Daily sperm production and testicular morphometry in goats according to external scrotal conformation

The present study aimed to compare testicular histology and the testicular cell population as well as spermatogenic efficiency in goats with different scrotal conformations. Eighteen goats were divided into 3 groups: Group I - goats without bipartition of the scrotum, Group II - animals with bipartition of the scrotum up to 50% of the testicular length, Group III - goats with scrotal bipartition more than 50% of the testicular length. In goats in Groups I, II and III, the values for the volume density of seminiferous epithelium were 68.9 +/- 0.6%, 71.5 +/- 2.8% and 73.4 +/- 4.7% (P < 0.05), the height of the seminiferous epithelium were 60.2 +/- 4.9 mu m, 61.0 +/- 5.0 mu m and 73.1 +/- 6.6 mu m (P < 0.05), total length of seminiferous tubules found for Groups I, II and III were 2091.9 +/- 27 m, 2172.5 +/- 24.1 m, and 2340.1 14 m (P < 0.05), number of Sertoli and Leydig cells were 1.8 +/- 0.4 x 10(9) and 1.4 +/- 0.1 x 10(9), 2.2 +/- 0.4 and 2.2 +/- 0.7 x 10(9), and 2.5 +/- 0.1 10(9) and 2.3 +/- 0.510(9)(P < 0.05)and daily sperm production observed were 2.1 0.3 x 109, 2.8 0.4 x 109, and 3.1 0.7 x 109 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, goats with greater scrotal bipartition have a greater capacity to produce reproductive cells that is reflected in a greater reproductive potential. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular and serological detection of Ehrlichia canis and Babesia vogeli in dogs in Colombia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Luteal Function and Follicular Growth Following Follicular Aspiration During the Peri-Luteolysis Period in Bos indicus and Crossbred Cattle

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

Nonresonant third-order nonlinear properties of NaPO3-WO3-Bi2O3 glasses in the near infrared

nonlinear (NL) refractive index, n(2), of NaPO3-WO3-Bi2O3 glass with different relative amounts of the constituents was measured at 1064 and 800 nm using the Z-scan and the thermally managed eclipse Z-scan techniques, respectively. The values of n(2) >= 10(-15) cm(2)/W and negligible NL absorption coefficient were determined. The large values of the NL refractive index and the very small NL absorption indicate that these materials have large potential for all-optical switching applications. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3212972]

Ovariectomy by laparotomy, a video-assisted approach or a complete laparoscopic technique in Santa Ines sheep

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

Kinetics and mechanism of the forward and reverse reactions between N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium and hexacyanoferrate(II)

The kinetics of the hexacyanoferrate(III)-N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium radical (MV+) reaction was studied by a laser flash photolysis technique. The radical was generated, in the presence of Fe(CN)6 3-, by quenching the excited state *Ru(bpy)3 2+ with MV2+. The second-order rate constant for the Fe(CN)6 3--MV+ reaction is (7.6 ± 0.5) × 109 M-1 s-1 at 23°C and ionic strength 0.10 M. Comparison with the rate constants calculated for the diffusion-controlled reaction (4.7 × 109 M-1 s-1) and the activation-controlled reaction (5.2 × 1012 M-1 s-1, on the basis of self-exchange rate constants of 8.0 × 105 M-1 s-1 and 1.9 × 104 M-1 s-1 for the MV2+/+ and Fe(CN)6 3-/4- couples, respectively) leads to the conclusion that the Fe(CN)6 3--MV+ reaction is diffusion controlled. The rate constant for the Fe(CN)6-MV2+ reaction, calculated from the rate constant for the Fe(CN)6 3--MV+ reaction and the appropriate equilibrium constant, is 2.4 × 10-5 M-1 s-1 at 23°C and ionic strength 0.10 M. Microscopic reversibility considerations require that the Fe(CN)6 4--MV2+ reaction be controlled by the dissociation of the successor complex Fe(CN)6 3-|MV+. The thermal and optical electron transfers in the ion pair Fe(CN)6 4-|MV2+ and in related systems are analyzed and discussed. © 1982 American Chemical Society.

