Valores hematológicos de morcegos hematófagos Desmodus rotundus (E. Geoffroy, 1810) mantidos em cativeiro

Hematological values from captive vampire bats Desmodus rotundus (E. Geoffroy, 1810). Desmodus rotundus is one of the hematophagous bat species that are responsible for significant losses to livestock and has important involvement on public health. The great interest on this bat species made it becomes the target of many investigations a required its maintenance in laboratories. Similarly to others mammals, hematological evaluation has been utilized to assess the health and morbidity state of bats, however there are scarce studies with captive bats. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that is possible to feed the vampire bat D. rotundus with frozen blood treated with citrate during a long captivity period without hematological dyscrasias. Therefore, complete blood count was performed monthly from 15 adult females kept for 345 days in cages and fed with frozen blood added to citrate. The erythrocyte concentration (9.02 ± 1.43 x1012/L), PCV (0.47 ± 0.08 L/L) and hemoglobin (163.9 ± 31.5 g/L) obtained from free-living bats (immediately after capture) were lower or similar to those obtained after 345 days of captivity, presenting erythrocytes’ count of 11.01 ± 0.82 x1012/L, packed cell volume of 0.50 ± 0.05 L/L and hemoglobin level of 158 ± 10.1 g/L. The total white blood cell (11.09 ± 6.07 x109 /L) and segmented neutrophil counts (9.85 ± 3.5 x109 /L) of free living D. rotundus decreased significantly after 345 days of captivity, with values of 3.98 ± 1.98 and 1.87 ± 978.6 x109 /L respectively, which are similar to bats from temperate regions in hibernation period. This study proved that is possible to feed D. rotundus for long periods of captivity with citrated blood without the occurrence of anemia, erythrocyte or other hematologic dyscrasia

Avaliação do desempenho e características relacionadas ao grau de infecção por helmintos de bovinos da raça nelore

Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Animal - FEIS

Acidose láctica ruminal aguda induzida experimentalmente em ovinos: estudo clínico e laboratorial

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Efeito do benzoato de estradiol na recuperação de oócitos, embriões e nos parâmetros hematológicos de cadelas recém acasaladas

We investigated estradiol benzoate effects on oocytes/embryos recovery rate and the influence of this drug on the hematopoietic system. Twenty four bitches were divided in two groups, Group I, 12 females that received a single shot of estradiol benzoate, 0.2 mg/kg intramuscularly, between 2 and 7 days after the date of the last mismating or insemination and, Group II (control), 12 bitches that received 0.2 ml/kg of oily diluent, in corresponding dates. The bitches were ovary-hysterectomized and the uterus/oviduct were isolated and flushed with a PBS, heparin and polyvinyl alcohol solution. Oocytes and embryos were quantified and classified according to their stage of development. Blood counts were performed on M1 (before drug administration), M2 (15 days after drug administration) and M3 (40 days after drug administration). Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the variable retrieval structures, while Fisher exact test was used for the analysis of embryonic viability. ANOVA was used to analyze repeated measurements and Tukey test for hematological parameters. All tests were performed at 5% significance level. The recovery rate of total structures in group I was lower (22.88%) than group II (65.85%). A lower embryo recovery (ratio 3: 52) rate and a greater number of degenerated structures (ratio 11: 1) were observed in group I. Hematological parameters showed significant difference in erythrocytes, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations 15 days after drug administration and difference in leukocytes concentration 40 days after using the medication in bitches of group I, however, at the end of the experiment all bitches had blood counts considered normal.

Influência do tratamento anti-helmíntico e da suplementação no desempenho de bezerros nelore no período pós-desmame

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Perfil inflamatório local e sistêmico de ratos Wistar com múltiplas infecções endodônticas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influência da anemia ferropriva no eletroforetrograma de hemoglobina de leitões

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos da luz visível associada à ftalocianina de cloro-alumínio na inativação da Borrelia anserina

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

Influência da anemia ferropriva no eletroforetrograma de hemoglobina de leitões

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos da luz visível associada à ftalocianina de cloro-alumínio na inativação da Borrelia anserina

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

Molecular and Electronic Structure of the Peptide Subunit of Geobacter sulfurreducens Conductive Phi from First Principles

