Ritmo circadiano de atividade motora e distribuição diária dos comportamentos afiliativos ao longo da fase juvenil em saguis (callithrix jacchus)

The temporal allocation of the active phase in relation to light and dark cycle (LD) changes during puberty in humans, degus, rats and rhesus. In marmosets, the animal model used in several biomedical researches, there is evidence of a delay at the beginning of the active phase and an increase in total daily activity after onset of puberty. However, as this aspect was evaluated in animals maintained in natural environmental conditions, it was not possible to distinguish between the effects of puberty and of seasonality. Furthermore, as motor activity is the result of different behaviors in this species, it is also important to characterize the diurnal distribution of other behaviors in juvenile stage. With the aim of characterizing the circadian rhythm of motor activity and the diurnal profile of affiliative behavior in marmosets, the motor activity of 5 dyads juveniles between 4 and 12 months of age and their parents was recorded continuously for actímetro. The families were maintained under artificial LD 12:12 h, constant temperature and humidity. The duration of grooming behavior, proximity and social play among juveniles was recorded 2 times a week in sessions of 15 minutes each hour of the active phase. Afetr onset of puberty in juvenile, it was observed that there was no change in the parameters of circadian motor activity rhythm which were common to most animals. Despite the absence of pubertal modulation, it was observed that the circadian activity profiles have stronger synchrony between individuals of the same family than that of different families, which may indicate that the circadian activity rhythm was modulated by the dynamics of social interactions. In relation to age, the total daily activity and the ratio between evening and morning activity (EA/MA) were higher in juveniles than in adults, which may be associated with differences in the circadian timing system between age groups. Furthermore, the onset of the 10 consecutive hours of higher activity (M10) occurred earlier in adult males than in other members of the group, probably as a way to avoid competition for resources in one of the first activities of the day that is foraging. During the juvenile stage, there was an increase in total daily activity that may be associated with increased motor ability of juveniles. In addition to the circadian activity rhythm, the daytime profile of proximity and social play behaviors was similar between the 5th and 12th month of life of juveniles, in which the interval between 7- 10 h in the morning showed the highest values of proximity and lower values of play social. Moreover, the duration of the grooming showed a similar distribution to adults from the 8th month, wherein the higher values occurring at the interval between 11 14 h of day. Considering the results, the parameters of the circadian activity rhythm had a greater influence of social factors than puberty. In relation to age, there were no changes related to the allocation of the active phase in relation to the LD cycle, but total daily activity, the ratio AV/AM and the start of the M10 is possible to observe differences between juveniles and adults

Caracterização do ritmo de atividade/repouso do Mocó (Kerodon Rupestris) em fotoperíodo artificial

Kerodon rupestris (rock cavy, mocó) is an endemic caviidae of Brazilian northeast that inhabits rocky places in the semi arid region. The aim of this study was to characterize the activity/rest rhythm of the rock cavy under 12:12 h LD cycle and continuous light. In the first stage, seven animals were submitted to two light intensities (LD; 250:0 lux and 400:0 lux; 40 days each intensity). In the second stage four males were kept for 40 days in LD (470:<1 lux), for 18 days in LL 470 lux (LL470) and for 23 days in red dim light below 1 lux (LL<1). In the third stage three males were initially kept in LD 12:12 h (450:<1 lux) and after that in LL with gradual increase in light intensity each 21 days (<1 lux LL<1; 10 lux-LL10; 160 lux LL160; 450 lux LL450). In the fourth stage it was analyzed the motor activity of 16 animals in the first 10 days in LD. Motor activity was continuously recorded by passive infrared movement sensors connected to a computer and totaled in 5 min bins. The activity showed circadian and ultradian rhythms and activity peaks at phase transitions. The activity and the rest occurred in the light as well as in the dark phase, with activity mean greater in the light phase for most of the animals. The light intensity influenced the activity/rest rhythm in the first three stages and in the first stage the activity in 400 lux increased in four animals and decreases in two. In the second stage, the tau for 3 animals in LL470 was greater than 24 h; in LL<1 it was greater than 24 h for one and lower for two. In the third stage the tau decreased with the light intensity increase for animal 8. During the first days in the experimental room, the animals did not synchronize to the LD cycle with activity and rest occurring in both phases. The results indicate that the activity/rest rhythm of Kerodon rupestris can be affected by light intensity and that the synchronization to the LD cycle results from entrainment as well as masking probably as a consequence of the action of two or more oscillators with low coupling strength

