Lack of evidence for longitudinal dissociation of the atrioventricular conduction axis.

Longitudinal dissociation of the aggregated specialized cardiomyocytes within the non-branching portion of atrioventricular conduction axis has proved a controversial topic for both morphologists and electrophysiologists. We have now used morphological methods, including three-dimensional assessment, to revisit, in human, canine, and bovine hearts, the presence or absence of interconnections between the aggregated cardiomyocytes making up the non-branching bundle. We analyzed three datasets from human and canine hearts, and two from bovine hearts, using longitudinal and orthogonal serial histological sections. In addition, we assessed three hearts using translucent India ink injected specimens, permitting assessment of the three-dimensional arrangement of the cardiomyocytes. Using the longitudinal sections, we found numerous oblique interconnections between the groups of specialized cardiomyocytes. When assessing orthogonal sections, we noted marked variation in the grouping of the cardiomyocytes. We interpreted this finding as evidence of bifurcation and convergence of the groups seen in the longitudinal sections. The three-dimensional assessment of the bovine material confirmed the presence of the numerous interconnections. The presence of multiple connections between the cardiomyocytes in the non-branching bundle rules out the potential for longitudinal dissociation.

Measurement of the absolute gamma emission intensities from the decay of Th-229 in equilibrium with progeny.

There are few long-lived radionuclides yielding high intensity gamma-rays emission with energies ranging from 100 keV to 500 keV that can be applied as radioactive gamma standard to calibrate HPGe detectors. Furthermore, this energy range represents the main emitted energies of the majority of radionuclides used in nuclear medicine. The Brazilian National Laboratory for Ionizing Radiation Metrology (LNMRI/IRD/CNEN) has attempted to identify radionuclides that have the potential to be used as a calibration source due to their long half-life as well as their emission spectrum. Hence, LNMRI promotes standardization studies of gamma-emitting radionuclides that meet these criteria on order to disseminate them. Thorium-229, with its well-defined energies and relatively high intensities, is one such candidate radionuclide for the energy and full-energy peak efficiency calibration of high-purity gamma spectrometers. Thorium-229 was standardized by the method of 4παß(LS)-γ(NaI(Tl)) live timed anticoincidence counting. The emission intensities of gamma-rays associated with the decay of 229Th have been determined by HPGe gamma ray spectrometry with accuracy and precision. The results are in agreement with current literature data.

Absolute standardization of the impurity (121)Te associated to the production of the radiopharmaceutical (123)I.

(123)I is widely used for radiodiagnostic procedures. It is produced by reaction of (124)Xe (p,2n) (123)Cs →(123)Xe →(123)I in cyclotrons. (121)Te and (125)I appear in a photon energy spectrum as impurities. An activity of (121)Te was calibrated absolutely by sum-peak method and its photon emitting probability was estimated, whose results were consistent with published results.

Determination of impurities in (124)I samples by high resolution gamma spectrometry.

(124)I is a radionuclide used in the diagnosis of tumors. The National Health Agency requires identification and activity measurement of impurities. Using gamma spectrometry with an efficiency calibrated high-purity germanium detector, impurities (125)I and (126)I in an (1)(24)I production sample were identified. Activity ratios of (125)I and (126)I to (124)I were approximately 0.5% and 98%, respectively.

Ungulates heart model: a study of the Purkinje network using India ink injection, transparent specimens and computer tomography.

The Purkinje network is not macroscopically visible in human hearts. Sunao Tawara found himself in trouble in the early 1900s, when studying the human heart network. He gained a much better understanding of the net after starting to work with ungulates' hearts. The ungulate heart is proposed as an auxiliary didactic model for the study of the human conduction system. This work provides a detailed description of the India ink injection technique to allow a naked eye visualization of the Purkinje network. The heart muscle was made diaphanous for direct visualization of the ungulate heart intramyocardial network, and computer tomography was employed for visualization of the three dimensional structure of the whole network. The intramyocardial network in the interventricular septum was identified. The pattern of the Purkinje network is described as a connected noneulerian graph, and its possible implications on the mechanism of arrhythmias is discussed. The main differences between the ungulate and human heart conduction systems are stressed.

