ABSTRACT: Birds, cartilaginous and teleost fish, reptiles, and some amphibians have intrascleral cartilage and/or bone; however, these are rarely reported in therian mammals. This study aimed to investigate and characterize a nonpathological formation of cartilage in the posterior sclera of sheep macroscopically, histologically, and by immunohistochemical exam (IHC). Ninety eyes from 45 domestic sheep were collected, underwent gross examination, fixed in formalin, and embedded in paraffin for the microscopical assessment. Sections with histological shreds of cartilage were selected to perform IHC to confirm the presence of cartilage. Intrascleral cartilage was detected in 60 eyeballs (66.66%) from 37 sheep (82.22%). A slight whitish thickening was grossly seen in the posterior sclera. The histologic exam revealed a few scattered, isolated chondrocytes to larger aggregates of cartilaginous islands in the posterior sclera. Eighteen (30%) of 60 eyeballs revealed marked anti-collagen type II immunolabeling. The development of cartilaginous structures in the eyes is considered rare in mammalian animals. The high occurrence of intrascleral cartilage in the examined sheep eyes suggests that this finding corresponds to an anatomical component of sheep sclera, despite the age, breed, or body condition.

RESUMO: Aves, peixes cartilaginosos e teleósteos e répteis, bem como alguns anfíbios possuem cartilagem e/ou osso intraescleral, contudo, isso é raramente descrito em marsupiais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar e caracterizar a formação não patológica de cartilagem hialina na esclera posterior de ovinos, por exame macroscópico, histológico e imuno-histoquímico. Olhos de 45 ovinos foram coletados, submetidos a exame macroscópico, fixados em formalina a 10% tamponada e incluídos em parafina para o exame histológico. Amostras com evidência de formação cartilaginosa ao exame histológico foram selecionadas para a realização da técnica de imuno-histoquímica para confirmação. Cartilagem intraescleral foi detectada em 60 amostras oculares (66,66%) de 37 ovinos (82,22%), caracterizada na avaliação macroscópica como discretos espessamentos esbranquiçados na esclera posterior. O exame histológico revelou formações que variaram de condrócitos isolados e dispersos a grandes agregados, formando ilhas cartilaginosas na esclera. Dezoito (30%) de 60 bulbos oculares mostraram imunomarcação anti-colágeno tipo II. O desenvolvimento de estruturas cartilaginosas nos bulbos oculares é considerado raro em mamíferos. A identificação de cartilagem intraescleral em 66% dos olhos ovinos avaliados no estudo indica que a formação de cartilagem corresponde a um componente anatômico normal na esclera de ovinos, independente de idade, raça ou condição corporal.

Racional: A cirurgia minimamente invasiva abdominal tem evoluído para redução dos portais, culminando com a por incisão única e a operação por orifícios naturais. Porém, estes métodos ainda são dispendiosos, de difícil execução e com resultados estéticos questionáveis. Objetivo : Apresentar a padronização e os resultados preliminares de uma técnica para realização de colecistectomia por acesso suprapúbico pelo princípio que foi chamado de Supra-Pubic Endoscopic Surgery para colecistectomia . Método: Foram pesquisados prospectivamente o índice de massa corporal médio dos pacientes, a média do tempo operatório e os dados clínicos do pós-operatório com vistas às complicações e qualidade de vida. A operação consistiu de incisão: A) umbilical para o instrumental de dissecção e clipagem; B) na região inguinal direita para manipulação e preensão da vesícula biliar; C) suprapúbica para a câmera. Com o paciente em proclive e decúbito lateral esquerdo, a operação transcorria com a câmera no trocarte C. Procedia-se a dissecção e isolamento do pedículo biliar, identificação de ducto e artéria císticas, utilizando instrumental habitual. Colangiografia transoperatória transcística era realizada em todos os casos em que havia indicação. O procedimento era concluído com a clipagem e secção do ducto e artéria cística, ressecção retrógrada da vesícula biliar e extração dela pelo trocarte na incisão umbilical, sob visão direta. Resultados : Foram avaliados 30 pacientes submetidos a esta modalidade cirúrgica entre março e junho de 2012. A média de idade foi de 40,7 anos e as indicações foram: cólica biliar típica em 18 casos (60%); colecistite em cinco casos (16,6%); pancreatite biliar em um caso (3,3%); pólipo em três casos (10%) e icterícia obstrutiva em três casos (10%). O índice de massa corporal médio dos pacientes foi de 27,8 (23,1-35,1) e o tempo cirúrgico variou entre 24 e 70 minutos. Conclusão : A técnica mostrou-se segura e factível, não havendo complicações relevantes, e os resultados estéticos foram satisfatórios.

