Effect of body condition score and reuse of progesterone-releasing intravaginal devices on conception rate following timed artificial insemination in Nelore cows.

This study had the aim of investigating the efficiency of timed artificial insemination (TAI) through the progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID), used in new condition and for the second and third times in Nelore cows. The effects of device reuse and body condition score (BCS) on the conception rate (CR) were evaluated in 1,122 multiparous Nelore cows (mean BCS of 2.7 ± 0.4), which were randomly distributed into three groups that received new (n = 330), once (n = 439) and twice used (n = 353) PRID. Among the 1,122 females that underwent TAI, 573 became pregnant, thus representing an overall CR of 51.06%. Cows with BCS between 2.75 and 4.0 had greater (p < .0001) CR (69.75%) than cows with BSC of 2.0-2.5 (32.98%). It was observed that the CR through using PRID was 60.00%, 51.71% and 41.93% for new, once and twice used PRID, respectively, with difference between all groups (p < .0001). Under tropical conditions, animals with BCS greater than 2.5 had a higher CR, and the CR decreased proportionally with the number of times that the PRID had been used.

Description of the pre-reductional sex chromosome during male meiosis of Pachylis laticornis (Heteroptera: Coreidae).

In Heteroptera, the division of sex chromosomes is well defined as post-reductional for most of species, i.e., the first meiotic division is equational and the second is reductional. However, in some species pre-reductional division has been observed, whereby the first meiotic division is reductional and the second is equational. These include Anisops fieberi (Notonectidae), Ectrychotes disparate (Reduviidae), Dictyonota tricornis (Tingidae), and Archimerus alternatus (Coreidae), as well as other species of the genus Pachylis, in the family Coreidae. Thus, this study aimed to characterize the meiotic behavior of Pachylis laticornis, in order to consider whether this species also undergoes pre-reduction division for the sex chromosomes. Cytogenetic analysis of meiosis in P. laticornis made it possible to characterize the holocentric nature of the chromosomes, the chromosome number of this species [2n = 15 (2m + 12A + X0)], the chromosomal system of sex X0 type, and the presence of m-chromosomes. Furthermore, the analysis of anaphase I, telophase I and II allowed pre-reductional meiotic behavior to be observed for this sex chromosome. Thus, this meiotic behavior was confirmed for another species of Heteroptera, stressing the importance of more cytogenetic studies of meiosis to increase our understanding of variation in the behavior of sex chromosomes during spermatogenesis in heteropterans. Therefore, the present study describes the chromosomal number, the system of sex determination, and meiotic behavior of P. laticornis, corroborating the relationship of this species with others of the same genus.

Distribution of constitutive heterochromatin in Pachycoris torridus (Hemiptera, Scutelleridae) with different chromatic patterns.

The stink bug Pachycoris torridus is a pest of great agricultural importance due to its records on culture of physic nut (Jatropha curcas), which is the raw material for biodiesel production. An interesting feature of this insect is its high phenotypic variability, a characteristic that resulted in it being classified as a new species on eight separate occasions. In the suborder Heteroptera, the heterochromatin pattern is specific and often allows species to be differentiated. To confirm whether there is differentiation between specimens of P. torridus with different color patterns (yellow, orange, brown, and red), samples were analyzed cytogenetically using the C-banding method. During meiotic prophase, the four color patterns analyzed showed a large heterochromatic chromocenter, consisting of a combination of both sex chromosomes (X and Y). Thus, the present study reports chromosomal homogeneity in different color patterns of P. torridus and highlights the importance of this tool in the description of new species.

High genetic variability and polychromatism in Pachycoris torridus (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae).

The stink bug Pachycoris torridus is listed among the most polyphagous insects in the world and it is a major pest of diverse crops, in particular the physic nut Jatropha curcas, which is used as a raw material for biodiesel production. A peculiar characteristic of this species is its high phenotypic variability, a characteristic that makes identification difficult: P. torridus has been described as a new species eight times. Thus, to aid in identification, genetic characterization of this insect was performed. We verified that, due to the high genetic variability of P. torridus, several genetic patterns exist that result in the same phenotype.

