Abstract This study analyzed the parasitism by Clinostomum sp. metacercariae of the neotropical fish Cichlasoma paranaense (Kullander 1983) and environmental variables’ influence on their host-parasite relationship in Central Brazil. Fish were collected in five impoundments (I) from three towns: Itauçú (n = 2), Inhumas (n = 1), and Goiânia (n = 2), Goiás State, Brazil. Ninety-five fish were analyzed, weighted and length measured. Afterward, the presence of metacercariae in the gills, muscles, fins, and body cavities was investigated. The metacercariae were fixed in AFA solution, kept in 70% alcohol, and stained with carmine. The infection prevalence revealed that 0.64, 0.56 and 0.91% of fish was infected. The abundance was 4.14, 3.22 and 5.88, with a mean intensity of 6.44, 5.80 and 6.42 per impoundment (I 13, I 15 and I 16), respectively. The frequency of metacercariae was higher in fish collected in Goiânia. High frequency of parasites was observed in the gills, muscles, and fins. The limnological variables did not present direct interference in the parasitism. The fish’ standard length influenced the number of metacercariae positively but did not differ to the relative condition coefficient.

RESUMO: A avaliação histopatológica hepática de 33 suínos abatidos para consumo humano na região amazônica, previamente testados para infecção pelo vírus da hepatite E (HEV) por sorologia e técnicas moleculares, foi realizada em três grupos: Grupo 1, animais negativos para HEV-RNA e anti-HEV IgG (n=10); Grupo 2, positivos para HEV-RNA (n=13); e Grupo 3, positivos para anti-HEV IgG (n=10). O grupo 2 apresentou diferenças estatísticas significantes entre os grupos em relação à presença de atividade lobular (P=0,007), hepatite periportal de interface (P=0,004), inflamação portal (P= 0.028) e atividade lobular acompanhada por inflamação portal e periportal de interface (P=0,001). A detecção imunohistoquímica do HEV foi realizada e três de seis amostras do Grupo 2 foram positivas. Suínos naturalmente infectados pelo genótipo 3 do HEV apresentam lesões necroinflamatórias no fígado similares a lesão em humanos. A histopatologia hepática demonstrou ser importante no diagnóstico de infecção ativa e assintomática por HEV em suínos abatidos para consumo humano, pois as lesões no fígado apresentaram perfis diferenciados de acordo com o diagnóstico sorológico e molecular da infecção e, neste sentido, a histopatologia e imunohistoquímica podem representar importantes ferramentas complementares de diagnóstico.

ABSTRACT: Histopathological evaluation of liver from 33 pigs slaughtered for human consumption in Amazon region, previously tested by serology and molecular techniques for hepatitis E virus infection (HEV), was analysed in three groups: Group 1, negative for both HEV-RNA and anti-HEV IgG (n=10); Group 2, positive for HEV-RNA (n=13); Group 3, positive for anti-HEV IgG (n=10). Group 2 showed a significant difference among the groups for liver lesions such as lobular activity (P=0.007), periportal interface hepatitis (P=0.004), portal inflammation (P=0.028) hepatitis with lobular, portal and periportal interface activity (P=0.001). HEV detection by immunohistochemistry was performed and 3 of 6 samples of group 2 were positive. Pigs naturally infected by HEV genotype 3 present microscopic necroinflammatory liver lesions similar to HEV in humans. Liver histopathology showed be important in the diagnosis of active asymptomatic HEV infection in pigs slaughtered for human consumption because hepatic liver lesions may present distinct profiles according to molecular and serological diagnosis and in this sense, histopathology and immunohistochemistry may be an important complementary diagnostic tool.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlations between nutrient intake and ingestive behavior of steers Holstein x Zebu in the rearing on Brachiaria brizantha 'Marandu', during the rainy season. We used 22 steers averaging seven months of age and mean initial body weight of 164,09±12,13 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with two types of supplement and eleven repetitions per supplementation and managed in a rotational grazing area of 6,5 ha Pearson linear correlations between the behavioral variables and the digestibility of the nutrients were studied. The correlation coefficients were tested by the ttest. The rumination time was positively correlated with the digestibility of nutrients. Feeding time at the trough positively correlated with the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (ODM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract. Positive correlation was observed between total chewing time and digestibility of nutrients. The number of periods of idle and rumination showed positive correlations with the digestibility of nutrients and the number of feeding periods in the trough correlated positively with the digestibility coeficient of CP. Bite rate and the number of bites per day correlated positively with the digestibility of nutrients. Positive correlation was observed between the number of chews per day and digestibility of DM, OM and total carbohydrates (CT). Positive correlations were observed between the efficiencies of feeding and rumination of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber with digestibility coefficient of nutrients studied. The nutrient digestibility has a direct influence over the behavioral expressions of animals studied.

