Morphological analysis of the digestive tract of Hypophthalmus marginatus (Valenciennes, 1840).

The mapará, Hypophthalmus marginatus, is a rheophilic and planktophagous catfish and it is one of the main fishing resources in the Amazon region. To understand its nutritional characteristics, this work described the morphology and histochemistry of the digestive tract of H. marginatus. The oropharyngeal cavity has abundant, long and thin gill rakers, responsible for retaining plankton, while the short and muscular oesophagus promotes the transport of these items to the stomach and prevents water ingestion. The stratified oesophageal epithelium has goblet cells with mucins predominantly neutral that could facilitate the food passage the food passage. The U-shaped siphonal stomach shows a columnar epithelium with neutral mucins to protect against autodigestion. The cardiac and fundic regions have gastric glands, while the pyloric region has a thick muscular layer with a sphincter. The coiled intestine with intestinal quotient of 2.14 ± 0.5 shows long longitudinal folds in the anterior region, decreasing in height in the aboral direction, and highlighting its function in digestion and nutrient absorption. Goblet cells are abundant in posterior intestine and rectum, and rectum shows epithelial cells with mucins in the apical cytoplasm, for protection and defecation. Intraepithelial lymphocytes also are abundant in posterior intestine and rectum, and it acts in immunological defence.

The influence of increased water temperature on the duration of spermatogenesis in a neotropical fish, Astyanax altiparanae (Characiformes, Characidae).

In view of the established climate change scenario and the consequent changes in global temperature, it is essential to study its effects on animal spermatogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to verify the duration of spermatogenesis at different temperatures. For this purpose, 96 male and adult specimens of Astyanax altiparanae were kept in a closed circulation system with water temperature stabilized at 27 °C and 32 °C. Subsequently, the specimens received pulses of BrdU (bromodeoxyuridine) at a concentration of 100 mg/kg/day for 2 consecutive days, and the samples were collected daily for a period of 15 days. Their testes were removed, fixed, processed in historesin, and sectioned in 3 µm, submitted to hematoxylin/eosin staining and to bromodeoxyuridine immunodetection. Partial results of the optimum temperature experiments allowed the classification of A. altiparanae spermatogenic cells in Aund, Adiff, and type B spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa. The duration of spermatogenesis was determined as approximately 6 days for animals at a temperature of 27 °C and 1 day for animals at 32 °C. The elevated temperature was also responsible for increasing cell proliferation, resulting in an increase in the number of spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa, and cell death (cell pyknotic). The duration of spermatogenesis in A. altiparanae was directly affected by the elevated water temperature, causing a reduction in the estimated time of spermatogenesis.

Myocardium Arrangement and Coronary Vessel Distribution in the Ventricle of Three Neotropical Freshwater Teleosts.

The ventricle of the fish heart is a chamber that exhibits great morphological and vascular variability among species. However, although the Neotropical region has the greatest taxonomic and functional diversity in freshwater fish, many considerations have been formed without previous knowledge of the ventricular morphology of these fishes. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to describe the anatomy, myoarchitecture, and distribution of coronary vessels in the ventricle of three species belonging to two representative groups from this geographical area, Leporinus elongatus, Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes) and Pterodoras granulosus (Siluriformes), using gross anatomy and light microscopy. The species L. elongatus and H. malabaricus presented a pyramidal ventricle associated to a mixed myocardium, formed by compact and spongy layers. The mixed myocardium was also observed in P. granulosus, but associated with a sac-like ventricle. The compact layer of the species studied was formed by muscular bundles in longitudinal and circular disposition. The spongy layer constituted most of the ventricular myocardium and was formed by a complex network of trabecular sheets presenting muscle fibers also in longitudinal and circular disposition. Coronary vessels were present in the three species and were observed primarily on the surface of the bulbus arteriosus, later branching on the ventricular surface and penetrating the myocardium only at the compact layer level. These characteristics allow classification of the ventricles studied as type II. Although the type I ventricle is the most common type in teleosts, it is important to emphasize that this type has not been observed in any Neotropical freshwater teleosts studied to date.

Ultrastructure of the digestive tract in neotropical carnivorous catfish Hemisorubim platyrhynchos (Valenciennes, 1840) (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae).

