Anti-Müllerian hormone in female dromedary camel and its association with super-ovulatory response in embryo donors

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has a conserved role in regulating the reproductive cycle in several species. Its circulating concentration reflects the size of the growing primordial follicle reserve and is a reliable predictor of superovulation response in embryo/oocyte donors. This study investigated the possible application of AMH measurement in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) multiple ovulation embryo transfer programs. In experiment 1, the follicular cycle of synchronized and naturally cycling camels (n = 12) was monitored. Blood was collected at 6 timepoints in 2 consecutive cycles corresponding to emergence, mid-cycle, and dominance in both group and hormonal fluctuations were evaluated for repeatability of measurements within and between cycles. In experiment 2, the correlation between circulating AMH concentrations prior to initiation of superovulation and the outcome of superovulation was evaluated. The results were compared between donors with higher (n = 7) and lower than median (n = 8) AMH values. Mean AMH concentrations in synchronized and non-synchronized camels were 1.46 ± 0.15 and 0.95 ± 0.09, respectively. Intercycle and intracycle values of AMH showed high repeatability in camels of both groups (>96.4% and >92.74%, respectively) with significant correlations between values at different stages of the ovarian cycle (Emergence and mid-cycle: R2 = 0.82; emergence and. dominance: R2 = 0.86; Mid-cycle and dominance: R2 = 0.93, P < 0.05). Total follicles, CLs, and recovered embryos were highly correlated with AMH values prior to superovulation (R2 = 0.64, R2 = 0.77, and R2 = 0.64, respectively, P < 0.05). A greater number of developed follicles prior to mating (17.00 ± 2.09 vs. 7.62 ± 1.06), CLs (12.58 ± 1.36 vs. 5.12 ± 0.93), transferable (10.85 ± 1,31 vs. 3.37 ± 0.82), and spherical embryos (8.14 ± 1.07 vs. 2.62 ± 0.7) were observed in camels with higher than median concentrations of AMH (P < 0.05). Fluctuations in estradiol and progesterone did not affect variations in mean AMH values (r2 < 0.19 and r2 < 0.24, respectively, P > 0.05). In conclusion, highly consistent AMH values in dromedary camels are a reliable predictor of superovulation response and outcome in dromedary camels.

A comparative evaluation of methods for estimating the colostrum quality in sows

ABSTRACT Colostrum is the main source of immunoglobulins (Ig) for neonate piglets and plays a crucial role within the health and growth of the piglet. Currently in pig farming, there are still no widespread practical methods for measuring the Ig concentration in colostrum at herd level. We evaluated sows’ colostrum IgG concentration using an optical and a digital Brix refractometer and their performance was correlated to an IgG ELISA test, and flow cytometry. Colostrum concentrations of IgG and IgA averaged 74.05 ± 21.37mg/mL and 20.2 ± 5.32mg/mL respectively. The mean value of the Brix percentages for optical refractometer was 26.32%, and for digital was 28.32%. The Brix refractometer measurements of colostrum samples presented high correlation for IgG content analyzed by ELISA (Optical = 0.74, Digital = 0.87; P <0.001). Considering the immunophenotyping, the values for IgG and IgA lymphoblasts indicated a highly significant relationship to ELISA (IgG=0.77, IgA=0.84; P<0.001). The Brix refractometer can be considered a useful tool to be included in a colostrum monitoring program to improve potentially neonatal health. In addition, we demonstrated that flow cytometry can be an important tool to analyze and characterize the immunological potential of sow colostrum.

Inventory construction to track cognitive profiles compatible with intellectual disability, ADHD, and dyslexia in children between 6 to 11 years old

Introduction

The most frequent complaints from children referred to psychiatry and psychologist are related to academic and attentional impairments, or developmental delay, which are shared by many conditions.

Objectives

To develop an inventory that evaluates cognitive functions of children between 6 to 11 years old to track cognitive profiles compatible with Intellectual Disability, ADHD, and dyslexia to assist in differential diagnosis.

Methods

In study 1 (identification of the relevant constructs, operational definition, and items development), data were collected from parents of children and professionals who serve this population; articles, verification of screening instruments and identification of cognitive impairments by the DSM-5. In study 2, an analysis of judges with professionals was carried out, as well as a verification of the items’ clarity by the target population; In study 3, we looked for evidence of validity and precision indicators with a sample of 272 parents and 178 teachers of 72 children diagnosed with one of the three disorders and 207 that had no suspect of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Results

For the parent version, the four-factor solution was the most appropriate, with the following Scales: Attention, Executive Functions, Intelligence and Oral Language. The final version for parents was composed of 60 items, with excellent internal consistency indices (coefficients> 0.90).

