Acute severe SARS COVID-19 patients produce pro-resolving lipids mediators and eicosanoids.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the eicosanoid and pro resolutive parameters in SARS COVID-19 patients with the severe acute respiratory syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen male patients with an acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS COVID-19 and four healthy controls were evaluated by measuring the following parameters in plasma: Polyunsaturated fatty acids: EPA, DHA, ARA, and DPA. Specialized Pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) (including monohydroxy-containing precursors 17-HDHA, 18-HEPE, 14-HDHA) resolvins, maresins, protectins, and lipoxins. The eicosanoids group included prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes. RESULTS: Plasma from COVID-19 patients presented higher amounts of pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic lipid mediators as compared to healthy subjects (65.7 pg/ml vs. 10.2 pg/ml), including thromboxane (2142.6 pg/ml vs. 10.4 pg/ml), and the ratio between total plasma pro-inflammatory mediators versus total SPM's was 13.2 to 0,4, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A clear disbalance favoring the pro-inflammatory axis is described, showing the need to perform future clinical interventions in these patients using SPM's or monohydroxylated lipid mediators derivates from fatty acids.

The Effects of Testosterone Therapy Combined with Swimming Exercise on Adipose Tissue and Biochemical Parameters in Male Obese Wistar Rats.

Context: Exercise and anabolic steroids are anticipated to promote fat mass reduction and so to decrease the number of comorbidities related to excessive weight. Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the influence of aerobic exercise and the use of steroids on the accumulation of adipose tissue and on the biochemical limitations of Wistar rats nourished by a hypercaloric diet. Methods: Forty, young male Wistar rats were split into four groups: obese control (n=10), obese under treatment (n=10), obese under aerobic exercise (n=10) and obese under aerobic exercise and treatment (n=10). All animals were fed with a hypercaloric diet and animals under treatment received intramuscular testosterone. Body (weight and visceral fat) and blood (lipidogram, glucose, and liver enzymes) parameters were assessed. Results: The group treated with aerobic exercise and testosterone revealed a reduction in body weight and visceral, perirenal, retroperitoneal and epididymal fats, accompanied by the blood levels of glucose, lactate, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and lactate dehydrogenase; following high-intensity physical activity. Conclusion: The results support the theory that the combination of steroids and physical activity reduces the side-effects of androgenic-anabolic hormones and conveys benefits to some constraints.

Avaliação da eficiência de cal virgem na inativação de ovos de nematoides (Strongyloides sp. ) parasitos de pacas (Cuniculus paca) criadas em cativeiro / Evaluation of quicklime efficiency in inactivating nematode eggs (Strongyloides sp. ) parasites of paca (Cuniculus paca) created in captivity

Criadores de animais silvestres sempre buscam métodos eficientes de manter sua criação. Parasitos intestinais afetam os animais em cativeiro, diminuindo sua sobrevivência e reprodução. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia do uso de cal virgem na desinfecção do solo e na prevenção da reinfestação de endoparasitos em pacas (Cuniculus paca) em cativeiro. Amostras de solo das baias de criação foram analisadas usando-se o método de Rugai modificado. Duas etapas foram avaliadas: a primeira aos cinco, 45 e 105 minutos após os tratamentos, e a segunda aos sete dias e aos 14 dias após os tratamentos. Os valores de pH das amostras foram verificados após a aplicação de quatro tratamentos. Foram aplicados 400g/m2 de cal virgem a lanço ou 500mL/m2 de três soluções de cal virgem (10%, 20% ou 40% p/v). Na primeira etapa, a cal a lanço foi ineficaz na modificação do pH do solo e no controle de parasitos. A solução a 10% proporcionou o melhor controle dos parasitos. Na segunda etapa, as soluções foram eficazes na elevação do pH, porém não houve diferença significativa nos achados larvais. Concluiu-se que, nas condições do estudo, a solução a 10% aumentou o pH do solo e teve boa capacidade de inativação dos ovos de Strongyloides sp., o que economicamente é interessante. Porém, para o controle eficiente de Strongyloides sp. em cativeiros de pacas, deve-se considerar a frequência da aplicação de soluções com até 20% de cal, juntamente com a adoção de um programa de vermifugação.(AU)

