Exposure to progesterone before an ovulation synchronization protocol increases the follicular diameter and fertility of multiparous suckled Bos taurus cows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of administering injectable progesterone (P4i) before a timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol on the follicular growth, ovulation, and pregnancy rate of Bos taurus suckled cows. The effect of P4i administration before the TAI on the pregnancy rate (P/AI) was evaluated in 576 suckled Bos taurus cows at 30-90 days postpartum. In addition, the effect of P4i administration before TAI on follicular dynamics was evaluated in subgroup of 401 suckled Bos taurus cows. On Day -10 (D-10), cows were divided into two experimental groups (Control and P4i). In this moment, P4i cows received i.m. 150 mg of injectable long-action progesterone. After that, both experimental groups received a synchronization protocol (Day 0; D0) that consisted of administration i.m. of 2 mg of estradiol benzoate and a progesterone intravaginal insert on D0. On Day 8 (D8), the progesterone insert was removed, and the cows received 500 µg of cloprostenol, 400 IU of eCG, and 1 mg of estradiol cypionate. TAI was performed 48 h after the removal of the progesterone insert. The ultrasound exams were performed in a subgroup of cows on Days 0, 8, 10 and 12 to evaluate the diameter of the largest follicle, rate of follicular growth and risks of single and double ovulation. The pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 days after TAI in all cows to determine the pregnancy rate. The diameter of the largest follicle, on D10 (P = 0.84), rate of follicular growth (P = 0.14), ovulation rate (P = 0.40) and double ovulation rates (P = 0.23) did not differ between experimental groups. The pregnancy rate was greater in the P4i group [Control 46.2 % (133/288) vs. P4i 55.6 % (160/288); P = 0.03]. The diameter of the largest follicles (LF) on D0 (Control 11.6 ± 0.2 vs. P4i 13.3 ± 0.3) was greater (P = 0.01) in the P4i group. In conclusion, injectable progesterone before the ovulation synchronization protocol increased the diameter of the largest follicle on the D0 and the pregnancy rate in multiparous Bos taurus suckled beef cows.

Use of injectable progesterone at the beginning of the TAI protocol is not necessary in super-early resynchronization started 14 days after artificial insemination in Bos indicus beef heifers.

In a protocol for the resynchronization of ovulation starting 14 days (D14) after timed artificial insemination, the effects of short-action injectable progesterone (P4i) administration and the length of treatment with an intravaginal progesterone (P4) device on follicular dynamics, the conception rate (P/AI) and the percentage of false positives were evaluated in 1065 Nelore heifers previously timed-inseminated. On D14, P4 devices were inserted, and heifers allocated, based on a 2 × 2 factorial design, to receive (P4i) or not 50 mg of P4i (NoP4i), and to remove the P4 device after 6 (6Day) or 8 days (8Day). At the time of P4 device removal (D20 and D22), non-pregnancy diagnosis was performed using vascularization of the corpus luteum (VCL) evaluated. At this time, non-pregnant heifers received 150 µg of D-cloprostenol, 0.6 mg of estradiol cypionate and 300IU of eCG. TAI was performed 48 h after P4 device removal. For these heifers, ultrasound examinations were performed at P4 device removal and at TAI to evaluate follicular dynamics and at 30 days after TAI to evaluate the P/AI. Pregnant heifers based on VCL were evaluated using B-mode ultrasonography 10 days after Doppler ultrasound to evaluate the percentage of false positives. Statistical analyses were performed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. There were no interaction effects between P4i and duration of treatment with a P4 device. The P/AI was diagnosed by Doppler, 1st TAI, 2nd TAI, total and percentage of false positives did not differ between heifers receiving or not P4i. Similarly, duration of treatment with a P4 device did not influence the P/AI by Doppler, 1st TAI, 2nd TAI and total. However, the percentage of false positives diagnoses was higher in 6Day heifers (P = 0.01). The diameter of largest follicle at P4 device removal was greater in the 8Day heifers (P = 0.001), and at TAI was higher in the P4i-treated heifers (P = 0.03). Additionally, the percentage of false positives diagnoses was lower in heifers that ovulated to the 1st TAI protocol (P = 0.001). In conclusion, for resynchronization 14 days after TAI, it is not necessary to inject P4i at the beginning of the protocol. In addition, P4 device removal after 6 instead of 8 days increases the percentage of false positives because of the earlier diagnosis (20 days after TAI), but does not interfere in P/AI of resynchronization protocol. Furthermore, the percentage of false positives is higher in heifers that did not ovulate to 1st TAI protocol.

