Anatomical and morphometric study of goat middle ear ossicles (Capra aegagrus hircus) / [Estudo anatômico e morfométrico dos ossículos da orelha média de caprinos (Capra aegagrus hircus)]

The social and economic roles of goat farming in Northeastern Brazil, allied to the fact that the use of goat middle ear ossicles for research and human ear surgery training has not yet been proposed, justify the study of their applicability as an experimental model. The middle ears of 19 goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) from the bone collection of the Laboratory and Didactic Anatomy Museum of Domestic and Wild Animals of the Federal University of Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF) were dissected. The malleus, incus, and stapes were evaluated regarding their macroscopic morphology and biometry (length, width, and height). Ossicle morphology was similar to sheep, human, and bovine morphology. The malleus was 1.3 times heavier and 2.2 times longer than the incus, and 9.0 times heavier and 3.7 times longer than the stapes. The size relationship was positive between the stapes and the malleus and negative between the stapes and the incus. It is concluded that the middle ear size and the anatomical similarities with human ossicles make goats a useful model for experimental scientific studies, reconstructive surgery practice of the ossicular chain, and human ear surgery training.(AU)

Tanto o papel social quanto o econômico da caprinocultura na região Nordeste do Brasil, somados ao fato de que o uso de ossículos da orelha média de caprinos para estudos e treinamento cirúrgico otológico humano ainda não foi proposto, justificam o estudo de sua aplicabilidade como modelo experimental. Foram dissecadas as orelhas médias de 19 caprinos (Capra aegagrus hircus), provenientes do ossuário do Laboratório e Museu Didático de Anatomia dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres - Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco. Martelos, bigornas e estribos tiveram a morfologia macroscópica e a biometria (comprimento, largura e altura) avaliadas. A morfologia dos ossículos assemelhou-se a de ovinos, humanos e bovinos. O martelo foi 1,3 vez mais pesado e 2,2 vezes mais comprido que a bigorna e 9,0 vezes mais pesado e 3,7 vezes mais comprido que o estribo. A relação de tamanho entre o estribo e o martelo foi positiva, e entre o estribo e a bigorna negativa. Conclui-se que o tamanho da orelha média e as semelhanças anatômicas com os ossículos humanos tornam os caprinos um modelo útil para estudos científicos experimentais, prática cirúrgica reconstrutiva da cadeia ossicular e treinamento cirúrgico otológico humano.(AU)

Morphological alterations of Thymus during the early murine leishmaniasis

@#Leishmaniasis is a neglected and endemic disease that affects poorest population mainly in developing countries. Thymus provides an essential complex environment for T cell maturation and differentiation during leishmania infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the pathological alterations of the Thymus during early Leishmania amazonensis murine infection. BALB/c mice were infected with 105 amastigotes for 24 h, 3 days, 7 days, 15 days or 30 days. At different times of infection, the relative weight of the Thymus was obtained, and the Thymus cellularity was determined by counting total cells of one thymic lobe. The thymic lobe was, alternatively, processed for standard Haematoxylin and Eosin protocol. Our results suggest thymic alteration during the early days of BALB/c mice infection with L. amazonensis. The thymic hypertrophy was accompanied by histological alterations in Thymus architecture with thickening cortex at 3 days p.i. and loss of an evident delimitation between the cortex and medulla at 7 days p.i. when compared to the control mice. That is the first time that Thymus hypertrophy was observed during the early leishmaniasis. However, how it may contribute to infection susceptibility requires further investigation.

