Anti-Ro52/TRIM21 antibodies are associated with aberrant inflammatory circuits in patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases

INTRODUCTION: Anti-Ro52/TRIM21 antibodies are markers for several systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD). OBJECTIVE: To assess whether anti-Ro52/TRIM21 antibodies are related to abnormalities in inflammatory circuits. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of consecutive outpatients with SARD. Anti-Ro52/TRIM21 antibodies and serum amyloid A protein were measured by ELISA; panels for 18 cytokines and nine chemokines were analyzed on a Luminex reading platform, while high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and complement were measured by nephelometry. RESULTS: Among 167 included patients, 143 had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 16 had primary Sjögren's syndrome and eight had systemic sclerosis; 41 (24%) were positive for anti-Ro52/TRIM21 antibodies. Patients with anti-Ro52/TRIM21 antibodies had higher serum levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, GM-CSF, IL-21, IL-22, hs-CRP and chemokines CCL4, CXCL8, CXCL10 and CXCL12, but lower levels of complement C4. Anti-Ro52/TRIM21 antibody titers were positively correlated with IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-21, IL-22, CXCL10, and hs-CRP, and negatively with complements C3 and C4. When only SLE patients were included, no association was identified between anti-Ro52/TRIM21 antibodies and disease activity or organ-specific involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-Ro52/TRIM21 antibodies are associated with aberrant cytokine circuits and elevated levels of angiogenic molecules and neutrophil and monocyte chemoattractants, which suggests an active role for these antibodies in SARD.</p

Short Communication: Performance of steers fed on pasture receiving different seeding rates of vetch in an integrated crop-livestock system

Aim of study: To evaluate the performance of beef calves fed black oat and Italian ryegrass pasture seeded with several different seeding rates (SR) of common vetch in a crop-livestock integrated system.Area of study: The experiment was carried out in Dois Vizinhos city, Paraná, Brazil.Material and methods: An area of 8.3 ha was used, which was divided into 11 paddocks, 0.75 ha each. Nellore calves (n = 22), 7 ± 2 months old and with initial body weight of 134 ± 27 kg were used for the tests. The experimental design was completely randomised. Vetch (Vicia sativa L., ‘Amethyst’) SR treatments included 0, 15, 30, and 45 kg ha-1, in a mixture with black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb. ‘IPR 61’ and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pastures.Main results: There was no effect of SR on pasture productivity parameters. The increase in vetch seed in the seed mixture resulted in an increase in crude protein and neutral detergent fibre, but decreased in vitro digestibility of vetch. However, these changes did not affect the nutritional value of the pasture. Vetch SR of 30 kg ha-1 or higher allowed greater share of the legume in the pasture, thereby enhancing greater individual animal performanceResearch highlights: Vetch SR of 30 kg ha-1 or higher allowed greater share of the legume in the pasture, thereby enhancing greater individual animal performance

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylamide hydrogels for the controlled release of bromelain from agroindustrial residues of Ananas comosus

This works reports the purification of bromelain extracted from Ananas comosus industrial residues by ethanol purification, its partial characterization from the crude extract as well as the ethanol purified enzyme, and its application onto poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylamide hydrogels. Bromelain was recovered within the 30–70 % ethanol fraction, which achieved a purification factor of 3.12-fold, and yielded more than 90 % of its initial activity. The resulting purified bromelain contained more than 360 U · mg−1, with a maximum working temperature of 60 °C and pH of 8.0. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylamide hydrogels presented a swelling rate of 125 %, which was capable of loading 56 % of bromelain from the solution, and was able to release up to 91 % of the retained bromelain. Ethanol precipitation is suitable for bromelain recovery and application onto poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylamide hydrogels based on its processing time and the applied ethanol prices8117191726CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAIS - FAPEMIGsem informaçã

Poly(n-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylamide Hydrogels For The Controlled Release Of Bromelain From Agroindustrial Residues Of Ananas Comosus.

This works reports the purification of bromelain extracted from Ananas comosus industrial residues by ethanol purification, its partial characterization from the crude extract as well as the ethanol purified enzyme, and its application onto poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylamide hydrogels. Bromelain was recovered within the 30-70 % ethanol fraction, which achieved a purification factor of 3.12-fold, and yielded more than 90 % of its initial activity. The resulting purified bromelain contained more than 360 U · mg(-1), with a maximum working temperature of 60 °C and pH of 8.0. Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylamide hydrogels presented a swelling rate of 125 %, which was capable of loading 56 % of bromelain from the solution, and was able to release up to 91 % of the retained bromelain. Ethanol precipitation is suitable for bromelain recovery and application onto poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylamide hydrogels based on its processing time and the applied ethanol prices.811719-172

Cuidados veterinários e infeção parasitária em animais de companhia seguidos numa clínica médico-veterinária

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as espécies animais que frequentam uma clínica médico-veterinária, os cuidados que os proprietários têm, os problemas mais frequentes e quais os métodos de prevenção utilizados. Pretendeu-se ainda avaliar a fauna parasitária presente em felídeos e canídeos seguidos na clínica. Em 2011, acompanharam-se 133 casos clínicos e realizaram-se 113 inquéritos a donos de animais. Efetuaram-se recolhas de fezes, num total de 86 amostras, que foram sujeitas a análises coprológicas qualitativas pela técnica de Willis. Os cães com idades entre >18 meses-6 anos, do sexo feminino, de raça pura, com porte pequeno e pelagem curta foram predominantes. Os felídeos com idade entre >18 meses-6 anos, do sexo feminino, pelagem curta e de raça indeterminada dominaram. Prevaleceram as consultas de rotina e nestas as relacionadas com a sanidade. As patologias predominantes foram do foro digestivo, urinário e dermatológico. Em cirurgia salientaram-se as esterilizações. Oito dos canídeos apresentaram ovos de Ascarididae, Ancylostomatidae e Trichuridae. Ctenocephalides felis felis, Ixodes ventalloi e R. sanguineus identificaram-se num gato e em três cães.Verificou-se que cada vez mais os proprietários têm consciência da importância do bem-estar e saúde animal como forma de proteger a sua própria saúde, levando os animais ao médico-veterinário. This study aimed to identify the more frequent pets that attend a veterinary clinic, the owners care, the main issues affecting pets, and the followed preventive measures. Simultaneously, a parasitological evaluation was performed in felines and canines attending the clinic. In 2011, 133 clinical cases were followed up and 113 enquiries performed to animal owners. Faeces were collected on pets examined in the clinic, with a total of 86 samples. Qualitative parasitological fecal analyses were performed. Dogs, aged between> 18m-6a, female, purebreds, small size and short pelage were predominant. Relatively to the cats, prevailed age between> 18m-6a, female sex, indeterminate race and short pelage. Routine visits prevailed and inside this, the appointments for sanitary issues were superior. The most frequent pathologies observed were related to the digestive and urinary systems and skin. In surgery, sterilizations were more frequent. In 8 dog faeces Ascarididae, Ancylostomatidae and Trichuridae eggs were identified. Ctenocephalides felis felis and Ixodes ventalloi and R. sanguineus were identified in three dogs and one cat. This study emphasized that owners are aware of animal welfare and animal health as a way of protection of their own health, and use to take their pets more often to a vet

EL PASO DEL CONCEPTO DE CONVIVENCIA CON LA SEMI-ARIDEZ A LA APLICACIÓN DE POLÍTICAS-PAÍS: BRASIL 2002-2016

El presente artículo objetivó explorar si ha sido posible hacer realidad la propuesta brasileña de convivencia con la semi-aridez, y de haber sido así, establecer cuáles estrategias han contribui- do, y cuáles condiciones gruesas han sido necesarias para ello. En contexto, fue realizado un análi- sis comparativo, de las transformaciones que ocurrieron en 10 territorios del semiárido brasileño, en dos periodos de tiempo PI (1973-2001) con políticas de combate a las sequias vs PII (2002- 2016) con la implementación de políticas gubernamentales de desarrollo bajo el concepto de convivencia con la semi-áridez. Las variables y procesos analizados incluyeron (a) Capital Físico; (b) Acceso a Infra-Estructura Hídrica; (c) Diversificación de sistemas de Producción (vegetal y ani- mal); (d) Gestión de Bienes Común; (e) Integración en Espacios Políticos Organizativos y (f ) Acceso a Políticas Públicas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que hubo cambios significativos en los in- dicadores analizados en el periodo PII, en comparación al periodo de (PI), en los 10 territorios ana- lizados, como resultado del acceso a políticas públicas de convivencia con la sequía. Comparando el P-II con el P-I, en promedio, hubo una mejoría sustantiva en el Acceso a Infra-estructura Hídrica (121%), Diversidad de los sistemas Producción (Animal, 99% y Vegetal 229%), Participación en la Gestión de Bienes Comunes (66%), Integración en Espacio Políticos Organizativos (148%) y Participación en Políticas Publicas (99%). La convivencia pasó de ser un concepto a convertirse en hecho como consecuencia del conjunto de transformaciones estructurales, agroecológicas, sociales y de manejo en combinación con el fortalecimiento de mecanismos de reciprocidad co- munitaria, caracterizados por a) movilización social y canalización para crear almacenamiento de recursos con el fin de utilizarlos en periodos de sequias, b) la reducción de la pérdida de recursos de los agro-ecosistemas y uso su eficaz y c) la articulación, organización y momentos sinérgicos de comunicación entre los diversos atores

COVID-19 and social distancing among children and adolescents in Brazil

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the adherence to measures of social distancing in children and adolescents studied in three national surveys conducted in Brazil between May–June 2020. METHODS Three national serological surveys were conducted in 133 sentinel cities located in all 27 Federative Units. Multistage probability sampling was used to select 250 individuals per city. The total sample size in age ranges 0–9 and 10–19 years old are of 4,263 and 8,024 individuals, respectively. Information on children or adolescents was gathered with a data collection app, and a rapid point-of-case test for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted on a finger prick blood sample. RESULTS The adjusted prevalence of antibodies was 2.9% (2.2–3.6) among children 0–9 years, 2.2% (1.8–2.6) among adolescents 10-19 years, and 3.0% (2.7–3.3) among adults 20+years. Prevalence of antibodies was higher among poor children and adolescents compared to those of rich families. Adherence to social distancing measures was seen in 72.4% (71.9–73.8) of families with children, 60.8% (59.6–61.9) for adolescents, and 57.4% (56.9–57.8) for adults. For not leaving the house except for essential matters the proportions were 81.7% (80.5–82.9), 70.6% (69.6–61.9), and 65.1% (64.7–65.5), respectively. Among children and adolescents, social distancing was strongly associated with socioeconomic status, being much higher in the better-off families. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 showed comparable levels among children, adolescents, and adults. Adherence to social distancing measures was more prevalent in children, followed by adolescents. There were important socioeconomic differences in the adherence to social distancing among children and adolescents