Efeitos de manipulações ascendentes e descendentes sobre a comunidade fitoplanctônica em um reservatório eutrófico no semi-árido brasileiro

Top-down (grazing) and bottom-up (nutrient, light) controls are important in freshwater ecosystems regulation. Relative importance of these factors could change in space and time, but in tropical lakes bottom-up regulation has to been appointed as more influent. Present study aimed to test the hypothesis that phytoplankton growths rate in Armando Ribeiro reservoir, a huge eutrophic reservoir in semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte state, is more limited by nutrient available then zooplankton grazing pressure. Bioassay was conduced monthly from September (2008) to August (2009) manipulating two levels of nutrients (with/without addition) and two level of grazers (with/without removal). Experimental design was factorial 2X2 with four treatments (X5), (i) control with water and zooplankton from natural spot ( C ), (ii) with nutrient addition ( +NP ), (iii) with zooplankton remove ( -Z ) and (iv) with zooplankton remove and nutrient addition ( -Z+NP ). For bioassay confection transparent plastic bottles (500ml) was incubate for 4 or 5 days in two different depths, Secchi`s depth (high luminosity) and 3 times Secchi`s depth (low luminosity). Water samples were collected from each bottle in begins and after incubates period for chlorophyll a concentration analysis and zoopalnktonic organisms density. Phytoplankton growths rates were calculated. Bifactorial ANOVA was performance to test if had a significant effect (p<0,005) of nutrient addition and grazers remove as well a significant interaction between factors on phytoplankton growths rates. Effect magnitude was calculated the relative importance of each process. Results show that phytoplankton growth was in generally stimulated by nutrient addition, as while zooplankton remove rarely stimulated phytoplankton growth. Some significant interactions happening between nutrient additions and grazers remove on phytoplankton growth. In conclusion this study suggests that in studied reservoir phytoplankton growth is more controlled by ascendent factors than descendent

Fatores determinantes da decisão sobre a prática da cesariana em Natal-RN

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar os fatores que contribuíram para as diferentes decisões para o parto cesáreo e a ligadura de trompas entre as mulheres de 18 a 45 anos de idade no Município de Natal, no Nordeste do Brasil, no ano de 2000. Tratou-se de um estudo longitudinal, originado da base de dados de um Estudo Multicêntrico, envolvendo outras localidades do Brasil, composta de mulheres em idade fértil que procuraram o serviço público ou privado. Foram realizadas três entrevistas: no início da gestação, no mês anterior à data provável do parto e até um mês após o parto, perfazendo um total de 433 entrevistas, sendo finalizada com uma amostra de 269 mulheres. O estudo satisfez a um critério de elegibilidade, abrangendo uma amostra das mulheres de 18 a 40 anos de idade, que residiam em Natal e que estavam grávidas no máximo, na 22a semana de gestação, e procuraram o serviço público ou privado para a realização do pré-natal. Não entraram no estudo, aquelas mulheres que faziam um acompanhamento em ambulatórios especiais (hipertensão ou diabetes gestacional, HIV/AIDS). A análise consistiu, primeiramente, num estudo descritivo, seguido de uma discussão sobre a trajetória do desejo à realização do parto e testou-se a significância estatística dos partos com variáveis socioeconômicas. Sequencialmente adotou-se uma análise bivariada centrada nos testes de associação, onde foi considerada a variável tipo de parto como sendo a variável resposta e as demais variáveis, relacionadas à condição sóciodemográfica e a saúde reprodutiva da mulher, como sendo as variáveis de risco ou independentes. Para o cálculo da razão de chance (OR), foi utilizado o modelo de regressão logística múltipla. Das 269 mulheres entrevistadas, 56,0% foram submetidas ao parto normal. Este tipo de parto foi desejado independente da categoria, por 71% das entrevistadas. Os resultados mostraram como fatores determinantes para cesárea, o serviço ser privado (OR = 5,6), a mulher ter idade acima de 20 anos (OR=2,87), ser primípara (OR=4,56) e a realização de ligadura de trompas (OR=12,94). Independente da parturição, 84% das mulheres do serviço público foram submetidas a um parto normal, enquanto que, 74% das primíparas do serviço privado, fizeram uma cesárea. Os resultados sinalizam um distanciamento efetivo entre o desejo por um tipo de parto e a sua realização, quando os fatores considerados, não foram somente técnicos, podendo, também, refletir a falta de prática do parto normal, pelo obstetra e a necessidade de uma maior consciência ética nos procedimentos obstétricos, de modo a favorecer uma maior abertura na participação da gestante na escolha pelo tipo de parto