La bioética como eje transversal en el pensum de estudio de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad del Zulia Venezuela / Bioethics mainstreaming in the curriculum of study at the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Zulia Venezuela

Se realizó una investigación descriptiva con el propósito de constatar la inserción de la bioética desde la perspectiva de la transversalidad curricular en las unidades curriculares de la carrera Odontología de la Universidad del Zulia, durante el periodo académico anual 2010, a través de la presencia de contenidos y objetivos bioéticos y relacionando los objetivos generales de la carrera con los terminales de las unidades curriculares. Se trata de un diseño de investigación de fuente documental, transeccional, contemporáneo y univariable; la población de estudio estuvo conformada por las unidades curriculares del primero al quinto año de la carrera; la muestra fue de tipo censal. Se emplearon técnicas de revisión documental. Para el procesamiento de los datos se utilizó el programa estadístico SPSS, versión 14. Al analizar los resultados se observó que el 80% de los programas de las asignaturas no presentan contenidos bioéticos, sólo el 20% lo expresa como propósito de la unidad curricular, el 27,5% como objetivo general de la asignatura, el 30% como objetivos terminales, el 10% de las materias presentan objetivos específicos actitudinales, el 12,5% lo presentan cognitivos y el 10% de naturaleza procedimental. En conclusión, la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad del Zulia presenta la bioética como eje transversal, sin embargo, aun no se observa la inserción plena de la misma en todas las unidades curriculares del Pensum de Estudio

Descriptive research was conducted in order to verify the inclusion of bioethics from the perspective of the transversal axis in the curricular units of the Dentistry School of the University of Zulia, during the academic year 2010, through of contents and bioethical objectives, relating the generals and teminals objectives of the curricular units. The design of research was created from a mixed-source (field and documentary), transactional univariate contemporary, the study population consisted of curriculum units from first to fifth year of the carrer of dentistry, the sample was of census type, were used techniques of document review and interview. For data processing we used the statistical program SPSS, version 14. The analysis of the results showed that 80% of programs have no bioethical contents, only 20% expresses them as the purpose of the curricular unit, 27,5% expresses them as general objectives, 30% as terminal objectives, 10% of the subjects as attitudinal specific objectives, 12,5% has cognitive objectives and 10% procedural. In conclusion, Dentistry School of the University of Zulia presents the bioethics as a transversal axis, however, still is not observed the full insertion of the same in all curricular units of study Pensum

Dimensions of the cranium and of the cranial cavity andintracranial volume in goats (Capra hircus LINNAEUS, 1758)

The aim of this project is to determine the dimensions of the cranium and the cranial cavity and the intracranialvolume in goats, using 64 adults. The dimensions of the cranium and cranial cavity were measured throughmetric tape and paquimeter, considering the intervals of the largest distances. To determine the intracranialvolume, balloons of latex were introduced in the cranial cavity, through the magnum foramen, later on, filledwith water that was transferred for graduate test tube. The average and the standard deviation of length, widthand height of the cranium, in millimeters, were respectively: 218.01 ± 6.96, 120.17 ± 10.01 and 108.14 ± 4.46.The average and the standard deviation of length, width, height, in millimeters, and of the volume of thecranial cavity, in cubic centimeters, were respectively: 109.31 ± 7.25, 61.36 ± 4.51, 63.85 ± 2.88 and119.31 ± 12.21. It was observed that, the width of the cranium possesses positive significant correlationswith the length (r = 0.6865), with the height (r = 0.5644) and with the intracranial volume (r = 0.5436).They were still established, positive significant correlations among the height of the cranial cavity, with thelength (r = 0.5682) and with the intracranial volume (r = 0.5473). Differences were evidenced between malesand females, in relation to the dimensions of the cranium and cranial cavity. There wasn’t difference of theintracranial volume in function of the sex of the goats.

