Isolation and in vitro culture of trypanosomes from Leptodactylus ocellatus from the Atlantic Forest in a new experimental culture medium.

The purpose of this study was to verify the in vitro development of Trypanosoma sp. isolated from Leptodactylus ocellatus frogs under a new protocol using a biphasic medium composed of Novy, McNeal, and Nicolle (NNN) blood agar medium as a solid phase and liver infusion, brain heart infusion, and tryptose (LIBHIT) medium as a liquid phase. Blood forms, collected by cardiac puncture or after the maceration of different organs, were inoculated in culture tubes containing the biphasic medium composed by NNN and LIBHIT. Trypanosomes were observed 4 days postinoculation; most bloodstream trypomastigotes had differentiated into epimastigotes and amastigotes by this time. Trypomastigotes were again observed in older cultures (7 days). Parasites were successfully subcultured for 8 mo in this medium and successfully cryopreserved. The present study provides a new protocol medium for the isolation and culture of anuran trypanosomes.

The influence of environmental characteristics on the distribution of ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) in an urban stream of southeast Brazil.

The aim of this research was to study the ciliated protozoa community at three sampling stations that receive different levels of domestic sewage along the São Pedro Stream in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in order to determine the influence of organic pollution on this community and to assess the feasibility of using ciliates as water quality indicators. Four physical-chemical parameters of the water samples were evaluated: dissolved oxygen concentration, electrical conductivity, pH and temperature. The sediment was obtained manually, using dredges with capacity of 300 mL, at each collection point. Point 1 was located in a rural region that receives a low sewage load, while Points 2 and 3 were located in populated regions receiving high sewage loads. We found 22 ciliate species, of which 18 are included in the saprobic system and are considered bioindicators. These showed beta-mesosaprobic environments at Point 1 and alfa-mesosaprobic to polisaprobic environments at Points 2 and 3. The low levels of dissolved oxygen and the high electrical conductivity values at Points 2 and 3, together with the strong similarity between the ciliate taxocenoses of these points and the weak similarity between Point 1 and the other two, confirm the high sewage loads received at the latter two points. The combination of the biological indicators and physical-chemical analyses therefore proved itself to be an efficient method of evaluating water quality, and has excellent potential to support decisions on the conservation of headwaters and recuperation of degraded environments in lotic systems.

The influence of environmental characteristics on the distribution of ciliates (Protozoa, Ciliophora) in an urban stream of southeast Brazil / Influência das características ambientais sobre distribuição dos ciliados (Protozoa, Ciliophora) em um córrego urbano no sudeste brasileiro

The aim of this research was to study the ciliated protozoa community at three sampling stations that receive different levels of domestic sewage along the São Pedro Stream in the municipality of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in order to determine the influence of organic pollution on this community and to assess the feasibility of using ciliates as water quality indicators. Four physical-chemical parameters of the water samples were evaluated: dissolved oxygen concentration, electrical conductivity, pH and temperature. The sediment was obtained manually, using dredges with capacity of 300 mL, at each collection point. Point 1 was located in a rural region that receives a low sewage load, while Points 2 and 3 were located in populated regions receiving high sewage loads. We found 22 ciliate species, of which 18 are included in the saprobic system and are considered bioindicators. These showed beta-mesosaprobic environments at Point 1 and alfa-mesosaprobic to polisaprobic environments at Points 2 and 3. The low levels of dissolved oxygen and the high electrical conductivity values at Points 2 and 3, together with the strong similarity between the ciliate taxocenoses of these points and the weak similarity between Point 1 and the other two, confirm the high sewage loads received at the latter two points. The combination of the biological indicators and physical-chemical analyses therefore proved itself to be an efficient method of evaluating water quality, and has excellent potential to support decisions on the conservation of headwaters and recuperation of degraded environments in lotic systems.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a comunidade de protozoários ciliados em três estações amostrais, que recebem diferentes níveis de lançamento de esgoto doméstico, ao longo do córrego São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, MG, a fim de se determinar a influência da poluição orgânica sobre a composição e distribuição desta comunidade e avaliar a viabilidade da utilização dos ciliados como indicadores da qualidade da água. Foram mensurados quatro parâmetros físico-químicos da água amostrada: teor de oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade elétrica, pH e temperatura. Amostras do sedimento foram obtidas manualmente com o auxílio de dragas, com capacidade de 300 mL, em cada ponto de coleta. O ponto 1, localizado em uma região rural, recebe baixa carga de esgoto, enquanto os pontos 2 e 3, localizados em regiões com ampla ocupação humana, recebem altas cargas de esgoto. Foram registradas 22 espécies de ciliados, sendo que 18 estão incluídas no sistema sapróbio e são consideradas bioindicadoras de ambientes beta-mesossapróbio no ponto 1 e de alfa a polissapróbio nos pontos 2 e 3. Os baixos valores de oxigênio dissolvido e os altos valores de condutividade elétrica registrados nas estações 2 e 3, juntamente com a similaridade entre a taxocenose de ciliados destas estações e a baixa similaridade entre a estação 1 e as demais, confirmaram as altas cargas de esgoto recebidas nestas estações. A união do método biológico com a análise físico-química mostrou-se, portanto, um eficiente método na avaliação da qualidade da água, e apresenta grande potencial de utilização em tomadas de decisões relativas à conservação de nascentes e recuperação de ambientes degradados em sistemas lóticos.

