Cardiac remodeling and inflammation detected by magnetic resonance imaging in COVID-19 survivors.

Background: Concerns have been raised about cardiac inflammation in patients with long COVID-19, particularly those with myocardial injury during the acute phase of the disease. This study was conducted to examine myopericardial involvement, detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Methods: Adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who presented myocardial injury or increased D-dimers were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients were invited to undergo CMR imaging examination after discharge. During follow-up, patients with nonischemic myocardial or pericardial involvement detected on the first CMR imaging examination underwent second examinations. CMR imaging findings were compared with those of a control group of healthy patients with no comorbidity. Results: Of 180 included patients, 53 underwent CMR imaging examination. The mean age was 58.4 ± 18.3 years, and 73.6 % were male. Myocardial and pericardial LGE was reported in 43.4 % and 35.8 % of patients, respectively. Nonischemic myocardial or pericardial involvement was reported in 26 (49.1 %) patients. The prevalence of pericardial LGE was associated inversely with the interval between hospital discharge and CMR. COVID-19 survivors had higher end-systolic volume indices (ESVis) and lower left-ventricular ejection fractions than did healthy controls. Seventeen patients underwent follow-up CMR imaging; the end-diastolic volume index, ESVi, and prevalence of pericardial LGE, but not that of nonischemic LGE, were reduced. Conclusion: Among COVID-19 survivors with myocardial injury during the acute phase of the disease, the incidences of nonischemic myocardial and pericardial LGE and CMR imaging-detected signs of cardiac remodeling, partially reversed during follow-up, were high.

Impact of the immune profiles of hypertensive patients with and without obesity on COVID-19 severity.

BACKGROUND: Comorbidities such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes are associated with COVID-19 development and severity, probably due to immune dysregulation; however, the mechanisms underlying these associations are not clear. The immune signatures of hypertensive patients with obesity with COVID-19 may provide new insight into the mechanisms of immune dysregulation and progression to severe disease in these patients. METHODS: Hypertensive patients were selected prospectively from a multicenter registry of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 and stratified according to obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²). Clinical data including baseline characteristics, complications, treatment, and 46 immune markers were compared between groups. Logistic regression was performed to identify variables associated with the risk of COVID-19 progression in each group. RESULTS: The sample comprised 213 patients (89 with and 124 without obesity). The clinical profiles of patients with and without obesity differed, suggesting potential interactions with COVID-19 severity. Relative to patients without obesity, patients with obesity were younger and fewer had cardiac disease and myocardial injury. Patients with obesity had higher EGF, GCSF, GMCSF, interleukin (IL)-1ra, IL-5, IL-7, IL-8, IL-15, IL-1ß, MCP 1, and VEGF levels, total lymphocyte counts, and CD8+ CD38+ mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), and lower NK-NKG2A MFI and percentage of CD8+ CD38+ T cells. Significant correlations between cytokine and immune cell expression were observed in both groups. Five variables best predicted progression to severe COVID-19 in patients with obesity: diabetes, the EGF, IL-10, and IL-13 levels, and the percentage of CD8+ HLA-DR+ CD38+ cells. Three variables were predictive for patients without obesity: myocardial injury and the percentages of B lymphocytes and HLA-DR+ CD38+ cells. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that clinical and immune variables and obesity interact synergistically to increase the COVID-19 progression risk. The immune signatures of hypertensive patients with and without obesity severe COVID-19 highlight differences in immune dysregulation mechanisms, with potential therapeutic applications.

New Insights on the Mechanisms of Myocardial Injury in Hypertensive Patients With COVID-19.

