The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of snake venom derived fibrin glue on the healing of the deep digital flexor tendon, during three periods. The tendon of the 2nd digit of 30 thoracic limbs of dogs was partially sectioned for glue application. Biopsies were performed 7, 15, and 30 days post surgery for the clinical and morphological study of tendons. Analysis of the results showed that 73.3% of the tendons showed stump retraction and 16.6% moderate to excessive adherence, which affected sliding. There was a significant difference in the number of inflammatory cells among the three studied periods, being the highest on day 15. The morphological analysis revealed a typical tendon healing process with a lower level of inflammation in the acute phase, facilitating the cicatricial maturation phase. Snake venom derived fibrin glue promotes the healing in dog flexor tendon.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis that affects both animals and man. Dogs are the etiological agent’s main reservoir. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical laboratory aspects and renal histopathology of VL dogs. Thirty-four symptomatic (case) and 17 asymptomatic (control) VL seropositive dogs of different breeds, sexes, and ages from Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil, were used. Diagnosis was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence test. Clinical and laboratory tests included blood cell count and renal function analysis (urea and creatinine). Animals were subjected to euthanasia and necropsy. Renal fragments were prepared by the usual histological techniques and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff. Physical examination showed that lymph node hypertrophy (85.29%) and skin lesions (35.29%) were frequent in the case group. Anemia was found in 55.88% of the case and in 11.76% of the control group. There was a significant difference between groups by Fisher’s exact test. Two case-group dogs showed azotemia. Renal histopathological evaluation showed that 61.76% case and 17.65% control-group dogs had membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis was seen in 32.35% case and 64.70% control-group animals. There was a significant difference for both types of glomerulonephritis between groups. Amastigote forms of Leishmania were found in the renal parenchyma, in the inflammatory infiltrate of one case-group dog. We concluded that, in canine VL, regardless of the clinical signs at physical examination, the kidneys are frequently compromised.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of snake venom derived fibrin glue on the strength oftendon healing in dogs. The deep digital flexor tendon of the 5th digit of 24 thoracic limbs was partially sectioned for adhesive application. On the 7th, 15th, and 30th postoperative day tendons segments were removed for the clinical and biomechanical study. Results indicated that 62.5% of the tendons showed stump retraction and 20.8% moderate to excessive adherence, which affected gliding. The biomechanical evaluation showed that, over time, tendon healing gained progressive resistance for maximum traction and permanent deformations with satisfactory results on the 15th day for rigidity and resilience compared to the other two studied periods. Snake venom derived fibrin glue promotes healing in dog flexor tendon.

Healing is a complex process with many interfering factors. The objective of this work was to evaluate regeneration strength of non-pregnant adult dog uterus when snake venom derived fibrin adhesive is used to reinforce hysterorrhaphy. Maximum limit and rigidity were analyzed. Twenty uterine horns from 10 dogs were hysterotomized and distributed into 2 equal groups. Hysterorrhaphy was performed using the Shimieden-Cushing double layer suture. In one group, animals received snake venom derived fibrin adhesive as reinforcement. Although neither variable was significantly different, our results showed higher rigidity values in the adhesive group. This can be attributed to the adhesive’s effect on organ elasticity or to more granulation tissue formed in the uterine scar.

O Centro de Aqüicultura, Unesp, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil, recebeu peixes para diagnose, os quais apresentavam aglomeração nas bordas dos viveiros e na entrada da água. Dos 194 casos diagnosticados, 53 apresentavam estruturas brancas circulares ou ovais, imóveis, medindo 162 mm de diâmetro, identificadas como o dinoflagelado Piscinoodinium pillulare. Em 34 casos, os parasitos estavam presentes nas brânquias, em 2 casos, no corpo e em 9 casos, em ambos. Dos 53 casos observados, 31 eram o híbrido tambacu; 7, o Piaractus mesopotamicus; 6, o Colossoma macropomum; 5, o Leporinus macrocephalus; 3, o Oreochromis niloticus; e 1, o Prochilodus lineatus. Os peixes apresentaram aumento da produção de muco no corpo e nas brânquias e equimoses no pedúnculo caudal e nos opérculos. As brânquias também apresentaram palidez, congestão e petéquias. A histopatologia revelou a presença de grande número de trofontes situados entre as lamelas secundárias, fixados ou não ao epitélio. As lamelas primárias mostraram hemorragias intersticiais, severa hiperplasia do epitélio e das células caliciformes e infiltrado inflamatório. O presente trabalho é o primeiro relato de P. pillulare no Brasil e enfatiza a importância dos dinoflagelados, que causaram significativas perdas econômicas entre 1995 e 1997.

