Technological level and epidemiological aspects of sheep husbandry in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil

Epidemiological and health aspects of sheep husbandry were assessed on 213 sheep flocks in 142 municipalities from the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. An updated questionnaire was filled out for each flock, requesting data on the farm, the flock and the farmer by the veterinarians of the State Government Agency for Animal Health (Instituto Mineiro de Agropecuária). Thirteen important variables were selected and scored to determine the technological level of the 117 farms; 0.9% of them was classified as high technological level, 45.3% as medium technological level and 53.0% as low technological level. Lamb production was the main objective of the farms and the main features were low-frequencies of individual identification of animals (16.9%), technical assistance (31.9%), use of quarantine for newly acquired animals (0.9%) the separation of animals by age group (3.7%) and requeste the sanitary certificate at purchasing of animals (11.7%). The main health problems reported were abortion (23.9%), keratoconjunctivitis (17.9%), contagious ecthyma (13.6%), pneumonia (10.3%), diarrhea (9.3%) and caseous lymphadenitis (6.1%). Information of the epidemiological situation and the mainly health measures used in the sheep farms are important to improve the productivity and quality of the lamb.

Mathematical modeling of level of anaesthesia from EEG measurements

Problem of modeling of anaesthesia depth level is studied in this Master Thesis. It applies analysis of EEG signals with nonlinear dynamics theory and further classification of obtained values. The main stages of this study are the following: data preprocessing; calculation of optimal embedding parameters for phase space reconstruction; obtaining reconstructed phase portraits of each EEG signal; formation of the feature set to characterise obtained phase portraits; classification of four different anaesthesia levels basing on previously estimated features. Classification was performed with: Linear and quadratic Discriminant Analysis, k Nearest Neighbours method and online clustering. In addition, this work provides overview of existing approaches to anaesthesia depth monitoring, description of basic concepts of nonlinear dynamics theory used in this Master Thesis and comparative analysis of several different classification methods.

Relation between the level of self-mutilation and theconcentration of fecal metabolites of glucocorticoids incaptive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

The influence of stress in an environment, according with the behavioral and endocrine variables of primates, are increasingly being studied by a diversity of authors, and have shown that abnormal behaviors associated with increased glucocorticoids may be directly related with the impairment of their well-being. In this work were used 22 adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), 11 males and 11 females, kept in captivity in three different institutions. All animals had their behavior registered by focal session using a 30 seconds sample interval, during six months, totaling 4,800 registries per each animal. During this period, fecal samples were collected 3 times a week for the extraction and measurement of the concentration of fecal metabolites of glucocorticoid by radioimmunoassay. Of the total observed, stereotypical behaviors represented 13,45±2.76%, and among them, self-mutilation represented 38.28±3.98 %. The animals were classified into three different scores, according with the percentage of body surface with alopecia due to self-mutilation. It was found a positive correlation of high intensity between the scores of alopecia due to the observed mutilation and the average concentrations of fecal metabolites of glucocorticoids. This result strongly suggests that this measurement of self-mutilation in a chimpanzee can be used as an important auxiliary tool to evaluate de conditions of adaptation of an animal in captivity, functioning as a direct indicator of the presence of chronic stress.

Reshaping Digital Library Services at National Level – Why, How, When?

Kristiina Hormia-Poutasen esitys Liber-konferenssissa Münchenissa, Saksassa 27.6.2013.

Low level resistance of goosegrass (Eleusine indica) to glyphosate in Rio Grande do Sul-Brazil

In the last growing seasons, goosegrass (Eleusine spp.) control failures have been observed following application of glyphosate on Roundup Ready® soybean in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) - Brazil, suggesting this species' resistance to the herbicide. Thus, the objectives of this study were to identify the occurrence of goosegrass resistance to the herbicide glyphosate in RS; and to determine the predominant species of the genus Eleusine, as well as the LD50 and GR50 of the suspected resistant biotypes. Two experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions: one to identify the biotypes resistant to glyphosate, and the other, a dose-response curve experiment, as well as a study of the botanical characteristics of the species. In the first experiment, 39 biotypes were tested, mainly Eleusine indica, collected with suspected resistance to glyphosate. The glyphosate dose was 2,160 g e.a. ha-1, and the control was evaluated at 28 days after treatment. All biotypes were effectively controlled,with the biotypes from the municipality of Boa Vista do Incra showing greater tolerance. Two biotypes suspected of resistance (12.1 and 12.3) and a susceptible biotype in a dose-response experiment were tested at the following doses: 0, 135, 270, 540, 1,080, 1,620, and 2,160 g e.a. ha-1. The results of this experiment showed that biotype 12.1 does not present resistance to glyphosate and biotype 12.3 has a low level resistance since it is effectively controlled by the herbicide at the maximum dose.

