Análisis filogenético de Petaloproctus (Maldanidae: Polychaeta) con la descripción de una nueva especie en el sureste de Brasil

We used morphological data for a phylogenetic analysis of the genus Petaloptoctus (Maldanidae: Polychaeta). We found three most parsimonious phylogenetic trees with length = 37, CI = 0.89 and RI = 0.92. The genus Petaloproctus is monophyletic, and is supported by a strongly arched prostomium, pinnate capillary setae, and an anal cup with a reduced dorsal border. Our proposal for the systematisation of the subgroups of Petaloproctus is ((P. tenuis (P. terriculus + P. neoborealis)) (P. ornatus (((P. cirratus + P. dentatus) (P. macrodentatus (P. borealis (P. vallejoi n. sp. + P. socialis)))))). We also regard Nicomachinae as a monophyletic group with the following synapomorphies: prostomium short and arched; nuchal grooves short and curved; cephalic plate lost; anal pore opening on margin of anal plate. Monophyly of Micromaldane and Nicomache was also supported in the analysis. Petaloproctus vallejoi n. sp. has 19 setigerous and one asetigerous pre-anal segment. The prostomium is rounded, forming a keel with curved laterals. Nuchal grooves are short and deep, strongly curved outwards. Each neuropodium has one acicular spine on setigers 1-3. The pygidium has a large ventral border, and a reduced dorsal border. The anus is terminal, and close to the margin of the anal plate, surrounded by divergent folds.En este estudio se utilizaron datos morfológicos para realizar un análisis filogenético del género Petaloproctus (Maldanidae: Polychaeta). Se establecieron los tres árboles filogenéticos más parsimoniosos, con tamaño = 37, CI= 0.89 y RI= 0.92. El género Petaloproctus es monofilético, y es soportado por un prostomio arqueado; cerdas capilares pinadas y un copo anal con borde dorsal muy reducido. Nuestra propuesta de sistematización para los subgrupos de Petaloproctus es ((P. tenuis (P. terriculus + P. neoborealis)) (P. ornatus (((P. cirratus + P. dentatus) (P. macrodentatus (P. borealis (P. vallejoi n. sp. + P. sociales)))))). También se recomienda Nicomachinae como un grupo monofilético con las siguientes sinapomorfias: prostomio corto y arqueado; órganos nucales cortos y curvados; sin placa cefálica; poro anal abriéndose en el margen de la placa anal. Los análisis realizados soportan la monofilia de Micromaldane y Nicomache. Petaloproctus vallejoi n. sp. se describe para el litoral sureste del Brasil. Esta especie nueva posee 19 segmentos setígeros y 1 segmento asetígero preanal. El prostomio es redondeado anteriormente y forma una quilla con los bordes laterales curvados. Los órganos nucales son cortos y profundos, ligeramente curvados hacia fuera. Posee una espina acicular en los setígeros 1-3. El pigidio con el borde ventral grande y un borde dorsal reducido. El ano es terminal, central, e incluido en la placa, con varios pliegues divergentes

Postnatal development of rats exposed to fluoxetine or venlafaxine during the third week of pregnancy

The aim of the present study was to compare the toxic effects of fluoxetine (F) (8 and 16 mg/kg) and venlafaxine (V) (40 and 80 mg/kg) administered during the third week of pregnancy on early development of rats. Both antidepressants were administered by gavage on pregnancy days 15 to 20 to groups of 10 to 12 animals each. Duration of gestation, food and water consumption, number of live pups and birth weight were recorded. Litters were culled to six pups at birth (day 1) and followed for growth until weaning (day 25). On day 60, a male and a female from each litter were injected with the 5-HT1 agonist, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (6 mg/kg, ip) and the serotonergic syndrome was graded. Fluoxetine but not venlafaxine reduced the duration of pregnancy when compared to the control (C) group (F = 21.1 days and C = 21.6 days, mean, P<0.02; maximum = 22 days and minimum = 21 days in both groups). The highest doses of both fluoxetine, 16 mg/kg (F16), and venlafaxine, 80 mg/kg (V80), reduced the food intake of pregnant rats, resulting in different rates of body weight gain during treatment (from pregnancy day 15 to day 20): F16 = 29.0 g, V80 = 28.7 g vs C = 39.5 g (median). Birth weight was influenced by treatment and sex (P<0.05; two-way ANOVA). Both doses of fluoxetine or venlafaxine reduced the body weight of litters; however, the body weight of litters from treated dams was equal to the weight of control litters by the time of weaning. At weaning there was no significant difference in weight between sexes. There was no difference among groups in number of live pups at birth, stillbirths, mortality during the lactation period or in the manifestation of serotonergic syndrome in adult rats. The occurrence of low birth weight among pups born to dams which did not show reduced food ingestion or reduction of body weight gain during treatment with lower doses of fluoxetine or venlafaxine suggests that these drugs may have a deleterious effect on prenatal development when administered during pregnancy. In addition, fluoxetine slightly but significantly affected the duration of pregnancy (about half a day), an effect not observed in the venlafaxine-treated groups.Universidade Federal FluminenseUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