The respiration of metal oxides by the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens requires the assembly of a small peptide (the GS pilin) into conductive filaments termed pili. We gained insights into the contribution of the GS pilin to the pilus conductivity by developing a homology model and performing molecular dynamics simulations of the pilin peptide in vacuo and in solution. The results were consistent with a predominantly helical peptide containing the conserved a-helix region required for pilin assembly but carrying a short carboxy-terminal random-coiled segment rather than the large globular head of other bacterial pilins. The electronic structure of the pain was also explored from first principles and revealed a biphasic charge distribution along the pilin and a low electronic HOMO-LUMO gap, even in a wet environment. The low electronic band gap was the result of strong electrostatic fields generated by the alignment of the peptide bond dipoles in the pilin's alpha-helix and by charges from ions in solution and amino acids in the protein. The electronic structure also revealed some level of orbital delocalization in regions of the pilin containing aromatic amino acids and in spatial regions of high resonance where the HOMO and LUMO states are, which could provide an optimal environment for the hopping of electrons under thermal fluctuations. Hence, the structural and electronic features of the pilin revealed in these studies support the notion of a pilin peptide environment optimized for electron conduction.

Necklace fibers as histopathological marker in a patient with severe form of X-linked myotubular myopathy

X-linked myotubular myopathy due to mutations in the MTM1 gene is classically characterized by a severe neonatal phenotype and a typical muscle biopsy presenting globular and centrally located nuclei in muscle myofibers. Recently, four patients with mild late-onset form have been described, a male with a hemizygous mutation and three females with heterozygous mutations in the MTM1 gene. The muscle biopsies were performed at 13-35 years of age and a new histological marker, the necklace fibers, was described. Here, we report two siblings with the pathogenic c.664 C > T mutation in the MTM1 gene, presenting a severe muscle weakness and respiratory impairment requiring ventilatory support since the first months of life until death, at the age of 36 months and 5 months. In the older brother the muscle biopsy, performed at the age of 30 months, showed almost 100% of necklace fibers, which were not present in the younger one submitted to muscle biopsy at 5 months of age. Our findings confirm the necklace fibers can be a histopathological finding of MTM1 myopathies, even in the severe neonatal form, and suggest that the necklace fibers appear or increase in number over time. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Kidney of Minke Whale (Baleanoptera acutorostrata): Architecture and structure

Sarmento C. A. P., Ferreira A. O., Rodrigues E. A. F., Lesnau G. G., Rici R. E. G., Abreu D. K., Biasi C. & Miglino M. A. 2012. [Kidney of Minke Whale (Baleanoptera acutorostrata): Architecture and structure.] Rins de Baleia Minke (Baleanoptera acutorostrata): arquitetura e estrutura. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 32(8): 807-811. Departamento de Cirurgia, Setor de Anatomia dos Animais Domesticos e Silvestres, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Sao Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. E-mail: sarmento@usp.br Among marine mammals, whale is one of the most attention-arousing animals, especially concerning its urinary tract. This system follows the pattern of mammals with regard to its constitution, however, it differs in renal morphology and number of lobes, which, in turn, form complete reniculi, agglutinated in hundreds. This structure is supported by fibrous connective tissue, but highly capable of maintaining electrolyte balance. Six pairs of kidneys of Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), collected in 1982, in Cabedelo, Paraiba, Brazil, in the last fishing allowed, were dissected. These kidneys were preserved in 10% formaldehyde and they presented a very large histologic layer of collagen surrounding the medullary wall. The urinary collecting duct form papillary glasses, that reach a single collecting center which discharges in the ureter. It was found that the kidney of Minke whale has a lobe characteristic, with, on average, 700 reniculi; each reniculus has anatomical and functional characteristics of a unipyramidal kidney, with an inner layer (medulla), and an outer layer (cortex), and independent irrigation, with formation of individually arcuate arteries, as observed in unipyramidal terrestrial mammals. However, the set gathering all these reniculi constitutes, in the end, a multilobular and polipyramidal kidney, contrary to the morphology of most terrestrial mammals. It was not possible to distinguish the renicular cortex structures of the Minke whale in the level of light microscopy. Through scanning electron microscopy, it was possible to visualize a cortical layer located between two fibrous capsules. This joint, in turn, consists of connective tissue, which, along with a layer of collagen and elastic fibers, separates the cortex from the medulla; the kidney glomeruli were visualized, completely taken by the glomerular vessels and arranged into several layers. One notices that the glomerular cavity is almost a virtual space into which the glomerular filtrate is drained, and it does not present a globular shape. Vascularization is increased in the medullary region. The difference between the kidneys of terrestrial and marine mammals consists in the arrangement of morphological components, favoring the organ's physiology.