The surface of the digestive tract of Hemisorubim platyrhynchos was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Morphometric studies by transmission electron microscopy were performed to analysis the intestinal microvilli. H. platyrhynchos is a Neotropical carnivorous freshwater catfish featuring a short digestive tract composed of a short esophagus, saccular stomach, and intestine with four regions: anterior, middle, posterior, and rectal. The esophageal surface is constituted by fingerprint-like microridges that anchor the mucosubstances secreted by goblet cells facilitating the passage of food. Goblet cells present the opening to the esophageal lumen, between the microridges. Club cells are in basal epithelium and they do not present the opening to the lumen. The gastric luminal surface shows polygon-shaped epithelial cells which secrete granules by exocytose to protect the gastric surface. The intestinal luminal surface reveals folds that are thicker in the anterior intestine than in the posterior intestine, increasing the absorptive surface area. The intestinal surface presents the microvilli of enterocytes and the opening of goblet cells. The morphometric analysis showed that the microvilli are longer in the anterior intestine, significantly decreasing towards the posterior intestine. The microvilli surface area significantly is greater in the anterior and middle intestine than in the posterior intestine. Numerous openings of goblet cells were observed in the posterior intestine acting in epithelial protection and lubrication. SCANNING 38:336-343, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prevalence of ectoparasites and bacteriological diagnosis in Nile tilapia bred in net-tanks in the Corvos River, Paraná, Brazil / Prevalência de ectoparasitos e diagnóstico bacteriológico em tilápia do Nilo criadas em tanques-rede no Rio do Corvo, Paraná, Brasil

Predominance of ectoparasites and bacteria diagnosis were identified in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), GIFT strain, bred in net-tanks at different densities. Current experiment was performed in the Corvos river, State of Paraná, Brazil, in two cycles: cycle A installed in August 2010 with 155 days, and cycle B, installed in February 2011 with 128 days. Twenty 6.8 m-3 (2.0 x 2.0 x 1.7 m) net-tanks were employed, using 6.0 m-3 and five densities (150, 175, 200, 225 and 250 fish/m-3), with four replications each. No significant difference was registered with regard to the prevalence of ectoparasites due to densities in the two experimental cycles. In the months of September to November cycle A displayed increase in the predominance of Trichodina and a decrease in the prevalence of Monogenoidea and mixed parasites. Further, an inverse relationship with a decrease in the prevalence of Trichodina and an increase in the prevalence of Monogenoidea and mixed parasites occurred during October and November. Trochodina prevalence occurred in October and November. Cycle B showed a significant difference in total prevalence of ectoparasites due to months. There was an increase in tricodinid infestation between March and June in proportion to increase of density and throughout the experiment. More care should be taken with regard to densities during the period. No positive result was...(AU)

Foram identificados a prevalência de ectoparasitos e o diagnóstico de bactérias em tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) da variedade GIFT, criadas em tanques-rede, utilizando diferentes densidades. O experimento foi conduzido no Rio do Corvo, PR, em dois ciclos: ciclo A, implantado em agosto de 2010 com duração de 155 dias e ciclo B, implantado em fevereiro de 2011 com duração de 128 dias. Para cada ciclo foram instalados 20 tanques-rede de 6,8 m-3 (2,0 x 2,0 x 1,7 m), com 6,0 m-3 úteis, adotando cinco densidades (150, 175, 200, 225 e 250 peixes/m-3), com quatro repetições. Não houve diferença significativa na prevalência de ectoparasitos em relação às densidades nos dois ciclos de experimento. Observou-se no nos meses de setembro a novembro do ciclo A um aumento na prevalência de Trichodina e decréscimo na prevalência de Monogenoidea e parasitismo misto, nos meses de outubro e novembro observou-se uma relação inversa com uma diminuição na prevalência de Trichodina e aumento na prevalência de Monogenoidea e parasitismo misto. Os meses de outubro e novembro apresentaram a maior prevalência de Trichodina do ciclo A. No ciclo B ocorreu uma diferença significativa na prevalência total de ectoparasitos em relação aos meses. Em relação à categoria de infestação por tricodinídeos, nos meses de março a junho houve um aumento na medida em que aumentava-se a densidade e no decorrer...(AU)

Prevalence of ectoparasites and bacteriological diagnosis in Nile tilapia bred in net-tanks in the Corvos River, Paraná, Brazil / Prevalência de ectoparasitos e diagnóstico bacteriológico em tilápia do Nilo criadas em tanques-rede no Rio do Corvo, Paraná, Brasil

