José Roberto Kfoury Junior

Quantificação de células dos túbulos seminíferos e rendimento da espermatogênese em cutias (Dasyprocta aguti) criadas em cativeiros

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o rendimento da espermatogenese de cutias criadas em cativeiro, por intermedio das razoes encontradas entre tipos celulares do epitelio seminifero. Os resultados apontaram que o rendimento da espermatogenese da cutia dos nove aos quatorze meses de idade nao chegou a um ponto de estabilizacao. O coeficiente de eficiencia de mitoses espermatogoniais nao aumentou com a idade. O rendimento meiotico, o rendimento geral da espermatogenese e o indice de celulas de Sertoli mostraram variacoes numericas em funcao da idade, entretanto, nao detectadas estatisticamente.

Menopause, exercise, and knee. What happens?

To check if ovariectomy produces alterations in the articular cartilage structure of the tibial proximal epiphysis and if aerobic physical exercise has any influence on these alterations.

Terminação nervosa das papilas filiformes, fungiformes e valadas da mucosa dorsal da língua de queixada: observação neurohistológica

The neurohistologic observations were performed using the specimens prepared by Winkelmann and Schmitt silver impregnation method. The tissues were fixed in 10% formalin solution and sections of 40µm thickness were obtained by Leica Cryostat at -30oC. The sections of dorsal mucosa of White-lipped peccary tongue showed numerous filliform and fungiform papillae, and two vallate papillae on the caudal part. The epithelial layer revealed queratinized epithelial cells and the connective tissue papillae of different sizes and shapes. Thick nerve fiber bundles are noted into the subepithelial connective tissue of the papillae. The connective tissue of fungiform and vallate papillae contained numerous sensitive nerves fibers bundles forming a complex nerve plexus.

Aspectos biométricos do desenvolvimento testicular e corporal em cutias (Dasyprocta aguti) criadas em cativeiros

Analisou-se os dados biometricos do desenvolvimento testicular e peso corporal de 31 cutias (Dasyprocta aguti) desde o nascimento ate os 14 meses de idade. As correlacoes entre o peso corporal, idade e parâmetros testiculares apresentaram-se altamente significativas. O peso testicular, o volume testicular, assim como os demais parâmetros biometricos testiculares (comprimento, diâmetro e perimetro), evoluiram lenta e gradualmente ate os 8 meses de idade. A partir dos 9 meses, o crescimento foi mais rapido. O desenvolvimento biometrico do testiculo pode ser dividido em duas fases, de 0 - 8 meses e de 9 - 14 meses de idade, sendo 9 meses considerado ponto de corte em se tratando de desenvolvimento testicular de cutias criadas em cativeiro.

Progesterone Decreases in vitro Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase Expression in Dendritic and CD4+ Cells from Maternal-Fetal Interface of Rats

ABSTRACT Problem: Several mechanisms contribute to the tolerogenic state observed during pregnancy, such as the activity of the enzyme indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO). This initializes the catabolism of tryptophan, inducing T cells to apoptosis due to its deprivation and by the action of its catabolites in the placental microenvironment. Progesterone plays an important part on immunological tolerance mechanisms during pregnancy; however, there is no evidence it is related to IDO activity. Thus, this study aimed to investigate progesterone influence on the maternal-fetal interface of pregnant Wistar rats, by identifying IDO positive cells by immunophenotyping and flow cytometry under exogenous progesterone supplementation. Method of study: Placenta and embryo cells were cultured and separated into groups that received interferon γ or progesterone, supplemented or not with mifepristone. After 2 and 24 h, these were labeled with an anti-IDO and a series of antibodies specific to leucocytes and progesterone receptor and processed through flow cytometry analysis. Results: Progesterone induced a significant decrease in the expression of IDO in dendritic cells and CD4+ lymphocytes. Conclusion: The blocking of progesterone receptor on these cells by mifepristone restored IDO expression levels and may constitute evidence of the participation of this hormone through a direct route in these cells.

Ecomorphology of oral papillae and denticles of Zapteryx brevirostris (Chondrichthyes, Rhinobatidae)

Elasmobranchs have an impressive range of highly specialized sensory systems shaped over 400 million years of evolution. The morphological analysis of oral papillae and denticle in elasmobranchs elucidates the biological role that these structures play during feeding and ventilation, bringing important descriptive information about ecological implications in an evolutionary context. The present study provides descriptions of the distribution patterns, histological characteristics and three-dimensional aspects of oral papillae and denticles in the lesser guitarfish Zapteryx brevirostris, through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The presence of oral denticles in the oropharyngeal cavity suggests that this structure may have the following functions: protect against abrasion and parasites, increase the ability to grasp and hold prey and assist in reduction in hydrodynamic drag. The denticles in Z. brevirostris are similar to those found in pelagic sharks with forced ventilation (RAM). The structural conformity of denticles observed in the gill slits may facilitate water flow during prey grasp and food processing. This study supports the hypothesis that these structures may be an adaptive reflection shaped by feeding habits, capture strategies and processing prey.