The Aquaculture Center of Unesp, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil, received fishes for diagnosis from fish farmers reporting fish crowding at pond edges and in water inlets. Fifty-three out of 194 cases showed round to oval, immobile whitish structures, measuring up to 162 mm diameter, identified as the dinoflagellate Piscinoodinium pillulare. In 34 diagnosed cases the parasites were present in the gills, in 2 on body surface, and 9 in both. Thirty-one out of 53 were tambacu hybrids hosts; 7, Piaractus mesopotamicus; 6, Colossoma macropomum; 5, Leporinus macrocephalus; 3, Oreochromis niloticus; and 1, Prochilodus lineatus. Fish showed increased mucous production on body surface and gills, while ecchymosis in the caudal peduncle and operculum was present. The gills also showed paleness, congestion, and petechiae. Histopathology presented a great number of trophonts situated between secondary lamellae, fixed to or detached from the epithelium. Primary lamellae presented interstitial hemorrhages, severe hyperplasia of the epithelium, goblet cells, and mononuclear infiltrates. The present work is the first report of P. pillulare in Brazil and emphasizes the importance of this dinoflagellate which caused significant economic losses from 1995 through 1997.

O presente trabalho estudou a prevalência e a histopatologia de Neoechinorhynchus curemai Noronha, 1973 (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) em curimbatá, Prochilodus lineatus Valenciennes, 1836. Dezoito peixes com comprimento total médio de 46,7 + 1,1 cm e peso médio de 1.674,8 + 75,6 g foram coletados com rede, bimestralmente, de dezembro de 1995 a dezembro de 1996 na usina hidrelétrica do Reservatório de Volta Grande (Cemig), Minas Gerais, Brasil. Dos peixes analisados, 15 estavam infectados com acantocéfalos no intestino (prevalência de 83,3%). A maior intensidade média ocorreu em agosto de 1996, com 66,5 (16 a 208) parasitos. A análise histopatológica revelou completa descamação do epitélio intestinal com severa hiperplasia e hipertrofia das células caliciformes. Observou-se, ainda, forte reação inflamatória na submucosa, deslocamento de feixes, associado a edemas, bem como infiltração mononuclear e eosinofílica.

The present work studied the prevalence and histopathology of Neoechinorhynchus curemai Noronha, 1973 (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) from curimbatá, Prochilodus lineatus Valenciennes, 1836. Eighteen fishes with averages of 46.7 + 1.1 cm length and 1,674.8 + 75.6 g weight were collected with net, bimonthly from December 1995 thru December 1996 in the hydroelectric power station of Volta Grande Reservoir (Cemig), Minas Gerais, Brazil. From analysed fishes, 15 were infected with acanthocephalans in the intestine (prevalence 83.3%). The greatest mean intensity occurred in August 1996 with 66.5 (16 to 208) parasites. Histopathological analysis showed complete desquamation of the intestinal epithelium with severe hyperplasia and hypertrofia of the goblet cells. Severe inflammatory reaction at the submucosa, displacement of their sheaf, associated with oedema and mononuclear and eosinophilic infiltration were observed.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo o estudo da helmintofauna da corvina de água doce Plagioscion squamosissimus, do reservatório de Volta Grande, MG, Brasil. Foram colhidos 68 peixes com comprimento médio de 25,2 cm e peso médio de 180,9 g, com rede de espera, bimestralmente no período de dezembro de 1995 a dezembro de 1996. Os parasitos foram cuidadosamente retirados de seus cistos que estavam aderidos ao mesentério intestinal. Os espécimes foram fixados em AFA a 65°C e conservados em álcool 70°GL contendo 5% de glicerina. Após diafanização com ácido acético ou lactofenol de Amann, 21 nematóides foram desenhados em câmara clara. As larvas foram identificadas como Thynnascaris sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). Das 68 corvinas examinadas, 30 estavam infectadas por esses parasitos com uma prevalência de 44,1%. O número médio de parasitos por hospedeiro foi de 0 a 13,8 e a intensidade média, de 0 a 16. A análise estatística, de acordo com o Teste Exato de Fisher, mostrou que a sazonalidade foi dependente da pluviosidade e temperatura do ar.

