Influence of physical and chemical factors during foraging and culture of the symbiont fungus in Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of physical and chemical factors on transport and use of substrate for Atta sexdens rubropilosa workers. Three types of rectangular fragments were used to study the physical influence factors: filter paper with paraffin, filter paper without paraffin and polyester film. To study the chemical factors, some fragments were impregnated with organic extract of orange albedo, others were soaked with soybean oil and for the remaining ones nothing was applied. The following parameters were evaluated: (i) attractiveness of substrate for transport and number of loading workers per treatment; (ii) foraged material incorporation; (iii) rejection by numbers of fragments deposited in the garbage or beside the fungus garden. All the polyester film fragments carried out to the fungus garden were subsequently rejected. We verified that chemical factors of the substrate were more quickly detected by the workers, whereas physical factors were used as a criterion in the decision-making to reject or accept the substrate collected.

Culture-dependent and culture-independent characterization of microorganisms associated with Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) (L.) and dynamics of bacterial colonization in the midgut

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Bone Marrow'S Harvest in The Coxal Tuberosity for Isolation and Culture of Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Buffaloes (Bubalus Bubalis)

Several studies with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been developed in many species because of its ability to differentiate into other mesoderm lineages, capacity of self-regeneration, low immunogenicity, paracrine, anti-inflamatory, immunomodulatory and antiapoptotic effects which make then a promissory source to be used in therapeutic strategies. The aim of this study is to report the technique of harvest of bone marrow (BM) in the coxal tuberosity (CT) of buffaloes. For this, the animals were selected, identified and contained in a stock. Then trichotomy was performed in the region corresponding to the CT. After identifying the anatomic site it was performed antisepsis, local anesthetic block and introduction of a myelogram's needle (Lang(R)) for BM aspiration. Once the needle was firmly fixed in the CT, the mandril was removed and proceeded to BM aspiration with a syringe (20 mL) containing 1 ml of heparin at 1000 IU / mL and 1 mL of PBS. After the collection, each sample collected was manually homogenized, identified and referred to the LRACT - FMVZ / UNESP-BRAZIL for the correct processing. The anatomical site tested showed to be an alternative site of harvest of BM once provided the appropriate isolation and culture of the mononuclear fraction. Moreover, the procedure was performed without difficulty and with great security. Based on this, it can be conclude that CT is an excellent anatomical site for isolation and culture of MSCs and the proposed technique is viable and feasible to be held in buffaloes.

Assessing melatonin and its oxidative metabolites amounts in biological fluid and culture medium by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS)

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

The use of a mixture of somatic and culture filtrate antigens in the evaluation of the immune response to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Three Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigens, namely a culture filtrate preparation, a somatic antigen and a mixture of equal parts of the two, were tested by two serological techniques against sera from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis, and in an in vivo delayed hypersensitivity model in mice. The antigen mixture was more sensitive than the two individual antigens for the evaluation of humoral and cellular immune response to P. brasiliensis, both in man and in experimental animals.

Large scale laboratory cultures of Ankistrodesmus gracilis (Reisch) Korsikov (Chlorophyta) and Diaphanosoma biergei Korinek, 1981 (Cladocera)

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

Relationship between follicle size and ultrasound-guided transvaginal oocyte recovery

We evaluated the relationship between follicle size and oocyte recovery (OR) using ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration. Thirty Holstein cows were subjected to OR without gonadotrophic therapy. Oocytes were recovered two to four times from each cow in a total of 67 aspiration sessions, Ovarian follicles with diameters less than or equal to4 mm and >4 mm were aspirated in separated groups. Recovered oocytes from each group were kept separate and submitted to in vitro maturation, fertilization, and culture to the blastocyst stage. A total of 430 follicles were aspirated, of which 154 (35.8%) were from follicles >4 mm and 276 (64.2%) were from follicles less than or equal to4 mm. Seventy-seven oocytes (50%) were recovered from follicles >4 mm and 200 (72.2%) were from follicles less than or equal to4 mm. Nineteen blastocysts were obtained from follicles >4 mm, whereas 45 blastocysts were obtained from follicles less than or equal to4 mm. Recovery rate was greater (P < 0.01) in follicles less than or equal to4 mm, Oocyte quality, cleavage rate and blastocyst development did not differ between different follicle sizes. Routine aspiration of small follicles (less than or equal to4 mm) could increase the number of oocytes available for in vitro development. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Vitrification with DAP 213 and Cryotop of Ex Situ and In Situ Feline Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes

This study was undertaken to compare cryotolerance, in terms of viability and resumption of meiosis after warming and culture (24 and 48 h), of ex situ (isolated) and in situ (enclosed in the ovarian tissue) feline cumulusoocyte complexes (COCs) vitrified with DAP 213 (2 M DMSO, 1 M acetamide, 3 M propylene glycol) in cryotubes or Cryotop method. Ovaries were harvested from 49 pubertal queens. of each pair of ovaries, one was dissected to release COCs randomly divided into three groups: fresh COCs (control), ex situ COCs vitrified with DAP 213 and Cryotop. The cortex of the other ovary was sectioned into small fragments (approximately 1.5 mm3) and randomly assigned to be vitrified by DAP 213 or Cryotop. After warming, ex situ and in situ (retrieved form vitrified ovarian tissue) COCs were matured in vitro. Viability of oocytes was highly preserved after warming and culture in all treatments. Proportions of oocytes surrounded by complete layers of viable cumulus cells were remarkably decreased (p < 0.00001) in both vitrification procedures compared to fresh oocytes. Resumption of meiosis occurred in all treatments. After 24 h of culture, results were similar in ex situ and in situ vitrified oocytes regardless of the vitrification protocol used (range 29-40%), albeit lower (p < 0.05) than those of fresh oocytes (65.8%). After 48 h of culture, ex situ oocytes vitrified with Cryotop achieved the rates of meiosis resumption similar to fresh oocytes (53.8% vs 67.5%; p > 0.05) and ex situ and in situ oocytes vitrified with DAP 213 showed similar rates of resumption of meiosis. These findings demonstrated that DAP 213 and Cryotop preserve the viability of ex situ and in situ oocytes, but cumulus cells are highly susceptible to vitrification. However, the capability to resume meiosis evidences that feline immature oocytes vitrified as isolated or enclosed in the ovarian cortex have comparable cryotolerance.

The effects of macromolecular and serum supplements and oxygen tension during bovine in vitro procedures on kinetics of oocyte maturation and embryo development

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

Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis in Brazil: report of 11 cases in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients

Background Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis is an uncommon infectious disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii affecting immunosuppressed as well as immunocompetent patients. It is often misdiagnosed as it may mimic other cutaneous diseases. Materials and methods We report a series of cases diagnosed from 2005 to 2010 in two general hospitals. The diagnosis in all patients was made on the basis of histopathology and culture. Phenoloxidase and canavanine-glycine-bromothymol blue tests were used in order to identify the Cryptococcus species. Systematic investigation ruled out the systemic involvement in every case. Results Eleven patients, 81.8% male, were diagnosed during this study. The immunosuppression status was identified in 54.5% of patients, and all of them were under corticosteroid therapy due to a variable set of diseases. All patients presented with circumscribed lesions on their upper limbs. Most lesions showed an infiltrative or tumoral aspect with up to 40 cm diameter. Fluconazole, up to 400 mg/daily, was the main therapeutic regimen and proved to be efficient. Conclusions Primary cutaneous cryptococcosis has been diagnosed in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. Its peculiar clinical aspect could facilitate early diagnosis. Culture and biochemical tests should be performed in order to define the species involved.

Alcohol use and falls among the elderly in Metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil

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

COEVOLUTION BETWEEN ATTINE ANTS and ACTINOMYCETE BACTERIA: A REEVALUATION

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Historical aspects of Belly Dance and its practice in Brazil

Dance is regarded as one of the oldest art forms, which is based on evidence from prehistoric paintings found in caves; man expressed himself through body language prior to the development of spoken and written forms of communication. Dance was then used during important events, common to their era and culture, and often in religious rituals, to ensure good harvests - their economic activity. Belly-dance appeared approximately eight thousand years B. C. E. as a sacred dance firstly practiced by priestesses, and after that, it was popularized amongst women from Mesopotamia. Virtually considered an ancient form of physical exercise, it is still practiced by Bedouin women as a preparation for spontaneous delivery. In Brazil, belly-dance is widely practiced and our corporal culture enables its learning and improvement, resulting in professional dancers.