Oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in juvenile Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus exposed to sublethal levels of nitrite.

This study evaluated the effects of short-term exposure to sublethal levels of nitrite on oxidative stress parameters and histology of juvenile Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus. An assessment of fish recovery was also performed. Fish were exposed to 0.08 (control), 5.72, 10.43, and 15.27 NO2-N mg L-1 for 10 days followed by the same recovery time. Gill, liver, and muscle samples were collected after 1, 5, and 10 days of exposure and after recovery for the measurement of antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, content of non-protein (NPSH) and protein thiols (PSH), and lipid peroxidation levels by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) content. Nitrite exposure induced alterations which compromised the overall antioxidant system (reduced ACAP and GST activity) and enhanced oxidative damage in lipids and proteins. Increases in GST activity and NPSH and PSH contents were also demonstrated. The recovery period allowed for resumption of basal levels for all (treatment 5.72 NO2-N mg L-1) or some of the evaluated parameters (other treatments). In conclusion, exposure to nitrite concentrations from 5.72 to 15.27 NO2-N mg L-1 induced oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in juvenile Brazilian flounder. The 10-day recovery period was sufficient for a complete resumption of basal physiological condition of fish exposed to concentrations of up to 5.72 NO2-N mg L-1.

Ammonia exposure and subsequent recovery trigger oxidative stress responses in juveniles of Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus.

The effects of ammonia exposure and recovery on oxidative stress parameters and histology of juvenile Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus were evaluated. The fish were exposed to 0.12, 0.28 and 0.57 mg NH3-N L-1, plus a control, for 10 days followed by the same recovery time in ammonia-free water. Gill, liver and muscle samples (n = 9) were collected after 1, 5 and 10 days of exposure and after recovery for oxidative stress analysis (antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals (ACAP); glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity; lipoperoxidation levels measured through thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content). For histological assessment, gill, liver and brain samples were collected. Exposure to all NH3-N concentrations induced different time- and dose-dependent changes in oxidative stress parameters. Reduced antioxidant capacity of the liver and muscle and enhanced TBARS levels in the gills and liver were demonstrated. Differently, a high ammonia concentration elicited lower hepatic TBARS levels. Enhanced GST activity in all organs and increased antioxidant capacity of the gills were also observed. No ammonia-induced histopathological effects were demonstrated. After recovery, most parameters (liver ACAP, GST activity in the muscle and liver and TBARS in the gills) returned to baseline levels. However, liver TBARS and gill GST activity remained altered 0.57 mg NH3-N L-1 treatment. The recovery period also led to a decrease in gill antioxidant capacity and an increase in muscle antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, a concentration of 0.12 mg NH3-N L-1 induces oxidative stress and antioxidant responses in juvenile Brazilian flounder. Moreover, a 10-day recovery period is not sufficient to restore fish homeostasis.

Pogonias courbina sperm characteristcs in its first reproductive season.

Southern black drum (Pogonias courbina) is a species distributed along the western Atlantic Ocean, and it is the largest Sciaenidae observed in the coast of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. However, it is listed as a vulnerable species at The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, and their fishing is prohibited. The objective of this study was to determine the sperm characteristics of P. courbina. Sperm samples of five young males (two-year-old fish) were collected through abdominal pressure. The sperm kinetics parameters were sperm motility (MOT) 10.7 ± 5.6%, curvilinear velocity (VCL) 120.07 ± 16.16 mm s ± 1, average path velocity (VAP) 75.64 ± 23.78 mm s ± 1, straight-line velocity (VSL) 62.49 ± 15.83 mm s ± 1, straightness (STR) 83.9 ± 5.3%, wobble (WOB) 61.9 ± 12.7%, beat cross frequency (BCF) 42.981 ± 4.627 Hz and progression (PRG) 1,805.4 ± 564.5 µm. The proportion of normal spermatozoa was 35.6 ± 6.1%. About the abnormalities observed, 22.7% occurred in the tail (short tail = 0.6 ± 0.5%, distally curled tail = 2.4 ± 1.6%, strongly curled tail = 1.9 ± 1.3%, broken tail = 7.9 ± 5.1%, folded tail = 5.5 ± 0.8%, loose tail = 4.4 ± 1.9%); 14.2% occurred in the head (degenerate head = 4.2 ± 1.6%, microcephaly = 1.8 ± 2.5%, loose head = 8.2 ± 2.1%) and 27.5% of the spermatozoa showed cytoplasmatic gouts (proximal gout = 20.0 ± 8.4%, distal gout = 7.5 ± 2.8%). Besides that, a correlation analysis was performed between sperm morphology and kinetics parameters, and the spermatozoa were measured for the morphometric parameters. There was a positive correlation between BCF and normal spermatozoa (r =  0.9269). A negative correlation occurred between BCF and loose head (r =  -0.9047); WOB and strongly curled tail (r =  -0.8911); and PROG and strongly curled tail (r =  -0.9191). The morphometric measures found for the head were length of 2.50 ± 0.21 µm and width of 2.12 ± 0.22 µm, and for the tail it was length of 37.97 ± 2.01 µm. It was possible to verify that the animals have sperm characteristics that indicate reproductive aptitude, but an abnormal behavior on sperm activation and high presence of the cytoplasmic gout abnormality indicates that the animals are not fully mature in their first reproductive season. This work contributes to a better understanding of the P. courbina spermatic parameters, what can be allies to recovery this species population in nature and promote its production in fish farms.