Conclusions

ROC curves expressed good sensitivity and specificity of the scales for each disorder. Future studies have to expand the sample size of children diagnosed with one of the three disorders so that new analyzes can be performed and the results can be generalizable to the population.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Anestesia intravenosa contínua com cetamina racêmica ou dextrocetamina e detomidina em cadelas

RESUMO Objetivou-se com este estudo comparar a associação de detomidina e cetamina ou dextrocetamina, por via intravenosa contínua, em oito cadelas submetidas a dois protocolos: GCD - indução anestésica com 5mg/kg e infusão intravenosa contínua de 20mg/kg/h de cetamina; e GDD - indução com 3,5mg/kg e infusão de 14mg/kg/h de dextrocetamina. Associou-se detomidina, 30µg/kg/h, em ambos os grupos. Registraram-se frequência cardíaca (FC), pressão arterial (PA), frequência respiratória (f), temperatura (TC), miorrelaxamento, analgesia, hemogasometria e eletrocardiograma, antes e 15 minutos após a MPA (Mbasal e Mmpa); após o início da infusão (Mic); a cada 10 minutos até 90 minutos (M10, M20, M30, M40, M50, M60, M70, M80 e M90); e 30 minutos após o fim da infusão (M120). Foi observada bradicardia em Mmpa no GCD e de Mmpa a M10 no GDD. Ocorreu hipotensão em Mmpa e hipertensão a partir de Mic. A f diminuiu de M10 a M30. Foram observados: onda T de alta amplitude, bloqueios atrioventriculares e parada sinusal. Ocorreu acidose respiratória. O período de recuperação foi de 219,6±72,3 minutos no GCD e de 234,1±96,8 minutos no GDD. A cetamina e a dextrocetamina, associadas à detomidina por infusão contínua, causam efeitos cardiorrespiratórios e anestésicos similares.

Valores ecobiométricos e índice de resistividade da artéria oftálmica externa em catetos (Tayassu tajacu, Linnaeus, 1758)

RESUMO Foram avaliados ultrassonograficamente, pela via transpalpebral, 28 bulbos oculares de 14 catetos adultos, através de técnica padronizada pelo operador. Adicionalmente foi realizado o estudo hemodinâmico da artéria oftálmica externa pela técnica de Doppler colorido. Os dados coletados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo programa Bioestat 5.0 for Windows, adotando-se 5% de significância. Com a metodologia empregada, obtiveram-se os seguintes valores para os globos oculares direito e esquerdo, respectivamente D1: 1,72 ± 0,29mm e 1,76 ± 0,40mm; D2: 9,95 ± 1,08mm e 10,6 ± 0,99mm; D3: 7,42 ± 0,93mm e 7,45 ± 0,72mm e D4: 17,6 ± 0,78mm e 17,8 ± 0,59mm. Os valores médios do índice de resistividade da artéria oftálmica externa foram 0,435 ± 0,02 e 0,448 ± 0,02 (globos oculares direito e esquerdo, respectivamente). Não houve diferença estatística quanto aos antímeros oculares em nenhum dos parâmetros estudados. Conclui-se que a ecobiometria ocular e a Dopplerfluxometria da artéria oftálmica na espécie Tayassu tajacu é executável e reprodutível, desde que haja domínio do examinador em relação à anatomia e à técnica adequada. Os valores inferidos neste estudo servem de referência para médicos veterinários no diagnóstico de doenças oculares.

