Resumo A abordagem molecular para identificação de espécies desconhecidas usando o gene citocromo b é eficaz e confiável em comparação com a identificação baseada na morfologia. Códigos de barras de DNA de genes moleculares universais foram usados para identificar as espécies. O citocromo b é um gene específico usado para fins de identificação. O código de barras de DNA é um método confiável e eficaz em comparação com os diferentes métodos morfológicos tradicionais de identificação de espécies. Assim, no presente estudo, que foi realizado para identificar as espécies, um total de 50 amostras de peixes foram coletadas em cinco locais diferentes. O DNA foi extraído usando o método Fenol Clorofórmio do tecido muscular. Cinco sequências foram sequenciadas (uma de cada local), analisadas e identificadas espécies específicas, como Pangasius pangasius. As sequências identificadas tinham comprimento variável de 369 bp (Local 1), 364 bp (Local 2), 369 bp (Local 1), 364 bp (Local 3), 352 bp (Local 4) e 334 bp (Local 5). As correspondências de identidade no banco de dados do NCBI confirmaram a espécie específica como P. pangasius. Uma árvore de distanciamento foi desenhada para mostrar a máxima probabilidade entre elas e diferentes espécies. No entanto, em muitos casos, peixes em diversos estágios de desenvolvimento são difíceis de identificar por caracteres morfológicos. Os métodos de identificação baseados em DNA oferecem uma adição analiticamente poderosa ou mesmo uma ferramenta alternativa para identificação de espécies e estudo filogenético. Este trabalho pretende fornecer uma visão geral atualizada e abrangente sobre os métodos baseados em DNA para identificação de espécies de peixes usando o gene citocromo b como marcadores direcionados para fins de identificação.

Abstract Molecular appraoch for identification of unknown species by using Cytochrome b gene is an effective and reliable as compared with morphological based identification. For DNA barcoding universal molecular genes were used to identify the species. Cytochrome b is a specific gene used for identification purpose. DNA barcoding is a reliable and effective method compared to the different traditional morphological methods of specie identification. So,in the present study which was conducted to identify the species, a total of 50 fish samples were collected from five different sites. DNA was extracted by using the Phenol Chloroform method from muscle tissue. Five sequences were sequenced (one from each site), analyzed, and identified specific species as Pangasius pangasius. Identified sequences were variable in length from 369 bp (Site 1), 364 bp (Site 2), 364 bp (Site 3), 352 bp (Site 4), and 334 bp (Site 5). Identity matches on the NCBI database confirmed the specific specie as P. pangasius. A distancing tree was drawn to show maximum likelihood among the same and different species. Yet, in many cases fishes on diverse development stages are difficult to identify by morphological characters. DNA-based identification methods offer an analytically powerful addition or even an alternative tool for species identification and phylogenetic study. This work intends to provide an updated and extensive overview on the DNA based methods for fish species identification by using Cytochrome b gene as targeted markers for identification purpose.

Abstract Morphometric measurement and roosting ecology of Pteropus medius were aimed to find out in Mansehra district of KP, Pakistan. Total 3149 numbers of bats were found in eight biological spots visited; Baffa Doraha, Darband, Dadar, Jallu, Hazara University, Garhi Habibullah Chattar Plain and Jabori, in total 299 numbers of different species of trees including; Morus alba, Pinus raxburghi, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Morus nigra, Grevillea robusta, Brousonetia papyrifera,Platanus orientalis, Ailanthus altissima, Hevea brasiliensis and Populus nigra. Morphometric features were measured and found vary according to sex of the bats. The average wing span, wing`s length from tip of wing to neck, from thumb to tip of wing and the body`s length from head and claws were recorded to be 102.98 cm, 49.07cm, 28.7 cm and 22.78 cm respectively in males while 93.67 cm, 44.83cm, 24.78cm and 22.78 cm respectively in female bats. Mean circumference of the body including wings and without wing were measured as 22.78 cm and 17.29 cm in males and that of female were 20.07 cm and 16.9 cm. Average length of thumb 3.64 cm, ear`s length 3.1 cm, snout 5.62cm, eye length were 1.07 cm for both sexes and length between the feet in extended position were16.3 cm. Generally different measurement of males bodies were found to be greater than female such as mean body surface area, mass, volume and pressure were found to be 2691.79 cm2, 855.7gm,1236.4 ml and 295.77 dyne/ c m 3for male and 2576.46 cm2, 852.71gm,1207 ml and 290.2 dyne/ c m 3 respectively for female. While weight and density for both males and females bats were same with mean of 8.59 newton and 0.701 g/m3. Findings of current reports can add valued information in literature about bats, which can be used for species identification and conservation.

