Haematological reference for red-browed parrot (Amazona rhodocorytha, Salvadori, 1890) captive in the Atlantic Forest in Eastern Brazil / Parâmetros hematológicos de papagaios-chauá (Amazona rhodocorytha, Salvatori 1890) em cativeiro

To conduct the survey were used 35 (thirty-five) red-browned parrots (A. rhodocorytha), adults, captive, of both genders and clinically healthy, belonging to the live collection of the Museum of Biology Teacher Mello Leitao, located in Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Harvests were performed in the morning, by puncture of the brachial vein getting 0.5mL of blood stored in EDTA for a period no longer than 6 hours. Blood smears of fresh material were made at collection, stained using the method of May-Grunwald-Giemsa. Analysis of blood elements was done by cell counting in a mirrored Neubauer chamber using Natt and Herrick solution at a ratio of 2:200 as diluent. For the analysis of the methodology, homoglobinometry cyanide hemoglobin using commercial kits by colorimetry on a semi-automatic biochemical analyzer was used. After completion of the statistical data the following parameters were obtained (mean±standard deviation): Erythrocytes (x106/µl): 2.68±0.56; Hemoglobin (g/dl): 14.27±0.69; Hematocrit (%): 53±3.38; Mean corpuscular volume (fl): 206.7±45.82; Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (pg): 56.4±14.46; Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (%): 27.5±1.19; Thrombocytes (x3/µl): 25.8 ± 10.5; Total plasma protein (g/dl) 5.4±0.5; Leukocytes (x103/dl): 3.1±2; Heterophile (/uL): 1937±1676; Lymphocytes (/uL): 1144±599; Monocytes (/uL): 24.4 ± 28.2; Basophils (/uL): 42.2±46.2; Eosinophils (/uL): 11.7±19.9. In the relation between males and females, no significant differences were found in any hematological parameter evaluated.(AU)

Para a realização da presente pesquisa, foram utilizados 35 (trinta e cinco) papagaios-chauás (A. rhodocorytha), adultos, cativos, de ambos os sexos e clinicamente saudáveis, pertencentes ao acervo vivo do Museu de Biologia Professor Mello Leitão, localizado em Santa Teresa, Espírito Santo, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas pela manhã, por meio da punção da veia braquial, obtendo-se 0,5mL de sangue, armazenado em EDTA por um período máximo de seis horas. Foram confeccionados esfregaços sanguíneos de material fresco no momento da coleta, posteriormente corados pelo método May-Grunwald-Giensa. A análise dos elementos sanguíneos foi feita por meio de contagem celular em câmara de Neubauer espelhada, utilizando-se como diluente a solução de Natt e Herrick na proporção de 2:200. Para a análise de hemoglobinometria, foi utilizada a metodologia do cianeto de hemoglobina, utilizando-se kits comerciais por colorimetria em um analisador bioquímico semiautomático. Depois de realizada a estatística dos dados, obtiveram-se os seguintes parâmetros (média±desvio-padrão): hemácias (x106/µL): 2,68±0,56; hemoglobina (g/dL): 14,27±0,69; hematócrito (%): 53±3,38; volume corpuscular médio (fL): 206,7±45,82; hemoglobina corpuscular média (pg): 56,4±14,46; concentração hemoglobina corpuscular média (%): 27,5±1,19; trombócitos (x3/µL): 25,8±10,5; proteína plasmática total (g/dL) 5,4±0,5; leucócitos (x103/dL): 3,1±2; heterófilos (/µL): 1937±1676; linfócitos (/µL): 1144±599; monócitos (/µL): 24,4±28,2; basófilos (/µL): 42,2±46,2; eosinófilos (/µL): 11,7±19,9. Na relação entre machos e fêmeas, não foi encontrada diferença estatística relevante em nenhum parâmetro hematológico avaliado.(AU)

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic assessment of marine cyanobacteria - Synechocystis and Synechococcus.

Aqueous extracts and organic solvent extracts of isolated marine cyanobacteria strains were tested for antimicrobial activity against a fungus, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and for cytotoxic activity against primary rat hepatocytes and HL-60 cells. Antimicrobial activity was based on the agar diffusion assay. Cytotoxic activity was measured by apoptotic cell death scored by cell surface evaluation and nuclear morphology. A high percentage of apoptotic cells were observed for HL-60 cells when treated with cyanobacterial organic extracts. Slight apoptotic effects were observed in primary rat hepatocytes when exposed to aqueous cyanobacterial extracts. Nine cyanobacteria strains were found to have antibiotic activity against two Gram-positive bacteria, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. insidiosum and Cellulomonas uda. No inhibitory effects were found against the fungus Candida albicans and Gram-negative bacteria. Marine Synechocystis and Synechococcus extracts induce apoptosis in eukaryotic cells and cause inhibition of Gram-positive bacteria. The different activity in different extracts suggests different compounds with different polarities.

