Prenatal development of the agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha Wagler, 1831): External features and growth curves.

The gestation period in agoutis can range from 104 to 120 days. Knowledge regarding the morphological characteristics of embryos and fetuses is important as a base for studies in reproduction biotechnology, such as in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer and helps in determining congenital anomalies during the development phase. Thus, given the importance and lack of information about agouti embryology, the objective of this study was to characterize the external morphology and define the biometry of embryos and fetuses, at different days of development. Nine females were submitted to daily colpocytology to identify the estrus, confirm mating and identify day zero of the gestation. When the mating was confirmed they were weighed, underwent abdominal ultrasonography and surgery was conducted on the females at the gestational ages of 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75 and 100 days. Sixteen embryos/fetuses were weighed and measured. Agouti embryos at 25 days after mating are "C" shaped, with primitive structures, 0.4±0.01cm crown-rump and weighed 0.06±0.01g; at 30 days after mating the crown-rump was 0.95±0.07cm and weighed 0.28±0.00g; at 35 days after mating the crown-rump was 155±0.07cm and weighed 0.38±0.01g; at 40 days after mating the crown-rump was 2.25±0.21cm and weighed 1.25±0.07g; at 45 days after mating the crown-rump was 3.45±0.35cm and weighed 2.75±0.64g; at 50 days after mating the crown-rump was 5.0±0.3cm and weighed 7.01±2.6g; at 75 days after mating, the skin was dark, the crown-rump was 10.0±0.14cm and weighed 55.2±0.07g. At 100 days after mating, the crown-rump was 13.8±0.49cm and fetuses weighed 136.7±9.40g. Based on the morphological data assessed the embryo and fetus age could be assessed and the size and average weight of agouti embryos was established.

Mortalidade de idosos com desnutrição em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil: uma análise multidimensional sob o enfoque de causas múltiplas de morte / Mortality of malnourished elderly in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil: a multidimensional analysis focusing on multiple causes of death

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar perfis de mortalidade em idosos com desnutrição, a partir de associações entre causas múltiplas de morte e outras variáveis da Declaração de Óbito. Foram estudadas as mortes de residentes de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, com 60 anos e mais, que tinham a desnutrição como uma das causas mencionadas. Utilizaram-se os dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade. Para estudo das associações, foi empregada a análise multidimensional pela técnica de análise fatorial de correspondência múltipla. A pesquisa mostrou sobremortalidade feminina, maior concentração de mortes na raça branca, em viúvos e em idosos com baixa escolaridade. Foram estabelecidos dez perfis de mortalidade e a desnutrição foi evidenciada cerca de cinco vezes mais pelo enfoque das causas múltiplas. Confirmou-se a importância das causas múltiplas para evidenciar causas de morte não detectadas pelo enfoque de causa básica e a adequação da técnica de análise de correspondência múltipla para identificar as associações de causas e demais variáveis da Declaração de Óbito.

This study aimed to identify the mortality profiles of elderly individuals with malnutrition, based on associations between multiple causes of death and other variables recorded on the death certificate. We studied the deaths of elderly (> 60 years) living in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, with malnutrition recorded as one of the causes. Data were used from the mortality information system. Multiple correspondence analysis was used to investigate these associations. The study showed excess mortality among women, whites, widowers, and individuals with low schooling. Ten mortality profiles were studied, and malnutrition was five times more frequent according to the multiple-causes technique. The results showed both the importance of multiple causes of death not detected by focusing on the underlying cause and the adequacy of multiple correspondence analysis for identifying the associations between causes and other variables listed on the death certificate.

Type 1 diabetes susceptibility determined by HLA alleles and CTLA-4 and insulin genes polymorphisms in Brazilians.

