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ABSTRACTAvian encephalomyelitis is caused by an Hepatovirus and primarily affects chickens. Chickens of all ages are susceptible to the virus, but the nervous symptoms are manifested only in young chicks, between one to five weeks of age. During the last thirty years, avian encephalomyelitis appeared to be well controlled by breeder vaccination. However, the increase of the number of cases is causing concern in the poultry industry. In the present study, we performed a retrospective analysis of the cases presenting histological lesions compatible with avian encephalomyelitis in broilers. The evaluated cases affected broilers from one to 35 days old from the southern region of Brazil. Only cases with compatible microscopic lesions and associated with clinical symptoms in the field were considered. In addition the histopathological diagnosis, sera were tested by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). Considering the clinical, histopathological, and serological evidences, the disease was confirmed, showing an increase in outbreaks from the last quarter of 2012, extending through 2013. The cause of this increase is not clear, although we suspect vaccine or vaccination error. Enhancing vaccinated breeders flocks monitoring before the beginning of egg production and/or using a protocol with two vaccinations is recommended.

Sialolithiasis is a disorder of the salivary glands characterized by the presence of mineralized structures. The aim of this article is to contribute to the understanding of the etiopathogenesis of sialolithiasis based on data reported in the literature and the interpretation of scanning electron microscopic (SEM), histopathologic, fluorescence, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (EDX) studies. The results of these analyses in a single case are presented. Fluorescence microscopy captured saliva flowing inside a giant sialolith, EDX analysis enabled the quantification of samples of minerals and characterized the chemical composition in the internal areas of the sialolith, and SEM images captured the external communications of the sialolith (ostia). Many theories have been proposed to explain sialolithiasis development, but few consider the role of saliva in its dynamic form. The authors propose that the triple synergism of microbiota, biofilm, and salivary dynamics plays a fundamental role in the development and intrinsic architecture of sialoliths, creating a cyclic sialolithic mineralization. This hypothesis is supported by the results of the laboratory studies in the present case., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest pertaining to any of the topics discussed in this article.

Evolutionary reversals, including re-evolution of lost structures, are commonly found in phylogenetic studies. However, we lack an understanding of how these reversals happen mechanistically. A snake-like body form has evolved many times in vertebrates, and occasionally a quadrupedal form has re-evolved, including in Brachymeles lizards. We use body form and locomotion data for species ranging from snake-like to quadrupedal to address how a quadrupedal form could re-evolve. We show that large, quadrupedal species are faster at burying and surface locomotion than snake-like species, indicating a lack of expected performance trade-off between these modes of locomotion. Species with limbs use them while burying, suggesting that limbs are useful for burying in wet, packed substrates. Palaeoclimatological data suggest that Brachymeles originally evolved a snake-like form under a drier climate probably with looser soil in which it was easier to dig. The quadrupedal clade evolved as the climate became humid, where limbs and large size facilitated fossorial locomotion in packed soils.

Synopsis Elongate, snake- or eel-like, body forms have evolved convergently many times in most major lineages of vertebrates. Despite studies of various clades with elongate species, we still lack an understanding of their evolutionary dynamics and distribution on the vertebrate tree of life. We also do not know whether this convergence in body form coincides with convergence at other biological levels. Here, we present the first craniate-wide analysis of how many times elongate body forms have evolved, as well as rates of its evolution and reversion to a non-elongate form. We then focus on five convergently elongate squamate species and test if they converged in vertebral number and shape, as well as their locomotor performance and kinematics. We compared each elongate species to closely related quadrupedal species and determined whether the direction of vertebral or locomotor change matched in each case. The five lineages examined are obscure species from remote locations, providing a valuable glimpse into their biology. They are the skink lizards Brachymeles lukbani, Lerista praepedita, and Isopachys anguinoides, the basal squamate Dibamus novaeguineae, and the basal snake Malayotyphlops cf. ruficaudus. Our results support convergence among these species in the number of trunk and caudal vertebrae, but not vertebral shape. We also find that the elongate species are relatively slower than their limbed counterparts and move with lower frequency and higher amplitude body undulations, with the exception of Isopachys. This is among the first evidence of locomotor convergence across distantly related, elongate species., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Recognizing species-level diversity is important for studying evolutionary patterns across biological disciplines and is critical for conservation efforts. However, challenges remain in delimiting species-level diversity, especially in cryptic radiations where species are genetically divergent but show little morphological differentiation. Using multilocus molecular data, phylogenetic analyses, species delimitation analyses, and morphological data, we examine lineage diversification in a cryptic radiation of Riopa skinks in Myanmar. Four species of Riopa skinks are currently recognized from Myanmar based on morphological traits, but the boundaries between three of these species, R. anguina, R. lineolata, and R. popae, are not well-defined. We find high levels of genetic diversity within these three species. Our analyses suggest that they may comprise as many as 12 independently evolving lineages, highlighting the extent to which species diversity in the region is underestimated. However, quantitative trait data suggest that these lineages have not differentiated morphologically, possibly indicating that this cryptic radiation represents non-adaptive evolution, although additional data is needed to corroborate this., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

