Phosphorus geochemistry of eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean sediments

We determined phosphorus (P) concentrations in Leg 138 sediment samples from Sites 844, 846, and 851, using a sequential extraction technique to identify the P associated with five sedimentary components. Total concentrations of P (sum of the five components) ranged from 4 to 35 µmol P/g sediment, with mean values relatively similar between the three sites (11, 14, and 12 for Sites 844,846, and 851, respectively). Authigenic/biogenic P was the most important component in terms of percentage of total P (about 75%), with iron-bound P (13%), adsorbed P (2%-9%), and organic P (4%) of secondary importance; detrital P was a minor P sink (1%) in these sediments. Profiles of adsorbed P and iron-bound P show decreasing concentrations with age, indicating that these components have been affected by diagenesis and reorganization of P. A peak in iron-bound P may reflect higher fluxes of hydrothermally derived Fe to eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean sediments from 11 to 8 Ma. Lower detrital P values for western Site 851 reflect a greater distance of this site from a terrigenous source area, compared to that of Sites 844 and 846. Phosphorus mass accumulation rates (P-MARs; units of µmol P/cm**2/k.y.) were calculated using total P concentrations (not including the minor and oceanically unreactive detrital P component) and sedimentation rates and dry-bulk densities averaged over time intervals of 0.5 m.y. P-MARs generally decrease from 17 Ma to the present. Eastern transect Sites 844 and 846 display a decrease in P-MARs from about 30 to 10 in the interval from 17 to 8 Ma, while western transect Site 851 is highly variable during this interval. P-MARs increase to about 45 and stay relatively high from 8 to 6 Ma, then decrease toward the present to some of the lowest values of the record (about 10). The general trend of high P-MARs at about 6 Ma and decreasing values toward the present is correlated with other geochemical and sedimentary trends through this interval and may reflect (1) a change in net sediment and P burial, (2) a reorganization of fluxes with no change of net burial, or (3) a combination of the two.

Time Delays on the Identification of the Need for CPR for Limited English Proficient 9-1-1 Callers

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-08

Investigating the role of glutathione and glutathione biosynthetic genes in the adaptation of Anopheles gambiae to insecticides

Malaria remains a serious public health challenge in the tropical world, with 584,000 deaths globally in 2013, of which 90% occurred in Africa, and mostly in pregnant women and children under the age of five. Anopheles gambiae (An. gambiae) is the principal malaria vector in Africa, where vector control measures involve the use of insecticides in the forms of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS). The development of insecticides resistance mitigates these approaches. Glutathione (GSH) is widely distributed among all living organisms, and is associated with detoxification pathways, especially the Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Its direct involvement and relevance in insecticide resistance in An. gambiae has not been determined. Thus, this work examines the contribution of GSH, its biosynthetic genes (GCLM, GCLC) and their possible transcriptional regulator Nrf2 in insecticide resistance in An. gambiae sampled from agricultural setting (areas of intensive agriculture) and residential setting (domestic area). Bioinformatics analysis, W.H.O. adult susceptibility bioassays and molecular techniques were employed to investigate. Total RNA was first isolated from the adults An. gambiae mosquitoes raised from agricultural and residential field-caught larvae which had been either challenged or unchallenged with insecticides. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR using gel image densitometry was used to determine the expression levels of GCLM, GCLC genes and Nrf2. Bioinformatics’ results established the presence of putative AGAP010259 (AhR) and AGAP005300 (Nf2e1) transcription factor binding sites in An. gambiae GCLC and GCLM promoters in silico. An. gambiae s.l. studied here were highly resistant to DDT and permethrin but less resistant to bendiocarb. Both knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation variants L1014S and L1014F that confers resistance to pyrethroid insecticides were identified in both An. coluzzii and An. arabiensis sampled from northern Nigeria. The L1014F was much associated with An. coluzzii. A significant positive correlation (P=0.04) between the frequency of the L1014F point mutation and resistance to DDT and permethrin was observed. However, a weak or non-significant correlation (P=0.772) between the frequency of the L1014S point mutation and resistance was also found. L1014S and L1014F mutations co-occurred in both agricultural and residential settings with high frequencies. However, the frequencies of the two mutations were greater in the agricultural settings than in the residential settings. The levels of total, reduced and oxidized GSH were significantly higher in mosquitoes from agricultural sites than those from residential sites. Increased oxidized GSH levels appears to correlate with higher DDT resistance. The expression levels of GCLM, GCLC and Nrf2 were also significantly up-regulated in adults An. gambiae raised from agricultural and residential field-caught larvae when challenged with insecticide. However, there was higher constitutive expression of GCLM, GCLC and Nrf2 in mosquitoes from agricultural setting. The increased expression levels of these genes and also GSH levels in this population suggest their roles in the response and adaptation of An. gambiae to insecticide challenges. There exists the feasibility of using GSH status in An. gambiae to monitor adaptation and resistance to insecticides.

