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Contents Characterization of the bitch's reproductive physiology is of utmost importance for the development of new reproductive techniques and the diagnosis of reproductive diseases. In this respect, uterine B-mode ultrasonography has been employed in several studies; however, the focus on haemodynamic changes along the oestrous cycle is yet to be described. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize haemodynamic changes (uterine vascularization, systemic arterial blood pressure and heart rate) throughout the oestrous cycle in bitches. For this purpose, ten Golden Retriever bitches were evaluated during an entire oestrous cycle, twice during each stage of the cycle. Uterine artery blood flow, velocity wave forms, haemodynamic parameters and vascularization were analysed by Doppler ultrasonography. Furthermore, uterine diameter, arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured. Uterine artery pulsatility index at early prooestrus was significantly lower in comparison with early oestrus, mid- and late anoestrus. Uterine artery resistance index was higher at early oestrus when compared to late oestrus and uterine diameter was significantly higher during late prooestrus. Furthermore, mean arterial blood pressure was lower and heart rate was higher during late prooestrus in comparison with the other oestrous cycle stages. In conclusion, haemodynamic changes in the uterine artery, uterine diameter, systemic blood pressure and heart rate occur during the canine oestrous cycle. Specifically, there is an increase in uterine artery perfusion, uterine diameter and mean arterial blood pressure during prooestrus, while uterine blood flow diminishes during oestrus and anoestrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Orthopedic trauma is significant in modern society due to its incidence and its impact on healthcare and social interactions. Concerns include the risk of permanent sequelae affecting individual development and causing social stigma. Fractures, while not the most lethal lesion, may result in physical variable disability; publications show that about 30% of children experience fractures by skeletal maturity, primarily from low-energy trauma. This study aims to identify the fracture patterns in the immature skeleton at a tertiary-level public hospital., Methods: Individuals with skeletally immature fractures of the locomotor system, treated at a tertiary-level emergency unit from January 2016 to January 2020, were included. Data collected included social characteristics, trauma origin, fracture descriptors, and treatment modality. Age groups: infant, preschool, school-age, adolescent. Trauma energy is classified as low, moderate, or high., Results: A total of 926 cases were recorded in 505 patients, with a predominance of males. The most affected bones were the radius (29.5%), humerus (24.2%), and ulna (15.8%). The metaphysis was the most common location (46.7%), followed by the diaphysis (33.2%). Falls accounted for the largest portion, at 64.7%, with the majority (364) being low-energy trauma. High-energy trauma, such as pedestrian accidents and car accidents, represented 13.7%, and of these, 54.2% were polytraumatized., Conclusion: Fractures of the forearm persist as the most common, particularly at the distal third of the radius, with males being more exposed. Climatic seasonality and cultural traits such as soccer practice have little impact on the epidemiology of fractures. The results obtained in this investigation resemble those obtained by international literature. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective Cohort Study. , Competing Interests: All authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to this article.

With the improvement in survival of patients undergoing knee reconstructive surgeries, the functional parameter became widely studied heading optimize and minimize motor sequelae. In patients undergoing knee endoprosthesis, proximal tibial or distal femoral resections affect the functioning of the knee extensor mechanism, with possible repercussions on gait. Seventeen patients were selected, divided into two groups, undergoing distal femoral or proximal tibial resection, and gait analysis examination was performed. Changes in gait velocity, cadence, step length, and alterations in the support and balance phase were observed. No major statistically significant differences were found in the kinetic and kinematic parameters between the operated groups. The study corroborates that although tibial resections have a higher theoretical risk of compromising the extensor mechanism, such data were not observed in the analyzed sample., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Consent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli.)