CLINICAL, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND LABORATORY ASPECTS OF OBESITY IN DOGS AND ITS CORRELATION WITH SYSTEMIC DISEASES

The aim of this study was to identify the clinical, epidemiologic and laboratorial aspects of dogs with obesity and its possible correlation with other diseases. A total of 30 dogs were studied. Of these, 15 were obese and 15 were not. On the Control Group, there was a total of 10 females (5 neutered and 5 whole) and 5 males (all 5 neutered). On the Obese Group, 11 females (7 neutered and 4 whole) and 4 males (all 4 neutered). The tutors received a form with 12 questions about food management and physical activity, as well as pharmacological and family history. In addition, venous blood samples were collected in animals from both the Control Group and the Obese Group for a Complete Blood Count and dosage of biochemical levels (Alanine Aminotransferase, Alkaline Phosphatase, Albumin, Total Proteins, Urea, Creatinine). Measurements from the abdominal perimeter were taken and using the data the body fat percentage was calculated; an Electrocardiographic evaluation (ECG) was also made, along with the measurement of the systolic, diastolic and medium blood pressure (SBP, DBP and MAP, respectively) and heart rate (HR). The numeric data was submitted under the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), followed by the Tukey’s Test (p<0,05), while the data regarding risk factors was analyzed on a descriptive manner. In both groups, mixed-breed dogs had a significant predominance, about 9 (60%) on the CG and 7 (46,66%) in the Obese Group. Concerning food management, 12 (80%) of the subjects of the Control Group were fed at will and 3 (20%) once a day; the numbers on the use of only pet food, pet food coupled with homemade food, and only homemade food were, respectively, 10 (66,6%), 4 (26,6%) and 1 (6,8%). Also, 11 (73,3%) had frequent physical activities, while the other 4 (26,7%) only occasionally. Additionally, 12 (80%) stayed at the backyard, while 3 (20%) lived in an apartment. There was not any relevant data relating to pharmacological and family history and, according to tutors’ opinions, their dogs were within the ideal weight. On the Obese Group, 8 (53,5%) were fed at will, 5 (33,3%) were fed on a strict and controlled manner, and 2 (13,3%) one time a day, while 9 (60%) of them were given both pet food and homemade food, 5 (33,3%) received only pet food and 1 (6,7%) received pet food sachets and fruit. In this group, 9 (60%) were out, 15 did not practice any type of physical activity, while 3 (20%) practiced frequently and the other 3 (20%) walked occasionally. There were 5 patients (33,3%) with a history of corticosteroid use, and 7 (46,7%) had a family history of obesity. Regarding tutors’ opinions on their pet’s weight, on whether they thought their pet was too thin, on ideal weight, overweight or obese, the data showed, respectively, 2 (13,3%), 4 (26,7%), 8 (53,3%) and 1 (6,7%). The percentage of fat on the Control Group for males and females was, respectively, 18,7 ± 2,2; 22 ± 3, while the abdominal circumference was of 63 ± 20 cm. On subjects from the Obese Group, the values were 40,4 ± 5; 45 ± 4,7 and 65 ± 16,8 cm, respectively. On laboratory exams, the Complete Blood Control did not show any inconsistencies with the normal range and the ALB and FAL were elevated on the Obese Group. The ECG did not show any notable changes. Both groups showed a slight increase in PAS (Control Group = 141 ± 27,72 mmHg; Obese Group = 142 ± 17,23 mmHg), and on the obese animals a raise in PAD (84 ± 22 mmHg) was also recorded. Obesity is a chronical disease that brings a series of bad consequences to the animal well-being, especially the appearance of systemic diseases; the main risk factor for its appearance is incorrect food management and low or nonphysical activity. The main way to prevent the disease is by the correct management of both factors

