Assessment of soil erosion in olive orchards (Olea europaea L.) under cover crops management systems in the tropical region of Brazil

In the tropics, water erosion is one of the most important factors leading to the degradation and deterioration of agricultural land. Olive orchards have a low canopy coverage, especially during the first years after planting, due to the low density of olive trees. Given the fast expansion of olive orchards in Brazil, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of cover vegetation on soil and water losses under natural rainfall. In addition, it was assessed the crop performance and the vegetation cover index in different management systems in olive orchards. The study was carried out in soil erosion plots, where water and sediment were sampled and measured over two crops season, under the following treatments: in the first season, bare soil with olive cultivation (OBS); olive trees intercropped with spontaneous vegetation (OSV); olive trees intercropped with jack beans (OJB); olive trees intercropped with millet (OM) and, as a control, only bare soil (BS). In the second season, the OM treatment was replaced by olive trees intercropped with sunn hemp (OSH). On bare soils, soil loss was the highest reaching 303.9 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) and where the surface runoff amounted to 484.8 mm yr(-1). However, in the absence of competition for resources with other crops, olive trees performed best under this system. The olive orchards planted in shallow and sloping soils without cover crops showed unsustainable soil loss, crusting, and sealing in the superficial soil layer, which can progress quickly for soil degradation in the future. The efficiency in the reduction of loss in relation to bare soil was 4.11 and 12.93 % for the soil loss and 12.15 and 25.17 % for water loss, respectively, for olive with spontaneous vegetation and olive with jack beans. Cover crops combined with olive trees, and reconciled with the crop performance aspects of cultivation in tropical regions, is of great relevance for improving sustainability, especially regarding the reduction of soil and water losses due to water erosion

Crescimento de mudas de Mimosa scabrella Benth em função de diferentes tamanhos de recipientes e doses de fertilizante

This study evaluated different sized tubes and controlled release fertilizer doses to produce Mimosa scabrella seedlings. Tubes of 110 cm³ and 180 cm³ were used, filled with commercial substrate Tecnomax® and added 0, 3, 6 and 9 g L-1 Osmocote®. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, in a factorial 2 x 4. We used four replicates, each consisting of 16 plants. Evaluations were made 96 days after sowing. Morphologic analysis was performed by means of shoot height measurements (cm), stem diameter (mm) and the ratio of shoot height and diameter (H/D). The dosage of fertilizer that is more efficient was 6 g L-1, and the cartridge that had the most satisfactory result was 180 cm³. The slow-release fertilizer levels influenced the early growth of seedlings Mimosa scabrella, showing potential use in the fertilization of the specie.O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar diferentes tamanhos de tubetes e doses de fertilizante de liberação controlada para a produção de mudas de bracatinga. Foram utilizados tubetes de 110 cm³ e 180 cm³, preenchidos com substrato comercial Tecnomax® e adicionadas as doses 0, 3, 6 e 9 g L-1 de fertilizante Osmocote®. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC), em esquema bifatorial 2 x 4. Foram utilizadas quatro repetições, cada uma composta por 16 plantas. As avaliações foram feitas 96 dias após a semeadura. A análise morfológica foi realizada por meio de medições de altura da parte aérea (cm), diâmetro de colo (mm), bem como a relação entre altura da parte aérea e diâmetro de colo (H/D). A dosagem de fertilizante que se mostrou mais eficiente foi de 6 g L-1, e o tubete que promoveu resultado mais satisfatório foi de 180 cm³. As doses de adubo de liberação lenta influenciaram o crescimento inicial das mudas de bracatinga, demostrando potencial de uso na adubação da espécie

Lipid compartments and lipid metabolism as therapeutic targets against coronavirus

Lipids perform a series of cellular functions, establishing cell and organelles’ boundaries, organizing signaling platforms, and creating compartments where specific reactions occur. Moreover, lipids store energy and act as secondary messengers whose distribution is tightly regulated. Disruption of lipid metabolism is associated with many diseases, including those caused by viruses. In this scenario, lipids can favor virus replication and are not solely used as pathogens’ energy source. In contrast, cells can counteract viruses using lipids as weapons. In this review, we discuss the available data on how coronaviruses profit from cellular lipid compartments and why targeting lipid metabolism may be a powerful strategy to fight these cellular parasites. We also provide a formidable collection of data on the pharmacological approaches targeting lipid metabolism to impair and treat coronavirus infection

Global respiratory syncytial virus–related infant community deaths

Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of pediatric death, with >99% of mortality occurring in low- and lower middle-income countries. At least half of RSV-related deaths are estimated to occur in the community, but clinical characteristics of this group of children remain poorly characterized. Methods The RSV Global Online Mortality Database (RSV GOLD), a global registry of under-5 children who have died with RSV-related illness, describes clinical characteristics of children dying of RSV through global data sharing. RSV GOLD acts as a collaborative platform for global deaths, including community mortality studies described in this supplement. We aimed to compare the age distribution of infant deaths <6 months occurring in the community with in-hospital. Results We studied 829 RSV-related deaths <1 year of age from 38 developing countries, including 166 community deaths from 12 countries. There were 629 deaths that occurred <6 months, of which 156 (25%) occurred in the community. Among infants who died before 6 months of age, median age at death in the community (1.5 months; IQR: 0.8−3.3) was lower than in-hospital (2.4 months; IQR: 1.5−4.0; P < .0001). The proportion of neonatal deaths was higher in the community (29%, 46/156) than in-hospital (12%, 57/473, P < 0.0001). Conclusions We observed that children in the community die at a younger age. We expect that maternal vaccination or immunoprophylaxis against RSV will have a larger impact on RSV-related mortality in the community than in-hospital. This case series of RSV-related community deaths, made possible through global data sharing, allowed us to assess the potential impact of future RSV vaccines

Avaliação bacteriológica uterina de cadelas com piometra

Canine pyometra is characterized by inflammation of the uterus, a result of hormonal changes induced in the uterus, leading to secondary bacterial infections. This change occurs when the female is in estrus phase, characterized by increased plasma concentration of progesterone, this increase leads to cystic endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial activity, which makes the glandular tissue cystic and edematous. The excessive secretions accumulated in the endometrium leads to a favorable environment for bacterial growth. The recommended treatment is surgical by ovariohysterectomy (OSH). This study aimed to identify dogs with pyometra and evaluate uterine contents by bacteria, and thus determine a higher occurrence of bacteria in 10 dogs diagnosed with pyometra treated at the Veterinary Hospital of UNOPAR. All animals were submitted to OSH. In 50% of patients, the etiological agent was isolated Escherichia coli, 20% Strepetococcus spp, Enterococcus spp 10% and 20% of the samples were negative, indicating that most of the animals often have pyometra uterine infection by E. coliA piometra canina se caracteriza pela inflamação do útero, resultado este de alterações hormonais induzidas no útero, levando a infecções secundárias bacterianas. Esta alteração ocorre quando a fêmea esta na fase de diestro, caracterizado pelo aumento da concentração plasmática de progesterona, esse aumento leva a uma hiperplasia endometrial cística e maior atividade endometrial, tornando o tecido glandular cístico e edematoso. Com isso as secreções excessivas se acumulam na mucosa uterina levando a um ambiente propício para a proliferação bacteriana O tratamento de eleição é cirúrgico através da ovariosalpingohisterectomia (OSH). Objetivou-se identificar as cadelas com piometra e avaliar conteúdo uterino através de cultura bacteriana e determinar desta forma a bactéria de maior ocorrência em 10 cadelas diagnosticadas com piometra atendidas no Hospital Veterinário da UNOPAR. Todos os animais foram submetidos a OSH. Em 50% dos pacientes o agente etiológico isolado foi Escherichia coli, 20% Strepetococcus spp, 10% Enterococcus spp e 20% das amostras deram negativo, comprovando que a maioria dos animais com piometra possuem frequentemente infecção uterina por E. Coli

