Gross anatomy of the portal vein and its tributaries in the opossum (Didelphis albiventris)

The gross anatomy of the portal vein (V. portae) and its tributaries was studied through anatomical methods, i.e. dissection, corrosion and diaphanization, in 45 opossums (Didelphis albiventris). In all animals the portal vein was formed by the junction of the cranial mesenteric, caudal mesenteric and lienal veins (V. mesenterica cranialis, V. mesenterica caudalis and V. lienalis, respectively). Many collateral tributaries were observed running into the portal venous trunk.

Reproductive biology of the southern Brazilian pitviper Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens (Serpentes, Viperidae)

Dissection of 286 specimens of the Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens, combined with data on captive individuals, provided information on the reproductive biology of this viperid snake from southern Brazil. Females attained larger body sizes than males, and reproduction was seasonal with mating taking place in autumn when males were more frequently encountered. Vitellogenesis occurred from summer to spring (January-September), sperm storage during autumn and winter (May-September), ovulation and fertilization in early spring (September), embryonic development during middle spring and summer (October-March), and parturition in the summer (January-March). Embryonic development was estimated to last from three to five months, a shorter time than was previously reported. The number of offspring of Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens born in one litter can vary from four to 25 ((x) over bar = 11). Fecundity is correlated with maternal body size. Neonates measure 17-25 cm SVL. Inferred growth rate of juveniles was low (10 mm/month in first year), with males attaining sexual maturity at about 16 months, but maturity is delayed in females for at least two additional years.

Sentinel node mapping in a pregnant woman with cervical cancer: a case report

The possibility of reducing morbidity associated with surgical dissection while maintaining accurate tumor staging is one of the greatest advantages of the sentinel node approach in surgical oncology. The sentinel node mapping has already proven to be useful in melanoma, breast cancer, and vulvar cancer. We report the first case of sentinel node detection by technetium-labeled radiocolloid in a pregnant woman with cervical cancer. The histologic analysis of the operative specimen showed a poorly differentiated squamous carcinoma with metastasis in the sentinel node and a neoplasic embolus in a blood vessel of the placental bed. The lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node detection are feasible during pregnancy.

Collagen is reduced and disrupted in human aneurysms and dissections of ascending aorta

In ascending aorta aneurysms, there is an enlargement of the whole vessel, whereas aortic dissections (ADs) are characterized by the cleavage of the wall into 2 sheets at the external half. We searched if alterations in collagen could be related to these diseases. Sections of aortas from 14 case patients with acute dissections, 10 case patients with aneurysms, and 9 control subjects were stained with picrosirius. Slides were analyzed under polarized microscopy to evaluate the structure of collagen fibers. The proportion of collagen was calculated in each half of the medial layer by color detection in a computerized image analysis system. Collagen appearance under polarized light was consistent with collagenolysis. The mean collagen proportions at the inner and outer halves, respectively, were 0.50 +/- 0.13 and 0.40 +/- 0.08 in the control group, 0.20 +/- 0.10 and 0.18 +/- 0.12 in the AD group, and 0.33 +/- 0.12 and 0.19 +/- 0.12 in the aneurysm group. The AD (P < .01) and control (P = .04) groups had less collagen at the external half, no difference was found in the aneurysm group (P = .71). In both halves, there was less collagen in the case patients than in the control subjects (all P < .01), but at the internal half, the decrease was significantly greater in the case patients with aneurysms than in those with dissections (P = .03; at the external half, P = .99). Aortic dissections and aneurysms show a decrease in collagen content that could be related to a weakness of the wall underlying the diseases, but the locations of the decrease differ: in dissections, it is situated mostly at the external portion of the media (site of cleavage), whereas in aneurysms, it is more diffuse, consistent with the global enlargement. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Morfologia do figado da paca (Cuniculus Paca, Linnaeus 1766)

The elements related to the morphology of the liver of paca (Cuniculus paca), the second largest rodent of the Brazilian fauna, were observed; this species present zootechnical potential. Eight animals from the animals sector of Faculdade de Ciencias Agrarias e Veterinarias - Campus of Jaboticabal - UNESP, which is duly certified by IBAMA as an experimental breeding institute, were used. Through a dissection procedure, it was found that the liver of the paca is located in the cranial portion of the abdomen, immediately after the diaphragm, to which it is connected by the triangular, coronary, and falciform ligaments, having its bigger part located right to the medium plan. The liver of this rodent presents the following lobation: right lateral lobe, right medial lobe, quadrate lobe, left medial lobe, and left lateral lobe, besides the caudate lobe formed by the papillary process of caudate lobe and the caudate process of caudate lobe. Gallbladder is located between the quadrate and right medial lobes. Fragments of this organ were collected, fixed, and histologically prepared, being the samples analyzed through light microscopy. It was microscopically observed that intralobular connective tissue is scarce, basically it consists polyhedral hepatocytes organized into cords interposed between sinusoids and the portal triads are found in the lobe, consisting of the portal vein, hepatic artery, and biliary duct.