Resumo A medição morfométrica e a ecologia de poleiro de Pteropus medius foram realizadas no distrito de Mansehra de KP, Paquistão. Foram encontrados 3.149 morcegos em 8 pontos biológicos visitados; Baffa Doraha, Darband, Dadar, Jallu, Universidade Hazara, Garhi Habibullah Chattar Plain e Jabori, no total 299 números de diferentes espécies de árvores, incluindo: Morus alba, Pinus raxburghi, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Morus nigra, Grevillea robusta, Brousonetia papyrifera, Platanus orientalis, Ailanthus altissima, Hevea brasiliensis e Populus nigra. As características morfométricas foram medidas e variam de acordo com o sexo dos morcegos. A envergadura média da asa, o comprimento da asa da ponta da asa ao pescoço, do polegar à ponta da asa e o comprimento do corpo da cabeça e garras foram registrados em 102,98 cm, 49,07 cm, 28,7 cm e 22,78 cm, respectivamente, nos machos. Enquanto 93,67 cm, 44,83 cm, 24,78 cm e 22,78 cm respectivamente, nas fêmeas. As circunferências médias do corpo incluindo asas e sem asas foram medidas de 22,78 cm e 17,29 cm nos machos e as das fêmeas foram 20,07 cm e 16,9 cm. O comprimento médio do polegar 3,64 cm, comprimento da orelha 3,1 cm, focinho 5,62 cm, comprimento dos olhos 1,07 cm para ambos os sexos e comprimento entre os pés em posição estendida foi de 16,3 cm. Geralmente, as medidas diferentes dos corpos masculinos foram maiores que as femininas, como a área de superfície corporal média, massa, volume e pressão foram encontrados em 2691,79 cm2, 855,7 gm,1236,4 ml e 295,77 dines para masculino e 2576,46 cm2, 852,71 gm, 1207 ml e 290,2 dines respectivamente para fêmeas. Enquanto o peso e a densidade para machos e fêmeas de morcegos foram os mesmos com média de 8,59 N e 0,701 g/m3. Os achados de relatórios atuais podem agregar informações valiosas na literatura sobre morcegos, que podem ser utilizadas para identificação e conservação de espécies.

Abstract Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis, feeds on insect pests in many agro-ecosystems. Thus, there is an urgent need to study the breeding chronology of cattle egret, in order to develop suitable protection programs for this beneficial bird to perform its role as abiological control agent in Egyptian agro-ecosystems. The study was conducted at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, from December 2018 to December 2020; in different habitats (irrigation canals, drainage canals, garbage collection areas and Abbasa ponds). The mean clutch size ranged from 2-5 eggs/nest with an incubation period ranging between 21-25 days. The mean percentage of hatching success was 90.21%, while the total number of mortality eggs was 47 and the total egg hatching was 433. Also the total number of nests located nearby tree trunks were 73, while nests located in the core of the tree were 47 nests, and nests located at the peripherals were 15 nests.

Resumo A garça-vaqueira (Bubulcus ibis) alimenta-se de insetos-praga em muitos agroecossistemas. Assim, há uma necessidade urgente de estudar a cronologia reprodutiva da garça bovina, a fim de desenvolver programas de proteção adequados para que esta ave benéfica desempenhe seu papel como agente de controle biológico nos agroecossistemas egípcios. O estudo foi conduzido na província de Sharkia, no Egito, de dezembro de 2018 a dezembro de 2020; em diferentes habitats (canais de irrigação, canais de drenagem, áreas de coleta de lixo e lagoas Abbasa). O tamanho médio da ninhada variou de 2-5 ovos/ninho com um período de incubação variando entre 21-25 dias. A porcentagem média de sucesso de eclosão foi de 90,21%, enquanto o número total de ovos de mortalidade foi de 47 e o total de ovos eclodidos foi de 433. O número total de ninhos localizados próximos aos troncos das árvores foi de 73, enquanto os ninhos localizados no núcleo da árvore foram 47 ninhos, e 15 ninhos localizados nas periferias.

