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The American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata) lives in urban, periurban and wild environments and feeds mainly on small rodents, meaning it has great importance in the biological control of pests. The aim of this work was to describe the reproductive, parental and eating habits of a pair of American barn owls naturally living outside a residence in the urban area of the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. A wood box was installed on an outside wall of the home, monitored by a video camera. A spreadsheet was created to keep track of the observations recorded. The female laid four eggs, and after an incubation period of 30-32 days all the eggs hatched, but only two chicks survived after cannibalism among the chicks. Initially, the male provided the food to the chicks and the female remained in the nest caring for the brood. After approximately a month, the female also began to leave the nest and return with prey, which was offered to the chicks, with the male also continuing this behavior. The chicks left the nest in September, 2017. The data obtained show the existence of cooperation and division of tasks between male and female owls during the reproductive period. Resumo A coruja-das-torres americana (Tyto furcata) vive em ambientes urbanos e se alimenta principalmente de pequenos roedores, sendo de grande importância no controle biológico de pragas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever os hábitos alimentares, parentais e reprodutivos de um casal de corujas-das-torres americanas, naturalmente vivendo fora de uma residência na zona urbana do município de Campos dos Goytacazes, estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Uma caixa de madeira foi instalada em uma parede externa da casa, monitorada por uma câmera de vídeo. Uma planilha foi criada para manter o controle das observações registradas. A fêmea pôs quatro ovos, e após período de incubação de 30-32 dias todos os ovos eclodiram, mas apenas dois filhotes sobreviveram após o canibalismo entre os filhotes. Inicialmente, o macho fornecia a comida aos filhotes e a fêmea permanecia no ninho cuidando da ninhada. Depois de cerca de um mês, a fêmea também começou a sair do ninho e voltar com a presa, que era oferecida aos filhotes, com o macho também continuando com esse comportamento. Os filhotes deixaram o ninho em setembro de 2017. Os dados obtidos mostram a existência de cooperação e divisão de tarefas entre corujas machos e fêmeas durante o período reprodutivo.

INTRODUCTION: Legalization of medicinal cannabis around the world has led to an increase in the use of commercial cannabis-based products in the community. These cannabis-based products are being used in combination with conventional drugs to treat a variety of health conditions. Moreover, recreational cannabis-based products may be used in combination with other drugs. In this setting, there is increased potential for drug–drug interactions (DDIs) involving commercial cannabis-based products. Since DDIs can lead to serious adverse events, drug regulatory bodies require that every investigational drug be evaluated for DDI potential at metabolic enzymes and transporters. However, this seldom occurs for cannabis-based products due to legislation in many jurisdictions allowing a direct pathway to market. This study aimed to examine the inhibitory potential of three commercially available cannabis-based products at human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute-carrier (SLC) transporters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three commercial cannabis-based products (Spectrum Yellow™, Tweed Argyle, and Spectrum Red™) that contain differing concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC) were evaluated for DDI potential at 12 drug transporters. HEK293 cells or vesicles expressing human ABC transporters (ABCB1, ABCC2, ABCG2, or ABCB11) and SLC transporters (SLC22A1, SLC22A2, SLC22A6, SLC22A8, SLCO1B1, SLCO1B3, SLC47A1, and SLC47A2) were used to measure transporter function. RESULTS: Spectrum Yellow and Tweed Argyle inhibited ABCG2 transporter function. The IC(50) value of Spectrum Yellow based on CBD and Δ(9)-THC content was 4.5 μM for CBD and 0.20 μM for Δ(9)-THC, and the IC(50) value of Tweed Argyle was 9.3 μM for CBD and 6.0 μM for Δ(9)-THC. Tweed Argyle also inhibited ABCB11 transporter function with an IC(50) value of 11.9 μM for CBD and 7.7 μM for Δ(9)-THC. SLC22A6, SLC22A1, SLC22A2, SLCO1B1, and SLCO1B3 transporter functions were modestly inhibited by high concentrations of the cannabis-based products. The three cannabis-based products did not inhibit ABCB1, ABCC2, SLC47A1, SLC47A2, or SLC22A8 transporters. DISCUSSION: Novel findings were that the cannabis-based products inhibited ABCB11, SLC22A6, SLC22A1, SLC22A2, SLCO1B1, and SLCO1B3 (although modestly in most instances). Spectrum Yellow and Tweed Argyle potently inhibited ABCG2, and future in vivo DDI studies could be conducted to assess whether cannabis products affect the pharmacokinetics of medications that are ABCG2 substrates.

Studies on the microbiota of freshwater cetaceans are scarce and may provide important data on animal and environmental health. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative bacteria recovered from two populations of free-ranging Amazon river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis). Twenty-one animals were captured and released, 13 from Negro River and 8 from Tapajos River, Brazil. Swab samples were obtained from the oral cavity, blowhole, genital opening and rectum and were cultured on MacConkey agar. Isolates were biochemically identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by disk diffusion method. Overall, 132 isolates were recovered, of which 71 were recovered from animals from Negro River and 61 from Tapajos River. The most commonly recovered bacterial species were Enterobacter cloacae, Morganella morganii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Overall, 51.6% (63/122) of the isolates were not-susceptible (intermediate resistance and resistance), of which 28/122 (22.9%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial. Cephalothin, cefuroxime and cefepime were the drugs to which more resistant and intermediate results were observed (P

Introduction Cocaine use disorder is a significant public health issue without a current specific approved treatment. Among different approaches to this disorder, it is possible to highlight a promising immunologic strategy in which an immunogenic agent may reduce the reinforcing effects of the drug if they are able to yield sufficient specific antibodies capable to bind cocaine and/or its psychoactive metabolites before entering into the brain. Several carriers have been investigated in the anti-cocaine vaccine development; however, they generally present a very complex chemical structure, which potentially hampers the proper assessment of the coupling efficiency between the hapten units and the protein structure. Objectives The present study reports the design, synthesis and preclinical evaluation of two novel calix[n]arene-based anti-cocaine immunogens (herein named as V4N2 and V8N2) by the tethering of the hydrolysis-tolerant hapten GNE (15) on calix[4]arene and calix[8]arene moieties. Methods The preclinical assessment corresponded to the immunogenicity and dose–response evaluation of V4N2 and V8N2. The potential of the produced antibodies to reduce the passage of cocaine analogue through the blood–brain-barrier (BBB), modifying its biodistribution was also investigated. Results Both calix[n]arene-based immunogens elicited high titers of cocaine antibodies that modified the biodistribution of a cocaine radiolabeled analogue (99mTc-TRODAT-1) and decreased cocaine-induced behavior, according to an animal model. Conclusion The present results demonstrate the potential of V4N2 and V8N2 as immunogens for the treatment of cocaine use disorder.

