Mensurações ultrassonográficas da cisterna da glândula mamária de caprino transgênico / Ultrasound measurements of the mammary gland of transgenic hormone-induced lactating goat

Milk production of transgenic does was evaluated by ultrasound measurements of the mammary gland. Two Canindé goats, which were nine months of age were used in the trial, one non-transgenic or other transgenic for hG-CSF. For hormone-induced lactation, animals were given estradiol (0.25mg/kg, IM), progesterone (0.75mg/kg, IM), and prednisolone (0.4mg/kg, IM). Ultrasonographic exams were carried out during milking, using a Falcon 100 ultrasound equipment with a 5MHz convex probe and were performed by the same operator. The results were expressed as mean±standard error. The maximum greater length and shorter length of the cistern were respectively 5.14cm and 1.36cm for the transgenic animal and 7.28cm and 2.25cm for non-transgenic, which is consistent with the maximum milk volume produced. The relationship between the average area of cisterns and milk yield was expressed as a linear correlation curve, with a correlation coefficient significantly positive for both transgenic (Y=-1.1314+10.8538*x; r=0.97) and non-transgenic (Y=-21.7551+18.3634*x; r=0.97) animals. In conclusion, the ultrasound is a practice and appropriate technique to evaluate the cisterns in ruminant udders in transgenic animal.

Goat oocyte production by standard or one-shot FSH treatments and quantitative analysis of transcripts for EGF ligands and its receptor after in vitro maturation.

Hormonal ovarian stimulation may affect the success of embryo production by regulating transcripts in recovered cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). Here, in parallel to morphological classification and in vitro maturation (IVM) rate analysis, we investigated the expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) in oocytes and cumulus cells from goat COCs recovered by laparoscopy after standard [multi-dose follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)] or one-shot (single dose FSH plus eCG) treatments. No differences were observed among the number of recovered and morphologically graded COCs or the IVM rates for both gonadotropic treatments. However, the standard protocol produced COCs with higher EGFR expression in the cumulus cells than the one-shot treatment. Additionally, EGF mRNA levels were less than EGFR mRNA levels, and they did not differ among COCs from both treatments. However, during maturation, the EGF transcripts increased in oocytes derived only from the standard protocol. Interestingly, IVM strikingly increased EGFR expression in oocytes and cumulus cells but not in oocytes that fail in first polar body extrusion, irrespective of hormonal treatment. These results appear to be related to the resumption of meiosis and suggest that EGF may act through the cumulus cells or directly on the oocyte receptor.

Analysis of protein expression and a new prokaryotic expression system for goat (Capra hircus) spermadhesin Bdh-2 cDNA.

Low purification efficiency and incomplete characterization of male goat (buck) spermadhesins (Bdhs) prompted us to develop an effective system to produce recombinant Bdhs (rBdhs). Bdh-2 cDNA was inserted into a prokaryotic expression plasmid, pTrcHis TOPO. The pTrcHis-Bdh-2 system was constructed to produce a His(6) fusion protein in Escherichia coli Top10 cells. Recombinant clones were selected by growth in ampicillin-enriched medium, PCR amplification and nucleotide sequencing. The inserted cDNA was completely identified and recombinant protein synthesis was monitored by SDS-PAGE, followed by immunoblotting with monoclonal anti-His antibody. Expression of insoluble rBdh-2 was achieved at 0.1 to 2.0 mM IPTG, after 2 to 6 h of induction. Significantly increased production of rBdh-2 (P < 0.01) occurred with 1.5 mM IPTG after 2 h of induction, and with 0.3 mM IPTG after 4 h in culture. Among the induction times investigated, a period of 6 h gave the lowest levels of rBdh-2 production; with a 6-h incubation, there were no significant differences in rBdh-2 production for the various concentrations of IPTG tested (P > 0.05). The apparent molecular weight of rBdh-2 was 15.85 +/- 0.09 kDa, calculated by image analysis of membranes. This is similar to the theoretical molecular weight of 15.5 kDa predicted from the nucleotide sequence. Prior to this study, expression of recombinant goat spermadhesin had never been reported. Thus, an effective prokaryotic rBdh-2 expression system was developed in order to provide an adequate tool for studying biofunctions of goat spermadhesins.

Contribuiçåo da medicina complementar para a integralidade da assistência das ações de educaçåo em saúde da Unidade de Saúde da Família de Nazaré-Inabi, nos grupos de hipertensos e diabéticos / Contribution of complementary medicine to integrate assistance of helth education actions in Nazaré-Inabi's Family Health Unit, in hypertensive and diabetic groups

Estresse, correria, poluiçåo e preocupações såo alguns dos problemas da vida moderna que mexem com a nossa saúde e tiram nossa energia. Atividades como a medicina complementar podem repor essa energia perdida, proporcionando a vitalidade, a calma, o alívio das dores, a melhoria da circulaçåo sangüinea e o tônus muscular, dentre outros benefícios. Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar a experiência com atividades de medicina complementar, inicidas em maio de 2002, dentro da ações de educaçåo em saúde, desenvolvidas na comunidade de Nazaré-Inabi, no município de Macaragibe. O trabalho ocorreu sob a orientaçåo dos profissionais da equipe e de convidados que realizam, em outros espaços, atividades com este fim.

[Neurocysticercosis in the State of Rio Grande do Norte: report of 8 cases]. / Neurocisticercose no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte: Relato de oito casos.

The authors present the study of eight patients with cysticercosis of the central nervous system observed in the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. They comment about the frequency of the disease. Seizures were present in six patients and headache in four. The neurologic examination was abnormal in five patients. The diagnosis was based on computed tomography findings in seven patients, and on cerebrospinal fluid findings in three.

[Neurocysticercosis in Rio Grande do Norte before and after computed tomography: report of a case]. / A neurocisticercose no Rio Grande do Norte antes e depois da tomografia computadorizada: apresentação de um caso.

The authors emphasize the importance of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Before CT, neurocysticercosis was considered rare in the Northeast Brazil. They reviewed fifteen cases diagnosed as neurocysticercosis by CT at the Institute of Radiology, in Natal. A case of neurocysticercosis diagnosed by CT and CSF is reported.

[Parkinson disease induced by flunarizine: report of a case]. / Parkinsonismo induzido pela flunarizina: a propósito de um caso.

The authors report the case of a female patient with parkinsonism induced by flunarizine, and refer the tremor to be of parkinsonian and also of wilsonian type. Cure was observed within three months, after withdrawal of flunarizine, and the use of L-dopa and biperiden.

Metodos praticos de colangiografia peroperatoria. / Practical methods for surgical cholangiography

Os autores apresentam dois metodos praticos, que facilitam a execucao de colangiografias peroperatorias. Um deles consiste em clampear com um "bulddog"arterial o coledoco de modo a melhorar as imagens radiologicas das vias biliares intra-hepaticas. O outro utiliza duas sondas finas de Foley, que introduzidas pela coledocotomia e com orientacoes opostas possibilitam a visualizacao seletiva de arvore biliar e do coledoco terminal