Antibiofilm effect of cleaning agents for ocular prostheses.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the antibiofilm effect of different agents (neutral soap, 4% chlorhexidine, Efferdent effervescent tablets, 1% triclosan, and citronella essential oil) used for ocular prosthesis cleaning. Material and Methods: Biofilms of S. aureus and S. epidermidis were formed on 60 ocular prosthesis acrylic resin specimens. The specimens were cleaned with the studied agents with different techniques. Microorganism counting was performed. Data were submitted to ANOVA and HSD Tukey-Kramer (p<.01). Results: When compared to the control group, all cleaning protocols promoted a reduction in growth of microorganisms. The 4% chlorhexidine, effervescent tablets, and 1% triclosan cleaning agents eliminated biofilm in all groups. Conclusion: Therefore, immersion in 4% chlorhexidine, effervescent tablets, and 1% triclosan could be the best protocols indicated for ocular prosthesis cleaning due to their ability to eliminate biofilm.

Evaluation of different cryoprotectant solutions for the cryopreservation of somatic tissues of Dasyprocta leporina (Linnaeus, 1758).

BACKGROUND: Somatic tissue banks represent important tools for the conservation of wild mammals, aiming at the immediate maintenance and safeguarding of biological samples. For agouti, Dasyprocta leporina, studies on the formation of these banks are still scarce, especially regarding protocols of the best cryoprotectant solution employed. OBJECTIVE: To optimize the cryoprotectant solution [ethylene glycol (EG), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), sucrose (SUC)] used for the cryopreservation of agouti somatic tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated ear tissues with various cryoprotectant solutions: 3.0 M EG (EG group), 3.0 M EG and 0.25 M SUC (EG-SUC group), 3.0 M DMSO (DMSO group), 3.0 M DMSO and 0.25 M SUC (DMSO-SUC group), 1.5 M EG and 1.5 M DMSO (EG-DMSO group) and 1.5 M EG, 1.5 M DMSO and 0.25 M SUC (EG-DMSO-SUC group). Non-cryopreserved tissues were used as controls. All tissues were analyzed for their ultrastructural and morphometric characteristics by scanning electron microscopy and conventional histology. RESULTS: EG-DMSO-SUC was found to be the optimal cryoprotectant solution in terms of the evaluated parameters, such as thickness of the dermis and skin, number of perinuclear halos, proliferative potential, number of empty lacunas and degenerated chondrocytes. CONCLUSION: Agouti somatic tissue cryopreservation may serve for its conservation and as an experimental model for the development of preservation methods for species of the same genus that are either vulnerable or critically endangered.

Efeito de diferentes concentrações de ingestão de gossipol livre sobre morfometria testicular e qualidade seminal de touros da raça Nelore / Effect of free gossypol intake in different levels on the testicular morphometry and seminal quality of Nelore bulls

A cotonicultura tem forte fator de impacto na economia nacional, e o estado de Mato Grosso se destaca por ser o maior produtor de algodão herbáceo e deter o maior rebanho bovino do país, condições essas que estimulam o uso do caroço, da torta e do farelo de algodão na alimentação animal. Considerando que o gossipol está presente nos subprodutos do algodão e que seus efeitos sobre a reprodução podem reduzir a fertilidade dos animais, objetivou-se, com essa pesquisa, avaliar o efeito da ingestão de dietas com diferentes teores de gossipol livre por dia sobre a morfometria testicular e a qualidade seminal de touros da raça Nelore. Foram utilizados 28 touros, distribuídos aleatoriamente em seis tratamentos: T0, 0 grama de gossipol livre/touro/dia ; T1, 1,08 grama de gossipol livre/touro/dia; T2, 2,07 gramas de gossipol livre/touro/dia; T3, 3,24 gramas de gossipol livre/touro/dia; T4, 3,82 gramas de gossipol livre/touro/dia e T5, 5,08 gramas de gossipol livre/touro/dia. Os animais de cada tratamento foram mantidos confinados em área média de 100m2, dotada de bebedouro, cochos para mistura mineral e para volumoso/concentrado. O consumo de 3,24 gramas de gossipol livre/touro/dia alterou a qualidade espermática e a morfometria testicular de touros.(AU)

