Gods associated with male fertility and virility.

BACKGROUND: Human fertility has always been a topic of curiosity and devotion. Many cultures consider fertility to be a necessity for the survival and perpetuation of mankind and since early times, myths were created to explain this fabulous process. Fertility gods were ubiquitous in numerous ancient human cultures and were used both to understand fertility and to cope with infertility by means of rituals and offerings. OBJECTIVES: This manuscript aims to catalog and describe the deities associated with male fertility and virility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search for the terms "male fertility god" and "male virility god" on the internet using web-based search engines. Based on the information retrieved, we selected those deities directed related to male fertility and/or virility and further deepened the search using Pubmed and Medline databases for peer-reviewed articles as well as books and articles about ancient mythology. RESULTS: We identified several gods linked to male fertility and virility in various cultures from Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, Southwestern United States, France, Colombia and Buthan.. DISCUSSION: Most of these deities were depicted with an erect phallus and with other fertility symbols like snakes. Some deities were also associated with plants and/or animal fertility and their festivals were often held during the harvest period. CONCLUSION: Gods of male fertility and virility played important roles in many ancient cultures. Offerings and rituals to these gods were the only available options to deal with problems of reproduction and demonstrate the lengths to which ancient people would go seeking cures for infertility.

Molecular identification and physiological characterization of Zymomonas mobilis strains from fuel-ethanol production plants in north-east Brazil.

Zymomonas mobilis has long attracted attention owing to its capacity to ferment hexose to ethanol. From a taxonomic viewpoint, Z. mobilis is a unique species of the genus Zymomonas, separated into three subspecies, Z. mobilis subsp. mobilis, Z. mobilis subsp. pomaceae and Z. mobilis subsp. francensis on the basis of physiological tests, which are often unreliable owing to the genetic proximity among these species. Currently, the use of molecular techniques is more appropriate for identification of these bacterial subspecies. In this study, the 32 strains of Z. mobilis present in the UFPEDA bacterial collection were characterized using molecular techniques, such as sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene and its theoretical restriction profile, classifying them as members of the subspecies, Z. mobilis subsp. mobilis. In addition, anaerobic cultivations were performed, which showed the biological diversity of the strains in terms of growth, sugar consumption and ethanol production. From these results, it was possible to identify the strain Z-2-80 as a promising bacterium for use in the fermentation process. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Zymomonas mobilis is a bacterium of great relevance to biotechnology, owing to its capacity to ferment hexose to ethanol. On a molecular basis, 32 isolates were identified as Z. mobilis subsp. mobilis. However, intraspecific diversity was identified when these were grown under strictly anaerobic conditions. The results obtained from this study suggest a strain of Z. mobilis as an alternative for use in the fermentation process.

Malnutrition increases NO production and induces changes in inflammatory and oxidative status in the distal colon of lactating rats.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have indicated the lack of breast feeding as a risk factor associated with later development of inflammatory bowel disease. Nevertheless, the repercussion of little feeding during suckling on large intestine inflammatory response and anti-oxidant resources has not yet been completely understood. This study hypothesized that unfavorable lactation is able to induce oxidative stress and release of inflammatory mediators modifying the integrity of the colon epithelium in weanling rats. METHODS: Wistar rats were reared under different early nutritional conditions according to litter size in two groups: N6 (6 pups/dam) and N15 (15 pups/dam) until the 25th postnatal day. The distal colon was removed and processed for biochemical, morphometric, and immunohistochemical analyzes. Lipoperoxidation, nitric oxide (NO), reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukins-1ß, 4 and 10 (IL-1ß; IL-4; IL-10) levels, and total superoxide dismutase (tSOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were assessed. Morphometric analysis was carried out using paraffin sections and wholemount myenteric plexus preparations. KEY RESULTS: Increased lipoperoxidation, NO, TNF-α and IL-1b levels, reduced tSOD and increased CAT activities were found in the N15 compared to N6 group. No intergroup difference was detected for IL-10, while lower levels of IL-4, GSH and GSSG and lower neuronal size and density were induced by undernutrition. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Reduced feeding during suckling changed the inflammatory response and oxidative status in the colon of weanling rats. These data suggest potential mechanisms by which malnutrition early in life may increase the vulnerability of the large intestine to insults.

Design of a macroalgae amperometric biosensor; application to the rapid monitoring of organophosphate insecticides in an agroecosystem.

The immobilization of enzymes onto transducer support is a mature technology and has been successfully implemented to improve biocatalytic processes for diverse applications. However, there exists still need to design more sophisticated and specialized strategies to enhance the functional properties of the biosensors. In this work, a biosensor platform based on innovative fabrication strategy was designed, and employed for the detection of organophosphate (OP) in natural waters. The biosensor was prepared by incorporating acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) to the graphite paste modified with tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) mediator, along with the use of a macroalgae (Cladaphropsis membranous) as a functional immobilization support. The novel immobilization design resulted in a synergic effect, and led to enhanced stability and sensitivity of the biosensor. The designed biosensor was used to analyze methyl parathion OP insecticide in water samples collected from a demonstrably contaminated lake of São Luis Island, Maranhão, Northeast of Brazil. Water analysis revealed that the aquatic ecosystem was polluted by sub-ppm concentrations of the OP insecticide, and a good correlation was found between values obtained through biosensor and GC-MS techniques. Our results demonstrated that macroalgae-biosensor could be used as a low-cost and sensitive screening method to detect target analyte.

