Search

Objetivos: Discutir e divulgar o raríssimo Linfoma Não Hodgkin linfoplasmocítico não IgM (ou seja, não macroglobulinemia de Waldenström), mostrando a importância de sua suspeição e diagnóstico diferencial com mieloma múltiplo. Material e métodos: Análise retrospectiva de um caso de Linfoma não Hodgkin linfoplasmocitico IgG em acompanhamento no serviço de hematologia do Hospital Unimed Volta Redonda (HUVR) - RJ. Para a revisão de literatura, foram levantados os mais recentes artigos sobre o tema nas bases de dados do site PEBMED. Resultados – Relatamos o caso de uma paciente de 48 anos, sexo feminino, natural e procedente de Volta Redonda- RJ, enfermeira, sem comorbidades. Foi Internada no HUVR com quadro de dor em coluna lombar há um ano, que tornou-se mais intensa e incapacitante há cerca de 2 meses, avaliada pela neurocirurgia e solicitada ressonância magnética de coluna lombar que mostrou fratura patológica e colapso do corpo da vértebra L3. A ressonância magnética de coluna cérvico-torácica e quadril assim como as Tomografias de Tórax, pescoço e abdome total não apresentavam alterações. Não possuía alterações no hemograma, na função renal ou em nível sérico de cálcio. Eletroforese de proteínas séricas mostrando aumento de beta 2 (2.2 g/dL) e pico monoclonal em beta 2 de 1,67 G/DL. Imunofixação sérica evidenciando componente monoclonal IgG lambda. Dosagem sérica de IgG de 2761 mg/DL. A imunohistoquimica de biópsia de vértebra apresentava 9% de linfo-plasmócitos BCL2 +, BCL6 -, CD3-, CD5-, CD10-, CD20+, CD23-, CD138+, ciclina D1 -, lambda +, kappa-, KI6715%, MUM-1 +. Compatível com Linfoma não Hodgkin B linfoplasmocítico. A biópsia de medula óssea apresentava em 80% de celularidade, moderada quantidade de linfócitos e plasmócitos com o mesmo perfil imunohistoquimico supracitado concluindo Linfoma não-Hodgkin B linfoplasmocítico, com restrição de cadeia leve Lambda. A Imunofenotipagem de medula óssea evidenciava população linfo-plasmocitária equivalente a 9% da celularidade global, com aberrancia fenotípica, CD19+/60%, CD20++, CD38+++, CD45+/30%, CD56++, CD117-, CD138++ e perfil de cadeias leves clonal Lambda: Considerar diagnóstico diferencial com discrasias plasmocitárias e linfoma linfoplasmocítico. As mutações MYD88 e CXCR4 foram negativas. A paciente foi submetida a neurocirurgia (retirada de vértebra L3 e inserção de prótese nesta localização) posteriormente encaminhada à radioterapia e segue em acompanhamento ambulatorial pela hematologia. Discussão: Tipo de Linfoma não-Hodgkin de células B raro, caracterizado pela presença de pequenos linfócitos B, linfócitos plasmocitóides e células plasmáticas com paraproteínas IgG ou IgA. Geralmente envolve a medula óssea, podendo acometer baço e linfonodos. Anemia, Hiperviscosidade, fenômenos autoimunes e sintomas B também podem ser observados. Apresenta maiores taxas de envolvimento extramedular, pior sobrevida global e maior mortalidade em comparação com a macroglobulinemia de Waldenström (MW). O principal diagnóstico diferencial é o mieloma múltiplo (nesse caso de subtipo IgG). A translocação (11,14) possui importante papel em tal diagnóstico diferencial. A mutação MYD88 L265P pode estar presente, embora em uma taxa menor do que na MW clássica e seu status não se correlaciona com manifestações clínicas específicas. Conclusão: O linfoma linfoplasmocítico não IgM é uma doença rara em que diagnóstico precoce e tratamento adequado são imprescindíveis para evitar graves complicações.

Case summary A 14-year-old Siamese neutered male cat was evaluated for anorexia and a left periorbital mass. Skull radiographic findings showed a well-defined lesion resembling new compact bone formation without destruction. A subtotal orbitectomy was indicated. The tumor was removed intact with a normal tissue margin of at least 1 cm. There were no postsurgical complications. Histopathologic examination revealed an osteoma. The cat returned to normal appetite and activity 15 days after surgery. Six months after surgery, there were no gross signs of recurrence. Relevance and novel information Periorbital tumors are infrequently diagnosed in companion animals and most are malignant. In this case, the diagnosis was orbital osteoma. The most commonly affected bone for osteoma in cats is the mandibular bone; few cases have been identified in orbital bones. Orbital surgery has the potential to be challenging owing to complex anatomy, difficult exposure and the tendency to bleed. Surgical complications are common. In this case, although the disease was advanced, subtotal orbitectomy was successfully performed.

