Comparison between thermal recovery in women with Raynaud's Phenomenon and not diagnosed women using thermography.

Thermography detects the infrared radiation emanated from bodies and transduces it in electrical analog signal. It has application as a complementary exam in several medical segments, including the reheating study to detect diseases like Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP). In this way, the aim of this study is to compare the heating behavior of the RP women and not diagnosed (ND) women for selection of diagnosis criteria. This retrospective study was undertaken in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. For the study, twenty-four volunteer women, with the age range of 30-70 years, were taken to participate of a survey, 12 of them have the clinical diagnostic of Secondary Raynauld's Phenomenon, and twelve women were not diagnosed. Volunteers answered an anamnesis and had the central body temperature measured. They were oriented to keep the hands free and to do not touch anything during 15 minutes for acclimatization. Then, the hands were immersed for 60 seconds in a container with water at 10 °C. New pictures were taken every five minutes during twenty minutes after the immersion. The heating curve of the right hand shows that RP women's hands are colder than ND women and are slower to reheat the temperature after cold stress. The ring (fourth finger) has a linear behavior in both hands. It was the coldest one and the slowest to reheat. Statistical difference was observed in critical times of reheating at 15 and 20 minutes after the cold stress. These results show that this finger could become a reference in studies to determine cutting points and to facilitate the clinical diagnosis of RP.

Embryonic and larval development and fatty-acid profile of Epinephelus marginatus spawned in captivity: tools applied to captive rearing.

Development, ontogeny of the digestive system and the fatty-acid (FA) profile, were analysed during development of Epinephelus marginatus. Larvae were analysed 7 and 17 days post fertilization (dpf) to evaluate fatty-acid profile and morphological variables, respectively. Epinephelus marginatus larvae have relatively slow development of digestive structures, but were able to capture, ingest and digest prey by 5 dpf. Eggs were composed of high percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in phospholipids. The percentage of n3 PUFAs was higher than n6, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which exhibited higher levels compared with other marine species during the first 3 days of development, both in terms of phospholipids and triglycerides. The larvae present a high content of docosahexaenoic acid-eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA-EPA) and, during this phase, live food of small size was required (copepods or SS-strain Brachionus rotundiformes), enriched with DHA-EPA. These results may guide future studies on the contribution of FAs required during this stage of the life cycle of E. marginatus, to advance knowledge of the use of these FAs throughout ontogeny and contribute to the culture of this species commercial production or restocking.

Genetic diversity among Puccinia melanocephala isolates from Brazil assessed using simple sequence repeat markers.

Brown rust (causal agent Puccinia melanocephala) is an important sugarcane disease that is responsible for large losses in yield worldwide. Despite its importance, little is known regarding the genetic diversity of this pathogen in the main Brazilian sugarcane cultivation areas. In this study, we characterized the genetic diversity of 34 P. melanocephala isolates from 4 Brazilian states using loci identified from an enriched simple sequence repeat (SSR) library. The aggressiveness of 3 isolates from major sugarcane cultivation areas was evaluated by inoculating an intermediately resistant and a susceptible cultivar. From the enriched library, 16 SSR-specific primers were developed, which produced scorable alleles. Of these, 4 loci were polymorphic and 12 were monomorphic for all isolates evaluated. The molecular characterization of the 34 isolates of P. melanocephala conducted using 16 SSR loci revealed the existence of low genetic variability among the isolates. The average estimated genetic distance was 0.12. Phenetic analysis based on Nei's genetic distance clustered the isolates into 2 major groups. Groups I and II included 18 and 14 isolates, respectively, and both groups contained isolates from all 4 geographic regions studied. Two isolates did not cluster with these groups. It was not possible to obtain clusters according to location or state of origin. Analysis of disease severity data revealed that the isolates did not show significant differences in aggressiveness between regions.

