ABSTRACT The effect of five diets with different crude protein levels (27, 33, 38, 43, and 48%) on growth and survival of Macrobrachium americanum prawns was determined. Optimum dietary protein level was also calculated. Specimens were collected in the Coyuca River, Guerrero, Mexico, and classified into seven weight groups with 0.67 g intervals amplitude. Five diets with different levels of crude protein were formulated and supplied to individuals of the seven weight groups as an experimental treatment. Weight gain percentage (WG%), specific growth rate (SGR), food intake (FI), protein intake (PI), protein efficiency ratio (PER), food conversion ratio (FCR) and survival rate (SR) were calculated weekly along the 70 days experiment. A quadratic model was fitted to weekly mean weight gain and to WG% rates data to estimate protein requirement for every week of the experiment and weight group. A mortality model was also fitted to mortality data to compare mortality trend among the different experimental diets. 33% protein level resulted in the best treatment because of the parameters calculated, cost to produce and survival trend. Weekly optimum level of protein calculus varied on a range from 39.4 to 43.3% and optimal crude protein percentage for the seven weight ranges was between 49% for smaller prawns (0.248-0.918 g) and 35.7% for the larger prawns (4.271-4.940 g). Thus, it is recommended juvenile feeding prawns with different crude protein levels while the culture time elapses to achieve the maximum weight gain.

This work presents the electrochemical treatment of wastewater of biodiesel production, using DSA based on IrO2 and Nb2O5. The anode was prepared by modified Pechini method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), in order to evaluate structural and morphological properties and by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and accelerated stability test to investigate the electrochemical behavior. The SEM image shows the typical mud-cracked layer. By the XRD measurements, the oxides onto the support were crystallized as tetragonal IrO2 and hexagonal Nb2O5. The amount of glycerin and methanol in the wastewater were 1.60 and 0.31% (w/w), respectively. The electrochemical treatment of the wastewater was evaluated by electrolysis at different current densities and time. The total organic carbon (TOC) and UV-Vis spectra were performed during the electrolysis. The UV-Vis spectra obtained during the electrolysis at 100 and 150 mA cm-2, shows the disappearance of an absorption band at 264 nm and the appearance of one at 290 nm, which the absorption increases as current and the time of the electrolysis increases. The electrochemical treatment with the proposed DSA leads to 80% of removal of TOC by electrolysis at 150 mA cm-2 during the first 6 hours of the electrochemical treatment.

Com a finalidade de fornecer subsídios e discutir os problemas referentes ao diagnóstico e ao diagnóstico diferencial do tumor venéreo transmissível canino (TVTC), principalmente em sua forma extragenital, foi realizada a avaliação imuno-histoquímica e estabelecido termo de comparação com o aspecto microscópico em 10 TVTCs genitais e em 13 exclusivamente extragenitais previamente diagnosticados através de citologia e histopatologia. Os TVTCs foram testados para reagentes específicos de antígenos de membrana (anti-macrófago) e citoplasmáticos (anti-lisozima, anti-proteína S-100, anti-alfa-1-antitripsina, anti-vimentina e anti-CD18) com a utilização da técnica complexo avidina-biotina-peroxidase e estreptavidina-biotina-fosfatase Em 100% dos tumores testados (22/22) com anticorpo anti-vimentina houve forte imuno-reatividade. Não houve reatividade para os anticorpos anti-lisozima, anti-macrófago, anti-proteína S-100 e anti-CD18. Não houve diferença histopatológica e de imuno-reatividade entre os TVTCs genitais e extragenitais. Estes achados indicam que os TVTCs avaliados não são de origem histiocítica (ausência de reatividade dos anticorpos anti-lisozima, anti-macrófago e anti-CD18). O painel de anticorpos utilizado é útil para o diagnóstico diferencial deste tumor com linfomas, tumores histiocíticos, melanomas amelanóticos e neoplasias de origem epitelial pobremente diferenciadas, entre outros.