Efeitos de vocalizações de co-específicos e do escuro sobre o ritmo circadiano da atividade motora em sagüis (Callithrix jacchus)

The principal zeitgeber for most of species is the light-dark photocycle (LD), though other environment factors as food availability, temperature and social cues may act. Daily adjustment of the circadian pacemaker may result from integration of environmental photic and non-photic cues with homeostatic cues. Characterization of non-photic effects on circadian timing system in diurnal mammals is scarce in relation to nocturnal, especially for ecologically significant cues. Thus, we analyzed the effect of conspecific vocalizations and darkness on circadian activity rhythm (CAR) in the diurnal primate Callithirx jacchus. With this objective 7 male adults were isolated in a room with controlled illumination, temperature (26,8 ± 0,2°C) and humidity (81,6 ± 3,6%), and partial acoustic isolation. Initially they were under LD 12:12 (~300:2 lux), and subsequently under constant illumination (~2 lux). Two pulses of conspecific vocalizations were applied in total darkness, separated by 22 days, at 7:30 h (external time) during 1 h. They induced phase delays at circadian times (CTs) 1 and 10 and predominantly phase advances at CTs 9 and 15. After that, two dark pulses were applied, separated by 14 days, during 1 h at 7:30 h (external time). These pulses induced phase delays at CTs 2, 3 and 18, predominantly phase advances at CTs 8, 10 and 19, and no change at CT 14. However, marmosets CAR showed oscillations in endogenous period and active phase duration influenced by vocalizations from animals outside the experimental room, which interfered on the phase responses to pulses. Furthermore, social masking and relative coordination with colony were observed. Therefore, phase responses obtained in this work cannot be attributed only to pulses. Afterwards, pulses of conspecific vocalizations were applied in total darkness at 19:00 h (external time), during 1 h for 5 consecutive days, and after 21 days, for 30 consecutive days, on attempt to synchronize the CAR. No animal was synchronized by these daily pulses, although oscillations in endogenous period were observed for all. This result may be due to habituation. Other possibility is the absence of social significance of the vocalizations for the animals due to random reproduction, since each vocalization has a function that could be lost by a mixture of sounds. In conclusion, conspecific vocalizations induce social masking and relative coordination in marmosets CAR, acting as weak zeitgeber

Caracterização do ritmo de atividade motora durante a puberdade em sagüis (Callithrix jacchus) sob condições semi-naturais

Most of ontogenetic studies on circadian timing system have been developed on infants, adults and elderly. The puberty has not been a stage of life few studied, except for researches in human adolescents, that presents phase delay in sleep-wake cycle. However, few studies have focused on the basis of this circadian change due to methodological difficulties. Thus, an animal model to study the sleep-wake cycle at puberty is essential. In the common marmoset, a social primate, the circadian activity periodicity stabilizes around 4 months (juvenile stage) and the 8h period component has a seasonal variation. Puberty stage of this species begins near the 8th month of age in males and near the 7th month in females with 7 months of duration. With the aim to characterize the circadian motor activity rhythm during puberty in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) the motor activity was continuous registered by actiwatches in 6 animals between 5-12 months. Since the social factor influence the behavior of this specie, behavioral observations were realized in 30 minutes windows twice/week to a general evaluation of the influence social interactions dynamic across experiment. Determination of puberty onset was done by fecal progesterone and estrogens in females, and androgens in males. From the analysis of the multiple regression test was selected a model that evaluate age and seasonal variables effect on the activity rhythm according to the higher explanation coefficient. The total activity was the only parameter influenced by age. Moreover, the activity onset was the parameter more explained by the model, and the sunrise was the factor that most influenced it. After the puberty onset, 2 dyads advanced the activity onset. The activity total decreased in 1 dyad and increased in 2 dyads. This increase may be related to the birth of infants in these families. The motor activity circadian component stabilized later in 1 dyad, coinciding with the puberty onset of these animals, while bimodality, caused by the 8 h component, was modulated by seasonality. The agonistic behavior was not evaluated due to reduced number of events. There were changes across ages in affiliative behavior of contact in 1 dyad, grooming done in 1 animal and grooming received in 2 animals. Although there is evidence of puberty effect on the activity motor rhythm, the photoperiodic fluctuations influenced the rhythm. Therefore is not possible to affirm if the puberty modulate the activity rhythm in marmosets