Apoptosis in the transplanted canine transmissible venereal tumor during growth and regression phases / Apoptose no tumor venéreo transmissível canino durante as fases de crescimento e regressão

Twelve male, mongrel, adult dogs were subcutaneously transplanted with cells originated from two canine transmissible venereal tumors (TVT). The aim was to demonstrate and to quantify the occurrence of apoptosis in the TVT regression. After six months of transplantation, a tumor sample was obtained from each dog, being six dogs with TVT in the growing phase and six in the regression phase as verified by daily measurements. Samples were processed for histological and ultrastructural purposes as well as for DNA extraction. Sections of 4µm were stained by HE, Shorr, methyl green pyronine, Van Gieson, TUNEL reaction and immunostained for P53. The Shorr stained sections went through morphometry that demonstrated an increase of the apoptotic cells per field in the regressive tumors. It was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, which showed cells with typical morphology of apoptosis and by the TUNEL reaction that detected in situ the 3'OH nick end labeling mainly in the regressive tumors. The regressive TVTs also showed an intensified immunostaining for P53 besides a more intense genomic DNA fragmentation detected by the agarose gel electrophoresis. In conclusion, apoptosis has an important role in the regression of the experimental TVT in a way that is P53-dependent.

Doze cães, adultos, machos e sem raça definida foram transplantados subcutaneamente, na região hipogástrica, com células originadas de dois tumores venéreos transmissíveis caninos (TVT). O objetivo do estudo foi demonstrar e quantificar a ocorrência de apoptose na regressão do TVT. Após seis meses, foi obtido um tumor de cada animal, totalizando seis em crescimento e seis em regressão. Fragmentos dos tumores foram processados para avaliação histológica, ultra-estrutural e também para extração de DNA. Cortes de 4µm foram corados em HE, Shorr, verde de metila pironina e Van Gieson e alguns foram submetidos à reação do TUNEL e à imunoistoquímica para P53. Secções coradas pelo Shorr, submetidas à morfometria, demonstram maior índice apoptótico nos tumores em regressão. Esse achado foi confirmado pela microscopia eletrônica de transmissão que evidenciou células com morfologia típica de apoptose e pela reação de TUNEL que marcou mais células nos tumores em regressão que naqueles em crescimento. A imunomarcação para P53 foi mais intensa nos tumores em regressão, assim como a fragmentação internucleossômica do genoma mostrada pela eletroforese em gel de agarose. Concluiu-se que a apoptose tem importante papel na regressão do TVT transplantado experimentalmente, sendo, nesse caso, dependente de P53 para a sua execução.

Starch-hydrolyzing bacteria from Ethiopian soda lakes.

Alkaliphilic bacteria were isolated from soil and water samples obtained from Ethiopian soda lakes in the Rift Valley area--Lake Shala, Lake Abijata, and Lake Arenguadi. Starch-hydrolyzing isolates were selected on the basis of their activity on starch agar plate assay. Sixteen isolates were chosen, characterized, and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. All the isolates were gram positive and catalase- and beta-galactosidase positive. All isolates except one were motile endospore-forming rods and were found to be closely related to the Bacillus cluster, being grouped with Bacillus pseudofirmus, Bacillus cohnii, Bacillus vedderi, and Bacillus agaradhaerens. The one exception had nonmotile coccoid cells and was closely related to Nesterenkonia halobia. The majority of the isolates showed optimal growth at 37 degrees C and tolerated salinity up to 10% (w/v) NaCl. Both extracellular and cell-bound amylase activity was detected among the isolates. The amylase activity of two isolates, related to B. vedderi and B. cohnii, was stimulated by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and inhibited in the presence of calcium ions. Pullulanase activity was expressed by isolates grouped with B. vedderi and also most of the isolates clustered with B. cohnii; cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase was expressed by most of the B. agaradhaerens-related strains. Minor levels of alpha-glucosidase activity were detected in all the strains.

Measurement of methemoglobin after EMLA analgesia for newborn circumcision.

A statistically significant (p = 0.049) increase in methemoglobin (MetHb), which did not exceed normal values, was noted 8 h after application of 1 g of EMLA (Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics) to the foreskin of 10 normal newborns to reduce pain associated with circumcision. The highest MetHb concentration observed was 3 g/l (toxic > 50 g/l). No infant showed clinical signs of methemoglobinemia. We conclude that EMLA is safe to use as a local anesthetic in term neonates.