Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which can cause lipid changes in the erythrocyte membrane. Optical tweezers were used to characterize rheological changes in erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis in the late stage. Biochemical methods were also used for quantification of plasma lipid, erythrocyte membrane lipid, and evaluation of liver function. Our data showed that the mean elastic constant of erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis was around 67% higher than the control (healthy individuals), indicating that patient’s erythrocytes were less elastic. In individuals with leptospirosis, several alterations in relation to control were observed in the plasma lipids, however, in the erythrocyte membrane, only phosphatidylcholine showed a significant difference compared to control, increasing around 41%. With respect to the evaluation of liver function of individuals with leptospirosis, there was a significant increase in levels of alanine transaminase (154%) and aspartate transaminase (150%), whereas albumin was 43.8% lower than control (P<0.01). The lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase fractional activity was 3.6 times lower in individuals with leptospirosis than in the healthy individuals (P<0.01). The decrease of the erythrocyte elasticity may be related to the changes of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids composition caused by disturbances that occur during human leptospirosis, with phosphatidylcholine being a strong candidate in the erythrocyte rheological changes.

RESUMO A fim de avaliar o efeito de diferentes doses da rbST sobre a dinâmica folicular, a produção e a maturação in vitro de oócitos, 20 vacas Sindi, divididas em três grupos, receberam um dispositivo de progesterona intravaginal, estradiol e PGF2α, além de 2mL de solução salina (grupo controle), 250 (grupo rbST 250) ou 500mg de rbST (grupo rbST 500). Cinco dias depois, realizou-se a ovum pick up, e os complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCOs) recuperados foram selecionados, classificados e maturados in vitro. Os dados de contagem foram comparados pelo procedimento glht (General Linear Hypothesis Test), e os dados em porcentagem foram submetidos ao qui-quadrado, no programa estatístico R, onde as diferenças foram consideradas significativas quando P<0,05. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre os grupos quanto à quantidade de folículos e à taxa de maturação. Os grupos rbST 250 e rbST 500 foram significativamente superiores (P<0,05) ao grupo controle em relação ao número de folículos grandes (0,42±0,20 vs. 0). O grupo rbST 500 apresentou maior (P<0,05) porcentagem de oócitos viáveis (91,52%) do que os grupos controle (67,85%) e rbST 250 (53,33%). A rbST aumenta o número de folículos grandes, e 500mg de rbST aumentam a porcentagem de oócitos viáveis em vacas Sindi.

ABSTRACT In order to evaluate the effect of different doses of rbST on the follicular dynamics, production, and in vitro maturation of oocytes, 20 Sindhi cows were divided into three groups, receiving an intravaginal progesterone device, estradiol and PGF2α, and 2mL of solution saline (Control Group), 250 (rbST 250 Group) or 500mg rbST (rbST 500 Group). Five days later, the ovum pick up was performed, and the cumulus-oocyte (CCO) complexes recovered were selected, classified, and matured in vitro. The counting data were compared by the glht (General Linear Hypothesis Test) procedure, and the percentage data were submitted to Qui- square, in the statistical program R, where differences were considered significant when P< 0.05. There was no difference (P> 0.05) between the groups regarding follicle quantity and maturation rate. The rbST 250 and rbST 500 groups were significantly higher (P< 0.05) than the Control group in relation to the number of large follicles (0.42±0.20 versus 0). The rbST 500 group presented higher (P< 0.05) percentage of viable oocytes (91.52%) than the Control (67.85%) and rbST 250 (53.33%) groups. rbST increases the number of large follicles and 500mg rbST increases the percentage of viable oocytes in Sindhi cows.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar resposta inflamatória e concentrações de proteínas em líquido peritonealde asininas submetidas à ovariectomia por laparotomia e laparoscopia. Foram utilizadas 18 fêmeas adultas, pesando em média 100kg, as quais foram divididas em dois grupos, de nove animais cada: o grupo I, em que foram ovariectomizadas por laparotomia, e o grupo II por laparoscopia. Após as cirurgias, em ambos os grupos foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis no líquido peritoneal: pH, densidade, número de hemácias, leucócitos e proteínas de fase aguda (fibrinogênio, haptoglobina, albumina, antitripsina, alfa-1 glicoproteína ácida, ceruloplasmina, transferrina, imunoglobulinas A e G). Todas as variáveis foram analisadas antes das cirurgias, 12, 24, 48, 72 horas, oito e 16 dias após os procedimentos cirúrgicos. O número de hemácias e leucócitos aumentou 24 horas depois das cirurgias nos dois grupos. Haptoglobina, alfa-1 glicoproteína ácida,albumina, transferrina, gamaglobulinas A, G e proteínas totais aumentaram nos dois grupos. As concentrações de ceruloplasmina não variaram enquanto a antitripsina não foi detectada no líquido peritoneal de asininos.Foi identificada uma proteína com23.000kD, que não tem denominação nem descrição no líquido peritoneal de asininos.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory response and protein concentrations in the peritoneal fluid of donkeys submitted to laparotomy and laparoscopic ovariectomy. Eighteen adult females, weighing on average 100kg, were divided into two groups, of 09 animals each, where in group I, they were ovariectomized by laparotomy and group II by laparoscopy. Following the surgeries, the following variables were evaluated in the peritoneal fluid: pH, density, number of red cells, leukocytes and acute phase proteins (fibrinogen, haptoglobin, albumin, antitrypsin, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, Immunoglobulins A and G). All variables were analyzed before the surgeries, 12, 24, 48, 72 hours, 8 and 16 days after the surgical procedures. The number of red cells and leukocytes increased 24 hours after the surgeries in both groups. Haptoglobin, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, albumin, transferrin, gammaglobulins A and G, and total proteins increased in both groups. Concentrations of ceruloplasmin did not change while antitrypsin was not detected in the asinine peritoneal fluid. A protein of 23,000kD, which has no name or description in the peritoneal liquid of donkeys, has been identified.

