Maintenance and breeding of Thrichomys (Trouessart, 1880) (Rodentia: Echimyidae) in captivity

South American histricognath rodents Thrichomys apereoides laurentius and Thrichomys pachyurus are natural hosts of Trypanosoma cruzi, agent of Chagas disease. We established breeding colonies of these species to serve as experimental models in various parasitological studies. Both species of Thrichomys have all the requirements necessary to become excellent laboratory models: they can be easily maintained in the standard laboratory conditions and breed throughout the year and they do not have any special dietary demands and can be fed by standard food pellets designed for laboratory mice. Both species produce precocious offspring that have their eyes and ears open, teeth erupted, fur well developed, and can eat solid food in the first week of life. T. a. laurentius has larger litter sizes and lower body masses at birth and weaning than T. pachyurus. Moreover, females of T. a. laurentius reach puberty earlier and with lower body mass than T. pachyurus.

Miltefosine induces programmed cell death in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes

In the current study, we evaluated the mechanism of action of miltefosine, which is the first effective and safe oral treatment for visceral leishmaniasis, in Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes. Miltefosine induced a process of programmed cell death, which was determined by the externalization of phosphatidylserine, the incorporation of propidium iodide, cell-cycle arrest at the sub-G0/G1 phase and DNA fragmentation into oligonucleosome-sized fragments. Despite the intrinsic variation that is detected in Leishmania spp, our results indicate that miltefosine causes apoptosis-like death in L. amazonensis promastigote cells using a similar process that is observed in Leishmania donovani.

Barriers in health care to breast cancer: perception of women

Identifying the barriers in the access to health care to breast cancer perceived by women undergoing chemotherapy.Method: An exploratory descriptive study. The sample consisted of 58 women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy and registered in the public oncology ambulatory of Aracaju-Sergipe. Data collection was carried out between October 2011 and March 2012 by semistructured interviews, and data were processed using the SPSS, version 17.Results: Among the interviewed women, 37 (63.8%) reported at least a barrier in the trajectory of care for breast cancer. The organizational and health services barriers were the most reported in the periods of investigation and treatment of breast cancer.Conclusion: In face of these findings, the barriers should be considered in public health policies and programs for the control of breast cancer in Sergipe.



Aplicação e avanços da espectroscopia de luminescência em análises farmacêuticas

This paper provides a review on the latest advances and applications of the luminescence spectroscopy for the development of pharmaceuticals analyses methods, basically based on the photo- and chemiluminescence. The different forms of the drugs determination on pharmaceuticals through the fluorescence and chemiluminescence are discussed. The analyses include the drugs native fluorescence (liquid and solid-phases); the fluorescence from the oxidizing or reducing forms of the drug; the fluorescence from the chemical derivatization and their photochemistry and hydrolysis reactions. The quenching of luminescence and chemiluminescence generation for the pharmaceutical quantification are also shown. Finally, the trends and future perspectives of the luminescence spectroscopy in the field of the pharmaceutical research are discussed.

Acompanhamento químico da vermicompostagem de lodo de esgoto doméstico

This research aims to monitor the humification process of domestic sewage sludge resulted from the vermicomposting, evaluating, also, the possibility of using the final product (vermicompost) in agricultural soils. The monitored chemical variables during the 90 days of vermicomposting were: humidity rate, organic matter content, nitrogen and phosphorus content, pathogenic organisms concentration, total organic carbon, acidity, CEC, C/N ratio, CEC/TOC ratio, and humic and fulvic acids content. The change in these variables during the vermicomposting process showed that this technique is effective for use in the maturation of the residue.

Efeitos energético-estruturais em compostos heteropolicíclicos com oxigénio ou enxofre

The present article involves a comparative study of the influence of oxygen or sulfur heteroatoms present in the central ring of polycyclic compounds, in order to clarify the correlation between the respective thermophysical or thermochemical properties and structural characteristics. Considering the importance of these types of compounds for their broad spectrum of application in diverse fields, from pharmacology to the development of new materials, the critical interpretation of such properties for their crucial role in the reactivity of these substances is of great interest. Knowledge on these thermodynamic data for key compounds is also relevant to the prediction and understanding of the properties and behavior of other parent compounds.