An integrative taxonomic analysis of Subdoluseps herberti from southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia and S. samajaya from Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo) recovers the former as paraphyletic with respect to the latter. The analyses recover the three southernmost populations of S. herberti in Peninsular Malaysia as conspecific and the sister lineage of S. samajaya, whereas S. herberti from Thailand and northern Peninsular Malaysia constitute the sister species to S. samajaya plus the southern three Peninsular Malaysian populations. As such, the southern populations are described herein as S. malayana sp. nov. and all three species are referred to as the S. herberti group. Clade boundaries and breaks within this group on the Thai-Malay Peninsula occurring at the Isthmus of Kra, across the Kangar-Pattani line, and between the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Borneo are consistent with phylogeographic patterns of other Sundaic taxa. The discovery of S. malayana sp. nov. continues to underscore the fact that, despite the well-studied nature of the lizard fauna of Peninsular Malaysia, much of it still remains unrealized and for conservation efforts to move forward, field research followed by expeditiously revised taxonomies must continue.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious, airborne disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mainly affects the lungs. Fortunately, tuberculosis is a curable disease, and in recent years, death rates for this disease have decreased. However, the existence of antibiotic-resistant strains and the occurrence of co-infections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have led to increased mortality in recent years. Another area of concern is that one-third of the world's population is currently infected with M. tuberculosis in its latent state, serving as a potential reservoir for active TB. In an effort to address the failure of current TB drugs, greater attention is being given to the importance of bioinorganic chemistry as an ally in new research into the development of anti-TB drugs. Ruthenium (Ru) is a chemical element that can mimic iron (Fe) in the body. In previous studies involving the following heteroleptic Ru complexes, [Ru(pic)(dppb)(bipy)]PF 6 (SCAR1), [Ru(pic)(dppb)(Me-bipy)]PF 6 (SCAR2), [Ru(pic)(dppb)(phen)]PF 6 (SCAR4), cis -[Ru(pic)(dppe) 2 ]PF 6 (SCAR5), and [Ru(pic)(dppe)(phen)]PF 6 (SCAR7), we observed excellent anti-TB activity, moderate cell-toxicity, and a lack of oral bioavailability in an in vivo model of these complexes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and oral bioavailability of these complexes by loading them into a nanostructured lipid system. The nanostructured lipid system was generated using different ratios of surfactant (soybean phosphatidylcholine, Eumulgin ® , and sodium oleate), aqueous phase (phosphate buffer with a concentration of 1X and pH 7.4), and oil (cholesterol) to generate a system for the incorporation of Ru(II) compounds. The anti-TB activity of the compounds was determined using a microdilution assay with Resazurin (REMA) against strains of M. tuberculosi s H 37 Rv and clinical isolates resistant. Cytotoxicity assay using J774.A1 cells (ATCC TIB-67) and intra-macrophage activity were performed. The oral bioavailability assay was used to analyze blood collected from female BALB/C mice. Plasma collected from the same mice was analyzed via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to quantify the number of Ru ions. The complexes loaded into the nanostructured lipid system maintained in vitro activity and toxicity was found to be reduced compared with the compounds that were not loaded. The complexes showed intra-macrophagic activity and were orally bioavailable.

