Assessing locomotion deficiency in broiler chicken

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Changes in the structure and pigmentation of the eyes of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) queens with the limão mutation

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

The amphibian tree of life

The evidentiary basis of the currently accepted classification of living amphibians is discussed and shown not to warrant the degree of authority conferred on it by use and tradition. A new taxonomy of living amphibians is proposed to correct the deficiencies of the old one. This new taxonomy is based on the largest phylogenetic analysis of living Amphibia so far accomplished. We combined the comparative anatomical character evidence of Haas (2003) with DNA sequences from the mitochondrial transcription unit HI (12S and 16S ribosomal RNA and tRNA(Valine) genes, 2,400 bp of mitochondrial sequences) and the nuclear genes histone H3, rhodopsin, tyrosinase, and seven in absentia, and the large ribosomal subunit 28S (approximate to 2,300 bp of nuclear sequences; ca. 1.8 million base pairs; x ($) over bar = 3.7 kb/terminal). The dataset includes 532 terminals sampled from 522 species representative of the global diversity of amphibians as well as seven of the closest living relatives of amphibians for outgroup comparisons.

Analysis of procedures used in tooth avulsion by 100 dental surgeons

Accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment plan may constitute very complex tasks, particularly in tooth avulsion, because several variables are involved. In addition to the technical knowledge and clinical experience directed toward the quality of treatment, patient education may favorably influence the survival of replanted teeth. The aim of this study was to analyze the procedures used in the management of tooth avulsion by 100 dental surgeons (DSs). Thus, by means of a descriptive questionnaire, information was obtained about the profile of the professionals interviewed, procedures used in cases of tooth avulsion, and patient orientation and education. One hundred properly filled questionnaires were obtained. Descriptive statistics was used for the data, and the chi-squared statistics was employed (EPI-INFO 3.2 software). According to the results, this type of trauma is part of the routine of 15 DSs, although 71 have reported some experience with avulsed,teeth. Great deficiencies were found regarding root surface treatment and occlusal adjustment. Positive findings were related to socket treatment, adjunctive therapy, and patient education and orientation (extra-alveolar period, storage medium, manipulation of the avulsed tooth, replantation by the own patient). It was possible to conclude that 47.5% of the procedures reported by, 100 professionals interviewed are adequate, and patient education is favorable in 87.7% of cases, a fact that can positively interfere with the prognosis of tooth replantation.

Apparent digestibility of protein, energy, and amino acids in some selected feed ingredients for pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus

The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of amino acids (AA), protein, and energy in six feed ingredients (Brazilian fish meal, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, alcoholic yeast, corn, and wheat bran) we evaluated for pacu juveniles. In general, all ingredients showed high digestibility values for all AA, and differences among ADCs of individual amino acid were detected (P < 0.01). Corn gluten, soybean, and fish meals had the highest ADCs of AA. The ADCs of protein in fish meal, yeast, and corn gluten meal should not be used as AA digestibility indicators, because those showed differences up to 6.7% between the ADCs of protein and AA. All ingredients had lower ADCs of energy than corn gluten meal (P < 0.01). Lysine was the first limiting amino acid in fish meal, corn gluten meal, wheat bran, and corn, and the second limiting amino acid in soybean meal, as methionine was the first limiting amino acid in soybean meal and yeast. However, the soybean meal was the best quality protein source, as it had the highest digestible essential amino acid index. This demonstrated that digestible amino acid values can be used to formulate practical diets for pacu, preventing potential deficiencies or excess that might cause environmental and economic losses.

Surgical Management of Impacted Teeth Using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography

The surgical removal of impacted, supernumerary, or ectopic teeth is a routine procedure to the dental surgeon. Because any and all surgical interventions involve anatomic considerations that predispose the patient to a high risk of incidents or complications, it is absolutely necessary to precisely determine the location of the enclosed teeth, to better plan the procedure. Even though the conventional radiographic techniques are commonly used to detect the presence of such teeth, they can present deficiencies. In those situations, additional examinations can be requested. In this article, we are reporting the case of a 12-year-old patient, whose third superior molars appeared in a very atypical position. We chose to request a computed tomography and three-dimensional manipulation of the obtained images. This article, as its main goal, highlighted the importance of computed tomography and of three-dimensional reconstructions as a tool to precisely determine the location of enclosed teeth, thus allowing for a better planning of the surgery and a safer surgical intervention.

Vitamin E responsive neurological signs in ostriches (Struthio camelus).

