Structure of the Lining Epithelium of the Cauda Epididymis of the Golden Hamster

The ductus epididymis has roles in the maturation and storage of spermatozoa. The main function of the cauda epididymis is the storage of spermatozoa; however, this region exerts other morphophysiological roles. So, this study was aimed at investigating structural features of the cauda epididymis epithelium, which could indicate roles other than the storage. The relative percentages of the cell types in the epithelium were 74.9, 6.9, 12.5 and 5.6% of principal, clear, basal and halo cells respectively. Large intercellular spaces were seen among the lateral plasmatic membranes of adjacent principal cells or among these cells and others cell types. These spaces were found to be filled with multivesicular bodies, myelin figures, scrolls and debris of membranes or flocculent dense material. Clear cells had the cytoplasms filled with lysosomes (3/4 of basal cytoplasm), and vacuoles and vesicles (1/4 of apical cytoplasm). The observations allowed us to infer that clear cells could act in the process of endocytosis and also in water transfer from the lumen to the interstitium through the epithelium compartment. Moreover, transcytosis may occur at the cauda epididymis of Golden hamster.

Inflammatory reaction to the human bot-fly, Dermatobia hominis, in infested and reinfested mice

Two groups of mice were infested with first stage larvae of the human bot-fly, Dermatobia hominis (Linnaeus Jr) (Diptera: Oestridae). In the first group, skin biopsies were carried out 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 18 days after infestation. The second group was also infested but had all the larvae removed 5 days after infestation. The mice in the latter group were reinfested 4 weeks later and skin biopsies were carried out 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 18 days after reinfestation. In the first group, an inflammatory reaction began slowly, the neutrophils being the main inflammatory cells, eosinophils being scarce. The reaction progressed with time, developing a necrotic halo around the larvae containing inflammatory cells surrounded by fibroblasts. The inflammation invaded the adjacent tissue. In the second group, the inflammatory reaction was intense on the day immediately after reinfestation, the pattern being changed by the presence of a large number of eosinophils. Activated fibroblasts surrounding the necrotic area around the larvae appeared 3 days after reinfestation in the second group and 7 days after infestation in the first group. The results demonstrated that the previous contact with the antigens elicited the early arrival of eosinophils, probably through the chemotactic factors liberated by mast cells in the anaphylactic reaction.

Nuclear alterations associated to programmed cell death in larval salivary glands of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera : Apidae)

The silk glands of bees are a good model for the study of cell death in insects. With the objective to detect the nuclear features during glandular regression stage, larvae at the last instar and pre-pupae were collected and their silk glands were dissected and processed for ultrastructural analysis and histologically for cytochemical and imunocytochemical analysis. The results showed that the cellular nuclei exhibited characteristics of death by atypical apoptosis as well as autophagic cell death. Among the apoptosis characteristic were: nuclear strangulation with bleb formation in some nuclei, DNA fragmentation in most of the nuclei and nucleolar fragmentation. Centripetal chromatin compaction was observed in many nuclei, forming a perichromatin halo differing from typical apoptotic nuclei. With regards to the characteristics of autophagic-programmed cell death, most relevant was the delay in the collapse of many nuclei. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structure formation in the presence of dark energy perturbations

We study non-linear structure formation in the presence of dark energy. The influence of dark energy on the growth of large-scale cosmological structures is exerted both through its background effect on the expansion rate, and through its perturbations. In order to compute the rate of formation of massive objects we employ the spherical collapse formalism, which we generalize to include fluids with pressure. We show that the resulting non-linear evolution equations are identical to the ones obtained in the pseudo-Newtonian approach to cosmological perturbations, in the regime where an equation of state serves to describe both the background pressure relative to density, and the pressure perturbations relative to the density perturbations. We then consider a wide range of constant and time-dependent equations of state (including phantom models) parametrized in a standard way, and study their impact on the non-linear growth of structure. The main effect is the formation of dark energy structure associated with the dark matter halo: non-phantom equations of state induce the formation of a dark energy halo, damping the growth of structures; phantom models, on the other hand, generate dark energy voids, enhancing structure growth. Finally, we employ the Press-Schechter formalism to compute how dark energy affects the number of massive objects as a function of redshift (number counts).

Structure of large two-neutron halos in light exotic nuclei

The structure of three-body halo nuclei formed by two neutrons and a core (nnc) is studied using zero-range interactions. The halo wave function can be completely parameterized only by the s-wave scattering lengths and two-neutron separation energy. The sizes and the neutron-neutron correlation function of Li-11 and Be-14 are calculated and compared to experimental data. A general classification scheme for three-body halos with two identical particles is discussed as well as the critical conditions to allow excited Efimov states.

