scholarly journals Assessment of weight gain and biological parameters of Rhipicephalus sanguineus females fed artificially via capillary tubes

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 928-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Costa da Cunha ◽  
Charles Passos Rangel ◽  
Eliane Mattos Piranda ◽  
Jania de Rezende ◽  
Rafaella Câmara Teixeira ◽  
...  

This study assesses the weight gain of partially engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus females that were artificially fed via capillary tubes and the influence of capillary tube feeding on the biological parameters of the non-parasitic stage of the species. The ticks were sorted into four groups, each containing ten females of a homogeneous weight. The groups were each treated for different feeding times, 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours. The weight gain of the artificially fed females was measured, and the biological parameters of the non-parasitic stage of the tick were observed for each treatment group. The statistical non-parametrical Dunn and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the results. The mean weights (mg) were 0.2±2.4; 4.3±5.8; 7.4±5.8 and 12.0±11.2 for the 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours feeding groups, respectively. The weight of the fed groups increased as the capillary feeding time increased, and this relationship was highly significant (P<0.05) between the groups fed for 2 and 24 hours. No statistically significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the parameters of the non-parasitic stage for the artificially fed groups. It can be concluded that artificial feeding via capillary tubes provides an efficient and easy method for the artificial intake of blood by R. sanguineus. Furthermore, it was noted that the ticks fed in vitro were able to establish a new generation. The experimental method shows great promise in studies that aim to investigate biological disease agents.

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isis Abel ◽  
Fabíola N. Corrêa ◽  
Abisair A. Castro ◽  
Nathalie C. Cunha ◽  
Renata C. Madureira ◽  
...  

The present study aimed to adjust the artificial feeding technique through capillaries and to verify its influence over the biology of Amblyomma cajennense females. Five groups of 20 female ticks were formed. Females were starved for 45 days and then fed with citrated bovine blood using capillary tubes in different periods of time. Females were divided in five experimental groups with 20 individuals each and fed as follows: groups uninterruptedly fed for 12, 24, and 48 hours and groups fed 2 and 6 h a day, for a period of 8 days. Subsequently, ticks were exposed to rabbits for complementary feeding and their biological parameters were analyzed. TIcks were capable of feeding, showing rounded idiosoma, visible even to naked eyes, following the feeding period. The groups fed for 24 hours, 2 hours/day for eight consecutive days or 6h/day for eight consecutive days presented greater weight gain, without statistically significant differences. These results suggested that 24 hours of artificial feeding were enough for fasting females to increase weight by 2.43 mg. Artificial feeding through capillaries did not interfere with parasitic and non-parasitic phases of A. cajennense females.


Author(s):  
Sarah A. Billeter ◽  
Rick W. Kasten ◽  
Lindsay F. Killmaster ◽  
Edward B. Breitschwerdt ◽  
Michael L. Levin ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Rodrigues de Almeida Valim ◽  
Charles Passos Rangel ◽  
Bruna de Azevedo Baêta ◽  
Carla Carolina Dias Uzedo Ribeiro ◽  
Matheus Dias Cordeiro ◽  
...  

Abstract This study evaluated the influence of the initial weight, feeding period and temperature on weight gain and biological parameters of the non-parasitic phase of partially engorged Rhipicephalus sanguineus females that were artificially fed using plastic tips as feeding devices. The device did not alter the oviposition of the females or any other parameters evaluated. Furthermore, it was observed that the temperature of the feeding the group did not affect the weight gain and biology of ticks. This device has great potential for the development of studies on bioagent transmission because it provides higher intake of blood by ixodid ticks.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanders Sebastian