First record of Trypanosoma chattoni in Brazil and occurrence of other Trypanosoma species in Brazilian frogs (Anura, Leptodactylidae).

The present study provides the first record of Trypanosoma chattoni Mathis and Leger, 1911, in a new host, Leptodactylus fuscus Schneider, 1799 (Anura, Leptodactylidae), and the occurrence of Trypanosoma rotatorium-like species in Leptodactylus chaquensis Cei, 1950. The anurans were captured in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture, and blood smears were examined for the presence of hemoparasites. The Trypanosoma rotatorium-like species in this study refers to a short-bodied trypomastigote that has a conspicuous undulating membrane but lacks a free flagellum; T. chattoni refers to a monomorphic parasite that has a rounded body, a kinetoplast adjacent to the nucleus, and a short flagellum.

Effect of an energy-deficient diet on populations of ciliate protozoans in bovine rumen / Efeito da deficiência de energia na dieta sobre a população de protozoários ciliados do rúmen de bovinos

Ten young rumen-cannulated crossbred steers were randomly divided into two groups: a control group (C; n=4), which was fed a balanced diet for daily weight gain of 900g; and a pronounced energy-deprived group (PED; n=6), receiving 30 percent less of the required energy for maintenance. After 140 days of these alimentary regimes, rumen fluid and urine samples were collected for biochemical and functional tests, before feeding and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 hours after feeding. The energy-deprivation diet caused a significant reduction in the number of Entodinium, Eodinium, Isotricha, Dasytricha, Eremoplastron, Eudiplodinium, Metadinium, Charonina, Ostracodinium, and Epidinium protozoa. There was no effect of the time of sampling in both groups on the total number of ciliates in rumen fluid. A higher number of protozoan forms in binary division were recorded in the control group, at the 6th and 9th hours after feeding (P<0.019). There was a high positive correlation between the total count of protozoans in rumen fluid and glucose fermentation, ammonia, and urinary allantoin excretion index; and a negative correlation between the total count of protozoa and metilene blue reduction, and a medium correlation between the total count of protozoa and total volatile fatty acids concentration. The determination of the protozoa populations does not imply in the use of complex and hard-to-execute techniques, although it is time consuming and needs practice. This exam particularly helps in clinical expected diagnosis.

Foram utilizados 10 novilhos mestiços com cânula ruminal, distribuídos em dois grupos: no grupo controle (C; n=4) receberam dieta balanceada para ganho diário de 900g; no grupo tratado com carência pronunciada de energia (CP; n=6), receberam dieta com 30 por cento a menos do nível de mantença em energia. Após 140 dias sob esses regimes de alimentação, foram coletadas amostras do fluido ruminal e urina, para realização de provas bioquímicas e funcionais, antes e às 1, 3, 6 e 9 horas após o fornecimento do alimento. A carência energética resultou em diminuição significativa na quantidade dos protozoários Entodinium, Eodinium, Isotricha, Dasytricha, Eremoplastron, Eudiplodinium, Metadinium, Charonina, Ostracodinium e Epidinium. Não houve efeito da hora de coleta sobre o total de ciliados nos grupos C e CP. Maior número de formas em divisão binária foi registrado no grupo C, na sexta e nona horas pós-alimentação (P<0,019). Observaram-se altas correlações positivas entre a contagem total de protozoários e a fermentação de glicose, amônia e o índice de excreção urinária de alantoína e negativa entre a contagem total de protozoários e a redução do azul de metileno, e correlação média entre a contagem total de protozoários e os ácidos graxos voláteis totais. A determinação da população de protozoários do rúmen é um método simples de avaliação, além de que particularmente auxilia o diagnóstico clínico da função ruminal.