INTRODUCTION: Type 1A diabetes mellitus (T1ADM) is a multifactorial disease in which genetic and environmental aspects are important to its development. The association of genetic variations with disease has been demonstrated in several studies; however, the role of some gene loci has not yet been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of HLA alleles and polymorphism in CTLA-4 and insulin genes in Brazilians with T1ADM and individuals without the disease, as well as to identify genetic markers that are able to discriminate between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. METHODS: The presence of HLA DQB1, DQA1 and DRB1 alleles, as well as the -2221 MspI polymorphism in the insulin gene and 49 A/G in the CTLA-4 gene were identified by the 'Time-resolved fluorometer' technique after hybridization with probes labeled with Eu (III) / Sm (III) and Tb (III). RESULTS: The DQB1 *0302 and DQA1 *03 alleles were identified as predisposed to T1ADM, and the DQB1 *0301 allele presented a protective effect against the disease.The DQA1 label proved to be able to differentiate between 71.13% of the diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.This value increased to 82.47% when the DQB1 label was added. No significant difference in the frequency of polymorphisms in the insulin and CTLA-4 genes was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic markers that best characterized and discriminated diabetic and non-diabetic individuals were the HLA DQA1 and DQB1.alleles.

Type 1 diabetes susceptibility determined by HLA alleles and CTLA-4 and insulin genes polymorphisms in Brazilians / Suscetibilidade ao diabetes tipo 1 determinada por alelos de HLA e polimorfismos nos genes CTLA-4 e insulina em brasileiros

INTRODUCTION:Type 1A diabetes mellitus (T1ADM) is a multifactorial disease in which genetic and environmental aspects are important to its development. The association of genetic variations with disease has been demonstrated in several studies; however, the role of some gene loci has not yet been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To compare the frequency of HLA alleles and polymorphism in CTLA-4 and insulin genes in Brazilians with T1ADM and individuals without the disease, as well as to identify genetic markers that are able to discriminate between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. METHODS: The presence of HLA DQB1, DQA1 and DRB1 alleles, as well as the -2221 MspI polymorphism in the insulin gene and 49 A/G in the CTLA-4 gene were identified by the "Time-resolved fluorometer" technique after hybridization with probes labeled with Eu (III) / Sm (III) and Tb (III). RESULTS: The DQB1 *0302 and DQA1 *03 alleles were identified as predisposed to T1ADM, and the DQB1 *0301 allele presented a protective effect against the disease.The DQA1 label proved to be able to differentiate between 71.13 percent of the diabetic and non-diabetic individuals.This value increased to 82.47 percent when the DQB1 label was added. No significant difference in the frequency of polymorphisms in the insulin and CTLA-4 genes was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The genetic markers that best characterized and discriminated diabetic and non-diabetic individuals were the HLA DQA1 and DQB1.alleles.

INTRODUÇÃO: O diabetes melito tipo 1 (T1ADM) é uma doença multifatorial em que os aspectos genéticos e ambientais são importantes para o seu desenvolvimento. A associação das variações genéticas com a doença tem sido demonstrada em vários trabalhos, no entanto, o papel de alguns locos gênicos não foi ainda completamente elucidado. OBJETIVOS: Comparar a frequência de alelos do HLA e polimorfismos nos genes CTLA-4 e insulina em brasileiros com T1ADM e indivíduos sem a doença, além de identificar marcadores gênicos que sejam capazes de discriminar indivíduos diabéticos e não diabéticos. MÉTODOS: A presença dos alelos de HLA DQB1, DQA1 e DRB1, bem como dos polimorfismos -2221 MspI no gene da insulina e 49 A/G no gene CTLA-4, foram identificados por meio da técnica Time-resolved fluorometer, após hibridização com sondas marcadas com Eu (III)/Sm (III) e Tb (III). RESULTADOS: Os alelos DQB1*0302 e DQA1*03 foram identificados como sendo de predisposição ao T1ADM, e o alelo DQB1*0301 mostrou um efeito protetor à doença. Analisando somente o marcador DQA1, este mostrou ser capaz de diferenciar 71,13 por cento dos indivíduos entre diabéticos e não diabéticos, cujo valor aumentou para 82,47 por cento quando adicionado o marcador DQB1. A frequência dos polimorfismos nos genes da insulina e CTLA-4 não mostrou diferença significativa entre os dois grupos estudados. CONCLUSÕES: Os marcadores genéticos que melhor caracterizaram e discriminaram diabéticos e não diabéticos foram os alelos de HLA DQA1 e DQB1.