Microscopic aspects of the nictitating membrane in Carcharhinidae and Sphyrnidae sharks: a preliminary study

The nictitating membrane is an anatomic structure exclusively exhibited by Carcharhiniformes, the largest order among sharks. Here we present a detailed description of morphological characteristics of the nictitating membrane through light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the following shark species: Carcharhinus limbatus, Galeocerdo cuvier, Prionace glauca, Rhizoprionodon lalandii, R. porosus, Sphyrna lewini and S. zygaena. Differences in the microscopic aspects of dermal denticles from the species studied were observed. P. glauca, a pelagic shark, showed a well-developed protection apparatus when compared with other pelagic species, while coastal sharks showed even higher structural complexity. In the blue shark the denticles are enameled, presenting an extensive pulp cavity and a base inserted in a connective tissue. Moreover, the species exhibits the higher number of ridges (up to nine) of varied size and shape and the muscular tissue is inserted in the ventral region of the connective tissue. Dermal denticles from C. limbatus, R. lalandii, R. porosus, S. zygaena and G. cuvier exhibit up to five ridges with hexagonal ornamentations in the crown. In S. lewini and S. zygaena, the denticles are rounded shaped and glandular cells are present. The patterns observed in the present study suggest a high level of specialization and evolutionary conservation shaped by the function of the structure. In addition, we hypothesize that the morphological simplification observed in the membrane when compared to the dermal denticles from the skin, is an evolutionary trait that evolved to improve the dynamic and biomechanics of this highly mobile structure allowing this way, a rapid and efficient protection against abrasion, mainly during predation events.

Caloric restriction minimizes aging effects on the femoral medial condyle

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the effects of caloric restriction on aged femoral articular cartilage of Wistar rats. Three groups of eight animals each were considered: young (YC) and old (OC) control groups fed with a normal diet and old caloric restriction group (OCR) composed of 18-month-old animals fed with a 31% less caloric diet from 6-months of age. Articular cartilage was studied through morphometry and immunohistochemistry. Body mass was 12% less in the OCR group than in the OC group. The articular cartilage from OC rats show thinner medial condyles, fewer chondrocytes, smaller chondrocytes nuclear volume and, in both condyles, a predominance of collagen type II and less collagen density compared to both YC and OCR groups (p < .001). In contrast, OCR articular cartilage show thicker medial condyles, larger chondrocytes nuclear volume and increased collagen density compared to OC group (p < 0.001). We concluded that caloric restriction minimizes the effects of aging on medial condyles of the femoral articular cartilage.

A preliminary investigation into the morphology of oral papillae and denticles of blue sharks (Prionace glauca) with inferences about its functional significance across life stages.

Sensory organs in elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, rays) detect and respond to a different set of biotic and/or abiotic stimuli, through sight, smell, taste, hearing, mechanoreception and electroreception. Although gustation is crucial for survival and essential for growth, mobility, and maintenance of neural activity and the proper functioning of the immune system, comparatively little is known about this sensory system in elasmobranchs. Here we present a preliminary investigation into the structural and dimensional characteristics of the oral papillae and denticles found in the oropharyngeal cavity of the blue shark (Prionace glauca) during embryonic development through adulthood. Samples were obtained from the dorsal and ventral surface of the oropharyngeal cavity collected from embryos at different development stages as well as from adults. Our results suggest that development of papillae occurs early in ontogeny, before the formation of the oral denticles. The diameter of oral papillae gradually increases during development, starting from 25 μm in stage I embryos, to 110 μm in stage IV embryos and 272–300 μm in adults. Embryos exhibit papillae at early developmental stages, suggesting that these structures may be important during early in life. The highest density of papillae was observed in the maxillary and mandibular valve regions, possibly related to the ability to identify, capture and process prey. The oral denticles were observed only in the final embryonic stage as well as in adults. Accordingly, we suggest that oral denticles likely aid in ram ventilation (through reducing the hydrodynamic drag), to protect papillae from injury during prey consumption and assist in the retention and consumption of prey (through adhesion), since these processes are only necessary after birth.

Microscopic aspects of electrosensory system on the partially euryhaline lesser guitarfish

The electrosensory system on elasmobranchs consists of subcutaneous electroreceptor organs known as ampullae of Lorenzini. The present study investigated the ampullae of Lorenzini morphology of the lesser guitarfish Zapteryx brevirostris, using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The pore number found in the ventral skin surface is much higher than that found in the dorsal portion, characteristic of species that inhabit the euphotic zone. Under light microscopy it was possible to observe that the wall canal consists of a single layer of squamous epithelial cells. The canal features distal expansion, where the ampullae are located with up to six alveoli. The sensory epithelium of ampullae is composed by cubic cells, with oval nucleus, restricted to the interior of the alveoli. With analysis the clusters under scanning electron microscopy, it was possible to observe the structure and the random arrangement of individual ampullae, canals and nerves. The distribution of dorsal and ventral pores and ampullae in Z. brevirostris resembled those of the same family. The number of alveoli per ampullae was similar to that found in euryhaline elasmobranchs species, suggesting that the morphological organization in Z. brevirostris is linked to its possible evolutionary transitory position among batoids.