Morfometria e descrição de otólitos de dourada (Brachyplatystoma rosseauxii) (Castelnau, 1855) e de piramutaba (B. vaillantii) (Valenciennes, 1840) (Siluriformes: pimelodidae) e verificação de anéis de crescimento em otólitos de juvenis de dourada e de piramutaba na Ilha de Colares - Baía de Marajó-PA

A dourada (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii) e a piramutaba (B. vaillantii), são dois bagres migradores de água doce, exploradas pela pesca comercial artesanal e industrial na Amazônia. São de grande importância para a pesca comercial nesta região e atualmente seus estoques estão em estado de sobrexplotação. A literatura cientifica não registra trabalhos sobre a biologia e ecologia referentes aos estágios juvenis destes bagres. Em estudos de dinâmica populacional, a correta estimação da idade é essencial na estimativa dos parâmetros de crescimento, que são essenciais para a avaliação dos estoques. Os estudos de determinação de idade geralmente são feitos em espécimes subadultos e adultos e a idade dos juvenis é retrocalculada. O que pode levar aos erros de avaliação. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivos: (1) descrever e estimar as relações entre as medidas morfométricas dos otólitos lapillus com as medidas corporais de dourada e de piramutaba, e (2) verificar o surgimento dos primeiros anéis de crescimento nos espécimes juvenis. Para o estudo da morfometria e descrição foram utilizados otólitos de dourada e de piramutaba juvenis, sub-adultos e adultos provenientes dos Municípios de Colares (PA), Almeirim (PA), Santarém (PA), Manaus (AM), do Distrito de Mosqueiro (PA), e do estuário amazônico. O período de coletas foi diferente para cada local, e de setembro de 1996 a janeiro de 2006. As seguintes relações foram estimadas: comprimento furcal dos espécimes (CF) x peso total dos espécimes (PT); CF x comprimento máximo do otólito (CMO); CF x largura máxima do otólito (LMO); CF x peso total do otólito (PTO); PT x CMO; PT x LMO e PT x PTO. E as equações estimadas foram: Dourada: PT = 9,5 x 10-6 x Cf 3,0279, CF = 25,259 * CMO1,1571, CF = 40,626 * LMO1,2127, CF = 840,419 * PTO0,4077, PT = 0,125 * CMO3,6547, PT = 0,568 * LMO3,8294, PT = 7549,98 * PTO1,2651; Piramutaba: PT = 5,4 x 10-6 x Cf 3,1441, CF = 31,871 * CMO1,3381, CF = 55,852 * LMO1,3722, CF = 1641,064 * PTO0,4686, PT = 0,3127 * CMO4,1857, PT = 1,823 * LMO4,2788, PT = 66675,977 * PTO1,4508. A descrição dos otólitos classificou os lapilli de dourada e de piramutaba em três categorias conforme seu desenvolvimento e CF dos espécimes: dourada I (60 a 80 mm), dourada II (80 a 110 mm), dourada III (110 a 210 mm), piramutaba I (65 a 80 mm), piramutaba II (80 a 110 mm), e piramutaba III (110 a 190 mm). E no estudo da verificação de anéis de crescimento em lapillus foram utilizados somente os juvenis, com CF £ 200 mm. Na baía de Marajó, a dourada e a piramutaba forma o primeiro anel de crescimento com CF médio de 175,03 mm e 171,03 mm, respectivamente. E as duas espécies têm entre nove e doze meses de idade quando formam o primeiro anel de crescimento. Os raios médios do primeiro anel hialino do corte transversal do lapillus de dourada e de piramutaba foram 0,36 mm (± 0,03) e 0,33 mm (± 0,01), respectivamente. O raio total médio do corte transversal do lapillus de dourada foi de 0,64 mm (± 0,14) e o da piramutaba foi de 0,53 mm (± 0,09). A equação obtida entre o raio total do corte transversal do lapillus de juvenis de dourada com seu CF foi CF = 248,589 * Rt1,1901. E a equação estimada para a piramutaba foi CF = 400,494 * Rt1,7178. Douradas e piramutabas com CF de 60-70 mm têm idade de três a seis meses, com CF de 70-110 mm têm de seis a nove meses e com CF de 110-200 mm têm de nove a doze meses.

Biflagellate spermatozoon structure of the hermaphrodite fish Satanoperca jurupari (Heckel, 1840) (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from the Amazon River

Foram estudados aspectos ultra-estruturais do espermatozóide do teleósteo hermafrodita Satanoperca jurupari (HECKEL, 1840) do rio Amazonas. Em diferentes oocistos testiculares encontram-se fases evolutivas de espermatócitos, espermátides e espermatozóides. Nos estádios mais jovens, nos espermatócitos, foram observados os respectivos complexos sinaptonêmicos. O espermatozóide maduro do tipo "introsperm" apresenta cabeça pequena de ~ 3 mm de comprimento e 1,3 mm de largura, sem acrosoma, com uma pequena peça intermediária de ~ 1,2 mm de comprimento e 1,8 mm de largura, contendo algumas mitocôndrias esféricas, circundando os dois centríolos e formando um colar mitocondrial. Esse espermatozóide apresenta 2 flagelos, cada um com ~ 15 mm de comprimento e com a formação microtubular comum de 9 + 2. Cada flagelo tem 2 extensões citoplasmáticas lateralmente opostas, sendo formadas cerca de 3 mm abaixo da peça intermediária, acompanhando o flagelo até a parte final.

