Not all abscesses in small ruminants are caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

O presente estudo objetivou determinar a prevalência e distribuição de lesões abscedativas, identificação do agente etiológico e avaliação das lesões histológicas em caprinos e ovinos abatidos em um matadouro-frigorífico com Serviço de Inspeção Federal do estado da Bahia. Foram coletadas 153 amostras de vísceras e linfonodos com abscessos de 1.148 animais abatidos. A maior prevalência na espécie ovina foi em macho, com faixa etária de 12 meses, sendo os principais órgãos acometidos fígado (21,2%) e linfonodo pré-escapular (20,3%). Na espécie caprina, a prevalência maior foi em macho, com faixa etária de 30 meses, sendo os linfonodos retro faríngeo (25%) e pré-escapular os mais acometidos (25%). Isolou-se os seguintes micro-organismos das amostras: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis em 33,33%, Escherichia coli (19,61%), Proteus mirabilis (9,80%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7,19%), Trueperella pyogenes (5,22%), Streptococcusspp. (5,22%) e Staphylococcus aureus (4,57%). As lesões macroscópicas e histológicas dos abscessos coletados não apresentaram diferenças entre micro-organismos isolados.The study aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of abscessed lesions, etiologic agent identification and assessment of histological lesions in sheep and goats slaughtered in a slaughter plant refrigerator with Federal Inspection Service in the State of Bahia. The amount of 153 samples of viscera and lymph nodes with abscesses of 1.148 slaughtered animals were collected. The highest prevalence in sheep was in males, aged 12 months, as in liver (21.2%) and prescapular lymph nodes (20.3%) the main affected organs. The prevalence in goats in male, aged 30 months and in retropharyngeal (25%) and prescapular lymph nodes (25%). The following microorganisms were isolated from the samples: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis 33.33%, Escherichia coli 19.61%, Proteus mirabilis 9.80%, Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7.19%, Trueperella pyogenes 5.22%, Streptococcus spp. 5.22% and Staphylococcus aureus 4.57%. The macroscopic and histological lesions of abscesses collected presented no difference between isolated microorganisms

Evidência da transmissão do vírus da diarreia viral bovina através da lâmina d’água em leitões experimentalmente infectados

Os suínos podem ser infectados pelo vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV). No entanto, as vias de transmissão entre os suínos são ainda desconhecidas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi induzir a infecção experimental de BVDV-1 em leitões desmamados e avaliar a potencial transmissão pela lâmina d’água, que ajuda na troca de calor dos suínos alojados em baias. Duas repetições do experimento (BP1 e BP2) foram realizadas com 12 animais comprovadamente livres de BVDV (n=6 por repetição) alocados em três grupos: controle, sentinelas e infectados, com dois animais cada. Os animais foram mantidos em isoladores de aço inoxidável. O grupo infectado recebeu um inóculo contendo BVDV-1, estirpe Singer. Os animais permaneceram nos isoladores durante 25 dias e, durante esse período, amostras de suabe nasal foram coletadas diariamente e sangue coletado semanalmente. No final, os animais foram eutanasiados, necropsiados e fragmentos de órgãos foram coletados para histopatologia, imuno-histoquímica e RT-PCR. No primeiro experimento (BP1), os animais infectados excretaram partículas virais entre os dias 6 e 21 pós-infecção. Quanto ao grupo sentinela, a excreção ocorreu apenas em um animal, no 20º dia pós-infecção, e a soroconversão foi observada no 25º dia pós-infecção. Na BP2, os animais infectados I3 e I4 excretaram partículas virais nos dias 4 e 21 pós-infecção, respectivamente. Apenas um animal sentinela (S3) apresentou excreção no dia 13 pós-infecção. Concluiu-se que os suínos podem se infectar com BVDV-1 e excretar partículas virais potencialmente infecciosas, sendo capazes de transmitir o vírus a outros suínos através da lâmina d’água.Swine can be infected by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). However, transmission routes among pigs are still unknown. The objective of the present study was to induce experimental infection of BVDV-1 in weaned piglets and to assess the potential transmission through pen back pond water, used to facilitate heat exchange of the pigs housed in barns. Two repetitions (BP1 and BP 2) were performed using 12 piglets proven to be free BVDV (n=6 per repetition) allocated into three groups: control, sentinels and infected with two piglets each. The piglets were placed in stainless steel isolators. The infected group received an inoculum containing BVDV-1, Singer strain. The piglets remained in the cabinets for 25 days, during which samples of nasal swab were collected daily and blood sampled weekly. At the end, the piglets were euthanized, necropsied and organ fragments were collected for histopathology, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. In the first experiment (BP1) the infected animals shed the virus between days 6 and 21 post-infection. Regarding the sentinel group, shedding occurred in only one piglet, on the 20th day after infection, and seroconversion was observed on the 25th day post-infection. In BP2, infected piglets I3 and I4 shed the virus on days 4 and 21 post-infection, respectively. Only one sentinel piglet (S3) she the virus on day 13 post-infection. Therefore, it was concluded that pigs can become infected with BVDV-1 and shed potentially infectious viral particles consequently, being able to transmit the virus to other pigs through back pond water

