RESUMO Objetivou-se, com este estudo, quantificar o número e a frequência de folículos monocitários (MOF) e polioocitários (POF) provenientes de ovários de cadelas submetidas à ovariossalpingo-histerectomia (OSH). Para tanto, coletaram-se os ovários (direito e esquerdo) de 38 cadelas após OSH, com posterior preparação e análise histológica. Cada ovário foi submetido a dois cortes histológicos (superficial e profundo) onde se quantificou o número e a classificação dos folículos, bem como o número de complexos cumulus oophorus (COCs) por folículo em cada corte histológico. Observaram-se MOF e POF em todos os ovários estudados, em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento, sendo os folículos primários agrupados no córtex ovariano, frente a uma distribuição aleatória dos outros estádios foliculares. FOPs contendo dois, três, quatro ou mais COCs foram observados nos ovários de todas as fêmeas estudadas, e sua frequência tendeu a diminuir de acordo com o número de COC presente no POF. Não se observou influência da idade, do número e do intervalo de estros, assim como do número de filhotes por gestação sobre o número/frequência de FOP nos ovários das cadelas estudadas, enquanto o porte, o número de gestações, o uso e o número de contraceptivo apresentaram algum grau de influência sobre o número/frequência de FOP nos ovários das cadelas estudadas.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to quantify the number and frequency of monocyte (MnOF) and multi-oocyte (MtOF) follicles in ovaries of bitches subjected to ovary salpingohysterectomy (OSH). Right and left ovaries of 38 bitches were collected after OSH, prepared, and a histological analysis was carried out. The ovaries were subjected to surface and deep histological cuts; the follicles were classified, and the number of follicles and cumulus oophorus complexes (COC) per follicle were quantified for each histological cut. MnOF and MtOF were found in all ovaries, at different developmental stages; primary follicles were grouped in the ovarian cortex, and follicles at other follicular stages presented a random distribution. MtOF containing two, three, four, or more COC were found in the ovaries of bitches, with a decreasing frequency trend, according to the number of COC in the MtOF. The effect of the age, number of estrus, estrus interval, and number of progenies per delivery was not significant for the number and frequency of MtOF in the ovaries of the bitches, whereas the size, number of pregnancies, use and number of contraceptive applications had some effect on the number and frequency of MtOF in the ovaries of the bitches.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos dos tratamentos em pós-floração (PF) ou pré-colheita (PC) de macieiras ‘Braeburn’ com prohexadiona-cálcio (ProCa; 300 mg L-1), um inibidor da biossíntese de giberelinas, ou GA4+7 (300 mg L-1), na qualidade dos frutos na colheita e após o armazenamento (quatro meses a 0±0,5 oC, seguido por cinco dias de vida de prateleira). Os tratamentos PF começaram 15 dias após a plena floração, com uma aplicação a cada semana e seis aplicações no total. Os tratamentos PC começaram cinco semanas antes da previsão de colheita comercial, com uma aplicação por semana e quatro aplicações no total. Plantas controle foram pulverizadas com água. GA4+7 pulverizado em PF aumentou a relação comprimento/diâmetro, e GA4+7 pulverizado em PC aumentou a acidez titulável (AT) e a firmeza de polpa, e causou leve redução na cor vermelha dos frutos na colheita. ProCa, pulverizado em PF e PC, reduziu a taxa de produção de etileno, o índice de iodo-amido e o teor de sólidos solúveis dos frutos na colheita, e ProCa pulverizado em PC aumentou a firmeza de polpa na colheita e após o armazenamento, e a AT dos frutos após o armazenamento. ProCa, pulverizado em PF e PC, retardou a perda da cor de fundo (verde) e o aumento na cor vermelha dos frutos na colheita, porém com maior efeito ao ser pulverizado em PC do que em PF.

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the effects of post-bloom (PB) or preharvest (PH) treatments of ‘Braeburn’ apple trees with prohexadione-calcium (ProCa; 300 mg L-1), an inhibitor of gibberellins biosynthesis, or GA4+7 (300 mg L-1) on fruit quality at harvest and after storage (four months at 0±0.5 oC, followed by five days of shelf life). PB treatments started 15 days after full bloom, with one application every week and six applications in total. PH treatments started five weeks before anticipated harvest, with one application every week and four applications in total. Control trees were sprayed with water. GA4+7 PB increased length/diameter ratio, and GA4+7 PH increased titratable acidity (TA) and flesh firmness and slightly reduced red color of the fruit at harvest. ProCa PB and PH reduced ethylene production rate, delayed starch degradation and reduced soluble solids content of the fruit at harvest, and ProCa PH maintained firmness at harvest and after storage and TA of the fruit after storage. ProCa PB or PH delayed the loss of skin green background color at harvest, while at both treatment timings reduced the development of skin red color, but with a much stronger effect when sprayed PH than PB.

