Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) such as Escherichia coli and enterococci are used to assess microbiological water quality in recreational waters worldwide. FIB are used with the assumption that their presence correlates with that of fecal-associated pathogens in recreational waters. In aquatic habitats, several factors can interfere with the predictive relationship between FIB and pathogens including extended survival of FIB in secondary habitats such as sediment, vegetation and sand. Furthermore, many biotic (e.g. predation from bacterivorous protozoa and competition from indigenous bacteria) and abiotic factors (e.g. temperature, salinity, ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, and nutrient availability) can influence the fate of FIB and pathogens associated with gastrointestinal tracts of animals (enteric pathogens) in secondary habitats. The relative importance of these factors is not well characterized, thus limiting our knowledge on the efficacy of FIB as indicators of fecal contamination and microbial pathogens in water. The studies presented in this dissertation investigated the influence of biotic (predation from bacterivorous protozoa and competition from indigenous bacteria) and abiotic factors (e.g. nutrient availability) on the survival of FIB (E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis) and pathogens (E. coli O157 and Salmonella enterica) in aquatic habitats. Water and sediment samples were collected from a fresh water river source (Hillsborough River, Tampa, FL) and used to prepare a series of outdoor mesocosm experiments. In each experiment, biota treatments were varied to include various combinations of predation and competition, both or neither. Manipulation of biota treatments involved disinfection of water and baking of sediments to remove indigenous microbiota, or addition of cycloheximide or kanamycin to diminish the effect of predation from natural protozoa or competition from indigenous bacteria respectively. Bacterial levels in all experiments were monitored over a five day period. In the mesocosms investigating the effect of predation and competition on FIB (E. coli and Ent. faecalis) and a pathogen (E. coli O157:H7), predation had a detrimental effect on the survival of the FIB and pathogen in the water column but only influenced the survival of the FIB in the sediment. Unlike predation, competition from indigenous bacteria influenced the survival of E. coli but not Ent. faecalis in both water and sediment. The second set of mesocosms investigated the effect of predation on two motile and non-motile enteric bacteria types (E. coli O157 and S. enterica), each with a motile and non-motile counterpart. An allochthonous predation source (Tetrahymena pyriformis) was added into the mesocosms to supply a consistent level of predation. Motility had a significant positive effect on the survival of S. enterica in the water and sediment but had negative significant effect for E. coli O157 in sediment only. Motility also played a more important role in the sediment compared to predation while predation played a more important role in the water column for both bacteria types. The third study compared the relative effects of predation, competition and nutrients on the survival of E. coli. Natural waters (not amended with nutrients) served as a baseline condition to which organic nutrients were added in two increments. Significant interactions among predation, nutrients and competition (all possible combinations) were observed. Interactions between predation and nutrients as well as competition and predation also accounted for the greatest effects (10% and 8% respectively). The interaction between predation and competition was particularly pronounced at the highest nutrient level. These studies reveal that predation, competition and nutrients are all important factors in the survival of FIB and enteric bacteria in water and sediment, and provide new observations on the relative magnitude of these effects. I show that survival characteristics of FIB and enteric bacteria in secondary habitats can vary depending on bacteria type (FIB or pathogen), location (water or sediment), prey characteristics (motile or non-motile) and specific environmental stressor present (predation, competition or nutrients). The findings of this dissertation provide new insights on the ecology of FIB and enteric bacteria in secondary habitats and underscore the importance of biotic and abiotic factors as determinants of the fate of FIB and enteric bacteria in secondary habitats.

