Biochemical and hormonal parameters of goats kept in a controlled environment consuming water with different levels of salinity / [Parâmetros bioquímicos e hormonais de caprinos consumindo água com diferentes níveis de salinidade mantidos em ambiente controlado]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the biochemical and hormonal variables of Moxotó and Canindé goats submitted to two temperatures - 26.0±0.6 (thermoneutral) and 32.0±1.2°C (above thermal comfort zone) - and consuming water with three levels of salinity (1.0, 6.0 and 12.0 dSm-1). Thirty-six animals (18 of each breed) were used, with an average age of 5.0±0.6months and an average weight of 20.0±2.3kg, housed in metabolic cages inside a climate chamber. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial scheme (2 breeds, 2 temperatures and 3 levels of salinity) and three replications. The glucose and urea had a significant effect (P>0.05) according to water salinity. Glucose, cholesterol, protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase and hormones (T4, T3 and cortisol) varied according to temperature (P<0.05). There was a significant effect of time on hormonal variables (P<0.05). Biochemical and hormonal variables changed according to temperature and day shift, so that metabolism was reduced in the animals under thermal stress and accelerated when animals were in the thermal comfort zone.(AU)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as variáveis bioquímicas e hormonais de caprinos das raças Moxotó e Canindé, submetidos a duas temperaturas (26,0±0,6ºC e 32,0±1,2ºC), termoneutra e acima da zona de conforto térmico, respectivamente), consumindo água com três níveis de salinidade (1,0, 6,0 e 12,0dSm-1), utilizando-se 36 animais (18 de cada raça), com idade média de 5,0±0,6 meses e peso médio de 20,0±2,3kg, alojados em gaiolas metabólicas no interior de uma câmara climática. Os animais foram distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com esquema fatorial de 2 x 2 x 3 (2 raças, 2 temperaturas e 3 níveis de salinidade) e três repetições. A glicose e a ureia apresentaram efeito significativo (P<0,05) em função da salinidade da água. Glicose, colesterol, proteína, albumina, globulina, AST e hormônios (T4, T3 e cortisol) variaram conforme as temperaturas (P<0,05). Observou-se efeito significativo do horário sobre as variáveis hormonais (P<0,05). As variáveis bioquímicas e hormonais sofrem alterações em função da temperatura e do turno do dia, de modo que o metabolismo é reduzido em animais sob estresse térmico e acelerado quando os animais encontram-se na zona de conforto térmico.(AU)

A Brazilian regional basic diet-induced chronic malnutrition drives liver inflammation with higher ApoA-I activity in C57BL6J mice

Malnutrition is still considered endemic in many developing countries. Malnutrition-enteric infections may cause lasting deleterious effects on lipid metabolism, especially in children living in poor settings. The regional basic diet (RBD), produced to mimic the Brazilian northeastern dietary characteristics (rich in carbohydrate and low in protein) has been used in experimental malnutrition models, but few studies have explored the effect of chronic RBD on liver function, a central organ involved in cholesterol metabolism. This study aimed to investigate whether RBD leads to liver inflammatory changes and altered reverse cholesterol metabolism in C57BL6/J mice compared to the control group, receiving a standard chow diet. To evaluate liver inflammation, ionized calcium-binding adapter protein-1 (IBA-1) positive cell counting, interleukin (IL)-1β immunohistochemistry, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-10 transcription levels were analyzed. In addition, we assessed reverse cholesterol transport by measuring liver apolipoprotein (Apo)E, ApoA-I, and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) by RT-PCR. Furthermore, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was measured to assess liver function. RBD markedly impaired body weight gain compared with the control group (P<0.05). Higher hepatic TNF-α (P<0.0001) and IL-10 (P=0.001) mRNA levels were found in RBD-challenged mice, although without detectable non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Marked IBA-1 immunolabeling and increased number of positive-IBA-1 cells were found in the undernourished group. No statistical difference in serum ALT was found. There was also a significant increase in ApoA mRNA expression in the undernourished group, but not ApoE and LCAT, compared with the control. Altogether our findings suggested that chronic RBD-induced malnutrition leads to liver inflammation with increased ApoA-I activity.