Study of nucleolar behavior during spermatogenesis in Martarega brasiliensis (Heteroptera, Notonectidae).

Few cytogenetic studies have been undertaken using aquatic heteropterans and the nucleolar behavior of these insects has been described in only four species, Limnogonus aduncus, Brachymetra albinerva, Halobatopsis platensis, and Cylindrostethus palmaris. The nucleolus is a cellular structure related to biosynthetic activity and it exhibits a peculiar behavior in the heteropterans of the Triatominae subfamily; it persists during all stages of meiosis. Thus, this study aims to analyze spermatogenesis in Martarega brasiliensis, with an emphasis on nucleolar behavior. Twenty M. brasiliensis adult males were used and collected from the Municipal reservoir in the city of São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. The species were fixed in methanol:acetic acid (3:1), then dissected, and the testicles were extracted, torn apart, and impregnated with silver ions. During prophase, the nuclei of M. brasiliensis were composed of the nucleolus and nucleolar corpuscles, which varied in number from one to four, emphasizing that this insect has great synthetic activity during meiosis. The analysis of cells in metaphase I showed that M. brasiliensis presents a nucleolar organizing region in at least one autosome. Furthermore, the phenomenon of nucleolar persistence was not observed. All spermatids presented nucleolar markings that varied in number and position according to the stage of elongation. Moreover, it was also possible to highlight the presence of a vesicle in spermatids. Thus, this paper describes the nucleolar behavior of M. brasiliensis and highlights important characteristics during spermatogenesis, thus, increasing the knowledge about the biology of these aquatic heteropterans.

The first assess of the haplotypes from COI gene sequences in species of spittlebugs (Cicadomorpha: Hemiptera) and aquatic true bugs (Gerromorpha and Nepomorpha: Hemiptera) in Brazil.

We made the first analysis of the COI gene sequences of 22 species of spittlebugs and aquatic true bugs sampled in São Paulo State (Brazil) and used this information to determine the variability within these groups. Considering each codon position, we observed that the third base was the most variable, and the first base was the most conserved. Among species, Mahanarva fimbriolata and Deois flavopicta had the greatest genetic distance (0.181), and Notozulia entreriana and Mahanarva sp had the smallest distance (0.055), with an average variation of 0.119. In Gerromorpha, the greatest distance occurred between Halobatopsis platensis and Rhagovelia zela (0.401), while between Cylindrostethus palmaris and Brachymetra albinervis albinervis, the distance was only 0.187; the average value observed for the Gerromorpha was 0.265. In the Nepomorpha, the species Buenoa antigone antigone and Belostoma micantulum had the greatest genetic distance (0.337), while Martarega brasiliensis and B. a. antigone had the smallest (0.154). The average value observed for Nepomorpha was 0.203. In Cicadomorpha (Auchenorrhyncha) and Nepomorpha (Heteroptera), the COI gene has been conserved; however, it is still useful for characterization of the different taxa. COI analysis was unable to resolve some of the Gerromorpha groups.

Spermatogenesis of riffle bugs, Rhagovelia whitei and Rhagovelia sp (Veliidae), and backswimmers Martarega sp (Notonectidae).

We examined the course of spermatogenesis and the meiotic chromosome complements in aquatic species of true bugs, Heteroptera. The chromosome complement of the Veliidae species was 2n = 39 (38A + X0) and 23 (22A + X0) in Rhagovelia whitei and Rhagovelia sp, respectively, and in the species of the Notonectidae (Martarega sp) it was 26 (22A + 2m + XY); all collected from the region of São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil. An impressive characteristic of the first analysis was the size of the cells belonging to Martarega sp, which were six times larger than the same cells in Pentatomidae and twice as large as the cells in aquatic Heteroptera (Gerridae). Regarding spermatogenesis, all the species analyzed showed the same pattern: holocentric chromosomes and elongated spermatids with the chromatin distributed evenly along the head. The family Veliidae showed several bodies impregnated with silver nitrate at prophase, while the family Notonectidae displayed only one. The cells of Notonectidae also showed an evident and round body until the end of prophase I and in the family Veliidae the silver-impregnated bodies were disorganized, where the only region visualized was possibly that of the NOR. In metaphase, silver-stained regions were found at the periphery of all chromosomes in Veliidae and at the periphery of some chromosomes in Notonectidae. The spermatids of Veliidae showed a less silver-impregnated vesicle, while Notonectidae showed silver staining only in part of the nuclear membrane. Therefore, families of Heteroptera have some differences and features that can help identify and classify these species.

