Search

We report recapture data for phyllostomid bats in different types of forests, and at different altitudes, obtained through long-term fieldwork in southeastern Brazil. We provide evidence of long-distance movements, with bats moving up to 120 km from mountains to the beach, with an altitudinal variation of 1,237 m. These movements demonstrate the high mobility of these bats and represent the longest distances recorded for them so far in the Neotropics, besides reinforcing the need for long-term capture and recapture programs aimed at understanding the movement dynamics of bat populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the association between Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to verify the reliability of the MIP in patients on hemodialysis. In a repeated-measures design, patients on hemodialysis performed MIP and specific HRQoL questionnaire (trial 1). The MIP was repeated after 6 to 8 weeks (trial 2) and reliability was assessed using Intra-class Correlation Coefficient. Standard Error of Measurement and Minimal Detectable Change scores were calculated. Sixty-one individuals (68.9% men) were evaluated in trial 1. MIP was associated with specific domains "Symptoms" (r = 0.45; R2 adjusted = 0.192) and the kidney disease component summary (r = 0.38; R2 adjusted = 0.138). Regarding generic domains, the MIP was associated with "Physical Functioning" (r = 0.57; R2 adjusted = 0.375) and Physical component summary (r = 0.47; R2 adjusted = 0.258). Thirty-three patients were randomly selected to perform a second MIP test (trial 2). The Intra-class Correlation Coefficient was 0.94 (95%CI 0.88–0.97). By Bland-Altman analysis, the bias was 3.2 cmH2O, which represents a difference of 3.7%. The Standard Error of Measurement and Minimal Detectable Change for MIP were 5.9 cmH2O and 13.8 cmH2O, respectively. The MIP is a reliable test, associated with physical domains of HRQoL in patients on hemodialysis. Thus, it is a useful method for respiratory evaluation in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rotavirus is an important aetiological agent for severe diarrhoea in infants and young children worldwide. Anti-rotavirus antibodies in human colostrum and milk may interfere with rotavirus vaccination seroconversion. Aims: To verify the presence of anti-rotavirus secretory IgA antibodies (SIgA) and the neutralizing capacity of 30 colostrum and 30 milk samples from Brazilian women in two different centres and analyze their persistence throughout lactation. Methods: Colostrum and milk samples from healthy nursing mothers were tested for the presence of anti-rotavirus SIgA using conventional ELISA and their capacity to neutralize rotavirus using MA-104 cell cultures. Total IgA concentrations and anti-rotavirus SIgA levels were measured in samples collected from three mothers during 90 or 240 days of the lactation period. Results: Colostrum samples showed higher levels of anti-rotavirus SIgA and higher neutralizing ability than in milk. However, these antibodies levels were not statistically different. In addition, there was no correlation between antibody levels and the neutralizing activity observed in colostrum and milk samples. Follow-up of three mothers demonstrated the persistence of anti-rotavirus and total IgA levels throughout lactation. Conclusions: These results support the encouragement of breastfeeding as a mechanism of protection against rotavirus infection in lactating infants. Components other than SIgA antibodies might play an important role in virus neutralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization estimates there are 300 and 500 million new cases of malaria worldwide, every year, mostly in Africa, Asia, South Pacific Islands and South America. New efforts to search for novel drugs for treating malaria remain important in countries like Brazil, where many endemic areas still exist. The Amazonia region is responsible for more than 97% of the malaria cases in the country. Two Piper species were chemically investigated in order to identify new anti-plasmodial plant secondary metabolites. The crude extract and sub-fractions from leaves of Piper lucaeanum were previously assayed against a resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. Hydrodistillation of the leaf essential oils (EO) from Piper lucaeanum and Piper claussenianum were analyzed by GC-MS. The main constituents found from P. lucaeanum leaf oil were a-pinene (30.0%), a-zingiberene (30.4%), β-sesquiphelandrene (11.1%), β-bisabolene (8.9%), while from P. claussenianum inflorescences oil nerolidol (23.7%) and linalool (56.5%) were the major volatile components. The oils exhibited relevant biological activity against the resistant strain of P. falciparum. P. lucaeanum leaf EO was the most promising active sample (IC50 = 2.6 µg/mL), followed by P. claussenianum EO (IC50 = 7.9 µg/mL), the pure nerolidol (IC50= 11.1 µg/mL) and the linalool (IC50= 35.0 µg/mL). These results highlight the potential of Piper oils as a source of active metabolites in the research of new anti-maliarial compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichoderma stromaticum, a biocontrol agent of the cacao witches' broom pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa, has been used in Brazil as part of the integrated pest management of cacao. At the present time, little is known about the effects of T. stromaticum on the modulation of in vitro or in vivo immune responses. The present study examined the interaction of T. stromaticum spores with cellular and molecular components of the immune system following intranasal sensitization of mice. Our results showed that T. stromaticum spores prevented the expression and production of inflammatory mediators in macrophages stimulated with interferon (IFN)-γ plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and neutrophils stimulated with phorbol myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays revealed that T. stromaticum spores inhibited the expression of dectin-1 and Toll-like-receptor (TLR)2/TLR4. Intranasal injection of BALB/c mice and subsequent challenge with spores of T. stromaticum induced a discrete inflammatory response in the lungs. Interestingly, the spores inhibited local and systemic production of the regulatory IL-10 and proinflammatory IFN-γ cytokines. In addition the spores presented an antiproliferative effect on spleen cells. These findings showed that the biopesticide T. stromaticum may exert immunosuppressive effects in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]