First record of Trichodina heterodentata (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo (Gymnotidae) cultured in Brazil

The aim of this study was to report the first record of Trichodina heterodentata in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo. Banded knifefish cultivated in the municipality of Jataí, state of Goiás, in the central western region of Brazil, experienced fish mortality rates of 3-4% per tank. Macroscopic analysis found that fish had lesions on their skin and gills. Smears of the integument and gills were confectioned and air-dried at room temperature and impregnated with silver nitrate to identify the Trichodinidae species causing the lesions. The trichodinid were identified as T. heterodentata, and their characteristics were compared to those from T. heterodentata recorded from other species of host fish. It was observed that the presence of T. heterodentata was associated with inadequate fish management, low water quality, high rates of stocking density, and inadequate nutritional management.

Solid Waste And Its Interference On The Water Quality Of The Igarapé¹ do Quarenta Educandos Basin - Manaus/Am

The “Igarapé do Quarenta”, a stream in Educandos basin, is categorized today as the "worst" and most polluted of the city Manaus, Amazonas, due to the accumulation of solid waste and contamination by heavy metals along its course. The main objective of this research was to verify the influence of solid waste in critical points of the Igarapé do Quarenta, on the water quality of the stream. The area of solid waste accumulation ("garbage") and the water quality in the stream and around and under the bridges of the Igarapé do Quarenta, between the springs (Armando Mendes and Zumbi neighborhoods) and the mouth (Educandos), in the Amazon "summer" and "winter"," were quantified. Water quality was evaluated at each sampling site. The macroscopic analysis demonstrated its importance for the feasibility diagnosis, finding that two of the three springs found are degraded and disturbed. The pH and electrical conductivity values in the sample sites visited, in the upper and middle, of the Igarapé do Quarenta, were very high values in relation to the maximum values recorded in a natural environment in other water streams of Manaus.

Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy Profiling of Stenosiphonium russellianum Nees

Stenosiphonium russellianum Nees. is rarely known species belongs to the family Acanthaceae and it is a shrub, found above 500m on slopes of mountain. It was traditionally used for wound healing in and as blood purifier. The current study designed to provide the requisite pharmacognostical and phytochemical properties of Stenosiphonium russellianum. Pharmacognostical studies like microscopic and macroscopic analysis of the leaves were carried out. Physiochemical parameter and preliminary phytochemical screening for secondary metabolite were also performed. Extracts were taken from nonpolar to polar solvants like hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, alcohol and water. Their extractive values are calculated. GCMS analysis of hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol extract of the leaves of Stenosiphonium russellianum were studied. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation showed the presence of alkaloids, phytosterols and glycosides. GCMS analysis revealed the presence compounds like lupeol, gamma sitosterol and stigmasterols. In conclusion, the information obtained from these studies can be used as markers in the identification and standardization of this plant as an herbal remedy and also towards further pharmacological activity estimation.

