Testicular Morphological and Ultrasonographic Characterization of Male Gray Brocket Deers (Mazama gouazoubira) in Different Reproductive Status

Background: Gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) populations have been declining due to human intervention. Yet, only a few studies have assessed ultrasonographic testicular characteristics in cervids. Considering the relevance of monitoring testicular size, blood flow, and parenchyma, the present study aims to establish baseline information on scrotal circumference, testicular volume, and spectral Doppler parameters, to describe differences among adult male gray brocket deer in different reproductive status, and to correlate ultrasound parameters with testes size measurements.Materials, Methods & Results: Six adult male gray brocket deers were used in the study. Scrotal circumference and testicular volume were measured. B mode ultrasound images of testes (longitudinal and cross-sectional views) and epididymes were subjected to computer-assisted analysis, obtaining the numerical pixel values (NPV) and pixel standard deviation (PSD). Using spectral Doppler, supratesticular artery blood flow velocities (peak systolic velocity - PSV, end diastolic velocity - EDV, time-average maximum velocity - TAMAX, resistivity - RI and pulsatility indices - PI) were obtained. Semen was analyzed through total motility, vigor, and concentration tests. Three animals were normospermic (F+ group) and three were oligo/azoospermic (F- group). Groups were compared using were compared using a one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis followed by Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) test. Ultrasound parameters were correlated to testes size parameters using Pearson’s correlation for parametric variables and Spearman’s correlation for non-parametric variables. F+ group presented significantly higher scrotal circumference (14.57 ± 1.19 cm), testicular volume (26.18 ± 4.94 cm3), and testes cross-sectional NPV (69.88 ± 24.00) and PSD (10.78 ± 3.42) than group F- (NPV: 28.26 ± 13.75, PSD: 6.70 ± 1.84). No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the spectral Doppler ultrasound parameters. Significant correlations were observed between scrotal circumference and longitudinal (r = 0.76) and cross-sectional testes NPV (r = 0.89), and testicular volume was correlated with longitudinal (r = 0.78) and cross-sectional testes NPV (r = 0.91) and with cross-sectional testes PSD (ρ = 0.82).Discussion: Increased testicular echogenicity (higher NPV) has been positively associated with improved testicular growth, cell population expansion, inner and outer seminiferous tubules diameter, spermatids percentages and testis weight. In addition, more heterogenous testes (higher PSD) were associated with higher sperm output. It was suggested that the animals in group F- had compromised testicular development and spermatogenesis. The correlation observed between testes NPV and scrotal circumference was proposed to be associated with seminiferous tubules impairment. The F- group showed lower testicular volume, NPVs and PSDs in cross-sectional testicular images, suggesting higher protein levels and lower lipid contents were present in their parenchyma, influencing in testicular echogenicity and echotexture. No differences in spectral Doppler parameters were observed between the two groups. Also observed in stallions. However, PSV, EDV, TAMAX could be potential infertility indicators in other mammalians. These different results may be due to different locations of the evaluated vessel, species and techniques, age, ambient temperature, pathological conditions, and anaesthesia. Thus, it is suggested that scrotal circumference, testicular volume, and testes NPV are good indicators of male reproductive health in gray brocket deer and may help with better male selection in the species

Orbitofrontal sulcal and gyrus pattern in human: an anatomical study

The anatomical characterization of the orbitofrontal cortex in human is limited in literature instead of many functional and clinical studies involving it. Objective: Anatomically define the orbitofrontal region aiming to possible neurosurgical treatments and unify the scientific nomenclature as well. Method: We analyze eighty four human hemispheres using a surgical microscope. Then we chose four hemispheres and dissect them according to Klinger' technique. Results: We found five main sulcus: olfatory sulcus, orbital medial sulcus, orbital lateral sulcus, orbital transverse sulcus and orbital intermediate sulcus. These sulcus, excluding the intermediate sulcus, delimit five gyrus: rectus gurys, orbital medial gyrus, orbital anterior gyrus, orbital lateral gyrus and orbital posterior gyrus. the main sulcal configuration can be divided on four more frequently patterns. Conclusion: Orbitofrontal cortex is associated with many psychiatric disorders. Better anatomical and functional characterization of the orbitofrontal cortex and its connections will improve our knowledge about these diseases.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Disciplina Neurocirurgia, São Paulo, SP, BrazilHosp Albert Einstein, Disciplina Radiol, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Disciplina Neurocirurgia, São Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