Encephalomalacia in birds is commonly related to vitamin E deficiency. To the best of our knowledge, in ostriches there are no reports of neurological signs associated to nutritional deficiencies. Fourteen ostriches aged from 1 day to 3 weeks old were sent to necropsy and showed apathy, progressive weight loss, twisting or S-shaped flexure of the neck and mortality. Gross changes were mild and consisted of congested blood vessels besides edematous aspect of the cerebrum and cerebellum. Microscopic examination revealed congested meningeal vessels. Capillaries were evident in cortex and white matter of the encephalon. Focal spongy vacuolation and reactive gliosis were observed within the white matter of cerebellum. Four birds that presented neurological signs were inoculated by the subcutaneous route in the neck with 50 mg of vitamin E (alfatocoferol acetate), followed by clinical evaluation. These birds were fully recovered in a period of 24 h. Macroscopic and microscopic lesions associated to the clinical signs and to the therapeutic improvement provided by vitamin E administration are strong evidences of nutritional encephalomalacia (vitamin E deficiency).

Hepatic lesions in protein-deficient adult rats

Four groups of 10 young adult Wistar male rats were fed ad libitum on a protein-free diet for periods of 7, 28, 56 and 84 days. Control groups were fed on a 20% casein diet. Food intake and body weights of rats were registered. Plasma protein levels and liver weight and fat content were determined. Sections of the caudate lobe were studied histologically. Fatty changes were classified in three grades. Protein-deficient rats exhibited loss of body weight and had low levels of plasma protein concentration. Liver lost weight after 7 days of protein deficiency; there was a gradual reduction in liver weight as periods of protein deprivation were longer. After 7 days, liver fat concentration was not significantly higher than in the respective control group; it was significantly higher in all the other malnourished animals, As periods of protein deprivation were longer, fatty changes became more severe. Other hepatic lesions were found in 5 of the 10 rats submitted to the longest period of protein deficiency. One of the rats showed a diffuse cellular atrophy, 2 animals showed an extensive haemorrhagic necrosis, another showed a focal area of reticulum collapse and the last exhibited a distortion of the normal architecture of the liver due to diffuse reticulum collapse and early nodular regeneration; these 2 last rats showed early fibrosis in portal areas. The findings suggest that other deficiencies may complicate the protein deficiency when rats are given a protein-free diet over prolonged periods. Even if the protein-deficient diet has protective nutrients, it may be that, when rats eat less food, as occurs in prolonged experiments deficiency of one or all of these elements can occur, depending on their relative amount in diet.

Cell-mediated and humoral immunity in West syndrome

The immunological status of five children with West syndrome consequent to previous cerebral lesions was investigated. Three children had West syndrome and two were in transition from West to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. All of them showed cellular immunological deficiencies in the following tests: sensitization to DNCB, intracutaneous reaction to PHA, inhibition of leukocyte migration, blastic transformation of lymphocytes, T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood and levels of serum immunoglobulins. These immunological deficiencies, of different degrees of severity, were associated with frequent infections in these children. A possible association between the immunological deficiencies and autoimmunity is discussed.

Alterações imunitárias na cirrose hepática alcoólica+.

The alcoholic liver cirrhosis usually causes overall immunological changes which might be attributed to either the hepatic disease itself, to ethanol action and/or to malnourishment of the patient. These immune abnormalities comprise both cellular and humoral immunity, consisting of increased immunoglobulin levels, depressed late-skin response to antigens, lowered proliferative response of lymphocytes to mitogens, lower plasma levels of complement proteins (C3 and C4) and by either lower (IL2 and gamma IF) or increased (IL1, TNF, IL6 and IL8) cytokine levels. Parallel to the systemic immune suppression found in most patients, there is also a concomitant local, genetically based, immune stimulation at the liver level which leads to hepatic self-aggression. The systemic immune-suppression could be responsible for periodical infections or neoplasia found in these patients. The possible factors for the immune exhaustion are: a) lower hepatic clearance of toxins and/or bacteria; b) lower hepatic synthesis of complement components; c) cytokines (IL2 and gamma IF) deficiencies, and d) deficiencies of nutrients related to the antioxidant and/or immune defense mechanisms. The immune stimulation of the liver self aggression is characterized by the preferential migration of cytotoxic T cell and neutrophils to the liver, following stimulatory factors such as Mallory bodies, acetaldehyde and/or antibodies. Moreover, the local increase of cytokines (IL1, TNF, IL6 and IL8) levels would be liable for the local phagocyte chemotaxy (IL8) or part of liver injury (TNF) eased by the lower antioxidant defense of the cirrhotic liver.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cellulolytic activity of wild type and mutant Trichoderma pseudokoningii

Strains of Trichoderma pseudokoningii are promising objects for genetic studies and cellulase production. Auxotrophic mutants with deficiencies in the biosynthesis of aminoacids, nucleotides and vitamins (up to five markers) in addition to morphological aspects like conidial colour were obtained from two strains of double auxotrophic mutants using UV radiation. In order to compare the cellulolytic capabilities of the T. pseudokoningii (wild type strain), some of its mutants and T. reesei QM9414 we performed semiquantitative cellulase assays and quantitative determination of the enzymes exoglucanase and endoglucanase. The semiquantitative test showed that the strains with minimal mycelial growth rate were better producers. Both tests revealed that two of the studied mutants, TG3 and TG4 presented a yield higher than the wild type, reaching 30% more exoglucanase and 70% more endoglucanase. These results indicate that the wild type was improved for cellulase production. Highly significant values of correlation were found for exoglucanase and endoglucanase activities, suggesting that these enzymes may be co-regulated in T. pseudokoningii.