Case summary A 6-year-old male domestic shorthair cat presented with frequent food regurgitation and dysphagia. Plain thoracic radiographs revealed a calcified mass overlying the topography of the mediastinum, as well as dilation of the cervical portion of the esophagus due to an accumulation of food. Endoscopic examination showed a severe extraluminal esophageal stricture at the mediastinum entrance. Surgery and a gastric tube were declined by the cat’s owner, with palliative support preferred. However, 1 year later, the cat presented with severe cachexia, dysphagia, salivation, dehydration and inspiratory dyspnea. Thoracic computed tomography was performed to evaluate the possibility of surgical resection. A mass of bone density originating in the second left rib was observed. The mass did not appear to have invaded adjacent structures but marked compression of the mediastinal structures was observed. Surgical resection was performed and a prosthetic mesh was used to reconstruct the thoracic wall. Transient Horner’s syndrome developed in the left eye postoperatively, and was resolved within 4 weeks. Histopathology revealed a benign osteoma. Thirty-two months after surgery, the cat was well and free of disease. Relevance and novel information Rib tumors should be included in a differential diagnosis in cats with extraluminal esophageal stricture. CT should be performed for treatment planning. Surgical treatment was curative in this case.

Introduction: The variation in bacterial communities among breeds has been previously reported and may be one of the reasons why Holstein × Gyr dairy heifers have better development in grazing systems in tropical conditions. This study aimed to explore the ruminal microbiota composition, the IL-1β gene variation, tick incidence, and blood parameters of Holstein × Gyr (½ Holstein × ½ Gyr) and Holstein heifers grazing intensely managed Guinea grass ( Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Mombaça)., Methods: Sixteen heifers were divided into two groups consisting of 8 Holstein × Gyr and 8 Holstein heifers. The experimental period was comprised of 3 periods of 21 days. Ruminal samples were taken via the stomach tube technique. The sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Counting and collection of ticks were conducted each 21 days. Blood and skeletal muscle tissue biopsies were performed at the end of the experiment., Results: Firmicutes were the most abundant phyla present in both breed rumen samples and Bacteroidota showed differences in relative abundance between breed groups, with greater values for Holstein heifers ( p  < 0.05 with FDR correction). The 10 most abundant unique OTUs identified in each breed included several OTUs of the genus Prevotella . Holstein heifers had a greater tick count and weight (9.8 ticks/animal and 1.6 g/animal, respectively) than Holstein × Gyr (2.56 ticks/animal and 0.4 g/animal, respectively). We found nucleotide substitutions in the IL-1β gene that might be related to adaptation and resistance phenotypes to tick infestation in Holstein × Gyr heifers. Blood concentrations of urea, albumin, insulin-like growth factor 1, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine were greater in Holstein × Gyr than in Holstein heifers., Conclusion: Adaptations in Holstein × Gyr heifers such as ruminal microbiota, tick resistance, nucleotide substitutions in IL-1β gene, and hormone concentration suggest a better energy metabolism and thermoregulation resulting in better performance in tropical grazing systems., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Quirino, Marcondes, Oliveira, Guimarães, Silva, Suen, Rossi, Cunha, Mantovani and Rotta.)

We hypothesized that cottonseed cake in confined Nellore young bulls' diet as fiber source, could maintain or improve the nutrient intake, and productive and metabolic parameters. It was evaluated the total replacement of whole plant corn silage (WPCS) by cottonseed cake (CSC) as a source of fiber in the diet. A completely randomized design with two treatments and 12 replications was used. The treatments were two experimental diets containing 300 g/kg of WPCS or CSC as roughage. All animals at 0, 15, 30, 60 and 112 days were weighed to monitor productive performance and nutrient intake. Dry matter intakes, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, physically effective neutral detergent fiber, crude protein and non-fiber carbohydrates of the WPCS treatment cattle were higher (p < 0.05), and the ethereal extract intake of cattle fed CSC diet was higher. The BW of cattle fed WPCS was higher in the two initial periods of confinement (p < 0.05). Animals from both treatments showed linear growth during the confinement period. There was a fiber source × period interaction for total weight gain (TWG), average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) (p < 0.05), with the lowest in the first 15 days and the highest at 30 days, reflecting a compensatory gain in animals fed with CSC. Bulls fed with CSC showed negative TWG and ADG in the first period (p < 0.05), but recovered in the following periods, surpassing that of the SC treatment in the last two periods. There was negative EF of bulls fed with CSC in the first period (P < 0.05), but in the following periods the CSC diet did not differ from the WPCS diet. The animals fed CSC diet showed a higher concentration of cholesterol and glucose in the blood plasma (p < 0.05). The forage-free diet containing cottonseed cake as a source of fiber replacing corn silage promoted better animal performance., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Single-atom catalysis is a field of paramount importance in contemporary science due to its exceptional ability to combine the domains of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Iron and manganese metalloenzymes are known to be effective in C─H oxidation reactions in nature, inspiring scientists to mimic their active sites in artificial catalytic systems. Herein, a simple and versatile cation exchange method is successfully employed to stabilize low-cost iron and manganese single-atoms in poly(heptazine imides) (PHI). The resulting materials are employed as photocatalysts for toluene oxidation, demonstrating remarkable selectivity toward benzaldehyde. The protocol is then extended to the selective oxidation of different substrates, including (substituted) alkylaromatics, benzyl alcohols, and sulfides. Detailed mechanistic investigations revealed that iron- and manganese-containing photocatalysts work through a similar mechanism via the formation of high-valent M═O species. Operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is employed to confirm the formation of high-valent iron- and manganese-oxo species, typically found in metalloenzymes involved in highly selective C─H oxidations., (© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Our objectives were to evaluate the use of cottonseed cake in replacing corn silage in a diet without forage and to identify the model with higher precision and accuracy of adjustment of parameters of ruminal degradation kinetics. A diet containing corn silage and another with cottonseed cake as a fiber source were formulated. Gompertz, Dual-pool Logistic, Brody, and Ørskov models were evaluated for goodness of fit to gas production. There were significant differences in dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in the in vitro digestibility for diets and fiber sources. The estimated values of the Gompertz (6.77), Brody (6.72), and Ørskov (6.73) models were similar to the observed mean of gas production in the corn silage diet (6.73 mL/100 mg DM). Similarly, the estimated values of the Brody (5.87) and Ørskov (5.89) models were similar to the observed mean of gas production in the cottonseed cake diet (5.87 mL/100 mg DM). The roughage-free diet containing cottonseed cake as a fiber source stimulated higher gas production. Brody and Ørskov models presented higher precision and accuracy in the fitting of kinetics of degradation independent of the fiber source in the diet.

