Estratégia de vida do peixe anual Hypsolebias antenori (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) do semiárido brasileiro

This work deals with the life strategy of an endangered annual fish, Hypsolebias antenori (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), of the Brazilian semiarid region. The eggs of these fish hatch at the onset of the rainy season, grows rapidly and they reproduce during the rainy season. When the water puddles dry out, the entire population dies. The resistant eggs which are buried in the bottom of the dried pools go through diapause stages, during which time the embryonic development becomes temporarily arrested. With the onset of the next rainy season, the eggs hatch and a new generation is formed. Specimens of H. antenori were captured during 2011 and 2013, in temporary water pools located in the hydrographic basin of river Jaguaribe in Ceará, Brazil. Sex ratio, the length-weight relationship, the growth type, first sexual maturity, anatomy and histology of the digestive tract, development of gonads, reproductive strategy, karyotypic pattern of the species, and the conservation status of H. antenori were investigated. The results of this study are presented in the form of eight articles. The first article is about the fish faunal composition of the hydrographic basins of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, wherein the record of H. antenori is included. The second article deals with the sex ratio, secondary sexual characteristics of males, the length-weight relationship and the type of growth. Males show a pattern of intense coloration with well developed fins. The sex ratio showed a significant predominance of females (1M:1.7 F). Males were larger in length and weight. The equation of weight and total length relationship was Wt=0.0271Lt3,8937, showing a positively allometric growth, indicating greater increase in weight than in length. The third article discusses the anatomy and histology of the digestive tract of H. antenori. It is considered as a generalist feeder with characteristics of omnivore, which utilizes different food sources. The fourth article discusses the stages and phases of gonad development and type of spawning of H. antenori. The fifth article is about the r reproductive strategy adopted by H. antenori which helps in successful reproduction over a short period of life. The sixth article deals karyotypic pattern of the species, constituting the first cytogenetic contribution to the genus. The seventh article discusses about the risk of extinction of this species which suffers a series of threats, such as, habitat loss through land use, deforestation, construction of reservoirs, pollution due to domestic and industrial sewage, besides pesticides and agrochemicals. Furthermore, decreasing rainfall and intensification of aridity due to global climate changes, interferes with the reproductive cycle. The eighth article deals with aggressive behavior adopted between males and among females during reproduction. All temporary water pools sampled during this study were in high degree of degradation, mainly due to human action. There is a great need for conservation measures to protect the populations of annual fish, including the creation of protected areas in the semiarid ephemeral aquatic environments of Brazil

Comportamento do camarão de água doce macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) em cultivos misto e monossexo

