la Familia. Se utilizó un cuestionario para la recolección y los datos fueron sometidos al análisis estadístico descriptivo y analítico por medio de la aplicación de la prueba de χ² de Pearson, siendo significante p≤0,05. RESULTADOS: En la muestra seleccionada predominaron profesionales que no habían participado de entrenamiento en el área de violencia contra niños y adolescentes (86,3%), conocían el Estatuto del Niño y del Adolescente (90,2%) y conocían la ficha de notificación de malos tratos (62,7%). La mayoría afirmó que la unidad de salud poseía una ficha (70,5%) y que sabía adónde encaminar las víctimas (82,3%). Prevalecieron los profesionales que no se depararon con situaciones de malos tratos (62,8%); de los 37,2% que ya habían identificado algún caso, el 60% notificó las ocurrencias. Hubo asociación significante (p=0,035) entre el acto de notificar con la participación del profesional en entrenamiento sobre el tema. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio mostró que los participantes tienen dificultades en la notificación de malos tratos en niños y adolescentes; existen lagunas en el conocimiento y fragilidades en la instrumentación para esa práctica.

O estudo etiológico das citopenias nos doentes submetidos a transplante de órgãos sólidos constitui um desafio dada a multiplicidade de causas subjacentes: infeções, toxicidade medular induzida por fármacos ou doença hematológica. A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma doença endémica em diversas regiões do globo, sendo, contudo, uma complicação rara após a transplantação renal (TR) (menos de 100 casos descritos na literatura). Os autores descrevem o caso de um doente do sexo masculino, 57 anos, transplantado renal, internado na unidade de TR 17 meses após o transplante por síndrome febril e pancitopenia grave. O doente apresentava leucopenia e trombocitopenia com 2 meses de evolução e de agravamento progressivo, apesar da suspensão da terapêutica potencialmente mielotóxica e queixas de astenia, sudorese nocturna e perda ponderal. Ao exame objectivo encontrava-se febril, com palidez muco-cutânea e esplenomegalia. O estudo laboratorial inicial revelou leucócitos 1,1 x109/l, plaquetas 68 x109/l, hemoglobina 10,3 g/dl, creatinina 1,48 mg/dl e proteína C reactiva 9,72 mg/dl e a ecografia abdominal confirmou a existência de esplenomegalia. Realizada punção aspirativa de medula óssea e iniciada terapêutica antibiótica empírica sem melhoria clínica. O estudo analítico adicional foi inconclusivo: culturas de sangue e de urina negativas, sem evidência de infeção por citomegalovírus, parvovírus B 19, VIH, vírus da hepatite B ou C. Excluídas massas tumorais e adenopatias por tomografia computorizada. Apesar da inexistência de um contexto epidemiológico óbvio, o exame de medula óssea revelou presença de amastigotas de Leishmania spp. Iniciada anfotericina B lipossómica (4 mg/Kg/dia; total de 10 administrações) com registo de melhoria clínica e laboratorial a partir do 2º dia de tratamento. A LV é uma infeção potencialmente fatal se o tratamento adequado não for instituído/iniciado tardiamente. Apesar de constituir uma complicação infeciosa rara após a TR, os autores destacam a importância da sua inclusão no diagnóstico diferencial de pancitopenia febril neste grupo de doentes.

The aetiological study of cytopenia in solid organ transplant recipients could be challenging, given the need to exclude infectious disorders, drug toxicity or neoplastic disease. Visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in several regions of the world, but a rare complication after renal transplantation (less than 100 cases described in literature). We report the case of a male renal transplant recipient, 57 years of age, admitted to our Unit 17 months after transplantation with febrile illness and severe pancytopenia. He had a history of leucopenia and thrombocytopenia detected in follow-up exams two months earlier, with progressive worsening despite discontinuation of drugs with potential haematologic toxicity. On admission, his complaints were weakness, night sweats and weight loss. On examination, he was febrile, pale, and had a palpable spleen. Laboratory exams demonstrated: leukocytes 1.1 x109/L, platelets 68 x109/L, haemoglobin 10.3 g/dl, serum creatinine 1.48 mg/dl, C-reactive protein 9.72 mg/dl. Abdominal ultrasound confirmed splenomegaly. A bone marrow aspiration was performed and antibiotic therapy was instituted empirically, without improvement. Additional laboratory results were inconclusive: negative blood and urine cultures, no evidence of cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19 or HIV infections, hepatitis B and C and masses/ adenopathies were excluded by computerized tomography. Despite the absence of an evident epidemiological context, the bone marrow examination showed amastigotes of Leishmania spp. He was started on liposomal amphotericin B (4 mg/kg/day; total of 10 administrations) with a sustained clinical and laboratory improvement after the second day of therapy. Visceral leishmaniasis is a potentially lethal infection if treatment is delayed or not instituted. Although rare among renal transplant recipients it should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile pancytopenia