RESUMO Agentes infecciosos causam doenças graves em humanos em todo o mundo, e são responsáveis pelo alto índice de morbimortalidade. A prevalência e a epidemiologia das doenças infecciosas no hospital que atendeu pacientes encaminhados pelos médicos por meio dos achados iniciais e seus fatores de risco associados foram estudadas em Peshawar. Os dados de 174 pacientes infectados foram coletados durante o período de 2015 a 2017 oriundos de dois laboratórios clínicos de Tehsil Matta Swat. O formulário de consentimento informado foi obtido antes da coleta de sangue. Após a obtenção do consentimento informado, foram coletadas amostras de sangue e foi realizado o teste ICT e, em seguida, os casos ICT positivos foram confirmados por PCR. Um total de 174 amostras ICT positivas [106 homens e 68 mulheres] foi incluído neste estudo. A idade considerada foi de 10 a 72 anos. Das 174 tiras de ICT positivas, 99 casos [63 homens, 36 mulheres] foram confirmados por PCR. A taxa de prevalência foi de 56,89%. A injeção IV / IM foi registrada em 100% dos indivíduos. A visita à barbearia foi relatada em (58%) dos indivíduos, os números de casados foram (81,0%), e a operação cirúrgica foi relatada em (44,8%), o compartilhamento de escova de dente foi observado em (29,9%), o piercing foi relatado em (39,7%), antecedentes familiares foram relatados em (26,4%), tratamento odontológico em (21,8%), icterícia (13,2%) e tatuagem em (1,7%). Transfusão de sangue, operações cirúrgicas, icterícia, histórico familiar e tratamento odontológico foram fatores de risco significativos para adquirir infecção por Vírus da Hepatite C (VHC). Concluiu-se que a implementação adequada de medidas de precaução deve ser necessária para controlar a propagação do VHC em um futuro próximo.

ABSTRACT Infectious agents cause serious diseases in humans worldwide and are responsible for the high rate of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and epidemiology of infectious disease (HCV) in the hospital visited patients referred by the physicians through the initial findings and their associated risk factors were studied in Swat. The data of 174 infected patients were collected during the period of 2015 to 2017 from two clinical laboratories of Tehsil Matta Swat. Inform consent form was taken before blood collection. After taking informed consent blood samples were collected and ICT test was performed and then ICT positive cases were conform through PCR. A total of 174 ICT positive samples [106 male and 68 females] were included in this study. Age was considered from 10 to 72 years. Of the 174 ICT strip positive, 99 [63 males, 36 females] were confirmed through PCR. The prevalence rate was recorded 56.89%. I.V/I.M injection was recorded in 100% of the individuals. Visits to the barber shop was reported in (58%) of the individuals, married individuals were (81.0), surgical operation was reported in (44.8%), sharing toothbrush was observed in (29.9%), piercing was reported in (39.7%), family history was reported in (26.4%), dental treatment was observed in (21.8%), jaundice were (13.2%) and tattooing was (1.7%). Blood transfusion, surgical operations, Jaundice, family history and dental treatment were found significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. It was concluded that proper implementation of precautionary measures should be needed to control the spread of HCV in far near future.