The cotton industry has a strong impact factor in the Brazilian economy and the state of Mato Grosso stands out for being the largest upland-type cotton producer and also holds the largest cattle herd in the country, conditions that stimulate the use of cottonseed pie and cottonseed meal in animal feed. Whereas gossypol is present in cotton by-products and their effects on reproduction can reduce the animal fertility, this research evaluated the effect of diets with different free gossypol contents in the testicular morphometry and semen quality of Nelore bulls. 28 bulls were randomly distributed in six treatments: T0, receiving no free gossypol; T1, receiving 1.08g / bull / day; T2, receiving 2.07g / bull / day; T3, receiving 3.24g / bull / day; T4, receiving 3.82g / bull / day and T5, receiving 5.08g / bull / day of free gossypol respectively. The animals in each treatment were kept confined in an averaged area of 100m2, having fresh water, troughs for mineral mixture and roughage / concentrate. The consumption of 3.24g of free gossypol / bull / day altered the bulls sperm quality and testicular morphometry.(AU)

Universal newborn screening: A roadmap for action.

Newborn screening (NBS) prevents morbidity and mortality by screening babies for selected disorders in the first days of life so that early diagnosis and treatment can be initiated. Congenital disorders impact an estimated 8 million or 6% of annual births worldwide, and of the top five that contribute 25% to the global burden of these disorders, three can be identified and managed by NBS. There are determined pockets of activity in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Asia Pacific region, where partnerships among government, non-governmental organizations, academia, the private sector and civil society are developing novel NBS programs that are both saving lives and preventing disability in those who survive.

Estudo comparativo entre métodos manual e digital no cálculo do ângulo do platô tibial em cães / Comparative study of manual and digital method in the calculation of the tibial plateau angle in dogs

São poucos os dados publicados sobre a aplicabilidade ou a confiabilidade dos métodos digitais para mensuração do ângulo do platô tibial (APT) em comparação à mensuração manual. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o APT obtido pelo cálculo manual padrão, em filmes radiográficos, com os valores obtidos por cálculos em imagens digitais, por meio do software do computador. Foram analisadas radiografias digitais do membro pélvico, direito e esquerdo, em perfil verdadeiro, de 20 cães saudáveis, com idade superior a um ano. Três observadores com graus de experiência semelhantes em cálculo do APT realizaram as mensurações em cada radiografia. Primeiramente, foram calculados os ângulos dos platôs tibiais manualmente nas películas radiográficas e, posteriormente, os cálculos foram realizados na imagem digital, por meio do software para medicina veterinária do sistema de raios X digital. Os resultados do presente estudo demonstraram diferenças significativas entre os métodos, com valor das médias do cálculo digital 20,48±3.71 e do cálculo manual 23.90±4.02. Valor de P foi < 0,01 na comparação entre médias dos dois grupos. Na avaliação interobservadores, houve diferença significativa no cálculo manual no perfil direito, o que sugere maior variação no cálculo manual quando comparado ao digital. O cálculo realizado pelo software apresentou menor variação nos valores interobservadores. Acredita-se que a menor variação obtida nos resultados aqui apresentados se dê em razão das facilidades proporcionadas pelo software. Conclui-se que houve diferença entre os valores obtidos por meio dos métodos convencional e digital no cálculo do ângulo do platô tibial, sendo os valores digitais menores entre os observadores, e que o método digital no cálculo do ângulo do platô tibial levou à menor variação quando comparado ao método manual.(AU)