Immediate and delayed two-stage post-mastectomy breast reconstruction with implants. Our experience of general surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, today is considered the best choice to improve the quality of life for the patient. The aim of the procedure is to consider the aesthetic results obtained and the various involvements, comparing them with those already reported in literature. METHODS. There is no certain data of the number of breast reconstructions performed in Italy in the few years. In 1999, in Veneto, reconstruction surgery after total breast removal, represented only 16% of the operations. In our surgery Division, from 1996 to 2000, there were breast reconstructions performed, either immediately or delayed on 87 patients out of 118 after mastectomy. 73.7% none over the age of 60 (range 27-60). The breast removal technique used is the Madden, while, for the reconstruction we have put into effect the submuscle prosthetic implant; 63 patients were subject to follow-up treatment during the period of 10 to 36 months. RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of the women have judged the final aesthetic results the same or better than expected. Based on reconstruction with prosthesis, is the preferred procedure, even with serious complications which do not always influence the final results. This preference is because of the reduced operation time and the psychological and physical benefits due to immediate restoral of the mammary volume and shape. CONCLUSIONS: Some problems (Garavaglia Law) have slowed down the diffusion in Italy of this type of treatment which is now receiving more and more request and approval by the women affected with breast cancer.

Ciliados nas cavidades do estômago de bovinos / Ciliates present in the stomach chambers of bovines

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo identificar e quantificar os gêneros de ciliados do rúmen, retículo, omaso e abomaso de bovinos abatidos em matadouro municipal. Foram coletados 45ml de conteúdo de cada cavidade de 30 animais. No momento da coleta foram medidos temperatura e pH e as amostras posteriormente analisadas em laboratório. Os resultados mostraram que o ambiente do rúmen e do retículo é bastante estável com temperatura média entre 36 e 37§C e pH 6,5. Os gêneros mais encontrados no rúmen foram Entodinium (65,0 por cento), Isotricha (7,0 por cento), Diplodinium (5,7 por cento), Ostracodinium (5,1 por cento), Eremoplastron (4,5 por cento), Dasytricha (3,8 por cento) e outros sete gêneros que totalizaram os 8,7 por cento restantes. No retículo os resultados foram Entodinium (35,2 por cento), Isotricha (23,4 por cento), Dasytricha (15,4 por cento), Eodinium (7,2 por cento), Eremoplastron (5,0 por cento), Diplodinium (4,3 por cento), Ostracodinium (3,8 por cento) e outros cinco gêneros totalizando os 5,6 por cento restantes. No omaso foram encontrados os mesmos gêneros, porém em menor quantidade que no rúmen e retículo. No abomaso näo foram encontrados ciliados. A análise do perfil populacional das amostras do rúmen mostrou predominância do tipo O (87 por cento), seguido do tipo B (13 por cento)

Influência da dieta no comportamento da populaçäo de ciliados do rúmen / Influence of diet on the behavior of rumen ciliate population

Foram obtidas 270 amostras de conteúdo ruminal de três vacas mestiças Holandês-Zebu, fistuladas no rúmen, avaliando-se a influência de dietas em base de silagem de milho com 20, 30 e 40 por cento de concentrado, sobre a populaçäo de ciliados do rúmen. Foram relacionados, com respectivas quantificaçöes em cada dieta, ciliados das famílias Blepharocorythidae (Charonina Strand, 1928) com 2,78 por cento do total de cicliados, Isotrichidae (Isotricha Stein, 1859) e Dasytricha Schuberg, 1888), com 1,68 por cento e Ophryoscolecidae (Entodinium Stein, 1859, Diplodinium Schuberg, 1888, Eodinium Kofoid & MacLennan, 1932, Eremoplastron Kofoid & MacLennan, 1932, Polyplastron Dogiel, 1927, Diploplastron Kofoid & MacLennan, 1932 e Ostracodinium Dogiel, 1927), com 95,54 por cento do total. A análise de variância seguida do teste Tukey a 5 por cento demonstrou que o total de ciliados nas dietas com 20, 30 e 40 por cento de concentrado, respectivamente 252.666,67, 316.266,67 e 277.191,11, diferiram significativamente. Observou-se, ainda, influência do animal hospedeiro e da época da amostragem sobre a populaçäo de ciliados do rúmen

Avaliaçäo dos ciliados do rúmen de bovinos mantidos com duas dietas / Evaluation of rumen ciliate in the rumen of cattle kept with two diets

