Coeficientes alométricos das partes e dos órgãos de codornas de corte mantidas em diferentes ambientes térmicos / Allometric coefficients of the cuts and organs of meat quail kept in different thermal environments

Objetivou-se comparar os coeficientes alométricos (b) que descrevem o crescimento das partes e dos órgãos de codornas de corte mantidas em diferentes ambientes térmicos. Foram utilizadas 300 codornas distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com dois tratamentos (ambiente climatizado, AC) com temperatura de 26ºC e ambiente sem climatização (ASC, 32oC) e seis repetições de 25 aves. Ajustaram-se equações alométricas em função do peso em jejum (PJ) para as variáveis: peso do peito (PPEI), coxa (PCX), sobrecoxa (PSCX), asa (PASA), coração (PCOR), fígado (PFÍG), moela (PMOE) e intestino (PINT). Para comparar os "b" das partes e dos órgãos das aves mantidas nos diferentes ambientes, realizaram-se testes de paralelismo. Não houve diferença entre os "b" em nenhuma das partes e dos órgãos das codornas mantidos no ambiente AC ou no ASC. Observou-se que os PPEI e os PSCX apresentaram crescimento heterogônico positivo (b>1), os PCX crescimento isogônico (b=1), os PASA e os órgãos crescimento heterogônico negativo (b<1) em relação ao PJ. Os "b" que descrevem o crescimento das partes e dos órgãos de codornas de corte mantidas nos diferentes ambientes não são influenciados. O peso do peito e o da sobrecoxa apresentaram crescimento tardio, a asa e os órgãos (coração, fígado, moela e intestino) crescimento precoce, e o peso da coxa apresentou crescimento proporcional em relação ao peso em jejum.(AU)

This study was carried out to compare the allometric coefficients (b) that describe the cuts and organs' growth of quails kept in different thermal environments. Three hundred meat quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments (climatized environment (CE) with 26°C of ambient temperature and environment without climatization (EWC, 32°C)) and six replicates of 25 birds. Allometric equations based on weekly fasting weight (WF) for the breast weight (BW), thigh (TW), drumstick (DW), wing (WW), heart (HW), liver (LW) gizzard (GW) and intestine (IW) were performed. To compare the "b" of the cuts and organs parallelism tests were carried out. There was no difference between the "b" in any cuts and organs of quails kept in CE or EWC environments. We observed that the BW and DW showed positive heterogonic growth (b>1), TW isogonic growth (b=1), and WW and organs negative heterogonic growth (b<1) in relation PJ. The "b" that describes the growth of cuts and organs of quails kept in CE or EWC environments are not affected. The breast and drumstick presented late growth, the wing and the organs early growth, and the thigh showed a proportional increase with the fasting weight.(AU)

Immunomodulation, Acute Renal Failure, and Complications of Basiliximab Use After Liver Transplantation: Analysis of 114 Patients and Literature Review.

Basiliximab is considered to be effective in preventing cellular rejection (CR) in solid organ transplantation and is commonly used for renal transplants. The aim of this study was describe the population of patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (LT) receiving basiliximab in the period 2012-2016 in the liver transplant service at the State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. We analyzed 114 patients who underwent LT and received basiliximab; 83 (72.8%) were male and 31 (27.2%) female, with an overall mean age of 54.3 years. Immunosuppression was performed with corticosteroids during anesthetic induction, and postoperatively with tacrolimus in 85.5%, sodium mycophenolate in 81.7%, cyclosporine in 12.7%, and everolimus in 15.5% of patients. CR was observed in 25.43% of patients, confirmed by biopsy in 15 patients: 50% acute CR, 21.42% late acute CR, and 28.57% chronic CR. Thus, the data are consistent with the literature regarding the benefit of using basiliximab as induction therapy while reducing the incidence of CR after LT, but on univariate analysis to evaluate factors associated with the occurrence of CR, the analyzed variables did not present statistical significance. There was acute renal failure (ARF) in 46.84% of patients and hemodialysis was performed in 20% of cases. In a previous series in our service, there was an ARF rate of 50%, so the incidence reduction of ARF after basiliximab use was 3.16%. Moreover, there was 6.95% hepatic artery thrombosis, 2.6% portal vein thrombosis, 2.6% biliary fistulas, 17.4% pneumonia, and 3.4% sepsis, which did not differ from the literature or from our earlier study without the use of basiliximab, suggesting the safety of this medication. In conclusion, in this series, basiliximab influenced the decrease of the CR incidence with no proven benefit on improvement in the ARF.