There are few published data on the applicability and reliability of digital methods for measuring the TPA compared with manual measurement. The objective of this study was to compare the TPA obtained by calculating standard manual on conventional radiographs, with the values obtained by calculations in digital images through a computer program. Bilateral digital radiographs of hind limb were analyzed in true profile for 20 healthy dogs older than two years. Three observers with similar levels of experience in calculating the TPA conducted measurements on each radiograph. First we calculated the angle of the tibial plateaus manually in x-ray film and then the calculations were made through the program offered by the computer program in the digital image. The results of this study showed significant differences between the methods, with average value of 20.48±3.71 digital calculating average and 23.90±2.4 in the manual calculation. P value was < 0.01 when comparing averages. No significant difference in manual calculation in right profile were found between interobserver assessments, suggesting greater variation in manual calculation compared to digital. The calculation performed by the software showed less variation in values. The slight variation obtained in our results is believed to be due to the facilities provided by the software. There was a difference between the values obtained by means of conventional and digital methods for calculating the angle of the tibial plateau, and the smaller digital values between the observers and the digital method in the calculation of the tibial plateau angle led to less variation when compared to the manual method.(AU)

Influência do posicionamento radiográfico no cálculo interobservador do ângulo do platô tibial em cães / Influence of radiographic positioning in the interobserver measuring of the tibial plateau angle in dogs

O objetivo deste trabalho foi demonstrar que o posicionamento radiográfico inadequado do membro pélvico de cães (imagens obliquadas) afeta a mensuração do ângulo do platô tibial (APT), levando à maior variação entre observadores. Foram realizadas duas projeções radiográficas nos membros pélvicos direito e esquerdo, uma em perfil verdadeiro e a outra com o membro obliquado em 21 cães provenientes do atendimento clínico cirúrgico do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Cuiabá, em Cuiabá-MT. Os critérios de inclusão foram cães livres de histórico ou afecção ortopédica nos membros pélvicos, pesando entre 15 e 40 quilos, sem predileção por raça ou sexo, entre dois e sete anos de idade. Foram obtidas 42 imagens radiográficas em perfil verdadeiro e 42 imagens radiográficas obliquadas. Três observadores com experiência em cálculo do APT fizeram as mensurações. Nos cálculos das imagens em perfil verdadeiro, o observador 1 obteve uma média de 23,35º ± 2,82; o observador 2, média de 23,88º ± 4,83; e o observador 3, média de 24,54º ± 4,01, não sendo encontrada diferença significativa entre o cálculo dos três avaliadores, P=0,944 (P > 0,05), nas imagens em perfil verdadeiro. Nos cálculos das imagens obliquadas, o observador 1 obteve uma média de 21,69º ± 4,22; o observador 2, média de 19,42º ± 5,92; e o observador 3, média de 22,64º ± 5,23, e foi encontrada diferença significativa entre o cálculo dos três observadores, P=0,016 (P < 0,05). Com esses dados, pôde-se demonstrar que a imagem radiográfica obliquada compromete o valor final do cálculo do ângulo do platô tibial em cães, levando à variação numérica estatisticamente significativa entre observadores. Conclui-se, assim, que um posicionamento correto do membro pélvico, em perfil verdadeiro, deve ser sempre utilizado para a obtenção de imagens, com o objetivo de mensurar o valor do APT.(AU)

This work aimed at demonstrating that an inadequate radiographic position of pelvic limbs of dogs, from a strict lateral radiographic view, resulted in oblique images, affecting the measurement of the tibial plateau angle (TPA). There were two radiographic projections of the right and the left pelvic limb, one in strict lateral radiographic view and another with inclined hind limb in 21 dogs from the clinical surgical assistance at Hospital Veterinário of Universidade de Cuiabá in Cuiabá-MT. Inclusion criteria were dogs free from pelvic hind limbs orthopedic affection records, weighing between 15 and 40 kilos, without a preference for breed or gender and ageing between two and seven years old. A total of 42 radiographic images in strict lateral radiographic view and 42 inclined limb radiographic views were obtained. Three observers with TPA calculation experience made measurements. In the calculus for the strict lateral radiographic view the first observer has reached an average of 23,35º ± 2,82, the second observer 23,88º ± 4,83 and the third observer 24,54º ± 4,01. No significant statistic differences among the calculus of the three evaluators p=0,944 (P>0,05) was found. In the calculus of the inclined limbs radiographic views the first observer reached an average of 21,69º ± 4,22, the second observer 19,42º ± 5,92 and the third observer 22,64º ±. 5,23. Significant statistic difference in the calculus of the three observers, p=0,016, that is to say, P<0,05 was found. The data indicated that the inclined limb radiographic image compromises the final value of the calculation of tibial plateau angle in dogs. Thus, correct positioning of the pelvic limb, in a strict lateral radiographic view, must be always used for obtaining images aiming at measuring the value of TPA.(AU)