One of the most promising approaches to correct periodontal bone defects and achieve periodontal regeneration is platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the regeneration of periodontal bone defects using PRF compared to other regenerative treatments. The data search and retrieval process followed the PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search of MEDLINE, Cochrane, and PubMed databases was performed, selecting exclusively randomized clinical trials where the following were measured: probing depth reduction (PD), clinical attachment level gain (CAL), and radiographic bone fill (RBF). Out of 284 selected articles, 32 were chosen based on inclusion criteria. The use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) + open flap debridement (OFD), PRF + metformin, PRF + platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and PRF + OFD/bone graft (BG) significantly reduced PD and improved CAL and RBF. However, the combination of PRF + BG, PRF + metformin, and PRF + STATINS reduced CAL. The intervention of PRF combined with different treatments such as metformin, OFD, PRP, BG, and STATINS has a significant impact on improving PD and CAL. The use of PRF significantly improved the regeneration of periodontal bone defects compared to other treatments., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In premature births, deficiency and/or inactivation of surfactant and incomplete development of lung occur, leading to pulmonary complications and greater need for ventilatory interventions. Prenatal corticosteroid therapy is used to improve neonatal lung function and, thus, may reduce mortality and lower incidence and severity of lung injury. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the need for ventilatory support in preterm lambs subjected or not to prenatal betamethasone treatment, and to evaluate the effectiveness on neonatal survival. Lambing was induced and 13 premature lambs were assigned to Corticosteroid Group (n = 8; lambs from ewes subjected previously to 0.5 mg/kg betamethasone, IM, at 133 days of pregnancy) and Control Group (n = 5; non-treated lambs). Lambs were evaluated for vitality, neurologic reflexes, vital functions and birth weight. Three ventilatory modalities were preconized for critical lambs, according to specific criteria: mask oxygen therapy, self-inflating bag with tracheal tube and mechanical ventilation. Non-treated lambs had lower vitality score, muscle tonus and respiratory rate compared to Corticosteroid Group. Ventilatory support was needed for 3 Control lambs and only 1 Corticosteroid neonate. Corticosteroid lamb required significant less time-frame between birth and onset of ventilatory assistance and remained under ventilation for a shorter time. Percentage of ventilated non-treated lambs correlated negatively with birth weight, muscle tone, heart and respiratory rate. In conclusion, antenatal betamethasone treatment reduces the need for ventilatory assistance in premature lambs. Additionally, mortality is low when a protocol for inducing pulmonary maturity (maternal corticosteroid therapy) and/or ventilatory interventions are employed, ensuring the survival of premature lambs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The success of immediate adaptation to extrauterine life depends on appropriate lung function, however, elective cesarean section can increase the risk of respiratory distress as a result of reduced pulmonary fluid absorption. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of birth mode on pulmonary clearance and respiratory performance of canine neonates in the transition period. For this purpose, 37 neonates were selected according to the obstetric condition: Vaginal Eutocia (n = 17) and Elective C-section (n = 20). Neonates were evaluated for neonatal vitality score, as well as evaluation of heart and respiratory rates, body temperature and body weight, venous hemogasometric evaluation, blood lactate and glucose, pulse oximetry and radiographic evaluation during the first 24 h of life. Additionally, amniotic fluid electrolyte composition of each puppy was evaluated. There was no influence of the type of delivery on electrolyte composition of canine amniotic fluid and neonatal pulmonary liquid content, analyzed by thoracic X-Rays. On the other hand, elective cesarean section delayed pulmonary adaptation, resulting in hypoxemia and less efficient compensatory response to acid-base imbalance and thermoregulation. In conclusion, elective c-section does not delay pulmonary clearance, whilst alters pulmonary adaptation by less efficient gas exchange and lower oxygenation, hindering the compensatory response to acid-base imbalance during the fetal-neonatal transition in dogs., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Estuarine mangroves are often considered nurseries for the Atlantic Goliath grouper juveniles. Yet, the contributions of different estuarine primary producers and habitats as sources of organic matter during early ontogenetic development remain unclear. Given the species' critically endangered status and protection in Brazil, obtaining biological samples from recently settled recruits in estuaries is challenging. In this study, we leveraged a local partnership with fishers and used stable isotope (C and N) profiles from the eye lenses of stranded individuals or incidentally caught by fishery to reconstruct the trophic and habitat changes of small juveniles. The eye lens grows by the apposition of protein-rich layers. Once these layers are formed, they become inert, allowing to make inferences on the trophic ecology and habitat use along the development of the individual until its capture. We used correlations between fish size and the entire eye lens size, along with estuarine baselines, to reconstruct the fish size and trophic positions for each of the lens layers obtained. We then used dominant primary producers and basal sources from mangrove sheltered, exposed estuarine and marine habitats to construct an ontogenetic model of trophic and habitat support changes since maternal origins. Our model revealed marine support before the juveniles reached 25 mm (standard length), followed by a rapid increase in reliance on mangrove sheltered sources, coinciding with the expected size at settlement. After reaching 60 mm, individuals began to show variability. Some remained primarily supported by the mangrove sheltered area, while others shifted to rely more on the exposed estuarine area around 150 mm. Our findings indicate that while mangroves are critical for settlement, as Goliath grouper juveniles grow, they can utilize organic matter produced throughout the estuary. This underscores the need for conservation strategies that focus on seascape connectivity, as protecting just one discrete habitat may not be sufficient to preserve this endangered species and safeguard its ecosystem functions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between the abundance and occurrence of juvenile Atlantic goliath grouper and physicochemical variables in a tropical mangrove ecosystem, employing a non-lethal methodology. Juvenile Atlantic goliath grouper individuals were captured biweekly, using blue crab traps, across three locations within the São Mateus estuary (18°36'S, 39°44'W), from August 2021 to July 2022. Simultaneously, the physicochemical water variables were assessed during each trap inspection. The physicochemical water variables influence on the abundance and occurrence of Atlantic goliath grouper juveniles were assessed using the Zero-Inflated Binomial (ZIB) and the Poisson (ZIP) generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs). A total of 66 Atlantic goliath grouper juveniles were sampled (Pontal do Sul = 50, Lagoa Creek = 13, and Pitangueiras Creek = 3), ranging from 32 to 319 mm in total length. The best model fitted to presence-absence data (AIC = 278.6) consisted of location, depth, and salinity, with only location having a significant influence on the likelihood of species occurrence. Regarding abundance data, the best model (AIC = 336.4) included location, depth, and turbidity, with only location and depth showing a significant impact on abundance variation, with lower abundance at deeper areas. Although our results indicate a weak significant influence of physicochemical variables on juvenile Atlantic goliath grouper distribution, it is imperative to continue this monitoring effort, considering that additional data may be required to gain a deeper understanding of these patterns., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Increased fetal cortisol is associated with catecholamine release, a primary factor for neonatal adaptive responses. However, relationship between canine peripartum cortisol and catecholamine is unknown. We aimed to compare serum adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol during peripartum in bitches and neonates of distinct obstetric conditions and to assess amniotic fluid cortisol concentration. Twenty females and maximum of three puppies per litter were allocated into Vaginal Eutocia (10 females; 17 neonates) and Elective C-section (10 females; 20 neonates) groups. Amniotic fluid was collected at delivery for cortisol concentration. Maternal and neonatal blood were collected prepartum, intrapartum, postpartum and 1h postpartum, and at birth, 30 and 60min, 12hs and 24hs, respectively, for cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline assessment. C-section determined higher noradrenaline throughout delivery and cortisol concentration from intrapartum through 1h postpartum, compared to vaginal birth. C-section maternal cortisol showed progressive increase from intrapartum onwards, while neonatal cortisol remained unchanged. No difference of maternal cortisol concentration occurred along whelping, whereas a significant decrease was verified for vaginal delivery puppies from birth until the 12hs. Puppies delivered vaginally had higher cortisol concentration at birth and 30min, compared to c-section puppies. There was a higher concentration of amniotic fluid cortisol in vaginal eutocia. In conclusion, c-section induces higher maternal stress during and after surgery, whilst vaginal delivery is a more neonatal physiologically stressful condition, contributing to better adaptation during transition., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Atlantic goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara is the largest species of groupers in the Atlantic Ocean, reaching over 2 m total length and 400 kg. It has an ontogenetic migration, with adults using nearshore and offshore marine areas and juveniles inhabiting estuarine/mangrove areas. Despite of its high ecological relevance and classification as a threatened species for several decades in the IUCN red lists, critical phases of its life cycle, like juveniles inhabiting estuaries, are still poorly investigated. In this study, we evaluated if hydroclimatic changes may affect the trophic ecology of juveniles in a tropical estuary. We described their diet composition, isotopic niche area, food assimilation, and trophic position of juveniles across seasons using two non-lethal techniques: stomach content analysis using a stomach flushing procedure and stable isotope analysis using a dermal biopsy. A total of 87 individuals with TL ranging from 38 to 331 mm had their stomachs analyzed, of which 31 had food content. We identified 11 prey items, shrimp being the most abundant prey group (IRI% = 88.4), followed by fish (6.6), blue crab (2.8), and crab (2.2). A total of 93 specimens had their muscle's carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) stable isotope ratios analyzed (38-332 mm TL). Average δ 13 C values showed statistically significant changes across seasons, but no significant changes were observed for δ 15 N. As initially predicted, isotopic niche size of juveniles changed consistently along the entire hydroclimatic cycle, reaching its peak at the end of the wet season. We also observed changes in the proportion of prey assimilation by juveniles between seasons. Shrimp (92.1%) was the most assimilated prey group during the late dry season, whereas tidal crabs (36.7%), blue crab (27.8%), and shrimp (25.1%) were the most important in the late wet season. Average trophic position of juveniles remained similar across wet (3.32 ± 0.10) and dry (3.23 ± 0.11) seasons. These findings provide important information to help decision makers to promote more efficient management and conservation legislations to protect early life stages of the Atlantic goliath grouper in tropical estuaries., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Despite the gain in life expectancy that people living with HIV (PLHIV) have had in the past few years, the disease is accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of noninfectious chronic diseases. PLHIV have a higher prevalence of osteoporosis, fracture, diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance than the general population. It is unknown if insulin resistance is associated with osteoporosis and fractures in PLHIV. Our study aimed to assess the association between insulin resistance and osteoporosis in PLHIV., Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in southern Brazil. PLHIV ages 50 years or older on antiretroviral treatment were included. Insulin resistance was considered present when the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was higher than expected for the Brazilian population (>2.7). The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index was also calculated., Results: Of the 101 PLHIV who agreed to participate, 84 underwent insulin and bone mineral density measurements. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 19%. The frequency of insulin resistance calculated by HOMA-IR was 68.2%. Participants with osteoporosis had lower body mass index (BMI) and triglyceride values than those without it. HOMA-IR [4.8(6.6) vs 8.68(9.6), P = 0.013] and TyG [5.0(0.3) vs 5.2 (0.4), P = 0.029]. The association between the total femur t -score disappeared after correction for BMI in the linear regression model. There was no association between vertebral fractures and insulin resistance., Conclusion: In our study, PLHIV with osteoporosis have lower insulin resistance than PLHIV without it. However, this finding appears to be related to lower BMI. The association between insulin resistance and bone in PLHIV appears to be somewhat similar to that of the general population., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Endocrine Society.)