Single early prenatal lipopolysaccharide exposure impairs striatal monoamines and maternal care in female rats

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

Pelvic floor muscle strength evaluation in different body positions in nulliparous healthy women and its correlation with sexual activity

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength in different body positions in nulliparous healthy women and its correlation with sexual activity.Materials and Methods: Fifty healthy nulliparous women with mean age of 23 years were prospectively studied. Subjective evaluation of PFM was assessed by transvaginal digital palpation (TDP) of anterior and posterior areas regarding the vaginal introitus. A perineometer with inflatable vaginal probe was used to assess the PFM strength in four different positions: supine with extended lower limbs (P1); bent-knee supine (P2); sitting (P3); standing (P4).Results: Physical activity, 3 times per week, was reported by 58% of volunteers. Sexual activity was observed in 80% of women and 82% of them presented orgasm. The average body mass index (BMI) was 21.76 kg/m(2), considered as normal according World Health Organization (WHO). We observed that 68% of volunteers were conscious about the PFM contraction. TDP showed concordance of 76% when anterior and posterior areas were compared (p = 0.00014). There was not correlation between PFM strength and orgasm in subjective evaluation. The PFM strength was significantly higher in standing position when compared with the other positions (p < 0.000). No statistical difference was observed between orgasm and PFM strength when objective evaluations were performed.Conclusions: There was concordance between anterior and posterior areas in 76% of cases when subjective PFM strength was assessed. In objective evaluation, higher PFM strength was observed when volunteers were standing. No statistical correlation was observed between PFM strength and orgasm in nulliparous healthy women.

Functional Morphology of the Crop and Proventriculus of Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of Water Exchange and Mechanical Aeration on Grow-out of the Amazon River Prawn in Ponds

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Air versus saline in the loss of resistance technique for identification of the epidural space

BackgroundThe success of epidural anaesthesia depends on correct identification of the epidural space. For several decades, the decision of whether to use air or physiological saline during the loss of resistance technique for identification of the epidural space has been governed by the personal experience of the anaesthesiologist. Epidural block remains one of the main regional anaesthesia techniques. It is used for surgical anaesthesia, obstetrical analgesia, postoperative analgesia and treatment of chronic pain and as a complement to general anaesthesia. The sensation felt by the anaesthesiologist from the syringe plunger with loss of resistance is different when air is compared with saline (fluid). Frequently fluid allows a rapid change from resistance to non-resistance and increased movement of the plunger. However, the ideal technique for identification of the epidural space remains unclear.ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of both air and saline in the loss of resistance technique for identification of the epidural space.To evaluate complications related to the air or saline injected.Search methodsWe searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2013, Issue 9), MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Latin American and Caribbean Health Science Information Database (LILACS) (from inception to September 2013). We applied no language restrictions. The date of the most recent search was 7 September 2013.Selection criteriaWe included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials (quasi-RCTs) on air and saline in the loss of resistance technique for identification of the epidural space.Data collection and analysisTwo review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data.Main resultsWe included in the review seven studies with a total of 852 participants. The methodological quality of the included studies was generally ranked as showing low risk of bias inmost domains, with the exception of one study, which did not mask participants. We were able to include data from 838 participants in the meta-analysis. We found no statistically significant differences between participants receiving air and those given saline in any of the outcomes evaluated: inability to locate the epidural space (three trials, 619 participants) (risk ratio (RR) 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.33 to 2.31, low-quality evidence); accidental intravascular catheter placement (two trials, 223 participants) (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.33 to 2.45, low-quality evidence); accidental subarachnoid catheter placement (four trials, 682 participants) (RR 2.95, 95% CI 0.12 to 71.90, low-quality evidence); combined spinal epidural failure (two trials, 400 participants) (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.44 to 2.18, low-quality evidence); unblocked segments (five studies, 423 participants) (RR 1.66, 95% CI 0.72 to 3.85); and pain measured by VAS (two studies, 395 participants) (mean difference (MD) -0.09, 95% CI -0.37 to 0.18). With regard to adverse effects, we found no statistically significant differences between participants receiving air and those given saline in the occurrence of paraesthesias (three trials, 572 participants) (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.15); difficulty in advancing the catheter (two trials, 227 participants) (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.32 to 2.56); catheter replacement (two trials, 501 participants) (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.83); and postdural puncture headache (one trial, 110 participants) (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.12 to 5.71).Authors' conclusionsLow-quality evidence shows that results do not differ between air and saline in terms of the loss of resistance technique for identification of the epidural space and reduction of complications. Applicability might be compromised, as most of the results described in this review were obtained from parturient patients. This review underlines the need to conduct well-designed trials in this field.