The effect of feed intake containing whole cottonseed on blood parameters of Nellore bulls / Efeito do consumo de rações contendo caroço de algodão sobre parâmetros sanguíneos de bovinos Nelore

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diets containing whole cottonseed (WC) on blood biochemical parameters of bulls. Thirty bulls with 30±6 months and 382.7±28.4kg were kept in feedlot (85 days) and fed the following WC levels: 0, 2.22, 4.44, 6.66, 8.88 and 11.11%. In comparing biochemical indicators from the beginning to the end of the experiment, the control group (CG) and those fed diets containing 2.22, 8.88 and 11.11% of WC had an increase (P<0.05) in serum Ca concentrations (8.34±0.65−9.56±0.92mEqL-1). In relation to Fe (202.79±69.04−300.04±79.88µg/dL), the CG and those treated with 6.66% WC showed an increase (P<0.05) in serum concentrations. As to the Mg (1.92±0.18−2.40±0.27mEqL-1), groups treated with diet containing 2.22, 4.44 and 6.66% of WC had higher (p<0.05) concentrations at the end of the study. Regarding blood lipids, groups with diets containing 2.22; 4.44; 6.66 and 8.88% of WC increased (p<0.05), respectively, in concentrations of HDL, TG, VLDL and COL. The group that received 11.11% of WC increased (P<0.05) in the concentrations of COL and HDL. It can be concluded that diets containing WC, caused no alterations in the concentrations of blood parameters analyzed in this study, with the exception of Mg.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de dietas contendo caroço de algodão (CA) sobre os parâmetros sanguíneos de bovinos. Trinta touros com 30±6 meses e 382,7±28,4kg foram confinados (85 dias) e receberam dietas com as seguintes proporções de CA: 0; 2,22; 4,44; 6,66; 8,88, e 11,11%. Ao se compararem as concentrações dos indicadores bioquímicos do início com as do final do experimento, foi observado que o grupo controle e aqueles com dietas contendo 2,22; 8,88 e 11,11% de CA apresentaram aumento (P<0,05) na concentração sérica de Ca (8,34±0,65−9,56±0,92 mEqL-1). Já em relação ao Fe (202,79±69,04−300,04±79,88µg/dL), observou-se que apenas o grupo controle e aquele tratado com 6,66% apresentaram aumento (P<0,05) em sua concentração. Quanto ao Mg (1,92±0,18−2,40±0,27 mEqL-1), os grupos tratados com 2,22; 4,44 e 6,66% de CA apresentaram maiores concentrações (P<0,05) ao final do estudo. Com relação aos lipídeos sanguíneos, os grupos com dietas contendo 2,22; 4,44; 6,66 e 8,88% de CA tiveram aumento (P<0,05), respectivamente, nas concentrações de HDL, TG, VLDL e COL. O grupo que recebeu 11,11% de CA teve aumento (P<0,05) nas concentrações de COL e HDL. Conclui-se que as dietas contendo CA não causaram alterações (P>0,05) nas concentrações dos parâmetros sanguíneos analisados, com exceção do Mg.(AU)

Meat characteristics of cattle fed diets containing whole cottonseed / Características da carne de bovinos alimentados com dietas contendo caroço de algodão

