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This work aimed to establish the nutrient fertilization regime for indoor maintenance of Kappaphycus alvarezii seedlings during periods of low sea temperatures using biofloc effluent as a fertilizer. Moreover, we evaluated the development of seaweed seedlings after transplantation into the sea cultivation in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Seedlings were fertilized with biofloc effluent diluted by 25% in three different nutrient fertilization regimes for 4 weeks: single fertilization (SF): seedlings were fertilized for 1 week and remained in seawater for the following 3 weeks; alternating fertilization (AF): alternated 1 week with nutrient fertilization and 1 week without, and continuous fertilization (CF): seedlings were cultivated continuously with biofloc effluent. After this period, samples of each treatment were transferred into the sea cultivation and kept for 5 more weeks. The daily growth rates of plants cultivated in SF and AF were significantly higher than CF in indoor maintenance. However, in sea cultivation, the daily growth rates from AF and CF were significantly higher than SF. In both cases, there were no differences in the carrageenan yield between treatments. Light microscopy and quantification of floridean starch and pigments showed that after the sea cultivation period, floridean starch presence changed from cortical to medullar cells depending on the treatment, but no significant difference in the quantity was observed. Also, seedlings of SF treatment showed a significantly higher phycocyanin content compared to CF treatment. Based on the results, we suggest the continuous fertilization for indoor maintenance in tanks of seaweed seedlings with biofloc effluent.

This work aimed to verify the effects of adding CO2 and irradiance to Kappaphycus alvarezii cultivation. Thalli were cultured in vitro for 2 weeks under low irradiance (50 μmol photons m−2 s−1) with the addition of CO2 according to the following concentrations: 142× 103 ppm (1CO2, 0.1 L min−1), 285 × 103 ppm (2CO2, 0.2 L min−1) and 428 × 103 ppm (3CO2, 0.3 L min−1), followed by culture under higher irradiance (200 μmol photons m−2 s−1) for 2 more weeks. Control had no CO2 addition. Afterwards, growth rate, chlorophyll a and carotenoid content were quantified. Samples were submitted to light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Growth rates of different treatments or control between experimental periods showed no significant differences, except for 2CO2 treatment at the end of each period. Kappaphycus alvarezii cultivated with CO2 addition showed cell wall thickening and increasing quantity of starch granules, chlorophyll a and carotenoids compared with control. Exposed to high irradiance, control samples showed signs of stress, such as changes in chloroplast, starch granules quantity decrease and total chlorophyll a and carotenoids increase. Samples cultivated with CO2 showed an increase in the quantity and size of the starch granules and an increase in the number of organelles (mitochondria) related to energy generation and cell construction (Golgi complex). Such alterations suggest cellular response after CO2 addition, such as the formation of starch reserves and cell wall thickening, which could make plants more tolerant to environmental stress during transport from indoor condition to sea farms.

Under the hypothesis that modifying nitrogen sources and doses could increase nitrogen fertilization efficiency and productivity and improve forage quality, this study aimed to evaluate the morphological composition, structural characteristics and chemical composition of Panicum maximum cv. Massai forage cultivated under different urea sources (common and coated with Policote®) and nitrogen doses (200, 400 and 600 kg ha-1 year-1) during the autumn, winter and spring of 2014 and the summer and autumn of 2015. The experiment was carried out in Seropédica, RJ, under a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement (3x2) + 1 with four replications. High nitrogen rates promoted higher percentages of leaf blade dry mass and lower percentages of dead material dry mass in the forage mass and provided higher tiller population density and forage accumulation rate of Massai grass during the studied seasons. The use of coated urea promoted higher levels of crude protein in the forage than did the use of common urea in all seasons. The intensification of nitrogen fertilization reduced the nitrogen use efficiency but benefitted the structural characteristics, forage accumulation and chemical composition of Massai grass forage. The use of coated urea promoted greater of nitrogen use efficiency during all seasons of the year.