Predominance of ectoparasites and bacteria diagnosis were identified in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), GIFT strain, bred in net-tanks at different densities. Current experiment was performed in the Corvos river, State of Paraná, Brazil, in two cycles: cycle A installed in August 2010 with 155 days, and cycle B, installed in February 2011 with 128 days. Twenty 6.8 m-3 (2.0 x 2.0 x 1.7 m) net-tanks were employed, using 6.0 m-3 and five densities (150, 175, 200, 225 and 250 fish/m-3), with four replications each. No significant difference was registered with regard to the prevalence of ectoparasites due to densities in the two experimental cycles. In the months of September to November cycle A displayed increase in the predominance of Trichodina and a decrease in the prevalence of Monogenoidea and mixed parasites. Further, an inverse relationship with a decrease in the prevalence of Trichodina and an increase in the prevalence of Monogenoidea and mixed parasites occurred during October and November. Trochodina prevalence occurred in October and November. Cycle B showed a significant difference in total prevalence of ectoparasites due to months. There was an increase in tricodinid infestation between March and June in proportion to increase of density and throughout the experiment. More care should be taken with regard to densities during the period. No positive result was...

Foram identificados a prevalência de ectoparasitos e o diagnóstico de bactérias em tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) da variedade GIFT, criadas em tanques-rede, utilizando diferentes densidades. O experimento foi conduzido no Rio do Corvo, PR, em dois ciclos: ciclo A, implantado em agosto de 2010 com duração de 155 dias e ciclo B, implantado em fevereiro de 2011 com duração de 128 dias. Para cada ciclo foram instalados 20 tanques-rede de 6,8 m-3 (2,0 x 2,0 x 1,7 m), com 6,0 m-3 úteis, adotando cinco densidades (150, 175, 200, 225 e 250 peixes/m-3), com quatro repetições. Não houve diferença significativa na prevalência de ectoparasitos em relação às densidades nos dois ciclos de experimento. Observou-se no nos meses de setembro a novembro do ciclo A um aumento na prevalência de Trichodina e decréscimo na prevalência de Monogenoidea e parasitismo misto, nos meses de outubro e novembro observou-se uma relação inversa com uma diminuição na prevalência de Trichodina e aumento na prevalência de Monogenoidea e parasitismo misto. Os meses de outubro e novembro apresentaram a maior prevalência de Trichodina do ciclo A. No ciclo B ocorreu uma diferença significativa na prevalência total de ectoparasitos em relação aos meses. Em relação à categoria de infestação por tricodinídeos, nos meses de março a junho houve um aumento na medida em que aumentava-se a densidade e no decorrer...

Morpho-functional response of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) to a homeopathic complex.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the performance, prevalence of ectoparasites and morpho-functional response of the liver and the branchiae of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) raised on fish meal with added of the homeopathic complex Homeopatila 100(®) at different concentrations. METHODS: Post-reversed juvenile Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) of the GIFT (Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapia) strain were used in this study. The performance, ectoparasite prevalence and parasite load in the branchiae and skin as well as the liver and branchial histology. Fish were randomly assigned to receive one of four treatments: control, 20 mL hydroalcoholic solution (alcohol 30° GL); 20 mL Homeopatila 100(®) per kg of meal; 40 mL Homeopatila 100(®) per kg of meal; or 60 mL of Homeopatila 100(®) per kg of meal, compared to control with out the addition of the complex. There were four replications per treatment type (16 experimental units total) at a density of 40 fish per m(3) over a period of 57 days. The Kruskal-Wallis H test (p < 0.05) was employed to analyse the physical and chemical parameters of water as well as for parasite prevalence; whereas analysis of variance was used for liver performance. If the values were significant (p < 0.05), they were compared by Tukey's test. Multiple comparisons of averages were performed using Student's t test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: There were no significant between the physical and chemical parameters of the water between the different groups at the end of the experiment. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in the mixed parasite conditions were found within the different Homeopatila 100(®) treatments. The hepatosomatic ratio of fish treated with Homeopatila 100(®) was significantly lower than that of fish from the control group. The best results in the liver and branchiae occurred in fish receiving Homeopatila 100(®) at 40 mL/kg in terms of the number of hepatocytes/mm(2), the intercellular glycogenic behaviour, the rates of histological changes (hyperplasia, lamella fusion and telangiectasia) and the percentage of neutral and acidic mucin-producing cells. CONCLUSION: The addition of Homeopatila 100(®) at a concentration 40 mL per kg/meal to the diet of juvenile Nile tilapias resulted in improved hepatocytes and intracellular glycogen levels as well as the lowest mean rate of branchial histological changes with an increase in acidic mucin-producing cells compared to neutral mucin-producing cells, compared to control.

