Infection by Austrodiplostomum compactum metacercariae in fish from the Nova Avanhandava reservoir, Tiete river, São Paulo State, Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate the infection by the Austrodiplostomum compactum metacercariae in fishes from the Nova Avanhandava Reservoir, low Tiete river, São Paulo State, Brazil. The parasites were collected from eye (aqueous and vitreous humor), fixed in AFA solution and stained with carmine. The morphometric analysis was performed using a computerized system for analysis of images QWin Lite 2.5 (Leica). Prevalence, mean intensity of infection and abundance of infected fish were calculated. of the 22 species of fish registered, five were infected by metacercariae: Hoplias malabaricus, Metynnis maculatus, Plagioscion squamosissimus, Satanoperca pappaterra and Schizodon imparts. of the 627 fish evaluated, 34% were infected. A higher prevalence was observed in P. sqnamosissionis and S. pappaterra. Schizodon nasutus and M. maculatus are new hosts reported for A. compactum metacercariae.

Liquid-gas phase transition in Bose-Einstein condensates with time evolution

We study the effects of a repulsive three-body interaction on a system of trapped ultracold atoms in a Bose-Einstein condensed state. The stationary solutions of the corresponding s-wave nonlinear Schrödinger equation suggest a scenario of first-order liquid-gas phase transition in the condensed state up to a critical strength of the effective three-body force. The time evolution of the condensate with feeding process and three-body recombination losses has a different characteristic pattern. Also, the decay time of the dense (liquid) phase is longer than expected due to strong oscillations of the mean-squared radius.

Hodgkin disease in adult and juvenile groups from two different geographic regions in Brazil: Characterization of clinicopathologic aspects and relationship with Epstein-Barr virus infection

We analyzed clinicopathologic data, immunophenotype, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status in 96 cases of Hodgkin disease (HD) in juveniles (younger than 20 years) and adults (20 years or older) from 2 distinctive states in Brazil. We studied 34 juvenile (group 1) and 16 adult (group 2) cases from Ceara and 31 juvenile (group 3) and 15 adult (group 4) cases from São Paulo. Ceara has a socioeconomic profile similar to a developing country; São Paulo is in better economic condition. Mixed cellularity (MC) was the major histologic subtype among groups 1 (22 [65%]), 3 (21 [68%]), and 4 (7 [47%]); nodular sclerosis (NS) was more frequent in group 2 (8 [50%]). EBV infection was observed in 61 cases (64%), including the following (among others): group 1, MC, 22 (65%) and NS, 4 (12%); group 2, NS, 3 (19%) and MC, 2 (12%); group 3, MC, 16 (52%) and NS, 1 (3%); and group 4, MC, 7 (47%). There was predominance of EBV+ HD cases in group 1 compared with group 3. HD in Brazilian patients is highly associated with EBV infection, but geographic differences reflect histologic subtypes and age distribution.

MS222 does not induce primary DNA damage in fish

The genotoxicity of the anaesthetic MS222 (tricaine) was analysed in fish under both in vivo and in vitro conditions. Based on results of the single cell gel/Comet assay, MS222 had no direct genotoxic effect on the experimental fish, indicating that MS222 does not induce primary DNA damage. These results suggest that the use of this important anaesthetic in aquaculture can be considered to be safe in terms of genotoxicity. © Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2007.

Development of microvalves for gas flow control in micronozzles using PVDF piezoelectric polymer

This work describes a fabrication and test sequence of microvalves installed on micronozzles. The technique used to fabricate the micronozzles was powder blasting. The microvalves are actuators made from PVDF (polivinylidene fluoride), that is a piezoelectric polymer. The micronozzles have convergent-divergent shape with external diameter of 1mm and throat around 230μm. The polymer have low piezoelectric coefficient, for this reason a bimorph structure with dimensions of 2mm width and 4mm of length was build (two piezoelectric sheets were glued together with opposite polarization). Both sheets are recovered with a conductor thin film used as electrodes. Applying a voltage between the electrodes one sheet expands while the other contracts and this generate a vertical movement to the entire actuator. Appling +300V DC between the electrodes the volume flux rate, for a pressure ratio of 0.5, was 0.36 sccm. Applying -200V DC between the electrodes (that means it closed) the volume flux rate was 0.32 sccm, defining a possible range of flow between 0.32 and 0.36 sccm. The third measurement was performed using AC voltage (200V AC with frequency of 1Hz), where the actuator was oscillating. For pressure ratio of 0.5, the flow rate was 0.62 sccm. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Determination of copper in fish feed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using slurry sampling

The present work develops and optimizes a method to determine copper in samples of feces and fish feed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) through the direct introduction of slurries of the samples into the spectrometer's graphite tube coated internally with metallic rhodium and tungsten carbide that acts as chemical modifiers. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) calculated for 20 readings of the blank of the standard slurries (0.50% m/v of feces or feed devoid of copper) were 0.24 and 0.79 μg L -1 for the standard feces slurries and 0.26 and 0.87 μg L -1 for the standard feed slurries. The proposed method was applied in studies of absorption of copper in different fish feeds and their results proved compatible with that obtained from samples mineralized by acid digestion using microwave oven. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008.