Nuclear maturation kinetics and in vitro fertilization of immature bovine oocytes injected into pre-ovulatory follicles.

The maturation kinetics and in vitro fertilization of immature bovine oocytes injected by the intra-follicular oocyte injection (IFOT) technique into pre-ovulatory follicles of previously synchronized cows were evaluated. In Experiment 1, grade I, II and III cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were randomly distributed to one of three Groups: Matvitro22 (COCs matured in vitro for 22 h), MatFol20 and MatFol28 (COCs matured in vivo after being injected into a pre-ovulatory follicle of previously synchronized cows for 19.8 ± 0.1 h and 28.3 ± 0.1 h, respectively). Cows received 12.5 mg of LH (Lutropin, Bioniche, Canada) at the time of IFOT in the MatFol20 Group or 10 h after IFOT in the MatFol28 Group. MatFol20 and MatFol28 COCs were aspirated approximately 20 h after the LH injection for nuclear maturation kinetics and recovery rate assessment. In Experiment 2, grade I, II, and III COCs were randomly distributed into two Groups: Matvitro22 Group, COCs were matured and fertilized in vitro, and MatFol20 Group, COCs were matured as in the MatFol20 Group in Experiment 1, but COCs were fertilized in vitro. Putative zygotes were classified as fertilized, unfertilized or polyspermic. In Experiment 1, the recovery rate was lower (P < 0.001) in the MatFol20 Group (52.9%, 91/172) compared with MatFol28 (72.9%, 113/155). Rate of oocytes in germinal vesicle stage, metaphase I, anaphase I and telophase I were similar among Groups. However, oocytes matured in vivo for 28.3 h had lower rate of metaphase II (P = 0.001) and greater rates of degenerated (P = 0.001) and parthenogenetically activated (P = 0.001) oocytes. In experiment 2, the rates of polyspermy and degenerated were similar between Groups. However, the rate of fertilized oocytes was greater (P = 0.05) in oocytes in the MatFol20 Group. It is concluded that oocyte in vivo maturation for 19.8 h after IFOT does not compromise the nuclear maturation kinetics and increases in vitro fertilization rates. However, the extra 10 h of intra-follicular incubation time decreased oocyte viability.

My Loved One Was Not an Organ Donor: Ethical Dilemmas for Family Members of Deceased Potential Donors When Making the Decision on Donation.

OBJECTIVE: The study focuses on the experience of family members of deceased potential donors in deciding to refuse donation when their loved one had expressed his or her wish in life not to donate organs and tissues for transplantation. METHOD: This is a qualitative study that uses social phenomenology as the theoretical reference, interviewing 8 family members of deceased potential donors. RESULTS: The family members' experiences were represented by the following categories: beliefs related to donation, fear in the face of the loved one's death, and the ethical dilemma of deciding to refuse the donation. The meaning of the refusal to donate was represented by the following categories: respect for the loved one's wishes and the family's peace of mind with the decision. CONCLUSIONS: The study shed light on the experience of family members of deceased potential donors in making the decision to refuse donation. The concerns that motivate refusal were elucidated and the meanings of the decision's intentionality were unveiled. The resulting knowledge about these families' experiences provides backing for experts in donation and transplantation who work in different realities, pointing to strategies for improving care for such family members.

Anti-inflammatory potential of pyocyanin in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages.