Background : The minimally invasive abdominal surgery has evolved to reduce portals, culminating with a single incision and natural orifice operation. However, these methods are still expensive, difficult to implement and with questionable aesthetic results. Aim : To present the standardization and preliminary results of a technique for performing laparoscopic suprapubic access by the principle which was called the Supra Pubic Endoscopic Surgery for cholecystectomy. Method : The average body mass index of patients, the mean operative time, clinical data of the postoperative complications and quality of life were prospectively studied. The operation incisions consisted of: A) umbilical for instrumental dissection and clipping; B) in the right groin for handling and gallbladder gripping; C) suprapubic for the camera. With the patient in reverse Trendelenburg and left lateral decubitus, the operation flew by the camera trocar in C, proceeding with dissection and isolation of the biliary pedicle, identification of cystic duct and artery, with usual instrumentation. Transcystic intraoperative cholangiography was performed in all cases in which there were indications. The procedure was completed with clipping and sectioning of the cystic duct and artery, retrograde resection of the gallbladder and extracting it by the umbilical trocar incision under direct vision. Results : Thirty patients undergone this surgical procedure between March and June 2012 and were evaluated. The mean age was 40.7 years and the indications were typical biliary colic in 18 cases (60 %), cholecystitis in five cases (16.6 %), biliary pancreatitis in one case (3.3%); polyp in three cases (10%) and obstructive jaundice at three cases (10%). The average body mass index was 27.8 (23.1-35.1) and surgical time ranged between 24 and 70 minutes. Conclusion : The technique proved to be feasible and safe , with no significant complications, and satisfactory cosmetic results.

The authors investígate the real contribution of biocombustibles to the solution of the environmental problems. After analyzing the current forms of production in Brazil, they maintain that the expansión of these will pressure indirectly towards deforestation, contributing thus still more to global warming-up. They indícate how deceptive is the speech that justifies the expansión of biocombustibles because of its contribution to the generation of employment. They maintain that it is fundamental to incorpórate the requirements of sustainability in the production line in order to guarantee competitiveness for the potentially exporting countries, but that even then, that solution has a limit since all the alternative and renewable energies together would not supply the projected pattern of world consumption.

Los autores se preguntan por el aporte real de los biocombustibles a la solución de los problemas ambientales. Después de analizar las actuales formas de producción en Brasil, sostienen que la expansión de éstos presionará indirectamente hacia la deforestación, contribuyendo así aún más al calentamiento global. Señalan lo falaz del discurso que justifica la expansión de los biocombustibles por su aporte a la generación de empleo. Sostienen que es fundamental incorporar los requerimentos de sostenibilidad en la cadena de producción para garantizar competitividad a los países potencialmente exportadores, pero que aún así esa solución es limitada ya que todas las energías alternativas y renovables juntas, no suplirían las proyecciones del patrón de consumo mundial.

The Citrus ESTs Sequencing Project (CitEST) conducted at Centro APTA Citros Sylvio Moreira/IAC has identified and catalogued ESTs representing a set of citrus genes expressed under relevant stress responses, including diseases such as citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), caused by Xylella fastidiosa. All sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb.) varieties are susceptible to X. fastidiosa. On the other hand, mandarins (C. reticulata Blanco) are considered tolerant or resistant to the disease, although the bacterium can be sporadically detected within the trees, but no disease symptoms or economic losses are observed. To study their genetic responses to the presence of X. fastidiosa, we have compared EST libraries of leaf tissue of sweet orange Pêra IAC (highly susceptible cultivar to X. fastidiosa) and mandarin ‘Ponkan’ (tolerant) artificially infected with the bacterium. Using an in silico differential display, 172 genes were found to be significantly differentially expressed in such conditions. Sweet orange presented an increase in expression of photosynthesis related genes that could reveal a strategy to counterbalance a possible lower photosynthetic activity resulting from early effects of the bacterial colonization in affected plants. On the other hand, mandarin showed an active multi-component defense response against the bacterium similar to the non-host resistance pattern.

