Estruturas fetais e suas correlações com a predição do dia antes do parto em raças de cães miniaturas / Fetal structures and their correlations with a prediction of the parturition date in the miniature canine breeds

Avaliou-se a correlação entre estruturas fetais e extrafetais com a predição do dia antes do parto (DAP) em raças de cães miniaturas. Para isso, realizou-se um experimento, utilizando-se 12 cadelas, com peso corporal entre 3,0kg e 5,0kg, sendo seis da raça Chihuahua, duas da raça Shih-Tzu, duas da raça Spitz Alemão e duas da raça Yorkshire. Foram mensurados, por meio da ultrassonografia, diâmetro biparietal (DBP), diâmetro torácico (DTX), diâmetro abdominal (DAB), comprimento craniocaudal (CCC), diâmetro da cavidade coriônica interna (DCI) e espessura da placenta (EP), a partir do 15º dia após a última monta. Foram estudadas as correlações simples e a significância dos coeficientes de regressão linear simples e o coeficiente de determinação (R), com nível de significância estabelecido em P<0,05. Entre os parâmetros avaliados, DBP, DTX, DAB e CCC foram os mais correlacionados com tempo gestacional, podendo ser utilizados para prever dia antes do parto em cadelas de raças miniaturas.(AU)

The correlation between fetal and extra-fetal structures with the pre-delivery prediction (DAP) in miniature dog breeds was evaluated. For this, an experiment was carried out using 12 bitches, with body weight between 3.0kg and 5.0kg, being 6 Chihuahua, 2 Shih-Tzu, 2 German Spitz and 2 Yorkshire breed. The Biparietal Diameter (BD), Thoracic Diameter (TD), Abdominal Diameter (AD), Crown-rump length (CRL), Internal Chorionic Cavity Diameter (ICD) and Placenta Thickness (PT) were measured by ultrasonography from the 15th day after the last mating. The simple correlations and significance of simple linear regression coefficients and the coefficient of determination (R) were studied, with a significance level of P<0.05. BD, T, AD and CRL were the most correlated with gestational time, and can be used to predict day before delivery in miniature breed bitches.(AU)

Change in physical and chemical characteristics related to the binomial time-temperature used in sous pasteurization see Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) / Variação das características físico-químicas relacionadas ao binômio tempo-temperatura utilizado na pasteurização de sous vide de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

The goal of this study was to evaluate sous vide fish and assess the influence of time and temperature on the pasteurization process through quality parameters. The raw material (tambaqui fillets) and the sous vide underwent physical, physicochemical, and microbiological analyses. A sauce was prepared containing soy sauce, water, horseradish and garlic flakes. The product's pasteurization parameters of time and temperature were defined according to a 22 central composite rotatable design (CCRD), and the dependent variables were water holding capacity (WHC) and instrumental texture aiming at obtaining high WHC values for the product to maintain the desired juiciness. The microbiological analysis required by legislation have indicated that the fish fillets and sous vide were within de standard. The values of total coliforms found in the samples (fillets and sous vide) analyzed were below the critical level of 10² CFU/g. The counts of sulphite-reducing clostridia and psychrotrophic and mesophilic bacteria on plates in the samples were <1x10 CFU/g. In conclusion, temperature was the most important factor in the pasteurization process, significantly contributing to the quality of the final product. The mathematical models proposed were considered predictive for each response.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do tempo e da temperatura no processo de pasteurização do sous vide de peixe por meio dos parâmetros de qualidade. Foram realizadas análises físicas, físico-químicas e microbiológicas na matéria-prima (filé de tambaqui) e no sous vide. Foi preparado um molho contendo molho de soja, água, raiz forte e flocos de alho. Parâmetros de pasteurização do produto (tempo x temperatura) foram definidos de acordo com um projeto de 2x2 rotativo composto central (DRCC), e as variáveis dependentes foram capacidade de retenção de água (CRA) e textura instrumental, visando à obtenção de altos valores de CRA para que o produto obtivesse a suculência desejada. As análises microbiológicas exigidas na legislação indicaram que a matéria-prima e o sous vide encontravam-se dentro dos padrões estabelecidos. Os valores de coliformes totais encontrados nas amostras (filés e sous vide) analisadas foram inferiores ao nível crítico de 10² UFC/g. As contagens de clostrídios sulfitorredutores e bactérias psicrotróficas e mesófilas em placas nas amostras foram <1x10 UFC/g. Concluiu-se que a temperatura foi o fator mais importante no processo de pasteurização, contribuindo de forma significativa para a qualidade do produto final. Os modelos matemáticos propostos foram preditivos para cada resposta.

Distribution of 131I-labeled Bothrops erythromelas venom in mice

Bothrops erythromelas is responsible for many snake bites in northeastern Brazil. In the present study we determined the in vivo distribution of the venom following its subcutaneous injection into mice. B. erythromelas venom and albumin were labeled individually with I by the chloramine T method, and separated in a Sephacrylr S-200 column. The efficiency of labeling was 68 percent. Male Swiss mice (40-45 g), which had been provided with drinking water containing 0.05 percent KI over a period of 10 days prior to the experiment, were inoculated dorsally(sc) with 03. ml (2.35 x 10(5) cpm/mouse) of I-venom (N=42), I-albumin or I (controls, N=28 each). Thirty minutes and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after inoculation, the animals were perfused with 0.85 percent NaCl and skin and various organs were collected in order to determine radioactivity content. There was a high rate of venom absorption in the skin (51 percent) within the first 30 min compared to albumin (20.1 percent) and free iodine (8.2 percent). Up to the third hour after injection there was a tendency for venom and albumin to concentrate in the stomach (3rd h), small intestine (3rd h) and large intestine (6th h). Both control groups had more radioactivity in the digestive tract, especially in the stomach, but these levels decreased essentially to baseline by 12-18 h postinjection. In the kidneys, the distribution profiles of venom, albumin and iodine were similar. Counts at 30 min postinjection were low in all three groups (1.37, 1.86 and 0.77, respectively), and diminished to essentially 0 percent by 12-18 h. Albumin tended to concentrate in muscle until the 3rd h postinjection (1.98 percent). There was a low binding of labeled venom is the liver (<0.54 percent), thyroid (<0.11 percent) and lungs (<0.08 percent), and no iodinated venom was detected in brain, heart, diaphragm, spleen or bladder. The low venom binding observed in most internal organs, comparable to that of albumin, suggests that B. erythromelas venom does not specifically target most internal organs. That is, the systemic effects of envenomation are mainly due to an indirect action.

Experimental murine schistosomiasis and thyroid function

In humans the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis may be associated with some degree of somatosexual underdevelopment. In the present study we induced an experimental hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis by infecting 21-day-old mice with the São Lourenço da Mata-PE strain of Schistosoma mansoni and evaluated thyroid function and its relationship with somatosexual development. Plasma levels of T3 and T4 were determined in 115-day old male albino Swiss mice by radioimmunoassay as a measure of thyroid function. Prepuberal infection with S. mansoni resulted in significant increases in liver (74) and spleen (138) weights, although there were no changes in animal growth or plasma T3 and T4 concentrations under the experimental conditions used. The present study demonstrates that prepuberal infection of mice with S. mansoni induces the development of a hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis during adult life with apparently normal thyroid function.