Caracterização do estoque de anchoita (engraulis anchoita) da região Sul do Brasil e utilização desta matéria-prima na elaboração de produto de alto valor agregado

O trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar o estoque de anchoita (Engraulis anchoita) capturado na região sul do Brasil, visando à utilização deste recurso de alto valor biológico no desenvolvimento de produtos semi-prontos e de fácil preparo, tipo empanado. Os experimentos foram conduzidos com anchoita resultante de cruzeiros realizados pelo Navio Oceanográfico Atlântico Sul da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), RS, Brasil. Os exemplares foram capturados entre a cidade de Rio Grande (32ºS, RS-Brasil) e 51ºW. Após captura, o pescado foi armazenado a bordo em mistura de gelo e água do mar, na razão 1:1. As amostras foram transportadas para o laboratório de Biotecnologia da FURG e mantidas sob congelamento a -18°C, até a realização das análises. O trabalho está constituído por uma revisão bibliográfica, que enfatiza a importância do recurso pesqueiro em estudo como potencial a ser explorado, discorre sobre ácidos graxos e perfil de voláteis, bem como, o desenvolvimento de produtos à base de pescado. O desenvolvimento do trabalho é expresso por quatro artigos. O primeiro teve como objetivo caracterizar o estoque de anchoita segundo a biometria, rendimento, composição proximal, compostos nitrogenados e ácidos graxos. O rendimento, a composição proximal e o perfil de ácidos graxos foram realizados nas três frações que compõe o peixe: músculo claro, escuro e vísceras. A análise dos resultados demonstrou a variabilidade dos componentes em função das frações avaliadas e da época de captura, o que pode contribuir para a escolha do processo tecnológico a ser aplicado no desenvolvimento de produtos de alto valor agregado a partir dessa matéria-prima. No segundo artigo foi determinado o perfil de ácidos graxos da anchoita e avaliado o comportamento destes compostos durante o armazenamento congelado, bem como, dos voláteis gerados. Os resultados demonstraram a influência do armazenamento na modificação dos ácidos graxos, em especial, EPA e DHA, e que os voláteis gerados podem ser um índice em potencial para avaliar a qualidade da anchoita congelada. No terceiro artigo objetivou-se selecionar e treinar julgadores para avaliação do odor a pescado utilizando os padrões referência obtidos a partir do perfil de voláteis. Neste sentido, foi levantada a terminologia que descreve o odor da anchoita, definido padrões referência, bem como, selecionado e treinado uma equipe de julgadores. Foram utilizados 20 candidatos, deste total, 9 foram selecionados pelo método das amplitudes. Os julgadores selecionados foram submetidos ao treinamento no uso de escala não estruturada e na avaliação da intensidade do odor a pescado. O desempenho dos julgadores foi definido utilizando como amostra solução de lavagem resultante do processo de obtenção de base protéica de anchoita. Os resultados foram avaliados com base no poder de discriminação, repetibilidade das respostas e concordância entre julgadores, segundo análise de variância, com duas fontes de variação (amostra e repetições). Foram obtidos os valores de Famostra e Frepetição, para cada julgador. Os julgadores com o valor de Famostra significativo (p≤0,30) e Frepetição não significativo (p>0,05), bem como, concordância de médias com os demais julgadores foram considerados treinados. Segundo esse processo a equipe foi constituída por 8 julgadores selecionados e treinados na avaliação do odor a pescado. Finalmente, no quarto artigo foi avaliada a possibilidade de uso de base protéica (BPP) de anchoita na elaboração de massa base de empanados, bem como, em substituição a farinha de cobertura. Para obtenção das BPPs, foram testadas duas soluções extratoras (3 ciclos de extração com ácido fosfórico 0,05% e 1 ciclo de ácido fosfórico seguido de 2 ciclos com água). A BPP obtida na melhor condição utilizada foi seca a 70°C e submetida ao processo de moagem em moinho de facas para ser utilizada como farinha de cobertura. Formulações de empanado utilizando diferentes concentrações (25, 50, 75 e 100%) de anchoita desidratada na cobertura foram testadas no produto frito e forneado. Um teste de preferência com consumidores em potencial foi aplicado às diferentes formulações. Os resultados indicaram que a melhor condição de lavagem para obtenção das BPPs testadas foi quando são utilizados 3 ciclos de extração com ácido fosfórico. A avaliação da preferência junto ao consumidor em potencial demonstrou que a anchoita desidratada pode ser utilizada como farinha de cobertura em empanados na concentração de até 75%.