CD47 expression is decreased in hematopoietic progenitor cells in patients with myelofibrosis

Myelofibrosis (MF) is characterized by increased circulating hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), abnormal cytokine levels, and the survival advantage of neoplastic progenitors over their normal counterparts, which leads to progressive disappearance of polyclonal hematopoiesis. CD47 is a surface glycoprotein with many functions, such as acting as a phagocytosis inhibitor of the expressing cell, that is increased in normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells mobilized into the blood and several human cancer-initiating cells, such as in acute myeloid leukemia. We compared CD47 expression in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells of patients with MF and controls and found it to be decreased in progenitors of MF. Exposure of control HPCs to the cytokines transforming growth factor β and stromal-derived factor 1, which are important regulators of hematopoietic stem cell cycling and are overexpressed in patients with MF, did not modulate CD47 expression.

Penile refracture: a preliminary report

ABSTRACT Objective: To report our institutional experience with penile refracture, including demographic data, recurrence time, etiology and operative findings in the first and second episodes. Materials and methods: Between January 1982 and September 2017, 281 patients underwent surgical treatment for penile fracture (PF) at our institution. Demographic data, clinical presentation, besides operative findings and follow-up of patients with relapsed PF were retrospectively assessed by reviewing medical records. Results: Of a total of 281 cases of PF operated at our institution, 3 (1.06%) patients experienced two episodes of trauma. Age ranged from 38 - 40 years (mean: 39.3). The recurrence time varied from 45 to 1560 days (mean: 705). Two patients presented the new fracture episode at the same site of the previous lesion, while in the other case the lesion was observed at another site. Conclusion: Recurrent FP is an extremely rare entity. The risk factors for its occurrence are still unknown. Although the lesion of the corpus cavernosum ipsilateral to the scar tissue of the prior FP is more common, contralateral rupture may be present. Nevertheless, prospective studies with larger samples should be conducted.

Avaliação clínica de ovinos após a ingestão de elevada quantidade de manga / Clinical evaluation of sheep after high ingestion of mango fruit

Objetivou-se avaliar clinicamente os efeitos da administração intrarruminal de duas quantidades distintas de manga em ovinos. Foram utilizados sete ovinos machos, hígidos, que não receberam carboidratos não fibrosos por, pelo menos, seis meses previamente ao período experimental, quando se avaliou pH ruminal, total de protozoários no suco de rúmen, pH urinário, pH sanguíneo estimado e parâmetros vitais nos tempos zero, 12, 16, 20 e 24 após a administração da manga. Os sete ovinos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos e receberam 0,625% ou 1,875% da MS de manga/kg/PV (M1 e M2, respectivamente), distribuídos em delineamento cross-over, com uma parcela perdida, e 30 dias de washout. Os ovinos M2 apresentaram valores médios para pH ruminal significativamente inferiores a M1 a partir do tempo T12 (5,1 e 6,9, respectivamente), o que indica ocorrência de acidose ruminal. Os animais tratados com M1 não apresentaram alterações sistêmicas, ao passo que os ovinos tratados com M2 apresentaram acidose metabólica leve, detectada por meio do pH urinário ácido (4,8). A ingestão apenas de manga in natura na quantidade de 1,875% da MS de manga/kg/PV mostrou-se capaz de provocar acidose ruminal em ovinos, levando-os a: ligeira depressão, aumento da frequência cardíaca, diminuição dos movimentos ruminais e diarreia em alguns casos.(AU)

The aim of this study is to clinically evaluate the effects of intra ruminal administration of two different amounts of mango in sheep. The sample was of seven male healthy sheep, which did not receive non-fibrous carbohydrates for at least six months prior to the trial. Rumen fluid pH, total of protozoa in the rumen fluid, urine pH, estimated blood pH, and vital parameters were evaluated at the following times: zero, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hours after administration of the mango. The seven sheep were randomly divided into two groups and received either 0.625% or 1.875% of the dry matter of the pulp and mango peel per kg body weight (M1 and M2, respectively), distributed in cross-over design with a lost portion and 30 days washout. Sheep treated with M2 showed significantly lower average values for ruminal pH than the M1 since T12 (5.1 and 6.9, respectively), indicating the occurrence of ruminal acidosis. The animals treated with M1 showed no systemic changes, while the sheep treated with M2 had mild metabolic acidosis, detected through the lower urinary pH (4.8). The in natura mango ingestion in the amount of 1.875% of the dry matter of mango per kg of body weight proved to provoke rumen acidosis in sheep, leading these animals to: slight depression, rise in heart rate, diminished rumen movement, and diarrhea in some cases.(AU)

