Equine Colic Syndrome Induced by the Ingestion of Sugarcane

Background: Equine colic syndrome comprises numerous conditions associated with abdominal pain in horses. Impaction, a common cause of this manifestation, is strongly related to these animals’ diet. Highly fibrous diets such as sugarcane can predispose horses to colic. The clinical condition can be worsened by fermentative processes, which lead to dysbiosis, circulatory disorders and even endotoxemia. The aim of this study was to report 4 cases of colic syndrome among 8 horses that underwent an experiment to adapt them to a sugarcane-based diet, and to correlate the animals’ clinical conditions to the forage they ingested. Cases: Eight male castrated Mangalarga Marchador horses, between 5.5 and 7 years old, were subjected to an experiment to test the feasibility of sugarcane as forage. Four of these horses were taken to the Large Animal Veterinary Hospital (HVGA) of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro for treatment of abdominal signs of discomfort a few days after the exclusive consumption of sugarcane, in a proportion of 1.75% of live weight in dry matter. The animals’ symptoms ranged from behavioral signs indicative of pain to changes in vital parameters and structure of the feces, as well as changes revealed by transrectal palpation. Three of the 4 cases presented impaction in the small colon, and 1 of the horses also presented impaction in the right dorsal colon and rostral displacement of the pelvic flexure, with accumulation of contents in the right ventral colon and sternal flexure. Two of the cases were treated medically, while the other 2 required surgical intervention. The clinical condition of all the patients evolved favorably and they were discharged between 2 and 18 days. Discussion: Colic originating in the digestive system is a syndrome strongly associated with management, especially with respect to confinement, nutrition, and parasite control. During the experiment, 4 of the 8 horses fed with sugarcane presented with colic syndrome. The low quality of sugarcane fiber is due to the high degree of lignification of the plant cell wall, which favors accumulation of ingesta. The poor digestibility and sweet taste of this roughage favor increased consumption. Furthermore, its high sucrose content, associated with an increased rate of passage in the small intestine, alters the intestinal microbiome, and hence, the fermentation byproducts and pH of the ingesta. High intestinal content, allied to longer retention times in the colon and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, promote greater dryness of the ingesta, predisposing the occurrence of impactions in the most distal portion of the large intestine. Intestinal distension and mesenteric traction caused by the accumulation of contents and gases trigger pain, which can worsen due to displacement of the large colon. Small colon impaction, which is easily identified by transrectal palpation, evolves gradually and its treatment, both clinical and surgical, tends to have a favorable prognosis. The need for alternative food sources for horses is a growing demand; however, sugarcane as an exclusive roughage has been shown to be unsafe for horses. The low quality of the fiber and the high sucrose content of this forage can alter the digestive physiology of horses through changes in the passage rate, microbiome and motility of digesta, predisposing them to intestinal dysfunction, ingesta compaction and displacement of the large colon. Keywords: horse, acute abdomen, nutrition, diet, forage, digestibility, gastrointestinal disease. Título: Síndrome cólica em equinos induzida por ingestão de cana de açúcar. Descritores: cavalo, abdômen agudo, nutrição, dieta, foragem, digestibilidade, doença gastrointestinal

EXTENSÃO UNIVERSITÁRIA NA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19: PROJETO RADIOLOGIA NA COMUNIDADE, O USO DA REDE SOCIAL E AMBIENTE VIRTUAL DE APRENDIZAGEM

A extensão universitária viabiliza um retorno do ensino acadêmico para a comunidade externa. O projeto Radiologia na Comunidade promove esse contato e permite a conscientização por meio da educação em saúde quanto ao câncer de mama e à osteoporose. Este ensaio tem como objetivo evidenciar as potencialidades e limites da Extensão Universitária durante a pandemia de Covid-19 por meio da experiência do Projeto Radiologia na Comunidade. Trata-se de um relato de experiência sobre o desenvolvimento da ação de extensão, se constitui como uma pesquisa-ação de natureza educativa. O projeto foi desenvolvido na disciplina Extensão II, entre os meses de março e setembro de 2020, pelos discentes da quinta fase do Curso Superior de Tecnologia em Radiologia. A organização da atividade foi dividida em três momentos: produção de um curso livre na modalidade de Ensino a Distância em um ambiente virtual de aprendizagem; um livro digital; e também a criação de uma conta na rede social (Instagram). Todas as ações tiveram como objetivo promover a educação em saúde. Os discentes foram organizados em grupos com atribuições específicas. Entre as potencialidades do projeto, citam- se a ampliação do público alcançado, a flexibilidade na execução da proposta e as novas experiências vivenciadas pelos estudantes com o uso de tecnologias. Em relação aos limites, mencionam-se o ambiente virtual de aprendizagem pela dificuldade de acesso e o uso da tecnologia, bem como a falta de motivação com o uso dessa ferramenta e a privação da integração social. Por meio do pensamento criativo e da realidade imposta, o projeto reinventou-se e executou um novo modo de fazer extensão universitária, reafirmando que a comunidade não é apenas aquela que está próxima de nós fisicamente, a nossa comunidade é o mundo.Palavras-chave: Relações Comunidade-Instituição. Educação em Saúde. Assistência Integral à Saúde. Isolamento Social

