Mechanism of charge transport in castor oil-based polyurethane/carbon black composite (PU/CB)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evidence that the Ceratobasidium-like white-thread blight and black rot fungal pathogens from persimmon and tea crops in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest agroecosystem are two distinct phylospecies

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

Pituitary Apoplexy After a Single Dose of Long-Acting Octreotide

Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a rare and potentially life-threatening syndrome resulting from an acute infarction or hemorrhage of the pituitary gland. Although the pathogenesis is not fully understood, some predisposing factors such as pituitary stimulation tests, diabetes mellitus, anticoagulant or antiplatelet aggregation therapy, head trauma, and high blood pressure may play a role in its pathophysiology. Octreotide is the mainstay of medical treatment for acromegaly. The majority of reported complications of octreotide therapy are gastrointestinal. We report the case of a 51-year-old acromegalic woman who developed pituitary apoplexy within the context of high blood pressure and a single dose of long-acting octreotide. Our data suggest that the combination of hypertension and octreotide therapy enhances the risk of pituitary apoplexy.

Immunohistochemical and morphological features of a small bowel leiomyoma in a black crested macaque (Macaca nigra)

Background: Spontaneous gastrointestinal neoplasms in non-human primates are commonly seen in aged individuals. Due to genetic similarities between human and non-human primates, scientists have shown increasing interest in terms of comparative oncology studies.Case presentation: The present study is related to a case of an intestinal leiomyoma in a black crested macaque (Macaca nigra), kept on captivity by Mateca a Zoo, Pereira City, Colombia. The animal had abdominal distension, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea and behavioral changes. Clinical examination showed an increased volume in the upper right abdominal quadrant caused by a neoplastic mass. The patient died during the surgical procedure. Necropsy revealed several small nodules in the peritoneum with adhesion to different portions of the small and large intestines, liver, stomach and diaphragm. Tissue samples were collected, routinely processed and stained by H&E. Microscopic examination revealed a mesenchymal tumor limited to tunica muscularis, resembling normal smooth muscle cells. Neoplastic cells were positive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and vimentin, and negative for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 by immunohistochemistry. Those morphological and immunohistochemical findings allowed to diagnose the intestinal leiomyoma referred above.Conclusion: Neoplastic diseases in primates have multifaceted causes. Their manifestations are understudied, leading to a greater difficulty in detection and measurement of the real impact provides by this disease.

The effects of Brazilian and Bulgarian propolis in vitro against Salmonella Typhi and their synergism with antibiotics acting on the ribosome

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi is the causative agent of typhoid fever in humans, and the use of antibiotics is essential for controlling this infection; however, the excessive use of antibiotics may select resistant strains. Propolis is a honeybee product and its antimicrobial activity has been intensively investigated. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate a possible synergism between propolis (collected in Brazil and Bulgaria) and antibiotics acting on the ribosome (chloramphenicol, tetracycline and neomycin) against Salmonella Typhi in vitro. The synergism was investigated by using 1/2 and 1/4 of the minimum inhibitory concentration for propolis and these antimicrobial agents, evaluating the number of viable cells according to the incubation time. Brazilian propolis showed a bacteriostatic action against S. Typhi, while Bulgarian propolis showed a bactericidal activity and a synergistic effect with the three antibiotics. Variations in the biological assays might be due to the differences in their chemical compositions. Based on the results, one may conclude that Bulgarian propolis showed an important antibacterial action, as well as a synergistic effect with antibiotics acting on the ribosome, which points out a possible therapeutic strategy evaluating the use of propolis preparations for the treatment of Salmonella Typhi infection.

Antibacterial effects of Brazilian and Bulgarian propolis and synergistic effects with antibiotics acting on the bacterial DNA and folic acid

Propolis is a honeybee product that has been used since ancient times because of its therapeutic effects. It can be used in the development of alternative therapies for the treatment of many diseases, and because propolis shows antibacterial action, this work was carried out in order to investigate a possible synergism between propolis and antibiotics acting on DNA (ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin) and on the metabolism (cotrimoxazole) against Salmonella Typhi. Propolis samples collected in Brazil and Bulgaria were compared in these assays, and the synergism was investigated by using 1/2 and 1/4 of the minimal inhibitory concentration for propolis and antibiotics, evaluating the number of viable cells according to the incubation time. Brazilian and Bulgarian propolis showed antibacterial activity, but no synergistic effects with the three tested antibiotics were seen. Previous works by our laboratory have revealed that propolis has synergistic effects with antibiotics, acting on the bacterial wall and ribosome, but it does not seem to interact with antibiotics acting on DNA or folic acid, and only a bacteriostatic action was seen in these assay conditions.