Context: Pyocyanin is a typical Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factor, a common Gram-negative rod responsible for a wide range of severe nosocomial infections. There is evidence indicating that pyocyanin has multiple biological activities, but little is known about anti-inflammatory properties. Objective: This study investigated pyocyanin effect on nitric oxide and cytokine production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine peritoneal macrophages. Materials and methods: Macrophages were incubated in the presence and absence of pyocyanin (1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 µM) with and without LPS (1 µg/mL). Nitric oxide production was determined by Griess reagent and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß production was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, pyocyanin effects on zymosan A-induced peritonitis in mice were evaluated. Results: Pyocyanin (5 and 10 µM) decreased nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-1ß production independent of macrophage death. On the other hand, in vivo, pyocyanin (5 mg/kg) was not able to affect leukocyte migration into the site of inflammation. Discussion and conclusion: Thus, our findings suggest that pyocyanin exerts anti-inflammatory effects on murine peritoneal macrophages, downregulating nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-1ß levels, which seems to be independent of cell migration. These effects may represent a mechanism of immune evasion; nevertheless more detailed studies should be performed to confirm this hypothesis.

Calibration of Multi-Parameter Models of Avascular Tumor Growth Using Time Resolved Microscopy Data.

Two of the central challenges of using mathematical models for predicting the spatiotemporal development of tumors is the lack of appropriate data to calibrate the parameters of the model, and quantitative characterization of the uncertainties in both the experimental data and the modeling process itself. We present a sequence of experiments, with increasing complexity, designed to systematically calibrate the rates of apoptosis, proliferation, and necrosis, as well as mobility, within a phase-field tumor growth model. The in vitro experiments characterize the proliferation and death of human liver carcinoma cells under different initial cell concentrations, nutrient availabilities, and treatment conditions. A Bayesian framework is employed to quantify the uncertainties in model parameters. The average difference between the calibration and the data, across all time points is between 11.54% and 14.04% for the apoptosis experiments, 7.33% and 23.30% for the proliferation experiments, and 8.12% and 31.55% for the necrosis experiments. The results indicate the proposed experiment-computational approach is generalizable and appropriate for step-by-step calibration of multi-parameter models, yielding accurate estimations of model parameters related to rates of proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis.

C-phycocyanin to overcome the multidrug resistance phenotype in human erythroleukemias with or without interaction with ABC transporters.

The phenotype of multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the main causes of chemotherapy failure. Our study investigated the effect of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) in three human erythroleukemia cell lines with or without the MDR phenotype: K562 (non-MDR; no overexpression of drug efflux proteins), K562-Lucena (MDR; overexpression of ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B/ABCB1), and FEPS (MDR; overexpression of ABCB1 and ATP-binding cassette, sub-family C/ABCC1). Using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, we showed that 20 and 200 µg/mL C-PC decreased K562 viable cells after 24 h and 200 µg/mL C-PC decreased K562-Lucena cell proliferation after 48 h. C-PC did not decrease viable cells of FEPS cells. On the other hand, the MTT assay showed that exposure of 2, 20, and 200 µg/mL C-PC for 24 or 48 h was not cytotoxic to peritoneal macrophages. At 72 h, the trypan blue exclusion assay showed that 20 µg/mL C-PC decreased K562 and K562-Lucena cell proliferation and in FEPS cells, only 200 µg/mL C-PC decreased proliferation. In addition, protein-protein docking showed differences in energy and binding sites of ABCB1 and ABCC1 for C-PC, and these results were confirmed by the efflux protein activity assay. Only ABCC1 activity was altered in the presence of C-PC and FEPS cells showed lower C-PC accumulation, suggesting C-PC extrusion by ABCC1, conferring C-PC resistance. In combination with chemotherapy (vincristine [VCR] and daunorubicin [DNR]), the sensitivity of K562-Lucena cells for C-PC + VCR did not increase, whereas FEPS cell sensitivity for C-PC + DNR was increased. In molecular docking experiments, the estimated free energies of binding for C-PC associated with chemotherapy were similar (VCR: -6.9 kcal/mol and DNR: -7.2 kcal/mol) and these drugs were located within the C-PC cavity. However, C-PC exhibited specificity for tumor cells and K562 cells were more sensitive than K562-Lucena cells, followed by FEPS cells. Thus, C-PC is a possible chemotherapeutic agent for cells with the MDR phenotype, both alone in K562-Lucena cells (resistance due to ABCB1), or in combination with other drugs for cells similar to FEPS (resistance due to ABCC1). Moreover, C-PC did not damage healthy cells (peritoneal macrophages of Mus musculus).

Family Interview to Enable Donation of Organs for Transplantation: Evidence-based Practice.

