Protective effect of exogenous melatonin on testicular histopathology and histomorphometry of adult rats with domperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia.

Hyperprolactinemia is a pathological condition resulting from increased prolactin that directly affects reproduction, as this condition inhibits the release of LH, FSH and gonadal steroidogenesis, bringing several negative clinical associations in reproduction. In contrast, melatonin (MEL) plays an important role in the regulation of steroidogenesis and modulates damages to the process of spermatogenesis. The objective was to analyze the protective effects of exogenous melatonin on the testis of hyperprolactinemic adult rats.

Application of the Z-scan technique for the detection of CFCDNA (cell-free circulating DNA) and urine DNA (uDNA) in patients with bladder cancer.

Background: Patients with BC have a higher amount of cell-free circulating DNA (CFCDNA) in the blood and urine than healthy people. We aimed to verify if the Z-Scan method could analyze the concentrations of uDNA (urinary) and pDNA (plasma) in relation to the time of collection during treatment for patients with bladder cancer.

Methods: Peripheral blood and urine samples were obtained from 30 patients with BC at the time of diagnosis, 45, 90 and 180 days after initiating treatment; 5 μL of k-DNA (k = u or p) was added in 250 μL a solution of 1:1000 Ethidium Bromide dye (EtBr) in water.

Sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of detomidine constant rate infusion in sheep.

The use of sheep in experiments is widespread and is increasing worldwide, and so is the need to develop species-specific anaesthetic techniques to ensure animal safety. Previous studies have mentioned several protocols involving the administration of alpha-2 adrenergic agonists in sheep; however, assessment of the efficacy and safety of these infusion techniques is still relatively new. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess the effectiveness of detomidine constant rate infusion (CRI) in sheep by measuring the cardiovascular and respiratory parameters, blood gas variables and sedation scores.

The role of spatial mobility in malaria transmission in the Brazilian Amazon: The case of Porto Velho municipality, Rondônia, Brazil (2010-2012).

Background: This study aims to describe the role of mobility in malaria transmission by discussing recent changes in population movements in the Brazilian Amazon and developing a flow map of disease transmission in this region.

Methodology/principal Findings: This study presents a descriptive analysis using an ecological approach on regional and local scales. The study location was the municipality of Porto Velho, which is the capital of Rondônia state, Brazil.

Bilateral stress fracture of femoral neck in non-athlete - case report.

Bilateral stress fracture of femoral neck in healthy young patients is an extremely rare entity, whose diagnostic and treatment represent a major challenge. Patients with history of hip pain, even non-athletes or military recruits, should be analyzed to achieve an early diagnosis and prevent possible complications from the surgical treatment. This report describes a 43-year-old male patient, non-athlete, without previous diseases, who developed bilateral stress fracture of femoral neck without displacement.

Objective assessment of plaster cast quality in pediatric distal forearm fractures: Is there an optimal index?

Background: Several so-called casting indices are available for objective evaluation of plaster cast quality. The present study sought to investigate four of these indices (gap index, padding index, Canterbury index, and three-point index) as compared to a reference standard (cast index) for evaluation of plaster cast quality after closed reduction of pediatric displaced distal forearm fractures.

Methods: Forty-three radiographs from patients with displaced distal forearm fractures requiring manipulation were reviewed.

Assessing heavy metal sources in sugarcane Brazilian soils: an approach using multivariate analysis.

Brazil is the world's largest sugarcane producer and soils in the northeastern part of the country have been cultivated with the crop for over 450 years. However, so far, there has been no study on the status of heavy metal accumulation in these long-history cultivated soils. To fill the gap, we collect soil samples from 60 sugarcane fields in order to determine the contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn.

A lupane-triterpene isolated from Combretum leprosum Mart. fruit extracts that interferes with the intracellular development of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis in vitro.