Wild animal breeders are always looking for effective ways to care for their livestock. Intestinal parasites affect animals in captivity, reducing their survival and reproduction. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of quicklime for use in soil disinfection and prevention of reinfection of endoparasites in paca (Cuniculus paca) kept in captivity. Soil samples of pacas' stalls were analyzed using the modified Rugai method. Two experimental stages were evaluated; the first at 5, 45 and 105 minutes after treatment and the second at 7 days and 14 days after treatment. The pH values of the samples were checked after the application of four treatments. An application of 400g/m2 of quicklime spread out on ground or 500mL/m2 of three lime solutions (10%, 20% or 40%, w / v) applied on ground. In the first stage, the lime spread out on soil was ineffective in parasites control, while the 10% solution provided the best control of parasites. In the second stage, the solutions were effective in raising the pH, but there was no significant difference in larval findings. In conclusion, under the conditions of the study, 10% solution increased the soil pH and had good ability to inactivate the eggs of Strongyloides sp.; that is economically interesting. However, for effective control of Strongyloides sp. in pacas kept captive, both the frequency of application of solutions up to 20% of lime and the adoption of a good worming schedule should be taken into consideration.(AU)

Brillouin Optomechanics in Coupled Silicon Microcavities.

The simultaneous control of optical and mechanical waves has enabled a range of fundamental and technological breakthroughs, from the demonstration of ultra-stable frequency reference devices, to the exploration of the quantum-classical boundaries in optomechanical laser-cooling experiments. More recently, such an optomechanical interaction has been observed in integrated nano-waveguides and microcavities in the Brillouin regime, where short-wavelength mechanical modes scatter light at several GHz. Here we engineer coupled optical microcavities to enable a low threshold excitation of mechanical travelling-wave modes through backward stimulated Brillouin scattering. Exploring the backward scattering we propose silicon microcavity designs based on laterally coupled single and double-layer cavities, the proposed structures enable optomechanical coupling with very high frequency modes (11 to 25 GHz) and large optomechanical coupling rates (g0/2π) from 50 kHz to 90 kHz.

Studying the genetic basis of drought tolerance in sorghum by managed stress trials and adjustments for phenological and plant height differences.

Managed environments in the form of well watered and water stressed trials were performed to study the genetic basis of grain yield and stay green in sorghum with the objective of validating previously detected QTL. As variations in phenology and plant height may influence QTL detection for the target traits, QTL for flowering time and plant height were introduced as cofactors in QTL analyses for yield and stay green. All but one of the flowering time QTL were detected near yield and stay green QTL. Similar co-localization was observed for two plant height QTL. QTL analysis for yield, using flowering time/plant height cofactors, led to yield QTL on chromosomes 2, 3, 6, 8 and 10. For stay green, QTL on chromosomes 3, 4, 8 and 10 were not related to differences in flowering time/plant height. The physical positions for markers in QTL regions projected on the sorghum genome suggest that the previously detected plant height QTL, Sb-HT9-1, and Dw2, in addition to the maturity gene, Ma5, had a major confounding impact on the expression of yield and stay green QTL. Co-localization between an apparently novel stay green QTL and a yield QTL on chromosome 3 suggests there is potential for indirect selection based on stay green to improve drought tolerance in sorghum. Our QTL study was carried out with a moderately sized population and spanned a limited geographic range, but still the results strongly emphasize the necessity of corrections for phenology in QTL mapping for drought tolerance traits in sorghum.