The present work studied helminth parasites of freshwater "corvina" Plagioscion squamosissimus from Volta Grande Reservoir, MG, Brazil. Sixty eight fishes with averages of 25.2 cm length and 180.9 g weight were collected with net, bimonthly from December 1995 thru December 1996. Parasites were carefully removed from their cysts that were present in the intestinal mesentery. Specimens were fixed in AFA 65°C and preserved in alcohol 70% with 5% of glicerine. In camera lucida 21 nematodes were drawned after clarification with acetic acid or Amann lactophenol. Nematode larvae were identified as Thynnascaris sp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae). From examined fishes 30 out of 68 presented nematode larvae with a prevalence of 44.1%. The average number of parasites per host was 0.0 to 13.8 and mean intensity of 0.0 to 16.0. Statistical analysis according to Fisher's Exact Test showed that these infections were dependent on the pluviosity and air temperature

Piauçus (Leporinus macrocephalus) criados em viveiro de 300 m² (densidade de 10 peixes/m²) apresentavam sinais de asfixia e mortalidade diária de 27 peixes. Exemplares com 8 cm em média foram examinados quanto à presença de lesões e seus possíveis agentes. Muco da superfície corporal e fragmentos de órgãos foram colhidos e examinados à microscopia de luz, em esfregaços a fresco ou corados ou em cortes histológicos. O exame dos esfregaços mostrou a presença de inúmeros esporos entre as lamelas secundárias dos filamentos branquiais, identificados como Henneguya leporinicola n.sp (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae). À histopatologia verificou-se marcada hiperplasia epitelial com preenchimento dos espaços entre as lamelas secundárias, congestão e teleangiectasia sinusoidal. Observou-se ainda hiperplasia de células caliciformes e inúmeros cistos do parasito, com até 70,3 mim de diâmetro, localizados entre as lamelas secundárias, recobertos ou não pelo epitélio hiperplásico. Estabelecido o diagnóstico foram realizadas três aplicações de formalina na dose de 10 ml/m³ de água. Após 15 dias da última dose do tratamento, os peixes foram novamente examinados, constatando-se a eficácia das medidas adotadas para interromper a mortalidade, a enfermidade e combater o parasitismo. As únicas alterações teciduais presentes nas brânquias nesse último exame foram moderada congestão sinusoidal e discreta hiperplasia epitelial na base das lamelas secundárias.

Piauçus (Leporinus macrocephalus), were raised in 300 m² ponds (density of 10 fish/m²) presenting asphyxia signals and daily mortality of 27 fishes. Specimens with 8-cm total body length, were collected for necropsy. Mucus of body surface and pieces of organs were collected and examined microscopically, in wet mounts, stained or in histological sections. The smears examination showed the presence of several spores in the secondary lamellae of the gill filaments, identified as Henneguya leporinicola n.sp (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae). Histopatological study showed epithelial hyperplasia and fulfilling of the spaces between the secondary lamellae, congestion and teleangiectasia sinusoidal. It was also observed hyperplasia of the goblet cells and several cysts of parasite with 70.3mum diameter. Such cysts were situated among the secondary lamellae, covered or not by the hyperplasic epithelium. With this diagnostic, three applications of formalin solution 10 ml/m³ were carried out. Fifteen days after that, fish were examined again to ascertain whether the treatment was efficient on disease caused by the protozoa. The tissue alterations present in the gills after the treatment were just a moderate sinusoidal congestion and a slight epithelial hyperplasia on the base of the secondary lamellae.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a susceptibilidade de 4 importantes peixes cultivados a parasitos esporozoários. Os peixes foram coletados bimestralmente de um tanque de cultivo, durante 1 ano. Myxobolus colossomatis e Henneguya piaractus foram encontrados nos órgãos internos e brânquias, respectivamente. A incidência de ambos os parasitos foi de 97,3% em pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), 33,3% no híbrido tambacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus x Colossoma macropomum), 5,6% em tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) e 0% em carpa (Cyprinus carpio). Pacu foi o peixe mais susceptível, encontrando-se parasitado 79,2% nas brânquias, 66,7% nos rins e 50% no baço. A análise histopatológica das brânquias mostrou hemorragias, reação inflamatória com células mononucleares, fibroblastos e hiperplasia das células basais e mucosas.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the susceptibility of 4 important cultivated fishes to sporozoan parasites. Fishes were collected bimonthly from a pond for a period of 1 year. Myxobolus colossomatis and Henneguya piaractus were found in the internal organs and gills, respectively. The combined incidence of parasitism by both myxozoa was 97.3% in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), 33.3% in hybrid tambacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus x Colossoma macropomum), 5.6% in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and 0% in carp (Cyprinus carpio). Pacu was the most susceptible fish and was parasitized 79.2% in the gills, 66.7% in the kidney and 50% in the spleen. Histopathological evaluation of the gills showed hemorrhages, inflammatory reaction with mononuclear cells and fibroblasts and hyperplasia of basal and goblet cells.

