Biodistribution of technetium-99m pertechnetate after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (Capella technique) in rats

The biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate, the most used radiopharmaceutical in nuclear medicine, has not been studied in details after bariatric surgery. The objective was to investigate the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTc-) in organs and tissues of rats. Methods: Twelve rats were randomly divided into two groups of 6 animals each. The RYGB group rats were submitted to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the control group rats were not operated. After 15 days, all rats were injected with 0.1mL of Na99mTc- via orbital plexus with average radioactivity of 0.66 MBq. After 30 minutes, liver, stomach, thyroid, heart, lung, kidney and femur samples were harvested, weighed and percentage of radioactivity per gram (%ATI/g) of each organ was determined by gama counter Wizard Perkin-Elmer. We applied the Student t test for statistical analysis, considering p<0.05 as significant. Results: Significant reduction in mean %ATI/g was observed in the liver, stomach and femur in the RYGB group animals, compared with the control group rats (p<0.05). In other organs no significant difference in %ATI/g was observed between the two groups. Conclusion: This work contributes to the knowledge that the bariatric surgery RYGB modifies the pattern of biodistribution of Na99mTc

Prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection in advanced gastric carcinoma

There is substantial evidence that infection with Helicobacter pylori plays a role in the development of gastric cancer and that it is rarely found in gastric biopsy of atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer. On advanced gastric tumors, the bacteria can be lost from the stomach. Aims - To analyze the hypothesis that the prevalence of H.pylori in operated advanced gastric carcinomas and adjacent non-tumor tissues is high, comparing intestinal and diffuse tumors according to Lauren’s classifi cation. Methods - A prospective controlled study enrolled 56 patients from “Hospital Universitário”, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil, with advanced gastric cancer, treated from February 2000 to March 2003. Immediately after partial gastrectomy, the resected stomach was opened and several mucosal biopsy samples were taken from the gastric tumor and from the adjacent mucosa within 4 cm distance from the tumor margin. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Lauren‘s classifi cation for gastric cancer was used, to analyse the prevalence of H. pylori in intestinal or diffuse carcinomas assessed by the urease rapid test, IgG by ELISA and Giemsa staining. H. pylori infected patients were treated with omeprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin for 7 days. Follow-up endoscopy and serology were performed 6 months after treatment to determine successful eradication of H. pylori in non-tumor tissue. Thereafter, follow-up endoscopies were scheduled annually. Chi-square and MacNemar tests with 0.05 signifi cance were used. Results - Thirty-four tumors (60.7%) were intestinal-type and 22 (39.3%) diffuse type carcinomas. In adjacent non-tumor gastric mucosa, chronic gastritis were found in 53 cases (94.6%) and atrophic mucosa in 36 patients (64.3%). All the patients with atrophic mucosa were H. pylori positive. When examined by Giemsa and urease test, H. pylori positive rate in tumor tissue of intestinal type carcinomas was higher than that in diffuse carcinomas. In tumor tissues, 34 (60.7%) H. pylori-positive in gastric carcinomas were detected by Giemsa method. H. pylori was observed in 30 of 56 cases (53.5%) in tissues 4 cm adjacent to tumors. This difference was not signifi cant. Eradication of H. pylori in non-tumor tissue of gastric remnant led to a complete negativity on the 12th postoperative month. Conclusions - The data confi rmed the hypothesis of a high prevalence of H. pylori in tumor tissue of gastric advanced carcinomas and in adjacent non-tumor mucosa of operated stomachs. The presence of H. pylori was predominant in the intestinal-type carcinoma

Biodistribution of technetium-99m pertechnetate after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (Capella technique) in rats

The biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate, the most used radiopharmaceutical in nuclear medicine, has not been studied in details after bariatric surgery. The objective was to investigate the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTc-) in organs and tissues of rats. Methods: Twelve rats were randomly divided into two groups of 6 animals each. The RYGB group rats were submitted to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and the control group rats were not operated. After 15 days, all rats were injected with 0.1mL of Na99mTc- via orbital plexus with average radioactivity of 0.66 MBq. After 30 minutes, liver, stomach, thyroid, heart, lung, kidney and femur samples were harvested, weighed and percentage of radioactivity per gram (%ATI/g) of each organ was determined by gama counter Wizard Perkin-Elmer. We applied the Student t test for statistical analysis, considering p<0.05 as significant. Results: Significant reduction in mean %ATI/g was observed in the liver, stomach and femur in the RYGB group animals, compared with the control group rats (p<0.05). In other organs no significant difference in %ATI/g was observed between the two groups. Conclusion: This work contributes to the knowledge that the bariatric surgery RYGB modifies the pattern of biodistribution of Na99mTc

Prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection in advanced gastric carcinoma

There is substantial evidence that infection with Helicobacter pylori plays a role in the development of gastric cancer and that it is rarely found in gastric biopsy of atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer. On advanced gastric tumors, the bacteria can be lost from the stomach. Aims - To analyze the hypothesis that the prevalence of H.pylori in operated advanced gastric carcinomas and adjacent non-tumor tissues is high, comparing intestinal and diffuse tumors according to Lauren’s classifi cation. Methods - A prospective controlled study enrolled 56 patients from “Hospital Universitário”, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil, with advanced gastric cancer, treated from February 2000 to March 2003. Immediately after partial gastrectomy, the resected stomach was opened and several mucosal biopsy samples were taken from the gastric tumor and from the adjacent mucosa within 4 cm distance from the tumor margin. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Lauren‘s classifi cation for gastric cancer was used, to analyse the prevalence of H. pylori in intestinal or diffuse carcinomas assessed by the urease rapid test, IgG by ELISA and Giemsa staining. H. pylori infected patients were treated with omeprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin for 7 days. Follow-up endoscopy and serology were performed 6 months after treatment to determine successful eradication of H. pylori in non-tumor tissue. Thereafter, follow-up endoscopies were scheduled annually. Chi-square and MacNemar tests with 0.05 signifi cance were used. Results - Thirty-four tumors (60.7%) were intestinal-type and 22 (39.3%) diffuse type carcinomas. In adjacent non-tumor gastric mucosa, chronic gastritis were found in 53 cases (94.6%) and atrophic mucosa in 36 patients (64.3%). All the patients with atrophic mucosa were H. pylori positive. When examined by Giemsa and urease test, H. pylori positive rate in tumor tissue of intestinal type carcinomas was higher than that in diffuse carcinomas. In tumor tissues, 34 (60.7%) H. pylori-positive in gastric carcinomas were detected by Giemsa method. H. pylori was observed in 30 of 56 cases (53.5%) in tissues 4 cm adjacent to tumors. This difference was not signifi cant. Eradication of H. pylori in non-tumor tissue of gastric remnant led to a complete negativity on the 12th postoperative month. Conclusions - The data confi rmed the hypothesis of a high prevalence of H. pylori in tumor tissue of gastric advanced carcinomas and in adjacent non-tumor mucosa of operated stomachs. The presence of H. pylori was predominant in the intestinal-type carcinoma

Gestação após gastroplastia para tratamento de obesidade mórbida: série de casos e revisão da literatura