Although quadruped exercises (QE) have been a part of rehabilitation and sports programs, there is no clarity on how these exercises challenge the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, this cross-sectional study investigated the perceived exertion, postural demands, and muscle recruitment profiles imposed by three QE postures. Surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals were recorded from transverse abdominis , longissimus dorsi , multifidus , and iliocostalis lumborum from 30 sedentary healthy women, bilaterally. They performed the classic quadruped exercise (CQ), a variation with shoulder flexion (FQ), and the homolateral quadruped (HQ). Borg scores (BS) and the center of pressure (CoP) from the palmar statokinesiogram were also recorded. Surface EMG signals were normalized using the myoelectric activity recorded from two other postures while performing isometric voluntary contractions (IVC). Results were analyzed using one- (CoP) and three-way (sEMG data) ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests ( α = 0.05). The Borg scale was analyzed using the Friedman test. The CQ provided lower BS and CoP than HQ ( p < 0.05), followed by a higher sEMG activity (∼51% of IVC) than FQ (∼47% of IVC; p = 0.53) and HQ (∼44% of IVC; p = 0.01). In turn, HQ provided greater BS ( p > 0.05) than CQ and FQ. The results suggested that the HQ was the most challenging exercise regarding CoP and BS, although CQ presented a higher symmetrical sEMG activity. Since QE are often prescribed in exercise programs, specific knowledge of the characteristics of each QE makes prescribing safer and more efficient., 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 © 2022 Clemente, de Almeida, Vicente, Fonseca, Souza, Felício and Garcia.)

Pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma (M.) hyopneumoniae is one of the major respiratory diseases in swine production. Commercial vaccines for M. hyopneumoniae are widely used in weaned piglets to reduce lung lesions and clinical signs in the downstream flow; however, no information regarding the effect of mass immunization of the breeding herd is available. The aim of this work was to evaluate a mass vaccination protocol for M. hyopneumoniae on the humoral response of sows and their offspring 24 h post-partum (trial registration number 40156). A total of 52 sows from two different farms (13 primiparous and 13 multiparous sows on each farm), one with mass vaccination (MVF) and one without mass vaccination against M. hyopneumoniae (control farm (CF)) were enrolled in this study. Five piglets from each litter were selected, resulting in 260 piglets. Blood was collected from sows and piglets 24 h post-partum for M. hyopneumoniae antibody detection by ELISA. The results showed that primiparous sows from MVF had higher antibody titers compared to multiparous sows of the same farm, and multiparous and primiparous sows from the CF. Similar results were evidenced in their offspring. The findings of this study suggest that mass vaccination results in a more robust serologic response on primiparous sows, which could be the main target of vaccination strategies for the breeding herd., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

The Triplaris gardneriana Wedd. seeds extract has great therapeutic potential due to numerous biological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, which are associated with phenolic content. Although this herbal preparation has shown many benefits, recently their toxicity profile has begun to be explored. In this present study, the toxic effects of T . gardneriana seeds ethanolic extract (EETg) on biological systems of different taxonomical groups and levels of complexity (from cell culture to lower vertebrates) were assessed, through a variety of viability and toxicological assays. It was found that EETg did not impair the Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth at the highest tested concentration (200 µg/mL), and no toxicant evidence was observed in Aedes aegypti larvae or in Drosophila melanogaster adult stage. Contrarily, the extract reduced the viability of undifferentiated Caco-2 cells (250 µg/mL, 40% of viable cells), but did not affect differentiated ones. The embryotoxicity in Danio rerio model showed a LC 50 of 7.41 mg/L (95% confidence interval, 4.78 - 11.49 mg/L). EETg did not show signs of toxicity in the majority of the models used, but lethality and malformations in zebrafish embryos occurred. Further analyses are needed to better understand the selective toxicity mechanism of EETg on zebrafish, as well as whether the toxic effects happen in higher vertebrates.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a pathological condition that directly interferes with the reproductive potential of senile dogs, by leading to prostate enlargement and sperm injury, which in turn may compromise sperm freezeability. Moreover, albeit finasteride treatment reduces prostatic volume and blood supply and maintains seminal quality and testicular integrity, the effects of sperm samples submitted to cryopreservation after the finasteride treatment are still unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate frozen-thawed semen of BPH dogs, as well as dogs subjected to BPH pharmacological treatment with finasteride. For such purpose, 20 dogs were previously selected and assigned to three experimental groups, according to BPH diagnosis and treatment with finasteride: Control ( n = 9), BPH Group ( n = 5) and BPH-Finasteride Group ( n = 6). Semen was subjected to one-step cryopreservation protocol with tris-fructose-citric acid extender with 5% glycerol and thawed at 37°C for 30 sec. Fresh and post-thaw sperm samples were evaluated for macroscopic parameters, sperm concentration, sperm motility kinetics, sperm mitochondrial activity and potential, oxidative stress, plasmatic and acrosome membrane integrity, sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm binding test on perivitelic membrane of chicken egg yolk. Regarding fresh semen, BPH-Finasteride group had the lowest ejaculate visual aspect (opacity), higher frequency of sperm flagellar beating (BCF) and percentage of sperm with medium velocity. Control group had the highest percentage of sperm DNA integrity compared to BPH group. For the frozen-thawed semen, Control group presented the highest percentage of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial activity. However, the BPH-Finasteride group showed higher number of sperm bound to the perivitelline membrane of chicken egg yolk compared to the BPH Group. Conversely, BPH group had higher percentage of DNA damage. In conclusion, the ejaculate of BPH dogs has higher susceptibility to cryoinjury, whereas finasteride-treated dogs have increased spermatozoa functional performance, suggesting a promising use of BPH dogs as semen donors in sperm cryopreservation programs., 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 © 2022 Flores, Angrimani, Brito, Almeida, Lopes, Losano and Vannucchi.)

