Acute toxicity of essential oils of Aloysia triphylla (L'Hér.) Britton, Lippia gracilis Schauer, and Piper aduncum L. in Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1818).

The aim of this study was to determine the acute toxicity of the essential oils (EOs) of Aloysia triphylla, Lippia gracilis and Piper aduncum in juvenile tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), and evaluate the possible histopathological alterations in their gills. For the acute toxicity tests, juvenile tambaqui (n=24/treatment) were distributed in six treatments with three replicates, which comprised the control and five EO concentrations of A. triphylla (60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 mg L-1), L. gracilis (35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 mg L-1) and P. aduncum (42.5, 45, 47.5, 50 and 52.5 mg L-1), with an exposure period of 4 h. The mortality rate and severity of damage to the tambaqui gills were proportional to the increase in the concentration of the EO, with LC50-4 h values estimated at 109.57 mg L -1 for A. triphylla, 41.63 mg L -1 for L. gracilis and 48.17 mg L -1 for P. aduncum. The main morphological damages observed in the gills of the tambaqui exposed to the three EOs, were Grade I: hypertrophy and hyperplasia of lamellar epithelial cells, lamellar fusion, epithelial detachment, capillary dilation and constriction, proliferation of chloride cells and mucosal cells and edema; in low frequency Grade II damage as epithelial rupture and lamellar aneurysm. Necrosis (Grade III damage) was observed only in gill lamellae exposed to P. aduncum EO (47.5, 50.0 and 52.5 mg L-1). Concentrations of EOs below LC50-4 h can be used sparingly, for short periods of exposure for the treatment of diseases in tambaqui breeding.

ESBL in positive hemoculture of a Southern-Brazil Teaching Hospital's Intensive Care Units.

Bloodstream infections are among the most serious and frequent infections, and the people most exposed are patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). ESBL (extended-spectrum beta-lactate) are resistant bacteria to penicillins, cephalosporins and monobactams. It´s necessary to know how often and which microorganisms are involved, checking their susceptibility. This study was carried out at the University Hospital. Data collection was performed in the Adult and Newborn ICUs, with assessment of microorganisms and their resistance profile. During six-month period, 156 samples were studied, and 42 were positive with microorganism isolation. Isolated species include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Many resistant to carbapenem.

Extraction and characterization of collagen from the skin of Amazonian freshwater fish pirarucu.

The need to fully exploit fishing resources due to increasing production and consequent waste generation requires research to promote the sustainability of the fishing industry. Fish waste from the industry is responsible for relevant environmental contamination. However, these raw materials contain high amounts of collagen and other biomolecules, being attractive due to their industrial and biotechnological applicability. Thus, to reduce the waste from pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) processing, this study aimed to obtain collagen from pirarucu skin tissue. The extraction process used 0.05 M sodium hydroxide, 10% butyl alcohol, and 0.5 M acetic acid, with extraction temperature of 20°C. The obtained yield was 27.8%, and through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), it was determined that the collagen obtained was type I. This study showed that collagen solubility was highest at pH 3 and the lowest solubility was at concentrations of 3% sodium chloride. The denaturation temperature of collagen was 38.1°C, and its intact molecular structure was observed using the Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry technique with an absorption radius of 1. The results showed that it was possible to obtain collagen from pirarucu skin at 20°C, which has the typical characteristics of commercial type I collagen. In conclusion, the procedures used may be considered to be an interesting alternative for collagen extraction, a new product obtained from the processing of fish waste.

Resistance profile and biofilm production of Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus sp., and Streptococcus spp. from dairy farms in southern Brazil.

