Diagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection by Polymerase Chain Reaction in wild mammals

Visceral leishmaniasis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Leishmania infantum (synonym: Leishmania chagasi) and transmitted by the sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis in Brazil. It is an endemic zoonosis in several regions of the country, including Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais). In urban areas, the domestic dog is susceptible and considered the most important animal reservoir. However, L. infantum has been previously diagnosed in other species, including captive primates and canids. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of the agent DNA in captive animals as well as some free ranging animals from the Zoo-Botanical Foundation of Belo Horizonte by Polymerase Chain Reaction. Eighty one blood samples from primates, carnivores, ruminants, edentates, marsupial, and a monogastric herbivore were analyzed. Three primates Alouatta guariba (brown howler monkey), and two canids Speothos venaticus (bush dog) were positive, demonstrating the importance of leishmaniasis control in endemic areas for preservation of wildlife species in captivity.

Morfologia das glândulas salivares de Glironia venusta Thomas, 1912 (Didelphimorphia)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever a morfologia das glândulas salivares de Glironia venusta. Foi utilizado um exemplar coletado no resgate de fauna da Usina Hidroeletrica Teles Pires. Este foi fixado com solução de formaldeído a 10%. Para a análise macroscópica, as glândulas foram dissecadas e fotografadas in situ e para a microscopia foram retirados fragmentos das glândulas. Estes foram desidratados em concentrações crescentes de álcool, diafanizados em xilol, inclusos em parafina e corados com HE. G. venusta apresentou as glândulas mandibulares, parótidas, sublinguais, labiais e zigomáticas. As mandibulares se mostraram como estruturas alongadas, constituídas por lobos não septados e localizadas na porção anterior da região cervical. De formato triangular, a parótida estava localizada na depressão do masseter, ventral à cartilagem auricular. As sublinguais encontravam-se ventrais ao ramo da mandíbula, caudais ao digástrico. Foi observado na porção dorsoposterior à comissura labial, dorsal ao músculo orbicular da boca, as glândulas labiais, que apresentaram formato de "U". Já as glândulas zigomáticas acompanhavam a forma da porção anterior do arco zigomático, na margem infraorbital. As glândulas mandibulares e sublinguais apresentaram ácinos do tipo mucosos, com alguns ácinos serosos. A parótida era constituída por ácinos puramente serosos. Na glândula labial foi observado ácinos do tipo mistos ou seromucosos. Para a glândula zigomática não foi possível a realização da análise microscópica devido problemas de procedimento histológico. As características das glândulas salivares observadas em G. venusta se assemelham a de outros mamíferos onívoros, entretanto, apresentaram pequenas diferenças no que se refere à sua localização e forma.

Proliferation of differentiated glial cells in the brain stem

Classical studies of macroglial proliferation in muride rodents have provided conflicting evidence concerning the proliferating capabilities of oligodendrocytes and microglia. Furthermore, little information has been obtained in other mammalian orders and very little is known about glial cell proliferation and differentiation in the subclass Metatheria although valuable knowledge may be obtained from the protracted period of central nervous system maturation in these forms. Thus, we have studied the proliferative capacity of phenotypically identified brain stem oligodendrocytes by tritiated thymidine radioautography and have compared it with known features of oligodendroglial differentiation as well as with proliferation of microglia in the opossum Didelphis marsupialis. We have detected a previously undescribed ephemeral, regionally heterogeneous proliferation of oligodendrocytes expressing the actin-binding, ensheathment-related protein 2'3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), that is not necessarily related to the known regional and temporal heterogeneity of expression of CNPase in cell bodies. On the other hand, proliferation of microglia tagged by the binding of Griffonia simplicifolia B4 isolectin, which recognizes an alpha-D-galactosyl-bearing glycoprotein of the plasma membrane of macrophages/microglia, is known to be long lasting, showing no regional heterogeneity and being found amongst both ameboid and differentiated ramified cells, although at different rates. The functional significance of the proliferative behavior of these differentiated cells is unknown but may provide a low-grade cell renewal in the normal brain and may be augmented under pathological conditions.