Excess body fat negatively affects bone mass in adolescents

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

Canine retraction and anchorage loss Self-ligating versus conventional brackets in a randomized split-mouth study

Objective: To evaluate the velocity of canine retraction, anchorage loss and changes on canine and first molar inclinations using self-ligating and conventional brackets.Materials and Methods: Twenty-five adults with Class I malocclusion and a treatment plan involving extractions of four first premolars were selected for this randomized split-mouth control trial. Patients had either conventional or self-ligating brackets bonded to maxillary canines randomly. Retraction was accomplished using 100-g nickel-titanium closed coil springs, which were reactivated every 4 weeks. Oblique radiographs were taken before and after canine retraction was completed, and the cephalograms were superimposed on stable structures of the maxilla. Cephalometric points were digitized twice by a blinded operator for error control, and the following landmarks were collected: canine cusp and apex horizontal changes, molar cusp and apex horizontal changes, and angulation changes in canines and molars. The blinded data, which were normally distributed, were analyzed through paired t-tests for group differences.Results: No differences were found between the two groups for all variables tested.Conclusions: Both brackets showed the same velocity of canine retraction and loss of anteroposterior anchorage of the molars. No changes were found between brackets regarding the inclination of canines and first molars.

Um autorretrato de Primo Levi: as raízes literárias da narrativa de Auschwitz

Th e anthology La ricerca della radice written by Primo Levi allows the reader to understand the intellectual infl uences received throughout his life. Th e aim of this paper is to establish analytic relation between the authors contained in the personal anthology of Primo Levi and his historical narrative about Auschwitz.

Políticas Públicas Educacionais para adolescentes infratores: um estudo no município de Franca

Pós-graduação em Planejamento e Análise de Políticas Públicas - FCHS

Book Review of Portraits of the Bison: An Illustrated Guide to Bison Society by Wes Olson

Thundering herds of bison have become synonymous with the pre-European colonization of the Great Plains. As such, they have captured the imagination of countless people, including Wes Olson, a 20-year warden for Parks Canada. Throughout Portraits of the Bison, based on both existing literature and the author's extensive experience observing and managing these animals, Olson's bison fascination is not only obvious but infectious. A remarkably talented artist as well, Olson's line drawings appear throughout the book, accompanied by Johane Janelle's photographs.

Evidence that a single bioluminescent system is shared by all known bioluminescent fungal lineages

Since the early 20th century, many researchers have attempted to determine how fungi are able to emit light. The first successful experiment was obtained using the classical luciferin-luciferase test that consists of mixing under controlled conditions hot (substrate/luciferin) and cold (enzyme/luciferase) water extracts prepared from bioluminescent fungi. Failures by other researchers to reproduce those experiments using different species of fungi lead to the hypothesis of a non-enzymatic luminescent pathway. Only recently, the involvement of a luciferase in this system was proven, thus confirming its enzymatic nature. Of the 100 000 described species in Kingdom Fungi, only 71 species are known to be luminescent and they are distributed unevenly amongst four distantly related lineages. The question we address is whether the mechanism of bioluminescence is the same in all four evolutionary lineages suggesting a single origin of luminescence in the Fungi, or whether each lineage has a unique mechanism for light emission implying independent origins. We prepared hot and cold extracts of numerous species representing the four bioluminescent fungal lineages and performed cross-reactions (luciferin x luciferase) in all possible combinations using closely related non-luminescent species as controls. All cross-reactions with extracts from luminescent species yielded positive results, independent of lineage, whereas no light was emitted in cross-reactions with extracts from non-luminescent species. These results support the hypothesis that all four lineages of luminescent fungi share the same type of luciferin and luciferase, that there is a single luminescent mechanism in the Fungi, and that fungal luciferin is not a ubiquitous molecule in fungal metabolism.

The first modern solitary Agariciidae (Anthozoa, Scleractinia) revealed by molecular and microstructural analysis

Dactylotrochus cervicornis (= Tridacophyllia cervicornis Moseley, 1881), which occurs in Indo-Pacific waters between 73 and 852 m, was originally described as an astraeid but was later transferred to the Caryophylliidae. Assumed to be solitary, this species has no stolons and only one elongated fossa, and is unique among azooxanthellate scleractinians in often displaying extremely long thecal extensions that are septate and digitiform. Based on both molecular phylogenetic analyses (partial mitochondrial CO1 and 16S rDNA, and partial nuclear 28S rDNA) and morphological characteristics, we propose the transfer of D. cervicornis from the Caryophylliidae to the Agariciidae, making it the first extant representative of the latter family that is solitary and from deep water (azooxanthellate). The basal position of D. cervicornis within the agariciids implied by our analyses strengthens the case for inclusion of fossil species that were solitary, such as Trochoseris, in this family and suggests that the ancestor of this scleractinian family, extant members of which are predominantly colonial and zooxanthellate, may have been solitary and azooxanthellate.