No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The effects of 800 micrograms of inhaled SK&F 104353, a peptidoleukotriene receptor antagonist, and of 20 mg disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction were compared in 18 asthmatic patients. The study was conducted according to a double-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled design. Two baseline exercise tests were carried out, and pulmonary function tests were done before and at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 min after completion of the exercise. Patients showing a 20% or greater decrease in FEV1 in both exercise challenges entered the blinded portion of the study. When placebo was administered before exercise, FEV1 fell to the same extent as during the baseline phase. After SK&F 104353 and DSCG, the bronchoconstriction was attenuated. The mean maximal percentage fall in FEV1 after exercise was 29% after placebo and 20% after SK&F 104353 and DSCG. The differences between the two active treatments did not reach the 5% level of statistical significance, though at 20 min SK&F 104353 showed a more pronounced effect than DSCG. The protective effect suggests an important role of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

Rheas (Rhea americana) belongs to the ratite group. Considering the commercial significance of this birds, some techniques, such as semen collection, were standardized. In this study, 107 male rheas (3 to 4 years of age) reared in commercial farms in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, were used. Semen was collected during the breeding and offbreeding seasons of 2001, 2002, and 2003. Bird hierarchical behavior was observed. Birds were restrained performed using a box and a black hood. Semen was collected by digital pressure on the base of the phallus, which size was measured, and the presence or absence of spiral shape was observed. Immediately after collection, semen samples were evaluated for volume, motility, sperm concentration, and morphology. In a limited number of birds, blood samples were collected to measure testosterone levels. Among the 69 birds studied during the breeding season, 44 presented large phalluses, out of which 26 showed spiral shape. The method of semen collection was efficient. The following semen parameter results were obtained: volume (0.68 ±0.14 ml), motility (61.11±11.54%), sperm concentration (3.29±1.33 x10 9 sptz/ml), and number of spermatozoa per ejaculate (2.40±1.38x10 9 sptz/ml). Morphological abnormalities were analyzed and recorded. Testosterone levels were statistically different (p = 0.0161) between the breeding and non-breeding season (53.28±18.41 ng/ml and 5:57±3.81 ng/ml, respectively). Variations in phallus size were also found between the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Larger phalluses and higher testosterone levels were correlated with dominant behavior. The results of the present experiment confirmed that it is possible to collect semen from rheas, allowing the future use of biotechnologies such as artificial insemination.