Structure of photo-damaged white and naturally pigmented human hair.

The effect of photo-degradation processes on the morphology and ultrastructure of pigmented and non-pigmented hair was evaluated in this work by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Samples consisted of three types of grey hair (separated out into subsamples of totally white and totally black strands) and one type of dark-brown hair exposed to solar irradiation for 75 h or to a mercury lamp for 600 h. SAXS patterns showed that irradiation mainly damaged the amorphous regions of hair, and in some types of hair, an ordered structure appeared, with spaces of ca. 4.5 nm. This structure occurred independently of the presence of pigments and its scattering intensity increased after irradiation. Layers of lipids present in the cuticle may be responsible for this scattering around 4.5 nm, as indicated by TEM images. TEM also showed morphological changes in the outermost cuticle layers, such as the degradation of endocuticle and the detachment of the cell membrane complex. Therefore, the results presented herewith showed that irradiation caused different damages to the hair amorphous fractions, especially in the cuticle layers, which are the most exposed areas of the hair strands.

Avaliação da suplementação antioxidante na dieta para galos de matrizes pesadas em idade avançada sobre parâmetros reprodutivos / Evaluation of antioxidant supplementation in diet for aging broiler breeder roosters on reproductive parameters

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de antioxidantes suplementados às dietas de galos de matrizes pesadas em idade avançada sobre as características reprodutivas. Foram utilizados galos da linhagem Cobb com 47 semanas de idade. Estes foram distribuídos em quatros tratamentos, de acordo com a adição de antioxidante à dieta, sendo: A = grupo controle (sem suplementação antioxidante); B = suplementação de 9ppm de citranaxantina; C = suplementação de 6ppm de cantaxantina e D = 150ppm de vitamina E. Foram avaliadas as características seminais, tais como volume, vigor, motilidade e concentração, a composição de ácidos graxos do sêmen (saturados, insaturados, monoinsaturados, poli-insaturados, ômega 3, ômega 6 e ômega 9) e a correlação entre o peso dos testículos e o peso dos galos. Não foram observados efeitos das substâncias antioxidantes testadas sobre os parâmetros reprodutivos avaliados. Os antioxidantes avaliados não influenciam as respostas reprodutivas de machos reprodutores de matrizes pesadas em idade avançada.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of antioxidant supplementation in diets of aging broiler breeder roosters on reproductive characteristics. Cobb roosters were divided into four groups, according to antioxidant addition, where: A = control group (without antioxidant supplementation); B = 9ppm of citranaxanthin; C = 6ppm of canthaxanthin, and D = 150ppm of vitamin E. Seminal characteristics (volume, force, motility and concentration), semen fatty acid composition (saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, ω3, ω6 and ω9), and the correlation between testis weight with rooster weight were evaluated. No effects of the antioxidants tested were observed. The antioxidants do not influence the reproductive responses of aging male broiler breeder.(AU)

Morphological degradation of human hair cuticle due to simulated sunlight irradiation and washing.

Morphological changes in hair surface are undesirable, since they cause shine loss, roughness increase and split ends. These effects occur more frequently in the cuticle, which is the outermost layer of the hair strand, and thus the most exposed to the environmental damages. Sunlight irradiation contributes significantly to these morphological alterations, which motivates the investigation of this effect on hair degradation. In this work, the influence of irradiation and hand-washing steps on the morphology of pigmented and non-pigmented hair cuticle was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To simulate daily conditions, where hair is hand-washed and light exposed, samples of dark brown and gray hair underwent three different conditions: 1) irradiation with a mercury lamp for up to 600h; 2) irradiation with the mercury lamp combined with washes with a sodium lauryl sulphate solution; and 3) only washing. A new preparation procedure was applied for TEM samples to minimize natural variations among different hair strands: a single hair strand was cut into two neighbouring halves and only one of them underwent irradiation and washing. The non-exposed half was used as a control, so that the real effects caused by the controlled irradiation and washing procedures could be highlighted in samples that had very similar morphologies initially. More than 25images/sample were analysed using FESEM (total of 300 images) and ca. 150images/sample were obtained with TEM (total of 900 images). The results presented herein show that the endocuticle and the cell membrane complex (CMC) are the cuticle structures more degraded by irradiation. Photodegradation alone results in fracturing, cavities (Ø≈20-200nm) and cuticle cell lifting, while the washing steps were able to remove cuticle cells (≈1-2 cells removed after 60 washes). Finally, the combined action of irradiation and washing caused the most severe damages, resulting in a more pronounced cuticle extraction (≈1-4 cuticle cells after a 600h irradiation and a 60 times washing). This irradiation dose corresponds to ca. 2months of sunlight exposure (considering 5h/day) in Campinas-SP, Brazil, during the day period of maximum irradiation intensity. The combined action of irradiation and washing can be explained by the creation of fragile photodegraded spots in the endocuticle and in the CMC, where the mechanical stress associated to the washing steps are more prone to induce rupture.

