Association between vitamin D and malignant mammary tumors in obese female dogs

Overweight and obesity are known risk factors that are involved in the development and aggressiveness of breast tumors in women. In situations of obesity, local and systemic inflammation may worsen the prognosis of oncological patients. Moreover, hypovitaminosis D increases the risk of breast tumors in women. In female dogs, low vitamin D levels have been found in cases of lymphoma, osteosarcoma and mast cell tumor. The present study aimed to make correlations between body fat composition and serum 25(OH)D concentration in female dogs with mammary tumors. Two experimental groups were formed: healthy female dogs (n = 12; control group) and female dogs with mammary tumors (n = 11). An analysis on body composition was performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) equipment. In the tumor group, multicentric nodules were most prevalent (63,6%), with diameters of up to 8.2 cm. The most frequent histopathological diagnosis was tubular carcinoma (45.5%), and 9.1% presented metastases in axillary lymph nodes. The mean 25(OH)D concentration in the female dogs with mammary tumors (37.6 ng mL-1) was lower than the level in the control group (65.4 ng mL-1). Multivariate statistical analysis showed that elderly female dogs with malignant mammary tumors and high body fat levels presented lower 25(OH)D concentrations than those of the control group. It was concluded that female dogs with higher body adiposity presented mammary tumors of higher aggressivity, and that the higher the fat percentage was in the female dogs with malignant mammary tumors, the lower their vitamin D concentration was.(AU)

Soil management of sugarcane fields affecting CO2 fluxes

The harvesting system of green sugarcane, characterized by mechanized harvesting and no crop burning, affects soil quality by increasing the remaining straw left on the soil surface after harvesting, thus, contributing to the improvement of physical, chemical, and microbiological soil attributes, influencing CO2 fluxes. This study aimed to evaluate CO2 fluxes and their relation to soil properties in sugarcane crops under different harvesting managements: burned (B), Green harvesting for 5 years (G-5) and Green harvesting for ten years (G-10). For this, a 1 ha sampling grid with 30 points was installed in each area, all located in the Northeast of São Paulo State, Brazil. In each point, CO2 fluxes were measured and the soil was sampled to analyze the microbial biomass, physical (soil moisture and temperature, mean weight diameter, bulk density, clay, macroporosity and microporosity) and chemical characterization (pH, organic C, base saturation and P). The CO2 fluxes were divided into four quantitative criteria: high, moderate, low and very low from the Statistical Division (mean, first quartile, median and third quartile) and the other data were classified according this criterion. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify the main soil attributes that influence CO2 fluxes. The results showed that G-10 CO2 fluxes were 28 and 41 % higher than those in the G-5 and B treatments, respectively. The PCA analysis showed that macroporosity was the main soil attribute that influenced the high CO2 fluxes.

Soil management of sugarcane fields affecting CO2 fluxes

The harvesting system of green sugarcane, characterized by mechanized harvesting and no crop burning, affects soil quality by increasing the remaining straw left on the soil surface after harvesting, thus, contributing to the improvement of physical, chemical, and microbiological soil attributes, influencing CO2 fluxes. This study aimed to evaluate CO2 fluxes and their relation to soil properties in sugarcane crops under different harvesting managements: burned (B), Green harvesting for 5 years (G-5) and Green harvesting for ten years (G-10). For this, a 1 ha sampling grid with 30 points was installed in each area, all located in the Northeast of São Paulo State, Brazil. In each point, CO2 fluxes were measured and the soil was sampled to analyze the microbial biomass, physical (soil moisture and temperature, mean weight diameter, bulk density, clay, macroporosity and microporosity) and chemical characterization (pH, organic C, base saturation and P). The CO2 fluxes were divided into four quantitative criteria: high, moderate, low and very low from the Statistical Division (mean, first quartile, median and third quartile) and the other data were classified according this criterion. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify the main soil attributes that influence CO2 fluxes. The results showed that G-10 CO2 fluxes were 28 and 41 % higher than those in the G-5 and B treatments, respectively. The PCA analysis showed that macroporosity was the main soil attribute that influenced the high CO2 fluxes.(AU)

Correlation study and histopathological description of intestinal alterations in dogs infected with Leishmania infantum / Estudo de correlação e descrição histopatológica das lesões intestinais de cães infectados com Leishmania infantum

