Use of saprophytic leptospira strains in the serodiagnosis of experimental leptospirosis in guinea-pigs (Cavia sp)

No presente estudo foi avaliada, através da reação de soroaglutinação microscópica, a eficiência de quatro estirpes apatogênicas de Leptospira biflexa (Buenos Aires, Patoc 1, Rufino e São Paulo) como antígeno único para o diagnóstico sorológico em cobaias experimentalmente infectadas com sete diferentes sorotipos de Leptospira interrogans (canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, pomona, tarassovi e wolffi). As estirpes Buenos Aires, Patoc 1, Rufino e São Paulo não foram eficientes em revelar títulos de anticorpos nos soros das cobaias infectadas com Leptospira interrogans. Durante o experimento, foi observada a ocorrên cia de reações sorológicas cruzadas entre as estirpes Patoc 1 e São Paulo e também entre os sorotipos wolffi e hardjo.

Neospora caninum infection in birds: experimental infections in chicken and embryonated eggs

Neospora caninum causes economical impact in cattle-raising farms since it is implicated as the major cause of bovine abortions. Although infection by the parasite has been widely described in mammals, the role of birds in its life-cycle is still obscure. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the infection by N. caninum in different chicken models. Experimental infections were conducted in 7-day-old chicks, laying hens and embryonated eggs, where samples were analysed for parasite burden, IgG antibodies and lesions promoted. Chickens demonstrated an asymptomatic infection, although with seroconversion and systemic replication of the parasite. In laying hens, no signs of vertical transmission were observed. However, embryonated eggs inoculated by the allantoic cavity route demonstrated susceptibility to infection, with mortality rates around 50% independent of the inoculum dose. Additionally, dogs became infected after ingestion of different amounts of inoculated eggs, producing either oocysts or specific IgG antibodies. The results herein presented demonstrate that chickens may be intermediate hosts of N. caninum and that embryonated eggs could be a useful model to study the parasite's biology.

Immunohistochemical characterization of mononuclear cells and MHC II expression in the brain of horses with experimental chronic Trypanosoma evansi infection

Este estudo objetivou caracterizar a resposta imune celular no sistema nervoso central (SNC) de eqüinos com infecção crônica experimental por Trypanosoma evansi. Para este propósito, foram utilizados os métodos histoquímicos (HE) e imunoistoquímicos do complexo avidina-biotina peroxidase (ABC). O fenótipo do infiltrado celular foi caracterizado com o auxílio de anticorpos anti - CD3, para linfócitos T e antiBLA36 para linfócitos B. Os macrófagos foram marcados com anticorpo antiantígenos da linhagem mielóide/histiócitos (Clone Mac387). A lesão no sistema nervoso central (SNC) dos eqüinos infectados com T. evansi foi caracterizada como meningoencefalite e meningomielite não supurativa. A gravidade das lesões variou em diferentes segmentos do SNC, refletindo distribuição irregular das alterações vasculares. A distribuição de células T e B e antígenos do complexo maior de histocompatibilidade classe II foram avaliados dentro do SNC de eqüinos cronicamente infectados com T. evansi. O infiltrado perivascular e meníngeo eram constituídos predominantemente por células T e B. Macrófagos foram raramente visualizados. T.evansi não foi identificado no parênquima do SNC dos eqüinos.