Immunoexpression of Heat Shock Protein 70, Glypican 3, Glutamine Synthetase, and Beta-Catenin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Transplantation: Association Between Positive Glypican 3 and Beta-Catenin With the Presence of Larger Nodules.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the 6th leading cause of cancer worldwide. Its recurrence ranges from 6% to 26%. In the literature, many factors are associated with higher risk of recurrence, without a clear definition of the best method that could predict this highly lethal event. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunoexpression of immunohistochemical markers: HSP70, glypican 3, glutamine synthetase, and beta-catenin, as well as studying their association with tumor characteristics and prognosis of patients undergoing liver transplantation for HCC. METHODS: We studied 90 patients who underwent liver transplantation from 1998 to 2012. Afterwards we evaluated factors related to survival, tumor recurrence, and the correlation of expression of the immunohistochemical markers. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical marker glutamine synthetase showed a positive trend toward better survival. HSP70-positive patients had a higher prevalence of histologic grade III. Patients with positive glypican 3 showed larger lesions and a higher number with AFP >200 ng/mL. Patients with positive beta-catenin showed larger nodules and more with histologic grade III. The association between beta-catenin and glypican 3 showed positive association with larger nodules. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the markers studied had a correlation with at least one of the variables studied, confirming our hypothesis that these markers can indeed assist in assessing the prognosis of patients undergoing liver transplantation for HCC.

Pap test accuracy and severity of squamous intraepithelial lesion.

BACKGROUND: Cytology smears and guided biopsies are the most widely used diagnostic standards for cervical cancer (CC) screening in the developing countries. AIM: To evaluate the performance of conventional cytology in estimating the presence and grade of cervical disease against the reference standard of histopathology. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: After primary screening for CC, directed biopsies were performed and compared with histopathology results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Papanicolaou (Pap) smears and biopsies from 3194 women in the age group of 14-98 years were included. Cytology results were provided by doctors who performed the cervical biopsies. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The accuracy of Pap smear was measured by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) calculated using the statistical analysis program PSPP 0.7.8. RESULTS: The sensitivity of conventional cytology (Pap smear) for women with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or less serious lesions (CIN1-) was 93% and specificity was 73%. The sensitivity and specificity of cytology for women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cancer (CIN2+) was 64% and 84%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cytology is a sufficiently sensitive test for detection of cervical lesions and can be used as a primary testing tool to triage.

Recusas de borrifação de imóveis e ocorrência de casos de leishmaniose visceral na Regional Noroeste de Belo Horizonte / Refusal of spraying of buildings and the occurrence of cases of visceral leishmaniasis in North West region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram caracterizar as recusas por parte da população em permitir a borrifação de seus imóveis, em quatro regiões de Belo Horizonte, no período de 2006 a 2008, e relacionar estas recusas com o surgimento de casos de leishmaniose visceral, no mesmo local e período. Utilizaram-se as localizações onde se encontraram 27 casos humanos de leishmaniose visceral obtidos do SINAN, todos referentes a quatro áreas de abrangência da região noroeste de Belo Horizonte, no período de 2006 a 2008. De um total de 33.579 residências visitadas pelo controle químico vetorial, 9636 (28,70%) aceitaram a borrifação interna e a externa do domicílio, 20741 (61,77%) concordaram com a borrifação apenas do peridomicílio, 141 (0,42%) aceitaram apenas a borrifação do intradomicílio, 909 (2,70%) se encontraram fechadas no momento da borrifação e 2152 (6,41%) recusaram qualquer tipo de borrifação no imóvel. Na maioria das residências, o controle químico foi permitido apenas no peridomicílio. A diferença entre o perfil de recusas dos quarteirões contidos em uma área de 200 metros ao redor de um caso humano de leishmaniose visceral e o mesmo perfil dos quarteirões fora desta área foi significativa (P<0,05) em sete (25,92%) dos 27 casos da doença.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the population's refusal to allow their houses to be sprayed in four regions of Belo Horizonte, in the period from 2006 to 2008, and relate these denials with the emergence of cases of visceral leishmaniasis in the same location and time. We used the location of 27 human cases of visceral leishmaniasis obtained from SINAN, all data from four regions in the West Region of the city of Belo Horizonte, from 2006 to 2008. Of a total of 33,579 houses visited by the chemical vector control, 9636 (28.70%) accepted spraying inside and outside the home, 20741 (61.77%) agreed with spraying only the areas surrounding the property, 141 (0.42%) agreed only to spray indoors, 909 (2.70%) were found closed at the time of spraying, and 2152 (6.41%) refused any kind of spray at house. A chemical control vector was allowed only in surrounding areas of most of the houses studied. The difference between the profile of denials of the blocks contained in an area of 200 meters around a human case of VL, with the same profile of the blocks out of this area was significant (P<0,05) in 07 (25,92%) of 27 cases of the disease.