Milk is a high nutritional value food that helps in human development and growth. However, it can also harbor microorganisms. Therefore, the objective of this study was to isolate, identify and evaluate the resistance profile and pathogenicity factors of gram-positive cocci isolated from liners in milking rooms in the south of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Biochemical and molecular tests were performed for the identification. The following were isolated: Enterococcus faecalis (10), Enterococcus faecium (4), Staphylococcus intermedius (1), Streptococcus uberis (1), and Streptococcus dysgalactiae (1). The susceptibility of isolated microorganisms to eight antibiotics was evaluated according to CLSI, and the genus that proved to be resistant to most of those was Enterococcus. In addition, all 17 isolates were able to form biofilm, which remained viable after the use of neutral, alkaline and alkaline-chlorinated detergent. The only product that was effective against biofilm of all microorganisms was chlorhexidine 2%. The results obtained highlight the importance of pre- and post-dipping tests on dairy properties, in which chlorhexidine is one of the disinfectants used. As observed, products indicated for cleaning and descaling pipes were not effective on biofilms of the different species tested.

Extraction and characterization of collagen from the skin of Amazonian freshwater fish pirarucu

The need to fully exploit fishing resources due to increasing production and consequent waste generation requires research to promote the sustainability of the fishing industry. Fish waste from the industry is responsible for relevant environmental contamination. However, these raw materials contain high amounts of collagen and other biomolecules, being attractive due to their industrial and biotechnological applicability. Thus, to reduce the waste from pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) processing, this study aimed to obtain collagen from pirarucu skin tissue. The extraction process used 0.05 M sodium hydroxide, 10% butyl alcohol, and 0.5 M acetic acid, with extraction temperature of 20°C. The obtained yield was 27.8%, and through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), it was determined that the collagen obtained was type I. This study showed that collagen solubility was highest at pH 3 and the lowest solubility was at concentrations of 3% sodium chloride. The denaturation temperature of collagen was 38.1°C, and its intact molecular structure was observed using the Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry technique with an absorption radius of 1. The results showed that it was possible to obtain collagen from pirarucu skin at 20°C, which has the typical characteristics of commercial type I collagen. In conclusion, the procedures used may be considered to be an interesting alternative for collagen extraction, a new product obtained from the processing of fish waste.

Improved Metal Cation Optosensing Membranes through the Incorporation of Sulphated Polysaccharides.

Optosensing chitosan-based membranes have been applied for the detection of heavy metals, especially in drinking water. The novelty of this study is based on the use of sulphated polysaccharides, in such optosensing membranes, aiming at an improved analytical performance. The sulphated polysaccharides, such as ulvan, fucoidan and chondroitin sulfate, were extracted from by-products and wastes of marine-related activities. The membranes were developed for the analysis of aluminum. The variation in the visible absorbance of the sensor membranes after the contact between the chromophore and the aluminum cation was studied. The membranes containing sulphated polysaccharides showed improved signals when compared to the chitosan-only membrane. As for the detection limits for the membranes containing ulvan, fucoidan and chondroitin sulfate, 0.17 mg L-1, 0.21 mg L-1 and 0.36 mg L-1 were obtained, respectively. The values were much lower than that obtained for the chitosan-only membrane, 0.52 mg L-1, which shows the improvement obtained from the sulphated polysaccharides. The results were obtained with the presence of CTAB in analysis solution, which forms a ternary complex with the aluminum cation and the chromophore. This resulted in an hyperchromic and batochromic shift in the absorption band. When in the presence of this surfactant, the membranes showed lower detection limits and higher selectivity.

Sensitivity of hyperparasitic fungi to alternative products for use in the control of papaya black spot / Sensibilidade de fungos hiperparasitas a produtos alternativos para uso no controle da pinta preta do mamoeiro

