SUMMARY: Morphological and physiological responses of gills exposed to environmental contaminants are widely described in the literature. Among the primary findings are the lamellar fusion, hyperplasia, aneurysms, proliferation of mitochondria-rich cells and mucous cells. This work has as main objectives, to show the main changes caused by a polluted lake in gills, and understand how each gill's cell type responds to pollutants' exposure. To those individuals of the species, Astyanax altiparanae were exposed to water from an urban lake, which receives such contaminants from various sources. The gills were analyzed under a TEM. Our results showed that prior to these changes, commonly found, only the mucous cells did not show structural changes. Among the main results, we observed the emergence of Rodlet cells in the group exposed to contaminants, as well as severe damage to the mitochondria-rich cells. The latter result was extremely relevant for demonstrating that the proliferation of this cell type, widely described as an alternative ionic regulation, may in some cases be completely inefficient because structurally these cells are no longer able to perform their basic metabolic functions.

RESUMEN: Las respuestas morfológicas y fisiológicas de las branquias expuestas a contaminantes ambientales se describen ampliamente en la literatura. Entre los hallazgos principales se encuentran la fusión laminar, la hiperplasia, los aneurismas, la proliferación de células ricas en mitocondrias y las células mucosas. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo principal, mostrar los principales cambios en las branquias, causados por un lago contaminado y comprender cómo responde el tipo de célula de las branquias a la exposición de los contaminantes. Individuos de la especie Astyanax altiparanae fueron expuestos al agua de un lago urbano, receptor de contaminantes de diversas fuentes. Las branquias se analizaron bajo un TEM. Nuestros resultados mostraron que antes de estos cambios, comúnmente encontrados, solo las células mucosas no mostraban cambios estructurales. Entre los resultados principales, observamos la aparición de células Rodlet en el grupo expuesto a contaminantes, así como el daño severo a las células ricas en mitocondrias. Este último resultado fue extremadamente relevante para demostrar que la proliferación de este tipo de células, ampliamente descrito como una regulación iónica alternativa, en algunos casos puede ser completamente ineficiente porque estructuralmente estas células ya no son capaces de realizar sus funciones metabólicas básicas.

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar os efeitos do treinamento físico nos parâmetros morfológicos e metabólicos de ratos diabéticos. Métodos Ratos Wistar foram randomizados para quatro grupos: controle sedentário, controle treinado, diabético sedentário e diabético treinado. Diabetes mellitus foi induzido por administração de Aloxana (35mg/kg) nos Grupos Diabético Sedentário e diabético treinado. O protocolo de treinamento físico incluiu natação com carga de 2,5% do peso corporal, por 60 minutos por dia (5 dias por semana) para os Grupos Controle Treinado e diabético treinado, durante 6 semanas. Ao final do experimento, os ratos foram sacrificados, e o sangue foi coletado para determinação das concentrações séricas de glicose, insulina, albumina e proteínas totais. Amostras do fígado foram coletadas para determinação do glicogênio, proteínas, DNA e diâmetro mitocondrial. Resultados O Grupo Sedentário Diabético apresentou redução no peso corporal, insulinemia e glicogênio hepático, além de maior glicemia e diâmetro mitocondrial hepático. O protocolo de treinamento físico em animais diabéticos foi eficiente para restaurar o peso corporal e o glicogênio hepático, além de reduzir o diâmetro mitocondrial hepático. Conclusão O treinamento físico melhorou o metabolismo hepático e promoveu importantes adaptações morfológicas, como no diâmetro mitocondrial no fígado de animais diabéticos.

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the effects of physical training on metabolic and morphological parameters of diabetic rats. Methods Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: sedentary control, trained control, sedentary diabetic and trained diabetic. Diabetes mellitus was induced by Alloxan (35mg/kg) administration for sedentary diabetic and Trained Diabetic Groups. The exercise protocol consisted of swimming with a load of 2.5% of body weight for 60 minutes per day (5 days per week) for the trained control and Trained Diabetic Groups, during 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed and blood was collected for determinations of serum glucose, insulin, albumin and total protein. Liver samples were extracted for measurements of glycogen, protein, DNA and mitochondrial diameter determination. Results The sedentary diabetic animals presented decreased body weight, blood insulin, and hepatic glycogen, as well as increased glycemia and mitochondrial diameter. The physical training protocol in diabetic animals was efficient to recovery body weight and liver glycogen, and to decrease the hepatic mitochondrial diameter. Conclusion Physical training ameliorated hepatic metabolism and promoted important morphologic adaptations as mitochondrial diameter in liver of the diabetic rats.

Currently there is a growing concern, in both population and governments, to identify the effects of substances commonly disposed of into rivers and lakes, on aquatic fauna and flora. Thus the objective of the present study was to verify effects of biodegradable detergents and water from an urban lake on gills and liver of two neotropical fish species of great economic importance, Astyanax altiparanae and Prochilodus lineatus. In order to do so, lipofuscin, also called the ageing pigment, was used as bioindicator. After one and five months of experiment both tissues accumulated this pigment. These data are discussed from physiological points of view, related with lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial damage.