Composição física da carcaça e características da carne de bovinos de corte terminados em confinamento com diferentes dietas / Physical composition of carcass and meat characteristics of beef cattle finished in feedlot with different diets

Avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes dietas sobre as características da carcaça e da carne de bovinos de corte em confinamento: dieta composta por silagem de milho e formulação fixa durante o período de confinamento (SMF); dieta composta por silagem de milho e formulação variável durante o período de confinamento (SMV); dieta composta por silagem de cana-de-açúcar e formulação fixa (SCF); dieta composta por silagem de cana-de-açúcar e formulação variável (SCV); SCV na metade inicial do confinamento e SMV no período final (SCV/SMV). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e três repetições. Houve maior deposição de gordura renal-pélvica-inguinal (P=0,03), de gordura subcutânea (P=0,06) e de gordura na carcaça (P=0,06) nas dietas com silagem de milho (6,7kg; 6,2mm e 34,6 por cento) em relação àquelas com silagem de cana-de-açúcar (5,3kg; 4,8mm e 31,7 por cento). Houve maior (P=0,05) rendimento de contrafilé e de miolo de alcatra nas dietas com silagem de milho (10 por cento e 6,9 por cento) em relação às com silagem de cana-de-açúcar (9 por cento e 6,6 por cento). Não houve efeito das dietas sobre rendimento de cortes primários (P>0,1), perdas por cocção (P>0,3) e força de cisalhamento (P>0,1). O ajuste da formulação da dieta e a troca de silagem não influenciaram as características de carcaça e da carne. A utilização de silagem de cana-de-açúcar permitiu carcaças com acabamento satisfatório.

The effects of different diets on the carcass and meat characteristics of beef steers in feedlot were evaluated using the following: diet containing corn silage, with fixed formulation during the period of feedlot (CSF); diet containing corn silage, with variable formulation according to the phase of feedlot (CSV); diet containing sugar cane silage with fixed formulation (SCSF); diet containing sugar cane silage, with variable formulation (SCSV); CSV diet in initial half of feedlot and SCSV diet in final half (SCSV/CSV). A completely randomized experimental design with five treatments and three replicates (collective pens) was used. There was higher content of kidney-pelvic-inguinal fat (P=0.03), subcutaneous fat (P=0.06), and fat tissue (P=0.06) deposition in animals fed diets containing corn silage (6.7kg, 6.2mm, and 34.6 percent) as compared to those fed sugar cane silage (5.3kg, 4.8mm, and 31.7 percent). A higher (P=0.05) yield of strip loin and rostbiff ( percent of hindquarter) were measured in carcasses from animals fed diets containing corn silage (10 percent and 6.9 percent) than in carcasses from animals fed diets containing sugar cane silage (9 percent and 6.6 percent). No effects of the diets on yield of primary meat cuts of the carcass (P>0.1), cooking losses (P>0.3), and shear force (P>0.1), with averages of 23.4 percent and 4.4kgf/mIII. The adjustment of the diet formulation as the period of confinement and the exchange of silage did not affect the characteristics of carcass and meat. The use of sugar cane silage allowed carcasses with good finishing.

Atividade hemolítica e produção de tubos germinativos relacionados ao potencial patogênico de isolados clínicos de Candida albicans / Hemolytic activity and production of germ tubes related to pathogenic potential of clinical isolates of Candida albicans

We assessed the virulence factor profile and in vitro antifungal susceptibility of 27 hospital isolates of C. albicans; 19 of these were from infections (16 urinary and three blood), and the other eight were isolated from sites of colonization (two from hands of health professionals, and six from central venous catheters). The virulence factors assayed were germ tube formation and production of extracellular products (hemolysins, proteinases, and phospholipases). Susceptibility to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole and amphotericin B was determined by E-test. Regarding the virulence factors, the infection isolates produced significantly more hemolysin and germ tubes than the colonization isolates (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the production of other factors between isolates from the two sources (p>0.05). Amphotericin B showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations for all the isolates. The highest resistance was observed for the azoles, especially in the clinical isolates. These results suggest that the capacity of C. albicans to produce hemolysins and germ tubes may be associated with its pathogenic potential. Colonization isolates may pose a high risk of nosocomial infection, especially when the yeasts show resistance to antifungals.