Seroprevalencia del virus linfotrópico humano de células T tipo 1 (HTLV-1) en pacientes con tiroiditis autoinmune / Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) seroprevalence among out-patients with autoimmune thyroiditis

Objetivo: Describir la seroprevalencia de infección por HTLV-1 en pacientes con tiroiditis autoinmune. Material y Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado en pacientes con tiroiditis autoinmune que acudieron al consultorio de Endocrinología del Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia entre octubre del 2008 y enero del 2010. Se usó un cuestionario estructurado para obtener datos epidemiológicos y clínicos, paralelamente, se revisaron las historias clínicas para obtener datos de laboratorio. A los participantes se les tomó una muestra de sangre para el diagnóstico de HTLV-1 mediante prueba de ELISA y confirmación por Western Blot, previa firma de consentimiento informado. Resultados: Durante el período de estudio, se atendieron 285 pacientes con tiroiditis autoinmune. Se incluyeron 145 pacientes(50,9%); la edad media fue 48,1 ± 15 años y 135 (93,1%) fueron de sexo femenino. Tres pacientes tuvieron infección por HTLV-1, con una prevalencia estimada de 2,1% (IC 95%: 0-4,4%). Los seropositivos fueron de sexo femenino y tuvieron el diagnóstico de Enfermedad de Graves hipertiroidea. La frecuencia de infección por HTLV-1 en este grupo fue de 5% (3/60); IC 95%: 0-11%. No se encontró diferencia significativa entre los pacientes HTLV-1 positivos y negativos en cuanto a características demográficas, clínicas y de laboratorio. Conclusión: La prevalencia de infección por HTLV-1 en los pacientes con tiroiditis autoinmune fue similar a la prevalencia estimada para la población peruana en general.

Objective: To describe the seroprevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection among patients with autoimmune thyroiditis diagnosis. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study including subjects with autoimmune thyroiditis at the outpatient Endocrinology unit of the Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia from October 2008 to January 2010. A structured questionnaire was used to get epidemiologic and clinic data; and hospital registries were reviewed to determine laboratory data. Participants were tested for HTLV-1 using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Western blot confirmation. All participant provided informed consent. Results: During the study period, 285 subjects with autoimmune thyroiditis were attended at the Endocrinology Outpatient Service. We included 145 (50.9%); their mean age was 48,1±15 years and 135 (93.1%) were female. Three were HTLV-1 positive, with estimated prevalence of 2.1% (95% CI: 0-4.4%). All seropositive patients were women andhad Graveæs disease. The frequency of HTLV-1 infection in this group was 5% (3/60); 95% CI: 0-11%. Non significant differences for demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics between the HTLV -1 seropositive and seronegative patients were founded. Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HTLV-1 infection among outpatients with autoimmune thyroiditis was similar to that estimated for the peruvian general population.

Evaluation of adaptive/nonadaptive filtering and wavelet transform techniques for noise reduction in EMG mobile acquisition equipment.

The myoelectric signal can be used to control many rehabilitation systems, for instance, prostheses and artificial neuromuscular electrical stimulation toward restoring movement to spinal cord injured subjects. These mobile systems are usually used in different environments and thus are being exposed to different noise levels with characteristics not completely known. In this article, three main techniques for noise reduction were evaluated: wavelet transform (WT), adaptive digital filters, and nonadaptive digital filters. The WT was used to reconstruct the signal with the components without noise information. Adaptive filters were designed using least mean square (LMS) and recursive least square (RLS) algorithms. Finite-impulse response (FIR) and infinite-impulse response (IIR) nonadaptive filters were used for comparison to both the adaptive filters and the signal reconstruction through the WT.

Compromiso hepático en fiebre tifoidea: Estudio bioquímico e histopatológico en pacientes anictéricos / Hepatic involvement typhoid fever: Biochemical and histopathological study in anicteric patients

El presente trabajo es un estudio prospectivo de 100 pacientes con diagnóstico de fiebre tifoidea mediante aislamiento de salmonella typhi. El procedimiento diagnóstico de mayor utilidad fue el mielocultivo, con un 90 por ciento de positividad. El compromiso hepático fue de presentación frecuente (85 por ciento), 67 pacientes fueron anictéricos y 18 pacientes cursaron con ictericia. Fueron sometidos a biopsia hepática 50 pacientes del grupo anictérico, de los cuales 50 por ciento mostraron hallazgos compatibles con hepatitis granulomatosa y el otro 50 por ciento, hepatitis reaccional. La respuesta al tratamiento antibiótico fue idéntica, en relación con los que no presentaron compromiso hepático.