Cell proliferation markers in the transplanted canine transmissible venereal tumor / Marcadores de proliferação celular no tumor venéreo transmissível canino transplantado

Adult male mongrel dogs were subcutaneously transplanted with the canine transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) on the hypogastric region. Twelve specimens of tumors were collected, half during the proliferative phase and the other half during the regressive phase. Fragments of the tumor were fixed in 10 percent buffered formalin and routinely processed for light microscopy. Sections of 4µm were stained by Schorr or AgNOR or either immunostained for MIB1 (Ki67). Schorr stain, AgNOR and MIB1 showed an increased proliferative activity through mitotic index, nuclear argyrophilic protein stain and cycling tumoral cells in the growing tumors, respectively. All of the three cell proliferation markers were able to distinguish the TVT in both evolution phases. MIB1 monoclonal antibody was the best in the morphologic evaluation of growth and regression of TVT. This resulted in higher values than AgNORs counting and mitotic index. MIB1 immunostaining was the most effective parameter of the proliferative activity of TVT. However, a significant correlation has been detected only between mitosis counting and AgNORs.

Cães machos, adultos, mestiços, foram transplantados com células do tumor venéreo transmissível canino (TVTC), na região hipogástrica. Foram coletados doze espécimes do TVTC, sendo metade durante a fase proliferativa e metade durante a fase regressiva. Fragmentos do tumor foram fixados em formol a 10 por cento, tamponado e processado rotineiramente para microscopia de luz. Secções de 4µm foram coradas pelo Shorr, ou pela AgNOR, ou ainda, imunocorado para MIB 1 (Ki67). As colorações pelo Shorr, AgNOR, ou MIB 1 mostraram um aumento do índice mitótico, coloração da proteína argirofílica nuclear e células tumorais ciclando em tumores em crescimento, respectivamente. Todos os três marcadores de proliferação celular foram capazes de distinguir o TVTC em ambas as fases de evolução. O anticorpo monoclonal MIB 1 foi o melhor na avaliação morfológica, de crescimento e regressão do TVTC. Isto resultou em um valor maior que a contagem de AgNOR e do índice mitótico. A imunomarcação com MIB1 foi o parâmetro mais efetivo da atividade proliferativa. No entanto, só foi observada uma correlação positiva entre a contagem de mitose e a AgNOR.

Apoptosis in the transplanted canine transmissible venereal tumor during growth and regression phases / Apoptose no tumor venéreo transmissível canino durante as fases de crescimento e regressão

Twelve male, mongrel, adult dogs were subcutaneously transplanted with cells originated from two canine transmissible venereal tumors (TVT). The aim was to demonstrate and to quantify the occurrence of apoptosis in the TVT regression. After six months of transplantation, a tumor sample was obtained from each dog, being six dogs with TVT in the growing phase and six in the regression phase as verified by daily measurements. Samples were processed for histological and ultrastructural purposes as well as for DNA extraction. Sections of 4µm were stained by HE, Shorr, methyl green pyronine, Van Gieson, TUNEL reaction and immunostained for P53. The Shorr stained sections went through morphometry that demonstrated an increase of the apoptotic cells per field in the regressive tumors. It was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, which showed cells with typical morphology of apoptosis and by the TUNEL reaction that detected in situ the 3'OH nick end labeling mainly in the regressive tumors. The regressive TVTs also showed an intensified immunostaining for P53 besides a more intense genomic DNA fragmentation detected by the agarose gel electrophoresis. In conclusion, apoptosis has an important role in the regression of the experimental TVT in a way that is P53-dependent.

Doze cães, adultos, machos e sem raça definida foram transplantados subcutaneamente, na região hipogástrica, com células originadas de dois tumores venéreos transmissíveis caninos (TVT). O objetivo do estudo foi demonstrar e quantificar a ocorrência de apoptose na regressão do TVT. Após seis meses, foi obtido um tumor de cada animal, totalizando seis em crescimento e seis em regressão. Fragmentos dos tumores foram processados para avaliação histológica, ultra-estrutural e também para extração de DNA. Cortes de 4µm foram corados em HE, Shorr, verde de metila pironina e Van Gieson e alguns foram submetidos à reação do TUNEL e à imunoistoquímica para P53. Secções coradas pelo Shorr, submetidas à morfometria, demonstram maior índice apoptótico nos tumores em regressão. Esse achado foi confirmado pela microscopia eletrônica de transmissão que evidenciou células com morfologia típica de apoptose e pela reação de TUNEL que marcou mais células nos tumores em regressão que naqueles em crescimento. A imunomarcação para P53 foi mais intensa nos tumores em regressão, assim como a fragmentação internucleossômica do genoma mostrada pela eletroforese em gel de agarose. Concluiu-se que a apoptose tem importante papel na regressão do TVT transplantado experimentalmente, sendo, nesse caso, dependente de P53 para a sua execução.