BACKGROUND: In this study we propose a theoretical and practical basis for the best practices for interviewing relatives of brain-dead eligible organ donors. METHODS: This investigation was a reflective study of the methodologic factors of the family interview that affect their decision regarding the donation of a deceased patient's organs for transplantation. The articles that formed the empirical basis of the trial were obtained from PubMed, which is a free-access tool of the MEDLINE database of the United States National Library of Medicine. Published articles that allowed us to reflect on evidence-based family interview practice were selected. RESULTS: Thirty-six scientific articles were used to guide our assessment the family interview, providing evidence for its adequate execution in view of the following prerequisites: When should the family interview be performed? Where should it be done? How many and which people should participate in the interview? Who should perform it? How should it be done? CONCLUSION: Scientific studies offer evidence to donation and transplantation specialists that can help them in their daily work regarding their interactions with relatives in the process of decisionmaking and family consent.

A HYBRID THREE-SCALE MODEL OF TUMOR GROWTH.

Cancer results from a complex interplay of different biological, chemical, and physical phenomena that span a wide range of time and length scales. Computational modeling may help to unfold the role of multiple evolving factors that exist and interact in the tumor microenvironment. Understanding these complex multiscale interactions is a crucial step towards predicting cancer growth and in developing effective therapies. We integrate different modeling approaches in a multiscale, avascular, hybrid tumor growth model encompassing tissue, cell, and sub-cell scales. At the tissue level, we consider the dispersion of nutrients and growth factors in the tumor microenvironment, which are modeled through reaction-diffusion equations. At the cell level, we use an agent based model (ABM) to describe normal and tumor cell dynamics, with normal cells kept in homeostasis and cancer cells differentiated apoptotic, hypoxic, and necrotic states. Cell movement is driven by the balance of a variety of forces according to Newton's second law, including those related to growth-induced stresses. Phenotypic transitions are defined by specific rule of behaviors that depend on microenvironment stimuli. We integrate in each cell/agent a branch of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway. This pathway is modeled by a system of coupled nonlinear differential equations involving the mass laws of 20 molecules. The rates of change in the concentration of some key molecules trigger proliferation or migration advantage response. The bridge between cell and tissue scales is built through the reaction and source terms of the partial differential equations. Our hybrid model is built in a modular way, enabling the investigation of the role of different mechanisms at multiple scales on tumor progression. This strategy allows representating both the collective behavior due to cell assembly as well as microscopic intracellular phenomena described by signal transduction pathways. Here, we investigate the impact of some mechanisms associated with sustained proliferation on cancer progression. Specifically, we focus on the intracellular proliferation/migration-advantage-response driven by the EGFR pathway and on proliferation inhibition due to accumulation of growth-induced stresses. Simulations demonstrate that the model can adequately describe some complex mechanisms of tumor dynamics, including growth arrest in avascular tumors. Both the sub-cell model and growth-induced stresses give rise to heterogeneity in the tumor expansion and a rich variety of tumor behaviors.

Selection and Validation of Predictive Models of Radiation Effects on Tumor Growth Based on Noninvasive Imaging Data.

The use of mathematical and computational models for reliable predictions of tumor growth and decline in living organisms is one of the foremost challenges in modern predictive science, as it must cope with uncertainties in observational data, model selection, model parameters, and model inadequacy, all for very complex physical and biological systems. In this paper, large classes of parametric models of tumor growth in vascular tissue are discussed including models for radiation therapy. Observational data is obtained from MRI of a murine model of glioma and observed over a period of about three weeks, with X-ray radiation administered 14.5 days into the experimental program. Parametric models of tumor proliferation and decline are presented based on the balance laws of continuum mixture theory, particularly mass balance, and from accepted biological hypotheses on tumor growth. Among these are new model classes that include characterizations of effects of radiation and simple models of mechanical deformation of tumors. The Occam Plausibility Algorithm (OPAL) is implemented to provide a Bayesian statistical calibration of the model classes, 39 models in all, as well as the determination of the most plausible models in these classes relative to the observational data, and to assess model inadequacy through statistical validation processes. Discussions of the numerical analysis of finite element approximations of the system of stochastic, nonlinear partial differential equations characterizing the model classes, as well as the sampling algorithms for Monte Carlo and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods employed in solving the forward stochastic problem, and in computing posterior distributions of parameters and model plausibilities are provided. The results of the analyses described suggest that the general framework developed can provide a useful approach for predicting tumor growth and the effects of radiation.

