The progressive increase of environmental temperature as a consequence of climate change is a challenge for the wine industry. Elevated temperatures during grape ripening affect the development of grape skin color by inhibiting the synthesis of pigments and promoting their degradation, which causes an imbalance in the chromatic quality of must and red wine. The application of pectic oligosaccharides (POs) and abscisic acid (ABA) triggers the phenylpropanoid pathway and increases the color index in grapes. Since the at-harvest pigments and phenolic compounds are determinant for wine quality, this work addressed the pre-harvest application of POs and ABA as an in-field strategy for improving the quality of Syrah must and grapes grown in a warm climate. The color development, physicochemical parameters, phenolic content, and pigments in berries and must were evaluated. Results showed POs and ABA improved berry color development and anthocyanin content during ripening. Musts from POs-treated berries exhibited the highest phenols concentration and the most intense color, related to higher chroma values and anthocyanin content, particularly delphinidin, petunidin, and malvidin 3-glucosides, while ABA improved must tonality by reducing the hue angle. In summary, POs and ABA application at veráison, differentially modulated the technological ripening of Syrah grapes and can be an alternative to conventional agrochemicals to preserve the quality of musts elaborated from grapes grown in warm climates, by increasing the content of phenolic compounds and enhancing berry skin color development through the differential accumulation of anthocyanins.

Cães machos, adultos, mestiços, foram transplantados com células do tumor venéreo transmissível canino (TVTC), na região hipogástrica. Foram coletados doze espécimes do TVTC, sendo metade durante a fase proliferativa e metade durante a fase regressiva. Fragmentos do tumor foram fixados em formol a 10%, tamponado e processado rotineiramente para microscopia de luz. Secções de 4µm foram coradas pelo Shorr, ou pela AgNOR, ou ainda, imunocorado para MIB 1 (Ki67). As colorações pelo Shorr, AgNOR, ou MIB 1 mostraram um aumento do índice mitótico, coloração da proteína argirofílica nuclear e células tumorais ciclando em tumores em crescimento, respectivamente. Todos os três marcadores de proliferação celular foram capazes de distinguir o TVTC em ambas as fases de evolução. O anticorpo monoclonal MIB 1 foi o melhor na avaliação morfológica, de crescimento e regressão do TVTC. Isto resultou em um valor maior que a contagem de AgNOR e do índice mitótico. A imunomarcação com MIB1 foi o parâmetro mais efetivo da atividade proliferativa. No entanto, só foi observada uma correlação positiva entre a contagem de mitose e a AgNOR.

Adult male mongrel dogs were subcutaneously transplanted with the canine transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) on the hypogastric region. Twelve specimens of tumors were collected, half during the proliferative phase and the other half during the regressive phase. Fragments of the tumor were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and routinely processed for light microscopy. Sections of 4µm were stained by Schorr or AgNOR or either immunostained for MIB1 (Ki67). Schorr stain, AgNOR and MIB1 showed an increased proliferative activity through mitotic index, nuclear argyrophilic protein stain and cycling tumoral cells in the growing tumors, respectively. All of the three cell proliferation markers were able to distinguish the TVT in both evolution phases. MIB1 monoclonal antibody was the best in the morphologic evaluation of growth and regression of TVT. This resulted in higher values than AgNORs counting and mitotic index. MIB1 immunostaining was the most effective parameter of the proliferative activity of TVT. However, a significant correlation has been detected only between mitosis counting and AgNORs.

