Histological and morphometric comparisons of worker and queen mandibular glands of Melipona bicolor bicolor (Hymenoptera, Meliponini)

In the present investigation we analyzed both histology and area of secretory cells from workers, virgin and physogastric queen mandibular glands of Melipona bicolor bicolor Lepeletier. The histological differences observed include the number of vacuoles present in the cell cytoplasm and the quantity and distribution of the secretion. The morphometry results demonstrated the occurrence of significative differences in the cell area values that were related to the secretory cell activity level, which is higher in the physogastric queens. Worker and queen glands have histological patterns quite similar, but the morphometric data indicated cast-specific differences, as well as differences between the queens, which were related to the posture activity.

Ultrastructural and morphometric analysis on the ovary of Wistar rats after chronic ethanol ingestion

In the present study, seventy-two adult rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) aged three months were used. The animals were divided into two groups (control and alcoholic). The control group received a solid diet (Purina rat chow) and tap water ad libitum. The alcoholic group received the same solid diet and sugar-cane liquid (trade 51, 41° Gay Lussac - GL) diluted 30° GL. At the end or 90, 180 and 270 days of treatment, ten rats of each group were anaesthetized with ethyl ether and sacrificed. The ovaries were collected, fixed, included and submitted to analysis by both light and electron microscopy. The alcoholic group showed increase in the number of corpora lutea at both 180 and 270 days of treatment, atresic follicles at 270 days of treatment, decreased diameter of corpora lutea at 180 and 270 days of treatment, the granulosa layer of the antral follicles at 180 days of treatment, and gradual regression of the theca antral follicles. Furthermore, an increase in diameter and posterior regression of the antral follicle were observed, as well as vacuolation, increased lipid droplets in the granulosa cell at 90 days and in the theca at 180 and 270 days of treatment and gradually in the interstitial cell. The rats showed ovarian alterations after ingestion of alcohol. There was a correlation between exposure time to the drug and the injury observed.

Desempenho e morfometria da mucosa de duodeno de frangos de corte alimentados com farelo de canola, durante o período inicial

A trial was carried to verify the effect of increasing levels (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%) of canola meal in diets of broiler chickens on performance and mucous morphology, during the starting period (1 - 21 days). One thousand 1-d male chicks were assigned to a randomized experimental assay, with five treatments, four replicates and 50 birds per experimental unit. At the 1 st, 21 st and 41 st days, the birds and the rations were weighed. At the 21 st day, two birds of each experimental unit were sacrificed for collection of a duodenum segment to evaluate the intestinal morphometry. The results demonstrated that increasing levels of canola meal resulted in linear reduction on weight gain, weight and feed intake and worst feed conversion. During the growing period (21 to 41 days), when all birds received similar diet, average weight and weight gain decreased, as the canola meal levels increased, while feed conversion and feed intake were similar. Data regarding mucous morphology, submitted to the regression analysis, demonstrated that the crypt depth increased, as the canola meal levels increased. It is possible to include up to 20% of canola meal without damages on broiler performance and digestive tract.

Aplicação do Índice Relaçáo Declividade-Extensão - RDE Na Bacia do Rio do Peixe (SP) para Detecção de Deformações Neotectô nicas

This paper presents the identification of tectonic deformation through the application of the stream-gradient index (slope x length) method in the Rio do Peixe hydrographic basin, located in western State of Sã o Paulo. The main principle used is that river valleys are the best tools for this type of analysis because of their fast adjustment to even the most gentle crustal deformations. This type of analysis for structural studies is extremely useful in the western region of the State of São Paulo, where deep chemical weathering results in a thick regolith and scarce outcrops. The stream length index is the ratio of the altimetric amplitude of each drainage and the natural logarithm of its length. The value obtained is plotted on maps at the median point of each drainage, allowing the drawings of lines with the same values (isodefs). Three anomalies (A, B and C) were identified along the Rio do Peixe valley representing uplift sectors indicated by the formation and distribution of Upper Quaternary deposits in terraces and modern fluvial plains and alluvial fans. In correlation with known tectonic data for this region it is possible to attribute the A and B anomalies to the Ribeirão Preto and Presidente Prudente crustal sutures, respectively. The smaller C anomaly needs further field investigation, but it could be associated with the Três Lagoas crustal suture. It must be emphasised that these sutures are inherited from the Precambrian Basement which had a strong influence on the Phanerozoic evolution in the whole sedimentary and volcanic stratigraphic pile of the Paraná Basin and on the dominant structural lineaments directions developed therein .The A, Band C anomalies are suggestive of renewed uplift as a result of neotectonic action in modern times.

