Genetic diversity of Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (Huber ex. Ducke) Barneby, in a forest area in Brazil.

Schizolobium parahyba var. amazonicum (Fabaceae) is an arboreal species, endemic to the Amazon Rainforest, popularly known as paricá. It is used on a commercial scale in the timber sector, pulp and paper production, reclamation projects in degraded and landscaped areas. However, there is no availability of genetically improved material selected for the environmental conditions of the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. In this sense, the present study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity in a population of S. amazonicum, established in a forest area in the southern region of the State of Espírito Santo, using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers. DNA samples from 171 individuals were analyzed using 11 ISSR primers, which generated 79 polymorphic bands in a total of 136 fragments (58%). The polymorphic information content performed for the ISSR markers revealed a mean of 0.37, classifying them as moderately informative. The number of loci found (N = 79) was greater than that established as the optimal number (N = 69) for the analyses. High genetic diversity was found with the parameters, genetic diversity of Nei (HE = 0.375) and Shannon index (I = 0.554). The data demonstrated in the dendrogram, based on the UPGMA cluster analysis, corroborated by the Bayesian analysis performed by the STRUCTURE program, which indicated the formation of two distinct clusters (K = 2). One of the groups was formed with the majority of the individuals (153 genotypes) and the second with the minority (18 genotypes). The results revealed high genetic diversity in the population of S. amazonicum evaluated in the present study, determining the potential of the population to be used as an orchard for seed collection and production of seedlings with confirmed genetic variability.

Randon amplified polymorphic DNA in the analysis of isolates of Haemonchus ( Nematoda-Trichostrongylidae ) originated from bovines from different regions / DNA polimórfico amplificado ao acaso na análise de isolados de Haemonchus (Nematoda-Trichostrongylidae) originários de bovinos de diferentes regiões

Utilizou-se a técnica de DNA polimórfico amplificado ao acaso (RAPD) para a análise de 14 amostras de Haemonchus, um tricostrongilídeo parasito do abomaso de bovinos, originárias de diferentes regiões do estado de Minas Gerais. Os perfis foram obtidos utilizando-se cinco iniciadores diferentes. Não houve correlação entre polimorfismo observado com a origem do animal ou com a espécie de Haemonchus estudada.(AU)

Randon amplified polymorphic DNA in the analysis of isolates of Haemonchus ( Nematoda-Trichostrongylidae ) originated from bovines from different regions

Utilizou-se a técnica de DNA polimórfico amplificado ao acaso (RAPD) para a análise de 14 amostras de Haemonchus, um tricostrongilídeo parasito do abomaso de bovinos, originárias de diferentes regiões do estado de Minas Gerais. Os perfis foram obtidos utilizando-se cinco iniciadores diferentes. Não houve correlação entre polimorfismo observado com a origem do animal ou com a espécie de Haemonchus estudada.

Identificação de fungos filamentosos em erva-mate (ilex paraguariensis st. hil.) / Identification of molds in mate (ilex paraguariensis st. hil.)

RESUMO A erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.), espécie nativa da América do Sul, é amplamente utilizada na fabricação da bebida mais tradicional e consumida no Rio Grande do Sul, que é o chimarrão. A presença de fungos neste material orgânico pode ser dependente de sua composição e acondicionamento. Para a realização deste trabalho foram adquiridas amostras de erva-mate comercializadas em diferentes estabelecimentos do Município de Pelotas, RS. As amostras foram transportadas até o Laboratório de Micologia onde foram processadas as análises de contagem e identificação de fungos filamentosos, de acordo com a metodologia padrão para alimentos. Foram analisadas 34 amostras sendo os gêneros Aspergillus sp. e Penicillium sp. os principais contaminantes fúngicos encontrados. As amostras pura folha apresentaram contaminação superior às moídas, assim como as embaladas em pacotes metalizados frente às embaladas em pacotes de papel.

ABSTRACT Mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.), a native species of South America, is used extensively in the production of the most traditional and consumed drink in Rio Grande do Sul, that is the mate tea. For the accomplishment of this research samples were acquired of mate marketed in different establishments of the city of Pelotas, RS. These samples were transported to the Laboratory of Mycology where the counting analyses and identification of molds in agreement with the methodology standards for foods were carried out. Thirty-four samples were analyzed as being of the genera Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp., the main wold contaminants found. The pure leaf samples presented higher contamination than the ground leaves, as did the tea in metallic packages compared to that in paper packages.

