Chitosan thread in the healing of the cecal wall of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) submitted to cecorrhaphy.

The development and evaluation of synthesis materials are crucial to reducing the morbidity and magnitude of post-enterorrhaphy surgical complications. Despite the possibility of production, chitosan thread has not yet been used in enterorrhaphy, and its effects on intestinal healing have not been evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of chitosan thread on the intestinal wall repair of rabbits submitted to cecorrhaphy. For this, 42 rabbits were allocated into two groups with 21 animals. One group was submitted to cecorrhaphy with chitosan suture thread (CG) and the other with poliglecaprone suture thread (PG). The occurrence of postoperative complications, the intensity of edema, cellular response, formation of granulation tissue, as well as the deposition and maturation of collagen fibers, and the intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-α) expression, were evaluated during the intestinal wall repair process. The evaluations occurred on the 5th, 15th, and 25th postoperative (PO) days. The animals did not develop peritonitis, but adherence was observed in six animals from CG and seven from PG, with no difference between groups. The polymorphonuclear infiltrate showed higher intensity and higher amount of type III collagen fibers in CG on the 15th PO day. In contrast, a lower amount of type I collagen fibers was observed in CG samples on the 25th PO day. Therefore, the chitosan thread used for cecorrhaphy in rabbits results in minimal postoperative complications, presents biocompatibility, and bioactively assists the tissue repair process of the cecal wall, inducing minimal tissue reaction, stimulating the deposition of type III collagen fibers in the proliferative phase, with sustained VEGF-α expression, but with reduced deposition of type I fibers, indicating a delay in collagen maturation.

Morphology of 'Crioula' guava seedlings under irrigation with increasing salinity water and nitrogen/potassium fertilization.

Several studies have been conducted evaluating the management of fertilizers as strategies to mitigate the deleterious effects of salt stress, so the objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of 'Crioula' guava seedlings under irrigation with water of different salinity levels and fertilized with combinations of nitrogen and potassium. The experiment was performed in a protected (screened) environment using a randomized block design and analyzed in a 5 × 4 factorial scheme, with four replicates, with the plot formed by two plants. The treatments were formed from the combination of the factor electrical conductivity of irrigation water (ECw 0.3, 1.1, 1.9, 2.7 and 3.5 dS m-1), with the factor combinations (C) of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K2O) doses, being C1 = 70% N + 50% K2O, C2 = 100% N + 75% K2O, C3= 130% N + 100% K2O and C4= 160% N + 125% K2O. The recommended dose of 100% N and K, respectively, was 541.1 mg N dm-3 soil and 798.6 mg K dm-3 soil. The combinations of N and K fertilization corresponding to 70% N + 50% K2O and 100% N + 75% K2O of the recommended doses promoted greater growth of 'Crioula' guava seedlings. Water with ECw of 2.1 dS m-1 promotes the formation of quality 'Crioula' guava seedlings.

Antifungal activity of terpenes isolated from the Brazilian Caatinga: a review.

Terpenoids, also named terpenes or isoprenoids, are a family of natural products found in all living organisms. Many plants produce terpenoids as secondary metabolites, and these make up a large part of essential oils. One of most important characteristic is that the compounds are volatile, have odor and can be used in a variety of applications in different industrial segments and traditional medicine. Brazil has a rich and diverse flora that can be used as a source of research for obtaining new molecules. Within the Brazilian flora, it is worth mentioning the Caatinga as an exclusively Brazilian biome where plants adapt to a specific series of weather conditions and therefore become a great storehouse of the terpenoid compounds to be described herein. Fungal infections have become increasingly common, and a great demand for new agents with low toxicity and side effects has thus emerged. Scientists must search for new molecules exhibiting antifungal activity to develop new drugs. This review aims to analyze scientific data from the principal published studies describing the use of terpenes and their biological applications as antifungals.