Sensory and instrumental analyses evaluated the meat and fat characteristics of feedlot-finished steers fed a diet containing cottonseed. Global impression, texture, meat color, and fat color were assessed. Thirty Nellore bulls with an average age of 30 ± 6 months and initial body weight of 382.7 ± 28.4kg were kept in feedlot stalls and fed the following cottonseed levels: 0; 2.22 %; 4.44 %; 6.66 %; 8.88 %; 11.11 % of the dietary dry matter. The cottonseed used in this experiment had an average free gossypol content of 4.5g/kg of cottonseed. The overall impression of the samples, assessed by the triangle test for difference, did not differ for more than 62 % of the panelists (P>0.01). The shear strength of roasted meat varied from 6.00 to 6.54kg. According to texture profile analysis (TPA), the hardness, springiness, and chewiness of roast meat ranged from 24.15 to 28.01 N, 0.52 to 0.56, 8.42 to 11.01 N, respectively; of raw meat, 9.51 to 13.86 N, 0.26 to 0.29, and 1.38 to 1.81 N, respectively. The different treatments did not affect meat texture, meat color, or fat color (P>0.05). Meat color, luminosity, and red intensity ranged from 37.71 to 42.85, 20.68 to 25.25, and 6.74 to 8.61, respectively; fat color, luminosity, and yellow intensity ranged from 62.26 to 63.78, 11.13 to 11.62, and 10.53 to 10.86, respectively. Cottonseed intake of up to 1.13kg/animal/day, equivalent to a free gossypol intake of 5.05g/animal/day, in place of soybean meal and ground corn, did not significantly change the global sensory impression, texture, and color of the meat and fat.(AU)

Avaliou-se, por meio de análise sensorial e instrumental, o efeito da adição de caroço de algodão à dieta de bovinos confinados sobre as características da carne e da gordura. Foram avaliadas a impressão global, a textura, a cor da carne e a cor da gordura. Trinta touros da raça Nelore, com médias de idade e peso vivo inicial de 30 ± 6 meses e 382,7 ± 28,4kg, foram confinados e receberam dietas com os seguintes teores de caroço de algodão: 0; 2,22%; 4,44%; 6,66%; 8,88%; 11,11% na matéria seca da dieta. O caroço de algodão utilizado neste experimento apresentou conteúdo médio de 4,5g de gossipol livre/kg de caroço de algodão. A impressão global da carne, avaliada por meio de teste triangular de diferença, mostrou que mais de 62% dos provadores não perceberam diferença significativa (P>0,01) entre as amostras. A textura da carne assada avaliada por meio do teste de força de cisalhamento variou de 6,00 a 6,54kg. Na análise do perfil de textura (TPA) da carne assada, a dureza, a elasticidade e a mastigabilidade variaram, respectivamente, de 24,15 a 28,01N, de 0,52 a 0,56N e de 8,42 a 11,01N. Na TPA da carne crua, variaram, respectivamente, de 9,51 a 13,86N, de 0,26 a 0,29N e de 1,38 a 1,81N. Na avaliação da cor da carne, a luminosidade, a intensidade de vermelho e a intensidade de amarelo da cor da carne variaram, respectivamente, de 37,71 a 42,85, de 20,68 a 25,25 e de 6,74 a 8,61. E para a cor da gordura, variaram, respectivamente, de 62,26 a 63,78, de 11,13 a 11,62 e de 10,53 a 10,86. A textura, a cor da carne e a cor da gordura não apresentaram diferenças significativas (P>0,05) entre os diferentes tratamentos. O consumo de caroço de algodão em até 1,13kg/animal/dia, que resultou no consumo de 5,05g de gossipol livre/animal/dia, em substituição ao farelo de soja e ao grão de milho triturado, não causou alterações significativas nas características da carne quanto à impressão sensorial global, à textura, à cor da carne e à cor da gordura.(AU)

Transplacental Transmission of Ovine Herpesvirus 2 in Cattle with Sheep-associated Malignant Catarrhal Fever.

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever (SA-MCF) is an important infectious disease of ruminants worldwide that is caused by ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2). OvHV-2 is transmitted predominantly by contact between infected and susceptible hosts, while the documentation of vertical transmission is rare. This report presents the pathological and molecular findings associated with transplacental transmission of OvHV-2 in cattle. Two Girolanda cows with corneal oedema, lethargy, mucopurulent nasal discharge and ulcerative stomatitis died spontaneously; one of these was pregnant with a 4-month-old fetus. Significant pathological findings included widespread lymphoplasmacytic necrotizing vasculitis and lymphoplasmacytic accumulations in several organs of both cows and the fetus. A polymerase chain reaction that targeted the tegument protein gene of OvHV-2 amplified viral DNA from the brain of the pregnant cow and her fetus, as well as from the kidney of the pregnant cow. The pathological findings observed in the cow and her fetus, together with the presence of OvHV-2 DNA in tissues of these animals, are suggestive of transplacental transmission of OvHV-2 in SA-MCF in cattle.