Understanding the behavioral activities of freshwater shrimp in captivity is of paramount importance for the appropriate management of the species. In Brazil, the shrimp Macrobrachium rosenbergii is currently the most widely used species in the freshwater shrimp culture due to its high potential for cultivation and good market acceptance. Thus, the present study aimed to describe and characterize the behavioral activities of M. rosenbergii in monosex and in mixed (male and female) (manuscript 1, 2 and 3) populations and the growth performance of this species in restrictive feeding conditions and in different feeding management (manuscript 4 and 5, respectively) . Juvenile and adult shrimps were collected from ponds of the Aquaculture Station - Unidade Especializada em Ciências Agrárias - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Macaíba/RN and then transferred to the Laboratório de Estudos do Comportamento do Camarão LECC (Laboratory for Shrimp Behavioral Studies) of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). For each treatment , eight aquaria of 250 L (50 cm x 50 cm x 100 cm) were used in a closed recirculating water system with artificial lighting, constant aeration , continuous filtration through a biochemical and biological filter (canister filter), and fine sand as substrate . The water quality was monitored daily. The lab consisted of two rooms with artificial lighting system , controlled by a timer with dark / light cycle of 12:12 h . In manuscript 1, the behavioral categories of the species were presented through an ethogram, which described 31 behaviors, subdivided into general and agonistic behaviors. Manuscript 2 compared the behavioral profile of shrimps in male and in female monosex and mixed populations over 24 hours in laboratory. In three types (mixed, male monosex and female monosex) of populations during the light and dark phases of the 24 hour cycle, the shrimps showed higher occurrence of cleaning behavior. Manuscript 3 examined the influence of the color of the shelter on the frequency of its use and behavioral activities of shrimp in mixed, in male monosex and in female monosex populations over 24 hours. We observed that the shrimp M. rosenbergii burrow more frequently during the light phase in male monosex and mixed populations; they also tend to choose the black shelters. Female monosex populations tend to use red and orange shelters. In manuscript 4, we evaluated in laboratory the behavioral activities and growth performance of juvenile shrimps under food restriction. We observed that a mild food restriction may be used since there is no loss concerning the growth of the animals; feeding management on alternate days , compared to daily management can be financially productive both reducing labor costs and reducing the amount of feed used . Manuscript 5 evaluated the behavior of shrimps in monosex and in mixed populations, as well as the latency of reach the food according to feed offer (tray or food dispersal) . Our results indicate that animals adjust to both types of feed offer food dispersal as much as tray, but they spend more time to reach the feed when it is offered in trays (feeders). Comparing culture types (mixed, male monosex and female monosex), the latency to reach the food was lower for female monosex population. The data obtained in this study demonstrate the importance of identifying different pressures and environmental stimuli on the behavioral responses of this species. This knowledge would support management improvement to optimize the levels of animals‟ welfare, resulting in a better zootecnical performance

Centros rombencefálicos de processamento auditivo do sagui (Callithrix jacchus): uma análise citoarquitetônica e neuroquímica

The auditory system is composed by a set of relays from the outer ear to the cerebral cortex. In mammals, the central auditory system is composed by cochlear nuclei, superior olivary complex, inferior colliculus and medial geniculate body. In this study, the auditory rombencephalic centers, the cochlear nuclear complex and the superior olivary complex were evaluated from the cytoarchitecture and neurochemical aspects, thorough Nissl staining and immunohistochemical techniques to reveal specific neuron nuclear protein (NeuN), glutamate (Glu), glutamic acid decarboxilase (GAD), enkephalin (ENK), serotonin (5-HT), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and calcium-binding proteins calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR), and parvalbumin (PV). The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a little native primate of the Brazilian atlantic forest was used as an experimental animal. As results, it was noted that the cochlear nuclear complex is composed by anteroventral, posteroventral and dorsal nuclei, and the superior olivary complex is constituted by the lateral and medial superior olivary nuclei and the trapezoid body nucleus. Glu, GAD, ENK, ChAT, CB, CR, PV-immunoreactive cells, fibers and terminals besides besides only 5-HT terminals were found unhomogeneously in all nuclei, of both complex. The emerging data are discussed in a comparative and functional context, and represent an important contribution to knowledge of the central auditory pathways in the common marmoset, and then in primates

Papel de sinais cromáticos na identificação de parceiros sexuais em sagüi comum (callithrix jacchus)