Background: The influence of birth mode on redox balance is unknown in dogs. We aimed to compare antioxidant activity and oxidative stress of puppies born by elective c-section or vaginal delivery., Methods: Twenty-one bitches were elected for spontaneous vaginal delivery (n = 10) and elective cesarean section (n = 11) groups, considering only the first and last puppies born. Neonatal oxygen saturation, lactatemia, superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant capacity; marker of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]) and protein oxidation were analysed at birth, 1 h, 12 h, 24 h and 72 h., Results: C-section newborns had lower oximetry at birth and 1 h. Lactatemia was higher in the last vaginal delivery puppies and higher at birth, and 1 h. Regardless of birth mode, last puppies had hyperlactatemia at birth. Vaginal delivery puppies had higher TBARS, while protein oxidation was higher in c-section, mostly in last puppies. C-section puppies had higher GPx activity, whereas GSH concentration decreased overtime. Surgically born puppies had lowering SOD between 12 h and 72 h., Conclusions: Vaginal delivery enhances lipid peroxidation, counteracted mostly by GPx. Conversely, c-section triggers protein oxidation, acutely scavenged by SOD and GSH, thus puppies are less exposed to the negative consequences of oxidative stress., (© 2021 British Veterinary Association.)

This observational, multicenter study aimed to report the clinical evolution of COVID-19 in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in Latin America. A total of 92 patients presented with COVID-19 between March and December 2020, 26% of whom were severe or critical. The median age at COVID-19 diagnosis was 48 years (22-79 years), 32% were 60 years or older, and 61% were male. Thirty-nine patients presented with at least one comorbidity (42.3%). Eighty-one patients recovered (88%), and 11 (11.9%) died from COVID-19. There was one case of reinfection. Patients with a major molecular response presented superior overall survival compared to patients with no major molecular response (91 vs. 61%, respectively; p  = 0.004). Patients in treatment-free remission and receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors showed higher survival rates than patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and those who did not receive tyrosine kinase inhibitors (100, 89, 50, and 33%, respectively; p  < 0.001).

Background: Pre-operative rehabilitation aims to improve the functional capacity of the individual to enable him/her to prepare for the period of inactivity associated with the surgical procedure., Objective: To evaluate the impact of preoperative scapular rehabilitation before arthroscopic repair of traumatic rotator cuff injury, regarding pain, range of motion of the shoulder, and functional activity., Study Design: Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) - pilot., Methods: Twenty adult individuals (age range: 47-69 years), with a diagnosis of traumatic rotator cuff tear and arthroscopic surgical repair, were randomized and allocated into two groups: experimental (EG) (n = 10) and control group (CG) (n = 10). All participants underwent preoperative rehabilitation for six weeks, consisting of mobility exercises of the cervical spine, elbow, wrist, and hand, and analgesics education. The EG also performed scapular and core stabilization exercises, which were not performed by the CG. Exercise instruction was performed by the same physiotherapist and the surgical team was blinded to group participation in the preoperative period. After arthroscopic repair, the patients followed the same protocol of postoperative rehabilitation for 16 weeks, and functional evaluation was conducted after three months and in a follow-up of at least one year., Results: Compared to the CG, the EG presented with a significant decrease in pain between the preoperative period and after one year (p < 0.05). In relation to the preoperative period, flexion and external rotation increased significantly in both groups after three months (p<0.05), and abduction was significantly higher in the EG (p < 0.05). Compared to CG, the EG presented a significantly higher SF-12 physical component after three months (48.47 vs. 40.33, p < 0.05), and a significantly lower Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) total after one year (85.00 vs. 1130.00, p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Preoperative scapular rehabilitation had a positive impact on recovery after arthroscopic repair of traumatic rotator cuff injury, in the assessment of pain, range of motion of the shoulder, and quality of life., Levels of Evidence: Level 1., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Exposure to the herbicides Paraquat and Roundup® may cause cell lesions due to an increase in oxidative stress levels in different biological systems, even in the liver. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of melatonin on liver of rats exposed to herbicides. A total of 35 rats were randomly divided into seven equal-sized groups: control, Paraquat, Roundup®, Paraquat + Roundup®, Paraquat + melatonin, Roundup® + melatonin, and Paraquat + Roundup® + melatonin. Samples of blood and hepatic tissue were collected at the end of the seventh day of exposure and treatment with melatonin. Body weight, hematological parameters, and histopathological, biochemical analyses and determination of oxidative stress levels in liver were evaluated. Body weight was compromised ( P  < 0.01). Alterations of hematologic parameters were significant when compared to control ( P  < 0.001). Biochemically, serum levels of albumin decreased ( P  < 0.001), but serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase increased ( P  < 0.001). Histopathology revealed necrotic hepatocytes, portal and central-lobular inflammatory infiltrate, congestion of capillaries. Serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were found to be significantly elevated ( P  < 0.05; P  < 0.001), and serum level of reduced glutathione was significantly lower ( P  < 0.05; P  < 0.001). The groups treated concomitantly with melatonin revealed results similar to those of the control. However, melatonin acted as a protective agent for the liver against experimentally induced hepatic toxicity, promoting prevention of body weight, oxidative stress, and normalization of hematological and biochemical parameters., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Rabies and herpetic encephalitis are the main viral infections in bovines with neurological symptoms. Bovine rabies has a high prevalence in Central and South America, while bovine encephalitis associated with herpesvirus is especially important in South America. Viral isolation is the classical way to confirm herpesvirus infection, but molecular evidence of the presence of the virus in affected animals is gaining importance in the diagnosis of the disease in the laboratory. This study investigated the presence of herpesvirus type 1 and 5 (BoHV-1 and BoHV-5) in 182 encephalon of rabies-suspected cattle in Rio Grande do Sul state (RS), Brazil using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR). The rabies virus was investigated by direct fluorescent antibody assay and intracerebral suckling mouse inoculation. The genomes of BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 were detected in 17% of samples. BoHV-5 and BoHV-1 were detected in 100% and 19% of BoHV positive samples, respectively, indicating the circulation of the pathogens in cattle herds in RS. The high Ct values and the absence of isolation suggest viral latency. Coinfection of herpesvirus and the rabies virus was detected in 28% of samples, although no significant association between pathogens was observed. Rabies was detected in 57.7% of suspected samples, confirming the importance of the disease in the state. Concerning the method by which samples were conserved, no significant difference was observed between the number of positive results in frozen and refrigerated samples., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia-pyometra complex is a canine endometrial disorder, considered the most common and important among uterine diseases. The treatment of choice is ovariohysterectomy, but medical treatments have become an alternative. However, no studies have been performed in order to evaluate uterine hemodynamic changes during medical treatment for pyometra bitches. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two medical protocols by means of clinical (heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature), medullar response (complete blood count (CBC)) and uterine hemodynamic evaluation in pyometra bitches. For such purpose, 10 bitches with pyometra were assigned to two groups: Aglepristone Group (n = 5) and Associative Group (aglepristone&nbsp;+&nbsp;prostaglandin; n = 5). The Associative Group had altered respiratory rate and decreased body temperature. The Aglepristone Group had decreased plasma protein, however, leukocyte count reduced over time for both therapeutic protocols. Uterine area and vascularization score decreased throughout treatment. There was a significant reduction in uterine perimeter, area and vascularization score. The Associative Group had lower final diastolic velocity and higher systole:diastole ratio (S/D), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI). In conclusion, both medical treatments are effective in reversing clinical and CBC changes of pyometra, especially aglepristone, however they cannot fully restore local uterine changes in a short-term evaluation. Conversely, associative therapy was more effective in decreasing uterine vascularization and modulating uterine blood flow., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the post ART era. Sarcopenia is prevalent in the elderly and is associated with many chronic diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate the frequency of sarcopenia in PLHIV and its association with bone mineral density and fracture. A cross-sectional study was carried out at Santa Maria, South Brazil. It included PLHV age ≥ 50 years and registered to receive antiretroviral therapy. A structured questionnaire was applied, blood samples collected, muscle strength evaluated, body composition measured, and vertebral morphometry performed. Sarcopenia and presarcopenia were defined according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. Of the 101 patients recruited, 83 underwent DXA and muscle strength measurements. The prevalence of sarcopenia and presarcopenia in the individuals studied was 12% and 16.9%, respectively. 66.7% of sarcopenic individuals had morphometric vertebral fractures and there was a tendency towards a higher frequency of multiple vertebral fractures when compared with non-sarcopenic subjects (44.4% vs. 16.2%, p = 0.066). BMI and total hip BMD were significantly lower in sarcopenic than non-sarcopenic individuals (p ≥ 0.035 and 0.032 respectively). In multiple regression analysis, sarcopenia was associated with age and multiple vertebral fractures. Sarcopenia was present in 12% of this population of PLHIV age ≥ 50 years and was associated with lower hip BMD and a high prevalence of vertebral fractures.

