Powdered garlic in the alternative feeding of broiler chickens

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito da inclusão de alho em pó (Allium sativum) em rações para frangos, sobre desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e partes, peso de órgãos, níveis de colesterol e triacilgliceróis sangüíneos, e morfometria intestinal. Foram utilizados 720 pintainhos machos Cobb, com um dia de idade, distribuídos em blocos casualizados com seis tratamentos: ração sem promotor de crescimento (PC), sem anticoccidiano (AC) e com 0,00, 0,25, 0,50, 0,75 e 1,00% de alho; e ração com PC+AC, com quatro repetições de 30 aves cada. Peso, ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e mortalidade foram obtidos aos 21 e 42 dias de idade. Aos 42 dias de idade foram abatidas 20 aves por tratamento para determinação do rendimento de carcaça e 4 aves para avaliação do peso de órgãos e morfometria intestinal. Sangue de 8 aves por tratamento foi colhido para determinação de colesterol e triacilgliceróis. Em aves alimentadas até 42 dias de idade com ração sem promotor de crescimento e anticoccidiano, a inclusão de até 1,00% de alho em pó beneficiou a conversão alimentar e não alterou o rendimento de carcaça e partes, peso relativo dos órgãos, mucosa intestinal, nem os níveis séricos de colesterol e triacilgliceróis. O alho não substitui com eficiência o antibiótico usado como promotor de crescimento em rações de frangos.The objective of this work was to evaluate the inclusion of powered garlic (Allium Sativum) in diets of broiler chickens and the effect of this inclusion on the performance, carcass yield and parts, organ weights, serum cholesterol and triacilglycerols levels, as well as intestinal morphometry. Seven hundred and twenty male Cobb chicks one-day-old were distributed in randomized blocks with six treatments: diet without growth promoter and without anticoccidial (GP+AC) and with 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00% of powered garlic, and diet with GP+AC, with four replications of 30 chickens each. Chickens were reared up to 42 days old. Weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and mortality were obtained at 21 and 42 days. At the 42nd, 20 chickens per treatment were slaughtered in order to determine carcass yield and other 4 chickens per treatment were used to estimate organ weights and intestinal morphology. Blood of 8 chickens per treatment was collected to determine cholesterol and triacilglycerols. For the birds feeding on the diet without growth promoter and without anticoccidial, the inclusion up to 1.00% of powered garlic in the diet improved feed conversion and did not alter carcass yield and parts, organ weights, intestinal mucous or influenced the serum levels of cholesterol and triacilglycerols. The garlic did not replace efficiently the antibiotic

LEISHMANIOSE TEGUMENTAR AMERICANA - APRESENTAÇÃO ATÍPICA DIAGNOSTICADA COM TÉCNICA DE BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR

American cutaneous leishmaniasis is an infectious, not contagious disease, caused by a protozoa from genus Leishmania and affects skin and mucosal tissue. The clinical symptoms is varied and it is related with the Leishmania species and the immune response of the host; Most common symptoms are single or multiples ulcerated lesions, however, we will present an atypical case of the disease. The patient presented mainly verrucous lesions in lower limbs, the polymerase chain reaction confirmed American cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis. After meglumine antimoniate treatment, the patient evolved with clinical improvement of the lesions, which supports the diagnosis. This case relevance is the need of knowledge of the disease atypical forms, in order to establish an early diagnosis and also an appropriate therapy.Leishmaniose tegumentar Americana é uma doença infecciosa, não contagiosa, causada por protozoários do gênero Leishmania, que acomete pele e mucosa. A clínica é variada e relaciona-se com a espécie de Leishmania e a resposta imune do hospedeiro; o quadro clássico são lesões ulceradas únicas ou múltiplas, porém mostraremos um caso atípico da doença. Paciente apresentava lesões predominantemente verrucosas em membros inferiores, a reação em cadeia da polimerase confirmou o diagnóstico de leishmaniose tegumentar Americana. Este paciente, após inicio do antimoniato de meglumina, evoluiu com melhora clínica das lesões, corroborando para o diagnóstico. A importância se deve a necessidade do conhecimento das formas atípicas da doença, a fim de se estabelecer um diagnóstico precoce e uma terapêutica correta

