Accumulation of a complex of pigments in sorghum mesocotyls in response to wounding

Sorghum mesocotyls upon mechanical injury with an abrasive (carborundum) or inoculation with the fungi Helminthosporium carbonum (non-pathogen) or Colletotrichum graminicola (pathogen) accumulate a methanol-soluble pigment complex with an absorption maximum around 480-490 nm. Spectral and thin-layer chromatographic analyses showed that the complexes which accumulated either in response to wounding or inoculation are similar. Thus, it is suggested that the accumulation of the pigmented phytoalexins in sorghum mesocotyls is a non-specific response of the tissues towards mechanical injury or fungal infection.

Importância do casqueamento e ferrageamento no cavalo atleta

The trimming and shoeing are of great significance in the performance and longevity of the athlete horse, and if not done or done incorrectly, cause a variety of limb injuries, which may make unusable the animal for sport, a fact of frequent occurrence, due to the small number of trained professionals in this area. The anatomy of the hoof and its functions should be maintained by maintaining the balance of the same (correct hoof trimming) and, if necessary, proper shoeing, all to avoid the hull balance alterations that lead to osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal disorders, chronic pain at the bead, synovitis, pedal osteitis, navicular disease, in addition to increase tension in the flexor tendons, suspensory ligament and proximal sesamoid causing tendinitis, desmitis and sesamoiditis proximal

Parâmetros oftálmicos em espécimes de Cuniculus paca criadas em cativeiro

Pós-graduação em Cirurgia Veterinária - FCAV

Gorlin syndrome: Importance of clinical signs and danger of delayed diagnosis A case report with eight years follow-up

Nevoid basal cell carcinoma (NBCCS) or Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GS) is a multidisciplinary problem, the early diagnosis of which allows secondary prophylaxis that follows an appropriate regimen to delay progression of the syndrome. The aim of this study was to present a case of delayed diagnosis of GS in a young patient who received multidisciplinary treatment 5 years after onset. The patient presented for evaluation with painless swelling of the left maxilla. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a keratocyst odontogenic tumor (KOT) that was enucleated. On presentation, the patient’s symptoms and clinical signs were not related to complications of GS, and the possibility of GS was initially rejected, as he did not have a family history of the syndrome. Four years after the first surgery to remove the lesion, the patient came to our clinic with a brown, pigmented lesion. Computed tomography revealed ectopic lamellar calcification of the falx cerebri, which was the conclusive factor for the diagnosis of GS. It is important that clinicians recognize the clinical signs of GS, which mainly manifests itself as multiple basal cell carcinomas in the skin.

Variable assessment of wing colouration in aerial contests of the red-winged damselfly Mnesarete pudica (Zygoptera, Calopterygidae)

Wing pigmentation is a trait that predicts the outcome of male contests in some damselflies. Thus, it is reasonable to suppose that males would have the ability to assess wing pigmentation and adjust investment in a fight according to the costs that the rival may potentially impose. Males of the damselfly Mnesarete pudica exhibit red-coloured wings and complex courtship behaviour and engage in striking male– male fights. In this study, we investigated male assessment behaviour during aerial contests. Theory suggests that the relationship between male resource-holding potential (RHP) and contest duration describes the kind of assessment adopted by males: self-assessment, opponent-only assessment or mutual assessment. A recent theory also suggests that weak and strong males exhibit variations in the assessment strategies adopted. We estimated male RHP through male body size and wing colouration (i.e. pigmentation, wing reflectance spectra and transmission spectra) and studied the relationship between male RHP and contest duration from videodocumented behavioural observations of naturally occurring individual contests in the field. The results showed that males with more opaque wings and larger red spots were more likely to win contests. The relationships between RHP and contest durations partly supported the self-assessment and the mutual assessment models. We then experimentally augmented the pigmented area of the wings, in order to evaluate whether strong and weak males assess rivals’ RHP through wing pigmentation. Our experimental manipulation, however, clearly demonstrated that strong males assess rivals’ wing pigmentation. We finally suggest that there is a variation in the assessment strategy adopted by males