Tritrichomonas fetus extracellular products decrease progressive motility of bull sperm.

Tritrichomonas fetus causes infertility and abortion in cattle; however, there is scarce information regarding the susceptibility of bovine sperm to this parasite. The objective of this study was to analyze in vitro the interaction between T. fetus and bovine sperm and to evaluate the effect of extracellular products secreted by the parasite on these reproductive cells. Sperm from five fertile bulls (Bos taurus taurus, Holstein-Friesian), selected through a Percoll gradient, adhered to T. fetus after 30min of interaction, resulting in agglutination between the two kinds of cells. Based on reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), T. fetus continuously expressed its gene for cysteine peptidase in the presence or absence of sperm. Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) revealed that, after 1h incubation of sperm in T. fetus culture extract, the extracellular products secreted by the parasite decreased sperm progressive motility (P<0.05). Although T. fetus extracellular products did not lead to loss of sperm viability (P<0.05) based on the Annexin-V/propidium iodide assay, the percentage of Annexin-V fluorescein isothiocyanate-positive and propidium iodide-positive cells increased (P<0.05) during incubation of sperm in T. fetus culture extract, consistent with cellular damage. In conclusion, extracellular products secreted by T. fetus were cytotoxic to bovine sperm, as they decreased sperm progressive motility; perhaps this contributes to the pathogenesis of T. fetus-induced infertility.

The interaction between the amoeba Balamuthia mandrillaris and extracellular matrix glycoproteins in vitro.

Balamuthia mandrillaris, a soil amoeba, is the causative agent of Balamuthia granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, a life-threatening brain infection. This amoeba is acquired from contaminated soil and may enter the host through cutaneous lesions or through nasal passages, migrating to the lungs or brain. During invasion, B. mandrillaris has access to components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the host. Therefore, we investigated the interaction of B. mandrillaris with 3 ECM glycoproteins (collagen-I, fibronectin and laminin-1) that are encountered in host connective tissues and at the basal lamina. Using optical microscopy, amoeba association on ECM-coated surfaces was examined. Binding of amoebae on laminin was greater than that on collagen or fibronectin. Laminin-adhered B. mandrillaris exhibited elongated and spread forms, distinctive from those observed for amoebae on a plastic surface. Collagen and fibronectin-adhered B. mandrillaris presented elongated shapes with cellular expansions. Binding to collagen, fibronectin, or laminin was inhibited when amoebae were pre-treated with sialic acid. Treatment with galactose resulted in diminished binding of amoebae on laminin, while mannose increased binding in all coating conditions tested. Dependence of divalent cations on amoeba binding was demonstrated for laminin-amoeba interaction. Collectively, the results indicate that B. mandrillaris recognizes specific glycoproteins of the mammalian extracellular matrix.

Trichomonas vaginalis virulence against epithelial cells and morphological variability: the comparison between a well-established strain and a fresh isolate.

The FMVI strain of Trichomonas vaginalis was freshly isolated from an asymptomatic patient, and its morphological properties and virulence in vitro compared with the well-established JT strain. The morphological variability of the parasites was assessed by differential interference microscopy and both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The FMV1 strain presented nearly 20% amoeboid cells whereas the JT strain presented high percentages of ellipsoid but no amoeboid cells. The FMV1 morphotype population was unaltered after at least 1 year of subculturing. Electron microscopy revealed that this strain produced numerous pseudopod structures which mediated intimate contact and interdigitation among trophozoites. Dead FMV1 parasites were often phagocytosed by conspecific cells. We also compared the cytolytic capacity of these two populations against epithelial MDCK cells and its contact dependence. The FMV1 strain rapidly adhered to plastic or glass surfaces and to MDCK monolayers. This strain destroyed about 93% of the epithelial cells in 90 min whereas the cytolytic activity of the JT parasites was very much lower (about 41%). Parasite supernatants displayed no cytolytic activity, indicating contact-mediated lysis. The protozoan virulence in vitro did not correlate well with the clinical observations. The implications of these results are discussed.

