Prognostic values of physical and hematological parameters of dogs naturally infected with parvovirus PVC-2: retrospective study of 103 cases / [Valores prognósticos de parâmetros físicos e hematológicos de cães naturalmente infectados pelo parvovírus PVC-2: estudo retrospectivo de 103 casos]

Canine parvovirosis is a high mortality disease with acute clinical picture. However, there are few available resources to help stablish prognosis accurately. This study aimed to determine the prognostic threshold values for vital and hematological parameters of dogs naturally infected by the Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPV). A retrospective study of 103 canine parvovirosis cases was carried out. Twenty seven percent of these (28/103) died, 96% (27/28) of which within the first four days of hospitalization. Deceased animals had significantly higher median values for heart (HR) and respiratory (f) rates, as well as significantly lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) than survivors. Severely leukopenic animals (<1,000 cells/µL), had a significantly higher mortality rate (68%, n=13) compared to that of other patients (P<0.0007). Animals with at least two of the following findings: severe hypotension (SBP< 90mmHg), tachycardia (HR > 150 bpm) and leukopenia, represented 34% (34/101) of the cases and had a survival rate of 29% (10/34), while animals with at most one of these parameters represented 66% (67/101) and had a survival rate of 94% (63/67). The presence of two or three abnormal parameters was significantly related to the higher death risk among dogs with parvovirosis (P<0.0001).(AU)

A parvovirose canina é uma doença de alta mortalidade e de quadro clínico agudo. No entanto, existem poucos recursos para se estabelecer prognóstico de maneira precisa. Este estudo objetivou analisar os valores prognósticos de parâmetros físicos e hematológicos de cães naturalmente infectados pelo Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 (CPV). Um estudo retrospectivo de 103 casos de parvovirose canina foi realizado. Desses, 27% dos animais (28/103) foram a óbito, sendo 96% (27/28) com ocorrência nos primeiros quatro dias de internamento. Os cães que foram a óbito apresentaram medianas das frequências cardíaca (FC) e respiratória (f) significativamente maiores e pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) consideravelmente menor que a dos sobreviventes. Entre os animais mais intensamente leucopênicos (<1.000 células/(L), a taxa de mortalidade (68%, n=13) foi expressivamente maior que a dos demais pacientes (P<0,0007). Os animais com hipotensão grave (PAS<90mmHg), taquicardia (FC>150bpm) e leucopenia intensa (leucometria<1.000 células/µL), ou duas dessas alterações clínicas, representaram 34% (34/101) dos casos e tiveram taxa de sobrevida de 29% (10/34), enquanto os animais com, no máximo, um desses parâmetros alterados representaram 66% (67/101) dos animais, com taxa de sobrevida de 94% (63/67). A presença de dois ou três parâmetros alterados esteve significativamente relacionada ao maior risco de óbito de cães com parvovirose (P<0,0001).(AU)

New Insights on Coffea miRNAs: Features and Evolutionary Conservation.

Small RNAs influence the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by guiding messenger RNA (mRNA) cleavage, translational repression, and chromatin modifications. In addition to model plants, the microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in different crop species. In this work, we developed a specific pipeline to search for coffee miRNA homologs on expressed sequence tags (ESTs) and genome survey sequences (GSS) databases. As a result, 36 microRNAs were identified and a total of 616 and 362 potential targets for Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora, respectively. The evolutionary analyses of these molecules were performed by comparing the primary and secondary structures of precursors and mature miRNAs with their orthologs. Moreover, using a stem-loop RT-PCR assay, we evaluated the accumulation of mature miRNAs in genomes with different ploidy levels, detecting an increase in the miRNAs accumulation according to the ploidy raising. Finally, a 5' RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends) assay was performed to verify the regulation of auxin responsive factor 8 (ARF8) by MIR167 in coffee plants. The great variety of target genes indicates the functional plasticity of these molecules and reinforces the importance of understanding the RNAi-dependent regulatory mechanisms. Our results expand the study of miRNAs and their target genes in this crop, providing new challenges to understand the biology of these species.

Evidences that human disturbance simplify the ant fauna associated a Stachytarpheta glabra Cham. (Verbenaceae) compromising the benefits of ant-plant mutualism.

Interaction among species, like ants and plants through extrafloral nectaries (EFNs), are important components of ecological communities' evolution. However, the effect of human disturbance on such specific interactions and its ecological consequences is poorly understood. This study evaluated the outcomes of mutualism between ants and the EFN-bearing plant Stachytarpheta glabra under anthropogenic disturbance. We compared the arthropod fauna composition between two groups of twenty plant individuals, one in an area disturbed by human activities and one in a preserved area. We also check the plant investment in herbivory defense and the consequential leaf damage by herbivore. Our results indicate that such disturbances cause simplification of the associated fauna and lack of proper ant mutualist. This led to four times more herbivory on plants of disturbed areas, despite the equal amount of EFN and ant visitors and low abundance of herbivores. The high pressure of herbivory may difficult the re-establishment of S. glabra, an important pioneer species in ferruginous fields, therefore it may affect resilience of this fragile ecological community.

Eficácia In Vitro De Extratos De Chenopodium Ambrosioides Sobre Teleóginas De Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Microplus / In vitro efficacy of Chenopodium ambrosioides extracts on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus engorged females

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Amaranthaceae) (erva-de-santa-maria) é uma planta fortemente aromática usada popularmente por suas propriedades antiparasitárias.Avaliou-se com este estudo a eficácia in vitro de extratos hidroetanólicos de C. ambrosioides sobre a postura e a eclodibilidade larval de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1888) (Acari: Ixodidae), usando o teste de imersão de fêmeas ingurgitadas adultas.Os tratamentos foram constituídos por extratos feitos com 5%, 10% e 25% de C. ambrosioides (massa/volume), água destilada e veículo (constituído de propilenoglicol a 5%, etanol a 25% e água destilada). Dez teleóginas foram distribuídas de forma homogênea para cada grupo e imersas por 5 minutos em cada um dos extratos testados. Os extratos feitos com 5%, 10% e 25% de C. ambrosioides apresentaram eficácias médias de 13,27%, 22,56% e 31,87%, respectivamente. Estes resultados indicam que, nas concentrações usadas, os extratos de C. ambrosioides não apresentam potencial para o controle das cepas pesquisadas de R. (B.) microplus.

In vitro efficacy of Chenopodium ambrosioides extracts on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus engorged females. Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (Amaranthaceae) (wormseed) is a strongly aromatic plant employed popularly for its antiparasitic properties. This study evaluated the in vitro efficacy on laying and hatchability of eggs of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1888) (Acari: Ixodidae) of hydroethanolic extracts from C. ambrosioides, using the adult immersion test. The treatments consisted of hydroethanolic extracts made with 5%, 10% and 25% of C. ambrosioides (weight/volume), distilled water and vehicle solution (consisting of propylene glycol at 5%, ethanol at 25% and distilled water). Ten ticks were distributed evenly for each group and immersed for 5 minutes in each of the tested extracts. The extracts containing 5%, 10% and 25% of C. ambrosioides showed average efficacies 13.27%, 22.56% and 31.87% respectively. These results indicate that extracts of C. ambrosioides, at the concentrations used, do not present potential for the control of the R. (B.) microplus strains researched.