A research was conducted to evaluate the effect of mycotoxins' adsorbent Mycosorb® on the hematological parameters of broilers (Ross) fed diets contaminated or not with aflatoxins. The welfare of broilers was determined by measuring heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. Blood samples were collected at 37, 44 and 51 days of age for the counting of total and differential leukocytes. Leukocytes counting were determined for lymphocytes and heterophils. The counting was based on the proportion of each cell type present in 100 counted cells. Heterophil/lymphocyte ratio was obtained dividing the rate of heterophils by the rate of lymphocytes. A total of 784 birds were used. Four treatments (seven replications of 28 birds each) were studied: T1= non contaminated corn (control); T2= contaminated corn (1 ppm aflatoxin) without adsorbent; T3= contaminated corn (1 ppm aflatoxin) + 1 kg Mycosorb®/t; and T4= non contaminated corn + 1 kg Mycosorb®/t. Data were analyzed through ANOVA and Duncan test was used for comparing the treatment means. Birds fed diets containing contaminated corn without mycotoxin adsorbent (T2) showed the highest numeric hematocrit index for all ages. However, significant differences (p<0.05) were found only among contaminated corn without adsorbent (T2) compared to uncontaminated corn containing mycotoxin adsorbent (T4) at 37 and 44 days of age. The highest heterophil/lymphocyte difference was observed among birds fed diets containing non contaminated corn without adsorbent in comparison to the ones fed diets containing non contaminated corn supplemented with 1 kg adsorbent/kg (32 vs. 16%, p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing aflatoxin without adsorbent showed lower weight gain (p<0.05) at 51 days when compared to the ones fed contaminated diets supplemented with adsorbent (2078.0 vs. 2501.2 kg, respectively). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of adsorbent based on sterified glucomannan (Mycosorb®/1 kg/t) in diets with or without contaminated corn positively affects hematocrit and live weight and improves animal welfare of female broilers, as evaluated through heterophil/lymphocyte ratio.

Avaliou-se o efeito de adsorventes de micotoxinas a base de glucomananos esterificados Mycosorb® sobre a taxa de hematócrito, relação heterófilos/linfócitos circulantes e peso vivo em frangos de corte Ross fêmeas alimentados com dietas contaminadas ou não com aflatoxina. Aos 37, 44 e 51 dias de idade foram coletadas amostras de sangue para realizar o hematócrito e a contagem de leucócitos total e diferencial. Na contagem leucocitária diferencial são apresentados apenas os linfócitos e heterófilos em função do objetivo do trabalho, calculando-se a proporção de cada tipo em cem células contadas. A relação heterófilos/ linfócitos foi calculada dividindo-se a taxa de heterófilos pela taxa de linfócitos. Os tratamentos com sete repetições de 28 aves cada, totalizando 784 aves, foram assim constituídos: T1= Dieta com milho não contaminado (controle), T2= Dieta com milho contaminado (aflatoxina 1 ppm) sem adsorventes, T3= Dieta com milho contaminado (aflatoxina 1 ppm) + 1,0 kg/t adsorvente Mycosorb®, T4= Dieta com milho não contaminado + 1,0 kg/t adsorvente Mycosorb®. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias de cada tratamento comparadas através do teste de Duncan. Aves alimentadas com milho contaminado e sem adsorvente de micotoxinas (T2) apresentaram, numericamente, em todas as idades, a maior taxa de hematócrito. No entanto, diferenças significativas (p<0,05) foram encontradas somente entre o milho contaminado sem adsorvente (T2) comparado ao milho não contaminado com aflatoxina com adsorvente de micotoxinas (T4) aos 37 e 44 dias de idade. A maior diferença na relação heterófilo/linfócito foi observada entre as aves que receberam dieta com milho não contaminado sem adsorvente comparada com a dieta com milho não contaminado suplementada com 1 kg/t de adsorvente (32 vs. 16%, p<0,05). As aves alimentadas com dietas contendo aflatoxina sem adsorvente apresentaram menor ganho de peso (p<0,05) aos 51 dias de idade, quando comparadas com aves recebendo dietas contaminadas suplementadas com adsorventes (2078,0 vs. 2501,2 kg, respectivamente). Conclui-se que a suplementação de adsorvente a base de glucomanano esterificado (Mycosorb® 1 kg/t), em dietas com ou sem milho contaminado com aflatoxina, influencia positivamente o hematócrito e o peso vivo e melhora o bem-estar animal avaliado através da relação heterófilos/linfócitos circulantes em frangos de corte fêmeas.