New option for anterior traction of the face by using a cervical collar

This case required anteroposterior traction of the maxilla. Once none of the traditional methods could be used because of the lack of support in the chin and in the frontal region. Thus, we opted to use a cervical collar.

Adenocarcinoma in females detected in serous effusions: Cytomorphologic aspects and immunocytochemical reactivity to cytokeratins 7 and 20

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness of assessing the immunoreactivity of cytokeratins 7 (CK7) and 20 (CK20) as well as several cytomorphologic parameters in effusions with metastatic adenocarcinomas in the search for the primary site of the tumor. STUDY DESIGN: From the files of the Pathology Department, A. C. Camargo Hospital, we studied cytologic smears from 73 metastatic adenocarcinomas originally from the breast, 63 from the ovary, 40 from the lung and 32 from the stomach, looking for morphologic parameters that could have discriminant potential in suggesting the primary site in a routine situation, including intranuclear inclusions, prominent nucleoli, mitosis, signet-ring cells, psammoma bodies, nuclear crease, binucleation and multinucleation, papillary features, acinar profile (including ball cells) and single cells. Immunoreactions were performed with monoclonal antibodies to CK7 (OV-TL 12/30 and CK20 (Ks 20.8) and included morphologic analysis. Both analyses were studied in a blind fashion regarding the primary site of the tumors. RESULTS: Positivity ratios for breast, ovary, stomach and lung cases were 67.6%, 63.5%, 29.7% and 45.5%, respectively, for CK7 and 17.2%, 15.8%, 13.5% and 32.2%, respectively, for CK20. Discriminant analysis of morphologic and immunocytochemical parameters had an error rate of 42.9% in recognizing the primary site and a Wilk's lambda of .7290. CONCLUSION: The more efficient parameter with discriminant function was the papillary appearance showed by CK7, which should be used in further studies with a similar scope. The set of parameters used in this study were insufficient to discriminate the primary site of female adenocarcinomas in effusions with significant accuracy.

Efficacy, safety and tolerability of terbinafine for Tinea capitis in children: Brazilian multicentric study with daily oral tablets for 1, 2 and 4 weeks

Background: Tinea capitis is a common skin disease seen predominantly in children. The standard therapies for this disease are griseofulvin and ketoconazole. Nevertheless, these drugs have drawbacks in that they are only fungistatic and require treatment for at least 6 weeks. Previous studies with oral terbinafine for the treatment of Tinea capitis have shown that this agent is effective when given for 4 weeks, comparable to an 8-week regimen with griseofulvin. To date there is no data on the use of oral terbinafine in Brazilian children. Objectives: To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of oral terbinafine in short-term treatments (1-, 2- and 4-week treatment) of Tinea capitis in children. Patients and methods: One hundred and thirty-two children aged 1-14 years were enrolled in this study, but only 107 were considered for the final efficacy analysis. Diagnosis included clinical assessment and examination by Wood's light. Confirmation was obtained by direct microscopy and culture for fungus. Terbinafine dosage (125 or 250 mg/day) was adjusted according to patient weight. Efficacy was evaluated both by clinical and mycological assessment. Safety and tolerability variables included data on adverse reaction and clinical laboratory evaluations. Results: Mycological evaluation in the follow-up visit at week 12 showed negative direct microscopy and culture results in 48.6, 60.5 and 69.7% patients in groups 1-, 2- and 4-week, respectively (n.s.). At week 12, 84.8% patients in group 4-week achieved clinical cure with a significant difference compared to groups 1- and 2-week, 54.3 and 60.5%, respectively (P < 0.01). Adverse reactions were present in 4.8, 6.8 and 10.9% of patients in groups 1-, 2- and 4-week, respectively. Terbinafine was not associated with clinically relevant increases in liver function tests. Conclusions: Terbinafine is an effective, well tolerated and safe antifungal agent for the treatment of Tinea capitis m children. The shorter duration of treatment resulted in lower cure rates. However, it is important to note that depending on the severity of the disease, a 1-week-only treatment can also be effective in this indication.