Implant covering with an interface material is the standard in prepectoral breast reconstruction. Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is frequently used, but it is expensive and associated with complications. Alternatively, we have been using integrated devices consisting of a silicone implant coated with polyurethane (PU) foam. We aimed to compare both techniques in terms of acute complications., Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing prepectoral direct-to-implant reconstruction from June 2018 to January 2022. Two cohorts were defined based on the interface material used: ADM versus PU. Total drainage volume, time to drain removal, and acute complications (hematoma, seroma, infection, and explantation) were analyzed., Results: Forty-four breast reconstructions were performed in 35 patients (10 bilateral); implants were covered with ADM in 23 cases and with PU foam in 21. Median total drainage volume (500 versus 515 cc for ADM and PU, respectively) and time to drain removal (9 versus 8 days) were not affected by the interface material used, but seromas and infections occurred exclusively in the ADM cohort (seromas in four of 23 of cases, P = 0.109; infections in three of 23 cases, P = 0.234). Overall complications occurred more often in cases reconstructed with ADM, but the difference was nonsignificant ( P = 0.245)., Conclusions: The use of interface materials is generally considered a prerequisite for state-of-the-art prepectoral breast reconstruction for a variety of reasons, including the prevention of capsular contracture. In this study, PU coating tended to be associated with fewer short-term complications than ADM, including seroma and infection., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

Holstein × Gyr and Holstein are the primary dairy breeds used in tropical systems, but when rearing under pasture, feed intake, behavior, and performance might differ between them. This study aimed to evaluate the voluntary intake, nutrient digestibility, performance, and ingestive behavior of Holstein and Holstein × Gyr (½ Holstein × ½ Gyr) heifers managed in a rotational system of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Mombaça). The experiment was conducted during the summer season throughout four periods of 21 d. Two 8-heifers (four Holstein and four Holstein × Gyr) groups, averaging 258.6 ± 24.79 kg and 157.1 ± 24.99 kg BW, were used. Each group grazed a separate set of 16 paddocks, and all heifers received a concentrate supplement daily. Heifers were weighed at the beginning and end of the experiment. Fecal, forage and concentrate samples were evaluated for their DM, CP, crude fat, ash, NDF, and indigestible NDF. Feeding behavior was evaluated through 24 h of live observation for 48 h of each experimental period. Grazing, ruminating, resting, and intake of concentrate times were recorded, and rumination criteria, bout criteria, mealtime, meal frequency, and meal duration were calculated. There was no difference in total dry matter intake (DMI), but forage DMI of Holstein × Gyr was 11.70 % greater than the Holstein heifers. The Holstein × Gyr heifers had greater NDF intake and feed efficiency tended to show greater CP and NDF digestibilities, consequently, they had greater average daily gain (ADG). Holstein grazed less than Holstein × Gyr heifers in the afternoon. Ruminating time was 18.43 % lower for Holstein than Holstein × Gyr heifers, and rumination criteria (i.e. longest non-feeding interval within a rumination event) were greater for Holstein heifers. Holstein heifers presented more prolonged rumination bouts and resting time than Holstein × Gyr heifers. Holstein × Gyr can ingest and ruminate greater amounts of fibrous material, and Holstein heifers needed to spend more time ruminating the cud. Overall, even though the behavior was not markedly different between breeds, rearing young Holstein heifers in tropical pasture conditions is less suitable than Holstein-Gyr because of their lower ADG. Therefore, this management condition seems appropriate for Holstein × Gyr but inappropriate for Holstein dairy heifers., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate the difference between Holstein and Holstein × Gyr breeds on feeding behavior and performance of heifers grazing temperate pasture. The experiment was carried out in 89 days, split into 14 days of adaptation, and 3 periods of 25 days. Two treatments were used: Holstein (HOL; n = 7) and Holstein × Gyr (HG; n = 7). Heifers grazed a consortium of ryegrass and bristle oats and were supplemented individually daily with cornmeal at 0.33% of body weight plus 5 kg/day of corn silage. For 3 consecutive days, feeding behavior was observed for individual animals from direct visual observation recording at 10-min intervals. The digestibility trial was performed on day (d) 16 to d24 of each period. Body measurements and weight were taken at d0 and at d23, 24, and 25 of each period. Grazing duration, grazing frequency, and bite rate were greater for HOL than those for HG. Rumination characteristics, intake, digestibility, and body measurements were not affected by breed. Breeds had differences in grazing characteristics, but they did not influence performance or intake parameters. Therefore, HOL and HG heifers managed under temperate pasture in tropical countries have similar performances., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