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the effects of a specific pre-season planning on physical performance, recovery-stress state, hormonal and muscle damage markers in high-level futsal players. Method: Fifteen male futsal players, members of a high level Brazilian futsal team participated in this study. Before and after four weeks of pre-season, blood samples were collected, the Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes was applied, and vertical jump tests and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 2 tests were performed. The Internal Training Load was measured in all training sessions. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the Total Weekly Training Load between different weeks. To compare the differences between pre- and post-training of all other dependent variables (except the Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes scales) the Student's t-test and the magnitude based inference were used. Results: The futsal pre-season improved performance in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 2 and Squat Jump tests. The improvement in performance tests was accompanied by an increase in testosterone, creatine kinase, testosterone/creatine kinase ratio and in the majority of the Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes scales. Cortisol and the social recovery and general well-being of Recovery Stress Questionnaire for Athletes scales decreased during the futsal pre-season. Conclusions: In summary, players improved their performance in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 2 and Squat Jump tests in response to a futsal pre-season. Furthermore, the Internal Training Load behavior of the futsal training promoted a favorable hormonal anabolic environment and did not promote a negative disturbance in creatine kinase or stress/recovery balance, suggesting that futsal players did not report fatigue accumulation after this pre-season design.

Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos de um planejamento específico da pré-temporada no desempenho físico, estado de estresse-recuperação, marcadores hormonais e de danos musculares em jogadores de futsal de alto nível. Método: Quinze jogadores de futsal do sexo masculino, membros de uma equipe brasileira de futsal de alto nível participaram do estudo. Antes e após quatro semanas de pré-temporada, foram coletadas amostras de sangue, foi aplicado o Questionário de Estresse e Recuperação para Atletas, além da realização de testes de saltos verticais e do Yo-Yo Intermitente Recovery Test Nível 2. A carga interna de treinamento foi mensurada em todas as sessões. Para análise dos dados, foi utilizada uma análise de variância para medidas repetidas a fim de comparar a carga de treinamento semanal total entre as diferentes semanas. O teste T de Student foi realizado para comparar as diferenças entre o pré e pós de todas as outras variáveis dependentes (exceto as escalas Questionário de Estresse e Recuperação para Atletas), além da magnitude baseada em inferência. Resultados: A pré-temporada de futsal melhorou o desempenho no Yo-Yo Intermitente Recovery Test Nível 2 e no teste Squat Jump. A melhoria nos testes de desempenho foi acompanhado por um aumento nos níveis de testosterona, creatina quinase, testosterona/creatina quinase quociente e na maioria das escalas Questionário de Estresse e Recuperação para Atletas. O cortisol e as escalas de recuperação social e bem-estar geral do Questionário de Estresse e Recuperação para Atletas diminuíram durante a pré-temporada. Conclusões: Em resumo, os jogadores melhoraram seu desempenho no Yo-Yo Intermitente Recovery Test Nível 2 e no teste Squat Jump em resposta à pré-temporada. Além disso, o comportamento das cargas de treinamento promoveram um ambiente hormonal anabólico favorável e não geraram um distúrbio negativo na creatina quinase ou no equilíbrio estresse/recuperação, fato que sugere que os jogadores de futsal não relataram fadiga acumulada após uma pré-temporada com este desenho de periodização.