Importance of early and continuous use of protein restriction on the progression of adriamycin nephropathy

Three experimental protocols were carried out with the aim of evaluating the role of protein restriction on the progression of the established adriamycin-induced nephropathy, and whether the protective effect of the diet persists after the diet is discontinued. The effect of a low protein diet (LPD) was studied for 6 weeks in protocol 1, 16 weeks in protocol 2 and for 28 weeks in protocol 3. In protocol 3, one group (LL) received LPD and another (NN) was given a normal protein diet (NPD). A third group (LN) received LPD for 16 weeks and then NPD for 12 weeks and a fourth group (NL) was fed NPD for 16 weeks and then LPD for 12 weeks. In protocol I the tubulo- interstitial index (TILl) of rats on LPD (Md = 2, P25 = 0.0; P75 = 3.5) after six weeks, was smaller than that of the animals on NPD (Md = 6.0; P25 = 3.0; P75 = 8.0; p < 0.05). In protocol 2, the group taking LPD presented an area of interstitial fibrosis (IF) (Md= 0.5%, P25 0.2%; P75 = 1.9%) smaller than that of the NPD group (Md = 6.8%; P25 = 5.2%; P75 = 7.1%; P < 0.05). No significant difference in the area of glomerulosclerosis (GSA) was observed between the animals on LPD (Md = 0.0%; P25 = 0.0%, P75 = 0.0%) and NPD (Md = 0.37%; P25 = 02% P75 = 1.25%; p > 0.05). In protocol 3, the group LL showed GSA (Md = 1.3%; P25 0.6%, P75 = 2.5%) and IF (Md = 3.60/0; P25 = 1.6%; P75 = 5.9%) smaller that those of LN (GSA Md = 10.1%; P25 = 6.6%; P75 = 14.8%; IF; Md = 17.3%; P25 = 14.1%; P75 = 24,5%), NL (GSA: Md = 9.1%; P25 = 5,8%; P75 = 11.7%; IF; Md = 25.0%; P25 = 20.4%; P75 = 30%), and NN (GSA: Md = 6. 75%; P25 = 4.9%; P75 = 11.7%; IF: Md = 20.9%; P25 = 16.2%; P75 = 32.4%). In conclusion, in order to be effective, LPD must be introduced early and maintained for a long period of tune.

Maximal lactate steady state in rats submitted to swimming exercise

The higher concentration during exercise at which lactate entry in blood equals its removal is known as 'maximal lactate steady state' (MLSS) and is considered an important indicator of endurance exercise capacity. The aim of the present study was to determine MLSS in rats during swimming exercise. Adult male Wistar rats, which were adapted to water for 3 weeks, were used. After this, the animals were separated at random into groups and submitted once a week to swimming sessions of 20 min, supporting loads of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10% of body wt. for 6 consecutive weeks. Blood lactate was determined every 5 min to find the MLSS. Sedentary animals presented MLSS with overloads of 5 and 6% at 5.5 mmol/l blood lactate. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in blood lactate with the other loads. In another set of experiments, rats of the same strain, sex and age were submitted daily to 60 min of swimming with an 8% body wt. overload, 5 days/week, for 9 weeks. The rats were then submitted to a swimming session of 20 min with an 8% body wt. overload and blood lactate was determined before the beginning of the session and after 10 and 20 min of exercise. Sedentary rats submitted to the same acute exercise protocol were used as a control. Physical training did not alter the MLSS value (P < 0.05) but shifted it to a higher exercise intensity (8% body wt. overload). Taken together these results indicate that MLSS measured in rats in the conditions of the present study was reproducible and seemed to be independent of the physical condition of the animals. © 2001 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Kinetics of spermatogenesis in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

The Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) is a small rodent native to the arid regions of Mongolia and Northeastern China. The present study provides descriptions of both the cellular associations of the seminiferous-epithelium cycle and relative frequencies of stages in the gerbil. Based on the development of the acrosomic system and the nuclear morphology changes using the PAS-H staining technique, the transformation of spermatids into spermatozoa was divided into 15 steps. The first 12 steps were used to identify 12 stages or cellular associations and the other three steps were spread among the first six stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. The relative frequencies found for stages I through XII were: 13.15; 8.06; 8.98; 6.48; 5.37; 6.71; 7.36; 7.45; 7.27; 5.83; 11.53 and 11.81, respectively. Stage I had the highest frequency while stage V proved the lowest frequency among the XII stages. The pattern of spermatogenesis is similar to those of rodents used as laboratory animals. The present description is the first for this rodent and provides the foundation for a variety of future studies of the testis in this animal. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Valor nutritivo de macrófitas aquáticas flutuantes (Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes e Salvinia molesta) utilizadas no tratamento de efluentes de aqüicultura