A spinner magnetometer for large Apollo lunar samples.

We developed a spinner magnetometer to measure the natural remanent magnetization of large Apollo lunar rocks in the storage vault of the Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility (LSLF) of NASA. The magnetometer mainly consists of a commercially available three-axial fluxgate sensor and a hand-rotating sample table with an optical encoder recording the rotation angles. The distance between the sample and the sensor is adjustable according to the sample size and magnetization intensity. The sensor and the sample are placed in a two-layer mu-metal shield to measure the sample natural remanent magnetization. The magnetic signals are acquired together with the rotation angle to obtain stacking of the measured signals over multiple revolutions. The developed magnetometer has a sensitivity of 5 × 10-7 Am2 at the standard sensor-to-sample distance of 15 cm. This sensitivity is sufficient to measure the natural remanent magnetization of almost all the lunar basalt and breccia samples with mass above 10 g in the LSLF vault.

Selection, calibration, and validation of models of tumor growth.

This paper presents general approaches for addressing some of the most important issues in predictive computational oncology concerned with developing classes of predictive models of tumor growth. First, the process of developing mathematical models of vascular tumors evolving in the complex, heterogeneous, macroenvironment of living tissue; second, the selection of the most plausible models among these classes, given relevant observational data; third, the statistical calibration and validation of models in these classes, and finally, the prediction of key Quantities of Interest (QOIs) relevant to patient survival and the effect of various therapies. The most challenging aspects of this endeavor is that all of these issues often involve confounding uncertainties: in observational data, in model parameters, in model selection, and in the features targeted in the prediction. Our approach can be referred to as "model agnostic" in that no single model is advocated; rather, a general approach that explores powerful mixture-theory representations of tissue behavior while accounting for a range of relevant biological factors is presented, which leads to many potentially predictive models. Then representative classes are identified which provide a starting point for the implementation of OPAL, the Occam Plausibility Algorithm (OPAL) which enables the modeler to select the most plausible models (for given data) and to determine if the model is a valid tool for predicting tumor growth and morphology (in vivo). All of these approaches account for uncertainties in the model, the observational data, the model parameters, and the target QOI. We demonstrate these processes by comparing a list of models for tumor growth, including reaction-diffusion models, phase-fields models, and models with and without mechanical deformation effects, for glioma growth measured in murine experiments. Examples are provided that exhibit quite acceptable predictions of tumor growth in laboratory animals while demonstrating successful implementations of OPAL.

Magnetic properties of uncultivated magnetotactic bacteria and their contribution to a stratified estuary iron cycle.

Of the two nanocrystal (magnetosome) compositions biosynthesized by magnetotactic bacteria (MTB), the magnetic properties of magnetite magnetosomes have been extensively studied using widely available cultures, while those of greigite magnetosomes remain poorly known. Here we have collected uncultivated magnetite- and greigite-producing MTB to determine their magnetic coercivity distribution and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectra and to assess the MTB-associated iron flux. We find that compared with magnetite-producing MTB cultures, FMR spectra of uncultivated MTB are characterized by a wider empirical parameter range, thus complicating the use of FMR for fossilized magnetosome (magnetofossil) detection. Furthermore, in stark contrast to putative Neogene greigite magnetofossil records, the coercivity distributions for greigite-producing MTB are fundamentally left-skewed with a lower median. Lastly, a comparison between the MTB-associated iron flux in the investigated estuary and the pyritic-Fe flux in the Black Sea suggests MTB play an important, but heretofore overlooked role in euxinic marine system iron cycle.

Polymorphism in Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) based on internal transcribed spacer-RFLP, ISSR and intron markers.

Isolates of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliae were characterized using internal transcribed spacer-RFLP, ISSR and intron splice site primers. Thirty-seven isolates were studied, most of which were obtained from the sugar cane pest, Mahanarva fimbriolata (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) from Tangará da Serra, Southwest Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Internal transcribed spacer-RFLP did not differentiate the isolates of M. anisopliae var. anisopliae, while ISSR and intron primers identified three distinct groups. Variability among these groups was 96% for (GTG)(5) and 100% for the other primers. We found considerable genetic variability, even among isolates from the same geographical origin and host.

