RESUMO Introdução: A Alberta Stroke Early Score (ASPECTS) foi desenvolvida para monitorização de alterações isquêmicas precoces na tomografia computadorizada de crânio, estando associada a desfechos clínicos. A ASPECTS também pode se associar aos biomarcadores periféricos que refletem a resposta fisiopatológica do cérebro ao AVC isquêmico. Objetivo: Investigar à associação entre os parâmetros periféricos com a Alberta Stroke Early Score (ASPECTS) em indivíduos após acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico. Métodos: Pacientes acima de 18 anos com AVC isquêmico agudo foram incluídos neste estudo. Nenhum paciente foi elegível para trombólise. Os pacientes foram submetidos à tomografia computadorizada sem contraste nas primeiras 24 horas da admissão, a ASPECTS e as avaliações clínicas e moleculares aplicadas no mesmo dia. O National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), a escala de Rankin modificada e o Mini Exame do Estado Mental para avaliação clínica também foram aplicados a todos os indivíduos. Os níveis plasmáticos de BDNF, VCAM-1, VEGF, IL-1β, sTNFRs e adiponectina foram determinados por ELISA. Resultados: Pior desempenho neurológico (NIHSS), cognitivo (MEEM) e funcional (Rankin) foram observados no grupo com alterações na ASPECTS. Pacientes com alterações na ASPECTS também exibiram níveis mais altos de IL-1β e adiponectina. Na regressão multivariada linear, foi encontrado um coeficiente R ajustado de 0,515, indicando adiponectina e NIHSS como preditores independentes para a ASPECTS. Conclusão: Os níveis plasmáticos de adiponectina estão associados aos escores da ASPECTS.

ABSTRACT Background: The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) scale was developed for monitoring early ischemic changes on CT, being associated with clinical outcomes. The ASPECTS can also associate with peripheral biomarkers that reflect the pathophysiological response of the brain to the ischemic stroke. Objective: To investigate the association between peripheral biomarkers with the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) in individuals after ischemic stroke. Methods: Patients over 18 years old with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in this study. No patient was eligible for thrombolysis. The patients were submitted to non-contrast CT in the first 24 hours of admission, being the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score and clinical and molecular evaluations applied on the same day. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin scale and the Mini-Mental State Examination for clinical evaluation were also applied to all subjects. Plasma levels of BDNF, VCAM-1, VEGF, IL-1β, sTNFRs and adiponectin were determined by ELISA. Results: Worse neurological impairment (NIHSS), cognitive (MEEM) and functional (Rankin) performance was observed in the group with changes in the NCTT. Patients with NCTT changes also exhibited higher levels of IL-1β and adiponectin. In the linear multivariate regression, an adjusted R coefficient of 0.515 was found, indicating adiponectin and NIHSS as independent predictors of ASPECTS. Conclusion: Plasma levels of adiponectin are associated with the ASPECTS scores.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated lairage time effects on carcass and meat quality traits of Hereford steers. Thirty Hereford steers fed on pasture were assigned to two treatments according to lairage time: 3 h (n = 15) and 12 h (n = 15). Individual temperament was assessed using crush score and flight speed. pH decline, glycogen content, meat color, and shear force were measured. pH was not different between treatments at any time point, showing a normal decline rate. Meat color and shear force did not differ between treatments, but muscle glycogen was lower in treatment with 3 h, not enough to affect quality but suggesting a higher level of stress in 3 h lairage time. Temperament did not have any impact on carcass and meat quality traits. No differences were found in pH, color, and tenderness between treatments, but the lower muscle glycogen concentrations for the shorter lairage suggest a higher risk regarding meat quality.

RESUMO. Este estudo foi realizado para investigar as associações entre indicadores diretos e indiretos do uso do espaço por bovinos, além de avaliar o papel de algumas características ambientais na definição desses indicadores. O estudo foi conduzido em duas áreas, denominadas Nature Reserve (63,6 ha) e Private Area (30,4 ha), com 53 bovinos da raça Hereford em cada área. Observações comportamentais foram utilizadas como indicador direto do uso do espaço, enquanto as distribuições de trilhas feitas pelo gado e de placas de fezes foram utilizadas como indicadores indiretos. As características ambientais avaliadas foram: declividade, tipo de cobertura vegetal (florestas, pastagem com árvores isoladas, áreas abertas de pastagem), posição de cercas, fontes de água e sal. As correlações espaciais entre os três indicadores de uso do espaço foram baixas (r < 0,30). As características do ambiente tiveram baixo poder de predição da distribuição espacial dos animais, seguido pela distribuição das trilhas e maior para as placas de fezes. Concluímos que cada um dos métodos avaliados aborda um aspecto diferente do uso do espaço pelos bovinos. As características ambientais avaliadas foram úteis para predizer apenas a distribuição das placas de fezes, sendo menos úteis no caso das trilhas e observações diretas dos animais.

ABSTRACT. The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations among direct and indirect indicators of land use by cattle and to understand the role of some environmental factors on the definition of these indicators. The study was carried out in two areas, Nature Reserve (63.6 ha) and Private Area (30.4 ha), with 53 Hereford animals in each area. Daytime observations of animals’ location were used as direct indicator of land use; while cattle track and dung pat distributions throughout the areas were used as indirect indicators. Environmental characteristics recorded were: terrain slope, prevalence of woody vegetation cover (forests, isolated tress and open grasslands), as well as the position of fences, water sources and salt blocks. Spatial correlations among the three indicators of land use were low (r < 0.30). The environmental factors had lower predictive power of animals’ sightings distribution, followed by cattle tracks, and the highest predictive power occurred for dung pat distribution. We concluded that each one of the methods evaluated in this study addresses a different aspect of land use by cattle. The environmental factors assessed were useful to predict the dung pat distribution, but less valuable to predict the cattle tracks and animals’ sightings distributions.