Biochemical analysis of a castor bean leaf extract and its insecticidal effects against Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Plant extracts represent a great source of molecules, with insecticidal activity, which are used for pest control in several crop production systems. This work aimed to evaluate the toxicity of an aqueous extract of leaves of castor bean against larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in search for different classes of molecules with insecticidal activities by using in vitro assays. The effects of the castor bean leaf extract on the food utilization, development, and survival of S. frugiperda larvae was evaluated by feeding the larvae an artificial diet supplemented with different concentrations of the extract (0%, 1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10% w/v). The effects observed were dose-dependent, and the highest concentration evaluated (10% w/v) was the one the most affected food utilization by altering the nutritional indices, as well as larval weight gain, development time, and survivorship. In vitro assays to detect saponins, lectins, and trypsin inhibitors in the castor bean leaf extract were performed, but only trypsin inhibitors were detected. No preference for the diet source was detected in S. frugiperda by feeding the larvae in choice experiments with diets containing different concentrations of the castor bean extract tested. The data obtained indicate the existence of a potential molecule in the tested extract of castor bean to be used as an alternative insecticide to be integrated in the management of S. frugiperda.

Eficácia e toxicidade do pó comercial de Hoodia gordonii (Masson) swet ex decne utilizado no tratamento da obesidade / Efficacy and toxicity of Hoodia gordonii commercial powder used to combat obesity

A obesidade é atualmente o principal problema de saúde em países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento. Diversos recursos terapêuticos têm sido empregados para o tratamento da obesidade destacando-se os fitoterápicos, consagrados pelo conhecimento popular. Nesse contexto, a planta Hoodia gordonii tem despertado atualmente grande interesse mundial, principalmente pelas recentes descobertas e comprovações científicas da inibição do apetite e da sede pelo glicosídeo ativo P57 isolado de espécies da planta. Apesar disso, tais efeitos ainda não foram avaliados e comprovados em amostras comerciais do pó de H. gordonii (PHG), não existindo evidências científicas que garantam a sua eficácia e segurança. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar ensaios biológicos com ratos para avaliar a atividade farmacológica e a toxicidade de amostras comerciais do pó de H. gordonii. As amostras foram administradas por gavagem em doses equivalentes a 20 vezes as recomendadas para humanos em ratas Wistar durante 4 semanas sendo avaliados os parâmetros indicadores do efeito terapêutico. Após as 4 semanas, os animais foram sacrificados, e amostras de sangue e órgãos foram coletados e submetidos à avaliação dos indicadores metabólicos, endócrinos, hematológicos e histopatológicos. Os resultados demonstraram que para todos os parâmetros avaliados não houve diferenças significativas entre o grupo controle que recebeu somente solução salina estéril e os grupos tratados com PHG indicando que os mesmos, apesar de não apresentarem quaisquer indícios de toxicidade, são incapazes de produzir os supostos efeitos de inibição de apetite e consequente tratamento da obesidade.

Obesity is currently the main health problem in developed and developing countries. Several therapeutic methods have been employed for the treatment of obesity, especially herbal medicines, highlighted by popular knowledge. In this context, the plant Hoodia gordonii has currently aroused great interest worldwide, especially for recent discoveries and scientific proof of inhibition of appetite and thirst by the active glycoside P57 isolated from plant species. Nevertheless, such effects have not been evaluated and proven for commercial samples of H. gordonii powder (PHG), with no scientific evidence to ensure its effectiveness and safety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct biological tests with rats to evaluate the pharmacological activity and toxicity of commercial samples of H. gordonii powder. The samples were administered through gavage, at doses equivalent to 20 times those recommended for humans, in female Wistar rats during 4 weeks for evaluation of the parameters indicative of therapeutic efficacy. After 4 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and blood and organ samples were collected and subjected to the evaluation of metabolic, endocrine, hematological and histopathological indicators. Results showed that for all evaluated parameters, there were no significant differences between the control group that only received sterile saline solution and the groups treated with PHG, indicating that the latter, although presenting no evidence of toxicity, are unable to produce the alleged effects of appetite inhibition and subsequent obesity treatment.

