New experimental tools for bioassays with whitefly in laboratory

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um kit experimental para avaliações de repelência, deterrência à oviposição e atividade inseticida a adultos de mosca-branca, Bemisia tabaci biótipo B. O kit, constituído de arenas e nebulizador, foi eficaz para realização dos bioensaios, e a aplicação de extratos aquosos com o inalador foi adequada. As técnicas são simples, baratas e podem contribuir para as pesquisas com este inseto.

Canine Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors: Cellular Proliferation and KIT Expression as Prognostic Indices

Molecular assays are widely used to prognosticate canine cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCT). There is limited information about these prognostic assays used on MCT that arise in the subcutis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the utility of KIT immunohistochemical labeling pattern, c-KIT mutational status (presence of internal tandem duplications in exon 11), and proliferation markers-including mitotic index, Ki67, and argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions (AgNOR)-as independent prognostic markers for local recurrence and/or metastasis in canine subcutaneous MCT. A case-control design was used to analyze 60 subcutaneous MCT from 60 dogs, consisting of 24 dogs with subsequent local recurrence and 12 dogs with metastasis, as compared to dogs matched by breed, age, and sex with subcutaneous MCT that did not experience these events. Mitotic index, Ki67, the combination of Ki67 and AgNOR, and KIT cellular localization pattern were significantly associated with local recurrence and metastasis, thereby demonstrating their prognostic value for subcutaneous MCT. No internal tandem duplication mutations were detected in exon 11 of c-KIT in any tumors. Because c-KIT mutations have been demonstrated in only 20 to 30% of cutaneous MCT and primarily in tumors of higher grade, the number of subcutaneous MCT analyzed in this study may be insufficient to draw conclusions on the role c-KIT mutations in these tumors.

Genotoxicity assessment of water soluble fractions of biodiesel and its diesel blends using the Salmonella assay and the in vitro MicroFlow (R) kit (Litron) assay

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

Evaluation of a novel kit (TF-test) for the diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections

Intestinal parasitic infections are currently a source of concern for Public Health agencies in developing and developed countries. Since three ovum-and-parasite stool examinations have been demonstrated to provide sensitive results, we designed a practical and economical kit (TF-Test) that is now commercially available (Immunoassay Com. Ind. Ltda., S (a) over tildeo Paulo, Brazil). This kit allows the separate collection of three fecal specimens into a preservative solution. The specimens are then pooled, double-filtered, and concentrated by a single rapid centrifugation process. The TF-Test was evaluated in four different laboratories in a study using 1,102 outpatients and individuals living in an endemic area for enteroparasitosis. The overall sensitivity found using the TF-Test (86.2-97.8%) was significantly higher (P<0.01) than the sensitivity of conventional techniques such as the Coprotest (NIL Comercio Exterior Ltda, São Paulo, Brazil) and the combination of Lutz/Hoffman, Faust, and Rugai techniques (De Carli, Diagnostico Laboratorial das Parasitoses Humanas. Metodos e Tecnicas, 1994), which ranged from 48.3% to 75.9%. When the above combined three specimen technique was repeated with three specimens collected on different days, its sensitivity became similar (P > 0.01) to that of the TF-Test. The kappa index values of agreement for the TF-Test were consistent (P < 0.01), being higher and ranking in a better position than conventional techniques. The high sensitivity, cost/benefit ratio, and practical aspects demonstrate that the TF-Test is suitable for individual diagnosis, epidemiological inquiries, or evaluation of chemotherapy in treated communities. (C) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Cholinesterase measurements with an automated kit

Background the Test-mate kit determines acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) and hemoglobin content of a drop of blood, displaying enzyme activities normalized to 25degreesC. Previous models produced inconsistent results at different temperatures. This report focuses on the current model, ChE 400, and two instruments of a previous OP model.Methods AChE activities were determined by the Ellman assay, using the three kits and a 96-well microplate reader Temperatures ranged from 10 to 37degreesC. Fetal bovine serum was the source of AChE.Results Normalized activities decreased below 20degreesC in the ChE model and below 25 C in the OP models. Activities of the same serum sample differed between the three Test-mate kits, ranging from 1.03 to 1.49 mumoles/min/ml. Percent errors were greater than with the microplate reader at all temperatures.Conclusions Neither we nor the manufacturer recommend the current Test-mate model for fieldwork. Nevertheless, there have been field measurements with Test-Mate kits, and we recommend that an enzyme activity standard be run in parallel with their use. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Avaliação do kit TF-Test para o diagnóstico das infecções por parasitas gastrintestinais em ovinos

This study was performed to standardize parasite egg counting in feces of sheep by TF-Test, in addition to compare this test to the Gordon & Whitlock technique (G&W). Twenty-four lambs were artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus throughout 12 weeks. At the end of this time, faecal samples were taken and animals were slaughtered for worm identification and counting. G&W and TF-Test methods were carried out on each fecal sample. Both tests showed Haemonchus eggs in 95.8% of the samples (P>0.05). The correlation coefficients (r) between fecal egg counts (FEC) using G&W × Total Worm Count (TWC) were r=0.52 (not transformed data) and r=0.85 (transformed data); between FEC by TF-Test × TWC were r=0.51 (not transformed data) and r=0.87 (transformed data). Other 100 fecal samples were taken from naturally infected sheep. In these animals, the G&W and TF-Test methods showed 85% and 86% of fecal samples positive for Strongylidea eggs, respectively (P>0.05). Also in those animals, Eimeria oocysts were found in 33% of fecal samples by TF-Test, whereas in the G&W only 12% were positive (P<0.001). For Strongyloides spp., TF-Test showed 15% of positive fecal samples, whereas G&W showed 5% (P<0.05). In conclusion, both methods were efficient to diagnose gastrointestinal nematodes and TF-Test was superior to diagnose oocysts of Eimeria spp. and eggs of Strongyloides spp; conversely, Strongylidea eggs counting using TF-Test was underestimated.