Fotoexposição solar e fotoproteção de agentes de saúde em município de Minas Gerais

doi: 10.5216/ree.v12i3.6156 A pele é um órgão externo e está sujeita a agressões diárias provocadas pela exposição solar. Os profissionais que exercem seu trabalho em ambientes externos estão sujeitos aos danos ocasionados pela exposição solar sem proteção, como os agentes comunitários de saúde e de combate a endemias. Nesse sentido, esse estudo teve como objetivo conhecer os hábitos de exposição solar de agentes comunitários de saúde e de combate a endemias que atuam no município de Ribeirão das Neves, Minas Gerais. Foi realizado um estudo exploratório, no ano de 2008 com a aplicação de um questionário semi-estruturado, com 7 agentes comunitários de saúde e 6 agentes de combate a endemias. Os resultados revelaram que a maior parte dos entrevistados expõe-se por mais de cinco horas diárias a radiação solar, sendo a totalidade em horário crítico; 46,17% não usam protetor solar e 23% associam métodos químicos e físicos e todos apresentaram algum agravo a pele em decorrência de sua atividade profissional. Os resultados apontam para a importância da criação e implementação de ações que motivem esses profissionais no uso de medidas de fotoproteção efetivas. Descritores: Radiação solar; Promoção da saúde; Saúde do Trabalhador

The Schistosoma mansoni cyclophilin A epitope 107-121 induces a protective immune response against schistosomiasis

Great efforts have been made to identify promising antigens and vaccine formulations against schistosomiasis. Among the previously described Schistosoma vaccine candidates, cyclophilins comprise an interesting antigen that could be used for vaccine formulations. Cyclophilin A is the target for the cyclosporine A, a drug with schistosomicide activity, and its orthologue from Schistosoma japonicum induces a protective immune response in mice. Although Schistosoma mansoni cyclophilin A also represents a promising target for anti-schistosome vaccines, its potential to induce protection has not been evaluated. In this study, we characterized the cyclophilin A (SmCyp), initially described as Smp17.7, analyzed its allergenic potential using in vitro functional assays, and evaluated its ability to induce protection in mice when administered as an antigen using different vaccine formulations and strategies. Results indicated that SmCyp could be successfully expressed by mammalian cells and bacteria. The recombinant protein did not promote IgE-reporter system activation in vitro, demonstrating its probable safety for use in vaccine formulations. T and B-cell epitopes were predicted in the SmCyp sequence, with two of them located within the active isomerase site. The most immunogenic antigen, SmCyp (107–121), was then used for immunization protocols. Immunization with the SmCyp gene or protein failed to reduce parasite burden but induced an immune response that modulated the granuloma area. In contrast, immunization with the synthetic peptide SmCyp (107–121) significantly reduced worm burden (48–50%) in comparison to control group, but did not regulate liver pathology. Moreover, the protection observed in mice immunized with the synthetic peptide was associated with the significant production of antibodies against the SmCyp (107–121) epitope. Therefore, in this study, we identified an epitope within the SmCyp sequence that induces a protective immune response against the parasite, thus representing a promising antigen that could be used for vaccine formulation against schistosomiasis

GQ-16, a TZD-derived partial PPARγ agonist, induces the expression of thermogenesis- related genes in brown fat and visceral white fat and decreases visceral adiposity in obese and hyperglycemic mice