Background: 3beta,6beta,16beta-trihydroxylup-20(29)-ene is a lupane triterpene isolated from Combretum leprosum fruit. The lupane group has been extensively used in studies on anticancer effects; however, its possible activity against protozoa parasites is yet poorly known. The high toxicity of the compounds currently used in leishmaniasis chemotherapy stimulates the investigation of new molecules and drug targets for antileishmanial therapy.

Antibody recognition of Plasmodium falciparum infected red blood cells by symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in the Brazilian Amazon.

In the Amazon Region, there is a virtual absence of severe malaria and few fatal cases of naturally occurring Plasmodium falciparum infections; this presents an intriguing and underexplored area of research. In addition to the rapid access of infected persons to effective treatment, one cause of this phenomenon might be the recognition of cytoadherent variant proteins on the infected red blood cell (IRBC) surface, including the var gene encoded P. falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1.

Ultrasonography of the distal limbs in Nellore and Girolando calves 8 to 12 months of age.

Background: Ultrasonography can be used anywhere and allows rapid, noninvasive differentiation of soft tissue structures of the musculoskeletal system. The objectives of this study were to describe the ultrasonographic appearance of the structures of the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal and the interphalangeal joints, the appearance of the growth plates of the distal metacarpus/metatarsus and of the proximal phalanx and to measure the cross-sectional dimensions of the DDFT and SDFT in Nellore and Girolando calves eight to 12 months of age.

Results: In the longitudinal dorsal view the common digital extensor tendon and the digital extensor tendon were depicted as echogenic parallel fiber bundles located directly under the skin.

Effect of bio-regulator and foliar fertilizers on chemical composition and yield of soybean.

Current study evaluates the effects of bio-regulator associated with foliar fertilizers on the yield components, productivity and chemical composition of soybean. The experimental design was entirely randomized blocks, with four replications. The treatments consisted of: T1-absolute control, T2-application of 0.

Natural Plasmodium infection in monkeys in the state of Rondônia (Brazilian Western Amazon).

Background: Simian malaria is still an open question concerning the species of Plasmodium parasites and species of New World monkeys susceptible to the parasites. In addition, the lingering question as to whether these animals are reservoirs for human malaria might become important especially in a scenario of eradication of the disease. To aid in the answers to these questions, monkeys were surveyed for malaria parasite natural infection in the Amazonian state of Rondônia, Brazil, a state with intense environmental alterations due to human activities, which facilitated sampling of the animals.

Design and heterologous expression of dengue virus envelope protein (E) peptides and their use for serological diagnosis.

Viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae family are found and distributed in most of the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. The genus has more than 56 members, most of which cause clinical symptoms in humans. The clinical diagnosis of dengue requires laboratory confirmation because of the similarity of symptoms with a series of other acute fevers and the primary use antibodies or antigens for detection.

Asymptomatic infection with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in the Brazilian Amazon Basin: to treat or not to treat?

In this study, we determined whether the treatment of asymptomatic parasites carriers (APCs), which are frequently found in the riverside localities of the Brazilian Amazon that are highly endemic for malaria, would decrease the local malaria incidence by decreasing the overall pool of parasites available to infect mosquitoes. In one village, the treatment of the 19 Plasmodium falciparum-infected APCs identified among the 270 residents led to a clear reduction (Z = -2.39, p = 0.

Intake, digestibility, performance, and carcass traits of beef cattle of different gender.

The performance, intake, feed efficiency, and carcass traits of beef cattle from different gender profile were assessed. Fifteen animals (five steers, five spayed heifers, and five intact heifers) with ±250 kg of initial body weight were randomly assigned in individual pens and fed the same diet for 106 days. At the end of the trial, all the animals were slaughtered and the pH, temperature, and weight of the carcass were recorded.

Enzyme Mechanism and Slow-Onset Inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase by an Inorganic Complex.

Malaria continues to be a major cause of children's morbidity and mortality worldwide, causing nearly one million deaths annually. The human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, synthesizes fatty acids employing the Type II fatty acid biosynthesis system (FAS II), unlike humans that rely on the Type I (FAS I) pathway. The FAS II system elongates acyl fatty acid precursors of the cell membrane in Plasmodium.