Abstract The use of more than one control technique can maximize the reduction of the damages caused by the fungus Asperisporium caricae causal agent of the black spot in the papaya crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the sensitivity of the fungi Hansfordia pulvinata and Acremonium spp. to alternative products with potential for use in the control of the black-spotted ptarmigan. Three isolates of Acremonium spp. (A-598, A-602 and A-617) and an isolate of H. pulvinata (H-611) were grown in BDA medium containing Agro-Mos®, Bion®, Ecolife®, Hortifospk®, Matriz G®, Vitaphol® separately. The Amistar 500WG ® fungicide was used as a positive control and pure BDA as a negative control. The toxicity of the tested products was determined based on the values of the biological index, derived from the means of mycelial growth, sporulation and germination of conidia, in each experimental unit. In this way it was possible to select the products classified as compatible for all isolates, and to test them in vivo. In the greenhouse, only the isolates and isolates with selected products, were applied in papaya plants with foliar symptoms of black-spotted. The incidence of leaves with hyperparasites and the percentage of black-painted lesions colonized by the tested isolates were evaluated. Thus, the H-611 isolate proved to be compatible with most of the alternative products tested, except with Hortifos®. Bion® and Matrix® products were compatible with all tested isolates and could be used in conjunction with Acremonium spp. and H. pulvinata to control the papaya black spot, since these products did not present toxicity on the hyperparasitic fungi.

Resumo O uso de mais de uma técnica de controle pode maximizar a redução dos danos causados pelo fungo Asperisporium caricae agente causal da pinta preta na cultura do mamoeiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a sensibilidade dos fungos Hansfordia pulvinata e Acremonium spp. a produtos alternativos com potencial para uso no controle da pinta-preta. Três isolados de Acremonium spp. (A-598, A-602 e A-617) e um isolado de H. pulvinata (H-611) foram cultivados em meio BDA contendo Agro-Mos®, Bion®, Ecolife®, Hortifospk®, Matriz G®, Vitaphol® separadamente. Fungicida Amistar 500WG® foi utilizado como controle positivo e BDA puro, como controle negativo. A toxicidade dos produtos testados foi determinada com base nos valores do índice biológico, provenientes das médias do crescimento micelial, esporulação e germinação de conídios, em cada unidade experimental. Dessa forma foi possível selecionar os produtos classificados como compatíveis para todos os isolados, e testá-los in vivo. Em casa de vegetação, somente os isolados e os isolados com produtos selecionados, foram aplicados em plantas de mamoeiro com sintomas foliares de pinta-preta. Avaliaram-se a incidência de folhas com hiperparasitas e a porcentagem de lesões de pinta-preta colonizadas pelos isolados testados. Assim o isolado H-611 mostrou-se compatível com a maioria dos produtos alternativos testados, exceto com Hortifos®. Os produtos Bion® e Matriz® apresentaram compatibilidade com todos os isolados testados, podendo ser utilizados em conjunto com o Acremonium spp. e H. pulvinata para controlar a pinta-preta do mamoeiro, uma vez que estes produtos não apresentaram toxidade sobre os fungos hiperparasitas.

Sensitivity of hyperparasitic fungi to alternative products for use in the control of papaya black spot.

The use of more than one control technique can maximize the reduction of the damages caused by the fungus Asperisporium caricae causal agent of the black spot in the papaya crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the sensitivity of the fungi Hansfordia pulvinata and Acremonium spp. to alternative products with potential for use in the control of the black-spotted ptarmigan. Three isolates of Acremonium spp. (A-598, A-602 and A-617) and an isolate of H. pulvinata (H-611) were grown in BDA medium containing Agro-Mos®, Bion®, Ecolife®, Hortifospk®, Matriz G®, Vitaphol® separately. The Amistar 500WG ® fungicide was used as a positive control and pure BDA as a negative control. The toxicity of the tested products was determined based on the values of the biological index, derived from the means of mycelial growth, sporulation and germination of conidia, in each experimental unit. In this way it was possible to select the products classified as compatible for all isolates, and to test them in vivo. In the greenhouse, only the isolates and isolates with selected products, were applied in papaya plants with foliar symptoms of black-spotted. The incidence of leaves with hyperparasites and the percentage of black-painted lesions colonized by the tested isolates were evaluated. Thus, the H-611 isolate proved to be compatible with most of the alternative products tested, except with Hortifos®. Bion® and Matrix® products were compatible with all tested isolates and could be used in conjunction with Acremonium spp. and H. pulvinata to control the papaya black spot, since these products did not present toxicity on the hyperparasitic fungi.

