Evaluation of the anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity in vitro and in vivo of silibinin and silibinin in association to benznidazole.

Chagas disease (CD) is endemic in Latin America. Drugs available for its treatment are benznidazole (BZ)/nifurtimox (NF), both with low efficacy in the late infection and responsible for several side effects. Studies of new drugs for CD among natural products, and using drug combinations with BZ/NF are recommended. Silibinin (SLB) is a natural compound that inhibits the efflux pump (Pgp) of drugs in host cell membranes, causes death of trypanosomatids, has anti-inflammatory activity, and was never assayed against T. cruzi. Here, in vitro and in vivo activities of SLB, SLB+BZ, and BZ against T. cruzi Y strain were evaluated. Cytotoxicity of SLB in VERO cells by the MTT method revealed IC50 of 250.22 µM. The trypanocidal activity evaluated by resazurin method in epimastigotes showed that SLB 25 µM inhibited parasite growth. SLB IC50 and selectivity index (SI) for amastigote were 79.81 µM and 3.13, respectively. SLB100+BZ10 showed higher parasite inhibition (91.44%) than SLB or BZ. Swiss mice infected with Y strain were treated with SLB, SLB+BZ, and BZ. Parasitemia was evaluated daily and 90, 180, and 240 days after treatment in surviving animals by hemoculture, blood qPCR, and after euthanasia, by qPCR in heart tissue. SLB monotherapy was not able to control the parasitemia/mortality of the animals. Parasitological negativation of 85.7-100% was observed in the experimental groups treated with SLB+BZ. Although SLB had shown activity against T. cruzi in vitro, it was not active in mice. Thus, the results of the therapeutic effect observed with SLB+BZ may be interpreted as a result from BZ action.

Evaluation of parasite and host genetics in two generations of a family with Chagas disease.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is considered to be a multifactorial disease associated with host and parasite genetics, which influence clinical aspects of the disease and other host conditions. In order to understand better the evolution of the disease, this study intended to evaluation of parasite and host genetics in two generations of a family with Chagas disease from the Alto Paranaiba region, Minas Gerais, Brazil, comprising a mother and her five daughters. Several features were evaluated, including the characterization of T. cruzi directly from the blood of patients, host polymorphisms of genes related to cardiomyopathy (TNF, WISP1, CCR5, and TGF-ß1) and clinical aspects of the patients. To verify the intraspecific variability of the parasite, the characterization was done directly from human blood using the PCR-LSSP technique and analyzed based on Dice coefficient and unweighted pair group analysis (UPGMA). The host polymorphism was evaluated by PCR-RFLP. The global results showed low variability of the parasites characterized from blood of patients, through Shannon index (0.492) and mean heterozygosity value per locus (0.322). All six patients presented the same genetic polymorphism profile for TNF, WISP1, and TGF-ß1, and only one patient was homozygous to CCR5, which suggests that there is no association between the clinical aspects of the patients and their genetic profiles. In conclusion, the findings confirm that the understanding of the clinical evolution of Chagas disease goes beyond the genetic aspects of the parasite and the host.

Priming astrocytes with TNF enhances their susceptibility to Trypanosoma cruzi infection and creates a self-sustaining inflammatory milieu.

BACKGROUND: In conditions of immunosuppression, the central nervous sty 5ystem (CNS) is the main target tissue for the reactivation of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. In experimental T. cruzi infection, interferon gamma (IFNγ)+ microglial cells surround astrocytes harboring amastigote parasites. In vitro, IFNγ fuels astrocyte infection by T. cruzi, and IFNγ-stimulated infected astrocytes are implicated as potential sources of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Pro-inflammatory cytokines trigger behavioral alterations. In T. cruzi-infected mice, administration of anti-TNF antibody hampers depressive-like behavior. Herein, we investigated the effects of TNF on astrocyte susceptibility to T. cruzi infection and the regulation of cytokine production. METHODS: Primary astrocyte cultures of neonatal C57BL/6 and C3H/He mice and the human U-87 MG astrocyte lineage were infected with the Colombian T. cruzi strain. Cytokine production, particularly TNF, and TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1/p55) expression were analyzed. Recombinant cytokines (rIFNγ and rTNF), the anti-TNF antibody infliximab, and the TNFR1 modulator pentoxifylline were used to assess the in vitro effects of TNF on astrocyte susceptibility to T. cruzi infection. To investigate the role of TNF on CNS colonization by T. cruzi, infected mice were submitted to anti-TNF therapy. RESULTS: rTNF priming of mouse and human astrocytes enhanced parasite/astrocyte interaction (i.e., the percentage of astrocytes invaded by trypomastigote parasites and the number of intracellular parasite forms/astrocyte). Furthermore, T. cruzi infection drove astrocytes to a pro-inflammatory profile with TNF and interleukin-6 production, which was amplified by rTNF treatment. Adding rTNF prior to infection fueled parasite growth and trypomastigote egression, in parallel with increased TNFR1 expression. Importantly, pentoxifylline inhibited the TNF-induced increase in astrocyte susceptibility to T. cruzi invasion. In T. cruzi-infected mice, anti-TNF therapy reduced the number of amastigote nests in the brain. CONCLUSIONS: Our data implicate TNF as a promoter of T. cruzi invasion of mouse and human astrocytes. Moreover, the TNF-enriched inflammatory milieu and enhanced TNFR1 expression may favor TNF signaling, astrocyte colonization by T. cruzi and egression of trypomastigotes. Therefore, in T. cruzi infection, a self-sustaining TNF-induced inflammatory circuit may perpetuate the parasite cycle in the CNS and ultimately promote cytokine-driven behavioral alterations.