Postharvest quality of twelve onion cultivars grown in the Southeast of Brazil

Onions (Allium cepa L.) are grown in different parts of the Brazilian territory and are considered the third most important vegetable crop cultivated in the country, only behind potatoes and tomatoes. The present work was carried out aiming to evaluate the postharvest quality of twelve different onion cultivars grown in the Southeast of Brazil. Onions of the cultivars; 'Adocicada', 'Branca', 'Picante' and 'Roxa' were harvested in commercial fields and the cultivars 'Princesa', 'Serrana', 'Bulbo duplo', 'Granex 33', 'XP 6803', 'XP 8418', 'RP 6010' and 'Superex' were obtained in experimental fields. After harvest, bulbs were taken to the postharvest laboratory and evaluated for total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pungency (aliinase activity). For total soluble solids 'Superex' had the lowest sugar content (5.4 degrees Brix) whereas the cultivar named 'Picante' showed the highest Brix (11.0 degrees Brix) among the studied materials. For titratable acidity, it was verified that 'Serrana' had the lowest acid content (0.094 g piruvic acid.100 g(-1) FW) whereas 'Branca' showed the highest content of organic acids. When pungency was evaluated it was verified that aliinase activity varied from 1.37 pg piruvic acid.100 g(-1) FW for 'Adocicada' to 12.18 mu g piruvic acid.100 g(-1) FW for 'Roxa', which was considered to have hot pungency (high alliinase activity and low TSS/TA), whereas 'Bulbo duplo' was evaluated as pungent (high alliinase activity and TSS/TA). The combination of the studied characteristics indicated that an onion with high pungency must have high aliinase activity and titratable acidity, whereas sweet onions shall have high soluble solids contents and low aliinase activity. Based on this information, 'Branca' bulbs were considered acids (weak pungency and high acidity), whereas 'Adocicada', 'Princesa', and 'Serrana' bulbs are sweet, due to low alliinase activity and titratable acidity. 'Superex', 'XP 6803', 'Granex 33' and 'Picante' had a moderately pungent flavor (alliinase activity intermediate and low TSS/TA), but 'XP 8418' and 'RP 6010' flavor was evaluated as lightly pungent (low alliinase activity TSS/TA).

Effect of inclusion of citrus pulp in the diet of finishing swines

No primeiro ensaio foram utilizados 16 suínos machos castrados da linhagem Topigs, com peso inicial de 80,5±4,7 kg, para a avaliação biológica da polpa cítrica. Por apresentar 18,85% de fibra em detergente neutro e 41,18% de fibra solúvel em detergente neutro, a polpa cítrica mostrou-se como um ingrediente viável a ser utilizado em programas de restrição alimentar qualitativa. No segundo ensaio foram utilizados 36 suínos machos castrados, com peso inicial de 83,7±5,1 kg, recebendo rações com níveis de 0, 10, 20 e 30% de polpa cítrica. Os animais foram abatidos com peso próximo de 130 kg, sendo avaliados quanto ao desempenho e parâmetros séricos. Houve resposta quadrática (P<0,05) para ganho diário de peso e número de dias para atingir o peso de 130 kg, em função dos níveis de polpa cítrica na dieta, sendo observados melhores resultados com níveis de inclusão de 10,79 e 10,97%, respectivamente. Para os parâmetros séricos avaliados, não foi observado efeito (P>0,05) dos níveis de polpa cítrica sobre a uréia e triacilgliceróis, porém houve resposta quadrática (P<0,05) para o colesterol em função dos níveis de polpa cítrica.

Effects of different soil tillage systems and coverages on soybean crop in the Botucatu Region in Brazil

Nowadays, agricultural practices should combine high yields with a sustainable use of resources. Different tillage practices and crop covers, if combined, may help to achieve both objectives. In this work, several traits of a soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) cultivar were studied under different conditions of tillage and previous soil coverages. The experiment was installed at Lageado Research Station, Botucatu county, SP, Brazil, on a Paleudult. It consisted of nine treatments (combining three systems of soil tillage and three cover crops) and 4 replicates, yielding 36 plots of a randomized block experimental design. The soil tillage systems considered were: (i) conventional tillage with two heavy harrowing and a levelling harrowing; (ii) chiseling, and (iii) no-tillage with chemical drying of vegetation. The three cover crops used were: black oat, sorghum and spontaneous vegetation. Analyzed variables were: plant height, initial and final plant densities, height of first pod insertion, weight of a thousand grains, number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, and crop yield. No significant differences were observed for most of the analyzed variables; however, conventional tillage produced significantly heavier grains and a higher number of pods per plant. The selected covers were considered an excellent coverage prior to planting soybean in a crop rotation. The three tillage systems can be used for deployment of culture without compromising the development of soybean.

Yield of upland rice cultivars in rainfed and sprinkler-irrigated systems in the Cerrado region of Brazil

In upland rice, the reduced grain yield that originates from the moisture stress period is related to the plant's tolerance of water deficiency and may vary between cultivars. The purpose of the work presented here was to evaluate the performance of upland rice cultivars in both rainfed and sprinkler-irrigated systems. A split-plot scheme with 8 replicates in a randomised block design was used. The plots were composed of 2 cropping systems (rainfed and sprinkler-irrigated) and the split-plot consisted of 2 cultivars (IAC 201 and Carajas) which are suggested for cultivation in upland ecosystems. Carajas had a greater number of panicles per square metre, higher spikelet fertility and grain mass, and, consequently, a higher grain yield than IAC 201 regardless of cropping system. IAC 201 was more sensitive to water deficiency than Carajas. Sprinkler irrigation improved spikelet fertility, grain mass and upland rice grain yield. Even when cultivars with a higher tolerance of water deficiency are used, a sprinkler-irrigated system may be a viable method to increase upland rice yield throughout most of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Effects of calcium gluconate and PMSF in the treatment of acute intoxication of chicken by TOCP

