Morphological and morphometric evaluation of prepubertal gilt ovaries, uterine tubes and uterus at different oestrus cycle stages

Studies are performed in developing techniques/procedures that provide greater reproductive performance in farm animals, including pigs. In this sense, the study of gilts reproductive organs at different oestrus cycle stages for assessing the presence of abnormalities and/or other parameters that may affect the future animal fertility is important. In order to evaluate the morphological, morphometric and histomorphometric features of ovaries, uterus and uterine tubes (UTs) characteristics of prepubertal gilts at different oestrus cycle stages, reproductive tracts from 48 animals immediately after slaughter were obtained. After, the structures were dissected and removed, and the ovaries were used for classification of oestrus cycle stage of each gilt in follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (FL). Then, morphometric evaluations of ovaries, UTs, uterine horns and uterine body were performed. Besides that, medial segments of UTs and uterus were fixed in Bouin solution, processed and included in paraffin, when histological sections of 5.0 micrometers (µm) were obtained and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Histomorphometric analyzes using image capture system and specific software were performed. Afterwards, data were submitted to Student's t test for assessment the statistical differences (P<0.05) between the two different oestrus cycle stages (FP × LP) and between the placement of reproductive structures (right × left antimer). Among the gilts evaluated, 35 were in the FP and 13 in LP. There was no difference (P>0.05) between morphometric parameters of ovaries, UTs and uterus of gilts in FP and LP. Likewise, in respect to the placement of reproductive structures, both in the oestrus cycle stages, as in the general average, there was no difference (P>0.05). Regarding the histomorphometric variables, gilts classified in FP presented a higher (P<0.05) height of glandular and UT epithelium compared to animals in LP. On the other hand, the diameter of endometrial glands was higher (P<0.05) in gilts at LP compared to FP. Furthermore, gilts in LP presented a higher (P<0.05) proportion of endometrium occupied by glands, whereas animals in FP had a higher (P<0.05) proportion of connective tissue and blood vessels. In conclusion, in prepubertal gilts, the histomorphometric parameters as endometrial glands diameter, the height of glandular epithelium and of UT epithelium and the proportion of endometrium occupied by connective tissue, besides the glands and blood vessels varies through the oestrus cycle, possibly under the influence of ovarian steroids.

Aplicação em pré-colheita, de dessecante em duas cultivares de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merril) I - Efeitos imediatos sobre a germinação e produção de sementes

Plantas de soja das cultivares Santa Rosa e IAC-2 foram tratadas, em diferentes épocas após o início do florescimento, com o desse cante paraquat na dose de 2 l/ha do produto comercial. Objetivou-se avaliar os possíveis efeitos sobre a infecção de sementes por microorganismos prejudiciais a sua qualidade. As aplicações do produto foram feitas semanalmente a partir dos 72 e 75 dias após o início do fl orescimento, para as cultivares IAC -2 e Santa Rosa. respectivamente (teores de umidade das sementes de 56,8 e 57,5%). Para todas as épocas tratadas, existiam as suas respectivas comparações que não receberam o produto. As testemunhas foram colhidas seguindo-se os critérios usuais dos agricultores que trabalham com soja, aos 100 e 103 dias após o inicio do florescimento, respectivamente para as cultivares IAC-2 e Santa Rosa. A incidência de fungos prejudiciais à qualidade das sementes foi sempre menor para as parcelas que receberam dessecamento e aumentou com o retardamento da colheita, principalmente nas parcelas não tratadas.

Aplicação em pré-colheita, de dessecante em duas cultivares de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merril) II - Efeitos sobre a incidência de fungos nas sementes

Plantas de soja das cultivares Santa Rosa e IAC-2 foram tratadas, em diferentes épocas após o início do florescimento, com o desse cante paraquat na dose de 2 l/ha do produto comercial. Objetivou-se avaliar os possíveis efeitos sobre a infecção de sementes por microorganismos prejudiciais a sua qualidade. As aplicações do produto foram feitas semanalmente a partir dos 72 e 75 dias após o início do fl orescimento, para as cultivares IAC -2 e Santa Rosa. respectivamente (teores de umidade das sementes de 56,8 e 57,5%). Para todas as épocas tratadas, existiam as suas respectivas comparações que não receberam o produto. As testemunhas foram colhidas seguindo-se os critérios usuais dos agricultores que trabalham com soja, aos 100 e 103 dias após o inicio do florescimento, respectivamente para as cultivares IAC-2 e Santa Rosa. A incidência de fungos prejudiciais à qualidade das sementes foi sempre menor para as parcelas que receberam dessecamento e au mentou com o retardamento da colheita, principalmente nas parcelas não tratadas.

