DNA Sequencing Confirms the Involvement of Leishmania (L.) Amazonensis in American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) represents one of the most important public health issues in the world. An increased number of autochthonous cases of ATL in the Northeastern region of São Paulo State has been documented in the last few years, leading to a desire to determine the Leishmania species implicated. METHODS: PCR followed by DNA sequencing was carried out to identify a 120bp fragment from the universal kDNA minicircle of the genus Leishmania in 61 skin or mucosal biopsies from patients with ATL. RESULTS: DNA sequencing permitted the identification of a particular 15bp fragment (5' …GTC TTT GGG GCA AGT... 3') in all samples. Analysis by the neighbor-joining method showed the occurrence of two distinct groups related to the genus Viannia (V) and Leishmania (L), each with two subgroups. Autochthonous cases with identity to a special Leishmania sequence not referenced in Genbank predominated in subgroup V.1, suggesting the possible existence of a subtype or mutation of Leishmania Viannia in this region. In the subgroup L.2, which showed identity with a known sequence of L. (L.) amazonensis, there was a balanced distribution of autochthonous and non-autochthonous cases, including the mucosal and mucocutaneus forms in four patients. The last observation may direct us to new concepts, since the mucosal compromising has commonly been attributed to L. (V.) braziliensis, even though L. (L.) amazonensis is more frequent in the Amazonian region. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the pattern of distribution and possible mutations of these species, as well as the change in the clinical form presentation of ATL in the São Paulo State

Social media: friend or foe in the COVID-19 pandemic?

Submitted by Raphael Belchior ([email protected]) on 2020-05-20T16:12:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 1807-5932-clin-75-e1953.pdf: 128147 bytes, checksum: 10a855d459c314e6c24aed9a73bba53c (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Raphael Belchior ([email protected]) on 2020-05-20T22:59:59Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 1807-5932-clin-75-e1953.pdf: 128147 bytes, checksum: 10a855d459c314e6c24aed9a73bba53c (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2020-05-20T23:00:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 1807-5932-clin-75-e1953.pdf: 128147 bytes, checksum: 10a855d459c314e6c24aed9a73bba53c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020Montefiore Medical Center. Department of Surgery. The Bronx, NY, USA.Real Hospital Português. Cardiologia. Recife, PE, Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Aggeu Magalhaes. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Recife, PE, Brasil

Produção de tomateiro orgânico irrigado por aspersão e gotejamento, em cultivo solteiro e consorciado com coentro.

O uso eficiente da água e a diversificação ambiental são fundamentais para o equilíbrio e a sustentabilidade dos sistemas orgânicos de produção de tomate. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a produção de tomate de mesa em cultivo solteiro e consorciado com coentro com irrigação por aspersão e gotejamento, em sistema orgânico. O experimento foi conduzido em área de produção orgânica no Distrito Federal. O delineamento foi blocos ao acaso, com tratamentos dispostos num arranjo fatorial 2 x 2 (dois sistemas de irrigação x dois sistemas de cultivo). Não houve interação significativa entre os fatores avaliados, assim como não houve efeito do sistema de cultivo sobre as variáveis avaliadas. Embora o ciclo do tomateiro irrigado por gotejamento tenha diminuído, a produtividade de frutos não foi afetada pelos sistemas de irrigação. A maior redução de estande verificada na aspersão foi compensada por um aumento no número de frutos por planta, sem variação na massa por fruto. O menor volume de solo explorado pelas raízes do tomateiro associado à maior incidência de traça-o-tomateiro (Tuta absoluta) e principalmente de oídio (Leveillula taurica) pode ter limitado a produtividade do tomateiro irrigado por gotejamento. A taxa de frutos podres na aspersão foi o dobro da verificada no sistema por gotejamento

Electrochemical study of nickel(salen) and cobalt(salen) derivatives complexes in the presence of unsaturated halides

The electrochemical intramolecular cyclisation of allyl 2-bromophenyl ethers in N,N'-dimethylformamide at constant current in a diaphragmless cell has been developed using Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes as electron-transfer mediators. Cyclic compounds are obtained in good yields under appropriate experimental conditions

Development and characterization of a nanomultilayer coating of pectin and chitosan : evaluation of its gas barrier properties and application on 'Tommy Atkins' mangoes

A nanomultilayer coating made of food-grade, bio-based materials (consisting of five nanolayers of pectin and chitosan) was produced. This coating was firstly characterized in terms of the water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide permeabilities; these parameters exhibited values of 0.019 ± 0.005 × 10−11, 0.069 ± 0.066 × 10−14 and 44.8 ± 32 × 10−14 g m/(Pa s m2), respectively, and are of the same order of magnitude of those found in other nanomultilayer systems. The nanomultilayer system was applied on whole ‘Tommy Atkins’ mangoes and the layers’ adsorption was confirmed by changes in the contact angle of the coated fruits’ skin. After 45 d of storage, uncoated mangoes presented a higher mass loss, higher total soluble solids and lower titratable acidity in comparison with coated mangoes. Uncoated mangoes had also a damaged and wrinkled appearance, showing evidence of microbial spoilage, and the flesh exhibited a slightly brownish color, in comparison with the coated mangoes. These results suggest a positive effect of the coating on gas flow reduction and on the consequent extension of the shelf-life of mangoes.The author Bartolomeu G.S. Medeiros was recipient of a scholarship from de Project Isac (Isac Mundus Cooperation, European Union) and is also a recipient of a scholarship from Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (Capes, Brazil). The author Ana C. Pinheiro is recipient of a fellowship (SFRH/BD/48120/2008) from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal). The present work was supported by CAPES/PROCAD/NF/1415/2007

