Pitágoras Augusto Piana

Artificial fertilization of oocytes and sperm activation in pacu: effects of the spermatozoa:oocyte ratio, water volume, and in natura semen preservation

Objetivou-se foi avaliar a fertilizacao artificial e a duracao da motilidade espermatica em pacus com diferentes doses inseminantes, volumes de agua e preservacao do semen in natura. Foram realizados quatro experimentos para avaliacao do efeito de doses inseminantes (7x103, 7x104, 7x105, 7x106 e 7x107 espermatozoides ovocito-1) sobre a fertilizacao artificial dos ovocitos; do efeito do volume de agua (0,5; 15,0; 30,0; 45,0 e 60,0 mL de agua mL-1 de ovocitos) com doses inseminantes de 105.481 e 210.963 espermatozoides ovocito-1; do efeito de diluicao do semen (0,005; 0,05; 0,5 e 5,0 µL de semen mL-1 de agua) sobre a duracao da motilidade espermatica; e do efeito do armazenamento a 15 oC por 9 h sobre a duracao da motilidade espermatica e o indice de sobrevivencia espermatica. Os maiores resultados obtidos foram: doses inseminantes entre 7x103 e 7x107 espermatozoides ovocito-1; 15 a 60 mL de agua mL-1 de ovocitos; diluicao de 0.005 µL semen mL-1 de agua e 98,65% de sobrevivencia espermatica ate o tempo de preservacao de 2h45min36s. A preservacao a 15oC por 9 horas nao influencia a duracao da motilidade espermatica. As maiores taxas de fertilizacao podem ser observadas no emprego de 0,27 a 270 µL de semen mL-1 de ovocitos, com 15 a 60 mL de agua para ativacao.

Fish larvae assemblages in two floodplain lakes with different degrees of connection to the Paraná River, Brazil

The objective of this study was to assess the abundance, attributes of assemblages, and spatial and temporal distributions offish larvae and their relationships with some abiotic variables in two floodplain lakes with different degrees of connection tothe Parana River in Ilha Grande National Park, PR, Brazil. Four sampling sites were chosen, two in each floodplain lake. Nightsamples were taken with plankton nets during three spawning seasons (monthly, from October to March) from 2001 to 2005.The highest diversity and abundance were recorded at Saraiva Lake, with 25 taxa being identified. In Xambre Lake, onlysedentary species were captured, and the most abundant species were

Desempenho reprodutivo e zootécnico e deposição de lipídios nos hepatócitos de fêmeas de tilápia-do-nilo alimentadas com rações de diversos níveis energéticos

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the reproductive and animal performance and lipids deposition in the liver tissue of the Nile tilapia female, fed diets containing different levels of digestible energy, obtained by soybean oil inclusion. Three hundred breeding females and 100 breeding males were used, distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replications. The broods were fed diets containing 35% crude protein and 2,700; 2,950; 3,200; 3,450 and 3,700 kcal energy digestible/kg feed. The animals were stocked in hapas for 93 days. The reproductive and animal performance were not influenced by the energy levels. These results may be associated with the short period of time that the brood were fed the experimental diets. However, increasing energy levels caused a linear increase in lipids inclusions in hepatocytes. Thus, the increasing levels of digestible energy provided to Nile tilapia females, obtained by including soybean oil, only promoted increased lipid deposition in hepatocytes.

Níveis de energia digestível sobre os desempenhos reprodutivo e zootécnico e a deposição de lipídios nos hepatócitos de machos de tilápia-do-nilo

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the reproductive and zootechnical performance, and lipid deposition in the liver tissue of the Nile tilapia males fed diets containing different levels of digestible energy obtained from inclusion of soybean oil. Four hundred 400 broodfish (300 females and 100 males) were assigned to a completely randomized design composed of five levels of digestible energy (2,700, 2,950, 3,200, 3,450 and 3,700 kcal digestible energy.kg of feed-1) and four replications. The breeding were fed diets containing 35% of crude protein and submitted to hapas reproductive management for 101 days. The model adjusted by multiple regression analysis suggests the best result for sperm concentration and percentage of normal sperm for breeding fed diets containing 3.465.56 and 3.443.43 kcal digetible energy.kg of feed-1, producing 7.98 × 109 sperm.mL of semen-1 and 38.98% of normal sperm, respectively. The diet energy levels also caused an increase of lipid inclusion in the hepatocytes. The sperm production, seminal pH, sperm survival index and sperm activation time were not affected by energetic levels of the diets. The zootechnical performance was not affected by the energy levels of the diets either. The energy levels in the diets caused a linear increase in the lipid inclusion in the hepatocytes and affected the sperm quality by stimulating the spermatozoa production and the improving of normality indices of sperm morphology in energy levels around 3,450 kcal digestible energy.kg of feed-1.This experiment was carried out to evaluate the reproductive and zootechnical performance, and lipid deposition in the liver tissue of the Nile tilapia males fed diets containing different levels of digestible energy obtained from inclusion of soybean oil. Four hundred 400 broodfish (300 females and 100 males) were assigned to a completely randomized design composed of five levels of digestible energy (2,700, 2,950, 3,200, 3,450 and 3,700 kcal digestible energy.kg of feed-1) and four replications. The breeding were fed diets containing 35% of crude protein and submitted to hapas reproductive management for 101 days. The model adjusted by multiple regression analysis suggests the best result for sperm concentration and percentage of normal sperm for breeding fed diets containing 3.465.56 and 3.443.43 kcal digetible energy.kg of feed-1, producing 7.98 × 109 sperm.mL of semen-1 and 38.98% of normal sperm, respectively. The diet energy levels also caused an increase of lipid inclusion in the hepatocytes. The sperm production, seminal pH, sperm survival index and sperm activation time were not affected by energetic levels of the diets. The zootechnical performance was not affected by the energy levels of the diets either. The energy levels in the diets caused a linear increase in the lipid inclusion in the hepatocytes and affected the sperm quality by stimulating the spermatozoa production and the improving of normality indices of sperm morphology in energy levels around 3,450 kcal digestible energy.kg of feed-1.

