Abstract Crude glycerin is a byproduct of the biodiesel industry and has been widely used in ruminant diets as a source of energy, usually in place of corn, primarily during periods of drought in tropical regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of including levels of the crude glycerin of low purity (0, 6, 12 and 18%) replacing corn in the diets of goats on the carcass characteristics, tissue composition, meat cuts yield and physicochemical parameters of meat. Forty males castrated without defined racial pattern goats an initial average weight of 19.70 ± 2.30 kg were slaughtered after 86 days. Diets content 0 and 6% crude glycerin promoted similar responses to the analyzed variables, except for pH and breast weight. No differences were observed to total digestible nutrients, slaughter body weight, commercial cut yield leg tissue composition and physicochemical parameters of meat. Crude glycerin can be included up to 12% without losses on carcass weight and meat cuts, leg composition, and meat quality. The inclusion of crude glycerin containing 63.06% glycerol and 45.57% lipids could be effective in partial replacement of corn in diets for confined goats in tropical areas.

RESUMO: O manejo dos cordeiros durante o período neonatal tem sido objeto de estudo em diversas pesquisas devido às adaptações orgânicas vitais e hormonais sofridas pela cria após o parto. Todavia, o gênero, número de filhotes e o tipo de parto parecem desempenhar um papel importante para melhor compreensão do vigor neonatal. Além disso, o estudo destes grupos com o acompanhamento da evolução clínica e do metabolismo do cortisol torna-se um subsidio indispensável para melhor compreensão dessa fase neonatal, visando minimizar as perdas geradas. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a influência do gênero, número de filhotes e tipo de parto na apresentação do vigor neonatal dos cordeiros através do diagnostico clinico e de cortisol. Foram utilizados trinta cordeiros mestiços da raça Santa Inês com Dorper em fase neonatal divididos em três grupos: gênero (macho e fêmea), número de filhotes (único e gemelar) e tipo de parto (eutócico e distócico). Em cada grupo, foi realizada a avaliação clínica da frequência cardíaca e respiratória, temperatura retal, escore Apgar e peso; e com a exceção do cortisol, todas as avaliações foram realizadas aos quinze e sessenta minutos, como também às doze e vinte e quatro horas. Adicionalmente, procedeu-se com a coleta de amostras de sangue total para dosagem de cortisol obtida em dois momentos aos quinze e sessenta minutos através da técnica de radioimunoensaio. Dentre os três grupos experimentais relacionados com vigor dos cordeiros, a frequência cardíaca foi a única que evidenciou menores médias (P<0,05) às vinte e quatro horas no grupo dos machos 90,00±20,20bpm, gêmeos 96,44±20,02bpm e eutócicos 93,25±18,11bpm. Observou-se no grupo eutócico diferenças nos valores da frequência respiratória de 64,00±14,75mpm às vinte e quatro horas. No grupo dos machos houve redução significativa na temperatura corpórea durante os momentos de avaliação (P<0,05). Cordeiros do grupo de gêmeos demonstraram menor peso corpóreo durante as avaliações. Em ambos momentos a análise do cortisol sérico demonstrou se menor aos sessenta minutos. Pôde se concluir que logo após o parto ocorreram alterações marcantes nos parâmetros fisiológicos e peso de cordeiros Santa Inês, porém não foram suficientes para causar efeitos negativos sobre o vigor dos neonatos, indicando a ocorrência de efetiva capacidade de adaptação neonatal nesta espécie.

ABSTRACT: The management of lambs during the neonatal period has been studied in several researches due to the vital and hormonal organic adaptations undergone by the calf after birth. However, gender, number of pups and type of delivery play an important role in understanding neonatal vigor. The study of these groups with the monitoring of clinical evolution and cortisol metabolism becomes an indispensable subsidy for a better understanding of this neonatal phase, aiming to minimize the losses generated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of gender, number of pups and type of delivery in the prognosis of neonatal vigor of lambs through clinical and cortisol diagnosis. Thirty crossbred Santa Inês lambs with Dorper in the neonatal phase were divided into three groups: male and female, number of pups (single and twin) and type of delivery (eutocic and dystocic). In each group, clinical evaluation of heart and respiratory rate, rectal temperature, Apgar score and weight were performed; and with the exception of cortisol, all evaluations were performed at fifteen and sixty minutes, as well as at twelve and twenty-four hours. In addition, blood samples were collected for cortisol dosage obtained in two moments at fifteen and sixty minutes using the radioimmunoassay technique. Among the three experimental groups related to lamb vigor, the heart rate was the only one that showed lower mean values (P<0.05) at twenty-four hours in the male group 90.00±20.20bpm, twins 96.44±20.02bpm and eutocic 93.25±18.11bpm. Differences in respiratory rate values were observed in the eutocic group (64.00±14.75mpm) at twenty-four hours. In the group of males there was a significant reduction in body temperature during the evaluation moments (P<0.05). Lambs from the group of twins showed lower body weight during the evaluations. At both times the analysis of serum cortisol was less than at sixty minutes. It was concluded that soon after the birth there were marked changes in the physiological parameters and weight of Santa Inês lambs, but were not enough to cause negative effects on the vigor of the neonates, indicating the occurrence of effective neonatal adaptation capacity in this species.