The literature concerning color vision shows a trichromatic advantage in detecting ripe fruits and young leaves, but there are contradictory results. There is also the suggestion of this type of vision being adapted to perceive socio-sexual signals. Indeed, Old World primates utilize the skin color of conspecifics as a factor of attraction. But in New World primates there is no record of a coloration signal in the body that can be utilized by other group members. The present study aims to: 1- test whether there is a relation between coloration of body regions and ovulatory cycle in female Callithrix jacchus; 2- Determine if this species uses visual signals to choose mates that are sexually receptive. We collected feces from six females during one month to quantify progesterone concentration by EIA. Body region coloration was measured using a portable spectrometer and modeled to obtain the quantum catch of each photoreceptor, the opponency channels and chromatic distance between the points in units of JND. We recorded the behavior of six males exposed to three pairs of females with a cycling and a non-cycling female in each pair using a transparent plexiglass apparatus. The color of different body regions presented a correlation between progesterone concentration and the yellow-blue and red-green visual axes, with the genitalia as the region showing the highest correlation. The visual axis more apt to see the color variations was the yellow-blue in dichromats, and in trichromats were the red-green to face, yellow-blue to abdomen and both chromatic axes to genitalia. There was no difference in the signal detectability between trichromats and dichromats, but the perception pattern differed between the phenotypes, with a better signal detection by the dichromat phenotype 562 and the trichromat phenotype 543/562. During the behavioral experiments males presented longer gaze duration in periods of experimental manipulation and gaze duration was always longer towards cycling females compared to non-cycling females. Male locomotion during experimental manipulation was greater than in the control only during the periovulatory period of the female, indicating greater excitement. The behavior of cycling females was more active than the behavior of the non-cycling ones regarding locomotion and touching of the plexiglass division of the apparatus. Male gaze duration to cycling females increased with decreasing progesterone concentration, but none of the coloration parameters was correlated to the mate preference exhibited. This coloration signal can transmit information to animals of the group about fertility of female. Different from the intense red of the genitalia swellings of Old World primates, marmoset female genitalia became more bluish-green in the fertile period. Males chose fertile females and were able to visually identify the periovulatory period of females. Choice is related to progesterone concentration, but our results do not show relation between coloration and mate preference. Maybe some behavioral measure is associated with the choice

Delimitação dos grupamentos serotoninérgicos/núcleos da rafe do mocó (kerodon rupestris): citoarquitetura e imunoistoquímica para serotonina

Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a substance found in many tissues of the body, including as a neurotransmitter in the nervous system, in which may exert varied post-synaptic actions. Inside the neuro-axis, the location of 5-HT neurons is almost restricted to the raphe nuclei of the brainstem, such that 5-HT-immunoreactivity can be considered a marker of the raphe nuclei. The raphe nuclei are located in the brainstem, at or near the midline. The serotonergic groups were originally alphanumerically classified as B1 to B9 towards caudorrostral in rats and can be divided into upper and lower groups. In this study the distribution of serotonergic neurons was studied using immunohistochemistry in the brain of the rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris), a species of rodent endemic to Northeastern Brazil. The cytoarchitectonic location of serotonergic neurons was established in series of adjacent coronal and sagittal sections stained by the Nissl method and immunohistochemistry for 5-HT. Thus, we defined the raphe rostral linear, caudal linear, dorsal, median, and paramedian pontine raphe nuclei, and B9 cluster, constituting the rostral group, and the interpositus, magnus, obscure and palidus, constituting the caudal part of the group, comparable to which has been described for other mammalian species

Os núcleos dopaminérgicos do mesencéfalo do mocó (kerodon rupestris): caracterização citoarquitetônica e por imunoistoquímica para tirosina-hidroxilase

The 3-hydroxytyramine/dopamine (DA) is a monoamine of catecholamineric group and consists in the progenitor substantia of synthesis of noradrenaline and adrenaline, having the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase as a regulator of this process. Nuclei of midbrain expressing DA are the retrorubral field (RRF, A8 group), the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc, A9 group) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA, A10 group). These nuclei are involved in three complex circuitry called mesostriatal, mesocortical and mesolimbic, which are related directly with various behavioral manifestations such as motor control, reward signaling in behavioural learning, motivation and pathological manifestations of Parkinson s disease and schizophrenia. The aim of this study was describe the morphology of midbrain dopaminergic neurons (A8, A9 and A10) of the rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris), a rodent belonging to the family Caviidae typical of the Brazilian Northeast, which is being adopted as a model for neuroanatomical studies in laboratory of neuroanatomy of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Coronal sections of brains of the rock cavies were submitted to staining by Nissl s method and immunohistochemistry against tyrosine hydroxylase. The nuclear organization of the midbrain dopaminergic nuclei of the rock cavy is very similar to that found in other animals of the order Rodentia, except by the presence of the tail of substantia nigra, which was found only in the studied species. We concluded that the midbrain dopaminergic nuclei are phylogenetically stable among species, but we think to be it necessary to expand the studies about the particularity found the rock cavy, investigating its occurrence in other species of rodents or investigating its functional relevance

