Os efeitos dos estrogênios conjugados equinos e do tamoxifeno na histomorfologia da glândula tireóide de ratas

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of the conjugated equine estrogens and tamoxifen on the morphology of thyroid gland in ovariectomized (OVx) rats. METHODS: Conjugated equine estrogens (CEE), clinically used as estrogen therapy, is a complex formulation containing multiple estrogens that decrease menopausal symptoms. Thirty ovariectomized rats were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: GI, vehicle (propylene glycol); GII, CEE 200 &micro;g/kg per day; and GIII, tamoxifen 1 mg/kg per day. Another group of 10 rats with intact ovaries (GIV) was included, treated with the vehicle, and sacrificed during estrous. All animals were treated by gavage for 50 days, after which they were sacrificed. Blood samples were collected, and the thyroid was removed for morphological analysis and PCNA evaluation through immunohistochemical study. RESULTS: The thyroid follicular cell height was increased in animals treated with CEE (14.90 &plusmn; 0.20 µm), with TAM (14.90 &plusmn; 0.10 µm), and in rats with intact ovaries (15.10 &plusmn; 0.50 µm) in comparison to that of the vehicle group (9.90 &plusmn; 0.20 µm) (P < 0.001). The follicular area was larger in the CEE (2,225 &plusmn; 51 µm²) and TAM (2,127 &plusmn; 67 µm²) groups compared to that of the vehicle group (5,016 &plusmn; 53 &micro;m²). The levels of T4 and T3 in rats treated with CEE, with Tamoxifen and in rats with intact ovaries, were higher than those those in the vehicle group (P < 0.001). The PCNA index in the vehicle group was lower than in other groups. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that estrogen and tamoxifen administration has a proliferative effect on the thyroid.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ação dos estrogênios conjugados eqüinos e do tamoxifeno na histomorfologia da tireóide de ratas. MÉTODO: Estrogênios conjugados eqüinos são ministrados clinicamente como terapia estrogênica e contêm formulação complexa com muitos tipos de estrogênios que diminuem os sintomas da pós-menopausa. Trinta ratas adultas ooforectomizadas foram divididas aleatoriamente em três grupos: GI - veículo (propilenoglicol); GII - ECE 200 &micro;g/Kg por dia; e GIII - TAM 1 mg/Kg por dia. Acrescentou-se ainda um grupo de 10 animais com os ovários intactos e tratados com veículo (GIV). Todos os animais foram tratados por gavagem durante 50 dias consecutivos, ao final foram coletadas amostras do sangue e a tireóide removida e processada para análise morfológica e imunohistoquímico para avaliar o PCNA. RESULTADOS: A maior altura das células foliculares foi observada nos animais tratados com ECE (14,90 &plusmn; 0,20 µm), TAM (14,90 &plusmn; 0,10 µm) e no grupo com ovários intactos (15,10 &plusmn; 0,50 µm), comparando-se aos controles ovariectomizados (GI) (9,90 &plusmn; 0,20 µm) (

Quantificação do dano causado por Meloidogyne enterolobii em quiabeiro

The objective of this work was to estimate the damage caused by Meloidogyne enterolobii in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and to verify the reliability of the reproduction factor as a suitable measure for selecting resistant okra genotypes. Increasing populations of M. enterolobii – 0, 500, 1,500, 3,000, 5,000, and 7,000 eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2) per plant, – were evaluated, in a completely randomized design. The pathogen showed a parasitism pattern similar to that of M. incognita, causing a significant decrease in morphological and agronomic traits. The pathogen reproduction factor should be used in the selection of okra genotypes for tolerance to M. enterolobii, in populations above 3,000 eggs or J2.O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar os danos causados por Meloidogyne enterolobii em quiabeiro (Abelmoschus esculentus) e verificar a confiabilidade do fator de reprodução como medição adequada para a seleção de genótipos de quiabeiro resistentes. Avaliaram-se populações crescentes de M. enterolobii – 0, 500, 1.500, 3.000, 5.000 e 7.000 ovos e juvenis de segundo estádio (J2) por planta –, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. O patógeno apresentou padrão de parasitismo similar ao de M. incognita, tendo causado redução significativa de parâmetros morfológicos e agronômicos. O fator de reprodução do patógeno deve ser usado na seleção de genótipos de quiabeiro quanto à tolerância a M. enterolobii, em populações acima de 3.000 ovos ou J2

Stress and recovery perception, creatine kinase levels, and performance parameters of male volleyball athletes in a preseason for a championship

Background: Training load and adequate recovery have been identified as essential elements to improve wellbeing and performance in team sports and avoid non-functional overreaching and overtraining. Objective: This cohort study sought to analyze the stress and recovery perceptions, creatine kinase levels (CK), and vertical jump performance of volleyball athletes at different training times during a championship preseason. Methods: Thirteen high-level male volleyball players (23.80 ± 5.40 years, 91.50 ± 8.80 kg, and 193.10 ± 6.40 cm) completed the RESTQ-Sport questionnaire on stress and recovery perception, and blood samples were collected to evaluate CK levels. These measures were performed six times over 16 weeks, while jumps such as squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and countermovement jump arm (CMJA) were performed at three of those times for specific performance evaluation. Results: The stress perception and recovery perception indices increased and decreased, respectively, in the precompetitive phase, while CK levels presented an initial rise, maintenance over the training period, and a drop. Vertical jump heights increased significantly throughout the preparatory period regardless of the type of jump. In all training phases, CMJA values exceeded CMJ and SJ values, and CMJ values exceeded SJ values. Conclusions: Positive adaptations were elicited by training stimuli, resulting in improvements in performance. Conversely, load training variables indicated higher levels of stress and muscle damage, together with lower perceptions of recovery during the championship preseason

Crotalaria and millet as alternative controls of root-knot nematodes infecting okra

The relationship of crops grown in rotation or in succession has increased every day and the use of antagonistic plants and/or non-host plants is one of the most efficient practices of integrated management of nematodes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis Roth) and millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) Leeke] ‘ADR 300’ in reducing the population of Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica and in increasing the productivity of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] when cultivated in succession. The experiment was conducted in an area cultivating okra (host culture) in rotation, with a history of severe infestation by phytonematoids. The experimental design involved randomized blocks with six treatments and four replicates, with the following treatments: T1, 15 kg.ha-1 of millet seeds; T2, 30 kg.ha-1 of crotalaria; T3, 10 kg.ha-1 of millet + 20 kg.ha-1 of crotalaria; T4, 20 kg.ha-1 of millet + 6 kg.ha-1  of crotalaria; T5, 6 kg.ha-1 of millet + 36 kg.ha-1 of crotalaria; and T6, control. The nematode populations in the soil and roots were evaluated about 60 d after planting okra, and the yield was evaluated at the end of the crop cycle. Simple treatment with millet or crotalaria reduced the nematode population by 61% and 72%, respectively. The millet-crotalaria intercropping treatments reduced the nematode population by up to 85% compared with the control. In terms of productivity, there was an increase of 787 kg.ha-1 in the millet treatment and 2,109 kg.ha-1 in the intercropping treatments. Both the single cultivation of crotalaria or millet and the consortia of crotalaria and millet were effective in controlling the root-knot nematodes, and increased the productivity of okra

Induced aerocystitis and hemato-immunological parameters in Nile tilapia fed supplemented diet with essential oil of Lippia alba

O presente estudo avaliou a suplementação dietária com óleo essencial de Lippia alba sobre os parâmetros hemato-imunológicos em tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) submetidas à inflamação aguda induzida por carragenina na bexiga natatória. Pelo período de 45 dias, 96 peixes foram divididos em quarto tratamentos em triplicata: a) peixes suplementados com óleo esencial de L. alba (4 mL kg-1 de ração) injetados com carragenina; b) peixes suplementados com álcool de cereais injetados com carragenina; peixes não suplementados com óleo essencial injetados com carragenina; c) peixes não suplementados não injetados. Os níveis de cortisol, eritrograma, leucograma e o infiltrado inflamatório foram analisados seis horas após o estímulo inflamatório. Peixes injetados com carragenina apresentaram reação inflamatória aguda na bexiga natatória caracterizada por maior infiltrado de neutrófilos e monócitos. O número de neutrófilos circulantes foi significativamente maior nos peixes suplementados com L. alba quando comparado aos outros tratamentos. Não houve diferença nos níveis de cortisol. Para a dose, o tempo e a forma de administração testada, a suplementação com óleo essencil de L. alba não apresentou atividade anti-inflamatória. Por outro lado, foi constatada influência da suplementação dietária no número de neutrófilos após a aerocistite enfatizando a sua característica imunomoduladora.The present study evaluated the dietary supplementation with essential oil of Lippia alba on the hemato-immunological parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) submitted to acute inflammation induced by carrageenin injection in the swim bladder. For a period of 45 days, 96 fish were divided in four treatments in triplicate, as follows: fish fed supplemented diet with essential oil of L. alba (4 mL kg-1 dry ration) injected with carrageenin; fish fed supplemented diet with cereal alcohol injected with carrageenin; fish fed unsupplemented diet with essential oil injected with carrageenin; fish fed unsupplemented diet and noninjected. Cortisol levels, erythrogram, leukogram and the inflammatory infiltrate were analyzed 6 h after inflammatory stimulus. Carrageenin-injected fish showed acute inflammatory reaction in the swim bladder characterized by higher infiltrate of neutrophils and monocytes. The circulating neutrophils number was significantly higher in fish fed L. alba when compared to other treatments. No difference in cortisol levels was found. For dose, time and administration form tested, supplementation with essential oil of L. alba did not present anti-inflammatory activity. On the other hand, influence of dietary supplementation was observed on the neutrophils number after induced aerocystitis highlighting its immunomodulatory characteristic

Immunity of sugarcane cultivars to Meloidogyne enterolobii

Brazil is currently the world’s largest producer and exporter of sugarcane, and the crop has high socioeconomic importance in the country. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the major limiting factors in sugarcane production. These plant parasites have wide geographic distribution, high damage potential, and are difficult to control. Recently, the species Meloidogyne enterolobii was identified in sugarcane crops in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Given the importance of genetic resistance for integrated nematode management and the lack of research on the M. enterolobii–sugarcane pathosystem, this study aimed to assess the response of sugarcane cultivars to M. enterolobii. Thirteen cultivars were evaluated for their resistance to M. enterolobii based on the nematode reproduction factor. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized design, with 14 replicates. Pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings were transplanted to 5 L pots, and each pot was considered an experimental unit. At 15 days after transplanting, the seedlings were inoculated with 5,000 eggs and second-stage juveniles of M. enterolobii. Tomato and okra plants were also inoculated to test the viability of the inoculum. At 240 days after inoculation, plant roots were processed and evaluated for nematode number. This parameter was used to calculate the nematode reproduction factor on each cultivar. All sugarcane cultivars were found to be immune to M. enterolobii, with a reproduction factor of 0

USO DE SIGS PARA GERAÇÃO DE MAPAS COM A LOCALIZAÇÃO MÉDIA DO JATOBÁ (Hymenaea courbaril) NA MARGEM NOROESTE DO MUNICÍPIO DE SÃO FRANCISCO, BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIO SÃO FRANCISCO, MG

A gestão dos recursos naturais de maneira responsável é, sem dúvida, um dos maiores desafios de gestão ambiental. Para isso, técnicas de sensoriamento remoto têm sido cada vez mais usadas objetivando um melhor e maior auxílio à decisão. Na margem Noroeste (B) do município de São Francisco, Norte de Minas Gerais, localizado na bacia alto-média do rio São Francisco e onde o Cerrado natural sofreu intensa degradação no intervalo de 41 anos (1975-2016), realizou-se o presente estudo, objetivando, através da metodologia de sobreposição de imagens cartográficas, utilizando-se a ferramenta IDW do software Arcgis 10.2 gerar um mapa capaz de apresentar a média populacional do Jatobá (Hymenaea courbaril) por ponto de coleta. Pode-se concluir, após a exitosa experiência metodológica aqui presente, que os seus exemplares arbóreos se localizam com maior incidência na região Central do território estudado. Uma boa hipótese para explicar tal ocorrência se dá pelo fato dessa ser exatamente a região onde está majoritariamente presente solos distróficos, mostrando a alta adaptação da espécie vegetal a esta formação pedológica. Recomendam-se mais estudos na região para verificação se a hipótese apresentada de que este vegetal se adapta melhor ao Cerrado seco se comparado ao úmido é de fato correta

Subtractive phage display selection from canine visceral leishmaniasis identifies novel epitopes that mimic leishmania infantum antigens with potential serodiagnosis applications