Effects of cigarette smoke on the Meckel's cartilage of rat fetus : Morphologic, morphometric and stereologic study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cigarette smoke on the development of the embryo mandible (Meckel's) cartilage in rat fetuses. When inhaled by female Wistar rats between the 9th and the 12th day of pregnancy, cigarette smoke (5 cigarettes a day) caused intrauterine growth retardation, providing smaller fetuses and placentas. In fetuses from the experimental group, the histopathologic examination revealed a poorly developed Meckel' s cartilage with smaller chondroblasts showing a scanty cytoplasm with spherical and paler central nuclei, as well as more abundant cartilage matrix. Morphometric analysis revealed that Meckel's cartilage lacunae were smaller in the fetuses from the experimental group, although not showing any remarkable alteration in shape. The results suggested that inhalation of cigarette smoke by pregnant rats during the organogenic period induced growth retardation and delayed cellular differentiation in rat fetal Meckel's cartilage.

Morphometric analysis of a population of diplopods of the genus Rhinocricus Karsch, 1881

Diplopods belonging to the subclass Helminthomorpha may present one or both leg pairs of the seventh diplosegment modified into structures that aid copulation, called gonopods. These structures are used as a taxonomic trait for the description of most species. In the genus Rhinocricus these structures are closely similar, so that it is difficult to distinguish species only on the basis of this trait. Two species, R. padbergi and R. varians, are found in the same habitat and present gonopods practically identical in shape; together they present a broad colour gradient, ranging from dark brown to light beige. Morphometric data for individuals of the experimental group were submitted to ANOVA and MANOVA, using Hotelling-Lawley Trace and generalized Mahalanobis distances (D 2) tests. The results demonstrated a relationship between size and colour, with darker individuals being larger. On the basis of this preliminary analysis, we may suggest that the two species are distinct since dark individuals are distant from medium- and light-coloured individuals according to the D 2 values. This seems to indicate a possible polymorphism of individuals belonging to R. padbergi which present close proximity in the values obtained. In all analyses, we observed that the main variables were diameter, length and telson size.

Detecção de prováveis deformações neotectônicas no Vale do Rio do Peixe, Região Ocidental Paulista, mediante aplicaçao de Índices RDE (Relac̈ão Declividade-Extensão) em segmentos de drenagem

Running water is one of the most important of all the physical processes which fashion the landscape, allowing gravity to operate along the valley floors. Besides this, the streams show a fast adjustment to the crustal deformations, even to the most gentle ones. This geologic behavior turns them a potential tool for neotectonic studies, specially the analysis of morphotnetric parameters associated with hydraulic gradient and discharge, this second factor being directly proportional to the extension of the streams. Both elements, gradient and stream length, can be combined in the SL index. The purpose of this paper is to show the RDE index application in the neotectonics analysis of the Rio do Peixe hydrographic basin and to compare the obtained values with the geologic basement incised by the streams. This basement encompasses Cretaceous sedimentary rocks of post-Serra Oeral Formation magmatism (Caiuá and Bauru groups) and Quaternary deposits that include chiefly recent alluvial plains and some Pleistocene terrace deposits. In the final part of this paper, an attempt is made in order to correlate the RDE results and the neotectonic framework admitted to this portion of the São Paulo State territory, as well as with field geologic, seismologic and paleoseismologic known elements. The results indicate the presence of two groups of anomalies: The first set corresponds to the Marília-Exaporã Plateau border, and the second one, located in the central portion of the hydrographic basin, is correlated to the Presidente Prudente seimogenic zone.

In situ expression of mononuclear cell markers and interleukin-2 receptor in renal allograft biopsies of acute rejection and borderline cases