QUALIDADE DE GRÃOS NA COLHEITA MECANIZADA DE SOJA SOB REGULAGENS INTERNAS DE MÁQUINA

A soja é um dos produtos mais importantes do agronegócio mundial e tem papel de destaque na pauta de exportações brasileiras, e no processo produtivo, a colheita consiste em uma das etapas mais importantes, uma vez que, se realizada no momento incorreto e com as condições e regulagens erradas podem aumentar significativamente os prejuízos. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar as perdas qualitativas na colheita mecanizada da soja, sob diferentes regulagens de abertura de côncavo e rotação do rotor. O ensaio foi realizado em março de 2022, na fazenda Segredo, em Nova Crixás - GO. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2x2, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram compostos por: 2 regulagens de côncavo (12 mm e 14 mm) e duas rotações do rotor de trilha (526 rpm e 620 rpm). Para avaliação da qualidade de grãos foram utilizadas as seguintes variáveis resposta: pureza, grãos rachados, grãos quebrados, grãos bandinha, grãos inteiros e emergência em campo. A abertura do côncavo e a velocidade de rotor afetaram a qualidade dos grãos em vários parâmetros avaliados. A regulagem de 620 rpm do rotor de trilha com 14 mm abertura do côncavo foi a que proporcionou a maior quantidade de grãos bandinha e rachados. A regulagem de 620 rpm rotor de trilha com 12 mm de abertura de côncavo afetou negativamente a emergência dos grãos, denotando perda de vigor por danos físicos. A combinação de 526 rpm do rotor de trilha com 14 mm abertura do côncavo foi a que apresentou os melhores resultados para os parâmetros qualitativos. Palavras-chave: Grãos danificados. Glycine max. Rotação do rotor. Abertura do côncavo

Qualidade dos grãos de soja colhidos mecanicamente com plataformas de corte em áreas com e sem dessecação

Soybean harvesting is one of the most important stages of the crop's production cycle and the increasing use of more complex technologies in agricultural machinery is linked to its success. The use of desiccants to anticipate the harvest has helped in the grain harvest. The objective of this work was to qualitatively evaluate the harvest of desiccated and non-desiccated soybeans using machines with two different cutting platforms: conventional and draper. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Nova Crixás - GO, in a completely randomized design, in a 2x2 factorial arrangement, with two harvesters with different types of cutting platform (conventional and draper) and two management of the area (desiccated and non-desiccated), using four replicates per treatment. The analyzed variables were: purity, mass of a thousand seeds, water content of the grains, germination, cracked grains, broken grains, bandinha grains and whole grains. There was no interaction between variable variables. The draper cutting platform provided better physical and regulatory qualities of soybeans than the conventional platform model (snail). Desiccated soybeans showed better results compared to non-desiccated soybeans. Due to having a period of 5 more days of dry matter accumulation, non-dried soybeans had a mass of 1,000 grains greater than dried soybeans. However, when comparing their results of cracked and broken grains, they do not enable the soybean harvest without the desiccation process, avoiding such losses.A colheita da soja é uma das etapas mais importantes do ciclo produtivo da cultura e o uso crescente de tecnologias mais complexas em máquinas agrícolas está ligado ao seu sucesso. O uso de dessecantes para a antecipação da colheita tem ajudado na colheita dos grãos. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar de maneira qualitativa a colheita de soja dessecada e não dessecada a partir de máquinas com duas diferentes plataformas de corte: convencional e draper. O experimento foi conduzido no município de Nova Crixás - GO, em delineamento inteiramente casualisado, em arranjo fatorial 2x2, com duas colhedoras com diferentes tipos de plataforma de corte (convencional e draper) e dois manejos da área (dessecada e não dessecada), utilizando quatro repetições por tratamento. As variáveis analisadas foram: pureza, massa de mil sementes, teor de água dos grãos, germinação, grãos rachados, grãos quebrados, grãos bandinha e grãos inteiro. Não houve interação entre as variáveis analisadas. A plataforma de corte draper proporcionou melhores qualidades físicas e fisiológicas dos grãos de soja que o modelo de plataforma convencional (caracol). A soja dessecada apresentou melhores resultados em comparação à soja não dessecada. Por ter um período de 5 dias a mais de acúmulo de matéria seca, a soja não dessecada apresentou uma massa de mil grãos superior à soja dessecada. Porém, quando comparado seus resultados de grãos rachados e quebrados, não viabiliza a colheita de soja sem o processo de dessecação, evitando tais perdas