Evaluasi Status Reproduksi Sapi Hasil Persilangan Peranakan Ongole dengan Bali

ABSTRACT. Tujuan penelitian untuk mengetahui status reproduksi hasil persilangan sapi peranakan ongole (PO) dan sapi bali (yang selanjutnya dinamakan sapi POBA) jantan dan betina melalui beberapa kegiatan lapang. Penelitian ini bersifat non eksperimental yang dilakukan secara eksploratif; menggunakan 20 ekor sapi berumur antara 32 sampai 36 bulan. Parameter yang diamati meliputi kualitas semen, kondisi organ reproduksi sapi betina dan angka kebuntingan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, kualitas semen sapi POBA rendah atau jelek berdasarkan hasil analisis secara mikroskopis maupun makroskopis; namun memiliki libido yang cukup tinggi yaitu rata-rata sekitar 4 menit 25 detik dari mulai mengendus atau didekatkan dengan ternak pemancing (teaser) sampai ejakulasi. Secara umum kondisi organ reproduksi sapi POBA betina normal, sehingga siap dijadikan indukan yang produktif. Sebanyak 66,67% menunjukkan perilaku estrus yang tampak terutama keluar lendir yang terlihat jelas menggantung di bibir vagina bahkan diantaranya mengejar dan/atau menaiki sapi-sapi lain. Namun hasil pemeriksaan kebuntingan (PKB) melalui palpasi rektal menunjukkan tidak ada sapi betina yang bunting. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa sapi POBA jantan infertil, yang diindikasikan melalui hasil pemeriksaan semen dan tidak adanya sapi betina yang berhasil bunting melalui perkawinan alam selama 3 (tiga) bulan. Sedangkan sapi betina POBA memiliki organ reproduksi normal serta menunjukkan ekspresi estrus yang baik. (The evaluation of cattle reproduction status between crosses Ongole Crossbreed with Bali cows) ABSTRAK. The purpose of this research was to determine the reproductive status of the crossbred PO and Bali cattle (hereinafter referred to as POBA cattle) through several field activities. This research is non-experimental and carried out exploratory using 20 cattle aged 32 to 36 months. Parameters observed included semen quality, cows' reproductive organ condition, and pregnancy rate. The quality of POBA bulls semen was low or bad as indicated by the results of microscopic and macroscopic analysis; but had pretty high libido, which was an average of about 4 minutes and 25 seconds, starting to sniff or being brought near to teaser until ejaculation. In general, the reproductive organs of POBA cows were normal so that they were ready to become productive sires. As many as 66.67% showed estrus behavior, especially visible mucus that was hanging on the lips of the vagina, even among them chasing and/or riding other cattle. However, the results of pregnancy examination through rectal palpation showed that there were no pregnant cows. It can be concluded that POBA bulls are infertile, which was indicated by the results of semen examination and the absence of successfully conceived cows through natural mating for 3 (three) months. Meanwhile, POBA cows have normal reproductive organs and show good estrus expression.

Avaliação das propriedades mecânicas de filmes biodegradáveis e sua aplicação em embalagens para acondicionamento de plantas

Neste trabalho empregou-se a técnica de casting para a produção de filmes. Utilizou-se quantidades distintas de amido de milho, glicerina e extrato de própolis-verde, sendo avaliadas as propriedades mecânicas (módulo de Young, elasticidade e tensão à ruptura) dos materiais obtidos. Verificou-se o efeito das variáveis e de suas interações pelo gráfico de Pareto. Superfícies de resposta foram construídas em testes conduzidos com 95% de confiança. A análise dos resultados indicou que o amido de milho foi o que mais influenciou na determinação do módulo de Young. Por outro lado, para a elongação, a glicerina, utilizada como agente plastificante, foi o fator mais relevante. Na análise da tensão à ruptura, observou-se que a interação entre a glicerina e o extrato de própolis-verde foi a mais significativa. Foi então selecionado o filme que apresentou as características mais adequadas no acondicionamento de mudas de alface. Os resultados indicaram que a amostra produzida a partir de 4 g de amido de milho, 1 g de glicerina e 0,12 g de extrato de própolis-verde foi a mais apropriada. Com relação ao acondicionamento da muda de alface, foi feita uma análise visual e macroscópica com a finalidade de verificar a resistência do filme biodegradável quando o substrato e a muda foram adicionados na embalagem. Foi observado que o material sintetizado e escolhido teve uma capacidade adequada para a sua retenção, o que favorece e ratifica o seu emprego, uma vez que, ao ser biodegradável, pode se tornar substituto de plásticos convencionais. Palavras-chave: Técnica casting. Módulo de Young. Elasticidade. Tensão à ruptura. Evaluation of the mechanical properties of biodegradable films and their application in packaging for packaging plants Abstract In this work the technique of casting was used for the production of films. Different quantities of corn starch, glycerin and propolis-green extract were used, and the mechanical properties (Young's modulus, elasticity and tensile strength) of the materials obtained were evaluated. The effect of the variables and their interactions on the Pareto graph was verified. Response surfaces were constructed in tests conducted with 95% confidence. The analysis of the results indicated that the corn starch was the most influential in determining the Young's modulus. On the other hand, for elongation, glycerin, used as a plasticizing agent, was the most relevant factor. In analyzing the rupture stress, it was observed that the interaction between glycerin and the propolis-green extract was the most significant. It wasthenselectedthefilmthatpresentedthemost suitable characteristics in the packaging of lettuce seedlings. The results indicated that the sample produced from 4 g of cornstarch, 1 g of glycerin and 0.12 g of propolis-green extract was the most appropriate. Regarding the conditioning of the lettuce change, a visual and macroscopic analysis was performed to verify the resistance of the biodegradable film when the substrate and the change were added to the packaging. It hás been observed that the synthesized and selected material hás the proper capacity for its retention, which favors and ratifies its use, since, being biodegradable, it can be come a substitute for conventional plastics. Keywords:Casting technique. Young's module. Elasticity. Tensionto break.