Reduced availability of high energy-content prey (nutritional stress) is a predominant hypothesis to explain the decline of Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) populations in western Alaska from the late 1970'€™s to the late 1990'™s. Animals may physiologically respond to consuming insufficient prey by increasing stress levels and decreasing metabolic rates. It may thus be possible to identify nutritional stress by measuring concentrations of glucocorticoids (stress) and thyroid hormones (metabolism) shed in feces. However, techniques to measure thyroid hormone concentrations from Steller sea lion feces have not been developed. We quantified variation of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations in Steller sea lion feces following injections of thyrotropin (TSH) into four captive animals. Glucocorticoids (GC) were also assayed to examine any relationship to stimulated thyroid hormone secretion. We found that fecal T3 peaked 48 h post-injection and increased 25-57% in three sea lions (all animals, p=0.03). Pre-injection GC increases indicated stress from isolation for baseline fecal collections, but post-injection increases could not be confirmed as a response to TSH injections or as a product of the study design. The results demonstrated that pre- and post-injection changes in fecal GC and T3 concentrations were consistent with predictions of an increased stress response and metabolic rate within the animals. We then measured T3 and GC concentrations in 834 Steller sea lion fecal samples collected in 2005 and 2006 from 15 sites (haulouts and rookeries) between British Columbia and the Central Aleutian Islands. Overall, GC concentrations did not differ between haulout populations (western 2006 pre-pupping and eastern 2005 post-pupping). Fecal hard-part analyses revealed a lower energy-content diet in the western population, suggesting that diet quality is a relevant hypothesis to explain slightly higher GC concentrations found in the western population, specifically the Aleutian Islands region. However, nutritional stress could not be substantiated through T3 concentrations. The rookeries possessed the highest energy-content diets, but also exhibited a nutritional stress response with a significantly higher GC and lower T3 concentration than either haulout population (possibly related to lactation or decreased foraging opportunities), but T3 comparisons performed at scales of site and region were inconclusive.

Gwinnett County, Georgia experienced rapid growth in the 1970’s without the infrastructure so septic systems were installed for residential homes. The number of septic systems grew to over 85,000 with a density of 487 septic systems per square mile. This study mapped the distribution of septic systems to determine regions of potential pathogen surface water. This study addressed what potential health risks do high density septic systems have on surface water quality and how can the history of Gwinnett County assist in future development in the Metropolitan Atlanta area? It was found that the density of septic systems has reduced the surface water quality for streams in the Yellow and Alcovy River basins. An average rainfall cause septic flushing and an increase in the fecal coliform. Other trends observed in the surface water quality of increased BOD, water temperature, and various metals also indicated this flushing effect.

A study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of three anthelmintics, ivermectin, fenbendazole, and a combination of ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate, on fecal egg count reductions of cyathostomes and Parascaris equorum in 30 foals at the Texas A&M Horse Center. The foals were reared under standard horse center practices and were naturally infected with both cyathostomes and Parascaris. The foals were randomized into three treatment groups with individuals being rerandomized after each eight week observation period. The treatments of ivermectin and fenbendazole were given at the manufacturer's recommended doses and the pyrantel treatment was given at two times the manufacturer's recommended dose. All doses were based on weights taken prior to treatment. Fecal egg counts were performed at the time of treatment and at two week intervals after treatment for a total of eight weeks. Each foal received a total of three treatments during the course of the study along with the most effective treatment at the conclusion of the study. Fecal egg counts were performed by a modified McMaster's test with a sensitivity of 25 eggs per gram of feces and by the modified Wisconsin double centrifugal floatation with a sensitivity of 0.2 eggs per gram of feces. Fecal egg reduction percentages were calculated for each two week interval. Analysis of the results showed that ivermectin, either used alone or with pyrantel was a more effective anthelmintic for cyathostome (small strongyle) control than fenbendazole. Fenbendazole and pyrantel showed a higher initial reduction in Parascasris eggs when compared to the ivermectin only treated group, but ivermectin showed improved egg reduction over time. At the conclusion of this study, a primary treatment of ivermectin at the manufacturer's recommended dose and treatment of pyrantel at two times the manufacturer's recommended dose was recommended to control cyathostome egg production and severely reduce the initial number of Parascaris adults in the foals at this facility. Subsequent monthly does of ivermectin at the manufacturer's recommended dose was also recommended to continue to control both parasites. Follow up fecal examinations were also recommended to test the continued effectiveness of the recommended treatment protocol.