Objetivou-se com esse estudo avaliar as correlações existentes entre o consumo de nutrientes e o comportamiento ingestivo de novilhos mesticos ½ Holandês x Zebu na fase de recria em pastagem de Brachiaria brizantha 'Marandu', no período das águas. Foram utilizados 22 novilhos com média de sete meses de idade e peso corporal médio inicial de 164,09±12,13 kg, distribuidos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com dois tipos de suplemento e onze repetições por tipo de suplementação e manejados em pastejo rotacionado numa área de 6,5 ha. Efetuou-se a análise de correlação linear de Pearson entre as variáveis comportamentais estudadas e os coeficientes de digestibilidade dos nutrientes encontrados. Os coeficientes de correlação foram testados por meio do teste t. O tempo de ruminação apresentou correlação positiva com o coeficiente de digestibilidade dos nutrientes. O tempo de alimentação no cocho correlacionou positivamente com o coeficiente de digestibilidade da matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB) e extrato etéreo (EE). Correlação positiva foi observada entre o tempo de mastigação total e o coeficiente de digestibilidade dos nutrientes. O número de períodos de ócio e ruminação apre-sentaram correlações positivas com o coeficiente de digestibilidade dos nutrientes e o numero de períodos de alimentação no cocho correlacionou positivamente com o coeficiente de digestibilidade da PB. A taxa de bocados e o número de bocados por dia correlacionaram-se positivamente com o coeficiente de digestibilidade dos nutrientes. Correlação positiva foi observada entre o número de mastigações merícicas por dia e o coeficiente de digestibilidade da MS, MO e carboidratos totais (CT). Correlações positivas foram observadas entre as eficiências de alimentação e ruminação da matéria seca e da fibra em detergente neutro com o coeficiente de digestibilidade dos nutrientes estudados. A digestibilidade dos nutrientes exerce influência direta sobre as expressões comportamentais apresentadas pelos animais estudados.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo usar as características orbitais das quatro Luas Galileanas de Júpiter para mostrar a equivalencia do movimento harmônico simples (MHS) com o movimento circular uniforme (MCU). Em nossos cálculos, empregamos os dados obtidos por Galileu Galilei em suas observações pioneiras com o primeiro telescópio da história, realizadas no começo de 1610, e reportadas na obra fundamental Sidereus Nuncius. Comparamos os desenhos de Galileu do Sidereus Nuncius com as imagens da posição de Jupiter e suas luas segundo o Cartes du Ciel, um programa open-source que funciona como efemérides interativa. Com os dados orbitais extraídos dos gráficos de separação angular dos Planetas Mediceanos até Jupiter, obtemos os raios das órbitas assumindo a terceira lei de Kepler.

The present work shows the equivalence between the simple harmonic motion and the uniform circular motion using the orbital parameters of the Galilean Moons of Jupiter. We use the data obtained by Galileo Galilei in 1610 with the very first telescope in history, which were published in the monumental book Sidereus Nuncius. We compare the Galilean diagrams featuring in Sidereus Nuncius with the images of Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, obtained with the Cartes du Ciel, an open-source computer program that works as an interactive ephemerides. We obtain the Medicean Planets orbital radii by assuming Kepler's third law and using the orbital data calculated from the plots of the angular separation of the four moons from Jupiter as a function of time.

The objective of this work was to study the effects of different supplementation levels on forage intake, animal performance and nutrients digestibility in Nellore steers finished in Bahia Southwest pastures. The experiment was done in an area of 52.0 ha, divided into eight sectors of approximately 6.5 ha each, with a watering point at center of field. There were studied four levels of supplementation according to the body weight which were T00= mineral, T03= 0.3%, T06= 0.6% and T09= 0.9% of the animal live weight. During the supplementation phase it was a decreasing effect on pasture and in neutral detergent fiber intake. Also it was a linear effect, with increasing the supplementation levels, on intake of crude protein, ether extract, non fibrous carbohydrates, total nutrients digestibility, digestibility energy and me-tabolizable energy. During the rainy season none of variables was affected. The animal performance presented a linear effect during supplementation and remained unchanged in rainy season. The feed conversion and feed efficiency were positively affected by supplementation levels. There was an increasing linear effect on digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein and non fibrous carbohydrates. The digestibility of neutral detergent fiber presented a quadratic effect while the ether extract was not affected. During the rainy season, none of the variables was affected.