Determining IgA and IgG antigliadin, IgA antitransglutaminase, and antiendomysial antibodies in monkey esophagus and in umbilical cord for diagnosis of celiac disease in developing countries.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficiency of determining IgA and IgG antigliadin antibodies (IgA- and IgG-AGA, respectively), antitransglutaminase (TgA), and anti-endomysial antibodies (AEA) in human umbilical cord (CO) and monkey esophagus for diagnosis of celiac disease; to determine the correlation between serological markers and celiac disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 400 patients were divided in 3 groups: group 1 with 37 patients with celiac disease, group 2 with 208 patients with no enteropathies, and group 3 with 155 patients with other enteropathies. IgA-AGA, IgG-AGA, and TgA were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas AEA was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of IgA-AGA were 81.1% and 95.2%, of IgG-AGA 89.2% and 95.2%, of TgA 83.9% and 96.8%, of AEA-CO 87.9% and 100%, and of AEA of monkey esophagus 88.6% and 100%, respectively. Positive predictive values were 75.0%, 76.7%, 83.9%, and 100%. Negative predictive values were 96.6%, 98.0%, 96.8%, and 97.7% for IgA-AGA, IgG-AGA, TgA, and AEA, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed a strong association between AEA-CO and celiac disease and a good correlation with other markers (TgA, IgA-AGA, and IgG-AGA). CONCLUSIONS: TgA has been recommended for screening patients with celiac disease. Considering the similar sensitivity and specificity of IgA-AGA and TgA and their correlations in the multivariate analysis, both are applicable for this purpose. However, because TgA tests are highly costly and celiac disease is associated with IgA deficiency, the determination of IgA-AGA and IgG-AGA, followed by AEA-CO, is suitable for screening in developing countries, provided a cutoff point for these examinations is established. The results of antiendomysial antibodies in umbilical cord overlapped those in monkey esophagus. Therefore, umbilical cord should be used as a substrate instead of specimens from endangered species.

Padrões de adiposidade em mulheres atendidas em um Centro Municipal de Saúde de Belo Horizonte, 2000 / Adiposity patterns in women attending a Municipal Health Care Center in Belo Horizonte, 2000

O objetivo do estudo consiste em definir padrões de adiposidade em mulheres. O estudo foi realizado em um Centro Municipal de Saúde de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, com 827 mulheres entre 12 e 65 anos. As participantes realizaram diversas medidas antropométricas e responderam a um questionário sobre condições socioeconômicas, demográficas, história obstétrica, estilo de vida. A técnica de análise fatorial de componentes principais (ACP) foi utilizada para identificar conglomerados e independência de variáveis antropométricas na definição de padrões de adiposidade em mulheres. Os três primeiros componentes principais independentes explicaram 85,97 por cento da variância. O primeiro foi representado pelas pregas cutâneas, o segundo pelo índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) e pela circunferência do braço (CB) e o terceiro pela razão cintura/quadril (RCQ). Os fatores explicaram 38,42 por cento, 29,03 por cento e 18,52 por cento da inércia, respectivamente. Evidenciou-se associação positiva entre todas as variáveis. Observou-se associação de maior intensidade, justificado pela alta correlação, entre as pregas da coxa, peitoral, bicipital, subescapular e supra-ilíaca (Fator 1) e a CB e o IMC (Fator 2). A variável RCQ foi identificada como principal representante do terceiro fator. Conclui-se que a análise fatorial de componentes principais identificou adequadamente três padrões de adiposidade em mulheres: periférica, global e central. A forte associação entre o IMC e CB demonstra que essa última medida poderia substituir com vantagens o IMC no rastreamento populacional da obesidade. Os critérios diagnósticos para a obesidade em mulheres seriam mais precisos se considerassem simultaneamente a CB, a RCQ e a prega da coxa.