Identification and antimicrobial suceptibility profile of bacteria causing bovine mastitis from dairy farms in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul / Identificação e perfil de suscetibilidade antimicrobiana de bactérias causadoras de mastite bovina em propriedades leiteiras de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract Mastitis is an inflammatory process of the udder tissue caused mainly by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics fosters conditions that favor the selection of resistant microorganisms, suppressing at the same time susceptible forms, causing a serious problem in dairy cattle. Given the importance in performing an antibiogram to select the most adequate antimicrobial therapy, the aim of this study was to identify bacteria isolated from cow's milk with mastitis, in dairy farms situated in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, and to determinate the susceptibility profile of these isolates against the antibiotics used to treat this illness. A total of 30 isolates of Staphylococcus spp., were selected from milk samples from the udder quarters with subclinical mastitis whose species were identified through the Vitek system. The susceptibility profile was performed by the disk diffusion assay, against: ampicillin, amoxicillin, bacitracin, cephalexin, ceftiofur, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, neomycin, norfloxacin, penicillin G, tetracycline and trimethoprim. In the antibiogram, 100.0% of the isolates were resistant to trimethoprim and 96.7% to tetracycline and neomycin, three strains of Staphylococcus spp., (10.0%) presented resistance to the 12 antibiotics tested and 24 (80.0%) to at least eight. These results showed the difficulty in treating mastitis, due to the pathogens' resistance.

Resumo A mastite se constitui no processo inflamatório da glândula mamária causada principalmente por bactérias Staphylococcus aureus. O uso indiscriminado dos antibióticos promove condições que favorecem a seleção de micro-organismos resistentes e, ao mesmo tempo, suprime formas suscetíveis, causando um grave problema para a bovinocultura leiteira. Tendo em vista a importância da realização do antibiograma para a seleção da terapia antimicrobiana mais adequada, o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar bactérias isoladas de leite de vaca com mastite, oriundas de propriedades leiteiras localizadas na cidade de Pelotas, RS, bem como determinar o perfil de suscetibilidade desses isolados frente a antibióticos usados para o tratamento desta doença. Foram selecionados 30 isolados de Staphylococcus spp. de amostras de leite provenientes de quartos mamários com mastite subclínica, cujas espécies foram identificadas através do sistema Vitek. O perfil de suscetibilidade foi realizado pela técnica de difusão em disco, frente a: ampicilina, amoxicilina, bacitracina, cefalexina, ceftiofur, enrofloxacina, gentamicina, neomicina, norfloxacina, penicilina G, tetraciclina e trimetoprima. No antibiograma, 100,0% dos isolados foram resistentes a trimetoprima e 96,7% a tetraciclina e a neomicina, três cepas (10,0%) foram resistentes aos 12 antibióticos testados e 24 (80,0%) a pelo menos oito. Esses resultados demonstram a dificuldade encontrada no tratamento da mastite devido à resistência dos agentes patológicos.

Identification and antimicrobial suceptibility profile of bacteria causing bovine mastitis from dairy farms in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul.

Mastitis is an inflammatory process of the udder tissue caused mainly by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics fosters conditions that favor the selection of resistant microorganisms, suppressing at the same time susceptible forms, causing a serious problem in dairy cattle. Given the importance in performing an antibiogram to select the most adequate antimicrobial therapy, the aim of this study was to identify bacteria isolated from cow's milk with mastitis, in dairy farms situated in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, and to determinate the susceptibility profile of these isolates against the antibiotics used to treat this illness. A total of 30 isolates of Staphylococcus spp., were selected from milk samples from the udder quarters with subclinical mastitis whose species were identified through the Vitek system. The susceptibility profile was performed by the disk diffusion assay, against: ampicillin, amoxicillin, bacitracin, cephalexin, ceftiofur, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, neomycin, norfloxacin, penicillin G, tetracycline and trimethoprim. In the antibiogram, 100.0% of the isolates were resistant to trimethoprim and 96.7% to tetracycline and neomycin, three strains of Staphylococcus spp., (10.0%) presented resistance to the 12 antibiotics tested and 24 (80.0%) to at least eight. These results showed the difficulty in treating mastitis, due to the pathogens' resistance.