Hemangiosarcoma of the breast followed by term pregnancy.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Primary angiosarcoma of the breast is an unusual neoplasm which is generally associated with a dismal prognosis. Given the poor prognosis and the predominance in the third and fourth decades of life when fertility tends to decrease, reports of term pregnancies after treatment of this disease are rare. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: We report a case of angiosarcoma of the breast in a 17-year-old patient with a recurrent breast nodule treated by local surgery only. After three years of follow-up without evidence of disease recurrence she became pregnant. RESULTS: A girl weighing 2,430 g was delivered at 38 weeks and two days. The patient has been free of disease for five years now. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience of the present case shows the lack of full information about this tumor. Pregnancy does not seem to interfere negatively with the course of the disease.

Effect of estrogens on the adhesion of Trichomonas vaginalis to epithelial cells in vitro.

1. To further characterize the basic aspects of parasite-cell interaction, untreated and hormone-treated Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were allowed to interact with T. vaginalis. 2. Among the six hormones assayed, alpha-estradiol caused MDCK cells to become highly adhesive to T. vaginalis. Increases in parasite adhesion of 83% and 68% were obtained by previous incubation of the epithelial monolayers for 18 h with 1 ng/ml alpha-estradiol and 10 ng/ml 17-beta-estradiol, respectively. 3. The estrogenic response of MDCK cells was inhibited by tamoxifen, cycloheximide, puromycin, or 2-deoxy-D-glucose. 4. We conclude that MDCK cells possess receptors for estrogens and that T. vaginalis cytoadherence can be influenced by the hormonal cycle of its host.

Effect of estrogens on the adhesion of trichomonas vaginalis to epithelial cells in vitro

The feeding behavior of six triatomid species toward latex condoms filled with blood at 26 ñ 1 and 36 ñ 1 grade C observed for 4 h. The species studied were Triatoma infestans, Triatoma brasiliensis, Tritoma vitiiticeps, Triatoma pseudomaculata, Rhodnius and Panstrongylus, and 34 to 348 insects were studied in each group (average, 190). All the life stages of each species were used. Although most insects (80%, average for 6 species) preferred the warmer blood, 54% of the individuals of all species fed on blood kept at 26 grade C. For Triatoma pseudomaculata, a higher proportion of insects fed on blood at 26 grade C (92%) than on blood at 36 grade C (65%). These results suggest that bait containing insecticides which are effective through the digest tract may be useful in the control of these vectors even at room temperature

The interaction of Tritrichomonas foetus and Trichomonas vaginalis with macrophages.

The process of interaction between macrophages and Tritrichomonas foetus and Trichomonas vaginalis was analysed using light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The parasites attach to the macrophage surface and are ingested through a phagocytic process. Parasite-macrophage association index was higher for activated than for resident macrophages. Previous incubation of the parasites in the presence of Concanavalin A rendered their surface less negative and more hydrophobic, as evaluated by measurement of the zeta potential and contact angle, respectively. This treatment significantly increased parasite ingestion by resident, but not activated macrophages.

Scanning electron microscopy of the antennal sensilla in female Culicoides paraensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

We studied by sanning electron microscopy the number, types, structure and distribution of the antennal sensilla of the medical important ceratopogonid Culicoides paraensis (Goeldi). There are about 174 sense organs on the antenmal flagellum which are classified as sensilla chaetica; sharp-tipped and blunt-tipped (type I and II) sensilla trichodea; sensilla basiconica; sensilla coeloconica; sensilla ampullacea and styloconic-type sensilla. The role of antennal sensory organs are discussed regarding the host preference of the biting midges

Anionic site behavior in Leishmania and its role in the parasite-macrophage interaction.

