Systemic inflammatory biomarkers and somatic cell count in dairy cows with subclinical mastitis.

Systemic parameters and its relationship with Somatic Cell Count (SCC) in dairy cows were evaluated. Cows that presented subclinical mastitis (SMC; n = 16) and healthy cows (HC; n = 6) were selected and identified by the California Mastitis Test and SCC in milk. SCC results were logarithmically transformed into somatic cell score (SCS). HC presented SCS 〈 4.32 while SMC presented SCS 〉 4.32. Milk and blood samples were collected in three days: D1 (first day of sampling), D2 (48 h after D1) and D3 (7 days after D1), to determine White Blood Cells (WBC), albumin, total protein, total bilirubin and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. It was considered significant at P < 0.05. The data of SCS on D1, D2 and D3 in SMC were: 6.8 ± 1.7, 6.4 ± 1.8, and 6.3 ± 2.0, respectively. In SMC the MDA (nmolL-1) were: D1 - 9.3 ± 2.6, D2 - 8.6 ± 2.4, and D3 - 11.5 ± 3.5. The MDA on D3 in SMC (11.5 ± 3.5) were increase when compared to HC (6.0 ± 1.3) (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found in WBC, TP, ALB, and TB between groups. It was observed a positive correlation between MDA-SCS (ρ = 0.4) and between WBC-SCS (ρ = 0.3) in the SMC group. It was concluded that the systemic repercussion damage in the mammary gland promoted by subclinical mastitis in dairy cows can be assessed using the MDA and WBC biomarkers.

Suplementação com óleos ricos em ácidos graxos poli-insaturados na dieta de leitões na fase de creche: efeitos no desempenho, na resposta inflamatória, no perfil lipídico e no "status" oxidativo / Supplementation with oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet of pigs in the nursery phase: effects on performance, inflammatory response, lipid profile and oxidative "status"

Nos sistemas de produção, os produtos naturais vêm se destacando na substituição a produtos sintéticos, dentre eles podemos ressaltar os óleos vegetais ricos em ácido graxos poli-insaturados (PUFA), que são conhecidos, popularmente, por seus efeitos benéficos. Dessa forma, o objetivo com este trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da suplementação dos óleos de pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) e girassol (Helianthus annus) sobre parâmetros fisiológicos em leitões na fase de creche. Foram utilizados 180 leitões alojados em granja comercial, distribuídos em três grupos (n=60) conforme suplementação alimentar: óleo de pequi, óleo de girassol e controle negativo. Amostras de sangue e o peso dos animais foram obtidos nos intervalos de quatro trocas de rações da fase de creche para avaliação do desempenho, da resposta inflamatória, do perfil lipídico e do "status" oxidativo. Os parâmetros fisiológicos mensurados demonstraram que os óleos interferiram positivamente na resposta inflamatória sistêmica, por meio dos leucócitos totais e da relação neutrófilo/linfócito (P<0,05); no equilíbrio oxidante-antioxidante, por mensuração de óxido nítrico e do malondialdeído (P<0,05); e no metabolismo lipídico, com a avaliação de colesterol total e triglicérides (P<0,05). Por outro lado, esses óleos vegetais interferiram no ganho de peso e no consumo de ração (P<0,05). Assim, concluí-se que a suplementação com óleos de pequi e girassol melhora a saúde dos animais, mas tem impacto negativo no desempenho zootécnico de leitões na fase de creche.(AU)

In production systems, natural products have been outstanding in replacing synthetic products, among them, we can highlight the vegetable oils rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that are popularly known for their beneficial effects. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of pequi (Caryocar brasiliense) and sunflower (Helianthus annus) oil supplementation on nursery physiological parameters. We used 180 piglets housed in a commercial farm, distributed in 3 groups (n=60) according to food supplementation: pequi oil, sunflower oil and negative control. Blood samples and animal weight were obtained at intervals of four nursery phase rations to evaluate performance, inflammatory response, lipid profile and oxidative status. The physiological parameters measured showed that the oils positively interfered in the systemic inflammatory response through total leukocytes and neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (P<0.05), in the oxidant-antioxidant balance by measuring nitric oxide and malondialdehyde (P<0.05). and lipid metabolism with the assessment of total cholesterol and triglycerides (P<0.05). On the other hand, these vegetable oils interfered with weight gain and feed intake (P<0.05). Thus, it can be concluded that supplementation with pequi and sunflower oils improves animal health, but has a negative impact on the piglet's performance in the nursery phase.(AU)

Facial Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Abdominal Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour with Rhabdomyoblastic Differentiation in a Rough-toothed Dolphin (Steno bredanensis).