Canalopatias em endocrinologia: achados genéticos recentes e fisiopatologia

Ion channels serve diverse cellular functions, mainly in cell signal transduction. In endocrine cells, these channels play a major role in hormonal secretion, Ca2+-mediated cell signaling, transepithelial transport, cell motility and growth, volume regulation and cellular ionic content and acidification of lysosomal compartments. Ion channel dysfunction can cause endocrine disorders or endocrine-related manifestations, such as pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1, Liddle syndrome, Bartter syndrome, persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy, neonatal diabetes mellitus, cystic fibrosis, Dent's disease, hypomagnesemia with secondary hipocalcemia, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and, the most recently genetically identified channelopathy, thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis. This review briefly recapitulates the membrane action potential in endocrine cells and offers a short overview of known endocrine channelopathies with focus on recent progress regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms and functional genetic defects.Canais iônicos auxiliam diferentes funções celulares, principalmente na transdução de sinal. Nas células endócrinas, esses canais têm funções importantes na secreção hormonal, sinalização do Ca2+, transporte transepitelial, regulação da motilidade, volume e conteúdo iônico celular e da acidificação do compartimento lisossomal (pH). Como esperado, as alterações nos canais iônicos podem causar distúrbios endocrinológicos, como pseudo-hipoaldosteronismo tipo 1, síndrome de Liddle, síndrome de Bartter, hipoglicemia hiperinsulinêmica da infância, diabetes melito neonatal, fibrose cística, doença de Dent, hipomagnesemia com hipocalcemia secundária, diabetes insípido nefrogênico e paralisia periódica tirotóxica hipocalêmica. Este artigo propõe uma breve revisão das canalopatias endócrinas conhecidas, com foco particular nos recentes progressos no conhecimento dos mecanismos fisiopatológicos adquirido a partir das alterações funcionais encontradas.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de MedicinaUNIFESP-EPM Departamento de BioquímicaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPM Depto. de BioquímicaSciEL

An essential function for the ATR-Activation-Domain (AAD) of TopBP1 in mouse development and cellular senescence

ATR activation is dependent on temporal and spatial interactions with partner proteins. In the budding yeast model, three proteins – Dpb11TopBP1, Ddc1Rad9 and Dna2 - all interact with and activate Mec1ATR. Each contains an ATR activation domain (ADD) that interacts directly with the Mec1ATR:Ddc2ATRIP complex. Any of the Dpb11TopBP1, Ddc1Rad9 or Dna2 ADDs is sufficient to activate Mec1ATR in vitro. All three can also independently activate Mec1ATR in vivo: the checkpoint is lost only when all three AADs are absent. In metazoans, only TopBP1 has been identified as a direct ATR activator. Depletion-replacement approaches suggest the TopBP1-AAD is both sufficient and necessary for ATR activation. The physiological function of the TopBP1 AAD is, however, unknown. We created a knock-in point mutation (W1147R) that ablates mouse TopBP1-AAD function. TopBP1-W1147R is early embryonic lethal. To analyse TopBP1-W1147R cellular function in vivo, we silenced the wild type TopBP1 allele in heterozygous MEFs. AAD inactivation impaired cell proliferation, promoted premature senescence and compromised Chk1 signalling following UV irradiation. We also show enforced TopBP1 dimerization promotes ATR-dependent Chk1 phosphorylation. Our data suggest that, unlike the yeast models, the TopBP1-AAD is the major activator of ATR, sustaining cell proliferation and embryonic development

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SWINE FARMING

In this study we carried out bibliographical research on the impacts that pig production can cause on the environment, highlighting what is necessary for its production. During the research, some current manuscripts on this theme were used in the Google Scholar tool. Brazil is the fourth largest producer and exporter of pork. Despite the importance of this activity, the environmental impacts linked to swine farming have caused extremely relevant effects on the surrounding environment. The high consumption of water resources and the emission of liquid and gaseous objects into the environment are notable among these effects. The undue discharge of untreated waste into rivers, lakes and the soil can cause diseases (worms, allergies, hepatitis), in addition to zoonoses, causing discomfort to the population. The objective of this work is to identify environmentally sustainable alternatives with regard to the disposal of manure and the waste of water from pig farming. Swine farming requires a waste control program for its correct management. Waste treatment, in order to fulfill its final objective and to be effective, needs to convert waste into harmless material when returned to the environment. We have biodigesters as a form of treatment that is an efficient tool contributing to the minimization of waste that goes into the environment