Neuropeptide Y gene expression around meal time in the Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is considered the major stimulant for food intake in mammals and fish. Previous results indicate that NPY is involved in the feeding behaviour of the Brazilian flounder, Paralichthys orbignyanus. In this study, we evaluated hypothalamic NPY expression before (-2 h), during (0 h) and after feeding (+2 h) in two independent experiments: (1) during a normal feeding schedule and (2) in fish fasted for 2 weeks. During normal feeding, changes in the levels of NPY mRNA were periprandial, with expression levels being significantly elevated at meal time (P less than 0.05) and significantly reduced 2 h later (P less than 0.05). Comparing the fasting and unfasted groups, NPY mRNA levels were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) at -2 h and +2 h in the fasting group, but there was no difference at 0 h. In addition, the higher NPY mRNA levels that were observed in the fasting group were maintained throughout the sampling period. In summary, our results show that NPY expression was associated with meal time (0 h) in food intake regulation.

Oxidative stress parameters in juvenile brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus (Valenciennes, 1839) (Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae) exposed to cold and heat shocks

The aim of this study was to determine oxidative stress parameters in the liver and gill of Brazilian flounder juveniles (307.0 ± 16.0 g and 30.0 ± 4.0 cm) submitted to different water temperature (17.1, 23.0 and 28.8ºC) for 72 h and maintained at salinity 25‰. After the acclimation of 7 days, in 23ºC, fish were transferred to 200 L tanks containing seawater (salinity 25‰) at 28.8ºC (heat shock), 17.1ºC (cold shock) or 23.0ºC (control), five replicates (five fish tank-1). The sampled collection occurred in 0 (pre-challenge), 3, 24, 48 and 72 h after temperature shock. Flounder exposed to 17.1ºC and 28.8ºC showed significantly higher TBARS levels and GST activity in the liver post-exposition (PE) in relation to the control (23ºC). CAT activity in liver present a significantly increase at 17.1ºC, in first 48 h, and subsequently decrease in 72 h PE in relation to 28.8ºC. The gills of flounder showed significantly higher TBARS levels, GST and CAT activity when submitted at 17.1 and 28.8ºC in relation to 23.0ºC. There were observed changes in lipid peroxidation levels (LPO), CAT and GST activities in the liver and gill of Brazilian flounder in response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by thermal shocks.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os parâmetros de estresse oxidativo no fígado e brânquias de juvenis de linguado (307,0 ± 16,0 g e 30,0 ± 4,0 cm) submetidos a diferentes temperaturas da água (17,1, 23,0 e 28,8ºC) por 72 h e mantidos na salinidade de 25‰. Após uma aclimatação de sete dias, em 23ºC, os peixes foram transferidos para tanques de 200 L contendo água do mar (salinidade 25‰) em 28,8ºC (choque quente), 17,1ºC (choque frio) ou 23,0ºC (controle), cinco repetições (cinco peixes/tanque). A coleta de amostras ocorreu em 0 (pré-exposição), 3, 24, 48 e 72 h após o choque térmico. O linguado exposto a 17,1ºC e 28,8ºC apresentaram um significante aumento dos níveis de TBARS e atividade da GST no fígado pós-exposição (PE) em relação ao controle (23ºC). A atividade da CAT no fígado apresentou um aumento significativo em 17,1ºC, nas primeiras 48 h, e subsequente diminuição em 72 h PE em relação a 28,8ºC. As brânquias do linguado apresentaram significante aumento dos níveis de TBARS e atividade da GST e CAT quando submetidos a 17,1ºC e 28,8ºC em relação a 23,0ºC. Foram observadas alterações nos níveis de peroxidação lipídica (LPO) e atividade de GST e CAT no fígado e brânquias de linguado em resposta as espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) produzidas pelo choque térmico.