Ritmo de atividade de forrageio de Dinoponera quadríceps em ambiente natural

In order to characterize the seasonal and daily rhythm of Dinoponera quadriceps foraging activity in natural environment, four colonies of D. quadriceps were observed in an area of secondary Atlantic forest in northeastern Brazil. Data collection was performed during 72 hours every three months during an annual cycle. Colonies of D. quadriceps exhibited seasonal variation in foraging activity, peaking in the early dry season, followed by a sudden decline at the end of this season and increasing again at the late rainy season. The seasonal rhythm of foraging was positively related to the duration of the daylight and luminosity, and negatively to the time of sunrise and rainfall. Regarding the daily rhythm, foraging activity was predominantly diurnal independent of season. At the early dry season, the colonies had two activity peaks, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, with a decrease in foraging at midday, while in the rest of the year foraging activity was distributed more evenly throughout the daylight. The daily rhythm of foraging activity had a stronger and positive relation with light intensity. The second most important factor determining the daily rhythm of foraging was temperature that was also positively related for most of the year. Relative humidity showed a weak and negative relation with the daily rhythm of foraging in just one month of observation

Influência da auto seleção à luz no ritmo circadiano de atividade motora em Callithrix Jacchus

Marmosets, Callithrix jacchus, are strictly diurnal animals. The motor activity rhythmicity is generated by the circadian timing system and is modulated by environmental factors, mainly by photic stimuli that compose the light-dark cycle. Photic stimuli can reset the biological oscilators changing activity motor pattern, by a mechanism called entrainment. Otherwise, light can act directly on expressed rhythm, without act on the biological oscillators, promoting the masking. Thus, photic stimuli can synchronize the circadian activity rhythm (CAR) by two distinct mechanisms, acting isolated or at a combined way. Among the elements that can influence photic synchronization, the duration and time of photic exposure is pointed out. If in the natural environment the marmoset can choose places of different intensity illumination and is synchronized to light-dark cycle (LD), how the photic synchronization mechanism can be evaluated in laboratory by light self-selection? With objective to response this question, four adult male marmosets were studied at two conditions: with and without sleeping box. The animals were submitted to a LD cycle (12:12/ 350:2 lx) and constant light (LL: 350 lx) conditions in individual cages with an opaque sleeping box, that permitted the light self-selection. At the room, the temperature was 25.6 ºC (± 0.3 ºC) and humidity was 78.7 (± 5%). The motor activity was recorded at 5 min bins by infrared movement sensors installed at the top of the cages. The motor activity profile was distinct at the two conditions: without the sleeping box protection against light, the activity frequency was higher at CT 11-12 (ANOVA; F(3.23) = 62.27; p < 0.01). Also, the duration of the active phase (α) was prolonged of about 1 h (t test, p < 0.05) and the animals showed a significant delay on the activity onset and offset (t test, p < 0.05) and at the acrophase (confidence intervals of 5%) of CAR. In LL, the light continuous exposure prolonged the active phase and influenced the endogenous expression of the circadian activity rhythm period. From the result analysis, it is concluded that the light self-selection can modify several parameters of CAR in marmosets, allowing the study of the synchronization mechanism using the burrow model. Thus, without sleeping box there was a phase delay between the CAR and LD (entrainment) and an increase of activity near lights off (positive masking). Furthermore, in LL, the light continuous exposure modifies α and the endogenous expression of CAR. It is suggested that the light self-selection might be take into account at investigations that evaluate the biological rhythmicity in marmosets

O significado do acidente de trabalho com material biológico para os profissionais de enfermagem

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender o significado dos acidentes de trabalho com exposição a material biológico na perspectiva dos profissionais de enfermagem. de caráter exploratório com abordagem qualitativa pela análise de conteúdo de Bardin. No período de 2001 a 2006 ocorreram 87 acidentes com material biológico, sendo que destes, oito eram soropositivos para hepatite B e C e Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida/Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se entrevista com perguntas norteadoras. Ao indagar esses profissionais sobre o significado dos acidentes, emergiram quatro categorias: situação de risco; percepção de perigo; fatalidade e sentimentos. Embora não seja estratégia de esclarecimento, mas é fato que organização de trabalho e ações educativas tem impacto considerável para diminuir esse tipo de acidente, diminuindo prejuízos na vida dos acidentados.