Cell junctions in fish seminiferous epithelium

Similar to mammals, in fish the cellular interactions between Sertoli cells (SC) and germ cells (GC) in the seminiferous epithelium have important structural and functional roles. In this review, we give a brief summary of these interactions, in particular those on the cell junctions. Despite the scarcity of detailed empirical data, it appears that both basic types of adhesive junctions (actin- and intermediate filaments-related) are present between SC. However, the actin-related multifunctional junction known as the ectoplasmic specialization is seemingly present only in some cartilaginous fish. Conversely, SC in other fish species are joined by actin-related junctions similar to typical zonulae or puncta adherens found in other epithelia. Adhesive junctions are also found between SC and GC and between GC and GC, and due to their particular characteristics these junctions are known as desmosome-like junctions. In terms of intercellular communication, connexins and gap junctions have been shown to occur between SC in fish, and they may be involved in the coordination of the synchronous development of GC within the cysts. It is also possible that gap junctions may form an interconnected network between SC and GC within a cyst. Concerning the SC barrier, tight junctions between fish SC apparently form a functional barrier only in cysts containing haploid GC, and different from mammals, meiotic GC in fish are not shielded from the vascular system. In summary, although still not well investigated, cell-cell interactions in the seminiferous epithelium of fish seem to be crucial for GC development, and their disturbance, for example by changing environmental conditions, will probably affect GC survival and fertility. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008.

Iron determination by FAAS in fish feed and feces after ultrasound-assisted extraction

This paper proposes a method to determine iron in samples of fish feed and feces using ultrasound in the extraction of the analyte and in subsequent quantification by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Using HCl 0.10 mol L -1 as the extraction solution, the optimal conditions of extraction were found to be: granulometry of the sample <60 μm; a sonication time of five cycles of 10 s and sonication power of 136 W. The method was applied in studies of the availability of iron in four food sources used in the diet of Nile Tilapia. The results obtained with the proposed extraction method allowed us to calculate the coefficients of apparent digestibility of iron in the food sources, which was not possible when using results obtained from samples mineralized by acid digestion. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008.

Experimental vaccination against Newcastle disease in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica): Clinical and immunological parameters

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

Response to experimental vaccination against newcastle disease in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos): Clinical and immunological parameters

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus disease in renal transplant recipients: A case series

The purpose of this article was to report a series of 23 renal transplant recipients with histologically proven and immunohistochemically confirmed cytomegalovirus (CMV) lesions in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and to assess the risk factors associated with severe disease/mortality. CMV patients (n=23) were allocated into two groups: those who died (n=6) and those considered cured (n=17). Overall mortality rate was 26% (6/23). Initial symptoms suggestive of lower GIT involvement were observed in all death cases and in 35.3% of those cured (p=0.01). Enterorrhagia was seen in 83.3% of the patients who died. Death risk increased twofold (RR 2 [1.13-3.52], p=0.01) when symptoms of lower GIT involvement were initially observed and sixfold when enterrohagia was present (RR 6 [1.1-35.9], p=0.001). Among death cases, mean time at diagnosis was significantly more distant (2002±2.9×2008±1.6, p=0.04). The difference in mortality rates seen as service practices changed along the years demonstrates the importance of early diagnosis. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Spatial and seasonal patterns in fish assemblage in Córrego Rico, upper Paraná river Basin

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Maternal periodontal disease in rats decreases insulin sensitivity and insulin signaling in adult offspring

Background: Periodontal disease during pregnancy has been recognized as one of the causes of preterm and lowbirth- weight (PLBW) babies. Several studies have demonstrated that PLBW babies are prone to developing insulin resistance as adults. Although there is controversy over the association between periodontal disease and PLBW, the phenomenon known as programming can translate any stimulus or aggression experienced during intrauterine growth into physiologic and metabolic alterations in adulthood. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether the offspring of rats with periodontal disease develop insulin resistance in adulthood. Methods: Ten female Wistar rats were divided into periodontal disease (PED) and control (CN) groups. All rats were mated at 7 days after induction of periodontal disease. Male offspring were divided into two groups: 1) periodontal disease offspring (PEDO; n = 24); and 2) control offspring (CNO; n = 24). Offspring body weight was measured from birth until 75 days. When the offspring reached 75 days old, the following parameters were measured: 1) plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, fructosamine, lipase, amylase, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); 2) insulin sensitivity (IS); and 3) insulin signal transduction (IST) in insulin-sensitive tissues. Results: Low birth weight was not detected in the PEDO group. However, plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, fructosamine, lipase, amylase, and TNF-α were increased and IS and IST were reduced (P <0.05) in the PEDO group compared with the CNO group. Conclusion: Maternal periodontal disease may induce insulin resistance and reduce IST in adult offspring, but such alterations are not attributable to low birth weight.

Red Light Stimulates Feeding Motivation in Fish but Does Not Improve Growth

Nile tilapia fish were individually reared under similar light levels for 8 weeks under five colored light spectra (maximum wavelength absorbance): white (full light spectrum), blue (~452 nm), green (~516 nm), yellow (~520 nm) or red (~628 nm). The effects of light on feeding, latency to begin feeding, growth and feed conversion were measured during the last 4 weeks of the study (i.e., after acclimation). We found that red light stimulates feeding, as in humans, most likely by affecting central control centers, but the extra feeding is not converted into growth. © 2013 Volpato et al.