Isolation of Leptospira borgpetersenii in synanthropic Didelphis albiventris in Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil

A leptospirose é uma zoonose de veiculação hídrica e, portanto, se destaca pela possibilidade de contaminação ambiental, o que facilita a transmissão cruzada entre animais domésticos, selvagens e humanos. Espécies de gambás são importantes reservatórios dessa enfermidade, tornando-os potenciais disseminadores do agente. Com o objetivo de verificar a presença de Leptospira spp. e de anticorpos contra Leptospira spp. no Campus da Universidade Estadual Paulista, em Jaboticabal, foram capturados gambás (Didelphis albiventris) de vida livre para a colheita de amostras de sangue e de urina. As análises sorológicas foram efetuadas pela técnica de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (SAM). Alíquotas de urina foram semeadas nos meios Ellinghausen-McCullough-Johnson-Harris (EMJH) e Fletcher sem antibióticos. As amostras que apresentaram crescimento de espiroquetas foram levadas ao Laboratório de Leptospirose do Instituto de Patobiologia, no Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina e foram genotipadas com a técnica de Múltiplos Locus de Números Variáveis de Repetição em Tandem (MLVA). Dos 15 animais examinados pela SAM, nove (60,0%) foram reagentes à sorovariedade Patoc. Foi isolada e identificada a espécie patogênica Leptospira bosrpetersenii de três Didelphis albiventris. Os achados de isolamento da espécie patogênica Leptospira borgpetersenii na cultura de urina de três Didelphis albiventris são um grande descobrimento para as áreas da medicina veterinária preventiva e da saúde pública e reforçam a discussão sobre o importante papel dos animais selvagens de vida livre como reservatórios desse agente para animais domésticos e seres humanos, situação que serve de alerta para melhorias nas práticas sanitárias.Leptospirosis is a waterborne disease and, therefore, stands out for the possibility of environmental contamination, the cross transmission between domestic and wild animals and humans. Opossum species are important reservoirs of this disease making them potential pathogen spreaders. Aiming to verify the presence of Leptospira spp. and the antibodies against Leptospira spp. in the Campus of São Paulo State University, in Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil, freeliving wild life opossum (Didelphis albiventris) were captured for blood and urine sampling. Serological analysis was performed Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). Aliquots of urine were seeded in media Ellinghausen-McCullough- Johnson-Harris (EMJH) and Fletcher without antibiotics. The samples in which there was growth of leptospires were forwarded to the Leptospirosis Laboratory of the Institute of Pathobiology in the National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Buenos Aires, Argentina and were genotyped using Multiple Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA). Of the 15 analyzed animals, nine (60.0%) were reactant to Patoc serovar. The pathogenic specie Leptospira borgpetersenii was isolated and identified in three Didelphis albiventris. The isolation findings of pathogenic specie Leptopsira borgpetersenii in the urine culture of three Didelphis albiventris in a university campus are a major discovery in the area of preventive veterinary medicine and public health and open a discussion about the important role of free-living wild animals as reservoirs of this agent to domestic animals and humans, a condition that serves as a warning for the improvement of health practices

Root exudation of oxalic acid in Lotus corniculatus in response to aluminum toxicity

The objective of this research was to identify the existence of root exudation of organic acid in Lotus corniculatus germplasms subjected to toxic aluminum (Al) levels and investigate the effect of this mechanism on the Al content in the root tissue and in morphological parameters of plant development. Two experiments were performed in nutrient solution to evaluate the Al accumulation and exudation of organic acids, using cultivars INIA Draco and São Gabriel and genotypes UFRGS and UF-T2. The plants were cultivated in Al-free solution, which was applied on the 45th day in half of the pots of each genotype. Root exudation was highly correlated with the reduced accumulation of Al in the root tissue (r2 = 0.75 at 72 h). Genotype UF-T2, selected for Al tolerance, extruded 80% more oxalic acid in the presence of Al compared with the other germplasms, indicating that this mechanism is involved with Al tolerance in L. corniculatus. This experiment showed strong evidence that L. corniculatus exhibits Type I tolerance, in which anionic channels are rapidly activated by Al exposure. Exudation of oxalic acid is likely a crucial mechanism that allows the maintenance of L. corniculatus growth when exposed to toxic Al conditions, and this characteristic should be used to identify tolerant genotypes in the future

Behavior of hens reared at different densities and group sizes in an enriched environment

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar diferenças comportamentais entre poedeiras criadas sob diferentes densidades e tamanhos de grupo, em condições de ambiente enriquecido. Foram utilizadas poedeiras Isa Brown com idade entre 30 e 32 semanas alojadas em galpões de escala reduzida e distorcida. As aves foram criadas durante 28 dias, em baias com cama de maravalha, poleiro e ninho. Foram avaliados dois tamanhos de grupos (6 e 12 aves) e duas densidades de criação (774 e 1.440 cm² por ave), em arranjo fatorial com três repetições. Em amostras de vídeo de 15 min, foram registrados as frequências e os tempos de expressão dos comportamentos: arrumar penas, banho de areia, bater asas, beber água, bicar, coçar a cabeça, ciscar, comer, empoleirar, esticar perna, perseguir, sentar e visitar o ninho. Foram observados efeitos significativos dos tratamentos e da interação entre eles. O grupo de seis aves manifestou aumento da frequência de comportamentos que indicam maior frustração das aves, independentemente da densidade. O tamanho de grupo é o fator mais importante para o bem‑estar das aves.The objective of this work was to determine the behavioral differences among laying hens reared at different densities and group sizes, in an enriched environment. Isa Brown laying hens with ages from 30 to 32‑week‑old, in small‑sized and deformed pens, were used. Hens were raised during 28 days in bays with shavings bedding, perch and nest. Two group sizes were evaluated (6 and 12 fowls) and at two rearing densities (774 and 1,440 cm² by fowl) in a factorial arrangement with three replicates. In fifteen‑minute video footages, it was recorded the frequency and the expression period for the following behavior were recorded: feather scratching, sand bath, wing beating, drinking water, pecking, head scratching, earth scratching, eating, perching, leg stretching, pursuing, sitting, and nest visiting. The treatments and the interaction between them had significant effects. The six‑hen group increased the frequency of behavior types that indicate fowl frustration, regardless of density. The group size is the most important factor for hen well‑being