Modeling and identification of fertility maps using artificial neural networks

The application of agricultural fertilizers using variable rates along the field can be made through fertility maps previously elaborated or through real-time sensors. In most of the cases applies maps previously elaborated. These maps are identified from analyzes done in soil samples collected regularly (a sample for each field cell) or irregularly along the field. At the moment, mathematical interpolation methods such as nearest neighbor, local average, weighted inverse distance, contouring and kriging are used for predicting the variables involved with elaboration of fertility maps. However, some of these methods present deficiencies that can generate different fertility maps for a same data set. Moreover, such methods can generate inprecise maps to be used in precision farming. In this paper, artificial neural networks have been applied for elaboration and identification of precise fertility maps which can reduce the production costs and environmental impacts.

Interferentes eritrocitários e ambientais na anemia falciforme

Erythrocytes and environmental interferences on sickle cell anaemia Sickle cell anaemia runs na extremely variable clinical course At one end of spectrum, it is characterized by a crippling haemolitic anaemia, interspersed with severe exacerbations, or crises, yet it may be an extremely mild disorder, which is found only by chance on rotine haematological examination. The reasons are only partly understood for these remarkable differences in phenotypic expression of what appears to be the same genetic defect: they include the level of Hb Fetal, coinheritance of the alpha thalassaemia and of other genetic variantsthat has influence as genetic modulation in sickle cell anaemia. However, other genetics abnormalities of erythrocytes: G-6PD deficiency, spherocytosis and deficiencies of anti-oxidant enzymes(SOD, GPx and Catalase) probably interfereon the clinical course of sickle cell anaemia. The haplotypes of the chromosome (Bantu, Benin, Camaroon and Arab-Indian) bearing the sickle gene is associated with assorted haematological and clinical features that are likely, at least in part, to be mediated throgh effects on Hb Fetal concentration. Beyond these factors characterizes as erythrocytes interferents, there are the environmental interferents. Between environmental interferents become detached the socio-economic and cultural situation of each patient. These aspects have influence on the life of affected individuals including social interactions, family relations, peer interaction, intimate relationships, education, enployment, violence, spiritual attitudes and navigating complexities of the health care system, providers and their ancillary functions. As a result of this article it is proposed a protocol of laboratorial management of sickle cell syndrome with detach to sickle cell anaemia.

Doença arterial coronariana: Um novo paradigma na AIDS

The HIV-infected individuals have been identified as a peculiar group whose propensity to the development of abnormalities in lipids metabolism supports the hypothesis that AIDS itself can be considered as an independent risk factor for the occlusive diseases development. The AIDS progression, as well as the therapy against HIV has been capable to show an array of metabolic disturbances that HIV-infected patients are prone to. These metabolic alterations affect the fate of plasmatic lipids and homocysteine as a result of three factor mainly: (i) the viral infection per se which triggers the development of hypertriglyceridemia and hipocholesterolemia; (ii) multiple vitamins and micronutrients deficiencies, that favors an onset of hyperhomocysteinemia; (iii) the state-of-the-art therapy for HIV infection, which is accompanied to idiosyncratic effects encompassing the lipid metabolism. In this context, a variety of risk factors to atherosclerosis can be identified in the HIV-infected individual. Of note, it must be considered that once life expectancy of these patients has been expanded due to the effective therapy, on the other hand they can accelerate atherosclerotic disease or its pathological appearance in the same extent.

Minerals in the nutrition of extremely low birth weight infants

Objective: To review the literature on the role of calcium, phosphorus and trace elements in the nutrition of extremely low birth weight infants, considering their importance for metabolism, bone mineralization and as dietary components. Sources of data: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and books on nutrition were searched between 1994 and 2004. Original research studies and reviews were selected. Summary of the findings: Extremely preterm infants are frequently growth-restricted at hospital discharge as a consequence of difficulties in the provision of adequate nutrition. The long-term effects of this growth restriction need to be determined. There is a paucity of studies about the role of minerals, especially micronutrients, in the nutrition of extremely preterm infants. The principal focus of this review was on calcium and phosphorus metabolism, bone mineralization and parenteral and enteral supplementation. A critical evaluation of post-discharge nutrition and its influence upon growth and bone mineralization was presented. Selenium and zinc requirements and the role of selenium as an antioxidant with possible effects on free radical diseases of the preterm infant were discussed. Conclusions: Extremely preterm infants have low mineral reserves and, as a consequence, may have deficiencies in the postnatal period if they do not receive parenteral or enteral supplementation. More studies are needed to elucidate the actual requirements and the appropriate supplementation of micronutrients. There are controversies about the outcome and the influence of post-discharge nutrition on bone disease of prematurity. Copyright © 2005 by Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria.