Ultrastructure of the parotid and submandibular glands of the Old World marten (Carnivora; Mustelidae)

The morphology of the parotid and submandibular glands in the marten, a carnivore, were studied and analyzed under a transmission electron microscope. The nature of the granules in both glands, as well as in the acini and in the secretory tubules, is rather mucous. The structure of the secretory tubules is very characteristic, especially the striated ones. The myoepithelial cells are close to the acini and tubules and covered by the basement membrane separating them from the connective tissue, which enhances its epithelial origin. The cytoplasm of the basal parts of the acinar and tubular cells is abundant and separates the nucleus from the secretion granules. Although the morphology of the salivary glands of many carnivores is known, those of the parotid gland of the marten present peculiar characteristics, since they produce a rather mucous saliva and the granules, when forming, are far from the base as well as from the apex of the secretory cells. The submandibular gland contains granules of different densities, an aspect that in general resembles that of other animals.

Diet formulation techniques and lysine requirements of 1-to 22-day-old broilers

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

Stochastic Partial Budgeting: A New Look at an Old Tool

Farm business managers are constantly making adjustments in their businesses for smoother operations and profitability. Many times, these choices involve actions to enhance the financial return of the farm business; while other times these decisions are made out of necessity to minimize the effects of unfavorable conditions or events such as drought or changes in the market conditions. Some of these decisions are relatively simple, requiring making choices among alternatives within an enterprise; while others are complex involving a total overhaul of the business and its enterprises. Alternative choices within an individual enterprise can have a differential impact on farm profitability. Therefore, making the best decision may make the difference between profit or loss for that enterprise. Partial budgeting is very useful in making such changes within an enterprise of a farm.

How Old Is Luzia? Luminescence Dating and Stratigraphic Integrity at Lapa Vermelha, Lagoa Santa, Brazil

During an excavation in the 1970s, a disarticulated female human skeleton, later nicknamed Luzia, was discovered at 12m depth at Lapa Vermelha rockshelter in central Brazil. Radiocarbon dating of associated charcoal suggested an age of 11.4-16.4 ka for the skeleton. The scattering of the skeletal parts, some uncertainty about the exact provenience of the skeleton, and evidence of pervasive insect turbation in the archaeological layers have raised doubts about the accuracy of the age. Luminescence dates for the depositional ages of the sediments at Lapa Vermelha are reported here. Single-grain optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of quartz along with grain-size, chemical and micro-morphological analyses of the sediments were employed to assess stratigraphic integrity, particularly the degree of sediment mixing. These various lines of evidence point to high stratigraphic integrity with little mixing at Lapa Vermelha. Sediments closest to where Luzia was recovered give OSL ages ranging from 12.7 to 16.0 ka, thus not refuting the original dates. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Decline in dental caries among 12-year-old children in Brazil, 1980-2005

Objectives This study was conducted to determine changes in values on the decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index in 12-year-old children in Brazil between 1980 and 2005, and to correlate DMFT values with human development index (HDI) values, time, population size of municipality and fluoridation of the water supply. Methods The present study represents a retrospective ecological study using secondary data from epidemiological surveys published in indexed journals, as well as data obtained from epidemiological official surveys carried out in Brazil in 1986, 1996 and 2003, and in the State of Sao Paulo in 1998 and 2002. Units of study were represented by Brazilian municipalities holding average DMFT index values for 12-year-old children. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the correlations among DMFT and HDI values, and time, population size and fluoridation of the water supply. Results The final database included 550 records of DMFT values in 428 different towns. Regression analysis showed statistically significant correlations between DMFT index values and time (P < 0.001), fluoridation of the water supply (P < 0.001) and size of municipality (P < 0.001). Estimated mean DMFT index values were 8.36 in 1980, 6.08 in 1985, 4.45 in 1990, 3.29 in 1995, 2.46 in 2000 and 1.86 in 2005. Conclusions Data showed a significant decrease in dental caries across the entire country, with an average reduction of 25% occurring every 5 years. General trends indicated that a reduction in DMFT index values occurred over time, that a further reduction in DMFT index values occurred when a municipality fluoridated its water supply, and mean DMFT index values were lower in larger than in smaller municipalities.

Transiting exoplanets from the CoRoT space mission XXI. CoRoT-19b: a low density planet orbiting an old inactive F9V-star

Context. Observations of transiting extrasolar planets are of key importance to our understanding of planets because their mass, radius, and mass density can be determined. These measurements indicate that planets of similar mass can have very different radii. For low-density planets, it is generally assumed that they are inflated owing to their proximity to the host-star. To determine the causes of this inflation, it is necessary to obtain a statistically significant sample of planets with precisely measured masses and radii. Aims. The CoRoT space mission allows us to achieve a very high photometric accuracy. By combining CoRoT data with high-precision radial velocity measurements, we derive precise planetary radii and masses. We report the discovery of CoRoT-19b, a gas-giant planet transiting an old, inactive F9V-type star with a period of four days. Methods. After excluding alternative physical configurations mimicking a planetary transit signal, we determine the radius and mass of the planet by combining CoRoT photometry with high-resolution spectroscopy obtained with the echelle spectrographs SOPHIE, HARPS, FIES, and SANDIFORD. To improve the precision of its ephemeris and the epoch, we observed additional transits with the TRAPPIST and Euler telescopes. Using HARPS spectra obtained during the transit, we then determine the projected angle between the spin of the star and the orbit of the planet. Results. We find that the host star of CoRoT-19b is an inactive F9V-type star close to the end of its main-sequence life. The host star has a mass M-* = 1.21 +/- 0.05 M-circle dot and radius R-* = 1.65 +/- 0.04 R-circle dot. The planet has a mass of M-P = 1.11 +/- 0.06 M-Jup and radius of R-P = 1.29 +/- 0.03 R-Jup. The resulting bulk density is only rho = 0.71 +/- 0.06 g cm (3), which is much lower than that for Jupiter. Conclusions. The exoplanet CoRoT-19b is an example of a giant planet of almost the same mass as Jupiter but a approximate to 30% larger radius.

Increased variability of motor cortical excitability to transcranial magnetic stimulation in migraine: a new clue to an old enigma

Increased, decreased or normal excitability to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been reported in the motor (M1) and visual cortices of patients with migraine. Light deprivation (LD) has been reported to modulate M1 excitability in control subjects (CS). Still, effects of LD on M1 excitability compared to exposure to environmental light exposure (EL) had not been previously described in patients with migraine (MP). To further our knowledge about differences between CS and MP, regarding M1 excitability and effects of LD on M1 excitability, we opted for a novel approach by extending measurement conditions. We measured motor thresholds (MTs) to TMS, short-interval intracortical inhibition, and ratios between motor-evoked potential amplitudes and supramaximal M responses in MP and CS on two different days, before and after LD or EL. Motor thresholds significantly increased in MP in LD and EL sessions, and remained stable in CS. There were no significant between-group differences in other measures of TMS. Short-term variation of MTs was greater in MP compared to CS. Fluctuation in excitability over hours or days in MP is an issue that, until now, has been relatively neglected. The results presented here will help to reconcile conflicting observations.

Cost-effectiveness of conventional and modified supervised toothbrushing in preventing caries in permanent molars among 5-year-old children

The cost-effectiveness of a modified supervised toothbrushing program was compared to a conventional program. A total of 284 five-year-old children presenting at least one permanent molar with emerged/sound occlusal surface participated. In the control group, oral health education and dental plaque dying followed by toothbrushing with fluoride dentifrice was carried outfour times per year. With the test group, children also underwent professional cross-brushing on surfaces of first permanent molar rendered by a dental assistant five times per year. Enamel/dentin caries were recorded on buccal, occlusal and lingual surfaces of permanent molars for a period of 18 months. The incidence density (ID) ratio was estimated using Poisson's regression model. The ID was 50% lower among boys in the test group (p = 0.016). The cost of the modified program was US$ 1.79 per capita. The marginal cost-effectiveness ratio among boys was US$ 6.30 per avoided carie. The modified supervised toothbrushing program was shown to be cost-effective in the case of boys.

Assessment of cavitated and active non-cavitated caries lesions in 3-to 4-year-old preschool children: a field study

Background. The prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC) is high in developing countries; thus, sensitive methods for the early diagnosis of ECC are of prime importance to implement the appropriate preventive measures. Aim. To investigate the effects of the addition of early caries lesions (ECL) into WHO threshold caries detection methods on the prevalence of caries in primary teeth and the epidemiological profile of the studied population. Design. In total, 351 3-to 4-year-old preschoolers participated in this cross-sectional study. Clinical exams were conducted by one calibrated examiner using WHO and WHO + ECL criteria. During the exams, a mirror, a ball-ended probe, gauze, and an artificial light were used. The data were analysed by Wilcoxon and Mc-Nemar's tests (a = 0.05). Results. Good intra-examiner Kappa values at tooth /surface levels were obtained for WHO and WHO + ECL criteria (0.93 /0.87 and 0.75 /0.78, respectively). The dmfs scores were significantly higher (P < 0.05) when WHO + ECL criteria were used. ECLs were the predominant caries lesions in the majority of teeth. Conclusions. The results strongly suggest that the WHO + ECL diagnosis method could be used to identify ECL in young children under field conditions, increasing the prevalence and classification of caries activity and providing valuable information for the early establishment of preventive measures.

Investigating Avian Influenza Infection Hotspots in Old-World Shorebirds

Heterogeneity in the transmission rates of pathogens across hosts or environments may produce disease hotspots, which are defined as specific sites, times or species associations in which the infection rate is consistently elevated. Hotspots for avian influenza virus (AIV) in wild birds are largely unstudied and poorly understood. A striking feature is the existence of a unique but consistent AIV hotspot in shorebirds (Charadriiformes) associated with a single species at a specific location and time (ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres at Delaware Bay, USA, in May). This unique case, though a valuable reference, limits our capacity to explore and understand the general properties of AIV hotspots in shorebirds. Unfortunately, relatively few shorebirds have been sampled outside Delaware Bay and they belong to only a few shorebird families; there also has been a lack of consistent oropharyngeal sampling as a complement to cloacal sampling. In this study we looked for AIV hotspots associated with other shorebird species and/or with some of the larger congregation sites of shorebirds in the old world. We assembled and analysed a regionally extensive dataset of AIV prevalence from 69 shorebird species sampled in 25 countries across Africa and Western Eurasia. Despite this diverse and extensive coverage we did not detect any new shorebird AIV hotspots. Neither large shorebird congregation sites nor the ruddy turnstone were consistently associated with AIV hotspots. We did, however, find a low but widespread circulation of AIV in shorebirds that contrast with the absence of AIV previously reported in shorebirds in Europe. A very high AIV antibody prevalence coupled to a low infection rate was found in both first-year and adult birds of two migratory sandpiper species, suggesting the potential existence of an AIV hotspot along their migratory flyway that is yet to be discovered.

Nosocomial outbreak of Pantoea agglomerans bacteraemia associated with contaminated anticoagulant citrate dextrose solution: new name, old bug?

We describe an outbreak investigation of Pantoea agglomerans bacteraemia associated with anticoagulant citrate-dextrose 46% (ACD) solution prepared in-house. A healthy man presented with septic shock during plasmapheresis for granulocyte donation. The solution used for priming and blood samples were sent for culture. Identification of the isolate to species level was performed by gyrB sequencing. Typing was performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In total, eight cases were identified during a three-week period. P. agglomerans was also cultured from six ACD solution bags. Isolates from patients and ACD bags were identical by PFGE. All isolates were susceptible to ampicillin, cephazolin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, cefepime and imipenem. (C) 2011 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Parasites reveal movement of bats between the New and Old Worlds

The global distribution of bat taxa indicates that the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are effective barriers to movement between the Old and New Worlds. For instance, one of the major suborders, Yinpterochiroptera, has an exclusively Old World distribution, and within the other, Yangochiroptera, no species and only five genera are common to both. However, as bats are sometimes blown out to sea, and have colonised isolated islands, occasional natural movement between the New and Old Worlds does appear to be possible. Here we identify new genotypes of a blood parasite, Trypanosoma dionisii, in Old World bats that are closely related to South American strains. Using highly conservative calibration points, divergence of Old and New World strains is estimated to have occurred 3.2-5.0 million years ago (MYA), depending on the method used (upper 95% CL for maximum time 11.4 MYA). The true date of divergence is likely to be considerably more recent. These results demonstrate that taxon-specific parasites can indicate historical movements of their hosts, even where their hosts may have left no lasting phylogenetic footprint. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

RNA extraction from ten year old formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast cancer samples: a comparison of column purification and magnetic bead-based technologies

Abstract Background The development of protocols for RNA extraction from paraffin-embedded samples facilitates gene expression studies on archival samples with known clinical outcome. Older samples are particularly valuable because they are associated with longer clinical follow up. RNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is problematic due to chemical modifications and continued degradation over time. We compared quantity and quality of RNA extracted by four different protocols from 14 ten year old and 14 recently archived (three to ten months old) FFPE breast cancer tissues. Using three spin column purification-based protocols and one magnetic bead-based protocol, total RNA was extracted in triplicate, generating 336 RNA extraction experiments. RNA fragment size was assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the housekeeping gene glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), testing primer sets designed to target RNA fragment sizes of 67 bp, 151 bp, and 242 bp. Results Biologically useful RNA (minimum RNA integrity number, RIN, 1.4) was extracted in at least one of three attempts of each protocol in 86–100% of older and 100% of recently archived ("months old") samples. Short RNA fragments up to 151 bp were assayable by RT-PCR for G6PD in all ten year old and months old tissues tested, but none of the ten year old and only 43% of months old samples showed amplification if the targeted fragment was 242 bp. Conclusion All protocols extracted RNA from ten year old FFPE samples with a minimum RIN of 1.4. Gene expression of G6PD could be measured in all samples, old and recent, using RT-PCR primers designed for RNA fragments up to 151 bp. RNA quality from ten year old FFPE samples was similar to that extracted from months old samples, but quantity and success rate were generally higher for the months old group. We preferred the magnetic bead-based protocol because of its speed and higher quantity of extracted RNA, although it produced similar quality RNA to other protocols. If a chosen protocol fails to extract biologically useful RNA from a given sample in a first attempt, another attempt and then another protocol should be tried before excluding the case from molecular analysis.