Criopreservaçäo de medula óssea e células pluripotentes periféricas utilizando um congelador programável: experiência em 86 congelamentos / Cryopreservation of bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells using a controlled rate freezing system: experience on 86 procedures

A infusao de células hematopoéticas totipotentes criopreservadas permite a recuperaçao da hematopoese após quimioterapia mieolblativa. Objetivo. A formaçao de cristais de gelo durante o processo de congelamento é o fator principal que causa ruptura das estruturas celulares. A criopreservaçao dessas células a uma taxa constante preveniria os danos causados pelo congelamento brusco. Métodos. Vinte e três pacientes com mediana de 25 anos (variaçao 3-57) tiveram a medula óssea e/ou células-tronco periféricas (CTP) coletadas no período de março de 1993 a outubro de 1994, totalizando 86 congelamentos. Os pacientes apresentavam as seguintes neoplasias: linfoma nao-Hodgkin (n=5), leucemia mielóide aguda (n=8), leucemia linfóide aguda (n=6), doença de Hodkin (n=3) e mieloma múltiplo (n=1). O congelamento foicontrolado por um computador, acoplado ao sistema, às seguintes temperaturas: -1 graus Celsius/min até -45 graus Celsius e depois a -10 graus Celsius/min até -80 graus Celsius. Após o congelamento, as células foram mantidas em freezer a -110 graus Celsius até o momento da infusao. Para obtençao das CTP, empregou-se o fator de crescimento estimulante de granulócitos (G-CSF). Resultados. Uma mediana de 3,16 x 10(8) céls./kg (variaçao 0,86-24,22) de CTP e 2,03 x 10(8) céls./kg (variaçao 0,19-12,21) de medula óssea foi congelada. A mediana para atingir granulócitos maior ou igual a 500/muL e plaquetas maior que 20.000/muL foi de 12 dias (variaçao 8-40) e 31 dias (variaçao 8-80), respectivamente. Todos os pacientes tiveram recuperaçao hematopoética após a infusao das células criopreservadas. Conclusao. A criopreservaçao em congelador program vel permite o armazenamento de células hematopoéticas e, potencialmente, pode causar menor dano celular.

[Cryopreservation of bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells using a controlled rate freezing system: experience with 86 procedures]. / Criopreservação de medula óssea e células pluripotentes periféricas utilizando um congelador programável: experiência em 86 congelamentos.

UNLABELLED: The cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells can be used for rescuing the hematopoiesis after high dose chemotherapy. PURPOSE: The ice crystal formation during the freezing procedure is the key point that can be harmful to the cells. The cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells in a controlled-rate freezer could decrease the cell damage. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with a median age of 26 years (range 03-57) had bone marrow and/or peripheral blood stem cells harvested from March 1993 through October 1994, ending up to 86 freezing procedures. The patient's diagnoses are as follows: Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (n = 5); Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (n = 8); Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (n = 6); Hodgkin's disease (n = 3); Multiple Myeloma (n = 1). The cells were frozen away in a controlled-rate freezer chamber at the following rate: -1 degree C/min from room temperature to -45 degrees C and then, at -10 degrees C/min down to -80 degrees C. After freezing, the cells were kept into mechanical freezers until the marrow infusion. To mobilize PBSC (peripheral blood stem cells), G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) was given. RESULTS: A median of 3.16 x 10(8) cells/kg (range 0.86-24.22) of PBSC and 2.03 x 10(8) cells/kg (0.19-12.21) of bone marrow cells were frozen. The median time to reach granulocytes greater than 500/microL and platelets greater than 20,000/microL was 12 days (range 8-40) and 31 days (range 8-80), respectively. All patients had marrow engraftment after infusion of hematopoietic stem cells. CONCLUSION: The cryopreservation procedure using a controlled-rate freezer can store hematopoietic stem cells and potentially, cause less damage to the cells.

The effect of parturition on the interactions within pairs of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus).

The relationship within common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) pairs is based on pair-bond formation. This pair-bond is important for the successful rearing of the young and for the enhancement of reproductive success. Female marmosets bear twins which are carried mainly by males starting on the first day after the birth of the infants. Little is known, however, about the patterns of sociosexual interaction between callitrichid pairs and how these interactions change after the arrival of offspring. To evaluate the effect of parturition on these interactions, three heterosexual pairs of common marmosets were observed for four weeks before and four weeks after the birth of infants. The animals were kept in individual outdoor cages of the Nucleo de Primatologia, under environmental conditions. The time spent in proximity was mainly attributable to the initiative of females before parturition and the initiative of males after the offspring arrived. Males were groomed more before than after the birth of infants. In contrast, the amount of grooming received by females was the same in the two situations. These observations suggest that the relationship within pairs of common marmosets is slightly modified by the birth of infants and indicates that males and females could be using different strategies to enhance their reproductive success.