The risk of waterborne infections acquired from the consumption of contaminated water is related to changes in source water fecal contamination, which is often influenced by land-use and hydro-meteorological conditions in the surrounding watershed. The impact of land-use composition on surface water contamination was explored in order to determine the risk of surface water contamination associated with land-use change. Highest contamination was observed in watersheds characterized by more than 12.5% agricultural and more than 1.6% urban land (mean fecal coliform (FC) concentration of these 5 sites = 135 CFU 100ml-1 while the British Columbia (BC) raw water quality guideline = 100 CFU 100ml-1). Contamination increased exponentially, and violated BC raw water quality guidelines with greater frequency, in relation to greater agricultural land in the upstream watershed. Additional factors, such as sewage treatment plants, low dilution in smaller streams, and higher temperatures were also associated with greater contamination. These results indicate the high level of risk posed by agricultural and urban development and the need for source water protection. Fecal contamination levels in source water are also influenced by rainfall and snowmelt-induced surface runoff that transport diffuse fecal contaminants into surface water. Seasonal levels of fecal contamination in surface water was related to the watershed hydro-climatic regime for around half of the watersheds examined. Watersheds with snowmelt-dominant (SD) runoff regimes showed stronger evidence of hydro-meteorological variability driving seasonal contamination levels than those with rainfall and snowmelt-influenced (RSI) and rainfall-dominant (RD) runoff regimes, and thus are more prone to experiencing changes to seasonal variability resulting from climate change. Projected increases in mean annual temperatures of between 1.70C and 4.00C towards the end of the 21st century will alter existing runoff regimes within watersheds. For SD watersheds that remain below freezing and continue to accumulate snowpack during the cold season, transport of fecal contamination will likely occur earlier in the year with greater intensity. Fecal coliform transport in summer is likely to decrease, especially in SD watersheds in which fecal contamination is driven by summer rainfall events. Snowmelt-dominant watersheds transitioning toward a RD runoff regime will experience less contamination during spring but increased contamination during late fall and winter. The extent to which these changes in runoff regime will influence surface water fecal contamination will vary among watersheds. Further investigation is required to identify factors that enhance or mitigate the association of surface water fecal contamination with rainfall and snowmelt-induced runoff in order to identify specific site vulnerability to changing seasonal contamination levels. Total precipitation within BC is projected to increase by 20-30% towards the end of the 21st century. The association of annual FC variability with snowmelt and rainfall variability was examined in order to assess the capacity of such increases to raise the level of surface water fecal contamination. Greater total annual and seasonal rainfall and/or river discharge increased surface water fecal contamination for 58% (11/19) of the sites examined. Hydro-meteorological variability influenced FC concentration during winter, the season of greatest precipitation, and spring, the season of greatest snowmelt, but not during summer or fall. Reduced contamination levels during the El Niño event in 2002/03 were associated with a mean reduction in river discharge during spring and summer. These associations suggest that the risk of increased surface water fecal contamination in response to higher precipitation is likely to be greatest in winter for RD watersheds and spring for SD watersheds, although the magnitude of impact will vary among sites. Climate change and land-use activities within watersheds have the capacity to alter the timing and amount of surface water fecal contamination. These factors are likely to act synergistically by increasing the presence and transport of fecal contaminants within watersheds. Such relationships should be carefully considered to aid the assessment and mitigation of the risk of source water contamination associated with land-use and climate change. / Graduate