The behavior of cationized ferritin (CF) binding sites on the surface of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis (amastigotes, infective and non-infective promastigotes) and their participation in the interaction with macrophages were evaluated. Glutaral-dehyde-fixed parasites treated with CF present a uniform labelling over the whole cell surface. However, living parasites displayed CF patches and caps. Capping was usually seen towards the anterior (flagellated) portion of the cells, where shedding phenomena took place. These processes were inhibited by sodium azide but not by low temperature (4 degrees C). CF treatment of non-infective promastigotes led to an increase in their uptake by macrophages, whereas the uptake of amastigotes or infective promastigotes was not significantly altered. The effect of CF on the parasite surface charge was analyzed by whole-cell microelectrophoresis. The mean electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of non-infective promastigotes was decreased by 26%, while once again the other parasite forms were not significantly affected. Transmission electron microscopy of mouse peritoneal macrophage cultures, fixed after interaction with CF-labelled parasites, revealed that both amastigotes and infective promastigotes quickly removed bound CF. Therefore CF was seen neither in parasite-macrophage attachment areas nor in parasitophorous vacuoles. On the contrary, non-infective promastigote-macrophage attachment areas were remarkably large and preferentially comprised CF-labelled membranes. These results strongly suggest an important participation of cell surface anionic sites in the L. mexicana amazonensis-macrophage interaction.

The interaction of Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus with epithelial cells in vitro.

The Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cell line (MDCK) was used as a model for trichomonad-host cell interaction. Two laboratory strains of the human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and the cattle's parasite Tritrichomonas foetus or their supernatants from axenic cultures were allowed to interact with confluent epithelial cultures. The interaction process studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed that both parasites adhere to monolayers through flagella, cell body and particularly for T. foetus, through the posterior projection of the axostyle. A close contact region between the trichomonad's surface and MDCK cells was observed. A study of the involvement of trichomonad surface component in the interaction process indicated that cytochalasin B treated-parasites adhere much less to epithelial monolayers than untreated parasites. Colchicine treatment did not affect such adhesion. Treatment of the parasites with trypsin reduced the adhesion of trichomonads to monolayers but did not interfere with the cytopathic effect. In contrast, treatment of the parasites with neuraminidase did not interfere with their adhesion to epithelial cells and the monolayer destruction was further increased.

The cell surface of Phytomonas davidi.

Carbohydrates were located on the surface of Phytomonas davidi using ultrastructural cytochemistry, and agglutination induced by lectins which bind to residues of mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose and sialic acid. The surface charge of the cells was analysed by the binding of cationic particles (colloidal iron and cationized ferritin) to the cell surface and by cell electrophoretic mobility (EPM). Based on observations of binding of cationic particles to the cell surface; a decrease in the binding of these particles to the cell surface; a decrease in the mean EPM of the cells after their incubation in the presence of neuraminidase; and detection of N-acetylneuraminic acid by paper and gas-liquid chromatography, it was concluded that sialic acid residues are exposed on the surface of P. davidi. These residues may be glycolipids or are masked on the cell surface since only after brief trypsinization were the cells agglutinated by the lectin from Limulus polyphemus.

Effect of metronidazole on the cell surface charge of Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus

1. The effect of metronidazole, a drug used in the treatment of trichomoniasis, on the surface chage of both Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus was analyzed by cell electrophoresis. 2. Incubation of the parasites under anaerobic conditions for 2 or 120 min in the presence of 2.0 microng/ml metronidazole, a concentration which inhibits cell growth by about 50%, led to a marked decrease in the net surface charge of the parasites. 3. The metronidazole analogue, 1-hydroxyethyl-2-methyl-1-4-inhibited protozoan growth but had no effect on met surface charge. 4. These observations indicate that, in addition to its effect on intracellular structure, cuch as hydrogenosomes, metronidazole alters the surface of trichomonads

Surface charge of resident, elicited, and activated mouse peritoneal macrophages.

The surface charge of resident, thioglycollate-elicited, and Trypanosoma cruzi-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages was analyzed using cell electrophoresis. All macrophages had a net negative surface charge. Activated macrophages had a lower zeta potential and a higher isoelectrophoretic point than resident and elicited macrophages. The populations of resident, elicited, and activated macrophages were heterogeneous in terms of surface charge. The analysis of the effect of the pH of the solution in which the macrophages were suspended on their cellular electrophoretic mobility (EPM) indicated that their surface contained both positively and negatively charged dissociating groups. The contribution of sialic acid residues to the surface charge was determined by analyzing the effect of neuraminidase treatment on the EPM of the cells. Activated macrophages possessed more sialic acid residues exposed on their surface, and sensitive to the neuraminidase from Clostridium perfringens, than resident and elicited macrophages. Treatment of the cells with the neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae, however, reduced the surface charge of all macrophages in about the same extent. Macrophages had their mean EPM reduced when incubated in the presence of Ca++, suggesting that some cell surface anionogenic sites have Ca++-binding capacity.