The present research aimed to study the effects of selective immunolesions of cholinergic or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) on memory function as well as cholinergic activity and the level of expression of glutamatergic [NR2B subunit of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)] receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus of behaviorally characterized rats. In behavioral experiments, working memory was assessed by a spatial alternation testing procedure in a plus-maze, and acquisition and retention of spatial memory was evaluated in a Morris water maze. The rats were divided into three groups: the NBM cholinergic, GABAergic immunolesioned groups and the normal control group. Cholin acetyltransferase or parvalbumin staining of the NBM and acetylcholinesterase staining of the mPFC and hippocampal sections were performed to visualize the effects of immunotoxins. The electrophoresis and immunoblotting were run to evaluate the effect of NBM lesions on the amount of the NR2B subunit of NMDA receptors. The results indicate that the immunolesion of cholinergic NBM neurons impair spatial working memory, as well as long-term spatial memory which is accompanied by significant changes in glutamatergic (the NR2B subunit of NMDA receptor) and cholinergic markers in the mPFC, whereas immunolesion of GABAergic NBM neurons does not affect long-term spatial memory, it does though cause the impairment of working memory with a reduction of the NMDA NR2B receptor signaling in the mPFC. The present results demonstrate that the cholinergic and GABAergic NBM cell groups play diverse and complementary roles and are integrated in distinct NBM-mPFC networks that may play different roles in mPFC memory function.

The incidence of soybean anthracnose reduces yields and leads to financial losses. Among several management practices to control this disease, use of phosphites (Phi) can act by providing mineral nutrition, inducing resistance in the host and causing direct toxicity to the pathogen. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of phosphites in the management of anthracnose in soybean pods, in the transmission of the pathogen and the activities of plant defense enzymes. Soybean plants were sprayed with potassium (KPhi), manganese (MnPhi), zinc (ZnPhi), copper (CuPhi) phosphites and fungicide epoxiconazole + piraclostrobin at V4, R1 and R3 stages and inoculated with Colletotrichum truncatum isolate in the R3 stage. The anthracnose severity, the incidence of C. truncatum in soybean seeds, activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes and contents of soluble lignin and total soluble phenols were evaluated. KPhi, CuPhi and MnPhi reduced the severity of anthracnose, the transmission of the C. truncatum, increased lignin content and SOD, POX and CAT enzymatic activity. Phosphites can be utilized in the management of anthracnose in soybean.

One possible alternative to chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment and prevention of diseases in fish farms is the use of Piper aduncum essential oil. However, ecotoxicological data are required to ensure its proper use and to prevent adverse effects on non-target organisms. These data are relevant since this essential oil is described as having insecticidal, molluscicidal and cytotoxic activitiy that may be associated with its chemical composition. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the ecotoxicity of P. aduncum essential oil to five test organisms using the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) statistical approach. The chemical composition of the essential oil was characterized by means of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) for identification and quantitation purposes, respectively. The main component (75.5%) of the essential oil was dillapiole. The hazardous concentration for 5% of biological species (HC5) was calculated to determine the 95% protection level, resulting in a value of 0.47 mg L-1 (with a confidence interval of 0.028 - 1.19 mg L-1. ). A concentration range related to the level of protection for aquatic communities (the predicted no-effect concentration, PNEC) was determined through the application of safety factors to the HC5 value. The ecotoxicity parameters showed that P. aduncum essential oil can be used safely in water bodies at a concentration equal to or below 0.09 mg L-1. RESUMO Uma possível alternativa ao uso de fármacos veterinários no tratamento e prevenção de doenças na piscicultura é o uso do óleo essencial de Piper aduncum. No entanto, são necessários dados ecotoxicológicos para garantir seu uso apropriado sem causar efeitos adversos a organismos não alvo. Esta informação é relevante, pois esse óleo essencial é descrito como tendo atividades inseticidas, moluscicidas e citotóxicas, possivelmente associadas à sua composição química. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a ecotoxicidade do óleo essencial de P. aduncum para cinco organismos-teste, usando o método estatístico da Distribuição da Sensibilidade das Espécies (SSD). A composição química do óleo essencial foi caracterizada por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrometria de massa (GC-MS) e cromatografia gasosa com detector de ionização de chama (GC-FID), para fins de identificação e quantificação, respectivamente. O principal componente (75,5%) do óleo essencial foi o dilapiol. A concentração perigosa para 5% de espécies biológicas (HC5) foi calculada com um nível de proteção de 95%, resultando em um valor de 0,47 mg L-1 (com intervalo de confiança de 50% = 0,028 - 1,19 mg L-1). A faixa de concentração relacionada aos níveis de proteção para comunidades aquáticas (concentração sem efeito previsto - PNEC) foi calculada através da aplicação de fatores de segurança ao valor de HC5. Os parâmetros de ecotoxicidade indicaram que o óleo essencial de P. aduncum pode ser usado com segurança em corpos d’água se a concentração for igual ou inferior a 0,09 mg L-1.

Introduction and objectives: The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has been an unmatched challenge to global healthcare. Although the majority of patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may not be infected with COVID-19, the quarantine and public health emergency measures may have affected this particular high risk group. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic on ACS admissions and clinical course in a tertiary care hospital in Portugal's most affected region. Methods: This retrospective, case-control study included patients admitted with a diagnosis of ACS during March and April 2020 (pandemic group) and in the same period in 2019 (control group). Clinical course and complications were also assessed. Results: During the pandemic, there were fewer ACS admissions but presentation was more severe, with a larger proportion of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (54.9% vs. 38.8%, p=0.047), higher maximum troponin levels and greater prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction at discharge (58.0% vs. 35.0%, p=0.01). In this population, although not statistically significant, it was observed a delay between the onset of symptoms and percutaneous coronary intervention, which may traduce a deferred search for urgent medical care during the pandemic. Conclusion: The lockdown phase of COVID-19 pandemic was associated with fewer and more severe ACS in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Portugal's most affected region by the pandemic. Resumo: Introdução e objetivos: A pandemia pela COVID-19 colocou os sistemas de saúde em todo o mundo sob uma exigência sem precedentes. Apesar de a maioria dos doentes admitidos por síndrome coronária aguda não estar infetada com COVID-19, as medidas de saúde pública instituídas poderão afetar este grupo de risco particularmente elevado. O objetivo deste estudo passa por avaliar o impacto que a fase inicial da pandemia COVID-19 teve na apresentação e evolução clínica de doentes admitidos por síndrome coronária aguda num hospital terciário numa das regiões de Portugal mais afetadas pela pandemia. Métodos: Este estudo retrospetivo de caso-controlo incluiu doentes admitidos com o diagnóstico de síndrome coronária aguda entre março e abril de 2020 (grupo pandémico) e no mesmo período em 2019 (grupo controlo). Foram recolhidos dados em relação à evolução clínica em regime de internamento e após a alta. Resultados: Durante o período de pandemia, verificou-se uma diminuição do número de admissões por síndrome coronária aguda bem como apresentações mais graves, registando-se uma maior proporção de enfartes agudos do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (54,9% versus 38,8%, p=0,047), níveis máximos de troponina I mais elevados, e maior prevalência de disfunção sistólica do ventrículo esquerdo à data de alta (58,0% versus 35,0%, p=0,01). Apesar de não se ter atingido valores estatisticamente significativos, observou-se um aumento do intervalo de tempo entre o início de sintomas e a realização de intervenção coronária percutânea, o que poderá traduzir um atraso na procura de cuidados de saúde. Conclusão: A fase inicial da pandemia COVID-19 associou-se a um menor número e uma maior gravidade de admissões por síndrome coronária aguda num hospital terciário numa das regiões de Portugal mais afetadas pela pandemia.

Diatoms are currently considered valuable feedstocks for different biotechnological applications. To deepen the knowledge on the production of these microalgae, the diel pattern of batch growth, photosystem II performance, and accumulation of target metabolites of two commercially relevant diatoms, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Skeletonema costatum, were followed outdoors in 100-L flat panel photobioreactors. S. costatum presented a higher light-to-biomass conversion resulting in higher growth than P. tricornutum. Both fluorescence data and principal component analysis pointed to temperature as a limiting factor for the growth of P. tricornutum. Higher protein and carbohydrate contents were found in P. tricornutum, whereas S. costatum fatty acids were charac-terized by a higher unsaturation degree. Higher productivities were found at 1 p.m. for protein, lipid, and ash in the case of S. costatum. Overall, S. costatum showed great potential for outdoor cultivation, revealing a broader temperature tolerance and increased biomass productivity than P. tricornutum. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The use of adapted breeds, such as Santa Ines, is of paramount importance for regions with high temperatures because they develop efficient mechanisms for heat dissipation. Furthermore, some breeds have physiological adaptations, such as more efficient mechanisms for the digestion of fibrous foods (e.g. Rabo Largo), which can reduce the harmful effects of semiarid environments. We studied the ingestive behaviour, water consumption, and physiological parameters during feeding of two native sheep breeds fed diets containing high (700 g/kg DM; HC diet) or low (300 g/kg DM; LC diet) percentages of concentrates, based on dry matter (DM). A total of 40 uncastrated male lambs (20 Rabo Largo [breed 1] and 20 Santa Ines [breed 2], with an average body weight of 16.68 ± 2.78 kg, and 19.29 kg ± 3.28 kg, respectively), were distributed in a randomised block design in a two-by-two factorial scheme (breeds × diets) with 10 repetitions. Santa Ines lambs consumed and ruminated DM (P = 0.029 for both) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF; P = 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively) more efficiently than RaboLargo lambs, while the latter showed an increase in respiratory rate (+19 breaths/min) and rectal temperature (+1.3 °C) compared to the Santa Ines lambs (P = 0.001). The HC diet negatively affected (P < 0.05) the feeding behaviour of the animals, reflecting the higher (P < 0.05) water consumption. The results showed that diets rich in concentrate negatively affected the thermoregulation of lambs. Santa Ines have greater feed and thermoregulatory efficiency than Rabo Largo lambs under conditions of heat stress in the feedlot.

This study aimed to determine the extractive yield, the spilanthol content and the bactericide and antibiofilm activities of aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of two regional variations (Amapa and Para) of Acmella oleracea (L.) R. K. Jansen against the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans. Aqueous extracts of leaves and hydroethanolic extracts of leaves and stems were obtained and submitted to UHPLC-ESI-QToF-MS/MS characterization. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts were determined using the microdilution method, while the crystal violet assay was used to access the activity over S. mutans pre-formed 1-day biofilms. The aqueous extracts of the leaves showed higher extractive yields compared to the hydroethanolic solutions. Nonetheless, the hydroethanolic mixture ensured a higher extraction of spilanthol. For instance, the leaves of Para variation (EELAO-PA) (99.97%) and the stem of Amapa variation (EESAO-AP) (99.17%) presented the highest spilanthol content. Therefore, these extracts were selected for the antimicrobial assays, presenting equally MIC and MBC of 125 µg/ml against S. mutans. In the antibiofilm assay, EELAO-PA at 500 µg/ml (4xMIC) presented an inhibition of 50.89% after a 1-minute single application, similarly (p>0.05) to that found after chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% treatment. Accordingly, A. oleracea rich spilanthol extracts showed remarkable antibacterial activity against the cariogenic S. mutans and could become an affordable coadjuvant used in dental products to prevent and control dental caries.

Crown-of-thorns sea stars (Acanthaster sp.) are among the most studied coral reef organisms, owing to their propensity to undergo major population irruptions, which contribute to significant coral loss and reef degradation throughout the Indo-Pacific. However, there are still important knowledge gaps pertaining to the biology, ecology, and management of Acanthaster sp. Renewed efforts to advance understanding and management of Pacific crown-of-thorns sea stars (Acanthaster sp.) on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef require explicit consideration of relevant and tractable knowledge gaps. Drawing on established horizon scanning methodologies, this study identified contemporary knowledge gaps by asking active and/or established crown-of-thorns sea star researchers to pose critical research questions that they believe should be addressed to improve the understanding and management of crown-of-thorns sea stars on the Great Barrier Reef. A total of 38 participants proposed 246 independent research questions, organized into 7 themes: feeding ecology, demography, distribution and abundance, predation, settlement, management, and environmental change. Questions were further assigned to 48 specific topics nested within the 7 themes. During this process, redundant questions were removed, which reduced the total number of distinct research questions to 172. Research questions posed were mostly related to themes of demography (46 questions) and management (48 questions). The dominant topics, meanwhile, were the incidence of population irruptions (16 questions), feeding ecology of larval sea stars (15 questions), effects of elevated water temperature on crown-of-thorns sea stars (13 questions), and predation on juveniles (12 questions). While the breadth of questions suggests that there is considerable research needed to improve understanding and management of crown-of-thorns sea stars on the Great Barrier Reef, the predominance of certain themes and topics suggests a major focus for new research while also providing a roadmap to guide future research efforts.

Background: L-asparaginase (L-ASNase, L-asparagine amidohydrolase, E.C.3.5.1.1) is an enzyme with wide therapeutic applicability. Currently, the commercialized L-ASNase comes from mesophilic organisms, presenting low specificity to the substrate and limitations regarding thermostability and active pH range. Such factors prevent the maximum performance of the enzyme in different applications. Therefore, extremophilic organisms may represent important candidates for obtaining amidohydrolases with particular characteristics desired by the biotechnological market. Objective: The present study aims to carry out a technological prospecting of patents related to the L-asparaginases derived from extremophilic organisms, contributing to pave the way for further rational investigation and application of such enzymes. Methods: This patent literature review used six patents databases: The LENS, WIPO, EPO, USPTO, Patent Inspiration, and INPI. Results: It was analyzed 2860 patents, and 14 were selected according to combinations of descriptors and study criteria. Approximately 57.14% of the patents refer to enzymes obtained from archaea, especially from the speciesPyrococcus yayanosii (35.71% of the totality). Conclusion: The present prospective study has singular relevance since there are no recent patent reviews for L-asparaginases, especially produced by extremophilic microorganisms. Although such enzymes have well-defined applications, corroborated by the patents compiled in this review, the most recent studies allude to new uses, such as the treatment of infections. The characterization of the catalytic profiles allows us to infer that there are potential sources still unexplored. Hence, the search for new L-ASNases with different characteristics will continue to grow in the coming years and, possibly, ramifications of the technological routes will be witnessed.

Severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) manifests as a life-threatening microvascular syndrome. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses the Spike (S) protein to engage with its receptors and infect host cells. To date, it is still not known whether heart vascular pericytes (PCs) are infected by SARS-CoV-2, and if the S protein alone provokes PC dysfunction. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of the S protein on primary human cardiac PC signalling and function. Results show, for the first time, that cardiac PCs are not permissive to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro, whilst a recombinant S protein alone elicits functional alterations in PCs. This was documented as: (1) increased migration, (2) reduced ability to support endothelial cell (EC) network formation on Matrigel, (3) secretion of pro-inflammatory molecules typically involved in the cytokine storm, and (4) production of pro-apoptotic factors responsible for EC death. Next, adopting a blocking strategy against the S protein receptors angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and CD147, we discovered that the S protein stimulates the phosphorylation/activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) through the CD147 receptor, but not ACE2, in PCs. The neutralisation of CD147, either using a blocking antibody or mRNA silencing, reduced ERK1/2 activation and rescued PC function in the presence of the S protein. In conclusion, our findings suggest that circulating S protein prompts vascular PC dysfunction, potentially contributing to establishing microvascular injury in organs distant from the site of infection. This mechanism may have clinical and therapeutic implications.Clinical perspectiveSevere COVID-19 manifests as a microvascular syndrome, but whether SARS-CoV-2 infects and damages heart vascular pericytes (PCs) remains unknown.We provide evidence that cardiac PCs are not infected by SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, we show that the recombinant S protein alone elicits cellular signalling through the CD147 receptor in cardiac PCs, thereby inducing cell dysfunction and microvascular disruption in vitro.This study suggests that soluble S protein can potentially propagate damage to organs distant from sites of infection, promoting microvascular injury. Blocking the CD147 receptor in patients may help protect the vasculature not only from infection, but also from the collateral damage caused by the S protein.

Scientific data 3, 160064 -(2016). doi:10.1038/sdata.2016.64, Single particle diffractive imaging data from Rice Dwarf Virus (RDV) were recorded using the Coherent X-ray Imaging (CXI) instrument at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). RDV was chosen as it is a well-characterized model system, useful for proof-of-principle experiments, system optimization and algorithm development. RDV, an icosahedral virus of about 70 nm in diameter, was aerosolized and injected into the approximately 0.1 μm diameter focused hard X-ray beam at the CXI instrument of LCLS. Diffraction patterns from RDV with signal to 5.9 Ångström were recorded. The diffraction data are available through the Coherent X-ray Imaging Data Bank (CXIDB) as a resource for algorithm development, the contents of which are described here., Published by Nature Publ. Group, London

Microbial biofilms are a natural adaptation of microorganisms, typically composed of multiple microbial species, exhibiting complex community organization and cooperation. Biofilm dynamics and thei...

The current known distribution of Omura’s whale includes the tropical and warm temperate waters of the western Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. Evidence of their presence in the Atlantic Ocean is based on beach cast specimens found on the coasts of Mauritania (North Atlantic) and Northeastern Brazil (South Atlantic). The present study characterizes the occurrence of this species in the São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago (SPSPA), on the mid-Atlantic ridge between South America and Africa, based on autonomous recording systems. Acoustic signals were similar, but not identical, to B. omurai vocalizations recorded off the coast of Madagascar. Although these signals were recorded for only 11 months, there are peaks in vocal activity between May and June in the vicinities of SPSPA, suggesting either a shift in distribution within the Atlantic equatorial waters or seasonality in the species’ vocal behavior in this region. The first acoustic records of Omura’s whales in the Equatorial Atlantic suggest that these animals may also use deep-water habitats, in addition to the shallow-water habitat use observed in other regions., A atual distribuição conhecida da baleia-de-Omura (Balaenoptera omurai) inclui as águas tropicais e temperadas quentes dos oceanos Pacífico ocidental, Índico e Atlântico. A evidência de sua presença no oceano Atlântico baseia-se em espécimes encalhados encontrados em praias da Mauritânia (Atlântico Norte) e do Nordeste do Brasil (Atlântico Sul). O presente estudo caracteriza a ocorrência dessa espécie no Arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo (ASPSP), localizado sobre a Dorsal Mesoatlântica entre a América do Sul e a África, com base em sistemas de monitoramento acústico passivo. Os sinais acústicos detectados foram similares, mas não idênticos, às vocalizações de B. omurai gravadas na costa de Madagascar. Embora esses sinais tenham sido registrados por apenas 11 meses, há picos na atividade vocal entre maio e junho nas proximidades do ASPSP, sugerindo uma mudança na distribuição da espécie nas águas equatoriais do Atlântico ou uma sazonalidade no comportamento vocal nessa região. Os primeiros registros acústicos das baleias-de-Omura no Atlântico Equatorial sugerem que esses animais também podem utilizar habitats de águas profundas, além de habitats de águas rasas como observado em outras regiões.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial potential of a calcium silicate-based sealer (Bio-C Sealer, Angelus) against common bacteria in primary and secondary endodontic infections. Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans were exposed to fresh Bio-C Sealer for 24 h by the agar diffusion method (n=5). Additionally, the antibacterial activity was investigated against E. faecalis and S. mutans biofilms (48 h old) grown in discs with 4 mm in diameter and 2 mm in height. (n=3) of set discs of Bio-C Sealer (Angelus), EndoFill (Dentsply-Mallefer), Sealer 26 (Dentsply), AH Plus (Dentsply), Sealapex (Sybron-Endo) and EndoSequence BC Sealer (Brasseler). The antibacterial activity was evaluated by colony forming unity (CFU) counting using ImageJ software. Data were compared by one-way ANOVA followed by Holm-Sidak test (a=5%). Fresh Bio-C Sealer exhibited antimicrobial activity against all bacteria evaluated by agar diffusion method, except for S. mutans. Set discs of all endodontic sealers tested showed similar CFU values for E. faecalis (p>0.05). S. mutans in biofilms showed higher susceptibility to EndoFill compared with the other sealers (p 0,05), enquanto biofilmes de S. mutans foram mais suscetíveis ao EndoFill em comparação com os demais cimentos (p