No presente trabalho foram estudadas as variações nos teores dos nutrientes nas folhas de mudas de cafeeiro (Coffea arabica L. cv. catuai) em função das quantidades de cloreto e de sulfato de potássio aplicadas, acompanhadas de observações sobre os sintomas de toxicidade e sobre o desenvolvimento das plantas. O ensaio foi instalado em vasos, em casa de vegetação, constando de 12 tratamentos com cinco repetições, e o solo utilizado procedeu do grande grupo Latos-solo Vermelho-amarelo, Orto. Foram determinados nas folhas, os teores de macro e micronutrientes. Altos teores de Cl foram relacionados com sintomas de redução no crescimento, necrose e desfolhação. Foi estabelecido um limite de toxicidade para o cultivar estudado. Em função dos tratamentos, houve alteração nos teores de K, Ca, P, S e Cu, principalmente.

An experiment was carried out in order to study the quantitative changes in the nutrient content of plants (Coffea arabica L. cv. catuai), as function of the amounts of KC1 and K2SO4 applied to the soil. Throughout the experiment, the plants were observed for toxicity effects upon growth and development. Chlorine in the leaves increased with increasing amounts of KC1 applied to the soil. There was a relationship between high concentrations of Cl in the leaves and reduced growth, necrosis and defoliation. No injurious effects of Cl were observed for levels up to 7600 ppm for all the leaves or for levels up to 9400 ppm in the leaves from the lower third of the plant. The antagonism between K and Ca was confirmed and plants receiving KC1 had less P in the leaves than the ones which received K2SO4. In these, however, P decreased with increasing applied K2SO4. Plants receiving KCl had greater concentrations of Cu in the leaves than K2SO4 - fertilized plants. In all treatments, Cu and Zn accumulated more in the stems than in the leaves.

Nitrocálcio, salitre-do-chile, sulfato de amônio e uréia, nas doses de 75, 150, 225 e 300 quilogramas de N por hectare, foram estudados comparativamente em um experimento de adubação química nitrogenada em café mundo novo, instalado em latossolo roxo transição para latossolo vermelho-amarelo, orto da região de Campinas, SP, em março de 1957, tendo sido efetuadas 11 colheitas de 1959 a 1969, inclusive. O nitrogênio foi aplicado parceladamente em 2, 4, 5 e 9 fracionamentos anuais durante a fase inicial do ensaio ou seja, até o ano agrícola 1963/64. A partir de então o esquema do parcelamento passou a 1, 2, 3 e 4 fracionamentos por ano. Após a colheita de 1969, os cafeeiros foram cortados a 50 cm do solo, efetuando-se em 1972 uma série de amostragens de solo e de folhas de cafeeiros, para a avaliação dos efeitos decorrentes da aplicação continuada das várias fontes de nitrogênio aplicadas. As produções de café obtidas durante todo o transcorrer do ensaio revelaram uma reação altamente significativa e positiva para as doses crescentes de nitrogênio. O Nitrocálcio e o sulfato de amônio foram as melhores fontes de nitrogênio, tendo diferido significativamente da uréia e do salitre-do-chile. O sulfato de amônio foi inicialmente superior ao Nitrocálcio sendo, entretanto, superado por este na parte final do experimento. Da colheita obtida no ano de 1961 foram separadas amostras de frutos provenientes das várias fontes de N estudadas, para determinação dos teores de macro e micronutrientes. Foram observadas diferenças no teor de N entre os tratamentos que receberam esse elemento e o controle não adubado. Foram observadas também diferenças nos teores de Fe e Mn nos frutos, entre as fontes de N utilizadas. No final do experimento foi observado um efeito acidificante sobre o solo, em decorrência do emprego do sulfato de amônio, da uréia e do Nitrocálcio. Observou-se aumento significativo nos teores de manganês e de alumínio nas folhas dos cafeeiros cultivados nas parcelas que receberam sulfato de amônio e uréia.

