Tartarugas marinhas da Bacia Potiguar/RN: diagnóstico, biologia alimentar e ameaças

This work aimed to study the diversity and distribution of marine sea turtles stranded in Potiguar Basin, Rio Grande do Norte, as well as aspects related to feeding behavior associated with human impacts. The study was conducted through the analysis of data from stranded animals, recorded in a daily monitoring in an area bounded on the north by the municipality of Aquiraz, in the state of Ceará, and the east by the municipality of Caicara do Norte, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Stranded dead animals were necropsied and for the analysis of the diet of animals, esophagus, stomach and intestines were fixed in 10% formalin and after that, the stomach contents were sorted and stored in 70% alcohol. Representative fragments of these organs were removed for making histological slides, with a view to histological characterization of the digestive tract. 2.046 occurrences of turtles were recorded during the period from 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2012. The Chelonia mydas species showed the highest number of records and it was observed in 66.81 % (N = 1,367) of cases; followed by Eretmochelys imbricata with 4.45 % (N = 91) and by Lepidochelys olivacea with 1.22% (N = 25). The Caretta caretta and Dermochelys coriacea species were, respectively, 0.93 % (N = 19) and 0.05 % (N = 1) records of strandings. In 26.54 % of cases, it was not possible to identify the species. Regarding the spatial distribution, the stretch A was the one that had the highest number of strandings and a larger number of records were registered in the warm months of the year. The dietary analysis showed that C. mydas fed preferentially on algae; C. caretta had a diet with a predominance of the item "coral´s fragments" and E. imbricata species showed preference for an animal origin material. Related to this anthropic interaction, 57.14 % (n = 76) of animals that died at the rehabilitation s base, showed cause of death due to complications from ingesting debris. According to the data presented, the Potiguar Basin presents itself as an area with important diversity and distribution of marine sea turtle as well is characterized as a feeding and nidification area for these species

Preferential infection sites of Cysticercus bovis in cattle experimentally infected with Taenia saginata eggs

The preferential sites of infection of Cysticercus bovis were evaluated in the skeletal muscle and entrails of 25 cattle that were experimentally infected with Taenia saginata (2 x 10(4) eggs). Two other animals were not inoculated (control). Ninety days after inoculation, all the cattle were euthanized. The carcasses were deboned and dissected into 26 anatomical sections (masseter muscles, brain, tongue, esophagus, heart, diaphragm, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, top sirloin butt, bottom sirloin butt, outside round, top (inside) round, transversus abdominus, top sirloin cap, strip loin, full tenderloin, eye of round, knuckle, shoulder clod, foreshank, shank, chuck, back ribs, and tail muscles). The dissected tissues were sliced into 5 mm sections. From the 25 cattle, 9258 C. bovis (cysticerci) were recovered; 75.02% (6946) of these were recovered from skeletal muscles and 24.98% (2312) from the entrails. A high parasitism level was found in the shoulder clod (12.55%), heart (11.02%), liver (9.48%), masseter muscles (8.51%), chuck (8.25%), strip loin and full tenderloin (7.26%), knuckle (6.63%), and back ribs (5.53%), totaling 69.23% (5738) of all of the detected cysticerci. on the other hand, there was a low C. bovis parasitism level in the brain, spleen, tail muscles, kidneys, esophagus, and diaphragm, representing just 3.9% of the total number of cysticerci. Given these results, we conclude that specific skeletal musculature regions, such as the shoulder blade, chuck, strip loin and full tenderloin, knuckle, back ribs and top round, which are not officially examined in many countries, are effective sites to efficiently screen C. bovis infection. To date, these regions have not been considered as preferential sites of C. bovis infection. Based on our work, however, these regions deserve greater attention from health inspectors because they contained a greater number of Cysticercus than the other regions of carcasses that are parasitized by T. saginata larvae. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Steinernema brazilense n. sp (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from Mato Grosso, Brazil