Água salina e biofertilizante bovino na produção de frutos e alocação de biomassa em noni (Morinda citrifolia L. ) / Saline water and bovine biofertilizer on yield and biomass allocation in noni plants (Morinda citrifolia L. )

RESUMO: Têm sido evidenciado que os compostos orgânicos exercem ação mitigadora dos efeitos tóxicos dos sais às plantas, promovendo maior crescimento e desenvolvimento em solos com excesso de sais. Nessa direção, um experimento foi desenvolvido para avaliar os efeitos do biofertilizante bovino na produção de frutos e alocação de biomassa pelos diversos órgãos de plantas de noni, irrigadas com águas salinas. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e duas plantas por parcela, adotando o arranjo fatorial 5 x 2, correspondente a salinidade das águas de irrigação de 0,5; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5; 6,0 dS m-1, em substratos sem e com biofertilizante bovino, aplicado uma única vez, em volume correspondente a 10% do volume do substrato, um dia antes da instalação do experimento. As variáveis avaliadas foram: salinidade do solo, expressa pela condutividade elétrica do extrato de saturação do solo; número de frutos; massa média de fruto; produção de frutos por planta; e alocação de biomassa pelas raízes, caules, folhas e frutos. O aumento da salinidade da água de irrigação elevou o caráter salino do solo desde "não salino" para "fortemente salino" e, inibiu a produção de frutos e a acumulação de biomassa seca das plantas de noni em geral, mas, com maior intensidade nos tratamentos sem o insumo orgânico. O biofertilizante estimula o crescimento e a produção de plantas de noni cultivadas sob irrigação com águas de alta salinidade.

ABSTRACT: Organic compounds have shown to exercise a mitigating action on salts in plants and they promote growth and development in salt stress environments. In this sense, an experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of saline water irrigation and bovine biofertilizer on yield and biomass allocation by the various organs of noni plants. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications and two plants per plot using the 5 x 2 factorial design, which correspond to the salinity levels of irrigation water of 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1 in substrates with and without bovine biofertilizer, applied to the soil once, in the volume corresponding to 10% of the volume of the substrate one day before the implementation of the experiment. The variables evaluated were soil salinity, expressed as electrical conductivity of the soil saturation extract, fruit number, fruit weight and fruit yield per plant, and biomass allocation by roots, stems, leaves and fruit. The increasing salinity of the water for irrigation increased the saline character of the soil from non-saline to saline soil and inhibited the production and accumulation of dry biomass in noni plants in general but with more intensity in the plants of the treatments without bovine biofertilizer applied to the soil in liquid form. The biofertilizer stimulates the growth and production of noni plants grown under irrigation with high salinity water.

Therapeutic concentration of morphine reduces oxidative stress in glioma cell line

Morphine is a potent analgesic opioid used extensively for pain treatment. During the last decade, global consumption grew more than 4-fold. However, molecular mechanisms elicited by morphine are not totally understood. Thus, a growing literature indicates that there are additional actions to the analgesic effect. Previous studies about morphine and oxidative stress are controversial and used concentrations outside the range of clinical practice. Therefore, in this study, we hypothesized that a therapeutic concentration of morphine (1 μM) would show a protective effect in a traditional model of oxidative stress. We exposed the C6 glioma cell line to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and/or morphine for 24 h and evaluated cell viability, lipid peroxidation, and levels of sulfhydryl groups (an indicator of the redox state of the cell). Morphine did not prevent the decrease in cell viability provoked by H2O2 but partially prevented lipid peroxidation caused by 0.0025% H2O2 (a concentration allowing more than 90% cell viability). Interestingly, this opioid did not alter the increased levels of sulfhydryl groups produced by exposure to 0.0025% H2O2, opening the possibility that alternative molecular mechanisms (a direct scavenging activity or the inhibition of NAPDH oxidase) may explain the protective effect registered in the lipid peroxidation assay. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that morphine in usual analgesic doses may contribute to minimizing oxidative stress in cells of glial origin. This study supports the importance of employing concentrations similar to those used in clinical practice for a better approximation between experimental models and the clinical setting.