Adaptive value of ryegrass biotypes with low-level resistance and susceptible to the herbicide fluazifop and competitive ability with the wheat culture

Ryegrass is the main weed in wheat crop, causing yield loss due to competition by environmental resources. The objectives of this study were to estimate the fitness cost of ryegrass biotypes with low-level resistance and susceptible to fluazifop and to investigate the relative competitive ability of these biotypes between themselves and against the crop. Thus, fitness cost and competitive ability experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions. For the fitness cost experiments, the low-level resistant ryegrass biotypes and those susceptible to fluazifop were used. For competitive ability, the treatments were arranged in a replacement series, with five proportions of the wheat cultivar FUNDACEP Horizonte and the low-level resistant and susceptible ryegrass biotypes 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100. Competitive analysis was carried out through diagrams applied to the replacement experiments and use of relative competitiveness indices. Variables evaluated were plant height, in the fitness cost experiment, and leaf area and shoot dry biomass in both experiments. The ryegrass biotypes show overall similar fitness cost and competitive ability. The wheat cultivar FUNDACEP Horizonte is superior in competitive ability to the ryegrass biotype with low-level resistance and equivalent to the susceptible biotype.

Complementarity of radioautographic and immunohistochemical techniques for localizing neuroreceptors at the light and electron microscopy level

To assess relationships between neuropeptide-binding sites and receptor proteins in rat brain, the distribution of radioautographically labeled somatostatin and neurotensin-binding sites was compared to that of immunolabeled sst2A and NTRH receptor subtypes, respectively. By light microscopy, immunoreactive sst2A receptors were either confined to neuronal perikarya and dendrites or diffusely distributed in tissue. By electron microscopy, areas expressing somatodendritic sst2A receptors displayed only low proportions of membrane-associated, as compared to intracellular, receptors. Conversely, regions displaying diffuse sst2A labeling exhibited higher proportions of membrane-associated than intracellular receptors. Furthermore, the former showed only low levels of radioautographically labeled somatostatin-binding sites whereas the latter contained high densities of somatostatin-binding suggesting that membrane-associated receptors are preferentially recognized by the radioligand. In the case of NTRH receptors, there was a close correspondence between the light microscopic distribution of NTRH immunoreactivity and that of labeled neurotensin-binding sites. Within the substantia nigra, the bulk of immuno- and autoradiographically labeled receptors were associated with the cell bodies and dendrites of presumptive DA neurons. By electron microscopy, both markers were detected inside as well as on the surface of labeled neurons. At the level of the plasma membrane, their distribution was highly correlated and characterized by a lack of enrichment at the level of synaptic junctions and by a homogeneous distribution along the remaining neuronal surface, in conformity with the hypothesis of an extra-synaptic action of this neuropeptide. Inside labeled dendrites, there was a proportionally higher content of immunoreactive than radiolabeled receptors. Some of the immunolabeled receptors not recognized by the radioligand were found in endosome-like organelles suggesting that, as in the case of sst2A receptors, they may have undergone endocytosis subsequent to binding to the endogenous peptide

“Why share in uncertain conditions?” Factors of individual level knowledge sharing in offshoring cases

The objective of this Master’s Thesis was to research factors influencing and enhancing individual level knowledge sharing in offshore projects which often involve uncertainty of the knowledge provider’s own future. The purpose was to understand why individuals are willing to share their knowledge under these kinds of circumstances. In addition the goal was to identify obstacles to interpersonal knowledge sharing in order to understand how to mitigate their influence. The research was conducted as a qualitative multiple case study in a global IT company, and the data was gathered using semi-structured personal theme interviews within two different offshore projects. In order to a gain a wider perspective on the matter, some management representatives were interviewed as well. Data was analysed with the inductive content analysis method. Results of the study indicate that individuals are willing to share their knowledge despite of uncertainty if they are motivated, if they are provided with opportunities to do so, and if they have skills, competence and experience to share their knowledge. A strong knowledge sharing culture in the organization or team also works as a strong incentive for individual level knowledge sharing. The findings suggest that even under uncertain conditions it is possible to encourage people to share their knowledge if uncertainty can be decreased to a bearable level, a robust and personal connection and relationship between the knowledge provider and acquirer can be created and suitable opportunities for knowledge sharing are provided. In addition, based on the results the support and commitment of management and HR in addition to favourable environmental circumstances play an essential role in building a bridge between the knowledge provider and acquirer in order to create a virtual environment and space for knowledge sharing: Ba.

Effect of L-arginine, dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and the association of L-arginine and DMSA on tissue lead mobilization and blood pressure level in plumbism

Lead (Pb)-induced hypertension is characterized by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease in nitric oxide (NO). In the present study we evaluated the effect of L-arginine (NO precursor), dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA, a chelating agent and ROS scavenger), and the association of L-arginine/DMSA on tissue Pb mobilization and blood pressure levels in plumbism. Tissue Pb levels and blood pressure evolution were evaluated in rats exposed to: 1) Pb (750 ppm, in drinking water, for 70 days), 2) Pb plus water for 30 more days, 3) Pb plus DMSA (50 mg kg-1 day-1, po), L-arginine (0.6%, in drinking water), and the combination of L-arginine/DMSA for 30 more days, and 4) their respective matching controls. Pb exposure increased Pb levels in the blood, liver, femur, kidney and aorta. Pb levels in tissues decreased after cessation of Pb administration, except in the aorta. These levels did not reach those observed in nonintoxicated rats. All treatments mobilized Pb from the kidney, femur and liver. Pb mobilization from the aorta was only effective with the L-arginine/DMSA treatment. Blood Pb concentrations in Pb-treated groups were not different from those of the Pb/water group. Pb increased blood pressure starting from the 5th week. L-arginine and DMSA treatments (4th week) and the combination of L-arginine/DMSA (3rd and 4th weeks) decreased blood pressure levels of intoxicated rats. These levels did not reach those of nonintoxicated rats. Treatment with L-arginine/DMSA was more effective than the isolated treatments in mobilizing Pb from tissues and in reducing the blood pressure of intoxicated rats.

Changes in endogenous tissue glutathione level in relation to murine ascites tumor growth and the anticancer activity of cisplatin

Changes in glutathione levels were determined in tissues of 11- to 12-week-old Swiss albino mice at different stages of Dalton's lymphoma tumor growth and following cisplatin (8 mg/kg body weight, ip) treatment for 24-96 h, keeping 4-5 animals in each experimental group. Glutathione levels increased in spleen of tumor-bearing compared to normal mice (9.95 ± 0.14 vs 7.86 ± 1.64 µmol/g wet weight, P<=0.05) but decreased in blood (0.64 ± 0.10 vs 0.85 ± 0.09 mg/ml) and testes (9.28 ± 0.15 vs 10.16 ± 0.28 µmol/g wet weight, P<=0.05). Dalton's lymphoma cells showed an increase in glutathione concentration (4.43 ± 0.26 µmol/g wet weight) as compared to splenocytes, their normal counterpart (3.62 ± 0.41 µmol/g wet weight). With the progression of tumor in mice, glutathione levels decreased significantly in testes (~10%) and bone marrow cells (~13%) while they increased in Dalton's lymphoma cells (28-46%) and spleen (15-27%). Glutathione levels in kidney, Dalton's lymphoma cells and bone marrow cells (8.50 ± 1.22, 4.43 ± 0.26 and 3.28 ± 0.17 µmol/g wet weight, respectively) decreased significantly (6.04 ± 0.42, 3.51 ± 0.32 and 2.17 ± 0.14 µmol/g wet weight, P<=0.05) after in vivo cisplatin treatment for 24 h. Along with a decrease in glutathione level, the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity also decreased by 60% in tumor cells after cisplatin treatment. The elevated drug uptake by the tumor cells under the conditions of reduced glutathione concentration and GST activity after treatment could be an important contributory factor to cisplatin's anticancer activity leading to tumor regression. Furthermore, lower doses of cisplatin in combination with buthionine sulfoximine (an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis) may be useful in cancer chemotherapy with decreased toxicity in the host.