Memória autobiográfica em jovens adultos com comportamentos suicidários

2008 Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para a obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica

Acute mesenteric ischemia of arterial origin: importance of early revascularization

Voir aussi : F. Plumereau, S. Mucci, P. Le Naoures, J.B. Finel, A. Hamy. Ischémie mésentérique aiguë d’étiologie artérielle : intérêt d’une revascularisation précoce. Journal de Chirurgie Viscérale, Volume 152, Issue 1, February 2015, pp. 16-21. doi:10.1016/j.jchirv.2014.07.014

Cross-resistance to elvitegravir and dolutegravir in 502 patients failing on raltegravir: a French national study of raltegravir-experienced HIV-1-infected patients

International audience

Efeito do Fucoidam de Fucus vesiculosus em um modelo experimental de artrite reumatóide

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is systemic auto imune disorder. It is caracterized by chronic inflammation of joints leading to progressive erosion of cartilage and bone. We investigated the effect of the administration of fucoidan, sulfated polysaccharides, from algae Fucus vesiculosus in the acute (6h) in zymosan-induced arthritis (AZy). Wistar rats (180-230 g) were used for all groups experimental. Non-treated animals received just intraarticular injection of 1 mg the zymosan, control group received intraarticular injection of 50 µL the saline, groups received either fucoidan of Fucus vesiculosus (15, 30, 50 or 70 mg/Kg) or parecoxib (1 mg/Kg) 1 hour after injection of zymosan. After 6 h, the articular exudates were collected for evaluation of the cell influx and nitrite (Griess reaction) release. The sinovial membranes and articular cartilages were excised for histopathological analysis and by determination of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG), respectively. ZyA led to increased NO and cell influx into the joints. Therapeutic administration of the fucoidan or parecoxib did significantly inhibited the cell influx and the synovitis, as compared to non-treated rats (p<0,05), though being able to reduced NO release. Representative agarose gel electrophoresis of the GAGs, the content of condroitin-sulphate was observed during the process. These findings suggest that the fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus has potential anti-inflammatory activity

Effects of two teaching strategies on the relationship between nursing students’ self-efficacy and performance in BLS/AED

Purpose: Nurses and nursing students are often first responders to in-hospital cardiac arrest events; thus they are expected to perform Basic Life Support (BLS) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) without delay. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between nursing students’ self-efficacy and performance before and after receiving a particular training intervention in BLS/AED. Materials and methods: Explanatory correlational study. 177 nursing students received a 4-h training session in BLS/AED after being randomized to either a self-directed (SDG) or an instructor-directed teaching group (IDG).1 A validated self-efficacy scale, the Cardiff Test and Laerdal SkillReporter® software were used to assess students’ self-efficacy and performance in BLS/AED at pre-test, post-test and 3-month retention-test. Independent t-test analysis was performed to compare the differences between groups at pre-test. Pearson coefficient (r) was used to calculate the strength of the relationship between self-efficacy and performance in both groups at pre-test, post-test and retention-test. Results: Independent t-tests analysis showed that there were non-significant differences (p-values > 0.05) between groups for any of the variables measured. At pre-test, results showed that correlation between self-efficacy and performance was moderate for the IDG (r = 0.53; p < 0.05) and the SDG (r = 0.49; p < 0.05). At post-test, correlation between self-efficacy and performance was much higher for the SDG (r = 0.81; p < 0.05) than for the IDG (r = 0.32; p < 0.05), which in fact was weaker than at pre-test. Finally, it was found that whereas the correlation between self-efficacy and performance increased from the post-test to the retention-test to almost reach baseline levels for the ILG (r = 0.52; p < 0.05), it slightly decreased in this phase for the SDG (r = 0.77; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Student-directed strategies may be more effective than instructor-directed strategies at promoting self-assessment and, therefore, may help to improve and maintain the relationship between nursing student self-efficacy and actual ability to perform BLS/AED.

Qubit state estimation and enhancement by quantum thermal noise

International audience

Classificação de esquizofrenia com base em máquinas de suporte vetorial aplicadas a características de imagens de ressonância magnética

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade Gama, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Biomédica, 2015.

Antibiotic Therapy for Very Low BirthWeigh Newborns in NICU

Background: Prolonged empiric antibiotics therapy in neonates results in several adverse consequences including widespread antibiotic resistance, late onset sepsis (LOS), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), prolonged hospital course (HC) and increase in mortality rates. Objectives: To assess the risk factors and the outcome of prolonged empiric antibiotic therapy in very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns. Materials and Methods: Prospective study in VLBW neonates admitted to NICU and survived > 2 W, from July 2011 - June 2012. All relevant perinatal and postnatal data including duration of antibiotics therapy (Group I < 2W vs Group II > 2W) and outcome up to the time of discharge or death were documented and compared. Results: Out of 145 newborns included in the study, 62 were in group I, and 83 in Group II. Average duration of antibiotic therapy was 14 days (range 3 - 62 days); duration in Group I and Group II was 102.3 vs 25.510.5 days. Hospital stay was 22.311.5 vs 44.3 14.7 days, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed following risk factors as significant for prolonged empiric antibiotic therapy: VLBW especially < 1000 g, (P < 0.001), maternal Illness (P = 0.003), chorioamnionitis (P = 0.048), multiple pregnancy (P = 0.03), non-invasive ventilation (P < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001). Seventy (48.3%) infants developed LOS; 5 with NEC > stage II, 12 (8.3%) newborns died. Infant mortality alone and with LOS/NEC was higher in group II as compared to group I (P < 0.002 and < 0.001 respectively). Conclusions: Prolonged empiric antibiotic therapy caused increasing rates of LOS, NEC, HC and infant mortality

Effects of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells lysosomal function:implications for age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Purpose: RPE lysosomal dysfunction is a major contributor to AMD pathogenesis. Controlled activity of a major class of RPE proteinases, the cathepsins, is crucial in maintaining correct lysosomal function. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulate in the Bruch’s membrane (BM) with age, impacting critical RPE functions and in turn, contributing to the development of AMD. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of AGEs on lysosomal function by analysing the expression, processing and activity of the cysteine proteinases cathepsins B, L and S, and the aspartic proteinase cathepsin D. Methods: ARPE-19 cells were cultured on AGE-containing BM mimics (matrigel) for 14 days and compared to untreated substrate. Expression levels and intracellular processing of cathepsins B, D, L and S, were assessed by qPCR and immunoblotting of cell lysates. Lysosomal activity was investigated using multiple activity assays specific to each of the analysed cathepsins. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student’s independent T-test. Results: AGE exposure produced a 36% decrease in cathepsin L activity when compared to non-treated controls (p=0.02, n= 3) although no significant changes were observed in protein expression/processing under these conditions. Both the pro and active forms of cathepsin S decreased by 40% (p=0.04) and 74% (p=0.004), respectively (n=3). In contrast, the active form of the cathepsin D increased by 125% (p=0.005, n= 4). However, no changes were observed in the activity levels of both cathepsins S and D. In addition, cathepsin B expression, processing and activity also remained unaltered following AGE exposure. Conclusions: AGEs accumulation in the extracellular matrix, a phenomenon associated with the natural aging process of the BM, attenuates the expression, intracellular processing and activity of specific lysosomal effectors. Altered enzymatic function may impair important lysosomal processes such as endocytosis, autophagy and phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments, each of which may influence the age-related dysfunction of the RPE and subsequently, AMD pathogenesis.

Composição botânica e qualidade do pasto selecionado por ovelhas em caatinga raleada e enriquecida.

Resumo: O presente estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de determinar a composição botânica e a qualidade da dieta selecionada por ovelhas, através da técnica de micro-histologia fecal, em caatinga raleada e enriquecida com capim massai (Panicum maximum cv. Massai), recebendo diferentes quantidades de concentrado (0; 200; 350 e 500 g de concentrado por dia), e em diferentes períodos do ano (águas, transição água-seca e seca). Foram estimados também o consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes, bem como a degradabilidade de espécies forrageiras ingeridas pelas ovelhas. Os experimentos foram realizados na Fazenda Crioula do Meio, pertencente a Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos em Sobral, CE no período de março a novembro de 2013. No Experimento 1, para a determinação da composição botânica e qualidade da dieta selecionada, foram utilizadas dezesseis ovelhas Somalis brasileira, gestantes, multíparas e peso médio de 30,58+2,48 kg. O acompanhamento da ingestão do pasto pelas ovelhas foi feito em três períodos (águas, transição água-seca e seca), referentes aos meses de abril, junho e agosto de 2013, respectivamente. Amostras das plantas foram coletadas para o preparo das lâminas de referência, e posterior identificação e caracterização dos descritores epidérmicos. O mesmo foi feito para as fezes coletadas nas ovelhas. Com base na proporção de cada espécie identificada nas lâminas fecais que compuseram a dieta, e na composição química das forrageiras identificadas, foi possível determinar a qualidade da dieta ingerida. De 76 espécies observadas no pasto, 33 foram identificadas na dieta das ovelhas, destacando as espécies sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia), centrosema (Centrosema sp.), ervanço (Alternanthera brasiliana), massai (Panicum maximum cv Massai) e paco-paco (Wissadula rostrata) como as mais selecionadas pelos animais ao longo dos períodos, chegando a compor mais de 50% da dieta selecionada. Com a chegada do período seco, espécies indesejáveis como o marmeleiro (Croton sonderianus) e o mofumbo (Combretum lepreosum), também fizeram parte das plantas selecionadas. Quanto ao valor nutritivo da dieta selecionada, os animais selecionaram uma dieta com valor nutritivo superior ao amostrado no pasto. No Experimento 2, na mesma condição do experimento anterior, trinta e duas ovelhas Somalis brasileira foram utilizadas para determinação do consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes, realizado em três ensaios (abril - terço final de gestação; junho - lactação e agosto - desmame). Para predição do consumo, o indicador LIPE® foi utilizado. Pesagens quinzenais foram realizadas para avaliação do desempenho das ovelhas e dos cordeiros nascidos. O concentrado oferecido favoreceu a maior ingestão e digestibilidade da MS e PB, com efeito substitutivo em relação ao consumo de pasto (P<0,05). Para o período seco, menores consumos foram observados em relação aos períodos das águas e de transição água-seca (P<0,05). Maiores consumos e digestibilidades dos constituintes fibrosos foram observados para as ovelhas não suplementados (P<0,05). Na avaliação do desempenho, a suplementação oferecida determinou os maiores pesos verificados durante a lactação, ao desmame e para os pesos ao nascer e ao desmame dos cordeiros (P<0,05). No Experimento 3, dois ovinos Morada Nova foram utilizados para determinação da degradabilidade da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) de cinco das forrageiras selecionadas pelas ovelhas no Experimento 1: M. caesalpiniaefolia, A. brasiliana, P. maximum cv. Massai, jurema-preta (Mimosa tenuiflora), C. leprosum, nos tempos 0, 6, 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas de incubação. Para cada forrageira, foram determinadas equações para o desaparecimento da MS, PB e FDN. Também foi feito o fracionamento da proteína em suas porções degradáveis e não degradáveis no rúmen. Foi observado maior desaparecimento da MS, PB e FDN, além dos melhores níveis de proteína efetivamente degradada no rúmen para A. brasiliana, seguido pelo P. maximum cv. Massai e M. caesalpiniaefolia. Com as informações obtidas, conclui-se que a micro-histologia fecal apresenta-se como uma técnica viável para avaliações da composição botânica da dieta selecionada por ovinos na caatinga. Ovelhas na caatinga possuem uma grande habilidade de selecionar a dieta, modificando-a ao longo das fases fenológicas, sempre na tentativa de estabelecer uma dieta com melhor valor nutritivo. Forrageiras como A. brasiliana, M. caesalpiniaefolia e o P. maximum cv. Massai, podem ser consideradas um interessante recurso alimentar, em virtude de seu valor nutricional e aproveitamento por ovelhas criadas na caatinga. Abstract: This study was conducted in order to determine the botanical composition and diet quality selected by sheep through fecal micro-histological technique, in thinned and enriched caatinga with Massai grass (Panicum maximum cv Massai.), receiving different amounts of concentrate (0; 200; 350 and 500 g of concentrate per day) at different periods (wet, transition wet-dry and dry). Were also estimated the intake, digestibility, as well as the degradability of forage species eaten by sheep. The experiments were performed in the "Fazenda Crioula do Meio", owned by Embrapa Goats and Sheep, in Sobral, Ceará State, Brazil, from march to november 2013. In Trial 1, sixteen female, pregnant, multiparous, with average body weight of 30,58+2,48 kg Somalis brasileira breed sheep were used to determine the botanical composition and the quality of the selected diet. The monitoring of pasture intake of sheep were conducted in three phenological periods of the caatinga's pasture (wet season, transition wet-dry and dry season). Plant samples were collected for the preparation of the reference slides, with subsequent identification and characterization of epidermal descriptors. The same was done for the feces collected in sheep. Considering the proportion of each species identified in fecal slides which composed the diet, and the chemical composition of forage identified, it was possible to determine the quality of the selected diet. From 76 species observed in the pasture, 33 species was identified in the sheep selected diet, emphasizing the Sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia), centrosema (Centrosema sp.), ervanço (Alternanthera brasiliana), massai (Panicum maximum cv Massai) e paco-paco (Wissadula rostrata) as the most selected species by sheep during the study, composing more than 50% of the selected diet. In the Dry Season, undesirable species like marmeleiro (Croton sonderianus) and mofumbo (Combretum leprosum), were also constituent of the diet. Regarding to the nutritional value of selected diet, the sheep selected a diet with more protein than the sampled in the pasture. In the final late gestation, the sheep without supplementation ate a diet above 16% of CP, higher than the selected diet by treatments 350 and 500 g of concentrate per day (P<0.05). Were also observed to the non supplemented sheep, less fiber content intake (P<0.05). In the Trial 2, in the same condition of the first Trial, thirty two Somalis brasileira female sheep were used to determine the intake and digestibility, conducted in three assays (April - third late pregnancy; June - lactation and August - weaning). To predict the intake, the marker LIPE was used. Sheep and lambs were weighted every two weeks to performance evaluation. The concentrate offered to sheep favored to higher intake and digestibility of DM and CP than non supplemented sheep, with inverse relationship to the pasture intake (P<0.05). For the Dry Season, lower intake were observed than for Wet Season and Transition Wet-Dry (P<0.05). Higher intakes and digestibility of the fiber constituents were verified to non supplemented sheep (P<0.05). To performance evaluation, the offered supplementation determined the higher weights observed during lactation and weaning of sheep, and to birth and weaning weights of lambs (P<0.05). In Trial 3, two male sheep were used to determine the degradability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of five forages selected by sheep in Trial 1: M. caesalpiniaefolia, A. brasiliana, P. maximum cv. Massai, jurema-preta (Mimosa tenuiflora) and C. lepreosum, at zero, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of incubation. For each forage, were determined equations for the disappearance of DM, CP and NDF. It was also realized the protein fractions in their degradable and non-degradable in the rumen parts. Was detected a higher disappearance of DM, CP and NDF, as also better proportion of the rumen degradable protein to A. brasiliana, followed by P. maximum cv. Massai and M. caesalpiniaefolia. With the information obtained, it is concluded that the fecal micro histological technique presents as a viable technique to evaluate the selected diet by sheep in caatinga's pasture. On this pasture, the sheep are skilled to select the diet, changing during the phenological phases, trying to form a diet of better nutritive value. Forages as A. brasiliana, P. maximum cv. Massai and M. caesalpiniaefolia, can be considered an interesting food source to ewes kept in the caatinga.

Evidence for a non-replicative intracellular stage of nontypable Haemophilus influenzae in epithelial cells

Nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a Gram-negative, non-capsulated human bacterial pathogen, a major cause of a repertoire of respiratory infections, and intimately associated with persistent lung bacterial colonization in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Despite its medical relevance, relatively little is known about its mechanisms of pathogenicity. In this study, we found that NTHi invades the airway epithelium by a distinct mechanism, requiring microtubule assembly, lipid rafts integrity, and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signalling. We found that the majority of intracellular bacteria are located inside an acidic subcellular compartment, in a metabolically active and non-proliferative state. This NTHi-containing vacuole (NTHi-CV) is endowed with late endosome features, co-localizing with LysoTracker, lamp-1, lamp-2, CD63 and Rab7. The NTHi-CV does not acquire Golgi- or autophagy-related markers. These observations were extended to immortalized and primary human airway epithelial cells. By using NTHi clinical isolates expressing different amounts of phosphocholine (PCho), a major modification of NTHi lipooligosaccharide, on their surfaces, and an isogenic lic1BC mutant strain lacking PCho, we showed that PCho is not responsible for NTHi intracellular location. In sum, this study indicates that NTHi can survive inside airway epithelial cells.