Pathogenicity for onion and genetic diversity of isolates of the pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Phyllachoraceae) from the State of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Onion anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, is one of the main diseases of onions in the State of Pernambuco. We examined the pathogenicity of 15 C. gloeosporioides strains and analyzed their genetic variability using RAPDs and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the rDNA region. Ten of the strains were obtained from substrates and hosts other than onion, including chayote (Sechium edule), guava (Psidium guajava), pomegranate (Punica granatum), water from the Capibaribe River, maracock (Passiflora sp), coconut (Cocus nucifera), surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora), and marine soil; five isolates came from onions collected from four different regions of the State of Pernambuco and one region of the State of Amazonas. Pathogenicity tests were carried out using onion leaves and bulbs. All strains were capable of causing disease in leaves, causing a variable degree of lesions on the leaves; four strains caused the most severe damage. In the onion bulb tests, only three of the above strains caused lesions. Seven primers of arbitrary sequences were used in the RAPD analysis, generating polymorphic bands that allowed the separation of the strains into three distinct groups. The amplification products generated with the primers ITS1 and ITS4 also showed polymorphism when digested with three restriction enzymes, DraI, HaeIII and MspI. Only the latter two demonstrated genetic variations among the strains. These two types of molecular markers were able to differentiate the strain from the State of Amazonas from those of the State of Pernambuco. However, there was no relationship between groups of strains, based on molecular markers, and degree of pathogenicity for onion leaves and bulbs.

Natural occurrence of the Fusarium solani on Tityus stigmurus (Thorell, 1876) (Scorpiones: Buthidae).

Members of the Fusarium solani species complex are agents of human mycoses, also affecting plants and other animals. Nevertheless, this fungus has not been reported on scorpions. Ten specimens of Tityus stigmurus collected in the field and showing their surface covered by white mycelia were used to assess fungus presence in the animal after its death. Identification of the fungi was based upon the cultural and morphological characteristics. The fungus was isolated from chelicerae and intersegmental regions. Infected individuals had their behaviour modified by reducing feeding and locomotion. None of the infected individuals survived. It is likely that this fungus may have a role in the regulation of field scorpion populations.

Genetic characterization of Brazilian strains of Aspergillus flavus using DNA markers.

The Aspergillus genus belongs to a filamentous fungal group characterized by wide dispersion in the environment. Some species are associated with diseases, especially in immunocompromised patients, while others are of economical importance due to aflatoxin production or biotechnological applications. Its species identification is nowadays performed by traditional techniques combined with molecular markers, resulting in a higher efficiency of isolate characterization. In the present study, internal transcribed spacer, inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR), and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular markers were used, with the aim of genetically characterizing strains of Aspergillus flavus and strains of other species of the A. flavus group. High genetic diversity was revealed by RAPD and by ISSR, in which the use of the (GACA)4 primer yielded a higher diversity than with the (GTG)5 primer, although the latter showed a characteristic banding profile for each species. These data were used to create a similarity matrix for the construction of dendrograms by means of the UPGMA method. The ISSR and RAPD profiles showed that among the strains previously identificated as A. flavus, one should be A. oryzae, one A. parasiticus and two A. tamarii. On the other hand, a strain previously identified as A. parasiticus should be A. flavus. All these strains were retested by traditional methods and their new species identification was confirmed. These results strongly support the need for using molecular markers as an auxiliary tool in differentiating fungal species and strains.