Etiologia do oídio do eucalipto

Compararam-se isolados de Oidium sp. obtidos de mudas de eucalipto (Eucalyptus spp.) com isolados de Erysiphe cichoracearum, originário de dália, e Sphaerotheca pannosa de roseira (Rosa sp.), por meio de características morfológicas. Com base nas características morfológicas (fase anamórfica) do tubo germinativo, do micélio, do apressório, de conidióforos e conídios e na presença de corpos de fibrosina, concluiu-se que o isolado de Oidium, obtido de eucalipto é similar ao de roseira, descrito como S. pannosa. Inoculações dos isolados do fungo originários de todos os hospedeiros estudados, indicaram que S. pannosa, obtido de roseira, e E. cichoracearum, de dália (Dahlia sp.), foram patogênicos a mudas de Eucalyptus pellita, uma das espécies mais suscetíveis a esta doença, em condições de casa de vegetação.

Caracterização isoenzimática de espécies de Oidium

Isolados de Oidium oriundos de eucalipto (Eucalyptus urophylla) roseira (Rosa sp), dália (Dhalia sp.), feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris) e urucunzeiro (Bixa orellana) foram comparados mediante écnicas de extração e eletroforese de isoenzimas, em gel de amido. Dentre 19 enzimas testadas, fosfatase ácida, enzima málica, alfa-esterase, 6-fosfoglucanato desidrogenase, fosfoglucose isomerase, hexoquinase e malato desidrogenase ofereceram atividade e resolução satisfatórias. Os isolados do patógeno oriundos de eucalipto e de roseira apresentaram um mesmo padrão de bandas com coeficiente de similaridade igual a 100%. Os demais isolados diferiram entre si e exibiram coeficiente de similaridade inferior a 43%. Os isolados obtidos de eucalipto e de roseira, além de morfologicamente similares, apresentaram um mesmo padrão isoenzimático sendo, portanto, anamorfos de Sphaerotheca pannosa.

Germinação de conídios de Sphaerotheca pannosa obtidos de eucalipto

Estudou-se a germinação de conídios de Sphaerotheca pannosa em diferentes meios-suporte sob diferentes regimes de umidade relativa, fotoperíodo e temperatura. Às 24 h da incubação, avaliou-se a germinação em ágar-água, lâmina de vidro e folha destacada, sob condições de câmara úmida. Não se constatou germinação de conídios em lâmina de vidro escavada, ou placas de Petri, na presença de água livre. A germinação do patógeno foi favorecida por umidade relativa próxima a 100%, fotoperíodo de 12 h, com exposição inicial à luz e temperaturas de 20 a 25 ºC.

Potencial do uso da restrição hídrica em testes de sanidade de sementes de algodoeiro

Nos testes de sanidade, realizados por meio dos métodos de incubação em papel de filtro e em meio agarizado, a germinação rápida das sementes dificulta a identificação dos fungos e pode comprometer a validade desses métodos. Para impedir ou reduzir a germinação de sementes de espécies dicotiledôneas, o uso de 2,4-D (sal de sódio) tem sido a alternativa disponível havendo, no entanto, questionamentos sobre este composto por inúmeras razões, inclusive o aspecto toxicológico. Neste trabalho, o objetivo foi estudar a viabilidade do uso da restrição hídrica como recurso para reduzir a germinação das sementes em substituição ao 2,4-D. Foram utilizados os restritores hídricos manitol e Cloreto de sódio, nos potenciais -0,6, -0,8, -1,0 e -1,2 MPa, sendo avaliados seus efeitos sobre a germinação das sementes, comprimento de plântulas e crescimento micelial in vitro dos principais fungos associados a sementes de algodoeiro e seu desenvolvimento sobre as sementes no teste de incubação em papel de filtro. A restrição hídrica proporcionada pelos solutos e potenciais osmóticos testados foi capaz de reduzir a germinação e o comprimento das plântulas em níveis considerados satisfatórios para a análise sanitária de sementes de algodoeiro, além de não interferir na recuperação dos principais fungos sobre as sementes no teste de papel de filtro, revelando-se desta forma como uma alternativa eficaz em substituição ao uso do 2,4-D. O crescimento micelial dos fungos em meio agarizado foi reduzido nos potenciais osmóticos a partir de -0,6 MPa. A recuperação dos fungos fitopatogênicos através do teste de incubação em papel de filtro não foi afetada pelo método da restrição hídrica.

