Histopathological Analysis Of Gangliosides Use In Peripheral Nerve Regeneration After Axonotmesis In Rats

Purpose: To analyze the action of gangliosides in peripheral nerve regeneration in the sciatic nerve of the rat. Methods: The sample was composed of 96 male Wistar rats. The animals were anaesthetized and, after identification of the anaesthesic plane, an incision was made in the posterior region of the thigh, followed by skin and muscle divulsion. The right sciatic nerve was isolated and compressed for 2 minutes. Continuous suture of the skin was performed. The animals were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (EG), which received subcutaneous injection of gangliosides, and the control group (CG), which received saline solution (0.9%) to mimic the effects of drug administration. Results: No differences were observed between the experimental and control groups evaluated on the eighth day of observation. At 15 and 30 days the EG showed an decrease in Schwann cell activity and an apparent improvement in fibre organization; at 60 days, there was a slight presence of Schwann cells in the endoneural space and the fibres were organized, indicating nerve regeneration. At 15 and 30 days, the level of cell reaction in the CG had diminished, but there were many cells with cytoplasm in activity and in mitosis; at 60 days, hyperplastic Schwann cells and mitotic activity were again observed, as well as nerve regeneration, but to a lesser extent than in the EG. Conclusion: The administration of exogenous gangliosides seems to improve nerve regeneration.234364371Vasconcelos, B.C., Gay Escoda, C., Vasconcellos, R.J., Neves, R.F., Conduction velocity of the rabbit facial nerve: A noninvasive functional evaluation (2003) Pesqui Odontol Bras, 17, pp. 126-131De Medinacelli, L., Freed, W.J., Wyatt, R.J., An index of the functional condition of rat sciatic nerve based on measurements made from walking tracks (1982) Exp Neur, 77, pp. 6634-6643Nachemson, A.K., Lundborg, G., Myrhage, R., Rank, F., Nerve regeneration and pharmacological suppression of the scar reaction at the suture site (1985) Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg, 19, pp. 255-260Danielsen, N., Varon, S., Characterization of neurotrophic activity in the silicone chamber model for nerve regeneration (1995) J Reconstr Microsurg, 11, pp. 231-235Catan, F.G., Pastorello, A., Siliprandi, R., Savastano, M., Molinari, G., Brain cortex gangliosides and Na+, K+)-ATPase system of the stria vascularis in the guinea pig (1981) Acta Otolaryngol, 92, pp. 433-437Cunha, M.T.R., Silva, A.R., Fenelon, S.B., Comparision of nerve integration after segmentar resection versus epineural burying in crushed rat sciatic nerves (1997) Acta Cir Bras, 4, pp. 221-225Chen, Z.Y., Chai, Y.F., Cao, L., Lu, C.L., He, C., Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor enhances axonal regeneration following sciatic nerve transection in adult rats (2001) Brain Res, 2, pp. 272-276Abreu, A.A.N., Wei, T.H., Zumiotti, A.V., Avaliação dos gangliosídeos na regeneração nervosa em ratos. (2002) Rev Bras Ortop, 37, pp. 39-44Neto, J.C., Vasconcelos, B.C., Sobral, A.P., da Silva Jr, V.A., Nogueira, R.V., Clinical and histopathologic study of the use of gangliosides for nerve regeneration in rats after axonotmesis (2007) J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 65, pp. 870-874de Ruiter, G.C., Spinner, R.J., Alaid, A.O., Koch, A.J., Wang, H., Malessy, M.J., Currier, B.L., Windebank, A.J., Two-dimensional digital video ankle motion analysis for assessment of function in the rat sciatic nerve model (2007) J Peripher Nerv Syst, 12, pp. 216-222Schmalbruch, H., Fiber composition of the sciatic nerve (1986) Anat Rec, 215 (1), pp. 71-81Apley, A.G., Teaching techniques and training methods in orthopaedics (1966) Proc R Soc Med, 59 (2), p. 117Kline, D.G., Kim, D., Midha, R., Harsh, C., Tiel, R., Management and results of sciatic nerve injuries: A 24-year experience (1998) J Neurosurg, 89, pp. 13-23Gomes AC, Vasconcelos BC, de Oliveira e Silva ED, da Silva LC. Lingual nerve damage after mandibular third molar surgery: a randomized clinical trial. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2005;63:1443-6Horch, H.W., Krüttgen, A., Portbury, S.D., Katz, L.C., Destabilization of cortical dendrites and spines by BDNF (1999) Neuron, 23 (2), pp. 353-364Tos, P., Ronchi, G., Nicolino, S., Audisio, C., Raimondo, S., Fornaro, M., Battiston, B., Geuna, S., Employment of the mouse median nerve model for the experimental assessment of peripheral nerve regeneration (2008) J Neurosci Methods, 169 (1), pp. 119-127Graff-Radford, S.B., Evans, R.W., Lingual nerve injury (2003) Headache, 43, pp. 975-983Montovani, J.C., Prado, R.G., Bacchi, C.E., Experimental surgery of the facial nerve: Evaluation of the intraperitoneal use of exogenous gangliosides (1995) Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol, 116, pp. 163-167Langone, F., Silva, C.F., Exogenous ganglioside stimulation of axonal regeneration after new transsection and intubation repair (1990) Braz J Med Biol, 23, pp. 823-826Lainetti, R.D., Silva, C.F., Local addition of monosialoganglioside GM1 stimulates peripheral axon regeneration in vivo (1993) Braz J Med Biol Res, 26, pp. 841-845Sobeski, J.K., Kerns, J.M., Safanda, J.F., Shott, S., Gonzalez, M.H., Functional and structural effects of GM-1 ganglioside treatment on peripheral nerve grafting in the rat (2001) Microsurgery, 21, pp. 108-115Amico-Roxas, M., Caruso, A., Trombadore, S., Scifo, R., Scapagnini, U., Gangliosides antinociceptive effects in rodents (1984) Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther, 272 (1), pp. 103-117(1978) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Culture Organization, , http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=29008&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html, Universal Declaration of Animal Rights, Bruxelles. Available from UR

