High frequency of genital carriers of Leptospira sp. in sheep slaughtered in the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil.

Although some studies in sheep have indicated leptospire colonization of the genital tract, further studies are needed to clarify the role of genital carriers in this species. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the colonization of pathogenic leptospires in the genital and urinary tract of slaughtered sheep. Fifty-seven adult, female woolless sheep destined for slaughter were used. Renal (n = 57), bladder (n = 57), ovary (n = 34), uterine tube (n = 44), and uterus (n = 33) samples were collected for molecular detection of Leptospira sp. DNA, and blood samples (n = 57) for serological testing. The molecular testing was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the serological testing was performed using microscopic serum agglutination test (MAT). Samples with amplifying DNA were subjected to genetic sequencing. In total, leptospiral DNA was found in the tissues of 44 (77.2%) sheep, whereas only nine animals were positive on both PCR and MAT; there was slight agreement between PCR and MAT techniques (k = 0.0268; p = 0.684). In 61 (54.9%) genital tract and in five (4.4%) urinary tract samples, the leptospiral DNA was detected, with significant difference (p < 0.001). The genes of one sample from the uterine tube and another from the bladder were sequenced and demonstrated 99% similarity to Leptospira interrogans. Anti-Leptospira antibodies were detected in 11 (19.3%) of the tested animals. The results reinforce the importance of the genital tract as an extra-renal site of colonization, suggesting the possibility of venereal transmission in sheep.

Isolation and Characterization of Madariaga Virus from a Horse in Paraíba State, Brazil.

Madariaga virus (MADV), the new species designation for the South American isolates of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), is genetically divergent and substantially different in ecology and pathogenesis from North American EEEV strains. We isolated and characterized a MADV isolate obtained from a horse in Brazil. Our results support previous phylogenetic studies showing there are three genetically distinct MADV lineages. The MADV isolate from Paraíba State belongs to the South American lineage III and is closely related to Peruvian, Colombian and Venezuelan isolates.

Occurrence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii DNA in brain tissue from hoary foxes (Pseudalopex vetulus) in Brazil.

The hoary fox (Pseudalopex vetulus) is a wild canid native to Brazil and is commonly found in the semiarid northeastern area living in contact with cattle. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii DNA in hoary foxes, in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Brain tissue samples were collected from 49 hoary foxes. From the samples, DNA extraction and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed using specific primers for N. caninum and T. gondii. The prevalences found were 14.3% (7/49) for T. gondii and 12.2% (6/49) for N. caninum. The molecular identities of the amplified products were confirmed by means of the sequencing reaction. This study demonstrated the presence of N. caninum and T. gondii DNA in free-ranging hoary foxes in Brazil for the first time, thus confirming that this species is an intermediate host.

Quantitative microscopy characterization of hydrous niobium phosphate into bleached cellulose.

In this research the spatial distribution characterization of niobium phosphate into bleached cellulose was carried out combining processing and images analysis obtained by SEM and statistical methodologies. The objective is to investigate the deposit composition and phosphate morphology by using complementary analytical techniques. Based on the proposed methodology, parameters of niobium phosphate agglomerates (size and shape) and fiber morphology were evaluated depending on gray-levels (average luminance and fiber type): fiber characteristics (morphology) were measured. For the test method proposed, a specific region of cellulose/NbOPO(4) x nH(2)O composite was analyzed. This method involves area fraction measuring with a conditional probabilistic analysis. The analyzed fields were divided in different ways, called 'Scanning' and as a result, in quantitative terms, the phosphate deposition was described as spatial distribution homogeneous or inhomogeneous. The quantitative microscopy as a non-destructive testing provides relevant information when it is combined with statistic analysis.

Image analysis of modified cellulose fibers from sugarcane bagasse by zirconium oxychloride.

Surface modification of natural fibers has been made using different methods. In this paper, cellulose fibers from sugarcane bagasse were bleached and modified by zirconium oxychloride in situ. The chemically modified cellulose fibers were compared to those of bleached ones. Cellulose fibers were modified with ZrO(2).nH(2)O nanoparticles through the use of zirconium oxychloride in acidic medium in the presence of cellulose fibers using urea as the precipitating agent. The spatial distribution characterization of hydrous zirconium oxide on cellulose fibers was carried out by combining both processing and image analyses obtained by SEM and statistical methodologies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) were also used to characterize the nanocomposite. Results indicated that ZrO(2).nH(2)O nanoparticles of about 30-80nm diameter deposited on cellulose fibers were heterogeneously dispersed.

