Extenders and cryosolutions for Grumata (Prochilodus vimboides) sperm preservation

BACKGROUND

Prochilodus vimboides populations are being reduced in rivers due to changes in their habitat, overfishing, urbanization, and pollution.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of sperm extender solutions for short-term storage and cryosolutions for freezing sperm of Prochilodus vimboides.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For short-term storage, the sperm was diluted in 0.9% NaCl, 1.2% NaCl, 5% glucose, 5% BTS, or 6% MIII. Sperm motility was evaluated after 0, 24, 48, and 72 h of short-term storage at 4-6 degree C. For cryopreservation, sperm samples were diluted in the same extenders and factorially combined with three cryoprotectants (dimethylsulfoxide, methyl glycol, and ethylene glycol). After thawing, sperm motility and oxidative stress parameters were evaluated.

RESULTS

Dilution of samples in BTS preserved sperm motility >40% for up to 48 h. Samples cryopreserved in 5% glucose and methylglycol presented higher sperm motility, lower catalase, and lipid peroxidation activities.

CONCLUSION

Prochilodus vimboides sperm can be cooled for up to 48 h in an extender solution of 5% BTS and cryopreserved in 5% glucose and methyl glycol. doi.org/10.54680/fr22410110612.

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 Inhibitors Reduce Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Upregulate the Pro-inflammatory Immune Response in Calomys callosus Rodents and Human Monocyte Cell Line

Toxoplasma gondii is able to infect a wide range of vertebrates, including humans. Studies show that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a modulator of immune response in multiple types of infection, such as Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the role of COX-2 during T. gondii infection is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of COX-2 during infection by moderately or highly virulent strains of T. gondii in Calomys callosus rodents and human THP-1 cells. C. callosus were infected with 50 cysts of T. gondii (ME49), treated with COX-2 inhibitors (meloxicam or celecoxib) and evaluated to check body weight and morbidity. After 40 days, brain and serum were collected for detection of T. gondii by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry or cytokines by CBA. Furthermore, peritoneal macrophages or THP-1 cells, infected with RH strain or uninfected, were treated with meloxicam or celecoxib to evaluate the parasite proliferation by colorimetric assay and cytokine production by ELISA. Finally, in order to verify the role of prostaglandin E₂ in COX-2 mechanism, THP-1 cells were infected, treated with meloxicam or celecoxib plus PGE₂, and analyzed to parasite proliferation and cytokine production. The data showed that body weight and morbidity of the animals changed after infection by T. gondii, under both treatments. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR showed a reduction of T. gondii in brains of animals treated with both COX-2 inhibitors. Additionally, it was observed that both COX-2 inhibitors controlled the T. gondii proliferation in peritoneal macrophages and THP-1 cells, and the treatment with PGE₂ restored the parasite growth in THP-1 cells blocked to COX-2. In the serum of Calomys, upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines was detected, while the supernatants of peritoneal macrophages and THP-1 cells demonstrated significant production of TNF and nitrite, or TNF, nitrite and MIF, respectively, under both COX-2 inhibitors. Finally, PGE₂ treatment in THP-1 cells triggered downmodulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and upregulation of IL-8 and IL-10. Thus, COX-2 is an immune mediator involved in the susceptibility to T. gondii regardless of strain or cell types, since inhibition of this enzyme induced control of infection by upregulating important pro-inflammatory mediators against Toxoplasma.

Variation in the structure of the ichthyoplankton community in the lower Paraíba do Sul River

ABSTRACT The Paraíba do Sul River is affected by extensive water collection for supply, organic and industrial pollution, and dams. Nonetheless, the ichthyofauna maintains biodiversity and sustains artisanal fisheries. This study analyzes the composition, abundance and distribution of fish larvae, an important approach to determine the reproductive period and spawning sites. The sampling occurred from August 2011 through February 2013 in five sites at a transect between the banks on the lower reach of the Paraíba do Sul River. A total of 5,412 larvae belonging to 20 taxa was captured. The predominant order was Characiformes. Larvae of Prochilodus spp. and Leporinus spp. were the most abundant; larvae of Brycon insignis, an endangered species, were present. Fewer larvae were collected in the second reproductive cycle during a severe drought. The absence of eggs indicates that the study area is not used for spawning, and highlights the need for studies in the main channel and in the tributaries of the Paraíba do Sul River. Fish larvae need to have access to the marginal lagoons along the lower stretch of the river, an area which is the object of disputes between fishermen and farmers.