Objetivo: relatar a evolução de uma série de casos de gestação em mulheres previamente submetidas à cirurgia de bypass gástrico para tratamento de obesidade grave. Métodos: cinco casos consecutivos de gravidez após gastroplastia ocorridos entre 2001 e 2004 foram avaliados. As pacientes tinham idade entre 30 e 34 anos e todas haviam sido submetidas à cirurgia de Capella. Aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais e do acompanhamento materno e fetal foram considerados, durante o período gestacional e após o parto. Foi realizada revisão da literatura internacional, por meio das bases de dados MEDLINE e Web of Science, utilizando os seguintes unitermos: gastroplasty, gastric bypass surgery, bariatric surgery e pregnancy. Resultados: todas as gestações observadas foram únicas e não ocorreram complicações obstétricas, durante o seguimento pré-natal e parto. Também não houve registro de recém-nascidos prematuros ou de baixo peso ao nascimento. Conclusão: nossos dados sugerem que a gravidez após gastroplastia é segura para a mãe e feto. Entretanto, em virtude do limitado volume de informação disponível sobre o tema, investigações adicionais são necessárias para estabelecer recomendações apropriadas com relação ao seguimento dessas gestações _________________________________________________ABSTRACT Purpose: we report a small series of pregnant women who underwent gastric bypass surgery for severe obesity, with a review of the literature on this topic. Methods: five consecutive cases of pregnancy after gastroplasty between 2001 and 2004 were evaluated, and clinical, laboratory and therapeutic features were considered. Patients were 30 to 34 years old and all had been submitted to gastroplasty by the Capella technique. The outcomes for both the pregnant woman and the fetus were evaluated. A search of the English language literature was done through MEDLINE and Web of Science databases with the following terms: gastroplasty, gastric bypass surgery, bariatric surgery, and pregnancy. Results: all 5 pregnancies were singleton. No major obstetric complications were observed and there were no premature or lowbirth weight infants. Conclusion: our data suggest that pregnancy following gastroplasty is safe for mother and fetus. However, since information about this topic is limited, further investigations are required to establish appropriate recommendations concerning the follow-up of these pregnancies

Gestação após gastroplastia para tratamento de obesidade mórbida: série de casos e revisão da literatura

relatar a evolução de uma série de casos de gestação em mulheres previamente submetidas à cirurgia de bypass gástrico para tratamento de obesidade grave. Métodos: cinco casos consecutivos de gravidez após gastroplastia ocorridos entre 2001 e 2004 foram avaliados. As pacientes tinham idade entre 30 e 34 anos e todas haviam sido submetidas à cirurgia de Capella. Aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais e do acompanhamento materno e fetal foram considerados, durante o período gestacional e após o parto. Foi realizada revisão da literatura internacional, por meio das bases de dados MEDLINE e Web of Science, utilizando os seguintes unitermos: gastroplasty, gastric bypass surgery, bariatric surgery e pregnancy. Resultados: todas as gestações observadas foram únicas e não ocorreram complicações obstétricas, durante o seguimento pré-natal e parto. Também não houve registro de recém-nascidos prematuros ou de baixo peso ao nascimento. Conclusão: nossos dados sugerem que a gravidez após gastroplastia é segura para a mãe e feto. Entretanto, em virtude do limitado volume de informação disponível sobre o tema, investigações adicionais são necessárias para estabelecer recomendações apropriadas com relação ao seguimento dessas gestações

Avaliação das atividades antioxidantes e citotóxicas de extratos ricos em polissacarídeos extraídos das hastes de mandacaru (Cereus Jamacaru de Candolle, Cactaceae)

The use of medicinal plants to cure and treat various diseases is a common practice in the world and in Brazil. In several regions of the Brazil´s Northeast, the cactus Cereus jamacaru, known as mandacaru, is used popularly as a treatment to many diseases, including those related to heart respiratory diseases, gastric ulcers, scurvy, and kidney diseases. However, there is a scarcity in the scientific literature that proves scientifically the popular application of this cactus. Like other plants, Cereus jamacaru synthesizes several potentially bioactive molecules, like as polysaccharides. In this work, three polysaccharides-rich aqueous extracts, MCA80, MPM and MCP60, were obtained from this plant and analyzed chemically, as well as their cytotoxic and antioxidant potential. The data showed that all extracts consist mainly of polysaccharides (89.42 to 95.76%), but also protein (> 2%) and phenolic (3 to 8.87%) contaminants were detected. All extracts are rich in galactose, glucose and mannose. In addition, glucuronic acid was found in MCA80 and MCP60. The extracts showed total antioxidant capacity ranged from 55.21 to 68.13 of ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE). Besides, they exhibited reducer power and cupric chelation in a dose-dependent manner. None of the extracts inhibited the MTT reduction in the presence of prostate tumor cells (PC-3). However, MCP60 was the most effective extract by preventing the reduction of MTT by about 80% in the presence of cells 786. Nuclear fragmentation tests showed that this extract induces cell death. The data indicated that mandacaru synthesizes bioactive polysaccharides with potential as antioxidant and antitumor agents. For future studies, it is intended to purify and characterize these polysaccharides and its antioxidant and antitumor mechanisms