Biochemical serum profiles in dogs experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum (Baillet, 1866).

The biochemical profiles of crossbred dogs experimentally infected with the parasite Angiostrongylus vasorum were studied. Two groups of five dogs were experimentally inoculated with 50 and 100 third stage infective larvae (L3) of A. vasorum per kilogram of body weight. A third group of five uninfected animals were used as control. Serum from these animals were used for biochemical tests to measure total and fractioned proteins, urea, creatinine and to determine the activities of aspartate (AST), alanine (ALT) aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (PAL) and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB). The alpha-1, alpha-2 and beta-globulins fractions showed alterations during acute phase of the infection. No modifications were observed in the biochemical profiles of ALT, AST, GGT, PAL, urea and creatinine. CK-MB was shown to be a good early indicator of cardiac injury in dogs experimentally infected with A. vasorum.

Effects of a Ca2+ gradient and water activity on the phosphorylation of Ca(2+)-ATPase by Pi.

The effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (20% v/v) on the phosphorylation of Ca(2+)-ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum by Pi vary depending on whether or not a Ca2+ gradient is formed across the vesicle membranes. In the absence of a Ca2+ gradient the solvent promotes a large increase in the affinity for Pi. This increase is no longer observed after the formation of a Ca2+ gradient. The enzyme affinity for Mg2+ is practically the same in the presence and absence of a gradient. Addition of dimethyl sulfoxide leads to an increase of the enzyme affinity for Mg2+ both in the presence and in the absence of a gradient.

Expiratory mechanics before and after uncomplicated heart surgery.

In 12 mechanically ventilated anesthetized paralyzed patients undergoing cardiac surgery for either coronary bypass or for correcting valvular dysfunction volume, airflow, tracheal, esophageal, and transpulmonary pressures were measured. Respiratory system elastance and resistance were partitioned into their lung and chest wall components throughout tidal relaxed expiration. Measurements were performed prior to thoracotomy and just after rib cage closure. Before surgery, patients with valvular disease had significantly higher respiratory system and lung elastances and resistances than those with ischemic heart disease. After surgery, patients with valvular disease showed a decrease in respiratory system and lung resistances. Surgery strikingly modified chest wall resistive properties in both groups. Postoperatively, the mechanical properties of the respiratory system were very similar in valvular and ischemic patients.

Vagal influences on respiratory mechanics, pressures, and control in rats.

In eight spontaneously breathing anesthetized rats airflow, volume, and tracheal pressure were measured. The passive and active mechanical properties of the respiratory system, the shape of the tracheal occlusion pressure wave (Potr), the decay of inspiratory muscle pressure during expiration, and parameters related to the control of breathing were computed both before and after bilateral cervical vagotomy. Pre- and post-vagotomy values of passive elastance, resistance, and time constant were similar. Active mechanics disclosed an increase of elastance and a decrease in resistance and in the time constant after vagotomy. The time course of Potr showed a downward concavity and was not modified by vagotomy in the range of control inspiratory times, whereas the shape of inspiratory muscle pressure decay during expiration was changed. The present data help to explain why after vagotomy the load-compensatory mechanisms are less effective.

Respiratory mechanics in the aging rat.

1. Mechanical behavior of the respiratory system and pulmonary histopathology were investigated in young (8 months) and old (18 months) adult Wistar rats. 2. Respiratory mechanics were studied under static conditions and during both relaxed and forced expiration. Morphological studies consisted of descriptive light microscopy analysis of intratracheally-fixed, paraffin-embedded pulmonary tissue. 3. Old animals exhibited morphological emphysema and chronic bronchitis, decreased respiratory system (2.40 vs 3.42 cm H2O/ml) and lung (1.32 vs 2.30 cm H2O/ml) elastances, forced vital capacity (13.00 vs 14.32 ml), forced expiratory mean flows between 50 and 75% (35.67 vs 60.50 ml/s) and 75 and 100% (6.67 vs 17.67 ml/s) of forced vital capacity, and an increased respiratory system time constant (0.114 vs 0.082 s) in relation to young rats. 4. These results indicate that old animals suffer from a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that resembles human pulmonary emphysema.