The correct diagnosis of renal allograft rejection may be difficult using only clinical and/or histopathological criteria. Immunological assays should be considered in order to evaluate the phenotype of inflammatory infiltrate in renal allograft biopsies. Immunohistochemical studies were performed to detect mononuclear cells, CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, macrophages, null cells, and positive cells for interleukin-2 receptors. A total of 41 allograft biopsies classified into three groups were studied: acute cellular rejection (28 biopsies/22 patients), borderline (7 biopsies/5 patients) and control (6 biopsies/6 patients). In the rejection group (RG), increased cellularity was found mainly at the tubulo-interstitial level. Expression of CD8 positive cells was higher in RG when compared to borderline (BG) and control (CG) groups, respectively (0.9 vs. 0.0 vs. 0.35 cells/mm2; p < 0.001). Expression of macrophages was not statistically significant among the three groups (RG = 0.6 vs. BG = 0.2 vs. CG = 0.0 cells/mm2; p < 0.02). In the BG, CD4 + cells predominated (BG = 0.2 vs. RG = 0.05 vs. CG = 0.0 cells/mm2; p < 0.05). Clinically these patients were treated as cases of acute rejection. The numbers and different types of infiltrating cells did not correlate with patient's clinical outcome. Copyright © Informa Healthcare.

Fertilização e desenvolvimento embrionário: Morfometria e análise estereomicroscópica dos ovos dos híbridos de surubins (pintado, Pseudoplatystoma corruscans x cachara, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum)

This study aimed to analyze the morphometry of hybrids' eggs under stereomicroscopy. The induced reproduction was carried out in specimens of pintado's females (P. corruscans) and cachara's males (P. fasciatum) from Cepta - Ibama, Pirassununga, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Samples were collected in extrusion moment, during the fertilization, in times of 10 and 30 seconds, 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 45 minutes, 1 hour, at every 15 minutes until completing 2 hours, and afterwards, at every hour until the larval hatching. Oocytes and eggs' external morphology were observed, photographed and 30 samples from each moment were measured in stereomicroscopy. Oocytes, in the time of extrusion, and the eggs presented a spherical form and yellowish color. Characteristics such as wide perivitelinic space, somites, presence of optical vesicle and the main phases of embryonic development as egg-cell (blastodisc), 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 blastomeres, morula, blastula, gastrula, epiboly movements, formation and larvae hatching were verified.

Avaliação histológica da pele após exposição a gel acrescido de hialuronidase associado ou não a ultra-som

The objective of this work was to verify the effect in the skin of male swines gel (G) containing hyaluronidase (H) associated or not to ultrasound (US). In different areas was applied G; G+US; G+H; G+H+US and mesotherapy (M). Skin fragment was processed in paraffin. To evidence hyaluronic acid (HA) coloration with Alcian Blue (AB) was used and coloration with Hematoxilin/Eosin for morphometry. It was observed that G+H and G+H+US did not reduce coloration for the AB nor presented significant differences for the morphometry. When H was applied mesoteraphycally coloration for the AB diminished. Then, the use of H associated or with US did not seem efficient in the HA reduction.

Length-weight relationships, condition and population structure of the genus Atlantoraja (Elasmobranchii, Rajidae, Arhynchobatinae) in Southeastern Brazilian waters, SW Atlantic Ocean

During the present study, 107 specimens of Atlantoraja castelnaui, 188 of A. platana, and 770 of A. cyclophora, were obtained by commercial vessels operating in Southeastern Brazil from March 2005 to April 2006. Males of A. castelnaui ranged from 17.9-111.0 cm and females from 17.4-116.0 cm total length. Males of A. platana ranged from 13.1-70.0 cm and females from 12.5-76.0 cm total length. Males of A. cyclophora ranged from 13.3-58.5 cm and females from 11.5-68.0 cm total length. Length-weight curves were sexually dimorphic in the three species. The analysis of the angular coefficient (b) demonstrated that growth (in weight) in relation to length was allometric (b>3) in males of A. castelnaui and A. platana, while isometric (b = 3) in females of these species. Conversely, growth of A. cyclphora was isometric in males, while in females it was allometric (b>3). The condition factor varied significantly throughout the year only in females of A. castelnaui.

Morfologia e morfometria dos tipos de fibras do músculo reto abdominal de cadelas (canis familiaris) durante a gestação

The present paper deals with the evaluation of morphological and morphometric alterations of slow-twist (I) and fast-twitch (II) fibers of rectus abdominis muscle of adult female dog during pregestational phase, at 30 and 60 days of pregnancy and at 30 days after the parturition. At the every phases, using the open biopsy technique, muscle samples were collected. The samples were plunged. Histological sections were cut in a microtome. For general morphology, some sections were stained with HE. Subsequent sections were reacted for myofibrillar ATPase (m-ATPase), after alkaline (pH 10.4) and acid (pH 4.4) pre-incubations, in order to identificate type I and II fibers. In the pre-gestational phase, muscle tissue revealed to be composed by fibers with different diameters, presenting polygonal outlines and one or more periphery nuclei. At 30 days of pregnancy, muscle fiber characteristics were similar. At 60 days, in addition to the existence of normal fibers, polymorphic and small diameter fibers were frequent. At 30 days after the parturation, the morphology of muscle fiber were similar to that observed in the pre-gestational phase. In the four phases, type II fiber diameters were lager than type I. The diameters of both fiber types showed a significant reduction in the 30 days phase and a significative increasing at 60 days. The expansion of the abdominal wall during the pregnancy represents a chronic stimulus, induced changes in the morphology and in the fiber type diameters.