Resumen Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos de una planificación específica de pretemporada en el rendimiento físico, el estado de estrés-recuperación, marcadores hormonales y de daño muscular en jugadores de fútbol sala de alto nivel. Método: Quince jugadores masculinos de fútbol sala, miembros de un equipo brasileño de fútbol sala de alto nivel participaron en el estudio. Antes y después de cuatro semanas de pretemporada, se recogieron muestras de sangre, se utilizó el Cuestionario de estrés y recuperación para atletas, además de la realización de la prueba de salto vertical y Yo-Yo Intermitent Recovery Test Nivel 2. La carga interna de entrenamiento se midió en todas las sesiones de entrenamiento. Se utilizó un análisis de varianza para medidas repetidas para comparar la carga total semanal de entrenamiento entre las diferentes semanas. Para comparar las diferencias entre antes y después del entrenamiento de todas las demás variables dependientes (excepto escalas del cuestionario de estrés y recuperación para atletas), se usaron el test T de Student y la magnitud basada en la inferencia. Resultados: La pretemporada de fútbol sala mejoró el rendimiento en el Yo-Yo Intermitent Recovery Test Nivel 2 y en el test Squat Jump. La mejora en las pruebas de rendimiento fue acompañada por un aumento en los niveles de testosterona, creatina quinasa, cociente testosterona/creatina quinasa y en la mayoría de las escalas del cuestionario de estrés y recuperación para atletas. El cortisol y la recuperación social y el bienestar general del cuestionario de estrés y recuperación para atletas disminuyeron durante la pretemporada de fútbol sala. Conclusiones: En resumen, los jugadores mejoraron su rendimiento en el Yo-Yo Intermitent Recovery Test Nivel 2 y en el test Squat Jump, en respuesta a la pretemporada. Además, el comportamiento de la carga interna de entrenamiento de la pretemporada promovió un entorno hormonal anabólico favorable y no generó una perturbación negativa en la creatina quinasa o en el equilibrio estrés/recuperación, lo que sugiere que los jugadores de fútbol sala no informaron de acumulación de fatiga después de este diseño de pretemporada.

Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent disease with symptoms such as pelvic pain and infertility, and it is characterized by the ectopic distribution of endometrial tissue. The expression of the ID2, PRELP and SMOC2 genes was compared between the endometrium of women without endometriosis in the proliferative phase of their menstrual cycle and the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of women with endometriosis in the proliferative phase. Paired tissue samples from 20 women were analyzed: 10 from endometrial and peritoneal endometriotic lesions and 10 from endometrial and ovarian endometriotic lesions. As controls, 16 endometrium samples were collected from women without endometriosis in the proliferative phase of menstrual cycle. Analysis was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). There was no significant difference between gene expression in the endometrium of women with and without endometriosis. The ID2 gene expression was increased in the most advanced stage of endometriosis and in ovarian endometriomas, the PRELP was more expressed in peritoneal lesions, and the SMOC2 was highly expressed in both peritoneal and endometrioma lesions. Considering that the genes studied participate either directly or indirectly in cellular processes that can lead to cell migration, angiogenesis, and inappropriate invasion, it is possible that the deregulation of these genes caused the development and maintenance of ectopic tissue.

Understanding the effects of radiation and its possible influence on the nervous system are of great clinical interest. However, there have been few electrophysiological studies on brain activity after exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). A new methodological approach regarding the assessment of the possible effects of IR on brain activity is the use of linear and nonlinear mathematical methods in the analysis of complex time series, such as brain oscillations measured using the electrocorticogram (ECoG). The objective of this study was to use linear and nonlinear mathematical methods as biomarkers of gamma radiation regarding cortical electrical activity. Adult Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: 1 control and 2 irradiated groups, evaluated at 24 h (IR24) and 90 days (IR90) after exposure to 18 Gy of gamma radiation from a cobalt-60 radiotherapy source. The ECoG was analyzed using power spectrum methods for the calculation of the power of delta, theta, alpha and beta rhythms and by means of the α-exponent of the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). Using both mathematical methods it was possible to identify changes in the ECoG, and to identify significant changes in the pattern of the recording at 24 h after irradiation. Some of these changes were persistent at 90 days after exposure to IR. In particular, the theta wave using the two methods showed higher sensitivity than other waves, suggesting that it is a possible biomarker of exposure to IR.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi observar a influência do campo magnético (CM) de baixa frequência na membrana do saco vitelínico (MSV) e no desenvolvimento do embrião de codornas japonesas (Coturnix japonica) em 72 horas de incubação. Ovos fertilizados foram expostos a nove horas consecutivas de CM, sendo um grupo a partir das 48 horas e o outro a partir das 63 horas de incubação. A quantificação da vascularização da MSV foi determinada pela obtenção da dimensão fractal por meio dos métodos de box-counting e de dimensão de informação, enquanto o peso corporal e o percentual de comprimento cefálico dos embriões foram utilizados como parâmetros de desenvolvimento embrionário. O CM não causou diferenças significativas na densidade vascular da MSV nem no desenvolvimento embrionário, quando comparados ao grupo controle.