Relationship between Hammett's parameters and in silico density functional with tandem mass ESI-CID fragmentation: Dihydropyridines as prototypes.

Over the years, with the instrumental analysis evolution, the relationships between the carried-out results with the data of theoretical analysis in silico and the Hammett's parameters have been reported. They have been very useful for chemical characterization of small organic molecules. Thus, this work aims at showing the feasibility and limitations for Hammett's and density functional theory applications in electrospray ionization-collision-induced dissociation (ESI-CID) fragmentation provision. For this, 13 dihydropyrimidinones para, meta, and orto monosubstituted were studied using ESI and CID in positive mode. As a result, it was observed that the main fragmentation includes the isocyanate and ethanol loses at low energy. Nevertheless, at higher energies, radical ions formed by McLafferty rearrangement were observed. The Hammett plots were correlated fragmentation profiles, showing good linearity for the [M + H]+ , which does not occur to radical ions and carbocation's. These tendencies had demonstrated that the stability of protonate and activation energy of secondary ions changes with the pKa. The density functional theory studies indicated that, both nitrogen atoms in the dihydropyrimidinone's prototypes are capable of being protonated. However, the activation energy of fragmentation products is not changed. Therefore, this work has shown information, which can be useful to understand tandem mass spectrometry in ESI-CID conditions for small organic molecules series. This is the first step for normalization of fragmentation pathway.

Steroidogenesis during postnatal testicular development of Galea spixii.

The androgen/estrogen balance is essential for normal sexual development and reproduction in mammals. Studies performed herein investigated the potential for estrogen synthesis in cells of the testes of a hystricomorph rodent, Galea spixii The study characterized the expression of the key enzymes responsible for estrogen and androgen synthesis, cytochromes P450 aromatase (P450arom), 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450c17) respectively, as well as the redox partner NADPH cytochrome P450 oxido-reductase (CPR) required to support electron transfer and catalysis of these P450s, by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis, throughout postnatal sexual development. Testes (immature, pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal) were collected, fixed for IHC (CYP19, CYP17 and CPR) and stored frozen for qPCR for the relevant gene transcripts (Cyp19a1 and Cyp17a1). Expression of P450c17 was significantly elevated at the pre-pubertal and pubertal stages. Based on IHC, P450c17 was expressed only in Leydig cell clusters. The expression of P450arom was detectable at all stages of sexual development of Galea spixii IHC data suggest that estrogen synthesis was not restricted to somatic cells (Leydig cells/Sertoli cells), but that germ cells may also be capable of converting androgens into estrogens, important for testicular function and spermatogenesis.

Ultrastructure of spermatogenesis and spermatozoa in agoutis during sexual development.

The aim was to study the ultrastructure of testicular parenchyma and define the morphological ultrastructure of spermatozoa of agoutis kept in captivity. Segments of testes from eight agouti males at prepubescence, prepuberty, pubescence and sexual maturity were fixed in glutaraldehyde. Laboratory procedures were performed for transmission electron microscopy. Spermatogonial cells of Type A - pale, Type A - dark, intermediate and Type B were found. Spermatocytes in the pachytene phase were abundant among primary spermatocytes. From the prepubertal phase, Sertoli cells exhibited invaginations in the nuclear membrane and lipid inclusions in the cytoplasm due to their phagocytic function. Leydig cells displayed higher metabolic activity during puberty as evidenced by the presence of lipid droplets. Spermatozoa were fully formed morphologically at prepuberty. The centriolar complex had partially degenerated and featured a centriolar space as in rodents. Sperm heads were tapered, without prominence of the acrosome or evidence of the perforatorium, differing from cavies, rats and mice. This is the first study to describe the ultrastructure of agouti spermatozoa. This research may assist as a basis for future work related to fertility and other biotechnologies applied to reproductive biology in agoutis.