Morphological aspects of spermatogenic cells at different stages of sexual maturation in black isogenic C57BL/6/Uni mice

In order to study the morphological changes that occur in cells of the testes of isogenic black mouse C57BL/6/Uni into three periods during spermatogenetic used 15 mice divided into 3 groups of 5 animals with 40,50 and 60 days of age. The mice were sacrificed and weighed. Testicles were weighed and measured, and histologically processed and stained with HE, PAS and Masson Massom-H and evaluated under light microscopy. It was observed that group I with 40 days of age in the seminifcrous tubules had a lumen with sparse small amount of interstitial tubular cells. In the seminiferous epithelium type A spermatogonia, intermediate and B were identified, which occupied the compartment adbasal and intermingled with these cells in spermatocytes I in Pachytene and leptotene was observed, whereas in the adluminal compartment Golgi phase spermatids we observed the presence of acrosomal granule. In group II, the cells of the seminiferous epithelium were developed and it was observed in round spermatids cephalic hood phase plus many elongated spermatids in acrosome phase and Sertoli cells. In Group III, 60 days old, it was found that seminiferous epithelium which was of the tubules had elongated spermatids in acrosome phase and maturation, with elongated nuclei and acrosomal system typical of spermiation in the presence of sperm and residual bodies near the tubular lumen. Therefore morphological evolution of germ cell testicular spermatids can be checked and recognized in its four phases: Golgi, cap, acrosome and maturation over the age of the animal.

Prior residence and body size influence interactions between black sea urchins

Body size and prior residence can modulate agonistic interaction in several animal species, but scientists know little about these relationships in echinoderms. In this study, we tested the effects of these traits on interactions in the black sea urchin (Echinometra lucunter). After a sea urchin was isolated for 24-h in a glass tank to establish prior residence, we introduced an intruder animal adjacent to the resident in the tank and observed interactions for 30 min. The intruder animal was larger, smaller, or size-matched to the resident. We found body size and prior residence concomitantly modulated interactions among black sea urchins, with prior residence as the major determinant. Black sea urchins mainly exhibited opponent inspection and fleeing responses during interaction to avoid fights, especially when a fight could be seriously disadvantageous (small intruder vs. large resident). (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Black sea urchins evaluate predation risk using chemical signals from a predator and injured con- and heterospecific prey

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Morphological investigations of the surface epithelium of ductuli efferentes of black isogenic mice (Mus musculus)

Morphological investigations of the epithelial cell types that line the ductuli efferentes (DE) of black isogenic mice confirm absorption of the luminal fluid phase by endocytosis as the main function of ductuli efferentes (DE) in this species. :Furthermore, all the histochemical and ultrastructural observations on the DE epithelial histoarchitecture indicate other cellular functions such as exocytosis and probably secretion: including an aprocrine secretory process.

Fipronil (active ingredient of acaricide frontline (R)) acting on the mice thyroid

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

The black lion tamarin Leontopithecus chrysopygus - its conservation and management

The black lion tamarin Leontopithecus chrysopygus originally occurred throughout a large part of the Atlantic forest in the west of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Today, however, it is restricted to a few isolated forest fragments as a result of deforestation caused by cattle ranching, and urban and agricultural expansion, especially in this century. One of its last strongholds is a small gallery forest at Lencois Paulista in the west-central part of the state. The authors report on a long-term study of this small and isolated population, aimed particularly at providing a basis for the intensive management and conservation of the species and its habitat.

DENSITY ESTIMATES of THE BLACK-FRONTED PIPING GUAN IN THE BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC RAINFOREST

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

Effects of self-, chase and mixed self/cross-pollinations on pistil longevity and fruit set in Ceiba species (Bombacaceae) with late-acting self-incompatibility

Background and aims Late-acting self-incompatibility (LSI). in which selfed flowers fail to form fruits despite apparently successful growth of the pollen tubes to the ovules, is a contentious and still poorly understood phenomenon. Some studies have indicated pollen tube-pistil interactions, and major gene control. Others favour an early acting inbreeding depression explanation.Methods Experimental pollinations, including selfs (in a subsample of which the style was cut before pollen tubes reached the ovary), chase self/cross-pollinations, crosses, and mixed self/cross-pollinations were used to study floral/pistil longevity and effect on fruit set and seed yield in two Ceiba species known to have LSI.Results Self-pollinations, including those with a cut style, had extended floral longevity compared with unpollinated flowers. Chase pollinations in which cross-pollen was applied up to 3 h after selfing set fruits, but with reduced seed set compared with crosses. Those with cross-pollen applied at 4 and 8 h after self-pollination all failed to set fruits. Flowers subjected to 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 self/cross-pollinations all produced fruits but again with a significantly lower seed set compared with crosses.Conclusions Extended floral longevity initiated with self-pollen tubes growing in the style indicates some kind of pollen tube-pistil interaction. Fruit set only in chase pollinations up to 3 h implies that self-pollen tubes either grow more slowly in the style or penetrate ovules more slowly on arrival at the ovary compared with cross-tubes. This agrees with previous observations indicating that the incidence of penetrated ovules is initially lower in selfed compared with crossed pistils. However, the low seed yield from mixed pollinations indicates that self- and cross-pollen tubes arrive at the ovary and penetrate ovules more or less simultaneously. Possible explanations for these discordant results are discussed. (C) 2004 Annals of Botany Company.