Identification, tissue distribution and evaluation of brain neuropeptide Y gene expression in the Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is one of the most potent stimulants of food intake in vertebrates, mammals and fish. However, the present knowledge about feeding behaviour in fish is still limited and based on studies in a few species. The Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus is being considered for aquaculture, and it is important to understand the mechanisms regulating feeding in order to improve its performance in captivity. The objectives of this study were to clone NPY cDNA, evaluate the mRNA levels in different tissues of flounder, and also evaluate brain NPY expression to associate food intake with NPY expression levels. A 597 bp NPY cDNA was cloned from Brazilian flounder brain. NPY expression was detected in all the peripheral tissues analysed. No significant differences were observed in brain NPY gene expression over 24 h after food intake at a temperature of 15 +or- 3 degrees C. No correlation was observed among plasma glucose, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides and NPY expression levels during this 24 h period. On the other hand, mRNA levels were increased after two weeks of fasting at elevated temperatures. Our results suggest that NPY mRNA levels in Brazilian flounder are affected by temperature.

NPY and sbGnRH gene expression in juvenile and adult male Brazilian flounder Paralichthys orbignyanus / Expressão gênica do NPY e do sbGnRH em machos juvenis e adultos de linguado Paralichthys orbignyanus

The objective of this study was to evaluate neuropeptide Y (NPY) and sea bream gonadotropin-release hormone (sbGnRH) gene expression in juvenile and adult males of Brazilian flounder. Hypothalamuses from fish were sampled for total RNA extraction. After cDNA synthesis, real-time PCR was used to measure gene expression. NPY showed approximately 2-fold increases in their mRNA levels while sbGnRH showed 3-fold increases in adult fish. These results suggest that these peptides could be involved on hypothalamic regulation of Brazilian flounder sexual maturation.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a expressão gênica do neuropeptídeo Y (NPY) e da variante sea bream do hormônio liberador de gonadotrofinas (sbGnRH) em linguados machos juvenis e adultos. O hipotálamo foi isolado para a extração de RNA total. Após a síntese de cDNA, a PCR em tempo real foi usada para avaliar a expressão gênica. Foi observado um aumento de aproximadamente duas vezes nos níveis de NPY e de aproximadamente três vezes nos níveis de sbGnRH nos peixes adultos. Esses resultados demonstram que estes peptídeos podem estar envolvidos na regulação, via hipotálamo, da maturação sexual no linguado.

Consumo de oxigênio pós-prandial de juvenis do pampo Trachinotus marginatus / Postprandial oxygen consumption of juvenile pompano Trachinotus marginatus

Para determinar a viabilidade do cultivo de uma espécie, é importante o conhecimento dos fatores limitantespara sua produção. Conhecer a taxa de consumo de oxigênio pós-prandial pode auxiliar na determinação da freqüênciaalimentar ideal para as espécies cultivadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a taxa de consumo de oxigênio pós-prandial para juvenis do pampo Trachinotus marginatus. A avaliaçãodo consumo de oxigênio foi feita a 24°C e 33‰, com pampos (9,64±0,2g) alimentados com 12% da biomassa por dia com dieta NRD INVE (59% proteína). Foi observado um pico de consumo de oxigênio 30min após a alimentação (1,06mgO2 g-1 h-1) e seu retorno ao nível de jejum (0,79mgO2 g-1 h-1) depois de decorridos mais 120min. A alimentação de juvenis de pampo pode ser realizada com uma freqüência de aproximadamente oito vezes por dia, pois a cada 2,5h a taxa de consumo de oxigênio já não mostra a elevação característica da fase pósprandial, sugerindo que os processos de digestão e assimilação dos nutrientes estejam finalizados.

In order to determine the viability of new species for aquaculture, it is important to know the limiting factors forits production. The knowledge about postprandial oxygen consumption of fish is useful to estimate the time for returning to appetite and allows to estimate the proper feeding frequency.The objective of this research was to study the postprandial oxygen consumption of juvenile pompano Trachinotus marginatus. Oxygen consumption rate was determined at 24°C and 33‰ and fish (9.64±0.2g) were fed daily with 12% total of biomass NRD INVE diet (59% protein). Postprandialincrease in oxygen consumption was observed 30min after feeding (1.06mgO2 g-1 h-1), and it returned to the routine metabolic rate (0.79mgO2 g-1 h-1) within the next 120min. According to these results, it seems appropriated to feed juvenile pompano 8 times per day, because every 2.5h the oxygen consumption rate declines to the unfed level, suggesting that the process of digestion and assimilation have already finished.