Advancing in the institutionalization of Evidence-Informed Policy in Brazil

EVIPNet Brazil was launched in 2007, coordinated by the Ministry of Health. Its expansion has promoted the institutionalization of a national knowledge translation platform, and has also been active at the local level. Local Health Evidence Labs were implemented to institucionalize working groups linked to EVIPNet. In this multiple case study, we discuss the advances in the institutionalization of Evidence-Informed Policy-making in Brazil, based on a mapping of the Health Evidence Labs' institutional capacity to acquire, evaluate, adapt and apply evidence and analyzed organizational arrangements and implementation barriers. The coordinators of 15 responded to a self-assessment questionnaire from the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation. The main products reported are evidence briefs and deliberative dialogues focused on regional problems, training activities and different kinds of rapid responses. Health Evidence Labs have the resources to acquire and evaluate research evidence, but have a low capacity to adapt and apply evidence, indicating that they do not have all the factors (skills, structures, processes, and organizational culture) to promote and use research results in decision-making. The lower capacity to 'adapt' and 'apply' evidence may be related to low development of exchange process with external experts. Governance is joined between managers of the departments with technical bodies; the service provision occurs to attend internal and external demands; financing is public or utilizing public research calls. The implementation barriers described are the staff turnover, inadequate funding arragements for develop knowledge translation products, paid access to evidence databases, lack of a repository for their production, and lack of monitoring and evaluation. Brazil has improved in the institutionalization of evidence-informed policy but still some important barriers to achieve a complete national knowledge translation platform.

Key messages

Brazil has institutionalized evidence-informed policy from the structuring of EVIPNet Brazil Network. To achieve the network sustainability, it is vital to consider the alignment of organizational elements with an emphasis on governance, financing, and its monitoring.

218 Urine samples as a noninvasive source of induced pluripotent cells in the swine model

Noninvasive collection of cells used for generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) generation would simplify its use for regenerative and reproductive purposes in veterinary medicine, although it is still unpublished in species other than humans. This study aimed to derive urine progenitor cells (UPCs) invitro from urine samples collected from swine, and then to reprogram them into iPSCs. For that, urine samples were collected from three females, and cells were isolated and cultured from each following the human UPCs protocol (Steichen et al. 2017 Curr. Protoc. Hum. Genet. 21, 7.1-21.7.22; https://doi.org/10.1002/cphg.26). Approximately 200mL of urine samples were collected in sterile flasks and centrifuged at 300×g; the pellet was washed in Dulbecco's PBS, resuspended, and cultured in 45% Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM)-high glucose, 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 50% Renal Epithelial Cell Growth basal medium (REBM) supplemented with 1% glutamine, 1% nonessential amino acids (NEAA), penicillin/streptomycin (P/S), and REGM supplements hEGF, insulin, hydrocortisone, GA-1000, FBS, transferrin, triiodothyronine, epinephrine (Lonza), and 10ngmL−1 basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The UPCs first colonies were observed approximately 1 week after and resembled epithelial-like cells. At passage 2, one cell line was transduced with murine OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and C-MYC cDNAs (OSKM) using a lentiviral vector. After 5 days, cells were plated onto mouse embryonic fibroblasts and cultured in knockout DMEM/F12, 20% knockout serum replacement, NEAA, L-glutamine, 2-mercaptoethanol, and P/S supplemented with 10ngmL−1 bFGF. Efficiency of reprogramming was 8.45%, measured by analysing the number of typical iPSC colonies relative to the transduced cells plated, after ~12 days. Three clonal lines (C1, C4, and C6) were maintained invitro and characterised regarding pluripotency markers for at least 30 passages. All three lines were positive for alkaline phosphatase activity in passages 15 and also 22. Immunocytochemistry analysis revealed that C6 (passage 22) was positive for the pluripotency genes OCT4 (1:100, SC), SOX2 (1:500, AB), SSEA1 (1:50, SC), TRA1- 81 (1:50, Millipore), and NANOG (1:100, AB), whereas C1 and C4 (passages 23 and 22, respectively) were positive only for OCT4, SOX2, and SSEA1. The expression of exogenous and endogenous pluripotency factors (OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG) was evaluated by qRT-PCR, comparing the three clonal lines at passages 16/17 and 21/22 and comparing different passages (10, 11, 14, 17, and 22) on C1 line. No statistical difference was observed between cell lines when compared in different passages, perhaps because of the great variation between lines. However, analysis of C1 line over time showed that pluripotency genes increased and exogenous vector expression decreased during early passages (±10 passages); however, after passage 17, OCT4 and NANOG decreased whereas SOX2 and exogenous vector expression increased. In conclusion, it was possible to reprogram UPCs into iPSCs and maintain them in culture for at least 30 passages; however, iPSCS were dependent on exogenous factors. These results represent the partial reprogramming of UPCs to iPSCs in animals for the first time, enabling the generation of invitro disease models using a noninvasive method. Financial support for this study was received from FAPESP (2019/02811-2, 2015/26818-5), CNPq (433133/2018-0), and CAPES.

Aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos de infecção por Mycobacterium bovis em gato doméstico - relato de caso

RESUMO Este artigo tem como objetivo relatar um caso de infecção por Mycobacterium bovis em um gato doméstico, com seis meses de idade, enfatizando seus aspectos clínicos e terapêuticos. O felino apresentava como histórico a ingestão de leite de vaca não fervido e posteriormente desenvolveu sinais de anorexia, tosse não produtiva e linfadenomegalia. Para elucidação do diagnóstico, foram realizados exames complementares de imagem, hematológicos, citológicos e reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Diante da confirmação de infecção por Mycobacterium, o tratamento foi instituído por meio da associação de três antimicrobianos (enrofloxacino 5mg/kg, claritromicina 10mg/kg e rifampicina 15mg/kg), por via oral, a cada 12 horas, aos quais o animal respondeu positivamente, apresentando significativa diminuição dos sinais clínicos; entretanto, após 60 dias de tratamento, foi a óbito devido a um atropelamento. Conclui-se que a realização do tratamento em gatos com tuberculose pode ocasionar melhora dos sinais clínicos e que, embora de ocorrência rara no Brasil, essa enfermidade deve ser incluída como diagnóstico diferencial das enfermidades infecciosas nessa espécie.

An overview of anti-diabetic plants used in Gabon: Pharmacology and toxicology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The management of diabetes mellitus management in African communities, especially in Gabon, is not well established as more than 60% of population rely on traditional treatments as primary healthcare. The aim of this review was to collect and present the scientific evidence for the use of medicinal plants that are in currect by Gabonese traditional healers to manage diabetes or hyperglycaemia based here on the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of plants with anti-diabetic activity. There are presented in order to promote their therapeutic value, ensure a safer use by population and provide some bases for further study on high potential plants reviewed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnobotanical studies were sourced using databases such as Online Wiley library, Pubmed, Google Scholar, PROTA, books and unpublished data including Ph.D. and Master thesis, African and Asian journals. Keywords including 'Diabetes', 'Gabon', 'Toxicity', 'Constituents', 'hyperglycaemia' were used.

RESULTS

A total of 69 plants currently used in Gabon with potential anti-diabetic activity have been identified in the literature, all of which have been used in in vivo or in vitro studies. Most of the plants have been studied in human or animal models for their ability to reduce blood glucose, stimulate insulin secretion or inhibit carbohydrates enzymes. Active substances have been identified in 12 out of 69 plants outlined in this review, these include Allium cepa and Tabernanthe iboga. Only eight plants have their active substances tested for anti-diabetic activity and are suitables for further investigation. Toxicological data is scarce and is dose-related to the functional parameters of major organs such as kidney and liver.

CONCLUSION

An in-depth understanding on the pharmacology and toxicology of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is lacking yet there is a great scope for new treatments. With further research, the use of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is important to ensure the safety of the diabetic patients in Gabon.

Abstract P5-22-19: Nipple sparing mastectomy in unselect patients: Experience of an academic center in the south of Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Nipple sparing mastectomy (NSM) consists in the complete excision of the breast gland, mantaining the subcutaneous tissue, skin and nipple-areola complex (NAC). Recently, the NSM was developed as a therapeutic option not just for the patients that need risk-reducing surgery, but also for patients that have tumors not involving the NAC.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the overall survival, disease-free survival and local recurrence of the patients that underwent NSM. The only exclusion criteria for NSM was lesion at the NAC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study that evaluate the number of cases of NSM performed between 2003 and 2015 in a private sector in the south of Brazil.

RESULTS: A total of 224 patients underwent NSM during the period of 2003-2015. The mean age was 47 years. From the total, 43 patients underwent risk-reducing NSM and 181 therapeutic NSM (64 unilateral and 117 bilateral). In those cases of bilateral procedures all of them underwent risk-reducing surgery on the contralateral breast (there were no bilateral cancers). Of this 181 cases, 108 (59%) have familiar history of breast cancer, considering first, second and third-degree relatives. Twenty six patients (14%) have history of previous breast cancer diagnosed. In this group of 181 patients with therapeutic NSM, 29 (16%) developed any unfavorable outcomes, 13 (7%) local recurrence, 4 (2%) ipsilateral node recurrence, 3 (1,6%) contralateral recurrence and 9 (5%) distant metastasis. None of the local recurrences occurred at the NAC, neither the cited unfavorable outcomes occurred in the risk-reducing setting. In a median follow-up of 47,7 months, the overall survival was 95% (8 deaths related to breast cancer) and the disease-free survival was 83,7%.

CONCLUSIONS: The overall survival rates of 95% at 47 months of follow-up is similar to the literature rates, that range from 93 to 97% in 5 years, depending on study's inclusion criterias. In our study, 14% of patients had previous breast cancer and 59% of patients treated for breast cancer by NSM had positive familiar history of breast cancer. This results in an unselected group of patients confirms the safety of this therapeutic method as an option for breast cancer patients.

Citation Format: Frasson A, Zerwes F, Souza A, Rossato N, Miranda I, Trindade V, Vollbrecht B, Santos M, Viegas J. Nipple sparing mastectomy in unselect patients: Experience of an academic center in the south of Brazil [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-22-19.

Toxoplasma gondii in milk of naturally infected dairy ewes on west mesoregion of Santa Catarina state, Brazil

ABSTRACT This study aimed to detect Toxoplasma gondii in the milk of dairy sheep in the Western mesorregion of state of Santa Catarina by bioassay (22 milk samples from eight ewes seropositive; IFA ≥256) and PCR [for the detection of agent in the brains of mice inoculated on bioassay and directly from milk (108 samples from 42 seropositive ewes (IFA, ≥64) in different lactation periods)]. T. gondii DNA was detected in mice brains inoculated with milk from eight sheep (a sample of the 45th day of lactation and seven in the collection of 90th day) and directly from the milk in samples of the second collection (90 days) in five animals. Taking into account both assays, from a total of 42 ewes in lactation and seropositive for T. gondii, 30.95% (13/42) of the animals presented evidences of T. gondii presence in milk. Positive PCR samples were sequenced and the results confirmed ≥97% identity with the membrane antigen P22 gene of T. gondii. The results showed that T. gondii is present in the milk of sheep, representing a possible source of infection to humans through the consumption of milk "in natura" and/or derivatives, besides the possibility of lactogenic transmission to lambs.

Intestinal intussusception secondary to enteritis caused by Pythium insidiosum in a bitch: case report

ABSTRACT We report a case of intestinal intussusception secondary to enteritis caused by Pythium insidiosum infection in a 1-year-old mixed breed bitch that died after a 30-day history of bloody diarrhea, anorexia, weight loss, listlessness, dehydration, and pale mucous membranes. Necropsy revealed two areas of intussusception, one jejunum-jejunal and one ileum-cecum-colic. The first intussusception showed slight congestion of the intestinal loop, which was resolved by manual traction, while the second intussusception exhibited thickening, irregular yellow spots, and transmural congestion. Histologically, the jejunum-jejunal segment had ischemic lesions secondary and ileum-cecum-colic intussusception there was also necrotizing, pyogranulomatous enteritis associated with negative images of intralesional fungal hyphae that were well visualized by silver impregnation. Immunohistochemistry identified the hyphae as Pythium insidiosum. The diagnosis was made based on the histological changes and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. We can conclude that enteritis by P. insidiosum in dogs can occasionally cause intestinal intussusception and result in acute death.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from naturally infected Gallus domesticus in Santa Catarina state, Brazil

ABSTRACT Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis that can infect warm-blooded animals including birds and humans, and chickens are considered to be indicators of environmental contamination. In Brazil, Toxoplasma gondii has a non-clonal population structure composed of three lineages (I, II, and III), presenting high recombination, and resulting in wide genetic diversity. This study aimed to genetically characterize T. gondii isolates from naturally infected chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil region. Sera from 133 free-range chickens were analyzed by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to detect IgG antibodies against T. gondii. Brain and heart from 30 positive animals, based on IFA (≥ 1:64), were used to isolate the parasite using a mouse bioassay. Strain genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP using 12 genetic markers (SAG1, 5´-3´SAG2, alt. SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, Apico, and CS3). The results were classified according to the genotypes based on the ToxoDB (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). Of 133 chicken sera analyzed, 84 (63.16%) were positive, with antibody titers ranging from 16 to 1024. Eleven isolates were obtained from mouse bioassay (Ck3, Ck32, Ck35, Ck56, Ck63, Ck89, Ck102, Ck103, Ck125, Ck127, and Ck128). Genotyping revealed six genotypes; three were classified as #26, #53, and #120, and three (NEO1, NEO2, and NEO3) were had not been previously described. No clonal lineages of type I, II, or III were identified. The present study confirms the high genetic diversity of T. gondii in Brazil.