The objective of the present study is to define adiposity patterns in women. The study was conducted at a municipal health care center in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, with 827 women aged 12-65 years. All participants performed several anthropometric measurements and answered a questionnaire with socio-economic, demographic, obstetric and life style variables. Factorial analysis was used as a multivariate technique to identify clustering and independence of anthropometric variables. Factor analysis identified three factors that explain 85.97 percent of the total variance. The first component was represented by skinfolds, the second by the Body Mass Index (BMI) and arm circumference (AC), and the third by the waist to hip ratio (WHR). These factors explained 38.42 percent, 29.03 percent and 18.52 percent of the variance, respectively. Positive associations were observed among all variables. Cluster associations were observed between thigh, chest, bicipital, sub-scapular and supra-iliac skinfolds (Factor 1) and AC and BMI (Factor 2) and WHR as a third factor. We may conclude that factorial analyses have adequately identified three adiposity patterns in this group of women: peripheral, global and central. The strong association between BMI and AC demonstrates that AC could substitute with advantage BMI in population screening for obesity. The diagnosis of obesity would be more precise if AC, WHR and thigh skinfolds were included simultaneously.

[Multiple causes of death due to non-communicable diseases: a multidimensional analysis]. / Causas múltiplas de morte por doenças crônico-degenerativas: uma análise multidimensional.

This study approaches multiple causes of death to analyze the associations between causes of death from non-communicable diseases, age, and gender in 3,106 death certificates issued in 1998, comprising individuals who were 20 years old or over and resided in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The multiple cause of death approach, by considering all the diagnoses mentioned in the death certificate, highlights conditions that are underestimated by the underlying-cause approach that has traditionally been used in mortality statistics. Association of causes of death was analyzed using the multidimensional data analysis method with the multiple correspondence factor analysis technique. The results reinforce the usefulness of the multiple causes approach to improve information on mortality and demonstrate important associations, such as hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes or ischemic heart diseases, allowing to plan, prioritize, and reevaluate health actions.

Causas múltiplas de morte por doenças crônico-degenerativas: uma análise multidimensional / Multiple causes of death due to non-communicable diseases: a multidimensional analysis

Estudaram-se, sob o enfoque de causas múltiplas, as associações entre causas de morte por doenças crônico-degenerativas, idade e sexo, em 3.106 declarações de óbitos ocorridos em 1998, em pessoas com vinte anos e mais, que residiam em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. A análise das causas múltiplas, por considerar todos os diagnósticos da declaração de óbito, pode evidenciar afecções não selecionadas pelo enfoque de causa básica, tradicionalmente utilizado nas estatísticas de mortalidade. A associação de causas de morte foi analisada pelo método de Análise Multidimensional, através da técnica de Análise Fatorial de Correspondência Múltipla. Os resultados encontrados reforçam a utilidade das causas múltiplas de morte para melhorar as informações em mortalidade e evidenciam importantes associações tais como doenças hipertensivas e cerebrovasculares, obesidade e diabetes ou doenças isquêmicas do coração, informações essas que possibilitam planejar, priorizar e reavaliar as ações de saúde.

Quantitative analysis of cardiac lesions in chronic canine chagasic cardiomyopathy.

Lesions observed in chronic chagasic cardiopathy frequently produce electrocardiographic alterations and affect cardiac function. Through a computerized morphometrical analysis we quantified the areas occupied by cardiac muscle, connective and adipose tissues in the right atrium of dogs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. All of the infected dogs showed chronic myocarditis with variable reduction levels of cardiac muscle, fibrosis and adipose tissue replacement. In the atrial myocardium of dogs infected with Be78 and Be62 cardiac muscle represented 34 and 50%, fibrosis 28 and 32% and adipose tissue 38 and 18%, respectively. The fibrosis observed was both diffuse and focal and mostly intrafascicular, either partially or completely interrupting the path of muscle bundles. Such histological alterations probably contributed to the appearance of electrocardiographic disturbances verified in 10 out 11 dogs which are also common in human chronic chagasic cardiopathy. Fibrosis was the most important microscopic occurrence found since it produces rearrangements of collagen fibers in relation to myocardiocytes which causes changes in anatomical physiognomy and mechanical behavior of the myocardium. These abnormalities can contribute to the appearance of cardiac malfunction, arrythmias and congestive cardiac insufficiency as observed in two of the analyzed dogs. Strain Be78 caused destruction of atrial cardiac muscle higher than that induced by strain Be62.