O perfil de virulência e o de susceptibilidade in vitro aos antifúngicos de 27 amostras de C. albicans de origem hospitalar foi avaliado, sendo que 19 delas foram isoladas de infecções (16 urinárias e três sanguíneas) e as outras oito foram isoladas de colonização (duas de mãos de profissionais da saúde e seis de cateter venoso central). Os seguintes fatores de virulência foram investigados: formação de tubo germinativo e produção de compostos extracelulares (hemolisinas, proteinases e fosfolipases). Suscetibilidade ao fluconazol, itraconazol, voriconazol e anfotericina B foram determinadas por E-test. Em relação aos fatores de virulência, os isolados de infecção produziram significativamente mais hemolisina e tubos germinativos do que os de colonização (p<0.05). Não houve diferença significativa na produção das outras enzimas, entre os isolados das duas fontes (p>0.05). Anfotericina B mostrou as menores concentrações inibitórias mínimas para todos os isolados. Maiores índices de resistência foram observados aos azólicos, especialmente entre os isolados clínicos. Estes resultados sugerem que a capacidade de C. albicans produzir hemolisinas e tubos germinativos pode estar associada com seu potencial patogênico. Por outro lado, leveduras em colonização podem oferecer alto risco para infecção hospitalar, especialmente quando têm perfil de resistência aos antifúngicos.

Inespecificidade parasitária em Argas (Persicargas) miniatus Koch, 1844 (Acari: Argasidae) / Nonspecificity of parasitism on Argas (Persicargas) miniatus Koch, 1844 (Acari: Argasidae)

Foram coletados 665 espécimes de Argas miniatus em dois municípios dos estados da Bahia e Minas Gerais. Destes, 596 (89,6 por cento) tinham se alimentado, sendo que 489 (82 por cento) reagiram para um único tipo de sangue, distribuídos entre aves (46,8 por cento), roedores (30,9 por cento), gambás (14,5 por cento), bovinos (4,3 por cento) e eqüinos (3,5 por cento). Nesse tipo de reação, o sangue de mamíferos foi detectado em 53,2 por cento (260/489) dos argasídios. As reações múltiplas foram observadas em 107 (17,9 por cento) carrapatos, com sangue de aves presente em 84,1 por cento (90/107), enquanto, o sangue de mamíferos reagiu em 100 por cento (107/107). Os resultados apontam para a inespecificidade parasitária

Six hundred and sixty-five specimens of Argas miniatus were collected in two municipalities of Bahia and Minas Gerais states, Brazil. Five hundred and ninety-six (89.6 percent) of them had fed and 489 (82 percent) of them reacted to only one type of blood, including birds (46.8 percent), rodents (30.9 percent), opossuns (14.5 percent), bovines (4.3 percent) and horses (3.5 percent). In that reaction, the type of mammal blood was detected in 53.2 percent (260/489) of the ticks. Multiple reactions were observed in 107 (17.9 percent) ticks, with blood of birds present in 84.1 percent (90/107), while the blood of mammals was detected in 100 percent (107/107). The results point for the nonspecificity of parasitism

Evaluación de un ensayo de RPC múltiple para diferenciar micobacterias del complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis en un laboratorio de referencia / Evaluation of a multiplex PCR assay to differentiate mycobacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in a reference laboratory

Mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis in animals and humans belong to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Techniques for conventional diagnosis are time-consuming and do not differentiate between different strains belonging to the M. tuberculosis complex. The aim of this study was to evaluate a multiplex PCR assay applicable to mycobacteria in culture with the capacity to differentiate different strains belonging to the M. tuberculosis complex in a reference laboratory. Primers based on genomics regions of difference (RD) consisting in DNA segments that are present in M. tuberculosis, but differentially deleted in several members of M. tuberculosis complex were used in a PCR assay. The test was applied to 86 clinical isolates of mycobacteria. The pattern of amplification allowed differentiating between M. tuberculosis, M. bovis and M. bovis BCG in a single PCR reaction. This PCR multiplex assay may be used in a Reference Laboratory of Tuberculosis Diagnosis as a complementary test to differentiate mycobacteria strains belonging to the M. tuberculosis complex. This test significantly reduces the time period between culture and strain identification, and thus for could favor the adoption of better strain specific antimycobacterial regimens as well as identification of zoonotic transmission of M. bovis to humans.