Effect of photodamage on the outermost cuticle layer of human hair.

The surface of the hair is the region most exposed to solar radiation and to the environment in general. Many of the well-known damaging effects of sun exposure on hair must start or even be restricted to the most external cuticle layers. As such, this work investigates morphological, ultrastructural and chemical changes in the outermost cuticle layer of dark brown hair, using atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The results showed that after 230 h of irradiation with a mercury lamp, small bumps with globular shape (heights lying in the 1-5 nm range) appeared on the cuticle surface and their size increased with increasing irradiation times. In addition, the enlargement of pre-existing holes was also observed (holes increase around 350% in depth) and the height of the steps formed between the edges of two cuticle scales increased around 65%, as a result of 500 h of irradiation. The damages in hair strands were accurately identified by analyzing exactly the same surface region before and after irradiation by AFM images. Finally, the results were discussed in terms of the chemical differences between the non-irradiated and the irradiated hair, for instance, the increased level of cystine oxidation as a consequence of photodegradation.

Morfologia e grânulos citoplasmáticos do corpo lúteo de vacas aneloradas (Bos taurus indicus) gestantes e não gestantes / Morphology and cytoplasmic granules of the corpus luteum in pregnant and non-pregnant Nelore cows

Avaliaram-se a proporção volumétrica dos constituintes do corpo lúteo e a distribuição de células lúteas com grânulos citoplasmáticos no corpo lúteo de animais Nelore ao longo da gestação e em animais não gestantes. Foram coletados ovários com corpos lúteos de 24 animais abatidos em frigorífico. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois grupos: gestantes e não gestantes. A idade gestacional foi determinada pela medição do comprimento apicocaudal do feto. Os ovários foram distribuídos segundo o trimestre gestacional: primeiro - gestação de até 90 dias; segundo - de 91 a 180 dias; e terceiro - de 181 a 270 dias. Os corpos lúteos, processados para inclusão em paraplast, foram avaliados em microscópio de luz. Na proporção volumétrica do corpo lúteo, os constituintes avaliados foram citoplasma e núcleo de células lúteas, tecido conjuntivo e fibroblastos, células endoteliais e pericitos e vasos sanguíneos. A proporção volumétrica de citoplasma de células lúteas reduziu de 46,1±2,8% para 37,9±3,5% e a de núcleo de células lúteas reduziu de 9,2±1,0% para 6,2±1,0%, do primeiro para o segundo trimestre. A proporção de tecido conjuntivo e fibroblastos aumentou de 20,9±5,4%, no primeiro trimestre, para 34,0±4,2%, no segundo trimestre. Grânulos citoplasmáticos foram evidenciados pelas técnicas histoquímicas xylidine ponceau e azul de bromofenol, que indicam sua provável composição proteica. A quantidade de células maiores com grânulos aumentou significativamente de 2,3±1,9%, no primeiro trimestre, para 25,5±20,3%, no segundo. A proporção volumétrica de citoplasma e núcleo de células lúteas diminuiu ao longo da gestação, e a de tecido conjuntivo aumentou. A quantidade de células lúteas maiores contendo grânulos também aumentou ao longo da gestação.(AU)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in cycling and pregnant Nelore cows, the volumetric proportion of the corpus luteum and the distribution of lutein cells with cytoplasmic granules. Twenty four ovaries with corpus luteum were collected in a slaughterhouse. The ovaries were distributed into two groups: pregnant and non-pregnant cows. The group of pregnant cows was divided according to the stage of pregnancy, by the crown-rump fetus length: 1st third - until 90 days, 2nd third - between 91 and 180 days and 3rd third - between 181 and 270 days. The corpus luteum were processed for inclusion in paraplast, and slides were stained for analysis in light microscopy. The constituents quantified in the volumetric proportion were: lutein cells cytoplasm and nucleus, connective tissue and fibroblasts, endothelial cells and pericyte and blood vessels. The volumetric proportion of lutein cells cytoplasm decreased significantly from 46.1±2.8% to 37.9±3.5%, and also decreased significantly in the nucleus from 9.2±1.0% to 6.2±1.0% between the first and the second trimester of pregnancy. The amount of connective tissue and fibroblasts increased significantly throughout gestation, with 20.9±5.4% on the first trimester and 34.0±4.2% on the second. Granules were evidenced by the histochemical technique of Xylidine Ponceau and Bromophenol blue, indicating their probable protein composition. The amount of lutein cells with granules increased throughout gestation, but significant difference was observed only between the first (2.3±1.9%) and second trimester (25.5±20.3%). The cytoplasmic and nucleus volumetric proportion decreased during pregnancy and the volumetric proportion of connective tissue increased. The amount of lutein cells with granules increased throughout pregnancy.(AU)

Yellowing and bleaching of grey hair caused by photo and thermal degradation.