INFLUÊNCIA DA FOTOSSENSIBILIDADE NO DESENVOLVIMENTO DE CRISES EPILÉPTICAS MIOCLÔNICAS JUVENIL

Introdução: A epilepsia é uma desordem neurológica desencadeada pela hiperexcitação, causando crises convulsivas, podendo ter fatores genéticos conhecidos ou desconhecidos. Dentre as formas de epilepsias reflexas temos a mioclônica juvenil, a qual atinge a população jovem com crises mioclônicas e tônico-clônica, sendo geradas pela fotossensibilidade desses pacientes. Objetivo:  estabelecer a relação entre a fotossensibilidade como fator causador da epilepsia mioclônica juvenil, sob a justificativa que essa patologia afeta de forma marcante a vida dos portadores dessa síndrome. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática, de caráter descritivo e abordagem quantitativa. Resultados: a partir da aplicação da metodologia, foram encontradas17 produções científicas, das quais foram lidas na íntegra e elaborada uma tabela. Discussão: A fotossensibilidade tem íntima relação com o desenvolvimento da epilepsia mioclonica juvenil, devido às respostas fotoparoxísticas, se portar como um fator desencadeante, além da íntima relação da Epilepsia Mioclônica Juvenil (EMJ) com o ciclo sono vigília, despertar e diversos genes que contribuem para seu surgimento e consequentemente redução na qualidade de vida dos portadores.Considerações finais: É notório que para o surgimento da  EMJ, a conectividade funcional alterada das redes de excitação pode contribuir para a compreensão da mioclonia após o despertar, enquanto o aumento da conectividade do tálamo posterior pode explicar a fotossensibilidade.Introduction: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder triggered by hyperarousal, causing seizures, and may have known or unknown genetic factors. Among the forms of reflex epilepsies we have the juvenile myoclonic, which affects the young population with myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures, being generated by the photosensitivity of these patients. Objective: to establish the relationship between photosensitivity as a causative factor of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, under the justification that this pathology markedly affects the lives of patients with this syndrome. Methodology: This is a systematic bibliographic review, of a descriptive nature and a quantitative approach. Results: from the application of the methodology, 17 scientific productions were found, of which a table was read in full and elaborated. Discussion: Photosensitivity is closely related to the development of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, due to photoparoxysmal responses, behaving as a triggering factor, in addition to the intimate relationship of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) with the sleep-wake cycle, awakening and several genes that contribute to its emergence and consequently reduction in the quality of life of carriers. Final considerations: It is notorious that for the onset of JME, the altered functional connectivity of excitation networks may contribute to the understanding of myoclonus after awakening, while increased connectivity of the posterior thalamus may explain photosensitivity. La epilepsia es un trastorno neurológico generado por hiperexcitación, llevando a convulsiones, con factores genéticos conocidos o desconocidos. Entre las formas de epilepsia refleja la epilepsia mioclónica juvenil, prevalente en la población joven, que provoca crisis mioclónicas y tónico-clónicas, por fotosensibilidad. OBJETIVO: Realizar una revisión sistemática que aborde la fotosensibilidad como factor causal de la epilepsia mioclónica juvenil. METODOLOGÍA:  revisión bibliográfica sistemática, de carácter descriptivo. Para ello, utilizaron como criterios de inclusión artículos que abordan la relación entre fotosensibilidad y epilepsia mioclónica juvenil, publicados en los últimos 5 años, en inglés y portugués. Y los de exclusión son los artículos que no incluyen una muestra exclusiva de pacientes con epilepsia mioclónica juvenil, artículos por duplicado, en otros idiomas y fuera del marco temporal. RESULTADOS: Los hallazgos destacan la complejidad de la epilepsia mioclónica juvenil y su relación con la fotosensibilidad. El análisis de las respuestas fotoparoxísticas y los genes CSMD1, STIM2 y CHD2 influencia en el pronóstico y manejo de los pacientes con esta patología. DISCUSIÓN: La fotosensibilidad está  relacionada con el desarrollo de la epilepsia mioclónica juvenil, debido a respuestas fotoparoxísticas, ciclo sueño-vigilia y varios genes que contribuyen a su aparición y  una disminución de la calidad de vida de los pacientes con EMJ. CONSIDERACIONES FINALES: Es evidente que para la aparición de la epilepsia mioclónica juvenil, la conectividad funcional alterada de las redes de excitación puede contribuir a la comprensión de las mioclonías después del despertar, mientras que la conectividad aumentada del tálamo posterior explica la fotosensibilidad.Introdução: A epilepsia é uma desordem neurológica desencadeada pela hiperexcitação, causando crises convulsivas, podendo ter fatores genéticos conhecidos ou desconhecidos. Dentre as formas de epilepsias reflexas temos a mioclônica juvenil, a qual atinge a população jovem com crises mioclônicas e tônico-clônica, sendo geradas pela fotossensibilidade desses pacientes. Objetivo:  estabelecer a relação entre a fotossensibilidade como fator causador da epilepsia mioclônica juvenil, sob a justificativa que essa patologia afeta de forma marcante a vida dos portadores dessa síndrome. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica sistemática, de caráter descritivo e abordagem quantitativa. Resultados: a partir da aplicação da metodologia, foram encontradas17 produções científicas, das quais foram lidas na íntegra e elaborada uma tabela. Discussão: A fotossensibilidade tem íntima relação com o desenvolvimento da epilepsia mioclonica juvenil, devido às respostas fotoparoxísticas, se portar como um fator desencadeante, além da íntima relação da Epilepsia Mioclônica Juvenil (EMJ) com o ciclo sono vigília, despertar e diversos genes que contribuem para seu surgimento e consequentemente redução na qualidade de vida dos portadores.Considerações finais: É notório que para o surgimento da  EMJ, a conectividade funcional alterada das redes de excitação pode contribuir para a compreensão da mioclonia após o despertar, enquanto o aumento da conectividade do tálamo posterior pode explicar a fotossensibilidade