Abstract Background: It has always been a challenge to increase the concentration of malaria parasites in blood without compromising on specificity. The conventional thick smear method is a good sensitive tool. But the disadvantage is that a lot of expertise and experience is needed to perform this. A pilot study was undertaken to improvise the quantitative buffy coat (QBC) method so that the advantages of both thick and thin smears could be combined. Methods: Used QBC capillary tubes were washed off the blood and the dye and thoroughly cleaned and dried. The floats were preserved. Blood samples of ten malaria positive patients collected already in EDTA bottles were drawn onto the washed and dried QBC capillaries. The float was re-inserted and centrifugation done as recommended by the QBC manufacturers. The capillary tubes were broken with the aid of a diamond pencil at the area were parasites infested cells were most likely to be seen ie just below the buffy coat area. Smears were made onto a slide with this material and stained using the conventional Romanowsky method of staining. Ordinary microscopy was carried out and parasitaemia were quantified as number per oil immersion field and the results were compared with the recorded thin film reports. Five known negative controls were treated similarly. Results: Parasites’ number was found to be on an average ten times higher per oil immersion field compared to the conventional methods. Negative controls yielded valid outcomes. Conclusion: This preliminary study promises to be a useful tool in screening for malaria in endemic areas where resources are limited. It also adds to the specificity compared with the original QBC method. Larger study involving more samples is required to further validate the results. Any easy method (preferably automated) to cut the capillary tube thereby eliminating the risk of infection to the operator would help a long way in making the method more user friendly.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth K. Parker ◽  
Sahrish S. Faruquie ◽  
Gail Anderson ◽  
Linette Gomes ◽  
Andrew Kennedy ◽  
...  

Introduction. This study examines weight gain and assesses complications associated with refeeding hospitalised adolescents with restrictive eating disorders (EDs) prescribed initial calories above current recommendations.Methods. Patients admitted to an adolescent ED structured “rapid refeeding” program for >48 hours and receiving ≥2400 kcal/day were included in a 3-year retrospective chart review.Results. The mean (SD) age of the 162 adolescents was 16.7 years (0.9), admission % median BMI was 80.1% (10.2), and discharge % median BMI was 93.1% (7.0). The mean (SD) starting caloric intake was 2611.7 kcal/day (261.5) equating to 58.4 kcal/kg (10.2). Most patients (92.6%) were treated with nasogastric tube feeding. The mean (SD) length of stay was 3.6 weeks (1.9), and average weekly weight gain was 2.1 kg (0.8). No patients developed cardiac signs of RFS or delirium; complications included 4% peripheral oedema, 1% hypophosphatemia (<0.75 mmol/L), 7% hypomagnesaemia (<0.70 mmol/L), and 2% hypokalaemia (<3.2 mmol/L). Caloric prescription on admission was associated with developing oedema (95% CI 1.001 to 1.047;p=0.039). No statistical significance was found between electrolytes and calories provided during refeeding.Conclusion. A rapid refeeding protocol with the inclusion of phosphate supplementation can safely achieve rapid weight restoration without increased complications associated with refeeding syndrome.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 738
Author(s):  
Sasikarn Looprasertkul ◽  
Amornpun Sereemaspun ◽  
Nakarin Kitkumthorn ◽  
Kanidta Sooklert ◽  
Tewarit Sarachana ◽  
...  

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, especially antiangiogenesis, which are accomplished via inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. However, no research has been performed on the effects of AuNPs in pericytes, which play vital roles in endothelial cell functions and capillary tube formation during physiological and pathological processes. Therefore, the effects of AuNPs on the morphology and functions of pericytes need to be elucidated. This study treated human placental pericytes in monoculture with 20 nm AuNPs at a concentration of 30 ppm. Ki-67 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) mRNA expression was measured using real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cell migration was assessed by Transwell migration assay. The fine structures of pericytes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. In addition, 30 ppm AuNP-treated pericytes and intact human umbilical vein endothelial cells were cocultured on Matrigel to form three-dimensional (3D) capillary tubes. The results demonstrated that AuNPs significantly inhibited proliferation, reduced PDGFR-β mRNA expression, and decreased migration in pericytes. Ultrastructural analysis of pericytes revealed AuNPs in late endosomes, autolysosomes, and mitochondria. Remarkably, many mitochondria were swollen or damaged. Additionally, capillary tube formation was reduced. We found that numerous pericytes on 3D capillary tubes were round and did not extend their processes along the tubes, which resulted in more incomplete tube formation in the treatment group compared with the control group. In summary, AuNPs can affect pericyte proliferation, PDGFR-β mRNA expression, migration, morphology, and capillary tube formation. The findings highlight the possible application of AuNPs in pericyte-targeted therapy for antiangiogenesis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 960-961 ◽  
pp. 643-647
Author(s):  
Yan Sheng Xu

