Estudo Anatomohistopatológico da Paratuberculose em ovinos Serra da Estrela

A Paratuberculose é de uma doença crónica, de difícil diagnóstico, causadora de importantes perdas económicas. Por haver suspeita da sua presença nos efectivos ovinos da região da Serra da Estrela, é fundamental estabelecer um protocolo de diagnóstico rápido, eficaz e fiável, de modo a poderem ser identificados os rebanhos portadores de casos de doença e, posteriormente, elaborar-se um plano que permita o seu controlo. Este trabalho consistiu na aplicação de métodos de diagnóstico anatomopatológicos a 34 animais previamente submetidos a dois testes serológicos, ELISA e AGID, aos quais foi realizada a necrópsia. Assim, foram contemplados vários parâmetros de diagnóstico que incluíram a observação do hábito externo antes da realização da necrópsia, necrópsia, exame histopatológico, método de coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen, bem como o método de Imunohistoquímica, cujos resultados se apresentam. Teve como objectivo o estudo anátomopatológico de uma amostragem de animais soropositivos, negativos e duvidosos, de modo a avaliar o padrão lesional macro e microscópico, a presença de bactérias álcool-ácido-resistentes na coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen, bem como a marcação com o anticorpo anti-MAP, de modo a comparar estes resultados com os da serologia e assim contribuir para o objectivo último de estabelecer um protocolo de diagnóstico rápido, eficaz. Dos trinta e quatro animais enviados para necrópsia, verificou-se que os mesmos apresentaram reacção positiva ao ELISA em dezasseis casos, duvidoso num e foi negativo em doze animais. O AGID foi positivo apenas em quatro animais, e negativa em vinte e seis animais. O exame do hábito externo foi compatível em vinte e sete animais e não compatível em seis animais. O exame macroscópico foi compatível em vinte e oito animais e foi não compatível em três animais. A histopatologia foi compatível em vinte e um animais e foi não compatível em dez animais. Na coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen observaram-se bactérias álcool-ácido resistentes em dezoito animais e não se observaram bactérias álcool-ácido resistentes em treze animais. Na imunohistoquímica dois animais foram positivos.Projecto Agro 786, Medida 8. Desenvolvimento Tecnológico e Demonstração. Acção 8.1-Desenvolvimento Experimental e Demonstração, bem como a todas as entidades nele intervenientes

Paratuberculosis in Sheep from Serra da Estrela Region

Being Paratuberculosis a chronic disease of difficult diagnosis and having suspicious of her presence in Serra da Estrela ovine’s effectives, it’s essential to prove this fact and establish a fast, efficient and viable diagnosis protocol, to be able to identified flock’s carriers of disease cases and, subsequently, being developed an eradication plane that allows her control. Therefore, in this work were tested several diagnosis’ methods but this report reflects mostly on the histopatological diagnosis’ methods, including the general condition observation before necropsy elaboration, necropsy, histopathological exam and Ziehl-Neelsen’s stain method, as well as Immunohistochemical`s method. A analogy with serological diagnosis was made. Of the 46 animals sent to necropsy, 20 showed positive reaction to ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), 2 doubtful reaction and 21 were negative. The AGID was only positive in 4 animals. The symptoms were compatible in 34 animals. The macroscopic’s exam was compatible in 40 animals. The histopathology was compatible in 26 animals. The Ziehl-Neelsen’s stain of tissues revealed acid fast bacterias in 20 animals. In Immunohistochemical method 20 animals were positives