Chromosomal organization of repetitive DNA in Sorubim lima (Teleostei; Pimelodidae).

Interspaced repetitive DNA elements and segmental duplications have been extensively analyzed in fishes through physical chromosome mapping methods, providing a better comprehension of the structure and organization of the genome of this group. In order to contribute to this scenario, a sequence integration study of different classes of repetitive DNA with high resolution physical chromosome mapping was performed in Sorubim lima. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and fiber-FISH with probes for 18S and 5S rRNA genes, TTAGGGn sequence and non-LTR retrotransposon family members Rex1, Rex3 and Rex6 showed that non-LTR elements may be dispersed in the chromosome set with relative concentration in heterochromatic regions, as shown by Rex1, or may even intercalate in 45S rDNA and the telomeric sequence, as found for Rex3 and Rex6. These results reinforce the presence of preferential regions of retroelement accumulation and contribute to a better understanding of the genomic organization of some repetitive DNA classes in fishes.

Swim training restores glucagon-like peptide-1 insulinotropic action in pancreatic islets from monosodium glutamate-obese rats.

AIMS: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an important modulator of insulin secretion by endocrine pancreas. In the present study, we investigated the effect of swim training on GLP-1 insulinotropic action in pancreatic islets from monosodium glutamate (MSG)-obese rats. METHODS: Obesity was induced by neonatal MSG administration. MSG-obese and control (CON) exercised rats swam for 30 min (3 times week(-1) ) for 10 weeks. Pancreatic islets were isolated by colagenase technique and incubated with low (5.6 mM) or high (16.7 mM) glucose concentrations in the presence or absence of GLP-1 (10 nM). In addition, GLP-1 gene expression in ileum was quantified in fasting and glucose conditions. RESULTS: Exercise reduced obesity and hyperinsulinemia in MSG-obese rats. Swim training also inhibited glucose-induced insulin secretion in islets from both groups. Islets from MSG-obese rats maintained GLP-1 insulinotropic response in low glucose concentration. In contrast, in the presence of high glucose concentration, GLP-1 insulinotropic action was absent in islets from MSG-obese rats. Islets from MSG-exercised rats showed reduced GLP-1 insulinotropic action in the presence of low glucose. However, in high glucose concentration swim training restored GLP-1 insulinotropic response in islets from MSG-obese rats. In all groups, glucose intake increased GLP-1 immunoreactivity and gene expression in ileum cells in relation to fasting conditions. Swim training reduced these parameters only in ileum cells from CON-exercised rats. Neither MSG treatment nor exercise affected GLP-1 expression in the ileum. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise avoids insulin hypersecretion restoring GLP-1's insulinotropic action in pancreatic islets from MSG-obese rats.

Two genetic stocks of Steindachneridion melanodermatum living in sympatry in nature and genetic variability of wild parents and F1 generation.

Steindachneridion melanodermatum is a large Brazilian catfish, highly prized for sport fishing and for its meat. Specimens of this species, both caught in nature from Iguacu River and F(1) fish born in captivity, were analyzed with regard to patterns of RAPD molecular markers. Genetic similarity ranged from 0.57 to 0.95; two groups were determined for the wild specimens. The results suggest different genetic lineages in sympatry in nature. Heterozygosity and percentage of polymorphic loci were 0.31 and 79% and 0.23 and 62%, respectively, for the two populations of wild specimens and 0.26 and 66%, respectively, for those born in captivity.

Repetitive DNA and meiotic behavior of sex chromosomes in Gymnotus pantanal (Gymnotiformes, Gymnotidae).