Morphometric analysis of the thymus of puppies infected with the Snyder Hill Strain of canine distemper virus / Análise morfométrica do timo de cães filhotes infectados com a amostra Snyder Hill do vírus de cinomose canina

The thymic morphometry analysis was used for determining apoptosis and atrophy of the thymus of eight puppies inoculated with canine distemper virus (CDV). Three healthy dogs were used as negative controls. Sections, 5æm thick, were stained by HE and Shorr, and the latter were evaluated by morphometry. CDV nucleoprotein was detected by immunohistochemistry. Morphometric results confirmed lymphoid hypotrophy in CDV inoculated dog thymuses, more stroma, less parenchyma and higher apoptotic index/field than negative control (not inoculated) puppies. Apoptosis plays a role in the mechanism of thymus atrophy that develops in canine distemper.

Determinaram-se a apoptose e a atrofia no timo de oito cães novos, inoculados experimentalmente com o vírus de cinomose. Três cães saudáveis foram usados como controle negativo. Secções coradas pelo Shorr foram avaliadas por morfometria. A nucleoproteína viral foi detectada por imunoistoquímica. Os resultados morfométricos confirmaram a hipotrofia e mostraram que o timo dos cães inoculados tinha mais estroma, menos parênquima e maior índice apoptótico/campo que o dos animais-controle. Pode-se concluir que a apoptose desempenha importante papel no mecanismo de hipotrofia tímica que se desenvolve na cinomose.

Marcadores de proliferação celular na avaliação do crescimento do tumor sólido e ascítico de Ehrlich / Cell proliferation markers for evaluating the growth of solid and ascitic forms of Ehrlich tumor

Twenty BALB/c mice were inoculated with cell suspension of Ehrlich tumor. Ten mice were inoculated in the cushion plant (solid form) and the other 10 in the peritoneum (ascitic form). Animals were euthanized on different times (7 and 14 days). Cytological and histological slides, immunohistochemical (PCNA) analysis and NORs silver impregnation technique were performed. The results showed more proliferation on the 7th day in the ascitic form and on 14th day in the solid form, using both analyses (PCNA and AgNORs). The alterations observed in the Ehrlich tumorÆs proliferation activity suggested that the growth curve is different between ascitic and solid forms. In the first one, the proliferation peak occurs on the seventh day and in the solid tumor the growth curve was more delayed, showing increased proliferative potential after seven days.

Determination of the minimal representative number of microscopic fields to quantify apoptosis in canine lymph nodes

Determinou-se o número mínimo de campos por lâmina para se ter uma amostragem representativa para o estudo de apoptose em linfonodos de cães com cinomose. Um linfonodo traqueobrônquico de cão foi colhido e processado segundo técnica para inclusão em parafina. Secções de 5æm foram coradas pelo tricrômico de Shorr. Utilizou-se um analisador de imagens para registrar o número de células em apoptose e os índices apoptóticos de 300 campos, na mesma lâmina. Obtiveram-se, então, valores médios para 10 amostras de 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 e 50 campos ao acaso. Realizou-se o estudo dos desvios-padrão das médias (DP) em relação ao tamanho da amostra que os originou. Quando as oscilações de DP entre amostras consecutivas foram menores que 5 por cento, o ganho em representatividade produzido pelo acréscimo no número de campos não se justificou, dispensando amostragens maiores. Desse modo, a análise de 40 campos por lâmina, na pesquisa de índices apoptóticos em linfonodos caninos, é suficientemente representativa, uma vez que apresenta instabilidade aceitável.