Physiology and production of sugar-apple under water stress and application of proline.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiology and production of sugar-apple as a function of irrigation intervals and foliar application of proline under the conditions of Paraíba's semi-arid region. A randomized block design was laid out in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme, with treatments resulting from the combination of four irrigation intervals (1, 4, 8 and 12 days) and two concentrations of proline (0 and 10 mM), with four replicates, and the plot consisted of four usable plants. Increase in irrigation intervals reduced the gas exchange of sugar-apple plants at 298 days after transplanting. Exogenous application of proline at concentration of 10 mM increased contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids and fruit fresh mass in plants grown under 12-day irrigation intervals.

Detection of virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and heavy metal resistance properties in Vibrio anguillarum isolated from mullet (Mugil cephalus) cultured in Korea.

In the present study, we identified and characterized 22 strains of V. anguillarum from 145 samples of mullets (Mugill cephallus) cultured in several fish farms in South Korea. They were subjected to pathogenicity tests, antimicrobial susceptibility test, and broth dilution test to detect virulence markers, antimicrobial resistance, and heavy metal resistance properties. All the isolates showed amylase and caseinase activity, followed by gelatinase (90.9%), DNase (45.5%), and hemolysis activities (α = 81.1% and ß = 18.2%). The PCR assay revealed that isolates were positive for VAC, ctxAB, AtoxR, tdh, tlh, trh, Vfh, hupO, VPI, and FtoxR virulence genes at different percentages. All the isolates showed multi-drug resistance properties (MAR index ≥ 0.2), while 100% of the isolates were resistant to oxacillin, ticarcillin, streptomycin, and ciprofloxacin. Antimicrobial resistance genes, qnrS (95.5%), qnrB (86.4%), and StrAB (27.3%), were reported. In addition, 40.9% of the isolates were cadmium-tolerant, with the presence of CzcA (86.4%) heavy metal resistance gene. The results revealed potential pathogenicity associated with V. anguillarum in aquaculture and potential health risk associated with consumer health.

Biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria isolated from aquatic animals.

Bacterial biofilm formation is one of the dynamic processes, which facilitates bacteria cells to attach to a surface and accumulate as a colony. With the help of biofilm formation, pathogenic bacteria can survive by adapting to their external environment. These bacterial colonies have several resistance properties with a higher survival rate in the environment. Especially, pathogenic bacteria can grow as biofilms and can be protected from antimicrobial compounds and other substances. In aquaculture, biofilm formation by pathogenic bacteria has emerged with an increased infection rate in aquatic animals. Studies show that Vibrio anguillarum, V. parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus, V. harveyi, V. campbellii, V. fischeri, Aeromonas hydrophila, A. salmonicida, Yersinia ruckeri, Flavobacterium columnare, F. psychrophilum, Piscirickettsia salmonis, Edwardsiella tarda, E. ictaluri, E. piscicida, Streptococcus parauberis, and S. iniae can survive in the environment by transforming their planktonic form to biofilm form. Therefore, the present review was intended to highlight the principles behind biofilm formation, major biofilm-forming pathogenic bacteria found in aquaculture systems, gene expression of those bacterial biofilms and possible controlling methods. In addition, the possibility of these pathogenic bacteria can be a serious threat to aquaculture systems.

Effects of eCG and FSH in timed artificial insemination treatment regimens on estrous expression and pregnancy rates in primiparous and multiparous Bos indicus cows.

Effects were evaluated in Bos indicus cows of eCG and FSH on follicular growth, estrous expression, and pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) as a result of fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI). In Experiment 1, extent of timing-of-ovulation synchronization among cows was evaluated after imposing an estrogen/progesterone-based treatment regimen. At progesterone device removal (D8), cows were administered: eCG, or FSH or served as untreated Controls. In Experiment 2, percentage of cows P/AI was evaluated when the Experiment 1-treatment regimen was imposed. On D10, all cows were artificially inseminated. In Experiment 3, cows were assigned to two treatment groups (Control and eCG) on D8 to evaluate percentage of cows P/AI and estrous expression. In Experiment 1, follicular dynamics were similar among treatment groups. In Experiment 2, follicular growth was greater (P = 0.0001) with the eCG treatment. There was an interaction of treatment × parity (P = 0.007) on percentage of cows P/AI. There was a greater percentage of primiparous cows P/AI in the eCG-treated than Control and FSH-treated cows. There was a greater percentage of eCG-treated multiparous cows pregnant as a result of TAI than Control cows. There was an interaction of treatment × parity (P = 0.005) on P/AI in Experiment 3, in which the eCG effect was more pronounced in primiparous cows. Treatment with FSH, therefore, was not as effective as eCG in stimulation of follicular growth or enhancing percentage of cows pregnant as a result of TAI. Physiological effects of eCG, however, were also more evident in primiparous cows.