Existe una preocupación creciente de la población y los gobiernos para identificar los efectos de substancias comúnmente arrojadas en ríos y lagos, sobre la fauna y flora acuática. El objetivo fue verificar los efectos de detergentes biodegradables y agua de un lago urbano sobre las branquias e hígado de dos especies de peces neo-tropicales de gran importancia económica, Astyanax altiparanae y Prochilodus lineatus. Analizamos los pigmentos de lipofuscina, también llamado pigmento de envejecimiento, el que fue utilizado como biomarcador. Después de uno y cinco meses de experimento, ambos tejidos acumulados con el pigmento fueron analizados. Los datos fueron discutidos desde el punto de vista fisiológico, relacionado con la peroxidación lipídica y daño mitocondrial.

Aspectos ultramorfológicos do ovo de Telmatoscopus albipunctatus (Williston) (Diptera, Psychodidae). As moscas da família Psychodidae, também conhecidas como moscas de banheiro, são de importância médica e veterinária. Informações gerais sobre ciclo de vida e hábitos do adulto são facilmente encontradas, mas pouco se sabe sobre a morfologia do ovo. Dessa forma, neste estudo, a ultramofologia do ovo de Telmatoscopus albipunctatus (Williston, 1893) foi analisada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura com o objetivo de descrever sua estrutura, provendo importantes dados para futuras comparações entre moscas de diferentes espécies e gêneros. O aspecto geral do ovo de T. albipunctatus é similar a outros Psychodidae, medindo aproximadamente 0.4 mm de comprimento e 0.1 mm de largura. Entretanto, baseado nas esculturas contínuas e descontínuas do exocórion, as quais podem ser espécie-específicas, podemos inferir que os ovos de T. albipunctatus podem sobreviver sob condições de muita umidade ou seca, dificultando o controle da espécie. Nossos resultados ressaltam a importância do uso da microscopia eletrônica como uma ferramenta no estudo dos padrões do exocórion. A morfologia externa do ovo de T. albipunctatus pode ser usada como base para futuros estudos e como ferramenta para comparação de diferentes espécies de moscas do gênero Psychodidae.

Ultramorphological features of the egg of Telmatoscopus albipunctatus (Williston) (Diptera, Psychodidae). Psychodidae flies, also known as sewage, sand and filter flies are important for medical and veterinary purposes. General information about life cycle and adult habits is available, but few species are known about the egg morphology. Therefore, in this study, the egg ultramorphology of Telmatoscopus albipunctatus (Williston, 1893) was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy to describe its structure, generating data for further comparison between different fly species and genera. General aspects of T. albipunctatus egg are similar to other Psychodidae; egg measuring approximately 0.4 mm in length and 0.1 mm in width. However, based on the continuous and discontinuous longitudinal ridge sculptures observed on the exochorion, which can be species-specific, we can infer that T. albipunctatus eggs can survive under dry or moist conditions, making their control much more difficult. Our data emphasize the advantages of the electron microscope approach in the study of the exochorion patterns. Eggshell morphology of T. albipunctatus can be used as basis for further studies and as a tool to compare different species of Psychodidae flies.

The aim of this study was to show the microwaves action in fixation of rat fetuses, dermal and cartilaginous tissues, using histological and immunohistochemistry methods for analysis. It was possible to conclude in this study using the rat as experimental model that the two methods for antibody retrieval, presented an excellent ways for the use of Ki67 antibody in the immunohistochemical analysis

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la acción de las microondas en la fijación de los tejidos dérmico y cartilaginoso de fetos de ratas, usando para el análisis métodos histológico e inmunohistoquímico. Fue posible concluir en este estudio usando la rata como modelo experimental, que los dos métodos empleados para la recuperación antigénica representan excelentes medios para el uso del anticuerpo Ki67, en el análisis inmunohistoquímico

The Phrynops hilarii specie of turtle has its characterization not well defined in the literature, it was proposed in this study the leukocyte characterization of the blood, stained by Leishman and analyzed under light and transmission electron microscope. It was not observe any cellular type with similar characteristics to neutrophils in mammalian group. We believed, based on the data obtained in this study that the heterophils have a morphofuncional analogy with another neutrophils belonged to mammalian group. This conclusion is being supported in many recent studies found in the literature

La especie de tortuga Phrynops hilarii no ha sido aún bien descrita en la literatura. Fue propuesto en este estudio la caracterización de leucocitos de sangre de este animal coloreados con el método de Leishman y analizados con microscopías de luz y electrónica. No fue observado ningún tipo celular con características similares a los neutrófilos de mamíferos. Los resultados indican que los heterófilos tienen analogía morfofuncional con otros neutrófilos presentes en el grupo de los mamíferos. Esta conclusión es sustentada por varios estudios recientes encontrados en la literatura