Screening for fragile X syndrome in males from specialized institutions in the northeast region of Brazil.

The objective of this study was to perform a study of fragile X syndrome (FXS) in São Luís, Maranhão, in males residing in five specialized institutions. Two hundred thirty-eight males with intel-lectual disability of unknown etiology participated in this study. Blood samples were processed and stored until DNA extraction. Screening for FMR1 gene mutations was performed using non-isotopic polymerase chain reaction amplification and DNA sequencing using an ABI Prism 3130 automated sequencer. Two individuals (0.84%) were positive for FMR1 mutations. One had a mutation due to expansion of the CGG repeat beyond normal levels and the other had a deletion in exon 1 of the FMR1 gene, which was confirmed by sequencing. Both probands were over 18 years old, which demonstrates the late diagnosis of the condition in these individuals and reinforces the need to implement ef-fective programs for early diagnosis of FXS in the state of Maranhão. We found that FXS might be transmitted in the families of the two indi-viduals bearing the mutation, and that it is important to understand the mutation dynamics to provide better counseling to the family members of these two individuals.

Levels of mannose-binding lectin in individuals with visceral leishmaniasis in the northeast region of Brazil.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the seven priority endemic diseases in the world. The clinical outcome of many infections is not only dependent on the pathogenic organism, but also on the genetic variability of the host susceptibility to infection. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a protein that plays an important role in the innate immune system. The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of MBL between healthy controls and carriers of VL. The VL cases were recruited randomly from the main hospitals and referral outpatient clinics for VL in São Luís, and from home visits. Determination of MBL protein levels was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of the 161 patients with VL and the 161 healthy controls, 60.9 and 67.1% had high levels of MBL, respectively. There was no significant difference in MBL levels between cases and controls. Low socioeconomic status and living conditions are conducive to the occurrence of VL. Owing to the small number of existing studies, it is extremely important to conduct further studies on MBL levels and susceptibility to VL, especially in regions where the disease is endemic, such as Maranhão, Brazil.

Biased imitation in coupled evolutionary games in interdependent networks.

We explore the evolutionary dynamics of two games-the Prisoner's Dilemma and the Snowdrift Game-played within distinct networks (layers) of interdependent networks. In these networks imitation and interaction between individuals of opposite layers is established through interlinks. We explore an update rule in which revision of strategies is a biased imitation process: individuals imitate neighbors from the same layer with probability p, and neighbors from the second layer with complementary probability 1 - p. We demonstrate that a small decrease of p from p = 1 (which corresponds to forbidding strategy transfer between layers) is sufficient to promote cooperation in the Prisoner's Dilemma subpopulation. This, on the other hand, is detrimental for cooperation in the Snowdrift Game subpopulation. We provide results of extensive computer simulations for the case in which layers are modelled as regular random networks, and support this study with analytical results for coupled well-mixed populations.

Respiratory rate estimation from the oscillometric waveform obtained from a non-invasive cuff-based blood pressure device.

The presence of respiratory activity in the electrocardiogram (ECG), the pulse oximeter's photoplethysmo-graphic and continuous arterial blood pressure signals is a well-documented phenomenon. In this paper, we demonstrate that such information is also present in the oscillometric signal acquired from automatic non-invasive blood pressure monitors, and may be used to estimate the vital sign respiratory rate (RR). We propose a novel method that combines the information from the two respiratory-induced variations (frequency and amplitude) via frequency analysis to both estimate RR and eliminate estimations considered to be unreliable because of poor signal quality. The method was evaluated using data acquired from 40 subjects containing ECG, respiration and blood pressure waveforms, the latter acquired using an in-house built blood pressure device that is able to connect to a mobile phone. Results demonstrated a good RR estimation accuracy of our method when compared to the reference values extracted from the reference respiration waveforms (mean absolute error of 2.69 breaths/min), which is comparable to existing methods in the literature that extract RR from other physiological signals. The proposed method has been implemented in Java on the Android device for use in an mHealth platform.