Mapeamento cromossômico de genes ribossomais em espécies estuarinas da família Gerreidae Identificação de uniformidade cariotípica e sua empregabilidade com fins biotecnológicos - REPROGEN

Perciformes are dominant in the marine environment, characterized as the largest and most diverse fish group. Some families, as Gerreidae, popularly known as silver jennies, carapebas, or mojarras have a high economic potential to marine fish farming, natural explotation and game fishing. Genetic information of these species are of fundamental importance for their management and production. Despite exist over 13,000 marine fish species described, only 2% were cytogenetically analyzed and less than 1% have some reproductive characteristics known. Induced breeding, cytogenetic characterization and cryopreservation of gametes, represent important areas in applied fish studies. In this project cytogenetic analyzes were performed to acess genetic aspects of Gerreidae species, distributed in coastal and estuarine regions of Northeast Brazil. Different methods for identifying chromosomal regions were employed using conventional techniques (Ag-NORs, C-banding), staining with base-specific fluorochromes (DAPI-CMA3), and physical mapping of ribosomal genes 18S and 5S rDNA, through hybridization in situ with fluorescent probes (FISH). The six species analyzed showed remarkable chromosome conservatism. The 18S and 5S ribosomal genes when analyzed in phylogenetic perspective demonstrate varied evolutionary dynamics, suggesting ocurrence of stasis process in some groups and greater dynamism in others. Double FISH with 18S and 5S probes showed both how efficient cytotaxonomic markers in the homogeneous karyotypes of this group of species. The karyotypic pattern identified in addition to the evolutionary aspects of karyotype, are suggestive of existence of low potential of post-zygotic barrier, prompting further research to prospect for artificial interspecific hybridization of these species of commercial importance

Biologia alimentar e morfohistologia do tubo digestório do mussum, synbranchus marmoratus, bloch (osteichthyes: synbranchidae) no açude Marechal Dutra Gargalheiras , localizado no semi-árido brasileiro

Food habits and morpho-histology of the digestive tract of marbled swamp eel, Synbranchus marmoratus (Block, 1917) were investigated. The fish samples were captured during August, 2007 to July, 2008 in the Marechal Dutra reservoir, Acari, Rio Grande do Norte. The rain fall data was obtained from EMPARN. The fish captured, were measured, weighed, dissected, eviscerated and individual stomach weights were registered. The stomach contents analyses were carried out based on volumetric method, points, frequency of occurrence and applying the Index of Relative Importance. The degrees of repletion of the stomachs were determined besides the Index of Repletion relating to feeding activity variations and frequency of ingestion during the rainy and dry seasons. The rainfall varied from 0 mm a 335 mm with a mean value of 71.62 mm. Highest rainfall of 335.5 mm was registered in March, 2008 and August to December was the dry period. During the dry period the study species presented high degrees of repletion of the stomachs, with a peak value in the month of September (mean = 4.54; ± SD = 0.56). The minimum mean value of = 3.99 ± SD = 0.25 was registered in the month of May during the rainy period. The stomach contents of S. marmoratus registered show that this fish prefers animals, 78.22% of crustaceans 2.85% of mollusks, 3.25% of fish, 1.4% of insects and 13.5% of semi-digested organic matter, thus characterizing the study species as a carnivore with a preference for crustaceans. The morpho-histological aspects of the digestive tract of S. marmoratus indicate that the mouth is terminal adapted to open widely, thin lips with taste buds, small villiform teeth forming a single series on maxillas, four pairs of branchial arches with short and widely spaced branchial rays. The oesophagus is short and cylindrical with a small diameter. The oesophagus wall is thick with mucas surface and internal parallel folds. The stomach is retilinical in form, presenting cardiac, caecal and pyloric portions. The caecal portion is long and is intermediary in position between the cardiac and pyloric portions. The cardiac portion of the stomach is short and cylindrical formed of simple epithelial cylindrical mucus cells. The caecal portion is long with narrow walls, a big cavity and smaller folds which give rise to gastric glands. The phyloric portion has no glands and primary or secondary mucas folds. The morphohistological aspects of the digestive tract of S. marmoratus indicate its adaptation to a carnivorous feeding habit

Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Microparticulados Superparamagnéticos Gastro-resistentes para Diagnóstico e Terapêutica

This work aimed to develop a suitable magnetic system for administration by the oral route. In addition to that, it was intended to review the current uses of magnetic systems and the safety related to magnetic field exposure. Methods: Coprecipitation and emulsification/crosslinking were carried out in order to synthesize magnetite particles and to coat them, respectively. Results: According to literature review, it was found that magnetic particles present several properties such as magnetophoresis in magnetic field gradient, production of a surrounding magnetic field, and heat generation in alternated magnetic field. When the human organism is exposed to magnetic fields, several interaction mechanisms come into play. However, biological tissues present low magnetic susceptibility. As a result, the effects are not so remarkable. Concerning the development of a magnetic system for oral route, uncoated magnetite particles did undergo significant dissolution at gastric pH. On the other hand, such process was inhibited in the xylan-coated particles. Conclusions: Due to their different properties, magnetic systems have been widely used in biosciences. However, the consequent increased human exposure to magnetic fields has been considered relatively safe. Concerning the experimental work, it was developed a polymer-coated magnetic system. It may be very promising for administration by the oral route for therapy and diagnostic applications as dissolution at gastric pH hardly took place

Obtenção de sistemas multiparticulados de isoniazida revestidos com polímero de liberação entérica

Known for thousands of years, tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality by a single infectious disease due to lack of patient adherence to available treatment regimens, the rising of multidrug resistant strains of TB (MDR-TB) and co-infection with HIV virus. Isoniazid and rifampicin are the most powerful bactericidal agents against M. tuberculosis. Because of that, this couple of drugs becomes unanimity in anti-TB treatment around the world. However, the rifampicin in acidic conditions in the stomach can be degraded rapidly, especially in the presence of isoniazid, which reduces the amount of available drug for absorption, as well as its bioavailability, contributing to the growing resistance to tuberculostatic drugs. Rifampicin is well absorbed in the stomach because of its high solubility between pH 1 and 2 and the gastric absorption of isoniazid is considered poor, therefore it is mostly intestinal. This work has as objective the development of gastro-resistant multiple-systems (granules and pellets) of isoniazid aiming to prevent the contact with rifampicin, with consequent degradation in acid stomach and modulate the release of isoniazid in the intestine. Granules of isoniazid were obtained by wet method using both alcoholic and aqueous solutions of PVP K-30 as aggregating and binder agent, at proportions of 5, 8 and 10%. The influence of the excipients (starch, cellulose or filler default) on the physical and technological properties of the granules was investigated. The pellets were produced by extrusionesferonization technique using isoniazid and microcrystalline cellulose MC 101 (at the proportion of 85:15) and aqueous solution of 1% Methocel as platelet. The pellets presented advantages over granular, such as: higher apparent density, smaller difference between apparent and compaction densities, smoother surface and, especially, smaller friability, and then were coated with an organic solution of Acrycoat L 100 ® in a fluidized bed. Different percentages of coating (15, 25 and 50%) were applied to the pellets which had their behavior evaluated in vitro by dissolution in acidic and basic medium. Rifampicin dissolution in the presence of uncoated and coated isoniazid pellets was evaluated too. The results indicate that the gastro resistance was only achieved with the greatest amount of coating and isoniazid is released successfully in basic step. The amount of rifampicin in the dissolution medium when the isoniazid pellets were not coated was lower than in the presence of enteric release pellets. Therefore, the polymer Acrycoat L 100 ® was efficient for coating with gastro-resistant function and can solve the problem of low bioavailability of rifampicin and help to reduce its dosage

