Characterization of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells Expressing VEGF and its Receptors in the Subventricular Zone of Newborn Piglet Brain

Neural stem/progenitor cell (NSP) biology and neurogenesis in adult central nervous system (CNS) are important both towards potential future therapeutic applications for CNS repair, and for the fundamental function of the CNS. In the present study, we report the characterization of NSP population from subventricular zone (SVZ) of neonatal piglet brain using in vivo and in vitro systems. We show that the nestin and vimentin-positive neural progenitor cells are present in the SVZ of the lateral ventricles of neonatal piglet brain. In vitro, piglet NSPs proliferated as neurospheres, expressed the typical protein of neural progenitors, nestin and a range of well-established neurodevelopmental markers. Upon dissociation and subculture, piglet NSPs differentiated into neurons and glial cells. Clonal analysis demonstrates that piglet NSPs are multi-potent and retain the capacity to generate both glia and neurons. These cells expressed VEGF, VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and Neuropilin-1 and -2 mRNAs. Real time PCR revealed that SVZ NSPs from newborn piglet expressed total VEGF and all VEGF splice variants. These findings show that piglet NSPs may be helpful to more effectively design growth factor based strategies to enhance endogenous precursor cells for cell transplantation studies potentially leading to the application of this strategy in the nervous system disease and injury.

Knowledge gaps and bibliographical revision about descriptions of free-swimming anuran larvae from Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Tuberculosis survey of free-ranging marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) in Brazil

Esophageal-pharyngeal fluids from 53 free-ranging marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) captured for a research program in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, were assayed for tuberculosis. Total DNA was extracted, amplified by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. microti, and M. africanum), and observed by agarose gel electrophoresis stained with ethidium bromide. All samples were negative. This, along with necropsy and histopathology data, suggests that these animals are not shedding and probably do not have active disease.

Longitudinal distribution of Copepoda populations in the transition zone of Paranapanema River and Jurumirim Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil) and interchange with two lateral lakes.

Longitudinal changes in composition, abundance, and distribution of copepods were studied at the transition zone of Paranapanema River-Jurumirim Reservoir (SP, Brazil). The interchange of biotic material between marginal lakes and the river system was also examined. Water samples were obtained from 6 stations along a stretch of 13 km of the Paranapanema River, from an upstream reach with high water velocity up to the river mouth into Jurumirim Reservoir. Two other sites in lateral lakes were also sampled. Nine copepod taxa were identified: 3 calanoids (Argyrodiaptomus furcatus Sars, Notodiaptomus iheringi Wright, and N. conifer Sars) and 6 cyclopoids (Eucyclops Claus, Microcyclops Claus, Mesocyclops longisetus Thiébaud, Thermocyclops decipiens Fischer, T. minutus Lowndes, and Paracyclops Claus). Harpacticoids were also collected. Calanoid and cyclopoid nauplii and copepodids, and harpacticoids were the most abundant organisms. In general, there was a longitudinal decrease in copepod abundance, whereas an increase was detected near the lakes. The abundance of most copepods was inversely correlated with current velocity and suspended solids. Higher abundance was observed in the river main course during the rainy season, during which there is a higher connectivity between the lakes and the main river. This promotes exportation of biologic material from marginal lakes to the river system, a biotic exchange reflecting the importance of marginal lakes to the river community structure.

Lack of reliability of nanotechnology in the of free plasma DNA in samples of patients with prostate cancer

Background: Several studies seek biological markers that give diagnostic and degree of tumor development. The aim of this study was to validate the determination of plasma DNA using nanotechnology (Nanovue™-NV) in samples of 80 patients with prostate cancer. Methods. Blood samples of 80 patients of the Urology Ambulatory of Faculdade de Medicina do ABC with prostate cancer confirmed by anatomical-pathology criteria were analyzed. DNA extraction was performed using a GFX TM kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Inc, USA) following the adapted protocol. Plasma was subjected to centrifugation. Results: There was a big difference between the first and the second value obtained by NanoVue Only two samples had no differences between duplicates. Maximum difference between duplicates was 38 μg/mL. Average variation between 51 samples was 10.29 μg/mL, although 21 samples had differences above this average. No correlation was observed between pDNA obtained by traditional spectrophotometry and by nanotechnology. Conclusion: Determination of plasma DNA by nanotechnology was not reproducible. © 2013 Moreno et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Incidence of Leptospirosis infection in the East Zone of Sao Paulo City, Brazil

