Skin and pulmonary models using coated bentonite particles for the study of the inflammation evoked by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigens in previously immunized mice

Bentonite particles coated with polysaccharide antigen or crude soluble antigen of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were injected intradermally or intravenously in mice. In control animals that were not pre-immunized with P. brasiliensis antigens, coated and uncoated bentonite caused minimal and nonspecific inflammation around the cutaneous injection site or around the bentonite thrombi in small lung vessels after intravenous injection. However, in mice previously immunized with P. brasiliensis antigens, the coated bentonite particles boosted the humoral and cellular immune responses to P. brasiliensis and evoked intense inflammatory reactions. Twelve days after intradermal injection, the inflammatory reaction around the bentonite was rich in neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells associated with young granulation tissue. In intravenously injected mice, the pulmonary inflammation was maximal at day 2, and was characterized by a florid neutrophilic and macrophagic cellular infiltration around bentonite thrombi; in some foci, there was incipient organization to mature granuloma. However, in both models, there was no formation of epithelioid granulomata, demonstrating that in paracoccidioidomycosis cellular immunity alone, without the presence of intact micro-organisms, may not be enough for the development of this type of granuloma.

Nitrite toxicity in Aspergillus nidulans: Effect of mutation at the nihB gene

The nihB gene of Aspergillus nidulans was found to confer sensitivity to elevated concentrations of nitrite, compact morphology and absence of conidiation. The nihB locus was allocated to linkage group II and was recessive in heterozygous diploids. When the nihB1 mutant was grown on a mixture of nitrite plus NH4 + its sensitivity to nitrite was unchanged. A possible role for this gene in nitrite transport and/or the maintenance of membrane integrity is discussed. © 1992 Rapid Communications of Oxford Ltd.

Efeito de diferentes concentrações espermáticas sobre a fertilidade de éguas inseminadas com sêmen eqüino diluído, resfriado a 20°C e transportado

One hundred and one estral cycles of 92 Mangalarga Marchador breed mares were analyzed to study the effect of different spermatic concentrations on different reproductive characteristics. The mares were inseminated with diluted equine semen, cooled at 20°C and transported: T1 - concentrations below 250×10 6 (177.58±41.74×10 6 viable spermatozoa per inseminate dose), T2 - concentrations between 250 and 350 10 6 sptz (315.51±20.78×106), and T3 - concentrations above 350×10 6 sptz (477.71±136.83×10 6). The conception rates in the first cycle were 43.75 (7/16), 57.89 (11/19) and 54.55% (18/33) for treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. After five cycles, the conception rates were 36.00 (9/25), 44.12 (15/34) and 54.76% (23/42) for treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Concentrations of 177.58±41,74×10 6 viable spermatozoa per inseminate dose had moderate fertility index in a commercial program using cooled and transported semen.

Comparative study of the zooplankton composition of two lacustrine ecosystems in Southwestern Amazonia

The zooplankton communities of two lacustrine ecosystems in southwestern Amazonia (Lago Amapá and Lago Pirapora) were studied based on samples collected over an 11-month period. The general aim of the present work was to contribute to the knowledge of the zooplankton fauna in southwestern Amazonia, by studying the occurrence of certain species; and to improve the knowledge of the Rio Acre tributaries. The total number of taxa included 38 species of rotifers, 6 cladocerans and 7 copepods. Most of the species were from the rotifer family Brachionidae. Jaccard's similarity index was similar for the two lakes at 0.6964 The constancy index defined the species Keratella cochlearis, Filinia cf. terminate, Filinia opoliensis, Hexarthra intermedia braziliensis, Ceriodaphnia cornuta, Moina minuta, Diaphanosoma spinulosnm, and immature forms (nauplii and copepodites) as the constant in these lakes. The presence of zooplankton with higher number of species occupying the middle depths, during morning and night periods.

Anti-poverty policies in Brazil: Reviewing the past ten years

This article reviews the main anti-poverty policies implemented in Brazil from the early 1990s to the early 2000s. These include focused and universal policies - such as education and health care - as well as the rural development, a 'middle ground' policy. Though the inter-municipal consortium, a new institutional arrangement gathering municipalities together, has emerged as a promising policy implementation tool, anti-poverty policies have faced implementation difficulties. Lack of coordination between different programs, even within the same policy area, has impaired their effectiveness. As a consequence, compensatory programs, based on monetary transfers to poor families, which face fewer implementation problems, have become the dominant type of anti-poverty policies in Brazil. Despite these shortcomings, a small Brazilian state, Santa Catarina, was able to reduce by 46 percent the number of individuals living in poverty in just ten years. This is a sign that fighting poverty can, after all, be a feasible endeavor. © 2004 IIAS, SAGE Publications (London, Thousand Oaks, CA and New Delhi).