Efeitos da flutamida na morfologia dos órgãos reprodutivos e fígado de Rhinella schneideri (Anura: Bufonidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito da água ozonizada e gluconato de clorexidina sobre propriedades mecânicas e microbiológicas de materiais utilizados para confecção de próteses odontológicas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Induced reproduction and early development histology of Oscar Astronotus ocellatus (Agassiz, 1831)

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

Morphological and morphometric aspects of early life stages of piabanha Brycon gouldingi (Characidae)

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

Variable assessment of wing colouration in aerial contests of the red-winged damselfly Mnesarete pudica (Zygoptera, Calopterygidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review

Melasma is a chronic acquired hypermelanosis of the skin, characterized by irregular brown macules symmetrically distributed on sun-exposed areas of the body, particularly on the face. It is a common cause of demand for dermatological care that affects mainly women (especially during the menacme), and more pigmented phenotypes (Fitzpatrick skin types III-V). Due to its frequent facial involvement, the disease has an impact on the quality of life of patients. Its pathogeny is not yet completely understood, although there are some known triggering factors such as sun exposure, pregnancy, sexual hormones, inflammatory processes of the skin, use of cosmetics, steroids, and photosensitizing drugs. There is also a clear genetic predisposition, since over 40% of patients reported having relatives affected with the disease. In this manuscript, the authors discuss the main clinical and epidemiological aspects of melasma.

S-100 protein: is it useful as a tumour marker in diagnostic immunocytochemistry

A heterogeneous group of 159 tumours was studied for the presence of S-100 protein by the immunoperoxidase technique in order to determine whether this marker may be of value in facilitating immunocytochemical diagnosis. Among cases of melanocytic and pigmented lesions, S-100 was widely distributed and demonstrated the strongest degrees of reactivity. S-100 protein was identified in virtually all nerve sheath tumours such as schwannomas, neurofibromas, myxoid sheath nerve tumour and also in some tumours of controversial histogenesis such as granular cell tumours. The great majority of carcinomas did not express S-100, with only two cases of breast carcinoma displaying focal S-100 staining. In a miscellaneous group of tumours S-100 was demonstrated in chordomas, myoepitheliomas and Wilms' tumour with Schwann cell differentiation. Despite its presence in a wide array of cell types, S-100 protein continues to be an extremely useful marker especially for soft tissue and peripheral nervous system tumours.

The effect of blue light on periodontal biofilm growth in vitro

We have previously shown that blue light eliminates the black-pigmented oral bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, and Prevotella melaninogenica. In the present study, the in vitro photosensitivity of the above black-pigmented microorganisms and four Fusobacteria species (Fusobacterium nucleatum ss. nucleatum, F. nucleatum ss. vincentii, F. nucleatum ss. polymorphum, Fusobacterium periodonticum) was investigated in pure cultures and human dental plaque suspensions. We also tested the hypothesis that phototargeting the above eight key periodontopathogens in plaque-derived biofilms in vitro would control growth within the dental biofilm environment. Cultures of the eight bacteria were exposed to blue light at 455 nm with power density of 80 mW/cm(2) and energy fluence of 4.8 J/cm(2). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of bacteria was performed to demonstrate the presence and amounts of porphyrin molecules within microorganisms. Suspensions of human dental plaque bacteria were also exposed once to blue light at 455 nm with power density of 50 mW/cm(2) and energy fluence of 12 J/cm(2). Microbial biofilms developed from the same plaque were exposed to 455 nm blue light at 50 mW/cm(2) once daily for 4 min (12 J/cm(2)) over a period of 3 days (4 exposures) in order to investigate the cumulative action of phototherapy on the eight photosensitive pathogens as well as on biofilm growth. Bacterial growth was evaluated using the colony-forming unit (CFU) assay. The selective phototargeting of pathogens was studied using whole genomic probes in the checkerboard DNA-DNA format. In cultures, all eight species showed significant growth reduction (p < 0.05). HPLC demonstrated various porphyrin patterns and amounts of porphyrins in bacteria. Following phototherapy, the mean survival fractions were reduced by 28.5 and 48.2 % in plaque suspensions and biofilms, respectively, (p < 0.05). DNA probe analysis showed significant reduction in relative abundances of the eight bacteria as a group in plaque suspensions and biofilms. The cumulative blue light treatment suppressed biofilm growth in vitro. This may introduce a new avenue of prophylactic treatment for periodontal diseases.