CARMENES input catalogue of M dwarfs. I. Low-resolution spectroscopy with CAFOS

Context. CARMENES is a stabilised, high-resolution, double-channel spectrograph at the 3.5 m Calar Alto telescope. It is optimally designed for radial-velocity surveys of M dwarfs with potentially habitable Earth-mass planets. Aims. We prepare a list of the brightest, single M dwarfs in each spectral subtype observable from the northern hemisphere, from which we will select the best planet-hunting targets for CARMENES. Methods. In this first paper on the preparation of our input catalogue, we compiled a large amount of public data and collected low-resolution optical spectroscopy with CAFOS at the 2.2 m Calar Alto telescope for 753 stars. We derived accurate spectral types using a dense grid of standard stars, a double least-squares minimisation technique, and 31 spectral indices previously defined by other authors. Additionally, we quantified surface gravity, metallicity, and chromospheric activity for all the stars in our sample. Results. We calculated spectral types for all 753 stars, of which 305 are new and 448 are revised. We measured pseudo-equivalent widths of Halpha for all the stars in our sample, concluded that chromospheric activity does not affect spectral typing from our indices, and tabulated 49 stars that had been reported to be young stars in open clusters, moving groups, and stellar associations. Of the 753 stars, two are new subdwarf candidates, three are T Tauri stars, 25 are giants, 44 are K dwarfs, and 679 are M dwarfs. Many of the 261 investigated dwarfs in the range M4.0-8.0 V are among the brightest stars known in their spectral subtype. Conclusions. This collection of low-resolution spectroscopic data serves as a candidate target list for the CARMENES survey and can be highly valuable for other radial-velocity surveys of M dwarfs and for studies of cool dwarfs in the solar neighbourhood.Comment: A&A, in pres

Lung tumorspheres as a drug screening platform against cancer stem cells

Treatment resistance and metastasis are linked to cancer stem cells (CSCs). This population represents a promising target, but remains unexplored in lung cancer. The main objective of this study was to characterize lung CSCs and discover new therapeutic strategies

Synthesis, structure and antileishmanial evaluation of endoperoxide–pyrazole hybrids

Leishmaniases are among the most impacting neglected tropical diseases. In attempts to repurpose antimalarial drugs or candidates, it was found that selected 1,2,4-trioxanes, 1,2,4,5-tetraoxanes, and pyrazole-containing chemotypes demonstrated activity against Leishmania parasites. This study reports the synthesis and structure of trioxolane–pyrazole (OZ1, OZ2) and tetraoxane–pyrazole (T1, T2) hybrids obtained from the reaction of 3(5)-aminopyrazole with endoperoxide-containing building blocks. Interestingly, only the endocyclic amine of 3(5)-aminopyrazole was found to act as nucleophile for amide coupling. However, the fate of the reaction was influenced by prototropic tautomerism of the pyrazole heterocycle, yielding 3- and 5-aminopyrazole containing hybrids which were characterized by different techniques, including X-ray crystallography. The compounds were evaluated for in vitro antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of L. tropica and L. infantum, and for cytotoxicity against THP-1 cells. Selected compounds were also evaluated against intramacrophage amastigote forms of L. infantum. Trioxolane–pyrazole hybrids OZ1 and OZ2 exhibited some activity against Leishmania promastigotes, while tetraoxane–pyrazole hybrids proved inactive, most likely due to solubility issues. Eight salt forms, specifically tosylate, mesylate, and hydrochloride salts, were then prepared to improve the solubility of the corresponding peroxide hybrids and were uniformly tested. Biological evaluations in promastigotes showed that the compound OZ1•HCl was the most active against both strains of Leishmania. Such finding was corroborated by the results obtained in assessments of the L. infantum amastigote susceptibility. It is noteworthy that the salt forms of the endoperoxide–pyrazole hybrids displayed a broader spectrum of action, showing activity in both strains of Leishmania. Our preliminary biological findings encourage further optimization of peroxide–pyrazole hybrids to identify a promising antileishmanial lead.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The CoRoT B-type binary HD50230: a prototypical hybrid pulsator with g-mode period and p-mode frequency spacings

B-type stars are promising targets for asteroseismic modelling, since their frequency spectrum is relatively simple. We deduce and summarise observational constraints for the hybrid pulsator, HD50230, earlier reported to have deviations from a uniform period spacing of its gravity modes. The combination of spectra and a high-quality light curve measured by the CoRoT satellite allow a combined approach to fix the position of HD50230 in the HR diagram. To describe the observed pulsations, classical Fourier analysis was combined with short-time Fourier transformations and frequency spacing analysis techniques. Visual spectra were used to constrain the projected rotation rate of the star and the fundamental parameters of the target. In a first approximation, the combined information was used to interpret multiplets and spacings to infer the true surface rotation rate and a rough estimate of the inclination angle. We identify HD50230 as a spectroscopic binary and characterise the two components. We detect the simultaneous presence of high-order g modes and low-order p and g-modes in the CoRoT light curve, but were unable to link them to line profile variations in the spectroscopic time series. We extract the relevant information from the frequency spectrum, which can be used for seismic modelling, and explore possible interpretations of the pressure mode spectrum.Comment: 26 pages, 12+6 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Spectrum radial velocity analyser (SERVAL). High-precision radial velocities and two alternative spectral indicators

