Oxidative and osmotolerant effects in Salvator merianae (Squamata: Teiidae) red blood cells during hibernation

Abstract Hibernation is a natural condition of animals that lives in the temperate zone, although some tropical lizards also experience hibernation annually, such as the lizard native from South America, Salvator merianae, or tegu lizard. Even though physiological and metabolic characteristic associated with hibernation have been extensively studied, possible alterations in the red blood cells (RBC) integrity during this period remains unclear. Dehydration and fasting are natural consequences of hibernating for several months and it could be related to some cellular modifications. In this study, we investigated if the osmotic tolerance of RBCs of tegu lizard under hibernation is different from the cells obtained from animals while normal activity. Additionally, we indirectly investigated if the RBCs membrane of hibernating tegus could be associated with oxidation by quantifying oxidized biomolecules and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Our findings suggest that RBCs are more fragile during the hibernation period, although we did not find evidence of an oxidative stress scenario associated with the accentuated fragility. Even though we did not exclude the possibility of oxidative damage during hibernation, we suggested that an increased RBCs volume as a consequence of hypoosmotic blood during hibernation could also affect RBCs integrity as noted.

Resumo A hibernação é uma condição natural dos animais que vivem na zona temperada, embora alguns lagartos tropicais também experenciem hibernação anualmente, como é o caso do lagarto nativo da América do Sul, Salvator merianae ou teiú. Embora as características fisiológicas e metabólicas associadas à hibernação tenham sido amplamente estudadas, possíveis alterações na integridade das hemácias durante esse período ainda permanecem obscuras. A desidratação e o jejum são consequências naturais da hibernação por vários meses e podem estar relacionadas a algumas modificações celulares. Neste estudo, investigamos se a tolerância osmótica de hemácias do lagarto teiú sob hibernação são diferentes das células obtidas de animais em atividade normal. Além disso, investigamos indiretamente por meio da quantificação de biomoléculas oxidadas e da atividade de enzimas antioxidantes se a membrana das hemácias dos teiús em hibernação poderia estar associada à oxidação. Nossos resultados sugerem que as hemácias possuem maior fragilidade durante o período de hibernação, embora não tenhamos encontrado evidências de um cenário de estresse oxidativo associado à essa fragilidade acentuada. Embora não tenhamos excluído a possibilidade de dano oxidativo durante a hibernação, sugerimos que um aumento no volume das hemácias como consequência de sangue hipoosmótico durante a hibernação também poderia afetar a integridade de hemácias, tal como foi observado.

Oxidative and osmotolerant effects in Salvator merianae (Squamata: Teiidae) red blood cells during hibernation / Efeitos de oxidação e osmotolerância dos eritrócitos de Salvator merianae (Squamata: Teiidae) durante a hibernação

Abstract Hibernation is a natural condition of animals that lives in the temperate zone, although some tropical lizards also experience hibernation annually, such as the lizard native from South America, Salvator merianae, or "tegu" lizard. Even though physiological and metabolic characteristic associated with hibernation have been extensively studied, possible alterations in the red blood cells (RBC) integrity during this period remains unclear. Dehydration and fasting are natural consequences of hibernating for several months and it could be related to some cellular modifications. In this study, we investigated if the osmotic tolerance of RBCs of tegu lizard under hibernation is different from the cells obtained from animals while normal activity. Additionally, we indirectly investigated if the RBCs membrane of hibernating tegus could be associated with oxidation by quantifying oxidized biomolecules and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Our findings suggest that RBCs are more fragile during the hibernation period, although we did not find evidence of an oxidative stress scenario associated with the accentuated fragility. Even though we did not exclude the possibility of oxidative damage during hibernation, we suggested that an increased RBCs volume as a consequence of hypoosmotic blood during hibernation could also affect RBCs integrity as noted.

