Human toxocariasis: contribution by Brazilian researchers

In the present paper the main aspects of the natural history of human infection by Toxocara larvae that occasionally result in the occurrence of visceral and/or ocular larva migrans syndrome were reviewed. The contribution by Brazilian researchers was emphasized, especially the staff of the Tropical Medicine Institute of São Paulo (IMT)

Constraining the wind launching region in Herbig Ae stars: AMBER/VLTI spectroscopy of HD 104237

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 464, pp. 55-58, http://dx.doi.org./10.1051/0004-6361:20065719International audienc

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii by PCR and mouse bioassay in commercial cuts of pork from experimentally infected pigs Detecção do Toxoplasma gondii por PCR e bioensaio em camundongo em cortes comerciais de carnes de suínos infectados experimentalmente

The distribution of T. gondii in commercial cuts of pork (ham, tenderloin, spareribs and arm picnic) by PCR and bioassay from experimentally infected pigs, was evaluated. Eighteen mixed breed pigs were divided into two groups (G). The G1 animals (n=10) were infected with 4 x10(4) oocysts of the T. gondii VEG strain and the G2 animals (n=8) were used as control. Pigs of both groups were slaughtered at 59th day after infection, and meat samples were collected for bioassay and PCR. All animals from G1 were positive by at least one or both tests, and all control animals were negative. T. gondii was identified in pork by mouse bioassay and PCR in 27/40 (67.5%) and in 9/40 (22.5%) of the evaluated samples, respectively. There were no statistical differences in the distribution of tissue cysts from commercial cuts of pork by bioassay (P>0.05). However, statistical differences were observed when mouse bioassay and PCR were compared (P<0.01).<br>Avaliou-se a presença de T. gondii em cortes comerciais de carne suína (pernil, lombo, costela e paleta), por meio do bioensaio e PCR, em animais experimentalmente inoculados. Dois grupos (G) foram formados. Os animais do G1 (n=10) foram inoculados com 4 x10(4) oocistos da cepa VEG e os do G2 (n=8) permaneceram como grupo-controle, não inoculado. Todos os animais foram abatidos no dia 59 após a infecção, quando foram colhidas as amostras de carne para a realização das provas de bioensaio e da PCR. Todos os suínos do G1 apresentaram-se positivos a pelo menos um dos testes de diagnóstico ou a ambos, e os do grupo-controle permaneceram negativos. Não houve diferenças significativas em relação aos tipos de cortes comerciais e à presença do parasita no bioensaio (P>0,05). O bioensaio foi capaz de detectar T. gondii em 27/40 (67,5%) amostras e a PCR em 9/40 (22,5%). O estudo mostrou diferença entre o bioensaio e a PCR (P<0,01)

Physicochemical stability under inert and reductive atmospheres of Li2TiO3 produced from Li2CO3 obtained from Argentinean brines

Lithium metatitanate (Li2TiO3) is one of the most promising candidates as tritium breeder material in a fusion reactor due to its physical and chemical properties. In this paper, the syntheses of Li2TiO3 by combustion in solution (SCS) and solid-solid (SSS) were developed using as raw material Li2CO3 produced from Argentinean brines and TiO2. In SCS, aqueous solution of Li2CO3 and TiO2 as metal precursors, citric/tartaric acids as complexing agent/fuel and HNO3 as oxidant was formed, heated to dryness and then self-combusted. The solid obtained was calcined at 550 °C for 12 h to obtain nanometric Li2TiO3 (monoclinic phase, 90%), with particle sizes 90% and 99%) were obtained even at low heating temperatures (400 and 600 °C for 24 h, respectively). The synthesized powders show mean grain sizes in the nanometric range, particle sizes <0.7 μm and macropores. Changes that occur during heat treatment in inert and slightly reductive atmospheres (5% H2/Ar) were identified.The SSS and SCS methods developed using easy to handle and low-priced precursors constitute cost-attractive processes for large scale production of Li2TiO3 nanopowders.Fil: Carbajal Ramos, Ines Alejandra. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; ArgentinaFil: Zacur, J.L.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Andrade Gamboa, Julio José. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Palacios, N.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, M.. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Gennari, Fabiana Cristina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentin