Granuloma inguinale (Donovanosis)

The authors present images of two of the most common clinical forms of granuloma inguinale (donovanosis) in males and females. Donovanosis is considered a sexually transmitted disease that is endemic in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Two microscopic images are also shown, one of a direct smear (the presence of Donovan bodies within large mononuclear cells identified using Giemsa stain) and the other of typical histological findings (rod-shaped Donovan bodies within a mononuclear histiocyte).     

Rapid development of microsatellites for the endangered Neotropical catfish Conorhynchus conirostris using a modest amount of 454 shot-gun pyrosequencing

A set of 13 polymorphic microsatellites were developed using a next generation sequencing approach for the endangered Neotropical catfish Conorhynchus conirostris. Using only 1/16 of a shot-gun pyrosequencing reaction, we were able to obtain 3,796 sequences containing putative microsatellites motifs. Out of 20 selected loci for further optimization, 13 loci were successfully genotyped in 25 specimens from a locality in the São Francisco River, Southeast Brazil. All microsatellite loci were polymorphic, with 4–18 alleles per locus (mean = 10.5) and generally high values of heterozygosity (mean = 0.796). These polymorphic markers will be a valuable tool for captive breeding and stoking programs and for analyses of population connectivity and genetic structure in this endangered Neotropical catfish.     

Development of 21 microsatellite markers for the threatened Yarra pygmy perch (Nannoperca obscura) through 454 shot-gun pyrosequencing

Using a next generation sequencing approach, a set of 21 new microsatellites loci was developed from the threatened freshwater fish Yarra pygmy perch (YPP) Nannoperca obscura (Percichthyidae). All markers were successfully genotyped using 28 YPP kept in captivity. These animals represent an entire population rescued from the lower Murray-Darling Basin in Australia before its habitat dried out. As expected due to the critical conservation status of the population, we observed low genetic variation across most loci (mean number of alleles per locus = 2.76; mean heterozygosity = 0.28). No deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium or linkage disequilibrium were detected and only one locus (Nob30) showed evidence for null alleles. These molecular markers represent important resources for the ongoing YPP captive breeding program, and for upcoming restoration and landscape genetic studies of this species.     

Electrochemical characterization of cobalt-based alloys using the mini-cell system.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to investigate the electrochemical behavior of cobalt-based alloys of different compositions using the mini-cell system (MCS) and to test the sensitivity of this technique in the detection of variations in the electrochemical behavior caused by the different compositions of cobalt-based alloys. METHODS: The electrochemical measurements were performed on two cobalt-based alloys, having a small content of gold (B?rlight and Gold Core); one cobalt-platinum-ruthenium alloy (Porta Smart) and one classical Co-based alloy (Wironit), in two different electrolytes, 1% NaCl and phosphate buffered solution (PBS). RESULTS: Based on I versus E curves, enhanced pitting corrosion capability was observed for the cobalt-based alloys, especially for those with lower chromium content and with the addition of a small amount of gold. The alloying of Co with Pt and Ru (Porta Smart), and the standard Co-based alloy do not show any critical instability; in contrast, a small addition of Au enhanced the pitting corrosion activity and reduced the corrosion stability. For higher alloy stability, a minimum 30% atomic ratio of chromium in the alloy composition is necessary. Furthermore, it was shown that MCS has sensitivity for the qualitative comparison of the alloys as well as in the electrochemical characterization of each alloy. SIGNIFICANCE: Electrochemical measurements are essential to assess the quality of an alloy. MCS might help in understanding the role the elements play in the electrochemical behavior of the alloys and at the same time contribute to the selection of the alloys in terms of their quality, even before more complex tests in vitro or in vivo are applied, and might reduce the costs for materials research.     

Circadian heart rate and blood pressure variability in autonomic failure.

Autonomic failure (AF) induces disabling orthostatic symptoms. Short-term heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) orthostatic patterns are well characterized in these patients but data on long-term blood pressure and heart rate monitoring is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess circadian HR and BP variation in AF patients. We studied 8 patients with severe AF (7 with TTRmet30+ familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy and 1 with pure autonomic fairure)--Group A, and 2 control groups (8 asymptomatic TTRmet30+ patients--Group B, and 16 normal aged-matched controls--Group C). All groups underwent 24h HR and BP monitoring. Twenty-four-hour systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were similar in all groups (114.5+/-10.6 and 73.2+/-6.7; 123.0+/-6.2 and 79.0+/-9.5; 118.6+/-10.1 and 71.4+/-9.4 mmHg for groups A, B and C respectively). BP dipping was attenuated or even inverted (p < 0.01) in AF patients (SBP and DBP differences between day and night: -1.6+/-11.6 and 3.3+/-6.3; 10.0+/-1.0 and 11.7+/-1.5; 15.6+/-7.9 and 16.2+/-5.8 mmHg for groups A, B and C respectively; p < 0.01). Although mean 24h HR was similar between patients and controls (80.9+/-14.0, 87.0+/-4.6 and 80.7+/-5.2 bpm for groups A, B and C respectively), there were striking differences in heart rate variability between groups (max-min 24h HR difference: 46+/-16, 89+/-11 and 91+/-9 bpm; pNN50: 0+/-0, 6+/-2 and 12+/-6%; SDRR 68+/-24, 128+/-10 and 148+/-32 ms for groups A, BB and C; p < 0.01). There were significant differences between normal controls and asymptomatic TTRmet30+ controls in mean HR, diastolic blood pressure dipping and pNN50; p < 0.05. Autonomic failure can be suspected by simple 24h blood pressure evaluation and heart rate monitoring. Asymptomatic TTRmet30+ patients may already show some degree of autonomic impairment, particularly early vagal dysfunction.     