As human life expectancy increases, more interesting studies arise in order to better understand the complex process that aging involves. The perception of age is largely dependent on the appearance of exposed skin. Aging is a complex and multifactorial process resulting in the accumulation of several functional and aesthetic changes in an organism over time. The skin is also affected by these changes through intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic aging or biological aging is an inevitable process, genetically determined that progresses slowly over the years as we age. It can be accelerated by environmental factors. The main factors responsible for extrinsic aging are primally cumulative sun-exposure and tobacco smoke. Aging is not only about the cellular processes involved, but it is also a response to the adaptation of environmental stressors. The focus of this review is to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the intrinsic aging and to identify the principal extrinsic factors and how they can accelerate the cellular processes.

El envejecimiento es la perdida progresiva y gradual de nuestras funciones fisiológicas debido al paso de los años; conduce a una disminución de la salud y de la sensación de bienestar, aumentando el riesgo de contraer enfermedades y la probabilidad de muerte. En la actualidad hay cada vez más interés en el estudio del envejecimiento humano y surgen muchas preguntas, que necesitan respuestas que nos hagan comprender mejor el complejo proceso que lleva a la senectud. El envejecimiento es un proceso complejo y multifactorial que resulta de la acumulación de varios cambios funcionales y estéticos en el organismo que se producen en el tiempo. La piel también se ve afectada por estos cambios a través de factores intrínsecos y extrínsecos. La percepción de la edad, así como la belleza, dependen en gran medida de la exposición de la piel al medio ambiente. El envejecimiento intrínseco o el envejecimiento biológico es un proceso inevitable, genéticamente determinado, que progresa lentamente a medida que avanzamos en edad, pero puede acelerarse por factores ambientales. Los principales factores responsables del envejecimiento extrínseco son la exposición solar y el consumo de tabaco. No se trata solo, por tanto, de procesos celulares, sino que es también una respuesta al proceso de adaptación a los factores externos propios del medio ambiente. El objetivo de esta revisión es conocer mejor cuáles son los mecanismos responsables del envejecimiento intrínseco e identificar los principales factores extrínsecos que influyen en el mismo, y cómo éstos pueden acelerar los procesos celulares biológicos.

Photo Dynamic Therapy (PTD) is an increasingly used technique in Dermatology and Dermocosmetics. PDT has a wide range of medical applications for the treatment of extended cutaneous cancer, offering also very good results in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease, actinic keratosis, acne, rosacea and in cutaneous rejuvenation. The sensitizers and light sources used for photoactivation are also more and more varied but there is still no consensus regarding methods and energy dosage. This study describes material and methods which are currently available and discusses a few details, that based on our own experience, can improve results. Five illustrative cases of different conditions are presented.

La terapia fotodinámica (PTD) es un procedimiento cada vez más utilizado para tratar diversas afecciones dermatológicas y dermatoestéticas. Su aplicación obtiene buenos resultados en casos de carcinoma basocelular, enfermedad de Bowen, queratosis actínica, acné, rosácea y fotoenvejecimiento cutáneo. Los fotosensibilizantes y las fuentes de luz que se pueden utilizar son cada vez más variados, pero aún existe poco consenso en su metodología de aplicación, sistemas de irradiación y dosificaciones. En este artículo describimos los materiales y métodos disponibles en la actualidad y discutimos algunos detalles que, en base a nuestra experiencia, permiten mejorar los resultados. Presentamos también 5 casos clínicos ilustrativos de diferentes patologías.