Analyzing hydraulic head of fluid flow in underground porous medium

Hydraulic head is distributed through a medium with porous aspect. The analysis of hydraulic head from one point to another is used by the Richard's equation. This equation is equivalent to the groundwater ow equation that predicts the volumetric water contents. COMSOL 3.5 is used for computation applying Richard's equation. A rectangle of 100 meters of length and 10 meters of large (depth) with 0,1 m/s fl ux of inlet as source of our fl uid is simulated. The domain have Richards' equation model in two dimension (2D). Hydraulic head increases proportional with moisture content.

Avaliação do desempenho de bicos para aplicação de herbicidas

A avaliação do desempenho de barras de pulverização pode ser feita a partir do padrão de distribuição ou deposição do líquido de cada bico individual em mesa de prova. Neste trabalho comparam-se os padrões de deposição produzidos por diversos bicos em várias alturas. Os resultados mostraram melhores desempenho para os bicos TF e XR, seguidos pelos bicos TJ60-8010, TJ60-8006 e FL. Os bicos TJ60-11006 e os TQ mostraram problemas localizados e os bicos TK foram considerados os piores entre os testados. Relações entre o espaçamento entre bicos e altura do alvo para as quais os coeficientes de variação apresentam valores satisfatórios foram propostas.

Dinâmica de transposição de herbicida através de palha de aveia-preta utilizando diferentes pontas de pulverização

A transposição da palha por herbicidas aplicados em pré ou pós-emergência durante a aplicação é determinante na sua eficiência, dinâmica e impacto ambiental. O experimento foi conduzido no Núcleo de Pesquisas Avançadas em Matologia - FCA/UNESP, campus de Botucatu-SP, tendo como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de diferentes modelos de pontas de pulverização na transposição em quantidades crescentes de palha de aveia-preta (Avena strigosa). Os tratamentos foram constituídos pelo monitoramento do traçador corante Azul Brilhante (FDC-1) a 3.000 ppm, pulverizado com as pontas de pulverização XR11002-VS, TJ60-11002VS, FL-5VS, DG11002-VS, TXVK-8, TT11002-VP e AI11002-VS, utilizando, respectivamente, as pressões de trabalho de 1,4; 2,0; 1,5; 2,0; 4,9; 3,0 e 3,0 kgf cm² e volume de calda de 200, 200, 428, 200, 213 e 270 L ha-1 sobre quantidades de 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 e 12 t ha-1 de palha de aveia-preta. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com sete tratamentos e cinco repetições, as quais foram constituídas de caixas plásticas com palha acondicionada sobre um fundo falso de área conhecida, sendo este lavado após as aplicações, para posterior quantificação do traçador em espectrofotometria. O modelo de Mitscherlich simplificado (Y = 10 ^ (2 - (C*X))) mostrou ajuste satisfatório para os dados originais de traçador que transpôs a palha, apresentando coeficientes de determinação (R²) elevados, oscilando entre 0,9782 e 0,9971. Todos os modelos de pontas de pulverização mostraram-se similares na transposição da palha pelo traçador. As porcentagens médias de transposição foram de 43,00; 18,77; 3,73; 0,78; 0,17; 0,04 e 0,01% para as quantidades de 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 e 12 t ha-1 de palha, respectivamente.

Estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters in a segregant population of rice irrigated by continuous flooding

Estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters were obtained by using data from families of a recurrent selection program in rice. An experiment using population CNA-IRAT 4ME/1/1 was conducted at two locations (Lambari and Cambuquira) in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. At Lambari, families S0:2 and S0:3 were assessed during crop seasons 1992/1993 and 1993/1994, respectively. In the Cambuquira trial, only S0:3 families were tested in 1993/1994. The experimental design was a 10 x 10 lattice with three replications. The following traits were assessed: grain yield (GY), mean number of days to flowering (FL), plant height (PH), and the incidence of neck blast (NB) caused by Pyricularia grisea and grain staining (GS) caused by Drechslera oryzae. This population proved to be promising for recurrent selection, as it had high average yield and genetic variability. Heritability estimates obtained using variance components were generally greater than estimates of realized heritability, and heritability obtained by parent-offspring regression