Suppression of lymphocyte proliferative responses by sera from patients with American visceral leishmaniasis

We examined the effect of sera from 11 patients with American visceral leishmaniasis on mitogen-driven lymphocyte proliferative capacity. All sera inhibited lymphocyte proliferation of patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) when stimulated by either phytohemagglutinin, Concanavalin A or pokeweed mitogen. Serum was also strongly inhibitory for Concanavalin A-pulsed normal volunteers' PMBC. The effect of the serum was not due to cytotoxicity, inadequate nutritional support or altered kinetics of DNA synthesis. High levels of IgM or IgG (both total and antiparasite) and high levels of triglycerides were found in patients' sera.     

Radiolucent lines at the proximal end of the LEG simulating fractures

A type of pseudofracture of the upper tibia caused by superimposition of the space between the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles is described. In standard radiographs of 40 randomly selected patients, the frequency of such radiolucent lines was 12.5%.     

Enhancement of aorta tonus evoked by hypertonic solutions is endothelium-dependent.

1. The effect of NaCl hypertonic solutions on the contractions induced by noradrenaline or prostaglandin F2 alpha and on the relaxant effect of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside was investigated in aortae with or without endothelium isolated from rats. 2. Hypertonic solutions enhanced the contractions elicited by the vasoconstrictor agents in preparations with endothelium and this phenomenon was not altered by previous treatment of the animals with reserpine or the preparations with methylene blue or indomethacin. 3. In hypertonic medium acetylcholine but not sodium nitroprusside vasodilator effect was inhibited. 4. We suggest that NaCl hypertonic solutions modify vascular reactivity probably through: (i) the release of an endothelium-derived contracting factor not sensitive to cyclooxygenase inhibitors; (ii) a diminished release of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor not related to the cGMP system.     

Pharmacology of an Indian-snuff obtained from Amazonian Maquira sclerophylla

The powdered bark of Maquira sclerophylla is consumed as snuff in north Brazil. Both the crude and the purified hydrosoluble extract (WP) injected i.p. in the dose range of 0.05-0.5 g/kg induced hyperexcitability, tremors, motor incoordination, ataxia, quietness and muscle relaxation in rats. The effects were progressive, dose-related and reversed after 30 min. Anesthetized rats, guinea-pigs and dogs injected with the purified extract (10-50 mg/kg, i.v.) showed a biphasic change of carotid blood pressure. The early and transient hypotension was blocked by atropine but not by vagotomy: the secondary hypertension was long lasting and sustained for over 30 min. The hypertension was shortened but not blocked after ganglionic blockade or reserpine treatment. Either pithing or alpha receptor blockade with yohimbine reduced both effects of the extract. Guinea-pigs and dogs were more responsive than rats and died by heart arrest. Incubation of WP (20 micrograms/ml) increased both the rate and force of contraction of isolated guinea-pig right atria by 2 and 5 times, respectively. Propranolol (4 micrograms/ml) blocked the chronotropic effect but did not decrease the inotropic effect. In electrically driven guinea-pig left atria, WP (10 micrograms/ml) increased the force of contraction by 80% and the maximum rate of force development by 60%, but did not change the time to peak tension, the time to 50% relaxation, or the rate of relaxation. These cardiovascular effects resemble those of digitalis-like drugs. Cardenolides were detected in WP by phytochemical screening.     

A rat model for the study of intestinal heterotopic gastropathy.

This study analyzes an experimental model for the study of reactions from gastric tissue exposed to enteric environment. Morphological studies were performed by histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods, using formalin-fixed biopsies of full-wall-thickness gastric implants in a whole-wall jejunal defect. These grafts suffered severe lesions, characterized by chronic atrophic gastritis, foveolar hyperplasia, glandular cystic transformation, and intestinal metaplasia. Increase in acidic mucins was also observed. There was no proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) overexpression. The results suggest that this model can be useful to investigate the heterotopic grastropathy and can be applied in further research studies.