Resumo O presente estudo foi realizado para a avaliação taxonômica, morfométrica e limnológica da ictiofauna comercialmente importante do Riacho Sakhakot, Malakand, Paquistão. A área de estudo foi dividida em três locais ao longo do curso de água, nomeadamente Riacho Dargai, Riacho Sakhakot e Riacho Shergarh. As amostras de peixes foram coletadas aleatoriamente durante janeiro e agosto de 2017, com a ajuda de artes de peixes. Uma chave taxonômica foi projetada para os espécimes de peixes coletados. Foram identificadas dez espécies de peixes pertencentes a 3 ordens e 4 famílias. A família Cyprinidae foi a família dominante, com sete espécies representativas, enquanto as famílias Siluridae, Nemacheilidae e Mastacembelidae foram representadas por uma espécie cada. O comprimento total médio mais baixo e o comprimento padrão foram registrados em Puntius conchonius (Hamilton, 1822) como 9.2 ± 0.6 cm e 7.3 ± 0.6 cm, respectivamente, enquanto o comprimento total médio e o comprimento padrão mais altos foram registrados em Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede, 1800) como 28.1 ± 1.7 cm e 15.9 ± 2.4 cm, respectivamente. O pH médio da água variou de 6.1 no Riacho Shergarh em agosto a 8.7 no Riacho Sakhakot em janeiro. A faixa de temperatura média foi registrada de 10.9 °C em janeiro no Riacho Dargai a 18.7 °C em agosto no Riacho Shergarh. Não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significativa para temperatura (p = 0,96) e pH (p = 0,14) nos três cursos de água. O presente estudo fornecerá uma linha de base para a criação e aprimoramento do estoque selvagem da ictiofauna comercialmente importante no campo da aquicultura e pesca.

Abstract The present study was conducted for the taxonomic, morphometric and limnological assessment of the commercially important ichthyofauna of Sakhakot Stream, Malakand, Pakistan. The study area was divided into three sites along the water course namely Dargai Stream, Sakhakot Stream and Shergarh Stream. Fish samples were collected randomly during January to August 2017 with the help of fish gears. A taxonomic key was designed for the collected fish specimens. Ten fish species were identified belonging to 3 orders and 4 families. Family Cyprinidae was the dominant family with seven representative species while families Siluridae, Nemacheilidae and Mastacembelidae were represented by one species each. Lower mean total length and standard length was recorded in Puntius conchonius (Hamilton, 1822) as 9.2 ± 0.6 cm and 7.3 ± 0.6 cm respectively, while highest mean total length and standard length was recorded in Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede, 1800) as 28.1 ± 1.7 cm and 15.9 ± 2.4 cm respectively. Mean pH of the water ranged from 6.1 at Shergarh Stream in August to 8.7 at Sakhakot Stream in January. Average temperature range was recorded from 10.9 °C in January at Dargai Stream to 18.7 °C in August at Shergarh Stream. No statistically significant difference was found for temperature (p = 0.96) and pH (p = 0.14) in the three water streams. The present study will provide a baseline for the rearing and enhancement of wild stock of the commercially important ichthyofauna in the field of aquaculture and fisheries.

Resumo Os criadores de trigo frequentemente usam a análise da média de geração para obter informações sobre o tipo de ação do gene envolvida na herança de uma característica para escolher o procedimento de melhoramento útil para o aprimoramento da característica. O presente estudo foi conduzido para estudar a ação do gene interalélico e intraalélico e a herança de características de glaucosidade, precocidade e produção em um cruzamento de trigo mole entre pais divergentes em glaucosidade e características de produção; nomeadamente Mut-2 (P1) e Sakha 93 (P2). O material experimental incluiu seis populações, ou seja, P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 e BC2 para este cruzamento de trigo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso com três repetições e aplicado um modelo de seis parâmetros. Os efeitos aditivos foram geralmente mais críticos do que a dominância para todas as características estudadas, exceto para altura da planta (AP) e rendimento de grãos / planta (GYPP). A epistasia duplicada foi observada no comprimento da ponta; SL, espigas/planta; SPP e dias para o cabeçalho; DTH. Todos os seis tipos de efeitos de interação alélica e não alélica controlaram SL, GYPP, DTH e glaucosidade. Todos os três tipos de epistasia, ou seja, aditivo x aditivo, aditivo x dominância e dominância x dominância, são essenciais na determinação da herança de quatro características (SL, GYPP, DTH e glaucosidade). Os efeitos de dominância × dominância foram maiores em magnitude do que aditivo × dominância e aditivo × aditivo na maioria das características. O grau médio de dominância foi menor do que a unidade em seis características (glaucosidade, grãos / espiga, peso da espiga, dias até a maturidade, peso de 100 grãos e SL), indicando dominância parcial, e a seleção para essas características pode ser mais eficaz nas gerações iniciais. Enquanto isso, os traços restantes (PH, SPP, GYPP e DTH) tiveram um grau de dominância maior do que a unidade, indicando que os efeitos do gene de superdominância controlam tais traços e é preferível adiar a seleção para gerações posteriores. Os maiores valores de herdabilidade no sentido restrito e avanço genético foram registrados pelo traço de glaucosidade seguido por SL e SPP, indicando que a seleção em gerações segregadas seria mais eficaz do que outros caracteres.