Snap bean recommendation based on different methods of phenotypic stability.

In order to recommend the best strains of snap beans from the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense (UENF) breeding program, different methods of analysis of phenotypic stability were adopted to evaluate the performance of 14 lines (F(9) and F(10)) of indeterminate growth habit, which were compared with 3 controls, namely, 2 commercial varieties (Feltrin and Top Seed Blue Line) and 1 parent (UENF-1445). The experiments were conducted in Bom Jesus do Itabapoana in 2010 and 2011, and in Cambuci in 2011. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with 4 replications. To complement the information obtained by different methods, the UENF 7-5-1 strain was indicated for favorable environments (Bom Jesus do Itabapoana; 2010 and 2011), UENF 7-10-1, UENF 7-14-1, and UENF 7-20-1 strains were indicated for an unfavorable environment (Cambuci), and UENF 7-12-1 was indicated for both.

Detection of the dengue non-structural 1 antigen in cerebral spinal fluid samples using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The involvement of the central nervous system in dengue infections has been reported in countries where the disease in endemic. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit designed to detect the dengue NS1 antigen in serum was able to detect this antigen in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with fatal outcomes. To evaluate the sensitivity of the kit, 26 dengue-positive CSF samples were used. The Pan-E Dengue Early kit was able to detect the NS1 antigen in 13 of 26 dengue-positive CSF samples, resulting in a sensitivity of 50% (95% confidence interval, 29.9-70.1%) and specificity of 100% (95% confidence interval, 75.3-100%). The kit was able to detect the NS1 antigen in CSF of individuals who had died of dengue. When used in combination with IgM, the detection rate rose to 92.3%. This study reports a method for rapidly detecting the dengue virus in CSF, thereby increasing the diagnosis of dengue fever cases with unusual neurological manifestations.

Arthroscopic treatment of the snapping iliopsoas tendon through the central compartment of the hip: a pilot study.

We undertook a prospective pilot study to determine whether arthroscopic surgery through the central compartment of the hip was effective in the management of a snapping iliopsoas tendon. Seven patients were assessed pre-operatively and at three, six, 12 and 24 months after operation. This included the assessment of pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and function using the modified Harris hip score. All the patients had resolution of snapping post-operatively and this persisted at follow-up at two years. The mean VAS score for pain fell from 7.7 (6 to 10) pre-operatively to 4.3 (0 to 10) by three months (p = 0.051), and to 3.6 (1 to 8) (p = 0.015), 2.4 (0 to 8) (p = 0.011) and 2.4 (0 to 8) (p = 0.011) by six, 12 and 24 months, respectively. The mean modified Harris hip score increased from 56.1 (13.2 to 84.7) pre-operatively to 88.4 (57.2 to 100) at one year (p = 0.018) and to 87.9 (49.5 to 100) at two years (p = 0.02). There were no complications and no weakness occurred in the musculature around the hip. Our findings suggest that this treatment is effective and would support the undertaking of a larger study comparing this procedure with other methods of treatment.

Acute and subacute toxicity of Cochlospermum regium (Mart. & Schr.) pilger.

The toxicity of a hydroethanol extract of the subterranean part of Cochlospermum regium was evaluated in mice and rats. The extract had moderate acute toxicity when administered intraperitoneally and low toxicity upon oral administration. A subacute toxicity test revealed that the extract is well tolerated by these animals.

Avaliaçäo toxicológica aguda e "screening" hipocrático da Anchietae St. Hill. - Violaceae / Acute toxicology assay and hipocratic screening of Anchietae salutaris St. Hill

O uso indiscriminado de plantas medicinais pode levar a intoxicaçöes, mesmo aquelas que possuem grande emprego na medicina popular. Neste trabalho avaliou-se a toxicidade aguda da Anchietae salutaris St. Hill, através da determinaçäo da DL50 e "screening" hipocrático. Em ambos os experimentos, foram utilizados camundongos que receberam o extrato por via oral e intraperetoneal, em diferentes níveis de dose. Vários parâmetros foram monitorados durante o período de observaçäo (14 dias). A análise dos resultados revelou que esta espécie, quando administrada por via oral, näo apresenta sinais de toxicidade; entretanto, quando a administraçäo é feita por via intraperitoneal, observa-se depressao do sistema motor e de alguns parâmetros relacionados aos sistemas nervosos central e periférico.

Angiographic changes to induced hypertension in cerebral vasospasm. Case report.

A case of cerebral vasospasm complicating intracranial aneurysm surgery is presented. Angiographic findings under hypertension and normotension revealed a paradoxical response of involved vessels suggesting that normal autoregulation is either lost or overcome by spasm.