Cryptococcus neoformans em torres de igrejas da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

Cryptococcosis has been a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Aids. Many reservoirs of the agent Cryptococcus neoformans have been reported, but the ecology of this yeast must be elucidated in order to establish surveillance programs and to prevent infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of C. neoformans in Rio de Janeiro City, RJ, Brazil. Ten churches were selected for sampling and detection of the yeast collecting pigeon dropping, air samples from church towers and neighboring areas during one year. The data demonstrated that C. neoformans has been present in every church selected and was present in 37.8% of 219 pigeon dropping samples. As well as, the yeast was isolated from soil, insects, eggs, pigeon nests and feathers. Fifteen air samples (4.9%) were positive. The growth on C.G.B. medium showed that all strains belonged to C. neoformans var. neoformans, with 98.8% of the strains belonging to serotype A.Cryptococcus neoformans é um fungo que ocasiona micose de alta morbidade e mortalidade, especialmente em pacientes com Aids. Muitos reservatórios de C. neoformans têm sido relatados, mas a ecologia desta levedura deve ser ainda elucidada para se estabelecer programas de vigilância e prevenção desta infecção. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a presença de C. neoformans no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. Dez igrejas foram selecionadas para este estudo, coletando-se fezes de pombo, amostras de ar, das torres das igrejas e de áreas vizinhas, durante um ano. Os resultados revelaram que C. neoformans estava presente em todas as igrejas e em 37,8% das 219 amostras das excretas das aves. Ao mesmo tempo, o fungo foi isolado do solo, insetos, ovos e ninhos de pombos. Quinze (4,9%) do total das amostras de ar foram positivas. O crescimento no meio de CGB revelou que todas as amostras pertenciam a C. neoformans var. neoformans, e 98,8% destas amostras pertenciam ao sorotipo A

Kafirin structure and functionality

The structural and functional properties of kafirins are reviewed. Three classes of kafirin: the a, ß and ? forms have been identified at the protein level and one, the d, has been identified only at the gene and transcript levels. All forms show high homology with the equivalent zein proteins. By analogy with the zeins it is believed that the a-kafirins probably have an extended hairpin structure in solution, comprising elements of a-helix, ß-sheet and turns folded back on itself. Kafirins are the most hydrophobic of the prolamins as shown by their solubility, and calculated hydration free energies. The proteins exhibit extensive cross-linking by disulphide bonds and on cooking form indigestible aggregates which are not solubilised by reduction of disulphide bonds. In spite of continuing studies, the reasons for the low digestibility of the protein remain uncertain and there may be several factors involved. Other research has shown that kafirins may have non-food uses and may be used to form films

Produtividade e vigor do maracujazeiro-amarelo plantado em covas e plantio direto sob manejo orgânico.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o vigor e a produtividade do maracujazeiro-amarelo plantado em diferentes tamanhos de cova e plantio direto sob manejo orgânico. O experimento foi conduzido de 2005 a 2007, no Setor de Agricultura Ecológica da Universidade Federal do Acre, em delineamento de blocos casualizados, constituídos de cinco tratamentos, quatro repetições e quatro plantas por parcela. Foram avaliados cinco tipos de preparo do solo: T1 cova do tamanho do torrão (0,19 x 0,063m) com adubação em cobertura; T2 cova de 0,30 x 0,30 x 0,30m com adubação de plantio na cova; T3 cova de 0,30 x 0,30 x 0,30m com adubação de plantio em cobertura; T4 cova de 0,50 x 0,50 x 0,50m com adubação de plantio na cova; e T5 cova de 0,50 x 0,50 x 0,50m com adubação de plantio em cobertura. O tamanho da cova e o plantio direto não influenciaram o vigor da planta e a biomassa de raízes. O número de frutos por planta e a produtividade, na segunda e na somatória das duas safras, foram maiores com plantio direto e com covas cúbicas de 0,30m. Após dois anos de cultivo, a densidade do solo foi maior na camada de 0-5cm de profundidade num raio de 20cm da planta para o plantio em covas de 0,50m com adubação na cova e menor para o plantio direto, não havendo diferença entre os demais tratamentos. O plantio direto ou o plantio em covas pequenas com dimensões de 0,30 x 0,30 x 0,30m proporcionou maior produtividade de maracujá que o plantio em covas maiores, mesmo não influenciando o vigor das plantas e a massa seca de raízes

Biodiversity, threats and conservation challenges in the Cerrado of Amapá, an Amazonian savanna

An Amazonian savanna in northern Brazil known as the Cerrado of Amapá is under imminent threat from poor land-use planning, the expansion of large-scale agriculture and other anthropogenic pressures. These savannas house a rich and unique flora and fauna, including endemic plants and animals. However, the area remains under-sampled for most taxa, and better sampling may uncover new species. We estimate that only ∼9.16% of these habitats have any kind of protection, and legislative changes threaten to further weaken or remove this protection. Here we present the status of knowledge concerning the biodiversity of the Cerrado of Amapá, its conservation status, and the main threats to the conservation of this Amazonian savanna. To secure the future of these unique and imperilled habitats, we suggest urgent expansion of protected areas, as well as measures that would promote less-damaging land uses to support the local population. Copyright © 2017 Karen Mustin et al