A Mini-Review of Diagnostic Methods for the Antigen and Antibody Detection of Rocky Mountain and Brazilian Spotted Fever.

Rocky Mountain or Brazilian spotted fever, caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, is a fulminant, seasonal, and neglected disease that occurs in focal points of North America and South America. Its rapid detection is essential for the better prognosis and survival rate of infected individuals. However, disease diagnosis still faces challenges as the accuracy of many of the available laboratory tests fluctuates. This review aimed to analyze methods for antibody or antigen detection, their gaps, and their evolution over time. A search was conducted to find all studies in the Pubmed database that described the antibody or antigen detection of R. rickettsii infections. Initially, a total of 403 articles were screened. Of these articles, only 17 fulfilled the pre-established inclusion criteria and were selected. Among the different methods applied, the IFA technique was the one most frequently found in the studies. However, it presented varied results such as a low specificity when using the indirect method. Other techniques, such as ELISA and immunohistochemistry, were also found, although in smaller numbers and with their own limitations. Although some studies showed promising results, there is a pressing need to find new techniques to develop a rapid and effective diagnosis of R. rickettssi infection.

Trypanosoma cruzi-induced depressive-like behavior is independent of meningoencephalitis but responsive to parasiticide and TNF-targeted therapeutic interventions.

Inflammatory cytokines and microbe-borne immunostimulators have emerged as triggers of depressive behavior. Behavioral alterations affect patients chronically infected by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. We have previously shown that C3H/He mice present acute phase-restricted meningoencephalitis with persistent central nervous system (CNS) parasitism, whereas C57BL/6 mice are resistant to T. cruzi-induced CNS inflammation. In the present study, we investigated whether depression is a long-term consequence of acute CNS inflammation and a contribution of the parasite strain that infects the host. C3H/He and C57BL/6 mice were infected with the Colombian (type I) and Y (type II) T. cruzi strains. Forced-swim and tail-suspension tests were used to assess depressive-like behavior. Independent of the mouse lineage, the Colombian-infected mice showed significant increases in immobility times during the acute and chronic phases of infection. Therefore, T. cruzi-induced depression is independent of active or prior CNS inflammation. Furthermore, chronic depressive-like behavior was triggered only by the type I Colombian T. cruzi strain. Acute and chronic T. cruzi infection increased indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression in the CNS. Treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine abrogated the T. cruzi-induced depressive-like behavior. Moreover, treatment with the parasiticide drug benznidazole abrogated depression. Chronic T. cruzi infection of C57BL/6 mice increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF) expression systemically but not in the CNS. Importantly, TNF modulators (anti-TNF and pentoxifylline) reduced immobility. Therefore, direct or indirect parasite-induced immune dysregulation may contribute to chronic depressive disorder in T. cruzi infection, which opens a new therapeutic pathway to be explored.

Short-term therapy with simvastatin reduces inflammatory mediators and heart inflammation during the acute phase of experimental Chagas disease.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces progressive cardiac inflammation that leads to fibrosis and modifications in the heart architecture and functionality. Statins, such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors, have been studied due to their pleiotropic roles in modulating the inflammatory response. Our goal was to evaluate the effects of simvastatin on the cardiac inflammatory process using a cardiotropic strain of T. cruzi in a murine model of Chagas cardiomyopathy. C57BL/6 mice were infected with 500 trypomastigotes of the Colombian strain of T. cruzi and treated with an oral dose of simvastatin (20 mg/Kg/day) for one month and inflammatory and morphometric parameters were subsequently evaluated in the serum and in the heart, respectively. Simvastatin reduced the total cholesterol and inflammatory mediators (interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, CCL2 and CCL5) in the serum and in the heart tissue at 30 days post-infection. Additionally, a proportional reduction in heart weight and inflammatory infiltration was observed. Simvastatin also reduced epimastigote proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro and was able to reduce blood trypomastigotes and heart amastigote nests during the acute phase of Chagas disease in vivo. Based on these data, we conclude that simvastatin exerts a modulatory effect on the inflammatory mediators that are elicited by the Colombian strain of T. cruzi and ameliorates the heart damage that is observed in a murine model of Chagas disease.

[Spatial and temporal patterns of mortality among motorcyclists in a State of the Brazilian Northeast in the 21st century]. / Padrões espaciais e temporais da mortalidade de motociclistas em estado do nordeste brasileiro no século XXI.

The scope of this work was to analyze the trend and distribution of mortality among motorcyclists in traffic accidents in the State of Alagoas. It involved an ecological study relating to all deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents in the state in the period from 2001 to 2015. Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (MIS). Mortality rates were calculated and stratified by gender. The joinpoint regression model was used for trend analysis and the Annual Percentage Variation (APV) was calculated with a significance rate of 5%. For the spatial analysis, local empirical Bayesian modeling and Moran statistics and spatial scanning statistics were applied. There were 1,458 deaths of motorcyclists in the period studied, 91.3% of which were men. Three temporal behaviors were observed in this population group: growth (2001-2005), stationary pattern (2005-2013) and decline from 2013 onwards. The highest rates were observed in the 'agreste' and 'sertão' regions of the state of Alagoas. Five spatial clusters were revealed with relation to general and male mortality, all located in the 'agreste' and 'sertão' hinterlands of Alagoas. The modeling showed a reduction of mortality from 2013 onwards and the spatial analysis revealed that the problem is more acute in the interior of the state.

