Morphological Analysis of the Tongue and the Digestive Tube of Saffron Finch (Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis,LINNAUES 1766) Apprehended by CETAS/IBAMA‐PB

The saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola brasiliensis) is a Passeriforme of the Brazilian wildlife. There are scarcely any morphological studies on it, although it is frequently trafficked for its birdsong abilities. Its peculiarities, such as territorialism and developed syrinx that provides outstanding song, draw attention towards its domestication. Thus, this study aimed to morphologically describe the tongue and digestive tube organs of this species to furnish subsidies for nutritional, clinical and conservation studies. Forty‐one birds from the Wild Animal Screening Center (CETAS)/Brazilian Institute of Environment (IBAMA)/city of Cabedelo, state of Paraíba (PB) were used. Samples were collected, identified and sent to standard light microscopy; samples of proventriculus and gizzard were sent to Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The samples showed stratification similar to that of other domestic and wild birds, confirmed in the scanning electron microscopy; however, they differed in the absence of dermal papillae in the tongue, lack of ingluvial glands and lack of muscular mucosa and sub‐mucosa in the large intestine.     

Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Effects of Diterpenes Isolated from the Marine Alga,Dictyota menstrualis

Cardiovascular diseases represent a major cause of disability and death worldwide. Therapeutics are available, but they often have unsatisfactory results and may produce side effects. Alternative treatments based on the use of natural products have been extensively investigated, because of their low toxicity and side effects. Marine organisms are prime candidates for such products, as they are sources of numerous and complex substances with ecological and pharmacological effects. In this work, we investigated, through in vitro experiments, the effects of three diterpenes (pachydictyol A, isopachydictyol A and dichotomanol) from the Brazilian marine alga, Dictyota menstrualis, on platelet aggregation and plasma coagulation. Results showed that dichotomanol inhibited ADP- or collagen-induced aggregation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), but failed to inhibit washed platelets (WP). In contrast, pachydictyol A and isopachydictyol A failed to inhibit the aggregation of PRP, but inhibited WP aggregation induced by collagen or thrombin. These diterpenes also inhibited coagulation analyzed by the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time and on commercial fibrinogen. Moreover, diterpenes inhibited the catalytic activity of thrombin. Theoretical studies using the Osiris Property Explorer software showed that diterpenes have low theoretical toxicity profiles and a drug-score similar to commercial anticoagulant drugs. In conclusion, these diterpenes are promising candidates for use in anticoagulant therapy, and this study also highlights the biotechnological potential of oceans and the importance of bioprospecting to develop medicines.     

Aspartic Proteinase Members Secreted by the Ruminant Placenta: Specificity of Three Radioimmunoassay Systems for the Measurement of Pregnancy-associated Glycoproteins

Pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins (PAGs) isolated from the placenta of various ruminant species are enzymatically inactive members of the aspartic proteinase family. The measurement of these proteins in the maternal blood can be a good indicator of the presence of a live embryo. As certain aspartic proteinases are present in biological fluids in physiological and pathological conditions at various concentrations, it was necessary to determine the specificity of three radioimmunoassay (RIA) systems currently used for the detection of PAG molecules. Commercially available members of the aspartic proteinase family like pepsinogen, pepsin, chymosin, rennet, cathepsin D and renin were tested in a wide concentration range (10 ng/ml – 1 mg/ml). Pepsinogen cross‐reacted in RIA 1, RIA 2 and RIA 3 over 1 mg/ml, 50 μg/ml and 500 μg/ml concentrations, respectively. In the presence of pepsin, cross‐reaction was observed in RIA 1, RIA 2 and RIA 3 over 1 mg/ml, 500 μg/ml and 1 mg/ml concentrations, respectively. Chymosin and rennet could cross‐react in RIA 2 and RIA 3, while renin and cathepsin D did not decrease the binding of the tracer to antisera more, than that of the minimal detection limit. As the plasma/serum concentrations of the examined aspartic proteinases reported in the literature were outside the concentration range where cross‐reaction was observed, it can be concluded that these RIA systems were specific for the detection of PAGs in biological fluids.     

Structure–activity relationships of eugenol derivatives against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae

BACKGROUND: Dengue fever is a severe public health problem for several countries. In order to find effective larvicides to aid control programs, the structure‐activity relationships of eugenol derivatives against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae were evaluated. Additionally, the composition and larvicidal activity of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil was assessed. RESULTS: Four compounds representing 99.05% of S. aromaticum essential oil have been identified. The essential oil was active against Ae. aegypti larvae (LC₅₀ = 62.3 and 77.0 ppm, field‐collected and Rockefeller larvae respectively). The larvicidal activity of eugenol, the major compound of the essential oil, was further evaluated (LC₅₀ = 93.3 and 71.9 ppm, field‐collected and Rockefeller larvae respectively). The larvicidal activity and structure‐activity relationships of synthetic derivatives of eugenol were also assessed. The larvicidal activity of the derivatives varied between 62.3 and 1614.9 ppm. Oxidation of eugenol allylic bond to a primary alcohol and removal of the phenolic proton resulted in decreased potency. However, oxidation of the same double bond in 1‐benzoate‐2‐methoxy‐4‐(2‐propen‐1‐yl)‐phenol resulted in increased potency. CONCLUSION: Structural characteristics were identified that may contribute to the understanding of the larvicidal activity of phenylpropanoids. The present approach may help future work in the search for larvicidal compounds. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

The relationships between scrotal surface temperature,age and sperm quality in stallions

In horses, spermatogenesis normally occurs at an average intratesticular temperature of 35 °C; therefore, mechanisms for testicular thermoregulation are essential. Measuring the scrotal surface temperature by thermography is one of the methodologies used to evaluate the effectiveness of testicular thermoregulation. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the control of scrotal surface temperature and sperm quality in horses of different ages. In total, 24 Quarter Horse stallions were divided into three groups: YS (young stallions), AS (adult stallions) and OS (old stallions). Initially, we calculated the testicular volume (TV) and evaluated various aspects of the semen (sperm kinetics, plasma membrane integrity and sperm morphology) for all the animals. We also evaluated rectal temperature (RT), body surface temperature (BST,) and average scrotal surface temperature in the testicular region (SST) before (M0) and after sun exposure (M1). Differences were observed (p<0.05) between the RT and BST before and after sun exposure in all three groups. However, there were no differences (p>0.05) in the SST values at these two time points, thus demonstrating the efficiency of the mechanisms for testicular thermoregulation. The SST was similar (p>0.05) among all three groups. Based on these results, we conclude that fertile stallions of different age groups are able to maintain SST and measuring the heat radiating from the scrotum using a digital infrared thermographer. We can also conclude that measuring the heat radiating from the scrotum using a digital infrared thermographer is a practical and efficient tool for monitoring SST in horses.     

Diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis: biotechnological advances

Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) is endemic in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean, Southern Europe and South and Central America, with approximately 500,000 new cases reported annually. As dogs are considered to be the major reservoirs for HVL, the accurate diagnosis of disease in these animals is important. Diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is performed mainly by direct parasitological methods that can yield false-negative results, either because of the very low number of Leishmania spp. organisms in clinical samples (bone marrow and lymph nodes) or because morphological identification is difficult. In addition, these methods are invasive. Conventional serological techniques are limited by cross-reactivity with other parasitic diseases and because several technical procedures have not been standardised. The development of polymerase chain reaction based approaches and immunoassays based on the use of recombinant antigens aimed at improving the sensitivity and specificity of CVL diagnosis is discussed.     

Reproductive seasonality in Saanen goats kept under tropical conditions

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study aimed to verify the reproductive seasonality in Saanen goats from distinct parity orders (nulliparous, primiparous, and pluriparous) throughout an...     

Behavioral and physiological evaluation of sows raised in outdoors systems in the Brazilian semiarid region

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the biochemical, behavioral, and physiological parameters in pregnant sows of native and improved crossbreeds...     

Reduction in the mRNA expression of sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 is associated with the selection of dominant follicle in cows

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is essential for follicular development by promoting follicular angiogenesis, as well as for the proliferation and survival of granulosa cells. The biological effects of VEGF are regulated by two membrane receptors, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, and two soluble receptors, sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2, which play an antagonistic role. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify the mRNA expression pattern of total VEGF, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 in bovine preselected follicles (PRF) and post‐selected follicles (POF). The mRNA expression of these five genes in both granulosa cells (GC) and theca cells (TC) was compared between follicles classified as PRF and POF based on their diameter and on their ratio of estradiol/progesterone (E2/P4). Results showed a lower expression of mRNA of sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2 in POF than in PRF (p < .05). Regarding the mRNA expression of total VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, there was no difference between POF and PRF follicles (p > .05). Our results showed that the mRNA expression of VEGFR2 and sVEGFR1 was more abundant than the expression of VEGFR1 and sVEGFR2, while GC was the main source of mRNA for total VEGF. On the other hand, TC was the follicular compartment where the receptors were most expressed. Our results suggest that non‐dominant follicles maintain a greater concentration of the mRNA expression of both membrane and soluble VEGF receptors. On the other hand, follicular dominance is related to a reduction in the mRNA expression of sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2, which may favour VEGF binding with VEGFR2 and, hence, improve the follicular health and development.     

Mechanical behavior of composites reinforced with fibers caroa

Composites were prepared with 13, 23 30 and 40 % fiber and evaluated the mechanical performance in tensile, flexural and impact. The mechanical properties of these composites were also evaluated function of time at 110 °C thermal exposure. Caroa fibers were characterized by techniques such as thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the best mechanical properties were achieved for composites containing 23 to 30 % fiber. The incorporation of 23 % fiber caroa increased both the modulus of elasticity in the tensile test as the flexural strength and impact, the composite with 30 % fiber caroa showed higher tensile strength. The results show that the tensile and flexural strength of the composite decreased with time of thermal exposure. The thermal aging at 110 °C caused a decrease in tensile properties of the composites.