Yellowing is an undesirable phenomenon that is common in people with white and grey hair. Because white hair has no melanin, the pigment responsible for hair colour, the effects of photodegradation are more visible in this type of hair. The origin of yellowing and its relation to photodegradation processes are not properly established, and many questions remain open in this field. In this work, the photodegradation of grey hair was investigated as a function of the wavelength of incident radiation, and its ultrastructure was determined, always comparing the results obtained for the white and black fibres present in grey hair with the results of white wool. The results presented herein indicate that the photobehaviour of grey hair irradiated with a mercury lamp or with solar radiation is dependent on the wavelength range of the incident radiation and on the initial shade of yellow in the sample. Two types of grey hair were used: (1) blended grey hair (more yellow) and (2) grey hair from a single-donor (less yellow). After exposure to a full-spectrum mercury lamp for 200 h, the blended white hair turned less yellow (the yellow-blue difference, Db(*) becomes negative, Db(*)=-6), whereas the white hair from the single-donor turned slightly yellower (Db(*)=2). In contrast, VIS+IR irradiation resulted in bleaching in both types of hair, whereas a thermal treatment (at 81 °C) caused yellowing of both types of hair, resulting in a Db(*)=3 for blended white hair and Db(*)=9 for single-donor hair. The identity of the yellow chromophores was investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results obtained with this technique were contradictory, however, and it was not possible to obtain a simple correlation between the sample shade of yellow and the absorption spectra. In addition, the results are discussed in terms of the morphology differences between the pigmented and non-pigmented parts of grey hair, the yellowing and bleaching effects of grey hair, and the occurrence of dark-follow reactions.

Escores de cloaca e de crista e morfometria testicular em galos de matriz pesada com 71 semanas de idade e três categorias de peso corporal / Cloaca and comb scores and testicular morphometry in broiler breeder roosters at 71 weeks of age and three body weight categories

Em galos de matriz pesada, o peso dos testículos se associa positivamente com a produção diária de espermatozoides e com a fertilidade. Contudo, os testículos de aves se localizam na cavidade abdominal, não sendo acessíveis para exame andrológico como os testículos de mamíferos. A avaliação reprodutiva de galos de matriz pesada é subjetiva e se baseia em características como peso corporal (PC), qualidade de pés e pernas e morfologia de cloaca e crista. Estudos que validem o potencial de associação dessas características fenotípicas com parâmetros da morfometria testicular são raros, principalmente quando se consideram galos de matriz pesada manejados em lotes comerciais. Escores de cloaca e de crista e parâmetros da morfometria testicular foram avaliados em galos Cobb 500 Slow adultos das categorias de PC leve (<4,300kg), médio (entre 4,300 e 5,250kg) e pesado (≥5,250kg). O coeficiente de variação para PC foi de 12%. Os galos da categoria de PC pesado apresentaram testículos mais pesados e maiores escores de cloaca e de crista do que os galos da categoria de PC leve. Não houve diferença estatística entre as categorias de PC, considerando-se índice gonadossomático, porcentagens de túbulo seminífero e de tecido intersticial, diâmetro de túbulo seminífero e altura de epitélio seminífero. Correlação positiva, moderada e significativa foi observada entre peso de testículo e características de PC, escores de cloaca e de crista, diâmetro de túbulo seminífero e altura de epitélio seminífero. Um dos seis galos da categoria de PC leve avaliados quanto à histologia de testículo apresentou atrofia testicular. Em galos Cobb 500 Slow, conclui-se que o PC influencia o peso e a qualidade histológica de testículos e que os escores de cloaca e de crista podem ser utilizados com potencial moderado de predição para identificar galos com baixo peso de testículos...

In broiler breeder roosters the weight of the testes is positively associated with daily sperm production and fertility. However, the avian testes are located in the abdominal cavity, not being accessible for reproductive evaluation as mammalian testes. The reproductive evaluation of broiler breeder roosters is subjective and is based on characteristics such as body weight (BW), quality of feet and legs and morphology of cloaca and comb. Studies that validate the potential of associating these phenotype characteristics with testicular morphometric parameters are rare, especially when broiler breeder roosters of commercial flocks are considered. Cloaca and comb scores and testicular morphometric parameters were evaluated in adult Cobb 500 Slow roosters with low (<4.300kg), medium (between 4.300 and 5.250kg) and high (≥5.250kg) BW categories. The coefficient of variation for BW was 12%. The high BW roosters have heavier testes and higher cloaca and comb scores than the low BW roosters. There was no statistical difference between the BW categories in gonadosomatic index, percentage of seminiferous tubule and interstitial tissue, diameter of the seminiferous tubule and height of the seminiferous epithelium. Testis weight is positive, moderate and significantly correlated with BW, cloaca and comb scores, diameter of seminiferous tubule and height of seminiferous epithelium. One of six low BW roosters evaluated for histology of the testis had testicular atrophy. We conclude that in Cobb 500 Slow roosters BW influences the weight and histological quality of the testes. Besides this, cloaca and comb scores can be used with moderate prediction potential to identify roosters with underweight testes...

