Spores morphology from Sematophyllaceae Broth. from three fragments of Mata Atlântica, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In the present work the spores of seven species of the family Sematophyllaceae Broth. (Bryophyta) from three areas of Mata Atlântica were analyzed. For the spores' external morphology analysis, the direct method in glycerined gelatin was used and for the measurements the method of acetolysis was used. The largest and smaller diameters (in polar view) and the thickness of the wall were measured. The analysis was carried under optical microscope and scanning electronic microscope. The spores are isomorphic, from small to medium size, heteropolars, of subcircular amb, with proximalapertural region and granulated surface. The apertural region is irregular. The variations found between the spores of the different species are related to the size of the spores and the distribution of the trimming elements.No presente trabalho foram analisados os esporos de sete espécies da família Sematophyllaceae Broth. (Bryophyta) ocorrentes em três áreas de Mata Atlântica. Para análise da morfologia externa dos esporos, utilizou-se o método direto em gelatina glicerinada e para as medidas foi utilizado o método de acetólise. Foram medidos os diâmetros maior e menor (em vista polar) e a espessura da parede. As análises foram realizadas sob microscópio de luz e microscópio eletrônico de varredura. Após a realização das medidas, realizou-se a análise estatística e estas foram apresentadas em tabelas. Os esporos são isomórficos, de tamanho pequeno a médio, heteropolares, de amb subcircular, com região apertural proximal e superfície granulada. A região apertural é irregular. As variações encontradas entre os esporos das diferentes espécies estão relacionadas ao tamanho dos esporos e à distribuição dos elementos de ornamentação

non invasive ventilation during surgery under neuraxial anaesthesia a pathophysiological perspective on application and benefits and a systematic literature review

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Spore morphology of Leucobryaceae Schimp. (Bryophyta) species in the Parque Estadual de Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro State

The present study aimed to analyze the spore morphology of Leucobryaceae species occurring in the Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande, Ilha Grande Municipality, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Spores of six species distributed in two genera, were analyzed: Leucobryum albicans Schwaegr., L. clavatum Hampe, L. crispum C. Muell., L. martianum (Hornsch.) Hampe ex C. Muell., Octoblepharum albidum Hedw. and O. cocuiense Mitt. Different methods were utilized for spore morphology analysis. The analyzed species presented spore in monads, small to medium sized (10.0-22.5 µm), heteropolar, subcircular, with proximal apertural region and granulated surface. The apertural region is irregularly shaped, elongated, subcircular, subtriangular or without defined configuration. The variations detected, and utilized for species separation, are related to spores size and ornamentation element distribution.O presente trabalho trata da análise morfológica dos esporos das espécies de Leucobryaceae Schimp. ocorrentes no Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande, Município de Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Foram analisados os esporos de seis espécies distribuídas em dois gêneros: Leucobryum albicans Schwaegr., L. clavatum Hampe, L. crispum C. Muell., L. martianum (Hornsch.) Hampe ex C. Muell., Octoblepharum albidum Hedw. e O. cocuiense Mitt. Diferentes métodos foram utilizados para a análise da morfologia dos esporos. As espécies analisadas apresentaram esporos em mônades, de tamanho pequeno a médio (10,0-22,5 µm), heteropolares, subcirculares, com região apertural proximal, superfície granulada. A região apertural é irregular, apresentando-se de forma alongada, subcircular, subtriangular ou sem forma definida. As variações encontradas, e que foram utilizadas para a separação das espécies, estão relacionadas ao tamanho dos esporos e à distribuição dos elementos de ornamentação

Corticosterone evaluation in Wistar rats infected with the Y strain of Trypanosoma cruzi during the chronic phase

Understanding the mechanisms responsible for mediating the effects of stress on Trypanosoma cruzi infection is crucial for determining the full impact of stress on Chagas` disease and for devising effective interventions. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid hormone synthesized from pregnenolone, is secreted by the adrenal cortex in response to stress. Although its physiologic role has not been fully defined, DHEA has been shown to modulate immune function. In the present study, we evaluated the levels of corticosterone and the ability of T. cruzi infection to modulate the expression of Th2 cytokines in Wistar rats with chronic Chagas` disease submitted to repetitive stress. The animals submitted to stress displayed enhanced levels of corticosterone as compared to control counterparts. Stress and infection triggered the most elevated concentrations of corticosterone. DHEA significantly reduced corticosterone levels for infected and stressed animals with DHEA. The infected animals displayed enhanced levels of IL-10 and IL-4 as compared to control ones. Stress combined with infection triggered the higher levels of IL-10 and IL-4. DHEA alone and combined with infection and stress significantly increased IL-10 and IL-4 levels. Then, this study might provide additional clues about factors that regulate some of the immunoregulatory aspects of T. cruzi infection and might offer new opportunities for therapeutic interventions. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.CAPESFAPESP[06/02619-4

Effects of repetitive stress during the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection on chronic Chagas` disease in rats

The effect of repetitive stress during acute infection with Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) on the chronic phase of ensuing Chagas` disease was the focus of this investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate in Wistar rats the influence of repetitive stress during the acute phase of infection (7 days) with the Y strain of T. cruzi on the chronic phase of the infection (at 180 days). Exposure to ether vapor for 1min twice a day was used as a stressor. Repetitive stress enhanced the number of circulating parasites and cardiac tissue disorganization, from a moderate to a severe diffuse mononuclear inflammatory process and the presence of amastigote burden in the cardiac fibers. Immunological parameters revealed that repetitive stress triggered a reduced concanavalin A induced splenocyte proliferation in vitro with major effects on the late chronic phase. Serum interleukin-12 concentration decreased in both stressed and infected rats in the early phase of infection although it was higher on 180 days post-infection. These results suggest that repetitive stress can markedly impair the host`s immune system and enhance the pathological process during the chronic phase of Chagas` disease.CAPESFAPESP[06/02619-4

Non-invasive ventilation in patients with an altered level of consciousness. A clinical review and practical insights

Non-invasive ventilation has gained an increasingly pivotal role in the treatment of acute hypoxemic and/or hypercapnic respiratory failure and offers multiple advantages over invasive mechanical ventilation. Some of these advantages include the preservation of airway defense mechanisms, a reduced need for sedation, and an avoidance of complications related to endotracheal intubation

Feeding practices, healthcare and kinship during the first year of life

This paper reports a study of how babies are fed during their first year of life as practiced by families living in a low-income neighborhood of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil and served by the state's Family Health Program. Two families were followed up over a year using the Bick method for the observation of mother-infant relationships. The results showed that although the families appreciated the recommendations of health professionals regarding the need to practice exclusive breastfeeding until the child reached six months, in practice during their first few weeks of life the babies were started on complementary food in addition to breast milk. The mothers made decisions regarding feeding the babies taking into consideration the following: The opinions of a selection of relatives; food availability; ideas about what is suitable for the developing baby; and finally, their observations of the child's responses. The results show that food is part of the mutually imbricated processes of the social construction of the person and the constitution of kinship ties. The conclusion reflects on the implications of these findings for health practices