Eficiência nutricional do Nitrogênio e produção de biomassa em Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) em condições de casa de vegetação / Nitrogen nutritional efficiency and biomass production in Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) under greenhouse conditions

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de diferentes doses de nitrogênio no solo e de épocas de coleta sobre a eficiência nutricional do nitrogênio e a produção de biomassa em Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) em condições de casa de vegetação. O substrato utilizado foi a camada de 0 - 20 cm de Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de quatro doses de N (0, 21, 42 e 84mg dm-3) e cinco épocas de colheita (15, 30, 45, 60 e 90 dias após o transplante). O teor de N na inflorescência de calêndula reduziu com as épocas de coleta, redução essa que ocorreu possivelmente devido à menor eficiência da absorção desse elemento pela planta e menor translocação do N para as inflorescências. Pode se concluir que as épocas de avaliação influenciaram na resposta da planta à eficiência de absorção (EFA), sendo a máxima EFA de N aos 51 dias após o transplante das mudas. Observou-se aumento na translocação de N da parte aérea (folhas e caules) para as inflorescências, tendo como consequência a redução do N na parte aérea. Houve incremento na produção de biomassa de calêndula em função das épocas de coleta , e do aumento das doses de N aplicadas no solo. A eficiência nutricional do N foi influenciada pelas épocas de avaliação e pelo teor de N presente no solo.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of both the application of different nitrogen levels on the soil and the harvest periods on nitrogen nutritional efficiency and biomass production in Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) under greenhouse conditions. The employed substrate was 0-20cm layer of Oxisol. Experimental design was completely randomized, with four replicates. Treatments consisted of four N levels (0, 21, 42 and 84 mg dm-3) and five harvest periods (15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days after transplanting). N levels in Calendula officinalis inflorescences reduced with the harvest periods, and such a reduction was probably due to the lower efficiency of absorption of this element by the plant and to the lower N translocation to inflorescences. We can conclude that the evaluation periods influenced the response of plants to uptake efficiency (UE), and the maximal UE for N was found at 51 days after transplanting of seedlings. There was an increase in N translocation from the shoot (leaves and stems) to inflorescences, which has as consequence N reduction in the shoot. Calendula officinalis biomass production increased with the harvest periods and with the increase in the N levels applied on the soil. N nutritional efficiency was influenced by both the evaluation periods and the N levels present on the soil.

Inibição do crescimento micelial de Cercospora calendulae Sacc. por extratos de plantas medicinais / Inhibition of the mycelial growth of Cercospora calendulae Sacc. by medicinal plants extracts

O uso de extratos e óleos essenciais de plantas medicinais tem sido amplamente estudado no controle de doenças de plantas. O objetivo da realização do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de extratos de Ruta graveolens L., Mentha x villosa, Calendula officinalis L., Momordica charantia L., Symphytum officinale L., Ageratum conyzoides L. e Ricinus comunis L., nas concentrações de 0, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 e 10000 mg L-1, sobre a inibição do crescimento micelial de Cercospora calendulae Sacc. in vitro. Os extratos foram obtidos por infusão. O experimento foi desenvolvido no Laboratório de Fitopatologia da FCA/UFGD, estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, esquema fatorial 7 extratos x 7 concentrações, com seis repetições. Foi detectado efeito dos extratos e suas concentrações sobre o crescimento do fungo, sendo a interação significativa. Os extratos de calêndula, arruda, hortelã e melão de São Caetano, nas maiores concentrações resultaram em maiores porcentagens de inibição, próximas de 100%, 30%, 35% e 40%, respectivamente, a 10000 mg L-1.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of the extracts of Ruta graveolens L., Mentha x villosa, Calendula officinalis L., Momordica charantia L., Symphytum officinale L., Ageratum conyzoides L. and Ricinus comunis L., in the concentrations of 0, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10000 mg L-1, on the inhibition of the mycelial growth of in vitro Cercospora calendulae Sacc. The extracts were obtained by infusion. The experiment was performed at the Laboratório de Fitopatologia - FCA/UFGD, in the Brazilian State of Mato Grosso do Sul. The experimental design was totally randomized, with a factorial arrangement of 7 extracts x 7 concentrations, with six repetitions. We detected the effect of the extracts and their concentrations on the growth of the fungus, with a significant interaction between the factor extracts and the concentration. Calendula officinalis L., Ruta graveolens L., Mentha x villosa and Momordica charantia L. extracts in higher concentration resulted in higher inhibition percentages in the order of 100%, 30%, 35% and 40%, respectively.

Anti-staphylococcal and antifungal substances produced by endospore-forming bacilli.