The aridification of Africa resulted in the fragmentation of forests and the expansion of an arid corridor stretching from the northeast to southwest portion of sub-Saharan Africa, but the role this corridor has had in species-level diversification of southern African vertebrates is poorly understood. The skink species Mochlus afer and M. sundevallii inhabit wide areas of the arid corridor and are therefore an ideal species pair for studying patterns of genetic and phenotypic diversity associated with this landscape. However, species boundaries between these taxa have been controversial. Using multi-locus molecular and morphological datasets, we investigate diversification patterns of the M. afer-sundevallii Species Complex across the arid corridor. Although analyses of genetic data reveals some genetic structure among geographic populations, results of phylogenetic and morphological analyses provide little support for two distinct evolutionary lineages, suggesting that populations previously referred to as M. afer and M. sundevallii represent a single species, Mochlus sundevallii. Genetic diversity is unequally distributed across the arid corridor, with observed patterns consistent with aridification-facilitated diversification southward across southern Africa. Additional geographic and population-level sampling is necessary before more conclusive inferences can be drawn about the role historical climate transitions have played in skink diversification patterns across southern Africa., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We collected two specimens of an undescribed species of Lygosoma from pitfall traps in an urban rainforest in Kuching and from the base of a forested hill in western Sarawak, East Malaysia. The new species is diagnosable from all south-east Asian congeners by morphological characters, and most closely resembles Lygosoma herberti from the Thai-Malay Peninsula. The new species shows substantial molecular divergence from its closest relatives in two protein-coding genes, one mitochondrial (ND1) and one nuclear (R35) that we sequenced for several south-east Asian congeners. We describe the new species on the basis of this distinct morphology and genetic divergence. It is the third species of Lygosoma known from Borneo, and highlights the continuing rise in lizard species diversity on the island. In addition, the discovery of this species from a small urban rainforest underscores the importance of preserving intact rainforest areas of any size in maintaining species diversity.

The Furo of Laura is an economically important river in the Amazon estuary. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the metal distribution (Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Mg) in the bottom sediments of this river. The sediments were sampled at four points every 2months for a year with an Ekman-Birge sampler. After microwave acid digestion, the metal levels were determined by optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. The particle size and organic matter content influenced the concentration of the metals. The sediments were not enriched by the analyzed metals; the estuary therefore retained the characteristics of an uncontaminated environment, thus serving as a reference environment for comparison., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We describe a new digitless scincid lizard of the genus Brachymeles from northern Luzon and Camiguin Norte islands in the Philippines. This species belongs to the Brachymeles bonitae Complex, and both molecular and morphological data confirm that this species is distinct from all other congeners. Formerly considered to be a single widespread species, this group of species has been the focus of recent systematic reviews. Here we describe a new species in the B. bonitae Complex, recognized currently to constitute five species. Brachymeles ilocandia sp. nov. is the second digitless and the seventeenth non-pentadactyl species in genus. The description of this species brings the total number of species in the genus to 40, and provides new insight into unique distribution patterns of species of the northern Philippines.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious and transmissible disease that is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and primarily affects the lungs, although it can affect other organs and systems. The pulmonary presentation of TB, in addition to being more frequent, is also the most relevant to public health because it is primarily responsible for the transmission of the disease. The to their low World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a combined therapeutic regimen of several drugs, such as rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH), pyrazinamide (PZA) and ethambutol (ETB). These drugs have low plasma levels after oral administration, due to their low water solubility, poor permeability and ability to be rapidly metabolized by the liver and at high concentrations. Furthermore, they have short t₁/₂ (only 1-4 hours) indicating a short residence in the plasma and the need for multiple high doses, which can result in neurotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Nanotechnology drug delivery systems have considerable potential for the treatment of TB. The systems can also be designed to allow for the sustained release of drugs from the matrix and drug delivery to a specific target. These properties of the systems enable the improvement of the bioavailability of drugs, can reduce the dosage and frequency of administration, and may solve the problem of non-adherence to prescribed therapy, which is a major obstacle to the control of TB. The purpose of this study was to systematically review nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of TB.