Las micobacterias que causan tuberculosis en animales y humanos pertenecen al complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Las técnicas de diagnóstico convencional, además de ser lentas y laboriosas, no permiten diferenciar entre miembros de este complejo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar ensayos de RPC múltiple para contribuir a la identificación diferencial de micobacterias del complejo M. tuberculosis a partir de cultivos, en un laboratorio de referencia. Se utilizaron oligonucleótidos partidores basados en regiones de diferencia (RD) que consisten en segmentos de ADN que están presentes en M. tuberculosis, pero que han sido eliminados diferencialmente del genoma de otros miembros del complejo M. tuberculosis. El ensayo se aplicó sobre 86 aislados clínicos de micobacterias. El patrón de amplificación permitió diferenciar entre cepas de M. tuberculosis, M. bovis y M. bovis variedad BCG en una única RPC. Este ensayo de RPC múltiple puede ser utilizado en el Laboratorio de Referencia de Diagnóstico de Tuberculosis como prueba complementaria para diferenciar micobacterias del complejo M. tuberculosis, contribuyendo a un acortamiento en el período de reporte de resultados y un tratamiento adecuado del paciente, y podría ser aplicado también en estudios epidemiológicos de transmisión zoonótica de M. bovis a humanos.

Neuropsychological dysfunction related to earlier occupational exposure to mercury vapor

We assessed the neuropsychological test performances of 26 patients (mean age = 41.5 ± 6.1 years; mean years of education = 9.8 ± 1.8; 20 males) diagnosed with chronic occupational mercurialism who were former workers at a fluorescent lamp factory. They had been exposed to elemental mercury for an average of 10.2 ± 3.8 years and had been away from this work for 6 ± 4.7 years. Mean urinary mercury concentrations 1 year after cessation of work were 1.8 ± 0.9 æg/g creatinine. Twenty control subjects matched for age, gender, and education (18 males) were used for comparison. Neuropsychological assessment included attention, inhibitory control, verbal and visual memory, verbal fluency, manual dexterity, visual-spatial function, executive function, and semantic knowledge tests. The Beck Depression Inventory and the State and Trait Inventory were used to assess depression and anxiety symptoms, respectively. The raw score for the group exposed to mercury indicated slower information processing speed, inferior performance in psychomotor speed, verbal spontaneous recall memory, and manual dexterity of the dominant hand and non-dominant hand (P < 0.05). In addition, the patients showed increased depression and anxiety symptoms (P < 0.001). A statistically significant correlation (Pearson) was demonstrable between mean urinary mercury and anxiety trait (r = 0.75, P = 0.03). The neuropsychological performances of the former workers suggest that occupational exposure to elemental mercury has long-term effects on information processing and psychomotor function, with increased depression and anxiety also possibly reflecting the psychosocial context.

CYP2A6 and CYP2E1 polymorphisms in a Brazilian population living in Rio de Janeiro

