Morphological and functional alterations of the intestine of rats with iron-deficiency anemia

The present study was designed to assess the intestinal absorption of D-xylose and jejunal morphometry in rats with iron-deficiency anemia. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group (diet containing 50 mg Fe/kg, N = 12) and an anemic group (diet containing <5 mg Fe/kg, N = 12). The animals were housed in individual metabolic cages and deionized water and diet were provided ad libitum for 6 weeks. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were determined at 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks. At the end of the study the rats were submitted to a D-xylose absorption test (50 mg/100 g body weight) and sacrificed and a jejunal specimen was obtained for morphometric study. At the end of the study the hemoglobin and hematocrit of the anemic rats (8.7 ± 0.9 g/dl and 34.1 ± 2.9%, respectively) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the controls (13.9 ± 1.4 g/dl and 47.1 ± 1.5%, respectively). There was no statistical difference in D-xylose absorption between the anemic (46.5 ± 7.4%) and control (43.4 ± 9.0%) groups. The anemic animals presented statistically greater villus height (445.3 ± 36.8 µm), mucosal thickness (614.3 ± 56.3 µm) and epithelial surface (5063.0 ± 658.6 µm) than control (371.8 ± 34.3, 526.7 ± 62.3 and 4401.2 ± 704.4 µm, respectively; P < 0.05). The increase in jejunum villus height, mucosal thickness and epithelial surface in rats with iron-deficiency anemia suggests a compensatory intestinal mechanism to increase intestinal iron absorption.

Morphological changes induced by testosterone in the mammary glands of female Wistar rats

Increased levels of androgens in postmenopausal women are considered to be a risk factor for breast cancer. Testosterone, alone or in combination with estrogen, induces epithelial dysplasia and mammary tumors in Noble rats. Since this model of hormone-induced neoplasia has not been reported in other rat strains, we studied the effect of testosterone on the mammary gland morphology of female Wistar rats. Sixty adult, non-castrated, female Wistar rats were implanted in the dorsum midline with a silicone tube containing 50 mg testosterone (testosterone propionate in 30 animals and non-esterified testosterone in the remaining 30 animals) and 20 additional animals were implanted with empty tubes and used as control. Five animals per group were killed 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 days after implantation, and the mammary glands were dissected, fixed and embedded in paraffin. Histological sections were then stained with hematoxylin and eosin and picrosyrius red for collagen visualization. Morphological and morphometric analysis demonstrated ductal proliferation and acinotubular differentiation with secretory activity in all treated animals, peaking at 90 days of androgen exposure. After 90 days the proliferation of acinar epithelial cells was evident, but there was a progressive reduction of secretory differentiation and an increase in intralobular collagen fibers. There was no morphological evidence of dysplastic changes or other pre-neoplastic lesions. Testosterone treatment applied to adult, non-castrated female Wistar rats induced a mammary gland hyperplasia resembling the lactating differentiation, with progressive reduction in secretory differentiation.

Exercise training and detraining modify the morphological and mechanical properties of single cardiac myocytes obtained from spontaneously hypertensive rats

We determined the effects of exercise training and detraining on the morphological and mechanical properties of left ventricular myocytes in 4-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) randomly divided into the following groups: sedentary for 8 weeks (SED-8), sedentary for 12 weeks (SED-12), treadmill-running trained for 8 weeks (TRA, 16 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/week), and treadmill-running trained for 8 weeks followed by 4 weeks of detraining (DET). At sacrifice, left ventricular myocytes were isolated enzymatically, and resting cell length, width, and cell shortening after stimulation at a frequency of 1 Hz (~25°C) were measured. Cell length was greater in TRA than in SED-8 (161.30 ± 1.01 vs 156.10 ± 1.02 μm, P < 0.05, 667 vs 618 cells, respectively) and remained larger after detraining. Cell width and volume were unaffected by either exercise training or detraining. Cell length to width ratio was higher in TRA than in SED-8 (8.50 ± 0.08 vs 8.22 ± 0.10, P < 0.05) and was maintained after detraining. Exercise training did not affect cell shortening, which was unchanged with detraining. TRA cells exhibited higher maximum velocity of shortening than SED-8 (102.01 ± 4.50 vs 82.01 ± 5.30 μm/s, P < 0.05, 70 cells per group), with almost complete regression after detraining. The maximum velocity of relengthening was higher in TRA cells than in SED-8 (88.20 ± 4.01 vs70.01 ± 4.80 μm/s, P < 0.05), returning to sedentary values with detraining. Therefore, exercise training affected left ventricle remodeling in SHR towards eccentric hypertrophy, which remained after detraining. It also improved single left ventricular myocyte contractile function, which was reversed by detraining.

5-Bromo-2’-deoxyuridine induces visible morphological alteration in the DNA puffs of the anterior salivary gland region of Bradysia hygida (Diptera, Sciaridae)

5-Bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdUrd) has long been known to interfere with cell differentiation. We found that treatment ofBradysia hygida larvae with BrdUrd during DNA puff anlage formation in the polytene chromosomes of the salivary gland S1 region noticeably affects anlage morphology. However, it does not affect subsequent metamorphosis to the adult stage. The chromatin of the chromosomal sites that would normally form DNA puffs remains very compact and DNA puff expansion does not occur with administration of 4 to 8 mM BrdUrd. Injection of BrdUrd at different ages provoked a gradient of compaction of the DNA puff chromatin, leading to the formation of very small to almost normal puffs. By immunodetection, we show that the analogue is preferentially incorporated into the DNA puff anlages. When BrdUrd is injected in a mixture with thymidine, it is not incorporated into the DNA, and normal DNA puffs form. Therefore, incorporation of this analogue into the amplified DNA seems to be the cause of this extreme compaction. Autoradiographic experiments and silver grains counting showed that this treatment decreases the efficiency of RNA synthesis at DNA puff anlages.