The remarkable solar twin HIP 56948: a prime target in the quest for other Earths

Context. The Sun shows abundance anomalies relative to most solar twins. If the abundance peculiarities are due to the formation of inner rocky planets, that would mean that only a small fraction of solar type stars may host terrestrial planets. Aims. In this work we study HIP 56948, the best solar twin known to date, to determine with an unparalleled precision how similar it is to the Sun in its physical properties, chemical composition and planet architecture. We explore whether the abundances anomalies may be due to pollution from stellar ejecta or to terrestrial planet formation. Methods. We perform a differential abundance analysis (both in LTE and NLTE) using high resolution (R similar to 100 000) high S/N (600-650) Keck HIRES spectra of the Sun (as reflected from the asteroid Ceres) and HIP 56948. We use precise radial velocity data from the McDonald and Keck observatories to search for planets around this star. Results. We achieve a precision of sigma less than or similar to 0.003 dex for several elements. Including errors in stellar parameters the total uncertainty is as low as sigma similar or equal to 0.005 dex (1%), which is unprecedented in elemental abundance studies. The similarities between HIP 56948 and the Sun are astonishing. HIP 56948 is only 17 +/- 7 K hotter than the Sun, and log g, [Fe/H] and microturbulence velocity are only +0.02 +/- 0.02 dex, +0.02 +/- 0.01 dex and +0.01 +/- 0.01 km s(-1) higher than solar, respectively. Our precise stellar parameters and a differential isochrone analysis shows that HIP 56948 has a mass of 1.02 +/- 0.02 M-circle dot and that it is similar to 1 Gyr younger than the Sun, as constrained by isochrones, chromospheric activity, Li and rotation. Both stars show a chemical abundance pattern that differs from most solar twins, but the refractory elements (those with condensation temperature T-cond greater than or similar to 1000 K) are slightly (similar to 0.01 dex) more depleted in the Sun than in HIP 56948. The trend with T-cond in differential abundances (twins -HIP 56948) can be reproduced very well by adding similar to 3 M-circle plus of a mix of Earth and meteoritic material, to the convection zone of HIP 56948. The element-to-element scatter of the Earth/meteoritic mix for the case of hypothetical rocky planets around HIP 56948 is only 0.0047 dex. From our radial velocity monitoring we find no indications of giant planets interior to or within the habitable zone of HIP 56948. Conclusions. We conclude that HIP 56948 is an excellent candidate to host a planetary system like our own, including the possible presence of inner terrestrial planets. Its striking similarity to the Sun and its mature age makes HIP 56948 a prime target in the quest for other Earths and SETI endeavors.

Clinical, haematological and biochemical responses of sheep undergoing autologous blood transfusion

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, haematological and biochemical responses to autologous blood transfusion and the feasibility of this practice in sheep. Thus, we used eight male, 8 months old sheep, weighing on average 30 kg, from which 15 mL/kg of whole blood was collected and stored in CPDA-1 bags. Blood samples were refrigerated for 8 days and subsequently re-infused. The clinical, haematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated before blood collection and reinfusion, after 10 minutes of collection and reinfusion, after 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 and 192 hours after collection and reinfusion. Results: With respect to clinical parameters, we observed a decrease in heart rate after 24, 48 and 196 hours from reinfusion compared to basal values (p <0.05). Haematological variables including globular volume and erythrocyte counts showed a significant decrease (p <0.01) at all time points after collection and increased (p <0.01) at all time points after reinfusion. There was a significant increase in total protein and calcium at all time points after reinfusion (p <0.05). Conclusion: Autologous transfusion in sheep slightly altered the physiological, biochemical and haematological responses of sheep, indicating that the technique proposed is safe and can be applied in the clinical practice of this species. The 8 d period was not sufficient for complete recovery of the haematological parameters after blood collection.