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease that is endemic to Brazil, where dogs are the main domestic parasite reservoirs, and the percentages of infected dogs living in regions where canine VL (CVL) is endemic have ranged from 10% to 62%. Despite technological advances, some problems have been reported with CVL serodiagnosis. The present study describes a sequential subtractive selection through phage display technology from polyclonal antibodies of negative and positive sera that resulted in the identification of potential bacteriophage-fused peptides that were highly sensitive and specific to antibodies of CVL. A negative selection was performed in which phage clones were adhered to purified IgGs from healthy and Trypanosoma cruzi-infected dogs to eliminate cross-reactive phages. The remaining supernatant nonadhered phages were submitted to positive selection against IgG from the blood serum of dogs that were infected with Leishmania infantum. Phage clones that adhered to purified IgGs from the CVL-infected serum samples were selected. Eighteen clones were identified and their reactivities tested by a phage enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (phage-ELISA) against the serum samples from infected dogs (n 31) compared to those from vaccinated dogs (n 21), experimentally infected dogs with cross-reactive parasites (n 23), and healthy controls (n 17). Eight clones presented sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 100%, and they showed no crossreactivity with T. cruzi- or Ehrlichia canis-infected dogs or with dogs vaccinated with two different commercial CVL vaccines in Brazil. Our study identified eight mimotopes of L. infantum antigens with 100% accuracy for CVL serodiagnosis. The use of these mimotopes by phage-ELISA proved to be an excellent assay that was reproducible, simple, fast, and inexpensive, and it can be applied in CVL-monitoring programsThis work was supported by grants from the Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa of UFMG (supported 03/2013), the Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Nano-Biofarmacêutica (INCT Nano-Biofar), Rede Nanobiotec/Brasil-UFU (CAPES), PRONEX-FAPEMIG (APQ-01019- 09), FAPEMIG (APQ-00496-11 and APQ-00819-12), and CNPq (APQ- 472090/2011-9 and APQ-482976/2012-8). E.A.F.C. and L.R.G. are recipients of grants from CNPq. M.A.C.-F. is the recipient of a grant from FAPEMIG/CAPE

Performance of vertical jumps in defensive and offensive female footballplayers

O futebol feminino está crescendo no Brasil e estudos que avaliem o desempenho físico das atletas permitem criar parâmetros para a modalidade. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever as variáveis dos saltos verticais em atletas de futebol feminino e realizar a comparação entre atletas defensivas e ofensivas. A amostra foi constituída de 16 atletas de futebol do sexo feminino. Foram avaliados os dados antropométricos, a posição tática e os saltos verticais. Foram coletados saltos squat jump (SJ) e counter movement jump (CMJ) com o aplicativo MyJump. As atletas de futebol avaliadas apresentaram em média 24,33±3,71 cm de altura e 19,69±3,25 W/kg de potência para o salto SJ. Além disso, apresentaram 24,25±4,09 cm de altura e 19,67±3,59 W/kg de potência para o salto CMJ. Em relação à razão CMJ/SJ, o valor apresentado foi de 1,00±0,08. As variáveis avaliadas nos saltos verticais não apresentaram diferenças entre as atletas de futebol defensivase ofensivas (p>0,05). Assim, as atletas apresentaram aproximadamente 24 cm de altura e 19 W/kg de potência para os saltos, com baixa contribuição do ciclo alongamento-encurtamento para essas ações. Por fim, as atletas de futebol feminino das posições defensivas apresentaram desempenho semelhante às ofensivas nos saltos verticais.Women's footballis growing in Brazil and studies that assess the physical performance of the players allow to create parameters for the sport. The aim of the present study was to describe the variables of vertical jumps in female footballplayers and to compare defensive and offensive players. The sample was consisted of 18 female footballplayers. Anthropometric data, tactical position and vertical jumps were evaluated. Squat jump (SJ) and counter movement jump (CMJ) jumps were collected with the MyJump application. The footballplayers evaluated showed an average of 24.33±3.71 cm in height and 19.69±3.25 W/kg of power for the SJ. In addition, they performed 24.25±4.09 cm in height and 19.67±3.59 W/kg of power for the CMJ. Regarding to CMJ/SJ ratio, the value was 1.00±0.08. There were no differences between backwards and forwards footballplayers in all variables evaluated in the vertical jumps (p>0.05). Thus, the players presented approximately 24 cm in height and 19 W/kg of power for the jumps, with a low contribution of the stretching-shortening cycle for these actions. Finally, female footballplayers in backwards positions performed similarly to forwards players in vertical jumps