Avaliação da expressão das moléculas HLA de classe I não clássicas HLA-G E HLA-E em espécimes gástricas de pacientes acometidos com a bactéria Helicobacter Pylori

The expression of human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) and human leukocyte antigen E (HLA-E) in physiological and pathological processes remains unknown, it is believed that these molecules play a fundamental role in the establishment and maintenance of immune tolerance by inhibiting the functions of immunocompetent cells. In literature we found no published study involving the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) with expression of HLA-G and HLA-E. The objective this study is investigated the expression of this protein in gastric biopsies of patients with the bacterium H. pylori. Sixty-four biopsies of the patients with diagnosis of infection by H. pylori were evaluated to expression of HLA-G and HLA-E. The samples were stratified according to the presence of carcinoma or peptic ulcers. Patients without H. pylori were used to control. To investigate the expression of this protein were used immunohistochemistry technique with monoclonal antibody anti-HLA-G and anti-HLA-E. Other criteria such as analysis of the inflammatory infiltrate (hematoxylin-eosin) and identification of H. pylori (Giemsa) were analyzed. We detected HLA-G and HLA-E molecules in the most samples containing ulcer and gastric carcinoma. In negative control group was not detected the presence of HLA-G and HLA-E. The presence of H. pylori seems modulate the expression of HLA-G and HLA-E, favoring the evolution of infection, giving different degrees of gastric lesion in epithelium of these patients

Processos carioevolutivos na ordem tetraodontiformes: uma visão através de suas diferentes linhagens

Given the great diversity of fishes, the Order Tetraodontiformes stands to show genetic and morphological characteristics enough singular. The fishes of this order have a compact DNA which favors molecular studies, as well as comparisons with more basal species. Model of genome evolution, there are still many gaps in knowledge about their chromosomal patterns and how evolutionary rearrangements influence the marked variation in DNA content of this order. In view of this, we present cytogenetic analyzes of the species Acanthostracion quadricornis (Ostraciidae), A. polygonius (Ostraciidae) Melichthys niger (Balistidae) Cantherhines macrocerus (Monacanthidae) and C. pullus (Monacanthidae), Lagocephalus laevigatus, Colomesus psittacus and Canthigaster figueiredoi (Tetraodontidae), to contribute with cytogenetic data for this group. The analysis was performed by C-banding, Ag-RONs, coloring with base-specific fluorochromes DAPI-CMA3, restriction enzymes AluI, EcoRI, TaqI, PstI and HinfI and in situ hybridization with probes for ribosomal DNA 18S and 5S. The heterochromatic ultrastructure of A. quadricornis and A. polygonius revealed a outstanding heterochromatin content, which may indicate that the accumulation or loss of extensive heterochromatin content could be responsible for large variations in genomic content displayed in different Tetraodontiformes families. The species Cantherhines macrocerus, C. pullus (Monacanthidae) and Melichthys niger (Balistidae) shows a huge karyotypic similarity both numerically and structural. L. laevigatus showed similar cytogenetic features (2n = 44 and single RONs) to the species of the genus Takifugu, which reinforces the idea of their phylogenetic relationships. C. psittacus presented the highest diploid number described for the family (2n = 56) and large amount of HC, features that related with its sister family Diodontidae. Cytogenetic analysis in C. figueiredoi revealed heterochromatic polymorphisms, RONs multiple and Bs chromosomes. These events are rare in marine fishes, and are possibly associated with the strong restructuring and genomic reduction that this family has been suffered. These features, plus the morphological and molecular data suggests that these species share the same ancestral branch, with a possible monophyletic origin. In this study, new contributions to the knowledge of evolutionary patterns facing by Tetraodontiformes are provided and discussed under cytotaxonomyc, genomic and evolutionary perspectives.