Indução, caracterização bioquímica e ultra-estrutural de calos de aroeira-do-sertão (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. ) / Induction, biochemical and ultrastructural characterization of the callus of "aroeira-do-sertão" (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. )

A aroeira-do-sertão (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All.) é espécie arbórea que apresenta grande valor econômico devido às propriedades químicas da casca com elevado teor de taninos. Em decorrência da exploração predatória encontra-se inserida na lista oficial de espécies da flora brasileira ameaçadas de extinção na categoria vulnerável. A micropropagação vem sendo colocada como importante forma de multiplicação dessa espécie, na busca de alternativa para a exploração sustentável. Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de induzir calos a partir de segmentos foliares usando 2,4-D e caracterizá-los quanto aos aspectos morfológicos e bioquímicos. Os resultados obtidos indicam que é possível induzir calos a partir de segmentos foliares de aroeira-do-sertão utilizando-se 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D). Os calos obtidos foram compactos e não-embriogênicos, apresentando valores médios de 43,32 mg g-1 de açúcares solúveis totais; 23,62 mg g-1 de açúcares redutores; 3,157 mg g-1 de proteína total; 3,147 mg g-1 de aminoácidos livres e 0,914 mg g-1 de compostos fenólicos totais na matéria fresca.

"Aroeira-do-sertão" (Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All.) is a tree species that has great economic value due to the chemical properties of its bark, which has high tannin content. On account of the predatory exploitation it has been placed in the official list of threatened species of the Brazilian flora, in the vulnerable category. Micropropagation has been considered an important form of multiplication of this species in the search for an alternative for its sustainable exploitation. This study was conducted with the aim of inducing callus from leaf segments using 2,4-D and characterizing them according to their morphological and biochemical aspects. The obtained results indicate that it is possible to induce callus from leaf segments of M. urundeuva using 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic (2,4-D). The obtained calluses were compact and non-embryogenic, with average values of 43.32 mg g-1 total soluble sugars, 23.62 mg g-1 reducing sugars, 3.157 mg g-1 total protein, 3.147 mg g-1 free-form amino acids and 0.914 mg g-1 phenolic compounds in the fresh matter.

Frequência de leptospirose em ovinos abatidos no município de Patos, Paraíba / Frequency of leptospirosis in ovine slaughtered in Patos, Paraíba, Brazil

Foram colhidas amostras de placenta, ampola do ducto deferente e glândulas vesiculares de 80 ovinos abatidos no matadouro público de Patos, Estado da Paraíba, região Nordeste do Brasil para isolamento de Leptospira spp., bem como amostras de sangue para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. O meio de Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) modificado com a adição de 10% de soro de coelho foi usado para o isolamento do agente e a técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica para a pesquisa sorológica. Os cultivos foram observados semanalmente por microscopia de campo escuro durante 16 semanas. Seis animais (7,5%) foram soropositivos na SAM, sendo o sorovar Autumnalis o mais frequente, com cinco soros reagentes, seguido pelo sorovar Icterohaemorragiae, com um soro reagente. Foi isolado micro-organismo morfologicamente similar a Leptospira spp. de uma amostra de ampola do ducto deferente e outra de placenta.

Placenta, ampulla of the deferent duct, and seminal vesicle samples were collected from 80 sheep slaughtered in the public slaughterhouse of Patos, Paraíba state, Northeastern region of Brazil, for isolation of Leptospira spp., and blood samples were taken from the same animals to check for the presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies. Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) medium modified with the addition of 10% rabbit serum was used for the leptospira isolation, while the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used to check for the presence of antibodies. The cultures were observed weekly by dark field microscopy for 16 weeks. Six animals (7.5%) were seropositive by MAT, the serovar Autumnalis being the most frequent, with 5 reactant sera, followed by the serovar Icterohaemorragiae, with 1 reactant serum. A microorganism morphologically similar to Leptospira spp. was isolated from 1 ampulla of the deferent duct sample and 1 placenta sample.

Bem estar e desenvolvimento de saúde de adolescente. Reflexão da equipe do PSF da UBS Moinho Velho

Estudar e integrar a equipe do PSF e adolescentes, avaliando comportamento físico, escolar e psico social, valorizando fator acolhimento, para descobrir suas carências e o modo de como poderíamos abordá-los, abrindo caminho para implantação de ações de saúde e orientações de sexualidade, nutrição, higiene, lazer e cultura

Bem estar e desenvolvimento de saúde de adolescente. Reflexão da equipe do PSF da UBS Moinho Velho / Welfare and development of adolescent health. Reflection of the PSF team of UBS Moinho Velho

Estudar e integrar a equipe do PSF e adolescentes, avaliando comportamento físico, escolar e psico social, valorizando fator acolhimento, para descobrir suas carências e o modo de como poderíamos abordá-los, abrindo caminho para implantação de ações de saúde e orientações de sexualidade, nutrição, higiene, lazer e cultura (AU)