Context: The CARMENES survey is a high-precision radial velocity (RV) programme that aims to detect Earth-like planets orbiting low-mass stars. Aims: We develop least-squares fitting algorithms to derive the RVs and additional spectral diagnostics implemented in the SpEctrum Radial Velocity Analyser (SERVAL), a publicly available python code. Methods: We measured the RVs using high signal-to-noise templates created by coadding all available spectra of each star.We define the chromatic index as the RV gradient as a function of wavelength with the RVs measured in the echelle orders. Additionally, we computed the differential line width by correlating the fit residuals with the second derivative of the template to track variations in the stellar line width. Results: Using HARPS data, our SERVAL code achieves a RV precision at the level of 1m/s. Applying the chromatic index to CARMENES data of the active star YZ CMi, we identify apparent RV variations induced by stellar activity. The differential line width is found to be an alternative indicator to the commonly used full width half maximum. Conclusions: We find that at the red optical wavelengths (700--900 nm) obtained by the visual channel of CARMENES, the chromatic index is an excellent tool to investigate stellar active regions and to identify and perhaps even correct for activity-induced RV variations.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures. A&A in press. Code is available at https://github.com/mzechmeister/serva

Estudo anatomohistopatológico e microscópico.

Este trabalho consistiu na aplicação de métodos de diagnóstico anatomopatológicos a 46 animais previamente submetidos a dois testes serológicos, ELISA e AGID, aos quais foi realizada a necrópsia. Foram contemplados vários parâmetros de diagnóstico que incluíram a observação do hábito externo antes da realização da necrópsia, exame macroscópico, exame histopatológico, método de coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen e método de Imunohistoquímica, cujos resultados se apresentam. Teve como objectivo o estudo anátomopatológico de uma amostragem de animais soropositivos, negativos e duvidosos, de modo a avaliar o padrão lesional macro e microscópico, a presença de bactérias álcool-ácido-resistentes detectadas pelo método de coloração de Ziehl- Neelsen, bem como pela detecção imunohistoquímica com o anticorpo anti-MAP, de modo a comparar estes resultados com os da serologia e assim contribuir para o objectivo último de estabelecer um protocolo de diagnóstico rápido, eficaz. A maioria dos animais submetidos a necrópsia, apresentou um quadro de magreza e mau estado geral, seguindo-se os sinais de diarreia ou de fezes moles. Na grande maioria dos animais submetidos a necrópsia, foram evidentes lesões ganglionares, principalmente adenomegália, as quais correspondiam a lesões microscópicas de linfadenite granulomatosa, seguindo-se o pregueamento que não desaparecia quando a superfície da mucosa era esticada e que correspondia a inflamação granulomatosa difusa na mucosa e submucosa do intestino e da válvula íleo-cecal. Dos 46 animais enviados para necrópsia, 43 apresentavam resultados de serologia, tendo-se verificado que 20 (46,5%) apresentaram reacção positiva ao teste de ELISA, 2 foram duvidosos e 21 (47,7%) foram negativos. O AGID foi positivo apenas em 4 (9,3%) animais e negativo em 39 animais (90,7%). O exame do hábito externo foi compatível em 34 animais (75,6%) e não compatível em 11 animais (24,4%). O exame macroscópico foi compatível em 40 animais (93%) e foi não compatível em 3 animais (7%). O exame microscópico histopatológico foi compatível em 26 animais (60,5%) e foi não compatível em 17 animais (39,5%). No método de coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen observaram-se bactérias álcool-ácido resistentes em 20 animais (46,5%) e não se observaram bactérias álcool-ácido resistentes em 23 animais (53,5%). Na técnica de imunohistoquímica identificaram-se também 20 animais positivos (46,5%) e 23 animais (53,5%) foram negativos.Agradecimentos: Ao Projecto Agro 786, Medida 8. Desenvolvimento Tecnológico e Demonstração. Acção 8.1-Desenvolvimento Experimental e Demonstração, bem como a todas as entidades nele intervenientes