Tuberculosis is an ancient disease that is still present as a global public health problem. Our group has been investigating new molecules with anti-TB activity. In this context, inorganic chemistry has been a quite promising source of such molecules, with excellent results seen with ruthenium compounds. Nanostructured lipid systems may potentiate the action of drugs by reducing the required dosage and side effects and improving the antimicrobial effects. The aim of this study was to develop a nanostructured lipid system and then characterize and apply these encapsulated compounds (SCARs 1, 2 and 4) with the goal of improving their activity by decreasing the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC90) and reducing the cytotoxicity (IC50). The nanostructured system was composed of 10% phase oil (cholesterol), 10% surfactant (soy oleate, soy phosphatidylcholine and Eumulgin®) and 80% aqueous phase (phosphate buffer pH = 7.4). Good activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis was maintained after the incorporation of the compounds into the nanostructured lipid system, while the cytotoxicity decreased dramatically, in some cases up to 20 times less toxic than the unencapsulated drug.

Introduction: The maternity mortality rate in the Santos lowlands region, priority region of São Paulo/Brazil, is higher when compared to regions in the state of São Paulo. The hypertensive disorders are implicated in approximately 20% of death. Severe preeclampsia (PE) is recognized as the frequent diagnosis associated with maternal and fetal ominous outcomes. The recognition of potential risk support antenatal intervention which could anticipate the installation of catastrophic results. Identifying the epidemiological profile of women who may present with this evolution can guide public health policies and actions of the professionals involved in caring for these women avoiding preformed concepts and contributing to the recognition of local reality situation., Objectives: Identify the epidemiological profile of women affected by severe PE., Methods: A descriptive study involving 46 pregnant women admitted to specialized hospital for high-risk pregnancy with the diagnosis of severe PE according to the criteria of NHBPEP (2000), as: blood pressure ⩾160/110mmHg, proteinuria 2.0g/24h or +2 dipstick, serum creatinine >1.2mg/dl (new onset), platelets <100,000/mm(3), microangiopathic hemolysis (increased lactate dehydrogenase), elevated alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase, persistent headaches or other cerebral or visual disturbance, persistent epigastric pain or eclampsia in the period from January/2008 to November/2010., Results: The average age of the pregnant women was 25.5years (±6.5), 11 women were multiparous and nulliparous and 35 (76.1%), the average gestational age at admission was 34 4/7, developing to eclampsia and/or HELLP syndrome were 07 women (15.2%), admission often occurred before the installation of labor in (93.5%) had a previous diagnosis of chronic hypertension (30.4%) and in all cases magnesium sulfate administration with an average length of 32h (±16.6h)., Conclusion: The occurrence of severe PE was more common in nulliparous women at the age of 25years, admitted in prematurity and not in preterm labor. The outcome of seizure and/or HELLP has a considerable impact. The association of chronic hypertension with severe PE is more than 1/4 of the cases. These data are equivalent to other areas of Brazil and may contribute to emphasize the practice of prenatal acting that can recognize and pre-comment possible adverse developments and attitudes aimed at intercepting the process., (Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The objective of this study was to verify if hyperthyroidism potentiates the osteopenia lactational. 24 adult female rats were distributed in four groups: euthyroid no lactating (control), euthyroid lactating, hyperthyroid no lactating and hyperthyroid lactating. 20 days after gestation, all the animals were necropsied. The thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, the femur and tibia were decalcified and processed for histomorphometric analysis. The euthyroid lactating group presented intense osteopenia in the studied bones. In the hyperthyroid no lactating group, there was not any change in trabecular bone percentage in none of the analyzed bone. In the hyperthyroid lactating group, there was osteopenia in the tibia and femur, similar to the one in the euthyroid lactating group. But the trabecular bone percentage in all the vertebral bodies was significantly larger in comparison with the euthyroid lactating group. It was concluded that the hyperthyroidism does not potentiate the osteopenia lactational in female rats, but it minimizes the vertebral osteopenia once it stimulates the osteoblastic activity.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hyperthyroidism on mammary gland development and expression of two protein markers, CDC-47 for proliferation and caspase-3 for apoptosis in pregnant female rats. Thirty-six adult female Wistar rats were used in two groups: hyperthyroid and control. Rats were mated 60 days after the onset of thyroxine administration. Six animals/group were sacrificed on gestation days 7, 14, and 19. Artificial hyperthyroidism was induced by daily administration of thyroxine in the drinking water until the end of gestation. At the end of each period, rats were sacrificed, and their inguinal mammary glands were collected and processed for morphometric analysis. The percentages of epithelium, stroma, adipose tissue, and lacteal secretion were determined. Immunohistochemical analysis was also carried out using anti-CDC-47 and anti-caspase-3 antibodies to study proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. On the 19th day of gestation, thyroxine treatment significantly increased the percentage of mammary epithelium. Hyperthyroidism, however, did not change CDC-47 expression. The hyperthyroid group presented early lactogenesis and significantly larger lacteal secretion on the 19th day of gestation. There was no significant difference in caspase-3 expression between groups in any period. We may conclude that hyperthyroidism accelerates mammary gland development and increases lacteal secretion during gestation without increasing the proliferation rate and the expression of caspase-3.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate mammary gland histomorphometry and proliferation rate and apoptosis of thyroxine-treated rats by CDC-47 and caspase-3 immunoexpression. The development of thyroxine-treated rats offspring was also evaluated. Thirty-six female rats were used, distributed in two groups, treated and non-treated with thyroxine. After 60 days of treatment, with thyroxine, rats were mated. Six animals/group were sacrificed on the 2nd and 21st days of lactation and on the 5th day after weaning. A significant difference was observed between groups only on the 5th day after weaning. Thyroxine treatment increased apoptosis rate, which was characterized by a higher caspase-3 expression in mammary epithelial cells. Thyroxine-treated mothers presented changed behavior, but there was no significant difference regarding taking care of offspring, as for cleaning offspring and keeping them warm. Taking into account sex and size of offspring, those from control and thyroxine-treated mothers presented no significant difference of weight and weaning. In conclusion, administering low doses of thyroxine increases apoptosis rate, which is characterized by the increased caspase-3 immunoexpression in mammary epithelial cells 5 days after weaning. But does not affect proliferation rate and development of thyroxine-treated rats offspring.