PURPOSE: Myocardial injury is common in hypertensive patients with 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Immune dysregulation could be associated to cardiac injury in these patients, but the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: All patients were selected prospectively from a multicenter registry of adults hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. Cases had hypertension and myocardial injury, defined by troponin levels above the 99th percentile upper reference limit, and controls were hypertensive patients with no myocardial injury. Biomarkers and immune cell subsets were quantified and compared between the two groups. A multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze the associations of clinical and immune variables with myocardial injury. RESULTS: The sample comprised 193 patients divided into two groups: 47 cases and 146 controls. Relative to controls, cases had lower total lymphocyte count, percentage of T lymphocytes, CD8+CD38+ mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), and percentage of CD8+ human leukocyte antigen DR isotope (HLA-DR)+ CD38-cells and higher percentage of natural killer lymphocytes, natural killer group 2A (NKG2A)+ MFI, percentage of CD8+CD38+cells, CD8+HLA-DR+MFI, CD8+NKG2A+MFI, and percentage of CD8+HLA-DR-CD38+cells. On multivariate regression, the CD8+HLA-DR+MFI, CD8+CD38+MFI, and total lymphocyte count were associated significantly with myocardial injury. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that lymphopenia, CD8+CD38+MFI, and CD8+HLA-DR+MFI are immune biomarkers of myocardial injury in hypertensive patients with COVID-19. The immune signature described here may aid in understanding the mechanisms underlying myocardial injury in these patients. The study data might open a new window for improvement in the treatment of hypertensive patients with COVID-19 and myocardial injury.

Troponin in COVID-19: To Measure or Not to Measure? Insights from a Prospective Cohort Study.

Myocardial injury (MI), defined by troponin elevation, has been associated with increased mortality and adverse outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the role of this biomarker as a risk predictor remains unclear. Data from adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were recorded prospectively. A multiple logistic regression model was used to quantify associations of all variables with in-hospital mortality, including the calculation of odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CI). Troponin measurement was performed in 1476 of 4628 included patients, and MI was detected in 353 patients, with a prevalence of 23.9%; [95% CI, 21.8-26.1%]. The total in-hospital mortality rate was 10.9% [95% CI, 9.8-12.0%]. The mortality was much higher among patients with MI than among those without MI, with a prevalence of 22.7% [95% CI, 18.5-27.3%] vs. 5.5% [95% CI, 4.3-7.0%] and increased with each troponin level. After adjustment for age and comorbidities, the model revealed that the mortality risk was greater for patients with MI [OR = 2.99; 95% CI, 2.06-4.36%], and for those who did not undergo troponin measurement [OR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.62-2.97%], compared to those without MI. Our data support the role of troponin as an important risk predictor for these patients, capable of discriminating between those with a low or increased mortality rate. In addition, our findings suggest that this biomarker has a remarkable negative predictive value in COVID-19.

Relacionamentos afetivo-sexuais de mulheres encarceradas em presídios mistos brasileiros / Affective-sexual relationships of incarcerated women in brazilian mixed prisons / Relaciones afectivo-sexuales de mujeres encarceladas en prisiones mixtas brasileñas

Este artigo pretende discutir os relacionamentos afetivo-sexuais de mulheres aprisionadas a partir de seis estudos de caso com reclusas em um presídio misto brasileiro de pequeno porte. Utilizaram-se como instrumentos entrevistas semiestruturadas, analisadas a partir da criminologia crítica feminista e da teoria do apego de John Bowlby. Os relacionamentos afetivo-sexuais da vida adulta foram compreendidos a partir das vivências da infância, marcadas pela insatisfação de suas necessidades afetivas, violências múltiplas, rompimentos de vínculos afetivos e desejo de constituição de uma família entendida como tradicional. Na prisão, enfrentam limitações para o contato, rompimentos e, algumas vezes, o fortalecimento dos relacionamentos. Em todos os casos analisados, aspiram reiterar a função do ser mulher por meio da constituição de uma família para a obtenção do reconhecimento enquanto sujeito. Evidenciou-se a necessidade de questionamento das normativas sociais de gênero, das restrições ao contato impostas nas prisões e da atual política de encarceramento brasileira.(AU)

This study aims to discuss imprisoned women's affective and sexual relationships based on six case studies with female prisoners in a small Brazilian mixed prison. The instruments used were semi-structured interviews, analyzed according to critical feminist criminology and attachment theory, by John Bowlby. The affective-sexual relationships in adulthood were understood based on childhood experiences, marked by the lack of satisfaction of their affective needs, multiple violence, disruption of affective bonds, and the desire of constituting what is deemed as a traditional family. In prison, they face contact limitations, breakups and, sometimes, strengthening of the relationships. In all the cases analyzed, they aspire to reiterate the function of being a woman by establishing a family to obtain recognition as a subject. This research made apparent the need for questioning social gender normativities, restrictions on contact imposed within prisons, and current Brazilian incarceration policy.(AU)

Este artículo tiene como objetivo discutir sobre las relaciones afectivo-sexuales de las mujeres encarceladas en base a seis estudios de caso con prisioneras en una pequeña prisión mixta de Brasil. Se utilizaron como instrumentos entrevistas semiestructuradas, analizadas con base en la criminología feminista crítica y la teoría del apego, por John Bowlby. Las relaciones afectivo-sexuales en la edad adulta pueden entenderse a partir de las experiencias infantiles, marcadas por la insatisfacción de sus necesidades afectivas, la violencia múltiple, la ruptura de los lazos afectivos y el deseo de formar una familia entendida como tradicional. En prisión, enfrentan limitaciones en el contacto, rupturas y, a veces, el fortalecimiento de las relaciones. En todos los casos analizados, aspiran a reiterar la función de ser mujer mediante el establecimiento de una familia para obtener el reconocimiento como sujeto. La necesidad de cuestionar las normas sociales de género, las restricciones al contacto impuestas en las cárceles y la actual política de encarcelamiento brasileña se hicieron evidentes.(AU)

Uma breve revisão da reforma psiquiátrica no Brasil e sua relação com a psicanálise e a psicologia / A brief review of the psychiatric reform in Brazil and its relation to psychoana-lysis and psychology / Una breve revisión de la reforma psiquiátrica en Brasil y su relación con el psi-coanálisis y la psicología / Une bref révision de la reforme psychiatrique au Brézil et sa rélation avec la psychanalyse et la psychologie

O presente texto faz uma breve revisão do movimento da reforma psiquiátrica no Brasil a partir dos anos 70 até os dias de hoje, apresenta e discute as articulações entre a reforma e os profissionais em Psicologia e Psicanálise e propõe, a partir da orientação da psicanálise, algumas coordenadas para desenvolver o trabalho coletivo em equipe na saúde mental e suas interfaces.

The present paper develops a brief review of the psychiatric reform movement from de 70's to this day, presents and discusses the articulations between the reform and the professionals in Psychology and Psychoanalysis and proposes through a psychoanalytically oriented approach some coordinates to develop team work in mental health and its interfaces.

El presente texto hace una breve revisión del movimiento de la reforma psiquiátrica en Brasil a partir de los anos 70 hasta los días de hoy, presenta y discute las articulaciones entre la reforma y los profesionales en Psicología y Psicoanálisis y propone, a partir de la orientación del psicoanálisis, algunas coordinadas para desarrollar el trabajo colectivo en equipo en la salud mental y sus interfaces.

Ce text présente une bref révision du mouvement de la reforme psychiatrique après les années 70 jusqu 'aujourd 'hui et discute les articulations entre la reforme et les profissionnels de la Psychologie et de la Psychanalyse en proposant à travers l 'orientation psychanalytique quelques coordonnées pour le travail collectif des équipes dans la santé mental et ses interfaces.

A historical perspective of embryo-related technologies in South America.

Livestock production is of great importance for the economy of most South American countries, a region that accounts for 23.0% of the world cattle population (Food Agriculture Organization - FAO, 2017). Not surprisingly, the embryo industry is historically very active in this region, particularly in Argentina and Brazil. The field of bovine embryo transfer underwent a remarkable change in the past two decades in Brazil, mainly due to in vitro embryo production (IVEP). Total embryo production increased dramatically, along with constant changes in the main features of the embryo industry - from market niches to mass production, from beef to the dairy sector, from zebu to European breeds. Recently, IVEP has also emerged in other South American countries. This review summarizes and describes factors driving the changes in the Brazilian embryo industry and discusses some of the impacts upon other embryo-related technologies.

