Mitochondrial injury induced by triclopyr in the rat liver.

The herbicide triclopyr (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyloxyacetic acid) is already considered an environmental problem due to damage caused by incorrect disposal, leaching, and aerial dispersion, which may pose risks to the environment and human health. Studies have evaluated metabolism, absorption, excretion, and active transport but there is no clear information about its mode of action (MoA) and its cytotoxic action potential remains unknown. In this context, mitochondria have been used to assess the toxicity of xenobiotics, for this reason, to identify the toxic mechanism of triclopyr, hepatic mitochondria from Wistar rats were exposed in vitro to different concentrations of triclopyr (0.5-500 µM). There was neither formation/accumulation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, nor lipid peroxidation or changes in the mitochondrial antioxidant system, in addition to proper functioning of oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production. Changes were found in NAD(P)H oxidation, membrane potential dissipation and mitochondrial calcium gradient. These results demonstrate that mitochondria suffer damage related to their bioenergetics and redox status but not to their structure when exposed to concentrations of triclopyr considered higher than those described as found in the environment so far.HighlightsTriclopyr has a low mitochondrial uncoupling potential.The damage caused to the bioenergetics and redox state of the mitochondria is related to concentrations considered higher than those found in the environment.Even at high concentrations, triclopyr was not able to change the structure of the organelle after exposure.Oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production were not impaired after exposure.NAD(P)H oxidation resulted in potential membrane dissipation and mitochondrial calcium gradient dissipation.Triclopyr does not have RONS-forming properties, as well as it does not peroxide membrane lipids, it preserves membrane sulfhydryl groups and maintains the normality of the GSH/GSSG ratio.

Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Molineidae) in Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Caatinga morphoclimatic domain, Brazil: morphological and molecular characterisation.

A new species of Oswaldocruzia Travassos, 1917 (Nematoda, Molineidae), parasite of Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae), from Caatinga morphoclimatic domain, Brazil, is described based on morphological and molecular data. Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. is characterised by an anterior extremity with a cephalic vesicle divided into two portions, a body covered by cuticular longitudinal ridges, and cervical alae. Males of the new species have caudal bursa of type I with a 2-1-2 pattern, spicules divided into a shoe, bifurcated fork, and blade with two unequal branches, in which the longer branch bifurcates at its distal portion end and the smaller branch with three distal processes, each with distal bifurcations. Females have didelphic and amphidelphic uteri, an ovijector divided into vestibule, anterior and posterior sphincters, and anterior and posterior infundibula. The new species differs from its Neotropical congeners that have caudal bursa of type I, based on the presence of cervical alae and by having a spicular blade distally divided into two unequal branches, with the longer branch bifurcating at its distal portion and smaller branch with three distal processes, each distally bifurcated. The partial 18S rDNA sequence generated for Oswaldocruzia franciscoensis n. sp. is the first of a representative belonging to this genus in the Neotropical region.

Proteomic profile of vitrified in vitro-produced bovine embryos (Bos taurus indicus).

BACKGROUND: The proteomic profile of cryopreserved in vitro produced bovine embryos is little known but can provide insights on the successful application of cryo procedures in support of animal breeding. OBJECTIVE: To identify embryonic proteins and biomarkers related to improved cryotolerance of vitrified in vitro produced bovine embryos. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Proteins were isolated from embryo pools (n = 25 embryos per replicate) and analyzed using the nanoLC - MS/MS system. Further, the UniProtKB database (Uniprot -http://www.uniprot.org/) was used for protein identification. Proteins were classified based on their molecular mass, isoelectric point, and enzymatic activity. Post-translational modification predictions and functional gene ontology analysis were performed as well. Finally, a protein-protein interaction network was created to shed light on the embryo interactome. RESULTS: Based on the MS/MS approach, 66 proteins were identified from vitrified Bos taurus embryos. The retrieved proteins were presumably annotated, which allowed a description of the qualitative and functional aspects of the embryo proteome after the vitrification process. CONCLUSION: These findings allowed us to conclude that in vitro-produced vitrified embryos expressed proteins that underlie biological processes related to reproduction, stress and lipid metabolic process, which are essential to maintain embryo viability. doi.org/10.54680/fr22410110512.