Some bacteria and fungi are related to deterioration and also transmission of foodborne diseases, emphasizing the need to search new substances that may act in the treatment and prevention of the illnesses transmitted by food. Strains from genus Bacillus produce a variety of substances with inhibitory activity that range from antibiotics to bacteriocins. In this work, three strains, identified as B. pasteurii (Pes1) and B. insolitus (Mam2 and Ame3) presented inhibitory action against staphylococcal strains isolated from food. Out of the 33 strains tested, 31 (94.0%) were inhibited by at least one of three main Bacillus producer strains, being most of them inhibited by strain Pes1, that also was able to inhibit filamentous fungi related to food spoilage. The antimicrobial substances produced by Pes1, Mam2 and Ame3 showed to be resistant to proteolytic enzymes, suggesting these substances have not an active proteinaceous compound, as typical bacteriocins. New studies are being performed to extract and characterize these antimicrobial agents to evaluate their potential application in biological control of microorganisms related to spoilage food and foodborne diseases.

Eficiência da absorção, translocação e uso de N e P pela Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng. ) Pedersen / Efficiency of N and P uptake, translocation and use by Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng. ) Pedersen

Tendo como objetivo avaliar a eficiência de absorção, translocação e uso de nitrogênio (N) e fósforo (P) pela Pfaffia glomerata, foi conduzido o presente trabalho em casa de vegetação no delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, sendo cinco doses de N (0, 125, 250, 375 e 500 mg vaso-1) e cinco doses de P (P2O5) (0, 125, 250, 375 e 500 mg vaso-1). Os resultados evidenciaram que a eficiência de absorção de N e P foi influenciada pelas doses de N e P utilizadas no experimento apresentando interação entre os fatores em estudo. A eficiência de translocação do N foi consideravelmente menor que a de P, provavelmente pela maior concentração de compostos nitrogenados nas raízes em detrimento da parte aérea. Observou-se maior eficiência de uso do P devido à menor concentração desse elemento na planta. A absorção de N e de P foi influenciada pela dose desses elementos no solo, sendo possível a estimativa das doses desses nutrientes que proporcionem maiores eficiências de absorção, translocação, uso e teor total.

Aimed at evaluating the efficiency of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) uptake, translocation and use by Pfaffia glomerata, the present study was conducted in greenhouse, in completely randomized design with three replicates. Treatments were displayed in 5 x 5 factorial design, with five N levels (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg pot-1) and five P (P2O5) levels (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg pot-1). Results evidenced that N and P uptake efficiency was influenced by the N and P levels used in the experiment, showing interaction among the studied factors. N translocation efficiency was considerably lower than that of P, probably due to the lower concentration of nitrogenous compounds in the roots than in the shoot. P use efficiency was higher due to the lower concentration of this element in the plant. N and P uptake was influenced by the level of these elements in the soil, being possible to estimate the levels of these nutrients which provide higher uptake, translocation and use efficiency besides total content.

Produção de biomassa e absorção de N e P pela Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng. ) Pedersen em função de doses de N e P em condições de casa de vegetação / Biomass production and N and P uptake by Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng. ) Pedersen according to N and P levels under greenhouse conditions

Com objetivo de avaliar a produção de biomassa e absorção de N e P pela Pfaffia glomerata em função de doses de N e P, foi realizado o presente trabalho, em casa de vegetação, utilizando como substrato Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, coletado na camada de 0 - 20 cm. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado com três repetições e os tratamentos foram dispostos em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, sendo cinco doses de N (0, 125, 250, 375 e 500 mg vaso-1) e cinco doses de P (0, 125, 250, 375 e 500 mg vaso-1). As variáveis analisadas foram altura de plantas, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea e radicular e teores de N e P na parte aérea e radicular. Os resultados evidenciaram efeito interativo do N e P, em todas as variáveis analisadas, exceto com relação ao teor de P na parte aérea e radicular. A produção de biomassa e absorção de N e P pela Pfaffia glomerata foi influenciada pelas doses de N e P utilizadas no experimento e para a produtividade ótima das características avaliadas, as doses de N variaram entre 42,9 e 346,01 mg vaso-1 e as doses de P entre os valores de 72,02 e 500 mg vaso-1.