Starch viscoelastic properties studied with an acoustic wave sensor.

Gelatinization and retrogradation of starch was followed in real time with an acoustic wave sensor. This study relies on the monitorization of the frequency of oscillation of a piezoelectric quartz crystal in contact with a 2.5% emulsion of a commercial maize starch, during heating and cooling. The technique showed to be very powerful and sensitive to most of the changes described in the literature, which have been elucidated by some other techniques. The value for the temperature of gelatinization found using the sensor was confirmed by the analysis of the same starch emulsion by polarized light microscopy. Temperatures of gelatinization were found to vary with the sample heating rate, as follows: 73.5 °C at 2.0 °C/min, 66.0 °C at 1.0 °C/min, and 65.0 °C at 0.5 °C/min. Hysteresis of the studied system was evidenced by the frequency shift before heating and after cooling till the initial temperature. Analysis performed on a 1.5% emulsion of a rice starch heated at 2.0 °C/min and cooled as before, evidenced no hysteresis and showed complete reversibility, in which concerns to the series frequency of the piezoelectric quartz crystal.

Qualidade seminal, morfologia dos testículos e epidídimos de touros submetidos à dieta contendo gossipol / Seminal quality, testicle and epididymis morphology of bulls fed a diet containing gossypol

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da ingestão de gossipol livre sobre a qualidade espermática e a morfologia dos testículos e dos epidídimos de touros da raça Nelore. Doze touros receberam dieta contendo 3,3g de gossipol livre/touro/dia (caroço de algodão) (Grupo 1, n=6) e dieta isenta de gossipol (Grupo 2, n=6), respectivamente. Foram realizadas coletas de sêmen no início e no final do experimento, que teve duração de 73 dias. Ao final do estudo, foram retirados os testículos e os epidídimos dos touros para se estudar o efeito do gossipol livre sobre as características histológicas. O consumo médio de 3,3g de gossipol livre/touro/dia (média 7,1mg de gossipol livre/kg/dia) reduziu a motilidade e a concentração espermática e aumentou a porcentagem de defeitos espermáticos maiores e totais. Além disso, os animais apresentaram testículos com túbulos seminíferos de menor espessura de parede, menor número de camadas de células espermatogênicas, menor espessura do epitélio epididimário e menor número de espermatozoide no interior dos ductos epidídimários, em relação aos animais com dieta isenta de gossipol (Grupo 2). O consumo de 3,3g de gossipol livre/touro/dia acarretou alterações na morfologia e na morfometria dos testículos e dos epidídimos e reduziu a qualidade espermática dos touros.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of intake of free gossypol on sperm quality and morphology of the testicles and epididymis of Nelore bulls. Twelve bulls were fed diets containing 3.3g of free gossypol/bull/day (cottonseed) (Group 1, n = 6) and a diet free of gossypol (Group 2, n = 6), respectively. Semen samples were collected in the beginning and end of the experiment which lasted 73 days. In the end of the study the testes and epididymis of bulls were removed to study the effect of free gossypol on histological characteristics. The average consumption of 3.3g of free gossypol/bull/day (mean 7.1mg of free gossypol/kg/day) reduced motility and sperm concentration and increased the percentage of major and total sperm defects, as well as the animals showing testes with seminiferous tubules of smaller thickness, fewer layers of spermatogenic lineage cells, smaller epididymal epithelium thickness and smaller number of sperm within the epididymal ducts, compared to animals with a diet free of gossypol (Group 2). The consumption of 3.3g of free gossypol/bull/day led to changes in morphology and morphometry of the testes and epididymis and reduced sperm quality of bulls.