We report the pathological features of a facial squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and an abdominal peripheral nerve sheath tumour (PNST) with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation in an aged free-ranging rough-toothed dolphin (Steno bredanensis). The animal was found stranded dead in poor body condition. On external examination, there was a 25 × 7 × 3 cm extensively ulcerated area on the right maxillary region of the rostrum, involving the oral mucocutaneous junction with prominent nodular edges, severe soft tissue loss and extensive maxillary and premaxillary bone lysis. On abdominal dissection, a 5 × 4 × 3.5 cm pale tan to red, raised mass expanded the inner aspect of the right transverse abdominis muscle. Microscopically, the aggressive facial lesion was an acantholytic SCC with extensive osteolysis; there was no evidence of metastasis in the tissues examined. The abdominal mass had cytohistomorphological features compatible with a localized PNST, including whorling, Antoni A and Antoni B areas and Verocay bodies intermixed with rhabdomyoblastic components, as suggested by phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin stain. This neoplasm was locally infiltrative, yet no metastases were observed in the tissues examined. No immunohistochemical investigations could be performed due to lack of tissue availability. Total DNA from the formalin-fixed and paraffin wax-embedded SCC was extracted and tested by polymerase chain reaction for herpesvirus and papillomavirus genetic material. There was no amplification for either of these genera. Other pathological findings observed in this animal were related to the 'live-stranding stress response'. The severity and extent of the facial SCC likely related to anorexia and poor body condition and might have played a role in the stranding and death of this dolphin. These two tumour subtypes add to the relatively uncommon reports of neoplasia in cetaceans. Specifically, these appear to be the first neoplasia records for rough-toothed dolphins, including the first documentation of a PNST with features compatible with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation in a marine mammal.

Involvement of mast cells, CD68+ and VEGF+ expressions in response to Himatanthus drasticus commercial latex in mice wound healing model / Envolvimento de mastócitos, expressão de CD68+ e VEGF+ em resposta ao látex comercial de Himatanthus drasticus em modelo de cicatrização em camundongos

This study aimed to evaluate Himatanthus drasticus latex in a mice wound healing experimental model. Animals were divided into four groups (n=7) according to the treatments: GI - saline 0.9% (control), GII - mineral oil (vehicle), GIII - H. drasticus commercial latex (HdCL) and GIV - H. drasticus mixed isolated fraction (MIF, 1 mg/mL). The treatments were applied topically once daily, 50 µL for 14 consecutive days. Macroscopic lesions were evaluated, considering parameters such as swelling, redness, granulation tissue and reepithelialization. VEGF+, CD68+ expressions and mast cells (Toluidin blue stain) were evaluated. HdCL induced higher contraction and exuberant granulation tissue (P > 0.05). HdCL showed a mild inflammatory process while MIF induced intense infiltrate inflammatory predominantly by lymphocytes, vascular congestion, bleeding and did not presented full reepithelialization. Reorganization of collagen fibers (red picrosirius stain) was observed. CD68+ expression and mast cells were presented as moderate, intense and mild in GI, GIII and GIV, respectively. Neovascularization occurred in all groups, while VEGF+ expression was intense in MIF in relation to HdCL. We concluded that HdCL presents wound healing potential, through modulation of mast cells, CD68+ and VEGF+ expressions that can be associated to triterpenes presence according MIF isolated from HdCL.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar o látex de Himatanthus drasticus em feridas induzidas experimentalmente em camundongos. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos (n=7): GI - salina 0,9% (controle), GII - óleo mineral (veículo), GIII - látex comercial de H. drasticus (HdCL) e GIV - fração isolada mista de H. drasticus (MIF, 1mg/mL). Os tratamentos foram aplicados topicamente uma vez ao dia (50µL), durante 14 dias consecutivos. Lesões macroscópicas, as expressões de VEGF+, CD68+ e a participação dos mastócitos (coloração azul de toluidina) foram avaliadas. HdCL induziu maior contração e tecido de granulação exuberante (P >0,05). HdCL induziu leve processo inflamatório enquanto MIF promoveu intenso infiltrado inflamatório predominantemente linfocítico, congestão vascular, hemorragia e reepitelização parcial. Observou-se reorganização das fibras colágenas (coloração picrosírius). A expressão de CD68+ e os mastócitos apresentaram-se moderados, intensos e leves em GI, GIII e GIV, respectivamente. A neovascularização foi observada em todos os grupos, enquanto a expressão de VEGF+ foi mais intensa em MIF em relação a HdCL. Conclui-se que HdCL apresenta potencial de cicatrização por meio da modulação dos mastócitos e das expressões de CD68+ e VEGF+, o que pode estar associado à presença de triterpenos de acordo com MIF isolada de HdCL.(AU)

FSH supplementation to culture medium is beneficial for activation and survival of preantral follicles enclosed in equine ovarian tissue.