Sinalização cromática da condição reprodutiva de fêmeas de segui comum (Callithrix jacchus)

As social animals, primates use different sensory modalities (acoustic, chemical, tactile and visual) to convey information about social and sexual status to conspecifics. Among these modalities, visual signals are widely used, especially color signals, since primates are the mammalian group that displays the greatest variety of colors in their skin and fur. Studies with Old World primate species suggest that hormonal variations are related to variations in the colors of individual faces and genitals. Therefore, chromatic cues can be used by conspecifics to identify the reproductive condition of an individual. To date, studies with the same approach are unknown for New World species. However, behavioral and physiological studies suggest that different New World primate species seem to perceive reproductive conditions such as the timing of female conception and gestation. Thus, in this study, our aim was to: i) identify whether there are chromatic cues on the skin of female common marmosets, (Callithrix jacchus) that indicate their reproductive condition; ii) define whether this chromatic variation can be perceived by all visual phenotypes known in this species; iii) identify if these chromatic cues can be perceived under different light intensity levels (dim, intermediate and high). For this, we selected 13 female common marmosets in four distinct reproductive conditions: pregnant female preceding parturition, postpartum mothers, noncycling and cycling females. The coloration of the skin in genital and thigh areas in females was measured using a spectrophotometer. Using mathematical models of visual perception, we calculated the values of quantum catch for each photoreceptor type known in this species, the visual opponency channels and color contrast between those body spots. Our results indicate the occurance of chromatic variations in the genital area during the weeks that precede and follow parturition, forming a U-pattern of variation perceptible to males and females in natural conditions of low and high luminosity. Furthermore, we observed distinct color patterns in the genital skin of pregnant and cycling females that indicate their reproductive conditions. Finally, we present evidence of color contrast in noncycling females that is higher than that of pregnant ones. This study suggests that there is a chromatic xii variation in the genital skin of females that can be perceived by conspecifics and that may be related to hormonal changes typical of pregnancy and the ovarian cycle

Aplicação da espectroscopia de absorção de raios X no estudo do comportamento do íon Cu2+ em micelas inversas

This work deals with the application of X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy on the study of the behavior of Cu2+ ions in inverse micelles. The formation of copper nanoparticles in water-in-oil microemulsions in pseudo-ternary systems of cetyl trimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB) surfactant, butanol co-surfactant, heptane as oil phase and aqueous solutions of CuSO4.5H2O, and NaBH4. The microemulsions were prepared with a fixed percentage (60 %) of oil phase and a variable water to tensoative proportion. It was observed an increase on Cu2+ reduction by the sodium borohydride in microemulsions with 13 % of aqueous phase, independent of the reaction time. For the microemulsions in which the aqueous phase is composed only by the CuSO4 solution, it was observed that the color of the solution depends on the water to surfactant ratio. These changes in color were attributed to a competition for the hidratation water between the polar head of the tensoative and Cu2+ ions with the eventual substitution of oxygen by bromine atoms in the first coordination shell of Cu2+ ions

Eosinófilos sanguíneos e fecais em crianças infectadas por helmintos e protozoários

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Atividade biológica de células-tronco da polpa de dentes decíduos humanos submetidas à criopreservação