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonosis which is spread through contamined running water. This contaminations is seriously affected by the flooding which occurs in the area surrounding the Aricanduva river. The transmission of the disease results mainly from the contact of water with soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals. We aimed to conduct an epidemiological survey on Leptospirosis cases in Sao Paulo East Zone area. Method. The analysis conducted in this study was based on data collected from the health authorities of that region close the Aricanduva river between 2007 and 2008 years, which give the rates of confirmed cases, mortality and death from human Leptospirosis. Other information concerned with the relationships among rainfall index, points of flooding and incidence of Leptospirosis. Results: We observed a direct and important water contamination. Records of flooding points and dates of the reported cases in the region showed a direct relationship from which the period of higher rainfall also recorded an increase in cases. The annual record of the city and the region and rainfall regions also presented correlation. Conclusion: The association between the indices of flooding and Leptospirosis cases indicates that preventive measures are necessary to avoid exposing the community. © 2013 Miyazato et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Frequency of different human mollicutes species in the mucosa of the oropharynx, conjunctiva, and genitalia of free-ranging and captive capuchin monkeys (Cebus spp.)

This study is the first to evaluate the occurrence of several Mollicutes species in Brazilian capuchin monkeys (Cebus spp.). Mollicutes were detected by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in samples of the oropharyngeal, conjuctiva, and genital mucosae of 58 monkeys. In the oropharynx, Mollicutes in general (generic PCR to the Class), and those of the genus Ureaplasma (genus PCR), were detected in 72.4% and 43.0% of the samples, respectively. The identified species in this site included: Mycoplasma arginini (43.1%), M. salivarium (41.4%), and M. pneumoniae (19.0%). Both Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma are genera of the order Mycoplasmatales. In the preputial/vaginal mucosa, PCR detected Mollicutes in general in 27.58% of the samples, the genus Ureaplasma in 32.7%, the species M. arginini in 8.6%, and Acholeplasma laidlawii of the order Acholeplasmatales in 1.7% In the conjunctiva, Mollicutes in general were detected in 29.3% of the samples, with 1.7% being identified as A. laidlawii. Culturing was difficult due to contamination, but two isolates were successfully obtained. The Mollicutes species of this study provided new insights into these bacteria in Brazilian Cebus. Studies are lacking of the actual risk of Mollicutes infection or the frequency at which primates serve as permanent or temporary reservoirs for Mollicutes. In the present study, the samples were collected from monkeys without clinical signs of infection. The mere presence of Mollicutes, particularly those also found in humans, nevertheless signals a need for studies to evaluate the impact of these microorganisms on the health of non-human primates (NHPs) and the possibility of cross-species transmission between NHPs and humans. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A liquid-phase-blocking concanavalin A enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies against Newcastle disease virus in serum of free-ranging pigeons

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Pneumonia and bacteremia in a golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp pneumoniae during a translocation program of free-ranging animals in Brazil

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

Comparation of free radical scavenging activity between seven species of Passiflora L.

Antioxidant capacities of seven species of Passiflora were evaluated through comparation of the free radical DPPH scavenging activity. The studied species included cultivated and traditionally used P. edulis, P. incarnata and P. alata and less common species P. coccinea, P. laurifolia, P. mucronata and P. gardneri. The experimental design was completely randomized with ANOVA and Tukey test as main statistical analyses. The results showed that species of Passiflora had variable antioxidant capacities, ranging from 28 to 95% of free radical DPPH scavenging activity.

Comparation of free radical scavenger activity between seven species of Passiflora L.

Antioxidant capacities of seven species of Passiflora were evaluated through comparation of the free radical DPPH scavenging activity. The studied species included cultivated and traditionally used P. edulis, P. incarnata and P. alata and less common species P. coccinea, P. laurifolia, P. mucronata and P. gardneri. The experimental design was completely randomized with ANOVA and Tukey test as main statistical analyses. The results showed that species of Passiflora had variable antioxidant capacities, ranging from 28 to 95% of free radical DPPH scavenging activity.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Mycoplasma ovis in Selected Free-Ranging Brazilian Deer Populations