Background Beige adipocytes comprise a unique thermogenic cell type in the white adipose tissue (WAT) of rodents and humans, and play a critical role in energy homeostasis. In this scenario, recruitment of beige cells has been an important focus of interest for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat obesity. PPARγ activation by full agonists (thiazolidinediones, TZDs) drives the appearance of beige cells, a process so-called browning of WAT. However, this does not translate into increased energy expenditure, and TZDs are associated with weight gain. Partial PPARγ agonists, on the other hand, do not induce weight gain, but have not been shown to drive WAT browning. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of GQ-16 on BAT and on browning of WAT in obese mice. Methods Male Swiss mice with obesity and hyperglycemia induced by high fat diet were treated with vehicle, rosiglitazone (4 mg/kg/d) or the TZD-derived partial PPARγ agonist GQ-16 (40 mg/ kg/d) for 14 days. Fasting blood glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lipid profile were measured. WAT and brown adipose tissue (BAT) depots were excised for determination of adiposity, relative expression of Ucp-1, Cidea, Prdm16, Cd40 and Tmem26 by RT-qPCR, histological analysis, and UCP-1 protein expression analysis by immunohistochemistry. Liver samples were also removed for histological analysis and determination of hepatic triglyceride content. Results GQ-16 treatment reduced high fat diet-induced weight gain in mice despite increasing energy intake. This was accompanied by reduced epididymal fat mass, reduced liver triglyceride content, morphological signs of increased BAT activity, increased expression of thermogenesis- related genes in interscapular BAT and epididymal WAT, and increased UCP-1 protein expression in interscapular BAT and in epididymal and inguinal WAT. Conclusion This study suggests for the first time that a partial PPARγ agonist may increase BAT activity and induce the expression of thermogenesis-related genes in visceral WAT. General Significance These findings suggest that PPARγ activity might be modulated by partial agonists to induce WAT browning and treat obesity

Organic beet leaves and stalk juice attenuates the glutathione peroxidase increase induced by high-fat meal in dyslipidemic patients : a pilot double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

The beet, including the leaves and stalk (BLS), is a vegetable with great antioxidant potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in the nutritional composition and the concentration of total phenolics between the organic and conventional BLS and to verify whether the ingestion of an organic BLS juice containing different concentrations of polyphenols modulated some biomarkers of oxidative stress after the ingestion of a high-fat meal in individuals with dyslipidemia. A controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover clinical trial with a washout period of 1 week was carried out. A 12-h fasting blood sample was collected. Afterward, the participants consumed a high-fat meal, followed by the ingestion of a placebo or one of the organic BLS juices containing either 32.0 or 77.5 mg/100 mL of polyphenols. Blood samples were obtained 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after the first blood collection. The composition analysis showed that organic BLS had a better nutritional composition than conventional ones. The high-fat meal induced postprandial hypertriglyceridemia after 120 min (p < 0.001) and increased the concentration of malondialdehyde after 30 min (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant increase in GPx in 30 min (p = 0.026). This increase was attenuated in the group that received the highest dose of polyphenols when compared with the placebo after 30 min (p = 0.045). Therefore, the organic BLS juice containing 77.5 mg of polyphenols was efficient at modulating one of the postprandial mechanisms of enzymatic antioxidant protection in individuals with dyslipidemia

Sinais e sintomas, diagnóstico e tratamento atual da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico no paciente pediátrico: uma revisão sistemática

Objetivo: O objetivo desta revisão bibliográfica foi relatar o conhecimento atual sobre os principais sinais e sintomas, métodos utilizados no diagnóstico e os possíveis planos terapêuticos de bebês e crianças com doença do refluxo gastroesofágico. Metodologia: As buscas foram realizadas por meio de pesquisas nas bases de dados PubMed Central (PMC) e Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS). Foram utilizados quatro descritores em combinação com o termo booleano “AND”: Pediatrics, Gastroenterology, Gastroesophageal Reflux e Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease . A estratégia de busca utilizada na base de dados PMC foi: Pediatrics AND Gastroenterology AND Gastroesophageal Reflux&nbsp; and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease AND Pediatrics e no BVS foi Pediatrics AND Gastroesophageal Reflux . Desta busca foram encontrados 157 artigos, posteriormente submetidos aos critérios de seleção. Após a associação dos descritores utilizados nas bases pesquisadas foram encontrados um total de 157 artigos, sendo utilizado 12 artigo para compor a produção desse trabalho.&nbsp; Resultados: As apresentações clínicas da DRGE viriam de acordo com a idade do paciente, sendo que os sintomas mais comuns no primeiro ano de vida incluem regurgitação, vômitos, recusa alimentar, tosse e irritabilidade, sendo que o diagnóstico é clínico, sendo considerado uso de ferramentas adicionais apenas em casos duvidosos ou com suspeita de complicações. &nbsp;&nbsp;Conclusão: Conclui-se que é fundamental a caracterização da DRGE objetivando garantir um controle sintomático e evitar a progressão para possíveis complicações, tais medidas podem ser realizadas através de um tratamento não farmacológico, farmacológico e até mesmo cirúrgico.&nbsp

Inflammatory, synaptic, motor, and behavioral alterations induced by gestational sepsis on the offspring at different stages of life