Although many advances have been achieved to treat aggressive tumours, cancer remains a leading cause of death and a public health problem worldwide. Among the main approaches for the discovery of new bioactive agents, the prospect of microbial secondary metabolites represents an effective source for the development of drug leads. In this study, we investigated the actinobacterial diversity associated with an endemic Antarctic species, Deschampsia antarctica, by integrated culture-dependent and culture-independent methods and acknowledged this niche as a reservoir of bioactive strains for the production of antitumour compounds. The 16S rRNA-based analysis showed the predominance of the Actinomycetales order, a well-known group of bioactive metabolite producers belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum. Cultivation techniques were applied, and 72 psychrotolerant Actinobacteria strains belonging to the genera Actinoplanes, Arthrobacter, Kribbella, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Pilimelia, Pseudarthrobacter, Rhodococcus, Streptacidiphilus, Streptomyces and Tsukamurella were identified. The secondary metabolites were screened, and 17 isolates were identified as promising antitumour compound producers. However, the bio-guided assay showed a pronounced antiproliferative activity for the crude extracts of Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1527 and Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1653. The TGI and LC50 values revealed the potential of these natural products to control the proliferation of breast (MCF-7), glioblastoma (U251), lung/non-small (NCI-H460) and kidney (786-0) human cancer cell lines. Cinerubin B and actinomycin V were the predominant compounds identified in Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1527 and Streptomyces sp. CMAA 1653, respectively. Our results suggest that the rhizosphere of D. antarctica represents a prominent reservoir of bioactive actinobacteria strains and reveals it as an important environment for potential antitumour agents.

Granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs) promote tumor growth and immunosuppression in multiple myeloma (MM). However, their phenotype is not well established for accurate monitoring or clinical translation. We aimed to provide the phenotypic profile of G-MDSCs based on their prognostic significance in MM, immunosuppressive potential, and molecular program. The preestablished phenotype of G-MDSCs was evaluated in bone marrow samples from controls and MM patients using multidimensional flow cytometry; surprisingly, we found that CD11b+CD14−CD15+CD33+HLADR− cells overlapped with common eosinophils and neutrophils, which were not expanded in MM patients. Therefore, we relied on automated clustering to unbiasedly identify all granulocytic subsets in the tumor microenvironment: basophils, eosinophils, and immature, intermediate, and mature neutrophils. In a series of 267 newly diagnosed MM patients (GEM2012MENOS65 trial), only the frequency of mature neutrophils at diagnosis was significantly associated with patient outcome, and a high mature neutrophil/T-cell ratio resulted in inferior progression-free survival (P < .001). Upon fluorescence-activated cell sorting of each neutrophil subset, T-cell proliferation decreased in the presence of mature neutrophils (0.5-fold; P = .016), and the cytotoxic potential of T cells engaged by a BCMA×CD3-bispecific antibody increased notably with the depletion of mature neutrophils (fourfold; P = .0007). Most interestingly, RNA sequencing of the 3 subsets revealed that G-MDSC–related genes were specifically upregulated in mature neutrophils from MM patients vs controls because of differential chromatin accessibility. Taken together, our results establish a correlation between the clinical significance, immunosuppressive potential, and transcriptional network of well-defined neutrophil subsets, providing for the first time a set of optimal markers (CD11b/CD13/CD16) for accurate monitoring of G-MDSCs in MM.

Important losses of dwarf cashew seedlings during the establishment of orchards in the Brazilian semiarid are related to the relatively short rainy season. This study aimed to evaluate biochar and hydrophilic polymer as soil amendments to increase water retention and reduce plant death in the first year. An experiment was conducted at the Curu Station, Paraipaba, CE, Brazil, using the clone BRS 226. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with amounts of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 kg of cashew wood biochar and 20, 40, 60, 80 g of hydrophilic polymer applied per pit, as well as a control treatment (no soil amendment). Seedlings were submitted to an irrigation regime to avoid water stress (5 L water seedling-1 when the tensiometer installed at a depth of 0.15 m reached 60 kPa). The variables of plant development number of leaves, plant height, stem diameter, and canopy diameter were evaluated up to 374 days after transplanting to the field. The analysis of variance showed no treatment effect on plant development. However, minimum water consumption was observed when 29.56 g of hydrophilic polymer was applied per pit, providing 100.0% seedling survival. Made available in DSpace on 2020-10-12T09:11:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ART20079-1809-4430-eagri-40-03-0344.pdf: 4008398 bytes, checksum: c01af8daea9eb4d33f94207d13517347 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020

Conventional disease surveillance for shigellosis in developing country settings relies on serotyping and low-resolution molecular typing, which fails to contextualise the evolutionary history of the genus. Here, we interrogated a collection of 1,804 Shigella whole genome sequences from organisms isolated in four continental Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia) over three decades to characterise the evolution of both S. flexneri and S. sonnei. We show that S. sonnei and each major S. flexneri serotype are comprised of genetically diverse populations, the majority of which were likely introduced into Southeast Asia in the 1970s–1990s. Intranational and regional dissemination allowed widespread propagation of both species across the region. Our data indicate that the epidemiology of S. sonnei and the major S. flexneri serotypes were characterised by frequent clonal replacement events, coinciding with changing susceptibility patterns against contemporaneous antimicrobials. We conclude that adaptation to antimicrobial pressure was pivotal to the recent evolutionary trajectory of Shigella in Southeast Asia., Hao Chung The et al. analyze 1,804 Shigella genome sequences from organisms isolated in four Southeast Asian countries over three decades to study the evolution of both S. flexneri and S. sonnei. This study suggests that adaptation to antimicrobial pressure may have played a pivotal role in the recent evolutionary trajectory of Shigella in Southeast Asia.

Wheat is a staple food for a large part of the world's population and faces a continuous demand for increased productivity. The presence of genetic variability allows the success in developing cultivars with higher yield. The understanding of the genetic variability available is crucial for their effective use in breeding programs. Inheritance of wheat yield components is complex, due to polygenic control and the strong influence of the environment. Therefore, an accurate heritability estimation can accelerate the selection gains towards increasing wheat yield. Thus, this study aimed to characterize agronomic traits related to yield in a collection of 99 wheat accessions used in Brazil. In addition, the heritability of these traits was estimated. The studied accessions showed variability for yield, which can be explained by the presence of variability in most yield components. Cluster analysis showed that there is variability in wheat genotypes, however, the introduction of new sources of variability in crossing blocks or the induction of mutations is suggested. The broad-sense heritability for grain yield was considered high, as well as for most of the studied agronomic traits, suggesting that it is possible to obtain genetic gain with selection in this environment. However, for greater accuracy, genetic gain values should be estimated and considered when designing selection strategies. Hectoliter weight showed low heritability, demonstrating the complexity of selection for this trait. In summary, this study demonstrates the presence of genetic variability and high heritability for agronomic traits, enabling genetic gain in breeding programs using these wheat accessions.