Performance and meat quality traits of beef heifers fed with two levels of concentrate and ruminally undegradable protein.

The effects of two levels of concentrate and ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) on performance, intake, digestibility, carcass characteristics, meat quality traits, and commercial cuts yield were assessed. Twenty crossbred heifers (240 kg average body weight) were used. At the beginning of the trial, four animals were slaughtered as reference group and the 16 remaining animals were randomly assigned to four treatments, in a 2 × 2 factorial design: two levels of concentrate (40% and 80%, dry matter (DM) basis) and two levels of RUP (48.

The dynamics of transmission and spatial distribution of malaria in riverside areas of Porto Velho, Rondônia, in the Amazon region of Brazil.

Unlabelled: The study area in Rondônia was the site of extensive malaria epidemic outbreaks in the 19(th) and 20(th) centuries related to environmental impacts, with large immigration flows. The present work analyzes the transmission dynamics of malaria in these areas to propose measures for avoiding epidemic outbreaks due to the construction of two Hydroelectric Power Plants. A population based baseline demographic census and a malaria prevalence follow up were performed in two river side localities in the suburbs of Porto Velho city and in its rural vicinity.

The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Piptadenia stipulacea Benth. (Fabaceae).

Aim: In this study, we attempted to identify the possible antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions of the aqueous phase, the ethyl acetate phase and one unknown flavonoid obtained from aerial parts of Piptadenia stipulacea, known in Brazil as "jurema-branca", "carcará" and "rasga-beiço".

Materials And Methods: Aerial parts of Piptadenia stipulacea were used and after fractionation, the flavonoid FGAL was obtained. Experiments were conducted on Swiss mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the hot plate test, the formalin-induced pain test and zymosan A-induced peritonitis test.

Species structure of sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) fauna in the Brazilian western Amazon.

We surveyed areas of the state of Rondônia in western Amazon for phlebotomine, which are potential vectors of leishmaniasis. A total of 5,998 specimens were captured, resulting in the identification of 48 species within the Lutzomyia (99.98%) and Brumptomyia (0.

[Malaria and hematological aspects among residents to be impacted by reservoirs for the Santo Antônio and Jirau Hydroelectric Power Stations, Rondônia State, Brazil].

In Rondônia State, Brazil, two new hydroelectric plants, Santo Antônio and Jirau, are scheduled for construction on the Madeira River, upriver from the State capital, Porto Velho. The current study analyzes malaria prevalence before the construction and provides information on the possible impacts of malaria burden related to the influx of thousands of persons attracted by direct and indirect employment opportunities. According to the findings, malaria is present throughout the region, with varying prevalence rates.

Malaria primes the innate immune response due to interferon-gamma induced enhancement of toll-like receptor expression and function.

Malaria-induced sepsis is associated with an intense proinflammatory cytokinemia for which the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. It has been demonstrated that experimental infection of humans with Plasmodium falciparum primes Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated proinflammatory responses. Nevertheless, the relevance of this phenomenon during natural infection and, more importantly, the mechanisms by which malaria mediates TLR hyperresponsiveness are unclear.

Characterization of Shigella spp. by antimicrobial resistance and PCR detection of ipa genes in an infantile population from Porto Velho (Western Amazon region), Brazil.

The incidence of Shigella spp. was assessed in 877 infants from the public hospital in Rondônia (Western Amazon region, Brazil) where Shigella represents the fourth cause of diarrhea. Twenty-five isolates were identified: 18 were Shigella flexneri, three Shigella sonnei, three Shigella boydii and one Shigella dysenteriae.

Rotavirus and adenovirus in Rondônia.

Acute gastroenteritis is one of the most common diseases in humans worldwide. Viral gastroenteritis is a global problem in infants and young children. In this study the incidence of diarrhea was assessed in 877 hospitalized children under five years old, over a period of 24 months and distributed in 470 cases of diarrhea and 407 age-matched group with other pathologies, as control group.