Insulinoterapia na prenhez de ratas diabéticas: repercussões fetais e placentárias

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar as repercussões feto-placentárias da insulinoterapia na prenhez de ratas diabéticas. A droga diabetogênica foi aloxana na dose de 42 mg/kg de peso por via intravenosa. Formaram-se cinco grupos experimentais: controle (G1, n=12); diabete moderado não-tratado (G2, n=10); diabete moderado tratado com insulina (G3, n=11); diabete grave não-tratado (G4, n=12) e diabete grave tratado com insulina (G5, n=10). Foram obtidos 634 recém-nascidos e respectivas placentas. O resultado perinatal do tratamento com insulina teve relação direta com a qualidade do controle glicêmico. O tratamento inadequado do diabete moderado determinou níveis de hiperglicemia moderada nos recém-nascidos, não interferiu com o peso corporal dos filhotes e diminuiu a proporção de recém-nascidos grandes para a idade da prenhez (GIP). O controle adequado do diabete grave normalizou a glicemia dos recém-nascidos, aumentou o peso dos filhotes e diminuiu a proporção de recém-nascidos pequenos para a idade da prenhez (PIP). A administração de doses adequadas de insulina no grupo de ratas diabéticas grave diminuiu o peso das placentas mas sem modificar o índice placentário.

The seasonal and ovarian status effects on in vitro production of domestic cat embryos between Equator and Tropic of Capricorn

From the Tropic of Capricorn to Equator, the seasonality of domestic cat is known to be absent, i.e., these animals are considered non-seasonal breeders at these regions. We hypothesized that this particularity might have some influence on in vitro embryo production. The aim of this experiment was to determine the percentage of cleavage and morulae and blastocyst formation produced from oocytes recovered from queen ovaries of three distinct status - follicular, luteal or inactive - during two different reproductive seasons experienced by cats in southeast of Brazil (22°53'09" S and 48°26'42" W) - non breeding season (NBS), comprehending January to March; and breeding season (BS), August to October. Thirty queens were neutered. Ovaries were classified according to their status and were sliced in PBS for cumulus oocyte complex (COC) releasing. Grade I COC were washed three times in H-MEM supplemented with BSA, glutamine, sodium pyruvate, cysteine, streptomycin and penicillin. Oocytes were incubated in groups of 20-30 in 400µL of DMEM supplemented with FSH, LH, estradiol, IGF-I and basic fibroblast growth factor under mineral oil for 30 or 36 hours at 38°C in humidified environment of 5% de O2, 5% CO2 and 90% N2. COC were fertilized in Ham's F-10 medium supplemented with BSA, cysteine, pyruvate and streptomycin/penicillin (culture medium) with fresh semen selected through swim up technique. Eighteen hours later, the presumptive zygotes were denuded, the percentage of cleavage was determined and every 10 zygotes were transferred to 100mL drops of culture medium for culture during three days. After 72 hours of culture the percentage of morulae formation was evaluated and these structures were transferred to drops of the same culture medium. At the eighth day of culture blastocyst formation was analyzed. During NBS, from a total of 272 (inactive), 162 (luteal) and 134 (follicular) fertilized oocytes, the percentage of cleaved zygotes, morulae and blastocysts derived from inactive ovaries were 24.63, 16.54 and 8.09 respectively; for those derived from luteal ovaries, the percentage was 21.6, 12.96 and 8.64, and for those from follicular ovaries, they were 24.62, 16.41 and 8.21. Considering BS, from a total of 102 (inactive), 198 (luteal) and 86 (follicular) fertilized oocytes, the relative frequency (%) of cleaved zygotes, morulae and blastocysts derived from inactive ovaries were 64.7, 41.17 and 23.53 respectively; for those derived from luteal ovaries, the percentage was 64.14, 40.41 and 23.73, and for those from follicular ovaries, they were 63.95, 39.54 and 24.41. The results of this experiment demonstrate that no statistically significant difference (P<0.05) was verified in the frequency of cleaved embryos and morulae and blastocyst formation when comparing the three ovarian conditions in the same season. However the breeding season presented better results considering cleavage and morulae and blastocyst formation.

