Light and electron microscopy were used to analyse the process of interaction of Streptococcus agalactiae (serotypes Ia, III, and V) with resident and activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Transmission electron microscopy showed that adherence of the S. agalactiae serotype Ia, but not III and V serotypes, to the surface of activated macrophages triggers the respiratory oxidative burst as revealed by the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) [NAD(P)H]-oxidase in the phagocytic vacuoles. Fusion of macrophage lysosomes with bacteria-containing phagocytic vacuoles was observed in macrophages treated with Lucifer yellow as well as by localization of acid phosphatase for all serotypes.

A previous study using the 2'3'cyclic nucleotide 3'phosphodiesterase (CNPase), an oligodendroglial marker that also stain ensheathed fibers, showed a decrease in the number of immunoreactive fibers and a change in the pattern of CNPase immunoreactivity (CNPase+) in hypothyroid animals. CNPase+ fibers, in mature hypothyroid animals, showed a continuous pattern of staining in contrast with a discontinuous one in controls. As CNPase, in adult animals, can be found only in regions in which oligodendrocyte cytoplasm remains as internal, external and paranodal loops, it was suggested that the reduction of thyroid hormone levels leads to a failure in myelin compaction. Previous data showed a higher frequency of some abnormalities in myelin sheath as multiple cytoplasmic loops and redundant myelin profiles in mutant animals that present a failure in myelin compaction. The increase in the frequency of these abnormalities (multiple internal and external loops and redundant myelin) indicates a failure in the interrelations between the axons and the oligodendroglial processes. To verify if the thyroid hormone deficiency during CNS development disturbs these interrelations, we evaluated the frequency of the morphological abnormalities (multiple internal and external loops and redundant myelin) in myelin sheath of corpus callosum (cc) in experimental hypothyroidism. Randomic fields were kept by electron microscopy and the analysis of the frequency of morphological abnormalities showed a significant difference in hypothyroid animals at 60-day-old (PND60), with no significant differences at 90-day-old (PND90) animals. The frequency of multiple internal loops is higher in hypothyroid animals at PND60 that indicates a disturbance in the wrapping by the oligodendroglial process. These findings showed that thyroid hormone might modulate the axon-oligodendroglial relationships that are important for the adequate temporal sequence of events that occur during myelinogenesis, with possible consequences on myelin compaction.

Light and electron microscopy were used to analyse the process of interaction of normal and antibody-coated Tritrichomonas foetus with resident and activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Activated macrophages ingest more parasites than do resident macrophages. Previous incubation of the parasites in the presence of sub-agglutinating concentrations of a polyclonal anti-T. foetus antibody significantly increased their ingestion by the macrophages. Adherence of the parasites to the surface of activated macrophages triggers the respiratory oxidative burst as revealed by reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium. This process was more evident in antibody-coated parasites. Transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) [NAD(P)H]-oxidase in the portions of the macrophage plasma membrane that were in contact with the parasites as well as in the phagocytic vacuoles. Fusion of macrophage lysosomes with parasite-containing phagocytic vacuoles was observed in macrophages labeled with Lucifer yellow and gold-labeled peroxidase as well as by localisation of acid phosphatase.

SUMMARY:The Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) is an endemic primate of the Brazilian Atlantic coastal rainforest, still under serious extinction risk. Just a few is know about its anatomy, specifically the muscle unions. Due to the reasons exposed before, aiming understanding the locomotion of this and others primates, we decided to study the morphology and morphometry of the gracilis and sartorius muscles, and the relation between them, in three Leontopithecus species.The current study examined 18 adult animal carcasses, of both sexes and with no physical abnormalities on the studied region. The material belongs to the Rio de Janeiro Primatology Center collection. The posterior members were dissected till the gracilis and sartorius muscles level, when were executed the morphometry, obtaining the cross section area and the histological analysis of the macroscopic between the gracilis muscle and the sartorius muscle.We described the morphology of the gracilis muscle and sartorius muscle, obtained the average muscle morphometry values and studied, histologically, the union between these muscles.The morphological and morphometric analysis allow us suggest descriptive parameters for these muscles the histological analysis allow us conclude the gracilis muscle and sartorius muscle fibers are not linked, but kept together by a conjunctive tissue, thus, being inserted into the medial side of the tibia. Functionally, we believe the gracilis muscle and the sartorius muscle shall contribute on the active containment of the knee joint and on the biomechanics of the posterior members, of these primates, known as runners. 216 muscles, in the general mobility and locomotion of these animals. These facts leaded us to study the morphology, macro and microscopic, of the muscle union found on the Leontopithecus. MATERIAL AND METHODThe studied samples numbered 18 carcasses, from adult animals, considering the presence of the molar teeth Hershkovitz (1977). Three Leontopithecus species were used: rosalia (Golden Lion Tamarin), chrysomelas (Golden Headed Lion Tamarin) and chrysopygus (Black Lion Tamarin), all captive bred, of both sexes and with no visual deformations, belonging to the Rio de Janeiro Primatology Center (CPRJ-FEEMA) collection.The biometry of these animals was executed after death in order to obtain the measures and the data were recorded on a proper model. Afterwards, the animals were stored immerse in a formol solution (15%), backwards down, with anterior and posterior members abducted and deflexed Coimbra-Filho, (1985) (Fig. 1).After fixing the carcass in a table, in the position used for conservation, the dissection started with plans through a longitudinal and a anterior incision, at the medial portion of the thigh, and through two more transverse incisions: one at the anterior superior iliac spine level and another one at the tibia tuberosity. After fascia removal, the muscles were visualized and individualized (Fig. 2).Muscle Morphometry: The muscle morphometry was achieved obtaining the following m...