The hypothesized that the dietary inclusion of different lipid sources does not alter diet quality, feed intake, and, consequently, milk yield of cows. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplemental lipid sources for early lactation crossbred cows on milk yield, intake, and diet quality through in vitro digestibility and fermentation kinetics, and to demonstrate which variables have the most impact on each diet using principal component analysis (PCA). Five early lactating crossbred ¾ Holstein × ¼ Gir cows (35 ± 8 days in milk), with a mean body weight of 410 ± 7.15 kg of body weight, were randomly allotted to a 5 × 5 Latin square. The treatments consisted of five experimental diets: a control diet with no additional lipid source and four diets with different lipid sources: cottonseed (242.6 g/kg of dry matter (DM)), sunflower seed (243.0 g/kg of DM), whole soybeans (234.0 g/kg of DM), and soybean oil (42.0 g/kg of DM), which were included at a rate to provide 70 g/kg of lipid. Diets with no additional lipid source and containing whole soybeans had higher DM, OM, and CP digestibility than other treatments. The diet containing soybean oil had the highest EE digestibility. Gas production was highest in the diet containing soybean oil. The dietary treatments did not affect DM intake. Milk yield was lower in cows receiving diets containing cottonseed. Whole soybeans can be included in diets for lactating cows to increase the energy intake without impairing the feed intake and milk yield., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Objective: to analyze the health conducts for combating the Spanish flu and its relationship with the COVID-19 pandemic in Rio de Janeiro., Methods: study from the perspective of microhistory, with analysis of articles published in Revista da Semana on the Spanish flu, having as criteria publications with the term "epidemic" referring to the Spanish flu or influenza in the period of the epidemic outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, Federal District., Results: 18 records, organized in three thematic axes: political, 4; social, 11; care, 3, were found., Final Considerations: the lessons left by the Spanish flu epidemic in coronavirus times will be changes in the political, social and care field as marks of major epidemics.

Inadequate estimates of fiber and dry matter intake of sheep raised in tropical conditions may explain part of the inefficiency of those production systems. Therefore, we aimed to estimate dry matter intake (DMI) and neutral detergent fiber intake (NDFI) of hair sheep raised under tropical conditions. A meta-analysis of 61 independent performance experiments, comprising a total of 413 experimental units (treatment means or animals), was performed. Trials were conducted in tropical conditions, using hair sheep in growing and finishing phases and endowed with the following information: neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in diet, initial and final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), DMI and NDFI of treatment means (51 studies) or individual data (10 studies). Data on organic matter and NDF digestibilities were collected to estimate D-value (Dv) and B-value (Bv) (20 and 33 studies, respectively). The equations obtained were: [Formula: see text] DMI (g/kg BW) as a function of Dv (g/kg DM) revealed a quadratic relationship, whose point of maximum DMI (38.69 g/kg BW) was obtained at 634.1 g/kg DM Dv. On the other hand, DMI decreased linearly as Bv (g/kg DM) increased. In conclusion, equations to predict DMI from BW and ADG as well to predict NDFI from dietary NDF were fitted with great accuracy and are recommended for hair sheep raised in tropical regions. DMI values were, in general, greater than those reported by the NRC, AFRC and INRA systems, which may be a reflection of the sheep breeds used in this study. Using Dv and Bv concepts was satisfactory to describe an integrated mechanism between metabolic and bulking regulation of DMI in sheep., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide widely used in biomedicine, for instance for wound dressing. Hydroxyapatite is a very bioactive calcium phosphate which, if modified with an appropriate element (iron Fe), can also have UV-absorbing properties. In this work, we report the study of films of chitosan incorporated with iron-modified hydroxyapatite of natural origin (from cod fish bones); this combination led to an innovative chitosan-based material with excellent and advanced functional properties. The films showed very high UV absorption (Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) value higher than 50). This is the first time that a chitosan-based material has shown such high UV protection properties. The films also showed to be non-cytotoxic, and possessed antimicrobial activity towards both Gram-positive and negative strains. Their mechanical properties, optimised with an experimental design approach, confirmed their potential use as multifunctional wound dressing, capable of reducing bacterial infections and, at the same time, protecting from UV light., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to evaluate the replacement of soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, body weight gain, carcass yield, physiological and urinary parameters, and creep-feeding method effectiveness. For this trial, 43 male lambs were used, Dorper × Santa Inês, with an average initial body weight of 7.95 kg, 15 days old. Lambs were distributed in a randomized block design. Five experimental diets were provided: Without supplementation, with supplementation but without the use of castor bean meal, and with gradual levels of replacement of soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal (33%, 67%, and 100%). Higher values of DMI and nutrient digestibility ( p < 0.05) were observed for animals that received supplements. The milk intake did not differ among the diets. The DMD showed a linear effect, while NDFD had a quadratic effect, depending on castor bean meal inclusion. The carcass yield did not differ between experimental diets. There was no significant effect on the urinary volume and metabolites investigated. In conclusion, the replacement of soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal does not compromise animals' development. Besides, the creep-feeding method positively affects lamb development, with higher body weight gain for supplemented animals.