A new entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema brazilense n. sp., was isolated from a single soil sample collected from a natural forest in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. S. brazilense n. sp. is characterized morphologically by features of infective juveniles (IJ), males and females. For the IJ, body length averaging 1157 (1023-1284) mu m, distance from anterior end to excretory pore 95 (87-102) mu m, from anterior end to end of esophagus 148 (139-153) mu m, tail length 85 (80-104) mu m, D% and E% values 63 (58-70) and 106 (95-118.0), respectively. Lateral field pattern variable; the formula for the arrangement of ridges from head to tail is: 2, 4, 6, 8, 6, 2. For the male, the diagnostic characters include spicule averaging 83 (75-89) mu m; D% about 65; the ratio SW% about 192. The length of spicule head is greater than width. Lateral field with one narrow ridge. First generation females are characterized by the presence of a ventral postanal swelling. S. brazilense n. sp. is morphologically close to Steinernema diaprepesi. It can be differentiated from S. diaprepesi by its longer IJ body length (1157 vs 1002 mu m), longer distance from anterior end to excretory pore (1110 vs 75 mu m), a longer tail length (103 vs 83 mu m); males of the new species with longer spicule (83 vs 79 mu m). The new species can be distinguished further from other members of Steinernema glaseri group by characteristics of rDNA of ITS and D2D3 regions. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Microscopic features of tick-bite lesions in anteaters and armadillos - Emas National Park and the Pantanal region of Brazil

The naturally occurring wildlife host associations between ticks and tick-borne pathogens found in the neotropics are poorly described. Understanding tick-bite lesions is important as these are the site of host reaction to and pathogen delivery by ticks. As part of a comprehensive study concerning established and emerging tick-host relationships. The present work describes some aspects of tick-bite lesions in anteaters and armadillos captured at the Emas National Park and the Pantanal region of Brazil. Biopsies were of skin were taken and examine. Tick feeding sites of all animals displayed an eosinophilic homogeneous mass, the cement cone, and, occasionally, a feeding cavity underneath the tick attachment site. At these locations the epidermis was usually thickened due to keratinocyte hyperplasia. The main dermal changes included tissue infiltration with a varying number of inflammatory cells, edema, hemorrhage. and vascular dilatation. Cellular infiltration of the dermis was predominantly composed of mononuclear cells, neutrophils. and eosinophils. Mast cells were also seen in both non-parasitized and parasitized skin but were found in higher numbers at perivascular sites and in parasitized skin. Basophils were not seen at tick attachment sites of anteaters or armadillos.

Distribution of Taenia saginata metacestodes: a comparison of routine meat inspection and carcase dissection results in experimentally infected calves

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The adrenergic regulation of the cardiovascular system in the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus

The present study investigates adrenergic regulation of the systemic and pulmonary circulations of the anaesthetised South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus. Haemodynamic measurements were made following bolus injections of adrenaline and adrenergic antagonists administered through a systemic arterial catheter. Adrenaline caused a marked systemic vasoconstriction that was abolished by phentolamine, indicating this response was mediated through alpha-adrenergic receptors. Injection of phentolamine gave rise to a pronounced vasodilatation (systemic conductance (G(sys)) more than doubled), while injection of propranolol caused a systemic vasoconstriction, pointing to a potent alpha-adrenergic, and a weaker beta-adrenergic tone in the systemic vasculature of Crotalus. Overall, the pulmonary vasculature was far less responsive to adrenergic stimulation than the systemic circulation. Adrenaline caused a small but non-significant pulmonary vasodilatation and there was tendency of reducing this dilatation after either phentolamine or propranolol. Injection of phentolamine increased pulmonary conductance (G(pul)), while injection of propranolol produced a small pulmonary constriction, indicating that alpha-adrenergic and beta-adrenergic receptors contribute to a basal regulation of the pulmonary vasculature. Our results suggest adrenergic regulation of the systemic vasculature, rather than the pultrionary, may be an important factor in the development of intracardiac shunts. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Caracterização biológica, histopatológica e análise de ácido nucléico de uma cepa Trypanosoma cruzi da região de Marília, SP