VASCONCELOS NETO, J. A. Associação clínica dos sintomas defecatórios em mulheres com disfunção do assoalho pélvico. 2017. 100 f. Tese ( Doutorado em Ciências Médico-Cirúrgicas )- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2017. / Submitted by Luciene Oliveira (luciene@ufc.br) on 2017-06-08T13:51:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese-ANANIAS.pdf: 2428662 bytes, checksum: f9cfa389080672801adf0c637a7ca6db (MD5) / Rejected by Erika Fernandes (erikaleitefernandes@gmail.com), reason: O arquivo deverá ser nomeado com a extensão 2017_tese_javasconcelosneto, favor corrigir on 2017-06-08T14:02:09Z (GMT) / Submitted by Luciene Oliveira (luciene@ufc.br) on 2017-06-08T15:38:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese-ANANIAS.pdf: 2428662 bytes, checksum: f9cfa389080672801adf0c637a7ca6db (MD5) / Rejected by Erika Fernandes (erikaleitefernandes@gmail.com), reason: Nomear o arquivo de acordo com o que está descrito no tutorial. Alguns campos estão todos em caixa alta e não são. Ver tutorial. on 2017-06-08T15:45:03Z (GMT) / Submitted by Luciene Oliveira (luciene@ufc.br) on 2017-06-08T16:32:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_tese_javasconcelosneto.pdf: 2434793 bytes, checksum: 33607736bbef42eb621736fc4a127baa (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Fernandes (erikaleitefernandes@gmail.com) on 2017-06-08T16:39:50Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_tese_javasconcelosneto.pdf: 2434793 bytes, checksum: 33607736bbef42eb621736fc4a127baa (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-08T16:39:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2017_tese_javasconcelosneto.pdf: 2434793 bytes, checksum: 33607736bbef42eb621736fc4a127baa (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-29 / Posterior vaginal wall prolapses have often been implicated in bowel symptoms, but the data are controversial. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association and correlation of Bp point, perineal body (Pb) and genital hiatus (Gh) measures with constipation, anal incontinence, severity of symptoms and quality of life. Methods The patients were distributed into 2 groups according to the posterior vaginal wall Bp point (POP-Q): One group without posterior vaginal wall prolapse (Control Group = Bp ≤ -1) and one with posterior vaginal wall prolapse (Case Group = Bp ≥ 0). Demographic data, defecatory dysfunctions and SF-36 were compared between the groups. Correlations between severity of posterior prolapse (Bp, Gh, Pb and Gh+Pb) and severity of bowel symptoms were also calculated. Results A total of 613 women were evaluated, with 174 included (Control Group=69/39.7%, Case Group=105/60.3%). The groups were similar in the following characteristics: anal incontinence, fecal urgency and/or constipation. There was no correlation between the severity of constipation and anal incontinence, according to Wexner scores, and the severity of the posterior vaginal wall prolapse, measured through the Bp point. There were, however, statistically significant differences between the groups when comparing Pb, Gh and Gh+Pb measures. The Pb and Gh+Pb correlated positively with symptoms of constipation, as well as with the scores of some domains of the SF-36, however, there was no correlation with anal incontinence. Conclusion: These results suggest that the severity of posterior vaginal wall prolapse is not correlated with constipation or anal incontinence, but Pb and Gh + Pb measurements are correlated with constipation and SF-36 scores. Keywords: / Os prolapsos de parede vaginal posterior têm sido frequentemente implicados com sintomas defecatórios, porém os dados são controversos. Objetivos: Avaliar a associação e correlação das medidas do ponto de Bp, do corpo perineal (CP) e do hiato genital (HG) com constipação, incontinência