Neotropical fishes have a low rate of chromosome differentiation between sexes. The present study characterizes the first meiotic analysis of sex chromosomes in the order Gymnotiformes. Gymnotus pantanal - females had 40 chromosomes (14m/sm, 26st/a) and males had 39 chromosomes (15m/sm, 24st/a), with a fundamental number of 54 - showed a multiple sexual determination chromosome system of the type X(1)X(1)X(2)X(2)/X(1)X(2)Y. The heterochromatin is restricted to centromeres of all chromosomes of the karyotype. The meiotic behavior of sex chromosomes involved in this system in males is from a trivalent totally pared in the pachytene stage, with a high degree of similarity. The cells of metaphase II exhibit 19 and 20 chromosomes, normal disjunction of sex chromosomes and the formation of balanced gametes with 18 + Y and 18 + X(1)X(2) chromosomes, respectively. The small amount of heterochromatin and repetitive DNA involved in this system and the high degree of chromosome similarity indicated a recent origin of the X(1)X(1)X(2)X(2)/X(1)X(2)Y system in G. pantanal and suggests the existence of a simple ancestral system with morphologically undifferentiated chromosomes.

Physical mapping of 5S rDNA in two species of Knifefishes: Gymnotus pantanal and Gymnotus paraguensis (Gymnotiformes).

Physical mapping of 5S rDNA in 2 species of knifefishes, Gymnotuspantanal and G. paraguensis (Gymnotiformes), was performed using fluorescence in situ hybridization with a 5S rDNA probe. The 5S rDNA PCR product from the genomes of both species was also sequenced and aligned to determine non-transcribed spacer sequences (NTS). Both species under study had different patterns of 5S rDNA gene cluster distribution. While in the karyotype of G. pantanal two 5S rDNA-bearing pairs were observed, the karyotype of G. paraguensis possessed as many as 19 such pairs. Such multiplication of 5S rDNA gene clusters might be caused by the involvement of transposable elements because the NTS of G. paraguensis was 400 bp long with high identity (90%) with a mobile transposable element called Tc1-like transposon, described from the cyprinid fish Labeo rohita.

[Evaluation of tracheal intubation conditions in morbidly obese patients: a comparison of succinylcholine and rocuronium]. / Evaluación de las condiciones de intubación traqueal en pacientes obesos mórbidos: succinilcolina frente a rocuronio.

OBJECTIVE: To compare tracheal intubation conditions in morbidly obese patients 60 seconds after administration of succinylcholine or rocuronium doses based on real weight or ideal weight. METHOD: We evaluated patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg x m(-2) or more but no other indications of difficult-intubation risk. Induction was performed under fentanyl and propofol at doses calculated based on real weight. Patients were assigned to 1 of 4 groups for tracheal intubation. Group 1 received 1 mg of succinylcholine per kilogram of ideal weight, group 2 received 1 mg of succinylcholine per kilogram of real weight, group 3 received 0.6 mg of rocuronium per kilogram of ideal weight, and group 4 received 0.6 mg of rocuronium per kilogram of real weight. Tracheal intubation was performed 60 seconds later and intubation conditions were recorded using a clinical scoring system. RESULTS: Eighty patients with a mean BMI of 47.5 kg x m(-2) were enrolled. The difficult intubation rate was 3.75%. All patients were intubated. Laryngoscopy conditions and position and movement of vocal cords were similar in all 4 groups. Reaction to cuff inflation revealed intergroup differences; group 3 presented slight limb movements, diaphragm movement, and sustained cough for more than 10 seconds. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that administration of succinylcholine calculated based on real weight or ideal weight and rocuronium based on real weight can provide clinically acceptable conditions for tracheal intubation in morbidly obese patients with no other difficult-intubation criteria.

Evaluación de las condiciones de intubación traqueal en pacientesobesos mórbidos: succinilcolina frente a rocuronio / Evaluation of tracheal intubation conditions in morbidly obese patients: a comparison of succinylcholine and rocuronium