Reductive intramolecular cyclization of D-glucose-based unsaturated substrates by indirect electrochemical approach in “Green” media

Radical cyclisation continues to be a central methodology for the preparation of natural products containing heterocyclic rings. Hence, some electrochemical results obtained by cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential electrolysis in the study of electroreductive intramolecular cyclisation of ethyl (2S, 3R)-2- bromo-3-propargyloxy-3-(2’,3’,4’,6’-tetra-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosiloxy) propanoate (1) promoted by (1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetra-decane)nickel(I), [Ni(tmc)]+, electrogenerated at glassy carbon cathodes in ethanol and ethanol/water mixtures containing tetraalkylammonium salts, are presented. During controlled-potential electrolyses of solutions containing [Ni(tmc)]2+ and acetylated D-glucose-based bromo propargyl ester (1) catalytic reduction of the latter proceeds via one-electron cleavage of the carbon–bromine bond to form a radical intermediate that undergoes cyclization to afford the substituted tetrahydrofurans.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Polysaccharide/protein nanomultilayer coatings: construction, characterization and evaluation of their effect on 'Rocha' pear (Pyrus communis L.) shelf-life

Nanolayered coatings of κ-carrageenan, a polysaccharide with good gas barrier properties, and lysozyme, a protein with antimicrobial action, were in a first stage assembled on aminolysed/charged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) pieces, which acted as a support, by alternate five-layer deposition. This was performed to allow the characterization of the nanomultilayer system. PET aminolysis was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and contact angle, and the subsequent layer adsorption on aminolysed PET surface was confirmed by absorbance, contact angle and SEM images. The water vapour permeability and the oxygen permeability (O2P) of the five layers were found to be 0.013 ± 0.003 × 10−11 and 0.1 ± 0.01 × 10−14 g m−1 s−1 Pa−1, respectively. The nanomultilayer system was subsequently applied (without PET support) directly on ‘Rocha’ (Pyrus communis L.) fresh-cut pears and whole pears. Uncoated fresh-cut pears and whole pears presented higher mass loss, higher total soluble solids (TSS) and lower titratable acidity when compared with coated fresh-cut pears and whole pears. Uncoated fresh-cut pears also presented a darker colour. These results showed that the nanolayered coating assembled on the fruits’ surface has a positive effect on fruit quality and contributed to extend the shelf-life.Author Bartolomeu G. de S. Medeiros was a recipient of a scholarship from the project Isac (Isac Mundus Cooperation, European Union) and is also a recipient of a scholarship from Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (Capes, Brazil). Author A. C. Pinheiro is recipient of a fellowship (SFRH/BD/48120/2008) from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal)

Electrochemical applications of electrolytes based on ionic liquids

The potential utility of room temperature ionic liquids as electrolytes in current electrochemical applications has been explored. Hence, the electrochemical behavior of [Ni(tmc)]Br2 complex at a glassy carbon electrode in the absence or in the presence of unsaturated halides in the ionic liquids, 1-ethyl-3- methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, [C2mim][C2SO4] and N,N,Ntrimethyl- N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [N1 1 1 2(OH)][NTf2], has been examined by cyclic voltammetry. It was observed that [Ni(tmc)]2+ complex is reduced in a reversible one-electron step and the electrogenerated [Ni(tmc)]+ complex catalytically reduces the carbon-halogen bond of unsaturated halides. The potencial use of natural ionic conducting polymer matrixes was also investigated. Samples of natural macromolecules-based electrolytes with the ionic liquid 1-ethyl- 3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate, [C2mim][C2SO4], were prepared and characterized. The preliminary studies carried out with electrochromic devices (ECDs) incorporating optimized compositions have confirmed that these materials may perform as satisfactory multifunctional component layers in the field of ECD-based devices.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for FIGO stage 1 ovarian cancer (Review)

Background This is an updated version of the original review that was first published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 4. Laparoscopy has become an increasingly common approach to surgical staging of apparent early-stage ovarian tumours. This review was undertaken to assess the available evidence on the benefits and risks of laparoscopy compared with laparotomy for the management of International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I ovarian cancer. Objectives To evaluate the benefits and risks of laparoscopy compared with laparotomy for the surgical treatment of FIGO stage I ovarian cancer (stages Ia, Ib and Ic). Search methods For the original review, we searched the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Group Trials (CGCRG) Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2007, Issue 2), MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Biological Abstracts and CancerLit from 1 January 1990 to 30 November 2007. We also handsearched relevant journals, reference lists of identified studies and conference abstracts. For this updated review, we extended the CGCRG Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS searches to 6 December 2011. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-RCTs and prospective cohort studies comparing laparoscopic staging with open surgery (laparotomy) in women with stage I ovarian cancer according to FIGO. Data collection and analysis There were no studies to include, therefore we tabulated data from non-randomised studies (NRS) for discussion. Main results We performed no meta-analyses. Authors’ conclusions This review has found no good-quality evidence to help quantify the risks and benefits of laparoscopy for the management of earlystage ovarian cancer as routine clinical practice