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of free-floating aquatic macrophytes, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae), Pistia stratiotes (L.) (Araceae) and Salvinia molesta (Mitchell) (Salviniaceae) used in a Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) waste treatment, and these species biomass potential uses. The vegetal biomass samples were collected from 0.25 m 2 floating squares and divided in aerial and submerse parts, to determine the concentrations of cell wall fraction, soluble carbohydrates, polyphenols, lipids, crude protein and total phosphorus. The higher nutritive value was observed in E. crassipes and S. molesta aerial parts, and in P. stratiotes total biomass, due to their lower cell wall fraction mean rates (60.7; 64.2 and 56.9 % dry mass, respectively) and to the higher rates of: crude protein (10.1; 9.1 and 8.8 % dry mass, respectively), soluble carbohydrates (26.6; 18.7 and 12.4 mg.g -1 dry mass, respectively) and lipids (7.6; 4.5 and 4.4% dry mass, respectively). It may be concluded that P. stratiotes total biomass, and E. crassipes and S. molesta aerial biomass have nutritive values with potential use for ruminant feeding or as ration ingredients.

Effects of crude extracts of Agaricus blazei on DNA damage and on rat liver carcinogenesis induced by diethylnitrosamine

The effects of crude extracts of the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murrill (Agaricaceae) on both DNA damage and placental form glutathione S-transferase (GST-P)-positive liver foci induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) were investigated. Six groups of adult male Wistar rats were used. For two weeks, animals of groups 3 to 6 were treated with three aqueous solutions of A. blazei (mean dry weight of solids being 1.2, 5.6, 11.5 and 11.5 mg/ml, respectively). After this period, groups 2 to 5 were given a single ip injection 200 mg/kg DEN and groups 1 and 6 were treated with 0.9% NaCl. All animals were subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy at week five and sacrificed 4, 24 and 48 h or 8 weeks after DEN or 0.9% NaCl treatments (10th week after the beginning of the experiment). The alkaline comet assay and GST-P-positive liver foci development were used to evaluate the influence of the mushroom extracts on liver cell DNA damage and on the initiation of liver carcinogenesis, respectively. Previous treatment with the highest concentration of A. blazei (11.5 mg/ml) significantly reduced DNA damage, indicating a protective effect against DEN-induced liver cytotoxicity/genotoxicity. However, the same dose of mushroom extract significantly increased the number of GST-P-positive liver foci.

Pancreatic β-cell defects in women at risk of type 2 diabetes

We evaluated insulin release and insulin sensitivity in women with basal and/or postprandial hyperglycemia but normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in previous pregnancy (GHG). These women were individually matched with females without previous hyperglycemia (NGT). Both groups consisted of normal glucose-tolerant women at the time of this study. They underwent OGTT (75g; n= 32 pairs) and hyperglycemic clamp experiments (10mmoll-1; n=27 pairs) with plasma glucose, insulin, and C-peptide measurements and calculation of insulinogenic index, first- and second-phase insulin release, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI). The GHG group showed higher glycosylated hemoglobin levels (6.2±0.6% versus 5.8±0.8%; P<0.05); lower insulinogenic index at 30min (134.03±62.69pmolmmol-1 versus 181.59±70.26pmolmmoll-1; P<0.05) and diminished C-peptide response in relation to glucose (4.05±0.36nmolmmol-1 versus 4.23±0.36nmolmmol-1; P<0.05) at OGTT. Both groups did not show difference in insulin secretion and ISI by hyperglycemic clamp technique. We concluded that in up to 12 years from index pregnancy, women with previous GHG, presenting normal glucose tolerance and well-matched with their controls, showed β-cell dysfunction without change in ISI. As women with previous GHG are at risk of type 2 diabetes, β-cell dysfunction may be its primary defect. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.