Objetivou-se com este estudo verificar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de suplementação em pastagens sobre o consumo de forragem, o desempenho animal e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes em novilhos Nelore na fase de terminação em pastagens no Sudoeste da Bahia. A parte de campo foi implantada numa área de 52,0 ha, dividida em oito piquetes de aproximadamente 6,5 ha cada, subdivididas em setores com aguada central. Testaram-se quatro níveis de suple-mentação em função do peso vivo: T00, T03, T06 e T09. Na fase de suplementação, houve efeito decrescente sobre o consumo da pastagem e da fibra em detergente neutro. Houve efeito linear crescente em função dos níveis de suplementação para os consumos de proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, carboidrato não-fibroso, nutrientes digestíveis totais, energia digestível e energia bruta. No período chuvoso, nenhuma variável foi alterada. O desempenho animal apresentou efeito linear crescente na fase de suplementação e manteve-se inalterado no período chuvoso. A conversão alimentar e a eficiência alimentar foram alteradas positivamente pela inclusão dos níveis de suplementação. Houve efeito linear crescente sobre os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca, proteína bruta e carboidratos não-fibrosos. A digestibilidade da fibra em detergente neutro apresentou efeito quadrático enquanto a do extrato etéreo não foi alterada. No período chuvoso, nenhuma das variáveis foi alterada.

RESUMO A artrite encefalite caprina (CAE) é uma doença infecciosa específica dos caprinos. Geralmente apresenta-se de forma crônica, caracterizando-se por um longo período de incubação e uma evolução clínica lenta e progressiva. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os parâmetros clínicos e hematológicos de reprodutores caprinos naturalmente infectados pelo vírus da CAE, bem como verificar a influência da transição das estações seca e chuvosa no Ceará nestes parâmetros. O trabalho foi conduzido na Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Caprinos, no Município de Sobral, CE. Foram utilizados oito reprodutores caprinos positivos para CAE, mantidos em um sistema semi-intensivo de criação, submetidos a exames clínicos quinzenais e a hemograma completo mensal, durante o período de setembro de 2006 a fevereiro de 2007. Os dados foram expressos na forma de média e analisados pelo software Staview a 5% de probabilidade. Observou-se um aumento significativo da freqüência cardíaca durante a estação chuvosa (90,09 ± 16,21 bpm). O índice articular clínico superior a sete, considerado indicativo de um quadro clínico de artrite, foi verificado em três animais durante todo o experimento, todavia a estação climática não interferiu neste parâmetro. Foi observado um aumento significativo na contagem absoluta de eosinófilos (90,09 ± 16,21/µL) e monócitos (100,91 ± 21,12/µL) durante a estação chuvosa. Conclui-se que a estação climática não altera os parâmetros físicos de reprodutores caprinos infectados pelo CAEV explorados na região norte do Estado do Ceará. Todavia, a estação chuvosa propicia condições climáticas e ambientais que alteram a contagem de monócitos e eosinófilos desses reprodutores.

ABSTRACT Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a specific infectious disease of caprines. It usually leads to a chronic disease, being characterized by a long incubation period and a slow and progressive clinical evolution. The aim of this work was to evaluate the clinical and hematologic parameters of bucks naturally infected by the CAE virus, as well to verify the influence of the transition from the dry to rainy season in the state of Ceará, Brazil, on these parameters. The work was carried out at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation – Goats in Sobral, state of Ceará. A total of 8 bucks positive for CAE were used, maintained in a semi-intensive raising system and submitted to biweekly clinical exams and complete blood count monthly, from September 2006 to February 2007. The data were expressed as means and analyzed using the software Staview with 5% of probability. A significant increase of the heart rate was observed during the rainy station (90.09 ± 16.21 bpm). An articular clinical index superior to 7, considered as a clinical indication of arthritis, was verified in 3 animals during the experiment, although the climatic season did not influence this parameter. A significant increase was observed in the absolute count of eosinophiles (90.09 ± 16.21 /µL) and monocytes (100.91 ± 21.12 /µL) during the rainy season. We conclude that the climatic season did not alter the physical parameters of the CAEV-infected bucks studied in this experiment in the north of the state of Ceará, Brazil. However, the rainy station provides climatic and environmental conditions that alter the monocyte and eosinophile count of these bucks.

In the present study we investigated the effect of salt intake on myenteric neuron size of the colon of adult male Wistar rats. The animals were placed on either a high-salt (HS; 8%; 12 animals) or a low-salt diet (LS; 0.15%; 12 animals) for 15 or 52 weeks and blood pressure was measured. The sizes of myenteric neurons of the distal colon from both groups were measured. No difference in neuron size was observed between the HS and LS groups after 15 weeks. After 52 weeks on HS, neuron size was increased (P<0.005) when compared with the LS group. The rats also presented hypertension, which was significantly different at 52 weeks (142 ± 11 vs 119 ± 7 mmHg). These results suggest that a long time on an HS diet can significantly increase myenteric nerve cell size.