Occurrence of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii and Lepstospira spp. in manatees (Trichechus inunguis) of the Brazilian Amazon

The presence of Toxoplasma gondii and Leptospira spp. antibodies was investigated in 74 manatees (Trichechus inunguis [Mammalia: Sirenia]) kept in captivity in two rescue units in the northern region of Brazil. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 29 (39.2%) of 74 animals by using the modified agglutination test (titer, 1:25). For antibodies against Leptospira spp., sera were diluted 1:50 and tested against 24 strains of leptospires by microscopic agglutination microtechnique, and positive samples were end titrated. Twenty-three (31.1%) of 74 animals were reactive to four serovars (Patoc 21/23, Castellonis 2/23, Icterohaemorrhagiae 1/23, and Butembo 1/23), with titers ranging from 100 to 1,600. This is the first report of antibodies against T. gondii and Leptospira spp. in T. inunguis from the Brazilian Amazon. Copyright © 2012 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians

Lesões pulmonares de bovinos encontradas na inspeção post-mortem em matadouros frigoríficos no estado do Paraná

A inspeção de alimentos deve assegurar a qualidade higiênico-sanitária e tecnológica dos alimentos. Matadouros frigoríficos fornecem excelente oportunidade de detectar doenças de interesse econômico e de saúde pública. O objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar a ocorrência de condenações de pulmões de bovinos abatidos sob o S.I.F (Serviço de Inspeção Federal) em matadouros-frigoríficos nos meses de março e abril dos anos de 2001 à 2006 no estado do Paraná. Entre os 146.751 pulmões de bovinos pesquisados em três matadouros-frigoríficos de bovinos inspecionados sob o S.I.F., localizados no Estado do Paraná, 7,68% dos bovinos tiveram condenações pulmonares, sendo aspiração de sangue (34,6%), enfisema (33%), aspiração rumenal (21,5%) e congestão pulmonar (10,9%). Estes dados requerem que um novo estudo seja feito para averiguar falhas na tecnopatia como a insensibilização dos animais. Palavras Chaves: Aspiração de sangue, Bem estar animal, Bovinos de abate, Enfisema pulmonar, Insensibilização

Investigação de trauma na etiologia de aborto bovino leiteiro no Paraná, Brasil: Relato de caso

Abortion is a significant cause of reproductive failure and economic losses in cattle, in increased number of services per conception, days open, and average number of days in lactation. A case of bovine fetal abortion due to trauma in a dairy herd of Parana, Brasil is reported. A bovine fetus of six months of gestation was aborted and submitted for laboratory examination. Macroscopic lesions in fetal tissues were not found with the exception of hemorrhagic edema, T14 fracture and spinal cord transection. Was found in this fetus aborted 14 vertebrae thoracic. Results of the present study showed trauma as the aetiology of abortion in dairy cows in Parana.O aborto é uma causa significativa de falhas reprodutivas e perdas econômicas em bovinos, com aumento do número de serviços por concepção, de dias em aberto e do número médio de dias em lactação e perdas genéticas. Relata-se um caso de aborto fetal bovino devido a trauma em um rebanho leiteiro do Paraná, Brasil. Um feto bovino de seis meses de gestação foi abortado e apresentado para exame de laboratório. Lesões macroscópicas em tecidos fetais não foram encontrados com a exceção de edema hemorrágico, T14 com fratura e transecção espinhal. Foi encontrado neste feto abortado 14 vértebras torácicas. Os resultados do presente estudo mostraram trauma como a etiologia do aborto em vacas leiteiras no Paraná

Addendum: de Souza Mesquita, L.M., et al. Modulatory Effect of Polyphenolic Compounds from the Mangrove Tree Rhizophora mangle L. on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Insulin Resistance in High-Fat Diet Obese Mice. Molecules, 2018, 23, 2114

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