Contribuição à citogenética de testudines e análise de assimetria flutuante em Eretmochelys imbricata, Cheloniidae

This work has contributed to knowledge of the order Testudines from cytogenetic and morphological point of view. With regard to the aspects proposed cytogenetic characterization of the species Mesoclemmys tuberculata (n = 5), endemic to the Caatinga biomes, through conventional techniques of cytogenetics and molecular levels. This species presented 2n = 58, NF = 64, the first submetacentric pair, the second metacentric and third subtelocentric, and the other microchromosome telocentric. This species showed a nucleolar bearing pair, coincident with the 18S ribosomal rDNA and that proved to be heterochromatic. Small heterochromatic blocks were also found in the centromeres of the largest chromosomes, as well as terminal regions in most other chromosomes of the complement, that were GC +. Telomeric sequences showed variable patterns of signal intensity, with some repeats more intense in microchromosomes and subtly in the larger ones. When compared with other species of the genus, the G-banding patterns showed a marked similarity between them. The first karyotypic description of the species will aid in future studies and the understanding of evolutionary aspects of this family. From the morphological point of view, we carried out studies of fluctuating asymmetry in sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata, using methods of benchmarking between hatchlings and adults and their implications for natural selection. Data were collected at two different times: first during the spawning female and the second during the outbreak and birth of the nest. The analyzed characteristics consisted of measurements of length and width of front and rear flippers (CANT, LANT, CPOS and LPOS) also collected data on the number of hull plates, side plates (NPL), the surrounding plates (NPCIRC), and plastron; plates power plants (NPP), inframarginais plates (NPIM). With the values of asymmetry we calculated the value of strict heritability for these traits, the calculation was based on only one parent. A nonparametric analysis Mann-Whitneywas performed to compare the groups (females X hatchlings, newborn hatchlings X dead hatchlings). Adult females showed no bilateral fluctuating asymmetry (FA = 0) on the number plates of the hull and plastron, while offspring, living and dead, showed a greater level of variation in these meristic parameters. In the analysis of females x hatchlings we found a significant difference between the levels of asymmetry in hoof plates (p=0.006) an the width of hindlimbs (p=0.001). Levels of FA suggest an accurate indicator as to the viability or maintenance of the individual to the reproductive phase. The coefficient of heritability (h2) of FA , obtained from the regression analysis, showed that both have low and not statistically significant values(p> 0.1). In the case of exclusion of the effective role of genetics in the generation of FA, reproductive strategies based on high number of subsidiaries products, such as those observed in E. imbricata seems to implicate the production of individuals with high level of developmental instability

Padrões cromossômicos e mapeamento de genes ribossomais 18S e 5S em peixes pelágicos Atlânticos

Cytogenetic studies in fish have been contributed significantly to a better understanding of the marine biodiversity, presenting information related to characterization, evolution and conservation of species e fisheries stocks. Among the marine species which cytogenetic data are less well known pelagic forms are detached, that despite the economic importance and conservation efforts have been suffering great pressure from the artisanal and industrial fisheries. The present work characterized cytogenetically six species of large pelagic fish in the Atlantic, belonging to the Order Perciformes, among them, four species of Scombridae, Thunnus albacares, T. obesus, Scomberomorus brasiliensis and Acanthocybium solandri and two Coryphaenidae, Coryphaena equiselis and C. hippurus using Classical cytogenetic methods as conventional staining, C-banding and Ag-NORs and molecular through staining fluorochromes AT and GC-specific and mapping of ribosomal multigene families, 18S and 5S. The identification of phylogenetic patterns and cytotaxonomic markers between the species and the presence of sex chromosomes in at least one species of Coryphaenidae, are particularly useful in the formulating of phylogenetic hypotheses, as well as comparisons between groups and populations