Efeito do ômega 3 e da vitamina B12 no espermograma, na histomorfometria dos órgãos reprodutivos e nas temperaturas do corpo com termografia infravermelha em ratos Wistar / Effect of Omega 3 and Vitamin B12 on the spermogram, histomorphometry of the reproductive organs and body temperatures with infrared thermography in Wistar rats

Objetivou-se estudar o efeito do ômega 3 e da vitamina B12 no espermograma, na histomorfometria dos órgãos reprodutivos e na temperaturas do corpo com termografia infravermelha em ratos Wistar. Utilizaram-se 16 ratos, em quatro grupos (n=4), que receberam injeções diárias por 30 dias, sendo: grupo controle - solução salina; grupo ômega 3 - óleo de peixe 1g/kg; grupo B12 - vitamina B12 3µg; e grupo ômega 3 + B12 - óleo de peixe 1g/kg e vitamina B12 3µg. Imagens termográficas de áreas do corpo foram obtidas. No 30º dia, os ratos foram sacrificados e realizaram-se as análises de morfologia espermática e histomorfometria. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de Tukey a 5%. A temperatura da superfície do escroto foi superior no grupo B12 (P<0,05). Não houve diferenças entre grupos (P>0,05) para temperaturas do globo ocular. Houve correlação entre temperatura da superfície do escroto e porcentagem de gota citoplasmática distal (P=0,678). A elevação da temperatura do escroto resulta no aumento da porcentagem de gotas citoplasmáticas distais. A temperatura do globo ocular não sofre influência significativa do ômega 3 e da vitamina B12. O ômega 3 reduz o epitélio seminífero, e a vitamina B12 minimiza esse efeito.(AU)

The objective of this study was to study the effect of Omega 3 and vitamin B12 on spermogram, histomorphometry of reproductive organs and body temperature with infrared thermography in Wistar rats. Sixteen rats were used in four groups (n= 4) who received daily injections for 30 days. Control Group - saline solution; Group Omega 3 - fish oil 1g/kg; Group B12 - vitamin B12 3μg and Group Omega 3 + B12 - fish oil 1g/kg and vitamin B12 3μg. Thermographic images of body were obtained. On the 30th day the rats were sacrificed and analyzes of sperm morphology and histomorphometry were performed. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and Tukey's test at 5%. The surface temperature of the scrotum was higher in group B12 (P< 0.05). There were no differences between groups (P> 0.05) for eyeball temperatures. There was a correlation between scrotal temperature and distal cytoplasmic droplet (P= 0.678). Elevation of scrotum temperature results in an increase in the percentage of distal cytoplasmic droplets. The temperature of the eyeball is not significantly influenced by Omega 3 and vitamin B12. Omega 3 reduces the seminiferous epithelium and vitamin B12 minimizes this effect.(AU)

Carbon nanotube-based bioceramic grafts for electrotherapy of bone.

Bone complexity demands the engineering of new scaffolding solutions for its reconstructive surgery. Emerging bone grafts should offer not only mechanical support but also functional properties to explore innovative bone therapies. Following this, ceramic bone grafts of Glass/hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforced with conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) - CNT/Glass/HA - were prepared for bone electrotherapy purposes. Computer-aided 3D microstructural reconstructions and TEM analysis of CNT/Glass/HA composites provided details on the CNT 3D network and further correlation to their functional properties. CNTs are arranged as sub-micrometric sized ropes bridging homogenously distributed ellipsoid-shaped agglomerates. This arrangement yielded composites with a percolation threshold of pc=1.5vol.%. At 4.4vol.% of CNTs, thermal and electrical conductivities of 1.5W·m(-1)·K(-1) and 55S·m(-1), respectively, were obtained, matching relevant requisites in electrical stimulation protocols. While the former avoids bone damaging from Joule's heat generation, the latter might allow the confinement of external electrical fields through the conductive material if used for in vivo electrical stimulation. Moreover, the electrically conductive bone grafts have better mechanical properties than those of the natural cortical bone. Overall, these highly conductive materials with controlled size CNT agglomerates might accelerate bone bonding and maximize the delivery of electrical stimulation during electrotherapy practices.

Differential diagnosis of active hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus based on gene choice and reverse transcription coupled with PCR.

The Pacific whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Penaeidae) is one of the most important cultivated species in world aquaculture. In Brazil, the northeastern states are home to the main shrimp producers. As shrimp aquaculture has expanded and intensified, diseases have progressively become one of the most serious threats to this industry. Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) is an enzootic viral agent in Brazilian shrimp farms. Its is usually diagnosed by histological methods. However, to detect sub-clinical or acute IHHNV infection, more refined methods based on molecular techniques have been utilized. We found that by using "universal" primers and a single-step PCR diagnostic test, it was difficult to distinguish between non-infective forms of the virus and active IHHNV. Detection of IHHNV was more accurate when we used two alternative molecular strategies, namely 1) single-step PCR amplification based on gene choice and 2) reverse transcription coupled with PCR.