Monocyte-driven atypical cytokine storm and aberrant neutrophil activation as key mediators of COVID-19 disease severity.

Epidemiological and clinical reports indicate that SARS-CoV-2 virulence hinges upon the triggering of an aberrant host immune response, more so than on direct virus-induced cellular damage. To elucidate the immunopathology underlying COVID-19 severity, we perform cytokine and multiplex immune profiling in COVID-19 patients. We show that hypercytokinemia in COVID-19 differs from the interferon-gamma-driven cytokine storm in macrophage activation syndrome, and is more pronounced in critical versus mild-moderate COVID-19. Systems modelling of cytokine levels paired with deep-immune profiling shows that classical monocytes drive this hyper-inflammatory phenotype and that a reduction in T-lymphocytes correlates with disease severity, with CD8+ cells being disproportionately affected. Antigen presenting machinery expression is also reduced in critical disease. Furthermore, we report that neutrophils contribute to disease severity and local tissue damage by amplification of hypercytokinemia and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Together our findings suggest a myeloid-driven immunopathology, in which hyperactivated neutrophils and an ineffective adaptive immune system act as mediators of COVID-19 disease severity.

Apolipoprotein E, periodontal disease and the risk for atherosclerosis: a review.

The association between cardiovascular and periodontal diseases is characterized by chronic inflammatory processes, with a high prevalence worldwide and complex genetic-environment interactions. Although apolipoprotein E4 (ApoE4), one of the isoforms coded by a polymorphic APOE gene, has been widely recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and as an immunoinflammatory factor, less is known regarding how ApoE4 affects atherosclerosis in periodontitis patients. The aim of this review was to investigate the potential underlying mechanisms related to APOE4 that could increase the risk of periodontal disease and, ultimately, of atherosclerosis. There have only been a few studies addressing apoE polymorphisms in patients with chronic periodontitis. To date, no studies have been performed that have assessed how ApoE4 affects atherosclerotic disease in chronic periodontitis patients. Although clinical studies are warranted, experimental studies have consistently documented the presence of periodontal pathogens, which are usually found in the oral cavity and saliva, in the atherosclerotic plaques of ApoE-deficient mice. In addition, in this review, the potential role of the APOE4 allele as an example of antagonistic pleiotropy during human evolution and its relation to oral health is discussed.

Aspectos econômicos do uso da parte aérea in natura de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) para nutrição de cordeiros confinados e semiconfinados / Economic aspects of the aerial part of in natura cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) for the nutrition of confined and semi-confined lambs

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência da inclusão da rama de mandioca na dieta de cordeiros confinados e semiconfinados, em substituição parcial de alimentos concentrados, como forma de redução de custos de produção. O experimento foi conduzido no Centro de Tecnologia de Ovinos (CTO), município de Campo Grande, MS. Foram utilizados 56 cordeiros do grupo genético Pantaneiro, sendo 28 machos e 28 fêmeas, com pesos médios de 18,84kg±2,02kg. As dietas recebidas foram: tratamento controle com ração comercial e tratamentos contendo a parte aérea de mandioca (PAM) em substituição de 10% dessa ração. Os machos confinados obtiveram ganho de peso médio diário de 210g e os semiconfinados, de 178g. No semiconfinamento, as fêmeas controle tiveram GMD de 120g e menor desempenho entre os grupos experimentais. A inclusão PAM acarretou uma redução de 31,29% para a mesma categoria animal. Entre os sistemas de produção, o semiconfinamento apresentou maior lucratividade média, 6,4%, e uma rentabilidade de 7,99% em relação ao sistema de confinamento, que obteve 0,04% de lucratividade e 0,87% de rentabilidade. Conclui-se que a inclusão da parte aérea da mandioca aumenta a eficiência econômica dos sistemas produtivos sem afetar o desenvolvimento dos animais em terminação.(AU)