Sildenafil prevents the increase of extravascular lung water and pulmonary hypertension after meconium aspiration in newborn piglets

Meconium aspiration syndrome causes respiratory failure after birth and in vivo monitoring of pulmonary edema is difficult. The objective of the present study was to assess hemodynamic changes and edema measured by transcardiopulmonary thermodilution in low weight newborn piglets. Additionally, the effect of early administration of sildenafil (2 mg/kg vo, 30 min after meconium aspiration) on this critical parameter was determined in the meconium aspiration syndrome model. Thirty-eight mechanically ventilated anesthetized male piglets (Sus scrofa domestica) aged 12 to 72 h (1660 ± 192 g) received diluted fresh human meconium in the airway in order to evoke pulmonary hypertension (PHT). Extravascular lung water was measured in vivo with a PiCCO monitor and ex vivo by the gravimetric method, resulting in an overestimate of 3.5 ± 2.3 mL compared to the first measurement. A significant PHT of 15 Torr above basal pressure was observed, similar to that of severely affected humans, leading to an increase in ventilatory support. The vascular permeability index increased 57%, suggesting altered alveolocapillary membrane permeability. Histology revealed tissue vessel congestion and nonspecific chemical pneumonitis. A group of animals received sildenafil, which prevented the development of PHT and lung edema, as evaluated by in vivo monitoring. In summary, the transcardiopulmonary thermodilution method is a reliable tool for monitoring critical newborn changes, offering the opportunity to experimentally explore putative therapeutics in vivo. Sildenafil could be employed to prevent PHT and edema if used in the first stages of development of the disease.

Mathematical modeling of dehydration of 'Fuji' and 'Gala' apples slices using infrared

The objective of this work was to determine and model the infrared dehydration curves of apple slices - Fuji and Gala varieties. The slices were dehydrated until constant mass, in a prototype dryer with infrared heating source. The applied temperatures ranged from 50 to 100 °C. Due to the physical characteristics of the product, the dehydration curve was divided in two periods, constant and falling, separated by the critical moisture content. A linear model was used to describe the constant dehydration period. Empirical models traditionally used to model the drying behavior of agricultural products were fitted to the experimental data of the falling dehydration period. Critical moisture contents of 2.811 and 3.103 kgw kgs-1 were observed for the Fuji and Gala varieties, respectively. Based on the results, it was concluded that the constant dehydration rates presented a direct relationship with the temperature; thus, it was possible to fit a model that describes the moisture content variation in function of time and temperature. Among the tested models, which describe the falling dehydration period, the model proposed by Midilli presented the best fit for all studied conditions.

Estimate of respiration rate and physicochemical changes of fresh-cut apples stored under different temperatures

In this study, the influence of storage temperature and passive modified packaging (PMP) on the respiration rate and physicochemical properties of fresh-cut Gala apples (Malus domestica B.) was investigated. The samples were packed in flexible multilayer bags and stored at 2 °C, 5 °C, and 7 °C for eleven days. Respiration rate as a function of CO2 and O2 concentrations was determined using gas chromatography. The inhibition parameters were estimated using a mathematical model based on Michaelis-Menten equation. The following physicochemical properties were evaluated: total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and reducing sugars. At 2 °C, the maximum respiration rate was observed after 150 hours. At 5 °C and 7 °C the maximum respiration rates were observed after 100 and 50 hours of storage, respectively. The inhibition model results obtained showed a clear effect of CO2 on O2 consumption. The soluble solids decreased, although not significantly, during storage at the three temperatures studied. Reducing sugars and titratable acidity decreased during storage and the pH increased. These results indicate that the respiration rate influenced the physicochemical properties.

