Biochemical, histopathological and clinical evaluation of delayed effects caused by methamidophos isoforms and TOCP in hens: Ameliorative effects using control of calcium homeostasis

This work evaluated the potential of the isoforms of methamidophos to cause organophosphorus-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) in hens. In addition to inhibition of neuropathy target esterase (NTE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), calpain activation, spinal cord lesions and clinical signs were assessed. The isoforms (+)-, (+/-)- and (-)-methamidophos were administered at 50 mg/kg orally; tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate (TOCP) was administered (500 mg/kg, po) as positive control for delayed neuropathy. The TOCP hens showed greater than 80% and approximately 20% inhibition of NTE and AChE in hen brain, respectively. Among the isoforms of methamidophos, only the (+)-methamidophos was capable of inhibiting NTE activity (approximately 60%) with statistically significant difference compared to the control group. Calpain activity in brain increased by 40% in TOCP hens compared to the control group when measured 24h after dosing and remained high (18% over control) 21 days after dosing. Hens that received (+)-methamidophos had calpain activity 12% greater than controls. The histopathological findings and clinical signs corroborated the biochemical results that indicated the potential of the (+)-methamidophos to be the isoform responsible for OPIDN induction. Protection against OPIDN was examined using a treatment of 2 doses of nimodipine (1 mg/kg, i.m.) and one dose of calcium gluconate (5 mg/kg, iv.). The treatment decreased the effect of OPIDN-inducing TOCP and (+)-methamidophos on calpain activity, spinal cord lesions and clinical signs. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A tellurium-based cathepsin B inhibitor: Molecular structure, modelling, molecular docking and biological evaluation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Hydrodynamic characterization and performance evaluation of an aerobic three phase airlift fluidized bed reactor in a recirculation aquaculture system for Nile Tilapia production

The hydrodynamic characterization and the performance evaluation of an aerobic three phase fluidized bed reactor in wastewater fish culture treatment are presented in this report. The objective of this study was to evaluate the organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorous removal efficiency in a physical and biological wastewater treatment system of an intensive Nile Tilapia laboratory production with recirculation. The treatment system comprised of a conventional sedimentation basin operated at a hydraulic detention time HDT of 2.94 h and an aerobic three phase airlift fluidized bed reactor AAFBR operated at an 11.9 min HDT. Granular activated carbon was used as support media with density of 1.64 g/cm(3) and effective size of 0.34 mm in an 80 g/L constant concentration. Mean removal efficiencies of BOD, COD, phosphorous, total ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen were 47%, 77%, 38%, 27% and 24%, respectively. The evaluated system proved an effective alternative for water reuse in the recirculation system capable of maintaining water quality characteristics within the recommended values for fish farming and met the Brazilian standards for final effluent discharges with exception of phosphorous values. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Morphological and functional evaluation of distal esophagus of rabbits submitted to esophageal infusion with caustic soda

A ingestão de substâncias cáusticas constitui importante situação de emergência, tendo em vista a gravidade de suas seqüelas. OBJETIVO: Estudar as alterações morfológicas e funcionais do esôfago de coelhos submetidos à infusão esofágica com soda cáustica (NaOH). MÉTODOS: 88 coelhos foram divididos em 4 grupos: G1 (n=22) foi submetido à infusão esofágica com água destilada; G2, G3 e G4 foram submetidos a infusão esofágica com NaOH a 2%, 4% e 6%, respectivamente. Alterações morfológicas foram estudadas em 12 animais de cada grupo e as alterações manométricas, nos 10 animais restantes. Foram feitas análises do esfíncter inferior do esôfago (EIE), número e amplitude das contrações no terço distal do esôfago. Estes estudos foram realizados antes (momento 1 - M1) e aos 30 minutos, 6 horas e 24 horas após a infusão esofágica (momentos M2, M3 e M4, respectivamente). RESULTADOS: Avaliação macroscópica: G1 - sem alterações; G2 - edema, hiperemia e descamação; G3 - aumento do calibre do esôfago, úlceras, descamação da mucosa; G4 - lesões semelhantes as do G3, porém mais intensas, áreas de extensa hemorragia. Avaliação funcional: a pressão no EIE foi mais elevada em M2 no grupo 2; o número das contrações no terço distal do esôfago foi menor em G3 e G4, e a amplitude das contrações foi menor em G4. CONCLUSÕES: 1) a infusão esofágica com NaOH constitui excelente modelo experimental de esofagite cáustica no coelho; 2) a infusão esofágica com NaOH causa lesões na parede do esôfago, com gravidade proporcional a concentração da solução; 3) a infusão causou espasmo do EIE em M2 e redução do número e amplitude das contrações no terço distal do esôfago.

Calcium gluconate and sodium succinate for therapy of sodium fluoroacetate experimental intoxication in cats: clinical and electrocardiographic evaluation

Sodium fluoroacetate (SFAC) or Compound 1080 is a potent rodenticide, largely used after 1946 for rodent and home pest control. The toxic effects of SFAC are caused by fluorocitrate action, a toxic metabolite, which has a competitive action with aconitase enzyme, leading to citrate accumulation and resulting in interference in energy production by Krebs cycle blockade. In the present study, domestic cats were intoxicated with oral doses of fluoroacetate (0.45 mg/kg). The intoxicated animals presented emesis, diarrhea with abdominal pain posture and an abdominal palpation, tachypnea, bilateral midriasis, hypothermia, hyperexcitability and convulsions. Blood gas analysis indicated decreased pH and bicarbonate levels. Serum ionized calcium was also decreased. ECG showed non-specific changes in ventricular repolarization and ventricular arrhythmias. The survival rate was 75% in the treated group with calcium gluconate and sodium succinate and 37.5% in the non-treated group.

