Echocardiographic reference ranges for sedated healthy peccaries ( Tayassu tajacu, Linnaeus, 1758 ) / Valores de referência para catetos saudáveis sedados

Peccaries are wild mammals belonging to the Tayassu genus that are found almost everywhere in the Americas and have demonstrated great potential as an experimental model for scientific investigations. Twelve healthy adult animals were sedated to perform echocardiographic examinations in B, M and Doppler mode. The variables that exhibited statistically significant correlation coefficients with weight were LVFWd, LVIDd, LVIDs, E wave, A'RV, MAM, and TAPSE. The HR exhibited a negative relationship with the IVRT. The LA variable showed a positive correlation with the AO. The MAM exhibited correlations with the LVIDd and LVIDs. The TAPSE showed positive correlations with the E'RV and A'RV. The present study provides the first reference values for echocardiographic measurements in B, M and Doppler modes from peccaries anesthetized with ketamine and midazolam. Echocardiography was easy to perform in collared peccaries, and the collected data revealed values that can aid in their clinical management and conservation.(AU)

Catetos são mamíferos selvagens, pertencentes ao gênero Tayassu, encontrados em quase toda a América, os quais têm se destacado como modelos experimentais. Doze animais adultos saudáveis foram sedados para a realização de exames ecocardiográficos em modos B, M e Doppler. As variáveis que apresentaram coeficientes de correlação estatisticamente significativos em relação ao peso foram: LVFWd, LVIDd, LVIDs, onda E, A'RV, MAM, TAPSE. O HR mostrou correlação positiva com LA/AO, onda E, onda A, MAM, TAPSE e E/IVRT, e negativa com IVRT. Os valores de AVmax mostraram correlações positivas com onda E e onda A'. A variável LA mostrou correlação positiva com AO e correlação negativa com IVSd. A EF apresentou forte correlação com a relação de ondas FS, E/A, com A', E'RV. FS apresentou correlação positiva com a relação de onda E/A. O MAM mostrou correlação com LVIDd e LVIDs. TAPSE mostrou correlações positivas com E'RV e A'RV. O presente estudo forneceu os primeiros valores de referência para medições ecocardiográficas em modos B, M e Doppler de catetos anestesiados com ketamina e midazolam. O exame ecocardiográfico em catetos foi de fácil execução e os dados encontrados evidenciaram valores que podem auxiliar no seu manejo clínico e conservação.(AU)

Salmonella Alachua: agente causal de surto de doença transmitida por alimentos

A caracterização dos sorotipos de Salmonella fornece informações que permitem identificar reservatórios, vias de transmissão e prevalência deste patógeno na região, particularmente daqueles associados com surtos de doenças transmitidas por alimentos (DTA).

Efeito do regime alimentar sobre o perfil metabólico de ovinos Santa Inês em confinamento / Effect of diet on the metabolic profile of Santa Inês sheep feedlot

Avaliou-se o perfil metabólico de 40 ovinos Santa Inês, inteiros, com peso vivo médio inicial de 17±1,7kg,, submetidos à restrição alimentar seguida de realimentação em confinamento, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos: 0, 20, 40 e 60% de restrição alimentar. Dois ensaios foram desenvolvidos, um referente à restrição e outro à realimentação. Para tanto, foi utilizado delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e 10 repetições, e distribuído em fatorial cruzado 4x3. Observou-se na fase de restrição que os níveis de fósforo foram mais altos nos animais sob restrição alimentar; o mesmo ocorrendo na fase final para as concentrações de proteínas totais (PT), albumina (Alb) e colesterol total. A gama-glutamiltransferase (GGT) decresceu de forma linear com o aumento da restrição. No segundo ensaio, verificou-se que as concentrações de PT, Alb, globulina, colesterol total, lipoproteína de alta densidade, GGT e magnésio (Mg) apresentaram diferença (P<0,05) entre os períodos de coleta. Já na restrição prévia, observou-se comportamento linear decrescente para GGT e interação tratamento versus período de coleta para a concentração de cálcio. Os níveis de restrição alimentar afetaram o metabolismo proteico e não interferiram no metabolismo energético, e a realimentação resultou em alteração no metabolismo proteico, energético e mineral.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolic profile of 40 Santa Inês sheep, whole, with average weight of 17±1,7kg, submitted to food restriction followed by refeeding in confinement, distributed in four treatments: 0, 20, 40 and 60% restriction food. Two tests were developed, one for restriction and one for refeeding. In this experiment a completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and 10 repetitions, distributed in a factorial 4x3 crossover. In the constraint phase it was observed that phosphorus levels were higher in animals under food restriction, this also occurred in the final stage for of total protein (TP), albumin (Alb) and total cholesterol concentrations. The gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) decreased linearly with increasing restriction. On the second trial it was found that concentrations of PT, Alb, globulin, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, GGT and Mg were similar (P<0,05) between collection periods. In the previous restriction, a decreasing linear behavior and interaction treatment for GGT versus collection period for the concentration of calcium was observed. The levels of food restriction affect protein metabolism and did not interfere with energy metabolism, and feedback resulted in changes in protein, energy and mineral metabolism.