Abstract: Background: The term sepsis is used to designate a systemic condition of infection and inflammation associated with hemodynamic changes that result in organic dysfunction. Gestational sepsis can impair the development of the central nervous system and may promote permanent behavior alterations in the offspring. The aim of our work was to evaluate the effects of maternal sepsis on inflammatory cytokine levels and synaptic proteins in the hippocampus, neocortex, frontal cortex, and cerebellum of neonatal, young, and adult mice. Additionally, we analyzed the motor development, behavioral features, and cognitive impairments in neonatal, young and adult offspring. Methods: Pregnant mice at the 14th embryonic day (E14) were intratracheally instilled with saline 0.9% solution (control group) or Klebsiella spp. (3 × 108 CFU) (sepsis group) and started on meropenem after 5 h. The offspring was sacrificed at postnatal day (P) 2, P8, P30, and P60 and samples of liver, lung, and brain were collected for TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 measurements by ELISA. Synaptophysin, PSD95, and β-tubulin levels were analyzed by Western blot. Motor tests were performed at all analyzed ages and behavioral assessments were performed in offspring at P30 and P60. Results: Gestational sepsis induces a systemic pro-inflammatory response in neonates at P2 and P8 characterized by an increase in cytokine levels. Maternal sepsis induced systemic downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while in the hippocampus, neocortex, frontal cortex, and cerebellum an inflammatory response was detected. These changes in the brain immunity were accompanied by a reduction of synaptophysin and PSD95 levels in the hippocampus, neocortex, frontal cortex, and cerebellum, in all ages. Behavioral tests demonstrated motor impairment in neonates, and depressive-like behavior, fear-conditioned memory, and learning impairments in animals at P30 and P60, while spatial memory abilities were affected only at P60, indicating that gestational sepsis not only induces an inflammatory response in neonatal mouse brains, but also affects neurodevelopment, and leads to a plethora of behavioral alterations and cognitive impairments in the offspring. Conclusion: These data suggest that maternal sepsis may be causatively related to the development of depression, learning, and memory impairments in the litter

AVALIAÇÃO DA ATIVIDADE HEPATOPROTETORA E ANTIOXIDANTE DO

Introdu&ccedil;&atilde;oe objetivos: Apeibatibourbou possuifolhas ricas em compostos antioxidantes, principalmente &aacute;cido rosmar&iacute;nico (AR),um metab&oacute;lito secund&aacute;rio1. Objetivou-se identificar o potencial doextrato aquoso das folhas de A. tibourbou (EAT) na hepatoprote&ccedil;&atilde;o contraa hepatotoxicidade pelo CCl4, em camundongos. Metodologia: Extratoseco das folhas padronizado com 6,5% de AR preparado por spray dryer; grupos:controle positivo, negativo, EAT tratados nas doses de 25, 50, 100, 200 e 400mg.kg-1, AR puro (18 mg.kg-1); dano hep&aacute;tico induzido porCCl4, via intraperitoneal, 1 h ap&oacute;s tratamento com EAT; tratados por7 dias. Concentra&ccedil;&otilde;es de ALT, AST, ALP e GGT dosadas no plasma. Malondialdeido(MDA) dosado no f&iacute;gado e plasma. Resultados e Discuss&atilde;o: As duas maioresdoses aumentaram os n&iacute;veis de ALT, levando a suspeitar que doses altas de EATinduzam hepatotoxicidade, se administradas diariamente. Constata&ccedil;&atilde;o esta,confirmada pela an&aacute;lise histopatol&oacute;gica, quando se observou a presen&ccedil;a dealtera&ccedil;&otilde;es no f&iacute;gado2. A dose de 50 mg.kg-1 do EAT e o ARreduziram em 27,45% e 63,61%, respectivamente, a concentra&ccedil;&atilde;o de MDA no f&iacute;gado.No plasma, houve redu&ccedil;&atilde;o de MDA em todos os grupos tratados com EAT e AR. Conclus&atilde;o:O EAT possui efeito hepatoprotetor somente em baixas doses, tanto este,quanto o AR puro, demonstraram atividade antioxidante in vivo, quandoadministrados por via peroral

Abundance and Species Richness of Leafhoppers and Planthoppers (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae and Delphacidae) in Brazilian Maize Crops

Fil: De Oliveira, Charles Martins. Embrapa Cerrados. Planaltina. Brasília/DF; BrazilFil: De Oliveira, Elizabeth. Embrapa Milho e Sorgo. Sete Lagoas/MG; BrazilFil: Prazeres De Souza, Isabel Regina. Embrapa Milho e Sorgo. Sete Lagoas/MG; BrazilFil: Alves, Elcio. DuPont do Brazil S.A. DivisÆo Pioneer Sementes. Itumbiara/GO; BrazilFil: Dolezal, William. Pioneer Hi-Bred International. Itumbiara/GO; BrazilFil: Paradell, Susana Liria. División Entomología. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Marino de Remes Lenicov, Ana María. División Entomología. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Frizzas, Marina Regina. Universidade de Brasília. Departamento de Zoologia. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas. Brasília/DF; Brazi