Abstract: Medicinal plants have long been used as an alternative to traditional drugs for the treatment of inflammatory conditions due to the classical side effects and restricted access of various commercially available drugs, such as steroids (GCs) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Sambucus australis is a Brazilian herb that is commonly used to treat inflammatory diseases; however, few studies have examined the use of this species in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. The present study aims to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory activity of S. australis in vitro. We established spleen cell cultures stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) to evaluate the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-5, IFN-y, and IL-10 (by ELISA), and the expression of the transcription factor NF-kB (by RT-PCR). In addition, we evaluated the levels of nitric oxide in macrophage cultures and the membrane-stabilizing activity of S. australis methanolic extract (EMSA). Treatment with EMSA at concentrations of 100, 50, 25 and 12.5 µg/ml significantly decreased IL-4 (p<0.001) and IL-5 (p<0.001) levels. Treatment with 100 µg/ml EMSA reduced IFN-у (p<0.001) levels. Moreover, at 100 mg/ml, EMSA also increased IL-10 production and reduced NF-kB expression (p<0.01). In macrophage cultures stimulated with LPS, EMSA decreased nitric oxide levels (p<0.001) at all concentrations tested (100, 50, 25 and 12.5 µg/ml). Additionally, EMSA had a protective effect in the erythrocyte membrane stabilization assay. Taken together, these results suggest that S. australis has anti-inflammatory potential in vitro, characterized by the reduction of both inflammatory cytokines and the expression of NF-kB along with the up-regulation of IL-10.

RESUMO Objetivou-se com o presente experimento avaliar o efeito de dois diferentes diluidores (leite em pó desnatado glicose - SMG ou lactose gema de ovo - LEY) sobre as características físicas e a fertilidade do sêmen asinino coletado de forma fracionada e resfriado a 5ºC. Para isso, quatro jumentos da raça Pêga foram utilizados como doadores de sêmen. A fração espermática rica do ejaculado foi diluída preparando-se doses inseminantes contendo 400 x 106 espermatozoides móveis em um volume de 22 mL, resfriadas a 5ºC e armazenadas por até 48 horas em contêiner proposto por Palhares (1997). A motilidade e o vigor espermáticos foram avaliados no sêmen fresco, após a pré-diluição, antes das inseminações, às 24 e 48 horas de armazenamento. Para avaliação de fertilidade, 44 éguas foram inseminadas com sêmen armazenado por um período entre 12 e 24 horas, em dias fixos (segundas, quartas e sextas-feiras), após a detecção de um folículo de diâmetro maior ou igual a 30mm em um dos ovários, até a ovulação. O diagnóstico de gestação foi realizado a partir de 12 dias após a ovulação, por meio de ultrassonografia transretal. O sêmen diluído em SMG apresentou motilidade espermática superior à do LEY, já a partir do tempo pré-IA. Às 48 horas de armazenamento, todos os jumentos apresentaram valores de motilidade entre 45% e 53%, quando o sêmen foi diluído em SMG, enquanto apenas um jumento apresentou motilidade superior a 30% no tratamento utilizando LEY. A taxa de concepção/ciclo das éguas inseminadas também foi superior para o sêmen diluído em SMG em relação ao diluído em LEY (56,52% versus 4,76%, respectivamente).

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different extenders (Skimmed Milk Glucose - SMG or Lactose - Egg Yolk - LEY) on physical characteristics and fertility of fractionated donkey semen cooled at 5°C. For this, four Pêga donkeys were used as semen donors. The sperm rich fraction of the ejaculate was diluted preparing insemination doses containing 400 x 106 motile spermatozoa in a volume of 22 mL, cooled to 5°C and stored up to 48 hours in a container proposed by Palhares (1997). Sperm motility and vigor were assessed in fresh semen, after first semen dilution, before insemination, at 24 and 48 hours after storage. For the fertility evaluation, 44 mares were inseminated with semen stored for a period between 12 and 24 hours. The mares were inseminated on fixed days (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays) after the detection of a follicle greater than a 30mm diameter in one of the ovaries through ovulation. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on day 12 post-ovulation, using transrectal ultrasonography. Semen diluted in SMG showed superior sperm motility than LEY, at the Pre-AI evaluation (P<0.05). At 48 hours of storage, all donkeys had motility values between 45 and 53% for semen diluted in SMG, while only one donkey showed motility greater than 30% in the LEY treatment. The pregnancy rate/cycle for mares inseminated with semen diluted in SMG was superior than that obtained using LEY (56.52% vs 4.76%, respectively).

Avaliou-se a infecção por Brucella abortus em cavalos de carroça de Curitiba e São José dos Pinhais-PR. Um total de 123 amostras foi submetido ao teste do antígeno tamponado acidificado (ATA), soroaglutinação lenta em tubos (SAL) e prova do 2-mercaptoetanol (2-ME) para confirmação dos resultados. Oito (6,5%) equinos foram positivos para o ATA e um animal permaneceu positivo ao teste confirmatório. Existem evidências da presença de brucelose entre os cavalos de carroça.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a world-wide public health problem, with adverse outcomes of kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. This finding has led to the hypothesis that earlier recognition of kidney disease and successful intervention may improve outcome. The National Kidney Foundation, through its Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI), and other National institutions recommend glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for the definition, classification, screening, and monitoring of CKD. Blood creatinine clearance, the most widely used clinical marker of kidney function, is now recognized as an unreliable measure of GFR because serum creatinine is affected by age, weight, muscle mass, race, various medications, and extra-glomerular elimination. Cystatin C concentration is a new and promising marker for kidney dysfunction in both native and transplanted kidneys. Because of its low molecular weight, cystatin C is freely filtered at the glomerulus and is almost completely reabsorbed and catabolized, but not secreted, by tubular cells. Given these characteristics, cystatin C concentration may be superior to creatinine concentration in detecting chronic kidney disease. This review aims to evaluate from recent literature the clinical efficiency and relevance of these GFR markers in terms of screening CKD.

The preservation of chinchilla genital organs using a fixed solution of paraformaldehyde 10% buffered and a saturated solution of Bouin during 4, 12 and 18 hours of fixation, inclusion in paraffin and staining with hematoxylin-eosin was evaluated. The Bouin solution with 12 hours of fixation was the best protocol of fixation for the ovaries, oviduct, uterus and vagina, resulting in little tissue retraction and better cellular integration when compared to the other fixing times (4 and 18 hours). The fixation with paraformaldehyde showed good results of tissues fixation. Chinchilla genital organs can be preserved with paraformaldehyde 10% buffered and Bouin solution using 12 hours of fixation.

Os hormônios tireoideanos (HTs) são necessários para a diferenciação, crescimento e metabolismo de diversos tecidos de vertebrados. Seus efeitos são mediados pelos receptores do hormônio tireoideano (TRs), membros da superfamília dos receptores nucleares. Estes receptores são fatores de transcrição modulares que se ligam em seqüências específicas do DNA denominadas elementos responsivos ao TR, que são encontrados nos promotores dos genes regulados pelo HT. Os TRs são codificados por dois genes distintos, alfae beta, localizados nos cromossomos 17 e 3, respectivamente. Estas isoformas apresentam diferentes funções e sua expressão é específica para cada tecido. O TR se liga ao DNA como monômero, homodímero ou heterodímero com o receptor de retinóide X (RXR). Além disso, o TR modula a atividade transcricional (repressão ou ativação) através da interação com correpressores e co-ativadores, na ausência e na presença do T3, respectivamente. A compreensão do mecanismo molecular da ação do receptor do hormônio tireoideano e a definição de sua estrutura cristalográfica contribuirão para a aquisição de novos conceitos envolvidos na transcrição e nos distúrbios hormonais presentes nas doenças endócrinas, assim como facilitará o desenho de novas drogas, agonistas ou antagonistas, com grande valor terapêutico.

Thyroid hormones (TH) are involved in normal differentiation, growth, and metabolism in several tissues of all vertebrates. Their actions are mediated by the TH receptors (TRs), members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. These receptors are transcription factors that bind to DNA on specific sequences, the TR response element (TREs), in promoters of target genes. Two genes encode TRs, alpha e beta, located in chromosomes 17 and 3, respectively. These isoforms show different functions and exhibit a tissue specific expression. TRs function as monomers, homodimers or heterodimers with retinoid X receptor (RXR) and modulate transcription activity (repression or activation) by interacting with co-repressor and co-activators, which associate with TR in the absence or presence of T3, respectively. Understanding the molecular mechanism of TR action and the definition of its crystallographic structure will provide new insights into transcription mechanisms and will facilitate the design of new drugs with greater therapeutic value.