anal, severidade dos sintomas e qualidade de vida. Métodos: As pacientes foram distribuídas em 2 grupos de acordo com o ponto Bp da parede vaginal posterior (POP-Q): Um grupo sem prolapso da parede vaginal posterior (Grupo de Controle = Bp ≤ -1) e um com prolapso da parede vaginal posterior (Grupo de Caso = Bp ≥ 0). A qualidade de vida (SF-36) foi comparada entre os grupos. Foram também calculadas as correlações entre o estadiamento do prolapso posterior (Bp, HG, CP e HG+CP) e a gravidade dos sintomas intestinais. Resultados: Foram avaliadas 613 mulheres, sendo 174 incluídas (Grupo de Controle = 69 / 39,7%, Grupo de Casos = 105 / 60,3%). Os grupos foram semelhantes nas seguintes características: incontinência anal, urgência fecal e/ou constipação. Não houve correlação entre a gravidade da constipação ea incontinência anal, de acordo com os escores de Wexner, e a gravidade do prolapso da parede vaginal posterior (ponto Bp). Houve, no entanto, diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos quando comparadas as medidas de CP, HG e HG+CP. O CP e o HG+CP correlacionaram-se positivamente com sintomas de constipação, bem como com os escores de alguns domínios do SF-36, no entanto, não houve correlação com a incontinência anal. Conclusão: Estes resultados sugerem que o prolapso da parede vaginal posterior não tem correlação com a constipação ou a incontinência anal, porém as medidas de CP e HG+CP apresentam correlação com os sintomas de constipação e com o SF-36. Palavras-chave: Prolapso vaginal, retocele, constipação, incontinência fecal, qualidade de vida.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-29T15:36:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_6891_RESUMO TEREZA CECILIA.pdf: 50904 bytes, checksum: ba367999b57e1d34812c607852e06ce7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-08-25 / O consumo da raiz de yacon (Smalanthus sonchifolius) pode trazer benefícios à saúde dos indivíduos por ser uma importante fonte de Fruto-oligossacarídeo (FOS). Este prebiótico promove o crescimento de bactérias Bifidobacterium spp. que podem contribuir com a produção de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (AGCC) e reduzir o pH na região colônica. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o efeito do consumo de preparações elaboradas com farinha de yacon na produção de AGCC, no pH fecal e na microbiota probiótica de pré-escolares. Foi conduzido um estudo longitudinal, experimental do tipo pareado antes e após, onde foram oferecidas preparações à base de farinha de yacon a crianças saudáveis por 18 semanas. Amostras de fezes foram coletadas antes e após o período de intervenção alimentar para determinar as concentrações de AGCC, pelo método de Cromatografia Líquida de Alta Eficiência (CLAE); o pH fecal, utilizando um pHmetro e para quantificar Bifidobacterium spp. utilizou-se a técnica de Reação em Cadeia de Polimerase em tempo real (rt-PCR). As médias encontradas nos dois momentos foram submetidas ao teste t pareado utilizando o programa Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 13.0. Houve aumento significativo nas concentrações de butirato antes (0,091±0,5 mg/mg de fezes) e após (0,122±0,7 mg/mg de fezes) o período de intervenção. As médias das concentrações dos momentos antes e após a intervenção para o acetato (0,357±0,11 e 0,385±0,15 mg/mg de fezes, respectivamente), propionato (0,052±0,04 e 0,064±0,05 mg/mg de fezes, respectivamente) e para o pH (6,76±0,43 e 6,61±0,45, respectivamente) se mantiveram iguais. Com as reações de rt-PCR, encontrou-se valores médios de cycle threshold do DNA extraído das amostras de fezes coletadas antes e após a intervenção alimentar de 17 e 19, respectivamente. Como a eficiência da amplificação foi de 77%, considerou-se que as reações foram de baixa sensibilidade e os valores encontrados podem não representar o valor real da concentração de Bifidobacterium spp. Concluiu-se que o consumo das preparações elaboradas com farinha de yacon pode ter influenciado a fisiologia da microbiota intestinal probiótica das crianças por promover o aumento nas concentrações do butirato.