Virulence and antimicrobial resistance potential of Aeromonas spp. associated with shellfish.

Aeromonas spp. are associated with seafood-related outbreaks worldwide. In seafood industry, shellfish play a major role in global seafood production. With this emerging trend of shellfish consumption, shellfish-related bacterial infections are being reported frequently. Aeromonas spp. are natural contaminants found in shellfish. Although 36 species have been identified, some species including Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas caviae and Aeromonas veronii biotype sobria have dragged major attention as foodborne pathogenic bacteria. The ability to elaborate a variety of virulence factors of Aeromonas spp. contributes to the pathogenic activities. Also, emerging antimicrobial resistance in Aeromonas spp. has become a huge challenge in seafood industry. Furthermore, multidrug resistance increases the risk of consumer health. Studies have supplied pieces of evidence about the emerging health risk of Aeromonas spp. isolated from seafood. Therefore, the present review was intended to highlight the prevalence, virulence and antimicrobial resistance of Aeromonas spp. isolated from various types of shellfish.

Celecoxib treatment dampens LPS-induced periapical bone resorption in a mouse model.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of selective and nonselective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 enzymes in the treatment of experimental apical periodontitis induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo in a mouse model. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice were used. After access cavity preparation, a solution containing E. coli LPS (1.0 µg µL-1 ) was inoculated into the root canals of the mandibular and maxillary right first molars (n = 72) After 30 days, apical periodontitis was established and the animals were systemically treated with celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor (15 mg kg-1 ), or indomethacin, a nonselective COX-2 inhibitor (5 mg kg-1 ), for 7 and 14 days. Blocks containing teeth and bone were removed for histopathological and histometric analyses (haematoxylin and eosin), evaluation of osteoclasts numbers (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase enzyme - TRAP) and immunohistochemistry for RANK, RANKL and OPG. Gene expression was performed using reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for RANK, RANKL, OPG, TRAP, MMP-9, cathepsin K and calcitonin receptor. Histopathological, histometric, TRAP, immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR data were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis followed by Dunn's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Systemic administration of celecoxib for 7 and 14 days prevented periapical bone resorption (P < 0.0001), differently from indomethacin that exacerbated bone resorption at 7 days (P < 0.0001) or exerted no effect at 14 days (P = 0.8488). Celecoxib treatment reduced osteoclast formation in apical periodontitis, regardless of the period of treatment (P < 0.0001 for 7 days and P = 0.026 for 14 days). Administration of celecoxib or indomethacin differentially modulated the expression of genes involved in bone resorption. At 7 days, celecoxib and indomethacin treatment significantly inhibited expression of mRNA for cathepsin K (P = 0.0005 and P = 0.016, respectively) without changing TRAP, MMP-9 and calcitonin receptor gene expression. At 14 days, celecoxib significantly inhibited expression of mRNA for MMP-9 (P < 0.0001) and calcitonin receptor (P = 0.004), whilst indomethacin exerted no effect on MMP-9 (P = 0.216) and calcitonin receptor (P = 0.971) but significantly augmented cathepsin K gene expression (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib reduced osteoclastogenic signalling and activity that dampened bone resorption in LPS-induced apical periodontitis in mice, with greater efficacy than the nonselective inhibitor indomethacin.

IgG4-positive plasma cells are more often detected in chronic periapical lesions arising from permanent rather than primary teeth.