Sensitivity of hyperparasitic fungi to alternative products for use in the control of papaya black spot

Abstract The use of more than one control technique can maximize the reduction of the damages caused by the fungus Asperisporium caricae causal agent of the black spot in the papaya crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the sensitivity of the fungi Hansfordia pulvinata and Acremonium spp. to alternative products with potential for use in the control of the black-spotted ptarmigan. Three isolates of Acremonium spp. (A-598, A-602 and A-617) and an isolate of H. pulvinata (H-611) were grown in BDA medium containing Agro-Mos®, Bion®, Ecolife®, Hortifospk®, Matriz G®, Vitaphol® separately. The Amistar 500WG ® fungicide was used as a positive control and pure BDA as a negative control. The toxicity of the tested products was determined based on the values of the biological index, derived from the means of mycelial growth, sporulation and germination of conidia, in each experimental unit. In this way it was possible to select the products classified as compatible for all isolates, and to test them in vivo. In the greenhouse, only the isolates and isolates with selected products, were applied in papaya plants with foliar symptoms of black-spotted. The incidence of leaves with hyperparasites and the percentage of black-painted lesions colonized by the tested isolates were evaluated. Thus, the H-611 isolate proved to be compatible with most of the alternative products tested, except with Hortifos®. Bion® and Matrix® products were compatible with all tested isolates and could be used in conjunction with Acremonium spp. and H. pulvinata to control the papaya black spot, since these products did not present toxicity on the hyperparasitic fungi.

Resumo O uso de mais de uma técnica de controle pode maximizar a redução dos danos causados pelo fungo Asperisporium caricae agente causal da pinta preta na cultura do mamoeiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a sensibilidade dos fungos Hansfordia pulvinata e Acremonium spp. a produtos alternativos com potencial para uso no controle da pinta-preta. Três isolados de Acremonium spp. (A-598, A-602 e A-617) e um isolado de H. pulvinata (H-611) foram cultivados em meio BDA contendo Agro-Mos®, Bion®, Ecolife®, Hortifospk®, Matriz G®, Vitaphol® separadamente. Fungicida Amistar 500WG® foi utilizado como controle positivo e BDA puro, como controle negativo. A toxicidade dos produtos testados foi determinada com base nos valores do índice biológico, provenientes das médias do crescimento micelial, esporulação e germinação de conídios, em cada unidade experimental. Dessa forma foi possível selecionar os produtos classificados como compatíveis para todos os isolados, e testá-los in vivo. Em casa de vegetação, somente os isolados e os isolados com produtos selecionados, foram aplicados em plantas de mamoeiro com sintomas foliares de pinta-preta. Avaliaram-se a incidência de folhas com hiperparasitas e a porcentagem de lesões de pinta-preta colonizadas pelos isolados testados. Assim o isolado H-611 mostrou-se compatível com a maioria dos produtos alternativos testados, exceto com Hortifos®. Os produtos Bion® e Matriz® apresentaram compatibilidade com todos os isolados testados, podendo ser utilizados em conjunto com o Acremonium spp. e H. pulvinata para controlar a pinta-preta do mamoeiro, uma vez que estes produtos não apresentaram toxidade sobre os fungos hiperparasitas.

Schoolchildren with Learning Difficulties Have Low Iron Status and High Anemia Prevalence.