Abstract Wheat breeders frequently use generation mean analysis to obtain information on the type of gene action involved in inheriting a trait to choose the helpful breeding procedure for trait improvement. The present study was carried out to study the inter-allelic and intra-allelic gene action and inheritance of glaucousness, earliness and yield traits in a bread wheat cross between divergent parents in glaucousness and yield traits; namely Mut-2 (P1) and Sakha 93 (P2). The experimental material included six populations, i.e. P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1, and BC2 for this wheat cross. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used, and a six parameters model was applied. Additive effects were generally more critical than dominance for all studied traits, except for plant height (PH) and grain yield/plant (GYPP). The duplicate epistasis was observed in spike length; SL, spikes/plant; SPP and days to heading; DTH. All six types of allelic and non-allelic interaction effects controlled SL, GYPP, DTH and glaucousness. All three types of epistasis, i.e. additive x additive, additive x dominance, and dominance x dominance, are essential in determining the inheritance of four traits (SL, GYPP, DTH and glaucousness). Dominance × dominance effects were higher in magnitude than additive × dominance and additive × additive in most traits. The average degree of dominance was minor than unity in six traits (glaucousness, grains/spike, spike weight, days to maturity, 100-grain weight and SL), indicating partial dominance and selection for these traits might be more effective in early generations. Meanwhile, the remaining traits (PH, SPP, GYPP and DTH) had a degree of dominance more than unity, indicating that overdominance gene effects control such traits and it is preferable to postpone selection to later generations. The highest values of narrow-sense heritability and genetic advance were recorded by glaucousness trait followed by SL and SPP, indicating that selection in segregating generations would be more effective than other traits.

Resumo A organização das raízes, gânglios e a distribuição periférica dos nervos cranianos dos embriões totalmente formados de Oreochromis niloticus são examinados nas seções transversais seriais. Esses nervos carregam fibras, que também foram analisadas. Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que o nervo glossofaríngeo se origina por meio de apenas uma raiz, que sai do crânio pelo forame glossofaríngeo. Este nervo fornece fibras (visceromotoras) para os primeiros músculos levantadores do arco branquial interno e externo. Existe um único gânglio epibranquial (petroso) localizado extracranialmente. Nervus glossopharyngeus tem três ramos; faríngeo, pretramticus e póstrematicus. O ramo faríngeo contém apenas fibras viscerossensoriais — gerais para o epitélio faríngeo e especiais para o pseudobrânquio. Fibras viscerossensoriais gerais também são transportadas por ramos pretrematicus e posttrematicus para o revestimento epitelial da faringe. As fibras sensoriais especiais são transportadas pelo ramus pretrematicus para as papilas gustativas e pelo ramus posttrematicus para os filamentos branquiais. O ramo pretrematicus também carrega fibras visceromotoras para o primeiro adutor arcus branchialis e para o primeiro músculo oblíquo ventral.

Abstract The organization of the roots, ganglia and the peripheral distribution of the cranial nerves of the fully formed embryos of Oreochromis niloticus are examined in the transverse serial sections. These nerves carry fibers, which were also analyzed. The results of this study demonstrated that the glossopharyngeal nerve originates by means of only one root, which leaves the cranium through the glossopharyngeal foramen. This nerve gives fibers (visceromotor) to the first internal and external levator arcus branchialis muscles. There is a single epibranchial (petrosal) ganglion located extracranially. Nervus glossopharyngeus has three rami; pharyngeus, pretramticus and posttrematicus. The ramus pharyngeus carries only viscerosensory fibers; general for the pharyngeal epithelium and special ones for the pseudobranch. General viscerosensory fibers are also carried by rami pretrematicus and posttrematicus for the pharyngeal epithelial lining. The special sensory fibers are carried by the ramus pretrematicus for the taste buds and by ramus posttrematicus for the gill filaments. The ramus pretrematicus also carries visceromotor fibers for the first adductor arcus branchialis and to the first obliquus ventralis muscles.