Transient high-level expression of ß-galactosidase after transfection of fibroblasts from GM1 gangliosidosis patients with plasmid DNA

GM1 gangliosidosis is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by the deficiency of lysosomal acid hydrolase ß-galactosidase (ß-Gal). It is one of the most frequent lysosomal storage disorders in Brazil, with an estimated frequency of 1:17,000. The enzyme is secreted and can be captured by deficient cells and targeted to the lysosomes. There is no effective treatment for GM1 gangliosidosis. To determine the efficiency of an expression vector for correcting the genetic defect of GM1 gangliosidosis, we tested transfer of the ß-Gal gene (Glb1) to fibroblasts in culture using liposomes. ß-Gal cDNA was cloned into the expression vectors pSCTOP and pREP9. Transfection was performed using 4 µL lipofectamine 2000 and 1.5-2.0 µg DNA. Cells (2 x 10(5)/well) were harvested 24 h, 48 h, and 7 days after transfection. Enzyme specific activity was measured in cell lysate and supernatant by fluorometric assay. Twenty-four hours after transfection, treated cells showed a higher enzyme specific activity (pREP9-ß-Gal: 621.5 ± 323.0, pSCTOP-ß-Gal: 714.5 ± 349.5, pREP9-ß-Gal + pSCTOP-ß-Gal: 1859.0 ± 182.4, and pREP9-ß-Gal + pTRACER: 979.5 ± 254.9 nmol·h-1·mg-1 protein) compared to untreated cells (18.0 ± 3.1 for cell and 32.2 ± 22.2 nmol·h-1·mg-1 protein for supernatant). However, cells maintained in culture for 7 days showed values similar to those of untreated patients. In the present study, we were able to transfect primary patients' skin fibroblasts in culture using a non-viral vector which overexpresses the ß-Gal gene for 24 h. This is the first attempt to correct fibroblasts from patients with GM1 gangliosidosis by gene therapy using a non-viral vector.

Clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological characteristics of bacteremia caused by high-level gentamicin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococcus spp bacteremia is associated with high mortality and the appearance of high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) created additional challenges for the treatment of these infections. We evaluated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with bacteremias caused by HLGR and non_HLGR Enterococcus faecalis isolates at a teaching hospital in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Patients with bacteremia due to E. faecalis diagnosed between January 1999 and December 2003 were included in the study. We collected clinical, epidemiological, and microbiological data from medical records. Banked isolates were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. We identified 145 cases of E. faecalis bacteremia: 66 (45.5%) were caused by HLGR isolates and 79 (54.5%) by non_HLGR. In the univariate analysis, patients with HLGR infection were older, had higher rates of bladder catheterization, and more often had treatment with cephalosporin, quinolone, and/or carbapenem compared with patients with non_HLGR infection (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that older age, hematological malignancy, and previous use of vancomycin were independently associated with HLGR (P < 0.05). Mortality rates were not significantly different among patients with HLGR (50%) and non_HLGR (43%) infections (P = 0.40). Of the 32 genotyped isolates, 16 were distributed into 6 main electrophoresis patterns and 16 others had distinct patterns. E. faecalis bacteremia is associated with high mortality and is frequently caused by HLGR isolates at this teaching hospital. The variability among genotyped isolates suggests that endogenous infections, rather than patient-to-patient transmission of E. faecalis, are more common at this institution.

Tumor growth reduction is regulated at the gene level in Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats supplemented with fish oil rich in EPA and DHA

We investigated the effect of fish oil (FO) supplementation on tumor growth, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and RelA gene and protein expression in Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats. Male Wistar rats (70 days old) were fed with regular chow (group W) or chow supplemented with 1 g/kg body weight FO daily (group WFO) until they reached 100 days of age. Both groups were then inoculated with a suspension of Walker 256 ascitic tumor cells (3×107 cells/mL). After 14 days the rats were killed, total RNA was isolated from the tumor tissue, and relative mRNA expression was measured using the 2-ΔΔCT method. FO significantly decreased tumor growth (W=13.18±1.58 vsWFO=5.40±0.88 g, P<0.05). FO supplementation also resulted in a significant decrease in COX-2 (W=100.1±1.62 vsWFO=59.39±5.53, P<0.001) and PPARγ (W=100.4±1.04vs WFO=88.22±1.46, P<0.05) protein expression. Relative mRNA expression was W=1.06±0.022 vsWFO=0.31±0.04 (P<0.001) for COX-2, W=1.08±0.02vs WFO=0.52±0.08 (P<0.001) for PPARγ, and W=1.04±0.02 vs WFO=0.82±0.04 (P<0.05) for RelA. FO reduced tumor growth by attenuating inflammatory gene expression associated with carcinogenesis.