Mode B ultrasonography and abdominal Doppler in crab-eating-foxes ( Cerdocyon thous )

Abstract: Annually hundreds of crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) are referred to rehabilitation centers and zoos in Brazil. The ultrasonographic study of wildlife species is an important tool for a non-invasive and accurate anatomical description and provides important information for wildlife veterinary care. The aim of the present study was to determine the characteristics of the main abdominal organs as well as the vascular indexes of the abdominal aorta and renal arteries of crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) using mode B ultrasonography and Doppler ultrasonography, respectively. Ultrasonographic features of the main abdominal organs were described and slight differences were noticed between ultrasound imaging of abdominal organs of crab-eating foxes and other species. The bladder presented wall thickness of 12±0.01mm, with three defined layers. Both, the right and left kidneys presented corticomedullary ratio of 1:1 and similarly to the adrenals and the liver, they were homogeneous and hypoechoic compared to the spleen. The spleen was homogeneous and hyperechoic compared to the kidneys. The stomach presented 3 to 5 peristaltic movements per minute, wall thickness of 39±0.05mm and lumen and mucosa with hyperechoic and hypoechoic features, respectively. Small and large intestines presented 2 to 3 peristaltic movements per minute, wall thickness of 34±0.03mm and three defined layers with hyperechogenic (submucosa and serosa) and hypoechogenic (muscular) features. Ovaries of the female crab-eating fox were hypoechoic compared to the spleen and with heterogeneous parenchyma due to the presence of 2x2mm ovarian follicles. Prostates of the six males were regular and with a well defined boundary, with a homogeneous and hyperechoic parenchyma compared to the spleen. Vascular indexes of the abdominal aorta (PSV: 25.60±0.32cm/s; EDV: 6.96±1.68cm/s; PI: 1.15±0.07 e RI: 0.73±0.07) and right (PSV: 23.08±3.34cm/s; EDV: 9.33±2.36cm/s; PI: 1.01±0.65 e RI: 0.65±0.16) and left renal arteries (PSV: 23.74±3.94cm/s; EDV: 9.07±3.02cm/s; PI: 1.04±0.31 e RI: 0.64±0.10) were determined. Thus, conventional and Doppler ultrasonographic imaging provides basic information that can be used as reference for the species as well for other wild canids and it is a precise and non-invasive method that can be safely used to evaluate and diagnose abdominal injuries in these patients.

Rat visceral yolk sac cells: viability and expression of cell markers during maternal diabetes

The function of the visceral yolk sac (VYS) is critical for embryo organogenesis until final fetal development in rats, and can be affected by conditions such as diabetes. In view of the importance of diabetes during pregnancy for maternal and neonatal health, the objective of this study was to assess fetal weight, VYS cell markers, and viability in female Wistar rats (200-250 g) with induced diabetes (alloxan, 37 mg/kg) on the 8th gestational day (gd 8). At gd 15, rats from control (n=5) and diabetic (n=5) groups were anesthetized and laparotomized to remove the uterine horns for weighing of fetuses and collecting the VYS. Flow cytometry was used for characterizing VYS cells, and for determining mitochondrial activity, cell proliferation, DNA ploidy, cell cycle phases, and caspase-3 activity. Fetal weight was reduced in the diabetic group. Expression of the cell markers CD34, VEGFR1, CD115, CD117, CD14, CCR2, CD90, CD44, STRO-1, OCT3/4, and Nanog was detected in VYS cells in both groups. In the diabetic group, significantly decreased expression of CD34 (P<0.05), CCR2 (P<0.001), and OCT3/4 (P<0.01), and significantly increased expression of CD90 (P<0.05), CD117 (P<0.01), and CD14 (P<0.05) were observed. VYS cells with inactive mitochondria, activated caspase-3, and low proliferation were present in the rats with diabetes. Severe hyperglycemia caused by maternal diabetes had negative effects on pregnancy, VYS cell viability, and the expression of cell markers.