Reuma.pt/vasculitis - the Portuguese vasculitis registry

BACKGROUND: The vasculitides are a group of rare diseases with different manifestations and outcomes. New therapeutic options have led to the need for long-term registries. The Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register, Reuma.pt, is a web-based electronic clinical record, created in 2008, which currently includes specific modules for 12 diseases and > 20,000 patients registered from 79 rheumatology centres. On October 2014, a dedicated module for vasculitis was created as part of the European Vasculitis Society collaborative network, enabling prospective collection and central storage of encrypted data from patients with this condition. All Portuguese rheumatology centres were invited to participate. Data regarding demographics, diagnosis, classification criteria, assessment tools, and treatment were collected. We aim to describe the structure of Reuma.pt/vasculitis and characterize the patients registered since its development. RESULTS: A total of 687 patients, with 1945 visits, from 13 centres were registered; mean age was 53.4 ± 19.3 years at last visit and 68.7% were females. The most common diagnoses were Behçet's disease (BD) (42.5%) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) (17.8%). Patients with BD met the International Study Group criteria and the International Criteria for BD in 85.3 and 97.2% of cases, respectively. Within the most common small- and medium-vessel vasculitides registered, median [interquartile range] Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) at first visit was highest in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) (17.0 [12.0]); there were no differences in the proportion of patients with AAV or polyarteritis nodosa who relapsed (BVAS≥1) or had a major relapse (≥1 major BVAS item) during prospective assessment (p = 1.00, p = 0.479). Biologic treatment was prescribed in 0.8% of patients with GCA, 26.7% of patients with AAV, and 7.6% of patients with BD. There were 34 (4.9%) deaths reported. CONCLUSIONS: Reuma.pt/vasculitis is a bespoke web-based registry adapted for routine care of patients with this form of rare and complex diseases, allowing an efficient data-repository at a national level with the potential to link with other international databases. It facilitates research, trials recruitment, service planning and benchmarking.publishersversionpublishe

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Analyzing the safety of the parasiticide fungus Mucor circinelloides : first insights on its virulence profile and interactions with the avian gut microbial community

Parasiticide fungi are considered an accurate, sustainable, and safe solution for the biocontrol of animal gastrointestinal (GI) parasites. This research provides an initial characterization of the virulence of the native parasiticide fungus Mucor circinelloides (FMV-FR1) and an assessment of its impact on birds’ gut microbes. The genome of this fungus was sequenced to identify the genes coding for virulence factors. Also, this fungus was checked for the phenotypic expression of proteinase, lecithinase, DNase, gelatinase, hemolysin, and biofilm production. Finally, an in vivo trial was developed based on feeding M. circinelloides spores to laying hens and peacocks three times a week. Bird feces were collected for 3 months, with total genomic DNA being extracted and subjected to long-read 16S and 25S-28S sequencing. Genes coding for an iron permease (FTR1), iron receptors (FOB1 and FOB2), ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) (ARF2 and ARF6), and a GTPase (CDC42) were identified in this M. circinelloides genome. Also, this fungus was positive only for lecithinase activity. The field trial revealed a fecal microbiome dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria in laying hens, and Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in peacocks, whereas the fecal mycobiome of both bird species was mainly composed of Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes fungi. Bacterial and fungal alpha-diversities did not differ between sampling time points after M. circinelloides administrations (P = 0.62 and P = 0.15, respectively). Although findings from this research suggest the lack of virulence of this M. circinelloides parasiticide isolate, more complementary in vitro and in vivo research is needed to conclude about the safety of its administration to birds, aiming at controlling their GI parasites.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cat ovarian follicle ultrastructure after cryopreservation with ethylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is a promising technique for fertility maintenance. The aim of this study was to compare the morphology of domestic cat ovarian follicles after tissue cryopreservation with ethylene glycol (EG) and dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO). Ovaries from healthy adult cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy were used. Eight fragments were obtained from each pair of ovaries: two were used as fresh controls; three were submitted to fresh perfusion toxicity test and perfused with M199, 10% fetal calf serum and 0.4% sucrose containing Me2SO 1.5 M, EG 1.5 M or Me2SO 0.75 M + EG 0.75 M; and the remaining three fragments were perfused as described and submitted to slow freezing. After 45 days of cryopreservation, the samples were thawed, fixed and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The percentages of morphologically normal follicles identified by light microscopy were higher in the control group (94.45%) in comparison to the frozen groups (80.56% with EG, 78.7% with Me2SO and 75.87% with EG + Me2SO). The fresh perfused tissue showed no statistical difference compared to control or frozen samples. The TEM analysis showed less damage in the ultrastructure of follicles from the Me2SO group in comparison with the EG and Me2SO + EG groups. According to the morphological analysis, 1.5 M Me2SO is the best cryoprotectant for cryopreservation of domestic cat ovarian tissue regarding the morphology of preantral follicles after thawing. Further studies regarding the viability of these follicles should be performed