Effect of divalent metal ions on the activity and stability of Beta-galactosidase isolated from Kluyveromyces lactis

Este estudo demonstra como a Beta-galactosidase pode ser desativada e reativada usando EDTA e íons metálicos divalentes. A enzima foi desativada após 20 minutos na presença de EDTA. Desativação máxima para a menor concentração de EDTA (10-3 mol.L-1) ocorreu na presença do tampão Tris-HCl. A enzima recuperou 50% de sua atividade inicial após 10 minutos na presença de Mg2+ em concentrações superiores a 0,1mmol.L-1.Concentrações de 10-4 e 10-3 mol.L-1 de Mn2+ e Co2+ foram suficientes para reativar a enzima em 300% comparado ao controle de íons Mn2+ e aproximadamente 100% para íons Co2+. A enzima perdeu gradualmente a sua atividade quando a concentração foi de 10-2 mol.L-1. Ni2+ e Zn2+ foram incapazes de restabelecer a atividade catalítica. Km app e Vmax app foram 1,95 ± 0,05 mmol.L-1 e 5,40 ± 0,86 x 10-2 mmol.min-1.mg-1. A temperatura e pH ótimos foram 34ºC e 7,5. A meia vida da holoenzima foi de 17,5 min a 30ºC e para a apoenzima foi de 11,0 min a 30ºC. Quanto à variação de pH, a apoenzima provou ser mais sensível que a holoenzima.

In this study, it was demonstrated that Beta-galactosidase can be deactivated and reactivated with EDTA and divalent metal ions. The enzyme was deactivated after 20 minutes in EDTA solution. Maximal deactivation at the lowest EDTA concentration (10-3 mol.L-1) occurred in the presence of Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.0). The enzyme recovered 50% of its initial activity after 10 minutes at Mg2+concentrations higher than 0.1 mmol.L-1. Experimental concentrations of 0.1 mmol.L-1 Mn2+ and 1.0 mmol.L-1 Co2+ were sufficient to reactivate the enzyme to around 300% of the control activity for the Mn2+ ion and nearly 100% for the Co2+ ion. The enzyme gradually lost its activity when the Co2+ concentration was 10-2 mol.L-1. Ni2+ and Zn2+ were unable to restore the catalytic activity. Km app and Vmax app were 1.95 ± 0.05 mmol.L-1 and 5.40 ± 0.86x10-2 mmol.min-1.mg-1, with o-NPG as substrate. Optimal temperature and pH were 34oC and 7.5. The half-life (t1/2) at 30ºC was 17.5 min for the holoenzyme and 11.0 min for the apoenzyme. With respect to pH variation, the apoenzyme proved to be more sensitive than the holoenzyme.

Diversidade genética entre três linhagens de codorna selecionadas para produção de ovos / Genetic diversity among three lineages of quail, selected for egg production

A diversidade genética entre três linhagens de codorna (Coturnix japônica) foi avaliada utilizando-se a técnica de random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). As linhagens selecionadas para produção de ovos foram identificadas como amarela, azul e vermelha por meio de anilhas no pé esquerdo. Seis primers de RAPD amplificaram 55 loci, os quais geraram padrão de bandas intensa e reproduzível em gel de agarose. Os resultados indicaram polimorfismos dentro e entre as linhagens. A similaridade de Jaccard média e o índice de diversidade Shannon revelaram alta diversidade dentro das linhagens de codornas. O teste de Mantel por meio do algoritmo unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) e a dispersão de coordenadas principais indicaram diferenciação genética significativa, embora em baixo nível. Os resultados sugerem que a diversidade genética dentro e entre as linhagens de codornas da Universidade Estadual de Maringá são promissoras para uso em programas de melhoramento.

