American College of Rheumatology Provisional Criteria for Clinically Relevant Improvement in Children and Adolescents With Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

10.1002/acr.23834ARTHRITIS CARE & RESEARCH715579-59

Collection, analysis and cryopreservation of semen from a model species, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

A espécie Callithrix jacchus pode ser utilizada como modelo experimental para outras espécies de primatas neotropicais, principalmente Callithriquídeos. Colheu-se sêmen desta espécie com os objetivos de otimizar a colheita de sêmen por vibro estimulação peniana, validar técnicas de avaliação espermática que possam ser utilizadas a campo, comparar as características seminais de indivíduos de duas colônias (Brasil e Alemanha), testar diferentes protocolos de congelação espermática e avaliar a atividade citoquímica mitocondrial (DAB) e a fragmentação de DNA de espermatozóides congelados. As técnicas de coloração para avaliação espermática utilizadas foram: eosina-nigrosina, coloração dupla trypan-blue giemsa, coloração simples para acrossoma, FITC-PSA, SpermOscan®, Spermac®, coloração com 3,3&#39;-diaminobenzidina (DAB) e ensaio Cometa alcalino. A congelação foi realizada com 100 µL de sêmen com meio TEST-Gema de ovo clarificado com glicerol 4% em palhetas 0,25 mL, e os protocolos de congelação testados foram: 1) fase de equilíbrio com curva de resfriamento (25°C-4°C) em 2 horas, 10 minutos no vapor de nitrogênio e finalmente imersão em nitrogênio líquido; 2) como Protocolo 1, mas sem fase de equilíbrio/resfriamento; e 3) diretamente no nitrogênio líquido. As palhetas foram descongeladas em água a 37°C por 5-10 segundos. A técnica de colheita resultou em 83,33% dos procedimentos com ejaculação. A coloração simples para acrossomo foi eficiente e pôde ser validada para utilização a campo. Não houve diferença significante (p<0,05) nas características seminais avaliadas entre as colônias do Brasil e da Alemanha. As análises pós-descongelação demonstraram queda nas variáveis motilidade e integridade da membrana plasmática com discreta superioridade no Protocolo 1, não houve diferença significante (p<0,05) entre os protocolos para a atividade citoquímica mitocondrial e o Protocolo 2 apresentou a menor taxa de fragmentação de DNA.The Callithrix jacchus can be used as a model species for other Neotropical primates species, mainly Callithriquids, for reproductive studies. Semen samples were collected with the following objectives: to improve the penile vibrostimulation technique, validate sperm evaluation techniques for field work, analyse the semen characteristics from animals at 2 colonies (Brazil and Germany), use 3 different freezing protocols in common marmosets sperms, evaluate a cytochemical technique for mitochondrial activity demonstration and evaluate DNA damage in frozen-thawed sperms. The staining techniques used in this work were: Eosin-nigrosin, Trypan-blue Giemsa, simple staining for acrosome, FITC-PSA, SpermOscan®, Spermac®, demonstration of cytochrome c oxidase activity in situ by the oxidation of 3,3&#39;-diaminobenzidina (DAB) and the Comet assay. Freezing was done in 100 µL semen with TESt-Yolk clarified medium plus 4% glycerol using 0.25 mL straws. The freezing protocols tested were: 1) straws at equilibrium phase with a 25°C to 4°C curve in 2 hours, 10 minutes at nitrogen vapour and finally into liquid nitrogen; 2) same as Protocol 1 without the equilibrium phase; and 3) straws directly into liquid nitrogen. All attempts resulted in 83,33% ejaculates. The simple staining technique for acrosome was validated and resulted in an obvious differentiation of the intact acrosome. Semen characteristics evaluation showed no difference between the 2 colonies. Post-thaw evaluation showed all protocols had negative effects on motility and plasmatic membrane integrity with a slightly superiority on Protocol 1. There was no difference between protocols in the mitochondrial activity demonstration and Protocol 2 presented the lowest DNA damage

Semen characteristics of captive common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): a comparison of a German with a Brazilian colony

Background The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is of interest for reproductive studies because of their high and variable fertility in captivity. However, to understand this variability, much basic information still needs to be gathered. This study is the first to characterize marmoset semen comparing a German and a Brazilian colony.Methods All animals were weighted, and semen samples were collected by penile vibratory stimulation and analyzed according to standard criteria.Results and Conclusions The German animals had a higher mean and maximum weight than the Brazilian. Further, sperm concentration tended to be higher with heavier animals in the German population, but not in the Brazilian. Additionally, major defects tended to be more frequent with higher weight but also only in German sample. In spite of these differences, the total range and variability in sperm concentration were similar in both populations, suggesting that this is characteristic for the species.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

First record of Sooty Tern, Onychoprion fuscatus (Linnaeus, 1766) (Laridae, Charadriiformes), from São Paulo state, Brazil