The aim of this work was a correlation study and histopathological description of alterations associated with the presence of Leishmania infantumamastigote in the intestinal wall of dogs infected with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Three groups were used: G1 (n = 8), comprising naturally infected dogs with CVL with amastigotes of L. infantum in the small and large intestines; G2 (n = 9), infected dogs with CVL, without intestinal amastigotes; and G3 (n = 3), uninfected dogs. Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry methods were used for histopathology and amastigotes identification. 47.1% (8/17) of dogs from G1 group had amastigotes in the mucosa, submucosa and muscle layers of the small and large intestines and it was observed a prominent inflammatory reaction characterized by chronic infiltration of mononuclear cells: macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Comparison between the groups showed only a significant difference in relation to mucosal microscopic structural alterations in dogs from G1 in relation to G2 and G3. Parasite burden showed significant correlations with the microscopic alterations and clinical status of dogs in G1. By the conclusion, the inflammatory reactions caused by the parasites in the intestines might have contributed towards alterations in digestive processes, worsening the dogs clinical status of CVL.(AU)

O objetivo foi realizar um estudo de correlação e descrição histopatológica das lesões associadas à presença de amastigotas de Leishmania infantum na parede intestinal de cães infectados com leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC). Os cães foram subdivididos em três grupos: G1 (n = 8) cães naturalmente infectados com LVC e com amastigotas de L. infantum no intestino; G2 (n = 9) com LVC, mas sem o parasitismo intestinal; e G3 (n = 3) cães não infectados. Métodos histoquímicos e imunoistoquímicos foram utilizados para a histopatologia e a identificação das amastigotas, respectivamente. 47,1% (8/17) dos cães infectados (grupo G1) apresentavam formas amastigotas na mucosa, submucosa e camada muscular do intestino delgado e grosso, destacando-se uma reação inflamatória caracterizada por infiltrado crônico de células mononucleares; macrófagos, linfócitos e plasmócitos. Observou-se uma diferença significativa somente com relação às alterações estruturais microscópicas intestinais nos cães do G1 quando comparadas com G2 e G3. A intensidade parasitária intestinal teve correlação significativa com as alterações microscópicas e os sinais clínicos dos cães do G1. Concluiu-se que as amastigotas de L. infantum por causarem reações inflamatórias na parede intestinal dos cães podem ter contribuído para as alterações dos processos digestórios, agravando ainda mais o quadro clínico dos animais.(AU)

Correlation study and histopathological description of intestinal alterations in dogs infected with Leishmania infantum

Abstract The aim of this work was a correlation study and histopathological description of alterations associated with the presence of Leishmania infantumamastigote in the intestinal wall of dogs infected with canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Three groups were used: G1 (n = 8), comprising naturally infected dogs with CVL with amastigotes of L. infantum in the small and large intestines; G2 (n = 9), infected dogs with CVL, without intestinal amastigotes; and G3 (n = 3), uninfected dogs. Histochemistry and immunohistochemistry methods were used for histopathology and amastigotes identification. 47.1% (8/17) of dogs from G1 group had amastigotes in the mucosa, submucosa and muscle layers of the small and large intestines and it was observed a prominent inflammatory reaction characterized by chronic infiltration of mononuclear cells: macrophages, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Comparison between the groups showed only a significant difference in relation to mucosal microscopic structural alterations in dogs from G1 in relation to G2 and G3. Parasite burden showed significant correlations with the microscopic alterations and clinical status of dogs in G1. By the conclusion, the inflammatory reactions caused by the parasites in the intestines might have contributed towards alterations in digestive processes, worsening the dogs clinical status of CVL.

Resumo O objetivo foi realizar um estudo de correlação e descrição histopatológica das lesões associadas à presença de amastigotas de Leishmania infantum na parede intestinal de cães infectados com leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC). Os cães foram subdivididos em três grupos: G1 (n = 8) cães naturalmente infectados com LVC e com amastigotas de L. infantum no intestino; G2 (n = 9) com LVC, mas sem o parasitismo intestinal; e G3 (n = 3) cães não infectados. Métodos histoquímicos e imunoistoquímicos foram utilizados para a histopatologia e a identificação das amastigotas, respectivamente. 47,1% (8/17) dos cães infectados (grupo G1) apresentavam formas amastigotas na mucosa, submucosa e camada muscular do intestino delgado e grosso, destacando-se uma reação inflamatória caracterizada por infiltrado crônico de células mononucleares; macrófagos, linfócitos e plasmócitos. Observou-se uma diferença significativa somente com relação às alterações estruturais microscópicas intestinais nos cães do G1 quando comparadas com G2 e G3. A intensidade parasitária intestinal teve correlação significativa com as alterações microscópicas e os sinais clínicos dos cães do G1. Concluiu-se que as amastigotas de L. infantum por causarem reações inflamatórias na parede intestinal dos cães podem ter contribuído para as alterações dos processos digestórios, agravando ainda mais o quadro clínico dos animais.

Field-scale spatial correlation between contents of iron oxides and CO2 emission in an Oxisol cultivated with sugarcane

Soil CO2 emission (FCO2) is one of the main sources of carbon release into the atmosphere. Moreover, FCO2 is related to soil attributes governing the transfer of gases from soil to the atmosphere. This study aimed firstly to describe the spatial variability of hematite (Hm), goethite (Gt), iron extracted with sodium dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (Fed) contents, soil CO2 emission (FCO2) and free-water porosity (FWP) and secondly, to develop statistical models to predict the above mentioned factors in an Oxisol cultivated under manual harvesting of sugarcane (Saccharumspp.) in southeastern Brazil. The study was conducted on an irregular 50 m × 50 m grid containing 89 points, each 0.5-10 m apart. The 0-0.1 m soil layer at each sampling point was used to assess soil FCO2, moisture and total pore volume. The results were subjected to descriptive statistical and geostatistical analyses using auto- and cross-semivariograms. All soil attributes exhibited a spatial dependence structure and the experimental semivariograms fitted spherical and exponential models. The Gt content was the individual attribute that exhibited the highest linear and spatial correlation, especially with FCO2. We were able to use diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to map large areas, which allows for easy identification and estimation of soil attributes such as FCO2 and FWP. Geostatistical techniques faciltate the interpretation of spatial relationships between soil respiration and the examined properties.

Field-scale spatial correlation between contents of iron oxides and CO2 emission in an Oxisol cultivated with sugarcane

Soil CO2 emission (FCO2) is one of the main sources of carbon release into the atmosphere. Moreover, FCO2 is related to soil attributes governing the transfer of gases from soil to the atmosphere. This study aimed firstly to describe the spatial variability of hematite (Hm), goethite (Gt), iron extracted with sodium dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (Fed) contents, soil CO2 emission (FCO2) and free-water porosity (FWP) and secondly, to develop statistical models to predict the above mentioned factors in an Oxisol cultivated under manual harvesting of sugarcane (Saccharumspp.) in southeastern Brazil. The study was conducted on an irregular 50 m × 50 m grid containing 89 points, each 0.5-10 m apart. The 0-0.1 m soil layer at each sampling point was used to assess soil FCO2, moisture and total pore volume. The results were subjected to descriptive statistical and geostatistical analyses using auto- and cross-semivariograms. All soil attributes exhibited a spatial dependence structure and the experimental semivariograms fitted spherical and exponential models. The Gt content was the individual attribute that exhibited the highest linear and spatial correlation, especially with FCO2. We were able to use diffuse reflectance spectroscopy to map large areas, which allows for easy identification and estimation of soil attributes such as FCO2 and FWP. Geostatistical techniques faciltate the interpretation of spatial relationships between soil respiration and the examined properties.(AU)

Variabilidade espacial da emissão de CO2 e sua relação com propriedades do solo em área de cana-de-açúcar no Sudeste do Brasil

Neste trabalho, foram avaliados aspectos diversos da emissão de CO2 (FCO2) em um Latossolo Vermelho em áreas de cana-de-açúcar sobre os sistemas de manejo de cana queimada (CQ) e cana crua (CC), no nordeste do Estado de São Paulo. No experimento 1 (ano de 2007), a média da FCO2 foi 39% superior na área de CQ (2,87 ?mol m-2 s-1) quando compara à CC (2,06 ?mol m-2 s-1) ao longo de um período de 70 dias de avaliação. Os modelos ajustados aos semivariogramas experimentais de FCO2 foram, na sua maioria, exponenciais em ambas as áreas. Os mapas de emissão foram homogêneos após um período de seca. O teor de matéria orgânica do solo e o estoque de carbono do solo (0-0,25 m) foram 13 e 20%, respectivamente, superiores em CQ quando comparados à CC. O grau de humificação da matéria orgânica do solo e a sua interação com a densidade do solo foi um importante fator, não somente na diferenciação da emissão de CO2 entre os diferentes sistemas de manejo. No experimento 2 (ano de 2008), foi conduzida a caracterização anisotrópica das variáveis estudadas por meio da dimensão fractal (DF), para diferentes direções (0o, 45o, 90o e 135o) em relação às linhas de plantio (0o). A propriedade porosidade livre de água (PLA) foi um dos principais fatores relacionados à variabilidade espacial de FCO2, independentemente das direções. Os valores de DF foram significativamente inferiores no sentido de plantio da cultura da cana-de-açúcar, indicando, além de anisotropia dessa propriedade, maior homogeneidade de FCO2 na direção de 0o. A PLA mostrou ser uma importante propriedade na compreensão da variabilidade espaçotemporal de FCO2, especialmente nas áreas de cana queimada

In this work was studied various aspects of soil CO2 emission (FCO2) of a bare Dark Red Latosol in sugarcane areas submitted to burned (B) and green (G) management systems in northeastern of São Paulo State. In the experiment 1 (year 2007), mean FCO2 emission was 39% higher in the B plot (2.87 ?mol m-2 s-1) when compared to the G plot (2.06 ?mol m-2 s-1) throughout the 70-day period after harvest. FCO2 Semivariogram models were mostly exponential in both areas. The emission maps are clearly more homogeneous after a drought period in both sites. Organic matter content and carbon stock (0-25 cm) were 13% and 20% higher in B, respectively, when compared to G. Regression analysis indicates that the humification index of soil organic matter, and its interaction with soil bulk density, is an important factor not just to differentiate emissions in each plot. In the experiment 2 (2008) the anisotropic characterization of the studied variables, was performed by deriving the fractal dimension (DF) calculated for different directions (0o, 45o, 90o and 135o) in relation to the crop line (0o). The air-filled pore space (AFPS) was the main factor affecting the spatial variability of FCO2 in all directions. The FCO2 DF values were significantly lower in the direction of planting of sugarcane crop, indicating anisotropy of this property and greater homogeneity in this direction. The AFPS was an important property in understanding the spatiotemporal variability of FCO2, especially in the areas submitted to burn

Variabilidade espacial da emissão de CO2, temperatura e umidade em latossolo sob cultivo de cana-de-açúcar em sistemas de colheita manual com queima e mecanizada

A caracterizacao da variabilidade espacial de atributos do solo de areas agricolas e uma tarefa importante, pois somada a influencia dos aspectos pedologicos temos uma grande contribuicao do manejo. Neste trabalho foi determinada a estrutura da variabilidade espacial da emissao de CO2, temperatura e umidade em Latossolo Vermelho eutroferrico em tres localidades sob cultivo da cana-de-acucar em sistemas de manejos de cana crua e de cana queimada, no nordeste do Estado de Sao Paulo. As maiores emissoes foram observadas no local sob manejo de cana queimada, num valor medio de 2,05 Êmol m-2 s-1, porem dependencia espacial na emissao de CO2 foi encontrada somente nas areas sob manejo de cana crua. Os modelos de semivariancia foram exponenciais, esfericos e gaussianos sendo a dependencia espacial classificada como forte ou moderada em todos os casos. Os mapas de krigagem da emissao de CO2, temperatura e umidade do solo sob manejo de cana queimada mostraram correspondencia a declividade do terreno, com as maiores emissoes e temperaturas e menores umidades localizadas na parte mais alta do local estudado. Os resultados indicaram correlacao linear entre a emissao de CO2 com a temperatura e com a umidade do solo somente no local com manejo de cana queimada, e nao no sistema de cana crua, onde a presenca de palhada na superficie certamente impede a acao direta da radiacao solar e o escoamento de chuvas

The characterization of spatial variability in agricultural soils is an important task, because added to the pedological aspects the soil management also influences such variability. In this work the spatial variability structure of a bare Dark Red Latosol CO2 emission, temperature and moisture were determined in three locations used with sugar cane crop culture, submitted to slash and burn or no till management systems in northeastern of Sao Paulo State. The highest emissions were observed in the slash and burn plot, with mean value of 2,05 Êmol m-2 s-1, but no spatial variability structure was seen for the CO2 emission in this plot. The variability models were exponential, spherical and gaussian, being the spatial dependence classified as strong and moderate in all the cases. In the slash and burn system, the kriging maps of soil CO2 emission, temperature and moisture had shown similarities to the land declivity, with the higher emissions and temperatures and the lower moisture values located in the highest parts of the studied place. The results indicated linear correlation between soil emission with temperature and moisture only in the slash and burn plot, and not in the no-till plots where crop residues were left in soil surface and certainly modified the direct action of the solar radiation and the rain draining