Background. In developing countries there is high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia, which reduces cognitive performance, work performance, and endurance; it also causes learning difficulties and negative impact on development for infant population. Methods. The study concerns a case-control study; data was collected from an appropriate sample consisting of schoolchildren aged 8 years. The sample was divided into two subgroups: those with deficient initial reading skills (DIRS) (case) and those without (control). Blood samples were taken to analyze hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels. These results were then used to compare the two groups with Student's t-test. Association between DIRS and anemia was analyzed using odds ratio (OR). Results. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels of schoolchildren with DIRS were statistically lower when compared to those without, hemoglobin p = 0.02 and serum ferritin p = 0.04. DIRS was statistically associated with a risk of anemia with a weighted OR of 1.62. Conclusions. In this study, schoolchildren with DIRS had lower hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels when compared to those without.

Proteção do dano oxidativo hepático induzido por ferro pelo extrato aquoso da planta Plectranthus barbatus / Protection against hepatic oxidative damage induced by iron by the aqueous extract of Plectranthus barbatus

Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) é uma planta muita utilizada na medicina popular para o tratamento de doenças gastrointestinais e hepáticas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar o efeito protetor do extrato aquoso de P. barbatus (EAPB) sobre os danos hepáticos causados pela sobrecarga de ferro provocada pelo ferro-dextran em ratos. O tratamento com ferro-dextran induziu uma redução significativa na concentração de glutationa reduzida nos animais tratados em relação ao grupo controle e o tratamento prévio dos animais com o EAPB protegeu o fígado do efeito provocado pelo ferro neste parâmetro. Com relação à lipoperoxidação, houve aumento significativo na concentração de malondialdeído (MDA) nos animais tratados em relação ao controle, entretanto, quando os animais receberam o tratamento prévio com o EAPB, houve redução significativa na concentração do MDA. A análise histopatológica mostrou que o grupo tratado com ferro-dextran apresentou grânulos de ferro no citoplasma das células de Kupffer com alargamento das mesmas e algumas com os núcleos hipertróficos. O tratamento prévio com EAPB resultou no desaparecimento dos sinais de danos às células de Kupffer sem nenhum núcleo hipertrófico, mas com a presença de grânulos de ferro totalmente fagocitados, o que demonstra uma aparência morfológica normal. Portanto, o EAPB pode ser útil na prevenção de danos hepáticos induzidos por sobrecarga de ferro.

The Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (Lamiaceae) is a plant largely used in folk medicine to treat gastrointestinal and liver diseases. The objective of this work was to study the protective effect of the aqueous extract of P. barbatus (EAPB) against damage caused by iron overload induced by iron dextran in rat liver. Treatment with iron-dextran induced a significant reduction in the glutathione levels in treated animals compared to control group, and the pretreatment of animals with EAPB protected the liver from the effects caused by iron in this parameter. With respect to lipid peroxidation, a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in treated animals compared to control was observed; however, when the animals were pretreated with EAPB, there was a significant reduction in the MDA levels. Histopathological analysis showed that the group treated with iron-dextran showed iron granules in the cytoplasm of the Kupffer cells and some of them presented enlarged nuclei. The group previously treated with EAPB showed the disappearance of the signs of damage to the Kupffer cells with no nucleus hypertrophy but with the presence of iron granules completely phagocytosed by these cells, which showed a normal morphological appearance. Therefore, the EAPB may be useful in the prevention of liver damage induced by iron overload.

Ultrastructure of the epididymis and vas deferens of agoutis at different stages of sexual development.