Sooty Tern, Onychoprion fuscatus (Linnaeus 1766), is a rare species along the Brazilian coast due to oceanic habits. We report the first documented record of this species from São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. The specimen was found beached in Mongaguá municipality. Morphological assessment, necropsy, and histological analysis allowed us to identify species, reproductive state (non-breeding), and sex (male) of this specimen

Pelvimetria em macacos-da-noite (Aotus azarai infulatus - KUHL, 1820)

Related data to the diameters of the pelvis from 72 Aotus azarai infulatus, owl monkeys, 42 adult males and 30 adult non-pregnant females, were obtained in vivo by ventrodorsal projection radiographic exams, correlated with sex, the measures of the body and their origin. The mean values of the body length (30.94 cm), tail length (35.63 cm), thoracic perimeter (18.97 cm), hip perimeter (17.11 cm) and the weight (0.96 Kg) were verified. The radiographic images were digitalized and measured, and the mean values were 1.41 cm for the superior biiliac diameter; 1.58 cm for the inferior biiliac diameter; 1.97 cm for the medium biiliac diameter; 2.64 cm for the right diagonal diameter; 2.66 cm for the left diagonal diameter; 2.48 cm for the sacrum-pubic diameter; 3.85 cm 2 for the inlet pelvic area. In conclusion, the pelvis from males and females Aotus azarai infulatus can be classified as dolicopelvic and there is pelvic sexual dimorphism in adult owl monkeys (Aotus azarai infulatus)

Atrofia testicular em Alouatta caraya mantido em cativeiro: relato de caso

Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária. Instituto de Saúde e Produção Animal. Belém, PA, Brasil.Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária. Instituto de Saúde e Produção Animal. Belém, PA, Brasil.Sem AfiliaçãoUniversidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia. Programa de Pós Graduação da Anatomia dos Animais Domésticos e Silvestres. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.O presente estudo objetivou avaliar aspectos anatomopatológicos de um caso de atrofia testicular em Alouatta caraya mantido em cativeiro no Centro Nacional de Primatas - CENP/SVS/MS. Foi realizado exame de sêmen e biométrico dos testículos. Os resultados demonstraram que o animal apresentava azoospermia e no exame biométrico, o testículo direito apresentou volume médio de 0,438cm e o esquerdo 0,407cm, valores bastante inferiores aos registrados na literatura para machos normais da espécie. Na inspeção ambos os testículos apresentavam consistência mais firme que a habitual e ao corte o parênquima mostrou-se mais escuro. No exame histopatológico foi verificada redução acentuada no número de túbulos seminíferos, alguns se encontravam totalmente atrofiados e hialinizados, outros com ausência do epitélio germinativo e presença de células de Sertoli vacuolizadas enquanto que as células intersticiais (Leydig) se apresentavam proliferadas. Conclui-se que a gonadopatia resultou de processo degenerativo, estando a lesão num estágio de cronicidade

Validation of non-fluorescent methods to reliably detect acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity of common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) sperm

German Primate Centre. Reproductive Biology Department. Germany / University of Sao Paulo. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science. Department of Animal Reproduction. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.University of Sao Paulo. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science. Department of Surgery. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.University of Sao Paulo. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science. Department of Animal Reproduction. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.German Primate Centre. Reproductive Biology Department. Germany.University of Sao Paulo. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science. Department of Animal Reproduction. São Paulo, SP, Brazil.Simple, rapid and stable sperm evaluation methods which have been optimized for common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) are critical for studies involving collection and evaluation of sperm in the field. This is particularly important for new species groups such as Callitrichidae where the sperm have been little studied. Of this family, C. jacchus is the best known, and has been chosen as a model species for other members of the genus Callithrix. The fundamental evaluation parameters for sperm of any species are viability and acrosomal status. Semen samples were collected by penile vibratory stimulation. To evaluate sperm plasma membrane integrity, Eosin-Nigrosin was tested here for the common marmoset sperm to be used under field conditions. Further, a non-fluorescent stain for acrosome, the "Simple" stain, developed for domestic and wild cats, was tested on common marmoset sperm. This was compared with a fluorescent staining, Fluorescein isothiocyanate-Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA), routinely used and validated for common marmoset at the German Primate Centre to evaluate acrosomal integrity. Results obtained with the "Simple" stain showed a marked differentiation between sperm with intact and non-intact acrosome both with and without ionophore treatment and closely correlated with results obtained with FITC-PSA. Temperature had no effect on the results with the "Simple" stain and the complete processing is simple enough to be carried out under field conditions. These findings indicated that the "Simple" stain and Eosin-Nigrosin provide rapid and accurate results for C. jacchus sperm and that those methods can be reliably used as field tools for sperm evaluation for this species

Causas de morte e reabilitação de cetáceos no sudeste-sul do Brasil registrados através do monitoramento sistemático de praias