Avaliação comparativa do ritmo de piscar em crianças normais em idade pré-escolar

OBJETIVO: Estabelecer o padrão de normalidade do ritmo de piscar em crianças normais em idade pré-escolar. MÉTODOS: Avaliaram-se 200 crianças de 4 a 6 anos, saudáveis, usando tomada de imagens digitais, nos planos frontal e lateral, em estado de vigília, em posição primária do olhar, estando o objeto de observação localizado na altura da pupila. Para a tomada das imagens foi utilizada uma filmadora Sony Lithium, sendo as mesmas gravadas em fitas 8 mm, transferidas para um computador MacIntosh G4 e processadas pelo programa iMovie, estudando-se: o tempo de abertura e o tempo de fechamento palpebral, o tempo de piscar completo e o ritmo de movimentos palpebrais por minuto, durante 3 minutos. Os resultados foram avaliados por estatística descritiva e gráfico de linhas. RESULTADOS: O piscar completo foi mais freqüente que o incompleto. O ritmo do piscar completo aumenta com o aumento da idade. Para o piscar incompleto, os valores foram semelhantes em todas as idades avaliadas. O tempo de fechamento e de abertura palpebral e o tempo de piscar completo foram semelhantes em meninos e meninas. O tempo de fechamento foi mais lento que o tempo de abertura palpebral. CONCLUSÕES: O ritmo de piscar completo aumenta com a idade. Os tempos de fechamento e de abertura palpebral e o tempo de piscar completo foram semelhantes em ambos os sexos, em todas as idades estudadas, sendo o fechamento mais lento que a abertura palpebral.

Ritmo de piscar em portadores de pterígio antes e após a exérese

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o ritmo de piscar de portadores de pterígio antes e depois da exérese. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados os movimentos palpebrais de 41 pacientes antes e 60 dias depois da remoção cirúrgica da lesão. Os movimentos palpebrais foram capturados durante 1 minuto, usando filmadora Sony Digital 8 DCR - TRV110, sob iluminação artificial, com o indivíduo em posição primária do olhar, tendo como ponto de fixação a própria filmadora. As imagens obtidas foram processadas por computador, quantificando-se o total de movimentos de piscar, o número de piscar completo e incompleto, e as respectivas durações. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística. RESULTADOS: Antes da cirurgia 36,36% dos pacientes queixavam-se de sensação de corpo estranho e após a cirurgia, 61,02% estavam assintomáticos. A avaliação do ritmo de piscar revelou que a freqüência do piscar incompleto aumentou no pós-operatório. A duração do piscar não se alterou antes e após a cirurgia. CONCLUSÃO: A exérese do pterígio leva à diminuição dos sintomas irritativos. Após a remoção da lesão, houve discreto aumento da freqüência de piscar incompleto. Há a possibilidade da presença do pterígio não estar relacionada com alterações do filme lacrimal, considerando que a alteração do ritmo de piscar foi discreta. No entanto, outros estudos deverão ser realizados para afirmar ou contestar esta hipótese.

Crescimento dos tecidos muscular e adiposo de fêmeas bovinas de diferentes grupos genéticos no modelo biológico superprecoce

Objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento de novilhas de diferentes grupos genéticos no sistema de produção superprecoce. Utilizaram-se 132 novilhas dos seguintes grupos genéticos: 18 ¾ Canchim × ¼ Nelore (¾ CN); 18 ½ Canchim × ½ Nelore (½ CN); 24 Simbrasil -⅝ Simental × ⅜ Nelore; e 72 Three-cross ¼ Simental × ¼ Nelore × ½ Angus. As novilhas foram desmamadas aos 210 dias de idade, com 247,4 ± 16,5 kg de peso vivo (PV), mantidas em creep-feeding durante a fase de cria e confinadas por 132 ± 14 dias até atingirem 350 kg PV e 5 mm de gordura subcutânea, quando, então, foram abatidas. Os grupos genéticos não influenciaram o ganho de peso médio diário, porém a espessura de gordura subcutânea do dorso (EGS) e da garupa (EGG) foi maior nos animais Three-cross, que apresentaram os maiores valores iniciais (1,07 kg/dia). Não houve diferença na área de olho-de-lombo (AOL) inicial, porém a os animais Three-cross apresentaram os maiores valores iniciais. Nos animais do grupo Three-cross, a área de olho-de-lombo (AOL) final e ajustada para 100 kg de peso vivo (PV) foi inferior à observada nos demais grupos, porém o peso final foi superior ao do grupo Simbrasil, com tempo intermediário de confinamento. Ajustando-se os valores de AOL e EGG para o menor número de dias de confinamento (114 dias), animais Simbrasil apresentam maior valor de AOL final e os animais Three-cross e Simbrasil, maior EGG final.