Rights of nursing terchers in the contemporany: analysis from focal group / Direitos dos docentes de enfermagem na contemporaneidade: análise a partir de grupo focal

Objective: to verify the perception of university nursing professors about their labor rights and to discuss these rights in contemporary times. Method: descriptive and exploratory research with a qualitative approach carried out in two public universities located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Study participants were 14 nursing professors working at two public universities. For data collection, the focus group was used and the data were analyzed in the light of the content analysis technique. Results: three categories emerged: the rights of nursing professors in public universities in the neoliberal context; education as a right for all for the development of Brazil; and labor rights from the perspective of nursing professors: respect for the employment contract. Nursing professors carry out activities aimed at the training of nurses, as well as the production of knowledge and respect for human rights, however, the work of professors in public universities suffers from the intensification of work by the imposed model of productivity. Final Considerations: the need to respect human rights is highlighted, in order to promote quality of life in the context of the teacher's work.Objetivo: verificar la percepción de los profesores universitarios de enfermería sobre sus derechos laborales y discutir esos derechos en la contemporaneidad. Método: investigación descriptiva y exploratoria con enfoque cualitativo realizada en dos universidades públicas ubicadas en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro. Los participantes del estudio fueron 14 profesores de enfermería que trabajaban en dos universidades públicas. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó el grupo focal y los datos fueron analizados a la luz de la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados: surgieron tres categorías: los derechos de los profesores de enfermería en las universidades públicas en el contexto neoliberal; la educación como derecho de todos para el desarrollo de Brasil; y derechos laborales en la perspectiva de los profesores de enfermería: respeto al contrato de trabajo. Los profesores de enfermería realizan actividades encaminadas a la formación de enfermeros, así como a la producción de conocimiento y respeto a los derechos humanos, sin embargo, la labor de los profesores en las universidades públicas sufre la intensificación del trabajo por el modelo de productividad impuesto. Consideraciones finales: se destaca la necesidad de respetar los derechos humanos, con el fin de promover la calidad de vida en el contexto del trabajo docente.Objetivo: verificar a percepção dos docentes universitários de enfermagem acerca dos seus direitos laborais e discutir tais direitos na contemporaneidade. Método: pesquisa descritiva e exploratória de abordagem qualitativa realizada em duas universidades públicas situadas no município do Rio de janeiro. Os participantes do estudo foram 14 docentes de enfermagem lotados em duas universidades públicas. Para a coleta de dados foi utilizado o grupo focal e os dados foram analisados à luz da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Resultados: emergiram três categorias: os direitos do docente de enfermagem nas universidades públicas no contexto neoliberal; educação como direito de todos para o desenvolvimento do Brasil; e direitos laborais sob a ótica dos docentes de enfermagem:  respeito ao contrato de trabalho. Os docentes de enfermagem exercem atividades voltadas para a formação de enfermeiros, bem como a produção de conhecimento e respeito aos direitos humanos, todavia, o trabalho de docentes em universidades públicas sofre com a intensificação do trabalho pelo modelo imposto de produtividade. Considerações Finais: destaca-se a necessidade de respeito aos direitos humanos, para a promoção da qualidade de vida  no contexto do trabalho do docente.