Development and optimization of a HPLC-RI method for the determination of major sugars in apple juice and evaluation of the effect of the ripening stage

The sugars in apple juice prove its authenticity and its sensory and nutritional properties. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a simple analytical method using high performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection (HPLC-RI) to determinate and quantify the sugars sucrose, D-glucose, D-fructose, and D-sorbitol polyol in apple juices, as well as to analyze the juices from the Fuji suprema and Lis Gala cultivars at three ripening stages. The analytical performance parameters evaluated indicated that the method was specific for the compounds analyzed, and the linearity of the calibration curves of sugars showed high correlation coefficients (close to 1.0). The limits of detection and quantification are consistent with recommendations available in the literature for this type of matrix. Sample preparation is simple and generates small amount of residues. Over 70% of the sugars were determined in the juices of apples at the pre-ripe stage, with an increase during senescence. This method is applicable for the determination of sugars in juices and evaluation of apple ripening.

Incidence of resistance to benzimidazole fungicides in a field population of Venturia inaequalis /

The allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to screen for the presence of benomyl resistance, and to characterize their levels and frequencies in field populations of Venturia inaequalis during two seasons. Three hundred isolates of V. inaequalis were collected each season from infected leaves of MalusX domestica. Borkh c.v. Mcintosh. The trees used were sprayed in the year prior to collection with five applications of benomyl, its homologue Azindoyle, or water. Monoconidial isolates of V. inaequalis were grown on 2% potato dextrose agar (PDA) for four weeks. Each isolate was taken from a single lesion from a single leaf. Total genomic DNA was extracted from the four week old colonies of V. inaequalis, prepared and used as a template in PCR reactions. PCR reactions were achieved by utilizing allele-specific primers. Each primer was designed to amplify fragments from a specific allele. Primer Vin was specific for mutations conferring the ben^^"^ phenotype. It was expected to amplify a 171 bp. DNA fragment from the ben^"^ alleles only. Primers BenHR and BenMR were specific for mutations conferring the ben"" and ben'^'' phenotypes, respectively. They were expected to amplify 172 bp. and 165 bp. DNA fragments from the ben"" and ben"^" alleles, respectively. Of the 953 isolates tested, 414 (69.9%) were benomyl sensitive (ben^) and 179 (30.1%) were benomyl resistant. All the benomyl resistant alleles were ben^"", since neither the ben"" nor the ben"" alleles were detected. Frequencies of benomyl resistance were 23%, 24%, and 23% for the 1997 collections, and were 46%, 26% and 38% for the 1998 collections for benomyl, Azindoyle and water treatments, respectively. Growth assay was performed to evaluate the applicability of using PCR in monitoring benomyl resistance in fungal field populations. Tests were performed on 14 isolates representing the two phenotypes (ben^ and ben^"'' alleles) characterized by PCR. Results of those tests were in agreement with PCR results. Enzyme digestion was also used to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of PCR products. The mutation associated with the ben^"'' phenotype creates a unique site for the endonuclease enzyme Bsh^236^ allowing the use of enzyme digestion. Isolates characterized by PCR as ben^'^'^ alleles had this restriction site for the SsA7l2361 enzyme. The most time consuming aspect of this study was growing fungal isolates on culture media for DNA extraction. In addition, the risk of contamination or losing the fungus during growth processes was relatively high. A technique for extracting DNA directly from lesions on leaves has been used (Luck and Gillings 1 995). In order to apply this technique in experiments designed to monitor fungicide resistance, a lesion has to be homogeneous for fungicide sensitivity. For this purpose, PCR protocol was used to determine lesion homogeneity. One hundred monoconidial isolates of V. inaequalis from 10 lesions (10-conidia/ lesion) were tested for their phenotypes with respect to benomyl sensitivity. Conidia of six lesions were homogeneous, while conidia of the remaining lesions were mixtures of ben^ and ben^ phenotypes. Neither the ben" nor the ben' phenotype was detected.

Customer relationship management (CRM ) : Administración de las relaciones con el cliente

Tesina (Maestro en Informática Administrativa) U.A.N.L.

