The need to fully exploit fishing resources due to increasing production and consequent waste generation requires research to promote the sustainability of the fishing industry. Fish waste from the industry is responsible for relevant environmental contamination. However, these raw materials contain high amounts of collagen and other biomolecules, being attractive due to their industrial and biotechnological applicability. Thus, to reduce the waste from pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) processing, this study aimed to obtain collagen from pirarucu skin tissue. The extraction process used 0.05 M sodium hydroxide, 10% butyl alcohol, and 0.5 M acetic acid, with extraction temperature of 20°C. The obtained yield was 27.8%, and through sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), it was determined that the collagen obtained was type I. This study showed that collagen solubility was highest at pH 3 and the lowest solubility was at concentrations of 3% sodium chloride. The denaturation temperature of collagen was 38.1°C, and its intact molecular structure was observed using the Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry technique with an absorption radius of 1. The results showed that it was possible to obtain collagen from pirarucu skin at 20°C, which has the typical characteristics of commercial type I collagen. In conclusion, the procedures used may be considered to be an interesting alternative for collagen extraction, a new product obtained from the processing of fish waste.

RESUMO: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo das infecções por poxvírus diagnosticadas em bovinos do estado de Goiás (GO), entre 2010 e 2018. Todos os casos foram investigados pela Agência Goiana de Defesa Agropecuária (Agrodefesa). Foram revisados formulários técnicos e protocolos de laboratórios de diagnóstico veterinário. Na maioria dos casos, amostras de tecidos orais ou cutâneos e/ou swabs foram encaminhadas para diagnóstico virológico. Foram notificados 37 surtos/casos de doença vesicular em bovinos em 25 municípios; em 33 casos os animais apresentavam lesões clinicamente compatíveis com poxvírus. A etiologia de 25 de 33 surtos/casos foi confirmada como poxvírus por PCR e/ou isolamento viral: 13 como vírus vaccínia (VACV), seis como vírus pseudocowpox (PCPV), cinco como vírus da estomatite papular bovina (BPSV) e um caso de coinfecção (VACV e um parapoxvírus semelhante ao Orf vírus). Os casos confirmados laboratorialmente ocorreram principalmente em bovinos leiteiros (19/25) e durante a estação seca (22/25). Em bovinos adultos, alterações macroscópicas foram observadas principalmente nas tetas e úbere e incluíram vesículas, úlceras, crostas, pápulas e cicatrizes e variaram quanto ao tipo, gravidade e região afetada, dependendo da espécie do poxvírus. Em bezerros, as principais lesões foram úlceras na boca e focinho. Lesões zoonóticas compatíveis com infecção por poxvírus foram observadas em todas as poxviroses diagnosticadas, afetando principalmente as mãos dos ordenhadores e outros trabalhadores rurais. Nossos dados demonstram a relevância sanitária e econômica dessas doenças e a ampla circulação de diferentes poxvírus em bovinos de GO.

ABSTRACT: A retrospective study of poxvirus infections diagnosed in cattle from Goiás state (GO), Brazil, from 2010 to 2018, was performed. All cases have been investigated by the GO Official Veterinary Service (Agrodefesa), from which technical forms and protocols of veterinary diagnosis laboratories were reviewed. In most cases, samples of oral or cutaneous tissues and/or swabs were submitted for virological diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or virus isolation. Thirty seven outbreaks/cases of vesicular disease were notified in cattle of 25 counties; in 33 cases the animals presented lesions clinically compatible with poxviruses. The etiology of 25 out of 33 outbreaks/cases was confirmed as poxviruses by PCR and/or viral isolation: 13 as bovine vaccinia virus (VACV), six as pseudocowpox virus (PCPV), five as bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV) and one coinfection (VACV and an Orf virus-like parapoxvirus). The laboratory confirmed that cases occurred mainly in dairy cattle (19/25) and during the dry season (22/25). In adult cattle, gross changes were observed mainly in the teats and udder and included vesicles, ulcers, crusts, papules and scars and varied of type, severity and affected region, depending on the poxvirus species. In calves, the main lesions were ulcers in the mouth and muzzle. Zoonotic lesions compatible with poxvirus infections were observed for all diagnosed poxviruses, affecting especially the hands of milkers and other farm workers. Our data demonstrate the sanitary and economic relevance of these diseases and the wide circulation of different poxviruses in cattle from GO.

RESUMO O aumento da demanda por mudas de espécies arbóreas nativas torna importante a determinação de suas necessidades hídricas e de luminosidade, que são fatores importantes na otimização dos custos e do tempo de produção. O uso e a produtividade da água no crescimento de mudas de Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Allemão ex Benth., Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J.F.Macbr e Hymenaea courbaril L. foram determinados em quatro níveis de luminosidade (três níveis de sombreamento e controle), utilizando delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. A altura, o diâmetro do coleto, a área foliar e a biomassa foram avaliadas, assim como o índice de qualidade de Dickson (IQD). As mudas foram transplantadas em tubetes de 280 cm3, preenchidos com biossólido puro, e irrigadas por gotejamento com manejo automático. Os maiores volumes totais aplicados 3,1 L por muda de D. nigra (com 37 e 58% de sombreamento), 2,5 L por muda de A. leiocarpa (37% de sombreamento) e 3,8 L por muda de H. courbaril (a pleno sol). Os índices de crescimento, confirmados pelo IQD, indicam que os sombreamentos de 37 e 58 % para D. nigra, 37 % para A. leiocarpa e a pleno sol para H. courbaril são os mais recomendados. Os maiores volumes de irrigação promoveram maior desenvolvimento das espécies, em geral com sombreamento intermediário, os quais proporcionaram os maiores valores de IQD e produtividade da água de irrigação.

ABSTRACT The increase in the demand for seedlings of native tree species makes it important to determine their water and light requirements, which are important factors in their production, in terms of costs and time. Water use and productivity in the growth of seedlings of Dalbergia nigra (Vell.) Allemão ex Benth., Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J.F. Macbr and Hymenaea courbaril L. were determined under four light levels (three shading levels and control), using a randomized block design with four replicates. Height, stem diameter, leaf area and biomass, as well as Dickson quality index (DQI) were evaluated. The seedlings were transplanted into 280-cm3 plugs, filled with substrate composed of pure biosolids, and irrigated by a drip system with automatic management. The highest total volumes applied were 3.1 L per D. nigra seedling (in 37 and 58% shading), 2.5 L per A. leiocarpa seedling (in 37% shading) and 3.8 L per H. courbaril seedling (in full sun). Growth indices, confirmed by the DQI, indicate that shading levels of 37 and 58% for D. nigra, 37% for A. leiocarpa, and full sun for H. courbaril are the most recommended. The highest volumes of irrigation promoted the greatest development of the species, in general for intermediate shading, which provided the highest values of DQI and irrigation water productivity.

Exercise intolerance is the hallmark consequence of advanced chronic heart failure (HF). The six-minute step test (6MST) has been considered an option for the six-minute walk test because it is safe, inexpensive, and can be applied in small places. However, its reliability and concurrent validity has still not been investigated in participants with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Clinically stable HFrEF participants were included. Reliability and error measurement were calculated by comparing the first with the second 6MST result. Forty-eight hours after participants underwent the 6MST, they were invited to perform a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a cycle ergometer. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlation between number of steps and peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2 peak) at CPET. Twenty-seven participants with HFrEF (60±8 years old and left ventricle ejection fraction of 41±6%) undertook a mean of 94±30 steps in the 6MST. Intra-rater reliability was excellent for 6MST (ICC=0.9), with mean error of 4.85 steps and superior and inferior limits of agreement of 30.6 and -20.9 steps, respectively. In addition, strong correlations between number of steps and CPET workload (r=0.76, P<0.01) and peak V̇O2 (r=0.71, P<0.01) were observed. From simple linear regression the following predictive equations were obtained with 6MST results: V̇O2 peak (mL/min) = 350.22 + (7.333 × number of steps), with R2=0.51, and peak workload (W) = 4.044 + (0.772 × number of steps), with R2=0.58. The 6MST was a reliable and valid tool to assess functional capacity in HFrEF participants and may moderately predict peak workload and oxygen uptake of a CPET.

RESUMO Cercopithifilaria bainae é um nematoide pertencente à família Onchocercidae, que parasita o tecido subcutâneo de cães. Sua transmissão ocorre pelo carrapato Rhipicephalus sanguineus, e sua distribuição geográfica se sobrepõe ao espalhamento desse vetor. O presente estudo relata a detecção de microfilaremia por C. bainae em um cão macho de oito anos que apresentava anorexia, hipertermia, incoordenação motora, midríase e nódulo no testículo esquerdo e infecção concomitante por Ehrlichia sp. A coleta de sangue foi realizada, e o material analisado por meio dos exames de microscopia, PCR e sequenciamento de DNA. Microfilárias medindo 150±5,5μm de comprimento e 7±1,8μm de largura foram recuperadas. A sequência de DNA obtida mostrou 98% de identidade com sequências de C. bainae disponíveis no Genbank. Este é o primeiro relato de microfilaremia de C. bainae em um cão na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil.

ABSTRACT Cercopithifilaria bainae is a nematode belonging to the family Onchocercidae that parasitizes the subcutaneous tissue of dogs. Its transmission occurs through the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus and its geographical distribution overlaps that of this vector. The present study reports the detection of microfilaremia by C. bainae in an eight-year-old male dog that presented anorexia, hyperthermia, motor incoordination, mydriasis, a nodule in the left testicle and concomitant infection by Ehrlichia sp. Blood samples were analyzed using microscopy, PCR and DNA sequencing. Microfilariae measuring 150±5.5μm in length and 7±1.8μm in width were retrieved. The DNA sequence exhibited 98% identity with C. bainae sequences available in Genbank. This is the first report of microfilaremia by C. bainae in a dog in the central western region of Brazil.

RESUMO Estudou-se o efeito do hipotireoidismo materno na expressão espaço-temporal de mediadores imunológicos e na população de células natural killers (NK) na decídua e na glândula metrial de ratas durante a gestação. Avaliou-se a detecção imunoistoquímica de interferon γ (IFNγ), do fator inibidor de migração (MIF), da interleucina 15 (IL15), do óxido nítrico sintase induzível (iNOS), a marcação com lectina DBA para evidenciação das células NK uterinas DBA+ e a expressão gênica de Ifnγ e Nos2. O hipotireoidismo aumentou o iNOS aos sete dias, a IL15 e o MIF aos 10 e 12 dias, o IFNγ e o MIF aos 14 DG e a expressão dos transcritos gênicos para iNos aos 12 e 19 dias e para Ifnγ aos 14 DG. O hipotireoidismo reduziu a imunomarcação de MIF e lectina DBA aos sete dias, lectina DBA aos 10 e 14 DG, IFNγ aos 12 dias, e a expressão de Ifnγ aos 10 e 19 DG e de iNOS aos 12, 14 e 19 DG, bem como reduziu seus transcritos gênicos aos 10 e 14 DG. Conclui-se que o hipotireoidismo compromete o perfil imunológico na interface materno-fetal ao longo da gestação, particularmente por reduzir o fator anti-inflamatório iNOS e a população de células uNK DBA+.

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of maternal hypothyroidism on the spatiotemporal expression of immunological mediators and population of Natural Killers cells in decidua and metrial gland of rats. Interferon gamma (IFNγ), migration inhibitory factor (MIF), interleukin 15 (IL15), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and DBA-Lectin labeling for evidence of uNK DBA+ cells in decidua and genetic expression of Ifnγ and iNos by real-time RT-PCR were evaluated. Hypothyroidism increased protein expression of iNOS at 7 days, IL15 and MIF at 10 and 12 days, IFNγ and MIF at 14 DG in the decidua and/or metrial gland and the gene transcripts for iNOS at 12 and 19 days and for Inf at 14 DG. In addition, hypothyroidism reduced the protein expression of MIF and DBA-Lectin at 7 days, DBA-Lectin at 10 and 14 DG, IFNγ at 12 days, and the gene transcript to Ifnγ at 10 and 19 DGs. Hypothyroidism also reduced the protein expression of iNOS at 12, 14 and 19 DG and reduced its gene transcripts at 10 and 14 DGs. It is concluded that hypothyroidism compromises the immunology profile at the maternal-fetal interface throughout pregnancy, particularly by reducing the anti-inflammatory factor iNOS and population of uNK DBA+ cells.

Abstract Phylogenetic niche conservatism can be investigated at multiple scales on an explicit geographical context. Haplotype-based comparative analyses of lineages occupying the same region, and thus subjected to similar environmental factors, allow decoupling shared evolutionary and ecological patterns, as well as multiple dimensions of adaptive diversification. Here we aimed to assess the role of environmental drivers on diversification of subtropical grassland, based on haplotypic diversity of two plant genera. We sampled two closely related and co-distributed grassland plant genera, Petunia and Calibrachoa, across their entire distribution area. Eigenvectors extracted from pairwise distances based on chloroplast DNA haplotypes were used to fit Phylogenetic Signal-Representation (PSR) curves to estimate evolutionary patterns in 19 bioclimatic variables and altitude. The PSR curves showed that altitude, precipitation, and temperature variables changed at different rates with haplotype differentiation. Altitude and temperature traits evolved under conditions closer to a neutral dynamics, whereas precipitation traits differentiated following more complex models. Our results indicated that the diversification in the two genera was more limited by precipitation conditions. Based on these novel findings, we suggest that future studies should test the possible impact of precipitation variables on the process of ecological differentiation in these genera.

RESUMO O estudo objetivou avaliar a qualidade seminal de caprinos das raças Canindé (autóctone) e Alpina Britânica (exótica) no Nordeste brasileiro. O experimento foi realizado nos períodos de julho a setembro dos anos de 2015 e 2016. As coletas seminais foram realizadas com auxílio de vagina artificial, de machos das raças Canindé (n = 4) e Alpina Britânica (n = 7). Após a coleta, o sêmen foi avaliado quanto a: volume (ml), concentração (sptz/ml), motilidade (%) e vigor (1-5). Em seguida, diluído em ACP-101c e criopreservado em máquina TK3000TM. Posteriormente, foram analisados os parâmetros cinéticos, através do software SCA®, e a atividade mitocondrial. No sêmen fresco, as duas raças apresentaram valores de motilidade e concentração dentro do preconizado para a espécie. Entretanto, os valores de volume e circunferência escrotal foram superiores na raça Alpina Britânica (0,73 ml ± 0,32; 27,35 cm ± 2,09) do que na raça Canindé (0,36 ml ± 0,07; 23,25 cm ± 0,95) (p < 0,05). Já no sêmen descongelado, os parâmetros motilidade total - MT (36,96% ± 11,16 vs. 20,50% ± 14,15), motilidade progressiva - MP (26,67% ± 11,13 vs. 11,29% ± 9,42), vigor (2,91 ± 0,90 vs. 1,88 ± 0,67), velocidade curvilinear - VCL (78,12 µm/s ± 12,41 vs. 59,28 µm/s ± 15,57), velocidade linear - VSL (49,23 µm/s ± 9,87 vs. 29,9 µm/s ± 9,48), velocidade média da trajetória - VAP (66,08 µm/s ± 12,77 vs. 45,70 µm/s ± 12,20), linearidade - LIN (62,97% ± 6,96 vs. 49,54%±9,50), retilinearidade - STR (74,63% ± 6,44 vs. 65,77% ± 8,92), e oscilação - WOB (84,32% ± 5,94 vs. 74,42% ± 7,31) foram superiores para a raça Canindé em detrimento à Alpina Britânica (p < 0,05). Portanto, o sêmen fresco das duas raças podem ser utilizados em biotécnicas reprodutivas. Já o sêmen pós-descongelação da raça Canindé apresentou melhor qualidade, provavelmente pelos animais estarem mais adaptados às condições adversas da região Nordeste, sendo recomendado para programas de inseminação artificial.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the sperm quality of Canindé (native) and British Alpine (exotic) goats in the Northeast of Brazil. The experiment was carried out from July to September of the years 2015 and 2016. Sperm collections of Canindé (n = 4) and British Alpine (n = 7) males were performed using artificial vagina. After collection, the sperm was evaluated for volume (ml), concentration (sptz/ml), motility (%), and vigor (1-5). Then diluted in ACP-101c and cryopreserved in TK3000TM machine. Subsequently, kinetic parameters were analyzed through SCA TM software and mitochondrial activity. In fresh sperm, the two races presented values of motility and concentration within the recommended for the specie. However, volume and scrotal circumference values were higher in the British Alpine breed (0.73 mL ± 0.32; 27.35 cm ± 2.09) than in the Canindé breed (0.36 mL ± 0.07; 23 , 25 cm ± 0.95) (p <0.05). In the thawed sperm, the parameters total motility - TM (36.96% ± 11.16 vs. 20.50% ± 14.15), progressive motility - PM (26.67% ± 11.13 vs. 11.29 % ± 9.42), vigor (2.91 ± 0.90 vs. 1.88 ± 0.67), curvilinear velocity - VCL (78.12 μm/s ± 12.41 vs. 59.28 μm/s ± 15.57), linear velocity - VSL (49.23 μm/s ± 9.87 vs. 29.9 μm/s ± 9.48), mean velocity of the trajectory - VAP (66.08 μm/s ± 12.77 vs. 45.70 μm/s ± 12.20), linearity - LIN (62.97% ± 6.96 vs. 49.54% ± 9.50), rectilinearity - STR (74.63% ± 6.44 vs. 65.77% ± 8.92), and oscillation -WOB (84.32% ± 5.94 vs. 74.42% ± 7.31) were higher for Canindé breed than for British Alpine ( p < 0.05). Therefore, fresh sperm from both breeds can be used in reproductive biotechniques. On the other hand, the post-thawed sperm of the Canindé breed showed better quality, probably because the animals were more adapted to the adverse conditions of the Northeast region and are recommended for artificial insemination programs.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito direto de concentrações de cafeína sobre a viabilidade, atividade de síntese e expressão gênica em culturas de condrócitos de ratos. As cartilagens dos fêmures e tíbias de 15 ratos Wistar com três dias foram extraídas para isolamento de condrócitos. Os condrócitos foram cultivados em meio condrogênico (controle) ou em meio acrescido de diferentes concentrações de cafeína (0,5, 1,0, 2,0mM). Foram avaliadas a viabilidade celular, a atividade da fosfatase alcalina e a síntese de colágeno por ensaios colorimétricos aos sete, 14 e 21 dias. Condrócitos cultivados sob lamínulas foram corados pela hematoxilina e eosina, para se determinar a porcentagem de células/campo, e pelo PAS, safranina O, alcian Blue, para se determinar a porcentagem de matriz condrogênica/campo aos 21 dias. Foi avaliada a expressão de transcriptos gênicos para Sox-9, Runx-2, agrecano, colágeno-II e fosfatase alcalina por qRT-PCR, aos 21 dias. As médias foram comparadas pelo Student-Newman-Keuls. A cafeína reduziu significativamente o MTT em cristais de formazan, a porcentagem de células/campo, a síntese de colágeno, a atividade da fosfatase alcalina e a síntese de matriz condrogênica PAS+, safranina O+, alcian blue+ e expressão de Sox-9 e colágeno-II. Conclui-se que a cafeína, nas concentrações de 0,5, 1,0, 2,0mM, apresenta efeito inibidor direto sobre a condrogênese em culturas de condrócitos de ratos.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of concentrations of caffeine on the viability, synthesis activity and gene expression in cultures of chondrocytes. Extracted articular cartilage from the femurs and tibias of 15 Wistar rats at three days old to isolate chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were cultured in chondrogenic medium (control) or supplemented with caffeine (0.5, 1.0, 2.0mM). Cell viability, alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen synthesis were assessed using colorimetric assays at 7, 14, 21 days. The chondrocyte cultures of all groups grown under coverslips were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to determine the percentage of cells/field and with PAS, safranin O, alcian blue to determine the percentage of matrix chondrogenic/field at 21 days. The expressions of gene transcripts for aggrecan, collagen-II, Sox-9, Runx-2 and alkaline phosphatase were also evaluated by RT-PCR at 21 days. The means were compared using Student-Newman-Keuls. Caffeine significantly reduced the conversion of MTT to formazan, percentage of cells/field, collagen synthesis, alkaline phosphatase activity, synthesis of PAS+, safranin O+ and alcian blue+ chondrogenic matrix, and the expression of aggrecan, Sox-9 and II collagen. It is concluded that caffeine at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0mM has a direct inhibitory effect on chondrogenesis in cultures of chondrocytes from rats.

RESUMO: O guaranazeiro é uma planta nativa da região amazônica, cujo fruto é conhecido como guaraná. A produção de guaraná envolve pequenos agricultores e é fonte de renda para milhares de pessoas nos meios rural e urbano. A interferência causada pelas plantas daninhas na cultura constitui um importante fator que limita sua produção. Apesar da importância econômica e social do guaranazeiro, ainda são escassos estudos sobre o manejo das plantas daninhas em seu cultivo. Diante do exposto, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar os efeitos da interferência das plantas daninhas sobre a produtividade do guaranazeiro em diferentes períodos. O estudo foi conduzido em Maués, AM, nas safras de 2014 e 2015. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados com oito tratamentos e quatro blocos. Os tratamentos foram a combinação de quatro períodos diferentes de controle ou de convivência das plantas daninhas (março a maio; junho a agosto; setembro a novembro; dezembro a fevereiro). A comunidade infestante foi composta por 23 espécies de plantas daninhas, pertencentes a 12 famílias botânicas, sendo Paspalum virgatum a espécie com o maior índice de valor de importância (55,74%). O convívio das plantas daninhas com o guaranazeiro durante o período de junho a agosto proporcionou as menores produtividades (156,16 kg ha-1 de grãos), em comparação ao mesmo período com controle das plantas daninhas (309,05 kg ha-1 de grãos). A interferência das plantas daninhas de junho a agosto reduziu em 50% a produtividade do guaranazeiro.

ABSTRACT: Guarana is a plant native to the Amazon region that produces the fruit known as guarana. Guarana production is carried out by small farmers and is a source of income for thousands of people in rural and urban areas. The interference caused by the competition between weeds and guarana is an important limiting factor of its production. Despite its economic and social importance, there are few studies on the management of weeds in this species. Thus, this research aimed to study the effects of weed interference on guarana yield in different periods. This study was performed in Maués, AM, in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. The experimental design was a randomized block design with eight treatments and four blocks. Treatments consisted of a combination of four different periods of control or coexistence with weeds (March to May, June to August, September to November, and December to February). Weed community was composed of 23 weed species belonging to 12 botanical families, with Paspalum virgatum being the species with the highest importance value index (55.74%). Weed coexistence with guarana from June to August provided the lowest yields (156.16 kg ha-1 of grains) when compared to weed control in the same period (309.05 kg ha-1 of grains). Weed interference from June to August reduced guarana yield by 50%.

RESUMO Foram avaliados os efeitos tóxicos do metavanadato de sódio (MV), pentóxido de vanádio (PV) e sulfato de oxovanádio (SV), potenciais fármacos antidiabéticos, em embriões e adultos de zebrafish (Danio rerio). Os embriões foram expostos a concentrações de 10-1000µg/mL para avaliação da CL50 96h e seus efeitos teratogênicos. Os adultos foram expostos a 10 e 20µg/mL dos mesmos compostos para se avaliarem alterações comportamentais relacionadas à exposição química e à mortalidade. A CL50 96h foi de 22,48, 53,62 e 74,14µg/mL para MV, SV e PV, respectivamente. Houve 100% de mortalidade nas concentrações de 400-1000µg/mL dos três compostos. Os efeitos teratogênicos mais observados (P<0,05) nos embriões foram edemas de pericárdio e saco vitelínico. Foram constatados, nos animais adultos expostos aos compostos de vanádio, maior batimento opercular e congestão nos arcos branquiais. A exibição dos comportamentos Flutuar e Descansar nos adultos expostos foi significativa (P<0,05), como também a exibição do comportamento Respiração Aérea. Pode-se concluir que a exposição química aos compostos de vanádio causou efeitos tóxicos em embriões e adultos de zebrafish com alta mortalidade. Diante disso, o seu uso como potencial fármaco antidiabético deve ser mais bem estudado em razão do efeito tóxico dessas substâncias.

ABSTRACT The toxic effects of sodium metavanadate (MV), vanadium pentoxide (PV) and oxovanadium sulfate (SV), potential antidiabetic drug, on embryos and adults of zebrafish (Danio rerio) were evaluated. Embryos were exposed to concentrations of 10-1000μg/mL for evaluation of 96-h LC50 and their teratogenic effects. Adults were exposed to 10 and 20μg/mL of the same compounds to evaluate behavioral changes related to chemical exposure and mortality. The 96-h LC50 were 22.48, 53.62, and 74.14µg/mL for MV, SV, and PV, respectively. Mortality of 100% was observed at the concentrations of 400-1000μg/mL of the three compounds. The teratogenic effects most observed (P<0.05) were pericardial and yolk sac edemas. Adult animals exposed to the vanadium compounds had higher opercular beats and congestion in the gill arches. The exhibition of behaviors Floating and Resting in the exposed adults was significant (P<0.05), as well as the Air breathing behavior. Chemical exposure to vanadium compounds caused toxic effects in embryos and adults of zebrafish with high mortality. In conclusion, its use as a potential antidiabetic drug should be better studied due to the toxic effect.

ABSTRACT Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease of the joints, which causes joint pain and disability. Anaemia is a frequent extra-articular manifestation in rheumatoid arthritis, affecting 30-70% of the patients; presenting a negative impact on patient´s quality of life. Some of the drugs used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment improve anaemia; but little is known on the beneficial effects of the anti-rheumatic leflunomide or the anti-TNFα adalimumab, in this parameter. We investigated the incidence of anaemia in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated or not with leflunomide or adalimumab. We also assessed whether anaemia correlates with disease activity. Anaemia was present in patients who had just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and had never taken disease modifying agents or biologicals (non-specific therapy group), but not in those taking either leflunomide or adalimumab. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was increased in patients with non-specific therapy in comparison with those taking either leflunomide or adalimumab. Anaemia correlated with increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. We suggest that leflunomide and adalimumab may be useful in treating anaemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

RESUMO: Mãos e pés de cães são comumente afetados por lesões neoplásicas e não neoplásicas. Estas alterações podem apresentar prognóstico histopatológico ou clínico ruim e a amputação tende a ser o tratamento de escolha. Estudos prévios avaliando a prevalência e os aspectos clínicopatológicos de alterações digitais em cães têm sido realizados em outros países, entretanto trabalhos similares não foram realizados no Brasil. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever e caracterizar histologicamente as lesões das mãos e pés de cães. Amostras de 105 lesões tumoriformes das mãos e pés de cães foram avaliadas. Essas amostras foram coletadas entre 2003 e 2016 e foram obtidas de três laboratórios brasileiros de diagnóstico veterinário. Todos espécimes foram fixados em formol tamponado 10%, processados rotineiramente e corados por hematoxilina-eosina. Adicionalmente, as colorações de azul de toluidina, Brown e Breen, periodic acid Schiff (PAS), Grocott Methenamine Silver (GMS) e Ziehl Neelsen foram utilizados em casos específicos. Imuno-histoquímica foi realizada usando os anticorpos anti-Leishmania spp., anti-CD117, anti-CD79, anti-CD3, anti-Melan A, anti-lisozima, anti-Pancytokeratin AE1/AE3 e anti-vimentina. Os neoplasmas (62,9%) foram as alterações mais frequentes, seguidas por inflamações (19%) e outras alterações (18,1%). Entre os neoplasmas, 40,9% foram mesenquimais, 39,4% epiteliais e 19,7% de células redondas. Todos os neoplasmas de células redondas e a maioria dos epiteliais e mesenquimais eram malignos. Não se observou predileção de prevalência dos neoplasmas em relação ao sexo. As raças Labrador Retriever, Schnauzer, Teckel, SRD, Pastor Alemão, Rottweiler e Pit Bull foram as mais afetadas. Fila Brasileiro, Pit Bull e Schnauzer tiveram alta incidência de neoplasmas mesenquimais, epiteliais e de células redondas, respectivamente. Inflamação foi mais comumente observada em cães Labrador Retriever e as outras alterações em Teckel, Labrador Retriever e SRD. A idade e o peso médio dos animais afetados foram de 8,4 anos e 28,5 kg, respectivamente. O diâmetro médio das lesões tumoriformes foi de 2,5 cm e as lesões neoplásicas apresentaram as maiores médias. As lesões ocorreram principalmente em animais de pelagem amarela. A maioria das biópsias incisionais (56,4%) e amputações (85,3%) consistiram de neoplasmas. O principal membro afetado foi o torácico direito e o dígito foi a estrutura anatômica acometida mais frequentemente. Carcinoma de células escamosas (14,2%) foi o neoplasma mais frequente, seguido do mastocitoma (7,6%), melanoma (7,6%) e sarcoma indiferenciado (7,6%). Em metade dos casos de inflamação, a lesão acometeu o folículo piloso e derme adjacente, e o infiltrado foi predominantemente piogranulomatoso ou lnfoplasmocítico. Cistos foliculares, calcinose circunscrita e acrocordoma foram as principais lesões não neoplásicas e não inflamatórias diagnosticadas.

ABSTRACT: Hands and feet of dogs are commonly affected by neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. These lesions may commonly present poor clinical or histopathological prognosis and amputation tends to be the treatment of choice. Previous studies regarding the prevalence and the clinicopathological aspects of digital changes in dogs have been performed abroad, with no similar investigations in Brazil. The aim of this manuscript was to perform a histopathological study to characterize hands and feet lesions of dogs from Brazil.Tissue samples from 105 tumor-like lesions of dogs hands and feet were used in this study. The samples came from three Brazilian veterinary diagnostic laboratories and were collected between 2003 and 2016. All specimens were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and routinely processed for paraffin embedding and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Additionally, toluidine blue, Brown and Breen, periodic acid Schiff (PAS), Grocott Methenamine Silver (GMS) and Ziehl Neelsen were used in selected cases. Immunohistochemistry using anti-Leishmania spp., anti-CD117, anti-CD79, anti-CD3, anti-Melan A, anti-lysozyme, anti-Pancytokeratin AE1/AE3, and anti-vimentin antibodies were also performed. Neoplasia (62.9%) was the most frequently found lesion, followed by inflammation (19%), and other changes (18.1%). Among the neoplasms, 40.9% were mesenchymal, 39.4% epithelial, and 19.7% round cells. All round cells and most of the epithelial and mesenchymal neoplasms were malignant. There was no difference between males and females regarding neoplasia prevalence. Labrador Retriever, Schnauzer, Teckel, mongrel, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, and Pit Bull were the most frequently affected breeds. Fila Brasileiro (aka Brazilian Mastiff), Pit Bull and Schnauzer had higher incidence of mesenchymal, epithelial, and round cells neoplasms, respectively. Inflammation was more commonly observed in the Labrador Retriever and other changes were more commonly in Teckel, Labrador Retriever, and mongrel dogs. Medium age and weight were 8.4 years and 28.5 kg, respectively. Medium diameter of the tumor-like lesions was 2.5 cm and the neoplastic lesions presented higher averages. Lesions were mainly in yellow-coated dogs. Incisional biopsy samples (56.4%) and amputations (85.3%) were mostly from neoplastic cases. Right forelimb was the most affected limb, and digits were the main injured anatomic structures. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most (14.2%) commonly diagnosed neoplasm, followed by mast cell tumor (7.6%), melanoma (7.6%), and undifferentiated sarcoma (7.6%). In half of the inflammatory cases, the lesion was centered in hair follicle and surrounding dermis. The inflammatory infiltrate was predominantly piogranulomatous or lymphoplasmacytic. Follicular cyst, calcinosis circumscripta, and acrochordons were the main non neoplastic and non-inflammatory changes.

RESUMO Com o objetivo de estudar o efeito da condroitinase associada às células-tronco mesenquimais na lesão aguda da medula espinhal, utilizaram-se 50 ratos Lewis, distribuídos igualmente nos grupos: controle negativo (CN), tratamento com placebo (PLA), condroitinase (CDN), células-tronco mesenquimais (CTM) e condroitinase mais células-tronco mesenquimais (CDN+CTM). Todos os animais tiveram a medula espinhal exposta por laminectomia, e os grupos PLA, CDT, CTM e CDT+CTM sofreram também trauma medular compressivo. Após sete dias, procedeu-se à reexposição da medula espinhal, quando os grupos PLA e CTM receberam 4µL de líquido cefalorraquidiano artificial via intralesional, e os grupos CDT e CDT+CTM receberam o mesmo líquido contendo 2,2U de condroitinase. Após 14 dias da cirurgia inicial, todos os animais receberam 0,2mL de PBS via endovenosa, contudo, nos grupos CTM e CDT+CTM, esse líquido continha 1x106 CTM. Avaliou-se a capacidade motora até o 28o dia pós-trauma e, posteriormente, as medulas espinhais foram analisadas por RT-PCR, para quantificação da expressão gênica para BDNF, NT-3, VEGF, KDR e PECAM-1, e por imunoistoquímica, para detecção das células-tronco GFP injetadas (anti-GFP), quantificação dos neurônios (anti-NeuN) e da GFAP e vimentina, para avaliação da cicatriz glial. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas com o auxílio do Prism 5 for Windows, com o nível de significância de 5%. Não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto à capacidade motora. O grupo CDT+CTM apresentou maior imunoexpressão de neurônios viáveis do que o placebo. No CTM, houve maior expressão dos fatores neurotróficos BDNF e VEGF. E no CDT, houve menor imunoexpressão de vimentina. Concluiu-se que a associação CDT+CTM favorece a viabilidade neuronal após o trauma, que o tratamento com CTM promove aumento na expressão dos fatores tróficos BDNF e VEGF e que o tratamento com condroitinase é efetivo na redução da cicatriz glial.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to study the effect of chondroitinase associated with mesenchymal stem cells in acute spinal cord injury. Therefore, 50 Lewis rats were distributed in the following groups: negative control (NC), treatment with placebo (PLA), chondroitinase (CDT), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and chondroitinase associated with mesenchymal stem cells (CDT + MSC). All animals had their spinal cord exposed by laminectomy, and the groups named PLA, CDT, MSC and CDT + MSC also suffered compressive spinal cord trauma. After seven days, the spinal cord was re-exposed, when the PLA and MSCs groups received 4uL of artificial cerebrospinal fluid through the lesion, and the CDT group and CDT + MSC received the same fluid containing 2,2U of chondroitinase. 14 days after the first surgery, all animals received 0.2ml of PBS intravenously; however, the MSC and CDT + MSC groups received the same liquid also containing 1x106 MSCs. The motor skills were evaluated up to 28 days post-injury and, subsequently, the spinal cords were analyzed by RT-PCR for BDNF, NT-3, VEGF, PECAM-1 and KDR gene expression quantification, immunohistochemistry to detect injected stem cells GFP (anti-GFP), to quantify neurons (anti-NeuN), GFAP and detect vimentin in order to evaluate the glial scar. Statistical analyzes were performed by Prism 5 for Windows using a 5% level of significance. There was no difference between groups with regarding motor capacity. The CDT + MSC group showed increased immunoreactivity of viable neurons than placebo. In MSC, there was a greater expression of neurotrophic factors BDNF and VEGF. Also, there was less vimentin immunostaining in group CDT. It was concluded that CDT + MSC association promotes neuronal viability after trauma, in which treatment with MSC promotes increased expression of BDNF and VEGF trophic factors, and also that treatment with chondroitinase is effective in reducing the glial scar.