The genetic diversity among three lineages of quail (Coturnix japonica) was evaluated by the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. The lineages were selected for egg production and identified with a yellow, blue, or red ring fasten on their left foot. Six selected RAPD primers amplified 55 loci, which generated intense and reproducible bands on agarose gel. The results indicated polymorphism within and among the lineages. The Jaccard similarity average and the Shannon diversity index revealed high diversity values within the quail lineages. The Mantel test, unweighted pair-group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) algorithm and dispersion of principal coordinates indicated significant genetic differentiation, although at low levels. Overall, the results suggest that the genetic diversity within and among the quail lineags from the State Universidade Estadual de Maringá are promising for use in breeding programs.

A successful case of biological invasion: the fish Cichla piquiti, an Amazonian species introduced into the Pantanal, Brazil / Um caso de sucesso de invasão biológica: o tucunaré Cichla piquiti, um peixe amazônico introduzido no Pantanal, Brasil

The "tucunaré", Cichla piquiti, an exotic Amazonian fish has become established along the left bank of the Paraguay River in the Pantanal. It was introduced by escaping from culture ponds in the Upper Piquiri River and spread downstream, along the lateral flooded areas of that river, continuing through the clear waters of the left bank of the Paraguay River and reaching south as far as the Paraguai Mirim and Negrinho rivers. Adult spawners have been found in the region, meaning that it is a self-sustained population. Reproduction occurs in the period of low waters. They were found feeding on fishes of lentic environments belonging to the families Characidae, Cichlidae and Loricariidae. Until the end of 2004, its distribution was restricted to the left bank of the Paraguay River, but in March 2005, some specimens were found on the right bank, raising a question for the future: what will be the distribution area of the tucunaré in the Pantanal? Information about its dispersion is increasing: it is known to be in the Tuiuiú Lake, Pantanal National Park and in the Bolivian Pantanal, all of them on the right bank of the Paraguay River. The hypothesis that the "tucunaré" could not cross turbid waters, such as in the Paraguay River, was refuted by these recent findings. Possibly, the tucunaré's capacity to lay more than one batch of eggs in a reproductive period, as well as its care of eggs and young, lead them to establish themselves successfully in new environments, as has been observed in the Pantanal and other localities.

O tucunaré, Cichla piquiti, está estabelecido ao longo da margem esquerda do rio Paraguai, desde a área do seu escape no rio Piquiri para jusante, até as áreas alagadas laterais entre os rios Paraguai Mirim e Negrinho. Está completando o seu ciclo de vida no Pantanal com populações adultas desovantes. A reprodução ocorre no período de águas baixas. Na região em estudo, alimentou-se de peixes de ambientes lênticos das famílias Characidae, Cichlidae e Loricariidae. Até fins de 2004, sua ocorrência estava restrita à margem esquerda do rio Paraguai, mas, nos primeiros dias de Março de 2005, alguns indivíduos foram pescados na margem direita, o que coloca uma questão a ser respondida nos próximos anos: qual será efetivamente a sua distribuição no Pantanal? A hipótese inicial de que as águas turvas do rio Paraguai constituiriam barreiras a sua dispersão não foi confirmada. Já existem registros de ocorrência na Baía Tuiuiú, Parque Nacional do Pantanal e no Pantanal boliviano, todos eles localizados na margem direita do rio Paraguai. O tucunaré possui características biológicas como desova parcelada e cuidados com a prole, entre outras, que lhe está possibilitando estabelecer-se com sucesso no Pantanal, a exemplo do que já foi observado em outros ambientes onde foi introduzido.