Anatomical aspects of the masticatory muscles of the tufted capuchin (Cebus apella)

The description of the macroscopic structure of the masticatory muscles is based upon the dissection of 26 adult and juvenile tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) of both sexes. A detailed description of the temporal, masseter and medial and lateral pterygoid muscles on each side of the head is given. Not only the general shape, origin and insertion are described, but also the architectonic organization, i.e. the stratiform disposition of the muscle parts. Anatomical variations in each sex or age appear to be few and unimportant. Anatomical aspects are found to be essentially similar to those found in other primates including man; however some characteristics differences do exist and deserve special comment.

The cervical lymphatic system in newborn rats

In the present work the authors studied the morphology of the cervical lymphatic system using 26 new-born white rats of both sexes. The studies were performed by injecting China-ink under the skin of the angle of mouth and dorsal region of the auricle in order to visualize and then to proceed the dissection of lymph vessels and nodes under stereoscopic microscope. Morphological descriptions of superficial and deep lymph vessels and lymph nodes were made, recording: a dense capillary network of the superficial system that joins to larger branches going to the submaxillary lymph nodes, generally the only ones on each side; those lymph nodes send efferent branches to deep cervical lymph nodes generally also the only ones on each side; those lymph nodes give efferent branches which form the jugular lymphatic sac that joins the jugulo-subclavian junction; the jugular lymphatic sac may receive branches from the plexus, which accompany the omocervical and external jugular veins and branches coming from the thoracic limb, as well as may join the branches coming from the thorax and the branches in most of the cases form plexus branches and seldom appear by themselves.

Cytogenetic evaluation of 20 primary breast carcinomas

Chromosome analysis was performed on samples from 20 Brazilian patients with breast cancer. All the samples were from untreated patients who presented the clinical symptoms for months or years before surgical intervention. Six cases showed axillary lymph node metastases. Clonal chromosome abnormalities were detected in all cases. The numerical alterations most frequently observed involved the loss of chromosomes X, 19, 20, and 22 followed by gain of chromosomes 9 and 8. Among the structural anomalies observed, there was preferential involvement of chromosomes 11, 6, 1, 7, 3, and 12, supporting previous reports that these chromosomes may harbour genes of importance in the development of breast tumors. Two cases with a family history of breast cancer had in common total or partial trisomy 1.

Mapeamento do contorno estrutural do embasamento da bacia sedimentar de Curitiba - PR

The sedimentary Curitiba basin is located in the Central-Southern part of the first Parananense plateau, and comprises Curitiba (PR), and part of the neighbour Municipalities (fig.1). It is supposed to be of Plio-Pleistocene age. It has a shallow sedimentary fulfillment, represented by the Guabirotuba formation (BIGARELLA and SALAMUNI, 1962) which is dristributed over a large area of about 3.000km2. The internal geometry, not entirely known yet, is actually object of detailed research, that shows its geological evolution to Cenozoic tectonic movements. For the purpose of this study the definition of the structural contour of the basement and their depo-centers is fundamental. This paper presents the results of the integration of surface and subsurface data, processed by statistical methods, which allowed a more precise definition of the morphostructural framework of the basement. For the analysis of the geological spacial data, specific softwares were used for statistical processing for trend surfaces analysis. The data used in this study are of following types: a) drilling logs for ground water; b) description of surface points of geological maps (CRPM, 1977); c) description of points of geotechnical drillings and down geological survey. The data of 223 drilling logs for ground water were selected out of 770 wells. The description files of 700 outcrops, as well as planialtimetric field data, were used for the localization of the basement outcrop. Thus, a matrix with five columns was set up: utm E-W (x) and utm N-S (y); surface altitude (z); altimetric cote of the contact between sedimentary rocks and the basement (k); isopachs (l). For the study of the basement limits, the analysis of surface trends of 2(nd) and 3(rd) degree polinomial for the altimetric data (figs. 2 and 3) were used. For the residuals the method of the inverse of the square of the distance (fig.4) was used. The adjustments and the explanations of the surfaces were made with the aid of multiple linear regressions. The analysis of 3rd degree polinomial trend surface (fig.3) confirmed that the basement tends to be more exposed towards NNW-SSE explaining better the data trend through an ellipse, which striking NE-SW and dipping SW axis coincides with the trough of the basin observed in the trending surface of the basement. The performed analysis and the respective images offer a good degree of certainty of the geometric model of the Curitiba Basin and of the morphostructure of its basement. The surface trend allows to sketch with a greater degree of confidence the structural contour of the topgraphic surface (figs. 5 and 6) and of the basement (figs. 7 and 8), as well as the delimitation of intermediate structural heights, which were responsible for isolated and assymmetric depocenters. These details are shown in the map of figures 9 and 10. Thus, the Curitiba Basin is made up by a structural trough stretching NE-SW, with maximum preserved depths of about 80m, which are separated by heights and depocenters striking NW-SE (fig. 11). These structural features seems to have been controlled by tectonic reactivation during the Tertiary (HASUI, 1990) and which younger dissection was conditioned by neotectonic processes (SALAMUNI and EBERT, 1994).