Resumo A hibernação é uma condição natural dos animais que vivem na zona temperada, embora alguns lagartos tropicais também experenciem hibernação anualmente, como é o caso do lagarto nativo da América do Sul, Salvator merianae ou "teiú". Embora as características fisiológicas e metabólicas associadas à hibernação tenham sido amplamente estudadas, possíveis alterações na integridade das hemácias durante esse período ainda permanecem obscuras. A desidratação e o jejum são consequências naturais da hibernação por vários meses e podem estar relacionadas a algumas modificações celulares. Neste estudo, investigamos se a tolerância osmótica de hemácias do lagarto teiú sob hibernação são diferentes das células obtidas de animais em atividade normal. Além disso, investigamos indiretamente por meio da quantificação de biomoléculas oxidadas e da atividade de enzimas antioxidantes se a membrana das hemácias dos teiús em hibernação poderia estar associada à oxidação. Nossos resultados sugerem que as hemácias possuem maior fragilidade durante o período de hibernação, embora não tenhamos encontrado evidências de um cenário de estresse oxidativo associado à essa fragilidade acentuada. Embora não tenhamos excluído a possibilidade de dano oxidativo durante a hibernação, sugerimos que um aumento no volume das hemácias como consequência de sangue hipoosmótico durante a hibernação também poderia afetar a integridade de hemácias, tal como foi observado.

The prevalence of diabetes and thyroid related autoantibodies in Sri Lankan children with type 1 diabetes and their unaffected siblings - The utility of a new screening assay.

Background: There is limited information about diabetes and thyroid related autoantibodies in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or their siblings in Sri Lanka. Objectives: To assess in T1D children and their unaffected siblings the prevalence of autoantibodies to (1) glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA), insulinoma associated antigen-2 (IA-2A) and zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A) using 3 Screen ICA™ (3-Screen) and individual ELISA assays; (2) insulin (IAA); and (3) thyroid peroxidase (TPOA), thyroglobulin (TgA) and the TSH receptor (TSHRA). Methods: We selected - (a) consecutive T1D children, and (b) their unaffected siblings of both sexes, from the T1D Registry at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo. Results: The median age (IQR) of 235 T1D children and 252 unaffected siblings was 11 (8.4, 13.2) and 9 (5.4, 14.9) years respectively, and the duration of T1D was 23 (7, 54) months. (1) T1D children (a) 79.1% were 3-Screen positive; (b) all 3-Screen positives were individual antibody positive (GADA in 74%; IA-2A 31.1%; ZnT8A 38.7%); (c) and were younger (p=0.01 vs 3-Screen negatives); (d) multiple autoantibodies were present in 45.1%; (e) IA-2A (p=0.002) and ZnT8A (p=0.006) prevalence decreased with T1D duration. (f) TPOA and TgA prevalence was higher in T1D children compared to unaffected siblings (28%, p=0.001 and 31%, p=0.004, respectively). (2) Unaffected siblings (a) 6.3% were 3-Screen positive (p=0.001 vs T1D), and 2.4% were positive for IAA; (b) four subjects had two diabetes related autoantibodies, one of whom developed dysglycaemia during follow-up. Conclusions: The 3-Screen assay, used for the first time in Sri Lankan T1D children and their siblings as a screening tool, shows a high prevalence of T1D related Abs with a high correlation with individual assays, and is also a helpful tool in screening unaffected siblings for future T1D risk. The higher prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies in T1D children is consistent with polyglandular autoimmunity.

Oxidative and osmotolerant effects in Salvator merianae (Squamata: Teiidae) red blood cells during hibernation.

Hibernation is a natural condition of animals that lives in the temperate zone, although some tropical lizards also experience hibernation annually, such as the lizard native from South America, Salvator merianae, or "tegu" lizard. Even though physiological and metabolic characteristic associated with hibernation have been extensively studied, possible alterations in the red blood cells (RBC) integrity during this period remains unclear. Dehydration and fasting are natural consequences of hibernating for several months and it could be related to some cellular modifications. In this study, we investigated if the osmotic tolerance of RBCs of tegu lizard under hibernation is different from the cells obtained from animals while normal activity. Additionally, we indirectly investigated if the RBCs membrane of hibernating tegus could be associated with oxidation by quantifying oxidized biomolecules and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Our findings suggest that RBCs are more fragile during the hibernation period, although we did not find evidence of an oxidative stress scenario associated with the accentuated fragility. Even though we did not exclude the possibility of oxidative damage during hibernation, we suggested that an increased RBCs volume as a consequence of hypoosmotic blood during hibernation could also affect RBCs integrity as noted.

Antifungal activity and toxicological parameters of 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonamides using alternative animal models.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity and toxicological parameters of 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives PH151 and PH153 using alternative animal models, to understand their behaviour when subjected to in vivo experiments. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used Toll-deficient Drosophila melanogaster to test the protective effect of compounds against Candida albicans infection. Toxicological parameters were investigated in chicken and zebrafish embryos. PH151 and PH153 showed low toxicity and the treated flies with these compounds had a significantly higher survival rate than untreated flies after 7 days of infection. The compounds did not cause interruption of chicken embryogenesis. Zebrafish embryos exposed to compounds showed dose-dependent toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The data supported the potential of PH151 and PH153 for the treatment of systemic candidiasis and demonstrated to be appropriate drug candidates for further studies using mammalian models. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The increased incidence of Candida infections resistant to antifungals currently available requires acceleration of the discovery of new agents with properties of inhibiting this fungal pathogen. In this study, we have described the antifungal potential and toxicity of two 8-hydroxyquinoline derivatives using in vivo alternative models, and the results confirm their potential to be developed as new drug candidates.

Acute embryonic exposure of zebrafish to permethrin induces behavioral changes related to anxiety and aggressiveness in adulthood.

Permethrin (PM) is one of the most used synthetic pyrethroid worldwide. Exposure to this compound during pregnancy and early childhood has been indicated as a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders. We evaluated the long-term effects of embryonic PM exposure in different stages of zebrafish development. Briefly, embryos (3 hpf) were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of PM (25 and 50 µg.L-1) during 24 h and then behavioral parameters were evaluated during embryonic (28 hpf), eleutheroembryonic (3 dpf), larval (7 dpf), and adult stages (90 dpf). PM exposure decreased spontaneous movement at 28 hpf and decreased thigmotaxis in eleutheroembryos. The long-term effects of PM include changes in non-motor behaviors such as fear and anxiety in larva and adults. Adults embryonically exposed to PM also showed a significant increase in aggressiveness parameters. These results demonstrated that embryonic exposure to PM induces persistent neurotoxic effects in adulthood, which can impair the cognitive and behavioral fitness of non-target species contributing to a rise in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Local treatment with ascorbic acid accelerates recovery of post-sutured Achilles tendon in male Wistar rats.

Tendon rupture is a very frequent accident involving average people and high-performance athletes. Clinical studies describe tendon recovery as a painful and slow process involving different biochemical and histological events. Ascorbic acid (AA) is a potent antioxidant as well as an important cofactor for collagen synthesis. In the current study, we evaluated if local treatment with AA is able to promote tendon repair in tenotomized rats. Animals were submitted to Achilles tendon rupture followed by surgical suture. Control and AA groups received in loco injection of saline solution (0.9% NaCl) and 30 mM AA, respectively. Histological and functional recovery of Achilles tendon tissue was evaluated at 7, 14, and 21 days post-surgery. Hematoxylin/eosin staining and collagen fluorescence analysis showed intense disarrangement of tendon tissue in the saline group. Tenotomized animals also showed hypercellularity in tendon tissue compared with non-tenotomized animals. The Achilles functional index (AFI) showed a significant decrease of tendon functionality in tenotomized animals at 7, 14, and 21 days post-surgery. AA accelerated tissue organization and the recovery of function of the Achilles tendons. The beneficial effect of AA treatment was also observed in the organization of the collagen network. Data presented in the current work showed that in loco treatment with AA accelerated the recovery of injured Achilles tendon post-surgery.

Electron scattering from 1-butanol at intermediate impact energies: Total cross sections.

We report experimental measurements of the absolute total cross sections (TCSs) for electron scattering from 1-butanol at impact energies in the range 80-400 eV. Those measurements were conducted by considering the attenuation of a collimated electron beam, at a given energy, through a gas cell containing 1-butanol, at a given pressure, and through application of the Beer-Lambert law to derive the required TCS. We also report theoretical results using the Independent-Atom Model with Screening Corrected Additivity Rule and Interference approach. Those results include the TCS, the elastic integral cross section (ICS), the ionization total ICS, and the sum over all excitation process ICSs with agreement at the TCS level between our measured and calculated results being encouraging.