The present study analyzed whether melatonin could mediate the expression of VEGF, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as the apoptotic index in rats with diabetic retinopathy. Fifty Wistar albino rats were divided into the following groups: GC: rats without induction of diabetes by streptozotocin; GD: rats induced to diabetes by streptozotocin and treated with placebo; GDM: rats induced to diabetes by streptozotocin and after confirmation treated with melatonin at a dose of 10 mg/kg for 20 days; GDMS: rats induced to diabetes by streptozotocin and treated simultaneously with melatonin at a dosage of 10 mg/kg for 20 days; GDI: rats induced to diabetes by streptozotocin and after confirmation treated with insulin for 20 days. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg), and insulin (5 U/day) was administered subcutaneously. For apoptosis TUNEL was used, while for the analysis of VEGF, IL-6 and TNF-α. The results showed that the groups that were treated with melatonin decreased the expression of cytokines and VEGF, in addition to apoptosis. Thus, it is concluded that melatonin can regulate the expression of these factors by improving the condition of the retina in diabetic retinopathy., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Considering the limited number of studies that analyze the behavior of plant preparations in human body, this study aimed to characterize the phenolic compounds from Triplaris gardneriana extract (EETg) in terms of antioxidant and metabolic aspects, integrating in vitro , in silico and in vivo strategies. Methods: EETg was analyzed in relation to polyphenols release from the plant matrix under in vitro digestion, as well as the pharmacokinetic prediction of their major compounds by in silico simulation and understanding of its in vivo antioxidant effect in an alternative animal model. Results: About 35.22% of polyphenols from EETg proved to be accessible after enzymatic hydrolysis. A kinetics study showed that 40% of the total content of these phytochemicals was released from the extract accompanied by increased antioxidant capacity after 180 min of gastrointestinal simulation. A computational approach revealed that 7 out of 9 major phenolic compounds of EETg showed good pharmacokinetic parameters such as intestinal absorption and bioavailability score. In addition, the extract showed a protective effect on copper-induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster , evidenced by the restoration of basal levels of thiol and malondialdehyde contents. These biochemical observations were supported by the examination of histological features of D . melanogaster brain. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that the oral administration of EETg would provide phenolic compounds partially absorbable by the human gut and capable of providing health benefits associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress. Additionally, the results highlight the need to implement new approaches for the rational development of plant-based medicines.

