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Southern Brazil (southern + brazil)
Selected AbstractsA prime inference on genetic diversity (RAPDs) in the marine fish Atherinella brasiliensis (Teleostei, Atherinopsidae) from Southern BrazilACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010Maria Cristina Da Silva Cortinhas Abstract Da Silva Cortinhas, M. C., Glienke, C., Prioli, A. J., Noleto, R. B., Matoso, D. A. and Cestari, M. M. 2010. A prime inference on genetic diversity (RAPDs) in the marine fish Atherinella brasiliensis (Teleostei, Atherinopsidae) from Southern Brazil. ,Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 242,248 As a result of the importance of Atherinella brasiliensis in estuarine environments, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to verify the genetic diversity in A. brasiliensis from two different places in Paranaguá Bay (Paraná State) and one from the Conceição Lagoon (Santa Catarina State). Cytogenetic data have shown a high karyotypic diversity in some populations, although in others this peculiarity demonstrates rearrangements such as heterochromatinization. In the present study, a low level of genetic structuring between the samples from Conceição Lagoon compared with the others was observed through principal coordinate analysis (PCO), analysis of molecular variance and Mantel test according to 79 RAPD markers. As this specie does not perform horizontal migration and the individuals of Conceição Lagoon are isolated, three hypotheses are proposed to explain the results: (i) similar environments may show homogeneous populations not depending on the geographical distance, (ii) because vicariant events that formed the bays occurred in a recent period, the fragmentation effects over the structuring of the genetic diversity may still be low and not totally detectable by the RAPD technique and (iii) the isolation time or the number of generations may not be enough to promote a possible differentiation and genetic structuring between the specimens of these three places. The specimens of these places present a low level of differentiation and genetic structuring so we can consider them as a unique homogeneous population. [source] Essential oils of six Gomidesia spp. from southern BrazilFLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2003Renata P. Limberger Abstract Essential oils from Gomidesia schaueriana, G. sellowiana, G. spectabilis, G. anacardiifolia, G. palustris and G. tijucensis, collected in Southern Brazil, were analysed by GC and GC,MS. Fifty-two compounds were identi,ed, representing 92,98% of the oil contents. All samples were rich in cyclic sesquiterpenes (about 90%), mainly those from the cadinene and germacrene cyclization pathway. The oils from G. schaueriana, G. spectabilis, G. anacardiifolia and G. palustris were quite similar, with a predominance of , -caryophyllene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, spathulenol, globulol and , -cadinol. G. sellowiana was rich in spathulenol, followed by geranylgeraniol, and G. tijucensis was characterized by the presence of , - and , -selinene. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Surface air temperature trends in Southern Brazil for 1960,2002INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2008Jose A. Marengo Abstract Trends in minimum and maximum air temperature and in the diurnal thermal range (DTR), and derived indices of extreme temperatures since the 1960's are assessed for southern Brazil. Most meteorological stations show steep increases in the night-time temperatures (depicted by the minimum temperature) as compared to slight increases in the daytime temperature (depicted by the maximum temperature), both year round and at the seasonal level. The warming trends are stronger during winter as compared to summer. Consequently, the observed annual and seasonal negative DTR trends in southern Brazil during the last 40 years are largely due to the greater increase in nighttime temperatures rather than daytime temperatures. At decadal timescales, the presence of more intense and frequent El Niño events during the last 20 years also contributes to warming and explains the steep increase in the air temperature extremes trends during this period, as compared to the relatively colder 1960,1980 period, especially for winter. Indices of temperature extremes defined using fixed limits for maximum and minimum temperatures for colder or warmer days were compared with percentile-based indices defined in the recent literature. The comparison shows that the frequency of warmer days increased during both summer and winter, especially during the last two decades. The observed positive tendencies in minimum temperatures and warmer days during winter occur even though extreme cold events and freezing conditions occurred in 1975, 1994 and 2000. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Influence of the human activity in the Atlantic Forest and in the prevalence of etiological agents of dermatophytosis in a coastal city of Southern Brazil [Ubatuba (São Paulo)]INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2008Roseli Santos De Freitas MA No abstract is available for this article. [source] The DSM-IV ,minor depression' disorder in the oldest-old: prevalence rate, sleep patterns, memory function and quality of life in elderly people of Italian descent in Southern BrazilINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2002Flávio M. F. Xavier Abstract Objectives (1) To describe the prevalence of minor depression in a community-dwelling population aged 80 years and over. (2) To compare the sleep pattern, memory function and the prevalence rate of other psychiatric diagnoses between normal controls and subjects with minor depressive disorder. Design A random representative sample (sample,=,77 subjects/county population of oldest-old,=,219,35%) aged 80 years or more was selected from the county of Veranópolis in the Brazilian rural southern region. Of this group, eight subjects who met the DSM-IV criteria for minor depression, and 50 subjects without diagnosed delirium disorder, cognitive or affective problems were compared. Results The prevalence rate of minor depression was 12%. Subjects with this diagnosis were more likely to complain about sleep and memory problems than elderly people without any other affective disorder (major depression or dysthymic disorder). Otherwise, objective evaluation of these two areas, memory and sleep, did not