Tomografia computadorizada da matriz óssea mineralizada heteróloga fragmentada e metilmetacrilato na reparação de falhas ósseas segmentares produzidas em tíbia de coelhos / Computed tomography to evaluate the association of fragmented heterolog cortical bone and methylmethacrylate to repare segmental bone defect produced in tibia of rabbits

Foi realizada falha segmentar de 6mm na região metafisária medial da tíbia de 12 coelhos, seguida de preenchimento desta por matriz óssea mineralizada heteróloga fragmentada conservada em glicerina (98%) e metilmetacrilato autoclavado, bem como avaliação por meio da tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico (cone beam) aos 30, 60 e 90 dias. Houve incorporação gradativa do implante no leito receptor em relação ao tempo em 100% dos casos, o que mostra ser este biologicamente compatível, ao promover reparação da falha óssea, sem sinais de infecção, migração e/ou rejeição, caracterizando-se, assim, como nova opção de substituto ósseo para preenchimento de falhas ósseas.

A 6mm segmental defect was performed on the metaphyseal region of the tibia of 12 rabbits and the autoclaved fragmented heterolog cortical bone conserved in glycerin (98%) and methylmethacrylate was used as a bone graft for the reconstruction. The graft was placed in the receptor bed and its integration was evaluated by computed tomography after 30, 60 and 90 days. There was gradual bone graft incorporation in the receptor bed during the time in 100% of the cases. Fragmented cortical bone heterograft and methylmethacrylate was biologically compatible and promotes bone defect reparation without signs of infection, migration and or rejection, featuring a new option of osseous substitute to fill in bone defects.

First report of the Taiwan sardinella Sardinella hualiensis (Clupeiformes: Clupeidae) in the Philippines.

A range expansion of the Taiwan sardinella Sardinella hualiensis to the Philippines is reported. The data suggested that the southern translocation of S. hualiensis occurred across oceanographic features that are typically barriers to small, pelagic fish dispersal. With this addition, the Philippines is among the most diverse countries for Sardinella biodiversity in the world, second only to India.

Hepatitis Delta virus genotype 8 infection in Northeast Brazil: inheritance from African slaves?

Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) is endemic worldwide, but its prevalence varies in different geographical areas. While in the Brazilian Amazon, HDV is known to be endemic and to represent a significant public health problem, few studies have assessed its prevalence in other regions in the country. This study evaluated the seroprevalence of HDV among HBsAg chronic carriers from Maranhão state, a region located in the Northeast of Brazil. Among 133 patients, 5 had anti-HD, of whom 3 had HDV RNA. HDV genotypes were characterized by Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences from the HDAg coding region. HDV-3 was identified in one patient who lives in Maranhão, but was born in Amazonas state (Western Amazon basin). Phylogenetic analysis shows that this HDV-3 sequence grouped with other HDV-3 sequences isolated in this state, which suggests that the patient probably contracted HDV infection there. Surprisingly, the other two patients were infected with HDV-8, an African genotype. These patients were born and have always lived in Urbano Santos, a rural county of Maranhão state, moreover they had never been to Africa and denied any contact with people from that continent. This is the first description of the HDV-8 in non-native African populations. This genotype may have been introduced to Brazil through the slaves brought to the country from the West Africa regions during the 16-18th centuries. Our results indicate that the need of clinical and epidemiological studies to investigate the presence of this infection in other areas in Brazil.

Identification of larval Anisakis spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in northern Japan using morphological and molecular markers.

The Alaska pollock, Theragra chalcogramma (Pallas), is an important raw source for surimi and other food products in Japan. However, Alaska pollock caught in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions has been reported to harbor Anisakis species that pose considerable food safety problems. Here, we identified the third-stage (L3) Anisakis spp. sampled from Alaska pollock caught in northern Japan using a combination of morphological and molecular analyses which included PCR-RFLP and sequencing of the ITS (ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2) region and mtDNA cox2 gene markers. Four Anisakis spp. were confirmed, namely Anisakis simplex (sensu stricto [s.s.]), A. pegreffii, A. brevispiculata, and an Anisakis sp. belonging to the Anisakis Type II group. The identification of 4 different Anisakis spp. occurring in Alaska Pollock, and the identification of A. brevispiculata and an Anisakis sp. (Anisakis Type II) in the northwest Pacific region, are first reports. Anisakis simplex (s.s.) composed the majority of Anisakis spp. in Alaska pollock at 91.0%, followed by A. pegreffii (5.2%), Anisakis sp. (Anisakis Type II) (2.4%), and A. brevispiculata (1.4%).