Living bamboo stalks are one of the most specialized habitats for mosquito oviposition and immature development. Most of the mosquito species that breed in these habitats are sylvatic, and some are of importance for public health as possible vectors of pathogens. Perforated internodes are a very specialized environment due to the difficulty of access. Furthermore, due to their relatively simple fauna, they represent a valuable model for ecological studies that may be applicable to more complex environments. This study aims to assess the mosquito bionomics of species raised in bamboo internodes. Therefore, the diversity of mosquito species and the influence of abiotic variables (pH and temperature) on the distribution of mosquitoes that breed in this habitat were analyzed. The study area is a fragment of Atlantic Forest within the Association of da Armada (ATA) in Nova Iguaçu, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Immature mosquitoes were sampled with suction tubes (mouth aspirators) between August 2017 and July 2018. A total of 3,170 larvae were collected in 5 bamboo plants, each with 8 stalks perforated. Of these, 688 larvae reached the adult stage, representing 10 genera and 19 species. The most common species were Culex neglectus (43%), Trichoprosopon digitatum (22%), Culex iridescens (8%), Sabethes identicus (7%), and Orthopodomyia albicosta (7%). The richness of the immatures collected in the ATA was 19 species, with a diversity of 1.10 and Shannon evenness of 0.57. A diverse composition of Culicidae in bamboo stalks was found, although dominance was low.

cis-Aconitic acid is a constituent from the leaves of Echinodorus grandiflorus, a medicinal plant traditionally used in Brazil to treat inflammatory conditions, including arthritic diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-arthritic effect of cis-aconitic acid in murine models of antigen-induced arthritis and monosodium urate-induced gout. The possible underlying mechanisms of action was evaluated in THP-1 macrophages. Oral treatment with cis-aconitic acid (10, 30, and 90 mg/kg) reduced leukocyte accumulation in the joint cavity and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 and IL-1β levels in periarticular tissue. cis-Aconitic acid treatment reduced joint inflammation in tissue sections of antigen-induced arthritis mice and these effects were associated with decreased mechanical hypernociception. Administration of cis-aconitic acid (30 mg/kg p. o.) also reduced leukocyte accumulation in the joint cavity after the injection of monosodium urate crystals. cis-Aconitic acid reduced in vitro the release of TNF-α and phosphorylation of IκBα in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated THP-1 macrophages, suggesting that inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation was an underlying mechanism of cis-aconitic acid-induced anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, cis-aconitic acid has significant anti-inflammatory effects in antigen-induced arthritis and monosodium urate-induced arthritis in mice, suggesting its potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the joint in humans. Additionally, our findings suggest that this compound may contribute to the anti-inflammatory effect previously reported for E. grandiflorus extracts.

Microsatellites (SSRs) are tandem repeat sequences in eukaryote genomes, including plant cytoplasmic genomes. The mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) has been shown to vary in size, number, and distribution of SSRs among different plant groups. Thus, SSRs contribute with genomic diversity in mtDNAs. However, the abundance, distribution, and evolutionary significance of SSRs in mtDNA from a wide range of algae and plants have not been explored. In this study, the mtDNAs of 204 plant and algal species were investigated related to the presence of SSRs. The number of SSRs was positively correlated with genome size. Its distribution is dependent on plant and algal groups analyzed, although the cluster analysis indicates the conservation of some common motifs in algal and terrestrial plants that reflect common ancestry of groups. Many SSRs in coding and non-coding regions can be useful for molecular markers. Moreover, mitochondrial SSRs are highly abundant, representing an important source for natural or induced genetic variation, i.e., for biotechnological approaches that can modulate mtDNA gene regulation. Thus, this comparative study increases the understanding of the plant and algal SSR evolution and brings perspectives for further studies.

The neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) play a major role in pain modulation. We have previously shown that early-life noxious bladder stimuli in rats resulted in an overall spinal GABAergic disinhibition and a long-lasting bladder/colon sensitization when tested in adulthood. However, the neuromolecular alterations within RVM neurons in the pathophysiology of early life bladder inflammation have not been elucidated. In this study, we have identified and characterized RVM neurons that are synaptically linked to the bladder and colon and examined the effect of neonatal bladder inflammation on molecular expressions of these neurons. A transient bladder inflammation was induced by intravesicular instillation of protamine sulfate and zymosan during postnatal days 14 through 16 (P14-16) followed by pseudorabies virus PRV-152 and PRV-614 injections into the bladder and colon, respectively, on postnatal day P60. Tissues were examined 96 hours post-inoculation for serotonergic, GABAergic, and enkephalinergic expressions using In situ Hybridization and/or Immunohistochemistry techniques. The results revealed that >50% of RVM neurons that are synaptically connected to the bladder (i.e., PRV-152+) were GABAergic, 40% enkephalinergic, and about 14% expressing serotonergic marker TpH2. Neonatal cystitis resulted in a significant increase in converging neurons in RVM receiving dual synaptic inputs from the bladder and colon. In addition, neonatal cystitis significantly downregulated GABA transporter VGAT with a concomitant increase in TpH2 expression in bladder-linked RVM neurons suggesting an alteration in supraspinal signaling. These alterations of synaptic connectivity and GABAergic/serotonergic expressions in RVM neurons may contribute to bladder pain modulation and cross-organ visceral sensitivity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Memphis Hübner, [1819] is a nymphalid butterfly genus exclusive to the Neotropics. It includes species with iridescent bluish or greenish coloration on the upper side of the wings while the underside is cryptic, resembling dead leaves. This paper aims to describe a remarkable new species, M. smalli Riley & Dias sp. nov., from the remote Atlantic slopes of Panama based on molecular and morphological analyses. We also review the taxonomy of species herein included in the “arginussa” species group based on distances analyses of DNA sequence data. The “arginussa” species group, as defined here, includes M. arginussa (Geyer, 1832), M. eubaena (Boisduval, 1870) stat. rest., M. onophis (Felder & Felder, 1861) stat. rest., M. lemons (Druce, 1877), M. neidhoeferi (Rotger, Escalante & Coronado, 1965), M. perenna (Godman & Salvin, [1884]), M. lankesteri (Hall, 1935) stat. rest., M. paulus Costa & Orellana, 2014, M. pithyusa (Felder, 1869), M. herbacea (Butler & Druce, 1872) and M. smalli sp. nov. Anaea pithyusa morena Hall, 1935 syn. nov. is recognized as a synonym of Nymphalis pithyusa Felder, 1869. The new species and its closest ally, M. herbacea, are illustrated, including characters of the head, labial palpus, wings, legs, male and female genitalia and their distribution map.

As enteroparasitoses acometem grande número de pessoas, e sua frequência está associada a condições socioeconômicas e de saneamento básico, representando um problema de saúde pública. Apesar da transição epidemiológica mundial, muitos países, como o Brasil, ainda mantêm nas doenças parasitárias importante causa de morbimortalidade. Este artigo tem como objetivo descrever a prevalência de enteroparasitos em exames parasitológicos de fezes em uma unidade laboratorial de um distrito de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil. Foram incluídos 2.304 pacientes que realizaram exames parasitológicos de fezes, entre março de 2011 e junho de 2013, e excluídos os sem dados. As variáveis foram obtidas da base de dados do laboratório local e os dados foram analisados utilizando o software SPSS, versão 17.0. Os pacientes estudados foram com frequência mulheres (59,0%) e com idade inferior a 40 anos (66,2%). Parasitos intestinais foram encontrados em 1.112 pacientes (48,3%). Protozoários representaram 93,3%, e helmintos, 10,3%. O monoparasitismo foi predominante (72,2%). Os parasitos mais frequentes foram Giardia lamblia (8,7%), seguido de Entamoeba histolytica (6,6%), Ancylostomideo SP (4,6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (2,0%), Hymenolepis SP (1,7%) e Schistosoma mansoni (1,6%). A prevalência de enteroparasitos foi elevada, com predominância de protozoários e monoparasitoses, e o perfil da população estudada caracterizou-se por maior frequência de mulheres e adultos jovens.