A espécie de molusco bivalve Mytilus cf. edulis platensis (d´Orbigny, 1846) está se estabelecendo nas fazendas marinhas catarinenses de mexilhões Perna perna e a sua prevalência, no município de Bombinhas, é calculada e discutida neste estudo. A dominância de M. cf. edulis platensis sobre o P. perna foi constatada em 14 das 20 fazendas marinhas amostradas, numa proporção de ocorrência de 69% do mitilídeo e de 31% do nativo Perna perna. O aumento populacional pode estar relacionado à sua capacidade de adaptação e às alterações ambientais da biosfera causadas pelo aquecimento global. Termos para indexação: mexilhão; Perna perna; molusco; maricultura; ecologia.

A new flotaton model for the experimental culture of macroalgae Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex P.C. Silva is described and illustrated. The ellipsis-shaped 90L apparatus is made of medium density virgin polyethylene, measuring 2000mm long x 300mm wide x 200mm high, and weighing 9kg. The device has been successfully tested in the litoral region of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, throughout the experimental period. Contrastingly to traditional models available on the market, with their instability in strong sea currents, the current model is an alternative to enhance algae-mollusks integrated culture, by providing stability to culture structures. It may also serve as a spacer and support for mooring of double long lines. Resumo - Um novo modelo de flutuador para o cultvo experimental da macroalga Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex P.C. Silva e descrito e ilustrado. Confeccionado em polietleno virgem de media densidade, possui formato eliptico e dimensoes de 2000 mm de comprimento x 300 mm de largura x 200 mm de altura, com volume de 90 litros e peso de 9kg. O aparato foi testado na regiao costeira catarinense e obteve grande exito durante todo o periodo experimental. Diferentemente dos modelos tradicionalmente disponiveis no mercado, cujo principal entrave diz respeito a sua instabilidade ante as fortes correntes marinhas litorâneas, o presente modelo emerge como uma alternativa para viabilizar o cultivo integrado de algas e moluscos, oferecer estabilidade as estruturas de cultivo e servir, ao mesmo tempo, como espacador e suporte para amarracao de long lines duplos.

We examined the spatial pattern of seaweed branches dispersion based on lagrangian numerical simulation of an experimental cultivation of the seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii. Sambaqui Beach seaweed cultivation located in the Bay of Santa Catarina Island southern Brazil was used as case study. This work is the first step towards understanding the dispersion and the range of detached branches in the estuarine region. For that, the use of hydrodynamic modeling as tool to support the evaluation of the water dynamics and particles fate was considered. Several environmental datasets are needed as input for hydrodynamic mathematical models, like bathymetry, tide time series, and branches settling velocity. The experiments on branches vertical velocities, in this study, varied from 3.2 until 5.7 cm.s−1, which presented a high correlation with branches volume. These velocities associated with the hydrodynamic model resulted that 90% of the branches will disperse to an area varying from 2 to 6 ha depending on the simulated scenario. Besides, model results shows that particles traveled distances up to 2.5 km, but most of them did not reach the coastline. Although the need for a large amount of data and numerical modeling effort, the results show that this type of approach can reduce the monitoring area around 75% and consequently reduce the need for human resources, time, and inputs in monitoring the dispersion of branches of exotic seaweed in the environment.

Propolis is a complex mixture of beeswax, resinous and volatile substances produced by honeybees with material collected from plant exudates. The essential oil obtained from a propolis samples from southern Brazil was extracted by hydro-distillation. The yield of oil is high (8.5%), and its major constituents are the monoterpenes α-pinene (86%), β-pinene (12%) and camphene (1%). At 1% concentration, the oil inhibited the germination of lettuce seeds. At 0.25%, the growth speed index and the growth of the hypocotyl–radicle axis reduced substantially. The oil at 0.5% inhibited the elongation of procambial cells and shifted the elongation of the ground meristem cells axially to radially. Hence, the elongation zone assumed a stratified arrangement. In radicles from seeds treated with oil at 1%, a radially directed cell elongation took place in the root cap, protoderm and procambium, preventing the root to protrude. Intercellular spaces appeared between layers of cells of the ground meristem. The anatomical changes observed might be an effect of monoterpenes, either promoting the production of ethylene or affecting the sensitivity of meristem cells to this regulator.