Eficácia no tratamento de disfunção temporomandibular com integração interdisciplinar (caso clínico) / Effectiveness in the treatment of temporomandibular disfunction with interdisciplinar integration (clinical case)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi demonstrar por meio de um caso clínico as possibilidades de tratamento e eliminação de sintomas de Disfunção Temporomandibular utilizando-se de recursos fisioterapêuticos e treino de postura; com tratamento interdisciplinar entre o fisioterapeuta e o odontólogo. Paciente, sexo feminino, 19 anos, portadora de Disfunção Temporomandibular sob tratamento odontológico com splint interoclusal, foi submetida a tratamento fisioterapêutico. Foi realizado exame clínico odontológico, sendo avaliados os seguintes itens: queixa principal; presença de doença sistêmica; máxima abertura bucal; estalido da ATM; presença de desgaste dental; presença de um quadro de estresse do paciente; tratamento ortodôntico prévio; palpação da musculatura mastigatória e região retrocondilar. Classificação da intensidade da dor. A coleta de dados para a avaliação fisioterap~eutica foi realizada mediante exame clínico da paciente, que constou de anamnese, avaliação física e análise funcional. A dor na ATM e região cervical foram eliminadas, os trigger points foram desativados, a cabeça melhor posicionada com diminuição da protusão cervical, o ombro esquerdo sofreu leve elevação, aumento da flexibilidade da coluna cervical, a assimetria dos olhos e mandíbula não ofreram influência com o tratamento proposto. Os resultados sugerem que o uso de placa como forma única de tratamento não é suficiente para manter a coordenação muscular; é imprescindível um tratamento interdisciplinar entre o fisioterapeuta e o odontólogo, a fim de que o paciente seja analisado visando o equilíbrio de sua biomecânica, sua relação com a coluna cervical e postura, para a obtenção de resultados mais satisfatórios quando essas alterações apresentarem diante desses profissionaisa.

Effect of an extract of cauliflower (leaf) on the labeling of blood elements with technetium-99m and on the survival of Escherichia coli AB1157 submitted to the treatment with stannous chloride.

The labeling of red blood cells (RBC) with technetium-99m (99mTc) depends on a reducing agent and stannous chloride (SnCl(2)) and is widely utilized. This labeling may also be altered by drugs, and SnCl(2) reduces the survival of Escherichia coli cultures. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) is used in folk medicine and we evaluated its influence on (i) the labeling of blood elements with 99mTc, and (ii) on the survival of an E. coli strain. Blood was withdrawn from rats that drank the extract of cauliflower (15 days). Blood was incubated with SnCl(2) and with 99mTc, as sodium pertechnetate, centrifuged and plasma (P) and RBC were isolated. Samples of P and RBC were also precipitated, centrifuged and soluble and insoluble fractions isolated. E. coli culture was treated with SnCl(2) in the presence of cauliflower. The extract of cauliflower did not alter the fixation of 99mTc on blood fractions; however, it abolished the lethal effect of SnCl(2) on the E. coli culture. We suggest that the substances present in the extract of cauliflower probably, would have redox property with different mechanisms of action. The oxidant action of the substances of the extract would not be strong enough to oxidise the stannous ions altering the 99mTc-labeling. However, the referred substances could oxidise these ions sufficiently to protect the E. coli culture against the lethal effect of the stannous ion.

Comparación entre los parámetros seminales de la rata y la fertilidad / Comparative study between seminal parameters in the rat and fertility

La fertilidad en el hombre es evaluada pór las características seminales.Experimentalmente el test de fertilidad se acepta como el máas confiable pero imposible de reproducir en humanos porque implica la capacidad de gestación.La técnica simplificada de microaspiración del esperma,resultó muy práctica pero había que verificar si los parámetros seminales así obtenidos tenían correlación con el test de apareamientoSe utilizaron 20 ratas y 20 ratas albinas del linaje Wistar,con edades durante el test de apareamiento de 70 días y peso medio de 260 g.Para el procedimiento de microaspiración del esperma del epidídimo,fueron utilizados las 40 ratas Wistar(20+20)con edad de 70 días y un peso medio de 200 g para el test de apareamiento.Para la microaspiración,las mismas ratas tenían 160 días,con un peso medio de 368,4 g.En el test de apareamiento se utilizó el método Poiley,se observaron el número de embarazos y de crías.Se utilizó la técnica de microaspiración de esperma de la cola del epidídimo para evaluar la motilida y concentración espermática.El test T de Student fue utilizado en la evaluación de los parámetros seminales.Se correlacionó el número de crías con la motilidad y la concentración espermática obteniéndose un nivel de significancia de 0,5(p<0,05)No hubo diferencias estadísticas en el número de embarazos,número de hijos,motilidad y concentración espermática