With the aim of evaluating biomass production and N and P uptake by Pfaffia glomerata according to N and P levels, the present study was carried out in a greenhouse, using as substrate Oxisol collected at the layer 0 - 20 cm. Experimental design was completely randomized, with three replicates and treatments arranged in 5 x 5 factorial arrangement, with five N levels (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg pot-1) and five P levels (0, 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg pot-1). The assessed parameters were plant height, shoot and root fresh and dry matter, and N and P levels in shoot and roots. Results evidenced an interactive effect of N and P for all studied variables, except for N and P levels in shoot and roots. Biomass production and N and P uptake by Pfaffia glomerata were influenced by the N and P levels used in the experiment, whereas the optimal productivity was obtained with N levels ranging between 42.9 and 346.01 mg pot-1 and P levels between 72.02 and 500 mg pot-1.

Ação do fungo metarhizium anisopliae sobre desenvolvimento do díptero muscina stabulans em laboratório / Action of metarhizium anisopliae fungi over the development of muscina stabulans dipteran in laboratory

Avaliou-se o desenvolvimento de Muscina stabulans (Diptera, Muscidae) após exposição ao fungo Metarhizium anisopliae (isolado CG34), sob condições de laboratório. Suspensões de esporos foram preparadas nas concentrações de 10(5), 10(6), 10(7) e 10(8)conídeos/mL-1. Noventa larvas pós-alimentar por tratamento, distribuídas em cinco tratamentos e três repetições, foram mergulhadas por um segundo nas respectivas suspensões, transferidas para placas de Petri com papel filtro umedecido e mantidas em estufa BOD à temperatura de 25ºC, umidade relativa de 80 por cento e fotoperíodo de 12:12 horas até a emergência dos adultos. Foram avaliados a taxa de mortalidade pupal e o período de desenvolvimento pupal. As larvas apresentaram suscetibilidade à ação de M. anisopliae em diferentes concentrações. A mortalidade pupal assim como o tempo de desenvolvimento das pupas (de 8,8 a 10 dias) aumentaram conforme o aumento da concentração de conídios (de zero a 47 por cento). A aplicação de M. anisopliae nesta fase do ciclo biológico comprometeu o desenvolvimento de M. stabulans e interferiu no controle natural de pragas que se desenvolvem no mesmo ambiente.

The development of Muscina stabulans (Diptera, Muscidae) after exposure to Metarhizium anisopliae (CG34 isolated) fungi under laboratory conditions was evaluated. Suspensions of spores were prepared in concentrations of 10(5), 10(6), 10(7), and 10(8)conidia/mL-1. Ninety postfeeding larvae per treatment, divided into five treatments and three repetitions, were dived for one second in the respective suspensions, and transferred to Petri dishes with humidified filter paper and maintained in BOD at 25 ºC with 80 percent relative humidity and a 12:12h photoperiod, until the emergency of adults. The rate of pupal mortality and the period of pupal development were evaluated. The larvae showed susceptibility to the action of M. anisopliae in different levels of concentration. The pupal mortality increased accordingly to the increase in the conidia concentration (from zero to 47 percent), as well as prolonged the time of development of the pupae (from 8.8 to 10 days). The application of M. anisopliae in this phase of the biological cycle compromised the development of M. stabulans and interfered in the natural control of pests that develop in the same environment.

Effects of reversible inactivation of the dorsomedial hypothalamus on panic- and anxiety-related responses in rats

The medial hypothalamus is part of a neurobiological substrate controlling defensive behavior. It has been shown that a hypothalamic nucleus, the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), is involved in the regulation of escape, a defensive behavior related to panic attacks. The role played by the DMH in the organization of conditioned fear responses, however, is less clear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of reversible inactivation of the DMH with the GABA A agonist muscimol on inhibitory avoidance acquisition and escape expression by male Wistar rats (approximately 280 g in weight) tested in the elevated T-maze (ETM). In the ETM, inhibitory avoidance, a conditioned defensive response, has been associated with generalized anxiety disorder. Results showed that intra-DMH administration of the GABA A receptor agonist muscimol inhibited escape performance, suggesting an antipanic-like effect (P < 0.05), without changing inhibitory avoidance acquisition. Although a higher dose of muscimol (1.0 nmol/0.2 µL; N = 7) also altered locomotor activity in an open field when compared to control animals (0.2 µL saline; N = 13) (P < 0.05), the lower dose (0.5 nmol/0.2 µL; N = 12) of muscimol did not cause any motor impairment. These data corroborate previous evidence suggesting that the DMH is specifically involved in the modulation of escape. Dysfunction of this regulatory mechanism may be relevant in the genesis/maintenance of panic disorder.