Este trabalho objetivou analisar a tendência e a distribuição espacial da mortalidade de motociclistas em acidentes de transporte no estado de Alagoas. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico referente a todos os óbitos decorrentes de acidentes motociclísticos no estado no período 2001-2015. Os dados de mortalidade foram obtidos do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). As taxas de mortalidade foram calculadas e estratificadas por sexo. Para a análise de tendência, foi empregado o modelo de regressão por pontos de inflexão. Calculou-se a Variação Percentual Anual (VPA). Significância de 5%. Para a análise espacial, aplicou-se modelagem bayesiana empírica local, estatística de Moran e estatística de varredura espacial. Foram registrados 1.458 óbitos de motociclistas no período estudado, sendo 91,3% homens. Três comportamentos temporais foram observados nessa população: crescimento (2001-2005), padrão estacionário (2005-2013) e declínio a partir de 2013. As maiores taxas foram observadas no agreste e sertão. Cinco aglomerados espaciais foram evidenciados no que se refere à mortalidade geral e masculina, todos situados no agreste e sertão alagoanos. A modelagem mostrou redução da mortalidade a partir de 2013 e a análise espacial evidenciou que o problema é mais grave no interior do estado.

Padrões espaciais e temporais da mortalidade de motociclistas em estado do nordeste brasileiro no século XXI / Spatial and temporal patterns of mortality among motorcyclists in a State of the Brazilian Northeast in the 21st century

Resumo Este trabalho objetivou analisar a tendência e a distribuição espacial da mortalidade de motociclistas em acidentes de transporte no estado de Alagoas. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico referente a todos os óbitos decorrentes de acidentes motociclísticos no estado no período 2001-2015. Os dados de mortalidade foram obtidos do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). As taxas de mortalidade foram calculadas e estratificadas por sexo. Para a análise de tendência, foi empregado o modelo de regressão por pontos de inflexão. Calculou-se a Variação Percentual Anual (VPA). Significância de 5%. Para a análise espacial, aplicou-se modelagem bayesiana empírica local, estatística de Moran e estatística de varredura espacial. Foram registrados 1.458 óbitos de motociclistas no período estudado, sendo 91,3% homens. Três comportamentos temporais foram observados nessa população: crescimento (2001-2005), padrão estacionário (2005-2013) e declínio a partir de 2013. As maiores taxas foram observadas no agreste e sertão. Cinco aglomerados espaciais foram evidenciados no que se refere à mortalidade geral e masculina, todos situados no agreste e sertão alagoanos. A modelagem mostrou redução da mortalidade a partir de 2013 e a análise espacial evidenciou que o problema é mais grave no interior do estado.

Abstract The scope of this work was to analyze the trend and distribution of mortality among motorcyclists in traffic accidents in the State of Alagoas. It involved an ecological study relating to all deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents in the state in the period from 2001 to 2015. Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Information System (MIS). Mortality rates were calculated and stratified by gender. The joinpoint regression model was used for trend analysis and the Annual Percentage Variation (APV) was calculated with a significance rate of 5%. For the spatial analysis, local empirical Bayesian modeling and Moran statistics and spatial scanning statistics were applied. There were 1,458 deaths of motorcyclists in the period studied, 91.3% of which were men. Three temporal behaviors were observed in this population group: growth (2001-2005), stationary pattern (2005-2013) and decline from 2013 onwards. The highest rates were observed in the 'agreste' and 'sertão' regions of the state of Alagoas. Five spatial clusters were revealed with relation to general and male mortality, all located in the 'agreste' and 'sertão' hinterlands of Alagoas. The modeling showed a reduction of mortality from 2013 onwards and the spatial analysis revealed that the problem is more acute in the interior of the state.

Interferon-gamma promotes infection of astrocytes by Trypanosoma cruzi.

The inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFNγ) is crucial for immunity against intracellular pathogens such as the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (CD). IFNγ is a pleiotropic cytokine which regulates activation of immune and non-immune cells; however, the effect of IFNγ in the central nervous system (CNS) and astrocytes during CD is unknown. Here we show that parasite persists in the CNS of C3H/He mice chronically infected with the Colombian T. cruzi strain despite the increased expression of IFNγ mRNA. Furthermore, most of the T. cruzi-bearing cells were astrocytes located near IFNγ+ cells. Surprisingly, in vitro experiments revealed that pretreatment with IFNγ promoted the infection of astrocytes by T. cruzi increasing uptake and proliferation of intracellular forms, despite inducing increased production of nitric oxide (NO). Importantly, the effect of IFNγ on T. cruzi uptake and growth is completely blocked by the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody Infliximab and partially blocked by the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis L-NAME. These data support that IFNγ fuels astrocyte infection by T. cruzi and critically implicate IFNγ-stimulated T. cruzi-infected astrocytes as sources of TNF and NO, which may contribute to parasite persistence and CNS pathology in CD.

Growth indexes of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo cultivated in different seasons under rainfed conditions / Índices de crescimento do Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo cultivado em diferentes épocas sob regime de sequeiro

The objective was to estimate the growth indexes of elephant grass cv. Roxo managed under rainfed conditions in different growing seasons. Seven growth ages (9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, and 63 days) were evaluated in three growing seasons (rainy, transition and dry). A completely randomised design was adopted, with split-plot arrangement with time repeated measures, with the ages being the plots and the seasons the subplots. Interaction of age x season was observed. The specific leaf area mean was 0.0286 ± 0.0039 during the rainy season. In the transition season, it adjusted to a third-degree polynomial model; in the dry season it declined linearly (0.0003 m2 g-1). The leaf weight ratio adjusted to the third-degree polynomial model in the rainy and dry seasons, and in the transition season it was maximised at 28 DAC (0.694 g g-1). The leaf area ratio continuously declined in the rainy season. In the transition and dry seasons, it adjusted to the third-degree polynomial model. The net assimilation rate presented averages of 3.73 ± 2.50 and 3.63 ± 1.48 g m-2 day-1 in the rainy and transition seasons, respectively. In the dry season, it was minimised at 48.4 days. The relative growth rate mean was 0.0075 ± 0.0037 during the rainy season. In the transition and dry seasons, it adjusted to the third-degree polynomial model. The growth index rates of elephant grass cv. Roxo are modified by growing seasons, and the pattern and magnitude of the response varies throughout the growth cycle.(AU)

Objetivou-se estimar os índices de crescimento do capim-elefante cv. Roxo manejado sob sequeiro em diferentes épocas de cultivo. Analisaram-se sete idades de crescimento (9; 18; 27; 36; 45; 54 e 63 dias) em três épocas de cultivo (chuvosa, transição e seca). Adotou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas no tempo, com as idades sendo alocadas nas parcelas e as épocas de cultivo nas subparcelas. Constatou-se interação idade x época de cultivo. A área foliar específica revelou média de 0,0286 ± 0,0039 na época chuvosa. Na época de transição ajustou-se ao modelo polinomial de terceiro grau e na época seca reduziu linearmente (0,0003 m2 g-1). A razão de peso foliar ajustou-se ao modelo polinomial de terceiro grau nas épocas chuvosa e seca e na época de transição foi maximizada aos 28 DAC (0,694 g g-1). A razão de área foliar reduziu continuamente na época chuvosa. Já nas épocas de transição e seca ajustou-se ao modelo polinomial de terceiro grau. A taxa de assimilação líquida apresentou médias de 3,73 ± 2,50 e 3,63 ± 1,48 g m-2 dia-1 para as épocas chuvosa e de transição, respectivamente. Na época seca, foi minimizada aos 48,4 dias. A taxa de crescimento relativo apresentou média de 0,0075 ± 0,0037 na época chuvosa. Nas épocas de transição e seca ajustou-se ao modelo polinomial de terceiro grau. Os índices de crescimento do capim-elefante cv. Roxo são modificados pelas épocas de cultivo e o padrão e a magnitude da resposta variam ao longo do ciclo de crescimento.(AU)

Growth indexes of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo cultivated in different seasons under rainfed conditions / Índices de crescimento do Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo cultivado em diferentes épocas sob regime de sequeiro

The objective was to estimate the growth indexes of elephant grass cv. Roxo managed under rainfed conditions in different growing seasons. Seven growth ages (9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, and 63 days) were evaluated in three growing seasons (rainy, transition and dry). A completely randomised design was adopted, with split-plot arrangement with time repeated measures, with the ages being the plots and the seasons the subplots. Interaction of age x season was observed. The specific leaf area mean was 0.0286 ± 0.0039 during the rainy season. In the transition season, it adjusted to a third-degree polynomial model; in the dry season it declined linearly (0.0003 m2 g-1). The leaf weight ratio adjusted to the third-degree polynomial model in the rainy and dry seasons, and in the transition season it was maximised at 28 DAC (0.694 g g-1). The leaf area ratio continuously declined in the rainy season. In the transition and dry seasons, it adjusted to the third-degree polynomial model. The net assimilation rate presented averages of 3.73 ± 2.50 and 3.63 ± 1.48 g m-2 day-1 in the rainy and transition seasons, respectively. In the dry season, it was minimised at 48.4 days. The relative growth rate mean was 0.0075 ± 0.0037 during the rainy season. In the transition and dry seasons, it adjusted to the third-degree polynomial model. The growth index rates of elephant grass cv. Roxo are modified by growing seasons, and the pattern and magnitude of the response varies throughout the growth cycle.

