Dinoponera lucida Emery (Formicidae : Ponerinae): the highest number of chromosomes known in Hymenoptera

We report the remarkable karyotype of Dinoponera lucida, a Brazilian endemic ponerine ant. Its chromosome number is 2n=106, most of the chromosomes are acrocentric and of very small size, and the karyotype formula is 88A+18M. A chromosome pair of the AM(t) type is reported. This is the largest number of chromosomes reported for the Hymenoptera order until now.

Períodos de interferência das plantas daninhas na cultura de cebola (Allium cepa) transplantada

O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar os efeitos de períodos de convivência (0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84 e 98 dias após o transplantio) de uma comunidade de plantas daninhas sobre a produtividade de quatro cultivares de cebola (Mercedes, Granex 33, Superex e Serrana), em sistema de transplantio de mudas. O experimento foi instalado em Jaboticabal-SP, de abril a outubro de 2000, utilizando delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, quatro repetições, em esquema fatorial 4 x 8. As principais populações de plantas daninhas no final dos períodos de convivência foram de Coronopus didymus, Amaranthus hybridus e Cyperus rotundus. Os cultivares Mercedes (2,90 kgm-2) e Granex 33 (2,64 kgm-2) foram os mais produtivos, independentemente da interferência das plantas daninhas. A convivência com as plantas daninhas durante os primeiros 98 dias reduziu a produtividade da cebola em 95% e o peso médio de bulbos em 91%. O período anterior à interferência (PAI) foi de 42 dias, não havendo diferença entre os cultivares de cebola.

Holter electrocardiography in dogs showing doxorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy

O estudo consistiu na identificação precoce da ocorrência de arritmias em cães com cardiomiopatia dilatada experimental induzida pela doxorrubicina (DOX). Utilizaram-se 10 cães adultos, sadios, distribuídos nos grupos A (n=5) e B (n=5). O grupo B recebeu 30mg/m² de DOX, via intravenosa, a cada 21 dias, até a dose cumulativa de 180 ou 240mg/m². No grupo A (controle), administrou-se solução salina 0,9%, via intravenosa, nos mesmos intervalos do grupo B. Ao se evidenciar o quadro de disfunção miocárdica nos cães do grupo B, caracterizado pela fração de encurtamento menor que 20%, aumento da separação septal do ponto E acima de 0,7cm e aumento do índice volumétrico do ventrículo esquerdo ao final da sístole (61,4ml/m²), realizaram-se os eletrocardiogramas por 24 horas. Os resultados demonstraram aumentos de 44,6% e 41,7% nas freqüências cardíacas mínima e média, respectivamente, e presença, com maior freqüência, de arritmias supraventriculares do que ventriculares nos animais do grupo B. Concluiu-se que o Holter é eficaz e demonstra, com precocidade e melhor definição, as alterações da freqüência e do ritmo cardíaco de cães com disfunção miocárdica induzida pela doxorrubicina.

CARDIORESPIRATORY EFFECTS of ISOFLURANE ANESTHESIA IN CRESTED CARACARAS (CARACARA PLANCUS)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

CAROTID ARTERY EXTERIORIZATION IN BROWN BROCKET DEER (MAZAMA GOUAZOUBIRA) FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY of ANESTHESIA

This report evaluates the carotid artery exteriorization technique to allow repeated percutaneous artery catheterization in six brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). Repeated percutaneous catheterization of the carotid artery was possible for periods of 3 mo to obtain arterial blood and monitor arterial blood pressure of deer without risk of arterial rupture. The artery pulse was easily palpable for periods tip to 15 mo. Postoperative complication and/or arterial damage was not observed.

Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) infestation in quarantined marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) populations

Marsh deer (Blastocenrs dichotomus) were captured for a research progam in Brazil and maintained in quarantine stations. After 60 days, fleas were detected on animals and identified as Ctenocephalides felis felis. Elimination of the infestation was difficult. Animal treatment with a fipronil-based compound was effective, and subsequently captured animals were treated prophylactically. Some animals remained infested, and some died from the infestation.

Alterações ultraestruturais nas vilosidades do jejuno de equinos após distensão

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar as alterações ultraestruturais nas vilosidades do jejuno de seis equinos submetidos à distensão intraluminal com solução salina. A pressão intraluminal foi mantida em 25cm de água durante duas horas. As amostras de mucosa intestinal colhidas às: zero hora; duas horas de distensão; e duas horas e 12h de descompressão foram analisadas por meio de microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Avaliaram-se a área e o perímetro das vilosidades e sua densidade, usando-se um programa computacional de análise de imagens (Image J). A distensão luminal promoveu aumentos da área e do perímetro das vilosidades intestinais. Essa alteração ultraestrutural ocorreu somente 12h após a descompressão e considerou-se que a provável causa seria o edema promovido por aumento da permeabilidade vascular decorrente de um processo de isquemia e reperfusão da mucosa intestinal. Concluiu-se que a distensão intraluminal do jejuno equino promoveu, tardiamente, aumento das dimensões das vilosidades intestinais.