Foram obtidas 26 amostras de conteúdo ruminal de dois novilhos fistulados para avaliaçäo dos protozoários do rúmen. Um animal foi mantido com dieta à base de cana-de-açúcar + 1 por cento de uréia (D1) e o outro com capim elefante (D2). Registraram-se ciliados dos gêneros Entodinium Stein, 1859, Isotricha Stein, 1859, Dasytricha Schuberg, 1888, Epidinium Crawley, 1923 e outros da subfamília Diplodiinae, näo se constantando Epidinium em D1. O total de ciliados em D1 foi de 18,12 x 10 elevado à quarta potência/ml e em D2 de 7,35 x 10 elevado à quarta potência/ml. A concentraçäo média de ciliados nos tempos T0, T2 e T5, respectivamente, antes da alimentaçäo, duas e cinco horas após, foi respectivamente de 18,90 x 10 elevado à quarta potência/ml, 17,96 x 10 elevado à quarta potência/ml e 16,24 x 10 elevado à quarta potência/ml para D1 e de 8,04 x 10 elevado à quarta potência/ml e 8,04 x 10 elevado à quarta potência/ml, 7,56 x 10 elevado à quarta potência/ml e 6,43 x 10 elevado à quarta potência/ml de conteúdo ruminal para D2. Os testes do qui-quadrado e T de Student a um nível de significância de 5 por cento, demonstraram diferença significativa do total de ciliados entre as dietas testadas em todos os tempos analisados

[Insular tumours of the pancreas (author's transl)]. / Tumori insulari del pancreas.

The use of immunohistochemistry and radioimmunological assay of the pancreatic polypeptides in the plasma has contributed substantial advances to the histophysiopathology and preoperative diagnosis of tumours of the endocrine pancreas and the related functional syndromes. Consequently, in addition to furthering knowledge on clinical pictures already known for some time, it has been possible to define new categories of the disease which were previously misunderstood or confused with others. The physiopathology and diagnostic methodology (clinical, biohumoral and instrumental) of each main known syndrome (insulinoma, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, Verner-Morrison disease and glucagonoma) are described in detail; there are notes on hormonal syndromes that are not fully known and which constitute a field of research in evolution (pluriendocrine and carcinoid syndromes, polypeptidoma, somatostatinoma, nesidioblastosis). The problems of preoperative preparation, intraoperative diagnostic tactics and surgical technique are illustrated. Lastly the possibilities of alternative therapeutic treatment are outlined.

[Cavitary lesions and carcinoma of the pancreas. Diagnostic difficulties and errors]. / Lesioni cavitarie e carcinoma del pancreas. Difficoltà ed errori diagnostici.

Among 197 pancreatic and periampullar tumours operated between 1970 and 1979, an associated cystic of pseudocystic lesion was found on 15 occasions (a rate of 16%). In 10 cases it was a question of pseudocysts located at the bodytail, while the tumour occupied a distinct site (periampullar tumour or carcinoma of the head); in 5 cases the cavitary lesion coincided with the tumour (2 endocrine tumours of the head, 2 cystoadenocarcinomas and one adenocarcinoma of the body-tail). In 6 cases (of which 5 operated) the error in diagnosis led to misappreciation of the tumour: only 3 of these cases could be treated with radical surgery. In the other 9, correct diagnosis was possible from the start and in 6 radical surgery was performed. Stress is placed on the need for prompt and early diagnosis, in order to allow adequate treatment of the tumour in line with the canons of radical action.

[Alteratiions of calcium and phosphorus metabolism in patients treated with duodenoencephalopancreatectomy]. / Alterazioni del metabolismo del calcio-fosforo negli operati di duodenocefalopancreatectomia.

In a followup study of 14 patients treated by duodeno-cephalo-pancreatectomy at least one year before, the authors detected radiological evidence of bone tissue reshuffling in 64 per cent of the cases. Of these, 70 per cent showed high serum alkaline phosphatase content not attributable to cholestasis, liver metastasis, or specific bone disease. The authors call attention to the significance of this biochemical parameter for diagnostic purposes and therapeutic guidance.

[Treatment of early and late complications of surgery of pancreatic pseudocysts]. / Il trattamento delle complicanze precoci e tardive della chirurgia delle pseudocisti pancreatiche.

Among 45 operations for pseudocysts the authors report 9 cases of complications, three of them early (haemorrhage and acute pancreatic necrosis) and six delayed (persistence of fistulae and relapse); in six of these surgery was performed and two of them died. Among the different types of surgery performed, external drainage proved to be the one most burdened by complications (2/3 of cases), while their incidence was far lower in internal shunt (2 cases out of 28) and cysto-parenchmal demolitions (one case out of eight). Attention is drawn to the danger of post-operative haemorrhage and the need to combat this complication with decision. For recurring pseudocysts and for fistulae which do not benefit from conservative treatment, the surgical operation, when it does not result in demolition, must be capable of correcting the canalicular alterations of the base pancreatitis.