Isometric handgrip does not elicit cardiovascular overload or post-exercise hypotension in hypertensive older women

Background: Arterial hypertension is a serious health problem affecting mainly the elderly population. Recent studies have considered both aerobic and resistance exercises as a non-pharmacological aid for arterial hypertension treatment. However, the cardiovascular responses of the elderly to isometric resistance exercise (eg, isometric handgrip [IHG]) have not yet been documented. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate cardiovascular responses to different intensities of isometric exercise, as well as the occurrence of post-isometric exercise hypotension in hypertensive elderly people under antihypertensive medication treatment. Patients and methods: Twelve women volunteered to participate in the study after a maximal voluntary contraction test (MVC) and standardization of the intervention workload consisting of two sessions of IHG exercise performed in four sets of five contractions of a 10-second duration. Sessions were performed both at 30% of the MVC and 50% of the MVC, using a unilateral IHG protocol.\ud Both intensities were compared with a control session without exercise. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at rest (R), during peak exercise (PE), and after 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes of post-exercise recovery were evaluated. Results: No significant changes were observed after isometric exercise corresponding to 30% MVC for either SBP (R: 121 ± 10; PE: 127 ± 14; 5 min: 125 ± 13; 10 min: 123 ± 12; 15 min: 122 ± 11; 30 min: 124 ± 11; 45 min: 124 ± 10; 60 min: 121 ± 10 mmHg) or DBP (R: 74 ± 9; PE: 76 ± 6; 5 min: 74 ± 5; 10 min: 72 ± 8; 15 min: 72 ± 5; 30 min: 72 ± 8; 45 min: 73 ± 6; 60 min: 75 ± 7 mmHg). Similarly, the 50% MVC did not promote post-isometric exercise hypotension for either SBP (R: 120 ± 7; PE: 125 ± 11; 5 min: 120 ± 9; 10 min: 122 ± 9; 15 min: 121 ± 11; 30 min: 121 ± 9; 45 min: 121 ± 9; 60 min: 120 ± 7 mmHg) or DBP (R: 72 ± 8; PE: 78 ± 7; 5 min: 72 ± 7; 10 min: 72 ± 8; 15 min: 71 ± 7; 30 min: 72 ± 8; 45 min: 75 ± 10; 60 min: 75 ± 7 mmHg). Conclusion: Our data reveal that cardiovascular overload or post-exercise hypotension did not occur in elderly women with controlled hypertension when they undertook an IHG session. Thus this type of resistance exercise, with mild to moderate intensity, with short time of contraction appears to be safe for this populationFAPESP 2011/03528-0CAPE

MBSP1: a biosurfactant protein derived from a metagenomic library with activity in oil degradation

Microorganisms represent the most abundant biomass on the planet; however, because of several cultivation technique limitations, most of this genetic patrimony has been inaccessible. Due to the advent of metagenomic methodologies, such limitations have been overcome. Prevailing over these limitations enabled the genetic pool of non-cultivable microorganisms to be exploited for improvements in the development of biotechnological products. By utilising a metagenomic approach, we identifed a new gene related to biosurfactant production and hydrocarbon degradation. Environmental DNA was extracted from soil samples collected on the banks of the Jundiaí River (Natal, Brazil), and a metagenomic library was constructed. Functional screening identifed the clone 3C6, which was positive for the biosurfactant protein and revealed an open reading frame (ORF) with high similarity to sequences encoding a hypothetical protein from species of the family Halobacteriaceae. This protein was purifed and exhibited biosurfactant activity. Due to these properties, this protein was named metagenomic biosurfactant protein 1 (MBSP1). In addition, E. coli RosettaTM (DE3) strain cells transformed with the MBSP1 clone showed an increase in aliphatic hydrocarbon degradation. In this study, we described a single gene encoding a protein with marked tensoactive properties that can be produced in a host cell, such as Escherichia coli, without substrate dependence. Furthermore, MBSP1 has been demonstrated as the frst protein with these characteristics described in the Archaea or Bacteria domains