Vegetative propagation of Mikania glomerata: Micro-propagation and cuttings

The scope of this work was to compare two systems for vegetative propagation: conventional one (from cut stems) and in vitro micropropagation from axillary buds. Nodal segments (1 cm) of Mikania glomerata were used as explants. The experiments were evaluated in relation to number of shoots; % of rooting; number of roots and total fresh weight. Multiple shoots developed in MS containing 0.5 mg/L BAP. Rooting was induced in the presence of 1.0 mg/L IBA. Stems with five buds and one pair of leaves were the most appropriate for the production of cuttings. The time necessary for developing a protocol for the production of M. glomerata micropropagated plantlets was 6 months, whereas only half time was required to produce plantlets from stem cuttings. The greatest problem met during micropropagation was the culture contamination by endophytic bacteria and fungi.

Atividade da enzima bromelina emplantas de abacaxi (Ananas comosus L. Merril), sob condições de salinidade in vitro

The objectives of this work were to characterize pineapple plants (Ananas comosus L. Merril) cv. Smooth Cayenne, cultured in vitro, in saline medium, in relation to bromelian activity, identifying the parts of the plant with the highest bromelian activity. Also under aim was the study of the influence of saline stress on the enzyme activity. Axillary buds of pineapple were cultivated in vitro in MS medium, supplemented with 2 mg.L-1 BAP and 1 mg.L-1 NAA. The levels of salinity tested were: 0.57 g.L-1 NaCl, 1.15 g.L-1 NaCl, and 2.30 g.L-1 NaCl. Bromelian activity was evaluated in the development of buds, shoots, and roots. The results showed that bromelian activity was higher in buds at the highest salt concentration at 15 days. Cultured shoots showed bromelian activity decreasing in the saline treatments in all the collection, up to 60 days in culture. The roots showed higher bromelian activity in the roots in saline medium.

Bud source, asepsis and benzylaminopurine (BAP) effect on yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia) micropropagation

The yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia) is used largely for the high fructan content of its tubers; consequently, it is a good alternative for diabetics. One of the more important restricting factors of the commercial production of yacon is its susceptibility to nematode attack. This, as well as germplasm bank maintenance, justifies the importance of in vitro propagation of this species. In this way, our work aimed to verify the best asepsis method for yacon for the in vitro establishment from the rhizophore and the axillary buds of the aerial parts, and the effect of benzylaminopurine (BAP) addition to the culture medium. The number of contaminated cultures, the occurrence of phenolic oxidation and the occurrence of a vitreous aspect, showed differences with bud source, immersion time for asepsis, and BAP use. The results contribute to establishing a yacon micro propagation procedure.

Métodos de coleta de fezes e determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade da fração protéica e da energia de alimentos para o pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887)

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

Anatomia do músculo abdutor crural caudal do gato doméstico (Felis catus domesticus, Linnaeus 1758)

The frequency and the morphology of the abductor cruris caudalis muscle were studied in 58 adult unknown breed cats. The sample included 36 females and 22 males. After the dissection, were found a frequency for the presence of the same muscle of 98.3%. The abductor cruris caudalis muscle appears symmetrically in 35 females (97.2%) and 22 males (100.0%). When present, it were originated on the transversal process of the 1st vertebrae caudales, in the glutea region, below the gluteus superficialis muscle, throughing almost all the thigh under biceps femoris muscle, where it make a parallel relation with the sciatic nerve, receiving nervous ramifications of the same in 78.3% of the cases. The medium found for the width and thickness of his muscle venter was respectively of 2.03 mm and 0.35 mm. Its insertion occurs on the biceps femoris muscles approximate to the fascia cruris, where both finish fusing theirselves.

Avaliação da resposta à quimioterapia primária em amostra de mulheres brasileiras com tumores de mama localmente avançados

PURPOSE: to evaluate the loco-regional response to primary chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer at stages II and III. METHODS: a retrospective and analytical clinical study carried out in 97 patients with an average age of 52.2 years old, with breast cancer at stages II and III, attended from January 1993 to December 2004, and submitted to 3 to 4 cycles of primary chemotherapy with 5-fl uorouracil - 500 mg/m2, epirubicin - 50 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide - 500 mg/m2 or doxorubicin - 50 mg/m2 e cyclophosphamide - 500 mg/m2, and then to loco-regional surgical conservative or radical surgical treatment. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to study the association among the variables (age, menopausal state, pre-chemotherapy tumoral volume, axillary condition, stage, therapeutic scheme and number of cycles), while Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for the quantitative variables (tumoral volume according to the anatomo-pathological study and the post-chemotherapy clinical tumoral volume. The significance level was 5%. RESULTS: there were 56.8% of cases at stage II and 43.2% at stage III. Approximately 50% of the patients received FEC50 and 50% AC. Objective clinical response with primary chemotherapy was obtained in 64.9% of the cases. Full clinical response occurred in 12.3% of patients, while full pathological response occurred in 10.3% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: there was a statistically significant correlation between the number of cycles and the response to primary chemotherapy. Patients who received 4 cycles had better response than those who received 3 cycles. There was also a statistically significant concordance between the evaluation through clinical examination of the response to primary chemotherapy and the pathological findings. No statistically significant correlation was observed concerning age, menopausal status, tumoral volume, and pretreatment of axillary damage.