Primeiro registro de Amblyomma geayi (Acari: ixodidae) em preguiça (Bradypus variegatus) no estado do Acre, Amazônia Ocidental: relato de caso

RESUMO O Amblyomma geayi é um carrapato da família Ixodidae, encontrado principalmente em mamíferos e aves silvestres de regiões tropicais da América do Sul. Descreve-se a ocorrência de um carrapato ixodídeo da espécie A. geayi, encontrado em uma preguiça (Bradypus variegatus) proveniente do Parque Zoobotânico da Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Amazônia Ocidental.

Spontaneous Resolution of a Ruptured Dissecting PICA Aneurysm

Spontaneous dissecting aneurysms (SDAs) seldom involve the intradural vertebral artery VA, the posterior cerebral, basilar or postero inferior cerebellar arteries (PICAs), where they produce subarachnoid haemorrhage and/or ischaemia.

These lesions may develop spontaneously or occasionally after minor trauma and occur in young people in whom there is no underlying abnormality to explain the appearance of the dissection in most cases.

Spontaneous dissecting aneurysm of the PICA is rare and its natural history is not well understood. Surgery or endovascular treatment for PICA dissection remain controversial because they suggest vessel occlusion. Only in a few cases is the bypass between the occipital artery and the PICA possible with trapping of the dissected segment. Reinforcement of the arterial wall does not seem efficient and the surgical approach per se with sole exclusion of the aneurysm may be disastrous.

We describe two cases of SDA of PICA that presented with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), treated conservatively, with spontaneous cure of the lesions, angiographically confirmed at mid-time follow-up of five and four months. These favourable spontaneous thromboses, like 11 other similar case reported in the literature, did not show any rebleed. The possibility of a benign clinical course of this lesion exists; clinical and angiographic management of the patient before a decision for a aggressive treatment is proposed.

Endophytic bacteria from banana cultivars and their antifungal activity

Endophytic microorganisms consist of fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes that play important roles in the process of plant adaptation to the environment. Currently, the natural associations between microorganisms and plant species are being explored for a large number of biotechnological applications. In this study, 122 endophytic bacteria were isolated from 5 cultivars of Musa spp from the state of Amazonas (Brazil). Four strains were selected because they exhibited antagonistic activities against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp cubense and Colletotrichum guaranicola, with inhibitions ranging from 19 to 30% and 27 to 35%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA regions of these bacteria with antifungal activity showed that they are phylogenetically related to 3 different species of Bacillus - B. amyloliquefaciens, B. subtilis subsp subtilis, and B. thuringiensis.

Genetic diversity of Mycosphaerella fijiensis in Brazil analyzed using an ERIC-PCR marker

The Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) marker was used to analyze the genetic variability of Mycosphaerella fijiensis, the causative agent of Black Sigatoka disease in banana plants. A total of 123 isolates were used, which were divided into populations based on their original hosts and collection sites in Brazil. A total of 9 loci were amplified, 77.8% of which were found to be polymorphic. The genetic diversity found in the population was 0.20. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) demonstrated that the highest level of genetic variation is within populations. Cluster analysis revealed three main groups in Brazil, with no correlation between geographic and genetic distance.

Variation of surface ozone in Campo Grande, Brazil: meteorological effect analysis and prediction

The effect of meteorological variables on surface ozone (O3) concentrations was analysed based on temporal variation of linear correlation and artificial neural network (ANN) models defined by genetic algorithms (GAs). ANN models were also used to predict the daily average concentration of this air pollutant in Campo Grande, Brazil. Three methodologies were applied using GAs, two of them considering threshold models. In these models, the variables selected to define different regimes were daily average O3 concentration, relative humidity and solar radiation. The threshold model that considers two O3 regimes was the one that correctly describes the effect of important meteorological variables in O3 behaviour, presenting also a good predictive performance. Solar radiation, relative humidity and rainfall were considered significant for both O3 regimes; however, wind speed (dispersion effect) was only significant for high concentrations. According to this model, high O3 concentrations corresponded to high solar radiation, low relative humidity and wind speed. This model showed to be a powerful tool to interpret the O3 behaviour, being useful to define policy strategies for human health protection regarding air pollution.

Tranquilização de asininos com acepromazina associada ou não ao diazepam

Avaliaram-se os efeitos da acepromazina isolada ou associada ao diazepam em asininos. Cinco asininos foram submetidos a dois protocolos anestésicos: os do grupo acepromazina (AC) receberam acepromazina, 0,1mg/kg/IV, e os do grupo acepromazina-diazepam (ACD), acepromazina na mesma dose e via do AC, associada ao diazepam, 0,1mg/kg/IV. Foram mensuradas as frequências cardíaca (FC) e respiratória (FR) e a temperatura retal (TR) e analisadas variáveis eletrocardiográficas, tranquilização, período de latência, início do prolapso peniano e grau de ataxia. A tranquilização iniciou-se aos 10,4±0,9 minutos nos asininos do AC e aos 4,8±1,1 nos do ACD. Ocorreu prolapso peniano aos 4,2±1,3min no AC e aos 2,7±0,4 no ACD. A FC elevou-se aos 15 e 30min no AC. Não ocorreu variação significativa nas variáveis eletrocardiográficas e na temperatura retal. A FR diminuiu no AC a partir de 60min e no ACD a partir de 30min. A distância focinho-solo reduziu-se significativamente em ambos os grupos e nos momentos a partir de 15min. Concluiu-se que a acepromazina promove tranquilização discreta, e a adição do diazepam potencializa a tranquilização, diminui o período de latência e aumenta a ataxia.

Avaliação da eficácia do fipronil em Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus em tratamentos consecutivos

A realização deste trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia do fipronil em Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, durante e após 14 tratamentos, no período de dezembro de 2006 a abril de 2009. O experimento foi realizado em uma propriedade rural do município de Lages, SC, utilizando-se 20 bovinos mestiços charolês mantidos em campo nativo, naturalmente infestados com R. (B.) microplus. A cada 14 dias, foram realizadas contagens das fêmeas de carrapato, maior ou igual a 4,5mm. Os animais foram tratados com fipronil 1mg/kg via pour on, quando a média do número de carrapatos foi igual ou superior a 40 fêmeas. Ao final do experimento, para análise da eficácia do fipronil 1%, foi realizado o teste de estábulo, utilizando 10 animais infestados com larvas provenientes de teleóginas coletadas de bovinos da propriedade. Os animais foram randomizados, de acordo com a produção inicial de teleóginas, estabelecendo-se dois grupos: controle (n=5) e tratado (n=5). A redução da média do número de fêmeas de R. (B.) microplus nas contagens após tratamentos foi de 100% nos três primeiros, com um leve declínio até o sexto tratamento. No sétimo tratamento a redução foi de 91,3%. Ao final do experimento a eficácia do fipronil 1%, avaliada pelo teste de estábulo, na redução do número de teleóginas, foi de 79,3%. A porcentagem média de inibição de reprodução calculada foi de 22,47%. Concluiu-se que, após seis tratamentos com fipronil, média de um a cada 2,7 meses, o princípio ativo deve ser substituído e que, após 14 tratamentos, o R. (B.) microplus adquiriu resistência parcial a esse carrapaticida.

Miocardite crônica em um cão naturalmente infectado com Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum chagasi: aspectos clínicos e patológicos

A leishmaniose visceral (LV) é uma doença infecciosa crônica frequentemente fatal causada pela Leishmania infantum chagasi nas Américas. A enfermidade pode acometer vários órgãos, determinando diferentes manifestações clínicas. Contudo o envolvimento do coração raramente tem sido reportado em cães infectados por Leishmania sp. Dessa forma, descreve-se um caso de miocardite crônica com repercussões clínicas e patológicas em um cão naturalmente infectado por Leishmania infantum chagasi. A positividade para Leishmaniose Visceral foi determinada pela presença de anticorpos antiLeishmania sp. nos testes sorológicos (RIFI, ELISA e DPP) e confirmada por visualização de formas amastigotas de Leishmania sp. em punção aspirativa do linfonodo poplíteo. O exame cardiovascular revelou alterações radiográficas, eletrocardiográficas, na pressão arterial e nos biomarcardores cardíacos. Após eutanásia, amostras de tecido cardíaco foram avaliadas histologicamente e submetidas à imunomarcação, onde foi observado infiltrado mononuclear (plasmo-histiolinfocitário), com presença de estruturas arredondadas de coloracão marrom-amareladas (imunomarcadas), indicando formas amastigotas de Leishmania infantum chagasi no miocárdio. Os aspectos etiopatogênicos da leishmaniose visceral sobre o miocárdio neste caso podem estar relacionados tanto à presença do parasita quanto à resposta "reacional inespecífica" do tecido à agressão do parasita no organismo. Todavia ainda não se sabem se as cepas de Leishmania infantum chagasi da região semiárida paraibana apresentam algum tropismo por tecido cardíaco ou se induzem a reação imunológica cruzada, com implicações clínicas.

Antibodies against rickettsiae from spotted fever groups in horses from two mesoregions in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil

Bacteria of the Rickettsia genus are agents of Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF), a zoonotic disease which is difficult to diagnose, evolves quickly and can result in death. Antibodies against Rickettsia spp. in horses were studied, by means of Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFAT ≥64), in 150 blood samples taken from animals in two Santa Catarina mesoregions (Planalto Serrano and Vale do Itajaí). The overall occurrence of Rickettsia spp. antibodies in horses was 18.66%, with cross-reactivity occurring in all positive samples for at least two of the species tested. Separately, according to the species, 25 (16.66%) samples were positive for R. rickettsii, 15 (10%) for R. parkeri, 22 (14.66%) for R. amblyommii, 23 (15.33%) for R. rhipicephali, 16 (10.66%) for R. bellii and 19 (12.66%) for R. felis. Only two animals resulted in a conclusive serodiagnosis, one for R. bellii and the other for R. rickettsii, at maximum dilutions of 1:4096 and 1:512, respectively. The occurrence of antibodies against Rickettsia spp. in horses from two mesoregions in the state of Santa Catarina indicates the movement of BSF agents in these sentinel animals and confirms the importance of studying spotted fever in the state of Santa Catarina.

Phytochemical screening and cytotoxicity studies of Chrysophyllum pruniforme Pierre ex Engl. barks

Background:

Chrysophyllum pruniforme of family sapotaceae is a plant used in traditional medicine in Gabon.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, C. pruniforme barks were subjected to phytochemical screening and cytotoxicity investigations. Different concentrations of aqueous and total phenolic extract were tested on mice and on human erythrocytes.

Results:

Phytochemical screening of C. pruniforme barks revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, reducing sugars, polyphenols and traces of anthraquinones. When tested in vitro, aqueous and the phenolic extracts showed hemolytic activities on human erythrocytes with phenolic compounds being more cytotoxic than aqueous extracts. In vivo study of toxicity, allowed to determine the LD₅₀ at 90 mg/kg for the doses of 50, 150 and 250 mg/kg of body weight.

Conclusion:

These data indicate in one hand that C. pruniforme is rich in phenolic compounds and that the aqueous and total phenolic extracts could be considered as toxic for mice and maybe potentially toxic to humans in the other hand.

Cafeteria diet-induced obesity plus chronic stress alter serum leptin levels

Obesity is a disease that has become a serious public health issue worldwide, and chronic stressors, which are a problem for modern society, cause neuroendocrine changes with alterations in food intake. Obesity and chronic stress are associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. In this study, a rat model was used to evaluate the effects of a hypercaloric diet plus chronic restraint stress on the serum leptin and lipids levels and on the weight of specific adipose tissue (mesenteric, MAT; subcutaneous, SAT and visceral, VAT). Wistar rats were divided into the following 4 groups: standard chow (C), hypercaloric diet (HD), stress plus standard chow (S), and stress plus hypercaloric diet (SHD). The animals in the stress groups were subjected to chronic stress (placed inside a 25 cm × 7 cm plastic tube for 1h per day, 5 days per week for 6 weeks). The following parameters were evaluated: the weight of the liver, adrenal glands and specific adipose tissue; the delta weight; the Lee index; and the serum levels of leptin, corticosterone, glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. The hypercaloric diet induced obesity in rats, increasing the Lee index, weight, leptin, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels. The stress decreased weight gain even in animals fed a hypercaloric diet but did not prevent a significant increase in the Lee index. However, an interaction between the independent factors (hypercaloric diet and stress) was observed, which is demonstrated by the increased serum leptin levels in the animals exposed to both protocols.