ABSTRACT Working ponies in the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province of Indonesia are relied upon as the principal mode of transport. They have important cultural, logistical and One Health significance for the local community. Given the tropical climate, these ponies face well recognised health and welfare challenges. Parameters relating to the general health and welfare of the ponies were assessed following data analysis of clinical records from three veterinary clinics held in 2018 and 2019. Records relating to 454 clinical examinations of ponies (n=365 stallions) aged between 1 to 25 years (mean 7.59 ± 4.70) were analysed. The mean body condition score (1 to 5 scoring system) across all clinics was 2.89 (±0.49; range 1.5, 4.5), with no significant difference between clinics (P= 0.297). The majority of ponies (84.57%; 95% CI 80.50, 87.92; 307/363) assessed presented with tachypnoea, 37.24% presented with tachycardia (95% CI 32.78, 41.92; 159/427), 14.80% (95% CI 11.10, 19.46; 41/277) recorded rectal temperatures considered hyperthermic (>38.5°C), and 38.0% did not show obvious evidence of sweating (95% CI 32.21, 44.16; 95/250). Ponies examined at the April/May 2019 clinic were more likely to be considered hyperthermic (P=0.009) and/or presented with tachycardia (P<0.001), whereas ponies examined in the November 2019 clinic were more likely to present with tachypnoea (P=0.001). In general, the objective measures of body condition and health indices of these ponies were considered adequate. Some abnormalities relating to prolonged recovery following exercise whilst working were considered likely related to thermoregulatory stress. Parasite burdens were found to be low, no haemoprotozoan parasites were detected and median faecal egg count was zero. Measures to encourage cooling and greater frequent rest periods continued surveillance and monitoring the health of these ponies will result in both enhanced welfare and advances in One Health initiatives.

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Abstract The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can cause mild, moderate or severe disease (COVID-19). In severe disease, there is hyperinflammation causing severe symptoms. Severe COVID-19 is an immunological phenomenon, rather than a direct viral damage disease. Therapies for COVID-19 are all investigational therapies. In case of severe disease, treatment with a calcineurin inhibitor could be promising. In this article we explain the mechanisms of calcineurin inhibitor treatment for COVID-19, based on experiences seen in solid organ transplant recipients who suffered from COVID-19.

The antioxidant effects of Caryocar brasiliense Camb, commonly known as the pequi fruit, have not been evaluated to determine their protective effects against oxidative damage in lung carcinogenesis. In the present study, we evaluated the role of pequi fruit against urethane-induced DNA damage and oxidative stress in forty 8-12 week old male BALB/C mice. An in vivo comet assay was performed to assess DNA damage in lung tissues and changes in lipid peroxidation and redox cycle antioxidants were monitored for oxidative stress. Prior supplementation with pequi oil or its extract (15 µL, 60 days) significantly reduced urethane-induced oxidative stress. A protective effect against DNA damage was associated with the modulation of lipid peroxidation and low protein and gene expression of nitric oxide synthase. These findings suggest that the intake of pequi fruit might protect against in vivo genotoxicity and oxidative stress.