Seleção de extratos brutos de plantas com atividade antiobesidade / Selection of crude plant extracts with anti-obesity activity

A prevalência da obesidade está aumentando a um ritmo alarmante e poucos medicamentos para o tratamento estão atualmente disponíveis no mercado. A inibição da lipase pancreática é um dos mecanismos mais amplamente estudados para determinar a eficácia de produtos naturais como agentes antiobesidade. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar in vitro a inibição de dezenove extratos aquosos e metanólicos sobre a lipase pancreática. Ensaios cinéticos foram realizados em quatro períodos de tempo com ausência e presença do extrato inibidor. Também foi avaliado a ação desses extratos após a simulação do fluido gástrico. Cymbopogon citratus apresentou a maior inibição, seguido de Costus spicatus e Baccharis trimera. Os extratos apresentam um potencial como adjuvante no tratamento da obesidade.

The prevalence of obesity has been increasing at an alarming rate and only a few medications are currently available in the market. Pancreatic lipase inhibition is one of the most widely studied mechanisms for determining the efficacy of natural products as anti-obesity agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the inhibition of nineteen aqueous and methanol extracts on pancreatic lipase. Kinetic assays were performed in four periods with the absence and the presence of the inhibitor extract. We also tested the action of these extracts after gastric fluid simulation. Cymbopogon citratus showed the highest inhibition, followed by Costus spicatus and Baccharis trimera. The extracts have the potential to act as adjuvants in the treatment of obesity.

Atividade das glicosidases na presença de chá verde e de chá preto / Activity of glycosidases in the presence of green tea and black tea

Várias plantas têm sido consideradas produtos terapêuticos, dentre elas destacam-se os chás verde e preto, popularmente utilizados para controle da hiperglicemia e obesidade. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar o potencial inibitório sobre as enzimas α-amilase, α e β-glicosidases e o teor de compostos fenólicos do chá verde e do chá preto. O teor de compostos fenólicos encontrados foram de 80,8 ± 0,43 mg g-1 no chá preto e 32,0 ± 0,12 mg g-1 no chá verde. O chá verde e o chá preto, em condições de consumo, inibiram as enzimas em estudo, porém, após a simulação do fluido gástrico o inibidor presente no chá verde perdeu a ação. O chá preto deixou de inibir a α-amilase e apresentou inibição inalterada para α e β-glicosidases. Tais resultados sugerem que o chá preto pode ser auxiliar em dietas de restrição de carboidratos.

Several plants have been considered therapeutic products, including green and black tea, popularly used to control hyperglycemia and obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory potential of the enzymes α-amylase, α and β-glycosidases, as well as the content of phenolic compounds in green tea and black tea. The concentrations of phenolic compounds found were 80.8 ± 0.43 mg g-1 in black tea and 32.0 ± 0.12 mg g-1 in green tea. Under the tested conditions of use, green and black tea inhibited the enzyme under study. However, after simulation of the gastric fluid, the inhibitor present in green tea lost its action. Black tea no longer inhibited a-amylase and showed unaltered inhibition for α and β-glycosidases. These results suggest that black tea can be helpful in diets restricting carbohydrates.

Spermatogenesis and karyotypes of three species of water striders (Gerridae, Heteroptera).