Beach monitoring projects have been an important tool used in environmental licensing to assess the impacts of coastal and marine human activities. These projects usually have as part of their tasks to rescue and rehabilitate marine animals, including cetaceans. This study reviews cetacean rehabilitation cases carried out by the Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (PMP-BS) between 2016 and 2019. This project daily monitors approximately 2100 km of coastline along the southeast-south Brazilian coast to record marine tetrapods and rehabilitate live animals when possible. In the analyzed period, 4531 stranding of 27 cetacean species were recorded. Most were dead animals (99%, n = 4482) and only 1% (n = 49) were found alive. To assess patterns in causes of death it was decided to use only necropsies performed on fresher carcasses (n = 863). Anthropogenic causes of death were the most frequent (n = 270; 93%), mainly related to the respiratory system, possibly caused by drowning derived from interactions with fishing gear. Of the animals found alive, 36 were taken to rehabilitation bases, but 32 ended up dying during the rehabilitation process, one euthanasia was necessary and only three specimens were successfully rehabilitated and reintroduced into the wild. The most frequent species was Pontoporia blainvillei, both in dead (n = 2178) and live (n = 18) specimens. The results obtained by beach monitoring projects are important due to their effort standardization and homogenous activity protocols. Their results serve to guide and direct dedicated field research, highlighting the value of accurate and continuous stranding records. Even considering that the number of animals returned to their environment was low, learning from animals sent for treatment is of great importance for future rehabilitation cases. Key words: Strandings, Cetaceans, Rehabilitation, Conservation, Monitoring.Os projetos de monitoramento de praia são uma importante ferramenta utilizada no licenciamento ambiental para avaliar impactos de diferentes atividades humanas no ambiente costeiro e marinho. Uma das atividades realizadas por estes projetos é o resgate e reabilitação de animais, incluindo os cetáceos. Este estudo analisa os casos de reabilitação de cetáceos feitos pelo Projeto de Monitoramento de Praias da Bacia de Santos (PMP-BS) entre os anos de 2016 a 2019. O PMP-BS percorre diariamente cerca de 2100km de costa ao longo do litoral sudeste-sul brasileiro com a finalidade de registrar tetrápodes marinhos e reabilitar os animais vivos quando possível. No período analisado, foram registrados 4531 encalhes de 27 espécies de cetáceos. A grande maioria correspondeu a animais mortos (99%, n=4482) e apenas 1% (n=49) foram encontrados vivos. Para avaliar os padrões de causas de morte optou-se por utilizar apenas necropsias realizadas em carcaças mais frescas (n=863). As causas de morte antropogênicas foram as mais frequentes (n=270; 93%), estando principalmente ligadas ao sistema respiratório, possivelmente causadas por afogamento derivado de interações com artefatos de pesca.&nbsp; Dos animais encontrados vivos, 36 foram levados para bases de reabilitação, mas 32 acabaram vindo a óbito, a realização de uma eutanásia foi necessária e apenas três espécimes tiveram sucesso na reabilitação e foram reintroduzidos na natureza. A espécie mais frequente foi Pontoporia blainvillei, tanto nos exemplares mortos (n=2178) quanto vivos (n=18). Os resultados obtidos por projetos de monitoramento são importantes devido à sua padronização dos esforços e protocolos de atividades, e servem para direcionar pesquisas de campo dedicadas, destacando o valor dos registros precisos e contínuos de encalhes. Mesmo considerando que a quantidade de animais retornados para o ambiente foi reduzida, o aprendizado com os animais enviados para tratamento é de grande importância para casos de reabilitação futuros. Palavras-chaves: Encalhes, Cetáceos, Reabilitação, Conservação, Monitoramento

Colletion, evaluation and coagulum dissolution of sêmen from Goeldis Monkey

Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia. Departamento de Reprodução Animal. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia. Departamento de Reprodução Animal. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Centro Nacional de Primatas. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Universidade Paulista. Instituto de Ciências da Saúde. São Paulo, SP, Brasil / Wildlife Management Consultoria Veterinária. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.Research on Neotropical primates' reproduction is necessary due to the lack of available information and the increasing threat to these species. Callimico goeldii is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This study aimed to test rectal electrostimulation for semen collection and evaluate seminal characteristics. Therefore, semen from 6 captive Goeldi's monkeys was collected and, for the first time, seminal characteristics are described. Coagulum formation was noted in all ejaculates, and we obtained partial or complete liquefaction of the samples. Results were (means ± SD): volume = 26.9 ± 11.87 μL; pH = 7.61 ± 0.28; concentration = 143.18 ± 174.96 × 106 spermatozoa/mL; total sperm motility = 83.33 ± 5.16%; linear progressive motility = 46 ± 24.08%; plasma membrane integrity = 36.38 ± 16.11%; acrosome integrity using fast-green/bengal-rose staining = 63.41 ± 11.72%, and kit Spermac® = 69.36 ± 11.81%; abnormal sperm = 72.5 ± 17.7%, with 16.2 ± 7.7% major defects and 56.3 ± 10% minor defects; sperm with high mitochondrial activity class I = 16.45 ± 22.25%. Rectal electrostimulation was an efficient method for semen collection in this species. Investigations are required to improve semen collection and handling, including cryopreservation methods