Mycoplasma ovis is a hemoplasma that may cause anemia and mortality in small ruminants. Our aim was to determine whether M. ovis infects populations of free-ranging deer in Brazil. Bully coat samples from 64 Blastocerus dichotomus from Porto Primavera, 18 Ozotocerus bezoarticus from Pantanal, and 21 O. bezoarticus from Emas National Park were tested. Using a M. ovis PCR protocol to amplify extracted DNA, 46/64 (72%) of deer froth Porto Primavera, 10/18 (56%) from Pantanal, and 4/21 (19%) from Emas National Park were positive, giving an overall positive rate of 58% for hemoplasma in these wild deer. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 168 rRNA gene revealed 3 genetically distinct hemoplasmas including M. ovis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma erythrocervae', and a hemoplasma most closely related to M. ovis. Phylogenetic analysis of the 23S rRNA gene from selected sequences confirmed these relationships.

A Comparison of the Effects of Nonlinear Damping on the Free Vibration of a Single-Degree-of-Freedom System

This article concerns the free vibration of a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system with three types of nonlinear damping. One system considered is where the spring and the damper are connected to the mass so that they are orthogonal, and the vibration is in the direction of the spring. It is shown that, provided the displacement is small, this system behaves in a similar way to the conventional SDOF system with cubic damping, in which the spring and the damper are connected so they act in the same direction. For completeness, these systems are compared with a conventional SDOF system with quadratic damping. By transforming all the equations of motion of the systems so that the damping force is proportional to the product of a displacement dependent term and velocity, then all the systems can be directly compared. It is seen that the system with cubic damping is worse than that with quadratic damping for the attenuation of free vibration. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4005010]

Use of prebiotics and probiotics of bacterial and yeast origin for free-range broiler chickens

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotics and prebiotics of bacterial and yeast origin on the performance, development of the digestive system, carcass yield and meat quality of free-range broiler chickens. Five hundred and sixty male chicks of the strain ISA S757-N were reared from one to 84 days old. The birds were distributed in four treatments according to a completely randomized block design: T1 = Control, T2 = Probiotics and Prebiotics of bacterial origin, T3 = Probiotics and prebiotics of yeast origin, T4 = Probiotics and prebiotics of bacterial origin + probiotics and prebiotics of yeast origin. There were four repetitions with 35 birds per repetition, and the birds had access to a pasture area after 35 days of age. Characteristics evaluated were performance, development of the digestive system, carcass and parts yield, abdominal fat, breast meat physical measurements (length, width and height) and meat quality parameters (pH from breast and leg meat, cooking loss and shearing force from breast meat). Lower mortality (p<0.05) and higher weight gain from 64 to 77 and 64 to 84 days of age were seen in birds supplemented with probiotics and prebiotics of bacterial origin compared to the non-supplemented birds (control). There were significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments for carcass yield. Birds supplemented with both probiotics and prebiotics of microbial and yeast origin (T4) showed higher carcass yield than control birds. Supplementation with probiotics and prebiotics of bacterial origin (T2) or the supplementation of these together with those of yeast origin (T4) reduced mortality and increased the carcass yield in free-range broiler chickens.

Seasonal effect of three pasture plants species on the free-living stages of Haemonchus contortus

Avaliaram-se o desenvolvimento e a sobrevivência dos estágios de vida livre de Haemonchus contortus em fezes obtidas de ovinos infectados por esse nematódeo, depositadas nas quatro estações do ano, em pastagens de três espécies de gramíneas (Brachiaria decumbens cv Australiana, Cynodon dactylon cv. Coast-cross e Panicum maximum cv. Aruana), com duas alturas (5cm e 30cm) no momento da deposição das fezes. Amostras de fezes e de capim foram coletadas uma, duas, quatro, oito, 12 e 16 semanas após a deposição das fezes e processadas em laboratório, para recuperação de larvas infectantes. O maior número de larvas infectantes foi recuperado das amostras de capim e de fezes nas pastagens com 30cm de altura. As condições climáticas que mais favoreceram o desenvolvimento e a sobrevivência das larvas nas fezes, bem como a sobrevivência e a manutenção das larvas no capim foram aquelas com temperaturas médias em torno de 17ºC, acompanhadas de baixas precipitações pluviométricas. As temperaturas mais altas e as precipitações elevadas, que ocorrem na chamada estação das águas, foram desfavoráveis para a recuperação de larvas infectantes da pastagem. de forma geral, a pastagem de Aruana foi a que possibilitou as maiores recuperações de larvas.