No Brasil, não há registro de cultivos para ostras da família Pteridae, gêneros Pteria e Pinctada. O cultivo intermediário pode ser considerado um dos estágios críticos no processo de cultivo, pois a mudança nas condições de vida de um ambiente semifechado oferecido pelo coletor de sementes para as estruturas intermediárias utilizadas para criar os animais representa um fator de estresse considerável ao qual estes são submetidos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento e a sobrevivência de ostras perlíferas Pteria hirundo (Linnaeus, 1758) mantidas em lanternas intermediárias. Sementes de P. hirundo, obtidas em larvicultura realizada no Laboratório de Moluscos Marinhos da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), sul do Brasil, foram destacadas dos coletores, transferidas e mantidas em sistema intermediário de cultivo, Durante seis meses, foram avaliados o crescimento (altura dorso ventral - DVH - em mm) e a sobrevivência (%). Foram avaliadas duas classes de tamanho: média (M) - entre 3,4 e 4,4 mm, e grande (G) - maior que 4,5 mm. A densidade de ocupação de cada andar da lanterna foi de 50% da área superficial do andar. Ao final do período avaliado, a sobrevivência dos indivíduos da classe M foi 90% e, para a classe G, foi 94%. Animais M de P. hirundo tiveram um crescimento médio (desvio padrão) de 16,1 mm (±4,38) de altura dorso ventral e os animais G apresentaram um aumento médio de 11,4 mm (±3,77). Os resultados observados, durante a etapa de cultivo intermediário, indicam que Pteria hirundo apresenta sobrevivência e crescimento semelhantes a outras espécies de ostras perlíferas, tradicionalmente utilizadas na indústria de pérolas em diversos países.

There are no records in Brazil for the culture of Pteridae family oysters, genus Pteria and Pinctada. The intermediate culture can be considered one of the critical stages during the oyster farming. The changes in life conditions from a semi-closed environment provided by the collector to the structures utilized for the growth represents a considerable stress factor to which the animals are subjected. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the growth and survival of the pearl oyster Pteria hirundo (Linnaeus, 1758) kept in intermediate lanterns. Seeds of P. hirundo, obtained through larviculture carried out at the Marine Molluscs Laboratory (UFSC), southern Brazil were detached from the collectors, transferred and kept in an intermediate culture system (oyster lantern). During 6 months, growth (dorso-ventral height - DVH in mm) and survival (%) were evaluated. Two size classes were tested: medium (M), between 3.4 and 4.4 mm, and large (L), bigger than 4.5 mm. The density of occupation in each floor of the lantern was 50%. At the end of the experiment, the survivals observed were 90 and 94% for the sizes M and L, respectively. Medium juveniles of Pteria hirundo had an average (Std) increase of 16.1 (±4.38) mm in the dorso-ventral height, and large juveniles an average increase of 11.4 (±3.77) mm after six months of experiment. The results observed during the intermediate stage of cultivation indicate that Pteria hirundo presents survival and growth similar to other species of pearl oysters traditionally used in the pearl industry in several countries.

Introduction: The determination of energy expenditure, considering the physical activity level and health status, is very important to adjust the individuals' nutritional supply. Energy expenditure can be determined by using indirect calorimetry, bioelectrical impedance, doubly labeled water, predictive equations, among others. All these methods have been used in clinical and research areas. However, considering the inconsistence in several research results, there is no consensus yet about the applicability of many of these methods. Objectives: The aim of this review is to describe the components of energy expenditure and the methods for its determination and estimation, summarizing their main advantages and limitations. Results and discussion: Indirect calorimetry and doubly labeled water are considered more accurate methods, but expensive. On the other hand, even though other methods present limitations, they are convenient and less expensive, and can be used with some caution.

Introducción: Determinar el gasto energético (GE), considerando la actividad física y el estado de salud, es muy importante para ajustar el cálculo de la necesidad nutricional para cada individuo. Para eso, se pueden utilizar técnicas como la calorimetría indirecta, la bioimpedancia eléctrica, el agua doblemente marcada, las ecuaciones predictivas, entre otras. Estos métodos son utilizados en la práctica clínica y en estudios científicos. Sin embargo, debido a la inconsistencia de los resultados de estas investigaciones, todavía no hay un consenso respecto a su aplicabilidad. Objetivos: De esa forma, esta revisión tiene como objetivo discutir los componentes del gasto energético, así como las técnicas para su determinación y estimativa, señalando sus ventajas y limitaciones. Resultados y discusión: La calorimetría indirecta y el agua doblemente marcada son métodos considerados más acurados, sin embargo onerosos. Los otros métodos presentan limitaciones, pero por su practicidad y bajo coste, algunos de ellos pueden ser usados con cautela.

Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae are prevalent house dust mites. Concanavalin A-binding components derived from B. tropicalis (Bt-ConA extract) are highly immunogenic in allergic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the humoral and cellular immune responses to B. tropicalis in mite-sensitized patients. A total of 137 patients with allergic rhinitis with/without asthma and 109 non-atopic subjects were selected and analyzed by the skin prick test, and for total serum IgE and specific IgE levels to both Bt-total and Bt-ConA extracts, their proliferative response and cytokine (IFN-γ and IL-5) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with both extracts. Skin prick test showed that 70% of the patients were sensitized to Bt (Bt+) and similar levels of specific IgE to Bt-total and Bt-ConA extracts were demonstrable in Bt+ patients. Significant PBMC proliferation was observed in response to Bt-total extract in Bt+, but not in Bt- patients and non-atopic subjects (P < 0.001). Bt-ConA extract induced increased proliferative responses in all patient groups compared to medium alone (P < 0.05), but these responses were significantly decreased in the presence of the mannopyranoside ConA inhibitor (P < 0.05). Significant IFN-γ production was observed after Bt-ConA stimulation of Bt+ patients (P < 0.05), while Bt-total extract had no effect. IL-5 production was consistently detected in Bt+ patients after allergen-specific stimulation or with no stimulus, indicating that PBMC from allergic patients are prone to produce Th2 profile cytokines, spontaneously or inductively by allergen restimulation. These data showed that ConA-binding components isolated from B. tropicalis may contain relevant antigens that are involved in both humoral and cellular immune responses. However, without an additional purification procedure to eliminate the residual contamination with ConA, its use in immunotherapeutic procedures cannot be recommended.

Avaliaram-se quantitativa, morfométrica e qualitativamente os neurônios atriais da faixa intercaval de cães com cardiomiopatia dilatada (CMD). Os neurônios dos gânglios nervosos de cães com CMD eram maiores que os dos cães controle. A histopatologia do miocárdio ventricular e dos neurônios ganglionares confirmou a CMD e demonstrou evidente processo degenerativo neuronal ganglionar. Cães com CMD em fase crônica apresentavam cardioneuropatia secundária, provavelmente pela privação da inervação parassimpática cardíaca.

The quantity, morphometry, and quality of atrial neurons from the intercaval region in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were evaluated. Dogs with DCM had greater ganglion neurons than control dogs. The histologic evaluation of the ventricular myocardium and ganglion neurons confirmed DCM and showed the degeneration of ganglion neurons. Dogs with chronic DCM had a secondary cardioneuropathy owing to impaired parasympathetic neural control.

Blomia tropicalis (Bt) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) are the prevalent house dust mites in tropical countries and are associated with allergic diseases. Glycosylated antigens are highly immunogenic and involved in different pathologies. We evaluated the presence of IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 to concanavalin A-binding antigens (Bt-Con-A) isolated from Bt-total extract in sera of allergic and non-allergic subjects. Bt-total and Bt-Con-A extracts were evaluated by SDS-PAGE and ELISA for reacting with IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 in sera of 121 patients with allergic rhinitis and 36 non-allergic individuals. All subjects were skin prick tested with Bt-total extract and inhibition tests were performed for IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 using both extracts (Bt-total and Bt-Con-A). Skin prick test showed that 58% of the patients were sensitized to Bt (Bt+), with 52% reactive to both mites (Bt and Dp) and 6% to Bt only. A broad spectrum of proteins (14-152 kDa) was visualized in Bt-total and components >27 kDa for the Bt-Con-A extract. ELISA showed a similar profile of IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 levels in response to Bt-total and Bt-Con-A extracts in different groups, although Bt+ patients showed a lower IgG4 reactivity to Bt-Con-A extract. Specific IgG1 levels were higher in Bt+ patients than in control subjects, and IgG4 levels showed no significant difference among groups. ELISA inhibition showed a partial IgE and total IgG1 and IgG4 cross-reactivity with Dp extract for Bt-total and Bt-Con-A extracts. We conclude that Con-A-binding components isolated from Bt constitute major allergens and are involved in both allergen sensitization (IgE response) and homeostasis maintenance (IgG1 and IgG4 responses).