Functional and morphological effects of resistance exercise on disuse-induced skeletal muscle atrophy

Abstract The reduction of skeletal muscle loss in pathological states, such as muscle disuse, has considerable effects in terms of rehabilitation and quality of life. Since there is no currently effective and safe treatment available for skeletal muscle atrophy, the search for new alternatives is necessary. Resistance exercise (RE) seems to be an important tool in the treatment of disuse-induced skeletal muscle atrophy by promoting positive functional (strength and power) and structural (hypertrophy and phenotypic changes) adaptive responses. Human and animal studies using different types of resistance exercise (flywheel, vascular occlusion, dynamic, isometric, and eccentric) have obtained results of great importance. However, since RE is a complex phenomenon, lack of strict control of its variables (volume, frequency, intensity, muscle action, rest intervals) limits the interpretation of the impact of the manipulation on skeletal muscle remodeling and function under disuse. The aim of this review is to critically describe the functional and morphological role of resistance exercise in disuse-induced skeletal muscle atrophy with emphasis on the principles of training.

Processing of Brazil-nut flour: characterization, thermal and morphological analysis

The Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsea H. B. K.) is noteworthy for its high content of lipids and proteins of elevated biological value and these factors justify the need for further research and incentives for the manufacturing of new trade products. In the present study we sought new forms of technological use of these nuts by the food industry, through their processing as flour, with no alteration in its energy content. The results after its elaboration showed a product with high energy value (431.48 kcal.100 g-1), protein content of 45.92 g.100 g-1, and fiber of 17.14%. The thermal analyses indicate that the introduction of another protein component, such as soy protein isolate, does not alter the reactions or thermal behavior. On the other hand, morphological analyses revealed granular structures similar to the structure of globular proteins. It was observed that after processing to obtain the flour, the product maintains its protein-energy content, as well as its characteristics when subjected to high temperatures.

Morphological characterization with image analysis of cocoa beverage powder agglomerated with steam

In this study, the morphological characteristics of cocoa beverage powder granules under minimal, average, and maximal process conditions of a steam agglomerator were studied. a stereoscopic microscope coupled to a digital camera was used for the morphological analysis. The images were analyzed to obtain shape and size descriptors. aiming to evaluate the descriptors, 150 particles were analyzed. The results showed that there was no difference between the shape descriptors - compacity, circularity, roughness, and aspect ratio - in the operating conditions evaluated. It was observed that the cocoa beverage powder granules are elongated in shape. The size descriptors, area, perimeter, perimeter of convex bounding polygon, minimal and maximal Feret diameter, were different in the process conditions for the granules of size above 600 μm. as for the minimal process conditions, especially due to low solid feed rates, there is an increase in the size descriptor values. In addition, under the minimum process conditions, in which there is low solid feed rate (400g/min) for a steam pressure of 1.0 bar, it was obtained a good granular condition with retention of 81.1% of granules on sieves with aperture size between 300 and 1190 μm.

Chemical, morphological, and thermogravimetric of Terminalia catappa Linn

The objective of this study is to evaluate the chemical composition, morphology, and the thermogravimetric behavior of the pulp of Terminalia catappa, also known as tropical almond. The analytical results show, based mainly on its lipid content, that this fruit has a considerable energy value. Its fiber content contributes to enhance the functional properties of the fruit. Morphological characteristics show a spongy-like structure with dispersion of starch granules and high concentration of fiber bundles, confirming the results of the chemical composition analysis. The thermogravimetric behavior exhibited by this fruit pulp when submitted to progressive temperature increase under dynamic air atmosphere shows that this raw material has great potential for industrial use due to its high absorption rate of water soluble and/or lipid-based compounds, allowing its use as a dietary complement or supplement ingredient in food products.

Morphological characterization of fruits, seeds and seedlings of pseudima frutescens (aubl.) radlk. (sapindaceae)

A utilização das popularmente chamadas, sementes crioulas de soja ou sementes salvas pelos produtores é uma constante no Centro-Oeste Brasileiro. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade das sementes de soja produzidas, colhidas e armazenadas por uma empresa produtora de sementes, e das sementes utilizadas pelos produtores de grãos, produzidas sem seguir os procedimentos técnicos de produção de sementes. As parcelas conduzidas para produção de sementes comerciais, foram retiradas do campo logo que atingiram a maturação de campo com umidade de 16,3%, receberam quatro aplicações de inseticidas durante o seu ciclo, para o controle de percevejos e, foram colhidas com colhedora de fluxo axial com rotação de cilindro de 500 rpm, enquanto as outras parcelas foram retiradas do campo com umidades de 14,7 e 12,3%, receberam apenas três aplicações de inseticida e, foram colhidas com colhedora de cilindro côncavo com velocidade de rotação do cilindro de 700 rpm. Após a colheita foram utilizados diferentes processos de secagem, beneficiamento e armazenamento para as sementes comerciais e para as sementes salvas. No início e no final do armazenamento, todas as unidades experimentais foram analisadas com os seguintes testes: de germinação, de tetrazólio 1-8 , do pH do exsudato, de envelhecimento acelerado, de desenvolvimento de plântula, de tetrazólio 1-3 e de 1º contagem do teste de germinação. Os resultados permitem concluir que: sementes comerciais, produzidas de acordo com as recomendações técnicas de produção de sementes, apresentam qualidade fisiológica superior; a qualidade fisiológica de materiais conduzidos como grãos é reduzida com o armazenamento, impedindo sua utilização como sementes para formação de lavouras de grãos comerciais.