Influência do posicionamento em prona sobre o estresse no recém-nascido prematuro avaliada pela dosagem de cortisol salivar: um estudo piloto

Objective: This study sought to assess the influence of prone positioning on the stress of newborn premature infants through the measurement of the salivary cortisol concentration and the evaluation of physiological and behavioral responses before and after changes in body positioning. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from newborn infants at two different times: the first (corresponding to the baseline) after a period of 40 minutes during which the infants were not subjected to any manipulation and were placed in the lateral or supine position, and the second 30 minutes after placement in the prone position. Variables including heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, and the Brazelton sleep score were recorded before, during, and at the end of the period in the prone position. Results: The sample comprised 16 newborn premature infants (56.3% male) with a gestational age between 26 and 36 weeks, postnatal age between 1 and 33 days, birth weight of 935 to 3,050g, and weight at the time of intervention of 870 to 2,890g. During the intervention, six participants breathed room air, while the remainder received oxygen therapy. The median salivary cortisol concentration was lower in the prone position compared to baseline (0.13 versus 0.20; p=0.003), as was the median Brazelton sleep score (p=0.02). The average respiratory rate was lower after the intervention (54.88±7.15 versus 60±7.59; p=0.0004). The remainder of the investigated variables did not exhibit significant variation. Conclusion: Prone positioning significantly reduced the salivary cortisol level, respiratory rate, and Brazelton sleep score, suggesting a correlation between prone positioning and reduction of stress in preterm infants.Objective This study sought to assess the influence of prone positioning on the stress of newborn premature infants through the measurement of the salivary cortisol concentration and the evaluation of physiological and behavioral responses before and after changes in body positioning. Methods Saliva samples were collected from newborn infants at two different times: the first (corresponding to the baseline) after a period of 40 minutes during which the infants were not subjected to any manipulation and were placed in the lateral or supine position, and the second 30 minutes after placement in the prone position. Variables including heart rate, respiratory rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, and the Brazelton sleep score were recorded before, during, and at the end of the period in the prone position. Results The sample comprised 16 newborn premature infants (56.3% male) with a gestational age between 26 and 36 weeks, postnatal age between 1 and 33 days, birth weight of 935 to 3,050g, and weight at the time of intervention of 870 to 2,890g. During the intervention, six participants breathed room air, while the remainder received oxygen therapy. The median salivary cortisol concentration was lower in the prone position compared to baseline (0.13 versus 0.20; p=0.003), as was the median Brazelton sleep score (p=0.02). The average respiratory rate was lower after the intervention (54.88±7.15 versus 60±7.59; p=0.0004). The remainder of the investigated variables did not exhibit significant variation. Conclusion Prone positioning significantly reduced the salivary cortisol level, respiratory rate, and Brazelton sleep score, suggesting a correlation between prone positioning and reduction of stress in preterm infants.

Anaerobic reactors with biofilter and different diameter-length ratios in cassava starch industry wastewater treatment

A utilizacao de reatores anaerobios com meio suporte no tratamento de efluentes liquidos, provenientes das fecularias de mandioca, tem-se apresentado como uma opcao viavel, uma vez que possibilita a aplicacao de cargas orgânicas elevadas e uma reducao consideravel do TDH necessario para o tratamento. O objetivo do trabalho consistiu no estudo do processo de biodigestao, em dois reatores anaerobios, com meio suporte de bambu, no tratamento de efluente de fecularia de mandioca, por meio da avaliacao do desempenho dos mesmos. Foram utilizados dois reatores com relacoes diâmetro:comprimento 1:6 e 1:3. As cargas orgânicas aplicadas aos sistemas foram 0,519; 1,156; 1,471; 3,049; 4,347; 4,708 e 5,601 g.L-1d-1. Com relacao a eficiencia de remocao de DQO, ST e STV, nao foram obtidas diferencas estatisticas entre os reatores. Os dois sistemas avaliados apresentaram comportamento estavel em relacao a AV/AT (acidez volatil/alcalinidade total) para todas as cargas submetidas. Os reatores apresentaram tendencia a manutencao da producao de biogas em funcao da DQO consumida, para as tres ultimas cargas orgânicas aplicadas, indicando uma capacidade de suportar cargas orgânicas mais elevadas.