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is a superfamily of enzymes involved in the metabolism of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics. CYP2A6 catalyzes the oxidation of nicotine and the activation of carcinogens such as aflatoxin B1 and nitrosamines. CYP2E1 metabolizes ethanol and other low-molecular weight compounds and can also activate nitrosamines. The CYP2A6 and CYP2E1 genes are polymorphic, altering their catalytic activities and susceptibility to cancer and other diseases. A number of polymorphisms described are ethnic-dependent. In the present study, we determined the genotype and allele frequencies of the main CYP2A6 and CYP2E1 polymorphisms in a group of 289 volunteers recruited at the Central Laboratory of Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto. They had been residing in the city of Rio de Janeiro for at least 6 months and were divided into two groups according to skin color (white and non-white). The alleles were determined by allele specific PCR (CYP2A6) or by PCR-RFLP (CYP2E1). The frequencies of the CYP2A6*1B and CYP2A6*2 alleles were 0.29 and 0.02 for white individuals and 0.24 and 0.01 for non-white individuals, respectively. The CYP2A6*5 allele was not found in the population studied. Regarding the CYP2E1*5B allele, we found a frequency of 0.07 in white individuals, which was statistically different (P < 0.05) from that present in non-white individuals (0.03). CYP2E1*6 allele frequency was the same (0.08) in both groups. The frequencies of CYP2A6*1B, CYP2A6*2 and CYP2E1*6 alleles in Brazilians are similar to those found in Caucasians and African-Americans, but the frequency of the CYP2E1*5B allele is higher in Brazilians.

Inheritance of parthenocarpy in summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L)

The inheritance of the tendency to set parthenocarpic fruit in the summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) line Whitaker was studied. Two parental lines, Whitaker (parthenocarpic) and Caserta (non-parthenocarpic), and the F1 and F2 generations and backcrosses to both parents were tested. The parthenocarpic tendency of individual plants was scored on a scale from 1 (non-parthenocarpic fruit) to 5 (parthenocarpic fruit). The Whitaker line produced parthenocarpic fruit and had a mean score of 4.2, whereas Caserta did not set parthenocarpic fruit and had a score of 1.55. The heritability estimates indicated that genetic gains from selection were feasible. The additive-dominant model showed a good fit, with epistasis being negligible or nonexistent. The hypothesis of monogenic inheritance with incomplete dominance was not rejected within the degree of dominance range from 0.2 to 0.5. These results indicate that parthenocarpy is controlled by a single locus, with incomplete dominance in the direction of parthenocarpic expression

Yield and post-harvest quality of tomato hybrids heterozygous at the loci alcobaça, old gold-crimson or high pigment

The effects of the fruit ripening mutant gene alcobaça (alc) and color development mutants, old gold-crimson (ogc) and high pigment (hp), on yield and post-harvest quality of tomato fruits were investigated. Five tomato hybrids were obtained by crossing near isogenic lines with Flora-Dade background [Flora-Dade (alc+/alc+ ogc+/ogc+ hp+/hp+), TOM-559 (alc/alc ogc+/ogc+ hp+/hp+), TOM-591 (alc/alc ogc/ogc hp+/hp+), TOM-593 (alc/alc ogc+/ogc+ hp/hp), and TOM-589 (alc/alc ogc/ogc hp/hp)] with the pollen parent line Mospomorist (alc+/alc+ ogc+/ogc+ hp+/hp+). Hybrid fruit was harvested at the breaker stage and stored on shelves at 15oC and 60 relative humidity for 16 days, and then evaluated for firmness, development of red color, and carotenoid contents. The different genotypic combinations at the loci alc, ogc and hp had no effect on fruit yield. The alc+/alc hybrid genotype significantly increased fruit firmness and significantly delayed the development of red color in maturing fruit. Simultaneous usage of ogc+/ogc and hp+/hp promoted an increase in the red color and lycopene content of alc+/alc hybrids, but did not have any additional effect on fruit firmness

Immunocytochemical and biochemical detection of alpha-L-fucosidase in Trypanosoma cruzi

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the presence of alpha-L-fucosidase in Trypanosoma cruzi. Immunocytochemical and biochemical techniques were used to localize and characterize a membrane-associated, neutral-pH-optimum, alpha-L-fucosidase from the parasite. Light and electron microscopy localized the alpha-L-fucosidase specifically on the surface of the parasite and on membranes in the posterior region of the epimastigote stage. Although much less intense, labeling was also detected on the surface of trypomastigotes. At least 50 percent of the alpha-L-fucosidase activity was associated with epimastigote membrane solubilized with 1 M NaCl or 1 percent Triton X-100, suggesting that alpha-L-fucosidase is peripherally associated with membranes. The enzyme from epimastigotes had a neutral pH optimum (near 7) but displayed low specific activity when p-nitrophenyl-alpha-L-fucoside was employed as substrate (0.028 U/mg protein for epimastigotes and 0.015 U/mg protein for tissue culture-derived trypomastigotes). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting analysis both showed an expected 50-kDa polypeptide which was immunoreactive with anti-alpha-L-fucosidase antibodies