Dietary protein adjustments can reduce environmental impact and economic losses in production systems. However, we lack information regarding nitrogen (N) metabolism and protein requirements for maintenance of crossbred animals such as Red Norte breed, precluding a precise dietary management. The objective was to evaluate the effect of increasing dietary CP levels (9%, 11%, 13%, 15% and 17%) on intake, digestibility and N balance, as well as to estimate the metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance (MPm) of growing Red Norte bulls. Thirty five animals averaging 280 ± 4.0 kg BW were fed during 45 days in a 60 : 40 forage : concentrate ratio diet in which the last 5 days were used for the digestibility trial. Intakes of CP and non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFCs) and feed efficiency linearly increased (P < 0.05) as CP levels increased, while DM, NDF, nitrogen efficiency use and ether extract were not influenced by CP levels (P > 0.05). Digestibilities of DM, organic matter, ether extract, NFC and CP as well as metabolizable energy intake linearly increased (P < 0.05), and true digestibility of CP was not affected (P > 0.05) by treatments. Urinary N and retained N linearly increased (P < 0.05) with the increase in dietary N. The MPm were estimated as 4.46 g/BW0.75 and the efficiency of use of MPm was 0.673. In conclusion, obtained MPm requirements of growing Red Norte bulls are greater than the values reported in literature for Zebu cattle and dietary CP levels of 15% and 17% exhibited great responses for growing Red Norte cattle. However, a cost-benefit evaluation should be done before its use.