Babassu (Attalea speciosaMart. ex Spreng., Arecaceae) is a palm tree endemic to Brazil and found mainly in the borders of Amazon forest, where the harvesting of its fruits is an important source of income for more than 300,000 people. Among the communities of coconut breakers women, babassu oil is used in culinary, as fuel, and mostly as medicinal oil for the treatment of skin wounds and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the wound healing effects of babassu oil. In vitro, babassu oil increased the migration of L929 fibroblasts, inhibited the production of nitric oxide by LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, and increased the levels of INF-γand IL-6 cytokines production. In vivo, babassu oil accelerated the healing process in a full-thickness splinted wound model, by an increase in the fibroblasts number, blood vessels, and collagen deposition in the wounds. The babassu oil also increased the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the wound site and showed an anti-inflammatory effect in a chronic ear edema model, reducing ear thickness, epidermal hyperplasia, and myeloperoxidase activity. Thus, these data corroborate the use of babassu oil in folk medicine as a remedy to treat skin wounds.

Tithonia diversifolia (Tithonia) is performed as an invasive species with a high adaptive potential that can be used for several purposes, including an alternative source of forage for different animal categories. The use of Tithonia is growing rapidly as farmers recognize its high accumulation of biomass, good nutritional value and adaptation to tropical environments. However, the effects of irrigation and nitrogen on the characteristics of Tithonia have been poorly studied. In this context, the objective of this study was to identify changes in the productive characteristics and morphophysiology of Tithonia under different irrigation simulations and nitrogen fertilization rates, seeking to understand its adaptive potential in different water and nutritional scenarios, improvements in the efficiency of the use of water and nitrogen and its potential for use in a global context. Field trials was a split-plot design with three replicates. Whole plots were irrigation rate (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of crop evapotranspiration - ETc) and the subplots were the nitrogen fertilizer rate (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha−1). There were significant effects of irrigation, nitrogen, and their interaction on dry biomass accumulation, nitrogen- and water-use efficiency, plant height, chlorophyll index, and photosynthetic rate. Irrigation and nitrogen rates increased the dry biomass accumulation. The highest dry biomass accumulation was 7.32 Mg ha−1 in cycle I and 10.4 Mg ha−1 in cycle II. The greatest nitrogen-use efficiency was observed at a rate of 100 kg of nitrogen ha−1, and the greatest water-use efficiency was observed at irrigation 75% ETc. Irrigation and nitrogen also increased plant height, chlorophyll index, and photosynthetic rate. Tithonia proved to be a plant adapted to the humid temperate climate and sandy-loam texture soil, presenting great dry biomass accumulation potential even without irrigation and nitrogen fertilization. However, the greatest dry biomass accumulation was obtained with water replacement of 100% of ETc, the crop evapotranspiration, and nitrogen fertilization of 150 kg ha−1.

Macroalgae represent 26 % of the global production of cultivated organisms, with Gracilaria spp. representing 12 % of that production; Eucheuma spp. and Kappaphycus alvarezii account for 34 % of world’s algae production. Despite the potential for cultivating seaweed in Brazil, and with its more than 8000 km of coastline, there is neither marine algaculture nor detailed knowledge even among aquaculture farmers concerning the utility of algae in agriculture, industry, and gastronomy, with the result that algaculture represents only the smallest fraction of national aquaculture production. The main cultivated species of seaweed sold in Brazil include the exotic K. alvarezii and native species of Gracilaria that are grown on small scales and do not meet national industrial demands, which must be supplemented by imports. We discuss Brazilian algaculture here, pointing out some of the problems that restrict commercial production of algae in that country and offer solutions that could be shared with other nations.