Serum biochemical profile of neonatal buffalo calves / Perfil bioquímico sérico de bezerros bubalinos no período neonatal

Serum blood samples from 50 Murrah buffalo calves were examined in this study. The animals were allocated into three groups according to the number of parturitions of their mothers: G1 (n= 15) calves from primiparous buffaloes, G2 (n= 19) calves from buffaloes with two to four parturitions, and G3 (n= 16) calves from buffaloes with five or more parturitions. Blood samples were taken at birth, before colostrum ingestion, at 24h, 48h, and 72h after birth, and at 7, 14, 21, and 30 days after birth for determination of levels of gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase, total protein, albumin, globulins (including immunoglobulin G), iron, total calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium. The age of the calves was found to influence all of the biochemical parameters, with the exception of ionized calcium and potassium in the calves in groups G1 and G3. The calving order was found to influence AST, GGT, total protein, albumin, and globulins, including IgG. The high serum ALP activity in the first two days after birth indicates that measurement of the levels of this enzyme may be used as an indirect method of assessing passive immunity transfer.(AU)

Amostras de sangue de 50 bezerros de búfalo Murrah foram examinados nesse estudo. Os animais foram distribuídos em três grupos de acordo com a paridade de suas genitoras: G1 (n=15) bezerros de búfalas primíparas, G2 (n=19) bezerros de búfalas com 2 a 4 gestações, e G3 (n=16) bezerros de búfalas com cinco ou mais gestações. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas ao nascimento, antes da ingestão de colostro e 24h, 48h, e 72h após o nascimento e 7, 14, 21 e 30 dias após nascimento para determinar níveis de gammaglutamil transferase (GGT), fosfatase alcalina (ALP), aspartato aminotrasferase (AST), creatina quinase, proteínas totais, albumina, globulina (inclusive imunoglobulina G), ferro, cálcio total, cálcio ionizado, fósforo, sódio e potássio. A idade dos bezerros influenciou todos os parâmetros bioquímicos, exceto cálcio ionizado e potássio nos bezerros dos grupos G1 e G3. A ordem de nascimento influenciou AST, GGT, proteínas totais, albumina e globulinas, inclusive IgG. Intensa atividade ALP no soro nos primeiros dois dias após nascimento indica que medidas dos níveis dessa enzima podem ser utilizados como método indireto de avaliar transferência passiva de imunidade.(AU)

The DNA damage response is developmentally regulated in the African trypanosome.

Genomes are affected by a wide range of damage, which has resulted in the evolution of a number of widely conserved DNA repair pathways. Most of these repair reactions have been described in the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei, which is a genetically tractable eukaryotic microbe and important human and animal parasite, but little work has considered how the DNA damage response operates throughout the T. brucei life cycle. Using quantitative PCR we have assessed damage induction and repair in both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of the parasite. We show differing kinetics of repair for three forms of DNA damage, and dramatic differences in repair between replicative life cycle forms found in the testse fly midgut and the mammal. We find that mammal-infective T. brucei cells repair oxidative and crosslink-induced DNA damage more efficiently than tsetse-infective cells and, moreover, very distinct patterns of induction and repair of DNA alkylating damage in the two life cycle forms. We also reveal robust repair of DNA lesions in the highly unusual T. brucei mitochondrial genome (the kinetoplast). By examining mutants we show that nuclear alkylation damage is repaired by the concerted action of two repair pathways, and that Rad51 acts in kinetoplast repair. Finally, we correlate repair with cell cycle arrest and cell growth, revealing that induced DNA damage has strikingly differing effects on the two life cycle stages, with distinct timing of alkylation-induced cell cycle arrest and higher levels of damage induced death in mammal-infective cells. Our data reveal that T. brucei regulates the DNA damage response during its life cycle, a capacity that may be shared by many microbial pathogens that exist in variant environments during growth and transmission.

Neurotoxicity in zebrafish exposed to carbon nanotubes: Effects on neurotransmitters levels and antioxidant system.

Given the increasing use of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in several industries and technological applications, it is essential to perform in vivo toxicological studies with these nanomaterials to evaluate their potential ecotoxicity. Dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT) are key neurotransmitters for brain functions and behavioral responses. Determination of DA and 5HT were performed in brain samples from zebrafish Danio rerio exposed i.p. to single-walled CNT (SWCNT), besides analyzing acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and ectonucleotidases activity, lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity. Results showed that treatment with SWCNT increased between 3 and 6-fold the concentration of DA and 5HT (p < 0.05). Similarly, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in AChE activity was observed in the brains of SWCNT exposed zebrafish when compared to the control groups. Cholinergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic systems, through AChE activity and serotonin and dopamine levels, respectively were affected by SWCNT in the zebrafish brain. Alterations in these neurotransmitters can potentially affect several physiological and behavioral that they control.

Local treatment with ascorbic acid accelerates recovery of post-sutured Achilles tendon in male Wistar rats

Tendon rupture is a very frequent accident involving average people and high-performance athletes. Clinical studies describe tendon recovery as a painful and slow process involving different biochemical and histological events. Ascorbic acid (AA) is a potent antioxidant as well as an important cofactor for collagen synthesis. In the current study, we evaluated if local treatment with AA is able to promote tendon repair in tenotomized rats. Animals were submitted to Achilles tendon rupture followed by surgical suture. Control and AA groups received in loco injection of saline solution (0.9% NaCl) and 30 mM AA, respectively. Histological and functional recovery of Achilles tendon tissue was evaluated at 7, 14, and 21 days post-surgery. Hematoxylin/eosin staining and collagen fluorescence analysis showed intense disarrangement of tendon tissue in the saline group. Tenotomized animals also showed hypercellularity in tendon tissue compared with non-tenotomized animals. The Achilles functional index (AFI) showed a significant decrease of tendon functionality in tenotomized animals at 7, 14, and 21 days post-surgery. AA accelerated tissue organization and the recovery of function of the Achilles tendons. The beneficial effect of AA treatment was also observed in the organization of the collagen network. Data presented in the current work showed that in loco treatment with AA accelerated the recovery of injured Achilles tendon post-surgery.

Prevalence and identification of Salmonella spp. in water buffaloes from São Paulo State, Brazil / Prevalência e identificação de Salmonella spp. em búfalos do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a prevalência de Salmonella spp. em amostras de fezes de búfalos do estado de São Paulo, Brasil, e identificar os sorotipos isolados. Foram examinadas 116 amostras de suabes retais de búfalos das raças Jafarabadi e Murrah, coletadas em triplicata, em seis propriedades rurais localizadas nas regiões Central, Centro-Oeste e Nordeste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Para avaliar a presença de Salmonella spp., foram utilizados três diferentes caldos de enriquecimento (caldo selenito cistina, caldo tetrationado Muller-Kauffmann e caldo Rappaport-Vassiliadis) e dois diferentes meios de cultura (ágar verde brilhante modificado e ágar XLT4). Das 116 amostras de suabes retais examinadas, oito amostras (6,90%; 8/116) foram positivas para Salmonella spp., incluindo quatro sorotipos: S. Panama (50%; 4/8), S. Agona (25%; 2/8) , S. Newport (12,5%; 1/8) e S. Saintpaul (12,5%; 1/8), todos isolados de búfalos sem sinais clínicos de salmonelose, indicando a importância dos animais assintomáticos como fonte de infecção para outros animais e seres humanos. Das seis propriedades rurais avaliadas, apenas em duas fazendas (33,3%; 2/6) não foi detectada Salmonella spp. O uso de mais de um caldo de enriquecimento seletivo e de mais de um meio de cultura é indicado para o isolamento de Salmonella.(AU)

Total cross sections for electron scattering by 1-propanol at impact energies in the range 40-500 eV.

Absolute total cross section (TCS) measurements for electron scattering from 1-propanol molecules are reported for impact energies from 40 to 500 eV. These measurements were obtained using a new apparatus developed at Juiz de Fora Federal University-Brazil, which is based on the measurement of the attenuation of a collimated electron beam through a gas cell containing the molecules to be studied at a given pressure. Besides these experimental measurements, we have also calculated TCS using the Independent-Atom Model with Screening Corrected Additivity Rule and Interference (IAM-SCAR+I) approach with the level of agreement between them being typically found to be very good.

Serum concentrations of acute phase proteins and immunoglobulins of calves with rotavirus diarrhea / Concentração sérica de proteínas de fase aguda e imunoglobulinas em bezerros acometidos por diarreia por rotavírus

The aim of the present study was to characterize changes in acute phase protein levels according to the occurrence of rotavirus diarrhea in calves in the first month of life. Blood and fecal samples were taken before colostrum intake and at 1, 2, 7, 15, 21 and 30 days of age from 24 Holstein calves allotted in three experimental groups: calves that did not present diarrhea (group A), calves that presented diarrhea, but tested negative for rotavirus in feces (group B), and calves that presented diarrhea and tested positive for rotavirus in feces (group C) (experiment 1). When the animals presented episodes of diarrhea, blood and fecal samples were taken at 24-hour intervals until the end of clinical signs (experiment 2). Serum proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE technique and rotavirus in feces was detected by PAGE. Data of experiment 1 were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test, considered significant at P<0.05. Data of experiment 2 were subjected to the HSD test. Total protein, globulins, and IgG concentrations were lower in group C than in groups A and B. Ceruloplasmin and transferrin levels were higher in group C than in groups A and B. Serum concentrations of haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein did not differ significantly between groups throughout the experimental period. Calves presented diarrhea between 10.4 and 14.6 days of age in group B, and between 10.3 and 14.6 days of age in group C. In the moments of diarrhea manifestation, least square means of IgA, haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein concentrations did not differ significantly between groups B and C, but ceruloplasmin and transferrin concentrations were higher in group C than in group B, as opposed to what occurred with IgG levels. These findings show that optimizing passive immunity transfer of immunoglobulins decrease the likelihood of calves developing diarrhea caused by rotavirus. In addition, ceruloplasmin presents characteristics of a biomarker of rotavirus infection in calves.(AU)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar alterações nos teores de proteínas de fase aguda de acordo com a ocorrência de diarreia por rotavírus em bezerros no decorrer do primeiro mês de vida. Amostras de sangue e fezes de 24 bezerros da raça Holandesa foram coletadas antes da ingestão de colostro e com um, dois, sete, quinze, vinte um e trinta dias de idade, sendo os bezerros alocados em três grupos: bezerros que não apresentaram diarreia (grupo A), bezerros que apresentaram diarreia, mas foram negativos para a detecção de rotavírus nas fezes (grupo B) e bezerros que apresentaram diarreia e foram positivos para detecção de rotavírus nas fezes (grupo C) (experimento 1). Sempre que os animais apresentavam episódio de diarreia, amostras de sangue e fezes eram coletadas em intervalos de 24 horas até o término dos sinais clínicos (experimento 2). As proteínas séricas foram separadas por meio da técnica de SDS-PAGE e a pesquisa de rotavírus nas fezes foi realizada por meio da técnica de PAGE. Os resultados do experimento 1 foram analisados por meio de ANOVA e do teste de Tukey, considerado significativo quando P<0,05. Os dados do experimento 2 foram submetidos ao teste HSD. Os teores de proteína total, globulinas e IgG foram menores no grupo C que nos grupos A e B, os teores de ceruloplasmina e transferrina foram maiores no grupo C que nos grupos A e B e as concentrações séricas de haptoglobina e α1-glicoproteína ácida não diferiram significativamente entre grupos. Os bezerros manifestaram diarreia, em média, com 10,4 a 14,6 dias de idade no grupo B e com 10,3 a 14,6 dias de idade no grupo C. Nos momentos de manifestação de diarreia, os teores de IgA, haptoglobina e α1-glicoproteína ácida não diferiram significativamente entre os grupos B e C, mas os teores de ceruloplasmina e transferrina foram maiores no grupo C que no grupo B, oposto ao verificado para o teor de IgG. Esses achados mostram que a otimização da transferência de imunidade passiva de imunoglobulinas reduz a probabilidade de os animais apresentarem diarreia por rotavírus. Adicionalmente, a ceruloplasmina apresenta características de um biomarcador da infecção por rotavírus em bezerros.(AU)

Hemoglobin (Hb) Val de Marne (Hb Footscray) in Brazil: the first case report.

Hemoglobin (Hb) variants involving alpha-chains are less common in the global population than Hb variants resulting from beta-chain alterations. Generally, alpha-chain Hb variants are caused by point mutations affecting alpha-1 and/or alpha-2 genes of the alpha-globin cluster (HBA1 and HBA2). In Brazil, the most prevalent alpha-chain Hb variant is Hb Hasharon. In this study, we present the first case of an Hb Val de Marne variant in the Americas, specifically in Brazil.

Automated brain volumetrics in multiple sclerosis: a step closer to clinical application.

BACKGROUND: Whole brain volume (WBV) estimates in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) correlate more robustly with clinical disability than traditional, lesion-based metrics. Numerous algorithms to measure WBV have been developed over the past two decades. We compare Structural Image Evaluation using Normalisation of Atrophy-Cross-sectional (SIENAX) to NeuroQuant and MSmetrix, for assessment of cross-sectional WBV in patients with MS. METHODS: MRIs from 61 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 2 patients with clinically isolated syndrome were analysed. WBV measurements were calculated using SIENAX, NeuroQuant and MSmetrix. Statistical agreement between the methods was evaluated using linear regression and Bland-Altman plots. Precision and accuracy of WBV measurement was calculated for (1) NeuroQuant versus SIENAX and (2) MSmetrix versus SIENAX. RESULTS: Precision (Pearson's r) of WBV estimation for NeuroQuant and MSmetrix versus SIENAX was 0.983 and 0.992, respectively. Accuracy (Cb) was 0.871 and 0.994, respectively. NeuroQuant and MSmetrix showed a 5.5% and 1.0% volume difference compared with SIENAX, respectively, that was consistent across low and high values. CONCLUSIONS: In the analysed population, NeuroQuant and MSmetrix both quantified cross-sectional WBV with comparable statistical agreement to SIENAX, a well-validated cross-sectional tool that has been used extensively in MS clinical studies.

Brazilian Pampa Biome Honey Protects Against Mortality, Locomotor Deficits and Oxidative Stress Induced by Hypoxia/Reperfusion in Adult Drosophila melanogaster.

We aimed to investigate the potential beneficial effects of the Brazilian Pampa biome honey in a Drosophila-based hypoxia model. Adult flies were reared in standard medium in the presence or absence of honey (at a final concentration of 10 % in medium). Then, control flies (4 % sucrose in medium) and honey-treated flies were submitted to hypoxia. Subsequently, flies were analyzed for mortality, neurolocomotor behavior (negative geotaxis), mitochondrial/oxidative stress parameters and expression of hypoxia/stress related genes by RT-qPCR. The HPLC analysis revealed the presence of phenolics and flavonoids in the studied honey. Caffeic acid was the major compound followed by p-coumaric acid and kaempferol. The presence of such compounds was correlated with a substantial antioxidant activity in vitro. Flies subjected to hypoxia presented marked mortality, locomotor deficits and changes in oxidative stress and mitochondrial activity parameters. Honey treatment was able to completely block mortality and locomotor phenotypes. In addition, honey was able to reverse ROS production and hypoxia-induced changes in mitochondrial complex I and II activity. Hypoxia also induced an up-regulation in mRNA expression of Sima (HIF-1), NFκß, NRF2, HOX, AKT-1, InR, dILP2, dILP5 and HSP27. Honey treatment was not able to modulate changes in the tested genes, indicating that its protective effects involve additional mechanisms other than transcriptional activity of hypoxia-driven adaptive responses in flies. Our results demonstrated, for the first time, the beneficial effects of honey against the deleterious effects of hypoxia/reperfusion processes in a complex organism.

Assessment of water pollution in the Brazilian Pampa biome by means of stress biomarkers in tadpoles of the leaf frog Phyllomedusa iheringii (Anura: Hylidae).

The Brazilian Pampa biome is currently under constant threat due to increase of agriculture and improper management of urban effluents. Studies with a focus on the assessment of impacts caused by human activities in this biome are scarce. In the present study, we measured stress-related biomarkers in tadpoles of the leaf frog Phyllomedusa iheringii, an endemic species to the Pampa biome, and tested its suitability as a bioindicator for the assessment of potential aquatic contamination in selected ponds (S1 and S2) nearby agricultural areas in comparison to a reference site. A significant decrease in acetylcholinesterase activity was observed in S2 when compared to S1 and reference. The levels of total-hydroperoxides were increased in S2 site. In parallel, increased activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase were observed in S2 when compared to S1 and reference. Further studies are necessary in order to correlate the changes observed here with different chemical stressors in water, as well as to elucidate mechanisms of toxicity induced by pesticides in amphibian species endemic to the Pampa biome. Nevertheless, our study validates Phyllomedusa iheringii as a valuable bioindicator in environmental studies.