Respiratory system, lung, and chest wall mechanics in guinea pigs.

1. Volume, airflow, tracheal, esophageal and transpulmonary pressures were measured in 6 mechanically ventilated, anesthetized and paralyzed guinea pigs. 2. The elastic and resistive properties of the respiratory system were partitioned into their lung and chest wall components a) following end-inflation occlusion of the airways subsequent to constant flow inspirations, and b) during relaxed expirations following release of occlusion. The values obtained by both methods were similar. 3. Mean respiratory system, lung and chest wall elastances were 3.518, 2.671, and 0.847 cm H2O/ml, respectively. 4. Mean respiratory system, pulmonary and chest wall resistances (at flows of 4.3 ml/s) were 0.302, 0.184, and 0.118 cm H2O ml-1 s, respectively. 5. Respiratory system, lung and chest wall resistances were partitioned into two components: 1) a homogeneous one whose values corresponded to 0.171, 0.095, and 0.076 cm H2O ml-1 s, for respiratory system, lung and chest wall, respectively, and 2) a component due to Pendelluft and stress relaxation and corresponding to 0.131, 0.089, and 0.042 cm H2O ml-1 s, respectively. 6. Resistive pressure vs flow relationships for the respiratory system, lung and chest wall were also determined during the entire tidal expiration. 7. We conclude that the chest wall participates significantly in respiratory system unevenness.

Respiratory mechanics in the aging rat

1. Mechanical behavior of the respiratory system and pulmonary histopathology were investigated in young (8 months) and old (18 months) adult Wistar rats. 2. Respiratory mechanics were under static conditions and during both relaxed and forced expiration. Morphological studies consisted of descriptive light microscopy analysis of intratracheally-fixed, paraffin-embedded pulmonary tissue. 3. Old animals exhibited morphological emphysema and chronic bronchitis, decreased respiratory system (2.40 vs 3.42 cm H2O/ml) and lung (1.32 vs 2.30 cm H2O/ml) elastances, forced vital capacity (13.00 vs 14.32 ml), forced expiratory mean flows between 50 and 75% (35.67 vs 60.50 ml/s) and 75 and 100% (6.67 vs 17.67 ml/s) of forced vital capacity, and an increased respiratory system time constant (0.114 vs 0.082 s) in relation to young rats. 4. These results indicate that old animals suffer from a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that resembles human pulmonary emphysema

Pre- and postoperative inspiratory mechanics in ischemic and valvular heart disease.

In 12 mechanically-ventilated, anesthetized, paralyzed patients undergoing cardiac surgery for either coronary bypass (six subjects) or to correct valvular disfunctions, volume, airflow, tracheal, esophageal, and transpulmonary pressures were measured. Respiratory system elastance and resistance were partitioned into lung and chest wall components. Resistances were further split into homogeneous and uneven elements. Measurements were performed prior to thoracotomy and just after rib cage closure. Before surgery, valvular patients had significantly higher elastances and uneven resistances of the respiratory system and lung than those with ischemic heart disease. Postoperatively, the patients presented with an increase in respiratory system and lung elastances, a decrease in pulmonary resistance, and a rise in chest wall resistance. Surgically induced mechanical changes were similar in ischemic and valvular patients.

Mechanics in rats by end-inflation occlusion and single-breath methods.

In six mechanically ventilated anesthetized (pentobarbital sodium, 30 mg/kg) paralyzed rats (187-253 g body wt) volume, airflow, and tracheal, esophageal, and transpulmonary pressures were measured. Respiratory system elastic and resistive properties were partitioned into their lung and chest wall components after end-inflation occlusion of the airways subsequent to constant-flow inspirations and during relaxed expiration ensuing release of occlusion. The values provided by both methods were similar. Mean respiratory system, lung, and chest wall elastances amounted to, respectively, 5.536, 3.440, and 2.097 cmH2O.ml-1. Mean values of intrinsic respiratory system, pulmonary, and chest wall resistances (at flows of 3.5 ml.s-1) were 0.235, 0.144, and 0.091 cmH2O.ml-1.s, respectively. Resistive pressure-flow relationships for the respiratory system, lung, and chest wall were also determined during the entire tidal expiration. A linear relationship was found for the former, whereas power functions best described the others: the pulmonary pressure-flow relationship exhibited an upward concavity and that for the chest wall presented an upward convexity.