AIM: To characterize plasma cell subsets in chronic periapical lesions affecting permanent and primary teeth. METHODOLOGY: Only chronic periapical lesions without root canal treatment were selected. Twenty-one radicular cysts and 7 periapical granulomas affecting permanent teeth and 19 radicular cysts and 4 periapical granulomas affecting primary teeth were assessed for immunoglobulin (Ig) light chain (kappa and lambda), Ig heavy chain (IgG, IgG4, IgA, IgM and IgD) and plasma cell immunohistochemical markers (MUM1/IRF4, EMA and CD138). The data acquired were analysed by Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U, Friedman test followed by Dunn's multiple comparison test and Spearman's rank correlation. RESULTS: All cases were polyclonal (having similar kappa/lambda light chain ratios). IgG was most abundant compared to other Ig heavy chains (all, P < 0.001); like Ig light chains, but unlike IgA, there was greater expression of IgG in the primary compared to the permanent dentition, for both radicular cysts (P < 0.001) and periapical granulomas (P = 0.53). Notably, IgG4 expression was greater in the permanent than the primary dentition, for both radicular cyst (P < 0.05) and periapical granuloma (P = 0.65). IgM and IgD expression was scarce and variable, whereas plasma cell populations were detected efficiently through EMA, CD138 and MUM1/IRF4 markers, the latter being more sensitive in both dentitions. CONCLUSIONS: There were slight variations in the Ig light and heavy chain profiles in chronic periapical lesions when comparing the permanent and primary dentitions. The ability of IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration to modulate inflammatory responses in chronic periapical lesions arising from permanent as opposed to primary teeth should be considered in future studies.

Can differences between continental and insular habitats influence the parasites communities associated with the endemic frog Haddadus binotatus?

Habitats characterized by geographic isolation such as islands have been studied using different organisms as models for understanding the dynamic and insular patterns of biodiversity. Determinants of parasite richness in insular host populations have been conducted mainly with mammals and birds, showing that parasite richness decreases in insular areas. In the present study, we predicted that the type of environment (insular or continental) can influence the richness, diversity and abundance of parasites associated with the endemic frog Haddadus binotatus (Spix, 1824). We sampled frogs in two insular and two mainland fragments to survey their helminth parasites. The total richness was composed of 15 taxa of Nematoda and two of Acanthocephala, and the community composition of the two islands had more similarities between them than the two mainland localities. The insular effect was positive for richness and abundance of helminths, and no significant effect was observed on helminth diversity - even the mean diversity presented high numbers for the islands. We presumed that insular hosts could have lost some parasites in the colonization process when these continental islands were separated from the mainland, approximately 11,000 years ago. However, the high richness and abundance on islands can be explained by an epidemiological argument, which considers high population density due to insularity and other features of the host as factors that increase parasite transmission success among individuals.

Type I interferon receptors and interferon-τ-stimulated genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and polymorphonuclear leucocytes during early pregnancy in beef heifers.

This study characterised the expression of interferon (IFN)-τ-stimulated genes (ISGs) and Type I IFN receptors in circulating polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) of beef heifers and compared it with expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) up to Day 20 of gestation. Nelore heifers (n=26) were subjected to fixed-time AI (FTAI) on Day 0. PMNs and PBMCs were isolated on Days 0, 10, 14, 16, 18 and 20 after FTAI. The abundance of target transcripts (ubiquitin-like protein (ISG15), 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1), myxovirus resistance 1 (MX1), myxovirus resistance 2 (MX2), IFN receptor I (IFNAR1) and IFN receptor 2 (IFNAR2)) was determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and compared between pregnant (n=8) and non-pregnant (n=9) females. In both PBMCs and PMNs, ISG15 and OAS1 expression was greater in pregnant than non-pregnant heifers on Days 18 and 20. There were no significant differences in the expression of ISGs between PBMCs and PMNs. A time effect on expression was found for IFNAR1 in PBMCs and IFNAR2 in PMNs, with decreased expression of both genes on Days 18 and 20. When the expression of these genes was compared between cell types only in pregnant heifers, IFNAR2 expression in PMNs had an earlier decrease when compared to its expression in PBMCs, starting from Day 18. In conclusion, PMNs do not respond earlier to the conceptus stimulus, and ISG15 and OAS1 expression in both PMNs and PBMCs can be used as a suitable marker for pregnancy diagnosis on Days 18 and 20. In addition, gestational status did not affect IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 expression, but IFNAR2 showed a distinct response between PMNs and PBMCs of pregnant heifers.