Immunohistochemical quantification of inflammatory cells in endomyocardial biopsy fragments after heart transplantation: a new potential method to improve the diagnosis of rejection after heart transplantation

Inconsistencies in cardiac rejection grading systems corroborate the concept that the evaluation of inflammatory intensity and myocyte damage seems to be subjective. We studied in 36 patients the potential role of the immunohistochemical (IHC) counting of inflammatory cells in endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) as an objective tool, testing the hypothesis of correlation between the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation 2004 rejection and IHC counting of inflammatory cells. We observed a progressive increment in CD68+ cells/mm(2) (P = .000) and CD3+ cells/mm(2) (P = .000) with higher rejection grade. A strong correlation between the grade of cellular rejection and both CD68+ cells/mm(2) and CD3+ cells/mm(2) was obtained (P = .000). One patient with CD3+ and CD68+ cells/mm(2) above the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval for cells/mm(2) found in rejection grade 1R evolved to rejection grade 2R without treatment. In patients with 2R that did not respond to treatment the values of CD68+ or CD3+ cells were higher than the overall median values for rejection grade 2R. For diagnosis of rejection needing treatment, the CD68+ and CD3+ cells/mm(2) areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.956 and 0.934, respectively. IHC counting of mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in EMB seems to have additive potential role in evaluation of EMB for the diagnosis and prognosis of rejection episodes.

Pleurotus biomass production on vinasse and its potential use for aquaculture feed

The vinasse is a by-product generated during the manufacture of alcohol from sugarcane fermentation. Rich in organic matter, it is known that the vinasse has the potential to be used as a source of nutrients for plants as well as microorganisms. In this study, the fungi Pleurotus sajor-caju, P. ostreatus, P. albidus and P. flabellatus were cultivated in vinasse and utilised as a complementary diet for Danio rerio fish. The fungi mycelia cultured in vinasse for 15 days were lyophilised and offered to the fishes at a rate of 2% (medium/body weight) for 28 days. P. albidus produced the highest biomass (16.27 g L^-1). Bromatological analysis of mycelia showed similar values to commercial rations. Toxicity tests showed that fish survival was 100% and no significant biomass loss was observed, indicating that the tested fungi grown in vinasse showed no toxicity. Our results showed that vinasse is a promising by-product for fungal growth and the mycelia of Pleurotus sp. fungi can be included in the diets of fish as a nutritional supplement.

Activation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) adaptor attenuates experimental autoimmune encephalitis (THER6P.848)

Activation of Stimulator of Interferon genes (STING) adaptor causes the release of IFN αβ in most of the cells, an activity that is tightly controlled to avoid continuous immune activation that could lead to autoimmunity. Here we show that STING activators can be used systemically to suppress experimental autoimmune encephalitis following myelin oligodendrocyte (MOG) immunization through STING-IFN αβ pathway. DNA nanoparticles (DNPs) attenuated MOG-specific effector responses in CNS and spleen. Therapeutic responses to DNPs are dependent on STING adaptor and IFN αβ receptors as they were abolished in mice lacking those genes. Additionally, indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase enzyme (IDO) is crucial for therapeutic responses to DNPs as the loss of IDO1 gene in hematopoietic cells and IDO inhibition by 1-methyl-D-tryptophan had ablated those responses. Cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-diGMP), a direct STING activator also attenuated EAE progression and disease severity. Thus, Systemic administration of DNPs and c-diGMP can attenuate EAE through STING-IFN αβ-IDO regulatory pathway that is activated in certain immune cells subsets to overcome CNS specific autoimmunity. These findings emphasize a previously unappreciated role of STING activators to attenuate autoimmunity.

Consumo e deposição de ácidos graxos no longissimus de novilhos Nelore suplementados em pastagens

Objetivou-se estudar a correlação entre consumo e deposição de ácidos graxos no músculo Longissimus de novilhos nelore suplementados em pastagens. O trabalho de campo foi implantado numa área de 52 ha, formada de Brachiaria brizantha. Foram utilizados 40 novilhos da raça Nelore com peso inicial médio de 373,7 ± 14,9 kg e 26 meses de idade, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos:Controle= T00 (fornecimento apenas de sal mineral), T03= fornecimento de 0,3% concentrado em função do peso vivo; T06= fornecimento de 0,6 % concentrado em função do peso vivo; T09= fornecimento de 0,9 % concentrado em função do peso vivo. Amostras dos concentrados e da forragem foram coletadas para análise da composição de ácidos graxos. O período experimental foi de 98 dias. Após este período, os animais foram abatidos. Os resultados foram analisados por Correlação Linear de Pearson e teste t. Constatou-se que existem correlações entre os ácidos graxos consumidos e depositados no músculo.

Functional analysis and treatment of eye poking

In four studies we analyzed the eye poking of a youth with profound disabilities. In Study 1, a functional analysis showed that eye poking occurred during the no-attention condition, but not during demand, attention or recreation conditions. The analysis did not identify socially mediated variables involved in the maintenance of eye poking; rather, eye poking may have been maintained by consequences produced directly by the response. In Study 2 we had the student wear goggles to prevent potential reinforcement from finger-eye contact. The results of Study 2 indicated that eye-poking attempts were reduced when the student wore goggles. We then tested in Study 3 the effects of two alternative topographies of stimulation. Study 3 demonstrated that eye poking was reduced when a video game was provided as a competing source of visual stimulation, and that music was less effective in reducing eye poking. In Study 4, a contingency analysis using the video game was conducted in an attempt to (a) reduce the frequency of eye poking and (b) study whether the video game functioned as a reinforcer. The results of Study 4 demonstrated substantive reductions in the frequency of eye poking, and suggested that the video game served as a reinforcer.

A comparison of dietary fish oil and corn oil in experimental colorectal carcinogenesis

Rats fed either fish oil (n = 16) or corn oil (n = 16) in calorically and nutritionally balanced diets were injected with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine, which is a colorectal specific carcinogen; differential colorectal tumor induction was then measured. In addition, plasma peroxide concentrations were measured in rats in each dietary group as well as in a group receiving a low-fat diet, either with or without prior carcinogen treatment (n = 3 for each of the 6 groups). Tumor incidence did not differ between groups fed corn oil and fish oil. Tumor yield in the left colon was significantly lower in rats fed fish oil (p = 0.0499). Total colorectal tumors induced were also fewer in the rats fed fish oil (p = 0.065). Plasma peroxide concentrations were difficult to interpret because of the wide variation within groups. The data on tumor yield in the left colon support the hypothesis that a diet rich in n-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, may be less supportive of colorectal tumor development than a diet rich in n-6 fatty acids, which is found in corn oil. However, the mechanism by which fish oil decreases tumor induction is still unknown.

The influence of physical activity in 1,2 dimethylhydrazine induced colon carcinogenesis in the rat

Recent epidemiologic findings indicate that relative risk of colon cancer is augmented with increasing proportion of time spent on sedentary occupations, and reduced with occupations requiring high levels of work-related physical activity. Therefore, the influence of exercise on experimental colon carcinogenesis was investigated. Spontaneous running wheel activity was related to incidence of 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH) colon tumor induction. Colon tumor incidence was significantly reduced in animals that were allowed spontaneous wheel activity throughout the period of DMH tumor induction vs standard housed controls (p less than 0.05), indicating that, in the rat, physical activity protects against colon tumorigenesis. Further comparisons reveal a mild positive association (p = 0.07) between activity and incidence of tumors in the left colon. These results are in accord with epidemiologic findings indicating reduced colon cancer risk with increased physical activity. Possible mechanisms for the protective influence of physical activity on tumorigenesis include reduction in fecal pH, body weight and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. To the extent that epidemiologic associations between colon cancer and activity are inclusive of the multidimensional nature of physical activity, animal models such as that utilized in this experiment can be utilized for investigating the etiologic potential, or strength of association in variables that have been epidemiologically associated with colon cancer risk.