Floral colors and odors are evolutionary strategies used by plants to attract pollinating animals and may be absent in mostly anemophilous groups, such as Cyperaceae. However, considering that insects are floral visitors of some Rhynchospora Vahl species, the objective of this study was to characterize the floral traits and pollination systems within this genus. We analyzed 16 Rhynchospora species with regard to flower morphology, colors of floral structures, floral scents, pollen vectors, and pollination systems. We verified factors that can favor abiotic or biotic pollination in a continuum of floral traits in Rhynchospora. The flower morphology of R. dissitispicula T. Koyama, with inconspicuous brown spikelets in open panicles, is interpreted as a complete adaptation to anemophily. Conspicuous floral traits in Rhynchospora were distinguished from the background by bees. Some species also emit floral volatiles, and we made the first record of floral scent chemistry within the genus. Most of the compounds emitted by these species are known as attractants to many floral-visiting insects. Bees, beetles, and flies visited species with conspicuous floral traits and contributed to fruit set. The investigated floral traits form a continuum across the different pollination systems in Rhynchospora, from anemophilous to ambophilous and then to entomophilous representatives.

Pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides are commonly applied simultaneously with fertilizers to turfgrass; however, the influence of PRE herbicides on nitrogen (N) uptake and leaching from turfgrass remains unclear. The hypothesis of this study was that PRE herbicides applied simultaneously with N fertilizers increase N leaching from Tifway 419 bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy, 'Tifway'] above that from fallow soil. A nutrient leaching study was conducted from June 2017 through June 2019 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Treatments consisted of indaziflam (25 g a.i. ha-1 ), prodiamine (540 g a.i. ha-1 ), and oxadiazon (4,480 g a.i. ha-1 ); a nontreated turfgrass control (turfgrass fertilized but not treated with PRE herbicides); and a fallow soil. Fertilizer (15-2-12) was applied every 60 d at 49 kg N ha-1 , and PRE herbicides were applied every 120 d. Pre-emergence herbicides resulted in a 3.6- and 5.5-fold increases in NO3 -N concentration compared with fallow soil during June 2017 and January 2018, respectively, whereas fallow soil resulted in increased NO3 -N concentration during 10 mo and ranged from 3.8- to 15-fold greater than that from turfgrass plots. Turfgrass plots resulted in reduced N leaching of ∼7% during 5 mo compared with fallow soil and did not result in increased N leaching during any month. Cumulative N leached from turfgrass plots ranged from 75 to 120 kg ha-1 and did not differ from fallow soil. Turfgrass growth rate and N uptake were not influenced by PRE herbicide. The results indicated that fertilizers applied with PRE herbicides does not result in increased N leaching or reduced N uptake.

Background: Complete fractures of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bones (Mc/t3) are not common, but can occur in various situations and all types of horses, contributing for approximately one third of all long bone fractures in the horse, mostly related to external trauma or to high energy injuries. To stabilize Mc/t3 fractures in the horse, conservative management with walking casts and/or open reduction and internal fixation techniques are referred in the scientific literature, these last one generally by double platting application to bone surface in 90 degrees. In the present case will be described a Mt3 complete diaphyseal fracture stabilization on an adult pony from a circus by applying only one bone plate. This work pony could return to its previous activity fully recovered 3 months after fracture stabilization. Case Description: A 7-year-old, male, Shetland pony (103 kg), used for performance work at a circus was admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of University of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro, presenting on lateral recumbency after being struck by a truck. On physical examination, a penetrating wound of small dimension was detected at the medial aspect of the right hindlimb. After radiographic examination, a complete diaphyseal fracture with slight obliquity of the right Mt3 was confirmed. The owner opted for surgical repair thus fracture stabilization was achieved by the placement of just a single 8-hole 4.5 mm broad dynamic compression plate applied to the lateral face of Mt3 in compression function with 7 cortical screws (4.5 mm). Post-operatively a full limb cast was performed and maintained for 4 weeks, while the animal was kept under movement limitation at the hospital facilities for this period of time although the animal stayed until his full recovery 3 months’ post-surgery. Conclusion: A complete recovery was achieved and the animal returned to the previous level of exercise without any significant postoperative complications or degree of lameness. In the authors knowledge, this is the first case report where stabilization of a complete Mt3 diaphyseal fracture was attain using a single compression plate contoured to the lateral face of the bone, instead of double plating, on an adult work pony from a circus subjected to a very demanding and intense physical activity.

A erliquiose monocítica canina é uma enfermidade infecciosa de caráter zoonótico com distribuição mundial, transmitida por carrapatos da espécie Rhipicephalus sanguineus que carreiam a Ehrlichia canis, bactéria responsável pela doença. A doença apresenta três fases: aguda, subclínica e crônica cuja abordagem terapêutica e diagnóstico acurado dependem diretamente dessas fases da doença. As técnicas de diagnóstico se baseiam em análise direta do sangue, biologia molecular e também na presença de anticorpos. Neste estudo foi realizada uma análise comparativa da eficácia diagnóstica entre as técnicas de Ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA) e Reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (qPCR) com o diagnóstico clínico/hematológico. Através da análise da presença de material genético de E. canis e da detecção de anticorpos anti-IgG de Ehrlichia spp., em amostras de sangue de 49 cães da região metropolitana de Recife, PE. Os resultados da comparação entre os exames clínico/hematológico com os de ELISA foram divergentes em 33% dos casos. Além disso, dos dois métodos (ELISA e qPCR), concluiu-se que qPCR apresentou ser o método mais sensível quando utilizado na fase aguda da doença. O ELISA mostrou-se essencial para uma avaliação tardia da doença, com uma quantidade muito reduzida do patógeno mas apresenta anticorpos específicos para a doença, reduzindo a possibilidade de resultados falso-negativos. Além disso, a confiabilidade no exame clínico, mesmo aliado ao hematológico, em especial a contagem de plaquetas, não pode ser considerada definitiva, sendo de grande importância associar outros testes diagnósticos para a complementaridade do diagnóstico. Dessa forma, nos nossos resultado ficou claro a importância da utilização de testes complementares para a elaboração do diagnóstico seguro da doença.