Background and Objectives: Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a frequent and incapacitating side effect of first-generation antipsychotics. Although second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) seem to be associated with a decreased risk of TD, it remains a severe, unresolved iatrogenic condition. Moreover, there is no commonly accepted effective treatment for TD. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to assess evidence regarding the effectiveness of different therapeutic interventions for TD. Methods: We performed a systematic review focussing exclusively on randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We searched the MEDLINE database (1997 to 2011) using the keyword "tardive dyskinesia" within the "title" search field. Twenty-six RCTs were included. Based on the evidence from RCTs, we built a decision tree that healthcare professionals can use to choose an effective therapeutic intervention for TD. Results: Four therapeutic interventions were found to be effective in TD (vitamin B6, ginkgo biloba, branched-chain amino acids, and piracetam). Conclusions: Patients with TD could benefit from the therapeutic interventions supported by the data accumulated from RCTs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Brazil's public health surveillance system (HSS), identifying its core capacities, shortcomings, and limitations in dealing with public health emergencies, within the context of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). METHODS: In 2008-2009 an evaluative cross-sectional study was conducted using semistructured questionnaires administered to key informants (municipal, state, and national government officials) to assess Brazilian HSS structure (legal framework and resources) and surveillance and response procedures vis-à-vis compliance with the IHR (2005) requirements for management of public health emergencies of national and international concern. Evaluation criteria included the capacity to detect, assess, notify, investigate, intervene, and communicate. Responses were analyzed separately by level of government (municipal health departments, state health departments, and national Ministry of Health). RESULTS: Overall, at all three levels of government, Brazil's HSS has a well-established legal framework (including the essential technical regulations) and the infrastructure, supplies, materials, and mechanisms required for liaison and coordination. However, there are still some weaknesses at the state level, especially in land border areas and small towns. Professionals in the field need to be more familiar with the IHR 2005 Annex 2 decision tool (designed to increase sensitivity and consistency in the notification process). At the state and municipal level, the capacity to detect, assess, and notify is better than the capacity to investigate, intervene, and communicate. Surveillance activities are conducted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in 40.7% of states and 35.5% of municipalities. There are shortcomings in organizational activities and methods, and in the process of hiring and training personnel. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the core capacities of Brazil's HSS are well established and fulfill most of the requisites listed in the IHR 2005 with respect to both structure and surveillance and response procedures, particularly at the national and state levels.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el sistema de vigilancia de salud pública del Brasil, identificando sus capacidades básicas, deficiencias y limitaciones para manejar emergencias de salud pública, dentro del contexto del Reglamento Sanitario Internacional (RSI 2005). MÉTODOS: En el período 2008-2009 se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal de evaluación utilizando cuestionarios semiestructurados administrados a informantes clave (funcionarios del gobierno municipal, estatal y nacional) a fin de evaluar la estructura del sistema de vigilancia de salud pública del Brasil (marco jurídico y recursos), y la vigilancia y los procedimientos de respuesta, con relación al cumplimiento de los requisitos del RSI 2005 para el manejo de emergencias de salud pública de importancia nacional e internacional. Los criterios de evaluación incluyeron la capacidad de detectar, evaluar, notificar, investigar, intervenir y comunicar. Las respuestas se analizaron por separado según el nivel gubernamental (departamentos de salud municipales y estatales y ministerio de salud nacional). RESULTADOS: En general, en los tres niveles del gobierno, el sistema de vigilancia de salud pública del Brasil tiene un marco jurídico bien establecido (incluidas las reglamentaciones técnicas esenciales) y la infraestructura, los suministros los materiales y los mecanismos requeridos para el enlace y la coordinación. Sin embargo, todavía hay algunos puntos débiles a nivel estatal, especialmente en las zonas fronterizas y los pueblos pequeños. Los profesionales de campo deben conocer más la herramienta de decisión del anexo 2 del RSI 2005 (diseñada para aumentar la sensibilidad y la consistencia del proceso de notificación). En el nivel estatal y municipal, la capacidad para detectar, evaluar y notificar es mejor que la capacidad para investigar, intervenir y comunicar. Las actividades de vigilancia se llevan a cabo 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana, en 40,7% de los estados y 35,5% de los municipios. Existen deficiencias en las actividades de organización y los métodos, y en el proceso de contratación y capacitación del personal. CONCLUSIONES: En general, las capacidades básicas del sistema de vigilancia de salud pública del Brasil están bien establecidas y cumplen la mayoría de los requisitos enumerados en el RSI 2005, tanto con respecto a la estructura como a la vigilancia y los procedimientos de respuesta, en particular en los niveles nacional y estatal.

Um sensor biomimético catecol oxidase, baseado em um novo complexo cobre(II) foi desenvolvido para determinação de catequina em chá verde e os resultados comparados com os obtidos por eletroforese capilar. O complexo dinuclear de cobre(II) [Cu2(HL)(µ-CH3COO)](ClO4), contendo o ligante N,N-[bis-(2-piridilmetil)]-N',N'-[(2-hidroxibenzil)(2-hidroxi-3,5-di-tert-butilbenzil)]-1,3-propanodiamino-2-ol (H3L), foi sintetizado e caracterizado por IV, ¹H RMN e análise elementar. As melhores condições para otimização do sensor biomimético foram estabelecidas por voltametria de onda quadrada. O melhor desempenho desse sensor foi obtido em 75:15:10% (m/m/m) de pó de grafite:nujol:complexo de cobre(II), tampão fosfato 0,05 mol L-1 (pH 7,5) e freqüência, amplitude de potencial, incremento em 30 Hz, 80 mV, 3,3 mV, respectivamente. A curva analítica foi linear na faixa de concentração 4,95 × 10-6 a 3,27 × 10-5 mol L-1 (r=0,9993) com limite de detecção de 2,8 × 10-7 mol L-1. Esse sensor biomimético demonstrou longo tempo de estabilidade (9 meses; 800 determinações) e reprodutibilidade com um desvio padrão relativo de 3,5%. A recuperação da catequina em amostras de chá verde variou de 93,8 a 106,9% e a determinação, comparada com a obtida usando eletroforese capilar, mostrou-se aceitável a um nível de confiança de 95%.

A catechol oxidase biomimetic sensor, based on a novel copper(II) complex, was developed for the determination of catechin in green tea and the results were compared with those obtained by capillary electrophoresis. The dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu2(HL)(µ-CH3COO)](ClO4), containing the ligand N,N-[bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)]-N',N'-[(2-hydroxybenzyl)(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)]-1,3-propanediamine-2-ol (H3L), was synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and elemental analysis. The best conditions for the optimization of the biomimetic sensor were established by square wave voltammetry. The best performance for this sensor was obtained in 75:15:10% (m/m/m) of the graphite powder:nujol:copper(II) complex, 0.05 mol L-1 phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.5) and frequency, pulse amplitude, scan increment at 30 Hz, 80 mV, 3.3 mV, respectively. The analytical curve was linear in the concentration range 4.95 × 10-6 to 3.27 × 10-5 mol L-1 (r = 0.9993) with a detection limit of 2.8 × 10-7 mol L-1. This biomimetic sensor demonstrated long-term stability (9 months; 800 determinations) and reproducibility with a relative standard deviation of 3.5%. The recovery of catechin from green tea samples ranged from 93.8 to 106.9% and the determination, compared with that obtained using capillary electrophoresis, was found to be acceptable at the 95% confidence level.

Síndrome peri-sylviana (SP) refere-se a diversas manifestações clínicas que podem acompanhar lesões que comprometem a região peri-sylviana ou opercular, podendo ser adquirida, como em acidentes vasculares cerebrais ou encefalites virais, ou ser congênita. A SP congênita pode se manifestar com grande variação clínica e em idades precoces. Com o advento da ressonância magnética (RM) foi possível observar a presença de polimicrogiria (PMG) na região da fissura de Sylvius em diversos pacientes com quadro clínico de SP. O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar e divulgar essa entidade raramente diagnosticada por meio da descrição de uma família. A família em questão compõe-se de cinco indivíduos acometidos, sendo o distúrbio de linguagem a manifestação mais prevalente, ou seja, presente em todos eles. Epilepsia, déficit motor e sinais pseudobulbares (como sialorréia) foram evidenciados no paciente que mostrou maior alteração à RM (PMG difusa). A paciente com PMG parietal posterior e os outros três com RM normais tiveram manifestações clínicas mais sutis. Apesar da maioria das famílias descritas até o momento apresentar transmissão ligada ao cromossomo X, a nossa família sugere transmissão autossômica dominante, já que dois meninos afetados são filhos de homens também acometidos. Os nossos dados reforçam a idéia de que a SP apresenta heterogeneidade genética.

Perisylvian syndrome (PS) refers to a variety of clinical manifestations associated with lesions in the perisylvian or opercular region. Acquired lesions such as cerebrovascular diseases or virus encephalitis and congenital lesions such as polymicrogyria (PMG) may be implied as etiological factors. The onset of the PS may occur in early childhood. The aim of this study was to report one family with PS in order to draw attention to this rarely diagnosed entity. Our family has five affected patients, three children and two male adults. All of them had developmental language disorder. Epilepsy, motor deficit and pseudobulbar signs (such as drooling) were detected in one child who had diffuse PMG along the Sylvian fissure. Subtle clinical manifestations correlated with either subtle MRI findings or normal MRI. Most reported families provide evidence suggestive of X-linked transmission. However, the most likely mode of inheritance in our family is autosomal dominant, since a male to male transmission was documented.

Alterações específicas do desenvolvimento da linguagem (AEDL) devem ser identificadas precocemente, pois tais alterações podem interferir nos aspectos sociais e escolares da criança. O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi verificar o desempenho de crianças com diagnóstico de AEDL, em comparação com o de crianças normais, por meio da Escala de Desenvolvimento Comportamental de Gesell e Amatruda (EDCGA). Foram selecionadas 25 crianças de 3 a 6 anos com o diagnóstico de AEDL (grupo estudado - GE) e 50 crianças normais da mesma faixa etária (grupo controle - GC). As crianças do GC apresentaram desempenho satisfatório e melhor que as crianças do GE, em todos os campos da escala. O valor da mediana do GE foi limítrofe nos comportamentos adaptativo e social-pessoal, já no de linguagem foi discrepantemente rebaixado. Concluímos que as alterações de linguagem interferiram na avaliação dos outros campos do desenvolvimento (adaptativo e pessoal-social). Apesar da interferência, a escala pode ser instrumento útil no diagnóstico de AEDL.

Specific language impairment (SLI) should have an early diagnosis, since it can interfere with social and school adaptation of the child. The aim of this study was to verify the performance of children with SLI in comparison with normal children using the Behavior Developmental Scale of Gesell and Amatruda. Twenty-five SLI children, 3 to 6 years of age, were evaluated. This group was compared to 50 normal children of the same age. Children of control group showed better performance in all aspects of the scale. The medium value of the studied group was borderline in adaptative and social aspects, and was slightly below the medium in the language aspect. We conclude that language disorder may impair the assessment of other areas of development. Nevertheless, this scale may be useful in the evaluation of children with SLI.

Blendas poliméricas de poliamida 6 (PA6) com acrilonitrila-butadieno-estireno (ABS) foram preparadas em extrusora de rosca dupla, utilizando-se os copolímeros metacrilato de metila - metacrilato de glicidila (MMA-GMA) e metacrilato de metila-anidrido maléico (MMA-MA) como agentes de compatibilização. O ABS, por si só, não foi capaz de tenacificar a PA6, apresentando uma morfologia de fases com grandes e pequenos aglomerados na matriz PA6. A introdução do copolímero MMA-GMA, como compatibilizante do sistema, não melhorou significativamente as propriedades de impacto da blenda PA6/ABS. As fotomicrografias obtidas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) indicaram uma morfologia com duas populações distintas de ABS: aglomerados e pequenas partículas dispersas, resultando em uma distribuição não-uniforme de domínios de ABS. A blenda compatibilizada com MMA-MA foi supertenaz (> 800 J/m) na temperatura ambiente e em baixas temperaturas (~ -10 °C), com baixas concentrações de compatibilizante e baixos teores de MA no copolímero. As blendas PA6/ABS compatibilizadas com MMA-MA apresentaram uma morfologia de partículas bem dispersas e adequadamente distribuídas na matriz, evidenciando a presença efetiva do copolímero como agente de compatibilização reativo deste sistema.

Blends of Polyamide 6 (PA6) with acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) were prepared in a corotating twin-screw extruder, using the poly(methyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (MMA-GMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-maleic anhydride) (MMA-MA) copolymers as compatibilizing agents. The ABS by itself was not capable to toughen PA6 and showed a phase morphology with large and small agglomerates in the PA6 matrix. The introduction of MMA-GMA copolymer as a compatibilizing agent in the system did not significantly improve the impact properties of PA6/ABS blend. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) photomicrographs indicated a morphology with two distinct populations of ABS: agglomerates and small dispersed particles resulting in a non-uniform distribution of ABS domains. The compatibilized blend with MMA-MA was super-tough (> 800 J/m) at room temperature and low temperature (~ -10 °C) with small amounts of MA in the copolymer and small amounts of compatibilizer in the blend. The PA6/ABS compatibilized blends with MMA-MA showed a morphology of well dispersed and distributed rubber particles in PA6 matrix, thus demonstrating the effective presence of the copolymer as a compatibilizing reactive agent of this system.

A poliamida 6 (PA6) é um polímero semicristalino de grande aplicação na engenharia e que apresenta instabilidade no processamento e baixa resistência ao impacto sob entalhe. A incorporação do ABS (acrilonitrila-butadieno-estireno) como modificador de impacto da PA6, pode melhorar estas propriedades. Entretanto, como esta mistura é imiscível e incompatível, torna-se necessária a incorporação de um terceiro componente que promova a interação destas duas fases imiscíveis. Este estudo analisa a influência dos copolímeros MMA-GMA (metacrilato de metila-metacrilato de glicidila) e MMA-MA (metacrilato de metila-anidrido maléico) como compatibilizantes de blendas PA6/ABS. Estes copolímeros apresentam miscibilidade com a fase SAN do ABS, devido à presença do PMMA, e têm também os grupos funcionais éster e anidrido capazes de reagir com os grupos terminais, presentes na PA6. As blendas PA6/ABS/MMA-MA apresentaram excelente desempenho sob impacto, permanecendo dúcteis em temperaturas subambiente e super-tenazes na temperatura ambiente.

Polyamide 6 (PA6) is a semicrystalline polymer suitable to be used in engineering applications with a number of advantages, but its processing instability and relatively low impact strength are limiting aspects. The addition of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) as an impact modifier to PA6 can improve these properties. However, this blend is immiscible and incompatible, hence the use of an adhesion promoter is necessary to improve the interfacial interaction between the phases. This study focuses on the influence of poly(methyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (MMA-GMA) and poly(methyl methacrylate-co-maleic anhydride) (MMA-MA) copolymers as compatibilizers for PA6/ABS blends. These copolymers are miscible with SAN phase of ABS due to the presence of PMMA and they have also the esther and anhydride functional groups capable of reacting with polyamide end groups. PA6/ABS/MMA-MA blends showed an excellent impact performance, being super-tough at room temperature and maintaining a good ductility in subambient temperatures.