Background: Heifers emit more enteric methane (CH 4 ) than adult cows and these emissions tend to decrease per unit feed intake as they age. However, common mitigation strategies like expensive high-quality feeds are not economically feasible for these pre-production animals. Given its direct role in CH 4 production, altering the rumen microbiota is another potential avenue for reducing CH 4 production by ruminants. However, to identify effective microbial targets, a better understanding of the rumen microbiota and its relationship to CH 4 production across heifer development is needed., Results: Here, we investigate the relationship between rumen bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities as well as CH 4 emissions and a number of production traits in prepubertal (PP), pubertal (PB), and pregnant heifers (PG). Overall, PG heifers emitted the most CH 4 , followed by PB and PP heifers. The bacterial genus Acetobacter and the archaeal genus Methanobrevibacter were positively associated, while Eubacterium and Methanosphaera were negatively associated with raw CH 4 production by heifers. When corrected for dietary intake, both Eubacterium and Methanosphaera remained negatively associated with CH 4 production., Conclusion: We suggest that Eubacterium and Methanosphaera represent likely targets for CH 4 mitigation efforts in heifers as they were negatively associated with CH 4 production and not significantly associated with production traits. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Plant extracts have been proposed as substitutes for chemical feed additives due to their potential as rumen fermentation modifiers and because of their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, possibly reducing methane emissions. This study aimed to evaluate the use of oregano (OR), green tea extracts (GT), and their association as feed additives on the performance and methane emissions from dairy between 28 and 87 d of lactation. Thirty-two lactating dairy cows, blocked into 2 genetic groups: 16 Holstein cows and 16 crossbred Holstein-Gir, with 522.6 ± 58.3 kg of body weight, 57.2 ± 20.9 d in lactation, producing 27.5 ± 5.0 kg/cow of milk and with 3.1 ± 1.8 lactations were evaluated (means ± standard error of the means). Cows were allocated into 4 treatments: control (CON), without plant extracts in the diet; oregano extract (OR), with the addition of 0.056% of oregano extract in the dry matter (DM) of the diet; green tea (GT), with the addition of 0.028% of green tea extract in the DM of the diet; and mixture, with the addition of 0.056% oregano extract and 0.028% green tea extract in the DM of the diet. The forage-to-concentrate ratio was 60:40. Forage was composed of corn silage (94%) and Tifton hay (6%); concentrate was based on ground corn and soybean meal. Plant extracts were supplied as powder, which was previously added and homogenized into 1 kg of concentrate in natural matter, top-dressed onto the total mixed diet. No treatment by day interaction was observed for any of the evaluated variables, but some block by treatment interactions were significant. In Holstein cows, the mixture treatment decreased gross energy and tended to decrease the total-tract apparent digestibility coefficient for crude protein and total digestible nutrients when compared with OR. During the gas measurement period, GT and OR increased the digestible fraction of the ingested DM and decreased CH 4 expressed in grams per kilogram of digestible DMI compared with CON. The use of extracts did not change rumen pH, total volatile fatty acid concentration, milk yield, or most milk traits. Compared with CON, oregano addition decreased fat concentration in milk. The use of plant extracts altered some milk fatty acids but did not change milk fatty acids grouped according to chain length (short or long), saturation (unsaturated or saturated), total conjugated linoleic acids, and n-3 and n-6 contents. Green tea and oregano fed separately reduced gas emission in cows during the first third of lactation and have potential to be used as feed additives for dairy cows., (Copyright © 2018 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The evaluation of how the gut microbiota affects both methane emissions and animal production is necessary in order to achieve methane mitigation without production losses. Toward this goal, the aim of this study was to correlate the rumen microbial communities (bacteria, archaea, and fungi) of high (HP), medium (MP), and low milk producing (LP), as well as dry (DC), Holstein dairy cows in an actual tropical production system with methane emissions and animal production traits. Overall, DC cows emitted more methane, followed by MP, HP and LP cows, although HP and LP cow emissions were similar. Using next-generation sequencing, it was found that bacteria affiliated with Christensenellaceae, Mogibacteriaceae, S24-7, Butyrivibrio, Schwartzia, and Treponema were negatively correlated with methane emissions and showed positive correlations with digestible dry matter intake (dDMI) and digestible organic matter intake (dOMI). Similar findings were observed for archaea in the genus Methanosphaera. The bacterial groups Coriobacteriaceae, RFP12, and Clostridium were negatively correlated with methane, but did not correlate with dDMI and dOMI. For anaerobic fungal communities, no significant correlations with methane or animal production traits were found. Based on these findings, it is suggested that manipulation of the abundances of these microbial taxa may be useful for modulating methane emissions without negatively affecting animal production., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

The adoption of carbon inventories for dairy farms in tropical countries based on models developed from animals and diets of temperate climates is questionable. Thus, the objectives of this study were to estimate enteric methane (CH4) emissions through the SF6 tracer gas technique and through equations proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 and to calculate the inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from two dairy systems. In addition, the carbon balance of these properties was estimated using enteric CH4 emissions obtained using both methodologies. In trial 1, the CH4 emissions were estimated from seven Holstein dairy cattle categories based on the SF6 tracer gas technique and on IPCC equations. The categories used in the study were prepubertal heifers (n=6); pubertal heifers (n=4); pregnant heifers (n=5); high-producing (n=6); medium-producing (n=5); low-producing (n=4) and dry cows (n=5). Enteric methane emission was higher for the category comprising prepubertal heifers when estimated by the equations proposed by the IPCC Tier 2. However, higher CH4 emissions were estimated by the SF6 technique in the categories including medium- and high-producing cows and dry cows. Pubertal heifers, pregnant heifers, and low-producing cows had equal CH4 emissions as estimated by both methods. In trial 2, two dairy farms were monitored for one year to identify all activities that contributed in any way to GHG emissions. The total emission from Farm 1 was 3.21t CO2e/animal/yr, of which 1.63t corresponded to enteric CH4. Farm 2 emitted 3.18t CO2e/animal/yr, with 1.70t of enteric CH4. IPCC estimations can underestimate CH4 emissions from some categories while overestimate others. However, considering the whole property, these discrepancies are offset and we would submit that the equations suggested by the IPCC properly estimate the total CH4 emission and carbon balance of the properties. Thus, the IPCC equations should be utilized with caution, and the herd composition should be analysed at the property level. When the carbon stock in pasture and other crops was considered, the carbon balance suggested that both farms are sustainable for GHG, by both methods. On the other hand, carbon balance without carbon stock, by both methods, suggests that farms emit more carbon than the system is capable of stock., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Nine cases of visceral leishmaniasis occurred recently in Barra Mansa, State of Rio de Janeiro, with a high mortality rate., Methods: We reviewed the medical records of the patients., Results: Eight were male; 7 were adults. Patients who died progressed to death quickly and presented with aggravating factors: systemic steroid therapy before diagnosis, bleeding, severe liver involvement, infection, and/or refusal to receive transfusion., Conclusions: We warn clinicians to be aware of the emergence of visceral leishmaniasis in new areas and to keep in mind the possibility of atypical clinical pictures and aggravating factors, so timely diagnosis can be made and prompt and adequate treatment can be initiated.