Protokoll der Gewässerschau in Kassel am 19. April 2005

Bei der Begehung von Olebach, Losse und Alte Losse wurden der ökomorphologische Zustand von Sohle, Böschung, Linienführung, Verzahnung von Wasser und Land und der Ufergehölze sowie die Landnutzung notiert. Einleitungen von Abwässern und die Ablagerung von Abfällen auf Böschung und Ufer wurde protokolliert. Wassertemperatur und elektrische Leitfähigkeit wurden an mehreren Punkten gemessen. Die Leitfähigkeitswerte werden vor dem Hintergrund der Geologie der Einzugsgebiete interpretiert und zur chemischen Indikation von diffusen und punktförmigen Einleitungen genutzt. Es werden Maßnahmen zur Renaturierung, Maßnahmen gegen die Ablagerung von Gartenabfällen auf Ufer und Böschung, Maßnahmen gegen die ackerbauliche Nutzung und Bebauung im Gewässerrandstreifen vorgeschlagen.

El fascinante mundo de los animales.

El CEIP Manuel Pérez de Bollullos Par del Condado (Huelva) ha recibido el Primer Premio de Páginas Web Educativas de la Junta de Andalucía, y ha sido galardonado con la Medalla de Oro al Mérito Educativo

Los santuarios terroristas como problema de seguridad internacional, caso de estudio

La monografía busca analizar las condiciones que determinan a Argelia y Marruecos como un santuario para las operaciones terroristas de Al-Qaeda, examinando las dimensiones domestica de ingobernabilidad de ambos Estados, las condiciones de favorabilidad para la consolidación del santuario y las implicaciones que representa el santuario para la seguridad internacional a la luz del aumento en la capacidad de influencia y de impacto que le proporciona el santuario a Al-Qaeda a nivel global.

El problema de drogas en Colombia y la crisis interna de Ecuador amenazas para la seguridad en la Región Andina 1999-2005

Para este trabajo se tomaron como casos de estudio dos amenazas de diferente naturaleza y que de alguna manera son relevantes en la región Andina, en primer lugar se tomó el caso del problema de drogas en Colombia, dado que el Estado colombiano se configura dentro de la región andina como el mayor productor de drogas ilícitas. Además el problema de drogas se caracteriza por ser una amenaza compartida, es decir, una amenaza que responde a una lógica de carácter transnacional, que va más allá de las fronteras de un Estado. Aunque este problema tiene consecuencias en la esfera política, económica y social, para nuestro caso de estudio el problema de drogas se constituye como una de las causas que amenazan al media ambiente, y este hecho comprende un riesgo para la seguridad andina. En segundo lugar, se optó por las crisis política interna de Ecuador, porque la inestabilidad política es una de las amenazas más visibles que presentan los estados de la región andina. Esta situación interna de la nación ecuatoriana puede ser catalogada como amenaza común, es decir, que está presente en varios países, pero cuya naturaleza responde a una lógica domestica de cada uno de los estados afectando su propia seguridad. Aunque una crisis interna tenga efectos o repercusiones en los países de la región, no necesariamente es considerada como una amenaza a la seguridad de los Estados colindantes.

Piecemeal Oligopoly, Exchange Rate Uncertainty, and Trade Policy.

Este artículo analiza el efecto sistemático de la volatilidad de la tasa de cambio, cuando un gobierno local debe evaluar políticas comerciales estratégicas lineales y cuadráticas. Este ejercicio se realiza para modelos de mercado Cournot y Bertran. El modelo prueba que tanto el esquema lineal como el cuadrático tienen el mismo efecto sobre el bienestar social de los países, y que la volatilidad de la tasa de cambio domestica lleva a los gobiernos a reducir los subsidios a las exportaciones o bajan los impuestos a las exportaciones, de acuerdo a la variable estratégica elegida por las firmas. La tasa de cambio extranjera tiene diferentes efectos dependiendo de si las firmas producen bajos rendimientos a escalas constantes o decrecientes.

Nuevas orientaciones en educación preescolar.

