Alterations in the fat body cells of rhinocricus padbergi (Diplopoda) resulting from exposure to substrate containing sewage sludge

Abstract The final disposal of residues generated at sewage treatment plants (STPs) has become a major problem for cities, due to the increase in the amount of treated sewage. One of the alternatives for the residue, labeled sewage sludge, is its reuse in agriculture and in degraded soil. However, not all pathogens and metals present in it are eliminated during treatment. Diplopods have been used as bioindicators in ecotoxicological tests as they are constantly in close contact with the soil. Owing to this fact, the purpose of this study was to expose specimens of the diplopod Rhinocricus padbergi to substrate containing sewage sludge collected at STPs to analyze morphological alterations in their parietal and perivisceral fat body, where substances are stored. The exposures were held for 7, 15, or 90 days at different concentrations of sewage sludge (control, 1%, 10%, and 50%). The parietal fat body showed no alterations in any of the three exposure periods or concentrations. Alterations in the perivisceral fat body were observed for all exposure periods. According to the results, we suggest that the sludge used has toxic agents responsible for changing the animal's perivisceral fat body. © 2012 Microscopy Society of America.

Chemical detection of the proteins and lipids in the fat body cells from workers of Attini ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The influence of soil and landfill leachate microorganisms in the degradation of PVC/PCL films cast from DMF

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Morphological changes of mammalian nucleoli during spermatogenesis and their possible role in the chromatoid body assembling

Chromatoid body (CB) is a typical cytoplasmic organelle of germ cells, and it seems to be involved in RNA/protein accumulation for later germ-cell differentiation. Despite most of the events in mammals spermatogenesis had been widely described in the past decades and the increase in the studies related to the CB molecular composition and physiology, the origins and functions of this important structure of male germ cells are still unclear. The aims of this study were to describe the nucleolar cycle and also to find some relationship between the nucleolar organization and the CB assembling during the spermatogenesis in mammals. Cytochemical and cytogenetics analysis showed nucleolar fragmentation in post-pachytene spermatocytes and nucleolar reorganization in post-meiotic spermatids. Significant difference in the number and in the size of nucleoli between spermatogonia and round spermatids, as well as differences in the nucleolar position within the nucleus were also observed. Ultrastructural analysis showed the CB assembling in the cytoplasm of primary spermatocytes and the nucleolar fragmentation occurring at the same time. In conclusion our results suggest that the CB may play important roles during the spermatogenesis process in mammals and that its origin may be related to the nucleolar cycle during the meiotic cell cycle.

Microorganisms in the female genital tract during pregnancy: tolerance versus pathogenesis

Microorganisms in the pregnant female genital tract are not always associated with pathology. The factors that influence the maternal response to microorganisms remain ill defined. We review the state of knowledge of microbe-host interactions in gestational tissues and highlight mechanisms that promote tolerance or pathogenesis. Tolerance to microorganisms is promoted during pregnancy by several mechanisms including upregulation of anti-inflammatory mediators, induction of endotoxin tolerance, and possibly by regulation of autophagy. Conversely, an altered vaginal microbiota or a pre-existing viral presence may result in induction of excessive inflammation and preterm labor. Although infections play a prevalent role in preterm birth, microbes are present in gestational tissues of women with healthy outcomes and may provide beneficial functions. The complex interactions between different microbial species and the maternal immune system during gestation remain incompletely elucidated.

Contribution of the Malpighian tubules for the maintenance of symbiotic microorganisms in cephalotes ants

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of dietary supplementation with vitamin E and stocking density on macrophage recruitment and giant cell formation in the teleost fish, Piaractus mesopotamicus