Albinism in plants - far beyond the loss of chlorophyll: Structural and physiological aspects of wild-type and albino royal poinciana (Delonix regia) seedlings.

The partial or complete loss of chlorophylls, or albinism, is a rare phenomenon in plants. In the present study, we provide the first report of the occurrence in albino Delonix regia seedlings and describe the morpho-physiological changes associated with albinism. Wild-type (WT) and albino seedlings were characterized. Leaflets samples were processed following common procedures for analysis with light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters and the carbohydrate, lipid and soluble protein content were also determined in leaf and cotyledon samples of both albino and WT seedlings. Albino seedlings showed reduced growth. They also had lower chlorophyll and protein content in foliar tissues than WT seedlings, in addition to lower concentrations of lipids and carbohydrates stored in cotyledons. The chloroplasts of albino seedlings were poorly developed, with an undefined internal membrane system and the presence of plastoglobules. Wild-type seedlings had a uniseriate and hypoestomatic epidermis. The mesophyll was dorsiventral, consisting of a layer of palisade parenchyma and two to four layers of spongy parenchyma. In albino seedlings, the spongy parenchyma was compact, with few intercellular spaces, and the thickness of the mesophyll was larger, resulting in increased thickness of the leaf blade. Albino seedlings had higher stomatal density and number of pavement cells, although the stomata had smaller dimensions. In addition to the partial loss of chlorophylls, albino D. regia showed changes at physiological and structural levels, demonstrating the crucial nature of photosynthetic pigments during the development and differentiation of plant leaf tissues/cells.

Histological analysis of elastic cartilages treated with alkaline solution / Análise histológica de cartilagens elásticas tratadas com solução alcalina

The elastic cartilage is composed by chondroblasts and chondrocytes, extracellular matrix and surrounded by perichondrium. It has a low regeneration capacity and is a challenge in surgical repair. One of obstacles in engineering a structurally sound and long-lasting tissue is selecting the most appropriate scaffold material. One of the techniques for obtaining biomaterials from animal tissues is the decellularization that decreases antigenicity. In this work, alkaline solution was used in bovine ear elastic cartilages to evaluate the decellularization and the architecture of the extracellular matrix. The cartilages were treated in alkaline solution (pH13) for 72 hours and lyophilized to be compared with untreated cartilages by histological analysis (hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome and Verhoeff slides). Areas of interest for cell counting and elastic fiber quantification were delineated, and the distribution of collagen and elastic fibers and the presence of non-fibrous proteins were observed. The results demonstrated that the alkaline solution caused 90% decellularization in the middle and 13% in the peripheral region, and maintenance of the histological characteristics of the collagen and elastic fibers and non-fibrous protein removal. It was concluded that the alkaline solution was efficient in the decellularization and removal of non-fibrous proteins from the elastic cartilages of the bovine ear.(AU)

A cartilagem elástica é composta por condroblastos e condrócitos, matriz extracelular e envolta por pericôndrio. Possui uma baixa capacidade de regeneração e é um desafio em reparos cirúrgicos. Um dos obstáculos na engenharia de tecido estruturalmente sólido e de longa duração é a seleção do material de arcabouço mais adequado. Uma das técnicas para obtenção de biomateriais oriundos de tecidos animais é a descelularização, que diminui a antigenicidade. Neste trabalho, foi utilizada solução alcalina em cartilagem elástica auricular bovina para avaliar a descelularização e a arquitetura da matriz extracelular. As cartilagens foram tratadas em solução alcalina (pH13) durante 72 horas e liofilizadas, e comparadas com cartilagens não tratadas por análise histológica (hematoxilina-eosina, tricrômio de Masson e Verhoeff). Foram determinadas as áreas de interesse para contagem celular e quantificação de fibras elásticas, observada a distribuição de colágeno e fibras elásticas e a presença de proteínas não fibrosas. Os resultados demonstraram que a solução alcalina causou 90% de descelularização na região central e 13% na região periférica, manutenção das características histológicas do colágeno e fibras elásticas e remoção das proteínas não fibrosas. Concluiu-se que a solução alcalina foi eficiente na descelularização e retirada de proteínas não fibrosas de cartilagens elásticas da orelha de bovinos.(AU)

Entomopathogenic Viruses in the Neotropics: Current Status and Recently Discovered Species.