Clinical and laboratory evaluation of hyperlipemic and hypothyroid patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of hypothyroidism in a sample of hyperlipemic patients and evaluate clinical and laboratory factors indicative of thyropathy among them. METHODS: Fifty-one hyperlipemic patients, grouped according to an earlier or recent diagnosis of their thyroid function into euthyroid and hypothyroid, were evaluated with clinical and laboratory examinations of blood levels of free T4 and TSH (by radioimmunoassay). Patients were on average 46.8±11.7 years old, predominantly of the female sex (62.5%); 31% had a previous diagnosis of hypothyroidism and were under treatment with thyroxin. RESULTS: Fourteen three percent of patients analyzed had hypothyroidism, which had not been detected before. Differentiating attributes of the groups analyzed were: a predominance of females among the hypothyroid patients and a higher HDL serum concentration among those recently diagnosed. CONCLUSION: In the present study, new cases of hypothyroidism in hyperlipemic patients were a frequent occurrence, yet few clinical and laboratory data except tests evaluating free T4 and TSH in the blood indicated which patients had thyroid dysfunction.

Biochemical and biological evaluation of gyroxin isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom

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

Individual Venom Profiling of Crotalus durissus terrificus Specimens from a Geographically Limited Region: Crotamine Assessment and Captivity Evaluation on the Biological Activities

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

Morbidity-mortality and performance evaluation of Brahman calves from in vitro embryo production

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

Hematological and biochemical profiles and histopathological evaluation of experimental intoxication by sodium fluoroacetate in cats

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Clinical and electrocardiographic evaluation during experimental toad poisoning in dogs

Accidents involving toad poisoning are frequent and dogs are the most common victims; they become poisoned by biting or ingesting a toad. When released in the organism, the venom is absorbed by both the oral mucosa and the digestive tract, initiating its toxic action. The aim of this work was to evaluate the clinical and electrocardiographic aspects of dogs subjected to experimental toad poisoning, as well as their response to treatment with propranolol. Twenty dogs were divided into two groups, a control group (n = 5) and a poisoned group (n = 15). After general anesthesia, the control group received a placebo, while the poisoned group received a venom aliquot through an orogastric tube. Results were tested through multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). The animals in the poisoned group had gastrointestinal symptoms including emesis, intense salivation, hyperemic or congested oral mucosa and pasty diarrhea. Non-responsive mydriasis, nystagmus, depression, stupor, tachypnea, opisthotonus and ataxia were also manifested by 100% of the poisoned animals. Affected dogs had an increase in blood pressure, statistically significant throughout study. Five poisoned animals developed ventricular tachycardia and were treated with propranolol (0.5 mg/kg IV). All propranolol-treated animals returned to normal sinus rhythm, which evidences the efficacy of this drug to treat ventricular arrhythmias caused by toad venom.

Morphologic and quantitative evaluation of preantral follicles of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in different reproductive phases

The objectives of the present study were to estimate the population of the normal and degenerated preantral follicles of buffaloes in different reproductive phases and to classify the different types of degeneration of ovarian preantral follicles. For this, 18 ovaries were divided in three groups: prepubertal, non pregnat and pregnant adult females. The ovaries were collected from a slaughterhouse (Frigol - Brazil) and processed for classic histological examination. The follicular population was estimated according to Cahill et al. (1979) and calculated according to Gougeon & Chainy (1987). Young buffaloes, pregnant and non pregnat adults presented an average number of 15.5, 3.7 and 8.9 preantral follicles with normal morphology and type I (the degeneration was observed just in oocyte) and II (oocyte and granulosa cells were degenerated) degeneration, respectively. This experiment demonstrated that the proportions of primordial, primary and secondary follicles were affected by reproductive phase. A significant difference was observed considering the proportions of preantral follicles with normal morphology and Type I degeneration in all reproductive phases evaluated. The primary follicles presented more percentage of Type I degeneration that the others follicles and the primordial and primary follicles presented more percentage of Type II degeneration in three reproductive phases evaluated.

Clinical and parasitological evaluation of dogs naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi submitted to treatment with meglumine antimoniate

Aiming to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment of canine visceral leishmaniasis, to verify the occurrence of a possible disease relapse, and to search for the presence of the parasites after the end of the treatment, seven dogs naturally infected by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi were used. The dogs were subjected to a treatment with 75 mg/kg meglumine antimoniate subcutaneously every 12 h for 21 days, and followed-up for a period of 6 months. During the whole experimental period the animals wore deltamethrin collars and were kept in a screened kennel to avoid reinfection. Lymph node and bone marrow aspiration biopsy was carried out to search for the parasite at seven moments: before the treatment, 30, 60, 90, 120 150 and 180 days after the start of the treatment. After the end of the experiment all dogs were humanely euthanized. Then, spleen and liver imprints and ill vitro cultures were carried out to search for amastigote forms of the parasite. During the treatment all animals presented remission of symptoms. However, two dogs were observed to present new symptoms in the course of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, the presence of amastigote forms of the parasite was evidenced in five of the seven dogs. This enabled us to conclude that the treatment promoted clinical cure but did not eliminate the parasites completely. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clinical and laboratory evaluation of horses after intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

Horses are very sensitive to Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) which, when introduced into the blood stream, induce several responses mediated by endogenous pro-inflammatory mediators originating from bacteriolysis or granulocyte disintegration. Intraperitoneal LPS injection was used to mimic the proposed route of endotoxin travel in clinical cases. The clinical signs and laboratory findings demonstrated a dose- dependent effect and were more consistently observed with 500 ng/kg of LPS. We conclude that intraperitoneal injection of LPS produces the same endotoxic status as obtained by systemic injection of LPS, even during the initial phase.