Entomofauna associada ao cultivo de Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr) Singer (Agaricales: Agaricaceae) no município do Capão do Leão, RS, Brasil / Insects associated with the Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr) Singer (Agaricales: Agaricaceae) crop in the county of Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi conhecer a diversidade de artrópodes associada ao cultivo de Pleurotus sajor-caju em palha de arroz pasteurizada em ambiente semicontrolado, localizado no sul do Rio Grande do Sul. A captura dos espécimes foi realizada no período de abril a maio de 2007, durante a fase de frutificação da cultura, compreendendo 45 dias. Foram realizadas nove coletas com intervalos de 5 dias, utilizando armadilhas INTRAL AL 012 (12 volts). Capturou-se um total de 3.129 indivíduos divididos em cinco ordens com predominância de Diptera (2.874), Hymenoptera (152), Ortoptera (69), Colembola (59) e Coleoptera (38). A ordem Diptera foi a que apresentou o maior número de famílias, sendo Mycetophilidae (2.530), Sciaridae (264), Cecidomyiidae (10), Phoridae (46), Muscidae (4), Calliphoridae (1) e Culicidae (19).

The objective of this research was to know the diversity of arthropods associated to the Pleurotus sajor-caju crop in rice straw pasteurized in a semicontrolled environment, located in the south of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The capture of specimens was carried out in the period of April through May 2007, during the phase of fruit bodies of the crop, lasting 45 days. Nine collections with intervals of 5 days were carried out, using INTRAL AL 012 (12 volt) traps. A total of 3129 individuals divided into five orders with predominance of Diptera (2874), Hymenoptera (152), Ortoptera (69), Colembola (59) and Coleoptera (38) was captured. The Diptera order was the one that presented the biggest number of families, being Mycetophilidae (2530), Sciaridae (264), Cecidomyiidae (10), Phoridae (46), Muscidae (4), Calliphoridae (1) and Culicidae (19).

Simultaneous assessment of plasmatic, acrosomal, and mitochondrial membranes in ram sperm by fluorescent probes / Avaliação simultânea das membranas plasmática, acrossomal e mitocondrial de espermatozoides de carneiros por sondas fluorescentes

In this experiment, it was defined a protocol of fluorescent probes combination: propidium iodide (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA), and JC-1. For this purpose, four ejaculates from three different rams (n=12), all showing motility >80 percent and abnormal morphology <10 percent, were diluted in TALP medium and split into two aliquots. One of the aliquots was flash frozen and thawed in three continuous cycles, to induce damage in cellular membranes and to disturb mitochondrial function. Three treatments were prepared with the following fixed ratios of fresh semen:flash frozen semen: 0:100 (T0), 50:50 (T50), and 100:0 (T100). Samples were stained in the proposal protocol and evaluated by epifluorescence microscopy. For plasmatic membrane integrity, detected by PI probe, it was obtained the equation: v=1.09+0.86X (R²=0.98). The intact acrosome, verified by the FITC-PSA probe, produced the equation: v=2.76+0.92X (R²=0.98). The high mitochondrial membrane potential, marked in red-orange by JC-1, was estimated by the equation: v=1.90+0.90X (R²=0.98). The resulting linear equations demonstrate that this technique is efficient and practical for the simultaneous evaluations of the plasmatic, acrosomal, and mitochondrial membranes in ram spermatozoa.

Neste experimento, foi definida uma combinação de sondas fluorescentes: iodeto de propídio (PI), aglutinina de Pisum sativum conjugada ao isotiocionato de fluoresceína (FITC-PSA) e JC-1. Para esta proposta, quatro ejaculados de três carneiros (n=12), que apresentavam motilidade >80 por cento e alterações morfológicas <10 por cento, foram diluídos em meio TALP e divididos em duas alíquotas. Uma alíquota foi submetida a três ciclos de flash frozen e descongelação, para induzir danos nas membranas celulares e distúrbios na função mitocondrial. Três tratamentos foram preparados com as seguintes proporções preestabelecidas de sêmen fresco: sêmen submetido a flash frozen: 0:100 (T0), 50:50 (T50) e 100:0 (T100). As amostras foram coradas no protocolo proposto e avaliadas por microscopia de epifluorescência. Para integridade de membrana plasmática, detectada pela sonda PI, foi obtida a equação: v=1,09+0,86X (R²=0,98). O acrossomo intacto, verificado pela sonda FITC-PSA, produziu a equação: v=2,76+0,92X (R²=0,98). O alto potencial de membrana mitocondrial, marcada em vermelho-alaranjado pelo JC-1, foi estimado pela equação: v=1,90+0,90X (R²=0,98). As equações lineares resultantes demonstraram que a técnica é eficiente e prática para avaliação simultânea das membranas plasmática, acrossomal e mitocondrial em espermatozoides de carneiros.

Genotoxic effect of Physalis angulata L. (Solanaceae) extract on human lymphocytes treated in vitro

Physalis angulata L (Solanaceae) is a medicinal plant from North of Brazil, whose different extracts and infusions are commonly used in the popular medicine for the treatment of malaria, asthma, hepatitis, dermatitis and rheumatism. However, the genotoxic effects of P. angulata on human cells is not well known. The main purpose of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro genotoxic effects of aqueous extract of P. angulata using the comet assay and the micronucleus assay in human lymphocytes provided from 6 healthy donors. Treatments with P. angulata extracts were performed in vitro in order to access the extent of DNA damage. The comet assay has shown that treatments with P. angulata at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 6.0 microg/mL in culture medium were genotoxic. Lymphocytes treated with P. angulata at the concentrations of 3.0 and 6.0 microg/mL in culture medium showed a statistically significant increase in the frequency of micronucleus (p<0.05), however, the cytokinesis blocked proliferation index (CBPI) was not decreased after P. angulata treatment. In conclusion, the present work demonstrated the genotoxic effects of P. angulata extract on human lymphocytes in vitro.

Estudo fitoquímico e bioensaio toxicológico frente a larvas de Artemia salina Leach. de três espécies medicinais do gênero Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae) / Phytochemical screening and toxicological bioassay with brine shrimp larvae (Artemia salina Leach) of three medicinal species of the genus Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae)

Avaliou-se o perfil fitoquímico e a toxicidade de três espécies do gênero Phyllanthus (P. niruri, P. amarus eP. tenellus), coletadas em diferentes localidades do estado de Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil. Os extratos brutos das três espécies foram submetidos a testes convencionais por cromatografia em camada delgada analítica para verificação das classes de metabólitos presentes, e testados frente a larvas de Artemia salina para obtenção das concentrações letais médias (CL50).Os testes fitoquímicos demonstraram a presença de flavonóides, saponinas, terpenos, naftoquinonas, alcalóides, antraquinonas, lignanas e taninos. As três espécies de Phyllanthus apresentaram variações na composição fitoquímica e na toxicidade frente a A.salina. Dependendo do local de coleta, os valores de CL50 variaram de 404,43 mais ou menos 49,64 miug/mL a 770,84 mais ou menos 51,78 miug/mL para P. niruri, 837,65 mais ou menos 61,45 miug/mL a 1075,89 mais ou menos70,72 miug/mL para P. amarus e 534,60 mais ou menos 46,83 miug/mL a 1003,62 mais ou menos 65,15 miug/mL para P. tenellus.

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.

Noroviruses associated with acute gastroenteritis in a children's day care facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Noroviruses (Norwalk-like viruses) are an important cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. They are the most common cause of outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the adult population and occur in nursing homes for the elderly, geriatric wards, medical wards, and in hotel and restaurant settings. Food-borne outbreaks have also occurred following consumption of contaminated oysters. This study describes the application of a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay using random primers (PdN6) and specific Ni and E3 primers, directed at a small region of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase-coding region of the norovirus genome, and DNA sequencing for the detection and preliminary characterisation of noroviruses in outbreaks of gastroenteritis in children in Brazil. The outbreak samples were collected from children <5 years of age at the Bertha Lutz children's day care facility at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, that occurred between 1996 and 1998, where no pathogen had been identified. At the Bertha Lutz day care center facility, only Fiocruz's employee children are provided for, and they come from different social, economic and cultural backgrounds. Three distinct genogroup II strains were detected in three outbreaks in 1997/98 and were most closely related to genotypes GII-3 (Mexico virus) and GII-4 (Grimsby virus), both of which have been detected in paediatric and adult outbreaks of gastroenteritis worldwide.