Although they are of economic importance, there have been few cytogenetic studies of the Gerridae (Heteroptera) in Brazil. We examined spermatogenesis (meiosis and spermiogenesis) and nucleolar behavior in three species of the family Gerridae. Brachymetra albinerva and Halobatopsis platensis were found to have a chromosome complement of 2n = 25 (24A + X0) and Cylindrostethus palmaris 2n = 29 (28A + X0) chromosomes. Fifteen individuals of these species were collected from the reservoir of São José do Rio Preto, SP, using screens and were transported in pots containing water to the laboratory, where cytogenetic preparations were made. The polyploidy nuclei are formed by several heteropyknotic regions; cells in meiotic prophase have a heteropyknotic region that is probably the sex chromosome, and the chromosomes from chiasmata. The spermatids are rounded and have a heteropyknotic region at the periphery of the nucleus; the sperm head is small, with a long tail. Silver impregnation of meiotic cells showed one or more disorganized bodies around the perichromosomal sheath. The round spermatids had two bodies next to each other, but these were elongated; one of the bodies remained in the head and the other migrated to the initial part of the tail at the end of spermagenesis, when the staining was no longer evident. The meiotic cells appear during spermatogenesis and have very similar silver-impregnation patterns in different species of Heteroptera.

Heteropicnotic chromatin and nucleolar activity in meiosis and spermiogenesis of Limnogonus aduncus (Heteroptera, Gerridae): a stained nucleolar organizing region that can serve as a model for studying chromosome behavior.

Males of Limnogonus aduncus were found to have the sex chromosome system X0 and chromosome number 2n = 23 (22A + X0). Testis cells were stained with lacto-acetic orcein and silver nitrate so that changes in the morphology and degree of staining of the heteropicnotic chromatin and the nucleolar material could be observed during meiosis and spermiogenesis. These structures share the same nuclear position and could be seen until almost the end of spermiogenesis. A chromosome region stained with silver nitrate was indicative of a nucleolar organizing region (NOR), which is rarely detected in Heteroptera with this technique. The NOR is located at one end of a single member of an autosome pair. The finding of this stained region enabled us to observe that the telomeric association of sister chromatids that characterizes the Heteroptera does not include the chromosome ends, where NORs are located; we also observed in anaphase that the chromosome end through which it is pulled to the pole is the one containing the NOR. Another observation was that the single nucleolar body present in the cells at anaphase never goes to the cell pole that does not receive the NOR. We conclude that L. aduncus is a good model for cytogenetic studies involving nucleolar activity and also may be useful for studying the mechanisms of activation and inactivation of kinetic activity at the chromosome ends. Although the chromosomes of Heteroptera are known to be holocentric, whether kinetic activity is restricted to one or involves both chromosome ends is still not well understood.

Controle de reaçöes inespecíficas na detecçäo de diminutas quantidades de enterotoxinas estafilocócicas em ensaio de aglutinaçäo passiva reversa em látex / Control of nonspecific reactions on reversed passive latex agglutination assay (RPLA) for detecting nanogram quantities of staphylococcal enterotoxins

Quatorze linhagens de estafilococos coagulase negativos procedentes de cabras sadias da Espanha, consideradas baixo-produtoras de enterotoxinas quando testadas por ELISA, e uma cepa de Staphylococcus aureus isolada do queijo envolvido em intoxicaçäo alimentar foram avaliados por RPLA, após crescimento em diferentes meios de cultivo. Reaçöes inespecíficas ocorreram para todas as linhagens e näo puderam ser eliminadas pela adiçäo de soro normal de coelho, novilha, carneiro e cavalo, nem por tratamento térmico das amostras-teste a 70ºC por 30 minutos. Entretanto, 5 por cento (v/v) de IgG normal e purificada de coelho adicionada aos sobrenadantes de culturas eliminaram as reaçöes inespecíficas

[An experience of teaching the discipline of administration applied to nursing]. / Uma experiência de ensino na disciplina administração aplicada à enfermagem.

In this study, the teachers of the Administration's discipline applied in Nursing, discourse on the philosophy on which they were based for achieving professional level. They point at the importance of the following: to reflect on the nature of the social and health transformation process, taking into account the part that the professional must have, technical-scientific competence and a critical involvement with the reality. The educational process is seen as the moment in which the reflexion of reality is realized together with the involvement in finding proposals for change. A description of the contents and the objectives of the discipline is made, related with the competence skills to be developed by the student during this course and the strategies that are being used.

[Leadership and communication]. / Liderança e comunicação.

This study deals with the concepts of leadership and the role of the leader in communicating with his team. It stresses communication's concepts, process and its importance to built all organizations.