Descubrir nuevas orientaciones pedagógicas en la educación preescolar. Analiza la situación actual de la educación preescolar, propone una alternativa pedagógica y explica dos unidades didácticas elaboradas en forma de cuentos. 1) Existe en el niño preescolar una constante y continua dialéctica entre su pensamiento y acción. Basta con detenernos a su lado, permanecer cerca de ellos, observarlos, seguir el curso de su actividad, para darnos cuenta hasta que punto, su hacer, su movimiento y su pensar discurren en una permanente dialéctica. Esto conlleva a un nuevo planteamiento en el hacer educativo con ellos, con unos niños en los que el cuerpo, el objeto, la acción, el pensamiento, el otro, el yo, la percepción, la expresión, lo afectivo, lo racional, lo real, lo imaginario, están estrechamente imbricados. El pensamiento no es más que un momento de la acción motriz, el objeto es a la vez real e imaginario y el cuerpo se halla aún mal separado del mundo exterior. 2) La práctica de una educación vivenciada, la práctica de una educación psicomotriz en preescolar debe ocupar un lugar en todo el contexto educativo. Pero no es un lugar o un rincón, un área o una parte, sino que debe estar encuadrada y estructurada en una educación vivenciada que tenga en cuenta todas las dimensiones del niño. Que descubra su cuerpo, sus posibilidades y capacidades en el orden de los movimientos, de la expresión, de la relación, de la comunicación, que descubra al otro, a los otros, que descubra el medio y la realidad que le rodea, son objetivos primordiales en educación preescolar, pues así se consiguen después otros muchos, válidos e indispensables para posteriores condiciones. 3) El ambiente en que se desenvuelve la unidad didáctica, la cual es utilizada como recurso pedagógico, es un ambiente de cogestión en el que se pretende que el niño sea un sujeto activo de su propio desarrollo y el protagonista de su propia educación, pero con un punto de apoyo, el hacer en grupo todas las unidades y promoverlo con la realización de un cuento que en su dinámica cree un sustrato de formación social y compromiso compartido. El protagonista de la unidad es el niño y el grupo, de ahí que quede establecido un óptimo clima para conseguir un primer paso en el proceso educativo de interrelación personal. 4) Para elaborar un cuento, hay que reproducir las situaciones inventadas conjuntamente en el transcurso de la elaboración del mismo, se rememoran vivencialmente las situaciones surgidas con ayuda de todos los elementos posibles, sacando del mismo cuento las nociones que el niño debe asimilar. Todas las nociones surgidas del cuento y vivenciadas, deben ser trascritas al papel por el niño para convertirlas en trabajo de preescritura. El niño con folio y pinturas plasma su vivencia diaria sobre la elaboración del cuento. De esta forma, se pueden exponer todos los dibujos y elegir entre todos uno, el que más votos tenga será el dibujo que quede archivado. El resultado material será un libro de imágenes, un libro de lectura, en el cual todos colaboraron en la tarea de crearlo, vivenciarlo, gesticularlo, dramatizarlo, entonarlo, confeccionarlo y plasmarlo. 5) No es tan importante el método o la técnica como el espíritu que lo guía. Las técnicas o líneas de trabajo completas en un determinado entorno educativo, con determinados niños y cierta maestra, a veces fallan cuando las circunstancias varían. Sin embargo los fundamentos y las bases sobre las que se asienta la técnica y que la justifican permanecen invariables ante las distintas circunstancias. Es preciso que la educación deje de ser una actividad forzada y domesticante, que mata a la creatividad y anula, manipula y domestica la intencionalidad de la conciencia, y se convierta en algo tan exigible humanamente, como es la práctica de una actividad natural y dialogal que se fundamente en la creatividad y estimule la reflexión y la acción verdaderas de los hombres sobre la realidad. Se hace preciso, pues el planteamiento de una educación preescolar que tenga en cuenta al niño al que va dirigida y sus posibilidades psicobiológicas, y cuya práctica pedagógica signifique conseguir una educación total para el niño preescolar favoreciendo su desarrollo y dándole los medios para utilizar al máximo las aptitudes y capacidades de su persona.