Doxazosin reduces cell proliferation and increases collagen fibers in rat prostatic lobes

We investigated the effects of doxazosin (Dox), an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist used clinically for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), on the rat prostatic complex by assessing structural parameters, collagen fiber content, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Adult Wistar rats were treated with Dox (25 mg/kg per day), and the ventral (VP), dorsolateral, and anterior prostate (AP) regions of the prostate complex were excised at 3, 7, and 30 days after treatment. At 24 h before being killed, the rats were injected once with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU; thymidine analog) to label mitotically active cells. The prostates were weighed and processed for histochemistry, morphometry-stereology, immunohistochemistry for BrdU, Western blotting for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and the TUNEL reaction for apoptosis. Dox-treated prostate lobes at day 3 presented increased weight, an enlarged ductal lumen, low cubical epithelial cells, reduced epithelial folds, and stretched smooth muscle cells. However, at day 30, the prostates exhibited a weight reduction of ∼20% and an increased area of collagen and reticular fibers in the stromal space. Dox also reduced epithelial cell proliferation and increased apoptosis in the three prostatic lobes. Western blotting for PCNA confirmed the reduction of cell proliferation by Dox, with the AP and VP being more affected than the dorsal prostate. Thus, Dox treatment alters epithelial cell behavior and prostatic tissue mechanical demand, inducing tissue remodeling in which collagen fibers assume a major role. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.

Direct and indirect connections between cochlear root neurons and facial motor neurons: Pathways underlying the acoustic pinna reflex in the albino rat

Cochlear root neurons (CRNs) are involved in the acoustic startle reflex, which is widely used in behavioral models of sensorimotor integration. A short-latency component of this reflex, the auricular reflex, promotes pinna movements in response to unexpected loud sounds. However, the pathway involved in the auricular component of the startle reflex is not well understood. We hypothesized that the auricular reflex is mediated by direct and indirect inputs from CRNs to the motoneurons responsible for pinna movement, which are located in the medial subnucleus of the facial motor nucleus (Mot7). To assess whether there is a direct connection between CRNs and auricular motoneurons in the rat, two neuronal tracers were used in conjunction: biotinylated dextran amine, which was injected into the cochlear nerve root, and Fluoro-Gold, which was injected into the levator auris longus muscle. Under light microscopy, close appositions were observed between axon terminals of CRNs and auricular motoneurons. The presence of direct synaptic contact was confirmed at the ultrastructural level. To confirm the indirect connection, biotinylated dextran amine was injected into the auditory-responsive portion of the caudal pontine reticular nucleus, which receives direct input from CRNs. The results confirm that the caudal pontine reticular nucleus also targets the Mot7 and that its terminals are concentrated in the medial subnucleus. Therefore, it is likely that CRNs innervate auricular motoneurons both directly and indirectly, suggesting that these connections participate in the rapid auricular reflex that accompanies the acoustic startle reflex. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Caracterização morfométrica da microbacia hidrográfica do Córrego da fazenda glória, Município de Taquaritinga, SP.

The analysis of morphometric characteristics is used to understand the relationship between soil and surface as a result of erosive processes on different structures and lithologies. The objective of this study was to study the morphometric characteristics of Fazenda Gloria watershed from 1983 to 2000, a fourth-order watershed in Taquaritinga Municipality, São Paulo State. The study was based on photointerpretation techniques. Drainage net and the respective watersheds were selected and the morphometric variables were determined. The watersheds consisted of 7 second-order watersheds and 2 third-order watersheds. The morphometric characteristics showed a reduction in the number of segments of first-order rivers and in the length of the drainage net during the study period. These findings could be related to several influences on land development considering occupation and use of land. A different hydrological behavior could also be observed. The analysis of Fazenda Glória Watershed showed that the length of the segment of fourth order river remained constant during the study period.