Correlaçäo entre contagens de células somáticas determinadas no "Somacount 300" utilizando-se os detergentes RBS 35 e Extram MA 01 alcalino / Correlation between milk somatic cell counting of samples prepared with two detergents, and analyzed by the Somacount

The objective of this work was to compare the values of milk somatic cell counts (SCC) using the Somacount 300, and two detergents for sample preparation. the equipment was calibrated using the detergent RBS 35. Forty independent milk samples were analyzed. Each sample was randomly divided into two subsamples, and each subsample was analyzed after preparation with either RBS 35 or Extram MA 01 Alkaline detergents. the correlation coefficient between the two methods was high (0.998). This finding suggests the possibility of substitution of RBS 35 for an economical alternative

Detection and analysis of apoptosis in peripheral blood cells from breast cancer patients

Apoptosis is a well-known specific process of cell death that normally occurs in physiological situations such as tissue or organ development and involution. During tumor growth there is a balance between proliferation and cell death which involves apoptotic mechanisms. In the present study genomic DNAs from 120 breast tumor biopsies were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and none of them presented the fragmentation pattern characteristic of the apoptosis process. However, 33 per cent of the 105 breast cancer patients clearly showed the apoptotic pattern when DNA from blood cells was analyzed. None of the DNAs from healthy volunteer blood cells showed any trace of apoptosis. Since the breast cancer patients were not receiving chemo- or hormone therapy, the possible relationship between blood cortisol levels and the apoptotic pattern found in patient blood cells was investigated. Using a chemoluminescence immunodetection assay, similar cortisol levels were observed in breast cancer patient sera presenting or not apoptotic blood cells and in healthy volunteer sera. Analysis of the clinical data obtained from 60 of these patients showed that patients bearing tumors of smaller size (under 20 mm) were more susceptible to the apoptotic effect in blood cells. According to the Elston grade, it was observed that 7 of 12 patients with grade III tumors (58 per cent) presented apoptotic peripheral blood cells, in contrast to 10 of 48 patients with grade I and grade II tumors. These observations may reflect the immunosuppression characteristic of some breast cancer patients, which may contribute to tumor growth. Therefore, further studies are necessary to elucidate the factor(s) involved in such massive blood cell death.

The effect of dietary lipids on rat liver mithocondrial swelling

The swelling of liver mitochondria resulting from changes in the dietary fatty acid (FA) was investigated in rats fed two lipid diets for two or four months. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed two semi-synthetic and isocaloric diets. One diet (CO diet) contained 10 per cent coconut fat (rich in saturated fatty acids, SFA) while the other (SO diet) contained 10 per cent sunflower seed oil (rich in unsaturated fatty acids, UFA). The initial velocity (Vo) was used to determine the velocity of the spontaneous and phosphate - or calcium-induced sweeling of rat liver mitochondria. The changes in the fatty acid composition of the mitochondrial membranes were expressed as the unsaturation index, as well as the total content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and their ratios. The liver mitochondrial phospholipid fatty acid composition was very similar in both diet groups, in spite of the differences in dietary lipid fatty acid content. Only the 16:0, 16:1 (@-7) and 16:1 (@-9) fatty acids of the liver mitochondrial phospholipids differed significantly during the experiment. In general, the diets and the lenght of treatment had no significant influence on the extent of swelling. However, for animals fed the SO diet, significant differences in the for Vo of the phosphate - and calcium-induced swelling was observed. This result probably reflects greater fluidity of the mitochondrial membrane due to the high content of the fatty acid residues which would produce a more flexible and less stable membrane system

Relato de três casos de polioencefalomalacia em bovinos / Report of three cases of polioencephalomalacia in bovine

O presente trabalho relata três casos de polioencefalomalacia (PEM) em bovinos provenientes de diferentes regiöes do Estado de Minas Gerais. Os animais com idades entre quatro a 18 meses, apresentaram sinais de transtornos neurológicos, caracterizados por apatia, movimentos mastigatórios, opistótono, cegueira e ataxia. As lesöes macroscópicas em dois animais consistiam de achatamento das circunvoluçöes, diminuiçäo da consistência do parênquima, além de coloraçäo amarelada do córtex. O terceiro apresentava áreas necróticas que, ao corte, deixava fluir líquido amarelado. A microscopia, as lesöes atingiam principalmente as lâminas mais profundas do córtex cerebral, indo desde simples microcavitaçöes até áreas necróticas extensas. Em nenhum dos animais foi possível determinar a causa desencadeante do processo. Em dois, no entanto, é provável que alteraçöes bruscas na dieta tenham atuado como fator primário