Objetivou-se estimar os índices de crescimento do capim-elefante cv. Roxo manejado sob sequeiro em diferentes épocas de cultivo. Analisaram-se sete idades de crescimento (9; 18; 27; 36; 45; 54 e 63 dias) em três épocas de cultivo (chuvosa, transição e seca). Adotou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas no tempo, com as idades sendo alocadas nas parcelas e as épocas de cultivo nas subparcelas. Constatou-se interação idade x época de cultivo. A área foliar específica revelou média de 0,0286 ± 0,0039 na época chuvosa. Na época de transição ajustou-se ao modelo polinomial de terceiro grau e na época seca reduziu linearmente (0,0003 m2 g-1). A razão de peso foliar ajustou-se ao modelo polinomial de terceiro grau nas épocas chuvosa e seca e na época de transição foi maximizada aos 28 DAC (0,694 g g-1). A razão de área foliar reduziu continuamente na época chuvosa. Já nas épocas de transição e seca ajustou-se ao modelo polinomial de terceiro grau. A taxa de assimilação líquida apresentou médias de 3,73 ± 2,50 e 3,63 ± 1,48 g m-2 dia-1 para as épocas chuvosa e de transição, respectivamente. Na época seca, foi minimizada aos 48,4 dias. A taxa de crescimento relativo apresentou média de 0,0075 ± 0,0037 na época chuvosa. Nas épocas de transição e seca ajustou-se ao modelo polinomial de terceiro grau. Os índices de crescimento do capim-elefante cv. Roxo são modificados pelas épocas de cultivo e o padrão e a magnitude da resposta variam ao longo do ciclo de crescimento.

Apoio ao processo de avaliação do serviço de abastecimento de água no Rio Grande do Norte: uma abordagem multicritério / Support to the assessment process of the water supply service in Rio Grande do Norte State: a multicriteria approach

RESUMO O abastecimento de água e o saneamento são dois serviços essenciais para a sociedade, ainda mais no Brasil, onde há, historicamente, um déficit desses serviços básicos. Além disso, também se sabe que tais serviços envolvem muitos atores, que muitas vezes possuem perspectivas conflitantes, características de problemas multicriteriais. Diante disso, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o serviço de abastecimento de água de oito municípios do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (RN). Para tanto, foram selecionados 11 critérios, levando-se em consideração aspectos operacionais, financeiros e de qualidade da água, e foi adotado o método de apoio multicritério à decisão TOPSIS. Também foi utilizado o procedimento da entropia para a obtenção dos pesos de cada critério. Os resultados apontaram o município de Lagoa Nova como a alternativa com melhor serviço de abastecimento de água entre as opções estudadas. Em contrapartida, Santana do Matos foi o município com a pior avaliação do conjunto de alternativas estudadas.

ABSTRACT Water supply and sewage are two essential services to society, especially in Brazil, where historically there has been a deficit of these crucial services. Moreover, it is also known that such services involve many actors who often have conflicting perspectives, characteristics of multicriteria problems. Thus, this paper aimed to evaluate the water supply service in eight cities of Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil. Eleven criteria were selected, considering operational, financial and water quality aspects. We adopted the TOPSIS method to support the multicriteria decision. In addition, the entropy method was used to obtain the weights for each criterion. The results showed the city of Lagoa Nova as the alternative with the best water supply service of the alternatives studied. In contrast, Santana do Matos was the city with the worst water supply assessment of all the studied alternatives.

Accumulation and partition of macronutrients in Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo managed under different growth ages and seasons / Acúmulo e partição de macronutrientes em “Pennisetum purpureum ” cv. Roxo manejado em diferentes idades e épocas de crescimento

The objective of this study was to evaluate the macronutrient accumulations in leaf, stem, and shoot of elephant grass cv. Roxo. The treatments consisted of seven growth ages (9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, and 63 days) and three growing seasons (rainy, transition, and dry). A completely randomized design and a split-plot time arrangement were used, where the ages were the plots and the seasons the subplots, with three replications. Interaction between the factors age and season of cultivation for the contents and the daily accumulation rates of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S in leaf, stem, and shoot fractions were calculated. The margins of daily accumulation of nutrients N, P, K, Mg, and S presented positive linear behavior in all seasons studied; however, with variation in the magnitude of the response between them. The daily accumulation rate of Ca in the canopy was adjusted to a linear model for the rainy and dry seasons and to a quadratic model for the transition season, reaching a maximum of 4.60 kg ha-1 at 59.76 days of growth. The accumulation of nutrients in elephant grass cv. Roxo showed the following decreasing order: K > N > P > Mg > Ca > S in the rainy and transition seasons, while in the dry season the following decreasing order was observed: K > P > N > Ca > Mg > S.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar a marcha de acúmulo de macronutrientes na folha, colmo e na parte aérea do capim-elefante cv. Roxo. Os tratamentos consistiram em sete idades de crescimento (9; 18; 27; 36; 45; 54 e 63 dias) em três períodos de cultivo (chuvoso, de transição e seco). Adotou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado e um arranjo de parcelas subdivididas no tempo, onde as idades foram alocadas nas parcelas e os períodos de cultivo nas subparcelas, com três repetições. Constatou-se interação entre os fatores idade e período de cultivo para os teores e para as taxas de acúmulo diário de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S nas frações folha, colmo e parte aérea. As marchas de acúmulo diário dos nutrientes N, P, K, Mg e S apresentaram comportamento linear positivo para todos os períodos estudados, todavia com variação na magnitude da resposta entre estes. A taxa de acúmulo diário de Ca na parte aérea do dossel ajustou-se ao modelo linear para os períodos chuvoso e seco e ao modelo quadrático para o período de transição, atingindo máximo de 4,60 kg ha-1 aos 59,76 dias de crescimento. O acúmulo dos nutrientes no capim-elefante cv. Roxo apresentou a seguinte ordem decrescente: K > N > P > Mg > Ca > S no período chuvoso e de transição enquanto no período seco observou-se a seguinte ordem decrescente: K > P > N > Ca > Mg> S.(AU)