The agouti (Dasyprocta spp.) is a rodent found predominantly in the Brazilian Caatinga and has importance as an alternative source of protein. In this study, the objective was to describe the ultrastructure of components of sperm pathways, especially the epididymis and vas deferens, during sexual development of agoutis kept in captivity. Segments of the vas deferens and epididymis of 8 agouti males at different stages of sexual development (prepubescent, prepubertal, pubescent, and adult) were fixed in glutaraldehyde. The following laboratory procedures were performed: histology following the standard protocol for semithin cut (toluidine blue), and transmission electron microscopy. This was a pioneer study in which it was observed that the epididymis of agoutis is composed of principal, basal, halogen, apical, and clean cells. During prepubescent and prepubertal stages, clean cells were observed in addition to principal, basal, and halogen cells. Once puberty was reached, apical cells were also present, and clean cells were no longer visible. This epithelial change during sexual development is possibly due to physiological functions. The interaction between these cells supports this, and age probably influenced the change. With regard to the vas deferens, this study was also a pioneer to note that before pubescence there were two muscle layers, differing from older animals, which had three muscle layers. This may be due to lack of sperm transit in younger animals. We concluded that the pseudostratified stereociliated epithelium of the epididymis and vas deferens of agoutis kept in captivity undergo morphological and functional changes during sexual development.

Ultrastructure of spermatogenesis in Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii).

This was a pioneer study of the spermatogenic process from the onset of puberty in Spix's yellow-toothed cavies (SYC, Galea spixii) bred in captivity. The study aimed to characterize fine structure of spermatogenesis. Twelve testes from pubertal and post-pubertal SYC males were studied using transmission electron microscopy. Spermatogenesis can be divided into three phases: proliferation, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. In proliferation phase, three types of spermatogonia were identified and characterized as A(dark), A(pale), and B. In the second phase, spermatocytes (2n) undergo meiotic divisions that generate spermatids (n); the process begins in spermatocytes in the preleptotene stage when they increase their nuclear size, differentiating into spermatocytes in the leptotene stage when cell division is initiated. In addition, we found chromatin condensation, and formation of a structure composed of proteins that formed a central shaft and two lateral bars associated with pairing of homologous chromosomes. During spermiogenesis, the following main events occurred: condensation of nuclear chromatin, formation of acrosome with perfuratorium, elimination of residual cytoplasm, and development of the flagellum. The sperm head is different from that of other rodents. The endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex are the two main organelles demonstrated during this process. These organelles collaborate through synthesis of proteins and hormones for the development of germ cells during spermatogenesis in SYC.

Development of spermatogenesis in captive-bred Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phases of sexual development and spermatogenesis of Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii) based on analyses of the structural components of the testes. The testes of animals from 0 to 150 days of age were collected by orchiectomy, weighed, and processed for analysis by light microscopy. At 45 days of age, spermatozoa were seen in the tubular lumen. Spermatogenesis was not established in animals from 45 to 150 days of age. The stages of sexual development may be classified into the following phases: from birth to the age of 15 days (immature); 30 days of age (prepubertal); 45-105 days of age (pubertal); and 120 and 150 days of age (postpubertal). This is the first study to address the male reproductive biology of Spix's yellow-toothed cavy.

Proficiency testing for the determination of pesticides in mango pulp: a view of the employed chromatographic techniques and the evaluation of laboratories' performance.

The proficiency testing for determination of pesticides residues in mango pulp was the third work of the partnership established by INMETRO and INCQS/Fiocruz. Three mango pulp samples were sent to each participant laboratory, two being spiked with the pesticides and one exempt of pesticides. The added pesticides were: deltamethrin, ethion, fenitrothion, malathion, and permethrin. The evaluation of the results of the homogeneity and the stability tests, as well as the determination of the assigned value was made in agreement with ISO GUIDE 35 and ISO 13528, assuming the samples were considered homogeneous and stable for the studied period. The assigned values and the standard deviation for proficiency evaluation was calculated using the robust algorithm, according to ISO 13528, and the evaluation of the results was carried through in accordance with ABNT ISO/IEC Guide 43-1. The z-score graphs and confidence ellipse was also used in the evaluation of the results. In the evaluation carried through from the values of the z-scores, 71% of the reported results were considered satisfactory based on the results found for this index. The evaluation of the analytical viability for the determination of each pesticide and of the analytical capacity of the participant laboratories was carried through. A summarized view of the chromatographic techniques and of preparation of sample used by the participant laboratories was also carried through in this work.