The genetic basis of multiple sclerosis: a model for MS susceptibility

<p>Abstact</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MS-pathogenesis is known to involve both multiple environmental events, and several independent genetic risk-factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A model of susceptibility is developed and a mathematical analysis undertaken to elucidate the nature of genetic susceptibility to MS and to understand the constraints that are placed on the genetic basis of MS, both by the known epidemiological facts of this disease and by the known frequency of the HLA DRB1*1501 allele in the general populations of northern Europe and North America.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For the large majority of cases (possibly all), MS develops, in part, because an individual is genetically susceptible. Nevertheless, 2.2% or less of the general population is genetically susceptible. Moreover, from the model, the number of susceptibility-loci that need to be in a "susceptible allelic state" to produce MS-susceptibility is small (11-18), whereas the total number of such susceptibility-loci is large (50-200), and their "frequency of susceptibility" is low (i.e., ≤ 0.12). The optimal solution to the model equations (which occurs when 80% of the loci are recessive) predicts the epidemiological data quite closely.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The model suggests that combinations of only a small number of genetic loci in a "susceptible allelic state" produce MS-susceptibility. Nevertheless, genome-wide associations studies with hundreds of thousands of SNPs, are plagued by both false-positive and false-negative identifications and, consequently, emphasis has been rightly placed on the replicability of findings. Nevertheless, because genome-wide screens don't distinguish between true susceptibility-loci and disease-modifying-loci, and because only true susceptibility-loci are constrained by the model, unraveling the two will not be possible using this approach.</p> <p>The model also suggests that HLA DRB1 may not be as uniquely important for MS-susceptibility as currently believed. Thus, this allele is only one among a hundred or more loci involved in MS susceptibility. Even though the "frequency of susceptibility" at the HLA DRB1 locus is four-fold that of other loci, the penetrance of those susceptible genotypes that include this allele is no different from those that don't. Also, almost 50% of genetically-susceptible individuals, lack this allele. Moreover, of those who have it, only a small fraction (≤ 5.2%) are even susceptible to getting MS.</p

A educação sexual nas séries iniciais faixa etária de seis e sete anos

A educação sexual é um tema transversal presente nos Programas Curriculares Nacionais - PCN. Os profissionais da área de Educação e Psicologia concordam a respeito da necessidade da abordagem deste tema em sala de aula. A partir do momento que se compreende esta necessidade, muitos educadores deparam-se com o problema da falta de capacitação profissional que possa auxiliá-los na prática pedagógica. Este trabalho visou contribuir com os professores, oferecendo subsídios para o trabalho sobre a sexualidade infantil em sala de aula, bem como orientação para os pais a respeito deste tema. Para tanto, foi utilizada a pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo estudo de caso. Foram entrevistados 05 (cinco) profissionais que atuam nessa área, sendo um professor de psicologia da criança, dois psicólogos infantis e dois professores do ensino fundamental. As categorias selecionadas para análise e discussão dos dados neste trabalho foram: O Trabalho de Orientação Sexual; O Professor e a Bagagem Sexual pré-adquirida pelos alunos; A Utilização da Mídia; A Ação diante do Modismo Incentivado pela Família; A Reação diante de Jogos Sexuais; A Linguagem Utilizada; A Influência da Família; e As Sugestões aos Professores. Concluiu-se, ao final do trabalho, que a sexualidade infantil deve ser abordada de forma natural e tranqüila, com uma linguagem simples, de acordo com a faixa etária da criança, limitando-se a responder à curiosidade da mesma. A 'bagagem' trazida de casa pela criança deve ser valorizada e respeitada; deve-se, porém, orientar os pais para que o modismo infantil não interfira no desenvolvimento natural da criança, influenciando de forma negativa, antecipando as fases do desenvolvimento infantil. A mídia exerce uma grande influência na formação sexual da criança. Sabendo usá-la de forma correta (qualidade de informação), pode ser um importante mecanismo de educação. Em relação à docência constatou-se que o profissional não deve alarmar-se quando presenciar jogos sexuais, pois fazem parte do desenvolvimento natural da criança, na faixa etária estudada (seis e sete anos). O conteúdo de orientação sexual deve ser aplicado de forma planejada e o profissional deve considerar importante o desenvolvimento de sua própria sexualidade para que o trabalho com educação sexual atinja seus objetivos