ABSTRACT An additive intercropping model was adopted to improve land use efficiency and productivity of two prominent oil crops grown in Egypt, that is, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) A 2-yr field trial was conducted in Northern Egypt during the summers of 2017 and 2018. The effects on yield, crop components, and land use efficiency of the system were tested with three N fertilizer rates (70, 105, and 140 kg N ha-1) and three thinning intervals of 15, 30, and 45 d after sowing (DAS) for sunflower and 30, 45, and 60 DAS for soybean. Late thinning increased plant height in both crops, but reduced sunflower stem and head diameters and seed weight per head. The maximum seed yield occurred in the pure stands and reached 4.00 and 1.61 t ha-1 for sunflower and soybean, respectively. Early thinning positively affected seed yield and fresh and dry biological yields, while the effect of N rates was limited. Seed oil content of both crops was slightly affected by the treatments and generally averaged approximately 50% and 20% in sunflower and soybean, respectively. While the land equivalent ratio (LER) indicated the advantage of intercropping sunflower and soybean (LER > 1), the DM equivalent ratio (DMER) provided a more realistic estimate as to the effect of intercropping compared with sole cropping in an additive model. Early and intermediate thinning intervals across all N fertilizer rates resulted in yield gain (DMER > 1), while late thinning reduced yield (DMER < 1). Intercropping sunflower and soybean crops is recommended for low input farming systems, particularly in developing countries.

Smokeless tobacco (ST) leaves are being consumed by millions in Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen, where the locally manufactured form is called shammah. We intended to explore and compare the phytocomponents of 21 different varieties of shammah that are commonly available in different cities of Jazan province of Saudi Arabia using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). A total of 61 different constituents were tentatively identified in these samples including both hazardous and non-hazardous compounds. Solvents of different polarity, such as petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water were used to prepare the extracts. Interestingly, a number of new and unusual constituents were identified in some samples. N-methoxycarbonyl-amphetamine was detected as 6.76 %, 4.88 % and 2.58 % of total compounds in Khadrah, Arishi and Sudani shammah samples, respectively. Similarly, the presence of caffeine (0.44-1.41 %) in Adani cold from Jazan city and Abu Arish and Adani hot shammah from Abu Arish suggested the possibility of adulteration. Extremely hazardous arsenic and benzopyran derivatives were present in Sudani shammah from Sabya in small but significant amounts. Furthermore, carcinogenic components were also detected in significant amounts which indicate a relation between ST amounts used and different types of cancer, especially oral cancer. Chemometric hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed the existence of sufficient differences between samples from different extracts based on the polarity and dendrograms.

This study was designed to test the possible effects of a combination of physical and pharmacological therapy intervention on myocardial structure of the left ventricle in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Twelve weeks old spontaneously hypertensive rats (n = 40) were divided into four groups of sedentary, (Sed) as controls, exercise only (Exer), lisinopril only 20mg/kg/day (Lis), and exercise + lisinopril (LisExer). Exercise training was performed on a treadmill (5m/min.) for 60 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 10 weeks. At the end of 10 weeks, all the rats were terminally anaesthetised, the heart was arrested in diastole by intravenous procaine and whole animal perfusion fixation through the abdominal aorta was carried out using Karnovsky's fixative (pH 7.24). The heart was removed and left ventricle plus the interventricular septum was serially sectioned at a thickness of 3 mm. One piece was randomly chosen, and embedded in JB4 resin. Six sections were obtained from each block, stained with toluidine blue:acid fucin. Measurement of volume fraction (Vf), of myocardium, capillaries and interstitium were carried out using a stereology software (Histometrix MIL6 Kinetic imaging Ltd.). Mean Vf of capillaries in Sed group was 0.114 ± 0.01 (SEM). This was significantly increased in LisExer group. The Vf of muscle in Sed group was 0.795 ± 0.02 (SEM). This was significantly decreased in Lis but unchanged in Exer group. Capillaries Vf was significantly higher in LisExer as compared to Lis or Exer groups (p<0.05). Muscle Vf was not different betweenLisExer and Lis groups. The outcome of these changes could well be a better enhancement of cardiac performance in hypertension by combined exercise and ACE inhibitor treatment than either of the interventions alone