Background: After the introduction of the multidrug therapy, there was a decline in the coefficients of prevalence and detection of new cases of leprosy. However, the records of drug resistance and relapses are threatening factors in leprosy control. Hence, new alternative schemes and monitoring of adverse effects to avoid treatment abandonment are important considerations., Objective: Describe the side effects of a multidrug regimen containing minocycline, ofloxacin, and clofazimine in multibacillary leprosy patients., Methods: We conducted a prospective, descriptive, and observational study with multibacillary patients, including cases of intolerance to standard MDT and relapses. The study was carried out at Fundação Alfredo da Matta (Alfredo da Matta Foundation), in Manaus, Amazonas, from April 2010 to January 2012. The patients received alternative therapy, which consisted of daily self-administered doses of 100mg of minocycline, 400 mg of ofloxacin, and 50mg of clofazimine and a supervised monthly dose of 300mg of clofazimine for six months, followed by eighteen months of daily doses of ofloxacin 400mg, clofazimine 50mg, and a supervised monthly dose of clofazimine 300mg., Results: Twenty-one cases were included. Mild and transitory side effects occurred in 33.3% of patients. Of the total episodes, 45.9% were attributed to ofloxacin and they included abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, and insomnia; 21.6% were due to clofazimine, with 100% of patients presenting skin pigmentation. The mean time for the development of adverse effects after beginning the therapy was 15.2 days., Conclusion: All patients tolerated the drugs well, and compliance was satisfactory, with no serious events. Unlike other standard MDT studies had shown, no treatment was stopped due to side effects. Nevertheless, patient follow-up and studies with bigger samples are necessary to guarantee the efficacy and safety of the alternative regimen as a second-line scheme in multi-drug therapy.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) display immunosuppressive properties, suggesting a promising therapeutic application in several autoimmune diseases, but their role in type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the immune regulatory properties of allogeneic ADMSC therapy in T cell-mediated autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. ADMSC treatment reversed the hyperglycemia of early-onset diabetes in 78% of diabetic NOD mice, and this effect was associated with higher serum insulin, amylin, and glucagon-like peptide 1 levels compared with untreated controls. This improved outcome was associated with downregulation of the CD4(+) Th1-biased immune response and expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the pancreatic lymph nodes. Within the pancreas, inflammatory cell infiltration and interferon-γ levels were reduced, while insulin, pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1, and active transforming growth factor-β1 expression were increased. In vitro, ADMSCs induced the expansion/proliferation of Tregs in a cell contact-dependent manner mediated by programmed death ligand 1. In summary, ADMSC therapy efficiently ameliorates autoimmune diabetes pathogenesis in diabetic NOD mice by attenuating the Th1 immune response concomitant with the expansion/proliferation of Tregs, thereby contributing to the maintenance of functional β-cells. Thus, this study may provide a new perspective for the development of ADMSC-based cellular therapies for T1D.

Unlabelled: It is paramount to assess the psychometric properties of self-assessment tools in order to check the tests' reliability and validity, also to enable proper outcome interpretation., Aim: to check the psychometric properties of the IOI-HA (International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids) in its Portuguese version, called QI-AASI (International Questionnaire - Individual Sound Amplification Device), in terms of internal uniformity, correlation between the items and reproducibility., Study Design: descriptive, observational and cross-sectional., Materials and Methods: the questionnaire was deployed to 53 hearing aid users, 34 females and 19 males, with ages between 19 and 92 years - from incomplete basic education to complete higher education, encompassing subjects with monoaural and binaural sound amplification., Results: the QI-AASI had a Cronbach Alpha of 0.69. In the correlation among the items, there were numerous significant correlations. The instrument was properly reproducible, except for item # 6, which presented a significant difference in comparing test and the retest., Conclusions: the QI-AASI is suggested in the rehabilitation process of users of hearing aides; nonetheless, the questionnaire can be difficult for subjects with low social and economic status when self-employed.