Doze cães, adultos, machos e sem raça definida foram transplantados subcutaneamente, na região hipogástrica, com células originadas de dois tumores venéreos transmissíveis caninos (TVT). O objetivo do estudo foi demonstrar e quantificar a ocorrência de apoptose na regressão do TVT. Após seis meses, foi obtido um tumor de cada animal, totalizando seis em crescimento e seis em regressão. Fragmentos dos tumores foram processados para avaliação histológica, ultra-estrutural e também para extração de DNA. Cortes de 4µm foram corados em HE, Shorr, verde de metila pironina e Van Gieson e alguns foram submetidos à reação do TUNEL e à imunoistoquímica para P53. Secções coradas pelo Shorr, submetidas à morfometria, demonstram maior índice apoptótico nos tumores em regressão. Esse achado foi confirmado pela microscopia eletrônica de transmissão que evidenciou células com morfologia típica de apoptose e pela reação de TUNEL que marcou mais células nos tumores em regressão que naqueles em crescimento. A imunomarcação para P53 foi mais intensa nos tumores em regressão, assim como a fragmentação internucleossômica do genoma mostrada pela eletroforese em gel de agarose. Concluiu-se que a apoptose tem importante papel na regressão do TVT transplantado experimentalmente, sendo, nesse caso, dependente de P53 para a sua execução.

Twelve male, mongrel, adult dogs were subcutaneously transplanted with cells originated from two canine transmissible venereal tumors (TVT). The aim was to demonstrate and to quantify the occurrence of apoptosis in the TVT regression. After six months of transplantation, a tumor sample was obtained from each dog, being six dogs with TVT in the growing phase and six in the regression phase as verified by daily measurements. Samples were processed for histological and ultrastructural purposes as well as for DNA extraction. Sections of 4µm were stained by HE, Shorr, methyl green pyronine, Van Gieson, TUNEL reaction and immunostained for P53. The Shorr stained sections went through morphometry that demonstrated an increase of the apoptotic cells per field in the regressive tumors. It was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, which showed cells with typical morphology of apoptosis and by the TUNEL reaction that detected in situ the 3'OH nick end labeling mainly in the regressive tumors. The regressive TVTs also showed an intensified immunostaining for P53 besides a more intense genomic DNA fragmentation detected by the agarose gel electrophoresis. In conclusion, apoptosis has an important role in the regression of the experimental TVT in a way that is P53-dependent.

Food allergy is most frequently the result of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions. Here, we describe a chronic model in which some of the intestinal and systemic consequences of continuous egg white solution ingestion by ovalbumin-sensitized eight-week-old BALB/c mice, 6 animals per group, of both sexes, were investigated. There was a 20% loss of body weight that began one week after antigen exposure and persisted throughout the experiment (3 weeks). The sensitization procedure induced the production of anti-ovalbumin IgG1 and IgE, which were enhanced by oral antigen exposure (129% for IgG1 and 164% for IgE, compared to sensitization values). Intestinal changes were determined by jejunum edema at 6 h (45% Evans blue extravasation) and by a significant eosinophil infiltration with a peak at 48 h. By day 21 of continuous antigen exposure, histological findings were mild, with mast cell hyperplasia (100%) and increased mucus production (483%). Altogether, our data clearly demonstrate that, although immune stimulation was persistently occurring in response to continuous oral antigen exposure, regulatory mechanisms were occurring in the intestinal mucosa, preventing overt pathology. The experimental model described here reproduces the clinical and pathological changes of mild chronic food allergy and may be useful for mechanistic studies of this common clinical condition.

An association between depression and altered immune and hormonal systems has been suggested by the results of many studies. In the present study we carried out immune and hormonal measurements in 40 non-medicated, ambulatory adult patients with depression determined by CID-10 criteria and compared with 34 healthy nondepressed subjects. The severity of the condition was determined with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Of 40 depressed patients, 31 had very severe and 9 severe or moderate depression, 29 (72.5%) were females and 11 (27.5%) were males (2.6:1 ratio). The results revealed a significant reduction of albumin and elevation of alpha-1, alpha-2 and ß-globulins, and soluble IL-2 receptor in patients with depression compared to the values obtained for nondepressed subjects (P<0.05). The decrease lymphocyte proliferation in response to a mitogen was significantly lower in severely or moderately depressed patients when compared to control (P<0.05). These data confirm the immunological disturbance of acute phase proteins and cellular immune response in patients with depression. Other results may be explained by a variety of interacting factors such as number of patients, age, sex, and the nature, severity and/or duration of depression. Thus, the data obtained should be interpreted with caution and the precise clinical relevance of these findings requires further investigation.