New alternative for human identification. Investigator IDplex Kit - QIAGEN® reproducibility: Latin American interlaboratory study

In 2010 QIAGEN® launched to eight kits of different combinations of STRs, including the Investigator IDplex Kit. This kit allows amplification in one PCR 16 markers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of Investigator IDplex Kit among Latin America laboratories. In the framework of the 'III International Theoretical-Practice Course in Populations Genetic and Biologicals Filiations' in Medellín-Colombia, all participants were invited to evaluate the reproducibility of this kit, they were provided of the necessary materials for the study. The results reported by participating were tabulated for the study the reproducibility. Results and comments were received on the agreed date of 12 of the 22 laboratories registered, one participant submits comments only. Some laboratories reported greater sensitivity Investigator IDplex Kit compared with other kits containing similar markers, also highlight the easy adaptability to existing conditions in laboratories, without involving major changes to its implementation. This paper shows the high reproducibility of Investigator IDplex Kit, a new tool offered by QIAGEN® for all laboratories that perform human identification testing and biological relationship testing using DNA markers. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Optimal moment to change pressure regulator and sprayer kit on center pivot irrigation machines: a theoretical proposal

A theoretical model was developed in order to determine the optimal moment for substituting the sprayer and pressure regulator kit on a center pivot irrigation machine. The model is based on the hypothesis that pressure regulator and sprayer deterioration decrease irrigation uniformity. To compensate the deficit that happens at under irrigated areas, an increase on irrigation depth is required. The model considers: additional water consumption and energy costs, maintenance and labor costs, as well as yield losses associated with under or over irrigated areas. The sum of all these components is compared to buying and installing a new spray kit cost, allowing the farmer to decide the best moment to renovate the sprayer and pressure regulator kits on a center pivot irrigation machine based on economic criteria.

Optimal moment to change pressure regulator and sprayer kit on center pivot irrigation machines: application to a study case

A theoretical model developed by the authors for determining the optimal moment to substitute sprayer and pressure regulator kit on a center pivot irrigating potatoes and beans has been applied. The methodology compares the sum of the costs due to additional consumption of water and energy, maintenance and labor, as well as yield losses associated to areas with deficit or over irrigation to the costs due to buy and install a new sprinkling set on the pivot. The results showed that for a reduction of 3.07% of the Hermann and Hein’s Uniformity Coefficient (UCh), the substitution of the sprinkling module on the pivot is justified when potatoes and beans are cultivated.

Vitrification of immature feline oocytes with a commercial kit for bovine embryo vitrification

The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of a commercial kit for bovine embryo vitrification for cryopreserving cat oocytes and to evaluate comparatively the effects of its use with slow freezing procedure on cryotolerance in terms of morphology and oocyte resumption of meiosis. Germinal vesicle stage oocytes isolated from cat ovaries were either vitrified (n=72) using a vitrification kit for bovine embryo or slow frozen (n=69) by exposing oocyte to ethylene glycol solution before being transferred to a programmable embryo freezer. After thawing and warming, oocytes were cultured for 48h and then were examined for meiosis resumption using bisbenzimide fluorescent staining (Hoechst 33342). Fresh immature oocytes (n=92) were used as the control group. The proportion of oocytes recovered in a morphologically normal state after thawing/warming was significantly higher in frozen oocytes (94.5%) than in the vitrified ones (75%, p<0.01). Morphological integrity after culture was similar in vitrified (73.6%) and slow frozen oocytes (76.8%); however, only 37.5% of the morphologically normal oocytes resumed meiosis after vitrification compared to 60.9% of those submitted to slow freezing procedure (p<0.01). Fresh oocytes showed higher morphological integrity (91.3%) and meiosis resumption rates (82.6%, p<0.002) than cryopreserved oocytes, irrespective of the procedure used. These results suggest that immature cat oocytes vitrified with a kit for bovine embryos retain their capacity to resume meiosis after warming and culture, albeit at lower rates than slow frozen oocytes. Vitrification and slow freezing methods show similar proportions of oocytes with normal morphology after culture, which demonstrate that thawed and warmed oocytes that resist to cryodamage have the same chances to maintain their integrity after 48h of culture. © 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Expressão de fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina (IGF-1), alvo da rapamicina em mamíferos (M-TOR), fator de célula tronco (SCF) e receptor C-KIT (CD117) em mastocitomas cutânios caninos em lâminas de arranjo de matriz tecidual (TMA)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação de duas técnicas coproparasitológicas convencionais e de um kit comercial na investigação da epidemiologia de parasitas gastrintestinais de cães no Estado de São Paulo

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FMVZ

Sistema nacional de inovação agrícola: um exame da interação entre Embrapa e as empresas privadas

Pós-graduação em Economia - FCLAR