Structure of exotic three-body systems

The classification of large halos formed by two identical particles and a core is systematically addressed according to interparticle distances. The root-mean-square distances between the constituents are described by universal scaling functions obtained from a renormalized zero-range model. Applications for halo nuclei, Li-11 and Be-14, and for atomicn He-4(3) are briefly discussed. The generalization to four-body systems is proposed.

Constraints on two-neutron separation energy in the Borromean C-22 nucleus

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

Trajectory of virtual, bound and resonant Efimov states

The pole trajectory of Efimov states for a three-body alpha alpha beta system with alpha alpha unbound and alpha beta bound is calculated using a zero-range Dirac-delta potential. It is shown that a three-body bound state turns into a virtual one by increasing the alpha beta binding energy. This result is consistent with previous results for three equal mass particles. The present approach considers the n-n-(18)C halo nucleus. However, the results have good perspective to be tested and applied in ultracold atomic systems, where one can realize such three-body configuration with tunable two-body interaction.

LARGE ATOMIC and NUCLEAR THREE-BODY SYSTEMS: SCATTERING and BINDING

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

Dynamics of a spacecraft and normalization around Lagrangian points in the Neptune-Triton system

The problem of a spacecraft orbiting the Neptune-Triton system is presented. The new ingredients in this restricted three body problem are the Neptune oblateness and the high inclined and retrograde motion of Triton. First we present some interesting simulations showing the role played by the oblateness on a Neptune's satellite, disturbed by Triton. We also give an extensive numerical exploration in the case when the spacecraft orbits Triton, considering Sun, Neptune and its planetary oblateness as disturbers. In the plane a x I (a = semi-major axis, I = inclination), we give a plot of the stable regions where the massless body can survive for thousand of years. Retrograde and direct orbits were considered and as usual, the region of stability is much more significant for the case of direct orbit of the spacecraft (Triton's orbit is retrograde). Next we explore the dynamics in a vicinity of the Lagrangian points. The Birkhoff normalization is constructed around L-2, followed by its reduction to the center manifold. In this reduced dynamics, a convenient Poincare section shows the interplay of the Lyapunov and halo periodic orbits, Lissajous and quasi-halo tori as well as the stable and unstable manifolds of the planar Lyapunov orbit. To show the effect of the oblateness, the planar Lyapunov family emanating from the Lagrangian points and three-dimensional halo orbits are obtained by the numerical continuation method. Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of COSPAR.

Atividade antibacteriana de óleos essenciais e extratos vegetais sobre o desenvolvimento de Ralstonia Solanacearum em mudas de bananeira

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar a atividade de diferentes concentrações de óleos essenciais e extratos vegetais sobre o crescimento de Ralstonia solanacearum e a incidência do moko em mudas de bananeira. Foram avaliadas diferentes concentrações de óleos essenciais de citronela, eucalipto citriodora, cravo-da-índia e gengibre: 1,25%; 3,5%; 3,75% e 5% e de extratos de cravo-da-índia, gengibre, canela e melão-de-são-caetano: 5%, 10%, 15% e 20%, medindo-se o halo de inibição da bactéria, após 48 horas. O óleo de eucalipto e os extratos de melão-de-são-caetano, cravo-da-índia e canela não apresentaram efeito sobre a bactéria. O extrato de gengibre, os óleos de citronela, de cravo e de gengibre inibiram o crescimento de R. solanacearumem todas as concentrações testadas, destacando-se o óleo de cravo como o melhor tratamento, seguido por extrato de gengibre. Mudas de bananeira foram pulverizadas com os óleos de citronela, gengibre e cravo (3,75%) e extrato de gengibre (20%), aplicando-se 10 ml da solução por planta. Oito dias após, as mudas foram inoculadas com o patógeno (10(8) cel/mL). O óleo de citronela proporcionou o melhor resultado, com 100% de controle da doença, porém as folhas das plantas, com esse tratamento, apresentaram sintomas de fitotoxidez. O óleo e o extrato de gengibre foram semelhantes na eficiência de controle do moko (50%), e o óleo de cravo apresentou menor eficiência (25%).

Agressividade de linhagens de Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. aurantifolii Tipo C em lima ácida 'Galego'

O presente trabalho objetivou gerar informações referentes à agressividade de linhagens de Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. aurantifolii Tipo C(Xaa-C), produtoras (PP) e não produtoras de pigmento (NP) escuro em meio de cultura, comparativamente a X. axonopodis pv. citri Tipo A (Xac) . Os tratamentos foram formados por 14 linhagens, sendo sete de Xaa-C PP, cinco Xaa-C NP, e duas linhagens de Xac. As linhagens foram inoculadas através de ferimentos, em folhas de lima ácida 'Galego' (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle), com agulha previamente mergulhada em uma suspensão de células bacterianas (10(7) UFC/mL). Foram realizadas dez repetições para cada tratamento, representadas por uma planta cada. As plantas foram mantidas em casa de vegetação durante todo o experimento. As linhagens diferiram entre si quanto ao período de incubação, diâmetro e populações bacterianas das lesões e, comparativamente, Xaa-C NP mostraram-se mais agressivas do que Xaa-C PP. Algumas linhagens induziram sintomas que diferiram quanto à presença e extensão de anasarca, halo amarelo e saliência do tecido necrosado.

Imunoglobulinas e C3 no granuloma paracoccidióidico

Utilizou-se o modelo experimental de paracoccidioidomicose, em camundongos, induzida pela inoculação endovenosa de suspensão de formas cerebriformes do P. brasiliensis (cepa Bt2; 1x10(6) formas viáveis/animal), para avaliar, após 2, 4, 8, 16 e 20 semanas: 1. A presença de imunoglobulinas e C3 nos granulomas pulmonares, por imunofluorescência direta; 2. A resposta imune humoral (imunodifusão) e celular (teste do coxim plantar), e 3. A histopatologia das lesões. Os camundongos apresentaram resposta imunocelular positiva desde a 2a. semana, com depressão transitória na 16a. semana, e anticorpos desde a 4a. semana, com pico na 16a. semana. Os granulomas pulmonares foram epitelióides, com numerosos fungos e microabscesses; a extensão das lesões foi progressiva até a 16a. semana, com regressão discreta na 20a. semana. Desde a 2a. semana, houve deposição de IgG e C3 na parede dos fungos no interior dos granulomas e a presença de células IgG positivas no halo linfomononuclear periférico; estes achados foram máximos entre a 4a. e 16a. semanas. Não se detectou depósito de IgG e C3 no interstício dos granulomas. IgG e C3 parecem exercer papel precoce e importante na defesa do hospedeiro contra o P. brasiliensis, contribuindo possivelmente para a destruição dos fungos e bloqueando a difusão de antígenos para fora dos granulomas.

Correlation among immune response, morphogenesis of the granulomatous reaction and spleen lymphoid structure in murine experimental paracoccidioidomycosis

We studied the correlation among cellular immune response, the pattern of lung granulomatous lesions and alterations in spleen lymphoid structure in Swiss mice inoculated intravenously with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis strain 18. The animals were evaluated at 24, 48 and 96 h after infection and further studied weekly for 18 weeks by: (i) the macrophage migration inhibition test with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and P. brasiliensis antigen (PbAg); and (ii) histopathology of the lung and spleen lesions. One group of animals was gamma -irradiated (8 Gy), infected under the same conditions and evaluated for the pattern of lung granulomatous lesions and spleen lymphoid structure at 24, 48 and 96 h after infection. During the first week of infection, the non-irradiated animals presented a positive response to PHA and PbAg, compact granulomas in the lungs and a typical hyperplasia of the spleen white pulp. However, from weeks 2 to 5, a depression of the cell-mediated immunity (CMI) response to PHA and PbAg was observed in association with granulomas presenting only large mononuclear cells and lacking both giant cells and a peripheral halo of small mononuclear cells. This pattern of granuloma formation was similar to that seen in gamma -irradiated animals, whose cells involved in CMI were absent. After week 7, the non-irradiated animals showed granulomas characterized by the presence of giant cells and a peripheral halo of small mononuclear cells. This type of granuloma was formed concomitantly with recovery of the CMI and of the lymphoid structure of the spleen. The results showed a correlation among granulomas composed of large mononuclear cells, hypoplasia of the splenic tissue and impaired CMI. This correlation indicated that although granuloma morphogenesis per se does not depend on the activation of CMI, this response is important at later stages during modulation of the cellular composition of the granulomas.

Pectinolytic activity secreted by yeasts isolated from fermented citrus molasses

Aims: the aim of this study was to obtain improved strains of pectinolytic yeasts adapted to the conditions of an industrial fermentation process, which was continuously operated to convert citrus molasses into ethanol.Methods and Results: the starter yeast of the industrial fermentation process was a commercial baker's yeast, which was capable of growing without forming any secretion halo of pectinase activity on solid medium. Nevertheless, isolates showing secretion of pectinolytic activity on plates were obtained from the fermentation process. The secretion of pectin-degrading activity by isolates on plates was repressed by galactose and improved as the result of colony aging on polygalacturonic acid plates at 30 degrees C. Liquefaction of polygalacturonate gels as well as the splitting of the pectin-degrading activity into a wall-linked and a supernatant fraction were also observed when the starter yeast was propagated under agitation in liquid medium containing pectin.Conclusions: Isolates capable of secreting pectinolytic activity on plates were predominant at the end of the citrus molasses fermentation. Nevertheless, the sizes of the secretion haloes on plates were not necessarily an indication of the levels of pectinolytic activity secreted in the liquid medium.Significance and Impact of the Study: Improved pectinolytic strains of Saccharomyces can be used as a source of pectinases for a variety of applications. This organism also participates in plant deterioration processes.