Synthesis and HIV-1 inhibitory activities of dicaffeoyl and digalloyl esters of quinic acid derivatives.

Twenty analogues of the anti-HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors dicaffeoylquinic acids (DCQAs) were prepared. Their IC(50) values for 3'-end processing and strand transfer against recombinant HIV-1IN were determined in vitro, and their cell toxicities and EC(50) against HIV-1 were measured in cells (ex vivo). Acetylated or benzylated and/or with cyclohexylidene group compounds exhibited no inhibition of integration in biochemical assays or viral replication in HIV-infected cells, with the exception of 16 and 36. Removal of these groups, however, correlated with potent inhibition. Compounds 19, 31, and 38, all digalloyls, exhibited the most robust inhibitory performance in biochemical assays as well as in cell culture and less toxicity than other molecules in the current study.

Trypanocidal activity of lipophilic diamines and amino alcohols.

Trypanocidal activity of a number of lipophilic diamines and amino alcohols was evaluated in vitro against Trypanosoma cruzi blood stream forms. Several of the studied compounds showed inhibition of T. cruzi growth. The most active ones were compounds 3, 4 and 5 with a IC50 of 31.2 µg/mL, activity similar to the reference drug crystal violet.

Detection of charge distributions in insulator surfaces.

Charge distribution in insulators has received considerable attention but still poses great scientific challenges, largely due to a current lack of firm knowledge about the nature and speciation of charges. Recent studies using analytical microscopies have shown that insulators contain domains with excess fixed ions forming various kinds of potential distribution patterns, which are also imaged by potential mapping using scanning electric probe microscopy. Results from the authors' laboratory show that solid insulators are seldom electroneutral, as opposed to a widespread current assumption. Excess charges can derive from a host of charging mechanisms: excess local ion concentration, radiochemical and tribochemical reactions added to the partition of hydroxonium and hydronium ions derived from atmospheric water. The last factor has been largely overlooked in the literature, but recent experimental evidence suggests that it plays a decisive role in insulator charging. Progress along this line is expected to help solve problems related to unwanted electrostatic discharges, while creating new possibilities for energy storage and handling as well as new electrostatic devices.

[Evaluation of a type of biomedicated IUD (model Copper 7 200) in a family planning clinic]. / Avaliacao de um tipo de dispositivo intra-uterino biomedicado (modelo "7 de cobre 200") em uma clinica de planejamento familiar.

PIP: In October 1978, 95 patients were inserted with a model 7 Cu 200 IUD at the Family Planning and Human Reproduction Clinic of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Patients varied in age between 16 and over 40, the great majority being in the age group 21-30, and in parity between 1 and over 4, the majority with parity over 4. Most patients, or 76.19%, had previously used OC (oral contraception); 84 of the original 95 patients were followed up at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months after insertion of the device. Continuation rate was 86.7%; there were 36 cases, or 42.85%, of menstrual disorders, mostly hypermenorrhea; 8.23% of patients complained of pain, and 16.47% of discomfort. There was 1 ectopic pregnancy, or a Pearl index of 0.82%, 12 expulsions, or 9.88% of cases, and 1 case of pelvic inflammatory infection. There was 1 removal for hemorrhage, and 2 removals on request from the patients. Hemoglobin levels were measured in 7 patients before insertion and after 14 months, and changes were not significant. These results show that the device was well tolerated and side effects and complications were minimal.^ieng

Avaliacao de um tipo de dispositivo intra-uterino biomedicado (modelo "7 de cobre 200") em uma clinica de planejamento familiar. / Evaluation of a type of biomedicated intrauterine device Copper 7 Cu 200 model) in a family planning clinic

Foi feita uma avaliacao de um dispositivo intra-uterino medicado de modelo "7 de cobre" na Clinica de Planejamento Familiar e Reproducao Humana da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, em Belo Horizonte, durante 1.457 meses de uso. Procurou-se estabelecer taxas de continuidade, efeitos colaterais, complicacoes e eficacia que foram comparados com os dados citados na literatura mundial