A historical perspective of embryo-related technologies in South America

Livestock production is of great importance for the economy of most South American countries, a region that accounts for 23.0% of the world cattle population (Food Agriculture Organization - FAO, 2017). Not surprisingly, the embryo industry is historically very active in this region, particularly in Argentina and Brazil. The field of bovine embryo transfer underwent a remarkable change in the past two decades in Brazil, mainly due to in vitro embryo production (IVEP). Total embryo production increased dramatically, along with constant changes in the main features of the embryo industry – from market niches to mass production, from beef to the dairy sector, from zebu to European breeds. Recently, IVEP has also emerged in other South American countries. This review summarizes and describes factors driving the changes in the Brazilian embryo industry and discusses some of the impacts upon other embryo-related technologies.

A historical perspective of embryo-related technologies in South America

Livestock production is of great importance for the economy of most South American countries, a region that accounts for 23.0% of the world cattle population (Food Agriculture Organization - FAO, 2017). Not surprisingly, the embryo industry is historically very active in this region, particularly in Argentina and Brazil. The field of bovine embryo transfer underwent a remarkable change in the past two decades in Brazil, mainly due to in vitro embryo production (IVEP). Total embryo production increased dramatically, along with constant changes in the main features of the embryo industry from market niches to mass production, from beef to the dairy sector, from zebu to European breeds. Recently, IVEP has also emerged in other South American countries. This review summarizes and describes factors driving the changes in the Brazilian embryo industry and discusses some of the impacts upon other embryo-related technologies.(AU)

Brazilian embryo industry in context: pitfalls, lessons, and expectations for the future

The aim of this review is to provide a brief description of the current situation of the embryo industry in Brazil, in the context of the national and international livestock production scenario. Total number of embryos produced (375,894) declined in 2015 in comparison with the previous years. B. Taurus dairy breeds and crossbreds accounted for 51.8% of the total embryo production. Moreover, the percentage of frozen-tawed embryos transferred reached 22.8% in 2015, the highest value in a decade. A greater proportion of embryos were produced in vitro, both in dairy (97.2%) and beef (90.2%) breeds. The use of embryo technologies in Brazil has remarkably increased 726.5% in the past 20 years, but still represents only 0.33% of the number of cows and heifers at reproductive age. Nonetheless, embryo transfer (ET)accounted for an estimated 19.7% of all purebred calves born and registered by the Brazilian Zebu Cattle Breeders Association in the period 2005-2015, highlighting the importance of ET for animal breeding and genetic improvement of the herd. In the world ́s context, Brazil is the largest producer of bovine in vitro produced (IVP) embryos, but is ranked only 11th based on an index of intensity of use of embryo technologies, below Canada, USA and various European countries. This scenario demonstrates a potential for further increases in embryo production in Brazil, mainly associated with the expected adoption of new technologies by a large proportion of dairy and beef farms; the use of embryo technologies for large scale production of crossbreds; and to eventual increases in the international embryo import/export activity.

Brazilian embryo industry in context: pitfalls, lessons, and expectations for the future