The aim of this study was to observe the influence of the low frequency magnetic field (MF) on the yolk sac membrane (YSM) and embryonic development of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) in 72 hours of incubation. Fertilized eggs were exposed to 9 consecutive hours of MF, with a group from 48 hours and the second group from 63 hours of incubation. The evaluation of YSM vascularization was determined by the fractal dimensions obtained through box-counting method and information dimension, while body weight of the embryo and percentage of cephalic length were used as parameters for embryo development. The MF caused no significant differences in vessel density in the YSM, nor in the embryonic development considering the body weight and percentage cephalic length, when were compared to the control group.

Titanium and its alloys have been used in biomedical applications because of their satisfactory mechanical properties, biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. Their high corrosion resistance has been attributed to the formation of a thermodynamically stable titanium oxide layer on the surface of these materials. In the present work, the corrosion behavior of Ti-9Mo (wt %) alloy, doped with oxygen, was evaluated in a phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution. The results showed a small decrease in the corrosion potential and a reduction in the corrosion rate with the oxygen doping, indicating a higher corrosion resistance is desirable for biomedical applications.

Verificou-se o efeito de diferentes fontes de ácidos graxos essenciais ômega-3 e ômega-6 sobre o perfil lipídico de codornas japonesas e sobre o crescimento vascular na membrana vitelina dos embriões de aves suplementadas com óleo de peixe, 2% e 4%, e óleo de soja, 2% e 4%, em relação à dieta-controle, sem suplementação lipídica. Foi usado o método enzimático com reação colorimétrica para estimar o perfil lipídico sérico de colesterol total, triglicerídeos e HDL das aves. A vascularização na membrana vitelina foi quantificada por meio da dimensão fractal, utilizando-se o método de box-counting. A concentração de colesterol dos grupos controle e tratados não diferiu entre si. Para o HDL, o grupo que recebeu maior proporção de óleo de peixe, 4%, diferiu dos outros grupos. Os níveis de triglicerídeos das codornas suplementadas com óleo de peixe foram superiores aos dos demais grupos. A dimensão fractal da vascularização da membrana vitelina dos embriões de codornas dos grupos que receberam 4% de óleo de peixe e 4% de óleo de soja foi significativamente menor que a dos demais grupos, indicando efeitos antiangiogênicos no processo de formação vascular.

The effect of different sources of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids on serum lipid profile in Japanese quails and on vascular growth in the embryos vitelline membrane was verified. The birds were supplemented with fish oil, 2% and 4%, and soybean oil, 2% and 4%, and one control diet, without lipid supply. The enzymatic method with colorimetric reaction was used to estimate the profile of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL of the birds. Vitelline membrane vascularization was measured using the box-counting fractal dimension. The cholesterol concentration of the treated and control groups showed no difference. For HDL, the group treated with a higher proportion of fish oil, 4%, differed from other groups. The triglycerides levels of quails supplemented with fish oil were higher than the other groups. The fractal dimension of quail embryos vitelline membrane from the groups treated with 4% fish oil and 4% soybean oil was lower than the other groups, indicating antiangiogenic effects on the vascular formation process.

RESUMO Avaliou-se a intensidade de pragas e inimigos naturais em um consórcio de milho (Zea maiz) e feijão (Vigna unguiculata), assim como a incidência de pragas em grãos armazenados dos respectivos cultivos. Os tratamentos consistiram em: Solo sem adubação, Calagem e adubação química, Lodo não higienizado, Lodo higienizado com extrato de neem (Azadirachta indica), Lodo tratado com cal virgen, Composto orgânico de lodo e Ipomoea carnea, Composto orgânico de lodo e I. carnea + fosfato natural no início da compostagem, Lodo não higienizado + fosfato natural no campo, Lodo higienizado com neem + fosfato natural no campo, Lodo tratado com cal virgen + fosfato natural no campo, Composto orgânico de lodo e I. carnea + fosfato natural no campo. As avaliações de pragas e inimigos naturais foram semanais e os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste Scott-Knott a 5% de probabilidade. O tratamento onde se avaliou o lodo higienizado com neem foi o que apresentou o menor ataque de pragas. Outro tratamento pouco atacado por pragas foi o que se avaliou o lodo higienizado com neem e fosfato no solo. Portanto, esses tratamentos são recomendados para os produtores.