Background: The present study evaluated factors associated with losses in the latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) cascade of care in contacts of tuberculosis (TB) patients, in a referral center from a highly endemic region in Brazil., Methods: Contacts of 1672 TB patients were retrospectively studied between 2009 and 2014. Data on TB screening by clinical investigation, radiographic examination and tuberculin skin test (TST) were extracted from medical records. Losses in the cascade of care and TB incidence within 2-year follow-up were calculated., Results: From a total of 1180 TB contacts initially identified, only 495 were examined (58% loss), and 20 were diagnosed with active TB at this stage. Furthermore, 435 persons returned for TST result interpretation and 351 (∼81%) were TST positive. Among those with positive TST, 249 (73%) were treated with isoniazid for 6 months whereas 51 abandoned therapy early. Three individuals who did not receive LTBI treatment, one with incomplete treatment and another who completed treatment developed active TB. A logistic regression analysis revealed that increases in age were associated with losses in the LTBI cascade independent of other clinical and epidemiological characteristics., Conclusions: Major losses occur at initial stages and older patients are at higher risk of not completing the LTBI cascade of care., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Bats and dogs are the main reservoirs of rabies virus (RABV) in Latin America and are responsible for the maintenance of different cycles of infection. In the two neighbour and most southern Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Santa Catarina (SC), rabies in dogs has been successfully controlled for more than 30 years. However, rabies associated to the rural cycle remains endemic, with a significant, though oscillating-annual incidence of rabies in cattle. Despite the plethora of studies on genetic analyses of Brazilian RABV, isolates from southern Brazil have only scarcely been investigated. This work was performed to identify the genetic lineages of RABVs circulating in states of RS and SC. Fifty-nine RABV cattle isolates from RS and SC were selected and submitted to reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by sequencing of the nucleoprotein gene. In RS, the circulation of two sublineages (1A and 1B) of RABV was detected, both with characteristics of lineages usually detected in vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus). In SC, only one sublineage of RABV (1B) was detected. Nevertheless, the findings reported here are expected to contribute to the understanding of the biology of the virus in the region and its interactions with the natural host D. rotundus.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by an enlargement of the prostate accompanied by an increase in prostatic blood perfusion and vascularization. The most indicated treatment is to perform orchiectomy, however, medical treatment with finasteride can be an option for breeding dogs or elderly animals with a critical health status. In dogs, the influence of medical treatment on prostatic hemodynamics is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia and finasteride therapy on hemodynamic and vascular features of the canine prostate. For this purpose, twenty dogs of different breeds, body weights (10-30 kg) and ages (5-13 years) were used, assigned for: Healthy-non treated group (n = 5), BPH-non treated group (n = 5), Healthy-finasteride treated group (n = 5) and BPH-finasteride treated group (n = 5). Dogs that presented hematospermia and at least one general clinical sign (tenesmus, hematuria or dysuria) were presumptively diagnosed with BPH. Dogs were evaluated ultrasonographycally by B-mode and Doppler of the prostatic artery in a monthly interval (day 0, 30 and 60) in order to measure prostate volume (PV), expected prostate volume (EPV), prostate vascularization score (scored as minimum, intermediary and maximum) and prostatic artery blood flow parameters with the use of spectral and color Doppler ultrasound. It was possible to observe a decrease in prostate vascularization score between Day 0 (intermediary degree) and 60 (minimum degree) in finasteride treated dogs. Moreover, non-treated dogs had higher score of vascularization at Day 60 compared to animals treated with finasteride, regardless of BPH diagnosis. Healthy-non treated animals presented higher peak systolic:diastolic velocity (S/D) than BPH-non treated dogs. Furthermore, BPH-non treated dogs had lower S/D than BPH-finasteride treated dogs. In 30 and 60 days, no difference on PV was observed between BPH-finasteride treated group and Healthy-non treated group. At day 60, no difference between PV and EPV was observed for the BPH-finasteride treated group. In conclusion, finasteride treatment reduces simultaneously the volume, local vascularization and blood flow of the prostate, thus, being considered an effective and additional choice of therapy for BPH. Moreover, the course of therapy in dogs can be followed by analyzing changes in prostatic artery., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Spondias mombin L. is used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation and gastrointestinal diseases. Our study investigated the antiulcer activity of S. mombin ethanolic extract (SmEE) and its majority compounds gallic acid (GA) and ellagic acid (EA). Phytochemical characterization was performed by HPLC. The SmEE was screened for in vitro antioxidant activities using phosphomolybdenum, ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The antiulcer activity of SmEE, GA, EA, or GA + EA was evaluated by gastric lesion models induced by absolute ethanol and indomethacin. Following this, it is capable of stimulating mucus production, antisecretory capacity, and the influence of -SH groups and NO in the effect of SmEE. Its healing activity was demonstrated by acetic acid-induced chronic ulcer model. Anti- Helicobacter pylori activity was assessed by determining the MIC of the SmEE (64-1024  μ g/mL). The HPLC results identified the presence of gallic acid and ellagic acid in SmEE. The extract showed antioxidant activity in vitro. SmEE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) reduced the area of ulcerative lesions induced by ethanol in 23.8, 90.3, and 90.2%, respectively. In NSAID model, the SmEE induced protection of 36.8, 49.4, and 49.9%, respectively. GA (10 mg/kg) or EA (7 mg/kg) or the association of GA + EA (10 + 7 mg/kg) inhibited the ethanol-induced lesions in 71.8, 70.9, and 94.9%, respectively, indicating synergistic action. SmEE (100 mg/kg) decreased acid secretion and H + concentration in the gastric contents, increased levels of mucus, and showed to be dependent of -SH groups and NO on the protection of the gastric mucosa. In chronic ulcer model, SmEE reduced the gastric area lesion. SmEE showed anti- H. pylori activity. In conclusion, our study showed that SmEE has antiulcerogenic activity. GA and EA are isolated gastric protectors and, when associated, acted synergistically to protect the gastric mucosa.

The aim of this study was to assess the longitudinal pattern of M. hyopneumoniae detection in self-replacement gilts at various farms and to characterize the genetic diversity among samples. A total of 298 gilts from three M. hyopneumoniae positive farms were selected at 150days of age (doa). Gilts were tested for M. hyopneumoniae antibodies by ELISA, once in serum at 150 doa and for M. hyopneumoniae detection in laryngeal swabs by real time PCR two or three times. Also, 425 piglets were tested for M. hyopneumoniae detection in laryngeal swabs. A total of 103 samples were characterized by Multiple Locus Variable-number tandem repeats Analysis. Multiple comparison tests were performed and adjusted using Bonferroni correction to compare prevalences of positive gilts by ELISA and real time PCR. Moderate to high prevalence of M. hyopneumoniae in gilts was detected at 150 doa, which decreased over time, and different detection patterns were observed among farms. Dam-to-piglet transmission of M. hyopneumoniae was not detected. The characterization of M. hyopneumoniae showed 17 different variants in all farms, with two identical variants detected in two of the farms. ELISA testing showed high prevalence of seropositive gilts at 150 doa in all farms. Results of this study showed that circulation of M. hyopneumoniae in self-replacement gilts varied among farms, even under similar production and management conditions. In addition, the molecular variability of M. hyopneumoniae detected within farms suggests that in cases of minimal replacement gilt introduction bacterial diversity maybe farm specific., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Exposure to the herbicides Paraquat (PQ) and Roundup ® may cause cell lesions due to an increase in oxidative stress levels in different biological systems, even in the reproductive system., Objective: Evaluate the possible changes in reproductive parameters and hepatic, as well as its prevention by simultaneous application of melatonin., Methods: Thirty-five female rats at the age of 3 months were divided into seven groups: three groups exposed to sub-lethal doses of the herbicides PQ (50mg/kg) and Roundup ® (500mg/kg) (n=5, G2, G3 and G4); three groups exposed to herbicides and simultaneous treatment with 10mg/kg of Melatonin (n=5, G5, G6 and G7) and control group (n=5, G1) from the first to the seventh day of pregnancy. On the seventh day of pregnancy, the rats were anesthetized and euthanized, followed by laparotomy to remove their reproductive tissues and liver. Body and ovary weights were taken and the number of implantation sites, corpora lutea, preimplantation losses, implantation rates were counted and histopathology of the implantation sites, morphometry of the surface and glandular epithelia of endometrium and hepatic oxidative stress were undertaken., Results: The present study shows the decrease in body and ovary weight, decrease in the number of implantation sites, implantation rate, in the total number of corpora lutea and increase of preimplantation percentages were observed when compared to the G1: Fig. 1 and Table 1, (p>0.001 ANOVA/Tukey). The histopathological analysis of the implantation sites showed a disorder of the cytotrophoblast and cell degeneration within the blastocyst cavity in Fig. 4. Morphometry revealed a reduction in surface and glandular epithelia and in the diameter of the endometrial glands (Table 2; p>0.05 ANOVA/Tukey), whereas in liver, serum levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were found to be significantly elevated (Fig. 2; p>0.001; p>0.05 ANOVA/Tukey), and serum level of reduced glutathione (GSH) was significantly lower (Fig. 3; p>0.001 ANOVA/Tukey). However, treatments with melatonin exhibited improvements in reproductive parameters, as well as reduced lesions in the implantation sites (Fig. 4.) and in serum levels TBARS (Fig. 2; p>0.001 ANOVA/Tukey), serum levels GSH (Fig. 3; p>0.001; p>0.05 ANOVA/Tukey)., Conclusions: These results reveal that melatonin is a protective agent against experimentally induced maternal/embryo toxicity with herbicides and favoring normalization of reproductive parameters and hepatic., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Spondias purpurea is used in folk medicine to treat diarrhea and diuresis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile and antioxidant and antiulcer activities of the hexane extract of the leaves of S. purpurea (SpHE). Phytochemical profile was evaluated via thin layer chromatography (TLC) and HPLC. SpHE was screened for antioxidant activities using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and phosphomolybdenum assays. To determine its antiulcer properties, animals were pretreated with injured control, lansoprazole, ranitidine, carbenoxolone, or SpHE (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) and were screened; acute ulcers were induced by HCl/ethanol, absolute ethanol, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). TLC revealed the presence of flavonoids, whereas HPLC analysis showed the presence of caffeic acid and epigallocatechin. The phenolic compounds and in vitro assays showed antioxidant activity. After gastric ulcer induction by using HCl/ethanol, SpHE reduced the area of ulcerative lesions by 82, 91, and 88%, respectively. In ethanol, SpHE reduced the area of ulcerative lesions by 77, 93, and 92%, respectively. In the NSAID, the percentages of protection were 70, 76, and 78%, respectively. SpHE promoted the minimization of ulcers, increased the levels of reduced glutathione, and decreased tumor necrosis factor. S. purpurea has antioxidant and antiulcer properties.