The effect of dietary supplementation with 0, 100 and 450 mg of vitamin E (DL-α tocopheryl acetate)/kg of a dry diet on the kinetics of macrophage recruitment and giant cell formation in the pacu, maintained at different stocking densities (5 kg/m3 and 20 kg/m3), was investigated by insertion of round glass coverslips into the subcutaneous connective tissue. After a feeding period of 18 weeks, the coverslips were implanted and later removed for examination at 2, 7 and 15 days post-implantation. Fish fed diets supplemented with 450 mg of vitamin E showed an increase (P<0.05) in the accumulation of macrophages, foreign body giant cells and Langhans type cells. The kinetics of macrophage recruitment and giant cell formation on the glass coverslips appeared to be strongly influenced by vitamin E supplementation, since fish fed a basal diet and held at high stocking densities showed low numbers of adhering cells on the coverslips, and high concentrations of plasma corticosteroids. On the other hand, fish given a diet supplemented with 450 mg of vitamin E did not show a similar difference in plasma cortisol concentrations related to stocking density. The effect of cortisol concentrations on carbohydrate metabolism, analysed by assessment of plasma glycaemia, was not clear. Blood glucose concentrations did not vary substantially with the different treatments examined. These results suggest that vitamin E may contribute to the efficiency of the fish's inflammatory response by increasing macrophage recruitment and giant cell formation in the foreign body granulomatous reaction. Vitamin E appeared to act on the stress response of pacus by preventing a stress-related immunosuppression. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microbial distribution in the root canal system after periapical lesion induction using different methods

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial distribution in the root canal system after periapical lesion induction in dogs' teeth using different methods. Fifty-two root canals were assigned to 4 groups (n=13). Groups I and II: root canals were exposed to the oral cavity for 180 days; groups III and IV: root canals were exposed for 7 days and then the coronal openings were sealed for 53 days. The root apices of groups I and III were perforated, while those of groups II and IV remained intact. After the experimental periods, the animals were euthanized and the anatomic pieces containing the roots were processed and stained with the Brown & Brenn method to assess the presence and distribution of microorganisms. The incidence of microorganisms at different sites of the roots and periapical lesions was analyzed statistically by the chi-square test at 5% significance level. All groups presented microorganisms in the entire root canal system. A larger number of microorganisms was observed on the root canal walls, apical delta and dentinal tubules (p<0.05), followed by cementum and cemental resorption areas. In spite of the different periods of exposure to the oral environment, the methods used for induction of periapical periodontitis yielded similar distribution of microorganisms in the root canal system.

Alterations in the duodenum myenteric neurons of Wistar rats after ingesting of 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

The 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a systemic herbicide whose effects in animal organic systems have been examined in previous studies, being the neurotoxicity considered the predominant effect. However, the studies that detect the 2,4-D neurotoxicity have merely focused in the central nervous system, and therefore, little is known about the effect of this herbicide in the enteric nervous system. This study aimed to verifying the 2,4-D effects on the myenteric neurons in duodenum of Wistar rats. Ten 60-day-old male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided in two groups: control group (C) that did not receive 2,4-D and experimental group (E) that received 5.0 mg of 2,4-D/kg for 15 days. At the end of experimental period, the animal were euthanized, the duodenum was collected and processed for NADPH-diaphorase histochemical analysis in order to expose the nitrergic myenteric neurons (NADPH-dp). In the light microscopy analysis, the whole-mount preparation obtained from duodenum of each animal were image-captured in 120 and 40 fields, for quantitative and morphometric analyses of myenteric neurons, respectively. The neuronal density was not affected when comparing the two groups, but an increase (p > 0.05) of 8.5% was observed in the cell body area of neurons in the E group. In conclusion, the ingestion of 2,4-D at a dosage of 5.0 mg/kg body weight for 15 days does not change the neuronal density, but promotes the hypertrophy of NADPH-dp myenteric neurons in duodenum of the rats of this study.

Evaluation of the presence of microorganisms in solid-organ preservation solution

OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence of microorganism contamination in the preservation solution for transplant organs (kidney/pancreas). Method: Between August 2007 and March 2008, 136 samples of preservation solution were studied prior to graft implantation. Variables related to the donor and to the presence of microorganisms in the preservation solution of organs were evaluated, after which the contamination was evaluated in relation to the recipient culture variable. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The contamination rate of the preservation solution was 27.9%. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated microorganism. However, highly virulent agents, such as fungi and enterobacteria, were also isolated. In univariate analysis, the variable donor antibiotic use was significantly associated to the contamination of the preservation solution. on the other hand, multivariate analysis found statistical significance in donor antibiotic use and donor's infectious complications variables. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 27.9% of the preservation solutions of transplant organs were contaminated. Infectious diseases and non-use of antibiotics by the donor were significantly related to the presence of microorganisms in organ preservation solutions. Contamination in organ preservation solutions was not associated with infection in the recipient.