Suplementação de vacas leiteiras com Saccharomyces cerevisiae cepa KA500 / Supplementation of dairy cows with Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain KA500

Avaliaram-se o desempenho e a eficiência digestiva de vacas leiteiras suplementadas com levedura viva, cepa KA500. Vinte vacas da raça Holandesa formaram 10 blocos de dois animais com base na produção diária de leite e foram aleatoriamente alocadas em uma sequência de dois tratamentos, em delineamento de reversão simples, com períodos de 28 dias e mensurações na quarta semana. Os tratamentos foram: 10g de levedura (2x10(10)ufc/g) ou controle. A composição das dietas foi ( por cento da MS): silagem de milho (45,0), feno de tifton (4,1) e concentrado à base de milho, polpa cítrica e farelo de soja (50,9). O consumo de matéria seca foi de 21,3kg com levedura e de 21,8kg no controle (P=0,01), e a produção de leite de 29,6 e 29,3kg, respectivamente (P=0,45). A produção de leite por unidade de consumo foi de 1,37 com levedura e de 1,32 no controle (P=0,05). A suplementação de levedura reduziu a contagem de células somáticas do leite (P=0,02). Não houve efeito da suplementação sobre as variáveis que descreveram a função ruminal ou a digestibilidade dos nutrientes no trato digestivo total. A suplementação com levedura aumentou a eficiência alimentar e reduziu a contagem de células somáticas do leite.

Performance and digestive efficiency of dairy cows supplemented with live yeast strain KA500 were evaluated. Twenty Holstein cows formed ten blocks of two animals based on daily milk production and were randomly assigned to a sequence of two treatments, in a cross-over design, with 28-day periods, and measurements on the fourth week. Treatments were: 10g of yeast (2x10(10)/cfu/g) or control. The composition of the diets were ( percent of DM): corn silage (45.0), tifton hay (4.1), and a corn, citrus pulp, soybean meal-based concentrate (50.9). The dry matter intake was 21.3kg with yeast and 21.8kg for the control (P=0.01), and milk yield was 29.6 and 29.3kg, respectively (P=0.45). Milk yield per unit of intake was 1.37 with yeast and 1.32 for the control (P=0.05). The supplementation of yeast reduced (P=0.02) the somatic cell count in milk. There was no effect of the supplementation upon variables related to the rumen function or the total tract digestibility of nutrients. Yeast supplementation increased feed efficiency and reduced milk somatic cell count.

Bioactive humulene derivatives from Asteriscus vogelii.

The bioactive fractions obtained from the extract of Asteriscus vogelii afforded a new humulene derivative, the 8-oxo-6,7,9,10-tetrahydrohumulen-1,12-olide (1), in addition to the known asteriscunolides A (2), C (3) and D (4), and the acids 8-oxo-alpha-humula-6Z,9Z-dien-12-oic acid (5), 8-oxo-alpha-humula-6E,9Z-dien- 12-oic acid (6) and 8-oxo-alpha-humula-6E,9E-dien-12-oic acid (7), characterized as their methyl esters. Evaluation of their phytotoxic and cytotoxic activities was accomplished. Compounds 3 and 4 gave the highest inhibition of plant cell cultures and of the plant Lemna paucicostata. Compound 4 was also the most active against P-338 lymphoma in mice, A-549 carcinoma of human lung, HT-29 carcinoma of human colon and MEL-28 human melanoma.

[Gastric neoplasm associated with IgA deficiency. Importance of multidisciplinary care]. / Neoplasia gástrica associada a défice de IgA. Importância da Multidisciplinaridade de Cuidados.

We present the case of 55-year old female patient with a rare malignant disease of the stomach associated with IgA deficiency. For its management the surgical, transfusional and renal support strategy required good coordination of pre, intra and post-operative care, and good articulation among the various sub-specialties. The patient experienced two severe anaphylactoid transfunctional reactions. Congenital IgA deficiency was detected with probable anti-IgA immunization associated with a metacrone adenocarcinoma of the stomach and nephrotic syndrome with renal failure. The transfusion methods utilized are discussed, and the results of the study aimed at detecting a compatible donor, with identical deficit, among family members are presented. In the absence of a national registry of donors with IgA deficiency, the prevention of these potentially dangerous reactions imposes a burden on the Service of Immuno-Hematherapy to take special measures on its own. This case points out the need to implement a blood bank with rare groups and IgA deficient blood, for homo/autologous transfusions.