Using long-term data to predict fish abundance: the case of Prochilodus lineatus (Characiformes, Prochilodontidae) in the intensely regulated upper Paraná River

in the upper Parana River floodplain, Brazil, over a 19-year period. Panel data analysis was applied to examine the structure of temporal and spatial abundance while controlling auto-regressive processes and spatial non-homogeneity variances that often obscure relationships. As sources of population variation, we considered predation, competition, selected abiotic variables, construction of a dam upstream of the study area, water level and flood intensity during the spawning period. We found that biological interactions (predation and competition) were not significantly related to variations in curimba abundance; specific conductance was a space indicator of abundance, apparently linked to the biology of the species; intensity of floods determined inter-annual variation in abundances; Porto Primavera Dam negatively impacted the abundances at sites in the floodplain directly affected by discharges from the dam. Panel data analysis was a powerful tool that identified the need for intense flooding to maintain high abundances of curimba in the upper Parana River. We believe our results apply to other species with similar life strategy.

Comparison of fish and macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of Neotropical streams.

The biomonitoring of aquatic ecosystems in developing countries faces several limitations, especially related to gathering resources. The present study aimed at comparing the responses of fish and benthic macroinvertebrates to environmental change, to identify which group best indicates the differences between reference and impacted streams in southern Brazil. We determined reference and impacted sites based on physical and chemical variables of the water. For the analysis and comparison of biological responses, we calculated 22 metrics and submitted them to a discriminant analysis. We selected from this analysis only six metrics, which showed that the two studied assemblages respond differently to environmental change. A larger number of metrics were selected for macroinvertebrates than for fish in the separate analysis. The metrics selected for macroinvertebrates in the pooled analysis (i.e., fish and macroinvertebrates together) were different from those selected in the separate analysis for macroinvertebrates alone. However, the metrics selected for fish in the pooled analysis were the same selected in the separate analysis for fish alone. The macroinvertebrate assemblage was more effective for distinguishing reference from impacted sites. We suggest the use of macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of Neotropical streams, especially in situations in which time and money are short.

Delirium during Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation

Background. We compare the incidence of delirium before and after extubation and identify the risk factors and possible predictors for the occurrence of delirium in this group of patients. Methods. Patients weaned from mechanical ventilation (MV) and extubated were included. The assessment of delirium was conducted using the confusion assessment method for the ICU and completed twice per day until discharge from the intensive care unit. Results. Sixty-four patients were included in the study, 53.1% of whom presented with delirium. The risk factors of delirium were age (P = 0.01), SOFA score (P = 0.03), APACHE score (P = 0.01), and a neurological cause of admission (P = 0.01). The majority of the patients began with delirium before or on the day of extubation. Hypoactive delirium was the most common form. Conclusion. Acute (traumatic or medical) neurological injuries were important risk factors in the development of delirium. During the weaning process, delirium developed predominantly before or on the same day of extubation and was generally hypoactive (more difficult to detect). Therefore, while planning early prevention strategies, attention must be focused on neurological patients who are receiving MV and possibly even on patients who are still under sedation.

Effects of the spermatozoa: oocyte ratio, water volume and water temperature on artificial fertilization and sperm activation of cascudo-preto

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water volume and water temperature on the sperm motility duration and the number of spermatozoa, and the water volume on the fertilization rates of oocytes of Rhinelepis aspera. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of semen dilutions (1.74×10-5, 1.74×10-4, 1.74×10-3, 1.74×10-2, 1.74×10-1 and 1.00 mL of sperm.mL-1 of water) and water temperature (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 oC) on spermatozoa motility duration. In addition, the effects of insemination dose (7×103, 7×104, 7×105, 7×106 and 7×107 spermatozoa.oocyte-1) and water volume (1.0, 30.0, 60.0, 90.0 and 120.0 mL water.2.0 mL-1 oocytes) on the artificial fertilization rates of oocytes were evaluated. The longest sperm motility duration were observed for the semen dilution of 1.74×10-5 mL semen.mL-1 water and in water at 5 oC. The highest fertilization rates were obtained for insemination doses between 7.00×103 and 1.23×107 spermatozoa. oocyte-1 and water volume of 28.11 mL water.2.0 mL-1 oocytes.