Er : YAG laser: Antimicrobial effects in the root canals of dogs' teeth with pulp necrosis and chronic periapical lesions

Objective: Our goal in this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of Er:YAG laser applied after biomechanical preparation of the root canals of dog's teeth with apical periodontitis. Background Data: Various in vitro studies have reported effective bacterial reduction in infected root canals using Er:YAG laser. However, there is no in vivo research to support these results. Methods: Forty root canals of dogs' premolar teeth with pulp necrosis and chronic periapical lesions were used. An initial microbiological sample was taken, and after biomechanical preparation was carried out, a second microbiological sample was taken. The teeth were divided into two groups: Group I-biomechanical preparation was taken of root canals without Er:YAG laser application; Group II-biomechanical preparation was taken of root canals with Er:YAG laser application using 140-mj input, 63-mJ output/15 Hz. After coronal sealing, the root canals were left empty for 7 days at which time a third microbiological sample was taken. The collected material was removed from the root canal with a #40 K file and placed in transport media. It was serially diluted and seeded on culture dishes selective for anaerobes, aerobes, and total streptococci. Colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) were counted. Results: Groups I and II showed an increase of CFU/mL for all microorganisms 7 days after treatment, being statistically significant for anaerobes in Group I and for anaerobes and total streptococci in Group II. When comparing CFU/mL of Groups I and II, there was a statistically significant increase after 7 d for total streptococci in Group II. Conclusion: Er:YAG laser applied after biomechanical preparation did not reduce microorganisms in the root canal system.

First report of endocytobionts in the digestive tract of ponerine ants

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Morphological biomarkers in the Rhinocricus padbergi midgut exposed to contaminated soil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of consumption of probiotics on presence of enterobacteria in the oral cavity

Clinical benefits of probiotics have been clearly reported in different gastrointestinal disorders, many of them caused by enterobacteria. The oral cavity is a port of entry and can be an important reservoir of these microorganisms. This work evaluated whether consumption of probiotics was able to influence the presence of enterobacteria in the oral cavity and the specific secretory response against these microorganisms. Saliva samples of healthy individuals were collected and plated in Mac-Conkey agar. Carriers of Gram-negative, rod-shaped microorganisms in the oral cavity were selected and instructed to use the probiotic Yakult LB for 20 days. Saliva was then collected and enterobacteria species were identified using the API 20 E system and by ELISA using anti-enterobacteria IgA. The results showed reduction in the prevalence of enterobacteria, but no significant changes in enterobacterial counts (log CFU/mL; p = 0.3457). The species most frequently isolated were Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella oxytoca, both before and after probiotic consumption. No significant changes were observed in anti-enterobacteria IgA levels. In conclusion, probiotic consumption had some influence on enterobacterial presence in the oral cavity, but did not affect enterobacterial counts or the specific immune secretory response against them.

Application of molecular markers on genetic improvement and reproduction in the post-genomic Era: Emerging biotechnologies and perspectives in livestock

Background: New challenges are rising in the animal protein market, and one of the main world challenges is to produce more in shorter time, with better quality and in a sustainable way. Brazil is the largest beef exporter in volume hence the factors affecting the beef meat chain are of major concern in countrýs economy. An emerging class of biotechnological approaches, the molecular markers, is bringing new perspectives to face these challenges, particularly after the publication of the first complete livestock genome (bovine), which has triggered a massive initiative to put in practice the benefits of the so called the Post-Genomic Era. Review: This article aimed at showing the directions and insights in the application of molecular markers on livestock genetic improvement and reproduction as well at organizing the progress so far, pointing some perspectives of these emerging technologies in Brazilian ruminant production context. An overview on the nature of the main molecular markers explored in ruminant production is provided, which describes the molecular bases and detection approaches available for microsatellites (STR) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). A topic is dedicated to review the history of association studies between markers and important trait variation in livestock, showing the timeline starting on quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification using STR markers and ending in high resolution SNP panels to proceed whole genome scans for phenotype/genotype association. Also the article organizes this information to reveal how QTL prospection using STR could open ground to the feasibility of marker-assisted selection and why this approach is quickly being replaced by studies involving the application of genome-wide association using SNP research in a new concept called genomic selection. Conclusion: The world's scientific community is dedicating effort and resources to apply SNP information in livestock selection through the development of high density panels for genomic association studies, connecting molecular genetic data with phenotypes of economic interest. Once generated, this information can be used to take decisions in genetic improvement programs by selecting animals with the assistance of molecular markers.