MOLECULAR and SEROLOGICAL DETECTION of BABESIA SPP. IN NEOTROPICAL and EXOTIC CARNIVORES IN BRAZILIAN ZOOS

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

PREVALENCE of SALMONELLA SPP. ANTIBODIES TO TOXOPLASMA GONDII, and NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS IN FERAL PIGEONS (COLUMBA LIVIA) IN THE CITY of JABOTICABAL, BRAZIL

The rock pigeon (Columba livia) may serve as a reservoir for several pathogenic agents that can be transmitted to poultry, wildlife, domesticated pets, and/or humans via excreta, secretions, or dust from feathers. In addition, ingestion of infected pigeons by wild and domestic animals can also transmit these pathogenic agents. The health status of 126 free-living pigeons in an urban area was evaluated by microbiologic culture for Salmonella and serologic testing for the presence of antibodies for Toxoplasma gondii and for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) from 120 and 109 pigeons, respectively. After drawing blood, the birds were euthanized, and fragments of the liver, spleen, lungs, and gonads, and feces were cultured for Salmonella spp. Salmonella spp. was isolated from 10 birds (7.94%), of which 8 were Salmonella typhimurium, one was Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype 4,12 and one was Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype 4,12,i. Six of 109 pigeons (5.50%) were positive for NDV antibodies when using the hemagglutination inhibition test. Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were detected by immunofluorescence in one of 120 sera tested (0.83%). The results indicate that feral rock pigeons were exposed to NDV and T gondii, although the exposure was low. In addition, these birds had Salmonella spp. and could disseminate this pathogen in the environment.

VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN A CAPTIVE CRAB-EATING FOX CERDOCYON THOUS

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

Hematology of the Red-Capped Parrot (Pionopsitta pileata) and Vinaceous Amazon Parrot (Amazona vinacea) in Captivity

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

CRYOPRESERVATION of RED BROCKET DEER SEMEN (MAZAMA AMERICANA): COMPARISON BETWEEN THREE EXTENDERS

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A technique for the capture of free-ranging marsh deer (blastocerus dichotomus)

The marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is an endangered species froth the marshlands of central South America. Its population has declined in several regions due to the loss of available habitat caused by human activities, especially the construction of hydroelectric darns. The capture of individual deer is critical for research programs and population management. This report describes a novel live-capture technique, which uses a helicopter to drive the animals into a terrain that restricts their movement such as thick vegetation or deep water (60-120 cm in depth). Following confinement, animals are manually restrained. The short pursuit time (median = 2 thin), low mortality rate (0.82-3.28%), and the absence of injury to both the capture team and animals suggest that this method is appropriate for the safe capture of this species. Body temperature correlated with the pursuit time (R-2 = 0.15) but was not significantly altered with pursuit times <3 min.

Chemical Modification of Botryosphaeran: Structural Characterization and Anticoagulant Activity of a Water-Soluble Sulfonated (1 -> 3)(1 -> 6)-beta-D-Glucan

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

Cissus sicyoides (princess vine) in the long-term treatment of streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Leaf decoctions of Cissus sicyoides (princess vine) are taken widely as a popular remedy for diabetes mellitus in Brazil, where its common name is 'vegetal insulin'. However, there have been practically no attempts so far to determine scientifically whether it has antidiabetic effects and we decided to administer leaf decoctions, over extended periods, to normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats, and investigate the effects of this treatment on the physiological and metabolic parameters that are altered in diabetic animals. The experimental model adopted was shown to be appropriate by running a parallel treatment with insulin, which led to expected improvements in several abnormal parameter values. The decoction treatment significantly reduced the intake of both food and fluid and the volume of urine excreted, as well as the levels of blood glucose, urinary glucose and urinary urea, in comparison with controls. Lipid metabolism was not affected by the treatment; nor was the level of hepatic glycogen in diabetic animals, which indicated that the mechanism responsible for the improvement in carbohydrate metabolism, observed in animals treated with the decoction, could not involve inhibition of glycogenolysis and/or stimulation of glycogenesis. The fact that normal animals treated with C. sicyoides exhibited no changes in any of the measured parameters suggests that its mode of action in diabetic animals does not resemble those of sulphonylurea or insulin. It may, however, act in a similar way to biguanide, via inhibition of gluconeogenesis.