The study of mechanical properties of rats lungs by whole body plethysmography.

A simple technic for studying the pulmonary mechanics of rats by whole body plethysmography is presented. The parameters measured were: Tidal Volume (TV); Respiratory Frequency (RF); Transpulmonary Basal Pressure (TBP); Dynamic Compliance (Cdyn); Functional Residual Capacity (FRC); Transpulmonary Pressure/Volume curve (TP/V); Forced Expiratory Volume of 1/4 second (FEV 1/4); Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV); Inspiratory Capacity (IC); Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV); Forced Vital Capacity (FVC); Residual Volume (RV); Forced Expiratory Mean Flow between 100-50% (FEMF 100-50), 50-25% (FEMF 50-25) and 25-0% (FEMF 25-0) of the FVC, and Total Lung Capacity (TLC). In order to verify the accuracy of the technic, common male adult Wistar rats, in which pulmonary obstructive disease is normally expected, were first submitted to these functional tests and then to pathological examination. According to the intensity of the morphological pulmonary lesion, the rats were divided in two groups: with and without suppurative pneumopathy. The analysis of the pulmonary function data showed significant decrease of the FEV 1/4 and FEMF 50-25 and increase of the FRC and RV in the groups with pulmonary suppuration. Thus, a discriminant function could be established to characterize the two groups with 100% efficiency. It was concluded that these pulmonary function tests are a valuable and reliable tool to detect lung diseases in rats.

Pulmonary function of rats exposed to ethanol and gasoline fumes.

This paper describes the effects of repeated exposure to gasoline and ethanol exhaust fumes on the pulmonary mechanics of rats assessed by whole-body plethysmography. Two groups of 12 male Wistar albino rats each were tested before and after exposure to diluted gasoline or ethanol exhaust gases for 5 weeks, 8 h per day and 5 days per week. An additional group of 12 rats were exposed to clean air under the same experimental conditions. The variations of the functional parameters observed in the three groups before and after exposure were compared. Peak Expiratory Flow and Forced Expiratory Mean Flows in the ranges 0-25%, 25-50% and 50-75% of Forced Vital Capacity were significantly reduced in animals exposed to gasoline exhaust fumes, whereas the group exposed to ethanol exhaust fumes did not differ from the control group. This respiratory impairment is probably due to the presence of SO2 and the quality of the hydrocarbons in gasoline exhaust gases.

The study of mechanical properties of rats lungs by whole body plethysmography.

A simple technic for studying the pulmonary mechanics of rats by whole body plethysmography is presented. The parameters measured were: Tidal Volume (TV); Respiratory Frequency (RF); Transpulmonary Basal Pressure (TBP); Dynamic Compliance (Cdyn); Functional Residual Capacity (FRC); Transpulmonary Pressure/Volume curve (TP/V); Forced Expiratory Volume of 1/4 second (FEV 1/4); Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV); Inspiratory Capacity (IC); Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV); Forced Vital Capacity (FVC); Residual Volume (RV); Forced Expiratory Mean Flow between 100-50

(FEMF 100-50), 50-25

(FEMF 50-25) and 25-0

(FEMF 25-0) of the FVC, and Total Lung Capacity (TLC). In order to verify the accuracy of the technic, common male adult Wistar rats, in which pulmonary obstructive disease is normally expected, were first submitted to these functional tests and then to pathological examination. According to the intensity of the morphological pulmonary lesion, the rats were divided in two groups: with and without suppurative pneumopathy. The analysis of the pulmonary function data showed significant decrease of the FEV 1/4 and FEMF 50-25 and increase of the FRC and RV in the groups with pulmonary suppuration. Thus, a discriminant function could be established to characterize the two groups with 100

efficiency. It was concluded that these pulmonary function tests are a valuable and reliable tool to detect lung diseases in rats.