Background/objectives: We applied three dietary assessment methods and aimed at obtaining a set of physical, social and psychological variables that can discriminate those individuals who did not underreport ('never under-reporters'), those who underreported in one dietary assessment method ('occasional under-reporters') and those who underreported in two or three dietary assessment methods ('frequent under-reporters')., Participants/methods: Sixty-five women aged 18-57 years were recruited for this study. Total energy expenditure was determined by doubly labelled water, and energy intake was estimated by three 24-h diet recalls, 3-day food records and a food frequency questionnaire. A multiple discriminant analysis was used to identify which of those variables better discriminated the three groups: body mass index (BMI), income, education, social desirability, nutritional knowledge, dietary restraint, physical activity practice, body dissatisfaction and binge-eating symptoms., Results: Twenty-three participants were 'never under-reporters'. Twenty-four participants were 'occasional under-reporters' and 18 were 'frequent under-reporters'. Four variables entered the discriminant model: income, BMI, social desirability and body dissatisfaction. According to potency indices, income contributed the most to the total discriminant power, followed in decreasing order by social desirability score, BMI and body dissatisfaction. Income, social desirability and BMI were the characteristics that mainly separated the 'never under-reporters' from the under-reporters (occasional or frequent). Body dissatisfaction better discriminated the 'occasional under-reporters' from the 'frequent under-reporters'., Conclusions: 'Frequent under-reporters' have a greater BMI, social desirability score, body dissatisfaction score and lower income. These four variables seemed to be able to discriminate individuals who are more prone to systematic under reporting.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in granulomas of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis-infected inducible NO synthase-deficient C57BL/6 mice (iNOS KO) and their wild-type counterparts and its association with osteopontin (OPN) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was studied. At 15 days after infection (DAI), iNOS KO mice showed compact and necrotic granulomas with OPN+ macrophages and multinucleated giant cells, whereas wild-type mice developed loose granulomas with many fungi and OPN+ cells distributed throughout the tissue. In addition, high OPN levels and fungal load were observed in iNOS KO mice. Both experimental groups had MMP-9 activity. At 120 DAI, iNOS KO had smaller granulomas with OPN+ cells, lower OPN levels, lower fungal load and decreased MMP-9 activity compared with wild-type mice. These findings suggest that NO has an important role in granuloma modulation, by controlling OPN and MMP production, as well as by inducing loose granulomas formation and fungal dissemination, resulting, at later phases, in progression of paracoccidioidomycosis.

Objective: Underreporting of energy intake is prevalent in food surveys, but there is controversy about which dietary assessment method provides greater underreporting rates. Our objective is to compare validity of self-reported energy intake obtained by three dietary assessment methods with total energy expenditure (TEE) obtained by doubly labeled water (DLW) among Brazilian women., Design: We used a cross-sectional study., Subjects/setting: Sixty-five females aged 18 to 57 years (28 normal-weight, 10 overweight, and 27 obese) were recruited from two universities to participate., Main Outcome Measures: TEE determined by DLW, energy intake estimated by three 24-hour recalls, 3-day food record, and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)., Statistical Analyses Performed: Regression and analysis of variance with repeated measures compared TEE and energy intake values, and energy intake-to-TEE ratios and energy intake-TEE values between dietary assessment methods. Bland and Altman plots were provided for each method. chi(2) test compared proportion of underreporters between the methods., Results: Mean TEE was 2,622 kcal (standard deviation [SD]=490 kcal), while mean energy intake was 2,078 kcal (SD=430 kcal) for the diet recalls; 2,044 kcal (SD=479 kcal) for the food record and 1,984 kcal (SD=832 kcal) for the FFQ (all energy intake values significantly differed from TEE; P<0.0001). Bland and Altman plots indicated great dispersion, negative mean differences between measurements, and wide limits of agreement. Obese subjects underreported more than normal-weight subjects in the diet recalls and in the food records, but not in the FFQ. Years of education, income and ethnicity were associated with reporting accuracy., Conclusions: The FFQ produced greater under- and overestimation of energy intake. Underreporting of energy intake is a serious and prevalent error in dietary self-reports provided by Brazilian women, as has been described in studies conducted in developed countries.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether under-reporting rates vary between dietary pattern clusters. Subjects were sixty-five Brazilian women. During 3 weeks, anthropometric data were collected, total energy expenditure (TEE) was determined by the doubly labelled water method and diet was measured. Energy intake (EI) and the daily frequency of consumption per 1000 kJ of twenty-two food groups were obtained from a FFQ. These frequencies were entered into a cluster analysis procedure in order to obtain dietary patterns. Under-reporters were defined as those who did not lose more than 1 kg of body weight during the study and presented EI:TEE less than 0.82. Three dietary pattern clusters were identified and named according to their most recurrent food groups: sweet foods (SW), starchy foods (ST) and healthy (H). Subjects from the healthy cluster had the lowest mean EI:TEE (SW = 0.86, ST = 0.71 and H = 0.58; P = 0.003) and EI - TEE (SW = - 0.49 MJ, ST = - 3.20 MJ and H = - 5.08 MJ; P = 0.008). The proportion of under-reporters was 45.2 (95 % CI 35.5, 55.0) % in the SW cluster; 58.3 (95 % CI 48.6, 68.0) % in the ST cluster and 70.0 (95 % CI 61.0, 79) % in the H cluster (P = 0.34). Thus, in Brazilian women, under-reporting of EI is not uniformly distributed among dietary pattern clusters and tends to be more severe among subjects from the healthy cluster. This cluster is more consistent with both dietary guidelines and with what lay individuals usually consider 'healthy eating'.