Search

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate whether skeletal development of the Pantanal Caiman (Caiman yacare) is similarly influenced by temperature variation and controlled increases in embryo motility. All eggs were incubated at 90% humidity and 29 °C for the first 45 days. Thereafter, the incubation temperature was either maintained at 29 °C and embryos were treated with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on days 46, 47, 48, and 49 (Group I, 29 °C 4-AP, n = 15); maintained at 29 °C (n = 14; Group II); or at 33 °C (n = 14, Group III). Embryonic movement was measured using an Egg Buddy® digital monitor on days 30, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 60, at which point embryos were euthanized and samples were collected for analysis. No differences were observed between groups with varying incubation temperatures. In contrast, embryonic motility was greater in embryos treated with 4-AP (P < 0.001) on day 49, and this was associated with higher proportions of snout-vent and hand lengths. This study demonstrates for the first time that pharmacologically induced increases in embryo motility result in phenotypic changes to the proportion of elements during prenatal ontogeny, thereby effectively altering the adaptation of the species to specific environments.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intrafollicular treatment (IFT) with different doses of luteinising hormone. Experimental heifers were treated with a single deslorelin implant to desensitise gonadotroph cells of the pituitary gland. Thereafter, follicular development was stimulated by exogenous FSH treatment. Intrafollicular treatment with 10, 5, 1 and 0.01 µg LH was performed on one single follicle while other follicles remained untreated. Human chorionic gonadotrophine (2000 UI) was administered intravenously as a control. Ovulation and development of the corpus luteum occurred after all intrafollicular treatments with 10 and 5 µg LH. After IFT using 1 µg of LH 75% animals (3/4) ovulated. The dose of 0.01 µg was not followed by any ovulation whereas control treatments with hCG were followed by an ovulation of the majority of follicles present in the ovaries. In conclusion, IFT with different doses of LH (greater than 0.01 µg) is capable of inducing ovulation.

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com a finalidade de avaliar um sistema de bombeamento de água acionado por painéis fotovoltaicos instalados nas dependências da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Câmpus Medianeira - PR. O município está localizado no oeste paranaense (25º17'43" S; 54º03'38" e 500,7 m). O sistema trabalhou em situação real de funcionamento, bombeando água à altura de 20 m. Foram coletados dados de fevereiro a novembro de 2005; utilizou-se coletor de dados computadorizado da Campbell Scientific INC. , que possibilitou adquirir e armazenar os dados de irradiância solar no plano do painel, tensão e corrente gerada, temperatura no painel e vazão. Por meio de cálculos, obtiveram-se os valores de potência e eficiência do sistema. O solstício de inverno apresentou eficiência de 9,58% com bombeamento diário de 2.056 litros, enquanto o solstício de verão apresentou eficiência de 9,07% com bombeamento diário de 2.377 litros. A maior eficiência nos dias de inverno está ligada às menores temperaturas se comparada aos dias de verão, e o fator que provocou a maior vazão de água bombeada nos dias de verão está atrelado ao tempo de insolação, que é maior se comparado aos dias de inverno.The main objective of this paper is to evaluate a water pumping system powered by photovoltaic panels installed at Federal Technological University of Paraná - UTFPR, in Medianeira, State of Paraná, Brazil. The city is located at the West of Paraná (25º17'43"; 54º03'38" and 500.7 meters - 1,642.72 feet). The system operated in a real working situation, pumping water to 20 meters (65.62 feet) of elevation. The data were collected, from February 2005 to November 2005, by means of a computerized data collector made by Campbell Scientific Inc that made possible to acquire and store irradiance values in the panel plane, generated current and voltage, panel temperature and outflow. Through calculations, the power and the system efficiency were obtained. Winter solstice showed 9.58% efficiency with daily pumping of 2,056 liters (543.14 gallons) whereas summer solstice confirmed 9.07% efficiency with daily pumping of 2,377 liters (627.86 gallons). The higher efficiency in winter days is associated to the lowest temperature in those days compared to summer days, and the factor that led to a larger pumped water outflow in the summer days was related to solar insolation time that is longer if compared to winter days.