Marcadores genéticos associados com a resposta inflamatória na meningite bacteriana

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

The effect of interaction between macromolecule supplement and oxygen tension on bovine oocytes and embryos cultured in vitro

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

Involvement of serotoninergic receptors in the anteroventral preoptic region on hypoxia-induced hypothermia

Hypoxia causes a regulated decrease in body temperature (Tb). There is circumstantial evidence that the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) in the anteroventral preoptic region (AVPO) mediates this response. However, which 5-HT receptor(s) is (are) involved in this response has not been assessed. Thus, we investigated the participation of the 5-HT receptors (5-HT(1), 5-HT(2), and 5-HT(7)) in the AVPO in hypoxic hypothermia. To this end, Tb of conscious Wistar rats was monitored by biotelemetry before and after intra-AVPO microinjection of methysergide (a 5-HT(1) and 5-HT(2) receptor antagonist, 0.2 and 2 mu g/100 nL), WAY-100635 (a 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist, 0.3 and 3 mu g/100 nL), and SB-269970 (a 5-HT(7) receptor antagonist, 0.4 and 4 mu/100 nL), followed by 60 min of hypoxia exposure (7% O(2)). During the experiments, the mean chamber temperature was 24.6 +/- 0.7 degrees C (mean +/- SE) and the mean room temperature was 23.5 +/- 0.8 degrees C (mean +/- SE). Intra-AVPO microinjection of vehicle or 5-HT antagonists did not change Tb during normoxic conditions. Exposure of rats to 7% of inspired oxygen evoked typical hypoxia-induced hypothermia after vehicle microinjection, which was not affected by both doses of methysergide. However, WAY-100635 and SB-269970 treatment attenuated the drop in Tb in response to hypoxia. The effect was more pronounced with the 5-HT7 antagonist since both doses (0.4 and 4 mu g/0.1 mu L) were capable of attenuating the hypothermic response. As to the 5-HT(1A) antagonist, the attenuation of hypoxia-induced hypothermia was only observed at the higher dose. Therefore, the present results are consistent with the notion that 5-HT acts on both 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT7 receptors in the AVPO to induce hypothermia, during hypoxia. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Serotoninergic receptors in the anteroventral preoptic region modulate the hypoxic ventilatory response

Hypothalamus is a site of integration of the hypoxic and thermal stimuli on breathing and there is evidence that serotonin (5-HT) receptors in the anteroventral preoptic region (AVPO) mediate hypoxic hypothermia. Once 5-HT is involved in the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR), we investigated the participation of the 5-HT receptors (5-HT1, 5-HT2 and 5-HT7) in the AVPO in the HVR. To this end, pulmonary ventilation (V-E) of rats was measured before and after intra-AVPO microinjection of methysergide (a 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor antagonist), WAY-100635 (a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist) and SB-269970 (a 5-HT7 receptor antagonist), followed by 60 min of hypoxia exposure (7% O-2). Intra-AVPO microinjection of vehicles or 5-HT antagonists did not change VE during normoxic conditions. Exposure of rats to 7% O-2 evoked typical hypoxia-induced hyperpnea after vehicle microinjection, which was not affected by methysergide. WAY-100635 and SB-269970 treatment caused an increased HVR, due to a higher tidal volume. Therefore, the current data provide the evidence that 5-HT acting on 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors in the AVPO exert an inhibitory modulation on the HVR. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of caffeine on locomotor activity of horses: Determination of the no-effect threshold

