Screener, a board game supplemented with online resources, was introduced and distributed by the Brazilian Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics to postgraduate programs as an instructional tool for the process of drug discovery and development (DDD). In this study, we provided a comprehensive analysis of five critical aspects for evaluating the quality of educational games, namely: 1) description of the intervention; 2) underlying pedagogical theory; 3) identification of local educational gaps; 4) impact on diverse stakeholders; and 5) elucidation of iterative quality enhancement processes. We also present qualitative and quantitative assessments of the effectiveness of this game in 11 postgraduate courses. We employed the MEEGA+ online survey, comprising thirty-three close-ended unipolar items with 5-point Likert-type response scales, to assess student perceptions of the quality and utility of Screener. Based on 115 responses, the results indicated a highly positive outlook among students. In addition, we performed a preliminary evaluation of learning outcomes in two courses involving 28 students. Pre- and post-quizzes were applied, each consisting of 20 True/False questions directly aligned with the game's content. The analysis revealed significant improvement in students' performance following engagement with the game, with scores rising from 8.4 to 13.3 (P<0.0001, paired t-test) and 9.7 to 12.7 (P<0.0001, paired t-test). These findings underscore the utility of Screener as an enjoyable and effective tool for facilitating a positive learning experience in the DDD process. Notably, the game can also reduce the educational disparities across different regions of our continental country.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Syzygium cumini leaves (SCL) in laying hens diets on productive performance, egg quality and lipid oxidation of yolk. A total of 108 Hysex White laying hens were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments and six replicates of six birds each. The treatments consisted of SCL inclusion at dietary levels of 0, 5 and 10 g/kg. There was no significant effect of SCL inclusion on feed intake, laying percentage, weight and egg mass, feed conversion ratio, Haugh units, specific gravity, percentage of yolk, albumen and egg shells and shell thickness. However, the inclusion of SCL significantly influenced the yolk color and yolk lipid oxidation measured by TBARS values. Yolk color increased and TBARS values decreased with the inclusion of SCL. The inclusion of SCL in laying hens diets improves pigmentation and lipid stability of yolk.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento inicial e as características fisiológicas do eucalipto submetido a diferentes manejos do capim-braquiária. O experimento foi realizado em ambiente protegido, no delineamento de blocos casualizados com cinco repetições. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial (5 x 2) + 1, sendo o primeiro fator correspondente aos tipos de manejo da planta daninha (ausência de controle, controle químico mantendo no solo a parte aérea do capim-braquiária, controle químico retirando a parte aérea do capim-braquiária, controle mecânico mantendo no solo a parte aérea do capim-braquiária e controle mecânico retirando a parte aérea do capim-braquiária) o segundo às espécies de capim-braquiária (Urochloa brizantha e Urochloa decumbens), além de uma testemunha referente ao eucalipto em monocultivo. O crescimento do eucalipto não foi alterado pela presença das espécies de capim-braquiária até os 50 dias após a aplicação dos tratamentos (DAT). Todavia, o convívio dessas espécies com o eucalipto até os 107 DAT reduziu o diâmetro do coleto, a matéria seca total e a aérea foliar, mas não alterou as características relacionadas a fotossíntese e transpiração. O método de controle adotado com a remoção ou manutenção da parte aérea do capim-braquiária, independentemente da espécie, não alterou o crescimento inicial do eucalipto. Conclui-se que o convívio por 105 dias do eucalipto com Urochloa decumbens ou Urochloa brizantha reduz o crescimento do eucalipto. Contudo, os controles químico ou mecânico, associados ou não à retirada dos resíduos da capina do capim-braquiária, foram métodos eficientes para impedir a interferência dessas plantas daninhas.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the initial growth and the physiological characteristics of eucalypt submitted to different managements of signalgrass. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment, using a randomized blocks design with five repetitions. The treatments were arranged in a (5 x 2) + 1 factorial design, and the first factor corresponded to the types of weed management (no control; chemical control keeping the signalgrass shoot on the soil; chemical control with removal of the signalgrass shoot; mechanical control keeping the signalgrass shoot on the soil, and mechanical control with removal of the signalgrass shoot); the second factor corresponded to the two weeds species (U. brizantha and U. decumbens) and a control relative to the eucalypt in monoculture. The eucalypt growth was not affected by the presence of the Urochloa species until 50 days after treatments (DAT). However, the coexistence of these species with eucalypt for 107 DAT reduced the collar diameter, total dry matter, and the leaf area, but did not alter the characteristics related to photosynthesis and transpiration. The control method adopted, with removal or maintenance of the signalgrass shoot, regardless of species, did not change the initial eucalypt growth. It can be concluded that the coexistence of eucalypt with Urochloa decumbens or Urochloa brizantha for 105 days reduces the eucalypt growth. However, the use of chemical or mechanical control, with or without removal of signalgrass residue, were effective methods to prevent interference of these weeds.

As plantas têm a capacidade de sofrer mudanças morfológicas com base na disponibilidade de luz. O presente estudo avaliou a acumulação de biomassa, morfoanatomia foliar e fisiologia de Neonotonia wightii ePueraria phaseoloides cultivadas a pleno sol, bem como a 30 e 50% de sombra. Dois ensaios foram realizados, um para cada espécie, usando um delineamento de blocos casualizados com 10 repetições. Observou-se maior acúmulo de massa fresca na parte aérea das plantas para ambas as espécies cultivadas em 50% de sombreamento, enquanto não foram detectadas diferenças entre pleno sol e 30% de sombreamento. N. wightii e P. phaseoloides mostraram aumento de área e redução da espessura foliar quando cultivadas a 50% de sombreamento. Não houve alterações na taxa fotossintética, condutância estomática, eficiência no uso da água e evapotranspiração nas plantas de P. phaseoloidesem função do ambiente de cultivo. No entanto, os tratamentos sombreados causaram alterações nos parâmetros fisiológicos de N. wightii. Em ambas as espécies, mudanças estruturais no mesofilo ocorreram dependendo da disponibilidade de luz; no entanto, a quantidade de tecido da lâmina foliar permaneceu inalterada. Apesar da influência da variação de intensidade luminosa sobre a plasticidade morfofisiológica de N. wightii eP. phaseoloides não foram observados efeitos na acumulação de biomassa em resposta à luz.

Plants have the ability to undergo morphophysiological changes based on availability of light. The present study evaluated biomass accumulation, leaf morphoanatomy and physiology of Neonotonia wightii andPueraria phaseoloides grown in full sunlight, as well as in 30% and 50% shade. Two assays were performed, one for each species, using a randomized block design with 10 replicates. A higher accumulation of fresh mass in the shoot of the plants was observed for both species under cultivation in 50% shade, while no differences were detected between the full sunlight and 30% shade. N. wightii and P. phaseoloides showed increase in area and reduction in thickness leaf when cultivated in 50% shade. There were no changes in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency and evapotranspiration of P. phaseoloidesplants because growth environment. However, the shade treatments caused alterations in physiological parameters of N. wightii. In both species, structural changes in the mesophyll occurred depending on the availability of light; however, the amount of leaf blade tissue remained unaltered. Despite the influence of light intensity variation on the morphophysiological plasticity ofN. wightiiand P. phaseoloides, no effects on biomass accumulation were observed in response to light.

Scutellaria agrestis é utilizada por comunidades ribeirinhas do Amazonas principalmente para o tratamento de otites por via tópica utilizando-se o extrato bruto obtido por maceração. O presente trabalho visou investigar preliminarmente o perfil fitoquímico, a segurança toxicológica e as ações analgésica, anti-inflamatória e antiedematogência do extrato aquoso das folhas de S. agrestis. Foram coletados 80 indivíduos da espécie no horto medicinal da Universidade Nilton Lins, Manaus, Brasil. O perfil fitoquímico foi obtido por meio de prospecção da droga vegetal para heterosídeos cianogênicos, terpenos, compostos fenólicos e alcaloides. A toxicologia foi avaliada pelo teste de toxicidade aguda. As atividades analgésicas/ anti-inflamatórias foram analisadas por meio dos testes de formalina em camundongos e a atividade antiedematogência, pelo teste de edema de pata em ratos. Os metabólitos detectados foram fenóis (taninos hidrolisáveis, cumarinas e várias classes de flavonoides) e terpenos (esteroides livres, saponinas). Não foi possível estabelecer DL50, haja visto que o extrato não provocou a morte de nenhum animal durante o teste de toxicidade aguda, provavelmente devido à ausência de heterosídeos cianogênicos na sua composição. Apesar de não provocar morte, considerou-se que o extrato apresenta uma discreta toxicidade, uma vez que foi observada a ocorrência de espasmos na primeira hora de observação dos animais. O extrato apresentou ainda efeito analgésico e anti-inflamatório significativo nas doses de 30, 100 e 300 mg/kg pelo teste da formalina, sendo o resultado na maior dose equivalente ao obtido com a droga padrão (fentanil). No entanto, não observamos efeito antiedematogênico nas doses testadas durante as 5 horas de registro do edema de pata. Os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa conferem base científica preliminar quanto à segurança e ao efeito analgésico e antiinflamatório da droga vegetal, o que indica que tal espécie é promissora e expressamente recomendada para maiores estudos farmacológicos in vitro e in vivo.

The Scutellaria agrestis is used by Amazonas riverine communities, especially for otitis externa topical treatment, by using the crude extract obtained by maceration. This study aimed to investigate the preliminary phytochemical profile, the safety/toxicity and the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiedematogenic activities of the aqueous extract of the S. agrestis leaves. Eighty individuals were collected at the Nilton Lins University medicinal garden, Manaus, Brazil. The phytochemical profile was obtained through a plant drug survey for cyanogenic heterosides, terpenes, alkaloids and phenolic compounds. The extract safety was evaluated by acute toxicity test. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were accessed using formalin test in mice and the antiedematogenic activity, using paw edema test in mice. We detected phenolic (hydrolysable tannins, coumarins and several classes of flavonoids) and terpenoid (free steroids, saponins) metabolites. We could not establish LD50 because no animals died during the acute toxicity test, probably because of the absence of cyanogenic glycosides on the composition of the extract. However, we found that the extract is slightly toxic as animal spasms were observed in the first hour of the test. The extract showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity on the formalin test (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg p.o.), and the highest dose result was equivalent to the standard drug (Fentanyl). However, no significant antiedematogenic effect was observed during the paw edema test. The results obtained in this study provide preliminary scientific basis about the safety and analgesic/anti-inflammatory actions of the aqueous extract of S. agrestis, which indicates that this species is a promising option for further in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies.

Cistos renais podem formar-se em qualquer parte do néfron e dos ductos coletores. Alguns são hereditários, originando-se durante a organogênese, e outros se desenvolvem no tecido renal normal, depois que os rins estão completamente formados. No presente relato, descreve-se a ressecção de cisto e abscesso renais, por cirurgia laparoscópica em um cão. Para o acesso, foram utilizados três portais, dois de 10mm de diâmetro e um de 5mm, dispostos na parede abdominal lateral direita e, num segundo momento, na parede abdominal lateral esquerda. Conclui-se, portanto, que a técnica laparoscópica com três portais permite a realização de ressecção de cisto e abscesso renais em cães, sem a ocorrência de recidivas em curto prazo.

Renal cysts can be formed anywhere in the nephron and collecting duct system. Some are hereditary, originated during organogenesis, and others could have origin in the normal kidney tissue, after the kidney's development. This report describes the resection of renal cysts and abscesses by laparoscopic surgery in a dog. In order to access the cavity, three portals were used; two with 10mm and another with 5mm diameter, in the right lateral abdominal wall, and in another moment, in the left lateral abdominal wall. It is concluded that the laparoscopic technique with three portals allows the resection of renal cysts and abscesses in dogs, without the occurrence of relapses in the short postoperative time.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the frequency of pulses and the amplitude of the pre-ovulatory peak of the luteinizing hormone (LH) in Nellore heifers and cows submitted to a hormonal protocol. In six females owning to each category the following protocol was used: placement of the norgestomet implant (NOR) and application of 2.0 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) on day zero, with retreat after eight days, followed by the application of 0.5 mg of sodic cloprostenol. After 24 hours (day nine) 1.0 mg of EB was used. The blood sampling was initiated 27.00 hours after the application of the second dose of EB, and repeated every 15 minutes for a six hours period. Seric levels of LH were detected by radioimmunoassay method. In one heifer and in four cows the pre-ovulatory peak of LH was observed. In the heifer the peak was verified in the first sampling, 27.00 hours after the ovulation induction. In the cows this occurred on 28.20±0.55 hours after application of EB. The maximum amplitude verified was 4.58±0.67 ng/ml. In the animals in which LH peak was not observed, the average concentrations were 0.90±0.03 ng/ml for the heifers and 0.86±0.03 ng/ml for the cows. It suggests that in the heifers the pre-ovulatory peak of LH, probably, have occurred more precociously than in the cows. However, more studies about the LH peak moment in bovine females with synchronized ovulation are needed.

Desenvolveu-se este trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar a freqüência de pulsos e a amplitude do pico pré-ovulatório do hormônio luteinizante (LH) de novilhas e vacas Nelore submetidas a um protocolo hormonal. Em seis fêmeas de cada categoria utilizou-se o seguinte protocolo: colocação do implante de norgestomet (NOR) e aplicação de 2,0 mg de benzoato de estradiol (BE) no dia zero, com retirada após oito dias, seguida da aplicação de 0,5 mg de cloprostenol sódico. Após 24 horas (dia nove) 1,0 mg de BE. As colheitas de sangue iniciaram-se 27,00 horas após a aplicação da segunda dose de BE, sendo repetidas a cada 15 minutos por um período de seis horas. A determinação dos níveis séricos de LH foi feita pelo método de radioimunoensaio. Em uma novilha e em quatro vacas pôde-se observar o pico pré-ovulatório de LH. Na novilha o pico foi verificado na primeira colheita, 27,00 horas após a indução da ovulação. Nas vacas este ocorreu, em média, 28,20±0,55 horas após a aplicação do BE. A amplitude máxima verificada foi, em média, de 4,58±0,67 ng/ml. Nos animais em que não se observou o pico de LH, as concentrações médias foram de 0,90±0,03 ng/ml para as novilhas e de 0,86±0,03 ng/ml para as vacas. Sugere-se que nas novilhas o pico pré-ovulatório de LH, provavelmente, tenha ocorrido mais precocemente que nas vacas. No entanto, são necessários mais estudos sobre o momento do pico de LH em fêmeas bovinas com ovulação sincronizada.

The aim of this work was to analyze the main equilibrium equations used for grains to find the best way to represent the equilibrium conditions between lentil and air. The experimental study was based on the static method using saturated salt solutions. We developed criteria for distinguish between some existing equations used for grains. To distinguishing between these equations we explored some nonlinearity measures. The results obtained showed that the Halsey modified equation was the best model in terms of nonsignificance for bias and nonlinearity measures.