RESUMEN Se evaluó la intensidad del ataque de plagas y enemigos naturales en una asociación de maíz (Zea maiz) y fríjol caupí (Vigna unguiculata), así como la incidencia de plagas en granos almacenados de los respectivos cultivos. Los tratamientos consistieron en: Suelo sin fertilización, Encalado y fertilización química, Lodo no higienizado, Lodo higienizado con extracto de neem (Azadirachta indica), Lodo tratado con cal virgen, Compuesto orgánico de lodo y Ipomoea carnea, Compuesto orgánico de lodo y I. carnea + fosfato natural al inicio del compostaje, Lodo no higienizado + fosfato natural en el campo, Lodo higienizado con neem + fosfato natural en el campo, Lodo tratado con cal virgen + fosfato natural en el campo, Compuesto orgánico de lodo y I. carnea + fosfato natural en el campo. Se realizaron observaciones semanales de plagas y enemigos naturales y los datos obtenidos se sometieron a análisis de varianza y la prueba de Scott-Knott a 5% de probabilidad. El suelo que recibió lodo de alcantarillado tratado con neem fue el que presentó el menor ataque de plagas. Otro tratamiento poco atacado por plagas fue el que recibió lodo de alcantarillado seco higienizado con extracto de neem + aplicación en el campo de fosfato natural reactivo. Por lo tanto, esos dos tratamientos son los recomendados para los productores.

The fractal dimension has been employed as a useful parameter in the diagnosis of retinal disease. Avakian et al. (Curr Eye Res 2002; 24: 274-280), comparing the vascular pattern of normal patients with mild to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), found a significant difference between them only in the macular region. This significant difference in the box-counting fractal dimension of the macular region between normal and mild NPDR patients has been proposed as a method of precocious diagnosis of NPDR. The aim of the present study was to determine if fractal dimensions can really be used as a parameter for the early diagnosis of NPDR. Box-counting and information fractal dimensions were used to parameterize the vascular pattern of the human retina. The two methods were applied to the whole retina and to nine anatomical regions of the retina in 5 individuals with mild NPDR and in 28 diabetic but opthalmically normal individuals (controls), with age between 31 and 86 years. All images of retina were obtained from the Digital Retinal Images for Vessel Extraction (DRIVE) database. The results showed that the fractal dimension parameter was not sensitive enough to be of use for an early diagnosis of NPDR.

We compared the pp65 antigen detection by an in house method (immunoperoxidase assay) and by a commercial kit (immunofluorescence assay) available for cytomegalovirus infection diagnosis in immunocompromised patients. Sixty-four blood samples were analyzed in duplicate for both techniques. Eight-six percent of the samples had concordant qualitative results. The discordant results occurred more frequently in samples with low quantity of positive cells. There were no significant differences with qualitative and quantitative results of the methods.

A fitorremediação é um processo promissor de descontaminação de solos em que a planta é utilizada como um mecanismo de alocação do agente contaminante e indesejável ao sistema tratado. Plantas de Cyperus rotundus, colhidas em área onde ocorreram descartes de resíduos industriais, foram avaliadas utilizando microscopia óptica (MO) e plasma de argônio indutivamente acoplado (ICP-AES). O trabalho objetivou avaliar as alterações causadas pelos poluentes químicos na estrutura morfológica do corpo epígeo de plantas juvenis de C. rotundus e seu potencial fitorremediador em comparação a plantas colhidas em região não poluída do mesmo solo (testemunha). As alterações anatômicas estruturais identificadas demonstram o potencial efeito poluidor dos contaminantes e também sugerem o comportamento hiperacumulador da planta avaliada.

Phytoremediation is a promising process of soil decontamination when the plant is used as a mechanism of allocation of the undesirable contaminant agent in the treated system. Samples of Cyperus rotundus collected in a contaminated area with industrial residues were evaluated through optical microscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP - AES). This work aimed to evaluate the phytoremediator potential and the morphological alterations in young epigeous body of C. rotundus caused by pollutant chemicals in comparison with plants collected in the same soil with no contamination (witness). The observed anatomic alterations compared with the witnesses demonstrated the potential polluting effect of contaminants and also indicated the hyperaccumulating behavior of the analyzed plants.