Late-onset and acute presentation of Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome in a Brazilian family

Riboflavin transporter deficiency (formerly known as Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere [BVVL] or Fazio-Londe syndrome) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive bulbar palsy with sensorineural deafness or bulbar hereditary neuropathy.1 It is caused by mutations in the riboflavin transporter genes SLC52A2 (RFVT2) or SLC52A3 (RFVT3).2,3 It is a rare syndrome with approximately 70 cases reported worldwide, with molecular diagnoses of RFVT2 or RFVT3. 1,4 We have previously described the first Brazilian family with a clinical diagnosis of BVVL.5 In this report, we extend the clinical spectrum associated with this family and describe a new mutation related to the metabolism of riboflavin

Nodule growth and nitrogen fixation of Calopogonium mucunoides L. show low sensitivity to nitrate

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)It is well established that nitrate is a potent inhibitor of nodulation and nitrogen fixation in legumes. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the relative insensitivity of these processes to nitrate with Calopogonium mucunoides, a tropical South American perennial legume, native to the cerrado (savannah) region. It was found that nodule number was reduced by about half in the presence of high levels of nitrate (15 mM) but nodule growth (total nodule mass per plant) and nitrogen fixation (acetylene reduction activity and xylem sap ureide levels) were not affected. Other sources of N (ammonium and urea) were also without effect at these concentrations. At even higher concentrations (30 mM), nitrate did promote significant inhibition (ca. 50%) of acetylene reduction activity, but no significant reduction in xylem sap ureides was found. The extraordinary insensitivity of nodulation and N(2) fixation of C. mucunoides to nitrate suggests that this species should be useful in studies aimed at elucidating the mechanisms of nitrate inhibition of these processes.512167174Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy in a low-prevalence area: 27 cases (14 autochthonous) in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) is a form of schistosomiasis that is not linked with a high worm burden but rather is found in patients who have been sporadically exposed to Schistosoma mansoni. This paper aims to determine the occurrence of SMR in a low-endemic area with urban transmission in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. A retrospective study was performed, identifying confirmed cases in the two largest public hospitals on the region. Patients were diagnosed with SMR using standardised criteria, common clinical parameters, evidence of schistosomal infection and exclusion of other causes of myelopathy. A total of 27 patients were identified; 19 (85.2%) were men and four (14.8%) were women, ranging from 13-57 years of age (mean = 31.2; standard deviation = 12.8). Patients were classified as autochthonous (n = 14; 51.9%) or allochthonous (n = 11; 40.7%) and epidemiological data could not be obtained for two patients (7.4%). The clinical parameters of these patients were not different from previous studies. The sensitivity of serum immune reactions, cerebrospinal fluid immune reactions and parasitological stool examinations in identifying infected individuals was 87.5%, 93.8% and 40%, respectively. The epidemiological importance of these findings and their relationship with the control policies of schistosomiasis are discussed