Caffeine is the legal stimulant consumed most extensively by the human world population and may be found eventually in the urine and/or blood of race horses, the fact that caffeine is in foods led us to determine the highest no-effect dose (HNED) of caffeine on the spontaneous locomotor activity of horses and then to quantify this substance in urine until it disappeared. We built two behavioural stalls equipped with juxtaposed photoelectric sensors that emit infrared beams that divide the stall into nine sectors in a 'tic-tac-toe' fashion. Each time a beam was interrupted by a leg of the horse, a pulse was generated; the pulses were counted at 5-min intervals and stored by a microcomputer. Environmental effects were minimized by installing exhaust fans producing white noise that obscured outside sounds. One-way observation windows prevented the animals from seeing outside. The sensors were turned on 45 min before drug administration (saline control or caffeine), the animals were observed for up to 8 h after i.v. administration of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 or 5.0 mg caffeine kg(-1). The HNED of caffeine for stimulation of the spontaneous locomotor activity of horses was 2.0 mg kg(-1). The quantification of caffeine in urine and plasma samples was done by gradient HPLC with UV detection. The no-effect threshold should not be greater than 2.0 mug caffeine ml(-1) plasma or 5.0 mug caffeine ml(-1) urine. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Parâmetros métricos da traqueia e suas correlações com o perímetro torácico, peso e comprimento corporal de cães sem raça definida (Canis familiaris, Linnaeus, 1758)

The present study aimed to analyze metric data from the trachea of dogs and to correlate them with the thoracic girth, body length and weight. We used 48 dogs of unknown breed, 19 males and 29 females. The animals were weighed and then body length, thoracic girth, length and diameter of the trachea, and the number of tracheal rings were measured. The weight of dogs ranged from 4.2 to 21.5 kg, body length from 40.6 to 81.0 cm and thoracic girth from 36.0 to 63.5 cm. The trachea exhibited a total number of tracheal rings between 32 and 43, length between 13.0 and 23.4 cm, diameter of the cervical portion between 11.0 and 23.5 mm and in the thoracic portion between 8.2 and 20.9 mm. We also evaluated the tracheal termination skeletopy, which maintained relations with the 2nd (2.0%), 3 (6.3%), 4 (20.8%) or 5 (12.5%) intercostal spaces, and with the 3rd (6.3%), 4th (35.4%) or 5th (16.7%) ribs. Strong positive correlations of tracheal length with body weight (rS = 0.756, p <0.001), body length (r = 0.808, p <0.001) and thoracic girth (r = 0.735, p <0.001) were found. Therefore, the anatomical study of the trachea provides morphological subsidies for the realization of clinical and surgical procedures in this organ, being an important tool in veterinary practice.

Superação de dormência de sementes de Piptadenia moniliformis Benth

O angico-de-bezerro (Piptadenia moniliformis Benth.) é uma espécie arbórea melífera, de crescimento rápido, característica da caatinga do nordeste brasileiro, onde é muito abundante e com dispersão contígua e irregular. Seus ramos finos, junto com as folhas, servem como alimento para animais. Como suas sementes apresentam dormência por impermeabilidade do tegumento à água, objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a eficiência de tratamentos pré-germinativos para superar a dormência de suas sementes visando maximizar e uniformizar o processo de germinação. Foram estudados 28 tratamentos pré-germinativos: imersão em água a 70, 80, 90 ºC e fervente por 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 minutos e imersão em ácido sulfúrico concentrado por 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 e 30 minutos, além da testemunha. A semeadura foi realizada sobre papel em temperatura alternada de 20-30 ºC, utilizando-se quatro repetições de 25 sementes. Foram avaliadas as porcentagens de germinação das sementes considerando a protrusão da raiz primária, de plântulas normais e de sementes duras e o índice de velocidade de germinação. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Scott-Knott a 5% de probabilidade. Os tratamentos de imersão em água, independentemente da temperatura e do período de imersão, aumentaram a porcentagem de germinação das sementes, comparativamente ao tratamento controle, mas foram menos eficientes que os tratamentos em ácido sulfúrico nos maiores períodos de imersão. Desta forma, a imersão por 20, 25 e 30 minutos em ácido sulfúrico é recomendada para a superação da dormência de sementes de Piptadenia moniliformis Benth.