Este estudio fue diseñado para probar los posibles efectos de una combinación de ejercicios y una intervención de terapia farmacológica en las estructuras del miocardio del ventrículo izquierdo, en ratas espontaneamente hipertensivas (SHR). Ratas de 20 semanas espontáneamente hipertensas (n = 40) fueron divididas en cuatro grupos: sedentarias (Sed) y controles, solamente con ejercicio (Ejer), solamente con lisinopril con 20mg/kg/día (Lis), y ejercicios + lisinopril (LisEjer). Los ejercicios fueron ejecutados en una máquina de entrenamiento (5m/min.) por 60 minutos/día, 5 días/semana por 10 semanas. Al término de las 10 semanas, las ratas fueron sacrificadas bajo anestesia, el corazón fue detenido en diástole usando procaina intravenosa. Los animales fueron perfundidos a través de la parte abdominal de la aorta, usando solución de Karnovsky (pH 7.24). El corazón fue removido y tanto al ventrículo izquierdo como al septo interventricular se les realizaron cortes seriados de 3 µm. Una pieza fue seleccionados al azar, y sumergida en resina JB4. Fueron obtenidas 6 secciones de cada bloque y luego teñidas con azul de toluidina:fucsina ácida. Las mediciones de fracción volumétrica (Vf) del miocardio, capilares, e intersticio fueron obtenidas usando un software de estereología (Histometrix MIL6 Kinetic imaging Ltd.). El promedio Vf de capilares en el grupo Sed, fue 0.114 ± 0.01 (SEM). Éste fue significativamente mayor en el grupo LisExer. El Vf de músculo en Sed fue 0.795 ± 0.02 (SEM). Éste fue significativamente menor en Lis pero no varió en el grupo Ejer. Vf capilares fue significativamente alto en LisExjr, si es comparado con los grupos Lis o Ejer (p<0.05). En Vf músculo no hubo diferencias entre los grupos LisEjer y Lis. El resultado de estos cambios pudo deberse a un mejor funcionamiento cardiaco en ratas hipertensa,s producto de ejercicios combinados y tratamiento con inhibidor ACE, que en aquellos en que se efectó un solo procedimiento

The development of additional methods for detecting and identifuing Babesia and Plasmodium infections may be useful in disease monitoring, management and control efforts. To preliminarily evaluate sunthetic peptide-based serodiagnosis, a hydrophilic sequence (DDESEFDKEK)was selected from published BabR gene of B. bovis. Immunization of rabbits and cattle with the hemocyanin-conjugated peptide elicited antibody responses that specifically detected both P. falciparum and B. bovis antigens by immunofluorescence and Western blots. Using a dot-ELISA with this peptide, antisera from immunized and naturally-infected cattle, and immunized rodents, were specifically detected. Reactivity was weak and correlated with peptide immunization or infection. DNA-based detection using repetitive DNA was species-specific in dot-blot formats for B. bovis DNA, and in both dot-blot and in situ formats for P. falciparum; a streamlined enzymelinked synthetic DNA assay for P. falciparum detected 30 parasites/mm(cúbicos) from patient blood using either colorimetric (2-15 h color development) or chemiluminescent detection (0.5-6-min. exposures). Serodiagnostic and DNA hybridization methods may be complementary in the respective detection of both chronic and acute infections. However, recent improvements in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) make feasible a more sensitive and uniform approach to the diagnosis of these and other infectious disease complexes, with appropriate primers and processing methods. An analysis of ribosomal DNA genes of Plasmodium and Toxoplasma identified Apicomplexa-conserved sequence regions. Specific and distinctive PCR profiles were obtained for primers spanning the internal transcribed spacer locus for each of several Plasmodium and Babesia species.