Aiming to provide insight and discussing the problems related to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT), especially in its extragenital form, immunohistochemical evaluation was performed and a comparison was established by analysis of the microscopic appearance of 10 genital CTVTs and 13 exclusively extragenital CTVTs previously diagnosed by cytology and histopathology. CTVTs samples were incubated with biotinylated antibodies raised against specific membrane (anti-macrophage) and cytoplasmic antigens (anti-lysozyme, anti-S-100 protein, anti-vimentin and anti-CD18) and subsequently developed using streptavidin-biotin peroxidase and streptavidin-biotin-alkaline phosphatase methods. A strong reactivity with the anti-vimentin antibody was found in 100% of the tumors tested (22/22). No reactivity was found for the anti-lysozyme, anti-macrophage, anti-S-100 protein and anti-CD18. No histopathological or immunoreactivity differences between genital and extragenital CTVTs were found. These findings do not corroborate the hypothesis of histiocytic origin of CTVT (no reactivity to anti-lysozyme, anti-macrophage and anti-CD 18 antibodies). In addition, the antibody panel used is useful to narrow the differential diagnosis for lymphomas, histiocytic tumors, amelanotic melanomas, and poorly differentiated epithelial neoplasias, among others.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar a eficácia de dois protocolos de tratamento de ceratoconjuntivite seca (CCS) experimentalmente induzida em coelhos: uma formulação oftálmica tópica composta por álcool polivinílico 1,4%, adicionado com acetilcisteína 10% e pilocarpina 1% (AAP), e outro protocolo com o uso do óleo de semente de linhaça (OL) tópico em forma de colírio, durante 12 semanas. Foram utilizados 15 coelhos machos, adultos, da raça Nova Zelândia, alocados aleatoriamente em três grupos: grupo C (controle), grupo AAP (formulação oftálmica) e grupo L (OL tópica). Os animais foram avaliados semanalmente pelo teste lacrimal de Schirmer, teste de fluoresceína e teste de Rosa Bengala; uma vez por mês, pelo exame de citologia esfoliativa ocular; ao final do experimento, pela análise histopatológica da córnea e conjuntiva. Os resultados demonstraram que houve um aumento maior na produção lacrimal quando utilizada a formulação oftálmica, e uma resolução mais rápida das úlceras de córnea, bem como diminuição no número de células desvitalizadas quando utilizado o óleo de semente de linhaça, além de aumento no número de células caliciformes em ambos os grupos de tratamento. A associação desses dois protocolos pode ser no futuro uma alternativa no tratamento da CCS.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two treatment protocol of experimentally induced keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in rabbits, a topical ophthalmic formulation composed by 1.4% povinilic alcohol added with 10% acetylcysteine and 1% pilocarpine (AAP) and another protocol with the topical use of the linseed seed oil (LO) in eye drop form f or 12 weeks. Fifteen male New Zealand white rabbits were aleatory allocated in 3 groups: Group C (Control), Group AAP (ophthalmic formulation) and Group L (LO topical). The animals were evaluated weekly using the Schirmer's tear test, fluorescein test and Rose Bengal test monthly for ocular cytology, and at the end of the experiment for histopathological analysis of cornea and conjunctive. The results demonstrated that there was a larger increase in the tear production when the ophthalmic formulation was us ed and a faster rapid resolution of corneal ulcers and decrease in the number of devitalized cells when linseed seed oil was used, besides an increase in the number of caliciform cells in both treatment groups. The association of those two protocols can be a future alternative in the treatment of KCS.

Ten captive neotropical Brazilian feline were submitted to gastroscopic examination and samples of gastric mucosa from fundus, corpus and pyloric antrum were evaluated for the presence of Helicobacter species. Warthin-Starry (WS) staining and PCR assay with species-specific primers and enzymatic cleavage were applied for bacterial detection and identification. Histological lesions were evaluated by haematoxylin and eosin staining. All animals showed normal gross aspect of gastric mucosa. Helicobacter heilmannii was confirmed in 100% of the samples by WS and PCR assay. Mild lymphocytic infiltrate in the lamina propria was observed in eight animals, mainly in the fundus region. Small lymphoid follicles were seen in three animals. No significant association between Helicobacter infection and histological findings was verified. These observations suggest that gastric Helicobacter spp. could be a commensal or a eventual pathogen to captive neotropical feline, and that procedures, way life, and stress level on the shelter apparently had no negative repercussion over the integrity of the stomach.

The objective of the present study was to determine the frequency of somatic chromosomal anomalies and Y chromosomal microdeletions (azoospermia factor genes, AZF) in infertile males who seek assisted reproduction. These studies are very important because the assisted reproduction techniques (mainly intracytoplasmic sperm injection) bypass the natural selection process and some classical chromosomal abnormalities, microdeletions of AZF genes or some deleterious genic mutations could pass through generations. These genetic abnormalities can cause in the offspring of these patients male infertility, ambiguous external genitalia, mental retardation, and other birth defects. We studied 165 infertile men whose infertility was attributable to testicular problems (60 were azoospermic, 100 were oligospermic and 5 were asthenospermic). We studied 100 metaphases per patient with GTG banding obtained from temporary lymphocyte culture for chromosomal abnormality detection and performed a genomic DNA analysis using 28 Y chromosome-specific sequence-tagged sites for Y AZF microdeletion detection. Karyotyping revealed somatic anomalies in 16 subjects (16/165 = 9.6%). Of these 16, 12 were in the azoospermic group (12/60 = 20%) and 4 were in the oligospermic group (4/100 = 4%). The most common chromosomal anomaly was Klinefelter syndrome (10/165 = 6%). Microdeletions of AZF genes were detected in 12 subjects (12/160 = 7.5%). The frequencies detected are similar to those described previously. These results show the importance of genetic evaluation of infertile males prior to assisted reproduction. Such evaluation can lead to genetic counseling and, consequently, to primary and secondary prevention of mental retardation and birth defects.