The market for biological control of insect pests in the world and in Brazil has grown in recent years due to the unwanted ecological and human health impacts of chemical insecticides. Therefore, research on biological control agents for pest management has also increased. For instance, insect viruses have been used to protect crops and forests around the world for decades. Among insect viruses, the baculoviruses are the most studied and used viral biocontrol agent. More than 700 species of insects have been found to be naturally infected by baculoviruses, with 90% isolated from lepidopteran insects. In this review, some basic aspects of baculovirus infection in vivo and in vitro infection, gene content, viral replication will be discussed. Furthermore, we provide examples of the use of insect viruses for biological pest control and recently characterized baculoviruses in Brazil.

Binary counter ion effects and dielectric behavior of iodide ion conducting gel-polymer electrolytes for high-efficiency quasi-solid-state solar cells.

A series of highly efficient quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) is prepared by harnessing the binary cation effect and positive effects of the selected performance enhancers of gel-polymer electrolytes. The new electrolyte is composed of polyacrylonitrile polymer, tetra-hexylammonium iodide (Hex4NI) and KI binary salts as well as 4-tertbutylpyridine and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide performance enhancers. The charge transport in the series of electrolytes is thermally activated and, accordingly, the temperature dependence of conductivity follows the VTF behavior. The enhancement of conductivity is observed with an increasing mass fraction of KI and decreasing mass fraction of Hex4NI, while the total mass fraction of salts in the electrolyte is kept unchanged. The highest conductivity of 3.74 mS cm-1 at ambient temperature is shown by the sample containing KI only (without Hex4NI) at all the temperatures. The effects of dielectric polarization of the electrolytes are studied by analyzing the frequency dependence of the real and the imaginary parts of the AC conductivity in detail. Appropriate and reproducible cell construction are assured by efficiencies of above 5% exhibited by all the quasi-solid-state DSCs assembled using double-layered TiO2 photo-electrodes and the new electrolyte series. Besides, highlighting the mixed cation effect, the cells with mixed salts exhibited efficiencies greater than 6%. An impressively high efficiency of 7.36% was shown by the DSC prepared with electrolyte containing 75 wt% KI and 25 wt% Hex4NI. This study reveals that the salt combination of KI and Hex4NI, which has not been reported before, is a suitable binary iodide salt mixture to prepare highly efficient DSCs. The replacement of tetra-hexylammonium ions by K+ ions improves the charge transport in the electrolyte; however, the best solar cell performance is shown by the mixed salt system with 75 wt% KI and 25 wt% Hex4NI, which is not the highest conductivity composition. Therefore, the exhibited high efficiency of 7.36% is evidently due to the binary cation effect.

Perfil clínico de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca inseridos em reabilitação precoce no serviço de urgência e emergência / Clinical profile of heart failure patients undergoing early rehabilitation in the urgency and emergency department