Minimal doses of hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease

The use of hydroxyurea (HU) can improve the clinical course of sickle cell disease. However, several features of HU treatment remain unclear, including the predictability of drug response and determination of adequate doses, considering positive responses and minimal side effects. In order to identify adequate doses of HU for treatment of sickle cell disease, 10 patients, 8 with sickle cell anemia and 2 with Sß thalassemia (8SS, 2Sß), were studied for a period of 6 to 19 months in an open label dose escalation trial (10 to 20 mg kg-1 day-1). Hemoglobin (Hb), fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values and reticulocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts were performed every two weeks during the increase of the HU dose and every 4 weeks when the maximum HU dose was established. Reduction in the number of vasoocclusive episodes was also considered in order to evaluate the efficiency of the treatment. The final Hb and Hb F concentrations, and MCV values were significantly higher than the initial values, while the final reticulocyte and neutrophil counts were significantly lower. There was an improvement in the concentration of Hb (range: 0.7-2.0 g/dl) at 15 mg HU kg-1 day-1, but this concentration did not increase significantly when the HU dose was raised to 20 mg kg-1 day-1. The concentration of Hb F increased significantly (range: 1.0-18.1%) when 15 mg HU was used, and continued to increase when the dose was raised to 20 mg kg-1 day-1. The final MCV values increased 11-28 fl (femtoliters). However, reticulocyte (range: 51-205 x 109/l) and neutrophil counts (range: 9.5-1.3 x 109/l) obtained at this dose were significantly lower than those obtained with 15 mg kg-1 day-1. All patients reported a decrease in frequency or severity of vasoocclusive episodes. These results suggest that a hydroxyurea dose of 15 mg kg-1 day-1 seems to be adequate for treatment of sickle cell disease in view of the minimal side effects observed and the improvement in laboratory and clinical parameters.

Effects of formaldehyde on the frog's mucociliary epithelium as a surrogate to evaluate air pollution effects on the respiratory epithelium

The increasing use of alcohol as an alternative fuel to gasoline or diesel can increase emission of formaldehyde, an organic gas that is irritant to the mucous membranes. The respiratory system is the major target of air pollutants and its major defense mechanism depends on the continuous activity of the cilia and the resulting constant transportation of mucous secretion. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of formaldehyde on the ciliated epithelium through a relative large dose range around the threshold limit value adopted by the Brazilian legislation, namely 1.6 ppm (1.25 to 5 ppm). For this purpose, the isolated frog palate preparation was used as the target of toxic injury. Four groups of frog palates were exposed to diluted Ringer solution (control, N = 8) and formaldehyde diluted in Ringer solution at three different concentrations (1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 ppm, N = 10 for each group). Mucociliary clearance and ciliary beat frequency decreased significantly in contact with formaldehyde at the concentrations of 2.5 and 5.0 ppm after 60 min of exposure (P<0.05). We conclude that relatively low concentrations of formaldehyde, which is even below the Brazilian threshold limit value, are sufficient to cause short-term mucociliary impairment.

Immunophenotype of hematopoietic stem cells from placental/umbilical cord blood after culture

Identification and enumeration of human hematopoietic stem cells remain problematic, since in vitro and in vivo stem cell assays have different outcomes. We determined if the altered expression of adhesion molecules during stem cell expansion could be a reason for the discrepancy. CD34+CD38- and CD34+CD38+ cells from umbilical cord blood were analyzed before and after culture with thrombopoietin (TPO), FLT-3 ligand (FL) and kit ligand (KL; or stem cell factor) in different combinations: TPO + FL + KL, TPO + FL and TPO, at concentrations of 50 ng/mL each. Cells were immunophenotyped by four-color fluorescence using antibodies against CD11c, CD31, CD49e, CD61, CD62L, CD117, and HLA-DR. Low-density cord blood contained 1.4 ± 0.9% CD34+ cells, 2.6 ± 2.1% of which were CD38-negative. CD34+ cells were isolated using immuno-magnetic beads and cultured for up to 7 days. The TPO + FL + KL combination presented the best condition for maintenance of stem cells. The total cell number increased 4.3 ± 1.8-fold, but the number of viable CD34+ cells decreased by 46 ± 25%. On the other hand, the fraction of CD34+CD38- cells became 52.0 ± 29% of all CD34+ cells. The absolute number of CD34+CD38- cells was expanded on average 15 ± 12-fold when CD34+ cells were cultured with TPO + FL + KL for 7 days. The expression of CD62L, HLA-DR and CD117 was modulated after culture, particularly with TPO + FL + KL, explaining differences between the adhesion and engraftment of primary and cultured candidate stem cells. We conclude that culture of CD34+ cells with TPO + FL + KL results in a significant increase in the number of candidate stem cells with the CD34+CD38- phenotype.