Central nervous system (CNS) is the main site for encystment of Neospora caninum in different animal species. In this tissue, glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) modulate responses to aggression in order to preserve homeostasis and neuronal function. Previous data showed that when primary cultures of glial cells are infected with N. caninum, they develop gliosis and the immune response is characterized by the release of TNF and IL-10, followed by the control of parasite proliferation. In order to elucidate this control, three enzymatic systems involved in parasite-versus-host interactions were observed on a model of neuron/glia co/cultures obtained from rat brains. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) responsible for the catabolism of tryptophan and arginine, respectively, and cycloxigenase (COX) were studied comparing their modulation by respective inhibitors with the number of tachyzoites or the immune response measured by the release of IL-10 and TNF. Cells were treated with the inhibitors of iNOS (1.5 mM L-NAME), IDO (1 mM 1-methyl tryptophan), COX-1 (1 μM indomethacin) and COX-2 (1 μM nimesulide) before infection with tachyzoites of N. caninum (1:1 cell: parasite). After 72 h of infection, immunocytochemistry showed astrogliosis and a significant increase in the number and length of neurites, compared with uninfected co-cultures, while an increase of IL-10 and TNF was verified. N. caninum did not change iNOS activity, but the inhibition of the basal levels of this enzyme stimulated parasite proliferation. Additionally, a significant increase of about 40% was verified in the IDO activity, whose inhibition caused 1.2-fold increase in parasitic growth. For COX-2 activity, infection of cultures stimulated a significant increase in release of PGE2 and its inhibition by nimesulide allowed the parasitic growth. These data indicate that iNOS, IDO and COX-2 control the proliferation of N. caninum in this in vitro model. On the other hand, the release of IL-10 by glia besides modulating the inflammation also allow the continuity of parasitism.

Cutaneous metastases from primary internal malignancies represent 0.7-9% of patients with cancer. We report a 65-year-old female patient referred for evaluation of normochromic papules on the trunk and upper limbs that had been present for three months. A skin biopsy revealed diffuse cutaneous infiltration by small round cell tumors. Immunohistochemistry was positive for AE1/AE3, CK7, estrogen receptor and mammaglobin. The final diagnosis was cutaneous metastasis of occult breast cancer, since the solid primary tumor was not identified. The location of the primary tumor can not be determined in 5-10% of cases. In these cases, 27% are identified before the patient’s death, 57% at autopsy, and the remaining 16% can not be located.

Integrated systems have been gaining prominence in recent years, especially the crop-livestock-forestry, which, in addition to being an alternative income per area, increase fertility and organic matter content in the soil, and protect animals against weather conditions. However, there is still a lack of knowledge about the management of pastures under such conditions. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the grazing management and nitrogen fertilization in Marandu palisade grass consorted with Eucalyptus to obtain the greater of forage production. The experimental design was a randomized block, arranged in split-plot, the plots were composed of two eucalyptus spacing (12 x 2 or 12 x 3) and Marandu monoculture, the subplots were composed of the nitrogen fertilization rate (0, 100, 200 kg N/ha using ammonium sulfate). The higher DM accumulation rate was observed at 200 kg N ha-1 (69.29 kg DM ha-1 day), while there was no difference between the treatments without fertilization and 100 kg N ha-1 (P > 0.001). DM accumulation rate increased by 30.01% when fertilization increased from 100 kg N ha-1 to 200 kg N ha-1. Marandu palisade grass with 200 kg N ha-1 showed the highest production (28.82 t ha-1) independent of spacing. In the silvopastoral system, the greater accumulation of forage was observed when handled with 80% of the light interception (LI), corresponding to a height of 67 cm. Therefore, we conclude that Marandu grass in a silvopastoral system, without N fertilization, should be managed with a pre-grazing height of 60 cm and 73% LI. Marandu grass in a silvopastoral system, with 100 kg N ha-1 fertilization, should be managed with a height of 68 cm and 84% LI, and, with 200 kg N ha-1, should be managed at 80% of LI for the greater pasture utilization and development.

Little attention has been paid to plant mutualistic interactions in the Amazon rainforest, and the general pattern of occurrence and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in these ecosystems is largely unknown. This study investigated AMF communities through their spores in soil in a 'terra firme forest' in Central Amazonia. The contribution played by abiotic factors and plant host species identity in regulating the composition, abundance and diversity of such communities along a topographic gradient with different soils and hydrology was also evaluated. Forty-one spore morphotypes were observed with species belonging to the genera Glomus and Acaulospora, representing 44 % of the total taxa. Soil texture and moisture, together with host identity, were predominant factors responsible for shaping AMF communities along the pedo-hydrological gradient. However, the variability within AMF communities was largely associated with shifts in the relative abundance of spores rather than changes in species composition, confirming that common AMF species are widely distributed in plant communities and all plants recruited into the forest are likely to be exposed to the dominant sporulating AMF species.