Chicken parvovirus (ChPV) has been associated with malabsorption syndrome (MAS) in broilers. However, the participation of this virus in such syndrome is unclear, since it may be detected in diseased and healthy chickens. In the course of these studies, it was argued whether ChPV genome loads might be correlated to the occurrence of MAS. To check such a hypothesis, a SYBR green-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction was developed to detect and quantify ChPV genomes. Cloacal swabs from 68 broilers with MAS and 59 from healthy animals were collected from different poultry farms. Genomes of ChPV were detected in all samples, regardless of their health status. However, viral genome loads in MAS-affected broilers were significantly higher (1 × 10 5 genome copies per 100 ng DNA) than in healthy animals (1.3 × 10 3 GC/100 ng DNA). These findings indicate that there is an association between high ChPV genome loads and the occurrence of MAS in broilers.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of porcine circovirus disease, a complex multisystem syndrome in domestic pigs. Despite the significant economic losses caused by porcine circovirus disease, the mechanisms of pathogenesis underlying the clinical findings remain largely unclear. As various reports have highlighted the potential key role of vascular lesions in the pathogenesis of porcine circovirus disease, the aim of this work was to investigate effects of PCV2 infection on vascular endothelial cells, focusing on cell viability and expression of adhesion/junction molecules. PCV2 infection reduced endothelial cell viability, while viral infection did not affected the viability of several other classical cell lines. Also, PCV2 infection in endothelial cells displayed a dual/biphasic effect: initially, infection increased ICAM-1 expression, which can favor leukocyte recruitment and emigration to tissues and possibly inducing characteristic porcine circovirus disease inflammatory lesions; then, secondarily, infection caused an increase in zonula occludens 1 tight junction protein (ZO-1) expression, which in turn can result in difficulties for cell traffic across the endothelium and a potential impairment the immune response in peripheral tissues. These virus-induced endothelial changes could directly impact the inflammatory process of porcine circovirus disease and associated vascular/immune system disturbances. Data suggest that, among the wide range of effects induced by PCV2 on the host, endothelial modulation can be a pivotal process which can help to explain PCV2 pathogenesis in some porcine circovirus disease presentations., (Copyright © 2016 Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Malabsorption syndrome (MAS) is a multifactorial syndrome which is characterized by enteric disorders and reduced growth rates of broilers. Such condition is responsible for significant economic losses to the poultry industry. A possible association between chicken parvovirus (ChPV) infections and the occurrence of MAS has been proposed. However, such association has not to date been elucidated in view that ChPV has been detected in healthy as well as in MAS-affected chickens. This study aimed to detect and quantify ChPV loads in sera and tissues of MAS-affected, as well as in healthy broilers. Fifty nine, 39-day-old broilers (50 diseased, 9 healthy birds), obtained from the same flocks, were examined. The highest ChPV DNA loads were detected in MAS-affected broilers, particularly in fecal samples and intestinal tissues (~5500 genomic copies/300ng of total DNA). The average viral genome load in serum in MAS-affected birds was 1134copies/mL, whereas no viral DNA was found in sera and thymus tissues from healthy animals. These findings reveal that MAS-affected broilers consistently carry ChPV DNA is serum, whereas healthy animals do not. In addition, viral loads in tissues (bursa of Fabricius, spleen, intestine and liver) of MAS-affected birds were significantly higher in comparison to the same tissues from healthy broilers. Although preliminary, the results obtained here indicate an association between the detection of ChPV DNA in serum, in addition to high ChPV viral loads in tissues, and the occurrence of MAS in broilers. Further experiments should be performed to confirm such results., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Despite the putative endemic status of swine influenza A virus (swIAV) infections, data on the occurrence of swine influenza outbreaks are scarce in Brazil. The aim of this study was to detect and subtype swIAVs from six outbreaks of porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) in southern Brazil. Nasal swabs were collected from 66 piglets with signs of respiratory disease in six herds. Lung tissue samples were collected from six necropsied animals. Virus detection was performed by PCR screening and confirmed by virus isolation and hemagglutination (HA). Influenza A subtyping was performed by a real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR) to detect the A(H1N1)pdm09; other swIAV subtypes were determined by multiplex RT-PCR. In lung tissues, the major bacterial and viral pathogens associated with PRDC (Pasteurella multocida, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Haemophilus parasuis and PCV2) were investigated. In some affected pigs, clinico-pathological evaluations were conducted. Influenza A was detected by screening PCR in 46 of 66 swab samples and from five of six lungs. Virus was recovered from pigs of all six herds. Subtype A(H1N1)pdm09 was detected in four of six herds and H1N2 in the other two herds. In lung tissues, further agents involved in PRDC were detected in all cases; Pasteurella multocida was identified in five of six samples and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in three of six. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (1/6), Haemophilus parasuis (1/6) and PCV2 (1/6) were also detected. These findings indicate that subtypes A(H1N1)pdm09 and H1N2 were present in pigs in southern Brazil and were associated with PRDC outbreaks., (© 2015 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

The genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae consists of four recognized species: Bovine viral diarrhoea virus 1 (BVDV-1), Bovine viral diarrhoea virus 2 (BVDV-2), Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and Border disease virus (BDV). Recently, atypical pestiviruses ('HoBi'-like pestiviruses) were identified in batches of contaminated foetal calf serum and in naturally infected cattle with and without clinical symptoms. Here, we describe the first report of a mucosal disease-like clinical presentation (MD) associated with a 'HoBi'-like pestivirus occurring in a cattle herd. The outbreak was investigated using immunohistochemistry, antibody detection, viral isolation and RT-PCR. The sequence and phylogenetic analysis of 5'NCR, N(pro) and E2 regions of the RT-PCR positive samples showed that four different 'HoBi'-like strains were circulating in the herd. The main clinical signs and lesions were observed in the respiratory and digestive systems, but skin lesions and corneal opacity were also observed. MD characteristic lesions and a pestivirus with cytopathic biotype were detected in one calf. The present study is the first report of a MD like presentation associated with natural infection with 'HoBi'-like pestivirus. This report describes the clinical signs and provides a pathologic framework of an outbreak associated with at least two different 'HoBi'-like strains. Based on these observations, it appears that these atypical pestiviruses are most likely underdiagnosed in Brazilian cattle., (© 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) causes one of the most important diseases of cattle in terms of economic costs and welfare. The aims were to estimate herd prevalence and to investigate the factors associated with antibodies in bulk tank milk (BTM) in dairy herds through a matched case-control study. To estimate herd prevalence, BTM samples were randomly selected (n = 314) from a population (N = 1604). The true prevalence of BVDV was 24.3% (CI 95% = 20.1-29.3%). For the case-control study, BVDV antibody-positive herds (high antibody titres) were classified as cases (n = 21) and matched (n = 63) by milk production with herds presenting low antibody titres (ratio of 1 : 3). Three multivariable models were built: 1) full model, holding all 21 variables, and two models divided according to empirical knowledge and similarity among variables; 2) animal factor model; and 3) biosecurity model. The full model (model 1) identified: age as a culling criteria (OR = 0.10; CI 95% = 0.02-0.39; P < 0.01); farms that provided milk to other industries previously (OR = 4.13; CI 95% = 1.17-14.49; P = 0.02); and isolation paddocks for ill animals (OR = 0.14; CI 95% = 0.01-0.26; P = 0.02). The biosecurity model revealed a significant association with the use of natural mating (OR = 9.03; CI 95% = 2.14-38.03; P < 0.01); isolation paddocks for ill animals (OR = 0.06; CI 95% = 0.05-0.83; P = 0.03); years providing milk for the same industry (OR = 0.94; CI 95% = 0.91-0.97; P = 0.02); and direct contact over fences among cattle of neighbouring farms (OR = 5.78; CI 95% = 1.41-23.67; P = 0.04). We recommend the application of grouping predictors as a good choice for model building because it could lead to a better understanding of disease-exposure associations., (© 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

A novel bovine parvovirus 2 (BPV2) genotype comprising 5394 nt was identified by next generation sequencing from sera of healthy cattle at different age groups farmed in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The genome organization of new BPV2 genotype retains the two ORFs typical of members of the Parvovirinae with 86.4 % of overall nucleotide sequence identities in comparison to other members of the subfamily. Phylogenetic analysis revealed similar clustering with two previously described bovine BPV2 within the genus Copiparvovirus. No significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) were detected in the distribution of BPV2 infection in cattle at different age groups. This is the third complete or near complete genome sequence of BPV2 reported to date and may contribute to a better understanding of the biology of copiparvoviruses and its interactions with the host.

Scrapie is an infectious neurodegenerative disease affecting sheep and goats, related with conformational alteration of an isoform of the prion protein that leads to deposition and aggregation in the host's central nervous system. Occurrence of the natural disease can be influenced by host genetic factors, such as a single nucleotide polymorphism of the prion protein gene. This study reports three scrapie-affected Dorper flocks located on three different farms in Brazil. The objective of this study was to analyze these three flocks using scrapie diagnostics, combining histology, immunohistochemistry, genotyping, and western blot assays. For immunohistochemistry, 192 sheep were selected and 308 sheep blood samples were taken for genotyping. A total of 22 sheep were scrapie positive by immunohistochemistry. Of these, four presented clinical signs and had scrapie immunoreactivity at the obex in western blot assays. The sheep without clinical signs were positive in lymphoid organs, such as the third eyelid and rectal mucosa. The major genotypes found on the flocks were ARQ/ARQ, ARQ/ARR, and ARQ/VRQ for codons 136, 154, and 171. Most of the sheep were considered to be at moderate to high risk, based on risk groups for developing scrapie. Some blood samples were sequenced, and polymorphisms were identified in other codons, such as 127, 142, and 143. Our data demonstrate the importance of preclinical scrapie diagnosis in Brazilian sheep, as most of the affected sheep showed no clinical signs, and emphasize the relevance of genotyping other Dorper sheep to determine the genotypic profile of the breed.

Obesity and osteoporosis are chronic disorders with increasing prevalence worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between obesity and fracture in postmenopausal women from Santa Maria, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out at Santa Maria (parallel 29° south), Brazil. Postmenopausal women aged ≥55 yr who had at least 1 appointment at the primary care in the 2 years before the study were recruited from March 1, 2013 to August 31, 2013. The Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women study questionnaire was applied with permission of The Center for Outcomes Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School. Height and weight were measured according to the World Health Organization protocol. Bone fractures (excluding hand, feet, and head) that occurred after the age of 45 yr were considered as the outcome. Overall, 1057 women completed the study, of whom 984 had body mass index measured. The mean (standard deviation) age and body mass index of the women included in the study were 67.1 (7.6) yr and 29.2 (5.5) kg/m(2), respectively. The prevalence of fractures in obese and nonobese women was similar (17.3% vs 16.0%); 41.4% of all fractures occurred in obese women. Obese postmenopausal women make a substantial contribution to the overall burden of prevalent fractures in this population. Our results provide further evidence in support of the concept that obesity is not protective against fracture., (Copyright © 2015 The International Society for Clinical Densitometry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)