Accumulation and partition of macronutrients in Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo managed under different growth ages and seasons / Acúmulo e partição de macronutrientes em “Pennisetum purpureum ” cv. Roxo manejado em diferentes idades e épocas de crescimento

The objective of this study was to evaluate the macronutrient accumulations in leaf, stem, and shoot of elephant grass cv. Roxo. The treatments consisted of seven growth ages (9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, and 63 days) and three growing seasons (rainy, transition, and dry). A completely randomized design and a split-plot time arrangement were used, where the ages were the plots and the seasons the subplots, with three replications. Interaction between the factors age and season of cultivation for the contents and the daily accumulation rates of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S in leaf, stem, and shoot fractions were calculated. The margins of daily accumulation of nutrients N, P, K, Mg, and S presented positive linear behavior in all seasons studied; however, with variation in the magnitude of the response between them. The daily accumulation rate of Ca in the canopy was adjusted to a linear model for the rainy and dry seasons and to a quadratic model for the transition season, reaching a maximum of 4.60 kg ha-1 at 59.76 days of growth. The accumulation of nutrients in elephant grass cv. Roxo showed the following decreasing order: K > N > P > Mg > Ca > S in the rainy and transition seasons, while in the dry season the following decreasing order was observed: K > P > N > Ca > Mg > S.

Objetivou-se avaliar a marcha de acúmulo de macronutrientes na folha, colmo e na parte aérea do capim-elefante cv. Roxo. Os tratamentos consistiram em sete idades de crescimento (9; 18; 27; 36; 45; 54 e 63 dias) em três períodos de cultivo (chuvoso, de transição e seco). Adotou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado e um arranjo de parcelas subdivididas no tempo, onde as idades foram alocadas nas parcelas e os períodos de cultivo nas subparcelas, com três repetições. Constatou-se interação entre os fatores idade e período de cultivo para os teores e para as taxas de acúmulo diário de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S nas frações folha, colmo e parte aérea. As marchas de acúmulo diário dos nutrientes N, P, K, Mg e S apresentaram comportamento linear positivo para todos os períodos estudados, todavia com variação na magnitude da resposta entre estes. A taxa de acúmulo diário de Ca na parte aérea do dossel ajustou-se ao modelo linear para os períodos chuvoso e seco e ao modelo quadrático para o período de transição, atingindo máximo de 4,60 kg ha-1 aos 59,76 dias de crescimento. O acúmulo dos nutrientes no capim-elefante cv. Roxo apresentou a seguinte ordem decrescente: K > N > P > Mg > Ca > S no período chuvoso e de transição enquanto no período seco observou-se a seguinte ordem decrescente: K > P > N > Ca > Mg> S.

Biomass components of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo managed at different growth ages and seasons / Componentes da biomassa em “Pennisetum purpureum” cv. Roxo manejado sob diferentes idades e épocas de crescimento

This study was carried out aiming to evaluate the biomass components of elephant grass cv. Roxo at seven growth ages, during rainy, transition and dry seasons. A completely randomized design was adopted with a split plot arrangement over time. The treatments consisted of seven growth ages (9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54 and 63) and three seasons (rainy, transition and dry). The variables green forage biomass, dead forage biomass, green stem biomass and green leaf blade biomass showed positive linear responses to age and had their magnitude influenced by the evaluated seasons. The live/dead material ratio showed a decreasing linear response as a function of age. The leaf blade/stem ratio showed a negative linear adjustment in the rainy season, reaching a critical value of 1.0 at 59 days, and it showed a quadratic adjustment in the transition season, with the maximum point at 27.53 days; however, this ratio was not influenced by age in the dry season, revealing an average value of 2.22 ± 0.27. The canopy height and leaf area index showed a positive linear response to age in the three seasons. Tiller population density showed quadratic behaviour for age, with maximum estimated values of 134 and 110 til. m-2 at 31.24 and 37.40 days in the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. Rainfall seasonality influences the magnitude of the daily increase of the distinct biomass components of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar os componentes da biomassa em capim-elefante cv. Roxo em sete idades de crescimento, nas épocas chuvosa, transição e seca. Adotou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas no tempo. Os tratamentos consistiram em sete idades de crescimentos (9; 18; 27; 36; 45; 54 e 63 dias) e três épocas (chuvosa, transição e seca). As variáveis biomassa de forragem verde, forragem morta, colmo verde e de lâmina foliar verde apresentaram resposta linear positiva para o fator idade e tiveram suas magnitudes influenciadas pelas épocas de avaliação. A relação material vivo/material morto respondeu de forma linear decrescente em função das idades. A relação lâmina foliar/colmo apresentou ajuste linear negativo na época chuvosa, atingindo valor crítico de 1,0 aos 59 dias e ajuste quadrático na época de transição, com ponto de máxima aos 27,53 dias, e não foi influenciada pelo fator idade na época seca, com valor médio de 2,22±0,27. A altura do dossel e o índice de área foliar responderam de forma linear positiva para o fator idade, nas três épocas. A densidade populacional de perfilhos apresentou comportamento quadrático para o fator idade, com valores máximos estimados em 134 e 110 perf. m-2 aos 31,24 e 37,40 dias de idade nas épocas chuvosa e seca, respectivamente. A sazonalidade da precipitação pluvial influencia a magnitude do incremento diário nos distintos componentes da biomassa em Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo.(AU)