The effect of parturition on the interactions within pairs of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

The relationship within common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) pairs is based on pair-bond formation. This pair-bond is important for the successful rearing of the young and for the enhancement of reproductive success. Female marmosets bear twins which are carried mainly by males starting on the first day after the birth of the infants. Little is known, however, about the patterns of sociosexual interaction between callitrichid pairs and how these interactions change after the arrival of offspring. To evaluate the effect of parturition on these interactions, three heterosexual pairs of common marmosets were observed for four weeks before and four weeks after the birth of infants. The animals were kept in individual outdoor cages of the Nucleo de Primatologia, under environmental conditions. The time spent in proximity was mainly attributable to the initiative of females before parturition and the iniatiative of males after the offspring arrived. Males were groomed more before than after the birth of infants. In contrast, the amount of grooming received by females was the same in the two situations. These observations suggest that the relationship within pairs of common marmosets is slightly modified by the birth of infants and indicates that males and females could be using different strategies to enhance their reproductive success

Rats and marmosets respond differently to serotonin agonists and antagonists.

The actions of the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), the agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimetyltryptamine (MeODMT) and quipazine (QPZ) and the antagonists cyproheptadine, methysergide and metergoline, were studied in the rat and in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). The precursor and agonists elicited head shakes, forepaw padding, splayed hindlimbs, tremor and Straub tail in the rat. However, head shakes were not observed after MeODMT and Straub tail was not observed after QPZ. Carbidopa plus 5-HTP potentiated only head shakes, while tranylcypromine (TCP) plus 5-HTP potentiated all the behaviors above. In the marmoset, the action of these drugs elicited drowsiness, teeth chattering, ataxia, vomiting and decreased motor activity, although vomiting was not elicited by MeODMT and ataxia and drowsiness by QPZ. Although TCP plus 5-HTP potentiated all these behaviors, carbidopa plus 5-HTP was not effective. Rats treated with the antagonists (1.0, 5.0 and 10 mg/kg doses) did not show any of these behaviors, but marmosets treated with the same drugs developed "drowsiness", vomiting, and decreased motor activity; nonetheless, cyproheptadine (5.0 and 10 mg/kg doses) did not elicit "drowsiness", while increasing motor activity and the number of head shakes. Pretreatment of marmosets with these antagonists blocked only teeth chattering elicited by MeODMT (4.0 mg/kg) and QPZ (10 mg/kg). Pretreatment with haloperidol, p-chlorophenylalanine and alpha-methyl-P-tyrosine had no effect. The data obtained show that rats and marmosets present differential behavioral responses to the 5-HT drugs used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nova tecnica reconstrutora na insuficiencia valvar mitral por ruptura das cordas tendineas. / A new reconstructive techinic in mitral valve insufficiency due to rupture of the chordae tendineae

Uma nova tentativa de preservacao da valva mitral e proposta, tentando-se reconstrui-la, o mais fisiologicamente possivel, nos casos de insuficiencia por ruptura das cordas tendineas. Esta tecnica, que consiste na feitura de uma "neo-cordoalha" a partir de um retalho do tecido da cuspide anterior, preso no seu bordo livre e suturado ao musculo papilar, e aplicada em um paciente com insuficiencia mitral severa. Pela presenca de diametro antero-posterior aumentado do anel mitral e alongamento da cordoalha do musculo papilar posterior, foram associados o implante de anel de Carpentier e o encurtamento de cordoalhas com sepultamento intra-papilar. A excelente evolucao clinica imediata, assim como a analise da cineventriculografia e ecocardiografia demonstraram tratar-se de uma tecnica de reconstrucao que reproduz as condicoes anatomicas proprias da valva mitral, ou seja, ausencia de refluxo transvalvar e de estenose residual, incluindo boa mobilidade das cuspides