Neospora caninum causes abortion in cattle and neurological disorders in dogs. The immunological response to this parasite has been described as predominantly of the Th1 type. However, infected primary glial cell cultures release IL-10 and IL-6 but not IFN-γ. This suggests a rather protective response of the glia to avoid inflammatory damage of the nervous tissue. In this study, we investigated the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines in primary mixed cultures of rat astrocytes and microglia infected with N. caninum. The cells were treated with either IFN-γ, TNF-α, anti-IL-10 or anti-TGF-β antibodies and were infected with parasite tachyzoites 24h later. Trypan Blue exclusion and MTT assays were performed to test cell viability. It was observed that cytokines, antibody treatment and in vitro infection did not reveal significant cell death in the various culture conditions. Treatment with 50, 150 and 300 IU/mL of either IFN-γ or TNF-α reduced tachyzoites numbers in cultures by 36.7%, 54.8% and 63.8% for IFN-γ and by 27.6%, 38.4% and 29.7% for TNF-α, respectively. In the absence of IL-10 and TGF-β, tachyzoite numbers were reduced by 52.8% and 41.5%, respectively. While IFN-γ (150 and 300 IU/mL) increased the nitrite levels in uninfected cells, parasite infection seemed to reduce the nitrite levels, and this reduction was more expressive in IFN-γ-infected cells, thereby suggesting an inhibitory effect on its production. However, TNF-α, IL-10 and TGF-β did not affect the nitrite levels. Basal PGE(2) levels also increased by 17% and 25%; 78% and 13% in uninfected and infected cells treated with IFN-γ or anti-TGF-β, respectively. Nevertheless, the antibody neutralization of IL-10 reduced PGE(2) release significantly. These results highlight the possibility of a combined effect between the IFN-γ and parasite evasion strategies and show that the IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10 and TGF-β cytokines participate in parasite proliferation control mechanisms.

Kappaphycus and Eucheuma species have been successfully cultivated in Southeast Asia since the early 1970s. The increasing global demand for carrageenan in processed foods and thereby the need for industrial-scales of biomass to be provided to feed an extraction industry, exceeded wild stock availability and productivity and commercial demands could only be achieved through extensive cultivation of selected carrageenophytes. This unprecedented situation led to the introduction of carrageenophyte species and cultivars around the world; combined production of Eucheuma and Kappaphycus is one of the largest for seaweed biomass in the world.

Leprosy can be classified according to its operational form as paucibacillary or multibacillary. Bacilloscopy integrates its diagnostic armamentarium. Patients with the disease may present leprosy reactions. This study describes the association of bacilloscopy results and the type of operational classification of leprosy in patients with leprosy reactions. Medical records were analyzed at a reference center between 2010 and 2015. Reactions occurred in almost half of the patients, making their identification important. The bacilloscopic and operational characterization indicates a greater occurrence of leprosy reactions in patients with positive bacilloscopy and also in multibacillary.

Submitted by Ramon El-Bachá (ramon@ufba.br) on 2016-09-30T20:33:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 de Jesus et al 2014.pdf: 915416 bytes, checksum: 4d7c829f8d4091e11a0ce03d46824d54 (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Delba Rosa (delba@ufba.br) on 2016-10-07T11:54:37Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 de Jesus et al 2014.pdf: 915416 bytes, checksum: 4d7c829f8d4091e11a0ce03d46824d54 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-07T11:54:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 de Jesus et al 2014.pdf: 915416 bytes, checksum: 4d7c829f8d4091e11a0ce03d46824d54 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-10-27 CNPq/CAPES Neospora caninum causes cattle abortion and neurological symptoms in dogs. Although infection is usually asymptomatic, classical neurological symptoms of neosporosis may be associated with encephalitis. This parasite can grow in brain endothelial cells without markedly damages, but it can modulate the cellular environment to promote its survival in the brain. In previous studies, we described that IFN-g decreased the parasite proliferation and down regulated nitric oxide (NO) production in astrocyte/microglia cultures. However,it remains unclear how glial cells respond to N. caninum in the presence of neurons. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of 300 IU/mL IFN-gamma or 1.0 mg/mL of LPS on infected rat neuron/glial co-cultures. After 72 h of infection, LPS did not affect the mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity. However, IFN-gamma decreased this parameter by 15.5 and 12.0% in uninfected and infected cells, respectively. The number of tachyzoites decreased 54.1 and 44.3% in cells stimulated with IFN-gamma and LPS, respectively. Infection or LPS treatment did not change NO production. On the other hand, IFN-gamma induced increased nitrite release in 55.7%, but the infection reverted this induction. IL-10 levels increased only in infected cultures (treated or not), meanwhile PGE2 release was improved in IFN-gamma/infected or LPS/infected cells. Although IFN-gamma significantly reduced the neurite length in uninfected cultures (42.64%; p < 0.001), this inflammatory cytokine reverted the impairment of neurite outgrowth induced by the infection (81.39%). The results suggest a neuroprotective potential response of glia to N. caninum infection under IFN-gamma stimulus. This observation contributes to understand the immune mediated mechanisms of neosporosis in central nervous system (CNS).