Inheritance of acylsugar contents in tomatoes derived from an interspecific cross with the wild tomato Lycopersicon pennellii and their effect on spider mite repellence

Acylsugars present in Lycopersicon pennellii are responsible for the high levels of pest resistance often found in this wild tomato taxon. We investigated the inheritance of acylsugar contents in segregating populations of the interspecific tomato cross L. esculentum x L. pennellii and estimated correlations between leaflet acylsugar contents and the levels of mite repellence. Acylsugar contents were quantified with the Sommogy-Nelson colorimetric method in the acessions L. esculentum 'TOM-584' (P(1), low acylsugars), L. pennellii 'LA-716' (P(2), high acylsugars), in the interspecific F(1) (P(1) x P(2)) and in the F(2 )(P(1) x P(2)) generations. Mite resistance was assessed by a repellence test. Broad-sense heritability of acylsugar contents was moderately high (h(2)(b) = 0.476). Frequency distributions in the P(1), P(2), F(1) and F(2) can be explained by the action of a single major locus, with near-complete dominance of the L. esculentum allele for low-acylsugar content over the L. pennellii allele for high content. Indirect selection for high levels of acylsugars in leaflets led to correlated increases in the levels of mite repellency, indicating that acylsugars may be the main factor involved in mite resistance

Utilizaçäo da tomografia computadorizada (CT) em trauma maxilofacial / The use of computed tomography (CT) in maxillofacial trauma

O trabalho tem por objetivo mostrar pacientes com trauma maxilofacial com uso da tomografia computadorizada (CT) de alta resoluçäo com o sistema Sytec 2000i da General Eletric (G.E.). Foram avaliados diversos pacientes com história de trauma maxilofacial no Centro de Tomografia Computadorizada de Piracicaba em plantöes de urgências que ocorriam diariamente no período noturno. Vimos que o auxílio no diagnóstico de fraturas ósseas e lesöes intracranianas através da CT extremamente valioso e fidedigno

Na, K-ATPase: a molecular target for Leptospira interrogans endotoxin

On the basis of our report that a glycolipoprotein fraction (GLP) extracted from Leptospira interrogans contains a potent inhibitor of renal Na,K-ATPase, we proposed that GLP-induced inhibition of Na,K-ATPase might be the primary cellular defect in the physiopathology of leptospirosis. The present study was designed to test this hypothesis by determining whether or not 1) GLP inhibits all the isoforms of Na,K-ATPase which are expressed in the tissues affected by leptospirosis, 2) Na,K-ATPase from leptospirosis-resistant species, such as the rat, is sensitive to GLP, 3) GLP inhibits Na,K-ATPase from intact cells, and 4) GLP inhibits ouabain-sensitive H,K-ATPase. The results indicate that in the rabbit, a leptospirosis-sensitive species, GLP inhibits with similar efficiency (apparent IC5O: 120-220 mug protein GLP/ml) all isoforms of Na,K-ATPase known to be expressed in target tissues for the disease. Na,K-ATPase from rat kidney displays a sensitivity to GLP similar to that of the rabbit kidney enzyme (apparent IC50: 25-80 and 50-150 mug protein GLP/ml for rat and rabbit, respectively), indicating that resistance to the disease does not result from the resistance of Na,K-ATPase to GLP. GLP also reduces ouabain-sensitive rubidium uptake in rat thick ascending limbs (pmol mm-1 min-1 ñ SEM; control: 23.8 ñ 1.8; GLP, 88 mug protein/ml: 8.2 ñ 0.9), demonstrating that it is active in intact cells. Finally, GLP had no demonstrable effect on renal H,K-ATPase activity, even on the ouabain-sensitive form, indicating that the active principle of GLP is more specific for Na,K-ATPase than ouabain itself. Although the hypothesis remains to be demonstrated in vivo, the present findings are compatible with the putative role of GLP-induced inhibition of Na,K-ATPase as an initial mechanism in the physiopathology of leptospirosis.