Ritmo Circadiano de Triiodotironina (T3) e Tiroxina (T4) Plasmática em Ovelhas Ideal durante o Anestro Estacional

The objective was to determine the plasma levels of the triiodothyronine (T-3) and thyroxine (T-4), in six Ideal ewe sheeps during seasonal anoestrus, by radioimmunoassay. The blood samples were collected from the jugular vein catheter over a period of 24 hours, at 2-h intervals (12, 14, 16, IX, 20, 22, 24, OZ, 04, 06, OX, and 10 hours). II was used analysis of variance for data adjustments, and the decomposition of the collected periods in non-orthogonal polynomial. It was observed a crescent linear effect of the T-4 plasma levels, presenting lower level of 49.60+/-11.41 and higher level of 76.99+/-10.0 ng/ml, at fourth and last blood samples collection, respectively. T-3 plasma levels showed a significant cubic response during 24 hours, with the highest value of 0.94+/-0.20 ng/ml at the end of the the study. In conclusion, thyroidal hormones levels were lower in the first blood samples collection, increasing progressively during the night, reaching the highest levels at the morning period.

Estatuto biológico do processamento de informação mental

Raciocinando no contexto do programa neomecanicista para a Biologia, estudamos a natureza do processamento de informação no sistema vivo em geral, e no cérebro humano em particular, onde uma aplicação do modelo da Auto-Organização nos conduz à hipótese do Supercódigo. Este seria um programa mental, molecularmente codificado, responsável pelas competências inatas, como a competência lingüística. Fazemos também uma comparação entre nossa hipótese e a da Linguagem do Pensamento, proposta por Jerry Fodor.

Análise epidemiológica dos acidentes com material biológico registrados no Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador - Londrina-PR

OBJETIVO: Analisar a distribuição dos acidentes de trabalho com exposição a material biológico das fichas de notificação registradas no Centro de Referência de Saúde do Trabalhador de Londrina, traçando um perfil dos profissionais acidentados. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado através de um levantamento nas 253 fichas de notificação de acidentes com material biológico que foram encaminhadas das instituições de saúde da área de abrangência ao Centro de Referência em Saúde do Trabalhador do município de Londrina-PR, no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2006. Os dados foram processados e tabulados eletronicamente, utilizando-se o programa Epi Info, de domínio público. RESULTADOS: Das 253 fichas de notificação de acidentes com material biológico analisadas, verificou-se que 92,5% foram causados por objetos perfuro-cortantes e 39,5% ocorreram em auxiliares de enfermagem. Constatou-se também que 73,5% eram do sexo feminino, 24,1% ocorreram em Unidades Básicas de Saúde, 74,3% encontravam-se com situação vacinal para Hepatite B atualizada e 49,8% ocorreram na rede pública de saúde. CONCLUSÃO: Com o levantamento do perfil dos profissionais acidentados com exposição a material biológico, o CEREST Londrina identificou que a profissão mais atingida foram os auxiliares de enfermagem, as mulheres, e que grande parte dos acidentes ocorreram nas UBSs com material perfuro-cortante. Mostrou-se que coletores de lixo passaram a fazer parte das profissões envolvidas nos acidentes.

Projeto e construção de um bioreator para síntese orgânica assimétrica catalisada por saccharomyces cerevisiae (fermento biológico de padaria)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Fosfatos de cálcio de interesse biológico: importância como biomateriais, propriedades e métodos de obtenção de recobrimentos

For decades the Hydroxyapatite (HA) was only bioceramic of calcium phosphate system used for bone replacement and regeneration, due to its similarity to the mineral phase of bones and teeth. Because its slow degradation, other calcium phosphate classified as biodegradable started to awaken interest, such as: amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP). This work presents the evolution of the use of other calcium phosphates due to their better solubility than the HA, comparing their main physical-chemical and biological properties. Are also presented the main methods used to obtain bioceramic coatings on metal and polymer surfaces.