Cons-Ciência na Educação Ambiental: projetos de EA no Ensino de Química e Biologia

O projeto intitulado "Cons-Ciência na Educação Ambiental" vem sendo realizado em escolas de nível médio do Distrito Federal de Ensino Médio, colaborando no desenvolvimento de projetos de educação ambiental nessas instituições. O projeto tem possibilitado a indissociabilidade desejada ensino-pesquisa-extensão. &nbsp

Congenital malformations in neonates: analysis of morbidity and associated factors

Objective: To evaluate the neonatal morbidity due to congenital malformations in the city of Petrolina-PE, from 2008 to 2013. Methods: A descriptive study with data from the Information System on Live Births (Sinasc). The analyzes were carried out through frequency distribution and measures of central tendency and dispersion. The associations were tested by the Pearson and Kruskal Wallis chi-square tests. Significance was set at 5% and 95% confidence. Results: 436 cases of congenital malformations were recorded in the study period, with 2011 being the highest occurrence year. The mothers of the newborns were young (25.2 years old), single, upper level of education and household. In general multiparous, with single gestation, vaginal delivery and performed up to six prenatal visits. The newborns were males, at 39 weeks or more of gestation and with normal weight (> = 2500g). The malformations of the musculoskeletal system were the most frequent followed by the genitourinary system. Congenital malformations were especially associated with neonatal characteristics such as gender and weight. In all causes the mean weight was greater than 2500g (p <0.05). The causes of malformation of greater occurrence in both sexes were osteomuscular (p <0.05). The aspects of the mother did not present significant differences in the present study (p> 0.05). Conclusion: The present study evidenced relevant aspects in the occurrence of morbidities due to congenital malformations, directing to a greater attention the occurrence of these diseases especially in relation to the newborn

Butyrate Protects Mice from Clostridium difficile-Induced Colitis through an HIF-1-Dependent Mechanism

Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis is a key factor predisposing intestinal infection by Clostridium difficile. Here, we show that interventions that restore butyrate intestinal levels mitigate clinical and pathological features of C. difficile-induced colitis. Butyrate has no effect on C. difficile colonization or toxin production. However, it attenuates intestinal inflammation and improves intestinal barrier function in infected mice, as shown by reduced intestinal epithelial permeability and bacterial translocation, effects associated with the increased expression of components of intestinal epithelial cell tight junctions. Activation of the transcription factor HIF-1 in intestinal epithelial cells exerts a protective effect in C. difficile-induced colitis, and it is required for butyrate effects. We conclude that butyrate protects intestinal epithelial cells from damage caused by C. difficile toxins via the stabilization of HIF-1, mitigating local inflammatory response and systemic consequences of the infection

A farmacopsiquiatria dos antidepressivos: The pharmacopsychiatry of antidepressants

Os fármacos antidepressivos compõem o manejo terapêutico da depressão e inúmeros outros transtornos de origem neuropsiquiátrica. Logo, a ocorrências destes distúrbios tornam viável a aplicação destes, ressaltando ser essencial individualizar o tratamento e compreender a respeito das diversas classes, mecanismo de ação, interação medicamentosa, indicação clinica, grupo de risco e a intoxicação por superdosagem. O seguinte artigo objetivou descrever a respeito das particularidades dos antidepressivos, de modo a compreender sobre seu efeito farmacopsiquiatríco. Trata-se de uma revisão narrativa de literatura fundamentada nas renomadas plataformas de artigos indexados a respeito do tema. Foram selecionados os estudos que apresentavam relevância clinica para a compreensão do artigo, descartando-se os demais que não respondiam ao objetivo proposto. Na literatura científica estão disponíveis muitas informações pertinentes ao tema, ressaltando a importância deste. Atualmente, se encontram em aplicabilidade diversas classes que são os Inibidores Seletivos da Recaptação de Serotonina (ISRSs), Antidepressivos Tricíclicos (ADTs), Tetracíclicos e os Inibidores da Monoamina Oxidase (IMAO). Cada um destes possui um mecanismo de ação diferente, mas basicamente estes interferem no impulso nervoso de neurotransmissores beneficiando o portador de distúrbios neurocognitivos. Destacando que mesmo com o efeito terapêutico retrógrado, estes já manifestam os efeitos adversos. Logo, é imprescindível analisar qual o tipo e a dose do fármaco para se conduzir o melhor prognóstico do paciente.&nbsp

Studies of the mass composition of cosmic rays and proton-proton interaction cross-sections at ultra-high energies with the Pierre Auger Observatory

In this work, we present an estimate of the cosmic-ray mass composition from the distributions of the depth of the shower maximum (Xmax) measured by the fluorescence detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. We discuss the sensitivity of the mass composition measurements to the uncertainties in the properties of the hadronic interactions, particularly in the predictions of the particle interaction cross-sections. For this purpose, we adjust the fractions of cosmic-ray mass groups to fit the data with Xmax distributions from air shower simulations. We modify the proton-proton cross-sections at ultra-high energies, and the corresponding air shower simulations with rescaled nucleus-air cross-sections are obtained via Glauber theory. We compare the energy-dependent composition of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays obtained for the different extrapolations of the proton-proton cross-sections from low-energy accelerator data