Bone tissue has different models of vascularization, cellular distribution, mineralization and remodeling among mammals species. A variety of dietary habits associated with the mode of locomotion and habitat required from bats the establishment of different flying styles and some skeletal adaptations. This study aimed at examining the microscopic characteristics of mature bone tissue of Glossophaga soricina (Phyllostomidae, Chiroptera). Twelve animals of both genders were used, in which the right humerus were dissected, weighed, decalcified and submitted to routine histological processing. Semi-serial cuts of 5 micrometers were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H.E.), picrosirius red and silver nitrate 50%. The histological preparations were subjected to histological and histomorphometric analysis. Lacunae density was significantly higher in humerus of females when compared to males (33.96 x 27.80, p = 0.02). Microscopic analysis indicated the presence of parallel collagen fibers distributed in the bone matrix. Lacunes presented various shapes and canaliculi are well distributed and individualized. Few Havers systems and canals were observed. The mature bone tissue of the humerus Glossophaga soricina share microscopic features with other mammals, however, differences in the structural organization are peculiar to this species. KEYWORDS: bone; Glossophaga soricina ; histomorphometry.

Four strains of Kappaphycus alvarezii were cultivated in the subtropical waters of Florianopolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil (27°29′19′′ S/48°32′28′′ W), from February 2009 to February 2010. Seaweeds were cultivated on floating raft near of mussel farms. Salinity ranged from 29 to 36 psu and temperature from 17.1 to 28.5°C. Higher growth rates (5.12–4.29% day−1) were measured in summer and autumn, showing a positive correlation between growth rate and water temperature. Lower growth rates (0.54–0.32% day−1) occurred in winter, resulted mainly by biomass loss. Significant differences were observed among the strains in spring and the brown tetrasporophytic strain was the only one which failed to recover, being excluded of the experiments. The effect of cultivation periods (36, 42, and 97 days) on carrageenan yield, gel strength, and viscosity were analyzed. Carrageenan yields were higher for plants kept 42 days in the sea (28%), against 25% for 36 and 97 days. There were no significant differences in carrageenan yield among the strains analyzed. Viscosity increased with the increase of cultivation period, while gel strength seemed to vary at random. Tetrasporangia and cystocarps were not observed, and lost fragments did not attach outside the raft. In general, dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration decreased around the cultivation area as compared to the mussel farm. Results show that cultivation of K. alvarezii is technically feasible in subtropical waters and can be associated with local mussel farms, mitigating the eutrophication and, eventually, increasing the economic return of the farmers.