To examine the efficacy of calcium gluconate (two doses of Ca-Glu 5 mg/kg i.v.) to alleviate the injurious effects of organophosphorus induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) in the presence or absence of phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF go mg/kg i.m.), 14 groups of four isabrown hens were used. To measure the lymphocyte neuropathy target esterase (LNTE)activity, groups receiving just distilled water (control), groups receiving just Tri-orto-cresyl phosphate (TOCP; 500 mg/kg p.o.) (Positive control), and other groups receiving TOCP and Ca-Glu or PMSF simultaneously or 12 hours later following intoxication by TOCP were used. They were sacrificed 12 and 24 hours after the administration of TOCP. To observe a 28-day time course of neurotoxicity scores and calcium plasma concentration, five groups were used. Regarding free Ca(2+)in the plasma, the positive control produced a characteristic profile time course up and down (luring 28 days, and some hens with maximum score of neurotoxicity in 28 days. The treatment, which prevented greater oscillation in free Ca(2+) in the plasma, presented a decrease in OPIDN in relation to the positive control. Twelve hours after the administration of TOCP, LNTE was 70-80% inhibited when compared with control, whereas the first decrease in the free Ca(2+) in the plasma was significantly different from the control only 24 hours after the administration of TOCP. In summary, the sooner the Ca-Glu is started, the less severe the neuropathy effects.

Experimental dermatophytosis in hamsters inoculated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes in the cheek pouch

Esse estudo apresenta os resultados obtidos quando da inoculação de Trychophyton mentagrophytes na bolsa jugal do hamster, local imunologicamente privilegiado. Foram utilizados 42 animais: 21 inoculados com 10(6) fungos na bolsa jugal (grupo 1) e, 21 inicialmente inoculados com 10(6) fungos no coxim plantar e, 15 dias após, na bolsa jugal com a mesma quantidade fúngica (grupo 2). Os animais foram sacrificados às 20 h, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60 e 120 dias; foram coletadas amostras da bolsa jugal inoculada, e das patas submetidas ao teste do coxim plantar (TCP). Independente do grupo e do tempo de evolução da infecção, os animais não desenvolveram hipersensibilidade tardia avaliada através do TCP. A pré-inoculação de fungos no coxim plantar não alterou a morfologia das lesões induzidas na bolsa jugal. Assim, nos animais do grupo 1 e grupo 2, a introdução do fungo na bolsa jugal, resultou em lesão focal, constituída por infiltrado inflamatório agudo estéril, com formação de abscesso, que evoluiu para reação macrofágica e, posteriormente, para a resolução mesmo na ausência de resposta imune detectável pelo TCP. Nossos resultados indicam que, apesar do importante papel da resposta imune na regressão espontânea da dermatofitose, outros fatores são, também, parte integral da defesa contra esta infecção fúngica.

The influence of physical activity in the progression of experimental lung cancer in mice

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The work and health process in the sugarcane agroindustry in Franca, Brazil

This study aimed to discuss the interrelation between social determinants and the health conditions of workers in the sugarcane agroindustry in the region of Franca, in the countryside of São Paulo State, Brazil, from 2005 to 2006, considering the present socio-economic, historical, political and cultural conditions.

Influence of degradation on the electrical conduction process in ZnO and SnO2-based varistors

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

Experimental analysis of harmonic distortions in the excitation currents of double-excited three-phase transformers

This paper shows the results of experimental investigations of three-phase banks composed of single-phase transformers and three-phase three-limb core transformers under simultaneous alternating and direct current excitations, for several winding connections. Harmonic analysis of excitation currents for different de saturation levels is performed.

Comparison of the univariate and multivariate methods in the optimization of experimental conditions for determining Cu, Pb, Ni and Cd in biodiesel by GFAAS

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

Modeling the dielectric response of lanthanum modified lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramics-an approach to the phase transitions in relaxor ferroelectrics

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