show differences between the groups. Moreover, in terms of factors such as life satisfaction and some domains from the Short-form 36 Quality of Life Scale (SF-36), subjects with minor depression presented worse self-reported evaluations. Female gender was associated (p,=,0.01) with a more frequent presence of minor depression disorder, and those with this diagnosis were more likely to have co-morbidity with generalized anxiety disorder (p,=,0.007) when compared with elderly people without any depressive disorder. Conclusion In this study, minor depression has been significantly associated with lower life satisfaction and worse indexes of life quality. The results supported the current concept that minor depression is prevalent in later life, especially among the oldest-old. Subjects with minor depression had worse self-reported opinions about memory and sleep patterns, but when these variables were objectively measured, no meaningful differences could be determined by the research team. Female gender and the concurring presence of generalized anxiety disorder were both significantly associated with the presence of minor depression diagnosis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Assessment of norovirus contamination in environmental samples from Florianópolis City, Southern BrazilJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010M. Victoria Abstract Aims:, To assess norovirus (NoV) contamination in aquatic ecosystems in the city of Florianópolis, in Southern Brazil, to provide epidemiological data that can support actions for environmental contamination control. Methods and Results:, An adsorption,elution method, followed by ultrafiltration, was performed to concentrate the viruses. NoV were detected using semi-nested PCR and quantified by real-time PCR. From June 2007 to May 2008, NoV were detected in 23% (22/94) of the samples analysed, including seawater, drinking water, superficial water (creek and brackish lagoon) and treated sewage. The mean viral loads for genogroups (G)I and GII in treated sewage samples were 297 and 440 genomic copies (gc) l,1, respectively, whereas creek water samples contained 2603 and 1361 gc l,1, respectively. Six samples were sequenced: two samples were GII.4, two were GII.2 and two were GI.3. Conclusions:, NoV were detected in all water types analysed, demonstrating the widespread contamination of this geographical area with several cocirculating strains belonging to GI and GII. Significance and Impact of the Study:, This study demonstrates the environmental spread of NoV in environmental waters and highlights the potential hazard for human health following the consumption of or contact with these waters, which could result in waterborne or foodborne acute gastroenteritis. [source] Is there an association between periodontal disease, prematurity and low birth weight?JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 9 2005A population-based study Abstract Background: The relationship between periodontal diseases in pregnancy and children born prematurely or with low birth weight has been increasingly investigated, showing inconclusive results. Objectives: To test the link between periodontal disease in pregnant women and low birth weight or prematurity. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was carried out in Southern Brazil. The sample consisted of 449 parturients who were interviewed and examined up to 48 h post-partum. Three outcomes were investigated: low birth weight, prematurity and prematurity and/or birth weight. Periodontal disease, the exposure, was defined as (i) at least one site with a periodontal pocket; (ii) the presence of pockets at four or more sites. Socio-demographic information relating to health and maternal habits was collected through a questionnaire and by hospital medical records. Simple and multiple regression analysis was performed. Findings: There was no statistically significant association between periodontal disease and low birth weight. Periodontal pocket was not associated with low birth weight and/or pre-term birth after being adjusted. A periodontal pocket in at least one site was associated with prematurity (odds ratio=2.6; 95% confidence interval 1.0,6.9) even after adjusting for maternal schooling, parity, number of previous children of low birth weight, number of pre-natal consultations and body mass index. After the introduction of variables relating to maternal health during pregnancy, this association disappeared. Conclusions: No association was found between periodontal disease in the mother and the low birth weight. An association between prematurity and periodontal pockets was found but it was confounded by maternal health variables. [source] INFLUENCE OF ACID ADAPTATION ON THE SURVIVAL OF SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS AND SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM IN SIMULATED GASTRIC FLUID AND IN RATTUS NORVEGICUS INTESTINE INFECTIONJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 2 2010KARLA JOSEANE PEREZ ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of acid adaptation in the survival of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE86) and Salmonella Typhimurium (ST99) during exposure to simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and in intestinal infection of Rattus norvegicus. Acid-adapted and nonadapted Salmonella strains were exposed to SGF (pH 1.5) and were inoculated by gavage in adult rats. Results indicated that acid-adapted SE86 survived significantly better (P < 0.05) than nonadapted SE86, nonadapted ST99 and acid-adapted ST99 in SGF. Nonadapted microorganisms were observed in higher counts in feces than acid-adapted strains, while acid-adapted microorganisms demonstrated higher counts in intestine samples, suggesting intestinal invasion capacity. Acid-adapted SE86 was recovered in higher counts from ileum-cecum junction than the other microorganisms. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Salmonella Enteritidis has been identified as the most frequent serovar involved with the foodborne outbreaks in Brazil. In Southern Brazil, a specific strain of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE86) has been involved with more than 90% of the salmonellosis occurring in the last years, and the main food vehicle is home-made mayonnaise frequently added with different quantities of vinegar, which can cause acid adaptation in Salmonella cells. The results of this work indicate that SE86 presented higher acid adaptation, which contributed to higher survival rates in simulated gastric fluid and better intestinal colonization. These results could be related to human virulence and the frequent involvement of this strain with foodborne outbreaks in southern Brazil. [source] Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Santa Catarina State confirms increases of subtype C in Southern BrazilJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 10 2007Dayse Locateli Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated an increased prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype C in southern Brazil. Although Santa Catarina State (SC) is located in this area and presents one of the country's highest incidences of HIV/AIDS, knowledge on the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in such State is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the HIV-1 molecular diversity and epidemiological profile of HIV-1-infected patients from SC. DNA samples were PCR amplified and HIV-1 subtypes were determined using both env and gag genes by direct sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that 48% were subtype C and 23% were subtype B. Possible recombinant forms were observed for both B/C (23%) and B/F (6%) subtypes. Our results, for the first time, identifies HIV-1 subtype C as a major clade circulating in SC and contributes to the understanding of HIV epidemics in the country by confirming the epidemic spread of the HIV-1 subtype C in southern Brazil. J. Med. Virol. 79:1455,1463, 2007. © Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Enterovirus meningitis in Brazil, 1998,2003,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 1 2006Gina P.L. dos Santos Abstract Acute viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) such as acute flaccid paralysis, meningitis, and encephalitis, are responsible for a high morbidity, particularly in children. Non-Polio enteroviruses (NPEV) are known to be responsible for over 80% of viral meningitis in which the etiologic agent is identified. In the present study, we show the frequency of enterovirus meningitis in Brazil from December 1998 to December 2003. Enterovirus were isolated from 162 (15.8%), of a total of 1,022 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens analyzed. Echovirus 30 was identified in 139 of these isolates (139/162,85.2%). Other identified enteroviruses were: Coxsackievirus B5 (3.7%), Echovirus 13 (3.7%), Echovirus 18 (3%), Echovirus 6 (1.2%), Echovirus 25 (1.2%), Echovirus 1 (0.6%), and Echovirus 4 (0.6%). Patients's age ranged from 28 days to 68 years old. The most frequent symptoms were fever (77%), headache (69.5%), vomiting (71.3%), neck stiffness (41.3%), convulsion (7.1%), and diarrhea (3.7%). Although, the majority of the patients recovered without any complication or permanent squeal, five deaths occurred. Throughout the surveillance period, five viral meningitis outbreaks were confirmed: four in the Southern Brazil and one in the Northeast Brazil. Echovirus 30 was responsible for four out of the five outbreaks while Echovirus 13 caused the fifth one. Besides the outbreaks, 734 sporadic cases were also identified during the study period and 59 of these were positive for virus isolation (8%). Echovirus 30 accounted for 70% of the isolates. Our results showed that Echovirus 30 was the most prevalent etiological agent of viral meningitis in Brazil, causing both outbreaks and sporadic cases. J. Med. Virol. 78:98,104, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, inc. [source] Biology, clinical characteristics, and management of adrenocortical tumors in childrenPEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 3 2005Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo MD Abstract Childhood adrenocortical tumors (ACT) are very aggressive endocrine neoplasms whose incidence is quite low. Little is known about their pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and optimal treatment. In recent years, however, new information has been derived from the International Pediatric Adrenocortical Tumor Registry (IPACTR), and new clues to its pathogenesis have emerged. To provide an overview of the available data that may apply to pediatric ACT, we reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of ACT in adults and in children. Germline TP53 mutation is almost always the predisposing factor in childhood ACT. A unique germline mutation (TP53,R337H) has been described in Southern Brazil, where the incidence of ACT is 10,15 times the general incidence. Childhood ACT typically present during the first 5 years of life and has female predominance. Hormone hyperproduction is almost universal, and most patients present with virilization. Two-thirds of patients have resectable tumors. Surgery is the definitive treatment for ACT, and a curative complete resection should always be attempted. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy with mitotane is indicated for unresectable or metastatic disease, although its impact on overall outcome is slight. In childhood ACT, age, tumor size, and tumor resectability are the most important prognostic indicators. Outcome is stage-dependent; patients with small, resectable tumors have survival rates in excess of 80%, whereas the outcome for patients with unresectable disease is dismal. Patients with large, resectable tumors have an intermediate outcome. Childhood ACT are rare, but their unique epidemiology appear to implicate novel oncogenic pathways that are unique to the pediatric population. Multi-institutional and prospective studies are necessary to further our understanding of the pathogenesis and to improve outcomes. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Climatic signals in tree-rings of Araucaria angustifolia in the southern Brazilian highlandsAUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2010JULIANO MORALES OLIVEIRA Abstract Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) O. Kuntze (Araucariaceae) is a Neotropical tree, widely distributed in subtropical mountain rain forests and nearby natural grasslands of Southern Brazil. This species produces annual growth rings, but its dendroclimatic potential is barely known. In the present paper, the long-term growth patterns of A. angustifolia were investigated using annual growth ring time series and association to climate over the last century. Wood cores of A. angustifolia trees growing in forest and grassland habitats were obtained with an increment borer. The cores were surfaced, measured and cross-dated. The dated ring-width time series were standardized and submitted to correlation and principal component analysis to verify growth trends among sites and trees. Growth-climate relationships were investigated using correlation and regression analyses, comparing the ordination axes scores to regional time series of precipitation and temperature. Due to anatomical irregularities, mainly partial rings, only 35 out of 60 trees were cross-dated. The correlation and ordination analyses showed common tree-growth trends within and between sites, indicative of a regional environmental force determining inter-annual cambial activity variation. Despite growing in distinct habitats and disturbance regimes, A. angustifolia trees share a common long-term growth pattern, which is significantly related to thermal conditions during the current and previous growing seasons. Moreover, site-specific characteristics may have influenced opposite growth responses and association to climate conditions between forest and grassland trees. [source] Experimental Study of Nest-site Selection in the Biscutate Swift (Streptoprocne biscutata, Aves: Apodidae) in Southern BrazilBIOTROPICA, Issue 1 2009Mauro Pichorim ABSTRACT Biscutate swift Streptoprocne biscutata nests are usually built on protected rocky cliff walls. Birds often renest at the same location. Remains of previous nests may offer information about potential nests and quality of nest-sites. Here, we experimentally study nest-site selection to test the hypothesis that information from previous nests is used in current nest-site selection. We placed old nest material at artificial nest-sites to test whether new nest-sites are chosen based on the presence of nesting material. We also tested whether the use of natural nest-sites is influenced by nesting material by creating two types of natural sites: previously used natural nest-sites with vestiges of old nests removed and never used natural nest-sites to which vestiges of old nests were added. In the first experiment, in 139 nest-use opportunities, 16 artificial nest-sites were used, all of which included vestiges. In the second experiment, in 91 nest-use opportunities, four nests were in previously unused but natural locations to which vestiges had been added, 22 nests were in previously used sites without vestiges, and the remaining 65 nests remained unused. Two processes are apparently in action: first, prior experience and memory; second, vestiges indicate where nesting has occurred, possibly useful for first breeding, or for imperfect memory. Previous nesting information may explain why swifts use nesting locations for many years and why new nesting colonies seldom form. This transmission of information suggests that swifts tend to be conservative and nest where previous nesting has occurred. RESUMO Streptoprocne biscutata nidifica em locais protegidos em grandes paredes rochosas, os casais geralmente usam o mesmo local de nidificação ao longo de vários anos. Restos de nidificações prévias podem fornecer informações sobre a qualidade do sítio de nidificação. No presente trabalho, testamos, experimentalmente, a hipótese de que estas aves usam evidências de nidificações prévias para a escolha de um local para a construção do ninho. Para isso, nós instalamos substratos artificiais de nidificação com e sem ninhos de estações reprodutivas anteriores para testar se novos locais de reprodução são escolhidos em função da presença de material nidular. Nós também testamos se o uso de sítios naturais é influenciado pela presença de material nidular por meio de dois tratamentos: sítios naturais previamente usados, mas com todos os vestígios de ninhos velhos removidos e sítios naturais nunca usados adicionados de vestígios de ninhos velhos. No primeiro experimento, de 139 oportunidades de nidificação apenas 16 substratos artificiais foram usados. Entretanto, todos os substratos utilizados possuíam vestígios de nidificações passadas. No segundo experimento, em 91 oportunidades de nidificação quarto ninhos foram construídos em sítios naturais nunca usados aos quais foram adicionados materiais, 22 ninhos foram construídos em sítios previamente usados, mas desprovidos de materiais e os 65 sítios restantes permaneceram sem uso. Com base nos dados obtidos concluímos que, aparentemente, dois processos estão agindo: a experiência anterior e a memória parecem atuar em primeiro lugar, em segundo lugar os vestígios de ninhos funcionam, possivelmente, como um indicativo da qualidade do local para aves que estão nidificando pela primeira vez ou pra os casos de memória imperfeita. Informações sobre nidificações prévias podem explicar porque andorinhões usam os mesmos sítios de reprodução por muitos anos e porque raramente novas colônias reprodutivas são estabelecidas. Esta transmissão de informação sugere que os andorinhões tendem a ser conservativos, nidificando em locais previamente usados para reprodução. [source] Weight gain in childhood and blood lipids in adolescenceACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 6 2009Bernardo L Horta Abstract Aim: To assess the effect of weight gain in childhood on blood lipid levels in adolescence. Methods: A population-based birth cohort carried out in Pelotas, Southern Brazil. All newborns in the city's hospitals were enrolled in 1982. The subjects have been followed up for several times in childhood. At age 18, 79% of all males were followed, and 2083 blood samples were available. Adjusted analyses controlled for household assets index, family income, parental schooling at birth, maternal smoking during pregnancy and breastfeeding duration. Results: Birth weight for gestational age and weight gain in the first 20 months was not associated with blood lipid levels in adolescence. On the other hand, those subjects whose weight gain from 20 to 42 months of age was faster than that predicted from birth weight and weight-for-age z-score at the mean age of 20 months had lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) cholesterol [,0.78 (95% confidence interval: ,1.28; ,0.29)] and higher very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)/HDL ratio in adolescence. After controlling for current body mass index (BMI), the regression coefficient for HDL cholesterol decreased from ,0.78 mg/dL to ,0.29 mg/dL (95% confidence interval: ,1.00 to 0.05). Conclusion: Weight gain from 2 to 4 years is related to an atherogenic lipid profile in adolescence and this association is mediated by current BMI. [source] Strongly female-biased sex allocation in a trivoltine population of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) opacum Brèthes (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae)ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010Maria Luisa Tunes Buschini Abstract Buschini, M.L.T. and Bergamaschi, A.C.B. 2009. Strongly female-biased sex allocation in a trivoltine population of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) opacum Brèthes (Hymenoptera, Crabronidae). ,Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 433,439. This study was carried in southern Brazil from December 2001 to December 2004. The aim of this paper is to provide additional information on the life-history and sex allocation of this little known species. This wasp's species has two alternative life histories: either they pupated immediately and emerged as adults later in the same season (direct development) or they entered diapause, overwintering and pupating the following spring (delayed development). The numerical sex ratio of overwintering and of direct developing wasps were strongly female biased in 2002, 2003 and 2004. [source] Lysosomal storage disease in Sida carpinifolia toxicosis: an induced mannosidosis in horsesEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2003A. P. LORETTI Summary Reasons for performing study: This study reports a neurological disease unrecognised until now in ponies in southern Brazil. Hypothesis: Epidemiological data strongly suggests that the ingestion of Sida carpinifolia is involved in the aetiology. We tested the hypothesis that it is an acquired lyosomal storage disease. Methods: Following the death of 3 ponies, all ponies from the premises were closely monitored; epidemiological data and clinical findings carefully recorded. Fragments of several organs, including CNS, were fixed in neutral formalin and embedded in paraffin-wax. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Representative sections of the cerebellum and trigeminal ganglia were submitted to lectin histochemical procedures. Results: The neurological disorder, characterised by stiff gait, muscle tremors, abdominal pain and death, was observed on a farm with 3 hectares of pasture. Three of 11 ponies died 15,20 days after they had been introduced into a new paddock heavily infested by the plant Sida carpinifolia. No significant gross lesions were observed. The main histological findings included multiple cytoplasmatic vacuoles in swollen neurones in the brain, cerebellum, spinal cord, autonomic ganglia (trigeminal and celiac ganglia), and submucosal and myenteric plexus of the intestines. In the kidneys, there was marked vacuolation of the proximal convoluted tubular cells. Sections of cerebellum and trigeminal ganglion were submitted to lectin histochemistry. The vacuoles in different cerebellar and ganglion cells reacted strongly to the following lectins: Concanavalia ensiformis, Triticum vulgaris and succinylated- Triticum vulgaris. Conclusions: The pattern of staining coincides with that of both swainsonine toxicosis and inherited mannosidosis reports. The histopathological changes were similar to those described in S. carpinifolia spontaneous and experimental poisoning in goats. This disease seems to be similar to Swainsona, Oxytropis and Astragalus toxicosis. Potential relevance: S. carpinifolia should be evaluated as a possible cause in the diagnosis of equine neuropathies. [source] Prevalence of alcohol use disorders and associated factors: a population-based study using AUDIT in southern BrazilADDICTION, Issue 6 2003Raúl A. Mendoza-Sassi ABSTRACT Aims To assess the prevalence of potential alcohol use disorders and associated factors using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting A town in southern Brazil. Participants A representative sample of 1260 people aged 15 and over. Measurements Demographic, socioeconomic, smoking habit and mental health data were collected. Logistic regression was used in the multivariate analysis, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Findings Overall prevalence of alcohol use disorder was 7.9%, with 14.5% prevalence among men and 2.4% among women. The risk of alcohol misuse increased across social class (P linear trend = 0.03) and compared with the highest classes (A and B), groups C through E had ORs of 1.48, 1.51 and 2.36, respectively. Males had an OR of 6.89 (CI 3.61,13.16) compared with women. A linear trend was found (P = 0.001) between smoking categories, and smokers (OR 3.27; CI 1.91,5.58) and ex-smokers (OR 1.30; CI 0.56,2.98) were at higher risk than non-smokers. Those with minor psychiatric disorders had a 2.48 OR (CI 1.35,4.56) of presenting a positive test. Conclusions The AUDIT detected a high prevalence of potential alcohol use disorders in the population sampled. Those identified are potential targets for preventive measures implemented through health policies. [source] Essential oils of six Gomidesia spp. from southern BrazilFLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2003Renata P. Limberger Abstract Essential oils from Gomidesia schaueriana, G. sellowiana, G. spectabilis, G. anacardiifolia, G. palustris and G. tijucensis, collected in Southern Brazil, were analysed by GC and GC,MS. Fifty-two compounds were identi,ed, representing 92,98% of the oil contents. All samples were rich in cyclic sesquiterpenes (about 90%), mainly those from the cadinene and germacrene cyclization pathway. The oils from G. schaueriana, G. spectabilis, G. anacardiifolia and G. palustris were quite similar, with a predominance of , -caryophyllene, germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, spathulenol, globulol and , -cadinol. G. sellowiana was rich in spathulenol, followed by geranylgeraniol, and G. tijucensis was characterized by the presence of , - and , -selinene. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Archaeofacies analysis: Using depositional attributes to identify anthropic processes of deposition in a monumental shell mound of Santa Catarina State, southern BrazilGEOARCHAEOLOGY: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 3 2009Ximena S. Villagran In the coast of Santa Catarina State (southern Brazil), a large population of monumental shell mounds characterizes a highly dynamic coastal setting. In this paper, sedimentary facies analysis was adapted for description, sampling, and interpretation of shell mound complex and repetitive archaeostratigraphic successions. Archaeofacies identification in the field, according to depositional attributes, is tested by contrasting field description with multi-element chemical analyses, total carbon and nitrogen determinations, and micromorphological descriptions. Two vertical sequences at the black deposit of Jabuticabeira II shell mound were studied and preliminary results showed that: (1) depositional attributes are a reliable base for archaeofacies identification in the field, (2) the formation process of this site involved a sequence of anthropic depositional processes, where burned refuse was redeposited over the shell mound following a ritual construction pattern, and (3) the black deposit includes a double palimpsest that refers to provenance and meaning of mound construction material. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Fish and ostracod remains from the Santos Basin (Cretaceous to Recent), BrazilGEOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Issue 4 2002C. Giles Miller Abstract For the first time, ichthyoliths are described from the Santos sedimentary basin, offshore southern Brazil. Isolated teeth, dermal scales and the first documented otoliths from Cretaceous (Albian) to Recent cuttings from five wells are described. The following groups are represented: Chondrichthyans: Triakidae, Carcharhinidae; Ginglymostomatidae: ?Ginglymostoma sp., Lamnidae indet., Scyliorhinidae; Osteichthyans: Teleostei; Myctophiidae: Diaphus aff. splendidus sp. complex, Diaphus spp., Diaphus cf. garmani, Ceratoscopelus aff. warmingii; Sternoptychidae: Valenciennellus tripunctulatus, teeth of indeterminate Teleostei. The majority of these ichthyofossils represent extant forms, known to occur in the Atlantic Ocean, and are of potential value for stratigraphical correlations between oil-yielding basins in the region. Ostracods are not well preserved but can be identified to generic level indicating marine environments. The ostracod faunas offer potential for intrabasinal correlation in the Eocene and Oligocene. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Surface air temperature trends in Southern Brazil for 1960,2002INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2008Jose A. Marengo Abstract Trends in minimum and maximum air temperature and in the diurnal thermal range (DTR), and derived indices of extreme temperatures since the 1960's are assessed for southern Brazil. Most meteorological stations show steep increases in the night-time temperatures (depicted by the minimum temperature) as compared to slight increases in the daytime temperature (depicted by the maximum temperature), both year round and at the seasonal level. The warming trends are stronger during winter as compared to summer. Consequently, the observed annual and seasonal negative DTR trends in southern Brazil during the last 40 years are largely due to the greater increase in nighttime temperatures rather than daytime temperatures. At decadal timescales, the presence of more intense and frequent El Niño events during the last 20 years also contributes to warming and explains the steep increase in the air temperature extremes trends during this period, as compared to the relatively colder 1960,1980 period, especially for winter. Indices of temperature extremes defined using fixed limits for maximum and minimum temperatures for colder or warmer days were compared with percentile-based indices defined in the recent literature. The comparison shows that the frequency of warmer days increased during both summer and winter, especially during the last two decades. The observed positive tendencies in minimum temperatures and warmer days during winter occur even though extreme cold events and freezing conditions occurred in 1975, 1994 and 2000. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society [source] The influence of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans on precipitation variability over Southern Central South America on seasonal time scalesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Guillermo J. Berri Abstract This paper studies the temporal and spatial patterns of precipitation anomalies over southern central South America (SCSA; 22,40°S and 54,70°W), and their relationship with the sea-surface temperature (SST) variability over the surrounding tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The data include monthly precipitation from 68 weather stations in central,northern Argentina and neighbouring Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and monthly SSTs from the NOAA dataset with a 2° resolution for the period 1961,93. We use the method of canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to study the simultaneous relationship between bi-monthly precipitation and SST variability. Before applying the CCA procedure, standardized anomalies are calculated and a prefiltering is applied by means of an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. Thus, the CCA input consists of 10 EOF modes of SST and between 9 and 11 modes for precipitation and their corresponding principal components, which are the minimum number of modes necessary to explain at least 80% of the variance of the corresponding field. The results show that November,December presents the most robust association between the SST and SCSA precipitation variability, especially in northeastern Argentina and southern Brazil, followed by March,April and May,June. The period January,February, in contrast, displays a weak relationship with the oceans and represents a temporal minimum of oceanic influence during the summer semester. Based on the CCA maps, we identify the different oceanic and SCSA regions, the regional averages of SST and precipitation are calculated, and linear correlation analysis are conducted. The periods with greater association between the oceans and SCSA precipitation are November,December and May,June. During November,December, every selected region over SCSA reflects the influence of several oceanic regions, whereas during May,June only a few regions show a direct association with the oceans. The Pacific Ocean regions have a greater influence and are more widespread over SCSA; the Atlantic Ocean regions have an influence only over the northwestern and the southeastern parts of SCSA. In general, the relationship with the equatorial and tropical Atlantic and Pacific Oceans is of the type warm,wet/cold,dry, whereas the subtropical regions of both oceans show the opposite relationship, i.e. warm,dry/cold,wet. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Is season important for the diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma in southern Brazil?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010A 10-year hospital-based study Background, Exposure to sunlight is an important etiologic factor in cutaneous melanoma (CM). In several countries, more cases of CM are diagnosed in summer than in winter. Aim, To analyze whether there is seasonal variation in the diagnosis of CM in southern Brazil. Methods, Data were collected from a hospital-based registry, including all cases of CM diagnosed between 1996 and 2005. Summer to winter and spring to fall ratios were used for the analysis, and a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using Poisson regression. Results, Two hundred and eighty-one patients were diagnosed in this period. Although some months were shown to have higher absolute numbers of diagnosed melanomas (April, July, and January), there was no statistically significant seasonal variation in most of the melanomas in terms of either the summer to winter ratio [odds ratio (OR) = 1.09; 95% CI, 0.77,1.44] or spring to autumn ratio (OR = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.71,1.43). Only the number of lentigo maligna melanomas (LMMs) diagnosed in summer was higher than that in winter (OR = 2.83; 95% CI, 1.07,8.78). Conclusions, In southern Brazil, CMs do not seem to be more frequently diagnosed in summer than in winter. Darkening of melanocytic lesions and increased awareness of skin lesions during the summer could be possible explanations for LMMs being more frequently diagnosed in summer than in winter in this sample. [source] Inappropriate eating behaviors during pregnancy: Prevalence and associated factors among pregnant women attending primary care in southern Brazil,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 5 2009Rafael Marques Soares RD Abstract Objective: To examine the prevalence of inappropriate eating behaviors and associated factors among pregnant women in primary care. Method: The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire was used to assess eating disorders and the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders was used to examine anxiety and depressive symptoms. Body mass index (BMI) and pregestational weight were also assessed. Results: Prevalence of binge eating during pregnancy was 17.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 14.5,20.0], followed by excessive shape (5.6%; 95% CI 4,8) and weight concerns (5.5%; 95% CI 4,8). Binge eating during pregnancy was significantly associated with binge eating before pregnancy [prevalence ratio (PR) = 3.1; 95% CI 2.2,4.3], current anxiety symptoms (PR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.3,2.4), and prepregnancy BMI < 19.8 kg/m2 (PR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1,2.5). The prevalence of eating disorders was 0.6% (95% CI 0.01,1.11). Discussion: Eating disorder symptoms should be routinely assessed and treated during prenatal care, along with other comorbid psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord, 2009 [source] Reproductive biology of the skate, Rioraja agassizii (Müller and Henle, 1841), off Puerto Quequén, ArgentinaJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 2009M. Estalles Summary A total of 230 specimens of the skate, Rioraja agassizii, was collected from the commercial bottom trawl fishery of Puerto Quequén, Argentina. During the warmer seasons greater proportions of females were sampled. The largest male and female sampled were 629 and 698 mm total length (TL), respectively. Sexual dimorphism was detected in the relationship between weight (W),TL and disc width (DW),TL, in that females were heavier and wider than males. The smallest mature male and female were 485 and 530 mm TL, respectively. TL at 50% maturity (TL50%) was estimated at 504 and 570 mm for males and females, respectively. Females exhibited heavier livers than males throughout their lifetimes. Seasonal variations in the gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomatic (HSI) indices, and in the width of the left oviducal gland (OG), along with the greater number of pregnant females sampled during spring, suggested that the peak of the egg laying season could be during this season. The egg cases presented a mean length of 69.01 ± 5.53 mm, mean width of 43.40 ± 1.86 mm and mean weight of 17.00 ± 4.59 g. According to these results specimens from Puerto Quequén and southern Brazil appeared to differ in size, the peak of the egg-laying season and in egg dimensions. [source] Reproduction of the Mottled Piculet in southern BrazilJOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Mauro Pichorim ABSTRACT On 28 October 1996, I found a Mottled Piculet (Picumnus nebulosus) nest on Anhangava Mountain in southern Brazil. The nest cavity (10.6 cm × 5.6 cm) was in the trunk of a dead tree at a height of 85 cm. The circumference of the trunk at cavity height was 37 cm and the cavity entrance (diameter = 2.46 cm) was located near the top of the chamber. The nest was lined with wood fragments and contained four eggs. On average, eggs were 16.3-mm long and 13.0-mm wide and weighed 1.38 g. The parents spent 17 d incubating the eggs. Hatchlings had closed eyes and no feathers. By 20 d posthatching, nestlings were active and had plumage similar to that of adult females. Young fledging 22,25 d after hatching. Nestling weight gain and tarsus growth were fastest at the beginning of the nestling period, while wing, tail, and culmen growth had a linear relationship with nestling age. Both the adult male and female provided parental care during the nestling period. Although, the nesting behavior of Mottled Piculets was similar to that reported for other members of the genus, information on the reproductive biology of species in the genus Picumnus is still limited. SINOPSIS En octubre de 1996, encontré un nido de Picumnus nebulosus en las montañas Anhangava de Brazil. La cavidad de anidamiento (10.6 cm × 5.6 cm) se encontró en el tronco de un árbol muerto a una altura de 85 cm. La circunsferencia del tronco, al nivel del nido, fue de 37 cm y la entrada de la cavidad (con diámetro de 2.46 cm) estaba localizada en la parte superior de la cámara. El fondo del nido estaba cubierto con fragmentos del tronco y en este habían cuatro huevos. El tamaño y peso promedio de estos fue de 16.3 mm × 13 mm de ancho y de 1.38 g, respectivamente. El eclosionamiento fue de 17 días. Los pichones al nacer tenían el cuerpo desnudo y los ojos cerrados. A los 20 días los pichones tenían un plumaje similar al de los adultos y estaban sumamente activos. Estos dejaron el nido entre los 22,25 días de edad. La ganancia en peso de los pichones y el crecimiento del tarso fue más rápido a temprana edad, mientras que el incremento en tamaño del ala, cola y culmen mostró un patrón de crecimiento lineal con respecto a la edad del pichón. Ambos adultos atendieron a los pichones. En general la conducta de anidamiento del ave estudiada resultó similar a la informada para otros miembros del mismo género, aunque la información sobre la biología reproductiva de aves del género Picumnus todavía es limitada. [source] Embryos of common thresher shark Alopias vulpinus in southern Brazil, South Atlantic OceanJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006P. L. Mancini Eight embryonic thresher sharks Alopias vulpinus (53·9,124 cm total length) were collected from two females caught by commercial longline off southern Brazil in September and November 2004. Morphometric measurements are provided. [source] INFLUENCE OF ACID ADAPTATION ON THE SURVIVAL OF SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS AND SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM IN SIMULATED GASTRIC FLUID AND IN RATTUS NORVEGICUS INTESTINE INFECTIONJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 2 2010KARLA JOSEANE PEREZ ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of acid adaptation in the survival of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE86) and Salmonella Typhimurium (ST99) during exposure to simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and in intestinal infection of Rattus norvegicus. Acid-adapted and nonadapted Salmonella strains were exposed to SGF (pH 1.5) and were inoculated by gavage in adult rats. Results indicated that acid-adapted SE86 survived significantly better (P < 0.05) than nonadapted SE86, nonadapted ST99 and acid-adapted ST99 in SGF. Nonadapted microorganisms were observed in higher counts in feces than acid-adapted strains, while acid-adapted microorganisms demonstrated higher counts in intestine samples, suggesting intestinal invasion capacity. Acid-adapted SE86 was recovered in higher counts from ileum-cecum junction than the other microorganisms. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Salmonella Enteritidis has been identified as the most frequent serovar involved with the foodborne outbreaks in Brazil. In Southern Brazil, a specific strain of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE86) has been involved with more than 90% of the salmonellosis occurring in the last years, and the main food vehicle is home-made mayonnaise frequently added with different quantities of vinegar, which can cause acid adaptation in Salmonella cells. The results of this work indicate that SE86 presented higher acid adaptation, which contributed to higher survival rates in simulated gastric fluid and better intestinal colonization. These results could be related to human virulence and the frequent involvement of this strain with foodborne outbreaks in southern Brazil. [source] Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Santa Catarina State confirms increases of subtype C in Southern BrazilJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 10 2007Dayse Locateli Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated an increased prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype C in southern Brazil. Although Santa Catarina State (SC) is located in this area and presents one of the country's highest incidences of HIV/AIDS, knowledge on the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in such State is lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the HIV-1 molecular diversity and epidemiological profile of HIV-1-infected patients from SC. DNA samples were PCR amplified and HIV-1 subtypes were determined using both env and gag genes by direct sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that 48% were subtype C and 23% were subtype B. Possible recombinant forms were observed for both B/C (23%) and B/F (6%) subtypes. Our results, for the first time, identifies HIV-1 subtype C as a major clade circulating in SC and contributes to the understanding of HIV epidemics in the country by confirming the epidemic spread of the HIV-1 subtype C in southern Brazil. J. Med. Virol. 79:1455,1463, 2007. © Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effect of melasma on quality of life in a sample of women living in southern BrazilJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 6 2008FM Freitag Abstract Background Melasma can cause a significant effect on individual emotional well-being. Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MELASQoL) is a specific questionnaire elaborated to assess the burden of melasma on patient's quality of life. Objective To evaluate the clinical aspects, severity and the influence of melasma on daily living of a sample of Brazilian women. Methods Cross-sectional study that enrolled 85 women with melasma older than 15 years of age. Trained investigators asked 55 questions to collect epidemiological and clinical data. The disease severity was clinically assessed using Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI). Patients answered the Portuguese version of 10-item MELASQoL scale without coaching. Results The mean ± SD age was 41.1 ± 6.8 years, and the mean ± SD of MELASQoL score was 37.5 ± 15.2 (median, 35). Patients with previous psychiatric diagnosis had significantly higher MELASQoL scores (mean, 42.8; SD, 13.6) than patients without this antecedent (mean, 35.4; SD, 15.4; P < 0.05). Patients with less than 8 years of school attendance also had significantly higher MELASQoL score (mean, 44; SD, 16.9) than more graduated ones (mean, 34.4; SD, 13.5; P < 0.05). The mean ± SD MASI was 10.6 ± 6.6 (median, 10.2). There was no correlation between MASI and MELASQoL. Conclusions This study confirms that MELASQoL-BP is easy to administer, adds important information about the impact of melasma on South American women's life and, finally, contributes to building evidence on the validity, reliability and cultural adaptation of the Portuguese language MELASQoL version. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||