The aim of this review is to provide a brief description of the current situation of the embryo industry in Brazil, in the context of the national and international livestock production scenario. Total number of embryos produced (375,894) declined in 2015 in comparison with the previous years. B. Taurus dairy breeds and crossbreds accounted for 51.8% of the total embryo production. Moreover, the percentage of frozen-tawed embryos transferred reached 22.8% in 2015, the highest value in a decade. A greater proportion of embryos were produced in vitro, both in dairy (97.2%) and beef (90.2%) breeds. The use of embryo technologies in Brazil has remarkably increased 726.5% in the past 20 years, but still represents only 0.33% of the number of cows and heifers at reproductive age. Nonetheless, embryo transfer (ET)accounted for an estimated 19.7% of all purebred calves born and registered by the Brazilian Zebu Cattle Breeders Association in the period 2005-2015, highlighting the importance of ET for animal breeding and genetic improvement of the herd. In the world ́s context, Brazil is the largest producer of bovine in vitro produced (IVP) embryos, but is ranked only 11th based on an index of intensity of use of embryo technologies, below Canada, USA and various European countries. This scenario demonstrates a potential for further increases in embryo production in Brazil, mainly associated with the expected adoption of new technologies by a large proportion of dairy and beef farms; the use of embryo technologies for large scale production of crossbreds; and to eventual increases in the international embryo import/export activity.(AU)

Safety of vaccination against brucellosis with the rough strain in pregnant cattle.

Brucellosis is an infectious and contagious disease that profoundly impacts public health. However, in many countries, disease prevention is restricted to the vaccination of calves, and there is no prophylactic strategy for pregnant heifers and cows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of the rough strain vaccine against brucellosis in pregnant cattle. Crossbred cows (N = 96) at three gestational periods (early, mid, or late pregnancy) were randomly allocated into the vaccine treatment group or to the control group. We then compared the percentage of pregnancies reaching full term, live calves 60 days after delivery, and seropositive calves. There was no effect of vaccination in any of the gestational periods on the evaluation endpoints. In conclusion, vaccination against brucellosis with the rough strain is safe for pregnant cattle at all gestational periods.

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of peruvian dalea strobilacea barneby / Composición química y actividad antimicrobiana del aceite esencialde la planta peruana dalea strobilaceae barneby

The composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from Dalea strobilacea Barneby (Fabaceae) aerial parts was examined by GC and GC/MS. beta-Phellandrene (44 percent) together with alpha-pinene (18 percent) were the main essential oil components. Antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was evaluated against eight bacterial strains. A moderate growth inhibition of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis was shown by the essential oil.

La composición del aceite esencial de Dalea strobilacea Barneby (Fabaceae) obtenido por hidrodestilación de las partes aereas fue examinada por CG y CG/EM. beta-felandreno (44 por ciento) junto con alfa-pineno (18 por ciento) fueron los principales componentes del aceite esencial. La actividad antimicrobiana del aceite esencial fue evaluada contra ocho cepas bacterianas. El aceite esencial inhibió moderadamente el crecimiento de Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus y Enterococcus faecalis.

Jarbas, o Redentor: um caso clínico de mania apresentado a partir da topologia lacaniana / Jarbas the Redeemer: a clinical case of mania presented based on Lacanian topology / Jarbas le Rédempteur: un cas clinique de manie présenté a partir de la topologie lacanienne / Jarbas el Redentor: un caso de manía presentado a partir de la topología lacaniana / Jarbas, der Erlöser: ein Fall von Manie aus der Lacanian Topologie vorgestellt

Neste artigo visamos solucionar o enigma dos intervalos lúcidos da Psicose maníaco-depressiva a partir de um estudo de caso atendido em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPSi). Defendemos que se pode sustentar uma experiência rigorosa do dispositivo analítico em instituição pública. Utilizamos a topologia lacaniana dos nós como método para a construção do caso. Postulamos que nos surtos os nós se rompem e depois se rearranjam entre os três registros — real, simbólico e imaginário — formando um nó não borromeano (nó de trevo) que possibilita uma estabilização do sujeito.

In this article we aim at solving the enigma of the lucid intervals in the manic depressive psychosis through the clinical case of a patient treated in a Psychosocial Care Center. We believe we can develop a rigorous experience of the analytical treatment in public health services. We use the Lacanian topology of the knots as a method for the construction of the case. We postulate that in and out of the outbreaks the knots untangle and re-entangle between the three registers — the imaginary, the symbolic and the real — forming a non borromean knot (clover knot) that enable the stabilization of the subject.