Methods of experimental induction of periapical inflammation. Microbiological and radiographic evaluation

Aim: To evaluate the influence of coronal filling and apical perforation on the induction of periapical inflammation. Methodology: Fifty-eight root canals in the teeth of dogs were divided into four groups. Groups I and II: root canals were exposed for 180 days; groups III and IV: root canals were exposed for 7 days and then the access cavity filled for 53 days. The root apices of groups I and III were perforated after the coronal opening, whilst those of groups II and IV remained intact. Standard radiographs were taken before and after the experimental periods. Digital images of the radiographs were created and then analysed by three examiners. After induction of periapical inflammation, the root canal contents were collected using paper points. Microbiologic evaluation of the type of microorganism was carried out by culture in different growth media. The radiographic and microbiologic data were statistically analysed using ANOVA at a 5% significance level. Results: There were a greater total number of microorganisms in groups I and II (P < 0.05). The number of anaerobes was greater than the number of aerobes (P < 0.05). The size of the periapical radiolucencies were not significantly different between the experimental groups. Conclusions: The different methods analysed induced similar areas of periapical radiolucency in dogs with predominantly anaerobic bacteria. However, the time required for induction was less when the method with coronal filling was used. © 2005 International Endodontic Journal.

Avaliação de diferentes híbridos suínos submetidos à insensibilização elétrica e gasosa (CO 2). Parte 3 - Mensurações visuais de qualidade

Three pig genetics lineages A, B and C marketed in Brazil, were stunning with the manual electric stunning (Karl Schermer 220-230/250 volts, 45-60 Hz and 1.4 - 1.5 A) and the collective gaseous system (COMBI-BUTINA 90% CO 2). The electric stunning provided higher blood splashed levels in the areas of the inside round (0.477 and 0.26, p ≤ 0.01), shoulder/cranial (0.154 and 0.039, p ≤ 0.005), shoulder/central (0.261 e 0.052, p ≤ 0.001), shoulder/caudal (0.180 and 0.030, p ≤ 0.01), loin/central (0.185 and 0.065, p ≤ 0.01), loin/caudal (0.06 and 0.207, p ≤ 0.01) and loin/lateral external (0.061 and 0.013, p ≤ 0.05), as well as more diffuse blood splashed in the areas of the inside round (0.461 and 0.279, p ≤ 0.05), shoulder/cranial (0.154 and 0.039, p ≤ 0.001), shoulder/central (0.231 and 0.039, p ≤ 0.001) and shoulder/caudal (0.185 and 0.026, p ≤ 0.001). The electric stunning also provided higher skin damage levels in the areas of the shoulder (1.098 and 0.795, p ≤ 0.001), body (1.04 and 0.948, p ≤ 0.05) and ham (0.84 and 0.68, p ≤ 0.001), as well as higher eyelid reflex levels (11.57%) comparatively to the gaseous system (2.86%) of a total of 426 pigs. Small indexes of bone fractures and muscle bruises were found in both systems.

Influência do ciclo lunar no parto: mito ou constatação científica?

Superstitions are found everywhere in our lives, and medicine, a profession that is prides itself on an evidence-based approach to treatment, is not exempt. A superstition that pervades the labor and delivery floor is that it is busier during certain phases of the lunar cycle, specifically the full moon. Although some studies have demonstrated an increase in deliveries that are related to the lunar cycle, there has been disagreement about when, in the lunar cycle, the peak volume occurs. Front to the divergence of the existent results in the literature to relate the events of the lunar cycle with deliveries, the aim of this review was to accomplish the literature in the attempt of explaining this popular culture with base in the results presented by different researchers.

Estudio de efectos ambientales y genéticos que influyen en la producción de leche y duración de lactación en bovinos de raza guzerat

Objective of present work was study a influence of environmental and genetic effects over characteristics of milk total production (PL) and lactation duration (DL), from 2572 lactations of 477 Guzerat cows, collected since 1957 to 2002, in Rio de Janeiro State. Environmental effects were analyzed by an statistical model that include male randomized effect, fixed effect of contemporary group, and the (co)variables age of cow (lineal and quadratic) and lactation duration. The contemporary group had significant effect just for PL. Bayesian inference was used to obtain estimatives of genetic parameters over an animal model, in which was included as fixed effect the contemporary group and the covariables age of cow (linear and quadratic). The estimates of heritability and repeatability were 0.36 and 0.75 for PL and 0.29 and 0.36 for DL, respectively. The estimated genetic correlation was 0.97. The heritability estimates for PL and DL were moderate, indicating that it is possible answer to the selection of the characteristics under study. The genetic correlation was high and indicates that selection for increase milk production will be accompanied with increase in lactation duration.

Comparação entre metodologias para avaliar a idade à primeira concepção em éguas puro-sangue inglês

In Brazil, due to the breeding season for Thoroughbred, the reproductive data are normally truncate, since the breeders try to get animals that were born at the beginning of the breeding season in order to take their competitive advantages (more developed, mature and trained animals) compared to animals born later in the same breeding season. To analyze these data suitable methods should be used. Then, this paper aims to compare three methodologies: the method of maximum restricted likelihood, using MTDFREML, bayesian analysis without censured data by software MTGSAM and bayesian analysis with censured data by software LMCD, to evaluate age at first conception in thoroughbred mares, in order to verify its impact on the choice of stallions during selection. The database contained 3509 records for age at first conception (months) for thoroughbred mares. The heritability estimates were 0.23, 0.30 and 0.0926 (log scale), for MTDF, MTGSAM and LMCD, respectively. Considering all animals in the pedigree (6713), ranking correlations varied from 0.91 to 0.99. When only stallions were considered (656), those varied from 0.48 to 0.99 (considering different percentages of selected males) between evalua-tion methods. The highest changes in the general classification were observed when LMCD was compared to the other two methods. As the linear censured model is the most suitable for trait analysis with censured data, it was observed that censure information would lead to the choice of different animals during the selection process, when compared to the two other methodologies.