The scope of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of raw cassava aerial parts in the diet of lambs in partial substitution of rations, in order to reduce production costs. The experiment was conducted at Sheep Technology Centre (CTO) in Campo Grande City, MS. A sample of 56 lambs from Pantaneiro genetic group was used, 28 males and 28 females, average weight of 18.84kg±2.02kg. The inclusion of PAM decreased the costs by 31.29% for the same category of animal. Among the production systems the semi-feedlot, showed the highest average profitability of 6.4% and a return of 7.99%, compared to the feedlot system, which obtained 0.04% 0.87% profitability and return. In conclusion, the inclusion of the aerial part of cassava increases the economic efficiency of production systems without affecting the development of finishing animals.(AU)

Analysis of factors of production in the termination of feedlot lambs to pasture / Análise de fatores de produção na terminação de cordeiros em confinamento a pasto

The objective of this study was to analyze the factors that influence the performance of lambs in pasture confinement, by substituting a concentrate with different levels of the aerial part of cassava in relation to hematocrit indices. The experiment was conducted at the Sheep Technology Center using 56 Pantaneira sheep, of which 28 were male and 28 were female. For female lambs, the globular volume showed a decreasing quadratic effect, with a minimum inclusion of 10.24% PAM in the diet for a hematocrit index of 32.28. A linear effect was observed for the mean crude protein intake in the male lambs based on the diet provided and was estimated to be equivalent to 87.4% of the lambs' final weight. In conclusion, mean crude protein consumption is most strongly correlated with the final weight of male lambs, and NDF is most strongly correlated with the final weight of female lambs, with the level of cyanide consumption influencing the average daily weight gain in female lambs. The hematocrit level of the male lambs decreased with an increase in the inclusion of the aerial part of cassava in the ration of the animals.(AU)

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar os fatores de influência no desempenho de cordeiros em confinamento a pasto, com níveis de substituição de concentrado por parte aérea de mandioca, e sua relação com os índices de hematócritos. O experimento foi conduzido no Centro de Tecnologia de Ovinos (CTO), utilizando-se 56 ovinos da raça Pantaneira, sendo 28 machos e 28 fêmeas. No volume globular do grupo de fêmeas, observou-se efeito quadrático decrescente, com o ponto de mínimo para uma inclusão de 10,24% de PAM na ração com índice de níveis de hematócritos de 32,28. O efeito linear observado para o consumo médio de PB no modelo para cordeiros machos, conforme a dieta fornecida, em função do peso final, foi estimada o equivalente a 87,4% da formação do peso final dos cordeiros. Conclui-se que o consumo médio de proteína bruta é o fator com maior correlação com o peso final dos cordeiros machos e para as fêmeas o fator com maior correlação foi FDN, os níveis de consumo de cianeto influenciaram no ganho de peso médio diário das fêmeas. O nível de hematócritos dos cordeiros machos foi reduzido com o aumento da inclusão da parte aérea da mandioca na ração dos animais.(AU)

Ocorrência de carrapatos em Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) na Caatinga, Nordeste do Brasil / Occurrence of ticks in Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) in Caatinga biome, northeastern Brazil

A Caatinga é um bioma exclusivamente brasileiro e um dos mais diversificados do mundo, abrigando grande variedade faunística. Este estudo objetivou relatar a presença de carrapatos em tamanduás Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) atendidos no Centro de Conservação e Manejo de Fauna da Caatinga, Petrolina-PE, Brasil. De fevereiro de 2010 a fevereiro de 2016, 23 T. tetradactyla foram recebidos e inspecionados para avaliação da presença de carrapatos. A identificação foi realizada pela observação das características morfológicas e pela utilização de chaves taxonômicas. Aproximadamente 8,69% (2/23) dos animais apresentavam parasitismo por carrapatos. Os ixodídeos foram encontrados fixados nas regiões ventral e cervical, e identificados como Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (cinco fêmeas), Amblyomma auricularium (uma larva, 18 ninfas e uma fêmea) e Amblyomma sp. (seis larvas). Este estudo relata o parasitismo inédito de larva de A. auricularium em T. tetradactyla no semiárido pernambucano, bem como reafirma a maior afinidade por membros da superordem Xenarthra. O parasitismo de R. sanguineus s.l. em tamanduá-mirim pode estar relacionado ao compartilhamento do mesmo habitat com cães domésticos infestados. O parasitismo sobre animais silvestres em novas localidades onde não foi registrado previamente deve ser estudado para ampliação do conhecimento sobre a distribuição geográfica dos ixodídeos no Brasil.(AU)