ABSTRACT In this study, the effects of operating time (t), current density (CD) and initial pH were investigated for soluble organic carbon (SOC) and total phosphorus (TP) removal from swine wastewater, pretreated in an UASB reactor, using an electrocoagulation process with aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) electrodes. For the optimal conditions, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and Al removal, sludge production and energy consumption were evaluated. The removal efficiencies for the Al electrode were 78%, 96%, 84%, 99%, 65% and 84% for SOC, TP, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe, respectively. For the Fe electrode the removal efficiencies were 57%, 96%, 81%, 99 % and 61% for SOC, TP, Cu, Zn and Mn, respectively. The sludge generated, energy consumption, and theoretical hydrogen yields were 5 g/L, 1-18 kWh/L and 0.7-8.5 kWh, respectively. The electrocoagulation process can be used for soluble organic carbon, phosphorus and metals removal from swine wastewater.

Abstract: The conceptual domains and basic competences in pedagogical strategies applied to higher education with virtual mediation are determined. The research done was of the qualitative-quantitative type and was applied to a sample of 55 teachers of four universities of the city of Barranquilla in Colombia. The data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS. The results allowed the generation of alternatives of improvement in the virtual educational modality. It was concluded that 52.7% of teachers have a high level of conceptual mastery of pedagogical strategies. In addition to integrating three components (social, cultural and technological) within the pedagogical strategies, these enhance the processes of higher education with virtual mediation.

Resumen: Se determinan los dominios conceptuales y competencias básicas en estrategias pedagógicas aplicadas a la educación superior con mediación virtual. La investigación desarrollada fue de carácter cuanti-cualitativo de tipo descriptivo aplicada a 55 docentes de cuatro programas académicos en cuatro universidades de la ciudad de Barranquilla en Colombia. Los datos fueron analizados mediante el software estadístico SPSS, y los resultados posibilitaron la generación de alternativas de mejoramiento en la modalidad educativa virtual. Se concluyó que el 52.7% de los docentes cuentan con un alto nivel de dominio conceptual de las estrategias pedagógicas. Además, que al integrar tres componentes (social, cultural y tecnológica) dentro en las estrategias pedagógicas, estas potencian los procesos de educación superior con mediación virtual.

DNA repair is crucial to the survival of all organisms. The bacterial RecA protein is a central component in the SOS response and in recombinational and SOS DNA repairs. The RecX protein has been characterized as a negative modulator of RecA activity in many bacteria. The recA and recX genes of Herbaspirillum seropedicae constitute a single operon, and evidence suggests that RecX participates in SOS repair. In the present study, we show that the H. seropedicae RecX protein (RecX Hs) can interact with the H. seropedicaeRecA protein (RecA Hs) and that RecA Hs possesses ATP binding, ATP hydrolyzing and DNA strand exchange activities. RecX Hs inhibited 90% of the RecA Hs DNA strand exchange activity even when present in a 50-fold lower molar concentration than RecA Hs. RecA Hs ATP binding was not affected by the addition of RecX, but the ATPase activity was reduced. When RecX Hs was present before the formation of RecA filaments (RecA-ssDNA), inhibition of ATPase activity was substantially reduced and excess ssDNA also partially suppressed this inhibition. The results suggest that the RecX Hs protein negatively modulates the RecA Hs activities by protein-protein interactions and also by DNA-protein interactions.

Objective: To present our experience in the treatment of severe stenosis of the external urinary meatus in male children and adults with balanitis xerotic obliterans. Materials and Methods: A total of 21 patients were operated on in a 5-year period, using the meatoplasty technique of Malone. Mean patient age was 41.7 years (range 7-75). Mean postoperative follow-up was 40.8 months (range 6-54). The surgical procedure consisted in making a small ventral incision of the urethral meatus with an extensive dorsal meatotomy, correcting the esthetic defect of the gland with an inverted V-shaped relieving incision. The postoperative evaluation was performed in every patient by written questionnaire informing about the functional and cosmetic results of the surgical technique. Results: No post-surgical complications or recurrences of the urethral stenosis were recorded. A total of 18 patients (85.7%) replied to the post-surgical questionnaire. All were very satisfied with the functional result. Fifteen (83.3%) were also very satisfied with the cosmetic results of the technique. Conclusion: The meatoplasty of Malone is a good alternative for the treatment of urethral meatal stenosis. It is an easy and rapid-to-perform technique. It avoids creating a hypospadiac meatus and achieves good postoperative results.