Estudou-se o comportamento biológico e histopatológico de uma cepa genuínamente mariliense de Trypanosoma cruzi, isolada em 1997 através de xenodiagnóstico artificial. Vinte e cinco camundongos swiss foram infectados intraperitonealmente, sendo 11 utilizados para a realização da curva parasitêmica e observação da morfologia dos tripomastigotas e 14 foram sacrificados após o 17, 23, 30, 60 e 180 dias pós-infecção e coletados coração, esôfago, fígado, cólon, e músculo esquelético (fragmento da coxa direita) para análise histopatológica. Cultura em meio LIT foi realizada para análise de DNA. Os resultados mostraram predomínio de formas largas, baixa parasitemia com picos médios de 860 tripomastigotas/5mil de sangue ao redor do 20º dia de infecção. Nenhum camundongo morreu na fase aguda da infecção. Exame histopatológico mostrou poucos ninhos de amastigotas em coração, raros em músculo esquelético e cólon com discreto processo inflamatório. Comparada com a cepa Y, que foi isolada de uma paciente da mesma região, notamos diferentes características biológicas e comportamentais, porém a análise de DNA as coloca no mesmo grupo, demonstrando a proximidade dessas cepas.

Consumo e digestibilidade aparente de dietas com níveis crescentes do subproduto do caju em ovinos

The present study was conducted to evaluate the intake and digestibility of diets containing increasing levels of byproduct of cashew in sheep. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design were evaluated in four levels (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%) by product of cashew with four replicates, making up 16 observations. The indicator used was the Purified Lignin and Enriched - LIPE ®. The scorer was orally administered directly into the mouth of the animals, in the form of capsules 250mg/animal/dia for a period of two days and five days of adaptation samples being the same supplied with the aid of a hose polyethylene and a device allowing the release of the capsule in the esophagus of sheep. With the estimate made by the indicator LIPE was observed a reduction for DM, OM, CP, NDF, EE, NFC and MM along the inclusion of byproduct of cashew. The results of nutrient digestibility were not satisfactory with the inclusion of byproduct of cashew, reducing linearly with the inclusion of the diets. The use of increasing levels of byproduct of cashew in the diets of sheep did not provide satisfactory results, it is not feasible to use the animals studied in this experiment

Comportamento de mergulho do boto-cinza, Sotalia guianensis, na enseada do Curral, Praia de Pipa-RN, Brasil :possíveis adaptações cardíacas ao mergulho

The marine tucuxi, Sotalia guianensis, is one of the smallest known cetaceans, has coastal habits, and occurs from Hondures to Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil. The objective of this dissertation was to describe diving behavior of the marine tucuxi in three age classes and to analyze the cardiac capacity to dive through the examination of hearts of stranded specimens. Observations were made from October 2004 to November 2005 from a vantage point, in Curral Bay at Pipa beach-RN. We used Ad Libitum sampling and All occurrences to record the behaviors. The diving was characterized by the total exposition of the tail fluke for a few seconds, in 90° or 45° angles. Were recorded 131 dives in three behavioral contexts: foraging, traveling and socialization. The difference between juveniles and adults in dive time and fluke out at 45° or 90° to search and/or capture prey is probably influenced by the strategy used and ability to capture the prey. The frequency of fluke out at 90° for foraging in adults may be related to increased physiological efficiency of adults in comparison to juveniles. However, in the context of travel and socialization the dive time and fluke out were independent between the age classes. Dive in calves were frequent during socialization (play behavior) and traveling. This, associated with synchronic calve-adult diving suggests that a relationship of these behaviors and the acquisition of experience and foraging skills. As observed in other cetaceans, the heart (n=12) of the estuarine dolphin is broad and presents long ventricles which form a round apex. The right ventricle is long and narrow. The degree of dilatation of the aortic bulb may support the heart during diastole. The characteristic morphology of the heart and short dive duration < 2 min and depth ranged from 10m in the estuarine dolphin, can be likely at physiological adaptation for diving, typical de dolphins with coastal habits. The limitation of diving time in this specie may be influenced by anatomical and physiological restrictions