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, 2015. / Submitted by Albânia Cézar de Melo (albania@bce.unb.br) on 2016-02-23T15:55:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_MarceloMeloAndradeCoura.pdf: 3142110 bytes, checksum: e9568a78e4627c1bbb5c84230ce7da97 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marília Freitas(marilia@bce.unb.br) on 2016-02-28T11:16:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_MarceloMeloAndradeCoura.pdf: 3142110 bytes, checksum: e9568a78e4627c1bbb5c84230ce7da97 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-28T11:16:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_MarceloMeloAndradeCoura.pdf: 3142110 bytes, checksum: e9568a78e4627c1bbb5c84230ce7da97 (MD5) / A incontinência fecal (IF) é sintoma que causa impacto importante na qualidade de vida. Estima-se que mais de 2/3 das mulheres com incontinência fecal têm lesão esfincteriana, em sua maioria decorrente de parto vaginal. Não se conhece o significado dessas lesões na gravidade do sintoma e sua repercussão funcional. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar se existe correlação entre a gravidade do sintoma, as alterações manométricas e o grau de defeito muscular, em mulheres com defeito esfincteriano e IF. Foi adotado escore de IF de Wexner e os casos foram estratificados em leves (<=9) ou graves (>9). Foi utilizada manometria anorretal por perfusão de 8 canais e ultrassonografia endoanal tridimensional (USEA 3D) para diagnóstico e classificação do defeito esfincteriano. Foram avaliadas 73 mulheres com sintomas de IF. A média de idade foi de 57,79 anos (±14,94). Trinta e oito (52,05%) com incontinência urinária associada. Sessenta e cinco mulheres (89,04%) tiveram partos vaginais prévios, 54 (83,07%) com episiotomia. Vinte e uma mulheres (28,76%) relataram operações anorretais. O escore mediano de incontinência foi de 9, com 36 (49,32%) casos graves. Quarenta casos (54,79%) apresentaram defeitos extensos à ultrassonografia. Houve correlação negativa fraca entre o escore de IF e a capacidade retal (ρ=-0,267, p= 0,022). Mulheres com sintomas mais graves eram mais velhas que aquelas com sintomas mais leves (p=0,018) e tinham maior prevalência de incontinência urinária (p=0,005). Não houve diferença entre o número de gestações (p= 0,530), o número de partos vaginais (p=0,281), as pressões de repouso (p=0,073), as pressões de contração (p=0,521), o incremento pressórico (p=0,649), a sensibilidade retal (p=0,902), a capacidade retal (p=0,086), a extensão do canal anal à ultrassonografia (p=0,179), a extensão anterior de esfíncter externo do ânus (EEA) (p=0,980), o grau de defeito muscular (p=0,381) e a medida do corpo perineal (p=0,129) de mulheres com incontinência leve ou grave. Não houve diferença de idade (p=0,673), do índice de massa corporal (IMC) (p=0,127), do número de gestações (p=0,980), do número de partos vaginais (p=0,581) e de ao menos uma episiotomia (p=0,077) entre as pacientes com defeito esfincteriano leve ou grave. Mulheres com lesões mais graves (escore>4) apresentaram menores pressões de contração (p=0,007), menor comprimento do corpo perineal (p=0,001) e menor extensão anterior de EEA (p=0,001) quando comparadas àquelas com lesões leves. Por esses achados pode-se concluir que mulheres com sintomas mais graves são mais idosas e têm mais incontinência urinária e as com defeitos mais extensos têm menores pressões de contração, sem repercussão clínica. / Fecal incontinence (FI) is a symptom that causes impact on patient quality of life. It is believed that over 70 % of women have sphincter defects on endoanal ultrasound, mostly from obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS). There is a lack of consensus regarding to what is its role on FI severity and functional impairment. We aimed demonstrate a possible correlation between FI severity, manometric findings and muscle defect grade depicted on three-dimensional endoanal ultrasound in women with sphincter defects and FI. The Wexner score (WS) was used to grade symptoms which was further divided into two groups: mild symptoms (<=9) and severe symptoms (>9). The sphincteric defect was graded by using an endoanal ultrasound 3D (EAUS 3D) scoring system. Eighty eight women were enrolled and 73 completed all steps. Mean age was 57,79 years old (±14,94). Thirty-eight women (52,05%) reported associated urinary incontinence. Sixty-five (89,04%) had vaginal deliveries, 54 (83,07%) had episiotomies. Twenty-one (28,76%) reported at least one anorectal operation. Median WS was 9. Thirty-six (49,32%) had severe symptoms. Forty cases (54,79%) had severe defects on EAUS 3D. We found a weak negative correlation between WS and rectal capacity (ρ=-0,267, p=0,022). Women with more severe symptoms were older than women with mild symptoms (p=0,018) and had a two-fold risk of having double incontinence (p=0,005). It was found no difference between women with mild or severe symptoms regarded to number of pregnancy (p=0,530), vaginal deliveries (p=0,281), resting pressures (p=0,073), incremental pressures (p=0,649), squeeze pressures (p=0,521), rectal sensation (p=0,902), rectal capacity (p=0,086), anal canal length (p=0,179), external anal sphincter anterior length (p=0,980), defect grade (p=0,381) and perineal body measurement (p=0,129). There was no significant difference in aging (p=0,673), body mass index (BMI) (p=0,127), number of pregnancies (p=0,980), vaginal deliveries (p=0,581) and episiotomies (p=0,077) between cases with mild and severe defects. Women with more severe defects shown lower squeeze pressures (p=0,007), shorter perineal body measurement (p=0,001) and shorter external anal sphincter anterior length (p=0,001) than mild cases. According to these data, women with severe IF symptoms were older and had more double incontinence than women with mild symptoms. Cases with more severe defects had lower squeeze pressures, shorter external anal sphincter anterior length and perineal body thickness, although no impact on symptoms severity.

A avaliação dos níveis de estresse nos animais tem importância tanto na área médica, econômica e de bem-estar, assim estudos vem sendo cada vez mais difundidos neste quesito. Os gatos são animais de companhia que tem progressivamente conquistado espaço no mundo moderno, dessa forma vem sendo mais observados e estudados, demonstrando-se bem mais sociais do que anteriormente se acreditava. Zelar pela qualidade de vida dos mesmos é dever do veterinário, e não somente pela questão médica em si mas também pelo bem-estar, já que se sabe, por exemplo, que condições estressantes podem levar a alterações orgânicas deletérias. A mensuração do cortisol, ou de seus metabólitos, tem sido utilizada para avaliar de forma fisiológica o bem-estar dos animais, tanto domésticos quanto selvagens. As técnicas para tal mensuração também vem sendo aperfeiçoadas, buscando-se assim ensaios mais precisos, seguros e baratos. No presente trabalho pretendemos comparar quantitativamente e qualitativamente dois imunoensaios radioimétrico (radioimunoensaio) e enzimático (enzimaimunoensaio) - utilizando amostras fecais de gatos domiciliados que vivem sozinhos ou em pequenas colônias. Sua importância deve-se ao uso de uma nova técnica, mais barata e segura, porém ainda pouco difundida no nosso país. / Evaluation of stress levels among animals has both medical and welfare importance and studies regarding this matter have been increasingly published. Cats are companion animals achieving a special position within modern societies they have been carefully observed and studied thus demonstrating that they are much more social than previously thought. Taking care of cats´ life quality is a veterinarian duty not only because it constitutes a medical issue per se but also due to its welfare implications: it is well known, for instance, that stressful conditions can lead to deleterious organic diseases. Measurement of cortisol levels (or its metabolites) has been used as a physiological parameter for investigating the welfare of both domestic and wild animals. Laboratory techniques used for such measurements have been under improvement in order to achieve more precise, safe and cheap assays. In the present study we aim at comparing quantitatively two assays radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay by using domestic cats faecal samples (single and in-group housed cats). The relevance of this study lays on the use of a pioneering technique, cheap and safe, besides the establishment of a scientific cooperation with a leading university´s laboratory one of the few existing which deals with faecal hormonal dosages.