Mineralocorticoid receptor blockade prevents vascular remodelling in a rodent model of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs), which are activated by mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids, actively participate in mechanisms that affect the structure and function of blood vessels. Although experimental and clinical evidence shows that vascular damage in diabetes is associated with structural alterations in large and small arteries, the role of MR in this process needs further studies. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that MR, through redox-sensitive mechanisms, plays a role in diabetes-associated vascular remodelling. Male, 12-14-weeks-old db/db mice, a model of type 2 diabetes and their non-diabetic counterpart controls (db/+) were treated with spironolactone (MR antagonist, 50 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 6 weeks. Spironolactone treatment did not affect blood pressure, fasting glucose levels or weight gain, but increased serum potassium and total cholesterol in both, diabetic and control mice. In addition, spironolactone significantly reduced serum insulin levels, but not aldosterone levels in diabetic mice. Insulin sensitivity, evaluated by the HOMA (homoeostatic model assessment)-index, was improved in spironolactone-treated diabetic mice. Mesenteric resistance arteries from vehicle-treated db/db mice exhibited inward hypertrophic remodelling, increased number of smooth muscle cells and increased vascular stiffness. These structural changes, determined by morphometric analysis and with a myography for pressurized arteries, were prevented by spironolactone treatment. Arteries from vehicle-treated db/db mice also exhibited augmented collagen content, determined by Picrosirius Red staining and Western blotting, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, determined by dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence, as well as increased expression of NAD(P)H oxidases 1 and 4 and increased activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Spironolactone treatment prevented all these changes, indicating that MR importantly contributes to diabetes-associated vascular dysfunction by inducing oxidative stress and by increasing the activity of redox-sensitive proteins

TNF-α induces vascular insulin resistance via positive modulation of PTEN and decreased Akt/eNOS/NO signaling in high fat diet-fed mice

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud High fat diet (HFD) induces insulin resistance in various tissues, including the vasculature. HFD also increases plasma levels of TNF-α, a cytokine that contributes to insulin resistance and vascular dysfunction. Considering that the enzyme phosphatase and tension homologue (PTEN), whose expression is increased by TNF-α, reduces Akt signaling and, consequently, nitric oxide (NO) production, we hypothesized that PTEN contributes to TNF-α-mediated vascular resistance to insulin induced by HFD. Mechanisms underlying PTEN effects were determined.\ud \ud \ud Methods\ud Mesenteric vascular beds were isolated from C57Bl/6J and TNF-α KO mice submitted to control or HFD diet for 18 weeks to assess molecular mechanisms by which TNF-α and PTEN contribute to vascular dysfunction.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud Vasodilation in response to insulin was decreased in HFD-fed mice and in ex vivo control arteries incubated with TNF-α. TNF-α receptors deficiency and TNF-α blockade with infliximab abolished the effects of HFD and TNF-α on insulin-induced vasodilation. PTEN vascular expression (total and phosphorylated isoforms) was increased in HFD-fed mice. Treatment with a PTEN inhibitor improved insulin-induced vasodilation in HFD-fed mice. TNF-α receptor deletion restored PTEN expression/activity and Akt/eNOS/NO signaling in HFD-fed mice.\ud \ud \ud Conclusion\ud TNF-α induces vascular insulin resistance by mechanisms that involve positive modulation of PTEN and inhibition of Akt/eNOS/NO signaling. Our findings highlight TNF-α and PTEN as potential targets to limit insulin resistance and vascular complications associated with obesity-related conditions.This work was supported by grants from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa\ud do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP 2013/08216-2-CRID), Coordenação de Aper‑\ud feiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Conselho Nacional de\ud Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Brazil

The 16th Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys: First Release from the APOGEE-2 Southern Survey and Full Release of eBOSS Spectra

This paper documents the 16th data release (DR16) from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS), the fourth and penultimate from the fourth phase (SDSS-IV). This is the first release of data from the Southern Hemisphere survey of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2); new data from APOGEE-2 North are also included. DR16 is also notable as the final data release for the main cosmological program of the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS), and all raw and reduced spectra from that project are released here. DR16 also includes all the data from the Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey and new data from the SPectroscopic IDentification of ERosita Survey programs, both of which were co-observed on eBOSS plates. DR16 has no new data from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey (or the MaNGA Stellar Library "MaStar"). We also preview future SDSS-V operations (due to start in 2020), and summarize plans for the final SDSS-IV data release (DR17)

The 16th Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys: First Release from the APOGEE-2 Southern Survey and Full Release of eBOSS Spectra

This paper documents the 16th data release (DR16) from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys (SDSS), the fourth and penultimate from the fourth phase (SDSS-IV). This is the first release of data from the Southern Hemisphere survey of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2); new data from APOGEE-2 North are also included. DR16 is also notable as the final data release for the main cosmological program of the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS), and all raw and reduced spectra from that project are released here. DR16 also includes all the data from the Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey and new data from the SPectroscopic IDentification of ERosita Survey programs, both of which were co-observed on eBOSS plates. DR16 has no new data from the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey (or the MaNGA Stellar Library "MaStar"). We also preview future SDSS-V operations (due to start in 2020), and summarize plans for the final SDSS-IV data release (DR17)