Dans cet article nous avons eu pour but de solutionner l’énigme des intervalles lucides de la psychose maniaque dépressive à travers de l’étude d’un cas clinique suivi dans un Centre de Soin Psycho-sociale. Nous croyons qu’on peut maintenir une experience rigoureuse de la psychanalyse dans une institution publique. Nous utilizons la topologie lacanienne des noeuds comme méthode pour construire le cas. Notre proposition est que pendant et après les crises le noeud se rompre et se rénoue entre le réel, le symbolique et l’imaginaire, pas comme un noeud borroméen, mais comme un noeud de trèfle qui permet la stabilization du sujet.

En este artículo se tiene por objetivo solucionar el enigma de los intervalos de lucidez de la psicosis maniaco-depresiva en un estudio de caso clínico tratado en un Centro de Atención Psicosocial. Creemos que uno puede sostener una rigurosa experiencia psicoanalítica en una institución pública. Utilizamos la topología lacaniana de los nudos como método para la construcción del caso. Nuestra proposición es que durante e después de los brotes el nudo se rompe e se reanuda entre el real, el simbólico y el imaginario, non como borromeo, pero como un nudo de trébol que permite la estabilización del sujeto.

In diesem Artikel wollen wir das Rätsel der klaren Intervallen von Psychosis manische Depression aus einer Fallstudie in einem psychosoziale Betreuung Zentrum ( CAPSI ). Wir argumentieren, dass man eine strenge psychoanalytischen Erfahrung in einer öffentlichen Einrichtung aufrecht erhalten kann. Gebrauchte Lacansche Topologie der Knoten als ein Verfahren für die Konstruktion des Fälle. Wir postulieren, dass die Ausbrüche wir gebrochen werden und dann zwischen den drei Datensätze neu ordnen — real, symbolischen und imaginären — eine nicht Borromäischen Knoten (Kleeblattknoten) bildet, die eine Stabilisierung des Themas ermöglicht.

The McGill Illness Narrative Interview - MINI: translation and cross-cultural adaptation into Portuguese. / McGill Entrevista Narrativa de Adoecimento - MINI: tradução e adaptação transcultural para o português.

This paper presents the process of translation and cultural adaptation into Portuguese of the McGill Illness Narrative Interview - MINI, an interview protocol that is used to research meanings and modes of narrating illness experiences, tested, in the Brazilian context, for psychiatric and cancer-related problems. Two translations and their respective back-translations were developed. In addition, semantic equivalence was evaluated, a synthesis version and a final version were prepared, and two pre-tests were administered to the target populations (people with auditory verbal hallucinations or breast cancer). A high degree of semantic equivalence was found between the original instrument and the translation/back-translation pairs, and also in the perspective of referential and general meanings. The semantic and operational equivalence of the proposed modifications was confirmed in the pre-tests. Therefore, the first adaptation of an interview protocol that elicits the production of narratives about illness experiences has been provided for the Brazilian context.

McGill Entrevista Narrativa de Adoecimento - MINI: tradução e adaptação transcultural para o português / The McGill Illness Narrative Interview - MINI: translation and cross-cultural adaptation into Portuguese

Resumo Este artigo apresenta o processo de tradução e adaptação cultural para o português da McGill Illness Narrative Interview – MINI, um modelo de entrevista para a pesquisa dos sentidos e dos modos de narrar a experiência do adoecimento, testada, no contexto brasileiro, para os problemas psiquiátricos e os relacionados ao câncer. Foram realizadas duas traduções e respectivas retraduções, avaliada a equivalência semântica, elaboradas versões síntese e final e dois pré-testes nas populações-alvo (pessoas com alucinações auditivas verbais ou câncer de mama). Foi observado um grau elevado de equivalência semântica entre o instrumento original e os pares de tradução-retradução e da perspectiva dos significados referencial e geral. A equivalência semântica e operacional das modificações propostas foram confirmadas nos pré-testes. Disponibilizou-se para o contexto brasileiro a primeira adaptação de um modelo de entrevista que possibilita a produção de narrativas sobre a experiência de adoecimento.