The following sourcesof nitrogen were studied in a field experiment with coffee plant: Ammonium nitrate with lime (AND, Ammonium sulphate, Chilean nitrate and urea, in doses corresponding to 75, 150, 225, and 300 kilograms of element per hectare. The soil was a Red Latosol transition to Clay Red - Yellow Latosol from the area of Campinas County, State of São Paulo. The experiment was installed in March, 1957 and the yield records collected from 1959 to 1969. The total annual doses were splited into 2, 4, 5, and 9 applications until 1963/64, and into 1, 2, 3, and 4 applications from that year on to the end of the experiment. Shortly after the 1969 picking, the plants were cut down to the height of about 50 centimeters, for renewing of the aereal parts. In 1972 a series of soil and leaf samples were taken for analysis and study of the residual effects of the fertilizers. The yields showed a very significant increase with increasing doses of nitrogen. ANL and ammonium sulphate were significantly superior to the urea and Chilean nitrate. The ammonium sulphate was superior to ANL during several years but in the last few years of the experiment this situation was reversed, with ANL giving higher yields. The mineral analysis of the fruits showed that the nitrogen, iron, and manganese contents varied with the source of nitrogen employed. The use of ammonium sulphate, urea and ANL lowered the pH of the soil; the manganese and aluminum content of the leaves increased when ammonium sulphate or urea was used.

Em amostras de 134 cafèzais, distribuídos nos principais grupos de solos do Estado de São Paulo, colhidas em três estações do ano, foram determinados 12 elementos químicos essenciais, sódio e alumínio. A percentagem de cafèzais deficientes em nitrogênio foi superior a 80% em todos os solos. No Podzolizado de Lins e Marília, o segundo elemento em falta foi o ferro. No Latossolo Roxo, depois do nitrogênio, a maior deficiência foi a de potássio e zinco; no Podzólico Vermelho Amarelo-Orto, a de boro.

Roughly, coffee fields are distributed on. the main types of soil in the State of São Paulo as follows: Podzolized Soils of Lins and Marilia, 70%; latosolic B "Terra Roxa", 15%; Ortho-Red Yellow Podzol, 10%; other types, 5%. This paper presents and discusses data on foliar analyses of coffee, plants cultivated on the 3 first soil types. It complements a previous survey made on red-yellow ortho podzol. Leaf samples were collected in the spring, summer and fall, from 134 "Mundo Novo" coffee fields. Besides the content of 12 essential elements, amount of Na and Al were also determined in these samples. Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The first 3 elements were determined in a wet digest of 0.5 g of dry plant material with a mixture of HNO3-H2SO4-HC10(4), in a final volume of 20 ml. Determination of Cu, on the other hand, required an extract obtained by dissolving in 10 ml of 0.25N HC1, ashes from 1.25 g of dry leaf tissue, incinerated at 500°C for 2 hours. The same extract used for Fe, Zn and Mn analyses served for Na and Al determination. However, content of Al was estimated by colorimetric method of Aluminon (1) whereas amount of Na was determined by flame emission photometry (2). The remaining elements - N, P, K, Ca Mg, S-S0(4), B and Mo - were determined according to the process described by Lott et al (4, 5). Evaluation of the nutritional condition of the coffee fields in each soil type was based upon the amount of the elements present in the leaf tissue sampled in the summer, compared to the levels considered as critical (4). The results of these evaluations showed a high proportion of plants defficient in nitrogen, in all soil types, indicating the importance of nitrogen fertilization. In Podzolized Soils of Lins and Marilia, attention should be given to Fe, Ca and Zn defficiency; there is also the possibility of toxic effects induced by excess of Mn in such soils. Besides N defficiency, latosolic B "Terra Roxa" had frequently defficiency of K and Zn, while Ortho-Red Yellow Podzol, of boron.