Dental pulp stem cells have been widely investigated because of their ability to differentiate into both dental and non-dental cells, with potential use in therapies involving tissue engineering. The technique of cell cryopreservation represents a viable alternative for the conservation of these cells, since it stops reversibly, in a controlled manner, all of cell biological functions in an ultra low temperature. The present study aimed to evaluate, using in vitro experiments, the influence of a cryopreservation protocol on the biologic acti vity of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). Cells obtained from the pulp of three deciduous teeth on end-stage exfoliation or with indicated extraction were expanded in α-MEM culture medium supplemented with antibiotics and 15% fetal bovine serum. At second subculture (P2), a group of cells were submitted to cryopreservation for 30 days in 10% DMSO diluted in fetal bovine serum, at -80º C, while the remind cells continued under normal conditions of cell culture. Cell proliferation was evaluated in both groups (not cryopreserved or cryopreserved) by Trypan blue stain essay at intervals of 24, 48 and 72h after plating. Cell cycle analysis of SHEDs submitted or not to the cryopreservation protocol was performed in the same intervals. Events related to cell death were studied by Annexyn V and PI expression under flow cytometry at the intervals of 24 and 72h. The presence of nuclear morphological changes was evaluated by DAPI staining at 72h interval. It was observed that both groups exhibited an upward cell proliferation curve, without considerable changes in cell viability throughout the experiment. The distribution of cell in the cell cycle phasis was consistent with cell proliferation in both groups. There were no nuclear morphological damages in the end range of the experiment. therefore, it is concluded that the proposed cryopreservation protocol is efficient for storing the studied cell type, allowing its use in future experimental studies

Análises clínicas, radiográfica e microscópica de molares permanentes sem ou com lesão de cárie na superfície oclusal

O presente trabalho, objetivou avaliar comparativamente o diagnóstico clínico, radiógráfico e histológico de molares permanentes humanos sem ou com lesão de cárie na superfície oclusa!. Vinte e quatro dentes que estavam armazenados em formalina a 10% foram selecionados e em seguida submetidos a um exame clínico, através da inspeção visual, onde foram separados em 3 grupos: grupo 1 (G1), formado por dentes hígidos; grupo 2(G2), por dentes com pigmento na superfície oclusal e grupo 3(G3), aqueles com lesão de cárie na oclusal. Este exame foi realizado com auxílio de luz artificial proveniente de um refletor odontológico, sem qualquer manipulação da superfície. Para cada dente foram realizados duas tomadas radiográficas com e sem tela milimetrada, no sentido vestibulo lingual por um dos avaliadores, simulando uma radiografia interproximal, onde o feixe incidiu perpendicular ao longo eixo do dente. Em seguida os dentes foram preparados histomorfologicamente para coloração com hematoxilina e eosina e análise microscópica. Pela avaliação dos resultados a partir da amostra de 100%, foi possível concluir: 1) Os dentes clinicamente considerados hígidos (G1) apresentaram radiograficamente 74,99% de ausência de imagem radiolúcida e em 25% presença desta imagem na Junção Amelo¬dentinária e microscopicamente ausência de cárie em 100%; 2) os dentes que clinicamente apresentaram fissura pigmentada' (G2) notou-se em 33,33%, ausência da imagem radiolúcida e em 66,66% presente esta imagem na junção amelodentinária, 100% de ausência de cárie através da análise microscópica; 3) clinicamente, os dentes que apresentaram lesão de cárie (G3), radiograficamente foram comprovados 100% de imagem radiolúcida sugestiva de cárie e microscopicamente dos 100% destas, foram considerados cáries rasa (16,66%), média (61,10%) e profunda (22,22%) respectivamente

Eosinófilos e proteína catiônica eosinofílica na urina: uma nova abordagem para o diagnóstico da inflamação renal no lúpus eritematoso sistêmico

Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Norte

Análise imuno-histoquímica de proteínas relacionadas às respostas Th1, Th2 e Th17 na doença periodontal

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition of infectious nature characterized by destruction of protecting and supporting dental tissues. It happens as a response produced by the host when attacked by microorganisms. Several factors are involved in this process. Among them, cytokines are key regulatory molecules in this immune response, playing a role either protective and/or destructive in lesion progression. Thus, this study investigated the immunohistochemical expression of IFN- , GATA-3, IL-17, IL-23, IL-6 and TGF- in gingival tissues of humans, in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the participation of Th1, Th2 and Th17 immune responses in the development of periodontal disease processes. To this end, eighty-two samples of gingival tissues were divided into three groups: Group 1 = 15 (samples of healthy gum tissue as controls), Group 2 = 36 (samples with chronic gingivitis) and Group 3 = 31 (samples with chronic periodontitis). All cases were submitted to morphological analysis from sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin and then subjected to staining by immunohistochemistry using the streptavidin-biotin method. Results showed positive labeling for all proteins. Nonetheless, we observed a greater expression of Th1 cytokines and Th17 cells in group 3. We found statistically significant difference between TGF- expression and the clinical condition of the samples (p=0.02). We conclude that Th1 and Th17 responses may act synergistically in the destructive process of periodontal tissue, overlapping the Th2 response that was also present in these tissues

