The xenophobia virus and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The text addresses the risks involving xenophobia against the Chinese on the internet, and social networks, from the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to demonstrating how irrational this manifestation is, especially the idea of virus creation in a laboratory. For this purpose, historical examples of how xenophobic prejudice is meaningless and have damaged humanity's trajectory in all world regions are addressed. Finally, I warn about the need to use science to confront the new coronavirus and abandon conspiracy theories.

Protein from Hevea brasiliensis "Hev b 13" latex attenuates systemic inflammatory response and lung lesions in rats with sepsis / Proteína do latex de Hevea brasiliensis "Hev b 13" atenua resposta inflamatória sistêmica e lesão pulmonar de ratos com sepse

Abstract Sepsis induces a severe systemic inflammatory response that may result in multiple organ dysfunction and death. Studies using a protein derived from natural Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) latex, denominated Hev b 13, have demonstrated important anti-inflammatory effects, but no data have been published regarding its effects on sepsis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Hev b 13 on the inflammatory response and lung lesions of septal rats. Male Wistar rats were submitted to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), randomized into groups and treated with subcutaneously administered doses of 0.5/2.0/3.0 mg/Kg of Hev b 13. Next, animals were subdivided into three different points in time (1, 6 and 24 hours after treatments) for collection of blood samples and euthanasia accompanied by organ removal. Total and differential leukocyte counts, cytokine dosage and histological assessment were analyzed. Treatment with Hev b 13 resulted in a significant decline in total and differential leukocytes as well as suppression of TNF-α and IL-6 production, associated with the increase in IL-10 and IL-4 in plasma and lung tissue. Moreover, it reduced morphological and pathological changes found in the lungs, including neutrophil infiltration, edema and alveolar thickening. The present study concluded that Hev b 13 exerts anti-inflammatory effects and attenuates lung lesions in septal rats, showing potential for clinical application.

Resumo Sepse induz uma resposta inflamatória sistêmica grave podendo resultar em disfunção de múltiplos órgãos e morte. Pesquisas utilizando uma proteína derivada do látex natural de Hevea brasiliensis (seringueira), denominada Hev b 13 tem demonstrado importantes efeitos anti-inflamatórios, mas nenhum dado foi publicado dos seus efeitos na sepse. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos da Hev b 13 na resposta inflamatória e na lesão pulmonar de ratos com sepse. Ratos machos da linhagem Wistar foram submetidos a ligação e perfuração do ceco (LPC), randomizados em grupos e tratados com as doses 0,5/2,0/3,0 mg/Kg de Hev b 13 subcutâneo. Após subdividiu-se os animais em três pontos diferentes de tempo (1, 6 e 24 horas após os tratamentos) para coleta de amostras sanguíneas e eutanásia com remoção dos órgãos. Contagem total e diferencial de leucócitos, dosagem de citocinas e avaliação histológica foram analisadas. O tratamento com a Hev b 13 resultou em diminuição significativa de leucócitos totais e diferenciais bem como suprimiu a produção de TNF-α e IL-6, associado ao aumento de IL-10 e IL-4 no plasma e tecido pulmonar. Além disso, reduziu as alterações morfológicas e patológicas encontradas nos pulmões, incluindo infiltrado de neutrófilos, edema e espessamento alveolar. Este estudo concluiu que a Hev b 13 tem efeitos anti-inflamatórios e atenua lesões pulmonares em ratos com sepse, apresentando potencialidades para aplicabilidade clínica.

Protein from Hevea brasiliensis "Hev b 13" latex attenuates systemic inflammatory response and lung lesions in rats with sepsis.

Sepsis induces a severe systemic inflammatory response that may result in multiple organ dysfunction and death. Studies using a protein derived from natural Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) latex, denominated Hev b 13, have demonstrated important anti-inflammatory effects, but no data have been published regarding its effects on sepsis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Hev b 13 on the inflammatory response and lung lesions of septal rats. Male Wistar rats were submitted to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), randomized into groups and treated with subcutaneously administered doses of 0.5/2.0/3.0 mg/Kg of Hev b 13. Next, animals were subdivided into three different points in time (1, 6 and 24 hours after treatments) for collection of blood samples and euthanasia accompanied by organ removal. Total and differential leukocyte counts, cytokine dosage and histological assessment were analyzed. Treatment with Hev b 13 resulted in a significant decline in total and differential leukocytes as well as suppression of TNF-α and IL-6 production, associated with the increase in IL-10 and IL-4 in plasma and lung tissue. Moreover, it reduced morphological and pathological changes found in the lungs, including neutrophil infiltration, edema and alveolar thickening. The present study concluded that Hev b 13 exerts anti-inflammatory effects and attenuates lung lesions in septal rats, showing potential for clinical application.

Feather mites (Acari, Astigmata) associated with birds in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Northeastern Brazil.

The present study reports associations between feather mites (Astigmata) and birds in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Rio Grande do Norte state, in Brazil. In the laboratory, mites were collected through visual examination of freshly killed birds. Overall, 172 individuals from 38 bird species were examined, between October 2011 and July 2012. The prevalence of feather mites was 80.8%, corresponding to 139 infested individuals distributed into 30 species and 15 families of hosts. Fifteen feather mite taxa could be identified to the species level, sixteen to the genus level and three to the subfamily level, distributed into the families Analgidae, Proctophyllodidae, Psoroptoididae, Pteronyssidae, Xolalgidae, Trouessartiidae, Falculiferidae and Gabuciniidae. Hitherto unknown associations between feather mites and birds were recorded for eleven taxa identified to the species level, and nine taxa were recorded for the first time in Brazil. The number of new geographic records, as well as the hitherto unknown mite-host associations, supports the high estimates of diversity for feather mites of Brazil and show the need for research to increase knowledge of plumicole mites in the Neotropical region.

Goats reinfected with toxoplasma gondii: loss of viable prolificacy and gross revenue / Cabras reinfectadas com toxoplasma gondii: perdas de prolificidade viável e receita bruta

We determined the reproductive parameters and clinical disorders in pregnant goats infected and reinfected with Toxoplasma gondii, and posteriorly the loss of gross revenue due to congenital toxoplasmosis was estimated. Of the 25 non-pregnant females negative for T. gondii, 20 were orally inoculated (ME 49 strain) and of these, 15 pregnant females chronically infected were orally reinoculated (VEG strain) with T. gondii oocysts. Five groups were formed (n=5): GI, GII and GIII (reinoculations at 40, 80 and 120 days of gestation, respectively), GIV (inoculation) and GV (no inoculation). Clinical and serological exams were performed on days 0 (prior to inoculation), 3, 6 9, 15 and 21 and every 7 days post-inoculation. Exams were also performed on day 3 and every 7 days post-reinoculation. Reproductive management was performed on all females and initiated when the females infected displayed IgG titers IFAT<1,024. From the average prolificacy indexes of each experimental group were estimated: total production of kilograms of live weight (total kg LW) of goats for slaughter, gross revenue and loss of gross revenue in U.S. dollars (US$), designed for a herd of 1,000 matrices. The unviable prolificacy indexes were 0.8 (GI), 1.2 (GII) and 0.2 (GIII). Clinical disorders affected 57.1% (GI), 75.0% (GII) and 16.7% (GIII) of the offspring of goats reinfected with T. gondii. Congenital toxoplasmosis in goats reinfected resulted in the loss of 26.5% of gross revenues, being GI (US$ 10,577.60 or 57.1%) and GII (US$ 12,693.12 or 60%) holders of the highest values and percentages of economic losses. It was found that congenital toxoplasmosis reinfection cause clinical disorders in goats chronically infected with T. gondii and their offspring with birth of unviable animals and loss of gross revenue, at different stages of pregnancy (40, 80 and 120 days of gestation)...

Nós determinamos os parâmetros reprodutivos e distúrbios clínicos em cabras gestantes infectadas e reinfectados com Toxoplasma gondii, e posteriormente, foi estimada a perda de receita bruta devido à toxoplasmose congênita. Das 25 fêmeas não prenhes negativas para T. gondii, 20 foram inoculadas oralmente (cepa ME 49) e, destas, 15 fêmeas gestantes infectadas cronicamente foram reinoculadas (cepa VEG), via oral, com oocistos de T. gondii. Cinco grupos foram formados (n = 5): GI, GII e GIII (reinoculações aos 40, 80 e 120 dias de gestação, respectivamente), GIV (inoculação) e GV (não inoculação). Exames clínicos e sorológicos foram realizados nos dias 0 (antes da inoculação), 3, 6 9, 15 e 21 e a cada sete dias após a inoculação. Os exames também foram realizados nos dias 3 e a cada sete dias de pós-reinoculação. Manejo reprodutivo foi realizado em todas as fêmeas e iniciou-se quando as fêmeas infectadas exibiram títulos de anticorpos IgG<1.024. A partir dos índices médios de prolificidade de cada grupo experimental foram estimados: a produção total de kg de peso vivo (total kg PV) de cabritos para o abate, receita bruta e perda de receita bruta em dólares norte-americanos (US$), projetadas para um rebanho de 1000 matrizes. Os índices de prolificidade inviáveis foram de 0,8 (GI), 1.2 (GII) e 0,2 (GIII). Distúrbios clínicos afetaram 57,1% (GI), 75,0% (GII) e 16,7% (GIII) das crias de cabras reinfectados com T. gondii. A toxoplasmose congênita em crias das cabras reinfectadas com T. gondii resultou na perda de 26,5% da receita bruta, sendo GI (US $ 10,577.60 e 57,1%) e GII (US $ 12,693.12 e 60.0%) os detentores dos mais altos valores e porcentagens de perdas econômicas. Verificou-se que a reinfecção toxoplásmica congênita causa distúrbios clínicos em cabras cronicamente infectadas com T. gondii e sua prole com o nascimento de animais inviáveis e perda de receita bruta, em diferentes fases da gestação (40, 80 e 120 dias de gestação)...

Community of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera and Ischnocera) parasites of resident birds at the Archipelago of São Pedro and São Paulo in northeast Brazil.

The current study describes the chewing lice community associated with seabird populations resident at the São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean in Pernambuco State, Brazil. Adults of three species of seabirds were captured using hand-nets for the collection of biometric data and specimens of ectoparasites. In total, 320 birds were examined (120 Sula leucogaster (Boddaert), Brown Booby; 120 Anous stolidus (L.), --Brown Noddy; and 80 Anous minutus Boie, Black Noddy) of which 95% were infested with 8,625 chewing lice, representing eight species of the genera Actornithophilus, Austromenopon, Eidmanniella, Pectinopygus, Quadraceps, and Saemundssonia. On S. leucogaster, Pectinopygus garbei (Pessôa & Guimarães) was more prevalent and had a mean and median intensity of infestation significantly greater than those recorded for Eidmanniella albescens (Piaget). On the two Noddies, the species of Actornithophilus and Quadraceps were significantly more prevalent and abundant than Austromenopon atrofulvum (Piaget) and Saemundssonia remota Timmermann Most of the louse species had a highly aggregated distribution, with k exponent of the negative binomial distribution ranging from 0.04 to 3.06. A weak but significant correlation was found between the abundance of chewing lice and morphometric variables (body weight, wing, beak, tail, and tarsus lengths). It is possible that high rates of infestation have a negative effect on the morphological characteristics of the hosts, including the health of the plumage. All the lice species collected--except for P. garbei (ex S. leucogaster)--were reported for the first time from Brazilian populations of these seabird species.

Panbiogeographical analysis of the shark genus Rhizoprionodon (Chondrichthyes, Carcharhiniformes, Carcharhinidae).

The distributional patterns of the seven species of Rhizoprionodon were analysed using the panbiogeographical method of track analysis. The individual tracks of Rhizoprionodon suggest that the genus is mainly an Indian-Atlantic Ocean group. Five generalized tracks were found: (1) Caribbean, defined by R. porosus and R. terraenovae; (2) eastern coast of South America, defined by R. porosus and R. lalandei; (3) Indian Ocean, defined by R. acutus and R. oligolinx; (4) north-western Australia, defined by R. acutus, R. oligolinx and R. taylori; (5) north-north-eastern Australia, defined by R. acutus and R. taylori. Only R. longurio was not included in any generalized track, and its distribution is restricted to the eastern Pacific Ocean. Two biogeographical nodes were found at the intersection of the generalized tracks 1 and 2 (Caribbean Sea) and generalized tracks 4 and 5 (north Australia). The generalized tracks overlap with those found in several unrelated marine taxa. Overall, the generalized tracks are associated with warm currents. The biogeographical nodes found (Caribbean and Australian) are coincident with the global distribution of mangroves.

Energy and protein requirements for maintenance and growth of Boer crossbred kids.

Meat production by goats has become an important livestock enterprise in several parts of the world. Nonetheless, energy and protein requirements of meat goats have not been defined thoroughly. The objective of this study was to determine the energy and protein requirements for maintenance and growth of 34 (3/4) Boer x (1/4) Saanen crossbred, intact male kids (20.5 +/- 0.24 kg of initial BW). The baseline group was 7 randomly selected kids, averaging 21.2 +/- 0.36 kg of BW. An intermediate group consisted of 6 randomly selected kids, fed for ad libitum intake, that were slaughtered when they reached an average BW of 28.2 +/- 0.39 kg. The remaining kids (n = 21) were allocated randomly on d 0 to 3 levels of DMI (treatments were ad libitum or restricted to 70 or 40% of the ad libitum intake) within 7 slaughter groups. A slaughter group contained 1 kid from each treatment, and kids were slaughtered when the ad libitum treatment kid reached 35 kg of BW. Individual body components (head plus feet, hide, internal organs plus blood, and carcass) were weighed, ground, mixed, and subsampled for chemical analyses. Initial body composition was determined using equations developed from the composition of the baseline kids. The calculated daily maintenance requirement for NE was 77.3 +/- 1.05 kcal/kg(0.75) of empty BW (EBW) or 67.4 +/- 1.04 kcal/kg(0.75) of shrunk BW. The daily ME requirement for maintenance (118.1 kcal/kg(0.75) of EBW or 103.0 kcal/kg(0.75) of shrunk BW) was calculated by iteration, assuming that the heat produced was equal to the ME intake at maintenance. The partial efficiency of use of ME for NE below maintenance was 0.65. A value of 2.44 +/- 0.4 g of net protein/kg(0.75) of EBW for daily maintenance was determined. Net energy requirements for growth ranged from 2.55 to 3.0 Mcal/kg of EBW gain at 20 and 35 kg of BW, and net protein requirements for growth ranged from 178.8 to 185.2 g/kg of EBW gain. These results suggest that NE and net protein requirements for growing meat goats exceed the requirements previously published for dairy goats. Moreover, results from this study suggest that the N requirement for maintenance for growing goats is greater than the established recommendations.

Cockroaches as carriers of fungi of medical importance.

The fungal pathogenic flora of the external surface of 103 cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) collected from the intensive care unit of a hospital were investigated. In this study, a high percentage of test cockroaches (93.2%) were found to carry fungi of medical importance. The main fungi isolated were species of Candida, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Information about the carriage of pathogenic fungi by cockroaches in hospital environment is scanty. The results suggest that cockroaches can play a role in dissemination of fungi, which they can carry on their external surface.

Estudo dos efeitos de ambiente sobre as características lineares de tipo em rebanhos bovinos da raça Holandesa / Study of environmental effects on linear type traits in Brazilian Holstein

Efeitos de estádio da lactação, idade à classificação e grupo contemporâneo de rebanho, ano e estação de classificação foram considerados nas análises de 21 características lineares de tipo e pontuação final de 2.122 animais da raça Holandesa, filhos de 178 reprodutores e nascidos em 83 rebanhos. Utilizou-se o método dos quadrados mínimos nas análises de variância das características. O efeito de estádio da lactação teve influência sobre as características do sistema mamário, evidenciando que houve alterações morfológicas durante o período de lactação para todas as características de úbere, exceto inserção do úbere anterior, textura do úbere e comprimento dos tetos. Dentre as características de conformação/capacidade corporal, profundidade corporal foi a mais influenciada pelo estádio da lactação, seguida do tamanho corporal, largura torácica e força lombar. Para todas as características de conformação/capacidade corporal o efeito da idade à classificação revelou-se altamente significativo. Dentre as características lineares da categoria pernas/pés, a variável idade à classificação foi importante (P<0,05) apenas para vista lateral das pernas. O efeito de idade sobre as características de garupa variou consideravelmente, sendo importante apenas para largura (P<0,01). Pontuação final e angulosidade também foram influenciadas (P<0,01) pelo efeito da idade. A verificação de significância estatística indicou a existência de componentes de meio e evidenciou a importância do estudo desses componentes.

Correlações genéticas e fenotípicas entre características de tipo e produção de leite em bovinos da raça Holandesa / Genetic and phenotypic correlations between type traits and milk production in Holstein cattle

Correlações genéticas e fenotípicas entre 21 características lineares de tipo e produção de leite em até 305 dias de lactação foram estimadas pela máxima verossimilhança restrita sob modelo animal, a partir de dados da Associação de Criadores de Gado Holandês de Minas Gerais. Nas análises das características lineares, os efeitos fixos utilizados no modelo incluíram estádio da lactação, idade do animal, grupo contemporâneo de rebanho, ano e estação de classificação, e o efeito aleatório do pai da vaca. As características lineares que apresentaram maiores correlações genéticas com produção de leite foram largura do úbere posterior (0,60) e largura de garupa (0,37), indicando não haver antagonismo genético entre a seleção para essas características e a produção de leite. As correlações fenotípicas entre características lineares de tipo e produção de leite foram, em geral, menores do que as correlações genéticas correspondentes. As correlações fenotípicas entre as características lineares apresentaram-se altas dentro das seções de conformação/capacidade e de sistema mamário. Correlações genéticas entre algumas características lineares foram altas, possibilitando a exclusão de algumas delas do programa de classificação linear adotado para a raça Holandesa no Brasil.

The neuromuscular transmission fade (Wedensky inhibition) induced by L-arginine in neuromuscular preparations from rats.

L-Arginine (4.7-18.8 mM) and 3-(4-morpholinyl)-sydonone imine hydrochloride (SIN-1; 1.15 mM) induced an increase in tetanic fade caused by indirect stimulation (180-200 Hz) of muscle. However, Wedensky inhibition, different from control, was not observed when the preparations treated with d-tubocurarine were directly stimulated by the same frequency. D-Arginine (9.4 mM) was ineffective in changing R values caused by indirect stimulation (180-200 Hz) of muscle. N(omega)-Nitro-L-arginine (73 mM) or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 10 microM) did not produce any effect on Wedensky inhibition but did antagonize the tetanic fade induced by L-arginine (9.4 mM). The SIN-1 effect was antagonized by previous administration of ODQ (108 microM), which alone did not produce any effects on R values. These results indicate that NO acting at the presynaptic level increases the Wedensky inhibition induced by high frequency of stimulation applied on motor nerves, and its effect may be produced through the cGMP-GC pathway.

Valor nutritivo do feno de capim-jaraguá (Hyparrhenia rufa), em avançado estádio de maturaçäo, tratado com hidróxido de sódio ou amônia anidra. I.Consumo e digestibilidade das fraçöes näo fibrosas e ingestäo de água, em caprinos / Nutritive value of mature Jaraguá grass hay treated with sodium hydroxide or ammonia. I.Intake and digestibility of non-fiber nutrients and water consumption by goats

Dezenove caprinos machos foram utilizados para se avaliar o consumo voluntário e a digestibilidade da fraçäo näo fibrosa de feno de capim-jaraguá (Hyparrhenia rufa) submetido a diferentes tratamentos alcalinos. No grupo-controle (GC), sete animais receberam feno näo tratado, no grupo-soda, seis animais receberam feno tratado com 4 por cento de hidróxido de sódio na matéria natural (MN) e no grupo-amônia (GA), seis caprinos receberam feno tratado com 3 por cento de amônia anidra na MN. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da MS, MO, PB e EB para os grupos GC, GS e GA foram, respectivamente 51,1, 53,3 e 51,0; 56,2, 58,3 e 58,1; 4,5, -3,0 e 49,0 e 53,1, 53,2 e 54,2. Apenas para o coeficiente de digestibilidade da PB houve diferença significativa (P<0,05) entre os grupos. Os consumos voluntários, em g/kg de peso metabólico, da MS, MO e PB, para os grupos GC,GS e GA foram, respectivamente, 31,3, 33,0 e 44,3; 28,4, 29,2 e 39,4; 1,1, 1,1 e 4,7, e os consumos de energia digestível, em kcal/kg PV0,75 sobrescrito, de 70,1, 70,0 e 98,8. O tratamento com amônia proporcionou consumo significativamente maior (P<0,05) das fraçöes digestíveis. Os animais GS apresentaram consumo de água e excreçäo urinária significativamente maiores (P<0,05). Concluiu-se que 3 por cento de amônia anidra melhorou a qualidade nutricional do feno de capim-jaraguá maduro, por aumentar seu consumo, enquanto o tratamento com soda, sem suplementaçäo de nitrogênio, näo modificou o valor do alimento