Intra- and interspecific variation of cuticular hydrocarbon composition in two Ectatomma species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy

We have been able to discriminate different castes and sexes of ants in the same colony by measuring cuticular hydrocarbon levels with Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy, compared by canonical discriminant function analysis. We have now applied this methodology to various colonies of two species of ants of the genus Ectatomma in the Brazilian Cerrado. There were clear interspecific differences in cuticular hydrocarbons of these ants, with a small intraspecific variation. The differences between colonies were greater in E. brunneum than in E. vizottoi. Genetic differences among the colonies and species were well estimated by Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy and statistical analyses.

Comparative study of the cuticular hydrocarbon in queens, workers and males of Ectatomma vizottoi (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) by Fourier transform-infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy

Fourier transform-infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy was applied for the first time, to our knowledge, to distinguish different castes of an ant species. The method was applied directly to the abdomen of queens, workers and males of Ectatomma vizottoi ants, without any special sample preparation. The absorption bands of secondary amide and hydrocarbons were identified; using these as variables in a canonical discriminant analysis we found significant differences between the castes. Queens have a greater hydrocarbon content than do workers and males, which is related to their function in the colony. This technique can be used to analyze and distinguish small chemical differences in biological systems, even in opaque samples.

Losses of immunoreactive parvalbumin amacrine and immunoreactive alphaprotein kinase C bipolar cells caused by methylmercury chloride intoxication in the retina of the tropical fish Hoplias malabaricus

To quantify the effects of methylmercury (MeHg) on amacrine and on ON-bipolar cells in the retina, experiments were performed in MeHg-exposed groups of adult trahiras (Hoplias malabaricus) at two dose levels (2 and 6 µg/g, ip). The retinas of test and control groups were processed by mouse anti-parvalbumin and rabbit anti-alphaprotein kinase C (alphaPKC) immunocytochemistry. Morphology and soma location in the inner nuclear layer were used to identify immunoreactive parvalbumin (PV-IR) and alphaPKC (alphaPKC-IR) in wholemount preparations. Cell density, topography and isodensity maps were estimated using confocal images. PV-IR was detected in amacrine cells in the inner nuclear layer and in displaced amacrine cells from the ganglion cell layer, and alphaPKC-IR was detected in ON-bipolar cells. The MeHg-treated group (6 µg/g) showed significant reduction of the ON-bipolar alphaPKC-IR cell density (mean density = 1306 ± 393 cells/mm²) compared to control (1886 ± 892 cells/mm²; P < 0.001). The mean densities found for amacrine PV-IR cells in MeHg-treated retinas were 1040 ± 56 cells/mm² (2 µg/g) and 845 ± 82 cells/mm² (6 µg/g), also lower than control (1312 ± 31 cells/mm²; P < 0.05), differently from the data observed in displaced PV-IR amacrine cells. These results show that MeHg changed the PV-IR amacrine cell density in a dose-dependent way, and reduced the density of alphaKC-IR bipolar cells at the dose of 6 µg/g. Further studies are needed to identify the physiological impact of these findings on visual function.

Methylmercury intoxication activates nitric oxide synthase in chick retinal cell culture

The visual system is a potential target for methylmercury (MeHg) intoxication. Nevertheless, there are few studies about the cellular mechanisms of toxicity induced by MeHg in retinal cells. Various reports have indicated a critical role for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activation in modulating MeHg neurotoxicity in cerebellar and cortical regions. The aim of the present study is to describe the effects of MeHg on cell viability and NOS activation in chick retinal cell cultures. For this purpose, primary cultures were prepared from 7-day-old chick embryos: retinas were aseptically dissected and dissociated and cells were grown at 37°C for 7-8 days. Cultures were exposed to MeHg (10 µM, 100 µM, and 1 mM) for 2, 4, and 6 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT method and NOS activity by monitoring the conversion of L-[H³]-arginine to L-[H³]-citrulline. The incubation of cultured retina cells with 10 and 100 µM MeHg promoted an increase of NOS activity compared to control (P < 0.05). Maximum values (P < 0.05) were reached after 4 h of MeHg incubation: increases of 81.6 ± 5.3 and 91.3 ± 3.7 percent, respectively (data are reported as mean ± SEM for 4 replicates). MeHg also promoted a concentration- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability, with the highest toxicity (a reduction of about 80 percent in cell viability) being observed at the concentration of 1 mM and after 4-6 h of incubation. The present study demonstrates for the first time the modulation of MeHg neurotoxicity in retinal cells by the nitrergic system.

Reabilitação de pacientes portadores da doença de Kienböck submetidos a ressecçäo da fileira proximal do carpo / Rehabilitation of patients with Kienböck disease underwent proximal row carpectomy

A proposta deste estudo foi a aplicaçäo de um protocolo de avaliaçäo e tratamento desenvolvido no Serviço de Terapia da Mäo do Setor de Terapia Ocupacional da Disciplina de Fisiatria do Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia da Universidade Federal de Säo Paulo, destinado a pacientes portadores da doença de Kienböck e submetidos a técnica cirúrgica de ressecçäo da fileira proximal do carpo. O protocolo de avaliaçäo foi aplicado em 16 pacientes que foram avaliados no pré e pós-tratamento, considerando-se a dor, perímetro do punho, força muscular, amplitude articular do antebraço e punho e a capacidade funcional. Considerou-se também alguns referencias subjetivos, no que se refere à satisfaçäo pessoal do paciente quanto ao tratamento.Os resultados mostraram que o protocolo de tratamento aplicado foi eficaz na reduçäo da dor, no aumento do arco de movimento da pronaçäo e supinaçäo do antebraço, abduçäo e aduçäo do punho e favoreceu a melhora da capacidade funcional da mäo afetada. Na avaliaçäo subjetiva 90 por cento dos pacientes tratados em nosso protocolo estavam satisfeitos com a sua recuperaçäo.

The M-ganglion cell density gradient in New World monkeys

The M-ganglion cell distribution was studied in the retinae of New World monkeys, the diurnal Cebus and the nocturnal Aotus. Retinal whole mounts were stained by the neurofibrillar method of Gros-Schultze. The M-ganglion cell distribution in the Cebus and Aotus is similar to that reported for Old World primates, such as the Macaca. The M-ganglion cell density peak occurs in the foveal slope and declines towards the periphery. There is a nasotemporal asymmetry: in the Cebus retina the M-ganglion cell density is 1.2-4.3 times higher in the nasal when compared to the temporal region at the equivalent eccentricities; in the Aotus, the nasotemporal asymmetry is smaller, 1.6-2.2 higher in the nasal region. We compared the M-ganglion cell density with previously published values for the density of the total population of ganglion cells and observed a larger proportion of M-ganglion cells in the Aotus, when compared with Cebus or Macaca

Anastomose biliodigestiva intra-hepatica. Relato de dois casos. / Intrahepatic enteric anastomosis: report of 2 cases

Os autores relatam dois casos de ictericia obstructiva por tumor maligno, onde foram realizadas derivacoes colangiojejunais, apos resseccao hepatica regrada. Analisam os casos relatados, as tecnicas cirurgicas empregadas e os resultados obtidos. Adotam a conduta de indicar nos pacientes portadores de tumor irressecavel das vias biliares uma derivacao paliativa que permita o livre fluxo da bile ao jejuno proporcionando aos mesmos uma sobrevida maior e sem as alteracoes organicas e psicologicas da ictericia obstructiva