The Caatinga is an exclusively Brazilian biome and one of the most diverse in the world, housing a great variety faunal. Southern Tamandua (Linnaeus, 1758), known as collared anteater, can be found throughout the country. The present study aimed to report the presence of ticks on anteaters treated at the Conservation Center and Wildlife Management of Caatinga, Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil. From February 2010 to February 2016, 23 T. tetradactyla from the municipalities of Juazeiro (BA) Casa Nova (BA), Sento Sé (BA), Nonato (PI), Petrolina (PE), Great Pond (PE ) and Willow (PE), have been received and inspected to evaluate the presence of ticks, which were later collected with the help of anatomical tweezer and stored in tubes containing 70% alcohol. The identification was carried out by observation of morphological characteristics in stereomicroscope and use of taxonomic keys. Approximately 8.69% (2/23) of the animals had parasitism by ticks. The Ixodids were found fixed on ventral and cervical regions and were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (five female), parasitizing the anteater 1 coming from Petrolina-PE; Amblyomma auricularium (one larva, 18 nymphs and a female) and Amblyomma sp. parasitizing the anteater 2 coming from Salgueiro-PE. This study reports the novel parasitism by larva of A. auricularium in T. tetradactyla in semiarid of Pernambuco ; and reaffirms the higher affinity of this ixodid by members of the superorder Xenarthra. It was possible to determine the parasitism of R. sanguineus s.l. in collared anteater, the which may be related to the sharing of the same habitat with domestic dogs infested. The parasitism of wild animals in new locations where they were not previously registered must be stimulated to expand the knowledge of the geographical distribution of ixodids in Brazil.(AU)

Intra-articular steroid injection for osteoarthritis of the hip prior to total hip arthroplasty : is it safe? a systematic review.

AIMS: Using a systematic review, we investigated whether there is an increased risk of post-operative infection in patients who have received an intra-articular corticosteroid injection to the hip for osteoarthritis prior to total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: Studies dealing with an intra-articular corticosteroid injection to the hip and infection following subsequent THA were identified from databases for the period between 1990 to 2013. Retrieved articles were independently assessed for their methodological quality. RESULTS: A total of nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Two recommended against a steroid injection prior to THA and seven found no risk with an injection. No prospective controlled trials were identified. Most studies were retrospective. Lack of information about the methodology was a consistent flaw. CONCLUSIONS: The literature in this area is scarce and the evidence is weak. Most studies were retrospective, and confounding factors were poorly defined or not addressed. There is thus currently insufficient evidence to conclude that an intra-articular corticosteroid injection administered prior to THA increases the rate of infection. High quality, multicentre randomised trials are needed to address this issue. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1027-35.

A Mn(iii) single ion magnet with tridentate Schiff-base ligands.

Single ion magnet behaviour is reported for a mononuclear Mn(iii) ion with tridentate Schiff-base ligands which exhibits a tetragonal Jahn-Teller elongation along the Namine-Mn-Namine axis and crystallises with two crystallographically distinct Mn(iii) cations (unit A and unit B). While magnetic measurements show a large and negative axial zero-field splitting (D = -4.73 cm(-1)), HF-EPR reveal two distinct large axial Ds (D = -4.60 cm(-1) for unit A and D = -4.18 cm(-1) for unit B), thus resulting in the largest D known to date for a Mn(iii) single ion magnet. AC magnetic measurements at 2000 Oe allowed determination of the energy barrier for spin reversal (10.19 K) and spin reversal relaxation time (1.476 × 10(-6) s) for the Mn(iii) ion. Computational studies were used to characterise the electronic structure and substantiate the zero field splitting in the Mn(iii) complex.