Objetivo: Presentar nuestra experiencia en el tratamiento de estenosis severa localizada en el meato uretral en niños y adultos con balanitis xerótica obliterante. Material y métodos: Un total de 21 pacientes con una edad promedio de 41,7 (7-75) años fueron operados en un período de 5 años utilizando la técnica de meatoplastia según Malone. El seguimiento postoperatorio medio fue 40,8 (6-54) meses. El procedimiento quirúrgico consistió en una pequeña incisión ventral del meato uretral seguida por una meatotomía dorsal profunda, corrigiendo el defecto estético a nivel del glande a través de una sutura en «V» invertida. La evaluación postoperatoria fue realizada en todos los pacientes a través de encuesta escrita que informaba de los resultados funcionales y estéticos de la técnica quirúrgica. Resultados: No se registraron complicaciones postoperatorias, ni tampoco recidiva de la estenosis uretral. Dieciocho pacientes (85,7%) respondieron el cuestionario de evaluación postoperatoria, todos muy satisfechos con el resultado funcional conseguido. Quince de ellos (83,3%) refirieron estar también muy satisfechos con el resultado estético de dicha técnica. Conclusión: La meatoplastia según Malone es una buena alternativa para el tratamiento de la estenosis de meato uretral. Es una técnica fácil, que puede realizarse rápidamente. Evita llevar a cabo un meato hipospádico y consigue buenos resultados postoperatorios.

The collection efficiency of a laboratory scale plate-wire electrostatic precipitator, operating in the removal of airborne PM2.5, was carried out. The variables investigated were the applied potential (V), the gas velocity (v o), the diameter of the discharge electrodes (2rSE), the distance between electrodes (2c) and of the total precipitator length (L NE). The test particles were high grade alumina with median diameter of 0.6 micrometers and maximum diameter of 2.5 micrometers. The results showed, qualitatively, a good agreement with the theory of electrostatic precipitation. Quantitatively, the results were compared to predictions from two existing correlations from the literature and both underestimated the precipitator overall efficiency when using the assumption of pseudo-homogeneous electrical field strength. The predictions improved significantly when the field strength was calculated with the equation proposed by Kihm et al. (1985, 1987) and included a homogeneous space charge, as proposed by Riehle (1997).

Avaliaram-se o crescimento e a composição dos filés de juvenis de jundiá após 90 dias de alimentação com dietas contendo diferentes fontes protéicas. Foram utilizados 540 peixes, peso inicial=15,0±0,62g; comprimento inicial=11,98±0,35cm, distribuídos ao acaso em 18 tanques (30 peixes/tanque) com sistema de recirculação de água. Foram testadas seis dietas: 1 - farinha de carne e ossos + levedura (CL), 2 - farelo de soja + levedura (SL), 3 - farelo de soja (S), 4 - farinha de carne e ossos + farelo de soja (CS), 5 - farinha de peixe + levedura (PL) e 6 - farinha de peixe + farelo de soja (PS). Avaliaram-se: peso, comprimento total, taxa de crescimento específico, fator de condição, sobrevivência, conversão alimentar aparente, taxa de eficiência protéica e consumo diário. Também foram analisadas as composições do filé - umidade, proteína, lipídios, cinzas -, as taxas de deposição de proteína e gordura, além dos rendimentos de filé e carcaça. Maiores pesos, 111,5 e 108,6g, comprimento total, 22,6 e 21,6cm, e taxa de crescimento específico, 2,1 e 2,2%/dia, foram observados nos peixes alimentados com as dietas CS e PS. Os peixes alimentados com CS e PS também apresentaram maior deposição de proteína, 69,8 e 71,5mg/dia, e lipídios, 77,2 e 78,3mg/dia. A sobrevivência foi menor na dieta PS, 92,9%. Os maiores rendimentos de carcaça foram observados nos peixes alimentados com PS e PL, 82,9 e 82,7%, e o menor rendimento de filé ocorreu na dieta CL, 34,1%.

The growth and fillet composition of jundiá juveniles after 90 days being fed with diets containing different protein sources were evaluated. Five hundred and forty fish (initial weight: 15.00±0.62g; initial length: 11.98±0.35cm) were randomly distributed in 18 tanks (30 fish/tank), in a water re-use system. Six diets were tested: 1- meat and bone meal + yeast (CL), 2- soybean meal + yeast (SL), 3- soybean meal (S), 4- meat and bone meal + soybean meal (CS), 5- fish meal + yeast (PL,) and 6- fish meal + soybean meal (PS). The following parameters were evaluated: weight, total length, specific growth rate, condition factor, survival, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and daily consumption. Fillet composition (moisture, protein, lipid, and ash), protein and lipid depositions ratios, carcass and fillet yields were also determined. The highest values of weight (111.5 and 108.6g), total length (22.6 and 21.6cm), and specific growth rate (2.1 and 2.2%/day), were observed in fish fed CS and PS diets. Fish fed CS and PS diets also showed the highest protein (69.8 and 71.5mg/day), and lipid depositions (77.2 and 78.3mg/day). Survival was smaller in fish fed diet PS (92.86%). The highest values of carcass yield were observed in fish fed PL and PS diets (82.9 and 82.7%), and the lower fillet yield was observed in CL diet (34.1%).