This study investigated the effect of adding different concentrations of bovine recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone on the IVC of equine preantral follicles enclosed in ovarian tissue fragments. Randomized ovarian fragments were fixed immediately (fresh noncultured control) or cultured for 1 or 7 days in α-MEM(+) supplemented with 0, 10, 50, and 100 ng/mL FSH and subsequently analyzed by classical histology. Culture media collected on Day 1 or Day 7 and were analyzed for steroids (estradiol and progesterone) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). After Day 1 and Day 7 of culture, 50-ng/mL FSH treatment had a greater (P < 0.05) percentage of morphologically normal follicles when compared to the other groups, except the 10-ng/mL FSH treatment at Day 1 of culture. The percentage of developing follicles (transition, primary, and secondary), and follicular and oocyte diameters were higher (P < 0.05) in the 50-ng/mL FSH treatment compared to the other groups after Day 7 of culture. Furthermore, estradiol secretion and ROS production were maintained (P > 0.05) throughout the culture in the 50-ng/mL FSH treatment. In conclusion, the addition of 50 ng/mL of FSH promoted activation of primordial follicles to developing follicles, improved survival of preantral follicles, and maintained estradiol and ROS production of equine ovarian tissue after 7 days of culture.

Effect of morphological integrity, period, and type of culture system on the in vitro development of isolated caprine preantral follicles.

The aims of this study were the following: (1) to define an optimal period for the IVC of isolated caprine preantral follicles, (2) to verify the relationship between follicular morphology (intact, extruded, and degenerate follicles) and estradiol production, and (3) to evaluate the effects of the bidimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture systems on the in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles. Three experiments were performed. In experiments 1 and 2, the isolated secondary follicles were cultured for 18, 24, and 30 days or 30, 36, and 42 days, respectively. In experiment 3, the optimal culture period from experiment 2 was used for 2D and 3D culture systems. After culture, the oocytes were submitted to IVM. The morphological integrity, antral cavity formation rates, follicular diameter, presence of healthy, grown oocytes (≥110 µm), rates of resumption of meiosis, and estradiol concentrations were evaluated. In experiment 1, the percentage of oocytes that resumed meiosis was higher in oocytes cultured for 30 days (48.84%) than in oocytes cultured for 18 and 24 days (15% and 20.93%, respectively). In experiment 2, the percentage of oocytes that resumed meiosis was significantly higher in oocytes cultured for 30 and 36 days (47.5% and 50%, respectively) than in oocytes cultured for 42 days (20%). The estradiol concentrations on Day 12 of culture were similar for normal and extruded follicles and higher than those observed in degenerate follicles at the end of the culture period. In conclusion, the 36-day culture period resulted in the highest rates of meiosis resumption. In addition, because the loss of follicular integrity affects the patterns of estradiol production, follicular integrity is a good predictor of follicular quality.

Atividade hepatoprotetora dos extratos etanólico e hexânico das folhas de Momordica charantia / Hepatoprotective activity of hexane and ethanol extracts from Momordica charantia L. leaves

Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) é empregada na medicina popular pelas diversas propriedades biológicas e farmacológicas. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a atividade hepatoprotetora dos extratos hexânico (EH) e etanólico (EE) das folhas de M. charantia no modelo de lesão hepática aguda induzida pelo etanol. Em ambos os extratos foram detectados esteróides; EH apresentou atividade antioxidante mais marcante que EE. O pré-tratamento de camundongos (Swiss, machos) por via oral por três dias consecutivos com 25, 50 ou 100 mg Kg-1 de EH preveniu o aumento tanto de AST quanto de ALT (p<0,05) enquanto o pré-tratamento com EE preveniu apenas o aumento de ALT (p<0,05). Ambos os extratos reduziram a atividade das enzimas hepáticas, contudo EH apresentou efeito mais relevante, caracterizando potencial hepatoprotetor, possivelmente associado ao seu potencial antioxidante.

Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) has been used in folk medicine based on its several biological and pharmacological properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of hexane (HE) and ethanol (EE) extracts from M. charantia leaves on the acute liver injury model induced by ethanol. Steroids were detected in both extracts, and EH had higher antioxidant activity than EE. Oral pretreatment of male Swiss mice for three consecutive days with 25, 50 or 100 mg kg-1 HE prevented the increase in AST and ALT (p<0.05), whereas pretreatment with EE only prevented ALT increase (p<0.05). Both extracts reduced the activity of hepatic enzymes; however, HE had a more relevant effect, characterizing hepatoprotective potential, likely associated with its antioxidant potential.

A clinical trial of the effect of a mouth-rinse prepared with Lippia sidoides Cham essential oil in dogs with mild gingival disease.

We evaluated the effect of a mouth-rinse prepared using Lippia sidoides essential oil (EO) in dogs with marginal gingivitis. German Shepherd dogs were distributed in two groups: control (control mouth-rinse) and EO (EO mouth-rinse). Both mouth-rinses were applied on the dogs' teeth every 2 days for 2 weeks. At day 0 and day 15, the scores for plaque-bacteria (P), calculus (C), gingivitis (G) and the inflammatory infiltrate (INF) were evaluated blindly. The results were analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney tests (P