ß-Myrcene (MYR) is a monoterpene found in the oils of a variety of aromatic plants including lemongrass, verbena, hop, bay, and others. MYR and essential oils containing this terpenoid compound are used in cosmetics, household products, and as flavoring food additives. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of MYR on fertility and general reproductive performance in the rat. MYR (0, 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) in peanut oil was given by gavage to male Wistar rats (15 per dose group) for 91 days prior to mating and during the mating period, as well as to females (45 per dose group) continuously for 21 days before mating, during mating and pregnancy, and throughout the period of lactation up to postnatal day 21. On day 21 of pregnancy one-third of the females of each group were submitted to cesarean section. Resorption, implantation, as well as dead and live fetuses were counted. All fetuses were examined for external malformations, weighed, and cleared and stained with Alizarin Red S for skeleton evaluation. The remaining dams were allowed to give birth to their offspring. The progeny was examined at birth and subsequently up to postnatal day 21. Mortality, weight gain and physical signs of postnatal development were evaluated. Except for an increase in liver and kidney weights, no other sign of toxicity was noted in male and female rats exposed to MYR. MYR did not affect the mating index (proportion of females impregnated by males) or the pregnancy index (ratio of pregnant to sperm-positive females). No sign of maternal toxicity and no increase in externally visible malformations were observed at any dose level. Only at the highest dose tested (500 mg/kg) did MYR induce an increase in the resorption rate and a higher frequency of fetal skeleton anomalies. No adverse effect of MYR on postnatal weight gain was noted but days of appearance of primary coat, incisor eruption and eye opening were slightly delayed in the exposed offspring. On the basis of the data presented in this paper the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for toxic effects on fertility and general reproductive performance can be set at 300 mg of ß-myrcene/kg body weight by the oral route.

The submucous plexus of the normal small and large intestine of Calomys callosus was studied by NADH and AChE histochemical techniques and by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The plexus contains (mean ± SD) 7,488 ± 293 neurons/cm2 in the duodenum, 5,611 ± 836 in the jejunum, 2,741 ± 360 in the ileum, 3,067 ± 179 in the cecum, and 3,817 ± 256 in the proximal colon. No ganglia or nerve cell bodies were seen in the esophagus, stomach, distal colon or rectum. The neurons are pear-shaped with a round or oval nucleus and the neuronal cell profile areas were larger in the large intestine than in the small intestine. Most of the neurons display intense AChE activity in the cytoplasm. AChE-positive nerve fibers are present in a primary meshwork of large nerve bundles and in a secondary meshwork of finer nerve bundles. At the ultrastructural level, the ganglia are irregular in shape and covered with fibroblast-like cells. The nucleoplasm of the neurons is finely granular with a few condensations of chromatin attached to the nuclear envelope. In the neuropil numerous varicosities filled with vesicles of different size and electron densities are seen. The pre- and post-synaptic membrane thickenings are asymmetric. Characteristic glial cells with oval nuclei and few organelles are numerous. These data provide a detailed description of this submucosal meshwork.

The crude latex of Crown-of-Thorns (Euphorbia milii var. hislopii) is a potent plant molluscicide and a promising alternative to the synthetic molluscicides used in schistosomiasis control. The present study was undertaken to investigate the embryofeto-toxic potential of E. milii latex. The study is part of a comprehensive safety evaluation of this plant molluscicide. Lyophilized latex (0, 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) in corn oil was given by gavage to Wistar rats (N = 100) from days 6 to 15 of pregnancy and cesarean sections were performed on day 21 of pregnancy. The numbers of implantation sites, living and dead fetuses, resorptions and corpora lutea were recorded. Fetuses were weighed, examined for external malformations, and fixed for visceral examination, or cleared and stained with Alizarin red S for skeleton evaluation. A reduction of body weight minus uterine weight at term indicated that E. milii latex was maternally toxic over the dose range tested. No latex-induced embryolethality was noted at the lowest dose (125 mg/kg) but the resorption rate was markedly increased at 250 mg/kg (62.5%) and 500 mg/kg (93.4%). A higher frequency of fetuses showing signs of delayed ossification (control: 17.4%; 125 mg/kg: 27.4% and 250 mg/kg: 62.8%; P<0.05 vs control) indicated that fetal growth was retarded at doses <!-- $MVD$:face("Symbol") --><FONT FACE="Symbol">³</font> 125 mg latex/kg body weight. No increase in the proportion of fetuses with skeletal anomalies was observed at the lowest dose but the incidence of minor skeletal malformations was higher at 250 mg/kg body weight (control: 13.7%; 125 mg/kg: 14.8%; 250 mg/kg: 45.7%; P<0.05 vs control). Since a higher frequency of minor malformations was noted only at very high doses of latex which are embryolethal and maternally toxic, it is reasonable to conclude that this plant molluscicide poses no teratogenic hazard or, at least, that this possibility is of a considerably low order of magnitude