Orientador: José Maurício Barbanti Duarte / Banca: Pietro Sampaio Baruselli / Banca: Marcelo Alcindo de Barros Vaz Guimarães / Banca: Ciro Moraes Barros / Banca: Paulo Henrique Franceschini / Resumo: O conhecimento das técnicas de reprodução assistida nas espécies selvagens pode ser importante para futuros programas de conservação in situ e ex situ. Nosso objetivo foi estabelecer um protocolo de superovulação para o veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira). Para tanto, foram realizados dois experimentos: (1) No ano de 2007, seis fêmeas da espécie M. gouazoubira receberam um dispositivo intravaginal de progesterona (CIDR®) por 8 dias seguido por uma aplicação i.m. de 0,5mg de BE no momento da inserção (D-8) e de 265μg de cloprostenol (PGF2α) no momento da retirada (D0). Posteriormente foram divididas em três grupos (n=2): no primeiro os animais receberam 600UI de eCG (Tratamento A), no segundo 300UI de eCG (Tratamento B) e no terceiro 250UI de FSH+PVP. (Tratamento C), todos administrados no dia 4 (D-4). O segundo experimento (2) foi desenvolvido no ano de 2009 e utilizou outras seis fêmeas da mesma espécie, divididas em dois grupos (n=3): o primeiro recebeu CIDR® por 8 dias, seguido por uma aplicação i.m. de 0,25mg de BE no D-8, 700UI eCG no D-4 e 265μg PGF2α no D0 (Tratamento D) e o segundo recebeu CIDR® por 7,5 dias seguido por uma aplicação i.m. de 0,25mg de BE no D-7,5; 130mg de FSH em oito doses iguais (iniciando em D-3 e finalizando em D-0,5) e 265μg de PGF2α no D0 (Tratamento E). Em cada experimento os tratamentos foram delineados no esquema "cross-over", com um intervalo de 44 dias após a remoção do CIDR®. Todas as fêmeas receberam uma aplicação i.m. de PGF2α 14 dias após a retirada do CIDR®. Um macho fértil foi utilizado para a detecção do estro e fertilização. A eficácia dos Tratamentos foi avaliada pelo comportamento reprodutivo, contagem de CLs e folículos (maiores que 3mm) e colheita de embriões por laparoscopia, sete dias após a primeira cópula. No Experimento 1, ainda... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Knowledge of assisted reproduction techniques for wild animals is useful for future in situ and ex situ conservation programs. The present study aimed to establish a superovulation protocol for brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) by evaluating the ovulation rate, the presence of functional corpora lutea (CL), the number of embryos and their development stages after superovulation using different treatments. For this, two experiments were realized: (1) in 2007, six female Mazama gouazoubira received an intravaginal device (CIDR) for 8 days, followed by 0.5mg i.m. injection of OB at the time of insertion (D-8) and 265μg of cloprostenol (PGF2α) at the time of removal (D0). Next, the hinds were divided into 3 groups (n=2): group 1 received an i.m. injection of 600IU eCG (Treatment A), group 2 300IU of eCG (Treatment B) and group 3 250IU of FSH+PVP (Treatment C), all on D4 (D-4). The second Experiment (2) was developed in 2009 and also used six hinds from the same species divided into 2 groups (n=3): the first received CIDR for 8 days, followed by 0.25mg i.m. injection of OB on D-8, 700IU of eCG on D-4 and 265μg of PGF2α on D0 (Treatment D) and the second received CIDR for 7.5 days followed by 0.25mg i.m. injection of OB on D-7.5, 130mg of FSH divided into eight equal doses [beginning on D-3 and ending D-0.5] and 265μg of PGF2α on D0 (Treatment E). In each experiment, the treatments were „crossed over‟ with 44 day intervals after CIDR removal. All the hinds received an i.m. injection of PGF2α 14 days after CIDR® removal. A fertile male was used for estrus detection and fertilization. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by reproductive behavior, observation of CL, unruptured follicles (over 3mm) and embryo collection via laparoscopy 7 days after the first copulation. In Experiment 1, feces were collected... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor