Lower adiponectin is associated with higher anthropometry and insulin resistance but not with low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between adiposity, cardiometabolic risk and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) according to different groups of adiponectin concentration. METHODS: 255 adolescents of both sexes, aged 11-17 years old, participated. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters such as body mass, height, abdominal circumference (AC), waist circumference (WC), fat mass, fat-free mass, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c), triglycerides (TG), glucose, insulin, adiponectin, blood pressure, peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) were measured. Body mass index (BMI), z-score BMI (BMI-z), triponderal mass index (TMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), homeostasis model to assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated. Adiponectin was categorized: low adiponectin concentration (LAC ≤ 5.18 µg/mL-1), intermediate (IAC = 5.18 and 7.63 µg/mL-1) and high (HAC ≥ 7.63 µg/ml-1). RESULTS: LAC showed higher BMI, BMI-z and TMI than the other groups (p < 0.05) and higher AC, WC and WHtR that the HAC (p < 0.05). IAC showed lower values of TC, LDL-c and TG, and the LAC presented the highest values of insulin, HOMA-IR and QUICKI (p < 0.05) to the IAC and HAC. HAC presented the lower VO2peak than the other groups (p < 0.01). BMI, TMI, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR showed inverse, and QUICKI a direct and weak correlation with adiponectin (p < 0.05). No significant association was found between adiponectin and VO2peak (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The LAC group had higher means in the anthropometric variables and the worst results related to insulin resistance and sensitivity. Thus, adiponectin may play an important role in obesity and reduced concentration may be a factor in the development of obesity-associated morbidities.

Responsiveness on metabolic syndrome criteria and hepatic parameters after 12 weeks and 24 weeks of multidisciplinary intervention in overweight adolescents.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect and individual responsiveness after 12 (12wk) and 24 weeks (24wk) of physical exercise (PE) and nutritional guidance (NG) on metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria and hepatic parameters in overweight adolescents. METHODS: The study comprised 94 overweight adolescents, aged between 10 and 16 years old, from both sexes, allocated into groups: PE and NG (PENGG, n = 64) and control with NG (NGCG, n = 30). Variables were collected at baseline, 12wk, and 24wk. Weight, height, abdominal circumference (AC), blood pressure, and peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), as well as insulin, triglycerides (TAG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were evaluated. HOMA-IR and QUICKI were calculated. PE session consisted of 45 min of indoor cycling, 45 min of walking, and 20 min of stretching, three times a week. The NG consisted of three collective sessions in the first 12wk. Anova, effect size, and prevalence of responders were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The PENGG12wk reduced anthropometric and metabolic measurements, while increased VO2peak and HDL-c. The PEG24wk promoted anthropometric, blood pressure, metabolic, and VO2peak improvements, but participants without PE returned to pre-exercise status and presented worsening AST and ALT concentrations. Frequencies of respondents in PENGG12wk versus (vs) NGCG12wk were, respectively, AC (69.1% vs 17.6%, p < 0.01), HDL-c (87.2% vs 23.5%, p < 0.01), TAG (67.3% vs 41.7%, p = 0.05) and ALT (45.5% vs 5,9%; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Interventions with PE were effective to reduce MetS components in 12wk and maintenance in 24wk, showing anthropometric, metabolic, and VO2peak improvements. Higher individual responses were observed in 12wk and in 24wk, important changes in overweight adolescent's therapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials randomization. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-4v6h7b) and date of registration April 4th, 2020.

Prevalence and predictive factors of moderate/severe liver steatosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infected patients evaluated with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP).

A novel controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) using FibroScan® has been developed for assessment of liver steatosis. The aim was to evaluate the frequency and associated factors for moderate/severe steatosis evaluated by CAP in CHC patients submitted to transient elastography (TE) by FibroScan® . CHC patients underwent TE with CAP evaluation. The classification of steatosis was defined as: CAP < 222 dB/m  =  S0; CAP ≥ 222 dB/m and <233dB/m  =  S1; ≥233 dB/m < 290dB/m  =  S2 and >= 290 dB/m  =  S3. The prevalence of moderate/severe steatosis (CAP ≥ S2) and the related independent factors were identified by a logistic regression analysis. A significance level of 5% was adopted. 1104 CHC patients, 85% genotype-1 were included (mean age 55 ± 11 years; 46% male, mean BMI 25 ± 4 Kg/m2 ). Systemic arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus prevalences were 39% and 17%, respectively. Liver stiffness measurement ≥ 9.5 kPa was observed in 39% of patients and steatosis was identified in 50% (S1 = 7%, S2 = 28% and S3 = 15%). The variables independently associated with moderate/severe steatosis were: male gender (OR=1.35; P = .037; 95% CI:1.01-1.81); systemic arterial hypertension (OR=1.57; P = .002; 95% CI:1.17-2.10) and BMI (OR=1.17; P < .01;95% CI:1.12-1.22). In conclusion, when CAP was adopted as a tool to detect steatosis, genotype 1 CHC patients presented a high prevalence of moderate/advanced steatosis. In these patients, liver steatosis was associated mostly to metabolic factors (arterial hypertension and high BMI).

Long-term visit-to-visit glycemic variability as predictor of micro- and macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes: The Rio de Janeiro Type 2 Diabetes Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term visit-to-visit glycemic variability is an additional measure of glycemic control. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of several measures of glycemic variability for the occurrence of micro- and macrovascular complications, and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: 654 individuals were followed-up over a median of 9.3 years. Glycemic variability (SDs and coefficients of variation of HbA1c and fasting glycaemia) was measured during the first 12- and 24-months. Multivariate Cox analysis, adjusted for risk factors and mean HbA1c and fasting glycaemia levels, examined the associations between glycemic variability and the occurrence of microvascular (retinopathy, microalbuminuria, renal function deterioration, peripheral neuropathy) and macrovascular complications [total cardiovascular events (CVE), major adverse CVEs (MACE) and cardiovascular mortality], and of all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During follow-up, 128 patients had a CVE (96 MACE), and 158 patients died (67 from cardiovascular diseases); 152 newly-developed or worsened diabetic retinopathy, 183 achieved the renal composite outcome (89 newly developed microalbuminuria and 91 deteriorated renal function), and 96 newly-developed or worsened peripheral neuropathy. Glycemic variability, particularly the 24-month parameters either estimated by HbA1c or by fasting glycemia, predicted all endpoints, except for retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy development/progression, and was a better predictor than mean HbA1c. Glycemic variability predicted retinopathy development/progression in patients with good glycemic control (HbA1c ≤ 7.5%, 58 mmol/mol) and predicted new-incident peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term visit-to-visit glycemic variability is an additional and frequently a better glycemic parameter than mean HbA1c levels for assessing the risk of future development of micro- and macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Microcystin and pyriproxyfen are toxic to early stages of development in Rhamdia quelen: An experimental and modelling study.

The recent increase of freshwater eutrophication has favored cyanobacteria blooms and consequently the increase of toxins such as microcystin-LR in aquatic environments, but few is know about the associated effect of toxin and other compounds. Pyriproxyfen is an insecticide indicated by WHO (World Health Organization) to control Aedes aegypti mosquito (vector of Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika diseases), however, the effects are not well described to non-target species, such as fish. The early life stages (ELS) of fish are more sensitive to chemical stress due to higher metabolic rate, immature immune system and high superficial area/volume ratio. In the current study, ELS of R. quelen a Neotropical fish were exposed to environmentally realistic concentrations of microcystin (1, 10 and 100 µg L-1; M1, M2 and M3 groups, respectively) from an algal extract, pyriproxyfen (1 and 10 µg L-1, P1 and P2) and their association (co-exposure). The hatching, survival and larvae deformities were analyzed, and applied a mathematical model to evaluate the effects on the population size along further generations. Both compounds were toxic to embryos/larvae of fish, but the effects were more pronounced in M2, P1M2 and P2M1 for hatching and M2, P1M2, P2M1 and P1 for survival. Deformities prevailed in groups exposed to the chemicals at 48 hpf (hours post-fertilization) were suggestions of toxicological interaction in P1M2, P2M1 and P2M2 at 48 and 72 hpf. In 96 hpf, the levels of deformities were lower than in previous times. Model predicted population density over 100 years decreased to lower than 0.5 (50%) in all groups, except for P1M1, indicating risk of extinction. P1M2 had the worse results, followed by M2, P1M3 and P2M1. Cyanobacterial blooms can lead to microcystin-LR levels higher than M2 (10 µg L-1), and the suggestion of toxicological interaction with pyriproxyfen is relevant because both compounds may potentially coexist in aquatic environments. Finally, mathematical models may provide an ecological interpretation of the risk of exposure of fish.

Cross-species amplification and polymorphism of microsatellite loci in Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazilian cropping systems.

The Old World bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) was recently discovered in Brazil. This species is closely related to the New World bollworm H. zea (Boddie), and mating between these species has already been reported under laboratory conditions. Here, we tested the cross-species amplification of 20 microsatellite (SSR) loci in field populations of H. armigera and H. zea collected from Brazilian cropping systems. Seven SSR loci were successfully amplified and polymorphic in both species except for the locus HaC14, which was monomorphic for H. zea. All SSR loci were in linkage equilibrium, and deviations from Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium were only observed for the locus HarSSR1 in the HaRS-2 population, where null alleles were present. A moderate level of polymorphism was detected in H. armigera and H. zea populations with a mean allele number of 4.14, and 2.24, respectively. Interestingly, most of the populations of the recent invader H. armigera showed higher genetic diversity and inbreeding coefficients than H. zea populations. The genetic identity of each species was recovered using a STRUCTURE analysis, where the populations formed two clusters (K = 2) according to their species. STRUCTURE also suggested the occurrence of potential hybrid offspring between H. armigera and H. zea individuals in natural conditions. These SSR loci will be valuable in characterizing population differentiation, invasion routes, adaptation, reproductive behavior, and intra- and interspecific gene flow in H. armigera and H. zea populations in Brazil, the USA, and other areas where these two pests occur.

Effect of defensive pressure on movement behaviour during an under-18 basketball game.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of defensive pressure on movement behaviour during an under-18 basketball game. 20 international male players (age: M=16.05, SD=2.09 years old; weekly practice: M=10.9, SD=1.94 h; playing experience: M=7.1, SD=1.1 years) played two 10-min basketball quarters, using man-to-man »-court for the first 4 min (F»), man-to-man full court defence for the next 3 min (FULL), and man-to-man »-court defence for the last 3 min (S»). The positional data were captured by the Ubisense Real Time Location System and analysed with non-linear signal processing methods (approximate entropy) and repeated measures ANOVA. There were differences in the regularity values between F» and FULL in distance to the basket and to the opponents' basket. A stronger in-phase attraction in both lateral and longitudinal directions was identified; however, the centroids (i. e., the mean position from all team players) were closer and revealed higher values of irregularity in lateral displacements for all defensive systems. The individual speed displacements became more coordinated with teammates, particularly in the offensive court. Overall, this study provided evidence on how changing the level of defensive pressure promotes different collective behaviours.

Genetic variability and resistance of cultivars of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] to cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus Fabr.).

The cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus Fabr.) is the most destructive pest of the cowpea bean; it reduces seed quality. To control this pest, resistance testing combined with genetic analysis using molecular markers has been widely applied in research. Among the markers that show reliable results, the inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) (microsatellites) are noteworthy. This study was performed to evaluate the resistance of 27 cultivars of cowpea bean to cowpea weevil. We tested the resistance related to the genetic variability of these cultivars using ISSR markers. To analyze the resistance of cultivars to weevil, a completely randomized test design with 4 replicates and 27 treatments was adopted. Five pairs of the insect were placed in 30 grains per replicate. Analysis of variance showed that the number of eggs and emerged insects were significantly different in the treatments, and the means were compared by statistical tests. The analysis of the large genetic variability in all cultivars resulted in the formation of different groups. The test of resistance showed that the cultivar Inhuma was the most sensitive to both number of eggs and number of emerged adults, while the TE96-290-12-G and MNC99-537-F4 (BRS Tumucumaque) cultivars were the least sensitive to the number of eggs and the number of emerged insects, respectively.

Effect of age at disease onset in the clinical profile of spondyloarthritis: a study of 1424 Brazilian patients.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse demographic and clinical variables in patients with disease onset before and after 40, 45 and 50 years in a large series of Brazilian SpA patients. METHODS: A common protocol of investigation was prospectively applied to 1424 SpA patients in 29 centres distributed through the main geographical regions in Brazil. The mean age at disease onset was 28.56 ± 12.34 years, with 259 patients (18.2%) referring disease onset after 40 years, 151 (10.6%) after 45 years and 81 (5.8%) after 50 years. Clinical and demographic variables and disease indices (BASDAI, BASFI, BASRI, MASES, ASQoL) were investigated. Ankylosing spondylitis was the most frequent disease (66.3%), followed by psoriatic arthritis (18%), undifferentiated SpA (6.7%), reactive arthritis (5.5%), and enteropathic arthritis (3.5%). RESULTS: Comparing the groups according to age of disease onset, those patients with later onset presented statistical association with female gender, peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, nail involvement and psoriasis, as well as negative statistical association with inflammatory low back pain, alternating buttock pain, radiographic sacroiliitis, hip involvement, positive familial history, HLA-B27 and uveitis. BASDAI, BASFI and quality of life, as well as physicians and patient's global assessment, were similar in all the groups. Radiographic indices showed worse results in the younger age groups. CONCLUSIONS: There are two different clinical patterns in SpA defined by age at disease onset: one with predominance of axial symptoms in the group with disease onset ≤ 40 years and another favouring the peripheral manifestations in those with later disease onset.

Effects of depot growth hormone replacement on thyroid function and volume in adults with congenital isolated growth hormone deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting data exist on the effects of GH replacement therapy (GHRT) on thyroid function and thyroid volume (TV) in GH-deficient (GHD) patients. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of GHRT on thyroid function and TV in adults with congenital lifetime isolated GHD (IGHD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 20 GH-naïve adults with IGHD due to a homozygous mutation of the GHRH-receptor gene at baseline, after 6-month depot- GH replacement therapy (pGH), and 6-month washout (6mo). Total T(3), free T(4) (FT(4)), reverse T(3) (rT(3)), TSH, IGF-I, SHBG, and TV were measured; body surface area-corrected TV (CTV) was calculated. RESULTS: IGF-I and T(3) increased pGH. T(3) levels remained elevated at 6mo. GHRT did not significantly change FT(4), rT(3), TSH, and SHBG. TV and CTV increased pGH and remained elevated at 6mo. CONCLUSIONS: GHRT in IGHD adults caused an increase in serum T(3) levels and TV, suggesting an important role of the GH-IGF-I axis in thyroid function.

Life-history data of a key amphipod species from three NE Atlantic estuaries under different levels of anthropogenic pressure.

Knowledge on population dynamics of ecosystem's key-species is invaluable to understand how populations will respond to natural and human-induced perturbations. The amphipod Echinogammarus marinus is a key-species from European estuarine habitats with a distribution ranging from Norway to Portugal [1]. The present article contains supportive data related to a research article entitled 'Comparing production and life-history traits of a key amphipod species within and between estuaries under different levels of anthropogenic pressure' [2]. The present dataset presents the density, biomass, fecundity, and production of E. marinus in three estuaries under different anthropogenic pressure and, within each estuary, at three sampling sites, which differed in terms of the distance to the estuary mouth, vegetation cover, and organic matter content. Monthly environmental abiotic data and seasonal concentration of PAH and other contaminants are also provided. Sampling took place monthly for 13 months at low tide on intertidal mudflats. At each site, Fucus fronds containing E. marinus individuals were randomly collected. All E. marinus individuals were counted, sexed, and measured under a binocular stereo microscope to estimate the density and the biomass of E. marinus in Fucus fronds. Finally, the annual production of E. marinus at each sampling site was estimated through the size-frequency method. This dataset may be used to compare population traits of E. marinus populations across different estuaries and it may overall assist designing studies regarding population dynamics and designing management strategies in coastal systems, namely targeting at habitat conservation and restoration.

Comparing production and life-history traits of a key amphipod species within and between estuaries under different levels of anthropogenic pressure.

Inter-population variability may arise as a response to adverse natural and anthropogenic stressors. The dynamics of a key amphipod species (Echinogammarus marinus) was followed during ≈ 1-year at its southerly range (NW Portugal), in three estuaries with different levels of anthropogenic pressure (High - Ave estuary; Moderate - Mondego estuary; Low - Minho estuary). We hypothesised that E. marinus populations would present lower production and fitness, and higher intersexuality incidence with increasing anthropogenic pressure. According to a GAM model explaining ≈70% of the observed variability, E. marinus biomass depends on temperature, organic matter, Fucus area and time of the year. Significant differences were found between the gammarid biomass in Minho and Mondego estuaries and within sites from the same estuary. As expected, Ave estuary exhibited the lowest average annual production, abundance and fecundity rates. However, the highest average production was found in Mondego and not in Minho estuary, although the turnover ratio (P/B) of both estuaries was very similar. Besides the system's global ecological status, E. marinus also seems to respond to microhabitat conditions, which may explain the spatial heterogeneity observed in the amphipod production within the same estuary. Intersexuality prevalence was negligible in the three populations, which does not support the idea of a link between anthropogenic pressure and intersexuality in E. marinus. We argue that the dependence of E. marinus on Fucus sp. should be further investigated to fully understand the role of both fucoids and the gammarid in coastal foodwebs.

Switching from originator recombinant growth hormone (Genotropin™) to biosimilar (CRISCY™): Results from a 6-month, multicentric, non-inferiority, extension trial.

OBJECTIVE: A previous 12-month comparative trial with Criscy™ (r-hGH Cristália), a biosimilar recombinant growth hormone, demonstrated equivalent efficacy and safety to Genotropin™. This extension trial evaluated the effects of switching patients treated with Genotropin™ to the biosimilar Criscy™ over an additional 6-month treatment period, comparing efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity parameters with patients remaining in the Criscy™ arm. DESIGN: This extension study included 11 research centers and 81 patients who participated in the CERES study (Czepielewski et al., 2019 [1]). Participants from the Genotropin™ arm (n = 39) had the drug replaced by Criscy™ and the remaining participants were kept in the Criscy™ arm (n = 42) for an additional 6-month period to evaluate immunogenicity, efficacy (growth rate, height SDS), and safety (laboratory tests, and adverse events). RESULTS: Before the switch, both Criscy™ and Genotropin groups were similar concerning demographics, and auxological measures: age, sex, height, height SDS, weight, and BMI. Height velocity (HV) after 18 months of treatment was 8.7 ± 1.56 cm/year for Criscy™ group and 8.9 ± 1.36 cm/year for Genotropin™ group in the ITT population (p = 0.43). The auxological parameters and IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 SDS were comparable between both groups of patients. No participants were excluded from the study due to adverse events. There were no clinical or statistical relevant differences between the treatment groups concerning frequency, distribution, intensity, and AEs outcome. Similarly, no new anti-r-hGH (ADA) cases among patients that switched from Genotropin™ to Criscy™ were reported. No neutralizing antibody (nAb) was detected in either group. CONCLUSIONS: This trial showed that switching from originator recombinant human growth hormone to Criscy™ had no impact on efficacy, safety, nor immunogenicity as compared to continued treatment with Criscy™. Growth rates and ADA incidence remained the same as seen before the switch.

Susceptibility of Brazilian Populations of Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Vip3Aa20.

Transgenic maize expressing the insecticidal protein Vip3Aa20 is increasingly being adopted in Brazil. In this study, we determined the baseline susceptibility of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Vip3Aa20, as part of an Insect Resistance Management (IRM) program. Diet-overlay bioassays were conducted with neonates exposed to Vip3Aa20 for 7 d. The baseline susceptibility data were obtained for seven field populations of H. armigera and six of H. zea collected from major soybean-, cotton-, and maize-producing areas in Brazil. To validate the diagnostic concentration, 11 field populations of H. zea were tested from 2014 to 2015. The LC50 for H. armigera populations ranged from 2.97 to 8.41 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 (threefold variation), and for H. zea populations from 0.04 to 0.21 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 (fivefold variation). The EC50 for H. armigera ranged from 0.099 to 0.455 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 (fivefold variation), and for H. zea from 0.004 to 0.020 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 (fivefold variation). H. armigera was more tolerant to Vip3Aa20 protein than was H. zea (≈40- to 75-fold, based on LC50). Based on the LC99 value, the concentration of 6.4 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 was defined as a diagnostic concentration for susceptibility monitoring in H. zea, and >44 µg Vip3Aa20/cm2 for H. armigera. Our baseline susceptibility data for Vip3Aa20 in H. armigera and H. zea populations will be useful in IRM programs in Brazil.

Graphene oxide nanoribbons as nanomaterial for bone regeneration: Effects on cytotoxicity, gene expression and bactericidal effect.

Graphene oxide nanoribbons (O-GNR) surges as an interesting nanomaterial for biomedical applications due to feasibility to incorporate functional groups and possible bactericidal properties. Herein, high concentrations of O-GNR were biologically evaluated using human osteoblast cells and gram positive and negative bacteria. Briefly, our goal were to evaluate: (1) synthetic pathway, (2) characterization and (3) effects of O-GNR composition and structural factors as a new approach for biomedical applications. For this, O-GNR were produced combining chemical vapor deposition and oxygen plasma treatment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Then, we analyzed the bioactivity, cell viability, osteogenic differentiation, matrix mineralization, mRNA levels of the five genes related direct to bone repair and bactericidal effect of high concentrations of O-GNR (10µgmL-1, 100µgmL-1, 200µgmL-1 and 300µgmL-1). Impressively, O-GNR showed no cytotoxic effects up to a concentration of 100µgmL-1 and no gene expression alteration when used in its dose. We also observed that S. aureus and E. coli bacteria are susceptible to damage when incubated with 100µgmL-1 of O-GNR, showing approximately 50% of bacterial death. We consider that O-GNR displays attractive properties when used at a suitable dose, displaying bactericidal effect and apparently lacking to cause damages in the bone repair process.

Single-aliquot, non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage in the diagnosis of metastatic mammary tumours in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of bronchoalveolar lavage as an auxiliary tool for the diagnosis of neoplastic lung metastasis from mammary tumours in dogs. METHODS: A single-institution prospective observational study including 20 healthy dogs and 30 with mammary tumours. Thoracic radiography and single-aliquot, non-bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage with cytology interpretation was performed in all animals and the results compared between groups. RESULTS: Dogs with mammary gland tumours and radiographic evidence of pulmonary metastasis had significantly higher relative neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid than dogs with tumours without evidence of metastasis. In only one dog, in which thoracic radiographs were normal, were malignant cells identified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Inflammatory bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in dogs with mammary gland tumours may suggest metastatic disease. Bronchoalveolar lavage does not appear to be sensitive for identifying malignant cells.

Pan-American Similarities in Genetic Structures of Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) With Implications for Hybridization.

The genus Helicoverpa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) includes phytophagous and polyphagous agricultural insect pests. In the Americas, a native pest, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and an invasive pest, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), are causing severe damage in vegetable and agronomic crops. The population structure of both species in South America is poorly understood, and the phylogenetic relatedness of H. armigera and H. zea suggests natural interspecific gene flow between these species. Using microsatellite loci, we investigated: 1) the genetic diversity and gene flow of H. armigera specimens from Brazil; 2) the genetic diversity and gene flow between H. zea specimens from Brazil and the United States; and 3) the possibility of interspecific gene flow and the frequency of putative hybrids in Brazil. We detected high intraspecific gene flow among populations collected in the same country. However, there is a geographic limit to gene flow among H. zea individuals from South and North America. Pairwise Fst and private alleles showed that H. armigera is more similar to H. zea from Brazil than H. zea from the United States. A comparative STRUCTURE analysis suggests natural hybridization between H. armigera and H. zea in Brazil. High gene flow and natural hybridization are key traits to population adaptation in new and disturbed environments, which can influence the management of these pests in the American continent.

Stock assessment and fishery management of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis Latreille, 1970 and F. paulensis Pérez-Farfante, 1967 in Southeastern Brazil (23 degrees to 28 degrees S).

Quantitative analyses of the pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis and Farfantepenaeus paulensis) fisheries were carried out using data collected from July 1999 to July 2001 from the trawling operations of the fishing fleet based in Santos/Guarujá, SP. According to classical models, the fishery is at its maximum sustainable yield. Therefore, reduction of the fishing effort and adequate season and area closures seem to be the best management actions for the pink shrimp fishery.

Growth and mortalities of the pink-shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis Latreille, 1970 and F. paulensis Pérez-Farfante 1967 in Southeast Brazil.

From July, 1999 until July, 2001 data from the pink-shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis Latreille, 1970 and F. paulensis Pérez-Farfante, 1967 fishery were collected from trawling by the fishing fleet based in Santos/Guarujá-SP. Growth and mortalities of these species were studied. F. brasiliensis and F. paulensis have longevity of 2 years and growth estimates of L Infinity = 29.0 cm and k = 1.24 year-1 for F. brasiliensis and L Infinity = 27.5 cm and k = 1.34 year-1 for F. paulensis. Females reach bigger lengths than males in both species. Natural mortalities (M) were 1.80 and 1.90 year-1 and fishing mortalities (F) were 4.7 and 6.8 year-1 for F. brasiliensis and F. paulensis, respectively. Survival rates are S = 0.15% and 0.02% for F. brasiliensis and F. paulensis, respectively, which are usually low values for shrimps.

Infrared Thermography in Dogs with Mammary Tumors and Healthy Dogs.

BACKGROUND: Infrared thermography is a painless, noninvasive, nonionizing diagnostic imaging exam used in human medicine as an auxiliary tool for breast cancer diagnosis in women. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Define thermographic mean temperatures of healthy mammary glands and compare these temperatures with those of mammary glands with tumors in dogs. ANIMALS: Fifty client-owned female dogs were evaluated, including 20 with histopathologically confirmed mammary tumor and 30 clinically healthy (control). METHODS: A randomized study using infrared thermography analyzed each mammary gland of the animals from the control group and mammary glands with tumors from the tumor group, then the thermographic temperatures obtained were compared. Thermographic exam was performed in a temperature-controlled room with a cooled thermographic camera-Flir E-40 (Flir Systems(®) ) RESULTS: There was significantly a higher temperature in the caudal abdominal and inguinal mammary glands than the other glands in the healthy group (P < .05). Dogs with mammary tumors had significantly higher thermographic temperature compared with unaffected glands regardless of the tumor size and the location (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The technique seems to be able to assess for the presence of neoplasia within the mammary tissue in bitches. Further investigation is necessary to determine the impact of this technique when adopted clinically.