Altered mean platelet volume in patients with polymyositis and its association with disease severity

Polymyositis (PM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation in skeletal muscle. Mean platelet volume (MPV), a marker in the assessment of systemic inflammation, is easily measured by automatic blood count equipment. However, to our knowledge, there are no data in the literature with respect to MPV levels in PM patients. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate MPV levels in patients with PM. This study included 92 newly diagnosed PM patients and 100 healthy individuals. MPV levels were found to be significantly lower compared with healthy controls (10.3±1.23 vs 11.5±0.74 fL, P<0.001). Interestingly, MPV was found to be positively correlated with manual muscle test (MMT) score and negatively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in patients with PM (r=0.239, P=0.022; r=−0.268, P=0.010, respectively). In addition, MPV was significantly lower in active PM patients compared with inactive PM patients (9.9±1.39 vs 10.6±0.92 fL, P=0.010). MPV was independently associated with PM in multivariate regression analyses, when controlling for hemoglobin and ESR (OR=0.312, P=0.031, 95%CI=0.108 to 0.899). The ROC curve analysis for MPV in estimating PM patients resulted in an area under the curve of 0.800, with sensitivity of 75.0% and specificity of 67.4%. Our results suggest that MPV is inversely correlated with disease activity in patients with PM. MPV might be a useful tool for rapid assessment of disease severity in PM patients.

Determinação de resíduos de avermectinas em fígado bovino por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência

Foi padronizado e validado um método analítico para determinação de resíduos de abamectin, doramectin e ivermectin em fígado bovino empregando extração com acetonitrila, purificação com cartucho de C18 , derivatização, detecção e quantificação por CLAE/FL. Nos ensaios com amostras adicionadas de solução padrão em níveis entre 5 e 100mg/kg as recuperações médias obtidas variaram de 69,0 a 101,4% com valores de coeficiente de variação entre 5,5 e 28,1%. O limite de detecção e quantificação do método, para os três resíduos estudados, foi 5µg/kg.

Tillitsramar - ett perspektiv på riter och tillit : en religionsfilosofisk undersökning

Riter berör. Riter stör. Riter syns, hörs och har lukt. De är påtagliga fenomen i samtiden. Riter kan vara allt från skolavslutningar till rituell könsstympning (FGM) eller ett kärlekslås på en bro någonstans i världen. De exempel på riter som avhandlingen lyfter fram och belyser ur ett religionsfilosofiskt perspektiv är olika sorts ritualiserande; riter ur svenskkyrklig tradition, könsstympning, offentliga sorgeriter vid terrordåd eller katastrofer, kärlekslåsritualer, muslimska riter m.fl. Frågor som: Vilket synsätt på riter kunde vara möjligt att omfatta ur ett betraktarperspektiv för att kunna kritisera riter på de ritualiserandes villkor?, Hur skulle de ritualiserandes perspektiv på riter och ett betraktarperspektiv på riter kunna hållas samman vid kritik av riter?, Hur kunde en begriplig självreflektion förstås vid känslomässiga reaktioner på andras sätt att utöva riter? behandlas i avhandlingen. Genom att diskutera det komplexa fenomenet riter ur ett betraktarperspektiv söks framkomliga vägar för att öka förståelsen för andras sätt att uttrycka existentiella upplevelser i riter. Resonemangen förs för en ökad förståelse för ett ritualiserande som ur ett betraktarperspektiv kan upplevas som främmande eller omvänt som intressant att delta i. 'Tillit' diskuteras som en grundläggande mänsklig möjlighet till förankring i tillvaron i samband med riter. Ur ritualdiskursen bearbetas det teoretiska perspektivet riter sedda som 'ramar'. Begreppet ’tillitsram’ diskuteras som ett fruktbart tentativt synsätt på riter vid kritik av riter för att hålla samman de ritualiserandes perspektiv med betraktarperspektivet. Avhandlingen vill visa att begreppet ’tillitsram’ skulle kunna vara fruktbart för att bidra till etiska, filosofiska, teologiska och politiska reflektioner och diskussioner om riter i samtiden.

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