OBJETIVOS: Comparar las condiciones de intubacióntraqueal en obesos mórbidos a los 60 segundos, tras laadministración de succinilcolina y rocuronio calculadossegún el peso real o el peso ideal.MÉTODO: Evaluamos pacientes con Índice de MasaCorporal (IMC) igual o superior a 40 kg/m2 y sin otroscriterios de intubación difícil. Inducción con fentanil ypropofol, calculados según el peso real. Asignados a unode cuatro grupos para la intubación traqueal: Grupo I: 1mg.kg–1 de succinilcolina según el peso ideal; Grupo II: 1mg.kg–1 de succinilcolina según el peso real; Grupo III:0,6 mg.kg–1 de rocuronio según el peso ideal y Grupo IV:0,6 mg.kg–1 rocuronio según el peso real. 60 segundos después,se realizó la intubación traqueal, con registro de lascondiciones de intubación de acuerdo con escala clínica.RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 80 pacientes con IMCmedio de 47,5 kg m–2. La incidencia de intubación difícilfue de 3,75%. Todos los pacientes fueron intubados. Lascondiciones de laringoscopia, la posición y los movimientosde las cuerdas vocales fueron semejantes en loscuatro grupos. La “reacción al insuflado del neumotaponamiento”mostró diferencias, con desventaja para elGIII, que presentó movimientos leves de los miembros,movimiento diafragmático y tos sostenida durante másde 10 segundos.CONCLUSIÓN: Estos resultados sugieren que la administraciónde succinilcolina calculada según el peso real oel peso ideal y de rocuronio calculado según el peso realpueden ofrecer condiciones clínicamente aceptables parala intubación traqueal en pacientes obesos mórbidos sincriterios de intubación difícil (AU)

OBJETIVE: To compare tracheal intubation conditionsin morbidly obese patients 60 seconds after administrationof succinylcholine or rocuronium doses based onreal weight or ideal weight.METHOD: We evaluated patients with a body massindex (BMI) of 40 kg·m-2 or more but no other indicationsof difficult-intubation risk. Induction was performedunder fentanyl and propofol at doses calculated based onreal weight. Patients were assigned to 1 of 4 groups fortracheal intubation. Group 1 received 1 mg ofsuccinylcholine per kilogram of ideal weight, group 2received 1 mg of succinylcholine per kilogram of realweight, group 3 received 0.6 mg of rocuronium perkilogram of ideal weight, and group 4 received 0.6 mg ofrocuronium per kilogram of real weight. Trachealintubation was performed 60 seconds later and intubationconditions were recorded using a clinical scoring system.RESULTS: Eighty patients with a mean BMI of 47.5kg·m-2 were enrolled. The difficult intubation rate was3.75%. All patients were intubated. Laryngoscopyconditions and position and movement of vocal cordswere similar in all 4 groups. Reaction to cuff inflationrevealed intergroup differences; group 3 presented slightlimb movements, diaphragm movement, and sustainedcough for more than 10 seconds.CONCLUSION: These results suggest that administrationof succinylcholine calculated based on real weightor ideal weight and rocuronium based on real weight canprovide clinically acceptable conditions for trachealintubation in morbidly obese patients with no other difficult-intubation criteria (AU)

Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi infection alters the expression of cell adhesion and costimulatory molecules on human monocyte and macrophage.

The initial steps of Leishmania infection in humans are largely unknown. There is limited information on the Leishmania infected human monocytes, the first cells that the parasite lives in, particularly related to costimulatory molecules. We show here that Leishmania (L.) chagasi infection avoids inducing proinflammatory molecules and has striking down modulating effects on human monocytes or macrophages. It does not induce CD54, interleukin (IL)-12 or tumour necrosis factor-alpha, potent proinflammatory cytokines and down modulates CD11b expression in monocytes. Lipopolysaccharide stimulated IL-12 (p40) levels, CD54 and HLA-DR expression are diminished in infected monocytes as well as interferon-gamma stimulated HLA-DR and HLA-ABC expression in infected macrophages. There is a negative correlation between CD54 and CD86 expression in both monocytes and macrophages. The depressed expression of class I and II molecules, absence of key proinflammatory cytokines and impaired expression of costimulatory molecules induced by L. chagasi could leave the immune system, at least in its initial phases in anergy or ignorance.

Leishmanial infection: analysis of its first steps. A review.

The first steps in leishmaniasis are critical in determining the evolution of the disease. Major advances have recently been done in understanding this crucial moment. Fundamental research in parasite-vector interaction, parasite biology, insect saliva, and vertebrate host response have shed new light and uncovered a most fascinating and complex moment in leishmaniasis. We review here some of these aspects and we try to connect them in a logical framework.

Recombination nodules in coleopteran species: Palembus dermestoides (Tenebrionidae) and Epicauta atomaria (Meloidae).