Inheritance vs. infectivity as a mechanism of malady and death of Frederic Chopin

Based on a macroscopic analysis of the heart of Frederic Chopin performed in 2014, it can be stated with high probability that the composer suffered from a long lasting tuberculosis as a primary disease, which was the cause of progressive deterioration of his physical condition and numerous symptoms mainly from the respiratory tract. Tuberculous pericarditis rapidly progressing within a rather short period of time, a relatively rare complication of diffuse tuberculosis, might have been an immediate cause of death. This would aptly coincide with a startling opinion that in an autopsy picture the composer’s heart had been more affected by the disease than the lungs.

A multicenter retrospective study of heterogeneous tissue aggregates obstructing ventricular catheters explanted from patients with hydrocephalus

Background Implantation of ventricular catheters (VCs) to drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a standard approach to treat hydrocephalus. VCs fail frequently due to tissue obstructing the lumen via the drainage holes. Mechanisms driving obstruction are poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the histological features of VC obstructions and identify links to clinical factors. Methods 343 VCs with relevant clinical data were collected from five centers. Each hole on the VCs was classified by degree of tissue obstruction after macroscopic analysis. A subgroup of 54 samples was analyzed using immunofluorescent labelling, histology and immunohistochemistry. Results 61.5% of the 343 VCs analyzed had tissue aggregates occluding at least one hole (n = 211) however the vast majority of the holes (70%) showed no tissue aggregates. Mean age at which patients with occluded VCs had their first surgeries (3.25 yrs) was lower than in patients with non-occluded VCs (5.29 yrs, p < 0.02). Mean length of time of implantation of occluded VCs, 33.22 months was greater than for non-occluded VCs, 23.8 months (p = 0.02). Patients with myelomeningocele had a greater probability of having an occluded VC (p = 0.0426). VCs with occlusions had greater numbers of macrophages and astrocytes in comparison to non-occluded VCs (p < 0.01). Microglia comprised only 2–6% of the VC-obstructing tissue aggregates. Histologic analysis showed choroid plexus occlusion in 24%, vascularized glial tissue occlusion in 24%, prevalent lymphocytic inflammation in 29%, and foreign body giant cell reactions in 5% and no ependyma. Conclusion Our data show that age of the first surgery and length of time a VC is implanted are factors that influence the degree of VC obstruction. The tissue aggregates obstructing VCs are composed predominantly of astrocytes and macrophages; microglia have a relatively small presence.

Uterine segmental aplasia in sheep

The complete absence of one of the uterine horns, named segmental uterine aplasia or unicorn uterus, occurs due to deficiency in the development of segments of the paramesonephric or Mullerian ducts. It is a congenital or hereditary anomaly of the female reproductive tract caused by recessive genes, which occurrence is unusual. In cows, this malformation was initially called “white heifer disease”, comprising an alteration in the Mullerian ducts in association with the white skin gene that causes aplasia of the uterus, cervix and vagina. Two pieces of sheep reproductive system from a slaughterhouse under federal inspection in the state of Bahia, Brazil, were received for pathological diagnosis. The collection, dissection and macroscopic analysis were carried out. In the macroscopic evaluation, uterine segmental aplasia was identified in both cases, with complete absence of the left uterine horns. Both had agenesis of the uterine tubes associated with the absence of internal bifurcation of the uterine horns. Animals that have a unicorn uterus often have reduced fertility which consequently leads to losses to sheep farming.

Failure Analysis of Cracked and Corroded Tubings in Sudong Block of Changqing Oilfield

In the process of layer inspection and hole mending, it was found that the corrosion of tubing in a well was serious, and perforation and fracture occurred. Part of the tubing was found to be cracked from the failed pipe samples, and relatively serious pitting corrosion pits were found on the surface of the outer wall. The fracture morphology and corrosion products were analyzed by means of macroscopic analysis and metallographic microscope, SEM and EDS. The result show that the mechanical damage of the outer wall of the tubing was the primary condition for accelerating corrosion, and the severe corrosion thinning of the inner and outer walls of the tubing was the main reason for the failure of the tubing string. The corrosion perforation of tubing was mainly caused by internal corrosion.