Efeitos da laserterapia na atividade biológica de células de carcinoma epidermóide de língua humano

The low level laser therapy (LLLT) has shown to be effective in promoting the proliferation of different cells in vitro, including keratinocytes, osteoblasts, endothelial cells and stem cells. It has been speculated that the biostimulatory effect of LLLT could cause undesirable enhancement of tumor growth in neoplastic diseases, since the malignant cells are more susceptible to proliferative stimuli. Within this context, this study evaluated the effect of LLLT on epidermoid carcinoma of the tongue cell line (SCC25) proliferation and invasion. Cultured cells were irradiated with an InGaAIP diode laser, 660nm, 30mW using two energy densities (0.5J/cm2 and 1.0J/cm2). Proliferative activity was assessed through trypan blue staining method and through cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry. The invasive potential was measured through cell invasion assay using matrigel. Cyclin D1, E-cadherin, -catenin and MMP-9 expressions were analyzed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry and related to the investigated biological activities. Proliferation curve demonstrated that SCC25 irradiated with 1.0J/cm2 had the highest proliferative rate when compared to the control group and the group irradiated with 0.5J/cm2 (p<0.05). LLLT affected cell cycle distribution and energy density of 1.0 J/cm2 promoted a higher percentage of cells in S/G2/M phases, with statistically significant differences at 24h interval (p<0.05). LLLT, mainly with 1.0J/cm2, revealed significantly higher potential for invasion and influenced the expression of cyclin D1, E-cadherin, -catenin and MMP-9, promoting the malignant phenotype. In conclusion, our results indicate that LLLT has an important stimulatory effect on proliferation and invasion of SCC25 cells, likely due to altered expression of proteins associated with these processes

Estudo integrado geológico/tecnológico de rochas ornamentais: os granitos flores e jacarandá, RN

The main purpose of the present study is to integrate a geological and technological investigation of ornamental rocks of the Flores and Jacarandá granites, which are located near the Afonso Bezerra city, in the north central part of the Rio Grande do Norte State. The study area encompasses four litho-stratigrafic units: a Gneiss-Migmatitic Complex(cristalline basement), which is mainly composed of banded gneisses, usually deformed as mylonitic rocks and with several migmatic features, an Augen Gneiss, which occurs as an elongated body that constitutes the Jacarandá granite, a small granite stock, which presents a semi-circular form, named Flores granite, composed of pink, fine to medium coarse rocks, and fine to coarse alluvial sediments, which form extensive areas of large fluvial deposits. The technological characterization of the Flores and Jacarandá granites, carried out through several tests, has as the main purpose the determination of petrographic, physical, and mechanic parameters that allowed the characterization of these rocks. The test followed procedures recommended by Brazilian (ABNT Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas) and foreigner institutions (ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials). The petrografhic analysis indicated that the rocks investigated are granite sensu estrictu, summing an average 85-90% modal. The Flores granite is the more felsic rock, which presents mafic content ∼ 10% and monzonitic composition. The Jacarandá granite is an Augen Gneiss rock that presents sienogranitic composition and mafic modal content ∼ 15%. Several technological tests carried out (alterability, physical indices, velocity of ultrasonic wave propagation, uniaxial compression, flection resistence, Amsler desgaste, and resistence to freezing and heating) indicated that parameters and values were identical for both granites investigated. These parameters and values are consistent with the Brazilian and international standards for siliciclastic rocks of ornamental use, as well as other Brazilian ornamental granites. The analysis of all results indicates that both the Flores and Jacarandá granites present good quality, and that they are indicated for ornamental use of revetment interior and exterior of buildings