We report new percutaneous techniques for perforating the pulmonary valve in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, in 3 newborns who had this birth defect. There was mild to moderate hypoplastic right ventricle, a patent infundibulum, and no coronary-cavitary communications. We succeeded in all cases, and no complications related to the procedure occurred. The new coaxial radiofrequency system was easy to handle, which simplified the procedure. Two patients required an additional source of pulmonary flow (Blalock-Taussig shunt) in the first week after catheterization. All patients had a satisfactory short-term clinical evolution and will undergo recatheterization within 1 year to define the next therapeutic strategy. We conclude that this technique may be safely and efficiently performed, especially when the new coaxial radiofrequency system is used, and it may become the initial treatment of choice in select neonates with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum.

The percentage of estrus induction and plasma LH concentrations were examined in 15 Azawak zebu cows submitted to two different estrus synchronization protocols. In the first treatment (T1, n = 9), the cows received a norgestomet ear-implant for 10 days associated with estradiol valerate, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) injections. Treatment 2 (T2, n = 6) consisted in two PGF2α injections 11 days apart, followed by the administration of PMSG two days after the second prostaglandin injection. Blood samples were collected every three hours during five days after implant removal (T1) or PMSG injection (T2) for LH measurements. The proportion of induced estrus was higher in T2, but the difference was not significant. In general, the elapsed time until the estrus onset tended to be shorter in norgestomet-treated animals (35.9 ± 3.9 h) than in prostaglandin-treated ones (49.5 ± 5.8 h). Seven out of nine norgestomet-treated cows, and only two out of the six treated with PGF2α, presented a peak of LH. The mean interval from the end of treatments to LH peak tended to be longer in PGF2α-treated females than in norgestomet-treated ones. One female presenting abnormally high LH concentrations after implant removal did not show a peak of LH during the observation period.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the plasmatic profiles of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) and progesterone during gestation and two weeks postpartum in Ouled Djellal ewes. Twenty-five ewes were sampled weekly after estrus synchronization and natural mating. Concentrations of PAG and progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. Two ewes failed to become pregnant. Eighteen females developed normal ongoing pregnancies (12 single and 6 multiple) while 5 others were considered as having abnormal pregnancies. In normal ongoing pregnancies, PAG and progesterone concentrations were significantly influenced by the stage of pregnancy (P < 0.0001) but not by the fetal number. Individual plasmatic profiles were described in three ewes having had embryonic mortalities, in two having suffered fetal losses (at days 66 and 110), and finally in two ewes that had at the same time the presence of one alive and one or two mummified fetuses. Plasmatic concentrations of PAG were lower in ewes presenting simultaneously living and mummified fetuses

The species Ouratea fieldingiana is a bush belonging to the family Ochnaceae, occurring frequently in the "Caatinga" Dominium. This species and other members of the genus Ouratea are rarely studied and no data are available on the chemical composition or medical and industrial potential of this plant. Thus, this work aimed to study the nutritional, medical and industrial potential of O. fieldingiana fruits by determining the proximate composition, caloric value and the content of toxic and antinutritional factors. The search for biological and enzymatic activities with pharmacological and industrial interest was also conducted. The results showed that the dry fruits are rich in proteins (21.58 ± 2.02 g/100g) and dietary fiber (46.72 ± 0.52 g/100g), do not show trypsin inhibitors, toxins or tannins, and have low levels of urease (2.41 ± 0.22 units kg-1 ) and lectins (780 and 3,098 HU/g protein in native erythrocytes and in protease-treated erythrocytes, respectively). The fruit aqueous extracts showed antibacterial activity (growth inhibition halo with diameter > 10 mm) against Cromobacterium violaceum, possibly due to a protein compound, and also amylolytic (starch degradation area > 60 mm2), hemolytic (100% hemolysis in rat and mouse erythrocytes') and strong anti-coagulant (persisted for more than 24 h) activities. The O. fieldingiana fruits are potentially nutritious, showing high protein and dietary fiber levels, as well as a low content of toxic and/or antinutritional compounds. The fruits aqueous extracts possess bioactive compounds presenting pharmacological and/or industrial interest.