Submitted by ROBERTO PAULO CORREIA DE ARAÚJO (ppgorgsistem@ufba.br) on 2016-09-16T12:30:11Z No. of bitstreams: 1 6_v.8_2.pdf: 148807 bytes, checksum: 25a7382e9c2f5e490f33d6dae06d636a (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-16T12:30:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6_v.8_2.pdf: 148807 bytes, checksum: 25a7382e9c2f5e490f33d6dae06d636a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-05 Vários estudos têm sugerido a possibilidade de transmissão de endoparasitos ao homem através de ingestão de frutas, verduras e hortaliças consumidas cruas, provenientes de áreas cultivadas e contaminadas por dejetos fecais. Com o objetivo de verificar a frequência de formas parasitárias em hortaliças, foram analisadas 30 amostras de alface crespa (Lactuca sativa) e 30 de agrião (Nasturdium officinale) provenientes de supermercados e feiras livres no município de Salvador (Bahia). As amostras foram pesadas e divididas em partes iguais, sendo uma parte lavada em água destilada e a outra em solução de hipoclorito de sódio. O conteúdo da lavagem foi deixado sedimentar por 24h e, em seguida, analisado. Das amostras examinadas, 95% estavam contaminadas, sendo 100% provenientes de feiras livres e 90% de supermercados. Os parasitos encontrados foram: cistos de Entamoeba sp, Endolimax sp, Giardia sp, oocistos não esporulados, ovos de ancilostomídeos, larvas de nematódeos, ovos de Ascaris, ácaros e Trichuris sp. Com os resultados obtidos evidencia-se a importância das hortaliças na transmissão de enteroparasitos bem como uma boa higienização das mesmas para o consumo “in natura”. Concluímos que essas duas variedades de hortaliças comercializadas nos dois estabelecimentos apresentaram índices de contaminação consideráveis, indicando que os procedimentos de cultivo e manuseio devem ser revistos. Salvador

Toxocara canis is a dog helminth which causes visceral larva migrans (VLM) when infecting humans as a larva. The infection is demonstrated by detecting IgG antibodies against excretory–secretory larval antigens (ESLA) in serum by ELISA. The production of ESLA involves the collection of adult worms from dog puppy stools, the separation of eggs from dissected uteri, and the in vitro growing of egg-derived larvae, following the time-consuming and laborious protocol described by De Savigny [De Savigny, D.H., 1975. In vitro maintenance of T. canis larvae and a simple method for the production of Toxocara ES antigen for the uses in serodiagnostic tests for visceral larva migrans. Journal of Parasitology 61, 781–782]. In this work, an improved protocol for obtaining T. canis larvae is described. The modifications proposed improved the efficiency of the original De Savigny method in three ways: (i) increasing the parasite yield up to five fold, (ii) improving the larval purity, and (iii) markedly reducing the execution time of the protocol.

Foi avaliada a contaminação das praias da orla da parte alta da cidade de Salvador-BA (Barra até Itapoã) em 786 amostras de areia e 266 amostras de fezes caninas, no inverno de 2004 e verão de 2005, com o objetivo de verificar a presença de parasitos caninos de importância zoonótica, responsáveis pelas síndromes da larva migrans visceral e cutânea (LMV e LMC). No laboratório, as amostras foram submetidas às técnicas: centrifugoflutuação, Baermann, sedimentação espontânea e Willis. As amostras de areia apresentaram 29,24% de positividade e as fezes 54,51%. As praias com maior contaminação foram: Rio Vermelho, Piatã, Boca do Rio e Itapoã (34 a 37%) no inverno e Boca do Rio e Itapoã (39%) no verão.Comparando a contaminação desses dois períodos, não houve diferença estatística significante. Os parasitos encontrados foram: Ancylostoma sp, Toxocara sp. Toxascaris, Taeniidae, Trichuris e Ascaris, em ordem decrescente de prevalência. Concluímos que as praias da cidade de Salvador apresentaram índices constantes de contaminação, o que constitui um problema de saúde pública relevante, devido à possibilidade de transmissão de zoonoses.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Epigenetic deregulation may be involved in tumor cell biology, including differentiation, tumor progression, and cell death, and histone acetylation is a major regulatory mechanism of gene transcription. Patterns of global histone modifications have been recently suggested as outcome predictors in cancer patients, but few studies have been conducted on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). This study was designed to investigate the predictive value of histone acetylation modifications on PDAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective clinicopathologic analysis was undertaken in 119 patients diagnosed with PDAC between 2005 and 2011, and immunohistochemistry performed with polyclonal antibodies against H4K12ac, H3K9ac, and H3K18ac. Positive nuclear staining for each histone was measured as the intensity and expression, being classified into low-staining or high-staining groups. Results were analyzed in relation to patients' clinicopathologic parameters. RESULTS There was a positive relationship between tumor differentiation and H4K12ac high scores (P