This work describes the first report about the occurrence of recombination nodules (RNs) in spread pachytene cells of two species of Coleoptera: Palembus dermestoides (Tenebrionidae) and Epicauta atomaria (Meloidae). The RNs were observed in preparations contrasted with phosphotungstic acid. Considering RN morphology and its occurrence in pachytene bivalents (one per autosome bivalent) these structures were interpreted to be late RNs. P. dermestoides and E. atomaria have 2n = 20 chromosomes including an Xy(p) sex determination system. In spite of most frequently subtelocentric morphology observed in the autosomes of both species, the occurrence of RNs is limited only to the synaptonemal complex (SC) structure of the long arms. These findings are in agreement with those obtained using light microscopy analysis in which only one chiasma or terminalization event is observed per autosomal bivalent in early or late metaphase I cells. The RNs have the same average width of the SC of each analyzed species, a circular shape, strong electron density, and are observed mainly between the lateral elements of the SC. The RNs of P. dermestoides and E. atomaria have approximately the same average size (width), 180 +/- 20 nm and 160 +/- 80 nm, respectively. The absence of RNs in the short arms and its occurrence in the long arms are discussed considering the short arm pericentromeric and pro-centric heterochromatin.

Use of tandem stents for treatment of helicoidal dissection of the right coronary artery.

Coronary dissection occurs frequently and in several degrees during coronary angioplasty, which is one of the mechanisms for increasing the lumen diameter of a vessel. However the length of the dissection may affect the procedure, becoming the most frequent cause of total occlusion after coronary angioplasty. We report here a case of extensive dissection that occurred during the coronary angioplasty of a focused lesion, which we treated with two long stents.

A simple method for human peripheral blood monocyte isolation.

We describe a simple method using percoll gradient for isolation of highly enriched human monocytes. High numbers of fully functional cells are obtained from whole blood or buffy coat cells. The use of simple laboratory equipment and a relatively cheap reagent makes the described method a convenient approach to obtaining human monocytes.

Cytogenetic analysis of Epicauta atomaria (Meloidae) and Palembus dermestoides (Tenebrionidae) with Xyp sex determination system using standard staining, C-bands, NOR and synaptonemal complex microspreading techniques.

The mitotic and meiotic chromosomes of the beetles Epicauta atomaria (Meloidae) and Palembus dermestoides (Tenebrionidae) were analysed using standard staining, C-banding and silver impregnation techniques. We determine the diploid and haploid chromosome numbers, the sex determination system and describe the chromosomal morphology, the C-banding pattern and the chromosome(s) bearing NORs (nucleolar organizer regions). Both species shown 2n = 20 chromosomes, the chromosomal meioformula 9 + Xyp, and regular chromosome segregation during anaphases I and II. The chromosomes of E. atomaria are basically metacentric or submetacentric and P. dermestoides chromosomes are submetacentric or subtelocentric. In both beetles the constitutive heterochromatin is located in the pericentromeric region in all autosomes and in the Xp chromosome; additional C-bands were observed in telomeric region of the short arm in some autosomes in P. dermestoides. The yp chromosome did not show typical C-bands in these species. As for the synaptonemal complex, the nucleolar material is associated to the 7th bivalent in E. atomaria and 3rd and 7th bivalents in P. dermestoides. Strong silver impregnated material was observed in association with Xyp in light and electron microscopy preparations in these species and this material was interpreted to be related to nucleolar material.

[Knowledge obtained in the master's program of public health nursing at the Nursing School of Ribeirao Preto - USP and its relationship with health practices]. / O conhecimento produzido no programa de mestrado de enfermagem em saúde pública da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto-USP e suas relações com as práticas de saúde.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the research objects of the theses produced in the Master Program on Public Health offered by the Department of Maternal-Infant Nursing and Public Health--University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing and their relationship with the problems originated from health care practice. These practices were classified within six major areas: Health Care Organization, Health Promotion, Health-Disease Process, Nutrition-Feeding, Professional Practice and Immunology. The contribution of works focussing on the crisis of health paradigms, gender relations and Social Movements in Health were emphasized. Authors concluded that the themes are closely related to the students' professional context, enabling them to present suggestions regarding interventions in health practices.