Two new species of Diaptomidae (Crustacea: Copepoda: Calanoida) from the Neotropical Region (Paraná River)

Two new species of Diaptomidae were found in the Middle Paraná River. The new species are referred to as Diaptomus curvatus sp. nov. and Diaptomus frutosae sp. nov. Important character states in Diaptomus curvatus include: right fifth leg with a well-developed endopod and with the lateral spine of the second exopod segment curved and longer than the segment on which it is inserted, plus the presence of a large dorsal process on urosomite 4 of the male. For Diaptomus frutosae they include: a differentiated hook-like process on segment 20 with chitinous protuberances at base of male right antennule; the last segment of the right leg 5 of male is triangular, and the lateral spine inserted distal to mid-level of this segment. Both species are placed in Diaptomus sensu lato as a temporary placement. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FECDD6C4-C0AC-4043-ADDD-F29539B451F0. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Perdas qualitativas na colheita mecanizada de sementes de soja

The study aimed to assess the physical and physiological characteristics of soybean seeds collected in grain tank and the outlet of the discharge tube of the harvester, depending on the year and the forward speed of the harvester. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 2 x 2 x 2 tested two harvesters of different years, two displacement's speeds and two locations of sample collection, totaling eight treatments with four replications. The harvest of soybean cv. COODETEC 217, was performed with two tangential harvesters, aged three and four years, with 900 rpm rotation of the cylinder, operating at forward speeds of 4 ± 0.5 km h-1 and 7 ± 0.5 km h-1. Seed samples (approximately 3 kg) were withdrawn at the grain tank and the outlet of the discharge tube of the harvester and subjected to determinations of water content in field and laboratory. Subsequently, we evaluated purity, mechanical damage, germination and seed vigor. The younger harvester had a higher percentage of pure seed and lowest percentage of inert material. The increase in forward speed provides the higher the bands percentage and reduction of percentages of pure seed and inert material. The percentage of inert material was higher for seeds collected in the discharge pipe. The speed increase has positively influenced the emergence in sand for the harvester oldest (4 years) and negatively to the harvester youngest (3 years). At lower speeds the youngest harvester higher percentage of germination in sand.

Tilings induced by a class of cubic Rauzy fractals

We study aperiodic and periodic tilings induced by the Rauzy fractal and its subtiles associated with beta-substitutions related to the polynomial x3-ax2-bx-1 for a≥b≥1. In particular, we compute the corresponding boundary graphs, describing the adjacencies in the tilings. These graphs are a valuable tool for more advanced studies of the topological properties of the Rauzy fractals. As an example, we show that the Rauzy fractals are not homeomorphic to a closed disc as soon as a≤2b-4. The methods presented in this paper may be used to obtain similar results for other classes of substitutions.© 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of semen characteristics of the species Mazama americana in captivity

In recent years the concept of genomic resource banks has grown as a way of maintaining the genetic variability of populations, while the quality of cryopreservation of the gametes determines the effectiveness of such banks. However, the absence of basic knowledge regarding the physiology of species and their semen characteristics hampers the establishment of reproductive biotechnologies. Thus, this paper aimed to determine certain physicochemical (volume, colour, appearance, pH and osmolarity) and microscopic characteristics (mass movement, motility, vigour, concentration, and sperm morphology and morphometry) of semen of the species Mazama americana. To achieve this, five males of the species were used, and three semen samples per buck (electroejaculation) were collected at intervals of 2 weeks. The volume, pH and osmolarity of the ejaculate were 0.39 ± 0.14 mL, 6.90 ± 0.74 and 297.74 ± 19.10 mOsm/kg, respectively, while the values obtained for mass movement, motility, vigour and concentration were 3.33 ± 0.82; 69.6 ± 8.92%; 3.53 ± 0.50, and 244.07 ± 98.65 × 107/mL, respectively. Regarding the colour of the ejaculate, five samples were classified as ivory, two as yellowish, two as whitish and six as white. Regarding appearance, seven samples were considered creamy and eight, milky. Morphology was analysed in a humid chamber under phase contrast microscopy and 73.50 ± 5.57% of cells presented normal morphology, 8.37 ± 3.15% presented major defects and 18.13 ± 6.46% presented minor defects. To determine sperm morphometry, an optical microscope (Leica DM 5000B) and the Leica Qwin image analyser program were used, resulting in 8.09 ± 0.40, 4.65 ± 0.30, 2.81 ± 0.44 and 30.25 ± 3.02 m for length, largest width, smallest width and area, respectively. Copyright © CSIRO 2013.