In two different experiments, the effects of hyperthyroidism on the histomorphometry and expression of Cdc47 and caspase-3 were evaluated in the uteri and placentas during gestation and postpartum. Fetal development was also evaluated during gestation. In the first experiment, 36 adult female Wistar rats were divided into two groups of 18 animals each: (1) hyperthyroid; and (2) euthyroid (control). Female rats were mated and killed at 7, 14 and 19 days of gestation. Uteri and placentas were weighed and subjected to histomorphometric and immunohistochemical evaluation to determine the expression of Cdc47 and caspase-3. Ovaries were also evaluated for weight and subjected to morphometric analysis. Fetuses were quantified and weighed individually. In the second experiment, 12 adult female Wistar rats were divided into two groups of six animals each: (1) hyperthyroid; and (2) euthyroid (control). Female rats were mated and killed 2 days postpartum. Uteri were evaluated in the same way as for the first experiment. Hyperthyroidism increased ovulation and conception rates without disturbing the size and viability of the fetuses. In the pregnant uteri, hyperthyroidism did not change the thickness of the layers or the expression of Cdc47 and caspase-3. However, in the placentas, hyperthyroidism increased the medium diameter of trophoblast cells, as well as the thickness and the expression of Cdc47 of spongiotrophoblast cells, at 14 days of gestation. During uterine involution, hyperthyroidism significantly increased the expression of Cdc47 and reduced the expression of caspase-3 in the uterine layers. In conclusion, hyperthyroidism increased the conception rate because of an ovulation gain, induced significant placental changes during pregnancy and, in the uterus, increased Cdc47 expression and decreased caspase-3 expression after parturition.