Úlceras de pressão: um estudo com pacientes de unidade de terapia intensiva

To characterize patients according to gender, age category, internment time, diagnostical hypothesis and location of the pressure ulcer; to identify the susceptibility conditions, intrinsical and extrinsical factors present on ICU patients and to verify on the existence of association between the susceptibility conditions and the intrinsecal and extrinsecal factors on the occurrence of PU. Methods: It is a descriptive study, of longitudinal design of the panel type, with quantitative approach, performed on two ICU s of a private hospital located in Natal/RN, with 40 patients interned at these units. The data collection was performed on all three shifts through a structured observation and physical exam of the patients' skin form seeking to identify the presence of PU. Results: The greatest occurence of PU was on individuals of the male gender (70%) when compared to the female gender (30%), that difference being statistically significant (p=0,0267), with the male gender presenting 4,3 times greater chance of developing PU than the female; the predominant age category was from 60 years of age on (85%), 60,0% presented 1 to 2 PU s after 7 (seven) days of permanence in the ICU s, the predominant diagnostical hypothesis on the patients with PU were the respiratory diseases (42,3%) and the most frequent locations of PU were the sacral region (40,0%) and heels (36,0%). 25 PU s of stage I were diagnosed on 50,0% of the followed patients, with general incidence of 50,0% on both ICUs. from the 88 variables researched, 75 were identified on the patients from the study, being the predominant conditions (anemia, hypotension, leukocytosis, other diseases hypertension blood pressure, cardiac insuffience, pneumonia - and ansiolythic), the intrinsecal factors (diminished muscular strenght and/or mass, discrete edema, totally compromised mobile coordination and total inability for movement on the bed) and the extrinsecal factors (inadequate mattress type, permanence on a single position for >2 hours, shearing/friction force, bed clothes with folds that leave marks on the body, pressure force) predominated on patients with PU. The male gender variables (p=0,0267,OR=4,3), sedation (p=0,0006,OR=4,1), psychomotive agitation (p=0,0375,OR=5,8) and leukocytosis (p=0,0285,OR=5,0) presented a significant statistical diference when analyzed independently. We verified an association of 17,3%, statistically significant (p=0,0384), between the susceptibility conditions (anemia, leukocytosis and hypotension), the intrinsecal factors (age equal or above 60 years, diminished/absent pain sensibility and smooth, fine or delicate skin) and the extrinsecal factors (inadequate mattress, pressure forces, shearing/friction force, permanence on a single position for more than 2 hours, elevation between 30 to 45 degrees and inadequate bed clothes' conditions), with a chance ratio of 4,6 times the risk of occurrence of PU on the patients that presented the referred association. Conclusion: The incidence of PU detected on the ICU-interned patients was high and we made evident the existence of association between the susceptibility conditions, the intrinsecal and extrinsecal factors on the occurrence of PU s on the ICUinterned patients, and thus we accept the alternative hypothesis proposed on the study

Injúria pelo frio na qualidade pós-colheita de mangas cv. Palmer

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

Covariance functions for body weight from birth to maturity in Nellore cows

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influência da atividade e inatividade física na composição corporal e adiposidade central

To analyze influences of the physical activity and sedentary behaviors on indicators of both central and total body fat in male adolescents. Cross-sectional study with 60 male students of age range from 11 to 14 years old. It were evaluated the body mass, height, triceps skinfold, waist circumference, body fat percentage (bioelectrical impedance) and the physical activity level through questionnaire. The physical inactivity prevalence was of 35%, and the excessive total and central body fat were observed in 38.3% and 48.3% of the sample, respectively. There was association of the sedentary behaviors with the excessive total and central body fat (OR = 5.2 e OR = 6.4, respectively), however there was not for physical activity. The adoption of sedentary behaviors is associated at the development of the total and central obesity among male adolescents.

The effect of Eu3+ concentration on the Y2O3 host lattice obtained from citrate precursors

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

Fermented soy product supplemented with isoflavones affects adipose tissue in a regional-specific manner and improves HDL-cholesterol in rats fed on a cholesterol-enriched diet

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