Alho em pó na alimentação alternativa de frangos de corte

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito da inclusão de alho em pó (Allium sativum) em rações para frangos, sobre desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e partes, peso de órgãos, níveis de colesterol e triacilgliceróis sangüíneos, e morfometria intestinal. Foram utilizados 720 pintainhos machos Cobb, com um dia de idade, distribuídos em blocos casualizados com seis tratamentos: ração sem promotor de crescimento (PC), sem anticoccidiano (AC) e com 0,00, 0,25, 0,50, 0,75 e 1,00% de alho; e ração com PC+AC, com quatro repetições de 30 aves cada. Peso, ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e mortalidade foram obtidos aos 21 e 42 dias de idade. Aos 42 dias de idade foram abatidas 20 aves por tratamento para determinação do rendimento de carcaça e 4 aves para avaliação do peso de órgãos e morfometria intestinal. Sangue de 8 aves por tratamento foi colhido para determinação de colesterol e triacilgliceróis. em aves alimentadas até 42 dias de idade com ração sem promotor de crescimento e anticoccidiano, a inclusão de até 1,00% de alho em pó beneficiou a conversão alimentar e não alterou o rendimento de carcaça e partes, peso relativo dos órgãos, mucosa intestinal, nem os níveis séricos de colesterol e triacilgliceróis. O alho não substitui com eficiência o antibiótico usado como promotor de crescimento em rações de frangos.The objective of this work was to evaluate the inclusion of powered garlic (Allium Sativum) in diets of broiler chickens and the effect of this inclusion on the performance, carcass yield and parts, organ weights, serum cholesterol and triacilglycerols levels, as well as intestinal morphometry. Seven hundred and twenty male Cobb chicks one-day-old were distributed in randomized blocks with six treatments: diet without growth promoter and without anticoccidial (GP+AC) and with 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00% of powered garlic, and diet with GP+AC, with four replications of 30 chickens each. Chickens were reared up to 42 days old. Weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and mortality were obtained at 21 and 42 days. At the 42nd, 20 chickens per treatment were slaughtered in order to determine carcass yield and other 4 chickens per treatment were used to estimate organ weights and intestinal morphology. Blood of 8 chickens per treatment was collected to determine cholesterol and triacilglycerols. For the birds feeding on the diet without growth promoter and without anticoccidial, the inclusion up to 1.00% of powered garlic in the diet improved feed conversion and did not alter carcass yield and parts, organ weights, intestinal mucous or influenced the serum levels of cholesterol and triacilglycerols. The garlic did not replace efficiently the antibiotic

Assessing the efficacy of the ovicidal fungus Mucor circinelloides in reducing coccidia parasitism in peacocks

Abstract The biological control of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites using predatory fungi has been recently proposed as an accurate and sustainable approach in birds. The current study aimed to assess for the first time the efficacy of using the native ovicidal fungus Mucor circinelloides (FMV-FR1) in reducing coccidia parasitism in peacocks. For this purpose, an in vivo trial was designed in the resident peacock collection (n = 58 birds) of the São Jorge Castle, at Lisbon, Portugal. These animals presented an initial severe infection by coccidia of the genus Eimeria (20106 ± 8034 oocysts per gram of feces, OPG), and thus received commercial feed enriched with a M. circinelloides suspension (1.01 × 108 spores/kg feed), thrice-weekly. Fresh feces were collected every 15 days to calculate the coccidia shedding, using the Mini-FLOTAC technique. The same bird flock served simultaneously as control (t0 days) and test groups (t15–t90 days). The average Eimeria sp. shedding in peacocks decreased up to 92% following fungal administrations, with significant reduction efficacies of 78% (p = 0.004) and 92% (p = 0.012) after 45 and 60 days, respectively. Results from this study suggest that the administration of M. circinelloides spores to birds is an accurate solution to reduce their coccidia parasitism