In order to understand the genetic responses resulting from physiological changes that occur in plants displaying citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) symptoms, we adopted a strategy of comparing two EST libraries from sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck]. One of them was prepared with plants showing typical CVC symptoms caused by Xylella fastidiosa and the other with non-inoculated plants. We obtained 15,944 ESTs by sequencing the two cDNA libraries. Using an in silico hybridization strategy, 37 genes were found to have significant variation at the transcriptional level. Within this subset, 21 were up-regulated and 16 were down-regulated in plants with CVC. The main functional categories of the down-regulated transcripts in plants with CVC were associated with metabolism, protein modification, energy and transport facilitation. The majority of the up-regulated transcripts were associated with metabolism and defense response. Some transcripts associated with adaptation to stress conditions were up-regulated in plants with CVC and could explain why plants remain alive even under severe water and nutritional stress. Others of the up-regulated transcripts are related to defense response suggesting that sweet orange plants activate their defense machinery. The genes associated with stress response might be expressed as part of a secondary response related to physiological alterations caused by the infection.

CitEST project resulted in the construction of cDNA libraries from different Citrus sp. tissues under various physiological conditions. Among them, plantlets of Rangpur lime were exposed to hydroponic conditions with and without water stress using PEG6000. RNA from roots was obtained and generated a total of 4,130 valid cDNA reads, with 2,020 from the non-stressed condition and 2,110 from the stressed set. Bioinformatic analyses measured the frequency of each read in the libraries and yielded an in silico transcriptional profile for each condition. A total of 40 contigs were differentially expressed and allowed to detect up-regulated homologue sequences to well known genes involved in stress response, such as aquaporins, dehydrin, sucrose synthase, and proline-related synthase. Some sequences could not be classified by using FunCat and remained with an unknown function. A large number of sequences presented high similarities to annotated genes involved with cell energy, protein synthesis and cellular transport, suggesting that Rangpur lime may sustain active cell growth under stressed condition. The presence of membrane transporters and cell signaling components could be an indication of a coordinated morphological adaptation and biochemical response during drought, helping to explain the higher tolerance of this rootstock to water stress.

Fez-se o levantamento florístico da vegetação arbórea da floresta mesófila do Parque Estadual do Morro do Diabo, Município de Teodoro Sampaio, Estado de São Paulo (22º30'S, 52º20'W) pelos métodos de quadrantes e parcelas, incluindo as árvores com diâmetro à altura do peito igual ou superior a 10 cm. A utilização dos dois métodos deu-se em função das características fisionômicas, solo e drenagem dos locais amostrados. O método de quadrante envolveu 462 pontos com intervalos de 30 m., e o método de parcelas ca. 26.900 m² (ca. 2,7 ha.). Os parâmetros fitossociológicos serão abordados em futuros trabalhos. Os dados florísticos subsidiaram o reassentamento dos grupos faunísticos, em especial o Leontopithecus chrysopygus Mikan, 1823 (mico-leão-preto), dentro das áreas remanescentes. O "check list" inclui também algumas espécies coletadas aleatoriamente em outras áreas do Parque. Constatou-se nas áreas de amostragem e adjacentes 113 espécies, 95 gêneros e 42 famílias, das quais 6 contribuíram com 56% das espécies levantadas. As famílias mais representativas no Parque, envolvendo todos os locais de coleta são: Leguminosae (13 Faboideae, 6 Caesalpinioideae e 6 Mimosoideae), Rutaceae 11, Meliaceae 8, Lauraceae 7, Euphorbiaceae 7 e Myrtaceae 6. A listagem das espécies revela que o Parque Estadual do Morro do Diabo apresenta uma vegetação de grande heterogeneidade florística.

In a mesophyll forest at the State Park of "Morro do Diabo", in the municipality of Teodoro Sampaio, State of São Paulo (22º30'S, 52º20'W) the floristic composition was surveyed. The point centered quarter and quadrant methods were used to survey trees with a diameter equal or greater than 10 cm at breast height. These methods were used as a function of soil features, drainage and physionomical characteristics of the place where the samples were taken. The quarter method sampled 462 points with intervals of 30 m, and the other one had an area of approximately 26.900 m². The phytosociological parameters will be reported in a future paper. The floristic data were important to the resettlement of launistic groups, particulary Leontopithecus chrysopygus Mikan, 1823 ("mico-leão-preto") within remaining areas. The check list also included some species colected in other areas of the Park. There were verified in the sampling areas and surrondings, 113 species, 95 genera and 42 families of trees. Six (6) families contributed with 56% of the total num ber of species. The most representative families in the Park were the following: Leguminosae 25 (13 Faboideae, 6 Caesalpinioideae and 6 Mimosoideae), Rutaceae 11, Meliaceae 8, Lauraceae 7, Euphorbiaceae 7 and Myrtaceae 6. The checklist showed that the State Park of "Morro do Diabo" has a great floristic heterogeneity.