Pressor effects elicited by stimulation within the medullary raphe nuclei of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

The medullary raphe nuclei are involved in central autonomic regulation. In all species investigated, electrical stimulation of the raphe nuclei causes cardiovascular responses, although these changes vary between species. The present study was designed to investigate the participation of these nuclei in cardiovascular regulation in the hamster. We studied the effect on arterial blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) of electrical stimulation (isolated cathodal square wave pulses for 10 sec at 100 Hz, 40-100 muA and 1-msec pulse duration) within the medullary raphe nuclei in urethane-anesthetized (1.2 g/kg, iv, after ether induction) golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus, 130 to 150 g, either sex). Electrical stimulation of the same sites was performed on a group of paralysed (Flaxedi1(, 1 mg/kg, iv) and artificially ventilated animals. Stimulation sites were histologically defined and maps of the stimuli were obtained for the effect of electrical stimulation on arterial blood pressure. In another series of experiments L-glutamate (0.18 M) was microinjected (75 to 150 nl) into the nucleus raphe obseurus. Electrical stimulation of the raphe nuclei produced predominantly pressor responses (delta =+ 12 to + 100 mmHg; 49.3 per cent of the stimulated sites). Hypotension (delta =-5 to -20 mmHg; 14.6 per cent of the stimulated sites) and no change in BP (35.3 per cent) were evoked from fewer stimulation sites. Pressor responses were also predominant in paralysed animals (delta =+ 15 to + 95 mmHg; 62.5 per cent of the stimulated sites), and after microinjection of L-glutamate into the raphe obscurus (delta = +35 to + 135 mmHg). The present results demonstrate that in the hamster the stimulation of these nuclei evokes mainly pressor responses. These responses are similar to those obtained in the rat and guinea pig but opposite to those observed in the cat and rabbit.

Biochemical characterization of NADPH diaphorase in the chick embryo retina: stimulation by calcium ions and inhibition by arginine analogs

Nitric oxide is an important intercellular messenger in the central nervous system. NADPH-diaphorase, reported to be identical to nitric oxide synthase, is prsent in specific groups of cells in several neural tissues, including the retina. We determined NADPH-diaphorase activity in homogenates of the chick embryo retina. The enzyme activity was measured spectophotometrically at 585 nm after incubating retinal total homogenates (100-150 µg protein) with 1mMNADPH and 0.5 mM nitroblue tetrazolium in 50 mMTris buffer, pH8.1, at 37ºC. NADPH-diaphorse was detected in 14-day old retinas and 53-65 per cent of the enzyme activity was inhibited by 3 mM NG-nitro-L-arginine (NARG), the arginine analog. One mM L-N5-(1-iminoethyl)ornithine (NIO) was the most potent inhibitor (63 per cent inhibition) while 3 mM NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME) (33 per cent inhibition) and I mMNG-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate (NMMA) (14 per cent inhbition) were less effective. Enzyme activity was increased by 48 per cent by 2 mM calcium chloride, and effect reversed by 1 mMEGTA or EDTA. Basal enzyme levels were also partially inhibited by the chelators, indicating the presence of calcium-dependent and -independent isoforms of nitric oxide synthase in the retina. The results show that the NADPH-diaphorase assay is sample and sensitive and that the different isoforms of nitric oxide synthase expressed in chick retinal cells during development can be demonstrated