Tissue alterations in the Guinea pig lateral prostate following antiandrogen flutamide therapy.

The flutamide antiandrogenic effects on the Guinea pig male prostate morphology in puberal, post-puberal and adult ages were evaluated in the present study. Daily-treated group animals received flutamide subcutaneous injection at a dose of 10 mg/Kg body weight for 10 days. The control group animals received a pharmacological vehicle under the same conditions. The lateral prostate was removed, fixed and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. The results revealed an increase of the acinus diameter in the treated puberal animals and straitness in the stromal compartment around the acini. The epithelial cells exhibited cubic phenotype. In the post-puberal and adult animals, a decrease of the acinus diameter was observed, as well as an increase of the smooth muscle layer and presence of the folds at epithelium. The ultrastructural evaluation of the secretory cells in the treated group demonstrated endomembrane enlargement, mainly in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. In addition, a decrease of the microvilli and alterations in the distribution patterns and density of the stromal fibrillar components were observed. In conclusion, the flutamide treatment exerts tissue effects on the lateral prostate, promoting stroma/epithelium alterations.     

Minimization of defects in nickel-based superalloy weld overlay deposited by the GTAW cold wire feed process

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the influence of the welding parameters in the formation of defects in weld overlays with nickel-based alloys, and its possible elimination through the correct adjustment of the welding parameters. Coatings were deposited with the nickel-based alloy types Inconel 625, Hastelloy C276 and Inconel 686 on C–Mn steel plates, using GTAW cold wire feed process. The planning of the experiments was accomplished by applying the Taguchi method. The control factors evaluated were the energy technique (ET), the welding heat input (E), the type of alloy (L), the shielding gas (G) and the type of arc oscillation (T). Other parameters were maintained constant, having previously been investigated. The results showed that the arc oscillation type is spiral; although it contributes significantly to reduce the dilution level, it causes a strong instability to the process, resulting in most of the cases in surface defects or defects among passes. The optimum condition to avoid defects among passes was identified by the Taguchi method, which was constituted by the following combination of control factors: 2-2-2-3-3, or by: I energy technique (TE-I); medium heat input level (E_medium); Hastelloy C276 alloy; shielding gas Ar + He; double-8 arc oscillation. The optimum condition for the welding without defects results in high dilution level not being indicated for the welding of resistant coverings to the corrosion.     

Healing,Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Properties of Indigofera truxillensis in Different Models of Gastric Ulcer in Rats

The present study evaluated the antiulcerogenic activity and mechanisms of the aqueous (AqF 100 mg/kg) and ethyl acetate (AcF 50 mg/kg) fractions from Indigofera truxillensis leaves. This dose was selected to assess its activity on ulcer healing and its action on gastric acid and mucus secretion, prostaglandin production and antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd)). Gastric ulcer was induced by absolute ethanol. Antisecretory action, mucus and prostaglandin production, healing and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated for both fractions. AqF and AcF significantly inhibited the gastric mucosal damage caused by ethanol. This effect was statistically significant at 100 and 50 mg/kg compared with the vehicle. Neither fraction interfered with gastric secretion. AcF increased the PGE₂ production, and both fractions increased mucus production. l-NAME did not alter the gastroprotection exerted by the fractions, but N-ethylmaleimide attenuated only AcF. In the ischemia/reperfusion model both fractions inhibited the mucosal damage. AcF increased SOD, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd activity, but AqF increased only SOD and GSH-Px. In the acetic acid-induced ulcer model AcF only accelerated ulcer healing. These results showed that Indigofera truxillensis acted as a gastroprotective agent, stimulating protective factors and antioxidants enzymes.     

Structure of a galactoarabinoglucuronoxylan from tamarillo (Solanum betaceum), a tropical exotic fruit,and its biological activity

Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum) is a tropical exotic fruit whose polysaccharides were extracted from the ripe pulp. After various purification steps, homogeneous fractions (designated PTW, STK-1000R and PF) were analyzed by sugar composition, HPSEC, methylation and NMR spectroscopy analysis. The results showed that the fraction PTW consisted of a linear arabinan with (1 → 5)-linked α-l-arabinofuranosyl units. Fractions designated as STK-1000R and PF contained galactoarabinoglucuronoxylans, with (1 → 4)-linked β-d-Xylp residues in the backbone, carrying branches exclusively at O-2. The polysaccharide in STK-1000R is less branched than that in the PF fraction (∼20.0% and 36.5%, respectively), with side-chains formed by (1 → 5)-linked α-l-Araf residues and (1 → 4)-linked α-d-GlcpA residues and with non-reducing end units formed by α-l-Araf, β-Arap, β-d-Galp, α-d-GlcpA and 4-O-Me-α-d-GlcpA. Intraperitoneal administration of the STK-1000R fraction in mice significantly reduced the number of abdominal constrictions induced by 0.6% acetic acid and the inflammatory phase of nociception induced by 2.5% formalin, indicating that that fraction has an antinociceptive effect on inflammatory pain models.     

Investigation of the effect of PhTx2, from the venom of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer, on the release of [3H]-acetylcholine from rat cerebrocortical synaptosomes

Venoms from spiders are an important source of toxins that can help on the dissection of mechanisms involved in neurotransmission. Among them is the venom of the spider Phoneutria nigriventer that contains several toxic fractions with different targets in mammals and/or insects. We here report that one of these fractions (PhTx2) is able to evoke acetylcholine release from rat cortical synaptosomes and that this effect is dependent on extracellular calcium and is inhibited by the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin.     

Esterase patterns of species in the Drosophila buzzatii cluster

A comparative analysis was made of the esterase isoenzyme patterns of eight iso-female lines, four of Drosophila serido (B31 D1, A55, B59, Q1, B50Q3), two of D. koepferae (B20D2 and B25D7), one of D. seriema (A95) and one of D. buzzatii (Buz). In all, 43 bands in the spectrum of esterase isoenzymes were detected by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. They showed variations in specific reactions with alpha and beta-naphthyl acetate, number of patterns yielded in their intra-isofemale line combinations, frequencies of such combinations and the thickness and staining degree of some bands, in different individuals, lines and species. Among bands detected exclusively in males, seven may be considered sex-specific (5 alpha-esterases and 2 beta-esterases). These male-specific alpha-esterases have in common the inability to cleave beta-naphthyl acetate in the absence of alpha-naphthyl, denoting a possible common function. The similarity index (SI) and analysis of dependence were calculated in an attempt to quantify the differentiation of the iso-female lines studied, on the basis of esterase bands. SI mean value allowed the separation of the isofemale lines into five classes. Each species had its own pattern of esterase bands, but some bands were shared. A divergence hypothesis for the isofemale lines and the species is discussed.