The aim of this article is to present the decalcification process dynamic of mineralized tissue in dogs, teeth and jaw, comparing the traditional decalcification method, immersion, and microwave, immersion followed by irradiation using a domestic microwave oven, accompanying the liberation of calcium through spectrophotometer of atomic absorption. It was used as decalcified agent, EDTA solution or nitric acid. The results showed that with the use of nitric acid (5%), after 15 days, the irradiated fragments could be processed for histological analysis, otherwise the tooth not irradiated need to be submerged for 65 days. The EDTA decalcified action was slower than the nitric acid. The histological observations of the irradiated samples showed an excellent preservation of the morphological characteristics, independently of the decalcified agent used

El objetivo de este artículo fue presentar, un método de descalcificación dinámico de tejido mineralizado de perros, dientes y mandíbula, comparando el método de descalcificación tradicional e irradiación en horno de microondas, analizando la liberación de calcio en espectro fotómetro de absorción atómica. Usamos como agente descalcificante, solución de EDTA y acido nítrico. Los resultados mostraron que los fragmentos descalcificados con ácido nítrico después de 15 días, ya podían ser preparados para análisis histológico, el diente al ser irradiado tardó 65 días para ser descalcificado. El EDTA descalcificó lentamente, en relación al ácido nítrico. Las observaciones histológicas de las muestras irradiadas mostraron una excelente preservación de las características morfológicas independiente del agente descacificador usado

The localization of peroxidase activity in different cell regions is used as a criterion for the classification of the stage of maturation of mammalian mononuclear phagocytes with a positive peroxidase reaction indicating the presence of monoblasts, promonocytes, monocytes and macrophages. In this study it was evaluated the peroxidase activity of blood mononuclear phagocytes of this turtle detected at different stages of differentiation. The present observations suggest that, in turtles, the differentiation of mononuclear phagocytes occur in the blood circulation, in contrast to animals, where only are monocytes in circulating blood and macrophage differentiation occurs in other body compartments

La localization de la actividad de la peroxidasa en diversas regiones de la célula se utiliza como criterio para la clasificación de la etapa de maduración de fagocitos mononucleares. Una reacción positiva de peroxidasa indica la presencia de monoblastos, promonocitos, monocitos y macrófagos. En este estudio fue evaluada la actividad de la peroxidasa de los fagocitos mononucleares de la sangre de la tortuga Phrynops Hilarii detectada en diversas etapas de la diferenciación. Las actuales observaciones sugieren que, en tortugas, la diferenciación de fagocitos mononucleares ocurre en la circulación de la sangre, en contraste a los mamíferos, donde están solamente los monocitos en la sangre circulante y la diferenciación de los macrófagos ocurre en otras partes del cuerpo

A ultraestrutura das ectomicorrizas formadas por Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis inoculado com Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker & Couch e Telephora terrestris (Ehrenb.) Fr. foi analisada antes do transplantio dessas mudas para o campo, com o intuito de verificar se o fungo estava estabelecido nas raízes. Os fungos ectomicorrízicos inoculados formaram um manto compacto e bem desenvolvido nas raízes laterais. Nas hifas desse manto foram observados vacúolos, núcleos e septos dolipóricos, enquanto que no citoplasma das hifas da rede de Hartig, que ficam adjacentes às células corticais, foram freqüentemente observados vários núcleos, retículo endoplasmático e mitocôndrias polimórficas. Células corticais altamente vacuolizadas, contendo gotículas de material elétron-denso, apresentaram núcleo e algumas organelas na sua estreita região citoplasmática periférica. As ectomicorrizas de P. caribaea var. hondurensis apresentaram características ultraestruturais de uma associação compatível e fisiologicamente ativa.

The ultrastructure of ectomycorrhizas formed between Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis inoculated with Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers.) Coker & Couch and Telephora terrestris (Ehrenb.) Fr. was analyzed just before the transplant of these seedlings to the field to ascertain if fungi are established in the roots. Ectomycorrhizal fungi formed a well-developed compact mantle in lateral roots. Vacuoles, nuclei and dolipore septa were observed in mantle hyphae and numerous nuclei, endoplasmatic reticulum and polymorphic mitochondria were frequently located in the cytoplasm of Hartig net hyphae adjacent to plant cortical cells. Highly vacuolated cortical cells contained droplets of electron-dense material, nucleus and some organelles were observed in a narrow region of peripheral cytoplasm. The ectomycorrhizas of P. caribaea var. hondurensis exhibited typical ultrastructural characteristics of a compatible and physiological active association.

Differences among the metapleural glands of four female castes of Atta bisphaerica Forel, 1908, A. capiguara Gonçalves, 1944 and A. sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 were examined by scanning electron microscope. There were no differences in gland size between the same castes of these species, although the opening gland in A. sexdens rubropilosa had been twice as large as A. bisphaerica. The relative size and functional significance of the metapleural gland among different castes is discussed and similarities between these and the other Formicidae till now studied is presented.