INTRODUÇÃO: A reabilitação cardíaca é uma das formas de tratamento da insuficiência cardíaca, que além de melhorar a capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida, também contribui para a redução da mortalidade e reinternação. O OBJETIVO do estudo foi identificar o perfil de pacientes submetidos areabilitação precoce em serviço de urgência e emergência. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal retrospectivo de 30 pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca que foram inclusos no protocolo institucional de reabilitação. O protocolo consiste em estratificação de risco, prescrição do exercício e execução do mesmo. Todos os pacientes foram estratificados em baixo, moderado e alto risco e com base nisso foi feita a prescrição do exercício. O protocolo consiste na realização de exercícios de membros superiores com ciclo ergômetro com ou sem o uso de ventilação não invasiva. RESULTADOS: As principais etiologias da insuficiência cardíaca foram isquêmicas (30%) e cardiomiopatia dilatada (30%). O perfil hemodinâmico que prevaleceu foi o perfil C (53,3%) e a classe funcional III (46,7%). A média de fração de ejeção foi de 28,8% e a estratificação de alto risco esteve presente em 90% dos casos. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados deste estudo demonstram um predomínio de classificação de alto risco dos pacientes, assim como um tempo de internação prolongado. Assim, mais estudos na área são necessários para entendimento dessa população e para a aplicação de reabilitação cardíaca. Descritores: Insuficiência cardíaca; prevalência; exercício; fisioterapia.

Padronização do exame ultrassonográfico do prepúcio e da parte livre do pênis em bovinos / Standardization of ultrasound examination of the prepuce and free end of the bovine penis

A ultrassonografia é um exame complementar não invasivo ainda pouco utilizado na avaliação prepucial e sem descrições detalhadas da parte livre do pênis (PLP) de bovinos. Este estudo objetivou padronizar a ultrassonografia prepucial em bovinos hígidos da raça Nelore com um ano de idade e, para tanto, descreveu o aspecto da lâmina interna prepucial (LIP) e da PLP, determinando as principais janelas acústicas, a viabilidade da utilização de contraste no lúmen da cavidade prepucial (LCP) e o melhor posicionamento do animal para a realização do exame. O escaneamento foi realizado com os animais na posição quadrupedal e em decúbito lateral direito. Foram determinadas cinco janelas acústicas a partir do óstio até a identificação do recesso prepucial. Os escaneamentos foram realizados nos planos longitudinais, transversais e dorsais, antes e após a infiltração de solução fisiológica a 0,9% no LCP. Como conclusões, o exame ultrassonográfico permitiu identificar a LIP e a PLP em todos os planos e em todas as janelas acústicas propostas. O melhor ponto de referência é a identificação da glande. O posicionamento quadrupedal é mais adequado para a realização do exame e o uso de contraste é recomendado para delimitação topográfica das estruturas.(AU)

Ultrasonography is a noninvasive complementary exam that is still rarely used in the preputial evaluation and without detailed descriptions of the bovine free end of the penis. The purpose of this study was to standardize preputial ultrasonography in one-year-old healthy Nelore cattle, describing the main acoustic windows, the viability of using contrast in the preputial cavity and the best positioning of the animal for performing the ultrasound examination. The scanning was performed with the animals in standing and decubitus position. Five acoustic windows were determined from the preputial ostium to the preputial fornix, at the free end of the penis. The scans were performed in longitudinal, transverse and dorsal planes, before and after infiltration of 0.9% saline solution into the preputial cavity. As conclusions, the ultrasound examination is able to identify the internal layer and the free part of the penis in all proposed planes and acoustic windows. The best landmark is the identification of the glans. Furthermore, standing positioning is the most appropriate to perform the exam and the use of contrast is recommended for topographic delimitation of the structures.(AU)

CCR3 antagonist impairs estradiol-induced eosinophil migration to the uterus in ovariectomized mice

Eosinophils are abundant in the reproductive tract, contributing to the remodeling and successful implantation of the embryo. However, the mechanisms by which eosinophils migrate into the uterus and their relationship to edema are still not entirely clear, since there are a variety of chemotactic factors that can cause migration of these cells. Therefore, to evaluate the role of CCR3 in eosinophil migration, ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice were treated with CCR3 antagonist SB 328437 and 17β-estradiol. The hypothesis that the CCR3 receptor plays an important role in eosinophil migration to the mouse uterus was confirmed, because we observed reduction in eosinophil peroxidase activity in these antagonist-treated uteruses. The antagonist also influenced uterine hypertrophy, inhibiting edema formation. Finally, histological analysis of the orcein-stained uteruses showed that the antagonist reduced eosinophil migration together with edema. These data showed that the CCR3 receptor is an important target for studies that seek to clarify the functions of these cells in uterine physiology.