Medicinal plants represent a promising reservoir of diverse endophytic fungi, including taxa that are able to produce bioactive metabolites. In Brazil, the genus Copaifera includes species that are well known in folk medicine mainly due to their ability to produce oleoresin. In this study, we characterized the endophytic fungal communities associated with Copaifera langsdorffii and Copaifera pubiflora and investigated their ability to produce antimicrobial agents. We obtained 668 fungal isolates from the leaves, stems, and seeds of both plants, which were later classified into 64 taxa and 22 genera. Diaporthe sp. 6, Xylariaceae sp. 1, Diaporthales sp. 1, and Diaporthales sp. 2 were the most abundant taxa in C. langsdorffii, while Phyllosticta sp., Diaporthe sp. 7, Diaporthales sp. 3, and Diaporthe miriciae were the most abundant taxa in C. pubiflora. Diaporthe sp. 4, Phyllosticta sp., Diaporthe sp. 1, Diaporthe sp. 7, and Neopestalotiopsis sp. were the only taxa common between the two plants. Both plants were found to have high fungal diversity, especially C. langsdorffii. Six extracts displayed antibacterial, being Alternaria sp., Diaporthe sp. 1, D. miriciae, and Diaporthe sp. 14. Our results showed that different tissues of the ethnomedicinal plants C. langsdorffii and C. pubiflora are systematically colonized by rich and diverse endophytic fungal communities, and that some of the fungi are able to produce antimicrobial compounds, which may be explored in further studies as potential candidates for the development of new drugs.

Growth and reproductive parameters were estimated for Scyliorhinus canicula from the south-western Portuguese coast. The sample consisted of 148 specimens with total length ranging from 187 to 580 mm (82 males and 66 females). Maximum ages assigned to males and females were 12 and 13 years, respectively. Linf and k were estimated as 63.6 cm and 0.16 year-1 for males and 63.2 and 0.15 year-1 for females. Length and age at first maturity were estimated as 42.6 cm and 6 years for males and 44.5 cm and 7 years for females.

Rhipsalis baccifera (Sol.) Stearn is a typical cactus from tropical regions with wide geographic distribution, and its therapeutic potential is not yet fully understood, such as antitumoral property. Thus, this study evaluated the cytotoxic ethanolic extract of R. baccifera (EERB) and its antitumor activity against Erlich's tumor in mice. The EERB was obtained, and its phytochemical profile was filed by thin-layer chromatography. The toxicity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo using the microcrustacean Artemia salina Leach and mice. The lethal dose was determined after implantation of a tumor cell suspension, with subsequent treatment with EERB (200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) 48h after implantation. These values represent the tenth part of the DL50 and CL50, respectively. The presence of phenols, tannins and triterpenes were demonstrated in the phytochemical results. Toxicity was dose-dependent, and the tumor inhibition was 84.1% and 75.8% at doses of 200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively. We can highlight that the growth of Erlich's carcinoma suffered inhibitory effects against the EERB. EERB was found to have low acute toxicity and a high potential for use in antitumor therapy. Thus, new studies involving pre-clinical and clinical analyses of the extract are essential to determine the safe dose.

Purification of the crude ethanol extracts from leaves and stems of Psychotria cupularis (Mull.Arg.) Standl., Rubiaceae, resulted in the isolation of the known monoterpene indole alkaloids ophiorine B and lyalosidic and strictosidinic acids. The antileishmanial activity values found for the isolated compounds highlighted ophiorine B as the most active against Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis (IC50 100.50 μg/ml or 196.1 μM) and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis (IC50 3.69 μg/ml or 7.2 μM) with a selectivity index of 108.6 to the human acute monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that antileishmanial β-carboline glucoalkaloids were isolated from the studied material plant, contributing to the pharmacological potential of the genus.

Background and Aim: The emerging concerns regarding the new Coronavirus's ability to cause infection in pets has led to animal testing and worrisome findings reported all over the world in domesticated and wild animals. This study aimed to investigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in dog and cat samples with the clinical presentation for respiratory or gastrointestinal disease in Brazil. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-five samples were collected from 12 states of Brazil that originated from the gastrointestinal, upper respiratory tract, and other sites, including some pools of samples from before the onset of the pandemic including blood and/or urine samples. They were tested for RT-PCR detection of respiratory or gastrointestinal pathogens through Respiratory or Diarrhea RT-PCR Panels in the TECSA (Tecnologia em Saninade Animal - Animal Health Technology) Veterinary Medicine Laboratory. This work was conducted in compliance with ethical standards. Results: Seven different microorganisms that can cause respiratory and/or gastrointestinal clinical signs were detected in cats (Feline Coronavirus [FCoV], Feline Parvovirus, Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Calicivirus, Mycoplasma felis, Campylobacter spp., and Cryptosporidium spp.) and three in dogs (canine distemper virus, Cryptosporidium spp., and Babesia spp.). Conclusion: Although the samples corresponded to the beginning of coronavirus disease-19 spread in Brazil and clinically correlated with the expected viral replication sites, none of the animals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; reassuringly, four cats tested positive or FCoV none of them were positive for SARS-CoV2. The epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in pets is considered a one health issue, important for monitoring the disease evolution, spread and minimizing the animal-human health impacts, and directing Public Health Policies.

The present work evaluated the inhibitor potential of acetylcholinesterase, the preliminary toxicity and determination of active components of different leaf and seed extracts of Parkia platycephala. All extracts were obtained through hot extraction in a closed system (Soxhlet). To obtain the leaf and seed hexanic, methanolic, and ethanolic extracts (LHE, LME, LEE, and SHE, SME, and SEE), sequential extraction was performed on the same plant sample using hexane, methanol, and hydroethanol solution (70%). Preliminary Phytochemical analysis and the characterization by gas chromatography coupled to the mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was performed. The content of phenols total flavonoids and the antioxidant potential was then quantified.The preliminary toxicity against Artemia salina was also evaluated and the potential for acetylcholinesterase inhibition was determined. The presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols/triterpenoids and alkaloids were detected in phytochemical analysis. The leaf extracts showed antioxidant potential, LEM (IC50 = 30.19 ± 0.75 μg/ml) and LEE (IC50 = 40.62 ± 0.65 μg/ml). The analysis by GC-MS indicated a diversity of volatile compounds, evidencing urs-12-ene (triterpenoid) and 1,2,3-benzenetriol (phenol) in the leaf extracts, and linoelaidic acid (fatty acid), (Z)-9-octadecenamide, tricycle [20.8.0.0 (7.16)] triacontane,1(22),7(16)-diepoxy-, (Z)-7-hexadecenal (fatty aldehyde) in the seed extracts. The preliminary toxicity analysis demonstrated that the use of P. platyceplaha leave and seeds for medicinal purposes is relatively safe. All the extracts inhibited acetylcholinesterase, compared to the physostigmine control, with IC50 values in the range of 9.85 to 15.68 mg/ml. Thus, these data support the use of P. platycephala as a potential therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Key words: Phytochemistry, antioxidant activity, toxicity, fava-de-bolota, Alzheimer.