Abstract This paper presents the process of translation and cultural adaptation into Portuguese of the McGill Illness Narrative Interview – MINI, an interview protocol that is used to research meanings and modes of narrating illness experiences, tested, in the Brazilian context, for psychiatric and cancer-related problems. Two translations and their respective back-translations were developed. In addition, semantic equivalence was evaluated, a synthesis version and a final version were prepared, and two pre-tests were administered to the target populations (people with auditory verbal hallucinations or breast cancer). A high degree of semantic equivalence was found between the original instrument and the translation/back-translation pairs, and also in the perspective of referential and general meanings. The semantic and operational equivalence of the proposed modifications was confirmed in the pre-tests. Therefore, the first adaptation of an interview protocol that elicits the production of narratives about illness experiences has been provided for the Brazilian context.

Weight gain potential affects pregnancy rates in bovine embryo recipients raised under pasture conditions.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of differences in body weight gain after embryo transfer on the pregnancy rates of crossbred heifers used as recipients and raised under a grazing system. The study was performed during the dry (April to September) and the rainy (October to March) seasons. The embryos transferred were produced by in vitro fertilization. The body weight of each recipient was measured immediately before the embryo transfer and 23 to 25 days later, when the diagnosis of pregnancy was performed by ultrasonography. The associations among initial body weight (IBW), daily body weight gain (DWG), season, and pregnancy rate were evaluated using a logistic procedure that included the effect of the IBW, season, and linear and quadratic effects of the DWG. Altogether, there was no effect of season and pregnancy rates did not change between the dry and rainy seasons (42.3 vs. 45.8%, respectively; P > 0.05). However, the pregnancy rate was greater in the recipients with daily body weight gains over 250 g/day, regardless of the season. In addition, the pregnancy rate of the recipients was better (P < 0.04) explained by a logistic regression model that included the linear and quadratic effects of the DWG. The probability of each heifer to become pregnant according to DWG is explained by the follow equation: P(y = 1) = (Exp((-1.06703 + 0.0108 * DWG - 0.00002 * DWG ^ 2)))/(1 + Exp((-1.6703 + 0.0108 * DWG - 0.00002 * DWG ^ 2))). In conclusion, body weight gain potential is a critical factor for the pregnancy rates of in vitro embryo recipients managed under grazing systems.

Biological activity of the essential oils from Cinnamodendron dinisii and Siparuna guianensis.

This study had analyzed the antibacterial, antifungal and trypanocidal activity of the essential oils from Cinnamodendron dinisii Schwacke (Canellaceae) and Siparuna guianensis Aublet (Siparunaceae). The essential oils were obtained from fresh leaves by hydrodistillation, using a modified Clevenger apparatus. Chemical analysis by gas-liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that these essential oils are rich in monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Activity against the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli , Listeria monocytogenes , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Salmonella choleraesuis and Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated with the agar cavity diffusion method, while activity on the filamentous fungi Aspergillus flavus , Aspergillus niger , Aspergillus carbonarius and Penicillium commune was evaluated by the disk diffusion technique. Trypanocidal activity was tested against Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes, using the Tetrazolium salt (MTT) colorimetric assay. Both essential oils exhibited low inhibitory effect towards bacteria, showing high MIC values (125-500 µg mL (-1) ), with Gram positive bacteria being more susceptible. Better inhibitory effect was obtained for the evaluated fungi, with lower MIC values (7.81-250 µg mL (-1) ), being A. flavus the most susceptible species. Both essential oils presented low trypanocidal activity, with IC 50 /24 h values of 209.30 µg mL (-1) for S. guianensis and 282.93 µg mL (-1) for C. dinisii . Thus, the high values observed for the MIC of evaluated bacteria and for IC 50 /24 h of T. cruzi , suggest that the essential oils have a low inhibitory activity against these microorganisms. In addition, the low MIC values observed for the tested fungi species indicate good inhibitory activity on these microorganisms's growth.