Bacterial oxycarotenoids added into broiler chickens ration modify breast meat color

Some markets around the world demand for well pigmented poultry products, what justifies the intentional use of synthetic additives in rations during breeding. The inconvenient for that practice most times is the elevated price of these products, beyond the argument of being chemicals, which may not be viable for some production systems. So, the aim of this experiment was to check on the ability of natural red oxycarotenoids produced by R. gelatinosus to modify broilers breast meat color. Bacterial biomass containing oxycarotenoids were added into Cobb broilers finisher diets at 0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g/kg and fed during 10 days (35-45 d). Five replicates (10 birds each) were performed. At days 35, 37, 39, 41, 43 and 45, 100 birds were slaughtered scalded, defeathered and eviscerated. Data on live and carcass weights were recorded. After cooling, color parameters of meat were determined on breast surface using a HunterLab XE Plus colorimeter calibrated with black and white standard tiles. Regression analysis was used for the investigation of relationships between days of consumption and biomass concentration on color values, live weight and carcass yield. Results showed that redness of breast meat was significantly influenced by the biomass concentration in a linear effect (P=0.0056) and also by the time of consumption, in a quadratic effect (P=0.0232). Days of consumption also affected yellowness and lightness with significant quadratic responses (P=0.0225 and P<0.0001, respectively). Birds live weight increased significantly during the application of the experimental diets (P<0.0001), showing no negative influence of the biomass administration. Also no deleterious effects derived from the application of the product were observed on carcass yield. So we concluded that R. gelatinosus oxycarotenoids present in the bacterial biomass can modify broilers breast meat color, performing as an alternative pigmenting additive in poultry production.

Quality of egg yolks after oxycarotenoids supplementation in hens' diets

Oxycarotenoids concentration in layer hens’ feed may be increased whenever the consumer market demands for more pigmented egg yolks. Oxycarotenoids present in Rubrivivax gelatinosus biomass grown in industrial wastewater have already proved their ability on enhancing yolk color. Moreover, there is a current interest on the antioxidant properties that some carotenoids may provide to food and health. So, in this experiment, we investigated the effects of oxycarotenoids supplementation in hens´ diets on yolk composition and stability to rancidity. Hy line hens aging 19 weeks were individually housed in wire cages equipped with feeders and drinkers. After 15 days receiving a corn basal diet nutritionally balanced, they were assigned to four different treatments, with six replicates, that lasted for 28 days: T1 – basal diet (control), T2 – basal diet + 1.5 mg/kg canthaxanthin, T3 – basal diet + 4.5 g/kg freeze dried R. gelatinosus biomass and T4 - basal diet + 4.5 g/kg spray dried R. gelatinosus biomass. Eggs laid on the last 5 days of rearing were collected; the yolks were separated, analyzed for pH and then freeze dried for the further analyses. Proximate composition was determined after drying and the rancidity (TBRAS method) was investigated at 0, 30 and 60 days of storage at room temperature/dark conditions. Yolks that received the oxycarotenoids had the lowest moisture content and the highest protein contents (P < 0.05). Lipids and pH were the same for all treatments (P > 0.05) and ashes only were higher for T2 (P < 0.05). All treatments that received oxycarotenoids had lower TBARS than control group and, among them, oxycarotenoids from spray dried R. gelatinosus biomass were the most effective to prevent rancidity (P < 0.05). So, we concluded that the use of R. gelatinosus biomass in hens feed brings positive effects to the yolk quality, since protein content is increased and conservation is increased due to decreased water content and lipid oxidation.