A stepped capillary tube consisting of two serially connected capillary tubes with different diameters is invented to replace the conventional expansion device. The mass flow rate of refrigerant R410A in stepped capillary tubes with different size were tested. The model of stepped capillary tube is proposed, and its numerical algorithm for tube length and mass flow rate is developed. The experimental results show that the performance comparing between stepped capillary tube system and capillary tube assembly system, the cooling capacity is reduced by 0.3%, the energy efficiency ratio (EER) is equal to each other, the heating capacity is increased by 0.3%, the coefficient of performance (COP) is decreased by 0.3%. That is to say, the performance index of the two kinds of throttle mechanism is almost identical. It indicates that the stepped capillary tube can replace the capillary tube assembly in the R410A heat pump type air conditioner absolutely. The model is validated with experimental data, and the results show that the model can be used for sizing and rating stepped capillary tube.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 1551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Fernandes Perazzo ◽  
Sansão De Paula Homem Neto ◽  
Ossival Lolato Ribeiro ◽  
Edson Mauro Santos ◽  
Gleidson Giordano Pinto de Carvalho ◽  
...  

<p>This study aimed to evaluate the correlations of intake, digestibility and performance with the ingestive behavior of lambs fed diets containing ammoniated buffel grass hay. Buffel grass hay was treated with four levels of urea (0, 18, 36 and 54 g/kg DM basis) and eight repetitions. Thirty-two sheep with no defined breed and an average body weight of 17.7 ± 1.8 kg were distributed in a completely randomized design. It was observed positive correlations were found between the feeding time and the intake of dry matter (r = 0.3120), organic matter (r = 0.3242), neutral detergent fiber (r = 0.3800), total carbohydrates (r = 0.3343) and total digestible nutrients (r = 0.3233). Positive correlations (P &lt; 0.05) were found among the rumination efficiencies, g of DM/h and g of NDF/h with nutrient intake variables, except for ether extract intake. Positive correlations were observed (P &lt; 0.05) between both total weight gain (TWG) and average daily gain (ADG) and the rumination efficiency, g of DM/h (r = 0.3330) and g of NDF/h (r = 0.3304). The feeding and rumination efficiencies have a positive relationship with the total digestible nutrients. The correlation among intake, digestibility and performance variables with the ingestive behavior, it was important for the understanding of diet containing ammoniated buffel grass hay, in which the positive correlation of rumination efficiency with intake and weight gain explained the favorable effect on productive performance of feedlot sheep.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 946 ◽  
pp. 362-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris Yur'ev ◽  
Vyacheslav Dudko

A manufacturing process was developed using an electric through-type furnace for capillary tubes used for single-use injection syringes. The process flow diagram consisting of a number of sequential steps and tube heat treatment conditions in protective atmosphere of pure hydrogen providing also for the tube purging with inert gas were considered. The electric furnace installed capacity and heating element dimensions were found as a result of the thermotechnical calculations. Industry research was carried out with a view to optimize the annealing process of capillary tubes in the electric furnace. A choice of material for the muffle fabrication was justified. Temperature fields inside the muffles were evaluated. The optimal flow of protective gas and the maximum allowable flow of purging gas in the form of nitrogen and argon were determined. Mechanical properties were studied for tubes (stocks), welded at the medical goods fabrication plant in Tumen and fabricated at the Pervouralsky Novotrubny Plant. Test data were obtained for optimal rates of tube movement in the furnace, allowing production of capillary tubes, acceptable for medical needle fabrication after annealing. It was demonstrated that capillary tube heat treatment, ensuring the required condition of both outside and inside surfaces, as well as required mechanical properties, is possible with the use of nitrogen as protective (instead of hydrogen) and purging gases. At that probability of better tube surface condition significantly grows.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (04) ◽  
pp. 1730004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Rasti ◽  
Ji Hwan Jeong

Capillary tubes are widely used as expansion devices in small-capacity refrigeration systems. Since the refrigerant flow through the capillary tubes is complex, many researchers presented empirical dimensionless correlations to predict the refrigerant mass flow rate. A comprehensive review of the dimensionless correlations for the prediction of refrigerants mass flow rate through straight and coiled capillary tubes depending on their geometry and adiabatic or diabatic capillary tubes depending on the flow configurations has been discussed. A comprehensive review shows that most of previous dimensionless correlations have problems such as discontinuity at the saturated lines or ability to predict the refrigerant mass flow rate only for the capillary tube subcooled inlet condition. The correlations suggested by Rasti et al. and Rasti and Jeong appeared to be general and continuous and these correlations can be used to predict the refrigerant mass flow rate through all the types of capillary tubes with wide range of capillary tube inlet conditions including subcooled liquid, two-phase mixture, and superheated vapor conditions.


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