RESUMO: Foram estudados 26 casos de meningoencefalite por herpesvírus bovino (BoHV) diagnosticados entre 2010-2016, no Estado de Goiás (GO). A doença acometeu principalmente bovinos jovens, entre 60 dias a 18 meses de idade. Não houve associação entre os casos e o sexo dos bovinos e a sazonalidade. A doença foi observada em todas as cinco Mesorregiões do Estado, com uma frequência maior nas Mesorregiões Sul e Centro. Os sinais clínicos mais frequentemente observados incluíram cegueira, incoordenação, sialorreia e ataxia. As principais alterações macroscópicas observadas incluíram congestão com tumefação e achatamento das circunvoluções, amolecimento e amarelamento do córtex telencefálico e focos de hemorragia. Em cinco encéfalos, não foram observadas alterações macroscópicas e em quatro as alterações não foram informadas. As principais alterações histológicas ocorreram no córtex telencefálico, principalmente o córtex frontal e parietal, mas em alguns casos, lesões de menor intensidade foram também observadas no tálamo, núcleos basais, mesencéfalo, ponte, bulbo, cerebelo e hipocampo. Todos os casos apresentaram meningoencefalite linfoplasmocítica e corpúsculos de inclusão intranucleares basofílicos em astrócitos e, eventualmente, em neurônios. Outras lesões frequentes incluíram necrose neuronal laminar segmentar (neurônio vermelho), espongiose, tumefação do núcleo das células endoteliais, gliose focal ou difusa, hipertrofia de astrócitos, infiltração por células gitter, congestão e hemorragia. Lesões menos comuns incluíram astrócitos Alzheimer tipo II, lesão residual e neuronofagia. A necrose neuronal e o edema (espongiose) foram mais acentuados nas camadas granular externa, molecular, de células piramidais e granular interna dos telencéfalos. Tanto os giros quanto os sulcos foram afetados igualmente. Dos 26 casos, o DNA de BoHV-5 foi amplificado em dois (7,69%) casos, enquanto que o de BoHV-1 foi identificado em um caso (3,84%). Nos casos positivos para BoHV-5 foram usadas amostras fixadas em formol a 10% e incluídas em parafina e amostras congeladas foram utilizadas no caso positivo para BoHV-1.

ABSTRACT: Twenty six cases of bovine herpetic meningoencephalitis diagnosed from 2010-2016 in Goiás state, Brazil, were studied. Affected cattle were mainly 60-day to 18-month-old. There was no association of the disease with sex and seasonality. The disease was found in all five mesoregions with a higher prevalence in southern and central state of Goiás. Clinical signs more frequently observed included blindness, incoordination, circling, excessive salivation, and ataxia. Main gross findings in the brain were congestion with swelling and flattening of gyri, softening and yellow discoloration of cerebral cortex and hemorrhagic foci. In five cases no gross changes were observed in the brain and in four cases there is no information. The main histopathological changes were in the cortex of telencephalic lobes, especially the frontal and parietal; however less prominent and less frequently found lesions occurred in the thalamus, basal nuclei, midbrain, pons, medulla oblongata, cerebellum, and hippocampus. All cases presented lymphoplasmocytic meningoencephalitis and intranuclear basophilic inclusion bodies in astrocytes, less commonly in neurons. Other frequent lesions included segmental laminar neuronal necrosis (red neurons), spongiosis, swollen vascular endothelial nuclei, gliosis (focal and diffuse), hypertrophy of astrocytes, infiltration of gitter cells, congestion, and hemorrhage. Lesions less frequently observed were Alzheimer type II astrocytes, residual lesion and neuronophagia. The most frequently affected cortical layers by neuronal necrosis and edema were external and internal granular, molecular, and pyramidal cell layers. Gyri and sulci were equally affected. Of the 26 cases, in 2 (7.69%) the DNA of BoHV-5 was amplified with samples fixed in 10% formalin and paraffin-embedded. DNA of BoHV-1 was identified in another case (3.84%) where, positive to BoHV-1, fresh samples were used.