Bovine pericardium retail preserved in glutaraldehyde and used as a vascular patch

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

Glibenclamide effects on renal function and histology after acute hemorrhage in rats under sevoflurane anesthesia

Introduction. Hypovolemia from hemorrhage evokes protective compensatory reactions, such as the renin-angiotensin system, which interferes in the clearance function and can lead to ischemia. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of glibenclamide, a K-ATP(+) channel blocker, on renal function and histology in rats in a state of hemorrhagic shock under sevoflurane anesthesia. Material and Methods. Twenty Wistar rats were randomized into two groups of 10 animals each (G1 and G2), only one of which (G2) received intravenous glibenclamide (1 mu g.g(-1)), 60 min before bleeding was begun. Both groups were anesthetized with sevoflurane and kept on spontaneous respiration with oxygen-air, while being bled of 30% of volemia in three stages with 10 min intervals. There was an evaluation of renal function-sodium para-aminohippurate and iothalamate clearances, filtration fraction, renal blood flow, renal vascular resistance-and renal histology. Renal function attributes were evaluated at three moments: M1 and M2, coinciding with the first and third stages of bleeding; and M3, 30 min after M2, when the animals were subjected to bilateral nephrectomy before being sacrificed. Results. Significant differences were found in para-aminohippurate clearance, G1 < G2, and higher renal vascular resistance values were observed in G1. Histological examination showed the greater vulnerability of kidneys exposed to sevoflurane alone (G1) with higher scores of vascular and tubular dilatation. There were vascular congestion and tubular vacuolization only in G1. Necrosis and signs of tubular regeneration did not differ in both groups. Conclusion. Treatment with glibenclamide attenuated acutely the renal histological changes after hemorrhage in rats under sevoflurane anesthesia.

Avaliação do tempo de trânsito esofágico pelo ultrassom: influência do gênero e índice de massa corpórea

OBJETIVO: Utilizar a ultrassonografia do esôfago intra-abdominal para avaliar o tempo de trânsito esofágico para água e iogurte, em posição ortostática, e avaliar a influência do gênero e índice de massa corpórea. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 89 indivíduos adultos jovens, sem clínica de doenças do trato gastrintestinal superior, sendo 40 do gênero feminino (média de 20,13 ± 1,62 anos) e 49 do gênero masculino (média de 20,43 ± 2,17 anos). O tempo de trânsito esofágico foi cronometrado, com o paciente em posição ortostática, durante a deglutição de água e iogurte. RESULTADOS: O tempo de trânsito esofágico para as mulheres e para os homens foi, respectivamente: para água, de 5,84 ± 1,60 segundos versus 6,66 ± 1,68 segundos, e para iogurte, de 9,12 ± 1,96 segundos versus 9,28 ± 1,70 segundos. Não se constatou diferença entre os gêneros masculino e feminino, apesar de o fator índice de massa corpórea ser menor nas mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados obtidos do tempo de trânsito esofágico para alimento líquido (água) e pastoso (iogurte), em posição ortostática, em adultos jovens não mostraram diferença entre os gêneros, mesmos nas mulheres com índice de massa corpórea menor em relação aos homens.

Eletromanometria do esfíncter superior do esôfago antes e após perfusão esofágica com ácido clorídrico 0,1N: estudo experimental no cão

Racional — A resposta do esfíncter esofágico superior ao refluxo gastroesofágico é controvertida. A perfusão esofágica com ácido clorídrico é modelo de estudo da ação do ácido o componente mais agressivo do refluxo sobre o esfíncter. Objetivos - Estudar o efeito da acidificação esofágica sobre o esfíncter esofágico superior através da eletromanometria esofágica. - Material e Métodos - em 30 cães adultos de ambos os sexos foram registrados estudos eletromanométricos do esôfago. A técnica utilizada foi a de puxada intermitente da sonda e perfusão contínua dos cateteres com água destilada. Estes exames permitiram as medidas da amplitude da pressão (mm Hg) e do comprimento (cm) do esfíncter superior do esôfago em condições basais (momento 1). Após esta fase, os animais foram submetidos a perfusão esofágica e divididos em 3 grupos de 10, na dependência da solução utilizada na perfusão e do momento do estudo: Grupo 1: perfusão esofágica com água destilada e estudos eletromanométricos realizados aos 15 minutos (momento 2) e 30 minutos (momento 3) do término da perfusão; Grupo 2: perfusão esofágica com HCl 0,1 N e estudos eletromanométricos realizados 15 minutos após o término da perfusão (momento 2); Grupo 3: perfusão esofágica com HCl 0,1 N e estudos eletromanométricos realizados 30 minutos após o término da perfusão (momento 3). Resultados/Conclusão - Os resultados observados permitiram concluir que a acidificação do esôfago não provocou alterações significativas sobre a amplitude de pressão e comprimento do esfíncter superior do esôfago.

Preoperative and Postoperative Nutritional Evaluation in Patients with Non-advanced Megaesophagus

Megaesophagus, an affection characterized by aperistalses of the esophageal body and deficient relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter, has disphagia as main symptom. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of patients with non advanced megaesophagus in pre and post-operative periods of cardiomyotomy. Ten patients were evaluated at 5 moments (pre-operative - M 1 and post-operative - 1, 3, 6 ant 12 months after surgery). The anthropometric, hematimetric and biochemical parameters were studied in the 5 moments. Conclusions: 1. Most 017 the patients with non-advanced megaesophagus are eutrophic; 2. Surgical treatment determines an improvement in nutritional status and an increase in HDL cholesterol values.

Carcinoma de pequenas células do esôfago: estudo clínico patológico de dois casos

RACIONAL: O carcinoma de pequenas células primário do esôfago é tumor raro, agressivo, morfologicamente indistinguível de seu correspondente no pulmão. OBJETIVO: Apresentar os aspectos clínico-patológicos de dois pacientes com carcinoma de pequenas células do esôfago. RELATO DE CASOS: Paciente 1: masculino, 56 anos com disfagia progressiva há seis meses e emagrecimento, com antecedentes de tabagismo e etilismo. A endoscopia mostrou lesão vegetante dos 30 aos 40 cm da arcada dentária superior e o exame anatomopatológico, diagnosticou neoplasia maligna indiferenciada de pequenas células com marcadores imunoistoquímicos positivos para cromogranina e sinaptofisina, caracterizando a linhagem neuroendócrina da neoplasia. Após dois ciclos de quimioterapia (cisplatina e etoposide) associada à radioterapia ele apresentou remissão da disfagia. Paciente 2: masculino, 55 anos, com queixas de pirose, disfagia, rouquidão há seis meses, com emagrecimento de 10 kg no período. A endoscopia mostrou lesão vegetante à 30 cm da arcada dentária superior, obstrutiva. O exame anatomopatológico revelou carcinoma de pequenas células, com os mesmos marcadores imunoistoquímicos positivos para linhagem neuroendócrina. Tomografia computadorizada mostrou metástases hepáticas. Frente ao estadio avançado da doença optou-se pela indicação de gastrostomia. O paciente desenvolveu pneumonia e faleceu dois meses após o diagnóstico. CONCLUSÃO: A evolução dos portadores de carcinoma de pequenas células do esôfago depende do estadiamento da doença e apesar da alta agressividade biológica, este tumor apresenta boa resposta à quimioterapia associada à radioterapia.