Quantitative analysis of cardiac lesions in chronic canine chagasic cardiomyopathy

Lesions observed in chronic chagasic cardiopathy frequently produce electrocardiographic alterations and affect cardiac function. Through a computerized morphometrical analysis we quantified the areas occupied by cardiac muscle, connective and adipose tissues in the right atrium of dogs experimentally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. All of the infected dogs showed chronic myocarditis with variable reduction levels of cardiac muscle, fibrosis and adipose tissue replacement. In the atrial myocardium of dogs infected with Be78 and Be62 cardiac muscle represented 34 and 50 percent, fibrosis 28 and 32 percent and adipose tissue 38 and 18 percent, respectively. The fibrosis observed was both diffuse and focal and mostly intrafascicular, either partially or completely interrupting the path of muscle bundles. Such histological alterations probably contributed to the appearance of electrocardiographic disturbances verified in 10 out 11 dogs which are also common in human chronic chagasic cardiopathy. Fibrosis was the most important microscopic occurrence found since it produces rearrangements of collagen fibers in relation to myocardiocytes which causes changes in anatomical physiognomy and mechanical behavior of the myocardium. These abnormalities can contribute to the appearance of cardiac malfunction, arrythmias and congestive cardiac insufficiency as observed in two of the analyzed dogs. Strain Be78 caused destruction of atrial cardiac muscle higher than that induced by strain Be62

Schistosoma mansoni: níveis de infecciosidade para os moluscos hospedeiros intermediários do Brasil / Schistosoma mansoni: infectivity levels for intermediate snail hosts of Brazil

The levels of infectivity of Schistosoma mansoni for the three species of Biomphalaria, intermediate hosts of parasite in Brazil were studied after exposing of molluscs to miracidia in the laboratory and in the field. The LE and SJ strains of S. mansoni, maintained in laboratory were used in these experiments as well as the WVS and RFS strains obtained from faeces of schoolchildren from Belo Horizonte, MG. The results show the high level of infectivity of S. mansoni for B. glabrata with infection rates varying from 4.7 to 85.5 per cent. The snail B. straminea was susceptible to LE, SJ and WVS strains, with infection rates of 11.0 to 24.6 per cent, B. tenagophila was susceptible only to LE and SJ strains with infection rates of 2.5 to 6.5 per cent. The mean number of cercariae of the WVS strain shed per day, by B. straminea and B. glabrata were 93 +/- 59 and 782 +/- 1,120, respectively.

Influência da assepsia na administraçäo de ferro dextrano no desempenho de leitöes / Influence of a sepsis of iron dextran administration in growing performance of piglets

Estudaram-se 59 leitegadas provenientes de diversas granjas de suínos localizadas nos municípios de Alvinópolis, Paraopeba e Santo Antônio do Amparo, em Minas Gerais e Bragança Paulista, em Säo Paulo. De cada granja estudada foram sorteadas dez leitegadas, sendo cinco submetidas ao tratamento 1 e cinco, ao tratamento 2. Ambos os tratamentos consistiam na administraçäo intramuscular de 2,0 ml de um mesmo produto comercial com 100 mg de ferro dextrano por ml. No tratamento número 1, a aplicaçäo da droga foi feita dentro de rigorosos critérios de assepsia e no tratamento 2, obedecendo-se a própria rotina de aplicaçäo de injeçäo adotada na de injeçäo adotada na granja. As seis granjas estudadas foram classificadas, quanto ao grau de tecnologia empregada, em granjas de baixa, média e alta tecnologia. Procurou-se determinar a influência da assepsia na aplicaçäo de ferro dextrano na mortalidade e na ocorrência de diarréias em leitöes. A análise dos resultados encontrados permite as seguintes conclusöes: 1) granjas de alta tecnologia tendem apresentar menores taxas de mortalidade de leitöes à desmama; 2) näo houve diferenças significativas entre a mortalidade de leitöes e ocorrência de diarréias até a desmama, nos dois tratamentos empregados