Biomass components of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo managed at different growth ages and seasons / Componentes da biomassa em “Pennisetum purpureum” cv. Roxo manejado sob diferentes idades e épocas de crescimento

This study was carried out aiming to evaluate the biomass components of elephant grass cv. Roxo at seven growth ages, during rainy, transition and dry seasons. A completely randomized design was adopted with a split plot arrangement over time. The treatments consisted of seven growth ages (9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54 and 63) and three seasons (rainy, transition and dry). The variables green forage biomass, dead forage biomass, green stem biomass and green leaf blade biomass showed positive linear responses to age and had their magnitude influenced by the evaluated seasons. The live/dead material ratio showed a decreasing linear response as a function of age. The leaf blade/stem ratio showed a negative linear adjustment in the rainy season, reaching a critical value of 1.0 at 59 days, and it showed a quadratic adjustment in the transition season, with the maximum point at 27.53 days; however, this ratio was not influenced by age in the dry season, revealing an average value of 2.22 ± 0.27. The canopy height and leaf area index showed a positive linear response to age in the three seasons. Tiller population density showed quadratic behaviour for age, with maximum estimated values of 134 and 110 til. m-2 at 31.24 and 37.40 days in the rainy and dry seasons, respectively. Rainfall seasonality influences the magnitude of the daily increase of the distinct biomass components of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo.

Objetivou-se avaliar os componentes da biomassa em capim-elefante cv. Roxo em sete idades de crescimento, nas épocas chuvosa, transição e seca. Adotou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas no tempo. Os tratamentos consistiram em sete idades de crescimentos (9; 18; 27; 36; 45; 54 e 63 dias) e três épocas (chuvosa, transição e seca). As variáveis biomassa de forragem verde, forragem morta, colmo verde e de lâmina foliar verde apresentaram resposta linear positiva para o fator idade e tiveram suas magnitudes influenciadas pelas épocas de avaliação. A relação material vivo/material morto respondeu de forma linear decrescente em função das idades. A relação lâmina foliar/colmo apresentou ajuste linear negativo na época chuvosa, atingindo valor crítico de 1,0 aos 59 dias e ajuste quadrático na época de transição, com ponto de máxima aos 27,53 dias, e não foi influenciada pelo fator idade na época seca, com valor médio de 2,22±0,27. A altura do dossel e o índice de área foliar responderam de forma linear positiva para o fator idade, nas três épocas. A densidade populacional de perfilhos apresentou comportamento quadrático para o fator idade, com valores máximos estimados em 134 e 110 perf. m-2 aos 31,24 e 37,40 dias de idade nas épocas chuvosa e seca, respectivamente. A sazonalidade da precipitação pluvial influencia a magnitude do incremento diário nos distintos componentes da biomassa em Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo.

Ocurrencia de anticuerpos contra Neospora caninum y estudio de los factores de riesgo en perros en Cuiabá y Varzea Grande-MT, servido en hospital veterinario / Ocurrency of antibodies anti-Neospora caninum and study of risk factors in dogs from Cuiabá and Várzea Grande-MT, treated in the veterinary hospital / Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum e estudo dos fatores de risco em cães de Cuiabá e Varzéa Grande-MT, atendidos em hospital veterinário

Neospora caninum es un protozoario intracelular obligatório de distribución en todo el mundo, responsable de enfermedades neuromusculares en los perros domésticos. Los perros son considerados el huésped definitivo del N. caninum y son fundamentales en la transmisión de otros animales. La neosporosis en perros es responsable de las enfermedades neuromusculares, corazón, pulmón y dérmicos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la prevalencia de anti-N. caninum en perros tratados en la rutina del hospital, el Hospital Veterinario de la Universidad de Cuiabá, e involucrar a los principales factores de riesgo para la infección . 199 muestras de suero de los perros se analizaron mediante un ensayo de inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI) con punto de corte 1:50. El 82.5% de estas muestras eran de Cuiabá, el 15% de Varzea Grande, 2.3% de localidades vecinas. Se encontraron anticuerpos anti -N. caninum en 31 muestras (15.6%) con títulos que van de 50 a 1600. Sólo la variable tipo alimento (casero o mixto) se asoció con la presencia de anticuerpos (p < 0,05). Los resultados confirman que los perros están expuestos al N. caninum y que algunas de las medidas de control para la prevención de la infección incluye una ración de alimento restringido.(AU)

Neospora caninum is an obligate intracellular protozoan of worldwide distribution, it is responsible for neuromuscular diseases in domestic dogs. Dogs are the definitive host of N. caninum and are fundamental in the parasite transmission to other animals. Neosporosis in dogs is responsible for the neuromuscular, heart, lung and dermal diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibody in dogs treated at the hospital routine, in the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Cuiabá, as well as associate its major risk factors to infection. 199 serum samples from dogs were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with cut off of 1:50. 82.5 % of these samples were from Cuiabá, 15 % from Várzea Grande and 2.3 % from neighboring towns. Anti N. caninum antibodies were found in 31 samples (15.6%) with titles ranging from 50 to 1600. From the variables only type of food (homemade or mixed) presented association to the presence of antibodies (p < 0.05). The results confirm that the dogs from these cities are exposed to N. caninum and that some of the control measures of the infection in the studied area would include a restricted feed of pet food.(AU)

Neospora caninum é um protozoário intracelular obrigatório de distribuição mundial, responsável por doenças neuromusculares em cães. Os cães são os hospedeiros definitivos do N. caninum e são fundamentais na transmissão do parasito aos outros animais. Nos cães a neosporose é responsável por doenças neuromusculares, cardíacas, pulmonares e dérmicas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a prevalência de anticorpos anti-N. caninum em cães atendidos na rotina hospitalar do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade de Cuiabá, assim como associar os principais fatores de risco para a infecção. Foram analisadas 199 amostras de soro de cães, por meio da reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) com ponto de corte de 1:50. Dessas amostras 82,5% foram provenientes de Cuiabá, 15% do município de Várzea Grande e 2,3% de localidades vizinhas. Foram encontrados anticorpos anti-N. caninum em 31 amostras (15,6%) com títulos que variaram entre 50 e 1600. Das variáveis analisadas, somente tipo de alimentação (caseira ou mista) apresentou associação com a presença de anticorpos (p < 0,05). Os resultados indicam que os cães das localidades estudadas estão expostos ao N. caninum e que umas das medidas de controle da infecção deve incluir a uma alimentação restrita com ração comercial.(AU)

Absence of detection of Xanthomonas axonopodis Pv. Malvacearum in cotton seeds used in the northeast region of Mato Grosso do Sul in a three-based crop season study / Ausência de detecção de Xanthomonas axonopodis Pv. Malvacearum em sementes de algodoeiro usadas na região nordeste de Mato Grosso Do Sul, em um estudo de três safras agrícolas

The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of the causal agent of angular leaf spot, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum, in 38 cotton seeds samples with or without linter used in the northeast region of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, during the crop seasons of 2008/09, 2009/10 e 2010/11. It was used the semi selective culture media MSSXAN (beef extract - 3 g, peptone - 5 g, soluble starch - 10 g, sucrose - 5g; Tween 80 - 10 mL; CaCl2 - 0.25 g; crystal violet solution at 1% - 150 mL; cephalexin - 50 mg; chlorothalonil - 10 mg; methyl thyophanate - 10 mg; agar ­ 15 g; sterile distilled water - 1000 ml) for the isolation of the bacteria and the suspect colonies of being X. axonopodis pv. malvacearum were purified and submitted to the Gram stain, potassium hydroxide and pathogenicity tests in the leaves of cotton plants of the susceptible genotype NC 53345. The presence of X. a. pv. malvacearum was not detected in the evaluated seed samples.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a presença do agente causal da mancha-angular, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum, em 38 amostras de sementes de algodoeiro com ou sem línter utilizadas na região nordeste de Mato Grosso do Sul nas safras 2008/09, 2009/10 e 2010/11. Foi empregado o meio de cultura semi-seletivo MSSXAN (extrato de carne - 3 g; peptona - 5 g; amido solúvel - 10 g; sacarose - 5g; Tween 80 - 10 mL; CaCl2 - 0,25 g; solução de cristal violeta a 1 % - 150 µL; cefalexina - 50 mg; clorothalonil - 10 mg; tiofanato metílico - 10 mg; ágar - 15 g; água destilada esterilizada - 1.000 mL) para o isolamento da bactéria nas sementes dos diferentes lotes e colônias suspeitas de serem X. axonopodis pv. malvacearum foram purificadas e posteriormente submetidas à coloração diferencial de Gram, teste de KOH e patogenicidade em folhas de plântulas suscetíveis de algodoeiro, genótipo NC 53345. Não foi constatada a presença de X. a. pv. malvacearum nas amostras de sementes analisadas.

Short-term therapy with simvastatin reduces inflammatory mediators and heart inflammation during the acute phase of experimental Chagas disease

Trypanosoma cruzi infection induces progressive cardiac inflammation that leads to fibrosis and modifications in the heart architecture and functionality. Statins, such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors, have been studied due to their pleiotropic roles in modulating the inflammatory response. Our goal was to evaluate the effects of simvastatin on the cardiac inflammatory process using a cardiotropic strain of T. cruzi in a murine model of Chagas cardiomyopathy. C57BL/6 mice were infected with 500 trypomastigotes of the Colombian strain of T. cruzi and treated with an oral dose of simvastatin (20 mg/Kg/day) for one month and inflammatory and morphometric parameters were subsequently evaluated in the serum and in the heart, respectively. Simvastatin reduced the total cholesterol and inflammatory mediators (interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, CCL2 and CCL5) in the serum and in the heart tissue at 30 days post-infection. Additionally, a proportional reduction in heart weight and inflammatory infiltration was observed. Simvastatin also reduced epimastigote proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in vitro and was able to reduce blood trypomastigotes and heart amastigote nests during the acute phase of Chagas disease in vivo. Based on these data, we conclude that simvastatin exerts a modulatory effect on the inflammatory mediators that are elicited by the Colombian strain of T. cruzi and ameliorates the heart damage that is observed in a murine model of Chagas disease.