Benzocaína e eugenol como anestésicos para juvenis do pampo Trachinotus marginatus / Benzocaine and eugenol as anaesthetics for pompano juvenile Trachinotus marginatus

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia da benzocaína e do eugenol como anestésicos para juvenis de Trachinotus marginatus. Foram testadas concentrações de 25, 50, 75, 100 e 150ppm de benzocaína e de 25, 37,5, 50, 62,5 e 75ppm de eugenol. Os testes foram realizados em aquários de vidro contendo 30l de água (salinidade 30‰ e temperatura 19°C). Os peixes (51,4±13,5g) foram expostos individualmente às diferentes concentrações de cada anestésico (n=5 para cada concentração). Enquanto ainda anestesiados, eles foram medidos e pesados para posteriormente serem colocados em um aquário sem anestésico para recuperação. Posteriormente, os peixes foram colocados em um aquário sem anestésico para observação da recuperação. O tratamento estatístico dos resultados foi feito pela Análise de Variância (One-Way - ANOVA) com 95 por cento de significância e, quando encontradas diferenças significativas, o teste de Duncan foi aplicado. Os períodos para atingir a latência para os juvenis de pampos variaram entre 11min para a concentração de 25ppm e 2min na concentração de 150ppm para a benzocaína e de 10min (25ppm) a 2min (75ppm) para o eugenol. Os tempos de recuperação foram entre 3min para 25ppm e 14min para a concentração de 150ppm para a benzocaína e de 2min (25ppm) a 8min (75ppm) para o eugenol. A dose de 50ppm de benzocaína e eugenol proporcionou um período de latência e recuperação dentro da faixa considerada adequada (3mim para a latência e 5mim para a recuperação). Entretanto, é importante salientar que o custo da benzocaína para anestesiar juvenis de pampo é 1/3 inferior ao custo do eugenol.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the efficacy of benzocaine and eugenol as anesthetics for Trachinotus marginatus juveniles. Five concentrations of benzocaine (25, 50, 75, 100, and 150ppm) and eugenol (25, 37.5, 50, 62.5, and 75ppm) were tested. The trials were conducted in glass aquariums filled with 30l seawater (salinity 30‰ and temperature 19°C). The fish (51.4±13.5g) were individually exposed to different concentrations of each anesthetic (n=5 for each concentration). They were measured and weighed under anesthesia, and then returned to another aquarium without anesthetic for recovery. The results were evaluated using Analyses of Variance (One-Way - ANOVA) followed by the test of Duncan (95 percent confidence level) when necessary. Anesthesia time varied from approximately 11min (25ppm) to 2min (150ppm) for benzocaine, and from 10min (25ppm) to 2min (75ppm) for eugenol. Recovery time ranged from 3min (25ppm) to 14min (150ppm) for benzocaine and from 2min (25ppm) to 8min (75ppm) for eugenol. Benzocaine and eugenol, both at 50ppm, induce quick anesthesia and recovery (3mim for anesthesia and 5mim for recovery) for juvenile Trachinotus marginatus, and therefore are considered efficient anesthetics for this species. However, it is important to emphasize that the cost of benzocaine is 1/3 lower than eugenol to anesthetize juvenile pompano.

Consultoria à reorganização da SES/CPMS concepção e implantação do sistema de comunicações aministrativas da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde - 1985/1987 / Consulting the reorganization of the SES/CPMS conception and implementation of the communications system's administrative secretary of state of health

Para cumprir seus objetivos e diretrizes, bem desenvolver as atividades e rotinas de trabalho previstas em seus planos, as organizações envolvem-se num processo contínuo de comunicação, que acontece tanto a nível interno, entre suas unidades, como a nível externo, com o meio ambiente, onde estão presentes outras instituições e os usários de seus serviços. A matéria-prima desse processo de comunicação é a informação que, registrada em suportes diferenciados (papel, fita magnética, fotografias), é permanentemente reprocessada, isto é, é usada mais do que uma vez. Uma informação gerada numa unidade de prestação de serviços, por exemplo, é manipulada por diferentes instâncias da organização, em tempos diferentes: ela é insumo básico do processo de comunicação. Assim, todo suporte de informação se constitui em documento, simultaneamente produto e meio das relações de comunicação e cujo conjunto forma o acervo documental da organização. O relacionamento da organização com os usuários de seus serviços e com outras instituições é, portanto, mediatizado pelos documentos, notadamente aqueles cujo suporte é o papel. Assim a facilidade de acesso aos seus canais de comunicação, o grau de complexidade e objetividade dos registros de informações e a agilidade da tramitação dos documentos, além de fundamentais no sentido da operacionalização das decisões, revelam uma postura...